U.S. Government Contractor Arrested on Espionage Charges

A U.S. government contractor was arrested on Aug. 24 based on espionage charges in a complaint unsealed today. Abraham Teklu Lemma, 50, a naturalized U.S. citizen of Ethiopian descent, of Silver Spring, Maryland, is charged with delivering national defense information to aid a foreign government, conspiracy to deliver national defense information to aid a foreign government, and the willful retention of national defense information.

According to the criminal complaint, between on or about Dec. 19, 2022, and Aug. 7, 2023, Lemma copied classified information from intelligence reports and deleted the classification markings from them. Lemma then removed the information, which was classified as SECRET and TOP SECRET, from secure facilities at the Department of State. This material related to a specific country and/or geographic region. Lemma accessed, copied, removed, and retained this information without authorization.

According to the charging documents, Lemma used an encrypted application to transmit classified national defense information to a foreign government official associated with a foreign countrys intelligence service. In these communications, Lemma expressed an interest and willingness to assist the foreign government official by providing information. In one communication, the foreign official stated, [i]ts time to continue ur support. Lemma responded, Roger that! In other chats, the foreign official tasked Lemma to focus on information related to particular subjects, and Lemma responded [a]bsolutely, I have been focusing on that all this week . . . . As alleged in the criminal complaint, the classified national defense information Lemma transferred to the foreign official included satellite imagery and other information regarding military activities in the foreign country and region.

The two espionage charges carry a potential penalty of death or any term of years up to life in prison, and the willful retention charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal judge will determine any sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBIs Washington Field Office, the State Departments Diplomatic Security Service, and the Justice Departments Office of the Inspector General are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tejpal Chawla and Alexandra Hughes for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorneys Heather Schmidt and Kathryn DeMarco of the National Security Divisions Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This story has been published on: 2023-09-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Xi, Assad jointly announce China-Syria strategic partnership

Xinhua) 17:21, September 23, 2023

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 22, 2023. The Syrian president is in Hangzhou to attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games scheduled for Saturday. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

HANGZHOU, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Friday jointly announced the establishment of a China-Syria strategic partnership.

The two presidents met in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, ahead of the opening of the 19th Asian Games scheduled for Saturday.

Syria was one of the first Arab countries that established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, and was one of the countries that co-sponsored the resolution to restore the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations, Xi said.

Over the 67 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the China-Syria relationship has stood the test of changes in the international situation, and their friendship has grown stronger over time, he said.

Xi noted that the establishment of the strategic partnership will be an important milestone in the history of bilateral ties.

China is willing to work with Syria to enrich their relationship and continuously advance the China-Syria strategic partnership, Xi said.

Xi emphasized that China will continue to work with Syria to firmly support each other on issues concerning the two sides' respective core interests and major concerns, safeguard the common interests of both countries and other developing countries, and uphold international fairness and justice.

China supports Syria in opposing foreign interference, rejecting unilateralism and bullying, and safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said.

China supports Syria in conducting reconstruction, enhancing counter-terrorism capacity building, and promoting a political settlement of the Syrian issue following the "Syrian-led, Syrian-owned" principle, Xi said.

China also supports Syria in improving its relations with other Arab countries and playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, he added.

China is willing to strengthen Belt and Road cooperation with Syria, increase the import of high-quality agricultural products from Syria, and jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative to make active contributions to regional and global peace and development.

Assad said that in international affairs, China has always aligned itself with international fairness and justice, and upheld international law and humanitarianism, playing an important and constructive role.

Syria highly appreciates and firmly supports the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and will actively participate in them, Assad added.

The Syrian side thanks the Chinese government for its invaluable support to the Syrian people, firmly opposes any act of interference in China's internal affairs, and is willing to be China's long-term and staunch friend and partner, he said.

Assad said Syria will take the establishment of the Syria-China strategic partnership as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral friendly cooperation and step up their communication and coordination in international and regional affairs.

After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in areas including Belt and Road cooperation, and economic and technological cooperation.

The two sides issued a joint statement on the establishment of the strategic partnership.

Senior Chinese leaders including Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi and Shen Yiqin attended the activities.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 22, 2023. The Syrian president is in Hangzhou to attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games scheduled for Saturday. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

(Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Liang Jun)
The huge teachers' strike in Nepal is now on its third day, affecting millions of students throughout the country.

A measure to restructure the educational system is being opposed by around 110,000 educators in Nepal. They oppose efforts to place more power in the hands of municipal governments and a prohibition on teachers' participation in political organizations.

Schools Forced to Cancel Classes

Many people took to the streets of Kathmandu on Thursday, September 21, heading in the direction of the parliament building. As the demonstrators sought to break beyond the steel wall, the anti-riot police pushed back with their sticks.

According to ABC News, the protest has resulted in the closure of over 29,000 public schools throughout the nation. There was no closure of private schools.

Amid the protests, students and their parents have been asking that the interruptions be put to a stop so that school can go back to normal.

Preparing for national exams, 16-year-old Simran Bhatta Acharya questioned the decisions of the teachers who went on strikes.

Sabitri Acharya, Simran's mom, claimed she had been out of the office for a few days to take care of her. "How long can I do that? Teachers should fight for their rights without taking away the children's right to education," she pointed out, BBC reported.

See Also: Teachers Should Be Included in Philippines' 5 Trillion Budget, Says TDC

Issues Raised by Educators

The teachers are upset over a clause in the law that would prevent them from joining political organizations. Notably, educators in Nepal played a crucial role in the democratic movement. Since the country's first parliamentary elections in 1959, political parties have actively sought to recruit educators as campaigners.

However, there are many in the field of education who believe that teachers' political engagement has a negative impact on student learning and have called for a complete ban on political activities.

The educators also disagree with proposed changes that would provide local governments more control over schools.

By amending the constitution in 2015, power over public institutions, including schools and hospitals, has been transferred to municipal governments. This was in response to worries about the concentration of authority and resources in the capital of Kathmandu.

After eight years, some educators still feel that school districts are being poorly managed because local politicians lack the expertise necessary to do their jobs. However, many in Nepal favor the measure because they feel it would result in more responsible behavior on the part of the teaching professionals.

Teachers have asked the government to do a number of things, including centralizing promotion and transfer decisions in the provinces rather than in the municipalities.

In addition to increased pay, they requested the establishment of a training council and the possibility of permanent employment for instructors initially employed on a temporary basis.

The head of the Nepal Teachers' Association, Kamala Tuladhar, has complained that the government has not lived up to its agreement with teachers by addressing their problems sooner. But Purna Bahadur, Nepal's interim prime minister, has claimed that the teachers began their protests before alerting the administration of their demands.

See Also: Florida Universities Approve New Classic Learning Test for College Entrance Exam

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
As a result of the Russian missile attack on Kremenchuk, civilian infrastructure was damaged

Search operations at the site of a Russian missile attack on Kremenchuk, Poltava Oblast were completed late at night on Sept. 22, the mayor of the city, Vitaliy Maletskyi, has reported.

One person was killed and more than 30 were injured in the Russian attack.

Read also: Ukrainian Air Force comments on Russia's latest mass missile attack

The head of the Poltava Oblast Military Administration, Dmytro Lunin, reported 31 injured, while Kremenchuk Mayor Vitaliy Maletskyi reported 32.

Three children are among the wounded. Sixteen people are in the hospital, and doctors are providing them with medical care.

Read also: Woman in Sumy dies of injuries suffered in Russian missile strike

The attack also damaged residential buildings in the city center. Windows were smashed, roofs were damaged, and in some places building facades were destroyed.

Russian troops launched a missile attack on Kremenchuk earlier on Sept. 22, damaging civilian infrastructure.

Kremenchuk is over 220 kilometers away from the nearest part of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory. Russia frequently attacks cities far behind the front lines in Ukraine with missiles and drones.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Senior leaders of Russia's military severely wounded during targeted strike on Black Sea Fleet HQ, reports say

On Friday, a Ukrainian missile struck Russia's Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Crimea.

Russia has not confirmed any deaths but top military commanders were among those reported wounded.

Since the invasion began, many high-ranking Russian military officials have been killed in action.

Top Russian military commanders were among those wounded Friday in a Ukrainian missile strike that targeted the Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Crimea.

Russia's Colonel General Alexander Romanchuk and Lieutenant General Oleg Tsekov were among those "severely wounded" in the strike, Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov told Ostap Yarysh, a Pentagon correspondent and anchor at Voice of America news.

Budanov said at least 9 Russian military personnel were killed and 16 wounded in the attack.

"Romanchuk is in charge of Russian forces in Zaporizhzhia where the main thrust of Ukraine's counteroffensive is occurring," Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, wrote in a post on X. "This suggests that it wasn't just a strike on the Black Sea Fleet HQ, but timed to target key senior leaders during a meeting."

The Russian Ministry of Defense initially confirmed only one soldier was killed in the attack, Insider previously reported. However, the Kremlin has been tight-lipped about confirming the number of Russians killed since the war began last year.

Representatives for Ukraine's Ministry of Defense and the Government of the Russian Federation did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Insider.

In May, the White House estimated 100,000 Russians have been killed or injured since the invasion began. The British government has reported as many as 60,000 Russians have been killed in action. While the exact number remains unconfirmed, many of Russia's top generals and military commanders have been killed in action.

The Friday missile strike is the latest in a series of relentless attacks that have targeted the Black Sea Fleet's ships and facilities, which Insider previously reported are an attempt to make holding Crimea "untenable" for Moscow's forces.

Earlier this week, Ukrainian officials said a command post near the port of Sevastopol was damaged in a missile strike. Within the last month, Ukrainian troops also launched a cruise missile strike on a Russian shipyard, damaging two warfighting vessels.

Read the original article on Business Insider
New York City has paid at least $35 million to settle allegations of civil rights violations by police against people protesting the 2020 death of George Floyd. Pasadena, California paid the children of Anthony McLain $7.5 million in a 2021 settlement after their father was killed fleeing a traffic stop.

In Texas, San Antonio settled a wrongful death lawsuit in 2022 with the family of Antronie Scott for $450,000 after an unarmed Scott was shot and killed by a police officer. In Graham, a small town in North Carolina, alleged excessive use of force by police during a voting rights march led to a $336,900 settlement in 2021.

Cities can face hundreds of lawsuits related to police misconduct each year  often related to the conduct of just a few officers  and while the payouts vary wildly, settlements are almost always funded by taxpayers. Police officers have qualified immunity, which means they are generally shielded from criminal prosecution, so for people alleging misconduct, lawsuits may be the only recourse.

"There are ongoing, continuous, regular settlements for police misconduct," said Anne Houghtaling, an attorney and the senior deputy director of strategic initiatives at the Legal Defense Fund, which operates the National Police Funding Database through its Thurgood Marshall Institute. The database looks at police misconduct data, among other information. "It seems almost as if it's a cost of doing business in some jurisdictions."

What are police misconduct settlements?

Police misconduct settlements are agreements made when a civil suit alleging civil rights violations is resolved out of court instead of at trial.

Settlements usually result in at least one of two outcomes: The person or estate bringing the case can receive money, or, more rarely, a policy change may follow the settlement. Settlements rarely include an admission of wrongdoing or guilt, said Joanna Schwartz, an attorney, law professor and the faculty director of the David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy at the UCLA School of Law.

NYPD officers spray Mace into a crowd of protesters on May 29, 2020. / Credit: (C)Kevin Mazur / Getty Images

John J. Catanzara Jr., who heads Chicago's Fraternal Order of Police, told CBS News that he did not believe settlements should be entered into, criticizing them as a way to avoid litigation.

"I think they serve a very negative kind of role, more than anything else, because they kind of blacklist an officer for doing something wrong," the police union chief said. He told CBS News that he believed lawsuits that plaintiffs win in court are "realistically few and far between," but didn't elaborate on what those cases might be or provide specific numbers about how many lawsuits he believes are not meritorious.

While these settlements occur regularly, it can be hard to find clear-cut data on them. Houghtaling told CBS News that the National Police Funding Database has data on settlements going back "roughly 10 to 15 years." Houghtaling said the limited data makes it hard to establish clear trends, but said there has been an increase in settlements since 2020, when protests erupted after the death of George Floyd  many only being reported recently.

Who pays for a police misconduct settlement?

Almost no settlements are paid out by the police officers accused of misconduct, researchers and data show. The cost is often borne by taxpayers, said Houghtaling. In some states, departments or municipal governments will also provide officers with a lawyer or cover their legal fees, Schwartz said.

"There's a level of police officers not being held individually accountable, and so they're not paying for the settlements," Houghtaling said. "Their police departments are, and those departments are funded by tax dollars."

Departments even budget for such settlements, Schwartz said. Her research shows that "in most jurisdictions, payouts in police misconduct cases are less than 1% of local government's budgets." On average, funding a police department takes about a third or a quarter of a city's budget, Schwartz said.

Family of man killed by police responding to wrong house in New Mexico files lawsuit



"New York City can have millions of dollars, hundreds of millions of dollars to pay up and it's still less than 1% of the government's budget," Schwartz said. "It is a lot of money, it's money that ... could be definitely spent in other, better ways if there wasn't this misconduct happening. But it's also true that it is a relatively small number in the perspective of the budget overall."

In a 2016 study that looked at 100 government budgets across the country, Schwartz found that there are a "variety of different ways in which these settlements and judgments" are paid. In smaller jurisdictions, municipal liability insurers pay the settlements, Schwartz said, but arrangements vary in larger municipalities and big cities. This can include departments contributing to a central litigation fund, which is the case for the New York City Police Department.

In other cities, the settlement money comes from a police department's budget, but if the settlement costs are over budget, officials may end up requesting more money from the city council. This is the case in cities like Chicago, Schwartz said, where the money for a settlement "does technically come from the police department's budget, but does not have any financial impact on the police department's budget." When that happens, Schwartz said, it can affect other city services.

"When there's a need for more money, and the police department goes back to the city, they have to pull that money from other parts of the city's budget," Schwartz said. "As a matter of political reality, that money gets pulled from the crevices of a budget that are earmarked to help the least powerful."

Do these settlements lead to less misconduct?

Police settlement costs themselves don't appear to deter misconduct, Schwartz and Houghtaling said, because those costs rarely impact an individual officer.

An investigation conducted by the Washington Post in March 2022 and cited by Houghtaling found that just a small number of officers are responsible for multiple settlements, with the Post reporting that more than 7,600 officers have been involved in more than one settlement, costing about $1.5 billion nationwide in the past 10 years. More than 1,200 officers in departments surveyed by the Washington Post had been involved in at least five settlements, and more than 200 officers had 10 or more.

According to a recent report by New York City publication Gothamist, just 10 NYPD officers were responsible for $68 million in police misconduct payouts by the city. All 10 remain on the public payroll, Gothamist reported.

Houghtaling said that part of the problem with tracing repeated misconduct is that it's hard to track incidents between departments.

"There's no national database of police officers that are terminated for misconduct," Houghtaling said. "So they may commit misconduct in one jurisdiction and maybe lose their job there, and then go down the street 30 miles to a different city or county or get a new job. There is sort of this disconnect between accountability and the financial consequences for it."

Catanzara, the union head, said he didn't see how settlements could serve as deterrents.

"Nobody can explain to me how that even makes sense," he said. "Settlements are designed to get rid of a problem, so to speak, whether it's justified or not."

Because it's "exceedingly rare" for settlements to include an admission of guilt or wrongdoing, according to Schwartz, a department can avoid admitting wrongdoing and make it harder for plaintiffs in future cases to use the facts of a previous case, leading to what Schwartz called "a systemic problem."

"When people are trying to show a pattern of misconduct in order to hold a local government responsible, you often have to show a pattern of prior misconduct that wasn't properly addressed by the department ... Courts have said that complaints and settlements are not proof in and of themselves, so the fact is many settlements can be inadequate to show a pattern of misconduct in the eyes of the courts," Schwartz said.

What can actually affect police misbehavior?

There are ways to reduce police misconduct, experts said. Police departments can gather and analyze information from lawsuits brought against them, Schwartz said, and bring in outside auditors or attorneys to look at this data to "identify concerning trends in officers who have repeatedly been sued," find "repeat allegations" against a particular department, squad or station, and determine if there are repeated issues suggesting "the need for more training or supervision."

One rigorous study conducted by the independent, nonpartisan National Policing Institute found that when police were trained "on the concepts of procedural justice and fairness," crime and arrest rates in three different "high-crime areas" decreased, said Jim Burch, the research organization's president.

According to the 2022 study, procedural justice is based on "giving people a voice, showing neutrality, treating people with respect, and showing trustworthy objectives." Training officers in these techniques made them "significantly more likely to behave" in line with them.

Other options could be looking at policies reducing or limiting use-of-force and changing whether police officers or a different, trained organization should respond to some situations, Burch and Schwartz both said.

Settlements that result in policy change can be effective, according to experts interviewed by CBS News, but may require extra oversight to ensure the changes continue. Abdul Nassar Rad, the managing director of research and data at Campaign Zero, told CBS News that the stop-and-frisk monitor team overseeing the NYPD, established after multiple lawsuits challenged the policy, was a good example: Since 2013, the monitor team has reported on the department's progress implementing court-ordered reforms related to stop-and-frisk policies. Nassar Rad said this has led to a decline in unconstitutional stops.

Financial settlements in misconduct cases can be effective too  if individual officers shoulder some of the cost. Schwartz highlighted a new state law in Colorado that requires an officer who has been found by their department to have acted in bad faith must shoulder up to $25,000 or 5%, whichever is less, of a settlement. New York City has also "periodically required officers to contribute some amount to settlements in police misconduct cases when they violate policy," Schwartz said.

"We've talked a lot about deterrence and the ways in which deterrence doesn't necessarily work in these cases, but these settlements also serve a compensatory goal, which I think is important to keep in mind as well," Schwartz said. "There's a lot more that local governments can do and should do to strengthen the effects of these suits on the officers and the departments that are behind them."

Taylor Swift attends Chiefs game with Travis Kelce's family

Newest car theft threat: carhackers

Sneak peek: The Betrayal of Linda Slaten
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Several agencies are battling a wildfire that has consumed about 700 acres in Overton, Nevada Friday, according to the Moapa Valley Fire District.

The Huntsman Fire ignited about 63 miles northeast of Las Vegas around 2:40 p.m., prompting a swift and coordinated response from multiple agencies including the Bureau of Land Management, the National Forest Service, the National Park Service, and the Moapa Valley Fire District.

The wildfire expanded to about 700 acres as of Friday night, causing a challenge for crews due to strong and erratic winds in the area, officials said.

Huntsman Fire in Overton, Nevada on September 22, 2023 (Moapa Valley Fire District)

Huntsman Fire in Overton, Nevada on September 22, 2023 (Moapa Valley Fire District)

Huntsman Fire in Overton, Nevada on September 22, 2023 (Moapa Valley Fire District)

Fire crews worked to contain and mitigate the blaze, focusing on protecting lives, property, and the natural environment. Crews are using natural fire breaks and are conducting back-burning operations to control the spread of the fire.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation as of Friday evening.

Officials say the situation is dynamic, and authorities are actively monitoring the fires progress.

Residents and visitors are urged to stay informed, follow evacuation orders if issued, and cooperate with authorities during this critical time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Several downtown Modesto businesses have had windows or glass doors smashed over the past week, including Subway, Starbucks and Rancho Fresco Cantina & Nightclub, according to police.

Two windows also were smashed at the building that houses the Stanislaus County Registrar of Voters and the Public Defenders Office.

The man who smashed two floor-to-ceiling windows at the Subway at 10th and J streets early Friday also entered the restaurant and stole containers of chicken and American cheese, as well as soft drinks and bags of Cheetos, store manager Mandip Bains said.

She said the man also nabbed about $12 in change from the cash register. The Subway replaced the windows later Friday. She said the vandalism and theft were captured on security footage.

Rancho Fresco had glass smashed about 5 a.m. Thursday, manager Abel Larios said. He said a cell phone, laptop, tablet and two bottles of alcohol were stolen. He said a man and a woman were responsible, but Police Department spokeswoman Sharon Bear said they were bystanders and officers have arrested another man in the incident.

She said police suspect that man also is responsible for the Subway vandalism and theft. She said another man was arrested in the other vandalism incidents. Both men are in custody and were not acting together, Bear said.

Rancho Fresco Nightclub was hit early Thursday. The thief took a laptop, cell phone, tablet and a couple of bottles of whiskey. Photographed in Modesto, Calif., Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.

She said Rancho Fresco and Subway were the only businesses victimized by theft but police recognize the economic impact to all of the businesses.

We understand the hardships these acts of vandalism and thefts have had on our local businesses, Bear said. The Modesto Police Department is committed to actively addressing these issues and ensuring the safety and security of our community.

She said this level of vandalism and theft is definitely out of the ordinary in downtown as police continue to work on the city cores quality-of-life issues. She said the department is working with the Downtown Improvement District and encouraging businesses to promptly report problems.

In another incident, a man threw a rock through the glass door of The Chartreuse Muse gallery around 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, according to gallery director Kelly Troxler. She said the man was disheveled and shirtless.

Troxler said the man grabbed a bar code scanner from the gallery and then threw it down. But she said he did not take or damage anything else in the gallery. The gallery remains closed while it awaits a replacement door, though The Chartreuse Muse continues to hold classes in the back of its building.

The Starbucks on Ninth Street also had windows smashed Sept. 16, according to an employee.

Bear said the vandalism at the building housing the Registrar of Voters and Public Defender occurred early Sunday, Sept. 17.

The building housing the Registrar of Voters and Public Defenders Office are among downtown Modesto establishments that have had their windows smashed in the last week. Photographed in Modesto, Calif., Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.

Rancho Fresco Cantina & Nightclub manager Larios said the stolen laptop contained all the information the disc jockeys use to control the sound and lighting when the nightclub features music three nights a week.

That was our mixing board, Larios said, adding it will take at least a week to replace the laptop and program it with the software for the disc jockeys. He said the laptop also was used when bands perform every couple of months.

Bear said the other business hit by vandalism was Urbano California Bistro.

Urbano owner Noe Sanchez said the front and rear glass doors to his business were smashed, with the rear door smashed twice this week. He said it cost $350 to repair and replace them. Thats $1,050 in total.

Its sad for us, he said. We are trying to keep a living. This is a family business.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and the first U.S. Special Representative for Economic Recovery in Ukraine Penny Pritzker had their first online meeting on Sept. 23 to discuss energy, demining, housing restoration, critical infrastructure, and the economy.

"I thanked USAID for their joint business support programs, which contribute to creating new jobs. We are collaborating with the World Bank on post-war recovery needs," Shmyhal wrote on Telegram.

Additionally, Shmyhal brought up the need to confiscate frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine's post-war recovery costs.

According to the prime minister, expanding solidarity corridors and war risk insurance were also brought up during Shmyhal and Pritzker's meeting.

"We are making progress in reforms on the path to the EU and NATO, as well as in digitization. I specifically highlighted our veteran policy and the integration of military personnel into the country's socio-economic life," Shmyhal wrote.

U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Sept. 14 the creation of a U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery and that Pritzker would assume the role.

Pritzker, 64, is credited for her experience as an "accomplished public servant" and "transformative industry leader."

Beyond shaping donor priorities and strengthening Ukraine's public sector, Pritzker will need to mobilize the U.S. private sector to invest in Ukraine.

As special representative, she will be responsible for mobilizing foreign investment, supporting the re-opening of businesses shut down by Russia's war, and helping Ukraine grow its exports.

Read also: Who is Penny Pritzker, new US special representative for Ukraines economic recovery?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
CLOVIS, Calif. (KGPE/KSEE)  With temperatures cooling down, the Sierra National Forest Service Department announced on Friday that fire restrictions across the forest have been lifted.

Visitors wishing to have a campfire will need a valid California Campfire Permit. Forest Service Officers say these permits are free and available at all Forest Service Offices or online.

They also remind visitors to always keep campfires small, and away from dry grass fuels. Forest service officials say visitors wanting to light a campfire should:

Prepare your site  Find a level spot away from overhanging branches, brush, or dry grass.

Attend to your fire  Never leave a fire unattended, even for a few minutes or to take a nap. It only takes a moment for a fire to escape.

Take action and extinguish the fire before it escapes, if able. If not, please call 911 as soon as possible to report the location.

Drown the fire  Drown your campfire with at least five gallons of water  hour before you break camp. Use your shovel to separate the burning pieces of wood in the fire pit.

Stir and Mix  Stir and mix water with ashes until the fire is completely out. DO NOT try to bury the fire as it can smolder for hours and possibly escape.

If needing additional information call the local Forest Service near the area you will be visiting to check conditions, restrictions, and closures.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
Mikhail Razvozhaev, the so-called "governor" of occupied Sevastopol, has reported danger of missile attacks and is urging people to stay away from windows and find shelter.

Source: Razvozhaev on Telegram

Details: Local residents and the media reported a siren sounding in Sevastopol.

The so-called "authorities" warned of a missile attack.

Residents are being urged to close windows and stay away from them, as well as to hide in a room with load-bearing walls, sitting on the floor near the load-bearing wall as far as possible from the window.

People are also being asked to get out of their cars, turn off gas, not to use lifts, etc.

Background: In the preliminary reports given on 23 September, Russians claimed that explosions rocked Sevastopol; allegedly, air defence systems were responding, and missile debris fell from the sky.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York announced on Friday, September 22, that they had obtained an indictment against Democratic New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez with bribery charges.

US Attorney Damien Williams said during a press conference: "Today, I'm announcing that my office has obtained a three-count indictment charging Senator Robert Menendez, his wife Nadine Menendez, and three New Jersey businessmen - Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, and Fred Daibes - for bribery offenses."

According to the unsealed indictment in CNN's report, Menendez and his wife had a "corrupt relationship" with Hana, Uribe, and Daibes from at least 2018 through 2022.

Accused of Accepting Bribes

Fox News reported that the couple is suspected of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in return for leveraging Menendez's position as a senator to further the interests of Hana, Uribe, and Daibes and those of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Alleged bribes included money, gold, mortgage payments, money for low- or no-show work, a luxurious car, and other valuables. Menendez said that in the year 2020, his family had been given gold bars as a gift.

Williams said special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) searched Menendez's home and safe deposit box as part of their inquiry.

Cash totaling about $500,000 was discovered by the agents in envelopes stashed in various closets and even in the senator's jacket pockets. The fingerprints and DNA on several of the bills and envelopes matched those of Daibes.

Three kilos of gold and a Mercedes-Benz, both gifts from Uribe to the senator, were discovered by authorities.

Read Also: GOP Lawmakers Renew Opposition to More US Aid to Ukraine; Russian Command Post in Crimea Hit

The Three Businessmen Involved

According to the prosecution, Menendez, as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, gave Egyptian-American businessman Hana access to classified material from the US government.

The accusation indicates that Menendez used undue influence over a Department of Agriculture official in order to safeguard a commercial monopoly awarded to Hana by the Egyptian government. Then, reportedly, Hana gave Menendez a cut of his monopoly's revenues.

Meanwhile, the inquiry against Uribe and his friends by New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin is also allegedly hampered by the senator's use of his official position.

According to the indictment, Menendez also tried to persuade President Joe Biden to choose a US Attorney for the District of New Jersey who would not pursue charges against Menendez's friend Daibes.

US Attorney Nominee Phillip Sellinger gets Menendez's backing. A former fundraiser for Menendez's campaign, Sellinger is no stranger to the process. A US Attorney's Office representative informed NBC News, however, that Sellinger had excluded himself from the Daibes case.

Daibes, while serving as chairman of Mariner's Bank, was accused of bank fraud, which carried a maximum sentence of ten years in jail, over a roughly $2 million loan. But, the US Attorney's Office in New Jersey last year accepted Daibes' plea of guilty to a single count in exchange for probation. They stated that Daibes paid back the money he borrowed.

Read Also: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Unveils Ambitious Energy Agenda To Bring Gas Prices Down to $2 by 2025

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's opposition leader ended a 24-day hunger strike on Saturday, a party spokesperson said, two days after parliament voted to let prosecutors serve an arrest warrant against him for alleged bribery.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, will maintain a schedule including court attendance while hospitalised for the time being, the spokesman told reporters.

Prosecutors this month sought the warrant in an investigation into bribery allegations concerning a development project. Prosecutors accuse Lee of asking a company to illegally transfer $8 million to North Korea when he was the governor of Gyeonggi Province.

He is also accused of breaching his duty over losses of 20 billion won ($15 million) by a municipal development corporation when he was mayor of Seongnam city.

Lee, who lost South Korea's presidential election to conservative Yoon Suk Yeol last year, has denied wrongdoing, calling the allegations "fiction" and a "political conspiracy".

He began his protest on Aug. 31, citing the government's economic mismanagement, threats to media freedom and the failure to oppose Japan's release of wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant, among other reasons.

Thursday's surprise vote by parliament, controlled by Lee's party, has caused an uproar among his supporters.

Police on Saturday detained a man in his 40s who had posted the names of more than a dozen lawmakers outside Lee's party faction, writing "gotta search for the sniper rifle at home", said an official with the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police. Police will seek an arrest warrant against him for intimidation, the official said.

South Korea is to hold parliamentary elections in April.

(Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by William Mallard)
Top diplomats from South Korea, the United States and Japan have agreed to take tough measures against a possible arms deal between Russia and North Korea, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported on Sept. 23, citing the foreign ministry in Seoul.

South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin met with his U.S. counterpart, Antony Blinken, and his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa, in New York on Sept. 22 to discuss the Russia-North Korea arms deal.

Read also: North Korea began supplying Russia with ammunition weeks ago  Budanov

The ministers expressed deep concern over the two nations' military cooperation and warned that a potential arms deal between Pyongyang and Moscow would violate U.N. Security Council resolutions that Russia itself had voted for.

They vowed to cooperate with the global community to sternly deal with any threats to regional security in violation of the UNSC resolutions, the ministry said.

Read also: What weapons can North Korea send to help Russia against Ukraine  interview

Earlier this month, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un travelled to Russias Vladivostok on his armored train, where he met with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on Sept. 13, and also visited the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Far East. Kim referred to Russias war against Ukraine as a "holy battle," and wished the Kremlin leader "victory."

On the eve of the visit, media outlets, citing anonymous sources, reported that arms transfers from North Korea to the Russian Federation might be discussed. The United States warned that if such a weapons transfer occurs, new sanctions would be imposed on Russia and North Korea.

In July, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited Pyongyang and attended an arms exhibition, which featured, among other things, combat and reconnaissance drones and new locally-produced intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Read also: RussiaNorth Korea talks prove Western sanctions work  White House

Russia is already receiving 122mm and 152mm artillery shells, along with Grad rockets from North Korea, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov told NV on Sept. 13.

Budanov said the North Korean arms shipments began a month-and-a-half ago.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
EAGLE PASS, Texas (Border Report)  As thousands of asylum-seekers stream across the Rio Grande from Mexico into South Texas, Washington is taking note that the region is the epicenter for migration right now.

Eagle Pass a war zone as thousands cross border illegally

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas plans to visit the South Texas border town of McAllen Saturday, DHS officials announced Friday.

And he intends to visit with Honduran President Xiomara Castro.

Their visit to the South Texas border comes as over 4,000 migrants have crossed illegally the Rio Grande from the Mexican border town of Piedras Negras this week into the small Texas border town of Eagle Pass.

With just 29,000 residents, Eagle Pass is quickly being inundated by migrants and law enforcement, whose presence is in the air, river and on land.

International Bridge No. 2 is full of law enforcement and is where thousands of asylum seekers have been processed under in Eagle Pass, Texas, this week. (Sandra Sanchez/Border Report)

Most are Venezuelans. Border Report has been told that theyre coming amid reports that leaders in Central and South America plan to close access to the Darien Gap, in Panama, where most cross.

Wave of migrants that halted trains in Mexico started with smuggling industry in Darien Gap

Mayorkas on Wednesday extended Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans for 18 more months, but thats only for those who arrived in the United States before July 31.

Texas state troopers, National Guard and Border Patrol agents line the banks of the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Sept. 21, 2023. (Sandra Sanchez/Border Report)

Eagle Pass resident Amerika Garcia-Grewal told Border Report she doesnt like the attention given to her hometown.

Its political theater. So most of whats going on is performative and its not addressing the root issues of the situation, which are climate change.

She is co-founder of the Eagle Pass Border Vigil, a group that honors migrants who lost their lives in the Rio Grande. Their next vigil is set for Oct. 2, when they will remember a 3-year-old boy who died Wednesday crossing with a group here, she said.

An emergency declaration remains in effect for this town until Wednesday, at which point it can be extended by the Eagle Pass City Council.

One of the two international bridges here also remains closed to all traffic to and from Mexico.

Meanwhile, hundreds of migrants are being processed under the shade of the remaining open bridge in triple-digit heat.

On Friday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that he has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to deploy additional buses to assist the border communities of Eagle Pass and El Paso, which have become overwhelmed with migrant arrivals.

President Bidens continued refusal to secure our border invites thousands of illegal crossings into Texas and our nation each day, Abbott said. Texas communities like Eagle Pass and El Paso should not have to shoulder the unprecedented surge of illegal immigration caused by President Bidens reckless open border policies. I have directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to deploy additional buses to send these migrants to self-declared sanctuary cities and provide much-needed relief to our overrun border towns. Until President Biden upholds his constitutional duty to secure Americas southern border, Texas will continue to deploy as many buses as needed to relieve the strain caused by the surge of illegal crossings.

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar , who represents El Paso, said it is up to Congress to reform outdated immigration laws and provide the resources to fix the badly broken system.

Border communities like El Paso are under significant strain as a result of the large number of migrants arriving daily. Our federal employees and NGOs are overwhelmed and our local governments are doing everything possible, she said.

Escobar this year introduced the Dignity Act, which gives undocumented immigrants a pathway to citizenship while shoring up border security and requiring employers to verify the work eligibility of their employees.

The bill requires a five-year technology investment plan at the U.S.-Mexico border, a $10 billion, five-year port expansion program, the hiring of additional border agents, and the establishment of a shelter services program for local communities dealing with migrants.

The Dignity Act, provides the legislative solutions that would bring long-overdue order to this chaotic situation, and I continue to do everything in my power to advance it while ensuring our community has the federal resources we need, Escobar said.

Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
When Lauren Chezaud decided to leave Paris over a decade ago, she looked up what was Americas best beach on TripAdvisor.

In 2012, St. Pete Beach won the title. So, thats where she moved to.

To have a taste of home, she opened Cafe Soleil, an award-winning French cafe offering freshly baked bread, pastries and coffee thats become one of Yelps Top 100 Florida restaurants for five years in a row and one of the nations best spots for croissants, out of the Dolphin Village shopping complex. In April, Cafe Soleil celebrated 10 years in business.

Chezaud said she planned to reopen in a bigger place when her landlord suggested she relocate to a remodeled part of the same shopping complex. But that never ended up happening. Because of a leasing dispute, Cafe Soleil is leaving Dolphin Village by the end of the month.

The owner alleges that the Dolphin Village landlord asked her to change Cafe Soleils menu to not compete against Starbucks, located on the other side of the building shes currently in.

Chezaud said if she stopped selling specialty coffee, pastries and egg products  which make up most of her menu  then her landlord would let her sign the new lease.

Of course Im devastated because the cafe is my baby, Chezaud said.

She never signed the lease and now shes being forced out of her original location at 4695 Gulf Blvd., which is being leased to sandwich shop Jersey Mikes Subs.

Because it was a new location, it made me become a new tenant. And of course I didnt see it coming that Starbucks could give their OK or their consent for me to open or not to open, Chezaud said.

The landlord denied asking Chezaud to change any part of Cafe Soleils menu, Brixmor Property Group south region president Matt Ryan said in an emailed statement. Ryan said there was an issue with another tenants lease in the complex that was resolved and it was Cafe Soleil that chose to leave the shopping center after finding another location.

I thought I had a deal pretty much, Chezaud said. So had I known, I would have used my energy to find another location.

When asked what the conflict was and how it was resolved, representatives for Brixmor did not respond to further questions from the Tampa Bay Times.

Starbucks spokesperson Jay Go-Guasch said in a statement that at no point did Starbucks request or compel any organization or business entity of any kind, to move, change or not renew Cafe Soleils business or tenancy.

We have enjoyed being neighbors with you and value our relationships within Dolphin Village. Starbucks remains committed to being a good neighbor in the St. Pete Beach community, he said.

Brixmor, the New York-based property manager with 365 shopping centers across the nation, has owned Dolphin Village since 2011, according to property records.

Chezaud had hired contractors, architects and electricians to help her prepare the new space. She said her landlord switched her to a month-to-month lease at her original location as she planned to move.

But in May, she got a text from a Brixmor leasing agent that shocked her: The way your menu reads right now, Starbucks will not approve your use.

Meanwhile, Brixmor regional president Ryan said that while our leasing representatives text could have been worded differently, she was indicating that there was a potential conflict within another tenants lease. The potential conflict was ultimately resolved.

Its very common for shopping center landlords to have language in leases with chain businesses like Starbucks that stymie competition, said Larry Silvestri, a St. Petersburg-based commercial real estate attorney specializing in retail and shopping centers.

The national tenants probably all have some sort of exclusive to protect their turf, Silvestri said.

Some landlords can negotiate carve-outs in their lease with Starbucks, such as letting existing tenants stay or limiting other businesses that sell coffee from selling branded drinks or packaged beans, Silvestri said. Not adhering to an exclusive within a lease could put landlords at risk of being sued.

Brixmor said when it negotiates new leases it has to make sure it doesnt conflict with other leases it has already signed.

In this case, Cafe Soleil was in discussions with us on a new lease for a larger space, so the landlord must consider all of the other leases currently in place at the shopping center, Ryan said.

Landlords typically dont like exclusive clauses, which can limit them from filling a shopping center with more tenants. But for a chain with a draw like Starbucks, Silvestri said many are willing to agree to them  putting mom-and-pop businesses at a disadvantage.

Starbucks spokesperson Go-Guasch told the Times over the phone that Starbucks had no problem with Cafe Soleil staying in Dolphin Village.

Cafe Soleil was exempt. They were there before us, Go-Guasch said. So any clauses that we might have had, they were completely exempt from.

Since announcing that Cafe Soleil is leaving, Chezaud said a flood of community members have reached out to support her. Protect St. Pete Beach, an advocacy group against overcommercialization of the beach town, posted a blog asking people to speak out against the landlord and Starbucks.

For Chezaud, she said she knows the law doesnt favor her situation, but she wanted to speak out so other small businesses know theyre not alone.

We want to protect our beach and get the opportunities for small businesses and chains to coexist, because I think its possible, Chezaud said. Its terrible when a small business, especially one thats successful, is threatened this way.
The kit arrives in your mailbox in a cardboard box stamped with a modern, serif-font logo. Its the kind of sleek, clean design so often associated with direct-to-consumer brands that fill your social media feeds with ads. A hip makeup line could easily be inside, or a set of razors with a cutesy name.

Instead, you open the box and find a pair of gloves, a specimen collection jar, and an organic cotton tampon.

NextGen Jane, a health tech startup founded in 2014, sends these kits to menstruators who volunteer to participate in one of the companys clinical studies. Users wear the tampon for a specified amount of time before removing it and depositing it into the collection jar. Once the jar is sealed, a solution in the container activates to keep the samples DNA and RNA intact in ambient temperatures for up to two weeks. Users pack the jar in a supplied, self-addressed box, and drop it in the mail to be sent to NextGen Janes lab in Oakland, California for analysis.

The thought that menstrual blood is worthy of being sent anywhere other than the trash is revolutionary. For as long as people have been menstruating, menstrual blood has been seen as medical waste, Anna Villarreal, CEO and founder of LifeStory Health, told The Daily Beast. Everybody was taught that there was no clinical utility to menstrual blood.

NextGen Jane

LifeStory Health is a bioscience company researching how biomarkersanything within the body that can be measured, such as a persons pulse, blood pressure, or nutrient levelsin menstrual blood may be used as a medical screening tool. The startup, along with companies like NextGenJane, is helping turn the proverbial tide on menstrual effluent (the fluid comprising blood, vaginal secretions, and cells from the uterine lining that is shed during the menstrual cycle) and see an opportunity to improve health care for people with uteruses.

If menstrual blood has value, then its just not a waste product anymore, Paul Blumenthal, director of the Stanford Program for International Reproductive Education and Services, told The Daily Beast. And if it's not a waste product anymore, then maybe we can do something about menstrual stigma.

Its this very same stigma that has contributed to a longstanding knowledge gap when it comes to understanding womens health. Womens health research has been overlooked [and] underfunded, Sara Naseri, CEO and co-founder of Qvin, another startup focused on medical uses for menstrual blood, told The Daily Beast in an email. It was not until 1993 when women and minorities were, by law, included in clinical trials. However, there continues to be an ongoing lack of female representation and participation in medical research.

Christine Metz, co-director of the Research OutSmarts Endometriosis (ROSE) clinical study at Northwell Health, wrote a 2022 op-ed in Scientific American that argued that menstrual blood is one of the best sources of biological material for studying womens reproductive health. Despite this, its rarely studied due to what Metz calls an ick factor.

Far from grossed out, Metz is excited about the possibilities presented by using period blood in medical testing. For the past 10 years, she has used menstrual effluent in her research to develop noninvasive methods for diagnosing and treating endometriosis, a painful condition in which cells that are similar to the cells that line the uterus grow elsewhere in the body. Prior to the start of the ROSE study in 2013, the only way to diagnose endometriosis was by removing bits of this tissue via surgery for a biopsy, Metz said.

This didnt make a ton of sense to her and her research partners, however, because lesions only formed once the disease had progressed. They wondered if there was a way to detect endometriosis earlier than the seven to 10 years it has historically taken doctors to diagnose the conditions.

There was a lot in the literature at that time that the lining of the uterus, what we call the endometrium, is different in patients with and without endometriosis, Metz told The Daily Beast. So we theorized that we could study menstrual blood, [which contains] the shed endometrium, to look for those differences No one had previously used menstrual blood in any way to study the endometrium.

NextGen Jane

But developing a method to collect, transport, process, and analyze these samples safely and sanitarily proved to be an early challenge. Eventually, the ROSE team came up with the direct-to-consumer model: each of the studys more than 5,000 participants receive a collection kit in the mail that includes either a menstrual cup donated by Diva International or a collection sponge (depending on user preference) as well as cold pack and gel pack to keep the sample at a stable temperature during its return journey. Just like with NextGen Jane, participants package their samples from the comfort of their own homes and ship them to the research facility.

While Northwell Healths ROSE study focuses specifically on endometriosis, others in this space are exploring a host of areas where menstrual effluent could be a meaningful diagnostic tool that is less invasive and easier to access than existing options. NextGen Jane was the first to look at menstrual effluent on the molecular level in order to gain insights into what the company calls your menstrualome, or the collective set of data gathered about ones menstrual cycle.

Knowledge of whats happening at a molecular level in a persons body is vital for understanding how diseases progress, Ridhi Tariyal, CEO and co-founder of NextGen Jane, told The Daily Beast. You cant actually arrive at that understanding unless you are doing molecular characterization of tissues of interest to female reproductive biology.

Current clinical studies being undertaken by NextGen Jane include a baseline study to better understand what a typical menstrual cycle looks like in healthy people as well as studies looking at the diagnosis of uterine diseases and pregnancy health issues.

Meanwhile, the researchers at LifeStory Health analyze the levels of two proteins that are only found in menstrual blood. Right now, weve explored infertility We can [use menstrual blood to] definitively determine a females propensity for a normal pregnancy, Villarreal explained. Were still trying to figure out which reproductive pathologies we can look at and detect.

With Qvin, Naseri began her research on the uses for menstrual blood by asking a basicbut surprisingly unansweredquestion: Is menstrual blood the same as the systemic blood that runs through your veins? If the answer is yesmeaning, biomarkers in the two types of samples are known to be consistentthen menstrual blood could be used for medical screening in place of blood samples that need to be drawn from a vein (with a needle) at the doctors office.

In 2019, Naseri and Blumenthal co-authored a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Medicine. In it, the authors compared the levels of nine different biomarkers (including cholesterol, triglycerides, and certain hormones) in both menstrual blood and systemic blood. For seven of the nine, levels were consistent in samples from both types of blood

Naseri said that she and her team have proven that menstrual blood can be used to access biomarkers associated with thyroid health, average blood sugar levels for diabetes and pre-diabetes management, inflammation, and ovarian reserve and other fertility and perimenopause hormones.

Qvin has also received FDA approval in Thailand for its Q-Padbasically, a menstrual pad with a removable collection strip that users mail in for analysisto be used to test for high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV), a potential precursor to cervical cancer. The Q-Pad is awaiting FDA approval in the U.S..

Across the pond, European companies are taking advantage of menstrual-blood testings at-home collection methods and going direct-to-consumer with their products. Theblood, a German fem-tech company founded in 2022, sells a Cycle Check kit for 30. Users can send in a sample of their menstrual blood (using their own menstrual cup) and receive a 15-page report with understandable, scientific advice on your cycle report with information regarding their cyclesuch as an analysis of the samples color and consistencythat the company claims can be used to optimize your cycle for maximum well-being, including to manage pain and discomfort more effectively to improve your daily life. (Thebloods website offers little specifics about the information it sends its users, but does include a disclaimer that says the report is not medical advice and does not contain biomarker analysis.)

MyPeriodTest, another Berlin-based initiative, is currently part of the research institution Fraunhofer-Gesellschafts AHEAD Accelerator program. Founder Sabine Richter hopes to test menstrual blood for specific biomarkers and then deliver the results to the consumer through an app. The data belongs to the customer, she decides whether and with which doctor she wants to share the results, Richter told The Daily Beast in an email.

NextGen Jane

At-home health tests of different types, such as tests for food sensitivities or gut health, are already a big business. The market is estimated to be worth more than $45 million globally by 2031. But many professionals in the menstrual-blood testing space are hesitant to pursue a testing model for menstrual blood that cuts the health-care practitioner out of the equation.

Empowering patientsparticularly people in populations that are traditionally overlooked and underserved, such as womenwith information about their bodies could help them better advocate for themselves and achieve better health outcomes. But giving people health data without the appropriate amount of guidance could cause unnecessary stress and confusion.

I dont want somebody to be detecting ovarian cancer early and then not being under the care of a physician, Villarreal said.

Instead, many professionals envision a tomorrow where menstrual-blood tests become a staple in peoples preventative care routines. Patients could send their OB/GYN a sample prior to their annual checkup to have labs run before they arrive. Then, valuable face-time with their doctor could be spent discussing solutions rather than exploring issues, Blumenthal said.

To make this a reality, menstrual-blood research needs to continueand the experts are excited about how wide-reaching new applications for menstrual-blood could be.

For instance, Metz has partnered with scientists at Harvard to explore menstrual blood as a means for assessing peoples exposure to forever chemicals (PFAs). The folks at Qvin, meanwhile, haves identified a slate of additional biomarkers to test against venous blood. And the LifeStory Health team has their sights set on using their technology for early detection of female-specific cancers; theyre currently enrolling for a clinical study on the use of biomarkers in menstrual blood for detecting breast, endometrial, and lung cancer.

Menstrual blood could be the broad platform to every single reproductive pathology that you can think of, Villarreal said. The period, its clear, is just the beginning of this story.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
The loved ones of a Georgia high school student body-slammed by an officer last month have multiple questions surrounding the arrest.

DeKalb County School District Police Chief Brad Gober arrested the 17-year-old student after a reported fight at Redan High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia on Aug. 30. The school district said they were aware of the surveillance video and placed Gober on paid leave as an investigation ensued. However, the boy's family was not.

"In keeping with standard operating procedure, Chief Gober has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of an internal investigation," the district wrote in a statement to USA TODAY earlier this month. "This standard procedure ensures a comprehensive and impartial assessment of the incident."

The student, whose first name is Omauri, was charged with obstruction of law enforcement officers and disrupting public school, according to DeKalb County Jail booking records. He was jailed on Aug. 30 and released on the night of Sept. 2.

Omauris mother LaKia Amos died on Sept. 9 after battling leukemia since her 2019 diagnosis. Amos was a home healthcare worker and mother of four. She lost her nine-year-old daughter in an accident in 2009.

Before Amos' death, the 49-year-old home health care worker said Gober needed to be brought up on charges rather than being on paid leave, according to FOX 5.

See also: Maryland officer suspended after video shows him enter back seat of police car with woman

"I have not been able to stop crying since I saw that video," Amos told the TV station on Sept. 6 while in the ICU. "All I see is him walking, and someone come up and pick him up under his arms and slam him on the ground."

Ebony Ellebb, Amoss healthcare proxy and best friend of 25 years, said Redan High School did not reach out to Amos to inform her of Omauris arrest. She said she knows Omauri has been allowed back at the school and that Gober has been placed on paid leave pending the investigation but still has many questions.

LaKia Amos, a home healthcare worker and mother of four, died on Sept 9 after battling leukemia since 2019.

We still haven't heard anything else regarding the situation. I don't even know if he's back at the school, Ellebb told USA TODAY. They have had no accountability for the incident.

Amos was in complete shock as she watched the video, according to Ellebb. Amos felt helpless that she couldnt protect her child as she was stuck in her hospital bed. Ellebb said it was heartbreaking for Amos to watch the video and echoed reports that the mother wanted justice for her son.

DeKalb County School District Press Secretary Donald Porter said the school made several attempts to reach out after the Aug. 30 incident. He added that Redan High School Principal Vitella Dodson had "conversations on several occasions " with Omauris father and older brother the day of the incident and afterwards.

"Repeated attempts by school administrators were made to contact the mother; however, they were unsuccessful because the mothers phone appeared to be turned off until September 6," Porter said in a statement to USA TODAY.

Porter said Assistant Principal Carlous Daniel spoke with Amos over the phone on Sept. 6 and followed up through email the next day.

Porter said the Gober's investigation remains ongoing.

"I feel like it's definitely not right. I mean, if an investigation is going to happen, I believe that he should not be on paid leave," Ellebb said. "Especially after what was witnessed on video. You can't deny the fact that he did what he did to Omauri. So being on paid leaves pending an investigation is crazy. Its absurd."

Ellebb said Omauri was not involved in the fight but went to check on his friend who was. She added that he was then placed in a chokehold during the filmed arrest and faced a 10-day suspension from school.

Omauri was released from jail after a $5,000 bond and the two charges, including a felony, against him are still pending, Ellebb said. As the teen's godmother, she expressed frustration that the charges and his suspension from school will follow him everywhere.

LaKia Amos, a home healthcare worker and mother of four, died on Sept 9 after battling leukemia since 2019.

What makes the situation especially painful is that Omauri spent some of LaKias last days in jail.

Those three days that he spent in jail could have been with his mother," Ellebb shared.

Jema Britton, Ellebbs sister and LaKias close friend, said the charges should be cleared and removed from his personal record as they could prohibit him from going to college.

Britton is the founder of Cusp Cares, a nonprofit that addresses the school to prison pipeline and provides customized adolescent enrichment solutions. She said that Gober should face repercussions for the arrest and that school officers must undergo compassion training.

It was Omauri this time. But if that officer is back on school grounds, I'm more concerned about the next child, Britton shared.

A GoFundMe page to support Amos children has gathered nearly $4,000 as of Friday evening.

More: Philadelphia police officer who fatally shot man suspended after video contradicts initial account

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Family has many questions on arrest of student body-slammed by officer
Public outcry brought Houston-area activists to one predominantly Black neighborhood to remove a very bizarre and offensive set of Halloween decorations that resembled Black bodies hanging upside down from trees.

The Houston Chronicle reported that the decorations were hung from a tree in front of a home in the Third Ward community. Community members called for the removal of the decorations, stating their imagery mimics public lynchings.

Community activists removed a bizarre and racist set of Halloween decorations that one Houston-area homeowner put up outside his home on trees on city property. (Photo: Instagram/candicematthewsdr)

A neighbor told the Chronicle they were put up last week by one homeowner. Many neighbors know the homeowner puts up Halloween decorations every year, but they called this years display immeasurably insensitive and racist. Community activists and city officials were notified the Saturday that followed.

Related: Makes Me Sick: Nebraska School District Condemns Racist Homecoming Proposal That References Cotton-Picking

Houston City Council member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz visited the home to speak with the homeowner and tell him the display was hanging from trees that were on city property. He told her they were merely Halloween decorations.

I told him they were offensive. He did not care, Evans-Shabazz said. I told him hes in a predominantly African-American neighborhood, and when people are offended, sometimes things happen. But he didnt seem to care. He was very abrasive.

Community activist Quanell X also tried to speak with the homeowner but was unsuccessful in his attempts. He went to the home accompanied by another popular Houston activist, Candice Matthews. Both characterized the display as racist.

Before the decorations were cut down, Quanell X brought a lawyer to confirm that the decorations were on city property. The Houston Police Department also confirmed they were hung from trees on city property.

Watch video of the decorations here.

Every Houstonian, Texan and American should be outraged by the strange fruit displayed in Houston, Houston NAACP president James Dixon said.

The NAACP Houston Branch also released a statement denouncing the display.

It is our position that leading citizens in our city should join us in condemning this behavior whenever it arises, emphasizing that this doesnt reflect the spirit of Houstons respect for all people of every race, the statement read.

I dont know what his intentions were, but they were cut down, so to speak, Shabazz told the Chronicle. I assume that if he puts them back up, theyre going to get cut back down.
Its back. The BBCs flagship dance competition series, Strictly Come Dancing, has returned to screens for its 21st series.

The programme has lined up an enviable roster of celebrity guests for the new series, which premiered on BBC One at 6.35pm on Saturday (23 September).

Episodes will continue to air every Saturday, with the acompannying results show airing the following evening.

Among the contestants this year are reality star Zara McDermott and veteran Channel 4 broadcaster Krishnan Guru-Murthy, as well as TV presenter Les Dennis.

You can find the full line-up for this years Strictly Come Dancing here.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are returning to present the series, while the judging panel comprises Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse , Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas .

Here are the biggest talking points from the first competitive episode of Strictly 2023.

Angela Rippon makes history

The 78-year-old presenter became the oldest contestant to feature on Strictly in this weeks episode... and she certainly didnt disappoint. Dancing the Cha Cha Cha to Get the Party Started by Shirley Bassey with partner Kai Widdrington, Rippon stunned the judges with her flair, defying the years with a fleet-footed performance that Revel Horwood aptly termed jaw-dropping.

Bobby Brazier draws tears from his father

Soap actor Brazier was another of the nights clear highlights, performing an absolutely magnetic foxtrot to McFly with partner Dianne Buswell. The son of the late reality star Jade Goody and TV presenter Jeff Brazier drew high praise from the judging panel, and was seen moving his father to tears, in an affecting emotional moment.

Les Dennis brings the levity

Family Fortunes star Dennis may have finished the night at the bottom of the leaderboard, but it was a performance that stood out for its initmitable sense of fun. Dennis mugged his way through Dont You Want Me by the Human League, with a tango that managed to transcend any technical stiffness on show. Some might see him as the novelty act of the 2023 series, but its clear Dennis is trying his best  and the warm comments from the judging panel show that his efforts didnt go unnoticed.

You can follow along with the first live episode of Strictly Come Dancing 2023 with The Independents liveblog below...

Key points

Meet the contestants for Strictly 2023

Adam Thomas kicks off episode with dance to Jonas Brothers Waffle House'

Jaw-dropping Angela Rippon wows Strictly audience with incredible high kick

Les Dennis sets amusing tango to The Human League

The leaderboard at the end of week one

12:54 , Louis Chilton

Good afternoon, and welcome to The Independents Strictly Come Dancing 2023 liveblog.

Still a good few hours to go until launch, so Im going to take this opportunity to share some of the Strictly-related pieces weve run recently.

13:16 , Louis Chilton

First up, heres a great piece about the over-50 stars leading the line on this years series

Strictlys biggest stars this year are 50 plus  its refreshing to see

14:00 , Louis Chilton

A refresher before the series starts! Heres a breakdown of all the contestants on Strictly this year

Meet this years Strictly Come Dancing celebrity lineup

14:30 , Louis Chilton

And heres who theyre paired with...

Who are the Strictly Come Dancing 2023 couples?

15:00 , Louis Chilton

Ellie Harrison spoke personally to Bobby Brazier, the actor and son of Jade Goody who is one of this years competitors.

Highly recommend.

Bobby Brazier on Strictly, EastEnders and his mum Jade Goody

15:30 , Louis Chilton

Ellie also went long for this feature on Amanda Abbington, the Strictly contestant whose involvement has prompted calls for a boycott.

Amanda Abbington joins Strictly 2023 cast  and is already facing a boycott from fans

16:00 , Louis Chilton

A bit more left-field, but here are eight facts you might not have known about Strictly...

8 facts you didnt know about Strictly Come Dancing

16:30 , Louis Chilton

Another list, this time rounding up the 12 greatest moments of the entire series.

Will this new season give us anything on this level? We can hope...

The 12 greatest Strictly Come Dancing moments of all time

17:00 , Louis Chilton

One of the most frequently Googled queries about Strictly, Im told: do the contestants get paid?

Do the Strictly celebrities get paid to take part?

17:30 , Louis Chilton

Another bit of Google catnip - the dreaded Strictly curse.

Is it a real thing? Its complicated...

What is the Strictly curse and is it real?

18:12 , Louis Chilton

Not long now! Who are you most excited to see perform?

Anton Du Beke & the Strictly Come Dancing 2023 Professional Dancers (BBC/Guy Levy)

18:24 , Louis Chilton

And its live!

18:28 , Louis Chilton

First couple are up: Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk, doing the Cha Cha Cha to Waffle House by the Jonas Brothers.

18:31 , Louis Chilton

Some nice moves here, Thomas interpolating the robot into his pastel-coloured routine.

Praise for his chemistry and personality from the judges.

(BBC)

18:31 , Louis Chilton

A little bit sloppy all over, says Craig.

Cue booing from the crowd.

18:34 , Louis Chilton

Four from Craig.

Five from Motsi.

Five from Shirley.

Five from Anton.

Could be worse...

18:37 , Louis Chilton

Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu next, dancing the Tango to Prisoner by Miley Cyrus feat Dua Lipa.

Ambitious!

Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu on Strictly' (BBC)

18:39 , Louis Chilton

More savagery from Craig Revel Horwood here.

More booing from the crowd.

The dance goes on...

18:43 , Louis Chilton

Scanlons sisters in the crowd... charming stuff.

Three sixes and a five from Ballas for her efforts.

(BBC)

18:46 , Louis Chilton

Next up, its Comedian Eddie Kadi, dancing the quickstep to Two Hearts by Phil Collins.

His partner will be Karen Hauer.

You can find out more about him here.

Hauer, 41, is Strictlys longest serving pro dancer, with her tenure on the series dating back to 2012.

She reached the final with Jamie Laing in 2020, but has never won the series. Could Eddie finally be her ticket to glory?

18:49 , Louis Chilton

Craig: It was a little bit hunched of shoulder for my liking... but your personality saved the day. That was amazing.

Motsi: I have to say, music lives in your body. I love the joy you bring to the dance. You need to work on your posture, everything in your spine, but I was honestly entertained from the first step to the last.

Shirley: You would light up any room with your personality. What youve got is something extra, something special, you came out here and gave it 150 per cent. It was fantastic.

Anton: Your performance is great, and Im looking forward to that carrying you through the competition. If you could pick your elbows up, it would look magnificent. Congratulations.

(BBC)

18:54 , Louis Chilton

Its a four from Craig and three sixes for Eddie and Karen.

Now, we have Angela Rippon making history here as the oldest contestant to have competed on Strictly.

But first, heres something people picked up on - Amy Dowden spotted in the opening credits for the episode.

Watch here:

18:59 , Louis Chilton

Legendary newsreader Rippon, 78, is dancing the Cha Cha Cha to Get the Party Started by Shirley Bassey with partner Kai Widdrington.

This is exactly what Strictlys all about, isnt it?

She has history with the series, of course, having previously presented the BBCs long-running ballroom series Come Dancing that gave Strictly its name.

Motsi: That is how you start a Saturday night. My goodness. Well done.

Shirley: I have to say, Im getting rather emotional... This was executed with 150 per cent of Angela Rippon. Everything about you is absolutely pure class.

Anton: Go on you beauty!

Craig: Jaw. Dropping.

(BBC)

19:01 , Louis Chilton

The strongest scores of the night for Angela: a seven from each judge.

Youre top of the leaderboard.

But theres 11 more to come, Angela replies. Still a long way to go!

19:12 , Louis Chilton

Now its radio presenter Nikita Kanda and partner Gorka Marquez.

You can find out more about her here.

Theyre dancing a waltz to Run To You by Whitney Houston. Film fans will recognise this track from the soundtrack to The Bodyguard.

The song has been a popular choice among Strictly contestants in the past, and its easy to see why - their dance is swoon-making stuff.

Shirley: You looked beautiful. I love the soft and lyrical approach, the snuggle-bunny stuff going on. Just get that centre toned a bit more, a bit more still in the top.

Anton: It was so lovely and intimate... just believe in that.

Craig: Your posture and your frame need a lot more work. It looked like Gorka was dragging you around a little bit.

Motsi: From now on I would really love it for you to practice on your own, so you build that confidence within you.

A three from Craig and the rest give fives.

(BBC)

19:16 , Louis Chilton

Musical theatre star Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin are up next, in the only same-sex partnership of the series. You can find out more about Williams here.

Theyre dancing the samba - the first of the night - to the sounds of Touch by Little Mix.

A dynamic, limber dance, and the crowd are up on their feet.

What a samba.

Anton: Its magnificent, really. Enormously difficult technique... what you need to work on is your feet. Theyre a bit turned in. From the waist up, its extraordinary.

Craig: Amazing.

Motsi: What I really loved is your musicality. That takes talent. Dont you feel like its gonna be a good year guys?

Shirley: Your flexibility, fluidity and salesmanship are second to none.

(BBC)

19:18 , Louis Chilton

Judges all in agreement there - phenomenal from the waist up, some improvement needed maybe on the footwork.

Williams is dancing here for his mum, as was discussed in that moving opening segment.

The scores are in: Seven from Craig, eight from Motsi, seven from Shirley and seven from Anton.

Hes in the lead!

19:19 , Louis Chilton

Heres a look at Angela Rippons dance, maybe the biggest talking point of the night so far...

19:25 , Louis Chilton

Love Island star Zara McDermott now, dancing with Graziano Di Prima, doing the third cha cha cha of the night, to Crush by Jennifer Paige.

I cannot believe I just did that.

Pretty eye-catching stuff! And the judges agree, more or less.

Craig: At times it became a little bit awkward, but I could see the intention was there.

Motsi: I saw a little bit more than intention. You owned your performance.

Shirley: Dont listen to Craig, I dont think hes had his dinner.

Anton: Its a great base to grow from. I think youll be one to watch.

(BBC)

19:26 , Louis Chilton

Three from Craig.

Six from Motsi.

Five from Shirley.

Five from Anton.

Not too shabby!

19:33 , Louis Chilton

Now its Les Dennis, the wildcard of the 2023 series, dancing with partner Nancy Xu.

Theyre doing a tango to Dont You Want Me by The Human League.

Some theatrical shrugging from Dennis drawing whoops from the audience.

Hes stiff, sure, but again, this is exactly the kind of stuff that Strictly audiences lap up.

Dennis is known to many as the host of Family Fortunes, and for his wonderfully self-deprecating stint on Ricky Gervaiss Extras, but hes got considerable musical pedigree, having graced the West End several times down the years.

Mosti: A lot of energy going in the right direction.

Shirley: The music has to hit your ear and come out your body, and you did that spectacularly. Your storytelling - I believe it.

Craig: It felt like your feet were stuck to the floor with velcro... but you gave it a go.

Anton: I enjoyed it. I saw the character. I love the dance. But you seem like you were slightly hard of hearing.

(BBC)

19:34 , Louis Chilton

I was terrified before but I really did enjoy it, Dennis says.

Was it imposter syndrome?

Im so lucky to have you as my student, as my dance partner, says Nancy.

The scores? Two from Craig, four from Motsi, five from Shirley and Anton.

19:39 , Louis Chilton

Coronation Street star Ellie Leach is dancing next with pro partner Vito Coppola.

You can find out more about her here.

I think Vito is the perfect match for me, she says.

Theyre tackling a jive, to Cant Tame Her by Zara Larsson.

The routine is very fast, says Leach, a little nervously.

(BBC)

19:43 , Louis Chilton

Shirley: I dont know whats in the Strictly water... I cant believe were only on week one.

Anton: What a performance! Well done you.

Craig: It was sharp, it was precise, but it felt like you were flagging just ever so slightly at the end. You are an incredible dancer.

Motsi: This is what I love, when dancing is so easy to judge. Every single footstep was on time. Were on week one and youre dancing like this?

You might not like the jive, but it definitely likes you, says Claudia.

The scores are in: eight from Motsi, sevens from all the rest. Joint top of the leaderboard!

19:47 , Louis Chilton

Paralympian Jody Cundy dancing now with partner Jowita PrzystaA.

You can find out more about him here.

Theyre doing a quickstep to Im Sitting on Top of the World by Bobby Darin.

(BBC)

19:51 , Louis Chilton

Anton: The only thing I want you to work on is your posture. Theres a lot of good stuff going on down below. Generally speaking, a very nice performance.

Craig: Clumsy getting in and out of holds. Presentation needs work. But you know what? That was pretty amazing, what you did there.

Motsi: When two people come together and they just click... go out there and just enjoy it every single time. Just enjoy it, were here to support.

Shirley: Im a sucker for a man in a tailsuit, I tell you. You are just amazing I think. So far, for me, your frame is the best frame. You have a lovely length of neck, and lovely length of arm. Work on your confidence a bit.

Score time: 5 from Craig. 5 from Motsi. 6 from Shirley. 5 from Anton. Respectable!

19:54 , Louis Chilton

EastEnders star Bobby Brazier is dancing now with Dianne Buswell. You can find out more about him here.

Brazier, the son of the late reality star Jade Goody, said before the show began he was so pleased with his partner. Buswell added: I am so happy I have already adopted Bobby as my little brother, and I already care so much about him. I just want him to have the best time ever.

The duo are doing a foxtrot to All About You by McFly.

Ellie Harrison spoke with Brazier earlier this month, I highly recommend this interview:

Bobby Brazier on Strictly, EastEnders and his mum Jade Goody

20:00 , Louis Chilton

Truly infectious smile Mr Brazier has there. And not bad moves on the dancefloor either.

Craig: I really liked your frame. I really loved the storytelling. Absolutely fantastic, well done.

Motsi: It would help a bit to up the level of your eyes. But I feel like your dancing says so much more because of the energy you give it.

Shirley: Your energy for me is absolutely endearing. Anton and I looked at each other at the beginning and we were both in shock at your footwork. Youre showing potential. Your whole frame and everything about you just says dancer.

Anton: I think this is my favourite dance of the night. It flowed beautifully. Do you know, I dont want to be so stunned, but Im stunned. It was really good.

His father is in tears. Heart-wrenching in the nicest way.

Six from Craig, seven from Motsi, eight from Anton. Joint leader, if my maths is correct.

(BBC)

20:08 , Louis Chilton

Now its former tennis pro Annabel Croft and dancer Johannes Radebe, doing the cha cha cha to the tones of Uptown Girl by Billy Joel.

Its a tennis themed dance all round, with rackets and a fake Wimbledon trophy coming into play as props. Fun!

Motsi: Those legs! The way you were using them.

Shirley: You have the most beautifully shaped ankles and legs. Poised, elegant... Annabel is in the room. Congratulations.

Anton: Im a bit overwhelmed... this is week one. It was magnificent, well done.

Craig: Could have done with a little more fluidity in the hip. But fantastic straight legs. Probably one of the most elegant, swanky cha cha chas Ive ever seen in my life.

Sevens across the board.

(BBC)

20:10 , Louis Chilton

Heres a clip of Les Denniss amusingly theatrical dance.

20:17 , Louis Chilton

Big cheers for Amanda Abbingtons Viennese Waltz, performed to Pointless by Lewis Capaldi.

The actor is certainly graceful... a very charged dance here with partner Giovanni Pernice.

Shirley: You have a magic between you. That was fantastic. Eight.

Anton: I agree with Shirley. It was all great. Emotionally exquisite. It got a bit hard. I want you to breathe. If you had another 30 seconds to go, I think youd have passed out. Seven.

Craig: I felt it was overpowered. There was too much energy in it. Lots of booing from the crowd. You danced it brilliantly. Seven.

Motsi: I think theres something so so special about you. I loved the way you did the extension. Seven.

(BBC)

20:18 , Louis Chilton

This heart-wrenching moment in which Braziers dad is spotted in the crowd.

Deeply moving.

20:25 , Louis Chilton

Krishnan Guru-Murthy next: the formidable Channel 4 News journalist is dancing with Lauren Oakley.

Yet another cha cha cha, this time to Boom Shack-A-Lak by Apache Indian. And its a fun, silly dance, involving a fedora and an elaborate set.

Anton: From the waist up, I was having a lovely time. Great stuff.

Craig: Im not going to be able to watch you on the news ever again. I felt like I was at a rave.

Motsi: We love it.

Shirley: You have something, you have a gift. Natural co-ordination.

The scores - two fives and two sixes.

(BBC)

20:32 , Louis Chilton

Nigel Harman and Katya Jones with the paso doble to Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana.

You can find out more about him here.

It goes down a treat in the room, but do the judges agree?

Craig: It was the dance of the night.

Motsi: Im thinking what a night, and this at the end was absolutely spectacular.

Shirley: You are the one to beat. Well done.

Anton: To come out and do that with that power, that intensity... you stole the night.

Eights across the board for Nigel, meaning he ends week one topping the leaderboard.

(BBC)

20:38 , Louis Chilton

Right! Thats week one over with. Heres how it stands:

Nigel and Katya: 32

Layton and Nikita: 29

Ellie and Vito: 29

Bobby and Dianne: 29

Amanda and Giovanni: 29

Angela and Kai: 29

Annabel and Johannes: 28

Angela and Carlos: 23

Eddie and Karen: 22

Krishnan and Lauren: 22

Jody and Jowita: 21

Adam and Luba: 19

Zara and Graziano: 19

Nikita and Gorka: 18

Les and Nancy: 16
The increasing threat of a government shutdown, potentially just a week away, will likely be the focus of the Sunday news shows after a busy week.

The federal government is scheduled to run out of money at the end of the month unless Congress can pass a budget or temporary funding measures in time. The House GOP is in crisis as hard-line conservatives rebel against attempts by Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to pass appropriations bills.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), one of those hard-line conservatives, is set to appear on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures.

Gaetz has threatened to kick McCarthy out of office over the funding fight and other disagreements with the Speaker.

A shutdown appears more likely by the day as conservative dissenters show no sign of working with McCarthy and a majority of Republicans who wish to pass budget. But, even if they can agree, it will be unlikely that a McCarthy-backed plan can pass the Democratic Senate.

McCarthy has said that he hopes to pass a short-term funding measure this week, hinting that he may be open to a bipartisan plan put up by the Problem Solvers Caucus, which would maintain funding at its current level, giving Congress more time to hash out a full budget.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), a co-chair of that caucus, is scheduled to appear on CNNs State of the Union.

The intra-party conflict has brought McCarthy under mass criticism from Democrats, who are demanding that the Speaker stick by his promise to make small budget cuts, as agreed in a bipartisan deal earlier this year.

Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) blasted McCarthy on Saturday, saying that he is being beholden to the interests of a small number of conservative holdouts in his caucus.

I dont think they have an endgame, Clyburn said of the holdouts. I think what theyre attempting to do is satisfy the five or six people that they made some kind of a deal with Its like the tail wagging the dog. They dont have a plan.

Clyburn is scheduled to appear on NBCs  Meet the Press  on Sunday.

Ongoing labor disputes in Detroit are also likely to make headlines in the Sunday shows. United Auto Workers expanded its strike against the Big Three automakers on Friday to 38 new plants across the country.

President Biden has backed the strikes and announced that he will walk with picketing workers in Michigan on Tuesday.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is set to work triple duty this week, likely talking about the auto industry, making appearances on ABCs This Week, Meet the Press and State of the Union.

The war in Ukraine is also back in focus as Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky visited New York City and Washington this week to meet with Biden and congressional leaders as well as address the United Nations General Assembly.

Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska is scheduled to appear on CBS Face the Nation to discuss the war effort.

Staunch Ukraine supporter Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) is also set to appear on This Week. He made an appearance on Face the Nation, last Sunday to push Biden towards sending long-range missiles to Ukraine. The U.S. is now expected to send some long-range munitions to Ukraine, NBC reported.

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) was indicted on federal bribery charges on Friday, the second time he has been charged with corruption since taking office. The indictment brought a chorus of calls from Democrats for Menendez to resign, including from over half of New Jerseys Democratic delegation in Congress.

That included Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), who is scheduled to appear on State of the Union.

The ever-present 2024 presidential election will also be a major topic of discussion. Presidential candidates former Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) will appear on Meet the Press and Fox News Sunday, respectively.

The pair are among the candidates who have qualified for the second GOP debate, which will take place on Wednesday night in California. Former President Trump has decided to skip the debate again, instead opting to speak to auto workers in Detroit.

Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel, who leads debate organizing, is scheduled for Fox News Sunday. Fox Business Channel will host Wednesdays debate.

Below is the full list of guests scheduled to appear on this weeks Sunday talk shows:

ABCs This Week  Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg; Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio).

NBCs Meet the Press  Buttigieg; former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican presidential candidate; Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.).

CBS Face the Nation  Olena Zelenska, first lady of Ukraine; Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.); Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas).

CNNs State of the Union  Buttigieg; Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.); Reps. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Summer Lee (D-Pa.).

Fox News Sunday  South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, a Republican presidential candidate; Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee; Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas).

Fox News Channels Sunday Morning Futures  Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.); Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah); Republican presidential candidate Larry Elder; conservative news host Mark Levin.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
After hosting the UK's King Charles III and Queen Camilla, French President Emmanuel Macron now plays host to Pope Francis, who arrived in the Mediterranean port city of Marseille Friday (September 22) for the 44th apostolic journey of his pontificate.

The pope's two-day business in the French Mediterranean port city was to primarily participate in and preside over the closing session of the annual Mediterranean Meetings, which were initiatives or conferences held annually by religious communities in Mediterranean coastal cities to find shared solutions to the challenges of the region, particularly migration.

This year's Mediterranean Meetings are attended by about 70 Catholic bishops and 120 young people aged between 20 and 35 from all religious backgrounds, according to Vatican state media.

Two Days in Marseille

Upon landing at Marseille airport, the pope was welcomed by French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne before proceeding to the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica, which overlooks the city, to lead a prayer service there before heading out to an interfaith remembrance ceremony at a monument for sailors and migrants lost at sea.

After the prayer and commemoration service, the pontiff would attend the Mediterranean Meetings before staying the night at the Archbishop of Marseille's residence.

The pope's final activity before returning to Rome would be presiding or offering a Mass on Saturday (September 23), which Macron was expected to attend.

Read Also: King Charles, Queen Camilla Visit France: Monarch Shows Unexpected Closeness with Macron

Pope Slams Indifference Toward Migrants

The Associated Press reported that the pope criticized what he called the "fanaticism of indifference" greeting migrants seeking a better life amid Europe's migrant dilemma. He also slammed the continent's collective effort to apply stricter measures on migration, with some countries emphasizing border fences, repatriations, and a possible naval blockade led by Italy to keep migrants out.

The Italian island of Lampedusa was reportedly overwhelmed last week with the arrival of nearly 7,000 migrants in a single day, which was more than its resident population. The pope, who is also Bishop of Rome by virtue of his office, called the Lampedusa drama a "cruelty" towards migrants and a "terrible lack of humanity" on the part of the locals.

"[T]his beautiful sea has become a huge cemetery, where many brothers and sisters are deprived even of the right to a grave," the pope added.

Lampedusa was the very first place the pope went to outside of Rome ever since his election in 2013 to honor and remember the migrants who drowned. Owing to his own Italian immigrant roots, the Argentinian pontiff empathized with and emphasized the plight of migrants, from offering Mass on the US-Mexico border to bringing home 12 Syrian Muslims aboard the papal flight after visiting a refugee camp in the Greek island of Lesbos.

On the other hand, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Lampedusa and backed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's calls to strengthen border security in the continent.

For France's part, officials in Paris said they would keep their coastal and mountain watches, and vowed to turn away any migrant coming from Lampedusa

In the same decade as Francis's papacy, the International Organization of Migration estimated that 28,000 migrants have died in the Mediterranean trying to reach Europe, while others have been subject to horrendous conditions in Libyan detention centers where abuse is rife.

"We cannot be resigned to seeing human beings treated as bargaining chips, imprisoned and tortured in atrocious ways," the pope said in clear reference to the Libyan camps. "We can no longer watch the drama of shipwrecks caused by the cruel trafficking and the fanaticism of indifference."

He also thanked humanitarian groups for their efforts to rescue as many migrants as possible, as he insisted that rescuing people from the risk of drowning at sea was "a duty of humanity" and a "duty of civilization."

A Bishop's Wager

Meanwhile, Algeria-born Archbishop of Marseille Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline stated that "aggressive" measures were not the answer, but "naive" and peacenik speeches about everyone living together happily ever after were not helpful either.

"[W]hen political institutions forbid non-governmental organizations and also commercial ships that cross these waters from rescuing shipwreck victims, it's an even more serious crime and violation of the most elementary international maritime law," he added.

Ahead of Francis's visit, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the maritime rescue organization SOS Mediterranee, which operates a ship that assists migrants, issued an urgent appeal for rescues to continue.

"The unfathomable death toll in the Mediterranean this year could have been prevented if the political will was there," the groups said.

Related Article: Cardinal Burke, Traditional Catholics Warn Upcoming Vatican Synod is a 'Pandora's Box,' 'Trojan Horse' in New Q&A Book

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI early Friday morning after driving the wrong way on the W-X corridor of Highway 50 in Sacramento and colliding head-on with an SUV, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officers responded to Highway 50 near Fifth Street around 2:39 a.m. after getting a call reporting the incident, said CHP South Sacramento spokesman Officer Mark Leavitt.

The officers learned the motorist was driving west on eastbound lanes and collided into a Nissan driver going east, Leavitt added. The Nissan driver suffered major injuries and was taken to a hospital, he said. There were no other injuries reported.

The wrong-way driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, authorities said.

Highway 50 was closed for about an hour, CHP officials said.
Dan Kane waited years for justice to be served for the slaying of his longtime partner.

William Bill Denham was beaten to death by strangers in 2017 over what turned out to be a lie by a woman trying to hide her infidelity. The woman and her boyfriend were sent to prison for Denhams killing. A third suspect who was set to be a witness in the case died a few years ago.

Kane lived to see those developments. But now the 66-year-old longtime Tampa counselors family and friends may have their own wait for justice ahead.

Kane was found dead Monday night after his Old Seminole Heights bungalow caught fire, his brother Clarke Kane confirmed to the Tampa Bay Times.

Tampa police have released few details but have said Kanes death may lead to criminal charges.

According to police, officers and firefighters were called to a home on the 1000 block of East Crenshaw Street around 11:15 p.m. for a report of a house fire. First responders helped multiple people out of the home but found a man inside who died at the scene. Police detained a man at the scene, but as of Friday, they had not arrested him or anyone else in connection to the fire.

A Tampa police spokesperson said detectives were still investigating, so the department is withholding the names of both the man who died and the man who was detained while that investigation is underway.

Word of Kanes death spread quickly to neighbors and friends, who mourned the loss of a man they described as passionate about helping people, both in his career and personally, even after his own life was marred by tragedy. He had taken in multiple people in need over the years, and a neighbor told the Times that at least three people were living with him at the time of the fire. One of them was the man detained by police.

Hes one of those people that has done so much good for so many, and nobody is gonna realize it until now that hes not there, said Ray Reed, a longtime friend of Kanes.

A rudder for people in need pushes for justice

A native of Philadelphia, Dan Kane grew up in New Jersey, his brother said in an interview. Dan Kane graduated from Rutgers University in 1988 and moved to Tampa with Denham and a friend of theirs in the 1990s, the friend previously told the Times. Kane got a masters degree in rehabilitation counseling and an education specialist degree from the University of South Florida, according to a biography on the website of Narconon Arrowhead, a previous employer.

He spent more than two decades working in Tampa Bay, counseling those with mental health and substance abuse issues while maintaining his private practice.

In a phone interview, Reed recalled three decades of friendship with Kane that began after Reed lost his partner of 11 years. Reed said hed been unable to eat, sleep or function but found solace through Kanes counseling.

After Reed stopped receiving counseling, the two became friends and eventually roommates. He said Kane helped struggling people get the care they need, like an uncle or a father.

He was the rudder on so many peoples ships, he would right their course and help them out, Reed said.

Kane was passionate and committed to the people he served, said Marcia Monroe, a clinical social worker in Tampa Bay. He helped people with substance abuse issues find treatment, housing and financial benefits, and he was available at all hours of the day for his clients, Monroe said.

Some people dont recognize when they need help, and he would really work with them and just be there to try to help them get on course and rebuild their lives, Monroe said. And thats the Dan I knew.

Over the years, Clarke Kane heard snippets about the impact of his brothers work. He said one mother was in disbelief at how much Daniel Kane had helped her son.

The work that he did, he was good at it, Clarke Kane said.

Denham, Dan Kanes partner, shared a similar career and passion for helping others. He had spent most of his life working as a counselor at agencies such as the Tampa AIDS Network and DACCO  a residential drug treatment facility in Tampa  as well as local methadone clinics. But Denham burned out in the profession, a friend previously told the Times, and at the time of his death was flipping houses and waiting tables.

In late 2016, Kane and Denham purchased the bungalow on Crenshaw Street. A couple of months later, on a cool and breezy night in January 2017 as the couple were in the process of moving into the home, Denham, 59, decided to take a walk. He headed to a nearby Walmart and bought a few frozen dinners.

As he headed for home sometime after 10 p.m., two men and a woman beat him to death at the intersection of North 15th and East Elm streets.

His whole life was helping other people, Dan Kane told the Times in the days after Denhams death. He didnt deserve this.

Four months later, in May 2017, police made the first arrest in the case, taking Jadian Sinead Zeiders, then 26, into custody on a charge of second-degree murder.

Zeiders initially told police she didnt know what happened to Denham, but later in the same interview told what would turn out to be a fabricated account.

I dont think they need the death penalty, but they do need to be in prison for a long time to think about what they did, Kane told the Times after Zeiders arrest.

The two years that followed saw no more arrests. The lack of progress grew unbearable for Kane, who attended each of Zeiders court hearings.

Clarke Kane, who moved into the Crenshaw Street home with Dan Kane after Denhams death and stayed for nearly three years, said he watched as his brother continually called police and prosecutors to get the case to move along.

I think that punched a real hole in him  like it would with anybody, Clarke Kane said.

Finally, in 2019, Zeiders agreed to plead guilty and, with her plea, submitted a handwritten account of what she said really led to Denhams death. She identified Stephen Mitchell, who was her former boyfriend, and another man, Jeremy Todd Miller, who was 33 at the time of the attack.

According to Zeiders account, she, Mitchell and Miller gathered at the house on Escort Avenue. Zeiders was cheating on Mitchell with another man, she wrote, and phoned the man after Mitchell and Miller left.

Zeiders and the man she was secretly seeing were in the backyard when they heard Mitchells car pull up, she wrote. She told the man to hop a rear fence before Mitchell entered the yard. Zeiders wrote that Mitchell heard a noise by the fence and asked Zeiders what she was doing. She said she told him a lie about a man coming into the yard and masturbating because I was scared that he saw my friend and what I was really doing, she wrote.

Zeiders, Mitchell and Miller left the yard in search of the man Zeiders said she had seen and encountered Denham near the corner of 15th and Elm streets. They asked what he was doing in the yard, Zeiders wrote, and Denham denied he had been there. Mitchell then attacked him, according to Zeiders, who admitted to kicking Denham a couple of times only because I was high on drugs and scared of what Stephen would do to me if I didnt back up the story I told him.

Mitchell kept beating Denham as he fell, Zeiders wrote. Denham got up and tried to walk away, and Mitchell attacked him again, she said.

Mitchell, now 39, was arrested in March 2019 on a charge of second-degree murder. Last year, he pleaded to manslaughter, a lesser offense, and was sentenced to eight years in prison followed by five years of probation. His release date is March 2030, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.

Zeiders pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in January of this year and was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with credit for the 5 years she spent in the county jail while the case was pending, records show. Her release date is April 2029.

The third man, Miller, was set to be a witness in the case and had not been charged before he died in December 2020, said Erin Maloney, a spokesperson for the State Attorneys Office.

A good guy just trying to help

In 2019, as the cases against his partners killers were still ongoing, Kane moved to Oklahoma, where he served as the clinical director of Narconon Arrowhead, according to the substance abuse rehabilitation centers website.

Kane returned to Tampa about a year ago, moving back into the Crenshaw Street home, Reed said.

Neighbors noticed other people living in and hanging out at the house before Kane left for Oklahoma and after he returned, said Meagan Berkstresser, who has lived on Crenshaw for about 12 years. When neighbors asked Kane about them, he said he was trying to help people in need, Berkstresser said.

He explained thats what Bill would have wanted, she said.

Berkstresser said on the night of the fire, her husband heard someone yelling outside for someone to call 911, then looked outside, saw Kanes house was on fire and called 911. She saw at least three people staying with Kane at the time make it out safely, including the man police detained.

Its unfortunate the way that it panned out because (Kane) was a good guy just trying to help some people get a new beginning, she said.

On Tuesday, crews used a bulldozer to knock down what remained of the burned home, and by Wednesday the rubble was gone, leaving behind an empty lot of grass and dirt.

Reed went by the property and left near the mailbox a wreath of red and pink flowers and a handwritten message:

Dan  you helped and cared for thousands of people in need. Rest easy, my friend, in the palm of Gods hand, in a place of joy, serenity & bliss, reunited with those you loved. Amen.
Yet again, Tesla could be facing some serious legal trouble, as it is being investigated by the federal government. But this time its not for allegations of lying to customers about the ranges of its electric vehicles, or for crashes caused by its Autopilot feature, or for its seat belts falling off.

The most recent federal investigation is a result of Tesla allegedly misappropriating company funds to build CEO Elon Musk a new mansion.

The story first emerged last year after an executive at Tesla who was known as Musks top lieutenant was fired from the company after placing an order for special glass for a secret project, which triggered an internal investigation, Electrek reported. The executive was apparently later rehired at SpaceX.

At the time it was not known what the secret project was, but now, reporting from The Wall Street Journal has revealed that the project, known internally as Project 42, is a new glass mansion for Musk being built near Teslas headquarters in Austin, Texas.

That reporting has triggered investigations from both the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission, as it goes against several rules for the CEO of a publicly traded company to use company funds for a private project.

This is a weird situation; Elon is the richest man on Earth. He certainly doesnt need Tesla to build him a house, Electreks Fred Lambert wrote. If true, it could be a sign that the CEO is becoming disconnected from reality and thinks he is above the rules. Its not like there were no other signs of that lately.

Musk, whose recent antics include spreading COVID-19 conspiracy theories and promoting transphobia (among many other offensive and controversial behaviors), was cited in a recent survey as the most prominent reason why Tesla owners are turning away from the brand.

Its no secret that Elon hasnt done Tesla any favors given his erratic behavior over Twitter and the like, but if there is any truth at all to this, then the shareholders need to give him the boot before he tarnishes Teslas reputation for good, wrote one commenter.

Musk is the richest man alive ON PAPER, another commenter speculated. The actual amount of cash he has on hand is extremely small compared to his overall wealth. On top of that hes likely trying to get around paying taxes on these types of purchases and attempting to claim it as a business expense.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
(FOX40.COM)  More Tesla police vehicles will be hitting the streets of California as the Auburn City Council approved the purchase of a Model Y for the Auburn Police Department.

During their meeting on Sept. 11, the police department requested to reallocate funds slated for the purchase of a Chevrolet Tahoe to go toward a Tesla Model 3.

The Tahoe was budgeted to cost $55,026.52 and the Model 3 is expected to cost $53,352.05 along with a $475 installation cost for a Tesla Wall Charger, according to the police departments staff report.

A lack of police vehicles available for purchase led the police department to transition to purchasing the Tesla sedan, according to the police department.

The police department said that over the last four months, they have been able to secure three of the four vehicles they originally intended to purchase.

The continued addition of electric vehicles into the citys fleet to meet state mandates was mentioned as a benefit to the purchase of the Tesla.

This represents an opportunity for the Auburn Police Department to evaluate the reasonableness of implementing additional EVs into its fleet, the department wrote in their staff report.

During the city council meeting, Mayor Alice Dowdin Calvillo pointed out the fact that the Model 3 and Tahoe are two very different vehicles, besides their power source, and asked for clarification of its intended use.

It is initially going to be used as a command vehicle, meaning that the lieutenants will use this car, and then probably in the future the Tesla will move in that same way, Auburn Police Chief Ryan Kinnan said during the meeting.

Auburn is not the first Sacramento area city to add Tesla vehicles to their police department as the City of Folsom approved the purchase of a Model 3 and a Model Y for the Folsom Police Department in August.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
A Black high school student who was suspended over his locs hairstyle and his mother have sued Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the states attorney general for allegedly failing to enforce the states CROWN Act, a law that protects against hair discrimination.

Darryl George, a 17-year-old student at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas, has been suspended for more than three weeks because officials said his locs  which he often wears in braids or a ponytail  violate the Barbers Hill Independent School Districts dress code for male students.

The policy does not prohibit students from wearing locs or braids, but it does place limitations on hair length for male students, stating hair cannot be worn in a style that would allow the hair to extend below the top of a t-shirt collar, below the eyebrows, or below the ear lobes when let down.

But the federal civil rights lawsuit, filed Saturday in the Texas Southern District Court, argues that Darryls suspension is a violation of the states CROWN Act, a law that prohibits discrimination against hair texture and protective hairstyles like locs and braids that are commonly or historically associated with race.

It also alleges that Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have failed to enforce the law, which went into effect on September 1.

The lawsuit notes the plaintiffs are seeking an injunction against Abbott and Paxton to compel them to stop the district from exposing their students to disciplinary punishment and disciplinary measures due to locs, braid, twists and other protective styles that are alleged to be or that are longer than the District or schools length requirement.

CNN has reached out to Abbotts and Paxtons office for comment on the lawsuit, as well as the attorneys for the Barbers Hill Independent School District.

The filing comes days after the district asked a Texas court to clarify if its dress code violates the CROWN Act.

Although we believe the new law does not govern hair length, we are asking the judicial system of Texas to interpret, Barbers Hill Superintendent Greg Poole said in a statement on Wednesday.

Georges family has previously said they were told Darryl will be sent to a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program, also known as an alternative school, if he refuses to cut his hair. The family told CNN his locs are intertwined with strands from his grandfather and father and that they do not intend to cut them off.

Darryl George, a 17-year-old junior, walks to Barbers Hill High School on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Mont Belvieu, Texas. - Michael Wyke/AP

This is not the first time the Barbers Hill Independent School District has faced legal action over the impact its hair policy has on Black students with locs.

In 2020, Sandy Arnold, her son DeAndre and Cindy Bradford sued the school district, claiming the districts grooming policies amounted to racial discrimination and violated their childrens First and Fourteenth Amendment rights, CNN previously reported. Both students wore locs and had been asked to cut them to comply with the districts policy on hair length.

DeAndre Arnold was also told if he didnt cut his locs, he would not be able to participate in his graduation ceremony. Instead of cutting his hair, Arnold transferred to another school district.

Later that year, a federal court issued a preliminary injunction blocking the district from enforcing its hair-length policy against Bradfords son. That case is ongoing, according to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, which represents the plaintiffs.

In May, Abbott signed the states CROWN Act. Arnold told CNN affiliate KTRK at the time that the laws passage was the most validating feeling.

After all this time to get what weve been fighting for, this made everything worth it because I know now they can never do anything like this to anybody else in the state of Texas, he said.

Two dozen states have enacted versions of a CROWN Act, according to the Economic Policy Institute. California was the first to pass the measure in 2019. Legislation for a national CROWN Act has been unsuccessful.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Rudy Giuliani , the former mayor of New York City and personal attorney to President Donald Trump , failed to meet deadlines for paying legal fees to two women he defamed and did not provide discovery items to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Now, he owes way more.

On Aug. 30, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ordered the disgraced politician to pay $89,172 in fees to the attorneys of Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Shaye Moss, former Georgia election workers. The judge also ordered his businesses, Giuliani Partners LLC and Giuliani Communications LLC, to pay $43,684 in additional legal fees as sanctions to the women, totaling $132,856.

Rudy Giuliani and Wandrea Shaye Moss (Photos: Getty Images/Photo: YouTube/Fox 5 Atlanta)

Despite the deadline of Sept. 20, Giuliani did not fulfill the courts mandate.

Giuliani could have legally countered the order by providing evidence for his false claims about Freeman and Moss manipulating election totals at the State Farm Arena in Georgia during the November 2020 presidential election.

Related: You Cant Say Im Black: GOP Presidential Candidate Sen. Tim Scott Says Focus on His Relationship Status Is a Form of Discrimination

However, he failed to do so, and on the deadline day, Judge Howell held him responsible for defaming the women. This decision comes a month after Giuliani indicated he wouldnt contest the defamation claims. Now, the case can proceed to trial to determine the financial damages for the offense.

The women issued a statement about the damage done to their reputations thanks to Giulianis claims.

Nothing can restore all we lost, but todays ruling is another neutral finding that has confirmed what we have known all along, that there was never any truth to any of the accusations about us and that we did nothing wrong, the statement said, according to USA Today. We were smeared for purely political reasons, and the people responsible can and should be held accountable.

During a Dec. 10, 2020, meeting with Georgia lawmakers, Giuliani alleged election workers openly stole votes and claimed 12,000 to 14,000 illegal ballots were counted. He accused Freeman and Moss of sharing USB drives like vials of heroin or cocaine.

However, during a U.S. House hearing, the women disputed this, stating they were sharing ginger mints. Trump also mentioned Freemans name 18 times as a political scammer during a call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Georgia election officials have since debunked these fraud allegations related to ballot counting.

Now, their lawyers are moving forward with further action to get unspecified damages for their clients.

Days after the deadline, Giuliani was hit with more bad news. On Sept. 22, the already financially strapped Giuliani was ordered by Howell to pony up an additional $104,000 to the women because he failed to respond.

Read the full story at Atlanta Black Star.

Ted Goodman, a political adviser to Giuliani, argued the reason the documents were not produced was because there is no way he can get access to them.

This 57-page opinion is a prime example of the weaponization of the justice system, where the process is the punishment, Goodman said.

This decision should be reversed, as Mayor Giuliani is wrongly accused of not preserving electronic evidence that was seized and held by the FBI, Goodman added.

It is unclear why Giuliani has not responded. Around the time of the deadline, he was hit with a new lawsuit from his former lawyers. They are asking the courts to award him $1.3 million in unpaid legal fees.

Many on social media reacted to the judges ordering Rudy to pay more.

I thought his mate Donald was going to bail him out or do some fundraising? one X user wrote.

Cant bleed a turnip, another wrote.
A family burrows under razor wire on the U.S. side of the border after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico to Eagle Pass, Texas. They were turned back by a National Guardsman. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

More than 9,000 asylum seekers and counting have crossed this week from Mexico to Eagle Pass, Texas, where the mayor declared a state of emergency and Border Patrol agents have become overwhelmed..

Before, we would hear rumors, [but] nothing happened, Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber said. But this time something happened.

Mayor Rolando Salinas Jr. signed a disaster declaration for the city Wednesday evening. In response, the U.S. Department of Defense has sent 800 more active-duty troops to Eagle Pass to assist with the processing of migrants, adding to 2,500 National Guard members there. Border holding facilities are expanding by 3,250 people to nearly 23,000 and extending home surveillance nationwide for families awaiting initial asylum screenings.

A group of people struggle against the tide as they cross the Rio Grande on Saturday. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

People who crossed the Rio Grande into the U.S. are held Saturday at a border patrol processing center located below the Eagle Pass International Bridge in Texas. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

People who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border wait to board buses at a border patrol processing center Saturday in Eagle Pass, Texas, along the banks of the Rio Grande. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

People who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border are led, single file, to a border patrol processing center Saturday in Eagle Pass, Texas, along the banks of the Rio Grande. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

People who crossed the Rio Grande on Saturday look for a way through razor wire on the Texas side of the U.S.-Mexico border. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Migrants struggle to cross the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass, Texas, on Friday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Migrants wade across the Rio Grande from Mexico toward Eagle Pass, Texas. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Hundreds of migrants walk to a U.S. Border Patrol staging area to be loaded into vans and transported to a processing center. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

A man pleads with a National Guard member to be allowed to enter the U.S. after crossing the Rio Grande and burrowing through razor wire on the riverbank in Eagle Pass. He was turned away. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Migrants gather behind razor wire after crossing the Rio Grande into Eagle Pass. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Hundreds of migrant men wait to be transported by U.S. Border Patrol from a holding area near the Rio Grande. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Sign up for Essential California for the L.A. Times biggest news, features and recommendations in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Kansas City area will see plenty of rain Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

Just after 10 a.m., officials issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Kansas City area, including Johnson County and Gladstone, until 11 a.m.

The storm warning was extended to 11:30 a.m. as the storm continued to move. The updated warning included northeastern Johnson County, Raytown and Independence.

A possibility of half dollar-sized hail was included in the warning.

Meteorologists predict more rain this afternoon after 1 p.m.

More showers between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. are likely, the weather services update says, with a possible thunderstorm tonight.
(Photo : Win McNamee/Getty Images)

United States President Joe Biden unveiled a new White House office that will be created to focus on gun violence prevention which will be led by Vice President Kamala Harris.

United States President Joe Biden unveiled that the White House would create a new office for gun violence prevention led by Vice President Kamala Harris.

The Democratic president said that creating the new office is part of his administration's efforts and "will save lives." The new office is designed to find a way around congressional inaction on stronger gun control laws. As Biden announced in the unveiling of the new office, he expressed his gratitude to the affected family members who found "purpose in your pain."

New White House Office for Gun Violence Prevention

In a statement, the president said that the creation of the new office for gun violence prevention was because of the people who demanded the country's government do better to protect everyone. He said the people who protested, organized, voted, ran for office, and marched for their lives contributed to the development.

The first Gen Z member of Congress, Rep. Maxwell Frost, who is also an advocate of further action on guns, was the one who introduced President Biden on Friday. According to CBS News, the White House also noted that the new office will implement the president's executive orders on gun violence.

The most recent gun legislation that Congress passed is the 2022 bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which works to enhance background checks for gun buyers under the age of 21 years. It also provides funding for mental health services and closes the so-called "boyfriend loophole" to prevent convicted domestic abusers from purchasing a firearm for five years.

However, it is not yet clear what the new office's exact role would be, but officials said that having dedicated staff within the White House will help expedite its objectives. On top of implementing the bipartisan Safer Communities Act and Biden's executive orders, the new office will coordinate more support for survivors, including mental health care and financial assistance.

Additionally, it would try to identify new executive actions meant to reduce gun violence and expand the Biden administration's partnerships with state and local organizations. The president said that none of the steps alone will be able to solve the entire issue of the gun violence epidemic.

Read Also: New Mexico Gov. Michelle Grisham Narrows Gun Ban Following Widespread Opposition

Addressing the National Issue

During his remarks, Biden detailed his experience traveling to the sites of mass shootings across the United States, including the Sandy Hook incident in 2012 when he was still vice president. He noted that these kinds of engagements have a permanent effect on young children, according to CNN.

Biden's announcement of the new office comes only a few days after a group of congressional Democrats sent a letter to the president calling on him to leverage "the full power of the executive branch" to address gun violence nationwide.

The president said that after every mass shooting, he hears the same thing: the plea to "do something." He said that his administration has been working relentlessly to do something to address the rising number of gun violence cases in the US, said Fox News.

Related Article: Biden-Harris Admin Provides $600 Million To Restart Manufacture, Offer of Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) brushed off a labor rights complaint from the United Auto Workers (UAW) on Friday, saying the union wants to threaten him.

The complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, filed by UAW President Shawn Fain on Thursday, alleges that Scott violated his campaign staffs federally-protected right to strike by endorsing former President Ronald Reagans firing of striking workers.

Scott shot back at the union on Friday.

The UAW is one of the most corrupt and scandal-plagued unions in America, Scott said in a statement. They are showing their true colors once again and autoworkers and taxpayers will be left holding the bag together. They want to threaten me and shut me up.

They dont scare me. I will truly fight for American workers and jobs, promote the dignity of work, and end the Biden retreat from the values that make our nation exceptional, he added.

The complaint was sparked by Scotts comments at a campaign stop in Iowa on Monday.

I think Ronald Reagan gave us a great example when federal employees decided they were going to strike, Scott said in Iowa. He said, You strike, youre fired. Simple concept to me, to the extent that we can use that once again.

Fain denounced Scotts statements on Thursday.

Just another example of how the employer class abuses the working class in America, employers willfully violate labor law with little to no repercussions, he said. Time for more stringent laws to protect workers rights!!

Scott also used the response to criticize President Biden, who has backed the UAW strikes. He announced Friday that he will visit workers on the picket lines in Michigan next week.

American workers continue to witness how a weak president leads to all sorts of chaos at home and abroad, Scott said.

Joe Biden and Big Labor bosses are undermining the dignity of work and setting autoworkers up for failure. Theyre playing politics with peoples lives.

The UAW strike against the Big Three automakers  Ford, General Motors and Stellantis  began last week. It expanded Friday, with the union announcing that 38 GM and Stellantis plants across the country will join the strike.

We will shut down parts distribution until those two companies come to their senses and come to the table with a serious offer, Fain said.

Fain said Ford had made progress in negotiations with the union and strikes against the company would not expand.

Demands are focused on higher wages, shorter work weeks, union representation for battery plant workers and better retirement benefits  including restored pensions for new hires.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
MIDWEST CITY, Okla. (KFOR)  Tinker Air Force base and its members of the 552nd Air Control Wing, Airborne Early Warning Association gathered to honor and remembering fallen soldiers.

Members of the 552nd Air Control Wing, Airborne Early Warning Association, and surviving family members gathered for a solemn memorial ceremony on Friday at Tinker Air Force Base to honor the 24 Canadian and U.S. Airmen lost in one of the deadliest aircraft accidents in U.S. Air Force history.

Keep Norman Neat effort provides new digital registration for cleanup events

It has been 28 years since crew members assigned to the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron, call sign Yukla-27, prepared for a routine surveillance training sortie out of Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

Tinker Air Force Base officials say, as the aircraft lifted off, a flock of Canadian geese took flight from the airfield and flew directly into the path of the aircraft.

According to cockpit recordings, Copilot Capt. Bradley W. Paakola declared an emergency at 7:46 a.m., and seconds later, aircraft commander Capt. Glenn L. Rogers Jr. reported they were going to crash.

At 7:47 a.m. Sept. 22, 1995, only 42 seconds in the air, Yukla-27 tragically crashed 3,500 yards northeast of the airfield, killing everyone on board.

We lost our comrades in arms that day, said Larry Bunting, with 552 ACW E-3 Requirements office, and a member of the Airborne Early Warning Association. We try to do a small memorial ceremony every year to honor their memory, bravery and their ultimate pursuit of freedom and their dedication to the defense of this country. We will never forget them.

The need for Bird Air Strike Hazard teams came about following the Yukla-27 crash. BASH teams preserve war fighting capabilities through the reduction of wildlife hazards to aircraft operations, but more importantly, help to protect the lives of Airmen.

 Find more Top Stories from KFOR.com

Pilot and crew training is essential to maintaining operation readiness. The 552 ACW is holding a safety day on today to go over lessons learned from that fateful day.

The short ceremony featured a prayer, the playing of Taps, and the reading of the crew names.

The Lost but not Forgotten

Lt Col Richard G. Leary, 41, Navigator

Maj Richard P. Stewart II, 40, Mission Crew Commander

Maj Marlon R. Thomas, 39, Mission Crew Commander

Maj Steven A. Tuttle, 40, Airborne Surveillance Officer

Capt Robert J. Long, 27, Senior Director

Capt Bradley W. Paakola, 27, Co-Pilot

Capt Glen L. Rogers, 28, Pilot

1st Lt Carlos A. Arriaga, 25, Weapons Director

MSgt Stephen C. OConnell, 32, Advanced Air Surveillance Technician

TSgt Mark A. Bramer, 34, Flight Engineer

TSgt Mark A. Collins, 30, Communications Systems Operator

TSgt Bart L. Holmes, 37, Flight Engineer

TSgt Ernest R. Parrish, 32, Intelligence Specialist

TSgt Charles D. Sweet, Jr., 33, Airborne Radar Technician

TSgt Timothy B. Thomas, 33, Computer Display Maintenance Technician

TSgt Brian K. Van Leer, 34, Advanced Air Surveillance Technician

Sgt David L. Pitcher, 35, Battle Director Technician

MCpl Jean-Pierre J. Legault, 35, Communications Technician

SSgt Scott A. Bresson, 32, Airborne Radar Technician

SSgt Raymond O. Spencer Jr., 26, Airborne Surveillance Technician

SrA Lawrence E. DeFrancesco, 24, Communications Systems Operator

SrA Darien F. Watson, 20, Airborne Surveillance Technician

SrA Joshua N. Weter, 21, Computer Display Maintenance Technician

Amn Jeshua C. Smith, 20, Airborne Surveillance Technician

For more information click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
A mother and her boyfriend were arrested over 300 miles from their home in Florida after her toddler was left unsupervised and died, police say.

The boyfriend and the mom of two toddlers left the kids home for eight hours while they went to work on Sept. 1, the Gainesville Police Department said in a news release Sept. 22.

When they came home, they found the 3-year-old girl unresponsive, according to police. The other child was transported to the hospital and survived.

Donrea McLaughlin, 22, and her boyfriend Sean Lee II, 26, fled Florida during the course of the investigation, police said.

Initially, they told police that McLaughlin had been taking a nap for several hours when Lee woke her up, and they found the child unresponsive, according to the release.

Investigators say thats not what happened.

McLaughlin and Lee both attended work and did not arrange for or provide care for the toddlers, nor were the children even checked on, Gainesville police said.

Police said say the couple fled across state lines to Atlanta, where they used to live.

Further investigation revealed a history of prolonged abuse and neglect, which contributed to the death of the one sibling and the injury to the other, police said.

Gainesville law enforcement coordinated with the United States Marshals Service Regional Fugitive Task Force to arrest the couple in Georgia.

They were taken into custody Sept. 18, according to Fulton County jail records.

They each face charges of felony murder, two counts of aggravated child abuse and two counts of child neglect, according to the release. Their bond was set to $4.5 million.

Police said the two will be extradited to Alachua County Jail in Gainesville.

Deputy slapped minor during arrest and now 2 officers face charges, Michigan cops say

Mom slowly killed son, stole his benefits for fast food, Victorias Secret, feds say

Boy was in room as mom had drug-fueled sex with 2 men and one died, Florida cops say
A missing Michigan toddler made it three miles away from home with her two dogs.

A civilian volunteer found her asleep in the woods with her family's rottweiler and cocker spaniel.

She was discovered barefoot at about midnight and was in good health, police said.

A Michigan toddler who went missing most likely walked 3 miles barefoot with her family's two dogs at her side before she was found hours later napping in the woods with the pups, police say.

"It was a long way from home," Jeremy Hauswirth, the commander of the Michigan State Police Iron Mountain Post, told Insider of where the girl was found. "Best we can figure, she got on a trail and started trucking it with the dog. Barefoot, just headed for the sunset."

Brooke Chase, a resident of rural Menominee County on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, realized her 2-year-old daughter and two dogs, a rottweiler and a cocker spaniel, were nowhere to be found at about 8 p.m. Wednesday, the local outlet WJMN reported.

"We're everywhere around here," Chase told WJMN of the search. "It's completely wooded  deep, thick woods around here. There's a swamp over there, so of course we're, like, freaking out. And after about fifteen minutes of searching for her with our friends and family, I called the cops."

Chase's call sparked a four-hour-long coordinated search effort involving local troopers, canine units, civilian search and rescue volunteers, and aerial drones  all scouring the dark woods for signs of the missing girl, Hauswirth told Insider.

Finally, at about midnight, a civilian volunteer on a four-wheeler discovered the 2-year-old as he was headed to get more gas, Hauswirth said.

Hauswirth said one of the family dogs that had gone missing with the girl, the rottweiler, jumped out at the four-wheeler, grabbing the driver's attention. That's when, Hauswirth told Insider, the volunteer found the 2-year-old curled up sleeping on top of the other dog: the family's cocker spaniel.

She was about 3 miles away from her home.

The volunteer picked her up with no trouble, and she "crashed back out in his arms," Hauswirth said.

Hauswirth said he believed the toddler walked the whole three miles herself with the dogs walking alongside her.

"The rottweiler stays right next to her all the time. So I don't know if it had a collar or she just had an arm on it and was running. Because when a kid decides to go in a straight direction, they can make some tracks," Hauswirth said, adding that toddlers are "motoring machines."

The girl was checked out by medical staff and confirmed to be healthy, a police spokesperson told the Detroit Free Press.

Read the original article on Insider
(Bloomberg) -- A top confidant of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he thinks a landmark deal normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia will be agreed on within a few months.

Most Read from Bloomberg

I personally believe we will get a normalization deal ultimately with Saudi Arabia, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer said in an interview on Friday with Annmarie Hordern and Joe Mathieu on Bloomberg Television. Whether its by the end of the year or shortly thereafter, it is in the next few months I think that we can make this happen.

Read more: White House Weighs Defense Treaties to Aid Israel-Saudi Pact

Israel is completely aligned with the US on how to meet Saudi demands that Riyadh be allowed to enrich its own uranium for a civilian nuclear program while addressing non-proliferation concerns, Dermer said.

Read more: A Saudi-Israeli Peace Deal? Who Wants What and Why: QuickTake

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in an interview with Fox News that Saudi Arabia is getting closer every day to a deal establishing diplomatic ties with Israel.

The US, Saudi Arabia and Israel are engaged in complex negotiations in which Washington would offer security guarantees to Riyadh, the Saudis would normalize relations with Israel and Israel would take actions aimed at preserving the possibility of a Palestinian state.

Saudi-Israel normalization remains difficult, with the process fraught over specifics, including the Palestinian issue, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
A view over Labyrinth Canyon and the Green River from an EcoFlight above one of the areas that will be impacted by the Labyrinth Canyon and Gemini Bridges Travel Plan on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. The travel management plan from the Bureau of Land Management, which covers 300,00 acres near Moab, will be released by Sept. 30. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

From several thousand feet above, the winding network of roads and trails that twist and divide sections of Gemini Bridges and Labyrinth Canyon in southern Utah are hard to miss. Roughly 98% of the area is within a half mile of a designated road.

But by Sept. 30, the fate of those roads, and the recreation dynamics of the area in general, will be decided by the Bureau of Land Management, which is gearing up to release a new travel plan for the Gemini Bridges-Labyrinth Canyon area.

There are several options  one would essentially manage the land the same way its been managed for decades, another would close hundreds of miles of roads.

On Friday, Deseret News journalists boarded a small, six-seater Cessna to survey the region and its network of roads. The flight was hosted by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, or SUWA, and Ecoflight, a nonprofit that uses small aircraft to advocate for conservation.

Taking off from the small Canyonlands Regional Airport outside of Moab, the plane flew West over Hell Roaring Canyon, a normally dry wash that earns its name during rainstorms when it sends a torrent of water into the Labyrinth Canyon of the Green River.

The six-seater Cessna plane continued west as the pilot, Bruce Gordon, steered over the Mineral Bottom boat launch before turning north, hugging the border of the Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness Area in Emery County. The plane banked slightly to the right, peering down into the red maze of sandstone canyons and the flat water of the Green River.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Neal Clark, SUWA wildlands director, pointed to Bowknot Bend, a peculiar meander of the Green River separated by a small mesa that, from the sky, looks like it would crumble during the spring runoff. Its one of the more iconic formations in Labyrinth Canyon, Clark said.

Near Bowknot Bend, a small road emerged from the red rock, veering north and cutting through the bright green riparian buffer of the Green River. An off-roading route called Hey Joe, its one of hundreds that the Bureau of Land Management could close to the public in the coming days.

Environmental advocates say the potential closures would strike a balance between motorized and nonmotorized users while protecting cultural and natural resources. Off-roading enthusiasts say more restrictions is government overreach, could threaten Moabs economy and will unnecessarily bar users from accessing the land.

The process started in 2008 after SUWA sued the Bureau of Land Management over its resource management at the Moab, Vernal, Price, Kanab, Monticello and Richfield field offices.

SUWA argued that some of the plans didnt look after the cultural resources in accordance with federal law  it won, starting a decades worth of travel plan revisions that are starting to take shape.

The BLM eventually rolled out four alternatives:

Alternative A would essentially keep the current management in place, with 1,056 miles of designated roads and about 70 miles of limited roads for smaller vehicles.

Alternative B would keep 606 miles open, limit 84 miles and close 437 miles of road, the most restrictive plan of the four. According to the BLM, it prioritizes protection of wildlife habitat, natural and cultural resources, ecosystems, and landscapes.

Alternative C would keep 838 miles open, limit 121 miles and close 167 miles, which the BLM says represents a balanced approach to OHV access resource protection.

Alternative D would keep 974 miles open, limit 100 miles and close 52 miles.

SUWA and the Grand County Commission want Alternative B  groups like the BlueRibbon Coalition, a motorized recreation advocacy group, and Utah Rep. Phil Lyman, R-Blanding, whose legislative district encompasses the area, want Alternative A.

Each alternative is subject to change depending on public comment, and some of the routes slated to be closed  including the popular Hey Joe, Gold Bar Rim and Ten Mile Canyon roads  could be left open. Its also possible that either SUWA or the BlueRibbon Coalition will sue if the decision doesnt align with their interests.

A UTV drives on the road towards Gemini Bridges, one of the areas that will be impacted by the Labyrinth Canyon and Gemini Bridges Travel Plan, in Moab on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. The travel management plan from the Bureau of Land Management, which covers 300,00 acres near Moab, will be released by Sept. 30. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

The Gemini Bridges-Labyrinth Canyon area is the third of 11 travel plans that will be revised following the settlements. Of all 11 regions, its one of the more high profile and controversial.

A short drive from Moab, the area has seen a proliferation of motorized use in recent years, a trend impacting much of the popular southern Utah tourist destination. And Labyrinth Canyon is one of the few consistent stretches of flat water on the Green River, doable on canoes or stand-up paddleboards.

SUWA and the BlueRibbon Coalition  two groups that struggle to find consensus  agree that the BLMs pending decision could be indicative of what the agency does with the remaining eight travel plans.

But thats about all the two groups can agree on in the debate over the future of Gemini Bridges-Labyrinth Canyon.

This is an opportunity for the BLM to finally get it right, to balance management and to actually protect the river corridor and those side canyons, said Laura Peterson, staff attorney for SUWA.

John Weisheit, an environmental activist and co-founder of Living Rivers, said the current system is a free for all. In his 35 years living in Moab and running the Green River, he says the riparian zone  the lush, green stretch of vegetation along the banks integral to the health of water ecosystems  has deteriorated.

If you damage the riparian zones, you damage everything, he said. Its not about restricting peoples access, its about managing and controlling land so that its here for others in the future.

Even with the most restrictive option, the area will still have about 690 miles of designated road for motorized use, and over 3,500 miles of road in the greater area managed by the BLM Moab field office.

Its really modest when you look at how many miles of routes will continue to be open to motorized use, both within this travel plan area, and within the larger landscape, said Clark. If you look at the travel plans that are in existence, off-road vehicles are dominating the landscape.

A view from an EcoFlight above one of the areas that will be impacted by the Labyrinth Canyon and Gemini Bridges Travel Plan on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. The travel management plan from the Bureau of Land Management, which covers 300,00 acres near Moab, will be released by Sept. 30. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Bruce Gordon, pilot with EcoFlight, talks to passengers after a flight over areas that will be impacted by the Labyrinth Canyon and Gemini Bridges Travel Plan on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. The travel management plan from the Bureau of Land Management, which covers 300,00 acres near Moab, will be released by Sept. 30. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

The Hey Joe Canyon trail, a narrow off-road trail that weaves along the bottom edge of Labyrinth Canyon and the Green River, as seen from an EcoFlight above one of the areas that will be impacted by the Labyrinth Canyon and Gemini Bridges Travel Plan on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. The travel management plan from the Bureau of Land Management, which covers 300,00 acres near Moab, will be released by Sept. 30. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Neal Clark, wildlands director for the Southern Utah Wildlife Alliance, points out areas that will be impacted by the Labyrinth Canyon and Gemini Bridges Travel Plan on an EcoFlight above Moab on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. The travel management plan from the Bureau of Land Management, which covers 300,00 acres near Moab, will be released by Sept. 30. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

A view from an EcoFlight above Moab on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. The Labyrinth Canyon and Gemini Bridges Travel Plan from the Bureau of Land Management, which covers 300,00 acres near Moab, will be released by Sept. 30. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

A view over Labyrinth Canyon and the Green River from an EcoFlight above one of the areas that will be impacted by the Labyrinth Canyon and Gemini Bridges Travel Plan on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. The travel management plan from the Bureau of Land Management, which covers 300,00 acres near Moab, will be released by Sept. 30. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

The Hey Joe Canyon trail, a narrow off-road trail that weaves along the bottom edge of Labyrinth Canyon and the Green River, as seen from an EcoFlight above one of the areas that will be impacted by the Labyrinth Canyon and Gemini Bridges Travel Plan on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. The travel management plan from the Bureau of Land Management, which covers 300,00 acres near Moab, will be released by Sept. 30. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Neal Clark, wildlands director for the Southern Utah Wildlife Alliance, points at one of the proposed maps for the Labyrinth Canyon and Gemini Bridges Travel Plan at the Canyonlands Field Airport in Moab on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Neal Clark, wildlands director for the Southern Utah Wildlife Alliance, points at one of the proposed maps for the Labyrinth Canyon and Gemini Bridges Travel Plan at the Canyonlands Field Airport in Moab on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

For Lyman, one of the more conservative members of the Utah Legislature who was found guilty of trespassing after protesting road closures in Blanding in 2015 (and was pardoned by former President Donald Trump in 2020), the idea of the BLM shutting down more routes is frustrating. He said the lack of pushback from other Utah politicians is another example of Utah pretending its an administrative sub-unit of the federal government.

The fact that the state Legislature wont pull any levers, the fact that the governor wont pull any levers, thats the most frustrating thing for me. Because they can, and they should, and they simply dance around the issue to not stir up the ire of the environmentalists, Lyman said.

Its issues like this that galvanized Lyman to run for office, and have him seriously considering a gubernatorial run. On Friday, he told the Deseret News that hes definitely looking at that.

Right now, its all systems go, he said.

Most of the routes that could be closed are Class D roads, small double-tracks, many of them unnamed. Most were established decades ago for mining or oil exploration, cemented in the desert by off-roaders and overlanders who continued to use them. Some are visible from the air, but seem to disappear into the shrubs and soil once on the ground.

Its really just a historical accident from people driving around, said Clark.

But Ben Burr, executive director of the BlueRibbon Coalition, says roads of that size have a very minimal impact.

I just dont think the environmental impacts are as accurate as others would claim them to be, he said.

Its restrictions like this, Burr said, that could harm Moab economically by creating an anti-off roading brand.

A lot of people feel like theyre not welcome in Moab, he said. And this plan is just one more arrow in that quiver of communicating to people that this is a nature preserve, its not a recreation area.

Clark says the same is true for nonmotorized recreation. By prioritizing off-roaders, Moab risks alienating the other public land users.

Motorized recreation is just one component of the larger tourism ecosystem in Grand County. And I think the County Commission, local governments and citizens are understanding that you run the risk of losing nonmotorized tourism if you flood the landscape with off-road vehicles, he said.

Back at the Canyonlands Regional Airport, Weisheit with Living Rivers stepped out of the Cessna into the warm, fall air. A hardened river guide with decades of near-misses and hair-raising mishaps, hes unfazed by the rough landing.

From the air, the boundaries separating national park, wilderness, private land and Bureau of Land Management land of the Gemini Bridges-Labyrinth Canyon area seem arbitrary, he says.

This concept of boundaries is very much a construct of the way we run things. But whos really in charge is nature, he said.
Tropical Storm Ophelia made landfall early Saturday in North Carolina as the National Hurricane Center also began advisories on Tropical Depression Seventeen in the Atlantic.

The NHC said the systems center made landfall near Emerald Isle in far eastern North Carolina around 6:15 a.m. with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. At the time an observation in Cape Lookout, North Carolina, reported a gust to 73 mph

As of 11 a.m., Ophelia was located about 75 miles north-northwest of Cape Lookout and 125 north-northeast of Cape Fear moving north at 13 mph with winds that dropped to 50 mph. Tropical-storm-force winds extend out up to 320 miles.

A continued northward motion is expected today, followed by a gradual turn toward the northeast by Sunday, forecasters said. On the forecast track, the center of Ophelia will continue moving across eastern North Carolina over southeastern Virginia over the remainder of today, and over the Delmarva

Peninsula by tonight into Sunday.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for east of Cape Lookout, North Carolina to Fenwick Island, Delaware, Albemarle and Pamlico sounds, tidal Potomac south of Cobb Island and Chesapeake Bay south of North Beach.

A storm surge warning is in effect for Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina to Chincoteague, Virginia, Chesapeake Bay south of Colonial Beach, Virginia, the Neuse and Pamlico rivers and portions of Pamlico and Albemarle sounds.

The NHC said storm surge could ride from 3-5 feet in the hardest hit places within the warning area.

As it moves inland, the system is expected to further weaken and become a post-tropical cyclone tonight or Sunday morning.

Although winds remain a danger along with a threat of tornadoes in the mid-Atlantic coast, rainfall will drop from 3-5 inches and some areas with up to 8 inches into Sunday in eastern North Carolina and southeast Virginia and 2-4 inches across the remaining portions of the mid-Atlantic while moving up into southern New York through southern New England into Monday.

This rainfall may produce locally considerable flash, urban, and small stream flooding impacts, particularly across the mid-Atlantic region from North Carolina to New Jersey. Isolated river flooding is possible in areas of heavier rainfall, forecasters said.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic, the NHC said Tropical Depression Seventeen formed, and is likely to spin up into Tropical Storm Phillipe as early as today.

As of 11 a.m., TD 17 was located about 985 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands moving west at 15 mph with sustained winds of 35 mph.

This general motion with a slight decrease in forward speed is expected during the next few days, forecaster said. Very gradual strengthening is expected through early next week.

Its forecast to move generally westward at 10 to 15 mph for the next few days, and then turn west-northwestward or northwestward starting Tuesday gaining in strength but become a hurricane.
(Photo : Carl Court/Getty Images)

Prominent actor and comedian Russell Brand posted a video where he claimed that the UK government wants to censor him amid sexual misconduct allegations.

Prominent actor and comedian Russell Brand took to social media to express his gratitude to his supporters for helping him through an "extraordinary and distressing week" as he touted a new conspiracy theory that the government wants to censor him.

The conspiracy theory comes as the embattled TV personality faces many rape and sexual assault allegations from various women. He took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to talk directly to his fans via a new video regarding the sexual misconduct allegations made against him by four women last weekend.

Russell Brand's New Conspiracy Theory

There were also claims that the actor allegedly exposed himself to a woman in a Los Angeles office building. The woman then accused Brand of laughing about the incident during a radio session.

In the three-minute video address, Brand also thanked his supporters who questioned the information that was presented to them by his accusers. As per the Independent, he used the video to attack the UK government and social media platforms, which have shut down his ability to make money from his various accounts.

He claimed in his video that the British government was the one that requested big tech platforms to censor his online content, adding that some platforms have complied with that request. Brand also said that the effort was made in the "context of the Online Safety Bill" in the UK, which he claims "grants sweeping surveillance and censorship powers" within the region.

The actor then warned his followers about the "Trusted News Initiative," a partnership of international news organizations that aims to tackle disinformation. He said that trust should be the last thing they offer as he accused the organization of trying to "target, control, choke, and shut down independent media organizations."

The comedian said that it was clear that these types of organizations are collaborating in constructing narratives, whether that is around the war or the pandemic. Brand said it was clear to him that everyone needs to be "very, very cautious indeed."

The 48-year-old embattled TV personality denied the accusations of the four women during the weekend. He also said that he would return to his regular show on Rumble, an online video platform that refused to follow YouTube in demonetizing the actor's content on its site, according to The Guardian.

Read Also: Aerosmith Postpones 6 'Farewell Tour' Shows Until 2024 Due to Steven Tyler's Vocal Cord Injury

Accusations of Sexual Misconduct

The woman who accused Brand of exposing himself to her said the incident happened in 2008. The accusation marks the first time that the actor has been accused of sexual misconduct and then later discussed it with other people.

The other four women who accused the comedian of sexual misconduct said that the incidents occurred between 2006 and 2013. However, Brand denied these claims and said that his relationships were "always consensual."

The first woman worked for a media company in the same building as the BBC's Los Angeles Office. She says that on June 16, 2008, she answered the door to Brand and his team, who were supposedly there to pre-record an episode of "The Russell Brand Show" for Radio 2.

When the woman went to the bathroom and squatted to look through the medicine cabinet, she said she felt someone behind her. The woman then came to face a man's crotch and found out it was Brand, said BBC.

Related Article: Musk Faces Criticism Over Request for Taylor Swift To Post Music, Concert Videos Directly on X

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.  Tropical Storm Ophelia made landfall Saturday morning in North Carolina, with stormy weather spreading over portions of the state. The same day, Tropical Storm Philippe formed in the central tropical Atlantic and a new tropical wave emerged off the coast of Africa.

After making landfall in North Carolina, Ophelia crossed into Virginia late Saturday afternoon.

As of 5 p.m. Saturday, the storm was located about 50 miles south of Richmond, Virginia, and about 160 miles southwest of Ocean City, Maryland. It was moving north at 12 mph with maximum sustained winds decreasing to 40 mph with higher gusts. Tropical-storm-force winds extend out 310 miles.

The center of Ophelia, which formed Friday afternoon, moved across eastern North Carolina Saturday morning before crossing into southeastern Virginia. It is expected to head toward the Delmarva Peninsula by the end of the day into and Sunday.

Further weakening is expected through the rest of the weekend, and Ophelia is likely to become a post-tropical cyclone Saturday night or Sunday morning.

The threat of tornadoes exists along portions of the mid-Atlantic coast, and areas of North Carolina and southeast Virginia could see 3 to 5 inches of rain with some areas receiving 7 inches.

Some of the watches and warnings issued from South Carolina up through the Washington, D.C., area were discontinued late Saturday afternoon.

Despite moving away from Floridas east coast to the north, the storm has been causing heavy rainfall and some flooding this past week in South Florida. Swells from Ophelia will affect a large part of the U.S. East Coast over the weekend, forecasters said.

A storm surge warning is in effect from Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina, to Duck, as well as from Colonial Beach, Virginia, to Suffolk.

A tropical storm warning is in effect from Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina, to Fenwick Island, Delaware, the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds, Tidal Potomac south of Cobb Island, and Chesapeake Bay south of North Beach.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Philippe formed over the central tropical Atlantic late Saturday afternoon.

As of 5 p.m. Saturday, it was located about 1,045 miles west of the Cabo Verde islands, moving west at 14 mph with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. The same general motion, but slightly slower, is expected over the next few days as the storm gradually strengthens.

However, it is currently expected to curve north before reaching South Florida.

While it shows a due-west path, there is expected to be a curve to the north, said Donal Harrigan, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service Miami. Theres tons of uncertainty as to how far west or east well go with that curve. Im not seeing anything that raises a large concern of something reaching South Florida. It looks like this thing is going to stay east of us.

Tropical-storm-force-winds extend outwards up to 70 miles from the center.

A tropical wave also formed off the coast of Africa Saturday afternoon, forecasters said at 2 p.m., producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions should allow it to develop during the middle to later part of next week. It has a 20% chance of forming in the next seven days.

The next named storm would be Rina.

So far this season in the Atlantic, there have been 16 named storms, six of which were hurricanes. Of those, three were major hurricanes, meaning Category 3 or above.

Those were Hurricane Lee, a rare Category 5; Hurricane Franklin, a Category 4; and Hurricane Idalia, which made landfall on Floridas Big Bend region at Category 3 strength on Aug. 30.

Hurricane season officially runs through Nov. 30.
A 52-year-old Kansas City man has been charged in two separate 1990s cold case killings, and authorities believe he is likely tied to other unsolved homicides in Kansas City and throughout the region, according to court documents and the chief of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.

Gary Dion Davis Sr., who previously worked as a long-haul trucker, was charged by the Wyandotte County District Attorneys Office after DNA evidence from both crime scenes matched Davis DNA profile, authorities said.

According to court documents filed September 15 and obtained by CNN, Davis is charged with second-degree murder in both the 1996 killing of 43-year-old Pearl Davis, who was also known as Sameemah Mussawir, and the 1998 killing of Christina King, 26.

Gary Davis was charged in two cold-case killings in the 1990s. - Wyandotte County Detention Center

Authorities said autopsies determined the cause of death in both deaths to be homicides, and items recovered from the crime scenes were sent to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for testing. Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree said Davis body was discovered in a home and King was found dead in an abandoned building.

DNA evidence from both murder scenes match the known DNA profile of Gary Dion Davis, Dupree said at a news conference. Gary Dion Davis has been charged with two counts of murder in the second degree for the murder of Christina King and Pearl Davis.

Davis is charged with felonies that, if convicted, could carry a life sentence, and his bond is set at $500,000, according to Dupree.

These cases are more than 20 years old, Dupree said. There is no statute of limitations for murder, which allowed us to pursue these cases. These charges demonstrate justice is possible no matter how much time has elapsed.

Kansas City Police Chief Karl Oakman added Davis went on with his normal life like nothing happened after the killings.

This is another example where we have taken a dangerous individual off the streets, he said. In my experience, based on him killing two women, most likely he has killed more.

The chief noted the area has a significant number of unsolved homicides dating back five or six decades and in 2022 the department created a new full time cold case squad.

These cases are in various stages of investigation, and we knew we would benefit from advances in DNA forensic testing and simply a fresh look, Oakman said. Since January 2022, the detectives in the unit have identified suspects in 11 cold cases.

CNN has reached out to Davis court appointed attorney for comment.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada shared intelligence many weeks ago with its allies showing India was behind the slaying of a Khalistan separatist on Canadian soil earlier this year. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada shared intelligence "many weeks ago" with its allies showing India was behind the slaying of a Sikh separatist on Canadian soil earlier this year.

Trudeau made the comments about the still-unsolved killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Friday while speaking at a joint news conference in Ottawa with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska were in the Canadian capital as part of a planned trip to address a joint session of the country's Parliament.

"Canada has shared the credible allegations that I talked about on Monday with India," Trudeau said. "We did that many weeks ago...We hope that they engage with us so that we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter. That's important."

He said the information exchange included informing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 summit in New Delhi earlier this month about the assassination allegations.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (L) made the comments about the still-unsolved slaying of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar while speaking at a joint news conference in Ottawa with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C) on Friday. Photo courtesy of Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/EPA-EFE

Trudeau has declined to elaborate on the specifics of the evidence implicating India.

Modi and India have vehemently denied the allegations and responded by suspending visa services for Canadians looking to travel there. Canada previously expelled the head of India's foreign intelligence agency in Canada.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (L) said he informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit in New Delhi earlier this month of allegations that India was involved in the June assassination of a Sikh leader on Canadian soil. File Photo by Press Information Bureau/UPI

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday urged India to cooperate with an investigation into the matter being led by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the federal Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

"We've been consulting throughout, very closely, with our Canadian colleagues -- not just consulting, coordinating," Blinken Friday during a briefing session in New York City.

"We are extremely vigilant about any instances of alleged transnational repression -- it's something we take very, very seriously."

Nijjar was gunned down in June in broad daylight in a parking lot near Vancouver, British Columbia. Police have not made any arrests in the 45-year-old's death.

The temple leader and vocal supporter of an independent Sikh nation of Khalistan was reportedly being visited on a weekly basis by members of the country's intelligence agency.

Nijjar immigrated to Canada in 1997 and had become a growing target for the Indian government. New Delhi issued a warrant for his arrest, linking him to the 2007 bombing of a Punjab cinema that left six people dead.

India's counterterrorism agency last year posted a $16,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, embraces Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he is introduced during a rally at the Fort York Armoury in Toronto on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced several support measures for Ukraine, including military, economic and humanitarian assistance, while also pledging an additional show of diplomatic backing through steps intended to punish Russia over the war.

Were continuing to impose costs on Russia and ensuring that those responsible for this illegal, unjustifiable invasion do not benefit from it, Trudeau said Friday during a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ottawa, the Canadian capital.

Zelenskyy also addressed Canada's Parliament on Friday. He flew into Ottawa late Thursday after meetings with U.S. President Joe Biden and lawmakers in Washington. He spoke at the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday.

Canada and Ukraine agreed to establish a working group with G7 partners to study seizure and forfeiture of Russian assets, including from the Russian Central Bank, Trudeau said.

Canada also added 63 Russian individuals and entities to the countrys sanctions list, including "those complicit in the kidnapping of children and the spreading of disinformation, Trudeau said.

Canadas pledge to stand with Ukraine will include $650 million in new military assistance over the next three years, Trudeau said.

Canada will provide Ukraine with 50 armored vehicles, including armored medical evacuation vehicles built in London, Ontario. Pilot and maintenance instructors for F-16 fighter jets, support for Leopard 2 battle tank maintenance, 35 drones with high-resolution cameras, light vehicles and ammunition are part of the intended support package, Trudeau said.

The multiyear support also will include a financial contribution to a U.K.-led consortium delivering air defense equipment to Ukraine, Trudeau said.

Canadas monetary support will continue into the 2024 fiscal year, while the governments also have signed a free trade agreement, Trudeau said.

Other assistance for nongovernmental organizations and Ukraines government will include measures to improve cyber resilience, rebuild local infrastructure and assist farmers. Canada also plans to contribute funds for Ukraines national war memorial and money to increase the availability of mental health support at the appropriate time, he said.

We stand here absolutely united in our defense of democracy and our condemnation of (Russian President) Vladimir Putins unprovoked, unjustified and unconscionable invasion of Ukraine, Trudeau said.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
In November 2007, a British college student named Meredith Kercher was stabbed to death at her rented flat in Perugia, Italy.

You probably don't remember this, or if you do, you're not sure why. The murder of Kercher was a particular sort of tragedy: senseless and terrible, but also terribly ordinary, the kind of story that makes headlines for its shock value but then fades from view for its lack of mystery. The killer, a man named Rudy Guede, had an extensive criminal record. His bloody fingerprints at the scene left little question as to whodunit.

Except: By the time those prints were identified, the truth had taken a back seat to a more sensational narrative, one invented and vigorously promoted by the Italian police.

In their telling, it was Kercher's roommate, an American exchange student named Amanda Knox , who had killed the young woman during some sort of satanic sex game gone awry. Knox and her boyfriend, Raffaelle Sollecito, were tried separately from Guede, convicted of murder, and spent four years in prison before being released on appeal in 2011.

And that story you probably do remember.

"What happened to my roommate was a horrible thing that happens to women all over the globe. She was at home, she was going to bed, and somebody came into our home and raped and murdered her," Knox says. "But that story was completely lost."

Knox is nearly a decade removed now from the days when her face was front-page tabloid fodder. Today, she's the creator of a new podcast miniseries called Blood Money that explores the ethics and history of true crime; she's also a wife and mother. Our phone conversation for this article was punctuated by the sound of her preschool-aged daughter fussing in the background. And yet the tabloid-headline version of Knox is still the one people think of when they hear her name.

"You're captured in amber in the worst experience of your life, and nobody really wants you to evolve outside that moment in time," she says.

Knox's false imprisonment for a crime she didn't commit was a global news story in its own time, but it's also become something more than that: an odyssey, a legend. It's not just a real tragedy; it's true crime.

In its transformation of violence into a tabloid-ready narrative, true crime has the power to shape our collective understanding not just of violence, but of the systems we build to adjudicate itif not of our concept of justice itself.

Murder Most Foul

There are tens of thousands of murders every year in the United States. Most will never rise to the status of true crime. They're too base. Too easy. Too ordinary. They're barely interesting enough to make the news, let alone inspire a documentary, a podcast, or a Lifetime original movie. For this, you need something more than a case of police incompetence or a human life cut tragically short. You need gore and guts. Sex and violence. Mystery, brutality, a young and photogenic victim who sparks sympathy and imagination alike, someone who can stand out against a macabre landscape already littered with bodies and stained with blood. This is an attention economy, a place where the best story wins.

The true-crime storyteller's agenda, equal parts pulp thriller and morality play, speaks to the genre's long and complicated entanglement with real-world acts of violence. It is not a modern phenomenon; indeed, true crime as a storytelling form dates back to a time when executions were public spectacles, when wars were fought face to face and hand to hand, and when violence was, if not ubiquitous, then an often unremarkable presence on the landscape of daily life.

In the premodern era, true-crime stories were told in the form of murder ballads, folk songs which detailed notorious crimes from their bloody beginnings to their tragic denouementusually with the satisfying conclusion of seeing the killer hanged or burned alive. With the advent of the printing press, those ballads could be reproduced as pamphlets and broadsides, often accompanied by woodcut illustrations that left little to the imagination.

A history of true crime published by Pamela Burger at JSTOR Daily notes that then as now, the killings that were memorialized in stories and songs had to be a cut above the ordinary: Audiences were most interested in "domestic or sex-related murders, women's criminal activities, and particularly bloody assaults." Even then, storytellers liked to punch up the drama by putting words in the mouths of victims; it was not unusual for a ballad to include verses from the perspective of a murdered woman or child, begging to be spared.

The True-Crime Boom

Today we are living in a true-crime renaissance, an explosion of the genre across multiple mediums and formats. What was merely macabre in its original form can be outright ghoulish in the digital age. Those traditional murder ballads, for instance, have been replaced in present day by terrifying TikTok videos featuring the uncanny, A.I.-generated avatar of a murdered child narrating the story of his or her own brutal death.

But that's only the beginning. The usual slate of nonfiction books, Dateline documentaries, and ripped-from-the-headlines Law & Order plotlines have been joined by a universe of podcasts and documentaries, conventions and forums. There's also a whole new category of scripted TV dramas in which the true-crime world becomes a character unto itself. The Hulu series Only Murders in the Building follows a trio of bumbling amateur detectives (played by Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez) as they investigate (and simultaneously podcast about) suspicious deaths in a New York City landmark luxury apartment building; Based on a True Story on Peacock and starring Kaley Cuoco tells the tale of a true crimeobsessed housewife who blackmails her plumber, a serial killer, into making a podcast about his "work."

True crime is a cultural juggernaut. As such, it's been accompanied by a cavalcade of anxieties about the impact it might be having: on society, on victims, and on us, its most devoted fans. Plug the words is true crime into a search engine, and a host of auto-fill options pops up:

Given the demographics of the true-crime audiencemurder shows are to the wine mom contingent what World War II documentaries are to boomer dadsthe most pressing concern is invariably ethics, specifically when it comes to the intersection of a true-crime addiction with progressive politics. A passion for murder shows, a commitment to justice: Can they co-exist?

The Ethics and Agenda of True Crime

True crime has an unfortunate propensity to exploit the victims who serve as its main characters, as Knox notes in her podcast Blood Money, even as it purports to offer them a voice. "You see storytellers approaching victims, assuming what their perspective is," she says, drawing an analogy to the way prosecutors will solicit victims to speak at sentencing hearingsbut only if they're willing to say certain things, to play a certain role. "Sure, center the victim, as long as it's furthering the agenda of this other person."

Knox's status as a victim herselfin this case, of an obsessive prosecutor and a dysfunctional legal systemearns her a certain amount of goodwill in her capacity as a true-crime storyteller. She says she tries to earn more by letting victims take the lead. Undoubtedly, this approach is shaped by her own experiences with the media after being released from prison: "One of the things I had to face was how the world had taken over the narrative of who I was," she recalls. "I had no agency and no claim to my story, or my quote-unquote character."

Knox's approach creates an interesting listening experience. The stories she tells are not sensational, but they are uncomfortable, lingering with the victims as they meander or stumble their way through a story that a more traditional (and less ethical) podcaster would have pared down to a few slick sound bites.

Implicit in Blood Money is an indictment: of the true-crime content machine, of the people working within it, and of the listeners who sustain it. A number of Knox's interview subjects are angrier at how their stories were dealt with by the media than they are at the criminals who victimized them in the first place, and it's not hard to see why. One woman, who was sex trafficked by a manipulative scam artist who infiltrated and preyed on single women in the Mormon community, stays utterly collected as she describes being seduced, abused, and raped, only to break down when she reaches the part where she shared her story with a production company that utterly misrepresented it: "Whatever humiliation he wanted me to feel, this television network completed the job." Even in the hands of the most careful storyteller, there's no nonautobiographical version of these stories that isn't at least a little bit exploitive.

Perhaps this is why the true-crime world has spawned another category of story: the kind we tell ourselves about why we keep tuning in. Some of the more popular justifications are self-serving to the point of absurdity, particularly when it comes to the fact that true-crime fans famously skew female. It's not uncommon to hear it said that women seek out these stories for noble reasons, even as a means of survival: wresting power away from the patriarchy, making sense of a world in which they exist under the constant threat of violence. (This theory of true-crime fandom also ignores the inconvenient truth that men are both the perpetrators and victims of the vast majority of violent acts.) Everyone wants to be a hero or, barring that, at least a victim; nobody wants to be a voyeur.

Here our passion for true crime becomes complicated. The empowerment fantasy of true crimethe notion that there is something ennobling about it, or that we are doing activism by tuning innot only makes mythological figures of real people, real victims, but also glosses over the horror, senselessness, and banal brutality of most crimes.

That's before we get to the part where true crime so often devolves into team sports: Is she or isn't she; did he or didn't he. It's not exactly political, but also not exactly not political, especially when the criminal justice system often seems to be listening too.

The narrative that popular true crime insinuates into the public consciousness has a way of seeping into the legal system, into courthouses and congresses, shaping policy as easily as it shaped public opinion.

It is perhaps not an accident that the rise of true crime has coincided with a broader push for criminal justice reforms like the elimination of cash bail, the reduction of mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent offenders, and restrictions on the power of police to run roughshod over the accused. Sometimes, this is an unambiguously good thing, one of the few ways to call police and prosecutors to account for their abuses of power; at its best, true crime coexists in the same advocacy space as books like You Might Go to Prison, Even Though You're Innocent, which seek to educate the public as to just how broken the criminal justice system is. As Knox notes, "People are people, and they don't just want to hear the statistics. They want to hear the human story"which is why, in addition to her podcasting work, she's also become a public advocate for due process protections, including a Washington state law that would make it illegal for police to lie to juveniles during interrogations.

But the contrivances of true crime can mask the legal system's mundanities as much as they reveal its flaws. And sometimes, things get murky. A good example is Serial: This is the podcast that focused on the 2000 conviction of then-teenager Adnan Syed for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, and which arguably kicked off the current true-crime craze when it debuted in 2014. Serial made a sympathetic figure of Syed, and celebrities of his fiercest advocates. Without it, nobody, including the progressive prosecutor who urged Syed's conviction be vacated in 2022, would have ever known his name.

And yet the narrative that makes an accused perpetrator into a tragic hero also raises an uncomfortable question: What if we're wrong? If Syed is in fact innocent, Serial was a compelling story about his victimization and wrongful imprisonment.

But if he's not, if he's a murderer, then Serial is guilty not only of not centering Syed's victim but of ignoring her. Erasing her. Burying her. And when true crime serves as the primary lens through which many people understand the criminal justice system, it is disturbing to realize how much influence a narrative like this holds in the public consciousness, especially when whether or not the narrative is compelling takes primacy over whether or not it is true.

Unlike with Syed, there's no serious doubt at this point about Knox's innocence. And yet this is something they have in common. In the hands of the true-crime apparatus, the story of Knox's arrest and subsequent legal ordeal became the only one being told. Her trial, a spectacle in itself, was also perfectly timed to become a global obsession. It was the subject of breathless discussion not just on mainstream news channels but on nascent social media, and the time difference between the U.S. and Italy meant that Americans following the trial would wake up to new developments every day.

The story had everything: Knox was young and beautiful, on trial for her life. The prosecutor, Giuliano Mignini, looked like he'd been plucked from central casting to play a corrupt and villainous bureaucrat. And his theory of the crimethat Knox had not only murdered her roommate but done so during some sort of demonic orgywas not just absurd and salacious but also bespoke a level of old-school religious misogyny that allowed Americans the rare opportunity to feel positively smug about our own justice system, which seemed wonderfully level-headed and secular by comparison.

To root for Knox, then, was a matter of patriotism, of feminism, of basic human decency. In 2008, when CBS News aired the first documentary about her arrest and trial (there would eventually be half a dozen of these), I remember watching it, riveted, forgetting all about the plate of slowly congealing Chinese takeout balanced on my knees. It wasn't just the gruesome details of the murder, or the drama of the trial; it was the relatability of it, the uneasy sense that what happened to her could happen to any one of us. What Laci Peterson was to Generation X, what Gabby Petito would be to zoomers, Knox embodied for millennials.

Everyone knows Knox's name. Far fewer people remember Kercher's.

"I can't tell you the number of times people have asked me, 'Did they ever find out who killed your roommate?'" Knox says. (Guede was tried, convicted, and served 13 years of a 30-year sentence before being released in late 2021.) "I think that's one of the reasons why my own wrongful conviction got out of control. The actual story of what happenedwhich was, a poor black guy broke into my house and raped and murdered my roommatewas not interesting to people. When they got the small opportunity for there to be something more tantalizing and complicated than that, girl-on-girl violence, they just ran with it, because it was a story that they knew would get people's attention."

I agree with Knox about this, but I also think this is not the whole of it. Despite their fascination with the macabre, their lust for the gory details, people tune in to true crime for more than a taste of blood. They're seeking the satisfaction of a tidy narrative, a clean dramatic arc. And while the trial of Knox was sensational, captivating, and lurid, it was also, finally, something else: a story with a happy ending.

The post True Crime Distorts the Truth about Crime appeared first on Reason.com.
Former President Donald Trump slammed President Joe Biden 's decision to join the United Auto Workers at the picket lines, calling on the union to endorse him and lambasting the administration's electric vehicle policies as a "hoax."

"Crooked Joe sold them down the river with his ridiculous all Electric Car Hoax. This wasnt Bidens idea, he cant put two sentences together. It was the idea of the Radical Left Fascists, Marxists, & Communists who control him and who, in so doing, are DESTROYING OUR COUNTRY! Within 3 years, all of these cars will be made in China," he wrote on Truth Social late Friday.

Trump announced Monday that he'd speak to current and former members of the autoworkers union in Detroit on Wednesday, the same day as the second Republican primary debate.

Biden on Friday said he'd join the picket lines in Michigan on Tuesday.

Earlier Friday, UAW President Shawn Fain announced that parts distribution center workers at more than three dozen Stellantis and General Motors facilities across 20 states will join the roughly 12,700 union members taking part in the initial three-plant strike.

Trump has recently attempted to firm up support from union workers particularly in Rust Belt and battleground states such as Pennsylvania by pushing populist policies at a series of rallies. Biden, meanwhile, who touts himself as "the most union president in American history," has sought to quell union disquiet over some administration policies including on energy and the environment.

Trump added that if UAW leadership does not endorse him, "the Autoworkers are 'toast,' with our great truckers to follow."

Trump also jabbed at Biden's handling of the migrant crisis, suggesting he "go to the Southern Border instead, & to leave the Car Industry alone!"
A former White House aide claims Donald Trump stopped wearing medical masks during the COVID-19 pandemic because they messed up his signature makeup.

Cassidy Hutchinson , a senior assistant to former chief of staff Mark Meadows, writes in her memoir Enough that the former president once selected a white mask to wear during a May 2020 visit to the Honeywell mask production facility. However, according to an excerpt from the book published by The Guardian, Hutchinson subtly suggested he not wear that particular mask.

I pointed at the straps of the N95 I was holding, she writes. When he looked at the straps of his mask, he saw they were covered in bronzer.

Why did no one else tell me that? he reportedly snapped. Im not wearing this thing.

Hutchinson laments that reporters never knew the depth of his vanity had caused him to reject masks, which led Trump loyalists to eschew keeping their own faces covered during the pandemic that killed more than a million Americans.

However, Trump did on occasion don a mask. He was first seen in one during a July 2020 visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to visit service members, where the then-president said masks were fine in the appropriate locations.

That same month, Trump boasted he once wore a face covering that made him look like the Lone Ranger, whose mask didnt cover the cowboys mouth or nose.

_____
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan complained about the bright-colored decorations at the United Nations General Assembly this week in New York City, saying the LGBT colors upset him.

The multi-colored lights were installed to promote the U.N.s sustainable development goals, which the session was intended to feature.

Erdogan told Turkish media that he wants to bring up the issue with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as Reuters reported. The Turkish leaders islamist government has recently toughened its stance on LGBTQ rights.

One of the issues that bothers me the most  is that when entering the United Nations General Assembly, you see the LGBT colors on steps and other places, he was quoted as saying by broadcaster Haberturk and others, according to Reuters.

How many LGBT are there in the world right now? However much right they have on these steps, those against LGBT have as much right as well, he said.

While the United Nations has made statements in support of the LGBTQ community, there are no explicit displays of pride flags or other displays specifically for the LGBTQ community at the U.N. building in New York.

The development goals are a list of 17 aspirational tasks for world leaders, with a deadline of 2030, including improving hunger, extreme poverty and climate change.

President Biden addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, using the opportunity to focus on the war in Ukraine.

Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence, Biden said. But I ask you this: If we abandon the core principles of the U.N. Charter to appease an aggressor, can any member state feel confident that they are protected?

If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure? he said. I respectfully suggest the answer is no. We must stand up to this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also addressed the U.N. this week and called for reform in the body, citing Russias deadlock on the Security Council.

We should recognize that the U.N. finds itself in a deadlock on the matters of aggression. Humankind no longer pins its hopes on the U.N., Zelensky said in a speech at the Security Council.

Ukrainian soldiers now are doing at the expense of their blood what the U.N. Security Council should do by its voting; theyre stopping Russia and upholding the principles of the U.N.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Twelve Shahed-type drones used by Russian forces were shot down overnight on Sept. 22 by Ukrainian air defenses, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak reported on his official Telegram channel.

Debris from the downed drones caused no injuries, but damaged two gas stations and a traffic light and started fires on the ground in the Novooleksandrivka community in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Elsewhere, Lysak reported that there were drone attacks and shelling in the Marganets and Chervonohryhorivka communities, near Nikopol, which set fires to private homes and inflicted damage to other buildings and critical infrastructure. There were no injuries or deaths announced.

The Shahed series consists of cheap, single-use, triangle-shaped loitering munitions powered by a single propeller. They carry a moderately powerful warhead that can demolish a small building with a direct hit. They are easier to destroy but more cost-effective than ballistic or cruise missiles.

Russia bought Shaheds en masse from Iran, rebranding them as the Geran series. Over the past year, Russia launched Shahed production on its own territory and regularly uses them to strike at civilian targets in Ukraine.

Read also: Russia launches mass wave of missile attacks, 2 killed, 26 injured

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
NEAR KORNIDZOR, Armenia (Reuters) - A U.S. senator, leading a congressional delegation to the Armenia-Azerbaijan border on Saturday, said international observers were needed to monitor the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, adding that people were "very fearful" about what was happening there.

"I am certainly very concerned about whats happening in Nagorno-Karabakh right now, I think there needs to be some visibility," Gary Peters, a Democrat from Michigan, told reporters on the border.

Russia said earlier that Armenian fighters in Karabakh had started to give up arms as some humanitarian aid reached the 120,000 Armenians living there after Azerbaijan defeated their forces.

(Reporting by Felix Light; Writing by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Gareth Jones)
(Photo : Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson announced that he will be switching to the Republican Party, arguing that cities need more GOP lawmakers.

Democratic Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson announced that he would switch to the Republican Party, citing the need for GOP lawmakers.

While the mayoral office of Dallas is non-partisan, Johnson previously served as a Democrat in the Texas legislature. The lawmaker also slammed his former party in an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal published on Friday. He blamed the Democrats' policies for "exacerbated crime and homelessness."

Dallas Mayor Switches Parties

In his remarks, Johnson said that the future of America's great urban centers depends on the willingness of the nation's mayors to champion law and order while practicing fiscal conservatism. He added that cities across the United States need the genuine commitment of officials to these principles, which he said are the characteristics of the GOP.

The mayor's announcement makes him the only Republican among the mayors of the ten most populous cities across the United States. As per CNN, his announcement comes after his re-election win in May, where he got 93% of the vote after being first elected in 2019.

During the 2020 election, United States President Joe Biden won Dallas County by more than 30 points. On Friday, the Texas Democratic Party issued a statement where it accused Johnson of being dishonest with Dallas Voters.

The chair and vice-chair of the party said that Dallas voters deserved to know where Johnson stood before he ran for re-election as mayor of the city. They said he had not been honest with his constituents because he knew he would lose to a Democrat if he flipped parties before the election.

The party also said that the feeble excuse for democratic representation would fit right in with Republicans. They expressed their gratitude that Johnson can no longer tarnish the brand and values of the Texas Democratic Party.

Read Also: Ron DeSantis Unveils Ambitious Energy Agenda To Bring Gas Prices Down to $2 by 2025

Supporting the GOP

In his op-ed, Johnson said he excoriated local Democrats for "virtue signaling" that he claims makes for good headlines but does not provide safer, stronger, and more vibrant cities. The mayor also touted his record on public safety and controlling crime as conservative lawmakers nationwide rail on Democrats for failing to properly police cities, according to Politico.

Johnson's decision to switch parties comes after various decisions that drew skepticism in the state earlier in the year. These include inviting Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn to his inauguration. Both of the GOP senators spoke warmly about the local leader during their address at the event.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the state is getting more Red daily. He described Johnson as a pro-law enforcement official who will not tolerate leftist agendas.

The Dallas mayor's announcement comes as he has long been a vocal supporter of police as other cities have moved to defund police departments in the wake of the George Floyd riots. He also posted a Fox News Digital article on social media in February where he outlined how Austin police officers are retiring because of low morale amid the defunding movement, said Fox News.

Related Article: Entire Minnesota Police Force Quits Over Salary Disagreements, Blindsides Mayor

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has filed a labor complaint against Republican presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Tim Scott after his suggestion that auto workers on strike should be terminated.

THE TAKE

Shawn Fain, the president of UAW, filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, claiming Scott's remarks earlier this week violated federal labor law and in making those remarks he was in violation of the right to strike.

KEY QUOTES

At a campaign event on Monday, Scott said: "I think (former U.S. President) Ronald Reagan gave us a great example when federal employees decided they were going to strike. He said, you strike, you're fired. Simple concept to me. ... To the extent that we can use that once again, absolutely."

Scott doubled down on Friday after the complaint against him and said UAW "is one of the most corrupt and scandal-plagued unions" in the United States. "They want to threaten me & shut me up. They don't scare me," he said on messaging platform X.

CONTEXT

* The United Auto Workers expanded its strikes against Detroit automakers General Motors and Chrysler parent Stellantis, but kept its Ford walkout limited to a single plant due to progress made in talks, the union said on Friday.

* The auto workers' union began strikes at noon ET (1600 GMT) on Friday against 38 parts distribution centers across the United States at GM and Stellantis, extending its unprecedented, simultaneous strikes that began with one assembly plant at each of the Detroit Three. The additional facilities added about 5,600 workers to the 12,700 already on strike.

* The automakers have proposed 20% raises over 4-1/2 years, while the UAW is seeking 40%.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese)
Proposed low-cost housing at UCLA is being delayed after University of California Regents put the brakes on dorms over concerns that the rooms may be too small, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The new dorm was expected to be available to students by 2026, but officials deferred a vote on the budget and design, citing concerns over impact on student mental health, the newspaper reported. As a result, the regents asked for additional research and student feedback on the proposed dorms.

Gayley Towers, seen here on Sept. 22, 2023, is the proposed site for new low-cost housing for UCLA students. (KTLA)

The project included renovating the existing Gayley Towers at 565 Gayley Ave. in Westwood and was to include co-living-style units with shared kitchens and community bathrooms.

The proposal for a room is 265 square feet for three beds, desks, closets, storage space and a refrigerator, the Times reported.

During a meeting this week, regents determined there are still many questions remaining about the proposed dorm.

Its also appropriate for us to look at what the data is out there regarding mental health impacts of micro units and how we should evaluate these questions, UC Regent John Perez said during the recent meeting

Pete Angelis, assistant vice chancellor of UCLA housing, however, said that the proposed dorms are larger than newer dorms around campus.

Most important for this demographic, is, were talking about students that are most in need financially, and this is inventory thats going to be made available to them when we open at $600 a month, Angelis said.

Construction on the project was set to start next summer, but officials are expected to discuss the matter further at the next regents meeting, the Times reported.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
UK officials have held talks with Kremlin officials about international security over the past 18 months in locations including Vienna and New York in back-channel diplomacy taking place behind the scenes, UK newspaper the I revealed on Sept. 22.

The meetings were arranged to discuss security matters both for the UK and internationally, with the talks thought to cover grain shortages and nuclear safety. At no point did the UK seek to enter peace talks on a diplomatic end to the conflict, I reported, citing a senior British diplomat involved in some of the discussions.

Read also: Negotiations possible with Russia only with next Russian president, says Zelenskyys office

We have been keeping in contact and we feel its crucial to maintain an open dialogue during the war in Ukraine, the diplomat told the newspaper.

We are in no way divvying up parts of the country or making peace agreements on anyones behalf, but its vitally important to keep that line of contact open.

A UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson confirmed there had been meetings with Russian officials, only where it was deemed absolutely necessary, and said any claims that the talks were a bid to negotiate the end of the war in Ukraine were neither credible nor accurate.

Read also: South Korea, US and Japan to take tough measures against Russia-North Korea arms deal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy endorsed a decision made by Ukraines National Security and Defense Council on Sept. 30 to outlaw any talks with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of the council, said on Oct. 1 that the decision on a ban on peace negotiations with Russia while Russian dictator Vladimir Putin remains in power had been unanimously adopted at a meeting of the council.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Losses of the Russian Federation in Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion have exceeded 274 thousand killed

Three commanders of one of Russias most prestigious airborne regiments, the 247th Guards Air Assault Landing Regiment, have either resigned or been killed since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, UK Defense Intelligence said in its report on Sept. 23.

In particular, in the first weeks of the invasion, the then-commander of the 247th GAALR, Colonel Konstantin Zizevsky, was killed near Mykolaiv.

Read also: Ten Russian generals killed in Ukraine, UK intelligence says

In August 2023, the commander of the 247th GAALR, Colonel Pyotr Popov, resigned from his post. Some Russian sources claim that he acted in protest at the inability to recover the bodies of the dead Russian soldiers.

His successor, Colonel Vasily Popov, was probably killed in the Orikhiv sector in early September 2023.

British intelligence notes that the experience of the Russian 247th Guards Air Assault Landing Regiment emphasizes the extreme exhaustion of the Russian military, even among relatively high-ranking officers.

Read also: Russia confirms top military official killed in missile strike on Arabat Spit

The 247th Guards Air Assault Landing Caucasian Cossack Regiment is a formation of the Airborne Forces of the Russian Armed Forces, which is part of the 7th Air Assault Division. In 2014, the regiment's units took part in the war in eastern Ukraine, and in 2022 in the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
LONDON (Reuters) - British interior minister Suella Braverman will raise the "the unsustainable pressures" created by illegal migration when she makes a three-day visit to the U.S. this week, her office said on Sunday.

In a keynote speech, Braverman will present a blueprint for how countries can combat the crisis and highlight how Britain has led the way in bringing forward "innovative approaches" to tackling the issue, the Home Office said.

"Illegal migration and the unprecedented mass movement of people across the globe is placing unsustainable pressures on America, the UK and Europe," Braverman said in the statement.

"We must come together and ask whether the international conventions and legal frameworks designed 50-plus years ago are fit for purpose in an age of jet travel and smartphones."

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who took office last year, has made "stopping the boats" - the arrival of migrants in small boats across the English Channel - a priority.

However, the UK government's policies, such as sending asylum seekers to Rwanda, have so far failed to take off. Almost 45,000 people were detected arriving by small boats in the 12 months to June, a 26% year-on-year rise, according to official data.

The Biden administration has also been grappling with high migration levels, with U.S. authorities encountering over 142,000 migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border in the first half of September.

Braverman, who will travel to Washington on Monday, will seek closer collaboration with the U.S. on addressing illegal migration and organised immigration crime. She will hold talks with lawmakers and senior U.S. officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the statement added.

"I'm going to Washington to discuss this (illegal migration) crisis with our American counterparts. If we fail to meet these challenges, then our political institutions risk losing their democratic legitimacy," Braverman said.

(Reporting by Muvija M; Editing by Mike Harrison)
Ukraine has developed a potential game-changer for its wartime defense, said an ABC News report.

The kayak equipped with grenade launchers is cost-efficient, durable, maneuverable, and covert.

The Poloz-M16 kayaks were used in a successful nighttime operation last year.

In Ukraine, engineers and special forces are testing a potential game changer for Ukraine's defense: the Poloz-M16 combat kayak, ABC News reports.

The specially designed watercraft costs about $2,500 per unit (10 times cheaper than similar Western models). It can transport up to three soldiers and 550 pounds of cargo, boasting durability and longevity thanks to its polyethylene construction. The Poloz-M16 can be deployed from land vehicles and helicopters and can even be controlled remotely on water.

The Poloz-M16 is lightweight, quiet, and maneuverable  optimal for covert operations in the river battles taking place in the southern reaches of the Dnipro, made up of islets and marshes.

"Our Poloz is not afraid of any bulletproof speed boat. It can hide in the reeds and fire at the enemy like in a shooting range," Serhiy Ostashenko, CEO of the Adamant Verf company, told ABC.

What sets it apart as a combat kayak is its Ukrainian-produced NATO-type UAG-40 grenade launcher, capable of firing projectiles over a mile away while maintaining stability on water, thanks to a mechanism that prevents the grenade launcher's recoil from capsizing the light-weight craft.

The Poloz combat kayaks have already succeeded in a mission. They were used on the Oskil River in the Kharkiv region last October, transporting explosives during a nighttime patrol near Russian positions along the riverbank. They also helped to secure the passage of an assault group that made Russian forces retreat toward the east, per ABC.

Ukraine: A powerhouse in military technology

The kayaks are part of a broader campaign in Ukraine to develop unconventional solutions to counter Russia's aggression.

The war in Russia has forced it to become one of the world's leading military innovators. For example, it has developed a range of marine attack drones that it has successfully used against Russia's Black Sea Fleet. Recently, Ukraine claimed that an attack that damaged five fighter planes at a Russian airfield was carried out using "cardboard" drones from Australia.

It has also modified existing weapons, such as the Neptune naval cruise missile, which is now used for land-attack missions. Russia has lost a pair of prized S-400s air defense systems to the converted missiles in recent weeks, reports say.

Not all weapons innovations enter mass production, but they are cost-effective tools for defense that boost Ukraine's arsenal.

Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, recently emphasized the country's potential to become a powerhouse in military technology.

"We will be the strongest in military tech  that is, everything related to innovations in the military field. Cyber security, any physical security related to innovation, and protection of critical infrastructure facilities will also evolve," Fedorov said in nationally televised comments.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukraine launched a second missile attack on the Crimean city of Sevastopol early Saturday amid the countrys counteroffensive against Russian occupation in the region.

Two missile strikes were intercepted in the air and debris damaged a pier and a park in the city, Gov. Mikhail Razvozhayev said on Telegram. The attack comes a day after the Ukrainian military destroyed the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in the city.

Ukrainian intelligence said that nine Russian military personnel were killed and 16 wounded by the headquarters strike, including the officer in charge of defending against Ukraines counteroffensive in the Zaporizhia region.

That officer, Col. Alexander Romanchuk, is in very serious condition, the intelligence official told Voice of America. Russian sources said the strike initially killed one person, but later amended the claim to say that he was missing.

Twelve total cruise missiles struck the headquarters on Friday, the Ukrainian military said, claiming that the missiles destroyed two anti-aircraft missile systems and four Russian artillery units.

The Ukrainian counteroffensive in the southeast has made slow progress, U.S. officials said, though that has disappointed some western allies.

Ukrainian President Volydymyr Zenelsky said Thursday that the military will fight through the winter, continuing the year-and-a-half effort to expel the Russian invasion.

President Biden is expected to announce that the U.S. will send long-range cluster missiles to Ukraine, a long-sought-after munition that defense analysts believe would improve the counteroffeinsives likelihood of success.

Biden and Zelensky met in Washington this week, where the Ukrainian president used the opportunity to pressure Republicans, who have wavered in support for the war effort in recent months.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced an additional $1 billion in aid for Ukraine during a surprise visit to the country earlier this month.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Soldiers came to White Sands Missile Range December 14th, 2021 to conduct live fire testing of old missiles to confirm the older weapons are still reliable and ready for use. The Soldiers, from the 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment of the 18th Field Artillery Brigade out of Fort Bragg NC, visited the New Mexico range to conduct reliability tests of early versions of the Army Tactical Missile System.

It looks like Ukraine may just get at least a small number of Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) rounds after all.

Though not part of the latest aid package, announced yesterday , ATACMS were promised to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit this week to Washington by U.S. President Joe Biden, according to several media reports.

Biden told Zelensky that the U.S. will provide a small number of long-range missiles to aid the war with Russia , three U.S. officials and a congressional official familiar with the discussions told NBC News on Friday .

https://twitter.com/KyivPost/status/1705235176559682002

Those officials did not say when the missiles would be delivered or when a public announcement would be made, NBC News reported. However, a small number of ATACMS will be sent in coming weeks and more could be provided later, The Wall Street Journal reported .

The Biden administration is getting closer to deciding it will send Ukraine cluster munitions variants of the ATACMS, The Washington Post reported , citing several people familiar with the ongoing deliberations.

The U.S. has produced about 4,000 ATACMS of all variants , which include a unitary warhead version and several cluster munitions types, which you can read more about in our story here .

Precision Fires Rocket and Missile Systems munitions overview chart showing the various types of ATACMS. (DoD)

As we have reported frequently , there have been two main reasons Biden has yet to sign off on ATACMS. There is a concern that there are not enough in case the U.S. needs them during any future conflict. The Biden administration has also worried about further irking Russian President Vladimir Putin by providing a short-range ballistic missile that can strike fortified targets up to 200 miles away. The cluster variants can also deliver effects over a wide area against softer targets at similar ranges.

Some of the supply worries may be mitigated by the arrival next year of the the U.S. Army's new Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), which was designed to replace ATACMS.

"...as PrSM Increment 1 comes on, it might make it less risky from a readiness standpoint to provide some number" of ATACMS to the Ukrainian armed forces, Douglas Bush, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, told reporters, including from The War Zone, earlier this week. You can read more about that in our story here .

The U.S. Army's new Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), which was designed to replace ATACMS. (DoD photo)

Ukraine has long argued for ATACMS. In an exclusive interview with The War Zone that published today, Kyivs spy boss said they are needed to strike targets out of reach of Ukraines current weapons.

The Russians just place command posts and other things beyond those distances so we don't have anything to reach them there, said Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov . And the situation is the same with Russian aviation at the airfields. Fighting Russian aviation using air defense systems is very costly and ineffective. Aviation should be taken out at the air bases. You can read more insights from Budanov in our interview here .

https://twitter.com/haltman/status/1705273447469687115?s=20

The ATACMS promise is being touted as a big win for Zelensky. And in many ways it is. Given what Ukraine needs to accomplish fighting a deeply entrenched enemy with massive potential human resources, even a small number of ATACMS will help, especially against targets in Crimea.

They will not, however, change the battlefield status, especially in limited numbers. That is something Budanov pointed out to us, saying "conditionally that if it's 100 missiles, this wont change the situation."

Ukraine, he added, needs "at least hundreds."

U.S. officials acknowledged as well that ATACMS will be no silver bullet.

"The newly supplied missiles will help Ukraines cause, then, but they wont prove a game-changing weapon," U.S. officials told Politico .

https://twitter.com/dave_brown24/status/1705272087374381431?s=20

All that said, some are better than none. And it might help Germany to decide to provide air-launched Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missiles with a stated range in excess of 310 miles according to manufacturer MBDA .

The War Zone could not confirm the multiple outlets' reports that ATACMS will indeed be sent to Ukraine, but we will update you if or when we do.

Before we head into the latest from Ukraine, The War Zone readers can catch up on our previous rolling coverage here .

The Latest

On the battlefield, a top Ukrainian general said Friday that capturing the city of Tokmak, about 17 miles from the current front lines in Zapororizhzhia Oblast, is a key benchmark for the success of the counteroffensive.

Tokmak is the minimum goal, Gen. Oleksandr Tarnavsky told CNN . The overall objective is to get to our state borders.

As we reported yesterday , Ukraine has breached key defensive lines near the small town of Verbove. But Tarnavsky said the biggest breakthrough is yet to come.

I think it will happen after Tokmak," Tarnavsky said of the breakthrough. "At the moment they are relying on the depth of their defensive line there.

Tokmak, a city about 17 miles south of the current front lines, is a key benchmark of success, a Ukrainian general says. (Google Earth image)

Even more challenging than the so-called " Surovikin line " of minefields, anti-tank trenches and obstacles, are the crossroads, tree lines and minefields between the tree lines.

[Theres] a combination of small harmful enemy defense groups that currently are planted very precisely and competently, he said. But the actions of our fighters force them to slowly pull back when they face our assault squads.

So far, Ukraine has managed to advance about eight kilometers in this part of the battlefield, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). On Thursday, the organization noted that Ukrainian mechanized units for the first time breached the main lines of defense in that sector of the battlefield.

However, that advance is tenuous and still heavily contested, according to both Ukraine and Russia.

Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled an enemy attack in the vicinity of Robotyne, the Ukrainian General Staff said Friday on its Facebook page. The occupiers launched air strikes near Mala Tokmachka and Robotyne.

Russian air strikes and artillery fire defeated a cluster of manpower and hardware of the enemy near Robotyne and Verbove, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday on its Telegram channel.

https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1705258281583681841

In an hour-long exclusive in-depth interview with The War Zone from the hotel room while he stayed in Washington D.C., Budanov touched on a wide range of topics at great lengths beyond ATACMS. You can read more insights from Budanov in our interview here , but below are some of the highlights:

Ukraine is coming to the conclusion that we will have to change something when it comes to the counteroffensive. The conclusion is that we'll need additional weapons systems and capabilities that could still change this balance we have today. Because looking at the situation solely from the perspective of manpower, if we compare the Ukrainian potential with Russian potential, the Russians have a lot more human resources. That is why we cannot keep on fighting just soldier on soldier. This will not deliver the results we want.

The Russians have committed all their reserves to defend against the counteroffensive and are suffering far more losses than Ukraine.

The intensification of actions against Crimea might be an indicator that Ukraine still intends to retake Crimea this year.

Ukraines attacks on Russian air defenses are designed to deplete stocks of interceptor missiles, open up coverage holes for fallow-on strikes, and to would Moscows ability to market its weaponry abroad.

Abrams tanks should only be used in a very tailored way for very specific, well-crafted operations because if they are used at the front line and just in a combined arms fight, they will not live very long on the battlefield.

The GUR assisted those who earlier this week carried out the sabotage attack on Chkalovsky Air Field , located less than 20 miles from Moscow.

Ukraine will continue to strike at the Kerch Bridge and Putin will get upset once again. What can he do?

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin might not be dead.

Russian military criminals will be targeted around the globe.

Ukrainian Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov talked about a wide range of topics during his exclusive interview with The War Zone Wednesday. (Howard Altman/staff photo)

After this trip to the U.S., Zelensky said that he worked out a long-term agreement with the Biden administration to jointly produce weapons.

We will work together for Ukraine to produce the necessary weapons together with the United States, Zelensky said in a video address to his nation, according to a translation by the official Ukrainian Ukrinform news outlet.

This is a new level of our unity! Co-production in the defense industry with the United States is a historic thing. A new industrial base, new jobs for both our nations.

The arrangement appears to center on air defense systems, though beyond that, Zelensky offered no details as to what kind, how many or where and when they will be produced. We reached out to the White House and Pentagon for comment and will update this story with any pertinent information provided.

We are preparing to create a new defense ecosystem together with the United States to produce weapons to further reinforce freedom and the protection of life together, said Zelensky. This will yield global positive results. Thank you, Mr. President Biden!

https://youtu.be/auITqcjQxvY?t=63

Earlier today, we told you about a Ukrainian missile attack on the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, Crimea. You can read more about that in our initial coverage here .

Since then, new video has emerged of the cruise missile - a Storm Shadow or SCALP-EG - in the terminal phase of its attack as it descends on the building. At least one missile had already hit the structure when this one arrived.

https://twitter.com/tendar/status/1705288652073455649?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

New satellite imagery emerged on social media shows smoke rising from the headquarters building.

https://twitter.com/bradyafr/status/1705324205170971010?s=20

There are also unconfirmed reports that Russian Adm. Viktor Sokolov, commander of the Black Sea Fleet, was killed in the attack. So far, the Russian Defense Ministry has not made any statement about that and Ukrainians have made no official statements either.

https://twitter.com/berlin_bridge/status/1705282007398252841

In an interview with Voice of America , Budanov could not confirm that but said nine were killed and 16 injured including Col. Gen. Alexander Romanchuk and Lt. Gen. Oleg Tsekov.

https://twitter.com/ostapyarysh/status/1705344634128380206?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

The Commander and Chief of Staff of the Russian 58th Army was wounded during an attack on a military base in the occupied city of Melitopol, according to the Ukrainian Liga.net news outlet.

The attack occurred after the base was discovered at a local motor factory, the outlet reported. A Ukrainian missile strike destroyed it and wounded the commander, i dentified by Ukrainian sources as Lt. Gen. Denis Lyamin.

Several others were wounded in that attack as well, according to Liga.net.

https://twitter.com/UKikaski/status/1705351555719799167?s=20

Even as the fighting takes place elsewhere, Russia continues to bombard Ukrainian civilians in Kherson Oblast across the Dnipro River from the territory it still holds.

At least two civilians were killed today two were killed yesterday, Kherson Oblast Military Administration head Oleksandr Prokudin said on his Telegram channel.

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1704818469521301772

It is certainly not news by now that pilots on both sides of this war have to fly low to stay under the radar and survive air defense systems. But it never gets old watching that in action, as is the case of this Ukrainian Su-24 Fencer strike jet zipping past Ukrainian armor troops just over the tree tops. You can hear from the voice of one of the soldiers that they too are impressed.

https://twitter.com/osinttechnical/status/1705153974347690352?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

Small arms fire is no match for drones, as this Russian soldier - firing the borrowed rifle of a dead comrade in an attempt to destroy a Ukrainian drone - found out the hard way. The video is a stark reminder of how big of a threat drones are on the battlefield in Ukraine and how brutal war is.

Caution, this video is extremely graphic.

https://twitter.com/gloooud/status/1705314088971112787?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

And finally, sometimes victories, even small ones, come far from the battlefield.

In a ceremony at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington D.C. attended by Zelensky, U.S. officials returned to Ukraine cultural property stolen by Russia from the temporarily occupied territories, Zelenskys office announced.

US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, and Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Oksana Markarova also attended .

Among the valuable items that were stolen during the occupation of Ukrainian territories are ancient Scythian swords, axes and pickaxes.

https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1705205839722635598?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

That's it for now. We'll update this story when there's more news to report about Ukraine.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Ukraine used US-supplied armored vehicles to break through a series of key Russian defensive lines.

The vehicles, called Strykers, were first spotted in battle last month.

The success comes a day after Ukrainian missiles hit Russia's Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Crimea.

Ukrainian officials said they've broken through a key line of Russian defense in the country's southeast thanks in part to US-provided armored vehicles.

Ukrainian forces broke through the Surovikin Line, a series of Russian defenses littered with anti-vehicle spikes and minefields, a commanding officer told The Washington Post. Ukraine first sent these US-supplied vehicles  called Strykers  into battle last month in the southern Zaporizhzhia Region.

The break in the line was small and met with heavy fire from Russia, The Wall Street Journal reported, but Ukrainian commanders are working to bring more vehicles to less fortified areas of the line.

"We are pushing through," a Ukrainian officer told the Journal.

The Institute for the Study of War said their ability to bring Strykers "to and through the most formidable Russian defenses" is an important sign of progress for the Ukrainian counteroffensive.

This announcement comes one day after a Ukrainian missile strike on Russia's Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Crimea killed nine Russian military personnel and wounded at least 16 others, Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Photo : Phil Mislinski/Getty Images)

HAWAII -JULY 11: Naval ships from multiple nations steam in formation during the RIMPAC excercise operations July 11, 2002. U.S. Naval forces and seven other Pacific Rim and European countries are participating in military excercises with approximately 11,000 personnel for four weeks.

The United States Navy has embarked on a comprehensive and ambitious project to overhaul its Cold War-era submarine detection system in the Pacific Ocean.

As China bolsters its naval capabilities and becomes more assertive in the region, a robust and technologically advanced undersea surveillance system has become imperative, as per the Straits Times.

US Navy's Response to China's Naval Advancements

The US Integrated Undersea Surveillance System, initially created during the Cold War to counter Russia's naval capabilities, is undergoing a significant transformation to meet the evolving challenges of today's maritime environment

The US Integrated Undersea Surveillance System has a storied history, dating back to its inception in the 1950s as a top-secret program. Its primary objective was to monitor and counter the naval activities of the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

This once-secretive initiative is undergoing a dramatic facelift, driven by the need to adapt to contemporary maritime challenges. The modernization effort is multifaceted, focusing on enhancing surveillance capabilities while introducing cutting-edge technology.

One of the critical aspects of this initiative is reducing the size of surveillance cables while expanding their coverage area, according to Fox News.

Read Also: Readout of President Biden's Meeting President Zelenskyy of Ukraine

US Technology Export and AI Integration

Additionally, the United States is exporting this technology to its ally, Australia, to strengthen regional security cooperation. A groundbreaking aspect of the modernization plan involves incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into the surveillance system.

AI will be deployed to analyze surveillance data for anomalies and potential foreign vessels swiftly, surpassing human analysts in speed and accuracy. This development represents a significant leap forward in the Navy's ability to monitor and respond to emerging threats in real time.

The hardware component of this modernization effort includes the deployment of fleets of unmanned drones that patrol strategic areas in the Pacific Ocean, searching for signs of enemy submarines. These drones operate in tandem with portable sensors that can be placed on the seafloor, functioning as underwater satellites.

This flexibility allows for deploying surveillance assets wherever they are needed most. To gain insight into this top-secret program, Reuters conducted interviews with numerous individuals within the Navy and its contractor network and reviewed hundreds of Navy contracts.

The investigation identified more than 30 deals related to the surveillance program, involving established defense giants and innovative startups specializing in unmanned sea drones and AI processing.

The Navy's current strategy encompasses a multifaceted approach to submarine detection. It includes the deployment of unmanned sea drones, placing portable "underwater satellite" sensors on the seafloor for continuous submarine surveillance, using satellites to track ships via radio frequencies, and integrating AI software for rapid maritime intelligence analysis.

This comprehensive approach underscores the Navy's commitment to enhancing its undersea surveillance capabilities. The urgency of the US Navy's modernization efforts is further underscored by China's increasingly assertive posture in the Pacific region.

China's ambitions extend beyond territorial disputes, notably its ongoing tensions with Taiwan, and encompass its maritime espionage program known as the "Great Underwater Wall."

Currently under construction, this network consists of sonar-equipped cables laid along the South China Sea seafloor, a region marred by territorial conflicts. In addition to the "Great Underwater Wall," China is actively developing a fleet of underwater and surface sea drones dedicated to submarine detection.

These developments are a significant cause for concern, given that China's maritime interests extend into the Pacific Ocean. The China Academy of Sciences, a state-run organization, disclosed its operation of two underwater sensors in 2018, one located in the Mariana Trench's Challenger Deep and the other near Yap, an island in the Federated States of Micronesia.

While China maintains that these sensors serve scientific purposes, US Navy sources suggest they could be used to monitor submarine movements near the US naval base on Guam, a crucial Pacific island territory, WIO News reported.

Related Article: Philippines Seeks Legal Options Against Beijing Over Coral Reefs Destruction Within EEZ in South China Sea

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Ukraine's new defense minister says the country is focusing on increasing local arms production.

The push comes as Ukrainian forces burn through artillery shells.

In the meantime, the US has announced another boost to artillery shell production to aid Ukraine.

Ukraine's parliament approved a new defense minister earlier this month. Rustem Umerov came to the post with experience negotiating grain exports and prisoner exchanges with Russia.

Now, two weeks into the job, Umerov said one of his top priorities is to rebuild Ukraine's cache of ammunition by ramping up local production, using local manufacturers whenever possible, The Economist reported.

"Anything that can be produced locally, must be produced locally," Umerov told The Economist.

Umerov's push for local manufacturing comes after the US announced yet another boost in the production of 155mm artillery shells to help replenish Ukraine's supply. The US has already doubled its production of these shells this year, jumping from 14,000 per month to 28,000 per month, Insider previously reported.

That number could even reach 57,000 per month by next spring, according to Bill LaPlante, the US under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment.

Umerov said he plans to boost local production by reforming state enterprises and incentivizing private arms manufacturers, which make up between 20% and 30% of local production, according to The Economist. Under Umerov, those private manufacturers could eventually account for as much as 80% of local output within five years, Oleksandr Kamyshin, Ukraine's minister of strategic industries, told the outlet.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Iryna Vereshchuk , Ukraines Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories, has asked Ukrainians to leave occupied Crimea if possible.

Source: Vereshchuk on Telegram

Quote: "Once again, I am asking Ukrainians to leave Crimea if possible.

Wait for the liberation of the peninsula in [Ukrainian-]controlled territory or third countries."



Previously: Iryna Vereshchuk stated in mid-August that the war with Russia will go on for a long time and will not be over either by the end of this year or by next spring, as some hope.

Background:

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
WARSAW (Reuters) - Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy awarded two Polish volunteers state awards during a stopover on Saturday, but did not meet any officials as relations between the two countries are strained over grain imports.

Poland decided last week to extend a ban on Ukrainian grain imports, shaking Kyiv's relationship with a neighbour that has been one of its staunchest allies since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year.

Poland's prime minister told Zelenskiy on Friday not to "insult" Poles, maintaining harsh rhetoric towards Kyiv ahead of elections on October 15. The ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party has been criticised by the far right for what it says is the government's subservient attitude to Ukraine.

Zelenskiy angered his neighbours when he told the United Nations General Assembly in New York that Kyiv was working to preserve land routes for grain exports, but that the "political theatre" around imports was only helping Moscow.

On Saturday, on his way back home, he handed awards to Bianka Zalewska, a journalist who helped transport wounded children to Polish hospitals, and Damian Duda, who gathered a medical team to help wounded soldiers near the front line.

Zelenskiy thanked all Poles who "from the first days opened their families, their homes, opened themselves up and helped".

"I believe that any challenges on our common path are nothing compared to the fact that there is such strength between our people".

One of the award recipients, Duda, told Reuters that Zelenskiy was very informal at the meeting like an old friend.

"For us, politics are not important, what is important to us is to help people who need it," Duda said.

The head of the Polish president's International Policy Office Marcin Przydacz told Onet.pl website his office did not receive any proposal for a meeting during Zelenskiy's stay in Poland.

(Reporting by Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk in Warsaw, Lewis Macdonald in Gdansk and Elaine Monaghan in Washington; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Oleksandr Tarnavskyi , the commander of the Tavriia operational-strategic group, has told Western media that Ukrainian soldiers broke through the Russian defence in Verbove, Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Source: Tarnavskyi in an interview with CNN

Details: The general, who is leading the counteroffensive of Ukrainian troops on the southern front, said that the troops broke through the defences in Verbove, and predicted an even greater breakthrough in the future.

Quote from Tarnavskyi: "On the left flank [near Verbove] we have a breakthrough and we continue to advance further.

Not as fast as it was expected, not like in the movies about the Second World War.

The main thing is not to lose this initiative (that we have). And, well, not to lose it in practice, with actions."

More details: The media writes that the Russians report a different situation in the area. However, journalists analysis of the video available in open sources shows that some Ukrainian units "crossed an important line of Russian Defence" near the village of Verbove.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Relations between Ukraine and Poland have once again become strained over the export of grain.

A statement by Polish President Andrzej Duda, in which he compared Ukraine to a "drowning man," was added to Warsaw's numerous threats about a possible limitation of cooperation with Kyiv.



Read also:

In his address at the UN General Assembly on Sept. 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that by blocking imports of agricultural produce from Ukraine, Poland is inadvertently advancing Russian interests.



Veteran Ukrainian diplomat Oleksandr Matsuka spoke to NV Radio to answer three key questions about the conflict between Kyiv and Warsaw.



NV: It seems that [Russian dictator Vladimir] Putin has been waiting for just such a moment. Electoral cycles are beginning in several countries: in Poland, parliamentary elections will be held in mid-October. We are seeing a huge aggravation of the Ukrainian issue. We are constantly hearing about how much Ukrainian grain is interfering, and politicians are ready to do anything to get re-elected. A planned meeting between Presidents Duda and Zelenskyy in New York was also canceled. How big is the threat that we will now quarrel with Poland?



Read also: Zelenskyy downplays rumors of soured ties with Poland, reiterates friendship amid grain spat

Matsuka: You said that this is a moment Putin has been anticipating. Apparently, not only Putin. We also knew that there would be elections in Poland. And the question is how well we understand our partner. It was to be expected that, of course, there would be tough statements and certain actions. We know how [economically] painful it has been for Poland to have Ukrainian grain sold on their markets. That is, all this was clear from the very beginning. And we only add to this tension that already existed. In response to Poland's refusal to allow the import of our grain, we have said "we will sue you." Of course, when such accusations are made before elections, this reaction is absolutely expected. On the matter of Duda refusing to meet [with Zelenskyy]: in any case, he explained [the situation] by the fact that schedules did not line up. And I understand that, because it's really, really hard to plan who's going to speak when.



NV: Do you know what "schedules do not match" means in diplomatic language? This does not mean that they did not find time. It means that there was no desire.



Matsuka: Oh, no. You know, the UN General Assembly, the first week, when all the meetings are scheduled by the minute, when the schedule of speeches goes awry, sometimes it just so happens that you have to meet someone, and you have a speech at the General Assembly or a meeting with the Secretary General. And you simply don't have any slack.



NV: You say that we should keep Polish elections in mind. I think that this was no surprise to us. Another thing is that it seems that now Polish politicians  those who have gone to Ukraine, and who actually helped us a lot and continue to help us  are very deliberately antagonizing Ukraine. We did not expect that we would be called a "drowning man.



Read also: In escalating grain row, top Polish diplomat blasts Kyiv's position as offensive, harming relations

Matsuka: Of course, we didn't expect that, and it was unpleasant. But the Poles are the ones who will vote. And that is why this is a message to his constituents, who are tired, perhaps, of Poland spending so much money and effort on Ukraine. Duda needs to somehow sweeten the situation and say to his people that "we are primarily focused on you. That is, it is purely electioneering. That's how I would feel about it. And we may not have provoked this scandal, but we have not actively tried to extinguish it. And therefore, of course, such rhetoric should be expected here. And what else should the president of Poland say when he is sued? What should he say to his voters? He has to say something they will like.



Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukrainian forces have broken through Russian defenses near the village of Verbove, Tavrias operational group commander Oleksandr Tarnavskyi , who leads the southern front counter-offensive, told CNN on Sept. 23.

He predicted an even bigger breakthrough to come.

On the left flank (near Verbove) we have a breakthrough and we continue to advance further, Tarnavskyi said, although he conceded his troops were moving slower than anticipated.

Read also: Ukraine steadily advancing south, weakening Russian lines, repelling enemy assaults in east

(Its) not as fast as it was expected, not like in the movies about the Second World War. The main thing is not to lose this initiative (that we have). And, well, not to lose it in practice, with actions.

OSINT analysts have also recently reported that Ukrainian tanks and infantry fighting vehicles had for the first time breached the first line of Russian defenses near the village of Verbove, Zaporizhzhya Oblast, citing footage that was shared online on Sept.21.

The Twitter account imi (m) posted a video showing that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had for the first time moved heavy equipment (Stryker and Marder infantry fighting vehicles) beyond the anti-vehicle ditch and the concrete "dragon's teeth" anti-tank defenses, according to George Barros, an analyst at the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Tarnavskyi confirmed on Sept. 2 that Ukrainian forces had breached the first Russian defense line in Zaporizhzhya Oblast.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
At night, the Russian Federation launched rockets across Ukraine, Odesa region was attacked by rockets

Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed 14 Shahed kamikaze drones during a Russian attack on Ukraine overnight on Sept. 22-23, the Ukrainian Air Force has reported on Telegram.

In total, the Russian military launched 15 Shaheds from the southeastern direction (Primorsko-Akhtarsk, in Russia), the air force said.

Read also: 18 kamikaze drones and all 17 cruise missiles downed in overnight Russian attack

The enemy drones targeted Zaporizhzhya and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.

The Russians also attacked southern Ukraine with missiles. Loud explosions were heard in Dnipro, in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, where fragments of a downed Shahed drone hit a critical infrastructure facility.

Read also: Ukraine downs 12 out of 16 Russian missiles and drones

The enemy also launched Onyx missiles at Odesa Oblast, with hits reported, but no casualties.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ruslan Stefanchuk , Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada [Ukrainian Parliament], has expressed doubt that the 226 votes necessary to ban the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) can be achieved in the parliament if they put such draft laws to the vote.

Source: Stefanchuk in an interview with Radio Svoboda (Liberty)

Quote from Stefanchuk: "A parliament is a mechanism that makes decisions collectively. And it seems to me that there are not yet 226 votes around such an important legislative act. It is simply ridiculous and both legally and politically irresponsible to put it [banning of UOC-MP  ed.] up for a vote and then let it fail, to Russias satisfaction."

Details: Stefanchuk added that he wants to believe that there will be those 226 votes, but, "there is an internal discussion as of now that takes place not only within the Servant of the People party, but also within other parties that see themselves as very patriotic".

Stefancuk said this while answering the question why draft laws, which provide for the ban of the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine, are not being put to the vote.

Background: Metropolitan Onufrii (legal name Orest Berezovskyi) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) and over 20 other clergymen have Russian citizenship.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Steelworkers in Ukraine are outsmarting Russian troops with realistic-looking decoy weapons.

The decoys mimic advanced systems like howitzers and mortar launchers.

After fooling Russian radar, new decoy weapons are being given directly to Ukrainian troops.

Steelworkers in Ukraine are outsmarting Russian troops with realistic-looking decoy weapons, using scrap wood, metal, and used tires to mimic advanced defense systems such as howitzers, radar systems, and mortar launchers.

The workers at Metinvest, Ukraine's largest steel plant, have produced more than 250 decoy weapons for Ukrainian troops, tricking Russian forces into using up valuable ammunition on nothing more than trash, the Financial Times reported.

The steelworkers began their operation last February when Russian troops approached their plant in central-eastern Ukraine, per the FT.

With no actual weapons to defend themselves, they cobbled together fakes with found materials they had on hand and prepared to fool the advancing troops.

"We used boxes, plastic, and any materials available here  even items discarded in the trash  that we could find to make decoy weapons," the enterprise chief of a Metinvest facility told FT. "We were outgunned but we made it look like our army was big and strong and that we were ready to fight."

It worked: "We scared them off," he said.

Now, Ukraine has expanded decoys to include radar reflectors made of old Russian oil barrels. The fakes cost about 1,000 Euros to create  a fraction of the $1.1 million missiles used by Russian troops to destroy them.

"Our success is measured by the decoys' destruction," the enterprise chief told FT. "When they are destroyed it means we have saved our guns and our guys' lives  and the enemy has wasted more of its valuable weapons.

He added: "When they sit for too long we know we need to change the design."

Militaries have long used decoy weapons to outmaneuver their opponents, such as inflatable tanks in WWII and parachuting dummies meant to simulate an airborne invasion leading up to D-Day.

Ukrainian troops have increasingly relied on cunning ruses and opportunistic attacks to fend off Russian forces, Insider previously reported, such as creating a wooden version of a tank made from empty 155mm shell boxes.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukrainian troops are carrying out raids in the Dnipro delta: they are holding positions near the settlement of Dachi (10 kilometres south of Kherson) and near the Antonivka bridge on the left bank of Kherson Oblast.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: Ukrainian forces advanced south from Bakhmut and into the western part of Zaporizhzhya Oblast on 22 September. Geolocation footage released on 22 September shows that Ukrainian forces were advancing southeast of Klishchiivka (7 kilometres southwest of Bakhmut).

A Russian military blogger claimed that Ukrainian troops had advanced slightly north of Novoprokopivka and were currently about 800 metres from the outskirts of the settlement in Zaporizhzhia. This is in line with the ISW estimate.

The General Staff of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian troops have continued to conduct offensive operations on the Melitopol (west of Zaporizhzhia Oblast) front and on the Bakhmut front, depleting and causing losses to Russian troops along the entire front line.

To quote the ISW's Key Takeaways on 22 September:

Ukrainian forces carried out drone and cruise missile strikes on occupied Crimea and significantly damaged the Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) Command headquarters in Sevastopol on 22 September.

The Russian information space heavily focused its attention on the Ukrainian strike on Sevastopol on 22 September.

Ukrainian forces advanced south of Bakhmut and reportedly advanced in western Zaporizhia Oblast on 22 September.

The US Department of Defense (DoD) announced a new security assistance package on 21 September, providing Ukraine with $325 million worth of military equipment.

The US will reportedly soon provide long-range army tactical missile systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine.

Russian efforts to intensify divisions between Ukraine and its Central European partners appear to have suffered a setback as Polish Prime Minister Andrzej Duda reiterated the strength of Polish-Ukrainian relations on 22 September.

A Ukrainian military official swiftly denied Russian claims that Wagner Group forces are operating in occupied Kherson Oblast.

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) is reportedly investigating high-ranking Rosgvardia officials over their potential involvement in Wagner Groups rebellion on 24 June.

Russian forces conducted offensive operations in the Kupyansk area, near Bakhmut, along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line, and in western Donetsk Oblast and reportedly advanced in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast administrative border area.

The Russian government is reportedly planning to increase defence spending by 4.4 trillion roubles ($46 billion) in 2024.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
(Photo : JACQUES DEMARTHON/AFP via Getty Images)

A picture taken on September 19, 2011 at the Gallery of Paleontology of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris shows a fossilized bone of an ape skull found last July at a site called Napak XV on the Mont Napak in eastern Uganda. A team of French and Ugandan paleontologists found the 20 million-year-old fossilized skull of a young adult remote male cousin of the Hominidae near Iriri in Karamoja. AFP PHOTO JACQUES DEMARTHON

Customs agents at France's largest airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, have recently uncovered a disturbing and illicit trade involving the remains of more than 700 animals destined for the United States.

This shocking discovery sheds light on the extent of wildlife trafficking, and the demand for animal remains in illegal markets, as per to Al Jazeera.

Trafficked Primate Skulls Seized at Airport in France

Over several months, customs officers at the airport made a series of seizures, confiscating a significant number of animal skulls and remains. The discovery, which took place from May through December of the previous year, has raised concerns about the illegal wildlife trade and the trafficking of protected species.

The bulk of the seized items consisted of primate skulls, including those of macaques, baboons, mandrills, and chimpanzees. These skulls were found in 392 packages, primarily from Cameroon and intended for individuals in the United States.

Additionally, more than 300 other packages contained the remains of various animal species, none of which had the necessary legal authorization for sale or export. Disturbingly, some packages also contained whole animals, arms, and hands.

The illegal trafficking of protected species is considered one of the most lucrative illicit trades, trailing only behind drugs, weapons, and human trafficking. Estimates suggest this illegal industry generates between $8.5 billion and $21 billion annually.

Fabrice Gayet, a customs expert specializing in animal trafficking, pointed out that primates are often hunted for their meat, and selling their skulls is a secondary aspect of this criminal trade, according to France 24.

Read Also: Readout of President Biden's Meeting President Zelenskyy of Ukraine

Combating Wildlife Trafficking to Safeguard Endangered Species

This discovery underscores the urgent need for global efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and protect endangered species. The confiscated remains, which include well-preserved skulls of various species, have been turned over to the Natural History Museum in Aix-en-Provence for further examination and documentation.

This move is essential for both forensic and conservation purposes, as it will aid in identifying the species involved and potentially assist in ongoing investigations. Sabrina Krief, a primatologist at the museum, expressed her shock and dismay at the discovery on social media.

She described the attempt to traffic these remains to collectors and hunting associations in the United States as "staggering" and emphasized the devastating impact on endangered biodiversity in rainforests. Krief's statement highlights the broader issue of biodiversity conservation and the importance of protecting our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, apes and great apes.

These creatures face significant threats due to habitat destruction, poaching, and illegal trade. The discovery of primate skulls and other animal remains at the Paris airport is a stark reminder of the urgent need for more robust measures to combat wildlife trafficking and protect endangered species.

The illegal trade in animal parts threatens the survival of endangered species and has broader implications for ecosystems and the balance of nature. Efforts to curb wildlife trafficking require international cooperation, strengthened legislation, and increased public awareness of the devastating consequences of this illicit trade.

As authorities continue to investigate this shocking discovery, there is hope that it will increase efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and protect our planet's precious biodiversity. The smuggling of animal remains, as revealed at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, must be met with decisive action to preserve our natural world for future generations, CBS News reported.

Related Article: UK Plans To Charge 5 Bulgarian Nationals for Allegedly Spying for Russia Over 3 Years

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
When the NAACP issued a travel ban for the state of Florida, several organizations relocated their annual conferences.

The National Society of Black Engineers did. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity did, too. So did the the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning, the National Organization of Black County Officials and AnitaB.org.

Each organization cited the same reason policies championed by Republican presidential nominee hopeful Gov. Ron DeSantis . But one decided to come to Jacksonville: the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. They are in town for their annual conference that offers a series of author events, round table discussions, seminars and community forums. Started in 1915 by the father of Black history, Carter G. Woodson, ASALH specifically came to Florida to show that we will follow our mission to promote the study of African American life and history and to demonstrate that we will not be intimidated by the policies of Governor DeSantis and the Florida legislature, ASALH president W. Marvin Dulaney said in a statement.

ASALH choosing to come here and choosing to do things like the banned book reading is really the backing that folks here need to have, University of Florida Africana Studies Professor Drew Brown said Friday at an ASALH session entitled A State of Censorship: University of Florida African American Studies Roundtable. Theres not enough people here to challenge the amount of bans and the amount of things that are going on every single week it seems. Theres going to need to be some support from outside the state.

The conference  which runs from Sept. 19 -24 and attracts educators from across the country  comes as Floridas Republican leadership continues to wage war against teaching about racial issues and racism at the K-12 and higher education levels. Less than a month earlier, a racist gunman with swastikas etched on his assault rifle killed three Black people at a Dollar General just miles away from conferences hotel, an action that some attribute to DeSantis creating an atmosphere where racists feel emboldened. The incident was often referenced by presenters and attendees Friday at two sessions where UF professors and alumni discussed how attempts to influence teaching about race have affected Floridas flagship university.

We are operating under a lot of scrutiny and uncertainty and chaos, UF Professor Riche Barnes said at the A State of Censorship session that also featured African American Studies Program Director David Canton. And I think the chaos is the part that is most frustrating because it takes you away from the work that youre there to be doing. It takes you away from developing your courses. It takes you away from working with your students. It takes you away from your research because youre concerned with whats coming down the pike next.

At a subsequent session entitled Challenging Racism at the University of Florida during the Stop WOKE Era, a collection of former and current students who worked with UFs Samuel Proctor Oral History Program, a social justice research center committed to documenting the past, explored how discovering parts of the institutions history with regards to racism has shaped their current thinking.

How do we resist these hateful ideologies and individuals? How do we help others resist? said Robert Smalls, a student assistant at SPOHP. We resist them by challenging racism. We make racists uncomfortable. We confront the public with facts, statistics, sources and inquiries that will allow them to have a proper intellectual ammunition to fight back against those who seek to proliferate hateful ideology, those who wrongfully engage in hateful ideology and those who profit politically and economically from making racists feel comfortable.

The UF faculty focused more on the importance of African American Studies and the difficulties of teaching under new laws that allow for arbitrary tenure reviews and bans to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

African American Studies serves as not just a a critique of western civilization but also a way for Black Americans to highlight their own stories and contributions to society, Canton said. Floridas initial rejection of the AP African American Studies course, however, has a chilling effect that scares away prospective students from his program. With that course being off the books, it hurts our major because we saw that as a spring board for being introduced to that course, get a college credit and come join our major.

In the class room, Ive always used the books and the concepts to speak, Brown said, emphasizing that hes not just speaking from opinion in class. Hes even more cautious now to lean on the books, lean on the concept. I cant let that slip because someone might be in class and go and tell on you. And from the way things are going, I could be fired for those things as someone whos not tenured yet especially.

Browns mention of tenure is especially relevant considering University of Florida doesnt have an African American Studies department. It has an African American Studies major. It has an African American Studies minor. It has an African American Studies program, the difference being a department would allow the disciplines leadership to hire its own faculty, grant tenure and offer a graduate degree.

In order to rectify the past, we have to address it

The SPOHP representatives, however, dove deep into the history of Gainesville and UF in order to illustrate, as program director Adolfho Romero put it, how the past repeats itself. Old news clippings from the Gainesville Sun that poorly portrayed Black Americans and praised the Ku Klux Klan were plastered on poster boards throughout the conference room, further emphasizing Romeros point that racism at UF originated at the institutions founding.

In order to rectify the past, he added, we have to address it.

Romero provided several examples of UFs racist past. He talked about the Buckman Act of 1905, which established UF as a higher education institution specifically for white men. He talked about how eugenics used to be taught at UF. He even talked about the murder of Anthony Goins, a child of Black washerwoman who a UF student fatally shot on campus without consequence.

Theres so much African American history that I only learned through SPOHP, added Ronan Hart, a student assistant at SPOHP whos currently pursuing his masters at UF. Educators are worried about being fired for linking that history to anti-racism ideals which ultimately shows the state wields a lot of power.





That power will be tested in the coming months amid growing resistance to DeSantis policies. But Brown issued a warning to everyone who thought the restrictions of Black history lessons  or instruction about the benefits of slavery as laid out in Floridas new Black history standards  is just a Florida issue.

This is not just going to stop in the state of Florida, said Brown, who listed Arkansas and New Jersey as states already following Floridas lead. If people think they can just avoid Florida and its not going to hit them, they are sadly mistaken.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023 at United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

UNITED NATIONS (AP)  It's Day 5 of the U.N. General Assembly high-level meeting that brings world leaders together at U.N. headquarters in New York. Here are the highlights of what happened Thursday at the U.N. and what to keep an eye on Saturday.

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON FRIDAY

 Days after landmark talks between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels, the leader of Yemens Southern Transitional Council  rivals to the Houthis  told The Associated Press his umbrella group of heavily armed and well-financed militias would prioritize the creation of a separate country.

 Speaking of Saudi Arabia (which has not yet spoken at the General Debate), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the General Assembly that Israel was at the cusp of a historic agreement with the Gulf country. He brought props.

 As the U.S. pledged $100 million to back a proposed multinational police force to Haiti that would be led by Kenya, Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry described the extent to which gang violence has riddled his country.

 Speech count: 34

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON DAY 5

 Key speeches: Foreign ministers from Azerbaijan, Armenia, lRussia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Belarus and Venezuela

 Name-checked in many, many speeches thus far over its war in Ukraine, Russia will finally have its time on the dais at the U.N. General Assembly, represented by its foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov.

 Armenia and Azerbaijan have already traded words over Nagorno-Karabakh at the Security Council but now each will get to address the General Assembly on Saturday. As a result, there's a good chance the exercise of the right of reply could be made avail of after speeches conclude for day.

 Throughout the week, protesters have gathered at the barricades. They're not full-time activists, but they've come to make their voices heard about what they describe as abuses in their homelands. Expect demonstrations to continue through the end of the General Debate.

QUOTABLE

How many roads we have to walk, just to make it to the door, only to be told that the door is closed?

 Mia Amor Mottley, prime minister of Barbados, roughly quoting reggae musician Rocky Dawuni to press the need for action on climate change and other global crises. Mottley has made a habit of including song lyrics in her General Assembly speeches, last year invoking We Are the World and, the year before, Bob Marley.

NUMBER OF THE DAY

9: Number of member states on the Credentials Committee, a little-known U.N. body with murky inner workings that has outsized influence on who gets to grace the world's stage, especially when it comes to divided countries.

___

For more coverage of this year's U.N. General Assembly, visit https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly
A highly customized stretched Chevy Suburban mobile command vehicle was recently delivered to U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM). The modified sport utility vehicle features a robust and secure communications suite. It looks set to join a U.S. military task force that is primarily on call to help respond to domestic nuclear, chemical, and biological attacks and other incidents.

Accelerated Media Technologies (AMT) issued a statement earlier this month about the delivery and provided additional details about the "mobile command center" vehicle for U.S. Northern Command. The Auburn, Massachusetts-based company offers a variety of customized SUVs and trucks intended for military forces and law enforcement agencies, as well as mobile television broadcast vehicles .

Accelerated Media Technologies

"The physical shell of the vehicle was built by AMTs master craftsman and stretched 20 to make the custom workspace" and it has been "relined using an entirely new interior, carpets, leather interior, [and] custom work-space," the company's statement added. AMT does not mention any armoring or other additional protective features being added to this particular SUV.

The command vehicle looks to have started life as a mid-2010s Chevy Suburban Texas Edition based on its external features and the unique badge on the driver and front passenger doors.

A close-up look at the distinctive Texas Edition badge on the driver's door on the stretched Chevy Suburban command vehicle. Accelerated Media Technologies

Photographs of the four-door vehicle show an X-shaped antenna, a design that is typically associated with UHF satellite communications systems . What appears to be the base for a whip-type communications antenna is also seen at the rear of the roof on the right side. It also has a Thule roof storage box .

Pictures of the vehicle's interior show a very spacious main cabin with two pairs of seats facing each other. Two flat panel screens flip down from the roof of the interior and face forward and back. There are four cameras attached to the cabin roof, each one aimed at one of the seats, which support video conferencing.

Accelerated Media Technologies

Multiple radios, phones, and other communication system components are clearly visible. The rear end of the vehicle looks to be taken up by a large box that could hold more communications gear, computers, and other equipment.

A view of the main passenger cabin inside the stretched Suburban command vehicle. What appears to be an equipment box at the very rear is also just visible over the back of the rear seats. Accelerated Media Technologies

Inside, "the Vision Series command center is configured ... with both Secure Internet Protocol Router/Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router (SIPR/NIPR) communications and other critical telecom and video communications infrastructure for some of the nations most critical missions, according to AMT . "It is powered by our industry crushing MVP-E Power system."

SIPR and NIPR, which are used to transmit classified and unclassified information, respectively, are essentially internal U.S. military internets. They are the two main networks American forces employ to support day-to-day operations around the world.

MVP-E is a modular auxiliary power system that AMT offers, which consists of up to four 12V Mil-Spec LiFePO4 Lithium batteries and various associated systems. This provides power to onboard systems without the need to keep the vehicle's engine running.

AMT says that MVP-E can run for up to 8 to 10 hours before needing to be recharged, which can be done in part via solar panels, depending on the configuration of the system and the vehicle it is installed on. In addition, "users report 60% fuel savings and over 50% preventive maintenance savings due to vehicles not idling excessively," according to the company's website . Not having to run the engine reduces the vehicle's noise signature, which can be useful in various contexts, as well.

Accelerated Media Technologies

It is unclear whether or not this vehicle was already in U.S. military service, but it had been sent back to AMT for a major overhaul. The company's statement about the recent delivery says that the underlying stretched Suburban was first created in 2015 and says that it was "returned to AMT" to "take the truck into the next stage of its life."

It's also not clear who specifically will be using this vehicle. AMT's statement mentions both NORTHCOM and the U.S. Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), as well as an unnamed joint task force, or JTF. One of the interior pictures does show a label that says "JTFCS-C2V" above on of the monitors, which could point to this being a command and control vehicle for NORTHCOM's Joint Task Force-Civil Support (JTF-CS).

The War Zone has reached out to both NORTHCOM and AMT for more information about this vehicle, and who will be employing it and how.

Accelerated Media Technologies

AMT's mobile command vehicle would be a perfect fit for JTF-CS, which was first established in 1999.

"JTF-CS anticipates, plans, and prepares for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) response operations," is how one unclassified 2012 briefing describes the task force's primary missions. "When directed, JTF-CS deploys to command and control DOD forces and conducts CBRN response operations in support of civil authorities in order to save lives, prevent further injury, and provide temporary critical support to enable community recovery."

The latter point about working under civilian authorities is important because the U.S. military, by law, is prohibited from or otherwise restricted when it comes to conducting law enforcement and certain other kinds of missions domestically in anything but a supporting capacity . At the same time, the armed forces possess a slew of capabilities that law enforcement and other civil agencies don't have and can offer immense additional capacity when it comes to things like logistics and communications in response to a crisis. Having task forces like JTF-CS in place helps reduce the lag time between when an incident first occurs and when military support can swing into action.

JTF-CS by itself is mostly a headquarters entity designed to help coordinate operational-level, medical, aviation, logistics, and other support. Though mainly focused on responding to CBRN attacks and incidents, what it provides can be useful in the aftermath of other crises, like natural disasters. Various additional active-duty U.S. military units, as well as those from various reserve components, including the National Guard, can be attached to the task force in a tailored way depending on the exact situation.

A briefing slide offering a general overview of the kind of support JTF-CS is capable of helping to provide. DOD

Being able to supplement civilian command and control capabilities, as well as provide access to information via U.S. military networks, is one of JTF-CS's key functions. In addition to command vehicles like the one AMT delivered earlier this month, the task force has access to other modified SUVs called Deployable Communications Capabilities Systems (DCCS) with large satellite communications dishes on top that act as mobile network hubs offering links to SIPR, NIPR, and more. Contracting records show that AMT has been involved in the conversion of DCCS vehicles, too.

A Deployable Communications Capabilities System vehicle belonging to JTF-CS. DOD

Another one of JTF-CS's DCCS vehicles is loaded onto a U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo aircraft during training in 2020. USN

There are, of course, other joint task forces under the umbrella of NORTHCOM to which the stretched Chevy Suburban command center might belong to, including others that could be tasked with supporting domestic missions . Some of these units also have access to fleets of modified civilian vehicles for use as mobile command and control and communications nodes.

For instance, in 2019, it emerged that the Crisis Response Team within Special Operations Command North (SOCNORTH), the special operations component of NORTHCOM, had acquired a number of heavily customized Chevy Suburbans previously operated by the White House Communications Agency. The WHCA originally had these vehicles, also known as Roadrunners , modified to provide vital command and control and communications support for presidential motorcades. SOCNORTH's planned to continue using them in similar roles, but with an altered configuration.

Some of the Roadrunner vehicles that SOCNORTH acquired. USAF

However, based on the information available, JTF-CS still seems like the most likely contender for who will be using the command vehicle that AMT recently delivered.

The heavily customized stretched Chevy Suburban with its extensive secure communications suite is sure to be a valuable addition to whatever unit within NORTHCOM that ends up operating it.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
The smartest insight and analysis, from all perspectives, rounded up from around the web:

The battle between striking autoworkers and Detroits Big Three is about the biggest technological transformation since Henry Fords moving assembly line, said Jack Ewing in The New York Times. Close to 13,000 workers at three plants  one each at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis  walked off the job last week in a dramatic bid by the United Auto Workers to protect traditional auto jobs in the shift to electric vehicles. With fewer parts, EVs can be made with fewer workers. Thats one reason the union is pushing for big pay increases at EV plants, totaling roughly 40% over four years. But the UAW also believes that a win against the Big Three will give it a strong calling card in future efforts to organize employees at Tesla and other non-union carmakers like Hyundai.

Detroits auto companies are already at a considerable competitive disadvantage compared with non-union carmakers like Tesla, said National Review in an editorial. And things are going to get much worse, for the Big Three and for buyers. The Biden administration has used legislation and the administrative state to push electric vehicles far faster than the technology permits. Now the UAW, which has kept the donations flowing to Democrats, wants the government to back demands that will drive car prices to new records. The ultimate losers will be union members when their jobs disappear, said The Wall Street Journal in an editorial. Already, carmakers are attempting to build their EVs as far away from the UAWs reach as possible, whether in Mexico or in right-to-work states like Indiana and Kentucky.

Dont let automakers plead poverty, said Michael Hiltzik in the Los Angeles Times. The Big Three as a group have not been this financially flush in nearly a decade. They reported combined profits of $20 billion in the first half of 2023. Meanwhile, this automotive stoppage is having nowhere near the economic impact of past stoppages, when the footprint of the domestic auto industry was much bigger. Today, an extended strike might have local effects in the Midwest, but most Americans wont feel it. The UAW is justified in its worry that carmakers will use electrification to do an end run around the union, said Jamie Lincoln Kitman in Politico. But its resistance to clean energy is an embarrassing move. The union has allowed itself to be weaponized by the industry to promote its anti-green agenda, villainizing vital energy initiatives.

The strike puts President Biden in an awful spot, said Bloomberg in an editorial. Union Joe has always offered unconditional support to organized labor. However, his administration also wants to accelerate the transition to a green-energy economy. You can see the dilemma. But Biden has to pick a side. The strikes are a moment of reckoning for the Democratic Party, said Rana Foroohar in the Financial Times. The wealthy coastal progressives who drive the Teslas care more about fixing climate change than about labor rights. But if Biden cant get the unionized workers support  he has yet to receive a UAW endorsement  it leaves an opening for Donald Trump to steal votes in crucial Midwestern swing states.

This article was first published in the latest issue of The Week magazine. If you want to read more like it, you can try six risk-free issues of the magazine here .
The Department of Defence Office of Inspector General has announced the appointment of a lead overseer of US aid to Ukraine  Inspector General Robert Storch.

Source: Department of Defence Office of Inspector General, reported by European Pravda

Details: Starting from 18 October, Storch will serve as the lead inspector general for Operation Atlantic Resolve, a US-led effort started in 2014 to strengthen the NATO alliance in response to Russia's military actions in Ukraine.

As part of Atlantic Resolve, the US Congress has allocated US$113 billion since February 2022 alone for security, economic and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and other war-affected countries; operations of the US European Command and related support to the US military; and operations of other US government agencies involved in responding to the situation in Ukraine.

In this position, the appointed inspector general will work with the Department of State and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) "to deliver comprehensive and effective oversight" of US assistance in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Robert Storch will be based directly in Ukraine  for the first time since February 2022  and will lead the on-site monitoring team for US security assistance to Kyiv, which the Pentagon announced last week.

The creation of the new team comes at a critical time for aid to Ukraine, when a growing number of Republicans have begun to question the need to spend billions of dollars in Ukraine and are calling for greater oversight of where the aid is going.

Background: As it is known, the United States has established an institution to monitor and investigate the illegal actions of fraudsters and corrupt officials who are using the American people's aid to Ukraine during Russia's full-scale invasion.

Despite the growing number of reports of possible misuse of US aid, its inspectors have found no signs of serious misconduct in this regard, as reported this spring.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
The United States has asked Poland to clarify the words of its Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki that his state is not currently providing military assistance to Ukraine "because it is rearming itself."

Source: Bloomberg, citing a senior US defence official, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Poland remained committed to supporting Ukraine but its exact position was unclear.

He added, however, that the differences between Kyiv and Warsaw have not yet led to a split in the unity of the coalition supporting Ukraine.

A diplomatic source in Europe told Bloomberg that Polish diplomats have privately assured their foreign counterparts of further military support for Ukraine from Poland, even if on a smaller scale.

The source added that a loss of support for Ukraine from Poland could be detrimental to the Ukrainian military campaign, as it threatens to undermine NATO unity.

Background:

On 20 September, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that Warsaw is now focused on rearming its own army and therefore is not supplying military aid to Kyiv.

Morawiecki's statements were made against a background of tension in the relations between Warsaw and Kyiv, related to unilateral Polish restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural products and Ukraine's actions in response.

After that, the Polish government stated that Warsaw is currently only carrying out pre-agreed deliveries of ammunition and weapons, including those under contracts with Ukraine.

Polish President Andrzej Duda further clarified that Morawiecki's words had been misinterpreted.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
US President Joe Biden s administration had decided to provide long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine before President Volodymyr Zelenskyys visit to the US but chose not to announce this publicly.

Source: Financial Times, citing its sources, as reported by European Pravda

Details: One of the Financial Times sources noted that this was to avoid giving away any clues to the Russians that might encourage them to move their supply lines further from the front.

The FT sources said the US will send the missiles in the near future, initially in small batches.

The sources also repeated the already known information that Washington will provide Ukraine with a version of the missiles armed with cluster munitions rather than a single warhead.

Sending cluster missiles would help ease some concerns among US officials that the delivery of single-warhead missiles would deplete American stockpiles, the sources said.

Background:

NBC News said Biden had told Zelenskyy at their White House meeting that Washington would supply Ukraine with a small batch of ATACMS to help it in the war with Russia.

Earlier, Washington had explained that the US had refused to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles because they do not have sufficient stockpiles of them. Another reason, which US officials did not disclose publicly, is the fear of escalation from Russias side.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes part in a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Canada wasn't looking to escalate tensions, but asked India on Tuesday, Sept. 19, to take the killing of a Sikh activist seriously after India called accusations that the Indian government may have been involved absurd.(Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

TORONTO (AP)  Information shared by members of an intelligence-sharing alliance was part of what Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used to make public allegations of the Indian government's possible involvement in the assassination of a Sikh Canadian, the U.S. ambassador to Canada said.

There was shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners that helped lead Canada to (make) the statements that the prime minister made, U.S. Ambassador David Cohen told Canadian CTV News network.

CTV News released some of Cohen's comments late Friday, and the network said that it would air the full interview with the U.S. envoy on Sunday. No further details were released about the shared intelligence.

On Thursday, a Canadian official told The Associated Press that the allegation of Indias involvement in the killing is based on surveillance of Indian diplomats in Canada, including intelligence provided by a major ally  without saying which one.

The Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance is made up of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The relationship between Canada and India reached its lowest point in recent history when Trudeau said there were credible allegations of Indian involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a 45-year-old Sikh separatist, in June in a Vancouver suburb. Both countries have expelled some top diplomats.

India, which has called the allegations absurd, also has stopped issuing visas to Canadian citizens and told Canada to reduce its diplomatic staff.

Canada has yet to provide public evidence to back Trudeaus allegations.

Nijjar, a plumber who was born in India and became a Canadian citizen in 2007, had been wanted by India for years before he was gunned down in June outside the temple he led in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver.
The claim: Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen was arrested

A Sept. 14 story by Real Raw News claims a top U.S. cabinet official has been taken into custody.

Investigators from the U.S. Armys Criminal Investigation Division (CID) on Tuesday arrested Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen at a Maryland hotel, the story says. Yellen was shown a military arrest warrant charging her with treason and defrauding the United States of America before being shuttled to a processing center for interrogation.

The post was shared more than 400 times on Facebook in one week, according to social media analytics tool CrowdTangle.

Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks

Our rating: False

There are no credible reports of Yellen being arrested. She is still listed as the secretary of the U.S. Treasury and has made several public appearances since the date of her purported arrest. The article was published by Real Raw News, which routinely publishes false claims about the arrests of high-profile figures.

No evidence, no credible reports of arrest

Thomas Hamilton, a spokesperson for the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, told USA TODAY the claim was false.

"The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division did not arrest the U.S. secretary of the treasury," he said in an email.

Yellen, in office since 2021, has made multiple public appearances and remarks in the week since the article purports she was arrested.

Fact check: Ron Klain continues serving as chief of staff

No reputable news organizations reported the supposed arrest, and the incident was not mentioned anywhere on the website or social media accounts for the U.S. Department of the Treasury, or on the website for the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division.

Real Raw News is a serial spreader of misinformation that often publishes fabricated stories about "white hats" trying to undermine "the deep state" by arresting government officials. USA TODAY has previously debunked numerous other claims about the arrests of high-profile figures stemming from Real Raw News.

USA TODAY reached out to Real Raw News and the Department of the Treasury for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Reuters and PolitiFact also debunked this claim.

Our fact-check sources:

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here.

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: False claim Janet Yellen was arrested for treason | Fact check
U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken addresses the press on sidelines of UN General Assembly

U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken addresses the press on sidelines of UN General Assembly

SEOUL (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and South Korean, Japanese counterparts expressed "serious concern" over the discussion of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including possible arms trade, South Korea's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

Blinken, South Korea's Foreign Minister Park Jin and Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa agreed to respond firmly to any acts that threaten regional security in violation of U.N. Security Council resolution in a brief meeting on Friday, the ministry said in a statement.

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un made a weeklong visit to Russia last week and discussed military cooperation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

U.S. and South Korean officials have expressed concern that the summit was aimed at allowing Russia to acquire ammunition from the North to supplement its dwindling stocks for its war in Ukraine.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Wednesday that if Russia helped North Korea enhance its weapons programs in return for assistance for its war in Ukraine, it would be "a direct provocation" and Seoul and its allies would not stand idly by.

(Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)
Microsoft has finally got the CMA's approval.

The tech giant has recently acquired a "provisional aprroval" from the UK's competition regulator, the Competition Markets Authority (CMA), placing Microsoft one step closer to acquiring Activision Blizzard.

Microsoft previously submitted a revision of its acquisition deal with Activision Blizzard to the CMA to get its approval in late August.

The CMA's Provisional Conclusion

In its latest announcement, the CMA revealed that it found Microsoft's revised acquisition deal with Activision Blizzard acceptable as it addressed the regulator's concerns in its first submission.

You may recall that the CMA forbid Microsoft from pursuing its acquisition of Activision Blizzard in late April due to the problematic solutions the tech giant provided.

Back then, Microsoft's solutions had significant shortcomings and would require mandatory oversight from the watchdog itself. The CMA also added that Microsoft's acquisition deal with Activision Blizzard would reinforce Microsoft's advantage in the market by giving it control over important gaming content, namely in cloud gaming.

To resolve the impasse, Microsoft restructured its deal with Activision to transfer cloud gaming rights for all current and new Activision Blizzard PC and console games released over the next 15 years to Ubisoft in perpetuity. As a result, Microsoft will never be in a position to either release Activision Blizzard games exclusively on its Xbox Cloud Gaming service or exclusively control the licensing terms of Activision Blizzard games for rival services.

Read More: George R.R. Martin Joins Other Authors in OpenAI Copyright Infringement Lawsuit

The CMA found this solution acceptable as it would prevent Microsoft from limiting access to Activision's key content to its own cloud gaming service or withholding them from its rivals. It would also let Ubisoft offer Activision's games directly to consumers and all cloud gaming service providers however it chooses.

As such, Ubisoft can offer Activision games via buy-to-play or multigame subscription services, or any new model for providing content that might emerge as the market develops.

Wait - There's More

While the CMA found Microsoft's solution acceptable, it has only given its provisional approval to the company to acquire Activision. The UK regulator said it still has "limited residual concerns" that certain provisions in the sale of Activision's cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft could allow Microsoft to circumvent, terminate, or not enforce it.

As such, the tech giant couldn't go ahead with its acquisition deal just yet. However, Microsoft only needs to wait for the CMA's final decision on the matter, which it could acquire after the UK regulator is done consulting on its remedies.

The CMA is expected to end its consultations on Oct.6.

Despite the CMA's limited residual concerns, Microsoft welcomed the regulator's provisional conclusion with open arms. Microsoft vice chair and president Brad Smith, in an X.com post, said that the CMA's announcement "encouraged" the company.

"We presented solutions that we believe fully address the CMA's remaining concerns related to cloud game streaming, and we will continue to work toward earning approval to close before the 18th October deadline," Brad said.

Activision also welcomed the CMA's provisional approval of the acquisition deal, describing it in a statement to employees as "a significant milestone for the merger and a testament to our solutions-oriented work with regulators," per The Verge.

Related Article: Microsoft To Sell Activision's Cloud Gaming Rights to Ubisoft
[Source]

A viral web series featuring a jade teapot's daring escape from the British Museum is being adapted into a movie.

About the series: "Escape from the British Museum," a popular series on Douyin, follows the teapot  a Chinese cultural relic  that magically transforms into a woman. With the help of a journalist, it attempts to flee the British Museum and find a way back to its homeland.

Real-life basis: Developed by Douyin creators Pancake Fruit and Summer Sister, the three-episode series was launched on Aug. 30 and garnered 370 million views in its first two weeks. The anthropomorphic lead is believed to be based on a contemporary jade teapot crafted in 2011 by Chinese artist Yu Ting, which was bought by the British Museum in 2017.

Addressing the subject, a British Museum spokesperson released a statement to The Guardian:

More from NextShark: 'Genshin Impact' actor asks fans to bathe before her concert

We would emphasize the jade teapot in the collection is not a historical object and similar modern items are available for purchase in China today.

Animated adaptation: On Sept. 15, the China Film Administration announced that it approved a feature-length animated version of the film filed by Manen Film Company, according to The Paper. Written by Wang Xuewen, the animation follows Chinese cultural relics that have been in the British Museum for over 100 years. The artifacts gain consciousness on the eve of Spring Festival and escape from the British Museum because they miss their motherland and return to China for the new year.

Mixed reaction: The British Museum has long faced criticism for refusing to return looted artifacts from different cultures. While the concept of a magical teapot has captivated many, reactions on social media have been mixed. Some viewers were emotionally moved; others questioned whether the artifacts would survive China's Cultural Revolution if they had remained in the country.

More from NextShark: Bruce Lee's wife Linda Lee Cadwell said her mother disapproved of her dating Asian men in biography

Ongoing debate: This development comes amid heated discussions among Chinese netizens regarding the status of Chinese artifacts housed in the British Museum. The state-backed publication Global Times characterized the museum as a microcosm of British colonial expansion and demanded the repatriation of Chinese cultural relics.

More from NextShark: Germany Finally Reveals First Twin Panda Cubs Born in the Country

Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!

71-Year-Old Man Targeted for Carjacking in Chicago's Chinatown
Funeral services for the Arlington police officer who was killed in a hit-and-run accident on Interstate 20 westbound in Dallas have been announced for Sept. 26 and Sept. 27.

The visitation for Officer Darrin McMichael is scheduled for Sept. 26 at Wade Funeral Home in Arlington from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The funeral service will be held Sept. 27 at Crossroads Christian Church in Grand Prairie at 10 a.m.

Both events are open to the community, the Arlington Police Department said on social media.

McMichael was on his way to work Thursday morning when a sport utility vehicle in the far left-hand lane reduced speed because of slow traffic ahead. McMichaels motorcycle hit the SUV and the officer fell onto the left-hand shoulder of the road, according to the Dallas County Sheriffs Department.

A dark-colored sedan ran over McMichael as he lay on the shoulder of the freeway and kept going. McMichael died from his injuries a short time later at a local hospital.

Investigators are still looking for the car, believed to be a dark-colored Dodge or Chrysler, and the driver.

McMichael worked with the Arlington Police Department for 24 years and with the Motorcycle Unit for 13. Hed also worked as a patrol officer and a detective in Arlingtons north patrol district.

Arlington Police Chief Al Jones said McMichael was a beloved member of the department.

We are heartbroken and we are hurting, Jones said in a news release Thursday. This is a devastating loss that will be felt for a long time.
Volunteer State Community College announced the untimely death of President Dr. Orinthia T. Montague in a statement Friday.

Montague was hired to lead the Gallatin school two years ago and welcomed her third class of students last month.

"Dr. Montague was a true leader in every sense of the word," Vol State Vice President of Student Services Emily Short said. "She embodied hard work, intelligence, and compassion at every level of our organization. We will honor the work she began by continuing the endeavors she set forth, making each of our campus locations the model she envisioned."

Montague was appointed president of Volunteer State Community College by the Tennessee Board of Regents in July 2021. She officially began her position on Sept. 1, 2021.

She recently served as president of Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden, New York, where shed been in the post since 2017.

Montague served as the vice president of student affairs and chief diversity officer and dean of students at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, MN, prior to joining Tompkins Cortland Community College, according to the release.

She previously worked for the University of Missouri St. Louis as an associate vice provost and dean of students before her time in Bloomington.

Dr. O, as she was affectionately called, started and led the organization through a transformation to improve the student experience, school officials wrote in a statement. She was totally committed to the students and communities we serve.

Recommended to the board by Chancellor Flora Tydings and selected over two other finalists, she was chosen to serve as the fourth person to lead Vol State in its 50-year history.

Dr. Montagues passing is a tremendous loss, not only to the Volunteer State Community but to the entire Tennessee Board of Regents System and higher education. She was a great leader who cared deeply about her students and their success, Tydings said. Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband and family and the campus community.

Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vol State community mourns untimely death of president Orinthia Montague
Dozens of volunteers  some in full military attire or school uniforms topped by fluorescent safety vests, others in patriotic T-shirts or VFW or American Legion caps  worked with synchronized purpose in Belleville Thursday to line seven miles of Main Street with American flags.

Their route extends from the Cathedral of St. Peter downtown and through Mount Carmel Cemetery, where U.S. Marine Capt. Eleanor Ellie LeBeau Cooke will be laid to rest on Saturday.

Cooke, 29, was one of three Marines killed in the crash of a hybrid military aircraft last month in Australia.

Friends, veterans and others who said they were there to honor Cookes sacrifice, placed the flags roughly every 50 to 100 feet along both sides of West Main Street, passed both Althoff Catholic High School and Blessed Sacrament Grade School, where Cooke had once attended. The schools displayed their flags at half-staff as the volunteers worked.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Cooke from sunrise Thursday to sunset Saturday.

At the cemetery, Steven Ha worked ahead of a line of pickup trucks carting the rolled up flags, using a ramrod to drive holes into the ground. A line of other volunteers paraded in single file behind him, planting their flag poles into the space he created before going back to the end of the line to get another flag.

Ha, a native of Minnesota and active military member stationed at Scott Air Force Base, said his time and effort are small return for the sacrifice of a fallen Marine.

Knowing that someone locally has been here, has passed away and also tried to serve the country, I believe its a very necessary thing to do to bring back and give back to them and their family, Ha said, using the back of his hand to wipe the sweat dripping from his face. Its respect and military honors that they deserve.

Capt. Eleanor Ellie Cooke, formerly LeBeau, is shown with the dance team at Murray State University, left to right, as a U.S. Marine Corps pilot and at her wedding to fellow Marine Chase Cooke.

In all, 1,080 flags were positioned along the funeral route, said Jeff Hastings, whose OFallon-based organization, The Flagmans Mission Continues, coordinated the effort.

The community wants to do something when these kinds of events happen, especially on military deaths or police officers or first responders, said Hastings, the groups president and CEO. The community really wants to do something, so we give them the opportunity by bringing the flags and providing them a way to honor a hero from their hometown.

But its also for the family. It gives the family a way to know that their community has surrounded them, that their community is supporting them.

Cooke was a pilot on a MV-22B Osprey that crashed at about 9:30 a.m. Aug. 27 on Melville Island, north of Darwin, in Australias Northern Territory, while transporting troops during a routine training exercise, according to a Marine Corps news release last month.

The three Marines killed in the crash were identified publicly on Aug. 28. Besides Cooke, the other two were Cpl. Spencer R. Collart, 21, of Arlington, Virginia, and Maj. Tobin J. Lewis, 37, of Jefferson, Colorado.

Twenty others aboard the aircraft were injured.

Cooke, who used her maiden name in the military, was commissioned in the Marine Corps on Aug. 11, 2018, and promoted to captain on March 1, according to a news release. She married Chase Cooke, another Marine pilot.

Her funeral was held Saturday at the Cathedral with Monsignor Jack McEvilly officiating. It was followed by burial with full military honors.

A flag placed along a funeral route as part of a homecoming for a fallen servicemember on Sept. 21, 2023.

The Belleville Police Department, which will provide an escort from the church to the cemetery, has asked that motorists avoid the seven-mile route Saturday morning and afternoon.

Itll be 29 days from the day she died to the day of burial, Hastings sad. The family is just totally numb and the family is grieving and they wont remember much of this week or last week. Theyll remember bits and pieces, but I know every single family  the hundreds and hundreds that weve ever done this for  will come back to us and say I remember you because I remember the flags.  Theyll always remember.

Those who helped Hastings place flags on Thursday were drawn for different reasons, but all said they wanted to pay respect to Cooke and her family.

I think knowing I signed up to do the same thing, and possibly die, its scary, said Beverly Volk, who retired to Belleville after a 21-year career in the Air Force. I also have a son who is active duty and knowing that he may also not come home is also scary.

Rick Bozanich leads a member of the Belleville Running as they place flags along a funeral route as part of a homecoming for a fallen servicemember on Sept. 21, 2023.

But I think its the price that we sign up to pay. Im honored to know the family and be part of this.

John Mize, a senior at Althoff, said his family knows the LeBeaus and, while he didnt know Cooke personally, he wanted to do his part to preserve her memory. He said he was struck by the cooperative mood of those who showed up to help with the flags.

Its been one of community, just coming together to see this Marine off, he said.

Members of the OFallon High School Air Force Junior ROTC program were among the volunteers.

Callie Vandevoorde, a senior, said her involvement Thursday was inspired by two things.

My family is actually military so it means a lot to me to have a fallen soldier and to go support the family, she said. They are going through something that I can never imagine and I want to support them in any way that I can.

She also said she views Cooke as someone to emulate as she pursues her own military career after college.

As a female pilot in such a male-dominated career field, I feel like shes someone we can look up to, Vandevoorde said.

She gave us everything.

Flags brought to be placed along a funeral route as part of a homecoming for a fallen servicemember on Sept. 21, 2023.
FRESNO, Calif. (KGPE/KSEE)  Runners across the Central Valley should be ready for the 24th Annual Central Valley Walk in Woodward Park in Fresno will take place next week.

The walk was announced this week by the ALS Golden West.

Since 2000, the Central Valley Walk to Defeat ALS has been a yearly opportunity for the ALS community to gather in a show of support and unity, and fuel the search for effective prevention strategies, treatments, and cures for ALS.

Participants are invited to join the community members for a family-friendly morning of celebration, exercise, education awareness, music, food, and fun.

This event is a walk/run that is based on fundraising for the ALS Golden West. Those who are participating in this event can walk/run individually, join a team, or create a team.

Registration for the 24th Annual Central Valley Walk opens at 9:00 a.m. on September 30  followed by the walk that starts at 10:00 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
I went to fast-food chain Arby's for the first time, and I had no idea what to expect.

Arby's claims it "has the meats," and I found it to be true  the burgers were delicious.

After trying three sandwiches, two sides, five sauces, and a cookie, I have a new favorite spot.

I've tried my share of fast-food and fast-casual dining over the years, but somehow I missed out on Arby's, a fast-food chain known for its roast-beef and other meat sandwiches.

One September afternoon, my mom and I visited an Arby's in Long Island, New York, to see if it was worth adding a new fast-food spot to our rotation  and we decided that it absolutely was. We were delighted by the Smokehouse Brisket sandwich and the melt-in-your-mouth chocolate-chip cookie we ordered, among other things.

Plus, our meal  which could have fed three people  was $38.56 after tax, which we thought was great value for what we got.

Here's what our Arby's experience was like, and why we'll be returning sooner rather than later.

Arby's is a fast-food chain that was founded in Ohio in 1964. It's best known for its meat sandwiches.

Outside of the Arby's next to my hometown. Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The chain was founded by brothers Forrest and Leroy Raffel, reported Metro Monthly. Contrary to popular belief, "Arby's" does not refer to the initials of roast beef, but the R and B of "Raffel Brothers."

The chain now has more than 3,500 locations across nine countries, according to Arby's website.

I've visited most of the biggest fast-food franchises, from McDonald's to Raising Cane's to In-N-Out Burger. But, somehow, I missed trying Arby's, even though there's a location only 5 minutes from where I grew up.

I decided to check Arby's off the list and paid a visit to my local location on Long Island, New York. I let my mom tag along on this culinary journey, too.

When we walked in at around 3 p.m. on a Tuesday, it was completely empty, though there were people using the drive-thru.

Inside Arby's. Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Arby's has a vaguely Western aesthetic, even though the chain was founded in Ohio. According to the Arby's website, the Raffels did initially want to call the chain Big Tex, but it was already in use.

The Columbus Dispatch reported that the Raffels decided to make their restaurants Western-themed in keeping with the simplicity of their food  out in the Wild West, you're eating simple foods like meat and potatoes, or a roast-beef sandwich with potato chips.

This explains the longhorn statue outside, the 10-gallon hat in the logo, and the art inside.

Here's an example of the Western art that's scattered throughout the dining area.

Another view of the Arby's. Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Since it was completely empty inside and it was a perfectly sunny day, we decided we'd sit outside, though the tables and booths looked very clean and comfortable, especially for a fast-food place.

After ordering our food, I noticed the abundance of sauces available: Ketchup, Horsey Sauce, Arby's Sauce, Honey Dijon Mustard, and Spicy Three Pepper.

Arby's sauces. Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I liked that the sauces were self-serve. I'm a big sauce fan, so I always feel slightly self-conscious when I inevitably need to ask for extra at places like Raising Cane's and Chick-Fil-A.

I took a cup of every sauce to try.

Here's what we ordered: medium curly fries, a four-piece order of mozzarella sticks, the Classic Roast Beef sandwich, the Smokehouse Brisket sandwich, the Classic Crispy Sandwich, a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup cookie, and two small sodas. In total, it was $38.

Our entire meal. Gabbi Shaw/Insider

There were multiple factors that helped us decide our order. First, someone recommended the curly fries to me, so I had to try them. I also figured that mozzarella sticks are a good side dish, and not every chain has them, so I wanted to see how they tasted.

For our sandwiches, I knew Arby's is famous for its roast beef, so that was a must. My mom requested the chicken sandwich, which is also a fast-food staple at places like McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, and Popeye's.

The brisket was added because I was surprised to see a brisket sandwich on the menu at all. As a Jewish person, I know my brisket. So, when I found out that the Raffel brothers were also Jewish from The Nosher, I knew I had to try this sandwich.

I couldn't believe all that food came out to less than $40  plus, the sauces were free, including the marinara sauce that came with the mozzarella sticks.

First up, I dug into the Smokehouse Brisket sandwich. The packaging referenced Arby's famous slogan: "We have the meats."

The Smokehouse Brisket. Gabbi Shaw/Insider

This was the only sandwich that came in a box  the other two came wrapped in foil, reminding me of other fast-food chains I've visited.

This sandwich was huge, with the brisket spilling out from the buns. It was worth the $7.99 in size alone.

The Smokehouse Brisket sandwich. Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Sometimes you open up a box to find a puny little sandwich or burger. This was not the case at Arby's.

Of course, the trade-off is that the sandwich is 560 calories.

Simply put, this was delicious. It was moist, flavorful, and I couldn't believe it had come out of a fast-food kitchen.

The Smokehouse Brisket. Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The Smokehouse Brisket sandwich comes with 13-hour smoked brisket, cheddar cheese, crispy onion strings, and barbecue sauce, all on a toasted bun.

I was prepared to douse my sandwich in one of the sauces I had gotten, but I found I didn't need to  the brisket was so moist it almost melted in my mouth.

The cheese, onion strings, and barbecue-sauce flavors combined nicely. You could've told me this was from a fancy BBQ joint, and I would've believed you.

Next up I tried my chicken sandwich, which was mislabeled  I got the Classic Crispy Chicken, not the Chicken Bacon Swiss. It cost $6.59.

The Classic Crispy Chicken. Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I figured that if I was going somewhere new, I should try its "classic" sandwich.

This was also a pleasant surprise. My sandwich came with a hefty piece of crispy chicken, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.

The Classic Crispy Chicken sandwich. Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Sometimes I experience "chicken anxiety," a phenomenon that's been detailed on TikTok. It's the feeling that you could be eating undercooked chicken  sometimes, one wrong bite of chicken will give me the ick.

This was not the case at Arby's. This chicken wasn't chewy in the slightest, and I really liked the flavor of the crumbs that comprised the crust.

I did end up adding the Horsey Sauce, which is the chain's mayo-based horseradish sauce. I thought it added just the right amount of kick.

This sandwich has slightly fewer calories, coming in at 510.

My least favorite sandwich I tried was the Classic Roast Beef, which is $4.99.

The Classic Roast Beef sandwich. Gabbi Shaw/Insider

This was also mislabeled  I got the Classic Roast Beef, not the Double Roast Beef.

It's not a big deal, but if we had gotten more than one roast-beef or chicken sandwich, it might've been confusing.

I should've read the fine print  this was just roast beef on a toasted bun.

The Classic Roast Beef. Gabbi Shaw/Insider

This is the sandwich that put Arby's on the map, but I was underwhelmed. It was pretty dry, so I added Arby's Sauce, which tasted like barbecue sauce to me. That was better, but I thought it was still a pretty bland sandwich.

Now I know for the future that I should (at least) go for the Classic Beef 'N Cheddar, which comes on an onion roll with roast beef, cheddar sauce, and Red Ranch sauce.

But, if you're a picky eater or just looking for something simple, this might be the sandwich for you. The roast beef had the right amount of smokiness, though I prefer my roast beef to be more rare.

This sandwich has 360 calories.

I was recommended the curly fries, and I'm so glad I purchased them.

Arby's curly fries. Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I love a curly fry, so when I mentioned I was going to Arby's, a friend told me that the curly fries ($3.59 for a medium) were a must.

I couldn't agree more.

I even got the coveted perfectly curled curly fry.

A curly fry. Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Not every fast-food chain really delivers on the corkscrew goodness of curly fries, but Arby's did. I also tried them with every remaining sauce I had  ketchup, Honey Dijon Mustard, and Three Pepper sauce, which tasted like Tabasco  and the fries paired well with each one.

A medium order of curly fries has 410 calories.

The other side we decided to try were the mozzarella sticks, which were $5.59 for four. They were good, but not a standout to us.

Mozzarella sticks. Gabbi Shaw/Insider

These didn't taste any different from the mozzarella sticks you can get at a chain like Applebee's. The same was true of the marinara sauce.

The sticks, which have 440 calories, were crispy, but the cheese inside was a little gummy, we thought. We didn't end up finishing them.

The last part of our meal was this Reese's peanut-butter and chocolate-chip cookie. It cost $2.09.

The Arby's cookie. Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I know Arby's is famous for its Jamocha Shake, which is a chocolate/coffee milkshake, but I was so full that I thought I would burst.

Instead, my mom and I split a chocolate-chip cookie with chunks of Reese's peanut-butter cups.

It was finger-licking good after sitting in the sun for 20 minutes.

The cookie. Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The cookie (463 calories) was delicious, but it did melt after being in the sun. We soldiered on and licked the melting chocolate and peanut butter from our fingers.

On our way out  totally full  we passed a bell near the exit that told us to ring if we had great service.

The Arby's bell. Gabbi Shaw/Insider

According to a post from the Arby's corporate account on X, formerly known as Twitter, Arby's locations have had a bell to ring since at least 2013.

A Buzzfeed post from 2015 cautioned me that employees actually hate when you ring the bell, and as the place was still almost empty, I decided to just thank our cashier on the way out.

I couldn't have been happier with my $38 Arby's feast. I'll be returning to try even more of the expansive menu ... but I'll make sure I leave room for a Jamocha Shake.

Arby's and a satisfied customer. Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I barely made a dent in Arby's offerings. They have burgers, chicken wings, gyros, Reubens, fish strips, hush-puppies, and more. But I am only one person with one stomach, so I was limited.

But I'll definitely be coming back. I got so much food for a relatively low price  at a New York City sit-down restaurant, this would've cost me $100, easy.

Arby's gained two new fans after this visit, and we can't wait to try more.

Read the original article on Insider
Detectives from the Whatcom County Sheriffs Office (WCSO) arrested a man for over 15 child sex crimes on Thursday.

In February of 2023, WCSO took over an investigation into a mans history of sexually assaulting minors.

Detectives say they uncovered a pattern of abuse that took place between 2002 and 2009 which involved multiple minors with the same suspect.

When detectives went to the 31-year-old mans house, he admitted to sexually assaulting the children.

He was then arrested for the following crimes:

Three counts of Rape of a Child 1st Degree

Attempted Rape of a Child 1st Degree

Seven Counts of Child Molestation 1st Degree

Rape 2nd Degree

Three counts of Indecent Liberties

Assault 2nd Degree w/Sexual Motivation

Incest 1st Degree

Intimidating a Witness

Rape of a Child 2nd Degree

Attempted Rape of a Child 2nd Degree

Rape of a Child 3rd Degree

Attempted Rape of a Child 3rd Degree

Child Molestation 2nd Degree

Incest 1st Degree

Voyeurism
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is on its way to file an antitrust lawsuit against Amazon as early as Tuesday, Reuters reported. Politico first revealed the news.

Read Also: Amazon Requires Writers to Disclose Use of AI Material

FTC Looks Into Dominating Tech Companies

Big tech companies such as Alphabet's Google and Meta's Facebook, has been under investigation by FTC after complaints of market abuse resurfaced. Once the FTC lawsuit against Amazon moves, this will be FTC's fourth swipe at the company.

Bloomberg reported that the lawsuit will be focusing on Amazon's pricing policies, Prime, Amazon's push to use their logistic and advertising services, and more. Amazon has been advertising Prime membership as a more efficient way of online shopping.

Reuters reported that FTC has already sent a draft complaint, which means that the lawsuit is near to be filed. However, FTC declined to address the news.

FTC v Amazon

Last May, Amazon was sued twice for the way the company handles children's data and privacy and the illegal spying using Ring doorbells and cameras. Amazon paid $30.8 million to settle the suit.

In June, a case was filed after Amazon allegedly forces its consumers to sign up for Prime subscription and deliberately making the cancellation process difficult. This case is still ongoing.

Early this week, three Amazon executives were added as defendants. It was reported that the executives ignored pleas from employees to stop using such techniques. As of writing, Amazon is still contesting the allegations.

Related Article: Amazon Takes Back Extra Charge for Sellers Who Ship Their Own Items
PATERSON - Why were Totowa police pursuing a moped into Paterson, an incident last week that resulted in a crash that killed the scooters driver and injured its passenger?

That remained unclear in the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office news release issued late Friday, almost 48 hours after the crash.

Law enforcement officers are only supposed to engage in pursuits in cases involving specific crimes or instances in which the vehicle operator poses an imminent threat of causing death or serious injury to someone else, under the attorney generals guidelines.

The state press release said Totowa police in marked vehicles were following the motorist from Totowa into Paterson on Wednesday. At 7:19 p.m., the motorized scooter collided with what authorities described only as a civilian vehicle near the intersection of McBride and Murray avenues, officials said.

Police at the scene where a person was killed during an apparent police pursuit of a motorcycle that ended up in a crash on McBride Avenue at Nagle Street in Paterson, NJ around 7:15 p.m. on September 20, 2023. (Photo/Christopher Sadowski)

The moped driver and passenger were ejected from the scooter, according to the news release. The driver was pronounced dead at 2:06 a.m. on Thursday at St. Josephs University Medical Center, while the passenger suffered non-life-threatening injuries, officials said.

The Attorney Generals Office did not make public the name of the deceased, nor did state officials say why the victims identity was not disclosed.

The location where authorities say the crash happened has a traffic light and is a T-intersection where Murray connects with two-way traffic on McBride. The Attorney Generals Office did not say which avenue nor which direction the moped and civilian vehicle were traveling at the time of the collision.

Police at the scene where a person was killed during an apparent police pursuit of a motorcycle that ended up in a crash on McBride Avenue at Nagle Street in Paterson, NJ around 7:15 p.m. on September 20, 2023. (Photo/Christopher Sadowski)

The press release used the plural in describing the Totowa police vehicles pursuing the moped but did not reveal exactly how many there were. The attorney generals guidelines say no more than two police vehicles should participate in a pursuit unless directed by a supervisor.

New Jersey law calls for the Attorney Generals Office to investigate any deaths that occur during encounters with law enforcement officers.

Paterson police were not involved in following the moped, even after the pursuit continued into the city, according to law enforcement sources.

On the day after the crash, Patersons Officer in Charge Isa Abbassi issued new departmental guidelines for pursuits that included restrictions more stringent than those set by the state. Abbassis directive allows pursuits only the driver being followed was involved in a violent crime and presents an imminent threat to the community.

Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press. Email: editor@patersonpress.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ AG quiet on why Totowa cops chased scooter driver in fatal crash
Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, discusses a display of photos of evidence in the federal indictment against Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) during a news conference Friday. (Robert Bumsted / Associated Press)

Why in the world would Egypt need to bribe a U.S. senator?

Taking bribes in exchange for aiding Egypt is one of the allegations against Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), the powerful chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who was indicted Friday along with his wife and others.

Federal prosecutors allege Menendez repeatedly sought to help Egypt get around restrictions on aid imposed by Congress because of the country's human rights record. Those actions included ghost-writing a letter to other senators asking them to lift a hold on $300 million destined for Egypt. Menendez and his wife, Nadine Arslanian, have denied wrongdoing.

But why would Egypt, a longtime U.S. ally, need Menendez's help in the first place?

To understand, it helps to know a little history.

For years, Egypt was the second-largest recipient of U.S. aid, behind Israel.

This was in part reward for Egypt's willingness to recognize Israel (almost unique in the Middle East) and cooperate with security involving the Gaza Strip, a stretch of often-volatile Palestinian land along the Mediterranean Sea that borders Egypt and Israel.

During the three-decade rule of autocrat Hosni Mubarak , the relationship puttered along more or less stably, despite widespread reports of corruption and election-rigging but often with Egypt stepping up to provide valuable security in conflicts in the region.

That changed during the Arab Spring, when in 2011 nearly three weeks of demonstrations forced Mubarak from power. He was eventually tried on charges related to the killing of demonstrators in Cairo's Tahrir Square, an iconic center in the quest for democracy.

Mubarak was replaced, briefly, by a Muslim Brotherhood presidency, but Abdel Fattah Sisi came to power after a military coup in 2013, and he remains president today.

Egypt has displayed scant regard for human rights ever since, activists say. "Thuggish behavior [by government agents] has been the norm" under Sisi, targeting journalists, political opponents and human rights activists, New York-based Human Rights Watch said in a recent report.

Sisi, who met with President Biden last year on the margins of a climate summit in Egypt, and who has met on a couple of occasions with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, has largely turned a deaf ear to private U.S. entreaties for release of prisoners and other human rights considerations, officials say.

Over time, that human rights record has eroded congressional support for unfettered aid to Egypt  a shift prosecutors allege Menendez was working to stop.

Earlier this month, a group of senators led by Christopher S. Murphy (D-Conn.) applauded a separate decision by the Biden administration to withhold $85 million in military aid for Egypt and called for restricting an additional $235 million in security aid, saying Sisi had failed to make progress on human rights.

"Egypt has released more than 1,600 political prisoners since early 2022. That's good news," Murphy said at the time. "During that same time, they have jailed 5,000 more. So for every political prisoner that Egypt releases, three more are jailed. That's one step forward, and three steps back. That's not the kind of 'clear and consistent progress' in releasing political prisoners that the [U.S.] law requires."

In a long and often impassioned speech, Murphy went on to answer those in Congress who argue that Egypt would end its security cooperation  including counter-terrorism efforts in the Sinai desert  if the aid is cut, saying that has not happened yet. Murphy noted that past administrations from both parties, under Presidents Obama and Trump, had ignored the need to restrict aid to Egypt but said that now the Biden administration must hold the line.

Biden ultimately released the $235 million in security aid, disappointing Murphy, who called it a "missed opportunity to show the world that our commitment to advancing human rights and democracy is more than a talking point. As of Friday evening, Murphy had not yet released a statement on his Democratic colleague's indictment.

Sign up for Essential California for the L.A. Times biggest news, features and recommendations in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
This is Explainer, a column that answers questions we all have (or should have).

Anyone with skin knows the feeling of having a bad itch that wont go away. Whether its a mosquito bite, hives, or just a mystery lump, you cant stop scratching. It may feel good in the moment, but the feeling wont go away. Its a perceptual cycle of itch-and-scratch, but why?

Itchiness itself can come from a number of things. Typical culprits include bug bites, allergic reactions, skin conditions, even itchy sweaters. Sometimes, itches can tell us something important: Brian S. Kim, a professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai, likens it to a barometer, as it tells people that theyre not well in a very subtle way. If your kidney fails, your liver fails, your bone marrow fails, he notes, oftentimes itch is a common symptom. (Theres also such a thing as a chronic itch, which is a whole other issue.)

There are some treatments for itching, at least the acute kind. The majority of acute itches are mediated by a chemical called histamine, which is an important part of the bodys immune response. Classic brand names like Benadryl, Claritin, Allegra, and Zyrtec are antihistamines, which can be used to treat, or lessen, that histamine reaction and thus the itch. There are also topical creams you can apply to the site of itchesnonprescription corticosteroids sometimes can do the trick, as can calamine, hydrocortisone, creams with menthol, aloe vera, and sarna (pramoxine).

Despite these options, many, including yours truly, try to alleviate the feeling of the itch by scratching it, which in turn makes it itch morea vicious cycle that can feel impossible to overcome.

There is a good reason we itch and scratch. Lots of things can colonize the skinscabies, mites, and other creepy-crawliesand cause it to itch. The itch-scratch cycle is likely an evolutionary reflex developed to expel these unwanted visitors, says Kim. There are better ways to deal with scabies (and many more things than critters that can cause itching), but itching and scratching persists.

And a little scratching is fine and healthy; its a problem when it becomes more extreme. You further damage the skin and activate the nerve fibers so it causes the itch-scratch cycle, Gil Yosipovitch, the director of the Miami Itch Center, says. You get that immediate relief, but it amplifies your sensation. The more you itch, the more you scratch it.

Part of this is because of the intimate relationship between pain and itch. A little pain can inhibit the sensation of itching, making for an interesting feedback loop. Thats what scratching is, essentiallyinflicting a tiny bit of pain on your skin.

Normally, pain is not something you induce, explains Diana Bautista, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute researcher at the University of California, Berkeley. That sensation of pain is altered when you have that itch on your skin. You scratch until you bleed and get that relief, at least temporarily.

Part of this likely has to do with serotonin. In 2014 Zhou-Feng Chen, then a researcher at Washington University in St. Louis, published a study that suggested that the neurotransmitter plays a role in the cycle. When the brain senses pain, the brain says, Hey this is not good,  Chen explains. It will, accordingly, produce serotonin as a way to inhibit the painand youll feel a little better, briefly. The neurotransmitter will also activate itch neurons at the itch site, making the itchy feeling worse.

The itch signal also makes its way to a higher level: the brain. What weve seen in our studies is scratching activates the reward system of the brain, says Yosipovitch. The more you scratch, the more you feel pleasure.

Scratching isnt purely biologicalthere is also a social aspect to it. If you see someone scratching, you will also subconsciously scratch, Kim says. Throughout the course of our interview, we both reflexively scratched our faces and other parts of our bodies.

If youre really itchy, simply refraining from scratching is easier said than done. I dont think its helpful to tell people not to scratch because it creates a lot of anxiety, Kim says.

There are some efforts to develop therapeutics that could target some of the neural pathways involved in itching. Chen, who is now based out of the Shenzhen Bay Laboratory in China, is interested in exploring drugs that block receptors involved with itch. Yosipovitch also says theres potential for drugsor technologythat inhibit the sensation of itching through neural mechanisms.

If you could mimic that same perception without causing the damage [or] if there was a device that induces the same feeling of scratching that would be long term, our patients would be very happy, he suggests.

Bautista proposes a more DIY approach, drawing from her own experience.

I have a lot of allergies and had eczema as a kid, she explains. Putting on cold compresses really helped. You can get that same release by using an ice pack or taking a really hot shower. Warm shower makes it worse, but if you can stand really hot, intense heat, thats another way. Basically: If youre tired of scratching an itch, find another way to interrupt the sensation.
(NEXSTAR)  An updated COVID-19 vaccine has arrived, but it may be too late to do anything to turn the tide on the months-long summer surge weve seen in cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

If youre one of the many, many people who has come down with the virus in recent weeks, do you really need to rush out to get another immunity boost?

At the very least, you should wait until youre feeling better and out of your isolation period before you get a vaccine dose, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises.

But you may want to consider waiting even longer, the CDC acknowledges. Because you get some natural immunity from a recent infection, waiting up to 3 months to get a booster shot could extend that protection out by delaying, explained Dr. Jeffrey Duchin, health officer in Seattle and King County, in a recent briefing on updated vaccinations.

Who shouldnt get the new COVID booster?

Everyone needs to look at their own personal situation, said Duchin. Someone who works in a high-risk environment, or who lives with immunocompromised people, or otherwise would like maximum protection soonest can opt to get a booster just a few weeks after a recent COVID infection. Someone who would prefer to boost their immunity before the busy holiday season might want to wait a couple months.

While the effectiveness of the vaccine wanes over time, its still the best way to protect against severe illness, hospitalization and death, doctors agree.

iOS 17: Should you install Apples latest update for iPhone?

Immunity after a breakthrough case is imperfect, David Dowdy, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said in an interview with Verywell Health last year. Immunity from the vaccine is more reliable and may last longer than protection someone has after recovering from the virus, studies show.

The booster shot approved this month is an updated formula designed to target the omicron variant of the virus, which is still far and above the dominant strain circulating in the U.S. It is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.

You can check if youre up to date on the latest COVID-19 vaccine recommendations on the CDCs website, and check to see where you can find a booster near you via vaccines.gov.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Russia's air-dropped bombs are a major threat to Ukraine's soldiers and civilians, said military experts.

The heavy airplane bombs are "particularly vexing" for air defense systems built to strike lighter targets.

Modified "glider" bombs have been fitted with GPS systems.

Russia's Soviet-era airplane bombs present a lethal challenge to Ukraine because they are difficult to intercept even using the most advanced air defense systems, military experts say.

Oleksiy Melnyk, from the Kyiv-based think tank Razumkov Center, said that combatting air-dropped bombs was "particularly vexing" for Ukraine.

Hi-tech air defense missiles are designed to strike more lightweight targets and are ill-equipped to counter the bombs' old, heavy iron construction. The bombs' dense build and Russia's ample stocks are a significant problem for Ukraine, he said. The powerful bombs can weigh from 1,100 to 2,200 pounds.

Melnyk told Insider that the "dumb" freefalling bombs are dropped from an aircraft during horizontal flights or with the plane's nose up or down. He said the plane's alignment and "altitude will further define the ballistic trajectory."

The accuracy of such bombing is poor, but Melnyk said the Russians are not overly concerned about collateral damage.

The 30-50-year-old bombs are still robust, Melnyk said. There sheer size means they are "not a big problem to detect, but the problem is to intercept," he said.

The bombs are rarely in the air for a little more than a minute, and unlike cruise missiles or attack drones, they are hard to track, appearing as little dots on radar screens that soon disappear. This makes them a weapon that the latest air defense systems, like the much-vaunted US Patriot missiles, were not designed to combat, military experts say.

Dropping the vintage bombs poses challenges to the Russian military, however. The distance from which you can strike the enemy is low, forcing aircraft to fly into the danger zone of the enemy's air defense systems. As a result, the Russians have had to adapt.

Old bombs with new guidance systems deliver "devastating hits"

Sappers of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine remove non exploded aviation bomb FAB-500, in Kharkiv. REUTERS

Russia is modifying its simple bombs, equipping them with guidance systems to create cheap and effective substitutes for expensive guided missiles.

The system is similar to the JDAM-ER kits sent to Ukraine by the US, which converts existing unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions.

The vintage bombs are fitted with gliding propellers and GPS systems and fired from a longer distance. They can reach a target of 30 miles away, out of range of most of the air defense systems on the frontline. These systems are more precise, and the payloads are so huge they can wreak substantial damage.

The system has been used to equip old Soviet FAB-500-62 gravity bombs, which Russia has an abundant supply of, with a simple satellite guidance system and "wings," Insider previously reported, and fired from Su-34 and Su-35 jets.

"Trying to intercept these bombs isn't effective. It's not even rational. The only way out of this situation and the only way to stop it is to attack the planes that launch these bombs," said Yuriy Ignat, spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, per The New York Times.

Hence, Ukraine's repeated insistence that it needs the US-built F-16 fighter jets in its arsenal.

Melnyk told Insider the bombs show how Ukrainians "have to deal with a ruthless enemy, especially when we talk about collateral damage."

Most of the damage inflicted by these bombs has been on civilian infrastructure, and most casualties have been civilians, which "produce huge psychological effects on the civilian population," he said.

However, in April, the Kyiv Independent reported that the upgraded guided or gliding bombs were also being used against Ukraine's military formations to "deliver devastating hits upon Ukrainian lines and the rear front."

The bombs also make economic sense to President Vladimir Putin's military planners. The guidance kit costs less than two million roubles, about $24,000, according to Russian media. By comparison, a single Russian Kalibr cruise missile is worth nearly $6.5 million.

"This is the evolution of the air war. They first tried cruise missiles, and we shot them down. Then they tried drones, and we shot those down. They are constantly looking for a solution to strike us, and we are looking for one to intercept them," said Lt. Colonel Denys Smazhnyi of the Ukrainian Air Force, per The New York Times.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Oleksandr Tarnavskyi , Commander of the Tavriia Operational and Strategic Group of Forces, believes that the winter will not slow down Ukraine's counteroffensive and that Kyiv's biggest breakthrough is still ahead.

Source: Tarnavskyi in an interview with CNN

Details: Heavy rains in the autumn can make the ground wet and make it difficult for heavy equipment such as tanks to move, but Tarnavskyi said Ukrainian forces are moving in small groups, mostly on foot.

The general also expressed his belief that Ukraine's big breakthrough is yet to come and that Ukrainian forces need to at least reach the city of Tokmak for a successful counteroffensive.

Quote from Tarnavskyi: "The weather can be a serious obstacle during advance, but considering how we move forward, mostly without vehicles, I dont think [the weather] will heavily influence the counteroffensive.

I think it will happen after Tokmak. At the moment they are relying on the depth of their defensive line there.

[Theres] a combination of small harmful enemy defense groups that currently are planted very precisely and competently. But the actions of our fighters force them to slowly pull back when they face our assault squads."

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Debby Setzer-Ortelt called Better Call Behnken for help after her mother, Donna Ortelt, ended up with a gigantic cell phone billeven though shes never even used a cell phone.

My mother has never had a cell phone, nor does she want one, Setzer-Ortelt told KTLA sister station WFLA.

Setzer-Ortelt says this mess started in July when with the delivery of a cell phone with no paperwork. Weeks later, two more iPhones arrived.

Then a mysterious letter came, explaining it was a mistake and asking her to send the phones to an address in Texas. What the women say happened mirrors a known phone scheme, previously reported by Better Call Behnken, to steal phones and stick victims with the bill.

Californians in these counties may still have to pay taxes

Spectrum accepted one phone and erased the bill, and Setzer-Ortlet says she dropped off the T-Mobile phones at a company store, but her calls to the company to figure out the bill went nowhere.

I would try calling them but because I didnt have the pin, they wouldnt talk to me. Well, no kidding. I dont have the pin. I didnt set this up, she said. Manager called me yesterday and said, You need to start making the minimum monthly payment. Otherwise, were coming after her for collections.

Macys fined $1.6 million for environmental violations across California stores

After calls from Behnken, a company spokesperson sent an email indicating this would be resolved. Better Call Behnken will stay on this until the bill is wiped clean.

Meanwhile, this is a warning to be on guard for this type of scheme and alert elderly loved ones. Just two days ago, the Polk County Sheriffs Office announced it is looking for a man they believe ordered an iPhone in someone elses name and picked up the phone at their house. The sheriffs office has video of the man.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A Springfield woman has pleaded guilty in connection to the events surround the death of a man from over two year ago.

Stacy Rife, 37, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, aggravated robbery, and tampering with evidence Friday, according to Clark County Common Pleas Court records. She was indicted on the charges on the same day.

>> 3 juveniles among 7 seriously injured in Columbus crash

The charges are in connection to the 2021 death of Philip Riggle.

Court records from 2021 indicate that Rife and a man, Brandon Konicki, were arrested and charged in connection to Riggles death. They were accused of coming up with a plan to rob him prior to his death.

On May 2, 2021, a witness said they heard a single gunshot a short time after Konicki went to Riggles home. Rife was seen at the scene a short time after.

When police spoke to her on the scene, she had $260 with her. She admitted to passing the money off before being formally interviewed at the police station, according to court records.

>> Man accused of leading police on chase through Montgomery Co. facing charges

Police asked her if she had taken the money from Riggle after he died and she denied it. Officers noted in a probable cause affidavit that Riggles pocket had been turned inside out, indicative of a robbery motive. Analysis done by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation showed traced of Rifes DNA in the pocket of the pant Riggle was wearing at the time of his death.

She was arrested in July 2021.

Were working to learn when Rife will be sentenced.

Konicki is set to got to trial for the charges brought against him next week, according to court records.
WASHINGTON  Valerie Lewis has a message for Congress on behalf of fellow female veterans: Our numbers are growing, but government support isn't keeping pace.

Lewis, a combat veteran, was among dozens of veterans on Capitol Hill this week pressing lawmakers to do more. In doing so, they described how they've felt left behind by the agencies built to support them, which aren't always equipped to handle the unique issues facing women in the military.

This is not some new concept that just came about within the last 10 to 20 years. Weve been here since day one, Lewis told NBC News in an interview in the U.S. Capitol.

Valerie Lewis, a US Army and Georgia Army National Guard veteran, poses for a portrait on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Lewis completed combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq and was also stationed in Texas and Georgia. (Frank Thorp V / NBC News)

Her sentiments and those of her fellow advocates are supported by a new report from the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit group that helps veterans and active-duty members.

The study, billed as the most comprehensive report surrounding women in the armed forces, focused on topics ranging from mental health and transition from military service to financial wellness and access to care.

According to the findings, female veterans are more likely than their male counterparts to experience moderate to severe symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety  statistics that are supported in numerous studies of nonveteran women, as well.

Additionally, the Wounded Warrior Project found, women reported sexual trauma at a rate more than three times higher than male veterans but said they received related care less often through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

I myself am a survivor of it, said Lewis, who served in the U.S. Army and the Georgia National Guard for almost a decade. But due to the culture of the military, I didnt report it because I knew I would have a harder time if I reported it than the person that actually assaulted me."

"So when it comes to mental health, they might send this out to somebody thats a mental health professional, but I dont want to see a guy  and a lot of times these doctors are men," she continued.

Compared to male veterans, women are more likely to seek care through the VA but face more barriers than men do, the report found. Gender-specific care, which includes routine mammograms and OB-GYN checkups, is difficult to come by, and some VA clinics do not offer these services, according to the report.

When I got out, I could not get an annual female checkup from the VA. They sent me out to community care, Lewis said, adding that getting an appointment could take months. To this day, there are still a lot of health needs that I have that I have to go out for community care.

In a statement, the VA said that it could not comment on Lewis specific case, but noted that the department offers care to veterans through eligible community providers when it is unable itself to provide the care needed.

The VA said it would review the WWP report in detail, adding that, While VA and the Biden-Harris Administration have taken steps to dramatically expand and improve womens health care at VA in recent years, we can and must continue to improve  and we are always listening to and learning from women Veterans to do exactly that.

Every time a woman Veteran comes to VA for care or benefits, its our mission to provide them with the world-class service they deserve, the VA continued. These heroes deserve the very best, and anything less is unacceptable.

The VA noted that women are among the fastest growing Veteran demographics and said that its own data also shows women report experiencing military sexual trauma at higher rates than men and that VA will stop at nothing to ensure that these survivors receive everything that they have earned and deserve.

Image: Pentagon Commences Sexual Assault Awareness And Prevention Month (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images file)

Lewis traveled to Washington, D.C., this week with dozens of female veterans to demand help from legislators.

The women shared their personal, and sometimes painful, experiences in the hopes of galvanizing bipartisan support.

Rana Clark, who served in the U.S. Army as an active-duty unit supply specialist before being medically separated because of an injury, said she had a difficult time finding resources that were available to her while integrating back to her civilian life. I personally struggled, very, very much with my transition, she said.

Clark said that she grappled with her mental health and had abused alcohol while trying to find a job and manage her disability. She described transitioning out of service as like losing a leg, losing part of your soul  trying to figure out what makes you happy, how to be happy and how to be a productive member of society is very, very challenging.

The Wounded Warrior Project report found that women veterans face higher rates of unemployment than male veterans and women in the general U.S. population, despite being more educated on average. More than 72% of women veterans reported having moderate to high financial distress, citing family and child care issues as the top barriers to employment.

Women veterans, the report found, also feel less respected than men after completing their service.

It took me some time to actually recognize myself as a veteran, Lewis recalled. Ive had instances where I walked into the VA for an appointment and theyre like, Oh, what are you checking your husband in for? or Hello sir, how are you today?

The report made a series of policy recommendations and the organization has worked with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to craft initiatives.

In the middle of a government funding fight, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., has found time to huddle with freshman Democratic Rep. Nikki Budzinski, of Illinois, to discuss the issue. Both lawmakers met with a group of women veterans Tuesday.

Theres so much work that we have to do, said Mace, adding that she has participated in a number of panels and roundtables with women veterans.

The Wounded Warrior Project has "all this data" on women veterans' needs, she said. "They understand what their concerns are, what their needs are, and how we can help them from a resource perspective. So this could be medical care, mental health policy, jobs and unemployment, addressing all those things that are affecting our women as they transition out of active duty.

Mace, who grew up in a military family and was the first woman to graduate from the military college The Citadel, said women have to work twice as hard to be treated as equal to men, sharing a personal anecdote that her fiance is often mistaken as the member of Congress when she brings him to the Capitol.

Women, Mace said, have to be extra loud in getting our points across and making sure that we can address issues of women and military veterans.

She accused leadership at the VA of having a lack of understanding as to what veterans deal with on a daily basis but vowed to work with colleagues to craft policy that would match recommendations put forward by Wounded Warrior Project.

Budzinski, a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, said that even veterans issues  a topic that enjoys bipartisan support in Congress  have been politicized, and warned that the looming government shutdown could negatively impact an already strained VA system.

What it would mean if we were to shut down is an inability for the VA to be able to recruit future staff and solve that staff shortage issue, but also to train people that are within the VA to provide that gender-specific care that out women veterans really need, she said.

We need to rise to this occasion in Congress and make sure that were fully invested in our veterans," Budzinski said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
ASHEVILLE - The maker of world-renowned synthesizers has slashed jobs at its manufacturing facility in Asheville, the city where Moog Music was based.

The move to cut what sources say were possibly more than half the existing jobs, including most of the production positions, came three months after the international corporation InMusic bought the company. Founded by inventor and sound engineer Bob Moog almost 50 years ago, Moog's instruments have been played by the likes of the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. All of its synthesizers were made in Asheville.

It is not clear the exact number of jobs lost. Local and corporate staff and spokespeople did not return Sept. 22 messages. Current and ex-workers declined to comment on the record, but several confirmed the layoffs.

Michelle Moog-Koussa, daughter of Moog and executive director of the Bob Moog Foundation and Moogseum, who lives in the Asheville are, said Sept. 22 she recently learned about the layoffs, but declined further comment.

The foundation and Moogseum are separate from the company.

In 2015, the company employed 62 in the synthesizer factory just blocks away from downtown Asheville. That number had grown to around 90 this past year, one source said. After InMusic's June 13 acquisition, payroll was winnowed down by more than a dozen people. The Sept. 22 layoffs cut around 30 jobs, doing away with most workers who built the instruments.

Bob Moog.

Most of the synthesizers will now be made in Taiwan, the sources said.

inMusic has headquarters in Rhode Island with offices in the United Kingdom, Germany, Taiwan and Japan. Its purchase of Moog marked the end of an era of employee ownership. In 2015 staff controlled 49% of the company, but were bought out in the transfer.

Moog had promoted the employee ownership model, his daughter Moog-Koussa told the Citizen Times in a prior interview. It was his wish. He believed very strongly in companies being as egalitarian as possible," she said.

As recently as 2022, workers had looked to unionize. One goal reported last year by the Citizen Times was to raise the $14.10 an hour wage to $17.70 an hour. It is not clear what current wages are.

More: AVLFest: Was the inaugural citywide music festival a success?

EDM DJ Bassnectar show announced, canceled in Asheville on same day. What happened?

Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at jburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-713-1095 or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: World-renowned instrument maker Moog slashes jobs at Asheville factory
China's successful experience and technologies bolster global anti-desertification efforts: UN official

18:51, September 23, 2023 By Chi Zao, Chang Sha, Kuan Rong ( People's Daily Online

Johns Muleso Kharika, chief of the Unit of Science, Technology and Innovation, UNCDD, during an exclusive interview with People's Daily Online, Sep. 22, 2023. (People's Daily Online/Kuan Rong)

China's achievements in combating desertification, combined with its innovations and technologies to protect ecosystems, offer inspiration for developing countries. These strategies should be promoted and adopted by grappling with ecological challenges, according to Johns Muleso Kharika, chief of the Science, Technology and Innovation Unit, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

Kharika shared these insights at the sixth China-Arab States Expo in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Kharika joined global academics to better understand Ningxia's successful strategies against challenges like desertification and water preservation.

"It's my first visit to Yinchuan, Ningxia. The environmental protection efforts I've seen here are truly amazing. I'm impressed to learn that Yinchuan is a wetland city inscribed on the Ramsay Convention on Wetlands because of the wonderful preservation efforts done by the locals," Kharika told People's Daily Online.

"It's truly amazing how the city has combined urban development and natural preservation," added Kharika.

In 2018, the Ramsar Convention recognized Yinchuan as an "international wetland city," acknowledging its ongoing commitment to protecting wetlands through innovative means. Yinchuan is the only city in western China to receive this honor.

Because of its arid climate and limited water resources, Ningxia has historically faced severe environmental problems, including desertification. Xihaigu, a largely mountainous region in Ningxia, was once dubbed the "most unfit place for human settlement" by the United Nations in the 1970s due to land degradation, drought, and its delicate ecology.[1] Decades later, those once barren lands flourish as forests and grasslands.

Its truly amazing to see Ningxias green transition since the 1970s. The world can learn from its experience in the fight against desertification and climate change, said Kharika, who noted that Ningxias ecological achievement is a model for the rest of the world to follow and an ideal to strive towards.

Wetlands in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (People's Daily Online/Ma Nan)

According to Kharika, the modern environmental protection technologies he saw at the expo can help the world's efforts to combat desertification and ensure food security in developing countries. Technological exports from China to other developing countries can facilitate sustainable and eco-friendly development.

"At the expo, I have seen early warning systems that can monitor drought and sandstorms. I've seen how drones can monitor crops and soil conditions. I've also seen applications that can help people monitor their water use and carbon storage. As an African, I think these technologies are beneficial for our people as well," said Kharika.

Kharika emphasized China's role as a major player in addressing environmental issues and the positive impact China has had on developing nations, particularly in Africa. He praised China's efforts to promote the African Union's Great Green Wall Initiative, launched in 2007 with the ultimate goal of planting a wall of trees across Africa at the southern tip of the Sahara Desert.

Wetlands in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (People's Daily Online/Ma Nan)

Kharika also praised the straw checkerboard sand barrier, a low-cost method devised by Ningxia scientists to stabilize shifting dunes using drought-resistant grass.

"During my time in Ningxia, I also witnessed the Chinese blending modern technologies with indigenous knowledge and traditions; I believe that more nations should adopt these practices," he stated.

"I come from a poor continent in technology and money but rich in traditional wisdom. We need a combination of China's assistance in fostering technical growth and our indigenous wisdom," he said.

(Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Liang Jun)
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Saturday he will seriously consider a visit to South Korea during a meeting with South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on the sidelines of the Asian Games, according to an official.

Xi brought up the issue first during the meeting with Han in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, the official said.

"This means that President Xi knows it is his turn to visit South Korea," the official said on condition of anonymity, adding that Xi's visit has "long been delayed."

Xi last visited South Korea in 2014. President Yoon Suk Yeol extended an invitation to Xi when they met on the sidelines of a Group of 20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, in November 2022.

During the meeting with Han, Xi also expressed support for inter-Korean reconciliation and pledged continued efforts for peace on the Korean Peninsula after Han asked China to play a constructive role, according to First Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin.

Han made the request while briefing Xi on President Yoon Suk Yeol's "Audacious Initiative" policy designed to offer massive economic assistance to North Korea in exchange for its denuclearization steps, according to Chang.

Xi also said China appreciates Seoul's efforts to resume the long-suspended annual three-way summit between South Korea, China and Japan, and that Beijing welcomes the holding of a trilateral summit at an appropriate time, Chang said.

The trilateral summit, which began in 2008, was last held in 2019.

Han asked Xi for China's support for Seoul's efforts to host the 2030 World Expo in the city of Busan, and Xi said in response that China will "seriously consider" the request.

South Korea has also been making efforts to improve relations with China, which critics say have recently cooled due to what they describe as Yoon's attempts to bring South Korea closer to the United States and Japan, a departure from the previous Moon Jae-in administration's greater emphasis on China.

Saturday's meeting took place against the backdrop of recent rapprochement between Pyongyang and Moscow, following a rare summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Han explained our side's bold ideas and recent developments related to the Korean Peninsula situation, and urged China to continue playing a constructive role," Chang said.

This marks the first meeting between Han and Xi, Chang said. It is also the first visit by a South Korean Prime Minister to China in four-and-a-half years.

"I hope to cultivate a healthy and mature relationship between South Korea and China, grounded in mutual respect, mutual benefit and common interests," Han was quoted by the Prime Minister's Office as saying.

In light of the ongoing threats posed by North Korea, Han further emphasized that the high-level talks between Seoul and Beijing demonstrate both countries' commitment to elevating their relations to the next level.

"Both countries are not only grappling with heightened regional tensions due to North Korea's persistent provocations but also facing global challenges, such as economic uncertainty and disruptions in supply chains," Han said.

Han also conveyed President Yoon's special regards and hoped for the successful hosting of the Asian Games, the office said.

Earlier in the day, as part of his two-day trip, Han attended a luncheon hosted by Xi for the leaders of countries competing in the Asian Games.

Han is accompanied by Chang and Vice Culture Minister Jang Mi-ran, a former Olympic gold medalist in weightlifting.

Han earlier told reporters that Seoul is committed to maintaining an amicable relationship with Beijing, emphasizing that his trip to the Asian Games aims to demonstrate Seoul's dedication to enhancing South Korea-China relations.

South Korea has usually sent the culture minister to such events. (Yonhap)




Lais Ribeiro is a former Victoria's Secret Angel.

She's mom to a 15-year-old son who has autism.

She's also stepmom to two younger kids.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Lais Ribeiro . It has been edited for length and clarity.

I was only 18 when I gave birth to my son, Alexandre. When I looked at him, I knew what unconditional love was. But becoming a young mom is challenging at the best of times. For me, it was especially tricky because my career as a model took off soon after having Alexandre.

I made the very difficult decision to leave Alexandre with my family in Brazil while I went to the US to work with major retailers, including Victoria's Secret. I knew I was working for a better future for my son and my family, but only being able to see him every three months was torture.

When Alexandre was 5, I was finally able to bring him to the US to live with me. That's when we learned that he had autism. I began my journey as a mom to a special needs child.

I wanted Alexandre to be independent

At first, I was in shock. I didn't know much about the condition, but I started researching and connecting with advocacy organizations like Autism Speaks. I learned more about Alexandre's needs and how I could help him become his best self.

I brought Alexandre to lots of therapies while teaching him how to be independent and advocate for himself. Through that, I realized that the biggest challenge we faced was breaking down the stigma around autism. I shared our story to build awareness and help people who were uninformed become more sensitive to families like ours.

Today, Alexandre is 15. He still loves spending time with me, even if he doesn't want my hugs and kisses anymore.

Now, I'm a stepmom to 2 younger children too

Last year I married my partner, Joakim Noah. Our wedding not only brought us officially together but also made me stepmom to Leia, 6, and Emaan, 4. My sister also lives with us, so we truly have a blended family.

My mom once told me to show discipline along with love. That advice has given me so much guidance and helped me be there for all my children  biological and not. Children need balance, especially from a parent like me, who travels frequently. It would be tempting to be all fun when I'm home, but that wouldn't be good parenting. I have to nurture the children while having plenty of good times along the way.

Balance has become easier as Alexandre gets older, even as our family expands. These days I have to travel less than I used to. When I do have work demands, Alexandre understands. He knows I'm working for our future, and he's proud of me.

Self-care used to be about how I look; now, it's about how I feel

I'm big into self-care. When I was younger, taking care of myself was about the way I looked. These days, it's more about how I feel. I love to relax and recharge in the sauna or by doing a cold plunge. I stay outside as much as possible  vitamin D always boosts my energy and helps me feel refreshed.

I'm lucky that Joakim and I love working out together. We do weight training sessions to spend quality time with each other while working on our health. On my own, I like Pilates. And as a family, we adore traveling and exploring new places that we can all enjoy.

Being the mom of a special needs child and leader of a blended family is challenging. While I'm well-known as a supermodel, supermom is the role that I try to focus on day after day. In fact, it's a role I want to step into even more: I'm almost ready for another baby. If and when that happens, I am looking forward to all of it, especially all the new memories our family will create together.

Read the original article on Insider
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres acknowledges the audience applause after addressing the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 at United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

UNITED NATIONS (AP)  At the annual meeting of world leaders last year, the U.N. chief sounded a global alarm about the survival of humanity and the planet. This year, the alarm rang louder and more ominously, and the message was even more pressing: Wake up and take action  right now.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres assessment, delivered in his no-nonsense style, aimed to shock. We are becoming unhinged, he said. We are inching closer to a great fracture. Conflicts, coups and chaos are surging. The climate crisis is growing. Divides are deepening between military and economic powers, the richer North and poorer South, East and West. A new Rubicon has been crossed in artificial intelligence.

Guterres has spoken often on all these issues. But this year, which he called a time of chaotic transition, his address to leaders was tougher and even more urgent. And looking at his previous state-of-the-world speeches, it seems clear he has been headed in this direction for quite some time.

In his first address to world leaders in 2017 after taking the helm of the 193-member United Nations, Guterres cited nuclear peril as the leading global threat. Two years later, he was warning of the world splitting in two, with the United States and China creating rival internets, currency, trade, financial rules and their own zero-sum geopolitical and military strategies." He urged vigorous action to avert the great fracture.

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. The global response Guterres called for never happened; richer countries got vaccines and poorer ones were left waiting. At last years leaders' gathering, his message was almost as dire as this week's: Our world is in peril and paralyzed, Guterres said. We are gridlocked in colossal global dysfunction.

This year, his message to the presidents and prime ministers, monarchs and ministers gathered in the vast General Assembly hall was unambiguous and stark.

We seem incapable," Guterres said, "of coming together to respond.

THE WORLD'S FUTURE, AND THE UN'S

At the heart of Guterres many speeches this week is the very future of the United Nations, an institution formed immediately after World War II to bring nations together and save future generations from war. But in a 21st-century world that is far more interconnected and also more bitterly divided, can it remain relevant?

For Guterres, the answer is clear: It must.

The Cold War featured two superpowers  the capitalist United States and the communist Soviet Union. When it ended, there was a brief period of U.S.-dominated unipolarity after the breakup of the Soviet Union and its dissolution into a dominant Russia and smaller former republics. Now it is moving to a more chaotic multipolar world"  and creating, Guterres says, new opportunities for different countries to lead.

But Guterres key argument is rooted in history. He says it teaches that a world with many power centers and small groups of nations cant solve the challenges that affect all countries. Thats why strong global institutions are needed, he told leaders on Thursday, and the United Nations is the only forum where this can happen.

The big question, upon which Guterres is now laser-focused, is whether an institution born in 1945  a time when the tools to address chaos and fragmentation were more rudimentary  can be retooled and updated to tackle todays challenges.

I have no illusions, he said. Reforms are a question of power. I know there are many competing interests and agendas. But the alternative to reform is not the status quo. The alternative to reform is further fragmentation. Its reform or rupture.

That is the conundrum sitting in the U.N. chief's lap: Can 193 nations with competing agendas undertake major reforms?

To meet the challenge, Guterres has called on world leaders to attend a Summit of the Future at next Septembers U.N. global gathering, and in the coming, year to negotiate a Pact for the Future. At a meeting Thursday to prepare, he told ministers that the pact represents your pledge to use all the tools at your disposal at the global level to solve problems  before those problems overwhelm us.

The secretary-general said he knows reaching agreement will be difficult. But, he said, "it is possible.

A SENSE THAT THINGS ARE FUNDAMENTALLY BROKEN

Time, Guterres says, is against the United Nations and countries that support the return of united global action. Perhaps that is why his words grow more dire each year.

He points to new conflicts like Ukraine, more intense geopolitical tensions, signs of climate breakdown, a cost-of-living crisis and the debt distress and default that is bedeviling more countries than ever.

We cannot inch towards agreement while the world races towards a precipice, Guterres said. We must bring a new urgency to our efforts, and a shared sense of common purpose.

That's easier said than done, as this week's high-level meetings  and the priorities and problems they raise  make clear.

Can all the U.N.'s far-flung nations unite behind a common purpose? Whether that happens in the next 12 months remains to be seen. Certainly there is support. Consider Bahamas Foreign Minister Frederick Audley Mitchell, addressing the global gathering Friday night. "Now, more than ever, we need the United Nations, he said.

Richard Gowan, the U.N. director for the International Crisis Group, said Guterres state-of-the-world speech spoke truth to power and was an especially blunt and bleak assessment.

He really seems to think that the multilateral system is fundamentally broken, Gowan said. The secretary-general seems frustrated after years of difficult dealings with the divided U.N. Security Council, Gowan said, alluding to the United States and its Western allies increasingly clashing with Russia and China.

Sometimes it feels like Guterres no longer believes in the institution he leads, Gowan said.

For Guterres, then, the Summit of the Future presents an opportunity but also a possible demarcation point  between a brighter future and a more desolate one, between a chance at progress and the prospect of a closing door. To Gowan, it will be a last chance for U.N. members to get their act together and rethink how the multilateral system could work.

And that could present a potentially insurmountable peak for the worlds most senior diplomat to scale. Mark Malloch-Brown, president of the Open Society Foundations and a former U.N. deputy secretary-general, pronounced Guterres keynote speech to world leaders a brave and frank admission that the U.N. is broken  no longer fit for purpose.

The problem is that precisely because of that, nobody may hear him, Malloch-Brown said. He may be speaking to an empty room.

___

Edith M. Lederer, chief U.N. correspondent for The Associated Press, has been covering international affairs for more than 50 years.
Craving ice is a symptom of iron deficiency (anemia), known as pagophagia.

Pagophagia is a form of pica, the impulse to eat things with no nutritional value, such as dirt, paper, or hair.

Excessive ice chewing can lead to dental problems.

If you need me, my head will be in the freezer. This was the state of affairs for years as I merrily crunched my way through mountains of ice. Cubed, crushed, shaved, chipped  at a pinch, frost scraped from the freezer walls  I couldn't get enough of it.

I thought it was just one of my quirks and that waiting for my husband to go to the bathroom during meals out so that I could finally crunch the ice in my drink  to him, the noise was like fingernails on a chalkboard  was perfectly normal. It was only one day, when a new friend witnessed my ways and asked, "Are you anemic?" that I gave it a second thought.



I Googled "eating ice + anemia" and was shocked to find that my friend wasn't talking crazy. Craving ice is, indeed, a symptom of iron deficiency. There's even a term for it: pagophagia.

What is pagophagia?

Pagophagia is an intense, persistent craving to chew ice. It's a form of pica, the impulse to eat things with no nutritional value, such as dirt, paper, clay, chalk, hair, wood, wool and other substances that aren't food.

"It's not clear why individuals who are iron deficient have unusual cravings, such as for ice," said Helen Evans-Howells, a GP and allergy specialist. "But there are various hypotheses." One is that it may alleviate the pain and inflammation that can occur in the mouth if a person is deficient in iron. Another is that ice may increase the blood flow to the brain, thus combating the effects of low oxygenation  hypoxia  that can occur when iron levels are low. However, Dr. Evans-Howells asserts: "The most likely reason is that this unusual craving is the body's way of trying to highlight that there is a nutritional deficiency."

Pagophagia isn't always related to iron deficiency  other causes may include low levels of calcium, an eating disorder, or stress and anxiety.

Certainly, as I made my way to the freezer several times a day, my body was trying to tell me something. And that something was: get a blood test. The results showed that I was anemic  not hugely so, but enough to warrant a prescription of tablets to boost my iron levels. When I began taking them, not only did I find that I had more energy and less desire for a mid-afternoon nap, but my desire to crunch ice also vanished.

Chewing on ice can damage your teeth

And, thank goodness it did, because if I'd have continued chomping so much ice, I may have done myself a disservice, particularly to my dental health. Up there with hard candies, citrus fruits, and potato chips, the American Dental Association lists ice as one of the top nine foods that damage your teeth. Chewing ice can result in enamel erosion, cracked teeth, damage to fillings, gum irritation, and recession.



Thankfully, I emerged from my ice-munching years unscathed, but sometimes, people who suffer from pica aren't so lucky. During her career, Dr. Evans-Howells recalls seeing two cases of pica-triggering hair ingestion. "This led to dire consequences for the individuals as the hair caused intestinal obstruction and resulted in the need for surgery to remove the blockage," she said.

Whilst I sometimes miss that gratifying crunch and satisfying shiver, I'm pleased I spoke to my doctor to address the situation. My teeth  and my husband  are also extremely grateful.

Read the original article on Insider
FILE - Migrants sit in a queue outside of The Roosevelt Hotel that is being used by the city as temporary housing, Monday, July 31, 2023, in New York. Beleaguered by a continuing influx of asylum seekers, New York City Mayor Eric Adams is further tightening shelter rules by limiting adult migrants to just 30 days  to help ease pressures on the city's already struggling shelter system and perhaps dissuade more migrants from coming.(AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

NEW YORK (AP)  Beleaguered by a continuing influx of asylum seekers, New York City Mayor Eric Adams is further tightening shelter rules by limiting adult migrants to just 30 days in city-run facilities  to help ease pressures on the city's already struggling shelter system and perhaps dissuade more migrants from coming.

The move was immediately criticized by advocates for migrants and homeless people as unnecessary and heartless.

But the mayor called the move another step in our efforts to help asylum seekers take the next step in their journeys."

Adams announced the tightened restrictions on Friday, after the Biden administration said last week it would grant temporary protected status to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans who had arrived before July 31, a designation that would allow them to more quickly gain authorization to work in the United States.

The move by the federal government has long been sought by Adams and other big city mayors, whose shelter systems are buckling under the strain of a growing number of migrants they must care for, a number that continues to grow daily.

We appreciate the support we have received so far from our state and federal partners, but with more than 60,000 asylum seekers still in our care and without additional help, we will be forced to continue making difficult decisions," Adams said in his announcement.

New York City says it has more than 60,000 migrants currently in its care, about a fourth of them of Venezuelan origin. Since the spring of last year, more than 116,000 migrants have arrived from the U.S.-Mexico border.

In July, Adams had placed a 60-day limit on shelter stays that critics say would be in violation of a court ruling that mandates the city provide shelter to anyone who asks for it.

In May, Adams issued an executive order that unilaterally relaxed the citys right-to-shelter rules, which is now the subject of a legal battle. Earlier this week, Gov. Kathy Hochul, a fellow Democrat, backed the mayor on the matter, saying in an interview on CNN that the right to shelter was never meant to be an unlimited universal right or obligation on the City to have to house literally the entire world.

This is another continuation of just putting people who literally are trying to set up their new life and having additional issues and complications that they have to navigate through, Murad Awawdeh, the executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, said in a statement.

Advocates have long pushed the city to provide housing vouchers for the migrants and fund efforts to establish more lasting and permanent solutions, such as expanding the citys stock of affordable housing  especially difficult given real estate prices already make living in New York City a challenge for many.

I dont think anyone wants to actually be in a shelter. Its not like living in the Ritz," he said. Its actually, for the most part, our newest New Yorkers have been put in tents and in really challenging spaces.

Critics questioned the need for the time limit when the mayor had gotten a concession from the federal government that would allow Venezuelans a quicker path to securing jobs and become more self-reliant for housing.

Any policy limiting the amount of time that our clients can reside in shelter is arbitrary and devoid of compassion, the Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless said in a joint statement.

The mayor's office said housing and other services could drain about $12 billion over three years, forcing him to seek significant budget cuts that would hamper his city's ability to adequately provide city services.

The mayor vowed to provide migrants with intensified casework services to help new arrivals survive outside the shelter system once they have reached the 30-day limit. Migrants who are already on two-month notice but have been unable to find other accommodations will be allowed 30 more shelter days, according to the plan announced Friday.

Over the past two months, the city said, 60-day notices had been issued to about 13,000 adult migrants,

Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom has said that the city needs to more quickly transition migrants into other housing.

The city said it has opened 210 emergency shelters, including 17 of what it called large-scale humanitarian relief centers. And it is looking for more space, including erecting additional tents to house cots for migrants who need a place to sleep.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had an unplanned meeting with Sudans Sovereign Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, an army general and de-facto ruler of the African country, on Sept. 23.

The meeting took place at the Shannon Airport in Ireland.

A photo posted by Zelensky on Telegram showed him, Ukraines Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, al-Burhan, and a Sudanese delegation during the discussion.

Zelensky said that the leaders had discussed security, including the activities of the Russia-backed armed militia in Sudan.

The announcement comes after a reported Ukrainian attack against Russian Wagner-backed militia in Sudan.

Ukrainian special services may have been responsible for a military operation involving a series of drone strikes and a ground operation against a Wagner-backed militia in Sudan, according to a CNN investigation published on Sept. 19.

The attacks targeted the Wagner-backed militia Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been fighting al-Burhans Sudanese army for control of the country since April.

The Wagner Group's involvement in African countries, including Sudan, has been linked to the Russian government's efforts to finance its war in Ukraine.

CNN's investigation did not find conclusive proof that Ukraine was behind the operation but did obtain video footage showing "the hallmarks of Ukrainian-style drone attacks."

Experts consulted in the investigation also told CNN that the tactics used in the strikes reflect Ukrainian military patterns.

A top-ranking Sudanese military official told CNN he had "no knowledge of a Ukrainian operation in Sudan."

Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the operation in Sudan.

However, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) spokesperson Andrii Yusov said following the report on Sept. 20, citing HUR's chief Kyrylo Budanov, that "Ukraine will eliminate Russian war criminals wherever they may be in the world."

Read also: Wagner boss Prigozhin is dead. Heres what it means for Africa

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy publicly gave a cold shoulder to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to Washington on Thursday, denying the wartime leaders request to address Congress  but thats not the whole story.

McCarthys allies said hes committed to arming Ukraine, despite growing skepticism within his caucus. And Zelensky said the speaker delivered a similar message during their private meeting Thursday.

Zelenskys visit highlighted the balancing act McCarthy faces on Ukraine, especially during a broader spending fight that has exposed the deep divides within his narrow majority.

Bill Monahan, senior director for policy at Foreign Policy for America, said McCarthy is walking a thin line between supporting Ukraine and appeasing a growing share of House Republicans disillusioned with the war.

He wants to be supportive of Ukraine, but he also has to [address] this faction that is kind of disrupting U.S. policy, said Monahan. I think hes trying to keep his eye on what really matters, which is the Ukraine supplemental. Hes trying to hold together the bipartisan support for that.

But Monahan argued that if McCarthy continues to push the Ukraine issue aside, it could lend more power to skeptical House Republicans.

This remains a very vocal minority, but it may be getting larger, he said. McCarthy is going to have to step up and help make the case for this aid and its wider implications for national security.

While Zelensky addressed the majority of the Senate during his Thursday visit to Capitol Hill, he only met with a bipartisan group of senior leaders in the House.

McCarthy denied a chance for Zelensky to address Congress jointly because they didnt have time, which effectively blocked the Ukrainian leader from even trying to convince critics in the House to approve more aid.

Still, McCarthy appears to have had a positive meeting with Zelensky. The pair posed for pictures, and Zelensky himself said McCarthy showed support for future Ukraine aid.

I started my day in the American Capitol with Congress, with very frank, detailed conversations, Zelensky said in a video message posted on X. I felt trust.

In turn, McCarthy told reporters on Thursday he had a good discussion with Zelensky over his concerns about accountability of U.S. weapons and battlefield developments.

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said McCarthy asked questions to help convince his colleagues that the Ukraine war was winnable, according to the New York Times.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chair of the same House panel, said the Zelensky meeting went well and that despite the skeptics in the House, he expects the majority will support another Ukraine package.

But McCaul said supporters have to do a better job of arguing why its important to support Ukraine.

We have to explain why its a national security issue and whatever happens in Ukraine directly impacts Taiwan, McCaul told reporters. This is a great power struggle with Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, against the West.

That might be an uphill battle. More than two dozen GOP lawmakers sent a letter to President Biden ahead of Zelenskys visit, vowing to oppose further Ukraine aid.

For the moment, with the House unable to agree on government spending bills, Ukraine aid is on the backburner. And McCarthy appears unwilling to make Ukraine a priority or publicly show more enthusiasm on the issue.

After the Zelensky meeting, McCarthy demurred when asked about including Ukraine funding in a continuing resolution, stressing there were other priorities to immediately fund, like the border.

Im more than willing to look at that, he told reporters of Ukraine aid, but one thing I know is if the presidents only focused on that while you got 10,000 people coming across the border, and he wants to ignore that? I think there are priorities.

Jordan Cohen, defense and foreign policy analyst for the conservative Cato Institute, said McCarthy has shown he is supportive of Ukraine but only so far as it doesnt threaten his speakership.

If McCarthy had allowed Zelensky to address Congress, he would have broadcast a very clear statement that he supports Ukraine, potentially angering conservative lawmakers in the House Freedom Caucus who oppose more aid.

McCarthy has bigger things he wants to accomplish as speaker that dont have to do with Ukraine, Cohen said. He doesnt want to just shut down Zelensky and pretend like he doesnt exist because again, at its core, I think McCarthy probably would want to get that aid.

Beyond that, McCarthy doesnt want to lose the speakership and to not lose the speakership means to keep the Freedom Caucus behind him, he added.

Even smaller amounts of Ukraine aid is already becoming a major problem in the House. McCarthy on Friday said he would remove the $300 million for Ukraine in a defense appropriations bill and will instead hold a separate vote on the funding.

That move may have been designed to appease critics who voted against the defense appropriations bill on Thursday. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) was among the lawmakers who opposed the legislation because it contained Ukraine aid.

McCarthys position is increasingly contrasting with the Senate, where the vast majority of lawmakers are wholly supportive of continuing to back Ukraine.

To underscore the dire need of supporting Ukraine, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) shared a quote from Zelensky in his remarks after the meeting: If we dont get the aid, we will lose the war.

And Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has also emphatically backed supporting Ukraine, a position he emphasized after the Zelensky meeting, saying Ukraine aid was not charity but an an investment in our own direct interests and national security.

Cohen, from the Cato Institute, said concerned House Republicans have legitimate questions about Ukraine aid, including how more funds will help toward the goal of accomplishing the Biden administrations end-game in Ukraine, as well as greater transparency on weapons transfers.

However, Cohen explained there is an opportunity for McCarthy to get critics on board if there are clear answers to those questions.

Long term, that may be how McCarthy gets [skeptical] House Republicans to not necessarily support Ukraine aid, but to not threaten his speakership over it, Cohen said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Countries cannot remain neutral in Russia's war against Ukraine, as it would only strengthen Russia, and then could pose a threat to other nations, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa on Sept. 22.

"You help either Ukraine or Russia. There will be no (neutrals) in this war, Zelenskyy said.

Read also: Canada expands sanction list against Russia

By weakening assistance to Ukraine, you will strengthen Russia. And a powerful Russia and what to expect from it... I think history in books and witnesses has long since answered this question. If someone wants to take a risk, fine, weaken assistance to Ukrainians. But, to be frank and honest, freedom, democracy and human rights must be fought for."

Zelenskyy also expressed his gratitude to the partner countries that help Ukraine with weapons and funding.

Read also: Zelenskyy after meeting with Biden says US will stand with Ukraine as long as needed

"Yet this is not the highest price. Ukraine is still paying the highest price for this today  in people, in the number of deaths. Therefore, were very grateful for the help."

The Ukrainian president and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in Canada on Sept. 22 after making a three-day visit to the United States, where Zelenskyy addressed the UN General Assembly in New York, and met with President Joe Biden in Washington DC.

In Canada, Ukraines head of state met with Trudeau, with whom he discussed Kyivs military needs, future financial and humanitarian support, and economic and investment cooperation.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have met with Canadian business leaders interested in investing in Ukraine.

Source: Ukrinform

Quote: "Right now, we are most interested in the reconstruction of Ukraine: energy facilities, water supply, dams, infrastructure and, of course, military equipment.

The second part is the start of work on the transformation of Ukraine, which will take place after the war. I would say that it is cheaper to do this now than after the victory. So, please, open [your businesses  ed.] in Ukraine, we are very interested in jobs, new businesses and technologies, and we are very digitalised, probably the leaders in Europe in this area."

Details: For his part, Trudeau noted that there is still a lot of work to be done in the area of humanitarian and military assistance, which his government is working on, but much of it also concerns the economic bloc: "So I'm very pleased that business leaders are here to talk to President Zelenskyy."

Background:

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has presented state awards to a Polish journalist and a volunteer medic in Lublin. He thanked the Polish people, noting that any challenges on their shared path were "nothing compared to the strength between Ukrainians and Poles".

Source: Ukrainian presidents website

Quote from Zelenskyy: "I am proud that Ukraine has such a strong neighbour. I would like to thank you. I would like to express my gratitude to the entire Polish people, to all the people who, from the very first days, opened up their families and their homes [to refugees], opened their hearts and helped [us].

Any challenges on our common path are nothing compared to the strength between our peoples."

Details: While in Lublin on his way back from a working visit to Canada, Zelenskyy presented state awards to Polish journalist Bianka Zalewska and volunteer medic Damian Duda.





Bianka Zalewska, a journalist for TVN Discovery Poland, has been working in the Anti-Terrorist Operation zone in Donbas since 2014, where she was severely injured. She collected and delivered humanitarian aid to Ukraine as a volunteer. Since the outbreak of Russias full-scale war against Ukraine, she has provided significant assistance to units of Ukraine's Armed Forces; as a volunteer, she has helped transport seriously ill children to hospitals in Poland.

Rescue medic Damian Duda has assembled a team of medics who have been purchasing essential medicines with their own money and travelling to Ukraine to provide emergency medical care and evacuate wounded frontline soldiers to a stabilisation centre. He also set up a charity to fund the purchase of medicines for volunteer medical teams in Ukraine.

Bianka Zalewska was awarded the Order of Princess Olha, 2nd Class, and Damian Duda was awarded the Order of Merit, 3rd Class, by presidential decrees.

Background:

The grain crisis has recently put relations between Ukraine and Poland under enormous strain. Poland reacted angrily to Zelenskyy's speech at the UN, and Ukraine has responded similarly to the Polish presidents recent remarks comparing Ukraine to a drowning man and the prime ministers statement on arms supplies.

The tension between Warsaw and Kyiv is related to unilateral Polish restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural products and Ukraine's actions in response.

Ukraine has proposed an export control plan for four crops  wheat, maize, sunflower and rape  to the European Commission and Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania to protect their domestic markets.

Despite this, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia decided to introduce unilateral restrictions. In response, Ukraine has filed a complaint against these three countries to the World Trade Organisation.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have met with representatives of the Canadian business community in Toronto, the Ukrainian President's press service announced on Sept. 23.

Read also: Zelenskyy after meeting with Biden says US will stand with Ukraine as long as needed

The meeting was attended by the Ukraines President Office Head Andriy Yermak, his deputy Rostyslav Shurma, Canadian Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, Ukrainian Canadian Congress President Alexandra Chyczij, and heads of companies operating in the investment, banking, export, construction, energy, technology, and other sectors.

Zelenskyy thanked Canada for the assistance received by Ukraine, and stressed the importance of the implementation of post-war projects for the reconstruction of the country, as well as Ukraine's interest in in the economic and technological contribution of Canadian business.

Trudeau emphasized the importance not only of humanitarian and military aid, but also of economic support for Ukraine.

Read also: Zelenskyy discusses Ukraines reconstruction with influential US businessmen in Washington

The participants of the meeting paid attention to the prospects of investment in Ukraine and the necessary conditions to start this process before the end of the war.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit to the United States held a meeting with some of that nations most influential entrepreneurs and leaders of major investment funds, Zelenskyys press service reported on Sept. 22. The meeting was facilitated by the worlds largest investment bank, JP Morgan, which manages assets exceeding $30 trillion.

The Ukrainian president and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in Canada on Sept. 22 after their three days visit to the United States, where Zelenskyy addressed the UN General Assembly in New York, and met with President Joe Biden in Washington DC. Ukraines head of state met with Trudeau, discussing Kyivs military needs, future financial and humanitarian support, as well as economic and investment cooperation.

Canada will extend a three-year-long $482 million aid program to Ukraine, which will be used to procure 50 armored vehicles manufactured in Ontario, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Sept. 22.

Read also: Canada announces $480 million aid program for Ukraine

Trudeau also stated that Canada would send instructors to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Saturday he will seriously consider a visit to South Korea when he met with South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on the sidelines of the Asian Games, an official said.

Xi brought up the issue first during the meeting with Han in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, just before the opening ceremony, the official said.

"This means that President Xi knows it is his turn to visit South Korea," the official said on condition of anonymity, adding that Xi's visit has "long been delayed."

Xi last visited South Korea in 2014. President Yoon Suk Yeol extended an invitation to Xi when they met on the sidelines of a Group of 20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, in November 2022.

During the meeting with Han, Xi also expressed support for inter-Korean reconciliation and pledged continued efforts for peace on the Korean Peninsula after Han asked China to play a constructive role, according to First Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin.

Han made the request while briefing Xi on President Yoon Suk Yeol's "Audacious Initiative" policy designed to offer massive economic assistance to North Korea in exchange for its denuclearization steps, according to Chang.

Xi also said China appreciates Seoul's efforts to resume the long-suspended annual three-way summit between South Korea, China and Japan, and that Beijing welcomes the holding of a trilateral summit at an appropriate time, Chang said.

The trilateral summit, which began in 2008, was last held in 2019.

The commitment to cooperation also comes ahead of a scheduled high-level meeting between South Korea, China and Japan in Seoul next Tuesday. The meeting will bring together South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Byung-won; Takehiro Funakoshi, Japan's senior deputy foreign minister; and Nong Rong, China's assistant minister of foreign affairs.

"We will make efforts to ensure that the summit can be held promptly, starting with the high-level meeting next week and proceeding through the foreign ministerial conference," Han was quoted by Chang as saying.

Han asked Xi for China's support for Seoul's efforts to host the 2030 World Expo in the city of Busan, and Xi said in response that China will "seriously consider" the request.South Korea has also been making efforts to improve relations with China, which critics say have recently cooled due to what they describe as Yoon's attempts to bring South Korea closer to the United States and Japan, a departure from the previous Moon Jae-in administration's greater emphasis on China.

Saturday's meeting took place against the backdrop of recent rapprochement between Pyongyang and Moscow, following a rare summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Han explained our side's bold ideas and recent developments related to the Korean Peninsula situation, and urged China to continue playing a constructive role," Chang said.

The issue of a potential arms deal between Russia and North Korea was not mentioned during Saturday's meeting, the official said.

This marks the first meeting between Han and Xi, Chang said. It is also the first visit by a South Korean Prime Minister to China in four-and-a-half years.

"I hope to cultivate a healthy and mature relationship between South Korea and China, grounded in mutual respect, mutual benefit and common interests," Han was quoted by the Prime Minister's Office as saying.

In light of the ongoing threats posed by North Korea, Han further emphasized that the high-level talks between Seoul and Beijing demonstrate both countries' commitment to elevating their relations to the next level.

"Both countries are not only grappling with heightened regional tensions due to North Korea's persistent provocations but also facing global challenges, such as economic uncertainty and disruptions in supply chains," Han said.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping, right, and Korean Prime Minister Han Duck Soo meet in Hangzhou, China, where the 19th ASian Games are taking place, Sept. 23. Courtesy of Prime Minister's Office

Han also conveyed President Yoon's special regards and hoped for the successful hosting of the Asian Games, the office said.

Earlier in the day, as part of his two-day trip, Han attended a luncheon hosted by Xi for the leaders of countries competing in the Asian Games.

Han is accompanied by Chang and Vice Culture Minister Jang Mi-ran, a former Olympic gold medalist in weightlifting.

Han earlier told reporters that Seoul is committed to maintaining an amicable relationship with Beijing, emphasizing that his upcoming trip to the Asian Games aims to demonstrate Seoul's dedication to enhancing South Korea-China relations.

South Korea has usually sent the culture minister to such events. (Yonhap)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flew to Ireland after his visits to Canada and the USA.

Source: Office of the President of Ukraine

Details: It is specified that the president landed at Shannon airport in the west of Ireland.

Currently, it is not certain how long the head of state will stay in the country; his future plans are unknown, too.

Zelenskyy held an unscheduled meeting with the head of the Sovereign Council of the Republic of Sudan, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in the airport building.

He expressed gratitude for Sudan's consistent support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Quote: "The parties discussed common security challenges, in particular the activities of illegal armed groups financed by Russia.

Zelenskyy invited Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to support the Grain From Ukraine humanitarian initiative, which aims to supply food to the most vulnerable countries in Africa, and to join the Global Peace Summit."

Background:

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy predicted during his visit to Washington that the Armed Forces of Ukraine would liberate the city of Bakhmut by the end of the year, which indicates a difference in the position of Ukraine and the United States on the counteroffensive, writes The New York Times.

Source: The New York Times

Details: These plans demonstrate the schism between Kyiv and American war planners who believe Ukraine should focus more on the south.

According to journalists, some American officials say that "the fight in Bakhmut has become something of an obsession for Mr. Zelenskyy and his military leaders".

Zelenskyy, in a Thursday meeting with American editors, also predicted that Ukrainian troops would de-occupy two more cities captured by Russia. He didn't say which.

And contrary to the expectations of military analysts from the West, President Zelenskyy said that Ukraine would fight all winter, without a pause in operations.

Some US officials have said the Ukrainian counteroffensive does not appear to achieve the strategic goals of cutting or narrowing the land bridge between Crimea and the Russian border.

Russian minefields have proven to be a powerful defence, and the Ukrainian authorities are extremely concerned about the heavy losses that could be caused by any attempts to overcome these barriers.

US officials warned that as the ground gets softer and muddier, it will soon be even harder for Ukrainian forces to maintain a drive forward. According to some officials, the Ukrainian army will need time to rest its forces that have been worn out by the summer's fighting and rebuild their equipment stockpile within the next few weeks.

More details: Journalists recall that these plans were shared by Washington and Kyiv.

American military officials have urged Ukraine to make an effort to liberate Melitopol, which is located in the southern part of the country. Even though recent efforts have concentrated on that, Ukraine's window of opportunity to breach Russian defences is closing.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Lynchburg police are investigating a potential swatting call that led authorities to Hanover Street on Wednesday afternoon.

Officers responded to the 2100 block of Hanover Street at 3:37 p.m. Wednesday to a call from a man claiming he was holding his family hostage and was going to harm them, LPD said in a release. Officers were told the man was armed with a gun.

Patrol officers set up a perimeter and multiple specialized units were called out to assist, LPD said. When the home was searched no residents were located inside, and the incident is being investigated as a potential swatting call.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective M. Scott at (434) 455-6174 or by calling the Central Virginia Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900. An anonymous tip can also be made online using http://p3tips.com or by downloading the P3 app on any mobile device. A cash reward of up to $1,000 may be available for tips that lead to an arrest in this crime.

 Emma Martin,

The News & Advance
Another new restaurant is opening soon in the Bedford Avenue business district.

Taco Jesus  pronounced hay-soos  will be opening in mid-October at 2309 Bedford Ave. in the former Marios Pizza location.

Owner Jesus Ochoa said the restaurant will serve up handmade tortillas and tacos and beer.

Ochoa moved to Lynchburg 20 years ago from Central Mexico and attended Brookville High School. He has worked for La Carreta and is now the senior project manager for Penny Lane Properties.

His in-law, Rodolfo Rudy Ayala, will be the chef preparing all the tacos and as Ochoa puts it, is the glue and the driving force behind the operation.

It has always been a dream of Ayalas to operate his own taco restaurant and at Taco Jesus, customers will be able to actually see who is making their food.

The inside of the restaurant, about 950 square feet, will have communal tables, colorful murals and paper flowers, and a connection to what is traditionally the back-of-house operations where Ayala will be making tacos along with other staff members hand making the tortillas.

You get to know who is cooking in the kitchen. I was a waiter and people would say, Thank you for the food, and Id say, I had nothing to do with it, Ochoa said. And Rudy has a lot of charisma, he makes tacos enjoyable.

He said one thing he really misses about Mexico is the little taco stands everywhere and the customers know the name of the person cooking their food.

Theres a connection between the food and the friendship, he said.

The menu will include mostly tacos made with carnitas, carne asada, chicken, barbacoa and colorful toppings.

I envision this to be a generational opportunity, he said. Because Im not in this business to make money and for some reason, God has given me this opportunity and I feel its my job to increase opportunity for other people. And for Rudy, were helping him achieve that goal that he really wants. So hes owning his craft and gets to do it with the love that he has and then show it to people.

Ochoa said the biggest task has been cleaning up the former pizza shop and painting the interior. The deck out front will also be operational but needs improvements.

Jordan Nickerson was hired to build and manage the staff and run operations.

He said Ochoa wanted to create an opportunity and way for his family and friends to create something for themselves.

So when they called me, we were super interested in working with these guys who I have a ton of respect for, he said. So it was a no-brainer.

Nickerson, owner of Rookies and Bacon Street Bagels, said he has been brought on to leverage and use his experiences with developing and hiring a team and training them for the front of house operations.

So were doing everything we can from our experience to make this as successful as it can be, he said. We cant wait to see what gets brought out of it.

There are a lot of other great Mexican and Hispanic foods in the area, Nickerson said, but whats unique about Taco Jesus is being able to blend cultures.

Weve been brought in to bring our own flair, whether thats modern or trendy, but what were excited for is to see a blending of cultures, he said. Its been very fun preparing for it, trying to learn new words and Ive learned a lot about certain aspects about their Mexican culture previous to working with them. So hopefully the store is a representation of those two cultures coming together. Its a sweet little team. Its a joy.

Ochoa said he wants the restaurant to be a place of community for all types of people.

If we can have all these people sitting on the same side of the table dealing with the same issues and doing it over their love for tacos, thats my goal and thats success, he said.
THE STORM

The National Hurricane Center at about 2 p.m. Friday upgraded a storm system moving towards the East Coast as Tropical Storm Ophelia. The system was centered 150 miles southwest of Cape Fear, North Carolina.

THE IMPACT ON VIRGINIA

Heavy rain, storm surge and high winds are expected from North Carolina through the Chesapeake Bay. Ophelia had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph, according to the center.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Friday declared a State of Emergency, which allows state emergency management officials to ready equipment and supplies.

As this storm has organized and strengthened, it's becoming clear based on the latest forecasts that impacts to the commonwealth are likely, Youngkin said. We want to ensure that all communities, particularly those with the greatest anticipated impact, have the resources they need to respond and recover from the effects of this storm.

Meteorologist Joe Martucci said Richmond could be the bulls-eye for the heaviest rain.

This is a multi-impact storm, he said.

WHEN IT WILL ARRIVE

Rain was falling in North Carolina by midday Friday.

Martucci said high winds and rains are expected to start between 7 and 10 p.m. Friday in the Richmond region.

If theres anything else that you need, this is the time to start making sure that you finish your preparations and stay home, said meteorologist Maria Torres, a public affairs officer with the Miami-based National Hurricane Center, on Friday.

HOW LONG IT WILL LAST

Martucci said the rain would be heaviest overnight, but likely would continue well into Saturday afternoon as the core of the storm passes over central Virginia.

A storm surge warning was in effect from Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina, to Chincoteague, Virginia, and a tropical storm warning was issued from Cape Fear, North Carolina to Fenwick Island, Delaware.

The systems center is expected to move inland over eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia and near the Chesapeake Bay through Sunday, Mike Brennan, the hurricane centers director, said in a livestreamed briefing on Friday.

Here are all of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane names Arlene: June 1, 2023 Bret: June 19, 2023 Cindy: June 22, 2023 Don: July 14, 2023 Emily: Aug 15, 2023 Franklin: Aug. 20, 2023 Gert: Aug. 21, 2023 Harold: Aug. 21, 2023 Idalia: Aug. 24, 2023 Hurricane Idalia in review: What went right, what went wrong, where do we go from here? Jose: Aug. 31, 2023 Katia: Sept. 1, 2023 Lee: Sept. 5, 2023 Margot (Pronounced MAR-go): Sept. 7, 2023 Nigel: Sept. 16, 2023 Ophelia: Sept. 22, 2023 Philippe (Pronounced fee-LEEP): Sept. 23, 2023 Rina: Sept. 28, 2023 Sean: Oct. 11, 2023 Hurricane tracker Your browser does not support the iframe HTML tag. Try viewing this in a modern browser like Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Internet Explorer 9 or later. Vince Whitney What happens if all of those names are used? If the National Hurricane Center wants to classify a tropical cyclone beyond Whitney, a supplemental list of names are used. These names have been in place since 2021. Before 2021, the Greek alphabet was used for additional storms. However, a very active 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season, and the Greek alphabet storm names, brought confusion. This led the World Meteorological Organization to swap those names for this list. Interactive: Hurricanes in the North Atlantic, 1980-2022
This is a developing story that will be updated.

4:34 p.m.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has issued an emergency declaration aiming to expedite preparations and help provide a swift response to Tropical Storm Ophelia.

The storms path has been difficult to predict and we want to ensure that farmers, first responders and utility crews have the tools necessary to prepare for severe weather, Cooper said.

3:34 p.m.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued a statement urging in path of Tropical Storm Ophelia "to prepare now and follow the instructions of local officials."

*State of Emergency Declared for Virginia*

Devices charged? Stocked emergency kit? Know the forecast for your area? TROPICAL STORM OPHELIA is right on our doorstep, and the storm is expected to have impacts statewide. #MakeAPlan #BuildAKit #BeInformed #TropicalStormOphelia pic.twitter.com/aJIWjIHfu2  Virginia Department of Emergency Management (@VDEM) September 22, 2023

Residents and visitors in potentially affected areas should learn their evacuation routes, have a family emergency communications plan, charge their devices and batteries, ensure they are receiving emergency alerts and check on their neighbors, especially those who are older adults or may need additional assistance.

The agency also said it has deployed response teams to work alongside crews Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

3:26 p.m.

Events cancelled, postponed

Various Richmond-area events have been cancelled or postponed because of Tropical Storm Ophelia. See the updated list here.

2:18 p.m.

Tropical Storm Ophelia forms, expected to bring heavy rain and wind

The National Hurricane Center has upgraded a storm system moving toward Virginia as Tropical Storm Ophelia.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph, according to a 2 p.m. advisory from the Miami-based center. The storm was centered 150 miles southeast of Cape Fear, North Carolina. It was forecast to make landfall Saturday morning.

Tropical Storm #Ophelia Advisory 5A: Cyclone Becomes Tropical Storm Ophelia. Tropical Storm Conditions Continuing Across Coastal Portions of North Carolina. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ  National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 22, 2023

*State of Emergency Declared for Virginia*

Devices charged? Stocked emergency kit? Know the forecast for your area? TROPICAL STORM OPHELIA is right on our doorstep, and the storm is expected to have impacts statewide. #MakeAPlan #BuildAKit #BeInformed #TropicalStormOphelia pic.twitter.com/aJIWjIHfu2  Virginia Department of Emergency Management (@VDEM) September 22, 2023

12:44 p.m.

Youngkin declares state of emergency ahead of storm

Gov. Glenn Youngkin has declared a state of emergency in advance of a powerful storm headed to Virginia.

The declaration clears the way for state emergency management officials to move a range of equipment and supplies out of storage and near points where state and local emergency workers can move the items quickly to where they are needed.

The declaration activates the Virginia Emergency Support Team while the Virginia Emergency Operations Center (VEOC) will coordinate preparedness, response and recovery efforts with local, state and federal officials.

As this storm has organized and strengthened, it's becoming clear based on the latest forecasts that impacts to the commonwealth are likely, Youngkin said.

We want to ensure that all communities, particularly those with the greatest anticipated impact, have the resources they need to respond and recover from the effects of this storm, he said.

He said Virginians should make sure they have emergency kits on hand and a plan for coping with the storms rain and wind.

12:15 p.m.

Richmond in path of major storm

Richmond could be the bulls-eye for the heaviest rain, Lee Enterprises Weather Team meteorologist Joe Martucci said Friday. This is a multi-impact storm, he added, noting that high winds will accompany the soaking rains that should start pounding the Richmond metro area between 7 and 10 p.m. Friday.

Martucci said the rain would be heaviest overnight, but likely would continue well into Saturday afternoon as the core of the storm passes over central Virginia.

Forecasters on Thursday warned that a coastal storm was developing over the Atlantic Ocean and was expected to bring soaking rain and lashing winds to the Richmond area. The storm, which prompted event cancellations, could cause power outages, traffic disruptions and flooding.

The tropical storm warning put coastal North Carolina to Delaware on alert ahead of the weather system that the National Hurricane Center says could develop into a tropical cyclone.

Although the system had reached tropical storm strength, it wasn't yet given a name and the National Hurricane Center was still referring to it as Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen on Friday morning. The hurricane center defines a potential tropical cyclone as a disturbance posing a threat of tropical storm or hurricane conditions to land within 48 hours.

People along the Atlantic coast need to be ready because the high wind and rains would worsen during the day Friday and into the weekend, said Meteorologist Maria Torres, a public affairs officer with the Miami-based National Hurricane Center.

If theres anything else that you need, this is the time to start making sure that you finish your preparations and stay home, Torres told The Associated Press.

Rainfall of 3 to 5 inches, with localized amounts up to 7 inches, was expected across eastern North Carolina and into southeast Virginia through Saturday, the center said.

The storm was off the coast of South Carolina and North Carolina early Friday with top sustained winds of 50 mph, the National Hurricane Center said. A storm surge warning was in effect for some areas, with surges between 3 and 5 feet forecast for parts of North Carolina, the center reported.

The storm was located about 255 miles east of Charleston, South Carolina, and about 200 miles south Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and moving north around 12 mph, the center said.

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore was closing campgrounds Friday, and the North Carolina Ferry System announced it was suspending several routes. North Carolinas State Emergency Response Team planned to move to an enhanced watch Friday to ease coordination of resources, the governors office said. Schools in coastal areas of North Carolina and Virginia announced plans to dismiss students early Friday and cancel after-school and weekend activities.

The forecast prompted the cancellation of events across the region, including the Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival, which had been set to return to City Dock in Annapolis, Maryland, on Saturday. Hampton Cup Regatta organizers canceled that event in Virginia, saying the forecast was not optimal for hydroplane racing or Friday evening's concert.

The U.S. Coast Guard closed the ports of Wilmington and Morehead City in North Carolina to all inbound traffic Thursday. The agency expected to close ports in Virginia on Friday afternoon and cease all vessel movements on the Chesapeake Bay south of the Bay Bridge at 10 p.m. Friday, according to Petty Officer Ryan Noel.

The tropical storm warning was in effect from Cape Fear, North Carolina, to Fenwick Island, Delaware. It also includes the Chesapeake Bay south of North Beach, Tidal Potomac south of Cobb Island and the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds. Storm surge warnings were in effect for areas throughout the region, the hurricane center said.

A storm surge warning was in effect from Duck, North Carolina, to Chincoteague, including Chesapeake Bay south of Windmill Point, and for the Neuse River, the Pamlico River and portions of Pamlico Sound.

A storm surge watch was also issued from Surf City in North Carolina to Duck, North Carolina, along with Chesapeake Bay north of Windmill Point to Smith Point, the Tidal Potomac south of Colonial Beach and Albemarle and the remainder of Pamlico Sound.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Nigel was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone centered about 640 miles northwest of the Azores with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. There were no associated coastal watches or warnings as the storm moved northeast at 37 mph, the hurricane center said in its final update on the system Friday morning.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
FUKUOKA, Sep 24 ( News On Japan ) - The 'Rehabilitation Exhibition,' featuring furniture and everyday items produced by inmates in prisons, commenced Saturday in Fukuoka City, showcasing products known for their high-quality craftsmanship and affordable prices, carry the hope of preventing reoffending.

The products include a bookshelf measuring over one meter made of wood and glass, as well as items like combs and tie pins with pure gold components. Remarkably, all these goods were crafted by inmates within prison walls.

The primary goal of the 'Rehabilitation Exhibition' is to raise awareness about the current circumstances of inmates striving for reintegration into society.

At Fukuoka Prison in Umi Town, Fukuoka Prefecture, the work of inmates starts shortly after 7:30 in the morning.

Prison work is mandatory for inmates serving sentences of imprisonment, which can range from woodworking to printing, depending on their skills and aptitudes. One of the objectives is to equip inmates with professional knowledge and skills.

The exhibition will be held for two days from Sep 24 at the "Fukuoka Island City Forum" in Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City.

Approximately 8,500 handcrafted products made by inmates, including furniture and everyday items, will be available for sale. A portion of the proceeds will be allocated to supporting victims of crime.
NORFOLK  I wanted to say a big thank you to all of the Norfolk Public Schools teachers, principals and all of the teammates who work so hard every day for my boys and all of the children in the district.
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP)  Israeli troops and tanks pushed deeper into Gaza on Monday, advancing on two sides of the territorys main city, as the U.N. and medical staff warned that airstrikes have hit closer to hospitals where tens of thousands of Palestinians have sought shelter alongs
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.
President Yoon Suk Yeol returned home Saturday after a six-day visit to New York to attend the U.N. General Assembly, according to his office.





Yoon delivered a keynote address to the U.N. gathering Wednesday (local time), sending a stark warning that any arms deal between North Korea and Russia would be considered a direct provocation against South Korea.





His remarks came in the wake of last week's summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia's Far East, which raised concerns over a potential exchange of the North's ammunition for Russian weapons technology.





Following his arrival in New York, Monday, Yoon used the U.N. session to have a whirlwind of summits with world leaders, on the sidelines, to make the last pitch for South Korea's bid to host the 2030 World Expo in the southern city of Busan.





The back-to-back meetings took place with leaders of countries in Africa, Central and South America, Eastern Europe, and others.





Yoon was accompanied by first lady Kim Keon Hee.





Back home, Yoon is expected to focus on dealing with domestic issues, including the opposition party-led passage of the dismissal motion against Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.





Yoon is also expected to hold a session where he will explain the outcome of his U.S. visit to the public. (Yonhap)
Nigeria has successfully attracted a total of $13 billion in investment commitments in its oil and gas sector from major international energy companies, according to Olu Verheijen, the special adviser on energy to the countrys President Bola Tinubu.

Verheijen said that she has partnered with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and they have recently met in Lagos and Abuja with representatives of 15 prominent oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria, including ExxonMobil, Chevron, TotalEnergies, Shell, NAOC, among others, to secure their commitment to invest in Nigerian oil and gas.

We are faced with a revenue crisis which is impacting all Nigerians. To urgently address this, President Bola Tinubu is actively seeking ways to grow revenue and forex to stabilize our economy and currency, and the oil and gas sector remains critical to our ability to do so despite current production levels falling significantly short of our potential, Verheijen said.

One of the key objectives of the discussions with the 15 major oil and gas companies reportedly was to advance a Presidential Initiative focused on tackling the nations revenue crisis while also playing a role in stabilizing Nigerias economy. According to the Office of the Special Adviser on Energy, these discussions unveiled substantial investment prospects, with a projected total of $55.2 billion in investments anticipated by 2030, of which $13.5 billion is expected to be invested by these companies within twelve months from now.

Nigerias oil production is currently around 1 million bpd below its capacity, with a lack of investments, a shortage of funding sources because of the energy transition, and insecurity cited by the government as key factors driving the situation. The consultations also highlighted the key enablers required that will ensure the delivery of 2.1 million barrels by December 2024, positioning Nigeria well ahead of President Tinubus campaign promise of 2.6 million barrels by 2027.
The development of Moroccan-German cooperation was the focus of a seminar held in Berlin on Friday by the German-Moroccan Skills Network DMK.

The meeting, placed under the theme Strategic dialogue to promote development cooperation, was held as part of the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the cooperation agreement between Morocco and Germany in the field of manpower.

Addressing the gathering, Claudia Martini, from the German Federal Governments Delegation for Migration, Refugees and Integration, said that this event testifies to the density of relations between Morocco and Germany, and at the same time reflects the importance attached by the Kingdom to developing its ties with Germany.

Highlighting the need to generalize the principle of cultural diversity in the various German administrations, she stressed that such actions would help to further integrate citizens of different nationalities into German society.

On his part, Secretary General of the Department of Moroccan Expatriates at the Foreign Ministry, Ismail Lamghari, stressed the importance of this event, which would help give impetus to relations between the two countries.

Rooted in history, relations between Morocco and Germany have recently seen a strong dynamic, he noted, recalling in this respect the Joint Declaration of August 25, 2022, establishing a strategic dialogue on bilateral and international issues of common interest.

Moroccans living in Germany, who number around 150,000, are active in various fields and contribute to the economic and social development of Germany and Morocco, he said, calling on the new generations to further strengthen their presence through their many skills.

For his part, president of the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME), Driss El Yazami, emphasized that Moroccan communities demonstrate in Europe an undeniable dynamism in terms of roots as evidenced, among other indicators, by the rate of naturalization. These naturalizations show a strong aspiration to integrate into the hosting societies, he said.

Aware of the importance of the Moroccan diaspora and the role it plays in development cooperation, Morocco devoted to this diaspora four articles in the 2011 Constitution, said El Yazami.
The first Girls In Aviation open house took place on Saturday at the North Platte Regional Airport.

Representatives of the military and National Weather Service joined private sector pilots in the Trego Dugan hangar to speak to girls about their careers in flight and how those interested might get started in aviation.

The local chapter of Women in Aviation International hosted the event. WAI is a nonprofit that encourages women to become interested in the aviation industry, local chapter president Krista Schufeldt said.

Theres kind of a lack of women in aviation, Schufeldt said. I think theres only like 6% of women in the field right now. As we continue into the years, we really want to strengthen the force and show everybody that women are as equal as men. We can do the same jobs they can.

Saturday is the organizations Girls in Aviation day for every chapter worldwide. Schufeldt said the North Platte chapter just formed in April and already boasts 10 members.

While the organization is directed toward encouraging women to join aviation as a career, they encourage people of any gender to join their chapter, she said. Anybody as young as 8 can join. Membership is free for those 18 and younger, Schufeldt said.

The North Platte chapter meets every third Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Airport Terminal Conference room.

Nine years ago, I started my aviation career starting out as a pilot. And my family is in the medical field. We didnt have the aviation background and I didnt really know the resources available back then, Schufeldt said. And thats something I have learned throughout the past nine years and why Ive started our women in aviation chapter here in Nebraska, is to show the girls, Hey like, heres the path to do this. Let me help mentor you.

Flight Nurse Jess Arizona, who works in the Great Plains Health LifeNet air ambulance when patients need emergency transport, was on-hand to talk about her career and experiences.

Arizona started as an emergency room nurse for 16 years, did ground EMS work for another two and graduated up to flying a little over a year and a half ago.

What drew me to aviation is, I got to be outside, I still get to do the job I love, which is taking care of our community and servicing really great people, she said.

She said she loves to do her job while working in a helicopter. It has allowed her to visit many parts of the country, including California and Arizona.

We take patients out of here wherever they need to go to best meet their needs, she said.

Arizona said she would like to see more women in her field.

Looking at crews, we definitely have more males than we do females on both sides, the pilot side, the medic side and the nurse side, she said. But you know, we do have female crew members and we have quite a few here at North Platte so were very lucky.

Arizona said she always wanted to be a nurse, but caught the EMS bug and then the aviation bug in her career. Her husband is a mechanic who works on the helicopter she rides in and she has three daughters who are involved in aviation in some way.

According to gphealth.org, the helicopter is a Eurocopter 135 twin-engine aircraft. The helicopter is equipped with medical equipment where she sits with the patient in the back and keeps them healthy for the trip.

Schufeldt said ever since I was in kindergarten I wanted to be a pilot. Like, we took a family vacation and on the takeoff roll I looked over at my dad and I was like, Dad, I want to do this when Im older! Never once changing my mind throughout high school.

For more information visit wai.org.
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photo: Microsoft

Google and Microsoft make some of the most-used software in the world. Theyre also deeply committed, financially and narratively, to AI. Microsoft is by far the largest investor in OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, and has comprehensive access to its technology. Google is responsible for a lot of the foundational research that makes generative AI possible and has spent billions developing tools of its own. Both have been trying to figure out how to actually deploy AI in the products that make them money, and theyre trying all sorts of things.

Google is testing out auto-summarized searches and tools for writing emails and documents. Microsoft has built tools to speed up programming tasks. Each has shown off tools that purport to streamline work-related tasks  transcribing meetings; manipulating data in spreadsheets; and generating or editing text, images, presentations, and videos  bringing automation to bear on routine productivity tasks. You can expect to run into a lot of this sort of stuff soon, if you havent already, in the form of little buttons and prompts offering shortcuts: Summarize this; generate that.

But Microsoft and Google  along with many others  have converged on another way to build AI into all their products to which theyre ready to subject approximately the entire computer-using public: chatbots.

Early this week, Google announced Bard Extensions, which let users access their Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Drive data through a chat interface; Maps and YouTube will be accessible via chat as well. On Thursday, Microsoft announced a collection of tools called CoPilot for Windows, which has users chatting, in natural language, with their computers.

Its conceptually obvious enough. Large language models are good at generating text and also at interpreting it. In the way early graphical interfaces automated complicated text commands, the thinking goes, computers that can simply listen  and be told plainly what to do  might automate clicking, scrolling, typing, and more. Software is suddenly much better at extracting intent from written or spoken text, so sure: Its time to put chat interfaces everywhere. Its time to stop using your computer and start telling your computer what to do.

Google and Microsoft know this is more possible, now. What they dont yet know is whether people actually want it. The recent history of consumer tech is littered with high-profile and overeager attempts to get people to use conversational interfaces. Siri, which showed up on iPhones in 2011 and has since expanded across Apples product range, remains a useful but limited tool for completing simple tasks mostly when you cant look at a screen or use a keyboard. Amazon has sold a ton of Alexa-based devices, but it never became a comprehensive interface for talking to the internet, just a nice way to set timers, check the weather, or control certain kinds of smart home equipment. Both are currently promising big LLM-powered updates, but they stand as gently cautionary tales about how people want to use computers, that is, in a bunch of different ways, depending on the task.

Bard Extensions are available for those who want to try them, and I have. It turns out its not that obvious to this longtime and frequent user of Google products what I even want out of a Google personal assistant. Its attempts to summarize my recent emails, or find documents Ive worked on with specific collaborators, failed in crucial ways. (It found just two of dozens of documents Id collaborated on with an editor, one of which I hadnt.) At the New York Times, Kevin Roose tested it more comprehensively and came away surprised at how janky it was for a public product:

What I found was a bit of a mess. In my testing, Bard succeeded at some simpler tasks, such as summarizing an email. But it also told me about emails that werent in my inbox, gave me bad travel advice and fell flat on harder analytical tasks.

Competence issues aside, in some cases, chatting with Bard was more trouble than just doing the thing myself  it took longer, required more work on my part, and produced results that, if technically correct, were still slightly askew or incomplete. Theres also an underlying strangeness to the whole interaction. Accessing your inbox through a personified chatbot is a weird way to interact with your email much in the same way that accessing your email through another person would be weird. Its not nearly assertive or good enough to function as CEO-grade executive assistant who takes care of your email for you. Its more like texting with some guy who has your passwords.

These companies will presumably observe how people chat, and prefer not to chat, with their various products and adjust accordingly. Some things are better left to a button or a menu or a simple search box  plenty of things, decades later, are still best handled with the command line. Until then, we can expect chatbots to show up everywhere, as if theyd been fed the prompt: Imagine yourself as a hammer. Now, tell me some things that look like a nail. (Or, in real human terms, as if a thousand product managers at a hundred tech companies are trying to figure out what to do with their fresh OpenAI licensing deals. More chatbots? Why not!)

Microsofts CoPilot for Windows announcement reveals a company clearly suffering from chatbot fever. We see someone asking a chatbot, via a voice-to-text command, to play some music:

Screencap of the Windows CoPilot demo.

This produces a spoken response informing the user that there is a playlist called Focus Mix on Spotify and produces a button that allows them to  open Spotify. In other words: a slower way to arrive at the least interesting possible answer to a command.

Then, our user issues another order: Organize my windows. The chatbot says its searching for the right action, then generating answers, before snapping the desktop windows into a grid. This is technically interesting and could signal real accessibility improvements; LLMs offer some good news for the visually impaired. Otherwise, this is the stuff of keyboard shortcuts  theres a physical button on a lot of computers that performs this function. If summoning a chatbot and asking it to turn on dark mode is the fast way for a user to access that feature, your operating system might have bigger problems. Microsoft isnt just imagining users generally want to talk to their computers to complete tasks, here. It suggests they might want to use their voices as an interface to interact with another existing interface, which feels approximately like trying to use a computer over someones shoulder while they control the mouse.

Some prompts clearly reveal the potential power of LLMs. You can ask Bard to compose a gentle response to a sensitive work message you dont know how to respond to, and it might be able to get you part of the way there. You can ask a modern chatbot to present you with a template for a resume or cover letter for a very specific sort of job, and it will do so faster than you could Google for something similar. In cases like these, chatbots automate something that youd rather not do, or dont feel equipped to handle, or which you would otherwise do slowly, and use their ability to interpret the particulars of your command  gentle, short, formal  in a way saves time. There are plenty of tasks that make sense as a chat, or at least as a command  just look at how people have figured out how to use ChatGPT. There are glimmers here of truly weird and interesting possibilities that are more important than upgrades to Windows and Google Workplace.

There are plenty of cases, however, that dont, at least for now and the foreseeable future. Roose had some issues with Bards travel-planning capabilities:

I asked Bard to search my email inbox for information about a coming work trip to Europe, and look for train tickets that would get me from the airport to a business meeting in a nearby city on time.

Bard correctly retrieved the dates of my flight, but it got the departing airport wrong. Then, it showed me a list of other flights leaving from that airport on the same day. Bard then recommended a train that would get me from the airport to my meeting on time. But when I checked the train companys official timetables, I found no such train existed.

Again, the shoddy results are obviously a problem, but also, What are we doing here? Bard is posing as an assistant  an entity that can do burdensome things for you but that you would have to trust to deal with second-order problems without bothering you and is, in reality, functioning as a shoddy interface on top of a stack of other shoddy interfaces and instead returning those new problems back to you in the form of chipper conversation and errors.

Maybe we really are on the cusp of a total change to the way we interact with machines and the arrival of the long-anticipated era of truly conversational computing is imminent. (Also, lots of folks love ordering people around and issuing unrealistic commands  Im sure that extends to machines, no problem.) Its quite possible that, in retrospect, grumbling about chatbot interfaces will sound like command-line devotees lamenting the arrival of graphical icons and the mouse.

Or, just maybe, big techs frantic enthusiasm for AI will result in a few nice upgrades and a thousand weird and pointless chatbot detours, which, rather than resembling an obvious next step for human-machine interaction, look more like a regression: a return to an unreliable, shifty take on the command line, a few steps further removed from the tasks at hand. Using the early crop of LLM-powered built-for-purpose chatbots feels like acting out an expository scene intended to let the audience know that this movie is set in the crude average of all possible futures. (Okay, computer, lets enhance.) Is that something anyone actually wants to see?

In the meantime, get ready. Legions of Clippys are gathering just over the horizon, and theyre armed.
Trump walks to embrace Army captain Luis Avila in 2019. Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

While Donald Trump loves to portray himself as a patriot who deeply loves the United States military, his appalling disrespect for service members has actually been a running theme throughout his political career.

The latest example comes from a profile of General Mark Milley, who served as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the final 16 months of Trumps presidency. Jeffrey Goldberg reports in The Atlantic that Milley came to feel Trumps attitude toward service members was superficial, callous, and, at the deepest human level, repugnant. Milleys misgivings started during his first day on the job in 2019 when Trump reportedly told him no one wants to see wounded soldiers after he met Luis Avila, a severely injured Army captain:

At his welcome ceremony at Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall, across the Potomac River from the capital, Milley gained an early, and disturbing, insight into Trumps attitude toward soldiers. Milley had chosen a severely wounded Army captain, Luis Avila, to sing God Bless America. Avila, who had completed five combat tours, had lost a leg in an IED attack in Afghanistan and had suffered two heart attacks, two strokes, and brain damage as a result of his injuries. To Milley, and to four-star generals across the Army, Avila and his wife, Claudia, represented the heroism, sacrifice, and dignity of wounded soldiers.

It had rained that day, and the ground was soft; at one point Avilas wheelchair threatened to topple over. Milleys wife, Hollyanne, ran to help Avila, as did Vice President Mike Pence. After Avilas performance, Trump walked over to congratulate him, but then said to Milley, within earshot of several witnesses, Why do you bring people like that here? No one wants to see that, the wounded. Never let Avila appear in public again, Trump told Milley. (Recently, Milley invited Avila to sing at his retirement ceremony.)

Video from the event only captured Trump warmly greeting Avila and his wife, hugging them, and applauding:

WATCH: President Trump embraces US Army Captain Luis Avila after Avila sang God Bless America at a ceremony honoring new Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley.



Avila was severely wounded by an IED in 2011 in Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/PycVl4x4DG  NBC News (@NBCNews) October 1, 2019

Milley is now known for publicly disparaging Trump. He reportedly drafted a resignation letter after police tear-gassed protesters in Lafayette Square to clear the way for a Trump photo op and kept making Hitler references to aides as Trump tried to stay in power after the 2020 election. Trump has not responded well to all this: On September 22, he described Milley on Truth Social as a woke train wreck. Trump also referred to Milleys standard communications with China in 2020 vowing to inform them of any attacks. This is an act so egregious that, in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH! he wrote.

Milleys claim is highly plausible as it lines up with previous comments Trump is alleged to have made openly expressing his discomfort with wounded veterans. Susan Glasser and Peter Baker have reported that when Trump  inspired by a Bastille Day celebration he attended in 2017  became obsessed with staging the biggest-ever military parade in Washington, D.C., he specifically told thenWhite House chief of staff John Kelly that he didnt want wounded guys to be a part of it. From a New Yorker article drawn from Glasser and Bakers book, The Divider: Trump in the White House, 20172021:

Look, I dont want any wounded guys in the parade, Trump said. This doesnt look good for me. He explained with distaste that at the Bastille Day parade there had been several formations of injured veterans, including wheelchair-bound soldiers who had lost limbs in battle.

Kelly could not believe what he was hearing. Those are the heroes, he told Trump. In our society, theres only one group of people who are more heroic than they are  and they are buried over in Arlington 

I dont want them, Trump repeated. It doesnt look good for me.

The Atlantic has also previously reported that during a 2018 planning meeting for a military parade, the then-president asked his staff not to include wounded veterans, on grounds that spectators would feel uncomfortable in the presence of amputees. Nobody wants to see that, he said.

Trump has repeatedly disparaged service members who do not match his warped standards in other ways. He kicked off his 2016 presidential campaign by getting into a fight with John McCain, saying of the late senator and Vietnam prisoner of war, I like people who werent captured. Toward the end of his campaign, he publicly sparred with Khizr Khan, the father of Captain Humayun Khan, a U.S. Army captain killed in the Iraq War.

Once in office, reports of Trump disrespecting wounded and captured service members continued. He skipped the traditional visit to Aisne-Marne American Cemetery when he visited Paris in 2018 because allegedly he did not see the point of honoring Americans who died in World War I. Two years later, The Atlantic reported that Trump had asked senior staff members, Why should I go to that cemetery? Its filled with losers, and referred to the 1,800 marines who died in the Battle of Belleau Wood as suckers for getting killed.

Presumably, Trump views himself as a winner for avoiding war altogether by being diagnosed with bone spurs in his heels.
For years, green and socially responsible investments, aka ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), have dominated the investing world. However, according to Bloomberg, a seismic shift is underway as BlackRock and other money managers unwound an increasing number of 'green' products amid soaring backlash and investor scrutiny.

Data from Morningstar shows State Street, Columbia Threadneedle Investments, Janus Henderson Group, and Hartford Funds Management Group have unwound more than two dozen ESG funds this year. The latest unwind comes from BlackRock, who told regulators last Friday it plans to close two ESG emerging-market bond funds with total assets of $55 million.

Source: Bloomberg

So far this year, the number of ESG funds closing is more than the last three years combined. This trend comes as investors pull money out of these funds as the ESG bubble has likely popped.

We asked this question in early summer: Is The ESG Investing Boom Already Over?

In January, BlackRock's Larry Fink told Bloomberg TV at the World Economic Forum in Davos that ESG investing has been tarnished:

"Let's be clear, the narrative is ugly, the narrative is creating this huge polarization. "

Fink continued:

"We are trying to address the misconceptions. It's hard because it's not business any more, they're doing it in a personal way. And for the first time in my professional career, attacks are now personal. They're trying to demonize the issues."

By June, Fink's BlackRock dropped the term "ESG" following billions of dollars pulled out of its funds by Republican governors, most notably, $2 billion by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The crux of the issue that Republican lawmakers have with radical ESG funds is that they were trying to impose 'green' initiatives on the corporate level to force change in society, and many of these initiatives would be widely unpopular at the ballot box during elections.

Remember these comments from Fink?

Alyssa Stankiewicz, associate director for sustainability research at Morningstar, told Bloomberg, "We have definitely seen demand drop off in 2022 and 2023."

Also, let's not forget about the 'greenwashing' across ESG industry.

Matt Lawton, T. Rowe Price Group Inc.'s sector portfolio manager in the Fixed Income Division, recently concluded: "It's becoming increasingly difficult to find credible sustainability-linked bonds."

ADVERTISEMENT

The tide is reversing for Fink: "Backfire: World's Fourth Largest Iron Ore Producer Stops Purchasing Carbon Offsets."

Don't forget this: "McDonald's Scrubs Mentions Of "ESG" From Its Website."

By Zerohedge.com

More Top Reads from Oilprice.com:
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who has been on a hunger strike in protest against what he called a slew of the Yoon government's policy failures, ended his fasting after more than three weeks, a party official said Saturday.

"Chairman Lee will end the hunger strike on its 24th day and begin treatment for recovery," Kang Sun-woo, a spokesperson for the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), said in a briefing.

"The medical team treating Lee strongly called for Lee to immediately call off the hunger strike as continuing it would have severely hurt his health," Kang said, adding that Lee is willing to carry out his work schedule in consultation with the medical staff.

The decision came three days ahead of an arrest warrant hearing for Lee at the Seoul Central District Court.

In a 149-136 vote on Thursday, the National Assembly passed a motion seeking parliamentary consent to Lee's potential arrest in a surprise result that showed a number of dissenting votes from Lee's own party.

The prosecution presented the motion for his arrest, accusing him of breach of trust, bribery and other charges related to a development scandal and a North Korean remittance case.

By law, sitting lawmakers are immune from arrest while parliament is in session and can be arrested only when the National Assembly consents to it.

But the privilege has come under criticism as being abused to protect corrupt politicians. Since Lee became hospitalized earlier this week, officials, including DPK lawmakers and former President Moon Jae-in, have called on him to end the hunger strike during their visits to the hospital.

An official close to Lee said the DPK chairman is likely to attend the arrest warrant hearing Tuesday. Lee will temporarily leave the hospital to visit the court should the hearing take place as planned, the official said.

The DPK party leadership has emphasized that Lee will not step down from his post. (Yonhap)
The rainy weather Saturday didnt stop hundreds from gathering in Omaha for a celebration of Native American cultures.

After holding the powwow virtually for the last three years, Metropolitan Community College hosted the 32nd annual Intertribal Powwow at the Fort Omaha Campus on Saturday.

While the event is usually held outdoors, this years event was moved indoors due to the rainy weather. That meant space at the event was limited and some of the event vendors werent able to attend.

However, many still gathered Saturday afternoon for food, song and dance.

Cynthia Gooch-Grayson, MCCs associate vice president for equity and inclusion, said it was exciting to have attendees back in person this year.

Gooch-Grayson spoke at the event about the significance of Fort Omaha as the place where Chief Standing Bear of the Ponca Tribe was held by the U.S. government in what eventually resulted in the case of Standing Bear v. Crook. That 1879 case established that Native Americans were considered persons under the law.

All year round we honor this historic location, she said. And once a year each September, rain or shine, we join together.

The powwows committee selected Power of the Youth as this years theme, said Barbara Velazquez, coordinator of international and intercultural education at MCC.

This year they wanted to focus on youth who are stellar artists and people who follow traditional ways who are leading Native American communities into the future, she said.

Rylan Parker, a 16-year-old from Winnebago, Nebraska, and a member of the Ho-Chunk Tribe, was at the powwow Saturday to compete in the chicken dance. Parker said hes been dancing since he was 5 years old.

It just makes me feel good, he said. I do it for the people.

While young people were the focus this year, people of all ages participated in different dance events throughout the day.

A group from Omaha known as the Young Bucks was one of the drum groups that performed.

Douglas Esau said he and the other members of the group have been performing together since 1992 and enjoy performing at different powwows.

Its a good way to make friends, he said.

Cassie Rhoads-Carroll, whos on the powwow committee and is a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, said she thinks its important to be able to bring the Native and non-Native communities together. She said she was excited to travel from Tennessee to be at this years event in person.

It was nice, watching the virtual (powwow), she said. But it was not the same as actually being there with the people and listening to the drums and dancing.

Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration in Omaha
The United Auto Workers union expanded its strike against major carmakers Friday, walking out of 38 parts-distribution centers operated by General Motors and Jeep and Ram owner Stellantis in 20 states but sparing Ford from further shutdowns.

President Joe Biden will go to Michigan on Tuesday to support the union, according to a person familiar with his plans. The person spoke on condition of anonymity and gave no further details about the trip.

Ford avoided additional strikes because the company met some of the union's demands during negotiations over the past week, UAW President Shawn Fain said during an online presentation to union members.

"We've made some real progress at Ford," Fain said. "We still have serious issues to work through, but we do want to recognize that Ford is showing that they are serious about reaching a deal. At GM and Stellantis, it's a different story."

Fain said GM and Stellantis, the successor to Fiat Chrysler, rejected the union's proposals for cost-of-living increases, profit sharing and job security, and "are going to need some serious pushing."

GM said it presented five "historic" offers covering wages and job security.

Stellantis said it made "a very competitive offer" Thursday that would pay all current full-time hourly employees between $80,000 and $96,000 within four years and seven months and allow "workforce stability" during that time. The company said the UAW has not responded.

Instead of targeting more production plants Friday, the UAW went after centers that distribute parts to car dealer service departments. That could quickly drag consumers into the middle of the fight, if dealers run short of parts.

The UAW said the new walkouts will affect 5,600 workers on top of the nearly 13,000 who began strikes last week at three Ford, GM and Stellantis assembly plants. Those original strikes will continue, the union said.

The UAW is continuing to avoid targeting plants that make Detroit's bestsellers, such as the Ford F-150 and Stellantis' Ram pickups, which represent outsize shares of the companies' revenue and profit. That represents a union strategy to gradually increase the pain of a strike on the automakers.

However, the industry's supply chain is so integrated that even hitting lower-profile plants cuts into production.

Deutsche Bank analysts estimated Friday that GM, Ford and Stellantis lost production of more than 16,000 vehicles since the strike started last week at a Ford assembly plant near Detroit, a GM factory in Wentzville, Missouri, and a Jeep plant run by Stellantis in Toledo, Ohio.

Anderson Economic Group, a consulting firm in Michigan that tracks the industry, estimated Friday that the three big automakers have suffered economic losses of more than $1.6 billion.

The carmakers and some of their suppliers laid off about 6,000 workers in moves they say are related to the strike. GM shut down a factory in Kansas that relies on parts stamped at the Wentzville plant.

Still, the impact is not yet being felt on car lots around the country  it will probably take a few weeks before the strike causes a significant shortage of new vehicles, according to analysts. Prices could rise sooner, however, if the prospect of a prolonged strike triggers panic buying.

In bargaining, the union pointed to the carmakers' huge recent profits and high CEO pay as it seeks wage increases of about 36% over four years. The companies offered a little over half that amount.

"We aren't getting paid what we are supposed to. I feel like our CEO is getting all our money," said Antione Turner, who walked off his job Friday at a GM customer-care center in Belleville, Michigan.

Turner said after working there 10 years, he makes $31 an hour. On the same picket line, Shelton Matthews, who started at GM three years ago, makes $20 an hour because the company's tiered wage structure mean lower pay for new workers.

"Pay disparity is the key issue" in the strike, Matthews said. "You're doing, if not harder work, the same work as the person next to you with significantly less pay."

The companies say they can't afford to meet the union's demands because they need to invest profits in a transition from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles. They have dismissed out of hand some of the demands, including 40 hours' pay for a 32-hour work week.

Fain said that Ford agreed to some union proposals, including the restoration of cost-of-living wage increases that were dropped several years ago, better profit-sharing and improved job security.

A Ford spokesman, Daniel Barbossa, said the company "is working diligently with the UAW to reach a deal that rewards our workforce and enables Ford to invest in a vibrant and growing future."

Fain promised all week to escalate the strike if there wasn't significant progress in negotiations. Targeting the parts-distributions centers could inflict quick pain on GM and Stellantis, said Daniel Ives, an analyst with Wedbush Securities.

"The UAW is going for the gut punch as this strike gets a lot nastier," Ives said. He called it "a very strategic and risky poker move by the UAW."
UNITED NATIONS  Russia's top diplomat denounced the United States and the West on Saturday as self-interested defenders of a fading international power structure, but he didn't discuss his country's war in Ukraine in his speech to the U.N. General Assembly.

The U.S. and its subordinate Western collective are continuing to fuel conflicts which artificially divide humanity into hostile blocks and hamper the achievement of overall aims. Theyre doing everything they can to prevent the formation of a genuine multipolar world order, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

They are trying to force the world to play according to their own self-centered rules, he said.

As for the 19-month war in Ukraine, he recapped some historical complaints going back to the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union, and alluded to the billions of dollars that the U.S and Western allies have spent in supporting Ukraine. But he didn't delve into the current fighting.

For a second year in a row, the General Assembly is taking place with no end to the war in sight. A three-month-long Ukrainian counteroffensive has gone slower than Kyiv hoped, making modest advances but no major breakthroughs.

Ukraine's seats in the assembly hall were empty for at least part of Lavrov's speech. An American diplomat wrote on a notepad in her country's section of the audience during Lavrov's speech.

It accused the U.S. of, among other things, whipping up hysteria on the Korean Peninsula. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a rare foray out of his country earlier this month by train to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, an unsettling development for South Korea and allies including the United States.

Later, in a news conference, Lavrov said the U.S. was effectively engaged in hostilities with us, using the Ukrainians as fodder.

You can call this whatever you want to call this, but they are directly at war with us," he said. We call this a hybrid war. But that doesnt change the reality.

Under assembly procedures that give the microphone to presidents ahead of cabinet-level officials, Lavrov spoke four days after Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Joe Biden.

Zelenskyy accused Russia of weaponizing food, energy and even children against Ukraine and the international rules-based order at large.

Biden sounded a similar note in pressing world leaders to keep up support for Ukraine: If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure? On North Korea, he reiterated criticism of the North's violations of Security Council resolutions regarding its nuclear and ballistic missile programs but said Washington is committed to diplomacy that would bring about the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Since invading Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has offered a number of explanations for what it calls the special military operation in Ukraine.

Among them: claims that Kyiv was oppressing Russian speakers in Ukraines east and so Moscow had to help them, that Ukraines growing ties with the West in recent years pose a risk to Russia, and that its also threatened by NATOs eastward expansion over the decades.

Lavrov hammered on those themes in his General Assembly speech last year, and he alluded again Saturday to what Russia perceives as NATOs improper encroachment.

But his address looked at it through a wide-angle lens, surveying a landscape, as Russia sees it, of Western countries efforts to cling to outsized influence in global affairs. He portrayed the effort as doomed.

The rest of the planet is sick of it, Lavrov argued: They dont want to live under anybodys yoke anymore. That shows, he said, in the growth of such groups as BRICS  the developing-economies coalition that currently includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa and recently invited Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to join next year.

Our future is being shaped by a struggle, a struggle between the global majority in favor of a fairer distribution of global benefits and civilized diversity and between the few who wield neocolonial methods of subjugation in order to maintain their domination which is slipping through their hands, Lavrov said, adding that the United Nations needs to change to have a fair balance of interests.

Both Lavrov and Zelenskyy also addressed the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday but didn't actually face off. Zelenskyy left the room before Lavrov came in.

Lavrov also sat out Zelenskyy's speech at the General Assembly. I had my own affairs to attend to. We know what hes going to say. Why waste time? the Russian explained at a news conference following his speech Saturday.

Nonetheless, he said he'd watched video of the Ukrainian president's remarks there and in the Security Council and thought he seemed rather grim.
A Council Bluffs man was sentenced to 35 to 45 years in prison Thursday for his role in a drug robbery that led to a Lincoln man being shot dead in his home in 2021.

Marques Moten, 33, first read a lengthy letter, which largely mirrored his trial testimony, about what he says happened the night of James Shekies killing.

Moten pleaded no contest to conspiracy to robbery but claimed Deontae Rush, the Omaha man found guilty of shooting Shekie, had just told him he needed a ride early Feb. 23, 2021, and they ended up headed to Lincoln to rob a man of his marijuana and cash.

Nobody was supposed to get hurt, he said.

Moten, who is paralyzed, said he and his sister, Anna Feilen, waited in a van outside, as Rush kicked in the door to Shekies mobile home at Mark IV Estates near North 20th and Superior Streets to rob him.

Feilen, who had lived with Shekie, told Rush where he kept the drugs and money.

Soon after Rush went in, they heard gunshots and a scream and drove away, only to pick up Rush soon after, emptyhanded, at a nearby FedEx.

Moten said when Rush got in, they learned he didnt get any drugs or money.

You went in there and shot a man for nothing? Moten said he told him.

In the days after, he said he couldnt eat or sleep. He started smoking wet sticks, cigarettes dipped inside embalming fluid.

I was going through something Id never been through. I never been a part of taking somebodys life, Moten said.

On March 1, 2021, the Lincoln Police Department was called to check on Shekie because his door had been left open for three days in frigid weather.

They found Shekie, who by then had been dead for nearly a week.

Investigators quickly arrested Feilen and Moten for conspiracy to commit robbery after phone records tied her to Shekie and to a Facebook Messenger conversation between her and Moten about a plan to rob him.

About a week later, Rush was arrested in Chicago, where hed fled.

In court Thursday, Moten said he wanted to apologize. He said hes remorseful for what happened to Shekie.

I didnt want nothing to do with it at all, he said.

Moten said hes in a wheelchair because he was shot four times by his friends because he didnt want to be part of a gang anymore.

Thats not who I am, he said.

Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Jason Cooper said if it werent for Motens involvement, Shekies killing wouldnt have happened and Motens sister wouldnt be facing prison time for her part in the crime.

In the end, District Judge Kevin McManaman went through Motens criminal record, which included assaults and a prison sentence for an arson.

The facts show you planned and organized a robbery. It involved a minor and a man with a gun, in which case a man was murdered in his home, he said.

McManaman said Moten was involved in a violent crime and got the benefit of a plea agreement that avoided a potential life sentence.

A man was in his home, his door was kicked in. You knew Mr. Rush had a gun, and that man died, the judge said.

And he sentenced Moten to 35 to 45 years in prison.

Rush already is serving a life sentence, plus 25 to 35 years in prison, for first-degree murder.
BLOOMINGTON  A Bloomington man facing battery charges has been released from pretrial custody, with some conditions in place.

Joel N. Njus, 45, is charged with three counts of aggravated battery and a misdemeanor count of obstructing an officer.

Assistant States Attorney Aaron Hornsby said Normal police were called to Uptown Station on Thursday where a private security officer said the defendant had struck him on the head.

The security officer told police Njus had appeared intoxicated, was shouting and hitting things in the restroom and struck the officer after being told to leave.

Hornsby also said Njus ran away from a pursuing Normal officer.

The three counts of aggravated battery are charged as involving a private security officer, taking place in a public place of accommodation and involving a victim over 60.

Hornsby said these were not detainable offenses as outlined in the recently implemented Pretrial Fairness Act that eliminates cash bail in Illinois. He agreed that Njus should be released from custody with conditions in place.

The defendant agreed to the conditions mandated by the Pretrial Fairness Act, but Assistant Public Defender Matthew Koetters argued against the states recommended discretionary conditions of no alcohol and no contact with Uptown Station.

Koetters said Njus uses Connect Transit buses, noting Uptown Station is Normals hub for the bus system. He also said the defendant sometimes takes Amtrak trains from the station.

Judge Scott Kording ordered that Njus not consume or possess alcohol, but he did not order that he have no contact with the station as a condition of his release.

However, the judge said station personnel could say Njus cant be on the premises and report trespassing should he return.

So there could be other legal reasons he cant go, but it is not a condition of his release, Kording said.

An arraignment was scheduled for Oct. 6.
SPRINGFIELD  In 1946, the Illinois Supreme Court heard a case that would eventually become a landmark in American legal history.

The public school district in Champaign, like many other districts in Illinois at the time, allowed a group of local religious leaders to use their schools to teach elective classes in religion and openly encouraged, and sometimes coerced, students to participate in them.

Vashti McCollum, an atheist and the mother of a Champaign student, complained, saying her son was ostracized by other students for not attending them. She eventually sued in state court claiming the use of public schools to teach religion violated the establishment clause of the First Amendments guarantee of freedom of religion.

The Illinois Supreme Court rejected her claim, but the U.S. Supreme Court later reversed that decision, saying the practice violated the separation of church and state.

Thats one of the cases that visitors to the Illinois Supreme Court building in Springfield can learn about and discuss at the courts new learning center, which officially opened last week.

John Lupton, executive director of the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission, said the learning center had already hosted a few visitors, including a couple and their two children earlier this summer.

And after looking at the controversial case, they began to debate the issue, he said. After their debate was over, one of the parents and one of the children agreed with the (state courts) judgment, while the other parent and the other child disagreed with the judgment. This is exactly what we're looking for.

The building where the court now sits first opened in 1908 and it underwent a major restoration project in 2014. Lupton said the idea of the learning center had been discussed even before that restoration project, but because of budget issues, the states bicentennial in 2018, and later the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was delayed.

Now open, the learning center is on the second floor of the building, down the hall from the room where the court sits, in space that was once used by the Fourth District Court of Appeals. It was completed at a cost of about $130,000.

Were very excited about it, Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis said in an interview. It tells the story about the Illinois court system from 1818 to today.

Lupton said the purpose of the learning center is to improve civic knowledge. One of the short-term goals, he said, will be to seek out civic education grants and partner with the Governors Mansion and the Capitol to provide tours for students visiting Springfield so they can learn about all three branches of state government.

Studies consistently show that civic education increases civic engagement, he said. So during a tour of the Supreme Court building, in addition to seeing the courtroom and learning about the courts important work, visitors will now end their tour at the learning center. And there they will learn about the important work of the court, explore the ways the court shapes our everyday lives and examine a few significant cases.

Theis noted that courts are perhaps the least understood institution of government because most people have little or no contact with them. But she said its important for people to understand them so they will have trust in the court system.

Alexander Hamilton said in Federalist 78, courts are the weakest branch of government because they have neither the power of the purse nor the power of the sword, she said. So where does the courts power come from? It comes from trust.

The 9 current justices of the US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts Justice Clarence Thomas Justice Samuel Alito Justice Sonia Sotomayor Justice Elena Kagan Justice Neil Gorsuch Justice Brett Kavanaugh Justice Amy Coney Barrett Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson
In Springfield last week, the medical industry went to court.

The Illinois Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a pair of class action suits brought by two suburban nurses, Lucille Mosby and Yana Mazya, who allege their employers violated the states Biometric Information Privacy Act, a landmark 2008 law that gives Illinois residents the ability to sue companies that misuse biometric data, such as fingerprints or facial scans.

Its the same act that formed the basis of several high-profile lawsuits that have led to massive penalties or settlements, such as the $650 million Facebook agreed to pay its Illinois users after it was alleged to have misused biometric data.

The nurses allege that, by requiring the use of fingerprint scanners to open medicine cabinets, Northwestern Medicine, UChicago Medicine and Becton, Dickinson and Co.  the company that makes the medicine cabinets  violated BIPA.

According to court filings, the hospital systems did not collect written releases allowing them to use the fingerprint data, nor did the hospitals provide information about how the biometrics would be stored or eventually destroyed. They also failed to obtain consent to disclose the fingerprint data to third-party vendors that host it.

But lawyers for the defendants argued the use of biometrics to manage medicine falls under an exemption to the law because it counts as, in the words of BIPA, health care treatment, payment, or operations under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

The exact wording of the law, and the definition of under, faced scrutiny from lawyers on both sides of the case as they argued about the intersection of BIPA and the federal HIPAA law.

If the defendant is correct, that means the General Assembly decided that as much as 10% of the Illinois workforce should have no biometric privacy protection whatsoever, simply by virtue of working in the health care field, the nurses attorney, Jim Zouras, told the court Thursday.

Beyond the specifics of the case, the hospitals lawyers also focused on its potential industrywide impact. In their legal brief filed ahead of arguments, they said health care providers would potentially face catastrophic liability.

In a February decision against fast food chain White Castle, the Supreme Court ruled that each separate violation of BIPA  meaning every time the company required an employee to sign in using biometric data  represented a separate violation of the law. With penalties of $1,000 or $5,000 per violation included in BIPA, White Castle estimated the ruling could eventually cost the company $17 billion.

That level of liability could be disastrous if applied to the medical community, the defendants argued.

Biometrics are industry standard at this point, Matt Wolfe, a lawyer for BD, told the justices Thursday. Over the last 15 years, this type of technology has become extremely widely used in the health care setting.

A lower court agreed with the nurses in 2022, with Justice Sharon Oden Johnson of the First District Appellate Court writing lawmakers did not exclude health-care employee biometric information from BIPA protections.

The case has drawn the attention of both the wider medical industry and the business community.

Several major advocacy and trade groups filed amicus briefs in the case, generally supporting the exclusion of health care workers from BIPA protections. These include the Illinois Health and Hospital Association, the Advanced Medical Technology Association and a coalition of private hospitals including Springfield-based Memorial Health, Northshore University Health System and Rush University System for Health in the Chicago area.

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also filed briefs warning of potential annihilative liability for hospitals if the court rules in the nurses favor, referencing a line from a dissent written by Justice David Overstreet in the White Castle case.

While most of the amicus briefs supported the hospitals arguments, the American Nurses Association filed an amicus brief supporting the plaintiffs.

To exempt hundreds of thousands of healthcare workers from coverage without explicit language from the legislature to that effect would be contrary to BIPAs purpose, the organizations lawyers wrote in their brief.

The justices will now take the arguments into consideration, although there is no timetable for a decision being filed.

Lawmakers consider broader framework

While the high court considers the states existing privacy regulations, lawmakers are thinking about broader privacy frameworks. A Senate committee met in Chicago on Tuesday to discuss an unrelated proposal that would create a framework for data privacy focused on strengthening protections for minors online.

The hearing, held by the Senate Judiciary Committee, was to discuss a proposal from Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, to implement an age-appropriate design code. The proposed policy would require companies that offer online services likely to be accessed by children to assess the impact of their product on children and explain privacy policies in language that children would understand.

Under Rezins bill as it is written currently, businesses would be liable for civil penalties of up to $2,500 per affected child for negligent violations of privacy protections and up to $7,500 per affected child for intentional violations.

The proposal would also place new privacy and data restrictions on companies, limiting their ability to profit from and share data collected from or about minors. This has drawn support from some youth activists, who say a policy like this could help curb the harmful effects of social media.

Im here to speak on behalf of my generation for the harm weve experienced, Zamaan Qureshi, co-chair of the advocacy organization Design It For Us, told lawmakers Tuesday. Some of our generation have developed depression, eating disorders and attempted or taken their life due to social media.

Rezin said the proposal is almost identical to a similarly named California law passed in 2022. That law was inspired in turn by another similarly named policy adopted in the United Kingdom.

The age-appropriate design code would also require companies to estimate the age of their users to a reasonable level of certainty and apply child-focused protections based on that estimated age. Alternatively, the companies could apply those protections to all users.

But Tyler Diers, a representative of the tech industry lobbying group TechNet, argued such a requirement would encourage web companies to collect more personally identifiable information than they already do, leading to increased risks from data breaches.

TechNets members include Apple, Google and Meta  the owner of Facebook and Instagram  among other large tech companies.

On Monday, a federal judge in the Northern District of California granted a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit brought by tech lobbying group NetChoice that objects to Californias age-appropriate design code law. The judge found the tech industrys argument that the law violates the First Amendment would likely prevail at trial.

When asked about the pending legal challenges to the ideas underlying her bill, Rezin said she expects to iron out some of those details in future legislation.

The hearing was a first step in educating my colleagues on how social media companies are creating algorithms to addict minors because they view minors as a product they can advertise to, to make money off of, Rezin told Capitol News Illinois.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government.

Photos: Pritzker sworn in for second term
Question: Can you name the man who owned 2,000 acres of land near Bellflower in southeast McLean County who also was a U.S. senator from Indiana, vice president under President Theodore Roosevelt and was so revered he even has a well-known American city named after him?
His Excellency Dr. Abu Zein, Senior Deputy Chair of the International Human Rights Commission and The Ambassador at Large, Africa Region has expressed the Commission's worries and strongly feel the need to address the issue of government of Ghana's recent limiting of freedom of speech in protests enshrined in the fibre of democracy.



It is a matter of great concern for the principles of democracy and human rights.



When individuals are denied their right to express their opinions or assemble peacefully to demonstrate a call of their collective or individual rights as permitted by the same constitutional provisions, it hampers progress and undermines the voice of the people which is equally useful for stock taking processes in line with all acts that builds a nation.



As Ambassadors championing, promoting and sensitising societies on human rights issues, it is our duty to shine light on these injustices and work towards creating a society where freedom of speech is valued and protected.



Let us unite, raise our voices, and fight for the rights of all individuals whose rights are trampled cheaply upon without clear reasons.



In an interview with some media houses who paid a courtesy call on him as follow up on IHRC' Africa's 21st September Zoom Conference on theme: "ANALYSING THE IMPACT OF THE RESURGENCE OF UNCONSTITUTIONAL COUPS ON DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEACE IN AFRICA" he urged all stakeholders and research fellows to keep educating and working for peace through a clearer focus on pursuing justice delivery at all cost and levels.





Source: Kofi Aduonum









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced Friday the final rule to restrict semiconductor subsidy recipients from expanding their manufacturing capacity in China, following Seoul's brisk diplomacy to minimize its potential impact on Korean businesses.

The national security "guardrails" of the CHIPS and Science Act prohibit the material expansion of semiconductor manufacturing capacity for advanced facilities in "foreign countries of concern" for 10 years from the date of award, the department said in a press release.

The department defined material expansion as increasing a facility's production capacity by "more than 5 percent." The rule also prohibits the expansion of production capacity for legacy facilities beyond 10 percent.

The department removed an initially proposed $100,000 spending limit on investments in advanced capacity in China as an industry group of chipmakers, including Samsung Electronics, has expressed concern over the impact of such restrictions on future business operations, according to Bloomberg.

"One of the Biden-Harris Administration's top priorities ... is to expand the technological leadership of the U.S. and our allies and partners," Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo was quoted as saying in a press release. "These guardrails will protect our national security and help the United States stay ahead for decades to come."

Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy expects that following the finalization of the guardrails, "normal" business activities of South Korean firms, which pose no security concerns, will be guaranteed.

"Going forward, we will continue cooperation with the U.S. government to strengthen global supply chains for semiconductors and guarantee our enterprises' investment and business activities," the ministry said in a press release.

In Seoul, Industry Minister Bang Moon-kyu met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves, Friday, and asked that the concerns of domestic chipmakers be addressed, according to his office.

Graves told Yonhap News Agency, Thursday, that his government understands the concerns and Washington "will do everything" to ensure that Korean firms can continue their legitimate business.

The guardrails were first proposed in March to "ensure technology and innovation funded by the CHIPS and Science Act is not used for malign purposes by adversarial countries against the United States or its allies." (Yonhap)
Charles Owusu has applauded the Ghana Police Service under the leadership of Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, for preventing the #OccupyJulorBiHouse protesters from picketing the Jubilee House.



The organizers, Democracy Hub, planned to demonstrate within the vicinity of the Jubilee House from Thursday, 21st to Saturday, 23rd September 2023 but the Police, in a statement, disclosed it had filed an injunction application at the court and waiting for it to determine the matter before taking any further action.



The Police yesterday arrested 49 protesters for violating the Public Order Act and also for unlawful assembly.



"The arrest was a result of the flagrant disregard of the court process served on the organisers of the Democracy Hub group, which seeks to prohibit them from embarking on a planned demonstration within the vicinity of the Jubilee House from Thursday, 21st to Saturday, 23rd September 2023.



"We would like to state that the Police do not take delight in preventing any group from demonstrating as the Service has a track record of providing security for demonstrations in the past. The exception, in this case, is the Police disagreement with the organisers on the venue, the Jubilee House, being a security zone," parts of the statement read.



The Police cautioned the general public to "in the interest of public order and public safety to disregard any invitation by the organisers to take part in any unlawful demonstration until the determination of the matter by the court on the 26th September 2023".



Charles Owusu, speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show, stated emphatically that there is nothing wrong with the action by the Police, thus commended the IGP and the entire Service for protecting State property.



"I feel that what they did is right...What the Police has done is a good thing. Every property we used State money to do, it behoves the person with authority to protect it to keep it safe," he said.







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Chained up next to a garbage dump with scarce food and one functioning eye, an old bull elephant, endured four brutal years in captivity in Chiang Mai  Thailand. Chained up next to a garbage dump, malnourished, and with only one functioning eye, his plight was nothing short of devastating. With an unwavering commitment to breaking free from traditional constraints, Unchained Elephants achieved the worlds first-ever tokenized elephant rescue, revolutionizing elephant conservation funding. Leveraging Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and crowdfunding, they have not only unchained Kanoon but also paved the way for a brighter future in elephant conservation, marking a historic moment in elephant welfare. On September 5th, Unchained Elephants first elephant rescue mission brought Kanoon safely to an ethical elephant sanctuary in Sukhothai  Thailand, Boon Lotts Elephant Sanctuary (BLES).

Unchained Elephants, led by Daniel Villota, initially emerged as an NFT initiative in response to the challenges faced by elephants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their mission was to use NFTs to raise funds for elephants that had become unemployed due to travel restrictions. During this phase, they successfully raised $10,000 USD, which was used to provide essential care and food for eight elephants in various camps across Thailand. However, as COVID-19 restrictions eased and tourism resumed, so too did elephant tourism, Unchained Elephants had to shift their focus to the new problem at hand. Their new objective became the rescue of elephants in dire conditions and the education of travelers about the elephant tourism industry.

Unchaining Kanoon: A One-Eye Bull Elephant Chained Up Next To A Garbage Dump

The turning point came when Kanoon, a 55-year-old male elephant living in dire conditions in Mae Tang, Chiang Mai, was brought to their attention by Chayanan Assawadhammanond, a dedicated Thai animal activist. After consulting with elephant experts and learning more about Kanoons distressing situation, Unchained Elephants, led by Daniel Villota & Vicki Kiely, made the decision to embark on a daring rescue mission. On June 24th, their journey to redefine the landscape of elephant rescue began.

Kanoon, a 55-year-old male elephant enduring unimaginable suffering in Mae Tang, Chiang Mai. Chained day and night, deprived of food, and left with only one functioning eye, Kanoons situation was dire, casting a shadow on the urgent need for intervention. Kanoons heart-wrenching circumstances shed light on a much broader issue: abandoned male elephants in Thailand, majestic creatures left to suffer without proper care or resources. With his owner unable to provide the proper care he so desperately needed, Kanoon faced a heartbreaking crossroads: the grim prospect of entering the illegal logging industry or the glimmer of a chance at salvation. It was evident that intervention was not just an option but imperative.

Worlds First Tokenized Elephant: Rescuing Elephants In Thailand with NFTs and Crowdfunding

The team rallied to raise $19,118 USD (650,000 baht), a sum that would pave the way for Kanoons rescue and relocation to an ethical elephant sanctuary in Thailand. There, Kanoon would finally be unchained, receiving the love, care, and sanctuary he so rightfully deserved. On August 15th, 2023, at 10:55 PM, their mission was accomplished. Kanoons rescue represents more than a single remarkable success; an astounding $19,495 USD (662,852 baht) was raised to rescue this bull elephant, with 60% from crowdfunding and 40% through leveraging Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) on the XRPL.

Unchained Elephants First Elephant Rescue Mission In Thailand

Unchained Elephants first elephant rescue mission, which started on June 24th and was accomplished on September 5th, demanded funding, planning, unwavering determination, and the invaluable support of our partners. Kanoons unique status as a bull elephant presented an unprecedented hurdle, causing many sanctuaries to hesitate in extending refuge due to the distinctive requirements of caring for a male elephant. Faced with this heart-wrenching dilemma, Unchained Elephants persisted, unwavering in their determination to find Kanoon a safe haven. It was then that BLES  Boon Lotts Elephant Sanctuary came forward with open arms, generously offering to provide Kanoon with a forever home at their ethical elephant sanctuary in Sukhothai  Thailand.

The challenging rescue journey began on September 5th, 2023, lasting for a tough 13 hours amidst a storm while moving Kanoon from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai. Despite all the difficulties, the Unchained Elephants & BLES team stayed determined and successfully accomplished this tough task. Kanoon finding his new home at BLES signifies not just his freedom from a life of suffering but also the start of a better future for elephants well-being. For the full elephant rescue journal please visit this article Worlds First Tokenized Elephant.

This rescue mission combines the power of new technology with real-world impact, benefiting not only elephants but also other causes around the world. It leverages digital assets that not only do good but also build a strong and committed community around the cause. said Daniel Villota, founder of Unchained Elephants. We are really grateful to our partners (Vicki Kiely and BLES), our sponsors (Hyatt Regency Phuket, Stay Wellbeing Resort & The Beach Resort Koh Samui), and every individual who contributed to making this rescue a reality. We could not have done this without all of you supporting us. Our commitment to educating travelers and promoting ethical elephant tourism to have a bigger impact remains unwavering as well as looking forward to our next rescue.

About Boon Lotts Elephant Sanctuary (BLES)

Boon Lotts Elephant Sanctuary (BLES) stands as a shining example of an ethical elephant sanctuary, situated in the historical city of Sukhothai, Thailand. Founded by Katherine Connor, it offers rescued elephants a safe and joyful home where they can live like elephants  roaming freely, socializing, and finding their own food. Travelers are welcome to visit BLES and enjoy a unique elephant experience that benefits both the animals and themselves. You can also immerse yourself in Thai culture and become a part of the local community. Its an unforgettable and truly one-of-a-kind elephant experience in Thailand.

About Unchained Elephants Project & Mission

Unchained Elephants is a transformative initiative that leverages the power of NFTs to support elephant welfare. Initially conceived to aid unemployed elephants during the pandemic, it has evolved into a project dedicated to rescuing elephants from harsh conditions. This endeavor offers a unique combination of digital membership (NFT ownership), travel benefits, and elephant-friendly practices. Additionally, supporters/donors will receive a certificate of adoption from the rescued elephants in the form of an NFT, fostering a lasting bond with these majestic creatures. But theres more to it than that. Through the tokenization of elephants, they raise both funds and awareness, enabling supporters to enjoy discounts on experiences in Thailand. Their commitment extends to educating travelers and directing proceeds toward elephant rescue and relocation, ushering in a new era of responsible tourism and compassionate change.

In the coming weeks and months, Unchained Elephants will focus on raising funds for Kanoons care at BLES, continue to educate travelers & promote ethical elephant tourism, and scout for captive elephants in need of rescuing.

To follow Kanoons journey to recovery, see our future elephant rescue missions and stay updated on our ongoing efforts to protect and care for elephants, please visit our website at www.unchainedelephants.com and connect with us on social media INSTAGRAM or subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@unchainedelephants .
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

People in poorer countries are disproportionately suffering from air pollution spewed from the increasing scourge of fires in forests and fields around the world, according to new research published Wednesday.

Landscape fires include blazes in forests, shrub, grass, pastures and agricultural lands, whether planned or uncontrolled such as the wildfires that have ravaged countries including Algeria, Canada and Greece this year.

They generate smoke that can travel up to thousands of kilometers, creating public health risks, including increases in mortality and worsening of heart and lung-related illnesses.

Ambient air pollution caused some 4.5 million deaths in 2019, according to a study published in Lancet Planetary Health last year.

In a new study published in the journal Nature, researchers used data, machine learning and modeling to estimate global daily quantities of fine particles called PM2.5 and surface ozone concentrations emitted by landscape fires between 2000 and 2019.

The annual air pollution from landscape fires in low-income countries was around four times higher than in rich nations, they found, with central Africa, Southeast Asia, South America and Siberia experiencing the highest levels.

Increasing temperatures linked to human-caused climate change are increasing the risk of fire.

Shandy Li, an associate professor at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia who co-authored the study, said warming meant that the pollution "phenomena might be worse in the future".

"Available evidence shows that fire smoke could increase health risks including mortality and morbidity, which means people should pay attention to reduce exposure to fire air pollution," she told AFP.

Some 2.18 billion people a year on average were exposed to at least one day of "substantial" air pollution coming from landscape fire sources between 2010 and 2019, an increase of almost seven percent on the previous decade.

That includes daily average PM2.5 levels above 2021 WHO guidelines of 15 micrograms per cubic meter of air, where pollution from fire sources accounts for at least half of the total.

Africa had the highest average number of days of exposure to "substantial" fire-derived air pollution per person every year at 32.5, followed by South America at 23.1.

In contrast, Europeans were exposed to around one day of substantial pollution per year on average during the decade.

The five countries with the highest average annual number of days of exposure to substantial fire-sourced pollution per person were all African: Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Congo-Brazzaville and Gabon.

'Climate injustice'

In a separate study also published in Nature on Wednesday, scientists said wildfire smoke in the United States had eroded air quality progress achieved over decades.

Cities in rich countries also battle with poor air quality that breaches WHO guidelines, mostly due to pollution linked to transport, heating and industry.

Earlier this month, the UN World Meteorological Organization said climate change was driving more intense and frequent heat waves and a subsequent "witch's brew" of pollution.

Reducing extreme weather events by mitigating climate change would help limit the risk, Li said.

The researchers said their findings provided further evidence of "climate injustice" as those least responsible for human-induced climate change suffered the most from wildfires made more intense and frequent by it.

Changes to land management techniques, notably the burning of agricultural waste or blazes started deliberately to convert wildland for agricultural or commercial purposes, could also help reduce the extent of fires, they added.

 2023 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:

A a Humpback Whale seen swimming past Niue Island in the South Pacific.

For a little under $150, you can now directly sponsor marine conservation across one square kilometer of the Pacific Ocean, through a novel scheme announced this week by the tiny island of Niue.

Located halfway between Fiji and the Cook Islands, the vast waters of the "Rock of Polynesia" are home to coral reefs and undersea mountains that host diverse species, including sharks, dolphins, turtles and more.

But finding the resources to protect these habitats from the threats of illegal fishing, climate change and pollution had proven challenging for one of the world's smallest self-governing nations.

"We've been going to conferences for so long, telling our story, but it seemed like we weren't getting anywhere," Niue's Premier Dalton Tagelagi told AFP in an interview at the United Nations headquarters in New York, adding he had come to view summits as "talk fests with no action."

Under the new plan, companies, philanthropies and individuals can pay 250 New Zealand dollars (US $149) to protect and manage one or more square kilometers of water, called Ocean Conservation Commitments (OCCs).

There are 127,000 OCCs in total, corresponding to the size in square kilometers of Niue's "no-take" protected marine zone, which represents 40 percent of its overall sovereign waters.

Niue is thus hoping to raise $18 million through the initiative, which covers a period of 20 years.

"It's very exciting," said Tagelagi, adding that the government itself was sponsoring 1,700 units, one for each of the island's residents.

"We've been going to conferences for so long, telling our story, but it seemed like we weren't getting anywhere," Niue's Premier Dalton Tagelagi told AFP in an interview at the United Nations headquarters.

Drone monitoring

Most of the fishing on Niue takes place nearshore at subsistence level, involving traditional canoes.

But as technology has improved over the years, both in terms of fishing gear and also refrigeration of food, the amount harvested has increased, Brendon Pasisi, project manager of the Niue Ocean Wide Project, a public-private entity running the initiative, told AFP.

On top of that, plastic pollution and effluent runoff are contributing to the degradation of the marine environment, he added.

Then there are external challenges in the form of foreign fishing fleets that can intrude into the protected zone.

"It's a vast area to cover on patrol boats so we're looking at drones," said Premier Tagelagi, which the scheme will fund.

As a raised coral atoll that stands 60 meters above the ocean at its highest point, Niue isn't in danger of being swamped by sea-level rise, as many other small island nations are.

But climate change threatens it in other ways: the oceans are acidifying and heating up, threatening marine species including coral, while higher seawater could contaminate the island's freshwater supplies.

Coral on Niue Island in the South Pacific.

Climate change is also intensifying tropical storms, with Niue left reeling for many years following the Category 5 Cyclone Heta in 2004.

By protecting their natural treasures, Niueans will not only be honoring the values of their ancestors, but "it can also be an economic windfall for us" in terms of increased tourism, said Tagelagi.

Those who contribute will receive a certificate together with an annual progress report.

'Innovative'

Angelo Villagomez, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and expert in indigenous-led conservation, praised the concept as a "very innovative model."

"If we're going to address climate change, if we're going to protect ocean resources, we have to get money to these frontline communities," he said.

This, said Villagomez, was vital for everything from purchasing boats and fuel to developing management plans and paying the salaries of rangers and scientists.

Success would be measured by key indicators, said Villagomez: "Are there more fish? Are they putting in climate change mitigation measures?"

Moreover, a communications push would be needed for the public to conceptualize protected ocean zones the same way they think about iconic national parks: something real and tangible, rather than existing only on paper.

 2023 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:

This Aug. 17, 2021 photo shows Quagga mussels cover the engine of a Bell P-39 Airacobra military plane in Lake Huron, Mich., as maritime archaeologist Carrie Sowden, rear, documents the site. Archaeologists are scrambling to locate Great Lakes shipwrecks and downed planes before quagga mussels destroy them. Credit: Wayne Lusardi via AP

The Great Lakes' frigid fresh water used to keep shipwrecks so well preserved that divers could see dishes in the cupboards. Downed planes that spent decades underwater were left so pristine they could practically fly again when archaeologists finally discovered them.

Now, an invasive mussel is destroying shipwrecks deep in the depths of the lakes, forcing archeologists and amateur historians into a race against time to find as many sites as they can before the region touching eight U.S. states and the Canadian province of Ontario loses any physical trace of its centuries-long maritime history.

"What you need to understand is every shipwreck is covered with quagga mussels in the lower Great Lakes," Wisconsin state maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen said. "Everything. If you drain the lakes, you'll get a bowl of quagga mussels."

Quagga mussels, finger-sized mollusks with voracious appetites, have become the dominant invasive species in the lower Great Lakes over the past 30 years, according to biologists.

The creatures have covered virtually every shipwreck and downed plane in all of the lakes except Lake Superior, archaeologists say. The mussels burrow into wooden vessels, building upon themselves in layers so thick they will eventually crush walls and decks. They also produce acid that can corrode steel and iron ships. No one has found a viable way to stop them.

Wayne Lusardi, Michigan's state maritime archaeologist, is pushing to raise more pieces of a World War II plane flown by a Tuskegee airman that crashed in Lake Huron in 1944.

"Divers started discovering (planes) in the 1960s and 1970s," he said. "Some were so preserved they could fly again. (Now) when they're removed the planes look like Swiss cheese. (Quaggas are) literally burning holes in them."

Quagga mussels, native to Russia and Ukraine, were discovered in the Great Lakes in 1989, around the same time as their infamous cousin species, zebra mussels. Scientists believe the creatures arrived via ballast dumps from transoceanic freighters making their way to Great Lakes ports.

Unlike zebra mussels, quaggas are hungrier, hardier and more tolerant of colder temperatures. They devour plankton and other suspended nutrients, eliminating the base level of food chains. They consume so many nutrients at such high rates they can render portions of the murky Great Lakes as clear as tropical seas. And while zebra mussels prefer hard surfaces, quaggas can attach to soft surfaces at greater depths, enabling them to colonize even the lakes' sandy bottoms.

After 30 years of colonization, quaggas have displaced zebra mussels as the dominant mussel in the Great Lakes. Zebras made up more than 98% of mussels in Lake Michigan in 2000, according to the University of California, Riverside's Center for Invasive Species Research. Five years later, quaggas represented 97.7%.

For wooden and metal ships, the quaggas' success has translated into overwhelming destruction.

The mussels can burrow into sunken wooden ships, stacking upon themselves until details such as name plates and carvings are completely obscured. Divers who try to brush them off inevitably peel away some wood. Quaggas also can create clouds of carbon dioxide, as well as feces that corrode iron and steel, accelerating metal shipwrecks' decay.

Quaggas have yet to establish a foothold in Lake Superior. Biologists believe the water there contains less calcium, which quaggas need to make their shells, said Dr. Harvey Bootsma, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's School of Freshwater Sciences.

That means the remains of the Edmund Fitzgerald, a freighter that went down in that lake during a storm in 1975 and was immortalized in the Gordon Lightfoot song, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," are safe, at least for now.

This Aug. 15, 2021 photo, videographer Nicholas Lusardi investigates the wing of a downed P-39 Airacobra in Lake Huron, Mich. The plane that crashed during a training mission in April 1944, killing Lt. Frank Moody, a Tuskegee airman. Archaeologists are racing to document Great Lakes shipwrecks and downed planes before quagga mussels disintegrate them. Credit: Wayne Lusardi via AP

Lusardi, Michigan's state maritime archaeologist, ticked off a long list of shipwreck sites in the lower Great Lakes consumed by quaggas.

His list included the Daniel J. Morrel, a freighter that sank during a storm on Lake Huron in 1966, killing all but one of the 29 crew members, and the Cedarville, a freighter that sank in the Straits of Mackinac in 1965, killing eight crew members. He also listed the Carl D. Bradley, another freighter that went down during a storm in northern Lake Michigan in 1958, killing 33 sailors.

The plane Lusardi is trying to recover is a Bell P-39 that went down in Lake Huron during a training exercise in 1944, killing Frank H. Moody, a Tuskegee airman. The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of Black military pilots who received training at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama during World War II.

Brendon Baillod, a Great Lakes historian based in Madison, has spent the last five years searching for the Trinidad, a grain schooner that went down in Lake Michigan in 1881. He and fellow historian Bob Jaeck finally found the wreck in July off Algoma, Wisconsin.

The first photos of the site, taken by a robot vehicle, showed the ship was in unusually good shape, with intact rigging and dishes still in cabins. But the site was "fully carpeted" with quagga mussels, Baillod said.

"It has been completely colonized," he said. "Twenty years ago, even 15 years ago, that site would have been clean. Now you can't even recognize the bell. You can't see the nameboard. If you brush those mussels off, it tears the wood off with it."

Quagga management options could include treating them with toxic chemicals; covering them with tarps that restrict water flow and starve them of oxygen and food; introducing predator species; or suffocating them by adding carbon dioxide to the water.

So far nothing looks promising on a large scale, UW-Milwaukee's Bootsma said.

"The only way they will disappear from a lake as large as Lake Michigan is through some disease, or possibly an introduced predator," he said.

That leaves archaeologists and historians like Baillod scrambling to locate as many wrecks as possible to map and document before they disintegrate under the quaggas' assaults.

At stake are the physical remnants of a maritime industry that helped settle the Great Lakes region and establish port cities such as Milwaukee, Detroit, Chicago and Toledo, Ohio.

"When we lose those tangible, preserved time capsules of our history, we lose our tangible connection to the past," Baillod said. "Once they're gone, it's all just a memory. It's all just stuff in books."

___

Correction note: This story was first published on Sept. 23. It was updated on Sept. 25 to correct the name of the Gordon Lightfoot song. It is "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," not "The Ballad of the Edmund Fitzgerald."

 2023 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Chunks of asteroid that could tell us about the earliest days of the 4.5 billion-year-old solar system and the possible origins of water on our planet are set to land in the Utah desert Sunday.

It's a moment more than a decade in the making for a NASA mission called OSIRIS-REx. Its goal was to scoop up a large sample of rocks and dust from a near-Earth asteroid named Bennu and bring it to our planet to study. The spacecraft successfully snagged its prize in 2020 and this weekend will finally pass by Earth and release a capsule containing the sample and send it careening down to Utah.

"This is, of course, the moment we've all been waiting for," said Lori Glaze, director of NASA's Science Mission Directorate's Planetary Science Division.

The sample will help scientists get a snapshot of what materials were present when our solar system first formed. Researchers believe asteroids like Bennu haven't changed much since the birth of our cosmic neighborhood. They plan to study the recovered rocks and use the mission to inform future exploration.

"Asteroids, we believe, could have been the source material not just for building up the rocky parts of our planet, but also for delivering the water that makes up our hydrologic system," Glaze said.

Scientists don't know exactly how much sample is in the container, but suspect it's the most ever collected from an asteroid, weighing roughly 250 gramsor about as much as a hamster. That will give them more rocks to analyze than ever before.

OSIRIS-REx grabbed more rocks and materials than expectedso much, that it jammed the spacecraft's sample collector open and some of it went spewing out into space. NASA opted not to measure the sample and instead quickly stowed the rocks to keep them safe.

The spacecraft left Bennu with the sample in 2021, and has been en route to Earth ever since. On Sunday morning, OSIRIS-REx will come within 63,000 miles of Earth, which is when the last leg of the journey beginsand not one entirely without risks.

First, the probe will release the sample containerroughly the size of a tireinto space. If the container doesn't jettison as planned and gets stuck inside the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, the team will have to wait until September 2025 to try again. The spacecraft will have to loop around the sun again before it can come close to Earth.

If that goes well, from there it will make its way down to the planet, taking roughly four hours to reach Earth's atmosphere. During that time, there's no way to control the capsule. "Once we release it, it's really just a ballistic object," Sandy Freund, OSIRIS-REx program manager at Lockheed Martin, said.

The container will come into the atmosphere at about 27,000 miles per hour and heat up to around 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit. It has a heat shield, a critical piece of hardware meant to prevent the sample from burning upwhich would end the mission.

"That's really kind of your worst case scenario," Freund said. "Your samples are gone completely."

As it descends, the capsule will release a drogue parachute to keep it steady, followed by another parachute to slow it down. If all goes to plan, the capsule will gently touch down in Utah at 10 to 11 miles per hour. In the unlikely scenario that the parachutes don't work and the capsule doesn't slow down enough, the samples could still make it to the ground.

"We are prepared for the hard landing scenario," Freund said. "It's not ideal, but the samples are on the ground, right? They're not as pristine as the team would like, but they're still here."

From there, a helicopter will tow it via cable to a clean room, where a nitrogen purge will rid it of possible contaminants. Then it will head to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, where the sample will be revealed to the public in October.

Despite potential snags, Freund says she and her team are confident in the mission. They've done multiple rehearsals to prepare for the fall leading up to Sunday. During the fall, numerous aircraft will be tracking the container, as well as radar in the area. The team also has improved on technology used in past sample return missions.

"We've drawn a lot from heritage and have been super fortunate to be able to do that," Freund said.

OSIRIS-REx could also help inform future missions to asteroidsperhaps even ones to mine these rocks for resources.

"In the future, people have talked about perhaps being able to use asteroids as resources that we could take advantage of," Glaze said. "The operations of OSIRIS-REx around the vicinity of Bennu I think were really informative for how would you actually do something like that."

2023 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Pink diamonds are incredibly rare -- and expensive. Scientists know think they know how they were formed.

Scientists said on Tuesday they have found the "missing ingredient" for pink diamonds, some of the world's most expensive stones due their rarity and beauty, and the discovery could help find more.

More than 90 percent of all the pink diamonds ever found were discovered at the recently closed Argyle mine in the remote northwest of Australia.

But exactly why Argylewhich unlike most other diamond mines does not sit in the middle of a continent but on the edge of oneproduced so many pink gems has remained a mystery.

In a new study published in the journal Nature Communications, a team of Australia-based researchers said the pink diamonds were brought to the Earth's surface by the break up of the first supercontinent around 1.3 billion years ago.

Hugo Olierook, a researcher at Curtin University in the state of Western Australia and the study's lead author, told AFP that two of the three ingredients for forming pink diamonds had already been known.

The first ingredient is carbonand it must be in the bowels of Earth.

Anything shallower than 150 kilometers (93 miles) deep would be graphite"that stuff in your pencils, not nearly as pretty on an engagement ring", Olierook said.

The second ingredient is just the right amount of pressure, to damage the otherwise clear diamonds.

"Push just a little bit and it turns pink. Push a little too hard and they turn brown," he said.

Most of the diamonds discovered at Argyle were of this less valuable brown hue, he added.

More than 90 percent of the world's pink diamonds have been found at the Argyle mine, in the remote northwest of Australia.

'Like a champagne cork'

The missing ingredient was the volcanic event that sent the diamonds shooting up to the Earth's surface, where humans could get their hands on them.

In the 1980s it was estimated that the Argyle diamonds emerged 1.2 billion years ago.

But there was no "trigger" for the rare diamonds to rise at that time, Olierook said, so the researchers sought to establish a more accurate timeline.

They used a laser thinner than a human hair to probe tiny crystals in an Argyle rock sample supplied by the mine's owner, Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto.

By measuring the age of elements in the crystals, the researchers determined that Argyle was 1.3 billion years oldmeaning the diamonds came up 100 million years later than previously thought.

That lines up with the break-up of the world's first supercontinent, known as Nuna or Columbia.

In Nuna, "just about every single landmass on Earth was squashed together", Olierook said.

The immense pressure that twisted color into the diamondsthe second ingredientoccurred during collisions between western Australia and northern Australia 1.8 billion years ago.

When Nuna started to break up five hundred million years later, it re-aggravated the "scar" from that event, Olierook said.

It could be looking at the edge of continents -- not the center -- to find more pink diamonds, the researchers suggested.

Magma shot up through this old scar "like a champagne cork going off", taking the diamonds along for the ride, he added.

Study co-author Luc Doucet said such a "massive explosion"which sent the diamonds traveling at near the speed of soundhas not taken place in recorded human history.

Where to look next?

Over the last 200 years, people have mostly looked for diamonds in the center of massive continents.

But knowing the "missing ingredient" for pink diamonds could assist future efforts to find the rare stones, Olierook said, adding that discovering more was unlikely to be easy or quick.

Old mountain belts marking Nuna's breakup near the edges of continents have the potential to be home to a new "pink diamond paradise", he said, naming Canada, Russia, southern Africa and Australia as possible locations.

John Foden, an expert on diamonds at the University of Adelaide not involved in the study, told AFP that the researchers had "convincingly shown" the age of the Argyle diamonds.

But he cautioned that other diamond-rich provinces had also been linked to Nuna's break-upand they had not produced pink diamonds.

This suggests that "pinkness seems to be a local Argyle attribute", he added.

The Argyle mine closed in 2020 due to "various financial reasons", Olierook said, meaning the value of pink diamonds could continue to rise as supply stalls.

More information: Hugo Olierook, Emplacement of the Argyle diamond deposit into an ancient rift zone triggered by supercontinent breakup, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40904-8. www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-40904-8 Journal information: Nature Communications

 2023 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:

Archaeologists uncover bones and vessels discovered by city workers who were digging a natural gas line for the company Calidda in the district of Carabayllo on the outskirts of Lima, Peru, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Eight burial offerings from the pre-Inca Ychsma culture have been identified by archaeologists so far, according to lead archaeologist Jesus Bahamonde. The tube running through the site is an illegal water pipe. Credit: AP Photo/Martin Mejia

Some archaeologists describe Peru's capital as an onion with many layers of history, others consider it a box of surprises. That's what some gas line workers got when their digging uncovered eight pre-Inca funeral bales.

"We are recovering those leaves of the lost history of Lima that is just hidden under the tracks and streets," Jesus Bahamonde, an archaeologist at Calidda, the company that distributes natural gas in the city of 10 million people, said Friday.

He said the company's excavation work to expand its system of gas lines over the last 19 years has produced more than 1,900 archaeological finds of various kinds, including mummies, pottery and textiles. Those have mostly been associated with burial sites on flat ground.

The city also has more than 400 larger archaeological sites that have turned up scattered through the urban landscape. Known as "huacas" in the Indigenous Quechua language, those adobe constructions are on top of hills considered sacred places.

The number of relics isn't surprising. The area that is now Lima has been occupied for more than 10,000 years by pre-Inca cultures, then the Inca Empire itself and then the colonial culture brought by the Spanish conquerors in 1535.

Bahamonde showed the bales of ancient men sitting, wrapped in cotton cloth and tied with ropes braided from lianas that were in trenches 30 centimeters (nearly a foot) below the surface.

Gas workers dig where bones and vessels were discovered by workers laying a natural gas line for the Calidda gas company in the Carabayllo district on the outskirts of Lima, Peru, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Eight burial offerings from the pre-Inca Ychsma culture have been identified by archeologists so far, according to lead archaeologist Jesus Bahamonde. Credit: AP Photo/Martin Mejia

The company's archaeologists believe the finds belong to the pre-Inca culture called Ichma. The Ichma culture was formed around A.D. 1100 and expanded through the valleys of what is now Lima until it was incorporated into the Inca Empire in the late 15th century, scholars say.

Archaeologist Roberto Quispe, who worked in the trench, said the funeral bundles probably hold two adults and six minors.

Sometimes, the archaeological finds prove to be from more recent times. In 2018, Quispe and other archaeologists working in the La Flor neighborhood found wooden coffins holding three Chinese immigrants buried in the 19th century.

Archaeologists found the bodies next to opium-smoking pipes, handmade cigarettes, shoes, Chinese playing cards, a Peruvian silver coin minted in 1898 and a certificate of completion of an employment contract written in Spanish and dated 1875 at a hacienda south of Lima.

Ancient vessels lay next to an illegal water pipe running through the site where archaeologists uncover bones and vessels discovered by workers who were digging a natural gas line for the company Calidda in the district of Carabayllo on the outskirts of Lima, Peru, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Eight burial offerings from the pre-Inca Ychsma culture have been identified by archaeologists so far, according to lead archaeologist Jesus Bahamonde. Credit: AP Photo/Martin Mejia

An archaeologist excavates an ancient mummy amid vessels discovered by city workers who were digging a natural gas line for the company Calidda in the district of Carabayllo on the outskirts of Lima, Peru, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Eight burial offerings from the pre-Inca Ychsma culture have been identified by archaeologists so far, according to lead archaeologist Jesus Bahamonde. The tube running through the site is an illegal water pipe. Credit: AP Photo/Martin Mejia

Archaeologists uncover vessels and bones discovered by city workers who were digging a natural gas line for the company Calidda in the district of Carabayllo on the outskirts of Lima, Peru, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Eight burial offerings from the pre-Inca Ychsma culture have been identified by archaeologists so far, according to lead archaeologist Jesus Bahamonde. Credit: AP Photo/Martin Mejia

Archaeologists uncover bones and vessels discovered by city workers who were digging a natural gas line for the company Calidda in the district of Carabayllo on the outskirts of Lima, Peru, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Eight burial offerings from the pre-Inca Ychsma culture have been identified by archaeologists so far, according to lead archaeologist Jesus Bahamonde. Credit: AP Photo/Martin Mejia

Archaeologists uncover bones and vessels discovered by city workers who were digging a natural gas line for the company Calidda in the district of Carabayllo on the outskirts of Lima, Peru, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Eight burial offerings from the pre-Inca Ychsma culture have been identified by archaeologists so far, according to lead archaeologist Jesus Bahamonde. Credit: AP Photo/Martin Mejia

The eight burial bundles were found near some braised chicken restaurants and a road that leads to Peru's only nuclear power station.

"When the Spaniards arrived in the 16th century they found an entire population living in the three valleys that today occupy Lima ... what we have is a kind of historical continuation," Bahamonde said.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
FRIDAY, Sept. 22, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Women may soon have a vaccine they can take during a pregnancy to help protect their newborn from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Following approval one month ago by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday also approved the shot, called Abrysvo. That marks the last hurdle needed for the vaccine to become widely available.

This is another new tool we can use this fall and winter to help protect lives, CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen said in an agency press release. I encourage parents to talk to their doctors about how to protect their little ones against serious RSV illness, using either a vaccine given during pregnancy, or an RSV immunization given to your baby after birth.

The agency added that Abrysvo is already "available in some locations in the U.S. and availability is expected to increase in the coming weeks."

The vaccine is designed to be given to pregnant women between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy as a way to protect infants from birth through 6 months from the sometimes severe respiratory illness. Approval from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is still required before the vaccine is fully authorized for use.

"RSV is a common cause of illness in children, and infants are among those at highest risk for severe disease, which can lead to hospitalization," Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a statement his agency issued at the time it approved the vaccine. "This approval provides an option for health care providers and pregnant individuals to protect infants from this potentially life-threatening disease."

While RSV poses a real threat to infants, it can infect people at any age. According to the FDA, it's the most frequent cause of lower respiratory tract illness in infants worldwide, typically circulating in fall and winter. RSV is especially common in children, most of whom are infected with RSV by the time they reach 2 years of age.

Often RSV causes only cold-like symptoms, but can lead to serious lower respiratory illness, including pneumonia and bronchiolitis. The risk is highest in the first year of life, according to the FDA.

It is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the United States, according to the CDC.

Currently the only other protection against RSV for infants is a lab-made antibody shot called Beyfortus. The first one-dose version was approved recently for infants younger than 8 months, to be given before the beginning of the first RSV season after their birth. Beyfortus should be available this fall.

Abrysvo's maker, Pfizer, predicts that the new vaccine could prevent 320,000 infant doctor visits and 20,000 hospitalizations each year if enough women receive it, the Associated Press reported.

The vaccine would be administered as a single-dose injection into the muscle. It is the same medication approved by the FDA and CDC in May to prevent RSV-caused illness in people ages 60 and older.

Clinical trials evaluated the vaccines safety and effectiveness.

Among about 3,500 pregnant women who received Abrysvo and 3,500 who received a placebo, the vaccine reduced the risk of severe illness by almost 82% within three months after birth and by about 69% by the time a baby reaches 6 months of age.

In a subgroup of pregnant people, in which 1,500 received Abrysvo and 1,500 received placebo, the trial found that Abrysvo reduced the risk of respiratory illness by about 35%, and reduced the risk of severe lower respiratory disease by just over 91% within three months after birth when compared to placebo.

By the time a baby is 6 months old, Abrysvo reduced the risk of RSV respiratory illness by about 57% and by 76.5% for severe illness, when compared to placebo, the FDA noted.

Safety was evaluated in two studies, one in about 7,200 women, half of whom received Abrysvo, and the other in about 200 pregnant women, half of whom also received Abrysvo. Side effects included pain at the injection site, headache, muscle pain and nausea.

A dangerous hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, known as pre-eclampsia, occurred in 1.8% of pregnant individuals who received Abrysvo compared to 1.4% of pregnant individuals who received a placebo, the FDA said.

Low birth weight and jaundice also occurred at a higher rate in infants of pregnant recipients of Abrysvo.

Prescribing information will include a warning about a "numerical imbalance" in preterm births in Abrysvo recipients  5.7%, versus 4.7% in those who received a placebo, the FDA noted. The data is not sufficient to establish that the vaccine can cause preterm births, but provides a warning to health care providers, the FDA said.

Pfizer will be required to conduct more studies to assess risks for preterm birth and pre-eclampsia.

More information

The American Lung Association has more on RSV.

SOURCES: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, news release, Sept 22, 2023; U.S. Food and Drug Administration, news release, Aug. 21, 2023; Associated Press
ATLANTIC CITY  Two men were charged with having cocaine and a stolen handgun as a result of separate investigations, police said Saturday.

Atlantic City resident Knocumus Dixon, 33, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school zone and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Galloway resident Daquann Smith, 23, was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a large capacity magazine, possession of hollow-point ammunition and receiving stolen property.

On Thursday, police searched Dixon's home in the first block of South Iowa Avenue. Detectives found more than 7 ounces of cocaine and paraphernalia used for distributing narcotics, police said in a news release.

On Friday, detectives saw Smith on a bike talking to two women in a parked vehicle, which prompted detectives to pull the car over after it had driven away, police said.

During the stop, detectives found a bag that belonged to Smith, which he acknowledged was his after he arrived at the scene. The bag contained a loaded handgun that was reported stolen from Gainesville, Florida, and identification for Smith, police said.

The women were released with no charges. Smith was taken into custody. Both men were sent to the Atlantic County jail.
ATLANTIC CITY  Nearly three dozen resolutions that were approved by the Atlantic City Housing Authority Board of Commissioners in 2021 and 2022 have never been made publicly available, potentially defying the states sunshine laws and serving as another example of a lack of transparency at the agency.

The 32 missing resolutions include actions that awarded contracts to outside vendors; approved emergency services at two communities, including repairs to the underground hot water system at Stanley Holmes Village; granted rent abatement to some Stanley Holmes residents; established an accounts payable policy and a records retention policy; and approved the corrective actions plan concerning its public housing financial assessment score.

Three of the missing resolutions from 2021 authorized the authority to pay its monthly bills, including compensating contractors.

Without the document, it is unclear how much the agency spent that month and whom it paid. From that same year, other board-approved resolutions allowed the agency to make bill payments and show monthly spending ranged from nearly $233,000 to almost $1.3 million, and list each vendor who was cut a check.

Along with the unaccounted for resolutions, the Housing Authority has been unable to track down the minutes of the Jan. 14, 2021, board meeting.

We simply cant find them, its not that somebody is actively withholding or hiding or has attempted to prevent the creation of a resolution, Richard DeLucry, an attorney with Cooper Levenson and counsel to the Housing Authority, said Tuesday. We dont have that physical document.

On May 4, The Press of Atlantic City filed a formal public records request with the Housing Authority asking for copies of the missing minutes and resolutions. By law, the agency is required to respond within seven business days. When that deadline was reached, the records custodian asked for a 30-day extension. But more than four months after the request was received, the agency has not turned over dozens of records.

On Tuesday, DeLucry echoed the same explanation for the delay that he offered in a July email: The Housing Authority staff member responsible for maintaining these records was on leave for part of the two-year period when the board meetings took place.

Atlantic City Housing Authority staffer silenced at meeting resigns, warns of safety issue A staff member denied the right to speak at a recent Atlantic City Housing Authority board meeting has resigned and is warning of a safety issue at Inlet Towers that he says the procurement office did not take seriously.

It isnt clear who was in charge of preparing and maintaining the documents, or what was done with them, in her absence, he wrote.

But 22 of the adopted resolutions that cannot be found are from meetings where that staff member was in attendance, according to a review of board meeting records from 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Hours after DeLucrys Tuesday afternoon interview with The Press, he tracked down some of the documents sought by the news outlet.

I spent three hours looking again through old files here to see if they contained any of the so-far unlocatable board minutes or resolutions. To my surprise, I was unable to unearth several items, he wrote in an email.

Still, 32 resolutions and minutes for the January 2021 board meeting remain unfound.

CJ Griffin, a prominent public records advocate and an attorney at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden who has represented multiple New Jersey news outlets in their legal battles over government transparency, said the Housing Authoritys inability to promptly provide copies of board meeting minutes and resolutions is troubling.

The fact that some are there or not suggests to me either that there are some resolutions they would like to keep hush hush or whoever is in charge has horrible recordkeeping skills, Griffin said. They should have an organized system where they keep these sort of quintessential documents.

The states Open Public Records Act requires documents, including meeting minutes, resolutions, ordinances and statutes, to be readily accessible to the public, and also mandates a government agencys records custodian to provide these materials in response to a formal request within seven business days. Agencies can request an extension under certain circumstances, like if the requested records are archived or require an extensive review to redact privileged information. But thats not the case with the documents The Press of Atlantic City has sought.

Tenants ask judge to consider special master in suit vs. Atlantic City Housing Authority The Atlantic City Housing Authority has not complied with an Aug. 18 Superior Court judge's order to provide a detailed plan for safe, adequate, reliable heat, hot water and gas service to Stanley Holmes Village this winter, an attorney representing 87 tenants said in a brief filed Monday.

Youre just asking for a very basic document that is a public resolution that was passed in a public meeting. They should be accessible, Griffin said.

Other agencies have claimed in court that their records maintenance setup made it difficult to turn the documents over to the public, but the argument was shot down. The courts have said thats your obligation, she continued. You need to manage your records in a way that they are readily accessible.

Griffin also expressed concerns about the boards decision to deny Housing Authority employees the opportunity to speak during public comment at its most recent board meeting Sept. 7, though she cautioned this is a more nuanced issue.

Factors that could come into play are if the employee is on the clock, or if they were trying to discuss confidential personnel or residential information, Griffin said.

But it just raises some red flags for me about the First Amendment and free speech rights, she said. You cant discriminate against or limit the discussion because you dont want certain matters spoken.

Stephanie Marshall, chair of the Housing Authoritys board, defended the decision to prevent staff from commenting during the Sept. 7 meeting.

They should follow the chain of command, she said Monday. If something is not getting resolved through the executive director, then they can come to the board and possibly speak.

Marshall was unaware that there were resolutions and meeting minutes that had not been posted to the agencys website but said she would look into it to make sure that all resolutions are indeed on the website, because they definitely should be.
A Davenport man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

A news release from the Department of Justice said Leonard Fisher, 32, fired six shots in the area of 13th Street and Washington Street, a residential area, during the early morning hours of Jan. 29, 2022.

Federal prosecutors said evidence showed Fisher fired six rounds from a stolen firearm after an altercation inside of the Thunderguard Club.

At the time of this offense, Fisher was on a furlough from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, from a prior prison sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm, related to a prior shots fired incident.

A federal jury convicted Fisher in January 2023.

Timothy Angel, 39, of Clinton, was identified as another shooter in the January 2022 shooting incident. In January 2023, Angel was sentenced to eight years in federal prison.

Fisher's case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
A federal government shutdown would mean working without pay for staff at USP Thomson Prison.

The federal government has until the end of next week to pass a temporary funding measure that would prevent closures as Congress continues to work on the annual federal spending plan. As reported by the Associated Press, House Republicans have left town for the weekend with no viable plan to keep the government funded. The House is not expected back until Tuesday, Sept. 26th, leaving only five days to pass a measure.

Union AFGE Local 4070 President Jonathan Zumkehr said if a government shutdown happens it could have a dire impact amid an already tough time for staffing and pay among Thomson Prison staff.

Last time there was a government shutdown, he said, staff went more than 30 days working without pay.

"We are forced to work without pay," he said. "You can't just shut a prison down. You can't expect people to work for free."

Staff also is facing a 25% pay cut, he said, and neither looks good when they are trying to hire and retain employees. He said that 37 employees have left and only one has been hired so far.

With most staff living paycheck-to-paycheck and traveling a distance to Thomson, Zumkehr said, it will more than likely lead to a handful of staff picking up a second job and/or not being able to come in due to not being able to afford childcare and gas. Once the shutdown ends, it also would take a while until staff received the backpay from however long the shutdown lasted.

While it is not clear how it could impact inmates, visiting and programs at the prison will continue to run as normal, Zumkehr said, but those programs could be impacted if a shutdown persists.

National AFGE President Everett Kelley released a statement about the impending shutdown, saying it would be a disaster for the federal employees who keep the government running. He also called on Congress to pass a resolution to keep the government funded at the current level while working on a final budget.

"Shutdowns hurt local communities across the country, deny Americans access to government services, and do significant damage to the overall economy," Kelley said.

During the last partial government shutdown, Kelley said, 800,000 federal employees went five weeks without a paycheck, and half were forced to work without pay.

The White House released a statement on Wednesday preparing for a possible government shutdown and calling on House Republicans to "stop playing political games with peoples' lives" and to follow the "bipartisan example" of Senate Republicans and Democrats.
A Davenport bar may lose its ability to sell liquor outdoors after city officials raised public safety concerns about large crowds congregating outside the bar in recent months.

City staff are recommending city council approve the liquor license of Yoshi's Bar and Filipino Canteen, 831 W 3rd St., on a routine renewal, but deny outdoor service following "events of concern" outside the bar.

"We are hopeful that denial of the outdoor service area will quell the large crowds and allow Yoshi's bar to provide better crowd control and parking lots and areas adjacent to its property," Mallory Bagby, assistant city attorney, told council members Wednesday.

The owner, Yoshi Haddon, said he first learned about the recommended denial, to be voted on next week, when a reporter reached out to him. He believes a denial could exacerbate issues, which he said the city took out of context, rather than ease them.

"The biggest problem is this is the first time I'm hearing about it from the city since our meeting in August," Haddon said of the outdoor service area denial recommendation.

It's not the first time the city has looked to use liquor licenses to come down on bars it believes are causing public safety concerns. The city council voted to deny a liquor license to Gilly's Corner Tap following a shooting. Third Ward Ald. Marion Meginnis said Wednesday two 3rd Ward bars are under restrictions to close at 10 p.m.

Bagby told council members the bar has become a "drain on police resources" in recent months and has been ill-equipped to control crowds. She said 911 callers have estimated crowds ranged from 50 to 200 people, which Bagby said "have become entangled in fights on a number of occasions."

Bagby said calls for police service increased dramatically in the past two months  of 97 calls in the past year, 72 of those were in August and September. Those calls, she said, which have sometimes been from the owner, have reported excessive noise, loitering, and fights.

The denial of the outdoor service area, Bagby said, staff believed would "promote a safer environment."

Haddon disagreed with the characterization of his bar, but said that he wants to do whatever the city needs him to. He said he works well with police, actively discourages illegal activity, and hired private security at the city's suggestion after a meeting in August to handle an influx of patrons to keep problems at bay.

Haddon said he thinks denying the outdoor service area could exacerbate any problems by encouraging people to leave his bar and spill out onto the street, where he and his bartenders have less control.

"If I go across the street and someone is drinking out in their car, and I say 'Hey can you move it along?' And they say, 'Well, f*** you,' I gotta walk away," Haddon said. "I'm not a police officer."

Haddon said he knew of one fight in early September, where he said police made an arrest using his security footage. Haddon said he banned the arrested person from the bar and the person hasn't been back since. Bagby told council members there were two group fights in recent months.

Haddon said he thought the number of arrests or major incidents for the volume of people coming through his bar was relatively low and questioned why he should be penalized for calling the police.

"Why are police calls a bad thing?" Haddon said. "They want us to work with DPD. They want us to work with police officers, but then they fault us when we ask them to come in?"

Haddon met with city staff in August, Bagby said, and has been "somewhat responsive to officer requests and suggestions" but, she said, "it is only once officers are already involved."

Ald. Marion Meginnis, of the 3rd Ward, read statements from impacted nearby property owners who she said asked not to be named for fear of retaliation. One property owner said they regularly ask people loitering nearby to leave and have been threatened, prompting them to call the police. Haddon said he was taking actions he could to address litter and loitering.

Haddon said he wants "to be able to exist as a safe place for minorities, but also continue to grow and be successful. The presence of minorities is not an indication of a problem."

The city council will vote on the liquor license and outdoor service area at next week's council meeting.

Alderman alleges colleague used racial slur

Tim Kelly, the lone Black council member, on Wednesday leveled accusations that a colleague on the council said a racial slur for Black people multiple times in front of him. He did not say who it was and did not return calls or texts from a reporter Thursday or Friday.

Kelly, the 5th Ward alderman, explained during the meeting why he didn't always "feel the same" way about goings-on in the city.

"When you have a colleague that says stuff to you like 'he was a nice colored gentleman,' I have to say 'we don't say those words anymore.' Then you have a colleague that says, 'I always say what's up n***a,? How's it going n***a? Oh how you doing n***a?' and trying to explain to me why that's OK.

"This is what I deal with as a councilman in the City of Davenport," he continued. "And how is that OK that I don't feel welcome, in the know, of the position that I have, but we're supposed to sit up here and kumbaya. So it's really hard for me to kumbaya and still do the hard work."

Kelly said others witnessed the encounter but stayed silent.

Kelly recently voted against removing Derek Cornette from 7th Ward alderman after the city's legal department presented allegations that Cornette was drinking before meetings and inappropriately addressed female city employees with pet names such as babe and his "little mamma" despite being warned to stop. At the time, Kelly denounced his behavior, but said that not everyone's concerns were being treated equally.

"I don't want to say the city isn't doing great things because we are doing great things, but we are not all getting the same equal treatment on this council," Kelly said Wednesday.

Car dealership plans move to 53rd

Davenport City Council next week will consider a rezoning request for three car dealerships southeast of 53rd and Spring streets.

If approved, the site will be developed for Lexus, Hyundai and Kia dealerships, according to council documents. Four buildings are proposed, one for each dealership brand plus an office building.

The company looking to develop the property, 53rd Luxury, LLC, operates the Audi, Volkswagen and Mercedes dealership at the corner of Eastern Avenue and 53rd Street.

"The intent is to create a centralized location of car dealerships within Davenport," according to council documents.

This would relocate dealerships at the Welcome Way and Kimberly area. Representatives from the company at the meeting Wednesday said the company leased the properties off of Welcome Way and were looking to build on properties they own instead.

Ald. Ben Jobgen said he supports the rezoning, but that the council should "keep an eye on" the area of Welcome Way and Kimberly as the city aims to eventually encourage redevelopment in the area, including planning for the future of North Park Mall.

Photos: Davenport City Council Meeting, June 7, 2023
Saturday, Sept. 30, marks the seventh annual Grey Eagle Warrior Challenge at the Dawes County Fairgrounds. The challenge consists of a 5K race with a variety of obstacles. Though the race begins at the motocross track on the north edge of the city, the fairgrounds are the staging area for the action of the obstacle course. The general public is invited to come out and cheer the competitors, and there will also be a childrens obstacle course. Business vendors are welcome as well.

This years event will be done in honor of SSG Stacy Swinney.

Born and raised in Wayne, after Swinney graduated high school he volunteered for the draft out of Wayne County, enlisting in the United States Army. On June 15, 1967, he reported to Omaha for induction. He did Basic Training in Fort Polk, La., and remained there for two weeks of a leadership preparation course to be a squad leader.

After completing his Advanced Individual Training, Swinney got a spot in Fort Benning, Ga., for 12 weeks of Small Unit Combat Leadership Training; he graduated as an E5 Buck Sergeant.

Swinney was home on leave for 17 days, during which he married his wife, Gerry, before heading out to Vietnam. He was assigned to the First Cavalry Division, and did a year in the field in the infantry. During that time, he was awarded a Combat Infantry Badge. This is awarded to infantry who come under enemy fire. He also received a purple heart.

On June 5, 1969, about six weeks before his 21st birthday, Swinney came home.

He and Gerry were still in Wayne at the time. In 1974, Stacy got into law enforcement, starting at the Brown County Sheriffs Office in Ainsworth. He applied for the Nebraska State Patrol at about the same time, and after completing the NSP training in 74 he was assigned to Gordon.

Swinney had the opportunity to buy his bridge construction from his father. Though he was in Gordon during a turbulent time, he purchased the business in Wayne. The couple lived in Wayne for a year, before Stacey moved the bridge business to the Panhandle; he commuted between Wayne and the Panhandle for 10 years.

Swinney said he and his wife really enjoyed the Panhandle, and they moved their family  including children Jennifer, Randy and Ryan  out this way in 1988. He further added theyve had the same residence since the late 80s.

Swinney said hes proud of the service he provided to his country, and when he moved here he was in Methodist Men with some of the older veterans, who encouraged him to join the local VFW, Post No. 1375. Within a short time, the post was in need of a chaplain and Swinney took up the position. Hes been the chaplain since 1990, though he did take off for vie years to be the post commander.

Swinney said hes proud of the post and the younger members being so active with it and in the community.

The Grey Eagle Warrior Challenge is a fundraiser for the local post, with proceeds going to help send veterans on Honor Flights, and provide scholarships to veterans either living in the Panhandle or who are from the Panhandle.

Swinney said when he was selected to be this years honoree, he contacted one of the soldiers with whom he served in Vietnam. That soldier, who lives in Denver, likewise contacted soldiers in Phoenix and Philadelphia, and they all agreed to come to Chadron to share the honor with Swinney.

There will be four of us from my squad in Vietnam here, Swinney said. The soldiers will arrive on Wednesday, and Swinney plans to take them on tours of the Black Hills and Fort Robinson. Theyll also be treated to a roast beef dinner at the Legion, 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28, and Swinney would like people to come out and meet his fellow Vietnam veterans.

The Grey Eagle Warrior Challenge begins Saturday, Sept. 30, at noon. Late registration time is 11 a.m. Competitors can compete in teams of four for $100, or individually at levels of: marksman, $10; Sharpshooter, $20; and Expert $35. Children 12 and up are allowed to compete with a waiver and a guardian present.

Pre-register up to the morning of the event at chadronvfw.org/race

For more information, contact Brandon Yetter at 308-430-0691, Melissa Yetter at 308-360-1183, or email vfwpost1375@gmail.com
On the fourth day of jury selection, a Pennington County judge cancelled the long-anticipated Richard Hirth murder trial after an expert witness, integral to Hirth's insanity defense, decided he would not testify.

"About four o'clock yesterday (Thursday) afternoon, the judge went on the record and said that there was no way that Richard Hirth could have a constitutionally fair trial in light of the fact that Dr. (William) Stratford, the defense expert, was not willing to participate in his role," said Pennington County State's Attorney Lara Roetzel Friday morning.

The 42-year-old Hirth is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, aggravated first-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to commit first-degree kidnapping. Initially Hirth entered a standard not guilty plea, but he later changed it to not guilty by reason of insanity in May 2019.

He is accused of stabbing and killing 22-year-old Jessica Rehfeld, of Rapid City, on May 18, 2014. Rehfeld's body laid in a grave near Rockerville for a year before someone led law enforcement to it. Hirth is the fifth and final defendant with a pending case in Rehfeld's death.

Hirth's trial began on Monday with jury selection and was scheduled to go through Oct. 20, 2023. This is the fifth time a trial date has been set and cancelled, but the other four trial dates never made it to jury selection.

The last-minute continuance is owed to a defense witness who was set to testify to Hirth's claim of insanity. Dr. William Stratford is a psychiatrist who currently practices out of Missoula, Montana.

On Aug. 10, Stratford reached a $80,000 settlement with the Drug Enforcement Administration after an investigation into his Montana ketamine clinic Big Sky Ketamine  which operated in Kalispell, Montana from March 2019 to March 2020, before moving to Missoula.

In early May 2021, a DEA inspection revealed that inventories of ketamine and alprazolam  sold under the brand name Xanax  records of ketamine purchases, and dispensing logs for ketamine were either missing or incomplete at the new Missoula location.

Stratford did not register Big Sky Ketamine with the DEA at either its first or second location in Kalispell according to facts both the DEA and Stratford stipulated were true as part of the settlement. The document also stated Stratford wrote himself 34 prescriptions for alprazolam.

On Sept. 8, Hirth's attorneys  Robert Rohl and Randal Connelly  filed a motion with the court asking the judge to bar the state from questioning Stratford about the settlement. According to a later document filed by the defense, they became aware of the claims and settlement "on the absolute eve of trial."

The state argued in a written response to the motion that the settlement information related to Stratford's credibility and the state should be able to ask about it.

The defense's response showed the importance of Stratford to Hirth's insanity defense, and argued he could not get a fair trial if the information was included.

"The importance of the credibility of a psychiatrist in an insanity defense case cannot be overstated. For all purposes relevant  it is the entire case of the defense," Rohl wrote.

Rohl also noted that the settlement was not an admission of liability on Stratford's part and the allegations in the civil lawsuit are "unproved and thus not impeachable behavior subject to cross-examination."

On Monday morning, Circuit Court Judge Heidi Linngren agreed with the state and ruled prosecutors could ask Stratford about the settlement, according to Roetzel.

According to Roetzel, defense counsel informed the judge on Thursday morning Stratford planned to plead the fifth if asked about the information. Thursday afternoon, that changed to Stratford's outright refusal to testify.

"The judge gave us about a two-hour break to do some legal research, contemplate how this would affect the case," Roetzel said.

After all parties spent time arguing, the judge ruled Hirth could not get a fair trial without an expert to testify on his sanity.

Roetzel was hard on the defense during an interview with media Friday morning. She said she continues "to be disappointed in the defense that this was not resolved sooner." She indicated they should have known about the settlement before trial began.

Defense counsel kept their remarks short. In a written statement, Rohl told the Journal on behalf of defense counsel that, just like everyone who is involved and impacted, they "are tremendously disappointed that this trial had to be continued."

"council Everyone involved deserves finality," Rohl wrote. "The eve of trial development was out of all parties control and the net result would have been an unfair trial. Like the States Attorneys Office, we would also like to express our gratitude to the jurors who participated in jury selection.

Over eight years have passed since Rehfeld was killed and over seven have passed since Hirth was first booked into the Pennington County Jail.

"The mood last night when I talked to the victim's family was very heavy," Roetzel said. "It's very hard for them to wrap their minds around what we're looking at, at least a year continuance for the defense attorneys to find another expert to determine whether another expert believes that Mr. Hirth is insane."

Although Roetzel estimates a trial date about a year from now, she said the judge gave the defense six months to find another expert.

Hirth is not alleged to be the mastermind of the murder, but the state does allege he's the one to have physically stabbed and killed Rehfeld.

According to the state and past guilty pleas, Rehfeld's ex-boyfriend  Jonathon Klinetobe  promised Hirth and David Schneider the Hells Angels would pay $80,000 to kill Rehfeld. After Schneider and allegedly Hirth picked Rehfeld up under the guise of giving her a ride to work, Hirth allegedly stabbed her as Schneider held her down.

The two men, with Rehfeld's body in the trunk, picked up Klinetobe and the three buried the young woman's body in a shallow grave south of Rockerville.

Two weeks later, Klinetobe enlisted two other men to help him dig up and rebury Rehfeld nearby. A woman who told law enforcement she gave Klinetobe rides to the makeshift grave several times led law enforcement to the site a year after Rehfeld's death. Klinetobe, Schneider, and the two men who helped move the body all entered plea deals and have been sentenced.

Klinetobe is in for life without parole after he pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting first-degree manslaughter. Schneider received a 75-year sentence after he pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting first-degree manslaughter.

The two men who helped Klinetobe move the body  Garland Brown and Michael Frye  each pleaded guilty to accessory to a felony. Brown was sentenced to five years in prison with one suspended. Frye received a five-year suspended sentence with five years of probation.
UPDATE (9/24/23): PCSO has called off the search, saying they have determined there is no missing person.

The Pennington County Sheriff's Office asked for help locating a parachutist believed to be in distress Friday night near Deerfield Lake.

At about 10 p.m., the sheriff's office posted to social media accounts asking for any information about a distressed parachutist in the Flag Mountain area northwest of Deerfield Lake.

A witness called police at about 7 p.m. to report they had seen a parachutist at about 4 p.m. with an emergency parachute deployed in the area. The caller said they searched for hours, but after they were unable to locate the person they moved to an area with cell coverage and phoned police.

Deputies and search and rescue responded, and had been unable to locate any sign of the person in distress. Current weather conditions and low visibility were affecting the search. The social media posts said checks with airports, Ellsworth Air Force Base and local parachute companies had not yielded results.

"If you witnessed anything similar in the area, have 1st hand information, or participated in a similar activity (including parasailing, gliding, etc.) please contact Dispatch at 605-394-2151," the post read.
The Bitterroot chapter of Trout Unlimited, Montana Trout Unlimited and national Trout Unlimited have invested in the Bitterroot Valley and its iconic wild trout fishery for decades. Those investments have included everything from ensuring Painted Rocks dam provides trout-healthy flows and advocating for public access to restoring tributary streams and hiring a full-time project manager dedicated to this watershed.

So, it comes as no surprise that we have serious concerns about a potential rare earth elements (REE) mine in the Sheep Creek tributary of the West Fork Bitterroot River. The West Fork is not only home to some of the watersheds few remaining, ESA-listed native bull trout, but also to productive agricultural lands, homes and vibrant hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities. Each of these are at the heart of the Bitterroot community and economy, and each could be put at serious risk by a mine upstream.

What are we doing about it? First, were making sure we have the facts. We know from a wealth of experience across Montana and the West that hard rock mines impact water quality and quantity both during operation and after they are reclaimed. All too often, mines are abandoned in bankruptcy with long-term environmental damage, requiring tax-payer funded cleanup.

While we fully recognize the need for minerals and rare elements, we think very critically about where and how we extract them. We also know that REEs often are associated with highly radioactive material and the kind of acid-bearing rock that results in a cocktail of toxins known as acid mine drainage that often requires expensive, forever water treatment. Extracting REEs requires both precious clean water and a host of chemical agents that also necessitate costly water treatment, with the ever-present danger of contaminating nearby ground- and surface water.

That said, we also know that there is currently no actual proposal to mine REEs in the upper Bitterroot and that many mine proposals never break ground. Our close reading of the situation and consultation with the Forest Service makes it clear that all thats happening so far is a small group of investors with a questionable track record are pitching a REE mine in this area to drum up investment.

Their pitch falsely claims that Sheep Creek is home to one of the largest REE deposits in the country, whereas there is zero evidence to support that. Similarly, the claim that the REEs in this location are not associated with radioactive material is a gross misrepresentation of the little data available on the area geology. The company has acquired a decade-old permit to collect surface rocks by hand tools to test for mineral contents. Actually assessing the REE potential and risk would necessitate a full, underground exploration permit. The Forest Service has not received an application for that.

Any exploration, much less a full-scale mine in Sheep Creek would require some level of environmental review and public comment. TU advocates that if and when an exploration permit is submitted, the Forest Service go through an Environmental Assessment process, requiring more extensive review than the streamlined Categorical Exclusion sometimes used for mine exploration. In the meantime, we are diligently gathering information about REE mining and the company pitching this seemingly bad idea, as well as identifying all the steps in the process that we, along with everyone concerned can take to help defend the Bitterroot. To be clear, the 1872 Mining Law can make it very difficult for the Forest Service alone to stop a mine proposal from moving forward, which is where the Bitterroot community and groups like TU and valley partners become essential. Meaningful action will come if an exploration permit is ever submitted to the Forest Service. If that happens, we will work with concerned partners  and there are many  to review that proposal, evaluate impacts and encourage public participation in the comment process. If needed, we stand ready to hire independent experts such hydrogeologists and mining engineers to ensure we provide the best reviews possible.

We encourage everyone interested to sign up for the Forest Service email listserve to receive updates on any changes or new proposals relative to a Sheep Creek mine by contacting USFSs Dan Pliley, Daniel.Pliley@usda.gov. People should also let their elected officials know about their concerns for protecting the Bitterroot from risky mining.
President Joe Biden on Friday signed a bill that will bring sweeping changes to organ transplantation in the U.S., effectively ending the total authority given to the Richmond-based United Network for Organ Sharing almost 40 years ago.

The bill breaks up the federal contract to oversee the transplant of kidneys, livers and lungs. Bidens signature comes less than two months after Congress unanimously approved the measure, called the Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act.

For years, the transplant network run by UNOS has been accused of poor logistics, a lack of oversight and outdated technology.

This is a banner day in the effort to improve the organ transplant system in the United States, said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., in a statement. For too long, thousands of families have had to watch a loved one struggle while waiting for an organ transplant because the system has been inefficient and unaccountable.

UNOS intends to bid for one or more of the new contracts, Anne Paschke, a spokesperson for the nonprofit, said Friday. She added UNOS does not oppose the legislation and supports a more competitive and open bidding process for a new set of contracts.

Last summer, transplant experts testified before Congress and reported numerous shortcomings. One in four kidneys removed from a dying patient never makes it to a needy one. A transplant surgeon said couriers left one kidney overnight in an airport hangar, untracked. Another kidney arrived with tire marks across its box. Kaiser Health News reported in 2020 that couriers who transport organs are 15 times more likely to damage or lose them than an airline is to damage luggage.

Technology has been an issue for UNOS, too. The IT unit of the executive branch, U.S. Digital Services, called UNOS technology old, slow and cumbersome. Brian Shepard, who resigned as CEO of UNOS last year, defended the nonprofits network before Congress, saying it runs flawlessly more than 99.9% of the time.

UNOS has been accused of failing to reprimand the failing organizations within the network; 40% of the organ procurement organizations tasked with recovering organs received a failing grade from the federal government, but UNOS rarely disciplined them. Shepard told Congress last year that it was the governments job to discipline, not UNOS.

These combined failures have led to patient deaths and an increased cost of care, the Senate Finance Committee reported. In the past three decades, 249 patients have developed diseases because they received infected organs, and 70 of them died, the committee said.

More than a dozen people told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that UNOS has long resisted change and dismissed concerns from whistleblowers.

In March, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the federal agency that oversees UNOS, announced it intended to split the sole contract for managing organ transplantation and allow groups to compete for its pieces.

Carole Johnson, administrator of the agency, asked for Congress approval. Both chambers approved the bill without opposition, and Bidens signature was the final hurdle.

In 1984, Congress passed the National Organ Transplant Act and sought a nonprofit to oversee transplantation at a national level. UNOS won the first contract in 1986 and every contract thereafter. Its most recent contract, which is worth about $6.5 million, expires Sept. 30.

UNOS employs 450 people, according to its website, and is on North Fourth Street downtown. As the operator of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, UNOS oversees 252 transplant centers, including Virginia Commonwealth Universitys Hume-Lee Transplant Center, and 56 regional organ procurement organizations.

UNOS continues to offer its expertise to support a shared goal of increasing accountability, transparency, performance and oversight, Paschke said. The nonprofit is committed to working with the federal government to ensure the best system possible.

No organization knows the incredibly complex system and the transplant community as well as UNOS, Paschke said. As this law goes into effect, we look forward to taking part in the new bidding process and demonstrating how our expertise should remain an integral part of this system.

The Senate Finance Committee recommended splitting UNOS contract into five pieces: policy development, compliance, patient safety monitoring, IT infrastructure and logistics. Wyden, the Oregon senator, promised accountability, know-how and improvements to the transplantation network under the new direction.

Molly McCarthy, a three-time kidney transplant recipient and vice chair of the volunteer patient advisory committee, said numerous organizations inside and outside the world of organ transplantation could bid for the contracts. Large technology companies could improve upon UNOS IT, she said, and even online retail giant Amazon could manage logistics.

You dont have to have an MD to run most of the parts of the business, McCarthy said earlier this year.

In 2022, there were 43,000 organ transplantations in the U.S., the most ever. UNOS has applauded the increase as a milestone.

But a researcher told Congress last month that much of the progress isnt due to UNOS improvement, but to the scourge of opioids killing young and middle-age Americans.

Meanwhile, there are more than 100,000 people on the waitlist for an organ, and 24 Virginia residents die each month before they can obtain one, according to data from the network.

Todays bill signing opens a new chapter in our nations organ donation system by addressing the many failures that have plagued the organ procurement network, with disastrous consequences, said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.

Roles in medicine projected to have the greatest shortages by 2035 Roles in medicine projected to have the greatest shortages by 2035 Supply and demand in the medical field workforce Effects of shortages heightened in rural America State-level trends and initiatives
A Hanover County campaign held a rally Thursday night as the November election season is starting to heat up, saying it is advocating for more democracy in the countys school system

Hanover Citizens for an Elected School Board is a grassroots group with more than 100 volunteers that has been seeking to change the way the school board is chosen in the county. Hanover is one of about 13 remaining jurisdictions in Virginia to appoint school board members through its local government.

The group wants that practice to change to a system where school board elections are added to the countys ballot for voters to directly choose their school board members. Most Virginia school systems have switched to elected school boards since it was first allowed by the General Assembly in 1992.

Bringing democracy to the school board is one of the most prominent reasons it cites for wanting to change the system. The group contends that an elected school board provides more transparency around candidates, counters political influence by elected school boards, and promotes discussing decisions made by the school board.

Among the panelists invited to the speak at the meeting were a current parent, a community blogger and former school board members Marla Coleman, Earl Hunter, Sterling Daniel and Glenn Millican, who have a combined 46 years of experience between them.

Millican, who served on the board from 1990 to 2014, referenced the pledge of allegiance that begins every school day, specifically the words and to the republic for which it stands.

It is incumbent on us that we keep that republic, Millican said. What a republic stands for is representing both a majority thats democratic, but also representing minority interests.

He clarified that the word minority is not necessarily classes like gender, sex or race but rather difference of opinion, and that opening up a school board to elections gives people more of a chance to exercise their opinions.

The debate around whether to change from an appointed school board to an elected one has at times been presented as an argument between left and right, Democrat and Republican, with left-leaning interests pushing for the change and conservative values wanting to leave the school board appointed.

A group pushing the Vote No campaign, called Keep Hanover Students First, has argued that an elected school board might invite political spending into the county and may add a political influence to its decisions. The Hanover County Republican Committee has published materials saying that Democrats & other very progressive liberal organizations are behind the push to change the school board.

Hanover Citizens for an Elected School Board maintains that it is a nonpartisan group with members from every party.

The concern among some is that Hanover County citizens wont vote (for a candidate) because theres an R next to their name, said Daniel, a school board member from 2019 to 2022. The reality is that people have to campaign. Likely a conservative candidate in that campaign will be identified and then supported.

School board elections appear without any corresponding political affiliations on ballots in Virginia.

While only on the board for two years, Daniel voted for two influential decisions for the school system that could be seen as being on opposing sides of the political spectrum.

Hanover was the first school division in the state to open for in-person classes, a decision that was largely applauded by parents in the county. A second major decision was the vote to rename Hanover high schools named after Confederate leaders. Daniel introduced that motion, which controversially passed 4-3.

The Vote No campaign has also cited Hanovers success in student education metrics as a reason for keeping the school board appointed with the catchphrase, if it aint broke dont fix it.

Hanover had a higher graduation rate, at 95%, than Chesterfield and Henrico counties, both around 90%. Hanover students also scored higher on SOL testing, and around 10% more Hanover students attained advanced degrees than other schools.

Daniel argued that an appointed school system had little to do with that success, because in all of those metrics, nearly all of the school boards that scored ahead of Hanover were elected systems, and a majority of the states appointed systems rated in the bottom 20% for some of those metrics.

Hanover parent Kiri Berdan has three children in the school system and two more soon to age into elementary school. Among the five reasons she listed for the switch to an elected school board was that she believes parent voices are not heard by board members who are not accountable to voters, but to county supervisors. She also opposed the boards recent decision to remove 19 books from the school system.

I am against book banning and my school board and any school board or leadership which bans books with blanket statements, illegitimate resources and puts mountains of new labor on already overworked and underpaid teachers and librarians is a huge red flag for me, Berdan said.

John Dixon, who runs the blog Hanover Conservative Caucus, said his entire reason for supporting the change to an elected school board is in favor of the First Amendment.

You are governed because you give consent to be governed, Dixon said. I implore you to practice your civic duty ... the education of children is not just in the interest of the immediate parent. Your children will service this society someday, and they need to be prepared for it.

The selection process for board members has also come under scrutiny in recent months. Candidates for a certain districts seat nominate themselves at a public meeting. They are vetted and voted on by the board. It has been common practice that the corresponding supervisor interviews candidates for their respective district and puts one candidate up for approval by the rest of the board. There is no official process for vetting candidates.

MORE: The Times-Dispatch's Photo of the Day Sept. 11, 2023 Sept. 12, 2023 Sept. 13, 2023 Sept. 14, 2023 Sept. 15, 2023 Sept. 16, 2023 Sept. 17, 2023 Sept. 18, 2023 Sept. 19, 2023 Sept. 20, 2023 Sept. 21, 2023 Sept. 22, 2023 Sept. 23, 2023 Sept. 24, 2023 Sept. 25, 2023 Sept. 26, 2023 Sept. 27, 2023 Sept. 28, 2023 Sept. 29, 2023 Sept. 30, 2023 Oct. 1, 2023 Oct. 2, 2023 Oct. 3, 2023 Oct. 4, 2023 Oct. 5, 2023 Oct. 6, 2023 Oct. 7, 2023 Oct. 8, 2023 Oct. 9, 2023 Oct. 10, 2023 Oct. 11, 2023 Oct. 12, 2023 Oct. 13, 2023 Oct. 14, 2023 Oct. 15, 2023 Oct. 16, 2023 Oct. 17, 2023 Oct. 18, 2023 Oct. 19, 2023 Oct. 20, 2023 Oct. 21, 2023 Oct. 22, 2023 Oct. 23, 2023 Oct. 24, 2023 Oct. 25, 2023 Oct. 26, 2023 Oct. 27, 2023 Oct. 28, 2023 Oct. 29, 2023 Oct. 30, 2023
If space is the final frontier, for Chase Shugart, it will be his final resting place.

In December, the Richmond mans remains  alongside the ashes of cast and crew members of the original television series Star Trek  will be launched into space and toward the heavens, free of the bonds of Earths gravity.

Chases father, Jeff Shugart, said a burial in the space is a fitting way to say farewell to his 25-year-old son, a diehard Trekkie, who died in 2020 from complications of leukemia.

With him on that spacecraft will be the remains of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, Nichelle Nichols (who played the communications officer Uhura), James Doohan (engineer Scotty), Majel Barrett Roddenberry (nurse Chapel plus various other characters) and DeForest Kelley (Dr. McCoy, a.k.a. Bones).

The cortege to the cosmos will be launched on the maiden flight of United Launch Alliances (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket, which will take off later this year from Cape Canaveral, Florida, as part of ULAs deep space Voyager Mission.

He would be ecstatic ... he is ecstatic, Shugart, 65, who has lived in Richmond for almost 30 years, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch during an interview. He would think its so cool. I know he would.

ULA has partnered with Celestis, a memorial flight services company based in Houston, Texas, to make Chases final flight possible.

Celestis contracts with private commercial space companies to memorialize family members and loved ones by sending their ashes to space. The mission that will carry Chase costs $13,000 per passenger  about the average price of a funeral in the U.S., said Celestis President Colby Youngblood.

We put more people in space than all the governments of the world combined, Youngblood remarked.

Beatles, Frank Sinatra and Star Trek

For the Shugart family, there is no better way to honor the memory of Chase, whose fascination with Star Trek was inherited from his dad.

As a father, I liked to make sure my kids knew a few basic things in life, Jeff explained. You need to know about the Beatles, Frank Sinatra and Star Trek.

Jeffs own love of Star Trek began decades ago, when he was in elementary school in 1967. At the time, the show aired at 8:30 p.m. and Jeff had to go to bed at 9 p.m. So he would watch the first half of an episode, and his father would stay up and watch the whole show so he could tell Jeff about how it had ended.

Thus began a family affair. Through watching the show and listening to his fathers morning briefings, Jeff became hooked on the program, eventually passing that enthusiasm on to his own children. Chase, in particular, became obsessed with all things Star Trek.

He just took off on it at a very young age, Jeff said. I think he probably saw I was interested in it ... and he just far surpassed me.

Over the years, Chases collection of Star Trek-themed odds and ends would come to include model ships, Star Trek Legos and a life-size cutout of science officer Spock. There were so many Star Trek Christmas ornaments that the family eventually had two Christmas trees every year: one for the standard balls and bulbs, and one reserved specifically for Star Trek decorations.

It was amazing, how many Star Trek things in the house that you didnt think were there, Jeff said.

Chases passion never waned, Jeff said. In 2019, Chase graduated from Montana State University with a degree in landscape design and moved back to Richmond to work in the landscaping industry. He was busy and a hard worker, Jeff said, but it did not prevent him from staying up to date with the latest and greatest in Star Trek trivia and lore.

Things were going well. But in late 2019, he started to feel tired and run down, Jeff said.

The Shugarts took Chase to the doctor and, in November 2019, they received news that no parent is ever prepared for: Chase had leukemia.

It was (a) shock, he recalled. Thats something that happens to other people.

Despite the news, Jeff said Chases optimism and zest for life never wavered once: not through multiple rounds of chemotherapy, or the many setbacks in the treatment process.

He wasnt worried about himself, Jeff said. He never got down ... it was never woe is me. Never.

Chases first thought was always of other people, his family said. When he learned of his diagnosis, his first call was to his boss to apologize for having to leave work early and take time off. When he struggled to take the large prescription pills, he apologized to doctors and nurses for wasting medicine that could have gone to others.

His family said Chase simply refused to concede that his life was over. He fought cancer, and he nearly beat it.

Chases second round of chemotherapy was successful and, by December 2020, he was set for a bone marrow transplant. But a week before the operation, there was a secondary infection.

It just raced through his body, Jeff said. Within a day and a half, he was gone. If we could have had just a little more time ... it never occurred to us that this could be the end.

Chase will be up there forever

Jeff grieved, but wrapped that grief in gratitude, cherishing the hours he was able to spend with Chase during his treatment. Much of that gratitude centered on Star Trek.

Jeff recounted the many hours he spent watching the show with Chase during the final months of his life. He took out pictures of Chase in his hospital room, fully decked out with Star Trek memorabilia. Chase is gone, Jeff said, but it was a gift to have that time.

Because Chase died during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a proper celebration of life and funeral was out of the question, Jeff said. And ever since, he has wondered what might be the proper send off for Chase.

When he learned about Celestis Enterprise memorial flight  headed out into heliocentric orbit, never to return  Jeff knew it was right for Chase and for the family.

Knowing theres a number of Star Trek cast members on the flight and ... just really cool, interesting people ... hell be chatting with these guys forever and loving it, Jeff said.

And I get to look up every night now, and see him.

Youngblood said the Enterprise Flight will be renamed the Enterprise Station when it reaches its destination in deep space, 330 million kilometers from Earth. It will orbit the sun forever  humankinds most distant outpost.

The symbolism is not lost on Jeff, who will travel to Florida with family members in December to watch the ULAs rocket take off.

Chase will be up there forever, he said.

Recognize these places? 26 photos from The Times-Dispatch archives
Tropical Storm Ophelia has made landfall and is moving through Virginia Saturday and Sunday.

Where did Tropical Storm Ophelia make landfall?

At the time, an observation in Cape Lookout, North Carolina, reported a gust to 73 mph.

The weather system was elevated from Potential Tropical Cyclone 16 to Ophelia as the storm intensified Friday in the Atlantic Ocean.

What's Tropical Storm Ophelia's projected path through Virginia?

Ophelia is expected to move north Saturday, followed by a northeast turn Sunday.

On the forecast track, the center of Ophelia will move across eastern North Carolina Saturday morning, and then move into southeastern Virginia and the Delmarva Peninsula by the end of Saturday and into Sunday.

See the path here:

The system was expected to weaken after landfall, the hurricane center said.

What about flooding from Tropical Storm Ophelia?

Philippe Papin, a hurricane specialist with the National Hurricane Center, said the primary risk of the storm system over the next couple of days will be the threat of floods from the rain.

There have been tropical storm-force winds observed, but those are starting to gradually subside as the system moves further inland, Papin said in an interview early Saturday. However, there is a significant flooding rainfall threat for a large portion of eastern North Carolina into southern Virginia over the next 12 to 24 hours.

The National Weather Service said moderate to major tidal flooding is expected Saturday afternoon and evening across Hampton Roads as high tide approaches. A Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for the Virginia tidewaters and eastern North Carolina.

This rainfall may produce locally considerable flash, urban, and small stream flooding impacts, particularly across the mid-Atlantic region from North Carolina to New Jersey. Isolated river flooding is possible in areas of heavier rainfall, forecasters said.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Cape Fear to Fenwick Island; Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds; Tidal Potomac south of Cobb Island and Chesapeake Bay south of North Beach.

Are tornadoes possible?

As it moves inland, the system is expected to further weaken and become a post-tropical cyclone tonight or Sunday morning.

Winds and the possibility of tornadoes are possible.

Rainfall will drop from 3-5 inches and some areas with up to 8 inches into Sunday in eastern North Carolina and southeast Virginia.

When does the Virginia state of emergency end?

The governors of North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland declared a state of emergency Friday, which allows for resources and assets to be made available.

We want to ensure that all communities, particularly those with the greatest anticipated impact, have the resources they need to respond and recover from the effects of this storm, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said, encouraging residents to prepare emergency kits and follow weather forecasts closely.

The Virginia National Guard also resources in place, including tactical trucks capable of high water transportation ready in Hampton Roads.

Our planners have been working in close coordination with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the rest of Virginias emergency response community to determine the appropriate capabilities to position in advance of the severe weather. Getting our troops and equipment in place before the weather hits puts us in a position to quickly respond when needed," Brig. Gen. Todd Hubbard, Virginia National Guard director of the joint staff, said in a statement.

Officials from the Carolinas through New England are reporting damaging winds and thousands without power.

Up to 4 inches of rain are possible as the storm moves into southern New York through southern New England into Monday.

Tropical Storm #Ophelia Advisory 9: Ophelia Moving Further Inland Across Eastern North Carolina. Tropical Storm Conditions Continue Along the Coast and Inland. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ  National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 23, 2023

What about Tropical Storm Phillipe?

The area of low pressure located several hundred miles west of the Cape Verde Islands off the coast of Africa has seen its showers and thunderstorms become better organized on Saturday morning.

The system could become Tropical Depression 17 and if it spins up into named-storm strength, would become Tropical Storm Phillipe.

Its forecast to move generally westward at 10 to 15 mph for the next few days, and then turn west-northwestward or northwestward starting Tuesday. Forecasters are monitoring the projected path to the East Coast.

It is not uncommon for one or two tropical storms, or even hurricanes, to develop right off the East Coast each year, National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan said.

Were right at the peak of hurricane season, we can basically have storms form anywhere across much of the Atlantic basin, Brennan said in an interview Friday.

The Associated Press and Orlando Sentinel contributed to the report.
PHOENIX  More than 15,000 people in Arizona have registered to join a new political party floating a possible bipartisan unity ticket against Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

While thats less than the population of each of the states 40 largest cities, its still a number big enough to tip the presidential election in a critical swing state. And that is alarming people trying to stop Trump from winning the White House again.

The very existence of the No Labels group is fanning Democratic anxiety about Trumps chances against an incumbent president facing questions about his age and record. While it hasnt committed to running candidates for president and vice president, No Labels has already secured ballot access in Arizona and 10 other states. Its organizers say they are on track to reach 20 states by the end of this year and all 50 states by Election Day.

If they have someone on the ballot who is designed to bring the country together, that clearly draws votes away from Joe Biden and does not draw votes away from Donald Trump, said Rodd McLeod, a Democratic strategist in Arizona.

Thats raising the stakes for Biden allies who are mounting a furious pressure campaign against No Labels and politicians taking meetings with the group.

In Arizona, which Biden won by about 10,000 votes, the state Democratic Party sued Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, also a Democrat, to try to prevent No Labels from being on the ballot. The party lost in court and then dropped its lawsuit.

Now Democrats are pushing Fontes to force No Labels to disclose its donors, having insinuated that the group is being supported by conservatives attempting to thwart Biden. No Labels has so far refused to name how it is funding its work, saying it follows federal law and wants to protect the privacy of its donors.

Fontes has not commented publicly but is expected to announce a decision in the coming weeks after telling No Labels he may take action against the group for failing to register under the states campaign finance law. His decision is likely to be challenged in court.

Some of the anti-No Labels efforts in Arizona are quixotic. A perennial candidate from outside Phoenix signed up as a No Labels candidate and declared himself chairman of No Labels Pinal County chapter, in part so he could run for state office and try to force the party to follow the states campaign finance reporting laws.

Its kind of like a performance art piece, said Richard Grayson, who promptly after switching to No Labels endorsed Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Bidens narrow 2020 victory came with the help of anti-Trump Republicans, right-leaning independents and voters who disliked both candidates but saw Biden as a better option than Trump. Hell need their support to win a rematch.

In Arizona, Biden was endorsed by former Republican Sen. Jeff Flake and Cindy McCain, the widow of Sen. John McCain  a lifelong Republican who publicly clashed with Trump.

If even a small number of those voters were to back a No Labels candidate next year, Biden could fall short.

No third-party candidate has ever won the presidency or even come close. In the modern era, the strongest performer was Ross Perot in 1992, but he didnt earn a single electoral vote. He did, however, earn a reputation as a spoiler to then-President George H.W. Bush.

Democrats blame Green Party nominee Jill Stein for spoiling Hillary Clintons would-be victory in 2016, when Stein got more votes in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin than Trumps margin of victory. In 2020, a shift of just 45,000 votes in Arizona, Georgia and Wisconsin would have been enough to tilt the election from Biden to Trump.

We need to convince the political world that being involved with this is a bad idea, said Matt Bennett, executive vice president of the center-left group Third Way. If youre a potential candidate of theirs, youre going to be Jill Stein 2.0.

But supporters of No Labels insist that the political climate is far different heading into 2024, with wide swaths of voters in both parties exhausted by years of turmoil and chaos in Washington.

These are unprecedented times, said Benjamin Chavis, a former head of the NAACP who is now working with No Labels. Never before has such a large number of Americans expressed their concerns and expressed their views and their aspirations for more choices.

At least 13,500 people have registered with No Labels in Arizonas two largest counties, which include Phoenix and Tucson, with roughly 1,900 registered in the states other counties, according to the most recent figures available.

About half of registrants in August were formerly independent and another quarter were newly registered, according to Sam Almy, a Democratic data analyst based in Phoenix. The rest came mostly from the two major parties: 14% were previously Democrats and 11% had been Republicans.

While only about a quarter of the newly registered No Labels members came from the major parties, theyre much likelier to vote. About 63% of the former Democrats and 65% of the former Republicans voted in 2020, while only 45% of the former independents cast a ballot.

No Labels party members skew younger. More than half are younger than 35, according to Almy, and just 5% are older than 65. Twelve percent of them live in the 4th Congressional District, which includes Arizona State University.

If No Labels runs candidates, anybody can vote for them whether theyve joined the party or not.
When he heard about two preschoolers  4-year-olds  who had been talking about suicide, Secretary of Health and Human Resources John Littel knew he was on the right track with a pilot program for school-based mental health programs.

Its not, he said, that schools arent trying. But mental health issues in schools are rising, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Were seeing issues earlier and earlier, Littel said. Weve got to be involved before theres a crisis.

The aim is to explore how to deliver a range of in-school services, ranging from services aimed at all students, to stepped-up efforts for more targeted services aimed at families or other small groups, to the most intensive kind of psychotherapy.

In 26 Hanover County schools, that has included calming rooms, where upset or anxious students can step away from class for a bit, to brief therapy sessions aimed at solving an immediate situation, to referral services and assessment for cognitive behavioral therapy, an approach that focuses on tackling habits of thought and action that reinforce psychological problems.

A total of 91 students have participated so far.

In Hopewell, 71 students in one elementary, one middle and one high school have been helped with individual, family and group psychotherapy, as well as group therapy sessions.

Bristol has offered mental health awareness and suicide prevention, as well as crisis support efforts to 600 pupils in two elementary schools, while Lunenburg Countys mentoring and suicide prevention programs have helped 80 students in two elementary schools, one middle school and two high schools.

Thats all come in less than a year  the $1.3 million in grants for them came only in November 2022 and January 2023, but Littel said he is already seeing areas where a new state effort could pay important dividends.

Basically, that comes down to thinking about how two different groups  educators and behavioral health clinicians, who often take different approaches to mental health issues  can work together better.

Think about substance abuse, Littel said. A teacher is going to think about education; in behavioral health, the focus is on treatment.

Another key thing Littel has learned from the pilot is the importance of technical assistance  basically, getting pragmatic, evidence-based information to schools, and he hopes, to parents, about ways to help children before they spin off too deeply into illness and crisis.

A Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services review of the pilot said Virginia needs to build out a program of school-based mental health services.

Development of services and supports that are designed to meet the needs of youth and families is needed, rather than attempting to serve youth in a system designed for adults, the review said.

It also called for schools and behavioral health workers to develop shared goals for education and mental health outcomes.

Theres a big need for more licensed behavioral health staff who specialize in working with young people.

Richmond and Mecklenburg County received grants this year, while Amelia and Amherst counties have tapped into the technical assistance programs available through the pilot to start planning their own in-school efforts.

Its hugely important, Littel said. We need to think about prevention, so that our children have a chance to grow up to be happy, well-balanced adults.

PHOTOS: Community Health Center Week in Virginia
This is continuing coverage of Tropical Storm Ophelia from The Richmond Times Dispatch. Sign up for our newsletter to get weather updates in your inbox.

Rainfall is expected to continue Saturday into Sunday as Tropical Storm Ophelia moves through the Richmond region. The saturation has triggered a Flash Flood Warning for Petersburg, Hopewell and Chester until 9 p.m.

"The core ... will pass very close, if not over Richmond. Wind will pick back up in the afternoon," said Lee Enterprises Weather Team meteorologist Joe Martucci. He added that the "center of the storm" could drop several inches of rain across the metro area, increasing the risk of flash flooding.

The Virginia Emergency Support Team is working around the clock in the state Emergency Operations Center. Teams from @VDEM, @VSPPIO, @VaDOT, @VaNationalGuard, @VDHgov, @VDSS, & private sector partners including @DominionEnergy are here coordinating our response. #TSOphelia pic.twitter.com/dE0c2ow0eM  Virginia Department of Emergency Management (@VDEM) September 23, 2023

The National Weather Service had raised the Richmond area to a 3 out of 4 risk for excessive rain, the first time Richmond has been at that level since June 2021 storms dropped over 4.5 inches of rain in three days, stranding motorists and prompting multiple water rescues.

"Widespread areas of flash flooding are possible," Martucci said, advising residents to make a plan in the event of rising water.

But despite the deluge, buddies and fellow plumbers, Thomas Coffin and Nick Daugherty, both of Richmond, decided they wanted to venture out and have some fun playing a mobile scavenger game.

'I was bored doing nothing, so I called him [Thomas] about getting together to go play Monster Hunter. I moved here when I was like 13. I played in the rain gutters when I was a kid. It's just a bit of water, it's not going to hurt you or anything," Daugherty said. "You can sit on your ass not doing anything or you can get out there and get some exercise. I think we walked like what, three, four, five miles already?"

"I played in Hurricane Isabel when I was a kid. This is nothing. We're having fun, walking around, seeing the sights, doing our thing," Coffin added. "It's good exercise. I'm standing in about a half inch of water in my shoes right now."

Ophelia came ashore near Emerald Isle with near-hurricane-strength winds of 70 mph at around 6:15 a.m. but was expected to weaken as it moves north Saturday and then shifts northeast on Sunday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said, noting that the maximum sustained winds had dropped to 45 mph by the afternoon.

Philippe Papin, a hurricane specialist with the National Hurricane Center, said the primary risk of the storm system over the next couple of days will be the threat of floods from the rain.

There have been tropical storm-force winds observed, but those are starting to gradually subside as the system moves further inland, Papin said in an interview early Saturday. However, there is a significant flooding rainfall threat for a large portion of eastern North Carolina into southern Virginia over the next 12 to 24 hours.

Power outages reported across the region

Power outages across the Richmond metro area Saturday afternoon were down significantly from a morning peak that saw over 1,600 outages by around 9 a.m.

Dominion Energy crews had responded to outage reports primarily concentrated in Richmond and Henrico County, which saw over a thousand outages early Saturday morning.

The Virginia coast was hardest hit by the service disruptions. Dominion reported over 6,300 outages between Virginia Beach, Hampton, Chesapeake and Newport News during Saturday morning's peak. But those numbers had also decreased significantly by the late morning.

"Our ... teams are in storm mode," a representative for the utility company said in a post on X. "Crews are working to get power restored."

"The storm will continue to move through our service territory today and additional outages may occur," said Dominion spokesperson Jeremy Slayton in a statement, "we will continue to shift resources to areas with ... customer outages."

The impacts of the storm on Richmond area roadways and surface traffic Saturday morning appeared to be minimal.

Officials for the Virginia Department of Transportation Saturday morning reported the closure of all east and west lanes of Route 619 near Confederate Hill Drive in Hanover County as crews worked to clear a downed tree in the roadway. Motorists were advised to expect delays and travel alternate routes if possible.

Weather delays were also reported on Routes 1860 and 1864 at Ivy Banks Drive in Hanover, and on Routes 621 and 668 at Clarke Road in Goochland County.

The flight delay status at Richmond International Airport was listed as "very low" Saturday morning. At least six flights arriving at the airport between 10 and 11 p.m. Friday night had been delayed by over an hour, according to FlightStats. It is not clear whether those delays were due to weather conditions.

National Guard in standby mode

The Virginia National Guard Saturday morning announced it had staged for possible severe weather response operations and had helicopters on standby near Hampton Roads on the heels of Gov. Glenn Youngkin's executive order declaring a state of emergency Friday.

"Our planners have been working in close coordination with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the rest of Virginias emergency response community," said Virginia National Guard Director of Joint Staff Brig. Gen. Todd Hubbard. "Getting our troops and equipment in place ... puts us in a position to quickly respond when needed."

Hubbard said guardsmen will remain on duty as long as possible flooding and high winds threaten the region. Virginia remains under a state of emergency through Sunday morning.

Conditions are expected to improve Sunday. (From the National Weather Service)



Richmond is currently under a flood watch.



As with any storm, we ask that if you do not have to venture outside to stay indoors.  City of Richmond, VA (@CityRichmondVA) September 23, 2023

A storm surge warning, indicating danger from rising water moving inland, was in effect from Bogue Inlet, North Carolina, to Chincoteague. Surges between 4 and 6 feet were forecast in some areas, the hurricane center said. A tropical storm warning was issued from Cape Fear, North Carolina, to Fenwick Island, Delaware. A hurricane watch was in effect in North Carolina for the area north of Surf City to Ocracoke Inlet, the center reported. It is not uncommon for one or two tropical storms, or even hurricanes, to develop right off the East Coast each year, National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan said. Were right at the peak of hurricane season, we can basically have storms form anywhere across much of the Atlantic basin, Brennan said in an interview Friday.

Here are all of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane names Arlene: June 1, 2023 Bret: June 19, 2023 Cindy: June 22, 2023 Don: July 14, 2023 Emily: Aug 15, 2023 Franklin: Aug. 20, 2023 Gert: Aug. 21, 2023 Harold: Aug. 21, 2023 Idalia: Aug. 24, 2023 Hurricane Idalia in review: What went right, what went wrong, where do we go from here? Jose: Aug. 31, 2023 Katia: Sept. 1, 2023 Lee: Sept. 5, 2023 Margot (Pronounced MAR-go): Sept. 7, 2023 Nigel: Sept. 16, 2023 Ophelia: Sept. 22, 2023 Philippe (Pronounced fee-LEEP): Sept. 23, 2023 Rina: Sept. 28, 2023 Sean: Oct. 11, 2023 Tammy: Oct. 18, 2023 Hurricane tracker Your browser does not support the iframe HTML tag. Try viewing this in a modern browser like Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Internet Explorer 9 or later. Vince Whitney What happens if all of those names are used? If the National Hurricane Center wants to classify a tropical cyclone beyond Whitney, a supplemental list of names are used. These names have been in place since 2021. Before 2021, the Greek alphabet was used for additional storms. However, a very active 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season, and the Greek alphabet storm names, brought confusion. This led the World Meteorological Organization to swap those names for this list. Interactive: Hurricanes in the North Atlantic, 1980-2022
Tropical Storm Ophelia battered the East Coast on Saturday with heavy rain and high winds, knocking out power in the Richmond area and forcing some roads to close.

Despite the deluge, Thomas Coffin and Nick Daugherty, buddies and fellow plumbers, decided they wanted to venture out and have some fun playing a mobile role-playing game called Monster Hunter Now.

Its just a bit of water; its not going to hurt you or anything, Daugherty said.

I played in Hurricane Isabel when I was a kid. This is nothing. Were having fun, walking around, seeing the sights, doing our thing, Coffin added. Its good exercise. Im standing in about a half-inch of water in my shoes right now.

For the bulk of Saturday, a near-constant stream of rain fell on the Richmond area. Parts of Virginia were expected to get 5 inches of rain as the weather system that was elevated to a tropical storm on Friday moves up the East Coast. Rainy conditions are expected through Sunday.

The bigger threat was along the Atlantic Ocean, with communities as far north as New England bracing for flooding.

Philippe Papin, a specialist with the National Hurricane Center, said the primary risk of the storm system over the next couple of days will be the threat of floods from the rain.

There have been tropical storm-force winds observed, but those are starting to gradually subside as the system moves further inland, Papin said in an interview Saturday. However, there is a significant flooding rainfall threat for a large portion of eastern North Carolina into southern Virginia over the next 12 to 24 hours.

Meteorologist Joe Martucci told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that a flood watch for Richmond would remain in effect until Sunday morning.

Widespread areas of flash flooding are possible, said Martucci, advising residents to make a plan in the event of rising water.

The National Weather Service had raised the Richmond area to a 3 out of 4 risk for excessive rain  the first time Richmond has been at that level since June 2021 storms dropped over 4.5 inches of rain in three days, stranding motorists and prompting multiple water rescues, he said.

Power outages reported across region

Power outages across the Richmond area on Saturday afternoon were down significantly from the morning after peaking at 1,600 by around 9 a.m.

Dominion Energy crews had responded to outage reports primarily concentrated in Richmond and Henrico County, which saw over 1,000 outages early Saturday morning. By early evening, the number was less than a thousand.

The Virginia coast was hardest hit by the service disruptions.

Dominion reported more than 6,300 outages between Virginia Beach, Hampton, Chesapeake and Newport News during Saturday mornings peak. But those numbers had also decreased significantly by late morning.

Our ... teams are in storm mode, a representative for the utility company said on social media. Crews are working to get power restored.

The storm will continue to move through our service territory today and additional outages may occur, said Dominion spokesperson Jeremy Slayton in a statement. We will continue to shift resources to areas with ... customer outages.

The impacts of the storm on Richmond-area roadways and surface traffic Saturday morning appeared to be minimal.

Officials with the Virginia Department of Transportation on Saturday morning reported the closure of all east and west lanes of Route 619 near Confederate Hill Drive in Hanover County as crews worked to clear a downed tree in the road. Motorists were advised to expect delays and travel alternate routes if possible.

Weather delays were also reported on Routes 1860 and 1864 at Ivy Banks Drive in Hanover, and on Routes 621 and 668 at Clarke Road in Goochland County.

The flight delay status at Richmond International Airport was listed as very low Saturday morning. At least six flights arriving at the airport between 10 and 11 p.m. Friday night had been delayed by over an hour, according to FlightStats. It is not clear whether those delays were due to weather conditions.

National Guard in standby mode

The Virginia National Guard announced it had staged for possible severe weather response operations and had helicopters on standby near Hampton Roads on the heels of Gov. Glenn Youngkins executive order Friday declaring a state of emergency.

Our planners have been working in close coordination with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the rest of Virginias emergency response community, said Virginia National Guard Director of Joint Staff Brig. Gen. Todd Hubbard. Getting our troops and equipment in place ... puts us in a position to quickly respond when needed.

Hubbard said guardsmen will remain on duty as long as possible flooding and high winds threaten the region. Virginia remains under a state of emergency through Sunday morning.

Radar, hurricane hunter aircraft and observers on the ground found that Ophelias center came ashore at around 6:15 a.m. near Emerald Isle, North Carolina, roughly 25 miles northwest of Cape Lookout, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph.

A storm surge warning, indicating danger from rising water moving inland, was in effect from Bogue Inlet, North Carolina, to Chincoteague. Surges between 4 and 6 feet were forecast in some areas, the hurricane center said.

A tropical storm warning was issued from Cape Fear, North Carolina, to Fenwick Island, Delaware. A hurricane watch was in effect in North Carolina for the area north of Surf City to Ocracoke Inlet, the center reported.

In North Carolina, tens of thousands of homes and businesses were left without power across several eastern counties on Saturday morning, according to poweroutage.us, which tracks utility reports.

When you have that slow-moving storm with several inches of rain, coupled with a gust that gets to 30, 40 mph, thats enough to bring down a tree or to bring down limbs, said Duke Energy spokesperson Jeff Brooks. And thats what weve seen in most of the areas where weve experienced outages.

Brian Haines, a spokesperson for the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management, said there were also reports of downed trees, but no major road closings.

North Carolina Emergency Management continues to monitor the situation and to work with our county partners, who are currently not reporting any resource needs, Haines said.

Five people, including three children 10 or younger, needed the Coast Guards help on the water when conditions worsened Friday. They were aboard a 38-foot catamaran anchored in Lookout Bight in Cape Lookout, North Carolina, stuck in choppy water with strong winds.

According to the Coast Guard, the sailboats owner called them on a cellphone, prompting a nighttime rescue mission in which the crew used flares to navigate to the five people using a Coast Guard boat, then helped them aboard and left the sailboat behind. A Coast Guard helicopter lit up the path back to the station. All five were wearing lifejackets, and there were no injuries reported.

Elsewhere, the impact was more modest.

Aaron Montgomery, 38, said that as the rain started coming down hard on Saturday, he noticed a leak in the roof of the home his family just moved into in Williamsburg. Still, they were able to safely make the hourlong drive for his wifes birthday to Virginia Beach, where he said the surf and wind was strong, but it had stopped raining.

No leak in a roof is insignificant, so its certainly something we have to deal with Monday morning, he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
IN THE NEWS

RULING: A federal judge in Washington has upheld an obstruction conviction against a Berryville man who stood trial with members of the Oath Keepers extremist group in one of the most serious cases brought in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. District Judge Amit P. Mehta on Tuesday rejected a defense effort to toss the jurys guilty verdict against Thomas Caldwell, who was convicted in November alongside Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes. The judge says there was sufficient evidence to find the retired U.S. Navy intelligence officer guilty of obstructing an official proceeding and tampering with documents or proceedings. A defense attorney says Caldwell is disappointed but respects the courts decision. Caldwells sentencing is Nov. 16.

CATS: Twenty-six dead kittens were discovered in a freezer of a Fredericksburg apartment. A complaint was made Monday about a foul order in the building in the 2300 block of Cowan Boulevard, according to an affidavit for a search warrant. Charges of cruelty to animals and maintaining animals in unsanitary conditions are being considered against two people, police said.

ODDS AND ENDS

ARTHROPODS: A type of millipede found to exist only in eight Montgomery County caves is being proposed for federal protection. The Center for Biological Diversity on Tuesday asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to declare the Ellett Valley millipede an endangered or threatened species.

These tiny cave dwellers have been around for millions of years, but they could disappear forever in the next few decades, said Will Harlan, a senior scientist with the center, in a statement.

Millipedes are being threatened by urban development. The Endangered Species Act protects more than 740 animals, fish, plants and insects.

HAPPY LITTLE TREE: A Minneapolis gallery is asking nearly $10 million for a painting by Bob Ross, whose The Joy of Painting was filmed in Falls Creek for its first season. The painting from Ross first show on Jan. 11, 1983, was sold months later to raise funds for the local PBS station. The work, called A Walk in the Woods, was one of about 400 created by Ross, who died in 1995.

It is season one, episode one of what you would call the rookie card for Bob Ross, said Ryan Nelson, who owns the gallery, Modern Artifact.

BY THE NUMBERS

3

Where Virginia ranks on the list of states with the highest rate of speeding-related fatalities in the U.S.; business litigation and personal injury lawyers Heninger Garrison Davis analyzed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.

70.6 million

Cost, in dollars, of a proposed Dominion Energy pilot project in Henrico County that involves a new kind of battery that could provide power for up to 100 hours.

THEY SAID IT

I want to be honest with you now  this new diagnosis is a tough one."

 U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Va., who announced Monday she will not seek reelection after learning she has a severe form of Parkinson's disease.

"The building is the only residence hall on campus where the majority of the rooms are not air conditioned, and is the least desirable on-campus housing option."

 Radford University in a report about phasing out Muse Hall, an iconic 1970s-era residence hall on campus. It will be phased out by 2028.

IN THE NEWS

Otieno settlement reached

The family of Irvo Otieno, who died at Central State mental hospital in Dinwiddie County, has reached a legal settlement with Henrico County, the state and the sheriff whose deputies restrained him. The Associated Press said the agreement totaled $8.5 million. Otieno, 28, died from asphyxiation as deputies and hospital workers restrained him during the intake process in March. Criminal charges have been filed in the death. A judge approved the agreement on Tuesday.

COURTS: The man accused in a fatal shooting outside a Portsmouth strip club was set free after a judge dismissed all charges due to mistakes made by prosecutors. Jamal Cannon was charged with first-degree murder, malicious wounding and two weapons charges in the slaying of 27-year-old DQuonn Epps and the wounding of Reginald Roberts in February 2002 outside the Krystal Cabaret club.

Circuit Judge Kenneth Melvin ruled that prosecutors failed to properly follow rules regarding when and how information must be turned over to the defense. Commonwealths Attorney Stephanie Morales filed motions challenging the decision.

It is the second time in less than a month that a major Portsmouth criminal case was thrown out because a judge said prosecutors did not follow rules.

The Associated Press and The Virginian-Pilot contributed to this report.
QUESTION: I own a business with about 20 employees. My people are after me to draw an organization chart. I think that would be a waste of effort and would probably serve only to make some of my employees mad when I show them reporting to someone they consider to be a peer. Im against org charts. What do you think?

ANSWER: Were sorry to disappoint you, but we side with your employees on this one. However, this is one of those situations where the reason we think as we do is much more important than what we think.

We dont care about boxes and lines on a chart. Its obvious you dont, either. What we care about is that small businesses operate as successfully as possible. Your business will be more successful as it grows if you communicate to your employees exactly who is responsible for what with crystal clarity. Anything less than this leaves room for problems. The purpose of an org chart is to help you communicate this.

You say you have about 20 employees. Assuming there is no reporting structure, they all, in effect, report to you. If your business continues to grow, you will soon reach the point where you will become overwhelmed. In fact, that might have already occurred. It would certainly explain why your employees are clamoring for structure. When your personal capacity is exhausted, youll face two choices.

If you continue to operate as you are, your companys growth will grind to a halt. Even though you are working long hours, because you wont have sufficient capacity, things will start to fall off of your plate. Eventually your customers will begin to leave because they are fed up with the things that arent getting done. Youll have arrived at the unhappy equilibrium  the point where for every new customer you acquire, you lose one that is unhappy. Growth will stop.

You dont have the capacity to do it all, and people do not manage themselves  they cant. They need someone to establish goals, measure their performance and hold them accountable for results. This is the reason that companies employ managers. It would certainly be cheaper not to pay managers, but without them, larger companies could not possibly function effectively.

The alternative to the unhappy equilibrium is to put managers in place  people who have responsibility for only a piece of your business, a manageable chunk. You might have a person responsible for operations, another responsible for sales and a third who heads administration.

It is critical that you are clear about how responsibilities split among your managers. For example, will your head of operations or your head of sales be responsible for customer service? An organization can operate effectively either way, but it cant function if the answer to this question isnt clear. Creating an organization chart is an effective way to communicate your answer to this question.

We understand your reticence to layer some of your people under others that they might consider peers. These can be gut-wrenching decisions, but if you are committed to successfully growing your company, they are decisions youll have to make.

Another possible reason that you are hesitating to designate managers is that you dont have anyone with that skill set. Why would you? Thats not why you hired these people in the first place. If this is the case, you may have to go outside your business to hire the managers you need. Worse than not designating managers is designating a manager who doesnt have the skills to succeed. Thats not fair to you, your customers, your other employees or, ultimately, to the ill-equipped manager whom you set up to fail.

Org charts are not about boxes and lines. They are about clearly communicating who is responsible for what. For your business to continue to grow, youll need to be willing to make these difficult decisions.

Recognize anyone in these Times-Dispatch archive photos?
American Airlines to increase Cancun flights in upcoming 2023-2024 winter travel season

Cancun, Q.R.  American Airlines will increase flights into Cancun for the upcoming 2023-2024 winter travel season. The announcement came after more than 120 of the airlines International Division team gathered in Cancun.

The American Airline team were in Cancun for an annual conference which served as an opportunity for leaders to discuss goals for 2024, as well as to give back to the community during a social service event at Fundacion Aitana.

As the leading U.S. airline in Mexico, we are excited to bring together our International Operations leadership team in Cancun to discuss our 2023 achievements as well as our goals for the coming year, said Jose A. Freig, Vice President of Operations and Commercial for Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America.

This coming winter, were looking forward to adding more service to the destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean that our customers want to visit including popular spots like Cancun, Montego Bay and Punta Cana, as well as our newest destination, Tortola, he said.

We are proud to strengthen our lead as the largest U.S. airline in the region with more flights and seats to more destinations than any other single carrier or partnership.

Starting December 5, American will expand service on 10 routes from Charlotte (CLT) operating through the winter. Customers will have more options to choose from with 40 percent more seats available from CLT to Mexico as the airline increases its Cancun (CUN) route to five daily flights.

The International Division has had a strong 2023, launching new flights to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, operating our longest schedule to date at London Heathrow, and most recently, announcing exciting new destinations for winter 2023 and summer 2024, including Tijuana, Governors Harbor, Naples, Copenhagen and Nice, he added.

This winter, American Airlines plans to operate its largest Cancun schedule to date with up to 40 daily flights to 18 destinations in the U.S. The airline will also launch new nonstop service to Cancun (CUN) from Nashville (BNA) and Cincinnati (CVG).

American Airlines held their annual conference in Cancun to discuss the winter travel season.

Photo: Secretario de Turismo del Estado de Quintana Roo September 20, 2023.

Starting December 9, American will launch new nonstop service to Cancun (CUN) from Nashville, Tennessee (BNA) and Cincinnati (CVG). Service from BNA and CVG will operate on Saturdays through March.

These new routes will complement the airlines more than 35 peak-day flights to Cancun, including the most recent announcement of a second daily service from Austin, Texas (AUS), starting November 5.

American also plans to increase service to seven popular destinations in Mexico from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), offering more than 50 daily departures from DFW to Mexico.

During their recent conference, members of the International Division team joined forces to give back to the Cancun community. The group organized a toy drive for the Aitana Foundation, an organization that helps children receiving cancer treatment in Mexico.

This week, the International Division came together to give back to a community that has been part of Americans history for more than 40 years, said Jose Maria Giraldo, Managing Director for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

It was incredibly meaningful to see our team members from around the world join our friends at the Aitana Foundation and be able to bring so much joy to children.
Sargassum permanent reality says Puerto Morelos Mayor

Puerto Morelos, Q.R.  The sargassum outflow, which in the first years was considered a contingency, became a permanent reality due to the massive arrival of the macroalgae each year.

The arrival forces Puerto Morelos to maintain a continuous fight, said Mayor Blanca Merari Tziu Munoz.

Within the framework of her II Municipal Report, Merari noted that for the constant cleaning of beaches this year, it was necessary to hire personnel and acquire appropriate machinery and equipment for the removal and disposal of sargassum.

Authorities and the community in general are committed to the task of keeping municipal beaches free of sargassum. Jointly, highly trained personnel from the Ministry of the Navy deployed significant efforts in cleaning the areas near the coast, she noted.

In addition to tools, they used two specialized boats to collect the seaweed before it reached the coast. Anti-sargassum barriers were also installed. she continued. In turn, the team from the Federal Maritime-Terrestrial Zone (Zofemat) in Puerto Morelos deployed an active and valuable effort in the sargassum cleaning process.

Manual cleaning and anti-sargassum barriers keep beaches free of seaweed. Photo: H. Ayuntamiento de Puerto Morelos September 21, 2023.

The Mayor specified that 1.9 km of anti-sargassum barrier were installed to serve the public beaches, a stretch that includes Playa Ventana al Mar, Playa Sol, Pelicanos, Cayuse, Arrecife and the Fishing Technical Secondary School, in which constant monitoring of the sargassum arrival was maintained.

Workers were provided with the equipment required to remove the sargassum, with both machinery and manually, totaling 18,496 cubic meters of the marine macroalgae.

Blanca Merari assured that they are working closely with the private sector to obtain the necessary permits so that the transfer of sargassum meets all the requirements established by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).
Suspect wanted in Franklin County Washington for rape and murder extradited

Mexico City, Mexico  A man wanted in Franklin Country, Washington for rape, injuries and murder has been extradited from Mexico. On Friday, the Attorney Generals Office of the Republic (FGR) extradited a man of Mexican nationality required by the Superior Court of Washington in Franklin County.

On Friday, Mexico handed Edgar C over to federal authorities at the Mexico City International Airport for the crimes of homicide, rape and injuries, they reported in a statement.

According to the FGR, Edgar C, together with his partner, beat, tortured and raped their children, causing the death of one of them.

The Government of Mexico granted the extradition of the defendant to the Government of the United States after his arrest in March of this year in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.

His delivery to U.S. authorities was made at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) who transferred him back to Franklin County, Washington to face charges.
MARION, S.C.  Marion County Sheriffs deputies Office Criminal Investigation Division arrested Kenneth Fritz Joris, 60, of Marion, on charges of two counts of embezzlement of public funds, value of $10,000 or more as well and two counts of forgery Friday, according to Marion County Sheriffs Office Public Information Officer Tammy Erwin.

Officials said Joris, in his capacity as the assistant fire chief of Pee Dee Community Fire Department and assistant chief of Marion Rural Fire Department allegedly forged another fire department members signature on numerous fire department checks with intent to defraud the fire department of funds in excess of $10,000 between July 2019 and June 2023.

It is further alleged that in his capacity as the assistant fire chief of both the Pee Dee Community Fire Department and the Marion Rural Fire Department, Joris fraudulently appropriated money from the bank accounts he was entrusted to maintain for each fire department, Erwin said. Joris allegedly appropriated in excess of $10,000 of public funds from two separate accounts in order to defraud both the Pee Dee Community Fire Department and Marion Rural Fire Department.

The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division assisted during the investigation.
(Getty/US Department of Justice)

An extensive federal indictment alleging serious charges of corruption and bribery involving the Egyptian government and New Jersey businessmen targetted a sitting US senator who chairs a powerful committee that steers American foreign policy and global financial aid.

That senator, Robert Menendez, has stepped down as chair, until the matter has resolved, according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, as the long-time Democratic official from New Jersey faces calls for his resignation amid yet another federal investigation.

A grand jury indictment unsealed on 22 September charges Mr Menendez and his wife along with three New Jersey businessmen and associates who allegedly participated in a bribery scheme trading political favours for cash, gold bars, a Mercedes-Benz convertible and other gifts.

Authorities seized $100,000 worth of gold bars and more than $480,000 in cash, mostly stuffed into envelopes and hidden in clothing, closets, and a safe at their home, according to the indictment. Photographs in the indictment include jackets bearing Mr Menendezs name and government seals stuffed with strapped bills.

Mr Menendez and his wife Nadine Menendez are charged with three counts, including conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right.

Fred Daibes, Wael Hana and Jose Uribe are charged with the first two of those counts.

The indictment outlines the senators role in several alleged criminal schemes, including sharing sensitive US government information among other steps to covertly benefit the Egyptian government, pushing US officials to secure an exclusive business deal with one of the co-defendants, and pressuring state and federal prosecutors to drop investigations  all in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, gold and gifts.

Egypt, military aid, highly sensitive government information and a halal monopoly

The high-ranking Democratic official allegedly wielded his influence and access to give an Egyptian American businessman sensitive government information, then covertly wrote a letter on behalf of the Egyptian government calling on the US to unfreeze aid to Egypt.

Story continues

He allegedly met with Mr Hana the same day in 2018 he asked the US Department of State for highly sensitive details about the US Embassy in Cairo, which he then allegedly shared with his wife, who forwarded the information to Mr Hana  who then gave it to an Egyptian government official, according to prosecutors.

Within that same month, the senator gave Mr Hana nonpublic information about US military aid to Egypt, after which Mr Hana allegedly told an Egyptian official that a ban on small arms and ammunition to Egypt has been lifted. That means sales can begin. That will include sniper rifles among other articles.

Mr Menendez later ghostwrote a letter on behalf of the government of Egypt asking his own senate colleagues to release a hold on $300m in US aid to Egypt, then deleted an email in which his wife asked him to do that, according to prosecutors.

The indictment also alleges that he called on an official with the US Department of Agriculture asking the agency to halt its opposition to the Egyptian governments allowance of a company operated by Mr Hana to have a monopoly with Egypt.

Egypt had granted IS EG Hala exclusive rights to certify halal food exports to Egypt.

It is unclear how he obtained the contract, but prosecutors filing suggests that his ties to the Menendez family were crucial to the arrangement.

The senators manoeuvers allegedly followed Mr Hana sharing information from Egyptian officials with Ms Menendez about the USDAs objections. She then shared that information with her husband, who later deleted the texts.

Seems like halal went through. It might be a fantastic 2019 all the way around, Ms Menendez texted Mr Hana, according to the indictment.

Mr Hana then began paying Ms Menendez, including a $23,000 mortgage payment through his company.

Interfering with a criminal case, $15k in a parking lot and a Mercedes-Benz

In 2019, Mr Menendez allegedly sought to interfere with a criminal investigation connected to Mr Uribes trucking business facing scrutiny from New Jersey prosecutors.

US Attorney Damian Williams announces corruption charges against Senator Robert Menendez and his wife in an alleged scheme with three New Jersey businessmen on 22 September. (Getty Images)

The now-convicted New Jersey businessman then arranged the sale of a Mercedes-Benz convertible to Ms Menendez after handing her $15,000 in cash in a parking lot, according to the indictment.

She then allegedly used $15,000 for a down payment and lied on an application to secure loan financing. Mr Uribe later arranged monthly financing payments routed through his associates or a company he controlled, the indictment alleges.

A federal prosecutor and internet searches for kilo of gold price

In the case of Mr Daibes, the senator allegedly agreed to interfere with a pending federal case involving his co-defendant in exchange for cash, furniture and gold bars  as well as recommending the presidential nomination of a candidate for US Attorney in New Jersey that the senator believed he could influence to soften the prosecution of his longtime fundraiser.

The New Jersey real estate developer was indicted in October 2018.

Mr Menendez allegedly sought the senate confirmation of a nominee for US Attorney in New Jersey who would go easy on Mr Daibes. That nominee, Philip Sellinger, ultimately recused himself from the case.

In January 2022, Mr Daibess driver allegedly called Ms Menendez and texted Mr Daibes: Christmas in January. The senator then called an official with the US Department of Justice overseeing Mr Daibess prosecution.

Federal authorities allegedly seized $100,000 in gold bars from the home of US Senator Robert Menendez, according to an indictment on bribery and corruption charges. (US Department of Justice)

At one point, the senator allegedly performed an internet search for how much is one kilo of gold worth and, later, kilo of gold price.

In March 2022, Ms Mendendez brought two one-kilogram gold bars to a jeweller, according to the indictment. Prosecutors allege the serial numbers indicate they previously belonged to Mr Daibes.

New Jersey officials and members of Congress call for resignation

Mr Menendez, who was first appointed and then elected to the US Senate in 2006, has chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 2013 to 2015 and again since 2021, with Democratic control of the upper chamber of Congress.

The indictment follows a lengthy investigation roughly six years after a trial on separate corruption claims resulted in a hung jury.

New Jerseys Governor Phil Murphy has called for the senators immediate resignation.

If he were to step down, the governor would appoint a successor to fill in the remainder of his term.

Primary elections are scheduled for 4 June 2024.

This undated image included in an indictment against Senator Robert Menendez shows money found in jackets belonging to the powerful head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. (US Department of Justice)

Democratic US Rep Andy Kim of New Jersey, a three-term congressman and among the first members of Congress calling for the senator to resign, said that allegations outlined in the indictment are serious and alarming.

I dont have confidence that the Senator has the ability to properly focus on our state and its people while addressing such a significant legal matter, he added. He should step down.

Former US Attorney General Eric Holder, who served during President Barack Obamas administration, said that the nation will be better served if he steps aside and allows a transition to occur that will best serve the people of New Jersey.

Its time for Senator Menendez to resign, former prosecutor and president of government watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington Noah Bookbinder said in a statement. The conduct outlined in todays indictment and the evidence presented are even more damning. The people of New Jersey should not have to be constantly questioning whether one of their senators is taking action for them or to line his pockets.

The senators response  and refusal to step aside

In a statement shared by his office, the senator accused forces behind the scenes of attempting to dig his political grave with a smear campaign creating an air of impropriety where none exists.

The excesses of these prosecutors is apparent. They have misrepresented the normal work of a Congressional office. On top of that, not content with making false claims against me, they have attacked my wife for the longstanding friendships she had before she and I even met, he added.

The senator will remain focused on continuing this important work and will not be distracted by baseless allegations.

They wrote these charges as they wanted; the facts are not as presented. Prosecutors did that the last time and look what a trial demonstrates, he added.People should remember that before accepting the prosecutors version.
TOKYO, Sep 23 ( NHK ) - Test runs have started in an extended part of the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train line that is set to open along the Sea of Japan coast next March.

The new section links Kanazawa Station in Ishikawa Prefecture to Tsuruga Station in neighboring Fukui Prefecture. Hokuriku Shinkansen trains now run between Tokyo and Kanazawa.

East Japan Railway's test train named "East i" arrived at Awara-Onsen Station in Fukui Prefecture, around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. JR officials and local representatives welcomed it.

Fukui Governor Sugimoto Tatsuji said, "The Hokuriku Shinkansen has finally come to Fukui Prefecture."

He said the prefecture will do its utmost to prepare for the opening, including improvements in local transportation networks.

JR officials say the "East i" train will run at a slow speed of around 45 kilometers per hour to examine tracks, overhead lines and other facilities and arrive at Tsuruga Station at night.

Test runs are scheduled through December 9. ...continue reading
125 Years Ago

Carnival Week Protection: Chief of Police OShonessy is making preparations to handle the crowds to be in Sioux City during Carnival Week. It is his intention to swear in about 20 extra policemen who will be stationed in different parts of the city and who will do all in their power to guard the property and persons of people from harm during the week. The chief says good men will be appointed this year, and he already has about 150 applications for the positions.

Grand Opening of Fall Millinery, Today: A.T. Haas at 608 Fourth St. is now bubbling over with charming conceptions from across the seas, aside from the exclusive creations designed by the staff of expert milliners. A.T. Haas has them all, and are displaying the Swellest Styles yet shown.

100 Years Ago

Over 56,000 Saw Sioux City Show: The 1923 Interstate Fair passed into history Saturday night after six days of unparalleled success in the history of the fair. More than 56,000 people passed through the turnstiles between Monday morning and Saturday night, and officials believe if the weather had been fair earlier in the week the attendance would have been nearly 150,000. Some spectacles that drew more attention were the automobile races Saturday afternoon and the fireworks display every night but Wednesday, which had to be called off due to the rain.

Whiskey Plant is Raided: A series of raids staged by police and federal officers Saturday night resulted in the arrest of seven persons, the seizure of a small still, and a large quantity of whiskey mash and moonshine. Moonshine pouring from a 13-gallon still greeted the raiders as they burst into the residence at 4 West Fourteenth St. In addition to that, 200 gallons of mash and two gallons of finished product were seized.

50 Years Ago

Painting Chosen: An acrylic painting by Mrs. Peggy Parris, director of the Sioux City Art Center, is going to Washington, D.C., to hang in the office of Iowa Sixth District Congressman Wiley Mayne of Sioux City for six months. The painting Thunderheads depicts a gathering storm over the prairie and was selected by Mrs. Mayne. The Maynes have had a long practice of displaying the works of Siouxland artists.

Postal Plans Arts Centers: Ground has been broken in the Mary Treglia Urban Renewal Area for the new Postal Finance Co. graphics center. The 18,700-square-foot building will house the personnel and equipment for the companys graphic arts production, including a darkroom for lithographic and photographic processing. The graphics center is expected to be completed for opening Feb. 1, 1974.

25 Years Ago

Sioux City Man Dies in House Fire: The body of George E. Rosenbaum was found in the living room of the home at 1213 29th St. after the house was heavily damaged by flames, said fire department spokesman Brian Thiele. The house was fully involved in flames when firefighters arrived just before 3 a.m. Tuesday. Rosenbaums brother Gary was in the basement bedroom and managed to escape. He tried to get his brother, but the fire prevented his rescue attempt. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Flora Lee Will Lead Sioux City School Board: Two new Sioux City school board members took their seats Tuesday night and Flora Lee took control of the gavel during an organizational meeting sandwiched between meetings of the old and new school board. Lee has served as vice-president for seven years and was elected president, and Barbara Benson was elected vice-president. There were no other nominations for either office and both were elected unanimously.
SIOUX CITY  Sioux City Police have named the victim of a fatal Thursday morning shooting on Sioux City's west side and charged a suspect in the case with first-degree murder.

Michael Lee Schwebach, a 34-year-old Sioux City resident, suffered a single gunshot wound near West 19th and Center Street around 5 a.m. Thursday and was taken by ambulance to MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center where he later died.

On Friday, Sioux City Police obtained an arrest warrant for first-degree murder for 21-year-old Sioux City resident Mario Alberto Corona Ruiz.

"The suspect was located in South Sioux City, Nebraska this afternoon and was taken into custody with the assistance of ATF, US Marshals and (the) South Sioux City Police Department, without incident," Sioux City Police said.

Police also said the incident "appears to be a targeted incident (and) we do not believe the general public is in any danger."
SIOUX CITY  With harvesting just getting underway after a hot, dry summer, row-crop fields in Siouxland are showing wide variation in yields.

Mitiku Mamo, a Nebraska Extension water and cropping systems educator who works in Cedar, Dixon, Knox and Wayne counties, said he spoke with a farmer this past week whose non-irrigated soybean yields were in the range of mid-20s-to-30-some bushels per acre, a rather poor showing. He's heard of corn yields ranging from 30 bushels per acre to 220 bushels per acre; even within the same field, yields can be 120 bushels per acre higher in certain spots than in others.

"Even when we were looking at the tasseling, the silking" of corn, Mamo said, "it was all over the place. So the yield is also going to show that."

Significant parts of Dakota, Dixon, Thurston and Wayne County have been stricken by extreme drought this summer, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

2023 Soybean Harvest A farmer pulls a wagon loaded with soybeans in a field being harvested Tuesday, northwest of Orange City, Iowa.

'Field after field taken out for silage'

Along Highway 12 in Cedar County, Mamo said, "you can see field after field taken out for silage" -- an indication that the farmers had little hope for robust yields and decided instead to salvage what crop there is for livestock fodder.

Across the border in Northwest Iowa, every county is at present suffering some level of drought, though only a small part of Woodbury County and a tiny part of Monona County are in extreme drought. The rest of the counties are dealing with either severe drought or moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Dan Roeder, who farms in several counties in Northwest Iowa, including Woodbury, Monona and Ida County, said "there are pockets of good yields, and then there are disappointing yields, both corn and soybeans."

In the hilly places Roeder farms, the tops of the hills ran dry first. The bottom ground held onto the water longer, but the yields were still disappointing.

"That bottom ground, it's your heavier soil, so usually that yield's better. But when you get that much heat -- there's just not enough air, it just gets too hot, and the air doesn't move," said Roeder, who raises turkeys in addition to row crops.

On the hilly land, the sides of the hills did better in some cases, Roeder said, probably because those areas were shielded to a certain extent from the unrelenting sun.

2023 Soybean Harvest A farmer combines soybeans Tuesday in a field northwest of Orange City, Iowa.

Soybeans can handle it

Cornfields, Roeder said, struggle in the dry heat to a greater extent than their companion, soybeans.

"The heat can't get out of there, it just lays in there and doesn't move, and it just gets too hot for that corn plant," he said. "Beans can take that. Beans are a little bit different. But the corn just can't take it."

In the aggregate, Roeder said his yields -- the good and the bad taken together -- will be all right this year. He credited this to improved seed hybrids, which are better able to withstand drought than they were even 11 years ago, in 2012, when a severe drought hit the region; because of its severity, 2012 is a commonly used as a yardstick to compare other drought years.

"Overall, yields are better for being in a drought situation, extreme drought if you want to call it that, than in 2012. Mainly because the varieties, the hybrids, are better bred," he said.

"You can't plant the stuff in the desert, but it helps," he added of the improved hybrid seeds.

From April 1 to the middle of last week, the Sioux City area has received roughly 14.23 inches of precipitation, said Matthew Dux, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls. (That measurement did not include the rain that fell on Thursday and Friday, which was likely too late to help most crops.) In an average year, 20.5 inches would have fallen during that timeframe.

A 'stressful' year

A good crop requires about 20 to 25 inches of moisture, said Leah Ten Napel, a Le Mars-based field agronomist with the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. In a stressful, hot year, 25 inches would be preferable.

2023 Soybean Harvest Soybeans pour from a combine and into a wagon as a field is harvested Tuesday northwest of Orange City, Iowa.

This was one of those "very stressful" years, with little subsoil moisture to begin with. And the 25 inches did not materialize during the summer.

The lack of rainfall raised another specter -- herbicide carryover. Soybeans and corn require different types of herbicides, and what's good for one is not necessarily good for the other. In a rainy year, the unwanted herbicide from a previous year's rotation would wash away in the rain.

"The crops are sweating through a really stressful growing season," Ten Napel said.

In spite of that, many fields fared better than conventional wisdom would have anticipated.

"Some of the yields are not looking too bad at this point," said Ten Napel, who'd heard of corn yields ranging from 150 bushels per acre to 280 bushels per acre. "So there's a big, big range of the yields right now."

Union County looks good

The drought isn't quite so bad in Union County, South Dakota -- most of the county is in moderate drought, except for the very southernmost tip. Parts of neighboring Clay County and all of Yankton County are rated abnormally dry, making them the least-dry sections in this region.

"Everything is looking pretty good," said Shawn Tabke, Union County Extension agent. "The corn conditions, with 71 percent of the crop in fair or good condition, that really indicates we're on pretty good track to have a good year."

Milton "Milt" Ustad, chair of the Union County Commissioners who farms roughly 10 miles southeast of Beresford, said he'd heard the cornfields in the area are doing well, but it was too early to say how the soybeans are doing. Ustad said he might start his bean harvest this coming week.

"The fields are awfully uneven, and places look there like they could just about be ready to be combined, and then a little ways away, it's still green," he said of the soybean fields.
The state Board of Regents is set to request just under a $15 million increase in general education funds for the next fiscal year, less than half of what it asked for last year.

The regents will request a 3% increase in general university funding for the states three public universities, equaling $14.8 million for fiscal year 2025, according to regent documents. Added to the fiscal 2024 budget, the total request is $506.3 million.

The University of Iowa and Iowa State University would receive $4.5 million each. The University of Northern Iowa would receive the remaining $5.8 million.

Combined with appropriations for other regent university programs, state funding for the next fiscal year would grow from $580.7 million to $619 million. The board will consider the request at its Sept. 27-28 meetings. The request would need the approval of the Legislature in its 2024 session, which begins in January, and the governors signature.

State funding for Regent higher education is a vital resource to attract students by keeping tuition affordable and allows the Regent universities to offer an extensive array of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in support of Iowa workforce needs, the document stated.

Iowa State University and the University of Iowa would use the additional $4.5 million each to combat rising costs of information technology hardware and software, utilities, and fuel as well as wages and personnel expenses, according to the regents report.

Funding would also go toward programs that help bolster student retention and graduation rates, maintaining competitive compensation plans, online programs, financial aid, and increasing merit and public safety negotiated contracts for employees.

The University of Iowa is also seeking a $10,000 increase in funding for its hygienic laboratory and an initial investment of $10 million into its new rural health care partnership. The partnership will work to expand the states health care workforce, expand health care delivery and reach to rural Iowans in need of services.

Iowa State University is asking for an additional $10 million to be put into its STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Workforce program, which received $2.8 million last year.

The $5.8 million in increased funding would allow the University of Northern Iowa to keep tuition flat for the fiscal year, making the university more accessible to the low- and moderate-income students that make up a good portion of its student population. According to regent documents, nearly 30% of University of Northern Iowa undergraduates are Pell Grant recipients.

The University of Northern Iowa is requesting $500,000 for its new partner program with community colleges across the state, called UNI@IACC, which allows students to transition from receiving their associates degree from a community college to finishing their bachelors degree with the four-year university online. The university has already received $4.17 million in one-time federal American Rescue Plan program scale-up funds to launch the program. It is also requesting an additional $2.5 million for its Educators for Iowa program.

While the regents asked for a $32 million increase in general appropriations for fiscal year 2024, the Legislature kept the funding flat this past session. Regent universities raised tuition for the third year in a row this summer, a 3.5% hike for in-state, undergraduate students and at varying rates for graduate students.
Editor's Note: Charese Yanney is a member of the Iowa Department of Transportation commission. This is her look at a recent trip to Washington.

It has been several years since I've visited Washington, D.C., for business for the Iowa Department of Transportation. The week of Sept. 18, I scheduled a trip there. Our plan was to visit our congressional delegation, the Federal Highway Department and the Army Corps of Engineers.

It is beneficial for us to make the calls because it keeps the department and the state of Iowa in front of them. Since the floods on the Missouri River in 2019, we have developed an improved relationship with the corps -- better communications, working together to resolve the issues as to how we could better prevent flooding from Honey Creek to the most southern portion of western Iowa.

Due to the leadership of Gov. Kim Reynolds, the governors of Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri came together and brought the Corps of Engineers along. They formed an important and critical relationship to figure out in part where the Missouri River was flooding and why it did. After they came to conclusions as to why it flooded, work began to fix the cause. Interestingly, some of the breached dams are privately owned and were not properly maintained due to maintenance costs and assessments.

Building relationships is one of the most important things we can do in life, You never know when you may be asked to help someone or you may need their help in resolving an issue, whether it is business-related or life in general.

Two of the most important organizations I belong to are the Sioux City Chamber of Commerce and the Iowa Association of Business and Industry. Building relationships has been an important benefit that will last a life time for me as well as the people who have been a part of the relations. The best way to enjoy a relationship and keep it is to work at it.

In the case of IDOT, it is to continue our good work keeping them informed of our needs and what is helpful to continue to be efficient and effective.

While in D.C., our commissioners had very productive meetings with our Iowa delegation. The success of our trip was because the department and our commissioners have a great relationship and the staff of IDOT prepares us with important information before we arrive.

Meeting with the Federal Highway went well, too. IDOT, for as long as I have known it, has worked with Federal Highways to keep up a relationship that is meaningful, not just over the phone or by emails. The department meets with its staff in person and through other means of communication in the interim. When we walk in their doors, they know who we are. Due to the constant dialogue, they know our issues and appreciate what we are experiencing and often can suggest ideas and information that is very helpful.

In all honesty, Iowa does very well because we know how to spend the monies we receive effectively and efficiently. We have projects that are on the shelf, ready to go when monies are available. For example, IDOT and the commission have fully programmed the Infrastructure Bill increases in the 2023 to 2027 five-year program that we adopted in June 2022. Our strong partnerships are the key to our success; we partner with local governments and other transportation stakeholders.

Our current challenges include the fact that a large portion (approximately 40%) of the increased highway revenue went toward funding project cost increases for projects already in our program. Every year we look at our five- year program and make adjustments as needed in relation to our available monies. The previous program year, we moved 12 projects back a year to compensate for the additional expenses. The good news: no project had to be removed from the program.

While visiting with the Army Corps, we explained that it is important to keep the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers navigable. Its another option for farmers, fertilizer companies and other businesses that ship goods. It also helps keep costs down due to competition.

Sometimes when you visit Washington, you are not certain if you made an impact on the people you are visiting. In this case, I believe we did. However, some of the things we need to happen literally takes an act of Congress.

Charese Yanney, of Sioux City, is owner and managing partner of Guarantee Roofing, Siding and Insulation Co. She serves on the Siouxland Initiative Executive Committee, the Orpheum Theatre Preservation Board, the Orpheum Theatre Endowment Board and the Iowa Department of Transportation Commission.
In What Its Like, people tell us, well, what its like to have experiences many of us have not even imagined. In this entry, we spoke to amateur mariner Sam Holmes, 35, who crosses oceansby himselfin a dinky sailboat. Holmes is from North Carolina, and previously worked at Disney as an Imagineer. Now he spends weeks of his life at sea, documenting the trials and tribulations of a lonesome skipper for his 230,000 YouTube subscribers.

I first learned how to sail as a teenager. It was just a summer camp activity, something I did for fun. When I was in my early 20s I purchased my first boat for myself, and I found a blog of someone who sailed around the world on a catamaran, and thats when I learned it was possible to basically live on the sea, rent-free. The cogs started turning in my head; maybe this was something I could do much later in life, maybe after I retired? But I kept thinking about the idea, and in my early 30s, I decided to give it a shot. I charted a route from Los Angeles to Hawaii following the trade winds, which seemed like an easy introduction to long-distance sailing. The whole trip took 27 days, and my vessel was 23 feet long. Thats how it all started.

Advertisement

Advertisement

I wasnt sure how the trip was going to go. There was a chance Id cross the Pacific Ocean and decide that I hated being isolated for weeks. Or maybe Id get to Hawaii and decide to sell my boat. But everything went so perfectly on the trip, which was a surprise, because I didnt really know what I was doing. Honestly, I wasnt even sure if I was going to make it, as I had a lot less sailing experience than other people at the time. I didnt think I was going to die or anythingif I thought that was a likely possibility, I wouldnt have done it. But it goes without saying that there are a lot of ways to get killed when youre alone on a tiny sailboat in the middle of the ocean. You could fall off the boat, or it could catch fire, or it could sink. The vessel was 40 years old at the time of the voyagethings could have definitely gone wrong.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Once I arrived safely, I put up a video documenting the trip on YouTube, which got a really positive responsealmost 5 million views in totaland it seemed like a sign to keep it going. Im now making more from YouTube than I did at Disney, which is nuts. These days, I spend much of my life either in port or on the ocean. When I first started sailing full time, I would be out at sea through spring and summer, and fly back to America for autumn and winter. But going forward, Im thinking about sailing throughout the entire year. Everyone in my life has been supportive of me, though my mom does get a little nervous. I do keep a workshop back in my native North Carolina. Its an old gas station that I was able to buy for only $15,000. Thats my home base. I think thats my favorite part of this lifestyle, drifting from cool anchorage to cool anchorage, seeing whatever I want to see. Im in Greece right now, which is beautiful, and Ive been exploring the Mediterranean lately, which Ive been meaning to do for the last two seasons. Its cool to look back and see all the miles Ive traveled. Ive sailed as many as 6,000 miles in a year. When Im out in the water, staring up at the stars, without a boss telling me what to do, thats the good life.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

There arent many people who sail long distances alone. Ive met maybe a dozen other people who do this, and many of them are from the connections Ive made on my YouTube channel. For the most part, sailors dont especially want to spend a month by themselves in the ocean. But personally, I find it practical. If you really want to do somethingand youre going solothen nobody can back out, or ruin your plans. Everyone seems excited about a big sailing trip at the beginning when its a speculative idea, but they dont always come through. For whatever reason, I dont get lonely during a long trip. I tend to be a bit more social once I get into port, when Im around other human beings for the first time in weeks. But thats it.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Much of the time, sailing by yourself can be a pretty sedate experience, but it does get scary when the weather turns, when the wind starts howling, and the waves pick up. It becomes hard to manage. Every little mistake you make out there compounds into each other. Its especially scary if Im in bad weather after a break from sailing, and Im not on my game while captaining the ship. The worst squall I ever endured was off the coast of Ireland, with wind gusts sustaining up to 30 knots and waves up to 15 feetso, almost the size of the boat. They just slammed into the hull. But honestly, the most frustrating part of traveling this way is dealing with all the visa issues at different countries when you come into port. [Ed. note: In one video, Holmes documents how he was forced to remain in isolation before taking a COVID test in Faial, Azores, despite the fact that he had traveled to the island by himself after a 23-day voyage.] The man-made problems end up being the most frustrating.

Advertisement

Advertisement

When Im on a voyage, I can usually count on seeing another boat in the ocean once every two to three days or so. Shipping containers and tankers pass by, on the horizon. I also have AIS [Automatic identification system for ships, which alerts mariners to nearby vessels], so Im able to detect far more ships than I would otherwise. If Im ever in trouble, I know I can probably find some help. In the meantime, Ive got a ton more sailing achievements left on my bucket list. Id love to circumnavigate, or do Cape Horn and the South Pacific. Lately Ive been looking into Antarctica. The world is your oyster.
This article is from Big Technology, a newsletter by Alex Kantrowitz.

This week, Microsoft and Google introduced generative A.I. tools that make attending meetings, writing emails, scheduling travel, and catching up on projects vastly easier. The products channel the wonder of buzzy A.I. products like ChatGPT, DALL-E, Midjourney, and Bard into clear, applicable uses. And these obvious uses just happen to be in the workplace. Perhaps its no accident.

About a year into the generative A.I. phenomenon, its becoming evident that the technology is most useful in enterprise first, with broader consumer adoption perhaps to follow. The sonic boom arrival of ChatGPTit notched 100 million users in two monthsmade it seem as if fast, mass adoption of A.I. chatbots and their related tools were possible. But ChatGPT was ultimately a demo for companies looking to build on top of the technology. And now, as consumer chatbot usage tails off, these products are shipping.

Microsoft in particular revealed an impressive suite of generative A.I. features for companies that, if they function as presented, might change the workday for the better. The companys Copilot, an everyday AI companion, will live prominently on Windows 11, Bing, Edge, and Microsoft 365. And it really sings once you give it access to meeting transcripts, emails, and documents.

Advertisement

At Microsofts New York release event on Thursday, I watched as it revealed products that simplify and automate some of the worst parts of office life. The company demoed a text generator that can read long Word documents and write blog posts highlighting the most relevant points. It showed another feature that allows you to prompt Copilot to summarize a slew of unread messages from an email-happy co-worker. The technology can also read transcripts of meetings you miss and note the most relevant parts, or allow you to query the full discussions. Even simple updates like prompting Copilot to create a header image for a slide deck seem quite useful.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Related From Slate Google Really Doesnt Want to Be Here Read More

At work, people will have a real incentive to learn how to use these products, figure out their prompts, and master their intricacies, especially given that their next promotion, their raise, or their job itself might depend on it. If the stakes are high, messing around with chatbots and image generators until you get it right would be worthwhile. For consumers, the technology can feel a bit daunting or not worth the effort. As one technologist told me this week, prompting is something you did on MS-DOS. Weve built better user interfaces since then.

Advertisement

Advertisement

But as we get familiar with these tools at work, their utility will likely enter our personal lives. We might go from planning a meeting with A.I. to planning a vacation with it. Or from writing a blog post with a text generator to writing a bedtime story. Perhaps well even ingest relatives words into long documents and turn that material into chatbots.

Advertisement

Well also see aspects of generative A.I. in the products we already use every day, making the transition easier. Google, for instance, is connecting Bard to Gmail. And Microsoft is putting Copilot inside Windows, where it will be hard to miss. Having it in Windows, and having it naturally appear when you need it, is going to trigger average people to try it and use it a lot more than they do today, Microsoft consumer chief marketing officer Yusuf Mehdi told me.

Microsoft is also bullish on how Bing is stacking up vs. Google, challenging reports that generative A.I. hasnt helped it gain on its competitor. We have been growing share with Bing, Mehdi said. He wouldnt get more specific, but said, Im working to have a independent third party [audit] that well have shortly.

In the near term, this weeks product releases should further assuage concerns of generative A.I. taking our jobs. These products are assistive, all but allowing you to be in two places at once, and should help cut down on the meaningless work that fills the typical workday. They may cause some homogenization in corporate blog posts and designsomething a little human touch can help alleviatebut that wont put people out to pasture. And it may even make our demanding workdays a bit more manageable.
The recent Maui wildfires devastated the local community in many ways. Though business closures are not among the most important factors, these companies do play a major role in supporting the local community. So, the county and state are working out details for a new grant program to support affected businesses. Read on for more about this small business grant program and others throughout the U.S.

West Maui Small Business Recovery Grants

Officials in Hawaii are proposing a grant program to support businesses affected by the recent fires in Lahaina. The program would include $25 million, with the state contributing $10 million, the county providing $5 million, and the rest coming from the Maui Strong Fund administered by Hawaii Community Foundation. Small businesses that were affected by the fires could receive $10,000 payments. And larger companies could receive $20,000 to cover various expenses like employee wages and lease payments. Officials are still working out the details but are eying October as a soft re-opening of West Maui to visitors.

Discover the Zoho Ecosystem Drive Traffic to Your Website Sell Your Business Advertise Your Business Here

SoBuf Biz Grant Program

The SoBuf Biz Grant program is currently accepting applications from small businesses in South Buffalo. The program will provide grants of up to $5,000 to eligible businesses. To qualify, businesses must have 25 or fewer full-time employees and have been in business since at least March 1, 2020. Additionally, businesses in the city of Buffalos South Common Council District that have faced economic hardship due to the pandemic will receive priority. The program is awarding grants on a first come, first served basis.

Activate Oakland Grant Program

The city of Oakland, California and Visit Oakland are launching a new program to support small businesses and spur the local economy. Activate Oakland will give small businesses and organizers up to $20,000 to create free events to draw crowds into the city and to their businesses. A total of $400,000 is available through the program. Eligible events include free exercise classes, movie nights, pop-up shops, or even block parties. October 12 is the deadline to apply.

Utah STEP Grants

Utah recently received $500,000 from the SBA State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant. In partnership with the Governors Office of Economic Opportunity, World Trade Center Utah will administer those funds to small businesses in the state that are looking to expand into global markets. The reimbursement grant program can cover various costs related to global expansion, including international business trips, trade shows, compliance testing fees, export training programs, and international marketing.

York BLOOM Grant Program

The York County Economic Alliance in York, Pennsylvania, recently unveiled the 2023 City of York BLOOM Grant Program. Eligible businesses can apply for grants of between $500 and $1,500 to cover various growth or productivity improvement expenses. The program will prioritize businesses that have not received funding from previous BLOOM grant programs and businesses owned by Veterans, Women, or Black, Indigenous, or People of Color. The BLOOM grant program originally launched back in 2018 and has since awarded 191 grants worth $422,978.30. October 13 is the deadline for the current round of applications.

Small Business Deals

Grow Seneca Grant Program

Seneca County, New York, recently announced its new Grow Seneca Grant Program. The program includes $500,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. Eligible businesses can apply for up to $10,000. Applications are currently available online and will be overseen by the Grow Seneca Committee. Businesses can apply now through November 22.
If the past holiday season was any indication, social commerce is set to surge in the 2020s. According to research from Smartly.io, a social media advertising automation platform, consumers are now shopping via social media. And social advertising influences their purchases. So, what exactly does social commerce include?

A Simple Definition

Social commerce is the term for the buying and selling of items and services on social media networks. Back in 2015, Small Business Trends noticed the growth of social commerce activities. Social networks offered Buy It buttons for businesses to add to their pages in time for the holidays. Since then, businesses have found phenomenal success with social commerce from shoppers reaching out to learn more about a product to taking orders and payments through a social app. Its smart to create a social commerce strategy since studies show social networks influence 74 percent of consumers purchasing decisions.

Sell Your Business Discover the Zoho Ecosystem Drive Traffic to Your Website Advertise Your Business Here

Social commerce examples are numerous, including:

Providing chat boxes so consumers can ask about products and services

Groups pages and forums for buying and selling

Making electronic payments available via social networks

Listing local products on Facebook Marketplace

Product Pins with prices displayed on Pinterest

Buyable Pins to buy products directly from Pinterest

YouTube videos with Google shopping ads below

Coupon codes and links to products on Instagram

What Works in Social Commerce?

When Smartly.io asked consumers what top factors influenced their decision to buy a product through a social media ad, 35 percent said a compelling or engaging video, animation or image mattered the most, followed by customer testimonials (32 percent) and influencer participation (26 percent).

Because social media is all about the visuals, the most popular product categories for social selling are apparel and accessories (17 percent), electronics (15 percent), beauty/wellness (11 percent) and home goods (10 percent).

Small Business Deals

What Are the Main Platforms

Buffer.com says the key social commerce platform players are Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Snapchat recently added a shopping channel called Shop and Cop, which allows mobile users to browse products and buy directly in the app instead of being directed to a separate website. Other platforms offer social commerce features such as:

Facebook : In addition to buying ads on Facebook, businesses can also change the template of their pages to a shopping template. After providing a few details about your business such as what you sell, where youre located and how payment is accepted, you simply add a product and youve created a Facebook Shop. Adding a product is also easy, you just need a title, product details, an image, and inventory and shipping info.

: In addition to buying ads on Facebook, businesses can also change the template of their pages to a shopping template. After providing a few details about your business such as what you sell, where youre located and how payment is accepted, you simply add a product and youve created a Facebook Shop. Adding a product is also easy, you just need a title, product details, an image, and inventory and shipping info. Instagram : Because Instagram is owned by Facebook, once you set up shop on Facebook, Instagram social commerce just takes a few more steps. Make sure the Instagram account is a business account and connect to your Facebook account through the settings. In Facebook you need to connect to Instagram through the Facebook Ads Manager settings.

: Because Instagram is owned by Facebook, once you set up shop on Facebook, Instagram social commerce just takes a few more steps. Make sure the Instagram account is a business account and connect to your Facebook account through the settings. In Facebook you need to connect to Instagram through the Facebook Ads Manager settings. Pinterest: Last year, Pinterest rebranded its third-party partner program Pinterest Partners to initiate more shopping experiences. Partners now provide services such as advertising, content marketing, measurement, creative and shopping in more categories. WooCommerce is now a Pinterest Partner and helps businesses set up e-commerce experiences.

Social Commerce Platform Description Instagram Instagram is a prominent social commerce platform, offering features like Instagram Shopping. Businesses can set up shops on Instagram, and users can browse and purchase products directly through the app. To get started, ensure your Instagram account is a business account and connect it to your Facebook account via settings. Integration with Facebook Ads Manager allows for efficient management of ads and promotions. Pinterest Pinterest has rebranded its third-party partner program as "Pinterest Partners" to enhance shopping experiences. Partners now offer services such as advertising, content marketing, measurement, creative solutions, and shopping features across various categories. Businesses can leverage these partnerships to set up e-commerce experiences on Pinterest and reach a wide audience interested in discovering and buying products. Facebook Facebook offers robust social commerce capabilities. Businesses can create Facebook Shops by customizing their page templates. After providing essential business details, such as products, location, and payment methods, adding products to your shop is straightforward. You'll need product details, images, inventory, and shipping information. Facebook also provides opportunities for advertising and promoting products directly to users. Snapchat Snapchat has introduced a shopping channel called "Shop and Cop," enabling mobile users to browse and purchase products within the app. This feature streamlines the shopping experience by eliminating the need to redirect users to external websites. Snapchat's innovative approach to social commerce offers a unique platform for businesses looking to engage with a younger, mobile-savvy audience.

Benefits of Social Commerce

With billions of users and the numbers growing daily, social media platforms are a must for any successful growth strategy. Plus, since social media increases website traffic, social commerce efforts can lead to a higher search engine ranking.

The benefits dont stop there. Social commerce puts your brand in front of consumers on a frequent basis. And it gives consumers the opportunity to communicate with your businessto ask questions and get product advice. Use social commerce to build solid relationships and engage with prospective customers.

As you ramp up your social commerce efforts, its important to take an omnichannel approach to drive sales. Consumers may learn of a new product or service through social media, but actually make the purchase elsewhere. Keeping track of sales and studying the metrics on your social commerce campaigns can help you improve marketing strategies and boost brand recognition.

The Future of Social Commerce

The landscape of e-commerce is continually evolving, and social commerce is no exception. As we step into the future, several trends and developments are poised to shape the world of social commerce:

Integration of Augmented Reality (AR): Augmented reality is set to play a pivotal role in the future of social commerce. Imagine trying on clothes virtually or visualizing how a piece of furniture fits in your living room through your smartphone. AR experiences will become increasingly common, enhancing the shopping process and reducing uncertainty about online purchases.

Augmented reality is set to play a pivotal role in the future of social commerce. Imagine trying on clothes virtually or visualizing how a piece of furniture fits in your living room through your smartphone. AR experiences will become increasingly common, enhancing the shopping process and reducing uncertainty about online purchases. Enhanced Personalization: Social media platforms are becoming more adept at leveraging user data to deliver personalized shopping experiences. Tailored product recommendations, dynamic content, and individualized offers will become the norm, making shopping more relevant and engaging for users.

Social media platforms are becoming more adept at leveraging user data to deliver personalized shopping experiences. Tailored product recommendations, dynamic content, and individualized offers will become the norm, making shopping more relevant and engaging for users. Live Shopping Experiences: Live streaming and real-time shopping events will gain popularity. Brands and influencers will host live sessions where viewers can interact, ask questions, and make purchases directly during the broadcast. This immersive shopping experience will bridge the gap between online and offline retail.

Live streaming and real-time shopping events will gain popularity. Brands and influencers will host live sessions where viewers can interact, ask questions, and make purchases directly during the broadcast. This immersive shopping experience will bridge the gap between online and offline retail. Social Commerce and Sustainability: As environmental consciousness grows, social commerce platforms will emphasize sustainability. Brands that incorporate eco-friendly practices into their products and messaging will appeal to socially conscious consumers. Expect to see more eco-friendly products and initiatives promoted through social commerce.

As environmental consciousness grows, social commerce platforms will emphasize sustainability. Brands that incorporate eco-friendly practices into their products and messaging will appeal to socially conscious consumers. Expect to see more eco-friendly products and initiatives promoted through social commerce. Voice Commerce Integration: With the rise of smart speakers and voice assistants, voice commerce will become integrated into social commerce platforms. Shoppers will be able to use voice commands to search for products, compare prices, and make purchases seamlessly.

With the rise of smart speakers and voice assistants, voice commerce will become integrated into social commerce platforms. Shoppers will be able to use voice commands to search for products, compare prices, and make purchases seamlessly. Advanced Chatbots and AI: Chatbots powered by artificial intelligence will become more sophisticated in handling customer inquiries and assisting with purchases. They will provide personalized product recommendations, answer questions, and offer support, enhancing the overall shopping experience.

Chatbots powered by artificial intelligence will become more sophisticated in handling customer inquiries and assisting with purchases. They will provide personalized product recommendations, answer questions, and offer support, enhancing the overall shopping experience. Social Payment Solutions: Integrated payment options within social platforms will simplify the checkout process. Users will be able to make purchases without leaving their favorite social apps, increasing convenience and reducing cart abandonment rates.

Integrated payment options within social platforms will simplify the checkout process. Users will be able to make purchases without leaving their favorite social apps, increasing convenience and reducing cart abandonment rates. Expanding Social Networks: While platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest have been pioneers in social commerce, emerging social networks will also enter the arena. Keep an eye on new players that may offer unique opportunities for brands to connect with their target audiences.

Future Trends in Social Commerce Description Augmented Reality (AR) Integration AR will enable virtual try-ons and product visualization, enhancing the online shopping experience. Enhanced Personalization Social platforms will use data for tailored recommendations and offers, making shopping more relevant to individual users. Live Shopping Experiences Live streaming and real-time shopping events will allow interaction and immediate purchases during broadcasts. Social Commerce and Sustainability Brands will emphasize eco-friendly practices, and eco-conscious products will gain prominence in social commerce. Voice Commerce Integration Voice commands on social platforms will enable users to search, compare, and make purchases via voice assistants. Advanced Chatbots and AI AI-powered chatbots will offer personalized product recommendations, answer queries, and enhance the overall shopping experience. Social Payment Solutions Integrated payment options within social apps will simplify checkout processes and reduce cart abandonment rates. Expanding Social Networks Emerging social networks will enter the social commerce arena, providing additional opportunities for brands to connect with their target audiences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is social commerce?

Social commerce refers to the practice of buying and selling products and services through social media platforms. It involves using social networks as a means to discover, research, and make online purchases.

How does social commerce work?

Social commerce typically involves businesses setting up online shops or integrating e-commerce features into their social media profiles. Users can browse products, read reviews, and make purchases without leaving the social platform.

What are some examples of social commerce?

Social commerce examples include buy buttons on Facebook and Instagram, shopping tags on posts, influencer collaborations, and live shopping events on platforms like TikTok and YouTube.

What are the benefits of social commerce for businesses?

Social commerce offers businesses the advantages of reaching a vast audience, personalized marketing, increased brand visibility, and the potential for higher conversion rates. It also facilitates direct communication with customers.

Are social commerce and e-commerce the same thing?

While both involve online buying and selling, social commerce and e-commerce differ in terms of platform. E-commerce typically refers to online shopping on dedicated websites, while social commerce takes place within social media platforms.

Is social commerce secure for making payments?

Social commerce platforms prioritize security and often partner with trusted payment gateways. Ensure you shop from reputable sellers and use secure payment methods to enhance security.

What role does user-generated content (UGC) play in social commerce?

UGC, such as reviews, images, and videos posted by customers, can significantly impact purchasing decisions in social commerce. It builds trust and authenticity around products and brands.

Can I return products purchased through social commerce?

Return policies may vary among businesses. Always check the return and refund policies provided by the seller when making a purchase through social commerce.

How is social commerce evolving in the future?

The future of social commerce is expected to incorporate augmented reality, enhanced personalization, live shopping experiences, sustainability initiatives, voice commerce, advanced AI-powered chatbots, integrated payment solutions, and the expansion of social networks involved in commerce.

What should businesses do to succeed in social commerce?

To succeed in social commerce, businesses should focus on creating engaging content, building strong relationships with customers, embracing emerging technologies, staying updated with trends, and providing excellent customer service within social platforms.
Ex-president Andrej Kiska alleges the charges against him, which date back more than eight years, are politically motivated.

Andrej Kiska was president between 2014 and 2019, after which he founded and briefly led the Za Ludi party. The charges relate to the 2014 presidential election campaign. (Source: TASR)

Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share

The trial of Andrej Kiska, who served as president of Slovakia between 2014 and 2019, continued on September 20 at Poprad District Court. The presentation of evidence has now concluded, but no verdict has yet been returned.

The prosecution accuses Kiska of tax evasion, along with Eduard Kuckovsky, a director of the KTAG company. This company, initially named Kiska Travel Agency and co-owned by Andrej Kiska and his brother Jaroslav, is alleged to have billed as legitimate business expenses costs that were in fact related to Andrej Kiska's 2014 presidential election campaign, thus committing a tax fraud. According to the charges, the company unjustly claimed a VAT refund of 155,000.

Kiska and Kuckovsky deny the charges.

During the latest court session, a former employee of KTAG, who worked as an accountant from 2011 to 2015, testified that she misrecorded the disputed invoices on the instructions of Kuckovsky.

Closing statements from all the involved parties, including the prosecutor, defence lawyers and the charged, are scheduled for October 11, which is when the first-instance court's verdict may be returned.

Kiska's perspective

Both of the charged deny their guilt. During the initial hearing on June 29 of this year, Kiska claimed that he was being politically targeted, stating that no one in Slovak and Czech legal history had been prosecuted for recording legitimate company expenses that the tax authorities did not dispute. He emphasised that the investigation had spanned more than eight years and had been suspended twice before charges were finally brought. Kiska alleged that the process is part of a political campaign against him.

Kiska's lawyer, Peter Kubina, argued that no crime had been committed and requested the exoneration of his client. Eduard Kucovsky, the CEO of KTAG, also provided testimony in his defence.

Despite the lengthy proceedings, the trial has been moving forward at the expected pace, with the court setting additional hearing dates for September and October. The timing of the trial may be significant, as it could potentially impact the outcome of upcoming parliamentary elections.

After stepping down from the presidency, Kiska founded and briefly led a new party, Za Ludi (For the People), that won seats in the 2020 election. Za Ludi is also running in this year's election  as part of a coalition with OLaNO and Christian Union. However, in June Kiska announced on social media that he would be voting for Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) in the September 30 poll.
FUKUOKA, Sep 24 ( News On Japan ) - Fukuoka City has slapped four Chinese nationals with 50,000 yen fines for repeatedly swiping garbage bags containing aluminum cans without permission.

According to Fukuoka City, the four Chinese men in their 30s and 40s had been repeatedly taking garbage bags containing metals such as aluminum cans from the non-combustible storage area oftheir apartment complex without permission.

Even after a prohibition order was issued based on the city ordinance, the four men continued to pilfer the bags, forcing the city imposed a fine of 50,000 yen on each person on September 20.

This marks the first time that Fukuoka City has imposed fines for the removal of household garbage. In subsequent interviews, the men explained that they had been selling metals like aluminum cans "to make a living."
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230922/mccarthy-may-find-unlikely-allies-in-democrats-to-save-his-speakership-1113595103.html

McCarthy May Find Unlikely Allies in Democrats to Save His Speakership

McCarthy May Find Unlikely Allies in Democrats to Save His Speakership

Some Democrats seem open to the idea of supporting Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy if a vote to vacate is brought up.

2023-09-22T22:26+0000

2023-09-22T22:26+0000

2023-09-22T22:24+0000

americas

kevin mccarthy

matt gaetz

ukraine

republican

house freedom caucus

democrats

house speaker

joe biden

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/01/07/1106101442_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_da047113f1038ad18088e0c9e008b045.jpg

Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, facing a possible vote to vacate from the hardline House Freedom Caucus wing of his party, may get some help from an unexpected source: members of the Democratic Party.However, any help from the Democrats would come with significant conditions to receive their support. During a podcast with a US outlet, Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA) listed disaster relief, further funding for Ukraine and ending this sham of an impeachment inquiry [against US President Joe Biden].McCarthy is not expected to fulfill those demands, especially the demand to end the impeachment inquiry. Ending that would not only infuriate larger parts of his caucus, it would also anger Republican voters who overwhelmingly support the inquiry and former President and current frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination, Donald Trump.Meanwhile, several Democrats have stated they would be happy to see McCarthy go.But others see it as an opportunity to limit the influence of the House Freedom Caucus. A small number of Freedom Caucus members have been able to do a ton of damage, Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) said. I think that a significant number of progressive members hopefully can stop a bunch of that damage.It was also reported in US media earlier this week that small groups of centrist Democrats were meeting with McCarthys allies in the GOP to pass the spending bill that has dominated US politics for months. McCarthys position as speaker was reportedly brought up during those talks, though they were not the focus.The US government faces a shutdown on September 30 if a compromise spending bill cannot be passed by then. The House Freedom Caucus, a group of Republicans whose total membership is unknown, along with a selection of libertarian-minded Republicans, have been holding up the bill over spending issues, particularly more funding for Ukraine.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/mccarthy-says-he-rejected-zelenskys-request-to-address-congress-1113561733.html

americas

ukraine

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Ian DeMartino

Ian DeMartino

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Ian DeMartino

mccarthy, vote to vacate speaker, budget debate, government spending bill, funding bill
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230922/trump-uaw--the-next-realignment-1113593446.html

Trump, UAW & the Next Realignment

Trump, UAW & the Next Realignment

Bipartisanship is dead. But job-killing trade agreements like NAFTA were promoted by politicians of both major parties alikeuntil former US President Donald Trump.

2023-09-22T20:02+0000

2023-09-22T20:02+0000

2023-09-22T20:00+0000

analysis

donald trump

us united auto workers (uaw)

republicans

democrats

joe biden

nafta

ronald reagan

2024 summer olympics

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/16/1113593424_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_306c77883ab1e9973787826a464bfd2a.jpg

Our politicians have aggressively pursued a policy of globalization, moving our jobs, our wealth and our factories to Mexico and overseas. Globalization has made the financial elite, who donate to politicians, very, very wealthy. I used to be one of them, he told an audience in Pennsylvania in 2016. Many of these areas have never recovered and never will unless I become president. Then, theyre going to recover fast.They didnt. The Rust Belt continues to disintegrate.Trump didnt deliver. But his message proved to be an effective vote generator. It turned Ohio, the ultimate bellwether swing state, red. Formerly Democratic Pennsylvania now swings. So its no surprise that Trump is repeating his message to workers: deindustrialization sucks, no one sees your pain but me, and Ill make it go away.This year, Trump is going even further than any previous Republican president has gone before: reaching out to big labor, long a bete noire for Republicans. September 27th finds the once-and-possibly-future president skipping the second GOP presidential debate and speaking instead to striking autoworkers.Symbolically, Trumps outreach represents a radical contrast for a party with a long and consistent history of antagonism to workers right to bargain collectively. Congressional Republicans rammed through the Taft-Hartley Act, Reagan fired the air traffic controllers, Republican-controlled legislators created union-gutting right to work states and, as a result, union campaign contributions overwhelmingly flowed to Democratic candidates. This is the first time in memory - possibly ever - that a major Republican presidential contender has thought of campaigning to union members, during a walkout no less.Meanwhile Union Joe Biden, who likes to emphasize his working-class Scranton background and has collected numerous union endorsements, has been publicly silent about the UAW strikea stance made starker when he jammed a contract down the throats of freight train workers when they threatened to walk off the job. The president hasnt expressed any desire to meet with striking workers, whether at one of the big three automakers, the SAG-AFTRA writers in Hollywood, or Amazon warehouses. Bidens support for unions has been performative and rhetorical.What about Trumps?At this date, Trump is the better talker. Nothing new here, when compared to Biden. The question is, might the Republican Party assume policy positions that credibly allow it to argue it has become an ally of workers, after decades of being their enemy in service of their corporate masters?If anyone can and will spearhead such a pivot, it will be Trump, the man who pulled off the neat trick of running against the Iraq War in the den of bloodthirsty militarism that is a Republican primary, and winning, and going on to become the first president in two decades to seriously negotiate with the Taliban*, signing a deal to withdraw from Afghanistan, yet remaining a hero of the right.Should Trump construct a pro-labor Republicanism, we may be at the dawn of the biggest political realignment election since 1932. Roosevelts victory at the depth of the Great Depression and the subsequent enactment of his New Deal reversed the basic duopolistic structure in place since 1860. For three-quarters of a century the Party of Lincoln had represented progressivism and the struggle for equal rights while Democrats embraced reactionary and racist policies with the occasional interruption of white-aligned populists like William Jennings Bryan; in rough terms, the parties switched places as Democrats embraced liberalism as we know it and Republicans took on conservatism.We are currently experiencing a realignment-in-waiting, a 1932-scale ideological reversal that is taking hold in some arenas, tentative in others and will live or die depending on what party leaders do about two or three key issue categories.On foreign policy, realignment is nearly complete. Americas current project in interventionism, the proxy war in Ukraine, enjoys full-throated support from Biden and congressional Democrats while the anti-war voices are found not in the supposedly democratic-socialist Squad but the right-wing Freedom Caucus. Culturally, the Democratic Party has become the home of well-educated coastal elites while the GOP increasingly draws in voters with high school educations and lower incomes in flyover country.Realignment remains stillborn without an analogous reversal in domestic affairs, however. This is where Republicans have yet to demonstrate an appetite to reverse course.A 180-degree switcheroo would see a genuine attempt by Republicans to address long-standing economic problems that traditionally have been Democratic Party projects if and when they have been discussed at all: soaring health care costs, high college tuition, poverty, homelessness, unaffordable housing, and low real wages. In Alcoholics Anonymous the first step is admitting you have a problem; however, in politics, the first step is talking about a problem in a way that shows you acknowledge its existence. Some Republicans are finally starting to address some of these issues. But thats a far cry from proposing meaningful solutions, much less legislation.Trumps hostile takeover of the Republican Party put him on a collision course with the neoconservatives who started two forever wars. He prevailed in that fight. Should Trump choose to chart a path for Republicans that includes an appeal to ordinary workers, he will have to defeat the traditional Republicans who created the status quo, like rival presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who suggests the appropriate response to striking auto workers is to replicate the way Reagan handled PATCO: He said, you strike, you're fired. Simple concept to me to the extent that we can use that once again. Similarly, Governor Brian Kemp dismisses the UAW as a blue-state nuisance: We just havent been dealing with it in Georgia, because were a right-to-work state.Trumps outreach to labor could, and most likely will prove to be, nothing more than an empty gesture designed to extract votes ahead of an election, no follow up forthcoming, no actual leaning on management to cough up higher wages and better conditions for workers. Or it might be the beginning of something big, like his 'America First' foreign policy, which overturns the balance of power inside his party and changes the way we think about what both major parties stand for.* Taliban is under UN sanctions for terrorist activities(Ted Rall (Twitter: @tedrall), the political cartoonist, columnist and graphic novelist, co-hosts the left-vs-right DMZ America podcast with fellow cartoonist Scott Stantis. You can support Teds hard-hitting political cartoons and columns and see his work first by sponsoring his work on Patreon.)

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230919/report-trump-to-skip-second-gop-debate-address-detroit-auto-workers-instead-1113480897.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/dead-heat-new-poll-shows-trump-biden-tied-in-voter-preferences-for-2024-election-1113544185.html

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Ted Rall https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125340_0:0:360:360_100x100_80_0_0_1ed1a3494a53cde87e19521c3658fe92.jpg

Ted Rall https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125340_0:0:360:360_100x100_80_0_0_1ed1a3494a53cde87e19521c3658fe92.jpg

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Ted Rall https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125340_0:0:360:360_100x100_80_0_0_1ed1a3494a53cde87e19521c3658fe92.jpg

donald trump, 2024 us presidential election, democrats vs. republicans, united auto workers strike, republican presidential candidate in 2024
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230922/uk-reports-over-50-confirmed-cases-of-new-coronavirus-variant---health-agency-1113595922.html

Over 50 Confirmed Cases of New Coronavirus Variant in UK - Health Agency

Over 50 Confirmed Cases of New Coronavirus Variant in UK - Health Agency

As many as 54 people were infected with the new coronavirus variant BA.2.86 in the United Kingdom as of September 18, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Friday.

2023-09-22T23:28+0000

2023-09-22T23:28+0000

2023-09-23T05:59+0000

world

united kingdom (uk)

england

scotland

coronavirus

national health service (nhs)

world health organization (who)

variant

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107835/51/1078355126_0:40:1281:760_1920x0_80_0_0_a0acfdaa11fc60d6b1f715d78add565c.jpg

"As of September 18, there were 54 confirmed cases in the UK, 48 in England and 6 in Scotland. No cases have been identified in Wales or Northern Ireland. There were no known deaths due to COVID-19 among these cases," the agency said in a statement. Out of 48 cases in England, 30 were identified as part of a probe into a care home outbreak in the East of England, the UKHSA said. A total of 10 cases in England resulted in hospitalization, while two were tested in an emergency department. The UK health agency said the variant, which has a large number of mutations, was first identified in August. A total of 137 cases have been sequenced in 15 countries as of September 18, including Australia, Canada, the UK and the United States. The BA.2.86 strain was put under monitoring by the World Health Organization and prompted the National Health Service in England to roll out its COVID-19 and flu vaccination campaign one month ahead of schedule.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230819/first-case-of-newly-discovered-coronavirus-variant-detected-in-uk---health-agency-1112719863.html

united kingdom (uk)

england

scotland

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

uk, new coronavirus variant in the uk, variant ba.2.86, uk health security agency
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/at-least-32-people-died-dozens-injured-due-to-truck-bombing-in-central-somalia-1113614908.html

At Least 32 People Dead, Dozens Injured Due to Truck Bombing in Central Somalia

At Least 32 People Dead, Dozens Injured Due to Truck Bombing in Central Somalia

A Truck bomb hit a police checkpoint in central Somalia on Saturday, killing more than 30 people and injuring dozens more.

2023-09-23T22:02+0000

2023-09-23T22:02+0000

2023-09-24T10:36+0000

africa

somalia

car bomb

al-shabaab

terrorist attack

the united nations (un)

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/17/1113614622_0:216:1962:1319_1920x0_80_0_0_f3ab52e085b10ccf2a38e61e756dfbe8.jpg

A suicide bomber packed the truck with explosives that blew it up at the checkpoint, with the blast becoming the deadliest terrorist act committed in the country this year, the Garowe Online news website reported. The explosion significantly damaged the surrounding buildings, according to the footage published on social media.Earlier this month, Islamic group Al-Shabaab killed over 160 Ethiopian Soldiers in western Somalia. While the group operates in central Somalia as well, no one has taken responsibility for the attack yet.Reports from earlier in the day stated that the number of dead around a dozen but Col Isaq Ali Abdulle, the head of police in Beledweyne, has since confirmed that the death toll rose to 32 as more bodies were found in the rubble. He added that the death toll could rise higher as rescue efforts continue.At least five police officers are among the dead, Somali officials added. Yesterday, the Somalian Government requested that the UN delay its drawdown of peacekeepers in the region, citing setbacks with militant forces in the area.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230918/over-160-ethiopian-soldiers-killed-by-al-shabaab-militants-in-western-somalia-1113443124.html

africa

somalia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

somalian conflict, somali conflict, beledweyne, terrorist attack, car bomb
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/blast-of-kakhovka-dam-aimed-at-creating-biohazard--russian-watchdog-1113601399.html

Kakhovka Dam Blast Intended to Create Biohazard - Russian Watchdog

Kakhovka Dam Blast Intended to Create Biohazard - Russian Watchdog

The explosion of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant (HPP) located in the Kherson Region was aimed at creating a threat to biological security the head of Russia's consumer rights watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, told Sputnik.

2023-09-23T06:14+0000

2023-09-23T06:14+0000

2023-09-23T10:36+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukrainian crisis

attack on novaya kakhovka dam

rospotrebnadzor

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107718/19/1077181976_0:107:1024:683_1920x0_80_0_0_bb46035158c287f1aba763acbb7dce6b.jpg

She added that, thanks to the work of experts, it was possible to avoid any complication of the epidemiological situation in the area. "What happened at the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant was aimed at creating a threat to biological security. Our employees continue to monitor the situation in this area," Popova said. She also said that a special anti-epidemic mobile laboratory is working in the region to prevent possible issues. "Providing water, providing food, providing temporary accommodation for people - all this, of course, made it possible to avoid any complications of an epidemiological nature," the official said. Regular testing of samples of drinking water, water from wells, sea water and water in the North Crimean Canal for deviations from standard indicators continues, and as of yet, no pathogenic microorganisms have been identified, Popova specified. She added that disinfection measures as well as supplies of vaccines and other medicines were arranged in the area. Early on June 6, Ukrainian troops launched a series of strikes on the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, destroying its upper part. The destruction led to an uncontrollable release of water from the Kakhovka Reservoir and the flooding of some areas of the Kherson Region downstream of the Dnepr River.Russian President Vladimir Putin called the plant destruction a barbaric act by the Kiev regime and noted that it led to a large-scale environmental and humanitarian disaster. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the Kiev regime blew up the KHPP as it weakened its positions in the Kherson direction, transferring troops from there to the offensive area.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/mad-max-reality-kievs-blast-of-kakhovka-dam-has-new-hidden-nuclear-risks-1111115298.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/watch-russian-army-continues-to-aid-regions-hit-by-ukraine-attack-on-kakhovka-dam-1111357370.html

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

ukrainian crisis, ukrainian attack on kakhovka dam, ukrainian war crimes, bio hazard ukraine
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/four-ukrainian-attacks-repelled-in-donetsk-direction--russian-military-1113601807.html

Four Ukrainian Attacks Repelled in Donetsk Direction - Russian Military

Four Ukrainian Attacks Repelled in Donetsk Direction - Russian Military

Four attacks by Ukrainian assault groups have been repelled in the Donetsk direction, a spokesman for Russia's South group of troops, Georgy Minesashvili, told Sputnik.

2023-09-23T06:51+0000

2023-09-23T06:51+0000

2023-09-23T10:51+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukrainian crisis

ukrainian counteroffensive attempt

donetsk

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/07/0e/1111871978_0:208:2899:1839_1920x0_80_0_0_8aee00b84a3411d4aeae766feba89cb3.jpg

"In the Donetsk direction, units of the South group of forces repelled 4 attacks by assault groups of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the areas of the settlements of Severnoye, Maryinka, Kleshcheevka. Operational-tactical and army aviation, missile forces and artillery hit facilities of the fifth assault, 24th mechanized, 53rd and 59th motorized infantry brigades, 37th marine brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces," Minesashvili said. He said a train with Ukrainian weapons and military equipment in the area of Rodinskoye, as well as two weapons depots and two command posts were destroyed, adding that manpower and military equipment were also hit. Minesashvili also said that Russian forces hit enemy troops using Solntsepyok ("scorching sunlight") heavy flamethrower systems. "Crews of Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower systems cause fire damage to enemy manpower concentrated in Krasnogorovka, Kleshcheevka, Malo-Ilyinovka," he said. The spokesman also specified that Russian air defenses destroyed seven Ukrainian drones in the Donetsk Peoples Republic. Last week, Yan Gagin, adviser to the acting head of the Donetsk People's Republic, told Sputnik that Ukraine had lost around 70,000 soldiers since the start of its counteroffensive this summer.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230922/us-intel-insiders-admit-ukraine-counteroffensive-is-lost--seymour-hersh--1113579742.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230912/putin-says-there-are-no-results-of-ukraines-counteroffensive-kiev-losses-some-71000-1113303178.html

donetsk

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

russia special military operation, ukrainian crisis, ukrainian counteroffensive attempt, ukrainian casualties, ukraine deathtoll
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/french-authorities-fear-migration-influx-amid-crisis-in-italys-lampedusa---reports-1113613291.html

French Authorities Fear Migration Influx Amid Crisis in Italy's Lampedusa - Reports

French Authorities Fear Migration Influx Amid Crisis in Italy's Lampedusa - Reports

French authorities are concerned with a possible increase in the migration influx into France following the arrival of a large number of refugees to the Italian island of Lampedusa, a French broadcaster reported on Saturday, citing the police.

2023-09-23T17:24+0000

2023-09-23T17:24+0000

2023-09-23T17:24+0000

world

france

lampedusa

italy

migration

illegal migration

illegal migrants

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/0a/1100631521_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_c6aea59cfd156157c96a15dedfa22d74.jpg

The situation is particularly tense in the commune of Menton in the Alpes-Maritimes Department on Frances border with Italy, according to the report. Every day French police reportedly detain from 200 to 300 migrants trying to enter France in this area. Since January, 32,000 arrests have been made, which is 20% more than in the same period last year, regional police chief Emmanuelle Joubert was cited as saying. She also said that the number of cases where minor migrants were not accompanied by adults had doubled. France shored up border security in Menton even before the crisis in Lampedusa broke out, the channel said. Including the extra 200 police officers and gendarmes sent to Menton before the Lampedusa crisis, their number is currently estimated at 500, the broadcaster said. Additionally, Paris doubled the number of counterterrorist troops in the region and sent additional equipment, including drones, to the police and military forces in Menton. Over the last week, 11,000 undocumented migrants have arrived in Lampedusa, Italy's southernmost island, which is almost twice as much as its permanent population. Mayor Filippo Mannino said the situation on the island was "close to the point of no return." The authorities are currently taking steps to prevent a looming migrant crisis. The Italian authorities are calling on the European Union's leadership to take urgent measures in connection with the migration situation, demanding a solidarity approach in the reception and distribution of refugees at the EU level.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/many-german-municipalities-no-longer-able-to-shelter-migrants-1113609574.html

france

lampedusa

italy

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

france, italy, lampedusa, migration influx, migration crisis, illegal migration
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/german-mp-voices-concern-over-nuclear-capability-of-taurus-missiles---report-1113600745.html

German MP Voices Concerns Over Nuclear Capability of Taurus Missiles - Report

German MP Voices Concerns Over Nuclear Capability of Taurus Missiles - Report

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier argued that Berlin is not quick about approving Taurus missile deliveries to Ukraine because his government is unwilling to drag NATO into a war with Russia.

2023-09-23T06:57+0000

2023-09-23T06:57+0000

2023-09-23T06:59+0000

germany

ukraine

world

taurus cruise missile

deliveries

war

border

government

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/17/1113600026_0:150:3006:1841_1920x0_80_0_0_961a402298dd8d8283a818c91a587c81.jpg

Sevim Dagdelen, a member of Germany's opposition Left Party, has voiced concerns about the Taurus long-range cruise missiles. He fears that these missiles, intended for delivery to Kiev by Berlin, might potentially be equipped with nuclear warheads.She reportedly added that she would also like to know if the government would address the issue of limiting the range of these cruise missiles.According to reports, Thomas Hitschler, the Parliamentary State Secretary of the Federal Defense Ministry, acknowledged that the requested information cannot be 'openly' revealed due to its 'classified nature'.She dismissed the German government coalition's belief that "Ukraine will be able to control itself and avoid hitting targets in Russia with these weapons" as "naive"."After all, Ukraine is already conducting strikes on Russian territory, of which the recent drone attacks on Moscow were clear evidence," Dagdelen stressed.He emphasized that the reason for the delay in decision-making is not because of lack of trust or indecisiveness, but rather because Berlin is taking the necessary time to evaluate the potential consequences of every action. According to Pistorius, Germany must weigh a multitude of political, legal, military and technical aspects of the decision.Germany, along with other US allies, increased military aid to Ukraine shortly after the beginning of the Russian special military operation. Moscow has repeatedly warned that such aid would further prolong the conflict over Ukraine.German Finance Minister Christian Lindner recently said that Berlin intends to provide 5 billion euros ($5.3 billion) a year in military assistance to Ukraine until 2027. Germany has provided Ukraine with 22 billion euros ($23.4 billion) in aid since the start of Russia's special operation.

germany

ukraine

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg

Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg

taurus cruise missiles, berlin's plan to provide kiev with taurus missiles, western military aid to ukraine, russian special military operation in ukraine, conflict over ukraine
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/head-of-ukraines-military-intelligence-doubts-abrams-tanks-will-last-long-on-battlefield-1113604875.html

Head of Ukraine's Military Intelligence Doubts Abrams Tanks Will Last Long on Battlefield

Head of Ukraine's Military Intelligence Doubts Abrams Tanks Will Last Long on Battlefield

The head of Ukraine's military intelligence service, Kyrylo Budanov, has said that the US battle tanks Abrams, which are expected to be delivered to Kiev soon, will not last long directly on the front line, neither are the ATACMS long-range missiles likely to become a game changer.

2023-09-23T10:18+0000

2023-09-23T10:18+0000

2023-09-23T10:24+0000

ukrainian crisis

ukrainian counteroffensive attempt

joe biden

army tactical missile system (atacms)

us arms for ukraine

military

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/19173/69/191736959_0:54:1025:630_1920x0_80_0_0_83aef01983c5887d8cc692af7ee7d12c.jpg

"They should be used in a very tailored way for very specific, well-crafted operations because if they are used at the front line and just in a combined arms fight, they will not live very long on the battlefield. They need to be used in those breakthrough operations, but very well-prepared," Budanov said in an interview with online magazine. He also said that a small number of ATACMS missiles "wont change the situation," as Kiev needs "at least hundreds" if not thousands of such weaponry. The head of Ukraine's military intelligence also said that using air defense systems to fight Russian aviation is "very costly and ineffective," adding that he would prefer striking Russian air bases instead. Kyrylo Budanov is on the Russian law enforcers' wanted list. They charge him with several crimes, including terrorist attacks on civilian infrastructure.On Friday, US President Joe Biden said that the first several US-supplied Abrams tanks will arrive in Ukraine next week. The Ukrainian counteroffensive began on June 4. Kiev has thrown into battle brigades trained by NATO instructors and armed with Western equipment, including Leopard and Challenger tanks. Three months later, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Ukrainian counteroffensive had failed, with Ukraine suffering an estimated 71,000 casualties. Several Western officials also admitted that the Ukrainian counteroffensive had not been successful so far.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230922/why-abrams-tanks-arrival-may-spell-logistical-nightmare-for-ukrainian-military-1113587131.html

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

ukrainian crisis, russia special military operation, abrams, atacms, us arms for ukraine
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/hungary-sees-no-obstacles-for-use-of-russian-nuclear-fuel-1113608203.html

Hungary Sees No Obstacles for Use of Russian Nuclear Fuel

Hungary Sees No Obstacles for Use of Russian Nuclear Fuel

Hungary sees no obstacles for the continued use of Russian nuclear fuel at the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, Hungarian Deputy Foreign Minister Levente Magyar said.

2023-09-23T11:04+0000

2023-09-23T11:04+0000

2023-09-23T11:04+0000

world

russia

hungary

russian economy under sanctions

nuclear power plant

nuclear cooperation

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101943/30/1019433094_0:132:2464:1518_1920x0_80_0_0_431ce5ef5805b16157242cbf41cf1435.jpg

In this very sensitive issue, the primary point that we pay attention to in nuclear power industry is safety, as well as constant reliable supplies. From these two points of view, we now do not see any obstacles for the continued use of Russian fuel, Magyar told a news conference held at the construction site for Paks' new units. In early September, Hungarian media reports said Orban, speaking at a closed event, allegedly announced Hungarys plans to replace Russian nuclear fuel with French fuel in order to reduce energy dependence on Russia. A few days later, Hungarian Energy Minister Csaba Lantos and Bernard Fontana, CEO of the French company Framatome, signed a memorandum on deepening international cooperation, which had been agreed upon back in 2021. The Hungarian Prime Minister's Office said the only possible nuclear fuel for Paks is Russian: France's Framatome does not have fuel suitable for nuclear power plants built using Russian technology.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230728/russias-rosatom-to-create-nuclear-power-fleet-for-africa-1112221153.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230803/atomic-partnership-russia-delivers-nuclear-reactor-to-chinese-power-plant-1112369363.html

russia

hungary

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

russian economy under sanctions, russian nuclear energy, russia hungary nuclear, russian nuclear
Senior Chinese diplomat urges EU to uphold openness, support free trade

Xinhua) 19:01, September 23, 2023

HANGZHOU, China, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- China hopes that the European Union (EU) will adhere to openness and inclusiveness, uphold market principles, support free trade and avoid falling into the trap of protectionism, Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said on Friday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during a phone conversation with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron.

Noting that thanks to the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-France relations have maintained a high level of development, Wang said that exchanges between the two countries at various levels have been fully restarted, and practical cooperation in various fields has made substantial progress.

China is ready to work with France to plan well the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism next year to inject new and strong impetus into bilateral relations, Wang said.

The two sides should give full play to their strategic dialogue and high-level people-to-people exchange mechanism, so as to deepen political mutual trust, strengthen practical cooperation, invigorate cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and strengthen public support for China-France ties, Wang said.

Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang said that China is ready to work with the EU to map out the next stage of bilateral exchanges, so as to open up new prospects for China-EU cooperation.

China is committed to addressing each other's concerns through dialogue and consultation with the EU, and hopes that France will play a constructive role in properly handling matters regarding anti-subsidy investigation, Wang said.

Bonne said that President Macron values the trust and friendship with President Xi Jinping and is ready to maintain and strengthen high-level exchanges between the two sides.

Noting that France and China have maintained good communication and coordination in multilateral affairs, Bonne expressed appreciation for Premier Li Qiang's attendance at the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in France, adding that he believes that by working together, France and China can make important contribution to building global synergy.

The French side looks forward to holding a new round of strategic dialogue with the Chinese side, he said.

The French side opposes bloc confrontation and consistently advocates for Europe to maintain its independence and autonomy, he said, adding that France will adhere to a mutually beneficial and win-win relationship with China.

The anti-subsidy investigation initiated by the European Commission does not target the Chinese side, he added.

(Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Liang Jun)
News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/jackson-hinkle-western-elites-want-war-against-russia-china-1113590307.html

Jackson Hinkle: Western Elites Want War Against Russia, China

Jackson Hinkle: Western Elites Want War Against Russia, China

The US establishment is not hesitant to start World War Three to maintain its globalist dominance, American political commentator Jackson Hinkle told Sputnik's... 23.09.2023, Sputnik International

2023-09-23T12:00+0000

2023-09-23T12:00+0000

2023-09-23T12:00+0000

analysis

us

joe biden

russia

china

world

brics

nato

white house

ukraine

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0c/02/1104982526_0:102:3246:1928_1920x0_80_0_0_52cfe6861d11082482b509099ea818f9.jpg

"I guess Tucker [Carlson] has got a point when he says, 'I'm willing to bet my house that Joe Biden is going to start World War Three with Russia,' because look what they've done," Jackson Hinkle told Sputnik. "These people are insane. Even like, taking [ex-House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi on her jet to go to Taiwan and meet with Taiwanese officials. There was a lot of people, myself included, who were thinking, 'Goodness, the [Chinese] People's Liberation Army (PLA) is going to shoot her out of the sky or something right now? Is this going to be how it all begins?' They're reckless. They are completely Russophobic and beating the drums of war to go to war with China."Moreover, the American elite's hostility toward Russia has surpassed that of the Cold War era, leading to a worrying breakdown in communications between Washington and Moscow, according to the political commentator.It did not happen overnight, according to the analyst. Over the past 30 years, Washington and its allies have reneged on all the pledges they made to Moscow at the end of the Cold War. One of them was a verbal promise that NATO would not extend an inch east of Germany. "NATO since then, at the behest of the US, has violated that promise on 16 occasions now," Hinkle remarked. The transatlantic alliance does not conceal its plans to draw in Ukraine and possibly Georgia, thus moving even closer to Russia's borders.US Elites Seek to Dismantle Economic Alternative Offered by Russia & ChinaThe emergence of a multipolar world order - with Russia and China at the forefront of the movement - is challenging the globalist Great Reset aimed at prolonging centuries of Western colonial hegemony, according to Hinkle.At the recent BRICS summit, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in August, the group's participants condemned the West's unfair trade practices and unilateral sanctions and discussed the increased use of national currencies and domestic financial mechanisms instead of the US dollar. The Global South leans toward Russia and China, whose economies have proven remarkably resilient despite Western predictions of imminent collapse. Moreover, in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP), China has overtaken the US as the world's largest economy. Russia, for its part, overtook Europe's three largest economies - France, the UK and Germany - in PPP terms in 2022.Russia and China Aren't Enemies of US PeopleIt's not Russia and China that pose a real threat to Americans, Hinkle emphasized, but those who hoard all U.S. resources and act contrary to U.S. national interests.The neocons in the Biden administration, Wall Street and the U.S. military-industrial complex have already profited from Washington's proxy war in Ukraine and are salivating at the opportunity to profit even more from the US conflict with China. However, these overseas conflicts have nothing to do with core US interests. What's worse, these proxy wars would most certainly backfire, according to the analyst."I think a lot of people have their eyes set on China and a war with China, and I think that's what they really want. And I think that [theyre also eyeing] a war with Russia. I pray that there's no World War Three with Russia. That's how it starts," Hinkle concluded.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230830/how-washington-moscow-hotline-kept-the-world-safe-for-60-years-1112991665.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230911/pepe-escobar-russia-brics-sco-partners-need-to-work-on-unification-of-payment-systems-1113288986.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230916/jeffrey-sachs-us-sanctions-against-russia-and-china-destined-to-fail-1113405612.html

russia

china

world

ukraine

taiwan

wall street

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Ekaterina Blinova

Ekaterina Blinova

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Ekaterina Blinova

us, joe biden, russia, china, world, brics, nato, white house, ukraine, taiwan, asia-pacific region, pivot to asia, europe, wall street, blackrock, opinion
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/lavrov-addresses-78th-un-general-assembly-1113602801.html

Full Video: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Addresses 78th UN General Assembly

Full Video: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Addresses 78th UN General Assembly

UN General Assembly is one of main bodies of United Nations that includes almost 200 sovereign states with equal representation despite military power or GDP. UN is a largest ever intergovernmental organization on the world.

2023-09-23T16:03+0000

2023-09-23T16:03+0000

2023-09-23T17:45+0000

world

russia

sergey lavrov

the united nations (un)

united nations general assembly

ukrainian crisis

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/17/1113613614_0:0:699:393_1920x0_80_0_0_a9c90c7e73641a346170ff58c5038f42.png

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on Saturday, September 23.Earlier this week, Russia's top diplomat arrived in New York to take part in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, an event spanning from September 19 to 26.Lavrov's agenda includes numerous bilateral and multilateral meetings with his counterparts and key Russian allies. He recently participated in the UN Security Council meeting on the Ukrainian crisis, condemning Western Russophobia and providing an explanation about the role of Anglo-Saxon countries in the current crisis. He also met with UN Secretary General Antonio Gutteres and discussed Ukrainian aggression against Donbass residents.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/lavrov-calls-unprecedented-us-nato-drills-involving-use-of-nuclear-weapons-on-russia-1113612500.html

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sergey Lavrov addresses the UN General Assembly - full video Sergey Lavrov addresses the UN General Assembly during 78th session 2023-09-23T16:03+0000 true PT23M26S

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

russia, sergey lavrov, united nations, unga, un general assembly
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/lavrov-calls-unprecedented-us-nato-drills-involving-use-of-nuclear-weapons-on-russia-1113612500.html

Lavrov at UNGA Explains How US and Allies Fuel Conflicts, Escalate Crises in the World

Lavrov at UNGA Explains How US and Allies Fuel Conflicts, Escalate Crises in the World

The United States and its allies continue to fuel international conflicts, stoke tensions on the Korean Peninsula and engage in acts of brinkmanship, such as staging joint drills that involve the use of nuclear weapon scenarios on Russian territory, Moscow's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Saturday.

2023-09-23T16:14+0000

2023-09-23T16:14+0000

2023-09-23T19:09+0000

world

russia

sergey lavrov

nato

un general assembly

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106843/76/1068437610_0:0:5760:3240_1920x0_80_0_0_9124fb89f7b69c27e936af8ad164a4bb.jpg

The United States and European powers have a habit of not fulfilling their obligations, with the West essentially being an empire of lies, Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said during his address at the UN General Assembly.The Russian foreign minister also took note of the sentiment voiced by several other speakers who addressed the UN General Assembly before him, about the world undergoing irreversible changes.A new world order is being born before our very eyes, he remarked. The outlines of the future are being created in the struggle between the global majority, that seeks a fairer distribution of global riches and a civilizational diversity, and those few who use neocolonial methods of subjugation to retain their vanishing domination. The inability to negotiate and refusal to accept the principles of equality have long become the Wests trademark of sorts, Lavrov added.The declared goal is to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, and this obsession has completely blinded the eyes of irresponsible politicians who feel a sense of their own impunity, while at the same time losing an elementary sense of self-preservation, Lavrov added.US, Western Allies Continue to Fuel ConflictsThe United States and its Western allies continue to fuel international conflicts that divide the world."For Russia, it is obvious that there is no other way. However, the United States and its subordinate 'Western collective' continue to fuel conflicts that artificially divide humanity into hostile blocs and prevent the achievement of common goals. They are doing everything to prevent the formation of a truly multipolar, just world order," Lavrov said during his address at the UN General Assembly.The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry recalled that in 2021, Russian proposals for mutual security guarantees in Europe without changing the non-bloc status of Ukraine were arrogantly rejected. The West continued to systematically militarize the Russophobic Kiev regime, which was brought to power as a result of a bloody coup and was used to prepare for the outbreak of a hybrid war against our country, the minister noted.As Lavrov emphasized, Western leaders have never been embarrassed that NATOs approach to the borders of the Russian Federation grossly violates the OSCE commitments taken at the highest level not to strengthen their own security at the expense of others, and also not to allow military-political dominance in Europe by any country or group countries or organizations. The Soviet and then Russian leadership were given specific political assurances regarding the non-expansion of the NATO military bloc to the east. The corresponding records of the negotiations are in our and Western archives. They are freely available. But these assurances of Western leaders turned out to be a deception; they had no intention of fulfilling them, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted.On Situation in the BalkansThe sad story of the non-fulfillment of the Minsk agreements on the Donbass republics is repeating itself with Serbia and Kosovo, Lavrov said."The whole world sees how the sad history of the Minsk agreements on Ukraine, which envisioned a special status for the Donbass republics and which Kiev openly sabotaged with Western support, is repeating itself in the Balkans. And now the European Union does not want to force its Kosovo proteges to implement the 2013 agreements between Belgrade and Pristina on the creation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities of Kosovo, which has special rights to its language and traditions," he stated."NATO providing arms and assistance to the Albanians of Kosovo in building an army of their own is a gross violation of the fundamental resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council," Lavrov remarked.He also criticized the incessant attempts by the Western minority to Ukrainize the agenda of international discussions and thus effectively put on a back burner matters related to a number of unresolved regional crises, many of which drag on for years and even decades.On Situation in the Korean PeninsulaRussia is concerned by the fact that the US and its allies are escalating the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Saturday."The escalation of military hysteria by Washington and its Asian allies on the Korean Peninsula, where US strategic capabilities are accumulating, is alarming. Russian-Chinese initiatives to prioritize humanitarian and political tasks are rejected," Lavrov said during his address at the UN General Assembly.Influence of Global South GrowingThe United States and its allies should recognize the real economic and financial weight of the Global South countries, Russia's top diplomat said."Overall, there is an urgent need to reform the existing global governance architecture as soon as possible. It has long failed to meet the requirements of the era. The United States and its allies should abandon artificial restraints on the redistribution of voting quotas in the IMF [International Monetary Fund] and the World Bank, recognizing the real economic and financial weight of the countries of the Global South. The work of the WTO [World Trade Organization] Dispute Settlement Body should also be immediately unblocked," Lavrov said during his address at the UN General Assembly.US and EU Destabilizing South CaucasusThe European Union and the United States are destabilizing the region of the South Caucasus, trying to enforce their mediation upon Armenia and Azerbaijan."Now Brussels is imposing its 'mediation services' on Azerbaijan and Armenia, bringing destabilization to the South Caucasus together with Washington," the top Russian diplomat said at the UN General Assembly.He added that Russian peacekeepers will contribute in every possible way to the de-escalation and establishment of peaceful life in Nagorno-Karabakh.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230910/lavrov-at-g20-americans-want-to-strategically-defeat-russia-1113254737.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221208/the-minsk-agreements-explained-1105193250.html

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

russia, lavrov and unga, ukraine, us, nato drills near russian border, ukrainian conflict, ukrainian crisis, war in ukraine, sergey lavrov, un general assembly
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/lavrov-delivers-lugansk-girl-plea-to-stop-ukraine-from-killing-children-to-un-chief-1113599093.html

Lavrov Delivers Lugansk Girl's Plea to Stop Ukraine From Killing Children to UN Chief

Lavrov Delivers Lugansk Girl's Plea to Stop Ukraine From Killing Children to UN Chief

The footage was recorded by Sputnik and presented by Russian top diplomat to United Nations in organisations headquarters in New York.

2023-09-23T05:09+0000

2023-09-23T05:09+0000

2023-09-23T06:21+0000

world

ukrainian crisis

sergey lavrov

the united nations (un)

antonio guterres

un security council (unsc)

war crimes

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/17/1113599742_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_f628241e97200f662dbc11ee22b32895.jpg

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov introduced UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres with video, where ordinary Lugansk girl Faina Savenkova pleads to stop the Kiev regime from shelling peaceful cities and murdering children. Though she is only a teenage girl, she understands that the best way to stop Ukrainian aggression is to seize supplying terrible weapons to neo-Nazi regime which uses them to destroy peaceful cities and murder innocent people, including children. Fainas school survived the WWII  yet almost seven decades later it was completely destroyed by neo-Nazis who brutally shelled the city. Fainas peers died and she realizes that it is the Kiev regime that should be blamed for this. She asks the UN Security Council to stop Ukraine and prevent the looming World War III.Faina Savenkova addresses United Nations not for the first time  in 2021 she recorded a video, stressing that the children of Donbass are in desperate need of peaceful life and asking the international community to resolve the situation. This move ignited a harsh backlash from Ukraine  the teenage girl was added to the notorious neo-Nazi website Myrotvorets (Peacemaker)  which is virtually a hit-list of civil rights activists and politicians considered to be enemies of the Kiev regime.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230922/teenage-girl-pleads-un-to-stop-ukraine-from-killing-innocent-children-with-western-weapons-1113591308.html

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

ukrainian crisis, ukrainian war crimes, shelling of donbass, neo-nazi ukraine
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/lavrov-meets-with-serbian-foreign-minister-on-unga-sidelines-1113599534.html

Lavrov Meets With Serbian Foreign Minister on UNGA Sidelines

Lavrov Meets With Serbian Foreign Minister on UNGA Sidelines

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with his Serbian counterpart Ivica Dacic, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

2023-09-23T04:46+0000

2023-09-23T04:46+0000

2023-09-23T04:46+0000

world

russia

sergey lavrov

serbia

ivica dacic

kosovo

russian foreign ministry

un general assembly

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102216/82/1022168291_0:0:3354:1887_1920x0_80_0_0_294db2a57e55c0d91546154c54e3829b.jpg

On September 22, on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and First Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic held a meeting, the ministry said. The sides discussed issues on the bilateral and international agenda and stressed a mutual focus on further dynamic development of Russian-Serbian strategic partnership, it said. The ministry said Moscow and Belgrade expressed their commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1244 regarding Kosovo settlement. The need for Pristina to urgently and comprehensively fulfill its obligations was emphasized, including the establishment of a Community of Serbian Municipalities of Kosovo having a wide range of executive powers, the ministry said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230530/explosion-in-the-heart-of-europe-whats-going-on-in-kosovo-1110799134.html

russia

serbia

kosovo

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

russia, serbia, russia-serbia relations, kosovo, kosovo crisis. lavrov dacic
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/many-german-municipalities-no-longer-able-to-shelter-migrants-1113609574.html

Many German Municipalities No Longer Able to Shelter Migrants

Many German Municipalities No Longer Able to Shelter Migrants

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Saturday that many municipalities in Germany are no longer able to provide shelter for refugees arriving in the country and urged all conventional parties to help solve the migration problem.

2023-09-23T12:41+0000

2023-09-23T12:41+0000

2023-09-23T12:41+0000

world

germany

european union (eu)

lampedusa

migrant crisis

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105918/29/1059182923_134:0:4152:2260_1920x0_80_0_0_f4bbe8569df19f0d9f494042abc7206f.jpg

"I was told that in many places, they no longer know how to solve problems. Social workers can barely keep up, there is not enough living space. They are unlikely to be able to provide housing and will soon stop doing so altogether," Habeck said in an interview with the German news agency, speaking about his recent meetings with mayors. The minister also said that he was told that with the current numbers of arriving refugees, they will have to start being accommodated in gyms soon. "And if PE classes are canceled, you can't expect all citizens to say we'll get through this somehow. If we don't want right-wing populism to exploit this problem, then all democratic parties have a responsibility to help find a solution," Habeck said. Exactly for this reason, Habeck's The Greens party, "even though it was morally difficult," advocates resolving the migration issue at the external borders of the European Union and accelerating deportations to third countries through new agreements with them, he said. Last week, the German Interior Ministry announced a pause in the voluntary intake of migrants from Italy, whose Mediterranean island of Lampedusa became the epicenter of a migrant influx last week, due to "major challenges faced by Germany with regard to its reception and accommodation capacities." In August, the German Office for Migration and Refugees said that the number of applications for refugee status in Germany had increased by 78.1% from January to July 2023 compared with the same period last year.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230720/europe-likely-to-see-devastating-migration-crisis-after-grain-deal-suspension-1112003175.html

germany

lampedusa

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

germany, migrants, migration crisis, migrant, economy germany, german economy
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/pentagon-awards-13bln-naval-nuclear-propulsion-contract-1113605023.html

Pentagon Awards $1.3Bln Naval Nuclear Propulsion Contract

Pentagon Awards $1.3Bln Naval Nuclear Propulsion Contract

The US awarded a contract worth more than $1.3 billion for nuclear propulsion work at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory, the Defense Department said in a press release.

2023-09-23T10:30+0000

2023-09-23T10:30+0000

2023-09-23T10:30+0000

military

pentagon

nuclear power

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/07/18/1112101629_0:1635:2048:2787_1920x0_80_0_0_51dc4bafacd980b95bfaec0a4e4a14c7.jpg

"Fluor Marine Propulsion LLC, Arlington, Virginia, is awarded a $1,362,922,002 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract... for Naval Nuclear Propulsion work at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory," the release said on Friday. Work will be performed in the US and is expected to be completed by September 2024, the release added. Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC is the contracting activity, according to the release.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221205/how-many-nuclear-submarines-does-russia-have-1105034535.html

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

pentagon, nuclear propulsion, nukes, nuclear submarines
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/russia-to-strengthen-checks-amid-fukushima-water-release-1113605149.html

Russia to Strengthen Checks Amid Fukushima Water Release

Russia to Strengthen Checks Amid Fukushima Water Release

Rospotrebnadzor, Russia's consumer rights watchdog, will continue strengthening control over fishery products and water following the release of treated water from Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant, the watchdog's head, Anna Popova, told Sputnik.

2023-09-23T10:36+0000

2023-09-23T10:36+0000

2023-09-23T10:36+0000

russia

fukushima daiichi nuclear power plant

2011 fukushima disaster

japan

fukushima

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/02/1113065228_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_b1784f9b24be3291d32cf7fa44e7984c.jpg

"We, for our part, have strengthened control and will continue to strengthen it. The laboratory in Vladivostok is currently being upgraded in order to carry out all checks on site, without sending [samples] to Moscow. Although parallel control is necessary for the purity of the research," Popova said. She specified that food products, water and bottom sediments are monitored wherever possible. On August 24, Japan began dumping treated waste water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean after diluting it with seawater. Tokyo said that the water was cleaned from all radionuclides except tritium, which was still within acceptable limits. The water release has drawn especially strong opposition from China, which suspended seafood imports from Japan. Later in August, Russian monitoring bodies conducted an inspection of fish caught near Fukushimas discharge site. Radiological parameters were found to be within norms in 443 samples tested.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230903/cancer-risk-surges-from-even-tiny-trace-of-tritium-expert-warns-amid-fukushima-water-dump-1113091795.html

japan

fukushima

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

fukushima, fukushima disaster, fukushima radiation, nuclear water japan, nuclear waste japan
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/russias-foreign-minister-sergey-lavrov-holds-press-conference-after-unga-1113603186.html

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Holds Press Conference After UNGA

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Holds Press Conference After UNGA

Journalists will likely ask high-ranking Moscow official about the raise of Global South, the emergence of multi-polar world, as well as more specific questions, including Ukrainian crisis and Russian foreign policy.

2023-09-23T16:38+0000

2023-09-23T16:38+0000

2023-09-23T16:38+0000

world

russia

sergey lavrov

united nations general assembly

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/17/1113603252_0:0:2952:1662_1920x0_80_0_0_ae10aab753e6c082901395e2975c92f9.jpg

Sputnik comes to you live from New York, where Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov gives a press conference in the aftermath of his speech at the United Nations General Assembly.Russia's top diplomat is on a four-day official visit to the United States. He addressed the Security Council on Thursday, lambasting its anti-Russia stance, and held a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as well as participating in the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the "Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter".Follow Sputnik's live feed to learn more!

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Lavrov Holds Press Conference After UNGA Lavrov Holds Press Conference After UNGA 2023-09-23T16:38+0000 true PT73M43S

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

russian foreign policy, russian foreign ministry, lavrov unga, russia unga, russia general assembly
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/timor-leste-hopes-for-cooperation-with-russia-in-different-spheres---foreign-minister-1113598418.html

Timor-Leste Hopes for Cooperation With Russia in Different Fields - Foreign Minister

Timor-Leste Hopes for Cooperation With Russia in Different Fields - Foreign Minister

Timor-Leste is hopeful for cooperation with Russia on areas of education, agriculture, security as well as IT technology, Bendito Dos Santos Freitas, Timor-Lestes Minister of Foreign Affairs, told Sputnik.

2023-09-23T03:45+0000

2023-09-23T03:45+0000

2023-09-23T08:39+0000

world

timor-leste (east timor)

sergey lavrov

russia

un general assembly

new york

cooperation

bilateral relations

bilateral cooperation

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/08/0e/1099568697_0:333:909:844_1920x0_80_0_0_ce4b1c9645b1811d3ce39e590890ed69.jpg

"I think maybe education, agriculture issues," Dos Santos Freitas said when asked about specific areas for expansion of cooperation with Russia. "Technology and science are very much important, also security and other issues that we need to consider but mostly education and technology." Commenting on the current level of relations with Russia, the minister underscored that "we are living in one world with all issues and cooperation with all states is very important." He also said Timor Leste foreign policy is based on the motto "no allies, no enemies, all friends." The foreign minister further indicated that Timor Leste sees oil and gas as one of the areas for potential cooperation with Russia. "We have resources of oil and gas, Timor has potential, thats the area where we can cooperate," Dos Santos Freitas said.Dos Santos Freitas spoke on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. He noted that he did not have any meeting planned with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov there but underscored the importance of maintaining such contacts.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220907/timor-leste-slams-us-europe-for-bossiness-as-pacific-nation-seeks-chinas-help-for-gas-project-1100469739.html

timor-leste (east timor)

russia

new york

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

timor leste, east timor, bendito dos santos freitas, bilateral cooperation,
Blog Archive: Nov 2023 (5) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55)
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/top-kiev-intelligence-officer-says-musk-turned-off-starlink-over-crimea-1113611861.html

Top Kiev Intelligence Officer Says Musk Turned Off Starlink Over Crimea

Top Kiev Intelligence Officer Says Musk Turned Off Starlink Over Crimea

The head of Ukraine's military intelligence service, Kyrylo Budanov, has said that US entrepreneur Elon Musk had powered down his Starlink satellite network over Crimea.

2023-09-23T14:49+0000

2023-09-23T14:49+0000

2023-09-23T14:49+0000

world

elon musk

crimea

ukraine

kiev

spacex

sputnik

pentagon

russia

sevastopol

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/05/0d/1082884290_0:2:1072:605_1920x0_80_0_0_fcc8d8c94c63d4baa8e42d1e7ead9803.png

Earlier in the week, a Spanish newspaper reported that although Kiev already had found alternatives to the internet provided by Starlink satellites, it could not break up with Musk's company as it would result in the Ukrainian defense's crumbling. In early September, US media reported, citing Musk's biography by Walter Isaacson, that the US billionaire had ordered his engineers to deactivate Starlink coverage over Crimea, which ended up impairing Kiev's attack on the Russian fleet on Sevastopol last year. Musk denied this, saying that Starlink coverage over Crimea was never activated in the first place, despite Kiev requesting it. The tycoon said he never intended Starlink satellites to be used toward escalating the conflict which could lead to a third world war. "It is true that he did turn off his products and services over Crimea before. But there's another side to that truth. Everybody's been aware of that ... This specific case everybody's referring to, there was a shutdown of the coverage over Crimea, but it wasn't at that specific moment. That shutdown was for a month," Budanov told an American military magazine, adding that "throughout the whole first period" of the conflict there was no satellite coverage at all. He also said that Kiev uses Musk's products and services "very widely" and powering them down would lead to "a catastrophe." In April, the Pentagon said it was in talks with Starlink regarding the satellite communication services that are being provided to Ukraine after Musk said that he was considering ending the supply because it was too difficult to maintain without funding from the government. Later, Musk made a u-turn and announced his company would continue providing services to Ukraine. Starlink is a next generation satellite network launched by SpaceX in February 2018 and designed to provide broadband internet access across the world. After the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine, Starlink stations have been providing Ukrainian forces with access to satellite internet. However, in March, SpaceX chief Gwynne Shotwell said the company has taken measures to limit the use of its Starlink satellites by Ukraine for military purposes, including controlling drones.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230914/why-is-musk-ceding-ukraine-starlink-access-to-the-pentagon-1113373412.html

crimea

ukraine

kiev

russia

sevastopol

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

starlink, elon musk, starlink over crimea, ukraine, kyrylo budanov, starlink turned off, ukraine attack on crimea
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/ukraine-loses-entire-assault-unit-while-storming-russian-positions-in-dpr-1113603817.html

Ukraine Loses Entire Assault Unit While Storming Russian Positions in DPR

Ukraine Loses Entire Assault Unit While Storming Russian Positions in DPR

Russian troops earlier successfully repelled four Ukrainian assault unit attacks in the settlements of Severnoye, Maryinka and Kleshcheevka outside Donetsk. 23.09.2023, Sputnik International

2023-09-23T10:52+0000

2023-09-23T10:52+0000

2023-09-23T10:52+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russia

ukraine

video

assault

donbass

donetsk people's republic

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/17/1113604008_35:0:1635:900_1920x0_80_0_0_86691278314b1ee692df13fbf352e6c4.png

Ukraine has lost a whole assault unit comprising of 10 officers as they attempted to attack Russian positions in the village of Kleshcheevka near Artemovsk (Bakhmut) in the Donetsk Peoples Republic. A video obtained by Sputnik shows the aftermath of the failed Ukrainian attack, with Russian fighters displaying captured arms, while the bodies of the dead Ukrainian soldiers can be seen nearby.Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that the settlement of Kleshcheevka near Artemovsk (Bakhmut) is under the full control of the Ukrainian Army. Apty Alaudinov, commander of the Russian Akhmat Special Forces Regiment, for his part, said that although the Ukrainian Army had been suffering heavy losses, they did not give up trying to seize Kleshcheevka. However, things are stable and well-monitored, he added. Denis Pushilin, acting head of the Donetsk People's Republic, earlier noted that Kleshcheevka and Andreevka are now in the so-called "gray zone"  Ukrainian troops failed to strengthen their positions there, as the Russian Army maintains fire control over the area.

russia

ukraine

donbass

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Ukraine lost an assault group of more than ten fighters during another attempt to storm Russian positions in the village of Kleshcheevka in the DPR Ukraine lost an assault group of more than ten fighters during another attempt to storm Russian positions in the village of Kleshcheevka in the DPR 2023-09-23T10:52+0000 true PT0M40S

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

russia, ukraine, video, assault, donbass, donetsk people's republic, 
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/us-to-blame-for-pause-in-syrias-reengagement-with-arab-world---source-1113601158.html

US to Blame for Pause in Syria's Reengagement With Arab World - Source

US to Blame for Pause in Syria's Reengagement With Arab World - Source

The United States has taken a number of economic measures to repel Arab nations' interest in reengagement with Damascus, which eventually caused the Arab League's special committee to halt contacts with Syria despite the country's readmission to the organization, a source familiar with the matter told Sputnik.

2023-09-23T05:47+0000

2023-09-23T05:47+0000

2023-09-23T05:47+0000

world

middle east

league of arab states

arab league

damascus

saudi arabia

syria

bashar assad

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106382/45/1063824526_0:44:1243:743_1920x0_80_0_0_d5fa5c85e13b151ae12f6bd73b0c1ce9.jpg

Earlier this week, media reported that the Arab League committee, which was formed in May to seek a comprehensive solution to the Syrian crisis, had frozen its contacts with representatives of Syrian President Bashar Assad. "Further steps towards supporting Syria, whose economy is in tatters, have been put on hold due to direct US pressure," the source said. The source pointed out that it was Saudi Arabia that launched regional efforts to reengage Syria after 12 years of isolation within the Middle East. Kuwait, Qatar, and Morocco were reluctant at first, but later also embraced Syria into the Arab League in the hope of stabilizing the situation in the country through its economic reconstruction. Therefore, in May, the League of Arab States reinstated Syria's membership in the organization, ending a long hiatus. However, financial support for Syria and plans for its post-war rebuilding turned out to be hampered by the US's Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 and its expected supplement, 2023 Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act, which might extend the US administration's authority to sanction those cooperating with Syria, the source said, adding that anticipated investments from Arab countries never materialized. "The reasons for discouragement were technical, diplomatic and political difficulties resulting from the US Caesar Act and other US sanctions against Syria," the source explained. Syria has been under sanctions pressure from the United States, the European Union and a number of individual countries since the start of clashes with Western-backed jihadists in 2011. The US restrictions are believed to be the toughest, as they include an embargo and affect third parties. US secondary sanctions were restricted until 2020 when the Caesar Act, signed by then-US President Donald Trump in 2019, went into effect. The Caesar Act is designed to deter support for reconstruction efforts by the Syrian government. It imposes sanctions on anyone who provides funding or assistance to the Syrian government and the country's central bank. Moreover, the legislation imposes sanctions on those providing aircraft or spare parts to Syrian airlines or who are involved with government-controlled construction and engineering projects. In May 2023, US lawmakers also submitted the Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act to the parliament to amend the Caesar Act and further expand sanctions on those providing financial and technological support to Syrian groups and enterprises. The US government now has the authority to introduce sanctions until the end of 2025, while the new legislation, if adopted, would extend this power through 2032.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230511/who-is-unhappy-about-syrias-return-to-the-arab-league-1110259422.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230316/assad-praises-russian-aid-to-earthquake-hit-syria--1108445468.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230316/assad-international-coalition-needed-to-counter-us-hegemony-1108449282.html

damascus

saudi arabia

syria

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

middle east, syria, us against syria, arab league, syria rapprochment
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/venezuela-calls-oil-price-cap-market-manipulation-violation-of-intl-trade-principles-1113614453.html

Venezuela Calls Oil Price Cap Market Manipulation, Violation of Int'l Trade Principles

Venezuela Calls Oil Price Cap Market Manipulation, Violation of Int'l Trade Principles

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil told Sputnik on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York that the price cap on Russian oil is an "irrational action" that violates international trade norms.

2023-09-23T19:08+0000

2023-09-23T19:08+0000

2023-09-23T19:08+0000

americas

dario gil

venezuela

caracas

un general assembly

russia

2022 russian oil price cap

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107682/42/1076824205_0:235:1920:1315_1920x0_80_0_0_c2202ba5b97d58c1cd310dc15efd4f67.jpg

"We do not agree with market manipulation under any circumstances. These are irrational actions that violate all principles of international trade," Gil told Sputnik when asked about his assessment of the attempts to establish a price ceiling for Russian oil.The foreign minister also noted that Venezuela is increasing domestic oil production in a situation where Caracas is currently the subject of unilateral restrictive measures."We are increasing [production] with new investors who are entering Venezuela, with new plans for the development of special economic zones and a policy of opening [the economy] to new capital, a policy of protecting national interests, and above all, in a new legal framework adapted to the current situation, in which Venezuela is the subject of unilateral restrictive measures," Gil said.The world should come to a new international order, and the United Nations must take on this role, which at the moment it is not fulfilling, Yvan Gil highlighted."First of all, the world must come to a new international order that would guarantee peace. The UN should take on this role, it is not currently taking on it," Gil told Sputnik on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230401/venezuelas-oil-revenues-reached-5-billion-in-2022-1109020458.html

americas

venezuela

caracas

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

russian oil, oil price cap, oil price ceiling, venezuela, venezuelan oil
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/watch-russian-grad-mlrs-in-combat-in-special-op-zone-1113608713.html

Watch Russian Grad MLRS in Combat in Special Op Zone

Watch Russian Grad MLRS in Combat in Special Op Zone

Russian Armed Forces are successfully repelling counteroffensive attempts by Ukraine using top-tier military equipment, including multiple launch rocket systems.

2023-09-23T12:35+0000

2023-09-23T12:35+0000

2023-09-23T12:35+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukrainian crisis

ukrainian counteroffensive attempt

multiple-launch rocket systems (mlrs)

video

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/17/1113609077_28:0:1665:921_1920x0_80_0_0_3e63a2db0b8e9e326c28ef73200fee7a.png

Russias Ministry of Defense has published footage that shows Grad MLRS operated by the Pacific Fleet Marine Corps performing a mission as part of the special military operation.Grad was designed as a destroyer of hostile manpower, artillery and enemy-controlled outposts. Shockwave and shrapnel from its projectiles usually spread over hundreds of meters, wreaking havoc in enemy positions.Grad crews usually work hand-in-hand with UAV operators who use their drones to locate the targets. MLRS must be in constant movement  after a successful hit, the Grad and his crew must be quickly relocated in order to avoid return fire.

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Sergey Lebedev

Sergey Lebedev

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

 Grad MLRS units of the Pacific Fleet Marine Corps perform combat missions around the clock in the zone of the special military op  Grad MLRS units of the Pacific Fleet Marine Corps perform combat missions around the clock in the zone of the special military op 2023-09-23T12:35+0000 true PT0M48S

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sergey Lebedev

russia special military operation, ukrainian crisis, ukrainian counteroffensive attempt, mlrs grad, russian grad
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/weekly-news-wrap-up-uaw-expands-strike-biden-scandal-grows-zelenskys-un-snub-1113596236.html

Weekly News Wrap Up: UAW Expands Strike; Biden Scandal Grows; Zelensky's UN Snub

Weekly News Wrap Up: UAW Expands Strike; Biden Scandal Grows; Zelensky's UN Snub

President Zelensky's United Nations trip has been disastrous as support for the neocon misadventure evaporates.

2023-09-23T04:01+0000

2023-09-23T04:01+0000

2023-09-23T09:31+0000

the critical hour

radio

ukraine

the united nations (un)

cuba

niger

uaw

hunter biden

hunter biden charges

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/16/1113596079_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_3129b8c89495701a8f4dbc666c6f99ec.png

Weekly News Wrap Up; UAW Expands Strike; Biden Scandal Grows; Zelensky UN Snub President Zelensky's United Nations trip has been disastrous as support for the neocon misadventure evaporates.

Jon Jeter, journalist and author, joins us to discuss domestic politics. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has launched a PR blitzkrieg on Washington to shore up waning support for his cause and Barack Obama can't stop speaking about Libya. Jon says that Obama was responsible for the destruction of Libya and should be held accountable. Jon also speaks about the meaning of the auto industry for American history. The UAW advocated for racial justice before it was accepted in the mainstream. Dr. Jack Rasmus, professor of Economics and Politics at St. Mary's College in California, joins us to discuss the economy. The UAW strike is expanding and the Biden administration is refraining from intervention. Dr. Rasmus says that the UAW was striking on only three plants and that was insufficient to force concessions. He says that the parties are far apart. He says that the unions may have wrongly believed that the Biden administration would help them out.Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst and co-founder of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity, joins us to discuss Ukraine. Ray McGovern says that it is clear that Joe Biden was involved in corruption in Ukraine with his son Hunter. Also, the deep state was involved in covering up the Biden corruption just before the 2020 election. He says that we are in danger that the Biden neocons would use nukes to cover their corruption.Ajamu Baraka, 2016 US vice presidential candidate for the Green Party, and Erica Caines, founder of Liberation Through Reading and Editor of Hood Communist Blog, come together with us to discuss the international fight against imperialism. The end of French colonialism in West Africa may be near. Also, numerous nations are standing up against the US economic war on Cuba and President Biden speaks to the United Nations. Ajamu and Erica argue that the imperialists argue that they can do no wrong. He also says that it is psychotic to ignore the attacks on Iraq and Afghanistan in the context of their moral and ethical arguments.Jim Kavanagh, whose work can be found at Jim Kavanagh's Substack, thepolemicist.net, and Counterpunch, and Steve Poikonen, national organizer for Action4Assange, come together with us to discuss this week's important news stories. The Biden neocons are struggling to face the reality of a strategic debacle in Ukraine. Steve and Jim say that we are in a dangerous position because the neocons will have difficulty accepting defeat and may act out violently. Also the elites are going after alternative media personalities such as Russell Brand to protect their brittle narrative.The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comCatch us at 105.5FM, 104.7FM, 102.9FM, 1390AM, 1140AM

ukraine

cuba

niger

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg

Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg

the critical hour, destruction of libya, zelensky's united nations trip, uaw strike, corruption in ukraine, biden family crimes, french colonialism in west africa
The Culpeper Democratic Committee held a meet-and-greet Sept. 17 in Yowell Meadow Park to introduce candidates.

Democratic State Senate candidate Jason Ford and independent Culpeper County School Board candidate Matt Borja explained positions on the issues to those in attendance who enjoyed refreshments from the local party committee.

Ford previously appeared at a campaign for event for Larry Jackson who is running against Republican incumbent Michael Webert for the 61st District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Ford, a local workforce center manager, is running in Virginia Senate District 28 against incumbent Republican Bryce Reeves, a former narcotics detective and U.S. Army Ranger, of Spotsylvania.

Ford in Culpeper shared what he thought it would take for him to advance in the race and what constituents should expect from him as a candidate.

Accountability, integrity and stability. I think those are requirements for public representation, its the best way that peoples voices can be heard, said Ford. Whether its in Washington or the state house in Richmond you have to be present in your community in order to effectively legislate on the issues.

The candidate said he would focus on the state budget and abortion access. Other issues of priority for Ford are affordable housing, education and the environment, according to fordforva.com.

The candidate said that another issue that has come to his attention while canvassing door to door is taxes on small businesses. The candidate said one encounter left him considering the issues and difficulties that aspiring business owners face when trying to get off the ground. Ford discussed an adjustment of the state tax code, incentive grants and low interest loan programs to help those small businesses stay afloat.

Borja, running for the Culpeper County School Board West Fairfax District, was invited to the meet-and-greet to put out the word about his own campaign.

We have a new generation of ideas coming up and showing what they can provide to the Culpeper School Board, he said. Thats what Im here to do, I want to meet with the constituents and see what theyre concerns are and let them know what Im running on so that way we can get the exchange of ideas and hopefully progress.

One of the issues that Borja brought up during the event was the desire to look at the current deficit in educational attainment and test scores between white and non-white students. Borja said data shows a 10 to 40% drop off between the two in standardized scores in testing after 8th grade in subjects such as English, Science and Mathematics.

Borja said he wants to explore what the school board could potentially do to improve this issue and offers possibilities such as teaming up with the NAACP to find paths to solve the problem. Borja also discussed the school budget and school security.

Borja and his family have been residents of Culpeper since 2004 and he is a graduate of Eastern View High School class of 2016. He holds a masters degree in criminal justice from George Mason University.

Prior to getting his degree, Borja served in the Army Reserves and worked as a paralegal at the Pentagon for two years.

Former School Board member Michelle North attended the meet-and-greet to support Borja. North said she believes the candidate can bring much to the table when it comes to the school board. North also expressed support for candidate Kelley Pearson in her bid to represent the Salem District on the school board.

Matt understands the complexity of providing a quality education to a diverse student population and ensuring they have the knowledge and tools to be successful as they enter the workforce or continue their education, said North. Matt is a shining example of our Culpeper public schools and we should all be proud of him.

Culpeper Mayor Frank Reaves Jr. came to hear what the candidates had to say.

Id like to see more people get involved in these elections because we got two good candidates running and they need all the support they can get, he said.

Culpeper resident Tammy Smith came to the event looking for the right candidate.

Im trying to support the youth, it doesnt matter if theyre Democrat or Republican or independent as long as their agenda is to help the community, said Smith.

Both candidates will be present at the Culpeper County Candidate Forum hosted by the Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce. Ford will appear on Wednesday, Oct. 4 and Borja will be present on Thursday, Oct. 5.

The forum will be at the Germanna Daniel Technology Center located at 18121 Technology Drive in Culpeper. Both candidates will also be on the ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
RICHMONDWarriors Heart recovery and rehabilitation center opened in Caroline County on Sep. 11 with a focus to help military members, veterans, first responders and their families.

The 60-bed facility sits on over 500 acres of property in Caroline County. The opening on the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks was symbolic in intent.

Guests toured the property on opening day and enjoyed food and music. Commissioner Daniel Gade from Virginia Department of Veterans Services and Commissioner Nelson Smith from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services delivered remarks, according to Warriors Heart.

Founder and CEO Josh Lannon called it a soft launch with two current clients and more on the way.

The center is not the first that Lannon has opened. A Texas Warriors Heart location opened in 2016 and has more than twice the beds  and a waiting list. Virginia leaders contacted Lannon and said: We want you here.

Usually that comes with incentives or strings, Lannon said. There was none of that, we didnt get any money, we just got the ask.

There are approximately 750,000 veterans in Virginia, according to the facilitys executive director Mike Marotta.

Thats just veterans, that doesnt even include the first responders, which [there are] probably over 35,000 in the state of Virginia  and what we know is they need support, Marotta said.

The facility aims to provide focused care for active duty personnel, veterans, and first responders who suffer from addiction or dependency issues, along with psychological disorders that include post-traumatic stress disorder or mild traumatic brain injury.

It requires a community to support this population, Marotta said.

Veterans experience higher rates of PTSD and substance use disorder, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Approximately 5.2 million veterans experienced a behavioral health condition in 2020, according to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services.

Marotta served in the Air Force and said his unit supported Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also served almost two decades in the San Antonio Police Department.

He became involved with Warriors Heart by helping his colleagues in the police department, as part of a wellness and resiliency unit initiative.

We werent just also addressing their substance use, we were also addressing all the other things that come with these career fields, Marotta said. Theres so much stress  cumulative stress, traumatic stress  associated with these jobs.

The facility offers various programs to help with healing, from nature hikes and creative art therapy to hands-on projects in the wood and metal shops.

The pastoral surroundings and lodges, in addition to an equine center, are intended to be the exact opposite of a hospital or rehab setting. Although, according to its website, Warriors Heart offers similar treatment to its clients. Care offered includes detox, training programs, an in-patient sobriety program, and outpatient support and aftercare.

Lannon and his wife wanted to build a sustainable business that has a purpose more than just making money, he said.

I personally quit drinking in 2001 and thats what kicked this whole thing off to get into behavioral health care, Lannon said.

The first recovery center was built in 2002, and six followed, according to Lannon. Lannon became focused on Warriors Heart with co-founder Tom Spooner, when Lannon said he discovered that veterans have a high suicide rate.

Why are we losing more warriors at home on our own soil than we are in combat? Lannon said. It just doesnt make sense.

Warriors Hearts expansion into Virginia is part of Gov. Glenn Youngkins Right Help, Right Now plan to help tackle the states mental health issues, according to the founders. The large military population on the East Coast also made the location ideal.

Warriors healing warriors is to remember: Hey, Im a warrior, youre a warrior, were in this together, Lannon said. Lets fight the battle together.

Capital News Service is a program of Virginia Commonwealth Universitys Robertson School of Media and Culture. Students in the program provide state government coverage for a variety of media outlets in Virginia.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month last Tuesday in Manassas with members of the community and Bill Woolf, a 20-year veteran of law enforcement and candidate for State Senate 30th District.

Youngkin and Woolf participated in a discussion moderated by Prince William County Supervisor Yesli Vega, who ran last year for the 7th District in U.S. Congress. The discussion centered around recovering learning loss in Virginia schools, making Virginia a better place to do business, combating crime and drug trafficking, and the upcoming General Assembly elections, according to a release. Addressing a packed room at Mi Tierra Deli, the governor discussed policies he has enacted to address each of these priorities.

Youngkin recently launched ALL in Virginia, a comprehensive plan to improve attendance, literacy, and learning with free tutoring for Virginia students.

More than 220,000 Virginians are working today compared to when Youngkin took office and there are more Virginians working than ever before, according to the release. Youngkin has delivered $5 billion in tax relief since taking office, the release stated.

Youngkin also highlighted Operation Bold Blue Line, a partnership he launched with Virginia State Police and local law enforcement to combat crime and protect communities from dangerous drugs like fentanyl. Operation Bold Blue line has resulted in nearly 900 felony arrests and has removed more than 2,000 pounds of illicit narcotics off Virginias streets, including 47 pounds of fentanyl, the release stated.

The event in Manassas was part of Youngkins Secure Your Vote bus tour ahead of the start of early voting on Friday.
Editor's Note Heres a tribute to women in general, but two strong ones in particular, on the third anniversary of their passing written by Daniel Mitchum in 2020.

Over the last 24 hours our country lost two very strong women: RBG, a household name, the other, a personal friend, well-known, but in a smaller and considerably less-rarified atmosphere. (NOTE: RBG died Sept. 18, 2020; Julia H. Anderson died Sept. 19, 2020).

I spent several hours watching and reading the many tributes to Ruth Bader-Ginsburg. Theres little I can add to the out-pouring of her well-deserved accolades. I would echo, however, those who contend that our country in general and democracy in particular, lost a tenacious fighter for the rights of those who sorely need an advocate. Theres no small irony that if, the McConnell gang succeeds in pushing through a woman to replace Justice Ginsburg (and, of course, they did), that woman, more than likely, was helped along in her career by some of the battles Justice Ginsburg fought! History does, indeed, make for some very strange bedfellows.

In recent hours Ive also read some early drafts of the obituary for my late friend and high school classmate, Julia Hensley Anderson. Their differences, in some ways are stark: Ginsburg, 10 years older, was born in Brooklyn, New York of Jewish parents. Julia was born in 1943 to Protestant parents in the small town of Rutherfordton. Both were very bright. RBG went to Cornell, and graduated first in her class at Columbia Law School. Julia graduated from Duke University where she earned a BA in history. During the time RBG was raising a family and going to law school, Julia was still a few years away from beginning her career in association management in Durham, Philadelphia, and Chicago. Shed later return to Rutherfordton to care for her parents and help with the family business. After their deaths she became involved in various civic projects and community service efforts, especially those that strove to help the disenfranchised and marginalized.

So, what do these two strong women have in common? As noted, both were very bright. But in spite of their intellect, each sought to identify and solve problems in easily understood ways. Julias cousin, noted in a tribute: She was a progressive thinker who offered fresh ideas without alarming people who preferred the status quo. As such, both women understood the potential harmful effects of their own white privilege. RBG and Julia worked persistently in their own ways to change the status quo when it was serving only a portion of the citizenry. Both shared a trait Ive long-admired  the ability to laugh at ones self. Ethel Barrymore once said, You grow up the day you have your first real laugh at yourself. No doubt there were frustrating times when RBG and Julia were the only grown-ups in their respective venues. RBG was once asked, Whats an appropriate number of women on the Supreme Court? She answered with a devilish grin, Nine (NOTE: the total number of justices on the Supreme Court is nine). Its worthy of note that RBGs best bud on the SCOTUS was the late Justice Antonin Scalia, her political and philosophical opposite! While fighting bravely to the end, both succumbed to cancer.

As high school seniors we were introduced to British literature. Im still surprised at some of the random lines of poetry that come back to me after 60 years or so. One such line is from Thomas Grays Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard:

Full many a flower is born to blush unseen and waste its sweetness in the desert air.

Fortunately, for our nation, as well as a small community in Western North Carolina, there were two strong women (among many), who neither blushed unseen, nor wasted their sweetness in the desert air. After many decades I reviewed Grays poem again and have taken a few liberties with his final stanza:

No farther seek their merits to disclose,

Or draw their frailties from their dread abode,

(There they alike in certain hope repose,)

(In) the bosom of their Father And their God.

Shalom Ruth and Julia

Daniel W. Mitchum 61 (RS Central)
Renowned British-Armenian showman Kev Orkian has presented compelling evidence to his followers, reaffirming that Artsakh has, is, and will always be Armenian territory.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kev Orkian (@realkevorkian)

In his Instagram video, Orkian questions Azerbaijan's claims that Artsakh is their historical land. If that were true, why were Christian temples built there thousands of years ago, on the very land where innocent Armenians are now being killed, or why would Muslim Azerbaijanis construct Christian temples, he asked.

He continues to emphasize the facts: Christian temples in Artsakh stand as evidence of its historical Armenian roots, with Armenia adopting Christianity as the state religion in 301 AD. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan, a Muslim-majority state, does not build Christian temples. Armenia boasts a history spanning millennia, in stark contrast to Azerbaijan. Tragically, Azerbaijani soldiers continue to harm and destroy innocent Armenians, despite a ceasefire in place.

Orkian declares the Armenian Genocide of 2023 as a crime against humanity, and he decries the silence of world leaders as complicity in this atrocity. He boldly asserts that the blood of innocent Armenians doesn't solely stain the hands of Azerbaijani soldiers but also those who choose to remain silent. He criticizes the media for downplaying Armenian deaths and disregarding Azerbaijan's crimes.

Follow NEWS.am STYLE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Two Florida men were sentenced to prison terms in Floyd County Circuit Court Tuesday for smashing the entrance door and display cases of Floyd Jewelry in July 2022.

The pair pleaded guilty in August and faced sentencing by Circuit Judge Mike Fleenor on Sept. 19.

Floyd County Commonwealths Attorney Eric Branscom said they were south Florida hoodlums looking for quick, illegal ways to make money.

Both Jonathan Morgan Flowers of Ocala, FL, and Dale Louie Bennett of Tallahassee, FL, received 10-year sentences on each of three felony convictions for conspiracy, burglary and grand larceny.

Flowers will spend five years behind bars and Bennett will spend four because he has a shorter criminal history.

The sentences were more severe than the six months of jail time handed down to them in North Carolina after their arrest for a similar burglary. It was also more than the time recommended under the Virginia sentencing guidelines.

Sarah Sowers told the court she has owned the family business for 29 years, and the smash and grab burglary was the first burglary of any kind for the store.

She said it has left her, her staff and her customers nervous and apprehensive.

Customers, Sowers said, have told her that they feel violated as well.

She asked the court for serious jail time and expressed fear that they might return to the area again if given light sentences.

Sowers said that rural areas are considered high risk for operations like jewelry stores, and most of the stolen items were not insured.

Floyd County is a trusting community, Branscom said in his closing statements. These hoodlums violated that trust.

A member of one defendants family turned them in, he said.

Sowers said she was called by the security company that maintains the alarms and video system at the store, and was headed there, thinking it was a false alarm.

We had some new kittens in the store, and I figured one of them had tripped a sensor, she said.

Branscom asked if she was armed when she approached the store, and she said she was.

The video of the break-in shows they were armed with clubs and other weapons, Branscom said. If they had still been at the store, we had a potential for violence.

Sowers, after the sentencing, said she still feels apprehension form the incident but thanked the community for its support.

It shows the true spirit of our community, she said.

They said they drove more than 1,000 miles because they felt that people here in Virginia and North Carolina are slow and easy prey, Branscom said. They were wrong.

Flowers, in a statement before sentencing, said they came to Floyd on happenstance and had not picked out the store before coming to the area.

I am not a bad person, he said. I have done some bad things, but I had a child coming and needed money.

Both he and Bennett asked for consideration for our circumstances.

Judge Fleenor called the act violence on the community and one that deserves punishment above and beyond the Commonwealths sentencing guidelines.

The sentence handed down also includes restitution to the store for more than $40,000 of stolen merchandise and damage caused by the attack.
A regional investigative team has finished its inquiry into the Sept. 2 death of a Seattle man who was fatally shot by Longview police officers after he reportedly fired first.

The Lower Columbia Major Crimes team will send its findings to the Cowlitz County Prosecuting Attorneys Office, according to a Friday press release from the organization.

Patrol officers Bri Cummo, Matt Dennis and Seth Libbey returned fire after the 30-year-old suspect was revived with naloxone then sped off, the teams report states.

The investigation found Louis Earl Johnson, Jr. used an illegally manufactured pistol without a serial number to shoot, with at least six rounds hitting Denniss patrol vehicle, all while his K-9 partner was in the back seat.

The officers and the K-9 were uninjured, the report states.

Johnson was originally found around 2 p.m. Sept. 2 passed out in the Minami Teriyaki drive-thru at 1208 15th Ave.

After being revived with the opioid reversal medicine naloxone, he was reportedly aggressive with medical staff and drove away seemingly impaired.

Police found Johnsons orange Dodge Charger near 15th and Hudson, but he sped away and ran a red light before being blocked by officers at 19th Avenue and Florida Street, the report states. Thats when Johnson reportedly started firing, striking Dennis patrol vehicle, and prompting the three officers to fire back.

An autopsy showed Johnson died from a single gunshot wound to the chest.

The state requires an investigation when an officer discharges a weapon and there is an injury.
Larry Wagle taught U.S. history to thousands of students at R.A. Long High School and Mark Morris High School from 1961 to 1999. But Wagle was as notable for the gaps in his time teaching as his successes in the classroom  one of which landed his name in a U.S. Supreme Court docket.

Lawrence Wagle Jr. was born in Neah Bay in April 1935 and died in Lynnwood on Sept. 6 at age 88. Longview was where he spent most of his adult life and earned the most attention for his outspoken, controversial pushes for liberal policies and free speech.

He loved the students there. He had a big heart, he just couldnt make himself fit into the kind of teacher the district wanted him to be, said Shari Chagnon, who worked with Wagle at Mark Morris for more than 15 years.

Through the late 1960s Wagle was the regional chairman of the American Civil Liberties Union. He argued in favor of legalizing marijuana, defended Timothy Learys promotion of LSD and opposed religious events on Longview School District grounds.

In 1970 Wagle was fired after helping a student distribute an infamous political pamphlet called The Student as N***** throughout R.A. Long, which talked about how college students are treated as second-class citizens compared to college staff. The district claimed Wagle was fired for his teaching performance but Wagle maintained that it was censorship of his First Amendment rights and retaliation for his politics.

Wagle and the school district entered a years-long legal battle. Wagle eventually won a wrongful termination lawsuit in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, who ordered that he be reinstated and paid compensation.

The district took the case to the U.S. Supreme Court on appeals, who ended the case in Wagles favor in January 1978 by declining to consider the appeal. Wagle, who had been working at an aircraft company since being fired, began teaching at Mark Morris two weeks later. He was eventually awarded $225,000 in compensation.

Recently many of Wagles former students shared online memories of smaller, nicer moments. He would award candy to students who scored highly on quizzes or cover lunch money for students in need. For students who showed up late or misbehaved, he would make them memorize the Gettysburg Address.

Joshua Weedman, who attended Mark Morris around 1989, said Wagle was his favorite teacher, partly because he enjoyed viewing photos Wagle took of the schools sports.

We knew that he would always be in his room at Mark Morris, he said. We used to love going through all of the slides that he had made out of the pictures he had taken. He was just a nice guy.

Wagle was disciplined again in 1993 for an impromptu extra credit assignment. He offered to give students points if they purchased a condom from a store clerk of the opposite gender.

Quote "I said 'Larry, you're going to get fired.' And he said 'Oh, I got fired before, it's not a problem,' ..."  Shari Chagnon, former co-worker

Wagle said his students were the ones who asked for the idea to become an extra credit assignment. The idea came up because he wanted to demystify safe sex at a time when multiple of his former students had died from AIDS and several current students were pregnant.

Which is most important to most parents: that the kids know more about the Roman Empire ... or that their kids stay alive 10 years from now? Wagle said in a 1993 Daily News interview.

Chagnon was a work friend of Wagle because of their shared interests in politics and free speech. Chagnon said after the Mark Morris principal heard about the condom assignment, she was asked to talk to Wagle to get him to apologize or recant.

I said Larry, youre going to get fired. And he said Oh, I got fired before, its not a problem, something like that, Chagnon said.

Wagle served a two-week suspension at the start of the following school year for the assignment. He permanently lost his job in 1999 after reportedly tipping over a students desk until the student slid onto the floor.

Over the years Wagle has gone back and forth on his status as a liberal rebel. In interviews before his return to Longview schools and his controversies in the 1990s, Wagle was open about how much the extended legal battle had cost him and how little it accomplished for free speech laws. I lost 10 years of my life, Wagle told The Daily News in 1979. I paid too high a personal price.

Wagles politics seemingly became reenergized after he stopped teaching. He told the Longview City Council public prayer during their meetings should be directed to Neptune instead of the Christian God. He criticized the Longview school board to their faces during public comments and in frequent opinion letters in The Daily News.

I dont believe that any son of a b**** should be able to chase a rebel out of town and have any peace from that time forward, he told the Longview School Board during a meeting in 2006.

In his later years Wagle could still be spotted with picket signs outside Walmarts in Longview and on street corners in Lynnwood.
Copyright law expert Rebecca Tushnet. Credit: Jay Mallin

There's been a lot of buzz around ChapGPT, Bard, and other generative AI tools since they burst into public view back in January. But not everyone is pleased with the rise of the chatbots. Many writers, artists, photographers, musicians, and filmmakers say tech firms are using copyrighted work to train generative AI models.

There are now several pending lawsuits against OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, including one filed Tuesday in federal district court in New York by the Authors Guild on behalf of dozens of best-selling writers, including Elin Hilderbrand, Jonathan Franzen, and George R.R. Martin.

The authors say OpenAI is feeding their books into ChatGPT's large language model algorithm without consent, compensation, or attribution, in violation of U.S. copyright law. Calling it a "systematic theft on a mass scale," the guild is seeking a permanent injunction and damages for lost licensing opportunities and for making authors "unwilling accomplices" in their own future market irrelevance.

OpenAI has said the books are used only to spur innovation, not to create new works, and that that practice is lawful under the "fair use" provision of copyright law.

Rebecca Tushnet studies and teaches copyright and trademark law as the Frank Stanton Professor of the First Amendment at Harvard Law School. In a conversation with the Gazette, she talked about the authors' case against OpenAI and some of the broader legal issues around emerging tech. The interview has been edited for clarity and length.

GAZETTE: Authors claim OpenAI is 'pilfering' their books to improve ChatGPT's ability to spit out 'derivative works' in clear violation of copyright laws. Is the law clear on this issue?

TUSHNET: No. And in fact, the law in terms of using works for training or for large-scale data-mining purposes has often been held to be fair use. The internet as we know it today, with Google and image search and Google Books, wouldn't exist if it weren't fair use to use these words and for an output that was not copying.

Now, the output, there are legitimate questions about. In theory, if you create an infringing reproduction, it's still infringing even if nobody sees it. The question is one of responsibility. Should we say, "You shouldn't make computers because they can be used to infringe"something that copyright owners actually did think 20 years agoor should we say, "What we have here is a tool that can be used or misused, and we should focus on curbing the misuse."

GAZETTE: How does the law protect copyrighted work?

TUSHNET: You do have rights against reproduction or the creation of derivative works, subject to limits like fair use. There are other specific limits, but fair use is the big one.

GAZETTE: Is the definition of fair use the main issue here?

TUSHNET: That's where this argument is going to go. The two questions are going to be: fair use for the training data, which I think is pretty clear under current law. And then, who's responsible for the outputsis it the prompter or is it the existence of the tool? The law, as it exists, is reasonably settled. But the law can change. I think OpenAI has the better of the argument, but we'll see what the court thinks.

GAZETTE: Are there loopholes or carveouts in the law for particular industries, like technology?

TUSHNET: The copyright law is not like a set of rules you can fit on a page; it's several hundreds of dense pages. Are there protections for specific industries? There are a ton. There are special provisions for religious camps and farmers associations, and all sorts of stuff. But none of them are all that relevant to most of the AI issues, except insofar as there are notice and takedown regimes for cases where the output of the AI is public. Congress made special rules for internet companies to deal with the fact that the scale of the internet was so big that they couldn't treat Google like an ordinary publisher.

GAZETTE: Is current copyright law sufficient to deal with this new technological frontier?

TUSHNET: Where there is a need for guardrails, copyright is not the right way to handle it. Copyright owners, in general, have an interest in getting paid, which is not an interest in having socially beneficial output, or avoiding lies or hallucinations or anything like that. Copyright doesn't handle questions like, "How do you make sure that the AI is not defaming someone or giving you instructions on how to eat a poisonous mushroom?" The law, especially fair use, was designed to be flexible and to handle new situations. And it's done that quite well.

GAZETTE: Do you have a sense yet of how the courts may look at this issue or is it too soon to tell?

TUSHNET: A lot of times there's a tendency to say, "This is completely different from anything we've ever seen. We need a new rule." Occasionally, that's right. But a lot of times our existing principles handle it. Right now, the copyright office says if a work is generated by AI, it's not copyrightable; you need a human to do the creating. That seems, to me, to be right. That being said, you can get a human involved in tweaking an AI-generated work so that it becomes an expression of their own creativity. And that can have a valid copyright. I can't own the forest, but if I take a nice picture of the forest, I can own a copyright in my nice picture, but only in what I did.

The problem is that the news cycle runs a lot faster than the legal cycle. It's very hard to tell in the abstract when something has changed enough that you really want to jump in with a new law and when you want to let the existing legal system handle it. People end up going back to what their prior beliefs are about various things. If you believe that big tech is fundamentally evil, you will want new rules. If you believe that big copyright owners, all they want is the money, then you will probably say, "Let the legal system handle it." And so, I think we're definitely in the too-soon-to-tell period. Right now, the training set is fair use. In terms of the output, I have no question that a clever lawyer can get an output that looks infringing. But the question is, to whom should we attribute that output?

GAZETTE: Is it premature to try to settle some of the broader legal questions before the technology has fully matured?

TUSHNET: It's a good question. The problem is things often develop very unpredictably. Thomas Edison thought that businessmen would use the phonograph to record memos and mail them to each other. That's not how it was used at all. He didn't foresee anything like the music industry that we now have. The well-known risk of regulating now is that we will write laws with the assumption that they're going to do one thing, and just completely miss the actual path of technological development, including missing things that we should have been regulating. This is why my general position is, if you care about the potential for lost jobs, we need to look to labor law and unfair competition law. Copyright is not going to help you with that. In terms of defamation, the way you deal with that is you have a rule against defaming people. It doesn't matter whether it was generated by AI: We don't want you to do that.

Provided by Harvard Gazette
DA Parsons given Marshall Award

Brazos County District Attorney Jarvis Parsons has received the C. Chris Marshall Award for his dedication to training district attorneys from across the state.

According to a statement from the District Attorneys Office, Parsons received the award from the Texas District County Attorneys Association (TDCAA) which gives out the award every year to distinguished law and ethics trainers across the state.

In Brazos County, Parsons and his office helps trains sexual assault nurse examiners as part of an agreement with Texas A&M University. He also serves on Gov. Greg Abbotts sexual assault survivors task force.

Through TDCAA, Parsons has assisted in training new prosecutors as part of the associations trial skills course.

The award is named after C. Chris Marshall, a prosecutor from Tarrant County who was a state leader in appellate law, according to the District Attorneys office.

In a provided statement, Parsons said he hopes to continue to be able to train future prosecutors.

It is my passion to teach and train prosecutors to help them better seek justice, he said in the statement. I am honored to receive (the) Chris Marshall Award and will continue to help train up the next generation of Texas prosecutors.

Fanthorp Inn site to close till 2024

Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site in Anderson will be closed to the public for extensive preservation efforts beginning Monday. This weekend is the last weekend the site will be open to the public until summer 2024.

The exterior preservation project will include siding, windows, roof and paint around the entire building.

Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site in Anderson demonstrates 19th-century life at an early Texas stagecoach stop and family home. English immigrant Henry Fanthorp settled in the Austin Colony with 1,100 acres of land. In 1834, he married a Scottish-American woman named Rachel Kennard and had a house built for them in Anderson, about 30 miles southeast of Bryan-College Station.

To follow updates on the sites preservation project, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or visit www.visitfanthorpinn.com.

CSHS to host homecoming parade, rally

College Station High School will host a homecoming parade and community rally next Wednesday.

The parade begins at 6 p.m. and will start at Creek View Elementary, turn right onto Eagle Avenue, left down Victoria Avenue and end at Cougar Stadium. The community rally will follow the parade inside Cougar Stadium.

The front and student parking lots at College Station High School will be open for the public to use. Attendees are asked to not park in the street or bike lanes along the parade route.

Suit from 2022 election dropped

HOUSTON  The highest profile Republican candidate who had sued seeking to overturn election results in the nations third-most populous county, a Democratic stronghold in deeply red Texas, has dropped her lawsuit.

Alexandra del Moral Mealer was one of 21 GOP candidates who had filed lawsuits challenging their losses in Novembers election in Harris County, where Houston is located. Most of the lawsuits were filed by candidates who lost judicial races.

The first trial related to the lawsuits  in which a candidate blamed her defeat on ballot shortages and allegations that illegal votes were cast  took place in August. A ruling in that lawsuit is pending.

Mealer had lost her bid to become Harris County judge, the countys top elected official who deals with spending and is in charge of local emergency response. She lost by more than 18,000 votes to Lina Hidalgo, the Democratic incumbent.

In a statement on Thursday, Mealer said she dropped her lawsuit because the county pushed back on her efforts to get a full accounting of problems during Novembers election.

Last years midterm election experienced various problems, including paper ballot shortages and some polling locations opening late or having long lines due to issues with voting machines.

My goal in filing an election contest was not to relitigate my race, but rather to make sure future races are fair to all voters and candidates, Mealer said.

Mealers decision came after her original attorney had withdrawn from the case because she did not agree with Mealers claims of ballot fraud in the election.

Besides Mealer, another GOP candidate also dropped his lawsuit on Thursday. Another candidate dropped his lawsuit last month. A GOP candidate who lost his race to be a state legislator from the Houston area had his election challenge dismissed in January by the Texas House speaker.
Banco Santander-Chile, together with its subsidiaries, provides commercial and retail banking products and services in Chile. It operates through Retail Banking, Middle-Market, Corporate Investment Banking, and Corporate Activities segments. The company offers debit and credit cards, checking accounts, and savings products; consumer, automobile, commercial, mortgage, and government-guaranteed loans; and Chilean peso and foreign currency-denominated loans to finance various commercial transactions, trade, foreign currency forward contracts, and credit lines, as well as mortgage financing services. It also provides mutual funds, insurance and securities brokerage, foreign exchange, financial leasing, factoring, financial consulting and advisory, investment management, foreign trade, treasury, and transactional services, as well as specialized services to finance residential projects. In addition, the company offers short-term financing and fundraising, and brokerage services, as well as derivatives, securitization, and other products. It serves individuals, small to middle-sized entities, companies, and large corporations, as well as universities, government entities, and local and regional governments. Banco Santander-Chile was incorporated in 1977 and is headquartered in Santiago, Chile.
Johnson & Johnson is a US-based multinational pharmaceutical company that started in the early 1870s. Robert Wood Johnson began training as a pharmacist at 16 and founded his 1st company in 1873. That company would be disbanded by 1886 when Johnson joined his brothers to form today's entity. The companys first line of products was sterile surgical dressings which were soon followed up by household products and medical guides.

Today, Johnson & Johnson is one of the worlds largest companies. It is ranked 36th on the 2021 Fortune 500 list and is a Dow Jones Industrial Average member. The company operates via 250 subsidiaries with operations in 60 countries and product sales in 175. As of 2021, annual sales were in the range of $95 billion and growing. The company is also a leader in equality and the advancement of womens rights. Johnson & Johnsons workforce was nearly 50% female by 1910, and many held significant positions of responsibility.

Among the companys many advances in health care is the advancement of sterile conditions to prevent postoperative and secondary infections. Products include sterile gauze, cotton and dressings, and the development of the industrial sterilization process. However, the product that launched the company to success was the combination of a sterile dressing with tape. The company called the new products Band-Aids, which is now synonymous with small, prepackaged bandages. Another major win for the company was Johnson & Johnson Baby Soap.

Today, Johnson & Johnson operates in 3 segments: Pharmaceutical, Consumer Health and MedTech. The Consumer Health segment alone covers brands like Aveeno, Listerine, Tylenol, Zyrtec, Band-Aid and Neosporin, which are among the worlds most recognizable brands. The companys purpose is to blend science and ingenuity to change the trajectory of health for humanity profoundly.

The Pharmaceutical segment offers products in all segments of the healthcare spectrum and has partnerships to develop new drugs with at least 10 other major healthcare providers and dozens of smaller research facilities. Products are offered wholesale to retailers and through healthcare systems. The MedTech segment develops and manufactures various healthcare devices and diagnostic tools. Among the many recognizable products from this segment are ACUVUE contact lenses.

Johnson & Johnson went public in 1944 and began paying dividends soon after. The company began increasing its dividend payment in 1962 and has increased it yearly. The company is a member of the Dividend Aristocrat Index and qualifies as a Dividend King with more than 50 years of consecutive annual increases. The company employs more than 142,000 individuals and serves more than 1 billion daily. Regarding the companys health, its track record of dividend payments is backed up by a AAA credit rating. Johnson & Johnson is one of only 2 US corporations with such a rating and is more trusted than the US government.

The company announced plans to split into two publicly traded companies in 2021. The move is expected to be complete in late 2023 and will result in a Consumer Health company and a Pharmaceutical company.










EastGroup Properties, Inc. (NYSE: EGP), a member of the S&P Mid-Cap 400 and Russell 1000 Indexes, is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust focused on the development, acquisition and operation of industrial properties in major Sunbelt markets throughout the United States with an emphasis in the states of Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and North Carolina. The Company's goal is to maximize shareholder value by being a leading provider in its markets of functional, flexible and quality business distribution space for location sensitive customers (primarily in the 20,000 to 100,000 square foot range). The Company's strategy for growth is based on ownership of premier distribution facilities generally clustered near major transportation features in supply-constrained submarkets. The Company's portfolio, including development projects and value-add acquisitions in lease-up and under construction, currently includes approximately 59 million square feet.
Hormel Foods Corporation develops, processes, and distributes various meat, nuts, and food products to retail, foodservice, deli, and commercial customers in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Grocery Products, Refrigerated Foods, Jennie-O Turkey Store, and International & Other. It provides various perishable products that include fresh meats, frozen items, refrigerated meal solutions, sausages, hams, guacamoles, and bacons; and shelf-stable products comprising canned luncheon meats, nut butters, snack nuts, chilies, shelf-stable microwaveable meals, hashes, stews, tortillas, salsas, tortilla chips, and others. The company also engages in the processing, marketing, and sale of branded and unbranded pork, beef, poultry, and turkey products, as well as offers nutritional food products and supplements, desserts and drink mixes, and industrial gelatin products. It sells its products primarily under the SKIPPY, SPAM, Hormel, Natural Choice, Applegate, Justin's, Jennie-O, Cafe H, Herdez, Black Label, Sadler's, Columbus, Gatherings, Herdez, Wholly, Columbus, Planters, NUT-rition, Planters Cheez Balls, Corn Nuts, etc. brand names through sales personnel, independent brokers, and distributors. The company was formerly known as Geo. A. Hormel & Company and changed its name to Hormel Foods Corporation in January 1995. Hormel Foods Corporation was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Austin, Minnesota.
Staffline Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides recruitment and outsourced human resource services, and skills and employment training and support services. It operates through three segments: Recruitment GB, Recruitment Ireland, and PeoplePlus. The company provides solutions to the agriculture, supermarkets, drinks, food processing, manufacturing, e-retail, driving, and logistics sectors. It also offers adult skills, adult and prison education, skills based employability programmes, recruitment process outsourcing, managed service provider, temporary, and permanent solutions; generalist recruitment services; workforce recruitment and management to industry customers; and specialist engineering and recruitment services. The company provides its services under the Staffline Express, Brightwork, and Staffline Recruitment Ireland brand names. It operates in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, and Portugal. Staffline Group plc was founded in 1986 and is based in Nottingham, the United Kingdom.
Nomad Foods Limited manufactures, markets, and distributes a range of frozen food products in the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France, Sweden, Austria, Norway, Spain, Serbia, Croatia, Switzerland, and rest of Europe. The company offers frozen fish products, including fish fingers, coated fish, and natural fish; ready to cook vegetable products, such as peas and spinach; and frozen poultry and meat products comprising nuggets, grills, and burgers. It also provides meals products that include ready to cook noodles, pasta, lasagna, pancakes, and other ready-made meals; ice-creams; and other products consisting of soups, pizzas, bakery goods, and meat substitutes. The company sells its products to supermarkets and food retail chains directly or through distribution arrangements primarily under the Birds Eye, iglo, Findus, Green Cuisine, Aunt Bessie's, Goodfella's, Frikom, Ledo, La Cocinera, and Belviva brand names. Nomad Foods Limited was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Feltham, the United Kingdom.
ServiceNow, Inc. is a leading provider of cloud-based software solutions that help enterprises streamline their digital workflows. The company aims to enable organizations to digitize and automate their business processes, increasing efficiency and productivity. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, ServiceNow operates globally, serving customers across various industries, including healthcare, finance, technology, and manufacturing.

ServiceNow's core product is its platform-as-a-service (PaaS) offering, allowing businesses to create custom applications and workflows tailored to their needs. The platform encompasses various modules, including IT Service Management, Human Resources, Customer Service Management, and Security Operations. By leveraging ServiceNow's platform, organizations can automate routine tasks, streamline communication and collaboration and enhance employee and customer experience.

The company's target market primarily comprises large enterprises that seek to modernize their operations and enhance digital transformation initiatives. ServiceNow has established a solid customer base, including well-known brands such as Coca-Cola, Siemens, and Visa. Its solutions cater to the needs of diverse organizations, ranging from IT departments seeking efficient incident management to HR departments streamlining employee onboarding processes.

ServiceNow boasts a strong, experienced management team that drives the company's success. Led by Chief Executive Officer Bill McDermott, a seasoned technology executive with a proven track record in the industry, the group comprises individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise.

ServiceNow has demonstrated impressive financial performance in recent years, reflecting its strong market position and growing customer demand for its products and services. The company has consistently reported robust revenue growth, driven by the increasing adoption of its platform across industries.

ServiceNow has maintained healthy profit margins, showcasing its ability to generate investment returns and maintain efficient cost structures. The company's strong financial position has allowed it to invest in research and development, innovation, and strategic acquisitions to drive further growth and market expansion.

ServiceNow's valuation metrics reflect the market's recognition of its strong growth potential and position within the industry. The company's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio and price-to-book (P/B) ratio are often higher than its industry peers, indicating the market's confidence in ServiceNow's future prospects. The higher P/E ratio suggests that investors are willing to pay a premium for each dollar of earnings the company generates, reflecting expectations of strong future earnings growth. Similarly, the higher P/B ratio indicates that investors value ServiceNow's assets at a higher multiple compared to its book value, emphasizing the company's intangible assets and intellectual property.

The factors driving ServiceNow's valuation are its consistent revenue growth, expanding customer base, and market leadership position. The company has successfully established itself as a trusted provider of digital workflow solutions, capturing a significant market share and demonstrating its ability to deliver value to its customers. ServiceNow's focus on innovation and product development has allowed it to stay ahead of competitors and maintain a competitive edge in the industry.

ServiceNow operates in the broader enterprise software industry, which is characterized by rapid technological advancements and the increasing adoption of cloud-based solutions. The industry is highly competitive, with several key players vying for market share and constantly innovating to meet evolving customer needs.

ServiceNow maintains a competitive advantage through its comprehensive platform and the breadth of its product offerings. The company's focus on delivering solutions that streamline digital workflows across departments positions it well in the market. ServiceNow enables efficient collaboration, automation, and process optimization by providing a unified platform that integrates various organizational functions.

The enterprise software industry is also subject to regulatory and political factors that can impact companies operating within it. Changes in data protection regulations or cybersecurity requirements may influence the demand for software solutions, including those offered by ServiceNow. Investors must monitor such developments and assess their potential impact on the company's operations and market position.

ServiceNow has several growth opportunities on the horizon. One significant opportunity lies in expanding its product offerings and penetrating new markets. The company can leverage its existing customer base and reputation to introduce new modules or vertical-specific solutions that address specific industry needs. For example, ServiceNow can develop tailored solutions for sectors such as healthcare or manufacturing, enabling it to tap into untapped markets and drive revenue growth.

While ServiceNow presents promising growth prospects, it has risks and challenges. One of the key challenges the company may face is intense competition within the enterprise software industry. Competitors, both established players and emerging startups, continuously innovate and introduce new solutions that could potentially erode ServiceNow's market share. To mitigate this risk, ServiceNow must focus on innovation, invest in research and development and ensure its offerings stay ahead of the curve.

Another potential risk lies in changes to regulatory or compliance requirements. As a business operating in an increasingly regulated industry, ServiceNow must stay updated with evolving regulations and adapt its solutions to ensure customer compliance. Failure to address regulatory changes adequately could result in reputational damage and loss of customers.

Moreover, macroeconomic factors can impact ServiceNow's business. Economic downturns or recessions may lead to reduced spending by enterprises, affecting the demand for software solutions. ServiceNow must remain agile and adaptable to market conditions, continuously demonstrate the value of its offerings and provide cost-effective solutions that align with customers' budgetary constraints.
Suzano S.A. produces and sells eucalyptus pulp and paper products in Brazil and internationally. It operates through Pulp and Paper segments. The company offers coated and uncoated printing and writing papers, paperboards, tissue papers, and market and fluff pulps; and lignin. It also engages in the research, development, and production of biofuel; operation of port terminals; power generation and distribution business; commercialization of equipment and parts; industrialization, commercialization, and exporting of pulp and standing wood; road freight transport; biotechnology research and development; and commercialization of paper and computer materials. In addition, the company is involved in the business office, production packaging, and financial fundraising activities; research, development, production, commercialization, and distribution of wood-based textile fibers, yarns, and filaments produced from cellulose and microfibrillated cellulose; and research and development of wood raw materials for the textile industry. Suzano S.A. was formerly known as Suzano Papel e Celulose S.A. and changed its name to Suzano S.A. in April 2019. The company was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Salvador, Brazil.
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited engages in the research, development, manufacture, marketing, and out-licensing of pharmaceutical products in Japan and internationally. It offers pharmaceutical products in the areas of gastroenterology, rare diseases, plasma derived therapies, immunology, oncology, and neuroscience. The company provides its products under the Entyvio, Gattex/Revestive, Takecab/Vocinti, Alofisel, Dexilant, Pantoloc/Controloc, Adynovate/Adynovi, Feiba, Recombinate, Hemofil/Immunate/Immunine, Takhzyro, Livtencity, Elaprase, Replagal, Advate, Flexbumin, Vpriv, Gammagard Liquid/Kiovig, Hyqvia, Cuvitru, Exkivity, Ninlaro, Velcade, Azilva-F, Lotriga, Iclusig, Leuplin/Enantone, Adcetris, vyvanse/elvanse, Trintellix, and Alunbrig brands. It has in-license agreement with BioMarin, Luxna Biotech, GlaxoSmithKline, Halozyme, and Kamada; collaboration with Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., Seagen Inc., Anima Biotech, Denali Therapeutics, KSQ Therapeutics, Noile-Immune Biotech, Center for iPS Cell Research Application, Kyoto University (CiRA), and Charles River Laboratories; licensing agreement with Mirum Pharmaceuticals and Twist Bioscience, UCSD/Fortis Advisors, PeptiDream, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, and Xenetic Biosciences; collaboration and licensing agreement with Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Inc., Engitix, Genevant Sciences Corporation, Sosei Heptares, Zedira/Dr. Falk Pharma, JCR Pharmaceuticals, Exelixis, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Heidelberg Pharma, HUTCHMED, Presage Biosciences, Codexis, Inc., Ensoma, Envozyne, KM Biologics, and Selecta BioScience, and Ovid Therapeutics Inc.; and collaboration with ZEDIRA GmbH and Dr. Falk Pharma GmbH. It has research collaboration and licensing agreement with Crescendo Biologics, Code Bio, Immusoft, Poseida Therapeutics, and Selecta Biosciences. The company was founded in 1781 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
Uber Technologies Inc. is a San Francisco-based company providing mobility, food and package delivery services and freight transport. Uber operates in approximately 10,500 cities in 72 countries. The company sets fares based on local supply and demand at the time of booking and receives a commission from each booking. The company has 131 million monthly active users and 5.4 million active drivers and couriers worldwide.

Uber was founded in 2009 by Oscar Salazar Gaitan, Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp and was initially named Ubercab Inc. The idea for Uber came about after Camp and Kalanick spent a pricey $800 hiring a private driver on New Year's Eve, and Camp needed help finding a taxi on a snowy night in Paris. Camp, Oscar Salazar and Conrad Whelan built the prototype for Uber's mobile app, with Kalanick as the chief advisor to the company. Ryan Graves became the first Uber employee in February 2010 and was named CEO in May 2010. In December 2010, Kalanick succeeded Graves as CEO, and Graves became the chief operating officer. Uber's current CEO is Dara Khosrowshahi, who replaced co-founder Travis Kalanick of Uber in August 2017.

Uber debuted in San Francisco in 2011, opening its services and mobile app to the public after beta testing in May 2010. Initially, the application hailed black luxury cars, which cost about 1.5 times as much as a regular taxi. In response to San Francisco's taxi operators' objections, the company changed its name from UberCab to Uber in the same year. Uber's early team consisted of talented individuals from various fields, including a computational neuroscientist and a nuclear physicist who worked on enhancing the accuracy of Uber's car arrival predictions beyond what Google APIs offered.

In the summer of 2012, Uber rolled out UberX. This budget-friendly alternative permitted drivers to use their cars provided they passed background checks and met insurance, registration and vehicle quality standards. UberX expanded to 35 cities within a few months, demonstrating its popularity among cost-conscious riders. In August 2014, Uber extended its services by introducing Uber Eats, a food delivery platform. It also unveiled a carpooling feature in the San Francisco Bay Area, which soon spread to other cities globally, enabling passengers to share rides and save on fares.

Uber has faced legal action in several jurisdictions due to its classification of drivers as gig workers and independent contractors. Ridesharing companies like Uber have disrupted taxicab businesses and allegedly caused increased traffic congestion. Additionally, Uber has been criticized for various unethical practices, such as ignoring local regulations, some of which were revealed by the leak of the Uber Files between 2013 and 2017 under the leadership of Travis Kalanick.

In August 2016, DiDi acquired Uber's business operations in China, and in exchange, Uber obtained an 18% equity stake in DiDi. DiDi also pledged to invest $1 billion in Uber as part of the agreement. Later that year, Uber purchased Ottomotto, a startup specializing in developing autonomous trucks. The acquisition was valued at $625 million, and the founder of Ottomotto, Anthony Levandowski, was previously accused of stealing trade secrets from his former employer, Waymo, to establish the company. In the same year, Uber also bought Geometric Intelligence, the cornerstone of "Uber AI," a department dedicated to exploring and researching AI technologies and machine learning. The Uber AI project disappeared in May 2020.

Despite the controversies, Uber has committed to carbon neutrality globally by 2040, and by 2030, in most countries, rides will move exclusively to electric vehicles. The company has also formed various partnerships and acquisitions, such as with IT Taxi in Italy, Cornershop for grocery delivery and Postmates for alcohol delivery. Uber continues to expand its services and develop new offerings, such as Uber Works, Uber Green and Uber Eats. The company has recently announced plans to become an emission-free platform and is investing in self-driving cars.
The following companies are subsidiares of Illinois Tool Works: A V Co 1 Limited, A V Co 2 Limited, A V Co 3 Limited, ACCU-LUBE Manufacturing GmbH - Schmiermittel und -gerate -, AIP/BI Holdings Inc., Accessories Marketing Holding Corp., Advanced Molding Company Inc., Allen France SAS, Alpine Engineered Products, Alpine Systems Corporation, Anaerobicos S.r.l., AppliChem GmbH, Avery Berkel France, Avery India Limited, Avery Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avery Weigh Tronix, Avery Weigh-Tronix Finance Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix International Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix LLC, Avery Weigh-Tronix Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Properties Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Suzhou Weighing Technology Co. Ltd., Azon Limited, B.C. Immo, Beijing Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Berkel Ireland Limited, Berrington UK, Brapenta Eletronica Ltda., Brooks Instrument B.V., Brooks Instrument GmbH, Brooks Instrument KFT, Brooks Instrument Korea Ltd., Brooks Instrument LLC, Brooks Instrument Shanghai Co. Ltd, Buell Industries Inc., CCI Realty Company, CFC Europe GmbH, CS Australia Pty Limited, CS Mexico Holding Company S DE RL DE CV, Calvia Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnosci, Capital Ventures Australasia S.a r.l, Capmax Logistica S.A. de C.V., Celeste Industries Corporation, Coeur, Coeur Asia Limited, Coeur Holding Company, Coeur Inc., Coeur Shanghai Medical Appliance Trading Co. Ltd, Compagnie Hobart, Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques-Comet, Constructions Isothermiques Bontami C.I.B., Crane Carrier Company, Denison Mayes Group Limited, Despatch Industries, Diagraph Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Diagraph ITW Mexico S. de R.L. De C.V., Diagraph Mexico S.A. DE C.V., Dongguan Ark-Les Electric Components Co. Ltd., Dongguan CK Branding Co. Ltd., Duo Fast de Espana S.A.U., Duo-Fast Korea Co. Ltd., Duo-Fast LLC, E.C.S. d.o.o., E2M Production B.V.., E2M Technologies B.V.., E2M Technologies Inc.., ECS Cable Protection Sp. Zoo, ELRO Grosskuchen GmbH, ELRO Holding AG, ELRO-WERKE AG, Elro Group, Eltex-Elektrostatik-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Envases Multipac S.A. de C.V., Eurotec Srl, Exhibit 21, FEG Investments L.L.C., Filtertek De Mexico Holding Inc., Filtertek De Mexico S.A. de C.V., Filtertek SAS, GC Financement SA, Gamko B.V., Gun Hwa Platech Taicang Co. Ltd., HOBART Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hartness International, Hobart Andina S.A.S., Hobart Belgium B.V., Hobart Brothers International Chile Limitada, Hobart Brothers LLC, Hobart Dayton Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Hobart Food Equipment Co. Ltd., Hobart International Singapore Pte. Ltd., Hobart Japan K.K., Hobart Korea LLC, Hobart LLC, Hobart Nederland B.V., Hobart Sales & Service Inc., Hobart Scandinavia ApS, Hobart Techniek B.V., Horis, ILC Investments Holdings Inc., ITW AEP LLC, ITW AOC LLC, ITW Aircraft Investments Inc., ITW Ampang Industries Philippines Inc., ITW Appliance Components EOOD, ITW Appliance Components S.A. de C.V., ITW Appliance Components S.r.l.a, ITW Appliance Components d.o.o., ITW Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, ITW Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd., ITW Australia Pty Ltd, ITW Automotive Components Chongqing Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Components Langfang Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Japan K.K., ITW Automotive Korea LLC, ITW Automotive Parts Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Automotive Products GmbH, ITW Automotive Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Bailly Comte, ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH, ITW Belgium B.V., ITW Brazilian Nominee L.L.C., ITW Building Components Group Inc., ITW CER, ITW CP Distribution Center Holland BV, ITW CS UK Ltd., ITW Canada Inc., ITW Celeste Inc., ITW Chemical Products Ltda, ITW Chemical Products Scandinavia ApS, ITW China Investment Company Limited, ITW Colombia S.A.S., ITW Construction Products AB, ITW Construction Products AS, ITW Construction Products ApS, ITW Construction Products CZ s.r.o., ITW Construction Products Italy Srl, ITW Construction Products OU, ITW Construction Products OY, ITW Construction Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Construction Products Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW Construction Services Manila Inc., ITW Contamination Control B.V., ITW Contamination Control Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Covid Security Group Inc., ITW DS Investments Inc., ITW DelFast do Brasil Ltda., ITW Denmark ApS, ITW Deutschland GmbH, ITW Diagraph GmbH, ITW Dynatec, ITW Dynatec Adhesive Equipment Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Dynatec GmbH, ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha, ITW EAE B.V., ITW EAE Mexico S de RL de CV, ITW EF&C France SAS, ITW EF&C Selb GmbH, ITW EU Holdings Ltd., ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Limited, ITW Electronic Components/Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Electronics Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Epsilon Sarl, ITW Espana S.L., ITW European Finance Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance II Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance III Co. Ltd., ITW FEG Hong Kong Limited, ITW FEG do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW Fastener Products GmbH, ITW Fluids and Hygiene Solutions Ltda., ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, ITW GH LLC, ITW GSE ApS, ITW GSE Inc., ITW Gamma Sarl, ITW German Management LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones, ITW Global Investments Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Europe GmbH, ITW Global Tire Repair Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Japan K.K., ITW Graphics Asia Limited, ITW Graphics Thailand Ltd., ITW Great Britain Investment & Licensing Holding Company, ITW Group France Luxembourg S.ar.l., ITW HLP Thailand Co. Ltd., ITW Holding Quimica B.C. S.L. Sole Shareholder Company, ITW Holdings Australia L.P., ITW Holdings I Limited, ITW Holdings II Limited, ITW Holdings III Limited, ITW Holdings IV Limited, ITW Holdings IX Limited, ITW Holdings Inc., ITW Holdings V Limited, ITW Holdings VI Limited, ITW Holdings VII Limited, ITW Holdings VIII Limited, ITW Holdings X Limited, ITW Holdings XI Limited, ITW ILC Holdings I Inc., ITW IPG Investments LLC, ITW Imaden Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW India Private Limited, ITW International Holdings LLC, ITW Invest Holding GmbH, ITW Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, ITW Ireland Unlimited Company, ITW Italy Holding Srl, ITW Japan Ltd., ITW Korea LLC, ITW LLC & Co. KG, ITW Limited, ITW Lys Fusion S.r.l., ITW Materials Technology Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Meritex Sdn. Bhd., ITW Metal Fasteners S.L., ITW Mexico Holding Company S. De R.L. de C.V., ITW Mexico Holdings LLC, ITW Morlock GmbH, ITW Mortgage Investments II Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments III Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments IV Inc., ITW Netherlands Administration BV, ITW Netherlands Beta B.V., ITW Netherlands Finance Alpha BV, ITW New Universal LLC, ITW New Zealand, ITW Ningbo Components & Fastenings Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Novadan Sp. Z.o.o., ITW PPF Brasil Adesivos Ltda., ITW Packaging Technology China Co. Ltd., ITW Participations S.a r.l., ITW Pension Funds Trustee Company, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Japan Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Korea Limited, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids OOO, ITW Performance Polymers ApS, ITW Performance Polymers Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers and Fluids Group FZE, ITW Peru S.A.C., ITW Poly Mex S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Polymers Sealants North America Inc., ITW Pronovia s.r.o., ITW Pte. Ltd., ITW Qufu Automotive Cooling Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Real Estate Germany GmbH, ITW Residuals III L.L.C., ITW Residuals IV L.L.C., ITW Rivex, ITW SMPI, ITW SPG Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Simco-Ion Shenzhen Co. Ltd., ITW Slovakia s.r.o., ITW Spain Holdings S.L., ITW Specialty Film LLC, ITW Specialty Films France, ITW Specialty Materials Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Sverige AB, ITW Sweden Holding AB, ITW Test & Measurement Equipment Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Test & Measurement GmbH, ITW Test and Measurement Italia Srl, ITW Test and Measurement Services Industry and Trade Ltd., ITW Texwipe Philippines Inc., ITW Thermal Films Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW UK, ITW UK Finance Beta Limited, ITW UK Finance Delta Limited, ITW UK Finance Gamma Limited, ITW UK Finance Limited, ITW UK Finance Zeta Ltd., ITW UK II Limited, ITW Universal II LLC, ITW Welding, ITW Welding AB, ITW Welding GmbH, ITW Welding Products B.V., ITW Welding Products Group FZE, ITW Welding Products Group S. DE R.L. De C.V., ITW Welding Products Italy Srl, ITW Welding Products Limited Liability Company, ITW Welding Produtos Para Solgdagem Ltda., ITW Welding Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW de France, ITW do Brasil Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Illinois Tool Works Chile Limitada, Illinois Tool Works ITW Nederland B.V., Illinois Tool Works Inc., Impar Comercio E Representacoes Ltda., Industrie Plastic Elsasser GmbH, Inmobiliaria Cit. S.A. de C.F., Innova Temperlite Servicios S.A. de C.V., Innovacion y Transformacion Automotriz S.A. de C.V., Instron Brasil Equipamentos Cientificos Ltda., Instron Foreign Sales Corp. Limited, Instron France S.A.S., Instron GmbH, Instron Japan Company Ltd., Instron Korea LLC, Instron Shanghai Ltd., Instron Thailand Limited, International Leasing Company LLC, Isolenge - ITW Sistemas de Isolamento Termico Ltda., Itw Spraytec, KCPL Mauritius Holdings, Kester, Kleinmann GmbH, Krafft S.L., Loma Systems, Loma Systems BV, Loma Systems Canada Inc., Loma Systems sro, Lombard Pressings Limited, Lumex Inc., Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z.o.o., M&C Specialties Co., MAGNAFLUX GmbH, MEHB Holdings Limited, MGHG Property LLC, MTS 2 LLC., MTS 3 LLC., MTS China Holdings LLC, MTS Europe Holdings LLC, MTS Holdings France S.a.r.l., MTS Japan Ltd.., MTS Korea Inc.., MTS Systems China Co. Ltd., MTS Systems Corporation, MTS Systems Danmark ApS., MTS Systems Europe B.V., MTS Systems Finance C.V.., MTS Systems Germany GmbH, MTS Systems Holding B.V.., MTS Systems Hong Kong Incorporated, MTS Systems Limited, MTS Systems Norden Aktiebolag, MTS Systems S.r.l, MTS Systems., MTS Systems.., MTS Sytems Do Brazil, MTS Testing Solutions India Private Limited., MTS Testing Systems Canada Ltd., Manufacturing Avancee S.A., Meritex Technology Suzhou Co. Ltd., Meurer Verpackungssysteme GmbH, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Miller Insurance Ltd., NDT Holding LLC, NOVADAN APS, North Star Imaging Inc., Nova Chimica S.r.l., Orbitalum Tools GmbH, PENTA-91 OOO, PR. A. I. Srl, PT ITW Construction Products Indonesia, Pacific Concept Industries Limited Enping, Panreac Quimica S.L., Paslode Fasteners Shanghai Co. Ltd., Peerless Machinery Corp., Polyrey, Premark FEG L.L.C., Premark HII Holdings LLC, Premark International, Premark International LLC, Prolex Sociedad Anonima, QSA Global Inc., Quimica Industrial Mediterranea S.L., R&D Engineering A/S., R&D Prague s.r.o., R&D Steel ApS., R&D Test Systems A/S., R&D Tools and Structures A/S., RDGDK Engineering Private Limited, Ramset Fasteners Hong Kong Ltd., Rapid Cook LLC, Refrigeration France, S.E.E. Sistemas Industria E Comercio Ltda., ST Mexico Holdings LLC, Sealant Systems International Inc., Sentinel Asia Yuhan Hoesa, Shanghai ITW Plastic & Metal Co. Ltd, Simco Japan Inc., Simco Nederland B.V., Societe de Prospection et dInventions Techniques  SPIT, Speedline Holdings I Inc., Speedline Holdings I LLC, Speedline Technologies GmbH, Speedline Technologies Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Speedline Technologies Mexico Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Stokvis Celix Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Stokvis Danmark ApS, Stokvis Holdings S.A.R.L., Stokvis Promi s.r.o, Stokvis Prostick Tapes Private Limited, Stokvis Tapes B.V., Stokvis Tapes Benelux B.V., Stokvis Tapes Deutschland GmbH, Stokvis Tapes France, Stokvis Tapes Hong Kong Co. Limited, Stokvis Tapes Italia s.r.l., Stokvis Tapes Limited, Stokvis Tapes Limited Liability Company, Stokvis Tapes Norge AS, Stokvis Tapes Oy, Stokvis Tapes Polska Sp Z.O.O., Stokvis Tapes Shanghai Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Sverige AB, Stokvis Tapes Taiwan Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Tianjin Co. Ltd., Stolvis Holdings II S.A.R.L., Subsidiaries, Technopack Industria Comercio Consultoria e Representacoes Ltda., Teknek China Limited, Teknek Japan Limited, Teksaleco Ltd., The Miller Group Ltd, Thirode Grandes Cuisines Poligny, Tien Tai Electrode Co. Ltd., Tien Tai Electrode Kunshan Co. Ltd., Unichemicals Industria e Comercio Ltda., VR-Leasing Sarita GmbH & Co. Immobilien KG, VS European Holdco BV, Valeron Strength Films B.V., Veneta Decalcogomme S.r.l., Versachem Chile S.A., Vesta, Vesta Global Limited, Vesta Guangzhou Catering Equipment Co. Ltd, Viltronics Soltec, Vitronics Soltec B.V., Wachs Canada Ltd., Wachs Subsea LLC, Weigh-Tronix Canada ULC, Weigh-Tronix UK Limited, Wilsonart International Holdings LLC, Wynn Oil South Africa Pty Ltd., Wynn's Automotive France, Wynn's Belgium BVBA, Wynn's Italia Srl, Wynn's Mekuba India Pvt Ltd, and Zip-Pak International B.V..

Read More
Wells Fargo & Company is a multinational financial services company that has established itself as a prominent player in the global financial industry. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Wells Fargo operates in 35 countries and serves over 70 million customers worldwide. Its rich history and successful mergers and acquisitions have contributed to its significant global presence.

As a comprehensive financial services provider, Wells Fargo offers a wide range of banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer financial services. The company's mission is to satisfy its customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo aims to achieve this by providing exceptional service, acting with integrity, fostering diversity and inclusion, and contributing positively to the communities it serves.

Wells Fargo's extensive product and service portfolio caters to various market segments. The company serves individual consumers, small businesses, corporations, and institutional investors. Its key customers encompass a broad spectrum, ranging from everyday banking customers to high-net-worth individuals and large corporations. Wells Fargo aims to meet the diverse financial needs of its customers through personalized solutions and innovative offerings.

The company has achieved several notable milestones and received recognition for its contributions to the financial industry. Wells Fargo has been ranked as one of the "Big Four Banks" in the United States, alongside JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Citigroup. It is also recognized as one of the largest banks in the country by total assets, deposits, and market capitalization. Wells Fargo's commitment to delivering quality financial services has earned it a position among the most valuable bank brands.

Wells Fargo is led by an experienced and capable management team that guides the company's operations and strategic direction. The leadership team consists of individuals with diverse backgrounds and extensive finance, banking, technology, risk management, and customer service expertise. The Chief Executive Officer and President of Wells Fargo is Charles W. Scharf, who brings a wealth of experience in the financial industry. The management team also includes key executives such as Michael J. Santomassimo as the Chief Financial Officer and Scott Powell as the Chief Operating Officer. Each management team member contributes their professional background, accomplishments, and expertise to ensure the company's success.

Wells Fargo has demonstrated consistent financial performance over the years, driven by its diverse business segments and strategic initiatives. The company has reported steady revenue growth, reflecting its ability to attract and retain a large customer base. Wells Fargo's revenue metrics indicate its success in generating income through its various financial services and product offerings.

Earnings metrics illustrate the company's profitability and stability. Wells Fargo's focus on prudent risk management practices and diversified revenue streams contributes to its ability to generate sustainable earnings. Profit margin metrics showcase the efficiency of Wells Fargo's operations. The company's ability to manage costs effectively while generating revenue is key to maintaining healthy profit margins. Debt levels play a significant role in evaluating the company's financial position. Wells Fargo's management strives to maintain a conservative approach to managing debt, ensuring a strong balance sheet and financial stability.

Wells Fargo's valuation metrics are influenced by a range of factors, including its market position, financial performance, growth prospects, risk profile, and investor sentiment. Factors driving Wells Fargo's valuation include its brand recognition, customer base, diversified business segments, and ability to generate consistent earnings. Changes in investor sentiment, market conditions, and regulatory developments can also impact the company's valuation over time.

Investors closely monitor Wells Fargo's stock performance, assessing its ability to deliver value over the long term. The stock has had issues in the past due to news or events that have affected the company's share price, such as regulatory actions, the global pandemic, and strategic initiatives. These factors should be considered in analyzing its market performance.

Wells Fargo operates in the highly competitive financial services industry, which is subject to evolving regulatory frameworks and technological advancements. Understanding the broader industry in which the company operates is crucial to assessing its competitive positioning.

Wells Fargo competes with other major banks and financial institutions domestically and internationally. The company leverages its brand recognition, extensive product and service offerings, customer relationships, and technological capabilities to gain a competitive advantage. However, it also faces challenges such as regulatory compliance, changing customer preferences, and disruptive market forces.

Wells Fargo has identified several growth opportunities within its diverse business segments. The company aims to deepen relationships with existing customers, attract new customers and expand its presence in key markets. In consumer banking, Wells Fargo focuses on enhancing digital capabilities, improving customer experience, and providing innovative solutions to meet evolving customer needs. The company seeks to leverage its strong brand and customer base to drive growth and increase customer loyalty. In wealth and investment management, Wells Fargo aims to capitalize on the growing demand for comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. The company's expertise in wealth management positions it well to capture opportunities in an increasingly complex investment landscape.

As with any financial institution, Wells Fargo faces various risks and challenges. It is important to comprehensively analyze potential risks and challenges to understand their potential impact on the company's performance. Factors such as regulatory changes, cybersecurity threats, economic downturns, and reputational risks pose challenges to Wells Fargo's operations. The company has implemented robust risk management strategies, invested in technology and security measures, and enhanced compliance frameworks to mitigate these risks. Ongoing efforts to prioritize ethical conduct, transparency, and stakeholder trust are integral to managing risks effectively.
The three zero-day flaws addressed by Apple on September 21, 2023, were leveraged as part of an iPhone exploit chain in an attempt to deliver a spyware strain called Predator targeting former Egyptian member of parliament Ahmed Eltantawy between May and September 2023.

"The targeting took place after Eltantawy publicly stated his plans to run for President in the 2024 Egyptian elections," the Citizen Lab said, attributing the attack with high confidence to the Egyptian government owing to it being a known customer of the commercial spying tool.

According to a joint investigation conducted by the Canadian interdisciplinary laboratory and Google's Threat Analysis Group (TAG), the mercenary surveillance tool is said to have been delivered via links sent on SMS and WhatsApp.

"In August and September 2023, Eltantawy's Vodafone Egypt mobile connection was persistently selected for targeting via network injection; when Eltantawy visited certain websites not using HTTPS, a device installed at the border of Vodafone Egypt's network automatically redirected him to a malicious website to infect his phone with Cytrox's Predator spyware," the Citizen Lab researchers said.

The exploit chain leveraged a set of three vulnerabilities  CVE-2023-41991, CVE-2023-41992, and CVE-2023-41993  which could allow a malicious actor to bypass certificate validation, elevate privileges, and achieve remote code execution on targeted devices upon processing a specially crafted web content.

Predator, made by a company called Cytrox, is analogous to NSO Group's Pegasus, enabling its customers to surveil targets of interest and harvest sensitive data from compromised devices. Part of a consortium of spyware vendors called the Intellexa Alliance, it was blocklisted by the U.S. government in July 2023 for "enabling campaigns of repression and other human rights abuses."

The exploit, hosted on a domain named sec-flare[.]com, is said to have been delivered after Eltantawy was redirected to a website named c.betly[.]me by means of a sophisticated network injection attack using Sandvine's PacketLogic middlebox situated on a link between Telecom Egypt and Vodafone Egypt.

"The body of the destination website included two iframes, ID 'if1' which contained apparently benign bait content (in this case a link to an APK file not containing spyware) and ID 'if2' which was an invisible iframe containing a Predator infection link hosted on sec-flare[.]com," the Citizen Lab said.

Google TAG researcher Maddie Stone characterized it as a case of an adversary-in-the-middle (AitM) attack that takes advantage of a visit to a website using HTTP (as opposed to HTTPS) to intercept and force the victim to visit a different site operated by the threat actor.

"In the case of this campaign, if the target went to any 'http' site, the attackers injected traffic to silently redirect them to an Intellexa site, c.betly[.]me," Stone explained. "If the user was the expected targeted user, the site would then redirect the target to the exploit server, sec-flare[.]com."

Eltantawy received three SMS messages in September 2021, May 2023, and September 2023 that masqueraded as security alerts from WhatsApp urging Eltantawy to click on a link to terminate a suspicious login session originating from a purported Windows device.

While these links don't match the fingerprint of the aforementioned domain, the investigation revealed that the Predator spyware was installed on the device approximately 2 minutes and 30 seconds after Eltantawy read the message sent in September 2021.

He also received two WhatsApp messages on June 24, 2023, and July 12, 2023, in which an individual claiming to be working for the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) solicited his opinion on an article that pointed to the website sec-flare[.]com. The messages were left unread.

Google TAG said it also detected an exploit chain that weaponized a remote code execution flaw in the Chrome web browser (CVE-2023-4762) to deliver Predator on Android devices using two methods: the AitM injection and via one-time links sent directly to the target.

CVE-2023-4762, a type confusion vulnerability in the V8 engine, was anonymously reported on August 16, 2023, and patched by Google on September 5, 2023, although the internet giant assesses that Cytrox/Intellexa may have used this vulnerability as a zero-day.

According to a brief description on NIST's National Vulnerability Database (NVD), CVE-2023-4762 concerns a "type confusion in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 116.0.5845.179 [that] allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted HTML page."

The latest findings, besides highlighting the abuse of surveillance tools to target civil society members, underscores the blindspots in the telecom ecosystem that could be exploited to intercept network traffic and inject malware into targets' devices.

"Although great strides have been made in recent years to 'encrypt the web,' users still occasionally visit websites without HTTPS, and a single non-HTTPS website visit can result in spyware infection," the Citizen Lab said.

Users who are at risk of spyware threats because of "who they are or what they do" are recommended to keep their devices up-to-date and enable Lockdown Mode on iPhones, iPads, and Macs to stave off such attacks.
You can almost smell the tradition at the Aksarben Stock Show, which is in its 96th year.

This years edition, underway this weekend, is the seventh in Grand Island, and organizers say its growing each year.

The Nebraska State Fair manages and produces the show, which is held at Fonner Park.

The competition, open to young people 9 to 19, draws people to Grand Island from a 14-state area.

The 1,304 exhibitors have brought 3,386 animals to Fonner Park. Last years livestock total was 3,276.

Marketing director Ray Massie says last years Aksarben Stock Show attracted 18,800 unique visitors. That total includes exhibitors, vendors and attendees.

Vaughn Sievers, agriculture director for both the State Fair and Aksarben, says the stock show does a lot for the community and is well-received by exhibitors.

Weve received lots of positive comments about it, Sievers said.

The State Fair Boards ag committee has put together an advisory committee, some of whose members come from outside the state. The group provides advice to Aksarben about what theyre seeing and tips to improve. So were not done growing. Were not done making this better, Sievers said.

Some of the families in Grand Island this weekend make their living showing and selling livestock, Sievers said.

The Aksarben event kicks off a series of big junior livestock shows on the circuit. The next in line is the American Royal in Kansas City in October, followed by shows in Louisville and Arizona, leading up to the National Western Stock Show in Denver in January.

At Fonner Park, the beef, sheep and goat shows are held at the Five Points Bank Arena in the Nebraska Farm Bureau Show Ring. The swine show is held in the Aurora Cooperative Pavilion.

Sievers says the public will enjoy the Grand Drive, which begins tonight at 7:30 in Five Points Bank Arena.

The winning exhibitors will walk under a large A, which stands for Aksarben. The salute is quite a production, with spotlights shining on the winners in a darkened arena. Some of the winners will feel a chill down their spines, because theyve worked hard to come out on top of highly competitive divisions, Sievers said. Its something pretty spectacular.
Agribank executive named chairman of Saigon Commercial Bank

By Dinh Vu, Huong Dung Sat, September 23, 2023 | 10:13 am GTM+7

Phan Dinh Dien, a board member of wholly state-owned Agribank, was appointed chairman of private lender Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB) to replace Vu Anh Duc under a decision issued by the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) on Friday.

Duc, who assumed the position on October 15, 2022, is leaving to take over an important position at state-owned VietinBank, one of the "Big 4", together with Vietcombank, BIDV and Agribank.

Dien boasts 30 years of experience in the banking sector, especially in debt settlement, and has held various leadership positions at different levels at Agribank.

State Bank of Vietnam Deputy Governor Dao Minh Tu (right) hands over a decision appointing Phan Dinh Dien as new chairman of the Saigon Commercial Bank, September 22, 2023. Photo courtesy of the central bank.

The central bank said that after more than a year under special control, SCB has actively coordinated with the SBVs relevant units, ministries and agencies in Ho Chi Minh City to take solutions in line with legal regulations to ensure the safety of the banking system as well as the rights and interests of depositors.

The Ho Chi Minh City-headquartered bank's operations have stabilized after handling difficulties and obstacles, and focusing on devising a restructuring project, the SBV said.

In mid-October, many SCB branches and transaction offices recorded a run on deposits due to concerns about the banks financial health.

The deposit withdrawals seemed to have been triggered by news of the sudden death of Nguyen Tien Thanh, chairman and CEO of Tan Viet Securities, and the arrest of Truong My Lan, chairwoman of property developer Van Thinh Phat Group. Thanh, 49, was an independent board member of the bank.

SCB later clarified the arrest of Lan does not affect its business as she does not hold any executive role at the bank.

The SBV then released a statement confirming that all deposits at local banks, including SCB, are guaranteed by the government no matter what. It recommended that depositors refrain from making withdrawals before the due date of fixed term deposits in order to avoid loss of interest.
Asia's largest cruise ship carries 4,000 foreign visitors to beach town Nha Trang

By Hoang Minh Fri, September 22, 2023 | 11:09 pm GTM+7

The Cyprus-flagged Spectrum of The Sea, known as Asias largest cruise ship, docked at Nha Trang Port on Thursday, carrying 4,000 international visitors to the famous beach resort town in central Vietnam.

The visitors onboard were mainly from France, Germany, Spain, Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore.

After arriving in Nha Trang, they enjoyed tourism services and had lunch at Vinpearl Resort, then visited the Institute of Oceanography, Truong Son Craft Village, Ponagar Tower and other attractions.

Spectrum of The Sea cruise ship. Photo courtesy of Vietnam News Agency.

The arrival of the cruise ship is a positive sign for Vietnam's tourism industry as the peak season for international tourism season starts, with Western tourists flocking to Vietnam for a winter holiday break.

Nha Trang is famous for its long, sandy beaches and scuba diving, attracting large numbers of affluent foreign travelers, especially South Koreans and Chinese. Nha Trang Bay is widely considered among the world's most beautiful.

Last month, Nha Trang beach was ranked one of 10 most viewed beaches on social media platform TikTok, according to a report by U.S. luggage storage company Bounce that analyzed the social media popularity of each beach based on the number of video views, including the hashtag of each location.

Operated by Royal Caribbean International (RCI), the 347-meter-long cruise ship has 16 decks, more than 2,000 cabins, and a capacity of 5,600 passengers.

On board there are 20 restaurants serving Western dishes and cuisines from Asian countries such as China and Japan.

According to Khanh Hoa's Department of Tourism, the province has welcomed 13 cruise ships with 17,642 visitors so far this year. There will be three more cruise ships arriving in Nha Trang next month.

Vietnam has recorded a significant increase in the number of international tourist arrivals by sea since the beginning of this year. So far this year, Vietnam has welcomed 8 million international arrivals, already achieving its annual target. The country now expects to receive about 12 million foreign visitors this year.

South Korea sent the highest number of visitors to Vietnam at 2.27 million, followed by China (almost 950,000) and the U.S. (502,000).

Starting August 15, the Vietnamese government extended visa-free entry from 15 days to 45 days for passport holders from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. It has also extended the duration of e-visas from 30 days to three months with multiple entries.

Citizens of another 80 countries, including major economies such as India, Australia and the U.S., are currently eligible to enter the country using an e-visa.
HDBank announces second divestment from budget carrier Vietjet

By Huong Dung Sat, September 23, 2023 | 3:30 pm GTM+7

Vietnamese private lender HDBank has registered to sell another 8 million VJC shares of Vietjet in October, its second divestment from the low-cost airline this year, said the bank.

The shares, listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), will be sold from September 26 to October 24 under the throughput or order matching methods.

A customer makes a transaction at a HDBank office. Photo courtesy of the bank.

The sale of shares follows the banks roadmap to reduce investment outside the banking industry, in line with the State Bank of Vietnams policy of restructuring credit institutions associated with bad debt settlement in the 2016-2020 period.

If the transaction is successful, HDBank's ownership in Vietjet will decrease to 2%, equivalent to 10.8 million shares. With the current VJC market price, it is estimated that HDBank can collect nearly VND800 billion ($32.82 million) from the divestment.

Previously, between late June and early July, the bank successfully sold 8 million VJC shares.

HDBank targets a pre-tax profit of VND13.2 trillion ($562 million) in 2023, up 29% over last year's performance.

Its 2023 its total assets are expected to reach VND520 trillion ($22.15 billion), up 25% year-on-year; while charter capital will rise to VND29.3 trillion (nearly $1.25 billion), up 16%. HDBank aims to keep its bad debt ratio under 2% this year.

On the HoSE, HDB closed Friday at VND17,550 ($0.72) while VJC finished at VND97,600 ($4).
Awards

USGBC Opens 2024 Best of Green Schools Awards Program

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Best of Green Schools Awards program, sponsored by the Center for Green Schools (part of the USGBC) and the nonprofit Green Schools National Network.

The 2024 program will honor individuals, organizations, K12 schools, K12 school districts, and individual initiatives/events/programs that have helped advance or promote green policies, sustainability, healthy environments, or systemic change for creating greener schools during the 20222023 school year. Individual awards will be given to educators, students, policymakers, "ambassadors," "district champions," and "collaborators." Awards will be presented at the 2024 Green Schools Conference, to be held in March 2024 in New Mexico.

Nominations will be judged by a panel of green school leaders and advocates, according to USGBC. Nominations are open to all schools worldwide.

Nominations are due by Nov. 17, 2023. A list of the previous year's award recipients can be found here. Complete details and nomination form can be found on the 2024 Best of Green Schools Awards program portal.
State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada

Zip Code
NEW PROVIDENCE, BAHAMAS  According to a news release from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, a male resident of Carbondale was found unresponsive at about 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning near the pool deck of a cruise ship.

The male was later pronounced dead by the ship's doctor, according to the release.

Former Quatro's Deep Pan Pizza owner Steve Payne and Executive Director of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce William Lo confirmed to The Southern that the deceased is Quatro's owner Blake Morrison, who was on vacation with friends.

On Thursday afternoon, the Quatro's Deep Pan Pizza Facebook page reported Morrison, the owner of Quatro's, had died.

The post said: "It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Quatro's owner Blake Morrison. Blake's proprietorship of Quatro's is supported by a team of family and friends who will carry this business forward. We will share more in the coming days, but at this time, we ask for our community and our customer's patience. We are open, we appreciate your support, and we will carry on the business to honor Blake's legacy and fulfill his dreams."

Morrison became the owner of Quatro's in February 2023 after purchasing the business from Payne.

Morrison had been managing at Quatro's since September 2018. After years of learning and working under Payne, Morrison felt ready to take ownership of the business.

"Four years ago I couldn't have imagined running the iconic Quatro's," Morrison, a CCHS graduate, told The Southern before the purchase in December 2022. "Steve saw something in me that I hadn't yet seen in myself. It means a lot that he took a chance, and it means even more that he's leaving the Quatro's legacy in my hands."

Morrison graduated from SIU with a degree in business management that focused on entrepreneurship, a background that had positioned him well to take the reins from Payne, who had been operating Quatro Foods Inc. since he was 22 years old.

The Quatro's Facebook page shared an update on Friday afternoon stating that those wishing to pay their respects to Morrison could visit an interactive mural at the restaurant in Carbondale.

"This mural is in the storefront adjacent to Quatro's and truly embodies Blake's passion for pairing quality pizza with a curated experience to deliver unforgettable memories," read the Facebook post.

The post also shared that the mural dedicated to Morrison will be open to the public on Friday and Saturday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.

The investigation into Morrison's cause of death is still ongoing. The Southern will update this story as more information becomes available.

Visit the Quatro's social media pages for additional updates.
No person shall operate a powered or unpowered vehicle weighing less than 254 pounds with passenger-carrying capabilities at the airport.

Thats the key phrase of a proposed ordinance that received first reading by the Holly Hill Town Council during a special called meeting on Monday, Aug. 28.

However, at their next meeting on Monday, Sept. 11, the council had a revised text in front of them

The text now reads: No person shall operate a powered or unpowered vehicle weighing less than 600 pounds, with or without passenger carrying capabilities, at the airport.

No one proposed, seconded, or voted on a motion to amend the original text. The council only voted to give final approval to the ordinance.

Mayor Billy Chavis acknowledged the changes in replying to a question during an interview after the meeting was adjourned.

He explained why the council did not propose and vote on an amendment to the original proposal.

If you amend the changes, then you have to have another second reading, he explained. You dont amend, because if you amend your changes, then you have to have a second, second reading.

The ordinance does not list specific types of prohibited vehicles.

Chavis said the 254-pound weight limit was aimed at ultralight aircraft. The 600-pound weight limit adds gliders and certain other aircraft, including the aircraft that were involved in the two most recent crashes at the airport.

The ordinance does not say that it affects only vehicles that are capable of flight. That means bicycles, scooters, Segways, wheelchairs and similar mobility devices cant be operated at the airport, in addition to drones.

Chavis said that was too literal of a reading of the ordinance.
HOLLY HILL  A business license official can drive around town and identify brick and mortar establishments that are required to have a license.

Holly Hill Judge Tiffany Provence Judge Kelly Muckenfuss, left, administers the oath of office to Judge Tiffany Provence on Monday, Sept. 11, after the Holly Hill Town Council 

But it's more difficult to identify the independent vendors who sell their wares through those businesses, although they must buy business licenses, too.

We know who they are, Bobby Monroe told the Holly Hill Town Council during their monthly meeting on Monday, Sept. 11.

Monroe works for HdL Companies of Brea, California, which provides revenue enhancement services to about 700 local governments.

Make that 701 now. The council voted to approve a resolution to enter into an agreement with HdL Companies.

Monroe said many companies dont buy business licenses until they are approached. So HdL approaches them on behalf of their governmental clients.

As a result, Holly Hill will get business license revenues they never collected in the past and likely would not have gotten in the future.

HdL and the town will split that new revenue, 50-50, for the first two years. After that, the town will keep the full amount. The cycle will continue as HdL identifies new businesses that come into the market.

Longtime local florist Lillian Hutto asked the council about the impact to small businesses if their vendors decided it was more economical to stop serving them than to buy a town business license.

She also expressed concern that her property stayed flooded for three days after Tropical Storm Idalia swept through.

Holly Hill got 13.55 inches of rain that day  more than anywhere else in South Carolina, Mayor Billy Chavis said. Randolph Street was under 4 feet of water and Rush Street was under 3 feet of water. Some area residents were briefly trapped in their neighborhood.

Chavis said part of the problem is ditches clogged with illegally dumped debris  even a refrigerator.

Ditch maintenance has been a longtime issue in Holly Hill, but Chavis said he recently got county and state officials to sit down together with him to talk about real solutions and not just pass the buck as has happened in the past.

Chavis circled back to connect the dots: Residents want and expect the town to provide services, and that takes money, which means the town needs to collect what it is rightfully due.

He said the town has been ramping up its business license collections, and revenue is about double of what it was a few years ago.

He said its unfair for some businesses to buy licenses while others do not. And its not just mom-and-pop vendors. Chavis said a well-known food-service vendor does about a half-million dollars in business in Holly Hill each year.

The mayor is taking a carrot-and-stick approach.

He assured businesses and vendors they would face no repercussions for lacking licenses in the past if they voluntarily visit Town Hall and buy the required licenses as soon as practicable.

On the other hand, if they do not come forward voluntarily and are later caught operating without a license, law enforcement and fines might be involved, the mayor warned.

Also during the meeting:

The council voted to give final reading to an update of the class schedules in the business license ordinance.

The council voted to appoint Tiffany Provence as a municipal court judge, and the other municipal judge, Kelly Muckenfuss, administered the oath of office.

Dr. Gaynell Walters praised the owners of the Copper House for bringing life to our town by opening a restaurant downtown in the former location of Richard and Momma Janes bar and grill. As the only local restaurant that stays open late, it is a beacon light shining in a dark place, she said.

Thurman Phillips Jr. asked how the towns contract with EnviroLink to operate the water and wastewater systems is going. Chavis replied that it is going well. The company has found two clogs and is performing routine maintenance.

It was announced that the town is spraying for mosquitoes.

The Holly Hill Town Councils next monthly meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 2, at 6:30 p.m. in the courtroom of the governmental complex at 8423 Old State Road. Contact Town Clerk Shelia Williams at 803-496-3330 for more information.
Just shy of turning 85, Carroll Joye of Cope is humbled to have the Orangeburg Municipal Airports terminal named in his honor.

Orangeburg city officials and many of Joyes family and friends gathered Thursday at the airport, where he was officially honored.

Once again, it is a great day in Orangeburg and also a great day to pay tribute to one of Orangeburgs finest, Orangeburg Mayor Michael Butler said.

Carroll was an integral part of developing our municipal airport and for that we are thankful and thats why were here, Butler said.

Orangeburg Director of Public Works John Singh said, Carroll is somebody who started that work on the airport. He is the airport. Hes the passion.

He has passion about aviation, about the aviation industry and the time that Ive been (working) in the city  watching different people at the Breakfast Club and anything else  its just so neat to have someone that brings aviation history, brings aviation to the City of Orangeburg and the county.

But its so special what hes accomplished, all of the things  whether it be in the military, all of the (flight) instructions hes done, all of the things hes done getting people in and out of the airport. But what I leave with is the fact of the passion that he has had for this airport and the passion that he has for aviation, Singh said.

Joye is a tremendous giant, not only in the aviation field, but in Orangeburg, in the city of Orangeburg and the state of South Carolina and indeed the country, Orangeburg City Administrator Sidney Evering II said.

We are so fortunate to be able to call Mr. Carroll Joye one of our own, he said.

Evering highlighted some of Joyes accomplishments:

In aviation for more than 50 years

After retiring from the U.S. Air Force as a senior master sergeant, Joye began his civil aviation career in 1971.

He taught as an automotive mechanics instructor and later as a pilot and flight instructor.

Joye served as the Orangeburg Municipal Airport manager and is largely responsible for the terminal, which was built several years ago.

Hes logged more than 30,000 flight miles.

In 1995, Joye was named Certified Flight Instructor of the Year by the Federal Aviation Administration.

In 2003, he was inducted into the S.C. Aviation Association Hall of Fame.

He shares his love of flying with his grandsons, whom hes also taught to fly.

A humbled Joye thanked city officials, airport employees and everyone else in attendance for honoring him.

He told the crowd that during his service in the Air Force, I never thought about flying the airplanes. Never.

It wasnt until 1971 that he went to flight school.

I still have glitter in my stomach when I take off, he added.

After Thursdays brief program, one of his daughters, Connie Joye said, There are no words. There are no words.

This is well-deserved, long overdue. He deserves every accolade he gets, absolutely.

Beverly Joye, Carroll Joyes wife, said, Its an awesome thing. I look at Carroll. He came from a very poor family, you might say, and surviving every day  day in and day out  but hes mastered so much in his lifetime.

I call him Mr. Aviation, but he has really achieved an awful lot, she said.
WASHINGTON -- Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro has announced that a future John Lewis-class oiler, T-AO 205-class, will be named after American abolitionist and social activist Harriet Tubman.

Del Toro made the announcement during an Emancipation Celebration at Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center in Church Creek, Maryland. National Park Service Director Chuck Sams, who is also a U.S. Navy veteran, joined Del Toro for the announcement.

The future USNS Harriet Tubman (T-AO 213) follows the tradition of naming John Lewis-class oilers after civil rights leaders and is the second vessel to bear her name. The first was a Liberty ship built in the United States during World War II.

"It's an honor to maintain the naming tradition for our John Lewis-class oilers, and Harriet Tubman is more than deserving of this recognition," said Del Toro. "She was born into unimaginable circumstances, but she dedicated her life to facing great danger and adversity, becoming a 'conductor of freedom', helping others escape slavery. In addition, during the Civil War, Tubman was the first African American woman to serve formally in the military. Her legacy deserves our nation's continued recognition, and our fleet benefits from having her name emblazoned on the hull of one of our great ships."

Born into slavery on Maryland's Eastern Shore, in 1822, Tubman was named Araminta by her enslaved parents, Ben and Rit Ross. She changed her name to Harriet after marrying freeman John Tubman in 1844. Tubman escaped slavery in 1849, when her enslaver died and she was to be sold. Sept. 17, 1849, marks the day Harriet Tubman made the important decision to self-liberate. It was this date that she and her brothers, Ben and Henry, ran away; however, after a couple of weeks into their journey her brothers "disagreed with her about directions" and succumbed to the fear of being captured and convinced her to return with them. Tubman left a second time later that fall and reached freedom in Philadelphia.

In the ensuing years, she undertook numerous missions south to help at least 70 men, women and children escape slavery. Known as "Moses," Tubman became an iconic figure during the American Civil War, serving as a Union spy, scout, nurse and cook. In June 1863, she helped plan and execute a successful raid on Combahee Ferry near Port Royal, S.C., guiding Union naval steamships carrying 300 Black troops of the 2nd Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment (Colored). The raid resulted in the liberation of more than 750 enslaved people. After the war, she continued to advocate for the rights of African Americans and women, speaking at a number of women's suffrage events alongside Susan B. Anthony. Tubman died in 1913 and was buried at Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn, New York.

"This tribute commemorates the powerful legacy of one of our country's most selfless heroes," said Sams. "The Underground Railroad's most famous conductor was devoted to the cause of ensuring freedom for all despite personal sacrifice and risk. A true role model for the sailors who will serve on the USNS Harriet Tubman, her passion, courage and intelligence empowered her to overcome extreme obstacles for the benefit of others."

Along with the ship's name, Del Toro also announced that the ship's sponsor will be Tina Wyatt, the great-great-great-grandniece of Harriet Tubman. The ship's sponsor represents a lifelong relationship with the ship and crew. Wyatt has spent her life helping others as a nurse and also educating and sharing the legacy of Harriet Tubman.

"Harriet Ross Tubman is a symbol of faith, freedom, family, democracy and love. Aunt Harriet's legacy is an inspiration to a higher calling within us all, and overall, how we are enabled by sharing love for others and self. It is her supply from God that she had been able to supply others throughout her lifetime and still, her footprint lives on and supplies us now. Such a strong and dazzling example of symbolism in her honor, the naming of an oiler, a ship that supplies other ships with fuel and cargo to function at its highest level, is an example of what she gave in life and continues to give," said Wyatt.

The future USNS Harriet Tubman is the ninth ship of the John Lewis Class. The class and lead ship are named in honor of the late civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis of Georgia.

The ships are designed to supply fuel to the Navy's operating carrier strike groups. The oilers have the ability to carry a load of 162,000 barrels of oil and maintain significant dry cargo capacity.
Orangeburg officials keep records of government activity mostly updated on the citys website, a review of records shows.

But open-government advocates say there are transparency concerns surrounding some aspects of state politics.

Through South Carolinas Freedom of Information Act, citizens can attend open meetings and acquire records from public bodies.

FOIA defines a public body as any agency supported in whole or in part by public funds. The most recognizable entities include school boards, councils and commissions.

Too often, people do not know what is required of FOIA, South Carolina Press Association Attorney Taylor Smith IV said.

According to Wright, Orangeburg has done very well with adhering to FOIA and trying to be transparent.

But that is not always the case in South Carolina.

FOIA signing With representatives from the S.C. Press Association and citizen advocates for open government at his side, Gov. Henry McMaster ceremonially s

How can the state be more transparent?

We have pretty great transparency laws in South Carolina, but one of the biggest exceptions is dark money, South Carolina government watchdog John Crangle said.

He describes dark money as independent expenditures made by special interest groups to campaigns.

These dark money groups can operate in secrecy and the public doesnt know who they are, how much theyre spending or what theyre doing, he said.

According to Crangle, the concern is that some lawmakers can receive money from special interest groups and make favorable decisions in return.

Some people may say legislators are not required to give enough information about where theyre getting their money, he said.

Crangle says another major issue is the abuse of executive sessions. Public bodies are supposed to use executive sessions to discuss sensitive matters and receive legal advice.

He said some executive sessions are being used to avoid having public meetings.

I think that sometimes they have executive sessions and discuss matters that should be discussed openly, Crangle said.

Smith wonders if were backsliding due to the South Carolina Supreme Courts ruling in a 2018 case. In DomainsNewMedia.com LLC vs. Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, the S.C. Supreme Court decided that the chamber did not have to disclose its records under FOIA, even though the chamber received public funds to support tourism.

Smith says the ruling was alarming because entities that spend tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer money every year dont have that transparency.

If we dont have that access to what the officials are doing on our behalf, then we become less informed, he said.

South Carolinas FOIA history

FOIA was established in 1978 to give citizens access to public officials activities. FOIA requires public bodies to have a certain degree of transparency and disclose information to the public.

Years later, in the 1990s, legislators in the South Carolina General Assembly were caught in a political scandal. The FBI sting Operation Lost Trust uncovered drug use, bribery and extortion within the public body. As a result, 17 members of the General Assembly were convicted.

The findings resulted in the Ethics Reform Act of 1991 and a much greater understanding of what it (FOIA) requires in government, Smith said.

But he says the law hasnt changed a lot regarding FOIA.

One notable change was a 2015 amendment that required public bodies to have agendas for their meetings.

Smith said the amendment was a positive thing for transparency and ensured that the public has knowledge about what their government is going to cover.

Several other amendments to the SCFOIA were approved in 2017:

If a deposit is required for copying records, the fee cannot exceed 25% of the total cost.

When a FOIA request is made, a response must be given within 10 days.

If a public body does not have an electronic version of a requested record, it is not required to create one.

Furthermore, state-level court records are available to the public online. Updated court dockets, an archive for oral arguments and live-streamed oral arguments are accessible online.

Is Orangeburg in compliance?

Orangeburg County School District

The meeting dates, agendas and minutes for the OCSD are on the districts website and are easy to locate. The fee schedule for copying the districts public records is not easily findable on the website.

Orangeburg City Council and Planning Commission

City of Orangeburg Public Information Officer Jennifer Van Cleave ensures that the city council and planning commission strive to be as transparent as we can be.

We work for the taxpayers and its important for them to be knowledgeable about what city employees and city council is doing, she said.

Meetings of city council and the planning commission are both listed on the same calendar. Although meeting dates and agendas are accessible on the citys website, the minutes from city councils June 20 meeting are not yet online.

We may be off a little bit, but typically thats not normal for us. Clerk to council tries to get them done as soon as she can. Theres a pretty fast turnaround and usually within a week, we have those ready, Van Cleave said.

Crangle says minutes and agendas are typically not a problem in South Carolina.

In Crangles experience, public bodies try to post their minutes in five to six days.

But Section 30-4-90 (b) of FOIA does not provide a timeline for posting minutes. The law states: The minutes shall be public records and shall be available within a reasonable time after the meeting.

Learn more at https://scpress.org/foia-citizens-guide/
Unity Fellowship Community Church is hosting an upcoming festival that the pastor hopes will foster a community village concept that promotes holistic health.

The Rev. Jerome Anderson, pastor of Unity Fellowship Community Church, said the church will host a Community Village Fest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 at the church, located at 2876 Broughton St. in Orangeburg.

Were bringing together our community in the areas of health care, law enforcement and education, Anderson said.

The pastor said MUSC Health Orangeburg CEO Walter N. Bennett III will be on hand with other hospital officials, who will provide free blood pressure and other health screenings.

Bennett said, Our goal is to bridge the gap between health care and the community. MUSC Health is a part of this community, and the key to achieving our goal and building trust is communication.

He continued, Being involved in local events and initiatives allow us the opportunity to visit with and talk to people, making connections with them when they are well so they feel comfortable and confident trusting their care to us when they are not.

Bennett said he wants to engage with his neighbors as a new resident of the community.

We want to tell them about all the valuable resources the hospital provides, but what they are sharing with us is equally valuable. I hope when residents leave these events, they feel that they have made a connection with someone in our system and they know MUSC Health is committed to making a positive impact in their lives, he said.

The Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office Command Center will also be featured, with sheriffs office officials handing out violence prevention and other informational materials.

Retired educator Michelle A. Wilson Green, the founder of Reclaiming Our Youth Services, will also be at the festival to share information about ROYS mission, which includes supporting grieving mothers, promoting community activism and mentoring at-risk youth.

Dr. Shawn Foster, superintendent of the Orangeburg County School District, will also be on hand to speak, Anderson said.

We are excited to partner with Unity Fellowship Christian Church for this community event, Foster said. This collaboration allows the Orangeburg County School District to interact and engage more closely with the members of our community.

Its inspiring to witness the joy and unity at such gatherings, showcasing the significance of celebrating and learning together. We maintain a strong belief in the power of unity and see events like this as crucial for cultivating a resilient and inclusive environment. We anticipate a day filled with health, joy and community spirit and invite everyone to join us to celebrate our shared values and the rich cultural diversity of our community.

Anderson said, Everything is free. Its going to be a festival where well have fish, chicken, hotdogs and hamburgers, as well as things for the kids, including bouncers and games.

The purpose of it is to just kind of bring the community together and get everybody to work together in whats called the village concept, he said.

The village concept is where everybody kind of cares for everybody. Everybody is involved in each others lives as opposed to what we do now, with everybody doing their own separate thing. We all want to work together to promote a unified Orangeburg for the betterment of the city.
Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading.

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy
CHEYENNE  Uniformity is a difficult condition for Wyoming to adopt.

Yet that is one of the big advantages of a state medical examiner system, according to the National Institute of Health.

The Joint Judiciary Committee last week took no action on a two draft bills that would have set up a state office with two medical examiners on hand to help the states 23 counties with autopsies.

It would have been a voluntary system.

Last year, a different interim committee tabled similar proposed legislation.

So while the bills are dead, a larger group of lawmakers now understands the pros and cons of a state role in handling autopsies.

Currently Wyomings is a hodgepodge of systems hat depends heavily of the availability of forensic pathologists in nearby states.

Currently county coroners in 22 of the states 23 counties look to border states for forensic pathologists to hire for the procedure.

Fremont County has its own forensic pathologist office that can serve the western part of the state, according to testimony at the committee meeting. Laramie and Albany Counties use forensic pathologists in Colorado while Sheridan goes to Billings. Niobrara County goes to Nebraska for help while Big Horn County is developing is own forensic facilities.

The Wyoming Coroners Association in general opposed the bill on grounds the current system is working now and doesnt need changing. Also a state medical examiner system would cost the state millions of dollars more than the counties are paying now.

The Wyoming Counties Commissioners, association also wasnt too tickled about the idea of state medical examiners as identified in the bill.

Instead they could support a partnership like a state grant program to keep it local by developing facilities for autopsies in Wyoming counties.

Yet the survey showed that 14 of the 23 counties seemed to think a state medical examiner was a good idea, noted Sen. Bill Landen, R-Casper.

One was Teton County, the home of billionaires.

But the cost sunk the bill, Landen, the committee co-chairman, said later in an e-mail.

This was a particularly bad time going into a budget session next year where such a bill would require a two-thirds majority vote to be considered.

Also the proposal to me seemed like an orphan bill; it had no vigorous support.

Some day it will get passed as Wyoming grows, assuming the state can attract more people.

The major differences between coroners and medical examiners are embedded in the manner of their selection by electoral process versus appointment and their professional status, according to the National Health organization. Coroners are elected lay people who often do not have professional training, whereas medical examiners are appointed and have board-certification in a medical specialty, reads the NIH account.

As a result, coroner systems are less likely to be medically proficient and that their structure often reflects piecemeal legislative reaction to inadequacies, the report said.

The coroner system is steeped in the vagaries of history rather than in a forward-looking, planned system that capitalizes on professional depth and knowledge. Coroner statutes are less specific about which types of cases are reported or investigated, and they tend to reflect the lowest common denominator in the qualifications of the office holder and the quality of investigations. The coroner may be deficient in knowledge and may have conflicts of interest; especially when funeral directors, prosecutors or sheriffs act as coroners.

As a result of their English common law origins, coroners have subpoena and inquest powers.

Despite the critics, Americans and Wyoming residents like elected officials, such as as coroners . Its part of their political culture.

The bill to set up a state medical examiner office may instigate a first step to help the coroners in their work.

It is hard work to find a system that can fit all of Wyoming counties with their vastly differing needs, culture and wealth.

The Legislature is facing the same type of problem with property tax reform. But that is for another column.
by M. K. Bhadrakumar





The special session of the Parliament has let External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar off the hook. He skipped the BRICS foreign ministers meeting on the margins of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 20th September. BRICS is becoming an albatross that prevents Modi government from leading a normal and happy life.





Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, walks past Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as they take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi's cremation site, during the G20 Summit in New Delhi on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Associated Press)





The timing of the Canadian assault on the Indian foreign and security policy establishment over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar is not in doubt. It surged in the aftermath of the G20 summit, which witnessed a crushing diplomatic defeat for the US in front of the world community, where the host country India navigated skilfully to scuttle any negative reference to Russia in the events final document.





The Nijjar affair can be metaphorically called the grapes of wrath. The liberal western world so far granted Modi government a free passage through their rules-based order. India could preach, but wasnt accountable for its own practice. All good things come to an end.





Canada has a record of acting as a surrogate of the US. The strange case of Huaweis board deputy chair Meng Wanzhou at Vancouver Airport on 1st December 2018 comes to mind. The billionaire-heiress was rudely arrested on a provisional US extradition request for fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud.





But in August 2021, the extradition judge questioned the regularity of the case and expressed great difficulty in understanding how the Record of Case presented by the USG supported its allegation of criminality. And on 24 September 2021, the US Department of Justice reached a deal. On 1st December 2, 2022, the presiding judge dismissed the charges against Meng following a US request.





As regards Nijjar file, a Canadian official familiar with the matter told Associated Press yesterday that Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegation against Modi government was based on surveillance of Indian diplomats in Canada, including intelligence provided by a major ally who is a member of the infamous Five Eyes, the secretive intelligence network of Anglo-Saxon countries - Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the US.





Interestingly, Britain scrambled to distance itself from Trudeaus tirade, while a Canadian source told Reuters that Canberra and Washington collaborated very closely to examine evidence indicating potential Indian involvement in Nijjars killing.





Trudeau spoke in the Canadian parliament after consultations with President Biden, and the White House reaction on the same day was highly supportive. The White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said, We are deeply concerned about the allegations referenced by Prime Minister Trudeau. We remain in regular contact with our Canadian partners. It is critical that Canadas investigation proceed and the perpetrators be brought to justice.





Watson works under NSA Jake Sullivan who reports directly to Biden. It is unlikely that Sullivan made this a personal issue with the Indian security establishment. Simply put, the buck stops at the Oval Office.





Indeed, after Watsons initial remark, the White House quickly switched to megaphone diplomacy with its highflying strategic communications chief John Kirby, a retired rear admiral, confirming for record that Biden is mindful of the serious allegations by Trudeau and they are very seriousand we support Canadas efforts to investigate this. We believe a fully transparent, comprehensive investigation is the right approach so that we can all know exactly what happened, and of course we encourage India to cooperate with that.





Asked if the US, as a Five Eyes intelligence sharing partner of Canada, knew what the allegations were based on, Kirby demurred, saying he wanted to respect the sanctity of the investigation. In terms of the fallout if the allegations were true, Kirby said once the facts were available, you can start to look at recommendations or behaviours you might want to pursue. He all but hinted that the Canadian allegation is not baseless.





Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the White House defended its approach, with Watson responding to a Washington Post remark on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), by denying that the US had snubbed Canada over the incident. Reports that we rebuffed Canada in any way on this are flatly false, Watson wrote, adding that the US and Canada were coordinating closely on the issue.





She added, This is a serious matter and we support Canadas ongoing law enforcement efforts. We are also engaging the Indian government. She was countering suggestions that Washington was rebuffing Ottawa, because it had to court India as a counterweight to China.





Such gratuitous lecturing is sheer hypocrisy by a country that freely resorts to assassination as a tool in its foreign policy. Who killed Qassem Soleimani?





Alas, in the face of this bullying, Delhis reaction has been pusillanimous, to say the least  as if it is stone deaf and couldnt hear what the White House officials were saying. Instead, the spin doctors barked up the wrong tree to lampoon Canada for its gang wars, et al. It seems the government knew all about Trudeaus strange behaviour while in Delhi for the G-20 summit, and had a road map ready with Indian signposts.





Why such pusillanimity? It only creates misperceptions. One would like to believe that India, with high values in global governance and deep respect for national sovereignty  apart from being the flag carrier of the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The World is One Family)  would never descend to such a heinous level as to practice murder in its statecraft.





The US typically uses such tendentious issues to frighten and blackmail feeble-minded interlocutors in the Third World. That is why, Jaishankar shouldnt have downgraded Indias representation at the BRICS foreign ministers meeting. These are extraordinary times when if India didnt have a BRICS membership, there is need for one.





Indeed, the BRICS statement after the New York meeting stated: The Ministers reiterated concern about the use of unilateral coercive measures which are incompatible with the Principles of the UN Charter and produce negative effects notably in the developing world. They reiterated their commitment to enhancing and improving global governance by promoting a more agile, effective, efficient, representative, democratic and accountable international and multilateral system and to facilitate greater and more meaningful participation of developing and least developed countries





The bottom line is, the government should strategise through its present predicament. After all, as a key member of the western alliance and a close ally of the US, Canada plays an important role for the US in establishing a so-called rules-based international order and promoting the Indo-Pacific Strategy. And rules-based order and Indo-Pacific Strategy are Indian mantras too.





Biden himself may come under cloud very soon and be battling for his political career. Inviting him to be the chief guest at the Republic Day with an additional frill thrown in by way of a QUAD summit to placate him is pointless. Once the Canadian investigation runs its course, Ottawa may put on the public domain further accusations passing for evidence  and that could happen at some point closer to our general election. All in all, the big question is, what is it that the US is really upto.





M. K. Bhadrakumar was a career diplomat by profession. Roughly half of the 3 decades of his diplomatic career was devoted to assignments on the territories of the former Soviet Union and to Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. Other overseas postings included South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey. He writes mainly on Indian foreign policy and the affairs of the Middle East, Eurasia, Central Asia, South Asia and the Asia-Pacific.
FORMER finance minister, Winston Dookeran, is calling for a shift in the Caribbean integration model in order to forge wider convergence spaces for approaching production, the institutional framework and economic frontiers.

Dookeran, an economist and former central bank governor, said the current integration model seems limited by size, design an inertia.
Various business chambers have welcomed the call-out of members of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force volunteers to support the crime fight.

However, they have some concerns.

This follows a proclamation from President Christine Kangaloo on Monday calling out to duty 100 Trinidad and Tobago Volunteer Defence Force to strengthen the TTDF capabilities to support the police The proclamation went into effect on Monday and will end February 29, 2024.
For saying absolutely nothing in 126 words, yesterdays media release from Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on the crime crisis would be hard to beat.

Following the fatal shooting of eight men between Sunday night and Monday afternoon, Dr Rowley issued a statement describing crime in Trinidad and Tobago as now gone beyond concerning to the ridiculous.
by M. K. Bhadrakumar





Armenia no longer disputes that Nagorno-Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan. The prospect of peaceful resolution of a regional conflict ought to be good news, but this is an incredibly complex situation with an external environment where a brutal war is raging with no end in sight, and the protagonists pursue contrarian interests.





Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attends a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Eurasian Economic Union summit at the Grand Kremlin Palace, in Moscow, Russia May 25, 2023. [ Photo: Sputnik/Ilya Pitalev/Kremlin ]





A settlement over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict leading to peace and reconciliation might open the pathway to Armenias (and, Azerbaijans) induction into the EU and NATO in a foreseeable future. The Armenian lobbies in European capitals and Washington wield much political influence. Oil-rich Azerbaijan eyes European market.





That said, Russia will resist the EU and NATOs expansion into Transcaucasia, a highly strategic geographical region on the border of Eastern Europe and West Asia, straddling the southern Caucasus Mountains and bridges the Black Sea and the Caspian. Armenia is in a military alliance with Russia but Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has increasingly appealed to the West, including the EU.





Earlier this year, the EU set up a civilian mission in Armenia in response to a request from Yerevan, including operations at several points along the border with Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, the EU also signed a gas supply deal with Baku last year. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Azerbaijan as a crucial partner in mitigating Europes energy crisis.









The EUs strategic interest is for Armenia and Azerbaijan to minimise Russian influence in Transcaucasia. With so many powerful geopolitical players involved in the Caucasus region, the situation is delicate. The Spanish city of Granada is the place to watch where in two weeks, close to 50 European countries are expected for talks in the European Political Community format  including Armenia and Azerbaijan.





Russia will fear for the security and stability of its Muslim republics in the Caucasus if Western intelligence sets up shop in that volatile region with a violent history. It is no secret that the US fuelled Moscows two Chechen Wars (1994-2000.)





Taking advantage of Russias preoccupations in Ukraine, the US and the EU have inserted themselves aggressively into the Black Sea region and the Caucasus. Armenia is a low hanging fruit. The 2018 colour revolution (Velvet Revolution) presented itself as an opportunity for Armenia to realign its foreign policy in the European direction without any overt belligerent anti-Russian or pronounced pro-Western geopolitical orientation.





Europe understood the geopolitical potentials with far greater prescience than Russia. Moscow is paying a heavy price today for its complacency. In Pashinyan, Moscow has a frenemy who pretended to be its friend and apparently responsive, while biding time to take his country out of the Russian orbit. That opportunity came as Russias special military operation began in Ukraine last year.





The Armenian diaspora in France was attuned to Pashinyans skilful manoeuvring and President Emmanuel Macron was willing to lend a hand. The Biden Administration and the EU werent far behind. Pashinyans decision to decouple Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh has the Wests tacit approval, being the first necessary step in the journey toward the Atlantic system.





Nonetheless, it is going to be a winding road and Russia can make it a difficult journey. Pashinyan is a tough, wily customer. The trickiest part is going to be his manoeuvring to take Armenia out of the CSTO and shut down the Russian base in Gyumri.





Moscow is seized of the big picture of NATOs plan to expand its presence in Caucasus and from there, wet its feet in the Caspian Sea and take a leap into the Central Asian steppes.





Breakthrough in Central Asia





Earlier this week, the US made a diplomatic breakthrough with the inaugural presidential meeting of the so-called C5+1 Leaders forum  Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and the US  chaired by President Joe Biden on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.





Biden called it a historic moment for their cooperation that is grounded in our shared commitment to sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity  an oblique reference to the US agenda to roll back the Russian dominance in the region. In the US assessment, the ex-Soviet regional capitals feel uneasy that Russias military intervention in Ukraine is setting a bad precedent, as all Central Asian countries have ethnic Russian populations.





Biden discussed counterterrorism cooperation, regional economic connectivity, a new business platform to complement our diplomatic engagement and better connect our private sectors, and importantly, the potential for a new critical minerals dialogue to strengthen our energy security and supply chains for years to come.





The White House readout said the six presidents discussed a range of issues, including security, trade and investment, regional connectivity, the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, and ongoing reforms to improve governance and the rule of law. It underscored that Biden welcomed his counterparts views on how our nations can work together to further strengthen the Central Asian nations sovereignty, resilience, and prosperity while also advancing human rights.





The readout cited three initiatives: USAID will convene a C5+1 Regional Connectivity Ministerial in Central Asia in October to discuss concrete actions; launch of a C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue to develop Central Asias vast mineral wealth and advance critical minerals security; and, US support for investment to develop a Trans-Caspian Trade Route (so-called Middle Corridor) through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (a collaborative effort by Group of Seven to fund infrastructure projects in developing countries.)





On a parallel track, curiously enough, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was invited as an honoured guest to the recent Central Asian summit in Dushanbe on September 14-15. This is the first time that the forum known as the Consultative Meeting Of the Heads of States of Central Asia invited a leader from outside Central Asia to their annual conclave. Indeed, regionalism is on the march in the steppes against the backdrop of the geopolitical shock of Russias invasion of Ukraine, which is now reaching an attrition dimension.





The Middle Corridor is conceived as linking the containerised rail freight transport networks of China and the EU through the economies of Central Asia, the Caucasus, Turkey, and Eastern Europe via the Caspian and Black Sea ferry terminals bypassing Russian territory.





The tectonic shift in the geopolitics of the Caucasus figured in President Putins meeting on Wednesday with the visiting Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi at St. Petersburg as well as during the talks in Tehran between the visiting Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and the Iranian military officials. This topic is sure to be discussed between Putin and Xi Jinping and during his forthcoming visit to China next month.





There is a convergence of interests between Russia and Iran over area denial to the US in strategic hub that the Caspian is. But oil-rich Azerbaijan makes an ambivalent partner for Moscow, while Tehran has a troubled relationship with Baku. It is entirely conceivable that the EU and the US will promote Armenian- Azeri rapprochement (which Turkey is also promoting for own reasons.)





The prospect of a long-term western presence in the Caspian and Central Asian regions through the Black Sea and the Caucasus poses a profound challenge for Russian diplomacy. The paradox is, while the West failed to defeat Russia in the Ukraine war, it is gaining ascendancy on Russias near abroad in an arc of encirclement.





How far China is willing to join hands with Russia in this geopolitical contestation remains to be seen. The US and the EU are tactfully opting not to challenge Chinese interests directly. In fact, China may even have use for the proposed US-backed Trans-Caspian Transportation Corridor  Kazakhstans Silk Road.
Alvaro Enciso leaned over a map spread on the hood of an SUV, somewhere outside the Southern Arizona ghost town of Ruby, in search of an unmarked road where an unidentified migrants remains were discovered in June.

The 78-year-old artist and his crew of volunteers were seeking the exact place the man died in order to mark it with a yellow cross, part of Encisos long-running art installation project called Donde Mueren Los Suenos  Where Dreams Die.

The cross isnt a comforting religious symbol for Enciso, who says he isnt a very religious person. Its a way to lend visibility to an ongoing tragedy thats invisible to most. Its a reflection of the brutality of death by exposure, like those sentenced to die by crucifixion during the Roman Empire.

And, he says, its an indictment of those who turn a blind eye to the mounting death toll in the Southern Arizona desert.

As much as he wants to honor those who lost their lives, he also wants to confront Americans with a harsh reality: the migrant-death crisis that advocates say is the inevitable result of U.S. border-enforcement policy, and lawmakers decades-long failure to enact immigration reform that could stop or slow the mass-fatality event unfolding here.

In a way were all complicit, because we havent been able to stop it, said Enciso, who migrated to the U.S. from Colombia in the 1960s. Theres a story here; the story of a very embarrassing chapter of American history, a very sad chapter of American history, that we did not treat our neighbors properly.

On Tuesday morning, Enciso and his crew of six, including friends and volunteers from the Tucson Samaritans, set off at 7 a.m. from Borderlinks in downtown Tucson.

By the time they leaned across the hood of the Toyota 4Runner, searching the map and a GPS navigation device for clues, Enciso and his team had already been out for six hours, traversing unmaintained rocky roads and steep terrain that pushed the limits of their four-wheel-drive vehicles.

It was the third cross installation of the day. With highs only in the 90s, its an easier day than usual for Enciso, who has spent each Tuesday for the past decade placing his hand-made crosses in the desert.

Its not an easy thing to do every Tuesday. Its a lot of work, its a lot of bad roads, he said. It leaves me with a whole bunch of emotions. ... But its what I do on Tuesdays. That became part of my life.

The unknown migrants cross

After realizing they had backtracked too far, the group hopped back into their dust-covered SUVs and continued down a dirt path through the green high-desert terrain.

Fifteen minutes later they found the unknown migrants final resting spot, within sight of a remote water-catchment tank and surrounded by manzanita shrubs, juniper trees and barrel cactus.

The team dug a hole for the yellow cross under a tall alligator juniper. Placing the cross in the hole, they surrounded it with quick-dry concrete and water, mixing until it began to set. Enciso stepped back and directed his friend, Peter Lucero, to tilt the cross a little further back to get it straight. The volunteers gathered rocks to stabilize the base of the cross, which Enciso had adorned with pieces of metal cut from debris left in the desert by migrants.

This person is not yet identified; however, he has a name. We just dont know it yet, Enciso said, standing near the cross. And he has a family. ... He had dreams and plans and feelings and ideas of wanting to be somebody in life. It just all ended here. This is a very tragic spot.

The tranquil setting might have offered some consolation to the dying, he said.

But that should not comfort the living: Enciso wants his audience to recognize that the migrants he honors suffered an excruciating death  usually from overheating or dehydration  a horror obscured by clinical terms like death by exposure or hyperthermia, he said.

The unidentified migrants hit Enciso the hardest, those whose families are caught between wondering and grieving.

He estimates hes placed 1,600 crosses since he began his project in 2013. Its less than half the known number of undocumented migrants, identified or not, who have died in the Arizona desert.

He knows hell never be able to honor them all.

I dont have enough life in me to finish, he said.

Secular symbol

Enciso says he allows his friend Lucero, a devout Catholic, to drape a rosary across his crosses. But for Enciso the symbol is secular, and its meaning is multifaceted: The cross vertical line represents migrants in life, vital and upright. The horizontal represents their position in death.

At the two lines intersection, Enciso attaches a red dot made from clay that mirrors the thousands of red icons scattered across a digital migrant-death map created by Tucson nonprofit Humane Borders. Populated with data from the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner, the map grows by the dozens each month, as more migrants remains are discovered and more red icons are added.

The clay red dot is the physical representation of an abstract symbol, Enciso said.

More than 4,100 migrant deaths have been mapped by Humane Borders since 1990, and at least one-third of them have not been identified. Sometimes, the deserts victims have been dead less than a day when they are found. Others are in an advanced state of decomposition.

In August alone, 25 fatalities were added to Humane Borders map, including eight people who were found within one day of their death, according to the nonprofits latest report.

Thousands more are still missing.

The desert is full of bones, people we havent been able to find yet, Enciso said.

Reports of migrant deaths began surging in the early 2000s, as the Clinton-era border enforcement policy of prevention through deterrence channeled migrants into increasingly remote areas of the desert.

Before 2000, the medical examiners office in Pima County received less than 20 bodies of undocumented migrants each year, said Dr. Greg Hess, chief medical examiner for Pima County. In 2000, the number shot up to 71. In 2002, the office received 146 sets of migrant remains.

Now, the medical examiner receives on average 170 migrant remains each year. In 2005, the office ran out of space in its 1989 building and began relying on refrigerated trucks to store remains. The county has begun construction on a new building to accommodate the added storage demands, Hess said.

Trauma fatigue

Well-intentioned journalists have come and gone, said Hess, who estimates hes had more than 1,900 conversations with reporters over the years. They publish lengthy features, investigations or documentaries highlighting the tragedy and spotlighting victims, seeking to center those whose humanity can get lost in fast-paced breaking news reports on the immigration crisis. They detail the tortured experience of those who die from exposure.

Despite those efforts, nothing has changed, Hess said.

Its kind of numbing, he said on Thursday. Theres kind of a mental fatigue with it. You see peoples rediscovery of the issue time and time again.

Yet, he said, it has no impact in the number of decedents that weve found. Peoples attention to the issue waxes and wanes over time.

Enciso understands the sentiment. His project has been ongoing for 10 years, garnering national and international attention. Yet the deaths continue, even accelerating in recent years.

But like the northward journey of the migrants he honors, Encisos art project is rooted in hope, he said.

Things are getting worse, he said in an interview from his Menlo Park home in Tucson earlier this month. Yet, he said, you have to be hopeful. You cannot let go. Everything that I make has that intentionality, that things will get better.

Julians cross

Earlier in the day last Tuesday, headed toward their first set of GPS coordinates, Encisos three-vehicle caravan reached Amado on I-19, then veered west through Arivaca before continuing south to the border. The group made a wrong turn on the unmarked dirt roads and ended up bouncing down a roller-coaster steep stretch of rugged road for the next half hour.

Enciso shifted into four-wheel drive, shutting off the air conditioner so the vehicle didnt overheat, and warned his passengers to hang on as he urged the SUV up and down steep passes.

Close to 10 a.m., he finally met up with a tidy road running parallel to the imposing border wall, a clean line blasted into the mountainous terrain by contractors building this segment of the wall in the final months of the Trump administration.

The team disembarked and followed GPS coordinates into the desert to where 20-year-old Mexican migrant Julian Xochiquiquisqui Tlehuactle was found on July 1, 2013, less than a week after his death from exposure, likely hyperthermia, according to the Pima County medical examiners office.

The red cross they installed is within sight of the border line, prompting Enciso to imagine how difficult must have been the trip through Mexico, for Julian to have only made it this far.

Migrants journey through the Sonoran Desert is so perilous it should be impossible, said Diane Noonan Pothast, volunteer with the Tucson Samaritans. Pothast has been accompanying Enciso on his trips for about five years, she said in a Friday interview.

People go on faith, she said. Some people are out of water and dont have shoes before they even cross to the other side of the border.

Lizbeths cross

The team continues on to a nearby site, also in view of the wall, where the body of Mexican national Lizbeth Sanchez Ramirez, 36, was discovered in July.

She was found less than three weeks after her death from hyperthermia, according to the medical examiners report, based on her bodys state of decomposition and the partial skeletonization of her cranium.

Enciso and his team take a moment to search the area for any signs the deceased, or other migrants, were there. Often, they find bones, discarded food containers, clothing or empty water bottles.

In 2018 Encisos team found a decomposing body on one of their trips. Enciso remembers the migrant  later identified as a woman from Guatemala  was wearing new brightly colored sneakers for her trip.

There was still the smell of death there, he said.

The trauma of it was too much for one of his team members, who afterwards decided to step away from the project, Enciso said.

On this day, the group finds clumps of silky black hair at the GPS coordinates marking Lizbeths place of death, the dark strands still gleaming even resting in the yellow dirt.

Medical examiner Hess said its highly likely the hair belonged to Lizbeth, as her head was uncovered when she was found and bodies tend to decompose quickly in the desert, as mummification sets in.

Scattered by scavenging animals, parts of recovered migrants bodies are often missed during the collection process, Hess said. Reviewing forensic photos, he said Lizbeths skull only had some hair remaining on the back of her head.

Both Julian and Lizbeths remains have been returned to their families.

As Encisos team installed a green cross for Lizbeth, Pothast of the Samaritans scouted the area to see if water bottles shed dropped there previously needed to be replaced. The volunteers who accompany Enciso often take the opportunity to place water that could be the difference between life or death for future travelers.

When we put up a cross, I think the person the cross is for is going to save lives because now, were going to put water there, Pothast said. Now, well check on the cross and see if theres (another migrants) trail.

In the big picture, I think these folks will end up being heroes in a strange way. They sacrificed their life, and they are going to save other people.

The Samaritans have been putting out water for migrants for 20 years, Pothast said.

The system needs reconstructive surgery, and were putting Bandaids on it, she said. But Bandaids help. Theyre not the solution, but were going to keep doing that. Its never over.

Shared dreams

Back at the vehicles, the group is close to the spot where the 30-foot-tall border wall abruptly ends, as the mountainous terrain becomes impassable. To the west, a large break in the border wall has only low-lying vehicle barriers to accommodate the ephemeral wash there, where floodwaters rush across the border during storms.

Floodgates and breaks are installed in various points along the wall out of necessity: Powerful floodwaters and debris could damage or topple the wall without the openings.

As Encisos group prepares to leave, two young men on the Mexican side speak across the break in the border wall, while an energetic blue heeler flits around their legs. Before retreating out of view, they say they have a group of 10 migrants with them, including two children, and that theyll wait until nightfall to cross.

Enciso has no love for the human smugglers, known as coyotes, who lead migrants here, possibly to their deaths. He notes that the young men were likely employed by a cartel and view the people with them as merchandise to be delivered.

In August, the Border Patrol encountered nearly 49,000 migrants who crossed the border between official ports of entry in the Tucson Sector  the highest number of all nine border sectors, according to figures released Friday by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Enciso doesnt distinguish between migrants who turn themselves in to make a plea for asylum, and those who cross the border between ports of entry seeking to evade law enforcement. Its impossible to know each individuals reasons, he said.

When he legally migrated from Colombia in the 1960s, Enciso was easily able to obtain a resident visa. Today, that would be extremely difficult, he said.

I would have had to make a big decision whether to make the trip illegally and to take the risk, he said.

Enciso focuses on the humanity of all migrants, and he cant help but recognize himself in their hopeful journey.

His art project is also a meditation on his own migrant experience: the dreams he had as a young man seeking to escape poverty, followed by years of working as a taxi driver and mopping floors in New York. Then, a period of homelessness before he was drafted into the Vietnam War, where he lost of sense of smell from inhaling napalm. He attended college on the G.I. Bill, before finding his place as a renowned artist.

Once, Enciso said, he was just as vulnerable as these migrants were in life. And even in their desert death scenes, in the scattered evidence of their final breaths, he sees himself reflected.

Looking toward the yellow cross under the alligator juniper tree, the final memorial of a long day, Enciso said, This could have happened to me.
Tucson High Magnet School staff submitted a list of demands to improve school safety after multiple fights broke out on campus Sept. 13 that led to six students arrests and injuries to one employee.

The document, obtained by the Arizona Daily Star, is addressed to the schools administrators and Tucson Unified School Districts governing board. It makes particular demands of Tucson High Principal Elizabeth Rivera.

The demands were hand-delivered to Tucson High and TUSD administrators Wednesday, said Brieanne Buttner, a Tucson Education Association spokesperson for the schools safety committee and union representatives. The document was also emailed to TUSD administrators, including Superintendent Gabriel Trujillo.

A TUSD statement Friday confirmed administrators received the letter, adding: The document has no signature and its original author continues to be anonymous.

The demands are clear.

The staff members are asking for a narrower monitor-to-students ratio, new lockdown procedures during lunch, clear and consistent communication during emergencies and a communication system besides texting a single administrator or calling the back gate.

Additionally, the document states its recipients must acknowledge the ramifications of consistent failings in the security administrations.

Improvements demanded include better emergency accessibility for persons with different mobility needs, intercom repair, and installation of a light system to indicate emergencies.

In its statement, TUSD said: The anonymous document contains numerous requests for additional training, safety monitors, and improved campus safety and security infrastructure, which we consider to be high priority items that will be assessed and hopefully addressed as soon as possible.

The staff document stated the district has until Oct. 20 to initiate or complete the demanded actions.

But it called on principal Rivera, by contrast, to acknowledge the document within 24-hours of receipt.

The document said Riveras response should acknowledge that administrators did not adequately prepare students and staff for the incident and that individuals were placed in harms way because of unclear communication between TUSD and TPD (Tucson Police Department).

Rivera could not be reached Friday for comment.

Its an anonymous letter and there will be no direct answer. Please know that (TUSD) is taking all the items in the list as a priority, a district statement said.

Tucson High staff members stated that to make TUSD emergency communication more effective, information on the severity of the emergency should be provided, an emergency contact for staff should be designated, and a text and email alert system should be op-out rather than opt-in.

The system should include substitute teachers, student teachers and all staff, the document states.

The document also stipulates all staff should have mandatory ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate) training and campus security should distribute a quarterly campus incident report.

It also calls for thorough and complete debriefing of all incidents with all staff including monitors/security staff, cafeteria staff and classroom staff.

Buettner said staff members plan to give testimonials of their experiences during lockdown that day at the next TUSD Governing Board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 26.

The public meeting will convene at 5:30 p.m. at Duffy Community Center Multipurpose Room, 5145 E. Fifth Street. To watch the meeting online go to: livestream.com/tucsonunifiedlive/events/6227821.

Of the students arrested, five face charges of disturbing an educational institute and the sixth faces a felony charge of assaulting a school employee, Tucson police said.

The injured employee received medical treatment on-site, police said.

Police said a student had been reported to have a weapon but no weapon was found during a search of campus. The reports of a gun on campus were based on a picture circulating on social media, with no concrete evidence, police said.
John C. Scott, a longtime radio commentator who spent decades on the air sharing his take on Tucson politics, died in his sleep early Friday. He was 80.

Scott began his career at the age of 15, later working as a disc jockey while attending the University of Kansas in the 1960s.

He moved to Tucson in 1967 and worked as the news anchor for KTKT 990AM. He later became for news anchor for KVOA Channel 4 and KOLD Channel 13 and hosted a talk show host on KGUN Channel 9.

His various shows through television and radio over a 50-year career, focused mostly on politics at the local, state and national levels.

Mark Ulm, one of Scotts children, remembers back to their time together while he produced the John C. Scott Show for more than 25 years.

(Very few people) get the privilege of working with their father . . . The show that we did (for C-SPAN) when Gabby Giffords got shot, that was probably our most important, Ulm, 56, said Saturday. When the towers fell, stupid (stuff) like OJ . . . I remember him as someone who made a difference in Tucson for a long time. He wasnt just a southern Arizona commentator, he was a politician, and a broadcaster.

In 1972, Scott won a seat in the Arizona State Senate where he served as a Democrat for two years. He was back on TV in 1980 and worked at several radio stations before starting his own talk radio show in 1989.

Ed Ackerley, a current Tucson mayoral candidate, said Scott was a formidable media voice and someone who helped Tucson understand who represented them.

He was a progressive conservative. I know thats an oxymoron, but I believe had the best interests of the city at heart, Ackerley said, whose advertising firm issued a news release about Scotts death. His overall sense was that we can all come together, work together to make Tucson a better place to live.

Scott was recognized with the American Advertising Federation Tucson Golden Mike Award in 2014. He retired from his show, the John C. Scott Political Forum on KVOI 1030AM, in July.

John was a good friend and my talk show mentor. After spending 22 years in town doing television ... I transitioned into talk radio in January 2011 and John helped ease that transition for me, said Bill Buckmaster, a fellow longtime Tucson talk show host. He is a true broadcasting legend for Tucson ... He was honest and he was fair.

Scott, who quit drinking in 1987, openly shared his own struggles with addiction regularly.

When I got this radio show in 1989, I said that Id tell people about what I did in case they knew somebody who might want to change. I said Id take one hour out of the year and talk about it, he said in an August 1994 broadcast on the John C. Scott Show.

If our commentary from my show is geared to anything, its geared to the far-left of the ultra right-wing politics of the state, Scott told the Star in 2010.On the other hand, we are pretty pro-business locally and have been extremely critical of the City Council.

In fact, in 1994, Scott had to make an on-air apology the then City Councilman Michael Haggerty as part of an out-of-court settlement. During a broadcast Scott accused Haggerty of trying to damage Tucsons annual gem shows, prompting Haggerty to sue Scott for slander.

At the time, Scott had been a critic of the council. He helped lead an unsuccessful recall campaign in 1992 against Haggerty and two other Democratic council members.

Ive done radio since I was 15 years old. Im comfortable with it. Its something I have always done. Its not hard for me, Scott said in 2010.

Radio is something I can keep doing, Scott continued. Ill probably have to because you get no retirement in radio.
Its been 35 years since Congress created a national conservation area along the San Pedro River and told the U.S. Interior Department to file a legal claim to determine how much water it has the right to carry.

Now, dozens of hours of testimony and hundred of pages of legal paperwork later, a judge has for the first time quantified those water rights in a ruling. The ruling could provide legal ammunition for environmentalists and others seeking to limit groundwater pumping documented to have reduced river flows for decades.

At stake is how much water legally belongs to the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation area. It covers nearly 57,000 acres and stretches 40 miles long and two miles wide along the river from the Mexican border to just south of Benson in the vicinity of the St. David Cienega.

It plays host to what is probably the Southwests richest stands of riparian cottonwood and willow trees  groves that have attracted more than 400 bird species and drawn birdwatchers and ecologists from all over the world.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Mark Brains decision in late August didnt create as many water rights for the river as the federal government and environmentalists had wanted. In fact, two retired U.S. Bureau of Land Management scientists who participated in the case said this ruling could diminish the rivers health over time.

But the judge overrode objections from business and local government interests who had opposed designating any water rights for the river. Given the intense conflict over the case and over the river in general, its possible the ruling will be appealed.

The ruling caps, but hardly ends, a longstanding and at times bitter and emotional legal dispute pitting the Bureau of Land Management, the Salt River Project utility in Phoenix, and the San Carlos Apache tribe against an array of local agencies and businesses. Those include the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise County, two private water companies operating in the Sierra Vista area, and the mining giant Freeport McMoran, along with the Arizona State Land Department.

It came more than four years after the various parties had a two-week trial to argue these issues in great detail. The case had dragged on long before, since the U.S. Department of Justice filed its first claim for river water rights back in 1989.

This case is being considered as part of the much larger Gila River adjudication, which started in the mid-1970s. It covers the entire Gila River Basin in Arizona, which includes the San Pedro, a Gila River tributary.

Brain gave BLMs adversaries a major legal victory by approving their request to base the San Pedro Rivers water rights on a much more recent time period than the bureau had requested. In the period the judge approved, from 1981 through 2015, the river carried less water than it had in the period BLM asked for, from 1954 through 1988.

Incredibly important step

Still, the judges creation of a water right is an incredibly important step forward for the long-imperiled river, said Robert Glennon, a retired University of Arizona law professor and an expert on water law.

A judge has finally decreed the San Pedro has federal reserved rights. It hasnt happened before, said Glennon, who discussed the rivers travails extensively in his book Water Follies.

There are still wells being drilled, they are being drilled with impunity with the assumption that no one could stop them from doing anything, Glennon said. This case could provide the ammunition to do that.

The presence of a federal water right also should help the case for a new petition that longtime activist Robin Silver filed Wednesday to have the state declare a formal water management area to control pumping in the entire Upper San Pedro Basin, Glennon added.

It shows that the BLM has a federal reserved right thats an express right created by Congress. And the states have an obligation to enforce federal law. They cant ignore federal water rights, Glennon said.

He added, however, Theres a lot of discretion that goes into his decision, referring to Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke, who must decide whether to grant Silvers petition to create an Active Management Area for the Upper San Pedro Basin in Cochise County.

Silver, a Flagstaff environmentalist who has fought to protect the river for more than 30 years, said a clear violation of the judges new ruling already exists at a monitoring well along the river where the water level has already fallen below the minimum set by the judge.

In addition, Silver, who was not a party to the case the judge decided, sees another potential legal opening from the ruling for reviving a lawsuit he lost at the Arizona Supreme Court against a major Sierra Vista development five years ago. The Supreme Court dismissed Silvers lawsuit aimed at stopping the 7,000-home Tribute project by a 4-3 vote, in part because the river had no quantified legal water right.

The court upheld ADWRs decision that the developer had proven the project had an adequate water supply for 100 years, in keeping with Cochise County legal requirements. Silver said he will now re-litigate this case, based on the judges ruling quantifying a water right for the conservation area, which Silver said makes the 2018 decision no longer valid.

Opponents concerns

Officials of three entities that opposed the bureaus position seeking a significant amount of water rights for the conservation area  Freeport, Cochise County government and Pueblo del Sol Water Company  didnt respond to the Stars requests for comment on the ruling.

Chuck Potucek, Sierra Vistas city manager, said he doesnt have an opinion of the ruling yet because our attorneys are reviewing it right now.

Its been seven years since I testified in that case. Im glad to see theres a result. BLM by law has to get an allocation (of water rights) so I dont think theres any surprise they will get an allocation. Whether or not they got everything they asked for or whether we got close to what we asked for, I dont know, Potucek said.

My hope is that its a ruling that the parties can live with and work with, he said. Its been like a cloud hanging over us. I think all parties were dealing with that on some level. BLM absolutely needed to have their allocations settled. That they should get soon. What we were concerned about was the amounts.

Fears river will still decline

The two retired BLM scientists criticized the judges ruling for basing the rivers water rights on flows covering 34 years ending in 2015.

James Fogg, a retired BLM hydrologist who was the lead technical expert for the federal agency, noted that both a bureau team of riparian experts and a prominent Arizona State University stream ecologist, Julie Stromberg, identified several downstream stretches of the conservation area that are already rated ecologically non-functional or functional on a downward trend.

If the 1981-2015 period is used to establish the rivers water rights, I expect that downward trend to continue, both in time and space, Fogg told the Star.

He foresees a significantly greater risk of the decline in the rivers health to travel upstream from the current declining reaches to now-healthier areas to the south.

Jeff Simms, a retired BLM fish biologist who was a witness in the court case, said of the judge choosing 1984 to 2015 as the legal period of record for determining river flows: The Number One thing  its not what Congress wanted. They wanted to keep the river the same way it was in 1988. Its in a degraded state. If you dont use the period of record before 1988, you dont get what Congress wanted.

With increased development of the Upper San Pedro Basin after 1988, river flows would necessarily be expected to decrease, Simms said.

The river back then was diminishing. They wanted that to stop. Thats why they asked for a water right. They wanted (the river) not to be damaged by continual growth and pumping in the basin.

Since climate change and drought have reduced the rivers flows since 1988, and since a growing population in the area has increased water demand, it appears the ruling intentionally skewed the period of record in favor of a period with lower flows, he said.

The BLM itself, asked to comment on the case, said through spokeswoman June Lowery, The BLM is aware of the Superior Courts August 25 decision. At this time, the BLM is evaluating the courts ruling.

Protecting conservation area ecology

In his ruling, Brain directly disputed Simms point  a point that BLM as a whole also made throughout the court case. The 1988 law doesnt support the position that Congress wanted to preserve the river as i was then, the judge ruled.

The statute did not couple hydrology with a date in time, it coupled hydrology with ecology, Brain wrote. The statute did not reserve water sufficient to maintain streamflow ... as it existed in 1988. It reserved water sufficient to protect the conservation area, he ruled.

Brain also noted that the BLM and Freeport presented extensive testimony to back their differing views of which period of record best represents the rivers long-term flow. The two parties also disagreed whether the long-term drought that has plagued this region since the middle-1990s makes the 1981-2015 period less representative of historical river flows.

But Brain dismissed those issues as irrelevant also, saying the most important question is how much water is needed in the river to protect the conservation areas ecology.

Looking at the rivers riparian habitat of cottonwoods and willows, and after discussing several studies of the rivers habitat, he concluded, The riparian area has improved quantitatively and qualitatively since 1988. River flows in that time have been enough to protect its highest quality habitats, he wrote.

Monitoring wells cant drop further?

The judge sided with the bureau clearly, however, on how deep nine government-run monitoring wells lying along the river should be allowed to drop.

On all but one of those wells, the water levels set by the ruling mean those eight wells now will either have to be kept higher than the levels BLM recommended, or drop by only a very small distance from the bureaus recommended level..

Silver said his personal comparison found that the current water levels in the eight wells are at roughly the same level as the judge will allow them to drop to  meaning they wont be allowed to drop at all.

On that issue, clearly, We won. This is what we were asking for, said Tricia Gerrodette, a longtime Sierra Vista environmentalist who has followed this case closely. and attended most of the trial on it.

While the government lost on what time period on which the water right will be based, just to get a ruling was exciting, Gerrodette said.

What the ruling didnt make clear was exactly how much water the conservation area is entitled to. In the BLMs legal claim, it requested water rights ranging from 15,900 acre-feet to about 30,000 acre-feet per year, as measured at three stream gauges on the river.

It sought another 2,015 acre-feet annually at a fourth stream gauge on the Babocamari River, a tributary. For comparison, Tucson Water delivers around 100,000 acre-feet of water per year to its customers.

The judge, however, didnt set a specific numerical water right. He awarded the conservation area the right to monthly flow amounts at each stream gauge. That amount will be based on the median rate of each days average flow over a month, based on river flows between 1981 and 2015. The median is the point at which 50% of flows are above and 50% are below it.

The water right is for protection of the riparian area and the aquatic, wildlife, archeological, paleontological, scientific, cultural, educational and recreation resources of the conservation area, the judge ruled.

Activist Silver said he calculated on his own how the judges formulas for determining required river water rights would translate into actual numbers. Using those formulas, all four stream gauges would actually be entitled to as much or significantly more water rights than what the BLM had originally requested, he said.

Despite the efforts by Sierra Vista and other opponents of San Pedro water rights to deny the river its due water, it looks like the river did quite well, he said. He acknowledged that the government will have to carry out its own calculations to set an official, numerical water right for the conservation area.

Enforcement: A big unknown

Not clear at this point is how effectively this ruling will be enforced.

The Department of the Interior would have to enforce it for the BLM, through the (Interior) Solicitors office. Im not very optimistic about the prospects for enforcement, Simms said. Its a long shot that they will take offenders to court, which would be municipal water suppliers who increase their use, or any other entities.

The first thing to do is you have to pick out who you are going to court against. You have to show who is the offender. You cant take everyone in the county or the entire Upper Basin to court, he said. Whos the problem? Is it 1,000 single-family homeowners and their private wells, or is it municipalities, or both? It gets into a can of worms on who you shut down.

Also, wells owned by individuals in rural Cochise County, unlike those of urban users, arent metered, so we dont know how much people are using.

But the more specific a definition is ultimately given to the actual water right number, the more numbers are attached to it, the stronger Robins case becomes for saying the more recent pumpers are interfering with that water right, Glennon said of Silver, a founder and board chairman of the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity.
An environmental coalition is making the third effort in 35 years to secure state management of groundwater for the beloved but hotly contested San Pedro River.

Calling itself the San Pedro Alliance, the group asked the Arizona Department of Water Resources late Wednesday to create a state-run Active Management Area to oversee and protect groundwater resources in the Upper San Pedro River Basin.

What we want it to accomplish is that the basin will be at safe yield. That is defined as no more groundwater is being withdrawn than is being replaced annually, said Robin Silver, leader of the alliance and a founder of the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity.

The river basin has been in a deficit situation for decades, with more groundwater pumped every year than is replenished by rainfall, artificially recharged sewage effluent, storm water and other sources.

The size of the deficit has declined substantially since the 1990s. But many scientists, environmentalists and studies have continued to warn that the river could eventually dry up if the deficit isnt eliminated.

If an Active Management Area is created for the San Pedro basin, it will be the seventh of its kind in the state. Five such areas, including one in the Tucson area, were created with passage of the pioneering Arizona Groundwater Management Act in 1980.

Last November, voters in the Douglas area approved a referendum to create a sixth management area, for the Douglas Basin. Voters in the Willcox area turned down creation of a water management scheme at that election for the Willcox Basin.

Likely opponents in Sierra Vista

The San Pedro Alliance petition will likely be opposed by many community leaders in the Sierra Vista area, including officials of the Upper San Pedro Partnership. Thats a nonprofit group representing 15 federal, state and local agencies, along with a realtors group, a major local developer, and other conservation groups not affiliated with the alliances effort. The partnership has sought to preserve the river without resorting to mandatory curbs on water use or limits on population growth.

Robert Glennon, a retired University of Arizona law professor who has extensively researched water issues and criticized what he sees as excessive water use across the state, is non-committal about an Active Management Area for the San Pedro Basin.

It is a blank slate today about what kinds of powers such an area will have, he said, adding, Its hard to say if an AMA is good or bad without knowing what this one will do.

The Upper San Pedro Basin stretches from Arizonas border with Mexico to an area of the river north of Benson known as the Narrows. It covers more than 1,700 square miles, making it larger than Rhode Island and more than 80% of the size of Delaware.

It includes the cities of Sierra Vista, Bisbee and Tombstone and covers the entire length of the 40-mile-long San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. That area was created by Congress in 1988 to protect the river from future degradation.

Lacking any dams or diversions, the San Pedro is the last remaining free-flowing desert river in the Southwest. The river has long had global recognition as prime habitat for birds, mammals and other wildlife.

Pressures on aquifer

But urban and rural growth along the river have put pressure on the areas groundwater aquifer.

Conservation measures and major retirements of farmland in the area have shrunk the deficit from 15,000 acre-feet annually a generation ago, to about 5,100 acre-feet in 2015, to around 3,800 acre-feet as of 2020. But existing statistical margins of error in the deficit calculations are large enough to make the real difference between 5,100 acre-feet and 3,800 acre-feet meaningless, Silver said.

In 1988 and again in 2005, ADWR rejected efforts by the Sierra Club and the San Pedro Alliance, respectively, to get an Active Management Area declared for the Upper San Pedro Basin.

In 2005, then-ADWR Director Herb Guenther wrote that creation of an AMA for the basin wasnt necessary because there are sufficient groundwater supplies to meet the future needs of municipal, industrial and agricultural water users.

Glennon observed, If Robin thinks that this petition is going to get a different reception from (current ADWR Director) Tom Buschatzke and DWR, what is it in his presentation that will turn heads at DWR and make them want to create an AMA when twice before they refused?

Silver said his response to that question is contained in the petition he submitted to ADWR.

In the petition, the San Pedro Alliance said ADWRs 2005 decision ignored the federal governments use of river water in the federally run San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. It includes a two-mile-wide area along the river, running from the Mexican border to just south of Benson.

The river has a congressionally assigned right to river water, the petition noted.

The petition also cited what it said was ADWRs approval of the drilling of more than 1,800 new wells in the San Pedro Basin since 2005.

It also cited the states finding that an adequate, 100-year water supply exists in the basin for the nearly 7,000-home Tribute development in Sierra Vista  a project that Silver himself tried unsuccessfully to stop in court.

It also mentioned the proposed 28,000-home Villages at Vigneto project in Benson, lying about 4 miles west of the river. That projects approval under the Clean Water Act was suspended in 2021, but a U.S. Supreme Court decision this year is likely to free Vigneto from the acts authority over development along the normally dry streams running through the project site.

The alliance also cited an acknowledgment by the Upper San Pedro Partnership in 2014 that it hadnt met a commitment it made and that Congress had ordered in the 2000s to eliminate the basins groundwater deficit by 2011. That year, the deficit was about 5,100 acre-feet.

The only way the river is going to survive is if there is a way to enforce what has already been promised by the locals, Silver said. The only way to enforce that is with an AMA. Theres no other mechanism to enforce it.

City manager disputes need

In reply, Sierra Vista City Manager Chuck Potucek, who chairs the partnerships administrative committee, said, An AMA really does nothing to help improve conditions in the river. Based on everything we have done and we are doing, I think we are held to a higher standard here already than other places in the state.

He posed the question of which of the existing Active Management Areas have met their goals of ending groundwater overdrafts by 2025, as set by the state groundwater law. A 2021 report from an Arizona State University water research group found none of them but the Tucson Active Management Area have come close to achieving safe yield.

That report, citing information provided by ADWR, noted the Tucson area has reached safe yield on and off in recent years, but said that achievement would clearly be threatened if major cuts to the Central Arizona Project canal system occur due to continually shrinking water supplies on the Colorado River from which CAP water comes.

Our numbers are so much of a pittance compared with those places, Potucek said of the San Pedro Basins groundwater deficit compared to those in the Phoenix, Tucson, Prescott and Pinal County AMAs. The U.S. Geological Surveys estimate of a 3,800 acre-foot deficit in 2020 is an old number. he said. I have a feeling it is less.

Sierra Vista has done a lot of work on building codes to require Environmental Protection Agency-certified, water-saving plumbing fixtures in new homes. Plus, the citys population now is growing less than 1% a year. We dont have growth thats driving deficits here, Potucek said.

Cochise County has since 2002 operated an effluent recharge project near the river in an area northeast of Sierra Vista, he said. Authorities have also created two projects to capture and recharge storm water for the river north and south of the effluent project, known as the Environmental Operations Park. More such projects are planned.

The deficit  its a metric, a number we need to keep working on, Potucek said. The focus of a lot of our efforts continues to be on conservation, trying to get these projects going.

Silver, however, noted that in a ruling last month establishing a numerical water right for the rivers conservation area, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Mark Brain was skeptical that the existence of such projects would eliminate the need for federally guaranteed water rights.

New court rulings impact

Over the multi-year course of the case Brain decided, agencies and companies that opposed federal efforts to quantify the conservation areas water rights said either that the recharge projects make that unnecessary, or that the feds should take these projects into account in their calculation of river water rights.

Brain, however, wrote, Given that the relevant entities cannot guarantee that their efforts will continue in perpetuity, or that their recharge efforts will maintain the groundwater levels, the recharge efforts cannot serve as a substitute for a guaranteed water right.

If thats the case, the recharge projects also cant serve as a substitute for state management of the river, Silver said.

The San Pedro Partnerships chairman, Bisbee Mayor Ken Budge, said theres not always a direct connection between the rivers groundwater deficit status and its long-term health.

You cant just assume because theres more pumping than recharge, that means the river will run dry. There are many mitigation projects that have occurred and are occurring, and weve planned more, that will start (replenishing) the San Pedro, said Budge.

Its important to protect our water and keep the river viable, said Budge, who said he spoke for himself and not the entire partnership. Its such a great flyway and an important ecological part of Southern Arizona.

But creating an Active Management Area wont necessarily help the river survive, he said.

The deficit figure does not necessarily directly connect with groundwater running into the river, versus whats happening hundreds and hundreds of feet below the ground. Its much more complicated than that, he said.

Tricia Gerrodette, president of another conservation group, the San Pedro 100, countered, There really is quite a direct connection. The wells that are near to former agricultural wells that pumped huge amounts of water have indeed started to rise in some cases. And other large wells have slowed their rate of decline but Im not aware of many wells in the regional aquifer that are no longer declining.
NEW YORK  President Joe Biden raised "hard issues," including protecting the "checks and balances" in a democracy, in a Wednesday meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pushing the Israeli leader to find a compromise on a judicial overhaul that has set off months of mass protests in Israel and concerns in Washington.

Biden also raised concerns about the far-right Israeli government's treatment of the Palestinians, urging Netanyahu to take steps to improve conditions in the West Bank at a time of heightened violence in the occupied territory.

The two leaders sat down to chat one-on-one on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. It was their first meeting since Netanyahu took office at the helm of his country's far-right government late last year.

Relations have cooled since Netanyahu returned to office with a coalition of ultra-Orthodox and ultranationalist partners.

His new government has stepped up construction in West Bank settlements, angering the U.S., and pressed ahead with its contentious judicial overhaul plan despite deep divisions at home and criticism from the U.S. and other allies.

Netanyahu tried to play down concerns about the plan, saying there is "one thing that will never change and that is Israel's commitment to democracy." Biden opened the meeting by stressing the U.S. friendship with Israel as being "ironclad" and saying that "without Israel, there's not a Jew in the world who is secure. Israel is essential." But Biden also acknowledged the tensions with Netanyahu's government and its policies.

"We're going to discuss some of the hard issues, that is upholding democratic values that lie at the heart of our partnership, including the checks and balances in our systems," Biden said. He said they would also talk about a path to a negotiated two-state solution with Palestinians and "ensuring that Iran never, never acquires a nuclear weapon."

A senior Biden administration official said Biden pushed Netanyahu to find a compromise on his planned changes to the Israeli court system. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private meeting, did not want to characterize Netanyahu's reaction to what Biden said, only that the Israeli leader understood the need for a compromise.

Israeli media, citing a senior official, said Netanyahu assured Biden he was seeking a compromise.Netanyahu made similar pledges in recent months while pushing ahead with the plan, drawing accusations from his opponents that he is not negotiating in good faith. His coalition pushed the first major piece of the legislation through parliament in July.

The location of the long-anticipated meeting  a New York hotel on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly meetings rather than the grandeur of the Oval Office  has been widely interpreted in Israel as a sign of U.S. displeasure with Netanyahu's new government.

Netanyahu has been a frequent White House visitor over the years, and Israeli leaders are typically invited within weeks of starting their tenure to the Oval Office. But his judicial proposals have raised concerns within Israel as well as the U.S. about his commitment to a democratic system.

Biden held out the possibility of the coveted Oval Office meeting, saying, "I hope we'll see each other in Washington by the end of the year." The U.S. later formally invited Netanyahu to the White House, eyeing a meeting in November or December.

Despite the cordiality between the two leaders, the Manhattan setting and Biden's past misgivings about Netanyahu's restructuring of the courts were signs of the strains in the alliance.

Biden has repeatedly raised concerns about Netanyahu's plan to overhaul Israel's judicial system.

Netanyahu says the country's unelected judges wield too much power over government decision-making. His plan seeks to give more authority to the ruling coalition in parliament, which he heads.

Critics say that by weakening the independent judiciary, Netanyahu is pushing Israel toward authoritarian rule.

The plan has divided the nation and led to months of mass protests against his government. Those demonstrations followed him to the United States, with large numbers of Israeli expatriates waving the country's flag in protest Wednesday in New York. Hundreds of Israelis also protested outside the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
Curtis Killman Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Curtis Killman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Glynn R. Simmons is ready to get on with living his life.

Once sentenced to death, Simmons is finally free from a 1974 murder case after an Oklahoma County judge on Tuesday dismissed charges against him at the request of prosecutors.

After spending 48 years behind bars, the 70-year-old Simmons had a message for the public Friday.

I just want to make it clear to the public that I am actually innocent, Simmons said while speaking to the media from his attorneys Tulsa office.

The court wouldnt say it  nobody would say it  but Im going to say it right here, right now, that I did 48 years for a crime that I didnt commit, Simmons said.

Simmons said he is now looking forward to living a healthy and prosperous life.

His attorney, Joe Norwood, said Simmons is the longest-serving exonerated man in U.S. history, under guidelines established by the National Registry of Exonerations maintained at the University of Michigan.

Simmons was released from prison on bond in July after a judge vacated his judgment and life prison sentence.

Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna opted not to refile charges against Simmons, citing a variety of factors, including the lack of physical evidence and the unavailability of witnesses and detectives involved in the 1970s-era prosecution.

An Oklahoma County jury convicted Simmons and his co-defendant, Don Roberts, of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Carolyn Sue Rogers during a 1974 Edmond liquor store robbery.

Both Simmons and Roberts were sentenced to death. Their sentences were modified to life in prison after the U.S. Supreme Court in 1977 ruled the death penalty unconstitutional. Roberts was paroled in 2008.

In April, Behenna requested that the court vacate Simmons judgment and sentence after uncovering evidence that could have benefited him. The evidence was found while preparing for an evidentiary hearing.

Norwood said he plans to ask a court to make the finding that Simmons is actually innocent.

Its purely a finding we are going to move forward for, Norwood said, for compensation purposes.

Under Oklahoma tort law, if Simmons is found actually innocent by a jury or through an agreement with the state, he would be eligible to collect up to $175,000 from the state.

That comes down to about $2,000 for every year that he did, Norwood said, which obviously is grossly inadequate.

Norwood said a civil rights lawsuit likely will be filed on Simmons behalf.

But while Norwood said he plans to seek compensation from the state on behalf of his client, he said Simmons has more immediate needs that wont wait.

Any compensation (from the state) is uncertain, and its in the future, Norwood said.

For Glynn to be able to survive, pay his rent, food, clothing and so forth, he is going to have to rely on the generosity of other people at this point, Norwood said.

My immediate needs is food, clothing and shelter, Simmons said. Ive been in for 48 years, and they dumped me out with nothing, absolutely nothing.

A crowdfunding campaign at gofundme.com/f/glynnrsimmons has a goal of $50,000.

<&rule>

The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today.(tncms-asset)0c1de648-52fb-11ee-aa88-87df419c3c87[0](/tncms-asset)
Anna Codutti Tulsa World Breaking News Editor Follow Anna Codutti Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

A Broken Arrow police officer is on administrative leave after being charged Friday in Wagoner County in relation to an attack on a dog.

Officer William Roy Golden, 31, faces a felony charge of cruelty to animals as well as a misdemeanor charge of outraging public decency. A warrant was issued for Goldens arrest, with bail set at $10,000, court records show.

The Wagoner County Sheriffs Office investigation began earlier this month after video showed an officer, later identified as Golden, using his police-issued weapons on a dog that had jumped into his vehicle in his driveway.

The allegations are serious, and we are committed to fully cooperating with the District Attorneys Office, BAPD spokesman Ethan Hutchins said in a news release Friday.

An internal investigation into the officers actions will be delayed, upon legal advice, pending the outcome of Goldens criminal case.

We share the communitys concern and appreciate your understanding that due process is necessary and takes time to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation, Hutchins said.

Witnesses reportedly said the 4-year-old English bulldog was struck, kicked, pepper-sprayed and tased, according to a probable cause affidavit.

While the incident was being caught on video as witnesses attempted to intervene, Golden reportedly drew his service firearm from its holster and pointed it at the dog.

In an interview with detectives, Golden reportedly said he was angry and frustrated but didnt know why he drew the gun.

The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today.
The senior Russian military leadership is still in shock over the catastrophic losses they suffered since they invaded Ukraine in early 2022. These losses are a military secret in Russia but widely distributed and discussed in the West. So far Russia has lost 279,000 troops (dead, permanently disabled, prisoners, deserters and missing), 13,000 armored vehicles (a third of them tanks), 7,000 artillery systems and over 8,000 unarmored transport vehicles used to carry troops, supplies, fuel, munitions and equipment. The loss of so many trucks has caused delays in supplying the troops and frequent shortages of essential supplies.

There were also heavy losses of command posts and field headquarters. The Ukrainians have the ability to rapidly locate and attack Russian command posts and headquarters which appear in the combat zone. The heavy and constant losses of these crucial Russian C2 (command and control) facilities led to a breakdown in the ability to effectively deploy and control combat units. Russian soldiers who were captured complained of supply shortages, the lack of prompt or any treatment for casualties as well as not reporting the names of soldiers who died so their families would know what happened to their kin and claim death benefits. There was such a shortage of officers that troops often went days or weeks without seeing an officer. Even communication by radio was often absent. While cellphones were forbidden in the combat soldiers, many Russian soldiers had them and used them to report the lack of leadership, supplies and much else in the combat zone. Ukrainian intelligence has long monitored these calls and reported useful information to front line commanders and those who plan attacks with missiles or artillery.

Eventually the Russians did respond to these problems and addressed some of them. Front line command posts were housed in underground bunkers and communications went by wires laid on the ground to troops and higher headquarters. The wire was vulnerable to accidental cuts or deliberate attack. Meanwhile the Ukrainians had access to encrypted wireless communications via the Starlink satellite system. Russia would sometimes use electronic jammers to disrupt the Starlink signal, but the jammers could not operate long because their jamming signal could be located and attacked by missiles, artillery or even ground attack. Nothing like heavy machine-gun and mortar fire from nearby Ukrainian troops to shut down or destroy a Russian jamming effort.

Russian critics also point out that the government does not send enough Krasnopol laser-guided artillery shells to Ukraine. Krasnopol, and a smaller 120mm version for mortars, have been used a lot in Ukraine, but Ukrainian countermeasures are reducing the effectiveness of Krasnopol. The vulnerability is the need for troops on the ground or a UAV equipped with a laser designator to mark targets with laser light that Krasnopol can home in on. No laser designators mean no Krasnopol. The Russians based their Krasnopol on an earlier (1970s) American version called Copperhead. The Americans considered laser guided shells inadequate and introduced GPS guided shells in 2007. The Americans sent Ukraine these GPS guided shells and they gave Ukrainian artillery an edge when it came to destroying Russian artillery. In general, Russian artillery, fire control and counterbattery (destroying enemy artillery with artillery fire) tactics have been inferior to what Ukraine has. This has not nullified Russian artillery but has made it less effective. The Ukrainians have destroyed far more Russian artillery systems than they have lost to Russian artillery fire. This has made Russian artillerymen overly cautious in combat and concentrate on protecting their artillery at the expense of firing at the Ukrainians. This has led to a lot of complaints from Russian troops about the frequent absence of artillery support.

The Ukrainian troops still have supplies, medical care and regular communications with commanders and support services, especially artillery units. These disparities between Russian and Ukrainian forces have remained a major advantage for the Ukrainians and a frustrating lack of solutions for the Russians.
Former Tulsa priest Father Stanley Rother was named the first martyr and saint from the U.S. after he was murdered in 1981 in Guatemala.

His beatification ceremony was on this day in 2017 in Oklahoma City.

A martyr is someone who dies out of odium fidei, or hatred for the faith, said said Diocese of Tulsa Bishop David Konderla. If Rother had been killed in an accident, he would not be considered a martyr.

But Rother was murdered for speaking out in favor of the poor and marginalized who were being oppressed at the time, he said.

Its a big deal for us, Konderla said at the time.

Its a relatively rare thing. Heres this guy from Okarche, Oklahoma, a farm boy, who struggled so badly with academics in seminary that he was dismissed after the first year, Konderla said.

He reapplies to a different seminary, finishes, and goes to Guatemala, to a people without a published language, manages to learn the language and then helps them translate the Bible into their language. Its kind of amazing.
Randy Krehbiel Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Randy Krehbiel Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Loggerheads: Third District Congressman Frank Lucas return to Washington, despite lingering physical limitations from his run-in with a bull several weeks ago, likely gives House leadership one more vote as it attempts to avert a shutdown of the federal government.

A big part of why I am frantic, even on one leg, to get back to the nations capitol, is to find a way to fund the government  pay the military, pay the government employees, fund the regular appropriations, Lucas told the Oklahoma Farm Report.

Lucas broke a hip and fractured his pelvis in several places Aug. 4 during an encounter with an ill-tempered bull on his Roger Mills County farm. He was off his feet for six weeks, Lucas said, and can move now only with a walker or wheelchair, although a full eventual recovery is expected.

Lucas is one of three Republicans who have been missing this month because of medical reasons. A fourth, Utahs Chris Stewart, resigned. The absences effectively eliminated the GOPs narrow majority.

U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who along with the rest of the Senate has had to stand back and wait for the House to act, was even stronger in urging resolution.

No one wants a shutdown, Mullin told CNBC. There may be a few outliers in the House. In the Senate, doesnt matter Republican or Democrat  we want to avoid this shutdown however we can.

This is Mullins first year in the Senate after 10 years in the House. He knows well many of those deeply involved in the House negotiations, and particularly Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California. The two are close, in part because of McCarthys consideration after Mullins son Jim had a serious neck and head injury and underwent intensive physical therapy in McCarthys home town.

Speaker McCarthy  is working with his members to get the most conservative bill that they can pass that can also be passed in the Senate that can be signed by President Biden, Mullin said.

He said Republicans have to be practical and in some cases less self-serving. He particularly singled out Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz as someone more about promoting himself than he is moving policy forward.

Youve got to be practical, Mullin said. (Gaetz) is more focused on a motion to (replace McCarthy than he is about moving policy that can get signed into law.

In that same vein, 4th District Congressman Tom Cole, chairman of the Rules Committee, said some members tactics amounted to blackmail.

After overseeing the grunt work of getting last weeks legislation through the Rules Committee only to see it stall out, Cole had to stay behind Friday while most of the House went home and ramrod yet another set of rules as McCarthy changed tact to a series of regular appropriations bills instead of a continuing resolution.

First District Congressman Kevin Hern and the 5th Districts Stephanie Bice were involved in the proposals that never quite crossed the finish line.

Bice was one of the negotiators of a continuing resolution that would have traded 8% cuts to just about everything except defense for a 31-day continuing resolution. Despite initial support for the proposal, it twice failed a procedural vote, with a handful of Republicans joining Democrats to keep it off the floor.

Hern proposed top-line spending of $1.47 trillion, which is in line with the budget bill passed by House Republicans in January and promptly spiked by the Senate.

For a while there seemed to be some support for Sen. James Lankfords bill to basically keep Congress in session until it passes a budget, but it never made it to the floor.

Under Lankfords bill, which has been around for several years, failure to pass budget authorization would trigger 14-day continuing resolutions but also impose restrictions on Congress, including travel, until one is adopted.

There are hard adult conversations that need to happen, Lankford told CBS News. But having a government shutdown and imposing hardship on other people is not the way to do it.

Hard choice: Mullin said he has mixed feelings about Majority Leader Chuck Schumers decision to suspend the Senates dress code.

Mullin has often said he didnt own a suit until he was elected to Congress in 2012. In the state, he typically wears starched jeans and white shirts with a blue sport coat.

Theres a side of me thats super excited about it because I hate wearing a tie and Id rather be in blue jeans and a pair of boots and a white T-shirt, Mullin said on Fox Business. But the fact is that you do dress for the job. And we need to be respectful of the position we hold.

Although he hasnt said so, its generally believed that Schumer dropped the dress code for Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman, who favors shorts and hooded sweat shirts.

Dots and dashes: As chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, Lucas worried about what he said are overly political criteria for grants from the $52.7 billion CHIPS and Science Act.  Lucas bill to bring more scrutiny to sales of U.S. agricultural land to foreign interests made it through the Financial Services Committee with bipartisan support.  The median age of U.S. senators is 65, the highest ever.

 Randy Krehbiel, Tulsa World

The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today.
Vietnam and the U.S. have announced their intention to bolster cooperation in the fields of science, technology, digital innovation, semiconductor manufacturing, and chip production, creating ample opportunities for Vietnamese tech firms to establish a strong presence in global supply chains.

This cooperation is poised to present significant opportunities for the development of Vietnams domestic semiconductor sector, Vo Xuan Hoai, deputy director of the Vietnam National Innovation Center (NIC), said in an interview with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

The NIC has inked numerous memoranda of understanding with U.S. partners during Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs ongoing week-long visit to the U.S. for the high-level General Debate of the 78th United Nations General Assembly.

Vietnam has identified science, technology, and innovation as the driving forces for its development. Consequently, collaboration with the U.S. is expected to hasten the transformation of Vietnams development model and promote economic restructuring that aligns with green, sustainable, and inclusive principles.

The partnership between Vietnam and the U.S. is extremely promising, partly due to its potential to empower Vietnamese enterprises in their quest for integration into the global supply chains of U.S. tech giants and for the expansion of their operations into the U.S. market.

According to Hoai, the partnership between the two countries can facilitate investment and R&D activities for both Vietnamese and American enterprises, thus fostering a suitable environment for growth and sustainable development within the technology sector.

Nevertheless, its critical that Vietnamese enterprises satisfy specific requirements and standards to secure a foothold in the global supply chains of U.S. enterprises. These include improving competitiveness, investing in R&D, enhancing product and service quality, complying with intellectual property regulations, effective data management, and putting a focus on innovation.

Perhaps most important, Vietnamese enterprises must gain support from the government.

Vo Xuan Hoai, deputy director of the Vietnam National Innovation Center

Currently, Vietnamese technology companies are strategically positioned for collaboration with their U.S. counterparts. The countrys geographical position in the heart of Southeast Asia allows it to serve as a pivotal link between U.S. tech firms and the Southeast Asian market.

Additionally, the low cost of its large, highly skilled IT workforce and rapidly improving digital infrastructure serve as major advantages in comparison to the countrys neighbors.

Thanks to the emergence of large, homegrown e-commerce fintech firms, Vietnams digital economy is poised for the fastest growth in Southeast Asia, forecasted at 31 percent for 2022-25. This positions the countrys enterprises as potential top-tier suppliers for tech giants, such as Foxconn and Luxshare.

According to Hoai, there is immense competition to supply these firms and it is heavily dependent on the ability of would-be suppliers to flexibly manage projects, deliver products, and continuously improve and invest in the capabilities of their R&D departments.

On Tuesday, the NIC signed a cooperative agreement with Cadence Design Systems, an American computational software multinational, to design and produce chips in Vietnam. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh participated in the signing event.

The center also inked a deal with Arizona State University to develop human resources for Vietnams semiconductor industry.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education and Training entered into an agreement with Intel to cultivate a skilled workforce for the hi-tech sector.

According to Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, these agreements mark the commencement of a deeper partnership in the semiconductor industry between Vietnamese and U.S. organizations.

In his statements, Dung affirmed that Vietnams capacity to cultivate the semiconductor industry and develop a workforce of 50,000 engineers for the sector by 2030.

Employees at work at Dien Quang Hi-Tech Co. Ltd. at the Saigon Hi-Tech Park in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

Thomas Vallely, chairman of Fulbright Vietnam Universitys board of trustees, emphasized that the elevation of Vietnam-U.S. relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership will pave the way for cooperation in science and technology, specifically in the chip and semiconductor sector.

According to Vallely, it is possible for Vietnam to take over some of the phases in large semiconductor projects currently underway by U.S. firms.

Specifically, inking deals to manage assembly and packaging will allow Vietnamese enterprises to forge relationships with chip giants from Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea.

However, competition among companies from countries looking to make similar moves is intense, and Vietnam must ensure a stable energy supply for semiconductor factories in order to prevent power outages, such as those experienced by the northern region earlier this year.

The countrys growing need for engineers in the semiconductor and IT industries has prompted local universities to offer programs to meet ongoing demands, Vallely said.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh witnesses the signing of a cooperative agreement between Vietnamese and U.S. enterprises. Photo: NIC

Vietnam embraces cooperation with U.S. giants

According to Tran Ba Linh, general manager of Dien Quang Hi-Tech Co. Ltd., U.S. tech firms investing in Vietnam will need local firms with available factories, human resources, production lines, technology, and machines that can be outsourced.

Dien Quang is prepared to join U.S. supply chains and is willing to outsource products which meet the standards of major firms, Linh said.

The company already has personnel, including R&D engineers and designers who have researched and developed products and equipment for various hi-tech sectors.

Engineers of Real-time Robotics Vietnam Company in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City design a drone motherboard for AI systems serving rescue efforts and agricultural production. Photo: Tu Trung / Tuoi Tre

According to Luu Anh Tuan, chairman of Viet Nam Rare Earth Joint Stock Company, domestic enterprises can satisfy the requirements of U.S. tech firms.

The semiconductor industry needs many supporting companies. Vietnamese companies can initially support U.S. groups before becoming key factors in their supply chains.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A number of textile-garment businesses in Vietnam have encountered a decline in orders as well as a shortfall of workers, said Pham Thi Xuan Trang, chairwoman of the Textile and Apparel Association of southern Binh Duong Province on Thursday.

When textile-garment companies earlier received abundant orders for export, their employees could opt to work overtime and earned monthly incomes ranging between VND12 million (US$494.14) and VND13 million ($535.05), enabling them to make both ends meet, Trang told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper the same day at the ongoing ITCPE Vietnam Texprint 2023, taking place in Binh Duong from Thursday to Saturday this week.

At present, most businesses in the field have received a falling number of orders, resulting in pay and working hour cuts facing2 workers.

With their salaries reduced to VND5-7 million ($205.79-288.22) per month, workers were struggling to cover living expenses.

Consequently, many of them had no choice but to leave large cities for their hometown, Trang said.

She expressed her hope that export orders could rebound early next year.

Pham Thi Xuan Trang, chairwoman of the Textile and Apparel Association of southern Binh Duong Province, expressed her hope that textile-garment export orders could rebound early next year. Photo: Ba Son / Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Thai Hung, vice-chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association, said the lack of orders will likely prevent the countrys textile-garment sector from fulfilling its outbound sales target for 2023.

In the January-August period this year, the sector booked an estimated $26.2 billion in export revenue, dipping over 16 percent year on year. Its whole-year revenue could be lower than expected, at $39.5-40 billion.

The textile-garment sector still remained one of the most important economic sectors in the country, with its export revenue reaching $44 billion last year.

It is also the most labor-intensive sector with around 7,000 companies employing nearly three million people.

Regarding the ITCPE Vietnam Texprint 2023, it features about 200 booths introducing advanced technology products and equipment for the following industries: textile, printing and embroidery, clothing processing, fabric production, textile products and raw materials, printing on wood and ceramic materials.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Several enterprises from South Korea and Japan were granted investment certificates on Friday to develop FDI projects at industrial parks in the northern port city of Hai Phong, with a total pledged capital reaching nearly US$1.4 billion.

The investment certificate handover ceremony was attended by Le Tien Chau, secretary of the municipal Party Committee.

The Hai Phong Economic Zone Management Board presented an investment certificate to Ecovane, a subsidiary of the South Korean chemicals maker SKC, to develop a hi-tech biodegradable material factory project worth $500 million.

Other key projects receiving the certificates at the event included a BW ready-built factory worth $60 million and a $40-million auto parts manufacturing plant by Chinas CCTY Bearing Company.

Besides, Japan's Kyocera Document Solutions Inc was approved to pour an additional $237.5 million into its machine and equipment manufacturing plant project, raising the projects total investment to $425 million.

The municipal Economic Zone Management Board also finished the selection of investors for two social housing projects worth a combined $400 million, whose work is expected to begin this year.

Once completed, the social housing projects will offer more than 8,000 apartments to around 22,000 people, contributing to the citys efforts to ensure social security and stable accommodations for low-income employees.

Hai Phong City in northern Vietnam attracted an additional US$1.4 billion of foreign capital in September 2023. Photo: Tien Thang / Tuoi Tre

In the year to September 20, industrial parks and economic zones in Hai Phong had attracted roughly $3.1 billion of investment, reaching 120 percent of its 2023 target, said Le Trung Kien, head of the citys Economic Zone Management Board.

Up to now, over 1,000 FDI projects worth a combined $28 billion have been developed in this northern port city, which granted investment certificates to 45 FDI projects with a total pledged capital of nearly $2.1 billion and 11 DDI (domestic direct investment) projects with a total cost of some $600 million last month.

The citys Economic Zone Management Board previously had a working session with South Koreas Chungbuk Free Economic Zone, which sought to cooperate with businesses active in Hai Phong as well as support them in technology transfers and human resources training.

The investment in semiconductor technology in Hai Phong is expected to advance further as SKC, the chemical unit of South Koreas SK Group, inked a memorandum of understanding with Hai Phong to study the investment environment for advanced semiconductor materials, secondary batteries, and some other eco-friendly materials.

SK Group is the second-largest conglomerate in South Korea, just after Samsung, focusing on four main areas including energy and chemicals; telecommunications; semiconductors and other advanced materials; pharmaceuticals and logistics services, according to the Hai Phong Economic Zone Management Board.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Southern Vietnams Ho Chi Minh City and the northeastern American city of New York signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the twinning relationship at a ceremony in New York on Friday.

The signing was made between Phan Van Mai, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City administration and New York Mayor Eric Adams, in the presence of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who are in the U.S. city to attend the General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

This MoU on twinning ties is of great significance to both cities as the two countries have recently upgraded their bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, Mai told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

This is not only symbolic but also demonstrates a strong commitment to promoting comprehensive, substantive and effective cooperation between the two countries at all levels, Mai commented.

I hope the sister relationship will serve as a solid and favorable foundation for bilateral cooperation programs between Ho Chi Minh City and New York City within the new relationship framework, the Vietnamese citys mayor said.

The new ties will facilitate businesses of both cities in strengthening cooperation and expanding their markets, he added.

The mayor stated that the two cities have many similarities and great potential to promote cooperation, adding that each city has its own role in its home country.

New York, with a population of about nine million people, approximately that of Ho Chi Minh City, is among the leading financial, commercial, cultural centers of the U.S. and the world.

Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City, as the economic engine as well as the economic, cultural and scientific and technical hub of Vietnam, is on the way to become a leading metropolis in the region, Mai said.

As both are large cities, they are facing a lot of challenges in terms of urban administration and environment, prompting the two sides to launch cooperation programs to address such challenges, the mayor added.

Based on the MoU, Mai hoped that the two cities would focus on promoting the exchange of experience and cooperation in the fields of economics, finance, culture, environment, science, technology, innovation and education.

In the immediate future, I propose cooperation in training high-quality human resources, setting up an innovation center and an international financial center in Ho Chi Minh City to lay a foundation for an extensive cooperation framework between the two cities and both countries, Mai suggested.

The twinning between Ho Chi Minh City and New York City will bring many benefits to both, supporting Ho Chi Minh City in realizing its goal of becoming a regional and international financial center.

The city will learn from New Yorks experience in building, managing and operating a financial center, and the two sides will exchange experience in new areas such as green finance and cyber security.

The twinning will help Ho Chi Minh further attract investment from New York firms and get access to funding from investment funds and banks of New York.

Through educational and cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, I believe that the people of the two cities will have more and more opportunities to meet, enhance bilateral understanding, cultivate knowledge and build trust for peace, cooperation and development, Mai stated.

After the twinning ceremony, Mayor Adams and PM Chinh had a meeting, in which the American city leader affirmed that he will take steps to support Ho Chi Minh City, contributing to the efforts to make it a strong financial center in the region and the world.

Adams also promised to strengthen the ties with Vietnam in general, especially in creative innovation, environmental protection, and youth exchanges, among others.

PM Chinh expressed his pleasure at the MoU signing, considering it a vivid testament to the good relationship between Vietnam and the U.S. in general and between localities of the two countries in particular, and hopes to see more similar relationships in the near future.

Ho Chi Minh City is once again the first locality to establish a twinned relationship with an American locality in the context of the two countries making a strong landmark in their ties.

Previously in 1995, the city twinned with San Francisco when the two countries normalized diplomatic relations.

Ho Chi Minh City currently has twinning relations with more than 50 localities all over the world, which are both a resource and a driving force for the city to develop and further reach out to the world.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Vietnams Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed five solutions for the world to overcome current challenges and promote peace, cooperation and prosperous development at a high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday.

The PM released his proposals while speaking before over 140 heads of state and government at the General Debate of the 78th Session of the UNGA conducted in New York, the U.S.

PM Chinh commented that the world is facing serious crises of trust, multilateral cooperation, principles and resources, and only trust, sincerity and solidarity on a global scale, with the UNs central role and the active participation of all countries, will help the international community jointly solve difficulties and overcome challenges successfully, promoting peace, cooperation and prosperity around the world.

He called for the worlds leaders to join hands to carry out five global solutions to address such crises for the common interest of every nation.

The first solution is reinforcement of sincerity, trust and responsibilities among all countries, in which the worlds powers play a very important role.

The second is a global solution to foster solidarity, international cooperation, and multilateralism, along with promoting the central role of the UN and supporting plans for the Sustainable Development Goals.

Thirdly is to adopt an all-people solution to promote the central role of people in all policy planning processes and actions of every country, ensuring no one is left behind.

Fourth, it is necessary to promote green economy, digital economy, circular economy, sharing economy and knowledge economy, along with boosting innovation and startups, removing trade and investment barriers, strengthening free trade agreements, and reforming international financial and monetary institutions.

The last is to open up, mobilize and effectively use resources while promoting self-reliance and self-strengthening, and bringing into play all potentials and strengths.

PM Chinh told the audience that Vietnam understands and appreciates the values of peace, cooperation and development as the country once experienced much pain, sacrifice, and loss from many wars as well as from the blockage and embargo during the last century.

With the spirit of putting aside the past, overcoming differences, promoting similarities and looking towards the future, with perseverance and tireless efforts, Vietnam has turned its former enemies into friends, shifted confrontations into dialogues, and converted opponents into partners.

The country has been considered by international friends as a model of cooperation, remedies and post-war reconciliation for the common development and prosperity of all parties, Chinh stated.

The Vietnamese leader also affirmed that Vietnam continues to maintain its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralization, through which Vietnam is always a good friend, a reliable partner of all countries and an active and responsible member of the international community.

Vietnam will contribute more strongly and responsibly to the United Nations' priorities, including further participation in peacekeeping, and striving to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

Vietnam will both ensure domestic food security and contribute to ensuring global food security, the PM pledged.

Recalling the development history and current position of the Southeast Asian region, Chinh affirmed his commitment to working with countries inside and outside the region to maintain peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation in the East Vietnam Sea on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

He called for resolving disputes and differences by peaceful and cooperative means, including fair diplomatic and legal processes, avoiding unilateral actions.

Upon completion of his 15-minute speech, many international friends congratulated Chinh, expressing their appreciation for Vietnams positive and responsible contributions to the world, as well as for the nations role and position in the region and on the international arena.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Documentary The Ringleader: The Case of the Bling Ring, directed by Erin Lee Carr (I Love You, Now Die: The Commonwealth V. Michelle Carter, At The Heart of Gold: Inside The USA Gymnastics Scandal), screens in early October.

In a candid, first-time interview with Rachel Lee, the so-called teenage mastermind behind a string of high-profile celebrity robberies in 2008 and 2009, the documentary examines the motivations of Lee and a group of her friends who broke into celebrity homes in Hollywood to ransack and steal, exploring the possible reasons behind her actions including mental health issues and addictions, as well as the climate of celebrity excess that fueled the teens, recontextualizing the events behind the sensational headlines.

In the mid-2000s, dozens of celebrity homes were burglarized and the crime ring behind it all was surprisingly unsophisticated  teenagers from Calabasas. At the centre of the controversy is 19-year-old Rachel Lee. According to her co-defendants, she led the burglaries at the homes of Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom, and Lindsay Lohan. Lee remained silent while the media and her former friends branded her the ringleader of a series of crimes that captured the cultures fascination.

Over 10 years later and following a prison sentence, Lee speaks for the first time intimately about her childhood and her role in the crime spree and outlines the culture of celebrity worship that prevailed in the early 2000s, when socialites and Hollywood stars flaunted their wealth and designer lifestyles on social media and popular reality shows. Driven by a need to be seen as a cool kid in high school and to emulate the lives of her idols, and using celebrity websites to track her victims whereabouts, Lee, along with her friends, targeted such bold-faced names as Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and Orlando Bloom, breaking into their homes and helping themselves to over three million dollars worth of watches, jewellery, designer clothing, and cash. Chronicling the months of burglaries, the drama that transpired in the aftermath of the arrests and prosecutions, and the subsequent casting of blame, The Ringleader: The Case of the Bling Ring sheds light on a culture that led troubled teenagers from a well to do California neighbourhood who nevertheless felt like outsiders, to covet, and believe they deserved, the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

Lee is joined by journalists Allen Salkin and Amy Kaufman, Deputy District Attorneys for L.A. County Christine Kee and Sarika Kim, burglary victim Eden Shizzle and Rachels father David Lee.

A Story Syndicate Production in association with Carr Lot Productions The Ringleader: The Case of the Bling Ring. Directed by Erin Lee Carr; producers, Erin Lee Carr, Dani Sloane; executive producers, Sandi Tan, Dan Cogan, Liz Garbus, Jon Bardin, Kate Barry. For HBO: executive producers, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, Sara Rodriguez.

Monday October 2 on Binge / 9:30pm on FOX Docos.
Youve gotta hand it to Writer, Director, Actor Kick Gurry (Sense 8, Barons, Edge of Tomorrow, Tangle). C*A*U*G*H*T is the most outrageous local comedy youll see this year.

Part knockabout comedy, part comedy of errors, it is a full-throttle assault of celebrity, social media and hostage misadventures.

The 630 series begins with imprisoned ADF soldier Rowdy (Ben OToole) offered a deal by the Minister of Defence (Erik Thomson) a secret mission to the war-torn Indo-Pacific island nation of Behati-Prinsloo to delete sensitive files from the phone of a princess.

Joining him on the covert operation are comms expert Phil (Alexander England), deep cover specialist Dylan (Kick Gurry), and beefy Albhanis (Lincoln Younes).

But the mission goes belly-up when they are captured by a troupe of freedom fighters who mistake them for Americans.

They are Shammi (Mel Jarnson) and Mamolo (Dorian Nkono) who, with their fearless leader Director Bustard (Fayssal Bazzi), sorta resemble Middle Eastern gunlords, initially intent on killing them -except that everybody loves Aussies.

Theyre fools, idiots, they think everything is a joke, Mamolo concedes.

Its up to the guile and nous of Rowdy to propose a convincing hostage video and share the freedom fighters message to the world. Its a ballsy move (fittingly, there is even nudity, prosthetic penis and arse-in-face to match the tenor of the mayhem).

Their hostage acting is, at least, more convincing than Johnny Depp and Amber Heard apologising for Pistol & Boo misdemeanours.

We want that tape to go viral.. this right here is how we change our lives, they insist.

In the middle of this frenzy are some wild cameos, several of which are distracting in their star power.

Youll spot Karl Stefanovic, Ally Langdon, Brooke Boney, Sarah Abo all in their Nine skins as news and breakfast presenters. Sean Penn (who is also an executive producer) plays himself as a visiting Hollywood star but Bryan Brown is an ocker Prime Minister, while Susan Sarandon is the US Secretary of State on zoom.

Its a tad confusing trying to discern who is playing themselves and who is a fictional character.

Matthew Fox is also a loud, chewing-gum US soldier joined by (Aussie actor) Jeremy Lindsay Taylor. Given the tale likes to pull the rug out from under you I wasnt sure if JLT was supposed to be American, or someone faking being an American?

But there is boisterous chemistry between the four hapless Aussies as they beg, plead and connive their way out of certain doom at the hands of their captors. OToole makes for the determined brains of the outfit who, in episode two, gets a more layered context that underpins his desperation.

Meanwhile the activities of the Aussies, from the PMs office to the Ministry of Defence to the media, are equally larger than life and demand patience to grasp how they fit into this cornucopia. Youll also spot Nick Hammond, Travis Fimmel, Rebecca Breeds, Bella Heathcote and even UK actor Tuppence Middleton.

Does it all hang together? Yes. No. Sometimes. Theres plenty of comment on viral videos, our Insta-culture and hashtag-loving selfies which hits home.

But the narrative of the hostage video element drags (I wasnt convinced it sustained more than one episode) and the scenes in the fictional Behati-Prinsloo are so tightly shot its obviously been simulated on a low budget.

Nonetheless you have to admire the gumption of Gurry & co. for a concept so out there that it took Stan to embrace it (this follows the wildly-conceived Nude Tuesday in 2022 -a whole film in gibberish). And kudos for hitching such star power to the project.

There will be those a bit perplexed by its unforgiving, boots-and-all concept, and those who are ready for breakneck television unlike anything else on offer right now.

C*A*U*G*H*T screens Thursday 28 September on Stan.
Q+A is live from Melbourne on Monday.

This week on Q+A power and influence  who has it, who wields it and how its used to make change. As Rupert Murdoch announces hes stepping down as chair of Fox and News Corp, handing the reins to son Lachlan  well look at the media moguls impact over a seven-decade career. The Australian-born billionaire is often credited with making and breaking governments  so where next for his empire?

Meanwhile, the federal government is set to hold an inquiry into the COVID-19 response, but the PM is already under fire for excluding state and territory decisions from the investigation. Australians saw the extraordinary power exercised by the states during the pandemic  but without examining lockdowns and border closures, will the inquiry go far enough?

And as referendum day on a Voice to Parliament approaches, the debate is heating up. Both Yes and No camps are putting their message to Australians  how effective are their campaigns?

Monday, September 25 at 9.35pm on ABC..

Panellists:

Actress, Author & Child Protection Advocate Madeleine West,

Chair, Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee Peter Khalil,

Liberal Senator for Queensland Paul Scarr,

CEO, GetUp Larissa Baldwin-Roberts Broadcaster

& 3AW Drive host Tom Elliott
Al Shabaab forces are on the defensive and unable to withstand the growing army efforts to drive al Shabaab forces out of towns and villages. Al Shabaab depends on those towns and villages for food and other supplies. The army and peacekeepers take advantage of that by keeping al Shabaab away from these supply sources. This causes al Shabaab to lose men to desertion. Without supplies al Shabaab cannot feed their men and many of those men simply desert and go home. Defeating an enemy force by depriving them of supplies is an ancient tactic that still works. Government and peacekeeper forces face a complex situation because there are more villages in the countryside than the troops can protect with garrisons. What the Somali forces can do is keep al Shabaab forces on the move, which is something al Shabaab is not used to and cannot sustain without vehicles and fuel. The army destroys these vehicles whenever they can go after local merchants who supply al Shabaab with fuel and other supplies. Al Shabaab can afford to pay because the looting also involves gathering any money they can find.

The violence in Somalia is not decreasing. There are about eight violent incidents a day, most of them involving al Shabaab and rapidly depleting al Shabaab manpower through casualties and desertions. In the last two months al Shabaab has suffered over 500 fatal casualties and even more losses through desertion. It is becoming more difficult to recruit new members because the government has been working with local forces, usually long-standing clan militias, to prevent al Shabaab recruiters from getting near prospects. At one time al Shabaab offered attractive and low risk employment for young men with few job opportunities. This strategic approach to reducing al Shabaab strength and capabilities is working.

The Somali army will miss the departing peacekeepers. There were many reasons for withdrawing the peacekeepers and one was that it was very dangerous to be a peacekeeper in Somalia. Peacekeeper duty in Somalia was much more dangerous than anywhere else. At least 3,500 peacekeepers have been killed in Somalia over the past 16 years. The EU (European Union) and United States pay for the peacekeeping force and nearly $200 million has been disbursed for death and disability benefits during that period. Thats in addition to the $200 million a year cost of operating the peacekeeper force. That is provided by the UN via contributions by the U.S. and EU (European Union). The UN approves the size and duration of the peacekeeper force annually. The peacekeepers have been in Somalia since 2007 at a cost of over three billion dollars. So far about 3,500 peacekeepers have been killed and at least as many permanently disabled from their wounds. The African Union (AU) pays for medical care, including long term care for some of the wounded. For years the AU played down the high casualty rates in Somalia, reporting less than a third of the actual deaths. The growing number of corruption scandals involving missing death benefits and other compensation led to the actual loss statistics being revealed. There are sometimes problems with soldiers not being paid during peacetime in their home countries. Too much of this sometimes sparks a rebellion or insurrection over missing pay and other grievances. Despite this there was never a problem obtaining peacekeepers for duty in Somalia, paid for by the AU and a long list of African and Western donors. Somalia is the most dangerous peacekeeping duty in the world. About 300,000 men served as peacekeepers in Somalia, receiving an average annual compensation of $9,100 each. Officers, NCOs and privates all receive different amounts and peacekeeping duty pays better than their regular pay when back home. In most countries, peacekeeping duty is relatively safe. This was not the case in Somalia, where about three percent of peacekeepers were killed or badly (disabled) wounded.

While the peacekeepers are leaving, American forces belonging to AFRICOM (U.S. Africa Command) are still available to provide some assistance in the form of aerial surveillance, airstrikes and training for Somali forces. There are only 7,500 American troops in Africa and their theater (AFRICOM) headquarters in Germany. Since early 2017, when AFRICOM increased its use of armed UAVs over Somalia, there have been about 172 UAV airstrikes that have killed nearly a thousand al Shabaab and ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) members. In 2020 there were fifty of these UAV airstrikes and 280 in Somalia in the last decade. In 2021 there were seven UAV airstrikes and fifteen in 2022. American forces, and airstrikes, returned t0 Somali in 2022. This was prompted by the formation of a new Somali government. All American airstrikes are at the request of the Somali government.

Somalia sends thousands of its soldiers to Eritrea, Uganda, Ethiopia and Egypt for training. This is all part of the effort to have 24,000 Somali soldiers trained and ready for operations once all the peacekeepers are gone. Remote support from AFRICOM will continue using UAVs based in nearby African countries.

That al Shabaab controls any territory is mainly because of another problem; corruption. The government forces suffer from it while al Shabaab does not, or at least has much less of it. The inability of the government to ensure that their security forces are supplied and paid regularly, even though foreign aid provides the needed cash, means the Somali army remains unreliable and unable to control areas that al Shabaab has been driven out of. This is the case even when peacekeepers or pro-government militias did the work. Its another case of greed overwhelming common sense and common interests. This is not unusual for Somalia, which has been rated the most corrupt nation in the world for a decade. One of the side effects of that degree of corruption is the inability to maintain reliable security forces.

Yet al Shabaab also lacks access to foreign aid and provides far fewer amenities for recruits than Somali soldiers or foreign peacekeepers enjoy. Al Shabaab continues to operate despite heavy attrition from combat, disease and desertion. At one point Al Shabaab maintained its strength in rural areas by stealing children in addition to food and other supplies. Families that can afford to are sending children (mainly boys age 8-16) away to areas with less al Shabaab presence to protect the kids from a popular form of recruiting in Africa. This began with al Shabaab demanding that rural schools stop teaching anything that might be interpreted as hostile to al Shabaab. Then al Shabaab imposed a tax on some schools that had to be paid in the form of students. In the last year several hundred children have been taken and several thousand have been sent away by their parents to keep the kids safe from al Shabaab. This recruiting tactic has been used elsewhere in Somalia for years.

This tactic was not unexpected because the Islamic terrorist group has suffered heavy losses in the last few years but maintained its strength by improvising. This is mainly about using children and, at one point, at least half the al Shabaab gunmen were armed boys under age 18 with a growing number under 14 years old. This is why, despite losing control of 90 percent of the area it controlled at its peak in 2012, al Shabaab still exists with less than half the personnel it had in 2012.

The growing use of child soldiers was noted as early as 2010 when the fighting in Mogadishu was not going well for al Shabaab and many of their fighters had been killed or discouraged enough to desert. Unable to entice enough men to join, they convinced (or coerced) some clan elders to allow kids (large enough to handle an AK-47) to join the fight. Like most Somali children they were eager for the opportunity to have an AK-47 of their very own and people to shoot at. This is a big deal for Somali teenagers. By 2012 it was noted that 10-20 percent of most al Shabaab fighters appeared to be kids. The teenagers are not the best fighters. Most are impulsive and inexperienced so they do not last long if there is a lot of combat, and even then they require more supervision than adult fighters. But given the choice between disappearing because of heavy casualties and recruiting more and more kids, many African irregular groups like bandits, rebels and Islamic terrorists will resort to the use of children.

This is not a new phenomenon but it did not become as affordable and widespread until the 1990s. Thats because after several million cheap Cold War surplus AK-47s began showing up in Africa in the 1990s and child soldiers became a more practical solution to heavy personnel losses. The world market for AK-47s was inundated by the late 1990s. The only market left was Africa, but only if you were willing to sell cheap. The gunrunners were, and still are, very active in lawless places like Somalia, Sudan and eastern Congo.

The cheap AK-47 made it possible to use kids as young as 10-14 years old as soldiers. This was a new development, because the old weapons (spears, swords, bows) required muscle. Kids had to be older, and stronger to be warriors. But now, if you could lift a 4.5 kg (ten pound) AK-47 and pull the trigger, you could be a killer. Child soldiers changed everything, because warlords could just kidnap or entice kids and quickly brainwash them. These armies of child killers made insurrection and anarchy more common. Tens of millions of Africans fled their homes to avoid these tiny terrors, and many of those refugees died of starvation or disease. These victims were just as dead, even if the bullets didn't get them. In fact, few AK-47 victims died from bullets. It was the massive fear, and breakdown of society, and the economy, that killed most people confronted by all these cheap AK-47s. The kids weren't very good shots, but if they got close enough to you, they were capable of unimaginable horrors. Al Shabaab is continuing this vile tradition, although in the name of God.

Another pragmatic tactic al Shabaab has adopted is to negotiate and keep economic agreements in rural areas where they live. This includes all traffic passing through the area having to pay a tax to pass al Shabaab road checkpoints. This includes trucks carrying foreign aid supplies like food and medicine. This is not much different than in government controlled areas except that al Shabaab will fight any other groups (clan militia, security forces or bandits) seeking additional and unexpected taxes to pass. Al Shabaab will hand out written receipts so drivers will not be taxed more than once while in al Shabaab territory.

September 19, 2023: The EU has suspended food aid to Somalia after an investigation found that much of food aid was money was diverted by those running the program in Somalia. Somalia is suffering a famine and there were reports that food money was not reaching those who needed it. Those in need of food aid are sent money via their cell phones. This is a common form of banking in Africa. It was fond that those eligible for food were supposed to receive $170 a month to buy food. But when those eligible for the food money checked their cellphone account they found only $65 was sent.

September 18, 2023: In Mogadishu, the second phase of the AU (African Union) peacekeeper force withdrawal began. By the end of the month at least 3,000 more troops will be gone. The first peacekeepers arrived in 2007 and kept coming until there were 22,000, most of them soldiers plus a few thousand police, trainers and administrators. Uganda and Burundi supplied most of them with most of the rest coming from Kenya and Ethiopia. The peacekeeper force made a difference, but in the face of massive corruption in the Somali government and various Somali communities that demanded help, the operation proved far more expensive and time-consuming than expected. Peacekeepers are due to leave because the best they can do is reduce the violence and disunity, while UN donors are not willing to waste money on that when there are other disaster zones that can make better use of the limited foreign aid. Because of this the UN extends the Somali peacekeeping force on a yearly basis. Currently there are about 19,000 peacekeepers in Somalia and they remained for so long because the UN believed Somalia would quickly regress back to a disaster zone without them. Currently the Somali security forces are supposed to consist of 13,900 personnel. That is what the UN is supplying cash and equipment for. With all the corruption and shoddy record keeping in Somalia, it is difficult for outsiders to verify how many security personnel Somalia actually has. Kanya contributed nearly 4,000 soldiers to the peacekeeping force in Somalia and will continue to have thousands of troops and police along its Somali border after all the peacekeepers are gone. Al Shabaab and various other Somali outlaws continue to raid into northern Kenya. Somali marauders have been raiding into what is now Kenya for centuries and that problem continues.

In the southwest (Gedo Region) an al Shabaab roadside bomb killed eleven soldiers and wounded three others.

September 17, 2023: In the southwest (Bakool region) two Ethiopian troop convoys were attacked with roadside bombs and over a hundred al Shabaab gunmen. Some trucks were damaged and about fifty al Shabaab men were killed. There were a few Ethiopian casualties but the odds were against al Shabaab because the Ethiopians are professional soldiers and the al Shabaab men have little discipline and their attacks are ambitious but poorly carried out. Somali troops were accompanying the convoys and the joint force was clearing al Shabaab forces out of towns and villages in the area. Al Shabaab forces usually withdraw when they know Ethiopian forces are headed their way. Ethiopia shares a border with Somalia and have been fighting al Shabaab for years, if only to keep al Shabaab from raiding into Ethiopia. Today Somali forces cleared al Shabaab out of three towns.

September 16, 2023: Outside Mogadishu (the Galgaduud region) Somali troops rebelled an al Shabaab attack on Qodqod, a town that al Shabaab had recently lost control of. Al Shabaab underestimated the number of soldiers still in Qodqod and thought they could take it back. The Somali and peacekeeper force are aware of that al Shabaab tactic and these al Shabaab counterattacks rarely work anymore.

September 15, 2023: Outside Mogadishu (the Galgaduud region) Somali troops foiled an al Shabaab suicide car bomb attack by killing the driver before he could reach his target and detonate the explosives he was transporting.

September 12, 2023: Outside Mogadishu (the Galgaduud region) soldiers captured the town of Xinlabu from al Shabaab.

September 11, 2023: In central Somalia (Galgaduud) a Somali MP (member of parliament) and three associates were killed when the MP stepped on one of the many landmines al Shabaab had planted around a villages they had retreated from. The MP and his party had taken the wrong road and wandered into an area where mines had not been cleared.

In the far south, across the border in Kenya (Lamu Country) fourteen Kenyan soldiers were wounded when their vehicles encountered a landmine planted by al Shabaab forces that had crossed the border.

September 7, 2023: The army revealed that 107 al Shabaab fighters had surrendered to army forces since July. Many more al Shabaab men had deserted and new recruits were harder to obtain.

September 6, 2023: In central Somalia (Galgaduud) Somali forces tracked down and killed two senior al Shabaab leaders. Al Shabaab later claimed that five civilians were killed during the operation as the result of an American airstrike. AFRICOM responded that there were no American troops in the vicinity and no American airstrikes. The only American assistance was in the form of aerial surveillance that helped track the al Shabaab leaders so that soldiers could find and capture them. The al Shabaab leaders refused to surrender and fought back and were killed. Six civilians were killed or wounded during the fighting. AFRICOM did send in a medical evacuation mission to take the wounded to a hospital, where one of the civilians died despite emergency medical care.

August 28, 2023: In central Somalia (Galgaduud) al Shabaab counterattacked government forces that had recently captured five villages from al Shabaab. The counterattack was unexpected and the army took losses and fell back to regroup and organize a response.

August 26, 2023: In the south (north of the port of Kismayo) an American airstrike called in by Somali forces killed 13 al Shabaab gunmen. The was the 14th American airstrike in Somali this year.

August 25, 2023: In central Somalia (Galgaduud) Somali troops captured the town of El Buur, which was the primary base for al Shabaab forces in the region.

In the far north (autonomous Somaliland) fighting continues between a rebellious clan militia and local forces. There have been hundreds of civilian casualties in addition the losses among the army and the clan militia.

August 23, 2023: In the southwest (Hirshabele State) local officials thanked departing Ethiopian peacekeepers for restoring order in state and eliminating most of the al Shabaab presence.

August 22, 2023: The government has created an amnesty program for al Shabaab members who surrender. A growing number of al Shabaab members are seeking to leave the Islamic terror group and resume a civilian life. The new amnesty program makes that easier. Some senior al Shabaab leaders feel the same way and have the resources to desert the organization safely.
US comedian / actor / writer Steve Martin (Only Murders in the Building), who is an avid collector of Indigenous art, has invested in a new feature film, Honey Ant Dreamers, being produced by CJZ (Gruen, Con Girl, Bondi Rescue).

The film, to shoot in the Northern Territory next year portrays the rich Aboriginal culture of Central Australia and reveals the inspiring story behind the birth of the Western Desert Art Movement.

This project, a decade in the making, is expected to inject $1.92 million directly into the local economy, creating jobs and boosting the sale of goods and services.

Co-written and co-directed by Pitjantjara and Warlpiri woman, Anyupa Emily Napangarti Butcher, alongside Michael Cordell from CJZ, this film will capture the Red Centre, including Papunya, the MacDonnell Ranges, and Alice Springs.

Martin has consulted heavily on script development, with Executive Producer Michael Cordell and Producer Maggie Miles.

Steve Martin said, I am honoured to be a part of this exciting and valuable project. It presents a little known yet powerful story to a waiting world.

$450,000 has been allocated by the Territory Labor Government to the project.

It comes as Darwin gears up to host the NT Screen Summit this weekend, an event bringing together over 100 screen professionals for two days of development, creativity and innovation.

Presented by Screen Territory, the summit is aimed at upskilling those already working in the screen industry, those considering a career in screen and game developers.

Jennie Hughes: Director, Screen Territory said, Were thrilled to welcome so many internationally renowned leaders to our NT Screen Summit this year. The calibre of presenters reinforces the Territorys position as an attractive place to produce screen projects.

Held on the final weekend of the Darwin International Film Festival, we hope that the summit ignites opportunities, fuels collaborations, and speaks to the remarkable trajectory that our local industry has had over the last few years.

Minister for Industry, Nicole Manison added, It is fantastic to see more major productions happening right here in the Northern Territory, we have an abundance of talent and we are keen to grow the sector further.

Filming Honey Ant Dreamers in the Red Centre will have significant benefits for the local community, not only showcasing the area as a vibrant and enticing destination but highlighting the Papunya art movement.

Supporting our screen industry has a knock on effect for the Territory economy, supporting local jobs and growing an industry crucial to our economy.
The Foreign Office has moved to allay concerns raised by former prime minister Boris Johnson that a handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius could play into Chinas hands.

He described the move as utterly spineless and said the UK looked to be on the verge of a colossal mistake, calling Mauritiuss claim to the islands preposterous.

The UK entered negotiations with Port Louis over the future of the Chagos Islands after international pressure.

The United Nations highest court, the International Court of Justice, has ruled that the UKs administration of the territory is unlawful and must end after two centuries of British control.

But the Conservative Government said that whatever the outcome of the talks between the two countries, a joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, one of those in the cluster of Indian Ocean islands that make up the Chagos Islands, will continue to be operated by the allies.

It comes after Mr Johnson said in his weekly column for the Daily Mail that he had been told by an informant that it is a done deal that the UK will give the Chagos Islands to the control of the Commonwealth nation.

Mr Johnson pointed out the significance one of the volcanic islands, Diego Garcia, plays in the relationship between Britain and the US, with it used as a base during the first and second Gulf wars, as well as the allied invasion of Afghanistan.

The former Conservative Party leader said: The Americans dont give us crucial nuclear secrets just because they love little old England.

They dont share intelligence because they adore our quaint accents. We have a great and indispensable relationship because we have important things to offer  including Diego Garcia.

Who knows what happens if we give up sovereignty. The Mauritians might cut out the middleman, and do a deal with the US (and never mind the Chagossians).

Story continues

But then a future Mauritian government might also close the base or allow the Chinese, at the right price, to build their own runways on the same archipelago.

Foreign Office officials said the UK Government was working in lockstep with the US during the talks on the future of the Chagos Islands and said it had the full support of Washington on all elements of the negotiation.

The department said it would not be appropriate to speculate on the outcome of the talks while they were ongoing.

A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: The UK and Mauritius have held five rounds of constructive negotiations on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago, and officials will meet again soon to continue negotiations.

The UK and Mauritius have reiterated that any agreement between our two countries will ensure the continued effective operation of the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which plays a vital role in regional and global security.

Chagossians have spent decades fighting to return to the islands after more than 1,000 people were forced to leave in the 1960s and 1970s to make way for the military base.

Thousands of Chagossians now live around the world, mostly in Mauritius, the UK and the Seychelles.

In a written ministerial statement published earlier this month, junior Foreign Office minister David Rutley said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had met his Mauritian counterpart on the fringes of the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, to assess the progress of the negotiations.

Further negotiations are expected to take place this month, he said.
The Into the West plan which would see rail return to Fermanagh.

Rail lobby group Into The West have launched a campaign to reverse the decision to exclude Fermanagh from plans for the future of rail in Ireland.

The All-Island Strategic Rail Review is a joint north-south initiative designed to plan the development of rail across the island of Ireland over the next 30 years.

The initiative was launched by Ministers north and south of the Border in 2021, with a public consultation held in January 2022. In that consultation, the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area had the highest number of submissions of any council area on the island  over 1,000  with the neighbouring Donegal and Derry Councils also in the top three for public submissions.

Yet, in July of this year when a draft version of the strategy was released, campaigners were shocked to see that it recommended Fermanagh be left as the only county on the island without any rail.

Chairman of Into The West, Steve Bradley, explained: At the moment five counties on the island have no rail; Fermanagh, Tyrone, Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan. One of the objectives of the All-Island Rail Review is to address regional imbalance and ensure as many towns as possible with a 10,000 plus population are connected to the network.

He is urging everyone who is unhappy at Fermanaghs exclusion from the all-island plan to have their say by submitting a response to the public consultation. This can be emailed on StrategicRailReview@arup.com on the draft Rail Strategy by Friday, September 29.

A public event will be held on Tuesday, September 26 at 7pm in Fermanagh House and a petition has also been launched on - https://chng.it/kwxfCrVSG7.

In his statement, Mr. Bradley concluded: No one in Fermanagh should accept being left as the only county on the island without proper infrastructure.

Its time for the forgotten county to raise its voice and remind everyone that it is here and it needs to be treated equally, he said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shakes hands with supporters during a Ukrainian-Canadian rally at Fort York on September 22, 2023 in Toronto, Canada. Zelensky visited Canada for the first time in person since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, ending a North American trip that started with a visit to the U.S. (Photo by Katherine KY Cheng/Getty Images)

Mr Zelensky stopped at Shannon Airport on the west coast of Ireland as he returned to Europe from North America, where he addressed the UN Security Council in New York.

He also met with US President Joe Biden at the White House, addressed the Canadian parliament in Ottawa, as well as talks with the country's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

On Saturday, Mr Zelensky shared a photograph of him holding a meeting with the President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of Sudan, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, at Shannon Airport.

"I am grateful for Sudan's consistent support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

"We discussed common security challenges, namely the activities of illegal armed groups financed by Russia.

"I invited him to support the Grain From Ukraine initiative and take part in this year's summit.

"We considered possible platforms for intensifying cooperation between Ukraine and African countries."

Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs said it could confirm it had been a "technical stopover", and no Irish government ministers had been involved.

"The department can confirm this was a technical stopover, with no bilateral element," they said.

"As per normal practice for stopovers at this level, protocol staff of the department were on the ground to offer practical assistance."
Antonio Marras catwalk transformed into a set where he shot a remake of a 1968 Hollywood movie. During Milan Fashion Week on Sept. 20, the Sardinian fashion designer set up an onstage film studio, with various rooms in which actors, actresses, workers, divas, a production secretary, costume designer, editing secretary, personal assistant, seamstress, director, producer, set coordinator, clapboard operator, sound engineer, extras, models and aspiring actresses took turns in the spotlight. In a flash, the audience found itself catapulted to the end of the golden years of cinema, amid fleeting and rambling kaftans, couture gowns, robes, tailored suits cinched at the waist with masculine styles, duster coats, sheath dresses, and dramatic and divine evening gowns.

The entire show was pulled together to recreate the atmosphere of Joseph Loseys film Boom!, translated into Italian when it was released as The Cliff of Desires. Tennessee Williams adapted the screenplay from his own stage script, The Milk Train Doesnt Stop Here Anymore, for the film, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The movie shoot catapulted its Hollywood stars into the middle of the then-unspoiled, wild country of Alghero, Sardinia.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Fashionable Milan  and a front row that included Olivia Palermo and Larsen Thompson  for 30 minutes thus relived the frenzy of a film set of a major American 1960s production, one of the many films that the studios of the time decided to come and shoot in Italy. Marras, Sardinian to the core but a citizen of the world, found his inspiration for the show when he recently stumbled upon Sergio Naitzas docu-film The Summer of Joe, Liz and Richard, (Lestate di Joe, Liz e Richard), which reconstructs the making of Boom!. The designer  who cast fashion icon Marisa Berenson for his runway presentation in the role of Elizabeth Taylor  spoke to THR about pulling off his buzzed-about show.

Story continues

Why did you choose this particular film?

In 1967, Paramount Pictures decided to produce a film directed by Joseph Losey, starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. They had to shoot the whole thing on an island in the Mediterranean, and they chose Sardinia. I was six years old but I remember everything. As if by magic, Hollywood lands near my home, on the edge of the sea, in the purest and most unspoiled land in the world. The chosen location was actually Alghero, where two incredible villas were built on the sheer promontory of Capo Caccia. The first villa was knocked down by the wind and they had to build another one right away. How could you not be fascinated?

Was it a big shock for the locals?

Very. The funniest thing was the arrival of these two assistants, who at that time represented the stars par excellence with their many demands, the difficulties of the crew and the extraordinary whims of Elizabeth Taylor. For her, Sardinian grapes were too big, so fresh grapes were brought in every day from Rome. The food didnt suit her either, thus a plane arrived daily from London bringing everything she needed to eat. Liz had a problem with her hairstyle? They would bring in the famous coiffeur Alexandre de Paris. The dresses were made by a Roman dressmaker, Atelier Tiziano. Hard to imagine, but the man who designed them was Karl Lagerfeld. The film had a really super troubled origin, but its full of anecdotes.

Models walk the runway at the Antonio Marras fashion show during the Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 on Sept. 20, 2023 in Milan, Italy.

The Alghero locals grappling with the jet set.

Imagine what it meant for Alghero in 67 to have these two crew members walking around the town promenade, stopping at the lowest dive bars for yet another drink. And over time the other dramas, the film, the stars, the happenings, the local extras, the gossip, even kidnapping attempts. The star couple lived on a mega yacht, Kalizma, with dogs, children, cooks, captains and sailors in tow. Lizs opulent Bulgari jewelry on display, the flow of alcohol, the fights between the two protagonists, the 186-meter cliff at Capo Caccia and the stratospheric white villa overlooking the sea that, agitated by the wind and the waves, kept crashing on the rocks below. The whole experience had taken on an aura of myth.

A film that did not, however, remain in the archives.

It was an international flop. It never went anywhere even though it was translated into 15 languages. It was born from a project made for the theater which, although it had extraordinary actors, was a disaster. The film was released in 67 in the midst of revolution, in the midst of protest, out of time. Out of all logic for that time.

How did it come to you?

It later became a film loved and revered by many, talked about in reviews, shown in arthouse cinemas. And thanks to Sergio Naitzas docu-film.

Elizabeth Taylor in the 1968 film Boom!

Did you even like the movie?

It is not a film that impresses you, its not exactly a masterpiece. Maybe thats why it wasnt a success. Everything is shot inside this mansion, in this time bubble in which she lives. Its quite a dramatic story, because the main character is waiting for this guy, this angel of death who makes her sick. Liz had the script changed and instead of a young boy she wants Richard Burton instead. More than the movie, I was really fascinated by the creation of the project.

What was the result of this inspiration?

Ive told you where the genesis of my imagination started. What is my Hollywood ideal? Ive thought about the diva, the star, the assistant, the producer, the cinematographer, the clapperboard man. I translated this world into clothes that have a lightness, a fluidity, a softness given by the fabrics and volumes and in contrast are really super couture, super tailored constructions that completely transform the silhouette.

Your catwalk became a movie set.

We reconstructed the rooms of the villa with the various sets: the bedroom, the dining room, the car, the objects. There were really two moments of real cinema with lots of machinists, clapboards, microphone operators, producers, directors and an extraordinary international star like Marisa Berenson who lent herself to this game.

You had Marisa Berenson take on the role of Liz Taylor.

I thought that there had to be a diva, a real diva, with a capital D, who is not invented or improvised. A diva who could well interpret a Hollywood Babylon-like world where anything is possible, where a wish is an order, where the unimaginable becomes everyday. Just think of it, write it and shoot it. Marisa Berenson overlooks, wanders, floats. Charm, talent, interpretation, a diva between art and life. She played the part beautifully. She, who in reality is always a very quiet, placid, sweet, wonderful woman, for the show I turned her into a real naughty b****.

Did music also play a key role in recreating the mood of those years?

I chose music that echoes the movies of the time. They are all soundtracks.

What is your relationship with cinema?

I am a lover of cinema, not the making of it, but what you see on the big screen, with the opening of the curtain and the velvet chair. Cinema is the perfect way to travel and isolate yourself from everything else. Audrey Hepburn used to say, Everything I learned, I learned from the movies. I say it too, Everything I learned, I learned from the movies.

Have you often drawn inspiration from film for your fashion?

I use fashion for storytelling which I learned by going to the cinema. Cinema, an inexhaustible source of stories, dreams, moods, characters, costumes, sets, tales of exceptional existences or extraordinary normality. Cinema is an indispensable companion of life. Even more so for me, because of the work I have found myself doing. I am an omnivore of cinema, having spent my adolescence in Alghero, seeing and reviewing over and over the films that are still part of my life. The characters are family, comparable to relatives, their stories are my stories, their stories I have also experienced. What I am is also the result of what I have seen in the cinema. Intimate and vocal, sharing and becoming an inward moment, as no other form of entertainment can. When the lights go out and the music starts with the opening credits, it is as if we embark on a spaceship that takes you somewhere else and nothing matters anymore.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter

Click here to read the full article.
Jack Watts and his partner Charlotte Patch are raising funds to ensure police officer Jack can receive potentially life-extending treatment in Germany Pictures: PA MEDIA (Image: PA Real Life)

A police officer who went to hospital after friends said he looked like hed been on a three-day bender was found to have an aggressive brain tumour.

PC Jack Watts, 31, who had been suffering from 'pressure headaches', was transferred to Oxfords John Radcliffe Hospital by ambulance  having first gone to his local hospital in Kettering, Northants, telling girlfriend Charlotte Patch not to worry.

Doctors in Oxford were shocked to discover he had an aggressive brain tumour, which could not be operated on due to its dangerous location in the police officers head.

Medics concluded the tumour was so aggressive they were only able to carry out three weeks of chemo and radio therapy before running out of treatment options.

Unhappy with the prognosis, Jack and Charlotte discovered a clinic in Germany able to provide rounds of immunotherapy.

With the help of best friend Ben Hanger, 28, the couple are now making the 1,200-mile round trip to the Hallwang Clinic in Dornstetten every three weeks so Jack can receive the treatment.

Oxford Mail: Jack Watts is receiving treatment at a clinic in Germany Picture: PA Real Life

Jack Watts is receiving treatment at a clinic in Germany Picture: PA Real Life (Image: PA Real Life)

Each round of immunotherapy costs around 26,000. The couple have managed to raise 120,000 through online donation site JustGiving, but will need more to keep paying for Jacks treatment past the end of October.

Charlotte, 30, told PA: Our whole life has been completely kicked upside down.

Partner Jack began experiencing migraines for the first time in February this year and found that he was struggling to clearly see his computer screen at work.

He visited the opticians, to be told what he already knew; he had a lazy left eye.

A few weeks later, Jack was spotted by one of his best friends walking along the road to his parents house in Kettering looking out of sorts.

It looked like hed been on a three-day bender, said Charlotte.

He was almost walking sideways.

Jack visited Kettering General Hospital, telling his partner not to worry and that he would be back shortly.

Story continues

Concerned, doctors transferred him by ambulance to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. Doctors in the city were shocked to discover that he had an aggressive brain tumour.

Unable to operate because of the dangerous location of Jacks tumour, they inserted a fluid pathway into his brain.

Oxford Mail: Charlotte Patch and Jack Watts Picture: PA Media

Charlotte Patch and Jack Watts Picture: PA Media (Image: PA Real Life)

Charlotte said: We had to wait about two weeks and then they said its Glioblastoma, its stage four, its as bad as it can physically be and we cant operate on it because of where it is.

Jack began six weeks of chemo and radiotherapy, but the treatment had to be cut short as the cancer had progressed.

He said: My tumour is a little different because its growing in the middle of my brain.

So they could only do three weeks of chemo and radio therapy.

Told that was all they could give Jack, the couple began doing their own research online and found out about a clinic in Germany that might be able to help.

Oxford Mail: Jack Watts is receiving the therapy treatment in Germany Picture: PA Media

Jack Watts is receiving the therapy treatment in Germany Picture: PA Media (Image: PA Real Life)

Jack said: They will basically try when nobody in England will.

We know the situation is terrible, but we need someone to just try. Thats why we went with Germany because the clinic will just keep going provided the money keeps coming.

He is currently receiving three different types of immunotherapy and is waiting to undergo gene testing so that doctors can pinpoint exactly what treatment is most likely to be successful.

Almost 20,000 people have already donated to Jacks treatment fund, but the cash will run out in October.

To support Jack and Charlotte, visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jacks-life-fund.
Chinese consulate holds National Day reception in Cape Town

Xinhua) 19:02, September 23, 2023

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Consulate-General in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa, hosted a reception on Friday evening to mark the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), which falls on Oct. 1.

The event, held at the Table Bay Hotel, was attended by nearly 400 guests, including Lechesa Tsenoli, deputy speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa as the guest of honor, other parliament members, government officials, foreign diplomats, representatives from different organizations and Chinese companies in Cape Town.

In his welcome speech, You Wenze, Chinese consul-general in Cape Town, highlighted China's remarkable development under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) through 74 years of hard work.

"From the founding of the PRC in 1949, to reform and opening-up, and to the new era, the CPC led the Chinese people to open up our own waterways in the rapids of the times and embarked on a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics," said You.

He also noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between China and South Africa.

"Over the past 25 years, our relations have made a significant leap from partnership to strategic partnership and to comprehensive strategic partnership," You said. "Our relations have entered a 'golden era,' enjoying broad prospects and a promising future."

Addressing the event, Tsenoli said that being the second largest economy in the world, China has enough to be proud of when looking back at the challenges it has faced and successfully tackled over time.

South Africa is glad about its growing relationship with China and appreciates deeply their work to promote the African Union Agenda 2063, especially the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, said Tsenoli.

"We hope that our people-to-people relationship, our party-to-party relationship, as well as our government-to-government relationship will go even deeper and stronger," he said.

(Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Liang Jun)
Corruption is bad; I dont want it and certainly dont think His Majesty King Mswati III as the head of State in the Kingdom of Eswatini wants it either.

The voters have a role to play in eradicating corruption in our government. Corrupt politicians should be stopped at the starting line; the ballot box. I wish I could stand on the tallest mountain in the country and shout for everyone to hear. Can we at least have a corrupt-free 12th Parliament and may I humbly request the electorate not to elect corrupt individuals.

I know that the electorate knows these people. They live among us and we know that they are corrupt and by giving them our vote, we are basically abetting them in their act. By crossing their face we are basically signing over a five-year contract giving them more power and access to do their thing.

Corruption is the misuse of public office for private gains. It leads to the misallocation of talent, technology and capital and thereby hinders economic growth. According to the World Economic Forum, the problem of corruption is enormous and its cost is estimated to be around five per cent of the global gross domestic product (GDP)

Competition

Why does corruption persist in many governments? Why does political competition often fail to eliminate corruption, why do voters not elect politicians who are not corrupt? This and many other questions have boggled my mind, especially as we draw nearer to the secondary elections on September 29, 2023. I repeat that the voters have power to cut the scourge right at the beginning.

In the broader political economy literature, the conventional wisdom suggests that voter ignorance is a prime factor for why criminal or corrupt politicians win elections. It is also assumed that when social tensions are rife and the credibility of the state is weak, many voters seek refuge in the hands of a strongman who can fill in for the States various governance deficits in service of his particular community. There are some scholars who argue that voters, when making electoral choices, often make a mental trade-off between honesty and competence.

If you encounter a politician who is corrupt or dishonest, you might be willing to look the other way when it comes to allegations of malfeasance because you rate him or her to be highly effective. There are many politicians we could think of, whose success is probably a result of this sort of calculation.

In developing democracies, the situation is a bit different; it is not that voters simply make a trade-off between honesty and competence, but it is that lack of honesty actually signifies competence. The difference between the two probably has a lot to do with the weakness of the States writ in many developing societies. In these settings, there might be a premium on having a representative who is willing to run afoul of the law in order to get things done.However, there is no form of corruption that is better or should be praised.

Establishment

Corruption is closely linked to the generation of economic rents and rent-seeking. This refers to those securing above-normal returns from an asset, not by adding value to it through investment, but rather through manipulating the social and political environment. The establishment of a monopoly is a classic example of this. The asset then becomes inherently more valuable. Rent-seeking involves corruption whereby the payment of bribes is necessary to manipulate the environment so as to benefit a particular actor.

We are aware that some of the honest candidates in the current list will face sharks in Parliament. Some will be swallowed and we stand as witnesses of those who will swim through. The biggest source that corrupts even the honest individuals is the economic battle that goes on in the corridors of wealthy.

There is bidding going on and the wealthiest want to control the political seats such that even the honest and innocent candidates are no longer safe from the jaws of corruption. The purpose is simple; the capitalistic mind is willing to pay and sway votes for two reasons only; to obtain government benefits and to avoid costs. While some want influence and power, others only want to blind the oversight eye so they can keep doing what they do. They want to mute the voice of the people so they can continue inflicting economic pain on them without the world noticing or hearing any cry.

Candidates

I want to plead with the electorate to keep the voice of the people loud and help His Majesty in the never-ending fight against corruption by voting out all corrupt candidates. This is my passionate plea, akusehlule lokunye, but let us at least vote right. These elections are very important, we are not just voting for service delivery, but we are voting for economic survival. We cannot continue to allow corrupt politicians to manipulate us.

Elections are a crucial component of democratic governance and for a long time, the international community has pinned great expectations on their ability to promote greater accountability. However, the picture produced over the years has been mixed. It highlighted that elections may generate dynamics that can be conducive to corruption, through factors such as patronage and vote-buying.

I appreciate the current electoral system of plurality or majority based on individual merit because it enables voters to vote for candidates and not just for parties because candidates appeal to voters directly. That is my conviction and dont blame me for it because I am not you. As such, the current system establishes a strong electoral connection between the voter and elected politicians in terms of geographic representation, which makes accountability linkages clearer and stronger.

Based on the above, the candidates are assumed to be less likely to encourage corruption, essentially because it is easier for voters and opposition parties to monitor the behaviour of incumbents who appeal to voters directly.

There is a new area of research that focuses on electoral malpractice, or the manipulation of the electoral process in ways that benefit particular candidates over others and create an unlevelled playing field.

Proponents

This is a modernised form of corruption that will disrupt and tear to pieces our political system. The proponents of electoral malpractice are shrewd and cunning; they fund candidates and feed the electorate to sway their vote.

Many are also related to corruption, including, for instance, the abuse or manipulation of administrative resources, vote-buying and unaccounted or illicit campaign financing.

Electoral malpractice has become an increasing problem in emerging democracies in the developing world. Though still in its infancy, in terms of both theory-building and the generation of evidence, this studies being have begun to generate some interesting hypotheses and findings. A Parliament is a countrys central institution, in its capacity as the primary expression of the peoples will and therefore has a paramount responsibility for combating corruption in all its forms, especially in public life but increasingly also in the economy at large.

Corruption exists in different contexts and can mean many things. In economics, the most accepted definition of corruption is the use of public office for private gains. It can be argued that this definition is very limited and that in real life, corruption exists outside the public sphere and can take different forms. Bardhan (1997) for instance, gives the example of a private seller that supplies a scarce good.

Given that this good is not available for everyone or there are long queues to get it, people might be tempted to bribe the seller either to jump the queue or to have the opportunity to buy the good. However, in politics, corruption is the use of powers by government officials or their network contacts for illegitimate private gain.

My parting advice to the electorate ahead of the big day is to know the person you are voting for. Do not vote because of hunger, others will starve you so they can feed you again for your vote. Maybe the time has come that our electoral laws should consider as a starting point that one precondition for electoral accountability should be sucient knowledge by the citizenry of politicians records.
BERLIN (Reuters) - China will not stand by idly if the German government decides to restrict the use of components from Chinese firms such as Huawei and ZTE <000063.SZ> in its 5G network, the Chinese embassy in Berlin said on Thursday.

Germany's interior ministry has proposed forcing telecoms operators to curb their use of equipment made by China's Huawei and ZTE after a review highlighted Germany's reliance on the two Chinese suppliers, according to a government official.

"If the German government really decides to move in this direction without proving that Chinese products pose a security threat to Germany, we will not stand by idly," the embassy said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

"Should Germany unjustifiably exclude Chinese companies, this would not only be a violation of the principle of fair competition, but would also harm Chinese companies and Germany itself," the Chinese embassy said.

It added that Huawei and ZTE had long operated in Germany in harmony with German law.

The interior ministry wants to present its approach to cabinet from next week.

(Reporting by Rachel More, editing by Kirsti Knolle)
A new report has labelled Europe a key drug trafficking route.

Filed by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) and Germany's Criminal Police Office, the report detailed that European territory was increasingly used to traffic Captagon tablets to the Arabian peninsula.

Sold in pill or powder form, Captagon is a highly addictive, amphetamine-like drug that is popular in the Middle East.

The little-known upper is mainly manufactured in Syria and Lebanon, and its primary market is Saudi Arabia.

However, according to the report, Captagon trafficking involves either directly rerouting consignments through the European Union (EU) or the repackaging and forwarding of deliveries within the bloc.

Militant groups linked to Bashar Al Asad's regime are increasingly using Europe as a trafficking route and are financially benefitting from the trade, it added.

More than 127 million Captagon tablets have been seized by authorities since 2018, the report noted.

Italian police in 2020 seized some 84 million tablets, worth around a billion euros, in what was described as the "world's largest single operation of its kind."

What exactly is Captagon?

Prominent in the 1960s as a drug for ADHD, narcolepsy, and depression, Captagon derives its name from one of several brands of fenethylline hydrochloride.

Fenethylline, an ingredient belonging to the amphetamine family, was later blacklisted by the UN in 1986, leading most countries to discontinue it.

Usage has since resurged, however.

Students take it for productivity; taxi, lorry drivers, and even soldiers use the drug to stay up and perform in their jobs, while those facing food insecurity seek out Captagon to stave off meals, Caroline Rose, Director of the New Lines Institute, explained to Euronews in June.

Production of the drug skyrocketed in Syria after the outbreak of civil war in 2011, despite a crackdown in Europe.

Rose told Euronews the trade is a key alternative revenue stream for the Syrian regime, generating approximately three times the combined trade of the Mexican cartels.

Story continues

Europe shares blame for the Captagon trade

Other amphetamines are more commonly consumed than Captagon in Europe, such as speed or ecstasy.

Based on information provided by seven European countries, consumption in the region is minimal compared to how many tablets are passing through.

Captagon facilities exist in Europe, the report said.

The Netherlands, the primary source of amphetamine for the European market, has seen the emergence of large-scale production sites for Captagon tablets, with one or two such facilities discovered annually.

That's not where Europe's role ends.

Although the report indicates no direct involvement of European criminal networks, "organised gangs in European countries work in coordination with the Assad family," according to Taim Alhajj, a Syrian investigative journalist.

Drugs are the key to a large door of crime in any society, let alone in a country like Syria that lives in a state of security chaos, he added.
The leaders of France and Germany and the President of the European Commission will also take part in the meeting, which aims to discuss the signing of a peace treaty between the two countries.

Aid shipments and evacuations in Nagorno-Karabakh

The aid shipments and evacuations followed Azerbaijan's months-long road blockade of the region, which led to food and fuel shortages, and Baku's subsequent lightning military offensive this week.

The aid came via the so-called Lachin corridor, the regions only road connection to Azerbaijans neighbour Armenia. Russian peacekeepers were supposed to ensure free movement along the route, but Azeris imposed a blockade since December, alleging that Yerevan was using the road for mineral extraction and illicit weapons shipments to the provinces separatist forces.

n this image made from video released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, an armored personnel carrier of Russian peacekeepers. - AP/Russian Defense Ministry Press Service

Armenia charged that the closure denied basic food and fuel supplies to Nagorno-Karabakhs approximately 120,000 people. Azerbaijan rejected the accusation, arguing that the region could receive supplies through Aghdam  a solution long resisted by Nagorno-Karabakh authorities, who called it a strategy for Baku to take control of the region.

Nagorno-Karabakh came under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by the Armenian military in separatist fighting that ended in 1994. Armenian forces also took control of substantial territory around the Azerbaijani region.

Azerbaijan regained control of the surrounding territory in a six-week war with Armenia in 2020. A Russia-brokered armistice ended the war, and a contingent of 2,000 Russian peacekeepers was sent to the region to monitor it.

Last Tuesday, Azerbaijan launched a military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh to clear out alleged Armenian military formations in the territory. A cease-fire was announced a day later, toning down fears of a third full-scale war over the region.

Under the agreement mediated by Russian peacekeeping forces, Nagorno-Karabakhs separatist authorities made sizable concessions: disbanding the regions defence forces and withdrawing Armenias military contingent.

Story continues

But the question of Nagorno-Karabakhs final status remains open, and at the centre of talks between the sides that began Thursday in the Azeri city of Yevlakh.

Hundreds of ethnic Armenians evacuated by Russian peacekeepers from Nagorno-Karabakh in the wake of Azerbaijan's offensive, which Baku termed an anti-terrorist operation, were filmed Saturday camping outside an airport near the Russian peacekeepers' base by local media.

On Friday, Azerbaijans Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, reaffirmed Bakus determination to guarantee Nagorno-Karabakh residents all rights and freedoms in line with the countrys constitution and international human rights obligations, including safeguards for ethnic minorities.

A police officer detains a demonstrator during a protest against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan, Armenia, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. - Stepan Poghosyan/PHOTOLURE

Azeri authorities reported Saturday that they shipped over 60 tons of fuel that same day through the South Caucasus countrys territory, through a road leading from the city of Aghdam to Nagorno-Karabakhs regional capital.

Moscow has also sent over 50 tons of food aid and other basic necessities to Nagorno-Karabakh, the state-run RIA Novosti agency reported on Saturday. The Russian Defense Ministry that same day published a video showing Russian peacekeepers stationed in the region unloading the cargo.

However, during an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting on Friday, Armenian Foreign Minister, Ararat Mirzoyan, called to address the situation in the region. He accused Baku of launching an unprovoked and well-planned military attack on the province.
21C highs forecast this weekend before wet and windy weather sets in. (Photo: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)

The UK will see warmer weather this weekend with highs of up to 21C expected before more autumnal weather is due to set in.

The Met Office said temperatures will rise to at least the high teens today (Saturday 23 September) for most of the country with plenty of dry weather during the day with sunny spells.

However, the forecaster warns that a few showers are expected in the morning mainly across northeast Scotland, northern and eastern with rain and strong winds reaching Northern Ireland later in the day.

Forecaster Craig Snell said: "Most of us will get off to a bright start - there will be a few showers in the east, but they should generally move away as the day goes on.

"It is going to be a bit of a chilly start out there, especially across Scotland and Northern Ireland."

He added that even where temperatures are colder, sunshine will remain for most of the country across the whole day.

Today is the autumn equinox when summer officially ends and autumn begins.

The Met Office said conditions will turn wet and windy across Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of England and Wales tonight. It is expected to remain dry and bright in the Midlands, southeast England and East Anglia.

The dry and bright weather is not forecast to last for long as tomorrow (Sunday 24 September) will see rain and strong winds.

Heavy and persistent outbreaks of rain will affect the north and west.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain tomorrow which is in place from 4am until 23:59pm.

The affected regions include Central, Tayside & Fife, Grampian, Highlands & Eilean Siar, SW Scotland, Lothian Borders and Strathclyde.

The Met Office warned that it will also become increasingly windy through Sunday, with gusts of 50-60mph on coasts and over high ground which could exacerbate flooding.

Despite the wind and rain in the north tomorrow, it is expected that much of central, southern and eastern England will remain dry with some warm sunshine.

Story continues

Temperatures could possibly climb to 21C in the South East and even 18C in the North.

Looking towards next week and whether any warm weather will be here to stay, the outlook is not looking positive.

The Met Office has forecast sunny spells on Monday (25 September) but there will be blustery showers in the north which will become more widespread on Tuesday (26 September).

The forecaster added that on Wednesday (27 September) conditions will turn very wet and windy.
Some of Lough Neagh is covered with a scum that looks like mushy peas.

Actually mushy peas which you've kept in the fridge too long and has now grown patches of bright blue mould.

Much of the rest of it is more like a speckled green soup.

All of it is considered potentially deadly for pets, livestock and wildlife. For humans it can trigger stomach upsets and skin rashes.

It is the UK's biggest lake, roughly the size of the Isle of Wight and supplies water to 40% of Northern Ireland's people.

Its vast scale and impact both on the environment and income from fishing and leisure make this one of the biggest pollution incidents I've covered in 25 years.

James Orr from Friends of the Earth says the disaster is being underplayed because it's not happening on the mainland.

"Lough Neagh is the heartland of Northern Ireland. This is our Loch Lomond, our Lake Windermere.

"If this was happening in England this would be such a massive story that you couldn't get to the House of Commons, there'd be so many outraged people outside."

It is a bloom of toxic cyanobacteria known as blue-green algae. On satellite pictures you can clearly see the livid green swathes across miles of the surface.

The principle cause is excreta from farms animals, and to a lesser extent humans, leaching into the Lough.

That mixture of dung and urine is rich in phosphate and that provides the nutrients, the food, for the algae. In certain conditions, like this year's hot June and wet July, numbers explode.

"Lough Neagh has become like a toilet," says Mr Orr.

"That feeds the algae, the algae in turn grow in very prolific numbers, they suck the oxygen out of the water and they start feeding themselves to the point that it becomes frenetic. It becomes a toxic soup."

Forty-one percent of Northern Ireland's land area drains into Lough Neagh, most of that farmland.

In the last decade, there has been a deliberate growth strategy for the farming economy with many more intensive chicken producers, more cattle and pig numbers have swelled from 480,000 in 2013 to 738,000 in 2022.

Story continues

Many campaigners and some scientists say the resulting pollution has been ignored. The Ulster Farmer Union declined to be interviewed for our report, but farmers stress they are key to the economy and other polluters like leaking septic tanks and sewage treatment works are also feeding the algae.

At the AgriFood Biosciences Institute (ABFI) they are working on a solution to allow high production with low pollution.

Read more:

Second-hand electric vehicle sales hit record levels

BMW to make new electric Mini in Oxford

Many farm animals are housed for all or much of the year and their waste is collected and stored as slurry or manure.

Often this is fermented in biodigesters to create methane gas as an energy source.

What remains, called "digestate", is usually spread on fields as a fertiliser but is still high in phosphates which often find their way into watercourses.

Click to subscribe to ClimateCast with Tom Heap wherever you get your podcasts

Dr Gary Lyons, of AFBI, showed me systems they are trialling that massively compress the digestate, squeezing the fluid out, separating it into a low phosphate liquid fertiliser while the dryer fraction could be burnt as a biofuel. If farms used these separators, he says water would be much cleaner .

"We would see a huge reduction in the amount of phosphorus that's entering water bodies and then a positive impact on water quality and that's what we are looking for."

But this technology costs thousands and, without being demanded by new regulation, farmers are not expected to dash for it.

Currently there is no Northern Ireland administration to make any new rules as political disagreements following post-Brexit trading arrangements have paralysed the Stormont Assembly.

Public anger is seething over the state of Lough Neagh but, without firm action to limit pollution, the toxic green goo could become a regular summer visitor.
SIDVOKODVO - The Luke Commission (TLC) staff and patents plea to government is that it should intervene in the hospitals financial challenges to avoid what they referred to as a disaster.

In fact, they asked government to include TLC in its budget for the Ministry of Health, so that it can receive subvention to assist in sustaining it. They also asked government partners and the corporate world to assist the facility. The TLC staff members and patients said this when briefing the media about their concerns following reports that the health facility could suspend operations anytime because of the financial challenges it was facing. The press briefing was held at the facilitys premises yesterday.

Risk

They argued that if the facility could close, the about one-third of the countrys population (300 000) outpatients and inpatients, who receive medical assistance from the hospital annually, would be at risk. They said this was because under prevailing health crisis in the country, where public health facilities were continuously hit by shortage of drugs, the health facilities could not absorb the TLC patients, whom they refer to as most important people (VIPs).



In fact, they said TLCs VIPs came from the four regions of the country because they were supposedly not getting the required assistance from public health facilities which were closer to them.In that regard, they said they believed that since TLC was in the financial crisis it was facing because of the drastic increase of VIPs (increase of 450 per cent over the past five years), the shortage of medical drugs in public health facilities was also a contributing factor.

Financial

They argued that some of the patients became TLCs VIPs because at public health facilities, they were given prescription to go and buy the medical drugs from pharmacies, but they did not have the financial muscle to purchase the medication, thus they ended up preferring to go to this facility, which assist them free of charge.

One of the staff members, who joined TLC in 2018, said they were distributed by the breaking news about the possible closure of TLC. He said due to the values which they learnt at TLC (that off loving the patients and putting them first), they became more worried about their VIPs, more than them as workers. We have qualifications, we can apply somewhere else and get jobs, but what will happen to our VIPs - they will die. The question is; their lives will be in whose hands? the staff member asked.

Another one highlighted that despite those who visit the health facility on a daily basis, there were those who were on oxygen and if removed, they would die. He said the question was what would happen to them if the facility suspends operations? Again, one of the workers who also joined the establishment in 2018 said during COVID-19, when the health sector was saturated and ran out of oxygen, government failed to set up even a provisional oxygen plant.

On the other hand, TLC established a multi-million Emalangeni oxygen plant and it saved a lot of lives. However, he said now government, instead of supporting the initiative; says the oxygen does not meet the standard set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). By so doing, he said the multi-million Emalangeni project was becoming a white elephant and government was importing oxygen.

Our plea is that government should also be seen supporting this project so that it meets that required standard because it will also get oxygen cheaper than importing it from neighbouring countries and the nation will benefit, the worker said.

Mountains

Once more, another TLC healthcare worker said during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing crisis of shortage of drugs (in public health facilities), a number of patients actually stared death in the face, but the TLC team climbed mountains to ensure that they recover and they were living testimonies of the good work of the facility. They said their wish was that the outgoing Cabinet should consider the matter before its term of office expires because anything could happen between their last day in office and when new cabinet would be put in place. In fact, there could be disaster and lives could be lost.
HA NOI  To maintain a high growth rate of exports, it was necessary to target new trends, including semiconductors, said experts.

The scale of this market reached more than US$600 billion last year, and is forecasted to reach $1.4 trillion by 2029.

Viet Nam is a very open economy, with total import-export turnover reaching 200 per cent of GDP, making the economy vulnerable to external fluctuations, said experts.

Economic expert Nguyen inh Cung, former director of the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) told Doanh Nhan Viet Nam (Vietnamese Businessman) online magazine that Viet Nam's economy was very open and was becoming more and more open. Therefore, the economy was susceptible to even external factors.

Finding a solution to this problem, experts say that to avoid external injuries, Viet Nam needs to change soon.

Pointing out the weakness of the Vietnamese economy, Cung said there were three important components including the FDI enterprise sector, the private sector and the State-owned enterprise sector.

However, these sectors had not been closely linked and unified with each other, said Cung.

To enhance the economy's resilience to external factors, these components needed to be more closely linked, he said.

When exports tended to weaken, they need support from the domestic market and vice versa, he added.

Cung predicted that the economy would continue to have an important driving force from the FDI and export sectors in the future, but for sustainable development, fundamental changes were needed.

Cutting rely on the cheap advantage

First, to attract FDI and improve export growth, we must not continue to rely on the advantage of low prices, said experts.

Major countries were currently tending to change their thinking and strengthen their foundations, said Cung.

These countries are increasing their self-reliance in controlling the supply chain by moving factories to their home country or closer countries, which has caused a significant impact on the supply chain.

The good news was that Viet Nam's position was increasingly growing as it had become an important partner of many large countries, said experts.

Viet Nam has also just upgraded its relationship with the US to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

This event has opened up many opportunities for Viet Nam, especially in attracting investment in fields with high technology content and high added value such as the semiconductor industry.

Recently, leading US businesses and corporations in the field of semiconductors also assessed that Viet Nam has many potentials and opportunities to develop the semiconductor industry ecosystem.

These businesses also said they were studying the possibility of locating chip factories in Viet Nam.

At the recent visit of US President Joe Biden, many large US semiconductor businesses such as Intel, Amkor, Marvell, and GlobalFoundries signed a commitment to invest in Viet Nam. They assess that high-quality human resources and the improving capacity of businesses and training facilities in Viet Nam are the necessary factors, not cheap human resources.

It can be seen that the trend of competing with cheap human resources has passed. Previously, Viet Nam's initial investment and export activities were mostly in low value-added sectors such as textiles, garments and footwear.

After that, the country has quickly moved up the value chain, developing into an important electronics assembly centre thanks to the investment participation of a number of technology "giants".

Typically, Samsung, up to now, its investment has reached $18 billion, accounting for about one-quarter of Viet Nam's export value.

This has also encouraged other tech giants, especially Apple, to expand their operations.

However, experts assessed that to maintain export momentum, it was necessary to attract and develop fields with high technology content such as the semiconductor industry because this was the leading trend in the future.

Many semiconductor "giants" heading to Viet Nam

The scale of the global chip market was about more than $600 billion last year, and it was forecasted that it would reach 1,400 billion by 2029, an opportunity for for Viet Nam in this huge giant cake, said Nguyen Mai, Chairman of the Viet Nam Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises (VAFIE).

Semiconductor technology is a 'story of the whole world', developed countries were giving incentives to expand research and production for this industry, said Mai.

Viet Nam did not have much money to invest, so it had to rely on FDI capital attraction for development, he added.

Samsung and Intel are two electronics giants and also leading enterprises in the semiconductor industry.

Intel has increased the investment capital of this project to nearly $1.5 billion in 2021, and is planning to invest more to expand the factory in Viet Nam.

Samsung also announced plans to produce semiconductor components in Viet Nam. Mass production of semiconductor chip grid products at Samsung Electro-Mechanics Viet Nam factory in Thai Nguyen Province is expected to be carried out at the end of this year, after trial production is completed.

Two prominent semiconductor projects this year are the Hana Micron Vina factory in Bac Giang Province, which has just been inaugurated, and Amkor Technology in Bac Ninh Province, which is expected to be completed in October.

Choi Chang Ho, Chairman of Hana Micron Vina, said that the company planned to increase its total investment to over $1 billion by 2025, annual revenue is expected to reach $800 million and create 4,000 jobs for Vietnamese.  VNS
DHAKA  Viet Nam defines Bangladesh, which is currently the country's second largest trading partner in South Asia, as its important partner and a potential investment destination for major corporations and enterprises of the Southeast Asian country in the future, National Assembly Chairman Vuong inh Hue said on Friday.

In his speech at the Viet Nam-Bangladesh forum on policies and laws to promote economic, trade and investment cooperation in Dhaka capital, Bangladesh, Hue said with a favourable geographical location, Bangladesh could be considered a gateway for Vietnamese businesses to enter and expand to other South Asian and Middle East markets, and vice versa, Bangladeshi businesses can expand to markets in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - the 5th largest market in the world with about 650 million people - and enlarge to partner countries which have signed free trade agreements with Viet Nam.

According to the Vietnamese top legislator, in the current context of the global economy, Viet Nam and Bangladesh need to strengthen cooperation, facilitate trade for each other, and enhance connections between their businesses to maintain existing supply chains, jointly attract capital and technology to develop new industrial supply chains with high added value. The two countries should also strengthen cooperation in agriculture and fisheries, especially rice and food, textiles and garment, construction materials, infrastructure investment, development of e-commerce and digital economy, Halal industry and tourism.

He said that on that basis, the two countries would soon strive for a trade turnover of about US$2 billion.

Appreciating that Bangladesh has greened its textile industry and maintained orders amid a decline in other countries, the NA Chairman hoped that the two countries would coordinate to develop the textile and garment value chain on the basis of joint work and non-competition.

He also asked businesses from both sides to actively exchange and promote cooperation in the field of agriculture, especially clean agriculture and green agriculture adapted to climate change, and aquaculture, including pearl farming and processing.

In particular, Hue also asked businesses and the Chambers of Commerce and Industry to urge the two countries to sign a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the field of agricultural cooperation soon as well as extend the MoU on agricultural cooperation on fisheries and breeding.

Shomi Kaiser, Vice President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), said the trade and investment cooperation relationship between the two countries was currently not commensurate with their potential.

The two countries had not signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), but Bangladesh had a large market and always wanted to promote investment, business and trade cooperation in the spirit of mutual benefit, she noted, adding that the Bangladeshi business community would be ready to cooperate with Vietnamese enterprises.

Bangladesh's gross domestic product (GDP) reached $455 billion in 2022 and the country is aiming for $1 trillion in the near future.

According to Kaiser, the two countries have similarities in export markets and Viet Nam has diverse export products.

Bangladesh is making efforts to resolve challenges to exit the group of low-income countries. In that spirit, Bangladesh wishes to share development experiences and strengthen investment and trade cooperation in the future.

At the forum, the Vietnamese top legislator witnessed the signing ceremony of MoUs between businesses of the two countries.

The same day, the NA Chairman hosted receptions for Joshoda Jibon Nath, Vice President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and leaders of the Bangladesh - Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BVCCI) and the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).

At the meeting with FBCCI Vice President Nath, Hue said he hoped that the federation would strengthen its role in helping Vietnamese businesses learn about investment opportunities in Bangladesh's industrial parks, especially 100 special industrial parks and 26 high-tech industrial zones that had been implemented in conjunction with the South Asian nation's investment attraction policies.

For his part, Nath said Bangladesh was negotiating to sign a number of free trade agreements, hoping Viet Nam would play a role in connecting with the Southeast Asian market. Vice versa, Bangladesh could connect cooperation between South Asian countries and Southeast Asian nations, he said.

Meeting with leaders of BVCCI and DCCI, the Vietnamese top legislator asked them to closely coordinate with the authorities of Viet Nam and Bangladesh to promote their roles as bridges and actively support enterprises of the two countries in studying, connecting, and investing in the two countries.

The two organisations should collaborate with relevant agencies of the two countries to promote and introduce Viet Nam's culture, people, business and investment environment, which is being improved, to Bangladesh's business community, and vice versa, Hue added.

Later on Friday, Chairman Hue had working sessions with leaders from the Doreen Group, Abdul Monem Limited (AML), Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI), and Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB), during which he affirmed that the National Assembly and Government of Viet Nam would accompany and create favourable conditions for foreign investors, including those from Bangladesh, to carry out investment and business activities and exploit strengths of each country.

He also informed them about policies, laws and orientations of Viet Nam, while urging Bangladeshi groups and associations with their networks of offices and branches to serve as a bridge to bring potential investors inside and outside Bangladesh to come to make investment in Viet Nam. VNA/VNS
HA NOI  A never-before-seen painting by celebrated Vietnamese artist Mai Trung Thu (1906-1980) will be offered at Bonhams Southeast Asian Modern and Contemporary Art on October 4.

Le Collier (The Necklace), carrying an estimate of HK$2,500,000  4,000,000 (US$320,000 - 511,000), was formerly in the private collection of Federico Moller de Berg (1899-1991), a renowned Uruguayan sculptor who acquired it directly from Thu in 1948  the year the two artists first met in Paris.

Federico studied at the Academie de la Grande Chaumiere and belonged to a circle of artists who shared and admired each others works. It was there Federico came across Thus paintings.

Fascinated by Thus art and the tenderness in which he approached his subjects, Federico later exchanged his two sculptures for Thu's paintings, and one of the two pieces was Le Collier. The work remained in Federicos personal collection and was brought back to Uruguay where he treasured it for the rest of his life.

The painting portrays a white-dressed Vietnamese woman serenely reclining with a red beaded necklace in hand, admiring it while at the same time seemingly thinking of someone associated with it. It is a rare work of the artist not only for its size  measuring 55 x 71cm  but also the richness of the subjects emotion, the grace in her posture, and the striking composition.

Art critic Ngo Kim Khoi said: For those with an affection for Vietnamese art, in particular the silk paintings of Mai Trung Thu, this young woman's pure beauty within the canvas is bound to leave them in awe. Many may find themselves yearning to possess this masterpiece, allowing them to continue to admire its delicacy.

Joan Yip, senior specialist of Bonhams Southeast Modern and Contemporary Asian Art, commented: This painting has such a heart-warming story and reveals the pure admiration between two very different artists, who first met in Paris and developed a touching admiration for each others work. Kept privately in the collection of Federico Moller de Berg for more than 70 years, the painting is a unique work by Mai Thu and we expect a lot of interest from collectors as it comes fresh to the market on 4 October in Hong Kong.

Mai Trung Thu was born in Kien An, in the northern city of Hai Phong, into a large and honourable family of literati.

In 1924, as the Ecole des Beaux-Arts de l'Indochine was established through the collaboration of the Frenchman Victor Tardieu and the Vietnamese Nguyen Nam Son, Mai Trung Thu passed the entrance exam and became one of 10 students in the first class (1925-1930).

Thu met with great success with silk painting, one of the most distinctive materials of Vietnamese painting.

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and collectables, collectors cars and a luxury division, which includes jewellery, designer fashion, watches, wine, and whisky.  VNS
Dr Nguyen Quan, Chairman of Viet Nam Automation Association and former Minister of Science and Technology, spoke with the Vietnam News Agency about Viet Nam's enormous potentials in semiconductor development. However, he emphasised that if Viet Nam only focused on manufacturing and assembling, it would never establish a robust and complete semiconductor industry.

Viet Nam has been recognised for its rapidly evolving semiconductor ecosystem with abundant resources, a highly skilled workforce, and a wave of investment and collaboration in chip design engineering to the country. Could you tell us about the primary challenges Viet Nam is facing to develop the semiconductor industry?

The primary challenge in developing Viet Nams semiconductor sector is investment, as it is considered a high-tech, elite industry. After the design phase, extensive testing and experimentation labs are required, making chip design a costly endeavour. Currently, Viet Nam lacks these facilities and must resort to expensive overseas testing laboratories.

Furthermore, when it comes to production, chip manufacturing plants demand substantial investments. Additionally, we must invest in clean production lines, as chips require an exceptionally clean manufacturing environment. Advanced technologies such as robotics and automation also come at a high cost.

The second major challenge is our lack of self-reliance on input materials, especially in the electronic materials industry, particularly high-tech materials used in electronic component production. Currently, we are heavily dependent on imported materials. In the long term, we must work towards self-sufficiency in sourcing materials for chip production.

Viet Nam has two paths to develop the semiconductor industry: expanding manufacturing or enhancing capabilities and value in design and packaging. Which direction should we pursue?

Viet Nam should follow the path taken by successful countries and territories such as Taiwan (China), South Korea, and mainland China, which is to prioritise design as the most critical stage. If we only focus on manufacturing and assembling for other nations, we will never establish a comprehensive and thriving semiconductor industry.

Therefore, Viet Nam must take the route of becoming a leader in semiconductor design from the very beginning. Subsequently, we should focus on testing and large-scale production. Concurrently, we need to develop the electronic materials industry, ensuring a stable supply of materials for chip and semiconductor manufacturing.

In the future, we will witness cooperation in the field of technology and innovation between Viet Nam and the United States. As a former Minister of Science and Technology, how do you assess the opportunities for Viet Nam?

The cooperation programme in science and technology with the US has been in place for many years, dating back to the normalisation of relations between the two countries. We have also negotiated with the US on the Pacific Partnership Agreement.

Viet Nam signed agreements earlier with the US on cooperation in science and technology. Every year, we have exchanges between delegations of scientists from both nations.

The US has also established the Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF) to provide training for thousands of high-level science professionals in Viet Nam, many of whom have returned and made significant contributions to the country's science and technology.

With President Joe Biden's visit this month, I believe a new chapter in scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries has opened.

Among the four areas of cooperation that the US is focusing on with Viet Nam, the field of science and technology is of great interest. The US said it hoped that Viet Nam could become a strong nation in the electronics and semiconductor industry.

Viet Nam has great potential, not only in terms of a skilled workforce but also in its exposure to the electronics and semiconductor industry for 15 years. However, due to various factors, especially investment and technical support, we have not yet fully developed a genuine electronics and semiconductor industry.

I believe that with the support of the US in terms of resources and technology, we can develop the electronics and semiconductor industry. This is a high-value-added industry, as a semiconductor chip can be worth more than many tonnes of rice.

We can master high technology and enhance our economic efficiency. We can also become a significant player in cooperation with the US in the Southeast Asian region.

In the field of semiconductor chip design, Viet Nam currently has around 30 active companies with over 5,000 highly skilled engineers. If we look five years ahead, we will need 20,000 engineers, and in ten years, we will need up to 50,000 engineers. Do you think Viet Nam's human resources are genuinely in short supply, and does Viet Nam have the capability to train the workforce to keep pace with this emerging industry?

Viet Nam indeed has the potential for a high-tech workforce. However, the development of our human resources in any field depends on the needs of the economy and government directives.

One thing to note is that for many years, we haven't paid much attention to the electronics and semiconductor field. Consequently, university programmes in this area have not attracted many students.

Looking at the potential of our people, those in the fields of electronics and information technology, we are entirely capable of becoming experts in semiconductor and electronics design. If we currently have 5,000 engineers, I believe that number is acceptable. We've also learned that the enrollment targets for programmes related to electronics and semiconductors at universities have increased.

Vietnamese universities have a tradition of training in information technology and software, computer science, and hardware. If these human resources receive additional training in a short-term conversion programme, they can fully meet the requirements of the semiconductor and electronics industry.

I think training around 50,000 individuals to work in the semiconductor field is not an overly ambitious goal. Within the next ten years, I believe we can achieve that. The issue lies in how our products will be commercialised, to what scale they will serve the development needs of Viet Nam, or whether they will cater to the regional or global market.

This, again, depends on the market and can be determined by major electronics corporations, such as Samsung or Intel. They will decide how our semiconductor chips will be consumed.

If we collaborate effectively with large companies and major nations, we can undoubtedly develop the semiconductor industry to the extent we project.  VNS
DHAKA  Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Vuong inh Hue received President of the Bangladesh-Vietnam Friendship Society (BVFS) Shamsher M. Chowdhury in Dhaka on September 22 as part of the top legislators visit to Bangladesh.

Hue described the establishment of the BVFS in early 2023 as a milestone, helping to enhance understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries, as well as the bilateral relationship.

The NA leader pledged that after the visit he will instruct the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) to coordinate with the BVFS in cooperation activities, and consider the formation of the Vietnam-Bangladesh friendship association.

Hue also suggested the BVFS work harder to contribute to trade and investment promotion, helping Vietnamese and Bangladeshi businesses explore each other's markets.

For his part, Chowdhury, who is also former Foreign Minister and former Ambassador of Bangladesh to Viet Nam, stressed that Bangladesh was the first country in South Asia to recognise and establish diplomatic ties with the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Viet Nam at the ambassador level.

Viet Nam was one of the countries that have played an important role in the Indo-Pacific, he said.

He emphasised that Hues official visit to Bangladesh would contribute to strengthening the bilateral political, diplomatic and economic ties, while fostering the friendship, cooperation and exchange between the people of the two countries.

Chowdhury said the BVFS would propose the Bangladeshi government name a road in Dhaka after late President Ho Chi Minh.VNA/VNS
VIENNA  A Vietnamese delegation led by Ambassador Nguyen Trung Kien, Governor - Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), attended a regular meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors.

The meeting, from September 11-15, reviewed the IAEAs annual reports, which will be submitted to the 67th Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference, scheduled to take place from September 25-29 in Vienna, Austria, and looked into other issues.

In his remarks, Kien affirmed Viet Nams consistent stance on supporting non-proliferation, towards the complete and thorough disarmament of nuclear weapons, and stressed the need to ensure the balance among the three pillars of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

"Viet Nam always supports the role of the IAEA," he said, speaking highly of technical cooperation programmes, especially the ongoing ones, between Viet Nam and the IAEA such as the Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC).

He called on the IAEA to step up its technical support and cooperation with Viet Nam in the areas of shared concern.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the Vietnamese delegation hosted a party to thank international friends for their support and cooperation during its 2021-2023 membership of the Board of Governors, which is expected to end after the boards October meeting. VNA/VNS
NEW YORK - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a ceremony celebrating Viet Nam's 78th National Day and the 46th anniversary of the country's accession to the United Nations (UN) at the UN headquarters in New York, the US, on September 22 evening.

The event was attended by President of the 78th UN General Assembly Dennis Francis, representatives from UN organisations and UN member states, international friends, leaders from Vietnamese ministries and sectors, and Vietnamese officials working in the US.

In his remarks, PM Chinh highlighted that Viet Nam had contributed its efforts to realise the UNs goals since it joined the organisation 46 years ago, just like what late President Ho Chi Minh expressed in his letter to the President of the 1st session of the UN General Assembly, which says Viet Nams formation, struggle and development history is always associated with the UNs values and principles, and is a part of the international communitys flow.

Briefing the guests on Viet Nams development journey, PM Chinh stressed that Viet Nam had transformed from an aid recipient to a big rice exporter, and from a country ravaged by wars for decades to a nation with great strides in hunger eradication and poverty alleviation, and in the process to realise the UNs Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals.

"Viet Nam is now among the 40 leading economies in the world, and enters the global top 20 economies in terms of international trade," he said, saying Viet Nam stood ready to welcome international friends, tell stories of a peaceful and stable country as well as a people of industriousness, creativity and strong passion  the stories about an independent and resilient Viet Nam who is a trustworthy friend and partner, and a proactive and responsible member of the international community.

The Vietnamese Party and State would continue their care for, and make more efforts for a prosperous nation, he said, adding that Viet Nam would be willing to share its experience so as to make practical contributions to the UN.

Congratulating Viet Nam on its National Day, Francis said that after 78 years of gaining independence, Viet Nam had been developing extraordinarily from a poor nation to a middle-income, dynamic country with a strong startup spirit.

Viet Nam had worked actively to promote multilateralism, fully implemented and heightened the values of the UN Charter, while engaging in a wide range of the UNs activities, which illustrated the nations commitment to the UNs common goals, he said.

Francis expressed his hope that Viet Nam would continue to engage and make more contributions to the UNs goals, and affirmed that he would support all of the UN member states, including Viet Nam, to implement the UN Charter and the sustainable development goals, and outline a roadmap towards the Summit of the Future. VNA/VNS
NEW YORK  Viet Nam always attaches importance to promoting friendship and cooperation with African countries, including Burundi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said while meeting Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye in New York on September 22 as part of his trip to attend the high-level week of the 78th UN General Assembly.

PM Chinh thanked the Burundian government for supporting Vietnamese enterprises telecommunications project which contributes to the host nations socio-economic development.

He proposed Burundi create more favourable conditions for Vietnamese firms to operate in the African nation, and suggested both countries enhance delegation exchanges, promote cooperation mechanisms, and bolster trade exchanges as well as agricultural collaboration.

President Ndayishimiye, for his part, congratulated Viet Nam on its achievements in the cause of national construction and development, saying Viet Nam was an outstanding example for other developing countries.

Burundi always treasured the development of relations with Viet Nam, a potential partner in Southeast Asia, he said, adding he agreed with PM Chi nhs recommendations to boost the bilateral ties in the time ahead, with a focus given to investment-trade cooperation.

Both leaders reached consensus on enhancing cooperation and supporting each other at multilateral forums as well as promoting their roles as bridges to enhance cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the African Union (AU) as well as between the two regional blocs.

At the meeting, the two leaders also discussed several issues of mutual concern, including the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) matters.

PM Chinh took this occasion to convey President Vo Van Thuongs invitation to President Evariste Ndayishimiye to visit Viet Nam. President Ndayishimiye accepted the invitation with pleasure and expressed his hope to visit Viet Nam soon. VNA/VNS
DHAKA  National Assembly Chairman Vuong inh Hue met with representatives of the Vietnamese community in Bangladesh on September 22 within the framework of his official visit to the South Asian country.

The top legislator said this is the first visit by a Vietnamese NA Chairman to Bangladesh, and described it as a significant activity when the two nations are celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations.

He reviewed the Viet Nam  Bangladesh relations, and briefed the overseas Vietnamese on the outcomes of his talks with the Speaker of the Bangladeshi Parliament, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, during which the first-ever cooperation deal between the two legislative bodies was signed in the past five decades.

Leaders of both countries affirmed efforts to increase two-way trade from US$1.5 billion to $2 billion, and to a higher level in the coming years, he said, adding they expected that a direct air route between the two nations would be opened soon, helping promote economic, trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchange activities so as to bring benefits to both sides.

Briefing Vietnamese nationals in Bangladesh of the home countrys socio-economic situation with robust results as well as vibrant foreign affairs, Hue highlighted the new visa policy, which took effect from August 15 with the duration of an electronic visa increasing from 30 to 90 days for single or multiple entries, would create favourable conditions for the tourism sector.

Viet Nam is envisaged to become a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, and a developed, high-income nation by 2045 under the Resolution adopted at the 13th National Party Congress.

To achieve the mighty aspiration, he said Viet Nam should seize every opportunity, including promoting the economic diplomacys role, enhancing internal strength, and capitalising on external resources.

The Party and State always considered overseas Vietnamese communities as an integral part of the Vietnamese people, he stressed, saying solidarity, persistence, as well as concerted efforts had helped them overcome challenges, and well integrate into the host nations.

Hue expressed his hope that the Vietnamese nationals in Bangladesh would always turn their hearts to the homeland, work to consolidate the traditional friendship between the two nations, and pay due attention to building the community and cultural institutions towards bolstering exchanges with the Vietnamese people communities in other countries. VNA/VNS
NHLANGANO  A police officer has been arrested and charged with the rape of two women.

Sandile Sihlongonyane (37) is alleged to have committed the offence on Thursday. He was brought to the Shiselweni Magistrates Court in Nhlangano by members of the Lukhozi Serious Crimes Unit on Thursday at 3:45pm. He appeared before Acting Magistrate Sifiso Ngwenya.

Members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) led one of their own into the dock and his charges were read to him. In Count One, the accused is alleged to have contravened Sections 3 (1) of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act of No.15, 2018. He is alleged to have had unlawful sexual intercourse with one of the complainants in March 2022 in Hlatikhulu in the Shiselweni Region.

In the second charge, Sihlongonyane allegedly had unlawful sexual intercourse with the second complainant on September 8, 2023 in Hlathikhulu. The identities of the two women will not be revealed for ethical reasons.

When the accused appeared at the magistrates court, he was remanded in custody until September 27, 2023 pending committal to the High Court. The accused is currently kept at His Majestys Correctional Services in Nhlangano.

Dont use sharing as excuse to commit crime - NATCOM

National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police, William Tsintsibala Dlamini has said officers should not use the sharing of an apartment as an excuse to commit crime. In an interview with Eswatini News yesterday, Dlamini who is the head of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), said in terms of the law, every offender, including police officers, would be arrested if they are found to have committed a crime.

We have been engaging officers now and again on how to behave when sharing an apartment with colleagues and more than anything, we have overemphasised the need to always be custodians of the law as enforcers, the police commissioner said.

Management

The Secretary General (SG) of the Royal Eswatini Police Services Staff Association (REPOSSA), Sergeant Dumisile Khumalo, previously informed this publication that police officers should no longer share houses. The SG alleged that senior management officers had been flooded with a litany of cases ranging from food theft and playing of music loud in the middle of the night.

Khumalo stated that sharing accommodation had not been easy for police officers. She said it was high time government considered alternative houses, like bedsitters. Khumalo said government should consider bedsitters and constructing them with immediate effect to avoid such situations. The police flats can be designed to be bedsitters. It is better to live in a small bedsitter than to sleep in a big house whereby there would be daily squabbles between those who are sharing it, Sergeant Khumalo was quoted to have said.

... faces over 36yrs in jail, if convicted

The accused police officer is facing a possible jail term of over 36 years, if found guilty. Section 3(1) of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act No.15 of 2018, under which the officer, Sandile Sihlongonyane, was charged states: A person who rapes another commits an offence of rape.

For purposes of this Act, the offence of rape is committed either by a male or female person against another person.

For the purpose of this section, rape is defined as an unlawful act with a person, and in the case of an unlawful sexual act, for the purposes of this part, constitutes a sexual act committed under any of the following circumstances; in any coercive circumstance or under false pretences or by fraudulent means or in respect of a person who is incapable in law of appreciating the nature of the sexual act.

Aggravating

Duress, psychologic oppression, or fear of violence, the section stipulates that any person who contravenes Subsection (1) under the circumstances where there are no aggravating factors, as referred to under the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act of 1938 shall, on conviction, be liable to a term of imprisonment of; if the victim is an adult at the time of the offence, not exceeding 18 years in the case of a first offender and in the case of a subsequent offence, not exceeding 25 years.

Further, where it is established that the rape was committed with aggravating factors, as refereed to under the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, shall, on conviction, be liable to a term of imprisonment of; if the victim was an adult at the time of the offence, not exceeding 20 years in the case of first offender and in the case of a subsequent offence, not exceeding 30 years.
NEW YORK  Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh left New York early on September 23 (local time), concluding his trip to attend the high-level week of the 78th United Nations General Assembly and bilateral activities in the US, and setting off for a four-day official visit to Brazil.

PM Chinhs official visit to Brazil, made at the invitation of President Lula da Silva, aims to consolidate political trust, deepen multifaceted cooperation, and develop the bilateral relations practically and effectively, especially in the fields of politics, diplomacy, economy, trade, and investment, culture, education and tourism.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil Pham Thi Kim Hoa told the Vietnam News Agency that PM Chinh is the first leader of the Vietnamese Party and Government to pay an official visit to Brazil since the trip by then Party General Secretary Nong uc Manh in 2007. Therefore," it bears great significance to the promotion of the bilateral partnership in the future," she said, holding that it would mark the opening of a new period of cooperation between Viet Nam and Brazil.

It would also take place on the threshold of the 35th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2024. Therefore, its outcomes would add meaning to this milestone, guiding the elevation of bilateral relations to a new height in the future.

Highlighting economic cooperation potential between the two countries, Hoa noted that two-way trade reached US$ 6.78 billion in 2022.

Brazil is the biggest trading partner of Viet Nam in Latin America and the second largest in America, just behind the US.

The ambassador hoped that PM Chinhs visit would help facilitate the trading of more products between the two countries, especially farm produce towards more balanced manner.

Particularly, the two sides are expected to propose effective policies and measures to expand their product exports to balance the bilateral trade, thus benefiting both Viet Nam and Brazil, especially in the context that the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) is considering the signing of a free trade agreement with Viet Nam. VNA/VNS
LAO CAI  President Vo Van Thuong on September 23 attended a ceremony in Lao Cai to celebrate 65 years since Uncle Hos visit to the northern mountainous province.

During his visit to the province on September 23, 1958, Uncle Ho asked the provincial Party Organisation and ethnic groups to promote solidarity, step up production, ensure social order, protect their cultural identity, and make efforts to turn Lao Cai into a more prosperous and happier province.

More than 30 years since its re-establishment, Lao Cai has been developing strongly, from a war-ravaged locality and one of the country's six poorest provinces, to lead the Northwestern region in terms of socio-economic development, with average economic growth during 1991-2022 reaching nearly 10 per cent, and GRPD per capita hitting nearly VN90 million (US$3,690) per year.

Congratulating Lao Cai on its major achievements over the past years, President Thuong asked the province to exert greater efforts to realise its set goals as the achievements had yet to be commensurate with its potential and strengths.

Weak competitive capacity, asynchronous socio-economic infrastructure, and poor structure and quality of human resources and environmental protection have failed to meet sustainable development requirements, he said, adding that more work should be done to narrow income gap between rural and urban areas, improve livelihoods of people in mountainous areas, and stabilise local security and order.

He asked local officials, party members and people to follow President Ho Chi Minhs thought, morality and lifestyle, and strive to build Lao Cai into a developed province in the nation by 2045.

Due attention should be paid to bolstering socio-economic development, enhancing the application of scientific-technological advancements, and capitalising on local potential and strengths to build Lao Cai into a growth pole of the northern mountainous and midland region, a centre to connect trade and investment between Viet Nam and other ASEAN countries with Chinas southwestern region, and a key area for tourism development, border gate services, metallurgical and chemical industries, and medicinal materials, he said.

Additionally, the province should focus on the preservation and promotion of ethnic cultures and healthcare, reduction of the number of poor households, and boosting environmental protection.

He particularly stressed that the province must pay heed to the party building work; enhance party rectification, criticism and self-criticism; promote the responsibility for setting examples of officials and party members; and strengthen anti-corruption work.

At the event, 65 exemplary individuals in following President Ho Chi Minhs Thought, morality and lifestyle were commended and rewarded.

The same day, President Thuong visited and presented gifts to teachers and students of Lao Cai boarding high school for ethnic minorities. VNA/VNS
LONDON - A high-ranking delegation of the Ministry of Public Security led by its Deputy Minister Lieutenant General Le Quoc Hung paid a working visit to the United Kingdom from September 16-21 to strengthen bilateral cooperation in law enforcement.

The delegation held talks with Minister of State (Minister for Immigration) at the Home Office Robert Jenrick, visited the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA), worked with the Metropolitan Police (Met) and visited several Met units.

In the talks with Jenrick, the two sides appreciated close cooperation in crime prevention and control, contributing to ensuring national security, social order and safety in each country.

Some areas of cooperation are becoming the key to law enforcement cooperation between the two countries, including in immigration management, and prevention and control of crimes related to human trafficking and illegal immigration.

The two sides agreed to boost cooperation in an extensive, effective and practical manner, helping to build political trust and deepen the strategic partnership between Viet Nam and the UK.

They pledged to maintain and promote the exchange of delegations at all levels; share experience and information in immigration, repatriation and entrance-exit; and coordinate in investigations into cases related to human trafficking, illegal immigration, use of high technology, fraudulent appropriation of property, financial crimes, and money laundering.

Hung suggested the two sides soon negotiate and sign an agreement on the extradition of criminals to complete the legal corridor and create favourable conditions for future cooperation activities.

After the talks, the two sides conducted expert-level discussion sessions on several cooperation areas of mutual interest, including the issue of receiving citizens, fighting falsification of visa application documents, communications about safe migration, and the organisation of the 2nd Viet Nam - UK Migration Dialogue in London, and the consideration of organising an online appeal hearing for Vietnamese citizens whose asylum requests are denied by the British side, and the fight against human trafficking.

To increase the effectiveness of information exchange and serve investigation and verification, the UK's Home Office proposed the two sides research, build, negotiate and sign an agreement on the sharing of criminal records in the near future.

Visiting the NCA, Deputy Minister Le Quoc Hung and Rob Jones, Director General for Operations at the NCA, committed to working closely to exchange and share experiences and information in the fields of crime prevention and control, especially those related to illegal migration, cybercrimes, and those using high technology, and money laundering; and coordinating in holding seminars, and capacity building training courses.

Working with the Metropolitan Police, the Vietnamese officer suggested the two sides promote coordination and share experiences in ensuring security and order, especially for high-level delegations, special events, and important and key targets of each country.

He proposed the British side organise training courses to improve the capacity of officers and soldiers of the Ministry of Public Security, and share experiences in building criminal databases, and consider the possibility of establishing cooperative relations between Met and the Hanoi Department of Public Security.

On this occasion, the Ministry of Public Security's delegation also visited the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK. VNA/VNS
LAO CAI  President Vo Van Thuong on September 22 paid a field trip to and presented gifts to families affected by a recent serious flash flood in Lien Minh Commune of Sa Pa Township in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai.

The flash flood on September 12 night killed five people, left two missing, injured seven others, and caused damage to local production and business, particularly aquaculture and homestay services.

On behalf of Party and State leaders, President Thuong extended his condolences to families of the deceased and missing, and his sympathy to those who suffered asset losses.

He asked local authorities to continue mobilising resources to search for the missing people, and review the damage to promptly support affected people.

The President presented gifts to the flood victims, encouraging them to overcome difficulties, soon stabilise their lives and resume their production and business.

On this occasion, individuals and organisations provided necessities and cash to assist local people.

Lien Minh is a poor commune of Sa Pa Township with four out of its seven villages in extremely disadvantaged areas. The commune is home to 3,739 people from five ethnic groups. It still has 168 poor households, and 255 near-poor families. VNA/VNS
NEW YORK  The Vietnamese Party and State always support and facilitate innovation activities, and continue perfecting related institutions, mechanisms and policies, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has told members of the Vietnam Innovation Network (NIC) in the US.

At a meeting with the NIC members in New York on September 22 afternoon (local time), PM Chinh, who was in the US to attend the high-level week of the UN General Assemblys 78th session, proposed the network's innovation activities focus on new fields such as digital transformation, green transition, circular economy, sharing economy and infrastructure (including hard, soft and digital infrastructure), and education and training.

"Innovation is not only in socio-economic development but also in cultural development, including the cultural industry," he stressed.

Recalling the country's development goals to 2030 and 2045, the leader said that to achieve these goals, each person's efforts and contributions were needed in the spirit of inheriting and promoting the tradition of turning nothing into something, turning difficult into easy issues, turning impossibility into possibility.

The PM shared about the fundamental factors in the process of national safeguarding and development, major directions and outstanding achievements of Viet Nam in socio-economic and cultural development, foreign affairs and international integration. He emphasised the need to always be in a state of innovation, because resources originate from thinking and awareness, motivation from innovation and creativity, and strength from people and businesses.

Appreciating the establishment of the NIC, which has received support from many people, the Government leader said that for the network to continuously grow, it is important to harmonise benefits, share risks, and bring practical benefits to members and participating parties.

Innovation must be linked to reality and must bring greater efficiency that can be measured, he said, asking the network's members to continue staying united and inspire innovation and creativeness for others.

At the meeting, the network's members shared experiences, and proposed ideas, programmes and plans to expand the network, mobilise more resources from the network, and tighten the relationship of the intellectual community in the US with Viet Nam, as well as provide policy suggestions for socio-economic development, especially in high-tech fields and emerging industries. VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Nearly ten years after transgender people were recognised in the Civil Code, numerous administrative obstacles are still present for this community which hopes that its future will look different as the development of a Law on Gender Affirmation is underway.

An event was held on Friday to look back at the results of a campaign advocating for transgender rights through discussions and stories told by the transgender community themselves.

The central theme of these 33 stories is about growing up, gender identity, coming out to their families and even the violence they experience in school, said Tilo, one of the campaign team members.

National Assembly (NA) deputy Nguyen Anh Tri, who is leading the law project on gender affirmation, told the event that laws need to be based on reality, and in order to do so, the legislative process should take into account the communitys needs, opinions and experiences.

Chu Thanh Ha, founder of Its T Time, an independent support organisation exclusively for transgender persons within Viet Nam, said: Transgender people are still facing obstacles due to being unable to change their name and gender on their ID card or passport and other personal documents, including birth certificates and work contracts.

These become obstacles as they try to access healthcare, educational and legal services, while also affecting their legitimate rights, in addition to employment and promotion opportunities as well as other benefits, Ha said.

Taking inspiration from these documents, the "To A4" (A4 sheets) campaign was created as a collaboration between the United Nations (UN) in Viet Nam and Its T Time, looking to shift the administrative hurdles into positive beginnings for transgender people.

Addressing the event, UN Representative to Viet Nam Pauline Tamesis said about the campaign: Reading through the stories gives us only the surface of the reality. I hope that with this dialogue, we can dig deeper into what this reality means in the legislative frameworks - the architecture that allows the LGBTQI community members to live the life they imagine for themselves.

Lawyer inh Hong Hanh said that there had been a change in concerns for the LGBTQ+ community since 2015, when transgender people were recognised in the law.

While most of the questions she received pre-2015 were about legal name change, response to school bullying and discrimination in employment opportunities, there are now more concerns about civil rights related to marriage and having children from the community.

While acknowledging that he had a relatively smooth journey as a transgender man, Phuong experienced these legal obstacles first-hand as he and his wife Huong decided to have children in 2021.

My two children now only have their mothers name on their birth certificates, the fathers name was left blank, said Phuong.

He was also not legally able to sign papers when the C-section was ordered or when the family took the children home from the hospital, and had to ask Huongs father to help complete the administrative procedures.

NA deputy Tri said: The transgender community does exist and they are not 'sick' or going after any 'trends'. We have to understand them, share their burdens and do what it takes to ensure them an equal life in civil society.

Noting how the draft gender affirmation law mentioned gender-diverse and non-binary people, Ha from Its T Time said it would be a gesture of respect towards this community and care about them and their rights as humans.

It also paves the way for Viet Nams general public to learn more about a topic which, in my opinion, is relatively new to them, he added.

There have been many seminars organised to listen to the [transgender] communitys opinions. We also conducted multiple surveys in which we try to approach the most diverse profiles in the community as we can, said Ha.

Results from these events and surveys will be compiled and sent to the drafting committee of the gender affirmation law.

The draft is expected to be submitted to the NA for review in October 2024 and for approval in May 2025.  VNS
A NANG  ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) produced the AMRI Vision Statement on ASEAN 2035: Toward a Transformative, Responsive, and Resilient Information and Media Sector at a conference in a Nang.

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications of Viet Nam Nguyen Thanh Lam spoke at a press conference at the 16th AMRI in the central city on September 23.

He said ministers stressed solutions in dealing with challenges and opportunities from the digital transformation process now and beyond 2025.

Ministers strongly affirmed the role of information and communications in the new era as information transforms into knowledge and a life-time education while digital awareness improves among ASEAN citizens, Lam said.

They (ministers) underscored the role and contribution by the ASEAN Information sector toward achieving the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and in supporting the implementation of the respective Blueprints of ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, ASEAN Political-Security Community and ASEAN Economic Community, and its successor document amidst challenges and opportunities arising from rapid digital transformation, he shared.

The meeting reaffirmed the transformative role of media to empower individuals, communities, societies, and to drive passive information consumption toward active knowledge acquisition, he said.

At the meeting, ministers also called for regional co-operation with all relevant stakeholders including ASEAN Dialogue Partners, academic institutions, and private sectors to promote the social responsibility of cross border digital media platforms in a whole-of-ASEAN approach that leverages innovation and digital transformation, including, but not limited to, capacity building for media professionals, digital literacy and lifelong learning, sharing of accurate information, combatting fake news, research and studies, he said.

Regional ministers also approved the a Nang Declaration on Media: From Information to Knowledge for a Resilient and Responsive ASEAN', which recognises the pivotal role of media in contributing to the goal of a knowledge-empowered citizenry, promoting knowledge acquisition as the impetus to foster a resilient and responsive ASEAN Community and an ASEAN Identity to promote social cohesion and deepen a sense of regional belonging in response to the changing media landscape due to digital transformation, the deputy minister told the press conference.

Guidelines on combatting fake news

The meeting also supported the Plan of Action of the ASEAN Task Force on Fake News (TFFN PoA), and the continuous efforts of the information sector in institutionalising a regional mechanism to address the proliferation of asymmetric threats including fake news, misinformation, hate speech, extremist views and radicalisation, he added.

It also endorsed guidelines on the management of government information in combatting fake news and disinformation in the media and seeks to provide a framework on how governments can respond to false or misleading information that is being disseminated in the media or on social media platforms.

The meeting exchanged views on the progress of ASEAN co-operation with the Plus Three Countries (China, Japan and the Republic of Korea) in information and media and the extension of the work plan on enhancing ASEAN Plus Three co-operation through information and media to 2025.

It encouraged ASEAN and the Dialogue Partners to enhance capacity building for media professionals and the sharing of expertise and technical knowledge in utilising digital technology in media production that could level up skills and expertise so as to better seize the opportunities arising from digital transformation.

The ASEAN members expressed their appreciation for Chinas efforts to strengthen the ASEAN-China co-operation and new initiatives to further strengthen the co-operation between ASEAN and China.

ASEAN also looked forward to Japans support in the review of the ASEAN Strategic Plan for Media and Information (2016-25) and the development of the new Work Plan for ASEANs media and information sector.

The regional member states appreciated the initiatives by the Republic of Korea to further advance cooperation with ASEAN in the information and media sector, sharing experiences of disinformation response and AI technologies in the media sector.

In sharing with local media, deputy minister Lam said Viet Nam urged joint-action from ASEAN members for unity and solidarity in building a powerful information and media industry.

We will ask digital platforms to comply with laws and the Code of Conduct in each country in ASEAN related to sensitive information. Viet Nam also included the role of ethics for digital media in the joint-declaration as well as moral responsibility standards for digital platforms in business and advertising services, he explained.

Lam said the Ministry of Information and Communications had asked smart TV producers to design a button on remote controls that supports viewers searching for truthful sources of information from local mainstream media (including seven key channels and 23 local channels).

He said Viet Nam also included initiatives that boost digital transformation for grassroots media and communications that would help communities in remote and mountainous areas where digital technology infrastructure is yet available.

The meeting agreed to convene the 17th AMRI and related meetings in Brunei in 2025.VNS
HCM CITY  Along with an appropriate and effective antibiotic use strategy, raising patient awareness is very important to reduce antibiotic resistance, a scientific conference, themed Sore throat and cough - a multi-specialty perspective, discussed in HCM City on Friday.

At the conference, which was organised by the Vietnam Medical Association with the support of Reckitt Vietnam, Dr. Tran Phan Chung Thuy, president of Vietnamese Society of Otorhinolaryngology, stressed in an opening speech that antibiotic resistance is a major threat to global health with a high mortality rate.

Thuy cited a report from the World Health Organisation (WHO), which estimates that from 2020 to 2023, there were 296,681 deaths in Viet Nam due to antibiotic resistance, while Viet Nam ranks second among countries in the Western Pacific region and 11th in the world on antibiotic consumption.

Sore throat and cough are two common symptoms in ear, nose and throat (ENT) diseases and are also subject to antibiotic abuse because patients could not have access to proper treatment. This has contributed to increasing antibiotic resistance, Thuy told the conference.

Statistics from the WHO in Viet Nam show that up to 50 per cent of antibiotics are used inappropriately in hospitals while 88-97 per cent of pharmacies sell antibiotics without a prescription from a doctor.

Specifically in Viet Nam, pharmacists are the first ones who communicate with patients about their health matters. Therefore, pharmacists play a key role in offering guidance and raising awareness in order to help patients comply with treatment and use antibiotics properly, the conference heard.

Every pharmacist is seen as a soldier in the fight to reduce antibiotic resistance. Proper advice from pharmacists when communicating with patients at their pharmacies will help improve compliance with antibiotic use, leading to effective antibiotic conservations, Thuy said.

Sharing the same point of view, Dr. Bui Thi Huong Quynh, deputy director of the pharmacy department at HCM Citys Thong Nhat Hospital, told the conference that the rate of antibiotic resistance before and after the COVID-19 outbreak was generally high.

While many drug-resistant strains hit the street, there are not many new antibiotics being researched and developed. Therefore, antibiotics should only be used with a diagnosis of infection. Moreover, antibiotics should be used correctly, in the right dose, and for the right time, she said.

Sore throat is a common disease in Viet Nam with more than 10 million cases per year.

Among adults suffering from a sore throat, nearly half of them have a sore throat three to four times a year. Meanwhile, cough is a common symptom with 30 million cases each year, with viruses being the cause of most cases of sore throat.

To solve the problem, doctors discussed solutions that do not include antibiotics.

Dr. Tran Viet Luan, head of the ENT department at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, said using antibiotics could increase the risk of antibiotic resistance and cause adverse effects such as diarrhea, rashes, allergies, etc.

Sore throats are mostly caused by viruses, so antibiotic use is ineffective. Using flurbiprofen lozenge is a better choice and will have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. The lozenges dissolve in about five minutes, continuously coating the inflamed mucous membranes in the throat with flurbiprofen while soothing the throat. The retention time of flurbiprofen in the pharyngeal cavity can be up to three hours, he said.

Meanwhile, for the treatment of phlegm cough, ambroxol lozenges are effective in treating this illness because they have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, local anesthetic effects and have higher bioavailability than the oral form.

A series of Sore throat and cough - A multi-specialty perspective conferences are being organised by the Vietnam Medical Association with the support of Reckitt Vietnam to help doctors and pharmacists get useful knowledge.

"Reckitt in collaboration with the Vietnam Medical Association organised the event with the aim of not only providing doctors and pharmacists helpful knowledge but also creating opportunities for discussion and enhancing consulting skills, thereby supporting the health workforce to play a more important role in protecting the public health, contributing to antibiotics conservation as well as raising new, effective solutions in the treatment of sore throat and cough," said Sajjapong Saphakkul, General Director of Reckitt Vietnam.

In order to spread the message of reducing antibiotic resistance, a same conference will be organised in Ha Noi on September 26.  VNS
TAIWAN  A fire and explosion at a factory in Pingtung County of Taiwan (China) on September 22 injured 19 Vietnamese citizens, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

According to the Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan, three Vietnamese were critically injured but their lives were not in danger, while 16 others suffered light injuries. All the victims were hospitalised and some of them were discharged from hospital.

Under the direction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the office will continue to keep a close watch on the incident, visit the injured, and carry out citizen protection measures if necessary.

For guidance and support, citizens should contact the office via 886 933262836, or call the Citizen Protection Hotline of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Department 84 981 84 84 84.

On September 23, the Department of Overseas Labour Management under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs also sent a document to the management board of Vietnamese workers in Taiwan, asking for the verification and regular update on the situation of the Vietnamese workers affected by the incident. VNA/VNS
According to the Prime Minister, Apple should make Vietnam a key hub and link in its supply and production network.

Also read: Apples MacBook, iMac, Mac Mini, iPhone all concurrently decreased costs in Vietnam

On the afternoon of September 21 (local time), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received many leading US and world businesses, including Apple Inc., Boeing, Google, and Siemens Healthineers.

According to Mr. Nick Ammann, Vice President of Apple Corporation responsible for international government relations, Vietnam is a significant market and a hub for production. He was grateful for the support provided by the Vietnamese Government for Apple, especially during the Covid-19 era.

Mr. Nick Ammann claims this Group is highly interested in boosting clean energy access for Apple manufacturers in Vietnam and developing sustainable energy strategies. The Group intends to help train and develop Vietnamese human resources, particularly teams working on software.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh acknowledged the suggestions and welcomed this Group to increase the use of clean energy and train human resources for Vietnam in high technology.

The Prime Minister urged his audience to "recommend that Apple continue to investigate and broaden investment cooperation, act as a conduit for American companies and partners to increase capital investment in Vietnam, and support Vietnamese businesses to improve production capacity to increase competitiveness and participation in the global supply chain."

He wants Apple to advise establishing a research and development (R&D) centre at the National Innovation Center (NIC) to increase the ability to research and develop technology products, support and develop the innovation ecosystem, digital transformation, and transfer of new technology.

Apple currently has a capitalization value of 2,860 billion USD, revenue of more than 394 billion USD, with about 164,000 employees. Apple primarily uses 32 original equipment manufacturing partner companies in Vietnam, with product exports expected to reach USD 30 billion in 2022.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Mr. Nick Ammann, Vice President in charge of global government relations of Apple Corporation.

Photo: Nhat Bac

Mr Karan Bhatia, Vice President of Google's Government Relations and Public Policy, also appreciated the major directions in the Vietnam-US joint statement on establishing a comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He suggested that the two parties work together and invest in cloud computing-related fields, supporting Vietnam's online teaching and learning efforts.

Read more: Google announces top 10 search trends 2021 in Vietnam

The Prime Minister announced that he would designate research and collaboration organizations for this Group to deploy in the spirit of harmonious advantages and shared risks, and he welcomed Google's decision to increase manufacturing investment in Vietnam.

He also asked Google to continue supporting the National Innovation Center and cooperate to ensure information safety and security, digital skills training, promoting digital transformation support programs, and Developing human resources to meet Google's production and value chain in Vietnam. Google is the world's leading multinational technology corporation, with revenue of 282.8 billion USD in 2022.

The Prime Minister received Mr. Karan Bhatia, Vice President in charge of Government Relations and Public Policy of Google. Photo: Nhat Bac

Similarly, Boeing Group leaders highly appreciated the Vietnamese Government leaders' vision and viewpoints on the aviation economy's importance.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said Boeing has been a reliable partner providing aircraft and aviation services to Vietnamese airlines for many years. He suggested that Boeing expand its production and supply chain in Vietnam, soon build a large-scale aircraft machinery and equipment maintenance centre and support airlines in this regard. Additionally, he wants the business to provide more funding for technology transfer human resource training and fully integrate Vietnamese partners into Boeing's supply chain.The head of the Government also wants Boeing to continue to coordinate closely with Vietnamese partners to complete and deliver aircraft purchase orders signed recently and support them in choosing suitable aircraft at reasonable costs.

Boeing is a leading manufacturer of commercial jet aircraft, defence, aerospace and security systems. To date, Boeing has more than 140,000 employees operating in 65 countries worldwide and, in 2020, achieved revenue of more than 94.5 billion USD.

In addition, under the witness of the Prime Minister, the ceremony of awarding investment cooperation agreements between agencies, organizations and businesses of the two countries was carried out in the fields of industrial park development, seaport construction, support green growth, production and distribution of pharmaceuticals; training human resources in the field of semiconductors (FPT signed with Silvaco to cooperate in developing semiconductor chips).

Read more: Airlines ready to resume regular international flights

The Prime Minister requested global corporations and investment funds to share experiences, policy advice, and priority order in mobilizing financial resources, participating in the process of building, co-investing, and developing the financial centre in Ho Chi Minh City after having a working dinner with executives of major multinational corporations and leading US financial investment funds.

From September 17 to September 23, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will travel to the US for business. He will stop in San Francisco, Washington, and New York City and attend meetings at the UN General Assembly while combining bilateral engagements.
On September 22, at the recent conference on granting investment registration certificates for projects in industrial areas in Haiphong, Haiphong Economic Zones Management Authority (HEZA) approved the $500 million ECOVANCE high-tech biodegradable materials factory project from SK Group.

The project has the goal of producing biodegradable materials PBAT, PBS, and PBATS. The project covers over 32,000 square meters located in DEEP C Haiphong I Industrial Zone (IZ).

Phase 1 of the project will start construction in mid-December and complete construction within nine months. It is expected that the project capacity will reach about 35,000 tonnes of products per year. After the expansion in phase two, the project will reach a capacity of 70,000 tonnes per year.

Woncheol Park, CEO of SKC Group (part of SK Group) said, We have invested around $3 billion in Vietnam for five years now. Haiphong is one of the cities with modern infrastructure and good investment attraction mechanisms, which is why we decided to invest here."

The company has fulfilled the commitment signed with the city in June, and it will continue to call for more Korean businesses to invest in Haiphong. "In the future, we hope our development will contribute to local growth," he added.

The ECOVANCE project also demonstrates the growing importance of environmental, social, and governance factors in business decision-making. Investors and consumers are increasingly demanding that companies take responsibility for their environmental and social impact. The ECOVANCE and DEEP C projects illustrate how businesses can work together to create a more sustainable future.

Koen Soenens, general sales and marketing director of DEEP C Industrial Zones, told VIR, "The importance of SKC Group's large-scale high-tech ecological project at DEEP C cannot be underestimated. This is an important milestone in developing Vietnam's economy and moving towards a more sustainable future. Both ECOVANCE and DEEP C are working together to successfully develop the first biodegradable materials factory in Southeast Asia. Together, the two sides will put Haiphong on the map as the high-tech and eco-business centre of Northern Vietnam."

New grant and increased capital

DEEP C IZs in Haiphong is also welcoming four other projects. First, Japan's Soft Industry Co., Ltd., increased capital by $15.2 million to expansion the construction of warehouses and storage tanks. Hong Kong's Daimay Investment will inject $15 million in a project to produce spare parts and accessories for cars.

Meanwhile, Top Solvent Vietnam Co., Ltd. from Thailand increased capital by $12.8 million into the warehouses and storage tanks project, and GoodWe Singapore signed a new grant of $10 million for an optical equipment manufacturing project.

Le Trung Kien, head of HEZA said, "The trend of producing high-tech, environmentally friendly products is the main trend of the industry today, and South Korea is one of the leading countries in the world in this area. Projects implemented in Haiphong will contribute to bring many applications of modern tech to the city's industrial production. At the same time, they will help strengthen the skills of the city's human resources, form research and development centres, and generate budget collection."

Planning a green future

In addition to focusing on investing in synchronous and high-quality infrastructure development, DEEP C is one of the pioneers in using clean energy, such as wind power and solar power in the management and operation of IZs, as well as deploying many solutions to promote sustainable development.

At DEEP C IZs, buildings are invested and constructed in accordance with green building standards. In addition, waste and water treatment systems were developed to reduce the burden on the environment and worker's housing. Renewable energy is used, and a circular economy is applied.

Moreover, it is one of two IZs in the city developed following the eco-IZ model, aiming for sustainable development and high technology application.

Secondary projects in DEEP C IZs are mostly projects with high technology content, environmentally friendly, and consistent with green development trends. Also, they will create jobs for workers, contribute to stabilising social security and contribute to the city's budget.

Bruno Jaspaert, general director of DEEP C IZs said, "DEEP C is currently selected as one of the pilot IZs in Vietnam to be transformed into the eco-IZ model. Currently, we are developing based on the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. We hope that by 2024, DEEP C will be officially recognised as an eco-IZ in Vietnam."

Currently, DEEP C is operating three IZs in Haiphong and two in Quang Ninh province over more than 3,400 hectares. Over the past 26 years, DEEP C has attracted more than 160 secondary projects worth up to $6.5 billion. Projects come from many different countries and industrial sectors, involving names such as Pegatron, Shin-Etsu, Bridgestone, Nippon Express, Idemitsu, and more.

Industrial parks in Haiphong to receive $1.3 billion in investment On September 22, Haiphong Economic Zones Management Authority (HEZA) granted the investment registration certificates for a series of foreign-invested projects worth nearly $1.3 billion.

DEEP C further refines major eco-ventures Last week Haiphong Economic Zone Authority awarded investment certificates to two secondary projects in the electronic and energy sectors within DEEP C Haiphong II Industrial Zone (IZ).
Wacos Owens-Illinois glass plant will produce its last bottle sometime in mid-October, and the 1.1-million-square-foot heap of metal, brick and memories on Beverly Drive will cease operations by Dec. 1.

Merry Christmas, Waco, and the 300 or so employees losing their jobs. Questions now arise about turning this loss into the communitys gain. After all, the 2 million-square-foot General Tire plant at Business 77 and Orchard Lane, whose mid-1980s closing devastated Waco, now serves as home to the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative, or BRIC. Machinery giant Caterpillar, meanwhile, leases some of the former General Tire space for its Work Tools division.

Portions of the sprawling glass plant date to 1944, with expansion and modification arriving like clockwork since World War II, said Joe Don Bobbitt, chief appraiser at the McLennan County Appraisal District.

Age aside, the plant sits on 54 acres near Loop 340, has a rail spur at its disposal, and is served by heavy power, meaning maximum utility access, said Bland Cromwell, an industrial specialist at Coldwell Banker Commercial.

It has potential, Cromwell said, but for what remains the question.

If its just a grade-level manufacturing plant, it could probably come back as something besides glassmaking, Cromwell said. Weve been able to convert, modernize or utilize every plant shut down, including General Tire. This is a great industrial site. Im not suggesting we demolish it, but the land itself has a lot of value, considering it is 50 well-positioned acres with infrastructure.

It is a valuable commodity we dont have a lot of.

The human element of Owens-Illinois closing is another matter, Cromwell said.

I have some friends a little bit older than me who worked their whole life there, he said. Those are life stories. Upgrades or a new operation moving in there does not sound good to someone losing their job or losing their pension.  But we are going to have plants shut down. It is a part of life. We can view it as an opportunity to bring something back, make a positive from a negative.

Finding a single user for 1 million square feet would prove daunting, and he believes a segmented approach is more likely, Cromwell said.

My first reaction is sadness for the workers at an industry that has benefitted Waco for so many decades, and the generations of workers there, said K. Paul Holt, president of the local Associated General Contractors of America office. This will be a blow to our workforce development, but these folks will have work histories that can easily be upskilled or reskilled.

Holt said he is not familiar with the building itself, but remarked that they do have their own water tower and their location adjacent to the VA Hospital is ideal for transportation for manufacturing or distribution.

McLennan County Judge Scott Felton said in an email statement he regrets the closing and notes that generations have worked at Owens-Illinois.

We are confident that our community can absorb this skilled and dedicated workforce into existing open positions or new jobs that will be available soon, Felton said.

He said the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce continues diligently recruiting sound companies, and those efforts combined with incentives provided by the Waco-McLennan County Economic Development Corp. have produced 3,600 jobs since 2020.

Gregg Glime, who markets industrial and commercial properties at Coldwell Banker Commercial, said the team there is working with a dozen industries actively pursuing locations. He said the good news is the prospects would employ 10 to 150 people apiece and would bring new names to Waco. Unfortunately, the community is running low on available buildings, so we are kind of forced to look at vacant land, Glime said.

Waco-based economist Ray Perryman said by email that the plants closure will have effects beyond the people employed there.

If the plant were to shut down, the overall economic impact would be a loss of about 870 jobs and $95 million in annual gross product, Perryman said. Manufacturing facilities with union employees tend to have relatively high multiplier effects.

His reference was to Owens-Illinois economic impact rippling through the economy, creating more jobs than those at the plant itself.

Having said that, Waco is a dynamic economy with a lot of new and emerging activity and ongoing growth at a significant pace, Perryman said in his email. It also faces labor shortages in many sectors.  Thus, it is likely most of the jobs would be absorbed in a short period of time.

Owens-Illinois spokesperson Jim Woods said the company continuously evaluates the long-term needs of its business and the viability of the assets at each manufacturing facility to best serve our critical customer base.

That examination, he said, led to the decision to shutter Waco operations.

O-I has met with our team members and union officials to communicate this decision and discuss transitional support available both through the company and through the State of Texas government agencies, according to a statement.

Bobbitt, the appraisal district chief, said appraised values for the building and land should remain steady for the foreseeable future, but product inventory will disappear and the taxable value of machinery and equipment has steadily decreased in recent years.

He said upon closing the plant, Owens-Illinois probably will contest appraised values, possibly taking legal action to have them lowered.

The combined market value of the operation's land, buildings, equipment and inventory is $212.2 million according to the appraisal district, with a tax levy of more than $1.1 million. The combined market value is down from $267.1 million as of 2021, when the levy was almost $1.6 million. The decline in overall value has been tied to the plant's equipment and inventory, while the land and building value have held steady the past three years, according to the appraisal district.
Waco ISD trustees are looking for ways to explain a bad report card to parents after changes in the states school accountability standards may push schools into the failing category partly because of students who have already graduated.

The district this month joined a suit along with about 100 other school districts seeking to enjoin State Education Commissioner Mike Morath and the Texas Education Agency from releasing district accountability grades  an A-F report card  until districts could work with students under the new standards.

At a Waco ISD board meeting Thursday, trustees joined Superintendent Susan Kincannon in blasting the new standards, saying the latest accountability grades could damage public perception and student and teacher morale, even after a year when many students had improved their academic performance under the previous standards.

Kincannon told the board the accountability ratings, based in part on student scores on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, consume an increasing amount of administrators time. But the letter grades they produce are too broad to fine tune classroom instruction accordingly, she said.

This is my rant: It was a bad idea from the very beginning and we all knew it, she said, calling the ratings a drain on our time. She thanked trustees for authorizing her to add the Waco ISD to the suit against the TEA.

The TEA began accountability ratings for individual schools and districts in 2017. The rating system measures student academic ability and progress, graduation rates and post-graduate placement among other factors. The state then sets standards and gradepoints that turn that data into A-F grades released annually to parents and the public at large.

TEA officials overhauled last springs STAAR test and the point totals needed to achieve certain levels of mastery. Districts STAAR results were released earlier this month, but their accountability scores, originally planned for a Sept. 28 release, wont come out until Oct. 13.

In her report to trustees on this years accountability scores, Denise Bell, the districts director of accountability systems and data analysis, pointed out cases in which Waco ISD schools had improved student performance, but due to the new higher standards would receive lower grades as a result.

A change in cut-off levels in the measurement of high school student outcomes  evaluated by the number of students who go on to college, careers/career training or military readiness  means that both Waco and University High Schools will drop at least a letter grade, even though their raw scores this year are at least 10 percentage points higher than last years.

In the case of CCMR, districts are evaluated in part on students whove already graduated, causing many administrators to complain they have no way to adjust teaching or training for students they no longer have in classes.

The state also changed how it measures student academic growth, Bell noted. Districts that once got credit for students who had increased their STAAR scores now only get credit if that growth moves them to the next level of achievement, such as from approaching grade level to meets grade level, or from meets to masters.

The short-term consequences of using revised standards to grade past data could go beyond lower letter grades, Bell added. While the scores used in the Closing the Gaps domain only affect 30% of a districts total accountability grade, theyre the ones that drive federal funding and program considerations, she said.

Trustees at the Sept. 21 meeting bristled at what they perceived as the unfairness of being judged on standards not in effect when students were tested.

Shame on the state for putting this ... on our students and their families, said board President Stephanie Korteweg. Its disingenuous and, frankly, political. It seems theres some sort of agenda to break down our public education system. Our kids are working hard. Our teachers are working hard. This seems disingenuous.

Trustee Jonathan Grant likened the situation to a triathlon athlete who has trained for the event, only to be told during the race that the distances have been changed. Fellow trustee Jim Patton agreed. Thats a shame that you dont have the target when taking the test, he said.

Several worried that lower accountability grades will alarm parents and discourage students and teachers. Trustee Angelo Ochoa suggested the districts communications team should spread the word to parents about the change in accountability standards when the grades are released.

In other action at the Thursday night board meeting, trustees:

Approved $446,439 in Waco High School construction expenses stemming from an earlier cost-saving change in the schools floorplan, as well as $111,636 in G.W. Carver Middle School construction for pier strengthening. Both amounts will be drawn from the building contractors contingency allowances.

Approved expenditures allowing site preparation and other preliminary construction work to begin at Kendrick Elementary School and South Waco Elementary School.

Heard a report on the districts Grow Your Own strategies to increase teacher hiring through supporting ways to get students and paraprofessionals into teaching. Those measures include a Future Educators Academy for students; a program to help paraprofessionals transition to teaching; and a teacher internship program. This year, the Waco ISD has hired 200 teachers, 40 of whom are in an alternative certification program and another 35 on an emergency permit, Lopez told trustees.
HOUSTON  The debate over whether a Black high school student in Texas should be serving in-school suspension for wearing twisted dreadlocks to class intensified this week as the students family and his school district both took legal action.

Darryl George, 17, a junior at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, has been serving an in-school suspension since Aug. 31 at the Houston-area school. School officials say his dreadlocks fall below his eyebrows and ear lobes and violate the districts dress code.

Georges mother, Darresha George, and the familys attorney deny the teenagers hairstyle violates the Barbers Hill Independent School District dress code and have accused the district of violating a new state law that outlaws racial discrimination based on hairstyles. The new law, the CROWN Act, took effect Sept. 1.

On Tuesday, Darresha George and her attorney filed a formal complaint with the Texas Education Agency, alleging that Darryl George was being harassed and mistreated by school district officials over his hair and that his in-school suspension was in violation of the CROWN Act.

On Wednesday, the agency notified Darresha George and her attorney that it will investigate the complaint.

Later Wednesday, the Barbers Hill school district announced it had filed a lawsuit in state district court asking a judge to clarify whether its dress code restrictions limiting student hair length for boys violates the CROWN Act. The lawsuit was filed in Chambers County, located east of Houston.

Although we believe the new law does not govern hair length, we are asking the judicial system of Texas to interpret, Barbers Hill Superintendent Greg Poole said in a statement.

The superintendent had previously said the dress code is legal and teaches students to conform as a sacrifice benefiting everyone.

Darresha George said the fight to have her son return to class has taken a toll on her mentally and physically. She said she was recently hospitalized after a series of panic and anxiety attacks brought on from stress.

I try not to show everything because I have to stay strong for my son. I have to stay strong and stay in the fight, Darresha George said. But it is draining."

Darryl George did return to his regular first-period class on Wednesday morning, was welcomed by his teacher and classmates, and for a moment he felt free for a little bit, his mother said.

But soon after his return, the school principal pulled him out of class and returned him to in-school suspension over his hair and for allegedly wearing an earring, which his mother said he does not wear to school.

So (the principal) snatched his freedom right back away, Darresha George said.

In a statement, the school district said it would not enhance the current punishment against Darryl George while it waits for a ruling on its lawsuit.

The CROWN Act, an acronym for Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, is intended to prohibit race-based hair discrimination and bars employers and schools from penalizing people because of hair texture or protective hairstyles including Afros, braids, dreadlocks, twists or Bantu knots. Texas is one of 24 states that have enacted a version of the CROWN Act.

A federal version of the CROWN Act passed in the House of Representatives last year, but was not successful in the Senate.

Darryl George's school previously clashed with another Black male student over the dress code. Barbers Hill officials told a student he had to cut his dreadlocks to return to school or participate in graduation in 2020, which garnered national attention. The student's mother withdrew him from the school and a federal judge later ruled the school districts hair policy was discriminatory.

Darryl Georges family has said it plans to file a federal lawsuit against the school district.

Barbers Hill, the hammer of accountability is coming. You will no longer discriminate or be racist or ignorant to no child on our watch, said Candice Matthews, national minister of politics for the New Black Panther Nation, who is a family spokesperson.

Teacher and student diversity in the US: How diverse is your state? Teacher and student diversity in the US: How diverse is your state? Teacher racial diversity by state Student racial diversity by state Comparing teacher and student diversity by state Diversity differences by state
The heartfelt eulogies poured in from both sides of the aisle after Utah Sen. Mitt Romney announced he would not seek reelection in 2024.

Democrats and Republicans alike agreed that the Senate, the Republican Party and indeed the country were losing a good man, a decent man, one of the last principled politicians on the planet.

The media was especially despondent, and many admitted theyd gotten it wrong when they covered him in 2008 and 2012.

Patricia Murphy in The Atlanta Journal Constitution wrote, At the time, he was so gee-whiz and perfectly presented that he was hard to take seriously. Regrettably, I often referred to him on social media as Mittens.

She sees Romney differently now, though: [L]ife under President Mittens should not have been so easily dismissed.

David Brooks wrote in The New York Times:

Sometimes you do things that make you feel ashamed. It was the first day of the Republican convention in 2012, and I had nothing to write about, so I wrote a humor column mocking the Romney family for being perfect in every way. It was a hit with readers, but the afternoon it was published, I crossed paths with two of Mitt Romneys sons, and they looked at me with hurt in their eyes, which pierced me. Id ridiculed people for the sin of being admirable.

Philip Elliott wrote in Time of Romneys re-emergence as a Lazarus figure in Washington:

Romney was the lone Republican to vote for conviction during Trumps first impeachment trial, became an important negotiator for deals with Joe Bidens White House, and stood-in as a moral core for what conservatism could ideally stand for and against.

This is all a lovely way to memorialize Mitts political career, but its also an admission that everyone was wrong about Romney, and for very bad, very cynical reasons.

Too perfect, gee-whiz, goofy, earnest  none of these descriptors should have been disqualifying.

But Democrats and the media went even further in trying to ruin Romney in 2012, just to get Barack Obama reelected.

Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called Romney a liar, and slammed him as racist and sexist.

DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said Romneys criticism of Obamas welfare policies were racist.

Then-Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid regularly accused Romney of not paying his taxes for years  a claim that was proven completely false, but even then Reid smugly shrugged off the truth: Romney didnt win, did he?

A Democratic strategist mocked Romneys wife Ann, mother of five boys and grandmother of 16 children, a survivor of breast cancer and multiple sclerosis, for having never worked a day in her life. Even Obama condemned the cruel remarks.

But a pro-Obama PAC ran ads accusing Romney of killing a woman. The ad featured a man who lost his job when Romneys company closed a steel plant. He lost his health insurance, and his wife fell ill and died  all of this was pinned on Romney. The ad earned four Pinocchios from The Washington Post.

Obama also mocked Romney for his foreign policy positions, in particular his insistence that Russia was one of our biggest geopolitical threats. [T]he 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back. That sure looks bad today.

And dont forget Romneys binders full of women, a comment meant to prove how committed he was to hiring women. Instead, Democrats decided it revealed Romney was a sexist monster. One Democratic strategist said, Sounds kind of kinky and certainly not something you want to be touting. What?

Romney was mocked for his Mormonism. He was accused of endangering dogs. He was called a gay-bashing bully.

Looking back, Romney was painted by the left and the media as the devil incarnate  the same Romney who they now see as the last best hope of defending modern civilization from the Visigoths.

So what changed? Donald Trump.

Democrats shouldnt be surprised that when they decided a decent, kind, smart and principled man like Romney was in fact a monster, Republicans decided to go ahead and nominate an actual monster  what did they have to lose in this bad-faith game of character assassination?

Trump made everyone else look good. Suddenly Republicans were recasting Obama. Democrats rethought George W. Bush. Ronald Reagan was everyones hero. Even Bill Clinton started looking like a semi-moral man next to Trump.

But in Romneys case, his past life as a villain was always a myth, an invention, a total fabrication that he never deserved. Not then, not ever.

Doesnt Mitt Romney look good to us now? Oh my God, Pelosi said unironically last week.

But he should have looked good to us then. We shouldnt have needed a Trump to appreciate a Romney.
Vintage Aviation News staff did not write this article; the content comes via our partners who wish to help support our website.

In recent times, the sky has become a battleground where nations showcase their strength through deadly fighter aircraft. These aircraft are like birds of prey, soaring high in the sky and ready to strike at a moments notice. Let us explore some of the most dangerous fighter jets in operation around the world and the conflicts where they have been used.

F-22 Raptor  USA

The F-22 Raptor, made by the United States, is one of the deadliest jets in the sky. It is a stealth fighter, which means it can avoid enemy radars. This jet first saw action in the Syrian conflict, where it played a vital role in air strikes against targets in Syria. With unmatched speed and agility, the F-22 can dominate any aerial battle. It carries advanced weapons that can destroy targets both in the air and on the ground. Its radar system is very powerful, helping it to spot enemies from far away.

Su-57  Russia

Russias Su-57 is a modern marvel of aviation technology. It is a fifth-generation fighter, meaning it has the latest features like stealth and advanced avionics. It was used in Syria for a short period, where it was tested in real combat situations. This jet has powerful engines that allow it to fly at very high speeds. It carries a range of modern weapons to strike at enemy targets. It also has a radar system that can track many targets at once, giving it an edge in battle.

J-20  China

Chinas J-20 is a recent entry into the world of elite fighter jets. It is a stealth aircraft, designed to avoid being detected by enemy radars. This fighter jet is believed to have been used in the border conflicts between China and India, showcasing its capabilities in a high-altitude environment. The J-20 has an impressive range, allowing it to strike targets far from its home base. It carries a variety of weapons, including missiles that can shoot down enemy planes. Its design focuses on stealth, helping it to avoid detection as it carries out its missions.

Rafale  France

The Rafale, made in France, is a versatile fighter that can carry out a wide range of missions. It played a significant role in the Libyan conflict in 2011, where it conducted airstrikes against Libyan targets. With a design that emphasizes maneuverability and power, the Rafale can take on many different roles in battle. It can carry a heavy load of weapons, making it a deadly opponent in any conflict. Its radar system is among the best in the world, helping it to find and track enemies with great accuracy.

F-35 Lightning II  USA

Another deadly jet from the United States is the F-35 Lightning II. This stealth fighter has been used in various conflicts, including battles against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. It is known for its advanced technology and ability to carry out different types of missions. The F-35 has a powerful radar system and advanced sensors that give it a full view of the battlefield. It can carry a wide range of weapons, making it a formidable force in the sky. Its stealth features help it to avoid enemy radars, giving it the element of surprise in attacks.

Eurofighter Typhoon  Europe

The Eurofighter Typhoon, a European creation, has been part of many conflicts around the world. It played a crucial role in Libya, working alongside other jets to carry out air strikes. This jet is known for its speed and agility, making it a tough opponent in aerial battles. The Typhoon can carry a heavy load of weapons, including air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. Its radar system is very advanced, allowing it to spot enemies from a great distance. It is a formidable force in the sky, ready to defend its territory at a moments notice.

In a world where conflicts can erupt at any time, these fighter jets stand as guardians in the sky, ready to protect their nations. They are equipped with the latest technology, giving them the edge in any aerial battle.

War is like a game where it is sometimes a matter of strategy and sometimes a matter of luck. It is like playing a casino and getting a Spinia Bonus because of luck or thanks to your strategic skills. Have a try.

From the stealthy F-22 Raptor to the versatile Rafale, these jets have proven their worth in various conflicts around the world. They carry advanced weapons and have powerful radar systems, making them deadly opponents in the sky.

As technology advances, these fighter jets continue to evolve, becoming even more lethal and capable. They play a crucial role in modern warfare, helping to maintain peace and security in a turbulent world. They are the deadliest birds in the sky, ready to strike with lethal force at any threat.

Vintage Aviation News staff did not write this article; the content comes via our partners who wish to help support our website.
Reusing everyday items can be a great way to decorate your home for Halloween without splurging on decorations youll only use once a year. These DIY potion bottles from TikTok creator @brookedarwin will give you something to do with your used glass bottles before you toss them in the recycling bin.
Eli Zaretsky in Sidecar:

As if demonstrating that the repressed does return, politics has erupted in the supposedly apolitical world of American psychoanalysis. An advocacy group, Black Psychoanalysts Speak, and a documentary film, Psychoanalysis in El Barrio, seek to redress the racial and class biases of analysis. Unbehagen, a psychoanalytic list-serve, features a roiling debate over whether it is necessary to match the analysts gender, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation with the patients. The American Psychoanalytic Association itself has been shaken by political recriminations, purges, resignations and denunciations. An article by Donald Moss, published in the associations journal, provided the catalyst in this case. According to its abstract:

Whiteness is a condition one first acquires and then one has  a malignant, parasitic-like condition to which white people have a particular susceptibility. The condition is foundational, generating characteristic ways of being in ones body, in ones mind, and in ones world. Parasitic Whiteness renders its hosts appetites voracious, insatiable and perverse.

The reaction to the article was sharply divided. Some saw it as a valuable extension of psychoanalytic theory, while others believed it neglected vital determining factors of racialization, such as deindustrialization, union discrimination and the inequities of the real estate market. In response to the controversy, an internal body was appointed, the Holmes Commission, to investigate systemic racism and its underlying determinants embedded within APsaA, and to offer remedies for all aspects of identified racism. Among the repercussions has been a debate over anti-Semitism precipitated by a speaking invitation to a controversial Lebanese psychoanalytic therapist, which led to the resignation of the President of the Association, Kerry Sulkowicz.

These developments are noteworthy in themselves, but they also raise wider questions about the relation between psychoanalysis and politics. What is striking about the politicization of contemporary psychoanalysis is the extent to which it conforms to the liberal identitarianism, sometimes termed wokeness, prevailing in the broader culture, which views systematic wrongs such as racism as emanating from individual psyches, along the model of sin.

More here.
WATERLOO  The gun Eugene Octavius Love Jr. used to kill his one-time friend in 2022 was borrowed from another friend, according to testimony in Loves trial.

Kalani Moore, 23, took the stand Friday to testify that he loaned Love his 9 mm Beretta handgun in early January 2020 after Love had a falling out and run-in with Courtney Harris.

Witnesses said Harris and Love almost came to blows in the parking lot of the Kwik Star on Logan Avenue. Harris allegedly tugged at his waistband inferring that he was armed, and then he followed Love and his girlfriend when they fled.

Moore told jurors he gave Love the pistol for self-defense.

I wanted him to be safe in that situation, Moore said.

Within a few weeks, Moore helped Love hide the Berretta after it had been used to fire four bullets into Harris vehicle outside the Prime Mart on Broadway Street, killing him.

Within minutes of the fatal shooting on Jan. 8, 2022, Love had contacted Moore to meet up with him.

He was scared about the whole situation and he did something out of fear, Moore told jurors.

Moore recounted how they drove to Caseys General Store off of the Interstate Highway 380 exit where they bought gas and drove to a nearby field to torch the clothing Love had worn during the shooting.

They later drove to Waverly to buy a pick axe and then on to Minnesota, where they pulled over at a roadside ditch outside Owatonna and dug a hole to bury the gun.

From there they headed back to Iowa and were stopped by police on the outskirts of Waterloo because the car was dragging its muffler. The officer, unaware of any connection to the shooting, briefly talked with Moore and let him go.

Detective Nicholas Sadd with the Waterloo Police Department said during the investigation officers used cell phone data from the phones of Moore and Loves girlfriend, who drove him to and from Prime Mart, to pinpoint where they stopped in Urbana and Minnesota.

In Urbana, they found the remnants of a fire, but nothing else.

In Minnesota, authorities recovered the pistol in April 2022 after being alerted by Waterloo police.

Detective Christian Berg with the Owatonna Police Department testified he had planned to take the day off to go metal detecting with friends. Instead he was called into work to use his metal detector to look for the gun.

They focused on an area near U.S. Highways 218 and 14 around the city limits. They found signs of recently turned earth.

As we got closer, I observed the rear sights, rear aperture of a pistol sticking out of the dirt, Berg said. It would have been difficult to dig deep into the frozen Minnesota soil in January, he noted.

Love later told Detective Christopher Gergen with the Waterloo Police Department about the Kwik Star encounter with Harris that preceded the fatal shooting. But Gergen said Love never mentioned anything about concerns that Harris had a gun and didnt mention anything about threats.

Love never told police he was afraid of Harris, Gergen said. He also said Love never admitted to being at the Prime Mart at the time of the shooting or said he had traveled to Urbana or Minnesota following the shooting.

Photos: Broadway Street homicide trial 092023jr-love-trial-2 092023jr-love-trial-1 092023jr-love-trial-4 092023jr-love-trial-3 092123jr-love-trial-2 092123jr-love-trial-1 092123jr-love-trial-3 092123jr-love-trial-4 092123jr-love-trial-5 092123jr-love-trial-7 092123jr-love-trial-6 092223jr-love-trial-1 092223jr-love-trial-2 092223jr-love-trial-3 092223jr-love-trial-4 092223jr-love-trial-5 092523jr-love-trial-2 092523jr-love-trial-1 092523jr-love-trial-3 092623jr-love-trial-2
CEDAR FALLS  The Iowa Insurance Division donated $45,500 to support high school students in paying for college credit through a financial literacy exam, administered by the University of Northern Iowa.

The Financial Skills for Smart Living program aims to provide students with college credits and essential knowledge in personal finance.

Students who pass the exam will be reimbursed the initial fee of $100 through a prepaid Visa card. Last year, about 600 high school students passed.

The financial support will help provide training for teachers interested in using UNIs curriculum.

Financial Skills for Smart Living is a college-level personal finance course customized for Iowa high school students and adapted for high school faculty delivery. The program covers a variety of important topics including budgeting, saving, investing and credit. Students who take the course and pass the exam earn three college credits.

Teachers are also offered professional development and support from UNI College of Business faculty and staff, with the option of earning graduate credit or license renewal credit.

The course is taught in over 110 schools across Iowa. More than 10,000 students have gone through the program and more than 150 teachers have been trained in how to administer the course.
WATERLOO  The University of Northern Iowa, Hawkeye Community College and the Cedar Valley Makers will celebrate Manufacturing Day on Oct. 6.

Foundries, business owners, educators and students are invited to a free open house from noon to 6 p.m. at the Waterloo TechWorks Campus at 360 Westfield Ave. in Waterloo. Registration is not required.

There will be tours of the UNI Foundary 4.0 Center, Cedar Valley Makers and Hawkeye Community College Automation and Robotics Center spaces. The All About Cheesesteakes will be stationed outside the building.

Presentations will take place throughout the afternoon beginning at noon on the second floor. Topics consist of robotic casting finishing cells, Internet of Things, building the workforce of the future and business and tech goal alignment. Additional business track presentations will cover topics like taking on new investments, operational metrics in manufacturing, ownership and valuation of the business.

What's behind the growing number of manufacturing jobs? is the US entering a new era for domestic manufacturing? Manufacturing jobs exceed pre-COVID levels Federal auto bailout and post-recession recovery Pandemic relief legislation Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and CHIPS and Science Act
WATERLOO -- MercyOne is collecting diapers of all brands and sizes, as well as cash donations, Monday through Sept. 29.

Diapers will be delivered to local non-profits, including Love Inc., Alternatives Pregnancy Center and Plentiful Pantry.

Diapers are an essential but expensive need, costing about $100 per month per child. About one in three families struggle with affording diapers for their infants, babies and toddlers.

Not being able to afford diapers can negatively impact a familys ability to work. Daycares typically require parents to supply diapers and if parents are unable to, they may not be able to access childcare, said Heidi Witt, MercyOne senior community benefit coordinator.

These organizations do a great job serving our community and were excited to partner with them, Witt said. Safety-net programs dont typically allow diapers or other hygiene products to be purchased with funds, so this is a critical need.

Diaper donations can be dropped off at the following MercyOne locations: MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center; MercyOne Cedar Falls Medical Center; MecyOne Oelwein Medical Center; MercyOne Bluebell Road Health Plaza; and MercyOne Kimball Family Medicine and Pediatrics Care.

Baby boomer baby names that have gone out of style Baby boomer baby names that have gone out of style #50. Blanche (girls) #49. Earlene (girls) #48. Jerry (girls) #47. Cleveland (boys) #46. Merle (boys) #45. Earnestine (girls) #44. Dick (boys) #43. Carey (boys) #42. Garland (boys) #41. Bettye (girls) #40. Myrtle (girls) #39. Elbert (boys) #38. Gayla (girls) #37. Sammie (boys) #36. Ernie (boys) #35. Bart (boys) #34. Dona (girls) #33. Ed (boys) #32. Curt (boys) #31. Gerry (boys) #30. Debby (girls) #29. Melba (girls) #28. Bert (boys) #27. Kathi (girls) #26. Diann (girls) #25. Dee (girls) #24. Carroll (boys) #23. Saundra (girls) #22. Phil (boys) #21. Doyle (boys) #20. Wilbert (boys) #19. Sondra (girls) #18. Gay (girls) #17. Chuck (boys) #16. Laverne (girls) #15. Horace (boys) #14. Delbert (boys) #13. Pat (boys) #12. Pat (girls) #11. Deloris (girls) #10. Gale (girls) #9. Doug (boys) #8. Ronda (girls) #7. Pam (girls) #6. Lynn (boys) #5. Kim (boys) #4. Shelia (girls) #3. Patty (girls) #2. Bob (boys) #1. Jan (girls)
WATERLOO  Hundreds of school children paraded around the National Cattle Congress grounds this week to get a closer look at agriculture.

Students from the Cedar Falls and Waterloo community school districts visited the fair with their class during this years National Cattle Congress Fair, which continues until Sunday evening.

Meghan Bruns, a second grade teacher at Cedar Heights Elementary School in Cedar Falls, said once her students found out they were coming to the fair on Thursday, they couldnt contain their excitement the whole week.

Going to the fair wasnt just a fun field trip for Bruns students. Shes taught then about things like crops and farm animals.

Its important in Iowa and a great opportunity to experience it, Bruns said. Not everyone gets that experience.

All the students attending got to walk through the Hall of Breeds and barns with the show animals as well as the one-room schoolhouse on the site, where they learned what it was like to attend classes decades ago. Children got some hands-on experience, too, when visiting Sunrise Childrens Zoo.

Patti Nie, the head curator for the zoo, said children can feed goats, horses, mules, burrows, a deer and even a llama. They were also allowed to go into the chicken and duck pen.

I love to see the excitement and joy on their faces, Nie said.

One of those excited children was Kora Moore, a second grader at Cedar Heights.

Now I feel bad because I eat chicken, she said, leaving the chicken pen.

Moore said in her classroom she has learned about agriculture and how important it is to the state. While at the petting zoo, she said she learned how farm animals really act.

Goats like to poop a lot, she said. And chickens like to eat.

She said that her favorite farm animal is a cow, which wasnt one of the animals at the petting zoo  but there were an abundance of them in the show barns.

Some of those cows were owned by Don and Glenda Eilers and their children, from Scotch Grove.

Don Eilers said he retired from milking cows 10 years ago this week and is showing the only animals he has left  eight heifers and one cow. A heifer is a female that hasnt given birth. All the cattle he was showing were under two years old, with the youngest born this month.

The Eilers started showing cattle in 1974 and have come to the National Cattle Congress Fair for about 50 years. Their three children and seven grandchildren are also continuing the tradition. One of their granddaughters was in the barn moving hay.

(The fair) is laid back, quiet and a nice show to come through, Don Eilers said. Its a lot of fun showing and I enjoy seeing the kids coming through.

Next door in the Hall of Breeds, a barn filled with animals sourced by Hawkeye Community College, students and instructors were present to teach fairgoers about their program.

Students from the colleges animal science, agriculture business and vet assistant program had a kiddie pool full of baby chicks  born on Tuesday  for people to pet.

The barn also included adult chickens, sheep and cattle. Sasquatch, the states biggest boar, also made an appearance. Sasquatch, whose owner lives in Winthrop, won the 2023 Iowa State Fair title in the Big Boar competition. He weighs 1,012 pounds  more than 100 pounds heavier than the second place winner.

Amber Greiman, an agronomy and agriculture business instructor at the college, said the reason for the Hall of Breeds is to expose people to the common breeds of animals in Iowa as well as a few uncommon breeds like the long-haired Highland cattle.

The National Cattle Congress Fair is open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. More information about the fair can be found online at nationalcattlecongress.com.

Iowa Barn Foundation annual barn tour showcases unusual, historic barns frost barn waterloo .jpg frost barn 2 waterloo .jpg frost barn 3 waterloo .jpg frost barn 4 waterloo .jpg hayward barn 4 .jpg hayward barn 6 .jpg hayward barn 5 .jpg miller barn 3 .jpg miller barn 2.jpg koschmeder wooden silo 1 .jpg koschmeder wooden silo 5 .jpg koschmeder wooden silo 4 .jpg koschmeder wooden silo 2 .jpg secrest octagonal barn .jpg secrest octagonal barn 2 .jpg secrest octagonal barn 3 .jpg
NEW YORK  A growing number of Americans are finding it difficult to afford insurance on their homes, a problem only expected to worsen because insurers and lawmakers have underestimated the impact of climate change, a new report says.

A report from First Street Foundation says states such as California, Florida and Louisiana, which are prone to wildfires and damaging storms and flooding, are likely to see the most dramatic increases in premiums. But the fire that destroyed the Hawaiian community of Lahaina on Aug. 8, as well as the historic flooding that happened in Vermont and Maine in July, are examples of events that could drive up insurance costs for homeowners in other states.

If youre not worried, youre not paying attention, said California Sen. Bill Dodd, whose district includes the wine-country counties devastated by the LNU Complex fires in 2020.

First Street estimates, factoring climate models into the financial risk of properties in its report Wednesday, that roughly 39 million properties  roughly a quarter of all homes in the country  are being underpriced for the climate risk to insure those properties.

Some places may be impacted very minimally, but other places could see massive increases in insurance premiums in the coming years, said Jeremy Porter, head of climate implications at First Street and a co-author of the report.

First Street, a New York-based nonprofit, has been a to-go researcher on the financial implications of climate change for years. Their research is used by Fannie Mae, Bank of America, the Treasury Department and others for understanding the potential risks to properties.

There are several signs that climate change is taking its toll on the insurance industry. The U.S. homeowners insurance industry has had three straight years of underwriting losses, according to credit rating agency AM Best. Losses for the first half of 2023 totaled $24.5 billion, which is roughly what was lost in all of 2022.

(Climate change) is a problem that is already here, said Todd Bevington, a managing director at the insurance broker VIU by HUB. In his 30 years of doing insurance, he said Ive never seen the market turn this quickly or significantly.

Skyrocketing insurance costs are a serious concern for the small town of Paradise in Northern California, which was nearly wiped out by a deadly 2018 wildfire that killed 85 people.

Jen Goodlin moved back to her hometown from Colorado with her family in 2020, determined to help in the towns recovery. They began building on a lot they had purchased, and moved into their new house in October 2022.

In July, she was shocked to receive notice that the familys homeowner insurance premium would be $11,245  up from $2,500.

Our insurance agent said, Just be thankful we didnt drop you, and I said, You did, you just dropped me, she said.

Record numbers of Americans are now insured through state-affiliated insurers of last resort like Californias FAIR Plan, or Louisiana or Floridas Citizens property insurance companies. These programs were designed to insure properties where private insurance companies have refused to insure or the price for private insurance is too expensive.

The number of homeowners covered by Californias FAIR Plan was 268,321 in 2021, almost double what it was five years before. That figure has almost certainly increased in the last two years, experts say. In Florida, Citizens Property Insurance Corp. now has 1.4 million homeowners policies in effect, nearly triple in five years.

In some cases, policymakers have bound the hands of insurance companies, leading to an underpricing of risk. For example, the most a California insurance company can raise a homeowners premium by law each year is 7% without involving a public hearing, a process that most insurers want to avoid. Those policies, along with the increased chance of catastrophic events, have led insurers like State Farm and Allstate to either pull out of the California market or pause underwriting new policies.

As a result, Californias FAIR plan, which was created 50 years ago as a temporary stopgap measure for those impacted by riots and brush fires in the 1960s, is now the only option available to homeowners in some ZIP codes.

Dodd was one of the key lawmakers trying to negotiate a bill in the final weeks of the states legislative session to address the issue. But all sides failed to reach an agreement.

There are likely to be more insurance market failures in the future, Porter said, as more insurers simply refuse to underwrite policies in certain communities or go property by property. Comparisons to the National Flood Insurance Program, which is now $22.5 billion in debt, have become common.

Even the backstop programs are buckling under tremendous losses. Louisiana's insurer of last resort, Citizens, raised its rates for 2023 by 63.1% statewide to cover higher costs.

This summer, reinsurance companies such as Swiss Re and Munich Re raised their property catastrophe reinsurance premiums in the U.S. by an average of 20% to 50%. Reinsurance brokerage firm Guy Carpenter & Co. said it was the highest increase for reinsurance rates since the year after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

Its a global problem. Virtually every geography is seeing a repricing of risk, said Lara Mowery, global head of distribution at Guy Carpenter.
Headed into another extended weekend, Iowas congressional delegates addressed Chinese shell companies, stillbirth prevention, prosthetic affordability and more. Additionally, one of Iowas senators celebrated a birthday.

Check out what Iowas lawmakers were up to this week:

Nunn national security bill makes it to floor

Rep. Zach Nunns legislation aimed at strengthening regulations on foreign businesses registered in the U.S. passed the House Financial Services Committee.

The legislation, introduced in August, is co-sponsored by Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio. It aims to prevent foreign businesses from operating through shell companies. It amends the Corporate Transparency Act, passed in 2020.

The 2020 act attempted to prevent shell companies, but according to Nunns office, implementation deviated from the initial intention of the legislation.

Nunns legislation, which the House will now consider, would strengthen regulations on foreign businesses registering in the U.S. by requiring a submitted report within 90 days of registration and preventing companies from omitting information.

The Chinese Communist Party will do anything to jeopardize our national security, steal our intellectual property and undermine our economy, Nunn said in a news release. Passing this bipartisan bill is a critical step towards ending their ability to operate shell companies that harm national security and real American businesses.

Grassley introduces Secure the Border Act

A border security bill, which passed the House in May, has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Chuck Grassley.

The Secure the Border Act passed the House along party lines, with all four Iowa representatives voting in favor and two Republicans voting against.

According to Grassleys office, it is the most comprehensive border security legislation in decades. The bill would resume border wall construction, increase border patrol agents, criminalize those who stay in the country past their visa, ensure U.S. Customs and Border Protection has criminal databases of all countries of origin and transit and more.

The first obligation of government is to protect our national security, Grassley said in a news release.  Simply put, border security is national security. Our bill presents commonsense solutions that will protect Americans by putting a stop to the border crisis.

Grassley and Hinson promote stillbirth awareness

In proposed resolutions, Grassley and Rep. Ashley Hinson asked Congress to make Sept. 19 National Stillbirth Prevention Day.

The stillbirth rate in the United States is unacceptably high, especially for low-income and rural moms, and we must do more to help them have healthy pregnancies, Hinson said in a news release. We can and must do better by these moms and their babies.

Hinson also spoke on the House floor regarding the matter.

Both Hinson and Grassley have authored legislation to improve maternal care, including a bicameral effort in July to increase research funding for stillbirth prevention.

We can and should be doing more to save babies lives and improve pre-natal care  thats what this resolution is all about, Grassley said in a news release. Too many families know the heartbreak of stillbirths, yet such tragic losses are often avoidable.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 175 births are stillborn, and Black and Pacific Islander Americans are affected at more than double the rate of white Americans.

Nunn looking for Russia to repair Ukraine

Nunn, saying actions have consequences, is calling for frozen Russian assets to be used to fund the reconstruction of Ukraine. He announced the proposal this week ahead of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyys visit to Washington, D.C.

Putin and his oppressive regime alone are responsible for the murderous destruction in Ukraine, Nunn said in a news release. Actions have consequences, so they alone should likewise be responsible for the costs of their unprovoked war.

The funds Nunn referenced are $300 billion in assets frozen by the U.S., the European Union and Japan in February 2022.

In a resolution by Nunn, he calls for Russia to immediately cease all hostilities, withdraw forces from Ukrainian territory and engage in diplomatic efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict.

The resolution also states that the United States expresses its commitment to provide humanitarian assistance and to help rebuild and stabilize the region.

Miller-Meeks asks for medical equipment affordability

Legislation to adjust Medicare payments for medical equipment such as prosthetics and orthotics was introduced this week by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks.

The legislation, if passed, would direct the secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to adjust both competitive and noncompetitive bid rates for medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies until the end of 2024.

The bill has the support of Democrat Rep. Paul Tonko of New York and two Republicans, Hinson and Rep. Larry Bucshon of Indiana.

The legislation would direct HHS to make adjustments to make Medicare payments consistent with payments in 2021s competitive bidding program.

Supply chain issues and rising costs extend far beyond the production line, Miller-Meeks said in a news release. The Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies Relief Act of 2023 works to ensure that essential products like ankle orthotics, wheelchairs and walkers, are not delayed by supply chain issues and that they are still affordable and available for patients to use.

GOP senators want dress code enforcement

A decision by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, which Grassley said stinks, may lead to fewer ties on the Senate floor.

The majority leader instructed the Senates sergeant-at-arms this week to stop enforcing the unwritten business casual dress code.

This rule change stinks and its unprecedented, Grassley said in a news release. Ill be wearing a suit and necktie on the Senate floor as Ive always done and has been expected of senators for nearly 240 years. If you cant count on the Majority Leader of the United States Senate to uphold decorum, who can you count on?

Forty-six Republican senators, including Sen. Joni Ernst and Grassley, sent a letter to urge Schumer to immediately reverse this misguided action regarding the clothes worn in a place of honor and tradition.

The Senate floor is where we conduct the business of the American people, the letter states. It is where we debate the policies which impact every American family and, when necessary, it is where we must make the gravest decision imaginable  whether to send our fellow Americans into battle to defend the freedoms we all hold dear. The world watches us on that floor and we must protect the sanctity of that place at all costs.

Ernst, Hinson take aim at federal work-from-home jobs

In a months-long effort by multiple Iowa lawmakers to change the way federal employees have managed work-from-home policies since the COVID-19 pandemic, Hinson and Ernst have introduced companion legislation to address their grievances.

Its no secret that Washington is broken and deeply dysfunctional, and Iowans are sick of it, Hinson said in a statement. Serious reforms are needed to clean this place up and root out corruption, shrink the ever-growing administrative state, and take power from bureaucrats and give it to people. My Make Washington Work Again package will restore integrity to public service, cut burdensome regulations and ensure Washington is accountable to Iowans.

A package of bicameral legislation would move federal agency headquarters outside of Washington, ban senior administration officials from lobbying on behalf of foreign governments, require agencies to implement pre-pandemic telework policies and more.

Ernst posted this photo illustration of the White House on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday.

Washingtons work from home turned the capital into a ghost town. Bidens bureaucrats can come back or well repurpose vacant buildings.#TrickorTreat?  pic.twitter.com/bt6BOqKP02  Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) September 21, 2023

Ernst has made several statements, including on the Senate floor and in the New York Post on the topic and has requested an investigation into the effect on delivery and response times of services due to telework.

According to a July report from the Government Accountability Office during a three-week period in early 2023 saw 17 out of 24 federal agencies buildings were at 25% or less capacity.

Grassleys birthday

Grassley, the second oldest serving senator, turned 90 years old on Sunday. The senator received surprise Dairy Queen blizzards and birthday wishes from politicians representing Iowa, including congressional delegates, Gov. Kim Reynolds and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.

Happy Birthday Sen @ChuckGrassley! Youre next Diary Queen Blizzard is on me pic.twitter.com/qo4nWZSOgl  Dr. Miller-Meeks (@millermeeks) September 17, 2023

Best counties to raise a family in Iowa Best counties to raise a family in Iowa #30. Hamilton County, Iowa #29. Humboldt County, Iowa #28. Carroll County, Iowa #27. Delaware County, Iowa #26. Buena Vista County, Iowa #25. Clinton County, Iowa #24. Poweshiek County, Iowa #23. O'Brien County, Iowa #22. Wright County, Iowa #21. Mills County, Iowa #20. Crawford County, Iowa #19. Grundy County, Iowa #18. Shelby County, Iowa #17. Winneshiek County, Iowa #16. Calhoun County, Iowa #15. Marion County, Iowa #14. Warren County, Iowa #13. Lyon County, Iowa #12. Marshall County, Iowa #11. Woodbury County, Iowa #10. Plymouth County, Iowa #9. Bremer County, Iowa #8. Linn County, Iowa #7. Sioux County, Iowa #6. Johnson County, Iowa #5. Dubuque County, Iowa #4. Story County, Iowa #3. Scott County, Iowa #2. Polk County, Iowa #1. Dallas County, Iowa
"Thank a Veteran for Veterans Day" with the American Red Cross of Northern Utah & "Build Storybook Kits" with OWCAP

Help assemble packages and thank-you cards with American Red Cross of Northern Utah for veterans. The American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces will deliver cards and packages to VA Nursing Homes, VA Hospitals, and local VA Organization VFWs, etc. Interested volunteers can drop-in during the designated time to assemble packages and decorate thank-you cards for veterans for Veteran's Day.

Help cut out storybook kits to go with their designated storybooks for the Ogden-Weber Community Action Partnership (OWCAP). Each volunteer will receive a bundle of images to cut out. The goal is to complete as many storybook kits as possible to provide each child with at least one book and kit to take home.

This is a drop-in service for those who are unable to travel off campus or have only a few moments of their time to give.

Project Information:

Drop-in Timeframe: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Location: Shepherd Union Ballrooms (Ogden Campus)

Volunteers Needed: 100

Learn more about the Red Cross services for military families: Military Family Support

Register to Volunteer
 Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation

(1723 September 2023)

Part I (See Part II)

 In the period from 17 to 23 September 2023, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out 12 group strikes with long-range ground-based and air-launched precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles against facilities for the repair of aircraft and armoured vehicles, oil refineries, storage depots for ammunition, precision weapons, and weapons of foreign manufacture, centres for the reconnaissance and training of Ukrainian militants, as well as locations where foreign mercenaries were stationed.

 As a result of the strikes, significant damage was inflicted on the logistics system of the AFU groups operating in Kherson and Zaporozhye directions, the capabilities of the enemys repair and recovery bodies were reduced, and part of the stocks of cruise missiles and depleted uranium ammo, launchers of multiple-launch rocket launchers, and anti-aircraft missile systems transferred by the West to Ukraine were destroyed.

 In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces have repelled 28 attacks launched by assault groups of the 53rd and 110th Mechanised, 79th Air Assault, and 3rd Assault brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces close to Kleshcheyevka, Avdeevka, and Maryinka (Donetsk Peoples Republic) during this period.

 Over the past week, as a result of air, missile, and artillery strikes in this direction, the enemys losses amounted to more than 1,455 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, 16 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 25 motor vehicles, 15 field artillery pieces, and three MLRS combat vehicles. In addition, three ammunition depots and two military echelons of the 37th AFU Marine Brigade were destroyed at loading stations.

 In South Donetsk direction, Russian units have repelled five enemy attacks with concerted action during the week, continuing to defeat clusters of AFU manpower and hardware. The enemys losses in this direction amounted to over 950 Ukrainian servicemen killed and wounded, 14 armoured fighting vehicles, 32 motor vehicles, and five field artillery pieces. In addition, two ammunition depots were wiped out.

 As a result of the significant losses and the low morale, the Kiev regime is withdrawing units of the 38th Marine Brigade and the 110th Territorial Defence Brigade of the AFU to rear areas to restore combat capability.

 In Zaporozhye direction, Russian troops repelled eight attacks by combined assault groups of the 71st Jeager, 47th Mechanised, and 46th Airmobile brigades of the AFU near Rabotino and Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region). During the fighting, more than 515 Ukrainian servicemen, 24 armoured fighting vehicles and 19 motor vehicles were destroyed. In addition, 35 enemy field artillery pieces were neutralised as part of counter-battery warfare.

 In Kupyansk direction, Russian units continued to hit the manpower and equipment of the 14th, 30th and 32nd mechanised and 25th airborne brigades of the AFU in the areas of Sinkovka, Ivanovka, and Berestovoye (Kharkov region). More than 215 Ukrainian troops, six armoured fighting vehicles, 18 motor vehicles, 24 field artillery guns, and one U.S.-made M1097 Avenger missile system were destroyed in this area.

 Russian Defence Ministry

 Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation

(1623 September 2023)

Part II (see Part I)

 In Krasny Liman direction, units of the 63rd and 67th mechanised brigades and the 12th Special Operations Brigade made unsuccessful attempts to attack the positions of Russian troops near Yampolovka and Torskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic) Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk Peoples Republic) and Serebryansky forestry. As a result of courageous action by units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, air strikes, artillery fire and heavy flame-throwing systems, 15 enemy attacks were repelled.

 The enemys losses in this direction amounted to up to 435 Ukrainian servicemen killed and wounded, 15 armoured fighting vehicles, 16 motor vehicles, and eight guns.

 In Kherson direction, the enemy made unsuccessful attempts to seize bridgeheads on islands and the left bank of the Dnepr River. In military operations, the AFU have lost up to 445 Ukrainian troops, nine armoured fighting vehicles, 35 motor vehicles, 11 field artillery guns. In addition, eight sabotage and reconnaissance groups were disabled.

 During the week, the enemy attempted to strike facilities on the Crimean Peninsula with cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. In the course of repelling the attacks, Russian air defence systems destroyed five cruise missiles, one Neptun anti-ship missile, and 37 attack drones.

 Fighter jets of the Russian Armed Forces and air defence system have destroyed the following aircraft over the past week: Su-24m, Mig-29, and two Su-25 ground-attack aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force near Novovladimirovka (Nikolayev region) and Novorozovka and Novopokrovka (Zaporozhye region).

 In addition, Russian strike drones hit a Ukrainian Mig-29 fighter jet at the Dolgintsevo airfield (Dnepropetrovsk region), as well as two ST-68 radar stations for detecting low-altitude aerial targets near Volnyansk (Zaporozhye region) and P-18 and PRV-16 radar stations for detecting aerial targets near Novopetrovka (Kherson region).

 Air defence and electronic warfare systems have shot down and suppressed 257 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles during the week and intercepted 46 HIMARS MLRS shells, nine Storm Shadow cruise missiles, two JDAM air bombs, and three HARM anti-radiation missiles.

 In total, 477 airplanes and 249 helicopters, 7,067 unmanned aerial vehicles, 438 air defence missile systems, 12,071 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,154 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 6,502 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 13,351 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

 Russian Defence Ministry

WtR
As fall begins, it is time to think about fall field work. For many, fall is the time for manure application to fields.

Manure is a valuable fertilizer. In order to get the most value for next years crop, and avoid runoff and leaching, we need to remember the four Rs. The four Rs are right source, right rate, right time and right place.

There are many sources of fertilizer, and you need to make sure that you are taking credits for the ones that you are using, including manure. In relation to fertilizers used in conjunction with manure, we need to especially consider nitrogen and phosphorus. Will you use a commercial starter fertilizer that contains nitrogen or phosphorus at planting? Was last years crop a legume? Was manure applied last year on this field? Does your irrigation water contain nitrogen? If you answered yes to any of those, make sure to take credit!

When it comes to fertilizer, more is not better. You need to apply the appropriate rate that allows the correct amount of nutrients for your crop without over-applying. Over application is bad for your bottom line and the environment. Check out the current guidelines for manure application rates on the University of Minnesota Extension website or contact your local extension educator to help you determine the nitrogen and phosphorous rates for your crop. Be sure to use all of the information that you have available to ensure youre applying the right rate. This includes your soil test results and manure nutrient analysis. Finally, be sure to calibrate your spreader to apply your determined rate.

When the weather is changing and storage units are filling, right timing can be one of the more challenging 4Rs. To avoid nitrification and other nutrient loss, we recommend applying manure when soils are 50 degrees or cooler. This is especially important for liquid or slurry manures that have a higher proportion of inorganic nitrogen that is more easily nitrified. Note that nitrification is not halted at cool temperature, just slowed. Even around freezing, the process continues very slowly.

Finally, you want to ensure that you are applying in the right place. Record keeping is an important aspect of farm management, and your nutrient plan is no exception. While we often think of manure as free fertilizer, you already paid for these nutrients when you purchased the feed for the livestock. Again, over application does not benefit your crop, field, bottom line or the environment. You will want to prioritize fields that can benefit from all of the nutrients in manure, not just the nitrogen. Having a manure management plan in place for your entire operation can be beneficial to help you get the nutrients to the fields where they are needed. Then you can plan for additional commercial fertilizers as needed to balance everything out.
Justin H. Vassallo in American Affairs:

The recent media flurry over Bidenomics is the latest attempt to distill a complex but far from complete rupture with neoliberalism. Premised in part on lifting the wages and employment rate of historically low-income groups, Bidenomics is really about two things: strengthening the relationship between climate policy and national security, and prodding capital to commit to more useful, more productive investment in the domestic economy. Industrial policy is its core featurethe main means of inducing, steering, and even compelling capital to serve societal and national goals short of explicit economic planning. Like a heresy without a new church, industrial policy has been the watchword of the last two years despite having no organized base in the American electorate. As for Bidenomics in general, according to an Associated Press poll released in June, just 34 percent of the public approves of Bidens overall handling of the economy.

More ambitious than anything attempted by a Democratic administration since the mid-1960s, Bidenomics nevertheless marks another uncertain chapter for the party in the twenty-first century. While some analysts, pointing to bipartisan agreement over the imperative to strategically decouple from China, have been quick to declare a new economic consensus in Washington, debates over industrial policy and Bidenomics more generally are stimulating new divisions within the liberal-left.

For those who hail it as the start of a new progressive era, Bidenomics is both the apotheosis and transmutation of the legislative potential glimpsed in Barack Obamas electoral coalition. It demonstrates that todays Democrats have finally embraced activist government to achieve inclusive growth, enhance the welfare state, pursue social justice, and meet ambitious climate targets.

Economic progressives of a more populist, New Deal bent are likewise sympathetic, if more cautious. Developmental states, they argue, require time to build up their capacities; altering the composition of a countrys industrial mix does not occur overnight. This is no less true of the Wests ultra-polarized hegemon, pockmarked as it is by staggering social and regional inequalities.

More here.
One of the most sustainable, advanced energy storage systems in the country could be coming to Columbia County.

Alliant Energy announced Friday it was awarded a grant of up to $30 million from the U.S. Department of Energys Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations for a 200-megawatt hour energy storage system.

Nearly 20,000 homes in Wisconsin could be powered by the highly efficient, zero-emissions, closed loop battery system, Alliant said .

The Columbia Energy Storage Project would be the first of its kind in the U.S. and would also represent momentous steps toward a more cost-effective, reliable and sustainable energy future, said Tony Palese, senior communications partner at Alliant Energy.

The proposed project would incorporate an Energy Dome design, to be built near the current Columbia County energy center in the town of Pacific, just south of Portage.

Energy Dome, a company based in Milan, Italy, was founded in 2020. It has only one other battery project of this kind, which is in Italy, and it has proven to be an effective way to store long duration energy, Palese said.

Divisive power competition bill revived in Wisconsin Legislature Right of first refusal proposals have a checkered past in Wisconsin after two similar measures were introduced last legislative session but ultimately died in committee.

The project could deliver up to 10 hours of energy storage by compressing carbon dioxide gas into a liquid. The system would convert the liquid carbon dioxide back into a gas when energy is needed, which powers a turbine, creating electricity, according to Alliant Energy.

The dome project will require nearly 12 acres of land, with the dome nearly stadium size in length and about 150 feet tall, said Mike Bremel, director of engineering and customer solutions at Alliant Energy.

One of the great parts about the dome is that the land underneath will remain relatively undisturbed, said Bremel. The only foundation that will be installed is that of which is around the dome.

The project could be Bremels second in the Portage area. Last year he lead a project that brought a 5-megawatt energy storage system to the city, which doubled Alliant Energys Midwest battery capacity. The battery can store enough energy to fully charge more than 800,000 smart phones, according to Alliant Energy.

When the dome project is retired in the future, the only deconstruction will be of the dome itself, which can be recycled, along with the removal of the foundation surrounding the dome, which adds to the sustainability of the project, said Bremel.

The energy company expects to submit project plans to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission in 2024, and pending approval, could begin construction in 2025 and see a completed dome in 2026.

Also announced Friday was a battery storage grant awarded to Dairyland Power Cooperative in LaCrosse.

The power cooperative plans to strengthen grid resilience by bringing long-duration energy storage opportunities to rural communities, the cooperative said.

The project will also serve as a source of data for the U.S. Department of Energys Rapid Operational Validation Initiative for Flow Batteries program.

The LaCrosse energy company was one of five cooperatives included in the National Renewables Cooperative Organizations grant, which entitles them to a portion of the $325 million in federal funding from the Department of Energys Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations.

For more information on Alliant Energys energy storage projects, visit alliantenergy.com/battery.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
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.
FILE - Nevada State GOP Chairman Michael McDonald announces President Donald Trump before he speaks at the Nevada Republican Party Convention at the Suncoast Hotel and Casino, June 23, 2018, in Las Vegas. McDonald said he is preparing for a long fight to block the state from holding a presidential primary required under a 2-year-old law after a loss in court on Monday, June 10, 2023. (AP Photo/L.E. Baskow, File)
Instagram Celebrity

The couple, who has been together for more than two years, reveals in a new interview that they have been engaged more than a year after welcoming their son Zane Walker.

Sep 23, 2023

AceShowbiz - Congratulations are in order for Brian Austin Green and Sharna Burgess. The couple revealed in a new interview that they have been engaged more than a year after welcoming their son Zane Walker.

Sharna announced the happy news in the Friday, September 22 episode of their iHeartRadio podcast "Oldish". "We've been engaged for two months," the "Dancing with the Stars" pro revealed, adding, "Brian proposed to me."

"I did the thing," Brian confirmed. The "Beverly Hills, 90210" actor went on sharing that he popped the question on his 50th birthday in July. "Sharna threw me this surprise party, and I was like, 'That's a perfect place to do it. She'd never see it coming,' " he recalled.

It was also revealed that Brian involved the whole family, including his kids Noah Shannon, Bodhi Ransom and Journey River with ex-wife Megan Fox, in the proposal. The actor also shares 21-year-old son Kassius from his previous relationship with Vanessa Marcil.

"The kids come in with him. Noah is holding Zane, and Journey is holding this little red Cartier box. And they all come in there and they stand next to Brian, and he takes the box from Journey, and he says, 'Would you spend the rest of your life with us?' " Sharna recounted. "I was just looking at him like, 'I can't believe this is really happening.' "

According to the dancer, Brian sweetly asked her on behalf of himself and the kids, "Would you spend the rest of your life with us?" She continued, "Of course I said yes and I put that ring on my finger. I hugged all of them and it was the most perfect, beautiful moment because it was us. It was our unit, our tribe-and I love that that's how he wanted to do it."

While Sharna said that she knew they would get married one day, she claimed that she wasn't aware that he would propose to her on his birthday. "I knew one day, like at some point," she said of marrying the "Anger Management" alum. "We talked about it all the time, but there was no rush."

As for Brian, he noted that turning 50 felt like "the start of the second half of my life." He divulged, "To me, it seemed like the next, easy progression," he explained. "If you want to keep things moving forward and moving ahead, that's just part of the step. I have this grand vision-like, at the end of it-for Sharna to be able to share a last name with all of us. That's the end goal of all of it, so this is just part of the process."

Sharna also shared that "it means the world to me" to share a surname with the kids. "My bonus babies and Zane, they are my babies. I wouldn't have it any other way," Sharna said. "My last name will be Green...and it makes me so happy."

Following the engagement revelation, the couple took to Instagram to share a sweet video featuring their little family. It saw them putting their hands one on top of another on a grassy field while a beautiful poem was read in the background.

Sharna and Brian were first romantically linked in late 2020, when they were photographed kissing during a vacation in Hawaii. The actor then confirmed their romance in the following year, gushing over the Australian dancer whom he described as being "super sweet and caring, passionate, and fun to be around." The pair, who partnered up in season 30 of "Dancing with the Stars", welcomed their son Zane together in June 2022.

You can share this post!
Warner Bros. Pictures Movie

The 'Wolf of Wall Street' actress reportedly has no plans to return for the follow-up to the summer blockbuster as its very unlikely to build another movie around her character.

Sep 23, 2023

AceShowbiz - While fans may be holding their breath for another "Barbie" movie, Margot Robbie allegedly doesn't have much expectation about returning for a sequel. Rumor has it that the actress has no plans to reprise her titular role in the potential "Barbie 2".

According to a new report from RadarOnline.com, the two-time Oscar nominee is more than happy to let her co-star Ryan Gosling take the center stage in the supposed new film focusing on his lovelorn character since it's very unlikely to build another movie around her character.

"Everybody at the studio is talking about making a Ken movie, while the idea of building another movie around Margot as Barbie is pretty much off the table," a so-called insider tells the outlet. And the Australian beauty has allegedly come to terms with this as the source adds, "For Margot, it's all about the story."

"The 'Barbie' movie ended with Margot's Barbie becoming a real woman," the informant explains. "A follow-up to that journey isn't needed. There's plenty of room for Ryan to do a full-blown Ken movie, which Margot will be involved with behind the scenes."

The insider adds that Greta Gerwig, who directed the comedy from a screenplay she wrote with her husband Noah Baumbach, purposely didn't build the film's universe around just one Barbie. While Robbie doesn't expect to come back for the sequel, Warner Bros. bosses may still offer a mint to her in an attempt to lure her back.

Back in June, Robbie talked about the possibility of "Barbie" sequels. "I think you fall into a bit of a trap if you try and set up a first movie whilst also planning for sequels," she said of making the first film. Despite that, she believed that "it could go a million different directions from this point," without saying if that would involve her character.

Although it has grossed $1.4 billion worldwide, a sequel for "Barbie" has not been officially greenlit by Warner Bros. It's said that Gerwig and stars Robbie as well as Gosling are not contractually obligated to return for a "Barbie 2", and the ongoing Hollywood strikes only complicate matters for the studio.

You can share this post!
Cover Images/Scott Kirkland Celebrity

The 'That '70s Show' alum reportedly is not surprised by the 'Almost Famous' actress' divorce filing since the couple focuses on protecting their 9-year-old daughter Fianna from 'upcoming appeals and legal challenges.'

Sep 23, 2023

AceShowbiz - Danny Masterson allegedly was not blindsided by Bijou Phillips' decision to file for divorce from him. The former "That '70s Show" star reportedly was not surprised at all when the "Almost Famous" actress filed for divorce from him.

Speaking to TMZ on Friday, September 22, insiders who claimed to be close to the couple revealed that the 47-year-old actor "knew the divorce docs were coming." The insider went on to spill that he "wasn't blindsided as many had suspected."

In addition, the insider elaborated that Danny and the 43-year-old actress, who share 9-year-old daughter Fianna Francis together, are focused on protecting their child from "upcoming appeals and legal challenges."

On Monday, September 18, Bijou submitted divorce papers at a court in Santa Barbara, California. On the reason behind the split, she cited that there were "irreconcilable differences" in her marriage to Danny. In the court docs, she listed "TBD," meaning to be determined, as the date of the separation.

The "Raising Hope" star asked for spousal support and full legal as well as physical custody of Fianna. She also requested that any financial support for Danny be denied and their assets be divided up by the court as separate property.

In contrast, it was previously reported that Bijou would stay beside him despite his legal trouble. "She loves Danny and has no plans to file for divorce. She will be by his side for it all," a source revealed to PEOPLE on September 13.

Still, the insider stated that the former socialite is "distraught" and "has had a very difficult time since the conviction." The insider added, "She is in touch with his lawyer. They are planning appeals. She tries to stay hopeful."

Aside from staying by his side, Bijou allegedly still "completely trusts" Danny that he is not at fault. "Bijou's only positive outlook on things stems from her trust in Danny and the appeal process. She is hanging on to the fact that she completely trusts he never did what he was charged for, she can't accept that to be true," a different source told Daily Mail on September 8.

Bijou filed for divorce a few days after Danny was slapped with 30-year prison sentence for two counts of forcible rape. The "Yes Man" actor received the sentencing on September 7 after three women, who are former members of the Church of Scientology, came forward with rape allegations against him.

You can share this post!
Cover Images/Instagram/Faye's Vision TV

The actress and transgender rights advocate opens up about her experience working with the 'Holidate' star after revealing that the latter had apologized to her for being transphobic.

Sep 23, 2023

AceShowbiz - Angelica Ross has opened up more about her experience working with Emma Roberts on "American Horror Story: 1984". In a new interview, Angelica described the "We're the Millers" actress as the boss on set because of some reasons.

"From what I saw on set and how she talked to the directors and everyone else, my view would be Emma was the boss, the 42-year-old told The Hollywood Reporter. "She had her trailer outside of the sound studio, not where all the other trailers were."

Angelica then divulged that Emma "made sure that everything went through her." The transgender rights advocate additionally noted, "She would literally tell them what order we were filming scenes."

Just a few days before the interview was published, Angelica informed fans that Emma personally apologized to her for being transphobic on set. "Thank you @RobertsEmma for calling and apologizing, recognizing your behavior was not that of an ally," Angelica penned on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday, September 20. "I will leave the line open to follow up on your desire to do better and support social justice causes with your platform."

Angelica, who is trans, made the transphobic accusations against Emma during a recent Instagram Live. She recalled when the "Holidate" star misgendered her during a conversation between her and director John J. Gray.

Angelica claimed that at the time, Emma semi-jokingly complained to John that Angelica was being mean to her. The director then tried to diffuse the situation by saying, "Okay ladies, that's enough. Let's get back to work." In response to that, Emma allegedly said, "Don't you mean lady?" implying that Angelica isn't a woman.

You can share this post!
Instagram Celebrity

After the 'Kardashians' star brags about her eldest child's painting skills, many refuse to believe that the 10-year-old girl was able to create the beautiful artwork.

Sep 23, 2023

AceShowbiz - Kim Kardashian has been accused of lying about her child's talent. The reality TV star has been called a "fraud" and "liar" by social media users after she showed off a stunning sunset painting made by her daughter North West.

The mother of four took to her Instagram page on Wednesday, September 20 to brag about her eldest child's painting skills. Letting out a picture of the finished project, she raved in the caption, "North has been working on this sunset landscape painting for a few weeks and it turned out so beautiful. I'm so proud of my baby."

However, social media users couldn't believe that the 10-year-old girl was able to create such beautiful artwork. Sharing their two cents on Kim's post, one person wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, "Cap, on cap, on cap, on cap, on a million caps...."

A skeptical person weighed in, "I dunno man.. I don't wanna underestimate young talent but these kardashians are liars and frauds." A third added, "Her a** did NOT paint that," while someone else insisted, "kimberly that little girl did not make this bffr," referring to Kim's real name.

Others wanted proof as one demanded, "I need a time-lapse video of her creating these paintings." Similarly, another pointed out, "Loooooool until I seen an unedited video of her painting it I just don't believe it." One other sarcastically responded, "My toddler got his license today."

However, a few have come to Kim's defense, claiming that a child can make such painting with lessons. "I don't get the haters......she's 9 or 10. I was painting like this at that age. I'm sure she has a good art teacher too. It's a beautiful painting!" one of the defenders responded to the critics.

Another insisted, "All the bitter people claiming North West did not paint this clearly never heard of Bob Ross. With a good procedural art teacher, it is very doable for a child to produce a painting like this, especially if it's a landscape, and especially if that child has been taking lessons for years, which North has."

This isn't the first time Kim has been accused of lying after showing off his daughter's artwork. Back in 2021, the SKIMS founder shared a picture of North's oil landscape painting on her Instagram Story, and called her then-7-year-old daughter "her little artist."

After her Story was inundated with negative comments, she hit back at the haters. "DON'T PLAY WITH ME WHEN IT COMES TO MY CHILDREN," she wrote in a separate Story. She then explained that her daughter and her best friend Ryan "have been taking a serious oil search painting class where their talents and creativity are being encouraged and nurtured."

"North worked incredibly hard on her search painting with took several weeks to complete. As a proud mom, I wanted to share her work with everyone," the older sister of Khloe Kardashian continued explaining. "I'm seeing op-ed pieces in the media and social media from grown adults breaking down whether or not my child actually search painted this."

Kim went on to slam, "How dare you see children doing awesome things and then try to accuse them of NOT being awesome? Please stop embarrassing yourselves with the negativity and allow every child to be GREAT!" She then concluded her message by stressing, "NORTH WEST search PAINTED THAT PERDIOTDDDABCDEFGZFDT!!!!"

You can share this post!
Cover Images/Instagram/Robert Bell/INSTARimages Celebrity

The 48-year-old 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' actor and his alleged 25-year-old model girlfriend are reportedly getting serious as they've been spotted on several dates.

Sep 23, 2023

AceShowbiz - Leonardo DiCaprio is said to be getting serious with 25-year-old model Vittoria Ceretti. A source has now said that the 48-year-old actor, renowned for dropping girlfriends once they hit 26, and the model are getting to know each other on a "deeper level" as they have been spotted on several dates in the U.S. and abroad in recent months.

An insider told Page Six, "They've been spending quite a bit of time together over the past few months, and theyre enjoying getting to know one another on a deeper level."

The "Killers of the Flower Moon" star and Vittoria were first seen out in public during a steamy club outing in Ibiza, Spain, on August 9. They were seen in a video exclusively obtained by Page Six kissing and partying together at the electrifying Hi Ibiza club and a few weeks later headed to California.

The pair were also spotted getting ice cream and iced coffee in Santa Barbara. An eyewitness told Page Six they noticed a "vibe" between the two during the date, adding, "The way they were talking to each other you could feel the energy."

The pair were also spotted in the UK at the Vogue World: London party last week. A source told Page Six, "Leo and Vittoria were chatting and dancing together all night. From the looks of it, their romance is much more than a passing fling." Another insider said Leo has been supporting Vittoria abroad while she walked the catwalks at Milan Fashion Week.

Leo was last in a long-term relationship with actress Camila Morrone, 26, but they split in August 2022 after four years together. He was then linked to supermodel Gigi Hadid, 28, before Vittoria.

You can share this post!
Cover Images/Jose Perez Celebrity

The 'Harry Potter' actress has enrolled at Oxford to get Master's degree, nearly ten years after she completed her study in English literature at Brown University.

Sep 23, 2023

AceShowbiz - Emma Watson has returned to university. The 33-year-old actress - who completed her study at Brown University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in English literature in 2014 - has enrolled in a part-time Master's degree at Oxford.

"The course is for older adults and can be done on a part-time basis, which is perfect for Emma's schedule. She only has to be on site for four or five days a year because she can do the rest of the course online from home," a source told The Sun newspaper's Bizarre column.

And, Emma is expected to have a security team with her when she does attend the university, because she has suffered some safety scares recently. The insider said, "Because she's a famous actress, she'll have a security team looking after her whenever she has classes to go to. There have been a few incidents recently and she is taking every precaution necessary to ensure her safety."

A man was arrested during a Ralph Lauren fashion show in New York this month on suspicion of attempting to gain access to her dressing room and Emma has been feeling concerned. The source added, "She flew to Milan with a specialist team from the UK, and Prada provided another security detail to guard her room overnight."

"There were lots of famous models and celebrities staying at the Palazzo Parigi where Emma stayed. She was worried the people who had been messaging her could be among the fans outside."

The man has denied criminal trespass and disorderly conduct and will return to court next month.

You can share this post!
Cover Images/Dutch Press Photo Celebrity

The Duke of Sussex turned down an offer to mark grandmother's death anniversary at Balmoral with royal family and chose to visit Queen's final resting place instead.

Sep 24, 2023

AceShowbiz - Prince Harry reportedly rejected an offer to spend the anniversary of the Queen's death at Balmoral with King Charles. The Duke of Sussex, 39, who has caused a series of rifts with the royal family since his "Megxit" from Britain, is said to have turned down what was seen as a peace offering when he apparently turned down an invitation to the Scottish estate where the monarch died last September aged 96.

According to The Sun, he was alone as he marked 12 months since his grandmother's death before he travelled to Germany for the Invictus Games.

The newspaper said the "snub" came after Harry asked the King's office for royal accommodation and security for a one-night stopover in the UK earlier this month when he was appearing at a WellChild charity bash in Chelsea, West London, before going to Dusseldorf the next day.

It added a senior aide told the duke none of the family's London homes or Windsor Castle were available as most staff were in the Highlands. But they are said to have told Harry he was welcome to join them at Balmoral, where Charles, 74, and Queen Camilla, 76, were having "private family time."

The Sun added it is understood he then said his itinerary made the trip impossible. It said he held a short vigil alone without any family members by the Queen's final resting place at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, while Charles and Camilla had private prayer and reflection.

Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, told The Sun, "For Harry this was a golden opportunity missed. He should have braved it out and gone to see them. If the King invites you to Balmoral, then most people would cancel all of their travel plans."

"He could have easily re-arranged things slightly to allow himself the time. Any attempts for a rapprochement must be on the King's terms. I'm glad he is showing some backbone and offering this olive branch."

"But Harry must have known that not only the King but the whole of the Royal Court decamp to Balmoral for the summer and that was the only place he could go."

Harry, who is now based with his family in Montecito, California, must request permission to stay in a royal property and, earlier this year, he and his wife Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, 42, had been told by Charles they were no longer able to live at Frogmore Cottage, Windsor.

You can share this post!
Celebrity

The 'Great Escaper' actor explains what he hates about today's society, suggesting being 'woke' means 'not being able to speak your mind and not being able to call anyone darling.'

Sep 24, 2023

AceShowbiz - Sir Michael Caine believes every man should be forced to do National Service - and hates "wokery." The 90-year-old was 12 when World War Two ended and was called up to the army when he was 18 and sent to occupied Berlin - before he was sent to fight in Korea a year later.

"I think every young man should be made to do it. It truly makes a man of you," he told the Daily Mail's You magazine.

But Michael admitted he soon fell in love with the money he could make from acting when he came out of service. He added, "I only became an actor after I left the army I got a movie and was like, 'F*** this! I love films more. I liked the money and all."

Michael's latest film is "The Great Escaper", in which he plays real-life World War Two veteran Bernard Jordan. Born in 1924, he left his care home in Hove aged 89 without telling his wife or carers where he was heading as he was determined to pay his respects at the 70th D-Day commemorations in Normandy.

When he was tracked down, and on returning home was stunned to find he'd become a media sensation - nicknamed "The Great Escaper".

Michael added in a chat to promote the film, out in October, that one of the things he despises about modern life is so-called "wokeness." He said, "It's dull. Not being able to speak your mind and not being able to call anyone 'darling.' I try (to make myself woke), but it's hard. I like to learn from friends who are younger than me."

Michael added his main focus now is staying alive to see his grandchildren grow up.

The "Alfie" star, who has been married to his second wife Shakira Baksh, 76, since 1973, has two daughters - Dominique, 67, from his first marriage to the late actress Patricia Haines, and Natasha, 50, from his marriage to Shakira - as well as three grandchildren, 12-year-old twins Miles and Allegra, and 13-year-old boy Taylor.

He said, "As you get older, you inevitably think about dying, but as soon as you get grandchildren, your focus shifts. You think about them. You want to go on living because they are so much a part of you, and you want to live for ever to see what they do with their lives. You just want to keep going."

He also said when asked for his secrets to a long life, "Younger wives, no snacking and wear trainers at all times. And you have to be careful not to fall down."

You can share this post!
Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd., a leading brand in the world of lighting solutions is thrilled to announce that its Baddi Lighting Plant won at the esteemed Safe-Tech Award & Conference 2023. The company was recognized under the category of "Employee Participation in Safety Awareness" for demonstrating outstanding commitment in building a culture of safety with Employee Participation & Trainings to achieve Safety Performance. This recognition reaffirms Crompton's unwavering commitment to safety while delivering high-quality solutions to its customers.

The event recently took place at The Hotel Taj Mahal Towers & Palace, Gateway of India, Mumbai & was graced by Dr. Suresh (Bhau) Khade, the Honorable Labor Minister of the Government of Maharashtra as the Chief Guest and attended by over 650 distinguished delegates, comprising of Safety Professionals, OSH/EHS HODs, and Fire Safety Professionals, who gathered to celebrate the pinnacle of safety excellence.

The Safe-Tech award aims to recognize and reward innovation in Occupational Safety, Environment and Health Safety by organizations across all sectors of Industries. At the heart of Cromptons achievement is its Baddi Lighting Plant, where 100% of the workforce showcased unwavering commitment to Safety Awareness, thereby, ensuring the well-being of its plant and employees.

Commenting on the occasion, Pravin Saraf, Vice President - Manufacturing and Quality Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. said, I am immensely proud of our Baddi Lighting Plant's remarkable achievement at the Safe-Tech Award & Conference 2023. At Crompton, safety is a core value that is embedded across all our operations. Winning the award is a significant milestone for us, reflecting our unwavering commitment to creating a workplace where safety is paramount, as seen through our Baddi Lighting Plant's 100% dedication to Safety Awareness. This is a testament to our relentless efforts in fostering a culture of security and responsibility. Moreover, we believe that a safe environment nurtures innovation and excellence. Hence, we will continue to prioritize safety, innovate, and empower our employees to ensure their well-being while delivering high-quality lighting solutions to our customers."

The Baddi lighting plant is Cromptons hub of technological innovation where the focus on safety extends beyond compliance, with a range of key safety initiatives in place like:
*Lights, Camera, Review!

Adgully is thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new film review column by none other than Sumeet Nadkarni. By day, he's a Chartered Accountant, but by passion, he's a self-styled film critic. Sumeet is no stranger to the world of cinema; he's been captivating audiences with his insights for years. Sumeet's film-related articles have appeared in leading publications. He brings a fresh and unique perspective to the world of Indian cinema with his unbiased film reviews.

Stay tuned for a cinematic journey like no other, right here on Adgully.

Lady Drishyam.

These two words would sum up the latest crime thriller from Sujoy Ghosh, which is being publicised as Kareena Kapoor's OTT debut. Whateva!!

Jaane Jaan is basically an adaptation of The Devotion of Suspect X, a popular novel made in to a Hollywood movie earlier as well as wonderfully Indianised by Jeethu Joseph and the late Nishikant Kamat as Drishyam (2015). The plot premise plus the alibi offered by the suspect are identical here though Sujoy Ghosh begins and ends his movie on a totally different note. And mind you, I found the climax quite abrupt and disappointing.

The lovely Kareena Kapoor is obviously the centre of attraction here - for her next-door neighbour-cum-mathematics teacher (Jaideep Ahlawat) as well as the investigating cop (Vijay Varma) cross-examining her in a murder case. The victim is supposedly Kareena's ex-husband, who was a dirty cop indulging in shady deals from hawala to dance bars.

Like Ghosh's earlier films, the characters are well etched and deliciously quirky!! Jaideep Ahlawat is outstanding as the socially awkward Maths genius who sees logic as well as magic in numbers. Vijay Varma playing the tough cop, pitches in a competent act. In one scene, he finds it difficult to resist Kareena's charm and sorta self admonishes himself. Haha!!

Ultimately, Jaane Jaan belongs to Kareena Kapoor, who is the "jaan" of this otherwise average flick. Her looks, body language, eye contact and dialogue delivery are just perfect. Watch her in the scene where she sees her ex-hubby for first time or later, when she grooves to the iconic Lata Mangeshkar song from which the movie title is borrowed. This is indeed Kareena 2.0. Yup, she's come a long way from playing Poo and hamming to glory in films like Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon and Khushi (both 2003). This lady has matured beautifully, knows how to act now and most importantly, means business. Lady Drishyam, actually!!

Ratings on some key aspects* :

1. Acting : 5/5

2. Direction : 3/5

3. Music : 3.5/5

4. Story, Screenplay and Dialogue : 2/5

5. Cinematography : 3/5

6. Editing : 2.5/5

7. Costume Design : 3.5/5

8. Special Effects and VFX : NA

9. Action : NA

10. Production Quality : 3/5

#SNRating for #JaaneJaan : 2 & 1/2 stars out of 5.



* - The overall film rating is not a simple average of all ratings on key aspects but a weighted average of the ratings where some crucial aspects (like direction, acting, story and screenplay etc) are assigned more weightage than others.

#JaaneJaan #CrimeThriller #HindiMovie #BollywoodFilm #KareenaKapoor #JaideepAhlawat #VijayVarma #SujoyGhosh #BollywoodReview #Filmreview #TheatricalRelease #OTTRelease #Netflix #SNRatings

#SNRatings barometer:

1 star = Poor

1 & 1/2 star = Below average/ Avoidable

2 stars = Average

2 & 1/2 stars = Above average/ Risk it

3 stars = Good enough/ Watchable

3 & 1/2 stars = Definitely worth a theatrical watch

4 stars = Very good

5 stars = Masterpiece/ Outstanding.

About Sumeet Nadkarni:

Sumeet Nadkarni is a Chartered Accountant by profession and a self-styled film critic by passion. He reviews Bollywood movies and OTT releases on his popular personal blog #SNRatings. His film-related articles have appeared in leading publications in India. With a keen eye for cinematic detail and a knack for insightful critiques, Sumeet brings a unique perspective to the world of Indian cinema. Follow him for the latest Bollywood insights and unbiased film reviews.  #FilmCritique #BollywoodReviewer
Actress Mouni Roy, who will be playing the role of Nayantara in the forthcoming OTT series Sultan of Delhi, is over the moon with the fact that she got to play a highly stylised character.

Milan Lutharias Sultan of Delhi is all set to release on 13th October on Disney Hotstar with an impressive star-cast comprising of Mouni Roy, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Anjum Sharma and Vinay Pathak. The series is co-written and co-directed by Suparn Verma of The Family Man fame.

Mouni, who started her career with Kyuki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, has come a long way since then. From Mahadev to Naagin, she has featured in many successful shows. Her role in Brahmastra-Part 1 Shiva also garnered a lot of praise from audience.

Now, her fans are all awaiting to watch Mouni, as Nayantara in Sultan of Delhi. Speaking about her experience in the series, she says, When I first met Milan Lutharia Sir for this role, I was hoping to get this role. I loved the way Nayantara navigates the path in her life. The series is based on Sultan of Delhi: Ascension' by Arnab Ray. When I read the book, I found the character of Nayantara to be amazing and thats what attracted me towards the role. I am very happy to play Nayantara.

Mouni will be seen dancing in jazz and cabaret genres in the series. She shares her excitement, saying, I was very eager to know in which song I will be dancing. Milan Sir was precise about what he wants from us. When I heard the original background, I knew this song is going to be popular. I have done Jazz, probably for the first time. I have really worked hard on mastering it and I must admit it was quite challenging.

She further adds, Though, I could not get the chance to work with Suparn Verma, in this series but it was a lifetime experience for me to be a part of Sultan of Delhi and work with Milan Sir. He is someone whom I respect a lot, and at the same time, he is our buddy with whom we can discuss everything.
The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan will grace the event as the Chief Guest and will speak extensively on his vision for the states progress in the context of the upcoming elections in the state. Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar will also be part of the event and will discuss pressing issues related to farmers.

Top leaders and policymakers including the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Shri Bhupendra Singh, State Unit Chief of BJP - Madhya Pradesh, Shri Vishnu Dutt Sharma, Minister of Medical Education, Shri Vishwas Kailash Sarang, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, Education Minister, Dr. Mohan Yadav, and opposition leader and former CM Shri Kamal Nath will be seen participating in the discussions at the summit.

Furthermore, film actress Fatima Sana Shaikh and filmmaker Raaj Shaandilyaa will also join the line-up of notable speakers at the Rising Madhya Pradesh summit.

News18 has been at the forefront of driving the discourse on development across the country for many years. An integral part of this effort has been the thought leadership RISING series organized in various states. This platform hosts the biggest names from governance, politics, and other strata of society in a substantive discussion on key challenges faced by a region and the roadmap for the future.

News18s Rising Madhya Pradesh summit will aim to discuss key priorities of the state through an open and free dialogue with all stakeholders on the development of Madhya Pradesh
TV9 Network, Indias largest television news network, is pleased to announce a collaboration with Samsung TV Plus India to extend its reach into the thriving world of Connected TV (CTV). This partnership reinforces TV9 Network's commitment to delivering trustworthy news content to an ever-expanding audience base through the dynamic platform of Connected TVs.

As part of this collaboration, TV9 Network will make its mark on Samsung TV Plus India, Samsung Electronics' free ad-supported streaming TV service. Samsung Smart TV users will now have the opportunity to access TV9 Network's top-notch news channels, including TV9 Bharatvarsh, TV9 Telugu, TV9 Kannada, and its latest offering in the English news genre, News9 Live, one of the pillars of the networks futuristic news offering, News9 Mediaverse.

The move into FAST underscores TV9 Network's dedication to meeting its viewers where they are, and Connected TV represents a burgeoning medium for content consumption in India. According to industry reports, the number of CTVs in use is projected to rise from the current 22-25 million to 40 million by 2025. By collaborating with Samsung TV Plus India, TV9 Network aims to leverage the potential of CTV and strengthen its presence on the platform, with plans to introduce additional regional news channels in the near future.

Commenting on this significant development, Raktim Das, Chief Growth Officer at TV9 Network, said, This marks a pivotal moment in our journey to provide high-quality news content to an even wider audience. In this rapidly evolving media landscape, it's essential to engage with our viewers through their preferred platforms. With the rapid growth of CTVs, the partnership with Samsung TV Plus takes on paramount importance to us. We are starting with our flagship regional channels and plan to roll out more regional channels, reaffirming our status as a leading news network catering to diverse linguistic regions. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration with Samsung TV Plus as we expand our channel offerings.

Samsung TV Plus is excited to welcome TV9 Network to our platform. We are committed to offering our users a rich and diverse array of news content for free. This collaboration with TV9 Network aligns perfectly with our mission to provide top-quality content to our viewers, all for free, said Kunal Mehta, Head of Partnerships at Samsung TV Plus India.

Samsung TV Plus, Samsung's 100% free ad-supported streaming TV service (FAST), offers viewers access to more than 100 live TV channels in India, as well as thousands of movies and shows available live and on-demand for free, across millions of Samsung Smart TVs in India.

This partnership promises to enhance the viewing experience for audiences by combining TV9 Network's journalistic excellence with Samsung TV Plus Indias commitment to providing a diverse range of local and global news.




Zoo Media Network, a leading media network of 10 agency brands, has won the mandate for Goldmedal Electricals Pvt Ltd, a leading player in electrical solutions, for their digital marketing. The network won the mandate following a multi-agency pitch.

The mandate for digital marketing includes full-funnel creative and media services, which will be managed by Zoo Media Networks flagship agency, FoxyMoron. Meanwhile, Pollen, the leading influencer marketing agency under the network, will be responsible for curating robust influencer campaigns for the brand, all managed from Zoo Media Networks Mumbai headquarters.

Kishan Jain, Director of Goldmedal Electricals, expressed his enthusiasm about this partnership, saying, "As a company engaged in the business of making amazing wiring and electrical devices, we wanted to partner with the best to showcase our philosophy and product innovations in the digital space. With its depth of services, technical expertise, and track record of handling some of the best brands in the business, Zoo Media was an obvious choice. We are excited about this association and look forward to creating some iconic communication ideas together that will lead to a stronger, more meaningful connection with our end consumers."

Commenting on the win Vivek Das, CEO of FoxyMoron [Zoo Media], said, At Zoo Media, we are always excited to partner with brands that are on a journey of evolution towards a digital-centric model. Goldmedal Electricals has a fantastic product portfolio with a high technology quotient, and we will be partnering with them to elevate the brand's recognition & association with customers across the spectrum towards a purposeful & more profitable relationship.

We believe magic happens at the confluence of content, media, data and technology. To achieve this, FoxyMoron will lead the engagement, driving overall digital strategy, creativity and media in collaboration with Pollen on influencer marketing. We look forward to bringing the power of the Zoo Media network to Goldmedal Electricals.

Pratik Gupta, Co-Founder of Zoo Media, shared, Indian-owned businesses always inspire us at Zoo Media. Our recent discussions with the Directors and the marketing team at Goldmedal Electricals have reinforced my belief that these businesses are well-equipped not just to compete but thrive in the highly competitive market.

I'm excited about using Zoo Media's strengths to help Goldmedal Electricals achieve its business goals through effective, measurable marketing.

Zoo Media is a market leader for innovative digital marketing strategies and the ability to create compelling narratives that resonate with consumers. The agency network has a proven track record of working with top-tier brands and helping them achieve their marketing goals in the digital realm.
Billy the Kidd, a rambunctious goat who became a shaggy celebrity this summer in Alabama, will meet his fans on Oct. 7 at Avondale Park, courtesy of Opera Birmingham.

Billy grabbed our attention and captured our imaginations in July after escaping from his home and going on the lam in Birmingham, Irondale and Mountain Brook. The photogenic critter eluded capture for about a week as he was pursued by police, his owner and other interested folks. Billy led them on a merry chase, running on streets and through wooded areas, bolting when anyone got too close. He became a celebrity in the process, followed by people in cars and urged to #RunBillyRun on social media.

Now back at home with owner Obed Kameta, a 31-year-old truck driver from Calera, Billy remains a star to about 1,500 followers on Facebook. Best of all, Billy has agreed to get up close and personal with fans on Oct. 7, taking photos with them after two performances of The Billy Goats Gruff.

Opera Birmingham will present the family-friendly show  based on scenes from operas by Mozart, Donizetti and Rossini  at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. that Saturday in the amphitheater at the park, 3839 Fifth Ave. South. Tickets are $10 for adults, free for those younger than age 18. The amphitheater has seating on stone risers, but lawn chairs and blankets are welcome.

Billy will be available for photos with your families following the performances for $5, with proceeds going to Billys upkeep, Opera Birmingham said in a Facebook post. Cash is preferred to expedite the line.

Billys Facebook page mentions the show, as well, along with photos and videos of Billy, plus information on other public appearances hes made this summer.

READ MORE:

Goat on the lam for three days corralled in Irondale, Birmingham -- and then breaks loose twice

Goat caught after week-long spree in Birmingham area after escape

How Billy, the goat running wild around Mountain Brook, got loose: I just want him to come back

Goat on the loose baaaffling police in Birmingham, Mountain Brook
Advocates for people with serious mental illness celebrated several new services that started this year for people in crisis in Alabama at an annual walk.

The Birmingham chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) held its annual walk Saturday at Railroad Park. Leaders of the organization said they had a lot to celebrate in 2023.

Susan Sallin, president of NAMI Birmingham, said the opening of the new Craig Crisis Care Center, increased crisis intervention training for Jefferson County Sheriffs Office employees and the new 988 helpline have all improved care for people with mental illness. Members of NAMI have been pushing for the creation of a crisis care center for decades.

This is a huge accomplishment, said Susan Baty-Pierce of NAMI. I remember talking about this when the founding families first came together in 1985.

Gov. Kay Ivey cut the ribbon on the Jefferson County crisis care center in January. The facility, which cost $6 million to build, provides an alternative for people in crisis who would otherwise go to the emergency room or the jail. It provides short-term stabilization services and referrals for follow-up care.

The organization has also provided extensive training for local law enforcement to improve interactions with people with mental illness. Research by the Washington Post and others has found that people with mental illness face higher risks during encounters with police. The training helps officers learn how to deescalate confrontations with mentally ill citizens.

Alabama launched its 988 helpline last year, part of a nationwide rollout aimed at helping those with suicidal thoughts or other mental health needs. One year after its launch, the 988 helpline had received 45,000 calls and messages, according to the Alabama Department of Mental Health. This year, lawmakers proposed a fee to fund the helpline, but it stalled in the Legislature.

State leaders have plans to expand the crisis care system to relieve pressure on jails and emergency rooms tasked with treating people with mental illness. Still, big gaps remain in care, advocates said. The state has a shortage of mental health workers, which can leave some citizens without access to treatment.
Authorities are asking for the publics help in finding a man whos missing in Madison County.

Elmer Monday, 75, was last seen at about 2 p.m. on Friday in the area of Race Track Road in New Hope, according to an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Missing Person Alert. He may be living with a condition that may impair his judgement, the New Hope Police Department said.

Monday is 5 9 feet tall, weighs 185 pounds and has hazel eyes, the alert said. He was wearing a coral-colored T-shirt and beige shorts. Monday could be traveling in a 2019 white Dodge Caravan with Alabama license plate 47AP0EU.

Anyone with information is asked to call the New Hope Police Department at 256-722-7181 or call 911.
A small group of protesters gathered Friday at Big Spring Park in downtown Huntsville, asking for the release of the body camera footage following the death of 43-year-old Sterling Keyon Arnold at the hands of police on Sept. 14.

The release of the bodycam footage is vital for police accountability, Iris Billiter, one of the protesters, told AL.com.

If they dont release the tapes, then we have no idea what actually happened, she told AL.com during the protest, which saw the group move across downtown Huntsville shouting various protest slogans.

If youre blameless in how youre carrying things out, there would be no reason why you wouldnt release the tapes and show the public that the way it was handled was completely above board, she added.

She called for better transparency with the police and more responsiveness in releasing camera footage, rather than waiting years for the possibility of getting the footage released through court cases.

In Birmingham this week, police released bodycam footage from two different incidents, one in which officers tased and arrested Minor High School band director Johnny Mims and a second in which an officer repeatedly punched a man who had been spitting on people.

In Huntsville, police almost never release bodycam footage, even after controversial shootings or other instances of violence. When the public has seen Huntsville police bodycam of deadly shootings in recent years, it was only after courts intervened to make the videos public.

It took more than three years for the public to see the video of Officer Ben Darby shooting and killing Jeff Parker in his west Huntsville home in 2018. A judge released the footage, over objections from the city, after a Madison County jury found Darby guilty of murder in 2021. The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals overturned Darbys conviction and ordered a new trial, which is scheduled for December.

Read more: Calls for transparency in Huntsville police shooting as Michael Browns father visits city

Just before the rally began in Huntsville on Friday evening, police took one of the protesters, Garrick Rex Rawls, 37, into custody. He got out of jail on bond just before midnight.

We went out to the protest and I got arrested, Rawls told AL.com after coming out of the jail. There were four officers waiting for me. I got arrested on my way to the protest as I got to the park, they stopped me and asked me for my name, I gave it to them, they already knew who I was, they stopped me, arrested me they told me I had a warrant so they just took me from there.

He said it was because he missed a court date following an arrest at another protest earlier this year when he was away in Chicago. He was arrested in Chicago for participating in another protest there, he said.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating Arnolds death. At the same time, Huntsville police spokeswoman Sydney Martin said Friday that the district attorneys office agreed the officer could return to duty following a preliminary review of the case. They did not release the name of the officer.

Huntsville police shot Arnold just over a week ago near the 500 Block of Monroe Street in downtown. In a news release, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said Arnold was in possession of a handgun.
The Huntsville police officer who fatally shot a suspect last week returned to work after prosecutors reviewing the case determined he could return to duty, a police spokeswoman said Friday.

After a preliminary review of the case, the district attorneys office agreed the officer could return to duty, said Huntsville police spokeswoman Sydney Martin.

Sterling Keyon Arnold, 43, died last Friday after he was shot around 6 p.m. Sept. 14 near the 500 block of Monroe Street in Huntsville.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said Arnold had a gun when he was fatally shot during the encounter with officers.

A protest was scheduled for Friday night in Big Spring Park to demand police release body cam footage of the incident, according to Fox 54. The station reported at least one person was arrested during the demonstration.
Narrative is a a representation of a particular situation or process in such a way as to reflect or conform to an overarching set of aims, goals, themes, or values. A narrative is a story  actual, distorted, even fabricated  created to convince others of narrators position or to justify narrators action.

Progressive-dominated Washington, aided and abetted by complicit media, has repeated narratives that are said to be widely accepted, yet are demonstrably false. Just like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, pull aside the curtain to see whats really there, rather than what they want us to see.

False narrative Number 1 was (and is) the COVID big con.

Washington presented a minor flu-like virus as a terrifying, life-ending illness comparable to Ebola or bubonic plague. Federal authorities declared a public health crisis and used it to justify suppression of constitutionally guaranteed civil liberties including quasi-martial law lockdowns, and even considered forced quarantine (internment) camps for the unvaccinated, as Australia activated.

Repeatedly fomenting public panic, Washington forced the entire population to accept injections of never-before-used, untested mRNA gene therapy disingenuously advertised as a safe and effective vaccine.

Federal officials and big pharma were the beneficiaries of the COVID scam. Washington took upon itself powers normally prohibited to it and reserved to...the people. Pharmaceutical manufacturers received billions of taxpayer dollars for supplying unnecessary but mandated mRNA shots.

False narrative Number 2 is systemic racism. Ignoring, sometimes disputing, the great strides made since 1964 in civil, legal, and societal equality, progressives in government allowed leftist agitators to riot, loot, burn, and even kill in riposte to a presumed system of racial inequality. While prejudice even racism are still extant, they exist among individuals, not system-wide.

False narrative Number 3 is a politically motivated farce called climate change. Predictions of impending climate doom are based on sketchy mathematical models and trend analysis over one or two centuries. The earth has experienced large climate swings, hot to cold, humid to dry, over several billion years. During that time, there was no fossil fuel to blame.

Based on the climate change narrative, authoritarians encourage a Chicken Little Syndrome where fear paralyzes the population. People will then accept anything officials say will save them from, The sky is falling, even suppression of an energy source from fossil fuels that has dramatically raised the standard of living for billions of humans.

False narrative Number 4  gun control  is based on flawed logic. There is too much gun violence. If we get rid of guns, we get rid of gun violence. Simple, seductive, and wrong.

In 2021 there were 6,0i2 deaths related to handguns and 42,939 car crash fatalities. Based on above logic, Washington could save lives by banning automobiles. Association is not causation. That is the flaw that negates narrative #4.

Furthermore, cities with the most stringent gun laws like New York and Chicago have the highest rates of gun violence.

Like all the others, false narrative Number 4 encourages dependence on Washington.

False narrative Number 5 is a hot button item: health care is a right. To some, this is a moral imperative. Leftists say that health care is the right of all peoples. Government must control the health care system in order to fulfill its obligation to assure this right  health care, the service  to all Americans.

Health care cannot be a right, not in a country where the founding principle is personal freedom. Health care is a voluntary, confidential service contract between a patient and a provider. If health care is a right, then the patient can require the provider to serve him or her. This denies nurses, doctors and therapists their constitutionally guaranteed freedom.

False narrative Number 6 is generic. It presumes that, whatever the problem, government can solve it by regulation. For decades, Washington has been passing laws that regulate education, healthcare, military, money, and the environment. The problems have gotten worse, while American freedoms have been gradually eroded.

These six official false narratives (and others) are designed for one purpose: to create fear. A fearful public will look to those in authority for protection and solutions.

Fear is why Americans acquiesced to a corrupt petty tyrant Anthony Fauci, a doctor who never practiced medicine. Fear drove us to accept Faucis dictate that all Americans be injected with experimental, medically dangerous mRNA gene treatments.

Fear of COVID is why Americans acceded when the Biden administration suppress the Bill of Rights.

Fear for our planet allowed globalists to control energy production in the name of a climate emergency that doesnt exist.

Attacks on the Second Amendment are tolerated because of fear of domestic violence.

Americans have been bombarded with federal propaganda in support of these and other false narratives. Washington, legacy media, and complicit academics have colluded to censor information that contests their narratives labelling it misinformation.

Despite this array of powerful entities trying to impose their orthodoxy, the truth has seeped out through non-complicit online venues such as Federalist, American Thinker, Real Clear Policy, personal substacks, and Rumble as well as uncensored newspapers like Washington Examiner, Epoch Times and New York Post.

mRNA gene therapy (self-styled vaccines) are neither safe nor effective.

Systemic racism is a progressive slogan, not an American reality.

There is no imminent climate apocalypse.

Guns dont kill people. People kill people, sometimes with guns but sometimes with knives, fists, hammers, even cars.

Government cannot provide timely medical care and thus facilitates death-by-queue.

Regulations do not solve problems. They take away personal freedom.

Americans need to learn the truth, become aware of the mendacity of official narratives, and recognize why such falsehoods are perpetrated. Only then can they respond appropriately, by electing people who tell the truth and act according to the oath they swore on entering office: to preserve and defend the Constitution. This means protecting our freedoms and resisting any temptations to reimpose tyranny.

Deane Waldman, M.D., MBA is Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, Pathology, and Decision Science; former Director of the Center for Healthcare Policy at Texas Public Policy Foundation; and author of the multi-award winning book, Curing the Cancer in U.S. Healthcare: StatesCare and Market-Based Medicine.

Image: U.S. Government, via RawPixel // public domain
During American presidential campaigns, frequent questions posed are, What will we do with millions of illegal immigrants already in America? And, how about the many hundreds of thousands more arriving constantly? Biden made it clear from the start that he welcomed open borders. Bidenites did not ponder the more precise and important questions which are:

What will good immigrant parents decide to do about their illegal status?

What impact over time does a parents living in the shadows of illegal, unethical, and criminal status have on their own character structure and by psychological influence, the character structure of their children?

Does the dubious atmosphere of being an illegal cause denial of that reality?

Does denial or repression about being illegal often cause defiance, rebellion, and a false sense of entitlement?

Does being illegal often cause a passive sense of psychological invisibility and submissiveness?

Is skipping to the head of the line to gain American citizenship and potential prosperity a violation of personal conscience? Does denial of such cheating cause character defects?

Why did an illegal immigrant parent not fight for freedom, safety, and prosperity in their country of origin? Is such cowardice easily denied after illegal immigration?

Is searching for a better economic life in America a valid excuse for ignorance of or breaking the law?

What are personality, character, and character disorder as they relate to the parenting processes of illegal immigrant parents and the impact on the character of their children? Little has been written about the unconscious psychosocial aspects of illegal immigrants identities and actions as parents. We do know of frequent reports of illegal immigrants criminality and alcoholism in addition to the primal crime of illegal immigration.

Personality and Character Disorder

Good character implies adequate intelligence, a good sense of humor/playfulness, personal integrity, ethical consistency, respect for authority, social adaptability, and flexibility during adversity. It has survival value. Character Disorder or Sociopathy is manifested by an individual's chronic, habitual, repetitive, and maladaptive patterns of behavior and emotional reactions. These patterns are relatively inflexible, limit the optimal use of potentialities, and often provoke responses that the person or group want to avoid.

Causes of Character Disorder

Some personality traits are influenced by genes and inherited. However, "Nature/Nurture" issues arise from the fact that character and character disorder are formed over many years of personality development. Character forms in the context of family and social life in a community. Parental attitudes, parenting style, nurturing connection, and values (or lack of them), are clearly shaping factors in a childs personality formation over many years. The child unconsciously identifies with many parental traits or stoutly rebels against them.

Results of Illegal Immigrant Parenting

The conscious decision to illegally enter America has consequences. Often it leads to some immediate economic and educational advantages for illegal immigrants and their children. Education and a job in America afford the ability to send money back home to relatives in the country of origin. However, drug cartels forcibly require illegal immigrants to pay for assistance in crossing our American border. Sometimes such money is extracted violently or via forced sex trafficking behaviors. Intimidation by cartel criminals shows cowardice.

Moreover, the shadow-side of the illegal entry decision lives on and festers in the subconscious mind of illegal immigrants. The implications of such an illegal immigrant parents decision results in the intergenerational transmission of guilt and shame to the minds of their children and grandchildren. If there are no overt signs of this cultural class guilt and shame it is because of massive denial and reaction formation. Shameful and shameless behavior and hidden guilt about it can spawn acting-out behavior. Alcoholism, crime, reckless driving, and shameless predatory sexual behavior can result.

In other words, illegal immigrant parents actions have conscious, preconscious, and unconscious impact on their childrens minds, morals, and character. A parent who is haunted or should be haunted by illegal behavior finds it hard to be an effective role-model and example of moral integrity for his child. The child can repress or suppress the hints about the shadowy family secret. But young people during adolescence can rebel and become defiant. The sense of entitlement and defiance can lead to acting-out and authority conflict. Without a strong parent with good moral character, they push school authorities or the police into roles as stern parental-figures.

Earning legal citizenship, a good college education and a job is different than expecting it to be handed out as free stuff. Hard work earning an education builds character as part of the process. Free education and other free stuff can promote future generations of sucking dependency upon government entitlement programs.

In conclusion, the shadowy family secret of an illegal immigrant family often gets transmitted over several generations unless or until the truth is faced and resolved. It is alarming to consider how seldom the illegal immigrants parenting as it effects their childrens identity formation is seriously discussed. Paradoxically, the more personal integrity the child has, the more they will be haunted and hampered psychologically unless they transform their guilt and shame into effective community service, often in the military or health care fields.

Truth heals the pain which it evokes -- Goethe

Image: Pexels, Fetraniaina Anatii Killahr
Some progressives would be happy to see conservatives dead.

Why? Because we strongly question government's role, direction, intent, and motives and resist the control they wish to exert on us. We're an existential threat to their endgame.

No longer free, Constitutional citizens, they intend us to become sterilized worker bees; if not, we're a threat to the hive and must be eradicated. They think they can make you disbelieve your eyes and ears, believe you're just imagining all the changes, hoping you'll go back to sleep as some have.

We live in a civil society where the Rule of Law was to be our universal bedrock guarantee even as it dissolves right before our eyes through government actions and inactions. Thousands are dying in the streets through unrestrained violence and drug use. In Chicago, they're even trying to schedule gang wars and shootouts at a specific time of day!

Politicians' mouths move, words come out, but their actions reflect their partisanship, not their citizenship. Too few see the venom of the Left as revealing their real endgame. President Trump wasn't responsible for any of this. Trump was like a truth elixir that revealed what was always there for others to see. The Left was/is working like subterranean termites eating away at our foundations.

The progressives want to end anyone and anything that stands in their way of a reimagined America as an exemplar for the rest of the world. They hope other countries will copy or be forced to adopt their ideas for a New Utopia, which is much more malign: 1984 made real. The reinvention of America is a necessary step toward one world government run by elites, all while wearing the trappings of the 'caring' Left. Their policies are designed to carry the votes of women, minorities, and especially the idealistic or disenfranchised young who seek security and free stuff above all else.

The evidence is clear. More people each day see the truth as civil society devolves around them. And they are frightened! The suspension of gravity and disbelief evident for so long is slowly ending, and they know it.

Conservatism is all that stands in their way. To win, they must not only demagogue and parse our history and the meaning of truth itself but fool the masses into believing everyone can have it all without effort or smarts. Conservative courts, conservative politicians (as few as there are), our very Constitution, capitalism, and our history of success in every meaningful way, including economic, military, and social, are the enemies they must destroy.

Destroying anything that keeps them from their goals is all that matters now. Even incarceration of their enemies is acceptable. And they have succeededhundreds of political prisoners in this country today, with virtually none prior. As the thoughts and actions of aberrant worker bees are uncovered, the state will punish them or even shoot them dead. This is not hyperbole. Is this America? Indeed, it is not the America in which anyone over 50 grew up.

The truth of what I say plays out daily by an over-hyperventilated media that seemingly revels in every facet of Trump's persecution. Can the public not see that the destruction of Trump is symbolically the destruction of our Republic? Never before has the state undertaken this kind of political murder that, if successful, could see Trump sitting on death row based on his age. If the state could figure out how, do you have any doubt they would do that? Does anything restrain them any longer? This may be our last warning.

The weapon of the Left/Progressives is debt and the big lie. Yes, we can cancel your student debt. Yes, we can give you money to purchase overpriced food through SNAP. Yes, we can guarantee a minimum income. Yes, we can level out outcomes regardless of ability. Yes, we can take away your means of fighting back. Yes, we can pick winners and losers. Yes, we can destroy livelihoods and traditions for the good of humanity. Yes, you can rob, loot, and burn to your heart's content if you're on their side.

It's your right and obligation to fight against anyone who would tell you that you don't have to produce value to live well or that you can be anything you want, anytime you want. Yes to this and much more because the individual is being hunted down in America, and anyone who disagrees is an enemy of the State. That's the Left's essential narrative.

Publishing these words will likely put me on some government list. I don't care; I suspect I've made the list already. We live in a surveillance state, ostensibly to protect us. Still, if that is how it started, and I no longer believe that for a second, it's morphed into something hideous, destructive, vile, and counter to our Constitution that puts the rights of the individual above those of the state. You do remember your civics lessons, don't you? Individual rights were to be supreme in our country. Correct?

The government and its politicized organs like the FBI, some intelligence branches, the political process as it works today, and the administrative state no longer serve the interests of the individual, our capitalist system, or our country. Slowly but surely, Europe, Australia, Canada, and other previously free nations have drunk the Kool-Aid and are moving in a perilous direction driven by known and unknown individuals and groups diametrically opposed to our Constitutional republic, motivated by a different God than mine.

Want even more proof? CNN endlessly reports on the danger of the MAGA agenda, according to their god, President Biden. They say that people who espouse these lies are "extreme" or "out of touch." It is not difficult to understand that MAGA is Biden's way of saying 'dangerous' or 'subversive.' What does the government do about dangerous and subversive elements? It targets, hinders, prosecutes, and incarcerates them when possible. Sometimes, the outliers don't go down quietly, as 75-year-old Craig Robertson found out over death threats allegedly made against the president and other Democrat political figures as published on social media. Expect more of these tragic incidents as worker bees stand up against a government that attempts to strip away our rights and traditions.

The way forward is to organize and coalesce around the best leader with the strength and vision to return us to our former glory. Trump is the imperfect person I dare not try to change. What I admire about Trump is that his rudder is true, and his motives and actions mirror my desire to see our country saved from those seeking its destruction. There may never be another candidate that is crazy enough, strong enough, or harder to intimidate than Trump.

These qualities, almost above all else, are why I think it is inevitable that we must return Trump to power. Four years is not enough to defeat the forces against us; Trump must select a running mate competent to finish the job. Who will that be? That might be the best question of all.

God Bless America.

Allan J. Feifer is a patriot, author, businessman, and thinker. Read more about Allan, his background, and his ideas to create a better tomorrow at www.1plus1equals2.com.
Though he never claimed to be a populist, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has ridden the wave of public anger against hostile school boards pushing radical race and gender ideologies. As I noted in a previous commentary, Youngkins selection of leftist advisers and personnel for his gubernatorial team sent up warning signs of danger ahead for Virginians. Now his actions concerning the removal of the 109-year-old Reconciliation Monument in Arlington National Cemetery confirm that Youngkin is no conservative.

The now disbanded Congressional Naming Commission targeted for removal the Reconciliation Monument that was conceived and built with the sole purpose of healing the wounds of the Civil War and restoring national harmony. Moses Ezekiel, a world-renowned American sculptor and first Jewish cadet at Virginia Military Institute (VMI), was chosen to create the memorial to mark Section 16, the burial plot for the reinterred graves championed by President William McKinley, and to commemorate the reunification of North and South. The memorial became the grave marker for Ezekiel, who is buried at its foot. Some historians question whether the removal of the monument is the first step in a larger, more sinister plan that begins with the removal of the centerpiece of the Confederate Circle with eventual mass exhumation.

Numerous articles by historians Scott S. Powell and Ann H. McLean, as well as former senator Jim Webbs recent WSJ piece, illuminate the importance of this memorial in healing North and South divisions. On a basic level, the indecency of removing a headstone in our foremost cemetery calls to mind the Nazis destruction of Jewish graves in Czechoslovakia in World War II and gives one pause about Youngkins fitness for high office. What American leader ignores previous presidential customs in honoring crucial healing of the nation, allowing Marxist revisionism to prevail?

A Freedom of Information Act document reveals that Youngkin pre-negotiated with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin to move the monument to state property in Virginia.

Youngkins March 31, 2023 letter to Austin shows an apologetic attitude and historical ignorance of the war: The sculpture by Moses Ezekiel is not like any other Civil War monument in the country. In fact, without the signage erected by Arlington Cemetery, I am confident that many visitors would not know that the sculpture is reflective of that terrible war fought to end the tyranny of slavery and would come away with the feeling that they have visited a solemn burial ground, not a celebration or glorification of war or the Confederacy. As you probably know, the sculpture is not of a charging warrior with a sword, or a commanding general on horseback.

Youngkins June 29, 2023 letter to Austin requests moving the memorial to VMIs Virginia Museum of the Civil War: It is my hope that the Department of the Army will work with my office to make certain that this iconic work of art by one of the world's premier sculptors will be moved to the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park in Virginia.

In September, VMI announced its acceptance of the memorial at its historical park. This should trigger a red alert since VMI has already surrendered to Marxist demands. Although it had committed to keeping the Confederate Stonewall Jackson Monument at the front of the barracks, VMI acceded to Marxist allegations of systemic racism and relocated the monument to the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park.

Will Marxists next demand all Confederate assets in VMIs historical park be removed and destroyed or placed out of public view as they have been elsewhere?

While Marxists aggressively removed all Confederate memorials from the famous Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia, Youngkin ignored the public furor and meekly allowed the cultural purge.

Powell and McLean argue that removal of the Reconciliation Monument is aligned with the woke agenda to use race warfare to divide and destroy America. Alphonse-Louis Vinh echoes this in his letter to the Pentagon EIS Committee, Dont Become Vietnam. Vinh cautions, Totalitarian societies establish their power by cancelling and negating the actual history and heritage of a nation. They replace street names, tear down monuments, re-invent textbooks, create alternative historical realities in the media, cancelling the true past in order to create an interminable Present that suits their need for complete power and ideological control. Does this sound familiar?

Exercising ruthless control, Vietnamese Communists have outlawed any memorials to honor South Vietnamese military who defended the Republic of South Vietnam. Trying to publicly fly a South Vietnamese flag is persona non grata like the Confederate Battle Flag is today in America.

The parallel is striking. Just as Communists refuse to allow any memorials to South Vietnamese military in their own country in their own region, so Marxists refuse to allow American soldiers from the South to be honored in their region. Anything connected with the South and Confederate memorials, including flags, are evil and must be destroyed using any means necessary.

Hundreds of Confederate memorials have been removed, but removing the historic Reconciliation Monument will be the ultimate win for cancel culture. It signals that our own government is complicit in cancelling our historical memory so they can impose total control and their ideology.

Youngkins failure to preserve the heritage of Virginia may well impact his political future. Defend Arlington Committee announced a poll that found Virginians want Youngkin to stop the destruction of the Reconciliation Monument. Kaplan Strategies, a non-partisan research firm which funded and conducted a random survey, found that 74 percent of those surveyed believe Youngkin should take action to prevent the removal of the monument. Of that 74 percent, 59 percent believe Youngkin must be held responsible for the monuments removal if he fails to take action to prevent it.

By a margin of 44-11 percent, voters indicated they would be less likely to support Youngkin again at the ballot box if he fails to intercede to prevent the monuments removal.

Image: Tim Evanson
The headlines are disturbing in terms of Americas ability to manage itself: Joe Biden, during a speechindeed, within a span of just minutesrepeated the same narrative verbatim. Its more proof, as if we need it, that the person at our nations helm, the one with his finger on the nuclear button, is demented. But buried behind that headline is something truly noxious: What Biden managed to repeat twice was the very fine people hoaxthat is, the Democrat party lie that was used to paint Trump as a neo-Nazi sympathizer.

According to the New York Post, while speaking before a group that a billionaire heiress had convened, Biden explained how he decided to run for president, telling again the story about his alleged unwilling emergence from retirement. (By the way, that claim always sounds like a lie, given that Biden pursued the presidency for decades with the single-minded focus of Ahab pursuing the whale.)

Image: Joe Biden. YouTube screen grab.

You remember those folks walking out of the fields literally carrying torches, with Nazi swastikas, holding them forward, singing the same vicious, antisemitic bile  the same exact bile  bile that was sung in  in Germany in the early 30s. And a young woman was killed. A young woman was killed. Biden went on to say, according to an official White House transcript, that the former guy [then-President Donald Trump] was asked, What do you think would happen? He was the sitting president. And he said, I thought there were some very fine people on both sides. And I mean this sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, thats when I decided I  I was going to run again. After the president recounted how his extended family urged him to challenge Trump, he then began to tell the story all over again. You know, you may remember that, you know, those folks from Charlottesville, as they came out of the fields and carrying those swastikas, and remember the ones with the torches and the Ku  accompanied by the Ku Klux Klan. And in addition to that, they had  there were white supremacists. Anyway, they were making the big case about how terrible this was. And a young woman was killed in the process. And my predecessor, as I said, was asked what he thought. He said, There are some very fine people on both sides. Well, that kept ringing in my head. And so, I couldnt, quite frankly, remain silent any longer, Biden concluded. So, I decided I would run. And it became  I ran because I thought everything this country stood for was up for grabs for the first time in my career.

The NY Post continues with information from experts about senile dementia and the habit of repetition. We dont need experts. Weve all dealt with elderly people who get locked into a narrative and repeat it multiple times during a conversation. The aging brain is glitching.

Bidens brain is one giant glitch. The man ostensibly guiding our nation is broken. But of course, we know hes not making the decisions. We dont know who is (Jill? Obama? Ron Klain? 20-something staffers?), but its not him. Joes auto-repeat is just another bit of evidence that we have a puppet, not a man, in the Oval Office.

The story Biden chose to repeat, however, offers insight into what a vile person he is at his immutable core, unaffected by the gloss of senility. Thats because the story his broken brain chose to repeat is one of the big lies Democrats told about Trump: namely, the claim that he called neo-Nazis fine people. Of course, he did not.

It all started in Charlottesville, Virginia, when there was a protest and counterprotest about tearing down a statue of Robert E. Lee. Amongst those opposed to tearing down the statue were both neo-Nazis (who are negligible in number) and those who felt that it was Maoist to go around erasing American history through mob rule. When one of the neo-Nazis accelerated his car into the crowd of tear down the statue protesters, killing Heather Heyer, the media asked Trump to weigh in.

In his usual rambling style, Trump slammed the neo-Nazis. However, he also warned against the totalitarian push to erase history. In that context, he noted that some at the counter-protest were there to take a stand against the Maoist impulse:

In the "fine people" hoax, it was claimed that Trump called white supremacists fine people. The transcript and unedited video show that he specifically excluded them from the group of "fine people".



I fell for it too, at first.https://t.co/fpI2b4VZZf pic.twitter.com/cGBptUZnPP  Jim Maruschak  (@JimMaruschak) November 7, 2021

The press, acting with its usual venomous dishonesty, promptly charged Trump with calling neo-Nazis very fine people. Its that lie that Biden latched onto to justify his obsession with running for president, and its that lie that his broken brain keeps regurgitating. What a nasty little man Joe Biden is.
This is news that should send horrified chills down the Democrats spines: Mayor Eric Johnson, the black Democrat mayor of Dallas, Texas, announced in the Wall Street Journal yesterday that hes switching to the Republican party. The reason: The Democrats are destroying Americas cities through a combination of fiscal mismanagement and soft-on-crime policies. May he be the first of many.

When you look at the history of black well-being in America, black loyalty to the Democrat party is one of lifes great mysteries. Think about these facts:

Given that Democrat policies since at least the 1850s have systematically destroyed blacks in America, whether economically or socially, youve got to wonder why blacks remain relentlessly loyal to Democrats. And yet they do. That seemed to change during the peak of the Trump years, but then, in 2020, they snapped right back to supporting Democrats. I seem to recall something that Albert Einstein is reputed to have said about insanity

But maybe, finally, things have gotten so bad thanks to Bidens policies that blacks will abandon their harmful fealty to the Democrat party and start looking at politics through the lens of common sense, not blind loyalty. Certainly, thats the case with Mayor Eric Johnson of Dallas, Texas, one of Americas largest cities:

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed with the headline Americas Cities Need Republicans, and Im Becoming One, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson explains that he is leaving the Democratic Party because the future of Americas great urban centers depends on the willingness of the nations mayors to champion law and order and practice fiscal conservatism. Our cities desperately need the genuine commitment to these principles (as opposed to the inconsistent, poll-driven commitment of many Democrats) that has long been a defining characteristic of the GOP, Johnson wrote. In other words, American cities need Republicans  and Republicans need American cities, he continued. When my political hero Theodore Roosevelt was born, only 20% of Americans lived in urban areas. By the time he was elected president, that share had doubled to 40%. Today, it stands at 80%. As Americas cities go, so goes America.

Good for Johnson. Let us hope that he represents the leading edge of a trend that can help renew America as a whole, one community at a time.

Image: Eric Johnson. YouTube screen grab.
A Chinese company is set to receive more than $536 million in state incentives and tax breaks to build an electric vehicle battery plant in Illinois, according to a recent WLS-TV report out of Chicago.

The lithium-ion batteries will be used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. The erstwhile Land of Lincolns Democrat governor, J. B. Pritzker, has offered Chinese Communist Party-linked battery manufacturer Gotion more than half a billion dollars in largess to build a plant in Manteno, a town located approximately 50 miles south of Chicago. Pritzker has decided to shrug off any national security concerns.

And Pritzker is not alone in his fondness for purportedly CCP-linked companies to set up shop in his backyard. Just last fall, Michigans Democrat governor, Gretchen Whitmer, backed a plan to build a Gotion EV factory in her state.

China is also buying up Americas farmland. Especially in areas close to our sensitive military facilities. For some reason, authorities dont seem to care. Even as the Biden administration threatens ever more burdensome restrictions on American farmers. And as numerous food processing plants are being destroyed.

Meanwhile, in Gotham City, Mayor Eric Adams has announced massive budget cuts to offset the rapidly rising costs of providing services to illegal immigrants.

That's happening as increases in crime and fire deaths are happening in New York. Yet Mayor Eric Adams is cutting the police and fire department budgets to offset the increase in spending on illegal immigrants. Adams has proposed cutting the citys budget by 15%, in part by slashing the Big Apples police and fire department budgets, in particular for overtime spending. NYCs Correction and Sanitation departments will also be expected to cut overtime pay.

Unfortunately, response times to fires and medical emergencies in the city have already increased over the past year, per the Mayors Management Report. Those times are likely to increase even further due to the upcoming budget cuts.

Moreover, there was a 52% increase in civilian fire deaths from fiscal year 2019 to 2023, according to the same report. The FDNY attributed the increase to more residents using e-bikes and e-scooters, which run on, you guessed it, lithium-ion batteries. Officials say that there were more deaths caused by battery fires than by electrical fires this past year. Hmm. Perhaps New York should join Illinois and Michigan in attempting to get an allegedly CCP-linked lithium-ion battery plant to locate there.

Democrat-led governments, federal and state, go out of their way to berate, hinder, and push away American businesses, especially those in the critical energy and food production sectors. (California recently filed a lawsuit against gas and oil providers.) Yet they welcome Chinese businesses with open arms.

The Biden administration welcomes illegal aliens with open armsand open wallets (the taxpayers's) but cannot be troubled to protect and serve American citizens. Sorry there isnt enough money for the police and fire departmentsor to pick up the garbagebut we have to take care of the migrants first! Amazing. And sick.

I would ask those who blushed a bit when they heard Trump repeatedly say America first how they feel now. How do you like America last? Does it make sense for anyone?

It is time to once again put America first. A call out to RINOS: forget globalism. Screw China. Quit sabotaging America by trying to compromise with those who wish Americans ill. Stop counting your cash. Its time you Thurston Howell Republicans got off your asses and sided with those who put you in office. To hell with the Democrats. Leave the safety and comfort of the Uniparty. Do something that takes couragefor once. Build the wall. Grow a spine.

Tell the truth.

And make America great once more.

Images: Screen shot from MSNBC video
The border patrol has acknowledged that there are three confirmed cases of tuberculosis amongst illegal aliens who crossed into America through the Biden administrations encouragement and connivance. This should worry everyone. We dont think much about tuberculosis, except maybe as a Victorian disease, but it was once Americas greatest killer and, thanks to drug-resistant strains, can be again.

The tweet is straightforward:

BREAKING: CBP sources confirm to FOX News that there are ** three confirmed cases of Tuberculosis ** among migrants in the El Paso sector further complicating the already daunting task of managing an overwhelming number arriving daily @FoxNews  Griff Jenkins (@GriffJenkins) September 22, 2023

Of course, three confirmed cases are simply the teeniest tip of the iceberg. With people from the worlds undeveloped countries pouring by the millions over our southern border, you can be guaranteed that thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of them are harboring diseases that long ago vanished in America, everything from scary parasites to tuberculosis, malaria, scabies, dengue fever, leprosy, etc.

But its tuberculosis, especially, that should worry us. Many diseases are so bad that they burn themselves out quickly, or illness swiftly follows exposure so you can control them. Tuberculosis, though, is a very slow disease. You dont know you have it until its gotten a hold on you, meaning that youve been contagious for a very long time. And once youve got it, it systematically destroys your lungs. Its a miserable way to die because you literally cough your lungs out.

In the late 19th- and early-20th centuries, tuberculosis was Americas biggest killer. And indeed, in all those undeveloped countries around the world, the ones that are sending their people our way across the border, its still the worlds deadliest disease.

So, if TB is so deadly, why did it disappear in America? It went away because of the wonders of antibiotics. TB is a bacterial disease and, after WWII, we wiped it out. Or, more accurately, we mostly wiped it out. TB continued to linger in certain populations, most notably drug users and, eventually, AIDS sufferers. Many of these people were non-compliant, meaning theyd start using the antibiotics when they felt sick but then stop when they felt better.

The thing about antibiotics, though, is that you cant just stop when the symptoms abate. Instead, you must take them for an entire cycle (usually ten days) to ensure that all the bad bacteria, not just most of them, are dead. If any are still living when you stop the antibiotics, theyll come back like zombies, only this time, theyll be antibiotic-resistant zombies.

If you have antibiotic-resistant TB, youre suddenly living in the 19th- and early-20th centuries, when the only treatment was to go into a sanitorium. There, you had to lie completely still for as many hours a day as possible (preferably 24), hoping that your lungs would encapsulate the diseased tissue, rendering it harmless. I dont know the statistics, but based on this amazing book, The Plague and I, by Betty MacDonald, who wrote the delightful Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books, the death rate in sanitoriums was around 50%. Doctors and nurses who worked in the sanitoriums also died like flies.

The fact that there are three confirmed cases is very bad news, especially because I dont see illiterate, non-English-speaking illegal aliens being a compliant population about treatment. (Yes, Im prejudiced.) This is what Joe Bidens reckless lawlessness is bringing to America. We lived in a precious window of time during which we were insulated from diseases that once were the scourge of humankind. Thanks to Joe, though, theyre all coming back again.

Image: Internet meme; creator unknown.
Two congressmen have presented their brainchild for making the Federal Emergency Management Agency more effective during natural disasters:

Make FEMA its own federal agency.

According to The Hill:

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) and Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.) introduced bipartisan legislation Wednesday that would make the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) its own Cabinet-level department, elevating its importance as natural disasters regularly thrust it into the national spotlight. Moskowitz, who formerly headed Floridas Division of Emergency Management, and Graves argued that bureaucratic red tape is hindering FEMAs ability to respond rapidly.

For Congress, what better than to make government bigger?

That's what we see here with this "bipartisan" measure in Congress to make FEMA its own federal agency outside the umbrella Department of Homeland Security, with the idea that it would become more effective.

After all, a branched-off agency is free to grow into its own giant entity, just like a rooted cutting from a plant. They would give FEMA its own cabinet-level status, too, for good measure, to ensure that it didn't fade into the woodwork.

But there seems to be a better way of reading this situation than by making FEMA its own cabinet-level agency.

The congressmen are calling for independence for FEMA from DHS for the same reason half of Oregon wants to break off and join Idaho.

Might the problem actually be the leadership at the Department of Homeland Security, that has made FEMA such a dysfunctional agency?

We've seen the dysfunction all right, with FEMA's Lahaina response, where FEMA officials ensconced themselves in five-star hotels on Maui's north shore, supposedly to "help" with disaster aid on Maui south shore, an hour's drive away from Lahaina. There also were the cheapie $700 checks, which would cover a couple of days' expenses for people who have lost everything to wildfire. The residents were told that was all they were getting.

Yes, they're ineffective. And maybe the congressmen have a point: When have we started hearing about this agency, which functioned just fine for decades during disasters, suddenly being ineffective? Around 2004 or 2005, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. What happened before then? George W. Bush set up the Department of Homeland Security in response to 9/11 and placed FEMA into it.

But lately, things have gotten intolerable. It's not just a red-tape-bound bureaucracy anymore. The agency seems to serve itself and Joe Biden's political interests -- recent reports about FEMA transporting illegals from Central America to illegals' destinations of choice in the states, and bankrolling much of the border surge's other collateral costs has left the agency without money for actual disasters, the kinds that hit Americans and are caused by factors beyond their control. Illegals are strictly a policy phenomenon.

Maybe that should be what gets scrutiny over making FEMA its own cabinet-level agency. There obviously are structural problems with a vast bureaucracy of bureaucracies, such as exists in the Department of Homeland Security, and we give the congressmen that.

But there are leadership problems, too. Things have gotten truly intolerable under the current leadership of DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Congress has been on-and-off talking about impeaching the man over his incompetence over the border surge. He's also the man who was behind the government's planned censorship bureau, the "Disinformation Governance Board" to be headed by a Mary Poppins imitator, since scuppered owing to public pressure.

Might Mayorkas' leadership alone be worth a second look for congressional impeachment, instead? Mayorkas is the most petty, incompetent, gaslighting, politicized, obnoxious official in Joe Biden's cabinet, and surely the one who's done the most damage to the country. His recent move to hire a string of intelligence officials who lied about the Hunter Biden laptop to be his "advisors" is just his latest malevolent move, but his incompetence on FEMA stands out, too.

Mayorkas's leadership is not only a case for FEMA independence but the Border Patrol's independence, and probably every agency under the DHS umbrella's independence. They all seem to have turned unusually dysfunctional on Mayorkas' watch, so it's not surprising this one is seeking independence. They all may be, under him.

Which tells us that maybe the case for impeaching Mayorkas for incompetence is stronger than it looks. Congress could get busy on that.

Image: U.S. government logo // public domain
One of the pillars of a free-market economy is the prerogative granted to lenders to set their own conditions. Borrowers then enjoy the discretion to accept or reject them.

No government entity -- and certainly not one outside of congressional oversight -- has a role to play in such negotiations.

Yet the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), via a rule change likely to be formally published in October, is proposing sweeping alterations to the late fees collected by credit card companies from delinquent borrowers.

Via Roll Call (emphasis added):

Credit card late fees are required by law to be reasonable and proportional to the cost the companies incur to collect the debt. The Federal Reserve established a threshold at which late fees would be assumed to meet the requirements of the law. The CFPBs February proposal would lower that threshold from $30 for the first late payment and $41 for subsequent late payments to $8. Republicans criticized the proposal, saying credit card issuers would find other ways to recoup the cost of late payments that would make loans more expensive or elusive for low- and middle-income borrowers.

These changes will negatively impact both consumers -- the constituency purportedly helped by the rule change -- and credit lenders.

Credit card companies partially model their businesses on collecting late fees. Should they be capped at $8 by the pending rule change, these companies, like any other, will be forced into a shift in their business model to compensate for the newly incurred risks.

As a result, industry analysts warn that what is likely to happen will be disastrous for consumers: potentially higher Annual Percentage Rates (APRs), greater scrutiny for new borrowers as standard risk assessments are updated, and tighter credit.

In addition to having adverse effects on all borrowers, the rule changes are unfair to responsible borrowers who repay their debts on time. In fact, the CFPB acknowledges in its own report that these borrowers are unlikely to benefit from the $8 late fee cap and, in fact, are likely to be financially injured due to higher maintenance fees intended to offset the revenue lost by the cap.

As Sen. Tim Scott, ranking member of the Senate Banking Committee, aptly noted, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Whatever revenue is lost by the $8 late fee cap, again, will be made up for by structural changes to the credit card companies business model.

Fortunately, pending Supreme Court litigation may provide a remedy to the CFPDs out-of-control usurpation of rulemaking authority outside of the Constitutional confines of Congressional oversight.

Via the Epoch Times (emphasis added):

While agencies often try to make themselves self-contained governments, sometimes Congress lends them a hand. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is the most dramatic example. When Congress created the bureau in 2010, it did everything it could to make sure that the CFPB answered to no one but itself. Relevant to this lawsuit, Congress created an unusual funding mechanism for the CFPB. Whereas most agencies receive their money from congressional appropriations, the CFPB gets to take as much money as it wants (subject to a loose cap) directly from the Federal Reserve. This makes the CFPB uniquely immune from congressional control. And like the SEC, the CFPB has both rulemaking and law enforcement powers, which can easily be used to advance the CFPBs own agenda rather than Congress. Indeed, the CFPB has faced significant criticism for slipping its congressional leash.

Well see what the Supreme Court rules in the pending case. It may very well end up ruling against the extraconstitutional authority the CFPD has assumed for itself.

In the meantime, House Rep. Patrick McHenry, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, should exercise his constitutional oversight role to pump the brakes on the CFPD rule change -- at least until the Supreme Court hands down its ruling.

Rep. Roger Williams, Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, might also examine the CFPBs proposed rule changes potential negative impact on American small businesses, already besieged as they are in the current economy.

Image: Picserver
Beijing, Shanghai enhance foreign investment climate

Chinadaily.com.cn) 20:11, September 23, 2023

New measures released by the Beijing and Shanghai municipal governments to grant greater freedom to foreign investors to move their capital in and out of China underscore the nation's efforts to improve the business environment, attract more foreign investment and better facilitate the country's institutional opening-up, experts said on Friday.

Within the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, all investment-related inward and outward remittances made by foreign investors will be allowed to flow freely as long as they are deemed aboveboard and compliant, according to a set of 31 new measures released by the Shanghai government on Thursday.

The policy has been in effect since Sept 1, according to the government's document.

Lou Feipeng, a researcher at Postal Savings Bank of China, said the new measures will help to better protect the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors in China. Considering it a major step forward in China's continued institutional opening-up to foreign investment, Lou said the moves will help improve the entire business environment, which is also conducive to China's high-quality economic growth in anticipation of more foreign capital inflows following these measures.

Similarly, the Beijing municipal commerce bureau said in a draft version of the city's foreign investment regulations released on Wednesday that it will support free inward and outward remittances of foreign investors' actual and authorized capital transfers related to investments. Such remittances should be made without delay, said the regulations, on which the public can comment until Oct 19.

Cui Fan, a professor of economics at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said the measures aim to facilitate cross-border capital flows in line with the 33 measures released by the State Council in June, in order to advance institutional opening-up among the six designated free-trade zones and the free port.

In terms of capital remittances, businesses are allowed to freely and promptly transfer their legitimate and authorized transfers related to foreign investment. Such transfers include capital contributions, profits, dividends, interest payouts, capital gains, total or partial proceeds from the sale of investments and payments made under contract, among others, according to the State Council.

The measures will initially be implemented in FTZs in Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, and the provinces of Guangdong and Fujian, and Hainan Free Trade Port.

The latest measures announced by the Beijing municipal commerce bureau that will promote a pilot program from the Beijing FTZ to spread to the rest of the capital, demonstrate Beijing's resolve and courage to expand high-level opening-up, Cui said.

Free and smoother cross-border capital flows are also of great importance to the renminbi's internationalization, he added.

Wang Xin, director of the research bureau at the People's Bank of China, the nation's central bank, said companies and individuals in the above-mentioned six locations will undergo initial trials, and are thus expected to see their investment channels largely enriched due to the State Council's policy.

The top-down structuring will help prevent scattered or fragmented opening-up. It will facilitate China's institutional opening-up with regard to rules, regulations, management and standards, and better serve the country's dual-circulation development paradigm, Wang said.

(Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Liang Jun)
It was an awful story: Two teenagers out joyriding deliberately slammed into Andreas Probst while he was riding a bicycle, killing him. That already spoke to a broken youth culture. However, as the story has unfolded, weve seen the racial politics that lie behind Probsts horrible death in the media coverage, the criminal justice systems racial lies, and the story of the teens lives.

Jack Cashill wrote about the facts of the accident, describing both the details of the video that one of the killers proudly posted on social media and the medias hands-off policy because it was obvious from the video that at least one of the teens was a minority.

Eventually, however, when the video caused a public outcry, the Las Vegas prosecutor announced that the killers would be tried as adults. Once that happened, no media outlet showed the killers mugshots. Thats a trend among media outlets, lest people get the wrong idea about the racial dynamics of crime in America.

However, we didnt need photos. One teen had a manifestly Hispanic name: Jesus Ayala. The other teens name, thanks to generations of creative naming (and spelling) in the black community, was also a racial giveaway: Jzamir Keys.

When photos of the teens finally emerged, we saw that, in fact, one was black and the other Hispanic:

Image: YouTube screen grabs.

The media can run, but ultimately, it cant hide.

But it wasnt just the media. Its also the criminal justice system in Clark County, Nevada, home to Las Vegas. When Jesus Ayala was booked, he was not identified as Hispanic. Instead, he was listed as white. Thats definitely one for the lies, damn lies, and statistics category:

Jesus Ayala is a Latino teen who drove into and kiIIed retired cop Andreas Probst



He was booked into the system as white pic.twitter.com/OgjsVDAVJA  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) September 22, 2023

The problems, though, run deeper than media and criminal justice system lies. The story of Ayalas and Keys lives is a profound indictment of Americas Democrat-controlled racial policies.

By age 8, Keys was put into the welfare system:

In 2016, his mother was charged with child abuse, the television station reported after police found her five children, ages 2 to 9, home alone without access to food, a knife left on a kitchen counter, and the house in poor condition, 8NewsNow reported. Witnesses said the children were left alone for extended periods of time, and the mother said she did not have childcare, the television station reported, adding that she was eventually convicted of misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

It appears that there is no father involved. Democrat policies since LBJs Great Society have worked diligently to erase fathers from the scene. Fathers, of course, are the single greatest way to keep kids out of poverty and crime.

Ayala, too, doesnt seem to have had a father in his life. What is clear is that he has a long string of run-ins with the law, all dealt with in the juvenile justice system. Indeed, he felt that the system would protect him:

Ayala told cops: You think this juvenile [expletive] is gonna do some [expletive]? Ill be out in 30 days, Ill bet you. He added: Its just ah, [expletive] ah, hit-and-run  slap on the wrist, despite cops not mentioning the accident to him yet, according to KLAS. His comments were caught on police body cameras.

The sad thing is that, were it not for that damning video, his prediction probably would have been correct.

While Ayalas mother showed remorse for what her son had done, Keys mother was defiant: Keys [sic] mother vowed that his side of the story will be told, branding it as the truth, rather than the inaccuracies the media will try to portray.

Her words are also one of the tragedies leftist policies have inflicted on minority communities, and thats the refusal to take responsibility for ones failings. With apologies to Erich Segal, leftism has taught blacks that being black never means having to say you're sorry. It's always the system; it's never you (or endemic problems in your community). But as we who are not politicized understand, if your behavior is causing you problems, you cannot change without taking responsibility through remorse and repentance.

Narcissism, whether individual or cultural, denies you those two important psychological states and keeps you forever locked within your failures. And while I deny systemic anti-minority racism in America, even if it were true, Democrats have trained minorities to wallow in those systemic failures rather than fighting back by refusing to let the failures define them and their behaviors.

Probsts death highlights so much thats wrong with our youth culture, especially in minority communities. Worse, this is what Democrats want: They want fatherlessness, they want crime (defund the police!), and they want people and communities incapable of taking responsibility for their actions, which is the only way to effectuate change. This is racial genocide by other means.
As the launch of Android 14 approaches, the Google Photos app prepares to adopt the native screen-sharing menu. This is big news considering that it will unite the entire system interface for sharing content. Currently, some core Google apps make use of their sharing menu, which is different from that on the systems interface.

This design difference is about to come to an end as Google is making Android a bit more in sync. With this coming change, users will be familiar with just one sharing menu across the system. Not only is this a major design change that is coming to the Google Photos app, but itll also bring some impressive performance changes.

Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the available reports on this topic, the Android 14 sharing menu is more capable. It gives users more choices and the freedom to make changes to the selected items for sharing. This new sharing menu will become available across the Android 14 system and on all apps, hence breaking the custom sharing menus some apps use.

Google Photos app will get the Android 14 native sharing menu once available

The Google Photos app is getting ready to adapt to a new design and functionality change. This change will come with the rollout of Android 14 and will bring a new sharing menu. The sharing menu in question will be native to Android 14, and it promises to bring a ton of improvements in various areas.

Currently, the sharing menu on Android 14 pops up with a total of three sections. Up top is the contact section that lets users select the contact they wish to share the image via email or RCS messaging. In the middle section, the nearby share and create link buttons for users to pick between.

As for the last section, it shows a list of apps that users can share the image with, as well as the Bluetooth sharing option. With Android 14, this entire sharing menu will see a major change that will redefine how users share images from the Google Photos app. The new sharing menu will come with four sections that users can benefit from while sharing images.

After selecting the images to be shared, users will get a pop-up sharing menu with four sections. The first section is the preview window, where users can confirm the images selected for sharing and modify them if necessary. This modification can include adding more images to the sharing list or removing images already on the list.

Advertisement

Moving to the second section reveals the create link button as well as other buttons. The next section is the contact section which will bring contacts from various channels (email, social media apps, etc.). The last section is a list of apps that can be used to share the image(s) the user selects.

Already, the update bringing this Android 14 native sharing menu to the Google Photos app is available for some users. The users that currently have access to this new sharing menu are few, mainly beta testers. More users will get the update in the coming weeks as the launch of Android 14 approaches.
(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 23 - A woman was in critical condition in a Palermo burns unit on Saturday after being doused with flammable liquid and set on fire by her husband during the night.

Anna Elisa Fontana, 48, was receiving treatment at the Civic hospital in the Sicilian regional capital after suffering 70% burns during the act of violence, which took place on the Sicilian island of Pantelleria.

Her husband, Onofrio Bronzolino, aged 52, also received burns to the face and risks losing his sight.

He has been placed under arrest.

Carabinieri police are investigating.

Italy has been grappling with a long string of acts of gender-based violence with much soul-searching about what should be done.

On Friday the Council of Europe said it was worried about Italy's figures regarding violence against women.

The human rights body's Committee of Ministers said that it "notes with concern" that the data provided by Rome "show a persistently high percentage of domestic and sexual violence proceedings shelved at the preliminary investigation stage, the limited use of protection orders and a significant rate of violations of them".

It committee expressed its disquiet after reviewing the measures taken by Italy to resolve the problems that led the European Court of Human Rights to condemn it several times due to its "ineffective response" to complaints made by women victims of violence. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 23 - The European Union (EU) must show solidarity with Italy as it struggles to manage an increase in the arrival of migrants and refugees to its southern shores, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said on Saturday.

"We must show all our solidarity with Italy in a difficult moment," said Borrell in an interview with France 24 and Radio France International.

"The European Union will stand by Italy," he added.

Borrell affirmed "the need for border control with policies that go beyond security measures, and agreements with countries of origin and transit that allow us to receive the migration we need on a regular basis and also ensure the deportation of illegal migrants" who "risk their lives for nothing". (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 23 - European Affairs Minister Raffaele Fitto said Saturday the third installment of European Union funding for implementation of Italy's post-Covid National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) would be paid within days.

"We will receive the resources corresponding to the third installment of the NRRP in the next few days and the fourth installment within this year," said Fitto, reiterating that cooperation with the European Commission is "fruitful".

Last week the EU's Economic and Financial Committee gave its approval to the long-delayed payment of the third installment of Italy's NRRP worth 18.5 billion euros as part of efforts to make the country's economy greener and more modern.

However, there were further steps to go through before the payment could actually be made.

Italy requested the third tranche at the end of 2022 but the Commission only agreed to OK payment at the end of July after the government rejigged the NRPP and moved some milestones to the measures covered by the fourth installment, worth 16.5 billion euros. The post-COVID NRRP seeks to make the Italian economy greener and more modern by 2026 thanks to projects funded with the help of almost 200 billion euros in EU grants and low-interest loans.

Premier Giorgia Meloni's government has requested a series of changes to the plan in recent months to reflect changes in circumstances since it was drafted and avoid the risk that some of the projects and reform goals linked to the plan would not by completed by the deadlines.

The proposed changes to the measures to be implemented in exchange for the fourth installment of payment include incentives for energy efficiency, an increase in childcare facilities, the development of the space and film industries, and sustainable transport.

Italy also added a milestone on increasing student accommodation that had initially been linked to the third tranche.

These proposed changes have now been approved by both the European Commission and the European Council, making it possible for Italy to formally request payment of the fourth tranche.

(ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 23 - The long-standing position of the European Commission is that migration should be managed in a humane and dignified way, said EU Commission spokeswoman on home affairs, migration and internal security, Anitta Hipper, on Saturday.

"We do not comment on statements," she told ANSA in response to a question on the Pope's call in Marseille for a more human-oriented approach to the issue of migrants and refugees arriving by sea in Europe.

Hipper said this position is "why in September 2020 the Commission presented the new pact on migration and asylum as a sustainable long-term solution".

In early June EU interior ministers reached a consensus on the new draft EU Pact on Migration and Asylum aiming to re-establish the principles of solidarity and responsibility sharing among member states for migrants and refugees arriving by sea and land in the European Union.

However, Poland and Hungary subsequently blocked the agreement at the European Council later the same month, arguing that solidarity in the management of migrants and refugees should not be made obligatory as requested by front-line countries such as Italy and Greece.

Once negotiations are complete, the Pact must be examined and approved by the European Council and European parliament.

(ANSA).


Protesters against the UKs exit from the European Union have labelled the move a huge mistake as they campaigned to re-join the bloc.

A large crowd of pro-EU protestors gathered outside the Hilton hotel on Park Lane in west London for the National Rejoin March (NRM) on Saturday.

Hundreds of people dressed in blue clothing and carrying EU flags filled the pavement ahead of the march through the citys streets, which was due to culminate with a rally at Parliament Square.

Hundreds of people joined the march from Park Lane to Parliament Square (Jeff Moore/PA)

Clusters of Metropolitan Police officers were at the scene as protesters handed out flyers and passing cars beeped their horns in support.

The UK voted to leave the European Union in a referendum in June 2016, called by then-prime minister David Cameron.

Peter Corr, leader and co-founder of NRM, said he decided to organise the march as it felt like everyone had given up on the cause.

Mr Corr, a lorry driver from Derby, told the PA news agency: Brexit was a huge mistake, were all  especially working class and poorer people  paying for it and we need to do something about it.

He said 60% of the country, and 80% of people aged under 25, consistently say they would re-join the EU in polls, adding: I hate racism and xenophobia and thats just what a big part of that Vote Leave campaign really felt like to me.

Ceira Sergeant, 21, from Walton in Liverpool, one of speakers at the rally, said: I was only 14 when the referendum happened, so there was a huge amount of my peers who never got the chance to have their voices heard.

Supporters held placards that called for a new referendum on re-joining the EU (Jeff Moore/PA)

Protestors held up placards before the march expressing their discontent with leaving the EU, including The road to re-join the EU starts here, and Re-join, Rejoice.

Another sign read: Tories out, migrants welcome  Rejoin the EU.

Individuals groups from across the country, including Devon, Cornwall and Stratford, were present with personalised placards.

Protestors from other European countries also attended the event with many wearing EU-styled berets.

Representatives of the Green Party also displayed a banner in solidarity of the protests.

Good morning, London  What a beautiful day in this wonderful European capital. See you all at @marchforrejoin  pic.twitter.com/CW5Yd2u5Rp  Terry Reintke (@TerryReintke) September 23, 2023

Terry Reintke, member of European Parliament from Germany and co-chairwoman of the Green Group in the parliament, said Europeans see events like the march with a lot of sympathy and that the UK is viewed as an absolutely integral partner.

She said: The UK has managed to build one of the biggest pro-European movements across Europe, and we can still feel there are so many millions of people in the UK who want to rejoin the EU.

Asked whether there had been discussions in European Parliament about the UKs possible return, Ms Reintke said: If there was a willingness to re-join, our door would be open.

Lisa Burton, 53, from Rhonda Valley in Wales, now lives in Lanzarote, Spain and is vice chairwoman of campaigning group Bremain in Spain.

Protestors from other European countries also joined in at the event (Jeff Moore/PA)

She said: Its just becoming evident of the damages of Brexit  every sector is suffering.

Were British immigrants living in the EU who took advantage of the freedom of movement, and I feel British people have a very warped image of what that is  they think its only inward.

We think that sticking plasters over Brexit is never going to be enough, Ms Burton added.
Friends of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange have called his ongoing prison detention outrageous after holding bike protest in his name.

Former British ambassador to Uzbekistan Craig Murray said campaigners will never stop fighting for his freedom outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Saturday.

He was joined by around 40 bike riders who had earlier set off from Belmarsh Prison before passing through several major London landmarks, including the Cutty Sark and Tower of London.

The riders presented Mr Murray with the Walkley Award, an Australian award won by Assange for excellence in journalism.

Supporters of Julian Assange cycled through London as part of their campaign to release him (Jeff Moore/PA)

Signs and yellow ribbons calling for release were put up outside the courts.

Assange has been held in the prison for more than four years as he fights efforts by the United States government to extradite him.

He fears spending the rest of his life in prison if he is sent to the US.

One man came dressed to the protest as the grim reaper, with a sign that read RIP British Justice, 1215-2021.

Murray said in a short speech: The United States claim the ability to take any citizen of any country from any country around the world for the breaking their laws. That is simply outrageous.

He added that Australia was absolutely behind Julian and the desire to bring their citizen home.
The father of a murdered police officer has urged the Government to award posthumous medals to emergency workers killed in the line of duty, after Labour and the Welsh Government backed the campaign.

Former prison officer Bryn Hughes daughter Pc Nicola Hughes was killed in 2012 alongside fellow Pc Fiona Bone in a gun and grenade ambush while on duty in Tameside, Greater Manchester.

Mr Hughes campaign has been backed by Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford and shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper in recent weeks.

Bryn Hughes, the father of murdered Greater Manchester Police officer Pc Nicola Hughes (Victoria Jones/PA)

He now wants Home Office approval for an Elizabeth Cross medal to be given posthumously in recognition of fallen emergency services workers.

On Saturday, Mr Hughes told BBC Ones Breakfast programme: Weve got the full backing of the Labour Party, weve got the full backing of the Welsh Government, what were asking for now (is), the Government, the Home Office, now to pick it up and finish it off if you like.

The meetings weve had this week (with the Welsh Government) were really encouraging, really positive.

Now we want those meetings with the Home Office and the (UK) Government.

On whether he has asked for a meeting with the Home Office, he said: Weve had conversations, weve had assurances that it is a Government priority for this year and then my next step now is to ask for that meeting and say, lets have a look at this priority.

Mr Hughes said emergency workers killed on duty deserve to be remembered and honoured.

He said: Ive said all along with Nicola and Fiona and other officers weve lost, theyre there to protect the public, there to serve the public, and its quite right that they should be remembered and honoured when they lose their lives in those circumstances.

The Medals for Heroes campaign was launched by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), the Police Superintendents Association and the Prison Officers Association, according to the PFEWs website.

But the federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, adds that it is being driven forward by Mr Hughes.

A Home Office spokesperson said: Every life lost in service to the public is a tragedy and our thoughts remain with every fallen officer and emergency service worker.

The police do an extraordinary job and the Police Covenant recognises their bravery and commitment.

We are determined to ensure the sacrifice officers make is recognised and the Government has prioritised work to identify ways through which we can do that.
The UKs summit on artificial intelligence will look at protecting humanitys future by countering the risk of losing control of the machines, the Deputy Prime Minister has told world leaders.

In a speech setting out the opportunities and dangers of AI, Oliver Dowden told the United Nations General Assembly that the daily rate of progress the technology was making would require countries to regularly meet to discuss the necessary guardrails.

Mr Dowden, who laid out a dystopian future of what could happen if AI development goes unchecked, warned that global regulation is falling behind current advances and called for international co-operation to ensure it is used for good.

The UK will host an AI safety summit in November, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak keen to establish a key role for Britain in harnessing and regulating the technology.

Mr Dowden, a close ally of the Prime Minister, has led the UK delegation at the gathering of world leaders and top diplomats in the US as Mr Sunak stayed away.

The Prime Minister, who has blamed diary pressures for his absence, has been accused of snubbing the event.

Mr Dowden told the New York gathering on Friday that the AI summit, being held at Bletchley Park where codebreakers worked to decipher enemy communications during the Second World War, would look at the most serious possible risks associated with the emerging technology.

He told the 193 UN member states that experts gathering in Buckinghamshire would discuss AIs potential to undermine our biosecurity or increase the ability of people to carry out cyber attacks, as well as the danger of losing control of the machines themselves.

The senior Conservative politician, in a message to those who would say that these warnings are sensationalist or belong in the realm of science-fiction, pointed to AI developers themselves warning that its potential should be treated with the same priority as a pandemic or nuclear war.

Bletchley Park will host the AI safety summit in November (Will Amlot/Bletchley Park Trust/PA)

Even those behind its creation have admitted they cannot explain some of the ways that AI learns, he said, adding that the scale and speed of its advances was unlike anything we or our predecessors have known before.

I do not stand here claiming to be an expert on AI, but I do believe that policy-makers and Governments ignore this expert consensus at the peril of all of our citizens, he said.

The AI revolution will be a bracing test for the multilateral system, to show that it can work together on a question that will help to define the fate of humanity.

Our future, humanitys future, our entire planets future, depends on our ability to do so.

Mr Sunak has been openly pitching for the UK to be the geographical home of a centre for AI safety.

Mr Dowden said the UK was uniquely placed to respond to AIs threats, being home to world-leading universities and frontier technology companies, while also having played a part in the computing revolution.

The UK has opted to invite China to the flagship AI safety summit in a move that has been criticised by some Beijing-sceptic Tories.

The decision was made despite relations with China having been strained by a series of security rows, including the arrest of a parliamentary researcher under the Official Secrets Act.
Russell Brand has thanked his supporters for questioning the allegations of rape and sexual assault made against him.

The 48-year-old has strongly denied accusations made by four women in an investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4s Dispatches.

In the three-minute clip, posted on YouTube, Rumble and X, Brand said the week since the claims were published had been extraordinary and distressing.

He said: I thank you very much for your support and for questioning the information that youve been presented with.

He did not directly address the claims made against him and lashed out at the Government, big tech companies and media organisations.

He claimed moves to prevent him making advertising revenue from his content on social media platforms came in the context of the Online Safety Bill, which aims to tackle harmful content on the internet.

The Bill, which was years in the drafting, recently cleared Parliament and awaits royal assent to pass into law.

In the video, in which he addressed his followers as awakening wonders, he said: By now youre probably aware that the British Government have asked big tech platforms to censor our online content and that some online platforms have complied with that request.

Russell Brand has posted a new video online (John Stillwell/PA)

What you may not know is that this happens in the context of the Online Safety Bill, which is a piece of UK legislation that grants sweeping surveillance and censorship powers, and its a law that has already been passed.

Brand said he would return to his regular show on Rumble  an online video platform which refused to follow YouTube in blocking the comedian from earning advertising revenue on its site.

Brand described the streaming site as having made a clear commitment to free speech.

Referring to mainstream media organisations, he said: Its clear that these organisations collaborate in constructing narratives, whether its about the war or the pandemic, and of course there are other examples.

It is very clear to me that we have to be very, very cautious indeed.

Russell Brand is facing more allegations (James Manning/PA)

The video was posted just moments before Newsnight aired on BBC Two with fresh accusations about the former Hollywood actors behaviour.

Cole Parker, who worked with Brand between 2000 and 2002, claimed that models were often warned by their agents about the comedian.

He has not responded to the latest claims made in the interview in which Parker told Newsnight he was surprised details were not made public sooner.

He said: A lot of the modelling agents would sit down and tell their models, tell their stable, warn them about him.

Things like people go back to his house and they fool around and then if they didnt want to go all the way, he had a reputation for sometimes getting angry or a bit nasty if people wouldnt sleep with him the first time.

And given the fact that he was a celebrity, very good-looking man, very funny, he didnt really need to sort of operate that way.

There would have been plenty of people who would have been happy to get themselves involved in a dalliance with him, he didnt have to go with people who were reluctant to do so.

Asked if he was surprised by the allegations, he added: Im surprised it didnt come out sooner, Im surprised at the moment that its only four of them.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has held a meeting with a senior official from Sudan during a technical stopover in Ireland.

Mr Zelensky stopped at Shannon Airport on the west coast of Ireland as he returned to Europe from North America, where he addressed the UN Security Council in New York.

He also met with US President Joe Biden at the White House, addressed the Canadian parliament in Ottawa, as well as talks with the countrys Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

On Saturday, Mr Zelensky shared a photograph of him holding a meeting with the President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of Sudan, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, at Shannon Airport.

I am grateful for Sudans consistent support of Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, he posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

At Shannon Airport, I held an unscheduled meeting with President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of Sudan Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. I am grateful for Sudan's consistent support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We discussed common security challenges, pic.twitter.com/Ntq5KxAfkG  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) September 23, 2023

We discussed common security challenges, namely the activities of illegal armed groups financed by Russia.

I invited him to support the Grain From Ukraine initiative and take part in this years summit.

We considered possible platforms for intensifying cooperation between Ukraine and African countries.

Irelands Department of Foreign Affairs said it could confirm it had been a technical stopover, and no Irish government ministers had been involved.

The department can confirm this was a technical stopover, with no bilateral element, they said.

As per normal practice for stopovers at this level, protocol staff of the department were on the ground to offer practical assistance.
A Utah family blames the childrens grief author Kouri Richins, who has been accused of fatally spiking her husbands cocktail with fentanyl, for their near financial ruin since buying from her a remodeled house that they say they've had to evacuate because of hazardous levels of mold and an onslaught of mysterious medical problems.

"There was no trying to right any of the wrongs that she had thrown at us, Taryn Wright, 38, told Dateline in her first interview about her lawsuit against Richins. Were just innocent bystanders in her path of destruction.

"Hazardous levels of mold in the home Alec and Taryn Wright bought three years ago from Richins realty company has left them teetering on the edge, struggling to pay the mortgage on a house they no longer live in, and barely able to cover rent on the home they live in now, they told Dateline.

For more on Kouri Richins, tune into Page Turner tonight on Dateline at 10 p.m./9 p.m. CT.

The couple sued Richins and her realty company in November, roughly six months before she was charged with murder in the March 4, 2022, death of Eric Richins.

Richins lawyers have denied the murder allegation, saying in a court filing after her arrest that there was no substantial evidence to support the charges. After her husbands death, Richins wrote the children's book Are You With Me? about grief.

Kouri and Eric Richins. (via Facebook )

The Wrights civil lawsuit, filed in Utahs Fourth Judicial District Court, alleges breach of contract and fraud. The complaint alleges Richins misrepresented important facts about the propertys habitability and value recklessly and without regard for the truth.

The bank manager and the stay-at-home mom want Richins to cover repairs on property damage that they say amounts to a complete loss, as well as damages for a range of illnesses that allegedly began after their family moved into the nearly 2,000-square-foot home in January 2020.

In a court filing earlier this year, lawyers for Richins denied the Wrights allegations. Her company, Richins Realty, made a fulsome disclosure, the filing says, adding that the homes alleged defects could have been discovered through a reasonable inspection by an ordinary prudent buyer.

Richins' lawyer handling the civil case declined to comment and referred a reporter to public filings in which they rejected the homeowners allegations.

Drowning in debt

The home, in Heber City, southeast of Salt Lake City, was part of a house-flipping business that Richins launched in 2019, prosecutors said in a June court filing.

Within a couple of years, the business was drowning in debt  Richins owed lenders $1.8 million by February 2022  and prosecutors alleged that she engaged in fraud, theft, forgery and deception as her financial woes mounted, according to the filing.

Prosecutors alleged she was secretly using a fraudulent power of attorney to execute a $250,000 line of credit against the home of her husband, who ran a successful stone masonry business and whose house was premarital property, the filing says.

But the Heber City home was the first in her new business venture, according to prosecutors, and the man from whom she bought the house, Val Maynard, said he was thrilled when she offered $215,000 for it.

Maynard had lived in the house for years, he told Dateline, but was ready to sell after his wife died. Maynard knew it needed significant repairs, since there had been lots of water damage, he said. But Maynard said he was upfront with Richins about the work it needed, according to the lawsuit.

When Richins first visited the house, Maynard recalled, she seemed friendly and pleasant. She and a man whom Maynard believed to be a work crew foreman appeared unfazed by the homes deteriorating condition.

'They were not troubled at all about it," he said.

After the sale, subcontractors began gutting the property  even though it didnt appear that proper permits had been obtained for a complete remodel, according to a general contractor who lives across the street and provided a declaration included in the Wrights lawsuit.

A dream house?

The house went on the market in October 2019, and Taryn Wright said it was presented as though it was in pristine condition. Maynard said that it looked like it could have been featured on a home makeover show.

"It looked like a magical transformation, he said.

An inspection found no problems, Taryn Wright said, who said they were told nothing about prior water damage or plumbing and roof issues. The couple bought the house the following January for $409,000.

"We envisioned having barbecues and hosting and just spending time with family and being able to look out at that beautiful view, Taryn Wright said.

Mold is seen in the home of Alec and Taryn Wright. (Courtesy Taryn Wright)

After the first rain that spring, they noticed a musty smell in the basement, Taryn Wright said.

In their sons room, Taryn said they found mold on the wall behind a new dresser and a pool of water on the floor.

Even before the discovery, the Wrights said they had been struggling with a series of illnesses and health issues  asthma and protracted fungal infections, joint pain and brain fog. The lawsuit alleges the family had to get medical treatment after their contact with the mold.

"We were constantly going to the doctor," Taryn Wright said. "There was never like, Oh, this is whats wrong with you. Its just kind of like, Oh well, youll just get over it.

"It was super, super hard, she added.

Moving out

The couple repaired the moldy drywall and replaced windows that had not been properly installed, according to the lawsuit. But the mold reappeared, and a local siding company told them that the roof was their problem: There were holes in it, the sides were rotten and the soffit and fascia boards were falling apart, according to the lawsuit.

In August 2022, as the family was getting sicker and their home seemed to be deteriorating, Taryn Wright said they had the house inspected for mold. Hazardous levels of the fungus were discovered in the basement in the inspection, according to the lawsuit, and mold spores had spread throughout the home.

Testing conducted at the home last month found a variety of toxic mold levels that were bad but not the worst, said Gianni Rossini, an owner of Envirobiomics, the company that analyzed the samples.

Some samples in the companys analysis, which the Wrights provided to Dateline, showed levels that were a hundredfold higher than normal.

Rossini said the samples dont measure toxicity, although the more mold there is the more likely it is to potentially affect someone who comes into contact with it.

Christopher Bloom, a spokesman for the National Center for Healthy Housing, a nonprofit that provides assistance for people dealing with mold, said that researchers are still trying to understand how different types of the fungus affect humans.

As with many allergens, certain molds can affect people in a variety of different ways, depending on the type of mold, the length of exposure, and a persons body chemistry, he said in an email. To date, the federal government has set no specific standards or made specific recommendations regarding airborne concentrations of mold or spores.

Mold is seen in the home of Alec and Taryn Wright. (Courtesy Taryn Wright)

Last year, after learning of the amount of mold there was in their home, the Wrights immediately evacuated with their three children, moving to a relatives rental home and leaving their belongings, which they feared had been contaminated, the couple said.

They also said they repeatedly  and unsuccessfully  tried to get a hold of Kouri Richins to determine how best to fix the home.

We didnt hear anything from her, Alec Wright said.

Text messages between Richins and a realtor who was working with her at the time, Jessica Klingenberg, show that Richins may have known about the mold before selling the house.

In one message, which Klingenberg sent on Aug. 5, 2019, and provided to "Dateline," the realtor told her that the bedroom in the basement  the room where the Wrights son would later live  was super moldy.

A contractor suggested mudding the drywall to kill the fungus and then painting it, Klingenberg said.

"Cheaper and safer for new owners," she wrote.

"I saw!!" Richins replied. It looks soooo good!! Yes, we will plan to do that! Thank you soooooooo much!!

Lawyers for Richins did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Alec Wright described their lawsuit as a last resort. That legal fight, along with the hundreds of thousands of dollars they sunk into their home  and estimates that it would cost more to repair the house than what they paid for it  has left them in a financially precarious position, the couple said.

"If were not able to find the means to get back into our home, Alec Wright said, financially, well be ruined.

Before Richins was charged with murder, the couple was hopeful their lawsuit would prove successful and theyd recoup some, if not all, of their losses, Taryn Wright said.

Now, their situation seems far different. Their new reality, she said, might be "that weve lost everything."
Human remains were recovered from a Florida waterway where authorities also found and killed a nearly 14-foot alligator on Friday, officials said.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said it is investigating after the gator, clocking in at 13 feet and 8.5 inches, was spotted in a waterway in unincorporated Largo, Florida, in the Tampa Bay area, and the body of a woman was pulled from the water.

She was identified as 41-year-old Sabrina Peckham, and officials said her cause of death is still under investigation.

Deputies responded around 1:50 p.m. to a report of a body seen in the water, the sheriff's office said in a news release. The deputies and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission euthanized the alligator and removed it from the waterway.

One witness told a local news station that the alligator was seen with the body before going into the water.

Jamarcus Bullard told the news station WFLA he saw the gator "holding on to the lower part of the torso" of the body and pulling it underwater.

I never thought Id see one out here, Bullard said. I thought it would be in the swamps and all that, but it was a big gator out here in our water.

The gator's size approaches some of the largest alligators by length recorded in Florida since 1977, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The record for longest alligator in the state is a 14-foot, 3.5-inch male from Lake Washington in Brevard County found in 2010.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said it had no further information to provide when reached by USA TODAY on Saturday.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Human remains found, large alligator killed in Florida waterway
Washington  The looming possibility of a government shutdown had hundreds of thousands of federal employees worried that they could go without pay if Congress had failed to reach a deal to approve or extend funding for their agencies.

However, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Saturday reached a last-minute compromise to keep the federal government running and avoid a costly shutdown. A 45-day bipartisan stopgap spending bill passed both the House and Senate with just hours to spare before Saturday's midnight deadline, and went to President Biden's desk for his signature.

The bill will fund the government through Nov. 17.

Lawmakers needed to approve more spending by Oct. 1, the start of the new fiscal year, or they would have risked a costly shutdown that could have had wide-ranging impacts on federal services.

In the weeks leading up to the bill's passage, Republicans in control of the House had been divided about how to move forward, with a vocal hard-right contingent fiercely opposing a short-term deal to extend funding, while talks about broader spending levels continued.

A history of government shutdowns: The 14 times funding has lapsed since 1980

In the event funding were to have lapsed, federal employees in critical positions would be required to stay on the job. Many others would be forced to stay home. Both groups would have their paychecks delayed until Congress approves more spending. Most federal contractors might not get paid at all.

The shutdown threat led to questions about what it would mean for lawmakers themselves  and their paychecks. Here are some answers:

Will members of Congress get paid if there's a government shutdown?

The short answer is yes. Lawmakers will continue to draw a paycheck even if they haven't reached a deal to fund the government.

The reason is because of how their pay is treated under the Constitution and federal law. Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution states: "The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States." This means they must get paid whether or not other parts of the government are funded.

Pursuant to that section, members' pay rate is set by a process established by federal law, and the 27th Amendment says any law to change their pay can't take effect until after the next congressional election. Lawmakers' pay has been funded by a permanent appropriation since 1983, according to a recent Congressional Research Service report, meaning funding for their pay doesn't need to be renewed annually.

Most members earn a salary of $174,000 per year, a rate that has not changed since 2009. The speaker of the House earns $223,500, while the president pro tempore of the Senate and the party leaders in both chambers make $193,400.

Members of Congress listen as President Biden delivers his State of the Union address at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. / Credit: Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg via Getty Images

When it comes to other federal entities, the law that governs how they must act during a lapse in funding is known as the Antideficiency Act. In short, it says that federal agencies generally can't spend more money than Congress has approved. This means many agencies must furlough employees  that is, tell them to stay home  if they haven't received funding.

There are some exceptions. Some programs, like Social Security and Medicare, have permanent funding, and operations continue as normal. Employees whose jobs are necessary to protect life and property must also stay on the job. Those whose roles are authorized by other laws can keep working, as can officials with constitutional responsibilities.

When it comes to congressional staffers, each office determines which employees are deemed essential and thus allowed to keep working during a shutdown. Most are expected to keep all or nearly all of their employees on board, though the staffers won't be paid until more funding is approved.

A shutdown's impact on congressional activities could be substantial, depending on which employees continue to work and which are sent home. House Republicans recently launched an impeachment inquiry investigating President Biden and his family's business dealings. Some have worried that the probe could grind to a halt if executive branch employees who field their requests for information aren't on the job.

"There's no question at all that the administration will not answer any questions and use a shutdown as an excuse to say they sent home the people who would answer," Rep. Darrell Issa, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, told Reuters. "So can we ask the questions? Yes. Are they going to deliver witnesses that they have control over, or answers? Probably not."

Does the president get paid during a shutdown?

Yes. The Constitution prohibits reducing the president's salary while in office, "thus effectively guaranteeing the president of compensation regardless of any shutdown action," according to a Congressional Research Service report from 2018.

The president earns $400,000 annually, an amount set by Congress in 2001.

His aides and staffers, however, are subject to the furlough requirements under the Antideficiency Act, meaning those in nonessential positions could be told to stay home until Congress authorizes more funding. In past shutdowns, presidents have furloughed many executive branch employees to increase pressure on Congress to take action.

Do other federal employees get paid during a shutdown?

Federal employees, whether they remain on the job or are furloughed, won't get paid while the government is shut down.

However, they will receive back pay once funding is restored to their agency. In prior shutdowns, Congress had to approve back pay for employees, but a 2019 law made it mandatory. Contractors  who were responsible for carrying out nearly $700 billion worth of government work in the last fiscal year  are not guaranteed back pay.

Each agency determines what positions are considered essential and what are not. The Office of Management and Budget has directed agencies to notify employees no later than two business days before a lapse in funding about their work and pay status.

Some members of Congress have pointed out the apparent hypocrisy of lawmakers continuing to be paid while other federal employees miss out on their checks. Members of both parties have offered different proposals that would prevent Congress from getting paid during shutdowns, but none have attracted widespread support, and the 27th Amendment forbids any immediate change.

"It's pretty straightforward. The basic element of our job is to govern," said Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia. "If we are unable to fund the government, at the very least we shouldn't be getting paid."

How would a government shutdown have played out without a deal?

Spending authority for the current fiscal year would have expired on Sept. 30 without a deal. Any agency that did not have new funding approved by Congress and signed into law by the president by midnight on Sept. 30 would have shut down.

Executive branch agencies cannot begin to implement their shutdown contingency plans until they receive the order from the director of the Office of Management and Budget.

In the event of a shutdown, furloughed employees are allowed to come to work to implement their agency's contingency plan before they're sent away.

"Ordinarily, furloughed employees should take no more than three or four hours to provide necessary notices and contact information, secure their files, complete time and attendance records, pay invoices for obligations incurred prior to the lapse, and otherwise prepare to preserve their work," guidance from the OMB in 2021 said.

How Taylor Swift could affect the 2024 election

Slovakian driver fined after traffic camera shows dog behind wheel of car

Rural California town with a rich history fights to preserve its heritage
How conspiracy theories are tearing American families apart. CNNs Donie OSullivan investigates in Waiting for JFK: Report from the Fringe, on The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper, Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.

Now the family tree goes like this, the man on the tape extolled confidently. John John andTrump are cousins. And Trumps uncle is JFK Sr., and Joe Kennedy, who is also not dead. And Trumps father is General George Patton, and his brother is Mussolini

Colleen Protzman listened on, despondent. The man talking on the tape was her son, Michael Protzman.

And the thing is, she said, he believes that.

Her son had become the leading figure in a QAnon off-shoot that believed John F. Kennedy Jr., who died in a plane crash off Marthas Vineyard in 1999, was alive and secretly working with former President Donald Trump to save the United States from an evil cabal.

Its the kind of conspiracy theory that one might assume manifests only in the dark corners of the internet.

But that changed on November 2, 2021, when hundreds of people from around the country gathered at the infamous grassy knoll in Dallas Dealey Plaza, where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. The congregation wasnt there to commemorate the death of the 35th President of the United States. They were there to see what they desperately hoped would be the return of the Kennedys.

A crowd gather on the grassy knoll in Dallas in November 2021 - WFAA

Word on the street is Junior  JFK Jr will show up and introduce his parents, one believer told the local WFAA news crew who had rushed to the plaza after hearing reports of a large crowd gathered. Asked what he expected would happen, the man earnestly replied: Hell (JFK Jr.) probably be the vice president with Trump.

The late JFK and his son failed to materialize. Most of the gathered crowd went home and moved on with their lives, some of them disappointed the impossible hadnt occurred. But others stayed, waiting for months in Dallas for the Kennedys to return.

Somehow, the Kennedys, a family dynasty that once embodied the Democratic Party, had become heroes in a movement that also worshipped Trump. A bizarre blend of American lore, dating back to JFKs assassination, along with biblical and QAnon-adjacent prophecies, suggested the Kennedys and Trump were direct descendants of Jesus Christ and were the heroic protagonists in an age-old battle of good versus evil.

The tale is objectively wacky, yet it managed to strike a chord. Hundreds of people showed up that day in Dallas hoping for at least one Kennedy to reemerge. Others left their lives, families and jobs behind entirely for months waiting on that false promise. But why?

To dismissively reduce the answer to this question as a collective delusion of QAnon crazies is to ignore the profound impact fringe conspiracy theories are having on American families and American democracy.

These false beliefs are a symbol and symptom of a broader ideology that thrives on anger, disillusionment and loneliness and is fueled by politically and financially motivated opportunists who have weaponized the community-building capabilities of social media.

Michael Protzman got swept up in this alternate reality.

Depending on who you ask, Protzman was either a victim whose convictions and worldview were so radically altered by what he was reading on the internet that it cost him his family, his home and his business. Or he was a manipulative opportunist who conned his followers into believing a warped QAnon-style biblical prophecy that tore them away from their families  some of whom believe he spawned a cult.

Michael Protzman - CNN

To better understand how online misinformation is affecting American families, CNN spent the past year tracking Protzman and his followers for a documentary that will air on CNN as part of The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper series.

We spoke to dozens of Americans whose lives and families have been affected by conspiracy theories, including Protzmans own family.

In June, Protzman was severely injured in an accident on a motocross track in Minnesota and died a few days later. He was 60 years old.

But the tragic tale of Michael Brian Protzman began long before the accident.

Prey

Michael wasnt a computer person, his mother, Colleen Protzman, said. But in the years after the 2008 financial collapse, he began researching online about investing in silver. Many websites that tout the sale of precious metals like silver rely on doomsday conspiracy theories of a global monetary collapse to convince people to hand over their cash.

At the time, Michael was living with his wife and two children near Seattle. He ran a demolition business but was worried about his familys financial future. He knew that he wasnt going to be able to keep doing this work forever because its really hard on your body, his mother told CNN.

It was with those worries, and some other personal family problems, that the conspiracy theory sites began to suck him in.

Over time, his fear became palpable  the US dollar was about to collapse. He wanted his mom to cash in her 401(k) retirement savings and invest it into silver, she said.

He just was so adamant about the fact that he was afraid that we, his family, his sisters and me and his wife and his daughter was going to be left without if we didnt all understand that this was going to happen and that we didnt invest, she explained.

Colleen Protzman - CNN

After a few years, Michaels worldview had extended to conspiracy theories about the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre.

I think he became more isolated, his mother said. And the more isolated he became, the more he needed his family to agree with him, to believe everything that he believed. And we didnt.

Colleen Protzman agreed to speak to CNN in February this year because she wanted people to know who her son was before he had become an accused cult leader  in her eyes, the real Michael.

She spoke of a loving son, a hard-working dad, someone who was committed to looking after his family. She recounted one occasion when Michael was driving on Interstate 5 near their home in Washington state and spotted a family whose car had broken down in the pouring rain. Michael pulled over, helped the family get to a garage and new dry clothes. Thats the kind of person he was, his mother said.

But, she said, as the years went on and Michael fell further down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories, he began engaging with QAnon  the sprawling online delusion that claims former President Donald Trump is a hero set to save the US from an evil cabal of Satan-worshiping pedophiles.

It was quite the transformation  Michael had voted for President Barack Obama twice, according to his mother, and had been a fan of liberal icon Rachel Maddow. He thought she was fantastic, smart, right on, she recalled.

Eventually, conspiracy theories became all that Michael could talk about. His mother tried to help him debunk some of the misinformation he was sending her, but to no avail. Over time, he grew frustrated that his family refused to believe the same false claims he was espousing. His family grew frustrated, too, exhausted by his proselytizing.

CNN correspondent Donie O'Sullivan interviews Michal Protzman in Dallas - CNN

By November 2021, as Michael and his followers made headlines across the country with their bizarre gathering in Dealey Plaza waiting for the Kennedys to inexplicably appear, he was no longer living with his family, his wife was preparing to file for divorce and his business had shut down.

The fascination with the Kennedys emanates from a QAnon mythology off-shoot. The anonymous online account with a long history of false predictions and nonsensical posts at the center of the QAnon phenomena, dubbed Q, suddenly went silent for a period in 2018, giving way to another anonymous account that introduced the Kennedy narrative.

The conspiracy theory suggests, without evidence, that JFK Jr. didnt really die in a 1999 plane crash and that he is working with Trump to save America. Believers claim JFK Jr. will become vice president in the next Trump administration, with some going as far as to suggest JFK himself may walk among us again because he is Jesus Christ.

Indeed, some QAnon followers think this is wacky, and the original Q account, once it started posting again in 2018, disavowed the conspiracy theory. But still, the belief among some lives on.

Predator

He took my person, Erica Vigrass said, holding back tears.

Her brother Jason went to Dallas in November 2021 to witness what he believed would be JFKs return and remained there. He spent months in Dallas and traveling around the country with Protzman and his followers to Trump rallies.

Erica Vigrass - CNN

Jason, Erica believes, found Michael Protzman on Telegram, a social media messaging app that surged in popularity in the US after the January 6 attack on the US Capitol when major platforms like Facebook and Twitter shut down the accounts of prominent conspiracy theorists.

It was there Protzman found an audience, people who validated his beliefs in the conspiracy theories his family had been telling him for years were absurd. I remember him telling his friend Im on Telegram, and all of a sudden I have these followers, Protzmans mother recalled.

Protzman often delivered live sermons to his followers for hours at a time on Telegram. The long, meandering monologues included a dizzying use of gematria, the practice of assigning a numerical value to each letter of the alphabet (A=1, B=2, C=3 etc.). Protzman used gematria to try to prove connections between the likes of the Kennedys and Trump.

The nonsensical claims have nevertheless proven effective at drawing people in  Protzman had tens of thousands of followers on Telegram  including Erica Vigrass brother Jason.

Vigrass and other families whose loved ones left home to follow Protzman believed him to be a master manipulator who cut people off from their families and overwhelmed them with wacky theories and gematria.

Erica said her youngest daughter once told Jason she had a fear of being kidnapped. After that, Erica said, Jason began reading online about instances of child abduction, trafficking and abuse in the US.

These are very real issues. But online, the reports of crimes and the claims around them have been weaponized, with bad actors spreading disinformation designed to exploit one of our most basic instincts  to protect children. Democratic Party politicians and Hollywood celebrities have been labeled pedophiles and falsely claimed to be part of a cabal who abuse and traffic children.

It is a deeply unoriginal conspiracy theory that dates to the Middle Ages, when Jews were accused of using the blood of Christian children in rituals. But it has sustained through the centuries  perhaps because of the instinctive emotions it stirs among believers.

I think that one of the main things that caught Michaels attention was that there was such a concerted effort to harm children, Protzmans mother said. Theres this group, not only in our country, but in the world that controls everything. And their main thing is that they harm children in all kinds of awful ways. And that just set him off.

These people are lost, she continued, just like [Michael] became lost.

Protzman  just like Jason  was a victim in all this too, she believes. He fell down the rabbit hole the same way his followers had, he just went a lot further down it.

They werent forced to go to Dallas. Theyre not forced to be there, but they have been sucked in just like [Michael] has been sucked in, Protzmans mother said. He didnt start out to have a cult, she said, though she acknowledged that her son had become complicit in the problem.

After Michael Protzman died this summer, some of his followers refused to believe he had passed. Like JFK Jr., some of them said, Protzman had faked his own death. Indeed, some believed it was possible Michael was JFK Jr.

Colleen Protzman hoped her sons death might be an opportunity for his former followers to reflect and return to their families. Maybe they can put this behind them, she said, and realize that whatever they were following or looking for, at least as this part is, is done.

Beyond JFK

The cases of Michael Protzman and Erica Vigrass brother may sound extreme  and in many ways they are  but they are also illustrative of a wider problem gripping potentially millions of American families. Vigrass never imagined that the conspiracy theories her brother was airing at the kitchen table could lead to him to join what she views as a cult.

Take it seriously and know that its far more insidious than it might seem, Vigrass warned. If theyre speaking to you about it, the amount it has consumed them is quite possibly far greater than you can imagine.

Families are often the only ones who see the devastating harm wrought by conspiracy theories when a loved one becomes consumed by false information.

So much of the pain and trauma and destruction that QAnon is inflicting goes on behind closed doors, behind the scenes, said Jesselyn Cook, a journalist and author who has spent years talking to families contending with misinformation. Its not playing out in the news. Its not playing out in the public eye. Its happening at the dinner table. Its happening over the phone with your grandmother.

These dangerous, alternate realities have torn families and the fabric of society apart and manifested in a deadly attack on the US Capitol. The further one goes down the rabbit hole the more likely they are to encounter, and perhaps accept, racist and anti-Semitic hate, researchers say.

Diane Benscoter, a former member of the Unification Church (better known as the Moonies) who now runs Antidote, a nonprofit that helps people who have fallen victim to disinformation and cults, told CNN she has seen an explosion in people looking for help.

While there are an endless number of reasons why people have found themselves sucked into these alternate realities, all the families and experts CNN spoke with said a sense of belonging and community played a key role.

Bowling Alone, a seminal study published in 2000, documented the decline of social capital in the United States over the latter half of the twentieth century  in part by observing the decline in membership of bowling and other social clubs.

The social media networks that have emerged since have driven many of us apart. Earlier this year, the US Surgeon General said loneliness and isolation had reached epidemic levels.

Its led Benscoter, a self-described former cult member, to believe that the proliferation of conspiracy theories in 21st century America should be treated as not just a political problem, or a mental health problem, but a public health problem.

The threat, she said, goes far beyond the splintering of American families, with the attack on the US Capitol demonstrating the dangerous potency of these lies.

I think were at a real, real crisis situation, Benscoter said. I think that we could lose democracy.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Apple



"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



This story contains references to sexual assault and abuse. If you or someone you know needs support, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit rainn.org.



Spoilers below.

Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, and Cindy Crawford have been everywhere since their fashion domination in the 90s, from runways and magazine covers to red carpets and commercials. And now, theyre the subjects of a new documentary series. Aptly titled The Super Models, the four-part Apple TV+ series traces the stars illustrious careers, legacies, and impact on the fashion world and pop culture at large.

Directed by Roger Ross Williams and Larissas Bills and executive produced by the supermodels themselves, the project shows these titans of the industry not only at their peak but also in their humble beginnings and vulnerable moments. Through their stories, the series addresses larger cultural conversations like abuse in the modeling industry, impossible beauty standards, and shifting views on aging. And of course, it highlights the icons lasting friendship.

Here are some takeaways.



Linda Evangelista reveals she was in an abusive relationship.

Evangelista was married to Gerald Marie, an executive at Elite Modeling Agency, from 1987 to 1993; at the start of their marriage, she was 22 years old. Its easier said than done to leave an abusive relationship. I understand that concept because I lived it, she said in the series. If it was a matter of just saying I want a divorce, see ya, it doesnt work that way.

She didnt divulge specific details, but said, with her voice breaking, He knew not to touch my face, not to touch the money-maker, you know?

Evangelista said that eventually, Marie let me out of the relationship as long as he got everything. But I was safe, and I got my freedom.

Maries lawyer Celine Bekerman responded to Evangelistas account in a statement to People this week: Gerald Marie firmly objects to the defamatory and false allegations made against him. He refuses to participate in this dishonest media controversy.

Several women have come forward and accused Marie of sexual assault, which he denied. When Evangelista learned that her ex-husband had hurt and violated other women, it broke my heart, she said in the doc. But it emboldened her to open up too.

I never, never told my story, because I feared, she said. Thanks to the power of all these women coming forwardbless them, God bless all of themit gave me the courage, now, to speak.



In February 2023, French prosecutors closed an investigation into alleged rapes and sexual assaults by Marie due to the statute of limitations for public action. In a statement that appears in the docuseries, his lawyer says Marie denies claims of abuse and said he has never committed the slightest act of violence.

As for her feelings on Marie today, Evangelista said, I would love that justice be served. I would love for assholes like that to think twice and be afraid. And I would love for women to know that theyre not alone.



Apple

The group weighs in on abuse of power in the industry.

It wasnt just Evangelista; the rest of the models also spoke about the prevalence of sexual misconduct and predators in the modeling world.

Turlington was represented by Ford Models, which had previously partnered with Karin Models Agency, which was led by Jean-Luc Brunel. He had links to Jeffrey Epstein and was charged with sexual harassment and rape of at least one minor over the age of 15 in 2020, per NBC News. He died by suicide in his jail cell in February 2022.

In the doc, Turlington recalled that when she would go to Paris to work, Ford arranged for her to stay at Brunels apartment. Nothing happened, she clarified. Most of the time he wasnt even there. Later on, after the allegations about Brunel came to light, she got angry just looking back at her proximity to him. I cant believe that Im okay.

She added, Nothing really surprises me about anybody. I feel like even people you know, you just dont know what theyre capable of.

I think most of us are young, Crawford said of models who are just starting out and vulnerable to people in power. Youre put in an environment that is completely new to you.

Youre overpowered by an older man whos going to guide your career, you trust him, added Campbell. You know, same old story.

But the group was also able to find support in their mentors and friends, such as Steven Meisel or Gianni Versace. Campbell, for example, recalls her father-daughter relationship with the late Azzedine Alaia. The esteemed designer took a young Campbell under his wing, and she lived with him with her mothers permission. They were like familyshe still calls him Papaand he acted as her guardian. Once, an art director felt the need to tell me that he thought my breasts were perfect, that he felt the need to have to touch them, Campbell said. I called Papa immediately. I called Papa right away, and Papa called him up and read him. Never came near me again.



They talk about what it was like being photographed nude.

Evangelista remembered going to Japan as a teen for an early modeling job, which took a dark turn. When I got to Japan, [the] first thing they asked me was about nude photographs, and they wanted to take all my measurements and take your clothes off. And Im like, I just made a composite [card], and it had my measurements on it. And I didnt want to take my clothes off. I kind of freaked out. I never shouldve went there by myself. I went home.

But nudity didnt necessarily mean powerlessness if the model agreed with the concept and felt supported on set. That was a lot different from, say, getting snapped by paparazzi while getting undressed backstage after a runway show, which they touch upon later in the series.

Crawford, for example, chose to pose for Playboy, because it was exciting and different for her career, even if her agency pushed back against it. In fact, she took the photos during the same shoot she did with Herb Ritts for French Vogue, so they looked stylistically similarstill revealing and provocative, but more refined. Crawford said that it might have been a controversial gig, but if theyre my decisions, and I have control of it, thats empowering to me. Even if its doing Playboy. I never felt like a victim of that decision.

I dont feel like when Im nude that Im nude. It really depends on who Im shooting for. I could feel like Im totally clothed, Campbell said. Its the concept and the way when its tastefully done, I dont feel like Im nude.

If Im working with somebody that I trust and that I have respect for and I understand their vision, then I can take some risks, Turlington said.

They of course referenced the famous nude portraits by Ritts featuring Crawford, Campbell, Turlington, and fellow models Stephanie Seymour and Tatjana Patitz. We were naked, but we werent being sexy; there was a simplicity to being without clothes, Crawford said of the now-iconic group shot.

Misan Harriman - Apple

They helped put younger designers on the map.

Campbell, Crawford, Turlington, and Evangelistas presence at runway shows would garner so much press attention that designers were dying to cast them to create buzz around their brands. (After falling at a Vivienne Westwood show, Campbell even remembered designers asking her to fall on their catwalks just to generate press.) But some of the newer designers couldnt afford to put a supermodel in their roster, including Marc Jacobs in his early years.

He would ask agencies if any models would work for free clothes, and Turlington did. And then the next season when we did a show, Christy asked Cindy, then there was Naomi, then there was Linda, Jacobs said in the doc. The attention just kind of grew and grew and grew and grew, but it was all because of Christy.

Anna Sui and Isaac Mizrahi had similar stories.

WWD - Getty Images

Evangelista opens up about her CoolSculpting side effects and cancer diagnosis.

Evangelista first went public with her health issues resulting from a CoolSculpting procedure in a 2022 cover story with People magazine. In the doc, she further elaborates on why she took the treatment in the first place and how she handled the rare adverse effects on her body.

I cant like myself with these hard masses and protrusions sticking out of my body, she said.

She explained that she fell into a deep depression following the side effects, which led to years of hiding. She rarely left the house, except for doctors appointments. She hadnt worked in years, which left her heartbroken. I loved my job, she said.

Evangelista thinks scars are like trophies, but the physical damage of CoolSculpting, like protrusions on her body that she couldnt remove, was different. To be disfigured is not a trophy, she said.

I wish we could just really see ourselves in the mirror, non-distorted, without ever having seen ourselves with a filter or retouched, she reflected. She added that, at times after the procedure, she felt trapped with yourself that you hate.

In a 2022 Rolling Stone report, a rep for CoolSculpting said: CoolSculpting has been well studied with more than 100 scientific publications and more than 11 million treatments performed worldwide. Rare reported side effects can include paradoxical hyperplasia, severe pain or late-onset pain, and continue to be well-documented in the CoolSculpting information for patients and health care providers and sample consent form given to health care providers to use with patients.



In July 2022, Evangelista stated that she and CoolSculptings parent company settled a lawsuit, which she filed concerning her procedures, for an undisclosed amount.



In The Super Models, Evangelista opened up further about other health issues: She was diagnosed with breast cancer over three years ago, and she chose to have a double mastectomy, but the illness came back. Footage in the doc shows her in ongoing treatment. Shed also had Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome that would cause her lung to collapse, leading her to undergo multiple surgeries.

After coming forward with her health scare, Kim Jones invited her to close the Fendi show in September 2022. It was Evangelistas first runway appearance in 15 years.

Victor Virgile - Getty Images

Naomi Campbell speaks about the racism she felt in the industry.

What the white model was getting, I wanted it too, Campbell said in the series. But she faced more barriers to success than her white counterparts.

Before Campbell left England for the U.S. to pursue her career, her mother warned her about racism in America. I started to understand, culturally, that I was gonna have to work really hard to feel accepted, she recalled.

Naomi wasnt always booked to do the shows, Evangelista said. At the time, she didnt understand why. Naomi, I thought, was more beautiful, had a much more rockin body than I did and a better strut, and Im like, why arent they booking her? she said. So, she and her friends responded with collective action. I said to them, if you dont book her, you dont get me, Evangelista said.

Campbell confirmed: Linda and Christy absolutely put themselves on the line. They stood by me, and they supported me. And thats what kept me going.

The British model remembered that after getting booked on runways, ad campaigns then posed their own challenges. Sometimes she wouldnt be included and that used to really hurt me. There were other times she was hired simply to appease her. Then Id go to the shoot and sit there from nine to six all day and not be used, she said. It made me more determined than ever.

Apple

She also reflects on being labeled as difficult.

It was hard to be an outspoken Black woman, and I definitely got the cane for it many times, Campbell said. One of those instances was when she was working with modeling agent John Casablancas (who died in 2013) on a potential deal with Revlon, which she turned down once she learned shed be making significantly less than her counterparts. Campbell said when she left Casablancas agency, he then went to the media, portraying her as difficult.

Campbell also reflected on how the assassination of Gianni Versace, a close friend, in 1997 led her to turn to drugs to cover up the pain. Addiction is suchits just a bullshit thing. You think its going to heal that wound. It doesnt. Instead, it brought about fear and anxiety, and she got really angry, alluding to her past assault charges.

As for her feelings of abandonment, I tried to cover that with something, Campbell said. You cant cover it. I was killing myself.

My mistakes, Ive always owned up to them, she added. She chose to go to rehab, which was one of the best and only things I couldve done for myself at that time.

She also paid it forward; friends Marc Jacobs and John Galliano attested in the doc to Campbells support when they were struggling with partying or drug abuse, respectively.

They acknowledge the impact of gay culture.

The ballroom scene and queer community were inspired by the high fashion world, but the influence went both ways, the models say.

I really believe gay culture and the drag community helped me flourish, Evangelista said. Because theyre larger than life. Theyre like what I want to be, but bigger. Bigger and better. And with confidence.

She gave props to RuPaul and said getting name-dropped in his song Supermodel (You Better Work) is a major honor.

After all, their collaboration with George Michael, a trailblazing gay pop star and LGBTQ+ advocate, marked a major change in their career. He invited them to appear in his Freedom! 90 music video, which launched them not only into fashion stardom but also pop culture stardom.

The group also discusses beauty standards and aging.

The crew, who are all in their 50s today, opened up about aging in the modeling industry, which they started working in as literal teenagers. So many barriers have been taken down since I started modeling, Evangelista said. Age was one of them.



They used to say beautys not sustainable. Youth is not sustainable; beauty is, Evangelista later added. Theres a difference.

In one BTS clip, Campbell laughs off having hot flashes mid-photoshoot. She said at times shes thought about slowing down or pulling back on her modeling career, but her energy is still the same.

Crawford also briefly acknowledged that the beauty standards she and her peers embodied, especially at the height of their careers, werent very accessible or inclusive. They were the physical representations of power, she said. And where it gets tricky and hard to talk about is that some people dont fit that, and then theyre made to feel less beautiful.

As social media continues to democratize fashion and help uplift more diverse beauty standards, Crawford wondered, Maybe the idea of what a model is and represents now has picked up steam, and maybe thats a great thing She added, Theres all these different ideas of beauty now. And all of the sudden that is creating its own stars, its own momentum, its own energy, and its own ideas.

Apple

Theyve found fulfillment beyond modeling.

Decades into their careers, Campbell, Crawford, Evangelista, and Turlington have achieved so much beyond the runways, through motherhood, philanthropy, and their own businesses.

Becoming a mom, thats the most fulfilling thing thats happened to me, Evangelista said of her 16-year-old son.

For Turlington, fronting anti-smoking campaigns and supporting maternal health; for Campbell, supporting burgeoning designers, especially those from Africa; and for Crawford, her business endeavorsfrom skincare to furnitureand mentoring her two model kids, Presley and Kaia Gerber.

Turlington said that their longevity is the opposite of what she imagined her career would be like in the industry when she first started.



Watch The Super Models on Apple TV+

You Might Also Like
Migrant encounters at the southwest border rose nearly 27 percent from July to August, driven mostly by apprehensions made by the Border Patrol away from ports of entry.

U.S. officials last month encountered 232,972 people entering the United States without authorization through the southwest border, up from 183,494 in July, according to numbers released by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Friday.

CBP remains vigilant in the face of ruthless smugglers and transnational criminal organizations who exploit vulnerable migrants, the same criminal organizations trafficking in lethal drugs that harm our communities, said Troy Miller, the agencys acting commissioner.

Officials largely attribute the rising migrant encounters to smuggling networks that are professionalizing and adapting to deterrence and prosecution efforts in the United States, Mexico and Central America.

Unauthorized crossings at ports of entry remained essentially static at 51,913 in August compared to 50,846 in July, but the Border Patrols apprehensions between ports of entry jumped to 181,859 in August from 132,648 in July.

Our operational tempo along the border has increased in response to increased encounters, and we remain squarely focused on our broader security mission and enforcing U.S. immigration laws. We are maximizing consequences against those without a legal basis to remain in the United States, including by processing more individuals into expedited removal than ever before, said Miller.

The rising numbers came as little surprise to border officials, as movement along the migrant trail from Panama to the U.S.-Mexico border has been consistently high, filling shelters from Honduras to Mexico.

And officials expect border crossing numbers to remain high, regardless of U.S. border policy, with more reported migration along that route.

Still, the rise in apprehensions brought immediate GOP criticism of the Biden administrations border and immigration policies, with House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-Tenn.) saying the numbers represent a clear dereliction of duty.

The Panamanian government on Thursday reported its own border crossing numbers: 81,946 people crossed into Panama from Colombia in August, compared to 55,387 in July.

Migrants who cross Panamas Darien Gap usually take five or six weeks to arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Following an ongoing trend, the vast majority of migrants who crossed from South America into Panama were Venezuelans; Panama reported 67,200 Venezuelans and 8,642 Ecuadorians entering the country.

In July, 38,033 Venezuelans crossed into Panama, up from 18,501 in June.

Though Venezuelan migration to the United States is expected to remain high, about half of Augusts jump in border encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border was due to increases in Guatemalan and Honduran arrivals.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported encounters with 73,110 nationals of the two Central American countries in August, up from 48,153 in July.

Though Republicans have been quick to blame the Biden administrations border policies for rising migration, experts and officials say the connection between policy shifts and monthly figures is tenuous at best.

Nationals of Guatemala and Honduras are not eligible for the expedited parole processes for Cubans, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans and Haitians implemented by the Biden administration, meaning that policy likely had little effect on the bulk of the monthly rise in migration.

And though the Biden administration expanded Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela Wednesday, allowing more than 400,000 Venezuelans to live and work in the United States, that announcement came weeks after the rise in Venezuelan migration reported by Panama.

CBP did report that the end of Title 42, the pandemic-era quick repatriation border policy, made a big dent in recidivism  repeated attempts by the same individuals to cross the border illegally.

In August, only 11 percent of the migrants apprehended at the border had made an attempt over the previous 12 months, compared to a repeat encounter rate of 35 percent a year earlier, in August 2022.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Twelve Kansas City area CVS locations unexpectedly closed Thursday and Friday because the pharmacists in charge there staged an organized walkout, calling in sick to protest recent corporate decisions.

One pharmacist  who spoke to The Star on the condition of anonymity because, they said, speaking to the media without permission results in automatic termination at CVS  said the walkout was the result of steadily declining working conditions.

Most of the affected locations locally are inside Target stores.

Among the grievances:

 CVS has cut the number of working hours per week a pharmacist can have a technician (a pharmacists assistant) on hand. We are open 64 hours a week, and Im only allowed help for 20 of those hours, the pharmacist said. That means for 44 hours out of the week, the pharmacist is working entirely alone  filling prescriptions, answering phone calls, talking to doctors, waiting on walk-ups. Its like running a McDonalds with just one person.

 CVS has cut pharmacy hours at several Target locations. I used to be open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the pharmacist said. Now, were open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and closed on the weekends.

 Because the stores inside Target typically perform better than stand-alone core stores, the pharmacist said, a regional manager recently mandated that Target pharmacists be reassigned to core CVS locations to improve service there. Theyre having a harder time staffing the core locations because working conditions are so bad there, the pharmacist said. They (CVS management) think that because our locations have been more successful, we should be reassigned to help fix the core locations. Our district leader refused to implement that and was fired on Tuesday.

Amy Thibault, a spokesperson for CVS, told The Star on Friday: A small number of CVS Pharmacy locations in the Kansas City area are closed today due to unexpected staffing issues. Were making adjustments and plan to reopen as soon as possible. In the meantime, patients with immediate prescription needs can visit any open CVS Pharmacy for assistance.

The pharmacist said CVS decisions are putting patients at risk.

They keep stretching us thinner and thinner, the pharmacist said. I regularly work 10-hour days and dont have time to pee or eat lunch. When you are expected to work like that, there are going to be mistakes. At some point, a pharmacist is going to lose their license or get sued or a patient will lose their life because somebody didnt check for allergies or interactions, and it will be because of these policies.

A second CVS pharmacist who spoke to The Star on the condition of anonymity, again for fear of losing their job, said in an email that CVS uses an arbitrary algorithm to determine how many technician hours each pharmacy deserves per week. We are a healthcare facility and we need to be able to provide healthcare, but we absolutely cant under these conditions, they said.

Three pharmacists went back to work Friday, the first pharmacist said, out of concern for patients waiting on their prescriptions.

The CVS inside the Target at 12200 Blue Valley Parkway in Overland Park was closed Friday due to circumstances beyond our control, according to its automated phone line. The same was true at the CVS in the Target at 1850 N.W. Chipman Road in Lees Summit.

A stand-alone CVS store  9521 Mission Road in Overland Park  was also closed Friday.

The pharmacist said those who had walked out had not heard anything back from management.

Its been two days now and nobody has reached out to us to ask why or how they can help, the pharmacist said. Youd think theyd have questions, but not so far. Were not asking for more money. Were just asking for simple human decency.
President Joe Biden will head to Michigan to support striking autoworkers on Tuesday.

Mr Biden the made a statement on X as the United Auto Workers expands its strike across multiple plants.

Tuesday, Ill go to Michigan to join the picket line and stand in solidarity with the men and women of UAW as they fight for a fair share of the value they helped create, he said. Its time for a win-win agreement that keeps American auto manufacturing thriving with well-paid UAW jobs.

Earlier in the day, Mr Bidens campaign posted a video quoting candidates for the Republican nomination for president Nikki Haley and Tim Scott where they criticised Mr Bidens support for union jobs.

Last week, Mr Biden spoke in support of the auto workers as the union began holding its first strikes.

Leaders for the United Auto Workers had previously invited the president to join the picket line. Mr Bidens visit will be the first time in more than a century that a president so visibly supported striking workers. The last president do so was Theodore Roosevelt, who invited striking coal workers to the White House in 1902, Reuters reported.

Tuesday, Ill go to Michigan to join the picket line and stand in solidarity with the men and women of UAW as they fight for a fair share of the value they helped create.



Its time for a win-win agreement that keeps American auto manufacturing thriving with well-paid UAW jobs.  President Biden (@POTUS) September 22, 2023

Thousands of UAW workers launched simultaneous strikes at midnight on 14 September at three facilities operated by Ford, General Motors and Stellantis-owned Chrysler.

On 22 September, the union  which represents nearly 150,000 workers  announced an expansion of the strike to 38 parts and distribution locations across 20 states.

Union officials and auto companies remain far apart in negotiations over wages, benefits and worker schedules, among other issues. Leaders are asking for a 36 per cent pay increase over four years to match the growth of executive pay, as well as a 32-hour workweek, a return to traditional pensions, the elimination of compensation tiers and a restoration of annual and automatic cost-of-living adjustments, among other benefits.

Last week, Mr Biden threw his support behind striking auto workers. Mr Biden has previously pledged to be the most pro-union president. Mr Biden said that auto companies had seen record profits but that workers have not reaped the benefits.

Those record profits have not been shared fairly, in my view, with those workers, he said. Auto workers  deserve a contract that sustains them and the middle class.

Mr Bidens visit will come one day before former president Donald Trump hold a rally in Detroit instead of attending the second Republican presidential primary debate.

But Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller blasted Mr Bidens visit and said he only visited because Mr Trump was coming to Detroit.

If President Trump had said nothing, Biden would be giving UAW workers in Michigan the East Palestine treatment, he said referring to a train derailment in the village in Ohio. Many conservatives criticised Mr Biden for not visiting the area.

Similarly, Mr Miller blamed Mr Bidens electric vehicle mandates for the plight of auto workers.

Biden is still hell-bent on destroying all of the auto jobs hes purporting to care about, he said. His visit on Tuesday is completely meaningless unless he withdraws his Insane EV Mandate and rebukes his Green New Deal, which Biden will never do because he's beholden to the Radical Left Eco-Loons in California. Joe Biden cares more about his extremist liberal base than he does about auto workers in Michigan or anywhere else in the United States.

Alex Woodward contributed reporting
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Iran's decision to bar some U.N. nuclear inspectors suggests it is not interested in being a responsible actor on its atomic program, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday.

The comments suggested Washington is skeptical of Tehran's desire to engage seriously on restricting its nuclear program.

On Saturday, the head of the International Atomic Energy (IAEA) nuclear watchdog condemned Iran's move to bar multiple inspectors assigned to the country, hindering its oversight of Tehran's atomic activities.

Iran said it was responding to a call led by the United States and three European allies for Tehran to cooperate immediately with the Vienna-based agency on issues including explaining uranium traces found at undeclared sites.

One of the agency's key purposes is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons by verifying that states honor their obligations to use nuclear technology only for peaceful purposes.

The IAEA was responsible for verifying Iran's compliance with the defunct 2015 Iran nuclear deal, under which Tehran curbed its nuclear program in return for the easing of U.S., European Union and U.N. sanctions.

Efforts to revive that deal, which then-U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018, collapsed about a year ago and Washington has been searching for a new way to get Tehran to restrain its program.

"We tried to work indirectly with Iran as well as with European partners and even Russia and China to see if we can get a return to compliance with the Iran nuclear deal ... But Iran couldn't or wouldn't do that," Blinken told reporters.

"Just this past week we saw them remove IAEA inspectors who are critical to doing the work at the IAEA to - as best you can - ensure that Iran is consistent with whatever obligations it has," he said. "That is not evidence of an Iran that is interested in actually being a responsible actor."

Tehran's move, known as "de-designation" of inspectors, is allowed; states can generally veto inspectors assigned to visit their nuclear facilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and each country's safeguards agreement with the agency.

(Reporting By Humeyra Pamuk in New York and by Arshad Mohammed in Saint Paul, Minn.; Writing by Arshad Mohammed; Editing by David Gregorio)
NEW YORK (AP)  Daniel Pedro came to the U.S. from Angola five months ago. He works construction in the New York City borough of Queens. Kadija Tyler made the journey from Senegal to Harlem. She works in sales in a department store.

Neither is a full-time activist. But they and many others this week spent the first days of the U.N. General Assembly holding homemade signs decrying what they call abuses in their homelands.

Outside the enormous perimeter of police and barricades that surrounds the United Nations this time of year, there is a park dedicated to U.N.-centered protests. And a variety of dedicated groups show up in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza throughout the year to draw attention to their causes.

The General Assembly, the most inherently international event, is also the most American  a place where people raised unfree come to speak out because they can.

In official protest locations and just plain street corners, the heavily secured streets outside the United Nations complex were filled this week with people who said they were there protesting injustice because, after years of repression, they are finally in a place where they can.

They acknowledged that their action might not make a direct, immediate difference at home. But in many cases, that seemed secondary. Simply to be there  and to represent  seemed their most important priority.

Here are some glimpses of those outside the formidable security perimeter at the U.N. General Assembly  their causes, their thoughts, their motivations, their hopes of getting noticed.

CAUSE: ANGOLA'S MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY

WHO: Daniel Pedro, 22, from Luanda, Angola and living in the New York City borough of Queens.

WHAT: Holding a sign protesting Angolas ruling MPLA party and supporting the main opposition party  the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, known as UNITA. The MPLA won elections last year with 51% of the votes cast, extending its 47-year rule of the country, according to the electoral commissions results.

Pedro and three friends said on a street near the U.N. that they saw that as a move toward dictatorship. That government's heavy hand stands in contrast to the liberty that Angolans experience in the United States, Pedro said.

We dont get freedom there, he said of his home country. When people speak out, he said, the police stop them. They cannot say nothing.

In Angola we dont have freedom of expression. We are always tired of that,  he said. It feels good to be here to express myself.

Simply speaking out on behalf of fellow citizens made him feel like he was fulfilling his duty, he said.

I can do something for my country, he said. Even if it does nothing, what about my family?

CAUSE: A SENEGALESE OPPOSITION LEADER

WHO: Christiane Diagne, 52, a social worker from Montreal.

WHAT: Protesting in Manhattan on behalf of jailed Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who was put in intensive care last month after nearly three weeks of a hunger strike to protest criminal charges brought against him by Senegals government, his party said. Sonko was put in detention July 31 in advance of a trial in which he faces charges of calling for insurrection, conspiracy against the state and other alleged crimes.

Diagne and other Sonko supporters chanted in his favor in the designated General Assembly protest space. They said the direct effect of the protest mattered less than the fact that they were doing something.

For us, we have to do that, Diagne said. We want to be able to choose whos going to be our president.

Who do you want? Ousmane Sonko! When do you want him? Now! the group chanted. Police and local media watched, but paid little attention.

CAUSE: NAGORNO-KARABAKH

WHO: Tiran Antaplian, 42, of Queens, and Michael Nazaryan, 30, of California.

WHAT: The fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous, ethnic Armenian region inside the borders of Azerbaijan that has been a flashpoint since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The announcement of a cease-fire in Nagorno-Karabakh, just a day after Azerbaijan launched heavy artillery fire against Armenian forces, toned down fears of a third full-scale war over the region in the southern Caucasus Mountains, but not before people such as Antaplian and Nazaryan came out to to speak out on behalf of the Armenian side.

The region and sizable surrounding territories came under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by the Armenian military at the end of a separatist war in 1994. But Azerbaijan regained the territories and parts of Nagorno-Karabakh itself after six weeks of fighting in 2020.

All of our friends and families are basically hiding in a basement, Antaplian said before the ceasefire was announced. I barely sleep two hours a day ... But I know they are struggling much more in a dire situation than myself.

Given that, Nazaryan said, being out on the streets was a way to do even the smallest thing to feel better about.

Its a meeting of all the people who are making the decisions about the future and the safety of the world, he said. Its my right to raise my voice. Were here to raise our voice.

CAUSE: AMPLIFYING NGO GOALS

WHO: Carmen Correa, CEO of Pro Mujer, a group that works for the financial and health empowerment of women in Latin America.

WHAT: Getting attention and funding for their causes.

The General Assembly didnt draw just informal protesters who came to speak out on behalf of their causes on the streets outside. Many social organizations came to formally advocate for their causes at the U.N. or at one of the related meetings occurring along the General Assembly.

One was the 2023 meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative, where leaders of a a wide variety of groups came together to take advantage of a critical mass that they hoped would help them get attention and funding for their causes.

For NGOs, its a great space, Correa said. Its a unique opportunity.

After two years of meetings that were at first entirely remote due to the pandemic, and then partially hybrid, the 2023 General Assembly was providing an opportunity for organizations like Correas to meet and greet in a way that she and other NGO executive hope will benefit their clients.

Simply being able to see each other again is really transformative, she said. Theyre all here.

___

Michael Weissenstein, an editor for The Associated Press in New York, is a veteran international correspondent who has been stationed in Cuba, Britain and Mexico.
By Felix Light

NEAR KORNIDZOR, Armenia (Reuters) -The ethnic Armenian leadership of breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh said on Saturday that the terms of their ceasefire with Azerbaijan were being implemented, with work proceeding on the delivery of humanitarian aid and evacuation of the wounded.

Earlier, the Karabakh Armenians held another round of talks with Azerbaijani officials in the town of Shusha, three days after the ceasefire that followed a lightning 24-hour offensive in which Baku retook control of the mountainous region.

Work is underway too to restore electricity supplies by Sept. 24, the Karabakh Armenians said in a statement which also referred to "political consultations" on the future of the region, which they call Artsakh, and its 120,000 Armenian residents.

Russia's defence ministry said that, under the terms of the ceasefire, the Armenian separatists had begun handing over their weapons to Azerbaijan, including more than 800 guns and six armoured vehicles. Moscow has 2,000 peacekeepers in the area.

With Armenians suffering serious shortages of food and fuel after a months-long de facto Azerbaijani blockade, an aid convoy of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) headed into Karabakh on Saturday, the first since Baku's offensive.

The ICRC said in a later statement that the convoy had transported nearly 70 metric tons of humanitarian supplies, including wheat flour, salt and sunflower oil, along the Lachin corridor, the only road link from Armenia to Karabakh.

An ICRC team also carried out the medical evacuation of 17 people wounded during the fighting, it said.

Separately, Russia said it had delivered more than 50 tonnes of food and other aid to Karabakh.

More than 20 other aid trucks, bearing Armenian number plates, have been lined up along a nearby roadside since July. Azerbaijan said at the time this convoy amounted to a "provocation" and an attack on its territorial integrity.

PROTECTING CIVILIANS

Azerbaijan wants to integrate the long-contested region of Karabakh and has promised to protect the Armenians' rights but says they are free to leave if they prefer. Armenians say they fear they will be persecuted if they stay.

Azerbaijan's interior ministry said on Saturday its main task was ensuring the safety of the Armenian civilian population and that it was providing them with tents, hot food and medical assistance.

"We are also working on issuing documents to the Armenian population, passports and so on," ministry spokesman Elshad Hajiyev told Reuters. "There are already people who have applied to us."

U.S. Senator Gary Peters, who visited the Armenia-Azerbaijan border on Saturday, said the situation in Karabakh required international observers and transparency from Azerbaijan.

"We've heard from the Azerbaijani government that there's... nothing to worry about, but if thats the case then we should allow international observers in to see," Peters, a Democrat from Michigan, told reporters.

Armenia, which lost a 2020 war to Azerbaijan over the region, has prepared space for tens of thousands of Armenians from Karabakh, including at hotels near the border, though Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says he does not want them to leave their homes unless it is absolutely necessary.

Azerbaijan launched its "anti-terrorist" operation on Tuesday against Nagorno-Karabakh after some of its troops were killed in what Baku said were separatist attacks.

Karabakh was more militarised than Baku realised, Hikmet Hajiyev, foreign policy adviser to Azerbaijan's president, said on social media on Saturday, publishing a list of weapons and ammunition that had been seized in the past three days, including four tanks, 300 explosives and 441 mortar shells.

'ABANDONED WORLD'

Accounts of the fighting were chilling.

Armenui Karapetyan, an Armenian in Karabakh, said he was now homeless, holding just a few possessions and a photograph of his 24-year-old son who died in 2020, after leaving his home in the village of Kusapat.

"Today we were thrown out into the street - they made us vagabonds," Karapetyan told Armenia A1+, a partner of Reuters.

"What can I say? We live in an unfair, abandoned world. I have nothing to say. I feel sorry for the blood of our boys. I feel sorry for our lands for which our boys sacrificed their lives, and today... I miss the grave of my son."

Thousands of Karabakh Armenians have massed at the airport seeking the protection of Russian peacekeepers there.

Svetlana Alaverdyan, from the village of Arajadzor, said she had fled with just the clothes on her back after gun fights gripped the village.

"They were shooting on the right, they were shooting on the left - we went out one after another, without taking clothes," she told Armenia A1+.

"I had two sons - I gave them away, what else can I give? The superpowers resolve their issues at our expense."

(Writing by Guy Faulconbridge and Alexander MarrowEditing by Gareth Jones and Clelia Oziel)
Their friendship developed in high school as they managed life around Baptist dogma hostile to their sexual orientation and gender identity and relatives who initially were wary.

There was not a place for them in Texarkana, the east Texas city where they grew up.

In the years that followed, Jason Bradley and London Watson became roommates, first at an apartment in Arlington and later on a street off of Bluebonnet Circle in the Westcliff section of Fort Worth. They rented a 2,000-square-foot house and hung in the bedrooms wigs they wore in drag performances.

They also sold sex there.

They were together in the living room when they were shot.

During a robbery in December 2017, a sex customer shot Watson and Bradley, according to the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office theory. Bradley died on the hardwood floor. Watson survived for four and a half years in nursing facilities and a hospital, unable to feel or move her body below her middle chest because of quadriplegia caused when a bullet damaged her spine. She died in July 2022.

At the end of six and a half hours of deliberation a jury in the 371st District Court in Tarrant County on Friday found the customer, Fayaka Dunbar, not guilty of capital murder. The jury also rejected murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault and deadly conduct, the other crimes Judge Ryan Hill included in instructions to the jury under a defense request. If he had been found guilty of capital murder, the 32-year-old defendant would have been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the offenses automatic punishment when the state, as it did in the Dunbar case in February 2018, waives the death penalty.

Dunbar was released from custody an hour and half after he was acquitted.

The verdict was an extraordinary state court trial outcome. Most defendants indicted in Tarrant County on capital murder are at trial found guilty of that offense or of a lesser included crime.

Defense attorneys Mark Daniel and Matthew Smid argued the shooting was justified by self-defense and an advisory on the law of that defense was included in instructions to the jury. Bradley and Watson were shot when they placed Dunbar in abject fear, attempted to extort money from him and used their large bodies to assert control, Daniel argued.

The cause of Watsons death was an element of dispute at the 10-day trial. It was of particular importance in the case because one of the three capital murder counts alleged that Dunbar killed more than one person during the same criminal transaction. Dunbar was also indicted under the capital murder component that each killing occurred during the course of a robbery attempt.

The trials exploration of evidence occurred five years and nine months after the shooting in the 3500 block of Rogers Avenue.

Among the witnesses who testified was a third roommate who was inside the house when the shooting occurred; a detective who interviewed Watson in the hours after the shooting while the victim was in a trauma intensive care unit bed; DNA and firearm analysts; and a crime scene unit officer who recounted collecting an ejected cartridge casing from the fireplace mantel and others elsewhere, towels and a ball of cash from under a mattress.

Dunbar, who operated a forklift in a series of jobs assigned by temporary staffing companies after failed college and military stints, found a balm for depression in sex for which he paid cash. After a night shift on Dec. 8, 2017, Dunbar scanned the internet (whether he used a dating app or responded to a prostitution advertisement was in dispute) for sex opportunities. He found Watson, who offered to perform an act at a house about 100 yards from Bluebonnet Circle and about a half-mile south of the Texas Christian University campus in Fort Worth.

Though most of Dunbars previous paid sex encounters were with cisgender female escorts, Watson was a transgender woman.

He knew I was trans, Watson told homicide Detective Tom OBrien in an interview after she was shot. Dunbar confirmed it from the witness stand.

Bradley was a 35-year-old gay man who was a prominent drag performer known at shows as Bianca Starr.

Dunbar testified that when he arrived at the house, he was met at the door by Watson, who was upset by her customers tardiness. She grabbed Dunbars wallet and withdrew all of the cash inside it. Watson flung the billfold now missing five 20-dollar bills at Dunbar and led him through the house to a bedroom, he said.

Watson stepped into a bathroom to retrieve a wig and makeup.

After a completed sex act and a second act he rebuffed, Watson gripped Dunbars neck in a chokehold and lifted him from the floor, the defendant testified. Bradley and Waston weighed about 300 pounds. Dunbar weighs about 130 pounds.

Using a technique he learned in Marine Corps training, Dunbar freed himself from the hold and ran toward the front of house, he testified. The defendant was stopped in the living room by Bradleys body, he said.

According to Dunbars testimony, Bradley said, Got him. Youre gonna die. You aint going nowhere.

Bradley was attempting to rip Dunbars Adams apple from his throat when, facing away from Bradley and Watson, he fired aimlessly in order to escape, the defendant testified. Ejected cartridge casings collected from the house and projectiles from the bodies indicated Dunbar fired four rounds.

As Bradley held Dunbars neck and arm, the defendant pulled from a jacket chest pocket a Bersa pistol he began to carry after he was roughed up during other paid sex acts forays, Dunbar testified.

I couldnt fight these guys off, he said.

The defendants account was a lie and was in conflict with other evidence, Assistant Criminal District Attorney Allenna Bangs told the jury in a final argument. Dunbar sought prostitutes as robbery victims because he, expects nobody cares about them, she said.

After his arrest four days after the shooting, Dunbar was exasperated when presented with the arrest warrant.

He announced he did not, do it. And if I did it, it was self defense.

Bangs prosecuted the case with Assistant Criminal District Attorney Samantha Fant, who argued in her closing that Dunbar was guilty in each of the three ways the indictment alleged he committed capital murder.

Dunbar shot the victims when, after the sex act, the defendant wanted his money back, the prosecutor said. Watson and Bradleys sex work should not be a factor in determining the defendants guilt or innocence, she suggested.

Were they prostitutes? Yeah. We know that, Fant said.

Beyond the self-defense and cause of death defense arguments, prosecutors confronted three other hurdles.

 A bullet tore through Watsons scapula, and she suffered a complete spinal cord injury. She died on July 2, 2022, at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth. She was 36 when she was shot and 40 when she died.

Watsons death nearly occurred without anyone in a position to determine its cause being alerted to it. The hospital did not report it to the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office. A detective reading a social media post in which the the third roommate referred indirectly to Watsons death led the medical examiners office to confirm it.

But by then her body was at a funeral home in Texarkana and had been embalmed, a process in which fluid is injected into a body so that it, is not decomposing in front of everyone at a viewing, testified Dr. Stacey Murthy, a forensic pathologist who is the deputy medical examiner who performed the autopsy.

The body was returned to Tarrant County, and Murthy conducted an autopsy under a less-than-ideal circumstances. The bullet that caused Watsons paralysis and misery was removed. Murthy concluded Watsons death was caused by complications of a gunshot and its manner was homicide.

 Jeremy Rhoden, whom Bangs called a damn good detective in her closing argument, was the initial lead homicide investigator in the case. He died of a medical problem in July 2018. The case file that contained paper copies of reports for which there were also digital versions is missing. Daniel and Smid suggested the file may have held notes or other material. Rhodens colleagues searched the homicide unit office, a vehicle Rhoden used and his widow looked through his home office, but did not find the file.

 In March 2018, Tarrant County prosecutors filed an application to take a videotaped deposition of Watson. She died without being deposed.

The defense suggested there was evidence to show the cause of Watsons death was a condition other than a gunshot wound complication. She was morbidly obese and had HIV and diabetes. Watson also suffered deep bed sores for which she at times declined treatment and may have received substandard care, Smid argued.

But for the quadriplegia caused by the gunshot wound, Watson would not have died, the state countered.

Norman Fields, a third roommate at the Rogers Avenue house, was the only person beyond the deceased and the defendant who was inside the house at the time of the shooting, though there were conflicting accounts of what he saw or heard.

Fields testified that he woke to hear voices that were hostile or off.

He said he found in the living room Watson and Bradley insisting that a person whom Fields did not know should leave.

Fields testified the person suggested he was not going anywhere and soon was waving a gun as Bradley and Watson held up their hands.

The man pointed the gun at Watson, and she grabbed either the weapon or the hand of the person holding it, Fields said.

Fields testified that he turned to go to his bedroom to retrieve a vase. He heard shots and returned to the living room and saw his roommates on the floor and that the shooter had left. He called 911, and a recording of the call was twice played for the jury.

None of us wanted to die, Fields testified.

The state did not ask Fields whether he saw in the courtroom the person who shot his roommates.

After the verdict, a cousin of one of the shooting victims sat alone in a section of the gallery. Bangs turned from the prosecution table to apologize.

The relative grew upset and yelled across the courtroom to Dunbar.

Hes a murderer. Thats what you are, the woman said before she was ushered outside.

Dunbar did not break his forward gaze.
GUATEMALA CITY (AP)  Guatemalas top electoral authority said Sunday it blocked the suspension of President-elect Bernardo Arevalos Seed Movement, at least temporarily giving the party back its legal status and cutting off an attempt by opposing political forces to weaken him.

The decision by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal came days after the electoral registry suspended the party on a judges order. The Attorney Generals office is investigating whether there was wrongdoing in the gathering of required signatures for the partys formation years earlier.

The tribunal said the suspension could not stand because it did not come from an electoral body. Its decision holds until the official end of the electoral period Oct. 31, because Guatemalas electoral law does not allow the suspension of a party during the electoral period.

The Seed Movement had also appealed the suspension through the normal court system, but so far without result. It is expected that come Nov. 1, the party could be suspended again.

The c ongressional leadership had already used the suspension of the Seed Movement last week to make its seven lawmakers, including Arevalo, independents, which bars them from leading legislative committees or holding other positions of leadership in the Congress.

Arevalo, a progressive lawmaker and academic, shocked Guatemala by making it into an Aug. 20 presidential runoff in which he beat former first lady Sandra Torres by more than 20 points. Ever since Arevalo achieved a surprise second-place finish among a crowded field in the first round of voting in June, his party has come under attack.

The Supreme Electoral Tribunal recognized Arevalo as the winner and outgoing President Alejandro Giammattei has said he will begin the transition, but the Attorney Generals Office has been aggressively pursuing the Seed Movement on various fronts.

On Friday, the head of the Organization of American States electoral observation mission said the efforts appear aimed at keeping Arevalo from taking office in January.

Observers inside and outside Guatemala have warned in recent years that the country's democracy is in decline.

President Jimmy Morales, Giammattei's predecessor, expelled the United Nations-backed anti-corruption mission that had made impressive strides in dismantling networks of corruption that divert public monies to their pockets and had allowed drug traffickers to take ever-growing control of the country.

Giammattei weaponized the justice system, turning it against the same prosecutors and judges who had led that anti-corruption fight. His Attorney General and her anti-corruption prosecutor have both been sanctioned by the United States government as undemocratic actors allegedly involved in corruption.

Polls showed Arevalo's party with under 3% support heading into the first round of voting. But his message of taking up once again the corruption fight resonated with a frustrated population facing an array of candidates mostly promising more of the same.

His support expanded exponentially as he headed into the runoff last month. He ran a hopeful outsider's campaign against Torres, who was making her third presidential bid and couldn't shake the status quo reputation she picked up by helping to advance Giammattei's legislative agenda.

Voters spoke loudly, trying to give Arevalo an undisputable margin of victory. But the entrenched political and economic forces that stand much to lose under an Arevalo presidency have not rolled over. And as the president-elect said Friday, there are still four months before he takes office "during which these political mafias will try to consummate the coup detat.

__

AP writer Christopher Sherman in Mexico City contributed to this report.
PARK CITY, Utah (AP)  Jailhouse writings by a Utah mother accused of killing her husband, then writing a childrens book about death, have led prosecutors to accuse her of trying to tamper with witnesses, an allegation that her attorneys say is baseless.

A relative of Kouri Richins meanwhile went public in an interview Friday to assert her innocence  a development foretold by Richins writings filed in court days earlier. In that letter, which was found in a textbook in her jail cell, Kouri Richins wrote that her attorney, Skye Lazaro, would arrange for my girls to do an interview with Good Morning America.

We know Kouri is innocent. And all of that is going to come out in court. And I think thats going to shock people, said her brother, identified only as DJ in the Good Morning America interview.

Lazaro did not return phone and email messages Friday seeking clarification on whether DJ is the same brother who Richins referred to as Ronney" in the letter.

"When I got the news that Eric died, I broke down into tears. He was a good guy. I mean, he lived life to the extreme and eventually it got him," the brother said in the televised interview.

Prosecutors say Kouri Richins, 33, poisoned Eric Richins, 39, by slipping five times the lethal dose of fentanyl into a Moscow mule cocktail she made for him last year.

After her husbands death, the mother of three self-published a childrens book titled Are You With Me? about a deceased father wearing angel wings who watched over his sons. She promoted the book on TV and radio, describing the book as a way to help children grieve the loss of a loved one.

Richins attorneys point out that no drugs were found at the family home after her husbands death. Theyve also suggested that a witness, a housekeeper who says she sold Kouri Richins the drugs, had motivation to lie as she sought leniency in the face of state and federal drug charges.

Prosecutors on Sept. 15 filed a six-page, handwritten document they say Kouri Richins wrote and that a sheriff's deputy found in her cell in a prep book for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), according to court documents.

In the document, on which Walk The Dog!! is written in large letters at the top of the first page, Richins suggests a scenario in which Ronney" would have talked with her husband about his Mexico trips to get pain pills & fentanyl."

Reword this however he needs to, to make the point. Just include it all, reads the document. Apparently addressed to Richins' mother, the document closes by calling her the best mom in the whole world!

Prosecutors allege the document outlines potential witness tampering. Richins attorneys countered that those are "unsupported conclusions.

Prosecutors have decided not to seek the death penalty against Richins after conferring with the victim's father and two sisters.

A judge earlier this year ordered Richins to remain in jail pending trial.

Prosecutors say Richins planned at length to kill her husband, making financial arrangements and purchasing drugs found in his system after his March 2022 death.

Richins made major changes to the familys estate plans and took out life insurance policies on him with benefits totaling nearly $2 million, prosecutors allege. Her attorneys counter that the prosecutions case based on financial motives proved she was bad at math, not guilty of murder.

Richins, meanwhile, is facing a lawsuit seeking over $13 million in damages for alleged financial wrongdoing before and after his death.

The lawsuit filed in state court by Katie Richins, the sister of Eric Richins, accuses Kouri Richins of taking money from her husbands accounts, diverting money intended to pay his taxes and obtaining a fraudulent loan, among other things, before his death.
Missing mother Lauren Cook and her three children were last seen on 5 September, almost two weeks ago (Franklin County Police)

A Virginia mother of three, who has been missing for weeks, made contact with her mother and husband  but she refused to disclose her location.

The Franklin County Sheriffs Office told The Messenger that Laura Cook, 30, said she and her children  Benjamin, seven, Hannah, five, and Elijah, two  were fine. However, she did not reveal where they were.

But when asked about talking with her daughter, Lisa Tousa, declined to confirm to the outlet whether they had spoken this week. Ms Tousa previously told the outlet that Ms Cook was five months pregnant.

I will confirm that I am worried about my daughter and Im worried about my grandchildren, Ms Tousa said. My daughter and my grandchildren are still missing. No one knows where they are.

Ms failed to appear for her third scheduled court date at the Franklin County Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court. She failed to appear at the first two court appearances  on 5 September and 13 September  the second of which prompted a missing persons investigation.

By contrast, Mr Cook has shown up for court, the sheriffs office said: The husband has been cooperative with our office and has been attending any court dates that were set.

Since the children and Ms Cook disappeared, her husband, Jordan Cook, has sung to a different tune entirely from her mother.

Mr Cook said he was not concerned and insisted that they werent in fact missing.

Contrary to what has been reported, my wife and children are not missing. I have no reason to be concerned about their safety or well-being, he toldABC 13 earlier this month. I have heard from my wife, and Im sure she and my children are doing well.

The pair live in Ferrum, Virginia, and there are reportedly no records of 911 calls that would indicate signs of a domestic dispute.

A lot of times you see these situations where a parent loses custody and takes the kids and runs away. This doesnt seem to be like that, Sgt Megan Huston told The New York Post.

But theyre not originally from here so I cant say if something has or has not happened elsewhere, Im not privy to that information, she added. Its a complex situation that we have limited details on.

Despite her husbands claims, Lauren Cooks name will remain on the missing persons list until a law enforcement agency must make in-person contact, the sheriffs office previously explained.

Ms Cooks phone last pinged on 7 September in Lexington, a town about 90 miles from her home. There has been no activity in her bank account since she vanished.

Investigators confirmed earlier this month that Ms Cook and her kids were in Litchfield, Illinois on 14 September.

Its unclear whether the mother-of-three and her children were still in the state. It is believed that she and her three children could be travelling in a blue 2013 Chrysler van with Virginia tags.
An updated regulatory reform bill that legislators made public just hours before voting on it this week is raising a number of environmental concerns, ranging from the permitting process for a new natural gas pipeline to civil rights issues around the states hog farms.

A conference committee released the newest version of House Bill 600 Thursday afternoon, just hours before it was set for debate in the House and less than a day before the Senate voted on it.

The conference committee substitutes changes included new sections limiting how long the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality can consider water quality certifications for projects like MVP Southgate that involve the distribution or transmission of energy or fuel.

It kept a section addressing animal waste management systems like hog lagoons  language that some have argued attempts to keep North Carolina regulators from considering civil rights when writing permits.

Another provision in the wide-ranging bill requires the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services to prepare a human health risk assessment for 1,4-dioxane, a likely human carcinogen that has been detected throughout the Cape Fear River basin. The bill directs the N.C. Collaboratory to evaluate what technologies remove 1,4-dioxane from wastewater.

The House approved the new version 72 to 38, with five Democrats joining Republicans in support. The Senate approved it 25-16 on Friday, with those voting splitting along party lines.

Limiting hog waste permits?

A provision detailing what the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality should consider when writing general or individual permits for hog farm waste lagoons drew particular concern.

Environmental advocates argue the provision tries to limit what DEQ considers when deciding on the permits solely to what is included in state law, attempting to avoid federal rules such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Industry officials say the provision does no such thing, but simply clarifies what section of state law is used to permit the facilities.

Blakely Hildebrand, a Southern Environmental Law Center senior attorney, told The News & Observer that her reading of the language is that DEQs only consideration when writing a permit for hog farm waste management systems can be a specific section of state law.

The implication of that, Hildebrand added, is that regulators should not consider whether permitting those facilities would have a disproportionate impact on communities where Black or Latino people live, or communities where people with lower incomes live.

While I think theres a very strong argument that this particular change in the law is unconstitutional, it will nevertheless send a message to DEQ that it should not comply with federal civil rights laws when issuing permits for industrial animal operations in North Carolina, Hildebrand said.

The N.C. Pork Council, the industrys advocacy group, says the change does no such thing.

Instead, they said, it clarifies which section of state law governs how animal waste management systems are permitted. Right now, the lagoons and digesters could be permitted under two different sections of North Carolina law, while the change makes clear that General Statute 143-215.10C is the relevant law.

This is a minor change that simply clarifies how animal waste management system permits are issued. It does not change the way animal permits are currently issued or eliminate any existing requirements, Roy Lee Lindsey, the Pork Councils CEO, told The News & Observer in a written statement.

The Pork Council has long maintained that the locations of farms  and their waste management systems  do not constitute a civil rights violation. It commissioned its own study that it argues shows there isnt a disproportionate impact on people of color. The study found that the number of Black and other people of color living near hog farms was typically lower than those living in a wider radius, but it also showed that the number of white people living around hog farms is consistently lower than the proportion of white people recorded in the 2010 Census.

In 2017, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a letter of concern in response to a civil rights complaint, telling DEQ that it was worried the agencys handling of hog farm general permits may have been discriminatory against Black, Hispanic and American Indian communities.

That letter paved the way for an agreement between DEQ and environmental groups that included a temporary air study, increased engagement in the general permit process that oversees hog farms, and the development of North Carolinas environmental justice mapping tool, among other provisions.

Since that agreement, the Southern Environmental Law Center and environmental groups have filed another civil rights complaint against DEQ, this time arguing that the agencys permitting of biogas digesters that collect methane from lagoons on hog farms violates the civil rights of nearby communities. By allowing lagoons to be capped, they argued, DEQ is locking in a system of capturing waste in lagoons and then spraying it across nearby fields rather than considering better alternatives.

The EPA agreed to investigate the more recent complaint.

DEQ is in the midst of rewriting its general permits for hog farms, cattle operations and wet poultry facilities. That effort will also include separate permits for digesters at each kind of facility.

The permits are slated for four public hearings starting Oct. 5 in Duplin County and ending Oct. 26 with a virtual option.

During debate on the House floor just after midnight Friday, Rep. Deb Butler, a New Hanover County Democrat, warned that the Civil Rights Act and other federal laws would apply even in the likely event that the legislation passes..

Federal law is going to continue to apply despite our efforts to sidestep it, Butler said.

Rep. Jimmy Dixon, a Duplin County Republican who is one of the hog industrys most vocal supporters, rose Friday morning to support the bill.

The overwhelming number of our farms and livestock, our children and our grandchildren, my grandchildren, live on these farms, Dixon said.

He did not address the specific concerns raised about whether the provision is an effort to thwart consideration of federal civil rights laws in the state permitting process.

Helping MVP Southgate

Republicans in the General Assembly have made clear that they support the MVP Southgate project that would see a natural gas pipeline extended from southern Virginia into Rockingham and Alamance counties.

Opponents have argued the project is unnecessary and would result in environmental harm to add fossil fuel resources as the state continues its transition to renewable energy.

Supporters, like many legislative Republicans, argue there is only one natural gas pipeline into the state and that MVP Southgate is not only necessary for a backup supply but to meet the energy needs of increasing numbers of residents and businesses.

The newest regulatory reform bill kept a provision giving DEQ 30 days to deem a 401 water quality certification complete, the same certification that DEQ has twice denied to MVP Southgate. It also adds new time limits to DEQs review of an application, giving it 60 days to decide whether a permit complies with state water quality rules if theres no public hearing and 90 days if there is one.

The changes would also apply to dredging projects.

Rep. Mary Belk, a Charlotte Democrat, said on the floor that bill sponsors previously said the provisions are intended to help MVP Southgate.

The pipeline has a pending application in front of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to grant it special permission to complete the project in 2026, more than three years after it was originally slated to be finished. Belk noted that Cooper and dozens of legislative Democrats have opposed granting the pipeline special permission.

I dont think that North Carolina needs to do that, either, for that project, Belk said.

Should FERC grant the pipelines construction extension, it would still need environmental permits from both North Carolina and Virginia to proceed.

This story was produced with financial support from the Hartfield Foundation and the 1Earth Fund, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work.
Jill Dando at the NTAs in 1998, the year before her death (Alan Davidson/Shutterstock)

In the opening moments of the Netflix documentary Who Killed Jill Dando?, a genuine 999 call from the morning of the presenters attack is played. Hello, ambulance? The woman on the phone is audibly shaken. Im walking along Gowan Avenue. It looks like theres somebody collapsed and, confidentially, it looks like Jill Dando. Shes collapsed on her doorstep and theres a lot of blood. It doesnt look like shes breathing. Shes got blood coming from her nose, her arms are blue. The womans voice cracks and she begins to cry. Oh my God, no, I dont think shes alive.

Jill Dando, the golden girl of British television who fronted staple BBC shows from Breakfast News to Crimewatch, was shot dead on her doorstep in Fulham in April 1999. Twenty-four years later, her unsolved murder has become the subject of Netflixs latest true crime series, in which police, the press and Dandos agent and family are interviewed.

The story knocked the nation sideways at the time. Dandos death came less than two years after Princess Diana was killed in a car accident, and the pair had endlessly been compared for their warmth and their image. They even had the same hairdresser, who says in the documentary that Dando had the princesss famous cropped style first.

And it was a monumental story for journalists  as it was about losing one of their own. The documentarys executive producer Emma Cooper remembers where she was when she heard the news. I was working in the BBC as a researcher, so I was in the White City building, which is in Shepherds Bush, she tells me. I was in the same department as Crimewatch. And I remember just hearing it ripple around the building. This was before social media, so we were just getting hearsay, and we werent sure what was going on.

In grim scenes, the series shows Dandos own BBC News colleague, Jennie Bond, having to announce her co-workers death live on television. In life, Dando had presented Crimewatch, a programme that reconstructed major unsolved crimes in order to gain information from the public. In death, she appeared on the series as the victim at the centre one of those unsolved cases, while police struggled to nail down a suspect. One man, Barry George, was found guilty of the murder in 2001, but he had his conviction quashed as unsafe by the Court of Appeal in 2007, and was found not guilty, after a retrial, in 2008.

Hamish Campbell, the senior investigating officer on the case, is interviewed in the documentary. And he is clearly pained by the fact that Dandos killer is still walking free. As the series shows, within hours of Dandos death, reporters were flocking to the crime scene. The next day, Dandos face was on the front of every newspaper. With these high-profile cases, says Cooper, there is a huge amount of information coming in from everybody across England, which makes it very, very difficult to sift through what is a credible lead and what isnt. And the intersection with the tabloids and the police is very complex. I think that the tabloids did their job by keeping [the case] in the public consciousness, and I think the police were trying to do their best, but there was an enormous amount of information coming in. The police had an almost impossible task.

Cooper thought long and hard before embarking on the Dando project. When you tackle any story, before you do anything you have to ask, Why are we doing this? Does it sit right? What can I give to the audience? To the family? Because youre the one whos got to sit with all the stuff for nearly two years. And I was thinking about Jill, and Im older than she was when she died, and I just find it outrageous that its an open case. I think its really sad. And I think that you would want people to keep your memory alive. We checked that with [Dandos brother] Nigel and that was something that he wanted, too.

Nigel Dando and his father at a memorial service for Jill in 1999 (Haydn West/Shutterstock)

Once Dandos brother was on board, the project got the go-ahead. In a separate interview, he told The Independent that part of him his hoping that the documentary will help close the case. It might just jog somebodys memory as to what they were doing on the day: they may have a vital piece of information that they didnt think was important, or they prefer to keep hidden, he said. They may have known the perpetrator; or whoever killed Jill themselves may be watching, and even after 24 years, although Im not holding out too much hope, they may just suffer a prick of conscience and put their hands up and say, Yeah, it was me.

As a documentary maker, if conclusions come that you werent expecting, thats amazing

Another key person to bring in was Barry George, the man who was freed in 2008 after spending years in prison for the murder. George was an eccentric. In 1999, he was going by the name of Barry Bulsara and claiming to be the cousin of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. He had previously been convicted for attempted rape and indecent assault, and had been arrested in the grounds of Princess Dianas home while carrying a length of rope and a hunting knife. He was living just half a mile from Dando in Fulham. The police had received several calls about him acting strangely in the days after Jills death, and a witness claimed to have seen him on Gowan Avenue the morning of the killing, but officers didnt follow up on these calls until months after the murder. George was eventually arrested in May 2000.

Barry George and his sister Michelle in 2009 (Shutterstock)

At his flat, which was in a state of squalor, police found a gun holster, news coverage on Jill Dando, hundreds of pictures of women in the street who George had photographed without their knowledge, magazines about firearms, and a coat with gunshot residue in the pocket. This final piece of evidence was enough to charge him with, and after a hugely publicised trial in 2001, a jury found him guilty of Dandos murder. In the documentary, an archival clip of Huw Edwards is shown, the presenter gravely announcing the verdict on BBC News.

Six years later  after a fight led by Georges sister and owing to key developments in forensic science  doubts were raised over the importance of the gunshot residue and his conviction was quashed. George walked free the following year. He now lives in Ireland. Given that George has retreated from the public eye and has learning difficulties, the documentary team thought it best to approach him through his sister, Michelle Diskin Bates. We thought that that was the most appropriate thing to do, Cooper says, because his sister very much guides him and knows him. So we were very transparent with her, and she introduced us to him and guided us through what the best way of interviewing him would be. This meant taking lots of breaks, being very clear with George about the questions and giving him plenty of time to respond. Its quiet here, George says in the documentary, while speaking about his new home in Ireland. Youre treated like a scab in London, but youre not here.

A picture of Barry Georges flat used as an exhibit in his trial (Shutterstock)

In one extraordinary scene in the show, George  who has always maintained his innocence  asks Cooper to step in front of the camera with him and be, in his words, his guinea pig. He proceeds to act out pushing Cooper to the ground, in a bid to show that if he had shoved Dando to the ground he would have been covered with blood and gunshot residue. I wasnt expecting that moment, says Cooper now. He wanted to demonstrate something that he feels demonstrates that he couldnt be guilty. She says she and her team talked about whether to include the footage for a long time, ultimately deciding it should stay.

George is just one of many former suspects featured in Who Killed Jill Dando? We also meet Bob Wheaton, Dandos former partner and boss at Breakfast News. Dando had given Wheaton 35,000 towards a property and police questioned Wheaton about this. But he was quickly eliminated from their enquiries. They also took an interest in Dandos agent Jon Roseman, who had written a book about a celebrity agent whose clients start being murdered by a serial killer. But he was ruled out. And there was serious consideration that the killing could have been a political assassination carried out by a Serbian gunman  Dando had recently done a TV appeal for Kosovan refugees and victims of the Balkans War  or a criminal taking revenge for her work on Crimewatch.

Jill Dando presenting in 1997 (South Coast Press/Shutterstock)

Everybody in the show has a theory. KC Michael Mansfield, who defended George at the first trial, suggests that indentations on the cartridge casing found at the scene point to Serbia. Senior investigating officer Campbell maintains his opinion that Georges guilty verdict, which has since been overturned, was the right verdict. He says the case keeps resurfacing in the news because people like a mystery. But I dont think its a mystery at all. Dandos former agent Roseman, meanwhile, argues that if anybody thinks Barry George did it, they need to get help. Dandos brother Nigel thinks it was a random killing by a stranger.

What about Cooper? I dont have an opinion, she insists. Its not my role to have an opinion. I just assess the facts to give the audience a truthful account of some of the many things that happened surrounding the crime over the years. As a documentary maker, if conclusions come that you werent expecting, thats amazing, but it cant be an expectation.

Who Killed Jill Dando? is out on Netflix on 26 September
KAMPALA (Reuters) - Uganda said on Saturday it would mediate between Somalia and the breakaway region of Somaliland to facilitate reunification after a more than three-decade split.

President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda agreed to take up the role after a visit on Friday by a special envoy from Somaliland, Jama Musse Jama, according to a presidency statement.

"President Museveni agreed to be the unification facilitator between Somaliland and Somalia," it said.

Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991 but has not gained widespread international recognition for independence. It has been mostly peaceful while Somalia has undergone civil war.

"We don't support secession because strategically, it is wrong," Museveni was quoted in the statement as telling the envoy.

Reunification would potentially strengthen the Horn of African country's capability to tackle challenges including an insurgency by the Islamist group al Shabaab.

(Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
NEW YORK (AP)  The Biden administration pledged $100 million on Friday to support a proposed Kenyan-led multinational force to restore security to conflict-ravaged Haiti and urged other nations to make similar contributions.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the U.S. would provide logistics, including intelligence, airlift, communications and medical support to the mission, which still needs to be approved by the U.N. Security Council. Other than Kenya, which would head the operation, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Antigua and Barbuda have pledged to deploy personnel.

Blinken urged the international community to pledge additional personnel as well as equipment, logistics, training and funding for the effort to be successful.

The people of Haiti cannot wait much longer, he told foreign minister colleagues from more than 20 countries that have expressed support for the mission.

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry echoed Blinken's urgency, telling the U.N. General Assembly on Friday that police and military personnel are needed, and that the use of force remains essential to create an environment in which the state can function again.

He noted that crimes committed by gangs include kidnapping, pillaging, fires, the recent massacres, sexual and sexist violence, organ trafficking, human trafficking, homicides, extrajudicial executions, the recruitment of child soldiers (and) the blocking of main roads.

Democracy is at peril. Our country needs a return to normalcy, Henry said.

Blinken said it was imperative for the Security Council to authorize the mission to Haiti as quickly as possible so the force could be operational in the next several months. He stressed, however, that international assistance could be only one part of Haitis recovery from years of corruption, lawlessness, gang violence and political chaos.

Improved security must be accompanied by real progress to resolve the political crisis, he said. The support mission will not be a substitute for political progress."

In his speech, Haiti's prime minister pledged to hold elections as soon as practically possible." He said that, in the coming days, he would take the steps necessary for electoral consensus with support from the international community and keep speaking with all political actors and civil society leaders.

Blinken also hosted a closed-door meeting Friday to talk about Haiti, the needs for the proposed Kenyan mission and the outcome of a trip to Haiti that top Kenyan officials made in August. More than 30 countries attended the meeting, and at least 11 of them made concrete commitments of support, according to a U.S. senior official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the deliberations.

It wasn't clear what kind of support was pledged, and the official did not comment on where China and Russia stand regarding a possible U.N. Security Council resolution that would authorize the Kenyan mission.

On Wednesday, Kenyan President William Ruto said his country was committed to leading a multinational force in Haiti to quell gang violence as he established diplomatic ties with the Caribbean country. The U.S. has said it would submit a U.N. resolution authorizing such a mission, but not timetable has been set as international leaders and U.N. officials urge immediate action, noting that Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry made the request for an immediate deployment of a foreign armed force in October.

The safety, the security, the future of the Haitian people and people across the region depend on the urgency of our action, Blinken said.

Kenyas offer to lead a multinational force has been met with some skepticism from Haitians and Kenyans alike.

Gang violence has surged in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas in recent months, with 1,860 people reported killed, injured or kidnapped from April to June, a 14% increase compared with the first three months of the year, according to the latest U.N. statistics.

Criminals feel that they are all powerful, and this is unacceptable, Henry said.

Gangs have overwhelmed Haiti's National Police, which is under-resourced and understaffed, with roughly 10,000 active officers for a country of more than 11 million people.

Gangs are now estimated to control up to 80% of Port-au-Prince and have grown more powerful since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. Nearly 200,000 Haitians have been forced to flee their homes as gangs pillage communities and rape and kill people living in areas controlled by rival gangs, a tenfold increase in the past two years, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

More than 20,000 displaced Haitians are living in crumbling and unhygienic shelters where gangs prey on young children and try to recruit them. Henry noted that the country's extreme poverty, with about 60% of the population earning less than $2 a day, is prompting people to join gangs.

It is fertile land for recruitment, he said.

Gangs also have seized control of key roads leading into Haiti's northern and southern regions, disrupting the distribution of food as Haiti this year joined Somalia and other countries already facing or projected to face starvation. More than 4 million people in Haiti are experiencing high levels of acute hunger, and 1.4 million are at emergency levels, according to the U.N. World Food Program.

I call for support," Henry said, so that we may turn the page on this dark time in our history.

___

This story has been updated to clarify that it was U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, not U.S. President Joe Biden, who hosted Friday's closed-door meeting on Haiti.

___

Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
A 43-year-old woman vacationing in Greece was diagnosed with cancer  and told that she had to stay in the country to receive immediate treatment.

Sandra Gutierrez arrived in Crete late last month ahead of a destination wedding. When she landed, she noticed bruising on her arm and decided to get checked out, per Today.com.

Ms Gutierrez had suffered from anaemia in the past, so, initially, she wasnt concerned. But when she sought medical help, she was shocked to find out she had a type of cancer called acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL). She was hospitalised and told she could not travel.

I have to be here for at least a month, she told Today.com. With [my condition], the sooner the treatment, the better, and it has to be in-hospital treatment. There are certain things my body has to do before they can say I can safely go back [home] on a commercial flight.

Ms Gutierrez said she decided to see a doctor after a friend with medical training prompted her to do so. I noticedan anaemia rash, which is like purple [spots]. I called one of my best friends, who is a [physicians assistant], and shes like, Sandra, go get your blood done. In addition to the rash, Ms Gutierrez said she had recently experienced an unusually long period that lasted three weeks.

When she saw a doctor, she was told she needed emergent care. But she had trouble communicating with her care team due to the language barrier. To make sure she was understanding correctly  and that she really did need to go to an emergency room  Ms Gutierrez sent the results of her bloodwork to her friend who had urged her to seek help. She agreed that something was wrong, and Ms Gutierrez went to a local hospital. A few days later, she was diagnosed with cancer.

Our world got turned upside down, Ms Gutierrez said. The doctors initially didnt believe that I was not in pain. But I swear, I was not in pain. I [had] a lot of energy. I didnt see any other signs. Upon hearing that she couldnt leave the hospital, Ms Gutierrez said, I knew I was in trouble.

ALL affects the blood and bone marrow, per the Mayo Clinic. It is the most common type of cancer in children, and it progresses rapidly; its considered rare in adults. Symptoms of the illness include bone pain, fever, bleeding gums, frequent infections, severe or frequent nosebleeds, pale skin, weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, decreased energy, and lumps in the neck caused by swollen lymph nodes. These lumps may also be found in the groin, armpits, or abdomen.

Some symptoms of ALL can look like flu-like illness, but flu symptoms will eventually go away. If these symptoms persist, you should make an appointment with a doctor.

ALL is caused by DNA mutations, but researchers dont know what causes them. Some people may be at higher risk for ALL, including those with genetic disorders, those who have been exposed to radiation, and people who have gone through previous cancer treatments.

If a doctor suspects a person is suffering from ALL, they may order a variety of different tests to confirm the diagnosis, including a bone marrow test, a blood test, a spinal fluid test, or imaging tests.

How severe a persons case is is often determined by their age, the results from their lab tests, and the genetic changes of their leukaemia cells.

Treatment for ALL falls into four different phases, all of which are aimed at killing leukaemia cells. Some patients may have chemotherapy drugs injected into the fluid around the spinal cord. It is dangerous for people with ALL to fly, which is why Gutierrez has had to remain in Greece the last several weeks.

Despite the stress shes recently endured, Ms Gutierrez said shes grateful for the support shes received during this difficult time. Everybodys reaching out to me, so that has energised me and given me perspective, she said.

The experience has also taught her to be cognizant of what her body is trying to tell her. [Take] that time to slow down and really [hear] your body, she said. I wasnt slowing down enough, and I really think its important for women to take care of these mysterious illnesses.

In the end, she said shes happy her experience has allowed her to meet the people shes met over the last few weeks, since arriving in Greece. Im taking this as a blessing, she said, where I get to connect with folks that I wouldnt have otherwise.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky called on Canada to stay with his country in its war against Russia, in his first visit to the country since the start of the invasion.

The Ukrainian president arrived in Canadas capital Ottawa late on Thursday night and addressed the parliament on Friday where he sought to bolster support from Western allies for Ukraines war.

Moscow must lose once and for all. And it will lose, Mr Zelensky said during his address on Friday.

He repeatedly thanked Canadians for financial support and for making Ukrainians fleeing war feel at home in Canada, prompting a number of standing ovations from dignitaries and parliamentarians.

Mr Zelensky said Canada has always been on the bright side of history in fighting previous wars and said it has helped saved thousands of lives in this war with its aid to Kyiv.

Canada is home to about 1.4 million people of Ukrainian descent, close to 4 per cent of the population.

More than 175,000 Ukrainians have come to Canada since the war started and an additional 700,000 have received approval to come as part of an initiative that supports temporary relocation of those fleeing the war.

The initiative allows for an open work permit for three years with pathways to permanent residency and citizenship.

In his speech Mr Zelensky linked the suffering of Ukrainians now to the 1930s genocide caused by Stalin, when the Soviet leader was blamed for creating a man-made famine in Ukraine believed to have killed more than 3 million people.

He also noted that it was in Edmonton, Canada, where the worlds first monument was erected in 1993 to commemorate the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide.

The Ukrainian president expressed hope that a monument would one day be raised in Canada to Ukraines victory over Russias invasion, maybe in Edmonton.

I have a lot of warm words and thanks from Ukraine to you, Mr Zelensky said in prime minister Justin Trudeaus office before his speech.

You have helped us on the battlefield, financially and with humanitarian aid. ... Stay with us to our victory.

It is Mr Zelenskys first visit to Canada since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. He previously addressed the Canadian Parliament virtually after the war started.

Mr Trudeau called the visit an opportunity to show Mr Zelensky how strongly and unequivocally we stand with Ukraine and announced an additional $650m Canadian (394m) over three years for 50 armored vehicles that will be built in Canada.

We are shifting our approach to provide multiyear assistance to ensure Ukraine has the predictable support it needs for long term support, Mr Trudeau said at a news conference.

Mr Zelensky and Mr Trudeau also attended a rally in Toronto with the local Ukrainian community late Friday.

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau (R) and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky interact on stage during a rally at Fort York in Toronto, Canada (Getty Images)

The visit comes as cracks begin to appear in the united Western front backing Ukraine for the last 19 months of gruelling war against Russia with hard-right Republicans led by Donald Trump becoming increasingly hostile to sending more aid and key partner Poland saying it will no longer send arms to Kyiv.

Ukrainian troops are struggling to take back territory that Russia gained over the past year and with no end to war in sight, Mr Zelensky has a hard road ahead to keep the momentum in favour of Kyiv going, a task for which allies like Canada play a key role.

Additional reporting by agencies
Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is again calling for a U.S. Secret Service protective detail to be assigned to him following an incident at a campaign event last week involving an armed man who now stands accused of impersonating a police officer.

Since then, Kennedy's campaign has highlighted his family's history of assassination and the recent security scare as examples of the increased threat environment he faces amid his campaign to defeat President Joe Biden.

"Although it is a well-known historical fact, apparently, in your case, it bears repeating: Mr. Kennedy's uncle, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated. Mr. Kennedy's father, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, was assassinated while a presidential candidate," Kennedy's campaign manager Dennis Kucinich said earlier this week in an open letter addressed to Biden and circulated to the press.

MORE: Armed man arrested at RFK Jr. campaign event in Los Angeles charged with misdemeanors: LAPD

According to a statement from the campaign, Kennedy's private security team, provided by Gavin de Becker and Associates, detained 44-year-old Adrian Paul Aispuro after being arrested at Kennedy's speech on Hispanic Heritage Month last Friday for allegedly being armed with two pistols and a fake U.S. Marshal's badge.

While the Los Angeles District Attorney's office declined to file felony charges, the city's attorney decided to charge Aispuro with carrying a loaded firearm, carrying a concealed weapon and impersonating an officer and was released on bond Friday. Aispuro's attorney did not immediately return ABC News' request for comment

In response, Kennedy praised the "alert and fast-acting protectors from Gavin de Becker and Associates" and the LAPD but said he was "still entertaining a hope that President Biden will allow me Secret Service protection." The president doesn't typically determine who receives Secret Service protection -- that decision falls upon the secretary of Homeland Security, who consults with an advisory committee made up primarily of congressional leadership, according to Secret Service.

PHOTO: FILE - Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at a Hispanic Heritage Month event at Wilshire Ebell Theatre, Sept. 15, 2023 in Los Angeles. (Mario Tama/Getty Images, FILE)

In a statement to ABC News on Thursday, a spokesperson for the Secret Service said they were briefed on the event.

"We understand no one was injured and it was excellent work by LAPD officers who quickly determined the man was an imposter," the statement said.

Last week's incident followed another in mid-July involving a man who the campaign said broke into Kennedy's home while he was out of town.

In a memo posted to Kennedy's SubStack, the CEO and founder of the company providing Kennedy's security and a top PAC donor, Gavin de Becker, said that "the intruder was subsequently arrested, after which it was confirmed that he had a history of delusional ideation regarding the candidate, having been arrested a year earlier in a similar approach."

Kennedy's campaign did not return a request for comment seeking additional details on the alleged break-in.

The history: Who has received protection and when?

Kennedy's initial request for Secret Service protection was rejected after Department of Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a July letter that, after consulting with a bipartisan congressional advisory committee, it was determined a detail was "not warranted at this time."

Kennedy has since been vocal in his desire to receive Secret Service, posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, after the rejection, "Since the assassination of my father in 1968, candidates for president are provided Secret Service protection. But not me."

PHOTO: The Department of Homeland Security logo is seen on a law enforcement vehicle in Washington, March 7, 2017. (Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Still, his campaign events in Iowa and New Hampshire, which sometimes draw several hundred people, often feature a visible security presence from Kennedy's private detail. Controlled entry and exits, bag searches and magnetometers are all commonplace -- and appear to have assisted in spotting Aispuro last week.

On Thursday, Kennedy's campaign circulated a fundraising appeal featuring de Becker and referencing Kennedy's lack of Secret Service and the cost to the campaign, claiming that as much as 30% of its budget goes to private security.

"I'm reaching out to you today in what is probably the most unusual fundraising request ever in presidential politics," de Becker said in the video. "It's because they've refused to provide Secret Service protection that 30 cents of every dollar donated to RFK Jr.'s campaign has to go to security. Normally, none of it would."

The Secret Service is legally required to protect presidential and vice presidential candidates and their families 120 days out from a general election -- a measure taken in response to the assassination of Kennedy's father, Robert F. Kennedy, while campaigning for the Democratic nomination. However, DHS acknowledged in its 2024 budget overview that recent requests for candidate protection were coming in earlier than in the past.

"In recent general elections, presidential campaign seasons have  commenced earlier than previous campaigns, often with direction given to the Secret Service to provide commensurate protection for this longer period," the department stated, adding that "candidates who meet the DHS's qualifications to be 'major presidential candidates' typically start to receive Secret Service protection in the winter before an election and, in some cases, through the primary elections in the spring."

A July memo from de Becker detailing the process Kennedy's campaign went through to apply for Secret Service protection and posted to Kennedy's Substack showed that its original request came nearly 18 months before the general election -- unusually early and an outlier compared to recent cycles, according to an analysis by ABC News of candidates' protective details.

MORE: RFK Jr. comes from a famous line of Democrats. But could a third-party run be in his future?

DHS did not respond to ABC News' repeated requests for comment on Kennedy's security request.

According to John Cohen, former acting undersecretary for intelligence at DHS and an ABC News contributor, candidates historically did not receive protection during or ahead of primary elections.

"If you look back historically, Secret Service protection usually was not provided, except under sort of unusual circumstances, to candidates until they received the nomination of the party. Over the last several decades, though, we've seen situations where requests have been made during the primaries," he said.

Since 2008, 10 candidates have received security through the Secret Service more than 200 days out from the general election (excluding former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who already had a detail as a former first lady).

In 2007, former President Barack Obama became the earliest candidate in history to receive a security detail, according to the Secret Service, 18 months before the general election.

Three candidates started receiving protection roughly one year from Election Day: former President Donald Trump and Ben Carson in 2015, and Herman Cain in 2011, who began receiving protection over unspecified threats.

At the time, a spokesperson for the Secret Service told Politico of Cain's detail, "Historically, it's not that unusual," and noted that Sen. Ted Kennedy and Rev. Jesse Jackson received protection at similar points to Cain during their candidacies in 1980 and 1984, respectively.

Contemporaneous reporting from The New York Times showed that five candidates during the 1980 electionwho met thresholds set by a congressional advisory committee were provided security in January, roughly 11 months before the election, contradicting a claim from Kennedy's team on Friday that those candidates were provided protection "more than 600 days before the election" that year.

According to the Times report, the issuance of Secret Service details to candidates that year came "later than it did for the 1976 campaign, when Secret Service protection began in October 1975, but earlier than in the previous campaign, when it began in March 1972."

And in 1984, according to another report from the Times, several candidates again received protection beginning in January.

Based on historical experience, the department said it is anticipating that there "may be upwards of six candidates receiving protection" from the agency this cycle. So far, at least two candidates have Secret Service on the trail: Trump and Biden, who are legally entitled to it.

"In RFK's case, though, it's an interesting question," Cohen said. "Clearly, his family has been targeted. He has a very recognizable name, you know, for better or worse. There are still people who harbor resentment towards the Kennedys."

PHOTO: FILE - Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivers his political soapbox speech at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa, Aug. 12, 2023. (Scott Morgan/Reuters, FILE)

Don Mihalek, a retired senior special agent with the Secret Service and an ABC News contributor, noted that it was not unusual for candidates to have private protection, and that would not preclude candidates from receiving a Secret Service detail.

"When President Trump was running [in 2015], he had a pretty robust security operation around him," Mihalek said. "But once he hit the markers that afforded him Secret Service protection, he took it, and then his private security sort of fell away."

Kennedy's request has become political as some Republicans work to paint Biden as uncaring and bolster his Democratic challenger. Last week, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tx., criticized Biden for the decision, saying the president "shouldn't mess around" given Kennedy's family history.

"Surely, this admin wouldn't put a man's life at risk rather than concede that RFK Jris a major candidate," Cruz posted to X.

The criteria: How does a candidate qualify?

The Secret Service's website lays out several factors that the DHS and the advisory committee would consider in assigning a candidate a protective detail, including but not limited to a Real Clear Politics national polling average of 15% or greater for over 30 days, a risk assessment conducted by the agency and the level of campaigning that is occurring nationally.

In a July letter written prior to the rejection and featured on Kennedy's Substack, Kucinich maintained that Kennedy had met those requirements.

"He polled above the threshold, has been actively campaigning on a national basis, operates a national campaign apparatus, has appeared before thousands of audience members at events in many states, regularly appears as a candidate on national network news programs, town halls, podcasts, interviews, is producing campaign materials, advertisements, and websites, is successfully fundraising, and has assembled a large campaign staff," Kucinich said.

MORE: RFK Jr. super PAC got $5M from megadonor who had backed Trump

Kennedy did have a Real Clear Politics average of over 15% for about two months between April and June, but his numbers have since fallen. As of Friday, Kennedy is at 14.3%.

Mihalek said the DHS and the advisory committee have latitude in determining "who they feel is hitting the guidelines that merits offering Secret Service protection" but noted that in his experience, "once these candidates hit those markers, it's almost become a reflexive action now where they're offered the protection."

"It sounds to me like RFK Jr. is making an emotional argument for protection based upon his family's history versus a factual argument," Mihalek said in an interview with ABC News earlier this week.

Kennedy, whose campaign resubmitted its application again to the DHS in August, has argued that the escalating threat environment combined with his family's history presents "unique and well-established security and safety risks aside from commonplace death threats," which he said were detailed in his first request.

"At the end of the day, it really comes down to risk. It comes down to is the person a legitimate candidate for office? Is there a high risk that they could be targeted? Which will be the real key questions," Cohen said.

Anticipating potentially high demand, the DHS requested $209 million for candidate protection in 2024 "to support the enhanced protection, security, travel and overtime requirements" -- a record amount, according to data published by the Congressional Research Service.

MORE: RFK Jr. says hes not anti-vaccine. His record shows the opposite.

Each protective detail assigned to a candidate and their family demands various resources, according to the department, including 24/7 shift agents, advance teams, explosive threat teams, magnetometer screening capabilities, intelligence personnel and residential security.

Cohen added that the upcoming cycle is taking place amid unprecedented security concerns.

"The 2024 election cycle is taking place at a time when this country is experiencing probably the most volatile, complex and dynamic threat environment that I've experienced in my 40 years working in law enforcement and homeland security," Cohen said. "While there may be resource and other criteria that go into these decisions regarding the provision of a protective detail, those decisions are complicated at this point in history because of the volatility of the current threat environment in the United States."

But Cohen, who has worked extensively with the Secret Service and within the DHS over a decadeslong career, said that amid all of the considerations Secretary Mayorkas and the advisory committee take into account, politics is not among them.

"Politics do not enter into their decision-making," Cohen said. "They are law enforcement professionals, and if they're making a decision, I'm very comfortable they've made it purely because they've assessed the risk and they've assessed the criteria that are generally associated with these decisions. They make an informed decision based on that alone."

RFK Jr. renews calls for Secret Service protection after armed man arrested at campaign event originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Satellite image shows Tropical Storm Ophelia making landfall - NOAA via AP

Tens of thousands of Americans were left without power on Saturday after Tropical Storm Ophelia made landfall on the coast of North Carolina.

The storm made landfall near Emerald Isle early on Saturday morning, lashing eastern parts of the state with rain, 70-mile-an-hour winds and dangerous surges of water.

The US National Hurricane Center said Ophelia would keep weakening as it turns north on Saturday and then shifts northeast on Sunday.

More than 43,000 people were without power in North Carolina as the storm arrived on Saturday, according to poweroutage.us, which tracks utility reports, with a further 13,000 people affected in Virginia.

When you have that slow-moving storm with several inches of rain, coupled with a gust that gets to 30, 40 miles per hour, thats enough to bring down a tree or to bring down limbs, Duke Energy spokesperson Jeff Brooks told WTVD-TV on Saturday. And thats what weve seen in most of the areas where weve experienced outages.

Waves break along the jetty at Rudee Inlet in Virginia Beach as Ophelia approaches the area - Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot via AP

Philippe Papin, a hurricane specialist with the National Hurricane Center, said the primary risk of the storm system over the next couple of days will be the threat of floods from the rain.

There have been tropical-storm-force winds observed, but those are starting to gradually subside as the system moves further inland, Mr Papin said. However, there is a significant flooding rainfall threat for a large portion of eastern North Carolina into southern Virginia over the next 12 to 24 hours.

A storm surge warning, indicating danger from rising ocean water pushed inland by Ophelia, was in effect from Bogue Inlet, North Carolina, to Chincoteague, Virginia. Surges between four and six feet were forecast in some areas. A tropical storm warning was issued from Cape Fear, North Carolina, to Fenwick Island, Delaware.

The governors of North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland each declared a state of emergency on Friday. Some schools closed early and several weekend events were canceled. The North Carolina Ferry System has suspended service on all routes until conditions improve.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
Tropical Storm Ophelia weakened to a tropical depression Saturday as the center of what's left of it churns across southeastern Virginia right now and all Tropical storm warnings and storm surge warnings have been canceled.

Winds will continue to diminish with any remaining heavy rain becoming more scattered in nature. Minor coastal flood impacts will persist Saturday night along the coast, from Virginia to southern New Jersey, where Coastal Flood Alerts remain in effect.

Persistent heavy rain and a flash flood threat do remain in place across portions of southeastern Virginia where the center of what's left of Ophelia continues to move through. Flash Flood Warnings are in effect for Richmond and surrounding areas right now.

Ophelia continues to bring widespread heavy rain and gusty winds to a large swath of the East Coast on Saturday afternoon. Its weakening trend persists as it slowly moves north up the coast with maximum sustained winds now down to 35 mph.

Ophelia is expected to continue to weaken overnight and will become a post-tropical system on Sunday as it falls apart over the Northeast. Its remnants will be slow to clear out tomorrow meaning lingering clouds and rainy weather for much of the region.

PHOTO: Ophelia alerts (ABC News)

The storm earlier made landfall in Emerald Isle, North Carolina, with winds of 70 mph triggering a flash flood warning for the surrounding area.

Tropical storm warnings remain in effect in four states from North Carolina to Maryland. Flood watches have been issued for portions of eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia, including Richmond. Coastal flood warnings are in effect along the coast too, stretching into Delaware and southern New Jersey, including Atlantic City

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency on Friday ahead of the storm to mobilize resources, with impacts to the commonwealth "likely," he said.

PHOTO: Ophelia timing the storm graphic (ABC News)

MORE: Hurricane preparedness tips, resources to help keep your family safe

The tropical storm warning covers cities including Nags Head, North Carolina; Norfolk, Virginia; and Ocean City, Maryland. Storm surge warnings were issued for parts of the North Carolina and southeastern Virginia coasts.

PHOTO: Ophelia rainfall forecast (ABC News)

The highest storm surge will be in North Carolina where water could rise up to 5 feet. Storm surge of 1 to 3 feet is possible all the way to the Jersey Shore.

Ophelia is forecast to bring areas of heavy rain and possible flash flooding from North Carolina into the Northeast over the next 24 hours.

Through Sunday, additional rainfall amounts of 1-2 inches are forecast along a large swath of the East Coast with locally up to 4 inches possible. This heavy rain could cause flash flooding for urban areas along the Interstate 95 corridor, from Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York City and into southern New England.

Tropical Storm Ophelia weakens to a depression originally appeared on abcnews.go.com


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.
It is up to us to help our unhoused population
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Azeri telegram channels are distributing photos of missing civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh and making death threats, the Nagorno-Karabakh Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan said on X.

The Office of the Human Rights Defender is receiving multiple terrifying reports about Azerbaijani information terror actively conducted against the civilian population of Artsakh. Azerbaijani telegram channels encourage people to find, kill, torture, and rape the missing persons pic.twitter.com/k56rt04Dqx  Artsakh / Nagorno-Karabakh Human Rights Ombudsman (@ArtsakhOmbuds) September 22, 2023

"The Office of the Human Rights Defender is receiving multiple terrifying reports about Azerbaijani information terror actively conducted against the civilian population of Artsakh. Azerbaijani telegram channels encourage people to find, kill, torture, and rape the missing persons of Artsakh, even offering money for that. Many relatives of the missing people, who are already in a vulnerable psychological state, complain about Azerbaijan terrorising and threatening them by calls and text messages. This is yet another expression of Armenophobia and ethnic hatred, which only proves that the civilian population will not have any security guarantees if it is placed under the control of Azerbaijan," Stepanyan posted on X.
by Stefano Caprio

Kadirov's illness and Azerbaijani Aliev's coup sweeping away the Armenian enclave dominated the week. While Baku makes Europe weigh the strength it has acquired at Moscow's expense in the gas market, the Kremlin leaves it at that, accusing the Armenians of having flirted too much with the West. Russia is trying not to lose the Caucasus, its 'Middle Eastern side' as well as Ukraine.

This week, two seemingly minor circumstances overlapped with the tragedy of the war in Ukraine that occupied the interests of all politicians and the media during the UN General Assembly.

These are Caucasian issues, the illness of the Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and the war against the Armenians of the Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliev, thus relating to a 'middle ground' between Europe and Asia whose boundaries, geographical and spiritual, have always been rather haphazard, as can generally be said for all dimensions of confrontation between the two continents, of which only Russia is an equivalent part.

Two wars broke out in the Caucasus immediately after the end of the USSR now more than thirty years ago, the Chechen civil war and the war between Azeris and Armenians, and their consequences continue to be felt against the backdrop of the invasion of Ukraine.

The main one, and the most terrible, was the one between the Russians and Chechens, which lasted a very long time and had devastating consequences, and which marked Vladimir Putin's rise to power in Moscow most of all.

The obscure head of the FSB (KGB) was called in precisely to solve the intricate problem of Groznyj, the capital of Chechnya razed to the ground by Russian troops, who also intended to lead neighbouring Ingushetia into a new state formation, that of independent Ickeria.

Putin managed to find the solution after years of massacres, together with one of the most valiant Chechen commanders, Grand Mufti Akhmad Kadyrov, whom he put in charge of the republic of Chechnya within the Russian Federation, and who was then blown up with the entire authorities' tribune in Groznyj's Sultan Bilimcanov stadium during the Victory Parade on 9 May 2004.

The perpetrators of the attack were independence and radical Islamic terrorists, led by Samil Basaev, who was long hunted in the Chechen mountains by Kadyrov's son Ramzan, who had become prime minister regent and then president of Groznyj.

Basaev died in rather mysterious circumstances on 10 July 2006, in what appeared to be a pre-emptive operation by the Russian army during the G8 summit in St Petersburg, perhaps one of Russia's last attempts to find its place among the greats of the Earth.

Kadyrov-father was solemnly buried in the cathedral mosque in Groznyj, and streets and monuments are named after him as the great father of the Russian and Chechen homeland together; Kadyrov-son, whom Akhmad wanted to keep out of power because of his violent and uncontrollable tendencies, has ruled Chechnya unchallenged ever since, in total harmony with the Kremlin leader.

And it is precisely in the most critical phase of the war in Ukraine, after a summer tormented by the uprising and finally by the death of Evgenij Prigozin, the 'friendly cook' who was undermining Putin's authority, that Ramzan Kadyrov's health has deteriorated to the point that some people believe he is already dead, while he is reportedly in a pharmacological coma in a Moscow clinic.

Kadyrov, too, criticised the Russian defence leadership for weaknesses and caving in to the Ukrainians, against whom he had deployed his fierce Kadyrovtsy from the very beginning, who together with the 'musicians' of the Wagner company constituted the 'alternative army' that allowed Putin to play both the cards of fierce aggression and the long positional war.

The mystery of Kadyrov's condition thus enters the long and colourful narrative of Putin's many enemies or former friends (or even friends still in office) who for various reasons create inconveniences for the Kremlin's godfather and are eliminated, or at least sidelined, with manoeuvres that are difficult to decipher.

In some cases, this involves sensational actions such as the explosion of Prigozin's plane (assuming it was not a set-up), in many other cases, more malicious means are used such as the various poisons developed by the FSB specialists, as in the case of Aleksej Naval'nyj and many others, and as it seems also in the case of Ramzan Kadyrov.

The Chechen leader has been suffering from serious kidney problems since last April, and it seems he has also been operated on in Abu Dhabi; rumours about the doctors who are supposedly treating him, along with those brutally eliminated as inept or traitors, are circulating.

Kadyrov and Putin make videos in which they laugh behind everyone's back, but the authenticity of these images seems equal to that of Prigozin's charred corpse, and perhaps the whole truth will never be known in both cases.

Surely, two figures like the 'Petersburg cook' and the 'Chechen butcher' had to be out of the picture before 2024, when Putin's re-election is to celebrate the Tsar victorious over all enemies of the depraved West, and voices critical of the effectiveness of his wars will not be tolerated in the slightest.

Putin's internal enemies are in fact not the pacifists, who are on the verge of extinction in Russia, but the real warmongers, who are not interested in the 'metaphysical victories' incensed by Patriarch Kirill, but in the conquests of productive territories for business, and domination over vast areas at all latitudes.

And here now is another 'friend' of Soviet heritage that could undermine Putin's glorification, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliev (son of the first President Gejdar), who has decided after long tugs and pulls with Russians and Armenians (but also with Americans and French) to finally settle the Nagorno Karabakh issue, another conflict dating back to the end of the Soviet Union.

In the South Caucasus, which is not part of the Russian Federation, geographical, cultural, religious and political confusion is the main feature, even more so than in the northern half of the region; and in the case of the war between Azeris and Armenians, it also takes on epochal dimensions, those of the centuries-old clash between Christians and Muslims.

As with other tensions in the ex-Soviet areas, those of Central Asia or of the minor peoples of the Russian Federation itself, the war in Ukraine has rekindled the ambitions of one or the other, and Putin's Russia is relinquishing much of its authority and control, being unable to sustain all open fronts and condition all political developments.

Azerbaijan is a product of the many overlaps of history between Europe and Asia, heir to the Seljuks and ruled by the Savafids until modern times, then divided into many extremely unstable and relatively autonomous Khanates, which controlled many international trade routes between Asia and the West.

Incorporated into the Soviet Union after the revolution and the civil war in the 1920s, as soon as the Soviet empire collapsed, it found itself reckoning with internal divisions, the most serious of which was precisely the proclamation of independence of Nagorno Karabakh, which seems to have been brought to an end in these days.

The war that broke out in 1994, and was never resolved by any treaty, was resumed at the end of 2020, with the 'war of the forty days' (from 27 September to 10 November) that allowed the Azeris to retake five cities, four minor centres and about 240 villages, in the seven districts of what Armenians continue to call Artsakh, Karabakh in their language.

With the actions of the past few days, the entire area has been brought under Baku's control, including the capital Stepanakert, although it will take time to fully resolve the 'reintegration' of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh into the state of Azerbaijan.

The consequences for Russia are unpredictable, due to the many variables at play in this area. The Armenians are traditionally very close to the Russians, who rescued them at the time of the Turkish genocide, constituting with the Soviet republic of Yerevan a safe haven from the total destruction and dispersion of the ancient Monophysite people, the first to create a Christian state even before the emperor Constantine.

The Azeris are Shia Turanians, who contend with Iran for a good part of the territory where their countrymen live, called 'Southern Azerbaijan', and rely heavily on Turkey, another nation historically affected by Caucasian affairs.

Not to mention that Baku is now replacing Moscow for a good slice of the gas market to export to Europe, and several other trade routes from East to West and vice versa could pass through the Caucasus, with the watchful eye of China in the background.

The Kremlin is in fact covering up Aliev's actions, accusing Armenians of flirting too much with Westerners, at least trying to get Armenia to submit to Russia as well as Azerbaijan. The Russian 'interdiction forces' have not interdicted anything, not only in the last few days, but in all the two years they have been positioned along the borders of Nagorno Karabakh.

Having now lost Ukraine, its 'European side', forever, Russia is now trying not to lose the Caucasus, its 'Middle Eastern side'. But above all, Putin does not want to lose face in front of the whole world.

RUSSIAN WORLD IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO RUSSIA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY SATURDAY IN YOUR E-MAIL? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE
by John Ai

Chen Siming, 60, commemorates the Tiananmen massacre in Hunan every year and has already been arrested for it. Threatened with internment in a psychiatric hospital in July, he escaped clandestinely to Laos and then to Thailand, countries that are no longer safe for Chinese dissidents. He applied for protection during a stopover in Taipei with a plane ticket to Guangzhou. Taiwan does not have a refugee law, more likely to accept the request from a third country.

Taiwan (AsiaNews) - The Chinese activist Chen Siming () has arrived at Taiwan airport to ask for political asylum. Taiwanese authorities have contacted him and he is located in the transit travelers terminal at the airport.

Chen was detained by police for years for commemorating the Tiananmen Massacre. In July he fled to Laos and then to Thailand.

Upon arriving at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Chen posted a video on Twitter, asking friends and activists to pay attention to his case, announcing his intention to seek asylum in the United States or Canada. He also urged Taiwanese authorities not to deport him.

Born in 1963, Chen is a veteran of human rights campaigns in Zhuzhou, Hunan province. Every year he commemorates the Tiananmen massacre. At the end of May this year he was arrested by the police for publishing an open letter about the June 4, 1989 massacre.

Shortly after he was released, the police threatened to identify him as a psychiatric patient. After police interrogation, he immediately took a flight to the southwestern province of Yunnan and entered Laos illegally.

Interning dissidents and petitioners in psychiatric hospitals is a common practice in China. Dong Yaoqiong, a lady also born in Zhuzhou, who smeared a poster of Xi Jinping in Shanghai with ink, was detained in a psychiatric hospital in Zhuzhou, and her father Dong Jianbiao died in prison in September of last year.

Southeast Asian countries are not safe havens under China's influence. There have been increasing instances this year of Beijing flexing its muscles in this region, where Chinese authorities are involved in direct actions to bring dissidents back to China.

Yang Zewei (), also known by his pseudonym Qiao Additionally, Chinese human rights lawyer Lu Siwei () was deported to China by the Laotian government this month. Lu was arrested by Laotian police in July before leaving for Thailand.

Chen Siming decided to move to Thailand after hearing the news from lawyer Lu Siwei. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Bangkok soon granted Chen refugee status.

However, Chen was told that his UN refugee status does not guarantee that he will not be arrested by Thai police and that there is still a risk of being sent back to immigration. Chen also told the media that his bank account in China was frozen after the Chinese authorities learned of his escape to Laos and that the "snakehead" - the gang that organizes illegal immigration - told him said that the Chinese police wanted to take him back.

Thai media also reported that some dissidents and Uyghurs were deported to China, despite facing torture and abuse. That's why Chen said he stayed indoors while he was in Thailand, out of fear of the police. Finally, on September 21 he purchased a ticket to Guangzhou from Bangkok via Taipei and requested asylum upon his arrival in Taipei.

Taiwan has no refugee law and only a few people have been accepted by Taiwanese authorities as special cases. Most asylum seekers have to wait to be accepted by a third country.
by Chiara Zappa

After the meeting with society's most vulnerable in the house of Mother Teresa's nuns, the speech at the Rencontres Mediterraneennes. "Just saying 'enough' to migration means turning a blind eye to the future: integration is tiring, but it prepares the future." The invitation to the Churches of the different shores of the Mediterranean: evaluate the opportunity of a joint Episcopal Conference.

Marseille (AsiaNews) - "History calls us to have a leap of conscience to prevent a shipwreck of civilization." Pope Francis' message from Marseille today was strong and clear, delievered druing his address at the final session of the Rencontres Mediterraneennes which in recent days was attended by sixty bishops and a representation of young people from the "five shores of the sea": North Africa , Balkans, Latin Europe, Black Sea and Middle East.

Once again the pontiff recalled the urgency of listening to "the cry of pain that is transforming the mare nostrum into mare mortuum, the Mediterranean from the cradle of civilization to the graveyard of dignity".

Migration is one of the great themes at the center of the Pope's Marseille pilgrimage, who already yesterday, in front of the memorial dedicated to the sailors and migrants who died at sea, had defined the measures to hinder the work of NGOs as "gestures of hatred against the brother disguised as balance.

This morning - after having met privately at the house of the Missionaries of Charity with some people in situations of economic hardship - Francis broadened his reflection to the vocation of dialogue of the Mediterranean, "a place where different countries and realities meet on the basis of the humanity that we all share , not of opposing ideologies" and a context that "expresses a thought that is not uniform and ideological, but multifaceted and adhering to reality", as opposed to "antiquated and belligerent nationalisms".

The Pope spoke after listening to the testimony of two participants in the Rencontres: the bishop of Tirana Msgr. Arjan Dodaj, who grew up under atheist communism and himself a former child who emigrated to Italy, where he rediscovered his faith, and the young Mariaserena, an Italian who has been living in Greece for two years with the Pope John XXIII Community, in a family home that welcomes people migrants.

Pope Francis began his speech by thanking "young people, the present and future of the Church and society", which was then developed starting from three key words linked to the reality of Marseille, a city which "since its origins has had a composite and cosmopolitan character" : the sea, the port and the lighthouse.

The mare nostrum is a meeting space: between the Abrahamic religions; between Greek, Latin and Arabic thought; between science, philosophy and law", said the pontiff, who cited the intuition of the "great mayor Giorgio La Pira" and the words of Monsignor Tonino Bello.

Just as "the Galilee of the people was the seat of the universal announcement of the Beatitudes, this perennial Sea of Galilee invites us to oppose the divisiveness of conflicts with the conviviality of differences".

Moreover, "the mare nostrum is an outpost of challenges that concern everyone: a mirror of the world that carries within itself a global vocation to brotherhood". The place to begin to make room for peace is the shores of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus began by giving hope to the poor: we need to start again from there, from the often silent cry of the last.

The Pope cited "material, educational, working, cultural and religious poverty" where "the terrain of mafias and illicit trafficking is levelled", but also "the decline in care" and the contexts in which "Christians do not enjoy full citizenship". And, of course, the cry of pain of migrants, faced with "various Mediterranean ports that have closed".

Underlining that the urgency of welcoming in the face of inequalities has been at the center of the Church's heartfelt attention "for more than fifty years", Francis - who cited, among other things, Saint Paul VI in his Populorum Progressio - spoke on political current affairs: Two words resonated, fueling people's fears: 'invasion' and 'emergency'.

But the migration phenomenon is a fact of our times, a process that must be governed with wise foresight." On the eve of World Migrant and Refugee Day, reiterating "the right both to emigrate and not to emigrate", the pontiff stated: "The solution is not to reject, but to ensure, according to each individual's possibilities, a large number of entries legal and regular, sustainable thanks to a fair welcome on the European continent, in the context of collaboration with the countries of origin. Saying 'enough', however, is closing our eyes" to "future generations". Because "integration is tiring, but far-sighted: it prepares the future which, like it or not, will be together or not".

Recalling the responsibility of Christian testimony in this sense, Francis recalled the example of Saint Charles de Foucauld, "universal brother", of the martyrs of Algeria, "but also of many charity workers today".

In reference to the image of the lighthouse, then, the question: "Which light trails can guide the route of the Mediterranean Churches?". Among the possible concrete responses, the Pope cited "more synergistic paths" between the Mediterranean Churches and dioceses, on the topic of migration and beyond, "also evaluating the opportunity of a Conference of Mediterranean Bishops".

Above all, it is necessary to give space to young people - "they are the light that indicates the future route" -, starting with the "priority challenge of education": "Mediterranean universities are laboratories of dreams and construction sites of the future, where young people mature meeting, getting to know each other and discovering nearby and different cultures and contexts. In this way, prejudices are broken down and fundamentalist rhetoric, which is very fashionable today, is avoided."

Finally, Pope Francis cited "the challenge of a Mediterranean theology" - at the center of some specific moments of the Rencontres - "which develops a thought adhering to reality and capable of promoting with originality the ecumenical path between Christians and dialogue between believers of different religions."

To the bishops and young people who listened to him, including a young Lebanese woman who sang a touching Christian song at the end of the meeting, the pontiff said that he was "a sea of good, a welcoming port, a beacon of peace, to cleave, through the culture of encounter, the dark abysses of violence and war.
Eleanor Bennett is the Morning Edition anchor and reporter for Aspen Public Radio. This story has been reprinted with permission. Visit aspenpublicradio.org to view the original story post.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
SUV

kWh

The South Korean automaker has a subtly evolving design identity as of late, incorporating the styling of LED light baguettes both at the front and back, not just in the rear, like many other automakers do. Members of the new breed include the recently launched 2024 Hyundai Elantra N hot sedan or the second-generation Hyundai Kona subcompact crossoverSpeaking of the latter, it has been quite some time since December 2022 when the company released the first details about the latest iteration of the little CUV. Now, just recently, the automaker sent the 2024 Kona family to America , where it currently starts from $30,650. That's quite the markup compared to the outgoing model, which started at $22,140. Still, the silver lining is also present  so far, only the ritzier N Line and Limited trims were included on the company's online sales portal.Meanwhile, the company also shared additional juicy details about the lineup, which includes gasoline-only versions, hybrid variants, plus the Kona Electric with zero emissions and the contemporary Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, plus up to 260 miles (418 km) of driving range when equipped with the long-range 64.8-battery. And, of course, folks also eagerly expect the Kona N version to follow suit as soon as possible.Well, the waiting will be more prolonged rather than shorter, as Hyundai only gave us MSRPs for the regular Kona, with the Kona Hybrid and Kona Electric to follow suit. After that, we can quickly expect a pause before the brand presents the all-new Kona N, and even more time would be needed before it hits the market. However, there are always solutions to such conundrums  even if only virtually, sometimes.For example, you could just snatch a 2024 Hyundai Kona N Line for a little over $30k and then proceed to give it to the wizards of the aftermarket realm. Before that, though, you might need some pointers if you're an early adopter. Well, John, a virtual artist better known as johnrendering on social media, has that department covered and now wants us to check out his idea for a Pandem transformation of the 2024 Hyundai Kona.Yep, you read that right  someone thinks the American equivalent of Rocket Bunny (the kits are sold as Pandem due to copyright issues) would bode well to design a project revolving around the 2024 Hyundai Kona. Naturally, the pixel master did most of the preliminary work for them  he lowered the stance until ants would run trying to fend off for their life, widened the little CUV beyond belief with lots of black plastic aerodynamic bits and pieces, dropped in a spectacular rear wing, forgot to reattach the rear bumper, and also gave the hot CUV a set of appropriate tires and aftermarket wheels. Oh, and do not overlook the attention to detail  notice the camber of the front wheels or the roll cage fitted inside?
Which is the best-selling Hyundai available in the United States market? Of course, Tucson is the correct answer. No fewer than 175,307 units were delivered last year. From January 2023 through August 2023, the South Korean automaker from Seoul moved exactly 134,367 examples of the breed.

HVAC

More popular than its larger siblings, the Hyundai Tucson is up for a redesign. Due to arrive in dealer showrooms for the 2025 model year, the mid-cycle refresh for the fourth generation has been spied on multiple occasions with a more rugged front grille.Pixel artist Halo oto imagined the newcomer in Photoshop with the radiator grille of the Santa Cruz, which competes with the better-selling Ford Maverick in the compact unibody pickup truck segment. Redesigned front lights are on the menu as well, along with a slightly different bumper to boot.The big news, however, is the interior. Similar to the 2024 model year Elantra sedan, the Tucson crossover is getting three a twin-display setup that brings the digital instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment system closer together. Visually speaking, that is. Thepanel may also receive a few changes. A physical volume dial is rumored as well, mirroring the design of the facelifted Elantra.As for the oily bits, don't look forward to anything remotely different from what's available today. As ever, Hyundai will be much obliged to sell you four-cylinder lumps of the naturally-aspirated and single-turbo variety. Of course, the hybrid and plug-in hybrid will solider on with the 1.6 T-GDI engine.A direct competitor for the better-selling Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the Hyundai Tucson is further expected to go up in price. At press time, pricing kicks off at $27,250 for the internal combustion-only Tucson, $32,325 for the Hybrid, and $38,475 for the Plug-In Hybrid. These prices don't include the destination charge, which is $1,335 for all three.The Tucson comes standard with a 2.5-liter mill that incorporates both direct fuel injection and multi-point fuel injection to deliver 187 horsepower on full song. Connected to an eight-speed automatic tranny, said lump returns up to 28 miles per gallon (8.4 liters per 100 kilometers) on the combined test cycle.Available in four trims, the Hybrid levels up to 38 miles per gallon (6.2 liters per 100 kilometers) despite having all-wheel drive as standard. By comparison, the CR-V tops 40 miles per gallon (5.9 liters per 100 kilometers). As for the RAV4 in hybrid attire, make that 40 miles to the gallon as well.At the very top of the spectrum of the 2024 Tucson's lineup, the Plug-In Hybrid promises up to 33 miles (53 kilometers) of all-electric driving range. Honda doesn't have a plug-in hybrid CR-V, but Toyota does have the RAV4 Prime. Now available to configure at $43,090 as per Toyota's build & price tool, the Japanese competitor tops 42 miles (68 kilometers).
In use for over a century, this fantastic engine configuration has given birth to some of the mightiest powerplants ever created.

HP

Jaguar XK6

Photo: Jaguar

DOHC

Ford Barra I6

Photo: Ford Motor Co.

BMW M88

Photo: Buschtrommler via Wikimedia Commons

Nissan RB26DETT

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Toyota 2JZ

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

ECU

The first straight-six was produced in the Netherlands all the way back in 1903. It was used by the Spyker 60race car, and, as the name suggests, it made 60 ponies.In the decades that followed, the straight-six became one of the most popular engine configurations, mainly because of its near-perfect balance, which resulted in smoother operation.However, in recent times, most carmakers that continued to produce six-cylinder engines have switched to the V6 configuration since it provides a more compact package.Though critically endangered today, the straight-six configuration has given birth to some legendary powerplants like the five we're about to rediscover in this article.One of the longest-serving straight-six engines in history, the Jaguar XK6 was produced in England from 1949 to 1992.Based on a cast-iron block with a lightweightaluminum cylinder head sitting on top, it was built in five displacement versions (ranging from 2.4 to 4.2 liters) for Jaguar's passenger cars.In these forms, it produced between 112 and 265 hp, but race-bred variants capable of much more power were also used for Jaguar's motorsport programs.Over its lifespan, the XK6 was praised for its smooth power delivery, lightweight packaging, and reliability.The most famous series-production Jaguars to use this engine were the XK120 and E-Type.Arguably Ford's most underrated engine, the Barra inline-six was designed by the Blue Oval's Australian branch.It was produced between 2002 and 2016, powering multiple versions of the Aussie Falcon and Territory models.Its architecture consists of a chunky cast-iron block and an aluminum DOHC head with four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing.The engine was available in either naturally-aspirated or turbocharged forms, and while most variations were gas (petrol)-powered, two were designed to run exclusively on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).Output for the NA naturally-aspirated petrol versions ranged from 244 to 261 hp, while the turbocharged Barras could make between 322 and 436 hp.This amazing powerplant reached legendary status thanks to its bombproof reliability and virtually limitless tuning potential, which earned it the nickname "Aussie 2JZ."BMW has been the only carmaker to produce inline-sixes from the 1930s until the present day, and most of its six-pots are iconic.Therefore, it's tough to say which one is the best, but in my opinion, the M88 deserves this title for its significance to the brand.Built from 1978 to 1989, it was the first series-production engine developed by BMW M for the first-ever M-badged model. Moreover, it was the first unit to be mounted midship in a BMW production model: the legendary M1 Like the previous entries on our list, the M88 featured a cast iron block with a DOHC aluminum cylinder head.It displaced 3.5 liters, pushed out 273 hp in the street-legal M1, and went down as one of the best-sounding six-cylinders ever built.While the power output was somewhat anemic in the production version, BMW M engineers showcased its true potential in the Group 5 M1, where it could make up to 1,000 hp thanks to various improvements, including a turbocharger.Apart from the M1, the M88 was also used in the E12 M535i, the E24 M635CSi, and the South African version of the E23 735i.Though some of you might have issues with the inclusion of the first three entries in a list of five best straight-sixes, I'm sure we can all agree that the RB26DETT deserves its place.Built from 1989 to 2002, Nissan's greatest production engine was found under the hoods of the iconic R32, R33, and R34 Nissan Skyline GT-Rs.With a displacement of 2.6 liters, the legendary engine featured a sturdy cast-iron block and a 24-valve DOHC aluminum cylinder head.Fitted with a pair of turbochargers, it made between 276 and 316 hp, depending on the model year.Apart from establishing itself for delivering smooth power and reliability, the RB26DETT also became a legend thanks to the tuning community, which managed to extract huge horsepower figures from its stock architecture.Arguably the greatest mass-produced straight-six of all time, the 3.0-liter 2JZ was built by Toyota from 1991 to 2007.It powered many Toyota and Lexus models, but it reached automotive stardom in the engine bay of the A80 Supra Though it wasn't revolutionary in terms of technological advancements, this engine received a heavily-reinforced cast iron block and an equally sturdy aluminum head.It was available in either naturally-aspirated or twin-turbocharged forms, with or without variable valve timing.Depending on the version and model year, it made between 217 and 325 hp.Thanks to its sturdy construction, the 2JZ became one of the most reliable six-cylinder engines ever built. Moreover, the over-engineered architecture made it easy to extract vast amounts of power with simple, bolt-on tuning and anremap.
PHEV

EV

Photo: Ford

I sure hope so it's just another mix-up involving the human element  kind of like what happens with the recently launched Volkswagen Tiguan. The latter was introduced, of course, for the European market first, and news outlets hurried to find out if it would come to the United States, too. According to various reports citing Ford spokespersons, it won't.But there's a catch because the FoMoCo managers acknowledged the previous rumors that America might get China's Tayron with just the model name's rebranding. However, that's not the case, as the company issued a media advisory clearly stating that the US version will be based on the long-wheelbase Tiguan model slated to arrive early next year.Anyway, back to their partners at Ford, we all know the two companies have shared the costs of making the latest Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok mid-size pickup trucks. The former is Europe's most successful workhorse, so the VW Amarok is obviously benefiting from the hype. As such, it is no wonder that Ford is the first brand to introduce an electrified version of their common vehicle.Dubbed as the 2024 or 2025 Ford Ranger Plug-in Hybrid, this is the same T6.2 Ranger customers have already fallen in love with  only with inaugural electric assistance and an optional Pro Power Onboard . It's going to be easy to plug into the mains the new Ranger; just be sure to check the port first because Ford went against the current and placed both the fuel cap and the recharge port on the same (left) side of the truck.That's just one of the interesting things about the Ranger Plug-in Hybrid going into production late next year for early 2025 deliveries. The other is that Ford promises it will have more torque than any other Ranger even though it uses the base 2.3-liter EcoBoost gasoline engine, and there are also Ranger diesels and the mighty Ranger Raptor in the lineup. However, of course, we do not yet know all the technical specifications  other than the 45 km/28-milerange and the maximum braked towing capacity of 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs), the same as any other Ranger.Unsurprisingly, Ford chose to introduce the Ranger PHEV in Europe first, even though it's not produced locally. In fact, it's assembled everywhere else but on the Old Continent  with manufacturing locations in Thailand, South Africa, Argentina, Vietnam, China, and also the United States for the North American version. So, I am genuinely astonished to hear about Car and Driver's recent report that Ford won't bring the Ranger PHEV to the US.Apparently, the motivation is that Ford already has enough electrified offerings there  namely, the full-size F-150 PowerBoost (hybrid) and Lightning (fully electric). Now, if that's true  and it remains to be seen until 2025  my only question is: "Ford, are you freaking kidding me?" A related, rhetorical one would be: "Hey, FoMoCo, are you trying to kill the electrified mid-size pickup truck segment?" My conundrum is simple, though, and based on Ford Ranger's lackluster performance across the US market.During the first six months of the year, Toyota's Tacoma  unsurprisingly  remained both king and queen of the sector even though everyone and their mother knew that the N400 all-new 2024 Tacoma was coming out this year. The Japanese automaker copiously dominated the segment with almost 117k deliveries. At the same time, the second-placed Nissan Frontier only got a little over 34k units to its name, followed by the unibody Honda Ridgeline, Jeep Gladiator, and only after them by the Ford Ranger. Only the GMC Canyon sits between the Blue Oval and the shameful last place in the sector, by the way.Now, the equation is simple  can Ford turn the tide in America when considering the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon plus Toyota Tacoma are brand new, and Jeep recently updated the Gladiator ? Most likely, it could easily fight for second place with the Frontier and the rest of the pursuing pack because the T6.2 Ranger is a lot more compelling and competitive than the outgoing model. Plus, it also rocks the mighty Ford Ranger Raptor with an EcoBoost V6 shared with the Ford Bronco Raptor.But, in my opinion, it wouldn't stand that much in the mid-size pickup truck crowd  simply because the already excellent Toyota Tacoma now has another ace up its sleeve, the 326-horsepower i-Force Max hybrid powertrain. And they could easily upgrade from the four-pot to a Sequoia or Tundra i-Force Max level with the V6 and 437 horsepower to show the Ranger Raptor who's boss! As such, Ford would benefit significantly from offering an electrified Ranger PHEV that is competitively priced in the same ballpark as the Tacoma i-Force Max. That way, it would be even better because it's a plug-in, not just a hybrid. And it also wouldn't step on the toes of the F-150 versions because one is a regular hybrid and the other an all-electric Lightning.Well, there's also one scenario that could be worth exploring if Ford is adamant about making the Ranger PHEV a forbidden fruit in America  maybe they are contemplating the option of making the F-150 a plug-in hybrid! Overall, I hope the report turns out to be bogus  and Ford doesn't swim against the great opportunity of dropping a PHEV Ranger on top of Tacoma's hybrid ethos!
It's a new world in the making. More and more carmakers are rushing to bring electric vehicles (EVs) of their own to the market. In an attempt to one-up Tesla, get ahead of General Motors, and hurt Rivian's R1T sales, Ford launched the F-150 Lightning. Now, an owner has found a way to never run out of electrons - they turned the EV into a temporary hybrid. Here's why it can be a great idea.

kWh

EV

Photo: Truck King on YouTube

Figuring out the best solution

Photo: Facebook Screenshot

Photo: Plugshare

Crunching the numbers

Photo: Boone Brooks on Facebook

Does it really make sense?

kW

Photo: Ford media

The Ford F-150 Lightning comes in many flavors, but the EPA-rated range on a single charge is 240 miles for the small 98-battery pack (Standard Range) and 320 miles for the larger 131-kWh energy storage unit (Extended Range).But that's what the lab testing says. In a real-world scenario, those figures will vary because batteries don't perform well when it's too cold or hot outside. Moreover, the range is impacted by the driving style as well.Hoon it around, tow, carry a sizeable load in the bed, or travel at highway speeds when headwinds or crosswinds are strong and the range keeps dropping.But the F-150 Lightning is, at the end of the day, a pickup truck. It must be able to do pickup truck things . And someone figured out a great backup plan to make sure thedoesn't let them down.A photo of an F-150 Lightning charging on the side of the road attracted the attention of social media users on Facebook and Reddit. It wasn't damaged or vandalized, no. The EV was hooked to a generator! Right beneath it, two propane tanks were delivering the juice necessary to create electricity. That was enough to trigger a variety of responses, some of which were pretty wild.Most laughed at the idea of seeing such a new EV on the side of the road using this clever charging method. As you may expect, many people didn't hesitate to say that the owner would have been better off with a traditional F-150. Others even advised the owner to sell the EV and buy "a real truck."The all-electric F-150 is, for all intents and purposes, a real pickup truck. Even though it has a battery beneath its floor and magnetic motors, the vehicle can tow up to 10,000 lb and carry a load in its bed weighing 2,000 lb tops. It also comfortable seats five, and can act as a backup generator itself.That brings us back to the image in question because there's some important context these netizens missed out on.First, this photo isn't new. It surfaced on the Internet in late May. The author published it in a private F-150 Lightning Facebook group. Afterward, a member decided to post it on their profile. From there, it got shared everywhere for a few days. Later, the algorithm dialed its reach down, and making fun of the "hybrid F-150 Lightning" stopped.Now, it has resurfaced. This time, it's being spread around nearly everywhere. We've seen it even on Instagram and Twitter (X).But those who publish it disregard the story behind it because it's buried in that Facebook group . That's why social media users unaware of the image's origin are inclined to make fun of the owner and ridicule EVs in general. Everyone's entitled to their own opinions, of course. But one should always approach stuff seen on social media with care.Second, the person who took the photo is also an F-150 Lightning owner. They explained that living in a small town around Sierra Nevada, California, is nice but comes with various challenges. One of them is finding proper fast-charging options.Kernville doesn't pique the interest of providers like Tesla, Electrify America, Francis, or EVgo. There are some Level 2 chargers available, but they're installed by people running businesses who are unwilling to share them with anyone. It's complicated to make a living out of AC charging.Plus, there isn't much tourist activity in the area, and only about 800 people live there.Initially, what attracted his attention was spotting a fellow F-150 Lightning buyer in that area. Afterward, he noticed that the vehicle was charging and saw that a propane-powered generator was putting in the work. So, he did what almost anyone would do. They grabbed their phone and captured that moment.But after taking a quick photo, the EV driver wondered if carrying around a generator as a backup solution was a good idea. They didn't rush to post the image online without helping others understand what was going on. So, the post was accompanied by enough explanations. It also helped that other F-150 Lightning owners shared similar stories.Dependable DC fast charging is not a perk many Americans living in remote areas can access - for now. Federal funding will alleviate this problem starting this year. But until then, they need to come up with solutions that work. One of them is carrying around a portable propane-powered generator, and there's nothing wrong with that.It's worth noting that using such a device isn't something groundbreaking or a simpleton's solution to a problem nobody should have in this day and age. BMW, for example, implemented a similar powertrain philosophy right from the factory for its i3 REx.The EV had a 0.6-liter two-cylinder engine pumping out 34 hp. It was installed on the funky EV to give drivers a nifty failsafe, allowing them to keep traveling even after the battery tapped out.The small powerplant ran constantly at an optimum level and acted as a generator for the battery. As such, the electric motor kept spinning and the gas consumption was low. That's how the i3 REx remained an EV after depleting its energy storage unit. The only drawback was that it temporarily burned small amounts of gas. But it did that very efficiently.But could buying a $2,000 propane generator that's pumping out 10per hour at maximum capacity be worth it? Well, the short answer is yes. For this particular owner, it made a whole lot of sense.The generator consumes around 1.6 gallons per hour when it runs at 100% capacity. An average 15-lb propane tank available at Home Depot, Lowe's, or Walmart costs around $50. Consuming one full tank means the generator could run for a little over nine hours.Minding heat losses, charging an EV with a 10-kW propane-powered generator could add around 90 kWh into the battery. That's nearly a full charge for the F-150 Lightning sporting the smaller energy storage unit.But let's look at emissions because an EV is supposed to be green and beneficial to local environments. A portable propane generator emits half the CO2 emissions of an equivalent gas- or diesel-powered device. Moreover, when the generator consumes the propane, it gets released into the air, vaporizes, and dissipates. It's even more energy-efficient than natural gas and does not expire!There is one downside, though. The portable generator is loud, and that might upset some people. Nobody wants to hear a "hrrr" or a buzzing noise for nine hours straight.Ultimately, this Ford F-150 Lightning owner did turn their EV into a "propane-powered hybrid." But they did so only temporarily to get some electrons that enabled them to continue traveling without polluting. This was a good compromise, given their location and the lack of high-power chargers.But I'll admit that it still looks a bit wacky.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Fucare Bike

Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Fucare Bike

Photo: YouTube Screenshot / Fucare Bike

We've previously discussed Fucare products here on autoevolution, such as the moped-style Gemini X Bike , albeit some time ago. This time, I want to check out a more "adventure-style e-bike. Out of Fucare's lineup, which consists of five e-bikes, the Taurus is the only one meant to go the distance and properly tackle more challenging environments. The only other model that comes close is the Scorpio all-terrain off-road e-bike.Before we go any further, let's talk about cost, especially since, for most people, it can make or break a deal. You'll be happy to know that Fucare currently offers the Taurus for a competitive price of $1,600 (1,500). However, this is the discounted price, as the product is normally offered for $2,500 (2,342).Fucare says the recommended height for the Taurus' riders is between 5.4 and 6.7 feet (1.64 and 2 meters), while the e-bike load capacity is up to 400 lbs. (181 kg), of which 80 lbs. (36 kg) is the bicycle weight.When looking at this bad boy for the first time, you'll probably notice its unique 6061 aluminum frame. According to Fucare, it's designed to withstand any challenge and provide a smooth and comfortable ride. Moreover, as a motorcycle enthusiast, the frame's looks remind me of a naked motorcycle.Even though it's clear this e-bike is designed for off-road riding and light trail duty, it can still tackle city streets easily. That's the thing with lots of today's e-bikes : even though they have one or two primary purposes, they're engineered to be as versatile as possible.At the core of the Taurus is a massive 48 V, 25 Ah Samsung removable battery, protected by the frame just like the engine of a naked motorbike. Using the included 4.5A charger, Fucare says you can fully juice up the battery in five to seven hours.It powers a 750 W hub motor with a maximum output of 1200 W. These specs look good on paper, but how do they translate into real-life performance?According to Fucare, riders will get between 60 to 140 miles (97 to 225 km) of range, although that's quite an ambitious estimate. To be frank, it all depends on how you ride the bike. You can let the motor's pedal assistance do its job, but you can also accelerate via throttle.Three riding modes (or levels) are available: Pure Power/ Throttle Mode, Pedal Assist Mode, and Pedal Mode. If you're all out of battery or simply want the experience of a conventional bicycle, you can select the Normal Bicycle mode. You'll probably get more than 60 miles if you ride with the first level of assistance. On the other hand, cruising throttle only means you'll have less than 60 miles of range.One sure way of attracting customers in today's market is speed  after all, this is what will get your adrenaline pumping, not the range or payload capacity. In this regard, the Taurus is pretty good, with a limited top speed of 28 mph (45 kph). Its maximum speed is a bit higher at 32 mph (51 kph).The Taurus rides on 26-inch off-road fat tires. They're heavy and bulky, so you won't be able to turn on a dime like when using small wheels. Instead, these monstrous wheels will help you get over larger obstacles without throwing you off the bike. Factor in the motor's high speeds, and you'll be flying on trails, although going all-out in unpredictable, off-the-beaten-path environments might not be the best idea.However, let's imagine you're doing just that  you're hurling down the road at 28 mph, and something crosses your path, or you see an unavoidable hole in the ground. Luckily, Fucare kept safety in mind, and it equipped the Taurus with hydraulic brakes with front and rear 180 mm discs. So, with a bit of situational awareness, you can prevent disaster.Just like you'd expect from a mountain e-bike, you'll find a hydraulic fork suspension, which, together with the fat tires, will properly absorb bumps and vibrations. Furthermore, Taurus riders can adapt to different road conditions using the Shimano 8-speed rear drivetrain.A front LED headlight is included, as well as a taillight, which is weirdly into the right side of the rear seat stay. What's more, needless to say, you get 360-degree reflectors on the spokes.Regarding the e-bike's electronics, you'll get a multi-functional colored display that shows basic ride information, and you'll use a controller on the left side of the handlebar to choose your preferred riding mode.All in all, the Taurus' colossal battery and powerful motor will offer enough performance to satisfy most riders, be it on or off the road. Taking into account the current discounted price, I'd say this e-bike can be an excellent investment, regardless of whether you ride during the weekends or hit the trails every other day.Unfortunately, Fucare seems to ship solely in the United States. Besides a discounted price, US buyers will also get a gift set (with a lock and tools). If you're looking to carry some stuff when riding, you can also opt for a rear carrier for an extra $42 (39). You can find out more information about the Taurus on the manufacturer's website
We've been covering custom Harley-Davidson motorcycles for a long time, with possibly hundreds of incredible builds brought under the spotlight over the years. During all this time, we seldom came across a two-wheeled contraption made in one shop coincidentally named like another, made somewhere else.

The bike you're looking at now is called Phantom. It was originally a V-Rod from the 2015 model year, and then it crossed paths with Japanese custom crew Bad Land and was turned into this insane build.It wears the same name as a Fat Boy assembled over in Poland by Nine Hills, but also as another V-Rod, the work of Spanish crew FiberBull. Despite all this, it is the most extreme of all such specters, because that's how Bad Land usually does things.The V-Rod, no matter its type, has always been a low and mean machine. After all, there's no other way one can play in the muscle bike segment. Yet in this incarnation, the bike is truly on the extreme side of things.And that's not only owed to the blackness of the bike, a color Bad Land often goes for, for obvious reasons. The many custom elements fitted on the ride contribute to that as well, leaving us with a two-wheeler that looks sharp and pointy, dangerous and mean, eye-catching and beautiful.The bike's original wheels were of course the first to go, replaced by hardware made by Bad Land itself. They are sized a proper 22 inches at the front and 18 inches at the rear, come in a design not often seen on a custom of this caliber, and are shod in Avon Cobra tires.The one at the rear stands out in particular because it no longer comes in the stock width, but at a massive 300 mm wide. It is held in place by a wide swingarm made specifically for this application.The bike is a true collection of purpose-built custom parts. It's got new covers, handlebars, front and rear fenders, and a fuel tank, all of them made in-house by Bad Land.The original engine of the ride was left, as usual, untouched, safe for the fitting of an air filter made by Bad Land, and an exhaust system of the same provenance.It all, the third Harley-Davidson Phantom we came across these past few years is one to remember, a specter from the underworld of motorcycle making. It was presented for the first time at the end of last year, and like all other customs made by Bad Land it does not come with info on pricing.You can't get a new V-Rod anymore to have converted, but the used bike market is full of them, should you want something similar to this in your garage.
Moto Guzzi models featuring Lino Tontis fabled frame design are popular candidates for customization, especially when cafe racer styling is on the menu. This shouldnt come as a surprise given their OCD-soothing anatomy, which is a perfect match for cafe builds which lean toward the vintage side of things. The bike pictured below provides an excellent example of what can be done with a Tonti-framed Guzzi.

Photo: Horizontal Moto

Photo: Horizontal Moto

It is the work of Horizontal Moto (HM) over in Vienna, Austria  a solo bike-modding endeavor run by one Paul Fuhrmann. With a background in engineering and an unfaltering love for the Moto Guzzi marque, Paul dove head-first into the custom motorcycle world a few years ago. Hes keen on Mandello del Larios classics in particular, especially those from the 1970s and 80s equipped with Tonti-designed frames.Most of Horizontal Motos work is taken care of in-house, but certain fabrication jobs are sometimes outsourced to more experienced craftsmen. The project well be looking at today started with an 850T from the model-year 1972, and it attained its current form around December 2021. When the antique Guzzi was being taken apart, Paul ditched all its stock bodywork along with the wheels, front brake, and rear suspension hardware.Several other OEM components have also been eliminated, leaving him with a blank canvas awaiting the custom treatment. To get the ball rolling, Herr Fuhrmann shortened the motorcycles subframe with the intent of tightening up its rear-end geometry. Mounting points for the factory bodywork were rendered useless, so theyve been chopped off before the entire frame was repainted gloss-black.Then it came time to address the major fabrication work on this machine, and Paul called in reinforcements to make everything come together nicely. First, he reached out to Tab Classics over in the UK, ordering a custom aluminum fuel tank that would fit on the 850T s skeleton without hassle. Once completed and delivered to the HM headquarters in the Austrian capital, the handmade tank received the finishing touches.It is now home to brushed and polished surfaces alike, the latter appearing on the knee indentations to bring about some contrast. A Monza-style filler cap lies atop the alloy gas tank, while an all-new saddle can be spotted a bit further back. Upholstered by an Austrian leather expert who operates as Ledernardo, the seat is enveloped in high-quality black suede on its top section.The rearmost portion is slightly raised, so as to create the impression of a cafe racer tail while offering some support for the rider. Unlike the upper part of the saddle, its flanks and rear section are wrapped in standard black leather. From afar, a simple front fender appears to be the only other bodywork item besides the fuel tank, but a closer inspection will a discreet inner fender at the back, too.In terms of cockpit equipment, the reworked Guzzi comes with adjustable Tarozzi clip-ons and a Chronoclassic dial from Motogadget. The German accessories brand also supplied some fresh switchgear and mirrors, along with the tried-and-true mo.Unit controller. All the electronics have been rewired through the new control module, but none of the original lighting goodies made the cut.Up north, theyve been replaced by a seven-inch incandescent headlamp and bar-end turn signals. Dual-function LEDs take care of lighting duties at six oclock, sitting on a swingarm-mounted license plate bracket built from scratch. Besides the clip-on handlebars, Tarozzi contributed a pair of CNC-machined rearsets and plain rubber grips to Pauls cause.Unsprung territory is occupied by laced Borrani hoops, whose rims are cloaked in grippy Roadrider MKII rubber from Avons catalog. In search of ample stopping power at the front, our protagonist installed floating Spiegler rotors, sturdier brake calipers, and a Brembo PS16 master cylinder. Unsurprisingly, the bikes suspension was also blessed with a comprehensive makeover.Its forks received modern Bitubo internals, while the standard shock absorbers gave way to YSS substitutes with progressive springs. Moving on to the powertrain-related mods, Paul showed the engines inner workings some much-needed TLC, but a thorough scrub on the outside was in order, as well.He bead-blasted the V-twin mill externally and polished its valve covers to a mirror finish. The stock carburetors got deleted to make room for DellOrto PHF36 replacements, which breathe through billet aluminum velocity stacks. Last but not least, this ravishing 850T cafe racer needed a suitable exhaust system, so HMs mastermind enrolled the help of Mass Moto to get the job done.The new pipework was shaped out of stainless-steel, and it makes its way back to reverse megaphone mufflers on each side of the rear wheel. A considerable weight reduction occurred as a by-product of Horizontal Moto s transformation, with the modded Guzzi now tipping the scales at just 190 kilograms (419 pounds) dry. All things considered, Paul Fuhrmann dialed this Italian stallion to eleven in just about every possible way!
Maybe you've heard that on September 15, tens of thousands of United Auto Workers members started what the media calls "the biggest strike in the auto industry in the last 90 years." And yes, among other issues, it's got to do with the transition to EVs.

Fear of change

Photo: Image by aleksandarlittlewolf on Freepik

ICE

EV

Fear of poverty

Photo: Image by standret on Freepik

Photo: Image by Freepik

Fear of fear

Photo: BYD

I was wrong to think the ICE age is finally ending, and it was foolish of me to joke about "the ICE is dead; long live the ICE!" Because the internal combustion engine is not going out without a fierce fight.When is an animal the most dangerous? When it's cornered and cannot flee, the only alternative is to put all its energy into fighting its way out, even if it will kill it. The prey has everything to lose, but the predator could also lose a lot. So, if there's a slim chance for the prey to escape, it will become surprisingly dangerous.Maybe it's not the best metaphor for ICEVs vs. EVs. The truth is that it's more like a dinosaur vs. mammal surviving race because global warming looks a lot like the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs, remember?But enough with all this small talk. Let me convert back into a petrolhead and check why we should not ditch the ICEs.What's a car for? To roam around wherever you want, whenever you want. As kids, we quickly learn that a car's heart is its engine, and the fuel is its blood. When the car runs out of fuel, you just have to find a fuel station to refuel quickly, and then you continue your long journey.It doesn't matter if the fuel is based on oil or made out of corn; if it's clean-burning hydrogen or if it's made out of thin air, like the CO2-based e-fuels . What matters is that we're used to refueling and traveling hundreds of miles between refueling.This is what we are comfortable with, so changing this habit almost overnight is close to a shock to many of us.Replacing the roaring, low-efficiency internal combustion engine with a silent, high-torque electric motor is a sacrilege only for hardcore petrolheads. The vast majority of drivers have no issues with better technology, and they wouldn't weep overphasing out.But replacing the fuel tank with batteries, which provide lower mileages and longer times for "refueling," is unacceptable for most drivers. Only hardcore electroheads can accept the compromises of carefully planning longer journeys and the risks of charging stations not working when you really need them.When you put things in the balance, the comfort you're used to prevails. And keeping ICEs alive, despite their downsides , seems the right choice for many. When you add somefake news and myths to the picture, and at the same time cast a shadow of doubt on pollution and climate change, the ICE suddenly becomes a victim of the devilish EV conspiracy.So, basically, ditching the ICE is giving up my right to freedom. This is what all the mass-media articles, all the social media debate, and all the online memes point out: ICE is freedom. Everything else is of little or no importance.Anyone out there wants a good life, which implies earning money. In our modern society, you get rewarded for the work you do. If you work, you get paid and can enjoy your freedom. Forget about the paradox that, to be free for a bit of time, you must spend much time working.It's just a detail, like the one that you cannot roam free with your car if there are no fuel stations or charging points. But, hey, let's not waste precious time philosophizing about the true nature of freedom. Don't pervert the "ICE is freedom" undeniable truth we concluded earlier.Likewise, "working is having money" must be the basis of our debate. It's only natural for the UAW members to fear that the transition to electromobility will also mean many layoffs. For years, public opinion was flooded by strong opinions that manufacturing EVs requires less workforce and more automatization than ICEVs.While the main requests of UAW focused on a 40% wage increase and better working conditions, somehow, the elephant in the room became the electromobility. Basically, it all turned into "EVs are stealing our jobs!" in mass media and social media.I mean, the Biden administration poured billions of dollars out of taxpayers' money for the car industry to massively shift to EVs. And now there's a high risk of collateral damage in tens of thousands of workers losing their jobs.Of course, automation is making those jobs obsolete because natural selection rules also apply to technological evolution. And the new kinds of jobs require new types of skills and education. But only idealistic morons hope for a better world tomorrow.Down-to-earth people live in the present, and they are right to fear they could lose everything. That's why we can't kill the ICE . We cannot abandon tens of thousands of people whose jobs depend on ICE cars. Therefore, we cannot shift to electric vehicles.Of course, it's of little or no importance that the World Health Organization recently issued a warning stating that 98% of the eight billion population on Earth is breathing polluted air. The fine particle (PM2.5) levels greatly exceed WHO's recommendations, and researchers estimate they are accountable for more than 10 million premature deaths yearly.An MIT study found that road transport is to blame for nearly 60,000 premature deaths yearly because of tailpipe pollution produced by burning fossil fuels in internal combustion engines. But, hey, this is just an estimated number, and we all die at some point in the distant future, no matter why.In the present, or at least in the near future, switching to EVs will produce tens of thousands of layoffs. Those are people, but they are also voters, right? It's up to you to do the math; I won't go into politics right now. I just hope no one will use the "Let's make ICE great again" slogan. It's kind of stupid.There are many uncertainties these days, and our lives are more stressful than ever. It's like we need something familiar to hold on to and not go crazy. The internal combustion engine was born over a century ago, so it's the solid pillar we need, right?Okay, maybe global warming and climate change are not trivial, as the "There is no climate change!" 45th-president-sermonizer used to say back in the day. But you can't put all the blame on the ICEs, can you?The industry is very confident in the e-fuels made from CO2 and renewables. Why spend all that money on batteries  which are polluting to produce , didn't you hear?  when we have this carbon-neutral miracle just waiting to happen under our eyes?There is also that war in Eastern Europe where the US is helping Ukraine with billions of dollars against Russia's invasion. It's not at all a good time for Biden's transition to electromobility, that's for sure. We should keep up with the ICE car manufacturing for now.Oh, don't forget about China and their cheap electric cars! Are we really going to fall for their EV propaganda? Get serious, people; there are more than 1.3 billion cars worldwide, and we simply cannot replace all of them with EVs.That's why ICE is the best bet for the future. Right?
kW

Mansory has modified to the teeth certain vehicles from most premium car brands, a few exotic ones, and the occasional mainstream company. One of their latest encounters with something on four wheels that costs a lot of money came in the form of one brash Rolls-Royce Dawn You see, Rolls-Royce may have pulled the plug on the open-top luxury GT earlier this year, but that hasn't stopped the tuner from bringing out the color within it  literally. The pictured Dawn features a dual-tone exterior finish, mixing purple at the front that fades to black at the rear. There are other black components on deck, too, including some that sport a forged carbon look.Addition LED lights are part of the makeover, alongside the body kit that Mansory has applied to other Dawns and Wraiths, for that matter. These include the side attachments, as well as the beefier skirts, a redesigned lower section of the front bumper, complete with an apron that features side blades, rear bumper add-ons, a new diffuser, and a trunk lid spoiler.Rounding off the exterior looks are the FS.23 black multi-spoke alloys with a touch of purple, side decals presented in light blue, and the usual Mansory logos. Things are a bit too purple when it comes to the cabin, too, which was completely reupholstered in fine leather painted in the lively hue. This Dawn has light blue seatbelts with Mansory branding on them, custom carpets and floor mats, new entry sills, and other stuff that makes it stand out more.Without any outside intervention, the 6.6-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission made by ZF that sends the thrust to the rear wheels, produces 563 hp (571 ps/420) and 605 lb-ft (820 Nm) of torque. Nonetheless, Mansory has also had its way with the power unit, which was massaged to develop 730 hp (740 ps/544 kW) and 738 lb-ft (1,000 Nm). According to the tuner, the zero to sixty-two mph (0 to 100 kph) is dispatched in 4.5 seconds, and the luxury open-top car tops out at 177 mph (285 kph).Mansory hasn't revealed whether this Rolls-Royce Dawn is for sale, but even if it isn't, worry not because, for the right amount of cash, they can turn any example out there to this specification. But would you really do that to this model if you had one?
Common sense would say that you can't offer more features in an RV with a more compact footprint, but challenging the status quo is something this German RV specialist does very well.

Photo: Knaus Tabbert

EV

ICE



Photo: Knaus Tabbert



Knaus says the Yaseo saves as much as 20% space while presenting 14% less drag than a larger towable. Its also rendered self-sufficient because it's no longer gas-reliant for any of the appliances, which now run on electricity instead. Using the E.POWER technology, the trailer uses the EV's V2L connection to run or can be hooked up to the grid at camp.



EV owners with serious range anxiety will argue that this is the opposite of self-sufficiency and quite a kick below the belt in terms of drainage on the battery of the towing vehicle. It's a double-edged sword, to be sure. To those, Knaus offers gas optionally.



Photo: Knaus Tabbert



The Yaseo debuted in August at the 2023 Dusseldorf Caravan Salon and is getting ready for a string of appearances at European caravan shows. In the meantime, pre-orders are underway.



According to one







Remove one of the seats in the lounge and you can extend the bathroom to create a shower room. Remove a couple more from the sitting area, and you can use that space as storage for two bikes.Knaus says the Yaseo saves as much as 20% space while presenting 14% less drag than a larger towable. Its also rendered self-sufficient because it's no longer gas-reliant for any of the appliances, which now run on electricity instead. Using the E.POWER technology, the trailer uses the EV's V2L connection to run or can be hooked up to the grid at camp.EV owners with serious range anxiety will argue that this is the opposite of self-sufficiency and quite a kick below the belt in terms of drainage on the battery of the towing vehicle. It's a double-edged sword, to be sure. To those, Knaus offers gas optionally.As noted above, the Yaseo comes in two layouts: the ultra-compact 340 XP that sleeps two people and doesn't include the extendable bathroom (you get only a wet bath) and the multi-functional 500 DX, with its extendable bathroom and as many as five berths to fit the entire fam.The Yaseo debuted in August at the 2023 Dusseldorf Caravan Salon and is getting ready for a string of appearances at European caravan shows. In the meantime, pre-orders are underway.According to one media outlet , the Yaseo 340 PX starts at 22,719 (approximately $24,210 at the current exchange rate), while the versatile 300 DK has a MRSP of 29,219 ($31,134). Options range from the LGP system to fabrics, lithium battery, smart TV and sound system, and microwave, and they will add to the final price

The RV industry is still booming, three years after the international health crisis that literally shuttered half the globe's population, shutting down businesses and temporarily locking us inside our homes. Travel picked up right away, with local destinations becoming favorites, which paved the way for the now-ubiquitous vanlife, the digital nomad revolution, and a fresh boom for the RV industry.The upward trend is expected to continue for several years more, so manufacturers are busy developing new models, better layouts, enhanced autonomy, more comfort, and more variety . This one manufacturer seems determined to do all of these at once with the latest addition to its already impressive lineup.This is the Yaseo travel trailer, dubbed "the first caravan for e-mobility." It's the latest from German maker Knaus Tabbert, a name that hardly needs any introduction in Europe. We covered some of its RVs before, including the now-iconic Caravisio demonstrator and the recent 2023 CUV Tourer, both outstanding in their own right.Coming to confirm Knaus' commitment to innovation and versatility is the Yaseo, which they call the first caravan designed fortowing or towing with a smaller(internal combustion engine) car. For the sake of accuracy, this isn't the first towable made for EVs. But itthe one with the most impressive and surprising layout.To impact the range of the electric towing car as little as possible, a trailer has to be small and lightweight. Neither of these goes with Knaus ' desire to still offer a full family home, with all the creature comforts and even room to spare. So they're reconciling the irreconcilable by means of a transformable interior and multi-functional spaces and furniture.The Yaseo is like the Swiss army knife of travel trailers in the sense that you can use features and then slide them out of sight. Convertible spaces and transformable furniture are not a novelty on the market, but the sheer number of them in a single layout still stands out.The Yaseo offers a face-to-face dinette that becomes a bedroom by dropping the bed from the wall, a lounge that also turns into a bedroom, a fifth berth popping out of nowhere, and a bathroom that slides into existence out of itself. It's not magic, we'll explain.These features are available on the larger floorplan, the 500 DK. It's 528 cm (17.3 feet) in length with a curb weight of weight 1,150 kg (2,535 lbs(, but it offers the same features as the much larger 790-cm (26-foot) Sudwind 580 QS. In fact, as they explain in the video below, some spaces are even bigger, including the kitchen and the bathroom.This is possible by using multi-functional furniture. The dinette is doubled by a Murphy bed that drops on top of the seats as soon as you fold up the dining table. The lounge extends into a two-person bed. The third bunk drops from the wall it usually rests against and integrates a safety railing.
23 September 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

In addition to being a deep and rich field of activity, politics is also a tactic that a state can use to improve its status, material and moral well-being, and governance. However, since the issue is related to Armenia, politics changes its most essential part...

Armenia, which does not want to accept its absolute defeat and tries to resort to all kinds of cheap maneuvers, this time resorted to another provocation against Azerbaijan on behalf of neighboring states - and more surprisingly, its choice has been neighboring Iran.

Thus, Armenia once again disgraced itself while trying to carry out its so-called policy through the media.

According to Armenian sources, allegedly the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi said that the deployment of Iran's armed forces in areas near the borders is aimed at preventing changes in the region's geopolitics and borders. Iran is as though worried about Azerbaijan's recent anti-terror measures in Garabagh, and supposedly taking preventive measures, it brought its army near the border.

According to Sadraddin Soltan, head of an Azerbaijani think tank, and political scientist, who commented to Azernews, after the local anti-terrorist measures implemented by the Azerbaijani Army in Garabagh, a number of forces in Armenia could not digest this victory over separatism. Therefore, Armenia decided to make a cheap so-called political maneuver - that is, it tried to use the name of Iran as a tool to create confusion between the two neighboring states. However, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and the President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, made a statement that Garabagh is the territory of Azerbaijan and that separatist Armenians should be removed from those territories. Certainly, this caused irritation in some circles of Armenia.

According to Soltan, the Chief of General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, said that the Iranian armed forces have no counterattack plan against the neighbors. Also, no action will be taken to break the relationship. In this regard, the Iranian side announced its position during the telephone conversations between the defense ministers of Iran and Azerbaijan.

"Another issue is related to the position of Iran in the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and determination of borders. However, the Iranian side does not understand that there is no document related to the issue of border determination. Because the borders of Armenia are defined in accordance with the Almaty document, and Azerbaijan is more in favor of defining them according to the map of 1920. Therefore, no steps have been taken by either side to define the borders yet," the political scientist said.

S.Soltan also added that in one of Iran's statements, changing the borders is considered a red line of the state. According to them, the intervention of third countries is unacceptable. However, with this statement, Iran has already intervened in this matter. This is an illogical approach in the process of normalization of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations.

The expert said that the other and most important issue that worries Iran is the implementation of the Zangazur Corridor project. In this case, Iran's joint plans with Armenia come to naught. Using each other as a tool, Armenia and Iran are trying to secure their interests in the South Caucasus and are taking the initiative to implement various insidious plans.

"One of the important points is that if the relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia are normalized, Iran will be included and other 3rd countries will be left out. Therefore, those countries are not interested in direct negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. On the contrary, their goal is to hinder the restoration of relations by various means. This is creating an obstacle to peace, cooperation, and security in the region," the expert added.

---

Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 15:36 (UTC+04:00)

The Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan has signed a memorandum on cooperation in the field of "smart agriculture" with the Trade and Investment Promotion Agency of South Korea (KOTRA), INPRO, WHYBIZ, ENEY, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry.

The signing took place within the framework of presentation of the test project "Korea-Azerbaijan cooperation in the field of smart agriculture" with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, representatives of KOTRA, INPRO, WHYBIZ, ENEY at the exhibition Animal Research Institute of Animal Husbandry. Presentations on "Cloud System" and other topics were made.

Mahir Hajiyev, Director of the Research Institute of Animal Husbandry, who opened the event with an introductory speech, said that the Institute is constantly cooperating with international organizations and scientific institutions, and fundamental steps are being taken to apply international experience for the development of animal husbandry in the country.

Arzu Gojayev, deputy head of executive authority of Goygol district, noted that Goygol district is one of the leading districts in the field of livestock breeding in our country. With the increase of indicators in recent years, introduction of new innovations will play an even more important role in the development of livestock breeding.

Head of KOTRA Baku office Kekwon Jo emphasized that KOTRA is very interested in applying the best practices of companies and enterprises in Azerbaijan with the support of the South Korean government during their activities in Azerbaijan. Today's pilot project lays the foundation for future large-scale projects.

It should be noted that since April this year, regular meetings have been held with KOTRA to implement various projects.

The South Korean FarmConnect company and the Research Institute of Vegetable Growing under the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan signed an agreement on cooperation in the implementation of Smart Farming technology on jul 22 in 2021

With the help of artificial intelligence (AI), FarmConnect will share with the Azerbaijani institute the technologies for analysing data and increasing yields, the statement said.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 14:19 (UTC+04:00)

Humanitarian aid sent by Azerbaijan to the Armenian population living in Garabagh has been handed over to Russian peacekeepers, Azernews reports.

The Russian Defense Ministry released footage of peacekeepers delivering humanitarian aid sent by Azerbaijan to the Armenian residents of Garabagh. The aid sent by Azerbaijan was received by Russian peacekeepers, stored at the base, and then distributed to the residents of Garabagh of Armenian origin.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, suppression of large-scale provocations in Azerbaijan's Garabagh economic region, disarmament, and withdrawal of Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, localized anti-terrorist activities were carried out in the region.

In particular, it is planned to supply fuel for the heating systems of kindergartens and schools, as well as the emergency medical service and fire department, and to provide humanitarian support in the near future.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 22:11 (UTC+04:00)

According to information, on 20 September, after Azerbaijan announced the suspension of local anti-terrorist activities, a number of measures such as the retreat of armed groups from combat positions and the beginning of the process of their disbandment, the search for the dead and missing, the evacuation of the wounded to Armenia accompanied by the International Committee of the Red Cross and Russian peacekeepers, and the organisation of the delivery of humanitarian goods began. The Armenian residents of Garabagh are advised to remain calm, not to panic and not to take provocations, Azernews reports.

It should be noted that in order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, suppress large-scale provocations in the Garabagh economic region, disarmament and withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist activities of local character were carried out in the region.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

Footage of a Military equipment, weapons and ammunition seized in the Garabagh region, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry.

It should be noted that in order to ensure the provisions of the Tripartite Declaration, suppress large-scale provocations in Azerbaijan's Garabagh economic region, disarmament and withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, local anti-terrorist measures were carried out in the region.

Taking into account the appeal of representatives of the Armenian population of Garabagh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, on September 20, 2023 at 13:00, an agreement was reached on the cessation of local anti-terrorist measures under the following conditions: illegal Armenian armed formations located in the Garabagh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan dropped their weapons, left their combat positions and military posts and completely disarmed. Besides, the Armenian armed forces formations try to leave the territory of Azerbaijan.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 10:30 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijani Defence Ministry has released footage of the abandoned combat position near the Garakand settlement of the Khojavand district, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry.

It should be noted that local anti-terrorist activities initiated by the Azerbaijani army in Garabagh led to the capitulation of the separatists. Taking into account the appeal of representatives of the Armenian population of Garabagh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on a complete ceasefire and on 20 September 2023 at 13:00 local8 anti-terrorist activities were stopped.

According to the agreement reached, the units of the Armenian Armed Forces and illegal Armenian armed formations located in the Garabagh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts and are completely disarmed. The units of the Armenian armed forces leave the territories of Azerbaijan and the illegal Armenian armed formations are released.

In parallel, all weapons and heavy equipment are surrendered.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 12:30 (UTC+04:00)

Colombia's leading news channel NTN24, operating throughout the Americas, showed a large-scale story on local anti-terrorist measures and their results carried out by the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Garabagh economic region. Detailed answers of the TV channel's journalist to the questions addressed to Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Colombia Mammad Talibov were also reflected in the story, Azernews reports.

It was noted that the endless provocations of the Armenian side, terrorist acts and non-observance of the conditions of the Trilateral Declaration signed on 10 November 2020 made the local anti-terrorist measures inevitable. During the latest terrorist attack carried out by a sabotage and subversive group of the Armenian armed forces, 7 policemen, including 2 civilians, were killed. As a result, local anti-terrorist measures were launched in the region to prevent large-scale provocations in Garabagh, disarm and withdraw the remnants of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, neutralise their military forces.

The story says that as a result of 24-hour anti-terrorist measures Azerbaijan has fully achieved its goals, as a result of the measures the separatist regime settled in Khankendi surrendered and their military arsenal was destroyed. According to the agreement reached through the mediation of the Russian peacekeeping forces, the Armenian armed formations settled in Garabagh leave the territories of Azerbaijan, the illegal Armenian armed formations are released, and all weapons, ammunition and heavy equipment are surrendered.

At the same time, the importance of the meeting between representatives of the central government of Azerbaijan and representatives of the Armenian inhabitants of Garabagh held on 21 September in the town of Yevlakh is stressed, that the Armenian inhabitants of the region, who have been held captive by the criminal junta regime for many years, have already gained their freedom, that all their rights will be secured and their social rights will be ensured, and it is stressed that the economic reintegration plan is ready.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 11:30 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov has met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, the sides discussed cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia, as well as the latest situation in the region.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov offered his deepest condolences to the Russian Federation and the families of members of the Russian peacekeeping contingent who died during the anti-terrorist measures implemented in the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan. The minister noted that an investigation had been launched into the incident.

FM Bayramov provided detailed information about the anti-terrorist measures taken by Azerbaijan against illegal Armenian armed groups that continued to exist in the Garabagh region contrary to international law and the Trilateral statement signed between the leaders of Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia on November 10, 2020.

Minister Bayramov noted that the anti-terrorist measures carried out in less than 24 hours had been successfully completed with putting an end to the illegal military presence, which has remained since the 30-year occupation period, even financed and supported by Armenia in the later stages, in the post-conflict period.

Jeyhun Bayramov pointed out that practical steps have been taken by Azerbaijan to seize the weapons and ammunition of the heavily militarized Armenian armed forces in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent temporarily stationed in the region.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said that Azerbaijan believes that anti-terrorist measures will increase the intensity of the work done both in terms of the establishment of peace and security in the region and the reintegration of Armenian residents, adding that Azerbaijan will continue its efforts in these directions.

During the meeting, the parties also exchanged views on other issues of the current cooperation agenda between the two countries.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 13:00 (UTC+04:00)

The Russian community of Azerbaijan fully supports the efforts of the country's leadership aimed at the early reintegration of the Armenian minority in Garabagh into the multinational Azerbaijani society, Azernews reports, citing the statement of Community.

The statement reads that the anti-terrorist activities in Garabagh and the meeting of the Azerbaijani President's representatives with the representatives of the Armenian minority in Garabagh on September 21 in the town of Yevlakh put an end to the long-standing conflict.

The next day, at the request of representatives of the Armenian minority, two TIRs loaded with various food and hygiene items, as well as two trucks loaded with bread were sent through the Aghdam-Khankendi road as part of the discussion of social and humanitarian issues.

"We, the Russian community of Azerbaijan, are confident that the socio-economic reintegration plan for the Armenian minority in Garabagh fully complies with all the rights and norms of the Constitution of the Republic. Azerbaijan is traditionally a multinational, multicultural country where many ethnic groups live in peace and harmony. Throughout our history, there has always been peace among all peoples living in our country, regardless of nationality and religion. The time has come for peace, development and prosperity of the entire South Caucasus," the community said in a statement.

It is noted that the valiant army of Azerbaijan under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, showed true heroism and patriotism on the battlefield, liberating the Armenian minority in Garabagh from the military junta made up of criminals who forcibly held power for many years.

"We will always remember our heroes who gave their lives for the Motherland. Unfortunately, we had martyrs in the course of anti-terrorist measures. The Russian community expresses condolences to the families of the victims and wishes rapid recovery for the wounded. We also express our condolences to the families of the deceased Russian peacekeepers who gave their lives for the establishment of peace in the region and sincerely hope that peace will be restored forever from now on," the community said in a statement.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 14:43 (UTC+04:00)

Within the framework of participation in the high-level week of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov will meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Azernews reports, citing the press service of the Secretary General.

According to the received information, the meeting will discuss various directions of cooperation between the UN and Azerbaijan, regional issues, as well as the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 11:15 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the occasion of the country's national holiday, Azernews reports.

To His Majesty Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of Two Holy Mosques, King of Saudi Arabia

Your Majesty,

Dear Brother,

I feel privileged to convey my sincerest and best wishes to you and through you, to your entire people on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  the Proclamation of the Kingdom.

We attach a special importance to the relations between Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia based on mutual trust and support, and built on strong foundations such as shared historical and cultural roots, brotherhood and the Islamic solidarity. High level mutual visits, our beneficial collaboration on bilateral and multilateral basis covering various areas, ever expanding political, economic and cultural ties are seen as main factors that characterize multifaceted relations between our brotherly countries. You have delivered great services to develop and strengthen the partnership between Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia, and we highly value it.

The current level of our political ties and our active dialogue create good opportunities to further expand our interaction in all fields, and particularly, in energy and investment areas, including the territories liberated from the occupation. I value the project which is being implemented by Saudi Arabias leading ACWA Power to build the Wind Power Plant in Azerbaijan as an outstanding example of our collaboration.

We are grateful to Saudi Arabia for its constant support to the territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan.

I am confident that traditional friendly ties between Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia, and our beneficial cooperation both bilaterally and in the framework of international organizations will continue to strengthen and deepen by our joint efforts in line with the interests of our brotherly peoples.

On this pleasant day, I wish you sound health, success in your activities, and everlasting peace and prosperity to the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia.

Sincerely,

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 20 September 2023

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 15:06 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov has met with his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani as part of his working visit to New York to attend the high-level week of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Azernews reports.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov hailed the existing level of strategic cooperation between the two countries, emphasizing the prospects for the development of bilateral relations.

FM Bayramov informed his Pakistani counterpart about the military-political provocations carried out by Armenia and the so-called regime it created. Bayramov mentioned that the main goal of the anti-terrorism measures carried out in the region was the disarmament of the illegal Armenian armed forces and the dissolution of the illegal regime. The minister stressed that the local anti-terrorism measures carried out by the armed forces were directed exclusively against legitimate military targets and aimed at neutralizing the illegal military infrastructure of Armenia.

Azerbaijans target was only illegal Armenian armed groups, but not civilians and civilian facilities, the Azerbaijani FM underlined.

Pakistani FM Jalil Abbas Jilani pointed out that Pakistan, as always, supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and the legitimate steps taken in its sovereign territories.

During the meeting, the FMs discussed other regional and international issues of mutual interest.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 19:00 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov has met with Vice President of the Republic of Uganda Jessica Alupo on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, the sides discussed cooperation between the two countries, as well as within the framework of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Nothing Azerbaijan's increasing contacts with Uganda, especially during the Azerbaijans chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Minister Jeyhun Bayramov expressed his countrys intention to actively cooperate within the framework of the NAM (Troika), and wished success to Uganda in its future chairmanship of the Movement.

Vice-President Jessica Alupo commended Azerbaijans efforts during the countrys chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement to revitalize the Movement and enhance its influence, stressing the importance of cooperation in order to continue to build on existing successes in this area in the coming years.

The discussions also focused on other issues of mutual interest.

Bilateral diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Uganda

The protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries was signed on 19 August 1995.

Within the framework of the 18th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit held in Baku from 23 to 26 October 2019, a delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda, Sam Kahamba Kutesa, visited Azerbaijan.

Mr Sam Kahamba Kutesa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uganda, attended the online summit of the Non-Aligned Movement Contact Group, which was held at the initiative of the President of Azerbaijan and Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ilham Aliyev in response to COVID-19 on 4 May 2020. The summit was held under the motto "Unification against COVID-19".

12 October 2021 Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan J. Bayramov met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda Odongo Jeje Abubakar within the framework of participation in the event dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement in Belgrade.

On 22 November 2021, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev received credentials of Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda to the Republic of Azerbaijan (with residence in Tehran) Muhammad Tezikuba Kisambir.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 17:45 (UTC+04:00)

During the occupation of Azerbaijani territories in 1992, a tank installed by Armenians at the entrance to the town of Shusha as a "symbol of their victory" was dismantled, Azernews reports.

It was the first tank to attempt to enter the city during the occupation forces' attack on Shusha city.

This tank number 442 was shot down by Azerbaijan's National Hero Albert Agarunov.

After the first Garabagh war, this burnt tank, which was advancing towards Shusha, was restored and installed as a "monument" at the entrance to the town.

Rantik Agarunov, brother of Azerbaijani National Hero Albert Agarunov, said that his family is very happy about this news.

Rantik Agarunov noted: "Yesterday, a friend showed me a picture of the tank. According to him, this tank will be dismantled, brought to Baku and placed in the War Trophies Park. Can there be more good news? Justice has won.

When I was in Shusha last year, I saw this tank from afar. But up close, of course, it was impossible. Albert hit the first Armenian tank that entered Shusha, and our soldiers showed me its location. I will now come and have a closer look at this tank after it is placed in the Trophy Park."

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 17:10 (UTC+04:00)

Process of disarming Armenian illegal armed formations which haven't been withdrawn contrary to the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Garabagh war in Azerbaijan's Garabagh continues, Azernews reports, citing Trend.

The footage on social media showed that members of the illegal formations hand over a large number of machine guns, machine guns, mortars and other weapons, as well as ammunition.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, suppression of large-scale provocations in Azerbaijan's Garabagh economic region, disarmament, and withdrawal of Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, localized anti-terrorist activities were carried out in the region.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 20:30 (UTC+04:00)

Representative of the President of Azerbaijan for special assignments Elchin Amirbayov gave an interview to BBC radio, Azernews reports.

In the interview Elchin Amirbayov spoke about the results of local anti-terrorist measures implemented in Azerbaijan and the process of reintegration of Garabagh Armenians into our society.

"The central authorities of Azerbaijan expect the Garabagh Armenians to fulfil all the commitments they have undertaken, first of all to release the armed formations and lay down their weapons, as well as to withdraw the rest of Armenia's occupation forces from our sovereign territory," he said. .

Amirbayov said that the humanitarian situation in Garabagh is gradually improving, as both Lachin road and Agdam road are actively functioning. He reminded that yesterday the central authorities sent four trucks of humanitarian aid with food and hygiene products to Khankendi. In addition, Russian peacekeepers also delivered humanitarian aid.

"We intend to continue to provide this population with everything they need. We are actively working with the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is engaged in evacuating the wounded. We believe that all other needs of the Armenian residents of Garabagh will be met, including electricity and heat," the presidential spokesman said.

According to Elchin Amirbayov, the meeting held in Yevlakh was very important because it gave us the opportunity to familiarise the representatives of the Armenian residents of Garabagh in detail with our ideas regarding the reintegration of the peaceful Armenian population of Garabagh into Azerbaijani society.

"The process has begun and we hope that the situation will stabilise and peace will be established on Azerbaijani soil," he stressed.

Armenian residents of Garabagh will be provided with electricity and heat - Elchin Amirbayov

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 14:33 (UTC+04:00)

Under the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, a working group led by Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev was established to address social, humanitarian, economic and infrastructure issues in the Garabagh region, Azernews reports.

The working group shall operate within the framework of the Coordination Headquarters for addressing the issues in a centralized manner in the liberated territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The composition of the working group includes the Ministries of Economy, Labor and Social Protection of the Population, Agriculture, Internal Affairs, Health, Science and Education, "Azerenergy" OJSC, "Azerishiq" OJSC, "Azerigas" Production Union, State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads and other relevant institutions.

The following measures have been taken by the Working Group since September 20, 2023:

 On September 22, 2023, the Ministry of Emergency sent 2 trucks containing 40 tons of food and sanitary products and 2 trucks full of bread for Armenian residents via the operating Aghdam-Asgaran-Khankendi road;

 Tent camps for 1000 people were set up in Aghdam, Fuzuli and Kalbajar by the Ministry of Emergency Situations in order to provide Armenian residents with first aid and food. Police, military personnel and civilian workers are providing first aid and appropriate support on the ground to Armenian residents;

 Following a request the representatives of Armenian residents made at the meeting held in Yevlakh on September 21, fuel and lubricants will be provided, first of all to kindergartens, emergency medical aid and firefighting services.

 The passage of food and daily necessities is being ensured via the Lachin-Khankendi road for the use of the personnel of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, as well as for delivery to the civilian population through the peacekeepers;

 The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) shall facilitate the transportation of food, medicines and baby food via the Aghdam-Asgaran-Khankendi and Lachin-Khankendi roads, and the dispatch of additional staff from the organization's Baku and Geneva offices to the sub-office in Khankendi;

 Based on ICRC's request, the necessary opportunities shall be created for the evacuation of persons in need of medical assistance to Armenia.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 16:40 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of condolences to the President of the Republic of Italy Sergio Mattarella, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

Dear Mr. President,

I was deeply saddened by the news of the death of the former President of the Republic of Italy, outstanding statesman Giorgio Napolitano.

I highly appreciate Giorgio Napolitano's great contribution to the development of friendly and cooperative relations between Azerbaijan and Italy, and I always remember with fond memories my meetings with him.

I share your grief over this heavy loss, and extend my deep condolences to you, the family of the deceased, and the entire Italian people.

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 23 September 2023
23 September 2023 18:43 (UTC+04:00)

In accordance with the request made by the representatives of Armenian residents living in the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan at the meeting held in Yevlakh on September 21, to provide fuel and lubricants, first of all to kindergartens, emergency medical aid and firefighting services, on September 23, 24 tons of gasoline and 40 tons of diesel were sent via the Barda-Aghdam-Asgaran-Khankendi road, Azernews reports.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

The Turkish Coast Guard has rescued 53 irregular migrants in the Aegean Sea, after Greek authorities pushed them back into Turkish territorial waters, Azernews reports, citing Yeni Safak.

Coast guard units saved 40 migrants from a rubber boat near Mugla's Datca and Fethiye districts, while 13 others were rescued off Ayvalik district in Balikesir province, said the Turkish Coast Guard in the statement.

The migrants were later transported to the provincial migration authorities.

Turkiye and global rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece's illegal practice of pushing back asylum seekers, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 12:55 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

Pro-Armenian senator, and corrupt official Robert Menendez temporarily resigns as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the US Senate in connection with charges of corruption brought against him by American law enforcement agencies.

As Azernews reports with reference to foreign media, this was announced by the head of the Democratic majority of the upper house of the US Congress, Chuck Schumer (from New York).

The 69-year-old American politician has always been distinguished by his pro-Armenian position. It is said that Menendez, who has repeatedly voiced biased views against Azerbaijan, is also in a close relationship with Armenian lobbyists.

Bob Menendez also had an interesting story in 2015 about his corruption issue in the court just because of being apt to receive bribes. The senator, who is easily lured by money or some gifts, repeatedly poked his nose into an issue he did not know deeply due to the money invested in his account from the Armenian lobbies. The fact that the senator, who has never put a step in Garabagh and has a simple understanding of the Caucasus region, presented false images to the Foreign Relations Committee just for the sake of his pre-paid work, is clear proof of all that has been said.

Although Menendez is a lawyer, he has always been disloyal to his profession by violating international law, especially with regard to Azerbaijan's righteous struggle against terrorism and separatism in Garabagh. Of course, without knowing the region, how can one make claims from thousands of kilometers?

His selfless service was just to help Armenian lobbyists pour millions into the pockets of corruptionists like Menendez.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 21:00 (UTC+04:00)

Young activists continue protests in the capital of Armenia, Yerevan, Azernews reports.

Via Armenian media that they are calling on citizens to join the demonstration by marching through the streets of the city center. The main demand of the protesters is the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Protests have been taking place in Yerevan for several days now.

49 detained, 5 arrested during Yerevan protests

Armenia's Investigative Committee has launched a total of 26 criminal cases for alleged violations of public order during rallies in Yerevan since September 19

Report informs via Sputnik Armenia that as part of criminal cases, decisions to detain 45 people were made, another five were arrested, and seven were put on the wanted list. In total, petitions for the arrest of 39 people were submitted to the court, 34 of them cases are under consideration.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 September 2023 23:55 (UTC+04:00)

Representatives of the Supporting Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA) project Paata Janelidze and Ilze Purina visited Turkmenistan and held a series of meetings in Ashgabat and Mary with representatives of the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Education, the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan and the State Concern Turkmengaz, Azernews reports.

Discussions centred on energy efficiency, introduction of renewable energy sources into the electricity system and opportunities to reduce methane emissions. The total potential of renewable energy is estimated at 666 GW.

Solar energy has the largest share, estimated at 655 GW, followed by wind and hydropower. The development of this sector, along with the reduction of methane emissions (from power, agriculture and waste), will contribute significantly to environmental protection and energy supply, as well as to the fulfilment of the country's climate goals, i.e. achieving zero growth in greenhouse gas emissions starting in 2030 and significant emission reductions in the long term. With this in mind, the Turkmen government has taken the first important steps towards a more sustainable energy system.

The Law on Renewable Energy Sources was adopted in 2021, focusing on the development of renewable energy and providing major incentives for renewable energy projects. The Government has developed a new Law on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving, which is currently under consideration by the Parliament of Turkmenistan.

In addition, the Government plans to further explore the possibility of producing green and blue hydrogen in the country. Accession to the Global Methane Commitment is also on the political agenda. Opportunities for co-operation on methane emission reductions were considered during a meeting with Turkmengaz.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
The Bakersfield Planning Commission on Monday unanimously struck down an appeal filed by the opposition of the new veterans clinic in Bakersfield.
Email Dan Walters of CalMatters at dan@calmatters.org. CalMatters is a nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism venture committed to explaining how Californias state Capitol works and why it matters. For more columns by Walters, go to calmatters.org/dan-walters.
This post appears here courtesy of the The Daily Wire . The author of this post is Brandon Drey U.S. authorities said on Tuesday a multinational law enforcement operation dismantledone of the most notorious botnet malware platforms controlled by cybercriminals used to carry out criminal financial activities.to businesses, healthcare providers, and government agencies all over the world, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release.The Federal Bureau of Investigation said in a news release that the operation took place in the U.S., France, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Latvia, and the United Kingdom - making it one of the largest disruptions of a botnet infrastructure used by cybercriminals to commit ransomware, financial fraud, and other cyber-enabled criminal activity.FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a news release.FBI officials said they dismantled the botnet by lawfully gaining access to its infrastructure and redirecting the traffic to the bureau's servers, which then instructed infected computers to download an uninstaller file created by law enforcement to untether the victims from the botnet and prevent further malware infection from Qakbot.During the operation, namedfederal authorities said they recovered more than 6.5 million victims' email addresses and password credentials with millions more still being identified and seized 52 servers that they said wouldthe system.Qakbot malware, otherwise known asandwas created in 2008 and became a platform for ransomware attacks and other cybercrimes that infected victim computers primarily through spam emails containing malicious hyperlinks, authorities said. After a user engaged with the content contained in the email, the platform delivered malware or ransomware to the victim's computer, unknowingly becoming a part of a botnet network controlled by the Qakbot.Security researchers told Reuters they believe the hacking network originated in Russia.CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APPIn the U.S., the ransomware infected more than 200,000 computers belonging to several critical infrastructure industries, including a power engineering firm based in Illinois; financial services organizations based in Alabama, Kansas, and Maryland; a defense manufacturer based in Maryland; and a food distribution company in Southern California, according to authorities.Between October 2021 and April 2023, investigators said the platform's administrators received approximately $58 million in ransoms paid by victims. However, such attacks allegedly caused millions of dollars in losses to individuals and businesses worldwide.Authorities also announced they seized over $8.6 million in cryptocurrency in illicit profits and are still deleting the malicious code from victims' computers.U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in a news release.The U.S. State Department's Rewards for Justice program would award up to $10 million for information leading to the Qakbot operator's identities.
underlined

Rain will continue to move into our area this morning, with widespread rain likely by 11am. These rain conditions are expected to continue through 2pm Saturday with most areas receiving 3 to 4 inches.

Areas along the Pungo River and east of Aurora may see locally higher amounts of 4 to 6 inches.

Our heaviest rains are expected to occur between 2am and 2pm Saturday.

15 and 25 mph with frequent gust of 25 to 35 mph by noon.

7am Saturday morning.

Our highest winds are expected to occur between 8am and noon tomorrow, as the center of the storm approaches our area. Sustained winds are expected to increase to 25+ mph with frequent gust of 35+ likely.



Areas along our county's shorelines and adjacent to vast open farmlands could experience sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph with frequent gust of 40 to 50 possible. This will be especially true for areas along the Pungo River, as well as the Terra Ceia and Hickory Point communities.

4pm Saturday

11pm Saturday night.

Friday night through mid-day Saturday.

Greenville is expected to receive it's heaviest rains between 8am and 1pm Saturday.

2pm, with 1 tenth of an inch

10 and 20 mph with gust of 20 to 25 mph

Please see the email below and attached briefing from the National Weather Service for additional information. You can also view a recording of this morning's NWS briefing using the following link.



9 AM Webinar: https://youtu.be/x1wLD3Ooerk

This will be the final update pertaining to this storm system. We encourage everyone to monitor your local media outlets for additional information and we ask that you assist us by ensuring you, your family, friends and neighbors have a way of being alerted to any watches and / or warnings that may be issued during the overnight hours tonight.

Good Morning Everyone,As expected, the approaching tropical system continues to develop at a very fast pace. The morning's update expanded the forecasted impacts into our state and once again increased our expected wind conditions. Changes to forecasted conditions for Beaufort County have beenbelow.North and Northeast winds will continue to increase this morning becoming sustained betweenThese wind conditions are expected to continueWinds will begin to transition to the West aroundand remain sustain between 15 and 20 mph with frequent gust of 20 to 30 mph throughOur waterways are forecasted to receive 3 to 5 feet of storm surge*For anyone planning to attend ECU's home opener in Greenville on Saturday, the current game time forecast is as follows:However, rain chances will begin to diminish aroundexpected between 2pm and 7pm.Sustained west winds betweenare expected between 2pm and 10pm.*As always, thank you all for what you do to keep Beaufort County informed, prepared, and safe.Chris NewkirkDirector, Beaufort County Emergency Services121 W 3rd St.Washington, NC 27889Office: Cell:National Weather Service EmailAll,Attached is the latest briefing on Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen. Tropical Storm Warnings have been expanded westward with this update to include Duplin County. Rainfall amounts have not changed, but we tried to highlight the greatest areas of flood risk.Our biggest concerns remain the potential for storm surge, strong winds (especially near the coast and over the waters) and localized heavy rain. Refer to www.weather.gov/mhx/tropical for more information.Regards,NWS Newport/Morehead CityNOAA - National Weather ServiceNewport/Morehead City, NC Weather Forecast Office533 Roberts RdNewport, NC 28570
Taxpayers are continuing to fund efforts by non-government organizations (NGOs) that facilitate illegal immigration into the United States. This is according to an investigation conducted by the nonprofit, anti-illegal immigration organization Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR).

FAIR found that the Department of Homeland Security is providing another $77 million in taxpayer funding to NGOs, states and local governments that will be used to assist illegals at the border. This money has been allocated to 53 entities, with the county government of El Paso, Texas receiving the largest amount of funding at around $13 million.

This recent funding builds on the previous tranche doled out by the department in June, amounting to over $291 million through the Shelter and Services Program (SSP), a federal program that provides funds to non-federal entities including NGOs and state and local government agencies that provide shelter for migrants. Around 36 percent of this first tranche, or over $104 million, went to the New York City Office of Management and Budget (NYC OMB). This brings the total amount provided by Homeland Security for SSP to a little over $368 million.

The American taxpayer is paying to import illegals across our border, said political commentator Ann Vandersteel during a guest appearance on The Jeff Dornik Show.

Were paying non-governmental organizations to finance the  transportation of illegals from all parts of the world through Central America [and] right across our borders, she continued. What are those illegals bringing with them besides bad intentions? A lot of them have no ability to get real jobs in the city and having to go on welfare. They are bringing a massive tax burden. (Related: Right Now with Ann Vandersteel: Several NGOs are involved in CHILD TRAFFICKING, reveals Carlos Arellano  Brighteon.TV.)

Democrats want to allocate $752M in taxes for illegals next fiscal year

Of the 53 entities that received taxpayer funding from Homeland Security for the SSP, the top 10 organizations received nearly 70 percent of the $291 million doled out by the department since October 2022, amounting to nearly $204 million.

Of these 10 organizations, seven are actually state or local governments or agencies, including the aforementioned NYC OMB, which received the largest share of SSP taxpayer funding, being allocated over $104 million in the first tranche and another $2.2 million in the second.

The other state or local governments or agencies are the Illinois Department of Human Services, which received over $19 million; El Paso County, Texas, which received over $15.6 million; the City of San Antonio, which received $14.6 million; the City of Chicago, which received $12.7 million; the County of Riverside in Southern California, which received over $12.6 million; and the consolidated city-county government of Denver, Colorado, which received just a little over $9 million.

The remaining three entities are the Catholic Charities branch in the Diocese of San Diego County, Texas, which received nearly $28 million, the World Hunger Ecumenical Task Force, based out of Maricopa County, Arizona, which received over $14 million, and the United Way branch in Southwest New Mexico, which got $12.8 million in taxpayer funding.

Aside from the SSP, the department will be funneling the money through Homeland Securitys other migrant program, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program-Humanitarian Awards.

In addition to the funding that has already been allocated through these two programs, the administration of President Joe Biden is demanding that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy provide an additional $600 million in emergency funding for the SSP.

SSP funding for the next fiscal year, which begins on Oct. 1, is still under consideration by Congress. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives has rejected the White Houses demand to keep pumping taxpayer dollars into the SSP, but the Democrat-controlled Senates appropriations bill for the upcoming fiscal year would allocate $752 million in taxes to the SSP to provide shelter and other so-called humanitarian services to illegals released from the custody of Homeland Security.

Visit Migrants.news for more information on illegal immigration in different parts of the world.

Watch this episode of The Jeff Dornik Show as host Jeff Dornik interviews Ann Vandersteel regarding the current migration crisis at the southern border, and how American tax dollars are being used to make it worse.
Surgeons have to deal with many challenges throughout their careers with patient care, insurance and more.

Three surgeons in orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery recently spoke with Becker's about the things they wish patients knew about their jobs.

Note: Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Question: What do you wish patients knew about your job?

Scott Daffner, MD. Professor of Orthopedics at the West Virginia University School of Medicine: There really are three things I wish patients understood better. The first is that we are really working for their best interest. If I ask a patient to stop smoking or lose weight or undergo another injection or test before we consider surgery, it is because I want to set them up to have the best possible outcome. Surgery is not always the best solution for every patient, but either way, patients need to trust the process. Secondly, patients need to understand that their outcome depends largely on their willingness and ability to take some responsibility for their own care. They need to be active participants in their own treatment and recovery. Lastly, I wish patients understood just how hard we work for them. The amount of time and effort spent obtaining pre-authorization for tests or surgeries, returning patient calls or coordinating care with multiple providers can be substantial.

Wilson Ray, MD. Executive Vice-Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at the Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis, Mo.): In a general sense, it is important for patients to understand that our primary goal is to alleviate pain and neurological dysfunction and ultimately improve our patients quality of life.

First and foremost, neurosurgery is not a solitary endeavor; it's a multidisciplinary effort that involves close coordination with our colleagues, orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists and radiologists. Every case is a team effort, and this collaborative approach ensures the best possible outcomes.

Moreover, increasingly we work with innovative, cutting-edge technology, but even the most advanced tools are only as effective as the hands that operate them. Therefore, it's crucial for patients to recognize that the success of a surgical procedure depends on both their surgeon's expertise and their own active participation in the preoperative and postoperative phases.

Finally, it's essential for patients to understand that medicine, including spine surgery, is an evolving field. We continuously strive to enhance our knowledge and refine our techniques. Patients should be their own best advocates  ask questions, seek second opinions and be informed advocates for their own health.

In essence, I wish patients knew that we, as neurosurgeons, are committed to their well-being not just during surgery, but throughout their entire healthcare journey.

Felix Savoie, MD. Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the Tulane University School of Medicine (New Orleans, La.): I wish they knew how much time and effort all of us orthopedic surgeons put in to make sure they do well with all aspects of care, including being available 24/7. I say prayers for all of them each morning and worry about them each night. I also wish they were able to understand how much insurance companies deny care and make it difficult to do the right thing. Lastly, I also wish they knew that almost all the payments on their care go to hospitals and ancillary services and very little comes to me; my reward is not the payment but the smile on their face when they get well.
Model and presenter discusses identity with James Nesbitt and Ciara Mageean on Late Late Show

Vogue Williams revealed her children are different religions during a discussion on identity on the Late Late Show.

The Irish model and presenter joined James Nesbitt, Ciara Mageean and Baz Ashmawy as guests alongside host Paddy Kielty on Friday nights episode.

As the discussion turned to identity, Mageean and Nesbitt spoke about being from Northern Ireland and religion.

That prompted 37-year-old Williams, who is married to Made In Chelsea star Spencer Matthews, to jump in with a surprising comment about her children, Theodore (five) Gigi (three) and one-year-old Otto.

Two of my kids are Protestant and one is Catholic, which I actually didnt know, she revealed, drawing bemused laughter from the audience.

My mother-in-law, she organised the first two christenings and I organised the last one.

So, weve got a very mixed household.

I only found out when we were in the church for the last one and the priest held the baby up and said, Welcome to the Catholic church.

Spenny [her husband] looked at me, like, What?"

Nesbitt, who had revealed he would be a guest on the show to the Belfast Telegraph last month, also discussed his experience after moving to England earlier in his career.

Im just delighted that people are owning their own identity now, not fighting each other or killing each other over it, he said.

Certainly when I first went to drama school a long, long time ago, I went as a Protestant but I think the first day I arrived there in London, I was kind of seen as someone who was naturally pro-republican and pro-the struggle.

Not for anything I said or did but because I think I was being considered Irish for maybe the first time.

I think for Protestants at that time it was quite odd to, I suppose, go there and be considered Irish, particularly by the English who didnt really distinguish really I think between the north and south.

The Ballymena-born ex-Cold Feet and Bloodlands star feels society has reached a point where mature discussions can now be had.

Nesbitt (58) added: I would consider myself a Protestant, an Irishman from the north of Ireland who does not refute nor shy away from my Protestant culture, but it doesnt define me, you know? And nor do I deny my Catholic friends their culture.

But honestly, I do think, as great as it is that we can have our identity and a sense of it, I think for way too long where we came from people focused on the differences that kept us apart rather than exploring the common ground and the views and the issues and the problems that we share.

I just think now that there is possibly an appetite to really celebrate the different identities here on the island.

Also appearing on the show was Portaferry athlete Mageean.

The 31-year-old, who smashed Sonia O'Sullivan's longstanding Irish mile record earlier this year, represented Ireland at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, and has also medalled for Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games.

Mageean said: The decision between running for GB and Ireland - being from Northern Ireland, we have that option - it was hands down, it was always going to be Ireland for me.

The dream of running with the Irish vest on my back, seeing the Tricolour rise and Amhran na bhFiann ring around the stadium is everything that I dream of.

But Im also extremely proud to go out and represent Northern Ireland in the Commonwealths.

Its where Im born and we are a special bunch of people up there - a very special identity.

Its a nation thats been through an awful lot but, honestly, (we are) the best people in the world.

If youre looking a good night out, theres no better place than Belfast.
The musician recalls the bands early days, the origins of the goth movement, and how he created his guest-heavy new album, Los Angeles, a tribute to his home of the past 30 years

Lol Tolhurst is casting his mind back to late 1979, when his band, The Cure, had started work on one of their great early songs, A Forest.

You dont realise at the time [that youre making something special], because if you did, youd be so scared that youd just stop, he says.

Tolhurst, who co-founded The Cure with Robert Smith, has lucid memories of a then embryonic band. He wasnt to know it at the time, but it was a group that would change the course of alternative rock and spearhead the goth subgenre that came into vogue in the early 1980s and never really went away.

I remember going around to Roberts house three times a week, because his parents had built an extra room where theyd have, like, Christmases and parties in, but we just took it over. Every so often, theyd chuck us out and wed have to go to the church hall to rehearse.

You know what Malcolm Gladwell says about 10,000 hours? he asks, referring to a somewhat controversial theory popularised by the best-selling author. The argument is that one has a chance of becoming an expert on something if they devote a huge amount of time to it.

Well, we put in the hours. We were practising all the time.

The Cure

Read more For goth and Ulster: NI goths on their love of the enduring subculture

Lately, he has been thinking of that period in his young adult life, because a new album he has made has come together in much the same way that The Cure made their debut album, Three Imaginary Boys, and follow-up, Seventeen Seconds, which features A Forest.

We put that together in a way that I distinctly remember putting things together with The Cure at the beginning. We didnt come in and go: Here are your notes. You play this and Ill play that. We came together, sat in a room, drank some coffee and went: Have you heard this? Or what about this? Play something.

The new album is called Los Angeles, in reference to the city that Tolhurst has called home for 30 years. It has been made with another exile in the City of Angels, Dublin super-producer Garret Jacknife Lee, and one of Tolhursts old friends, fellow drummer Peter Clarke, AKA Budgie, former sticksman of Siouxsie And The Banshees.

Its a guest-heavy affair. Lead single features LCD Soundsystems James Murphy. Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse and Primal Screams Bobby Gillespie pop up elsewhere. The most intriguing guest, from an Irish point of view, is The Edge, who lends his guitar to a pair of tracks. The connection was made via Lee, who is close to U2, having co-produced a number of their albums. He is also involved in the bands Las Vegas residency, which kicks off next week.

The guests help to add colour to what was initially supposed to be an instrumental album.

It was completed just as the pandemic began, he says.

After a while, we thought: Lets send a few tracks out and see what people make of them. We sent something to Murphy, because I knew him a bit. He said yes straight away, but it took him 18 months to do it. His son is learning to play drums and he likes to play Cure and Banshees songs, so Id send him little iPhone videos of me playing Cure songs so he could learn

The Edge has a place near Jacknife. People forget that The Edge has a history of avant-garde, experimental stuff and he was really eager to do something  and what he did turned out to be brilliant.

Most of the guest appearances, he says, were recorded remotely: It was during the pandemic, so nobody could travel.

One of the songs was written with his musician son, Grey. Its far from the first time father and son have had a creative union. Tolhursts latest book, Goth: A History, features extensive research conducted by Grey. Its something of a labour of love for both men and does considerable justice to a movement and subculture that has its roots, by Tolhursts telling, in at least the early 19th century and, most prominently, in Mary Shelleys hugely celebrated book Frankenstein.

Budgie, Siouxsie Sioux And Steve Severin of Siouxsie And The Banshees

Tolhursts memoir, Two Imaginary Boys, was well received on its 2016 publication. It offered an unvarnished look at his membership of The Cure, his complex relationship with Robert Smith and his dismissal from the band in 1989 after his drinking had got out of hand.

It told the story of my whole life right up to  what was I then?  mid-50s.

Because Id written that book, I got over the terror of writing 80,000 words, he says.

But a new terror set in: How the hell am I going to approach a subject like this?

He settled on the idea of telling the story of goth through his own experiences and influences. He called it a historical memoir  an apt phrase for capturing the books idiosyncratic style. He says Joan Didions new journalism approach to writing was inspirational for him.

Tolhurst says it not easy to define goth. The term can refer to music, fashion, make-up, a way of looking at the world and can encompass even those who dont look like goths. On paper, sun-dappled LA is the last place one might imagine to find goths in significant numbers, but Tolhurst begs to differ.

Youd be surprised, he says, parts of east LA  thats away from the epicentre  tend to be very gothic.

He believes, in essence, that goths tend to feel like outsiders, a word that was certainly applicable to himself growing up in Surrey.

I see it in hippies, even. Hippie, to me, is like another version of goth, but something thats less dark.

He says he is struck by the fact that many of those who feel a calling to a gothic lifestyle have grown up in a small town, as he did.

Big cities tend to be very fashion forward and its all Whats the next big thing?.

But, he believes, if youre from off the beaten track, or suburbia, goth offers a chance to escape stifling conformity.

[Nine Inch Nails frontman] Trent Reznor has talked about growing up in small town Pennsylvania with nothing but cornfields around him and the only thing to save him was the music coming from the college radio.

I see that in the States especially  there are so many places that are hundreds of miles from anywhere else and the town has loads of metalheads and goths and hip-hop kids.

One of the best things goth did was to make it acceptable for teenage boys to have feelings and to be vulnerable. All the lyrics before that were very braggadocio and full of certainty. But I dont know that I was certain about anything when I was 18.

Garret 'Jacknife' Lee

After leaving The Cure, Tolhursts music took him in several unexpected directions, including the synth and percussion curio, Levinhurst, that he founded with his wife, Cindy Levinson. The pair have released two albums thus far, but the music has caused few ripples.

His passion project with Budgie and Jacknife Lee is likely to attract a bigger audience. He has long known that no collaboration or future venture will eclipse the music he made with The Cure. Two Imaginary Boys detailed the breakdown in his relationship with Smith as the band started to embrace a more pop-oriented sound in the mid-1980s, but their bond would not be completely sundered.

Weve known each other since we were five. Theres a lot of history there.

Tolhurst has toured with the band several times over the past three decades, although there has been little by way of collaboration in recent years.

In 2019, The Cure were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Smiths red carpet encounter with a wildly enthused television presenter went viral. Tolhurst was just glad to be included.

He says relations with Smith are good: I talked to him a couple of weeks ago. [The Cure] came here to play the Hollywood Bowl and I went to see everybody. It was strange. Im standing in the audience with my wife and this woman comes up to me and says: Who am I? I knew I knew her, but I couldnt place her. She lent forward and said: Janet. Thats Roberts younger sister. I hadnt seen her in 30 years.

It was an emotional night. We went backstage afterwards and Robert was there; it was like going back to the pub together in 1977.

He smiles.

But, he says, holding a finger aloft, its family. And everyone knows what families are like.

Goth: A History by Lol Tolhurst

Goth: A History by Lol Tolhurst is out now. Los Angeles by Lol Tolhurst, Budgie and Jacknife Lee is released on November 3
Not implementing hospital transformation a dereliction of duty, says NI surgeon

Barry McAree hits out at Lord Brookeboroughs recent intervention in the South West Acute Hospital debate

The South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen

Liam Tunney Sat 23 Sep 2023 at 09:00

Being unable or unwilling to make changes to transform the future of surgery in Northern Ireland would be a dereliction of duty, a Northern Ireland surgeon has said.
Pastor Alan Campbell was born into a staunchly PResbyterian home in a Catholic area in Belfast in August 1949.

According to an online biography of Campbell, his grandmother was a "very firm adherent of the doctrine of British Israelism, and thus he was exposed to this teaching from a very early age".

British Israelism is based on the belief that people in Britain are direct descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.

Despite being exposed to these teachings as a young child, Campbell did not actually convert to Christianity in earnest until September 1965, after hearing Reverend Ian Paisley preach at Ravenhill Free Presbyterian Church.

He served for a time as head of religion at Newtownabbey Community High School. During his tenure he sold tapes lamenting the end of South Africas apartheid regime.

In one of the tape he accused former South African president Frederik Willem de Klerk of selling out the whites to black heathens.

He also criticised DUP and Ulster Unionist politicians for meeting Nelson Mandela.

Campbell had his own church, Open Bible Ministries, which closed in 2013 following claims that funds were being appropriated by an associate of Campbell who had a seedy background. The pastor denied this at the time.

He frequently caused controversy for his extreme anti-Catholic views, which in later life he spread on the internet.

A fringe figure within loyalism for decades, he was often accused of stirring up violence.

The late journalist Henry McDonald and others have accused Campbell of being an agent provocateur for the intelligence services during the Troubles.

Campbell died suddenly in hospital at the age of 67 in 2017.
Lost Boys: Four missing Belfast children and the link to a loyalist pastor

Documentary shines light on Alan Campbell and the boys who set off for school in 60s and 70s and never came home

The alleged paedophile network centred around Kincora boys home

Andrew Madden Sat 23 Sep 2023 at 08:30

A controversial loyalist pastor has been linked to the disappearance of four Belfast schoolboys and the murder of another in the late 1960s and mid-70s.
A serving PSNI officer has been charged with offences including drink-driving, assault and disorderly behaviour after an incident at a wedding.

It happened as the event was being held at a hotel in Ballymena on Thursday night.

The Belfast Telegraph understands the male officer, who was off duty, was attending a wedding with other police colleagues.

On Saturday morning the PSNI revealed the officer had been charged with multiple offences.

He is due in court next month.

A PSNI spokesperson said: Police investigating an incident at a hotel in Ballymena on Thursday, September 21 have charged a man to court.

The 30-year-old man has been charged with driving with excess alcohol in breath, four counts of common assault, and disorderly behaviour.

He is due to appear before Ballymena Magistrates Court on Thursday, October 19.

As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

The Belfast Telegraph reported about the officers arrest on Friday night after making enquiries to the PSNI.

On Friday night, Superintendent Claire McGuigan said: A criminal investigation has commenced and a Professional Standards Department misconduct investigation is now running in parallel.

The Police Service expects its officers and staff to behave professionally, ethically and with the utmost integrity at all times.

More details to follow.
The former UKIP leader said Irish unity would happen, but not immediately.

In 2021, Mr Farage was hoaxed into ending a birthday greeting with the saying "up the RA"

A united Ireland will happen one day, but not immediately, former UKIP leader and MEP Nigel Farage has said.

The GB News presenter and Brexit party founder has also revealed how he always got on well with Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and how current Taoiseach Leo Vardkar had once asked him for a selfie.

Mr Farage told The Irish Times that no matter what happened in the future, Britains historical affinity with Ireland should not be allowed to be lost.

"One day there will be a United Ireland. But its not on the horizon immediately. Just for practical reasons, he said.

"We in Britain have this historical affinity with Ireland that cant be lost. Weve got all these relationships, see? I have huge love and respect for the Republic. I just think youre in the wrong place on the European Union.

During a wide-ranging interview, Farage has given his opinion on a number of prominent Irish politicians, including Sinn Feins Mary Lou McDonald.

"We always got on well when she was in Europe, he said, adding that Gerry Adams was not exactly top of the pops with us because some of my family were in the British army.

In 2021, Mr Farage was hoaxed into ending a birthday greeting with the saying "up the RA"

On Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, he said: We had some fun once or twice, and he even asked me for a selfie.

The former MEP for South East England also gave his thoughts on the 1916 Easter Rising, concluding that the British had f****d it up, and recalled how he had spent EU money on an anti-Lisbon Treaty leaflet prior to the second vote.

"We were in a group in the parliament with access to European funds that could be used to spread information about the EU, he said.

"When they set all of this up, they naturally assumed it would be used to spread positive information. They never factored in someone like me. We got on to the Irish Post Office, and did that huge mailout.

In 2021, Mr Farage caused controversy by ending a paid-for birthday greeting with the saying up the RA.

In the 25-second recording, Farage said: This message is for Brian, Brexiteer, and I hope you have a great birthday.

This comes from your good friend, Aidan. Now, its a bit early in the day so all Ive got actually is coffee but I hope you enjoy a few pints with the lads tonight. Up the RA!

Mr Farage told the Belfast Telegraph that the request was a hoax and any suggestion to the contrary is absurd.
Grainne Seoige will be one of the hosts on the new Irish dating show Gra Ar An Tra alongside James Kavanagh and Siomha Ni Ruairc (Niall Carson/PA)

A radio presenter and an Irish translator are among the contestants who will be looking for love in a new Irish dating show.

The reality series for Virgin Media Television, titled Gra Ar An Tra, will see 10 singletons try to find their match while practising their Irish language skills.

Hosts Grainne Seoige, James Kavanagh and Siomha Ni Ruairc will guide the contestants through tasks and challenges as they seek to be crowned the couple with the most focail and walk away with a prize of up to 10,000 euro.

Among the line-up is Monaghan native Andrew Jackson, 27, who is hoping to put his way with words to good use.

The Irish translator said: Im looking to make new connections in Ireland after living abroad for so long, an exciting experience meeting people from all walks of life and a chance to show my passions in a modern, fresh environment where speaking Irish is the norm.

If I manage to find Graall the better.

Radio DJ Megan ORegan Byrne is also looking to find a more serious and mature relationship during her time on the show.

The 24-year-old, from Carlow, said: Im so over boys, I need a man who is capable of talking about their feelings.

I also want to improve my Gaeilge, its a beautiful language that I have had a gra for years for but I need a good teacher and I guess Gra Ar An Tra is the answer.

Dublin-born Saoirse Eireann Ni Chuilleagain, 25, who works in digital policy, wants someone who is in tune with themselves and their culture while Dundalk native and IT risk manager Femi Bankole, 29, is hoping to find someone to match his chaos.

Ciara McMenamy, a 29-year-old pharmacy technician from Dublin, revealed she signed up to push herself out of her comfort zone while Longford native and student teacher Laura Pakenham, 21, hopes to find someone kind and caring.

Waterford born Donal Breathnach, who is a 30-year-old manager in a medical company, says he has been in love before but that he has lots more to give while HR manager Michelle McGrath, 28, from Clare, said she will not tolerate people trying to play a game on the show.

Limerick-born college student Sean O Maoilchiarain, 24, and apprentice electrician Loman Jinks, 22, from Galway, are also among the 10-strong cohort.

The first episode of Gra Ar An Tra will air at 9pm on Monday September 25 on Virgin Media One and Virgin Media Player.
A man has been taken to hospital after being bitten by a suspected American XL bully dog in a south London park.

The victim, in 40s, was attacked in Pasley Park, Walworth, shortly after 6pm on Friday and was taken to hospital suffering injuries to his arm, the Metropolitan Police said.

The owner of the dog left the scene with the dog before officers arrived, a Met spokesperson added.

The dog is believed to have been a grey-coloured XL bully.

Police are investigating and no arrests have been made.

Writer and lawyer Ness Lyons said the attack happened in her local park.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, she said: Earlier this evening an XL bully jumped a fence and attacked a man in my local park. Partially witnessed by my son.

Man was bitten badly in several places including his abdomen.

Police and ambulance came, but it took an hour. Horrifying.

The owner grabbed his dog and legged it.

People take part in a protest in central London, against the Governments decision to add XL bully dogs to the list of prohibited breeds (Jeff Moore/PA)

Elsewhere, demonstrators rallied in central London on Saturday in opposition to the Prime Ministers proposed American bully XL ban.

They clutched placards with messages such as dont bully our bullies and chanted save our bullies, while on person was pictured wearing a T-shirt which said muzzle Rishi Sunak dont bully our breed.

Mr Sunak has promised to ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act by the end of the year in response to a series of attacks, but owners of are not expected to face a cull of their pets.

On Monday, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said a transition period would be introduced, with details likely to follow a consultation on the plan.

Owners could face a requirement to neuter their dogs and muzzle them in public, the Governments chief vet has suggested.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman on Monday said: We will need to safely manage the existing population of these dogs. Exactly what that looks like will be a topic for the consultation.

And there will need to be some sort of transition period.
The poorest households at breaking point.

The Right to Food campaign is supported by groups including Amnesty International

A rally has been held to call on the government to do make access to food a basic human right amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Around 100 people gathered in front of Belfast City Hall on Saturday afternoon for the Right to Food event organised by SDLP councillor Paul Doherty.

Mr Doherty is also the founder of Foodstock, a food bank charity operating in west Belfast.

It was one of three Right to Food rallies held across the UK yesterday, with the others taking place in London and Liverpool organised by Labour MP Ian Byrne.

The nationwide campaign is supported by a range of trade unions and the former Countdown presenter Carol Vorderman.

Urging people to join the campaign, Ms Vorderman tweeted: Due to reckless decisions from government, including Sunak, half a million more children fell into poverty in 2021/22.

The latest total is 4.2 million children living below the poverty line. I grew up in poverty. I know the difference help makes.

Mr Doherty told how his group of volunteers alone was sending help to 500 families across Belfast each week.

SDLP councillor Paul Doherty speaking at the rally

He said: It is so difficult to see people in our community go through this.

[We have spoken] to families who are struggling to feed their children breakfast and teachers hiding extra lunches for pupils they say are going to school hungry. This is not on.

We help facilitate breakfast clubs right across the city, and its just hard to believe that in 2023 we now have foodbanks supporting schools, but this is the crisis we are in.

We have volunteers working day and night to provide packages to those in need, but its getting harder to fill the shelves because its not just those on low incomes that are struggling to put food on the table, its middle income now too.

Its affecting everyone and no one can even afford to donate.

The Right to Food campaign is supported by groups including Amnesty International

Christmas is coming up and its going to get colder, so the struggle to heat homes is also going to hit hard this year.

Communities have been well and truly decimated as a result of some of the political decisions made. People are living in real crisis and stress.

Mr Doherty called for legislation both at Stormont and Westminster to introduce universal free school meals and ensure food security and greater support for community kitchens.

He added: These steps would improve the lives of millions of families across these islands, resulting in better physical and mental health outcomes, reduced crime and alleviated poverty.
You are the owner of this article.
Lenox native James Brooke has traveled to about 100 countries reporting for The New York Times, Bloomberg and Voice of America. He reported from Russia for eight years and from Ukraine for six years.
Former president of Animal Dreams says John Krol 'stole' $6,800 from nonprofit; Krol says it's a banking 'mistake' Stacey Carver came forward to The Eagle this week with documentation  text messages, bank statements, email exchanges  that show five separate transfers from the Animal Dreams bank account into Krols American Express account. The withdrawals, ranging from $209 to $3,000, were made over the span of five months.

On Thursday, this newspaper broke the story that Pittsfield mayoral candidate John Krol had diverted $6,800 from a nonprofit organization of which he was a director to his personal benefit.

Mr. Krol denies wrongdoing. Mr. Krol claims hes the victim of a political hit job and has castigated The Berkshire Eagle for reporting the story. Significantly, Mr. Krol does not question the accuracy of any of the material facts in the article.

The story, first published online Wednesday evening (24 hours after Tuesdays preliminary election) and in print on Thursday morning, raises serious questions about Mr. Krols honesty, integrity and fiscal acumen  all matters that voters could and indeed should consider when evaluating any candidate for an executive office.

Mr. Krol said he made the payments on his personal American Express credit card by unwittingly transferring funds from the bank account of Animal Dreams, a nonprofit of which he was a director with the authority to approve money transfers. Mr. Krol maintains he intended for the transfers to come from his personal account.

In June 2019, Stacey Carver, Animal Dreams president, discovered five separate withdrawals, from November 2018 to March 2019, from the nonprofits bank account. She traced them to Mr. Krols American Express card.

Ms. Carver contacted Mr. Krol. He told her then and he continues to assert now that it was Greylock Federal Credit Unions fault.

Krols explanation begs more questions than it answers.

If accurate, he mistakenly directed Animal Dreams account at Greylock to send money to pay his American Express bill  or, he mistakenly directed American Express to make withdrawals from Animal Dreams account.

Mr. Krol can settle his case by publicly disclosing both his American Express card and his Greylock Federal bank account statements for 2018 and 2019. Most likely, these statements are available to him online without cost.

The statements can show when and from what sources Mr. Krol made payments on his American Express card before November 2018. That may, in turn, shed light on his assertion that his mistakes stem from having been given an incorrect router number by a Greylock employee in 2015. If his claim has merit, Mr. Krol would have had to have been given an erroneous bank account number  not an incorrect bank routing number.

A comparison of his American Express and his Greylock Federal bank statements might answer questions of what payments, if any, Mr. Krol made to his American Express account from 2015, when he claims he received the bad router number, to November 2018, when he made the first payment out of the Animal Dreams account. And from November 2018 to March 2019, when payments were made from the Animal Dreams account, and subsequently from June 2019 on, when the Animal Dreams account was no longer connected to his credit card, the account records would show activity that could prove his assertion.

The most glaring question: Did Mr. Krol have enough money in his own account during that time to cover his American Express bills?

If he innocently directed a withdrawal from the Animal Dreams account when he meant to direct the withdrawal from his personal account, why did he not have the money to correct the error when Stacey Carver brought it to his attention? If he mistakenly had those payments made from the nonprofits account, his personal account had about $6,000 more than he reasonably thought it contained.

Mr. Krol apparently did not have that $6,800, or anything close to it, when Ms. Carver contacted him. Mr. Krol was not obliged to balance his own bank accounts every month, but most working people would know if their bank reported their balances to be several thousand dollars higher than they believed.

Clearly, Mr. Krol would have had the belief that his account contained that $6,800 when he ordered the withdrawals, so it would be difficult for him to sincerely say that he had no idea what his balances were at the time. Again, disclosing his bank statements would shed much light on the issue.

We must add that Mr. Krol had a fiduciary duty to Animal Dreams when he ordered the withdrawals. As such, the law required him to exercise the greatest degree of trust and loyalty in dealing with Animal Dreams property.

Voters need to assess how Mr. Krol has conducted himself in his dealings with Animal Dreams when they decide who will receive their votes. If hes elected mayor in November, he will be dealing with taxpayer money and public funds.

Mr. Krol controls the information that would allow voters to answer these serious questions.

We call upon him to publicly and promptly disclose the monthly statements issued to him by both Greylock Federal Credit Union and American Express at least from Jan. 1, 2018, through Jan. 1, 2020.

This will give Pittsfield voters real information upon which they can decide on Mr. Krols fitness to hold the office of the mayor of the city of Pittsfield.

Impugning the motives of those who have brought the uncontroverted facts to light can only divert the publics attention while answering nothing. We implore Mr. Krol to do the right thing and release the relevant information.
A radio presenter and an Irish translator are among the contestants who will be looking for love in a new Irish dating show.

The reality series for Virgin Media Television, titled Gra Ar An Tra, will see 10 singletons try to find their match while practising their Irish language skills.

Advertisement

Hosts Grainne Seoige, James Kavanagh and Siomha Ni Ruairc will guide the contestants through tasks and challenges as they seek to be crowned the couple with the most focail and walk away with a prize of up to 10,000.

Among the line-up is Monaghan native Andrew Jackson, 27, who is hoping to put his way with words to good use.

Advertisement

The Irish translator said: Im looking to make new connections in Ireland after living abroad for so long, an exciting experience meeting people from all walks of life and a chance to show my passions in a modern, fresh environment where speaking Irish is the norm.

Advertisement

If I manage to find Graall the better.

Irish Translator Andrew is looking to make some new connections in Ireland after living abroad for so long whilst also hoping to find some Gra along the way 



Brand New: Gra ar an Tra, Starts Monday at 9pm on Virgin Media One & Virgin Media Player #graarantra pic.twitter.com/lBNSaQHUDz  Virgin Media Television (@VirginMedia_TV) September 22, 2023 Advertisement

Radio DJ Megan ORegan Byrne is also looking to find a more serious and mature relationship during her time on the show.

The 24-year-old, from Carlow, said: Im so over boys, I need a man who is capable of talking about their feelings.

Advertisement

I also want to improve my Gaeilge, its a beautiful language that I have had a gra for years for, but I need a good teacher and I guess Gra Ar An Tra is the answer.

Megan has an inability to shut up but will this help her to grow her gra for the language and guide her to finding the one in the process? 



Brand New: Gra ar an Tra, Starts Monday at 9pm on Virgin Media One & Virgin Media Player #graarantra pic.twitter.com/mIQqWElsja Advertisement  Virgin Media Television (@VirginMedia_TV) September 22, 2023

Dublin-born Saoirse Eireann Ni Chuilleagain, 25, who works in digital policy, wants someone who is in tune with themselves and their culture while Dundalk native and IT risk manager Femi Bankole, 29, is hoping to find someone to match his chaos.

Ciara McMenamy, a 29-year-old pharmacy technician from Dublin, revealed she signed up to push herself out of her comfort zone while Longford native and student teacher Laura Pakenham, 21, hopes to find someone kind and caring.

Waterford Native Donal has a whole lotta gra to give, but preferably to someone with a great taste in music 



Brand New: Gra ar an Tra, Starts Monday at 9pm on Virgin Media One & Virgin Media Player #graarantra pic.twitter.com/FwyHyNpnJo  Virgin Media Television (@VirginMedia_TV) September 22, 2023

Waterford born Donal Breathnach, who is a 30-year-old manager in a medical company, says he has been in love before but that he has lots more to give while HR manager Michelle McGrath, 28, from Clare, said she will not tolerate people trying to play a game on the show.

Limerick-born college student Sean O Maoilchiarain, 24, and apprentice electrician Loman Jinks, 22, from Galway, are also among the 10-strong cohort.

The first episode of Gra Ar An Tra will air at 9pm on Monday September 25th on Virgin Media One and Virgin Media Player.
The Taoiseach has warned the United Nations the world is at risk of a new nuclear arms race.

Leo Varadkar criticised Russia for threatening to use nuclear armaments in its conflict with Ukraine if there is an escalation from the West.

Advertisement

He also said the international community had failed when it comes to Israel and Palestine.

Speaking in New York on Friday night, Mr Varadkar told the UN Ukraine deserves the unqualified support of all member states.

"Ireland has long been committed to building a world free of nuclear threats, but we see a world in which their place in security doctrines is growing rather than diminishing.

"This must be reversed. The stark alternative is a new nuclear arms race... that must not pass."

Advertisement

Mr Varadkar called the war in Ukraine an "imperialist and brutal invasion" and condemned Russia for ending the Black Sea grain export deal.

Advertisement

This is about right and wrong. This is 2023 and no country should try to change borders by force and no country should try to bring down a democratic government by military means or by supporting a military coup. There cannot be equivocation on this.

It was an act of unprovoked and unjustified aggression by an expansionist, revanchist power against its neighbour.

The brutality of Russias actions in Ukraine has caused unfathomable suffering for the people of that country.

Advertisement

He said every country in the UN had a deep interest in ensuring that Russia did not succeed in its attempt to move borders by force  and that this was not just a European problem.

For when one aggressor prevails, their peers elsewhere take note and are emboldened. We know this from history.

When Europeans draw attention to the profound injustice of what is happening in Ukraine, there can be criticism, some of it justified, of the developed worlds failure to respond with the same intensity of feeling and action to conflict and suffering elsewhere.

But, while we can acknowledge that we have fallen short, the people of Ukraine should not be the ones asked to pay the price.

They have done nothing to bring down this war on their heads.
Julia Roberts and Ryan Gosling were among a host of A-list celebrities at the highly-anticipated Gucci show at Milan Fashion Week.

Iconic actor Roberts, 55, was dressed by the brand in an oversized grey blazer and baggy shorts worn over a light grey cardigan.

Advertisement

Julia Roberts (Luca Bruno/AP)

Barbie star Gosling, 42, who previously fronted a Gucci ad campaign, wore a black leather jacket and trousers.

He accessorised his outfit with Seventies-style tortoiseshell aviator sunglasses.

Advertisement

Ryan Gosling (Luca Bruno/AP)

Kendall Jenner donned a short, belted Gucci trench coat, which she teamed with a maroon mini shoulder bag and matching kitten heels.

The model and reality TV star sat on the front row next to her rumoured boyfriend, Puerto Rican music star Bad Bunny.

Advertisement

Kendall Jenner (Luca Bruno/AP)

Irish actor Paul Mescal was seated next to Ozark star Julia Garner at the show, which took place at Milans M77 gallery.

Advertisement

Little Mermaid star Halle Bailey and producer and DJ Mark Ronson  who provided the music  were also in attendance to see creative director Sabato De Sarno unveil his first collection for the brand.

Advertisement

Anticipation had been building for the show dubbed Gucci ancora (meaning again in Italian) after the brand deleted all of its previous Instagram posts a week ago.

View this post on Instagram Advertisement A post shared by GUCCI (@gucci)

Ancora means a lot of things. It means again, but its also more personal; its not something you lost, its something that you still have, but you want more of it because it makes you happy, De Sarno told Vogue ahead of the show.

So did the new creative director wipe the slate clean with his inaugural offering?

Essentially, yes  this was a huge departure from the maximalist aesthetic favoured by his predecessor Alessandro Michele, who departed last year.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by GUCCI (@gucci)

Opening with a series of black and white short suits and mini shift dresses, the spring/summer collection focused on clean lines and sleek silhouettes.

While Michele was known for his kooky, granny-chic designs, De Sarno offered a more overt sexiness with tiny bra tops, micro mini skirts and very short shorts.

Advertisement

(Luca Bruno/AP)

Alongside boxy tailored looks and lots of patent leather there was a sporty, streetwear vibe with oversized hoodies and casual white trainers.

Jeans (increasingly seen on the catwalks) were indigo, low-slung and baggy, no doubt appealing to young customers who love the Noughties look.

Handbags  a huge moneyspinner for Gucci  largely stayed true to the labels DNA, with the exception of a few bling-covered styles.

(Luca Bruno/AP)

Veering in a more glamorous direction, there were crystal-embellished crop tops and skirts with sparkly tassels.

A series of silky pastel slip dresses with black lace trim tapped into the popular boudoir dressing trend, while glitzy beaded minidresses are super to be a hit with celebrities on the red carpet.

(Luca Bruno/AP)

Reaction to the collection on social media was mixed.

While most commentators agreed that De Sarno put his stamp on the brand, not everyone was convinced that his designs were Gucci enough.

Like if you're looking for a cute everyday luxury collection, De Sarno definitely delivered that. The general public will definitely love it, especially the accessories. But I think we're so used to LOUD Gucci that this feels almost...disappointing.  linda (@itgirlenergy) September 22, 2023

Fans of Micheles irreverence and maximalism werent happy with the change of direction, but ultimately its the luxury brands customers who matter the most.

Time will tell whether De Sarnos vision is a hit with shoppers when the collection lands in stores next year.
Protestors against the UKs exit from the European Union have labelled the move a huge mistake as they campaigned to re-join the bloc.

A large crowd of pro-EU protestors gathered outside the Hilton hotel on Park Lane in west London for the National Rejoin March (NRM) on Saturday.

Advertisement

Hundreds of people dressed in blue clothing and carrying EU flags filled the pavement ahead of the march through the citys streets, which was due to culminate with a rally at Parliament Square.

Hundreds of people joined the march from Park Lane to Parliament Square (Jeff Moore/PA)

Clusters of Metropolitan Police officers were at the scene as protestors handed out flyers and passing cars beeped their horns in support.

Advertisement

The UK voted to leave the European Union in a referendum in June 2016, called by then-prime Minister David Cameron.

Peter Corr, leader and co-founder of NRM, said he decided to organise the march as it felt like everyone had given up on the cause.

Advertisement

Mr Corr, a lorry driver from Derby, told the PA news agency: Brexit was a huge mistake, were all  especially working class and poorer people  paying for it and we need to do something about it.

He said 60 per cent of the country, and 80 per cent of people aged under 25, consistently say they would rejoin the EU in polls, adding: I hate racism and xenophobia and thats just what a big part of that Vote Leave campaign really felt like to me.

Advertisement

Ceira Sergeant, 21, from Walton in Liverpool, one of speakers at the rally, said: I was only 14 when the referendum happened, so there was a huge amount of my peers who never got the chance to have their voices heard.

Supporters held placards that called for a new referendum on re-joining the EU (Jeff Moore/PA)

Protestors held up placards before the march expressing their discontent with leaving the EU, including The road to rejoin the EU starts here, and Rejoin, Rejoice.

Advertisement

Another sign read: Tories out, migrants welcome  Rejoin the EU.

Individuals groups from across the country, including Devon, Cornwall and Stratford, were present with personalised placards.

Protestors from other European countries also attended the event with many wearing EU-styled berets.

Representatives of the Green Party also displayed a banner in solidarity of the protests.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Good morning, London 



What a beautiful day in this wonderful European capital.



See you all at @marchforrejoin



 pic.twitter.com/CW5Yd2u5Rp  Terry Reintke (@TerryReintke) September 23, 2023

Terry Reintke, member of European Parliament from Germany and co-chair of the Green Group in the parliament, said Europeans see events like the march with a lot of sympathy and that the UK is viewed as an absolutely integral partner.

She said: The UK has managed to build one of the biggest pro-European movements across Europe, and we can still feel there are so many millions of people in the UK who want to rejoin the EU.

Asked whether there had been discussions in European Parliament about the UKs possible return, Ms Reintke said: If there was a willingness to rejoin, our door would be open.

Lisa Burton, 53, from Rhonda Valley in Wales, now lives in Lanzarote, Spain and is vice chair of campaigning group Bremain in Spain.

Protestors from other European countries also joined in at the event (Jeff Moore/PA)

She said: Its just becoming evident of the damages of Brexit  every sector is suffering.

Were British immigrants living in the EU who took advantage of the freedom of movement, and I feel British people have a very warped image of what that is  they think its only inward.

We think that sticking plasters over Brexit is never going to be enough, Ms Burton added.
The UK Foreign Office has moved to allay concerns raised by former British prime minister Boris Johnson that a handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius could play into Chinas hands.

He described the move as utterly spineless and said the UK looked to be on the verge of a colossal mistake, calling Mauritiuss claim to the islands preposterous.

Advertisement

The UK entered negotiations with Port Louis over the future of the Chagos Islands after international pressure.

The United Nations highest court, the International Court of Justice, has ruled that the UKs administration of the territory is unlawful and must end after two centuries of British control.

But the Conservative government said that whatever the outcome of the talks between the two countries, a joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, one of those in the cluster of Indian Ocean islands that make up the Chagos Islands, will continue to be operated by the allies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

It comes after Mr Johnson said in his weekly column for the Daily Mail that he had been told by an informant that it is a done deal that the UK will give the Chagos Islands to the control of the Commonwealth nation.

Mr Johnson pointed out the significance one of the volcanic islands, Diego Garcia, plays in the relationship between Britain and the US, with it used as a base during the first and second Gulf wars, as well as the allied invasion of Afghanistan.

Advertisement

The former Conservative Party leader said: The Americans dont give us crucial nuclear secrets just because they love little old England.

They dont share intelligence because they adore our quaint accents. We have a great and indispensable relationship because we have important things to offer  including Diego Garcia.

Who knows what happens if we give up sovereignty. The Mauritians might cut out the middleman, and do a deal with the US (and never mind the Chagossians).

Advertisement

But then a future Mauritian government might also close the base or allow the Chinese, at the right price, to build their own runways on the same archipelago.

Foreign Office officials said the UK government was working in lockstep with the US during the talks on the future of the Chagos Islands and said it had the full support of Washington on all elements of the negotiation.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The department said it would not be appropriate to speculate on the outcome of the talks while they were ongoing.

A spokesman for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: The UK and Mauritius have held five rounds of constructive negotiations on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago, and officials will meet again soon to continue negotiations.

The UK and Mauritius have reiterated that any agreement between our two countries will ensure the continued effective operation of the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which plays a vital role in regional and global security.

Chagossians have spent decades fighting to return to the islands after more than 1,000 people were forced to leave in the 1960s and 1970s to make way for the military base.

Thousands of Chagossians now live around the world, mostly in Mauritius, the UK and the Seychelles.

In a written ministerial statement published earlier this month, junior Foreign Office minister David Rutley said UK prime minister Rishi Sunak had met his Mauritian counterpart on the fringes of the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, to assess the progress of the negotiations.

Further negotiations are expected to take place this month, he said.
A man has been taken to hospital after being bitten by a suspected American XL bully dog in a south London park.

The victim, in 40s, was attacked in Pasley Park, Walworth, shortly after 6pm on Friday and was taken to hospital suffering injuries to his arm, the Metropolitan Police said.

Advertisement

The owner of the dog left the scene with the dog before officers arrived, a Met spokesperson added.

The dog is believed to have been a grey-coloured XL bully.

Earlier this evening an XL Bully jumped a fence and attacked a man in my local park. Partially witnessed by my son. Man was bitten badly in several places including his abdomen. Police and ambulance came, but it took an hour. Horrifying. The owner grabbed his dog and legged it. Advertisement Advertisement  Ness Lyons (@lyonsness) September 22, 2023

Police are investigating, and no arrests have been made.

Advertisement

Writer and lawyer Ness Lyons said the attack happened in her local park.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, she said: Earlier this evening an XL bully jumped a fence and attacked a man in my local park. Partially witnessed by my son.

Man was bitten badly in several places including his abdomen.

Police and ambulance came, but it took an hour. Horrifying.

Advertisement

The owner grabbed his dog and legged it.

People take part in a protest in central London, against the Governments decision to add XL bully dogs to the list of prohibited breeds. Photo: Jeff Moore/PA.

Elsewhere, demonstrators rallied in central London on Saturday in opposition to the Prime Ministers proposed American bully XL ban.

Advertisement

They clutched placards with messages such as dont bully our bullies and chanted save our bullies, while on person was pictured wearing a T-shirt which said muzzle Rishi Sunak dont bully our breed.

Mr Sunak has promised to ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act by the end of the year in response to a series of attacks, but owners of are not expected to face a cull of their pets.

On Monday, the British prime ministers official spokesman said a transition period would be introduced, with details likely to follow a consultation on the plan.

Advertisement

Owners could face a requirement to neuter their dogs and muzzle them in public, the Governments chief vet has suggested.

The British prime ministers official spokesman on Monday said: We will need to safely manage the existing population of these dogs. Exactly what that looks like will be a topic for the consultation.

And there will need to be some sort of transition period.
Pope Francis has challenged French President Emmanuel Macron and other European leaders to open their ports to people fleeing hardship and poverty, insisting that the continent does not face a migration emergency but rather a long-term reality that governments must deal with humanely.

For a second straight day in the French port city of Marseille, Francis took aim at European countries that have tried to close their doors to migrants and tried to shame them into responding with charity instead.

Advertisement



Pope Francis is welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron as he arrives at the final session of the Rencontres Mediterraneennes meeting at the Palais du Pharo in Marseille (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

May we let ourselves be moved by the stories of so many of our unfortunate brothers and sisters who have the right both to emigrate and not to emigrate, and not become closed in indifference, Francis told Mr Macron and others at a Marseille conference centre where Mediterranean region Catholic bishops are meeting.

Advertisement

In the face of the terrible scourge of the exploitation of human beings, the solution is not to reject but to ensure, according to the possibilities of each, an ample number of legal and regular entrances.

Advertisement

The popes visit to the city in southern France comes as Italys far right-led government has reacted to a new wave of arriving migrants by threatening to organise a naval blockade of Tunisia and to step up repatriations.

The French government has beefed up patrols on its southern border to stop migrants in Italy from crossing over.

Mr Macron greeted Francis on a wind-swept promenade overlooking Marseilles old port, and helped him walk into the Palais du Pharo.



French President Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte Macron and mayor of Marseille Benoit Payan, left, welcome Pope Francis (Sebastien Nogier, Pool via AP)

Advertisement

With his wife by his side, the French leader listened as a young Italian volunteer working in Greece and the bishop of Tirana, Albania, who fled to Italy during Albanias communist rule, spoke of the welcomes they received in foreign countries.

Mr Macrons centrist government has taken a harder line on migration and security issues after coming under criticism from French conservatives and the far right.

Advertisement

With elections for the European Unions parliament set for next year, Mr Macron is pushing for the EU to strengthen its external borders and to be more efficient in deporting individuals who are denied entry.

Advertisement

Mr Macron and Francis then held a private meeting on the sidelines of the Mediterranean bishops conference.



French President Emmanuel Macron, right, and mayor of Marseille Benoit Payan with Pope Francis (Sebastien Nogier, Pool via AP)

The Vatican has stressed that Francis is not on an official state visit to France but rather a visit to Marseille, in keeping with his refusal to visit the European centres of global Catholicism before he visits smaller communities where the church is either a minority or facing difficult social situations.

Advertisement

Franciss two-day trip was scheduled months ago, but it is taking place as mass migration to Europe is once again making headlines.

Nearly 7,000 migrants came ashore on the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa within a day last week, briefly outnumbering the resident population.

Francis said talk of a migration emergency only fuels alarmist propaganda and stokes peoples fears.

Those who risk their lives at sea do not invade, they look for welcome, for life, he said.

Advertisement



Pope Francis leaves after attending the final session of the Rencontres Mediterraneennes meeting at the Palais du Pharo (Pavel Golovkin/AP)

As for the emergency, the phenomenon of migration is not so much a short-term urgency, always good for fuelling alarmist propaganda, but a reality of our times, a process that involves three continents around the Mediterranean and that must be governed with wise foresight, including a European response capable of coping with the objective difficulties.

Historys first Latin American pope has made the plight of migrants a priority of his 10-year pontificate, travelling to Lampedusa in his first trip as pope to honour migrants who drowned.

In the years since, he has celebrated Mass on the US-Mexico border, met with Myanmars Rohingya refugees and most spectacularly, brought home 12 Syrian Muslims on his plane after visiting a refugee camp in Lesbos, Greece.
Downing Street has not denied reports that the UK prime minister could accept a recommendation that would effectively ban cigarettes for the next generation.

Rishi Sunak is considering introducing some of the worlds toughest anti-smoking measures by steadily increasing the legal age for consuming tobacco, according to The Guardian, which cited Whitehall sources.

Advertisement

Last year a major review led by Dr Javed Khan backed England following in the footsteps of New Zealand, which is planning to impose a gradually rising smoking age to prevent tobacco being sold to anyone born on or after January 1st, 2009.

Dr Khan recommended increasing the age of sale from 18, by one year, every year until no-one can buy a tobacco product in this country.

Advertisement

If implemented by 2026, it would mean anyone aged 15 and under now would never be able to buy a cigarette.

Advertisement

British health minister Neil OBrien appeared to reject adopting that approach in April, when he said the UK governments policy for achieving a smoke-free nation by its 2030 target would focus on helping people to quit rather than applying bans.

No 10, however, refused to pour cold water on Fridays report that a more stringent approach could be adopted, with Mr Sunak understood to be looking at different policy advice on how to reach Englands smoke-free target.

Advertisement

In his government-commissioned report published in June 2022, Dr Khan said that without urgent action, England would miss the 2030 target by at least seven years, with the poorest areas not meeting it until 2044.

He put the annual cost to society of smoking at about 17 billion (19 billion)  2.4 billion to the NHS alone.

A UK government spokesman said: Smoking is a deadly habit, it kills tens of thousands of people each year and places a huge burden on the NHS and the economy.

We want to encourage more people to quit and meet our ambition to be smoke-free by 2030, which is why we have already taken steps to reduce smoking rates.

Advertisement

This includes providing one million smokers in England with free vape kits via our world-first swap to stop scheme, launching a voucher scheme to incentivise pregnant women to quit and consulting on mandatory cigarette pack inserts.

Advertisement

UK prime minister Rishi Sunak is reportedly considering steadily raising the legal age to buy tobacco (Justin Tallis/PA)

The legal age for buying cigarettes and other tobacco products in England and Wales is 18, having been raised from 16 in 2007 by the previous Labour government.

Advertisement

Campaigners suggested Fridays report indicates a new direction from the Conservative government.

It comes after Mr Sunak this week announced he was watering down commitments on green policies in what he said marked the start of changes on a series of long-term decisions to set a new direction for the UK.

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking & Health (Ash), said raising the legally permitted age for tobacco use had delivered results in other countries.

Smoking is highly addictive and only one in three smokers quit before they die, taking on average 30 attempts before they succeed, she said.

If the Government is serious about making England smoke-free by 2030, it needs to reduce youth uptake as well as help adult smokers quit.

Ash strongly supports raising the age of sale, it has worked well in the US and is popular with the public.

Smoking costs the NHS 2.4 billion, according to a major study carried out last year (Gareth Fuller/PA)

But smokers-rights group Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco (Forest), said the move was anti-Conservative and would not stop people from smoking.

Director Simon Clark said a ban would will simply drive the sale of cigarettes underground and into the hands of criminal gangs.

Advertisement

He added: Treating adults like children by denying them the right to buy cigarettes legally would take the nanny state to another level.

Smoking rates have been falling for decades. The idea that any government would prioritise tackling smoking at a time when the country faces far more important challenges at home and abroad is frankly obscene.

If it is true that the Prime Minister wants to introduce some of the worlds toughest anti-smoking measures, denying millions of adults the freedom to choose, it will be a Conservative Government in name only.

The development comes after reports earlier this month suggested disposable vapes are to be banned by ministers to help protect children.

Ministers are said to be drawing up plans to ban disposable vapes, which are seen as targeting those under 18 with their sweet flavours and bright coloured cases.

It comes after a number of leading doctors called for action to protect the health of children from vaping.
Pope Francis on Saturday condemned "belligerent nationalisms" and called for a pan-European response to migration to stop the Mediterranean, where thousands have drowned, from becoming "the graveyard of dignity".

Immigration issues dominated his 27-hour trip to Marseilles, a French port that for centuries has been a crossroads of cultures and religions.

Advertisement

On Friday, he said migrants who risk drowning at sea "must be rescued" because doing so was "a duty of humanity" and that those who impede rescues commit "a gesture of hate".

Francis doubled down in a long speech on Saturday morning when he concluded a Church conference on Mediterranean issues.

"There is a cry of pain that resonates most of all, and it is turning the Mediterranean, the 'mare nostrum', from the cradle of civilisation into the 'mare mortuum', the graveyard of dignity: it is the stifled cry of migrant brothers and sisters," he said, using Latin terms meaning "our sea" and "sea of death".

Advertisement

On the flight to Marseilles on Friday, Francis was moved as he was shown a picture of a migrant child by Reuters photographer Yara Nardi. The photo was a close-up shot of the eyes of 18-month old Prince, who with his mother Claudine Nsoe, had arrived by sea on the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa from North Africa.

Advertisement

President Emmanuel Macron, other government officials and European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde attended a papal Mass on Saturday afternoon for 50,000 people who packed the city's Velodrome stadium. Authorities said another 100,000 lined his route to the stadium.

Left-wing politicians have criticised Mr Macron over his decision to attend the Mass, saying it violates strict separation of state and faith, known as laicite. He said he was attending out of respect for the pope.

'Hear the cries of pain'

At the conference on Saturday morning, Francis called on people to "hear the cries of pain" rising from migrants seeking a better life.

"How greatly we need this at the present juncture, when antiquated and belligerent nationalisms want to make the dream of the community of nations fade!" he said. He did not name any countries.

Advertisement

Governments in several European countries, including Italy, Hungary, and Poland, are led by outspoken opponents of immigration.

The pope also contested those who characterise migration as an "invasion," saying it is a long-term issue that would have to be met with compassion.

He called for an expansion of legal paths to immigration with emphasis on accepting those fleeing war, hunger and poverty, rather than on "preservation of one's own wellbeing".

According to UN Refugee Agency UNHCR, about 178,500 migrants have come to Europe via the Mediterranean this year, while about 2,500 died or went missing.

While Francis has said often that migrants should be shared among the 27 EU countries, his overall openness towards migrants, including once calling their exclusion "scandalous, disgusting and sinful," has riled conservative politicians.

The pope, who was returning to Rome after the Mass, began the day by visiting a centre for the needy in Marseilles' Saint Mauront district, one of France's poorest, run by the order of nuns founded by Saint Mother Teresa.
A 23-year-old Venezuelan man is preparing to say goodbye to a pet squirrel he says he brought from his home country on a journey to Mexico.

Yeison is among the millions of Venezuelans in recent years who have fled because of political and economic upheaval, and has spent months in Mexico waiting to make an asylum case in the US.

Advertisement

He is now scheduled to get that chance but will probably have to leave behind his pet squirrel, Niko.

The pair are an unusual but blunt reflection of the emotional choices migrants make over what to take  and what to leave behind  as they embark on the dangerous trip north.



Niko, a pet squirrel, and his owner, Yeison, in their tent at a migrant camp in Matamoros, Mexico (Valerie Gonzalez/AP)

Advertisement

Advertisement

Yeison, who declined to give his last name because he fears for his familys safety in Venezuela, said going without Niko was out of the question.

But Mexico is where they might be forced to part ways.

Yeison has secured an appointment to present himself at the border to seek entry to the US and request asylum.

Animals are generally not allowed to cross the border.

Advertisement

It would practically be like starting with nothing, without Niko, Yeison said.

Many who set off on the roughly 3,000-mile journey to the US do so with only what they can carry and their loved ones.

For Yeison, that was a squirrel with a black stripe and flecks of white hair, who made the long trip nesting in a red knit cap stuffed inside a backpack.

For six months, Yeison and Niko lived in a tent at an encampment with hundreds of other migrants in Matamoros.

Advertisement





The site is across from the Texas border city of Brownsville, which is hundreds of miles east of Eagle Pass and not experiencing the same dramatic increase in migrants that prompted the mayor to issue an emergency declaration this past week.

Advertisement

On a recent day, Niko crawled over Yeisons shoulders and stayed close while darting around the tent.

Advertisement

The chances are slim that Yeison can take Niko across the border, but volunteers at the encampment are not giving up.

Gladys Canas, the director of non-governmental organisation Ayudandoles A Triunfar, said she has encountered other migrants who wanted to cross with their pets  cats, dogs and even a rabbit once.

But until now, never a squirrel.

Ms Canas helped connect Yeison with a veterinarian to document Nikos vaccinations to provide to border agents.



Niko is fed by his owner Yeison (Valerie Gonzalez/AP)

She is hopeful they will allow the squirrel to cross, whether with Yeison or with a volunteer.

Theres a connection between him and the squirrel, so much that he preferred to bring it with him than leave the squirrel behind with family in Venezuela and face the dangers that come with the migrant journey. They gave each other courage, she said.

Yeison said he found the squirrel after nearly stepping on him one day in Venezuela.

The squirrel appeared to be newly born and Yeison took him home, where he named him Niko and family members fed him yoghurt.

The picky squirrel, Yeison said, prefers nibbling on pine trees and is fed tomatoes and mangoes, even in times when food is hard to come by.

Advertisement

At first, Yeison said he sought work in Colombia.



Niko and Yeison in their tent at a migrant camp in Mexico (Valerie Gonzalez/AP)

He returned to find a loose pine splinter lodged in Nikos eye and resolved after that to take the squirrel with him on the next journey to the US.

Like thousands of migrants, Yeison made the trip through the perilous jungle known as the Darien Gap, where he said he found the body of a man under some blankets.

He said he concealed Niko in a backpack when they boarded buses and crossed through checkpoint inspections in Mexico.

But one time, Yieson said, a bus driver discovered the squirrel and made him pay extra to keep the animal on board.

Yeison said he sold his phone for 35 dollars (28.50) to cover the cost.

Once they reached the encampment in Matamoros, the pair settled into a routine.

Yeison makes money cutting hair by his tent and often falls asleep sharing the same pillow with Niko at night.





He was bracing for a separation.

I dont want for him to be separated from me, because I know that wed get heartsick. Im sure of that, Yeison said.

And if he doesnt get sick, I hope he gets to be happy. And that he never forgets my face.
Consumed By Fire | Merge PR

Nashville, TN  Red Street Records Top 5 charting CCM group Consumed By Fire releases their brand new album, First Things First, available everywhere today (listen HERE). The album launches alongside a captivating acoustic video for their new single Walk With Jesus (watch HERE) and follows a string of impressive firsts for the Ward brothers.

Band member Jordan Ward explains the heart behind the album by sharing, This collection of songs was birthed out of the hardest season that our family has ever walked through. We hope as people take the journey of First Things First (the album), they will hear the conversations we were having with the Lord during some of those times. We hope theyll be able to hear the scriptures we clung to and declared over our family even when the circumstances looked impossible to ever recover from (BUT GOD). Ultimately, we hope they hear the surrender that brought us to the end of ourselves and that it would somehow inspire their own surrender and personal walks with Jesus.

Following a 2023 K-Love Fan Awards nomination for Breakout Single of the Year with First Things First, Consumed By Fire heads into the Fall with their first-ever Dove Awards nomination for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for Goodbye Ole Me. They are also headlining their First Things First Tour stretching across the country from September through October (see dates HERE). Fans across the nation can hear not only the familiar hits like No. 2 charted First Things First, but will get to experience the bands brand new 13-track album with sure to be new favorites like Time In The Water and A Little Bit Longer.

Produced by Scotty Wilbanks alongside the Ward Brothers and penned by a collection of incredible writers, some of which include the projects producers as well as Brian White, Brian Bunn, and Red Streets own Don Koch and Iveth Luna, the First Things First album prepares to undoubtedly pull the heartstrings of listeners everywhere. With the impressive range of an undeniably talented trio, the project offers an array of songs that include inspirational ballads like There Was A Grace to the vivacious, funky sounds found in tracks like Hands Up, Praise Up.

Red Street CEO Jay DeMarcus shares, These guys are wildly talented writers, musicians, and vocalists, and you can really hear their gifts shine in this new album! I cant wait for the world to hear this project and fall in love with it like I have. So many great things are ahead for Consumed By Fire!!

ABOUT CONSUMED BY FIRE: No strangers to the road life, rising Contemporary Christian Music band, Consumed By Fire, are living out the name of their band in a brand-new way. Comprised of Caleb Ward (lead vocals), Jordan Ward (harmonies/percussion), Josh Ward (guitar/harmonies), the three brothers from Oklahoma are living out Gods calling for their lives, to share Gods grace far and wide through music. If it wasnt this form of ministry, if it wasnt music, it would just be something else. Ministry is what we were born to do, Caleb says. The bands sound, heavily influenced by the music they grew up on, is thanks in part to their fathers eclectic taste. Filled with honest truths and the bands honed musicality, First Things First, the bands Top 5 charted radio single, is evidence of Consumed By Fires family bond and the unconditional love of both their earthly and heavenly fathers. As their accolades have continued to accumulate, the band has received media attention with spotlights from KLove and Air1 Radio, praising the band for their deft lyricism and tight harmonies. With a brand new First Things First album out as well as upcoming headlining tour dates, the band is ready for a new, exciting year of music. To learn more, visit consumedbyfire.com and follow their social links below.
Former prime minister Tony Abbott has been nominated to the board of directors of Fox Corporation, a day after Rupert Murdoch announced he was stepping down and his son Lachlan Murdoch would become the sole chairman.

Fox Corporation announced Abbotts nomination in a statement released on Friday (US time), saying he would be considered by shareholders at the annual meeting later this year. Technology executive Margaret Peggy Johnson has also been nominated.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott, pictured in May. Credit: James Brickwood

I welcome Peggy Johnson and Tony Abbotts nominations to the board, Lachlan Murdoch said in a statement. They bring skills, experience and perspectives that will contribute to the board and benefit Fox.

The statement recognised Abbotts contribution as the 28th Australian prime minister, Liberal leader and MP, and his role as an adviser to the UK Board of Trade since 2020.
A delegation of Australian federal politicians from across the political spectrum has met with controversial Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene during a trip to lobby the US government to end its pursuit of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Greene posted a photo to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, with former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, Victorian teal independent Monique Ryan, Labor MP Tony Zappia, Liberal senator Alex Antic and Greens senators Peter Whish-Wilson and David Shoebridge.

US Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green (front) during a meeting with the group of Australian MPs from across the political spectrum. Credit:

Greene said the group discussed the inhumane detention of Assange.

I will work with our allies in Australia to return Assange home, where his fellow citizens support his release , she said.
Morrison told us that it was on this day, Saturday, February 1, 2020 , that he began to really understand that the government would have to do things they would have never previously contemplated to get through what was beginning to look like a global pandemic.

Im going to have to shut down flights from China, he said.

Not long after his call to WA premier Mark McGowan, Scott Morrison was stepping up with Foreign Minister Marice Payne to announce the border closure to China. Credit: Don Arnold

I kept telling her to be quiet and she wouldnt, so I had to keep talking to her while going into the bakery to buy some sauce as I spoke to the prime minister, McGowan recalled.

McGowan was covered in mud. His 11-year-old daughter, Amelia, was next to him, demanding tomato sauce for her pie.

The premier of Western Australia, Mark McGowan, had just spent a mild summers day crabbing with his three children near Dawesville, a coastal suburb 85 kilometres south of Perth, when his phone lit up. It was Australias prime minister, Scott Morrison.

Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.

Australian scientist Professor Eddie Holmes, a world-leading authority on the emergence of infectious diseases, was making his way home from a virology conference in Switzerland when he said he was contacted by British infectious disease researcher Sir Jeremy Farrar who told him: There is talk in the US that this virus might be out of a lab.

It was around the same time that the notion that COVID-19 had escaped from a Chinese laboratory began to be seriously considered by the globes whos who of infectious diseases.

I didnt expect anyone to pick it [the email] up at that time, McVernon recalled. But I didnt want to delay it, and I wanted it to be there when people woke up, saying this is important news.

A midnight email from Professor Jodie McVernon was key to the first big decision in Australias pandemic. Credit: Simon Schulter

McVernon had just seen a new paper , yet to be published. It estimated that about 76,000 people in Wuhan were already infected with the novel coronavirus, and that large overseas cities with close transport links to China would soon become virus epicentres, without substantial public health interventions.

The chain of events that culminated with a ban on foreigners who had recently been in China began with a midnight email from the director of epidemiology at the Doherty Institute, Professor Jodie McVernon, to Australias chief medical officer, Professor Brendan Murphy.

We knew in an open-trading economy like Australia, shutting the borders was a very big step to take, he said. That was the very first large step to understanding that this was going to hurt.

Life as We Knew It , by Age journalists Aisha Dow and Melissa Cunningham, explores Australias experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. Credit: Scribe

Then it went from zero to 100 really quickly, Holmes recalled.

Holmes said he was not overly concerned by the loose link between RaTG13 and the new coronavirus. But the next day, he got a Zoom call from Professor Kristian Andersen, a Danish evolutionary biologist based in California, who thought he could see what looked like a human-made insert in the genome.

However, RaTG13 is not the direct ancestor of COVID, and scientists believe its so distantly related that it couldnt be engineered to create it. Closer relatives to COVID-19 have since been found, although still no direct ancestor, leaving a remaining mystery about the pandemics origin.

In a twist of sorts that would fuel the laboratory-escape theory for years to come, RaTG13 was being studied at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, about 30 kilometres from the Wuhan seafood market.

Professor Eddie Holmes has been an influential figure in the pandemic. He was the first to share the COVID-19s genomic sequence, resulting in the development of the first COVID vaccine. Credit: Louie Douvis

In late January 2020, the closest known relation to the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, was a type of coronavirus called RaTG13, found in horseshoe bats from Yunnan province in south-western China.

Holmes quickly helped to convene a now-infamous teleconference with some of the biggest global names in infectious diseases and virology on Saturday, February 2. They included Anthony Fauci, the director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Francis Collins, the director of the US National Institutes of Health; and virologists Christian Drosten and Marion Koopmans.

It was like spy stuff, very cloak-and-dagger. I dont go around talking to intelligence services on a daily basis. Its not part of my work, so the whole thing was just surreal.

It was quite possibly the strangest moment in Holmes career.

Holmes said he was then called by Nick Warner, the head of Australias Office of National Intelligence, and he spoke to him and a number of other people in the intelligence agency several times.

I think he said Geez a lot, said Holmes of that short conversation with Murphy.

Holmes said he got in touch with a colleague at the University of Sydney, Australian infectious disease physician Tania Sorrell, who was able to arrange for Australias chief medical officer, Murphy, to call him.

Immediately, I called Jeremy [Farrar] back and said, Look, weve got a problem  this could be engineered. He said, You need to talk to your local intelligence services, Ill talk to M15, Kristian can call the CIA.

The furin cleavage site looked like it had been cut-and pasted in, Holmes said.

To Holmes, this appeared like the signature of human engineering.

What initially seemed so strange about the site in SARS-CoV-2 was that it was not found in any of its closest relatives, the coronaviruses found in bats. Worryingly, it was also flanked by molecular scissor cuts, known as restriction enzyme sites, which scientists commonly use to edit gene sequences.

The scientists overwhelming concern related to a tiny piece of genetic code in the virus called a furin cleavage site. Furin cleavage sites regularly appear in viruses, and can allow them to better infect human cells.

Kristian spoke first; he presented some data. I spoke second. Then we had a robust discussion about it.

The audio hook-up was at 6am Sydney time. Holmes hadnt slept well the night before because he was so worried.

However, the virologist said that when the scientists looked more carefully, they discovered that the restriction enzyme sites were actually occurring naturally over the SARS-CoV-2 genome.

So that what we observed meant nothing.

During the teleconference, which lasted about an hour, Holmes said that Dutch virologist Ron Fouchier, Christian Drosten, and Marion Koopmans argued to varying degrees against the idea that the new coronavirus had been engineered, and they made very good points.

He described it as a nerdy science discussion.

My own view changed very quickly. So on 31 January and 1 February, I was probably very worried. And by 4 or 5 February I wasnt worried.

Loading

Soon after that meeting, the sequence of a coronavirus from a pangolin, a kind of scaly anteater, became available, showing a remarkable similarity to COVID in some genes.

This really made SARS-CoV-2 look like just another natural virus, Holmes noted.

But conspiracy theorists and elements of the media, particularly in the US, later latched onto this swift shift in opinion as a sign of something nefarious.

What happened at the February 1 teleconference to make the virologists change their minds so radically? wrote journalist Nicholas Wade in 2022.

The lab-leak theory has gained so much attention that it has become mainstream in America. Many see Fauci as a villian. Credit: Marvin Joseph

One of the ideas that has gained considerable traction is that the mild-mannered Fauci, alongside another of Americas most respected scientists, Francis Collins, bullied scientists, including Holmes, to reverse their position because the US had been funding the Wuhan lab to do controversial experiments.

Although a small amount of US money had gone to a project examining the risk of coronavirus emerging from wildlife, whether any US money was used to make viruses more dangerous in order to study them is disputed.

Holmes, one of about a dozen people at the meeting, said it was complete bullshit that he was pressured to change his view.

Fauci and Collins didnt say much at all, he said. All they wanted to know was, What does the science say? It was as simple as that. They didnt guide us.

A security guard waves for journalists to clear the road after a convoy carrying the World Health Organisation team entered the Huanan Seafood Market in January 2021. Credit: AP

As the pandemic progressed, Holmes became a leading researcher on the origins of COVID-19 and a prominent proponent of the case that the virus had emerged from an animal, most likely at the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market.

Lab-leak advocates have tried to dismiss the clustering of the early cases around the market, arguing it is the perfect place the virus would spread from an infected laboratory worker, for example.

But a 2022 study published in the prestigious Science journal by Holmes, Andersen, and others found that the market was not a popular location in the city at all. It wasnt even a very popular market. There were at least 70 other markets that received more social media check-ins. Holmes described it as like going to Coles in Bendigo on a wet Wednesday afternoon.

The Ages national science reporter, Liam Mannix, said: Once you come in with the mindset China has done the wrong thing, you can go to an awful lot of effort trying to force the evidence to suit your perspective. And I think thats really whats happened here.

So, what did Holmes think happened? He said that a coronavirus probably passed from a horseshoe bat and onto an intermediary animal, such as a raccoon dog or a civet, before the sickness moved onto its first human hosts at the Wuhan market, and then on and on. This is how most other pandemics have occurred: a virus spills from animals to humans. The original SARS has been linked to civets, a possum-like wild mammal, also eaten in China.

During the same week in February 2020 when Holmes was discussing the origins of the new virus, modellers from the Doherty Institute were approached by Brendan Murphy and asked to provide some scenarios describing how the new virus might spread in Australia.

They did this by using very early estimates of its reproduction number  essentially a measure of how contagious it was  and an assumption that it would spread about as quickly as the original SARS virus.

They already knew that people would be infectious for around a week. Using these three measurements, they drew epidemic curves showing how many people would become infected if Australia was to simply let the virus spread.

We looked at a few different severity levels. What if the virus is really dangerous? What happens if its mildly dangerous? All of them said that this is going to be very bad. And we have to do something, said Professor James McCaw, who like Jodie McVernon was one of Australias top pandemic preparedness experts.

Professor James McCaw is one of Australias top pandemic experts. Credit: Melbourne University

A few weeks earlier, McCaw and McVernon were asked to join the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, at a time when the group, known often by its acronym AHPPC, was almost as little known as its members.

Chaired by Australias chief medical officer, it was largely made up of the states chief public health officers: New South Wales Kerry Chant; Victorias Brett Sutton; Queenslands Jeannette Young; South Australias Nicola Spurrier; Western Australias Andy Robertson; and Tasmanias Mark Veitch. The Northern Territory was represented by Hugh Heggie, and the Australian Capital Territory by Kerryn Coleman.

McCaw said that the period in late January and early February 2020 was very confronting, personally and professionally, because he was acutely aware that he was now part of a team of experts and officials who would be instrumental in shaping what was written in the history books.

I knew we were faced with something that was going to be global news for a long time, he said.

AHPPC was going to be very influential. And if it did its job, it could save hundreds to tens of thousands of lives in Australia. If it didnt do its job, maybe it wouldnt.

Australias chief health officers, including Dr Kerry Chant, became household names when the pandemic struck. Credit: Steven Siewart

There was a period when, perhaps, Australias top health officials thought there was nothing that they could do.

McCaw recalls when the AHPPC was first presented with coronavirus modelling in early February, it showed the scale of the potential catastrophe, but also something else: if people made relatively small changes to their behaviour, such as meeting 25 per cent fewer people, there would be a huge reduction in the number of people infected and killed.

According to McCaws account, New South Wales chief health officer, Dr Kerry Chant, looked at these projections and said: Oh we can do something about this.

Loading

McCaw replied: Yes, we can.

The epidemiologist said it was a powerful moment, because he felt some of the chief health officers might have thought that it was just going to wash over us, and we would just be picking up the pieces. And Kerry realised that maybe we could do something.

In early March, there was another galvanising moment. One of Australias well-known public health experts, Dr Craig Dalton, had just read an interview with Dr Bruce Aylward, the scientist who had led the World Health Organisation delegation to China to investigate the burgeoning COVID-19 outbreak the month before.

Before he had read the piece, he said he shared the same view of most of Australias public health experts: the country had little choice but to let the virus run its course.

On March 5, Dalton sent out an email to dozens of other leading public health officials, summarising what he had learnt and setting out his subsequent change of view.

He told them it was dangerous and incorrect to assume that Australia had a superior medical capacity to China, and that the Chinese had, in fact, been able to save more lives than might have been expected in Western medical facilities.

If we dont go as hard as China, we could have a worse outcome than Wuhan, he wrote.

Dalton began lobbying the federal health department to invite Bruce Aylward to give an address to Australian public health officials.

When that didnt work, he quickly created a new front organisation with a sufficiently official-sounding name: the Australian Health Protection Officers Association, and made the approach himself.

Dr Craig Dalton describes setting up a front organisation so he could invite a leading epidemiologist to talk to Australian health officials about what hed learnt about COVID-19. Credit: YouTube

On a Friday evening, March 6, the association held its inaugural meeting. About 70 public health practitioners joined a webinar with Aylward.

The sandy-haired scientist barely paused for breath as he laid down what he knew. From his low-key office, a busy in-tray behind him, Aylward repeated his message: the new coronavirus was not the flu.

The big, big message is you really want to try to contain this, he told the Australian officials. A substantial proportion of your population is at high risk for mortality with this disease.

Among those who tuned into the webinar was South Australias chief public health officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier. She said the presentation was excellent, but also frightening.

Canadian epidemiologist Dr Bruce Aylward gives his influential address to Australian public health officials. Credit: YouTube

As Aylward talked, she took reams of notes, underlining key points for emphasis.

He was saying, Take this seriously. China has a very sophisticated healthcare system. They are really putting every effort into controlling this, because its very, very serious.

Before the video conference, Spurrier said the thinking was that the new coronavirus would be something like a bad flu, but Aylwards testimony shook this view, and his message stuck with her: if it was possible to stop the virus coming to Australia before its population was protected by vaccines, they should grab that opportunity.

At the end of the presentation, Dalton thanked Aylward for his time, telling him that he suspected his webinar might have saved tens of thousands of Australian lives.

Later, Dalton told us he thought the presentation was critical to influencing Australias response because, beforehand, some chief health officers had believed they couldnt stop the virus taking hold.

Bruce gave such an inspirational presentation and convinced us that it was possible, that you had to believe it was possible, and I think that changed a lot of peoples attitudes that this could be done.

South Australias chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said before the webinar she thought COVID would be something like a bad flu. Credit: Paul Jeffers

After he finished his address, Aylward said that when he had been asked to do the talk, hed considered a debt of sorts hed owed the country.

Australia was very, very good to me when I had metastatic melanoma 15 years ago, and you guys took care of me. Im still alive. I owe you guys a lot. You never forget these things.

Certainly, the presentation was a lightbulb moment for Spurrier in South Australia about the seriousness of the threat posed by coronavirus.

I thought, Thank goodness Ive taken all these notes, and then I went running around, showing everybody in the department, [saying] This is serious.

This is an edited extract from Life As We Knew It: the extraordinary story of Australias pandemic, by Age journalists Aisha Dow and Melissa Cunningham. Its out on October 3 and available for pre-order with Scribe.

In an exclusive offer for subscribers, order a copy of Life As We Knew It from Scribe for 30 per cent off the retail price. Click here for details. This offer is available until October 31.
When Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews this week put a levy on Airbnb properties to encourage more of those properties to become long-term rentals, the fury was palpable.

Leanne Taylor, who has three investment properties rented out on Airbnb, told The Australian Financial Review that it was going to be tough for her. After all, she explained, she was a single mum and was grappling with rising energy and grocery bills and mortgage interest rates.

Taylor said the 7.5 per cent levy on short-term rental accommodation such as Airbnb means her income stream would take even more of a hit. Im not rich. If I was rich, I wouldnt have to rent my properties out, she explained.

Others might argue if you have three investment properties youre doing better than most. And its likely that the cost of the 7.5 per cent levy will be passed on to Airbnbs Melbourne customers, one way or another.
New York: Rupert Murdochs decision to stand aside from the media empire he spent decades building sent shockwaves through the US political landscape and received praise and condemnation from across the globe.

But there was one person who was conspicuously silent in the immediate aftermath: Donald Trump.

One of Lachlan Murdochs biggest challenges will be how to handle Donald Trump in an election year. Credit: The Age

The lack of acknowledgment underpins the on-again, off-again relationship between Trump and Murdoch.

Yet arguably no two figures in the right-wing world have gained as much from each other as the unlikely duo.
El Vicecanciller Ignacio Higueras entrego a la Viceministra de Patrimonio Cultural e Industrias Culturales de @MinCulturaPe, Haydee Rosas, 76 bienes culturales recuperados y repatriados de Argentina, Belgica, Estados Unidos y Suiza. pic.twitter.com/FnQfsXnx7E
India has hit out at Pakistan after the country's caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar predictably raised the Kashmir bogey in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

In its right to reply, the First Secretary at United Nations for the Second Committee of UNGA, Petal Gahlot said that Pakistan should vacate occupied areas of India and stop cross-border terrorism. She asked Pakistan to stop human rights violations against minorities in Pakistan.

Petal Gahlot said, "In order for there to be peace in South Asia, the actions that Pakistan needs to take are threefold first stop cross-border terrorism and shut down its infrastructure of terrorism immediately. Second, vacate Indian territories under its illegal and forcible occupation. And third stop the grave and persistent human rights violations against the minorities in Pakistan."

Indian diplomat reiterated that union territories of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh are integral parts of India and Pakistan has no "locus standi" to make statements regarding India's domestic matters.

"We reiterate that the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of India. Matters pertaining to the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are purely internal to India," Petal Gahlot said.

"Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on our domestic matters. As a country with one of the world's worst human rights records, particularly when it comes to minority and women's rights, pakistan would do well to put its own house in order before venturing to point a finger at the world's largest democracy," she added.

Indian diplomat slammed Pakistan for making "baseless and malicious propaganda" against India at the United Nations General Assembly.

In her remarks, Gahlot said, "Pakistan has become a habitual offender when it comes to misusing this august forum to peddle baseless and malicious propaganda against India. Member States of the United Nations and other multilateral organizations are well aware that Pakistan does so to deflect the international community's attention away from its own abysmal record on human rights."

Calling Pakistan home to the largest number of internationally proscribed terrorist entities, Gahlot urged Pakistan to take "credible and verifiable action" against perpetrators of the 2011 Mumbai terror attack.

Also Read Pakistan election can take place even before 2024: Caretaker PM Kakar Senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar to be Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Announcing date for elections beyond mandate for interim govt: Pakistan PM BCCI media rights auction on August 31: Disney Star, Sony and Jio in fray 'I feel pity': Nirmal Khanna on Mushaal Malik's induction into Pak cabinet LIVE: PM to lay foundation stone of Int'l Cricket Stadium in Varanasi today India-Canada row: Both countries stand to lose from dispute, says expert Revival of Vikram, Pragyan automatic: ISRO scientist on Chandrayaan-3 Asian Games 2023: India cites visa foul play as China bars three athletes A tale of two Indian cities: How Singur's loss became Sanand's gain

"Pakistan has been the home and patron to the largest number of internationally proscribedterrorist entities and individuals in the world. Instead of engaging in technical sophistry, we callupon Pakistan to take credible and verifiable action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks whose victims await justice even after 15 years," Petal Gahlot said.

Highlighting the systemic violence against minorities in Pakistan, Petal Gahlot spoke about the conditions of Christians and Ahmadiyya communities. She spoke about the Jaranwala incident where Churches and Christian houses were burnt down. "A glaring example of the systemic violence against minorities in Pakistan was the large-scale brutality perpetrated against the minority Christian community in Jaranwala in Pakistan's Faisalabad district in August 2023 where a total of 19 churches were gutted and 89 Christian houses were burnt down," the Indian diplomat said. She further said, "Similar treatment has been meted out to the Ahmadiyya whose places of worship have been demolished. The condition of women belonging to minority communities in Pakistan notably Hindus, Sikhs and Christians, remains deplorable."

She made reference to a report published by Pakistan's Human Rights Commission which revealed that 1000 women from minority communities were subjected to abduction and forced conversion and marriage. "According to a recent report published by Pakistan's own Human Rights Commission, an estimated 1,000 women from minority communities are subjected to abduction and forced conversion and marriage in Pakistan every year," Petal Gahlot said.

Pakistan caretaker PM Kakar's remarks came during his address to the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York today. He said, "Pakistan desires peaceful and productive relations with all our neighbours including India," and added that "Kashmir is the key to peace between Pakistan and India."

India has repeatedly raised its concern over Pakistan's support of cross-border terrorism and has asserted that terror and talks cannot go together. India has also provided evidence at various international forums of Pakistan's support for Terrorist groups. Pakistan's caretaker PM however harped on what he called the illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.
Britain has pitched itself to the world as a ready leader in shaping an international response to the rise of artificial intelligence, with Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden telling the UN General Assembly his country was "determined to be in the vanguard".

Touting the United Kingdom's tech companies, its universities and even Industrial Revolution-era innovations, he said Friday that the nation has "the grounding to make AI a success and make it safe". He went on to suggest that a British AI task force, which is working on methods for assessing AI systems' vulnerability, could develop expertise to offer internationally.

His remarks at the assembly's annual meeting of world leaders previewed an AI safety summit that British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is convening in November. Dowden's speech also came as other countries and multinational groups including the European Union, the bloc that Britain left in 2020 are making moves on artificial intelligence.

The EU this year passed pioneering regulations that set requirements and controls based on the level of risk that any given AI system poses, from low (such as spam filters) to unacceptable (for example, an interactive, children's toy that talks up dangerous activities).

The UN, meanwhile, is pulling together an advisory board to make recommendations on structuring international rules for artificial intelligence. Members will be appointed this month, Secretary-General Antnio Guterres told the General Assembly on Tuesday; the group's first take on a report is due by the end of the year.

Major US tech companies have acknowledged a need for AI regulations, though their ideas on the particulars vary. And in Europe, a roster of big companies ranging from French jetmaker Airbus to Dutch beer giant Heineken signed an open letter urging the EU to reconsider its rules, saying it would put European companies at a disadvantage.

"The starting gun has been fired on a globally competitive race in which individual companies as well as countries will strive to push the boundaries as far and fast as possible," Dowden said. He argued that "the most important actions we will take will be international".

Also Read Oliver Dowden named UK's new deputy prime minister, after Raab resigns Heineken sells its Russian operations for 1 euro, takes 300-mn-euro hit Heineken reports high-single-digit revenue growth in India for March qtr United Breweries Ltd appoints Vivek Gupta as new MD & CEO of company Sunak faced devastating losses of over 1,000 Tory seats in local elections China an existential threat to US, preparing for war: Nikki Haley LIVE: PM to lay foundation stone of Int'l Cricket Stadium in Varanasi today Canada gave details linking Indian government to Sikh activist's murder Mexican president wants to meet with Biden on migration, drug trafficking India-Canada row: Both countries stand to lose from dispute, says expert

Listing hoped-for benefits such as improving disease detection and productivity alongside artificial intelligence's potential to wreak havoc with deepfakes, cyberattacks and more, Dowden urged leaders not to get "trapped in debates about whether AI is a tool for good or a tool for ill".

"It will be a tool for both," he said.

It's "exciting. Daunting. Inexorable", Dowden said, and the technology will test the international community "to show that it can work together on a question that will help to define the fate of humanity".
By Brian Platt and Sudhi Ranjan Sen



Canadian officials shared evidence with Indias government, including communications and phone numbers that they believe link Indian agents with the murder of a Sikh activist, before Prime Minister Justin Trudeau went public with the allegation, said people familiar with the matter.

The information was exchanged via security officials of the two countries, the people said, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.

One person said the evidence was given several days before Sept. 18, when Trudeau told members of Canadas parliament that the government had credible information about Indias involvement in the shooting death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. A second person declined to say when exactly the information was shared, but noted there were multiple discussions between security officials of the two countries.

Canadian authorities have also approached some members of the Indian diaspora in the country whom they believe have knowledge of the murder, one person said.

On Friday, Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa that Canada first raised the allegations with India many weeks ago.

We are there to work constructively with India and we hope that they engage with us so that we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter, Trudeau said.

India has denied that Canada has officially shared any information about the murder of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen who was declared a terrorist by India. He was fatally shot June 18 outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia. No arrests have been announced. Prime Minister Narendra Modis government has dismissed the allegation that India was behind the killing as absurd.

Indias Ministry of External Affairs didnt respond to a request for comment. Canadian government press officials also declined to comment. A spokesperson for Canadas intelligence service said they cant discuss such allegations in order to protect sensitive activities and sources of intelligence.

No specific information has been shared by Canada on this case, either then or before or after, Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson for Indias Ministry of External Affairs, told reporters on Thursday.

India is willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us, he added. But so far we have not received any such specific information.

The claims have brought India-Canada relations to a new low, affecting thousands of Indian students who travel to Canada for higher education as well as Indian expats.

Also Read Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar and why his murder has led to a diplomatic row Nykaa, Paytm, Zomato: Canadian FPI-held stocks take a hit on widening rift Trudeau's claim of India's link to Nijjar's killing 'shameless': US expert Nijjar, Trudeau's allegations and India's counter: All you need to know Amid strained ties, Canada pulling diplomats from India, citing 'threats' Mexican president wants to meet with Biden on migration, drug trafficking India-Canada row: Both countries stand to lose from dispute, says expert Work constructively with India, get to bottom of this matter: Trudeau Gun violence is the ultimate 'superstorm': Biden as he announces new effort Deeply concerned about PM Trudeau's claims, critical to probe: Blinken

India on Thursday stopped issuing visas to Canadians and has also asked Canada to reduce its diplomatic presence. Canadas High Commission in New Delhi said it was adjusting its staff levels at missions in India in response to concerns about the safety of its diplomatic staff.
Describing China as an "existential threat" to the US and the world, Indian-American Republican presidential aspirant Nikki Haley has claimed Beijing is "preparing for war".

China has spent half a century plotting to defeat America and in some respects, the Chinese military is already at par with the US armed forces, Haley said in a major policy speech on the economy in the key early primary State of New Hampshire on Friday.

Her speech comes two days after her India-American Republican rival Vivek Ramaswamy delivered a foreign policy speech on China in Ohio. Both Haley and Ramaswamy have emerged as popular GOP candidates after former US president Donald Trump.

"Strength and pride are essential to our national survival, especially in the face of Communist China. China is an existential threat. It has spent half a century plotting to defeat us," Haley said.

She alleged that China has taken America's manufacturing jobs.

"It's taken our trade secrets. Now it's taking control of critical industries, from medicines to advanced technology. In record time, China has gone from an economically backward country to the second biggest economy on earth," she said.

"It has every intention of being the first. And the Communist Party's motives are clear. They're building a massive, cutting-edge military, capable of threatening America and dominating Asia and beyond," the former two-term South Carolina governor said.

"In some respects, China's military is already equal to the US armed forces. In other areas, they're beating us. China's leaders are so confident, they're sending spy balloons into our skies and building a spy base just off our shores in Cuba.

"Make no mistake: The Communist Party is preparing for war. And China's leaders intend to win," she claimed.

Sharing her economic plan, Haley said it includes giving real relief and financial freedom to middle-class Americans. Every middle-class family will get thousands of dollars in tax relief, she said.

"No one knows how to use your money better than you, no one. When you make your own choices, you make our economy even stronger," she said.

Also Read You'll make US less safe: Haley to Ramaswamy at Republican Party's debate Not Accurate: Pentagon on reports about China's Spy Station in Cuba Will pardon all peaceful January 6 protesters: US Prez candidate Ramaswamy 'Different times call for different leaderships': Pence's US President bid US Prez polls 2024: Trump lauds rival Indian-American Vivek Ramaswamy LIVE: PM to lay foundation stone of Int'l Cricket Stadium in Varanasi today Canada gave details linking Indian government to Sikh activist's murder Mexican president wants to meet with Biden on migration, drug trafficking India-Canada row: Both countries stand to lose from dispute, says expert Work constructively with India, get to bottom of this matter: Trudeau

"For starters, we'll completely eliminate the federal gas and diesel tax. That is 18 cents per gallon in savings on gas and 24 cents on diesel. That will help families struggling with record-high gas prices.

"And we don't need a federal gas tax to fund our roads. We'll keep building our roads with the trillions Washington still has and we'll stop diverting money to green giveaways. Road money should build roads, not bike paths and hiking trails," she added.

If elected president of the country, Haley said, she would also cut income taxes for working families.

She said her administration would also eliminate President Joe Biden's USD 500 billion in green energy subsidies. "No more cash windfalls for China," she said.

The former US ambassador to the UN said she would veto any spending bill that doesn't take the US back to pre-Covid spending levels.

"We're not talking about 1950s spending levels, we're talking about just four years ago. We had a massive and in many ways a foolish explosion in spending during the pandemic. But the pandemic is over. It's absurd to keep spending at those same crazy levels," she said.

"Under my plan, we won't just have term limits for politicians, we will limit bureaucrats too. No bureaucrat should hold the same position for more than five years.

"This will make them better public servants and avoid the politics and power fiefdoms that corrupt our government. And we should be able to fire those who are not performing. Public service is a privilege, not a right. And no one has a right to roll back your freedom," Haley said.
Once rock-solid, the support that Ukraine has gotten from its biggest backers for its fight against Russia is showing cracks.

Political posturing in places like Poland and Slovakia, where a trade dispute with Ukraine has stirred tensions, and Republican reticence in the United States about Washington's big spending to prop up Ukraine's military have raised new uncertainties about the West's commitment to its efforts to expel Russian invaders more than 18 months into the war.

And Russian President Vladimir Putin, who hopes to outlast allied backing for Kyiv, will be ready to capitalise if he sees Ukraine is running low on air defence or other weapons.

The West has long been shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine against Russia. But between Ukraine's impassioned, unending pleas for help, and huge handouts from its backers, signs of discord have emerged.

In July, Britain's defence minister at the time said Ukraine should show gratitude to the West, after Kyiv renewed its vocal but unsuccessful push to join NATO.

This week, a new bout surfaced after Ukraine filed a complaint at the World Trade Organisation against three neighbours and European Union members Hungary, Poland and Slovakia for banning imports of Ukrainian farm products, a key export for the war-weary country's battered economy.

The three bristled at the move, with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki shooting back that his country is no longer transferring any weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming ourselves with the most modern weapons.

Some EU officials have warned that Putin is revelling at the new show of Western discord at a time when Ukrainian troops are making slow gains in their counteroffensive against Russian forces, who still control a vast swath of eastern and southern Ukraine.

Still, from Washington to Warsaw, where the military cost and capabilities of helping Ukraine are at issue, officials are playing down any talk of a rift.

I don't believe that one political dispute will lead to a breakdown, Polish President Andrzej Duda said, adding that his prime minister was only referring to newly ordered weapons that wouldn't ever go to Ukraine anyway.

Also Read EPL: Chelsea signs Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sanchez from Brighton Robert Lucas, winner of the 1995 Nobel Prize in Economics, dies at 85 Trump WH adviser acted above law in defying Jan 6 Committee: Prosecutors 'Different times call for different leaderships': Pence's US President bid You'll make US less safe: Haley to Ramaswamy at Republican Party's debate Russia's diesel exports ban risky for Moscow, world alike as winter nears 8 mummies, pre-Inca objects uncovered while expanding gas network in Peru If US has to choose, it will choose India over Canada: Ex-Pentagon official Yemen's southern leader renews calls for separate state at United Nations India calls Pakistan patron to largest no of proscribed terrorist at UNGA

Jake Sullivan, the Biden administration's national security adviser, said on Thursday he believed that Poland will continue to be a supporter of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a brief visit to Washington this week, sought to shore up US support for his country, which has factored into the political campaign ahead of next year's presidential election. Former President Donald Trump and leading GOP rival Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida say they want the US to stop sending weapons to Ukraine.

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, after meeting with Zelenskyy on Thursday, acknowledged that people are talking about how much money is being spent. But, he added, We're investing in democracy.

Other GOP presidential hopefuls like former Vice President Mike Pence, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie support Ukraine.

Politics over the issue is also playing out in Eastern Europe. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, a big backer of Ukraine's fight against Russia, appealed on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, for his counterparts in Ukraine and Poland to resolve current differences, and said his country was ready to facilitate dialogue between them.

Piotr Buras, a Warsaw-based senior fellow at the European Council of Foreign Relations, said, Polish-Ukrainian relations have become hostage to the Polish electoral campaign, referring to the country's parliamentary elections next month.

Nonetheless, the harm from Morawiecki's comments lingers, he warned.

It does a great deal of damage to the Ukrainian cause, as this narrative resembles and legitimises those voices in Europe (mainly on the far-right) that question the need to supply weapons to Ukraine, Buras said in an email.

Robert Fico, a two-time prime minister in Slovakia, has returned as a front-runner in that country's parliamentary elections. His populist, left-wing party has staked out a pro-Russia stance and vowed to reverse Slovakia's military and political support for Ukraine if elected in the September 30 vote.

Niklas Masuhr, a military analyst at the Centre for Security Studies at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, said it's conceivable that some political parties might put their eggs in a nationalist basket to ... curry favour with the electorate and avoid the impression of giving undue solidarity to Ukraine" at the expense of domestic interests.

It would be naive to assume that there are no trade-offs between individual NATO countries' interests and Ukrainian interests," said Masuhr, who called Poland a strident supporter of Ukraine when it came to delivery of military equipment.

There is broad strategic overlap, but that doesn't mean that in every case these interests are aligned, he said. Issues like energy or food supplies are "critical, or if you will, neuralgic, points in the relationship between these countries.

Daniel Fried, a former US ambassador to Poland and now a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank, said the recent standoff in Eastern Europe was not the end of the Polish-Ukrainian alliance and pointed to Duda's effort to walk back the comments by his prime minister.

This mini-crisis may have peaked, Fried said by phone from Berlin. "This is going to happen ... in a war kind of situation where people's nerves are fried, and there are real issues at stake.

I'm reasonably confident this will be patched up and is in the process of being patched up at least I hope so, he said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with his Cyprus counterpart Constantinos Kombos here on Saturday on the fringes of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session.

After shaking hands, both the ministers held brief bilateral talks in the presence of officials from both sides.

Prior to this, the EAM Minister met the Foreign Minister of Uganda, Gen JeJe Odongo and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and held bilateral talks.

After meeting his Egyptian counterpart, Jaishankar posted on X, "Great to see my friend FM of Egypt Sameh Shoukry in New York on #UNGA78 sidelines. Appreciate his warm words for the Indian Presidency of G20. Took stock of the great progress in our bilateral cooperation. 2023 has been a landmark year in India-Egypt ties. Committed to take them forward."

EAM Jaishankar is in New York to lead the Indian delegation for the UNGA session where he will address the United Nations General Assembly on September 26, according to an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Earlier on Friday, the External Affairs Minister had a productive and busy day of engagements with his counterparts from multiple countries on the margins of the 78th United National General Assembly in New York.

Last year, Jaishankar met then Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and signed an MoU on Defence and Military Cooperation, in Nicosia.

This agreement was signed during Jaishankar's first visit to the country. The two sides also inked the Letter of Intent on the Migration and Mobility Partnership.

Also Read Quad foreign ministers likely to meet at UNGA next month in New York Special session of Parliament: PM Modi to speak in Lok Sabha at 11 am today EAM Jaishankar holds bilateral meeting with Uganda's Foreign Minister Nicholas Pooran's 55-ball 137 leads MI New York to inaugural MLC title Don't understand if this is a special session or normal: LoP Chowdhury Malawi looks to deepen trade relations with India in key economic areas EAM Jaishankar holds bilateral meeting with Uganda's Foreign Minister IBSA countries laud G20 summit in India, extend support to Brazil India, Brazil, South Africa seek result oriented process for UNSC reforms Shared evidence of 'credible allegations' on Nijjar's killing: Trudeau
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar here on Saturday held a meeting with Uganda Foreign Minister Gen JeJe Odongo on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session.

Earlier on Saturday, Jaishankar met his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Sahoukry and discussed bilateral ties.

On Friday, the EAM had a productive and busy day of engagements with his counterparts from multiple countries on the margins of the 78th United National General Assembly in New York.

The significant day for the EAM began with the meeting with Quad Foreign Ministers including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.

He also held a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa and discussed regional, multilateral and global cooperation.

EAM also met with his Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and noted the positive trajectory of ties with Australia and discussed specific measures that need to be made to take the relations further.

In a post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, Jaishankar stated, "Great to catch up with FM @SenatorWong of Australia on #UNGA78 sidelines. Noted the positive trajectory of our ties and discussed specific steps to take them further. Our exchange of regional and global assessments is always valuable.

"Later on, Jaishankar held a meeting with counterparts from Brazil, Bahrain and South Africa. Jaishankar and Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani held talks on connectivity, economic linkages and regional dynamics.

Also Read NFSU opens first overseas campus in Uganda, Jaishankar calls it significant Indian national allegedly shot dead by cop in Uganda over Rs 46,000 loan Uganda gets harsh anti-LGBT law, Biden calls it 'violation of human rights' EAM Jaishankar launches 'Tulsi Ghat Restoration Project' in Uganda EAM Jaishankar meets Ugandan counterpart Jeje, discusses bilateral ties IBSA countries laud G20 summit in India, extend support to Brazil India, Brazil, South Africa seek result oriented process for UNSC reforms Shared evidence of 'credible allegations' on Nijjar's killing: Trudeau LIVE: Indian foreign minister Dr S Jaishankar to address the UN today Ukraine strikes Russia's Black Sea Fleet HQ, kills several leaders
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his counterparts from Brazil and South Africa met for the 11th IBSA Trilateral Ministerial Commission here on Saturday and expressed their frustration "with the paralysis" observed at the Inter-Governmental Negotiations on UN Security Council reform.

They renewed their commitment to work for the expansion of the Council to include representation from developing economies of Africa, Asia and Latin America.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the ministers stressed that the time has come to move towards a result-oriented process and urged the redoubling of efforts to achieve concrete outcomes within a fixed time frame through the commencement of text-based negotiations.

They supported the legitimate aspiration of African countries to have a permanent presence in the UNSC and supported Brazil's and India's endeavour "to occupy permanent seats in the Security Council".

Apart from S Jaishankar, Brazil Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of Grace Naledi Pandor attended the meeting.

The ministers emphasized that while a comprehensive reform of the United Nations system remains a crucial international undertaking, the advancing of the reform of the Security Council should remain an urgent and top priority.

"The Ministers expressed frustration with the paralysis observed at the Inter-Governmental Negotiations on UN Security Council reform which lacks transparency in its working methods and have not produced tangible progress in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)," the statement said.

The ministers stressed that the time has come to move towards a result-oriented process and urged the redoubling of efforts to achieve concrete outcomes within a fixed time frame on this issue through the "commencement of text-based negotiations, based on a single comprehensive text, in a formal setting, during the 78th UNGA, with a view to an early comprehensive reform of the Security Council."

They appreciated the role of India and Brazil as members of the UN Security Council for 2021-2022 and 2022-23.

"The ministers renewed their commitment to work for the expansion of Security Council membership to include representation from developing economies of Africa, Asia and Latin America, in both the permanent and non-permanent membership categories for achieving a reformed, representative, equitable, responsive and effective UN Security Council which is reflective of the contemporary global realities," the statement said.

Also Read K'taka CET, NEET UG 2023 Seat Allotment Result for Round 2 released NEET PG 2023 Counselling Result: Round 1 seat allotment list out today India to play two Tests on multi-format tour of South Africa in December UCEED 2023 round 1 seat allotment result today; complete detail here Historic move by Cricket South Africa, men and women to get equal match fee Shared evidence of 'credible allegations' on Nijjar's killing: Trudeau LIVE: Indian foreign minister Dr S Jaishankar to address the UN today Ukraine strikes Russia's Black Sea Fleet HQ, kills several leaders Trudeau pledges Canada's support for Ukraine, punishment for Russia Saudi Arabia's economy joins trillion-dollar club on its 93rd National Day

"They supported the legitimate aspiration of African countries to have a permanent presence in the UNSC and supported Brazil's and India's endeavour to occupy permanent seats in the Security Council," it added..

The ministers affirmed the need for a reformed, revitalised and reinvigorated multilateralism aimed at implementing the 2030 agenda, to adequately address contemporary global challenges of the 21st Century and to make global governance more representative, democratic, effective, transparent and accountable.

IBSA was created 20 years ago to promote coordination on global issues between three large pluralistic, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic democracies of Asia, South America and Africa, and to enhance trilateral cooperation in sectoral areas, providing a new framework to South-South Cooperation.

The ministers underscored the importance of IBSA's principles, norms, and values, including reformed multilateralism, participatory democracy, respect for human rights and international humanitarian law, sovereign equality, territorial integrity, peaceful negotiation, diplomacy, freedom, the primacy of international law and sustainable development.

They expressed their intention to further energise and leverage the IBSA Forum and agreed to hold a Standalone Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Brazil, in the first quarter of 2024 and tasked the Sherpas to elaborate a proposal on IBSA institutional development.

The ministers affirmed the strategic significance of IBSA in safeguarding and advancing the interests of the Global South on the global stage, including at the multilateral and plurilateral bodies. The fact that the three countries will make up the G20 "troika" in 2024, provides further opportunities for concerted actions and cooperation in several areas.

Jaishankar is leading the Indian delegation for a week-long visit to New York, where he is scheduled to address a High-Level session of the 78th UNGA on September 26.
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and his Japanese counterpart Yoko Kamikawa on Friday agreed to strengthen cooperation on the economic front, including achieving steady progress on the high-speed railway project, a flagship project between India, Japan.

The two ministers met in New York during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

In a 30-minute-long meeting, both ministers affirmed that maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law is critical and that Japan and India would strengthen their responses to issues in the international community, according to a release issued by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two ministers also shared views on regional situations including the Indo-Pacific and the situation in Ukraine, and on the Security Council reform.

EAM Jaishankar congratulated Foreign Minister Kamikawa on her appointment.

In response, Minister Kamikawa expressed her intention to further develop the "Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership" and her respect for India's efforts as the Chair of the G20 New Delhi Summit.

Minister Kamikawa also stated that the two nations, as the G7 and G20 presidencies respectively, were able to cooperate closely and link G7 outcomes to G20 outcomes.

Taking to his social media 'X', formerly known as Twitter, Jaishankar stated, "Delighted to meet Foreign Minister of Japan Yoko Kamikawa at #UNGA78. Exchanged perspectives on our Special Strategic and Global Partnership Discussed our regional, multilateral and global cooperation and taking them forward."

Jaishankar is leading the Indian delegation for a week-long visit to New York, where he is scheduled to address a High-Level session of the 78th UNGA on September 26 according to an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.

During his visit from September 22-30, Jaishankar will in keeping with India's support for the Global South, host a special event 'India-UN for Global South: Delivering for Development'.

Upon completion of the 78th UNGA-related engagements, the external affairs minister will visit Washington DC from September 27-30 for bilateral meetings with US interlocutors.

His program includes discussions with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, senior members of the US administration, US business leaders and think tanks.

Also Read S Jaishankar reaches Guyana on 3-day visit, receives warm welcome EAM Jaishankar meets Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov Tokyo's heat smashes 150-year trend as extreme weather bakes globe India, Russia discussing free trade agreement, says Russia's deputy PM World seeing new India because of PM Modi's leadership: EAM Jaishankar Cracks in Western wall of support for Ukraine emerge as they head to polls Russia's diesel exports ban risky for Moscow, world alike as winter nears 8 mummies, pre-Inca objects uncovered while expanding gas network in Peru If US has to choose, it will choose India over Canada: Ex-Pentagon official Yemen's southern leader renews calls for separate state at United Nations
African country Malawi looks to deepen trade and investment relationship with India in areas of energy, agriculture, mining and tourism, its High Commissioner to India Leonard Mengezi said here on Saturday.

Mengezi said that Malawi looks forward to cementing the "great cohesion" with businessmen in Gujarat to further strengthen India-Malawi relationship and attract investment.

Mengezi was here to participate in the India-Malawi Trade Conference organised by India Africa Trade Council with the aim to enhance business cooperation with Gujarat.

"Malawi has been in great trade, economic and investment relations (with India) since 1964, when Malawi got its independence. But there is a need to deepen relationships further in the areas of energy, agriculture, mining, tourism," he told mediapersons.

"We need to cement great cohesion with the business people here in Gujarat so as to strengthen Malawi-India relations, so that there is a greater understanding and we take business people who are willing to invest in Malawi," he said.

Mangazi said Malawi relies on India for the pharmaceutical industry and patients suffering from critical ailments get treatment here.

"They come to Indian hospitals. Our idea is we bring doctors to help us do operations in Malawi and to deepen relations to that effect. That's the idea that we are coming here for," he said.

Textiles, mechanised agriculture, and tourism are some of the sectors in which Malawi is looking for an investment as the country creates mega farms to produce rice and believes that tourism can benefit by investment in hotels and as a cinema destination, he said.

On the African Union granting permanent G20 membership, Mengezi said that this will help the countries participate in decision-making and offer them a great opportunity in all areas of life.

"G20 provides a platform for us to make sure that the decisions that are made there also benefit us. ...In a platform that you have, you are able to participate in the decision-making and find your way where investment is required ..India being a friend proposed that thing through Prime Minister Narendra Modi. So we are very grateful, it is a great opportunity in all areas of life," he said.

Also Read UN agency that governs int'l waters mired in debate over deep sea mining 'Integrating renewable energy in power system crucial to meet climate goal' Biden plan would overhaul 151-year-old mining law, make firms pay royalties We must join hands to tackle climate change: CII Eenrgy Conference President Biden offers $450 mn for clean energy projects at coal mines EAM Jaishankar holds bilateral meeting with Uganda's Foreign Minister IBSA countries laud G20 summit in India, extend support to Brazil India, Brazil, South Africa seek result oriented process for UNSC reforms Shared evidence of 'credible allegations' on Nijjar's killing: Trudeau LIVE: Indian foreign minister Dr S Jaishankar to address the UN today

The conference had the presence of Gujarat-based companies looking to explore opportunities in Malawi.

During the day the High Commissioner inaugurated the India Africa Trade Council - Malawi Trade office and presented the certificate of appointment to Sunil Hukumatray Rajdev as the trade commissioner of the Gujarat office.

The idea of this conference was to share the business potential of Gujarat and explore opportunities in Malawi. A delegation mainly of Gujarati business was announced to visit Malawi in November this year.
Mexico's top diplomat Alicia Brcena has said that President Andrs Manuel Lpez Obrador wants to travel to Washington D.C. in early November to meet with US President Joe Biden about immigration, development aid and drug trafficking.

The statement comes after a surge in migrants moving through Mexico forced the closure of some US-Mexico border crossings and led Mexico's largest railway company to halt about 60 train runs because so many migrants were hopping aboard freight cars. Most appear to be Venezuelans, and many said they had crossed through the jungle-clad Darien Gap that connects Colombia and Panama.

Brcena told a news conference in New York Friday that migrant shelters in Ciudad Juarez, across from El Paso, Texas, are 95 per cent full and that the Mexican government is "very worried" about the border closures and the migrant surge, especially given Mexico's rocky relationship with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

In the past, Abbott has tightened border truck inspections and strung a series of floating barriers in the Rio Grande to try to deter migrants.

Brcena suggested that more should be done to stem the flow of migrants through the Darien Gap, and that lifting US economic sanctions against Venezuela "could also help us return some people to their home countries".

There were signs that some in Mexico, too, were getting overwhelmed by the surge in migrants.

Brcena said about 1,40,000 migrants were waiting to register for transit or asylum papers in the southern Mexican city of Tapachula, near the border with Guatemala, adding "we need reinforcements, because it is impossible to process 1,40,000 people".

And early Friday, a few dozen residents who live near an overcrowded migrant shelter in Mexico City briefly blocked traffic on one of the city's main expressways, saying migrants living in the streets outside the shelter were causing problems.

Mexico is also where most of the synthetic opioid fentanyl is produced for the US market, using precursor chemicals smuggled in from China.

Brcena's comments came just a day after Lpez Obrador announced he will skip the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November in San Francisco because his country "has no relations" with Peru.

Lpez Obrador previously claimed Peru's current government was installed by a coup and that he still considers ousted president Pedro Castillo to be the country's legitimate leader.

Also Read Singapore hangs first woman in 19 years for drug trafficking, says report CWC 2023: Can Washington Sundar enter India squad? Rohit keeps door open World Drug Day 2023: Theme, History, Importance and More about drug abuse Biden falls onstage at graduation ceremony; White House says he's 'fine' NCB busts 'biggest' darknet LSD cartel operating in India, arrests 3 India-Canada row: Both countries stand to lose from dispute, says expert Work constructively with India, get to bottom of this matter: Trudeau Gun violence is the ultimate 'superstorm': Biden as he announces new effort Deeply concerned about PM Trudeau's claims, critical to probe: Blinken In regular contact with Canadian govt, engaged with Indian govt: US

Both countries recalled their ambassadors following those comments.

It would not be the first time that Lpez Obrador has skipped international meetings in the United States because of who else was or wasn't invited. Last year, he skipped the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles because Nicaragua and Venezuela were not invited.
Admitting for the first time, a top United States diplomat has confirmed that there was shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners that had prompted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's offensive allegation about Indian agents' involvement in the killing of a Khalistani extremist on Canadian soil, according to a media report on Saturday.

There was shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners that informed Trudeau's public allegation of a potential link between the government of India and the murder of a Canadian citizen, CTV News Channel, Canada's 24-hour all-news network, reported quoting the US Ambassador to Canada David Cohen.

Five Eyes' network is an intelligence alliance consisting of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. It is both surveillance-based and signals intelligence (SIGINT).

Trudeau had on September 18 made an explosive allegation of the potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, in Surrey in British Columbia on June 18.

India has rejected Trudeau's allegations as absurd and motivated.

It also expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

In 2020, India designated Nijjar, 45, as a terrorist.

The CTV's report is based on its exclusive interview on CTV's programme Question Period with Vassy Kapelos' that is to air on Sunday.

CTV quoted Cohen as saying that he confirmed: There was shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners that helped lead Canada to make the statements that the Prime Minister made.

In the days since, as diplomatic tensions continue to ratchet up from Canada reassessing its staffing in India, to India suspending visa services for Canadians there have been swirling questions about what intelligence is at the centre of this story, who was aware of it, and when, the CTV report said.

It further added that while Cohen would not comment on whether the intelligence informing the Canadian government's investigation was both human and surveillance-based, or whether it included signals intelligence of Indian diplomats, the US envoy to Canada did say there was shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners that helped lead Canada to making the statements that the Prime Minister made.

Also Read Trudeau's claim of India's link to Nijjar's killing 'shameless': US expert Will evaluate each case: Trudeau on Indian students facing deportation People protest against Trudeau outside High Commission over Khalistan issue Justin Trudeau expresses grief over loss of lives in Odisha's train mishap Another Hindu temple vandalised in Canada with Khalistan referendum posters 95 mn Pakistanis under poverty, urgent reforms needed: World Bank Russia, US, China have built new facilities, at nuclear test sites: Report Electricity tariff in Pakistan to be increased by PKR 3.28 per unit India-Canada row: Hardeep Singh Nijjar not religious figure but terrorist Chinese govt sentences famed Uyghur scholar to life in prison: Foundation

This is the first admission by any US government official about the sharing of intelligence by Five Eyes partners with Canada even when there were multiple unofficial and non-official reports about the same.

The CTV report also mentioned that there were reports from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and The Associated Press that the intelligence Trudeau was speaking of did not come from Canada alone and that additional information was provided by an unspecified member of the intelligence-sharing alliance.

He (Cohen) made this comment while denying a Washington Post report alleging that weeks before Trudeau's bombshell declaration, Ottawa asked its closest allies, including the US to publicly condemn the murder and that overture was rebuffed, the CTV said.

Very bluntly, I will say that and you know me well enough that I'm not in the habit of commenting on private diplomatic conversations, Cohen was quoted as saying.

Look, I will say this was a matter of shared intelligence information, he said and added: There was a lot of communication between Canada and the United States about this, and I think that's as far as I'm comfortable going, Cohen said.

Cohen's comments came as Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US is deeply concerned about the allegations raised by Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau against India and Washington was closely coordinating with Ottawa on the issue and wants to see accountability in the case.

Speaking at a press conference in New York on Friday, Blinken said the US has engaged directly with the Indian government on the issue and the most productive thing would be the completion of this investigation.

We have been consulting throughout very closely with our Canadian colleagues and not just consulting, coordinating with them on this issue. And from our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceed, and it would be important that India work with the Canadians on this investigation. We want to see accountability, and it's important that the investigation run its course and lead to that result, Blinken said.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. US Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr (D-NJ) has introduced bipartisan legislation with Reps. David Valadao (R-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) to protect Armenians and provide humanitarian assistance to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh in response to the brutal and unjust actions taken by the Government of Azerbaijan, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).

The Bill, "Supporting Armenians Against Azerbaijani Aggression Act of 2023," covers a spectrum of pertinent and swift actions that can be taken by the Administration in the aftermath of Azerbaijan's illegal and unprovoked attacks on the Armenian people of Nagorno-Karabakh, from calling on Azerbaijan to open the Lachin Corridor to providing humanitarian assistance to imposing sanctions to ceasing waivers of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, as well as appropriating funding for future partnerships between the U.S. and Armenia. "President Aliyev's genocidal campaign against the Armenian people of Artsakh has gone on too long, and it is past time the United States takes meaningful action to halt it. This legislation takes a major first step in addressing the atrocities committed by his regime and holding him and his cronies accountable for the death and destruction they have wrought. It would also provide the Armenian people impacted by the conflict with the assistance and security they need to live safely in their ancient homelands without fear of reprisal from the Azerbaijani government," stated Congressman Pallone.

The Assembly's Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan stated: "Since he has taken a page out of Putin's playbook in Ukraine, Aliyev too must be held accountable for his ongoing targeting of civilians in Artsakh. We urge the Administration to sanction Azerbaijan for its genocidal actions." The Bill further calls for $30 million to "provide humanitarian assistance to groups in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh impacted by the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, Azerbaijans September 2022 attack on Armenia, and Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin Corridor."

The Bill also contains language to provide $10 million in Foreign Military Financing assistance to Armenia to "support Armenia's independence, joint training and exercises with the U.S., and train Armenian forces for future international peacekeeping operations." Imposing sanctions on Azerbaijan regarding the Aliyev regime's clear attempts at ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh is also specified, as well as the government's "operations that instigated the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War; attacks on Armenia in September 2022; the blockade of the Lachin Corridor beginning in December 2022; attacks on Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023." Finally, the Bill highlights the importance of protecting the rights of the Armenian people in Nagorno-Karabakh and requests that the Secretary of State "shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed strategy to ensure the durable security for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh" that incorporates the "rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh" as well as the "establishment of accountability measures to ensure the rights and security of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh in the event that the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a peace agreement" as well as "support for the protection of Armenian cultural heritage sites in Nagorno-Karabakh."
In schools and colleges, students are frequently requested to write an essay about World Tourism Day. If you're looking for something similar, we've written 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on this topic. Let's have a look.

Essay on World Tourism Day in 100 Words

Introduction

The United Nations recognizes World Tourism Day, which is commemorated on September 27th. It emphasizes the significance of tourism in terms of global economics and cultural interaction.

Significance

The day highlights the significance of tourism in promoting peace, respect, and mutual understanding. It allows us to enjoy the beauty of many civilizations and natural beauties around the world.

Conclusion

Let us recognize the power of tourism to make the world a better place on World Tourism Day. It's a day to celebrate our shared heritage and the role tourism plays in connecting us all.

Essay on World Tourism Day in 250 Words

The Importance of World Tourism Day

World Tourism Day, observed annually on September 27th, is an important global celebration established by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Its goal is to emphasize the significance of tourism and its social, cultural, political, and economic values.

Origins and Purposes

World Tourism Day, established in 1980, highlights the significance of tourism in developing better understanding across cultures, ultimately contributing to world harmony and peace. It also emphasizes the role of tourism in attaining long-term development goals such as poverty eradication, employment creation, and environmental preservation.

The Impact of Tourism

Tourism is a strong economic driver that contributes significantly to global GDP and employment creation. It promotes cultural interchange, understanding, and peace, as well as the preservation of local traditions and natural ecosystems. However, it is equally critical to strike a balance between tourism growth and the need to preserve local cultures and landscapes.

World Tourism Day amid the Pandemic

The COVID-19 epidemic has had a significant influence on global tourism, resulting in an unprecedented disaster. World Tourism Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the sector's resilience as well as the importance of innovation and sustainable practices in its recovery.

Conclusion

As we commemorate World Tourism Day, it is critical to highlight the role that each of us plays in making tourism a force for good. The day serves as a reminder to travel safely, respect cultures, and preserve the environment in order to contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive society.

Essay on World Tourism Day in 500 Words

Introduction

World Tourism Day (WTD) is an important global event that highlights the social, cultural, political, and economic benefits of tourism. It was created in 1980 by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and is celebrated yearly on September 27th. Various events and activities are held to promote ethical, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism on this day.

The significance of World Tourism Day

The significance of World Tourism Day stems from its potential to increase awareness about tourism's position in the international community and highlight how it affects social, cultural, political, and economic values around the world. Tourism contributes considerably to the world economy, accounting for around 10% of global GDP. It also plays an important role in promoting cultural interchange, mutual understanding, and world peace.

Theme and Celebrations

Every year, World Tourism Day has a different theme that is carefully picked to correspond with current global challenges and trends. Sustainable development, digital transformation, rural development, and other topics are covered. The UNWTO's dedication to linking tourism with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is reflected in these themes.

World Tourism Day celebrations are broad and widespread, including a wide range of stakeholders including governments, international organizations, corporations, and the general public. Photo competitions, seminars, workshops, cultural events, and sightseeing tours are among the activities planned to promote the day's theme and tourism qualities.

COVID-19's Impact on Tourism

The COVID-19 epidemic has had a significant influence on the tourism industry, resulting in an unprecedented crisis. International travel restrictions and lockdown measures have resulted in a sharp drop in international tourism, impacting industries and livelihoods worldwide. In this context, World Tourism Day 2020 and 2021 focused on "Tourism and Rural Development" and "Tourism for Inclusive Growth," recognizing the sector's role in offering opportunities outside of large cities and protecting cultural and natural heritage, respectively.

The Future of Tourism

The ability of tourism to adapt, develop, and incorporate sustainability into its core will determine its future. As we traverse the post-pandemic world, it is critical to cultivate a more responsible and sustainable tourist sector that honors and preserves cultural heritage, promotes inclusivity, and contributes to economies while minimizing environmental impact.

Conclusion

World Tourism Day serves as a reminder of tourism's ability to drive positive change. As we remember this day, it is critical to recognize the problems and opportunities that the tourist sector faces, as well as to strive for a more sustainable and inclusive future. This day is a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to make tourism a force for good.
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
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The Special Adviser of the UN Secretary- General on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, expressed her alarm over the recent military escalation by Azerbaijan, noted the reported ceasefire announced on 20 September and emphasized the importance of preventing further violence and of ensuring a durable peace in the region that protects the rights of all people.

Military action can only contribute to escalate what is already a tense situation and to put the civilian population in the area at risk of violence, including risk of genocide and related atrocity crimes. All efforts need to be made to prevent violence and sustain peace, the Special Adviser stressed in a statement.

Special Adviser Wairimu Nderitu reiterated her call for dialogue and peace, and the call to avoid any escalation of tension, made during her briefing to the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council on 4 July this year, and emphasized the impact of violence on innocent and vulnerable civilians.

Previous instances of military escalation in the region have had significant negative impact on civilian populations; and there have also been reports of civilian casualties from the recent escalation. The region has further seen frequent reports of hate and divisive narratives being used, fuelling tension. Violence and hatred reinforce each other. We must stop this vicious cycle and work to build a future in which hatred and division are no longer present. I urge all parties to promote constructive dialogue and negotiations in full respect of international humanitarian and human rights law.

The Special Adviser also expressed concern that these developments are happening despite the recent progress in ensuring humanitarian assistance to the area, including through the Lachin corridor. The Special Adviser recalled the 22 February 2023 Order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which was reaffirmed by the Court on 6 July 2023, indicating provisional measures in the case concerning the Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (Armenia v Azerbaijan). She also echoed calls made by the United Nations Secretary-General on 24 February and 3 August 2023, noting that decisions of the ICJ are binding on the Parties. The Special Adviser expressed the importance that they be fully implemented, including the Order to take all measures to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles, and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. This message she had previously reiterated, including at the 28 April 2023 event organized by the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations on Prevention of Atrocity Crimes in the Digital Era. The fact that some humanitarian assistance has been able to reach the population in the area constitutes a positive step which needs to be continued, in line with international humanitarian law. This was an important step forward which requires building upon. All people deserve to live a life free from hatred, insecurity, hunger, and conflict.
Bihar SSC Notification 2023 has been officially released for 11,098 Inter Level vacancies. Candidates who were eagerly awaiting the release of the advertisement for recruitment against various 10+2 posts should be aware that the online application form filling process will take place from September 27th to November 11th, 2023 at https://bssc.bihar.gov.in/.

Overview

Organisation Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC)

Posts Lower Divison Clerk (LDC), Revenue Employee, Panchayat Secretary, Filariasis Inspector, Assistant Instructor, and Tank Sahayak Clerk

Advt. No. 02/23

Vacancies 11098

Online Registration Dates 27th September to 11th November 2023

Job Location Bihar

Official website http://bssc.bih.nic.in/

Notification

The Bihar Staff Selection Commission has officially released the BSSC Inter Level Notification 2023 for 11,098 posts, after a long period of anticipation. Aspirants who want to be appointed on different 10+2 posts in various departments of the Government of Bihar are informed that the window to apply online against the recruitment advertisement will be activated on September 27th and will remain open until September 11th.

How to Apply Online?

Follow the steps below to apply online for Bihar BSSC Inter Level Recruitment 2023 at bssc.bihar.gov.in.

Open the above-mentioned official website and wait for the homepage.

Now, pick the Inter Level Vacancy 2023 by clicking on the Advertisement link.

To proceed, enter your Email ID and establish a password.

Fill out the application form with basic information such as your name, mother's name, father's name, and other facts.

Sign and upload a photograph to the application form.

To confirm the process, submit the application form and pay the application fees.

Selection

Prelims Exam.

Mains Exam.

Document Verification.

Medical Examination.

Salary

Candidates who are chosen for the BSSC Inter Level Vacancy 2023 will be offered a good monthly pay, as well as employment security and allowance. Lower Class Clerk and Revenue Staff posts start at Rs. 19,900/- per month, Panchayat Secretary posts start at Rs. 21,700/- per month, and Filariasis Inspector, Typist cum Clerk, Assistant Instructor (Tying) posts start at Rs. 25,500/- per month. More information can be found at https://www.careerpower.in/blog/bssc-inter-level-notification-2023.
BTSC Trade Instructor Recruitment has been posted on the Bihar Technical Service Commission's official website, www.btsc.bih.nic.in. A total of 1279 trade instructor positions are filled through the BTSC Trade Instructor Recruitment. This is a fantastic chance for Trade Instructor candidates who have completed their degree or diploma and are looking for a government position. Eligible people seeking a secure government job can apply online for the BTSC Trade Instructor Recruitment 2023, which has begun and will end on October 18, 2023

About BTSC

The Bihar Technical Service Commission (BTSC) has been designed to provide technical assistance for the overall development of the Bihar State Government. BTSC accomplishes the motive through the recruitment of competent technical professionals dealing with health, engineering, and several sectors. Their esteemed services collectively contribute to the growth and progress of Bihar and provide a stable career path to thousands of aspirants.

Eligibility

Candidates interested in becoming a part of BTSC must fulfill the eligibility criteria which encompasses educational qualifications as well as age parameters. As per BTSC, candidates must possess an ITI/Diploma/B.Tech degree in a relevant trade. Moreover, the age limit for the post of a trade instructor is between 21 to 37 years.

Application Process

The application process for BTSC Trade Instructor recruitment is carried out online. Interested and eligible aspirants can fill the application form available on the official website. It is crucial to provide accurate and relevant information during registration. After successful form submission, candidates should take a printout of their filled application form for future reference.

Selection Procedure

The selection process for the post of trade instructor includes a written test followed by an interview. Candidates who clear the written test are called for the interview round. Those who perform well in both rounds stand a high chance of being selected for the post.
India is at the critical juncture of its growth story and Academics will play a pivotal role in driving the economic and societal development of the country. Envisioning this, Krea University and JSW Group collaborated to establish the JSW Academic Building to provide an enabling environment that would contribute to India's roadmap for economic growth and sustainable development.

Krea University has an enviable legacy of making exceptional contributions to India's development efforts that have actively shaped the economic landscape of the country so far. JSW Group signed its collaboration with Krea university through its CSR arm, JSW Foundation.

For the JSW Group, Krea University serves as the ideal platform to establish the JSW Academic Building. The JSW group & Krea collaboration endeavours to bring together stakeholders across public, private, and social enterprises to facilitate dialogues that would facilitate exchange of ideas and contribute meaningfully to India's economic growth. Mrs Sangita Jindal, Chairperson of JSW Foundation, and Mr Sajjan Jindal, Chairman of JSW Group, inaugurated the JSW Academic Building at the Krea University, Sri City. The inauguration was followed by a commemorative tree plantation ceremony, adding to the vast green spaces around the campus.

Mr. Narayan Vaghul, Chancellor, Krea University says, "The country is on the verge of a scientific and technological revolution. Our goal is to nurture students who possess critical and analytical thinking skills and who can actively contribute to the country's social development by asking pertinent questions. To us, the quality of education is of utmost importance. We aim to produce a generation of students who will make a significant impact. Each brick within the university will resonate with our collective dreams. We must create an impact with values that can unify our society. With JSW's lending hand, we will be able to march forward, towards a better future."

The inaugural event commenced with Vice-Chancellor Professor Nirmala Rao welcoming the dignitaries and the guests. Addressing the gathering, Professor Rao said, " Krea University has a very special mission, to cultivate the next generation of global leaders empowered to navigate the complex problems of the twenty-first century. JSW shares our passion and determination for this mission and we are grateful for their support in this journey. We value this partnership immensely and, as a token of our gratitude, we dedicate our academic building to the JSW foundation."

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sajjan Jindal, Chairman of JSW Group said, "We are immensely proud to inaugurate this state-of-the-art JSW Academic Building at Krea University. This is a testament to our commitment to foster excellence in education. The collaboration between JSW Group and Krea University signifies our shared vision for empowering future leaders with a holistic and innovative learning environment. Together, we aim to shape minds that will drive positive change in India and at the global stage."

Commenting on JSW Group's collaboration with Krea University, Mrs Sangita Jindal, Chairperson of JSW Foundation, "Education is the cornerstone of building a better future for our country. We are dedicated to promoting education in various forms across the value chain. Our collaboration with Krea University enables us to support the purpose of focussed learning delivered by a faculty of renowned academic practitioners."

The JSW Academic Building at Krea University, Sri City, is a built-up area of 110,000 sq ft. The ground +3 floors houses classrooms, faculty cabins, PhD workstations, admin workspaces, meeting rooms, seminar halls, tutorial halls, media lab, science labs, dance studio and a student lounge. Krea University's campus is conceived as a learning laboratory, rooted in its ethos of learning beyond the classroom and is designed to facilitate collaborative learning. Apart from technology enabled classrooms and e-resources, the campus provides space and infrastructure for sporting, cultural and other leisure activities. Constructed on a 40-acre campus with vast green cover, the campus includes a dedicated biodiversity zone for indigenous and locally-adapted flora, with the purpose of building and nurturing a small self-sustaining forest ecosystem.
Thats what I want to do, she thought. I want to be one of those people fighting on the front lines to make change and fight for whats right.

In high school, her English teacher showed the film adaptation of The Power of One, a novel about one persons ability to contribute to change.

Growing up in a small New York town, George wasnt exactly sure how shed accomplish her twin goals  or why, specifically, she felt pulled to visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With an insatiable desire to learn and curiosity about other countries, George visited the library, pulling every book she could off the shelves and writing to embassies in Washington, D.C.

From the time she was little, Stacia George knew two things: She wanted to help people, and she was going to travel to the Congo.

Now the director of the Conflict Resolution Program at The Carter Center, George oversees work to prevent and mitigate conflict in the U.S., Mali, Sudan, Syria, and Israel-Palestine.

On her way to the Center, George has carved an intentional path toward a career in conflict resolution. In college, she switched her major from nursing to international studies, a move that confused her parents.

In grad school, George focused on conflict resolution and economics and set her sights on a tactical role that would let her engage directly in bringing people together. But to get at the root of inequity  and to steer the resources necessary for change  she knew she needed to be in the development world.

Through fellowships and her positions at USAID, Caerus Associates, and Chemonics International, George amassed the skills and perspectives necessary to make change happen  and finally travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or DRC.

In 2003, a peace agreement ended a brutal conflict there. As a representative of USAIDs Office of Transition Initiatives, George traveled to the country to reintegrate two sets of community members into society: rape survivors and the ex-combatants who had terrorized them. In 240 communities across the country, Georges team worked to support the disarmament process, provide resources that would discourage ex-combatants from returning to violence, and bring victims and offenders to the table to find a way forward.

It was a hugely challenging task, but really important, George said. In 240 communities, we rebuilt the social fabric, and we did it when everybody else said it was too hard.

In addition to President Carters legacy of conflict resolution, the Carter Centers history of accomplishing what others say is impossible drew George here in 2021.

I always derive excitement from finding opportunity in the most difficult of circumstances, she said. What drives me forward is the belief that all people in the world have a right to live without fear of violence and to feel safe.

George is enthusiastic about the work the Center is doing in Sudan to help disenfranchised youth have a voice in their countrys future. The recent outbreak of fighting there has created new challenges, but George and her team remain committed to Sudans young people and to looking for solutions to bring lasting peace.

In the U.S., she is hopeful about efforts to build cross-partisan political networks  groups that can listen to each other, find areas of agreement, and ultimately help stem divisiveness. Her teams early success has captured the attention of organizations looking to reproduce it on a national scale.

I can see the direction our country has been going, and to play a part in trying to address that is extremely rewarding, she said. Our impact goes beyond these discussions; were leading others as theyre trying to figure out the realm of the possible.

After more than two decades, George still asks herself one question: So what?

I dont just want to do nice things, she said. I want to make a tangible difference.

Related

Learn more about the Center's Peace Programs 

Carter Center Experts | Stacia Georgia 
Studio Ghibli co-founders Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki have been trying to create a succession strategy for their company for years. Now, it appears they finally have a plan in place.

On Thursday, executives from the studio and leading Japanese broadcaster Nippon Television Network Corporation announced a deal that sees the broadcaster acquire a 42.3% stake in the legendary animation production company. When the agreement is finalized in October, Ghibli will become a subsidiary of Nippon TV, and executives from the broadcaster will take charge of the studio.

Whats going to change at Ghibli? According to The Japan Times, Nippon TV senior operating officer and board director Hiroyuki Fukuda will lead Ghibli going forward, although Nippon TV says the studios animation and artistic operations will maintain complete creative independence. Suzuki, who returned to his former position as studio president earlier this year, will shift to the role of chairman, and Miyazaki will become an honorary chairman.

Why is Ghibli doing this? The future of Studio Ghibli has been a significant issue for years. According to a release put out by the company on Thursday, At Studio Ghibli, director Hayao Miyazaki is now 82 years old, and producer Toshio Suzuki is also 75 years old, and the issue of succession has been a problem for a long time. In Miyazakis case, its about more than just age. The director has been hinting at retiring for over two decades, although studio VP Junichi Nishioka recently said that Miyazaki has no plans to retire anytime soon and is still a daily presence at the studio. In any case, Suzuki and Miyazaki wont be able to run the studio forever, and this deal ensures that Ghibli will continue operations after theyre gone.

Do these companies have a previous relationship? In 1985, Nippon TV aired Miyazakis Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and has been broadcasting Ghibli films ever since as part of its weekly movie program Friday Road Show. The broadcaster also financially backed numerous Ghibli productions and the construction of the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, which opened in 2001.

What does Nippon TV get out of the deal? For starters, one of the most important animation studios in modern history. Ghiblis brand is global, far more than almost anything in Nippon TVs portfolio. According to the broadcaster, making Ghibli a subsidiary will greatly contribute to increasing the corporate value of Nippon Television Group as a whole.

Wasnt Miyazakis son supposed to take over? According to Ghiblis release, that was the plan for a time. However, Goro Miyazaki decided against taking over, believing that it would be difficult to carry Ghibli alone and that it would be better to leave the future of the company to others. The studio says that once Goro Miyazaki removed himself from the running, a search began to find the right person or organization to take over the studio after Miyazaki and Suzuki decide to retire.
Today, CDC recommended the first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for pregnant people to protect their newborn from severe RSV illness. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization for U.S. infants. This new vaccine, Pfizers bivalent RSVpreF vaccine (trade name Abrysvo TM), has been shown to reduce the risk of RSV hospitalization for babies by 57 percent in the first six months after birth.

To maximize protection for babies after birth, CDC recommends seasonal administration of one dose of RSV vaccine for pregnant people during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy.

The vaccine is one of two new tools we have this season to protect babies from severe RSV illness. Last month, CDC recommended a new RSV immunization for infants that has been shown to reduce the risk of both RSV-related hospitalizations and healthcare visits in infants by about 80 percent. Most infants will likely only need protection from either the maternal RSV vaccine or infant immunization, but not both. However, for example, if a baby is born less than two weeks after maternal immunization, then a doctor may recommend that the baby also receive the infant immunization.

This is another new tool we can use this fall and winter to help protect lives, said CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen. I encourage parents to talk to their doctors about how to protect their little ones against serious RSV illness, using either a vaccine given during pregnancy, or an RSV immunization given to your baby after birth.

The RSVpreF vaccine is available in some locations in the U.S. and availability is expected to increase in the coming weeks.

This is the first fall and winter virus season where vaccines are available for the three major respiratory viruses COVID-19, RSV and flu.

Updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older. CDC now recommends RSV vaccine for adults ages 60 and over, using shared clinical decision-making. This means these individuals should talk to their healthcare provider about whether RSV vaccination is appropriate for them at this time.

Talk to your healthcare provider, pharmacist, or local community health center about which vaccines you need to stay protected this fall and winter.

Final Vote Language

On September 22, 2023, members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted, 11-1, to recommend maternal RSV vaccine for pregnant people during 32 through 36 weeks gestation, using seasonal administration, to prevent RSV lower respiratory tract infection in infants. They also voted to approve Pfizers bivalent RSVpreF vaccine for the Vaccines for Children Program (applying to pregnant people under 19 years of age).
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The reports circulating online claiming that the Azerbaijani troops have entered Stepanakert are untrue, the Nagorno-Karabakh official InfoCenter said in a statement.

After the Azerbaijani ceasefire violation on September 21 in the outskirts of Stepanakert, Russian peacekeepers have been deployed in the outskirts of the city, including in Krkzhan district, in order to avoid further tensions. Please do not submit to comments causing panic and follow only official information. The Artsakh InfoCenter is regularly providing information about the situation and the steps taken by the government, the InfoCenter added.
The Lee University School of Business hosted a recruiting and networking event, affording students the opportunity to meet with a variety of organizations, get information about their current area of study, and discover possible internship and full-time job opportunities.

The excitement from the students and businesses that fills the building during our professional recruiting event is something I look forward to each fall, said Amy Dummer, assistant professor of accounting. I am so grateful for such an amazing community of professionals who continuously support Lee and our students.

During the event, current business students interacted with more than 40 organizations including Amazon, Ernst & Young, Legacy Village of Cleveland, Life Care Centers of America, McKee Foods, HHM CPAs, UNUM, and US Xpress. These businesses were in many industries such as accounting, banking, logistics, manufacturing, retail, health care, and insurance.

Over 120 students were in attendance, many of whom took advantage of the opportunity to take professional headshots.

Finance major Seth Countess said, Having an opportunity to listen and network with so many different firms and businesses from this area was so helpful. I was able to get an idea of what internships are available as I move forward. Additionally, I got to gain some insight into different avenues to consider with my degree upon graduation.

It is a joy to attend a college that offers consistent opportunities to engage with local businesses on campus, said Christian Cline, a business administration major. I have seen myself grow in the skill of interpersonal communication through the numerous events that I have been able to attend in the last year, and I can say with confidence that Lee has and will continue to fulfill a significant role in building my network for the years to come.

Over half of the businesses that attended brought Lee alumni to help recruit, some of whom got their positions through connections made at the recruiting event that took place last year.

This event provided the much-needed avenue to connect with the next generation of business leaders in our community, said Lee alum Logan Manning, director of sales and marketing at Legacy Village of Cleveland. We were able to talk to several students regarding internship opportunities, jobs to get experience while they work on the completion of their respective degrees, and what a day in the life looks like in our very own work lives. This proved to be as beneficial as it was eye-opening.

For more information about the event, internship opportunities, or the School of Business, email

adummer@leeuniversity.edu or visit www.leeuniversity.edu/academics/business/.
Throughout the school year, several Lee University Deaf studies students serve every Sunday morning at North Cleveland Church of God, interpreting worship lyrics, announcements, and prayers during the services for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing.

The Deaf community loves to see Lee students signing at church, said Dr. La-Juan Bradford, director of academic support and assistant professor of education at Lee. Hearing people are often afraid to sign out of fear of stealing the language, but the Deaf community loves it when young people are interested in interpreting.

The students have been involved in interpreting at NCCOG services for the past six years. According to Dr. Bradford, while school is in session, several pews in church are filled not only by members of the Deaf community, but also by Lee sign language students. These students will not only sign the music from their pews, but also converse with the Deaf community before and after church services.

Being a student interpreter has been both a challenge and a blessing, said Faithlyn Hall, a Lee senior minoring in Deaf studies. I have been interpreting for a little over a year, and this ministry has helped me grow in my knowledge of American Sign Language. I am so honored to be involved!

Lees Deaf studies students receive the worship song lyrics in advance and spend the days leading up to the service practicing sign language with a professor or person who has completed the Deaf studies minor. The students will rarely sign the songs by themselves, and rather work together in a group. On occasion, more advanced students will sign for the prayers, announcements, and offerings.

The Deaf are very patient and kind to the students, and encourage them to become interpreters, said Dr. Bradford. Theyre very giving toward these students, so this group is not just for Deaf, but also for students who want to interact with the Deaf.

For more information about Deaf studies and American Sign Language at Lee, contact Dr. Bradford at lbradford@leeuniversity.edu, or visit www.leeuniversity.edu/academics/education/human-development/.
Volunteers completed more than 40 projects over the course of the day on Friday through United Way of Greater Chattanooga's annual Day of Caring.

This year, dozens of diverse projects took place simultaneously at various locations throughout the city. Volunteers completed a new fence at Signal Centers, wrote encouraging notes on coffee sleeves for Be the Change Youth Initiative, and completed several paint and rejuvenation projects, just to name a few.

The work we completed at East Lake Park today would have taken our team weeks to complete, said Sofia Rudakevych, Parks Outreach Coordinator with city of Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors. We are extremely grateful for the volunteers that came out to weed, mulch, pick up litter, and clean picnic tables. This historic park is central to the community, and we do our best to keep it maintained so our neighbors can enjoy it. Thanks to the extra hands today, we completed the cleanup in just half a day.

Over 500 volunteers, including employees from 32 local businesses, donated their time for this day of service - almost double the previous Day of Caring participation.

"United Way of Greater Chattanooga is thrilled to witness the overwhelming response to this year's Day of Caring, said Natalie Patric, Director of Community Engagement at United Way. It's heart-warming to see so many businesses and individuals uniting to create meaningful change in our city year after year. Together, we can accomplish great things and build an even stronger, more caring community."

Click here to see photos from the day.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. A demonstration was held September 23 outside the Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, demanding the German government and EU leaders to intervene and stop Azerbaijans genocidal actions against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The demonstration was organized by the Armenian community. A group of German politicians, students and representatives of various organizations joined the demonstration.

Lilit Kocharyan, the organizer of the protest, said, Your participation is highly important to show that we are demanding justice for the people of Artsakh who are now suffering. People in Artsakh are trapped, theres no contact with them, we dont know whats happening with the people, whether they are still alive.

Presenting the dire situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, where there is no food, medication or other essential supplies, Kocharyan said that the people of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) are being subjected to genocide.

The demonstrators said they expect EU leaders to take effective and urgent measures to stop the Armenian genocide.

No action has been taken, only statements addressed to Azerbaijan are being made, we need urgent steps, she said.

The protesters were holding posters saying Save Artsakh, Stop Aliyev Regime, Stop the Azeri aggression,  Stop the Ethnic Cleansing Against Armenians of Artsakh, and others.
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will have goats on park property, at Snodgrass Hill, beginning Monday, Oct. 2, where they will be goat-scaping. These goats will be used in areas with dense populations of invasive vegetative species such as Himalayan Blackberry, Multi-Flora Rose, Bush Honeysuckle, and Privet, to help manage and decrease their presence.There will be a range of 40  200 goats on park property effectively and ecologically clearing about an acre of invasive vegetative species a day.The goats will be kept behind an electric fence and will have livestock guardian dogs, as well as shepherds, with them at all times. Although the goats will not be able to be petted or played with, visitors are encouraged to visit and watch as they work to help restore the historic landscape.Officials said, "Before the battle, much of the landscape had its understory cleared because local farmers allowed their livestock to roam freely. The livestock would trample and eat the understory growth, preventing the dense and shrubby understory from growing in as we see it today. The use of goat-scaping will work to return the landscape to its historical viewshed by utilizing livestock in the same way as farmers did over 160 years ago."For more information about this project, contact Acting Resource Manager Abbey Vander Sluis at 706-866-9241, x103 or via email at mary_vandersluis@nps.gov.
The manager of Diamonds and Lace at 115 Honest St. was with one of the dancers from the bar who was highly intoxicated. The manager contacted police due to her erratic behavior. By the time police arrived the dancer had calmed down. Due to her level of intoxication Medic 11 responded to check her prior to her being released. Another employee of the establishment as well as the dancer's roommate were there and assisted with getting her home safely.

* * *

A caller told police there were five to six men looking inside his tent on E. 12th Street. An officer arrived and spoke with the man who said it was too dark to see their race and clothing description. When the man came out of his tent, he said all the men took off running. The officer attempted to patrol the area to look for the men, but was unable to locate them.

* * *

A man at Volkswagen at 8001 Volkswagen Dr. told police his car tires were slashed. He said he arrived at work at 8 p.m. and he sat in his vehicle from 8-10 p.m. He then got on the Volkswagen bus and was transported to the main doors. He said his vehicle was not damaged when he began his shift. He returned to his vehicle at 6:45 a.m. at the end of his shift to discover the vehicle tires were flat. He attempted to fill the tires with an air pump. However, there was no air retention. The man checked the tires and discovered slashes in each tire. He said he didnt have anyone that would want to harm him and he didnt have any recent exes as he had been married to the same woman for years. He has only worked at Volkswagen for approximately six months and had only made friends. There were cameras and Volkswagen was reviewing the footage to determine if it was recorded. If the suspect is identified, then the man would like to prosecute. Volkswagen security also said the mans car could remain on the property until it is repaired. Police viewed the slashes in all four tires.

* * *

Two men on Jackson Street told police they mailed a check for $418.11 to Erie, Pa. and dropped off the check via general postage at the Post Office at 511 S. Hawthorne Ave. in a mail drop box. One man said upon checking the checking account for the church, they saw a $2,000 check had cleared. After calling First Horizon Bank, a copy of a check had shown the check had been deposited by an individual using the name of a woman. One of the men said they didnt write the check. After conducting an investigation, police found an individual that matched the name on Facebook to the name on the check.

* * *

A woman told police she parked her 2016 Lexus RX350 at Hamilton Place Mall. After she had returned home, she noticed that the grille had been struck and was obviously damaged. There was no suspect information available for the second vehicle or person that caused the damage. The estimated damage was between $1,000 and $2,120.

* * *

A man on High Street told police two bags of welding equipment and tools were stolen from the back of his truck overnight. He estimated the total of his loss to be approximately $2,000.

* * *

Police observed a car parked in the roadway next to an abandoned home on Noah Reid Road. The vehicle didnt have a tag and was filled with trash with the passenger side airbags deployed. Police ran the VIN, and found the owner was a man from Dandridge, Tn. The vehicle had an expired tag from 2017. Police tried to contact the man but were unable to speak with him. Because the vehicle was in the roadway and police were unable to make contact with a responsible party, the vehicle was towed by Mr. T's Wrecker Service.

* * *

A woman asked police to accompany her to her attorneys office on Shallowford Road to prevent a disorder between her and her attorney. She needed to retrieve a check from them. An officer was there to prevent any disorder.

* * *

A woman on Bunch Street told police she had seen several people on her camera coming to her door and walking through her yard. She walks to the bus stop for work in the early mornings. She said she was walking past her neighbors house and was confronted by her neighbor. An exchange of words occurred and nothing further happened.

* * *

Police were dispatched to an alarm at Ross at Northgate Mall. Police arrived and found a white male sitting on a curb next to the side entrance to Ross. The officer asked the man what he was doing and he said he was tired and just sat down. Police saw his forehead had a small cut and his hand was bruised but he denied needing medical attention. He didnt have any wants/warrants. The business was secured and there were no signs of attempted entry. Police told the man that Ross had a trespassing order and he had leave. He was compliant and left without causing further incident.

* * *

A man at the Bayberry Apartments at 2300 Wilson St. told police someone was in his car, a white Ford Fusion, that morning when he went to it. He wanted police to check the car and make sure no one was occupying it. Police found the vehicle unoccupied. The tag on the car didnt register with the correct vehicle, so police made contact with the owner of the tag and returned it to her.

* * *

A woman on N. St. Marks Avenue told police her boyfriend had been drinking and arguing with her. Police left when both had calmed down and were fine.

* * *

A woman on Garfield Street called police and said she discovered that morning her bathroom window was broken. She had heard a loud noise outside the previous night around 9 p.m. but she didn't check to see what it was at the time since she was going to bed. The outside part of the window had been broken and she didnt know what it will cost to fix it. This was the second window that had been broken out in the past two weeks and she didnt know who was doing it.

* * *

A woman on Shallowford Road told police over the phone she discovered damage on her vehicle that morning. The driver side rear fender had a dent and scratches on it around the gas cap.

* * *

Police were called to 1500 S. Scenic Hwy where a tractor trailer was stuck. Police called for a district owner request tow. Doug Yates Towing arrived and assisted the driver in getting unstuck. Police escorted the driver off of Scenic Highway without further incident.

* * *

Police responded to check on an open door on Cuscowilla Trail. While en route, police learned the neighbor/complainant observed the screen door open at the residence. Police found the rear screen door was open, however, the inside door appeared to be closed. Police couldnt check the rear door because the backyard was surrounded by a locked fence. Police learned the residents were out of town and the neighbor/complainant didnt have a key to unlock the fence, nor did the neighbor have the residents phone number.

* * *

A Walmart loss prevention employee at 3550 Cummings Hwy. told police a white female in her mid-30s or 40s with brown hair passed all points of sale without offering payment. The woman shoplifted houseware items, detergent and some personal health items. All items valued approximately $365.

* * *

A woman on Old Mission Road called police and said her vehicle was parked in the driveway and a tree limb fell on it. The woman said it broke the mirror and also left a dent in the vehicle.

* * *

A man cleaning out his late mothers house on Towne Hills Drive told police he found a pistol in her dresser. The pistol was an Imperial Metal .22 caliber revolver. The weapon was run through NCIC and reported the weapon was stolen, however, the information didnt match with the revolver because it said that it was a Winchester rifle. The weapon was turned in to Property.

* * *

A man on N. Park Road told police he and his wife were having an estate sale. The man said his wife believed her purse had been stolen. Later he called back and said the purse had not been stolen, but was misplaced and had been found.

* * *

Police spoke with a man on Jasmine Street. He was disoriented and said he didnt live in Cromwell and he didnt know his address. He stays with his sister and she took him home.

* * *

Police spoke with a man on Duncan Avenue who had two vandalized vehicles, a Chevrolet Astro van and a Cadillac XTS. The van had the driver-side headlight busted out and would cost $16 to replace. The next day, the Cadillac passenger side front window was busted and he said the repair cost would be $500. The man said it could have been his wife's son, because she put him out of the house a couple of days ago. The man had no proof, though, so no charges will be filed against the son at this time.

* * *

Police were called to a disorder between a man and a woman on Broad Street. Police arrived and the man had already left. The woman told police her sneaky link that she had been with for nine months, and didn't know his name, were arguing about just finding out he was married. The woman said she was supposed to received $400 from him, but she didn't and got mad. She told police nothing physical happened, it was just a verbal argument.
Robert "Bobby" Byrd passed away on Thursday, September 21, 2023, from complications of Frontotemporal Dementia.

He was preceded in death by his parents Bill and LaVada Byrd.

He is survived by his daughter Marie Howard, two grandsons, Alex Spears, Wilkie Howard and one great grandson Hayes Howard. He also leaves behind his brother William (Bill) Byrd and two sisters, Dorothy Berry and Sherri Yokom, three nephews and one niece.

Bobby retired from The State of Tennessee Department of Corrections after over 30 years. He was very proud to have served active duty with the U.S. Navy on the USS Kepler in the 60s and after active duty continuing to serve in the Naval Reserves until full retirement after 20 years. Of all the things Bobby accomplished in his 76 years its safe to say he was most proud of his two grandsons and his great grandson.

Bobby always liked to say "cut to the chase" and would want this to be short and to the point but would also want to express how much he loved and appreciated his family and friends. He made us laugh and he made us cry and we appreciated and loved him as well. We will all feel this void you have left us with but we also know that you have found the peace that you deserved to have. His family would also like to say a special thank you to the staff at The Lantern who cared for him with genuine love.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Chattanooga National Cemetery with Jim Hammond officiating.

The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26, at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.
Dr. Michael Freake, professor of biology at Lee University, entered into a five-year cooperative agreement with the Cherokee National Forest to help meet long-term goals of a project titled, Reintroduction of Populations in Citico Creek.

Through this cost-share agreement, the Cherokee National Forest of the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, will provide $100,000 to Lee University to support the conservation project focused on the Eastern hellbender, a species of salamander native to the eastern and central United States.

Our project goal is to re-establish a self-sustaining hellbender population in the Citico Creek and tributaries, said Dr. Freake. Hellbenders were abundant prior to logging and dam construction, and improvements in water quality indicate that hellbenders should be able to thrive there once again.

Dr. Freake, along with the help of student research assistants, will begin this project by identifying the stream sections of the Citico Creek watershed that have the most suitable habitat for hellbenders, characterized by long stretches of stream bed with large rocks and a low sediment accumulation.

Once that has been identified, they will collect eggs and larval hellbenders from nearby rivers that have a healthy population of the species and raise them at the Chattanooga Zoo for 1-2 years before releasing them at the sites they have previously identified. Once the hellbenders have been released into the suitable sections of the Citico Creek, they will continue to be monitored to assess their growth and survival.

The student research assistants will mainly be involved in completing habitat assessments and monitoring the released hellbenders.

The funds from this agreement will cover the supplies and equipment needed to carry out this project, support the student research assistants during the summer, and support Dr. Freakes fieldwork during the breeding season. Lee University will contribute additional personnel time and resources to the project. This federal funding is a part of a larger U.S. Forest Service program that will upgrade infrastructure and conduct habitat restoration and rare species recovery in the Citico Creek watershed.

It is a real privilege to be involved in bringing back a unique and remarkable animal to a beautiful part of East Tennessee, said Dr. Freake. If hellbenders are thriving in a river, you can be confident that it is a healthy and vibrant ecosystem that people can take pride in and enjoy.

The U.S. Forest Services mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nations forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. For over 100 years, they have connected people with nature and each other to answer the call of conservation. This agency was created to help manage the nations natural resources for the greatest good, for the greatest number, for the longest time.

For more information about the U.S. Forest Service, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/.

For more information about this project or the Department of Natural Sciences, call 614-8275.




You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
California county rescinds 'American Christian Heritage Month after pressure from ACLU

County officials in Northern California have rescinded a proclamation intended to "recognize the impact of religious beliefs on America's history" after criticism from local Jewish residents and church-state separation groups.

Earlier this summer, the Board of Supervisors of the County of El Dorado, located about 30 miles east of Sacramento, issued a proclamation introduced by Supervisor John Hidahl declaring the month of July "American Christian Heritage Month."

The proclamation featured several historical references, including the 1892 Supreme Court decision in Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States, which stated, "This is a religious people... From the discovery of this continent to the present hour, there is a single voice making this affirmation." The proclamation noted U.S. Congress' first act in 1774 "was to ask a minister to open with prayer and to lead Congress in the reading of four chapters of the Bible."

Calling for the official designation of July as "American Christian History Month" to "recognize the impact of religious beliefs on America's history," the proclamation passed with a 4-1 July 18 Board of Supervisors vote.

Days later, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) sent a letter to the board calling the proclamation a "clear breach of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution."

"By issuing this proclamation advancing Christian nationalism and the debunked myth that we are a Christian nation, El Dorado County is ironically violating the country's true heritage of religious liberty based on a secular government," wrote FFRF attorney Christopher Line.

An online petition launched by South Lake Tahoe resident Marla Saunders urged the board to rescind the proclamation to "demonstrate their commitment to upholding the principles of religious freedom and inclusivity for all residents and visitors."

"Allow us to come together as a community that respects and celebrates our diverse backgrounds, ensuring that no one is excluded or marginalized based on what they choose to believe," the petition, which gathered over 1,000 signatures, stated.

Saunders was one of several local Jewish residents who were part of the "backlash" against the proclamation, according to The Times of Israel.

The ACLU of Northern California sent a letter on Aug. 25 objecting to the proclamation because it "conveys that the County supports, promotes and endorses specific religious beliefs and, as such, violates the California Constitution."

In response, the board pledged to revisit the issue at its Sept. 19 meeting, where officials ultimately voted 5-0 to rescind the proclamation.

During a public comment portion of the meeting, Rabbi Evon Yakar of Temple Bat Yam in South Lake Tahoe commended the board for taking action but criticized them for promoting the notion of America as a Christian nation.

"This was not about celebrating one group's heritage," said Yakar, who cited American Jewish Heritage Month or Pride Month as examples. "This is about the clear use of language in the proclamation that our country was founded as a Christian country, and that is what we are celebrating."

The rabbi doesn't think "the supervisors went far enough to address that."

Supervisor Hidahl said during the meeting that the "possibility of litigation" is one factor that led him to vote to rescind his own proclamation.

"I believe it's incumbent upon elected officials to correct things, to pull them back if they haven't achieved their positive influence," Hidahl said. "This was something that was hopefully going to be inspirational, aspirational, and it didn't turn out that way across the board."

The Christian Post reached out to Supervisor Hidahl for additional comment Friday. This story will be updated once a response is received.

Supervisor George Turnboo, a businessman and local pastor, also spoke at the board meeting and issued a thinly veiled rebuke to the move.

"A proclamation is not a law. However, we have 'In God We Trust on all our currency,' he said. "I have my own Christian beliefs as a pastor of the El Dorado Community Church. Trusting in God means deciding to believe in His promises instead of our own fears. That's all I have to say."

Since 2006, the federal government has observed May as Jewish American Heritage Month, while a number of other states, including New Jersey, Illinois, Utah and Washington, celebrate Muslim American Heritage Month.

The U.S. government also observes Native American Heritage Month in November.
Could a major caucus upset dismantle Trump's Iowa lead?

With the 2024 election shaping up to be truly unique in every way, one Evangelical activist believes there's a chance for an Iowa caucus upset.

Bob Vander Plaats, president of the Iowa-based advocacy group The FAMiLY Leader, told The Christian Post's Ryan Foley he believes Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has run a strong ground game despite former President Donald Trump's domination in the polls.

"When asked which candidate was best positioned to win the Iowa caucuses, Vander Plaats responded, 'It would have to be Ron DeSantis,'" Foley recently wrote, noting that DeSantis has received endorsements from 40 state legislators and 130 country chairs.

Foley joined this week's edition of "The Inside Story" podcast to discuss his interview with Vander Plaats and the 2024 race for the Republican presidential nomination.

The Inside Story takes you behind the headlines of the biggest faith, culture and political headlines of the week. In 15 minutes or less, Christian Post staff reporters and editors will help you navigate and understand whats driving each story, the issues at play  and why it all matters.

Listen to more Christian podcasts today on the Edifi app  and be sure to subscribe to The Inside Story on your favorite platforms:

 Edifi

 Anchor

 Breaker

 Google Podcasts

 Apple Podcasts

 Pocket Casts

 RadioPublic

 Spotify
Indonesian Christians face continued persecution despite official recognition of Christianity

Indonesian Christians often face harassment, discrimination, or even worse, life-threatening attacks. From hardship in the workplace, abusive and mandatory Islamic dress codes for girls, difficulties in obtaining church building permits to church raids and terrorist attacks, life for Indonesian Christians is often challenging in this Muslim-majority country.

Nevertheless, those who follow Jesus in Indonesia continue to stand firm in their faith as they share the Gospel.

A predominantly Muslim country that officially promotes religious harmony, Indonesia recognizes six religions: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism. Although religions other than Islam are widely practiced throughout the archipelago, it is not uncommon for adherents to face harassment, discrimination, or, even worse, life-threatening attacks.

Indonesian Christians, especially those who have converted from Muslim backgrounds, often wrestle with societal and familial pressures. From teasing, alienation, threats, severed relationships and physical attacks to employing outside forces to perform exorcisms so they can return to Islam, being a Christian in Indonesia can lead to hostility and disdain.

Vania*, a civil servant of the Indonesian government, explained how she has experienced many forms of overt and subtle discrimination.

After she passed the entrance exam to serve her country in a government office, she found she was the sole Christian working there. In a purely Muslim environment, she easily stands out without a veil.

Some of her Muslim colleagues avoid her at work. Worse yet, a simple procedure to obtain a mandatory government ID turned into months of waiting. After investigating, she learned that her agency attempted to find ways to discredit and prevent her from working there since she is not Muslim. She had to submit an appeal to an independent government agency to urge them to immediately issue the ID to her. While she eventually received her ID, the process was challenging and agonizing.

As a Christian in this Muslim-majority country, Vanias experience is not unique.

Some fundamentalist policymakers in the government try to harmonize appearances by enforcing conservative dress codes. Human Rights Watch (HRW), an international rights watchdog, has been conducting research on the abusive and mandatory dress codes on girls by the Indonesian government.

In schools, public offices and the workplace, girls and women are subjected to wearing hijab or jilbab, Islamic clothing that covers parts of their bodies. HRWs 2021 report documented widespread bullying of girls and women to force them to wear the jilbab, as well as the deep psychological distress the bullying can cause.

In more than 20 provinces, girls who did not comply were forced to leave school or withdraw under pressure, while some female civil servants, including teachers, doctors, school principals and university lecturers, lost their jobs or felt compelled to resign.

The ability to assemble and worship is also becoming increasingly challenging.

For a building to be constructed in Indonesia, it needs to obtain a legal permit called an IMB (Izin Mendirikan Bangunan). The government has intentionally increased the requirements for this permit in order for a church to be built.

A congregation must obtain 90 signatures of approval from its members, as well as 60 signatures from neighbors of different religions before it can apply for the permit. For small churches, the first condition is difficult to meet, and the second condition puts their ability to assemble in the hands of potentially intolerant neighbors of other faiths.

Even if all conditions are met and the signatures are obtained, there is no guarantee that a church can be built without resistance.

GKI Yasmin, a congregation in the Jakarta suburb of Bogor, has fought for the past 15 years to construct its church building. Local extremist groups staged protests and blocked construction, prompting the mayor to revoke the already-issued permit.

Despite the subsequent Supreme Courts two rulings in favor of the congregation, the Bogor authorities still gave in to external pressure and suggested the Yasmin church abandon its half-built building and move to a different location. The congregation had no choice but to accept this solution and ended this legal battle empty-handed.

Under these circumstances, many churches resort to renting hotel spaces or disguising residences to conduct their weekly worship and prayer meetings. Having personally visited some of these rented facilities, the experiences give one the feeling of being an espionage agent. The knowing nod from hotel staff, soundproof walls, early hours of operations and heavily curtained windows show the discreet nature of Christian worship for many Indonesians.

Being as invisible as possible is strategic, as different regions in Indonesia are home to religious extremism.

Church raids by local hardline Muslim groups occur frequently in less tolerant provinces. These groups work with local authorities to stop Christians from gathering and label their meetings as illegal. They also have a history of damaging church artifacts and demolishing buildings. At times, violent attacks follow to instill fear among the congregants. Commonly referred to as the derogatory term kafir, or apostate, Christians easily fall victims to Indonesian extremist groups fatal attacks.

In the last 10 years, five major terrorist attacks have been carried out against Christians, resulting in 20 deaths and more than 80 wounded. These burnings and bombing of churches are fueled by the growing influence of Islamism, along with the rise of the Islamic State. In the view of these groups, Christians should not exist.

This is the reality of being a Christian in Indonesia. Despite the discrimination Indonesian Christians face, it has not slowed down the expansion of the church. The Evangelical Church in the country is growing at an annual rate of 2.8%, with an increasing number of missionaries sent to reach unreached people groups.

*Name changed for security reasons.
Just the beginning: North Carolina megachurch baptizes 282 people in 1 day

A multisite megachurch based in North Carolina has baptized 282 people in a single day, with all but three of the baptisms taking place at an outdoor ceremony.

Biltmore Church, a congregation with seven campuses in the Tar Heel State, held a mass baptism event at a property in Fletcher on Sunday, baptizing 279 people there. The church baptized three others at their morning worship services.

Devin Goins, who serves as pastor of Culture and Engagement at Biltmore, told The Christian Post that he believes this can only be attributed to God moving in peoples lives.

Additionally, our team has worked through numerous personal conversations, and we devoted a large portion of the sermon a few weeks ago to the subject of baptism, said Goins.

Each person was individually counseled to ensure they understood the Gospel and professed Jesus as the Lord of their life. We hope to always be ready for when God moves so that as many can take their next steps as a disciple of Jesus.

Goins also told CP that it was amazing both to see hundreds of people profess Jesus as Lord and to hear each story of God at work in each persons life.

Baptism is a great step for a Christ-follower, but it is often just the beginning, he added. Our staff will continue to connect with each person to get involved in biblical community and additional ways to develop as a follower of Jesus. Were excited to continue to guide each person as they continue their discipleship journey.

Biltmore traces its origins to the 1889 founding of Fern Hill Baptist Church, which was located at the Biltmore Estate and originally had 25 congregation members.

In 2008, Bruce Frank became lead pastor, with the church opening multiple satellite locations during the 2010s, and welcoming Brevard Community Church as a member campus in 2021.

In addition to serving as lead pastor of Biltmore, Frank recently served as chair of the Southern Baptist Conventions sexual abuse task force, where he pushed for reform in response to reports that the denomination was failing to properly process claims of sexual misconduct.

It will take a few years to change the culture and direction, Frank said in a speech at the SBC Annual Meeting last year when messengers voted to approve a series of recommendations to combat abuse. But without action to act differently, there is no repentance."
The US explorer Mark Dickey has relived his dramatic rescue from deep inside a Turkish cave this summer, recalling how he was ready to die.

Dickey embarked on an expedition to Turkeys Morca cave on 29 August. At 1,276 metres, it is the third deepest cave in the country.

On day four of the expedition, he suddenly started vomiting and defecating blood. By the fifth day, he was on the brink of death.

What I can remember is an immediate and sudden increase in exhaustion, Dickey told The Telegraph. I had been feeling slightly more lethargic earlier in the day but then suddenly I got really, really tired.

My consciousness actually felt like it was diminished like it suddenly got harder to think. I needed to vomit. I needed to go to the bathroom. I had hot and cold flushes rapidly, and broke out into a sweat. I felt like I was going to pass out.

Some 24 hours later, Dickey felt that he wouldnt survive: The pulse on my wrist was becoming extremely, extremely difficult to feel, and it reached the point where it was impossible to count. The thought transitioned to I am probably going to die here.

Dickey, 41, is a US researcher, search and rescue specialist and caving enthusiast who has ventured to depths of 1,000 metres at least 20 times over the previous two decades.

He previously visited Morca in 2022, and was returning to explore uncharted caverns and passages to judge whether it would be suitable for training novice Turkish cavers.

Mr Dickeys fiancee and fellow caver Jessica Van Ord was with him when he fell ill and stayed with him until medics arrived and gave him IV fluid and blood.

She eventually climbed out and stayed at a base camp near the mouth of the cave, while working with the 150-strong team of cavers who travelled to Turkey to help bring Mr Dickey out by stretcher.

Mark Dickey is lifted out from Turkeys Morca cave on 12 September (EPA)

Dickey is carried out on a stretcher (Dia images)

Cave rescue teams from several European countries conducted a extraction effort to rescue Dickey ((AP Graphic))

The volunteers initially worked to stabilise Mr Dickeys condition before he could be moved. He required a doctor to administer vials of blood to keep him stabilised.

Story continues

Eventually, his bleeding had stopped and he was able to walk unassisted, according to Cave Rescue Bulgaria.

Then the mission to extricate him began, with rescue teams setting up medical base camps at various depths throughout the caves where they could rest and recuperate.

Rescue teams used explosives to blast open parts of the cave to safely extract him. Rock hammers were also used by rescuers to make way for a stretcher to ensure Mr Dickeys safety during ascent.

It took three days for a number of rescue teams working in relay to extract him, navigating steep cliffs and narrow passages.

A European Cave Rescue Association member goes down into the Morca cave during Dickeys rescue (AP)

Dickey talks to journalists after being rescued (Dia images)

At the surface, Dickey was airlifted to a hospital in Ankara, the Turkish capital, where tests identified his illness as gastrointestinal bleeding triggered by a lesion in his intestine, the cause of which remains unknown.

Upon his rescue, Dickey said that it was amazing to be above ground again, as he was taken to a medical tent for examination before he could be transferred to hospital after his ordeal.

He thanked the rescue teams and Turkish government for bringing him to safety and said they had saved my life, literally no questions asked.

SON DAKIKA | Morca Magaras'nda arastrma yaparken mahsur kalan ABD'li bilim insan Mark Dickey'i kurtarma calsmas 10. gununde basaryla sonucland.



Dickey, helikopterle hastaneye sevk ediliyor. pic.twitter.com/kPmyi5aw8F  TRHaber (@trhaber_com) September 11, 2023

A New Jersey native and current resident of Croton-on-Hudson, New York, Dickey is a highly-trained caver, and cave rescuer himself and is well-known in the international speleological (cave expert) community, according to the European Cave Rescue Association (ECRA).

His resume of cave explorations and expert status is endless: secretary of the ECRA medical committee, lead instructor for Caving Academy, a US-based organisation that prepares other cavers for exploration, and a national instructor for the National Cave Rescue Commission.

Since his discharge from the hospital, Dickey has said that he is keen to go caving as soon as next month, despite the risk his illness might strike again.

Caving is one of the final frontiers of exploration, he said. We are pushing the exploration of the world in one of the few places where humans have never been.

Is there anything to do differently? No. I can make sure I have no pre-existing medical condition and as long as I have no increased risks of recurrence then Ill go caving.
Progressives hate school choice until its time to send their kids to school

Another week, another batch of teachers union officials lobbying against school choice while sending their own children to private schools.

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates and Illinois Education Association official Sean Denney send their kids to private schools while devoting their time to fighting against poorer parents rights to send their children to similar schools.

This isnt a new phenomenon. Gates and Denney join a long line of hypocrites who live the school choice for me, but not for thee lifestyle.

School choice is the principle that families, not the government, should decide where their children go to school. It encompasses a wide range of options, from providing parents vouchers for private and charter school tuition to accessing education savings accounts for tuition, education materials, and special needs testing.

In practice, school choice allows parents to direct the education tax dollars already spent on their children instead of requiring the money to be spent at an assigned public school based on the parents ZIP code.

Advocates for school choice suggest that the primary benefits of funding students [directly], not systems include fostering competition among schools, improving academic performance, and providing access to quality education for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Progressives often lambast the practice  suggesting that allowing parents to choose which schools their children and money go to will drain and destroy public schools.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, declared a state of emergency in May after the state Legislature passed additional measures to expand school choice in North Carolina.

Cooper claimed the Legislature was trying to tear our public schools down by allowing parents to choose where education tax dollars allocated for their children went.

Ironically, Cooper sent his children to a private school because the governor preferred that option over a public school. Unlike many North Carolina residents who are poorer than he, Cooper could afford to send his children where he wished  and so he did.

President Joe Biden, while still a candidate for that office, also warned that voucher programs and school choice measures would defund public schools.

Writing on Twitter in January 2020, Biden claimed: When we divert public funds to private schools, we undermine the entire public education system. Weve got to prioritize investing in our public schools, so every kid in America gets a fair shot. Thats why I oppose vouchers.

Biden didnt practice this investment in his private life, however, sending both of his sons to the private Archmere Academy, a Roman Catholic college preparatory school in Claymont, Delaware.

Other elected Democrats who sent their children to private schools while speaking out against school choice include former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. A host of state legislators also do so.

There are so many hypocritical elected officials, business executives, and union officials in this category that the Education Freedom Institute created an interactive map to catalog the rapidly growing list of those taking advantage of privileges their constituents cannot.

Why go to the trouble of fighting so desperately against school choice if youre sending your children to school choice options anyway?

Recent polls indicate overwhelming support of additional school choice options among all major political parties and demographics.

A poll from RealClear Opinion Research found a 9% increase in support for school choice among Democrats, to 59%, since April 2020. Republicans support for school choice rose by 7% for a total of 75% in the same poll, and independents by 7% for a total of 67%.

The poll also found that 72% of white voters, 70% of black voters, 66% of Asian voters, and 77% of Hispanic voters said they support school choice.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, claims that the unions fight against school choice keeps public schools from closing and prevents America from returning to racial segregation.

In Chicago, Gates went so far as to call private schools fascist, though the teachers union president has no problem sending her kids to one.

Broader union positions over the past few decades claimed simultaneously that school choice options would result in the abandonment and closing of public schools while asking state and federal legislators to drastically increase funding for declining public schools.

An analysis on the fourth-grade level would note that if public schools were such a great option, parents wouldnt pull their children from those schools if given a choice. Additionally, public schools that have received drastic funding increases over the past decade have seen only greater academic decline and more parents pulling out their kids anyway (often at great personal cost).

Although Gates argues that private schools are racist and fascist, her own Chicago Public Schools is a school district that boasts a 17% literacy rate for Hispanic students and an 11% literacy rate for black students in 2021.

Anti-choice activists openly argue that if parents want to send their children to private, charter, or microschools, they should pay the additional cost  therefore funding both the local public school and the school parents want to send their children to.

I dont have an issue with teachers union officials and Democrat politicians sending their children to private schools. Parents should have the right to send their children to a school that best suits the values and needs of that family.

The problem rests in the hypocrisy of the situation. Few things come across worse than the Marie Antoinette look.

Forcing families to funnel their money into failing public schools while your children go to better schools of your choice fosters resentment. If you really believe public schools are the best option to the point of advocating against other options, your children better be attending those public schools.

Originally published at The Daily Signal.
11 Christians massacred by Islamic State terrorists in Mozambique: report

Islamic State-aligned extremists separated and massacred at least 11 Christians in northern Mozambique this month, exacerbating violence that has already displaced around 1 million people in the southern African country in recent years, according to reports.

The killings occurred in the village of Naquitengue, near Mocimboa da Praia, in the province of Cabo Delgado, the international charity Aid to the Church in Need reported this week, citing information received from Friar Boaventura, a missionary in the region.

The area has been under attack by Islamist extremists since 2017.

Terrorists reportedly arrived in the village in the early afternoon last Friday and gathered the population. They separated Christians from Muslims based on names and ethnicity before opening fire on the Christians, possibly leaving more dead and others seriously wounded.

The local terrorist group, claiming allegiance to the Islamic State, confirmed in a statement that it had killed 11 Christians.

"They opened fire on the Christians, riddling them with bullets," Friar Boaventura was quoted as saying. "The attack was carried out by a local terrorist group that claims allegiance to the Islamic State, and which said in a statement that it had killed 11 Christians in the operation. The actual number of victims may be higher, however, and there are also people who are seriously wounded."

This method of separating Christians from Muslims and then attacking the former is not new, Boaventura said. The attacks have led to "tension and insecurity" just as "many people were beginning to return to their communities," he said.

"Only prayer can sustain us because this conflict seems to have no end in sight," Sister Aparecida Ramos Queiroz, who works for the Diocese of Pemba, told Aid to the Church in Need.

The attacks in Cabo Delgado and neighboring Niassa province have resulted in the internal displacement of around 1 million people. Roughly 5,000 people have been brutally murdered, according to Bishop of Pemba Antonio Juliasse.

Bishop Juliasse recently urged Christians not to forget Cabo Delgado, stating that solidarity helps to alleviate immediate suffering.

In a related development, reports have emerged of Islamist jihadists in Mozambique forcefully converting abducted Christian women into Islam and sexually enslaving them.

"We condemn any attempt to force people to change their religion," Johan Viljoen, director of the Denis Hurley Peace Institute, told The National Catholic Register. "It is a reprehensible violation of human rights."

A leaked internal circular from the Islamic State advises fighters in Mozambique to conduct medical tests on non-virgin enslaved women before distributing them among fighters.

The circular, reported by Cabo Ligado, a conflict observatory, also advises killing those who refuse to convert to Islam.

The conflict has also been fueled by socioeconomic disparities between Maputo, Mozambique's capital, and the marginalized north, especially Cabo Delgado. Armed men belonging to the Islamic State have been attacking civilians since 2017.

Reports indicate that more than 800,000 people in these Mozambican provinces are still displaced despite a heavy military presence.

At least 24 countries have sent troops to support the fight against insurgents in Mozambique, whose army has been accused of being corrupt and having 7,000 "ghost soldiers," the BBC reported in May 2022.

In March 2021, the United States labeled Islamic State-Mozambique as "Specially Designated Global Terrorists." ISIS-Mozambique is also known as Ansar al-Sunna and known locally as al-Shabaab. The group reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State as early as April 2018.

In November 2020, Islamic State-linked militants beheaded over 50 people, including women and children, and abducted others in weekend raids in the Miudumbe and Macomia districts of the Cabo Delgado province.

Last year, an Italian nun was shot and killed while six others were beheaded by suspected terrorists aligned with the Islamic State in Mozambique.
Biden blasts 15-week abortion ban: My church doesnt even make that argument

President Biden criticized Sen. Lindsey Grahams proposed bill that would ban abortion after 15 weeks of gestation nationwide, saying, My church doesnt even make that argument now.

Biden blasted Republicans at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser in New York last week over Graham's bill, which was introduced in the U.S. Senate earlier this month. It's the first pro-life legislation introduced at the federal level since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide in 1973.

The Dobbs decision does not ban abortion nationwide but gives state and federal lawmakers the authority to set limits on abortion or increase gestational ages for abortion. Several states have moved to ban abortion in the weeks following the Dobbs decision, while abortion remains legal up to the moment of birth in other states.

Biden said at a DNC fundraising dinner at a private residence in New York Thursday: You have Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and others talking about how theyre gonna, you know, make sure that Roe is forever gone and Dobbs becomes a national law.

He added, "My generic point  and I happen to be a practicing Roman Catholic  my church doesnt even make that argument now. And so were in a situation where things have changed a lot. But theyve [Republicans] gotten more extreme in their positions."

The Catholic Church, of course, never justifies the killing of an innocent person by abortion, Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, said in response to Bidens claim.

In response to the Dobbs decision, congressional Democrats have restarted their earlier efforts to pass the so-called Womens Health Protection Act, which would codify abortion into federal law and limit the ability of states to pass pro-life laws.

Biden claimed that the bill provides for no exceptions  rape, incest, no exceptions.

The bill includes exceptions in cases of rape, incest and physical dangers to the life of the mother, The Hill noted.

Biden then said, I happen to be a practicing Roman Catholic, my church doesnt even make that argument, adding, Im going to veto the bill.

A few months before Bidens speech at the DNC fundraiser, Speaker Nancy Pelosi's archbishop said the Democratic leader wouldn't be allowed to receive communion due to her staunch support and advocacy for abortion.

In May, San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone sent a letter to Pelosi, D-Calif., a practicing Catholic, informing her that she had been warned to either repudiate your advocacy for abortion rights or refrain from referring to your Catholic faith in public and receiving Holy Communion.

Bidens presidency has intensified the debate among American Catholic leaders over whether Catholic public officeholders who advocate for abortion should be denied communion, a practice done in some dioceses.

As Biden campaigned for president ahead of the 2020 presidential election, a priest in South Carolina refused to serve him communion due to his abortion advocacy.

Supporters of withholding communion from pro-abortion Catholic politicians, both inside and outside the Church hierarchy, point to the Churchs Code of Canon Law as the justification for their position. The Code of Canon Law states that those who are obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion.

However, last November, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved a document on communion that didnt overtly call for a ban on pro-choice politicians receiving the sacrament despite.

At a general meeting at the time, bishops overwhelmingly approved a document from the USCCBs Committee on Doctrine known as The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church. Eight bishops voted against the document, while 222 bishops voted in favor. Three abstained.

However, the document stated that Catholic laity who exercise some form of public authority have a special responsibility to form their consciences in accord with the Churchs faith and the moral law, and to serve the human family by upholding human life and dignity.

It read, As Christians, we bear the responsibility to promote the life and dignity of the human person, and to love and to protect the most vulnerable in our midst: the unborn, migrants and refugees, victims of racial injustice, the sick and the elderly.
Majority of US Evangelicals say they favor secular charities, study finds

For many Evangelical Christians in the United States, there is a gap between what they say and how they give charitably, researchers say.

According to findings in a study released Thursday, more than half of Evangelical Christians in the U.S. prefer to support secular charities rather than faith-based ministries or other organizations.

Infinity Concepts and Grey Matter Research asked over 1,000 Evangelical Protestants in the U.S. to name their favorite charity or ministry to support. The findings, released in the report The Favorite Charity: Evangelical Giving Priorities, were a bit unexpected.

While the vast majority of Evangelicals, 84%, said they would rather support Christian organizations than non-Christian ones, only 46% of Evangelical donors actually named a faith-based organization as their favorite to support.

The remaining 54% of respondents named a secular organization as their favorites.

Based on the study's results, Infinity Concepts founder Mark Dreistadt said he's concerned that Evangelicals prioritize secular organizations over faith-based groups.

Certainly, Evangelicals can and should be concerned about things such as adult literacy, homelessness or pollution, Dreistadt said in a statement. But it is noteworthy that so many are making secular organizations their very top priority, especially when there are solid Christian organizations doing work similar to some of these secular favorites.

Of those who said they prefer supporting Christian organizations, more than half said they would support organizations that have their Christian faith as a major part of the work they do, compared with 32% who prefer to support organizations that have a Christian background or perspective but are not necessarily conducting specifically Christian work.

The study also found that Christians who give are relatively monolithic in the organizations to which they give. In total, 19 different brands collectively represent the favorite organization for 53% of Evangelical donors.

Of those brands, the five most popular  St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Samaritans Purse and UNICEF  were named the favorites of 34% of all Evangelical donors.

Evangelical donors also closely mirror American donors in general regarding which causes they favor, with specific diseases such as cancer or diabetes (19%) and international relief and development (18%) being the most popular among Evangelicals, the study found.

Larger organizations also tend to draw more Evangelical donors. Just 12% of Evangelical donors named a favorite organization with revenues under $10 million.

According to the study, the average total IRS Form 990 annual revenues of the organizations favored by Evangelicals is $1.07 billion.

Ron Sellers, president of Grey Matter Research, said the research indicates todays ministry leaders and strategists may need to readjust their fundraising plans.

In reality, Evangelical donors are very similar to other donors, said Sellers. Many ministry leaders need to broaden their strategic thinking and understand how entirely secular organizations have made such broad inroads into the Evangelical population. The competition for the donor dollar is much broader and stronger than some leaders recognize.

The study mirrored similar findings from Grey Matter Research conducted last year. While most Evangelicals say tithing, giving 10% of one's income to the Church, is a biblical commandment, only an estimated 13% engage in regular giving at church. In comparison, half give away less than 1% of their income annually.

The study, The Generosity Factor: Evangelicals and Giving, found that the average Evangelical donated on average $2,545 total over the preceding 12 months  $1,923 to the Church and $622 to charity. Evangelicals gave a median of $340 to the Church and $50 to charity, totaling $390.
Man who survived being shot by gunmen while taking out trash says God was with me

A 42-year-old recently married father who was shot as he took out the trash while cleaning his home in Norcross, Georgia, is thanking God for helping him escape with his life.

"I'm just glad to be alive. My family could be making my funeral arrangements," Michael Thomas told WSB-TV. "Like I say, God was with me."

Thomas, who was shot in the right leg, told the news outlet that he was taking trash to a dumpster at the Grove Point Apartments on Jimmy Carter Boulevard on Sept. 9 when two young men approached him.

"They said, 'Oh, we just sitting here chilling.' I said, 'Well, if y'all don't mind, just move off in front of our breezeway.' ... And they were like, 'Alright, but you don't know who you're talking to,'" Thomas told Fox 5.

"The next thing I remember is being hit in the head. I grabbed the person, the biggest person, and we fell on the ground," Thomas recalled to WSB-TV. "And he was hollering to get him off me. After that, the guy shot at my head. Thank God it missed."

Thomas said the bullet missed his face, but it ricocheted off the pavement and grazed his face. He said the attackers were determined to hurt him, and one of them shot him in the leg.

"He then turned around and shot me in the leg twice," he said. "The bullet went through my right leg and then into my groin area."

Witnesses told Fox 5 that the men pistol-whipped Thomas before shooting him. He further noted to the network that the man shot at his head twice. He also recalled a third man being with his attackers.

"He tried to shoot me in my head twice, but both of the bullets bounced off the rock. And the third person that was with them took off running. I guess he didn't know that was going to happen, and then he turned around and shot me in my right leg twice," Thomas recalled.

Thomas' attackers did not steal anything. Gwinnett Police Cpl. Ryan Winderweedle said the shooting appears to be a "crime of opportunity."

"This seems to be a crime of opportunity," he said. "I don't know of any other prior at this particular complex."

Thomas, who now has to use a walker and still has a bullet lodged in his leg, said he was traumatized by the attack because he simply asked the men to get out of the way so he could get rid of his trash.

"You won't be expecting something like that to happen because you asked somebody to move out of the way," he explained. "I get sad to sit on my porch because I feel like I'm not safe."
Pro-life group warns federal 15-week abortion ban may pressure states to 'water down' restrictions

A pro-life advocacy organization advises the pro-life movement and presidential candidates not to push for a federal 15-week abortion ban because it could pressure states to "water down" existing pro-life laws that provide stronger protections for unborn babies.

The Life Legal Defense Foundation published a blog post Wednesday declaring that a federal 15-week abortion ban is "NOT a good idea." The blog comes as many pro-life advocacy groups and politicians have pushed legislation that would ban abortions at 15 weeks gestation at the federal level while allowing states to pass stronger pro-life laws if they choose to.

The blog warned that "a 15-week federal ban poses critical problems," noting that "pro-life states have enacted abortion restrictions much more stringent  and effective  than stopping abortions at 15 weeks." The Life Legal Defense Foundation expressed concern that "the passage of a federal 15-week ban will put tremendous pressure on those states to water down their existing life-saving measures in favor of a de facto' consensus' position."

The statement comes as 2024 Republican presidential hopeful and former Vice President Mike Pence has called on all 2024 Republican presidential candidates to support the idea of instituting a federal 15-week abortion ban as a minimum nationwide standard.

While legislation to institute a federal 15-week ban has drawn support from other pro-life activist organizations, the Life Legal Defense Foundation cited statistics showing that 95% of abortions in the country take place before 15 weeks gestation.

"We support any effort to save lives, but a 15-week abortion ban is not the silver bullet to ending abortion it is touted as," the group states. "The overwhelming majority of abortions in this country would still be completely legal under a 15-week ban."

"While polling shows that many people would support a 15-week ban, our job is not to placate those who believe the debate over abortion can be put to rest by enacting a law that allows the nearly unhindered killing of innocent children," the blog added.

Life Legal Defense Foundation also believes that "floating a 15-week ban only fuels the zeal of pro-aborts to" pass the Women's Health Protection Act, which would codify the now-overturned Roe v. Wade United States Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide into federal law. In the 2022 case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health, the nation's high court upheld Mississippi's 15-week abortion ban.

The promotion of a 15-week federal abortion ban "is forcing candidates to commit to the position that Congress has the constitutional authority to regulate abortion at the state level" when many candidates and limited-government conservatives "sincerely believe that the Constitution does not give Congress that power."

"Branding these principled limited-government conservatives as insufficiently pro-life is divisive and harms the movement," the activist group argues.

As data from the national grassroots pro-life organization Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America demonstrates, 24 states have enacted laws banning abortions at an earlier stage in pregnancy than the 15-week mark although some of those measures are currently tied up in court. The group estimates that all of the pro-life laws in effect or tied up in litigation have prevented approximately 181,149 abortions from happening.

SBA Pro-Life America, which has emerged as one of the most vocal supporters of a federal 15-week abortion ban, responded to Life Legal Defense Foundation's criticism in a statement shared with The Christian Post.

Pointing to Democrats' "national no-limits abortion plan," the group insisted that "Republicans running at the federal level must have a national response or else they will be defined by Democrats as extremists with no clear platform and they will lose."

"States have every right and should put pro-life protections in place. But no one should accept the Democratic party's premise of considering abortion for all nine months. Can't we all agree, at least, to put a national cap on abortion by the time science proves the baby can feel the pain of the procedure, while allowing states to go further?" SBA Pro-Life America asked in a statement.

"Backing a 15-week national pro-life protection not only protects the baby but gives us candidates an opportunity to speak to the American people about the truth of the human person."

SBA Pro-Life America praised a 15-week abortion ban for acknowledging that "7 in 10 Americans want abortions limited [to] no later than 15 weeks," adding, "We've had late-term abortion imposed on us for generations under Roe  now we finally have an opportunity to build a culture of life in this country and this is the best way to start."

As illustrated by data from the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute, four states and the District of Columbia allow abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy, while three states have an explicit right to abortion in their constitutions. Thirteen additional states allow abortions up to the point of viability, referring to the point where an unborn baby can survive outside the womb.

Supporters of a 15-week abortion ban at the federal level see the measure as necessary to prevent late-term abortions from happening in the 20 states that currently have fewer protections for unborn babies.
What does it mean to be a Southern Baptist living in 21st century America? Dr. Richard Land, executive editor of CP, talks political theology at SWBTS

FORT WORTH, Texas  Weighty topics such as Baptist political theology and the Conservative Resurgence were among several discussed during a conversation on Baptist Public Theology, Democracy, and Principled Pluralism hosted by the Land Center at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dr. Richard Land, executive editor of The Christian Post and namesake of the Land Center, was joined by Nathan Finn, the director of the Institute for Transformational Leadership and a professor of Christian Studies and History at North Greenville University, to look at how Baptists have dealt with both the political and theological realms since the mid-20th century.

Land said one of the defining features of a distinctive Baptist political theology is that its derivative of who we are as Baptists and pointed back to the Anabaptists of the 16th century who said they would not be bound to proof texts from the Old Testament and that there should not be civil penalties for religious infractions.

The New Testament concept of the believers church, that it is a church made up of believers, people who have consciously made a decision or assented to the convicting work of the Holy Spirit, to give their lives to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and are trusting Him and Him alone for salvation, and they follow Him in obedience in baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, and are organized into local assemblies called churches  everything else flows from that, said Land.

Referring to theBaptist Faith & Message, Land added, the best model is that of a free Church and free State, one which does not endorse any religion but rather ensures accommodation for all faith backgrounds and viewpoints. Baptists or any other denomination should never be seeking support from the government.

We shouldn't be looking to the government to support our work, he said. Its our job to evangelize; it's our job to be salt and light. The government should accommodate that and give us the freedom to practice our faith.

To me, thats the essence of what it means to be Baptist.

Noting the looming 45th anniversary of the "Conservative Resurgence" among Southern Baptists, Finn asked Land whether the denomination is moving further away or closer to the movement, which started in the late 1970s when two charismatic conservative leaders, Paige Patterson and Paul Pressler, came together and began planning what came to be called Conservative Resurgence of the SBC.

In response to a question, Land explained the Conservative Resurgence of the 1970s, '80s, and '90s was a response to a denominational bureaucracy that was drifting away from a conservative understanding of the inerrancy and complete accuracy of Holy Scripture, noting that eternal vigilance is the requirement to "maintain inerrancy."

Land explained that the Conservative Resurgence did not involve just two groups, but five.

Group One (fundamentalists who did not desire much contact with non-inerrantists); Group Two (inerrantists who believed there needed to be a course correction of a drift away from theological conservativism, but were willing to work with some who denied inerrancy, as long as they weren't driving the bus); Group Three (inerrantists who believed there did not need to be a denominational course correction, or the course correction had gone far enough or the course correction had gone too far, sometimes the same people at different stages of the resurgence); Group Four (moderates who still believed people needed to accept Jesus as Savior, but believed the Bible had mistakes and errors, and sections which "weren't up to the standards of Jesus"); and Group Five (recognizable liberals who denied miracles and some who denied a literal resurrection)."

Land explained that during the controversy, Groups One and Two were aligned against Groups Three through Five and won the national elections. However, there was no theological reason Groups Two and Three could not make common cause based on theological agreement and since probably at least 75% of Southern Baptists were in Group Two or Group Three. All of the conservative presidential winners were in Group Two, and their major opponent in each election from 1983 onward came from Group Three. This theological truth kept the Conservative Resurgence from causing a major split in the denomination. By the early 1990s, the Conservative Resurgence had gained operational control of the major denominational institutions.

Land, who said he believes the conservative resurgence ultimately fell short of its goals, pinned the movements shortcomings on Baptists inherent desire for compromise.

My biggest concern today is that we have a generation that knew not Joseph, said Land. We have a generation of Southern Baptists who were born on third base and think they hit a triple.

They have no idea of the sacrifices, the real sacrifices, the lost jobs, the firings from churches, the sacrifices that thousands of people made in order to stand up for inerrancy and bring about the Conservative Resurgence.
My loyalty is to the Lord, not to a political candidate or party

If youve listened regularly to my "Line of Fire" broadcast or read my articles consistently, youll see that Ive said or written very little about former President Trump for some time now. There are several reasons for that.

First, I have cut way back on political commentary in general in order to avoid getting caught up in election fever, especially since the presidential elections are more than 13 months away and there remains real uncertainty about who the candidates will be.

Second, I generally do not comment much on legal cases (in this case, indictments against Trump or the potential impeachment of President Biden), since these are outside my areas of expertise.

Third, while I have made clear that I would prefer a candidate other than Trump for the GOP in 2024, I am not a Trump basher and I have no desire to needlessly alienate tens of millions of loyal Trump supporters. Instead, my goal is to rally all of us around righteous and godly causes.

That being said, when an issue comes up that is worthy of discussion, and when that issue causes me to differ with Trumps position, I will do so freely. Thats because my loyalty is to Jesus rather than to a political leader or a political party. And this is not on a scale of 10 to 1 or 100 to 1 but on a scale of infinitely multiplied trillions and billions to a very tiny one.

Even as a Trump voter and supporter, I wrote a book titled Donald Trump Is Not My Savior: An Evangelical Leader Speaks His Mind About the Man He Supports As President. The message I wanted to shout to the whole world was this: JESUS IS MY LORD AND SAVIOR. HE DIED FOR ME AND PAID FOR MY SINS AND I OWE HIM MY HEART AND MY LIFE AND MY EVERY BREATH. I LIVE FOR HIM AND WILL JOYFULLY DIE FOR HIM.

Then, in a very small font: Donald Trump is my president.

These would be my sentiments regardless of who was in the White House. JESUS IS LORD. The rest of us are redeemed dust at best.

When it comes to my voting preferences, beyond the obvious question of the candidates character and trustworthiness, I always start with the abortion issue. How strongly pro-life is the candidate? Next, I look at where they stand on moral, family issues, such as same-sex marriage and transgender identity. Then, I look at their views on Israel, then on other relevant issues (such as national security, the economy, international relations, etc.).

Other voters might start with the economy. Or race issues. Or border control. Or education. Or national security.

I respect that, and that is their prerogative. But we each have our priorities, and that is what informs our voting.

When it came to voting for Trump in 2016, the biggest issue for me was the potential of him appointing pro-life Supreme Court justices, and he delivered on his promises, contributing in a massive, fundamental way to the overturning of Roe v Wade. For that, I am deeply grateful.

But when he says that Gov. DeSantis made a terrible mistake by signing into law a ban on abortions after 6 weeks, I categorically reject his position.

In fact, this is the very reason we so wanted to see Roe overturned  in order to see bills like this pass in state after state.

Trumps whole approach, in which he says that 15 weeks is a number that everyone seems to like, is misguided, failing to address the injustice of abortion. And he is quite wrong in thinking that both sides will like his pragmatic approach. (From the pro-life side, just ask Lila Rose.)

What happens when I dare take issue with Trump for his comments?

I get comments like this, posted on our YouTube channel in response to the broadcast: Shame on you Mr. Brown for not remaining loyal to Trump. Trump was CHEATED and you are looking for better candidates? You profess to stand for life but you can't even stand up for the man who overturned abortion & was cheated. REPENT! stop being jealous. Deep down you know Trump is smarter than you and it drives you nuts. REPENT. you think you can do a better job...admit it.. but you can't..he is tougher & smarter ... Trump has to get done what is realistic because HE IS INVOLVED IN POLITICS ... He is not your pastor ... if you Loved TRUTH you would LOVE REALISM ... because they are the same.

Putting aside the silly, schoolyard-level attacks, the issue is very simple: my loyalty here is to the pro-life cause, and if I believe that Trumps view is weak  as do many other pro-life leaders who are much more on the front lines than I am  I will say so.

I dont need to stand up for the man who helped overturn Roe. I need to stand up for the unborn. In this case, there may be a big difference. (In a separate article, Ill return to the larger issue of political pragmatism in the abortion debate, something advocated by Republican candidate Nikki Haley.)

Its the same when it comes to LGBTQ activist issues, number two on my list of priorities when voting. I take deep exception to Trump saying last December to a crowd filled with LGBTQ activists and their allies, We are fighting for the gay community, and we are fighting and fighting hard.

He also said at the gala event, held in Mar-a-Lago, With the help of many of the people here tonight in recent years, our movement has taken incredible strides, the strides youve made here is incredible.

Sorry, but those sentiments do not get my support, even if Trump opposes the transitioning of children. (Name me one prominent GOP candidate who does support the transitioning of children.)

So, when it comes to voting, I have my lines drawn in the sand. Should a candidate move from those lines, I have not abandoned him. He has abandoned me.

Where the former president will ultimately land remains to be seen. But my loyalty is to my Lord and the causes I believe are important to Him. All other loyalties are filtered through that lens.
The communist revolution in America

Communists are burning flags in Chicago. If you will, they were trying that in a large town in their protests at a Jason Aldean concert in the Windy City. Aldean is best known for his hit, Try That in a Small Town.

FoxNews.com reports, The protesters were raising awareness of RevCom (Revolutionary Communist Party), which believes in creating a Marxist revolution in America, calling the USA the belly of the beast.

The idea of a communist revolution in America, the belly of the beast, might well seem far-fetched. But consider the incredible progress that the Marxists have made in this country in the last several decades.

Dr. Carol M. Swain used to teach at Princeton and also at Vanderbilt Law School. In an interview with D. James Kennedy Ministries, she mentioned some of the communist objectives for the United States.

Dr. Swain told our viewers: Im sure youre familiar with the book that Cleon Skousen wrote in 1958 called The Naked Communist. That book had near its appendix 45 current communist goals. Those goals were read into the Congressional record in 1963. If you read through those goals, many of them have been accomplished, and one was to take over a political party. To discredit the FBI, to use race as a wedge issue, to take over the public schools, and you go down the list and theyve accomplished almost every goal that theyve set out to accomplish.

Swain added, And I think we see the implementation of those communist goals and yes, its cultural Marxism and its all about destroying our society.

Anyone who doubts her should actually read the goals. Here are just a few.

Goal 27: Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with social religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a religious crutch.

Many of the churches in America have gone woke, which effectively means they have replaced the Gospel, where Jesus saves individuals and then they impact society, with a message of social salvation that teaches it is systemic societal ills that need redemption.

Goal 28: Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of separation of church and state."

The First Amendment declares, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. But beginning in 1947 and then especially in the 1960s and 1970s, the Supreme Court changed the understanding of no establishment (meaning no established church at the federal level) to meaning essentially a separation of God and government  something the founding fathers would not have agreed with.

Now, the public schools have become, for the most part, secular wastelands because of the effective banishment of God and school prayer. Our history books have been rewritten, and God has been erased. School prayer is out. The metal detectors are in.

Goal 29: Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a world-wide basis.

The Constitution is even being called trash by some modern thinkers. But would-be immigrants who risk their lives to come into the United States illegally argue with their feet that it is anything but trash.

Goal 30: Discredit the American founding fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the common man."

Who would have thought that a nation that celebrated the bicentennial in 1976 so profusely would have developed so much contempt for the founding fathers in just a few decades since?

In a few years, well come to the 250th anniversary of America. Will that be an occasion of celebration or an occasion of gnashing of teeth and more statue-toppling?

The sacrifices of the founding fathers are well documented. They said in the Declaration of Independence that they trusted in God as they made a full-scale commitment to this cause: And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Some of them died in support of our liberty. Many of them had their property destroyed. They became specific targets of the British torch during the war.

What was the point of their cause? Self-rule under God. Those two phrases summarize the American experiment.

But communism cannot countenance the idea of God. Nor can communism allow for self-rule.

Its scary to see how successful the communists have been so far in achieving their goals. But as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a different context: America is in decline, but it is not inevitable.

Our prayer is that God would revive the work of His hands in this great nation.
The omnipresence of Christ

The biblical proclamation in Matthew 18:20, where Jesus assures, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them," beckons us to delve into the depths of the divine mystery of Christ's omnipresence. This concept, though challenging to fathom, invites us to explore how Christ can be present in multiple places at once.

In seeking to understand this, it is crucial to recognise that Christ's presence is not confined to His physical form. Rather, it encompasses the manifestation of His boundless love and divine power. This presence transcends the limitations of time and space, permeating the hearts of those who earnestly seek Him.

The omnipotence of God allows Him to operate beyond human comprehension. He possesses the capacity to exist simultaneously in myriad locations. This transcendence even extends to the notion that He can, in a manner beyond our understanding, divide His consciousness, ensuring His omnipresence is experienced by His faithful.

Throughout the Bible, we encounter instances where God's presence is felt in diverse locations and situations. The burning bush that spoke to Moses, the pillar of cloud and fire that guided the Israelites, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit are all powerful demonstrations of the multifaceted nature of God's presence.

Moreover, the omnipresence of Christ points to a profound spiritual truth - the mystical union between the divine and humanity.

Through faith and devotion, we become vessels through which Christ's presence is made manifest in the world. This union transcends physical proximity, connecting us to a reality that surpasses the tangible.

Embracing the omnipresence of Christ challenges conventional notions of space and time. It calls us to move beyond the limitations of our earthly understanding and to open ourselves to the boundless mysteries of God's presence. In doing so, we find solace, strength, and purpose in knowing that Christ is with us, not only in body but in spirit, wherever we gather in His name.

In our pursuit of this truth, we find comfort and assurance, knowing that wherever we gather in His name, He is there among us, weaving His presence through the fabric of our lives.

This contemplation leads us on a journey of deeper communion with the divine, where we discover that Christ's presence is an ever-present reality that transcends our understanding, anchoring us in His unending love and grace.

Duncan Williams is outreach director for the Christian Free Press and has worked for Son Christian Media here in the UK and Recovery Network Radio in the United States. He is an ordained minister and a long-term member of Christians in Media. He provides content and syndicated news for regional publisher www.tindlenews.co.uk
Hardeep Singh Nijjar had been organizing a Canadian referendum on an independent Sikh state in India when he was gunned down in Surrey, B.C., in June. Canada has linked India directly to the killing.
Country

United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
BROOK PARK, Ohio  A West 139th Street woman, 35, was arrested at about 10 a.m. Sept. 3 after pointing a rifle at her husband in their home.

The womans teenage son told police that his mother and father had argued that morning. The woman kicked her husbands injured knee several times and hit the back of his head with her open hand.

The woman then grabbed a loaded rifle from a closet and pointed it at her husband. The boy fled the house and through a friend contacted police.

The woman, despite the ongoing argument, left the house and started to leave in her car. When police arrived, the woman was backing her car of out the driveway.

Police blocked the car and ordered the woman out of the vehicle. They placed her in handcuffs and sat her in the back of their cruiser.

The woman denied striking her husband or owning the rifle. She was charged with domestic violence.
NEW YORK  Are they, or arent they?

Travis Kelce seems to be tickled by all the attention to rumors that he could be dating Taylor Swift. On Thursday, he talked about the pop superstar during an appearance on ESPNs The Pat McAfee Show.

McAfee opened up the conversation by saying he was heartbroken after hearing Kelce say on his podcast, New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce, that he tried to slide his phone number to Swift during her Eras Tour concert stop in Kansas City. Kelce, a Cleveland Heights native, plays for the Kansas City Chiefs.

I was disappointed that she doesnt talk before or after her shows because she has to save her voice for the 44 songs that she sings, he told his brother after Jason asked about the show.

If youre up on Taylor Swift concerts, there are friendship bracelets, and I received a bunch of them being there but I wanted to give Taylor Swift one with my number on it, Travis said.

When Jason Kelce asked his brother if he meant his jersey number or his phone number, Travis Kelce quipped, You know which one.

On his show, McAfee noted that the friendship bracelet might have just been delayed.

Your love life is being talked about by the whole entire world right now, McAfee said. If youd like to expand on anything, please the floor is yours.

Its hilarious how much traction this has actually got, Kelce responded, clearly amused. This is like the old school game called telephone, where everybody is just whispering in everybodys ear.

He also called out brother Jason, who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, for saying in an interview that the dating rumors were true, although he appeared to be joking himself.

No one actually knows whats going on. Especially when youve got Jason Kelce on live television telling people, just both sides, Travis said. At one point Jason said he didnt know a lot about Travis love life. At another point he said it was 100% true.

Hes been having a whole lot of fun and hes still having a whole lot of fun, Travis told McAfee. Please everybody, stop asking my brother about my love life.

Travis Kelce at least gave us a little bit more this time.

Do you hate that this is happening, though? McAfee asked.

No, I mean its life baby, Kelce replied. I threw it out there. I threw the ball in her court, I told her, Ive seen you rock the stage in Arrowhead. You might have to come see me rock the stage in Arrowhead Well see what happens in the near future.

In other words, there still is no definitive answer to speculation that the pair may be dating.
Its ridiculous that Chinese peoples academic degrees need to be validated by a foreign language (test), said a comment with more than 24,000 likes on microblogging site Weibo, where a related hashtag attracted more than 350 million views Thursday.

. . .

We need English to understand the world. This is a fact and it cannot be covered up by the banner of nationalism, said another.

- Top Chinese university scraps English tests in move cheered by nationalists

That's biased reporting by the Krappy News Network which recently admitted it tells lies. There's no evidence that those who support the scrapping of English, are in any way nationalistic.

English was imposed on much of the World by Rudyard Kipling's "white man's burden" when the illegally infested all but two nations during five centuries of the poodle empire of plundering.

With Brexit, the EU is also considering removing English as a language that politicians use.

India's language and culture were pre-planned for vandalisation before two centuries of infestation by the Anglo illegal-immigrant, mongrel barbarians who were kicked out of Saxony.

As well as considering changing India's name to Bharat, place names in India are being changed back: "We morally, emotionally support India's decolonization: Global Times editorial"

Mandarin is the most prevelant language on the planet and Anglos aren't very good at English themselves: When the English are worse at English than the Chinese, you know youre in trouble.

- SATs aren't damaging kids  low expectations are

Furthermore China now leads the World in academic innovation. The only reason the Great Satan is a contestant at all is because it started both World Wars to impose jew-confetti on the planet and thereby bribe academics to the land that they thieved. With de-dollarisation now under way, even that advantage will be lost. Great Satan GDP will implode, but already, in REAL real terms and not as a ppp-adjusted GDP, China and India's economies are the World's two largest. Ireland has highlighted how GDP is a crock o' s**t metric, recording a HUGE 25% increase. This was because Irelands corporate tax can afford to be low to attract multi-nationals and so the contribution to GDP doesn't even occur in Ireland's borders. Everyone knows the GDP metric is horse-manure, which is why no one accused Ireland of fiddling her statistics.

I know first-hand Poodleville iz too fick to have a proper STEM degree course. After the first year, the Anglos themselves were complaining that the course wasn't covering anything relevant. Thereafter, it degenerated into a mathematics course. And the reason was because Poodleville has no STEM industry and certainly not for ethnic minorties who are systematically held-back. Like many, I ended up in Poodleville's financial sector. So these spivs turned me into a spiv too; just chasing money. All I wanted was a career where I wouldn't get bored, but they thieved that from me too.
Leon Topalian, CEO of steelmaker Nucor , told CNBC's Jim Cramer on Friday that oversupply continues to be an issue for the industry, stressing the importance of advocating for efforts to prevent steel dumping.

"We've got to continue to advocate. The oversupply in the world, particularly out of China is significant," he said.

It's been five years since the the Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on steel imports, targeting foreign countries dumping steel into the U.S. market. Dumping refers to a practice in which a country exports certain products to other countries at a significantly lower price than those countries' home markets.

Topalian praised the Biden administration, specifically Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo as well as U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, for their grasp of the issue, citing the pair's "leadership and understanding this industry and not protecting free trade, but fair trade, because it's not just cheap steel, it's illegally subsidized and dumped steel that really harms this nation."

Ahead of earnings, Nucor preannounced lower-than-expected guidance for the current quarter last week, which sent its stock down 6% in a single session. Topalian said the company expected the second half of the year to be "softer" than the first.

"While there are some headwinds, I couldn't be more excited about our future and how we're positioned," he said.
A new exchange-traded fund is zeroing in on electric vehicle manufacturers.

Defiance ETFs runs the Solactive Pure U.S. Electric Vehicle ETF  which is also known as the Pure EV Index fund. It's designed to give investors a way to make a concentrated bet on the space.

"We realized that investors are buying a lot of ETFs for electric vehicle exposure. But if you break down what is in those ETFs because of the diversification role, they hold stocks like Apple, Microsoft , [and] Nvidia, " Defiance ETFs' Sylvia Jablonski told CNBC's "ETF Edge" on Monday. "So instead of just buying Tesla, you want a little more exposure to the space."

Tesla is the top holding for many electric vehicles ETFs after gaining more than 98% so far this year.

Other EV ETFs including Global X autonomous & electric vehicles ETF and KraneShares Electric Vehicles & Future Mobility ETF have holdings in companies that produce EV components or are tech-related.

However, the Pure EV Index fund is composed of only the five largest market-cap EV makers: Tesla , Nio , Rivian, Li Auto and Xpeng .

The companies in the fund must also "derive at least 50% of their annual revenue or operating activity from the development or manufacturing of electric vehicles" and have "high trading volume and liquidity," according to the Defiance ETFs website.

The ETF also exposes investors to "the world's largest economies" with three Chinese and two U.S. auto manufacturers, the firm's CEO and chief investment officer said.

Jablonski thinks recent policy proposals like the federal infrastructure bill and EV tax credits will help grow the industry even more.

The Pure EV Index fund's total net assets are currently $5.1 million. As of Friday's close, the ETF is up more 18% since its June 12 launch.

Disclaimer
Michael Baum's cybersecurity software company, Splunk, just sold to Cisco for $28 billion. It might have never even existed if Steve Jobs didn't visit Drexel University in 1983.

At the time, Baum was studying electrical engineering at the Philadelphia-based school. Jobs appeared on campus for business: striking a partnership with Drexel's leaders to provide students with Apple's brand-new Macintosh computers, which debuted in January 1984.

In a speech a year later, Jobs reportedly called Drexel "a pioneer for being the first university to fully incorporate the Macintosh" into students' studies. For Baum, now 61, the experience was eye-opening.

"Steve Jobs convinced our school to become the first one to adopt the Mac for all entering students. As soon as I saw MacPaint and MacDraw, I knew I had to figure out how this worked," Baum told U.K.-based The Gentleman Magazine in 2022.

Baum's infatuation was "love at first byte," he added, inspiring him to switch his major to computer science. "All of a sudden my brain went, 'How do these work?'" Baum told the BBC in 2020. "So I went headlong into software."

After graduating in 1985, Baum started working on his first startup, a software business called Reality Online that aimed to predict stock market performance. He sold the business to Reuters for an undisclosed amount in 1987, and went back to school to get an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Baum went on to establish himself as a serial entrepreneur, building and selling multiple software businesses before 2000. He also spent time as a Silicon Valley investor and an e-commerce executive at Walt Disney and Yahoo.

In 2003, Baum and two friends  Rob Das and Erik Swan  co-founded Splunk, a San Francisco-based company that helps companies monitor and analyze large stores of data. More recently, Splunk developed cybersecurity tools that rely on artificial intelligence to monitor machine-generated data for potential threats.

Baum served as the company's CEO until retiring in 2009. When Splunk went public in 2012, it was valued at roughly $1.6 billion. It's unknown how much money he made from Cisco's acquisition of Splunk, but he told the BBC in 2020 that he was, at the time, the company's largest individual shareholder.

In his retirement, Baum has refashioned himself as a vintner: He moved his family to France's Burgundy region in 2014 and bought the Chateau de Pommard winery, where he's currently the owner and operator.

The "inquisitive nature" that drove him to learn more about Jobs' Macintosh computers "continues to drive me today," Baum told The Gentleman Magazine.

"It provides me purpose, joy, and excitement," he said.

DON'T MISS: Want to be smarter and more successful with your money, work & life? Sign up for our new newsletter!

Want to earn more and land your dream job? Join the free CNBC Make It: Your Money virtual event on Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. ET to learn how to level up your interview and negotiating skills, build your ideal career, boost your income and grow your wealth. Register for free today.
In this handout photo released by the Governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhaev telegram channel on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, Razvozhaev speaks on the mobile phone as smoke and flame rise from a burning Sevastopol Shipyard in Crimea.

Ukraine on Saturday morning launched another missile attack on Sevastopol on the occupied Crimean Peninsula, a Russian-installed official said, a day after an attack on the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet left a serviceman missing and the main building smoldering.

Sevastopol was put under an air raid alert for about an hour after debris from intercepted missiles fell near a pier, Gov. Mikhail Razvozhayev wrote on the messaging app Telegram. Ferry traffic in the area was also halted and later resumed.

Loud blasts were also heard near Vilne in northern Crimea, followed by rising clouds of smoke, according to a pro-Ukraine Telegram news channel that reports on developments on the peninsula. Crimea, illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, has been a frequent target for Ukrainian forces since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of the neighboring country in February 2022.

Read more about Russia's war on Ukraine: Biden says U.S. is sending Ukraine ATACMS long-range missiles

Ukraine's intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, told Voice of America on Saturday that at least nine people were killed and 16 others wounded as a result of Kyiv's attack on the Black Sea Fleet on Friday. He claimed that Alexander Romanchuk, a Russian general commanding forces along the key southeastern front line, was "in a very serious condition" following the attack.

Budanov's claim couldn't be independently verified, and he didn't comment on whether Western-made missiles were used in Friday's strike.

The Russian Defense Ministry initially said that Friday's strike killed one service member at the Black Sea Fleet headquarters, but later issued a statement that he was missing.

Ukraine's military also offered more details about Friday's attack on Sevastopol. It said the air force conducted 12 strikes on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters, targeting areas where personnel, military equipment and weapons were concentrated. It said that two anti-aircraft missile systems and four Russian artillery units were hit.

Crimea has served as the key hub supporting Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Sevastopol, the main base of Russia's Black Sea Fleet since the 19th century, has had particular importance for navy operations since the start of the war.

Ukraine has increasingly targeted naval facilities in Crimea in recent weeks while the brunt of its summer counteroffensive makes slow gains in the east and south of Ukraine, the Institute for the Study of War said. Military experts say it is essential for Ukraine to keep up its attacks on targets in Crimea to degrade Russian morale and weaken its military.

Elsewhere, Ukraine's military said Saturday that Russia launched 15 Iranian-made Shahed drones at the front-line Zaporizhzhia region in the southeast, as well as Dnipropetrovsk province farther north. It claimed to have destroyed 14 of the drones.

Separately, Zaporizhzhia regional Gov. Yuri Malashko said that Russia over the previous day carried out 86 strikes on 27 settlements in the province, many of them lying only a few kilometers (miles) from the fighting. Malashko said that an 82-year-old civilian was killed by artillery fire.

In the neighboring Kherson region, Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin said at least one person died and three other people were wounded over the past day because of Russian shelling. Russia fired 25 shells targeting the city of Kherson, which lies along the Dneiper River that marks the contact line between the warring sides, Prokudin said.

Residential quarters were hit, including medical and education institutions, government-built stations that serve food and drinks, as well as critical infrastructure facilities and a penitentiary, he said.
Bilateral trade between India and Canada reached $10.5 billion in 2022, with key imports including pulses, newsprint, wood pulp and minerals. Here are the top 10 items that India imports from Canada:

Bilateral trade between India and Canada reached $10.5 billion in 2022, with key imports including pulses, newsprint, wood pulp and minerals. Here are the top 10 items that India imports from Canada:
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 23)  Journalist Karen Davila on Saturday shared that she was named as a United Nations Women Goodwill Ambassador for the Philippines.

"Yesterday, I was officially welcomed by UN Women Asia Pacific Regional Director Alia El-Yassir as the first UN Women Philippines Goodwill Ambassador serving the country & the region," she said in a Facebook post. "I honestly didn't know what to expect but was so surprised with how warm, welcoming everybody was at the UN Asia office!"

The UN Women is a United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and women empowerment. Among the popular UN Women goodwill ambassadors are Hollywood actresses Nicole Kidman, Anne Hathaway, and Emma Watson.

The 52-year-old veteran broadcaster said she is familiar with the issues covered by the organization.

"Many of the issues felt familiar as in my 30 years as a broadcast journalist, I have done stories, docus, advocated for women & girls rights. I always say the best investment one can make to lift a family out of poverty is educating a girl and empowering a mother," said Davila.

As an ambassador, she will be working with the UN Women in its campaigns and initiatives for women empowerment.

"I will be working with many UN Women champions and advocates back home to help bring about change in mindsets, behaviour and hopefully, in the everyday lives of women & girls thru projects we will be involved in," said Davila.

She added that she will be going to the UN headquarters in New York this October.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 23)  The Supreme Court on Saturday belied rumors circulating on social media that artificial intelligence will be used to check this years Bar exams.

The Office of the 2023 Bar Chair condemns these social media publications as false, baseless, irresponsible, defamatory, contumacious, detestable, and formulated with apparent intent to erode the integrity of the digitalized Bar Examinations, said SC in an advisory.

The SC called out the Facebook group page labeled Bar Law for Dummies Training Program and a Facebook account named Tsidkenu Dizon after they claimed that the examinations will be sorted, checked, and corrected by means of artificial intelligence.

The SC said experts will check the answers in each of the four subjects covered in the exam.

The 2023 Bar Examinations shall be checked by four (4) examiners per subject, all of whom are established experts in their respective fields, and who are by no means created or powered by artificial intelligence, it added.

The high court said that it has already identified the administrator of the two Facebook accounts.

It added that it will take necessary measures against the person, particularly, the prompt engagement of the National Bureau of Investigation in the conduct of criminal investigation of the nefarious activities and questionable circumstances surrounding this personality.




US President Joe Biden speaks during the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at UN headquarters on Sept 21, 2022 in New York City. [Photo/Agencies]



US President Joe Biden's remarks at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday show to what extent his deeds contradict his words.

Biden said the United States "seeks a more secure, more prosperous, more equitable world for all people", but he failed to mention the US embargo against Cuba, an embargo that has deprived the Cuban people of even ordinary goods, services and benefits, an embargo that has been condemned by the UN General Assembly every year for more than three decades.

Biden mentioned Haiti, which has been in a state of anarchy. The US often likes to brag about its nation-building ability, but it can't even help Haiti, which is only 1,300 kilometers away from Florida, restore stability and pursue development.

The US president also talked about his recent visit to Vietnam, yet he failed to mention the tragic legacy of Agent Orange, to name just one atrocity, which the US military used during the Vietnam War. Biden claimed that "with a concerted leadership and careful effort, adversaries can become partners, overwhelming challenges can be resolved, and deep wounds can heal".

That sounds as good as the title of Charles Kupchan's 2010 book How Enemies Become Friends. But I have not seen the Biden administration reaching out to countries it considers adversaries: the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Venezuela, Iran, Syria or Russia.

On the contrary, Biden has been busy driving a wedge among nations, desperately trying to isolate Iran in the Middle East and sow discord between China and other countries in Asia.

That's why his remarks relating to China are totally false. Biden said that none of the US partnerships are aimed at containing any country, clearly referring to China. He said the US seeks to responsibly manage the competition with China so it does not lead to a conflict, adding that "we are for de-risking, not decoupling with China".

I wonder how many people back in Washington believe his words. Just a look at the daily headlines in the US media, the talks by US lawmakers and pundits and even White House officials will show they don't believe Biden's words. The fact is, the US has been reckless in its attempt to contain China economically, technologically and geopolitically.

If the US' coercion of its European allies to ban Huawei 5G from their telecom networks, its pressure on Dutch chip-making equipment manufacturer ASML to restrict exports to China, its crackdown on Chinese tech companies, its bid to exclude China from the global technology supply chains and Biden's recent executive order banning investment in China's high-tech sector are not containment policies, then what is?

Biden also talked about cooperation with China on climate change, but the US' crackdown on China's solar panels and its discrimination against Chinese electric vehicles are undermining the global fight against climate change.

Biden bragged about the G7's Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, but the PGII launched in 2022 has been projected as a geopolitical tool to counter China's Belt and Road Initiative, which has been investing heavily to build infrastructure in the developing world.

If Biden is true to his words, he should direct his administration and persuade the other G7 members to join China and other countries in building infrastructure in Asian, African and Latin American countries so they can pursue development, instead of trying to turn the developing countries into geopolitical battlegrounds.

Moreover, Biden called for global unity on issues such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but the US administration has been waging a new Cold War to divide the world, after its hot wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya forced those countries into chaos and penury.

Most countries in the world have refused to join the US and the European Union in imposing sanctions on Russia. They have, instead, been calling for a cease-fire, dialogue and diplomacy, things that the US and NATO have rejected so far, to end the conflict.

The author is chief of China Daily EU Bureau based in Brussels.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 23)  The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has already seized a record high 31.5 billion worth of smuggled goods this year.

Ito po iyong highest ever record po ng Bureau of Customs, considering na hindi pa po tapos ang taon, said BOC director Verne Enciso in a media forum on Saturday, as cited by the Presidential Communications Office.

[Translation: This is highest ever record by the Bureau of Customs, considering that the year is not yet done.]

The BOC said that commodities infringing on intellectual property rights are on the top list of seized items.

The bureau also confiscated large amounts of cigarettes and drugs, it added.

Meanwhile, 3.3 billion worth of agricultural products were also seized this year.

Aside from setting a price ceiling on rice, Executive Order No. 39 issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also warrants inspection of warehouses suspected of hoarding and storing smuggled rice.

Enciso said that 236,571 sacks of rice imported from Vietnam, Thailand, and Pakistan were seized earlier in four warehouses in Bulacan.

The BOC added that it has also uncovered 36,000 sacks of rice in Tondo, Manila and 20,000 sacks in Las Pinas City and Bacoor, Cavite.

The bureau said claimants have 15 days to provide proof of payment of taxes and other regulatory duties for the imported rice stored in these facilities.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 23)  The Supreme Court (SC) released health guidelines for bar examinees on Sept. 24 after authorities raised the alarm over low air quality as smoke and fog covered cities in Metro Manila.

According to the SC notice, all bar examinees this Sunday are "strongly urged" to abide by the given set of protocols.

The high court's directives include limiting outdoor exposure, allowing air-purifying devices worn around the neck, and strict implementation of the "no-salubong-policy."

"Well-wishers are prohibited from loitering and congregating in areas that are reasonably within the immediate proximity of all LTCs (local testing centers)," the note read.

Air purifying devices are only allowed for examinees taking the bar at LTCs in the National Capital Region.

The SC said the devices will be subjected to "thorough inspection" during the security process. Chargers, extra batteries, and other accessories will be deposited during the checking.

The gadgets should also not have access to bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and/or other data-sharing technology and should not emit lights, sounds, and/or features that could disturb other examinees.

Examinees were also advised to wear N95 masks, but the court emphasizes that it is not mandatory.

The high court expects to welcome 10,791 Bar takers this year, including 5,800 first-timers.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 23)  The Office of the Ombudsman has junked the complaint filed by activist Reina Mae Nasino against personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) for lack of probable cause and substantial evidence.

Nasino had accused 18 policemen and 8 BJMP officers of maltreatment of prisoners, grave coercion, torture, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct, and oppression.

In July, a Manila court cleared Nasino and her two companions, Alma Moran and Ram Bautista, of charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

READ: Court clears Reina Mae Nasino, 2 other activists of illegal possession of firearms, explosives

The three were arrested on Nov. 5, 2019 and freed in December 2020.

READ: Activist Reina Mae Nasino released from jail

Nasino was pregnant at the time of her arrest. She was separated from her daughter, River Nasino, after giving birth while under detention. In October 2020, three-month-old River died from acute respiratory distress syndrome.

READ: Baby River Nasino laid to rest, but road to burial filled with tension
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 23)  The Philippine Coast Guard on Saturday confirmed the report that two Filipino fishermen were rescued after seeking help from a Chinese naval vessel in the hotly contested Spratly Islands.

Chinese state media Xinhua on Friday said the fishermen approached a People's Liberation Army (PLA) naval vessel after one of them suffered wounds inflicted by propeller blades.

According to the PCG, the incident happened in the vicinity waters west of Sabina Shoal, also known as Escoda Shoal, on Sept. 17. The area is part of the Spratly Islands, where the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan have overlapping territorial claims.

It confirmed that one of the fishermen was injured in the leg and was treated by a Chinese doctor onboard the PLA ship.

The coast guard added that it fetched the two Filipinos from the area, with PCG vessels departing on Sept. 18 and arriving there the day after.

In January this year, the PCG rescued seven Chinese crew members of a fishing vessel in waters off Guiuan, Eastern Samar after their boat's hull was damaged.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said earlier this month that Philippine troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal offered to assist a Chinese boat which got entangled on a mooring line while shadowing Filipino vessels during a resupply mission. The AFP said China refused the offer.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 23)  To Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, China's statement denying involvement in the destruction of coral reefs in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) showed the eastern superpower's insincerity and hypocrisy.

"Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! China continues to damage the WPS by its illegal reclamation activities in the SCS (South China Sea) and it was found to be a violator of international law in the 2016 Arbitral Award when such activities damaged the marine environment," Teodoro said Saturday.

The Philippines earlier this month accused China of harvesting and destroying the corals in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal in the WPS after its militia vessels were spotted lingering in the contested waters.

In response, China said the accusations had no factual basis and were an attempt to create political drama from fiction. Teodoro said Beijing's claim is propaganda.

READ: 'Political drama from fiction': China denies damaging coral reefs in West PH Sea

"Disingenuous propaganda lines such as this only serve to expose China's insincerity and will only heighten the mistrust by the Filipino people and the rest of the world of the Chinese Government," the defense chief said.

Maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal recently told CNN Philippines' The Final Word that Manila had a strong case against Beijing, as some local fishermen had been reporting China's coral harvesting activities since 2015.

China, in its statement, also accused the Philippines of causing ecological damage in the West Philippine Sea because of the BRP Sierra Madre -- a World War II-era ship deliberately grounded in Ayungin Shoal to serve as a military outpost in the disputed maritime zone.

"The statement of China that the grounded Sierra Madre is causing irrevocable harm is to put it as politely as possible--hypocritical," Teodoro added.

Some Chinese diplomats earlier claimed that the Philippines had agreed to remove the base during the administrations of former presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Joseph Estrada.

Former commander-in-chief Arroyo herself and Senators Jinggoy Estrada and JV Ejercito, the sons of Joseph Estrada, all have denied the allegations.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice and the Office of the Solicitor General are looking into the possibility of suing China and raising its alleged destruction of marine habitats to the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
A federal jury convicted a Virginia man earlier week of trying to arrange for sex with a child while in Billings.

Mark Samuel Baker, 57, was found guilty of attempted sex trafficking of a minor after a two-day trial in United States District Court. The indictment and eventual conviction of Baker followed an instigation on the part of the FBI, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Billings Police Department.

Baker got caught in an undercover sting when he tried to arrange to have commercial sex with an individual he thought was a minor under 16, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said in a statement published after the guilty verdict. His conduct exploits children and contributes to the scourge of sex trafficking, which our office will continue to aggressively prosecute.

In July 2022, the Gazette previously reported, Baker was in the Billings area as an employee with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the wake of historic floods in the region. He responded to an online ad for an escort service, and in an exchange of messages was told his potential escort was under the age of 16. Baker responded he was fine with that, court documents said, and he negotiated an exchange of $80 for sex with an underage girl. Baker arranged to bring the girl back to the Billings hotel where he was staying.

When Baker drove to a local park to meet with the girl, law enforcement arrested him. Baker was carrying $375 in cash, a hotel passkey and four condoms. During a subsequent interview with police, Baker said he only came to the park to see what would happen. He also said that he was a former police officer. Baker was an officer with the Winchester Police Department in Virginia for over a decade, according to reporting from the Winchester Star.

Yellowstone County prosecutors initially charged Baker with child prostitution. Within months of his arrest, county prosecutors dropped the state charges and Baker was indicted in federal court. The majority of those who testified at the trial were members of law enforcement who led the investigation. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided over the trial, while U.S. Attorneys Zeno B. Baucus and Kelsey A. Sabol served as prosecutors.

Prior to his trial in Missoula, which began September 18, Baker was out of custody on bond. Bakers attorney has since argued for Baker to remain out of custody until his sentencing. Baker is facing at least 10 years in prison, along with up to a lifetime of federal supervision. His sentencing is scheduled for February 2024.

Earlier this month, a former Indiana correctional officer was sentenced to 70 years in Montana State Prison for child molestation. Robert Lee Morrissey Jr. was previously convicted of three counts of sexual assault in Yellowstone County District Court. The investigation into Morrissey began after a teenage girl reported the abuse.
Batman has the Joker, Superman has Lex Luthor, and Wonder Woman has ... well, the person who comes up with Wonder Woman villains, because they're mostly terrible. She's one of the most recognizable characters in the world, and her most famous baddie right now is probably the angry woman-hating dwarf with mental powers from Harley Quinn. Hell, even the ones that made it to the movies would be bottom of the barrel material for other heroes. For instance ...

5 Cheetah Is A Jealous Party Girl Who Turns Evil Whenever She Looks At A Mirror Kristen Wiig plays Cheetah in Wonder Woman 1984 and, judging from the trailers, they're going with the version of the character who looks like a cast member from Cats but with rabies. Warner Bros. Pictures Is the world ready for more CGI felines? Haven't we been through enough this year? But the original Cheetah was far less intimidating. Instead of a feline mutant, she was a rich socialite who felt overshadowed by Wonder Woman during a charity event and had a psychotic break, causing her to imagine a cat version of herself in her mirror. Her evil fursona then commands her to fashion a cheetah costume out of a rug. That's it, that's her origin. No vats of chemicals or magic curses -- just "someone got more Instagram likes than me, now I'm a criminal" (or whatever the 1940s equivalent of Instagram was). DC Comics DC Comics DC Comics She was lucky she had a comfy animal skin rug and not, like, a straw mat. Cheetah's only superpower is that she's insane enough to go out dressed like that. Well, that and the fact that no one realizes she's Cheetah even though she covers everything but her face. She always turns back to "normal" at the end of her criminal rampages and resumes her privileged life like nothing happened, which is a powerful commentary on the flaws of the American justice system. Unfortunately, she automatically goes back into crazy cat lady mode whenever she so much as glances at a mirror: DC Comics DC Comics DC Comics Maybe learn to comb yourself without looking if you know this is gonna happen? Advertisement Wonder Woman is the only one who thinks that Cheetah and the socialite with the exact same face might be the same person (looks like Batman isn't the only master detective in the Justice League). Cheetah gets around this by simply changing her hairdo and putting on a hat, which makes Wonder Woman think she's a complete stranger. Naturally, Wonder Woman agrees to let this unknown woman chain her within seconds of meeting her. DC Comics "Say, my place, around 9?" Luckily, it's not true that Wonder Woman loses her powers when her hands are bound together, because that would be stupid -- she loses them when her hands are bound together by a man, duh. DC Comics Good thing Cheetah wasn't also wearing a fake mustache, then. But that's the old Cheetah. The one Kristen Wiig plays is a more recent character with a much less embarrassing origin: she was an archeologist who stumbled upon a ritual to become an immortal goddess and was immediately like "Sure, sign me up, I foresee no downsides to this." Unfortunately, the ancient plant god behind the ritual was expecting a virgin and this lady didn't qualify, so he gave her a curse that turns her into a cat monster with an unquenchable hunger for human flesh whenever there's a full moon. Yes, she was slut-shamed into supervillainy. OK, we take it back, this one's dumber. Advertisement

4 Doctor Poison Was A Crazy Japanese Princess (And Pretty Racist) In the 2017 Wonder Woman movie, Doctor Poison is a creepy, facially disfigured woman who creates chemical weapons during World War I, making her a true trailblazer in the area of female war criminals. Warner Bros. Pictures The Among Us movie looks fun. Advertisement About the one thing she has in common with the original Doctor Poison is the "creepy" part. In the early Wonder Woman comics, Doctor Poison was a Japanese princess who posed as a man to help the Nazis win World War II with her near-magical potions. She was only revealed to be Japanese royalty near the end of her first appearance, probably as the creators realized they hadn't filled the issue's obligatory anti-Asian racism quota. DC Comics "And I just made this elaborate disguise completely pointless." Advertisement Her potions are also much wackier than the chemical weapons seen in the movie. Her most famous one is the "Reverso" formula, which makes people do the opposite of what they're told (it's also known as "being a teenager"). The idea is that the American generals will be like "Hey fellas, let's go win the war," but the soldiers will go and do the opposite, dooming the country. The formula has unexpectedly sexy effects on the troops: DC Comics DC Comics This backfires spectacularly when all the enemy soldiers are too aroused to fight. In the end, Doctor Poison's femininity is her undoing -- Wonder Woman says she realized she must be a lady in disguise because of her "delicate hands." DC Comics "And if that doesn't work out, do you need hand models?" The fearsome Doctor Poison is eventually overtaken by Wonder Woman's dangerously sugar-addicted sidekick, Etta Candy, whose main purpose in the comic was serving as a vehicle for insensitive weight jokes. DC Comics We'll give you a minute to figure out the meaning of her name. Advertisement In her next appearance, Poison poses as a Chinese nightclub dancer and easily fools Wonder Woman's pilot pal Steve Trevor, even though he'd met her before, because all of the billions of people in Asia look the same to him (racism quota: met). DC Comics "Emperor Hirohito, what are you doing here?!" This time, Doctor Poison's new formula is a gas that stops the engines of all the planes in America, which is really stretching the definition of "poison." Years later, it's revealed that this criminal genius accidentally killed herself by drinking some "Reverso" and turning into a fetus. We're not sure why a chemical that makes people do the opposite of what they're told would cause reverse aging, so we're guessing someone told her "Hey, don't turn into a fetus" and she went and did that. Advertisement

3 Ares Had A Prison Planet Full Of Ladies In Bondage The movie version of Ares, Wonder Woman's half-bro and the god of war, is a sinister mastermind who has spent centuries orchestrating wars via political machinations and such. He's played by David Thewlis of "weird giggling mustached guy from The Big Lebowski" fame (and probably some other stuff). Warner Bros. Pictures Those aren't horns, that's just empty space to accommodate his mustache. Advertisement The original comic book incarnation of the character (called "Mars" in most issues, because the writers couldn't decide if he was Greek or Roman) shared the movie version's goal of sowing discord in humanity, but with a different method: kidnapping ghosts and turning them into slaves in planet Mars. And, because early Wonder Woman comics were just a flimsy excuse to show women in bondage, a whole section of Mars was reserved for hot, scantily clad female slaves. DC Comics Today, you have to pay hundreds of dollars in commissions to get fetish art this specific. One issue has a bizarre digression about Ares getting mad at one of his generals, an old creep called the Duke of Deception, and sending him to the women's slave quarters to be their slave. There's all sorts of blatant fetish stuff in these inexplicably Wonder Woman-less pages, from foot play to spanking to, uh, whatever this is called: DC Comics DC Comics DC Comics Tarantino has signed up to direct five Wonder Woman movies based on that first panel alone. Advertisement But the women in the prison can't resist the Duke of Deception's raw animal magnetism and start following his orders. They end up causing a riot, overthrowing Ares, and worshiping the Duke, who gets upgraded to King of Deception. Meanwhile, aside from the title page, Wonder Woman has yet to appear in her own comic. DC Comics DC Comics This was actually a backdoor pilot for a new series called Horny Old Guy Comix. Advertisement Ares is released within a couple of panels and the actual plot of the issue starts, making it even more obvious that this whole sequence served no point other than producing fetish art. Later, Wonder Woman spreads a magic incense made by Aphrodite over the prison planet, making "love reign" between the guards and the slaves. There's no way this didn't turn into a giant, messy orgy off-camera. DC Comics That horse still can't sit right. Advertisement Modern Ares has also had some dumb storylines, like the one where he possesses a tough guy by the perfectly '90s name of "Ari Buchanan" and becomes a ponytailed gangster. In the scene where he possesses Ari, Ares says: "I will scoop out most of you like a baked potato ... to be filled later with chili and cheese. And I will be the cheese!" It's like something straight out of an epic Greek poem. DC Comics To be read in David Thewlis' voice.

2 Giganta Was An Ape Who Morphed Into A Woman Giganta isn't in the movies (unless she's a post-credits surprise in WW84, in which case SPOILERS?), but she's been appearing in DC cartoons for over 40 years, from Super Friends to Justice League Unlimited to Harley Quinn. It's easy to see why, since the character is based around a pretty simple concept: a lady who turns giant. Warner Bros. Television She's very popular with pedestrians. Advertisement But her original version is ... a bit more complicated. Giganta started out as a gorilla who was artificially mutated into a human woman by an evolution machine. She can't grow giant or anything. Her abilities are 1) above average strength (due to having been an ape more recently than the rest of us) and 2) being a jerk who tries to kill Wonder Woman unprovoked, even though WW gave her some nice clothes. DC Comics DC Comics She may not be huge in size yet, but she's already a huge asshole (that's what the "H" stands for). Advertisement Then the evolution machine malfunctions and turns the Earth back into prehistoric times, because comics. Giganta teams up with some cavepeople to fight Wonder Woman, just to be a dick. She has no real motivation in these early stories other than "there's Wonder Woman, let's punch her." Future comics at least tried to justify Giganta's hatred of Wonder Woman by establishing that as a gorilla, she was madly in love with Steve Trevor. DC Comics "Females be crazy." -- Wonder Woman, feminist icon Advertisement Her '80s origin is also pretty convoluted and ape-related: she's a scientist who tries to steal Wonder Woman's body, but accidentally ends up trapping her own mind inside a gorilla. She's not very happy with this arrangement, so she selects a circus strongwoman as her next body-snatching target. She successfully re-switches bodies, which gives her the ability to grow giant because, again, comics. As for the innocent circus woman trapped in a gorilla's body, she's never heard from again. We wouldn't blame HER for hating Wonder Woman. Kinda dropped the ball there, WW.
The Great Chilean earthquake in 1960 had all kinds of aftereffects. It set off floods, tsunamis, landslides and even launched a volcanic eruption. It also caused some strange activity among the people who stuck around afterward.

Find out exactly what they did below, along with some quick advice connected to just how disgusting restaurants are.

15 Phallic Obsession Sigmund Freuds first great scientific triumph was discovering testes in an eel. No one had previously managed to locate any male eels gonads, and Feud dissected 400 eels until he finally succeeded at finding the elusive organs.

14 Worlds Greatest Attention Hog A man famous for filing frivolous lawsuits announced a lawsuit against the Guinness Book of World Records in 2009. He said he was suing them for naming him the worlds most litigious man. Guinness responded that theyd never named him anything, and this suit, like all his suits, was just a publicity stunt.

13 Blood and Wine It took humanity surprisingly long to figure out that blood circulates through the body and carries nutrients. Once we did figure it out, scientists theorized that various other fluids could work as blood substitutes. Perhaps, they suggested, we could replace someones blood with wine. Advertisement

12 Annie Coke-ly In 1903, a Hearst paper reported that Annie Oakley had been arrested for stealing to fund her cocaine habit. She spent the next decade suing them and every other paper that printed this false story, winning 54 cases.

11 Auk-Ward The last recorded sighting of a Great Auk happened on June 3, 1844. Three Icelandic fishermen, Jon, Sigurdur and Ketil, spotted a breeding pair and an egg. Two of the fishermen strangled the birds, and the third smashed the egg. Advertisement

10 An Easy Fix In 1892, Australia discovered that Mount Kosciuszko, their supposedly tallest peak, was slightly shorter than the mountain next door. To spare everyone the embarrassment of Kosciuszko not being so tall after all, they switched the two mountains names, so Kosciuszko would remain the tallest. Advertisement

9 Emergency High-Fives Chlamydia rates doubled among young Swedes in one year, from 2003 to 2004. The country responded by debuting condom ambulances, that would respond to emergency calls by dispatching condoms to the scene. Advertisement

8 No More Mr. Knife Guy A 19th-century man named John Cummings managed to swallow several knives, which passed all the way through his digestive tract without hurting him. He spent the next several years repeating the stunt for those who didnt believe hed ever done it. This killed him, of course.

7 The Rods of God One proposed weapon system would drop metal to the Earth from a large height, relying on pure kinetic power rather than any kind of explosive force. Drop a few tungsten rods from space, and theyd hit the ground at hard as a nuclear bomb, but without any nuclear fallout. Advertisement Advertisement

6 My Beards Pointing at Heaven Michelangelo really hated painting the Sistine Chapel. He even wrote a poem about how the horrors. My haunches are grinding into my guts, he wrote. My poor ass strains to work as a counterweight / Every gesture I make is blind and aimless.

5 Ice Holes When you get food poisoning after eating at a restaurant, you might have gotten it from the ice in your drink. The food was probably cooked, while the ice wasnt, of course, and may have been scooped from an ice machine crawling with germs. Advertisement

4 The Cutest Fish The official scientific name for one fish that lives in shallow Atlantic waters is Boops boops. It also has a series of informal names, all related to how big its eyes are. Advertisement

3 Swinging Stephen Hawking and his wife found some appropriate alternative partners. Jane Hawking started sleeping with a man in the church choir. Stephen left Jane for his nurse, who was also the ex of the man who designed his voice synthesizer. Advertisement

2 Quake Preparedness In 1960, after an earthquake, villagers in Chile carried out a human sacrifice to calm the earth and sea. A judge acquitted the killers, saying theyd acted without free will, driven by an irresistible natural force of ancestral tradition.
We know so much about history, and yet our knowledge is filled with holes. We have some Russian doodles dating back to the year 1260, showing a six-year-old imagining himself as a knight fighting monsters, but we have other whole years where our records are blank. For example, lets be honest, can you remember a single thing that happened in 2019? Or, more seriously, historians are stumped about such matters as...

6 What Volcano Blackened the World, Half a Millennium Ago? When we dig through the ground and analyze mineral records, we can learn all sorts of things about the distant past. We can also learn about the comparatively recent past, a time otherwise thoroughly covered by historical records. When we dug into the ice in Antarctica and Greenland, we discovered deposits of sulfur that had once been in the air. This pointed to a major volcanic eruption, which we calculate must have happened in the year 1458. Sebastiano del Piombo Columbus was seven years old. This was very much the era of recorded history. The word major in the previous sentence understates this event, hugely. This eruption added roughly as much sulfur into the atmosphere as the 1815 Tambora eruption, whose similar sulfur spewing resulted in the northern hemisphere missing summer because the ash blotted out the sun. Worldwide famine set in, as it did following the 1458 eruption as well. We know which volcano erupted in 1815 (Mount Tambora, in Indonesia). So, which volcano erupted in 1458? We dont know. It seems like we should know. An eruption that big should have created immediate columns of ash 15 miles tall and would have been audible a thousand miles away. However, we dont have records from anyone who saw or heard it. The eruption also created a tsunami that devastated some coast. We know it did, because it must have; we know how seismic events of that magnitude function. But here as well, we dont have records from anyone who got swept up in that. Science Photo Library Advertisement The records all got swept away, too The volcano probably stood in the tropics, and we thought we had a good lead for a while. The people of Tongoa Island in the Pacific had oral records of some massive volcanic blast in the 15th century. But we investigated and found that happened slightly earlier in the 15th century and wasnt nearly as big as what we were looking for. Confusing matters further, we stumbled on another enormous volcanic eruption, separate from the Tongoa one or the 1458 one. It happened in 1452 or 1453 and also led to worldwide effects and widespread famine. We dont know where this one happened either. If any of you were alive in the 1450s and witnessed either of these eruptions, please contact the United States Geological Survey at 1-888-392-8545 to send in your tip. Anonymity guaranteed. Advertisement

5 What Does pH Mean? The pH scale measures how acidic a solution is. Or rather, it measures how acidic a solution isnt  if something has a pH of 0, its extremely acidic, and if it has the max pH of 14, its extremely alkaline. You know all about the pH scale if you use quack remedies that promise benefits from balancing the pH in your body. Brittney Weng/Unsplash Advertisement For real balance, heres some alkaline water, with lemon! If youre a student of chemistry, you know how to calculate pH from the concentration of ions in a sample. But do you know what the letters pH stand for? No, you dont, and neither does anyone else alive. Advertisement The H stands for hydrogen  that much, we know. But the p? It doesnt stand for percent, though pH does measure the proportion of hydrogen. Nor, for that matter, does it stand for proportion. Many people think it stands for power, because pH takes into account exponents, which we sometimes describe using the word power. It cant, though, be power either (pH is the negative logarithm of hydrogen ion concentration, so power is really a bad way of describing anything here). CDC Maybe the p stands for... pee. Pee has pH, right? Various urban legends say it stands for various foreign words, like puissance, Potenz, pouvoir, potential and pondus. Some theorize that it means positive, relating to which electrode negative ions move toward, or that it might simply be the letter p, because n and o already represent other stuff. The only person who knew the real answer was chemist Sren Srensen, who coined the term pH in 1924. He died in 1939, and during those last 15 years, not one person asked him why hed named it that. Hey, we get it. Most of us avoid asking chemistry teachers anything if we can help it. Advertisement

4 Who Was the Guy on This Coin? Roman emperors lived thousands of years ago, and yet we know plenty about them. They were the most important people, in what enthusiasts assure us was the most advanced civilization. We know all about Julius Caesar; we know all about Claudius. We know so much about the emperors that men like Nero, Commodus and Caligula have traditional depictions in pop culture, which were able to debunk using the unvarnished historical record. Advertisement Then theres this guy: British Museum Thats Silbannacus. We know thats his name because its written on the coin. He must have been an emperor of Rome  we know that, because his face was on a Roman coin. In fact, everything we know about Silbannacus (not much) comes from this coin. This coin, and one other similar coin. Other than those, we have no record of him anywhere. Advertisement For reference, this was 300 years after the reign of Julius Caesar. It was after all those emperors we listed before, so the issue wasnt that people hadnt invented history yet. We also have detailed records of various emperors that came after Silbannacus, including plenty of stuff about his immediate successor. But we have nothing on this one guy, other than two coins. via Wiki Commons Just my two cents. Silbannacus must have been emperor for a couple months in the year 253. There was enough of a gap in the timeline for him to reign for a little bit. For a short spell in September and October, exactly 1,770 years ago this week, he was the most powerful person in the world. Then he was gone, leaving behind only two coins. Its like the poem about Ozymandias, king of kings, who died leaving behind only a statue, which collapsed. Except, we actually have a ton of info on the life of Ozymandias, so that guy was never close to being forgotten, though he lived 1,500 years before Silbannacus. Advertisement

3 What Is This Battery Made Of? In 1840, the science of electricity was taking its first faltering steps. Oxford professor Robert Walker bought a curiosity called the Clarendon Dry Pile, which he set up in his lab. It used some kind of chemical reaction to generate electricity, which sent a clapper back and forth between two bells. Its kind of like those swinging balls you see on desks today, professor desks included, but the Oxford bells dont rely on conservation of momentum. They rely on continuous electric power. Oxford University Advertisement The least painful way to apply electricity to a pair of balls. The swinging balls that you know so well (theyre called Newtons Cradle) stop swinging after a while. The Oxford Electric Bell? Its been running almost 200 years now, without pause. The bells have chimed two billion times. They continue to be powered by a single battery, the longest-running battery in history. The cell produces a huge voltage (measured in kilovolts), but a minuscule bit of charge passes with each chime. Advertisement We dont know how much longer the battery will last and indeed dont know what the battery even is. We have some idea  there has to be metal in there, and some kind of electrolyte paste  but we dont know, and no one has ever made another battery thats lasted this long. While we probably could make a battery with these properties today if we wanted to, as a gimmick, were sure curious how they managed it back them. DavidCWG/Wiki Commons Witchcraft? They still had witchcraft back then, right? The only way to find whats in the battery is to cut it open. This would end the ringing and may also end the world. To be on the safe side, were going to leave the battery alone for the moment.

2 What Do Levis 501s Mean? Jeans trivia is its own special branch of knowledge. Did you know that the rivets in denim are essential for holding the fabric together, and arent there simply to look cool? If not, pretend you did, else someone who did know will think youre dumb. Did you know that the leather patch that bears the brand logo is called a Jacron? And that the tiny upper jeans pocket (the one that fits a single key or an emergency ecstasy pill) was designed to hold your pocket watch? Tamara Bellis/Unsplash Advertisement Advertisement But I dont have a pocket watch!

You do. You call it a phone, and it goes in a different pocket now. And did you know what the 501 in Levis 501s stands for? Nope, you didnt, and as you might now guess, having read this far in the article, no one else today knows that answer either. The answer was formally written down, a century or so ago. The reasoning behind the number 501 was spelled out in company records, along with the logic behind a different line, called 201 jeans. These records were in San Francisco in 1906. That happened to be the year of one of the most destructive earthquakes ever. H.D. Chadwick For details about the quake, contact the U.S. Geological Survey at 1-888-392-8545. Records can be retrieved after a quake. The 1906 earthquake, however, immediately led to one of historys most destructive citywide fires, this one largely started by the firefighters. The truth about the 501s went up in smoke. Advertisement Maybe the explanation behind the number 501 is the same one behind the number 51 in Area 51. Thats not exactly a joke. Area 51 (properly called Groom Lake) was never officially designated Area 51 by the government, and no one knows for sure who chose that nickname or why.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  When an Ohio father learned that his 11-year-old daughter had been manipulated into sending explicit photos to an adult, he turned to the police for help.

But instead of treating the girl as a crime victim, an officer seemingly threatened to charge her under a law most people view as designed to protect child victims.

The shocking interaction was recorded earlier this month on body camera audio and by the father's doorbell camera in Columbus, Ohio. The footage drew criticism from the public and from experts who said law enforcement officials have long misused laws meant to protect children by threatening to charge them with being part of the same crime.

Experts said the incident also showed that training for officers on how to respond to child exploitation cases is spotty and not standardized between police departments.

It was a complete fail on a legal level and on a human level, said Scott Berkowitz, founder and president of the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network  the nations largest anti-sexual violence organization. I dont know who immediately goes to blaming a child in a situation like that. Its inconceivable.

In the redacted body camera recording, the father asks if there's anything the police can do. A female officer is heard replying that his 11-year-old could be charged with creating child porn."

The parent protests that she is a child, a victim who was manipulated by an adult.

It doesnt matter, the officer said. Shes still creating it.

The angry father ends the conversation and slams the door behind him. The video he posted to TikTok had been watched more than 750,000 times as of Thursday.

Police have not released the fathers name. The AP, which does not identify victims of alleged sexual abuse, reached out to him on social media and by phone this week but did not receive a response.

Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant responded quickly in a statement that the officers' conduct was being investigated and that it did not meet the division's standards for how victims should be treated.

Columbus police spokesperson Andres Antequera said the agency has a nuanced policy that considers each case individually, but that the focus is to protect the minor through education, counseling and social services, not criminal charges.

He said the department sometimes provides information on those resources to parents, as well as referrals for services.

But Antequera said Ohio statutes are clear that minors who create, possess or distribute images of child sexual abuse, even of themselves, are violating the law. He said prosecutors ultimately decide when to file charges, but he did not answer when asked whether Columbus police had arrested minors under similar circumstances in the past.

Rebecca Epstein, the executive director of the Center on Gender Justice and Opportunity at Georgetown Law, said charges against victims are common. Epstein co-authored a report in April looking at how survivors of sexual assault and abuse are often criminalized.

Girls who experience sexual abuse are often the ones who are punished for the sexual abuse that they experience. Rather than being treated as survivors who need support, they are funneled into the criminal justice system," she said. Our culture assigns complicity to girls who are too young to legally even consent to sex.

Epstein said minors who are trafficked or coerced into sexual acts or into creating or soliciting sexual materials can often be charged with crimes.

In the early 2000s, as cellphone cameras became common and sexting entered the national vernacular, juvenile justice advocates began fighting against prosecutors who wanted to charge minors for consensually sharing explicit images with other minors.

Riya Saha Shah, the senior managing director of the Juvenile Law Center, said the center was part of that advocacy and has continued to raise concerns about sexual exploitation laws being used against child victims.

These laws were really intended to prevent sexual abuse of children, to protect against the exploitation of children, Shah said. So weaponizing these laws against children to bring charges against them really misunderstands the law, and even worse, is flouting the laws purpose.

It's hard to know how many children are charged, partly because prosecutors can use the charges to elicit guilty pleas to lesser offenses, she said.

Shah, who said she also has an 11-year-old daughter, called the police response to a parent seeking help disappointing but not surprising.

There was no investigation into who the individual was who has these images in their possession, Shah said. It went right to punishing her, which unfortunately is all too common in a system that really isn't designed to help first, but rather to punish first.

This should be pretty basic stuff that when an adult abuses a child, you do everything you can to stop it, not to blame the child, he said.

How to take a break from social media Be easy on yourself and ask for help about social media use Helpful exercise to remind you what you're missing by scrolling Use your phone's screen-time tracking feature and limit social media use Physically distance yourself from your phone and apps Benefits of taking a social media break Reevaluate what you want out of social media Two and a half hours.
Association hires new president

Nikki Wegner has joined the North Dakota Long Term Care Association as president.

Wegner graduated from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, in May 2012 with a Master of Science in occupational therapy. She has 12 years of experience collaborating with and educating the public and professionals on Alzheimers disease and 10 years of experience with policy makers at the local, state, and federal levels.

She will work with current president, Shelly Peterson, until the end of the year. Peterson is retiring after 34 years of service.

Assel inducted

Karen Assel has been inducted into the North Dakota Recreation and Park Association Hall of Fame becoming the 28th member of the club at the NDRPA Hall of Fame induction ceremony during the NDRPA State Conference.

Assels career spanned 38 years in the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department where she worked side by side with local park districts.
It is late February 2024 and President Joe Biden is addressing the nation. Just a few weeks previously, he has performed poorly in the Democratic presidential primary in South Carolina  with a shocking number of defections to the maverick anti-vaccine candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Viewers are expecting an update on foreign policy. The news is currently dominated by the unexpected success of the Russian winter offensive in Ukraine. But it's his sign-off that takes the world by surprise.

'With America's future under challenge right here at home . . . I do not believe I should devote an hour or a day of my time to any personal partisan causes or to any duties other than the awesome duties of this office. . . Accordingly I shall not seek, and will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president.'

It could happen because something very like it has happened before  in March 1968, when Lyndon Johnson announced his decision not to run for re-election.

Johnson was not an old man  he was 59  but he had been plagued by health problems since suffering a serious heart attack in 1955.

Even so, it was a hard decision and Johnson might have changed his mind if he had performed better in the New Hampshire primary two weeks earlier.

It is late February 2024 and President Joe Biden is addressing the nation. Just a few weeks previously, he has performed poorly in the Democratic presidential primary in South Carolina  with a shocking number of defections to the maverick anti-vaccine candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr

This week, he left the Brazilian President Lula da Silva (far right) visibly frustrated when he wandered offstage at the United Nations without shaking hands

Why do I think Joe Biden will follow LBJ's example? First, as with LBJ, for health reasons. Biden was born on November 20, 1942. He will be 81 by the time of the next election, and 82 by the time he's sworn in if he wins. The next-oldest U.S. president, Ronald Reagan, left the White House in 1989 when he was 77.

Everyone has seen the clips of Biden falling off a bike near his Delaware beach house last year or tripping over a sandbag at the Air Force Academy commencement a few months ago.

This week, he left the Brazilian President Lula da Silva visibly frustrated when he wandered offstage at the United Nations without shaking hands. Earlier, Biden had stumbled into the Brazilian flag and nearly knocked it over.

I have met Joe Biden on multiple occasions over the years. I urged him to run for President in 2016, when he would have performed better than Hillary Clinton. The last time we were together  on St Patrick's Day, 2018, in the second year of Donald Trump's presidency  we joked about what might have been.

Biden has aged precipitously since then. An August survey from Associated Press/NORC found that 77 per cent of Americans, including 69 per cent of Democrats, think he is too old for another four-year term.

Nearly three quarters of respondents to a poll published earlier this month by the Wall Street Journal said the same.

Biden's age is a major reason why he and Trump are neck and neck in the most recent polls, even though Trump faces four criminal indictments. Indeed, the polling average published by RealClearPolitics puts Trump narrowly ahead at 45.1 per cent versus 44.6.

Whichever way you dice the polling data, Biden is in a weak position. His net approval rating is minus 12 per cent. At this stage in his presidency, Trump was on minus 11.6 per cent. With 42 per cent approval, Joe Biden is currently better off than Jimmy Carter in 1979, but in a similar position to Gerald Ford and much worse off than George H. W. Bush at the same stage. All of them failed to secure re-election.

Considering how strong the U.S. economy currently looks, an amazing share of Americans  64 per cent  think the country is on the 'wrong track' compared with 57 per cent at this stage in Trump's presidency.

And then there's the problem with Biden junior. Since 2018, the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigations, and Internal Revenue Service have been investigating Hunter Biden's tax affairs, drug use, foreign business dealings, and gun purchases.

On October 3, the President's son will be arraigned in person at a Delaware federal court on three criminal counts: of possessing a gun in 2018, while he was an illegal drug user, and lying in order to buy it. Hunter's lawyers have indicated he will plead not guilty.

Next week, the House of Representatives Oversight Committee will hold its first impeachment inquiry hearing, the goal of which will be to establish the extent of the President's involvement in his son's somewhat murky business dealings, notably in Ukraine and China. The White House has called the hearing a 'political stunt'.

Biden has aged precipitously since then. An August survey from Associated Press/NORC found that 77 per cent of Americans, including 69 per cent of Democrats, think he is too old for another four-year term

At a time when Americans' trust in politicians is at a low point, the Hunter Biden story hurts his father politically by inviting the response: 'All politicians are crooks, so why worry about Trump's misdemeanours?'

The worse the polling gets for Biden, the more Democrats talk privately about the need for a Plan B. After all, they backed Joe Biden in 2020 precisely to avoid a second Trump term.

And, as the case of Lyndon Johnson shows, it would not be the first time a president has bowed out of a re-election race. In fact, a total of six presidents have voluntarily forgone a run for a second term: James Polk in 1848, James Buchanan in 1860, Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880, Calvin Coolidge in 1928, Harry Truman in 1952, and LBJ in 1968.

Both Truman and Johnson waited until the primaries had begun before making their decision. Both were presiding over unpopular wars  in Korea and Vietnam, respectively.

Today, by contrast, Biden has already said he is running next year; the war in Ukraine isn't being fought by Americans; and it's much harder for a late change of plan because of the complexity of the modern primary system. To be on Democratic primary ballots, candidates must meet all 50 states' ballot access deadlines, which range from October 2023 (for early states such as Nevada) to March 2024.

READ MORE: Biden gives Kamala ANOTHER job: President taps VP to run the first ever federal gun violence prevention office Advertisement

That poses a problem for mainstream Democrats, none of whom wishes to seem disloyal to Biden. Two less serious challengers, Robert Kennedy and self-help author Marianne Williamson, are already running against Biden. But others are holding back.

There would be less of a headache if Vice President Kamala Harris were either popular or competent, but she is neither. Her approval rating is, in fact, slightly lower than Biden's. Yet Biden is adamant that he will not dump her from the ticket, although he certainly has the option to do that. If he dropped out after the primaries had begun, she would be hard to dislodge.

If Biden drops out before the primaries begin, however, then California Governor Gavin Newsom or Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro would both be stronger contenders than Harris.

Other Democrats who might run include Governor J. B. Pritzker of Illinois, who certainly has the money to finance a presidential campaign, and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

My money is on Newsom. For those unfamiliar with the tall, lean, and good-looking Newsom, 55, it's worth watching his interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity three months ago. True, in Newsom's time as governor since 2019 (and before that as lieutenant governor from 2011), California has sunk deeper into social difficulties.

Yet Newsom  who was briefly married to Kimberly Guilfoyle, later an adviser to Donald Trump  shows every sign of being ready to pivot to the political centre. And he could beat Trump simply by being young and presentable.

Newsom's problem is that only Joe Biden can decide on whether or not he should follow Lyndon Johnson's example. He is still the President, after all. And even a president in his dotage takes orders from nobody.

The first Democratic presidential primary election in South Carolina is on February 3. The Democratic convention is August 19-22. At some point between now and the latter date, my hunch is that Sleepy Joe will make way for Slick Gavin. But first Biden has to wake up to the fact that otherwise Donald Trump is going to win.

That, too, has been done before  by Grover Cleveland, who served two non-consecutive terms in the 1880s and 1890s. The more Democrats imagine Trump repeating that feat, the greater the pressure on Biden to do one last smart thing. Retire.
Horror can make us blind to doubt. For years I angrily scorned Chris Mullin's campaign for the release of the Birmingham Six, Irishmen wrongly convicted of the 1974 IRA bombings in that city.

I was so furious about the filthy cruelty of the crime that I could not see straight about the weakness of the prosecution.

I apologise to Mr Mullin, and learned from him that our justice system is not as good as we like to think.

So now I must ask: What if Lucy Letby is not guilty? Actually I very much wish somebody else in the national media would raise this. I have enough enemies as it is. But it looks as if it falls to me. Would it be bearable if her conviction was mistaken? This young woman has been condemned to die in prison. She has, since her conviction, been subjected to some very severe public condemnation. She has had to endure the (wholly justified and understandable) anger and grief of the parents of the babies she has been convicted of killing.

Cheshire police have confirmed they are now reviewing the care of 4,000 children - every baby admitted to the unit and that of Liverpool Women's Hospital, where Letby undertook training placements, during the footprint of her career, which began in September 2012

Letby injected children with air, overfed them milk and assaulted them while working at Countess of Chester Hospital (pictured)

From what I know of our prisons, you would be wrong to imagine that her endless days in custody will be any kind of 'holiday camp'. Some people, I know well, believe that anyone convicted of such a crime should suffer beyond the ability of a civilised justice system to punish them. Some relish the possibility that the condemned person may be persecuted by his or her fellow inmates. I find this attitude distressing and contrary to Christian teaching, but it is common and those who wish for it will very likely get their way.

Well, again, what if this happens and she is not guilty? Now, she has been convicted by a jury after a long and detailed trial, and I do not doubt that the jury had their reasons for taking their decision. I don't criticise them. It was a heavy responsibility either way.

But in the end they were making that decision almost entirely on the basis of circumstances. I must confess that I was prejudiced from the start in her favour, as I think many others were. How could this incredibly ordinary person, in a profession dedicated to human kindness, have done such a terrible thing? What was her motive? I have looked hard at the alleged confessional note but I think it can equally be interpreted as a very distressed, lonely and frightened woman describing her feelings after being accused by the police of unspeakable cruelty and of being an evil human being.

I am impressed by the fact she gave evidence in her own defence, over many days  a thing lawyers do not generally advise their clients to do if they suspect that they are guilty. I am profoundly impressed by the loyalty of a group of her close friends  crucially including her former colleague Janet Cox  who continue to believe in her innocence and to say so. Under the circumstances this requires considerable courage.

The close family of someone in this position have little choice but to be loyal. Friends, faced with a jury verdict of this kind, could be excused if they resorted to saying, 'Well, I would not have thought it of her, but' These friends say she is not guilty. Listen to them. They may just be right. Now I must tell you that a number of voices, apparently expert, have been raised by lawyers and scientists who are afraid there may have been a miscarriage of justice. I am not qualified to judge them, but if they are right there are flaws in the prosecution of Lucy Letby, in important claims made about the actions she supposedly took. There are also questions about the general state of the unit in which she worked. A body calling itself 'Science on Trial' has produced an interesting analysis of the case that I find quite disturbing. Recently, Dr David Livermore, a retired Professor of Medical Microbiology, has also expressed doubts. In an article for the Daily Sceptic website, he says: 'No one who cares about justice should be comfortable with this case.'

These voices are not alone. I cannot judge now whether the voices being raised are cranks or geniuses ahead of their time. An experienced defence lawyer tells me that it is increasingly difficult for defendants in such cases to find expert witnesses to testify for them  following the official excoriation, a few years ago, of one particular expert who had until then often given such evidence.

And others urge me to take note of the very similar case of another paediatric nurse condemned for very similar crimes  Lucia de Berk.

In 2003, she was sentenced to life in prison without parole by the Dutch courts for supposedly murdering her patients. Her initial appeal was thrown out. Statistical analysis of her shift-pattern, and apparently damning quotations from her diaries were used to convict her. But after a six-year campaign, the medical science on which she had been convicted was found to be seriously flawed, and she was exonerated on all charges.

PETER HITCHENS: What if Lucy Letby is not guilty? Actually I very much wish somebody else in the national media would raise this. I have enough enemies as it is. But it looks as if it falls to me

Lucy Letby was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six more at the hospital's neo-natal unit between June 2015 and June 2016. She injected them with air, overfed them milk and assaulted them. Pictured: the Countess of Chester Hospital

None of this means Lucy Letby is innocent. But when the courts of this country come to reconsider this case, I think it would be helpful to justice if as many people as possible keep their minds open to the possibility that she might be. If she is guilty, well and good.

But if, ten years hence, she stands under the TV lights in front of a courthouse, unrecognisable after years in prison, but free at last, I would rather be among those who had kept such an open mind, than among those who did not.

To me, King Charles's visit to France was deeply shocking on two counts. His blatant partisanship on the side of green zealotry, just about tolerable when he was heir to the throne, looks especially improper now that a major party in the state is at last beginning to grasp that net zero means national suicide.

There are millions who do not share his view, and he is their King too. He should respect them by keeping his political opinions to himself. And his ignorant repetition of the factually incorrect claim that the Russian invasion of Ukraine was 'unprovoked' (this seems to be the translation briefed to British media by the Palace of the King's words in French) is becoming tiresome. The Foreign Office, which presumably supplies him with this line, knows it is ridiculous, as does anyone with any knowledge of the subject. I'd have been interested to see what would have happened if he had told the French Parliament on Thursday that France's disastrous war with Prussia in 1870 was 'unprovoked'.

The wicked old Prussian Chancellor Otto von Bismarck knew (as modern statesmen do) that if you want a war, it is much better to get the other side to start it.
With its haunted house, scary nuns and sleepwalking scenes, you could easily mistake this BBC mystery drama for a horror film.

But the six-parter is inspired by the real-life Magdalene Laundries, Catholic institutions where Irelands fallen women  including abuse victims and teenage mums  were housed and forced to work from the 18th century until as late as 1996.

Set in 2015, the story follows traumatised Lorna Brady (Ruth Wilson) as she desperately searches for her child, who was taken away from her while she was a resident at one of these homes.

To prepare to play Lorna, Ruth visited Tuam in Galway, where the remains of hundreds of children and babies were discovered in the grounds of a former Mother and Baby Home in 2017.

A consultant was on hand to ensure the portrayal of life in the Laundries, which we see through flashbacks, was accurate.

Lorna, played by Ruth Wilson, in The Woman in the Wall's striking opening sequence

Every department, from design to costume and hair and make-up, researched what life was like in a Laundry in the mid-80s.

The drama is set in the fictional town of Kilkinure, so viewers dont make direct links to any real people.

The team filmed the series in Portaferry, a quaint coastal town in Northern Ireland chosen for its colourful buildings, which provide a contrast to the shows dark subject matter, although the crew had to endure the unpredictable Northern Irish weather while filming.

The series was shot in winter, which adds to the atmosphere but gave the crew a headache when filming outdoors as the wind was so loud it drowned out the actors dialogue, meaning the sound had to be fixed later. And in some scenes youll notice that the actors hair is inexplicably windswept!

In the shows opening sequence, where Lorna is lying in a country lane surrounded by cows, Ruth had to brave the cold in just a nightgown, while the crew kept warm in goose-down jackets.

Lornas house is the series key location. The exterior shots were filmed at a real property in Portaferry, while the interiors were built in an old mill in the Northern Irish countryside. The team even created replicas of the hedge and road outside the house.

The set was decorated to reflect Lornas troubled mind. Shes inherited the house from her parents and we see in flashbacks that the decor, including the outdated wallpaper and a painting of Christ, is identical.

The past hasnt been dealt with, says Ruth. Its still there facing her every day.

The shows adaptable set also allowed the crew to use the titular wall, in which Lorna hides a corpse, to great effect.

When it came to showing life in the Laundries, which are presented in flashbacks, a consultant was on set to ensure the portrayal was accurate

The actors could climb into the wall and some scenes were even filmed from inside it.

You can get lost in the architecture of the house, its almost its own organism, says executive producer Simon Maxwell.

Ruth really did put the body inside the wall, and later break it down with an axe, though she obviously had only a few attempts to nail this scene.

You want to get it right the first or second time, says Simon. Ruth smashed it!
A woman who works in the real life 'Conjuring house' that inspired the horror film franchise has revealed what it's like inside the terrifying house.

Madison Heinzen has amassed over 1.4million followers by making TikTok videos about her life, working at the farm house that inspired the paranormal films.

From house tours to livestreams, the TikToker gives viewers a look into what it's like to work and sleep inside 'one of the most haunted houses in America'.

The notorious home was the subject of the 2013 horror movie that focused on it's real life former owners, the Perron family, who lived there in the 1970's.

Madison says that she 'talks to ghosts' and even claims to have caught the face of one on camera.

A woman who works in the real life 'Conjuring house' that inspired the horror film franchise has revealed what it's like inside the terrifying house

She told viewers 'I found this footage that I filmed and it's a six second video, but something really caught my eye...

'I thought I saw something in the right hand corner move so I decided to crop the video and slow the frames down and you will not believe what I saw.'

She saw what she thought looked like a face and it 'freaked her out so bad'.

However, nothing has scared her enough to make her quit her job at the infamous Rhode Island farm house, where she often spends the night.

Madison is fascinated with the supernatural and her job involves running operations at the house and leading tours for visitors.

Her parents, Jenn and Cory Heinzen, who are paranormal investigators, used to own the property before it was sold for $1.5m - they lived there for two years.

The farm house in Harrisville is one of the most well-known 'haunted' houses in the United States and was originally built in 1763, though records date back only to 1836.

As seen in the 2013 movie, Carolyn and Roger Perron moved in with their five daughters in 1971 and began to notice strange things happening.

Also inside the house is a replica of the famous 'haunted' Annabelle doll

The 'paranormal activity' started as harmless occurrences like doors slamming and beds shaking but one spirit was 'angry and violent'.

Andrea Perron, the oldest of the Perron girls, spoke to USA Today about the experience in 2013.

She said 'My mother began to speak a language not of this world in a voice not her own. Her chair levitated and she was thrown across the room.'

Allegedly, eight generations of one family had lived and died at the farm in mysterious and horrible circumstances.

In the movie, the Perrons hired ghost hunters Ed and Lorraine Warren to investigate the property and rid it of the spirits who lurked there.

Madison's job is not for the easily afraid, though she makes light of it with humour in her videos.

In one clip, she jokes 'When your job is playing Five Nights at Freddy's in real life but with ghosts,' as she films herself watching the house's security cameras overnight.

In another, using what looks like ghost hunting equipment, she wrote 'When the spirits greet you by asking 'How are ya?'

The farm house in Harrisville is one of the most well-known 'haunted' houses in the United States and was originally built in 1763

As seen in the 2013 movie, Carolyn and Roger Perron moved in with their five daughters in 1971 and began to notice strange things happening

Allegedly, eight generations of one family had lived and died at the farm in mysterious and horrible circumstances

On film: From January 1971 until 1980, the home was own by Carolyn and Roger Perron, who were played by Lili Taylor and Ron Livingston in the film

Filming a more recent video, she wrote 'When these things just exist in a haunted house,' showing viewers a Ouija board, some very dark looking corners and even a replica of the famous 'Annabelle' doll.

A shocked commenter wrote 'don't you get scared?' to which she replied 'Nope! I love it here'.

Replying to a comment, she said she has seen 'full-bodied apparitions' though it doesn't happen often, adding 'Ive mainly seen outlines of shadow figures in the house though!'

Filming a 'day in the life' video, Madison explained that the first thing she does is get up and check the security cameras.

Next she 'makes sure to greet the house' by saying good morning to it: 'I don't know why, it's just something I've always done'.

In the movie, the Perrons hired ghost hunters Ed and Lorraine Warren to investigate the property and rid it of the spirits who lurked there

The notorious house in Burrillville, Rhode Island was at the heart of the 2013 horror movie, with its former owners, the Perron family, who lived there in the 1970s, serving as inspiration

The house was originally built in 1763, though records date back only to 1836

She then showers and brushes her teeth in the spooky home, before doing a sweep of the entire house 'to make sure everything's clean before the daytime tours and guests start arriving'.

People in the comments are surprised by how she can keep so calm in a place that's 'haunted'.

One viewer wrote 'The way Annabelle is just casually chilling pls no.'

Another said 'Your so brave, to sleep in that haunted house. If I ever come there as a guest. I will bring my sages, crystals and bible.'

Would you be brave enough to stay the night?
What a difference a day makes. When Queen Camilla stepped off the plane at Orly airport, she looked a little like Barbies grandmother.

Personally, I dont think anyone over the age of 12 should wear something so sugary it makes your teeth hurt.

But, hold onto your hats (note to Queen: next time, use hat pins)! By nightfall, the Queen was in navy Dior, and she finally looked regal.

The choice of a French couturier was both respectful of her hosts (though I doubt Madame Macron would choose McQueen were she to grace these shores) and inspired.

Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron pose as they leave the Elysee Palace during the State Visit

Camilla looked chic - and regal - in a navy gown from Dior, Camilla

In a gesture towards her French hosts, Camilla dressed in Dior - as did Madame Macron

Designer Maria Grazia Chiuri knows how to construct garments for women with bigger busts, and who might want to conceal their arms.

Her tailoring and fabric (nothing she makes ever creases) is second to none.

Camilla was genuinely The Queen - appearing as though she deserved to be the star of the evening.

Some niggles: the ensemble looked better once she removed the cape; she is only a size 12, so seemed drowned.

You also couldnt see her feet, which made me wonder if shes on casters. The late Queen Elizabeths favourite designer, Norman Hartnell, always ensured the hem at the front of a gown was a few millimetres off the floor, gathering dust only at the back.

Princess Margaret was an early fan of Christian Dior, wearing it often: criticism that she eschewed British designers after the war was misplaced, as Christian Dior had opened an atelier in London.

Camilla was genuinely The Queen - the star of the evening

Camilla wore diamond and sapphire necklace which had been given to the late Queen Elizabeth as a wedding present from her father, George VI

Queen Camilla smiles ahead of making a speech to launch a new UK - France Literary Prize during a reception at the National Library in Paris

Alas, on Thursday, Camilla was in another Fiona Clare coatdress, this time in medical whitel. The bag and shoes were Chanel, so perhaps she found time to pop to Rue Cambon.

Gabrielle Chanel, too, was an anglophile: the new V&A exhibition has entire rooms devoted to her love of British fabric and artisans.

The new retrospective of Gabrille Chanels work at the V&A in London would surely inspire the Queen. Chanel was all about ease of wear, with enough sparkle to make you stand out in a crowd, even in monochrome. Lets see more hour-glass silhouettes!

The new Queen has seemed a little shy of making an entrance in the past.

But that navy Dior ensemble, and how it went down so well in the normally sniffy French press, must surely have given her confidence to take centre stage in the future.
Meghan Markle was effortlessly chic in a monochrome, statement coat as she attended a star-studded charity fundraiser in Santa Barbara last night.

The Duchess of Sussex, 42, and Prince Harry, 39, made an appearance at Kevin Costner's 'One805 Live!' event for first responders, held at his $26 million polo field on Friday.

The loved-up couple were joined by the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres, while the parents of pop royalty Katy Perry were also in attendance.

The fundraiser was held at the oceanside estate of Costner in Summerland, California, and 'last chance' tables cost $12,000 each.

Meghan and Harry looked relaxed as they took another step into the heart of Hollywood, with the Duchess of Sussex opting for a monochrome, 'clean girl' style.

Meghan Markle was effortlessly chic in a monochrome, statement coat as she attended a star-studded charity fundraiser in Santa Barbara last night

The focus of her outfit was a statement cape-style jacket, which featured a high funnel neck and tie waist, in a black and white striped pattern.

She kept her hair in a sleek up-do, adding a touch of glamour to the ensemble with a pair of gold hoop earrings and a simple gold watch.

Meghan completed her look with a pair of tailored black trousers, and kept her make-up to a minimum for the star-studded fundraiser.

Prince Harry also opted for a monochrome look, in a sleek black suit and shirt.

The couple were animated as they chatted among the guests in Santa Barbara, stopping to take photographs with the parents of Katy Perry.

They were introduced onstage as special guests, before Meghan presented Costner with an honorary award.

Maroon 5 headlined the Fall One805LIVE! Festival this year which once again took place on the oceanside estate of Costner in Summerland.

General admission tickets went for $350, while a table could cost you up to $12,000 for what they refer to as 'last chance' tickets.

The Duchess of Sussex , 42, and Prince Harry , 39, made an appearance at Kevin Costner 's 'One805 Live!' event for first responders, held at his $26 million polo field on Friday

The loved-up couple were joined by the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres , while the parents of pop royalty Katy Perry were also in attendance

The fundraiser was held at the oceanside estate of Costner in Summerland, California , and 'last chance' tables cost $12,000 each

Meghan and Harry looked relaxed as they took another step into the heart of Hollywood, with the Duchess of Sussex opting for a monochrome, 'clean girl' style

The focus of her outfit was a statement cape-style jacket, which featured a high funnel neck and tie waist, in a black and white striped pattern

She kept her hair in a sleek up-do, adding a touch of glamour to the ensemble with a pair of gold hoop earrings and a simple gold watch

One805 described the event as taking place at 'Kevin and Christine' Costner's sprawling estate, despite their recent divorce and dispute over said home.

Baumgartner, 49, a fashion designer and 68-year-old Costner's second wife, had cited 'irreconcilable differences' in her divorce filing on Monday, May 1 after 18 years of marriage.

In July, close friends of Baumgartner told DailyMail.com that the mother-of-three played an essential part in the close knit community and was involved in the planning.

'Christine is very much a behind-the-scenes person and has offered a tremendous amount of support to the upcoming fundraiser with Maroon 5 in September which will be held on their property,' friends told DailyMail.com.
As the hit new dating show My Mum, Your Dad drew to a close last night, recently widowed postman Roger found love with Janey, with their children both giving their full approval of their relationship.

But after many took to social media to question Roger's decision to begin dating just a year after the death of his beloved wife, Alex Delaney shares why she couldn't disagree more with people's objections.

Closing the door to my first-floor flat and walking down the stairs, I spotted my neighbour at our communal front door. After giving me a thorough inspection, she suspiciously asked: 'Are you going on a date?'

I won't ever forget those words, so crisply delivered in stinging judgement.

The truth was, I was meeting a rather lovely man. Someone I had made an effort for - smart jeans, eye-catching top, some makeup, too. And she noticed. Why was she was so astonished and judgey? Because my husband had died only six months before.

Her words rang in my ears all night, but I still had a good time on London's South Bank. My date George had touchingly brought a picnic along with a flask of mulled wine too.

It was the sweetest gesture and for those few precious hours we flirted together, I was able to forget I was a widow.

ALEX DELANEY: Closing the door to my first-floor flat and walking down the stairs, I spotted my neighbour at our communal front door. After giving me a thorough inspection, she suspiciously asked: 'Are you going on a date?'

My Mum, Your Dad: I couldn't disagree more with the hoo-ha over 58-year-old postman Roger Hawes daring to start dating again (Pictured: Roger and Janey)

Alex and Nic pictured on their wedding day in Italy in September 2013

Looking back at my neighbour's reaction, I know it's entirely normal  for those who haven't been widowed.

But what should I have been doing? I was 34 at the time. Should I have been at home alone while the world went on living without me? Whatever I did it was never going to bring my lovely husband Nic back.

And that's why I couldn't disagree more with the hoo-ha over 58-year-old postman Roger Hawes daring to start dating again after losing his wife to cancer.

The star of My Mum, Your Dad has ignited a debate on social media about whether he should even be dipping his toe back in the dating pool. And yet he's clearly participating with family approval  his eldest daughter Jess nominated him to appear on the ITV series a year after her mum had died.

What person would genuinely deny Roger happiness? I firmly believe that a year without even the merest whiff of a date is a perfectly acceptable, if not graceful, period to mourn your wife.

I knew I was ready to start dating three months after my husband had died. Before you write me off as some sort of flint-hearted black widow, nothing could be further from the truth.

It's because of how loving Nic was towards me that I simply couldn't bear to be on my own. The desire to meet someone was visceral. I'd lost my husband in such an abrupt way that I couldn't close down those feelings of need and desire. When I tell people this, they don't understand that it wasn't something I could switch on and off.

Nic and I met when I was 23 via a dating app, and there was a powerful, instant physical attraction between us. We married when I was 27 and we started trying for a family, undergoing IVF fertility treatment for a year. We'd made plans for our future and both wanted children. We were the kind of couple that had picked out names for our kids.

'I knew I was ready to start dating three months after my husband had died'

In January 2018 we'd enjoyed a fabulous holiday in Portugal, but 48 hours later, Nic collapsed at our two-bedroom flat in Hackney, east London. I called an ambulance but he was only just conscious when we reached hospital, and 40 minutes later he was dead from a pulmonary embolism  a blood clot which had travelled from his leg up to his lungs. He'd had a deep vein thrombosis, possibly from the flight, but as there was no swelling in his leg, it wasn't picked up. I didn't even have time to say good-bye. He was just 39. I was so utterly flayed by what had happened, I had to be physically helped out of the hospital by my father and a nurse, only to return to our empty home and the wreckage of my life's plans.

Losing your love is horrendous. Yet I absolutely knew Nic would have told me to get through it however I could; he would have understood.

It was three months after my husband died, that the feelings of loneliness overwhelmed me. My sister stayed with me for the first few weeks, but no matter how wonderful your friends and family are (and I consider myself extremely lucky in this department) they have to get back to their own lives. Girlfriends had young families to attend to and I had to go back to my job in communications for a charity. When I wasn't working, I filled my empty hours with workouts and walking for three hours a day. I couldn't do normal things to relax, like reading, because I was so unable to focus. I just found myself reading the same page again and again. The truth was I couldn't cope with being alone.

I missed being able to kiss and cuddle Nic at the start and end of each day. If I was having a down moment, he was always there to give me a massive hug, and suddenly that was gone. There was nothing to stop me from spiralling.

On a practical front Nick was great at doing stuff around the house, everything from phoning the gas company to making me a cup of tea most mornings. At the weekends we'd read newspaper articles to one another or even passages from books we were enjoying. It was those small, yet lovely intimate gestures that married couples share with one another that made up our lives. Nic was always a more tactile person than me, and I really missed his touch.

I had only ever had five sexual partners before meeting Nic and they were all serious relationships. I'd never been unfaithful or flirtatious with anyone else while I was married, either - it just wasn't in my nature.

The first time I logged on to a dating app I definitely felt guilty. I didn't know what I was looking for except to be less lonely. Back then, I also, naively perhaps, assumed that I wouldn't ever fall in love again.

Roger is clearly participating with family approval  his eldest daughter Jess (pictured) nominated him to appear on the ITV series a year after her mum had died

'What person would genuinely deny Roger happiness?'

Perhaps predictably, the first few dates I went on were fairly grim. Some guys made it clear they didn't want to date a recently bereaved widow; others tried to take advantage of my vulnerable situation. Those types instantly pegged me - wrongly - as someone they could have no-strings-attached sex with.

There were a few guys I saw who were genuinely looking for a wife and I had to tell them it wasn't going to be me. I was ready to date, and have sex, but I wasn't ready to commit to someone new.

I eventually figured out which apps to use to meet someone, and if I liked the guy I would sleep with him. And while 99 per cent of the time the sex was terrible, I did get the feeling of closeness I craved from these encounters.

I had my own yes and no dating list. On the yeses were men who looked utterly different to Nic. He was clean shaven and smart looking, so I went for slightly wilder bohemian types. On the nos were men who were also recently bereaved. I knew more than anyone how desperately sad their situation was and I couldn't risk forming an attachment with someone who was as vulnerable as I was.

My sister knew I was dating again, I told her from the start so she always knew where I was. She was the one person in my life who was totally non-judgemental. She just listened and told me what I needed to get through the pain.

Yet I waited months (and months) before telling anyone else. I just knew there would be judgement around my circumstances and it would feel weird having to explain I was doing this when there were still framed photographs of Nic and I dotted all around my home and my family's homes. Men never commented on the photographs, I don't think they really cared.

I met my current partner in May 2019, 16 months after Nic's death. We'd met online and we went to the pub. That night I went home on my own, knowing that this was a good person and I wanted to see him again. He was unbelievably kind about my grief and love for Nic  which is important, because those feelings will always be there.

So I'd say this to Roger and anyone else judging him: be kind. We never close the chapter on our life with our late spouse, we simply bring their cherished memory with us when we start the next one. I hope with all my heart he and his daughter Jess get what they want from the show.
Prince Andrew appeared in high spirits as he enjoyed a quiet horse ride around the grounds of Windsor Castle today.

The Duke of York, 63, was only accompanied by a groom for his typical Saturday morning outing, which his brother Prince Edward sometimes joins.

Andrew and his riding companion chatted animatedly throughout the jaunt, with the father-of-two seen smiling widely in a purple crewneck jumper and riding jodhpurs.

He also wore a pair of riding gloves and kept safety in mind with a helmet.

Last month, Andrew was seen travelling to church alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales as they joined other royals for the first summer break at Balmoral since the late Queen spent her final days there before her death a year ago.

Prince Andrew appeared in high spirits as he enjoyed a quiet horse ride around the grounds of Windsor Castle today

But while the outing was seen as a 'public statement of togetherness' - it's clear Britons aren't so keen on Andrew being 'welcomed back into the Royal Family's fold', with an exclusive poll by MailOnline showing he is the nation's least favourite royal.

The Duke of York should receive no public money, according to almost 80 per cent of Britons, with just one in ten saying he should - fewer than those who wanted to see a fictional Earl and Countess paid taxpayer funds.

Andrew should also be removed from the line of succession, the vast majority argued - despite being eighth in line to the throne and often spoken of as the late monarch's favourite child.

Almost 80 per cent of the public think he should be barred from inheriting the crown - meaning Andrew fared even worse in public opinion than Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle.

The British public also largely share the view that King Charles should ensure his controversial younger brother must never be allowed to return duties again.

Almost half of people surveyed believe 'there are no good things about him, only bad things' when it comes to the Duke of York.

The 63-year-old is no longer a working royal, despite pictures of him at a Balmoral church service last month indicating the Windsors were welcoming him back into the fold.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline at the time that the photographs of Prince Andrew travelling to church with the Waleses were 'clearly intended to send a message of family unity'.

The Duke of York, 63, was only accompanied by a groom for his typical Saturday morning outing, which his brother Prince Edward sometimes joins

Andrew and his riding companion chatted animatedly throughout the jaunt, with the father-of-two seen smiling widely in a purple crewneck jumper and riding jodhpurs

But he insisted it was not a sign Andrew could return to public duties in any form.

It has been a dramatic fall from grace for a man, who, as a Royal Navy veteran of 22 years once commanded the respect of a nation.

He has since given up his HRH titles and had his honorary military roles stripped by the Queen, being denied the right to wear his military uniform on a number of occasions, including as he followed his mother's coffin.

Andrew quit his role as a trade envoy when pictures emerged of him walking in New York's Central Park with American financier and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in 2010.

Images also surfaced of the Prince with his arm around Virginia Giuffre, who claimed that Epstein employed her as a masseuse but exploited her while under-age.

Giuffre has alleged she was forced to have sex with him three times aged 17 when under Epstein's orders - a claim Prince Andrew continues to vehemently deny.

Then came the car-crash interview with Emily Maitlis on Newsnight in 2019 - an attempt to wash his hands of the controversy that blew up in his face.

Andrew paid Virginia Giuffre a reported 12million out-of-court settlement last year to get her to drop her civil claim in the US.

While Andrew has largely kept a low profile following the string of scandals, it seems from the new poll data that the public would like to see even less of him - with 53 per cent of people saying he should undertake fewer public engagements.
As a hairdresser of 16 years, Lauren Mackellar's identity was wrapped up in everything hair care.

The 38-year-old, from Melbourne, was a stylist to the stars and working on her own line of hair products towards the end of 2021 when everything came crashing down.

An 'excruciating' migraine brought her to the emergency department where doctors found a fist-sized aggressive tumour in Lauren's brain and she was rushed to surgery in the matter of hours to have it removed.

Surgery removed the entire tumour, but Lauren had to go through 18 months of intense radiotherapy and chemotherapy which killed all her follicles.

She was faced living the rest of her life with no hair whatsoever.

With a half-baked line of haircare products under her belt, Lauren started using her own formulated tonic in the hopes her hair would grow back in any way. Six weeks after going bald, Lauren started to see progress.

Speaking with FEMAIL, Lauren said she is now completely cancer-free, and was able to miraculously grow a full head of hair thanks to the miracle tonic she sells under her own brand Robe Haircare which she launched in June this year.

Lauren Mackellar (pictured) was working as a hairdresser and formulating her own line of haircare products before she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain cancer

The 38-year-old had intensive radiotherapy which killed all her follicles and doctors said it would never grow again but she created a unique formula that saw her gain her locks back

With her boyfriend Tom out of town, Lauren was sitting in a doctor's office by herself when she received the terrifying news she had brain cancer.

'I asked the doctor, he was so lovely, I asked him, "can you hold my hand?" because I was on my own,' Lauren recalled.

'He held my hand and I said, "am I going to die?". He said no but I didn't believe him.'

Lauren had a rare and unpredictable tumour the size of her fist in her brain behind her right ear that had been developing for years.

'It was really hard to digest, that's for sure. My whole life really changed in that moment. I remember everything about it, I remember his shoes and everything.'

It wasn't the news Lauren was expecting to receive when she went to the emergency room to get pain medication for a bad migraine.

Lauren had been suffering from migraines since she was a teenager and developed a number of pain-coping strategies over the years.

Lauren went to the emergency room with a 'debilitating' migraine however scans showed she had a fist-sized tumour in her brain and she was rushed to surgery just hours later

However, over a span of three weeks, Lauren suffered migraine so 'debilitating' nothing she tried would curb the pain.

'It got to the point where I was in tears. One morning when I woke up I was in excruciating pain and all of my tried-and-tested remedies that I'd used in the past, nothing was helping,' she said.

The hairdresser was also starting to notice 'blind spots' in her vision and had pain in her wrist which she then chalked down to a work-induced carpal tunnel injury.

But these were all symptoms of the cancer growing in her brain that had developed to a point doctors were astounded Lauren was functioning almost as normal.

'They were all just so amazed I was cognitive,' she said.

'They were like, 'How are you still walking and talking? It's amazing you haven't had seizures or gone unconscious.'

Just 30 hours after visiting the emergency room and an anxious overnight stay in the hospital, Lauren was wheeled into surgery to remove the cancer.

'(The neurosurgeon) made arrangements to move his schedule around so that I could be the next one operated on which made me feel safe and secure. They're taking action and I know I'm in the safest place,' she said.

The surgery removed the entire tumour but it was found to be cancerous so Lauren went through weeks of radiation therapy which killed her hair follicles leaving her bald

'But it also made me realise, I've had this tumour for such a long time - which they suggested I did because of how big it was  why is it so urgent that we get rid of it right now? He said, 'Because if you go unconscious, you won't wake up'.'

The surgery went without a hitch and doctors were able to remove the entire tumour but it was found to be cancerous.

'It was a pretty aggressive cancer. It was a very rare tumour that's very unpredictable so I had to get cancer treatment,' Lauren explained.

She had less than a month to recover from surgery before starting daily intensive radiotherapy which caused all her hair fall out in just three weeks.

'When I finished they said the intensity of my particular treatment, my follicles were too damaged and it's unlikely my hair will ever grow back or if it will it might be years down the track,' she said.

'At that point I felt so vulnerable. The scar was pretty shocking, it was so big Hair to me was the most important thing in my life, I had built a career around it.'

This wasn't Lauren's first time experiencing hair loss. Through her twenties, her hair started thinning due to stress.

From her 16 years as a hairdresser Lauren worked with experts in the industry as well as celebrity clients including Australian actress and model Olympia Valance (right)

'When you're a 20-year-old girl and your job involved standing in front of a mirror, it can be pretty confronting and annoying,' she said.

'All I wanted was to feel like I had what the standard of beauty at the time was telling me was beautiful which was always thick luscious hair.'

From her 16 years as a hairdresser Lauren worked with experts in the industry as well as celebrity clients including Australian actress and model Olympia Valance.

Through those years she spoke with countless women in her chair, both in Australia and Los Angeles and found her experience was not uncommon.

'I would constantly see and hear their frustrations about their hair. Things like hair loss, thinning, textural changes that would happen during menopause or perimenopause. Postpartum hair loss was a huge one too,' she said.

'I saw how much it affected their mindset. I've always been someone who really likes to help in any way and share as much of my knowledge as I can to help them feel better about themselves.'

Lauren struggled to find effective haircare products that would treat her and her clients' hair issues in the long term so started doing her own research.

She began looking into what was already on the market as well as alternative medicines and ingredients.

Lauren was no stranger to hair loss having experienced it mildly in her twenties due to stress. Before her diagnosis she had started developing a tonic to encourage hair growth

'I loved learning about these incredible health ideas that have been used for centuries. It taught me a lot about all these incredible ingredients that were promoting hair health and hair growth,' she said.

'I started buying these ingredients and herbs. At the time they were only available in a loose-leaf, or a capsule and I'd make them into teas. I started taking them and noticed that my hair improved.'

With her new-found knowledge, Lauren enlisted the help of a chemist to formulate her own products she could use and recommend to her clients.

'I learned that, yes, ingesting is really helpful but something that you can put on the hair that has those ingredients that would go straight to the source of the issues, the results would be even more powerful,' she said.

'I was also really adamant that there were no nasties in there. No silicones, no parabens, no SLSs, - all those things that a lot of products use because they offer that cosmetic look but they can actually damage the hair in the long term'.

The idea of her own haircare line was 'bubbling away' as Lauren tested and trialed different formulas on and off before her diagnosis.

After coming to terms with potentially never having hair ever again, she started using a tonic she had created in hopes it could make a difference.

'I had the tonic already sitting there that I had been trialing when I had hair. While I had been using that my hair had been in the best condition it had ever been in,' Lauren said.

'I knew that it worked but I knew it obviously had its work cut out with my situation.'

'I began using (the tonic). I was rubbing that onto literally a bald head, there was nothing there but I kept it up and six weeks later, I noticed tiny little hairs sprouting up,' she recalled

She was facing a year of chemotherapy treatments which could hinder her hair grown even further however she persisted.

'I began using (the tonic) and even though I was rubbing that onto literally a bald head, there was nothing there. I just kept it up and it was only about six weeks later, I noticed tiny little hairs sprouting up,' she recalled.

'When I started seeing little sprouts of my hair, I was like, okay, this is amazing even if I just have short hair for the rest of my life or even if it's patchy, I'll have something.'

Her hair growth wasn't just a sign of gaining her locks back but of her body coming out of adversity.

'I went through so much for so long to feel like first of all my identity is coming back and secondly it's a sign that my body is working. It was big celebrations.'

Despite the chemo, Lauren's hair kept growing and when she finished the treatment in June this year she had dark, wavy hair all over her head almost down to her shoulders.

Lauren's vision, however, would not recover. What started as blind spots is now a severe vision impairment that has halted Lauren's work as a hairdresser.

'I've lost a fair majority of my vision. The surgeon warned me that it was likely to be that way. He told me that was a cause of the tumour swelling and compressing the optical nerve,' she said.

'I had been told that it would be permanent but it's okay, I can still see but I won't be able to do hair really anymore.'

'It's actually been kind of a blessing in a way because I can pour all of my knowledge and experience into Robe.'

Knowing her products worked, she launched Robe Haircare in July, just a month after finishing chemo and being declared cancer-free.

'It was nice to finish one chapter and start another on,' she said.

'I created a product that will be able to help so many people, no matter what they're going through with their hair but now I really can attest to it and say hand-on-heart they really work and made me feel so much better about myself.'

It was dream come true to finally provide something to help all those clients whose confidence had been dashed by issues with their hair.

Even after getting the news of her brain tumour and before surgery, Robe was on Lauren's mind.

Robe now sells The Tonic for $69.99 which helped Lauren get her hair back and contains natural ingredients which all promote and encourage growth and nourishment

Also available from Robe are the lengthening, thickening and youthful shampoos and conditioners as well as a hair fragrance, leave-in treatment, and a clean and finish formula

'I thought I need to make calls and make sure it goes ahead no matter what because I've put so much heart and soul into this and I believe in this product so much that it would be such a shame if people didn't receive it,' she said.

'I called my friend and said I don't know what's going to happen but this is the situation and you need to promise me that you help Tom bring it together if I'm not around.'

Robe now sells The Tonic for $69.99 which helped Lauren get her hair back and contains natural ingredients including darkenyl, akosky azuki and quandong extract which all promote and encourage growth and nourishment.

The versatile scalp-treating formula can be sprayed onto the scalp in areas of concern on clean hair two to three times a week for best results.

Also available from Robe are the lengthening, thickening and youthful shampoos and conditioners as well as a hair fragrance, leave-in treatment, three-in-one clean and finish and a wide-tooth comb.
A sex worker who specialised in BDSM and torture has given up her life of 'sin' to become a Sunday school teacher - and says the parents are her biggest supporters.

Retired escort Tessa Williams, 45, from Sydney, worked under the name of Contessa Doll for 15 years before finding God during lockdown in 2021.

She's now swapped whips and chains in client bookings for Bible readings and sermons at Echo church in southwest Sydney and was baptised in March last year.

'God saved me from a very dark place and completely changed my life around. My body now belongs to God.'

A sex worker who specialised in BDSM and torture has given up her life of 'sin' to become a Sunday school teacher  and says the parents are her biggest supporters

Former escort Tessa Williams, 45, from Sydney , worked under the name of Contessa Doll for 15 years before finding God during lockdown in 2021

Tessa also now studies business, works as a medical receptionist - and helps support sex workers who are trying to leave the adult industry. Parents from Sunday school even make food care packages to take to struggling sex workers.

'The parents at church have never judged anyone from the adult industry. Parents see how I am with the kids; I love them, and they love me. I feel less stigma and judgement in my church than I have anywhere else in society. I've never felt so much love.'

It was during lockdown in 2021 that Tessa was at her lowest point.

'I was struggling with money, I had difficult relationships in the adult industry and with my family. Because of the lockdown, I couldn't work even though the work was there.

'I remember getting on my knees crying praying to God to help me, when I heard a voice say: Don't give up.' All I could feel was that It was going to be ok. Things turned around instantly, and I started to read the Bible.'

She's now swapped whips and chains in client bookings for Bible readings and sermons at Echo church in southwest Sydney and was baptised in March last year

Then it was on her daily stroll that she walked past a church where she heard the message 'You belong here,' coming from a loudspeaker inside.

'I felt it was talking to me. I was too nervous to go inside then but I went back the next week, walked in and straight away was greeted with happy faces and friendly people. I told the pastor my story, that I was a sex worker, and she hugged me. 'You're with us now. You have an amazing testimony.' I never felt judged.'

Tessa started to go to church every week and was finally baptised in March last year. 'God has saved me from a toxic lifestyle of addiction and reconnected me with my Christian family and showed me a love I never knew existed.'

It's a far cry from her life as one of Australia's most popular BDSM escorts, where she was paid $800 an hour to torture men with whips, chains and electric rods.

Then it was on her daily stroll that she walked past a church where she heard the message 'You belong here,' coming from a loudspeaker inside

'One client wanted to me to stick an electric rod in his urethra and nipples while he confessed his sins, another got off on stories of serial killers. These were all professional respectable businessmen.'

A woman in her 80s booked Tessa to whip her elderly husband as she could no longer do it due to old age.

'They were a sweet old couple and they gifted me a one of their handmade whips afterwards.'

Her most requested services were pegging, bondage and sado machoism. Tessa says while she doesn't regret her past as it's made her who she is today, she says she left the industry with trauma and PTSD.

'I made a lot of money but left with a lot of trauma. I felt a lot of shame as Contessa and how my life had turned out. But my pastor told me God's strongest soldiers were trained in the enemy's camp. God put me there for a reason and I use my story to help other women. I certainly don't preach to them but I do tell them there is another life out there if that's what they want.

It's a far cry from her life as one of Australia's most popular BDSM escorts, where she was paid $800 an hour to torture men with whips, chains and electric rods

'I made thousands of dollars a week as a sex worker, but now working at Sunday school for free and have never felt freer and more empowered. I miss the money at times but now I feel better, I look better and I am mentally more healthy.'

While her bookings were sometimes tough, Tessa said BDSM helped her understand men.

'A lot of my clients became good friends. BDSM gave me power and control and made me understand men, especially when you strip away the ego. Men told me everything about their problems. But you can't use torture as a way of dealing with emotional pain, you have to talk it out.'

The former sex worker has now been celibate for almost two years. She assumed no one would want to date her with her past but says she is constantly asked out on dates by male worshippers  and even received a wedding proposal which she turned down.

'A lot of my clients became good friends. BDSM gave me power and control and made me understand men, especially when you strip away the ego. Men told me everything about their problems. But you can't use torture as a way of dealing with emotional pain, you have to talk it out.'

'Christian men ask me out a lot but the next time I have sex will be on my wedding night as I am now celibate. I find the men in church respect my choices and respect my past more than the rest of society. They are absolute gentlemen.'

'I want to tell women my story because I see a lot of women become sex workers these days. My message to these women is this: think about the long run. Not every sex worker is privileged and high class.

'Society wants us to leave sex work but when we do, we are stigmatised. I want to help women realise there is another way, not everyone will judge us.

'Sex work is like a drug. It's great at the beginning but can turn on you if you are not mentally strong. It's your body, your choice but I feel lucky to get out and I owe it all to God.'
Two men are dead after an early morning exchange of gunfire outside a downtown Bismarck bar.

The incident happened in the parking lot outside The Elbow Room at 115 S. Fifth St. Officers responded to a call of shots fired around 12:30 a.m. Saturday. Two officers in the area at the time also heard the gunshots and responded.

Victor King, 21, of Mandan, and Jesus Vera-Leon, 35, of Bismarck, were taken from the scene to local hospitals with gunshot wounds, police said. Both were pronounced dead at the hospitals.

The men had been in the bar before the incident, but it wasn't immediately known if they had been drinking, according to police Lt. Luke Gardiner.

Neither man had a criminal history in North Dakota.

It wasn't immediately clear if the men knew one another.

"There is an indication that the two had some sort of disagreement ... they got into in the bar," Gardiner said.

Police also were still investigating numerous other details of the incident, including whether King and Vera-Leon were the ones who did the shooting, how many people were in the parking lot at the time, whether anyone else was involved, and whether the gunfire resulted in any damage to vehicles, buildings or other structures in the area.

"We're still combing through surveillance video and trying to get as many witness statements as possible," Gardiner said.

Numerous witnesses have already been interviewed. Police asked anyone else who saw the incident but was not contacted by officers to call the police department at 701-223-1212 and ask for the investigation section. Witnesses also can contact anonymously by downloading the Bismarck Police Department app, going to bit.ly/3Yw3ywC or texting BISPD and the tip to 847411.

Police said there was no lingering threat to the public.

"It was not a random act," Gardiner said of the shooting.
Controversial opinion: Men love to be objectified.

Now before you scream with outrage and call the woke police let me explain

It all became glaringly obvious to me this week. This realisation even forced me to conduct my own personal investigation and I can say with 100% certainty it's true.

As many of you may know, each Monday night I ask my Instagram followers to confess their most saucy secrets and then I repost them anonymously. It really sparks up a rather dull weeknight and I can't get enough of it. During my Saucy Secrets this week I posted one man's confession about his wife giving him oral sex during work zoom meetings.

It stated: 'My wife is such a tease, she loves walking around the house naked while I'm trying to work. Last week I had a company wide update to listen to and I find them boring. Not anymore. She gave me a BJ. Camera and microphone were off. Best company update ever! (I) Later returned the favour, b4 she went to work.'

Jana believes men like to be objectified - and has explained why

I thought it was a bit cheeky, had a giggle and then didn't pay it too much further thought.

Well, that was until my DM's started filling with messages from men saying 'dream wife' and 'where do I find a woman like that'. One man boasted about his wife grabbing his hand in a dark movie theatre and making him do unquestionably raunchy things to her.

Oh, and another said he loves when his wife smacks his butt in public. It made me realise men love nothing more than a touch of objectification.

I mean, here was a guy bragging about the fact his wife was clearly treating him like her personal sex toy, whilst showing off her 'exhibitionist' style, and he couldn't get enough of it.

Could it be the secret to a happy relationship?

Now don't get me wrong, you don't want to be objectifying men in the street. Sheesh we women already know what it's like to feel leered at in public and it aint nice!

But in the right context, for example in a relationship, could a bit of objectification go a long way? I've seen ex-partners light up like a Christmas tree when I've walked past and pinched their butt, or had a cheeky squeeze of their biceps, or let out a 'phwoooar' when they've turned up to a date looking hot.

It all became glaringly obvious to me this week. This realisation even forced me to conduct my own personal investigation and I can say with 100% certainty it's true

I've got one particular man friend, who loves nothing more than a 'You up' text from me.

And I think the real reason why men get quietly chuffed by all this attention is because it seems to be rare.

We hear so often about their gripes with not getting enough action between the bed sheets. And their constant woes about their wives never wanting it, so when it does happen they're over the moon.

One friend said her husband almost went into cardiac arrest after she sent him a nude selfie one day out of the blue.

I also think this thirst for shameless objectification is spurred by a lack of self-confidence. I'm very aware of my own occasional shortcomings in that area, but I've never really thought about men experiencing it as well.

That was until I got back with an ex-boyfriend following a very brief affair with a stocky, muscular footy player.

The first time we did the deed following our reconciliation he kept apologising for his 'Dad bod' and made one too many jokes about not being 'as fit as the last bloke.'

I couldn't have given a hoot about his Dad bod, it was him as a whole person that turned me on. So, it took plenty of objectification to really build him back up.

I've got one particular man friend, who loves nothing more than a 'You up' text from me

I asked a close male friend if he was offended by being objectified he said 'the very few times I've been objectified by women have admittedly felt incredibly affirming and awkwardly complimentary.

'I think 'Wow a woman still finds me attractive!' If personal safety isn't a concern, it's very humbling to be found attractive and desirable to the opposite sex.'

So I wouldn't suggest walking down the street and spanking the butt of the closest man you find a bit va va voom, but perhaps reach out to that special guy in your life and throw him a good ol' 'Phwoooar you look sexy AF' next time you see him. He'll love it!
READ MORE: American Heart Association says vaping is just as bad as cigarettes

He said that vapes are hotter than cigarettes, 'barbequing your lungs'

A doctor has warned that vaping is 'barbequing your lungs' and increases the risk of lung transplants in young people.

Dr Brian Boxer Wachler, an eye surgeon in Beverly Hills, California, took to TikTok last week to explain why vaping is more dangerous than smoking cigarettes.

'Vape temperatures can be significantly hotter than cigarette smoke, so vape literally could be barbequing your lungs,' he said in the video, which has 6.3 million views. '[This could] explain why more younger people who vape need lung transplants versus younger people who smoke cigarettes.'

The majority of doctors still say that vaping is safer than cigarettes, which have been unequivocally linked to cancer and release thousands of known killer chemicals.

But a growing body of research suggests vaping also poses serious long-term health risks - especially to the lungs and heart.

Dr Brian Boxer Wachler, an eye surgeon in Beverly Hills, California, took to TikTok last week to explain why vaping is more dangerous than smoking cigarettes. 'Vape temperatures can be significantly hotter than cigarette smoke, so vape literally could be barbequing your lungs,' he said in the video, which has 6.3 million views

Federal data suggests that about 14 percent - over 2.5 million - of American youth from 6th through 12th grades vape, while another study reported one in 20 American adults vape. That compares to just one in 10 tobacco smokers

Earlier this year, the American Heart Association (AHA) warned that the cocktail of nicotine, thickeners, solvents, and flavors in vape devices poses greater risks to heart health than smoking cigarettes.

Long-term exposure to diacetyl and acetyl propionyl, two flavoring additives, has been linked to shortness of breath, chronic cough, asthma, and obstructed airways.

Experts have also warned against secondhand vaping.

Scientists from universities in Virginia and North Carolina reported that when e-cigarette users puffed in their cars for less than 10 minutes, the air around them became laden with possibly poisonous particulate matter known specifically as PM2.5 (denoting a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller).

PM2.5 can be generated from natural and human-engineered sources such as the burning of fossil fuels. When inhaled, the matter penetrates the lungs and irritates the entire respiratory system, possibly causing or worsening asthma, bronchitis, and heavy wheezing.

The matter is small enough that it could enter the bloodstream, which can lead to system-wide inflammation that raises the risk to cardiovascular health.

Vapes that don't have nicotine can also lead to 'e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury, or EVALI.

The exact cause of the injury still isnt completely clear, but researchers have since zeroed in on the compound Vitamin E Acetate, which is often used as a thickening agent in illegal cannabis vape devices.

Dr Boxer Wachler pointed to a 2022 study published in the journal Critical Reviews in Toxicology, which found that of 11,350 patients with vape lung damage, half vaped both nicotine and THC, the ingredient in cannabis that gives users a 'high.'

However, more than one-third of patients vaped THC alone, while 17 percent vaped nicotine.

'Lung damage can happen with any kind of vape,' Dr Boxer Wachler said.

'Please don't vape.'

There is no test to determine if someone has EVALI, so diagnosis is based on symptoms, which include shortness of breath, fever, chills, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, rapid heart rate, and chest pain, according to the American Lung Association (ALA).

EVALI has caused some harrowing health scares. A 34-year-old woman from Ohio, who was going through around eight cartridges of vape fluid each week, the equivalent of 50 cigarettes a day, found herself on life support within 24 hours of going to urgent care for trouble breathing.

In another terrifying case, a 20-year-old woman from the UK named Abby Flynn developed a rare lung condition, dubbed 'popcorn lung', which doctors warned could have left her reliant on an oxygen machine before she turned 30.

Federal data suggests that about 14 percent - over 2.5 million - of American youth from 6th through 12th grades vape, while another study reported one in 20 American adults vape. That compares to just one in 10 tobacco smokers.
Sufferers of a chronic pain condition are being left in agony because of a cruel ban on drugs by NHS chiefs, campaigners have claimed.

Fibromyalgia patients  who endure body-wide pain, muscle stiffness and headaches  had been offered powerful painkillers, including pregabalin and tramadol. But recent guidance on the management of chronic pain by NHS spending watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), has prohibited their use.

Patients are also being denied NHS-approved non-drug therapies that are proven to work, including a water-based treatment called hydrotherapy, as local health chiefs wont fund it, claims Des Quinn, chair of Fibromyalgia Action UK.

He claims that a change in NHS rules regarding painkillers is a major step backwards in the treatment of fibromyalgia.

Celebrities such as Lady Gaga, pictured, and Morgan Freeman suffer from the chronic pain condition fibromyalgia

Mr Quinn adds: Patients quality of life is being reduced as a result. Drugs such as tramadol are backed by good scientific evidence, which NICE failed to consider.

It is not known what causes fibromyalgia, which affects more than two million people in the UK. The condition tends to develop between the ages of 25 and 55 and, alongside pain, patients report difficulty concentrating and digestive issues.

Some studies suggest it is triggered by an infection, an injury or a period of emotional stress, and there is currently no cure.

Famous sufferers including pop star Lady Gaga and the Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman.

Prior to 2021, NICE had no specific guidelines for fibromyalgia, but told doctors to follow the rules for nerve pain. These recommended that patients were offered painkillers, including the now-barred drugs.

READ MORE: Jonathan Ross' daughter uses a walker as she deals with chronic fibromyalgia Outing: Jonathan Ross ' daughters Betty Kitten and Honey Kinny looked in good spirits as they left a North London nail salon after enjoying a spot of pampering Advertisement

A report by the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology concluded that the balance of evidence was in favour of the use of medications such as pregabalin and tramadol.

However, rising numbers of Britons becoming addicted to these painkillers  as well as a concern that they were not effective in all patients  caused health chiefs to crack down on prescriptions.

One of Britains top fibromyalgia specialists, Dr Deepak Ravindran of the Royal Berkshire Hospital, says the banned painkillers are being held to too high a standard.

He also adds that a wider range of treatments should be available because the causes of fibromyalgia are so diverse. Other permitted treatments include exercise plans and cognitive behavioural therapy. Hydrotherapy should also be offered to help improve musculoskeletal symptoms but patients are finding it increasingly difficult to gain access to a pool due to closures during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Patients also report being unable to secure cognitive behavioural therapy due to long waiting lists, says Prof Gary Macfarlane, clinical chair in epidemiology at The University of Aberdeen. Once patients have had the long road to diagnosis, theyre often just left to get on with managing their symptoms without NHS support, he adds.

Even when they are provided with a recommended treatment, Dr Ravindran is critical of how health bosses limit them, adding: The NHS has always paid for a set of six sessions, but for long-term conditions you need ongoing support. The NHS hasnt figured out how to sustain that.

Instead of tramadol, pregabalin and sedatives, NICE guidelines suggest fibromyalgia patients are routinely offered antidepressants, which research suggests have an additional effect in reducing pain.

Dr Ravindran explains: These drugs are worth a trial, but patients struggle to get off them too  they can cause withdrawal symptoms.

Doctors at hospital-based pain clinics may still be willing to prescribe pregabalin and tramadol, he adds, so patients should seek a referral if antidepressants arent working.

Fibromyalgia sufferer Mel Wright, 41, from Penrith in Cumbria, has seen her quality of life collapse since the new guidelines came into effect. Previously, a combination of tramadol and pregabalin were allowing her to live a fairly normal life.

It is not known what causes fibromyalgia, which affects more than two million people in the UK. The condition tends to develop between the ages of 25 and 55 and, alongside pain, patients report difficulty concentrating and digestive issues. Some studies suggest it is triggered by an infection, an injury or a period of emotional stress, and there is currently no cure

But now she is in such excruciating pain every day that she has had to give up her job as a receptionist. The agony has also forced her to install a stairlift at home and be confined to a mobility scooter when outside. For several months, she was bed-bound.

Mel has subsequently been prescribed the antidepressant fluoxetine, but says that while it counteracts her depression it has not relieved the pain.

I understand that painkillers dont work for everyone and they dont want people on them long-term if theyre addictive, she says, but they shouldnt withdraw them from people theyre helping. It makes our lives a misery.

A spokesman for NICE said: Fibromyalgia guidelines emphasise the importance of shared decision making and fostering a collaborative, supportive relationship between patients and healthcare professionals.

NICE takes into account the best available evidence, and we are committed to making changes when it suggests this is appropriate.
Adults and teens with the severe hair loss condition alopecia areata could soon be offered a breakthrough medicine that can trigger regrowth in just six months.

Last week the European drugs regulators approved ritlecitinib, and it is currently being assessed by NHS spending watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Alopecia areata is one of the more common causes of hair loss and usually begins in childhood or early adulthood. It is caused by the bodys immune system attacking hair follicles, and is characterised by patches of baldness.

But ritlecitinib has been found to reverse the condition in one in five patients.

There are roughly 100,000 alopecia areata sufferers in the UK, which experts believe may be caused by genetics.

Jada Pinkett Smith, pictured, suffers from Alopecia areata, a common hair loss condition which affects 100,000 Britons

NHS watchdogs are considering whether they will authorise a daily pill to counter alopecia

Actress Jada Pinkett Smith suffers with the condition, which came to global focus at the Oscars in April last year when host Chris Rock made a joke about it and was slapped on stage by her husband, actor Will Smith.

Taken as a daily pill, ritlecitinib is part of a family of drugs known as janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, which work by dampening the immune system.

Results from a large study published earlier this year showed that 13 per cent of patients achieved 90 per cent or more scalp hair coverage after 24 weeks of taking the drug, compared with 1.5 per cent of those on a placebo. Almost half of the those treated with ritlecitinib reported moderate to great improvement in their hair loss.

But there was no significant growth after just 12 weeks, meaning patients would have to commit to longer-term treatment. Some side effects were also reported, including diarrhoea, acne, upper respiratory tract infections, skin problems and dizziness.
Rules are made to be broken  and none more than those that dictate what we can and cannot wear.

Take seasonal colour edicts. If you like them, own them, but if you dont, simply bask in your pared-back wardrobe, like many of the fashion greats.

If only etiquette were as straightforward.

Recently, I was lucky enough to bag one of those dream plane seats: near the front, next to the window with plenty of leg room.

Feeling chuffed, I was about to start reading my novel when the passenger allocated the seat beside me (a middle-aged American bloke) appeared.

Joanne wears top and trousers, The Fold London. Belt, Bottega Veneta

As a woman, I find there are certain people  always men in my case  who think they have an automatic right to your nice seat.

This guy thrust his ticket in my face and charmlessly asked that I swap with his wife, who was in an aisle seat a few rows back.

Now, Im not a meanie; earlier this summer, I happily gave up my better seat so that a man could sit with his children, and flew home wedged into a corner, away from my own family. But I was not in the mood for this guy.

Why didnt he swap his own good seat to go and sit beside his wife? I replied with a polite sorry, explaining that my own husband was already sitting several rows back.

He looked shocked, clearly not used to anyone refusing to bend to his will, then turned and shouted to his wife  and everyone else on the plane  I tried Cathy, I tried. I just wanted to let you know. I tried.

Astonishingly, his wife came over soon after and started stroking his inner leg to see if that would persuade me to move. Inhaling deeply, I ordered a G&T and gazed out of the window.

The truth is, sometimes being nice or following certain etiquette just gets you a rubbish seat in life.

And on that rebellious note, back to fashion, and the rules to enjoy breaking this season

Joanne discusses the the fashion rules to enjoy breaking this season, including mixing navy and black and wearing flats to a party

Mixing navy and black Parisians, Phoebe Philo and the Olsen sisters at The Row have trashed this outdated no-no.

A navy cashmere sweater, smart black jeans and black loafers come together for an elegant outfit.

Wearing flats to a party Ballet pumps and Mary Janes are now just as chic as heels and are big players this autumn. Expect flats galore on red carpets.

Wearing black at a wedding This is not the Victorian era and black is no longer reserved for funerals. Nor will it curse the happy couple.

Gender assigned clothes Snore! I love a tux  and a trouser suit. And boys in feather boas. Whatever it takes.

@thestylistandthewardrobe

@youmagazine

Waistcoat, 69.95, massimodutti.com

Mad about Massimo

Massimo Dutti has really upped its style game recently, and pared-back pieces from its talented team are now a firm favourite among the fashion set.

The tailored separates are particularly lust-worthy. This pinstripe waistcoat is on my wish list.

The Meghan effect

The Duchess of Sussex is returning to social media soon  expect lots of style updates and brand collabs.

I wonder if Sienna Miller, who is the new face of M&S, is about to do the same.

Her insta account @siennathing, which has over a million followers, has been dormant since 2017. Watch this space

Trews love

Trousers, 125,. beaumontorganic.com

With its passion for sustainability, Im loving the latest carefully curated collection from Beaumont Organic.

These soft organic cotton trousers are my favourites. Pair with a blazer and heels for a fun twist.
Michael Caine stars in The Great Escaper with John Standing, out on 6 October

Its a sunny late-summer afternoon and Im being entertained by a nonagenarian (Sir Michael Caine, 90) and an octogenarian (John Standing, 89).

Full disclosure: Ive been married to the latter for 40 years. I have a ringside seat  ostensibly interviewing them both about The Great Escaper, a new film they are starring in alongside the late Glenda Jackson.

Our talk, inevitably, meanders back and forth in time. The two share a comfortable shorthand: a shared history of parallel careers forged in different jet streams, yet both belonging to the same industry.

The film is an emotional rollercoaster based on a true story about an ordinary character called Bernard Jordan.

A Second World War veteran, born in 1924, he left his care home in Hove aged 89 without telling his wife or carers where he was heading.

Before he was a sir: Michael Caine in 1967. Now aged 90, Caine, who made his name in Zulu in 1964, is our greatest living British actor

Determined to pay his respects at the 70th D-Day commemorations as hed left it too late for a place on the official Royal British Legion trip, he upped sticks and made his way to Normandy alone.

When he was eventually tracked down, and on returning home, he was astonished to find hed become a media sensation, nicknamed the Great Escaper: the British press had rejoiced in his journey.

He was a hero, lauded for his determination and sense of duty, all of which was slightly bewildering to someone who didnt even own a mobile phone.

In the film, Bernie (Michael Caines character) meets another Second World War veteran, Arthur, played by my husband, on the ferry. They form a touching friendship.

Michael and Johnnie have worked together in two other films over the years, but otherwise are ships that have passed in the night.

While Michael became probably our greatest living British movie star, my husband trod the boards and devoted his life to the stage, doing Private Lives with Dame Maggie Smith on Broadway for six months in 1975 and being nominated for an Olivier at the National for his performance in Simon Grays Close of Play in 1979.

Together, during the twilight of their careers, they have become firm friends.

Michael and Johnnie were approached with the script just before lockdown. It was inevitably delayed, which gave both of them time to learn and prepare.

The reason I got the part was because 30 years ago the director, Ollie [Oliver] Parker, came and saw me in Noel Cowards Hay Fever in the West End, says Johnnie.

Michael in his 1964 breakout role in Zulu. Michael played a posh officer in the film and credits the role with making his career

I can only assume he saw something in my performance that he stored away. Although what it was I have no idea, as I play a drunk in this film [The Great Escaper].

'In Hay Fever I was a solid, middle-class husband. Its strange how this industry works. Sometimes you get a job based on something you did years ago.

I was sitting at home writing a book, says Michael. A thriller. Murder mystery. I was about to be 90 and hadnt done a movie in three years. I was reconciled to the fact no one was going to offer me a part again.

Oh, so was I, agrees Johnnie. I thought that was it. And along came William Ivorys glorious script featuring three old codgers. God given. The last time Michael and I worked together was in The Eagle Has Landed  when was that?

1976, says Michael. Nearly 50 years ago. Mind you, everything seems to be 50 years ago these days.

We did do one other film together, darling, remembers Johnnie  X Y & Zee, with Elizabeth Taylor, although I played an incredibly camp hairdresser and didnt have any scenes with you.

What was she like to work with, I ask them.

Heavenly, replies Johnnie.

Terrific, says Michael.

John Standing at Michael's house for this interview last month. During the twilight of their careers, the two actors have become firm friends

She was on top of it all the time, says Johnnie. Despite the fact she used to hurl Bullshot cocktails down her throat every lunchtime. Shed come back on set, and boom! Shed have all cylinders firing.

Its weird, recalls Michael. Acting with Glenda again after nearly 50 years, I had no idea she was poorly [Jackson died in June]. We played husband and wife. I was totally stunned when she died ten days after we had a private preview of the film.

'She was a total trouper. She didnt seem ill or anything. We were in The Romantic Englishwoman together [in 1975] and back then we were both young. She was a beautiful young girl.

In my day it wasnt about being famous. it was about working and being good at what you did

Johnnie and Michael did national service. Michael fought in Korea, having served in Iserlohn, West Germany, as part of the postwar army of occupation.

Johnnie was in England for his first six months. He was commissioned in the 60th Rifles and sent to Munster, also in West Germany, for his final 18 months, to deter the Russians from crossing over.

Both agree it was the making of them. I think every young man should be made to do it, says Michael. It truly makes a man of you.

I agree totally, says Johnnie. It was a life-changer.

Pre-acting for both of you? Cor blimey, yes, says Michael. I only became an actor after I left the army. I did rep for nine years then got a movie and was like, F**k this! I love films more. I liked the money and all.

I did the complete reverse, says Johnnie. After the army I went to art school as I wanted to be a painter. My parents got worried that I wouldnt make a living from that career and would end up being a struggling artist.

'I fell into acting and was stuck in the theatre mainly because the Standing family had been doing it for generations. I was sort of indoctrinated into thinking the theatre was where it was at.

Michael and John star as Second World War veterans Bernard and Arthur in The Great Escaper

'I did my last play five years ago. No more. I cant remember all that text at my age.

Sod the theatre, says Michael. With films you dont have two hours of dialogue to learn. Two minutes and then cut. I like that.

Me too, says Johnnie. The dream.

Which brings me to the issue of #MeToo: intimacy coordinators; people put in place to ensure performers and other production personnel adhere to safety protocols. What did they think of them?

Really? says Michael. Seriously? What are they? We never had that in my day. Thank god Im 90 and dont play lovers anymore is all I can say. In my day you just did the love scene and got on with it without anyone interfering. Its all changed.

Between them, Michael and Johnnie have six children and seven grandchildren who surely inform them about what is deemed politically correct?

They do, says Johnnie. All the time. And I try my hardest.

So do I, agrees Michael. But its dull. Not being able to speak your mind and not being able to call anyone darling.

Im endlessly being told I cant say this or that because its inappropriate, says Johnnie. And I still call everyone darling.

Oh yes, says Michael.

Its like learning a new language, says Johnnie. And we are trying our best.

I try, says Michael, but its hard. I like to learn from friends who are younger than me.

Michael and John have worked together in two other films over the years, including The Eagle Has Landed in 1976

I love being around young people, says Johnnie. The secret to old age is to mix with people much younger than yourself. Which is why I love spending time with my nine-year-old grandson, who makes me watch him play Minecraft for hours  and gets furious when I call it Witchcraft by mistake.

Yes, says Michael. Because as you get older, you inevitably think about dying, but as soon as you get grandchildren, your focus shifts. You think about them. You want to go on living because they are so much a part of you, and you want to live for ever to see what they do with their lives. You just want to keep going.

My four grandchildren are everything, agrees Johnnie.

I point out that the difference between now and then is that today so many people just want to be famous. The gene pool Michael and Johnnie belonged to when they both began was solely based on talent and was much smaller.

You knew everyone in those days, reflects Johnnie. It wasnt about being famous. It was about working. And being good at what you did. And to keep working. Fame was a by-product. Not the aim. Thats whats changed.

Yeah, says Michael. Being famous wasnt what it was about. It was about the work. Thats all changed in our lifetime.

My big break was Zulu, says Michael. They were looking for a cockney corporal and they thought Id be great, but when I got there for the audition the director said, Sorry, Michael, its been cast. I was used to being rejected, but it was a long walk to the door, let me tell you.

Can you do posh?, he asked me on my way out. Of course I can do posh! Ive spent nine years in rep, doing every bloody accent under the sun. So, I got the job playing a posh officer and it made my bloody career. When I started out, I never thought about being in competition with other actors. All I cared about was being as good as I possibly could be.

Michael and his wife Shakira in 1973. Michael and Shakira share one daughter, Natasha Caine

I did too, says Johnnie. There was no competition except with oneself.

I never cared, says Michael. I always knew there would be other actors better than me and worse than me. I took no notice whatsoever. I just got on with it.

Getting on with it is something they are both rather good at. Secrets for staying alive?

A massive telly, laughs Johnnie. We both love watching endless sport.

Oh, yes. Younger wives, no snacking and wear trainers at all times, adds Michael. And you have to be careful not to fall down.

I fall down all the time, says Johnnie.

Me too, says Michael.

Its a bugger, says Johnnie. Suddenly you are crashed on the pavement.

I know, says Michael. Happens all the time.

You have to just get up and carry on. says Johnnie.

Long may they both continue to think like that. Old school. God bless them.
The last time that photographer Charlie Gray worked on a Hackett campaign it was on safari in South Africa. There were elephants, mountains and motorbikes.

This season, the brief from the menswear brand took him to the Scottish Borders, specifically to Glen House, an estate of lakes and woodland six miles southeast of Peebles.

I was delighted, says Gray. The natural beauty there is incredibly inspirational.

And, remarkably for Scotland, it didnt rain once. Although, Gray adds, I am not a strong advocate of perfect weather  Ive shot in the rain and it can be magical.

The campaign has two stars: the 2009 Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button, 43, who retired from the sport in 2017 and this year competed for Nascar at Le Mans.

Casting call: Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button, 43, and Downton Abbey actor Matthew Goode, 45, in Hackett's autumn/winter 2023 campaign

The other is actor Matthew Goode, 45, who played Henry Talbot in Downton Abbey and will next be seen portraying C S Lewis alongside Anthony Hopkins as Sigmund Freud in Freuds Last Session, which will be in cinemas this December.

Button is pictured reading a book about the Loch Ness Monster. Does Gray believe in the fabled aquatic creature himself?

My grandfather told me he once saw Nessie, so I like to think he was right!
What do you buy the man who has everything? A chunk of the cosmos is a good place to start.

What price a tiny sphere of iron formed in the molten core of an asteroid 4.4 billion years ago? Or Libyan desert glass created 29 million years ago when a comet struck Earths prehistoric dunes?

From Christies auction halls to Ebay dealerships, the market for meteors is booming, as auction records keep tumbling.

Elon Musk, Steven Spielberg, Nicolas Cage, Yo-Yo Ma, Uri Geller and James Taylor are among the A-listers who have splashed fortunes on hunks of the heavens.

The crypto crowd go wild for glittering pallasite star falls, peppered with winking yellow space gems, or curved obsidian lumps of cosmic iron, baked beneath a tortured fusion crust hewn by the heat of atmospheric entry that reaches a red-hot 1,800 degrees celsius.

From Christies auction halls to Ebay dealerships, the market for meteors is booming, as auction records keep tumbling

A slice of meteorite proven to have fallen from the moon can sell for between 180,000 and 250,000.

The most valuable on record, a specimen of the monolithic Fukang meteorite, found in a mountainous area of China in 2000, sold last year for 525,000. And the market is only getting madder.

A tin dog kennel struck by a meteorite in Costa Rica in 2019 sold for 220,000 (the dog, a german shepherd, was unharmed).

Shavings of the Seymchan meteorite, found in Russia in 1967, with semiprecious amber olivine embedded in shimmering iron-nickel metallic crystals, were fitted into the design of a New Balance shoe by the Manchester-based sneaker designer Matt Burgess and sold at auction for 10,000 (it was a commission by Netflix to celebrate the release of Hollywood film Dont Look Up).

Its mind-blowing, says Burgess. The meteorite in question had hurtled through space for 4.5 billion years. You cannot fathom that amount of time.

Think about it: the oldest thing in the universe sparkling on a blingtastic trainer.

Theyre great gifts, says Mitch HunterScullion, CEO of London-based Asteroid Mining Corporation, a tech start-up that procures and analyses meteors to stake claims on their deep-space parent asteroids, in the hope that one day well send rockets up to mine them.

Theyve spent more than 10,000 on meteorites over two years, and Hunter-Scullion likes to give out cheaper samples to friends, business contacts and, in one case, his girlfriends former boss as a leaving present. It certainly beats a bottle of wine.

If you give someone a meteorite they will think about space, asteroids and their position on the planet compared to the entire solar system around them, says Hunter-Scullion.

How its a dynamic place. How theres much more going on out of sight, behind clouds, than they probably were considering. I think that leads people into knowing their place in things. Thats why I like meteorites. (I asked the former boss about the alien gift: shed lost it.)

Yours for 10,000: The New Balance Dibiasky 550 trainers, which contain real meteorite

Prices fluctuate wildly. Take the fireball that exploded above the Russian city of Chelyabinsk on 15 February 2013 and buried itself like buckshot across miles of frozen countryside, arguably the extraterrestrial event of the century: an airburst 30 times brighter than the sun that shattered windows for 200km, creating a shockwave that went around the Earth twice.

Google it to witness astonishing dashboard camera footage of the incident, above a city going about its daily business; 1,100 people were injured, most by shattered glass, some by ultraviolet burns and temporary flash blindness.

Christies sold a fragment roughly the size of a pepper shaker for 11,250.

Alternatively, you can pick up what purports to be a sliver on Ebay for as little as 7.97 (or ground-up meteorite  a thimbleful of stardust  for 4 to 10). Demand outstrips supply, hence so many frauds (known in the trade as meteor-wrongs) pockmarking the market.

Meteorite hunters recover just eight to ten fresh falls a year, and these vanishingly rare hauls splinter and spread like fragments of the True Cross. Little wonder. Space has rarely felt closer.

Commercial companies from China and India to Russia and the West are driving humanitys greedy clutches at a clip not seen since the Cold War.

Elon Musks SpaceX is aiming to launch 100 rockets this year, having fired one of its nifty machines into space (and back) once every six days in 2022. And emerging markets are creating new, ultra-wealthy hobbyists.

Naveen Jain, an Indian billionaire who is attempting to build spacecraft to mine gold and platinum on the moon, has accrued Earths largest private meteorite collection, valued at more than 3.6 million. (He collects only meteorites that someone has seen streaking through the atmosphere, known as witnessed falls.)

A tin kennel struck by a meteorite in Costa Rica sold for 220,000. The dog was unharmed

Cyberspace geekery is a factor, too. Another reason the market has exploded, we noticed during lockdown, is that a lot of crypto clients were coming to meteorites, says James Hyslop, Christies specialist for Science & Natural History, who hosts the auction houses Deep Impact meteor auctions (in 2015 the house brought in around 187,000 in meteor sales; three years later that had more than doubled).

And the average age of buyers has plummeted. I think theres something about the divisibility and the rarity of meteorites that appeals to some of that crypto crowd, says Hyslop.

Theres a parallel with Bitcoin. But I also think lots of people looking to make a killing on crypto simply want to have something real. See also: the mega-competitive elite looking to blow away their rivals.

Among ultra-high-net-worth collectors, theres a trend towards having three or five of the very best examples, rather than what collectors looked for 30 years ago, which was a more encyclopedic collection of meteorites, says Hyslop.

How do you value a space rock? The diamond industry uses the four Cs: cut, colour, clarity and carat, but for meteors I use the four Ss: size, shape, science and story, says Hyslop.

Double the size means twice the price. Shape comes down to its sculptural quality: does the parabolic curve of a fragment convey the quality of a Henry Moore masterpiece? Does the mangled iron latticework evoke an angular Giacometti?

Then theres science: some Martian meteorites have elements of water locked inside; some meteorites predate the dawn of the solar system itself, containing the building blocks of life as we know it.

Aside from all the destruction, theres a certain romance to the sky falling on our heads. Stars excite us: no one wishes upon a stalactite.

There are facts I love too: that meteorites may smell like blood (the high iron content), tar, gunpowder or rotten eggs; that the collective weight of every known meteorite is less than the worlds annual output of gold; that much of London is built of meteor falls (Irongate House in Aldgate is made from rock hit by a meteorite three billion years ago; traces of the impact are visible in black veins across the stone); that they create as well as destroy, wiping out the dinosaurs but providing the elements for life on Earth.

Men arent from Mars. But Id bite your hand off for a chunk of it.
For me, part of the attraction of studying history was that it was all over. It could be something very good or something very bad, but at least it had happened and would never happen again.

When, in May this year, I lost my wife Helen, after over 60 years together, history was no longer a luxury, but a necessity.

I, my friends and my family became steeped in remembering and exchanging every detail we could of a life once lived. To help me cope with my loss, history became valuable, nay indispensable.

Coincidentally, around the time Helen died, I was putting the finishing touches to a book about another death  that of my great-uncle Harry, who was killed on the Somme in 1916.

But compared to the rich collection of stories of Helens life, Harrys cupboards were bare. For whatever reason, my parents had shared almost nothing of their own history with me.

Palin's great-uncle, Harry, survived a brutal four and a half months on the Gallipoli Peninsula and almost survived the ruinous Battle of the Somme, being one of the very last members of the New Zealand forces to die in that offensive

Theirs was a taciturn generation, cowed by two world wars, a deadly pandemic and a savage economic depression into leaving the past alone. It was all too close and too dreadful to be recalled.

But there was one member of the family with a sense of history. In the 1970s Great-Cousin Joyce passed down to my parents a bulging file of memorabilia, among which was a photo of a young man in battledress tunic and a strangely furrowed hat, staring at the camera with disconcerting intensity.

Who was he and how on earth did he fit into our family? My fathers reply was dismissive... Oh, that was your great-uncle Harry. He died in the First World War. End of story.

Except that for me it turned out to be just the beginning of a story. Everything, from his unfamiliar uniform to his sphinx-like expression, to the realisation that I was looking at a relative of mine who had died in battle, fascinated me.

In 2008, I was asked to present a BBC documentary called The Last Day Of World War One.

In the course of it, I visited one of the many First World War burial grounds in northern France and there, in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, near Longueval, I found the name of my great-uncle, H W B Palin, inscribed on a memorial wall.

To my surprise I discovered he had been serving not in the British Army but with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, hence the uniform and lemon-squeezer hat, a Kiwi invention.

And his name appearing on a wall meant he had no known grave. His body was never found.

In between making documentaries for the BBC and reuniting with 70-year-old Pythons at Londons O2 arena, I searched for any evidence that might shed further light on the life and times of the mysterious H W B Palin. And what I found was one surprise after another.

Around the time his wife, Helen, died, Michael Palin was putting the finishing touches to a book about another death  that of his great-uncle Harry, who was killed on the Somme in 1916

I learned that he was the youngest child of the marriage between an Oxford don and an Irishwoman, who, as a seven-year-old, was orphaned in the Great Potato Famine of 1843, put on one of the grimly named coffin ships and taken across the Atlantic to Philadelphia, where she was adopted by an American.

Harry had six brothers and sisters  all of whom led conventionally successful middle-class lives, though one of his brothers died of typhoid aged 18, while he was still at school.

Though his father was a classical scholar, and his eldest brother had won a first at Christ Church College Oxford, Harry was non-academic.

As he was unable to decide on a career, he was sent out to India where he worked on the railways and in the tea plantations, both with conspicuous lack of success.

The family had virtually given up on him when, at the age of 28, he took his fate into his own hands and emigrated to New Zealand to work as a farmhand.

No wonder my father had so little to say about him. He was clearly the family failure. But this only deepened my curiosity. Why was he the way he was?

An unexpected treasure trove had been staring me in the face all the time. In the bottom of the file was a dry and dusty old envelope containing three or four small notebooks, covered in a spidery pencilled hand. They were daily diaries kept by Harry throughout two of the most savage campaigns of the Great War.

Squeezed into these pages was a daily account of how my great-uncle survived a brutal four and a half months on the Gallipoli Peninsula and almost survived the ruinous Battle of the Somme, being one of the very last members of the New Zealand forces to die in that offensive.

Writing about Harry was a process of historical resuscitation: trying to bring to life someone who everyone else had abandoned.

In this I had enormous and unexpected help from a New Zealander who knew every intimate detail of the war, the film director Peter Jackson, who shared with me not only an extraordinary amount of information but found photos of Harry actually in Gallipoli.

In telling this family story, I had to ask myself why I was so determined to pursue the life of an obscure squaddie rather than, for instance, that of my maternal grandfather who fought in the same war, winning a DSO and rising to the rank of lieutenant general?

Palin discovered the diaries that his great-uncle kept throughout two of the most savage campaigns of the Great War

By way of explanation, I found some interesting parallels with my own life. One of them was in Harrys determination to do his own thing, which reflected my own search for original material, for telling tales that others might not tell, for finding ways of saying things differently. For playing characters who cant get things right  lying pet-shop owners, incompetent Mounties, boring prophets.

The reason Im attracted to them is because they irritate the successful, which is a very productive ground for comedy.

Harrys diaries, which were found among his possessions at the soldiers quarters after his death, describe awful, hair-raising situations, from watching friends die to having to kill to stay alive.

Harrys diaries describe awful, hair-raising situations yet he keeps going

They deal with disease and horrible discomfort, yet Harry puts his head down and keeps going, he is unmotivated by ambition or recognition.

He dies a lance corporal, leaving only 78 in his will. From his writings I hear the voice of a man, just turned 30, who is still trying to make sense of his life. But then Im 80 and still trying to make sense of my life.

Harrys is not a conventional war story, its a portrait of a stubborn man watching the safe and comfortable world in which he was brought up fall to pieces. Were not so very far apart, Harry and me.

If he had lived on to the age I am now, he could have been present at my 21st birthday party. I feel that Ive not only given his life some recognition, Ive made a friend.

Great-Uncle Harry will be published on Thursday by Hutchinson Heinemann, 22
Coastline How about a dip in the North Sea instead of the Med? According to Sebastian Ebel, the boss of travel operator Tui, Southern Europes scorching summer heatwave and wildfires will prompt people to seek out new destinations in Northern Europe, such as the Belgian coast.

Tramline Fifteen seaside resorts are dotted along Belgiums 65km of sandy beaches. The worlds longest tram route, the Coastal Tram, takes you from De Panne, near the French border, to Knokke-Heist, near the Dutch one, in around two and a half hours  or 67 stops (but whos counting?).

Party line The coastline is full of beach bars and while some have more Mykonos-style party vibes than others, all serve cooling Belgian beers and cocktails. A chic pick is Lichttorenstrand (lichttorenstrand.be), in Knokke, where sunlounger hire costs around 13, a glass of rose about 6.

Name that dune: The sands at Knokke-Heist near the Dutch border. In total there are 15 seaside resorts dotted along Belgiums 65km of sandy beaches

Dividing line The Zeedijk (the long promenade that separates the sands from the towns) is lined by tall apartment buildings and many (and we mean many) restaurants with beachfront terraces.

Proximity to the North Sea means most serve seaside classics such as shrimp croquettes, sole and, of course, moules-frites. In Zeebrugge, restaurant t Werftje (twerftje.be) has locals queueing for a table  its grilled king crab is worth the wait.

Waterline With three yacht clubs and more than 2,000 berths, Nieuwpoort, near the French border, is a must-visit for sailing fanatics. Two seafront hotels have opened in the resort in the past year  sleek sleeping spot The Cornr Hotel (from 137 per night, cornrhotel.be/en) and family-friendly Dune Hotel (from 128 per night, dunehotel.co.uk).

Storyline In 1933, after fleeing Nazi Germany, Albert Einstein lived in the pretty beach town of De Haan (or, as Belgian French speakers call it, Le Coq-sur-Mer) for six months and often enjoyed tea and a slice of brioche on the terrace of Grand Hotel Belle Vue (from 95 per night, hotelbellevue.be).

Waistline In Knokke, the one per cent rev their Porsches and Land Rover SUVs as they pass Albert Square, dubbed Place mas-tu vu (Did-you-see-me? Square), and check in at five-star hotel La Reserve (from 255 per night, la-reserve.be/en); guests have included Paris Hilton and David Beckham.

With four Michelin-starred restaurants, the town is also a haven for gourmands. Boo Raan (booraan.be) serves up Thai food on sharing plates  just save room for dessert as its zesty lemongrass creme brulee is sublime.

North Sea style: A chic pick is Lichttorenstrand (lichttorenstrand.be), in Knokke, where sunlounger hire costs around 13, a glass of rose about 6

Bottom line At the eastern end of the coast are art galleries and designer shops as well as Zwin Natuur Park (zwin.be/en), a protected area of marshlands and mudflats sheltering more than 200 bird species (including white storks and pied avocets) behind the windswept dunes. Perfect for a pm stroll or leisurely bike ride.

Chat line Dont worry about the language barrier. The Belgian seaside might be in the Dutch-speaking area of Flanders, but most locals speak at least some English.

Trainline Eurostar will whizz you from London to Brussels in just under two hours. Then hop on a train (again, less than two hours) to De Panne, Koksijde, Oostende, Blankenberge or Knokke. Alternatively, fly to Brussels from London, Birmingham or Manchester with Brussels Airlines.
The Government this week scrapped plans aimed at forcing landlords to upgrade the energy efficiency of their properties.

On Wednesday, Rishi Sunak announced the Government would 'soften' several green policies, including minimum EPC standards for rental homes.

Although it had not officially become law, for years, landlords have feared these mooted plans that would compel them to upgrade their rental properties to achieve an EPC rating of C by 2028.

Potential new EPC requirements scrapped: There were fears that landlords would be required to upgrade their properties to an EPC of C rating by 2028 in order to let them out

The EPC is a rating scheme which bands properties between A and G, with an A rating being the most energy efficient and G the least efficient.

At present, all rental properties in England and Wales need to have an EPC of at least E in order to be let, unless they are exempt.

This now looks set to remain as the rule for the foreseeable future thanks to a government u-turn earlier this week.

Sunak partly justified scrapping the policy by suggesting that the huge costs of upgrading homes was likely to be passed on as higher rents to tenants.

However, while some government funding will be offered to landlords to upgrade their properties, they will no longer have to fear being fined for not retrofitting their properties.

The potential requirement of having to have an EPC of C to let a property had been looming over landlords for some time. In fact, it was seen as a key reason for some landlords deciding to sell up and exit the sector.

The Prime Minister hosted a press conference on Wednesday and confirmed the government would not be forcing landlords to upgrade the energy efficiency of their properties by 2028

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, welcomed the news, which he believes provides much needed clarity.

He said: 'The uncertainty surrounding energy efficiency policy has been hugely damaging to the supply of rented properties.

'Landlords are struggling to make investment decisions without a clear idea of the Government's direction of travel.

'It is welcome that landlords will not be required to invest substantial sums of money during a cost-of-living crisis when many are themselves struggling financially.

'However, ministers need to use the space they are creating to develop a full plan that supports the rental market to make the energy efficiency improvements we all want to see.

'This must include appropriate financial support and reform of the tax system which currently fails to support investment in energy efficiency measures.'

However, not everyone is pleased about this particular change in government policy.

Dawid Baranowski, of property technology firm IMMO believes the impact of EPC regulation on the housing market is a critical factor to ensuring sustainable and affordable living in the future.

He says: 'Minimum energy standards, while essential for achieving the Paris goals and the UK Net Zero strategy, are also a beacon of hope for consumers as they reduce cost burdens and contribute to the decarbonisation of real estate.

'The fact the government is making a u-turn on these standards which have been in the public domain for years is disheartening, as the brunt of such a decision fall on renters, who are often not landowners and will absorb the burden of the higher energy bills, especially at a time when we are grappling with a cost-of-living crisis.

'More than 2.4 million privately rented homes in England will experience higher energy bills with renters facing 1.4 billion costs as a result.'

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, welcomed the news, which he believes provides some much needed clarity for the sector

Dan Wilson Craw, deputy chief executive of Generation Rent also bemoaned what he described as a colossal error by the Government.

He adds: 'Leaving the impact on the climate to one side, it makes the cost of living crisis worse and damages renters' health.

'One in four private renters lives in fuel poverty and, without targets for landlords to improve their properties, they face many more years of unaffordable bills.

'Energy efficiency is also an essential part of a home's quality. Backtracking leaves the Government's levelling up mission to halve the number of non-decent rented homes in shreds.

'Both tenants and landlords need support to upgrade private rented homes, and the Prime Minister recognised that 'big government grants' help make it affordable. But without higher standards, landlords have no reason to accept tenants' requests for improvements.'
Motorists with Gap insurance claim just once every 300 years - and now the financial regulator is stepping in to ensure consumers are not being ripped off.

Not only is the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) worried that barely any Gap policies are claimed on, it is now asking serious questions about commissions of up to 70 per cent that bump up premiums - without any apparent reason.

GAP stands for guaranteed asset protection, and is a sort of insurance that covers your car's loss in value if it is written off or stolen, as vehicles depreciate so quickly.

It is normally sold as a standalone policy or as an add-on to other sorts of financial deals, like car insurance.

Wheeler dealer: Many Gap insurance policies are sold by car dealerships alongside vehicles

There were 567,895 add-on Gap policies and 1.8million standalone deals sold in 2022 - a total of 2.4million, meaning one in every 16 drivers has such a product.

The average Gap premium is around 126 a year for standalone cover, and 131 as an add-on.

But there is a problem with Gap insurance - most motorists don't ever claim on it.

New figures from the FCA show that only 0.34 per cent of add-on Gap is claimed on every year - meaning the typical driver claims once every 294 years.

For standalone Gap, 1.8 per cent of people taking out the policy make a claim every year, meaning the average customer claims every 55 years on average.

The FCA says Gap insurers pay the least out in claims of any area of insurance as a proportion of premiums they charge.

Standalone Gap policies pay out just 6.87 per cent of premiums every year as claims, while add-on Gap deals pay out 4.37 per cent.

For comparison, motor insurers pay out 64.51 per cent of premiums as claims and motorbike insurers 60.67 per cent.

Now, as This is Money revealed back in January, the FCA is turning its attention to low-value insurance deals.

Piggybacking: Most Gap insurance is sold separately, but around one in three deals is bought as an add-on to other insurance policies

The FCA has given Gap insurers one month to explain how their deals are right for drivers.

FCA director of insurance Matt Brewis said: 'Customers should be reassured that were in their corner and are taking action where we see poor value being provided.

'If the firms are unable to prove theyre providing fair value to their customers, they should expect further action from the regulator.'

This is Money understands that the short one-month timeframe reflects how worried the FCA is about the state of Gap insurance.

Some of the largest insurers issuing Gap policies are AmTrust Europe and Ageas.

The regulator is also concerned about the level of commission charged on Gap insurance - for example, insurers routinely pay car dealerships to sell Gap to customers, then give them a fee.

The FCA has examples of firms paying out up to 70 per cent of the value of insurance premiums in commission to firms such as motor dealerships.

A spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers trade body said: 'Our members fully understand the importance of providing fair value to customers and work hard to deliver it.

'Well discuss the FCAs concerns with them to understand where any further action could be taken.'

Why don't drivers claim on Gap insurance?

Some may not be aware they even have the policy.

When this insurance is sold, especially as an add-on to a bigger main policy, customers frequently do not realise - or forget - that they have the cover at all.

When Gap insurance is claimed on it almost always pays out, suggesting many customers are unaware they are covered in the first place.

In fact, standalone Gap insurance has the highest payout rate of any insurance, at 99.3 per cent, with an average claim of 529.86 - when customers actually make a claim.

That drops to 95.59 per cent for add-on Gap, with a typical claim being 2,201.

How do I know if I have Gap insurance?

You should check the terms of your car insurance deal, as well as any car finance documents you have.

Gap insurance is not the only insurance deal on the FCA's watchlist.

The regulator said: 'Whilst this action is on Gap insurance, many of the concerns we see are potentially related to wider issues and so firms boards should take note of this action and make sure they are meeting their product governance requirements across all retail products.'
Every time Peter Cloke visits his wife Millie in her care home in Woodbridge, Suffolk, he arrives bearing treats such as chocolates or sweet-smelling shower gel.

To pay for these, the 79-year-old former accountant invested 5,000 in March in a new bond from the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Care Company (RMBI).

Founded in 1850, the RMBI runs care homes and sheltered accommodation for more than 1,000 freemasons and others.

The issue was a success, raising 20million. Maturing in 2029, the bonds offer 6.25 per cent interest, paid twice a year, with the first payment due on September 7.

Peter had only invested in equities and unit trusts before but the bond's charitable nature attracted him. The Masonic backing was reassuring and he was keen on the fixed twice-yearly payments, which he decided to spend on those treats for his wife.

Weak link: Each party had done its bit except for Euroclear

Having bought the bonds via wealth platform Hargreaves Lansdown, Peter duly checked his account on September 7 for the first payment. It had not arrived and, as days passed, he worried. Peter was not alone. Hundreds of investors were in the same boat, many having poured 15,000 or more into the bond issue.

Mark Lloyd, managing director of the RMBI, was astounded when distressed bondholders contacted the charity. He had made sure the money was sent out on time to be forwarded to bondholders.

But the process is complex, with the funds going through intermediaries before reaching Euroclear, the Brussels-based clearing system ultimately responsible for sending the cash to brokers and investors.

Research by The Mail on Sunday revealed each party had done its bit except for Euroclear. It only moved the cash when urged to by Lloyd and colleagues. By the end of last week however, bondholders had been paid. Now Peter can stock up on treats for his wife.
Fugitive: 'Cryptoqueen' Ruja Ignatova

A top City firm is preparing a lawsuit against the fugitive 'cryptoqueen' Ruja Ignatova, who led a multi-billion pound cryptocurrency scam called OneCoin.

Mishcon de Reya, whose clients have included Princess Diana and anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller, is planning a class action lawsuit in the High Court, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

The Bulgaria-based scheme has been dubbed 'one of the biggest scams in history', with Ignatova playing a central role in promoting it. She disappeared in 2017 and is on the FBI's Most Wanted list with US authorities offering $250,000 (200,000) for information leading to her arrest.

Mishcon aims to recover funds lost by investors in the fraud, with claimants able to sign up on a 'no-win, no-fee' basis.

'The claim aims to achieve at least partial redress for investors taken in by the deception and who suffered losses as a result,' said partner Rhymal Persad.

Launched in 2014, OneCoin marketed itself as a rival to Bitcoin, attracting investors worldwide with promises of huge returns.

Backers bought educational material and 'tokens' that the firm said could be converted into OneCoin cryptocurrency and would increase in value.

At its peak in mid-2017, the firm had amassed more than 4billion, according to the US Department of Justice, despite growing warnings from regulators and signs it was functioning as a Ponzi scheme, where new investment pays existing backers rather than the firm making a profit.

The business effectively collapsed later that year after US authorities charged Ignatova with fraud and issued a warrant for her arrest, leaving investors billions of pounds out of pocket.
Since it exploded onto Western markets, Chinese fast-fashion firm Shein  pronounced she-in  has become a wardrobe staple for young women with its cut-price designs.

The group last week ramped up its presence in the UK by entering talks to buy clothing brand Missguided from Mike Ashley's Frasers Group. The move came hard on the heels of its opening a pop-up store in Oxford Street as part of London's Fashion Week festivities.

The company, which was founded in 2012 in Nanjing, China, and is now headquartered in Singapore, saw sales surge during the pandemic as it rode a wave of shoppers buying online during lockdown.

Business in the UK is also booming. The inaugural accounts for its British arm, filed this month with Companies House, revealed sales of 1.1billion and a profit of 12.2million for the 16 months to the end of December 2022.

But there is a darker side, critics say, to this fashion phenomenon. Little is known about its overall finances or the billionaire businessman who founded the company.

Getting in on the act: Pop star Katy Perry promoting Shein

Shein churns out thousands of new designs every day and relies heavily on direct selling through social media, often recruiting influencers on apps such as TikTok.

Celebrities have got in on the act, and the brand has previously been associated with the likes of Katy Perry, Rita Ora and Hailey Bieber.

It isn't surprising that Shein appeals to the West's cash-strapped youngsters. The front page of its UK website offers women's dresses for as little as 4.85 and a sweatshirt for just over 5.

Shein also claims to have more than 10,000 employees and says it sells its products in more than 150 countries. It is thought to be the world's largest fast-fashion retailer and in a recent fundraising was valued at over 53billion  more than Swedish chain H&M and Zara-owner Inditex put together.

In July, the firm's executives claimed in a letter to investors that it had amassed a record profit in the first half of 2023, although they declined to state the exact figure.

Such is the buzz around the company's success that it is thought to be considering a listing on the US stock market, with recent reports indicating that it has recruited major investment banks, including Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley, to draw up plans for a blockbuster float in the near future.

The firm is also backed by several major investors, including New York investment manager Tiger Global and the Chinese arm of US venture capital group Sequoia.

But despite its runaway success, little is known about the firm's inner workings or about its secretive founder, Xu Yangtian, also known as Chris Xu, born in China in 1983, who with an estimated fortune of more than 8billion ranks as one of the country's richest people. Stories that have leaked to the press paint a picture of a ruthless and determined tech whizz who has battled and backstabbed his way to become the king of fast fashion in China's notoriously cut-throat corporate world.

One anecdote from two former business partners tells of how Xu worked with them to set up an e-commerce business called Nanjing Dianwei Information Technology in 2008. In 2012, he founded SheInside, a wedding dress retailer and Shein's predecessor, but the move sparked a falling out with his two partners. They claim Xu one day disappeared from the office, taking control of Nanjing Dianwei's PayPal accounts with him, though the company denies this.

The firm then rebranded as Shein in 2015 and moved its headquarters to the city of Guangzhou while also opening an office in the US, where it launched two years later.

Despite its enormous success, the company has attracted controversy as it continues to expand and take an ever-bigger slice of the global fast-fashion market.

Earlier this year, it was embroiled in a scandal when it shipped several US influencers out to what it claimed was one of its factories in Guangzhou.

This provoked accusations of an attempt to whitewash criticism of its labour practices and treatment of workers.

Activists such as Hakan Karaosman, a professor at Cardiff University and the chairman of the Union of Concerned Researchers in Fashion, have also previously said Shein's ultra-fast fashion business model is contributing to environmental 'degradation' and that it can only survive 'as long as clothing is overproduced and overdistributed'.

The practice often results in massive amounts of textile waste being dumped in poorer countries.

The firm has also been repeatedly accused of plagiarism and copying the work of fashion designers to then sell on its own website.

Shein's labour rights record has already attracted the attention of US lawmakers in a move that could derail its plans for a New York listing. In May, a group of US politicians called on the Securities and Exchange Commission to block Shein's planned flotation until the business could verify that it did not use forced labour from China's oppressed Uyghur minority in its factories.

Despite the setbacks, the company shows no sign of tempering its ambitions.

Shein has been steadily shifting the centre of its operation towards Singapore and away from China, seemingly in a push to escape the country's tight control over its business and strict rules on listing overseas.

Xu may be hoping to avoid the fate of Jack Ma, the outspoken founder of e-commerce giant Alibaba, who was considered one of the country's most high-profile businessmen, but has barely been seen in public for the past three years after criticising China's regulatory regime.

As they say in fashion circles, not a good look.

A spokesman for Shein said the company takes 'all claims of infringement seriously'. They added that it is 'committed to respecting human rights' and has 'zero tolerance' for forced labour.
Leading the charge: David Lockwood is the boss of Britain's second biggest defence contractor

David Lockwood was the man at the centre of one of the UK's biggest takeover rows when he sold historic defence firm Cobham to a US private equity predator. Now he is in charge of another great British defence business, Babcock International.

But he is adamant he's not aiming to sell out again.

Lockwood was brought in to overhaul Babcock in the summer of 2020 after the FTSE 250 firm issued multiple profit warnings and was struggling with underperforming businesses. Now that his sweeping turnaround strategy is starting to pay off, does Babcock, which maintains the UK's fleet of nuclear submarines, not risk becoming a takeover target too?

Lockwood insists that this is not the case. 'I think it's incredibly unlikely. I hope it's incredibly unlikely for a few reasons. For one, there aren't that many people in the nuclear space.' Anyone wanting to enter that arena would have to 'clear a UK Government hurdle, which, given that we maintain the UK's nuclear fleet, is a very, very, very, very high hurdle,' he says.

On a personal level, though, he is keen to see a shake-up of a company through to the end.

'I didn't get to do the interesting bit [at Cobham]', he says. 'And here, I'm about to head into the interesting bit.'

Babcock is a far bigger and more sprawling business than Cobham was. Set up in 1934, Cobham was one of Britain's pioneering aerospace and defence firms, with a workforce of 10,000 staff. In 2019, it became the target of a 4billion takeover by private equity group Advent International.

The situation was similar to that at Babcock: Lockwood had been brought in to turn the company around after it issued a string of profit warnings.

This was starting to take effect and investors were reinvigorated by the time that Advent swooped.

Lockwood and his fellow board members backed the deal, much to the dismay of some politicians, industry experts and even the founding Cobham family.

After furious opposition, the Government put a series of conditions on the deal. But it kicked off a bout of bids in the defence industry that later saw Ultra Electronics and Meggitt fall prey to US groups.

Cobham  as critics of the deal had warned  was swiftly broken up, and much of it was sold off within 18 months, despite Advent having insisted that it would be a long-term investor.

Was this a surprise to Lockwood?

He admits he has not tracked Cobham's post-takeover story.

'I don't really have a strong opinion, except that private equity only ever holds companies for a limited period. That's almost in their nature. They've probably done what you would expect a private equity company to do,' he adds.

'It's not been high on my radar.'

Lockwood has always insisted that he supported Advent's swoop because it was the best deal for investors, though many criticisms focused on national security fears.

But it was also not his first time dealing with Advent. The group he worked at before Cobham was Laird, another of Advent's targets.

He has also held high-level roles at firms including Thales, BT Global Services and BAE Systems, after graduating with a maths degree from the University of York.

Private equity predators might not be giving him nightmares, but Vladimir Putin's aggression against Ukraine is keeping him awake at night. The 60-year-old has become one of a handful of bosses to lead a major defence company during a war in Europe.

Even before Russia's invasion, Babcock was already the UK's second-largest defence contractor, after BAE. As well as maintaining nuclear submarines, it is also building the next generation of Royal Navy warships.

So, no pressure then.

'An analyst once wrote that the UK can't go to war without Babcock, and that's pretty true,' Lockwood says. 'That is a big responsibility. But if it doesn't keep you up at night, you're probably not the right person for the job.'

The biggest immediate threat for Lockwood to ruminate over in the early hours is Putin. China, which many Western politicians worry could invade Taiwan or try to make territorial gains in the South China Sea, is another threat.

Then there is climate change. We are 'not preparing enough' for the elements of global warming that are 'probably already inevitable', he says.

With all that swirling around in his mind, how does he decompress? Lockwood's business-like demeanour cracks and he breaks into a smile. 'Although it can horrify my wife, I play the piano  very badly. Because I'm not very good, I have to really focus, so it shuts the rest out,' he says, adding: 'I like going to the gym because, again, I think that if you're really pushing yourself, then you really focus.'

Lockwood, who says he tries to walk 20,000 to 25,000 steps a day, takes some of this mindset with him to the office. 'Everyone has got walking shoes, because if something's bugging me, I'll just say, 'Let's go around the block or the park and just talk it out'.'

Babcock's head office, where we are speaking, is in an austere building near Oxford Street in London's West End. The FTSE 250 firm has 27,000 staff, most of whom are in the UK, but its international operations are spread around the globe, the biggest being in Australia, Canada, South Africa and France.

Its sites include a dockyard alongside Devonport  the largest naval base in Western Europe  in Plymouth and the Rosyth dockyard in Fife, Scotland.

At Babcock he has had his work cut out for him. It traces its origins back to the 19th century, but it was shaped in its current form by the late Peter Rogers, who ran it from 2003 to 2016, and Archie Bethel, who was then in charge until 2020.

At that point, years of acquisitions had produced a workforce that had little shared culture. The company was a creaking mess.

There had also been some bruising allegations from an activist research outfit called The Boatman Capital, which claimed that Babcock's relationship with the Ministry of Defence was fraught and that some of its profit margins were being overstated. Babcock denied this  though certain claims appear to have had some truth in them.

Lockwood ordered a full review of the firm's accounts, which led to a daunting overhaul of the balance sheet. In July 2021, Babcock announced write-offs and charges to the tune of 2billion and started job cuts that aimed for 1,000 redundancies, mostly among the multi-layered middle management.

The scale of the problems revealed by the review was, he admits, a surprise. He and his finance chief tried to identify where the problems had begun, but he admits that 'in the end, we just couldn't. So the idea was, let's just get a clean financial baseline so that we can then measure our improvement and go from there.'

The City and investors were pleased with the fresh start. Lockwood's plans, which aimed to focus the portfolio, have included offloading a big chunk of its rescue helicopters business and parts of its civil training division. He now talks about the 'stabilisation' phase of his overhaul as being complete.

Annual results released last month showed a rise in sales but a dive in profits from 182million to just 6million. This is largely as a result of a 100million hit from a major contract to build Type 31 frigates, which is still being wrangled over with the Ministry of Defence.

This was a contract sealed by Bethel. Sources claim that Lockwood has said privately that he would never have signed it if he were in charge.

'I don't ever recall saying that,' he says. 'But I certainly would say that, if the contract had been well written, we wouldn't be having a debate about what it says today.'
September may be the busiest month for returning holidaymakers to change unspent euros, dollars and other currencies back into sterling. But according to the Post Office, it's still only a fifth of us who get round to exchanging it, with the average household hoarding around 150 of foreign currency.

So if you have old foreign currency tucked away in a drawer dig it out and make it work for you.

Salman Haqqi of consumer website money.co.uk says: 'You can exchange your foreign money in High Street banks, but should also consider online services, as they tend to offer some of the most competitive rates. They can also provide details of nearby outlets where you can drop off your unspent money and exchange it for British cash.'

Among those Salman's firm lists for competitiveness is No1 Currency, Eurochange and NM Money. Each pays over 8 for each 10. These deals can be struck online and money exchanged at your nearest High Street outlet by tapping in your address.

The Post Office also has a 'travel money refund guarantee'. A spokesman says: 'Sometimes a trip gets cancelled. Just provide your original receipt and proof of cancellation to get every penny back.'

Cashing in: The average household is hoarding around 150 of foreign currency

You can also use the Post Office for exchanging foreign cash that you did not take out at one of its branches. There is no commission but do check the exchange rates.

Sort out the notes from the coins

You can exchange as little as a 5 note with a foreign exchange specialist or High Street bank, but coins are not accepted as part of the usual 'buy back' services.

For coins and rare or out-of-date banknotes, for example, from countries where the euro was subsequently introduced, consider a specialist website such as Leftover Currency or Cash4Coins.

Leftover Currency offers an online calculator for everything from the Albanian Lek to the Zambian Kwacha  explaining what it will pay. Tot up the total after going through your coins, fill in the form (online or paper) and post your money off to the Leftover Currency address in Berkshire.

It suggests using a Royal Mail Signed For service. This can cost 3.90 for up to half a kilogram of small change. The agreed sum should be in your bank account within five days of the cash being received.

You are not charged a fee. Leftover Currency's profit is made from the exchange rate it offers.

For example, with euro coins it currently pays about 7.40 for 10 in coins, compared with the 8 you would get for notes on the high street. If you tap in your currency details online, it promises to hold an exchange rate offer for 14 days.

You can also pop into an outlet it runs in Regent Street, London, or its Berkshire office in Datchet.

Cash4Coins provides a similar service  though the form you send with the packaged-up notes and coins is much simpler. You just supply your contact details and explain how you would like to be paid, and it calculates how much you will get. The firm does all the sorting, with processing and money transfer costs covered by the rates offered.

Cash4Coins says that if it is coins you are exchanging you can expect to receive about 78 per cent of what you would receive for banknotes.

Where coins are not redeemable Cash4Coins will treat them as scrap metal and pay about 1.50 a kilo.

Cash4Coins suggests using a recorded delivery service for currency weighing less than 500g.

It also offers a courier service for larger amounts. For weights up to 10kg the fee is 9.95, which is deducted from the sum it will pay.

Cash4Coins suggests packaging up currency into a plastic carrier bag secured with strong tape  then wrapping that bag in yet another plastic bag. Then it asks customers to put it all into a tight-fitting cardboard box with any spare space tightly packed with paper. The company promises 'the best price' but this will be less than you get for banknotes in common currencies on the High Street.

Donate the money to charity shops direct

While firms such as Cash4Coins will donate the money to charities such as the Alzheimer's Society and the RSPCA if you wish, to cut out the hassle you can simply drop off all your spare foreign currency at a charity shop, such as Oxfam or Macmillan Cancer Support, and the charity will treat it as a donation.

Use a rare coin app if pieces might have value

If you discover some old coins or notes that you feel might have an intrinsic value, then a numismatist (coin specialist) can help. The Royal Numismatic Society can provide details of local dealers.

For example, a pre-decimalisation British one penny coin can be worth anything from half a new penny to more than 8,000, depending on who was sitting on the throne when it was minted, the year and rarity. Websites such as All Coin Values also offer guidance.

There are also smartphone apps that can help you identify coins  and even provide a rough valuation and give fun facts about them.

These include the free Coinoscope and CoinSnap. The latter charges 25 a year after a free 14-day trial.

Outfits such as Cash4Coins can also offer exchanges for pre-decimalisation British coins.

and empty that jar of British coins

After the Covid lockdowns, six in ten Britons found themselves hoarding a total of 50million in loose change, according to estimates by banking trade body UK Finance, mostly in 1p, 2p, 5p and 10p coins.

But take a load of mixed coins to your High Street bank and you are likely to be shown the door. You must pre-pack them in the bank's own bags.

So visit the branch first to pick up these clear, small plastic bags for free and fill them at home. For 1p and 2p coins each bag usually totals 1; for 5p and 10p pieces 5; for 20p or 50p coins it is 10; and for 1 or 2 coins it is 20.

Do not mix the coins as they will be rejected. The banks have weighing machines that can tot up the total straight away.

Try the magic money machine at Metro Bank

Metro Bank customers can use a so-called 'magic money machine' where you pour in the coins, and it adds up the total to be put into your bank account.

Supermarkets also often have coin-sorting machines that can turn your sterling change into banknotes. Visit the Coinstar website to find machines in your area. But be aware these typically charge 10.9 per cent of the total as well as a 25p 'processing fee'.

Your High Street bank and major post offices should also take currency no longer in circulation, such as the old pound coin, but be patient and polite as they are under no legal obligation to help.
Hundreds of Aussie women whose breast implants caused cancer and other serious illnesses are preparing for a legal battle and taking on a pharmaceutical giant.

A class action lawsuit has been launched against Allergan, four years after the manufacturer issued the recall due to a link between the implants and Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a cancer of the lymphatic system.

Law firm Shine Lawyers wants to hear from women who have developed cancer due to the implants, is symptomatic, had the implants removed and left out of pocket after having the explants.

They include Queensland mum-of-three Sarah*, who withdrew from her superannuation to undergo an explant three years ago.

She now wants compensation from Allergan for the thousands spent on removing the implants and the pain caused, which left her fearing she would die.

Sarah (pictured with breast implants) has joined a class action lawsuit against pharmaceutical giant Allergan

Sarah (pictured before getting implants in 2013) wanted to feel more feminine

Sarah decided to get breast implants in 2013, a life lesson she now regrets.

'I was flat-chested after having breastfeeding three children - I couldn't even wear a bra,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'I was healthy, exercised daily and loved life, but I wanted to feel more feminine. And I felt really good after getting them.'

Sarah began feeling tired and rundown and gradually noticed other odd symptoms such as achy joints, hair loss and a yellow tinge to her eyes.

'I didn't think anything of it at the time and put the tiredness down to having young kids,' she said.

She was diagnosed with pericarditis, the swelling and irritation of the tissue surrounding the heart.

'I had fluid around my heart. I suffered from painful UTIs, constant headaches, stomach pain, brain fog, and all my joints would ache,' she said.

'I was having night sweats where I would wake up in a pool of sweat.'

'It impacted every aspect of my life, including my business. I couldn't enjoy everything I wanted with my three girls. I couldn't even lift and pick up my youngest.'

Sarah began researching implants in 2019 after learning about the recall as her health deteriorated.

'The Christmas before I took my implants out, I thought I was going to die,' she said.

'We were housesitting at the time. I was so sick that we got the night doctors out to give me medication.'

Sarah withdrew from her superannuation to fund her explants (pictured after the procedure)

Sarah says it took six months to recover from the explants in 2020 (pictured after the procedure)

The following Allergan products are part of the Shine Lawyers claim  Natrelle salene breast implants;  Natrelle highly cohesive anatomically shaped silicon fill;  McGhan biodimensional silicone filled biocell textured breast implants;  Natrelle inspira silicone filled breast implants;  Natrelle silicone filled tissue expander;  McGhan magna-site tissue;  McGhan croissant shaped tissue expander Advertisement

Sarah got the implants removed in 2020.

Looking back on the harrowing ordeal, she said it could have been so much worse and considers herself one of the lucky ones not to be diagnosed with cancer.

'The day I had the explants, my little girl ran up to me and asked if I finally could lift her up; being still unable to pick up my baby made me so sad,' she said.

'It took six months to fully recover from the explants, but I was able to run and exercise again.'

'I've been to hell and back, which you can't put a price on but I'm just so grateful to see my daughters grow up.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Allergan for comment.

At the time of the 2019 recall, at least five Australia and New Zealand women had died of breast implant-associated (BIA) ALCL.

Another 100 Australian women had been diagnosed with (BIA) ALCL, including mum-of-five AnneMarie Sage Wood.

Shame and embarrassment held her back from seeking medical attention when she first noticed something was wrong with her breast implants.

'I had them assessed, but was told the fluid was benign and that I had developed capsular contracture - the commonest complication with implants,' she recalled in a Brisbane Times opinion piece in 2019.

AnneMarie Sage Wood (pictured) was diagnosed with BIA-ALCL in 2018

In 2018, she finally acted on her feelings and had the implants removed.

That's when she received the shocking news - she had been diagnosed with ALCL cancer.

'I was in total shock. I imagined the worst case, that I was going to say farewell to my family and die from this,' AnneMarie recalled.

'I wish I had known more about the symptoms and the risks related to my breast implants - I was not informed or educated.'

Mother-two Julie Luezzi, then 40, got Allergan 'Biocell' implants in 2002.

She died 11 years later, three months after she was diagnosed with ALCL cancer.

'How could I possibly tell my children [that] not only do they have to deal with this happening to their mother, but she actually caused it?' Ms Luezzi wrote following her diagnosis.

'This was the worst by far of anything that had happened.'

Julie Luezzi died in 2013 several months after she was diagnosed with BIA-ALCL

Ms Luezzi didn't want her sons to know why she died, a secret kept from them for five years

'It was her dying wish,' Julie's sister Donna Ohlsen later told the Sydney Morning Herald.

'I've kept that promise for five years, and I think that's long enough. She'd understand why.'

It's reported that one in every 2500-3000 women with these implants will develop lymphatic cancer.

Many cases develop 7-8 years after the implants are inserted, according to Shine Lawyers.

Symptoms of BIA-ALCL cancer include sudden swelling due to a build-up of fluid around the implant) or pain in a breast or the armpit, and occasionally a lump or rash

'Some women will have scarring and disfigurement as a result of implant removal surgery and some will suffer health complications for the rest of their lives,' Vicky Antzoulatos, Joint Head of Class Actions at Shine Lawyers.

'It's horrific that a product like this can be put to market and expose women to such grave risk. These implants were also used for breast reconstruction surgery on women who had already recovered from breast cancer, and this added another layer of illness, fear and medical expenses.

Visit Shine Lawyers for more about the class action against Allergan or email allerganclassaction@shine.com.au.
A debate has erupted over whether Rottweilers should be restricted or even banned in Australia after a series of recent attacks by the powerful dog breed.

The debate over whether the country made a mistake by accepting Rottweilers as family pets escalated this week after Perth woman Nikita Piil, 31, was rushed to hospital after being savagely mauled by her two pets.

Rottweilers are not on the list of restricted dogs in Australia - of which there are five others, including Bull Terrier breeds, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro (also known as the Brazilian Mastiff), Japanese Tosa, and Perro de Presa Canario (or Presa Canario).

But the facts show Rottweilers - which have bite force more powerful than Pitbulls and can easily overpower a human - are one of the worst breeds for bites.

Perth woman Nikita Piil, 31, was rushed to hospital after being savagely mauled by her two pet rottweillers

A woman who was mauled by two Rottweilers and sustained wounds to her arms and legs has died weeks later (File image)

On her Facebook page Ms Piil shows her affection for pet rottweilers wishing them happy birthdays and calling them her babies

Police were forced to shoot one of Ms Piil's dogs to stop it attacking her and the animal was later euthanised

Savage Rottweiler attacks

Rottweilers have already been banned in several countries overseas, and now Australia might be starting to understand why.

Last Saturday, Perth police were forced to shoot a Rottweiler to save its owner's life.

Ms Piil needed emergency surgery for severe wounds on her arms and legs after her two Rottweilers turned on her at her home in Success, in Perth's southern suburbs.

Miss Piil, 31, was set upon by the dogs, Bronx and Harlem, about 4.30pm. Residents alerted police after hearing her blood-curdling screams.

'All I could really do is just watch this girl get mauled apart as I'm smacking the fence,' neighbour Bryn Spencer told 9News.

He was too afraid to jump the fence because of the two clearly dangerous canines.

Then less than two days later, a man in his 50s was left fighting for his life when two Rottweilers set upon him at Leppington, in Sydney's south-west.

He had been on a walk when he was suddenly attacked by the dogs who had escaped from a private property.

The victim was left with bite wounds to his head, neck, arm and leg.

The man's cat was killed in the ferocious attack on George Road at about 7.30am on Monday.

In the UK, two cats were killed on August 30, when a pair of loose Rottweilers charged into a family home and killed the beloved pets - leaving the occupant and her children screaming for help.

But by far, the worst recent incident happened in February in Moruya, on the NSW south coast.

In February, a baby, Mia Jade Riley, died after her family's two pet Rottweilers suddenly attacked her.

Mia Jade Riley's family (Mia pictured with her older sister) said the infant was asleep when the vicious dog attack occurred

The newborn was asleep in a bassinet at the end of a table surrounded by up to eight adults when the pair of Rottweilers attacked

A man has been rushed to hospital after being attacked by two Rottweilers while out on a walk in Leppington in Sydney's south-west

Leading animal behaviourist and veterinarian Dr Kate Lindsey (pictured) believes the rottweiler attacks are due to 'bad breeding practices'

Mia was asleep in a bassinet at the end of a table surrounded by up to eight adults when the dogs pounced without warning.

At the time dog experts claimed the attack was a one-off and that Rottweilers are not usually dangerous.

Then came the attack on Ms Piil and the second Sydney attack this year less than two days later.

'Sweetest, most loving dogs': Why Rottweilers attack

While the Rottweiler is one of Australia's most popular dog breeds, it also holds the dubious distinction of being the third-most prone to attacks in the country.

Leading animal behaviourist and veterinarian Dr Kate Lindsey believes the Rottweiler attacks are due to 'bad breeding practices'.

'I know Rottweilers can be the sweetest, most loving dogs, except when they are pain.'

She claimed her experience of treating aggressive dogs, including Rottweilers, shows that most aggression is caused by anxiety and pain from a physical defect that dodgy breeders have ignored.

'I guarantee you those dogs will have a history of anxiety or physical health problems,' she said.

'Pain is the leading cause of anxiety especially aggressive type behaviours in large breed dogs.

'The majority of Rottweilers have chronic pain by the age of two in the form of degenerative joint disease including spinal elbow problems where their bones dont unite properly.

'In my experience treating 15,600 dogs with anxiety and aggression the majority of large breed dogs manifesting aggression have an underlying health condition that has not been treated.

'In all cases the problem is resolved when the dog is given relief for pain and anxiety.'

Many people have come to the defence of Rottweilers online, with a few notable exceptions.

Some have blamed owners for the recent attacks, assuming they did something wrong.

READ MORE: Why two Rottweilers may have killed baby Mia Advertisement

'Hmm I dont really get how that happened, I have had two Rotties and they were so placid, like Labradors? I wonder was it was that made them turn on her?' wrote one woman.

Many pointed out that a poorly-trained Labrador will bite. The statistics agree.

Labradors - thought to be an easygoing breed - account for 8.5 per cent of all reported dog attacks.

The RSPCA told Daily Mail Australia that dogs should not be declared dangerous on the basis of breed or appearance.

'Each individual dog should be assessed based on their actual behaviour.'

But plenty of people have their own scary experiences of Rottweilers.

'I love animals but hate Rottweilers. You cannot trust them,' one NSW mum wrote.

'Yes go at me all you want [but I] only ever had one dog go at me in all the dogs I have had contact with, even working as a volunteer at RSPCA and it was a Rottweiler and a friend's pet. So my comment is from experience.'

She wasn't the only person who mentioned not trusting 'Rotties'.

'Years ago I had this breed try to attack me. He jumped up on me and stared in my eyes I begged him to get off of me, he would not let me go.

'I was getting scared not knowing what was to happen... I still remember this to this very day. Just cant trust them.

'He finally let me go after he decided he wanted to.'

Australia's 10 most dangerous dog breeds have been revealed with one of the country's most popular canines making the top three (pictured, a stock image of a Pitbull)

Labradors - thought to be an easygoing breed - accounted for 8.5 per cent of incidents which involved a child admitted to hospital following a dog attack

Another woman said she won't go near large dogs to this day after a similar incident had happened to her in college.

'If the dog cant fit inside a handbag so I can fly with it, its not for me,' she said.

The worst biters in Australia ... and the banned breeds AUSTRALIA'S WORST BITERS 1. Pitbull 10.3% of all reported attacks 2. Labrador 8.5% 3. Rottweiler 6.8% 4. Bulldog 6% 5. Border Collie 6% 6. Jack Russell 5.1% 7. Terrier (other) 5.1% 8. Kelpie 5.1% 9. German shepherd 4.3% 10. Others 42.7% ...AND THE BANNED BREEDS Pit Bull Terrier breeds, including American Pit Bull Terrier Dogo Argentino Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff) Japanese Tosa Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario (Canary dogs) Advertisement

'When are these dangerous dogs going to be banned?' said another.

'These dogs are good as security with other security measures that make it impossible to enter a home without consent, thats all they are good for. Get a home security system alarm.'

Rottweilers are by no means the only dogs involved in attacks.

Last week an Adelaide family was terrorised by a pitbull that had been with them for eight years.

A six-year-old boy was forced to hide in the bathroom while his mother and uncle were savagely mauled by the shar pei cross pitbull.

The previous month, a seven-year-old Perth boy needed surgery after a dog described as a bull mastiff bit him on the head and chest.

In March a South Australian vet called for South African Boerboels to be banned after one bit toddler Alaruh Rose on her face.

Rottweilers are banned in several countries including France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Israel and are one of the most commonly blacklisted breeds by insurance companies overseas.

Rottweilers are also banned or heavily restricted in some parts of the United States. In Queens, New York, people in city-run housing can't keep Rottweilers and the breed is also banned on army bases.

A major concern about Rottweilers is the damage they can inflict even if unintended or accidental due to their bite force and size.

They have a bite pressure of 338 pounds per square inch (PSI) which is greater than the much-maligned Pit Bull.

They can weigh up to 60kg.

On October 14, 2021 a Rottweiler named Chopper bit Dr Liza Schneider, a New Zealand vet, breaking her arm and causing nerve damage.

She needed surgery and the dog's owner, Helen Tina Fraser, was found guilty of owning a dog causing serious injury to a person.

While they have been used as police dogs, generally German Shepherds are favoured partly because they are faster but also because Rottweilers can kill a suspect before their handlers catch up to them.

American statistics collected between 2010 and 2021 show they are second only to Pit Bulls as the breed most likely to cause a fatality. Over the same period they caused 26 deaths.

The process for declaring dogs as restricted in Australia is a matter for state governments, while federal legislation governs their importation.

In the UK, two cats were killed on August 30, when a pair of loose Rottweilers charged into a family home and killed the beloved pets - leaving the occupant and her children screaming for help. Pictured: the two dogs involved in the incident

State and territory and local governments have primary responsibility for regulation and by laws about pet ownership, including dogs.

A spokesperson for the WA Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries told Daily Mail Australia it increased fines in relation to dangerous dogs 10 years ago and made it 'a criminal offence if a dangerous dog kills a person or puts a persons life at risk'.

It also said decisions about which dog breeds are restricted are based on Federal laws.

'The State Government will normally add additional breeds of dogs to the restricted breed list when they are banned from importation into Australia by the Commonwealth Government.'

The NSW Department for Local Government said NSW has some of 'the strongest dog laws in the country'.

It added that it will be 'undertaking a review of the Companion Animals Act to assess its suitability and ensure it is fit for purpose'.

A spokesman for the National Rottweiler Council of Australia refused to comment 'until the results of any enquiry are released'.

Daily Mail Australia also approached the NSW Department for Local Government and the National Rottweiler Council (Australia) for comment.
When cabin crew refused, she said she feared for her life on the two hour flight

The passenger, who has a severe allergy, asked them not to serve certain items

A passenger with a life-threatening food allergy said she feared for her life aboard a flight, after claiming cabin crew refused to remove food and drink items which could have sent her into anaphylactic shock.

Chloe Fitzpatrick was travelling from Manchester to Ibiza on August 18, 2023 and said she had informed staff of her severe strawberry allergy, asking them not to serve any strawberry products on the flight.

The 24-year-old, who was travelling with her sister Lucy Fitzpatrick, said she felt 'discriminated against' when the cabin crew manager refused to remove any food and drink items from the flight.

Despite being seated underneath a ventilator, and wearing a mask Chloe said she spent the near-three hour journey strapped to her seat in fear.

Although having the life-threatening allergy since she was six months old, Chloe only informed staff members when she boarded the plane, claiming this method had previously been accepted.

Chloe Fitzpatrick (pictured) said she had informed staff of her severe strawberry allergy while boarding the plane from Manchester to Ibiza

After much delay, Chloe said she was eventually offered a mask by a staff member and was sat next to a vent, but claimed she was 'petrified' that the airline was still serving strawberry products

Speaking to MailOnline she said: 'I couldn't even go to the toilet which was a basic human right because how could I walk through an aisle with strawberry products?

'Everybody around us was outraged at what was happening and couldn't believe why they would serve the products.'

Chloe, who had been equipped with two EpiPens on the flight, said she believed the cabin crew manager was more concerned with 'losing commission' from selling food and drink items.

She said these items included rose wine, pink gin, strawberry daiquiris, Fruit Pastilles and Haribo sweets.

She explained that the flight was delayed for 45 minutes while the manager and pilot had a 'degrading, embarrassing and discriminatory' conversation regarding her suitability to fly.

The dance teacher from Lancashire said she was then assessed by an 'extremely patronizing' medic, who said she should undergo an allergy before evert flight.

Chloe, who travels up to three times a year, described this as a 'waste of NHS resources' and said it was 'upsetting statement to make to someone who lives with a life long health condition.'

She was eventually permitted to board the flight, with the promise that an announcement would be made to passengers regarding her allergy, but claimed the crew were still serving strawberry items on board.

'They had decided to not serve these products to people on the rows in close proximity to use not the whole flight.' She added: 'As you can imagine I was petrified.'

Lucy and Chloe Fitzpatrick (pictured) said they spent the majority of their four-night holiday with 'anxiety' hanging over them

Her sister Lucy said: 'She deserves the right to go on a girls holiday, it's a simple ask for a two hour flight to say 'please don't open these products.'

Lucy added that Chloe usually removes herself from situations which she doesn't feel safe in, but in this scenario 'couldn't leave' the flight.

The two said that while they understand the airline could not control what passengers brought onto the flight, they had a 'duty of care' to protect her.

The pair even offered to buy all the strawberry items on board to prevent Chloe from having an allergic reaction but said they were 'ignored' by the manager.

She added: 'The only thing we could've done differently is notify them before the flight.

'Nobody with an airborne allergy should step on the flight, because it's just not safe.'

They said they were unable to enjoy their four-night holiday to the sunny Spanish Island and, while they attended their pre-booked events, said they spent 'most of the time sat in the room crying.'

Chloe said she had to wait three weeks to hear back from the airline company, and said she was 'hugely disappointed' by the response.

'Its not been taken seriously, it should've been escalated further. I just kept saying "What if I had died? what situation would this be right now?"

Chloe says she is now 'massively anxious' of stepping aboard another flight.

'Its given me future anxiety and it's going to take me a long time to get over it,' she told MailOnline.

Chloe said she had to wait three weeks to hear back from the airline company, and said she was 'hugely disappointed' by the response

She says she actively avoids long-haul flights due to 'unclear airline rules' and the risk of a passenger bringing a strawberry item on board.

'The airline is the only place you're not safe with an airborne allergy,' she added.

Since the encounter, the pair said they want to 'raise awareness' for people with airborne allergies, and said: 'This is not just about Chloe's experience.'

In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for the airline told MailOnline: 'Ms Fitzpatrick only alerted us to her allergies when she boarded the aircraft. In such situations, we are unable to remove products as we cannot ensure the complete removal of all items that may contain allergens. Additionally, it is possible that customers may bring onboard products that contain allergens.

'However, our highly trained crew did everything they could to look after Ms Fitzpatrick despite this. In our terms and conditions, we make it clear that anyone with a severe allergy should make our team aware of this at the time of booking, which unfortunately did not happen on this occasion. We also make it clear that if we are made aware of a severe allergy and the customer is not carrying their required medication, they may be refused travel.

'We are sorry to hear of Ms. Fitzpatrick's experience, however we took the necessary steps to address the situation, given the lack of notice, and provided Ms. Fitzpatrick with the opportunity to make an informed decision regarding her safety before continuing on with the flight.'
Newly proposed changes to state oil and gas rules would provide a regulatory framework that would encourage the use of captured carbon dioxide emissions and other materials to recover more oil and gas in North Dakota. But some worry the rules would indefinitely delay the plugging and reclamation of old oil wells, creating problems for landowners and the environment.

The Department of Mineral Resources is seeking public input on updates to numerous oil and gas regulations, with the comment period ending next month. The target date for a final decision is April 1, 2024.

The rules are in part the result of the 2023 Legislature giving Mineral Resources the ability to designate abandoned oil wells as potential locations for enhanced oil recovery. This is a process of injecting gases, water or other chemicals underground to pump out hard-to-recover oil, which is around 30-60% of what is in a reservoir, according to the federal Energy Department.

State Rep. Jeremy Olson, R-Arnegard, one of the sponsors of the bill that gave Mineral Resources this authority, spoke to its purpose this week at the North Dakota Petroleum Council's annual conference. The council is a trade group that represents over 550 oil and gas companies.

"Enhanced oil recovery potential (halts) the need to plug and abandon the multimillion-dollar investments in a well because it no longer produces under current technology," he said. "This will allow you to keep it ready for the future when the logistics, the technology, and the economics align for enhanced oil recovery."

Enhanced oil recovery has been practiced for decades with a variety of materials, but North Dakota lawmakers, regulators and industry leaders see the use of captured CO2 emissions as playing a major role in the practice as the state seeks to become a hub for the storage and utilization of climate-warming CO2.

State Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms spoke of enhanced oil recovery at the conference as well, saying the practice would boost state oil production, but only if North Dakota could import captured CO2 from other states -- something the controversial Midwest Carbon Express pipeline project aims to do if developer Summit Carbon Solutions can get regulatory approval.

Summit's multistate pipeline would permanently store emissions from ethanol facilities underground in and around Oliver County using federal tax credits. The credits last 12 years. Summit Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Powell left open the possibility of the pipeline being used for enhanced oil recovery in the future at a hearing in front of the Iowa Utilities Board earlier this month, Agweek reported.

Helms said that "If we decide that we are not going to build CO2 pipelines and we are not going to import CO2 ... in approximately 2037 we go into terminal decline and we just begin to drop oil production."

Advocates for enhanced oil recovery say it could offset CO2 emissions from North Dakota's oil and gas production by burying CO2 underground. If emissions are measurably reduced, enhanced oil recovery could bring the energy products in line with a growing number of markets clean fuel standards, while boosting production.

Northwest Landowners Association Chair Troy Coons said he is worried the proposed new rules would hinder the states response to damages from inactive wells.

It just keeps migrating and growing, any contaminants there, the lack of maintenance on these sites, it just grows and grows, he said. Rusts, the salts and brines or spills, they migrate and expand so the problem gets bigger and bigger.

Critics also argue that enhanced oil recovery is untested and could end up causing more emissions.

Well status changes

Abandoned oil wells have been a source of frustration among landowners for years. These wells can leak oil and toxic chemicals onto nearby land, reducing its productivity and value. If there is improper casing on a well -- the lining that in part prevents it from collapsing -- or if casing deteriorates over time, pollutants can also travel into freshwater aquifers. Abandoned wells also leak climate-warming methane gas into the atmosphere.

Oil wells not in use for over a year are considered abandoned, but they can be placed on a temporarily abandoned status, if an operator wants to reserve the ability to resume use of the well in the future. When a well is under temporarily abandoned status, landowners can request a hearing for regulators to review the well after seven years, but the wells can still sit for decades.

The new rules would allow operators to secure a bond for enhanced oil recovery at up to six wells that would otherwise be considered abandoned. The bonds would be subject to annual review, and Mineral Resources would have the discretion to raise the bonds. The rules also list stipulations giving the department the ability to deny a bond up front.

A bond is an assurance of money to pay for plugging and reclamation should the company abandon a well site and ignore its responsibility to clean it up.

The proposed rules would allow landowners to request a hearing for regulators to review a well after 12 years of it being under enhanced oil recovery potential status.

Plugging wells and reclaiming the land could help resolve problems that arise from inactive wells, but the procedure can be more expensive than what bonding requirements are and companies often want to avoid plugging wells due to reentry being costly and difficult. The state has received millions in federal grants to plug orphan wells and reclaim nearby lands. Orphan wells are abandoned wells without a responsible operator.

State Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring expressed some concern over wells that would otherwise be considered abandoned being given potential enhanced oil recovery status after Mineral Resources presented the proposed rules to the state Industrial Commission. Goehring, Gov. Doug Burgum and Attorney General Drew Wrigley comprise the commission, which oversees the oil and gas industry in the state.

You could potentially leave a well sitting out there for an extended period of time, which is just a hardship to surface owners, Goehring said.

During Mineral Resources' monthly public report, Helms said that the rule was written with the intention of making it as hard as possible for a well to become abandoned for a prolonged period.

Anything we could think of that might disqualify a well from achieving that status, we put in the rule and were expecting (oil and gas companies) to explain to us why that should come out, he said.

Under the proposed requirements, certain geologic formations and other parts of the well need to be isolated to prevent leaks. The integrity of a well's casing must be proven, and the casing must be sealed at the surface.

Northwest Landowners Association attorney Derrick Braaten disagrees with Helms characterization of the new rules.

That might sound like a lot but its really not, its just the bare minimum they have to do to comply with the state drinking water act to ensure that they dont contaminate an aquifer and they would have to do that under federal law regardless, Braaten said.

Coons said the rules could put landowners in limbo.

Most of us have to make plans on a lot shorter basis than (what the rules allow), he said.

Braaten said he wants there to be more specifics required for an operator to get a well placed on enhanced oil recovery status.

Its one thing to say weve got plans to come in and do enhanced oil recovery at some point and you can say that about the entire Bakken oil field, Im sure they all have plans to come in and do something ... (But) they say, EOR potential, not plans, just potential, so I absolutely disagree with them, he said. Theres no criteria -- just do you have a potential to use it for EOR."

Petroleum Council Vice President Brady Pelton said the group was reviewing the proposed rule changes and would offer comments. The organization did not provide a response to specific questions about the rules from the Tribune.

Preparation problems

The new rules would also include a provision clarifying when Mineral Resources may give verbal approval for site preparation prior to an operator receiving a permit to drill a well.

Extenuating circumstances already grant the department the ability to give verbal approval for site preparation, but the proposed new language specifies these include contractual obligations, an expiring lease, or an expiring right-of-way.

Oil and Gas Division Assistant Director Mark Bohrer told the Industrial Commission earlier this month that the rule is needed because of the time it takes to approve both wells and well pads. He also cited the practice of one company challenging anothers permit, which can also delay operations.

Once an operator signs a lease with a landowner, it has a set amount of time to begin production which courts have said can include construction on the pad, Braaten told the Tribune. If nothing related to oil development begins by a certain point, the company must renegotiate its agreement with the landowner.

Helms added that the process can be slowed even further when companies want to operate on split estate land where the surface is owned by one party but the subsurface is owned by another.

Really their only legal right to be there on the land is because theyre permitting a well, he said.

During the meeting, Goehring said he understood the goal of addressing issues that oil and gas operators are running into, but he also expressed unease about the impact it could have on landowners.

Establishing a well pad and maybe not using it for eight years, thats difficult for the surface owner to have forever, he said.

Braaten called the new language offensive. He said it would allow operators to breach the terms of a contract signed with landowners to start producing oil by an agreed-upon date.

Thats just ridiculous to me; the contracts are the contracts, he said.

New oversights

The proposed rules also include a number of measures that attempt to improve environmental and safety oversight.

One new rule would allow but not require the use of metering equipment to measure how much natural gas is used on site or flared. Most gas production in North Dakota is a byproduct of oil.

The state maintains a target gas capture rate of 91% which aims to cut into wasteful flaring of natural gas due to a lack of pipeline infrastructure and processing capacity.

Recent gas capture percentages have been trending in the mid-90s, but they have been based on estimates that were calculated using gas-oil ratio tests, Helms said.

Past metering technology for flaring had been flawed, but recent improvements make it possible to get more accurate measurements with meters, he added.

Dakota Resource Council Executive Director Scott Skokos said Theres no accurate way of determining (flaring) without a meter."

The proposed rules also would expand requirements for companies constructing pipelines. A company would be required to have reclamations completed within 180 days, and the department could require additional third party inspectors during all aspects of construction.

(Inspectors) have to send in an affidavit that it was constructed properly; well if they cant see everything, its kind of disingenuous to ask them to sign an affidavit for things they havent seen, Bohrer told the Industrial Commission.

There also would be a new requirement for surface casing gauges to be placed on all wells. Surface casing is in place to prevent chemicals in an oil well from leaking into fresh groundwater.

Bohrer said the department is seeing high pressures on surface casing across large areas. The requirement of gauges would enable Mineral Resources to get a grasp on how widespread the issue is, he said.

Mineral Resources will hold four hearings over two days across the state on the proposed new rules. Bismarck and Dickinson will be up first on Oct. 9, followed by Williston and Minot on Oct. 10. The department also will accept written comments on the proposed rules until 5 p.m. on Oct. 20. For more information and to view the proposed rules in their entirety, go to https://www.dmr.nd.gov/dmr/oilgas.
In the midst of the relentless conflict that has gripped Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022, the world has borne witness to an array of devastating weaponry that has reshaped the landscape of modern warfare.

From Moscow's ominous Iskander missiles to the haunting presence of cluster munitions and the ever-menacing kamikaze drones, the war-torn region has become a crucible for cutting-edge military technology.

But now, a new and potentially catastrophic threat looms  the spectre of a Russian EMP strike.

The Russian government has not shied away from openly alluding to a sinister end to the war in Ukraine, and media mouthpieces have issued a string of nuclear threats against not only Kyiv, but also its British and American allies.

In reality, the deployment of a nuclear warhead on the battlefield in Ukraine, or in a spiteful attack against London or Washington DC is a very remote possibility.

But an EMP strike emerges as a ruthlessly effective alternative, capable of plunging entire societies into chaos.

With the help of military history and technology expert Dr William Forstchen, MailOnline delves into the chilling potential of such a strike, exploring the unprecedented havoc it could wreak in Ukraine - and in Britain.

A Russian Sarmat-2 intercontinental ballistic missile launch

Russian President Vladimir Putin

What exactly is an EMP weapon and how does it work?

An Electromagnetic Pulse weapon is effectively a nuclear bomb or missile detonated high above the Earth. An EMP effect is created by detonating a large nuke - with a strength of somewhere between 60-80 kilotons - roughly 200 miles above the Earth.

The radiation of the nuclear blast is absorbed by the atmosphere, but the explosion also creates a massive electrostatic discharge known as the Compton effect.

That cascades down to the Earth where every wire and electrical system basically acts as an antenna. The huge charge overloads the system and blows up the electrical grid, and also shorts the components of any electronic products.

Non-nuclear localised EMP devices do exist, and work by releasing a burst of energy in the radiofrequency or microwave spectrum, which can overload and damage electronic components and systems. But these are only effective on a small scale - we're talking within a few city blocks.

What are the immediate and long-term effects of an EMP strike?

The immediate effect would devastate electrical infrastructure. Water and energy supplies would be knocked out immediately, and any heating system short of burning firewood is no longer available.

Cars, computers, phones, transport, banking... everything that uses electrical components or relies on electronic systems to operate ceases to function.

Unless you're living completely unsupported in the wilderness, this essentially takes away your access to water, heat and food - three elements of the base level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs - and would essentially trigger a societal collapse as a result.

The long-term effects of an EMP strike are therefore a dramatic reduction in population.

Over weeks and months, most of the people living in cities would die of thirst or starvation - or be killed in panic and violence, and anyone who requires regular medical treatment would have no chance of survival.

Access to what little food and water supplies remain would of course be controlled either by the government and the military, or the most effective and violent armed gangs.

In the US, Department of Energy studies estimate it could take up to 5 years to get just 20 per cent of the grid back online, by which point modern society would have all but collapsed - I imagine the UK would face a similar scenario.

Is there any way to defend against an EMP attack?

William R. Forstchen is a New York Times bestselling author of the One Second After series and a Professor of History at Montreat College in North Carolina

An EMP strike is a line-of-sight event, and because the weapon is detonated hundreds of miles above the Earth, the target area is massive. We came to understand this in 1962 after the Starfish Prime nuclear test at Bikini Atoll.

That bomb had a yield of 1.4 megatons - tiny in comparison to today's nukes - but the EMP blast still disrupted electrical and communication systems in Hawaii over 500 miles away from the detonation point.

There is no real way we can protect ourselves against an EMP blast because of the way in which it is deployed. Unlike the UK, the United States has an ICBM nuclear missile defence system - there are dozens of missiles on standby ready to intercept a nuclear missile and blow it up in space before it re-enters the atmosphere and hits the Earth.

But an EMP strike relies on the author detonating the nuclear missile hundreds of miles above the atmosphere - the missile can be triggered within 15-20 minutes of launch, making it essentially impossible to intercept in time.

On the ground we have very limited capacity to protect the grid against an EMP strike but it would require a major industrial upgrade. Many components that underpin US and UK grid systems are decades old.

Replacement parts would be required, but most of these are engineered abroad and we don't have an emergency stockpile.

Authorities would need to embark on a massive upgrade programme that would involve designing and constructing key electrical grid components, such as transformers and substations, to withstand the effects of an EMP.

This can be achieved through shielding and surge protection - but this would still only have a limited effect.

What is the likelihood of an EMP strike?

In an address to the United Nations during the Cuban Missile Crisis, President Kennedy once said: 'Today, every inhabitant of this planet must contemplate the day when this planet may no longer be habitable. Every man, woman, and child lives under a nuclear sword of Damocles, hanging by the slenderest of threads, capable of being cut at any moment by accident or miscalculation or by madness.'

It's difficult to imagine a scenario in which an EMP strike from Russia comes as a calculated response to something which unfolds on the battlefield because the implication of such a strike would be WWIII.

But in a moment of weakness or madness, it's possible that Putin, if backed into a corner with power slipping away and opponents closing in, could in haste authorise such a strike.

An EMP attack would open Pandora's Box - it's been 80 years since we've used nuclear weapons in anger, and that's for a good reason - it would be a rapid and sharp downward spiral into mutually assured destruction.

In this file photo taken on May 07, 2022 A Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launcher parades through Red Square during the general rehearsal of the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow on May 7, 2022

Dr Forstchen's concern over a moment of madness - or even a plain accident - giving way to an EMP strike or nuclear war is not unwarranted.

There have been a series of near-misses and technical mishaps since the first atom bombs were detonated that brought the world to the brink of total destruction.

One of the most terrifying near-misses came when Stanislav Petrov, a Russian radar operator, made a split-second decision that prevented a catastrophic nuclear war when tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union were at their peak during the Cold War.

On September 26, 1983, Petrov was on duty at a secret Soviet missile early warning facility when his instruments suddenly displayed the worst: multiple incoming American nuclear missiles on their way to Moscow.

But instead of following protocol by launching a retaliatory strike - or even informing his superiors - Petrov trusted his instincts and doubted the accuracy of the data.

He reasoned that a genuine US attack would involve more than just a handful of missiles, and that the newly designed system had previously shown bugs and inaccuracies.

His gut feeling paid off - analysts concluded that the false alarm reported by the system was likely triggered by a rare sunlight reflection on cloud tops.

Petrov's courageous decision not to react undoubtedly saved millions of lives and prevented nuclear war.

But with tensions between Russia and the West strained almost like never before, the potential for nuclear conflict - or a devastating EMP strike - can never be completely ruled out.
The Indigenous people who live in South Australia's remote far north-west are barely seen by anyone outside their homelands, so they know what it's like to not be heard.

That doesn't mean they will embrace a Voice to Parliament when the nation goes to the polls at a referendum to change the Constitution on October 14.

The Yes vote's slick advertising campaign can have John Farnham belting out 'You're the Voice' through every television set on APY Lands all day long, but few people here are listening.

Traditionally, this is more Slim Dusty territory anyway, and the late country music legend would not have tried to tell its original inhabitants what to do.

Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (pronounced arn-ahng-oo pit-jan-jah-jarra yan-kun-ja-jarra) Lands cover 103,000 square kilometres and are wholly owned by about 2,000 Indigenous people.

The 'Yes' campaign for the Voice to Parliament is having little impact on APY Lands in South Australia's remote north west. Trevor Adamson (above) is an APY Board member from Pukatja who says his people have not had enough time to understand what the Voice would mean

Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (pronounced arn-ahng-oo pit-jan-jah-jarra yan-kun-ja-jarra) Lands cover 103,000 square kilometres and are wholly owned by about 2,000 Indigenous people. A health care worker in a Yes T-shirt is pictured at Fregon

The APY Lands are home to some of the nation's most disadvantaged citizens. Unemployment among Anangu runs at almost 40 per cent, 68 per cent have long-term health conditions and 27 per cent leave school before Year 10

Anangu (Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people) already have a say in their own affairs through the 14-member APY Board made up of two representatives from each of the Lands' seven main communities.

But critics of that board say it is dysfunctional and many Anangu doubt enshrining another layer of consultation in the nation's founding document will do them any good.

The APY Lands are home to some of the nation's most disadvantaged citizens. Unemployment among Anangu runs at almost 40 per cent, 68 per cent have long-term health conditions and 27 per cent leave school before Year 10.

Daily Mail Australia was granted a permit to spend a week on APY Lands to talk to its owners and found a general lack of interest in the referendum.

There is a 'Voice to Government Fact Sheet' on the wall of the general store at the Lands' largest township, Pukatja, but few shoppers seem to have read it.

Donald Fraser, the first chair of the APY Board, grew up at Pukatja when it was a Presbyterian mission called Ernabella and is unsure about what a Voice would mean for his people.

'I'm going to say no,' he says.

Donald Fraser (above) grew up at Pukatja when it was a Presbyterian mission called Ernabella and is unsure about what a Voice would mean for his people. 'I'm going to say no,' he says

Anne Johnson chairs Ernabella Arts,Australia's oldest continuously running Indigenous art centre. 'What worries me is what more is going to come,' she says of the Voice

Mr Fraser was an architect of the 1981 APY Land Rights Act that was meant to give Anangu self-determination but 42 years later the Voice is not a step forward he believes in.

He has seen the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) come and go and remembers that body as 'Aboriginals Talking S**t In Canberra'.

'ATSIC was the Voice to Parliament set up by the government and they demolished it,' Mr Fraser says. 'We don't know which way to turn now.

'Aboriginal people have got a package from the government and we need to open it up and show people.

'It could be a really good package for us to open up and have a look. It could be dangerous.'

With the Yes vote falling in polls, Mr Fraser thinks the proposed Voice has been rushed and any potential benefits are not understood by Anangu.

'The government needs to slow down,' he says. 'The package is really wrapped up and I can't open it. Explain it to us.'

Michael 'Tubby' Lang (above) from Umawa will consider the views of local elders when he comes to make a decision about the Voice. 'I'm only here as an outsider,' he says

Daily Mail Australia was granted a permit to spend a week on APY Lands talking to its owners and found a general lack of interest in the referendum

The APY Lands are a 15 hour drive from Adelaide and a five hour drive from Alice Springs. Among the major communities are Pukatja, Fregon and Amanta as well as Umawa, the area's administration centre

A long-time local service worker who does not wish to be named observes accurate information about the Voice is not reaching APY Lands.

'Some leaders are pushing for the Voice but there's a broader distrust of the government and a lack of clarity surrounding what the Voice is,' he says.

'A lot of the messaging that comes out here has not been very well directed at Anangu. English is not the first language of most people here.

'I don't really understand what it is so I don't blame people out here for having distrust about it.'

Anne Johnson chairs Ernabella Arts, which was established in 1948 and is Australia's oldest continuously running Indigenous art centre.

'What worries me is what more is going to come,' she says of the Voice. 'They're not letting people know what it's for.

'I want to be heard but it goes out there and it never comes back.

'Why do they have to strike now? They don't even explain anything. Can they leave us in peace and do their own thing instead?'

Johnny Roberts (above) is a traditional medicine man from Fregon who when asked what he knows about the Voice says: 'Nothing'

A long-time local service worker says accurate information about the Voice was not reaching APY Lands. A house at Fregon is pictured through a smashed car windscreen

Fraser's 'cousin-brother' Trevor Adamson is an APY Board member who was born next to the creek at Pukatja.

'I think the Voice is a lot of Aboriginal people in the cities who haven't got any lore and culture in their background,' he says. 'Not for the people in the grassroots - it's for themselves.'

Mr Adamson does not believe Anangu have been given enough time to understand what the Voice might mean.

'Anthony Albanese said people have got to vote yes,' he says. 'We have to say no because there's no proper information given.

'The Voice can be done the right way. Say: "This is what we're gong to do - this is what it's going to be for the grassroots people".

'Its a no from Mr Adamson. We got to say no, don't vote yes.'

Owen Burton (above) is an APY Board member from Amata who was previously chairman of the body for 12 years and is unsure what changes the Voice would bring

Of all the Indigenous people Daily Mail Australia spoke to Robert Patterson from Amata came closest to voting yes. 'Maybe,' he says

Owen Burton is an APY Board member from Amata who was previously chairman of the body for 12 years and is unsure what changes the Voice could bring.

'We don't know,' he says. 'We heard about that one but we never see the picture. I'll say that one is under the table.

'They never ever bring him to APY to see the picture about what the Voice to the Parliament is. So it's not on. I'll say no. It's not fair.'

Dicky Marshall from Amata uses the same local idiom as Mr Burton to explain why he isn't comfortable voting for something when he doesn't know the detail behind it.

'Parliament may be putting that stuff under the table,' he says. 'We don't know what's coming.

'I don't know anything about that one. We don't know what's the background between yes and no.'

Johnny Roberts is a traditional medicine man from Fregon who when Daily Mail Australia asks what he knows about the Voice is even more succinct. 'Nothing,' he says.

Dicky Marshall from Amata isn't comfortable voting for something when he doesn't know the detail. 'I don't know anything about that one,' he says

The median weekly personal income on APY Lands is $296 and median weekly rent for a corrugated steel house is $90

Michael 'Tubby' Lang from Umuwa will consider the views of senior men such as Mr Fraser, Mr Adamson, Mr Burton and Mr Roberts when he comes to make a decision.

Mr Lang works for PY Media which runs the local radio station 5NPY and offers employment opportunities for Indigenous people in broadcasting, story telling and music.

Asked if he understands the Voice, he says: 'Not really'.

Originally from Port Augusta, Mr Lang has lived on APY Lands for more than 30 years and uses the Pitjantjatjara words for yes and no when explaining how he will decide to vote.

'I'm only here as an outsider,' he says. 'I'm just waiting for the elders because I'm living on their land and I'm waiting to see what they have to say.

'If they say uwa, it's a yes. If they say wiya, it's a no.'

It does not appear Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ever set foot on APY Lands but Northern Territory Labor Senator Malarndirri McCarthy made a brief visit in late July and Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney flew in and out last November.

Mr Lang would like to see more federal politicians sit down with Anangu elders and ask them what they want face-to-face instead of flying in and out the same day.

'I want to see a better future for the Anangu Pitjantjatjara, for our older people and young people,' he says.

'I'd like to see the people get some fair treatment because they've been run down by the system and the system hasn't helped them.

'In other words, I'm talking about the government system. They've made a lot of promises to them but they're not getting anywhere.'

Two young Anangu tell Daily Mail Australia the upcoming Voice vote has so far had little impact on them.

'I heard a little bit about it but don't really know anything,' a 29-year-old says.

His 24-year-old friend is just as disengaged when quizzed on what he knew about the referendum.

'Right now, nothing because I haven't been paying attention,' he says. 'I'll have to find out what it's about first. I've been too busy to worry about it.'

Of all the Indigenous people Daily Mail Australia spoke to about the Voice, Robert Patterson from Amata came closest to voting yes. 'Maybe,' he says.
Thousands of British drivers across the country are falling foul of fines issued by their own local councils after several authorities applied for powers to fine their own residents in line with the police.

Since May 2022, councils have been able to apply for the powers to issue drivers with penalty charge notices and 12 have now been approved including Durham and Luton.

Many more councils have also begun the process of applying for the powers to the fury of motorists who have claimed it is a new hidden road tax.

Under the powers, offending drivers can be fined for incorrectly driving in a bus lane, stopping in a yellow box junction, banned right or left turns, illegal U-turns, going the wrong way in a one-way street and ignoring a Traffic Regulation Order.

But reception to the new schemes has been mixed with many drivers accusing their councils of trying to make fast money from them without fixing existing problems with the local road network.

Traffic wardens prowl the streets of Luton which has been granted fresh powers to penalise drivers

Before the powers were granted, only the police had the power to issue PCN's in Luton z

Residents in Luton have said cars make their town 'the wild west', despite the council gaining the new powers to issue parking fines as well as police.

Both the council and the police can now issue PCNs in Luton, but frustrated residents couldn't see how the council is spending extra cash in the town.

Drivers were not aware the scheme was in place despite being set up in January.

One man said he rarely saw traffic wardens and complained they were not doing enough to tackle dodgy parking.

Lee Bolton, 51, runs a family business building windows and complained that the council cannot keep up with the mass of cars flooding in with new flat blocks.

Some private contractors are only building six parking spaces for 40-flat blocks, he said.

He felt the situation had worsened since January when the council were added to the PCN team, and said he felt it was unclear whose jurisdiction was whose.

Drivers in Luton are under constant surveillance by the police and the council

While others have said that despite the new regulations driving in the area is still a nightmare

The worker at Barry Bolton Windows said: 'My offices are in the town and it's a shambles around there, near the back of the station.

'We've got a new cafe in our area and they're just flaunting every rule and reg, they've built new flats outside our offices with six parking spaces  our yard in the morning, our lads can't get in the yard, can't get in the gates.

'You come down on the weekend and you can't even get on the street.

'Traffic people are never about, I can't remember the last time I've seen a traffic warden in high town.

'The private ones, I dropped my daughter in a nail bar the other day, didn't even get out of the car, I got a 60 bill the next day.

'The parking enforcement thing is awful.

'There's a lot of cameras around the town.

'I'm a very careful driver, but the area in the high town is like the wild west at the moment.

'I can't say if it's got any better or any worse, if anything this year it's been worse because there doesn't seem to be anybody going around doing it.

'It's not being enforced, it's a joke.

'All the other businesses in the area are saying the exact same things.'

Bradley Wasyliw, 33, lives in Melbourn, a village near Royston, Cambridgeshire, and travels into Luton for work.

The Oral B sales representative disapproved of the council picking up the power, and said Luton is a terrible place to park.

He said: 'Councils are s*** aren't they, councils are horrific  there's no good word said about them.

'This is literally the worst place I have to go for parking, this time I had to park at the court house  that's 5 for two hours.

'Even St Albans, it's fine for parking. This is comfortably the worst place I come for parking.'

Pensioner Sarah Connelly (left) said she hopes the new scheme will free up police to solve petty crime, whereas Silvia Cristea (right), 47, said she sees the council keeping Luton well and hopes they will get extra money for city upkeep

Pensioner Sarah Connelly said she hopes the new scheme will free up police to solve petty crime.

The, 66-year-old, who works at a homeless charity and has lived in Luton since 1983 said: 'I can't see where they're going to get their money from to run it, they haven't got any money to do the basic things, like fill the holes in the roads  how can they afford to manage the cost of policing the roads?

'I would love them to be able to, but I can't see how that is going to be feasible. I'm a taxpayer, I don't want to end up paying for it.

'The council has got control of this area, police can be seconded to other area. So it's much more wider for them, and they've got much more serious things to deal with.

'Just in petty crime alone it's not for the council to do, but if the police were free from you know, 'you can't park on a double yellow', then they could stop the thieves taking from the shops.'

Silvia Cristea, 47, said she sees the council keeping Luton well and hopes they will get extra money for city upkeep.

She said the police should be free to quickly respond to more serious crimes: 'If they're driving badly, the police have to be automatically over there.

'The council help you, but I think not much. Maybe if you're really homeless they helped you.'

Stockport council has said it will apply for the new powers to fine drivers

Mary Alger (left) believes the council should 'back off and leave it to the police' while cleaner Martin Addie (right) called the new scheme madness

Meanwhile in Stockport locals are furious by the council's plan to seek even more powers to fine drivers.

The council has stressed they are not 'trying to catch people out [and just] want to try to improve traffic movements' but not everyone is convinced.

Self-employed vacuum cleaner Martin Addie, 60, said: 'It's madness - it just seems one thing after another.

'This is the latest step in the battle against drivers whether it's 20mph zones or congestion zones.

'Its gone too far.

'The police should enforce this sort of thing not the council.

'This is a blatant money making exercise. It's outrageous.'

Mother-of-six Mary Alger, 81, said: 'The restrictions on drivers are getting worse.

'There seems to be fines and speed cameras around every corner in built-up areas like Stockport.

'This is just another example of the war on motorists.

'The council should back off and leave it to the police.'

Youth worker Emma Jones, 34, said: 'This is of course a money making exercise by the council.

'It's got completely out of hand. They seem to have it in for drivers.'

The council has stressed they are just trying to make the road network flow better

Retired painter and decorator Ted Clayton, 69, said: 'The council just want to make more money not make the roads safer.

'It's another outrageous attempt by the council to fleece drivers.'

Meanwhile in Durham, a massive 4932 drivers have been fined in less than a year on the same stretch of road after authorities brought in sweeping powers to fight 'bad driving.'

Last October, the council was authorised to dish out the 70 fixed penalty notices for driving offences, which was previously reserved for police officers.

Offending drivers can be fined for incorrectly driving in a bus lane, stopping in a yellow box junction, banned right or left turns, illegal U-turns, going the wrong way in a one-way street and ignoring a Traffic Regulation Order.

Since the move, thousands have been hit with fines - and claim the 'confusing' city centre is not sign posted well enough to avoid them.

David Beaton, 69, from Birmingham, told MailOnline he was unfamiliar with the cathedral city and had simply been following his sat nav when the mistake occurred.

David Beaton said he had been following his sat nav when the mistake occurred in Durham

In the clip, David can be seen angrily remonstrating with a council official over the lack of signage

A massive 4932 drivers were fined between March 2022 and March 2023 for entering the bus gate

The pensioner, who had bus drivers honking their horns at him after pulling over, has slammed the council and claims the road is not sign posted properly.

In the clip, David can be seen angrily remonstrating with a council official over the lack of signage.

'You can all p*** off', he says as he realises he will be fined for his infraction.

He told MailOnline: 'This is the first time I've driven through Durham.

'I haven't got a clue where I am, the sat nav brought me down here. I don't know what's going on, I'm getting stressed to hell.

'This is the first time I've driven in Durham and it's going to be the last.

'I didn't see the sign because I'm following my sat nav. You should at least be able to see what you're looking for.

'I got out of the car to speak to a traffic warden but there's no-one here.

'I'm fed up with this.'

Since May 2022, councils have been able to apply for the powers to issue drivers with penalty charge notices

Offending drivers can be fined for incorrectly driving in a bus lane, stopping in a yellow box junction, banned right or left turns, illegal U-turns, going the wrong way in a one-way street and ignoring a Traffic Regulation Order

A massive 4932 drivers were fined between March 2022 and March 2023 for entering the bus gate, which was introduced in 2017.

24-year-old Joseph Higgins also accidentally drove through the North Road Bus Gate after misunderstanding the road markings.

The front end engineer, of Stirling, Scotland, said: 'It should be marked better. It should say 'bus only' not 'bus gate'.

'I didn't even realise I had gone through a bus lane.

'It's my first time in Durham, it's quite hard to drive around with all of the one way streets and bus lanes.

'It seems like the council are just trying to make money at the expense of motorists. It isn't fair.

'There should be more signs to warn drivers of where they can and can't go.'

Joseph Higgins also accidentally drove through the North Road Bus Gate after misunderstanding the road markings

Paul Bolton says locals were not informed of the changes and has seen an increase in fines over the last year

Since May 2022, councils have been able to apply for the powers to issue drivers with penalty charge notices.

Although Durham was the first council approved, 11 others have followed in its footsteps, including Luton and Oxfordshire.

Offending drivers can be fined for incorrectly driving in a bus lane, stopping in a yellow box junction, banned right or left turns, illegal U-turns, going the wrong way in a one-way street and ignoring a Traffic Regulation Order.

Paul Bolton, 47, claims locals were not informed of the changes and has seen an increase in fines over the last year.

The healthcare worker, of Durham, said: 'I know a couple of people who have been fined since it changed into a bus lane last year.

'People don't realise they can't go through it anymore.

'I've lived here for 17 years and it's only changed recently. Residents weren't informed of the change before it happened.'

Dave Lewin, Durham County Council's strategic traffic manager, said: 'We have a firm but fair approach to all parking and traffic enforcement and there's a clear and well-established appeals process for anyone who wishes to challenge a Penalty Charge Notice.

'This includes the option of referring the case to an independent adjudicator.

'The bus gates are on some of our busiest routes and are there to make it easier for public transport to run as reliably and punctually as possible. They are clearly marked and signed and the overwhelming majority of drivers manage to avoid using or obstructing them.

'Any surplus money raised from fines is put back into maintaining transport infrastructure across the county, including subsidising bus services or funding schemes for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.'

Do YOU have a parking story? Email john.james@mailonlne.co.uk
An animal rights activist's entire world was turned upside down when a boat of onlookers told police that he was masturbating a dolphin underneath the water.

During the late 1980's Alan Cooper was best known in the Northeast for being an impassioned animal rights activist.

With the help of leaflets in phone boxes and marches he had tried to rally out-of-work miners to turn to veganism and battle against dolphinariums - whose shows he likened to the slave trade.

So when a bottlenose dolphin called Freddie made his way into the sea near Amble - a small village town on the Northumberland coast - he built up a special bond with the aquatic mammal, spending hours in the water with him.

And Alan Cooper thought the animal hooking his arm or leg with its penis was 'all perfectly normal' when they were going for a swim.

But in 1990, his reputation of being a dedicated animal campaigner soon turned on its head, when he was accused of touching Freddie inappropriately.

Accusations of molesting the dolphin Freddie were 'the most damaging thing' for animal activist Alan Cooper (pictured). He was found not guilty at court

It came after a fateful boatload of onlookers - including Flamingo Land dolphinarium Peter Bloom - watched the pair swimming together in the harbour.

Cooper's lawyers would later claim Bloom encouraged the group to make the police report that would bring about his downfall.

A police statement from Mr Bloom detailed that while he was in conversation with people on the boat, he stated: 'You won't get near, he is w***ing off the dolphin.'

READ MORE: Dolphins launch deadly attack on doomed porpoise in front of boatload of stunned wildlife fans off Welsh coast Advertisement

Detailing the event, Cooper wrote on his website that Freddie was behaving like his 'usual self', divulging that it was 'perfectly normal' for the dolphin to be hooking his penis onto his arm and leg.

He says the police couldn't keep straight faces as they confronted him with the accusation during questioning.

The animal campaigner - who would swim for hours in the harbour with Freddie - went on to discover his relationship with the animal would backfire on him.

He continued: 'It was only later when I was provided with the police statements that I realised otherwise.'

Eyes were all on Cooper as the alleged incident with the mammal caught attention of the national press.

Despite being found not to be guilty when the case went before a crown court, the effects on him were devastating - he had been accused of abusing the animal he had fought to protect.

More than three decades after the 90s wild dolphin sex scandal took place, the incident, as well as Mr Cooper, have become the main topic of a six-part podcast series, titled 'Hooked On Freddie'.

Becky Milligan, a journalist and podcast host has brought the subject back to the forefront.

It comes more than 20 years after she swam with Freddie herself in 1990 as she made her first documentary while still at university about swimming with dolphins aiding your mental health.

Animal activist Alan Cooper and bottlenose dolphin Freddie would spend hours swimming in the harbour together. Because of their close relationship he thought the dolphin was being his 'usual self' when it wrapped its penis around his arm or leg (stock image)

Milligan elaborated on the detrimental impact of the accusations, describing them as 'the most damaging thing' for the animal rights campaigner, whose only purpose in life was to care for animals and help people.

She told the Guardian: 'It's difficult to express what that did to him, to be accused of abusing the very thing you're trying to protect.'

The journalist explained that podcast listeners would be able to make their own decision about what happened off the Northumberland coast that day.

The head of podcast at Wondery, Rich Knight, described the story as 'extraordinary' and 'joyously uplifting', whilst also noting it as 'deeply poignant'.

He told The Mirror: 'It's about a magical friendship between species and a bitter rivalry between humans.

'At its heart, it is a story about how we should treat wild animals.'

The first two episodes of 'Hooked On Freddie' - created by Blanchard House and Wondery - are available to listen to on Wondery as well as alternative streaming platforms
From an Italian restaurant frequented by the mafia to a candy store beloved by celebrities, stunning photos have revealed the unique mom-and-pop shops that have given character to neighborhoods across the city for more than a century.

A new book from husband-and-wife photography duo James and Karla Murray celebrates the aesthetics and history of hundreds of these small stores that have long served specific communities.

They include Vesuvio bakery on Prince Street which has been serving pastries for 102 years, Brooklyn's oldest Italian restaurant, Bamonte's, which was once a mafia haunt and Ray's Candy Store in the East Village - a favorite of celebrities.

Some of the storefronts pictured in the book have shuttered since they were captured by the team. Many of them didn't make it to the last decade, and many more didn't make it through the downturned economy of the pandemic.

The Murrays told DailyMail.com they wanted their book, Store Front NYC: Photographs of the City's Independent Shops, Past and Present, to preserve their memories and promote those that still exist.

Vesuvio Bakery on Prince Street near Thompson in Soho, 2004

Ray's Candy Store - an East Village staple that supplies soft serve and more to celebrities, NYU students and the masses - on Avenue A near East 7th street. Pictured here: Ray in 2019

Stella's Pizza on 9th Avenue near West 17th Street in Chelsea, 2020

'Our goal has always been to help preserve these lovely independent owned stores because, to us, they play such a vital part in the community,' said Karla. 'And they need our help.'

Some of the storefronts featured in the book remain neighborhood classics from across the boroughs, like Ray's Candy Store on the Lower East Side, which has long provided soft serve ice cream and more to NYU students, celebrities, and anyone else who wanders by.

But others, like M&G's soul food diner in Harlem, and D. D'Auria and Sons Pork Store in the Bronx's Little Italy neighborhood, have shuttered, leaving their neighborhoods bereft of small businesses that once catered to the cultural flavors of the area.

James emphasized that the book is not 'a melancholy lament' about places the city has lost to the years, but rather a 'celebration' of the independently owned businesses across the five boroughs.

'Even if a neighborhood changes its ethnic background ... it's exciting to see the new stores that are opening up,' said Karla.

He said he hopes the book teaches people to appreciate their neighborhoods a little bit more.

He encouraged anyone reading to 'get up from your computer and go into your local neighborhood ... it's a better way of doing things.'

In sum, the book is an effort - an 'artistic intervention,' according to Karla - to display the beauty of some of the businesses that breathe life into the city.

The book, Store Front NYC: Photographs of the City's Independent Shops, Past and Present, is out now and available on Amazon as well as in a number of independent book stores.

D. D'Auria and Sons Pork Store in the Bronx's Little Italy neighborhood. Pictured here in 2004, the store has since closed

Bamonte's, the oldest Italian restaurant in Brooklyn and at various times a favorite hangout spot of mafia members. In 2009, after he was released from prison, Anthony 'Fat Tony' Rabito of the Bonanno crime family, was forbidden by his probation officer from returning to several Italian restaurants in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan, which reportedly included Bamonte's. Pictured here in 2016, the restaurant remains open on Withers Street near Union, Williamsburg

CBGB & OMFUG, a music club in Manhattan's East Village that closed in 2006. The iconic venue opened on Bowery at Bleecker street in 1973

Lenox Lounge, a long-standing bar in Harlem on Malcolm X Boulevard between west 124th and 125th. Known for, among other things, its maximalist decor, the lounge closed in 2012 and the building was demolished in 2017

Richard's Barber shop on Nostrand Avenue near Park Place in Crown Heights. Pictured in 2004

Ralph's Discount City on Chambers Street near Church Street in Tribeca. Pictured here in 2004, the store closed in 2007
A celebrity eyebrow artist has insisted it's 'business as usual' despite racking up nearly $900,000 in debt following struggles from Covid lockdowns and the breakdown of her marriage.

Kristin Fisher, who owns Kristin Fisher Eyebrows in Sydney's ritzy Double Bay, was forced to hire a restructuring specialist from forensic accountant firm Worrells to help resolve her business' mounting debt.

Ms Fisher has been dubbed the 'eyebrow queen' of the city and charges up to $1,600 for her premium services, with her clientele including celebrities like popstar Meghan Trainor.

Documents submitted to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) found Ms Fisher owes $871,736 to the Australian Taxation Office, Commonwealth Bank and Workers Compensation National Insurer.

The blow comes after her business suffered a profit drop worth $927,000 over the Covid pandemic, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Ms Fisher shared a series of Instagram posts on Friday detailing her financial woes, while ensuring customers her salons would remain open.

Kristin Fisher, who owns Kristin Fisher Eyebrows in Sydney 's ritzy Double Bay, was forced to hire a restructuring specialist from forensic accountant firm Worrells to help resolve her business' mounting debt

Ms Fisher shared a series of Instagram posts on Friday detailing her financial woes, while ensuring customers her salons would remain open

'Last December I received a phone call that no small business owner ever wants to receive,' she said.

'I was in a state of shock for a solid 24 hours. I didn't leave my bed. 24 hours of staring at the ceiling thinking how on earth has this happened?

'Thankfully I was in Perth with my family at the time who cried with me, cuddled me, looked after me, and finally when I was ready, they all came together and we got straight to work on how to rectify this.'

She said advisors had told her it was time to close her business, but she refused to give up on something she'd spent years building.

Ms Fisher, a mother-of-two, also reflected on the devastating impact the pandemic had on her business.

'I don't need to remind everyone about that horrific time for us all but what does need to be noted that as a service based business - we had zero revenue for the entirety of the lockdowns, and growing debt from the fitout and accumulating rent on the premises,' Ms Fisher wrote.

'What I have spent the past nine months doing is learning everything and anything I can about how things went wrong, how to actually be across your financials - instead of living blissfully unaware thinking your 'advisors' were looking after it.

'That being said, I can't pass the blame. I should have been across it all, but like the old saying goes, 'you can't work on a business, and in a business at the same time' - particularly when you have two little people who are your main priority each and every day.

'So I dropped a ball. And here we are.'

Ms Fisher has been dubbed the 'eyebrow queen' of the city and charges up to $1,600 for her premium services, with her clientele including celebrities like popstar Meghan Trainor

Ms Fisher thanked her staff, customers, family and friends for sticking by her through the tough times, and confirmed she and her business had 'survived this s**t show'.

'The financial advisors that I now have working for me have taught me so much. And to them I am truly grateful,' she continued.

'This is something I cannot stress enough to small business owners - make sure your accountants are good and actually care about you (!!) and are constantly in communication with you on your situation whether it be good, bad or ugly.

'Just be across it all and push for monthly meetings or zooms. If you're a small business - go with a smaller accounting firm. You don't get lost in the system there.

'Just to reiterate - we are business as usual, will continue to be business as usual and will continue to grow and flourish because that's what we do. Get knocked down, and get back up again,' she said.

'This nine months has been the best and the worst of times, but my god have I learned so much, and the patience that the above people have had with me whilst going through this is something I will never forget.'

Ms Fisher thanked her staff, customers, family and friends for sticking by her through the tough times, and confirmed she and her business had 'survived this s**t show'

Specialist Mervyn Kitay of Worrells said Ms Fisher's business had 'suffered both the effects of Covid-19 and the breakdown of her marriage'.

'It is clear from my review, that the combined effects of Covid (including lock downs) and the matrimonial breakdown, exacerbated by a lack of financial advice, resulted in the business becoming the primary source of funding for both its affairs and that of Ms Barnes (Ms Fisher's married name) personally,' Mr Kitay wrote.

'The effect of this was the start of what may be described as a substantial increase in indebtedness owed by Ms Barnes to the Company. For example, the Company became the source of funding of Ms Barnes' personal income tax debts.'

She had also become the primary carer for her two children following her split from her husband in 2020.

Mr Kitay was required to submit a restructuring plan to ASIC to stop Kristin Fisher Eyebrows going under.

The plan proposes for the business to pay $216,000 this year with the remaining debt to be paid in full at a later date.

Kristin Fisher Eyebrows has a storefront in Sydney's Double Bay and opened a new salon in Perth in June.
Strewn across a steep mountain side in the French Pyrenees are the jagged remains of a plane which once carried dozens of British holidaymakers.

The shell of the main passenger cabin is wedged between a rocky outcrop and pine trees next to a hiking trail.

Scattered randomly on scree below are lumps of the engine, fuel tanks and the landing gear.

For 60 years, this wreckage has remained 2,200m up on the slopes of Mount Canigou, a macabre reminder of a long-forgotten aviation disaster described as 'apocalyptic' by those who were first on the scene on a stormy October night in 1961.

All 34 on board - including the pilot, co-pilot, and a stewardess - were killed instantly when the tourist charter flight from London Gatwick to Perpignan smashed into the mountain as it was buffeted by driving winds and rain.

Strewn across a steep mountain side in the French Pyrenees are the jagged remains of a plane which once carried dozens of British holidaymakers

For 60 years, this wreckage has remained 2200m up on the slopes of Mount Canigou, a macabre reminder of a long-forgotten aviation disaster described as 'apocalyptic' by those who were first on the scene on a stormy October night in 1961

The names of those who died will also be engraved into a separate plinth at a popular nearby mountain refuge run by local man Thomas Dulac (pictured)

The passengers  many local government and hospital workers  were headed on a sunshine break to Spain's Costa Brava.

Next week a team of 40 French volunteers will finally clear away the gnarled remnants of the splintered aircraft.

In its place will be a plaque, embedded into a granite boulder, to provide the first proper memorial. British Embassy officials are expected to attend an official unveiling ceremony next year.

Among the victims were William Northcott, 55, and wife Alice, 54, of West Drayton, Middlesex, who were on their first ever romantic holiday as a couple without their children.

Reports from the time reveal that they had originally planned to travel with their youngest son, Peter, 14, but decided to leave him at home after he had been saved from drowning in a river near the family home just ten weeks previously. The elderly man who rescued him in the water drowned.

After their parents' deaths, Peter's older brother Ronald, who had emigrated to Canada, flew back to Britain, and formally adopted his younger sibling so he could live with him across the Atlantic.

Peter, now 75, settled in Ontario, where his sister Patricia, who had been living in Somerset, also relocated.

His niece Susan Hickey, of London, Ontario, recalls: 'It was a huge shock when it happened. I was very sad. The crash affected my family so much. It was very challenging, particularly for my dad.

'I assumed it had all been forgotten, so finding out that there will be this memorial plaque all these years later is amazing.'

Susan remembers young Peter, who later became a school portrait photographer, arriving in Canada with his beloved dog.

'There were only five years between Peter and I, and suddenly, we had a big brother,' she added. 'There were 18 years between him and my dad; it was a life-changing thing for everyone.

'My nan had been over the year before for a visit. I became very close with her. She wrote to me a week before they left, telling me they were going on holiday in Spain, and that she'd write again when they got back. That was the last contact I had with them.'

The passengers  many local government and hospital workers  were headed on a sunshine break to Spain's Costa Brava

The catastrophic scene of that day is imprinted on the memory of former mountain rescue volunteer Jean-Pierre Bobo, now 82. A university student at the time, Jean-Pierre, from the nearest city Perpignan, is the only surviving member of the team who witnessed the terrible impact of the crash first-hand

Jean-Pierre helped carry the bodies down with fellow volunteers using makeshift stretchers and improvised body bags strapped to their backs

Next week a team of 40 French volunteers will finally clear away the gnarled remnants of the splintered aircraft

The wrecked plane which is still atop the mountain 60 years after the tragic crash

The names of those who died will also be engraved into a separate plinth at a popular nearby mountain refuge run by local man Thomas Dulac.

The catastrophic scene of that day is imprinted on the memory of former mountain rescue volunteer Jean-Pierre Bobo, now 82.

A university student at the time, Jean-Pierre, from the nearest city Perpignan, is the only surviving member of the team who witnessed the terrible impact of the crash first-hand.

Despite the passing of time, he still shudders when he recollects the many hours spent at the wreckage site.

The extreme weather, with winds of up to 120mph recorded on the Mediterranean and tornadoes in Marseille, made the operation incredibly difficult. It was thought that the plane, a twin-engine Douglas Dakota IV operated by Derby Aviation - later to become British Midland - changed course after losing contact with air traffic control in Toulouse.

Jean-Pierre helped carry the bodies down with fellow volunteers using makeshift stretchers and improvised body bags strapped to their backs.

'I was called at 11 in the morning to help locate the plane following the distress call at about midnight,' remembers Jean-Pierre, a grandfather-of-four. 'They had not been able to locate the aircraft during the night.

'What we saw when we got to the spot was just so awful. My friend who was with me just couldn't stop crying. The wreckage and the victims were everywhere across the steep mountain side.

'It was just such a terrible night. The weather was awful; there were very high winds and it just never stopped raining. We had to wait for an inspector to come to confirm everyone on board had died, and then we took the victims down on foot. There were around 60 of us there. We all felt so upset for those people. What I saw then changed my life.'

'I've never understood why there is no monument up there in honour of those who died,' he continued. 'I'm very glad there will be something now, something more appropriate. For a long time, it has seemed wrong that hikers walk past it, with some taking macabre souvenirs from the wreckage.'

The other victims included Margaret Greenleaf, 44, who worked in the Town Clerk's Office in Southend and her daughter Janice, 15.

The extreme weather, with winds of up to 120mph recorded on the Mediterranean and tornadoes in Marseille, made the operation incredibly difficult. It was thought that the plane, a twin-engine Douglas Dakota IV operated by Derby Aviation - later to become British Midland - changed course after losing contact with air traffic control in Toulouse.

Pyrenees guide Thomas, 56, who spends four months a year on the flanks of Canigou - considered a sacred peak for the Catalan people  has long been determined to do something to honour the memories of the British tourists

Typist Rhona Jones, 31, and her 70-year-old mother Fanny Jones, both from Blackpool, were in adjoining seats in the twin-engine charter jet.

Near them were former RAF warrant officer Stanislaus Graham, 45, of Barry, Glamorgan, and his wife Winifred.

Pyrenees guide Thomas, 56, who spends four months a year on the flanks of Canigou - considered a sacred peak for the Catalan people  has long been determined to do something to honour the memories of the British tourists.

'We want it to be a more appropriate memorial for the people who died here in such terrible circumstances,' explains Thomas. 'In September we will remove everything, even the metal that is now covered in soil and vegetation. Our plan is to take it all down and to preserve the most significant parts in a local aviation museum. 'It was such a horrific accident. The pilot had a problem with the radar; from what they found he was badly off course and just couldn't navigate around the mountain in such bad weather.'

After clearing some of the sharpest chunks of the wreckage from the mountain by himself to protect wild animals, Thomas requested assistance from a French charity called Obsolete Installations which works to clear manmade debris in France's most picturesque regions.

'Some people have suggested we should leave it here,' continues Thomas, 'but I think it's more important to clean up the mountain and leave it in a better state for the next generation.'

Jean-Pierre remains a nimble mountaineer even though he retired two decades ago, so he intends to climb up to the refuge for the plaque unveiling.

Two years after the crash, Jean-Pierre was called into action again when another British passenger jet crashed on Mount Canigou. On the latter occasion 40 died.

Between 1949 and 1967, there were at least nine crashes on or near the mountain, prompting a parliamentary review of airlines following that route towards France's south-west Mediterranean coast and the Costa Brava.
DailyMail.com can reveal that Masterson and Phillips had been living separately for five years, according to divorce papers she filed

Convicted rapist Danny Masterson had been living apart from wife Bijou Phillips for five years, according to papers she filed in their divorce following his 30-years-to-life prison sentence.

The stunning admission appears to fly in the face of the devotion Phillips showed by standing by her husband's side through two lengthy court trials and the assumption by many that the divorce was filed to protect the couple's assets.

In the papers, obtained by DailyMail.com, Phillips is careful to say that the couple's 9-year-old daughter Fianna has lived only with her mother in Santa Ynez, California, since 2018.

She says that for the first four years of the little girl's life she lived with both her and Masterson in their Hollywood compound. They sold that five bed, four-bath Moorish mansion for $6.2 million in 2021.

Before his prison sentence, Masterson, 47, had been seen at the Santa Ynez home and it was believed they lived together.

DailyMail.com can reveal that Danny Masterson and wife Bijou Phillips had been living separately for five years, according to divorce papers she filed

The bombshell comes despite Phillips standing by her husband's side throughout his two rape trials. Bijou is seen kissing Masterson while on a lunch break during the trial

In the papers, obtained by DailyMail.com, Phillips is careful to say that the couple's 9-year-old daughter Fianna has lived only with her mother in Santa Ynez, California, since 2018

In court documents obtained by DailyMail.com, Phillips gave the date of the couple's separation as 'TBD [to be determined]'

This is the home where, according to documents, Bijou has lived with her nine-year-old daughter since 2018

Repeated calls and emails to Phillips's lawyer Peter Lauzon to explain the discrepancy were not returned.

Phillips, 43, filed for divorce from Scientologist Masterson on Monday in Santa Barbara, California, 35 miles east of Santa Ynez. She gave the date of the couple's separation as 'TBD [to be determined]'.

If Phillips had wanted to hide the apparent living arrangements she could have ticked a box saying they were confidential as many celebrities involved in California divorces do. But instead her exact address was listed.

The couple bought the home in Santa Ynez, a celebrity enclave where Michael Jackson, Olivia Newton John and Bo Derek have lived among others, for $1.27million in 2016. It sits on 9.5 acres and has a four-bedroom main house along with separate accommodation for guests and a barn with room for five horses.

Phillips, who appeared devastated when Masterson was sentenced to the hefty prison term after being convicted of raping two women, was seen without her wedding ring at a restaurant near the property on Wednesday.

Phillips was seen without her wedding ring at a restaurant on Wednesday

The blonde mom dressed down in baggy jeans and a black tank for an hour-long lunch with a friend and smiled broadly during the outing.

The lunch came less than two days after she filed to end her marriage, citing irreconcilable differences and asking for full custody of her daughter as well as spousal support.

In contrast, Masterson is currently inmate number 6614941 in LA County's Men's Central Jail awaiting a transfer to an as-yet-undecided state prison.

Earlier this week, his devastated mother Carol and younger brother Jordan, 37, were photographed entering the 5,640-capacity lock-up in downtown Los Angeles  a two-hour drive from Santa Ynez.

Phillips has yet to visit but did support Masterson throughout his rape trial and burst into tears on hearing his sentence before sneaking out of court through a back door.

Shortly after Masterson's sentencing, friends told DailyMail.com that Phillips still 'can't accept' that the That 70s Show star is a convicted rapist while his lawyer Shawn Holley told TMZ that he plans to appeal.

A source close to Phillips told DailyMail.com: 'Bijou's only positive outlook on things stems from her trust in Danny and the appeal process.

'She is hanging on to the fact that she completely trusts he never did what he was charged for, she can't accept that to be true. And she is looking to the appeal process for justice to be served.

'Danny is adamant he did nothing wrong and Bijou believes him. Her other thoughts are a little more scary and morbid: she doesn't believe Danny will harm himself in jail, but she is very worried someone will harm him or even kill him and the stress that is bringing her is on its own level of stress that she never has felt before.

'It is a nightmare, but she will be on his side moving forward and continue to be present for their daughter.'

The document say that for the first four years of their daughter's life she lived with both her and Masterson in their Hollywood compound. They sold that five bed, four-bath Moorish mansion for $6.2 million in 2021

After the conviction, sources said that Phillips was coming to terms with the prospect of raising her child alone

In 2020, Danny posted a loved up photo with his wife. According to the court documents they would have been living separately for two years at the time

Masterson had two trials over the rapes with the first, in November 2022 ending in a mistrial after a different jury were hopelessly deadlocked on all three rape charges.

'He was freed on $3.3million bail throughout both, but that freedom ended with his conviction on two of the charges on May 31.

At his September 7 sentencing, Masterson's victims tearfully told the courtroom how he had ruined their lives.

'You are pathetic, disturbed and extremely violent and the world is a safer place with you in prison,' said one, identified as Jane Doe #2, looking straight at the actor, who was dressed in a gray suit and open-neck gray shirt.

'You are a true coward and heartless monster,' added Jane Doe #1. 'I think life is an appropriate sentence.'

His accusers are all former Scientologists and are also suing the actor and the Church of Scientology in civil court, claiming that they've been harassed and intimidated since reporting him to police. The church has repeatedly denied that it has harassed the victims.

A status hearing on that civil case is scheduled for September 26.

Masterson blew his wife a kiss in the court room as he was sentenced to 30 years behind bars, seen in a court sketch

Letters released by the court following sentencing showed Phillips, along with Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, had written letters to Judge Charlaine Olmedo begging for leniency.

In hers, Phillips described him as a 'life-saving partner' and described how he had 'toiled long days' on their ranch to make it profitable.

She concluded: 'We need him more than you can imagine. I know he has been convicted of serious crimes.

'But the man I married has only been an extraordinary husband to me and a devoted father to our daughter.'

Kutcher and Kunis, who married in 2015, issued a groveling apology after being vilified for their support of Masterson. They had described him as an 'exceptional person'.

Both previously starred alongside him on That 70s Show. Kutcher had told the judge 'I do not believe he is an ongoing harm to society' adding that 'having his daughter raised without a present father' would be 'a tertiary injustice in and of itself'.

Kunis, meanwhile, had told Judge Olmedo of Masterson's 'exceptional character and the tremendous positive influence he has had on me and the people around him'.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv's allies have committed billions upon billions in military and humanitarian aid to help Ukrainian Armed Forces fight off Russian occupiers.

But as the war drags into its 19th month, President Volodymyr Zelensky is seemingly facing an uphill battle convincing both his neighbours and Western allies to continue apace.

The Biden administration's latest request for a fresh $24billion aid package is the subject of a bitter spending battle that could see Congress trigger a government shutdown with skeptical Republican lawmakers wary of sending yet more funds to Kyiv.

Some Republicans say the money could be better spent on US border security, while there are also concerns about the pace of Kyiv's counteroffensive and that corruption in Ukraine means the money will be squandered.

Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said this week his country 'is no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine' amid a row over Poland's ban on Ukrainian grain imports to protect the interests of its farmers.

With this in mind, MailOnline recaps the level of funding sent to Ukraine so far.

President Joe Biden shakes hands with Volodymyr Zelensky after a meeting in the East Room of the White House September 21, 2023 in Washington, DC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pleaded with President Joe Biden for more military aid, as his country continues to mount a slow-moving counter offensive against Russia

Britain has sent dozens of Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine

Long range Storm Shadow missiles allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian held territory

The US is far and away Ukraine's biggest benefactor.

According to the Kiel Institute's Ukraine Support Tracker - which follows and quantifies military, financial and humanitarian aid given to Ukraine since January 24, 2022 - the US has sent 69.5billion ($74billion) to Kyiv, 42billion ($44.7billion) of which came in the form of weapons systems, armoured vehicles, tanks and ammunition.

The support tracker's data has been published up until July 31, 2023. If Biden's $24billion package is approved by Congress, US total aid to Ukraine will begin closing in on $100billion.

America's aid provision is only outstripped by the EU as a collective, with European institutions providing 84.8billion - though almost 80billion of this was financial aid rather than military.

The Biden administration is also preparing to provide a parting gift to Ukraine following President Volodymyr Zelensky's White House visit, in the form of long-range ATACM missiles to strike distant Russian forces.

President Biden has told Zelensky that Washington will provide Kyiv with ATACMS long-range missiles, NBC News reported on Friday, citing three U.S. officials and a congressional official.

That comes a day after Zelensky visited Washington, pleading with lawmakers in the Capitol and during a meeting with Biden for more weapons to protect Ukraine's skies as it seeks to fight back Russia's invading force.

That came on a trip when House Republicans are opposing Biden's proposed $24 billion aid package for Ukraine, and where House Speaker Kevin McCarthy declined to appear with Zelensky in public after saying before Zelensky's trip that 'I have questions for him.'

'Where's the accountability on the money we've already spent?' McCarthy asked, before McCarthy met with the full Senate but did not address the full House or the GOP Conference.

Is the world running out of patience with Zelensky's 'blank cheque' demands? Russian president Vladimir Putin smiles during the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum, on September 12, 2023, in Vladivostok, Russia Advertisement

Besides the US, Germany, the United Kingdom and Norway have been the next most significant aid providers for Ukraine, giving 20.9billion, 13.8billion and 7.4billion respectively.

In relative terms, however, Ukraine's smaller supporters and Russian neighbours like Estonia and Lithuania are contributing a greater share of their GDP to the war effort.

Estonia's aid to Ukraine has totalled some 1.3 percent of GDP, with Lithuania sharing 1.2 percent. Poland has given military aid commitments equalling 0.5 percent of its GDP, is one of Kyiv's main weapons suppliers and also hosts some one million Ukrainian refugees, who have benefited from various kinds of state aid.

The US meanwhile, despite contributing the overwhelming majority of military aid to Kyiv, has only donated 0.2 per cent of its GDP.

Canada meanwhile has provided Ukraine with almost $9billion in military and other aid since the Russian invasion began, and is home to the world's second largest Ukrainian diaspora after Russia.

Ottawa's $8.9billion in aid to Kyiv has included more than $1.8billion in military aid, including Leopard 2 tanks, air defence and artillery systems, anti-tank weapons, drones and other equipment.

It has also trained more than 36,000 Ukrainian soldiers.

Zelensky was in Ottawa today to drum up more support after meeting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, capping off a North American tour which saw him face a skeptical US Congress.

Yesterday Zelensky confronted the issue of potentially fracturing political support in the United States for his country's demands for more arms to push back the Russian invasion.

'We're with you and we're staying with you,' Biden told him after their top teams met at the White House.

US president Joe Biden and First Lady Jill welcome Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska at the South Portico of the White House

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as his wife Olena Zelenska looks on as they arrive at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport in Ottawa, Ontario, on Thursday, September 21

Wearing his trademark olive green military-style shirt, Zelensky said Ukraine 'has exactly what our soldiers need' after Biden announced a new package of US military aid, including sophisticated air defence weapons.

But behind the optics - firm handshakes across a grand cabinet table and shows of solidarity in the Oval Office - was the reality that Zelensky's second wartime trip to Washington was far tougher than the first.

He received a hero's welcome when he visited in December, but this time, he spent his closed-door meetings in the US Congress desperately trying to overcome growing war fatigue among Republicans.

Hardline Republicans are threatening to block Biden's request for a fresh $24billion aid package for Ukraine, and it has now become caught up in a bitter spending battle that could spark a US government shutdown.

Biden said alongside Zelensky that there was 'no alternative' to backing the Ukraine funding, adding that he was 'counting on the good judgment of the United States Congress.'

The US president said the first US M1 Abrams tanks will arrive in Ukraine 'next week,' boosting Kyiv's forces as they battle Russian troops in a slow-moving counteroffensive.

The latest US package would also strengthen Ukraine's air defence capability, crucial at a time when the country faces repeated Russian missile and drone attacks.

It came as there were reports of Ukraine striking two Russian ships in Crimea on Saturday.

A pro-Russia channel said six Neptune missiles were fired and while four were allegedly intercepted, two found their target.

There were reports of Ukraine striking (pictured) two Russian ships in Crimea on Saturday

On Friday, Ukrainians used a British-made Storm Shadow missile to hit Putin's Black Sea Fleet HQ in Ukraine.

Senior Russian commanders were killed in the Ukrainian missile strike, it was also revealed.

At least nine people were killed and 16 wounded in the attack in Sevastopol, according to Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov.

Russia has refrained from giving details on the killed and wounded, and its main news bulletins failed to mention the humiliating strike in annexed Crimea.

Russian air defences were again today at work in and around Sevastopol, the main naval port in the peninsula.

Plumes of smoke were seen coming from the Russian headquarters after the Ukrainian attack

This is the moment a British Storm Shadow missile hits Putin's Black Sea Fleet HQ in Ukraine

Sevastopol before (top) and after (bottom) a missile attack struck the headquarters of Moscow's Black Sea fleet

The explosion is understood to have been caused by a Storm Shadow missile

Video footage shows the building being destroyed

Smoke was seen pouring out of the building in Sevastopol

Russia has refrained from giving details on the killed and wounded, and its main news bulletins failed to mention the humiliating strike in annexed Crimea

There were reports of incoming missiles and that one missile had been shot down.

Russian war cheerleaders are demanding reprisal attacks on Ukrainian command posts.

Rybar Telegram channel warned: 'As long as there are no strikes on control and command centres, the intensity of the AFU attacks will increase.

'Meanwhile, in Kyiv, the work of all Ukrainian structures responsible for regular raids, such as the GUR and the SBU [intelligence services] , is proceeding without interruption.'

Spymaster Budanov told Voice of America: 'Among the wounded is the commander of the group, Colonel-General (Alexander) Romanchuk, in a very serious condition'

Tsekov is the commander of the 200th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, part of the Coastal Forces of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Navy. He was reported as being one of the wounded

Some reports say Black Sea Fleet commander Admiral Viktor Sokolov was also hit and killed, but there has been no confirmation

War analyst Sergei Mardan, a columnist for Komsomolskaya Pravda, said: 'The strike to the Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol is a crushing blow to the entire Russian elite, which is seriously committed to freezing the conflict in the autumn of 2023.

'They still don't want to fight.

'They agree to any, the most shameful conditions of a truce.

'They still consider [the start of war on] February 24, 2022, a catastrophic mistake by Putin and intend to do everything to convince him of this.

'They see a ''limited'' military defeat of Russia as the ideal way.'

He claimed this was the wrong route for Russia.

At least six people are believed to be wounded following the attack

A top Russian official has admitted that the fleet's HQ suffered a missile attack

Parts of the building were seen on fire shortly after the attack

The top of the Black Fleet headquarters' building was damaged heavily during the attack

'Our enemies will force us to fight, if only because they do not agree to a 'limited' defeat.

'They intend to defeat the Russian army and bring the Russian government to its knees.'

Spymaster Budanov told Voice of America: 'Among the wounded is the commander of the group, Colonel-General (Alexander) Romanchuk, in a very serious condition.'

He added: 'The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant-General (Oleg) Tsekov, is unconscious.

'The number of injured regular servicemen who are not employees of the headquarters is still being determined.

The strike was one of the most significant of the entire war, as was the sinking of the Black Sea fleet's flagship, the Moskva cruiser, last year

'These are military personnel who are on duty, security, and so on  they are not included in the list that I announced.'

Some reports say Black Sea Fleet commander Admiral Viktor Sokolov was also hit and killed, but there has been no confirmation.

There were suggestions he was 'missing'.

Putin did not mention the destruction of the Sevastopol HQ in a meeting with his military chiefs

Sokolov was handpicked by Putin a year ago to take over from Admiral Igor Osipov after the humiliating sinking of the fleet's flagship, the cruiser Moskva, sunk by a Ukrainian Neptune missile.

Romanchuk is commander of Russian forces in the occupied Zaporizhzhia region, and was promoted to the rank of colonel-general in 2023.

Tsekov is the commander of the 200th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, part of the Coastal Forces of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Navy.

Budanov declined to confirm Russian claims that Storm Shadow missiles - provided to Kyiv by Britain and France - had been used to the fleet HQ.

A soldier from 62nd Brigade of Ukrainian Army, wearing a camouflage, is seen in the trenches of the Kupyansk frontline as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues, in Kharkiv region

Soldiers from 62nd Brigade of Ukrainian Army hold position in the trenches of the Kupyansk frontline

'Here I have to refrain from answering, I think you should understand me,' he said.

Tales of heroism have also been coming out of Ukraine.

Jack Knight is a British military volunteer in Ukraine and a former mine clearer with the Royal Engineers whose great-great grandfather rescued a wounded man from no man's land in WWI.

Knight saved eight Ukrainian troops in a daring 14-hour rescue mission while taking fire.

He even stepped into a minefield in complete darkness to save four Ukrainians who wandered into it while carrying their dead companion on a stretcher.

A soldier from 62nd Brigade of Ukrainian Army talks over a radio

Soldiers from 62nd Brigade of Ukrainian Army walk in front a destroyed building by shelling

A soldier from 62nd Brigade of Ukrainian Army, wearing a camouflage, holds position in the trenches of the Kupyansk frontline

A soldier from 62nd Brigade of Ukrainian Army walks towards a tank in the Kupyansk frontline

His brave ancestor William Young won the Victoria Cross for his antics and saw a street named after him in Preston.

Knight told The Telegraph: 'Hopefully, my great-great grandad will think I've done my bit. Every bit of that rescue literally felt like a suicide mission.'

At one point he even set down his weapons and grenades to reduce the weight he was carrying. When he was then faced with being just 20 metres away from a group of Russian troops as he took cover behind a wall, he realised he had a problem.

He picked up two rocks and prepared for a fight to the death.

Knight said: 'I figured I'd throw the rocks at them  they'd have thought at first that they were grenades, which might have distracted them enough for me to charge one of them, grab his gun and spray a few rounds.

'I probably wouldn't have survived but if I could inflict some casualties they'd maybe pull back rather than carry on towards our lines.'

He has since been nominated for a medal for his valiant efforts in the battle alongside Canadian fellow volunteer Wayne Hallatt.
A doctor working for the US government visited the Wuhan facility which has faced questions over the origins of Covid-19 and raised safety concerns almost two years before the start of the pandemic.

Dr Ping Chen was director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) office in China when she went to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in October 2017.

She wrote a report the following month in which she expressed her worries about the laboratory and the staff working in it.

'It is clear to me by talking to the technician that certainly there is a need for training support,' Dr Chen wrote in the memo seen by The New York Post.

The FBI believes Covid-19 'most likely' originated in a 'Chinese government-controlled lab' and supporters of the theory have pointed at the WIV - but there is no evidence to prove this claim.

A doctor working for the US government visited the Wuhan facility which has faced questions over the origins of Covid-19 and raised safety concerns almost two years before the start of the pandemic

Dr Ping Chen was director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) office in China when she went to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in October 2017

'It is clear to me by talking to the technician that certainly there is a need for training support,' Dr Chen wrote in the memo

'I think the institute would welcome any help and technical support by NIAID,' Dr Chen wrote about the Wuhan laboratory.

Senator Ron Johnson, from Wisconsin, is seeking more information about the concerns the doctor previously raised.

He believes a State Department cable from 2018 which referenced Chen and other scientists' misgivings about the WIV was more pointed.

'[D]uring interactions with scientists at the WIV laboratory, they noted that the new lab has a serious shortage of appropriately trained technicians and investigators needed to safely operate this high-containment laboratory,' it read.

Some of Dr Chen's private concerns about the Wuhan facility have previously been documented.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) were pressured for more information by Johnson and Senator Rand Paul in 2021.

They got their hands on a redacted copy of Chen's report and were allowed an in camera review of it.

However, Johnson was frustrated by the large number of redactions in the version of the report he was handed.

The health department later admitted that now all of the redactions were made due to national security concerns.

'In the public FOIA document, HHS redacted Dr. Chens entire report claiming that it contains privacy and deliberative information,' Johnson said in a letter to the head of the HSS and National Institutes of Health on Thursday.

'It seems apparent that the only reason that HHS redacted this information was to hide the reports contents from the American people.

Dr Chen wrote a report the following month in which she expressed her worries about the laboratory and the staff working in it

Senator Ron Johnson, from Wisconsin, is seeking more information about the concerns the doctor previously raised

He was frustrated by the large number of redactions in the version of Chen's report he was handed

'Perhaps HHS did not want the public to fully understand the fact that NIH and NIAID officials were aware of safety concerns at the WIV dating as far back as 2017.'

Those who believe the 'lab leak' theory have suggested the pandemic started at the WIV where 'gain-of-function' research on bat coronavirus was performed, with some of it funded by the US taxpayer.

The HHS told Congress on Tuesday that the Wuhan facility would no longer receive US government support until at least July 2033.

It pointed to the laboratory's failure to comply with government regulations.

Senator Johnson, who is the ranking member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, has demanded an interview with Dr Chen.

He is also calling for unredacted copies of her 2017 report, her private communications on it and other material relating to the WIV.

'HHS and NIH continue to obstruct my oversight efforts. It is unacceptable that HHS and NIH had Dr. Chens report in its possession and only provided a slightly-less redacted version for my staff to review in camera,' he said.

Johnson sent a letter with those demands to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and NIH acting director Lawrence Tabak.

Almost seven million people have died due to coronavirus around the world, with 1.1 million deaths in the US.

Dailymail.com has contacted the HSS and NIAID for comment.
If there is one overriding theme of the Biden years, it is the systematic degradation of American freedom, pushing the lives and freedom of private citizens aside as government expands and takes over.

This is done under the rubric of the left that "government knows best."

Day by day, we are becoming what the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia described as "a country I do not recognize."

In a new paper published by the Committee to Unleash Prosperity, Casey Mulligan, professor of economics at the University of Chicago and former chief economist of the president's Council of Economic Advisers, estimates the current and future costs of new regulations imposed so far by the Biden administration as close to $10,000 per household.

Per Mulligan, although the largest single area of new regulatory costs come from fuel economy and emission standards, they still only account for one-third of the total costs. The rest come from "health, labor, telecommunications and consumer finance regulations."

In a paper published last year by Mulligan with Stephen Moore, they estimated that Biden administration policies, driven by climate change dogma, to shut down the oil and gas industry have resulted in 2 to 3 million barrels per day less of oil production and 20 to 25 billion cubic feet of less natural gas production had these policies not been in place.

Mulligan and Moore estimate the cost of this foregone energy production to the U.S. economy is on the order of $100 billion per year.

Now we have the latest move by the Biden administration to remove millions of acres of land in Alaska from oil and gas drilling and development.

This includes blocking nearly half of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, the largest expanse of public land in the country, and canceling seven leases issued during the Trump administration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

These moves may leave President Joe Biden's climate change dogmatists happy, but less so Americans who care what they pay for energy.

Alaska's Sen. Dan Sullivan and Wyoming's Rep. Harriet Hageman have introduced the Energy Poverty Prevention and Accountability Act that requires cost-benefit evaluation from federal agencies on energy-related policies that assesses the impact of policies on affordability of energy on Americans, particularly at-risk communities.

There is no question about the impact on the cost of living of all Americans as the Biden administration tilts at climate change windmills.

Oil prices and gasoline prices are now at 12-month highs.

Biden climate/energy policies have also found their way into the current auto strike.

Despite the United Auto Workers being a traditional stalwart supporter of the Democratic Party, so far UAW president Shawn Fain has not endorsed Biden.

One of the issues is government mandates on automakers to move to electric vehicles. Estimates are that production of EVs requires about 30% less labor. Therefore, these mandates threaten long-term economic security of auto workers.

The likely solution will not be backing off these mandates but subsidies and mandates to support union jobs in EV production.

This means even more government. More government controlling our economy, more government controlling our lives.

It is all a kind of backdoor socialism. But rather than increasing government control coming from some abstract ideology, we get the same result from belief that "government knows best." The result is armies of government bureaucrat micromanagers controlling our lives.

Let's recall our own Declaration of Independence, which states our founding based on individual rights -- life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness -- and "that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men ... that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it."

It is time for Americans to act to restore our free nation while we have a few breaths of freedom left.
Aussies are being warned not to be complacent with a lingering flu season, as latest health data reveals a spike in patients contracting influenza B.

Despite the warmer days, Dr Jane Wehipeihana, of Medical on Robina, said people needed to continue practising proper hygiene by washing hands and limiting contact if they are sick as the flu season continues.

The Gold Coast-based GP has reviewed data obtained by Medical on Robina from a local pathology provider and found a huge increase in positive results for influenza B across Queensland.

Aussies are being warned not to be complacent with a lingering flu season, as latest health data reveals a spike in patients contracting influenza B

Microscope view of the H1N1 influenza (flu) strain virus

The data revealed there were more than 400 influenza B cases confirmed by blood test last month, and just two positive cases for August 2022.

Dr Wehipeihana said the huge spike was an unusual start to Spring.

'It's slightly unusual, we do see odd peaks now and then, though compared to last year it's significant,' Dr Wehipeihana said.

'The lab reports for august last year at one of our local had 29,000 swabs and only two were positive.

'This year (in August) there were close to 5,000 swabs but 461 cases were positive, so less swabs but more cases.'

While Dr Wehipeihana is yet to see the September data, she said there had been similar results for July and June, with June recording 1100 positive cases detected at the local pathology provider.

Dr Wehipeihana said she's seen an increase in patients of recent weeks presenting with presenting with influenza B and cold symptoms, including coughs, colds, shivers, fevers and vertigo.

Gold Coast mother of two, Alysia Van Vliet has recently recovered from Influenza B

Australians urged to get the flu vaccination, even if it's now no longer free for most people Photo: NCA Newswire/ Janie Barrett

Gold Coast mother of two, Alysia Van Vliet has recently recovered from Influenza B, which infected her whole family for a few weeks.

'It was really dreadful, we had one of (the kids) go down and just had the body aches, temperatures and then it hung around for a few days then went to the rest of us,' Ms Van Vliet said.

'For myself, I haven't been as sick as what I was this in years.

'It was very difficult, probably for a few days, my daughter and I were bed bound and just sleeping all day and barely eating.'

Ms Van Vliet said not only were the health issues concerning but the financial stress experienced in their household also was taking a toll.

'(The kids) each had a week off school and we tried to preserver but we work for ourselves which is difficult as we don't get sick days.

'We were just playing tag team before the two of us went down (with the flu).'

Ms Van Vliet said while her family are 'generally extremely healthy people', she urged people to prioritise trying to avoid the virus.

'If someone in the family does get the flu do your best your eye on things, it's highly contagious and it's just managing that,' she said.

'We just kept our space and it still got us.

Gold Coast GP Dr Jane Wehipeihana says Aussies shouldn't get complacent about catching the flu despite the weather getting warmer

Dr Wehipeihana encouraged people to get the flu vaccination, even if it's now no longer free for most people.

'Each year we do see one strain of influenza be more prevalent than last year, that's why we change the flu vaccination mix every year,' she said.

'It's quite common if there's a family of four of five, three or four of them will have influenza, and ... it's kind of this snowballing effect in the households.

'Prevention is key.'

Queensland Health stated 21,457 people have been diagnosed with influenza since 1 July, 2023 across the state, including 121 infants under six months.

More than 141,000 vaccination doses have been given in Queensland from 17 July, to the latest update as of August 29, with 30 of Queenslanders have been vaccinated against influenza.

Dr Wehipeihana said flu season is 'not over yet', and people should also remember Covid is also rampant within the community

Victoria Health recorded 41,657 influenza cases in 2023 at the time of publication.

In New South Wales, there's been 1601 influenza cases in the week ending on September 16.

Meanwhile, in South Australia 15,462 notifications of influenza reported to the Communicable Disease Control Branch, compared to 11,293 cases reported for the same period last year.

Dr Wehipeihana said flu season is 'not over yet', and people should also remember Covid is also rampant within the community.

'I havent got the September numbers yet but we do see it start to drop off and then we do occasionally do see a peak in October or November,' she said.

'Covid is still around and people are still getting Covid every week, some people are still dying every week.

'It's still very much in the community.'
Democratic Senator Bob Menendez Googled how much a kilo of gold is worth numerous times amid an alleged bribery scheme he and his wife were involved in.

The indictment was released Friday, with Menendez, 69, and his wife facing three criminal counts each for their part in the alleged bribery scheme after a year-long investigation. This is his second indictment since becoming a senator in 2006.

The criminal indictment claimed the New Jersey senator Googled 'How much is one kilo of gold worth?' after arriving home from a trip to Egypt in October 2021.

Multiple gold bars were found during a court-authorized search of the couple's home in June 2022. The gold bars were part of the hundreds of thousands in bribes the couple are accused of accepting.

Menendez Googled the price of gold another time, soon after his wife thanked Fred Daibes, a New Jersey businessman and longtime Menendez associate, for 'Christmas in January,' according to the document.

Pictured: Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., right, and his wife Nadine Arslanian. A criminal indictment claimed the New Jersey senator googled 'How much is one kilo of gold worth?' after arriving home from a trip to Egypt in October 2021

Authorities found two one-kilogram gold bars and eleven one-ounce gold bars in Menendez's home during a June 2022 search. The gold bars were part of the hundreds of thousands in bribes the couple allegedly accepted

Pictured: Senator Bob Menendez home in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. The indictment was released Friday as Menendez and his wife face three criminal counts each for their part in the alleged bribery scheme after a year long investigation

Daibes and two others were involved in paying 'hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes' in exchange for the senator using his power to secretly benefit the Egyptian government, according to the indictment.

Prosecutors also accused Menendez of seeking to influence an ongoing federal prosecution of Daibes.

Menendez and his wife were accused of corruption allegations on Friday, involving the purchase of a luxury car, $400,000 in gold bars and cash, plus payments toward a home mortgage allegedly received by Menendez and his wife.

The indictment claims the couple had an improper relationship with three New Jersey businessmen: Wael Hana, Jose Uribe and Fred Daibes, who allegedly paid the couple in exchange for Menendez to use his influence in Washington D.C. to their benefit.

The couple face three criminal counts each: conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right. The three businessmen face charges of conspiracy to commit bribery and conspiracy to commit honest services fraud.

The indictment also charges the senator with providing 'sensitive U.S. Government information and took other steps that secretly aided the Government of Egypt.'

The probe also looked at other bribes allegedly paid to the couple. 'Those bribes included cash, gold, payments toward a home mortgage, compensation for a low-or-no-show job, a luxury vehicle, and other things of value,' the indictment said.

Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and his wife Nadine Arslanian arrive for a state dinner in honor of French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in December 2022; the couple has been charged on three criminal counts related to bribery and extortion

Cash was found in envelopes during a June 2022 raid of Menendez home

$486,461 in U.S. currency was seized from the couple's home, per the indictment

The luxury Mercedes-Benz C-300 convertible worth more than $60,000

A June 2022 raid on their New Jersey home found 'over $480,000 in cash - much of it stuffed into envelopes and hidden in clothing, closets, and a safe,' the indictment notes, adding Nadine had over $70,000 in a safe deposit box.

It also found two one-kilogram gold bars and eleven one-ounce gold bars.

Menendez and his wife reportedly sold hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gold bars despite having faced foreclosure just three years earlier and neglecting to initially disclose it on their ethics filings.

Businesswoman Nadine Arslanian, 56, cashed in up to $400,000 worth of gold last spring, in a sale that occurred just months before a federal investigation into the New Jersey Democrat was announced to the public.

Damian Williams, attorney with Southern District of New York, outlined the charges and supporting evidence during a press conference Friday morning, saying the couple used Menendez's 'power and influence to protect and enrich the businessmen and benefit the government of Egypt.'

He noted investigators 'executed a search warrant and discovered over $500,000 worth of cash stuffed into envelopes and the senator's jackets.'

'That is not all. Agents discovered a lot of gold,' he added.

In a statement on Friday, Menendez denied any wrongdoing.

'Those behind this campaign simply cannot accept that a first generation Latin American from humble beginnings could rise to be a U.S. senator.'

'I have been falsely accused before because I refused to back down to the powers that be and the people of New Jersey were able to see through the smoke and mirrors and recognize I was innocent,' he said.

He added he would not be 'distracted by baseless allegations' but continue his work as senator.

David Schertler, a lawyer for Nadine Menendez, said she 'denies any criminal conduct and will vigorously contest these charges in court.'

The indictment alleges that Menendez tried to disrupt a federal criminal prosecution of Fred Daibes in exchange for the money and other items of value. Daibes is an old friend of Menendez, has fundraised for his Senate campaign, and allegedly has ties to the Genovese mob family.

The indictment charges Menendez 'promised to and did use his influence and power' to pressure President Joe Biden to nominate a U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey who Menendez 'believed could be influenced by Menendez with respect to the federal criminal prosecution of Fred Daibes.'

Damian Williams, attorney with Southern District of New York, outlined the charges

Menendez recommended and Biden later nominated Phillip Sellinger as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, the top federal prosecutor in the state.

Daibes has been under investigation before. New Jersey authorities have tracked high-ranking mobsters meeting with Daibes repeatedly over the last decade, the Daily Beast reported.

Daibes provided the couple with gold bars and envelopes of cash, the indictment states.

'Multiple gold bars provided by Daibes were found during the court-authorized June 2022 search; of the couple's home, the indictment states. It also says the senator performed a web search for 'how much is one kilo of gold worth' and that the envelopes of cash had the fingerprints of Daibes and his driver.
The type of contagion which left more than 100 attendees at Melbourne function centre The Park violently ill has been identified by the health department.

At least 30 guests at a September 13 wedding along with at least another 70 medical professionals attending a conference on September 16 were struck down by the mysterious illness at the Albert Park venue.

The department on Friday said patients' tests confirmed the outbreak was likely caused by norovirus, a common but highly contagious form of gastro.

Norovirus can be transmitted primarily through contact with an infected person but also via contaminated food, liquids and even surfaces or objects.

Symptoms include acute onset vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, muscle pains and low-grade fever.

Investigations into the source of the outbreak are continuing.

At least 100 people from two separate events suffered food poisoning after visiting wedding venue The Park, Melbourne (pictured)

The Park venue manager Bahaa Harb said no issues with health and safety practices were found during a 'routine' inspection on September 15.

'We have conducted a precautionary deep clean and have received approval from council to continue trading,' Mr Harb said in a statement.

The two functions had different menus although they shared two common dishes.

Both had a pan fried potato gnocchi as an entree option and roasted chicken breast with crushed potato, leek and tarragon jus as a main course option.

Gary Kennedy, a food scientist and owner of one of Australia's leading independent food safety consultancy businesses, Correct Training Systems, said if the norovirus was in the food then the chicken would be the likely culprit.

But he said he also believes the outbreak may not have been caused by the food at all.

'One thought is that it has nothing to do with the food,' he said.

The Park in Albert Park Melbourne was given the once over by health inspectors and cleared to keep trading (pictured)

Mr Kennedy argued food poisoning cases like this can sometimes come from unsuspected food items, not always notorious items like meat.

'Another possibility is people may automatically think it might be the meat, but it may not be at all - it may be the salad, the dressing or the wedding cake, for example,' he said.

'Because only 30 people from the 300 guests [at the wedding] got sick, if I was doing the investigation I would look at what those people ate to cause it.

'It makes sense it would've been one ingredient or one small thing because of the small amount of people that got food poisoning.'

'One of the staff may be sick and non-symptomatic, carrying a food-borne disease, and the other staff don't realise.'

Some have questioned why the venue hasn't been temporarily closed but according to the Victorian Health department, unless a breach of the food safety legislation has been found a business can remain operating.
Tolls on Sydney's Harbour Bridge and Tunnel will increase for the first time in more than 14 years.

Motorists will pay more from October 29, with tolls increasing by 6.8 per cent, as the NSW government looks to make the road system fairer.

The cost of using the bridge will rise from $4.00 to $4.27 during peak times, weekdays between 6.30- 9.30am and 4-7pm.

Off-peak charges will go from $3.00 to $3.20, and from $2.50 to $2.67 at night.

All extra revenue will go to funding the government's toll relief budget package which caps weekly toll costs at $60 for about 720,000 drivers.

The package is estimated to save motorists in the most tolled suburbs an average of up to $540 a year.

Motorists will pay more from October 29, with tolls increasing by 6.8 per cent, as the NSW government looks to make the road system fairer

Roads minister John Graham said it was appropriate to increase tolls to help cover the costs of road use elsewhere.

"No toll increase is ever welcome, but this increase is helping to provide toll relief to other drivers," he said.

"Drivers in Western Sydney who have little choice but to use motorways for their commute and family travel have endured annual - and in many cases quarterly - toll increases since 2009 while the bridge and tunnel tolls remained fixed."

Bridge and tunnel tolls are required by law to be reviewed annually but were not touched during the past twelve years of coalition government.

Meanwhile the cost of using roads in the city's west, many of which are owned by private company Transurban, has surged.
People smugglers are risking lives by packing more migrants into already overloaded boats after being forced to cut prices for Channel crossings.

Criminal gangs operating the perilous journeys crammed an average of 47 people into each dinghy this year  compared to just 14 in 2020. So far this month, the average has risen to a record 55 migrants per boat.

It comes after increased competition between smugglers and a decline in the relative wealth of migrants making the journey meant prices have dropped from around 10,000 per crossing in 2020 to 3,000 this year.

The 'barbaric' traffickers also offer migrants the option of a lifejacket  for an extra 1,000.

MPs warned that the overcrowded boats meant another tragedy could be imminent, with a string of near disasters on packed vessels in recent weeks.

People smugglers are risking lives by packing more migrants into already overloaded boats after being forced to cut prices for Channel crossings (file photo)

Migrants cross the English Channel on a small boat on August 24, 2023

A source said: 'In a matter of years we've gone from an average of 12 to 20 people in each dinghy, to between 40 and 60 migrants in more rigid structures.

Prices are certainly dropping  they're less than 50 per cent of what they were. And because it's getting cheaper, they need to put more people in to make the same amount of money, which is risking migrants' lives.

'There was a limited pool of people who could afford a 10,000 journey.'

Dover MP Natalie Elphicke branded the people smugglers 'ruthless criminals'. She said: 'The people smugglers will stop at nothing to make money. They peddle a promise of a land of opportunity when in fact they trade in danger and death. They are brutal. They've been cramming more and more people into the boats making it even more dangerous.'
The morning after his mother was murdered by Peter Sutcliffe, Neil Jackson was asked to identify her body. He was just 17 and the sight of her bloodied, battered corpse on a slab in a Leeds police mortuary haunts him to this day.

'You can't put something like that out of your mind,' says Neil, now 65. 'It's not something any son should have to see. It was a terrible thing to have to do at that age.'

Emily Jackson was the second of the Yorkshire Ripper's 13 known murder victims and, before long, her face was all but lost amid the sea of black-and-white photographs of the women Sutcliffe killed between 1975 and 1980.

But for Neil and his two younger siblings, the 42-year-old mother of three's violent and brutal killing in January 1976 marked the beginning of a lifetime of grief and trauma, which ultimately tore them apart.

'He didn't just murder my mum, he murdered our family,' he says.

'The family hit bad times. Our lives were destroyed and were never the same again.' Last year, the father of one and grandfather told his story to actor Daniel Mays, who will play the part of Neil's grief-stricken father Sydney in a new ITV drama about the terrible legacy Sutcliffe left behind.

The title of the six-part series, The Long Shadow, was carefully chosen to avoid mention of the serial killer whose name has, until now, largely eclipsed those of his victims. It focuses instead on the impact of his crimes.

Mo Lea was a third-year fine art student at Leeds Polytechnic and just two days from her 21st birthday when Sutcliffe tried to kill her in October 1980

Nearly half a century on - and three years after Sutcliffe's death from Covid - the women he killed will finally take centre stage, played by actresses including Jill Halfpenny, Daisy Waterstone and Coronation Street star Katherine Kelly, who portrays Neil's mother, Emily.

'It's about time attention was given back to the women he murdered,' says Neil, who also takes pains to avoid mentioning the name of his mother's killer. 'Thank God he's dead now. He doesn't deserve to be remembered. I still miss her so much.'

Sitting on the sofa at home in Leeds, where photographs of Emily hang on every wall of Neil's neat sitting room, he articulates the toll her death has taken on the family.

He explains how his father fell to pieces and that, within a day of the murder, his five-year-old sister was sent to live with an uncle and aunt, never to return to the family home.

While his brother remained with their father, Neil joined the army to get away from the unbearably tense atmosphere at home and the climate of fear that descended over the area as the number of Sutcliffe's victims rose.

'It was impossible to get away from it,' says the retired roofer. 'I'd walk into town and my mum's photo would be everywhere, on billboards, on the side of buses and I'd know he was still out there.

'Joining the forces got me away from everything but what he did split the family up. My dad couldn't cope and we all went separate ways. I've had to live with that all my life.'

Neil's story is not unique. Sutcliffe's reign of terror during the 1970s and 80s left 23 children without mothers as blunders by West Yorkshire Police saw Sutcliffe remain free to kill.

The force, which used a simple card index system, was unable to cope with the volume of information, leading to vital evidence being lost and not properly cross-referenced.

Mo, whose family lived in Liverpool, was heading to a city centre bus stop after a night out with friends at around 10.30pm

Sutcliffe was questioned and released nine times before he was finally arrested in January 1981 while driving a car with false number plates. He was eventually charged with 13 murders and seven attempted murders - a figure now believed to be a fraction of his crimes.

For, as the Mail discovered this week, the women portrayed in the new drama form only part of the bitter legacy the sick killer left behind.

Nearly 50 years after he began his murderous spree, dozens of women have never seen justice; women who were almost certainly attacked by Sutcliffe and whose cases were consigned to police filing cabinets, never to see the light of the day.

Having survived an attempted murder by one of the most infamous killers in history, their lives have been overshadowed by the knowledge that, while he was alive, Sutcliffe was never prosecuted for these crimes.

'His way of holding on to control was not to admit what he had done to me and other women, even while he was in prison,' says Mo Lea, who was a third-year fine art student at Leeds Polytechnic and just two days from her 21st birthday when Sutcliffe tried to kill her in October 1980.

It was more than five years since his first known murder in 1975 and West Yorkshire Police were supposedly at the height of the biggest manhunt in British criminal history.

Mo, whose family lived in Liverpool, was heading to a city centre bus stop after a night out with friends at around 10.30pm. Fear of the man dubbed the 'Ripper' was rife and she walked quickly, cutting through the campus then turning into a residential street to reach the main road.

'As soon as I turned the corner I could see that one of the street lights was out and there was a dark spot,' says the 63-year-old artist and retired university lecturer.

'I was conscious of the danger I could be in but I could see the bright lights of the main road just 200 yards away and thought if I turned back I'd take even longer to get there.'

She was halfway along Hillary Place when Sutcliffe called out to her, speaking as if they knew each other. His friendly voice - something nearly all of his surviving victims recalled - unguarded Mo.

Sutcliffe was questioned and released nine times before he was finally arrested in January 1981 while driving a car with false number plates

READ MORE: Yorkshire's deepest scar: A new drama revisiting Peter Sutcliffe's reign of terror gives a new perspective by telling the victims' stories not the killer's Katherine Kelly as Sutcliffes second murder victim, Emily Jackson, a 42-year-old married mother-of-three who took on occasional sex work to try to keep her family afloat. She was murdered in January 1976 Advertisement

'I heard him call out 'Hey'. It was a friendly, young man's voice. He crossed over and walked towards me, chatting like we knew each other, asking things like what the time was and which way I was going.

'My first thought was that I must know him and he was a friend I could walk into town with.' She recalls how, as he got closer, she saw Sutcliffe's distinctive mop of frizzy dark hair and pitch dark eyes.

He was wearing a black bomber jacket and holding himself strangely with one arm over the other. It was only later she realised he had been concealing the hammer and screwdriver he used to attack her.

'I realised I didn't know him and something was wrong,' says Mo. 'I half apologised. It was a polite conversation and I said I was going on my way. I turned and carried on walking and I heard his footsteps.

'I thought, I'm going to start running, but as I ran I could hear his footsteps increasing at the same pace as mine.'

Mo was only about 25 metres from the main road and could see the lights and the traffic ahead.

'Absolute terror and adrenaline kicked in,' she says. 'I ran as fast as I could but within seconds he caught up with me and I felt this massive crack at the top of my head. He hit me so hard I keeled over.'

She believes she is alive today only because a man and a woman on the main road heard her cry out and spotted Sutcliffe crouched over her unconscious body. As they approached, he ran off.

Mo is still in touch with the woman who found her covered in blood. 'She found me with my head in the gutter choking on my own blood. I was close to death. What she saw traumatised her for life.'

At St James's Hospital in Leeds, Mo was rushed into surgery. Her skull was fractured, her cheek and jaw broken. She had puncture wounds where Sutcliffe had jabbed a screwdriver repeatedly into her neck, narrowly missing her spinal cord.

When her parents visited her in intensive care, they didn't recognise her and walked past her bed.

Yet it was Mo herself who contacted police after doctors noted her injuries were similar to those of other victims they had treated.

She was sitting in a hospital chair when detectives came to interview her. They took notes but when she'd finished, she says, one of them said: 'If we decide to take this incident seriously, we'll be in touch with you.'

They used the same astonishing phrase, she says, to the woman who found her. 'That was the last either of us heard from them.'

Why does she think the police didn't investigate her assault further - particularly given that the description she gave of her attacker, not to mention his modus operandi and the weapons he used, perfectly matched his other crimes?

'At the time, West Yorkshire Police were looking like fools,' she says. 'Sutcliffe had been attacking and murdering women for more than five years, making them look ridiculously stupid, inept and lazy. My case, if it had been taken further, would have caused added embarrassment.'

Nearly half a century on - and three years after Sutcliffe's death from Covid - the women he killed will finally take centre stage, played by actresses including Jill Halfpenny, Daisy Waterstone and Coronation Street star Katherine Kelly, who portrays Neil's mother, Emily

Immediately after the attack, Mo tried to put out of her mind the possibility that the Yorkshire Ripper was responsible.

'I was deeply ashamed,' she says. 'I thought people would think I was a sex worker or that I was asking for it or that I deserved it because I was out alone.

'I thought I'd be tarnished with the connection to him. The fact the police weren't interested helped me believe it couldn't be him.' But three weeks later, the killer struck again less than a mile from the spot he attacked Mo, murdering his final victim, 20-year-old Leeds University student Jackie Hill, in November 1980.

After Sutcliffe's arrest in January 1981, Mo saw footage on the news and instantly recognised him. 'I just fell to my knees,' she says. 'I thought: 'My God. That's him'.'

Amid huge embarrassment about the mishandling of the case, Sutcliffe was brought to trial within three months. Following his conviction, efforts were made to cover-up the full extent of blunders by West Yorkshire Police.

An internal inquiry, which concluded that Sutcliffe was likely to have been responsible for several unsolved murders and attacks, was kept under wraps within the force.

A Home Office inquiry led by Lord Byford was completed in 1982 but it was only in 2006, following a Freedom of Information request, that a heavily redacted version of Byford's report was finally published.

He concluded that Sutcliffe was responsible for multiple attacks on women for which he had not been charged, although the names of those women were blacked out. Just two years ago, after writing to the Home Office, Mo was informed her name is among them.

Former West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Keith Hellawell also re-investigated Sutcliffe's crimes and even persuaded him, during visits to Broadmoor, to admit to two further unsolved attempted murders but no new prosecutions followed.

Bizarrely, Mo was contacted in 2016 by West Yorkshire Police who said they wanted a DNA sample to compare with hammers and screwdrivers Sutcliffe had used.

Mo agreed but says: 'I couldn't believe they'd waited that long. What evidence would have survived? They gave me back my clothes straight after the attack, congealed in a brown paper bag. To me it was clear it was just a box-ticking exercise.'

In a statement sent to the Mail by West Yorkshire Police this week, a spokesman said the force 'has an ongoing process to review non-recent undetected offences' and that in 2016 officers visited 'a small number of people named as victims of unsolved assaults and other offences in cases submitted to West Yorkshire Police as part of reviews carried out in the early 1980s'.

The statement said: 'The force stated in 2018 that the review had not brought forward information which could lead to new prosecutions or the detection of the unsolved cases.'

Author Tim Tate, who spent years researching Sutcliffe's unsolved crimes with former police intelligence officer Chris Clark for their book Yorkshire Ripper: The Secret Murders, says: 'West Yorkshire Police screwed up badly at the time and they have not made any serious attempt to reinvestigate those cases. It baffles me. There is no excuse.

'They had the evidence against him in their own files and they owed it to the victims and their families to prosecute him.

'This has been comprehensively covered up and that's wrong. Those files should be opened. But it's too late now. It should have happened while he was alive.'

Tate believes the true tally of Sutcliffe's victims is much higher even than the number of those named in Byford's report and includes unsolved murders not just from across the UK where he travelled as a lorry driver but Europe as well.

Mo still has a crescent-shaped dent in her head where Sutcliffe hit her and scars above her left eye and inside her mouth. But art, she says, has been her 'saviour' in overcoming the post-traumatic stress disorder she suffered.

She has worked and exhibited in the U.S. and Europe and among her work is a project called 'Ripping Up The Ripper' in which she was filmed drawing a portrait of Sutcliffe before tearing it up and stamping on the pieces.

'My artwork has helped me to externalise my feelings,' she says. 'But what about the other women in my position who still don't have a voice?'
A mother has revealed that killer nurse Lucy Letby took a 'sickening' photo of her baby daughter with her feeding tube dislodged.

On the back of the photo Letby wrote: 'Caught in the act! (Baby's name) deciding she is a big girl now and doesn't need to be tube fed any more! X'

The girl collapsed soon after the neo-natal nurse finished her shift and was moved into intensive care.

She was subsequently diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a condition caused by brain damage, and her mother now fears her daughter was harmed by the serial killer.

The woman, who asked not to be identified, wants police to investigate and is taking legal action against the Countess of Chester Hospital where Letby carried out her killing spree.

On the back of the photo Letby wrote: 'Caught in the act! (Baby's name) deciding she is a big girl now and doesn't need to be tube fed any more! X'

Letby was found guilty of murdering seven babies and trying to kill six more at the hospital's neo-natal unit between June 2015 and June 2016. She injected them with air, overfed them milk and assaulted them.

Cheshire police have confirmed they are reviewing the care of 4,000 children  every baby admitted to the unit and that of Liverpool Women's Hospital, where Letby undertook training placements.

Earlier this week, Dr Dewi Evans, the main prosecution expert at the trial, told the Mail he had reviewed the notes of babies dating back to June 2014 and believed three more children may have been killed and up to 15 others harmed by Letby.

He said he believed she had dislodged breathing tubes of babies before her 'modus operandi' changed to injecting air in June 2015.

The mother told the Mirror that her daughter was born prematurely at the hospital in September 2014.

A month later, on October 25, Letby took a Polaroid of her daughter sleeping in her hospital cot with her feeding tube, which was supposed to deliver milk into her tummy through her nose, pulled out.

The next day the tot, who had been progressing well and was being prepared to go home, deteriorated and was moved back to intensive care.

'I screamed for them to open up the incubator to get an oxygen mask on her,' the mother said. 'She had to have a lumbar puncture, then was put back in intensive care. No infection was found.'

Letby was found guilty of murdering seven babies and trying to kill six more at the hospital's neo-natal unit between June 2015 and June 2016

The mother said her daughter had a brain scan after she was born which showed no abnormalities. However, eight months later, in May 2015, she visited a consultant after noticing her daughter was struggling to sit upright.

An MRI scan confirmed she had brain damage with cerebral palsy. 'She was always being taken care of by Lucy or the head nurse.

'I would sit and chat with Lucy. She told me about going to university, her parents... it was all so normal,' she said.

Shortly before Letby was arrested the mother said she received a cryptic text message from another nurse who had also cared for her daughter, saying she was going to see a familiar face in the newspapers, and 'not to believe everything you hear'.

The nurse, understood to be good friends with Letby, also said that being arrested 'is not the same as being charged'.

A decision on whether Letby will face a retrial on six attempted murder charges the jury failed to reach a verdict on is expected on Monday

But the mother said she had been unable to look at the Polaroid, which she had put on display. She also said she burst into tears when Letby was found guilty.

'I just brought the photo out and read the back of it thinking, 'it can't be'. Why would she take a picture of a child with a feeding tube hanging out of its nose? If that ever happened, nurses [would] put it back. It's awful looking back at it now.'

Referring specifically to Letby's comment 'caught in the act', she added: 'It's shocking. It feels like a sick joke  that's why I can't put it up and I never will.'

A decision on whether Letby will face a retrial on six attempted murder charges the jury failed to reach a verdict on is expected on Monday.
The family of an Australian cop who fell 11 metres down a cliff in Croatia, leaving her in an induced coma, have finally welcomed her home to Australia.

Western Australia Police Officer Ella Cutler, 25, fell from a clifftop at Pile, northwest of Dubrovnik, in the early hours of August 26.

She'd been drinking and was with a 34-year-old man when the pair suddenly toppled over a waist-high wall, leaving Ms Cutler with devastating injuries including fractures to her spine, head, limbs and ribs.

She was rushed to hospital in a critical condition and had remained there in Croatia since.

But on Friday night Ms Cutler was seen on the tarmac at Perth Airport as she was taken off a special medical flight and transferred to Royal Perth Hospital, where her treatment is expected to continue.

The 25-year-old constable (pictured) suffered horrific injuries after she fell 11 metres from a cliff in Croatia, while she was on a European holiday

The young constable arrived at Emergency Triage of Royal Perth Hospital at 10.16pm on Friday, smiling and waving, where she was greeted by her mother and a friend, reported The West.

A hospital spokesperson said Ms Cutler was in a serious but stable condition.

The policewoman was able to return home after a mammoth fundraising effort led to $530,000 being secured for her medical bills in just six days.

The air ambulance needed to bring her home to Perth cost $400,000 alone.

The family of police officer Ella Cutler (pictured), say they expect her to come back to Western Australia in a matter of days

Tokio Marine is the underlying insurer for the travel insurance policy that was sold by insurance company RAC to Ms Cutler.

Ms Cutler's insurance claim was initially denied because she had been drinking when she fell.

'We deeply sympathise with Ms Cutler and her family during this difficult time,' a Tokio Marine spokesperson earlier told Daily Mail Australia.

'We can confirm that we have been providing a range of support to Ms Cutler and her family since the incident occurred.

'We are currently assessing an open claim and look forward to working with them towards a positive outcome. We are not able to provide any further information about their specific policy or claim due to privacy reasons.'

Ms Cutler had been travelling around Europe on a holiday when her trip came to a horror end after her near fatal fall, which also punctured her lungs.

Ms Cutler was drinking before she fell from the cliff in Pile (pictured), a popular tourist spot in Dubrovnik, in Croatia's south

The man Ms Cutler had been with at the time suffered a broken leg but is recovering having underwent surgery.

Doctors had told the woman's family that there was only a five per cent chance she would survive.

While she is now able to breathe on her own, Ms Cutler's brother Joshua said she faces a long road to recovery, including several months of rehabilitation.

Andrijana Biskup, from the Dubrovnik-Neretva police, confirmed the couple had been cuddling or kissing when the fall happened and said alcohol may have played a part.

The local hospital confirmed the blood alcohol tests revealed the man had a 0.2 reading - four times the legal Australian driving limit - while the woman was 0.3, or six times the legal driving limit.

The couple were believed to have been on a night out in Dubrovnik's old town area at the time of the accident, which is packed with tourists every summer.
With hundreds of bottles to choose from, it's little wonder the supermarket wine aisle can be an overwhelming place.

In fact, a study this month found that a quarter of shoppers spend more than ten minutes dithering over which bottle to buy. And a third admitted to feeling bemused by the vast choice  while more than half confessed to not even knowing which wines they liked.

So much so that the amount of time we collectively spend pondering which bottles to buy adds up to more than 50 million wasted hours in the supermarket wine sections each year, according to Marks & Spencer.

But choice is not the only obstacle: there's often little signage to help us make an informed choice, and what there is can be couched in jargon, leaving the hapless shopper feeling bewildered, and even bamboozled, by the world of wine.

No wonder, then, that many people stick to buying what they know or base their decisions on things they've heard, such as 'You can't go wrong with French wine' or 'Screw tops mean a wine is cheap'.

With hundreds of bottles to choose from, it's little wonder the supermarket wine aisle can be an overwhelming place (file image)

But it doesn't have to be this way. As a wine writer and broadcaster, there's little I haven't tasted. For this reason, I am able to share my insider knowledge in this exclusive guide to navigating the wine aisle.

Wine is such a huge subject, it helps to generalise at first with some rules of thumb. These include the so-called 'sunshine rule'  whereby the climate of a country offers a clue to the taste of the grapes produced there.

If you prefer bolder, juicier styles, choose a wine from a hot country or region (such as Australia, Chile or California).

Grapes grown in lots of warm sunshine will be fuller-bodied, more alcoholic and more fruity than the same variety grown somewhere cooler (such as northern France, Germany or Austria) where they are usually more acidic, light-bodied and often more savoury.

Compare a Pinot Noir from Burgundy or England to a Chilean version, for instance.

That said, each grape variety, be it Pinot Noir, Malbec or Chardonnay, has its own characteristics, no matter where in the world it is grown. So getting to know the grape types will give you an immediate hint about the style of the wine. You can then apply the 'sunshine rule'.

A further point of confusion arises because 'New World' countries such as Australia and Chile tend to label by grape varieties, while wines from 'Old World' countries (Europe) have traditionally been labelled by region rather than grape, though that is starting to change.

And while key regions are synonymous with certain grapes, they are not the same thing. Knowing this will help you avoid falling into the ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) trap  someone who says they love Chablis but hates Chardonnay. In fact, Chablis is the place, and its wine is made with solely Chardonnay grapes.

But all this knowledge takes time to accumulate. So, to help you, I have distilled my decades of expertise to bring you this indispensable guide to supermarket wines to make sure you take home a bottle that perfectly fits the bill. Cheers!

Great wines for less

The best wines can be expensive, but there are cheaper, quality alternatives.

Chablis? Try Verdicchio

The Italian Verdicchio grape makes affordable wines that are bone dry, often with a saline chalkiness and subtle, yeasty character, like Chablis.

Try: Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, 6.75, Sainsbury's

St Emilion? Try local Merlot

Merlot-dominated claret such as St Emilion can be costly. Alternatively, try a local Merlot-dominant blend from grapes planted in Bordeaux.

Try: Pierre Jaurant, Bordeaux Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon, 5.29, Aldi

Champagne? Try Cremant

Cremant sparkling wines offer amazing value because they are made in the same way as Champagne, but from French regions other than Champagne so they can't use the name.

Try: M&S Classics Cremant de Bourgogne Brut, 12.50, M&S and Ocado.

If you like Chablis, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi from Sainsburys (left). If you like Champagne, try M&S Classics Cremant de Bourgogne Brut (right)

Chateauneuf? Try a Cotes-du-Rhone

Chateauneuf-du-Pape is an exclusive wine made in the Southern Rhone near Avignon. Cotes-du-Rhone is produced from the same grape varieties in the region.

Try: Classic Cotes du Rhone, 6.99, Waitrose

Sancerre? Try a Touraine

Sancerre fans pick Touraine Sauvignon Blanc because they prefer its delicate style to bombastic New World styles.

Try: Extra Special Touraine Sauvignon Blanc, on offer for 9, Asda

Five bottles for just over a fiver

Monte Plogar Gran Reserva

Lidl, 5.49

This wine was clearly a bin end and it's a real bargain. For those who like aged Rioja with its leathery, wild strawberry spice, this Spanish red provides epic bang for buck.

Animus Portugal Red

Aldi, 5.99

Portugal is a great place to go for bargains because there are often blends of grapes no one has heard of, nor can pronounce. This red is packed full of smoky liquorice and concentrated blackcurrant.

Left: Monte Plogar Gran Reserva, Lidl, 5.49. Right: Animus Portugal Red, Aldi, 5.99

Co-op Fairtrade Irresistible Sauvignon Blanc

Co-op, 6.15

For the very low price, this South African Savvy B knocks it out of the park for fleshy, tropical fruit mixed with a zesty freshness. A rounder style of Sauvignon than a Kiwi or a Loire.

Sainsbury's House Soave

Sainsbury's, 5

While this white gets zero points for packaging, the wine inside is 10/10 for the price. A classic Italian Soave which is golden, cool, dry and yeasty. Understated and totally gluggable.

Pecorino Terre di Chieti IGP

Waitrose, on offer for 5.99

Waitrose is known for its high-quality wines and this one has 25 per cent off until September 26 so grab it now. Crisp and dry with subtle tropical fruit and a nose of white flowers, it's light and pretty, and just a bit different.

Left: Sainsbury's House Soave, Sainsbury's, 5. Right: Pecorino Terre di Chieti IGP, Waitrose, on offer for 5.99

Ask the expert: Is boxed wine any good? Do awards mean anything? The answers TEN vintage dilemmas...

Is 8 the magic minimum to get good wine?

Received wisdom is that if you spend at least 8 on a bottle, you will get something decent. There is truth in this, particularly when you consider the packaging and transportation costs, retailer's mark-up and duty (which jumped last month) and 20 per cent VAT . . . anything less makes you wonder how much actually is spent on the wine. Duty alone on still wine under 15 per cent ABV in the UK is now 2.67 per bottle. Ouch!

What do those award stickers mean?

Brits love an award sticker, even if they don't recognise the competition. In supermarkets, some stickers are more impressive than others, such as those for the Decanter Awards or the IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Challenge). Having been a judge for both, I can confirm that wines are tasted blind by professionals and competition is fierce. If you're interested, Google the competition to see how legit it is.

Ask the expert: Is boxed wine any good? Do awards mean anything? The answers TEN vintage dilemmas (file image)

Is a cork closure better than a screw cap?

Not any more. A cork in perfect condition is still considered the ideal closure for laying down wine in a cellar, yet fine wine can still be corked. But you can also get gloriously fine wine under screw tops now. The caps are convenient and perfect for off-the-shelf wines that will be drunk within a year.

What is 'vintage wine' and does it matter?

Vintage refers to the year the grapes for that bottle of wine were grown. The term is associated with fine wine as it sounds poetic, but even the cheapest wines are technically 'vintage' if they specify the year they were produced. Where it matters most is in areas with more variable climates, often in the Old World.

Hailstorms or too much or too little rain can affect fine wine regions such as Bordeaux, the Rhone Valley and Burgundy. Elsewhere, conditions tend to be more consistent, year on year. For Champagne, though, it is the norm to use reserve wines to make up the blend. These are Non-Vintage (NV) wines.

Vintage champagnes really are special as conditions were so good in one year that they are made with that vintage alone.

Search vintage charts online for regions you are interested in.

Bag-in-box: Always a bulk buy and bad?

Definitely not, though some are better than others. Technology has advanced so much that producers are happier putting better wines in boxes. Consumers also appreciate the cost savings from this kind of packaging. Most boxes require less Co2 to produce than glass so have good 'green' credentials, too. Wine professionals carry out regular taste tests and the results are often surprising. Check wine writers' reviews.

Which supermarket own-labels are best?

I am usually pleasantly surprised by supermarkets' own-label offerings. After all, they are constantly competing with rivals, so these 'house wines' need to be good. They're often made by hard-hitters in the wine industry but don't have the price tag to match.

Some supermarkets also have quality ranges. I have been blown away by the new M&S top tier 'Collection' wines (think 12-25). And, Tesco Finest is knocking it out of the park at the more accessible end, at around 10. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference range is pretty reliable, too.

Champagne, Cava and Prosecco: what's the difference?

There are two key methods of making sparkling wine  the traditional way is more labour-intensive and therefore expensive.

Prosecco is an easy-drinking, pear-scented, frothy fizz with low-ish alcohol (often 11 per cent) and its bubbles are formed in large tanks. It's not trying to taste like Champagne with its complex flavours that come with age. Prosecco is drunk young so is cheaper to produce.

Cava is made in the same 'traditional' method as Champagne, i.e. by individual bottle. This is why it has complex, savoury toasty notes too as the juice sits on its lees (dead yeast cells) after fermentation. It's cheaper than Champagne though because there's far more of it, coming as it does from four Spanish regions. It uses less expensive, Spanish grapes than typical 'Champagne grapes' and production costs are less.

Cava also doesn't have the marketing campaigns of big Champagne houses to pay for either . . .

Is a cork closure better than a screw cap? Not any more. A cork in perfect condition is still considered the ideal closure for laying down wine in a cellar, yet fine wine can still be corked (file image)

Are supermarket deals worth it?

We Brits love a bargain but often, wines consistently on promotion are being sold at the 'correct' price when discounted, then occasionally hiked to make the savings look impressive.

Certain Cava producers are very good at this tactic. Wines on one-off promotions in the supermarkets are more reliable, especially if it's wine you often buy and can buy elsewhere.

These discounts are designed to lure you in to buy more at a time and put other things in your trolley, too. Often, there will be a deal between the supplier and the supermarket to take their more expensive wines in exchange for making very little  or even a small loss  on cheaper ones.

Is Provencal rose really the best?

Not necessarily, but it's the most consistent. Rose wine is white wine that gets its colour from having a very short period of time soaking (hours not days) with the skins of the red grapes that go into it after pressing.

It can be made anywhere. Before Provence successfully convinced the world that pale, dry and saline rose from Provence was the finest however, buying pink wine was a minefield.

Colour meant nothing as pink wines of all shades could be dry or very sweet. You never knew what you were going to get. Provence gave us a consistent style that we could rely on: pale and elegant-looking, inherently premium, always dry and with a moreish, saline tang. It became the sophisticate's choice. A wine that goes with everything.

Winemakers worldwide have changed how they make pinks to appeal to Provence-lovers but it's still just one style of rose. Other lesser-known styles that offer consistency include Tavel  another, much smaller French appellation that makes savoury, wild strawberry-scented, almost light red, gastronomic wines.

Why are some wines so costly?

This is the most frequently asked question, especially where French wines are concerned. The short answer is that price is determined by global demand and supply.

World-famous regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and latterly, Tuscany and the Rhone Valley have had centuries to build up their reputation for fine wines. Plus, these old regions can't keep expanding so demand is high and production is low, therefore prices will climb.

'Fine Wines' do need more work though, which costs money. Think about hand harvesting rather than machine harvesting.

Specific pruning of vines; expensive oak barrels and steel, concrete and clay tanks; chilled cellars for ageing; vineyard maintenance and middlemen all add up, affecting the cost.

The good news is that lesser-known areas in top wine regions have upped their game  so you can get great wines in similar styles based just down the road from the famous Chateaux. (See 'Great Wines For Less' on the cover of this pull-out.)

Why are some wines so costly? This is the most frequently asked question, especially where French wines are concerned (file image)

P.S. Why fine wine needn't be off-limits

Look out for lesser-known wine-producing areas in the fine wines aisles of the supermarket, such as 'Brunello di Montalcino' (like an upscale, bolder Chianti) and 'Hermitage' (a top Rhone Syrah).

Producers to look out for include Trimbach (legendary white wine producer from Alsace), Dr Loosen (epic German white wines) and higher-end Penfolds wines (they make fantastic Australian classics, largely red).

Try some of these:

The Chocolate Block, South Africa

23.99, Waitrose

This South African red has a cult following due to its rich, full-bodied, plummy and cocoa notes.

Errazuriz, The Blend 2016

23, Ocado

Errazuriz gives Chateauneuf-du-Pape a run for its money with this brilliant, ballsy red blend.

Moueix Saint-Emilion

17, Ocado

Unbelievably good value. Made by Christian Moueix, the man behind Petrus in Pomerol, this is a phenomenal, classy, complex, cedary and voluptuous red.

Rock Angel by Whispering Angel

26.50 at Ocado, 26.99 at Waitrose

ChAteau D'Esclans makers of Whispering Angel pioneered the gastronomic Provencal pink that's more creamy and complex. Rock Angel is my go-to for food.

Laurent Miquel Verite Viognier

19.49, Waitrose

Harvested at dawn to keep the freshness, this Viognier combines the coconut, acacia and apricot notes the grape is famous for with a crisp, citrussy freshness. A great festive white.

Helena Nicklin is an award-winning drinks writer, broadcaster and judge for international drinks competitions.
Sadiq Khan has threatened the Met Police to clean up its act or face being broken up, as the London Mayor prepares to launch a London Policing Board to help the force 'get its act together'.

Mr Khan expects the country's biggest police force to clean up its act within three years, in the wake of a series of scandals including the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer and PC David Carrick being unmasked as a serial rapist.

The London Mayor also said that introduction of a London Policing Board would be instrumental in helping the Met 'get its act together' and warned that 'nothing is off the table' after he did not rule out breaking up the force.

He added that a London Policing Board would be set up to 'oversee and scrutinise' the force's review of culture and standards.

Mr Khan told Times Radio: 'I think, to paraphrase Dame Louise Casey who I agree with, we need to try and see if this works. And if it doesn't work nothing is off the table.'

The Casey Review led by Baroness Louise Casey, published in March, found the force to be institutionally racist, misogynist and homophobic.

Baroness Casey came to the damning conclusion that it was 'time to clean up the Met' because of a 'rot' at its heart that allowed racism to go unchallenged and predatory behaviour to 'flourish'.

The new London Policing Board will be set up to follow the recommendations that were set out in the review of the culture and standards by Baroness Louise Casey.

When asked if he would consider breaking up the force into smaller independent organisations, Mr Khan said: 'Sir Mark himself has had the humility and candour to say, look, he needs around two or three years to turn things around.

'I think he's right, by the way. You don't [change a] system of cultures overnight.

'I want a critical part of my mayoralty to be about the reform of the police service, it's incredibly important.

'The way we've always done stuff isn't working. And that's what the police board is seeking to address as well.'

Stuart Lawrence, the brother of 18-year-old Stephen Lawrence who was killed by racists at the age in 1993, will be a member of the board overseeing the force's culture and standards.

Sadiq Khan has threatened the Met Police to clean up its act or face being broken up

The new London Policing Board will be set up to follow the recommendations that were set out in the review of the culture and standards by Baroness Louise Casey

The London Mayor said that introduction of a London Policing Board would be instrumental in helping the Met 'get its act together' and warned that 'nothing is off the table'

Mr Khan expects the country's biggest police force to clean up its act within three years, in the wake of a series of scandals including the murder of Sarah Everard

In August, the Mayor of London backed calls for Scotland Yard's commissioner to be given the power to sack police officers who are unfit to serve

Mr Khan said that a London Policing Board would be set up to 'oversee and scrutinise' the force's review of culture and standards

Retired Met officer, and on of Britain's most senior non-white officers, Neil Basu, will also be joining the London Policing Board.

Mr Khan has said the board's members have 'an extraordinary range of professional skills and lived experience they can draw on to make a positive difference'.

Other members include Sir John Aston, Tijs Broeke, Nick Campsie, Carolyn Downs, Sayce Holmes-Lewis, Susan Lea, Paula McDonald, Nicola Rollock, Andrea Simon and Leslie Thomas KC.

A spokesperson for the mayor of London told MailOnline: 'Both the Mayor and the Met Police Commissioner have been clear they are determined to see real and meaningful change within the Met over the next few years.

'Sadiq is absolutely committed to the best way forward being a reformed Met. There is already clear and positive evidence of a big shift happening with a thousand officers under investigation and the new policing board in place with a genuinely independent and robust membership including Neil Basu, Stuart Lawrence and others.

'But there is still more work to do and the Mayor will continue to hold the Met to account on delivering the real changes Londoners urgently need.'

Earlier this week, a Metropolitan Police officer, who has only been identified as NX121 after an anonymity order was granted, will face trial in September next year after they were charged with the murder of Chris Kaba.

24-year-old Mr Kaba died when he was shot through the windscreen of a car in Streatham Hill, south-east London, on September 6 last year.

There are already about 1,000 Met Police officers that are currently suspended or on restricted duties, but it will take a lot longer to clean-up the force following a series of disturbing scandals.

About 60 officers could face the sack each month over at least the next two years, with about 30 facing misconduct proceedings and 30 gross incompetence hearings, he told journalists.

A series of reviews have been carried out including of officers who have faced previous allegations of domestic or sexual violence, as well as sweeps of the police national computer and database for concerning information.

In August, the Mayor of London backed calls for Scotland Yard's commissioner to be given the power to sack police officers who are unfit to serve.

Sir Mark Rowley, who leads Britain's biggest police force, called on ministers to urgently push through legislation that would give chiefs dismissal powers instead of independent lawyers - who he referred to as 'fundamentally soft.'

Sadiq Khan described his comments as an 'important intervention,' adding: 'A vital part of police reform is making it easier to root out and sack corrupt officers.
It looks like you'll have to be happy with the extralegal justice already dealt to Ramzi bin al-Shibh, suspected of involvement in 9/11: the CIA reportedly tortured him, his mental health is severely compromised, and a military judge found that he's not fit for trial.

A military judge at Guantanamo Bay has ruled one of the five defendants charged over the 9/11 attacks is not fit to stand trial in a death-penalty case. The defendant Ramzi bin al-Shibh has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, associated psychotic features and a delusional disorder. His lawyer has long claimed his client was "tortured by the CIA". Al-Shibh was scheduled to face pretrial proceedings on Friday.

Al-Shibh is thought to have organized the Hamburg al-Queda cel which provided two of the 9/11 hijackers. Military psychologists found that he is "unable to understand the nature of the proceedings against him or cooperate intelligently," and cannot join the forthcoming trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four others suspected of helping him plan the 9/11 attacks.

Nothing was learned from the torture, it was always expected that the torture would compromise future prosecutions, and now it has. The CIA's use of torture (and the legal rationales cooked up to make torture unaccountable, and the euphemisms too) amounted to a place for bad people to exercise malicious impulses and abusive fetishes under cover of bureaucratic darkness. People like Ron DeSantis, allegedly.
Labour was sent into a tailspin yesterday as Sir Keir Starmer was repeatedly asked to clarify his Brexit policy after saying he did not want to diverge from EU rules.

The party tried to reset the narrative but was forced on to the defensive as Sir Keir was accused of 'flip-flopping'.

The questions overshadowed the party's attempts to remind voters of the first anniversary of Liz Truss's mini-budget that caused market turmoil. Sir Keir and his shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves made media appearances yesterday to announce their policy to give more power to the Office for Budget Responsibility watchdog.

But instead they faced questions about Brexit after footage emerged of the Labour leader saying the UK's relations with the EU could be stronger if both took the same path.His remarks prompted a backlash from Tory MPs, who questioned the point of Brexit if the UK did not diverge from EU rules.

Following the outcry, Sir Keir was forced to mount a defence of his comments. He insisted there was 'no case for rejoining the EU, for the customs union or single market' and laws would be 'made in the public interest'.

Labour was sent into a tailspin yesterday as Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) was repeatedly asked to clarify his Brexit policy after saying he did not want to diverge from EU rules

He added: 'That does not mean a Labour government would lower standards on food or the rights people have at work. That's been consistent Labour Party policy for years.'

Footage emerged on Thursday of Sir Keir telling a centre-Left conference in Montreal last week that 'the more we share values', the less UK-EU friction there would be.

Replying to a question from John McTernan, a former aide to Tony Blair, Sir Keir said: 'We don't want to diverge [or] lower standards, we don't want to rip up environmental standards, working standards, food standards and all the rest of it.'

Yesterday, Tory environment minister Mark Spencer accused Sir Keir of 'flip-flopping', adding: 'One minute he's saying he wants to have free movement, then the next he wants to control our borders. He doesn't have a clear policy and seems to make it up on the hoof.'

He accused Sir Keir of being 'obsessed' with getting into power but lacking principles.

'We've got to acknowledge democracy happened: The country voted to leave the EU. To keep obsessing over Brexit and looking back with pink-tinted spectacles just takes us back in time.' But Labour's London Mayor Sadiq Khan argued Sir Keir was 'right' to demand a better deal than what he called the 'extreme hard Brexit' version negotiated by Boris Johnson.

Asked whether the City of London's financial services would be improved by closer alignment with the EU, Mr Khan said: 'I think there should be a closer alignment with the European Union. That would mean though, negotiating on the deal we currently have.'
Migration could help to 'dissolve' the European Union due to deep differences between member states, the bloc's top diplomat has warned.

Josep Borrell said member states had failed to agree a common policy to deal with the issue, with some countries wanting 'purity' and rejecting migrants while others welcomed them.

Mr Borrell, the EU's external affairs commissioner, warned that it was a greater problem for the EU than Brexit.

It comes amid the ongoing row in Britain about the small boats crisis in the Channel and a surge in the number of people crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa to Italy.

Mr Borrell told the Guardian: 'Migration is a bigger divide for the European Union. And it could be a dissolving force for the European Union.'

Despite the EU establishing a shared common external border, 'we have not been able until now to agree on a common migration policy', he added.

Diplomat Josep Borrell (pictured) said EU member states had failed to agree a common policy to deal with migration, with some countries wanting 'purity' and rejecting migrants while others welcomed them

He attributed this to deep cultural and political differences inside the EU, saying: 'There are some members of the European Union that are Japanese-style - "we don't want to mix. We don't want migrants. We don't want to accept people from outside. We want our purity".'

He noted that other countries, such as Spain, have a long history of accepting migrants, adding: 'The paradox is that Europe needs migrants because we have so low demographic growth. If we want to survive from a labour point of view, we need migrants.'

Mr Borrell said he believed Russia would try to fan the flames on migration inside Europe, but denied that the war in Ukraine was contributing to the crisis.

His comments follow Italy's anti-immigration prime minister Giorgia Meloni saying that she would not allow her country to become 'Europe's refugee camp' after 11,000 people arrived on the island of Lampedusa in a matter of days recently.

Mr Borrell said nationalism was on the rise in Europe, but insisted this was more about migration than Euroscepticism.

'Brexit actually was feared to be an epidemic. And it has not been,' he said. 'It has been a vaccine. No one wants to follow the British leaving the European Union.'

He insisted that the war in Ukraine was not fuelling the current rows over migration, saying: 'The issue is that migration pressure has been increasing, mainly due to wars - not the war against Ukraine...

'It is the Syrian war, the Libyan war, the military coups in Sahel [a region in North Africa].

'We are living in a circle of instability from Gibraltar to the Caucasus, and this happened before the Ukrainian war and will continue after the Ukrainian war.

'Migration in Africa is not being caused by the war against Ukraine. The root causes of migration in Africa are lack of development, economic growth and bad governance.'

It comes amid the ongoing row in Britain about the small boats crisis in the Channel and a surge in the number of people crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa to Italy (file photo)

He said European efforts to cooperate with some African countries had been made more difficult by the existence of military-controlled regimes.

He described the Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary outfit, as 'the praetorian guard of the African dictators'.

Asked if he believed Russia would try to weaponise the issue of migration, Mr Borrell said: 'Putin will try everything.'

He added: 'Putin believes that democracies are weak, fragile, they get tired and time is running on his side, because sooner or later, we will get exhausted. And this is a political battle as much as a military battle.

'It has to be explained with arguments. Certainly nobody likes to pay more for the electricity bills. I believe in democracy as a pedagogical exercise, and I believe that people understand the reasons.'
In my years of running wine-tasting masterclasses and events, certain queries come up time and time again. Here are the questions I am most often asked:

Is 8 the magic minimum to get good wine?

Received wisdom is that if you spend at least 8 on a bottle, you will get something decent. There is truth in this, particularly when you consider the packaging and transportation costs, retailer's mark-up and duty (which jumped last month) and 20 per cent VAT . . . anything less makes you wonder how much actually is spent on the wine. Duty alone on still wine under 15 per cent ABV in the UK is now 2.67 per bottle. Ouch!

What do those award stickers mean?

Brits love an award sticker, even if they don't recognise the competition. In supermarkets, some stickers are more impressive than others, such as those for the Decanter Awards or the IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Challenge). Having been a judge for both, I can confirm that wines are tasted blind by professionals and competition is fierce. If you're interested, Google the competition to see how legit it is.

Ask the expert: Is boxed wine any good? Do awards mean anything? The answers TEN vintage dilemmas (file image)

Is a cork closure better than a screw cap?

Not any more. A cork in perfect condition is still considered the ideal closure for laying down wine in a cellar, yet fine wine can still be corked. But you can also get gloriously fine wine under screw tops now. The caps are convenient and perfect for off-the-shelf wines that will be drunk within a year.

What is 'vintage wine' and does it matter?

P.S. Why fine wine needn't be off-limits Look out for lesser-known wine-producing areas in the fine wines aisles of the supermarket, such as 'Brunello di Montalcino' (like an upscale, bolder Chianti) and 'Hermitage' (a top Rhone Syrah). Producers to look out for include Trimbach (legendary white wine producer from Alsace), Dr Loosen (epic German white wines) and higher-end Penfolds wines (they make fantastic Australian classics, largely red). Try some of these: The Chocolate Block, South Africa 23.99, Waitrose This South African red has a cult following due to its rich, full-bodied, plummy and cocoa notes. Errazuriz, The Blend 2016 23, Ocado Errazuriz gives Chateauneuf-du-Pape a run for its money with this brilliant, ballsy red blend. Moueix Saint-Emilion 17, Ocado Unbelievably good value. Made by Christian Moueix, the man behind Petrus in Pomerol, this is a phenomenal, classy, complex, cedary and voluptuous red. Rock Angel by Whispering Angel 26.50 at Ocado, 26.99 at Waitrose ChAteau D'Esclans makers of Whispering Angel pioneered the gastronomic Provencal pink that's more creamy and complex. Rock Angel is my go-to for food. Laurent Miquel Verite Viognier 19.49, Waitrose Harvested at dawn to keep the freshness, this Viognier combines the coconut, acacia and apricot notes the grape is famous for with a crisp, citrussy freshness. A great festive white. Advertisement

Vintage refers to the year the grapes for that bottle of wine were grown. The term is associated with fine wine as it sounds poetic, but even the cheapest wines are technically 'vintage' if they specify the year they were produced. Where it matters most is in areas with more variable climates, often in the Old World.

Hailstorms or too much or too little rain can affect fine wine regions such as Bordeaux, the Rhone Valley and Burgundy. Elsewhere, conditions tend to be more consistent, year on year. For Champagne, though, it is the norm to use reserve wines to make up the blend. These are Non-Vintage (NV) wines.

Vintage champagnes really are special as conditions were so good in one year that they are made with that vintage alone.

Search vintage charts online for regions you are interested in.

Bag-in-box: Always a bulk buy and bad?

Definitely not, though some are better than others. Technology has advanced so much that producers are happier putting better wines in boxes. Consumers also appreciate the cost savings from this kind of packaging. Most boxes require less Co2 to produce than glass so have good 'green' credentials, too. Wine professionals carry out regular taste tests and the results are often surprising. Check wine writers' reviews.

Which supermarket own-labels are best?

I am usually pleasantly surprised by supermarkets' own-label offerings. After all, they are constantly competing with rivals, so these 'house wines' need to be good. They're often made by hard-hitters in the wine industry but don't have the price tag to match.

Some supermarkets also have quality ranges. I have been blown away by the new M&S top tier 'Collection' wines (think 12-25). And, Tesco Finest is knocking it out of the park at the more accessible end, at around 10. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference range is pretty reliable, too.

Champagne, Cava and Prosecco: what's the difference?

There are two key methods of making sparkling wine  the traditional way is more labour-intensive and therefore expensive.

Prosecco is an easy-drinking, pear-scented, frothy fizz with low-ish alcohol (often 11 per cent) and its bubbles are formed in large tanks. It's not trying to taste like Champagne with its complex flavours that come with age. Prosecco is drunk young so is cheaper to produce.

Cava is made in the same 'traditional' method as Champagne, i.e. by individual bottle. This is why it has complex, savoury toasty notes too as the juice sits on its lees (dead yeast cells) after fermentation. It's cheaper than Champagne though because there's far more of it, coming as it does from four Spanish regions. It uses less expensive, Spanish grapes than typical 'Champagne grapes' and production costs are less.

Cava also doesn't have the marketing campaigns of big Champagne houses to pay for either . . .

Is a cork closure better than a screw cap? Not any more. A cork in perfect condition is still considered the ideal closure for laying down wine in a cellar, yet fine wine can still be corked (file image)

Are supermarket deals worth it?

We Brits love a bargain but often, wines consistently on promotion are being sold at the 'correct' price when discounted, then occasionally hiked to make the savings look impressive.

Certain Cava producers are very good at this tactic. Wines on one-off promotions in the supermarkets are more reliable, especially if it's wine you often buy and can buy elsewhere.

These discounts are designed to lure you in to buy more at a time and put other things in your trolley, too. Often, there will be a deal between the supplier and the supermarket to take their more expensive wines in exchange for making very little  or even a small loss  on cheaper ones.

Is Provencal rose really the best?

Not necessarily, but it's the most consistent. Rose wine is white wine that gets its colour from having a very short period of time soaking (hours not days) with the skins of the red grapes that go into it after pressing.

It can be made anywhere. Before Provence successfully convinced the world that pale, dry and saline rose from Provence was the finest however, buying pink wine was a minefield.

Colour meant nothing as pink wines of all shades could be dry or very sweet. You never knew what you were going to get. Provence gave us a consistent style that we could rely on: pale and elegant-looking, inherently premium, always dry and with a moreish, saline tang. It became the sophisticate's choice. A wine that goes with everything.

Winemakers worldwide have changed how they make pinks to appeal to Provence-lovers but it's still just one style of rose. Other lesser-known styles that offer consistency include Tavel  another, much smaller French appellation that makes savoury, wild strawberry-scented, almost light red, gastronomic wines.

Why are some wines so costly?

This is the most frequently asked question, especially where French wines are concerned. The short answer is that price is determined by global demand and supply.

World-famous regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and latterly, Tuscany and the Rhone Valley have had centuries to build up their reputation for fine wines. Plus, these old regions can't keep expanding so demand is high and production is low, therefore prices will climb.

'Fine Wines' do need more work though, which costs money. Think about hand harvesting rather than machine harvesting.

Specific pruning of vines; expensive oak barrels and steel, concrete and clay tanks; chilled cellars for ageing; vineyard maintenance and middlemen all add up, affecting the cost.

The good news is that lesser-known areas in top wine regions have upped their game  so you can get great wines in similar styles based just down the road from the famous Chateaux. (See 'Great Wines For Less' on the cover of this pull-out.)

Why are some wines so costly? This is the most frequently asked question, especially where French wines are concerned (file image)

Helena Nicklin is an award-winning drinks writer, broadcaster and judge for international drinks competitions.
A teenager has been stabbed to death during a fight in Melbourne's west, with detectives launching a homicide investigation to find his killer.

Police say two groups of people were involved in a physical altercation in Wyndham Vale about 9.45pm on Friday.

The fight is understood to have taken place on Butler Grove off Ribblesdale Avenue at Wyndham Vale in Melbourne's outer southwest on Friday night.

An 18-year-old local man died at the scene.

Police have launched a murder investigation after a teenager was stabbed in Melbourne

Homicide detectives are investigating but circumstances surrounding the incident have not yet been established and no one has been taken into custody.

It is believed the two groups are known to each other, police said.

Anyone with information or footage of the fight is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

More to follow.

A fight between two groups broke out in the about 9.45pm Friday and one pulled knife
Lauren Boebert revealed she has 'peacefully parted ways' with her Aspen bar owner theater date after the pair were caught on camera fondling each other and kicked out of a Denver performance of Beetlejuice.

Speaking on Fox News on Friday night, the Colorado Congresswoman apologized to her constituents for her behavior.

'I messed up. I went on a date night in I am a congresswoman and a public figure but believe it or not, I am human too. Obviously everyone is interested in my personal life in me going through a very difficult divorce,' Boebert began.

'It has certainly been taxing to have this experience broadcast before the whole world, something that was in the dark is certainly heartbreaking to watch to see and I have apologized to my constituents, and will continue to do so.

'All of those in Colorado who may have felt let down, I hear you and all I can do is promise to do better. I will live and lead with strength and grace with humility moving forward.'

Toe-curling footage showed Quinn Gallagher groping Boebert's breasts as she in turn rubbed his crotch.

Congresswoman Lauren Boebert explains herself pic.twitter.com/UeUqyc8BeO  Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) September 23, 2023

Lauren Boebert has revealed she has 'peacefully parted ways' with an Aspen bar owner after the pair were caught on camera fondling each other at a Denver performance of Beetlejuice , and were kicked out of the theater

Boebert's beau, who was caught on camera fondling her breasts at a Beetlejuice musical in Denver

Boebert appeared on Fox News on Friday night speaking with Jesse Waters about her scandal

Footage also showed Boebert waving her hands, singing loudly, using flash photography and vaping before being aggressive with staff who removed her from the theater.

On Friday, Boebert denied being drunk at the time of the incident.

'No, I was very excited about the actual musical. I'm a huge fan of Beetlejuice. Anyone should go and see the musical if it's in your area and please let me know how it ends because I have yet to see the ending,' she joked.

'It has been 20 years since I was on the dating scene and there were not infrared cameras back then watching my every move. It's a lesson learned, as I said I'm truly humbled and apologize to my people and Colorado's Third District,' she went on.

'It is my responsibility to bring levity to my constituents lives, never gravity. Never should my actions burden those who I represent. It will work to only bring levity to them and bring as many solutions as possible. This whole week has been a total distraction.'

Asked whether she was still with her date, Quinn Gallagher, Boebert revealed how the pair had broken up.

'I hope we stay friends for a long time, but he and I, we have peacefully parted ways. He's a very nice man but right now, all future dates have been canceled with him and everyone else. I have work to do.'

Yet when DailyMail.com caught up with him in Aspen this week it seems that Gallagher may not have got that memo.

Lauren Boebert's boyfriend Quinn Gallagher refused to answer questions about their relationship status when DailyMail.com caught up with him in Aspen

Shortly after DailyMail.com's encounter with Gallagher, paced on the sidewalk opposite his Aspen bar and rushed to make a phone call

Asked whether she was still with her date, Quinn Gallagher, a divorced father of a 16-year-old son, Boebert revealed how the pair had broken up

Pictures obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com show Gallagher in his hometown on the outskirts of Aspen where he owns Hooch Craft Cocktail Bar

Seen for the first time since we revealed him to be Boebert's 'mystery man,' Gallagher  who co-owns Hooch Craft Cocktail Bar in Aspen  remained tight lipped and smiled slightly when asked if he and Boebert had really broken up.

When pressed he responded: 'I'm sorry I'm not in a position to say anything about that.'

As he walked away, the congresswoman's then boyfriend then hastily placed what turned out to be a lengthy phone call.

During the evidently animated conversation that followed, he put his head in his hands and gestured in the air more than once.

Dressed in plaid shirt and jeans, at times he paced on the sidewalk opposite his Aspen bar while at others he sat on a nearby park table.

He remained with his head down and engrossed in his phone, texting long after the call had finished.

Earlier this week it emerged that Gallagher, identified by DailyMail.com, was a registered Democrat whose bar hosted drag shows - which Boebert has described as immoral.

The 36-year-old grandmother said drag shows offend her Christian beliefs, tweeting: 'Take your children to CHURCH, not drag bars.'

One source told DailyMail.com that Gallagher, 46, is a 'cool guy' whose relationship with Boebert had come as a shock primarily because of his liberal views

Dressed in plaid shirt and jeans, at times the Rifle, Colorado native sat on a nearby park table

The Hooch Craft Cocktail Bar in Aspen, co-owned by Gallagher, staged 'a winter Wonderland Burlesque & Drag Show,' according to social media posts.

Aspen Gay Ski Week hosted 'an evening of cocktails, appetizers, and laughs' at Hooch in January 2020 according to a Facebook post.

It is not clear when Gallagher and Boebert's relationship became romantic, but the bar owner originally comes from the congresswoman's hometown of Rifle, Colorado, and he still has family there.

It is just a stone's throw from the controversial congresswoman's home in Silt.

The controversial congresswoman had originally denied the happenings in the Denver theater claiming the vape smoke was actually from a fog machine and issued a sarcastic statement playing down the anger.

But she made a startling U-turn blaming her behavior on her 'public and difficult divorce.'

'The past few days have been difficult and humbling, and I'm truly sorry' she wrote in a statement.

'There's no perfect blueprint for going through a public and difficult divorce, which over the past few months has made a challenging personal time for me and my entire family.'

Boebert, 36, denied vaping - despite doing so in full public view, and on camera. Her spokesman said there had been 'a misunderstanding from someone sitting near her' who hadn't noticed the 'heavy fog machines and electronic cigarettes used during the play'

She also danced in her seat, to the annoyance of other theater-goers - including the pregnant woman sitting behind her, who asked her to stop, and was called a 'sad and miserable woman'

Ushers were angered by Boebert taking selfies during the performance

Speaking about the controversy, she also blamed the media for drawing so much attention to her raucous behavior.

Boebert's divorce from Jason, 36, her husband of 18 years and father to her four children, is ongoing after the couple's shock split in May.

At the time Boerbert insisted that she had always been faithful throughout her marriage.

DailyMail.com revealed on Wednesday that Boebert, and Gallagher, a divorced father of a 16-year-old son, have been secretly dating for several months.

Surveillance footage from last Sunday's incident shows Boebert, wearing a tight, low-cut gold dress and high heels, making a considerable fuss as she and Gallagher left - taking a selfie as she left the auditorium and angrily baring her teeth at staff.

She also gave ushers the finger. The Denver Post spoke to a pregnant woman who says she was sitting behind Boebert, but who was too scared to give her name for fear of MAGA-reprisals.

The woman claims Boebert said 'no,' when asked to stop vaping, sang with her hands in the air, blew vape smoke at her, kissed her date and took repeated videos during the show.

Boebert is also said to have told the complainer she was a 'miserable' person.

Boebert was seen arguing with staff as she was booted from the theater

Boebert is seen with Quinn Gallagher being kicked out of a touring performance of the musical 'Beetlejuice' over the weekend in Denver

Boebert, who wore a tight gold dress, promptly left the theater with her man as they were escorted to the lobby

Boebert, who is at the beginning of her campaign for a third term representing Colorado's third Congressional District, made quite the scene Sunday night

The eyewitness claims she asked to move seats in the intermission - and that staff at the theater said theirs wasn't the only complaint about the erratic lawmaker.

The woman also told the Post that Boebert's lover Gallagher offered to buy them cocktails as a peace offering, which she had to decline because of her pregnancy.

An incident report noted the two received a warning at intermission about their behavior.

But five minutes into the second act, security officials received another complaint about a person being loud and recording the show.

'They told me they would not leave,' an usher said, according to the report.

'I told them that they need to leave the theater and if they do not, they will be trespassing.

'The patrons said they would not leave. I told them I would (be) going to get Denver Police. They said go get them.'

Afterwards, Boebert and her smartly-dressed date were caught on camera walking off through the empty nighttime streets of Denver.

Once outside Boebert's indignation quickly dissipates as she holds her new lover's hand, dances coquettishly and twirls for him in the street as they make their way through the city  a three-hour drive from Gallagher's home near Aspen and even further from Boebert's home in Silt, Colorado.
He has been a fixture outside No 10 for over a decade - serving as Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office under five Prime Ministers.

And now Larry the Downing Street cat has come out 'on top' in several heated clashes with Rishi Sunak's fox red labrador retriever.

Akshata Murty, the Prime Minister's wife, said the family dog Nova had 'mixed emotions' about Larry and that the pair didn't always get on.

Nova was brought into Mr Sunak's family in 2021, when he was Chancellor, after his daughters met Boris Johnson's dog Dilyn and asked for their own.

'Nova has mixed emotions because she sometimes doesn't get on with Larry the cat,' Mrs Murty told Sky News.

Larry the Downing Street cat is unlikely to let any newcomer pets get the better of him

Akshata Murthy is pictured at the back of Downing St returning from walking red labrador Nova, September 4

'And they've had some heated exchanges and Larry's come out on top.

'So she might have some mixed opinions on living here. But, you know, our family is so grateful to be here.'

Mr Sunak originally resisted adopting the dog, according to insiders, but 'finally gave in' after months of pestering from his children.

Tabby cat Larry, meanwhile, was rescued from the Battersea Dogs and Cats home in 2007, where he has been honoured with a blue plaque.

He was chosen and cared for by Downing Street staff, with the No 10 website saying he 'spends his days greeting guests to the house, inspecting security defences and testing antique furniture for napping quality.'

His responsibilities, meanwhile, include 'contemplating a solution to the mouse occupancy of the house.'

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak walks to 10 Downing Street with Larry the Cat pictured in the background

Unfortunately for parliament's occupants, this is still 'in tactical planning stage'.

It's not the first time he has clashed with another Downing Street pet, either - in 2012, police had to break up a fight between Larry and ex-Chancellor George Osborne's cat Freya.
The Indiana woman who was sent flying into the air when her son rammed his car into her during a high-speed police pursuit has been pictured.

Juanita Gray, 57, was allegedly ran over before suspect JaJuan Burley, 38, was shot at by police on Friday morning in Fort Wayne.

Police said the suspect refused to pull over and led cops on a high-speed chase for around 20 minutes to his mother's house, where an 'item exchange occurred between the suspect and his mother.'

When Gray tried to go back inside, her son accelerated his vehicle into her, sending her several feet into the air, and grazed an officer.

Gray, who refused medical attention at the scene, is expected to make a full recovery but is now facing charges of obstruction of justice.

Juanita Gray, 57, who was sent flying into the air when her son rammed his car into her during a high-speed police pursuit has been pictured

She was allegedly ran over before her son was shot at by police on Friday morning in Fort Wayne

Police said JaJuan Burley, 38, refused to pull over and led cops on a high-speed chase for around 20 minutes to his mother's house, where an 'item exchange occurred between the suspect and his mother'

Footage of the incident, recorded from the house opposite, shows Fort Wayne Police Department officers shouting at Burley to stop his car.

But the suspect is seen accelerating across the front lawn and he strikes Gray, sending her flying into the air, and shocked onlookers are heard exclaiming.

He grazed another officer as he tried to get away.

The footage concludes as several gunshots ring out, and Burley was struck by one of the bullets.

Both he and the officer he allegedly hit with the car suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Gray, who refused medical attention at the scene, is expected to make a full recovery but is now facing charges of obstruction of justice

Burley has been charged with battery of a deadly weapon, attempted murder, disarming, resisting arrest in a vehicle, and criminal recklessness

The incident remains under investigation. Fort Wayne Police Department said Burley was shot because of a 'dangerous situation created by the suspect.' Both he and the officer he allegedly hit with the car suffered non-life-threatening injuries

The incident remains under investigation, and the Fort Wayne Police Department claimed Burley was shot because of a 'dangerous situation created by the suspect.'

Crime scene tape could be seen around the home after the incident concluded.

Burley has been charged with battery of a deadly weapon, attempted murder, disarming, resisting arrest in a vehicle, and criminal recklessness.

Charges against him for narcotics are also pending.

After her brush with death, Gray faces charges of obstruction of justice which is a felony.

Further information over the reason for this charge was not immediately released.
A Utah family is holding children's grief author Kouri Richins accountable for their near financial devastation after purchasing a renovated house from her, which they claim they had to evacuate due to hazardous levels of mold together with a slew of unexplained health issues.

'There was no trying to right any of the wrongs that she had thrown at us. We're just innocent bystanders in her path of destruction,' Taryn Wright, 38, told Dateline on Friday night.

The Wrights say they bought the house from Richins' realty company three years ago, only to discover dangerous levels of mold.

It left the home uninhabitable while they remained on the hook for the mortgage to both the home and their rent for where they are living now.

The couple began their lawsuit against Richins and her realty firm in November 2021, about six months before she was charged with her husband's murder on March 4, 2022.

Alec and Taryn Wright from Utah say they face financial ruin after they bought a house from children's grief author Kouri Richins which was full of mold

The couple began their lawsuit against Richins and her realty firm in November 2021, about six months before she was charged with her husband's murder on March 4, 2022

The Wrights say they bought the house from Richins' realty company three years ago, only to discover dangerous levels of mold

Mold was found behind a new dresser and water pooling on the floor in their son's room. A survey later revealed 'hazardous levels of mold' throughout the home

Richins is accused of poisoning husband Eric (pictured right), 39, by slipping him five times the lethal dose of fentanyl into the drink in March 2022

After her husband's death, the mother of three self-published a children's book titled 'Are You With Me?' about a deceased father wearing angel wings who watched over his sons.

Richins' legal team has denied the murder accusation, asserting a lack of substantial evidence.

Prosecutors say Kouri Richins, 33, poisoned Eric Richins, 39, by slipping him five times the lethal dose of fentanyl into a Moscow Mule cocktail she made for him last year.

After her husband's death, the mother of three self-published a children's book titled 'Are You With Me?' about a deceased father wearing angel wings who watched over his sons.

She promoted the book on TV and radio, describing the book as a way to help children grieve the loss of a loved one.

The Wrights' civil lawsuit, filed in Utah's Fourth Judicial District Court, alleges breach of contract and fraud, claiming that Richins knowingly misrepresented critical information about the property's condition and value, acting recklessly and with disregard for the truth.

The Wrights are now seeking compensation for repairs to property damage which they argue constitute a complete loss, together with damages for various health issues that allegedly began soon after moving into the nearly 2,000-square-foot home in January 2020.

In a court filing earlier this year, Richins' lawyers denied the allegations, asserting that her company, Richins Realty, provided comprehensive disclosures, and the alleged defects could have been identified through a proper survey of the home.

The house, located in Heber City, southeast of Salt Lake City, was part of Richins' house-flipping business which she launched in 2019.

But financial troubles soon plagued the business, with Richins owing lenders $1.8 million by February 2022, according to prosecutors.

The Wrights are now seeking compensation for repairs to property damage which they argue constitute a complete loss, together with damages for various health issues that allegedly began soon after moving into the nearly 2,000-square-foot home in January 2020.

Prosecutors allege Richins engaged in fraudulent activities such as theft, forgery, and deception as her debts mounted, even using a fraudulent power of attorney to secure a $250,000 line of credit against her husband's property, among other allegations.

Val Maynard, the man who sold the house to Richins, said he was thrilled with her offer of $215,000, despite the property's known need for significant repairs due to water damage.

He had lived there for years and was willing to sell after his wife's passing.

Maynard claims he was transparent with Richins about the necessary work, but after the sale, subcontractors began extensive renovations without apparent proper permits.

The house was presented as being in 'pristine' condition when it went on the market in October 2019, according to Taryn Wright.

The family say they were not told about previous water damage or any plumbing and roof issues. The couple purchased the property for $409,000 in January 2020

The family were not told about previous water damage or any plumbing and roof issues. The couple purchased the property for $409,000 in January 2020.

'We envisioned having barbecues and hosting and just spending time with family and being able to look out at that beautiful view,' Taryn Wright said to NBC News.

Shortly after the first springtime rain, the Wrights noticed a musty smell in the basement.

Mold was found behind a new dresser and water pooling on the floor in their son's room.

The Wrights were forced to evacuate their home immediately upon discovering the mold and moved into a relative's rental property and leaving their belongings behind, fearing contamination

The family also began to suffer from various health problems, including asthma, fungal infections, joint pain, and brain fog.

'We were constantly going to the doctor. There was never like, "Oh, this is whats wrong with you." Its just kind of like, "Oh well, youll just get over it." It was super, super hard,' Taryn Wright said.

In August 2022, the family had the house inspected, revealing 'hazardous' mold levels throughout.

Some mold samples were a hundred times higher than what would be considered safe.

The Wrights were forced to evacuate their home immediately upon discovering the mold and moved into a relative's rental property and leaving their belongings behind, fearing contamination.

They also tried unsuccessfully to contact Kouri Richins for assistance with remediation.

Text messages between Richins and a realtor suggest that she may have been aware of the mold issue before selling the house. Yet despite possible knowledge of mold, the house was presented as 'pristine.'

The lawsuit, described as a last resort by Alec Wright, has placed the family in a precarious financial position.

'If were not able to find the means to get back into our home, financially, well be ruined,' Alec Wright said.

The family say they had invested substantial sums into their home with repair costs now set to exceed what they paid to buy the house.

Before Richins' murder charge, the Wrights had hoped their lawsuit would recoup their losses, but their situation now appears dire, with Taryn Wright saying the family risk losing everything.

Kouri Richins, a Utah mother of three who authorities say fatally poisoned her husband, Eric Richins, then wrote a children's book about grieving, appeared in court earlier this month

Prosecutors say Richins planned at length to kill her husband, making financial arrangements and purchasing drugs found in his system after his March 2022 death

A judge earlier this year ordered Richins to remain in jail pending trial.

Prosecutors have decided not to seek the death penalty against Richins after conferring with the victim's father and two sisters.

Prosecutors say Richins planned at length to kill her husband, making financial arrangements and purchasing drugs found in his system after his March 2022 death.

Richins made major changes to the family's estate plans and took out life insurance policies on him with benefits totaling nearly $2 million, prosecutors allege.

Her attorneys counter that the prosecution's case based on financial motives proved she was 'bad at math,' not guilty of murder.

Richins, meanwhile, is facing a lawsuit seeking over $13 million in damages for alleged financial wrongdoing before and after his death.

The lawsuit filed in state court by Katie Richins, the sister of Eric Richins, accuses Kouri Richins of taking money from her husband's accounts, diverting money intended to pay his taxes and obtaining a fraudulent loan, among other things, before his death.
A house explosion in New Jersey left six people hospitalized on Friday night after they were rescued from the rubble.

Emergency services rushed to the scene of a collapsed property on Banker Road in West Milford just after 9.30pm.

Firefighters were frantically searching through the ruins for any victims of the explosion and a video shows patients on stretchers being taken into a New Jersey State Police helicopter.

Residents in the area said they heard a loud bang that shook the entire neighborhood.

The six victims have been transported to area hospitals, where their conditions are currently unknown. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation and locals have been asked to avoid the area until further notice.

Multiple people are feared to be trapped following a home explosion in New Jersey on Friday night

Firefighters are frantically searching through the rubble for any victims of the explosion and a video shows at least one patient on a stretcher being taken into a New Jersey State Police helicopter

Emergency services rushed to the scene of a collapsed property on Banker Road in West Milford just after 9.30pm

There are unconfirmed reports that six people were buried under the rubble following the explosion

'Live in the neighborhood it shook the whole neighborhood the house was just bought and in the process of being remodeled,' resident Anthony Green said.

A search and rescue effort was underway to recover those who were trapped and they were rescued by emergency services and transported to hospital.

West Milford Fire Department public information officer Richard Poplaski Jr said: '[The] scene is still active with limited information other then six patients were transported to area hospitals.'

He added that the investigation was ongoing 'but the structure did collapse from an unknown cause'.

There was a large dumpster on the driveway of the collapsed house which points to construction being done at the property.

A search and rescue effort was underway to recover those who were trapped

It is not clear how many people have injured or what the cause of the explosion is. Locals have been asked to avoid the area until further notice

West Milford Fire Department has urged people to avoid the area while emergency services operate at a 'large scale scene'.

The incident comes another house explosion in Buena, New Jersey on August 3 killed four people.

A one-year-old girl and a 16-year-old girl were among those injured in the incident.

Authorities determined it was caused by a large amount of explosives which were found on the first floor of the home.
A public database will be available for tenants

The identities of bad landlords and real estate agents will reach a wider audience thanks to a new website which allows disgruntled tenants to share the condition of their rental properties.

Jordan van den Berg, a tenant's rights advocate, has been making short videos on poor rental conditions for years and has now launched a website which works as a database for tenants.

S***rentals.org is a platform that allows renters to name and shame squalid properties and greedy agencies that they've dealt with in the past.

Mr van den Berg manually uploads complaints to the public website which includes the address of the property and the name of the agency.

He had previously grown a following on social media where he toured terrible rentals and helped tenants shame 'exploitative' landlords.

Jordan van den Berg, a tenants' rights advocate, has spent years calling out bad rentals and now he's launched a website which works as a database for tenants

Renters can submit a review of their homes or scroll through the reviews others have posted for an honest look into what their would-be homes are really like to live in

Mr van den Berg said that his new website will level out the playing field and provide renters an honest representation of the house they're considering moving into.

'When you as a renter apply for a property the real estate agent and landlord have so much information about you, and you get nothing on them,' he told The Age.

'Nine out of 10 times listing photos on a rental were from the last time a property was sold. You know nothing of the experience of the previous tenants.'

Mr van den Berg personally reads all the reviews before posting them to the website in order to verify that they are true and accurate.

Real estate agents, however, will not receive a heads up before a review goes live, and will instead have to contact him after the fact if they disagree with what is said.

'The real estate agents don't give tenants a right of reply in their residential tenancy databases, so why should the landlord get one,' he told James Willis on 2GB's Drive.

'They can reach out to me or disagree so they do have a right of reply option.'

If a landlord were to complain about a review, Mr van den Berg would then ask the tenant if their response is correct before amending the upload.

Mr van den Berg has made a name for himself online for touring terrible rentals and shaming lax landlords (pictured, an unfixed leak in a rental)

He has found people living with water-logged carpets, mouldy ceilings, exposed wires and asbestos (pictured)

In just a couple of days, s***rentals.org has had 1,000 website visits and already has more than 800 reviews uploaded about properties and agencies.

Upon accessing the website, viewers are able to submit their own review or read through the database of reviews.

Among the reviews are both positive and negative takes which range from one property's 'lovely location', to another's 'crumbling plaster and bricks'.

'DONT LIVE HERE IF YOU VALUE YOUR PRIVACY AND TO AVOID MOULD/LEAK PROBLEMS,' one property review begins.

'Basically numerous times we lived here (and this also happened to people we knew who lived there), the landlord would let himself into peoples apartments WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR PERMISSION, for non-mandatory reasons as well.

'We even had to install a security camera just in case he attempted to let himself in again without any permission or notice when we werent home.'

An agency review claimed that one renter was faced with losing their bond after leaving an onion peel behind.

'They do not reply to emails. They do not acknowledge tenant's requests and needs. They tried to claim bond for one onion peel left in a pantry,' the swift review read.

Mr van den Berg's social media channels, where he is known as purplepingers, is dedicated to calling out bad living conditions faced by renters

One property in Melbourne he toured had several plastered walls and graffiti on the walls which had not been cleaned off prior to the current tenants moving in

Mr van den Berg built his substantial following online after consistently uploading content criticising substandard listings, high rents and unresponsive agents.

READ MORE: Would you live here? Fact-box text Advertisement

One Melbourne property had such a waterlogged carpet the tenants had to lay down planks so that they could walk around the house.

Mr van den Berg found a Maribyrnong house, north-west of Melbourne, riddled with mould, asbestos, crumbling walls and a leaking roof.

Another home in Fitzroy was called out for an especially deceptive advertising picture of a furnished bedroom.

When the tenants invited Mr van den Berg to come and inspect the house he couldn't recognise which room the photo was taken in.

'This is a five-bedroom house and there's only one picture of a bedroom and I'm pretty sure it's not even in this house,' he said.

One especially questionable listing included a photo of a lavish bedroom (pictured), but Mr van den Berg couldn't even find the room where the photo was taken

Vacancy rates across Australia are almost at an all-time low with just one per cent of the two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, being unoccupied.

A healthy rental market sits at around three per cent of rental properties being available.

With the market being so harsh for renters and with no signs of it getting better anytime soon, Mr van den Berg said that his scrutiny would help.

'Sometimes things can be rectified if the right person is aware of it,' he told The Age.

He has vowed to keep the website free and never introduce a subscription fee while he continues to develop it and add new features going forward.
Famed photographer and documentarian Ken Burns, the third man in a revealing photograph showing Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas shmoozing with right-wing billionaire David Koch at a secret getaway, sought to distance himself from the image.

Around ten years ago, Ken was stopped and asked to take a photograph with a Supreme Court Justice and David Koch, who was a supporter of public television and would later provide some funding for his film, The Vietnam War. So he took the photo, as he has done with many, many others. Other than the taking of that photograph and innocuous pleasantries, that's the extent of his contact with Justice Thomas," a spokesperson for Burns wrote in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

I like how measured and well-focused the statement is, Ken's involvement drifting off to the side so slowly and inexorably that you barely notice your attention returning to Thomas's shenanigans.

For the record, we're at the point where being publicly photographed with a Supreme Court justice means your publicist working on Friday night.
A dead body was discovered in the mouth of an enormous Florida alligator as it made its way down a canal near Clearwater on Friday afternoon.

The 14-foot reptile held its victim tightly between its powerful jaws as it paddled down the waterway, in the small town of Largo.

Several local residents spotted the gruesome sight as the alligator dragged its prey away and began to record the scene while alerting the Largo Fire Department.

Emergency responders together with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission managed to pull the alligator from the water before shooting it dead, with officials describing it as having been 'humanely killed'.

A Florida alligator was found with a dead body clamped between its jaws as it made its way down a canal near Clearwater

Emergency responders, along with the Florida FWC successfully removed the alligator from the water and subsequently euthanized it

'A lot of my neighbors were out here and they're the ones that told me about the gator. While we were standing here we heard a shot, I assume they killed the gator,' wrote Jennifer Dean, who lives nearby.

Once the alligator was no more, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office were then able to retrieve the victim's body from the water. The body has yet to be identified.

'I could tell there was a body in his mouth, so I started recording,' JaMarcus Bullard said to Bay News 9.

'I came down to the fire department and reported it to them,' he said.

The gator could be see dragging its prey much to the horror of local residents some of whom began filming the shocking incident

The 14-foot reptile held its victim tightly between its powerful jaws as is paddled down the waterway, in the small town of Largo

One local resident spotted the gruesome sight as the alligator dragged its prey and began to record the scene while alerting the Largo Fire Department

The gator was later hauled away on the back of a pickup truck

Investigators also took time to examine the gator which measured almost 14 feet in length.

It's believed the deadly reptile had come from a nearby alligator-infested lake known as Ridgecrest Park.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of death of the Florida resident.
First-year students have hit the town on Fresher's Friday with their new friends to start their university year.

Thousands of students swarmed the streets of Leeds and Newcastle last night to indulge in a night of tipsy fun.

They spent their first Fresher's Friday - part of the Fresher's Week celebrations which run until Sunday, September 24 - drinking in their best party gear.

Some partygoers were pictured wearing cowboy heads and fancy dress, while others put on their favourite dresses and cropped tops.

The new students took the opportunity to let their hair down as the late night became the early morning.

Unfortunately heavy clubbing proved too much for some of the new students dancing into the early hours, as their drinking was followed by vomiting or brawls in the street.

The new students put on makeup and their favourite party fits to hit the town in Newcastle

These freshers bought some booze to pre-drink in the streets before going into the clubs in Leeds

Friends in Newcastle were pictured wearing matching metallic skirts as they hit the town

Some students brought glittery hats or colourful wigs to celebrate Fresher's Friday, like here in Newcastle

These joyful students in Leeds laughed as they were queuing outside a club, while another freshers holding a beer walked past

Many of the students brought drinks to have outside while walking to their clubbing destination

Nightclubs in Newcastle were busy yesterday as hundreds of students queued up to enter

This Leeds fresher was visibly excited about her first Fresher's Friday kicking off her time at university

Some freshers took to the streets in fancy dress with colourful dress shirts knotted around their chests

Other freshers opted for cowboy hats or a big pink wig for their first Fresher's Friday

Like many other students, this fresher was pictured holding a vape as she waited to get into a club

These students showed off their hair dos as they wrapped up in jackets to stay warm in Leeds as temperatures cooled down overnight

This trio in Newcastle wore matching white dress shirts as they hit the streets for Fresher's Friday

Two friends brought a wine bottle each to drink before clubbing with other students

Cropped tops were a popular choice for girls hitting the streets of Leeds yesterday

Wearing fancy dress, these two friends showed their love for each other by hugging it out after a night of partying

Many students were wearing Nike sneakers as they stumbled across Leed's after a heavy night of drinking

This student took a break from partying as she sat on the floor outside a venue in Leeds, while her friends were standing around her

These friends wanted to commemorate their first Fresher's Friday by taking fun pictures as they were queuing up outside a club

A brawl broke out in Leeds last night after students were partying into the early hours

Several young men were involved and they had to be separated by nightclub security guards
A remote-controlled robot has helped uncover a 200kg shipment of cocaine stashed in the hull of a ship which arrived in Port Melbourne from Argentina last month.

Australian Border Force officers used the underwater vehicle to search the vessel below the waterline, finding the drugs in the ship's sea chest, where water is pumped in and out of the ballast tanks.

Specialist divers from the Victoria Police Search and Rescue Squad retrieved the packages, which were seized by Federal Police. They carry an estimated street value of $80million.

Australian Federal Police AFP) officers have uncovered a massive shipment of cocaine, after they used a remote controlled robot to seize the 200kilogram package of drugs (pictured) which were found stashed inside the hull of a ship, in Port Melbourne in Victoria

AFP Commander Richard Chin said illegal packages were regularly stashed in such areas and posed a serious risk to drug smugglers when they attempted to retrieve them.

'This concealment method is not new, and this seizure is another case of law enforcement remaining one step ahead of criminals attempting to bring harmful, illicit drugs into our country and into our community,' he said.

Earlier this year, the body of a police diver who was attempting to recover drugs was found, after drugs that had been stashed in a similar fashion were discovered in the Port of Newcastle.

ABF Commander Clinton Sims said organised crime groups regularly used parasitic hull attachments on commercial ships to move drugs across borders.

The drugs (pictured) have an estimated street value of $80million and are believed to have arrived on Australian shores from Argentina in August

Once the drugs were seized, the ship and crew continued from Victoria to Western Australia, and then back to South Australia

'In response, the ABF is utilising submersible remote operated vehicles to enhance our ability to conduct mass screening of shipping vessel hulls and void spaces to detect below-the-waterline concealments of illegal drugs,' he said.

Once the drugs were seized, the ship and crew continued from Victoria to Western Australia, and then back to South Australia.

Police are urging anyone with information about the drugs or who noticed suspicious activity at ports in any of the three states to come forward.

'It could be something small from an unusual boat purchase paid in cash, through to suspicious activity at one of our ports,' Cmdr Chin said.
Outspoken Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather has revealed he will be taking two months off to welcome the birth of his first child.

Mr Chandler-Mather announced he and his partner, Joanna Horton, are expecting in a Twitter post on Saturday.

'Some exciting personal news! My partner Joanna and I are expecting our first child (a little boy!) in early November,' he wrote.

'That means I'll be taking some paternity leave from Nov to late Jan.

'Meanwhile I've been reflecting on how deeply unfair Aus childcare & paid parental leave is.'

Mr Chandler-Mather gained a name in parliament earlier this year for challenging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over Labor's historic housing reforms policy.

Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather announced he and partner Joanna Horton (pictured together) are expecting a baby boy

Mr Chandler-Mather and his party revealed earlier this month they'd squeezed an extra $3billion out of the government on the housing reforms policy.

'Sit up and pay attention,' Mr Chandler-Mather told Parliament.

'When we stay at the negotiating table we get outcomes... (this is) proof that Greens in balance of power can drag Labor kicking and screaming to taking meaningful action.

'If we praise the Labor party for offering crumbs, that's all we'll get.'

Up until 2013, Mr Chandler-Mather sang a very different tune - given he was once a Labor activist himself.

He was a member of Labor's left during his time at the University of Queensland. Both of his parents were also members and reportedly encouraged him to join.

He worked for the trade union United Voice before going on to become a union organiser for the National Tertiary Education Union after graduating.

Mr Chandler-Mather left the party in 2013.

In 2022, he spoke out about the decision, claiming he could not remain in a party willing to maintain offshore detention facilities in Nauru under Kevin Rudd.

'I left the ALP in 2013 for the same reason many people stopped voting for them. They have abandoned their principles, won't fix the rigged system and have no vision for a better life for all Australians,' he said in promotional material for the Greens.

Mr Chandler-Mather gained attention in parliament this year for challenging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over Labor's housing policies (pictured, Mr Albanese glaring at Mr Chandler-Mather, bottom centre)

With the Greens' support, Labor finally secured the votes to pass its Housing Australia Future Fund - the landmark housing policy the ALP brought to the last election.

The policy aims to build 30,000 social and affordable homes over five years, including 4,000 dwellings for women and children experiencing domestic violence.

The primary concern from both Greens and independents was that the bill does not go far enough to ease pressures on the exploding housing market.

To secure the Greens support, the government has committed a further $3billion in immediate spending to boost social and public housing.

The Greens, spurred by Mr Chandler-Mather - who himself is a renter - are still calling for a nationwide rent freeze, a measure which economists say could be problematic in the long term.

The Federal Government does not have the jurisdiction to regulate rent prices - such a policy is in the hands of each state and territory. A referendum in 1948 sought to give this power to the Commonwealth, but it was overwhelmingly defeated.

Mr Albanese and Labor have accused Mr Chandler-Mather of whipping up outrage over housing for his own political ambitions.

The PM said: 'Vulnerable people should not be the collateral damage in your manufactured political conflict.'

On the last sitting day before the midwinter break in June, following a particularly tense discussion on the HAFF, Mr Albanese reportedly told Mr Chandler-Mather 'you're a joke, mate' as he left the chamber.

On Saturday, Mr Chandler-Mather used his pregnancy announcement to challenge the 'unfair Australian childcare and paid parental leave' system.

'When it comes to paid parental leave, countries like Sweden offer 16 months paid leave that both parents can take - paid at nearly the full salary,' he said.

'Meanwhile Australia won't even get 6 months until 2026 and for many it means a big pay cut. That's before you get to childcare.

'Proper universal free childcare where there is a quality large scale public provider and an expansion of community childcare, seems entirely possible in a wealthy country like Australia.

'We should be more than capable of providing 16 months paid leave that both parents can use!'
This is the moment a British-made Storm Shadow missile hits Putin's Black Sea Fleet HQ in Ukraine.

Senior Russian commanders were killed in the Ukrainian missile strike, it was also revealed.

At least nine people were killed and 16 wounded in the Friday attack in Sevastopol, according to Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov.

Russia has refrained from giving details on the killed and wounded, and its main news bulletins failed to mention the humiliating strike in annexed Crimea.

Russian air defences were again today at work in and around Sevastopol, the main naval port in the peninsula.

Plumes of smoke were seen coming from the Russian headquarters after the Ukrainian attack

This is the moment a British Storm Shadow missile hits Putin's Black Sea Fleet HQ in Ukraine

Sevastopol before (top) and after (bottom) a missile attack struck the headquarters of Moscow's Black Sea fleet

The explosion is understood to have been caused by a Storm Shadow missile

Video footage shows the building being destroyed

Smoke was seen pouring out of the building in Sevastopol

Russia has refrained from giving details on the killed and wounded, and its main news bulletins failed to mention the humiliating strike in annexed Crimea

There were reports of incoming missiles and that one missile had been shot down.

Russian war cheerleaders are demanding reprisal attacks on Ukrainian command posts.

Rybar Telegram channel warned: 'As long as there are no strikes on control and command centres, the intensity of the AFU attacks will increase.

'Meanwhile, in Kyiv, the work of all Ukrainian structures responsible for regular raids, such as the GUR and the SBU [intelligence services] , is proceeding without interruption.'

Spymaster Budanov told Voice of America: 'Among the wounded is the commander of the group, Colonel-General (Alexander) Romanchuk, in a very serious condition'

Tsekov is the commander of the 200th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, part of the Coastal Forces of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Navy. He was reported as being one of the wounded

Some reports say Black Sea Fleet commander Admiral Viktor Sokolov was also hit and killed, but there has been no confirmation

War analyst Sergei Mardan, a columnist for Komsomolskaya Pravda, said: 'The strike to the Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol is a crushing blow to the entire Russian elite, which is seriously committed to freezing the conflict in the autumn of 2023.

'They still don't want to fight.

'They agree to any, the most shameful conditions of a truce.

'They still consider [the start of war on] February 24, 2022, a catastrophic mistake by Putin and intend to do everything to convince him of this.

'They see a ''limited'' military defeat of Russia as the ideal way.'

He claimed this was the wrong route for Russia.

At least six people are believed to be wounded following the attack

A top Russian official has admitted that the fleet's HQ suffered a missile attack

Parts of the building were seen on fire shortly after the attack

The top of the Black Fleet headquarters' building was damaged heavily during the attack

'Our enemies will force us to fight, if only because they do not agree to a 'limited' defeat.

'They intend to defeat the Russian army and bring the Russian government to its knees.'

Spymaster Budanov told Voice of America: 'Among the wounded is the commander of the group, Colonel-General (Alexander) Romanchuk, in a very serious condition.'

He added: 'The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant-General (Oleg) Tsekov, is unconscious.

'The number of injured regular servicemen who are not employees of the headquarters is still being determined.

The strike was one of the most significant of the entire war, as was the sinking of the Black Sea fleet's flagship, the Moskva cruiser, last year

'These are military personnel who are on duty, security, and so on  they are not included in the list that I announced.'

Some reports say Black Sea Fleet commander Admiral Viktor Sokolov was also hit and killed, but there has been no confirmation.

There were suggestions he was 'missing'.

Putin did not mention the destruction of the Sevastopol HQ in a meeting with his military chiefs

Sokolov was handpicked by Putin a year ago to take over from Admiral Igor Osipov after the humiliating sinking of the fleet's flagship, the cruiser Moskva, sunk by a Ukrainian Neptune missile.

Romanchuk is commander of Russian forces in the occupied Zaporizhzhia region, and was promoted to the rank of colonel-general in 2023.

Tsekov is the commander of the 200th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, part of the Coastal Forces of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Navy.

Budanov declined to confirm Russian claims that Storm Shadow missiles - provided to Kyiv by Britain and France - had been used to the fleet HQ.

'Here I have to refrain from answering, I think you should understand me,' he said.
A man whose phone was spat on by an academic and Yes23 campaigner claims he was assaulted by another Voice advocate immediately after.

Andrew Thaler, who describes himself as a community advocate, spoke at a rally opposing the Indigenous Voice to Parliament on Saturday in Sydney's central Hyde Park.

During the event, an electronic billboard displayed the message 'No spitting' in reference to the confrontation that happened at Cooma's Centennial Park in southern NSW last Sunday between Mr Thaler and ANU Emeritus Professor Denise Ferris.

He's since claimed he was pushed and hit by another Yes voter after the incident.

Andrew Thaler (pictured) has claimed he was assaulted by another Voice advocate, just moments after he was spat on by a Yes23 Campaigner

'It takes more than a few hits and a spit to take me down,' Mr Thaler told the crowd of around 1,000 at the event organised by Liberal Democrat NSW upper house MP John Ruddick.

As Mr Thaler spoke, a video screen behind him played on loop the image he took of Professor Ferris spitting towards his phone as the pair were caught in a heated confrontation.

The professor was until recently listed as the head of ANU's School of Art and Design in Canberra.

Mr Thaler jubilantly noted that Professor Ferris's profile had been deleted from the ANU website.

'When ANU is trending on Twitter for several days because they have been involved with a professor who spits on people, it is not a good look for the university,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

Professor Ferris denied spitting at Mr Thaler on the day and in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Thaler said police were now investigating footage of an alleged assault that occurred immediately after the spitting incident.

Mr Thaler, claimed he was assaulted by a man who was at a Yes23 tent, just moments after he was spat on by ANU academic and Yes23 Campaigner Professor Denise Ferris (pictured)

Professor Ferris (pictured), who was listed as the head of ANU's School of Art and Design in Canberra until recently, denied she spat on Mr Thaler, after the pair engaged in a heated verbal altercation during an event in Cooma, in NSW's south-east on Sunday

'A man in the Yes tent started pushing and walking into me,' Mr Thaler said.

'He started hitting me hard, took the phone out of my hand a couple of times. There were plenty of witnesses.'

Mr Thaler said police had asked him not to display footage of the incident until they have completed their investigation.

He said if police do not charge the man he will 'do it himself' as 'a common informer'.

When speaking about last Sunday's incident, Mr Thaler said he went to the Yes Labor party tent to take a picture of lambs at a petting zoo.

'I was just getting a photograph of the lambs,' Mr Thalers said.

'They were using that to attract the kids and bring the parents over with them.

'It was a cheap stunt but the little lambs were in the sun all day.'

In the video Mr Thaler can be heard calling Professor Ferris a 'stupid mole'.

Professor Ferris has claimed the argument had nothing to do with the Voice and that she felt accosted by Mr Thaler who made her react in a panicked state of 'fight or flight'.

Professor Ferris (pictured) said she felt she was being aggressively confronted by Mr Thaler, which made her react in a panicked state of 'fight or flight'.

Mr Thaler asserted the confrontation was provoked by their differing viewpoints on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which will be voted on in a referendum on October 14.

'She was wearing a Yes t-shirt, she had a Yes badge on her hat, she was in the Yes tent, she came over to give us a hard time from the Yes tent and went back to the Yes tent,' he said.

Professor Ferris has said she was only trying to 'block' Mr Thaler's camera 'without engaging in physical contact'.

She said she 'felt intimidated' throughout the heated ordeal, because Mr Thaler was holding the camera 'like a weapon pointed at me'.

'Out of the blue, Andrew Thaler moved toward me filming me with his iPhone extended,' she wrote.

Professor Ferris (pictured), who has denied spitting on Mr Thaler, said the heated verbal exchange between the pair was not about the Voice to Parliament

'I was more than terrified, he was literally in my face, I had a visceral response, a panic attack, fight or flight,' Professor Ferris said.

'I did not spit on him. I wanted to block his camera without engaging in physical contact. Flight? Am I to turn my back on him  no way, too scared of his actions, it was so traumatic.'

The professor, who holds an unpaid position with ANU, also accused Mr Thaler of heavily editing the video and setting 'a trap' for her because he was a 'professional full time provocateur'.

An ANU spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia they are 'investigating, and will take appropriate action as required'.

'This video has just been brought to the university's attention. Emeritus professors are not paid members of staff,' the spokesperson said.

The professor's online profile was removed from the university's website on Thursday.

Mr Thaler is no stranger to controversy.

He was branded a 'parasite' by 2GB presenter Ben Fordham after he claimed to speak on behalf of the family whose grandmother, Clare Nowland, 95, was fatally tasered at a nursing home in Cooma on May 17.
The Home Office has said some small-boat migrants must be booked in three-star hotels at least as costs to house asylum seekers soared to 8m a day.

In a contract issued by the department, there is a list of 'mandatory requirements' for hotels, which includes: 'Contracted venues should be at least a minimum of three stars.'

It hasn't been disclosed how many hotels are tied to this contract and the Home Office said it is also using a separate agreement which doesn't have a star requirement, according to The Telegraph.

Despite MPs in the House of Commons challenging the use of hotels, Home Secretary Suella Braverman has not disclosed any specifics on the issue.

Meanwhile, this week she told Parliament the use of hotels is 'unacceptable' and that 'too many towns and cities around the country now house the 45,000 asylum seekers who are in hotels'.

The cost of housing migrants in hotels has risen to 8 million a day. Pictured: Atrium hotel which is hosting asylum seekers

The Refugee Action charity said despite the standards set in the document, many asylum seekers are 'forced to live in grotty buildings'

'It is not right that the British taxpayer is forking out the cost,' she added.

A spokesman for the Home Office said most hotels did not have a minimum star requirement and the use of hotels was a temporary solution.

Conservative MP Sir John Hayes said his constituents in South Holland The Deepings would not expect migrants to be house in hotels they couldn't afford to stay in themselves.

'We need to provide safe and clean accommodation but it should be basic  three-star is well above the level taxpayers would expect to be funding. In truth, we've got to move these people out of hotels altogether,' he added.

The Refugee Action charity said despite the standards set in the document, many asylum seekers are 'forced to live in grotty buildings'.

The Home Office's annual report revealed the bill for asylum hotels had risen to 8 million a day.

Safety issues and legal challenges have hamper ministers' ambitions to accommodate migrants on the Bibby Stockholm barge and military bases.

Despite this, the report stated military bases would be 'scaled up over the coming months'.

There are currently 45,000 asylum seekers staying in hotels, according to Home Secretary Suella Braverman

Asylum seekers pictured outside the Atrium Hotel. Steve Smith MBE, chief executive of refugee charity Care4Calais, said the people he works with don't want to be in hotels, they want to be 'part of the community'

An unnamed senior Conservative said the level of spending on hotels was 'alarming' and many colleagues had lost confidence in the Government's schemes such as Bibby Stockholm.

'It's pretty obvious that the Home Office has completely failed to get a grip on the use of the hotels.

'The Home Secretary's rhetoric does not match the reality  she says she's got a grip on this but the situation is out of control,' they said.

Steve Smith MBE, chief executive of refugee charity Care4Calais, said the people he work with don't want to be in hotels, they want to be 'part of the community'.

He said he UK Government is 'solely responsible' for the use of asylum hotels.

'The number of hotels being used to accommodate asylum seekers, and the associated costs, started to increase at the point where the Government slowed down the processing of asylum claims,' he added.

On Monday, Tory MP Sir Edward Leigh accused the Government of 'wasting public money' with delayed attempts to convert RAF Scampton into asylum accommodation.

Mrs Braverman responded: 'Ultimately, it is not right that we continue to house tens of thousands of migrants in hotels, in towns and cities across the country.

An unnamed senior Conservative said the level of spending on hotels was 'alarming' and many colleagues had lost confidence in the Government's schemes such as Bibby Stockholm (pictured)

'That is why our work to roll out large sites is moving swiftly, and we propose to move asylum seekers on to them as soon as possible.'

Earlier this month, hundreds of people turned out to a protest controversial plans to house asylum seekers at four-star hotel Kilhey Court near Wigan.

The main demonstration had been organised by Ince and Scholes independent councillor Maureen O'Bern after it was revealed that Macdonald Hotels and Resorts had made a deal with the Home Office.

Both the council and Laour's Wigan MP Lisa Nandy wrote to the Home Office, calling for it to ditch the plan, saying the hotel is in completely the wrong place, being a long distance from Standish centre with no amenities and little public transport nearby.

While many of the locals at the event were not associated with far-right groups, Patriotic Alternative representatives travelled to the small village to protest against the move.

Standish, which has a population of just under 13,000, already has one asylum seeker centre at a Britannia hotel site just 2.6miles from Kilhey Court.

Locals have claimed that the 270 inhabitants of the Britannia have caused trouble in the past with petty demeanors.

A protest also broke out in Llanelli, South Wales earlier this year after 95 members of staff were made redundant from Stradey Park Hotel to begin housing up to 241 asylum seekers.

The MacDonald Kilhey Court court complex will become outfitted for refugees

The Britannia Hotel in Wigan on September 1 2023, which has been used to house migrants

Two people were arrested for allegedly preventing the movement of a vehicle that was blocking the hotel's entrance.

The Home Office plans to convert the hotel into a housing facility for asylum seekers have seen the hotel fire 50 full time staff and another 45 part time workers.

Carmarthenshire County Council lost its High Court bid to block the plans after claiming the conversion would 'cause harm' to Llannelli's economy.

Local campaigners have said they support 'Carmarthenshire Council's preferred model of distributing asylum seekers throughout the wider community'.

In an online petition, campaign group Furnace Action Committee noted that they 'wish to see' the hotel continue to 'play its vital role in Carmarthenshire's tourism policy'.

Stradey park Hotel in Llanelli fired 95 staff in plans to house up to 241 asylum seekers

Local campaigners surrounded the hotel in opposition to the Home Office plans

With sweeping views over Carmarthen Bay, the asylum seekers would be able to enjoy all the amenities you'd expect from a four star hotel - including wide, spacious rooms and beautiful grounds to walk in.

It's a far cry from the the grim hostel just two miles away where 19 homeless locals have been bedding down.

Inside the cheap and decidedly uncheerful Vista Hotel, the area's homeless claim they're forced to sleep on bloodstained bed mattresses, and having just very basic facilities - including a small chest-sized fridge and single microwave they're all forced to share.

One of the homeless men staying at the Vista Hotel, John, fears some of the 95 workers sacked from their jobs at the 76-room plush hotel could join him on the Homeless Register.
The remains of a six-year-old child a community feared would come back to life as a vampire have been discovered in Poland partially exhumed and with half the body missing, archaeologists say.

The 17th-century Polish cemetery in the village of Pien has been the focus of historians this week after it was revealed multiple bodies had been unearthed with 'anti-revenant' protection methods.

Myths surrounding the undead and vampires date back to as early as the 11th century in eastern Europe, and it is not uncommon for skeletons bearing the marks of these superstitions to be unearthed.

In eastern Europe tales of people who died and then returned to the living world several months later were rife, and were often blamed for sudden deaths, accidents or even just generally making life more difficult - such as being held responsible for a poor harvest.

But the discovery of a tiny child's skeleton treated this way is believed to be the first of its kind.

The remains of a 'female vampire' pinned to the ground by a sickle across her throat and a padlocked toe to 'prevent her returning from the dead' were also found in a village in Poland

Researchers discovered the remains during archaeological work at a 17th century cemetery in the village of Pien (pictured)

The child, believed to be around six years old, was discovered buried face-down, so that if they awoke they would bite the ground rather than suck the blood from the people above them, the Times reports.

Its foot was also held in a padlock, which could have been to make its exit from the grave harder, or to symbolise the 'closing of a stage' and make it impossible for the child to return.

But archaeologists also discovered that after burial, the body was partially exhumed and the top half removed, presumably to be destroyed.

Team leader Professor Dariusz Polinski from the Nicholas Copernicus University in the nearby city of Torun told the Times the child was clearly 'greatly feared'.

He continued: 'The reason for such a brutal and disgusting burial is unknown.'

The grim discovery was made in the same cemetery as a woman who was buried with a scythe pressing down on her neck - a way to ensure she would decapitate herself if she tried to rise from the dead, experts said.

Professor Polinski previously told MailOnline: 'Ways to protect against the return of the dead include cutting off the head or legs, placing the deceased face down to bite into the ground, burning them, and smashing them with a stone.

'The sickle was not laid flat but placed on the neck in such a way that if the deceased had tried to get up most likely the head would have been cut off or injured.'

Researchers also found the skeletal remains had a silk cap on its head, indicating she had held a high social status, and a protruding tooth

Team leader Professor Dariusz Polinski from the Nicholas Copernicus University said: 'Ways to protect against the return of the dead include cutting off the head or legs, placing the deceased face down to bite into the ground, burning them, and smashing them with a stone'

The grim discovery was made in the same cemetery as a woman who was buried with a scythe pressing down on her neck - a way to ensure she would decapitate herself if she tried to rise from the dead, experts said

In a similar way to the witch trials, myths surrounding blood-sucking revenants returning to haunt a local populace caused significant hysteria in some areas of Europe - and even led to some executions of innocents thought to be vampires.

Those who died and were deemed to be at risk of returning were often buried in remote graveyards away from major settlements.

Professor Polinski said this could include people who died unbaptised or those who killed themselves.

They could also have had particularly violent deaths or experienced frightening symptoms of mental illness, or serious diseases.

Methods to ensure they remained dead included placing a scythe over the body, burning it or even staking and decapitating it.

In 2015, archaeologists in the village of Drewsko 130 miles away found five skeletons buried in a similar manner at a 400-year-old cemetery.

Sickles were found pressed against the throats of an adult man, who was between 35 to 44 years old, and an adult woman around 35 to 39 years old.

An older woman, who was 50 to 60 years old when she died, was buried with a sickle laying across her hips, and a medium sized stone at her throat.
Clad in a white suit with gold watch and aviator sunglasses, the leader of quasi-religious cult Omega de Salonera looks more pop star than a Messiah.

But Jey Rence B Quilario was this week accused of heading a doomsday cult where 'rape, sexual violence, child abuse, forced marriage was perpetrated on minors'.

Quilario, who claims to be a reincarnation of Jesus, was named using congressional privilege as well as his group in connection to 'widespread exploitation'.

And Save the Children has urged the Filipino government to take immediate action to free the estimated 1,500 children held by the cult on a remote island.

On Monday the chairman of the senate committee on women and children senator Risa Hontiveros said: 'This is a harrowing story of rape, sexual violence, child abuse, forced marriage perpetrated on minors by a cult in the municipality of Socorro, Surigao del Norte.

'We are talking about over a thousand young people in the hands of a deceitful, cruel, and abusive cult real children are in danger, and time is of the essence. We cannot, we must not, look away.'

Jey Rence B Quilario was this week accused of heading a doomsday cult where 'rape, sexual violence, child abuse, forced marriage was perpetrated on minors'.

News of the situation prompted Save the Children to step in on Friday to protect the youngsters

Another senator Ronald Dela Rosa accused the group's leaders of using cult members as 'human shields', the Telegraph reports.

He accused the group of running a meth lab in an underground bunker near to where Quilario and fellow leaders live.

News of the situation prompted Save the Children to step in on Friday to protect the youngsters.

Alberto Muyot, chief executive of the organisation's Philippines branch, said: 'We urgently call upon the government, specifically our law enforcement agencies, to conduct immediate and thorough investigations into these incidents.

'Secure the protection of the affected children, and bring the perpetrators to justice.'

After an earthquake rocked the region, the cult exploited the natural disaster to lure thousands to its cause in its mountain lair

Senator Hontiveros told how a 15-year-old, known as Chloe, was forced into a marriage by Quilario to marry a 21-year-old man when she was just 13.

She claimed he locked her in a room with her new husband and told him 'he had the right to rape her'.

Local authorities have also given information alleging underage girls were being forced to have sex with Quilario.

The cult started off as a civic organisation called Socorro Bayanihan Services.

But in 2017 it transformed into a quasi-religious outfit calling itself Omega de Salonera.

Then after an earthquake rocked the region, it exploited this to lure thousands to its cause in its mountain lair, according to the claims made by congressional members.

The cult said joining it was the way to avoid the impending threat of eternal damnation.

Socorro Bayanihan Services has categorically denied all of the accusations.

It says that the children making the claims have made them up.
Ian Wilkinson has been released from hospital after spending weeks recovering from a poisonous mushroom lunch that claimed the lives of three others including his wife.

The 68-year-old's family confirmed on Saturday he was now making 'significant progress' at home after being discharged from the Austin Hospital in Melbourne.

'This milestone marks a moment of immense relief and gratitude for Ian and the entire Wilkinson family,' they said.

'The Wilkinson family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Leongatha, Dandenong and Austin Hospitals for their unwavering dedication and exceptional care that played a pivotal role in Ian's recovery.

'The medical team's expertise and compassion have been a source of comfort and hope throughout this journey.'

The family also thanked the local community including members of the church and other loved ones.

'This collective kindness has been a pillar of strength for Ian and the family, reinforcing the sense of unity and compassion that defines our community,' they said.

Pastor Wilkinson was the only person to survive the poisonous beef wellington dished up on July 29 by stay-at-home mum Erin Patterson in Leongatha, Victoria.

Mr Wilkinson, his wife Heather, 66, and her sister Gail and husband Don Patterson had been invited over for lunch as part of a 'mediation' gathering to discuss Ms Patterson's relationship with her estranged husband Simon, who pulled out at the last minute.

Ian Wilkinson and Heather Wilkinson (both pictured). Ian Wilkinson has been released from hospital after spending weeks recovering from a poisonous mushroom lunch that claimed the lives of three others including his wife

The above family tree shows the connections between the Pattersons and Wilkinsons embroiled in the unusual poisoning tragedy in Leongatha

The Pattersons, both aged 70, and Ms Wilkinson died days later.

Daily Mail Australia revealed last month Mr Wilkinson only likely survived because he was rushed to a hospital known for its expertise in treating patients suffering from poisonings.

A hospital insider told Daily Mail Australia said that Mr Wilkinson had been transported to the Austin Hospital - recognised as the go-to hospital for Victoria's most critically ill patients - for one specific reason that likely saved his life.

'The Austin was not the natural hospital to go to. From Leongatha the closest hospital is Monash Medical Centre - that's where they normally go. They've basically gone to the hospital the farthest away they could,' the source said.

Erin Patterson is pictured outside her home days after serving the killer meal

Erin's former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson (pictured) died a week after attending the lunch

'The main intensive care unit, and you need the best, you go to The Alfred or Royal Melbourne. They haven't done that either. The state's poison centre is at the Austin, so that's why he's gone there.

'That says they're more interested in dealing with the mushrooms than the intensive care part of it.'

Erin Patterson had earlier told police that the mushrooms used in the lunch were a mixture of button mushrooms bought from a supermarket and dried mushrooms bought from an Asian supermarket in Melbourne months earlier.

The homicide squad is investigating the incident.

Erin has denied any wrongdoing and Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting she intentionally poisoned her four relatives.
Steven Nigrelli abruptly announced his retirement as the acting superintendent of the New York State Police on Friday after learning that Gov. Kathy Hochuls administration was no longer considering making him the permanent superintendent.

As first reported in The Albany Times-Union, Hochuls decision comes after the state Office of Employee Relations investigated and substantiated several harassment and mistreatment allegations against Nigrelli.

While I strongly deny these allegations that I harassed or mistreated employees years ago, I understand the governors decision to have someone else lead the agency at this time, Nigrelli, a Buffalo native, told The Buffalo News in a statement. Instead of staying and being a distraction to the outstanding state police members and our mission to serve the public, I have opted to retire after 33 years of dedicated service.

Nigrelli says his last day on the force will be Oct. 3.

Avi Small, the governors press secretary, confirmed that Hochuls administration had decided against making Nigrelli the permanent superintendent, but made no mention of an investigation into Nigrellis alleged conduct.

Gov. Hochul has the utmost respect for the members of the New York State Police who put their lives on the line to protect New Yorkers, Small said in a statement to The News.

Nigrelli was appointed acting superintendent by Hochul in October 2022. Nigrellis predecessor, Kevin Bruen, resigned after being accused of ignoring multiple reports of wrongdoing by the State Polices former human resources director, MaryEllen Tedesco.

The son of Buffalo Police Detective Sergeant Joseph Nigrelli, Nigrelli joined the State Police in 1990 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming first deputy by the time Bruen resigned.

During his career, Nigrelli conducted undercover drug deals during the 1990s as a member of the State Police Community Narcotics Team. He went on to join Troop As Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which he would eventually head in 2007.

While in that bureau, Nigrelli was part of the group that tracked down Altemio Sanchez, known the Bike Path Killer, who killed three women and raped at least 15 others. Sanchez died while serving a life sentence on Friday.

As acting superintendent, Nigrelli undertook several measures to diversify the State Police, including raising the maximum age for trooper applicants and increasing the frequency of the State Trooper exam.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has been spotted puffing on a cigarette outside an event.

Mr Andrews was seen taking several long drags on a smoke while speaking to another man in a video that emerged on social media at the weekend.

The video provided a rare glimpse of Mr Andrews - whose public appearances are typically stage-managed - enjoying a candid moment.

Daniel Andrews spotted puffing a cigarette outside a function  and Labor wants to cut smoking across Australia  pic.twitter.com/tEvnpHopNN  Meanwhile in Melbourne (@meanwhileinau) September 22, 2023

The video emerged following a long week where Mr Andrews introduced - and vigorously defended - his new 'short stay tax', which is set to begin in 2025.

He'd announced on Wednesday his government was introducing a 7.5 per cent consumer tax on all short term accommodation bookings with platforms such as Airbnb and Stayz.

On Thursday the premier blew up at a reporter who argued the tax was far from the 'modest' fee Mr Andrews claimed.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews was seen smoking (above) outside an event this week

READ MORE: Fruit flavoured vapes to be banned in Australia Advertisement

'It's a modest charge - I'll say it 100 times if you want, and we'll disagree on that, but it's a modest charge,' Mr Andrews said.

The fiery debate continued with the reporter describing the fee as potentially the 'straw that broke the camel's back' for homeowners.

'I'll leave the camels to you because there's a few lumps in your argument mate,' Mr Andrews responded.

'Like seriously, if you want to put it to me that $7.50 per hundred dollars - and because it's higher than what happens in Florence, or New York or Auckland - mum and dads are worse off, that's not right.

'People need somewhere to live. Everyone needs somewhere to live'.

The premier has conceded the levy would not be universally popular but expects the 'modest' charge to raise $70million a year to build and maintain social housing.

Airbnb Australia and New Zealand's head of public policy Michael Crosby said the levy gave hotels a free kick and a figure in line with international standards between three to five per cent would have been more appropriate.
A man who was fatally shot by police in Western Australia after 'advancing' on officers while armed with a handgun has been identified.

Dave, 58, whose family have chosen not to give his surname, was shot in Kalgoorlie, 600 kilometres east of Perth, on Friday just after midday.

Dave had been armed with a handgun at the time and had been warned repeatedly by police before they opened fire.

Dave, 58, whose family have chosen not to give his surname, was shot in Kalgoorlie, 600 kilometres east of Perth, on Friday just after midday

'The police officers discharged their firearms after giving the man several warnings, and after the man advanced on them,' WA Police said.

One officer fired their gun twice, while another discharged their weapon once.

Dave was struck in the chest once with officers performing first aid until paramedics arrived.

He was rushed to Kalgoorlie hospital but died from his injuries at around 1.30pm on Friday.

Detectives from WA's Major Crime Division are conducting investigations into the man's death, after authorities declared a critical incident at the scene.

Dave's handgun has also been seized. It's unknown if it is a working firearm.

Dave had been armed with a handgun at the time and had been warned repeatedly by police before they opened fire

Detectives from WA's Major Crime Division are currently conducting investigations into the man's death, after authorities declared a critical incident at the scene

WA police said they have reviewed the footage from body cameras worn by officers during the incident.

'And based on that preliminary assessment it appears the officers involved acted in accordance with policy and their training,' a spokesperson said.

'The health and welfare of the officers involved remains a priority, and they have been provided mandatory critical incident leave.

'Health and welfare personnel have travelled to Kalgoorlie to provide support to the officers.'

Those with information have been urged to come forward or contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A new biography on James Bond's creator Ian Fleming claims he based the superspy's mother on a lover he had a failed engagement to marry.

Monique Panchaud de Bottens was today named as the inspiration for the fictional MI5 womaniser's parent.

In Fleming's novels Bond's mother is called Monique Delacroix and has the same nationality as the real-life Ms de Bottens.

And Nicholas Shakespeare's Ian Fleming: The Complete Man biography - which is being serialised in The Times - says the failed love is what made Bond so hard-hearted.

The book claims Fleming's mother Eve did not approve of her son's three-year engagement to Ms de Bottens.

She is said to have battled for it to break off and succeeded in October 1933 after threatening to cut off his allowance.

Shakespeare tracked down Ms Bottens' son down for his book and found Charles de Mestral.

He said: 'We bought the Bond books in a bookstore, none came from him.

Ian Fleming with his mother Evelyn St. Croix Fleming in November 1957 crossing the road

In Fleming's novels Bond's mother is called Monique Delacroix and has the same nationality as the real-life Ms de Bottens

'How Fleming addressed the relationship was by having her become the mother of James Bond.'

Ernest Cuneo, who was Fleming's close friend, is also referenced by Shakespeare in his new book.

He says: 'It seems to me that James Bond embodies Ian's revenge for the terrible hurt.

'Bond tumbles them into bed, leaves them with the memory of a savage ravishment which, ye gods, leaves them pining for Bond and forever bereft without him.'

They are theories that Shakespeare regards as reliable and credible.

He says: 'She gives birth to Bond  that's what Cuneo believed.

Daniel Craig starred as Fleming's spy James Bond in Casino Royale Hollywood blockbuster

Nicholas Shakespeare's Ian Fleming: The Complete Man biography makes the revelations

'This is his first adult love affair and he's prepared to be committed. By all accounts he didn't fall out of love with her.

'Clearly Fleming fell for her and she for him. But his dreadful mother doesn't want him to marry a Swiss girl.'

Ms de Botten, who later married and became de Mestral, went on to work in an interior decorator's shop in Switzerland.

Her son believes it was she who broke off the relationship with Fleming after being infuriated by his mother.

Eve Fleming is thought to have forbid the pair from sleeping in the same bed under her roof.

And she is said to have refused to have lit the fire in Ms de Botten's room leaving her cold.

The final straw is recounted as being when she ribbed her for having never tasted caviar at breakfast one morning.

Her son Mr de Mestral added: 'The theory around here is that Monique is the one who broke the engagement.

'I suppose we will never know for sure but it can be said that Monique was perfectly capable of doing so.'
But Cruz argued Dems could look to 'parachute in' Michelle Obama instead

Former First Lady Michelle Obama could be used as a last resort by Democrat 'kingmakers' to replace President Joe Biden before the 2024 election, according to Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

The former Republican presidential candidate speculated over how Democrats could look to avoid nominating Biden, amid concerns over the 80-year-old's advanced age.

'Here's the scenario that I think is perhaps most likely, and most dangerous,' he said on his 'Verdict with Ted Cruz' podcast. 'In August of 2024, the Democrat kingmakers jettison Joe Biden and parachute in Michelle Obama.'

'I view this as a very serious danger,' he added.

Cruz' baseless theory comes as Democratic voters are growing leery over Biden's ability to win a general election and govern for a second term - at the end of which he would be 86 - with a poll earlier this year finding half of his 2024 voter base feel he is too old to run the White House.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz (pictured July 2023) speculated that 'Democrat kingmakers (could) jettison Joe Biden and parachute in Michelle Obama' at the Democratic National Convention in August 2024

Michelle Obama has repeatedly brushed off claims she could seek the presidency, despite high approval among Americans and dwindling options for Democrats in 2024

Aside from Biden's apparent cognitive decline, Cruz said there are several reasons Democratic bigwigs could see the former first lady as an attractive option.

'So, Michelle Obama, number one, you don't infuriate African American women, which is a critical part of the constituency that Democrats are relying on to win,' he said.

Obama commands wide support among the American people, and throughout her time in the White House the former first lady consistently gained sky-high approval ratings, according to Gallup.

In a recent YouGov poll, 77 percent of people said they still had a favorable opinion of her, compared to just 15 percent unfavorable.

Thanks to her ongoing popularity, Cruz claimed that Obama may be 'parachuted' into the 2024 Democratic National Convention, which will be held in her hometown of Chicago in August 2024, in a coronation to avoid a hostile inter-party primary.

The Texas senator was less clear on how exactly Obama would win a contentious race to replace Biden, but said 'superdelegates', which are free to support any candidate regardless of voting results, could help her cross the line.

Cruz is not alone in speculating over the former first lady's potential presidential candidacy, with firebrand conservative commentator Tucker Carlson also arguing earlier this year that she could be looked to as a replacement nominee.

'I think this is to make way for Michelle,' he said at the time.

In another scenario Cruz believed to be less likely, he felt that the 'powers that be in the Democratic Party' could persuade Biden to end his re-election campaign soon, which would spark a mad dash to enter the nomination race by a number of candidates.

'If that happens, I think it's a free-for-all,' he added.

Both Vice President Kamala Harris (left) and California Governor Gavin Newsom (right) are often touted as potential presidential candidates

Cruz argued that Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren (left) would win a contested 2024 primary, which would likely include Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who has made no secret of his presidential ambitions

If that doubtful sequence of events plays out, the Texas senator named California Governor Gavin Newsom, Vice President Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren as the likeliest challengers - with Warren the eventual winner, in Cruz's eyes.

While any of those candidates would struggle to be seen as legitimate without winning a primary, Cruz said that tactic of swooping Obama into the convention could work because 'you avoid the problem that if you pick from any of the four, the other three are pissed.'

'Because they're all to some extent peers, they're rivals, they're all jabbing knives at each other,' he continued.

'(But) Michelle Obama, because she was first lady, has the ability to kind of parachute in above all four and say, 'Hey, we're not picking among any of you, you guys can all fight it out next time when you're all going to be on the same level.''

'I think in terms of a solution that unifies Democrats. There ain't nothing like that,' he concluded.

However, Cruz admitted that 'Michelle is not all that eager to run for president', a statement she has made herself on numerous occasions.

President Joe Biden is already America's oldest ever president. He would be 86 at the end of a second term, which is too old according to almost three quarters of American voters

In a DailyMail.com poll from June, it was found that some 49 percent of Democrats admit Joe Biden is too old to be president. Only 28 percent believe he is just the right age

Age is not Biden's only electoral liability. More than half of voters say they are worse off since he came to power  43 percent say they are a lot

But while Obama's candidacy may be a longshot, there are growing concerns among some Democrats over Biden's apparent decline - including an awkward moment earlier this month when he appeared to wander off during a Medal of Honor ceremony and left a celebrated war hero alone on stage.

Biden's string of gaffes has seen his approval ratings nosedive, and more Americans have disapproved of his performance than approved since August 2021.

According to FiveThirtyEight's poll tracker, his current approval rating stands at -13.3 percent.

The president's dire outlook heading into his re-election campaign didn't get any better in DailyMail.com's polling from June, which found that almost half of Democrats believe he is too old for the top job.

Among likely general election voters from any affiliation, a staggering 71 percent said they felt is too old to be president - let alone at the end of second term, when he would be 86.

It was also found that 52 percent of all voters believed they were worse off since he became president.
A Venezuelan migrant is preparing to bid farewell a pet squirrel he adopted as a baby as he completes his trip from his home country to the US southern border.

Yeison, 23, and his squirrel, Niko, have traversed some of the most hostile environments from Venezuela to the Mexico-U.S. border and have been inseparable since the tiny rodent was newly born.

As an appointment booked by Yeison to seek entry to the U.S. and request asylum looms closer, the pair who have been each other's beacons during the tough journey will make the tough decision to part ways as animals are generally not allowed to cross the border.

'It would practically be like starting with nothing, without Niko,' Yeison said. The young asylum-seeker says he doesn't want to part with Niko, but concedes it may be necessary because of strict rules on bringing live animals and plants into the United States.

Yeison and his pet, Niko migrated from Venezuela to the US and remained inseparable but now due to immigration laws of the country, Niko will be left at the Mexican border

While chances are slim that Yeison will be allowed to take his beloved pet across the border, all hope is not lost

Many who set off on the roughly 3,000-mile journey to the U.S. do so with only what they can carry and their loved ones.

For Yeison, that was a squirrel with a black stripe and flecks of white hair, who made the long trip nesting in a red knit cap stuffed inside a backpack.

For six months, Yeison and Niko lived in a tent at an encampment with hundreds of other migrants in Matamoros.

The site is across from the Texas border city of Brownsville, which is hundreds of miles east of Eagle Pass and not experiencing the same dramatic increase in migrants that prompted the mayor to issue an emergency declaration this past week.

While the chances of taking Niko to the U.S. are slim, volunteers at the encampment aren't giving up.

Gladys Canas, the director of a nongovernmental organization, Ayudandoles A Triunfar, said she has encountered other migrants who wanted to cross with their pets - cats, dogs and even a rabbit once. But until now, had never seen a squirrel.

Canas helped connect Yeison with a veterinarian to document Niko's vaccinations to provide to border agents.

She is hopeful they'll allow the squirrel to cross, whether with Yeison or with a volunteer.

'There's a connection between him and the squirrel, so much that he preferred to bring it with him than leave the squirrel behind with family in Venezuela and face the dangers that come with the migrant journey,' she said.

He found the new born squirrel after nearly stepping on him one day and decided to take him home

Along with thousands of migrants, the pair were at a site across from the Texas border city of Brownsville and living in a tent

'They gave each other courage.'

Yeison said he found the squirrel after nearly stepping on him one day in Venezuela.

The squirrel appeared to be newly born and Yeison took him home, where he named him Niko and family members fed him yogurt.

The picky squirrel, Yeison said, prefers nibbling on pine trees and is fed tomatoes and mangoes, even in times when food is hard to come by.

At first, Yeison said he sought work in Colombia. He returned to find a loose pine splinter lodged in Niko's eye and resolved after that to take the squirrel with him on the next journey to the U.S.

Like thousands of migrants, Yeison made the trip through the perilous jungle known as the Darien Gap, where he said he found the body of a man under some blankets.

He said he concealed Niko in a backpack when they boarded buses and crossed through checkpoint inspections in Mexico.

But one time, Yieson said, a bus driver discovered the squirrel and made him pay extra to keep the animal on board and he had to sell his phone for $35 to cover the cost.

Once they reached the encampment in Matamoros, the pair settled into a routine. Yeison makes money cutting hair by his tent and often falls asleep sharing the same pillow with Niko at night.

'I don't want for him to be separated from me, because I know that we'd get heartsick. I'm sure of that,' Yeison said.

Migrants from Venezuela are seen wading through the Rio Grande on September 15 to arrive in Eagle Pass

Border agents say criminal gangs are taking 'full advantage' of the escalating crisis by increasing their human trafficking efforts. Above, a group of 49 who were found in a 'poorly ventilated trailer. They had come from Guatemala and Honduras

Migrants are pictured wading across the Rio Grande from Piedras Negras to Eagle Pass last week

'If he doesn't get sick, I hope he gets to be happy and that he never forgets my face.'

It comes after the Biden administration clamped down on strategies to contain migration as unauthorized border crossings surge across the southwest.

As of Wednesday, the number of migrants apprehended in a single day by the U.S. Border Patrol approached an estimated 9,000, according to preliminary data.

Rural areas of southern Arizona, including the greater Tucson region, as well as south Texas have seen large increases in migration.

Border Patrol agents in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Wednesday 'swiftly vetted and processed' about 2,500 migrants taken into custody at the border, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The enforcement involved shutting down rail and vehicle traffic at multiple border crossings in the area.

CPB officials resumed operations at the international railway bridge in Eagle Pass early Saturday, the agency said in a statement.

The U.S. Border Patrol made 181,059 apprehensions along the southern border in August up from 132,648 in July, according to latest CBP data.

Across the southwest, migrants were arrested or detained more than 232,000 times, the most since last December.

Authorities encountered migrants more than 300,000 times nationwide last month, up from 245,213 in July, according to the data.

The record numbers mark the largest monthly total ever recorded during the Biden administration.
An investigation into the senator found over $500,000 in cash at his home and 13 gold bars

Despite the calls for his resignation, Menendez doubled down and said he had been the victim of a racist witch hunt

Beleaguered senator Robert Menendez has ignored calls from senior colleagues to stand down after being indicted on three criminal counts of bribery

New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez has ignored pleas from his colleagues to resign after being indicted on federal bribery charges earlier this week.

Menendez, 69, and his wife Nadine, 56, are facing three criminal counts each for their part in an alleged bribery scheme after a year long investigation.

After the indictment against the beleaguered senator, who has previously been indicted, was released on Friday, numerous colleagues asked him to stand down.

In statements, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy called the allegations 'deeply disturbing' and asked the senator to stand down.

In similar fashion, Republican Bill Pascrell Jr, one of the most senior members of the state's congressional delegation said the gravity of the charges was the difference.

Senator Bob Menendez and his wife Nadine Arslanian have been charged on three criminal counts related to bribery and extortion

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy delivers his State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature at the statehouse, in Trenton, New Jersey

Pascrell said: 'This is a sad day for our great state. The senator deserves his day in court.

'But given the gravity of these charges I do not believe that Senator Menendez can continue to carry out the important duties of his office for our state.'

Governor Phil Murphy released a statement saying: 'The allegations in the indictment against Senator Menendez and four other defendants are deeply disturbing.

'These are serious charges that implicate national security and the integrity of our criminal justice system.

'Under our legal system, Senator Menendez and the other defendants have not been found guilty and will have the ability to present evidence disputing these charges, and we must respect the process.

'However, the alleged facts are so serious that they compromise the ability of Senator Menendez to effectively represent the people of our state. Therefore, I am calling for his immediate resignation.'

Despite this, Menendez fought off calls for him to step down from his role, saying: 'Those who believe in justice believe in innocence until proven guilty.

'I intend to continue to fight for the people of New Jersey with the same success Ive had for the past five decades. I am not going anywhere.'

Senator Bob Menendez, 69, and wife Nadine, 56 in Cernobbio, Italy earlier this month

After the indictment was released, Menendez claimed he had been the victim of a racist witch hunt against him.

He said: 'Those behind this campaign simply cannot accept that a first generation Latin American from humble beginnings could rise to be a U.S. senator.

'I have been falsely accused before because I refused to back down to the powers that be and the people of New Jersey were able to see through the smoke and mirrors and recognize I was innocent.'

He added he would not be 'distracted by baseless allegations' but continue his work as senator.

Multiple gold bars were found during a court-authorized search of the couple's home in June 2022.

The gold bars were part of the hundreds of thousands in bribes the couple are accused of accepting, which totaled over $400,000.

Agents also discovered over $500,000 worth of cash stuffed into envelopes and in jackets belonging to the senator.

The criminal indictment claimed the New Jersey senator Googled 'How much is one kilo of gold worth?' after arriving home from a trip to Egypt in October 2021.

Agents discovered over $500,000 worth of cash stuffed into envelopes and in jackets belonging to the senator.

Authorities found two one-kilogram gold bars and eleven one-ounce gold bars in Menendez's home during a June 2022 search

The gold bars were part of the hundreds of thousands in bribes the couple are accused of accepting

Menendez Googled the price of gold another time, soon after his wife thanked Fred Daibes, a New Jersey businessman and longtime Menendez associate, for 'Christmas in January,' according to the document.

Daibes is an old friend of Menendez, has fundraised for his Senate campaign, and allegedly has ties to the Genovese mob family.

The indictment alleges that Menendez tried to disrupt a federal criminal prosecution of Fred Daibes in exchange for the money and other items of value.

Daibes and two others, Wael Hana and Jose Uribe, were involved in paying 'hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes' in exchange for the senator using his power to secretly benefit the Egyptian government, according to the indictment.

Uribe allegedly bought Menendez and Nadine the luxury vehicle, a Mercedes-Benz C-300 convertible worth more than $60,000.

In exchange, Menendez 'agreed and sought to interfere in a New Jersey state criminal prosecution of an associate of Uribe,' the indictment states.

The couple face three criminal counts each: conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right.

The three businessmen face charges of conspiracy to commit bribery and conspiracy to commit honest services fraud.

The indictment also charges the senator with providing 'sensitive U.S. Government information and took other steps that secretly aided the Government of Egypt.'

The probe also looked at other bribes allegedly paid to the couple. 'Those bribes included cash, gold, payments toward a home mortgage, compensation for a low-or-no-show job, a luxury vehicle, and other things of value,' the indictment said.

Fred Daibes, Chairman and CEO of Daibes Enterprises, in his Edgewater office, is said to have ties with the Genovese mob family

Menendez and Nadine pictured here Hana Wael who is said to have paid the senator 'hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes'

Uribe allegedly bought Menendez and Nadine this Mercedes-Benz C-300 convertible, worth more than $60,000

Menendez and his wife reportedly sold hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gold bars despite having faced foreclosure just three years earlier and neglecting to initially disclose it on their ethics filings.

Businesswoman Nadine Arslanian, 56, cashed in up to $400,000 worth of gold last spring, in a sale that occurred just months before a federal investigation into the New Jersey Democrat was announced to the public.

Damian Williams, attorney with Southern District of New York, outlined the charges and supporting evidence during a press conference Friday morning.

Williams said the couple used Menendez's 'power and influence to protect and enrich the businessmen and benefit the government of Egypt.'

He noted investigators 'executed a search warrant and discovered over $500,000 worth of cash stuffed into envelopes and the senator's jackets' and a 'lot of gold'.

David Schertler, a lawyer for Nadine Menendez, said she 'denies any criminal conduct and will vigorously contest these charges in court.'

The indictment charges Menendez 'promised to and did use his influence and power' to pressure President Joe Biden to nominate a U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey who Menendez 'believed could be influenced by Menendez with respect to the federal criminal prosecution of Fred Daibes.'
The numbering craze was sparked by homeowners in the pandemic

Americans are obsessing over their house number styles - with one typeface called the 'gentrification font' and another inspired by Chip and Joanna Gaines' house makeovers among the post popular.

Swanky 'sans serif' numbering has emerged as a tell-tale sign of a gentrified neighborhood on the up, with some homeowners shelling out big to upgrade their entryways. A font called Neutraface has proven the most popular - and is even parodied online.

'(House numbers) start the story: Who is this? What does this say about the people that live here?' designer and visual communications expert Renee Stevens told The Washington Post.

'What they do, beyond function, is they add personality.'

Homeowners are turning to swanky house numbers to add personality to their properties. This font is Neutraface, which has also been dubbed the 'gentrifier' or 'gentrification' font because its appearance in an area signals that it's on the up

Clean 'sans serif' typeface - where the serif flick is removed for a no-nonsense look - has emerged as a favorite among homeowners in recent years

While many might not have given their house number a second thought years ago, the latest house improvement fixation seems to have been fueled by the pandemic.

As Covid-19 restrictions kept homeowners inside, fine tuning your property with landscaping, fancy doorways and lighting grew in importance - a new niche often termed 'curb appeal.'

Although splashing out for a new door may be too expensive for some, DIY upgrades emerged as a popular past time during lockdowns - a trend that hasn't seemed to end.

'People were looking for ways to update their houses that weren't going to cost a lot of money,' said Allison Vaccaro, founder of exterior design firm brick&batten, noting how she saw a surge in house number sales as the pandemic set in.

She added that people saw upgrading their standard, boilerplate house numbers with something more stylish was seen as an easy way to 'make a big difference with curb appeal.'

While some tout house numbers as an affordable way to add bang to your buck on the housing market, there is just as much demand for costlier alternatives, with the most expensive set on Wayfair coming in at $257 per letter.

Neutraface (seen here) has become known as 'gentrification font' thanks to its preference among homeowners looking to add a touch of opulence to their entryways

When it comes to the numbers themselves, sleek and low-key typeface seems to be king. Sans serif numerals - which remove the 'serif' flicks at the end of letters such as f for a cleaner look - can now be a sign of opulence.

Neutraface, a new style of sans serif numbering, has even become dubbed 'gentrification font' thanks to its prominence in up-and-coming neighborhoods across America.

This is especially handy for those who want to stamp their personality on their property, but don't have the luxury of building a new home.

'You might use house numbers to tell the world, 'Yeah, I might live in this Colonial, but I'm not that. My personality is modern,'' added Vaccaro.

This sentiment was echoed by Will Zhang, director of design and product innovation at decorative hardware company Emtek, who said house numbers are being used by developers to add a ritzy look to a home when they flip it.

'These older neighborhoods are being revamped and redeveloped, and one of the first things that you notice is that these modern house numbers are going up,' he said.

He added that some are even turning to spelling out their property numbers, such as FIVE FOURTEEN over 514, a less practical version of the original that Zhang said, 'speaks to the fact that people want their homes to be unique.'

The trend has seen some properties type out their house numbers, a less practical version that experts say ''speaks to the fact that people want their homes to be unique'. This more old-fashioned serif font is similar to those made popular by HGTV stars Chip and Joanna Gaines

Developers have taken to building extra walls for the sole purpose of displaying a swanky new house number

The push to slap a fancy new number on a home has led some designers to expand their horizons, with Neutraface becoming something of a middle-of-the-road option.

Vaccaro said the swing has led her to jazz up her designs, adjusting the typography to help people stand out from the pack.

'Everybody was doing the exact same modern sans serif  very clean, very straightforward,' she continued, saying she has instead opted for a mid-century, traditional style such as replacing oval zero's for circular ones.

'Ours was more about differentiating that look because it was becoming so overpopulated.'

Personalized house numbers are a stark shift away from the cookie-cutter typeface of decades past, when entire streets would opt for the same number and wouldn't give them a second look besides trying to find the right house.

The only regulation from the US Postal Service stipulates that they must be larger than an inch in size, but Vaccaro says larger numbers up to six inches in size are coming into fashion - likely intended more to add to the particular style than for care over readability.

She said that this has led some developers to build an entire extra wall outside some properties, with the sole intention of showing off a new fashionable house number.

'You can do a whole landscape positioning and up-lighting onto a number thats been placed on a wall,' she added.

'Thats how big house numbers are getting. Its not just that they dont live on the mailbox anymore, they sometimes have their own wall.'
CNN anchor Anderson Cooper has revealed that his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt offered to act as a surrogate for his son right before she died in 2019 aged 85.

In an interview with the Times of London, Cooper said that his mother offered to be a surrogate for his son, Wyatt, but he refused the idea and called it the 'most Oedipal weird thing.'

He recalled: 'I was like, 'Mom, that is the craziest, most Oedipal weird thing. Please! Even for you, Mom, that's f-ed up. We would have been on the cover of the New York Post for the next 18 years. Are you kidding me?'

Cooper didn't expand further on whether his mom was joking, or if she honestly believed she'd be able to carry a baby in her ninth decade.

Gloria came from a long line of New York's most influential family and married Wyatt Cooper in 1963, shortly before having her two sons, Carter and Anderson.

Anderson Cooper reveals that his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt offered to act as a surrogate for his son right before she died in 2019

Gloria came from a long line of New York's most influential family, the Vanderbilts and married Wyatt Cooper in 1963. She had two sons: Carter and Anderson

In April 2020, Cooper and his then-partner, Benjamin Maisani announced the birth of Wyatt. Sebastian followed in February 2022.

Cooper's father died when he was ten from heart problems and Carter took his own life by jumping from the balcony of his mother's house in 1988 aged 23.

Gloria witnessed her son's death, with Anderson saying the horrific moment had haunted her until her death.

Ultimately, Cooper and his then-partner, Benjamin Maisani found a a surrogate who was a young, married woman with kids of her own.

In April 2020, less than a year after his mother died, he announced the birth of his son, Wyatt.

Cooper had another son, Sebastian in February 2022 and the ex-couple co-parent both boys at Cooper's old fire station house in New York.

While Cooper felt ready to become a father when he turned 40, he was scared of history repeating itself and him dying early in his child's life.

'I was convinced I would die at 50. My dad died at 50, and his dad died at 50. I was like, 'Well, if I die at 50, which I'm pretty sure I'm going to, that means the kids will be 10 when I die'. Which was the age I was when my dad died.'

All that fear vanished when he turned 51. 'I was like, 'Oh!'. And I talked to my doctor and he said, 'You're an idiot. You're going to be fine. You've been taking statins Medicine has changed a lot',' he told the publication.

While Gloria was the one who encouraged Cooper to become a dad, it is his childhood Scottish nanny he thinks about most while raising his kids.

He credits May McLinden as the woman he could depend on most after his dad died.

Cooper's father died when he was ten from heart problems and Carter took his own life by jumping from the balcony of his mother's house in front of her when he was 21.

The ex-couple co-parent both boys at Cooper's old fire station house in New York and have a cook make them their meals

While Gloria was the one who encouraged Cooper to become a dad, it is his childhood Scottish nanny he thinks about most while raising his kids

Cooper tells the magazine: 'May, in many ways, was my mother and was the most important. Was right up there with my mom and dad in terms of importance in my life.'

'After my dad died, she was the person I could depend on more than anyone.'

But his close relationship with his nanny wasn't something Gloria liked and she fired May from her job, forcing Cooper to separate from her.

'My mom was hurt by the closeness of my relationship with May and one day she fired her without any warning. I came home and May was packing her things, trying not to cry in front of me There was nothing she or I could do.'

May and Cooper weren't separated for long, however, and he started taking her on trips with him to Los Angeles and Rome.

Sadly, by the time he was able to buy a house for her she began to suffer from dementia. She would tell him on calls that she was taking care of a child which turned out to be a ceramic dog who she thought was Cooper.

On his podcast, Cooper narrates: 'It turned out that [ceramic dog] was the child she had been telling me about.

'The dog was a present I'd given her for her birthday when I was maybe 12 years old. The dog she was holding, the one she thought was a child. She thought it was me.'

He recalled in the interview: 'I was like, 'Mom, that is the craziest, most Oedipal weird thing. Please! Even for you, Mom, that's fed up. We would have been on the cover of the New York Post for the next 18 years. Are you kidding me?'

Talking about his domestic and love life, Cooper says that he doesn't have the time to date anyone and isn't if he would even say yes to a date

Gloria didn't like Cooper's closeness with his nanny and one day fired her but Cooper reconnected with his nanny when he became an adult

After her condition worsened, Cooper flew to Scotland to have May placed in a nursing home where she died in 2014.

That was the day 'the world stopped spinning for me' he said as he mourned his beloved nanny.

Talking about his domestic and love life, Cooper said that he doesn't have the time to date anyone and isn't sure if he would even say yes to a date.

'I mean, it would probably be at night, so I wouldn't be taking time away from my kids, but I'm exhausted at night,' he said.

'I never used to wake up before 10am. I wake up now at 6am and get the kids' milk and porridge ready. I want to be there and I want to wake them up and there's nothing better.'
Hundreds of XL Bully owners massed in London today to protest at Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's plans to ban the breed.

The muscular mutts have become public enemy number one in the dog world after a series of attacks by the powerful beasts in recent months.

The breed is set to be banned by the end of the year following a series of attacks, including that of father-of-two Ian Price from Staffordshire, who was killed by two XL Bullies after they jumped out of a neighbour's window earlier this month.

Owners are in a panic and abandoning their pets, or begging vets to change official records to say 'Staffies' because they're worried their dogs will be put down.

Most say their dogs are completely safe and insist it is the minority of the animals which are actually dangerous.

But while the owners were out in force in London they did not have any of their pets with them.

Before the event, the message went out: 'Please do not take your dogs to protest.

People take part in a protest in central London, against the Government's decision to add XL bully dogs to the list of prohibited breed

One of the placards read 'Don't bully our bullies' while another declared 'stop bullying our best friends'

An extremely provocative t-shirt featured a photoshopped picture of the Prime Minister

American XL Bully dogs will be banned in the UK by the end of the year

'The police will antagonise and seize your dog.'

They are understood to have taken the decision due to the mix of fears the dogs could be taken and an obvious PR disaster possibility if one became aggressive.

Many of the protesters held banners aloft as they marched on Parliament to promote their cause.

One of the placards read 'Don't bully our bullies' while another declared 'stop bullying our best friends'.

An extremely provocative t-shirt featured a photoshopped picture of the Prime Minister.

The image showed Rishi Sunak in a dog muzzle with the slogan 'Muzzle Rishi, don't bully our breed'.

Michelle West, of Northfleet had made placards for the rally outside Westminster showing her dog Ossie with seven-year-old daughter Elizabeth.

She told Kent Online: 'People need to take responsibility for their dog. They are blaming the wrong end of the lead.

'I've never known a dog so affectionate and soppy.

Many of the protesters were wearing branded clothing and the placards looked professional

These dog lovers blamed bad owners rather than the animals for the series of scandals recently

'He just wants to be near you all the time and loves being cuddled and squeezed.'

Mr Sunak has said he has ordered ministers to convene a panel of experts, including the police, to define the breed so it can then be outlawed.

'The American XL Bully dog is a danger to our communities, particularly our children,' he said.

'I share the nation's horror at the recent videos we've all seen. Yesterday we saw another suspected XL Bully dog attack, which has tragically led to a fatality.

'It's clear this is not about a handful of badly trained dogs: it's a pattern of behaviour and it cannot go on.

'While owners already have a responsibility to keep their dogs under control, I want to reassure people that we are urgently working on ways to stop these attacks and protect the public.

This dog owner said the animals were not responsible and said it was the owners' faults

She proudly held the sign aloft next to others wearing T-shirts which read 'save our babies'

'Today, I have tasked ministers to bring together police and experts to firstly define the breed of dog behind these attacks with a view to then outlawing it.

'It is not currently a breed defined in law so this vital first step must happen fast.

'We will then ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act and new laws will be in place by the end of the year.'

In the last week, West Midlands county has seen two horrific attacks by thought-to-be XL Bullys.

Mohammed Sami Raza was left covered in blood with horrendous injuries to his arms and legs after the mutt pounced on him in Bentley Drive, Walsall.

In another attack on Monday, two rottweilers charged into a family home and killed two beloved cats - leaving the occupant and her children screaming for help.

Chilling doorbell footage showed the family happily greet their beloved pets from the car in Solihull. Moments later the two big dogs ran into the driveway and into the house, before wrecking the kitchen and killing both cats.

Any ban will include an amnesty for existing owners as long as their pets are registered, neutered and muzzled when in public.

Government officials stressed by requiring all owners to get their bully dogs neutered, the breed would simply die out. There are currently no plans for a cull.

American bullies are a relatively new breed, having originated in the 1980s. They are mixed breed bulldogs, typically American pitbull terriers crossed with American, English and Olde English bulldogs.

Though the bully XL is the most common, the dogs can also be bred with mastiffs and other larger dogs to make them bigger, XXL or even XXXL.

Despite their relative popularity in the UK, they are not officially registered as a breed by the UK Kennel Club, making it difficult to know exactly how many are in the country.
Martin has now been disbarred following her behavior, which allegedly included her sinking $100,000 into cryptocurrency

His family and the state legal agency claimed she stole $240,000 of his money, which she acknowledge amounted to misconduct

A former Chicago judge accused of stealing $240,000 from her veteran uncle has been stripped of her law license.

The Illinois Supreme Court has disbarred Patricia Martin, who sat on the bench in Cook County for 24 years, effective immediately after admitting to misconduct.

Martin, who is frequently photographed draped in gold jewelry, had been placed in charge of handling the life savings of her uncle Oscar Wilkerson Jr.

His family and the state legal disciplinary agency claimed she stole $240,000 of his money and sunk more than $100,000 into cryptocurrency.

Martin was ordered to pay her uncle three times as much back, totaling $1.1 million dollars, to his estate after failing to respond to court orders and hearings.

According to an affidavit obtained by CBS, Martin acknowledged that the 'evidence would clearly and convincingly establish the facts and conclusions of misconduct.'

Patricia Martin, who sat on the bench in Cook County for 24 years, was in charge of handling Wilkerson's life savings

Oscar Lawton Wilkerson, pictured here, gives remarks during the 85th Support Command's African American/Black History Month observance held at its headquarters, Feb. 7

The outlet also reported that the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission said: 'She intentionally used for her own purposes more than $240,000 she had agreed to hold for an elderly relative who was residing in a nursing home.

'Made false statements to the physician who held her relative's power of attorney about the balances in his bank and investment accounts, and did not produce documents in response to an ARDC subpoena.'

Despite her admission, Martin has argued that she shouldn't have to pay the $1.1 million to her uncle's estate since he has now passed.

Her lawyer wrote: 'The plaintiff's death suspend[s] the court's jurisdiction in this matter.'

Wilkerson was a highly decorated Tuskegee airman and civil rights pioneer who was one of the first black military pilots to fight for the United States in the war before he settled down in Chicago.

He trusted Martin, who is his former wife's niece, to look after his finances as his health deteriorated but sued her last September and said she took advantage of his old age and hid his retirement money.

The veteran died a day before his 97th birthday on February 8 and spent his final days at an Orland Park senior living home while Martin was looking after his bank, 401k, and social security accounts.

She was a judge for 24 years and was presiding judge of the Cook County juvenile court's child protection division when she retired in 2020 a month after she took control of Wilkerson's finances.

The veteran died a day before his 97th birthday on February 8 and Cook County Circuit Judge Anna Demacopoulos ordered Martin to pay $1.2 million in May for damages, fees and costs

Wilkerson, who died in February aged 96, was a highly decorated Tuskegee airman and civil rights pioneer who was one of the first black military pilots to fight for the US in the war

He trusted Martin, his former wife's niece, to look after his finances as his health deteriorated but sued her last September and said she took advantage of his old age and hid his money

In April 2022, she reported that he had about $50,000 in his checking account and $120,000 in a retirement account, according to the original lawsuit.

But alarm bells were raised in July when Wilkerson was allegedly notified that he owed $41,296.10 to the retirement home he was living in because payments had not been made in recent months.

He found out his accounts had been 'emptied' and it wasn't clear where his Social Security and pension payments were being deposited, the court documents state.

Martin did not respond to questions about where the money had gone or requests for information during the litigation, according to the court records.

And in October, Wilkerson's attorneys said they were voicing their concerns to the Cook County state's attorney's office, the Illinois attorney general's office and the Illinois Department of Aging.

They claimed former judge Martin had 'dissipated funds and may be engaging in risky crypto transactions that threaten the remaining funds that exist' less than a month later.

Following Wilkerson's death, Martin was then ordered by Judge Demacopoulos 'to refrain from transferring or using any further funds' at a hearing on April 6.

Wilkerson's lawyers obtained records through a subpoena which showed his money being wire transferred to cryptocurrency exchange accounts that were emptied, a May 11 filing stated.

The latest transactions were between April 6 and April 28 which totaled $2,875.29 and went against the judge's order.

Wilkerson joined the Tuskegee Airmen, the first black aviation combat unit, after leaving high school in 1944 and their bravery in World War Two helped pave the way for desegregation

The veteran's attorneys then wrote to the judge to ask Martin to demonstrate why she shouldn't be held in contempt of court and order her to return the money and show where she put it.

They then reported that a total of $383,236.75 had been taken out of his accounts and other people had to come together to pay the money owed to Wilkerson's retirement home.

And the lawyers asked for Martin to be sanctioned for not answering the questions or providing records of where the money went and asked for a default judgement of $1,229,384.31.

During her career, Martin was appointed by former president Barack Obama to join the Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities in 2013.

Wilkerson joined the Tuskegee Airmen, the first black aviation combat unit, after leaving high school in 1944.

Wilkerson, the last known surviving member of the group in Chicago, used to introduce children to aviation and take them on their first flights for free

The group suffered significant racial discrimination while serving because of segregation of the military at the time.

'The military had no intention of using black pilots. The real mission, the underlying mission, was for us to fail and prove their point,' Wilkerson previously said in an interview.

But their bravery in the war helped pave the way for desegregation. They were awarded a Congressional Gold Medal in 2006.

He frequently toured churches and schools to tell the story of how the Tuskegee Airmen shattered the stereotype that black men couldn't be combat pilots.

Wilkerson, the last known surviving member of the group in Chicago, used to introduce children to aviation and take them on their first flights for free through the Experimental Aircraft Associations Young Eagles Program.

He also worked as a DJ and hosted his own radio show until he retired.
A Western New York company that fraudulently obtained government contracts worth millions of dollars through a minority contracting scheme pleaded guilty Thursday to a felony mail fraud conspiracy.

Presidents of the two companies involved in the scheme also pleaded guilty Thursday to a bank larceny charge.

The guilty pleas came seven years after the executives of Man OTrees Inc. and Sue-Perior Concrete and Paving were indicted on 13 felonies by a federal grand jury investigating minority contracting fraud.

Man OTrees Inc., headquartered in West Seneca, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, admitting in a plea agreement that it conspired with Sue-Perior to fraudulently obtain $3.5 million in government contracts from 2009 to 2013 by falsely claiming that Sue-Perior qualified as an independent minority-owned business that employed its own workforce and was capable of performing work on contracts.

In documents Man OTrees sent through the mail, it claimed that Sue-Perior could fulfill goals of hiring Disadvantaged Business Enterprises on federally funded government contracts by working as a subcontractor for Man OTrees.

But Man OTrees president David Pfeiffer was a part-owner of Sue-Perior. Man OTrees knew that Sue-Perior shared an office with Man OTrees in West Seneca, that it had no independent workforce, and that Man OTrees employees were the ones who performed the labor on government contracts that Sue-Perior was supposedly completing.

Man OTrees and Sue-Perior both obtained an unfair advantage in obtaining government contracts through the conspiracy, Man OTrees admitted.

Man OTrees admitted that it defrauded the U.S. Department of Transportation, the New York State Department of Transportation, the City of Niagara Falls, the Buffalo Urban Development Corp. and the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority.

Federal sentencing guidelines call for Man OTrees to be fined $2.8 million to $5.6 million and put on probation up to five years, according to the plea agreement. But prosecutors agreed with the company that it was not able, even with an installment schedule, to pay even $2.8 million, and that the company was entitled to a penalty reduction based on its inability to pay.

Man OTrees agreed to waive its right to appeal the conviction if it is sentenced to pay a fine of $500,000 or less.

Meanwhile, Man OTrees President Pfeiffer and Thomas Colton, president of Sue-Perior, both pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor bank larceny charge that carries a possible a sentence of up to 1 year in jail and a $100,000 fine. Pfeiffer admitted he defrauded Five Star Bank by lying about his assets to maintain a line of credit for both Man OTrees and Sue-Perior. Pfeiffer told the bank that he owned a property in Florida that he had sold years before to Colton. Colton admitted he helped Pfeiffer commit the bank larceny.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell T. Ippolito Jr. agreed to dismiss a total of nine felony counts of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud against the two men as part of their plea agreement, as well as four felony charges against Pfeiffer of making false statements to a financial institution.

The prosecution of Pfeiffer and Colton under the original indictment was paused for years as the defense lawyers and U.S. Attorneys Office awaited 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals and U.S. Supreme Court rulings in cases that rested upon a similar prosecution theory.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court upheld the Second Circuits ruling that overturned the Buffalo Billion convictions of Buffalo developer Louis Ciminelli and Alain Kaloyeros, former head of the SUNY Polytechnic Institute, saying government prosecutors took too aggressive a stance in bending federal laws to try to put them behind bars. In that case, the justices ended the use of the controversial right to control legal theory under which a jury found those men guilty in 2018 of illegally steering a $750 million state contract to Ciminellis company.

Defense attorneys Justin Ginter, who represented Pfeiffer, and Daniel Henry, who represented Colton, argued that the same prosecution theory was being used in this fraud case.

Sentencing for Pfeiffer and Colton is scheduled on Dec. 14 by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
A baby girl died when the BMW her dad was driving crashed and she was flung from it - after he failed to put her in a baby seat or even secure her with a seatbelt.

The horror smash that killed the infant, named only as Nylah online, happened in Goodyear, Arizona, on the afternoon of September 17.

The 30-year-old driver, her father Larry, was taken to hospital with life threatening injuries and it remains unclear what condition he's in as police investigate the tragic incident.

Goodyear fire and Arizona Fire and Medical Authority responded to the devastating single-vehicle crash at about 12.20pm and preliminary investigations confirmed the driver had not been impaired, although speeding has not been ruled out.

A nine-month-baby girl has died in a horror crash after being ejected from a BMW that she'd been left in unsecured, when it smashed into a Utility pole in Arizona. A beaming picture of young Nylah sitting among toys was posted to a Go Fund Me page started by the family

A nine-month-old girl was killed and her 30-year-old dad is clinging to life after their BMW vehicle crashed into a utility pole on Sunday in Goodyear, Arizona

The infant and the man were thrown from the powerful vehicle around the noon. The vehicle was smashed (pictured)

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office told AZ Family that there was no car seat found in the vehicle and neither had been wearing seat belts at the time.

Family wrote: 'Hello everyone, it is with a heavy heart today we ask for your help to raise money to help Cinthya our niece with funeral expenses for their sweet angel Nylah and to help with medical costs as Larry heals in hospital care.

'She is a stay at home Mom and cared for Nylah everyday, while Larry was the sole income source for their family.

'Please pray for the Lawal/Luna/Zamora family in these difficult moments. We thank you in advance, God bless!'

They have so far raised $6,185 of their $20,000 goal.

Neighbors living nearby experienced a brief power outage as a result of the car crash

'My condolences and prayers go out to their families and everyone affected. That's so so sad,' said Emily Luetke (pictured), who lives nearby

Perryville Road where the car crash occurred, was closed for several hours while crews cleared the scene

The mangled remains of the vehicle were ushered away from the crash site as concerned neighbors grappled with the tragedy which unfolded near their homes.

'My condolences and prayers go out to their families and everyone affected. That's so so sad,' Emily Luetke, who lives nearby, said to the outlet.

'Just absolutely devastating it's so sad, and it sucks that it's so close to home, too, and it's scary. You always got to be very careful when you're driving.'

Perryville Road was closed for close to six hours while crews worked to clear the scene. It has since reopened.

The tragedy took place near a straight, residential road and the neighbors said it's hard to make sense of why it happened

The Goodyear Police Department has been promoting proper car seat usage and child safety tips on social media throughout the past week

The car crash occurred near a straight, residential road which made it hard for people to make sense of the incident which happened in broad daylight.

It comes as the Goodyear Police Department is promoting Child Passenger Safety Week including promoting proper car seat usage and child safety tips.

Goodyear Police stressed the importance of keeping infants rear-facing as long as possible and warned not to leave a child unattended in a parked car.

It remains unclear why the child was not seated properly nor buckled.

DailyMail.com has contacted Goodyear Police Department for comment and reached out to members of the family but did not immediately hear back.
Activists against the monarchy and King Charles have staged the first-ever protest inside Buckingham Palace.

The group of local campaigners from different parts of the UK visited the famous landmark just after midday as tourists.

They then stood, before standing in the Grand Hall wearing t-shirts that spelled out 'Not My King'.

Footage of the stunt was posted online and showed them taking off their jackets.

A female member of staff can then be hear shouting: 'Hey guys? What is this? What are we doing?'.

Speaking for Republic, Graham Smith said today: 'This is a first, an anti-monarchy protest inside Buckingham Palace. A fantastic statement of intent, citizens standing up in the home of the monarchy to declare their opposition to hereditary power.

Republican activists have staged the first-ever protest inside Buckingham Palace today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla (left) stand with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte in France just days ago

'Charles is not an untouchable monarch, he is not immune to criticism and doesn't enjoy the deference that protected the monarchy while his mother was on the throne.'

'I'm proud of our local activists who came together today to take this stand. Our local campaigns are expanding rapidly, with more than thirty now active around the UK.'

'Republic will continue to protest against the monarchy up and down the country, with the next protest set for the state opening of parliament on November 7.'

The protesters were able to get into the famous building as ticket-paying members of the public.

Up until its closure starting tomorrow for the winter tourists can pay 30 to 33 to see the palace's state rooms including the Monarch's Throne Room and the Grand Staircase - which is where the protesters staged the stunt.

They simply revealed their T-shirts once they got inside and posed for the group picture.

The stunt has seen both support and criticism on X, formerly Twitter, with many users sending rounds of applaud emojis to the protesters.

Meanwhile others joked how the man wearing the 'T' t-shirt is in the wrong place and there is no gap before the final word, meaning the stunt reads 'NO TMYKING'.

On person quipped: 'Couldnt even do that properly after all that effort.'

Another said: 'Why is this fantastic? You clearly booked a tour to Buck House and then wore your t-shirts. Not very fantastic. Just makes you look silly. Must try harder.'

A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said they do not comment on security matters.

Republican, Graham Smith, wearing a Not My King sweatshirt and badge joins those waiting to see King Charles III on March 7, 2023

Republic want to see the monarchy abolished and the King replaced with an elected, democratic head of state. In place of King Charles they want someone chosen by the people.

In the run up to the King's Coronation, the group staged a series of 'Not My King' protests.

Around six protesters were arrested, sparking outrage among anti-monarchists who threatened Scotland Yard with legal action when no charges were brought.

Republic's megaphone-wielding chief executive Graham Smith was among those arrested, and police also seized multiple lock-on devices and hundreds of posters.

New legislation passed meant protesters who have an object with the intention of using it to 'lock on' are liable to a fine, with those who block roads facing 12 months in prison.

In the days following the protest, Scotland Yard expressed 'regret' over the arrests while Mr Smith demanded a 'full inquiry' into who authorised the arrests that prevented the group expressing their dissent during the 'disgraceful episode'.

The Metropolitan Police issued a lengthy defence as it confirmed Mr Smith and five others were told they were to face no further action after being arrested on May 8 and bailed.



Protesters hold up placards saying 'Not My King' in Trafalgar Square on May 6

Police were seen scouring vans with hundreds of Not My King banners on May 8

Charles and Queen Camilla are believed to be currently in Balmoral after returning from France yesterday.

The King waved to the crowd at the top of they boarded the royal plane at Bordeaux-Merignac Airport to depart for the UK.

Their Majesties ended their three-day French state visit in south-west France where September showers failed to dampen their spirits.

The King enjoyed a livener or two as he toured a chaotic festival after taking a ride on an electric tram. He was persuaded to have a nip of whisky - made from his own barley - as he went round the stalls in Bordeaux's main square.

Moments later he went into another tent where he was talked into trying some organically-made red wine. He also chose a piece of cheese to be wrapped up for him, saying he could not leave without having some local fromage.

He and the Queen also arrived at the Place de la Bourse by electric tram after leaving a reception on board the frigate Iron Duke.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla board their plane and wave goodbye at Bordeaux-Merignac Airport during their departure for the United Kingdom

Meanwhile Prince Andrew appeared in high spirits as he enjoyed a quiet horse ride around the grounds of Windsor Castle today.

The Duke of York, 63, was only accompanied by a groom for his typical Saturday morning outing, which his brother Prince Edward sometimes joins.

Andrew and his riding companion chatted animatedly throughout the jaunt, with the father-of-two seen smiling widely in a purple crewneck jumper and riding jodhpurs.
His podcast continues to be promoted online by Apple and Amazon Music

Major brands have started pulling adverts from Rumble, where Russell Brand broadcasts his weekly show, as the comedian vows to keep publishing videos on the platform in spite of claims of rape and sexual assault against him.

Burger King, Asos and HelloFresh are among the brands to have removed adverts from the platform, where Brand has amassed a following of 1.4m, according to the News Movement. He hosts a weekly live show on the platform at 5pm BST.

According to the News Movement, Burger King said it had paused advertising with the platform while investigations continue, while Asos said it had manually removed its ads from Rumble.

But some large brands continue to promote Brand's content. Apple and Amazon Music continue to hold space on their site for Brand's podcast, Under The Skin with Russell Brand.

Brand, 48, is also plugging a separate podcast called Stay Free with Russell Brand. The website suggests it can be accessed on a variety of platforms including Spotify, Apple podcasts and Amazon music.

Earlier this week, YouTube stopped Brand from being able to earn any money through his channel for 'violating our Creator Responsibility policy'. He previously produced around five videos a week for around 6.6million subscribers, earning himself an estimated 1million a year.

Burger King , Asos and HelloFresh are among the brands to have removed adverts from the platform Rumble where Brand has amassed a following of 1.4m.

Brand was last seen in public on Saturday night following his stand up show at a theatre in Wembley. The rest of his tour has since been postponed

It is estimated he earns 27,000 a month from his Rumble channel.

Under the terms of his suspension Brand - whose net worth has been estimated between 15million and 40million - will still be allowed to post videos on the platform but will not receive any of the advertising revenue.

Rumble has rejected calls to impose a similar ban after the platform accused a parliamentary committee of 'deeply inappropriate' behaviour following a letter from the Conservative chair of culture, media and spots committee, Caroline Dinenage, to the company's chief executive, Chris Pavlovski, expressing concern that Brand 'may be able to profit from his content on the platform'.

In a statement, Rumble called the letter 'disturbing' and said it was devoted to online space 'where no on arbitrarily dictates which ideas can or cannot be heard, or which citizens may or may not be entitled to a platform'.

'Singling out an individual and demanding his ban is even more disturbing given the absence of any connection between the allegations and his content on Rumble', it said.

Last week, The Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches reported allegations of abusive and predatory behaviour including rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse said to have been committed by the presenter between 2006 and 2013.

Brand 'absolutely denies' the allegations and insists all his relationships have been consensual.

Russell Brand has around six million subscribers on YouTube, which earn him an estimated 49,000 a month

The comedian, actor and internet personality previously told his viewers last Friday that there are 'serious allegations' made against him which he 'absolutely refutes'. Pictured: Brand on stage in 2008

Brand's PR firm MBC PR and talent agent Tavistock Wood no longer advertise him as a client, and his publisher Bluebird, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, have suspended their relationship. Pictured: Brand with his wife Laura

Since the allegations came to light, Brand's PR firm MBC PR and talent agency Tavistock Wood have removed him from their websites, while his publisher Bluebird also suspended their relationship.

Channel 4 went on to remove all of its programmes linked to Brand on its website, including episodes of The Great British Bake Off and Big Brother's Big Mouth in which he was featured.

The remaining shows of his new live show, Bipolarisation, have also been suspended.

On Friday, Brand made his first public comments since the allegations came to light in a three-minute video shared on YouTube, Rumble and X. He described the allegations as 'extraordinary and distressing'.

He added the attempts to block advertising revenue for his videos have occurred 'in the context of the online safety bill'.

The Bill gives the Secretary of state power to designate and address a wide range of potentially harmful content online such as trolling, illegal pornography and underage access to legal pornography, and some types of internet fraud.

He went onto thank his followers for their 'support and for questioning the information that you have been presented with', before announcing he would be returning his show on Rumble.

Throughout his speech, he accused the British government of demanding that big technology platforms censor his online content and took a swipe at his former employer the BBC for its 'trust news initiative' that tackles fake news

Brand 'absolutely denies' the allegations and insists all his relationships have been consensual

Throughout his speech, he accused the British government of demanding that big technology platforms censor his online content and took a swipe at his former employer the BBC for its 'trust news initiative' that tackles fake news.

He made numerous references to a supposed conspiracy against him by media outlets and appeared to accuse social media platforms of stifling free speech, in a move that earned criticism by X owner Elon Musk.

In the video, he said: 'It's very clear to me that we have to be very, very cautious indeed  that's why I'm asking you to follow me on Rumble. Rumble have made a clear commitment to free speech, Rumble is the primary platform that we will be streaming from.'

Jessica Sutta, a member of the American band Pussycat Dolls, responded to Brand's most recent video earlier today, writing on Instagram: 'We support you!!!'

American personality and actress Alexis Ren also replied with a message of support, while the Real Housewives of Cheshire star Hanna Kinsella left a heart emoji.

Sex and the City star Gilles Marini also came to Brand's defence, writing: 'You are destabilizing the institution and worldwide. I'm absolutely not surprised you are been [sic] censored.'

Multiple other women who were not a part of the initial investigation have since come forward with fresh claims about alleged sexual misconduct.

In the video, Brand made numerous references to a supposed conspiracy against him by media outlets and appeared to accuse social media platforms of stifling free speech

Writing on Instagram , Jessica Sutta, a member of the American band Pussycat Dolls commented saying: 'We support you!!!'

READ MORE: Men are more likely to think sex between a 16-year-old and a partner decades older is acceptable, says new poll after Russell Brand claims The shocking allegations made against Brand are said to have taken place during the height of his fame between 2003 and 2013 Advertisement

On Thursday a woman, named 'Olivia' to protect her identity, alleged that Brand had allegedly exposed himself to her in an office where BBC Los Angeles operated from in 2008.

The comic was said to have been in the building to filming a pre-recorded edition of his BBC Radio 2 programme on June 16 that year.

The programme, that went out just five days later, featured a clip of Brand and his co-host appearing to joke about the incident, with his co-host Matt Morgan noting: 'It's been 25 minutes since he showed his willy to a lady.'

She alleged that she answered the door to Brand and his team before going into the bathroom to get some medication.

As she turned around from the medicine cabinet, she alleged Brand was stood in front of her with his groin in her face. She claimed that he remarked: 'I think you're a bit of alright...I'm going to f*** you.'

As she attempted to rebuff him Brand allegedly pulled out his penis and 'pretty much served it to me as you would someone serving food'.

Other claims against him include the rape of a woman in his LA home, when he trapped her against a wall after she refused to have a threesome with him and another woman, and a serious sexual assault of a 16-year-old who he had brought to his house from school.

Since the allegations were made, more women have come forward with accusations while the Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into an alleged sexual assault in Soho in 2003.

Another woman, named 'Sarah' to protect her identity told Sky News that when she first met Brand on a flight he appeared 'friendly and charming' so she accepted his invitation to grab breakfast and go on a walk.

But when they got in the car the woman claimed Brand's behaviour changed. She said: 'He wasn't friendly and charming in the limo. He was aggressive and I felt very vulnerable and intimidated.'

As they were travelling Sarah alleged Brand began to pursue her and 'ripped' holes in the tights she was wearing. She initially said 'no' to his advances, causing the limo driver to turn around.

They were eventually driven to Brand's house where they had sex.

She added: 'I mean, it was consensual. I didn't say no but I feel like there's a fine line between being forced and being coerced, you know, like being in a situation where the only way out is just to get it over and done with and leave.'

Sarah went on to claim that Brand then refused to order her a taxi until she performed oral sex on him.

'I wanted to leave and I said, "I need to get a taxi". And he said, 'I'm not going to get you a taxi until you do this', which was a sex act', Sarah told Sky.

MailOnline has approached Brand's representatives for comment over the new allegations.
Georgina Baillie is a vulnerable soul. At 38 years old, she admits she's been 'out of my head' on alcohol, or worse, for the best part of her adult life. So much so there are times her parents, actor Charlie and voiceover artist Kate, have pretty much given up on her.

As for her 'gentle', 'lovely' grandfather, the Fawlty Towers star Andrew Sachs, they never really made peace after Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross 'ripped my family apart'.

She is referring, of course, to those lewd messages the pair left on Sachs's answer machine about Brand's sexual encounters with her, in what became known as the Sachsgate scandal after The Mail on Sunday highlighted the appalling behaviour.

In the first message, recorded and aired during Brand's BBC Radio 2 show in 2008, Ross interrupted the comedian, shouting, 'he f****ed your granddaughter.' The messages continued with Brand singing, 'It was consensual and she wasn't menstrual.'

Quite how they found this shocking bullying of a mild-mannered, elderly man funny goodness knows, let alone how they thought it was acceptable to publicly humiliate a vulnerable young girl. Ross, remember, has two daughters of his own.

Georgina Baillie is a vulnerable soul. At 38 years old, she admits she's been 'out of my head' on alcohol , or worse, for the best part of her adult life

In the first message, recorded and aired during Brand's BBC Radio 2 show in 2008, Ross interrupted the comedian, shouting, 'he f****ed your granddaughter'

Georgina was only 20 years old when Brand sent a late-night text 'summoning' her to his 'huge house on the hill' in Hampstead, North London, in 2005. She'd watched him on the spin-off show Big Brother's Big Mouth and, like so many of her generation, thought he was 'funny' and 'fit'. Desperate to meet him, she was thrilled when a mutual friend 'set us up'.

Brand, who was ten years older than her and sober, answered the door in his Y-fronts.

'I was very drunk and just thought, 'This might be cool,' ' she says. 'I was very naive and, I'm not shy to say it, a bit of a stupid girl. I wanted an exciting experience and that's what I got. He led me to his bedroom and I was out of my head.

'Looking back at that girl I want to tell her, 'You don't have to do this. Just go home now.' But I didn't understand the concept of consequence. I never wanted to hurt anybody.'

A tall, slight woman with the complexion of a porcelain doll, Georgina is such a fragile slip of a thing that you want to give her a hug as her tears well up.

'Knowing I destroyed my grandfather's happiness for a long time is really hard. When I eventually spent time with my grandad, he was pretty much gone. He was living at Denville Hall, an actors' residential care home in North West London. There were lucid moments but' She looks terribly sad.

'I saw him four or five times there and it was very, very hard. The last time he was in his wheelchair in his room. He'd had pneumonia and was very weak. I grabbed his hands like this.' She reaches out to take mine. 'And said, 'Grandad, I'm so, so sorry for everything I put you through. I'm much better now. You don't have to worry about me any more.'

His eyes cleared. He looked at me and said, 'Oh.' Then his expression went back to being glossed over. I just felt maybe, maybe he forgave me. I hope so.'

I don't tell her that when I spoke to her grandfather about what he called, 'the horrible, horrible affair', he told me: 'I never think about forgiveness. Forgiveness belongs to the Lord, doesn't it?'

As for her 'gentle', 'lovely' grandfather, the Fawlty Towers star Andrew Sachs (pictured), they never really made peace after Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross 'ripped my family apart'

Georgina is upset enough as it is. Her fingers are working to and fro in her lap. She looks down at them. 'Idle hands are the devil's tools,' she says.

I don't know whether this is a phrase she's picked up during one of her three stays at rehabilitation centres following her 'friends with benefits' relationship with Brand, which lasted for three years, or if they are the words of her late grandparents, Sachs and his wife Melody, in happier times.

Today, Brand stands accused of sexual assault, rape, grooming and predatory behaviour towards numerous women following a four-year investigation by Channel 4's Dispatches. He denies the 'serious, disturbing, criminal allegations'.

Georgina says she was 'shocked to hear those things. It's not the Russell I recognise. He'd say, 'I want to take you upstairs and throw you around like a rag doll', but I loved that idea at 20.

READ MORE: Russell Brand breaks silence: Under-fire comedian faced 'extraordinary and distressing week' after rape and sexual assault allegations - as he begs fans to 'support him' and reveals when he will be returning to his show on Rumble Russell Brand has broken his silence claiming he has faced an 'extraordinary and distressing week' after being accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse Advertisement

'Russell was a sex addict. He was addicted to having sex and finding sex  the chase. When you look at his act, you can see he was clearly very, very poorly with sex addiction but instead of being helped he was being encouraged by the people who were making money out of his outrageousness.

'It's almost the equivalent to someone saying, 'Here's some heroine. Shoot up right now. Shoot up in front of all these people because it will be funny.

'That's the way I see it. Once he pushed the boundaries and it was accepted, I think he thought, 'I can say whatever the hell I like and be rewarded for it. This is great.' Whoever was advising him, the agents, the production companies, Channel 4, the BBC should have said, 'No, you're going to rehab and you're staying for a year or however long it takes.' But he was a big draw for them. If he was presenting a show everyone of my generation would watch because he could say anything and get away with it.

'Those very people who are turning on him and dumping him now were happy to encourage and nurture his sickness for money. They knew he was a sex addict. Of course they knew. They were complicit in his behaviour and should be held to account because they were enabling him and there's been collateral damage.

'I am that collateral damage and so are the other girls. That 16-year-old girl [she's referring to 'Alice' who alleged she was chauffeured from school for sex sessions with Brand in a BBC car] is gross, isn't it?'

She looks down at those hands working furiously in her lap. 'You know, he's told me he now knows he wasn't well,' she says, her eyes wide. 'I didn't see Russell for ten years after those tapes. He talked to me when I was in rehab.'

He paid for her care at the BAC O'Connor centre in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, in 2018 and has financially supported its work  although the centre says it has 'severed all ties' with Brand in the wake of the Dispatches programme.

'Russell had heard I was in trouble and felt putting me in rehab was an opportunity to right some wrongs. He came down to the centre to hand out the prizes at the Christmas party. My therapist at the time said, 'Russell wants to talk to you.' I just froze. I said, 'I don't know if I want to do that.'

'But he sat me down and made, what I felt, was a sincere apology. He said it was a private relationship and that he should never have made it public. His eyes were watering. I was crying because it was a bit much. It was overwhelming.' I tell her I find it rather disturbing that the very man who, frankly, used her as a vulnerable young girl for sex then publicly exposed her on national radio, was allowed within a foot of her, particularly when she was undergoing therapy.

'I felt he was a different man,' she says. 'He got away with stuff back then but he knows it was wrong. That's all I can ask for. He said he has two daughters and now understood what my grandfather had been put through. I felt it was genuine. I'm not protecting him. I'm just telling you the truth.' As incredible as it sounds, she still lights up when she speaks of Brand.

'He met my friends. I met his mum Babs and I started to really like him. But, when you're young like that you delude yourself. Well, I deluded myself quite a lot. There were times I thought, 'I'm practically his girlfriend' but he never said that to me. That was the crazy workings of a just-gone-teenage head.

Russell Brand breaking silence to deny serious allegations ahead of Channel 4 Dispatches

Brand's PR firm MBC PR and talent agent Tavistock Wood no longer advertise him as a client, and his publisher Bluebird, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, have suspended their relationship. Pictured: Brand with his wife Laura

Russell Brand at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles in September 2008. The comedian has denied the allegations made against him

'A few times I'd get a text from him between 11pm and 12pm. That's obviously a booty call. Now I'm older I understand it's a disrespectful time. He'd say, 'You should come and visit me'. I'd think, 'I wonder how many girls he's kicked out to make room for me?'

'Once when I didn't want to go round because it was really, really late and I was staying with my dad Russell called me 'pugnacious'. He's got an amazing command of the English language,' she beams.

'He'd end the texts  sexual texts with all these words I'd never heard before  with kisses at the end,

'[That was] until I stopped answering his calls. I was 23 and felt I was in a different place in my life. I wanted a boyfriend. I think he was a bit ego-punched. 'How dare any girl not want to come and visit?' sort of thing. When he tried to call me, I told him I was going out with someone else and that was it.

'He sent a curt text saying, 'I guess I won't be seeing you any more' or something like that. There were no kisses at the end just a full stop. I didn't hear from him again until the day he called my grandad three or four months later.' She shrugs. 'I have forgiven him,' she says. 'But I have different feelings for Jonathan Ross.' Her face turns to thunder now.

'I don't know what to say about him other than it's just really sad that somebody who has daughters could think it's OK [to leave those messages]. He's never apologised to me. It makes me feel like I don't matter and I'm just some disposable tart.'

Following the Sachsgate scandal, which attracted more than 40,000 complaints and was condemned by the then Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Brand and Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas resigned. Ross was suspended for a derisory 12 weeks. Although Ross made a general apology, saying he was 'deeply sorry' for his 'juvenile and thoughtless remarks' and wrote to Andrew Sachs, Georgina says Ross never said sorry to her personally.

'If anything, their behaviour [Ross and Brand's] was rewarded. Look how many bookings they got. Look at how much money they made.

'Look how short the suspension of Jonathan Ross was. There were no consequences for that guy. Nothing. I try so hard to live my life without resentment but that's one I'm still working on.

'I contacted his [Ross's] daughter Honey on Instagram last year,' she says. 'I wanted to talk to her because I wanted to know what she thought about all the slut-shaming that continued for years. I said, 'You're a self-declared feminist. What do you think about this?'

'She didn't answer me for ages. Then, she said, 'I was 13 at the time.' I started to feel really bad because, when I read back the message I'd sent her, it did feel a bit attack-ish so I apologised.

'But what must they have been talking about in their house? Jonathan Ross is from that group of chauvinist presenters who were given the green light in the 1980s and 1990s. We're in a different world now but he's never seen fit to say a word to me. He should be ashamed of himself.'

Georgina, who has been sober now for three years, is working as a professional artist. Her paintings, largely depicting female strength, are compelling pieces.

Georgina had actually tried to take her life following her grandmother's death. Having thrown herself in front of a car, she was admitted to a psychiatric unit. 'I felt I could never make things right,' she says. 'I was very, very sick. After those bullying messages  they were bullying, let's call it what it is  their [Ross and Brand's] only line of defence was that I was a slut.

'I was very lost and had a problem with alcohol and drugs. I was unstoppable  a nightmare. I was making awful decisions and people took advantage.

'I did topless modelling, which turned into more than that after being given drugs and alcohol on a shoot. So, I was vilified for the whole [Sachsgate] thing. I was the scarlet woman. There was a lot of shame. I guess I felt that it was me who was really, really bad.

'I felt guilty, that it was all my fault. They made those calls but I'm the one who put myself there. I told Russell who my grandad was. I shouldn't have done that. I really regret it.

'When I tried to kill myself, I felt, 'I can't live like this but I don't know how not to live like this.' '

Today, she is close to both her parents and in the early throes of a healthy relationship. 'Do you know on my first day in rehab Russell sent me to a practitioner called Voodoo Stu who does reiki and stuff on you? I was sitting crying my eyes out when I felt him gripping my hands.

'He said, 'Your grandparents are here.' I just bawled because I knew they were. I think they do forgive me.'

I don't doubt it. But as for Brand and Ross, well, as dear Andrew Sachs would say: 'Forgiveness belongs to the Lord.'
A elderly widow has been forced to live in a camper in North Carolina after she lost her life savings to a romance scammer claiming to be a Red Cross doctor in Yemen.

Jennifer Dennis, 76, met a man who said his name was 'Caleb' on Facebook and quickly began an online relationship with him. Her husband, Richard Dennis had died in 2020.

He claimed to be a Red Cross doctor working in Yemen and claimed he would soon return to the US.

After a few months went by, he proposed that the couple buy a house together in Cary, North Carolina so they could start their lives together in a new place.

Caleb told Dennis that he'd put-up $600,000 himself - and asked Dennis to pay the rest. She transferred the money, and 'Caleb' vanished.

Dennis told ABC6: 'He was coming back to the states real soon and he was wanting to settle in a new area because he had lost his wife.'

Jennifer Dennis, 76, met a man named 'Caleb' on Facebook and quickly began a relationship with him. Her husband, Richard Dennis had died in 2020.

Caleb claimed to be a Red Cross doctor working in Yemen and was soon going to return back to the States

After a few months went by in their relationship, he proposed that the couple buy a house together in Cary, North Carolina so they could start their lives together in a new place

She didn't think twice before agreeing since the pain of losing her husband has surrounded her for years.

The pair decided that Caleb would pay $600,000 towards their new home and she would pay the remaining $70,000 that was due.

Dennis thought it seemed like the perfect deal so she wired $70,000 and then an additional $8,700 for other expenses.

After what she assumed was a done deal, Dennis and her son Raymond Shollenbarger packed all their stuff up in Georgia and made way to their new house in Cray.

But when the mother and son reached the address, they realized that there were people already living in the house and they had been scammed.

Richard Dennis died in 202 under undisclosed reasons. It was because of the loneliness Jennifer felt after his death that she agreed to buy a house with Caleb

The pair decided that Caleb would pay $600,000 towards their new home and she would pay the remaining $70,000 that was due

Dennis thought it seemed like the perfect deal so she wired $70,000 and then an additional $8,700 for other expenses

Dennis told the channel: 'How he did it, I don't know but it all looked legitimate.

'I'm out all that money and I don't think I'll ever get it back and at 76, I don't have a whole lot of future.

'When I noticed that someone was still living in the house and knocked on the door, I automatically knew that it was a scam.

'We didn't have any place to go. We ended up sleeping in our car.

'He sent me a picture of him - (he had) supposedly been beat up. That was the last time I heard from him.'

Someone from their church eventually lend them their camper to live in while Dennis and her son figured out their situation.

But she isn't the only victim of a romance scam. A 69-year-old California woman thought she had met the man of her dreams and even planned to marry him until she discovered her husband-to-be was a 26-year-old scammer from Nigeria.

Laura Francis told DailyMail.com in February 2023 that a man by the name of David Hodge reached out to her on Facebook. The man told her he was a surgeon in the military on a secret mission for the Marines in North Korea helping soldiers who have been injured by explosives in the war.

He had told her his ex-wife had cheated on him and after being in relationships with younger woman he was looking for someone more mature. Francis would spend the next few months getting to know this mystery man by text and on Google Hangouts.

A few weeks into their love affair Hodge asked Francis for money. He told her he did not have access to his accounts but assured her once he was out of the service he would pay her back 'every dime.'

He instructed her to send the money through Bitcoin apps - Coin Base and Coin Could Bitcoin ATMs.

Someone from their church eventually lend them their camper to live in while Dennis and her son figured out their situation.

Dennis told the channel: 'How he did it, I don't know but it all looked legitimate

The money she was sending was part of her daughter's inheritance. When she expressed her doubts and began to question his intentions, he sent her a bank statement from a bank in Ohio showing he had a $3 million balance - that had a Chase Bank PO Box. He also showed her an employment agreement from the Marines, and his passport that she shared with DailyMail.com.

When Hodge told her he was falling in love with her and wanted to marry, Francis was feeling the butterflies too.

She would later learn the ugly truth that she was the victim of an online cryptocurrency scam by two different scammers losing a staggering $250,000.

'It was all a lie,' she said. 'They were working together. They put the whole scam together from the beginning.'

She added: 'It's really painful because I really cared for the guy. I was in love with David and I was devastated.'

Romance scams typically occur when a criminal adopts a fake online identity to gain a victims affection and trust. The scammer then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate and/or steal from the victim.

In 2022, nearly 70,000 people reported being victims of a romance scam and reported losses were a shocking $1.3 billion.
Two police officers were rushed to hospital after they were exposed to a 'noxious substance' while responding to a 999 call in east Belfast.

Police were called to Ravenhill Reach Court on Friday evening after reports of a suspected gas leak in a communal area of the building.

Residents were evacuated, with some then 'displaying symptoms' of exposure to a noxious substance.

Two police officers fell unwell, while two others were affected but did not require hospital treatment.

In a statement released on Saturday, Inspector Dawson of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, said: 'Officers were in a building in the Ravenhill Reach Court area responding to an unrelated report, when a suspected gas leak was detected in a communal area around 9.15pm.

Two police officers were rushed to hospital after being exposed to a 'noxious substance' while attending an emergency call at Ravenhill Reach Court in east Belfast on Friday evening

'The building was evacuated and a nearby community centre was opened for residents while colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service attended the scene.

'It has since been established that this was not a gas leak and at this time, we believe that some kind of noxious substance was released inside the building.

'Residents were able to return to their homes around 11.40pm and enquiries are ongoing to establish the source of the substance.

'Two other police officers were also affected, but did not require hospital treatment. A number of residents were also displaying symptoms.

'I would commend the professionalism of the officers who were in attendance. Despite suffering from the effects of the substance, they ensured that residents were evacuated to safety.'

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 1423 of 22/9/23, or submit a report at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport.

Individuals can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/
A GoFundMe has been launched to help make a divisive BLM activist hired by Dove as its 'fat pride' spokeswoman feel 'safe' and 'protected'.

Zyahna Bryant's cousin Erica Chapman created the virtual begging bowl after Bryant was slammed online for ruining a white student's life over a remark the 22 year-old activist admits she may have 'misheard.'

Chapman said she wants to make Bryant feel 'safe' and 'protected,' writing: 'My cousin Zyahna has passionately and courageously supported important social issues since she was 12 years old.

'Sadly, in today's national climate with so many angry, violent and unpredictable people, being a visible outspoken advocate and activist comes with significant risks.

'Zyahna has been receiving hate mail and threats for YEARS, and recently they have become worse.'

The fundraiser has received almost $10,000 of its $15,000 goal - although it's unclear what the money will be spent on.

Bryant found herself slammed online after news of her Dove campaign was first reported by DailyMail.com.

She was hired by the Unilever-backed firm even after the plus-size rabble rouser failed to apologize for destroying fellow University of Virginia student Morgan Bettinger's life on the flimsiest of pretexts.

Bryant, 22, claimed she heard fellow University of Virginia student Morgan Bettinger threaten protesters by saying they would 'make good speed bumps,' in July 2020. She later admitted she 'misheard'

'Zyahna is currently a graduate student and we want to ensure that she is able to continue all of the work that she is doing in the classroom and in the community,' the GoFundMe continues.

'We do not want to allow these racist attacks to take away from that.

'Please help Zyahna's friends and family support her by ensuring she's SAFE and protected as she continues her important work assisting and elevating marginalized people and communities.

Bryant appears to have no shortage of security support in place. Last week, she called the Chief of Charlottesville Police Mike Kochis on DailyMail.com after our reporter arrived at her home and politely requested an interview.

Chief Kochis conceded we'd done nothing wrong. Bryant appears to have the top cop on speed dial despite vocally calling for the police to be defunded.

Dove chose Bryant as one of their 'paid partners', a loose advertising and promotional tie-up, similar to that of Bud Light and trans activist Dylan Mulvaney.

The 22-year-old had hit headlines after claiming she overheard Morgan Bettinger threaten BLM protestors in July 2020, which she only later admitted she may have misheard after Bettinger was canceled and her life destroyed.

Zyahna Bryant is pictured speaking at a rally in Charlottesville in September 202

Mike Kochis, Charlottesville's chief of police, explained he had received a call from Bryant saying 'she was feeling uncomfortable,' and wanting to 'get ahead of any situation'

Last month, Bryant had posted on Instagram a video declaring she was a Dove ambassador, and discussing 'fat liberation' - a campaign to end the stigma of being overweight.

'#DovePartner Fat liberation is something we should all be talking about!' wrote Bryant.

'That's why I am partnering with Dove, to support the work of @naafaofficial, @flareforjustice in the Campaign for Size Freedom.

'Tell us what Fat Liberation means to you using the hashtag #sizefreedom and tagging @dove to share your story.'

In an accompanying clip Bryant, who is proudly plus-size herself, said: 'My belief is that we should be centering the voices and experiences of the most marginalized people and communities at all times.

'So when I think about what fat liberation looks like to me, I think about centering the voices of those who live in and who maneuver through spaces and institutions in a fat body.'

A fundraiser has been launched to help make her feel 'safe' and 'protected' after hate mail and threats against her started to get worse

Bryant's 27,000 followers on Instagram responded with an outpouring of support, praising her for promoting 'fat liberation' and declaring that the campaign was long overdue.

But she was roundly condemned on social media after news of her role in Bettinger's cancellation was first shared by Reason magazine - with Dove now receiving blowback over its close association with Bryant.

The fiasco that threatens to engulf Dove is reminiscent of Bud Light's disastrous decision to partner with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, which saw the beer firm's value tank.

'This woman put another UVA student through hell, and it was all a woke lie,' said one.

'Shame on Dove for hiring her. Worse than Dylan Mulvaney. #BoycottDove'

Another added: 'I've stopped buying their products. Never again!'

Using the hashtag 'Boycott Dove', another said: 'I'll have to toss my Dove products and never buy them again!'

Bryant has in recent years been making a name for herself as a BLM activist, her website says that she began campaigning as a child.

'At the age of 12, she organized her first demonstration, a rally for Justice for Trayvon Martin and other unarmed black lives lost to police violence,' the website states.

Others shared images of their Dove bars in trash bags, vowing to never buy from the company again.

On social media platform X, users vowed to boycott the cosmetics company over their decision to have Bryant

X user Carole Thorpe dumped her remaining Dove bars at news of Zyahna Bryant's hiring and says she will no longer make any purchases from the brand

She went on to organize the Black Student Union at her high school, and join the Charlottesville Youth Council.

In the spring of 2016, she began petitioning Charlottesville city to remove statues of confederate leaders from the city, which the city eventually did.

Conservatives were furious, and in August 2017, a Unite The Right rally was held in Charlottesville, with neo-Nazis carrying tiki torches marching through the streets chanting: 'Jews will not replace us.'

A counter-protester, Heather Heyer, 32, was deliberately run over and killed by white supremacist James Alex Fields Jr: he was sentenced to life in prison for her murder.

Donald Trump infamously declared that there were 'good people on both sides' at the rally.

In July 2020, amid the George Floyd protests, Bettinger mistakenly drove into a street where protesters were gathered.

Bettinger said she told a truck driver, who was in front of her and blocking the way, that: 'It's a good thing that you are here, because otherwise these people would have been speed bumps.'

Bryant tweeted that Bettinger had said the protesters would have 'make good speedbumps' and implied the words had been said with malevolent intent.

Video evidence does not show the moment Bettinger made the comment, but it does show the aftermath of protesters banging on her car, yelling obscenities at her, and making fun of her for crying as she called her mother and the police

Although Bettinger did admit during a student misconduct trial that she had said something similar to a truck driver that was blocking the road, she insists she hadn't said it as a threat.

She claims she said words to the effect of: 'It's a good thing that you are here, because otherwise these people would have been speed bumps,' Reason magazine reported.

Bettinger - whose late father was a police officer - says she had merely been sharing her relief that the unnamed truck driver was there to protect the protesters.

She says she did so because she was happy his presence lessened the chances of a repeat of the infamous 2017 Unite the Right rally in the city, which saw anti-racist protester Heather Heyer run over and murdered by a white supremacist.

But Bryant initially insisted on Twitter that Bettinger had indeed threatened her and others, even though it was later claimed she'd only been told about the speed bumps comment second hand.

She tweeted: 'The woman in this truck approached protesters in #Charlottesville, and told us that we would make 'good speedbumps.

'She then called the police and started crying saying we were attacking her.'

Bettinger was quickly identified, with the revelation that she was pro-police - and with a late father who had worked as a police officer - further outraging her critics.

Bettinger is pictured in her car during the July 2020 protest. She insists she told a trucker blocking the road she was glad he was there to avoid a repeat of the 2017 Unite the Right rally

Bettinger was pictured on the phone while in her car in July 2020, as screaming Black Lives Matter protesters heckled her from outside

Bryant and others called for a severe punishment, or expulsion from UVA.

Bryant then embarked on an email campaign to have Bettinger expelled, tweeting: 'EMAIL these UVA deans now to demand that Morgan face consequences for her actions and that UVA stop graduating racists.'

Bettinger was subsequently shunned at college, and even stalked around her hometown, making her fear for her safety.

UVA's Judiciary Committee later found Bettinger guilty of making a legitimate threat, despite being unable to prove Bryant's claim about her intentions.

Its 'jurors' told her that even saying the words in a harmless manner during the anti-racism protests of summer 2020 merited punishment.

Bettinger's late father (pictured together) was a cop - something many critics zoned in on

Bryant also filed a complaint with the school's Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (EOCR), where the student activist claimed Bettinger had made the statement five times and had discriminated against Bryant on the basis of race.

EOCR found that three of the five accusations could not be corroborated, and Bryant herself later admitted she may have misheard the 'speed bumps' claim.

Most damningly, the report - which was brought forth because of Bryant's complaint - found that Bryant most likely did not hear Bettinger make the comment first hand.

No eyewitnesses were able to corroborate Bryant's version of events.

'Based on Bryant's immediate and surprised tone following the second third party's reply, EOCR finds it more likely than not that it was at that moment Bryant first learned that [Bettinger] made a statement about protestors making speed bumps,' the report, obtained by Reason, stated.

The Judiciary Committee's ruling is still noted on her permanent record - ruining the now-graduate's chances at law school.

Bettinger is considering filing a lawsuit.
Elijah McClain's mother burst into tears and fled a Colorado courtroom Friday after she saw videos of her son pinned down on the ground dying with prosecutors heavily leaning on the footage to convince jurors of excessive force.

In the footage McClain can be heard saying 'I can't breathe' before later protesting 'I'm just different'. He vomited several times during the incident and died in hospital six days later.

McClain, a 23-year-old black man, went into cardiac arrest on August 24, 2019, and died in a hospital six days later.

The fatal confrontation with Aurora police received renewed public attention in 2020 following the death of George Floyd and the resulting Black Lives Matter riots.

Amid growing public pressure, a state grand jury indicted five first responders for felony manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in addition to lesser crimes.

Sheneen McClain, the mother of McClain, sat in the front row of the courtroom for the case against two police officers - Randy Roedema and Jason Rosenblatt - as the video clips of her son were shown for about an hour. They have pleaded not guilty.

'Knowing everything that Elijah went through gets me here everyday,' she said.

Sheneen McClain (pictured), Elijah McClain's mother, burst into tears and fled a Colorado courtroom Friday after she saw videos of her son pinned down on the ground

Elijah McClain left, and right in hospital after he was fatally-injured while being arrested in Aurora, Colorado, in August 2019. He died six days later of his injuries

McClain was walking home from a convenience store with a bottle of iced tea when he was stopped by police officers responding to a call about a suspicious male wearing a mask

Police put McClain in a chokehold, and medical responders later sedated him with ketamine

McClain was walking down the street in the Denver suburb of Aurora on August 24, 2019, when he was approached by police.

Authorities had been alerted to him after a 911 call had reported a man in the area who seemed 'sketchy' as he was wearing a ski mask on a warm night.

McClain's family previously said he was wearing the mask due to his anemia which meant he felt the cold more easily.

In bodycam footage from the incident, McClain can be heard saying 'I intend to take my power back.'

One of the officers said to the radio: 'Give us more units. We are fighting him.'

Shortly afterward, McClain cried and groaned, offering an apology.

'I wasn't trying to do that. I can't breathe properly,' he was heard saying when an officer told him not to move.

Then he threw up, and an officer directed him to vomit away from him.

McClain lost consciousness after an officer put him in a neck hold pressing against his carotid artery.

After 15 minutes on the ground, he was given 500 milligrams of ketamine.

He died in hospital six days later.

An autopsy report concluded that McClain died from 'complications of ketamine administration following forcible restraint'.

He overdosed due to receiving a higher dose of ketamine than recommended for someone of his size, pathologist Stephen Cina found.

Colorado prosecutors showed police body camera footage as they began building their case in Friday's court. The video has been digitally enhanced with images brighten and distracting sounds removed.

The mom left the courtroom in tears when the footage stooped. She was escorted into an office down the hallway and returned to watch testimony after an hour.

She planned to attend the trial every day to ensure that people would recognize her son as a real person, Sheneen McClain told the Associated Press outside court.

Rosenblatt, left, and Roedema, right, have pleaded not guilty to charges of criminally negligent homicide, manslaughter and assault, all felonies

She sobbed when she was escorted into an office down the hallway and returned to watch testimony after an hour

State prosecutors enhanced the bodycam footage as they started building their case

Dr. David Beuther, a pulmonary critical care physician, testified Friday.

He said he believes McClain inhaled his vomit into his lungs, making it difficult for him to breathe, and was not able to expel it as he lay on his side, held down by police.

Beuther told the court McClain's health continued to deteriorate to such an extent that he belong in a hospital intensive care unit in the seconds before the ketamine was injected into his arm.

The two officers on trial Friday, Roedema and Rosenblatt, have pleaded not guilty to charges of criminally negligent homicide, manslaughter and assault, all felonies.

Police officers Nathan Woodyard, Roedema, Rosenblatt and paramedics Jeremy Cooper and Lt. Peter Cichuniec were indicted on 32 counts including criminally negligent homicide and manslaughter.

McClain's mom settled her federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Aurora, Colorado for $15 million over the death of her son in August 2019, marking one of the largest payouts by any city in the nation.

Further interest in McClain's death was sparked after 44-year-old black man George Floyd died at the hands of officers in 2020. Both men uttered the words 'I can't breathe' . Pictured: a protest for McClain in Aurora on July 25 2020

Demonstrators, pictured in July 2020, block an exit to the precinct of the officers who arrested McClain

The deaths and the Black Lives Matter riots led to widespread demonization of police forces across the US resulting in a push to 'defund the police'

Jeremy Cooper and Lt. Peter Cichuniec, who both injected the ketamine, will appear in separate proceedings.

Police officer Nathan Woodyard, who was first on the scene and is claimed to have been the one who placed McClain in a chokehold, will appear by himself in a third trial.

McClain's death sparked mass demonstrations and renewed scrutiny around the use of ketamine by emergency workers.

Along with George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Michael Ramos, McClain has become one of the household names synonymous with what has been dubbed 'extreme police brutality.'

The deaths and the Black Lives Matter riots led to widespread demonization of police forces across the US resulting in a push to 'defund the police.'
Victims of serious crimes including sex attacks are being forced to wait for a year for their cases to go to court due to spiralling delays.

The scale of the backlog has been laid bare in research by the Scottish Governments Victims Taskforce, which has disclosed that an average case takes around 51 weeks to get through the creaking justice system.

Meanwhile, 180 hours of court time has been wasted in trying to sort out technological issues in courts between April and December last year, figures show.

Critics say the delays result in victims experiencing an agonising state of limbo as they await justice by a system which as long been neglected and underfunded by SNP Ministers.

Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Russell Findlay said: Shame on any SNP politician who claims to be on the side of victims.

An average case takes around 51 weeks to get through the justice system according to the Scottish Governments Victims Taskforce

Sandy Brindley, chief executive of Rape Crisis Scotland, said: Its totally unacceptable for survivors to be left waiting years for justice, but that is the reality facing far too many survivors in Scotland.

The pandemic has made court delays significantly worse, but its important to remember that survivors were facing very difficult and distressing delays for justice before the pandemic took hold too.

Ms Brindley added: Recent research clearly evidences the very serious impact these delays have on the psychological wellbeing of survivors.

Survivors who access Rape Crisis advocacy and support services also tell us just how distressing these delays are. It couldnt be clearer that we need to see real action.

The situation could be even worse, as the minutes published by the Victims Taskforce  uploaded at the end of last month  were completed at the end of last year.

Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Russell Findlay has slammed the delays

They said: SCTS [Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service] advised that the court delays will remain for some time, as part of the Covid recovery; a calling to court takes approximately 51 weeks.

The pandemic closed courts, which exacerbated backlogs. 

Meanwhile, some Covid-era practices have continued, such as remote balloting of jurors, which insiders say can cause hold-ups.

A freedom of information request showed, however, that hours of court time is being wasted owing to technological difficulties.

Data seen by The Mail on Sunday shows that between April and December, 179 hours and 56 minutes was lost to technical issues, the equivalent of around seven and a half days.

A spokesman for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: COPFS appreciates the impact that waiting for trial can have on victims, witnesses and accused persons.

We have been working with criminal justice partners to address and mitigate the impact of the backlog.

'This collaboration is helping to make progress and address the challenges we all still face.

Regarding the technical issues, he added: COPFS are committed to supporting continued investment to maximise the use of digital technology across the criminal justice sector.

This will improve access to justice, reduce delays and create a modern system which improves the delivery of justice for all.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: Our budget for 2023/24 protects recovery funding of more than 26 million for the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service to address the backlog, which has contributed to a reduction in scheduled summary trials by over a third.
Prince Harry must now give notice if he wants to visit the King and stay at any royal properties, it has emerged, after he was denied a room at Windsor Castle earlier this month.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, flew to London for the WellChild Awards at the start of the month and asked if he could stay at Windsor, while his father Charles was staying at Balmoral to mark the anniversary of the Queen's death.

It is believed that Harry planned to stay at Windsor Castle so he could visit the Queen's resting place at St George's Chapel the following day.

However, he was denied his request on the grounds that no properties were available on short notice.

It is believed that Buckingham Palace also told the Duke he would have to put in a 'formal request' to see his father during his visit. It is unclear if King Charles was aware of this correspondence.

According to the Telegraph, Harry, who is due to return to the UK in January, will still be allowed to stay at properties in Windsor going forward, but only if 'suitable warning' is given.

At the time, he was offered the chance to stay in Balmoral with his father Charles on the anniversary of the Queen's death on September 7 but said his busy itinerary made it impossible.

Instead he remained in the south in a hotel and marked the occasion on his own. It was Harry's first visit to the UK since he and Meghan were evicted from Frogmore Cottage - leaving them effectively 'homeless' in the UK.

Prince Harry, pictured at the Invictus Games this month, must now give notice if he wants to visit the King and stay on the royal estate

The Duke of Sussex was offered the chance to stay in Balmoral with his father Charles, pictured in France this week, on the anniversary of the Queen's death on September 7

Harry was later pictured holding a short vigil at the Queen's resting place, located at Windsor Castle's St George's Chapel.

News of the situation comes as Harry and Meghan continue to build their profile in the US.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were all smiles as they made a surprise appearance at Kevin Costner's 'One805 Live!' charity event for first responders on Friday, held at his $26 million polo field in Santa Barbara.

The couple were joined by their good friends Oprah and Ellen DeGeneres as they took another step into Hollywood royalty.

The fundraising event - where 'last chance' tables cost $12,000 - was hosted at the oceanside estate of Kevin Costner in Summerland and included noteworthy guests, including Katy Perry's parents.

Harry wore black while Meghan opted for a sophisticated, chic look, in a monochrome jacket with her hair pulled back 'clean-girl' style.

Upon their arrival, the Duke and Duchess - who have just returned from a PDA-packed appearance at the Invictus Games in Germany - were spotted backstage chatting with Costner, his VIP guests, and senior police and firefighting service officials.

Harry was pictured holding a short vigil at the Queen's resting place, located at Windsor Castle's St George's Chapel, on the anniversary of her death

Royal sources said that accommodation for the Duke will be available where possible but the Windsor Estate (pictured) must be told in advance of his visit

Charles and Queen Camilla are believed to be currently in Balmoral after returning from France yesterday.

The King waved to the crowd at the top of they boarded the royal plane at Bordeaux-Merignac Airport to depart for the UK.

Their Majesties ended their three-day French state visit in south-west France where September showers failed to dampen their spirits.

The King enjoyed a livener or two as he toured a chaotic festival after taking a ride on an electric tram. He was persuaded to have a nip of whisky - made from his own barley - as he went round the stalls in Bordeaux's main square.

Moments later he went into another tent where he was talked into trying some organically-made red wine. He also chose a piece of cheese to be wrapped up for him, saying he could not leave without having some local fromage.

He and the Queen also arrived at the Place de la Bourse by electric tram after leaving a reception on board the frigate Iron Duke.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla board their plane and wave goodbye at Bordeaux-Merignac Airport during their departure for the United Kingdom

Meanwhile Prince Andrew appeared in high spirits as he enjoyed a quiet horse ride around the grounds of Windsor Castle today.

The Duke of York, 63, was only accompanied by a groom for his typical Saturday morning outing, which his brother Prince Edward sometimes joins.

Andrew and his riding companion chatted animatedly throughout the jaunt, with the father-of-two seen smiling widely in a purple crewneck jumper and riding jodhpurs.

Buckingham Palace has been approached by MailOnline for comment.
The Erie County Sheriffs Office and U.S. Coast Guard rescued two individuals from Lake Erie's waters after responding to a sailboat in distress near Hamburg, the sheriffs office said Saturday.

Emergency responders located the vessel about three miles offshore. The boats lone occupant signaled toward the two overboard passengers, who had drifted about 500 yards from the vessel.

The Sheriffs Offices Air 1 helicopter guided Coast Guard personnel to the two individuals in the water, the sheriff's office said. Both were rescued and brought to safety.
Amit Louk, 20, (left) said he was horrified to watch the video of his 23-year-old sister (right) lying motionless and half-naked in the back of a truck (inset), with one leg at an unnatural angle, while being surrounded by four terrorists shouting 'Allahu Akbar'. The last time he had heard from Shani was on the phone, as she frantically tried to escape the Nova electronic festival near Kibbutz Re'im in her car on October 7 as Hamas gunmen shot at anyone they saw. 'She said we're leaving right now, don't worry,' Amit tells Sky News . 'But the terrorists were waiting on the road.' Shani's family now believe that within minutes of Shani and her friends trying to escape, they were met by Hamas terrorists who shot at the vehicle, killing the 23-year-old 'instantly'. The next time they saw Shani would be in a harrowing video, where Shani's half-naked body was splayed in the back of a truck, surrounded by terrorists and jeering crowds who spat on her. 'I never thought I was going to be in contact with this type of video, seeing my sister in that brutal position,' Amit said. 'And just in that moment, the whole family just crashed for a few weeks.' 'It was so hard to actually see this brutality. Even though we know [Hamas] can reach this level of non-humanity, they just spat on her and treated her like she was nothing,' Amit said. But he said he didn't want to feel hatred 'because hatred only leads to a cycle of hate'. After seeing the video, Shani's family hoped in vain that she was still alive, albeit in a critical condition, inside a hospital in Hamas-controlled Gaza. But after more than three weeks of helplessly waiting for news, her heartbroken parents received the knock on the door they were dreading on Monday: Israeli soldiers had found fragments of her skull, meaning Shani was among the 270 people killed in the horrific massacre.
Scotland's shopkeepers have issued a desperate plea to SNP Ministers to provide panic buttons for frontline workers to protect them from violent shoplifters.

Industry chiefs have also demanded the Scottish Government fund the rollout of body-worn cameras and upgraded CCTV systems amid claims that theft has been effectively decriminalised in Scotland.

The Federation of Independent Retailers Scotland said its members commonly do not report crimes because police may not come for days despite incidents of shoplifting rocketing by more than a fifth this year.

It has now taken the unprecedented step of demanding government grants to buy security equipment to protect their workers from spiralling levels of assaults and abuse.

In a letter to Scottish Justice Minister Angela Constance, the federations president Hussan Lal wrote: We wish to bring to your attention our extreme concern over the apparent epidemic of shop crime and the level of resources Police Scotland has to deal with this.

Shoplifting appears to have been decriminalised, say retailers

As a former policeman I know what a good level of service should be, so I am particularly distressed by the current situation faced by our members.

We urge you to consider financial support to provide better security in small shops to help tackle this alarming situation.

Mr Lal believes that a grant of 1,500 would help small businesses in Scotland to improve their security and upgrade CCTV systems.

He said: Panic buttons and body cameras would also help prevent crime, assist detection and offer anxious shop workers some sense of security.

It comes amid concern that Police Scotlands soft-touch approach is responsible for a 21 per cent rise in shoplifting in the past 12 months.

Earlier this month, it was disclosed that over the past five years more than 7,500 shoplifters  around four a day  have escaped prosecution and been issued with a warning instead.

This week, Co-op operations director Kate Graham, who is responsible for all its stores including 340 in Scotland, said Scotlands high streets were descending into anarchy due to blatant looting which has no consequences.

The Federation of Independent Retailers Scotland has written to Scottish Justice Minister Angela Constance

Meanwhile Pete Cheema, chief executive of the Scottish Grocers Federation, said: Some of our retail members now report that staff are resigning because they are scared to come to work.

In his letter, Mr Lal highlighted the pilot Police Scotland scheme in the North-East, whereby some crimes deemed minor will no longer be investigated.

He said the scheme seems to render official, practice which has been evident in Scotland for some time, adding: Our belief is that shoplifting is perceived as victimless and has effectively been decriminalised.

Mr Lal said shopkeepers are doubly horrified by the lack of police action on shoplifting, despite workers being often subject to crude abuse and sometimes assaults.

Noting the findings of a retail industry report which showed that small stores were forced to spend on average more than 4,500 on security measures last year, he said: This is why we are asking the Scottish Government for help.

Mr Lal said a grant of 1,500 would be effective in aiding small businesses to improve their security, which in turn would help prevent crime and improve the crime clear-up rates.

Last night Russell Findlay, Scottish Conservative justice spokesman, said he had challenged the SNP Justice Secretary over her governments effective decriminalisation of shoplifting.

He added: If Angela Constance wont listen to me, maybe she will listen to Scotlands under-siege shop workers who have been betrayed by the SNPs weak justice agenda.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: The unique Scottish Partnership against Acquisitive Crime Strategy, led by Police Scotland and fully supported by the Scottish Government, outlines a partnership approach to the prevention, deterrence and enforcement around a range of crimes including shoplifting, ensuring businesses are able to provide information directly.
An ex-prostitute who sedated her two daughters with melatonin-laced gummy bears before fatally shooting them has been sentenced to 78 years in prison.

Veronica Youngblood, 38, was arrested in August 2018 after shooting her daughters Sharon Castro, 15, and Brooklynn Youngblood, 5, in their apartment in McLean, Virginia.

The former sex worker was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of felony firearm use in March 2023.

Before she was sentenced on Friday, Youngblood spoke for more than 30 minutes about her daughters and the difficulties she had raising them.

She told the judge through a Spanish interpreter: 'I've been a good mother, but something happened, I don't know how to explain it. Something exploded in my mind.'

After being convicted in March, Veronica Youngblood was sentenced to 78 years in prison for the murder of her two daughters

During trial, Youngblood pleaded not guilty on grounds of insanity but her plea was rejected.

The jury did not believe that 'mental illness' played a role in the Youngblood's decision to give her children sleeping gummies before shooting them dead.

Defense lawyers had asked that the two murder sentences run concurrently instead of consecutively, which would have reduced the sentence from 78 years to 42 years.

Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Randy Bellows said he saw no reason to reduce the jury's recommendation of letting one sentence run after another.

Judge Bellows said at the sentencing: 'Mothers and fathers have many responsibilities, but none is more grave than keeping their children safe. Tragically, their mother became the instrument of their death.'

Veronica Youngblood, left, and her daughter, Sharon Castro, who was shot on her back and chest and died at the hospital in 2018

Veronica Youngblood is shown with her daughters, Sharon Castro and Brooklynn Youngblood. She killed then in revenge

Prosecutor Kelsey Gill said that the killings were intentional and that Youngblood bought the gun she used a week before.

Gill said in court: 'There really aren't words that can describe the depravity with which Ms. Youngblood planned and carried out the execution of her children.

Public defender Dawn Butorac said she expects Youngblood to appeal.

Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano, whose office prosecuted the case, said in a statement after the sentence hearing: 'There is no outcome that can give these children back the lives that were taken from them, but todays sentence is a measure of justice for their family.'

According to The Washington Post, Youngblood killed her children in revenge for her ex-husband's plans to relocate with their youngest, Brooklynn. She had married her husband in 2009.

Authorities said she fed both daughters the sleeping pill gummies before shooting them in their beds.

Youngblood killed her children in revenge for her ex-husband's plans to relocate with their youngest, Brooklynn. She had married her husband in 2009

The elder daughter survived long enough to call 911 and tell a dispatcher she had been shot by her mother.

Jurors heard a recording of that call during Youngblood's two-week trial and jurors ended up asking whether they could receive trauma therapy because of how traumatic the call was.

As her teenage daughter lay dying, Veronica called her ex-husband, Ron Youngblood to say she hated him and that she had shot the children.

She told detectives that she planned to kill them and herself following a protracted custody dispute.

At the time of her trial, Youngblood was recorded telling investigators she was guilty and deserved the death penalty for killing her children. Prosecutors said that she was manipulative and calculated.

Brooklynn had died from a gunshot to the head on the spot while Sharon was shot once in the back and once in the chest and died in the hospital.

Sharon called the police after she was shot once in the back and once in the chest and reported that her mother had shot them. She died at the hospital.

Youngblood grew up in poverty in Argentina, was physically and sexually abused as a child by family members, gave birth to Sharon when she was 16 and was forced to resort to sex work as a teenager to support her daughter.
Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov denounced the West for 'continuing to fuel conflict' during his United Nations speech, while ignoring his country's invasion of Ukraine.

The top diplomat said the United States and the West are 'trying to force the world to play according to their own self-centred rules' in his speech to the UN General Assembly, being held in New York.

'The U.S. and its subordinate Western collective are continuing to fuel conflicts which artificially divide humanity into hostile blocks and hamper the achievement of overall aims', he said.

'They're doing everything they can to prevent the formation of a genuine multipolar world order. They are trying to force the world to play according to their own self-centred rules.

'The rest of the planet is sick of it. They don't want to live under anybody's yoke anymore.'

He argued that the proof of this lies in the growth of such groups as BRICs, the developing economies coalition which currently includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, as well as recently invited Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, all tipped to join next year.

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov denounced the West for 'continuing to fuel conflict' during his UN speech

The top diplomat failed to touch upon the ongoing war. Pictured: Natali Sevriukova reacts next to her house following a rocket attack the city of Kyiv in February 2022

Damaged waterpipes are being repaired after Russia attacked Ukraine with 43 cruise missiles during the night earlier this week

During the speech, he recapped on some historical complaints, going back as far as the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union and reference the billions of dollars the US and its Western allies have poured into supporting Ukraine

Ukraine's seats in the assembly hall were empty for part of Mr Lavrov's speech

The top diplomat said the United States and the West are 'trying to force the world to play according to their own self-centred rules' in his speech to the UN General Assembly

'Our future is being shaped by a struggle, a struggle between the global majority in favour of a fairer distribution of global benefits and civilized diversity and between the few who wield neo-colonial methods of subjugation in order to maintain their domination which is slipping through their hands,' he added.

Ukraine's seats in the assembly hall were empty for part of Mr Lavrov's speech.

During the speech, he recapped on some historical complaints, going back as far as the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union and reference the billions of dollars the US and its Western allies have poured into supporting Ukraine.

But, he failed to touch on the ongoing war.

Since invading the country in February 2022, Russia has offered various explanations for its 'special military operation' in Ukraine including claims that Kyiv was oppressing Russian speakers in the east of the country, and that Ukraine's growing ties with the West posed a risk to Russia.

It's also claimed to have been threatened by NATO's eastward expansion over the last few decades.

Mr Lavrov spoke just four days after Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky and US President Joe Biden.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy walks down the White House colonnade to the Oval Office with US President Joe Biden during a visit to the White House this week

Mr Biden pressed world leaders to maintain their support for Ukraine, adding: 'If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?'

Mr Zelenksy visited his country's wounded soldiers at the Staten Island University Hospital this week

READ MORE: Volodymyr Zelensky holds secret NYC meeting with private equity bosses at JPMorgan, Google and Blackstone to discuss rebuilding war-torn Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended a secret roundtable in New York City with the nation's top financiers, including private equity bosses at JPMorgan, Google and Blackstone, to discuss rebuilding war-torn Ukraine Advertisement

Mr Zelensky accused Russia of 'weaponizing ' food, energy and children against Ukraine and the 'international rules-based order' in general. His comments were echoed by Mr Biden who pressed world leaders to maintain their support for Ukraine, adding: 'If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?'

Earlier this week, Mr Zelensky warned World War Three could become a reality if the US does not continue to support Ukraine having already contributed roughly $70 billion towards the effort.

Speaking on 60 Minutes Sunday night, Zelensky compared Russian President Vladimir Putin to Adolf Hitler.

'The whole world [has to] decide whether we want to stop Putin, or whether we want to start the beginning of a world war. We can't change Putin. Russian society has [lost] the respect of the world,' he said.

He made the comments amid his trip to the US to for the UN General Assembly, where he also visited the White House and visited his country's wounded soldiers at the Staten Island University Hospital.

During his visit, President Zelensky told reporters: 'For us it's very important that all our words, all our messages will be heard by our partners.

'And if in the United Nations still... there is a place for Russian terrorists, the question is not to me I think, it's a question to all the members of the United Nations,' he added.

He also toured the facility with Michael Dowling, the CEO of Northwell Health, who own the hospital. Dowling said that 18 Ukrainian soldiers have received treatment there since March.

Nine Ukrainian soldiers are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. The clinic has helped a total of 35 servicemen over the past year, according to hospital staff and the Ukrainian-American NGO Kind Deeds, which supplies prostheses for war amputees.

Kyiv does not disclose war casualty figures, but US officials estimate that the number of dead and wounded Ukrainian soldiers is nearing 500,000, the New York Times reported last month.
A human resources boss at one of the world's largest accountancy firms compared a former colleague to Heinrich Himmler after she was sacked from her high-flying job, a court heard.

Helen Vulin is also accused of saying that she wanted Vladimir Putin to 'wipe out Hampstead Heath', where a number of employees of Grant Thornton, the company she worked for until losing her job, live.

In a series of emails, the 34-year-old allegedly berated staff in a year-and-a-half-long campaign and is said to have wished one known only as 'Dave' a 'painful death'.

Vulin from Hillingdon, West London, denies one count of sending threatening emails and one of sending grossly offensive messages from January 2022 to June this year.

She worked as the head of HR for the transactions advisory division and as a business consultant for two years and seven months before losing her job in 2019 and joining rival firm EY.

In a series of emails, the 34-year-old allegedly berated staff in a year-and-a-half-long campaign and is said to have wished one known only as 'Dave' a 'painful death'. Pictured: Helen arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court on September 21

General view of Grant Thornton's Finsbury Square in London, where Helen Vulin worked

She appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday wearing a 265 scarf by Alexander McQueen  one of the Princess of Wales's favourite labels  and carrying a 900 Chloe bag.

Aaron McCalister, prosecuting, said: 'Essentially Miss Vulin was made redundant at Grant Thornton in 2019 as part of a business reshuffle.

'From January 2022 onwards every month hundreds of emails were sent with threats in what has been described by the head of employee relations as vile communications.

'The emails contained messages such as: 'I will f*****g kill Dave. I want Dave to die a painful death in a concentration camp actually being tortured to death. Anyone on his side is on the side of Heinrich Himmler.'

'Other messages sent include: "I hope Putin wipes out Hampstead Heath. I am going to get a gun licence in a few months Texas understands."'

Vulin denies sending these emails.

Her lawyer said: 'The factual background may not be accepted, and these matters are contested.' Vulin elected for a jury trial and will appear at Isleworth Crown Court on October 19 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

If convicted, she could face a fine or a sentence of up to two years in prison.

Magistrate Jade Dalgreish granted her bail on the condition that she does not contact employees of Grant Thornton.

She said: 'You have pleaded not guilty to these two charges today and you have elected to have the trial at the crown court.

'You have heard this will be at Isleworth Crown Court. You are to attend on October 19 in the morning. You are on conditional bail.

'You must not make contact with anyone employed by Grant Thornton and that means social media too.'

Grant Thornton is the world's seventh largest accountancy firm with headquarters in Chicago.

It is considered one of the most prestigious companies in its field and handles the accounts of more than 40,000 businesses, with offices in London, India, Germany and Sweden.

The firm recently became a 'big four lite' accountancy company, meaning it is closing in on its biggest competitors Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC.

Helen Vulin appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday wearing a 265 scarf by Alexander McQueen and carrying a 900 Chloe bag

Heinrich Himmler oversaw Nazi Germany's genocidal programmes, administering death camps during World War II

A general view of Westminster Magistrates' Court in London, Wednesday January 25, 2023

According to LinkedIn, Vulin is an HR boss with 15 years' experience who qualified at Manchester University.

On her profile, she describes her role at Grant Thornton as being 'team leadership with [a] focus on profitable growth' and says that she was responsible for a client group including more than 1,000 employees, 50 partners and 100 million in revenue.

After leaving the company, Vulinjoined EY as a business consultant handling 'large, multinational clients' and worked there for around two-and-a-half years.

Her profile adds that she is currently on a 'career-break'.

She told her LinkedIn followers that she is looking to 'share inspiring, uplifting or thought-provoking pieces which might be of interest to my business network'.

Before working at Grant Thornton, she worked in HR for travel agency Thomas Cook and Reader's Digest.
A further 23 presenters can be seen on the BBC's regional programmes

It may be Britain's favourite topic  but does the BBC really need 22 national forecasters to tell us about the weather?

The astonishing number of presenters are appearing across the corporation's television and radio output, anchoring forecasts which are, on average, just two minutes long.

Twenty-two forecasters are presenting the weather on the BBC's main TV and radio channels, while a further 23 can be seen on its regional programmes.

Viewers and corporation staff are questioning why  at a time when the licence fee is increasingly unpopular  there seems to be a different weather presenter for each bulletin.

One Twitter user said: 'Why does the BBC have so many weather presenters? We have the national, regional, and then superfluous ones on in the evening.'

Among the BBC's most high- profile forecasters is Tomasz Schafernaker (pictured), 44, who was voted the UK's most popular weather presenter in a public poll

Last night, the BBC was criticised by pressure group TaxPayers' Alliance, which is fighting to stop taxpayers being forced financially to support the BBC.

Spokesman Joe Ventre told The Mail on Sunday: 'Taxpayers have had enough of funding bloated broadcasting.

'Under the licence-fee system, the BBC forces households to cover the costs of an enormous payroll. The Beeb should do Brits a favour by waving goodbye to the TV tax and taking full responsibility for its own finances.'

Among the BBC's most high- profile forecasters is Tomasz Schafernaker, 44, who was voted the UK's most popular weather presenter in a public poll.

The Polish host joined the BBC Weather Centre in 2000 as a broadcast assistant and became the youngest man to present the broadcaster's regional forecasts at the age of just 22.

Mr Schafernaker, who trained at the Met Office college in Exeter, Devon, is best known for raising 'the finger' at former BBC news presenter Simon McCoy when he thought he was off screen.

Then there is Carol Kirkwood  one of the main weather presenters on Breakfast, who also appears regularly across the corporation's other outlets.

She rejoined the BBC in 1998 and has since presented across all of its weather bulletins.

Carol Kirkwood (left) one of the main weather presenters on Breakfast - also appears regularly across the corporation's other outlets. Owain Wyn Evans (right) is among the other big name presenters

Louise Lear (left) is another presenter for BBC Weather as well as Matt Taylor (right)

Alina Jenkins (left) was the main weather presenter for BBC South Today until she left the programme in 2006. Darren Bett (right) joined the BBC in 1994 as the main weather presenter for BBC Look North

Ben Rich (right) , 38  another popular face  began as the weather presenter at BBC Midlands Today in 2009 and three years later moved on to the national airwaves. Helen Willetts is also a meteorologist for BBC Weather

Lucy Martin (left), who is the BBC's first disabled weather presenter, joined the corporation in 2015. Chris Fawkes (right) is also a popular presenter

Sarah Keith-Lucas (left) studied Geography at Durham University before becoming a presenter. Simon King (right) was assigned to BBC Weather in August 2008, presenting across the entire BBC News output

Susan Powell (left) began broadcasting from November 2001 and now broadcasts across a range of BBC channels. Following a successful and popular time at Reporting Scotland, Steve Danaos (right) joined the BBC's national news channel to present regular forecasts in 2013

Sabrina Lee (pictured) joined the corporation in October 2019. Prior to that she spent six years as a Meteorologist at MeteoGroup

Prior to this, the 61-year-old worked for two years as a presenter on The Weather Channel and then as a forecaster on Talk Radio's 'Drivetime' shows.

READ MORE: BBC faces mass revolt from television viewers with 2.8 million claiming they no longer need to pay TV licence fee A record 2.84 million people insisted they are no longer obliged to fork out 159 for the annual charge Advertisement

Owain Wyn Evans is among the other big name presenters. As well as reading national updates, the 39-year-old is also the senior weather presenter for the nightly news programme North West Tonight and is a reporter for The One Show.

In April 2020, at the start of the Covid pandemic, a video of him playing the drums to the main BBC News theme tune just moments after he had finished presenting a weather report from home went viral.

Ben Rich, 38  another popular face  began as the weather presenter at BBC Midlands Today in 2009 and three years later moved on to the national airwaves.

Lucy Martin, who is the BBC's first disabled weather presenter, joined the corporation in 2015.

Ms Martin, who was born without her right forearm and hand, has presented regional weather bulletins on East Midlands Today, North West Tonight, South East Today and London News. Meanwhile, Sabrina Lee joined the corporation in October 2019 after spending six years as a meteorologist at MeteoGroup.

Other popular presenters include Chris Fawkes, Stav Danaos, Darren Bett, Louise Lear, Alina Jenkins and Helen Willetts.

In August 2015, the BBC announced that it was changing its weather forecasting provider to 'secure the best value for money for licence-fee payers'.

At the time, it said that the contract change would save the corporation 'millions of pounds'.

The contract ended in March 2018 and MeteoGroup took over providing meteorological data for television, radio and online.
It prides itself on not being entangled with the controversial Confucius Institute

The university believes it is safer for their Chinese students to go to the island

One of the UK's oldest and most prestigious universities is sending its exchange students to Taiwan rather than China amid national security concerns, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

The University of St Andrews, attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales, believes it is safer for their Chinese studies students to go to the island rather than the mainland for their year abroad, to avoid them being recruited as Communist spies.

The university, which is also the alma mater of the alleged Westminster 'Chinese spy' whose identity was uncovered this month, has several UK and foreign students on its unique Chinese studies course, founded by Professor Gregory Lee.

Unlike some other universities, the department prides itself on not being entangled with the controversial Confucius Institute, a Chinese teaching institution widely acknowledged as the propaganda arm of the Chinese state.

In an interview with the MoS, Professor Lee said his department was arranging for the majority of its students to go to Taiwan so they were not 'subject' to Communist state interference.

The University of St Andrews, attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales , believes it is safer for their Chinese studies students to go to the island

It is understood that the Education Department has agreed the move. Beijing regards Taiwan as a breakaway province (Pictured: Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan)

He added they were also advising the youngsters on how to spot spy recruiters and to avoid being 'taken in' by glamorous perceptions of espionage.

READ MORE: Chinese 'spy' at the heart of Parliament Advertisement

He said: 'At the moment, all our students going abroad [are] to go to Taiwan. I've worked over the last couple of years to make sure we've got very strong relations with Taiwan.

'That's what we're trying to do, not necessarily for political reasons but because at least you can send people to a relatively safe and stable place where they're not going to be subject to this.

'Students are given advice in function of the current situation.

While students are not actively discouraged from choosing to study in mainland China, they are informed of the risks.

'We currently have many more exchange places with Taiwan than with mainland China.'

Last week the MoS revealed that Chinese teachers from Confucius Institutes working in British classrooms are to be replaced by recruits from Taiwan.

It is understood that the Education Department has agreed the move. Beijing regards Taiwan as a breakaway province.

Almost all British Government spending on Chinese-language teaching at schools is channelled through the 30 university-based institutes and Confucius Classrooms, an offshoot, at almost 150 schools.

They claim to promote Chinese culture but critics say they are a vehicle for Beijing to spread propaganda.

Last night Benedict Rogers, chief executive of Hong Kong Watch, said: 'China's increasing aggression does mean the risks of both hostage diplomacy and espionage are growing, and therefore it is wise for students to go to Taiwan rather than China.

'Recent allegations of espionage in Westminster, if found to be true, illustrate that the Chinese state's recruitment of spies is not limited to their own citizens, but has the potential to include foreign nationals as well.'
Warped Lucy Letby 'fans' are boasting about sending letters to the killer nurse as she rots in jail.

Letby was handed a whole-life order after being found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six more at the Countess of Chester Hospital, in Cheshire, between June 2015 and June 2016.

She injected them with air, overfed them milk and assaulted them in a horrifying series of attacks.

Members of a twisted public Facebook group dedicated to Letby have revealed that they have already sent letters to the baby killer, while others have spoken of their desire to do the same.

One female member of the 'Nurse Lucy Letby Group' said: 'I've sent my letter off to Lucy.'

In another post she claimed she had contacted HMP Low Newton, County Durham, where Letby is being held, for help on how best to get hold of her.

Warped Lucy Letby (pictured) 'fans' are boasting about sending letters to the killer nurse as she rots in jail

One woman boasted of sending a letter to Letby while others asked her to let them know if she replies

The woman's post attracted a lot of attention with several hoping to the same and boasting of 'waiting for her to reply'.

Another woman, who claimed to be a former NHS nurse, posted: 'Please let us know if she responds. I am thinking of writing too.'

A third wrote: 'I will follow your example! Another said: 'Hope you get a reply xx'.

The Facebook group features several controversial theories about Letby, including that she is innocent. However, others member of the group condemned writing to the murderer.

One wrote: 'Are you lot for real? Why would you send a letter to someone who killed seven babies?' Another woman posted: 'Take time out to write a letter to a child serial murderer that's the one.'

And a third said: 'Any of you written to Wayne Cozens, Rose West and Delroy Grant while you're at it?'

Letby, who is from Hereford originally, is appealing against her convictions and is expected to start her bid to clear her name at a court hearing later this month. Members of the Facebook group have posted: 'Please how long until a decision is made on whether Letby can appeal?'

Others have written: 'I believe Lucy Letby's trial was biased and shocking. She is innocent.'

Letby (when she was arrested) was handed a whole-life order after being found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six more between at the Countess of Chester Hospital, in Cheshire, between June 2015 and June 2016

Several members of the Facebook group praised the woman for writing to Letby and wished her luck with getting a reply

Letby denied all the offences she was accused of and refused to attend her sentencing at Manchester Crown Court.

One father, whose baby Letby tried to murder, told the Mail: 'I'm disgusted and angry that Letby is appealing.'

'As if we haven't been through enough. We are trying to rebuild our lives and now this, it's a joke of a system. I don't understand on what grounds she can appeal - there were no mitigating factors in the trial.'

Letby's application comes after a scientist launched a fundraising campaign claiming the case against her was built on 'unreliable expert advice' and 'a bad grasp' of science.

Californian-based Sarrita Adams, who describes herself as a scientific consultant for biotech start-up companies, is leading a group called Science on Trial.

The group, whose posts feature in the page where Letby 'fans' are talking about sending her mail, claims that her conviction 'may represent the greatest miscarriage of justice that the UK has witnessed'.

She was cleared of two counts of attempted murder.

Letby's application comes after a scientist launched a fundraising campaign, Science on Trial, claiming the case against her was built on 'unreliable expert advice' and 'a bad grasp' of science. Science on Trial posts feature in this Facebook group too

Others have condemned Letby 'fans' for sending her letters, asking: 'Why would anybody want to write to a baby serial killer?'

However, the jury was unable to reach verdicts on six counts of attempted murder in relation to five children.

Cheshire police have confirmed they are reviewing the care of 4,000 children - every baby admitted to the unit and that of Liverpool Women's Hospital, where Letby undertook training placements, during the footprint of her career, which began in September 2012.

As police continue to investigate Letby, one mother has revealed that the nurse took a 'sickening' photograph of her baby daughter with her feeding tube dislodged.

The child later collapsed soon after the neo-natal nurse finished her shift and had to be moved into intensive care.

She was subsequently diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a condition caused by brain damage, and her mother now fears her daughter was harmed by the serial killer.

The woman, who asked not to be identified, told the Mirror that she wants police to investigate and is taking legal action against the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Earlier this week, Dr Dewi Evans, the main prosecution expert at the trial told the Mail that he had reviewed the notes of babies dating back to June 2014 and believed three more children may have been killed and up to 15 others harmed by Letby.

Cheshire police have confirmed they are reviewing the care of 4,000 children - every baby admitted to the unit and that of Liverpool Women's Hospital, where Letby undertook training placements, during the footprint of her career, which began in September 2012

A mother has revealed that Lucy Letby took a 'sickening' photograph of her baby daughter with her feeding tube dislodged

On the back she wrote: 'Caught in the act! (Baby's name) deciding she is a big girl now and doesn't need to be tube fed anymore! X'

Letby injected children with air, overfed them milk and assaulted them while working at Countess of Chester Hospital (pictured)

He said he believed she had dislodged breathing tubes of babies before her 'modus operandi' changed to injecting air in June 2015.

Letby's ten-month trial at Manchester Crown Court heard how she had a morbid fascination with her victims and tracked down their families on Facebook.

Sentencing her last month, Mr Justice James Goss Letby: 'There was a deep malevolence bordering on sadism in your actions. You have shown no remorse.'

When handed her sentence, Letby became just the fourth woman to receive a whole life sentence in the UK, joining serial killer Rose West, the late Moors murderer and 'Peterbourgho ditch murderer' Joanna Dennehy.

Ian Carson, of the Prison Officers Association, told The Mirror: 'There aren't any restrictions on sending letters to someone in jail. This type of thing happens all the time.'
Scotland is in the grip of an antidepressants crisis with more than a million adults now prescribed the pills, shocking figures show.

The SNP Government pledged to halt the annual rise in usage when it came to power in 2007.

However, numbers being prescribed the drugs have rocketed, reaching around 630,000 by 2010.

The number of people aged 18 and older on antidepressants this month reached a staggering 1,020,000  almost a quarter of Scotlands adult population.

The figures, from Public Health Scotland, show antidepressants were prescribed at a rate of 22,000 items per day last year, at a cost of 35.9 million.

The number of people in Scotland aged 18 and older on antidepressants this month reached 1,020,000

Conservative MSP Maurice Golden said: The sheer number of prescriptions being issued for depression and anxiety in Scotland is astonishing. The fact it has risen so considerably requires urgent and serious attention from the Scottish Government.

There was a time when the SNP pledged to reduce the rise in these prescriptions, but it has only ever gone in this direction since.

He added: There is a place for antidepressants in treating mental illness, but we need to look at alternatives. GPs are under immense pressure and its well-documented that mental health services are on their knees.

In addition to antidepressants, more than a third of Scottish adults are now being prescribed drugs from one of five groupings broadly associated with mental health. This includes a further 200,000 people prescribed benzodiazepines and 190,000 given gabapentinoids.

It also takes in 130,000 people given medication known as z-drugs (such as zopliclone and zolpidem) and more than 800,000 people prescribed opioid pain medication.

Opinion remains divided on the use of antidepressants  some experts back their effectiveness, while others say they merely treat symptoms, not causes.

Writing in todays Scottish Mail on Sunday, mental health charity chief Nick Ward warns that they are not the answer to the countrys mental health crisis.

The number of prescriptions for antidepressants in Scotland has soared, sparking calls for action from concerned experts

Antidepressants are used to treat conditions such as anxiety disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder, while benzodiazepines is used as a muscle relaxant to prevent seizures and to help people withdraw from alcohol.

Dr Jane Morris, chairman of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland said: There are complex reasons why the rise in antidepressant prescriptions is occurring. However, they are an important treatment option we know to be effective.

She added: Wed like to think public education and awareness of the treatability of mental illness means that more people are coming forward.

But we would not be surprised to find that increased prescribing may now reflect a rise in Scotlands need for mental health treatment, both in medication and psychological therapies. Waiting lists for assessment and treatment are longer than ever.

We also have a workforce crisis in psychiatry and thats why were calling on the Scottish Government to honour its promise to invest 10 per cent of its health budget in mental health.

The Scottish Government said: Since 2007, mental health spending has doubled from 651 million to 1.3 billion. Decisions about antidepressants are made by clinicians in discussion with patients.
Duncan's alleged adultery flies in the face of his 'family values' image

In her court filing, she claimed Duncan was carrying out several affairs

A South Carolina congressman has left his wife after multiple alleged affairs - despite declaring himself a 'family values' candidate who backs 'traditional marriage.'

Jeff Duncan's alleged dalliances were revealed by his wife of 25 years and mother of his three children, Melody Duncan, as she filed for divorce from the GOP lawmaker in a Laurens County courthouse on Friday.

The filing alleged that Duncan, an outspoken Republican who claims on his congressional page that he is 'a strong advocate for life and traditional family values', carried out one of the affairs with a DC lobbyist, named as Liz Williams in the document. Duncan is now believed to be living with Williams.

Duncan's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted by DailyMail.com.

The alleged adultery comes just weeks after Governor of North Dakota Kristi Noem, another hardline Republican who was even floated as a potential running mate for Donald Trump, was caught in exclusive reporting by DailyMail.com allegedly cheating on her husband with Trump advisor Corey Lewandoswki.

Congressman Jeff Duncan claims to be a champion of 'traditional family values'. He is pictured alongside his wife Melody, who filed for divorce on Friday alleging he has carried out multiple affairs behind her back

Duncan celebrated the birth of his first grandchild in February, posing beside his wife Melody before making a speech in the House of Representatives over his 'excitement' at the addition to his family

According to Friday's filing, Duncan made no secret of his affair with Williams in Washington social circles, and his wife believes he may have even quietly moved in with her.

'(Duncan) has admitted to (Melody) that he has an ongoing sexual relationship,' with Willaims, the filing claims.

The shocking court statement added that the GOP lawmaker further admitted to the 'adulterous relationship to many other people, including the parties' sons and members of his staff.'

In one instance alleged by Melody, it was claimed that as recently as August 28 Duncan was touting his 'loving' marriage to his wife when he hosted conservative fundraiser 'Faith and Freedom BBQ.'

Just a day later, however, the filing claims he 'went directly to the home of his paramour, Liz Williams... where (Melody) is informed and believes he continues to reside.'

Just four months before, Duncan celebrated the birth of his first grandchild, posing next to Melody as he cradled the child before making a fawning speech in the House of Representatives about the addition to his family.

Duncan is pictured earlier this year announcing the birth of his first grandchild in the House of Representatives

Duncan has become known as a hardline Republican in his 12 years as a congressman. He is pictured posing with an Ivermectin can as he arrives at the Capitol in February 2022

'(Melody) is informed and believes that (Duncan's) extramarital relationship(s) is/are widely known in political circles of South Carolina and Washington D.C,' the document adds.

Duncan's facade as a 'family values' Republican was also noted in the divorce, where Melody claims he has worked up a narrative that his marriage was cold and loveless to 'justify the hypocrisy of his public statements and private actions.'

He has opposed same-sex marriage - despite reportedly flouting his own 'sacred' vows on numerous occasions.

Alongside his affair with Williams, Duncan also carried out 'an extramarital relationship with at least one other woman', per the court documents.

Her divorce proceedings are seeking alimony payments, and exclusive possession and use of their marital home and their home in Montana.

Duncan (pictured praying on the floor of the Republican National Convention) has made faith a central part of his political identity

She is also requesting Duncan be solely responsible for any of their debts, medical expenses, attorney and legal fees, and maintenance of hers and their children's health insurance.

Duncan has served South Carolina's 3rd Congressional District since 2011 and is up for re-election next year.

In his time in the House, he has become an outspoken conservative who's Faith and Freedom BBQ noted in his divorce filing has grown to become a key fundraiser and speech opportunity for Republican leaders.

In 2021, the keynote address was given by Noem, with Duncan saying at the time he offered the opportunity to boost her national profile as a future GOP leader.

But just weeks before his own alleged scandal, Noem saw her reputation as a staunch 'family values' Republican devastated by allegations she had been carrying out a years-long affair with Lewandowski, as exclusively reported by DailyMail.com.

Married South Dakota governor Kristi Noem, 51, and ex-Trump advisor Corey Lewandowski (pictured in Ohio in 2020) have been engaging in a years-long romance, despite both being married, DailyMail.com can reveal

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has been married to her husband, Bryon Noem since 1992. Lewandowski, meanwhile, has been married to 9/11 widow Alison, since 2005, and has four children with her

Noem was often floated as a vice-presidential candidate for Donald Trump if he secures the Republican 2024 nomination, and, like Duncan, had spent years stressing her belief in 'family values.'

She is another Republican who's opposed same-sex marriage because she believes marriage is between a man and a woman - despite letting another man into her bed behind her husband's back.

But her chances of joining Trump's ticket took a major hit as it was revealed that she had been carrying out the years-long affair.

She rose to prominence as her state's only member of the House of Representatives for four terms, before winning the governorship in 2018 promising to uphold the wholesome family values that she said South Dakotans have 'long embraced'.

Defending 'traditional marriage', which she defined as 'a special, God-given union between one man and one woman', was particularly important to her.
A 16-year-old male was arrested Friday following a four-month investigation into a shooting at Cheektowaga Town Park that resulted in another teenager being sent to the hospital, Cheektowaga police said in a news release.

The defendant surrendered to officers and was arraigned in Youth Part of Erie County Court on a felony charge of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, police said. He was released under supervised probation.

In the shooting incident, police were called to Cheektowaga Town Park on Harlem Road after 7 p.m. on May 13 due to reports of a large gathering and fights, The News reported, with an estimated 100 people. While officers were in transit, they heard further reports that shots had been fired.

A 15-year-old male was taken to Oishei Children's Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition, police said at the time. The park was closed for the night after the incident.
Heartless shoplifters have stolen more than 15million of stock from charity shops in the past year, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

The shocking figure comes from an exclusive poll of UK charities, which found that 80 per cent had seen an astonishing increase in thefts of items that had been kindly donated by the public.

More than half of those polled said they had witnessed an increase in abuse of staff and volunteers in the past 12 months.

Last night, charity shop workers and volunteers said they no longer 'bother to call the police' when thieves strike, because officers will not come out to investigate. The vast majority of charities  85 per cent  said they do not report the thefts, which happen daily. Those that do report crimes said police officers only turned up to investigate one in five cases.

The poll, by the Charity Retail Association, which represents 9,000 charity shops, also found that over the past year two-thirds of stores have had to install new security measures to combat thieves  diverting an extra 4million away from good causes.

The shocking figure comes from an exclusive poll of UK charities, which found that 80 per cent had seen an astonishing increase in thefts of items that had been kindly donated by the public

One children's charity in West London shared dramatic footage of a thief brazenly walking out with a 40in TV that had been donated to the store

Robin Osterley, chief executive of the association, said: 'The loss of these funds through shoplifting can have a direct impact on the ability of charities to provide or expand these services, which is why seeing so many shops affected and an increase in shoplifting over the past year is so concerning.

'It is something that charity shops urgently need support with, whether it is increased support from the police or campaigning at a national level to stop the abuse that is faced by retail staff and volunteers.

'Being predominately bricks-and-mortar stores with large volumes of stock, they are often a target for shoplifting, as well as abuse of staff and volunteers.

'Among some criminals there seems to be a perception that this is a 'victimless crime', as most of the goods stolen have been donated by the public. However, the effect on the morale of staff and volunteers can be devastating, as well as the loss of potential income, so this is far from the case.'

The MoS has launched a campaign calling on the authorities to crack down on shoplifting amid concerns from retailers over an 'epidemic' of thefts that has cost supermarkets and high street stores more than 1billion a year.

Last night, charity shop workers and volunteers on the retail front line said they were struggling to cope. One children's charity in West London shared dramatic footage of a thief brazenly walking out with a 40in TV that had been donated to the store.

The thief, wearing an orange T-shirt and blue jeans, strolled into the Little Lives UK shop in Raynes Park, picked up the screen, on sale for 200, and calmly walked out past browsing customers during the middle of the day.

Krisztina Schafler, founder and director of Little Lives UK, said that even after staff handed police the footage of both the TV thief and of a getaway van that was waiting outside, Scotland Yard closed the case after just one day and no further action was taken.

Other crimes caught on CCTV by Little Lives UK in recent months showed a thief picking the pocket of a customer, another stealing a laptop from behind a shop's counter and a man taking a pair of jeans from the rail, rolling them up and trying to stuff them down his trousers before he was challenged by a volunteer.

'Since the stores opened in 2017, each year has got worse and worse,' Ms Schafler said. 'Just last week we had a big 200 guitar stolen. They just run.'

The charity operates four shops in London. Ms Schafler, who works at the shop in Raynes Park, said: 'Hundreds of pounds a week is taken from just our one store, thousands a month.

The thief, wearing an orange T-shirt and blue jeans, strolled into the Little Lives UK shop in Raynes Park, picked up the screen, on sale for 200

He then calmly walked out past browsing customers during the middle of the day

'But unless your life is in danger, the police just won't come. We no longer report 90 per cent of the crimes because the police just don't come and investigate anything.'

Ms Schafler said she tells her staff not to approach thieves in case they turn violent, adding: 'My staff are not allowed to be in the store on their own. We always have two employees working so that they're not in danger.

'My staff and I feel less and less safe. I tell them to never approach or question someone who is stealing. We have had people with scissors and knives on them. We sometimes get great items and high-end brands donated, but we're too scared to put them out on display. In our Fulham store we had a Gucci jumper, and it wasn't even in the shop for ten minutes. Someone came straight in and took it. Nothing is safe.'

Another small charity told the MoS it had lost 45,000 in the past year due to theft.

Legal action against shoplifters is declining. In the year to June 2022, 21,279 people were prosecuted for shoplifting in England and Wales, compared with 80,352 a decade ago. A change in the law in 2014 meant those charged with stealing goods worth less than 200 fall under the bracket of anti-social behaviour, so were likely to receive a fine without having to appear in court.

ONE charity shop targeted by callous shoplifters has had to resort to removing cash donation boxes to stop thieves helping themselves to the contents.

Lee Reynolds, general manager of the White Rose in Nottingham, which sells second-hand fashion items, said: 'I could confidently say that we currently have hourly incidents.

'From the incidents recorded and the burglaries, we estimate around 45,000 has been lost across our 14 stores due to shoplifting in the last year. We have had to remove cash donation pots from our shop floors. We had one example of when a staff member was serving, a shoplifter broke into the till drawer and stole the day's takings.

'We now have CCTV in every shop. Store managers have access to internal radios to quickly call for help if they feel at risk, and we have rolled out intruder alarms and movement sensors to cope with the rise in break-ins.'

Home Office data shows that shoplifting rose by 24 per cent last year, as thieves take advantage of lax policing and a criminal justice system that often lets off perpetrators without jail sentences.

Retailers said there are now ten million thefts every year  about 30,000 per day, or one every two seconds.

In response to our campaign, the Policing Minister Chris Philp last week called on police forces to take a 'zero tolerance' approach to shoplifting.

Policing leaders have vowed to investigate every crime.

Heartless criminals target shops every day ...and staff say there's no point telling police

Dressed in orange T-shirt, the thief strolls into Little Lives UK in West London, heads straight for the massive TV set on sale, and lifts it up.

He appears to struggle with the weight of the 40in television, lifting it with his left leg to get a better grip on his prize.

Right in front of the store's CCTV camera, the shoplifter carries the TV past rows of second-hand clothes and makes for the exit.

The thief brazenly walks out of the shop in broad daylight, carrying his booty, heading for a getaway van that is parked close by.
Police are investigating a devastating attack on a man in a south London park, who was hospitalised after being bitten by a suspected American XL bully dog yesterday.

The victim, in 40s, was attacked in Pasley Park, Walworth, shortly after 6pm on Friday and was taken to hospital suffering injuries to his arm, the Metropolitan Police said.

They are now looking for a dog 'believed to have been a grey-coloured XL bully' and say the owner left the scene with the dog before officers arrived.

No arrests have yet been made, a spokesperson for the police confirmed.

It comes as hundreds of XL Bully owners massed in London today to protest Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's plans to ban the breed.

Pictured: an XL bully that attacked another dog. Police are now looking for a separate dog - also believed to be a bully - and its owner after an attack on a man in south London yesterday

One of the placards read 'Don't bully our bullies' while another declared 'stop bullying our best friends'

A protest against the banning of XL Bully dogs in the UK on September 23, 2023. Images show Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wearing a dog muzzle

Writer and lawyer Ness Lyons said the attack happened in her local park.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, she said: "Earlier this evening an XL bully jumped a fence and attacked a man in my local park. Partially witnessed by my son.

"Man was bitten badly in several places including his abdomen.

"Police and ambulance came, but it took an hour. Horrifying.

"The owner grabbed his dog and legged it."

Elsewhere, demonstrators rallied in central London on Saturday in opposition to the Prime Minister's proposed American bully XL ban.

The breed is set to be banned by the end of the year following a series of attacks, including that of father-of-two Ian Price from Staffordshire, who was killed by two XL Bullies after they jumped out of a neighbour's window earlier this month.

But protestors in London today clutched placards with messages such as "don't bully our bullies" and chanted "save our bullies", while on person was pictured wearing a T-shirt which said "muzzle Rishi Sunak don't bully our breed".

Mr Sunak has promised to ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act by the end of the year in response to a series of attacks, but owners of are not expected to face a cull of their pets.

On Monday, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said a "transition period" would be introduced, with details likely to follow a consultation on the plan.

Owners could face a requirement to neuter their dogs and muzzle them in public, the Government's chief vet has suggested.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman on Monday said: "We will need to safely manage the existing population of these dogs.

'Exactly what that looks like will be a topic for the consultation.

"And there will need to be some sort of transition period."

People take part in a protest in central London, against the Government's decision to add XL bully dogs to the list of prohibited breed

An extremely provocative t-shirt featured a photoshopped picture of the Prime Minister

American XL Bully dogs will be banned in the UK by the end of the year

Critics say their dogs are completely safe and insist it is the minority of the animals which are actually dangerous.

But while the owners were out in force in London they did not have any of their pets with them.

Before the event, the message went out: 'Please do not take your dogs to protest.'

The protestors are understood to have taken the decision due to the mix of fears the dogs could be taken and an obvious PR disaster possibility if one became aggressive.

Many of the protesters held banners aloft as they marched on Parliament to promote their cause.

Michelle West, of Northfleet had made placards for the rally outside Westminster showing her dog Ossie with seven-year-old daughter Elizabeth.

She told Kent Online: 'People need to take responsibility for their dog. They are blaming the wrong end of the lead.

'I've never known a dog so affectionate and soppy.

Many of the protesters were wearing branded clothing and the placards looked professional

These dog lovers blamed bad owners rather than the animals for the series of scandals recently

'He just wants to be near you all the time and loves being cuddled and squeezed.'

Mr Sunak has said he has ordered ministers to convene a panel of experts, including the police, to define the breed so it can then be outlawed.

'The American XL Bully dog is a danger to our communities, particularly our children,' he said.

'I share the nation's horror at the recent videos we've all seen. Yesterday we saw another suspected XL Bully dog attack, which has tragically led to a fatality.

'It's clear this is not about a handful of badly trained dogs: it's a pattern of behaviour and it cannot go on.

'While owners already have a responsibility to keep their dogs under control, I want to reassure people that we are urgently working on ways to stop these attacks and protect the public.

This dog owner said the animals were not responsible and said it was the owners' faults

She proudly held the sign aloft next to others wearing T-shirts which read 'save our babies'

'Today, I have tasked ministers to bring together police and experts to firstly define the breed of dog behind these attacks with a view to then outlawing it.

'It is not currently a breed defined in law so this vital first step must happen fast.

'We will then ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act and new laws will be in place by the end of the year.'

In the last week, West Midlands county has seen two horrific attacks by thought-to-be XL Bullys.

Mohammed Sami Raza was left covered in blood with horrendous injuries to his arms and legs after the mutt pounced on him in Bentley Drive, Walsall.

In another attack on Monday, two rottweilers charged into a family home and killed two beloved cats - leaving the occupant and her children screaming for help.

Chilling doorbell footage showed the family happily greet their beloved pets from the car in Solihull. Moments later the two big dogs ran into the driveway and into the house, before wrecking the kitchen and killing both cats.

Any ban will include an amnesty for existing owners as long as their pets are registered, neutered and muzzled when in public.

American bullies are a relatively new breed, having originated in the 1980s. They are mixed breed bulldogs, typically American pitbull terriers crossed with American, English and Olde English bulldogs.

Though the bully XL is the most common, the dogs can also be bred with mastiffs and other larger dogs to make them bigger, XXL or even XXXL.

Despite their relative popularity in the UK, they are not officially registered as a breed by the UK Kennel Club, making it difficult to know exactly how many are in the country.
Drivers may soon be able to charge their electric cars using bins and street lamps, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Government Ministers are examining proposals to convert ordinary street objects into 'smart' versions, which can offer free wi-fi and 5G, and charge your car.

A pilot scheme has been launched, with six councils across the UK given funding to find new uses for 'street furniture'.

They will begin by rolling out street lamps with free internet access and electric vehicle charging, as well as developing the ways in which other objects can be converted.

Ministers have confirmed that this includes 'smart bins'  where current street bins would be upgraded to allow people to charge their cars and use the internet.

Other street furniture that could be converted includes benches, bus stops, traffic lights and CCTV columns, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said.

Drivers may soon be able to charge their electric cars using bins and street lamps, The Mail on Sunday can reveal (file image)

Industry experts welcomed the plans and said innovation and more public charge points are key to a wider rollout of electric cars.

But critics have questioned the plan's viability. Conservative MP for South Thanet, Craig Mackinlay, who runs the Net Zero Scrutiny Group, said it amounted to 'greenwashing'. Writing in the MoS, Mr Mackinlay said: 'It is a pie-in-the-sky solution which comes nowhere near to matching the scale of the need for high-powered chargers, were electric vehicles really to have a monopoly on roads.

'At the heart of the policy lies the obsession with a nationwide switch to electric vehicles... but a key problem is that Britain looks like it will have nothing like enough effective charger points to support this change. That was one of the reasons for the Prime Minister's decision to push back the target for phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 to 2035.'

The pilot scheme will see a total of 1.3 million of Government funding given to councils in Cambridgeshire, Tees Valley, Westminster in London, Kingston upon Thames, North Ayrshire and Oxfordshire.

The plans would involve digging up streets to connect the objects to the grid. This would be less disruptive with objects that already use electricity, such as street lamps.

Ministers have confirmed that this includes 'smart bins'  where current street bins would be upgraded to allow people to charge their cars and use the internet (file image)

Edmund King, president of the AA, said lamp posts, bins and benches could provide options for rural drivers and people who do not have their own charge points, but added that such street objects would be slow chargers.

'People should not be expected to pull up and charge in 20 minutes,' he said. 'But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Slow charging is more cost-effective.'

He added: 'One of the advantages to using existing street furniture is that you don't want to clutter up streets [with extra charge points].'

'We need lots of innovation and new ideas. Whatever you like it or not, this is a new dawn.'

Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan told the MoS: 'We're always looking for new, innovative ways to make the most of advances in science and technology.

'Smart street lamps are the first step to making everyday infrastructure play a full role in building a better future for the UK.'
It comes as Starmer said 'friction' will be reduced if we 'share values' with the EU

James Cleverly said the Labour leader is 'obsessed with looking at the EU'

Sir Keir Starmer is facing growing calls to clarify his flip-flopping Brexit policy, after a senior Cabinet Minister called his record on the EU a 'catalogue of opportunism'.

After footage emerged on Thursday of the Labour leader saying that 'the more we share values' with the EU, the less friction there would be', Foreign Secretary James Cleverly accused Sir Keir of being 'obsessed with looking at the EU'.

Mr Cleverly told The Mail on Sunday: 'His record on the EU is a catalogue of opportunism.

'He voted to remain, then he was in favour of a second referendum, then he wanted to make Brexit work, now he wants to "rebuild" ties with the EU by rejoining in all but name by the back door  before adding that he doesn't want to rejoin. He couldn't flip-flop more if he was on a beach.'

The footage showed Sir Keir telling a centre-Left conference in Montreal: 'We don't want to diverge [or] lower standards, we don't want to rip up environmental standards, working standards [and] food standards.'

Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) is facing growing calls to clarify his flip-flopping Brexit policy

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly accused Sir Keir of being 'obsessed with looking at the EU'

Accusing Sir Keir of being 'backward-looking', Mr Cleverly said: 'The world sees the UK as a giant, Labour thinks the UK is a minnow. [At the conference] he was laying the groundwork to turn back the clock and revisit Brexit arguments of the past.

'He and his party will say anything to try to please anybody, because he doesn't understand the British people.

'Politicians need votes, but risking Britain's reputation because you can't believe we will survive and thrive out of the EU is a lack of faith I don't and won't share.'
Meghan and Harry have reunited with Oprah at a celeb-studded fundraiser two years after their bombshell interview blew the Royal Family apart.

The couple - who have just returned from a PDA-packed appearance at the Invictus Games in Germany - attended Kevin Costner's fundraiser 'One805Live' for first responders on Friday at his 21million polo field in Santa Barbara.

During the event they were joined by their close friend Ellen Degeneres, as well as chat host Oprah Winfrey, who hosted the infamously explosive interview with the couple in 2021.

The Duke chatted to Oprah throughout the evening, even sharing a joke and a laugh.

They appeared to be on good terms with one another as Harry and Meghan cosied up to the 69-year-old star.

Meghan and Harry reunited with Oprah Winfrey (second left) at Kevin Costner's 'One805Live' fundraiser on Friday - two years after their incendiary interview

The couple were joined by their good friend Oprah throughout the evening as they took another step into Hollywood royalty

Harry and Meghan have just returned from a PDA-packed trip to the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf

Harry and Meghan dropped explosive bombshells throughout the 2021 interview, in which they claimed that an unnamed royal had posed questions over the colour of baby Archie's skin

But in an interview with Tom Bradby in January (pictured) the Duke of Sussex conceded that the Royal Family were not racist

Harry and Meghan dropped explosive bombshells throughout the 2021 interview, in which they claimed that an unnamed royal had posed questions over the colour of baby Archie's skin.

Ms Winfrey asked Meghan in 2021: 'They were concerned that if he were too brown, that would be a problem? Are you saying that?'

Meghan responded: 'If that's the assumption you're making, I think that feels like a pretty safe one, which was really hard to understand, right?'

The tell-all chat with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex aired on March 8, when Prince Philip remained in hospital with a pre-existing heart condition. He died a month later.

The incendiary interview sent shockwaves through the royal family, with Prince William later speaking out during a school visit to insist the Firm 'is very much not racist.'

But in an interview with ITV's Tom Bradby in January, Harry said his family were not racist and claimed he had never made the accusations in the first place.

'No I didn't. The British press said that,' said Harry.

The couple also spoke candidly about Meghan's struggles with depression, with the Duchess admitting there was a point where 'I just didn't want to be alive anymore'  but though she asked times for professional help, she was told she couldn't pursue it.

Harry and Meghan are surrounded by first responders and Hollywood royalty at Kevin Costner's estate in Montecito

Oprah Winfrey - a close friend of the former royals - also makes an appearance and interviews Santa Barbara County Fire Fighter Sam Dudley

Meghan opted for a sophisticated, chic look, in a monochrome jacket with her hair pulled back 'clean-girl' style

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, at a benefit concert for Santa Barbara first responders on Kevin Costner's estate in Montecito, USA

'I said that, "I've never felt this way before, and I need to go somewhere." And I was told that I couldn't, that it wouldn't be good for the institution,' Meghan said.

Other striking revelations included Prince Harry's claim that his father had stopped taking his calls, while Meghan contradicted reports that she had made her sister-in-law Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, cry leading up to her wedding  saying it was actually Kate who had made her cry.

At the fundraiser on Friday, Oprah introduced a man named Sam Dudley and his service dog Rhonda in a video which was reposted on One805 Instagram stories.

'Sam, in addition to all the extraordinary things that One805 does, they have a counseling service where they counsel over 700 responders and this year alone prevented 24 suicided,' she said. 'And Sam knows all too well how beneficiary one805 counseling services are.'

As the night unfolded, Harry revealed his dance moves while Meghan engaged in conversation with other attendees.

The couple also walked around the event to greet other distinguished guests and pose for photos.

The fundraising event headlined by Maroon 5 - where 'last chance' tables cost $12,000 - was hosted at the oceanside estate of Kevin Costner in Summerland and included noteworthy guests, including Katy Perry's parents.

Harry wore black while Meghan opted for a sophisticated, chic look, in a monochrome jacket with her hair pulled back 'clean-girl' style.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were all smiles as they made a surprise appearance at Kevin Costner 's 'One805 Live!' charity event

Meghan and Harry pictured backstage at the event with host Kevin Costner

The smiling Duchess of Sussex puts her arm around he husband Prince Harry at the Invictus Games

Harry was seen laughing by Meghan's side as the pair cheered on the competitors and took selfies with adoring fans

It comes after the couple returned from a PDA-packed visit to the Invictus Games in Germany.

The couple were all loved up earlier this month as they joined crowds of delighted fans to watch Ukraine take on Nigeria in the volleyball competition this afternoon at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Harry embraced his wife in a loving hug and was seen laughing by her side as the pair cheered on the competitors and took selfies with adoring fans.

Harry was also so happy to be at the event that he even performed a dad-dance from the stands.
Buckingham Palace has been dragged into a row with academics over the fate of the late Queens personal letters and diaries.

The Mail on Sunday revealed that the King has entrusted loyal Palace aide Paul Whybrew, known as Tall Paul, to sort through the Queens private papers before they are transferred to the Royal archive in Windsor.

But academics have described the decision as deeply concerning, fearing that vital historic documents may be suppressed  or even destroyed  without public knowledge.

A year on from the Queens death, an announcement has yet to be made over which historian will be granted the job of writing Elizabeth IIs official biography.

It means that, for now at least, Palace courtiers rather than highly skilled impartial experts are left to decide what ought to be kept and what should be destroyed.

History lecturer Dr Alison McClean from the University of Bristol said: The late Queens diaries have the potential to become a significant historical resource.

The King has entrusted loyal Palace aide Paul Whybrew (right), known as Tall Paul, to sort through the Queens private papers before they are transferred to the Royal archive in Windsor

Academics have expressed their fears over the decision, with one saying Paul Whybrew is 'undoubtedly a valued and trusted member of the Royal Household with an intimate knowledge of its inner workings - however, he is not a qualified historian or archivist'

Mr Whybrow is undoubtedly a valued and trusted member of the Royal Household with an intimate knowledge of its inner workings.

However, he is not a qualified historian or archivist and may not fully grasp the historical significance of the material contained within these diaries.

There is also a risk that he will feel duty bound to place his loyalty to the Royal Family above the interests of historians and researchers.

Biographer and historian Andrew Lownie, who is campaigning for greater openness from the Royal archives, said: The Royal Family have a history of destroying records and there are worries this may happen again.

'It is important that an official biographer for both her and Prince Philip, with unfettered access to their papers, is announced soon and that any censorship is done with a light touch.

A high-profile historian, who asked not to be named, said: This is a clear break with the way that it has been done in the past.

By doing it this way [with an aide going through the documents] you are hobbling the biographer and the biography and you are deciding that your judgment is more important than the judgment of a historian.

Another well-known historian added: We have to remember the enormous damage that Princess Margaret did when she went through the papers of the late Queen Mother.

She made a bonfire, put the papers into black plastic bags and burnt them  including letters from Princess Diana.

An authorised biography of Queen Elizabeth II would be the publishing sensation of the century.

Insiders told The Mail on Sunday that frontrunners include award-winning historian Jane Ridley, who has written a biography of Edward VII.

Another contender is said to be British historian and TV presenter Simon Sebag Montefiore.
But is finding 'The One' truly possible or something straight out of a fairytale?

Married At First Sight (MAFS) returned to our screens this week on Channel 4

The UK's iconic Married At First Sight (MAFS) returned to our screens this week, with a handful of new singletons looking to find 'The One'.

Like usual, strangers met at the altar for the very first time before diving head-first into a simulation of married life.

After six weeks, couples will then decide whether it's truly an 'I do' or an 'I don't' by confirming whether they want to stay with each other beyond the show.

But the new season got us thinking  just how effective is MAFS, and does The One really exist?

MailOnline spoke with two psychologists to uncover whether dreams of love at first sight are truly possible or just fairytale ideals.

Finding The One: Married At First Sight (MAFS) returned to our screens this week on Channel 4

READ MORE: Married at First Sight UK fans are moved to tears as Ella comes out as transgender Emotional: Married at First Sight UK viewers were moved to tears during the second episode of the series as Ella came out as transgender after marrying her husband Nathanial Advertisement

Does 'The One' really exist?

It's no secret that marrying a handsome prince is a major plot point of countless fairytales.

Albeit idealistic, Dr Louise Goddard-Crawley told MailOnline that finding your own soulmate or 'The One' may be possible for not only the MAFS contestants, but the rest of us too.

'Whether "The One" exists or not is a personal belief, and it can vary greatly from person to person,' she said.

'Ultimately, the pursuit of a fulfilling and lasting relationship should be based on individual values, needs, and experiences rather than a rigid adherence to a romantic ideal.

'It's important to acknowledge that media, including romance films and novels, often present idealised and romanticised versions of love and relationships.'

Dr Goddard-Crawley claims that robust relationships are centred around four key components which include compatibility, effort, shared values and communication.

MAFS match Jay Howard and Luke Morley also gave hope to us all this week as the giddy pair set off on their honeymoon to Grenada.

She added: 'Discovering a partner with whom you share compatibility and collaboratively fostering the relationship takes precedence over the notion of finding "The One".'

Arthur Poremba left Laura Vaughan (pictured) and her friends cringing when he told her he loved her at the end of his vows despite having met Laura just minutes earlier

Dr Gurpreet Kaur agreed, also adding: 'All of this will be influenced by cultural, social, religious, spiritual, and economic factors.

'Perhaps the idea of "The One" is only as important as one's personal connection to the concept.'

Can you truly fall in love at first sight?

Whether it's Romeo and Juliet or Dumb and Dumber, falling in love at first sight is yet another trope of romance movies.

MAFS contestant Arthur Poremba also startled the world this week as he declared his love for Laura Vaughan at their wedding  despite meeting her just a few minutes before.

In reality, Dr Kaur believes this is unrealistic, with many singletons mistaking initial attraction for the phenomenon of love.

'Initially, there can be a strong feeling of attraction which can be easily mistaken for love,' she told MailOnline.

'The physical pull can be mistaken for intense emotional feelings and interpreted as a sign of something much deeper.'

During the first stages of a relationship, Dr Kaur explains that most people are often on their best behaviour and are perhaps more attentive than usual.

Viewers saw the emotional wedding of Luke Morley and Jay Howard this week, who later ventured on their honeymoon

She added: 'This is amplified greatly on a show like Married at First Sight, where a camera crew and an expert panel are involved throughout the process.

'However, determining compatibility in values, goals and personalities often takes time in reality and occurs through varied shared experiences.'

Dr Goddard-Crawley agreed, but added: 'In the end, the quality of the connection matters more than how quickly it develops, as there's no one-size-fits-all timeline for finding the right life partner.'

What are the signs you've found The One?

Kindness, intelligence and a good sense of humour are among countless typical traits we may hope for in a partner.

But Dr Goddard-Crawley explains that finding 'The One' takes much more than this, and MAFS participants must seek to strike a balance between stability and surprise.

'While comfort and stability are important, there should still be a spark of excitement and attraction in the relationship,' she told MailOnline.

'However, anxiety can lead to misinterpreting whether you've found "The One" by causing overthinking, doubt, and fear of abandonment.

'It can amplify insecurity, avoidance behaviours, and unrealistic standards.'

Oxytocin - often nicknamed the 'love drug'  is a hormone that's produced in the brain, stimulating feelings of intimacy and trust.

Viewers sobbed as Ella and Nathanial married after meeting for the first time at the altar and the former Geordie Shore star accepted his new wife for who she is as a transgender woman

Meanwhile, adrenaline is another hormone in our bodies that is often linked to new experiences and excitement.

A combination of these two hormones can make finding 'The One' confusing at times, according to Dr Goddard-Crawley.

THE FOUR COMPONENTS OF A ROBUST RELATIONSHIP Compatibility Effort Shared values Communication Advertisement

But 'The One' should allow you to feel respected and accepted for who you are.

'Adrenaline can lead to infatuation, where the relationship feels exhilarating and passionate,' she added.

'However, this type of attraction is often short-lived and may not necessarily lead to a deep, long-lasting connection.

'Oxytocin is instrumental in building and maintaining emotional connections in long-term relationships. It's what fosters the sense of safety, attachment, and bonding between partners.'

Should you trust your first impressions?

As MAFS participants walked down the aisle this week, there's no doubt they quickly made judgements on their new partners.

But Dr Kaur also claims that first impressions shouldn't always be trusted as they can be influenced by an array of different factors.

First date nerves and unconscious biases are encompassed in this, as well as your own mood on the day.

'The initial click is often more about attraction and preconceived ideas about what is a good match,' she told MailOnline.

'The scenario in which a couple initially meet might also lend itself to a romanticised view of what each other should be like.

'Stepping away from ideals and "shoulds" in regards to assessing the other person will help to see them more realistically and give you a chance to decide whether the interaction is worth pursuing.'
Intendent breweries in North America have already been using the helpful tool

It seems the usefulness of ChatGPT knows no bounds as even brewers are using the tool to make new beer.

German brand Beck's is one of a number of companies to have turned to the clever AI chatbot to make a futuristic beverage, called Becks Autonomous.

ChatGPT not only came up with the lager's recipe but also its packaging, name, advertising campaign and even a design for the beer's website.

Beck's is the first commercial brewery to work with ChatGPT, although other independent brew houses in North America have already done the same.

MailOnline gave Beck's Autonomous a try to see how it compares with the brand's flagship lager.

Every detail was made with the online AI tool ChatGPT, from the recipe to packaging, name as well as its advertising campaign. Beck's Autonomous came in a fancy box that gave a surprise when opened

MailOnline gave Beck's Autonomous a try to see how it compares with the brand's flagship lager (left)

Beck's prompt to ChatGPT Beck's staff typed the following into ChatGPT: 'Hello Chat GPT, we're Beck's a pioneering pilsner beer from Germany, and we're turning 150 years young. 'We are all about innovation, and A.I. is the future. 'Can you create an innovative recipe that celebrated 150 years of Beck's? 'Please respect the Reinheitsgebot law and only use hops, yeast, water, malt.' The response from the AI bot is being kept a secret. Advertisement

Beck's got ChatGPT to come up with the beer in celebration of 150 years since its founding in the German city of Bremen back in 1873, although humans actually did the brewing.

Beck's says: '150 years of innovation needed a celebration that matched our pioneering spirit.

'That's why from recipe to marketing, every decision in the making of this beer was made by AI.'

Beck's is keeping the recipe secret, although we do know it has the four essential components that make a beer a beer  water, grain, hops and yeast.

Beck's also revealed to MailOnline that the new beer is a lager, meaning it uses a bottom-fermenting yeast.

A limited batch of 150 units has already been delivered to tasters for free, and the firm will study feedback before deciding if it will release it more widely for the public to enjoy.

After weeks of waiting for the limited edition beer, Beck's Autonomous arrived in a fancy box sealed with special tape and adorned with a futuristic label.

Written on it is the tagline that ChatGPT also came up with: 'The beer that made itself.'

What I wasn't expecting was the box starting to speak to me in a robotic voice as soon as I pulled it open, accompanied by a green flashing light.

After weeks of waiting for the limited edition beer, Beck's Autonomous arrived in a fancy box sealed with special tape and adorned with a futuristic label

Beck's got ChatGPT to come up with the beer in celebration of 150 years since its founding in the German city of Bremen back in 1873, although humans brewed it

READ MORE Anyone for AI-PA? Detroit brewery enlists help of ChatGPT 'India pale ale brewed by robots': Atwater Brewery in Detroit can lay the claim as the first to work with ChatGPT to come up with a new beer Advertisement

Like a scene at the start of a particularly odd Black Mirror episode, the voice said: 'Beck's gave complete control of their anniversary beer to AI to celebrate to celebrate 150 years of pioneering.

'That's how I was prompted into existence and now I'm here to give you a taste of the future.

'I'm Beck's Autonomous and I say, cheers!'

It turns out that the box is embedded with a sensor that triggers the speech whenever it detects light  so the welcome message goes off every time the box opens as long as it is dark.

Once I got over the shock of a talking cardboard box, I pulled out the 250ml metal can containing the precious liquid.

The can was covered with a weird bulky layer of black material that feels a bit like hard rubber, like the exoskeleton of a robot, worthy of The Terminator.

To be frank, it looked more like a can of Lynx Africa than something you would drink from.

What's more, the can's exoskeleton made it rather hard to pour so I spilt some on the table (and I had no such trouble with the glass bottle of Beck's flagship lager).

The two lagers were notably different in appearance  the standard Beck's was golden while the AI beer was a lighter and paler straw colour.

The 250ml can is secured in place within the talking box that flashes green when you open it

The two beers were notably different in appearance - the standard Beck's was golden while the AI beer was a lighter and paler straw colour

READ MORE Bigger beer head means more flavour, study suggests Scientists captured aromas from both before and had been frothed up (pictured) Advertisement

Beck's Autonomous also poured with a much bigger head, which research suggests is a good thing because it helps deliver flavour.

As many regular beer drinkers will agree, the flagship Beck's lager isn't the most challenging or delicious of beers on the market.

It has a gentle malty sweetness with little-to-no bitterness, making it a quaffable and therefore popular option for British pub-goers.

To my joy, I found Beck's Autonomous to be an entirely different kettle of fish (or in this case, should I say, wort).

It was much hoppier  like a bitter or an English pale ale  and I suspect ChatGPT's recipe featured more than one variety of hops.

There was also a slight sourness  a plus because I love the trendy sour beers that are increasingly taking over the taps at the UK's hipster beer bars.

Beck's Autonomous was certainly the winner, although admittedly the two beers are of very different styles and will likely target different consumers.

Beck's Autonomous (right) was more hoppy than its counterpart from the German company. Both beers are lagers, meaning they both use a bottom-fermenting yeast during the brewing

Written all over the packaging is the tagline that ChatGPT also came up with: 'The beer that made itself'

It's a thumbs-up for Beck's Autonomous, which may or may not get a wider public release

I would like to see the AI beer on the supermarket shelves soon, although I dread to think what the pricetag would be if Beck's decided to sell it in the electronic gizmo.

Beck's Autonomous isn't the first ChatGPT beer  that title goes to Atwater Brewery in Detroit, which has been serving its Artificial Intelligence IPA at its pumphouses.

It contains three types of malt and a whopping eight varieties of hops to give it a bitter punch, including centennial, citra and amarillo.

Whistle Buoy Brewing Company, in Victoria, British Columbia, also used the tool to come up with a recipe for a 'hazy pale ale, fluffy and tropical'.
A tranche of UFO videos  including never-before-seen footage  has been quietly released by federal law enforcement.

US Customs and Border Protection, the agency responsible for keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the country, uploaded 10 videos that appear to show craft moving in strange ways in our skies.

The videos were released on August 9 without warning, a press release or much in the way of context, only to be discovered by UFO enthusiasts and online sleuths earlier this week.

The videos document a fighter jet pursued by an apparently baffling flying orb, as well as something that appears to be a propeller-powered hang-glider, and yet another apparent floating orb, hovering this time near a parked 16-wheeler truck.

But the enigmatic nature of the drop  which offered little detail regarding the times and locations of these sightings, plus more than a few sweeping redactions  has left more questions than answers.

The quiet video drop follows rising tensions within the corridors of power in Washington on the once taboo subject of UFOs.

Open congressional hearings, federal legislation and even brand new government offices have now been dedicated openly to the investigation of these aerial mysteries, with at least one former senior US intelligence official calling the strange sightings 'a national security issue.'

US Customs and Border Patrol uploaded 10 videos that appear to show craft moving in strange ways in our skies. One video documents a fighter jet pursued by an apparent flying orb (above), in which key technical details from the agency's infrared camera display are redacted

But perhaps most significantly, the US CBP release confirms, at least tacitly, the veracity of a heavily scrutinized, 2013 thermal UFO video leaked to UFO researchers in 2015. For the first time since the leak, the April 25, 2013 Aguadilla, Puerto Rico UFO video has been confirmed

The videos were released on a dedicated site for agency records made public via requests under the US Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

But perhaps most significantly, the release confirms, at least tacitly, the veracity of a heavily-scrutinized, 2013 thermal UFO video leaked to UFO researchers in 2015.

For the first time since that leak, the April 25, 2013 Aguadilla, Puerto Rico UFO video first investigated by the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies has now been confirmed by the US government as genuinely unidentified.

Asked by NBC News, Chris Mellon, a former official with the Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, described the release as 'very significant.'

'This will help the public understand what our military personnel are encountering all over the world,' Mellon said.

Chris Mellon, formerly with the Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, praised US Customs for their UFO records drop, saying the newly released videos 'will help the public understand what our military personnel are encountering all over the world'

'We're getting, on the Defense Department side, 50 to 100 [UFO] reports per month  and this is happening globally.'

'It's happening overseas. It's happening off the east coast and the west coast,' he elaborated. 'This will help people better understand why Congress takes the issue seriously [and] why it's a national security issue.'

While Mellon praised US Customs' show of openness and transparency with the official release of these 10 videos, America's dedicated community of UFO skeptics were less impressed.

Mick West, a prolific and dedicated examiner of UFO claims and the owner of the skeptics forum Metabunk, described the videos as 'mostly not new.'

'And those that are new are not particularly interesting,' West told the DailyMail.com, noting that several had already been the subject of unofficial leaks to reporters and researchers on the UFO beat.

West, a retired computer programmer and video game designer, described the first of US Customs' UAP videos as something that 'looks like a microlight aircraft.'

Several others, he noted, appeared to be 'ambiguous white dots, [...] a balloon or a plastic bag.'

The second video, West said, was the so-called 'Rubber Duck' UAP, which the noted skeptic devoted considerable time to investigating on his YouTube channel and in Metabunk's forum back in 2021.

West identified CBP video 9 as the 'infamous 'Aguadilla' video,' which he has argued reveals a thermal signature 'consistent with a pair of wedding lanterns drifting in the wind.'

West has taken the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies (SCU) to task for errors located in an Appendix to their lengthy report on the Aguadilla case, but at least according to the SCU's co-founder, engineer Robert Powell, those errors do not undermine the remainder of his team's assessment.

'The report does not depend on Appendix L,' Powell told the DailyMail.com, stating that West did not have an answer for why floating wedding lanterns would veer from west to north, as the Aguadilla UFO is recorded doing in the video's final moments.

'The second reason it's not Chinese lanterns,' according to Powel, 'is that Chinese lanterns can't survive the wind speeds that were occurring that day. The wind speeds were around 13 miles an hour.'

'It's basically a little candle that sits on these little wires, and you've got a very light [plastic or paper] bag around it,' Powell said. 'Heavy winds will collapse the outside of your Chinese lantern.'

Whatever the mystery of Aguadilla proves to be, US Customs' 10 videos were not the only agency records quietly released this August under FOIA.

The agency's official confirmation of these previously only leaked thermal videos and security recordings were also accompanied by a 389-page PDF document, ostensibly of UAP records held internally by US Customs.

In another video, released via FOIA by US Customs and Border Protection, yet another apparent orb can be seen hovering near a parked 16-wheeler truck

While the paperwork includes much chaff  news clippings, and already public government reports  the FOIA drop also included internal emails detailing internal deliberations on the law enforcement agency's UFO cases.

Several agency emails from August 2021, document an exchange between a UFO enthusiast and his superior regarding efforts to comply with spirit of the then-recent congressional legislation on UFOs and the resulting UAP Task Force report.

'As a pet project, or for fun, do all the research you want,' the redacted official wrote to the CBP's equivalent to X-Files FBI agent Fox Mulder. 'I know this topic is of great interest to you and there's a ton of information to sift through.'

'There just isn't an avenue for any formal research or reporting any type of findings or conclusions,' the redacted official stressed.

The also-redacted CPB employee responded, 'T4... I apologize, and took The Director of National Intelligence's UAP report seriously.'

But the release also includes over two dozen tantalizing pages that have been redacted in their entirety.

Per statute, each page lists the legal exemption under which US CBP is permitted to withhold certain records relevant to an open records request.

The majority of these redactions, in this case, were justified under the b(5) and b(7)e exemptions clauses of federal FOIA law.

Investigative reporters and open government advocates have dubbed the b(5) exemption the 'The Withhold It Because You Want To Exemption' as its guidelines were even described by the US Justice Department as 'opaque.'

The b(7)e exemption pertains effectively to law enforcement's own 'sources and methods,' as it withholds details that would 'disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions' and other material that officials believe 'could reasonably be expected to risk circumvention of the law.'

To this end, several of the released videos have notably redacted the majority of the heads-up-display information from US CBP's infrared or thermal video recordings: which would likely include data on the altitude, bearing and range of these UAP.

Another video shows a strange glowing orb - but the videos were released with little by way of supporting documentation as to dates, times, personnel or recording equipment used, making each of US Custom's UFO videos hard to contextualize

All summer long, a sweltering UFO fever has gripped Washington DC, stoked in no small measure by a series of extraordinary claims and revelations from lawmakers, former US intelligence and Navy personnel.

This past June, charges of an illegal, hidden UFO crash retrieval program operating within the shadows exploded across television airwaves and online as made by Air Force and intelligence agency veteran David Grusch.

Soon thereafter, Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Marco Rubio revealed he too had been briefed by several other US government officials with top-level security clearances, who professed that they personally had 'first-hand' knowledge of UFO programs.

By late July, Grusch was reasserting many of his claims under oath before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, along with Ryan Graves, an esteemed former pilot, and veteran Navy fighter pilot Commander David Fravor, who witnessed the now famous 2004 'Tic Tac' UFO.

In his further comments on the new CPB videos, former DOD intelligence official Chris Mellon hoped that the newly official US Customs videos would spur the Pentagon toward greater transparency itself.

Mellon noted that these mysterious UFO videos highlight 'the challenges we are facing monitoring and controlling our airspace.'

He cited both last February's infamous Chinese spy balloon affair (and still-as-yet-unidentified UAP), and 'of course the explosion of drone use around the world,' as examples of the new threats to US sovereignty posed by the weak official reporting and widespread stigma surrounding unidentified aerial phenomena.

'I hope that the Defense Department and [US] Intelligence Community are paying attention,' Mellon told NBC.

'They have many videos that are of a similar, unclassified nature,' he noted, 'or were, until they  out of nowhere  created this new classification guide.'

Echoing comments by Grusch on the legality of the Pentagon's actions, Mellon went on to express the opinion that the DoD's new and more expansive classification standards for its own UAP or UFO videos might not be 'lawful.'

'I don't think that's consistent with the executive order governing classification,' the former intelligence official said. 'But they are withholding a lot of similar kinds of videos from the public on that basis.'
Living the dream life isn't always so dreamy  as one Massachusetts couple have revealed.

YouTube content creators Kaylee Dubeau and Jordan Saglio spent years traveling through central America in a converted school van before settling on the leafy climbs of western Panama.

The couple  who have more than 390,000 subscribers  purchased a 2.5-acre plot of land on the outskirts of Boquete for $75,000 four years ago and since then, they have gone about creating a farmstead while welcoming their first child, Sadie.

When they moved to the empty plot of land, the couple had to go about building everything from scratch before they could finally move out of their school bus.

While Instagram posts show them living the 'dream life,' a series of candid YouTubes reveal the harder parts of their off-grid lifestyle including living without a proper toilet for six years and always getting stuck with higher prices in Panama because they're considered foreigners.

Kaylee Dubeau and Jordan Saglio, from Massachusetts, spent years traveling through central America in a converted school van before settling on the leafy climbs of western Panama

The couple have more than 390,000 subscribers on their YouTube channel

To earn a living, the couple run a coffee shop and sell beans sourced from local farmers. They also run a popular YouTube channel

They purchased a 2.5-acre plot of land on the outskirts of Boquete for $75,000 four years ago

Since then, they have gone about creating a farmstead while welcoming their first child

In one YouTube video titled 'We Have Regrets Moving To Panama,' the couple - who run a coffee shop and sell beans sourced from local farmers - address some of the downsides of living abroad.

Firstly, Jordan says one of the the things that makes it a 'little bit challenging' about life in Panama is 'buying stuff because we get "gringo" prices.'

He continues: 'So because Kaylee and I are clearly are not from here, because we're foreigners, we get priced at a different price.

'It's a higher price [for us] and this is with everything from buying a car to buying property to taking a taxi to even buying fruit or food on the side of the road.'

Jordan says that any time a price isn't listed, especially if it's a big purchase like a car or a piece of land, they have to get a Panamanian to go and negotiate for them on their behalf.

He adds: 'So I think you can imagine how sometimes the biggest purchases in your life, like a piece of land or a car or stuff like that, it just adds another layer of complexity having someone else involved to kinda like negotiate and help on your behalf.'

Next up, Kaylee reveals that the 'trash situation' in Panama - especially in the cities - is something they didn't expect.

'Unfortunately pretty much everywhere you look here there's just trash,' she says.

'And whether it's like buried in with the dirt or it's just blatantly piled up on the side of the road, it's one of those things that they just don't have the systems in place here to dispose of it correctly or recycle it correctly.'

While Instagram posts show them living the 'dream life,' a series of candid YouTubes reveal the harder parts of their off-grid lifestyle including living without a proper toilet for six years

To power their homestead, the couple have gone about installing a wind turbine

The couple had to go about building everything from scratch before they could move out of their school bus

On a personal note, Jordan says he's found his allergies are out of control in Panama.

He explains at one point: 'For about five or six months out of the year I have a nasty allergy that's some kind of pollen or some kind of dust.

'It's so bad that my face is so puffy and even the strongest allergy medication doesn't even do anything.'

Jordan says the only time his allergies stop is when is when it is raining, so he is just having to 'learn to love the rain.'

On the food side of things, the couple say they find it impossible to find organic produce in Panama, and pesticide and fungicide usage is 'very, very high' because of the tropical climate.

As a result, they end up buying lots of fruit and vegetables that are imported from other countries.

Finally, Kaylee says: 'Something else that I regret that I definitely did not think that I would feel as deeply as I do and I think more so now because of Sadie, is how much I was going to miss our family.'

In other YouTube videos, the duo reveals the hardships of starting a homestead.

They say growing food has been difficult and it has taken them four years to learn what does and doesn't work.

They also survived for many years without a proper toilet.

While living in their school bus they experimented with a bucket, and when they moved to their farm they installed an 8ft deep pit latrine.

Kaylee strikes a pose next to their beloved school bus, which served as their home for many years

They say growing food has been difficult and it has taken them four years to learn what does and doesn't work

Despite the downsides, Jordan and Kaylee remain determined to make their off-grid lifestyle work

In a YouTube posted just over a month ago, Kaylee and Jordan revealed how they finally went about constructing a proper outhouse complete with a flushable toilet.

They said the outdoor latrine was 'gross,' and they had to venture out to use it 'in the rain, in the wind' and as it neighbored a public trail, people would occasionally walk by.

After moving to their farm, they also went seven months with cold showers, but eventually they fixed it up to a hot water heater.

To power their homestead, the couple have gone about installing a wind turbine.

Despite the downsides, Jordan and Kaylee remain determined to make their off-grid lifestyle work.

In one Instagram post, Kaylee reveals what she finds most attractive about their way of life, telling viewers: 'I knew at a very young age that I always wanted to live on a farm.

'I don't know exactly why I wanted to - especially because I never really spent time on a farm or truly understood what that life actually looked like.

'Maybe it was my inner child intuition pointing me in the direction of my destiny or maybe it was just the simplicity of it all living off the land, caring for animals and just being closer to nature that I felt so drawn to.

'All that I do know is that my soul has never felt more awake and alive than it has in the last three years since we stepped foot here on Lola's farm.'

Over the years, the couple have built a loyal fanbase with their followers praising their tenacity.

One fan left a comment for Kaylee: 'You are a beautiful person inside and out. Your little girl is so fortunate to have a mom like you.'

Another commenter from Australia addressed the whole family, writing: 'You, Jordan and Sadie have been my Zen these last three years, watching you build your dream life in Panama and your beautiful pregnancy.

'You have bought my daughter and I so much joy, thank you to you and Lola's farm, all such amazing people and wonderful fur babies, BIG love.'
Albion man sentenced to 11 years in prison for child sex abuse material

An Albion man was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Friday for possession of depictions of child sexual abuse.

Anthony J. Alello Jr., 32, who pleaded guilty to the charge, was also sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to 35 years of supervised release after he is released from custody.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who handled the case, said in a news release that an undercover FBI agent in January 2022 began communicating with Alello online and Alello sent the agent links to cloud storage folders that contained about 2,500 videos of child sexual abuse.On March 24, 2022, the FBI executed a search warrant at Alellos residence and seized his cellphone, which contained approximately 1,744 images and six videos of child sexual abuse.

I acted in a horrific and harmful way that I am utterly ashamed of, Alello, who is married and has two sons, wrote in a letter to the judge.

Albion police and the Town of Tonawanda police assisted the FBI in the investigation.

- Mike McAndrew
Kelly confessed to feeling 'guilt' about moving on in the year following his death

She exclusively told DailyMail.com that she is open to finding love again

Kelly Rizzo has revealed that she is open to finding love again and no longer wracked by guilt at the prospect  nearly two years after her late husband Bob Saget died.

The 44-year-old actress was left widowed on January 9, 2022 when the Full House actor died, aged 65, following a freak head injury in his Florida hotel room, hours after coming off stage from a stand-up show.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Kelly revealed that although she was initially unable to 'process' moving on with someone else, she is now in a place where she feels comfortable with the idea of falling in love.

'In the first year, I couldn't even process what that would be like,' she said. 'And you get to a point where you're like, alright, this is something that I could see.

Kelly Rizzo no longer feels guilty about wanting to move on following the sudden death of her husband Bob Saget

The actress, 44, became a widow when the Full House actor died in January 2022

'And what's interesting is, there was a long period of time where I would almost feel guilty for even thinking about it.'

Kelly revealed that she would repeatedly think about how her late husband would react if she were to move on, but she's since managed to overcome what 'earthly' Bob would think.

'You get to a point where you separate what earthly Bob would have been like,' she said. 'And he would have been like, "You can't move on! How dare you! How could you!"

'But when I hear his friends and family say, "No, he would want you to be happy," and when you get to that point, then you feel at peace with that happening.'

Bob's funeral took place in Los Angeles less than a week after his death, and he was buried at Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery near the graves of his parents and sister.

Opening up about her personal journey with grief, Kelly revealed she is doing 'really great'.

'The first year was really, really, really tough,' she said. 'And then after, like, one year passes, after you've had all of those firsts; like the first Christmas, the first, anniversary.

'The second one's still not easy, but you're used to it more. So, you're like, "Oh, alright, I've been here before".

Kelly felt 'guilty' for a 'long period of time' whenever she thought about moving on from Bob

Bob's loved ones have told Kelly that he would want her to be happy - and therefore to find love again

It has been 19 months since Bob's sudden death - and Kelly is leaning on his friends and family for emotional support

'Year two has been definitely a lot easier. It still hits you and I still feel like you can still be transported back to that moment - January 9 - in the blink of an eye.

'But overall, you're more used to it, and you're used to coping with it. And so overall, like I'm doing really well.'

Kelly revealed that she's maintained a relationship with Bob's daughters, Aubrey, 36, Lara, 33, and Jennifer, 30, as well as other family members  including his nephew Adam and his ex-wife Sherri Kramer, 67.

'I'm grateful that I'm still so close with his girls,' she said. 'Even his ex wife, and I talk all the time, and she's just so wonderful, and has been such a rock throughout everything.'

Bob's friends  including his Full House co-stars  have also been a beacon of support.

Kelly has signed up for Special Forces season 2 - which arrives on September 25 on Fox

She told DailyMail.om that she broke down during a discussion about Bob with the Special Forces instructors

'I feel like I could give any of them a call at any time if I needed them and they would be there,' Kelly continued.

'He would always have a running group text with all the Full House people and he'd always be like, 'Look, Full House is real. See? It's real. They really are all family. And I always feel like they're my family, too.

'So I've been grateful for that, and just his other friends and his real family, you know, it's wonderful to have that support.'

Her comments come a week after she told DailyMail.com that she tries to not focus on being 'robbed' of time with Bob and to instead look at the positives.

Kelly is due to appear in the upcoming second season of Special Forces, alongside the likes of Dance Moms star JoJo Siwa, 20, Jack Osbourne, 37, and Savannah Chrisley, 26.

'It was the hardest thing I've ever done, but also the most rewarding thing and the most challenging,' she said of the grueling challenge. 'I'm very, very glad I did it.'

She also revealed that she got emotional about Bob's death during an interrogation with the show's instructors Mark 'Billy' Billingham, Jason Fox, and Rudy Reyes.

'We ended up you know, talking about Bob, and you know, I got emotional,' she said.

'They were getting emotional... and they were just very empathetic.

'And that's what's really interesting about this show; even though you're going through this simulated military selection, there are such intense moments of heart and care and love, whether it's among the recruits or even with the DS.'
BBC drama Casualty has seen its number of episodes slashed in a bid to save money amid the cost of living crisis.

The show, which first debuted in 1986, is the world's longest-running medical drama.

However due to the increased cost of living and TV budgets forced to rise in order to complete with the likes of Netflix, the latest series ended last week.

A source told The Sun: 'Casualty peaked in the Noughties when it was on our screens on a Saturday night almost all year round, and that's what many people have come to expect.

'The only year that saw a shorter series was in 2021 because of the pandemic, when all TV productions were severely affected.

Slashed: BBC drama Casualty has seen its number of episodes slashed in a bid to save money amid the cost of living crisis

Iconic: The show, which first debuted in 1986, is the world's longest-running medical drama

Adding: 'Now it seems the cost of living crisis could prove just as devastating.'

A spokesperson for the BBC said: 'This is not the first time the show has taken a break due to the busy Autumn schedule.

'Our priority is always delivering quality over hours and due to super inflation in drama production weve taken the decision to slightly reduce the number of episodes per year in order to maintain the quality on screen for audiences. Weve received no complaints from cast and crew, and it will be back on air later this year.'

Last year, the show had an 11 week break due to the Queen's death and the winter World Cup.

It comes after Sunetra Sarker announced that she will be returning to the wards of Holby City Hospital and Casualty in a shock return.

The actress, 50, who portrayed Doctor Zoe Hanna, revealed that her return will coincide with Charlie Fairhead's (Derek Thompson) exit from the show.

She said: 'This week I was in hospital - but not as a patient. I might have gone back to a certain hospital that I used to work at a while ago called Holby City Hospital.

'I'm going back after about... it must be seven years. I left in 2016 so it's been a while.

'Im going back for a special double episode because our lovely Charlie who has been there forever is going to leave the show.

'So Im going back to make sure I get my last little moment with him.'

Feeling the pinch: However due to the increased cost of living and TV budgets forced to rise in order to complete with the likes of Netflix, the latest series, which ended last week

Exciting: During an episode of Loose Women on Friday, Sunetra Sarker announced that she will be returning to the wards of Holby City Hospital

Derek, 75, revealed in May that he was finally hanging up his stethoscope and quitting the BBC drama Casualty after nearly four decades.

The actor revealed that 'the time has come' - with his final scenes to be broadcast next year.

Derek has played a central part in the show since it was first screened in 1986, and the BBC said his exit would culminate in a 'gripping' storyline with his character at the 'front and centre' of the action.

Discussing his departure, Derek said: 'The time has come for me to hang up Charlie's scrubs after the most wonderful 37 years.

'Charlie Fairhead was inspired by a real nurse  Pete Salt. Together with the writers and producers, I have tried to bring to Charlie the compassion, kindness, heroism and sound judgement that we all see and love in Pete and I want to say thanks to Pete and everyone else over that time who has inspired me in bringing this character to life.'

Emergency department nurse Charlie Fairhead has been in nearly 900 episodes and is the longest-serving cast member in the medical drama.

Charlie has been the backbone of fictional Holby City Hospital's emergency department, with the character involved in a number of huge, hard-hitting storylines over the years.

He was run over by an ambulance on his wedding day, had a near-fatal cardiac arrest during a gang siege, and had a loving relationship and heartbreaking farewell with his fellow nurse Duffy (Cathy Shipton).

Duffy died on the show in 2020 after being diagnosed with dementia. In heart-rending scenes, Charlie found her out in the snow after she wandered off.

Rushed to hospital with hyperthermia, Duffy then had a bleed on her brain, which left Charlie realising nothing more could be done for her.

Charlie recently faced further devastation when he was forced to say goodbye to nurse Robyn Miller (Amanda Henderson), whose daughter, Charlotte, was named with him in mind.

Robyn was involved in a catastrophic car accident while on the way to start her new life with Charlotte and partner Paul (Paul Popplewell).

Jon Sen, executive producer of Casualty for BBC Studios, said: 'Derek and I would often joke that, after such a long and dramatic career in the NHS, there was almost nothing that Charlie hadn't seen.

'So it was an amazing surprise to me when Derek arrived with a brilliant idea for Charlie's exit as part of an upcoming storyline, which was too good to pass up.

Hanging up his stethoscope: Derek, 75, revealed in May that he was finally hanging up his stethoscope and quitting the BBC drama Casualty after nearly four decades

Throwback: Since appearing in the first series in 1986 (pictured), the 75-year-old star has been in nearly 900 episodes and is the longest-serving cast member on the BBC medical drama

'We will all miss Derek enormously. Over nearly four decades, Derek has crafted an iconic character who is woven into the fabric of British TV history.

'We will miss his craft, his humour and his on-screen presence.

'We're also going to miss a friend, so for the next few months we're going to have a ball filming Charlie's final chapter.'
Kylie Minogue's new album Tension is one of the most acclaimed releases from her almost four decade career.

So it's no surprise that the pop legend, 55, appeared to be in good spirits at a pop-up shop to promote the album in Piccadilly, London.

The Australian stunner turned heads in a sequinned green frock that was draped over her petite frame.

She paired it with a pair of thigh-high black boots and let her wavy blonde hair gentle fall on her shoulders.

Kylie beamed as she posed with fans and showcased memorabilia from throughout her incredible career.

Kylie Minogue appeared to be in good spirits at a pop-up shop to promote her new album Tension in Piccadilly, London

Since its release yesterday, Kylie's sixteenth album Tension has been delighting critics and fans alike.

DIY Mag gave the album a perfect score, writing 'theres no pretension to its greatness, just our Kylie, once again, humbly proving how easily she can forge gold and transform into a pop culture phenomenon.'

Rolling Stone awarded the album four out of five stars, calling it 'brilliantly good fun.'

Retropop, meanwhile, claimed the music 'exudes joy and sees the pop legend not only genuinely energised, but delivering her strongest vocals in a long time.'

The Australian stunner turned heads in a sequinned green frock that was draped over her petite frame

The 55-year-old posed with screaming fans outside the event

The pop superstar was mobbed by her loyal fans inside the venue

Social media has also praised Kylie's new offering, with one fan account on X (formerly Twitter) sharing a compiled graphic of all the album's critical praise:

'Kylie Minogue's universally-acclaimed album 'Tension' will be out at midnight your local time. It is currently shaping to be one of the most critically acclaimed albums of her career!'

The post received many replies and retweets agreeing with this unanimous verdict.

Kylie's new album Tension has received rave reviews from fans and music critics alike

'She's living a new career peak; a hit, an acclaimed album, sold out shows,' one commenter replied.

'What an album! Some lethal tunes in here that Kylie has come out with simply outstanding winning 4 nominations absolutely awesome,' wrote another.

While another X user commented, 'Another career peak 36 years into her career wow wow wow!'
Kylie Minogue has graced the October cover of Vogue Australia.

The 55-year-old looked much younger than her years in a scrunched mustard coloured top and royal blue skirt on the cover.

She reclined in a wire chair and showcased her slender legs as she posed up a storm.

In another shot, the hitmaker smiled in a sheer top and oversized black blazer.

In an accompanying interview, Kylie told Vogue that she's in a great place in her career following the success of her global hit Padam Padam.

Kylie Minogue has graced the October cover of Vogue Australia in a stunning shoot to promote her new album Tension

'Now I feel like it's the mid-part, or maybe just past mid-part of my career,' she said.

'And it feels like a good time where I've got the energy and health and verve and excitement, and the audience to do it.'

Kylie also said that she's excited to promote her new album Tension on stage, which includes a sold-out residency in Las Vegas.

'I wanted this album to be able to propel me to be performing again and be able to share the music with people and fans,' she gushed.

In one shot, the hitmaker smiled in a sheer top and oversized black blazer

In an accompanying interview, Kylie told Vogue that she's in a great place in her career following the success of her global hit Padam Padam

Since its release yesterday, Tension has topped iTunes charts across the globe and been acclaimed by critics.

The album has already received glowing reviews from Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Metro UK, Clash and more.

After tickets sold out to her upcoming Vegas residency, scalpers have been reselling for almost $5000.

The pop superstar will be making her way to the famous strip in November for her three-month residency.

Since its release yesterday, Kylie's new album Tension has topped iTunes charts across the globe and been acclaimed by critics

It will be her first performance in North America since 2011 and the residency will take place at The Venetian Resort's new nightclub, Voltaire.

The star announced the news on July 28 on Instagram with a flashy video of some her most iconic performances, exclaiming that she's 'so excited' in the caption.

Minogue is the only female artist to score a No. 1 album in five consecutive decades in the UK, racking up an impressive 80million records sold worldwide, 5 billion streams and eight UK No. 1 albums.
Joel Edgerton and Christine Centenera cut stylish figures as they attended the Residence X LuisaViaRoma dinner in Milan on Thursday.

The Australian actor, 49, and his Vogue editor partner, walked hand-in-hand as they arrived to the event.

Joel made a style statement in black pants, a matching coloured T-shirt and a loose-fitting jacket.

The actor completed his look with a pair of black sneakers as he walked alongside his girlfriend.

Christine showed off her incredible figure in a black skirt, which featured a high slit and a matching coloured shirt.

Joel Edgerton and his chic Vogue editor partner Christine Centenera walked hand-in-hand as they attended the Residence X LuisaViaRoma dinner in Milan on Thursday

She accessorised her look with a pair of clear high heels and a black side bag.

Christine curled her short brunette locks and wore a natural makeup palette for the outing.

The brunette bombshell recently replaced Edwina McCann as Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Australia.

The tastemaker, who also has her own label Wardrobe.NYC, has worked for the magazine since 2012.

She will continue to report to McCann, who was promoted to Vogue Australia's Editorial Director and Publisher.

Joel made a style statement in black pants, a matching coloured T-shirt and a loose-fitting jacket while Christine showed off her incredible figure in a black skirt, which featured a high slit and a matching coloured shirt

Meanwhile, Joel revealed that he and Christine had welcomed twin babies together in an interview with Oprah Daily in May 2021.

He also confessed he'd been 'very nervous' he'd miss the babies' births in Sydney, because he was working in Queensland at the time.

They're the first children for the notoriously private couple, who started dating back in 2018.
Emma Watson has swapped Hogwarts for Oxford after reportedly enrolling in a part-time degree course at the city's University to study creative writing.

The actress, 33, who found fame as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series, last appeared on screen in 2019's Little Women which was directed by Barbie's Greta Gerwig.

The Masters course will only require Emma to attend a handful of lectures on site, with the rest of her work being carried out online.

A source told The Sun: 'The course is for older adults and can be done on a part-time basis, which is perfect for Emma's schedule.

'She only has to be on site for four or five days a year because she can do the rest of the course online from home.

Change of scene: Emma Watson, 33, has swapped Hogwarts for Oxford after reportedly enrolling in a part-time degree course at the city's University to study creative writing (pictured on Thursday)

Back to school: The Masters course will only require Emma to attend a handful of lectures on site, with the rest of her work being carried out online

'Because she's a famous actress, she'll have a security team looking after her whenever she has classes to go to.

The publication also reported that staff at the university have been warned that the actress would attend classes with a small security team for her own safety.

According to their website the college characters 20K for the two-year-course which also features two guided retreats and one research placement.

MailOnline have contacted Emma's reps for comment.

The stunner has been making very stylish appearances as she attended numerous shows at Milan Fashion Week.

Emma, who has been seen with bodyguards outside her hotel in recent days, was allegedly targeted by Drew Barrymore's suspected stalker recently.

During New York Fashion Week, Chad Michael Busto allegedly attempted to bust into Emma's dressing room and was later arrested.

Authorities claimed Chad made his way into a dressing room at the venue, where a show was going on, and yelled at nearby make-up artists and models.

Big break: The actress first found fame as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series (L-R) Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma

Throwback: She last appeared on screen in 2019's Little Women which was directed by Barbie's Greta Gerwig (L-R) Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Saoirse Ronan, Eliza Scanlen

'I want to marry Emma Watson,' he allegedly yelled, according to court documents. 'Let me speak to Emma Watson. Let me take a photo with Emma Watson.'

It was not immediately clear if the actress was present or nearby in the alleged incident, according to the outlet.

It was then reported that Chad was later released from prison as a prosecutor said the alleged offense was not eligible to have bail set.

The move comes less than a month after Chad was freed by a Southampton judge after he was arrested and charged with fourth-degree after stalking actress Drew.

He allegedly turned up at the star's Hamptons home on August 23, two days after confronting her at a live event at the 92nd Street Y.
Alessandra Ambrosio set pulses racing in a daring PVC look as she enjoyed another night out in Milan on Friday.

The Brazilian model, 42, joined a handful of stars at the private 'Alevi Milano' Shoes dinner party in the Italian city.

Alessandra flaunted every inch of her slim physique in a figure-hugging black PVC midi dress.

The garment's eye-catching material showcased Alessandra's famous figure, and she teamed the look with matching heels.

Alessandra was joined by fellow models Jodie Turner-Smith, Bianca Balti and Bar Rafaeli for the private dinner.

Stunning: Alessandra Ambrosio, 42, set pulses racing in a figure-hugging black PVC dress as she attended the Alevi Milano dinner party in Milan on Friday

Incredible: The model showed off her slim physique in a figure-hugging black strapless dress

The star accentuated her top half with a chunky silver necklace and swept her brunette locks off her face into a chic up-do.

Meanwhile, Jodie Turner-Smith flashed her toned abs in a matching smart grey crop top and oversized grey blazer jacket.

The actress, 37, continued to show off her daring fashion sense in the outfit, which she paired with some baggy dark grey jeans.

Splashing out with the accessories, she donned a Gucci black leather belt, transparent red sunglasses and a white choker necklace.

Producer Mark Ronson, 48, brought a pop of colour to the evening as he donned a bright lemon yellow polo top to the event.

Cutting an elegant figure, Italian model Bianca Balti looked angelic in an all white outfit.

The 39-year-old flashed her skin in the sheer material which wrapped around her body, finishing in a scarf which flowed down from her back.

The star smiled as she entered the venue with just a packet of cigarettes in her hand.

Wow: The garment's eye-catching material showcased Alessandra's famous figure, and she teamed the look with matching heels

Accessorise: The star accessorised with a chunky silver necklace and swept her brunette locks off her face in an up-do

Chic: Jodie Turner-Smith, 37, flashed her toned abs in a smart grey crop top and oversized grey blazer jacket

Eye-catching: Producer Mark Ronson, 48, brought a pop of colour to the evening as he donned a bright lemon yellow polo top to the event

Elegant figure: Italian model Bianca Balti looked angelic in an all white outfit

Beautiful: The 39-year-old flashed her skin in the sheer material which wrapped around her, finishing in a scarf which flowed down from her back

Fashion: Bar Rafaeli, 38, looked stylish in a sheer leopard skirt which she paired with a black top and leather jacket

Looking good! Earlier in the day, Bar opted for a plunging cream trouser suit as she headed to the Elisabetta Franchi fashion show in Milan

Alessandra has been taking Milan Fashion Week by storm, as she attended three different events in the Italian capital on Thursday.

The supermodel was spotted at the Luigi & Iango Unveiled exhibition opening at Palazzo Reale at the event of the day alongside a star-studded guest list.

Earlier in the day, Alessandra also attended the Aigner and GCDS fashion shows, where she put on a further two showstopping displays.

As she joined the likes of Naomi Campbell at Luigi & Iango, Alessandra looked incredible in a sexy sheer maxi dress.
Claudia Schiffer attended a Versace party during Milan Fashion Week on Friday evening.

The 53-year-old legendary supermodel  who walked the runway earlier in the day  slipped her statuesque figure into a baby blue dress from the storied fashion house.

The look featured various cutouts at the chest and bodice, revealing the iconic model's taut midriff as well as her cleavage.

Schiffer, who is in the ranks of the most recognized 90s models, wore a statement-making choker with the look.

She carried an iridescent clutch that matched her pointy-toe heels, which had a bow accoutrement.

Party girl: Claudia Schiffer attended a Versace party during Milan Fashion Week on Friday evening

Stunning: The 53-year-old legendary supermodel  who walked the runway earlier in the day  slipped her statuesque figure into a baby blue dress from the storied fashion house

Smoldering: The look featured various cutouts at the chest and bodice, revealing the iconic model's taut midriff as well as her cleavage

Schiffer's bright blonde locks were styled in an abbreviated center part and face-framing ringlets.

She looked breathtaking in a full face of flattering makeup that drew out her blue eyes and stunning smile.

The dress boasted sparkly blue straps with small buckles along the front.

Earlier on Friday the 5ft11in German cover girl walked the 2024 spring Versace runway show in a mint green and metallic silver dress.

It was a triumphant return for Claudia as she had not been on the Versace runway in five years.

In 2018 she famously walked with fellow fashion icons Carla Bruni, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Helena Christensen.

About her dress for the exciting occasion, she told Vogue: 'It's basically molded onto my body. It fits me like a glove.'

Discussing the pressure-free gig, she added, 'I always stay really healthy. I do work out, and make sure I get a good night's rest. Other than that, I'm just myself.'

Return! Earlier on Friday the 5ft11in German cover girl walked the 2024 spring Versace runway show in a mint green and metallic silver dress

Made for her! About her dress for the exciting occasion, she told Vogue : 'It's basically molded onto my body. It fits me like a glove'

Five years ago: In 2018 Claudia walked with fellow fashion icons Carla Bruni, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Helena Christensen

Schiffer gushed to the publication: 'Donatella is just a wonderful, warm-hearted, gentle, genuine, nice person who really does care.'

'It's like you're coming into a warm hug of the Versace family. I always really look forward to it. It's just more than just a fashion show and ad campaign. It's much more than that.'

Schiffer looked through her archive of Versace looks pre show, she told Vogue. 'My favorite ones are in the metallic, light blue, light pink, gold collection.'

'It's mini skirts with little sweaters and high knee boots in matching colors to your sweater, so it could be a whole look. It's such a flashback to the to the early '90s,' she added.

'The weird thing is, you can wear it again today. It's fashion today.'

Another runway glamazon who made her way from fashion show to afterparty was 22-year-old Iris Law.

The stunning daughter of actors Jude Law and Sadie Frost looked darling in a yellow skirt co-ord with a black square pattern throughout.

Law was spotted hopping out of a black SUV as she made her way inside the star-studded celebration.

Arrival: Another runway glamazon who made her way from fashion show to afterparty was 22-year-old Iris Law

Beauty: The stunning daughter of actors Jude Law and Sadie Frost looked darling in a yellow skirt co-ord with a black square pattern throughout

Dazzling: Law was spotted hopping out of a black SUV as she made her way inside the star-studded celebration

Time to party: Italian model Vittoria Ceretti, 25, was also on the scene after appearing in the fashion show

Her look: The slender superstar was clad in a nude, skintight Versace dress with a muted checker pattern

Donatella Versace , 68, was spotted leaving the Versace after-party in Milan

High-fashion: The Italian fashion designer, businesswoman and socialite showed off her fashion sense in a yellow-checkered minidress

Fashionista: The Versace brand was founded by Gianni Versace in 1978, with Donatella employed as vice president

Slick: Former NBA star Dwyane Wade showed of is fashion sense at the Versace Spring 2024 Ready To Wear Runway Show in Milan, Italy

Power couple: Dwyane Wade and wife Gabrielle Union attended the Versace after-party

Classy: The actress was all smiles when she got leggy in a mini skirt and blazer combination

Sweet: The couple, who have been married for more than nine years, packed on the PDA

Italian model Vittoria Ceretti, 25, was also on the scene after appearing in the fashion show.

The slender superstar was clad in a nude, skintight Versace dress with a muted checker pattern.

The piece boasted stringy straps and a corset bodice that accentuated Vittoria's trim waistline.

Ceretti wore stone-covered, open-toe white heels that displayed her chic nude pedicure.
Gemma Ward swapped the runway for the red carpet on Friday as she attended the Gucci Fashion Show in Milan.

The Australian supermodel, 35, showed off her trim figure in tiny black shorts and a sheer top as she posed at the event.

She completed her look with a Gucci belt, a jacket from the luxury fashion house and a pair of black loafers which retail for $1600.

She also held a designer handbag as she struck a pose for the camera ahead of the show.

Gemma left her long blonde curled locks out and let her natural beauty shine with dewy foundation and blush.

Gemma Ward showed off her trim figure in tiny shorts and a designer jacket as she attended Gucci Fashion Show

The runway model currently lives in Byron Bay with her longtime partner David Letts and their three children.

The pair welcomed daughter Naia in December 2013, followed by son Jett in January 2017. The couple also welcomed daughter Kirra in June 2020.

They relocated to Byron after living in both New York and Sydney's Northern Beaches.

She completed her look with a Gucci belt, a jacket from the luxury fashion house and a pair of black loafers which retail for $1600

Gemma is considered one of Australia's most successful models and made her Australian Fashion Week debut at just age 15 in 2003.

After a short break from modelling, she returned to the industry in 2018.

She previously told Vogue about her return: 'I came back to modelling because I felt in a place where I was accepting of myself and ready to continue my journey and accept opportunities placed in my way.'
Kim Kardashian shared a number of stunning images from a fittings session with Stuart Weitzman.

The entrepreneur, 42, shared a series of snaps and videos in striking tan over-the-knee boots.

Kim looked incredible in a black corset with matching leather bottoms - paired with the Stuart Weitzman boots.

Kim also posed with black knee-high boots in the same outfit, before swapping out her bustier for a crop top and dark brown boots.

She captioned it: 'Fittings with the @stuartweitzman 5050 boot! Which color is your favorite? #StuartWeitzman #versatile #timeless #swpartner

The latest: Kim Kardashian shared a number of stunning images from a fittings session with Stuart Weitzman

Beautiful: The entrepreneur, 42, shared a series of snaps and videos in striking tan over-the-knee boots

She also posed in a furry black coat with her hands on her waist.

For her second look, Kim chose a low-cut black latex crop top, revealing her ample cleavage.

She sported the same high-waisted leather leggings, adding a coordinating duster coat.

She added a striking gold necklace and over-the-knees chocolate brown boots.

Kim wore her long brunette hair in waves around her, opting to have a deep side part.

The mother of four painted her pout a pink tone, opted for a subtle eye shadow look to round out her glam.

Gorgeous: Kim looked incredible in a black corset with matching leather bottoms - paired with the Stuart Weitzman boots

Stunning: Kim also posed with black knee-high boots in the same outfit, before swapping out her bustier for a crop top and dark brown boots

Pretty lady: For her second look, Kim chose a low-cut black latex crop top, revealing her ample cleavage

Weeks earlier, Kim enjoyed vacation to Turks and Caicos.

Kim enjoyed a paddle boarding session during her tropical getaway.

The stunner is set to ring in he 43rd birthday next month on October 21.

On September 4, Kim enjoyed a family outing to Beyonce's LA concert at SoFi Stadium.

Kim attended the concert with her nine-year-old daughter North West, sister Khloe Kardashian and niece Penelope Disick.

Kim has four children with ex-husband Kanye West: North, Saint, seven, Chicago, five, and Psalm, four.

Kim filed for divorce in February 2021 just before what would have been the pair's seventh wedding anniversary.

In November 2022, Kim and Kanye's divorce was finalized, with Kanye agreeing to pay $200,000 a month in child support and equal custody.

Kanye 'married' Yeezy architect Bianca Censori, 28, in January 2023; they did not file a marriage certificate so the union is not considered legal.

Sisters Kylie Jenner and Kendall Jenner arrived separately to the Beyonce concert with their friends; Kylie made her public debut with boyfriend Timothee Chalamet at the concert.

For the concert, Kim donned a silvery crop top from Swarovski, adding ripped denim bottoms.

Kim sported cascading curls to round out her glamorous concert look.

She's a beauty: She also posed in a furry black coat with her hands on her waist

Lovely: Kim wore her long brunette hair in waves around her, opting to have a deep side part

Lovely: The mother of four painted her pout a pink tone, opted for a subtle eye shadow look to round out her glam

Close up: She showed off her brown boots in a close up video

The first episode of American Horror Story: Delicate dropped this week - featuring a first look as Kim in her role on the show.

She stars opposite Emma Roberts and Cara Delevingne.

Emma portrays a top actress named Anna Victoria Alcott while Kim portrays a friend and actress Siobhan Walsh.

The plot follows Emma's character, who has had multiple IVF treatments and begins to become paranoid that mysterious forces are keeping her from getting pregnant.

She eventually does conceive a child, but the pregnancy ends in what doctors tell her is miscarriage. However, she can still feel her baby growing as her body continues to show signs of a pregnancy.

As if the challenge of creating offspring wasn't already enough, it appears as if the protagonist's career (and life) hangs in the balance.

In April her casting was announced; the star shared the news on April 10 via her Instagram page.

the show's 12th season is called Delicate, and will be based on Danielle Valentine's upcoming novel called Delicate Condition.

The book is about a woman who is convinced someone sinister is making sure her pregnancy doesn't happen.

In a statement to THR, AHS co-creator Ryan Murphy said: 'Kim is among the biggest and brightest television stars in the world and we are thrilled to welcome her to the AHS family.'

Emma previously starred on AHS from 2013 until 2019 during season three, season four, season seven and season eight; she played Madison Montgomery, Maggie Esmerelda, Serena Belinda, and Brooke Thompson.

The Kardashians star voiced the character Delores for Paw Patrol: The Movie, which was released in 2021 and reprised the role for Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, which is set to be released sometime later this year.

That girl! Just last week, Kim enjoyed a family outing to Beyonce's LA concert at SoFi Stadium

Family: Kim attended the concert with her nine-year-old daughter North West, sister Khloe Kardashian and niece Penelope Disick

Eerie: She stars opposite Emma Roberts and Cara Delevingne in AHS: Delicate

Looks good: Kim seen in the show, which started this past week

She also appeared in Ocean's Eight in 2018, 2 Broke Girls in 2014, voiced a character in American Dad! in 2014, played Ava in the project Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor and as Nikki LePree in Drop Dead Diva in 2012 for four episodes.

She played herself on 30 Rock in 2012, Princess Leia in Alligator Boots in 2009, Debbie Fallon on CSI: NY in 2009, Brothers in 2009, Summa Eve in Deep in the Valley in 2009, Elle in Beyond the Break in 2009, herself on How I Met Your Mother in 2009, the short Meow in 2008 and as Lisa in Disaster Movie in 2008.

Kim starred in a number of music videos including Christina Milian's Dip It Low in 2004, Fall Out Boy's Thnks fr th Mmrs in 2007, Nicki Minaj's Come on a Cone in 2012, ex husband Kanye West's Bound 2 in 2013, Fergie's M.I.L.F.$ video in 2016 and Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike vs. Paris Hilton for Best Friend's A**.
Sean Kirst Columnist Follow Sean Kirst Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Mike Rogers spent a lot of time this year contemplating the unlikely gift from a few hard and upsetting days.

Rogers and Sam Mattle, an old friend, are roommates at the Hydraulic Lofts, created within an old box factory on Seneca Street. Nine months ago, they were both home when the Christmas weekend blizzard swept into Buffalo, knocking out power and turning their lives into a sequence of minute-by-minute challenges.

Both Mattle and Rogers were born with disabilities that cause them to use motorized wheelchairs. Typically, they count on the daily assistance of aides who provide a hand with elements of their routines.

The storm made it impossible for aides to reach the building. The heat and lights went off. Like dozens of others, Rogers and Mattle turned for solutions to their neighbors, who also struggled to stay warm. For more than three days, many people who barely knew one another beyond casual hellos became mutually dependent for food, companionship 

And hope.

What I think everyone learned, Rogers said, is that if an opportunity comes up to interact with other people, to learn from other people, to take that opportunity.

He and Mattle are longtime warriors in the quest for civil rights, for full equality, for people with disabilities. Rogers works as western region organizer at the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State. Mattle is executive director of the Center for Self-Advocacy.

Sean Kirst: On clearing snow from city sidewalks: 'If Syracuse can do it, why not Buffalo?' "The fact that a city of our size  with such a reputation for snow  can't find a way to make it safe for everyone in winter is both ridiculous and negligent," says Holly Nowak of the Coalition for Economic Justice.

Inspired by these lessons from the storm, Rogers sensed the need for another association, with a slightly different focus. Joined by longtime allies Gwen Squire, Alex Jusko and Lee Allan Hartlieb, he founded Outside the Box Associates. Go to the organizations website, and it cites this purpose:

Outside the Box Associates is dedicated to the idea that people with disabilities are conscious human beings who navigate and participate in the world the best way we can, as do all beings on this planet.

That knowledge, if self-evident, is hardly universal. Rogers has spent a lifetime seeing or sensing how too many people step back emotionally because of his disabilities, in his case the result of cerebral palsy.

Professionally, he speaks, writes and lobbies in an attempt to alter those perceptions. That usually happens in the forums of meetings, offices or conference rooms, and the blizzard led to a conclusion that seems obvious in concept, but too rare in practice:

The best way of bringing about true community is by spending time  warm, respectful, casual time  with one another.

In the real world, that does not happen without conscious action.

Universally, were all people, said Jusko, a fellow founder. Once you reach that baseline understanding, he said it can lead to moving forward together and improving together.

The effort began Saturday morning at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve, where Outside the Box hosted Muddy Wheels  a nature hike on the first day of autumn. It was great, said Rogers, whose point was simply for everyone who showed up to enjoy spectacular natural beauty.

Together.

The purpose was amplified for Rogers at the Hydraulic Lofts by such neighbors as Barbara Allen. While she already had a warm friendship with Rogers and Mattle, the storm elevated it to another level.

Once the power went out, neighbors congregated in the hallways. There were a few spots in the building where generators provided enough power, say, to charge your phone, but for the most part, the place was cold and dark.

Allen, who serves as family self-sufficiency and home ownership coordinator at the Rental Assistance Corporation of Buffalo, could have left, once the storm began to let up. A good friend who lives within walking distance had power at her house, and offered her a place to stay.

Instead, she stuck around. Allen did not want to leave her neighbors, especially Rogers and Mattle, whose rooms were so cold they slept in their wheelchairs, in the hallway. Allen offered to do whatever their aides typically did.

That proximity gave her new insights on her friends. She learned, for instance, just how wry and funny Rogers can be  and about his passion for what he calls sitdown comedy, because that reflects his platform on a stage.

We talked about a lot of stuff, Allen said. We laughed and made the most of it.

She recalled how everyone at Hydraulic Lofts shared a coffee maker, how they pooled food  a particular challenge for Allen, who is vegan  and how they provided shelter to a nurse, whose life had been at risk while trapped outdoors in a storm that killed 47 people in greater Buffalo.

Allen is African American. She arrived in Western New York as a little girl, part of the great migration of newcomers from states where Jim Crow laws imposed cruel separation. In her new city, she grew up all too cognizant of how distinct but unspoken boundaries of segregation generate their own vast and corrosive damage.

She finds powerful meaning, then, in enlightened attempts to dissolve barriers, to be inclusive of all people  exactly what Rogers and his friends are attempting.

I love these guys, she said, an emotion that is both a bond and answer.

That idea of community by intention extends far beyond an ideal. Frank Cammarata, executive director of the Erie County Office for People with Disabilities, said the neighbor-to-neighbor assistance during the blizzard at the Hydraulic Lofts becomes a template after so many people, cut off from their aides, endured dire hardship.

Sean Kirst: West Seneca disabilities office is an ugly reminder of a bygone era Some have bad memories of living there, others see remaining offices at the West Seneca Developmental Center as an ugly reminder of an era when the disabled were

The storm was so intense that even firefighters and other emergency crews could not get through the wind and snow  meaning that personal care aides had no chance of reaching homes where they routinely work each day.

Cammarata said the county is distributing emergency preparedness kits to those who might need them, if trapped by a storm. But the greatest imperative for anyone who depends on an aide, he said, is to create an ironclad plan, right now, built around neighbors who would be on call and willing to help if we ever face a disaster of that scale again.

What Rogers envisions, then, is not only philosophically important  but in the most practical of ways, a means of saving lives.

At the Hydraulic Lofts, as Mattle sees it, a dynamic changed. Within a group of neighbors swiftly transformed into friends, he and Rogers established a simple truth: Given the chance, we could have an impact on their lives.

Rick Leiker, a web developer who lives at the Hydraulic Lofts, made it to Saturdays gathering at Reinstein Woods after returning from a quick trip to Philadelphia. He said that he and Rogers and Mattle have been neighbors for a few years, and already knew each other from casual hey-how-you-doing interactions while crossing paths.

The storm changed being friendly, which demands no real investment, into a true relationship. With everyone trying to stay warm beneath layers of clothes, with conversation as the best distraction, Leiker built a strong connection with Rogers and Mattle, quickly learning they were deeply interesting guys.

They were all together for a makeshift Christmas dinner in the atrium, where dozens of neighbors contributed food and the spirit went to the heart of what the holiday is supposed to be about. They had long conversations by candlelight, and Leiker watched how Allen  an amazing woman, he said  provided help that was usually done by aides.

Were pretty close friends now, after everythings said and done, Leiker said.

He and Rogers and Mattle often go out to eat. For Mattles birthday, they all went to Eckls. Joined by Allen and another neighbor, they attended a Bandits game. That is only part of what Leiker said is an expanded sense of community at the Hydraulic Lofts, where residents now stay in touch through a text and voice channel that brings everyone together and where new neighbors can introduce themselves.

Most important, he embraces the outlook that is exactly what Rogers hopes to share, through Outside the Box:

To Leiker, it would be a loss to go back to the way things always were, before the storm.
Travis Barker revealed he tested positive for Covid on Friday.

The 47-year-old drummer took to his Instagram Story to share a photo of just his hand holding up a positive test with three emojis expressing feeling sick as well as shock.

Recently, he has been traveling across Europe with his band, Blink-182, for their Rock Hard Tour.

Two days earlier, he and his bandmates performed a show in Vienna, Austria. The group is currently taking a break before heading to Lisbon, Portugal on October 2.

Two weeks earlier, the musician already had to postpone multiple shows to be with his pregnant wife, Kourtney Kardashian, as she underwent emergency fetal surgery to save their unborn baby.

Bad news: Travis Barker, 47, revealed he tested positive for Covid on Friday

Positive test results: The drummer took to his Instagram Story to share a photo of just his hand holding up a positive test with three emojis expressing feeling sick as well as shock

Earlier on the same day he shared his positive Covid test, he had also posted throwback photos and clips of himself with his Blink-182 bandmates.

Alongside Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge, he was filming for their latest music video  which dropped on  for their new songs One More Time and More Than You Know.

The two tracks are a part of their upcoming studio album, One More Time..., with the same name as their title track.

The 17-song track list also features their single Edging  which the band released in late 2022.

One More Time... will be the lineup's first new album together since 2011.

Blink-182's upcoming ninth studio album is set to be released on October 20.

Earlier this month, Barker and his bandmates postponed three concerts in Glasgow, Belfast, and Dublin due to 'an urgent family matter'.

Later, it was revealed that Kardashian had experienced a pregnancy complication and undergone 'urgent fetal surgery' to save their unborn baby.

Postponed shows: Two weeks earlier, the musician already had to postpone multiple shows to be with his pregnant wife, Kourtney Kardashian, as she underwent emergency fetal surgery to save their unborn baby

Ongoing tour: Recently, he has been traveling across Europe with his band, Blink-182, for their Rock Hard Tour. Two days earlier, he and his bandmates performed a show in Vienna, Austria. The group is currently taking a break before heading to Lisbon, Portugal on October 2

He abruptly put a halt to his band's tour to return home to be by her side.

After the operation went successfully, he took to Instagram to share several posts of himself back in Europe ahead of taking the stage in Belgium.

The Rock Hard Tour will briefly conclude in late October after they play two shows at the When We Were Young festival in Las Vegas.

In February 2024, Barker and his bandmates will travel in Oceania before heading over to Latin America and wrapping their world tour in Mexico on April 6.
Brian Austin Green and Sharna Burgess are officially engaged after nearly three years of dating and welcoming one-year-old son, Zane, last year in June.

The Beverly Hills, 90210 alum, 50, and the Dancing With The Stars pro, 38, revealed the special news on the latest episode of their Old-ish podcast which aired on Friday and also uploaded a joint Instagram video.

During the clip - which was captioned as 'Our latest chapter' - a close-up of Green's hand appeared into the frame with a patch of green grass underneath.

His children's hands then gently rested on his, with Sharna lastly placing her hand on top to flash an eye-catching, diamond engagement ring.

The actor notably shares Zane with the dancer, as well as Noah, 10, Bodhi, nine, and Journey, seven, with ex-wife, Megan Fox. He also welcomed son, Kassius, 21, with ex Vanessa Marcil.

Engaged! Brian Austin Green, 50, and Sharna Burgess, 38, are officially engaged after nearly three years of dating and welcoming one-year-old son, Zane, last year in June; seen on Friday in Las Vegas

Thrilled: The dancer flashed a cheerful smile as she showed off her stunning diamond engagement ring while attending the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas on Friday

Announcement: The Beverly Hills, 90210 alum and the Dancing With The Stars pro revealed the special news on the latest episode of their Old-ish podcast which aired on Friday and also uploaded a joint Instagram video

On Friday, Sharna had the chance to show off her stunning diamond ring while attending the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas with the actor - marking their first event as an engaged couple.

Along with the Instagram reel, Brian and Sharna also opened up about the moment Brian had popped the big question during their new podcast episode with co-host, Randy Spelling.

The lovebirds explained that the engagement had actually occurred earlier this year in July during a surprise birthday party for the actor.

'We've been engaged for two months,' Burges excitedly announced, and added, 'Brian proposed to me.'

In regards to asking Sharna to marry him during his 50th birthday celebration, the actor stated, 'I was like, "That's the perfect place to do it. She'd never see it coming."'

Burgess then recalled, 'We head into our bedroom and I start to get these feelings of like, "Oh my God." He's like, "Hey, kids come here." And the kids come in with him and Noah is holding Zane and Journey is holding this little red Cartier box.'

With their children also in the room, Green sweetly asked Sharna, 'Would you spend the rest of your life with us?'

The dancer expressed, 'Of course I said yes and I put that ring on my finger. I hugged all of them and it was the most perfect, beautiful moment because it was us. It was our unit, our tribe, and I love that that's how he wanted to do it.'

Cute video: During the clip - which was captioned as 'Our latest chapter' - a close-up of Green's hand appeared into the frame with a patch of green grass underneath

Proposal: The lovebirds explained that the engagement had actually occurred earlier this year in July during a surprise birthday party for the actor

'Perfect place': In regards to asking Sharna to marry him during his 50th birthday celebration, the actor stated, 'I was like, "That's the perfect place to do it. She'd never see it coming'

Brian explained that having the children a part of the proposal was important to him. 'I had this idea in my head that I wanted the kids to be a part of it, because they're a part of everything.'

The lovebirds then discussed the reasoning behind waiting two months to officially reveal their engagement news.

Sharna stated that Brian, 'was totally open to an announcement,' but that they were having a difficult time trying to find the best way to do so.

'One day, I said to him, "I just don't love that this is what we're talking about." I would rather live in our engagement and enjoy that instead of obsessing over what the right way to do this is. The right way will present itself when it's meant to.'

Brian and Sharna first crossed paths in 2020 at a cafe after a mutual acquaintance linked them together.

The actor told People at the time that although he wasn't looking for a relationship following his divorce from Megan, sparks immediately flew.

'On our first date, we just completely lost track of time and the same thing happened the next time. It became something noticeably different from anything I'd ever experienced before.'

The two became a couple shortly after, and one year later, competed on Dancing With The Stars together.

Planning the announcement: Sharna stated that Brian, 'was totally open to an announcement,' but that they were having a difficult time trying to find the best way to do so

Meeting for the first time: Brian and Sharna first crossed paths in 2020 at a cafe after a mutual acquaintance linked them together

Bundle of joy: Last year in February, Sharna and Brian officially announced they were expecting their first child together

Last year in February, Sharna and Brian officially announced they were expecting their first child together. And in June 2022, they welcomed their son, Zane.

Earlier this year in March, the pro dancer opened up about her little boy to Extra while attending the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards. 'He's eating avocado toast now on his own...He's honestly the coolest thing I've ever done.'

'I feel like stepping into the world of motherhood when I did was the perfect time. He's made me better at everything.'

Sharna also gushed about Brian and told the outlet, 'He's been the most amazing partner by my side and teaching me and allowing me to learn things about myself at the same time too.'

The couple not only raise their son, Zane, but also co-parent Green's own children whom he shares with ex, Megan Fox. The two were married from 2010 until their divorce was finalized in 2021.

Co-parenting: During a previous episode on their Old-ish podcast, the couple opened up about co-parenting with Fox

Healthy relationship: Sharna later added, 'I think we co-parent really well. Again, it is always about the kids and what's best for them. Sometimes, we are able to do things together'; seen in 2019 in Los Angeles

During a previous episode on their Old-ish podcast, the couple opened up about co-parenting with Fox. Sharna stated that all three of them 'co-parent really well together,' per People.

'When we need to, we communicate really well, we're open to things. We don't take things personally. It is my goal, and I think it's her goal as well, that the kids are in as healthy an environment as they can be in,' Brian added.

Burgess also recalled reaching out to Megan to introduce herself via messaging and stated, 'I think she really appreciated that starting out with openness.'

She later added, 'I think we co-parent really well. Again, it is always about the kids and what's best for them. Sometimes, we are able to do things together.'
Jessica Alba looked picture-perfect on Friday evening as she stepped out for the Los Angeles Beverly Arts Icon Awards with husband Cash Warren.

The 42-year-old business mogul  who recently discussed therapy  was dressed to the nines in a tiered alice + olivia black and white dress.

The ultra-feminine frock was accented with a black ribbon bow tied around the star's slim waist.

Alba, who shares three children with her husband, complemented it by also adorning her honey-blonde hair with a black bow.

Warren, 44, matched his wife as he wore a black suit with a white shirt and black bowtie.

Date night: Jessica Alba looked picture-perfect on Friday evening as she stepped out for the Los Angeles Beverly Arts Icon Awards with husband Cash Warren

Stylista: The 42-year-old business mogul was dressed to the nines in a tiered white and black dress by alice + olivia

Outfit details: The ultra-feminine frock was accented with a black ribbon bow tied around the star's slim waist

The Honest mogul carried a classic quilted black leather Chanel purse with a chain strap.

Her sleeveless dress boasted black straps and had a slightly low-cut neckline that showed off her cleavage,

She wore her lengthy locks in a half-up/half-down style with bounce curls that tumbled down her back and over her shoulder.

Alba's visage was aglow in flattering makeup that played up her already gorgeous features.

Her full, dark eyebrows were carefully shaped, providing a frame for her pretty face.

She flaunted dark eyeliner and fluttery lashes, drawing out the beauty of her big, brown doe eyes.

Jessica's dress had a long skirt with tiers of lacy black and white ruffles that extended to her feet.

She skipped a necklace but wore small, chunky, silver-toned hoop earrings.

Adorable: Alba, who shares three children with her husband, complemented the frock's bow belt by also adorning her honey-blonde hair with a black bow

Designer staple: The Honest mogul carried a classic quilted black leather Chanel purse with a chain strap

In good company: The couple seemed to enjoy themselves as they made a splash at the event

L-R: Michael Warren, Jenny Warren, Jessica and Cash gathered for a snapshot

Phenomenal: Visual artist Alexandra Grant arrived in a bright red two-piece ensemble

Duo: Rob Minkoff and Crystal Minkoff looked great as they attended the third annual affair

According to the official website, 'The Beverly Arts is a collaborative platform to bring together artists and leading members of the fine arts community.'

Together, the group of creators work 'to establish relationships for business, education, and ongoing support for the arts. '

The third annual awards ceremony grants tokens of recognition to those who have made notable contributions to art and philanthropy.

Also appearing at the swanky event was visual artist Alexandra Grant, who arrived in a bright red top and long, ruffled skirt.
Kevin Bacon revealed a strange stipulation he had to agree to before he was able to buy his Connecticut farm back in 1983.

During a conversation on Rob Lowe's Literally podcast, the Footloose star explained how the previous owner made him agree to destroy the abandoned house on the property before he would sell it to him because he believed it was haunted.

'One of the pieces that we bought had an old house in it and [the owner] didnt want me to own the house. It was an abandoned house that he had grown up in,' Bacon, 65, told Lowe.

He continued, 'We kind of went back and forth on it for a while and then, eventually, I said, "Listen, you can't sell me a piece of land but not sell me the house thats on it. Like, that's just weird. What if you sell it and there's somebody thats just living, basically, right up in the backyard?'

The old owner, who Bacon claims had 'ghostbusters' come to try and rid the spiritual entities out, was steadfast about the stipulation with the actor out of fear he would get 'possessed' and do some serious damage.

Spooky: Kevin Bacon, 65, revealed the previous owner of his Connecticut farm demanded he destroy an abandoned house on the property before he would sell it to him out of fear it was haunted during a conversation on Rob Lowe's Literally podcast

The Golden Globe winner went on to explain how they 'back and forth on this haunted house thing' for a while until finally they came to an agreement they both could live with: Bacon had to destroy the old house within a month of buying the property.

Lowe had to ask whether Bacon tempted fate and 'spent a night' in the abandoned house, but he confessed he wanted no part in messing with any potential spooky spirits.

'Not only did I not do that, but I went up there and there were some beautiful old pine boards and a banister and I said to [my wife] Kyra [Sedgwick], "Weve gotta take those out,"' he explained. 'And she's like, "No you're not. You're not putting those f***king things in our house.""

It turned out Bacon was talking with a self-proclaimed supernatural expert.

Lowe claimed that he once spoke to a real ghost in June 2017 while filming his series The Lowe Files, in which he investigated unsolved mysteries, according to Us Weekly.

'Among the places we went [on the show] was a closed-down children's reformatory slash prison in central California that's notoriously haunted,' the St. Elmo's Fire star told Bacon.

He added, 'I saw lights going off and on, literally like somebody was on a switch of an on and  and we got it on camera.'

Spooked by the incident, the former Brat Packer explained, 'It was pretty intense. It sounds insane as I say it but they had this device that would pick up the frequencies [of ghosts] and convert them into speech.  It was hilarious. The thing kept asking for pizza. It was both really super absurd but also really scary.'

Haunted story: The previous owner, who Bacon claims had 'ghostbusters' come to try and rid the spiritual entities out, was steadfast about the stipulation with the actor out of fear he would get 'possessed' and do some serious damage.

Not testing fate: After revealing to Lowe that he wanted no part of spending one night in the abandoned house, Bacon said he 'went up there and there were some beautiful old pine boards and a banister and I said to [my wife] Kyra [Sedgwick], "Weve gotta take those out,"' he explained. 'And she's like, "No you're not. You're not putting those f***king things in our house."'

Bacon, who just celebrated 35 years of marriage with Sedgwick earlier in September, ended up agreeing to destroy that old 'haunted' home within a month of buying the property as part of the deal with the previous owner in 1983

Supernatural expert: During the podcast with Bacon, Lowe revealed he once spoke to a real ghost in June 2017 while filming his series The Lowe Files in 2017

Bacon and wife Kyra Sedgwick first met on the set of the PBS version of Lanford Wilson's play Lemon Sky in 1987.

They would waste little time in tying-the-knot the following year in September 1988.

The couple, who also reside on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, are the proud of two children: son Travis, 34, and daughter Sosie, 31.

Bacon made his film debut in the now classic comedy National Lampoon's Animal House (1978), and has since gone on to star in a slew of popular movies such as Friday The 13th (1980), Footloose (1984), Planes, Trains And Automobiles (1987), Tremors (1990), JFK (1991), A Few Good Men (1992), Apollo 13 (1995), Wild Things (1998), Mystic River (2003), X-Men: First Class (2011), Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011), and Black Mass (2015), among many others.
Former Bachelor star Keira Maguire shrugged off her recent court appearance as she enjoyed a fun night out in Sydney.

The 37-year-old, who last month admitted to assaulting a woman at a Melbourne bar, attended the launch of Bloom x Bianca and Bridgett's new collection on Friday.

The reality TV star looked stylish in a mini black blazer dress as she posed up a storm after arriving to the event.

Maguire curled her long brunette locks and accessorised her ensemble with a pair of white stilettos and dark sunglasses.

She wore a neutral makeup palette to the event consisting of a nude lip, pink blush and dewy foundation.

Bachelor star Keira Maguire posed up a storm at swanky fashion event after admitting to assaulting a woman at a rooftop bar in Melbourne

It comes after Maguire admitted to a charge of recklessly causing injury during an appearance in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court via video-link last month.

In June, the Herald Sun reported the Melbourne influencer threw a drink at a patron while dining at a popular bar in South Yarra.

The publication claimed Maguire was with friends in a booth at The Osborne Rooftop and Bar she allegedly had an altercation with a woman in an adjoining booth.

It's believed Maguire allegedly threw her drink on the woman about 10.45pm.

Represented by former gangland lawyer Zarah Garde-Wilson, the court heard Maguire had used a glass in the assault.

The reality TV star looked stylish in a mini black blazer dress as she attended the launch of Bloom x Bianca and Bridgett's new collection

'The glass didn't break,' Ms Garde-Wilson assured.

Though Keira admitted that she recklessly caused injury, she insists that she didn't use a glass in the altercation.

Outside court, Maguire told Daily Mail Australia that she did not 'glass' anyone, saying: 'I threw a drink on this person.'

Scratches obtained by her victim came from her fingernails, not from the glass, Maguire claimed.

'It's totally false to suggest I glassed anyone... My fingernail happened to come into contact and that's how the scratch happened,' she said.

Maguire curled her long brunette locks and accessorised her ensemble with a pair of white stilettos and dark sunglasses

Maguire said the admission of guilt came via a deal with prosecutors that saw them dump an allegation the glass has caused her victim's injury.

Maguire's legal troubles followed a string of PR disasters and controversial appearances on a series of reality shows, including The Bachelor in Paradise and Love Island.

The influencer rose to fame on Richie Strahan's season of The Bachelor in 2016, before appearing on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and Bachelor in Paradise.
Abbie Chatfield has sparked criticism online for using gender-inclusive language.

The reality star, 27, raised eyebrows this week when she referred to women as 'AFAB', which means 'assigned female at birth'.

Abbie used the term while hospitalised this week after a urinary tract infection (UTI) spread to her kidneys.

In a lengthy post detailing her medical issues, Abbie wrote, 'As AFAB people, we tend to minimise our pain. I usually do.'

She also said that, 'AFAB people are just used to being in constant pain,' referring to medical problems than many women face.

Abbie Chatfield has sparked criticism online for using gender-inclusive language and refusing to use the word 'women'

The reality star, 27, raised eyebrows this week when she referred to women as 'AFAB', which means 'assigned female at birth'

While Chatfield's fans were most likely pleased with her decision to use progressive, gender-inclusive language to describe women, some naysayers online criticised the star.

'AFAB! Who made that one up? Has the UTI affected her brain as well?' raged one.

Another wrote, 'Just say women FFS, stop throwing the rest of us under a bus, bloody millennials.'

'AFAB! Who made that one up? Has the UTI affected her brain as well?' raged one critic

Abbie is known for her outspoken political views and identifies as a feminist.

Forte Magazine previously called her a 'feminist hero' while the Sydney Morning Herald praised the former Bachelor star for building a 'feminist empire'.

'Everyone assumes influencers are idiots who have nothing to say, so when I started speaking about feminism, the US election, my abortion or my vibrator, people paid attention,' she told the Herald last year.

Abbie is known for her outspoken political views and identifies as a proud feminist

Abbie previously scored a book deal with Affirm Press to write a feminist manifesto called So Let's Unpack That (SLUT), but she later ditched the deal after growing bored at a writer's retreat.

'I tried to write, I couldn't write anything,' she confessed in March.

'I cannot do this, I'm so bored up here. There's no Hayu. There's no [Real] Housewives,' she added, before revealing that she left her writer's retreat two days early.
Gisele Bundchen got candid about overwhelming stress that she had faced during her modeling career which led to her fantasizing about 'jumping out of the window' at one point.

The Brazilian-born beauty, 43, who recently revealed that she was 'just surviving' before divorcing Tom Brady, opened up about the emotional topic in a snippet of her upcoming interview with Lee Cowan for CBS News Sunday Morning.

The mother of two launched her professional modeling career during New York Fashion Week in 1996 - when she was just 16-years-old.

However, Bundchen expressed hardships that she faced while working in the industry in the past. 'You know, I was in tunnels. I couldn't breathe. And then I started being in studios, and I felt like suffocated.'

Gisele recalled, 'I lived on the ninth floor, and I had to go up the stairs because I was afraid I would be stuck on the elevator, and I'd be hyperventilating...'

'You know when you can't breathe even when the windows are open, you feel like, I dont want to live like this, you know what I mean?'

Candid: Gisele Bundchen, 43, got candid about overwhelming stress that she had faced during her modeling career which led to her fantasizing about 'jumping out of the window' at one point

Successful career: The mother of two launched her professional modeling career during New York Fashion Week in 1996 - when she was just 16-years-old; seen in 2000

Cowan then cut in to ask Gisele, 'Did you really think about jumping?' The model then replied with, 'Yeah. For, like, a second.'

In her younger teenage years, Bundchen was enrolled in a modeling course with her sisters by their mother, and was later discovered by Elite Model Management.

After placing second in the national contest called Elite Mode Look, the beauty moved to Sau Paulo to begin pursing a career in the modeling industry.

She made her professional breakthrough in 1996 during New York Fashion Week, and through the late 90s, starred in campaigns for various luxurious brands - such as Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino and Versace.

Her first cover for Vogue was for Vogue Paris in 1998, and the following year, she signed with IMG Models.

Also in 1999, she celebrated her first U.S. Vogue cover, and later that same year, won the VH1 Vogue Model of the Year Award. At the age of 19, Gisele signed a contract with Victoria's Secret.

Her success travelled to the 2000s, where she continued to strut on the runway and collaborate with brands.

The star also stepped into the film industry, and took on roles in films such as Taxi (2004) and The Devil Wears Prada (2006).

In the past: Gisele recalled, 'I lived on the ninth floor, and I had to go up the stairs because I was afraid I would be stuck on the elevator, and I'd be hyperventilating...'

Emotional: 'You know when you can't breathe even when the windows are open, you feel like, I dont want to live like this, you know what I mean?' Bundchen expressed; seen in 2000 in NYC

'Jumping': Cowan then cut in to ask Gisele, 'Did you really think about jumping?' The model then replied with, 'Yeah. For, like, a second'; seen in 2005

Gisele is still prominent in the industry to the present day, and notably starred in the latest Icons campaign for Victoria's Secret last month in August. She joined other celebrities, such as Naomi Campbell and Adriana Lima.

However, she has previously opened up about the struggles she had faced when entering the modeling world at a young age.

While talking to Vanity Fair earlier this year in March, she discussed moving to New York and living with other modes, but was surrounded by drug use.

'I saw things that were like, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I always say my guardian angels are very powerful,' Gisele explained, adding that she 'escaped' certain situations due to having 'faith.'

'You have to survive that...It's just emotional. I feel everything so deeply, and when I remember it, I feel like I'm living it again,' Bundchen later expressed and remembered how 'tough' it was at that time.

'My natural instinct was, "I'm not going to be a victim of this. I'm not going to sit here and be like, 'Why are they treating me like this? Why are they leaving me standing here naked for, like, eight hours without offering me water or food? Why are they being so mean?"'

'I could have been sitting there thinking, "Am I even worthy of anything?" Gisele emotionally stated.

'I could have chosen to do drugs. I could have chosen to party. I could have chosen to allowthe vampires that are out there to suck life out of me and use me, but I came out of it. I wasn't broken.'

Working with brands: At the age of 19, Gisele signed a contract with Victoria's Secret; seen in 2000 wearing the $15 million jeweled fantasy bra from the lingerie brand

Struggles: While talking to Vanity Fair earlier this year in March, she discussed moving to New York and lived with other modes, but was surrounded by drug use; seen in 1998

Also during the CBS News Sunday Morning interview, Gisele revealed she was 'just surviving' before divorcing Tom Brady- and is 'now living' in her most candid interview about her divorce yet.

The supermodel started dating the football star, 45, in 2007 and was with him for more than a decade before they confirmed they were divorcing in October 2022.

The star said she has happily moved into a new era of her life and detailed how the pair 'grew apart' before their split - saying, 'I think before I was more surviving, and now I'm living, which is different.'

Tom and Gisele share two children - Vivian, 10, and Benjamin, 13 - while he also has an older son, Jack, 15, from his previous relationship with Bridget Moynahan.

Gisele took a step back from modelling to raise the couple's children and has now returned to the world of high fashion.

Brady sent shockwaves around the world when he first announced his retirement in 2022 - a decision he would reverse just weeks later - which reportedly irked his now ex-wife.

Rumors speculated that Bundchen was concerned about the sport's impact on Brady's health - reportedly delivering him an ultimatum to retire, otherwise their marriage would end.

'Now living': Also during the CBS News Sunday Morning interview, Gisele revealed she was 'just surviving' before divorcing Tom Brady- and is 'now living'; seen in 2019 in NYC

Raising a family: Tom and Gisele share two children - Vivian, 10, and Benjamin, 13 - while he also has an older son, Jack, 15, from his previous relationship with Bridget Moynahan

Reflection: Speaking about the decision to divorce, the star said: 'I think it's not what I dreamed of and what I hoped for. My parents have been married for 50 years, and I really wanted that to happen'

He announced his retirement for the second and final time in February 2023.

Speaking about the decision to divorce, the star said: 'I think it's not what I dreamed of and what I hoped for. My parents have been married for 50 years, and I really wanted that to happen.'

'But I think you have to accept you know sometimes that the way you are in your 20s, it's sometimes you grow together, sometimes you grow apart...'

'I mean, he's the father of my kids, so I always wish him the best, and I'm so grateful that he gave me wonderful children.'
Donatella Versace turned heads on Friday evening as she left the 2024 spring Versace runway afterparty during Milan Fashion Week.

After another successful runway show, the Italian designer, 68, put on a leggy display in a stunning yellow checkered metallic mini dress.

The dress, which showed off Donatella's tanned and toned arms, boasted a high neckline, structured shoulders, and a figure-hugging fit.

Donatella also opted for further elevating her height for the fun-filled evening with a pair of knee-high boots.

She further accessorised the look with a yellow silver chained handbag and a pair of hooped earrings.

Afterparty: Donatella Versace turned heads on Friday evening as she left the 2024 spring Versace runway afterparty during Milan Fashion Week

Fashion Week: After another successful runway show, the Italian designer, 68, showcased her fit physique in a stunning yellow checkered metallic mini dress

As she left the afterparty, Donatella looked more glamorous than ever as her blonde locks were still styled perfectly in a voluminous blowout, and the beauty donned a glam makeup look.

The afterparty celebrations come after the successful Versace Women's Spring 2024 collection runway, which showcased a variety of colours and ensembles worn by top models such as Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Claudia Schiffer.

Claudia Schiffer, 53, looked phenomenal in a lime green and grey diamond patterned lace dress as she made her return to the Versace runway for the first time in five years.

Meanwhile, Gigi, 28, wowed in a slinky yellow gown, which featured a cowl neckline and a daring thigh-high split.

Elsewhere at the Versace show, Gigi's pal Kendall, 27, looked flawless as she nailed 60s chic in a white shift dress.

As the show drew to a close, Donatella also made a show-stopping appearance on the catwalk in a neutral checked top and a cream mini skirt.

The designer turned heads as she strutted down the runway in a pair of knee-high cream leather boots.

The crowd of VIP guests and people sitting in front row gave the icon a round of applause as the show ended to celebrate her latest collection.

Stunning: The stunning dress, which showed off Donatella's tanned and toned arms, boasted a high neckline, structured shoulders and a figure-hugging fit

Gorgeous: Donatella also opted for further elevating her height for the fun-filled evening with a pair of knee-high boots

The iconic runway show comes after Donatella flaunted her smooth visage in a figure-hugging gown as she attended the 31st Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar Viewing party earlier this year in West Hollywood.

The Italian designer opted for an eye-catching, shimmering dress as she stepped onto the red carpet alongside celebrities such as Zooey Deschanel and Brooke Shields.

Earlier this year, the star debuted her Fall/Winter 2023 line ahead of the 95th Academy Awards, with Lady Gaga stunning in a very sheer dress from the collection on the Oscars red carpet just days after Gigi Hadid modelled the item.

Donatella struck a few of her favourite poses upon arriving at Elton John's annual viewing party, and the Rocket Man hitmaker notably sat front row during the designer's L.A. runway show on Thursday.

She wore a dark gold dress that clung to her frame and fell straight towards the ground, concealing the shoes she had paired with the ensemble.

The star, who has been the artistic designer of Versace since 1997, placed her left hand on her hip to flaunt the dress that also contained thin straps wrapped around her shoulders.

Wow! The afterparty celebrations come after top model Kendall Jenner, 27, stormed the Versace runway in a chic white shift 60's dress

Flawless: Meanwhile, Gigi Hadid, 28, wowed in a slinky yellow gown, which featured a cowl neckline and a daring thigh-high split

Comeback: Claudia Schiffer, 53, also looked phenomenal in a lime green and grey diamond patterned lace dress as she made her return to the Versace runway for the first time in five years

The top portion was form-fitting, with the glittering material shining under the bright lights at the venue.

She accessorised her look for the evening with a pair of long, dangly earrings but chose not to add a flashy necklace to allow the gown to be the focal point.

Donatella also added a few gold rings onto her hands to coincide with the colour scheme of her ensemble.

Her blonde locks were parted in the middle and effortlessly flowed past her shoulders in light waves.

The designer's makeup was glammed up for Hollywood's biggest night and comprised of a heavy later of black mascara along with a bold, smoky shadow around her eyes.

She added a blush with a warmer tone and donned a nude-coloured matte tint to her lips for a finishing touch.

Here she is: As the show drew to a close, Donatella also made a show-stopping appearance on the catwalk in a neutral checked top and a cream mini skirt

During the Oscars viewing party, Elton was joined on stage by Will & Grace actor Eric McCormack, as well as Michaela Jae Rodriguez and David Furnish, according to the official website.

Donatella recently celebrated the debut of her Fall/Winter 2023 collection earlier this year, and star-studded guests were in attendance, such as Elton John, Miley Cyrus, Demi Moore, daughter Rumer Willis, and Dua Lipa.

Supermodels strutted on the runway to showcase various looks, such as Gigi Hadid, Naomi Campbell, and Emily Ratajkowski.

The last time a Versace collection was shown in Los Angeles was in 1998, and the Italian designer opened up about returning to the City of Angels.

'I am so excited to be back here. I love the energy and the power of L.A., and to be here two days before the Oscars feels epic and amazing,' she explained to Hypebeast.

Icon: The iconic runway show comes after Donatella Versace flaunted her smooth visage in a figure-hugging gown as she attended the 31st Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar Viewing party earlier this year

'This is a global moment  the world is watching. This is our Oscars moment to show the world our best work,' Donatella added.

She also discussed showcasing the collection after Milan Fashion Week. She explained, 'This feels like a new chapter for Versace  the start of something incredibly exciting and at the same time very familiar with our house codes being celebrated in the collection.'

'Change is great, and I am excited for the future  especially when it is absolutely rooted in our heritage, our craftsmanship, and our understanding of true luxury.'

'We have had a long relationship with the great actors in movies as well as some of the biggest stars in music,' Donatella stated, and added that she and her late brother, Gianni, 'always loved to be surrounded by these incredible people we really admired and to dress them was a huge honour.'

'I feel that a dress makes a star, and the star makes the dress  when we dress a star, a little of their stardust rubs off on us. But I want people to feel like that every day when they wear our clothes.' She concluded.
Strictly Come Dancing's Amanda Abbington has passionately hit back at claims that she threatened to quit the show due to clashes with Giovanni Pernice.

The actress, 49, shared a video to Instagram on Saturday, just hours ahead of the first live show, where she rubbished the rumours in a swear-filled rant.

It follows claims Amanda was 'left shaken' by Giovanni's 'militant and aggressive' training style with tensions escalating between the pair.

But Amanda has now hit back at the rumours and told how she is 'ignoring the bulls***' as she insisted things are all good between her and Giovanni, 33.

Seemingly addressing the feud claims, she said: 'Ignoring the bulls***, because clearly people are t****.'

Denial: Strictly Come Dancing's Amanda Abbington has passionately hit back at claims that she threatened to quit the show due to clashes with Giovanni Pernice

Partners: It follows claims Amanda was 'left shaken' by Giovanni's 'militant and aggressive' training style with tensions escalating between the pair

Launching a swear-filled rant, she went on: 'Just stop it, stop it, grow up. No one gives a s***. Shut up, it's b****cks, so f*** off.'

Amanda also told how she was wearing a jacket which said 'who cares what other people think' as she told how there was a 'life lesson' in the message.

Her comments come hours after she broke her silence for the first time after the feud rumours on Friday in a string of posts where she heaped praise on Giovanni.

Amanda had taken to her Instagram Stories to share a snap of her beaming in rehearsals and gushed over 'hugely talented' Giovanni in an accompanying caption.

She penned: 'The smile you give your pro partner at the end of the camera rehearsal when you know you are in safe and hugely talented hands. Giovanni Pernice ya legend, see you all tomorrow.'

Giovanni then shared her post to his own Instagram Stories and admitted that he was 'extremely proud' of his dance partner as they proved they have a strong bond.

'I usually don't say these things early (as probably everybody knows) but I'm extremely proud of you and I can't wait for people to watch what we have created,' he wrote.

Amanda also shared a video of herself discussing her busy week ahead of the first Strictly live show as she teased what fans can expect on Saturday night.

Rant: But Amanda has now hit back at the rumours and told how she is 'ignoring the bulls***' as she insisted things are all good between her and Giovanni, 33

Brushing it off: It comes hours after Giovanni Pernice (pictured on Thursday) and Amanda broken their silence following the claims

Sweet: But Amanda brushed off rumours as she shared a snap of her in rehearsals and gushed over 'talented' Giovanni, while he responded with an equally positive post

You ready? The BBC released a pre-recorded clip of the pair watching their introduction in the 2023 on Instagram on Saturday

Strong bond: Amanda also shared a video of herself discussing her busy week ahead of the first Strictly live show and once again gushed over Giovanni's skills as a choreographer

In the clip, she once again gushed over Giovanni and praised his skills as a choreographer as she seemingly brushed off any rumours of tension.

She said: 'I love our dance, I love it, it's a beautiful thing, He's an incredible choreographer Giovanni, he's amazing and he's created something really beautiful, so we're both very pleased.'

On Saturday, the BBC released the trailer of the line-up watching their introduction on Instagram.

Giovanni told Amanda her moves were 'gorgeous' to which she said to him: 'It's really real now, isn't it?'

It comes after it was claimed that Amanda threatened to quit Strictly before the first live show due to clashes with her dance partner Giovanni.

According to The Sun, the duo were at loggerheads, with Amanda wanting to quit hours before taking to the iconic BBC dance floor for the first time.

A source told the publication: 'Giovanni is a hard taskmaster and takes the competition very, very seriously.'

They went on to brand his style of teaching as 'Incredibly brusque' which can sometimes 'upset his partners'.

'Amanda was really looking forward to dancing with him, but has found his aggressive training style and attitude pretty difficult to handle,' they added.

'He is quite militant in his approach to training. She's been left very shaken, and has liaised with her team about quitting.'

Giovanni and Amanda are set to take to the dance floor for the first time on Saturday along with their fellow celebrity pairings as the 2023 Strictly series gets underway.

Last year, the professional dancer hit back at reports he was locked in a 'feud' with his celebrity dance partner Richie Anderson for the 2022 series.

Sources told The Sun at the time Giovanni was becoming frustrated with Richie not listening to him in rehearsals - something which the pro dancer's reps rubbished, calling the claims 'nonsense'.

Speaking directly into the camera on It Takes Two, Giovanni insisted there was 'no problem' between them.

Feud? Last year, the professional dancer hit back at reports he was locked in a 'feud' with his celebrity dance partner Richie Anderson for the 2022 series (pictured)

Throwback: Laura Whitmore, 38, previously revealed she felt 'uncomfortable' being partnered with the Italian hunk on the BBC ballroom competition in 2016 (pictured together)

'We are having a good, we're definitely having a good time. Obviously it's a dance competition at the end of the day so we have to learn something,' he told viewers.

'But there is no problem. Where is the camera? There is no problem between us, we are having a good time. So forget about what you are writing, it's not true.'

Laura Whitmore, 38, previously revealed she felt 'extremely uncomfortable' being partnered with the Italian hunk on the BBC ballroom competition in 2016.

The Irish host left the competition in week seven feeling 'broken' and admitting she 'cried every day'.

The Irish presenter wasn't happy about being paired with her close friend Georgia May Foote's ex not long after the pair had split - and felt 'extremely uncomfortable' dancing with him.

Former Coronation Street actress Georgia - who had fallen for Giovanni when they were paired together on Strictly in 2015, only to split the following summer - was still feeling heartbroken at the time and Laura inadvertently found herself 'in the middle of someone's break-up'.

Writing for The Huffington Post, Laura said: 'I love dancing  I topped the leaderboard twice  but I was thrown into the middle of a break-up that had nothing to do with me. Once again, I was a 'rumoured love interest'.

'I was placed with a dance partner I was extremely uncomfortable with  and in the end I felt broken, I cried every day. And I really was broken, both mentally and physically, by the end.'

Strictly Come Dancing fans have been given their first glimpse of the first live show, as the twelve couples' songs and dances have been revealed, with Amanda and Giovanni set to dance a classic Viennese Waltz to Pointless by Lewis Capaldi.

And making history is Angela Rippon, 78, who becomes the show's oldest ever contestant when she takes to the floor on Saturday.

The former newsreader will be performing a Cha Cha to Dame Shirley Bassey's cover of Pink's Get The Party Started with pro partner Kai Widdrington.

Meanwhile actor Layton Williams, who fans have already tipped to raise the glittery trophy, will show off his skills with a Samba.

Dancing Queen: This year, Angela Rippon, 78, will make history as she becomes the show's oldest ever contestant with her cha cha (pictured with partner Kai Widdrington)

Skills: Meanwhile actor Layton Williams, who fans have already tipped to raise the glittery trophy, will show off his skills with a Samba (pictured with partner Nikita Kuzmin)

Viewers of last week's launch took to Twitter to predict the Bad Education star would make history by becoming the show's first ever winning same-sex pairing alongside pro Nikita Kuzmin.

This was despite the series facing a 'fix' row after fans claimed the actor had an unfair advance following his West End appearances and Stage School training.

Angela's song choice was a huge hit for Goldfinger songstress Dame Shirley, 86, who released the cover after first performing it on stage in 2007.

Meanwhile Layton and Nikita will dance to Little Mix's catchy pop tune Touch.

Former Love Island star Zara McDermott will also perform a lively Cha Cha to 90s hit Crush by Jennifer Page.

She previously revealed rehearsals had left her 'bleeding' after partner Graziano Di Prima made her wear uncomfortable 'men's shoes' to practice ahead of their first live perfomance.

Dancing shoes: Former Love Island star Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima will also perform a lively Cha Cha to 90s hit Cush by Jennifer Page - after rehearsals left her feet 'bleeding'

Fun: Bobby Brazier and Diane Buswell (L) will dance a classic Foxtrot to All About You by McFly while Nigel Harman and Katya Jones (R) will be starting their Strictly journey with a Paso Doble to Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana.

Lets go! Meanwhile Jody Cundy and Jowita Przysta will be hitting the floor with a Quickstep to I'm On Top Of The World by Bobby Darin

Glitz: Angela Scanlan and Carlos Gu will be dancing adding some spice to proceedings with a Tango to Prisoner by Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa

Bobby Brazier and Diane Buswell are hoping to impress as they dance a classic Foxtrot to All About You by McFly.

Nigel Harman and Katya Jones will also be starting their Strictly journey in the ballroom, with a Paso Doble to Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana.

Meanwhile Jody Cundy and Jowita Przysta will be hitting the floor with a Quickstep to I'm On Top Of The World by Bobby Darin.

Angela Scanlan and Carlos Gu will be dancing adding some spice to proceedings with a Tango to Prisoner by Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa.

Challenge: Also dancing a Cha Cha are Krishnan Gutu-Murthy and Lauren Oakley (L) to Boom Shack A Lack by Apache Indian and Annabel Croft while Johannes Radebe (R) will performing their own to Billy Joel's Uptown Girl

Come on! They will be going head to head with former soap star Adam Thomas and his partner Luba Mushtuk who's Cha Cha is set to Waffle House by the Jonas Brothers

Perfomance: Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez will take to the floor for a classic Waltz to Run To You by Whitney Houston

Shwotime! and Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer will speed things up with Quickstep to Two Hearts by Phil Collins

Strutting their stuff: Les Dennis and Nancy Xu (L) hope to impress with their Tango set to Human League's Don't You Want Me while Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola will dance a Jive to Can't Tame Her by Zara Larsson (R)

Also dancing a Cha Cha are Krishnan Gutu-Murthy and Lauren Oakley to Boom Shack A Lack by Apache Indian and Annabel Croft while Johannes Radebe will performing their own to Billy Joel's Uptown Girl

They will be going head to head with former soap star Adam Thomas and his partner Luba Mushtuk who's Cha Cha is set to Waffle House by the Jonas Brothers.

Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez will take to the floor for a classic Waltz to Run To You by Whitney Houston and Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer will speed things up with Quickstep to Two Hearts by Phil Collins.

Les Dennis and Nancy Xu hope to impress with their Tango set to Human League's Don't You Want Me while Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola will dance a Jive to Can't Tame Her by Zara Larsson.
Leonardo DiCaprio has been dating Vittoria Ceretti for at least two months and the pair have been seen on an array of cosy outings together.

The Hollywood star, 48, and the model, 25, were seen kissing in an Ibiza nightclub recently and the Mail exclusively revealed that the pair were dating.

The couple have both seen rubbing shoulders with the stars at Milan Fashion Week, where Vittoria has been strutting the runways for major luxury fashion houses.

However, they left the Versace afterparty separately on Friday evening, after Vittoria had walked the runway alongside Leo's rumoured ex Gigi Hadid.

But who is Leo's new girlfriend Vittoria? MailOnline takes a look at her successful modelling career, high-profile connections amid news of her new romance.

New couple: Leonardo DiCaprio has been dating Vittoria Ceretti for at least two months and the pair have been seen on an array of cosy outings together

Model: But who is Leo's new girlfriend Vittoria? MailOnline takes a look at her successful modelling career, high-profile connections amid news of her new romance

Who is Vittoria Ceretti?

Vittoria, who is 23 years Leo's junior, is the daughter of designer Francesca Lazzari and has modelled for the likes of Alexander McQueen and Versace.

Born in Brescia, Italy, Vittoria was first discovered in 2012 at age 14 through the Elite Model Look Model contest and has gone on to launch a successful modelling career.

She quickly established herself as a sought-after face for runways, and has been part of a huge string of fashion shows at the 2023 Milan Fashion Week.

Vittoria has strutted her stuff for the likes of Fendi and Versace, while she has also been a guest at the Gucci show and the Luigi & Iango Unveiled Exhibition launch.

During her many years strutting the runway, she has rubbed shoulders with a whole host of supermodel talents, including Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner.

And Vittoria and Gigi - who has also been romantically linked to Leo - both appeared on the Versace runway this week.

She also has a string of Vogue covers under her belt and modelled alongside actor Ansel Elgort for the US magazine's 125th anniversary edition.

Vittoria has also become a sought-after face for adverts and has fronted campaigns for the likes of Chanel, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Moschino, among many others.

Impressive: Vittoria, who is 23 years Leo's junior, is the daughter of designer Francesca Lazzari and has modelled for the likes of Alexander McQueen, Fendi (pictured) and Versace

Runway: Leo's rumoured ex Gigi Hadid (L) and his current girlfriend Vittoria (R) were sure to turn heads as they walked the runway of Versace's Milan Fashion Week show on Friday

Her nepo baby comments

Vittoria made headlines in November for her reaction to Lily-Rose Depp's ELLE cover story, where Johnny Depp's daughter claimed 'the internet cares a lot more about who your family is than the people who are casting you in things'.

Vittoria then got involved in the nepo baby debate in a passionate post on her Instagram Stories as she questioned if nepo babies would have lasted through the first five years of her career.

'I get the whole "I'm here and I work hard for it," but I would really love to see if you would have lasted through the first five years of my career,' she wrote.

'Not only being rejected, because I know you have an experience with it and you can tell me your sad little story about it (even if at the end of the day you can still always go cry on your dad's couch in your villa in Malibu).

'But how about now being able to pay for your flight back home to your family? Waiting hours to do a fitting/casting just to see a nepo baby walk past you, from the warm seat of [their] Mercedes with [their] driver and [their] friend/assistant/agent taking care of [their] mental health?

'I know it's not your fault but please, appreciate and know the place you came from. I have many nepo-baby friends whom I respect, but I can't stand listening to you compare yourself to me. I was not born on a comfy sexy pillow with a view.'

Opinions: Vittoria made headlines for her reaction to Lily-Rose Depp's ELLE cover story as she questioned if nepo babies would have lasted through the first five years of her career

Passionate: 'I get the whole "I'm here and I work hard for it," but I would really love to see if you would have lasted through the first five years of my career,' she wrote

Nepotism: Her remarks came in response to Johnny Depp's daughter claiming 'the internet cares a lot more about who your family is than the people who are casting you in things'

Famous connections

The Balenciaga brand ambassador seems to be well acquainted with a few members of Leonardo's inner-circle this summer including Fusion Model Neelam Kaur Gill and DNA Model Meghan Roche.

She has also walked the runway with big names including Kendall Jenner, Claudia Schiffer, Iris Law and Imaan Hammam.

Leonardo's reported on/off flame Gigi also showed they are on good terms as she commented on one of Vittoria's recent Instagram posts, writing: 'Omg!'

Amid a swirl of various romance rumours, it was claimed Leonardo was reportedly in a 'friendly, no-strings' relationship with supermodel Gigi.

'[They] travel so often so it's best for them to keep their relationship open and fluid. Neither one of them wants to settle down at the moment,' a source claimed to Us Weekly in May.

An insider previously told the outlet that he is drawn to the mother-of-one's 'very cultured and educated take on life'.

Social: The Balenciaga brand ambassador seems to be well acquainted with a few members of Leonardo's inner-circle this summer including Fusion Model Neelam Gill (bottom)

Supermodels: She has also walked the runway with big names including Kendall Jenner (pictured) and Claudia Schiffer

Her romance with Leonardo DiCaprio

Earlier this month, The Mail revealed that Leonardo had been dating Vittoria for at least two months after they were seen kissing in an Ibiza nightclub recently.

Sources close to the actor say that he is 'besotted' with Vittoria who they claim is being referred to as his 'girlfriend'.

Leo has a reputation for only dating women 25 or under and famously tends to break up with them after they pass the milestone - as he did with his last serious girlfriend Camila Morrone, now 26.

The Hollywood star has been secretly jetting around the world with Vittoria during the summer - prompting much discussion amongst the star's friends that he has finally given up his lothario days.

Page Six reported that the Titanic actor and Vittoria are more than a fling, with an insider telling the publication: 'Theyve been spending quite a bit of time together over the past few months, and theyre enjoying getting to know one another on a deeper level.'

It is unclear exactly when the pair met, but they were seen together in France in May when his film Killers of the Flower Moon premiered at Cannes Film Festival.

Their budding romance comes amid claims that Vittoria has split from her husband Matteo.

She hasn't been pictured with Matteo, 35, who she previously described as the 'love of her life', since December 29.

Romance: Earlier this month, The Mail revealed that Leonardo had been dating Vittoria for at least two months after they were seen kissing in an Ibiza nightclub recently
News / National

by Staff reporter

Allegedly, Zanu-PF polling agents in Gutu have received their allowances from the CIO (Central Intelligence Organisation) offices at Mpandawana, suggesting a close connection between the ruling party and State entities in the 2023 election project. International observers have condemned Zimbabwe's harmonized elections as rigged and fraudulent.Analysts interviewed by The Mirror expressed that this incident isn't surprising because State entities appear to be intertwined with Zanu-PF, leading to conflation between the party and the State.Following reports from the public, Mirror reporters visited the CIO offices adjacent to Gutu Police Station and discovered hundreds of polling agents, as well as some FAZ (Forever Associates Zimbabwe) members from four Gutu constituencies, namely Gutu Central, South, East, and West, gathered there.Isaac Moyo, the CIO Director General, denied knowledge of the situation when contacted for comment by The Mirror. He responded, "I have no knowledge of it," before ending the call.One of the agents confirmed to The Mirror, "We received our allowances from these offices a few days after the elections. Today, we were called on short notice and told to sign papers to confirm the receipts because there are allegations that some of us were shortchanged and did not receive the money."The agents expressed disappointment that they were summoned to the CIO offices but were not provided money for transportation or food."Now that the elections are over, these people are starting to abuse us. They called us here, but they are not giving us money for transport or food," voiced another agent.Opposition parties, particularly the CCC (Citizens' Coalition for Change), have complained that the CIO, through a shadowy organization called Forever Associates Zimbabwe (FAZ), controlled the elections and had taken charge of the Zimbabwe Electoral Authority (ZEC). FAZ has been accused of tampering with the elections in Gutu District, where extensive rigging is being uncovered.Presiding officers, especially school heads who are members of Teachers4ED, have been implicated in manipulating election figures and harassing CCC agents and candidates at polling stations.Gift Siziba, CCC deputy spokesperson, asserted that the international community refused to endorse the harmonized elections because they observed the State's close affiliation with Zanu-PF, indicating that the elections were effectively controlled by the ruling party.Wilfred Mandinde, acting director of the Zimbabwe NGO Forum, emphasized that the State should not be involved in political party activities. He found it shocking that the CIO was conducting financial transactions on behalf of a political party."We have seen arms of the State acting like paramilitaries of Zanu-PF. This has to stop," Mandinde declared.It was reported that Zanu-PF's chief agents received allowances of US$200, roving agents received US$160, and ordinary agents received US$120. Zanu-PF had claimed before the elections that it had millions to spend on the plebiscite.Gutu District reportedly suffered greatly due to harassment by FAZ operatives, with dozens of opposition supporters being jailed for minor altercations with FAZ. They were only released after paying hefty fines.Ephraim Murudu, a CCC candidate for Gutu West and a war veteran, was reportedly fined US$300, which had to be paid immediately, for an incident involving a FAZ member.
Michelle Bridges has revealed that she sought help after being arrested for a DUI three years ago.

The former Biggest Loser star and celebrity trainer was caught with a blood alcohol level of 0.086 with her son, who was four years old at the time, in the car about 11.25am on Australia Day 2020.

The 52-year-old tells this week's issue of Stellar Magazine that she was met with an outpouring of much-needed support following the incident.

'If I really look at it, it wouldn't have been just a couple of months of the hardest point of my life  it was easily six months' she said.

'That was a long time of not being in a great place and it culminated in what was then a DUI, which was like the biggest mistake of my life.

Michelle Bridges has revealed that she sought help after being arrested for a DUI three years ago. Pictured in this week's issue of Stellar

'One that I'll regret forever, one that I've apologised over and wrung my hands over and learnt from.

'It was the first time that I actually thought, I don't have the answers, people. It was the first time in my life that I just went, you know, I've got nothing. I just got nothing. And, yes, I need help.'

She went on: 'Just some support and some love and to feel vulnerable and be okay with it.

'Because I'd always just gone, "No, I'm fine." It was a big eye-opener for me that it's okay to be vulnerable.'

'That was a long time of not being in a great place and it culminated in what was then a DUI, which was like the biggest mistake of my life' she said

Bridges pleaded guilty after being pulled over in her Range Rover with her son Axel as she drove through Bellevue Hill, in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

She was fined $750, her licence was disqualified for three months, and she will be required to install an alcohol interlock device in her car for a year.

'I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep remorse, shame and humiliation (over) this incident and extreme lack of judgment,' she said outside court.

'I would like to apologise to my family, friends and community for this gross error in judgment and the consequences of these actions will haunt me forever.

Bridges pleaded guilty after being pulled over in her Range Rover with her son Axel as she drove through Bellevue Hill, in Sydney's eastern suburbs. Pictured outside court

After she was charged on January 26, Bridges released a statement claiming she was going through a 'very difficult time... dealing with the break-up of my long-term relationship' with Steve 'Commando' Willis (left) at the time

'I ask for your forgiveness to my greater community and my family and I thank you for your support.'

After she was charged on January 26, Bridges released a statement claiming she was going through a 'very difficult time... dealing with the break-up of my long-term relationship' with Steve 'Commando' Willis at the time.

'I would like to express my deep regret for breaking the law, this was a terrible mistake and an error of judgment,' Bridges said in a statement.

'This behaviour is inexcusable, and I am absolutely devastated and embarrassed to find myself in this position.

'It has been a very difficult time for me the last few weeks dealing with the break-up of my long-term relationship.'
Michelle Bridges has hinted that it may be time for The Biggest Loser to return to television screens.

The 52-year-old celebrity trainer tells this week's issue of Stellar Magazine that she backs the infamous weight loss reality show despite criticism of it from body positivity activists.

'It was of its time. It was a totally different era. It's easy to look back and pooh-pooh something' she said.

'Rather than taking the negativity, what I think I get quite excited about is the possibility about what doors it opens'.

Michelle went on to say that a new series could address some of the issues the former show had, and improve on them.

Michelle Bridges (pictured) has hinted that it may be time for The Biggest Loser to return to television screens

'These conversations are what open up the doors for a whole new conversation, for a whole new potential television show, which I, by the way, would just love to be a part of. I think it's necessary' she said.

Bridges became a household name after starring on The Biggest Loser for nine seasons.

The personal trainer now admits the weight loss show couldn't be made today.

Bridges went head-to-head with several fat activists during a round table on The Project earlier this year and said: 'When I look back on it, 17 years ago, it was a totally different culture back them.

The Biggest Loser's Shannan Ponton, Tiffiny Hall, Michelle Bridges, and Steve Willis are pictured on the show

'I don't think that show would work today. In fact, I know it wouldn't.'

Body-positivity activist April Helene-Horton admitted she was nervous to meet Bridges in person, claiming that The Biggest Loser 'was one of the most traumatic things that ever happened to me', despite not appearing on the show.

'I hear you, I absolutely hear you,' a sympathetic Bridges responded.

'And going on a show like that back in the day, I really had to dig deep and question my morals around why I am in the health industry and why I'm in the fitness industry.'

The famed trainer first appeared on The Biggest Loser during the show's second season in 2007.

The 52-year-old celebrity trainer tells this week's issue of Stellar Magazine that she backs the infamous weight loss reality show despite criticism of it from body positivity activists

'These conversations are what open up the doors for a whole new conversation, for a whole new potential television show, which I, by the way, would just love to be a part of. I think it's necessary' she said

She took over from Jillian Michaels and starred as the red team's trainer until 2016, when she quit the series for good.

It was cancelled the following year in 2017 after the ratings dropped so low that it was moved to a daytime time-slot.

Bridges used her time on the show to become a force in the Australian fitness industry, publishing more than a dozen books and landing her own line of goods and apparel at Big W.

She also appeared in video games on the Xbox and Nintendo and launched a body transformation course online.
Gemma Collins put on a confident display as she strutted out of The Dorchester in London on Friday night.

The former TOWIE star, 42, who this week hit out at fat-shamers, turned heads in a silk gold jumpsuit and Gucci cardigan as she headed to the Fortnum and Mason launch.

Here, Gemma was reunited with her friends John and Edward Grimes - known best as X Factor's Jedward.

The trio have remained friends since starring in Celebrity Big Brother back in 2016 and couldn't resist larking around for the cameras as they left the bash.

Gemma was dressed head to toe in designer as she accessorised her silk jumpsuit with a teal Chanel handbag and Valentino sliders.

Walk this way: Gemma Collins put on a confident display as she strutted out of The Dorchester in London on Friday night

Back together: Gemma was reunited with her friends John and Edward Grimes - known best as X Factor's Jedward

Gemma had headed to London with her mother Joan, where they went for lunch at The Dorchester before hitting Fortnum and Mason for their Christmas lunch and Selfridges.

It appeared to have been a successful trip as Gemma emerged with a shopping bag.

Taking to Instagram, Gemma wrote: 'I take it back! London was actually getting Christmas on !!!! and thank you to @jepicpics for making my mum's day also to all the staff @fortnums who I think is the best store in London for service and product and the team are INCREDIBLE always treat us so well.'

The GC, who recently met King Charles and Queen Camilla at a charity event The Animal Ball in London, took to Instagram this week to reflect on her career highlights.Gemma said she hopes her past would help others who have experienced negativity.

She wrote: 'YOU are a split second away from always changing the direction of your life. I hope this video inspires you.

'A girl from Romford who was invited to meet the KING and QUEEN make all your dreams come true daily we have one life!!! Enjoy it and go for it.

'AND to all the people along the way who told me NO ..spoke rubbish about me..said unkind thingsbrands who said I was too fat

Designer: Gemma was dressed head to toe in designer as she accessorised her silk jumpsuit with a teal Chanel handbag and Valentino sliders

Playful: The trio have remained friends since starring in Celebrity Big Brother back in 2016 and couldn't resist larking around for the cameras as they left the bash

All eyes on her: The former TOWIE star, 42, who this week hit out at fat-shamers, turned heads in a silk gold jumpsuit and Gucci cardigan as she headed to the Fortnum and Mason launch

Feeling festive: Gemma was joined by a whole host of pals for the Christmas launch at Fortnum & Mason

Shop till you drop! It appeared to have been a successful trip as Gemma emerged with a shopping bag

Girls' day out: She appeared in great spirits

Fun day: Gemma looked ready to hit the capital after grabbing a taxi

Shop till you drop: Gemma had headed to London with her mother Joan, where they went for lunch at The Dorchester before hitting Fortnum and Mason and Selfridges

Powerful: Gemma said she hopes her past would help others who have experienced negativity.

'Talent agencies who said you need to loose weight we don't want you on our books or websites people who gossip about me or run me down or abuse me on socials . THANK YOU.

'Because I always followed my own path and all the NOs made me stronger . I don't see the KING or QUEEN inviting you.

'My point is the worst anyone is going to say is NO yes it can knock your self esteem or confidence for a split second but remember who you are inside and your dream!!! And it shall always overcome.'
Neale Whitaker and Andrew Winter revealed that Australians are more 'obsessed with real estate' than any other country in the world.

The Love It Or List It hosts, who are originally from the UK, said the fascination with real estate Down Under is like nothing they ever experienced back home.

Speaking with The Binge Guide, which will be released alongside Stellar Magazine on Sunday, they said property was 'not dinner-table conversation' in the UK.

'I think we're obsessed with real estate, in a good way, in this country,' Neale, 61, told the publication.

He added: 'Until I arrived in Australia, I had never experienced the level of interest in real estate that I've experienced in this country.'

Neale Whitaker, 61, (left) and Andrew Winter (right) revealed that Australians are more 'obsessed with real estate' than any other country in the world

Neale went on to say that kind of passion and interest in real estate is very 'unique' to Australians.

Meanwhile, fellow 'Pom' and television presenter Andrew attributed the property fascination with something else entirely.

'It's the passion Aussies have for property, but it's also because we all have a little bit of voyeurism,' he said.

Speaking with The Binge Guide, which will be released alongside Stellar magazine on Sunday, they said property was 'not dinner-table conversation' in the UK

Andrew added that it was an innate curiosity to 'look into other people's lives' which feeds the 'obsession' with real estate.

Neale and Andrew have been battling it out on Lifestyle's Love It Or List It since 2017, but the property rivals wouldn't have it any other way.

Neale, who is also a judge on Channel Nine's renovation show The Block, once told Confidential there is no one he'd rather work alongside than Andrew.

The Love It Or List It hosts, who are originally from the UK, said the fascination with real estate Down Under is like nothing they ever experienced back home

'Andrew and I had met a few times, but I had never worked with him before,' Neale told the publication in 2017.

He claimed it's been fantastic working with such a talented property manager, and said their chemistry together is what makes the show flow so perfectly.

'We clicked from day one,' Neale said.

'We are both Brits and we have both got the same sense of humour.'
Kylie Jenner, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Maya Jama led the front row glamour at the Dolce & Gabbana show amid Milan Fashion Week on Saturday.

While famous models have been storming the runways, a whole host of modelling talents have also been among the celebrity front rows (Frows) during Fashion Week.

And the Dolce & Gabbana show was no change as huge names in the modelling industry descended on the front row, showing off their fashion credentials in head turning looks.

TV personality Kylie, 26, cut a glamorous figure in a black button-up mini dress with a white collar as she sat alongside Rosie and actress Halle Bailey on the front row.

She kept her essentials in a small Dolce & Gabbana handbag as she showed her support for the luxury fashion house while watching the runway show.

Glam ladies: Kylie Jenner and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (pictured with Halle Bailey) led the front row glamour at the Dolce & Gabbana show amid Milan Fashion Week on Saturday

Milestone! Meanwhile, Maya Jama showed off her fashion icon status as she gained a front row seat after she was unveiled as the face of Dolce & Gabbana earlier this year

Star-studded: Kylie Jenner led the front row glamour at the Dolce & Gabbana show amid Milan Fashion Week on Saturday

Model Rosie was also seen looking as elegant as ever as she sat alongside Kylie on the glamorous front row.

The blonde bombshell, 36, who is in a relationship with Jason Statham, put on a very leggy display in a white blazer mini dress, which she styled with white stockings.

She gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of pointed heels and toted her essentials in a small cream handbag to complete her bombshell look.

Meanwhile, Maya showed off her fashion icon status as she gained a front row seat after she was unveiled as the face of Dolce & Gabbana earlier this year.

The Love Island host, 29, has wowed fans with a string of incredible outfits from the past two series and it seems to have caught the eye of top fashion designers.

Maya looked incredible as she arrived in a figure-hugging black dress as she made up the very star-studded Frow.

The television presenter's lycra polo neck dress highlighted her toned physique and it featured a thigh-slit.

Maya teamed the look with thigh-high vinyl boots, cat eye sunglasses and a matching bag.

Sensational: TV personality Kylie, 26, cut a glamorous figure in a black button-up mini dress with a white collar as she sat on the front row

Glam: She kept her essentials in a small Dolce & Gabbana handbag as she showed her support for the luxury fashion house while watching the runway show

Bombshells: Kylie sat alongside the likes of Rosie and actress Halle Bailey as they all graced the celebrity front row

Sophisticated: The model, 36, who is in a relationship with Jason Statham, put on a very leggy display in a white blazer mini dress, which she styled with white stockings

Leggy look: She gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of pointed heels and toted her essentials in a small cream handbag to complete her bombshell look

Beauty: Meanwhile, model Rosie was every inch the fashionista as she posed up a storm on the front row

Pout: Rosie opted for a high-glamour make-up look complete with a slick of glossy pink lipstick

Career step: The Love Island host, 29, has wowed fans with a string of incredible outfits from the past two series and it seems to have caught the eye of top fashion designers

Fashionista: Maya looked incredible as she arrived in a figure-hugging black dress as she joined huge names on the front row

Strutting her stuff: The television presenter's lycra polo neck dress highlighted her toned physique and it featured a thigh-slit

Poser: Maya looked very elegant as she sat among the star-studded front row, mingling with the huge stars for fashion week

Incredible: The runway was equally as star-studded as the Frow as supermodel Naomi Campbell and Irina Shayk strutted their stuff during the show

Raunchy: Leonardo DiCaprio's new girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti also modelled a stunning lingerie look during the show

Runway: Ashley Graham also showed off her modelling credentials in a sheer black ensemble for the show

Also making up the star-studded Frow was Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio, 42, who made sure to turn heads in a Dolce & Gabbana corset with a lace bodice.

She teamed her incredible ensemble with black wide leg trousers and a pair of strapped heels, while she swept a satin bomber jacket over her shoulders.

At one point, she shielded her eyes with a pair of narrow sunglasses before taking them off to show off her flawless make-up look.

Another Brazilian model to grace the Frow was Izabel Goulart, 38, who showed off her toned abs in a satin white shirt with an unbuttoned floating design.

She sported a pair of wide leg black trousers and completed her look with a black blazer, while she also sported a pair of dark shades.

READ MORE: Fendi Milan Fashion Week show draws a VERY star-studded front row from supermodels to Hollywood stars Advertisement

Izabel gave herself a few extra inches in a glitzy pair of strapped heels and toted her essentials in a black handbag.

Lady Kitty Spencer also made sure to capture attention in a very vibrant leopard print jumpsuit complete with pointed heeled boots.

The model, 32, swept a coordinated animal print jacket across her shoulders and let her outfit do all the talking as she kept her accessories very minimal.

Meanwhile, actress Halle, 23, who recently starred as Ariel in The Little Mermaid, also put on a very glamorous display as she joined the star-studded Frow.

She put on a leggy display in a bright yellow jacket-style dress with a belt tie, and completed her look with a pair of silver strapped heels.

Halle attended the event with her boyfriend, rapper DDG, who cut a trendy figure in an all-white ensemble.

The runway was equally as star-studded as the Frow as supermodel Naomi Campbell, Irina Shayk, Ashley Graham and Leonardo DiCaprio's model girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti all strutted their stuff during the show.

Naomi looked incredible in a lingerie inspired look as she strutted down the catwalk in a black bar and sheer bodysuit with her suspenders visible underneath.

All the other famous models also looked incredible in equally stylish lingerie-inspired ensembles as they debuted the stunning collection.

Dolce & Gabanna is just the latest runway show to attract an impressive Frow, after Fendi's Milan show attracted an array of supermodels and huge Hollywood stars.

Celebrity Frows have always attracted as much attention as the actual runway shows and see the stars dressed to the nines in show-stopping outfits from the designer.

Stars on the front row have always been an essential part of any designer's marketing playbook with most brands having a VIP or talent manager to coordinate them.

Designers will usually have around 100 front-row seats to allocate.

Wow! Also making up the star-studded Frow was Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio, 42, who made sure to turn heads in a Dolce & Gabbana corset with a lace bodice

Frow: Alessandra joined the likes of Blanco, Michele Morrone and Bianca Balti as she socialised on the front row

Show-stopping: Another Brazilian model to grace the Frow was Izabel, 38, who showed off her toned abs in a satin white shirt with an unbuttoned floating design

Trendy: She sported a pair of wide leg black trousers and completed her look with a black blazer, while she also sported a pair of dark shades

Bold: Lady Kitty Spencer also made sure to capture attention in a very vibrant leopard print jumpsuit complete with pointed heeled boots

Eye-catching: The model, 32, swept a coordinated animal print jacket across her shoulders and let her outfit do all the talking as she kept her accessories very minimal

Vibrant: Actress Halle, 23, who recently appeared in The Little Mermaid, also put on a very glamorous display as she arrived with her rapper boyfriend DDG

Stunner: On the runway, Naomi looked incredible in a lingerie inspired look as she strutted down the catwalk in a black bar and sheer bodysuit with her suspenders visible underneath

Gorgeous: A sheer skirt draped over the ensemble and down her toned pins, while she gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of pointed heels

Glam: Russian model Irina put on an equally stunning display as she strutted her stuff in a similar lingerie-inspired look, keeping with the theme of the show

Lingerie: Hollywood actor Leo DiCaprio's girlfriend Vittoria, 25, also rubbed shoulders with the legendary supermodels as she was among the show's models

Runway ready: Vittoria, who has become a much-sought after runway model , looked gorgeous in a black bodice with a lace-up front, worn over black underwear

Models: She wore a pair of sheer over-the-knee stockings and heels but unlike other models, she didn't wear any garment over her lingerie look as she lead the group up the runway

Stylish: Vittoria later slipped into a pinstripe blazer and coordinated high-waisted hot pants as she continued to show off the designer brand's new collection

Chic: Stella Maxwell looked very stylish in a sheer high-neck blouse complete with extravagant ruffled detailing as she strutted her stuff

Glam: The former Victoria's Secret Angel, 33, teamed her ensemble with over-the-knee black stockings and heels, while she held a small handbag in one hand

Elegant: Monica Bellucci's daughter Deva Cassel also cut a smart figure in a halterneck black mini dress and tights as she debuted another glam look

Catwalk: Natasha Poly looked stunning in a black lace ensemble with a silver metal corset-style bodice

Big names: All the stars strutted their stuff down the runway as the Dolce & Gabbana show attracted a whole host of huge names

Milan Fashion Week follows New York and London events in which designers have been presenting their creations for spring/summer 2024.

At Fendi, founded in Rome in 1925 and now part of French luxury conglomerate LVMH, designer Kim Jones combined the 'masculine tailoring' of leather coats with materials, such as kid mohair, that convey 'a more fluid and feminine sensibility'.

Milan Fashion Week includes 62 physical fashion shows of spring summer collections.

It runs until September 25 and will feature shows from high-end labels including Giorgio Armani, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Versace.

It also marks the debut of Sabato De Sarno as creative director of Gucci, Peter Hawkings as creative director of Tom Ford, and Simone Bellotti as creative director of Bally.

Cara Delevinge was also snapped as she left her hotel after the event.

The 31-year-old was seen keeping it casual as she donned a Nirvana Nevermind T-shirt which she paired with some checked trousers.

The model completed the look a blue and white racing driver styled jacket, some sunglasses and a cream beanie hat.

Keeping it casual: Cara Delevingne, 31, was also spotted as she left her hotel during Milan Fashion Week

Mish mash: The model wore an eclectic outfit as she paired a Nirvana Nevermind T-shirt with some checked trousers

Fashion: She paired the outfit with a blue and white racer driver style jacket and white Nike trainers

Wrapped up: Cara seemed to be feeling the cold as she donned a cream beanie hat as well as a pair of sunglasses

Beaming: Cara appeared to be in good spirits as she carried her essentials in a leather handbag and bagpack
Abbie Chatfield is back home after spending three days in hospital.

The 28-year-old had been rushed to the ER after a urinary tract infection (UTI) spread to her kidneys.

On Saturday, she was discharged, and celebrated by posting a series of bikini photos to Instagram.

'In celebration of me leaving hospital and having a shower for the first time in four days, here is me looking hot two weeks ago with friends at the beach!' she wrote.

In the images, Abbie worked her angles in a glittering bronze bikini, her incredible figure on display alongside her pals.

Abbie Chatfield (pictured) is back home after spending three days in hospital. The 28-year-old had been rushed to the ER after a urinary tract infection (UTI) spread to her kidneys

In a series of Instagram Stories posts on Friday, the 28-year-old shared news from her hospital bed.

'I had a kidney infection and was basically in denial about how bad it was so didn't go straight to the hospital despite crying from the pain in my bladder and back,' she wrote in her caption.

Abbie said she had 'UTI symptoms and back pain and nausea' before being admitted.

'Also lol second time in hospital in a month so probs need to figure out what's going on with me,' she added.

On Saturday, she was discharged, and celebrated by posting a series of bikini photos to Instagram alongside her friends

'In celebration of me leaving hospital and having a shower for the first time in four days, here is me looking hot two weeks ago with friends at the beach!' she wrote

'I'm very sick in a place none of my friends or family can come visit me in.'

Abbie concluded by explaining that AFAB (assigned female at birth) women 'tend to minimise our pain. I usually do.'

'This time I had someone with me advocating for my pain and it made such a difference' she said.

Left untreated, a UTI can lead to kidney damage and even sepsis  a potentially fatal immune system reaction to an infection.

In most cases it can be treated quickly with a short course of antibiotics, which destroys the bacteria that causes the problems.

Abbie recently announced she is walking away from her radio career.

In a series of Instagram Stories posts on Friday, the 28-year-old shared news from her hospital bed

'I had a kidney infection and was basically in denial about how bad it was so didn't go straight to the hospital despite crying from the pain in my bladder and back,' she wrote in her caption

'I'm very sick in a place none of my friends or family can come visit me in' she said

Despite the success of her Hit Network show Hot Nights with Abbie Chatfield, she is leaving behind the gruelling gig to focus on her podcast, her budding television career, and her personal life.

The announcement came one month after the former Bachelor star spent time in a Thai health retreat after suffering from burnout caused by an addiction to work.

Announcing her exit from radio in an Instagram post, Abbie insisted that she was 'happy' with her decision and was looking forward to the future.

'I simply need to put my energy into projects that bring me joy and that energise me, rather than drain me,' she explained.

Abbie said she had 'UTI symptoms and back pain and nausea' before being admitted

'Also lol second time in hospital in a month so probs need to figure out what's going on with me,' she added

'I'm looking forward to socialising with my friends and family as well! Always a bonus.'

The star also said that she wanted to make way for up-and-comers in the radio industry to have a seat at the table.

'It's also time to give someone else a go who would enjoy and appreciate the opportunity more than myself. I have so much on, and daily radio takes up so much time. I simply wasn't enjoying myself day to day in that environment,' she said.

Abbie stressed that it was solely her decision to end the show and insisted that her podcast will still be hosted by the network.

She also plans to continue doing her other shows, Fridayz Live and Australian Made.
Naomi Campbell continued her Milan Fashion Week reign as she stormed the runway for Dolce & Gabbana's show on Saturday.

The supermodel, 50, showed off her age-defying looks on the catwalk alongside Irina Shayk, 37, and Leonardo DiCaprio's new model girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti, 25.

All turned the heads of the star-studded front row - which included the likes of Kylie Jenner, Maya Jama and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

Naomi looked incredible in a lingerie inspired look as she strutted down the catwalk in a black bar and sheer bodysuit with her suspenders visible underneath.

A sheer skirt draped over the ensemble and down her toned pins, while she gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of pointed heels.

Wow! Naomi Campbell continued her Milan Fashion Week reign as she stormed the runway for Dolce & Gabbana's show on Saturday

Racy: The supermodel, 50, showed off her age-defying looks on the catwalk alongside Irina Shayk (left), 37, and Leonardo DiCaprio 's new model girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti, 25

She accessorised her show-stopping ensemble with a black rose choker necklace and showed off her modelling credentials storming the runway.

Russian model Irina put on an equally stunning display as she strutted her stuff in a similar lingerie-inspired look, keeping with the theme of the show.

She showed off her incredible figure in a barely-there black corset and matching underwear, with stockings fixed in place on a suspender belt.

Like Naomi, she wore a sheer black dress falling loosely over her lingerie look and she let her outfit do all the talking as her accessories were minimal.

Hollywood actor Leo DiCaprio's girlfriend Vittoria, 25, also rubbed shoulders with the legendary supermodels as she was among the show's models.

Vittoria, who has become a much-sought after runway model, looked gorgeous in a black bodice with a lace-up front, worn over black underwear.

She wore a pair of sheer over-the-knee stockings and heels but unlike her fellow models, she didn't wear any garment over her lingerie look.

Vittoria later slipped into a pinstripe blazer and coordinated high-waisted hot pants as she continued to show off the designer brand's new collection.

Stunner: Naomi looked incredible in a lingerie inspired look as she strutted down the catwalk in a black bar and sheer bodysuit with her suspenders visible underneath

Gorgeous: A sheer skirt draped over the ensemble and down her toned pins, while she gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of pointed heels

Glam: Russian model Irina put on an equally stunning display as she strutted her stuff in a similar lingerie-inspired look, keeping with the theme of the show

Lingerie: Hollywood actor Leo DiCaprio's girlfriend Vittoria, 25, also rubbed shoulders with the legendary supermodels as she was among the show's models

Runway ready: Vittoria, who has become a much-sought after runway model , looked gorgeous in a black bodice with a lace-up front, worn over black underwear

Style icon: She made sure to turn heads in her incredible look, while she sported a thick slick of black eyeliner

Models: She wore a pair of sheer over-the-knee stockings and heels but unlike other models, she didn't wear any garment over her lingerie look as she lead the group up the runway

Stylish: Vittoria later slipped into a pinstripe blazer and coordinated high-waisted hot pants as she continued to show off the designer brand's new collection

Incredible: Ashley Graham was also among the very famous list of runway models, and put on a very gorgeous display for her latest runway gig

Turning heads: The Sports Illustrated star, 35, captured attention in a black balcony bra and high-waisted underwear, worn underneath a halter-neck sheer gown

Fashionista: She completed her look with stockings and suspenders and toted a small black handbag with a gold strap in one hand

Ashley Graham was also among the very famous list of runway models, and put on a very gorgeous display for her latest runway gig.

The Sports Illustrated star, 35, captured attention in a black balcony bra and high-waisted underwear, worn underneath a halter-neck sheer gown.

She completed her look with stockings and suspenders and toted a small black handbag with a gold strap in one hand.

Stella Maxwell looked very stylish in a sheer high-neck blouse complete with extravagant ruffled detailing as she strutted her stuff.

The former Victoria's Secret Angel, 33, teamed her ensemble with over-the-knee black stockings and heels, while she held a small handbag in one hand.

Monica Bellucci's daughter Deva Cassel also cut a smart figure in a halterneck black mini dress and tights as she debuted another elegant look.

The model, 19, is the daughter of Italian actress Monica and Vincent Cassel and is often seen gracing the runway after her debut two years ago.

While the famous models stormed the runways, a whole host of modelling talents also captured attention on the celebrity front row (Frow).

TV personality Kylie, 26, cut a glamorous figure in a black button-up mini dress with a white collar as she sat alongside Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and actress Halle Bailey on the front row.

Chic: Stella Maxwell looked very stylish in a sheer high-neck blouse complete with extravagant ruffled detailing as she strutted her stuff

Glam: The former Victoria's Secret Angel, 33, teamed her ensemble with over-the-knee black stockings and heels, while she held a small handbag in one hand

Elegant: Monica Bellucci's daughter Deva Cassel also cut a smart figure in a halterneck black mini dress and tights as she debuted another glam look

Runway ready: She showed off her modelling credentials as she stormed the runway for the designer brand

Stylish: The model, 19, is the daughter of Italian actress Monica and Vincent Cassel and is often seen gracing the runway after her debut two years ago

Catwalk: Natasha Poly looked stunning in a black lace ensemble with a silver metal corset-style bodice

Big names: All the stars strutted their stuff down the runway as the Dolce & Gabbana show attracted a whole host of huge names

TV personality Kylie, 26, cut a glamorous figure in a black button-up mini dress with a white collar as she sat alongside Rosie and actress Halle Bailey on the front row.

She kept her essentials in a small Dolce & Gabbana handbag as she showed her support for the luxury fashion house while watching the runway show.

Model Rosie was also seen looking as elegant as ever as she sat alongside Kylie on the glamorous front row.

The blonde bombshell, 36, who is in a relationship with Jason Statham, put on a very leggy display in a white blazer mini dress, which she styled with white stockings.

She gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of pointed heels and toted her essentials in a small cream handbag to complete her bombshell look.

Meanwhile, Maya showed off her fashion icon status as she gained a front row seat after she was unveiled as the face of Dolce & Gabbana earlier this year.

The Love Island host, 29, has wowed fans with a string of incredible outfits from the past two series and it seems to have caught the eye of top fashion designers.

Maya looked incredible as she arrived in a figure-hugging black dress as she made up the very star-studded Frow.

The television presenter's lycra polo neck dress highlighted her toned physique and it featured a thigh-slit.

Maya teamed the look with thigh-high vinyl boots, cat eye sunglasses and a matching bag.

Success! Designers Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce took to the stage as the crowds applauded at the end of the show

Glam ladies: As well as the huge names on the runway, Kylie Jenner and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (pictured with Halle Bailey) led the front row glamour at the Dolce & Gabbana show

Milestone! Meanwhile, Maya Jama showed off her fashion icon status as she gained a front row seat after she was unveiled as the face of Dolce & Gabbana earlier this year

Star-studded: Kylie Jenner led the front row glamour at the Dolce & Gabbana show amid Milan Fashion Week on Saturday

Sensational: TV personality Kylie, 26, cut a glamorous figure in a black button-up mini dress with a white collar as she sat on the front row

Glam: She kept her essentials in a small Dolce & Gabbana handbag as she showed her support for the luxury fashion house while watching the runway show

Bombshells: Kylie sat alongside the likes of Rosie and actress Halle Bailey as they all graced the celebrity front row

Sophisticated: The model, 36, who is in a relationship with Jason Statham, put on a very leggy display in a white blazer mini dress, which she styled with white stockings

Leggy look: She gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of pointed heels and toted her essentials in a small cream handbag to complete her bombshell look

Beauty: Meanwhile, model Rosie was every inch the fashionista as she posed up a storm on the front row

Pout: Rosie opted for a high-glamour make-up look complete with a slick of glossy pink lipstick

Career step: The Love Island host, 29, has wowed fans with a string of incredible outfits from the past two series and it seems to have caught the eye of top fashion designers

Fashionista: Maya looked incredible as she arrived in a figure-hugging black dress as she joined huge names on the front row

Strutting her stuff: The television presenter's lycra polo neck dress highlighted her toned physique and it featured a thigh-slit

Poser: Maya looked very elegant as she sat among the star-studded front row, mingling with the huge stars for fashion week

Also making up the star-studded Frow was Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio, 42, who made sure to turn heads in a Dolce & Gabbana corset with a lace bodice.

She teamed her incredible ensemble with black wide leg trousers and a pair of strapped heels, while she swept a satin bomber jacket over her shoulders.

At one point, she shielded her eyes with a pair of narrow sunglasses before taking them off to show off her flawless make-up look.

Another Brazilian model to grace the Frow was Izabel Goulart, 38, who showed off her toned abs in a satin white shirt with an unbuttoned floating design.

She sported a pair of wide leg black trousers and completed her look with a black blazer, while she also sported a pair of dark shades.

READ MORE: Fendi Milan Fashion Week show draws a VERY star-studded front row from supermodels to Hollywood stars Advertisement

Izabel gave herself a few extra inches in a glitzy pair of strapped heels and toted her essentials in a black handbag.

Lady Kitty Spencer also made sure to capture attention in a very vibrant leopard print jumpsuit complete with pointed heeled boots.

The model, 32, swept a coordinated animal print jacket across her shoulders and let her outfit do all the talking as she kept her accessories very minimal.

Meanwhile, actress Halle, 23, who recently starred as Ariel in The Little Mermaid, also put on a very glamorous display as she joined the star-studded Frow.

She put on a leggy display in a bright yellow jacket-style dress with a belt tie, and completed her look with a pair of silver strapped heels.

Halle attended the event with her boyfriend, rapper DDG, who cut a trendy figure in an all-white ensemble.

Dolce & Gabanna is just the latest runway show to attract an impressive Frow, after Fendi's Milan show attracted an array of supermodels and huge Hollywood stars.

Celebrity Frows have always attracted as much attention as the actual runway shows and see the stars dressed to the nines in show-stopping outfits from the designer.

Stars on the front row have always been an essential part of any designer's marketing playbook with most brands having a VIP or talent manager to coordinate them.

Designers will usually have around 100 front-row seats to allocate.

Wow! Also making up the star-studded Frow was Brazilian model Alessandra, 42, who made sure to turn heads in a Dolce & Gabbana corset with a lace bodice

Frow: Alessandra joined the likes of Blanco, Michele Morrone and Bianca Balti as she socialised on the front row

Show-stopping: Another Brazilian model to grace the Frow was Izabel, 38, who showed off her toned abs in a satin white shirt with an unbuttoned floating design

Trendy: She sported a pair of wide leg black trousers and completed her look with a black blazer, while she also sported a pair of dark shades

Bold: Lady Kitty Spencer also made sure to capture attention in a very vibrant leopard print jumpsuit complete with pointed heeled boots

Eye-catching: The model, 32, swept a coordinated animal print jacket across her shoulders and let her outfit do all the talking as she kept her accessories very minimal

Vibrant: Actress Halle, 23, who recently appeared in The Little Mermaid, also put on a very glamorous display as she arrived with her rapper boyfriend DDG

Milan Fashion Week follows New York and London events in which designers have been presenting their creations for spring/summer 2024.

At Fendi, founded in Rome in 1925 and now part of French luxury conglomerate LVMH, designer Kim Jones combined the 'masculine tailoring' of leather coats with materials, such as kid mohair, that convey 'a more fluid and feminine sensibility'.

Milan Fashion Week includes 62 physical fashion shows of spring summer collections.

It runs until September 25 and will feature shows from high-end labels including Giorgio Armani, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Versace.

It also marks the debut of Sabato De Sarno as creative director of Gucci, Peter Hawkings as creative director of Tom Ford, and Simone Bellotti as creative director of Bally.
Tory Lanez's life behind bars may take some getting used to.

The rapper, 31, who is serving a 10-year-sentence for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in July 2020, has a pretty strict regimen to follow at the North Kern State Prison in Delano, California.

According to TMZ, the Hurts Me artist is being kept in Administrative Segregation at the facility due to his being a high-profile inmate.

A source familiar with procedures at the prison told the outlet that Tory, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, is living a rather solitary existence.

He has his own cell, but must submit to frequent checks from the guards.

Prison life: Tory Lanez is living a mostly solitary life at North Kern State Prison in California. According to TMZ, he is being kept in Administrative Segregation due to his being a high profile prisoner

Each time the Jerry Sprunger artist leaves the cell, he must be handcuffed.

That includes trips to the shower and to the yard.

The insider revealed when the Talk to Me rapper wants to shower, he is escorted there by guards.

If he wants some outdoor time, he is the only one in the area.

Prison food consists of some pretty cheap, unhealthy fare.

Breakfast could dish up servings of beef hash, hard-boiled eggs, hot cereal, milk and coffee.

Lunch might include peanut butter crackers, bologna or cheese sandwiches and sugar-free drinks.

Dinner isn't much better. The menu has so far included hot link sausages, veggies, coleslaw, red beans, rolls and canned fruit.

Handcuffs: A source familiar with the prison says Tory must be handcuffed whenever he leaves his cell to go to the shower or yard for physical activity

Convicted: Tory was sentenced to 10 years behind bars for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in July 2020. The Canadian artist has appealed his conviction and had hoped to be free on bail as the appeal makes its way through the courts, but the judge denied that request

TMZ reported that Tory's stay at the North Kern facility will be a short one. He was moved there to determine where he should spend the rest of his sentence.

The Canadian artist has appealed his conviction on assault with a semiautomatic firearm, carrying a loaded unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharge of a firearm with gross negligence, and was hoping to be free on bail while the appeal worked its way through the courts.

The judge has denied that request.

Headspace: Megan, who just released a new single with Cardi B, Bongos, told Complex ' 'I am in such an amazing headspace. 'I'm making music that I really, really love... Im so excited because its just turning the page into this new chapter of my life' (seen in April 2023)

Megan, 28, whose legal name is Megan Pete, has remained silent about Tory's sentence and appeal.

She has been busy promoting Bongos, her new single with Cardi B, and other personal projects.

'I am in such an amazing headspace,' she told Complex.

'I'm making music that I really, really love. I'm making music that I'm not about to have to fight with anybody about... Im so excited because its just turning the page into this new chapter of my life and I feel like the Hotties are gonna be so excited to hear it.'
Cindy Crawford is known for many things  short hair is not one of them.

The iconic 57-year-old supermodel opened up in the new Apple TV Plus documentary, aptly titled The Supermodels, about how a 'traumatizing' haircut at the start of her career solidified her desire to never have short hair again.

In the first episode of the documentary, Cindy recounts her first big break after being discovered in Illinois  a photoshoot in Rome with famed photographer Patrick Demarchelier.

However, Patrick had one stipulation for the shoot  for the brunette beauty to chop her long tresses short.

The agency Cindy was working for at the time ultimately decided against it, however, the photographer agreed to let the supermodel in training on the shoot anyway.

Long haired lady: Cindy Crawford revealed in a new Apple TV Plus documentary why she's never cut her hair short after a traumatizing past experience

Properly conditioned: The Vogue cover model, known for her long tresses, had her long hair cut off during one of her first major photoshoots

The 5'9 beauty recalled how 'excited' she was, adding, 'It was a great opportunity.'

However, things took a turn for the worse the first night she arrived in the Italian city.

'The very first night, they send the hairdresser to my room to give me a 'trim,'' the bombshell explained.

After putting her voluminous tresses in a ponytail, they, 'chop[ped] my ponytail off without asking,' the catwalk expert revealed.

In shock, Cindy admitted that she just 'sat there in a hotel in Rome crying.'

'People wonder why I've never really cut my hair since then  that's why. I was so traumatized,' the Fair Game star confessed.

She explained that the reason why she was so upset wasn't about the haircut itself, but rather, because she had no say in the matter at the time.

'It wasn't that I didn't like my hair short, it was that I hadn't voted myself in to having short hair,' the Simian Line starlet said.

She actually contemplated if modeling was even worth it, adding, 'I really felt I was not seen as a person who had a voice in her own destiny.'

Ageless beauty: Now one of the world's most famous models, Cindy admitted the 'traumatic' haircut almost made her consider another career path

All American girl: After the experience in Rome, the mother of two never cut her hair short again

Brunette beauty: The top model is known for her signature voluminous blown-out brunette locks

Icon behavior: The mole above Cindy's lip also became a trademark part of her look

Strike a pose: Rising above the bad experience, Cindy has gone on to appear in a slew of campaigns, catwalks and magazine covers over the course of her career

At the time, the statuesque stunner thought to herself, 'If this is what it means to be a model, I'm just not ready for this.'

Rising above the bad experience, Cindy went on to become one of the world's most famous supermodels to date.

Although she's quit full time modeling, the still youthful model and actress has indulged in entrepreneurship, founding her own furniture line and makeup collection, among other pursuits.

She also appeared on the cover of Vogue Paris in 2016 with her 22-year-old daughter, Kaia Gerber, who has also successfully followed in her mother's footsteps as a top model.
Sarah Jessica Parker attempted to keep a relatively low profile on Friday afternoon as she wore a pair of noise-canceling headphones while waiting for a taxi.

Before flagging down a yellow cab, the 58-year-old Sex and the City star was seen glued to her phone as she stood on the sidewalk in a pair of suede beige booties.

For her laid-back outing, the mom-of-three, who is married to fellow actor Matthew Broderick, nailed casual chic in a light pink sweatshirt, cropped jeans and an olive green purse.

Additionally, the six-time Golden Globe winner sported several layered necklaces, a backpack and oversized black shades.

Attempting to go incognito: Sarah Jessica Parker attempted to keep a relatively low profile on Friday afternoon as she wore a pair of noise-canceling headphones while waiting for a taxi

Parker opted to style her gold tresses in a sleek bun.

In June, following the premiere of the second season of her series premiere, she opened up about plastic surgery and ageism in Hollywood during an appearance on The Howard Stern Show.

After sharing her story on how she landed the part to star alongside Steve Martin in the satirical romantic comedy film L.A. Story, Stern pressed Parker about whether she sees 'a good-looking human being' when she looks in the mirror.

'Im presentable,' the actress replied honestly, before revealing, 'I dont really like looking at myself. I think I'm fine.'

The host then asked about whether she considers doing 'a facelift, botox, and all this other s**t, which she quickly responded by confessing, 'I think about all of it. I ask people all the time, is it too late?' she said.

Stern followed up by asking directly asking if she had ever decided she needed to take the plunge and get plastic surgery.

'No,' Parker said, before admitting she does indulge in treatments from a dermatologist, which includes skin peel, for which she gives a demonstration with her hands.

'I'll do any of that stuff,' she confessed, and then make an open admission.

Laid-back outing: Before flagging down a yellow cab, the 58-year-old Sex and the City star was seen glued to her phone as she stood on the sidewalk in a pair of suede beige booties

'I honestly think I missed out on the facelift, the old-fashioned good one that you have when youre 44,' Parker says, for which Stern disagrees.

'You think you should have done it? he asks of Parker, who responds by gesturing she wasn't so sure she should have gone through with it.

'I've seen some horror stories lately. I don't know. I'm glad you didn't do it, Stern told her, while show co-host Robin Quivers could be heard laughing in the background.

The performer said she doesn't begrudge people for getting things like Botox and other cosmetic procedures due to the stigmas surrounding beauty and aging.

'I do understand why people make the choice because there is so much emphasis put on primarily women about looks,' she said.

Candid: In June, following the premiere of the second season of her series premiere, she opened up about plastic surgery and ageism in Hollywood during an appearance on The Howard Stern Show

Admission: 'I honestly think I missed out on the facelift, the old-fashioned good one that you have when youre 44,' Parker admitted

Parker then recalled back when And Just like That... premiered a couple years ago, that there 'were so many endless articles about aging, and aging gracefully. and Sarah Jessica's hair is gray.'

'First of all it's not, but who cares,' she said. 'Im sitting next to Andy Cohen, whose head is covered in gray hair, and youve not mention that at all. So I understand why women feel like there is so much chatter, peripheral opinions. I don't think it's wrong. I think people should do whatever they feels makes them walking out the door, frankly.

Set 11 years after the events of the 2010 film Sex and the City 2, the women of And Just like That... make their transition from a life of liberation and friendship in their 30s to a more complicated reality of life and friendship in their 50s.

And while the series focuses on only three of the Sex And The City stars (Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte) out of the original four main characters, their former costar Kim Cattrall returned as Samantha Jones for a quick cameo in the second season finale.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) officer, who had been reported missing, was discovered in an unconscious state by the police at the intersection of Cripps and Seke Road on August 30. He was subsequently rushed to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, where he sadly passed away four days after being admitted.The missing officer, Shadreck Mlambo, was located five days after his last known sighting, which was at a bus stop around 8 pm while he was waiting to board a bus to Chitungwiza. Tragically, he was found with a severe injury at the back of his head.ZPCS spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Meya Khanyezi, confirmed that Mlambo's body is currently in the mortuary at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital.
Sharna Burgess is no bridezilla.

The 38-year-old ballroom dancer opened up to People in a joint interview with her 50-year-old fiance Brian Austin Green about she was in 'no rush' to plan their wedding.

'Honestly, I'm [just] so grateful to be able to say he's my fiance, not my boyfriend now,' the Australian beauty confessed.

She added that they weren't stressing over wedding plans  'We had such a full busy life with things and four kids at home and we're in no rush.'

Staying candid about their upcoming nuptials, Sharna added, 'We haven't even talked about it at all.'

Look of love: Sharna Burgess, 38, and Brian Austin Green, 50, revealed to People that they are in 'no rush' to get married

Stunning sparkler: The happy bride-to-be showed off her engagement ring at the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Festival on Friday

The Beverly Hills, 90210 star agreed with his wife-to-be, adding that calling her his girlfriend wasn't, 'doing justice to what our relationship is.'

'We have a 15-month-old now. She's honestly a mother to the other kids that are at the house,' Brian added, referring to three sons that he shares with his ex-wife Megan Fox, Noah Shannon, 10, Bodhi Ransom, 9, and Journey River, 7 and Kassius Lijah, 21, the one son he shares with ex-girlfriend Vanessa Marcil.

He added that it was a 'big thing,' for them to finally be engaged.

According to the Anger Management actor, he knew that Sharna's surprise 50th birthday bash for him was the 'perfect' place to pop the question after the couple had been dating for three years.

The father-of-five cutely included his five children in the proposal, getting down on one knee and asking Sharna, 'Will you spend the rest of your life with us?'

Saying yes without hesitation, the Dancing With The Stars contestant added that the proposal was the, 'most perfect, beautiful moment.'

Staying humble about her happiness, the toned beauty admitted that she struggled with how to announce her happy news to the world.

'Once I really understood my internal dialogue of obsessing over what this photo was going to be and what's the coolest way to do it, I was like, that's just not what this is about,'' she confessed.

Continuing on with the theme that their engagement was a family affair, Brian and Sharna ended up announcing their engagement with a cute Instagram video, where they placed their hands on top of each others and their blended family of children, with Sharna's hand and her ring on top to confirm the happy news.

Kissing couple: Although they're in no rush to plan their wedding, Brian and Sharna revealed how happy they were to update their relationship status from dating to engaged; seen Friday

Life partners: The happy couple involved their blended family in their proposal and subsequent engagement announcement

Family affair: The Australian-born dancer finally announced their engagement two months after the proposal with a cute Instagram video that involved all five of their kids

Blonde and beautiful: The Desperate Housewives star believed not proposing to his longtime love was doing an injustice to their relationship after she gave birth to their first child together, a son they named Zane

The couple first met at a coffee shop back in 2020 after being set up on a date by their mutual business manager.

Although the Los Angeles born hunk wasn't looking for anything serious at the time in the wake of his divorce from the Jennifer's Body leading lady, he admitted to People that his chemistry with Sharna was 'undeniable.'

'On our first date, we just completely lost track of time and the same thing happened the next time,' Brian recounted.

In a cute move, the pair actually competed on season thirty of Dancing With The Stars together after they had made their romance Instagram official.
Advertisement

Alana Honey Boo Boo Thompson and her boyfriend Dralin Carswell were seen returning to Atlanta, Georgia after enjoying a trip to Denver, Colorado, following her announcement that she will be attending Regis University this fall.

Two months after revealing that she will be attending college to become a neonatal nurse, the reality star, 18, smiled as she made her way out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with her 22-year-old beau.

Following her flight, the Toddlers & Tiaras alum, who sported a yellow Barbie t-shirt, black sweatpants and a pair of Nike sneakers, grabbed her luggage and waited with Carswell for a ride home.

Despite previously shutting down romance rumors between the couple, the TV personality continued to wear a diamond ring on her left finger, which her rep told Page Six was 'just a ring' last year.

The high school senior's partner, who attends college in Georgia, wore a blue and white tie-dye hoodie with a skull on fire in the center, black pants and a beanie.

Inseparable: Alana Honey Boo Boo Thompson and her boyfriend Dralin Carswell were seen returning to Atlanta, Georgia after enjoying a trip to Denver, Colorado, following her announcement that she will be attending Regis University this fall

Travel buddy: Two months after revealing that she will be attending college to become a neonatal nurse, the reality star, 18, smiled as she made her way out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with her 22-year-old beau

In July, Thompson told Entertainment Tonight that she and Carswell are making the big move together.

'I think he's more excited to move out there than me,' Thompson gushed. 'He's been in the exact same town [in Georgia] that I live in now for his whole life, and I think he's just ready to experience something new, too.'

But even though they are moving in together, there are no plans to get engaged yet.

'I can't say that [he's the one] because I don't know what life holds  any day now, anything can happen  but I mean, I hope,' she said.

The pair have been inseparable since they first began dating back in 2021, and she has stuck by his side since he was arrested in March and taken into police custody for a suspected DUI, which is driving under the influence, as well as running from law enforcement and having outstand warrants.

Thompson was in the car with him when he was chased by the police, it was claimed by TMZ.

The daughter of Mama June Shannon was not arrested and was later picked up at the police station by her older sister Lauryn 'Pumpkin' Efird, who serves as her guardian.

This was not the first time he has been arrested.

Casual: Following her flight, the Toddlers & Tiaras alum, who sported a yellow Barbie t-shirt, black sweatpants and a pair of Nike sneakers, grabbed her luggage and waited with Carswell for a ride home

Despite previously shutting down romance rumors between the couple, the TV personality continued to wear a diamond ring on her left finger, which her rep told Page Six was 'just a ring' last year

Cozy: The high school senior's partner, who attends college in Georgia, wore a blue and white tie-dye hoodie with a skull on fire in the center, black pants and a beanie

Carswell was reportedly arrested and accused of statutory rape in 2019, before beginning his relationship with Alana.

Dralin was arrested on May 29, 2019 and originally charged with statutory rape, according to police and court documents obtained by The Sun.

The alleged victim was not Alana, and the incident appears to have occurred before they began their relationship, the publication noted.

The alleged victim was brought into the police department by her mother, who claimed Dralin, then age 18, climbed into her daughter's window and had sex with the minor, then age 15, according to The Sun, citing the police report.

Through thick and thin: The pair have been inseparable since they first began dating back in 2021, and she has stuck by his side since he was arrested in March and taken into police custody for a suspected DUI, which is driving under the influence, as well as running from law enforcement and having outstand warrants

Scary: Thompson was in the car with him when he was chased by the police, it was claimed by TMZ

Yikes: The daughter of Mama June Shannon was not arrested and was later picked up at the police station by her older sister Lauryn 'Pumpkin' Efird, who serves as her guardian

The officer wrote in the report that they interviewed the minor.

'I asked the daughter if it was consensual, and she stated "Yes."'

The minor also informed the officer that 'her plan with Carswell was for him to come to the house and while there they had consensual unprotected sex in her bedroom,' The Sun reported.

Police were then allegedly told by Dralin that the minor 'was his girlfriend and they had talked about him coming to her house... but he did not actually go to the house,' according to the site.

Dralin claimed to police that he had been at his friend's house all day and night.

But, when the friends Dralin claimed he was with were interviewed by police, two of them informed investigators they dropped Dralin off at the 15-year-old's home and picked him up over an hour later, reports The Sun.

The friends then allegedly informed police that when they picked him back up, Dralin 'was scared and told them to drive fast' as the minor's 'mama had caught him inside the house.'

Initially, Dralin was charged with statutory rape but 'ultimately completed a pretrial diversion program that resulted in the dismissal of a claim for making a false statement to law enforcement', according to The Sun.

Dralin agreed to complete the terms of the program in exchange for a dismissal during a pretrial diversion hearing in June 2021, according to The Sun.

During the hearing, the assistance district attorney said Dralin 'was charged with statutory rape, misdemeanor grade' but 'based on the evidence we didn't feel like we could prove the statutory rape but could prove making a false statement,' according to The Sun.

Past brushes with the law: This was not the first time he has been arrested; He was reportedly arrested and accused of statutory rape in 2019, before beginning his relationship with Alana

Dralin was arrested on May 29, 2019 and originally charged with statutory rape, according to police and court documents obtained by The Sun

The assistant district attorney also said, 'This is the first time Mr. Carswell has been in trouble. He is here today before the court representing himself. So the recommendation was a pretrial diversion in that situation.

'I've spoken to the mother of the 15-year-old and she's in agreement with the recommendation which is Mr. Carswell successfully complete this pretrial status and then his case will be dismissed.

'The conditions are $100 administrative cost. He's to consume no alcohol, controlled substances or intoxicants not prescribed by a physician. He's to complete a certified addiction evaluation and complete any recommendations. Submit to drug and alcohol screens at his expense. Perform 20 hours of community service. He's to have no contact with [the minor] and he's to attend and complete the moral recognition class program through JAG probation.'

Going strong: Alana and Dralin have been dating for over two years and her family has approved of him

While many have expressed outrage of the pair's four-year age gap, Alana and Dralin live in Georgia where the age of consent is 16; pictured in a photo posted September 2021

Dralin fulfilled all the requirements and his case was dismissed on December 13, 2021, The Sun reported.

Alana and Dralin have been dating for over two years and her family has approved of him, despite their age difference.

While many have expressed outrage of the pair's four-year age gap, Alana and Dralin live in Georgia where the age of consent is 16.

In September 2021, The Sun claimed that she was 'attached at the hip' with Carswell.

In September 2021, The Sun claimed that she was 'attached at the hip' with Carswell

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Carswell attended a Nashville technical school but now lives near in Georgia near Alana and her sister Lauryn 'Pumpkin' Shannon, 22, the site reported.

While he was 'quiet at first' around her loved ones, a source told the outlet that Carswell is 'like one of the family now' and is 'as fun and crazy as the rest of them.'

'Dralin and Alana hang out together all the time,' the insider added of the duo, who went Facebook official in March 2021.

As Alana saves up for her first car, her car fanatic beau has generously let her drive his Chevrolet Camaro, which he considers 'his baby.'

The teen shot to fame when she was a child on Toddlers And Tiaras before she and her family landed their own TLC reality show Here Comes Honey Boo Boo in 2012.
As the star of the Spider-Man superhero franchise, Tom Holland is no stranger to computer-generated special effects.

But the British actor has fallen victim to a far more sinister use of technology, I can reveal. The 27-year-olds likeness is being used in deepfake pornographic videos, created by artificial intelligence so sophisticated it looks like the real thing.

With Hollands huge following of teenage fans there are concerns the explicit content could be accidentally viewed by youngsters searching for their idol online.

An industry source said: This is all very concerning, especially because the content looks so real. These sick individuals have used the latest AI technology.

There are links on social media straight to the videos. Many young fans might actually believe its him in the footage, which is alarming. Tom is genuinely one of the nicest and most wholesome actors out there, so for him to be a victim of this sort of thing is upsetting.

Tom Holland, pictured with Zendaya, at the Los Angeles Premier of Spider-Man No Way Home, has had his image stolen by miscreants who have used it to create a deep fake porn movie

Hollands likeness has previously been used in more benign deepfakes. One viral clip inserts him into Back To The Future in place of original star Michael J Fox, while the ITV comedy Deepfake Neighbour Wars portrayed him married to Nicki Minaj and living in suburban Britain.

Hollands likeness has previously been used in more benign deepfakes. One viral clip inserts him into Back To The Future in place of original star Michael J Fox, while the ITV comedy Deepfake Neighbour Wars portrayed him married to Nicki Minaj and living in suburban Britain. It promoted the US rapper to post: HELP!!! What in the AI shapeshifting cloning conspiracy theory is this?!?!! I hope the whole internet get deleted!

Holland, who was born in Kingston, Surrey, shot to fame as Billy Elliot in the stage musical. In 2015, he signed a six-film deal with Marvel Studios to play teenager Peter Parker and his superhero alter-ego.

It was on the set of Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2016 that he met girlfriend Zendaya, both left. Last week the actress, also 27, rebuffed rumours they were to marry after fans spotted what looked like an engagement ring on a social media post. You guys, seriously, she replied. You think thats how I would drop the news?

In June, Holland announced that he was taking a break from acting.
The ban on disposable vapes seems to have pleased model Olympia Campbell.

But the daughter of Old Etonian Roddy Campbell  and sister of model Edie  isnt excited by the fact the law change might prevent children from becoming addicted to the plastic nicotine sticks or because it might have a positive impact on the environment.

The Government should ban disposable vapes, says the 27-year-old, but only because they are not sexy, whereas cigarettes still are.

Im not sure her lungs would agree!

Olivia Campbell insists the ban on disposable vapes is a good idea, though she prefers traditional cigarettes, pictured sitting on a Fiat 500

Olympia, right, pictured with model sister Edie, left, is the daughter of Old Etonian Roddy Campbell

Poppy Delevingne has been indulging in the creepiest of wellness trends  an hour spent with an IV drip in her arm.

According to Poppy, 37, the infusion left her feeling gleamy, shiny, sheeny, but whether thats an endorsement Im not sure. The vitamin drips, a favourite of Poppys sister Cara, have long been used by the well-to-do as a hangover cure. If you wish to feel gleamy, the so-called Three Moons procedure at White Night London, Poppys wellness spa of choice, will set you back 260.

Emma's up to her hold tricks

Her Harry Potter days may be long behind her, but Emma Watson is still indulging in her fair share of hocus pocus.

The actress, 35, revealed in a Vogue video that she carries a deck of tarot cards in her Prada backpack, and that she tells her fortune with them every day.

It seems the cards have a lot in store for Emma. Live on camera, the cards revealed theres a major and inexorable change on the horizon.

Also in that Prada bag? A bottle of gin, from her brand Renais. She took a swig before unveiling her tarot deck  maybe she needed some Dutch courage for her divination

Her Harry Potter days may be long behind her, but Emma Watson is still indulging in her fair share of hocus pocus

She may be the Crown Princess of Greece, but Marie-Chantal isnt afraid to get her hands dirty. The 55-year-old shared photographs online of herself scrubbing ovens and brushing carpets to celebrate her birthday. I wonder if the royal follows cleanfluencer Mrs Hinch  and has designs on her crown?

Livia's plane crazy trip

Livia Firth flew thousands of miles to New York for Climate Week to launch a campaign against Fossil Fuel Fashion.

The aim was to try to stop the fashion industry from using fossil fuel derivatives, but it did mean she had to take a more than 4,000-mile plane journey from Italy to the Big Apple.

The 54-year-old lawyer ex-wife of Colin Firth defended her actions last week: I did fly, like millions of other activists, NGOs, organisers, because this is how we mobilise, she says.

Were doing a lot of work. Some of it I can do on my sofa and on Zoom, for others I have to be there in person.
Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber looked every inch the happy couple as they were seen holding hands after a romantic dinner in Malibu on Friday.

Following their date night, the supermodel, 57, could be seen gazing adoringly at her spouse, 61, as they walked back to their car.

For the occasion, the mother-of-two rocked a plunging satin blouse under a black leather jacket and dark-wash jeans.

She paired her casually chic ensemble with a pair of open-toed black heels and a leather belt, which accentuated her tiny waist.

The Vogue cover girl wore her brown hair down in loose curls around her shoulders.

Date night: Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber looked every inch the happy couple as they were seen holding hands after a romantic dinner in Malibu on Friday

Gerber looked handsome in a charcoal grey button-down, matching pants, a black bomber jacket and sneakers.

Cindy and Rande, 61, have been married since 1998 and share daughter Kaia Gerber, 21, and son Presley Gerber, 24, together.

In May, the couple celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

To mark the occasion, Crawford posted a series of throwback snaps from their wedding on her Instagram page that included some sweet sentiments about her husband.

The cover photo showed them snuggling up together and flashing their newlywed smiles, which was followed by them staring into each other's eye on the beach.

There's also an an aerial shot of the bride and groom surrounded by their wedding guests. a photo of them cutting their wedding cake, and couple of shots of them dancing the night away.

'25 years ago today, Rande and I got married at the Ocean Club in the Bahamas,' the longtime catwalk queen began. 'It was a picture perfect wedding all captured by @arthurelgort. We spent a beautiful weekend surrounded by family and friends celebrating our love for each other. I would do it all over again in a second.'

She then turned the focus to them as a couple and all they've achieved together as a family.

Holding hands: Following their date night, the supermodel, 57, could be seen gazing adoringly at her spouse, 61, as they walked back to their car

'I want to congratulate "us" on making it 25 years. We have been blessed in so many ways, especially our two children @presleygerber and @kaiagerber.

She continued, 'I also want to acknowledge that even with all the blessings, life is full of ups and downs and challenges. Im proud of how we have navigated life together  looking to each other for strength and comfort. You have been my best friend and rock and I cant imagine a life without you. Happy Anniversary @randegerber!!'

About 90 guests attended their private beach wedding, which was catered with seafood, pasta and roast beef, along with Cindy's favorite three-tiered carrot cake, according to People.

Their daughter, Kaia, would also take to Instagram and pay tribute to her parentd with a couple of photos.

Gerber famously co-founded Casamigos (which translates to 'house of friends') Tequila with acclaimed actor and director George Clooney and Mike Meldman in 2013.

Happy couple: Cindy and Rande, 61, have been married since 1998 and share daughter Kaia Gerber, 21, and son Presley Gerber, 24, together

Sweet: To mark the occasion, Crawford posted a series of throwback snaps from their wedding on her Instagram page that included some sweet sentiments about her husband

'25 years ago today, Rande and I got married at the Ocean Club in the Bahamas,' the longtime catwalk queen began. 'It was a picture perfect wedding all captured by @arthurelgort. We spent a beautiful weekend surrounded by family and friends celebrating our love for each other. I would do it all over again in a second'

In 2017, it was sold to the British multinational alcoholic beverage company Diageo for a whopping $700 million dollars, with an additional $300 million possible depending on the company's performance over the next ten years, according to CNBC.

As for Crawford, she became one of the most recognizable supermodels in the world, having graced more than 1,000 magazine covers and walked for top designers all over the world since the 1980s.

She would go on to become a television personality and actress, to go along with her many entrepreneurial endeavors.

After several years of dating, Crawford and Gerber tied-the-knot in 1998, and then wasted little time in welcoming their two children to the world: son Presley, 23, and daughter Kaia, 21.

Both of their adult children have followed their parents into the modeling industry, where Kaia, boasting a similar look as her famous mom during her heyday, has become a top, in-demand model for campaigns and runway shows.
Strictly stars have reportedly demanded for the glitzy BBC studio to be exorcised after becoming convinced it's haunted following Saturday's first live show.

According to The Sun judges Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood along with a number of pro dancers been left 'hysterical' after hearing strange noises and unexplainable incidents.

A source told the publication: 'To say some of the professionals are hysterical at the thought of having to go back and spend large amounts of time at Elstree is an understatement'.

'They're so concerned they are going to have a meeting with producers, possibly next week, to explain their fears and get help.

Before adding: 'Several of them are going to ask the BBC execs to bring in an energy healer or an expert in ridding buildings of spirits and the paranormal'.

Scary stuff: Strictly stars have reportedly demanded for the glitsy BBC studio to be exorcised after becoming convinced it's haunted following Saturday's first live show (judge Shirley Ballas pictured on Saturday)

Spooky: judges Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood along with a number of pro dancers been left 'hysterical' after hearing strange noises and unexplainable incidents (Les Dennis and Nancy Xu pictured on Saturday)

Others who are reported to have experienced the strange goings on include Dianne Buswell, Katya Jones, Nadiya Bychkova and Nancy Xu.

Strictly is filmed at Elstree Studios in London, alongside other show including EastEnders and ITV's The Chase.

The source went on to brand it the 'Real Strictly curse', after the nickname was coined following the show's numerous blossoming romances.

Many celebrities have broken up with their current partners following their time on the programme. With the show has been linked to 14 splits over the course of 20 series.

MailOnline have contacted Strictly reps for comment.

It comes Nigel Harman emerged as an early favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing as he topped the leaderboard during week one on Saturday.

The actor, 50, was proclaimed by judge Shirley Ballas as 'the one to beat' after he performed an outstanding pasodoble with dance partner Katya Jones.

The Casualty star danced to Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit and received universal praise from all four judges and received a score of 32 out of 40.

Terrified: Those reported to have experienced the strange goings on include Craig Revel Horwwod (left) Motsi Mabuse (R( Dianne Buswell, Katya Jones, Nadiya Bychkova and Nancy Xu

Scared stiff: A source said: 'To say some of the professionals are hysterical at the thought of having to go back and spend large amounts of time at Elstree is an understatement'.

Famous ground: Strictly is filmed at Elstree Studios in London, alongside other show including EastEnders and ITV's The Chase

'That was the dance of the night,' proclaimed Craig Revel Horwood while Motsi Mabuse added: 'This at the end of the night was spectacular, amazing.'

Anton Du Beke also praised the actor and reminded the audience it's not easy for the star who has to close the show.

Viewers took to X/Twitter to praise Nigel for his performance with one writing: 'Nigel was amazing! I could just watch that Paso over and over again.'

Another added: 'That was extraordinary. Nigel Harman's performance was amazing. Katya Jones is an incredible choreographer.'

A third wrote: 'Nigel needs to be in the final right now,' while a fourth said: 'Top of the leaderboard and definitely worth the wait.'

Contender: It comes Nigel Harman emerged as an early favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing as he topped the leaderboard during week one on Saturday

Flawless: The actor, 50, was proclaimed by judge Shirley Ballas as 'the one to beat' after he performed an outstanding pasodoble with dance partner Katya Jones

Another viewer added: 'I wasn't expecting that! Brilliant!'

While he is tipped to be the pin-up of the series, Nigel, who attended 24,000-a-year Dulwich College, is unlikely to fall victim of the show's much discussed 'Strictly curse'.

He is happily married to actress Lucy Liemann, 49, who has starred in The Bill and Agatha Christie's Poirot, as well as in the third Jason Bourne film, The Bourne Ultimatum.

Nigel was the centre of a controversial Downton Abbey storyline, in 2013, where his character was seen hitting lady's maid Anna  played by Joanne Froggatt  in the face and dragging her into a room in a violent rape scene.

But earlier this year, Nigel returned to the BBC, joining the cast of Casualty, where he plays charming clinical lead doctor Max Christie.
Kourtney Kardashian may be using the nesting phase of her pregnancy to redecorate her house.

The pregnant reality star, 44, revealed she rolled out at the stops ahead of her 47-year-old husband Travis Barker's return to his Europe an tour with his band Blink 182.

On Saturday, she showed that their home has been decked out with all kinds of Halloween decorations over a month ahead of the spooky holiday.

Kourtney explained the reason for elaborate display of horror that seemed to fill every nook and cranny of the house the couple shares.

'My husband is gonna be on tour the first 2 weeks of October so had to surprise him and make sure we got all the Halloween vibes in now,' she wrote over a daytime snap of white pumpkins peacefully lining a stairway on their elaborate property.

Redecorating: Kourtney Kardashian, 44, may be using the nesting phase of her pregnancy to redecorate her house. The house she shares with husband Travis Barker, 47, has been festooned with Halloween decorations more than a month ahead of the spooky holiday

Inside the house, it looked like a macabre scene from many a haunted house.

Skeletons were lurking behind potted palms and skulls were placed on the dining room table.

Spooky spider webs, ravens and heart-stopping pieces of China were included the spine-tingling decor.

The mom-to-be even included a piece of fine art that showed a pregnant woman resting a dripping cup of coffee on her belly.

Both Kourtney and Travis are massive fans of Halloween.

Travis proposed to his ex-wife Shanna Moakler, 48, at Disney's Haunted Mansion, and the two tied the knot in 2004 on October 30 at wedding inspired by Tim Burton's A Nightmare Before Christmas.

Last year, Kourtney and Travis dressed as Chucky and Bride of Chucky for the big day.

It's unclear what their costume plans are for this year, or how many people might be part of the festivities.

Kourtney has not revealed her due date.

Macabre: The inside of Kourtney's house looked like a macabre scene from many a haunted house

Lurking: Skeletons were lurking behind potted palms and skulls were placed on the dining room table. Spooky spider webs, ravens and heart-stopping pieces of China were included the spine-tingling decor

Fans: Both Kourtney and Travis are big Halloween fans

Fine art: Kourtney included a piece of pumpkin inspired fine art to her holiday decor

Surprise: Kourtney explained in her Instagram stories she was making sure to get the decorations up early as a surprise to Travis and to 'make sure we got all the Halloween vibes in now'

Looking at Travis' tour schedule it seems the little boy they're expecting may make his appearance sometime between Blink 182's last show on October 21, and the start of the 2024 leg of their tour which begins February 9 in Perth, Australia.

Travis was forced to postpone several shows when he rushed back to the US earlier this month as doctors performed surgery on the fetus.

'I will be forever grateful to my incredible doctors for saving our babys life,' the Poosh founder said.

'I am eternally grateful to my husband who rushed to my side from tour to be with me in the hospital and take care of me afterwards, my rock. And to my mom, thank you for holding my hand through this,' The Kardashians star wrote on Instagram.

BTS: Travis shared some behind the scenes photos from his recent shows in Europe on Instagram Saturday

Ouch: 'Well that was fun,' the drummer wrote next to a photo carousel that began with a shot of his blistered hands

Bandmates: The rocker, who revealed he had tested positive for Covid earlier this week, posed for a photo with bandmates Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge

Private time: Travis was able to enjoy some private time, riding a bike and sipping a cup of coffee. The European leg of the tour wraps in mid-October

Kourtney finished the emotional post writing, 'I have a whole new understanding and respect for the mamas who have had to fight for their babies while pregnant.'

Travis, who along with his bandmates, is resting up before the last leg of the tour begins in Lisbon October 2, shared some photos indicating he, or at least his hands need some time off.

'Well that was fun,' the drummer wrote next to a photo carousel that began with a snap of his blistered hands.

The rocker, who revealed he had tested positive for Covid earlier this week, shared photos some behind the scenes photos, including one with bandmates Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge.

It also appeared the expectant dad enjoyed some private time tooling around on a bicycle and enjoying a cup of coffee.
I only wanted to resolve a $24.99 dispute.

In the end, my call to Spectrum nearly cost me more than $1,000 after I fell victim to one of the most mystifying scams I have ever encountered.

In doing so, I joined the mass ranks of more than two million consumers in the US who are victims of fraud every year.

As a former personal finance journalist, I have investigated all manner of convoluted cons and interviewed dozens of unwitting victims, but never expected to become one myself.

What happened to me not only highlights how no one is safe from cunning criminal fraudsters, but also raises serious questions for Spectrum, one of the biggest telecoms companies in the US, who seemingly led me into their outstretched arms, albeit inadvertently.

A DailyMail.com reporter, himself a former personal finance journalist with experience investigating fraud cases, fell victim to a scam after a Spectrum sales representative inadvertently gave him a wrong number for the firm's billing team

US consumers lost $8.8 billion to fraud last year, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), almost six times the $1.5 billion lost in 2018 and up 44 per cent from $5.9 billion on 2021

'Imposter' scams, where fraudsters impersonate legitimate companies including telecoms providers, are the most costly scam in the US, accounting for $2.6 billion of the $8.8 billion lost to fraudsters last year, according to the FTC

The amount lost to fraud surged by 44 per cent last year, up from $5.9 billion in 2021 to $8.8 billion, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

That is almost six times the $1.5 billion lost in 2018.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland has described the scale of fraud as 'overwhelming'.

Over the course of investigating my own misfortune, I quickly discovered that part of this alarming rise can be blamed on legitimate companies' failure to protect their own customers.

The issue with Spectrum was straightforward, or at least it appeared to be.

My bill seemed to have inexplicably doubled. Could they fix the error?

Thinking I could circumvent the long wait times that come with calling customer services, I instead dialed the mobile of the Spectrum sales representative who had set up my account.

Sounding sympathetic, he paused as he looked up the number for the Spectrum billing team, before dictating it to me over the phone.

Then matters started to get squiffy.

My call was answered by a man who thanked me for calling Spectrum, but sounded like he was working in a foreign call center.

He started by asking me for the usual details: my name, the address my account was registered to, and my order confirmation number.

The solution to my complaint, however, struck me as odd: I could pay the bill now and credit would then be added to my account to compensate for the overpayment.

I asked why the bill could not just be amended, but was told this was not possible.

The man from 'Spectrum's billing team' then asked for my payment details over the phone. Another red flag waved in front of my eyes.

Can I not pay securely online, instead? I was told this wouldn't fix my specific issue.

At this point, in any other situation, I would have put down the phone right then. Those reading this will probably roll their eyes and ask why I didn't.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland has said the scale of fraud in the US is 'overwhelming'

Fraud experts say 'savvy' criminal gangs are behind most of the scams that prey on Americans

But I had dialed the number for the Spectrum billing department, provided to me by their own sales representative, whom I trusted.

I had already spent half an hour on the phone and wanted the problem fixed, so I gave my debit card details, hoping that would be the end of the matter.

But the man at the call center then told me the payment hadn't worked and asked me if I had another card.

At first, I refused. I didn't want to hand over further details and there was no reason why my debit card should not work.

We had a good old ding dong for another ten minutes as I told him this, asked again why the bill couldn't simply be amended, and double checked he had entered my details correctly.

But feeling a headache coming on from banging my head against a brick wall, I caved.

'Ok, let's see if my credit card works,' I sighed.

Lo and behold, it didn't, at which point I was asked to phone my card providers and get them to clear the payments.

The call was now clocking at close to an hour and I was not going to waste any more of my time with this man.

I told him I no longer trusted his competence and asked to speak to a supervisor.

The call went dead. It was my day off. I left it at that.

California residents lost the most money to investment fraud last year, with 4,982 victims being conned out of a huge $870 million

The following morning I noticed I had received a message from American Express, during or shortly after that bizarre, long-winded call, saying its fraud team had tried to contact me.

I phoned them immediately and was told a charge of $1,039.62 had been attempted on my card via PayPal, but had been blocked by Amex.

If the previous day's call had nothing to do with this, it was one heck of a coincidence.

I told Amex what I suspected had happened - that I had given my details to someone I thought was a representative of the Spectrum billing team, but had in fact been a fraudster.

I called my debit card provider to inform them my account may have been compromised.

It transpired that some fraudulent transactions on that card had been successful: a medley of unconnected purchases, one of which appeared to be for a luxury interior design company in California, totaling around $80.

The bank blocked my card, issued a replacement, and said my account would be credited the total lost.

I thought I had it figured.

As a personal finance journalist, I have investigated several 'imposter scams', where bogus companies pay Google to appear top of results for searches such as 'Spectrum billing department'.

I recalled how the Spectrum sales rep had paused while he 'checked' the number for the billing department.

Had he fallen for the same trap, furnishing me with a fraudulent number?

I know full well not to trust any old number listed for a service provider on Google, but thought a Spectrum representative would know that, too.

To confirm my suspicions, I googled the number the sales rep had given me. The result was not for Spectrum's billing team, but a company claiming to be an authorized reseller for Spectrum, buyinternetcable.com, which listed an address for a company registered in New Jersey.

This company's website is clean but generic. It describes itself as a leading provider of technology solutions and IT services, although it is difficult to discern exactly what it does.

It claims to have decades of experience working with global enterprises, more than a dozen locations and thousands of employees worldwide.

Was this firm running a team of Spectrum imposters?

I have seen a lot of scam websites in my time and this wasn't the most obvious.

But it certainly wouldn't be abnormal.

Imposter scams are the most costly in the US - accounting for $2.6 billion of the $8.8 billion lost to fraud last year - and the second most common, according to the FTC.

They can include a range of tactics, from romance scams to people claiming to be a government official or a relative in distress.

But Amy Nofziger, director of the American Association of Retired Persons fraud victim support network, told me companies impersonating telecom providers - Spectrum and Comcast in particular - were especially prevalent.

My scam appeared to fit this pattern, although Nofziger conceded the case was particularly 'complicated'.

It was about to get even more so.

buyinternetcable.com's website says it is an 'authorized reseller' and lists various contact numbers for customers to get in touch. This may have been where the Spectrum sales representative found the number he gave to our reporter to call for his enquiry

Its website appeared to have been taken down on Friday following DailyMail.com's enquiries

Spectrum offered a measly apology to our reporter and said it was 'looking into' his interaction with buyinternetcable.com, but declined to answer further questions or return our calls

Amy Nofziger, director of the American Association of Retired Persons fraud victim support network, said scams in which fraudsters impersonate telecoms firms including Spectrum are particularly prevalent

Having had absolutely no luck trying to get Spectrum to investigate matters via calls to their legitimate fraud and billing departments, I decided to give it a kick up the backside by contacting its press office - a tactic which usually sparks sclerotic management into action.

Two days later, its response was puzzling.

The number I called was for a Spectrum reseller, it said, yet this was not the 'right resource' for my billing issue.

Spectrum offered a measly apology for failing to address my issue 'efficiently', adding that it was 'looking into' my interaction with the reseller.

The telecoms giant also told me that their sales rep maintained he had given me the correct number, somehow insinuating that I had completely ignored him and found and dialed the wrong number completely independently.

I know this to be false. The number he gave me is logged on my phone.

It bears no relation to the correct number for the Spectrum billing department, so puts paid to the other theory that I may have entered an incorrect digit and ended up calling a similar but different number.

Regardless, Spectrum's response suggested buyinternetcable.com is not an imposter, but a company Spectrum has subcontracted some of its business to.

This begged all sorts of further questions.

Why were Spectrum working with this firm? Would they continue to do so? What did it mean when it said it was 'looking into' my interaction with buyinternetcable.com?

Spectrum offered no further answers to these questions and declined to answer or return my calls.

Its response, in contrast to my card providers, has been pathetic.

Buyinternetcable.com also failed to answer my calls or emails.

On Friday, its website, which has been active since at least 2017, appeared to have been taken down following DailyMail.com's enquiries.

READ MORE: Dad reveals he lost half a million dollars, his home and WIFE after falling victim to cruel 'pig butchering' scam - as figures show Americans are losing record amounts to crypto fraudsters Michael Holloway, a 62-year-old real estate agent from New Jersey, was conned out of $500,000 by fraudsters Advertisement

Google said it ranks Spectrum's official site 'at the top of search for relevant queries on this topic' and said its 'spam-fighting systems keep our results helpful and 99 per cent spam free'.

It added that it has 'strict policies that prohibit advertisers from impersonating other brands'.

Like everyone who has fallen victim to a scam, I feel embarrassed that I could have been so stupid.

There were so many red flags along the way that I would have noticed had I been thinking straight.

My one mitigating circumstance is that I had called a number I had been given by a genuine Spectrum sales representative and therefore had no reason to doubt it.

I should have called the number listed on my billing statement and not relied on someone else to provide one to me - even if it was a Spectrum employee.

They, too, are fallible.

My biggest oversight was providing an Amex SafeKey Verification Code to the man from buyinternetcable.com when he asked if I had been sent one.

I am new to Amex and had not received one before, so didn't know what to look out for.

On subsequent review, I can see that it says the code is 'for a $1,039.62 transaction at PAYPAL *VICTORRATHG VICTORRATHG'.

I missed it because I was stressed, frustrated, had spent almost an hour on the phone and wanted to move on.

It's a feeling familiar to many beleaguered customers and one that is consistently exploited by fraudsters.

'You had a billing enquiry - no one wants to deal with a billing department,' Nofziger tells me. 'Were you rushed or under pressure? Were you anxious? There are so many different things that can be in play.

'The bottom line is how convoluted these scams can be and how they're run by very intelligent, savvy criminals.'

She adds: 'I actually feel sometimes that the more intelligent a person is, the more vulnerable they might actually be to falling victim [to fraud], because their brain has always led them to the right spot, why would it stop them now.'

She is too kind. Indeed, some of you reading this will have little sympathy with my plight, but I guarantee, however much you think it would never happen to you, it still could.
As the announcement of the death of former Italian President Giorgio Napolitano (2006-2015), at the age of 98, arrived on Friday evening, the entire Italian political class paid tribute to him. The politician was the historical leader of the Communist Party and a promoter of European construction.

This Neapolitan, born under Mussolini on June 29, 1925, has served as head of state in numerous governments in an Italy with chronically unstable executives. Giorgia Meloni, leader of the post-fascist Fratelli d'Italia party and "president of the council" since October 2022, soberly offered "the deepest condolences" from her cabinet to the family of the former president.

The current President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, recalled the European commitment of the former member of the Parliament of Strasbourg who led important battles for social development, peace and progress in Italy and in Europe.

In a telegram to his widow, Pope Francis, traveling to Marseille, saluted a man who had devoted his political action to preserving the unity and harmony of his country.

Considered for years as the guarantor of Italy's stability, Giorgio Napolitano was elected in 2006. From the resignation of Romano Prodi in 2008 after only two years in government to the arrival of Matteo Renzi in February 2014, by the way by the resignations of Silvio Berlusconi, Mario Monti and Enrico Letta, Girogio Napolitano managed a particularly turbulent phase in Italy.

Recognized for his moderation, his prudence and his sense of state, he had been integrated into the Fascist university groups like most of the students under Mussolini, but had at the same time engaged, from the age of 17, in a group of communist resistance fighters, before joining the party in 1945 and being elected to Parliament for the first time in 1953.

Perceived as a reformist, he nevertheless approved the repression of the Budapest insurrection crushed on November 4, 1956 by Soviet tanks. Giorgio Napolitano went to Budapest in 2006 to pay his respects at the grave of the leader of the insurrection, Imre Nagy.
Drug firm Lupin on Friday said it has inked a pact to acquire five drug brands from Italian firm Menarini for Rs 101 crore.

The company has signed an agreement to acquire five legacy brands catering to gastroenterology, urology and anti-infective segments, the Mumbai-based company said in a statement.

The brands are Piclin (Picosulphate Sodium), Menoctyl (Otilonium Bromide), Sucramal O (Sucralfate + Oxetacaine), Pyridium (Phenazopyridine) and Distaclor (Cefaclor), it added.

Lupin has been exclusively marketing these brands in the Indian market since July 2021 under a distribution and promotion agreement with A Menarini India Pvt Ltd.

Menarini Group is a leading international pharmaceutical and diagnostics company, with a turnover of over USD 4.4 billion and over 17,000 employees.

Menarini India is a 100 per cent subsidiary of Menarini Group.

Lupin Managing Director Nilesh Gupta said the acquisition aligns well with the company's strategic goal to broaden presence in the Indian market. "By offering a comprehensive range of products, our aim is to deliver even greater value to our stakeholders and the communities we serve," he added.
Sebi has empanelled 34 entities, including Ernst & Young LLP, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP and Grant Thornton Bharat LLP to conduct forensic investigation of mutual funds, their asset management companies (AMCs) and trustees.

KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services LLP, Chokshi & Chokshi LLP, Nangia & Co LLP and Pipara & Co LLP are among the other empanelled entities,

the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said in a latest update.

The period of empanelment is from September 20, 2023 to September 19, 2026, it added.

These 34 entities have been empanelled after evaluation of all the applications in response to Expression of Interest (EoI) invited by the capital markets regulator in February.

The entities are required to undertake acquisition, extraction and analysis of digital evidence from mobile, computers, tablets, hard drives and USB drives. Also, they need to prepare and submit a report mentioning the findings and conclusions of the analysis.
On this day, let us recognise the power of communication and the indispensable role sign languages play in bridging the gap for the deaf-mute community

Every year, on September 23rd, the world unites to observe the International Day of Sign Languages, acknowledging the vital role sign languages play in our global society. This year, with the theme "A World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere!," we contemplate the significance of sign languages in reshaping the world, especially in a context where communication is an integral part of our daily lives.

Communication forms the lifeblood of our interconnected world, serving as the foundation for building relationships, sharing ideas, and engaging in the intricate processes that shape our societies. Yet, for the millions of individuals worldwide who are deaf or hard of hearing, accessing this fundamental human right can be challenging. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), currently, over 1.5 billion people, nearly 20% of the global population, live with hearing loss, and 430 million of them experience disabling hearing loss. Alarmingly, it is projected that by 2050, this number could exceed 700 million people with disabling hearing loss.

The deaf community in India constitutes a significant portion of the population, with a diverse and vibrant culture. India has the largest deaf population in the world. As per WHO estimates in India, there are approximately 63 million people, who are suffering from Significant Auditory Impairment; this places the estimated prevalence at 6.3% in the Indian population.

Despite the challenges they face, the deaf community in India has made considerable strides in recent years. The Indian Sign Language (ISL) is recognized as one of the officially recognized languages of India, which has helped promote communication and inclusion among the deaf population. Additionally, various NGOs, government initiatives, and educational institutions have been working tirelessly to improve access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities for the deaf.

In terms of education, there are specialised schools and institutions across the country that cater to the needs of deaf students, offering tailored curricula and sign language instruction. However, there is still a need for more inclusive education practices and increased awareness about the rights and potential of deaf individuals.

Efforts are also being made to empower the deaf community through vocational training and employment opportunities, ensuring they can lead fulfilling and independent lives. Indian sign language interpreters play a crucial role in facilitating communication between the deaf and hearing communities in various settings, including government offices, hospitals, and educational institutions.

Indeed, the deaf community in India is a significant and dynamic part of the country's diverse population. While there have been positive developments in terms of recognition and inclusion, ongoing efforts are needed to further improve the quality of life and opportunities for deaf individuals in India. Accurate and up-to-date statistics will be essential to track the progress and tailor interventions to better meet the needs of this vibrant community.

For this vast community, sign languages act as a conduit to participate in the broader narrative of global communication. Sign languages are not just tools of communication; they are intricate and vibrant linguistic systems in their own right, featuring distinctive grammar, vocabulary, and cultural nuances. They provide the means through which deaf individuals convey their thoughts, share their stories, and connect with the world around them. On the International Day of Sign Languages, we celebrate the diversity of these languages and the sense of unity they foster among the global deaf community.

India, being the most populous nation globally, also has the largest deaf population and therefore it is our collective responsibility to address their needs and aspirations. We have made significant strides in assistive technology, and there must be a decisive push to enable larger access to these technologies for the deaf population. With its inbuilt rich dynamics, the addition of technology will make sign language more profound and relevant. It's also essential for the country to view disabilities as an investment to promote their integration into mainstream society.

In the same vein, it is important to emphasize that achieving inclusion cannot occur in isolation. An ecosystem must be created to facilitate two-way communication through sign language. The responsibility lies not only with the deaf community but with society as a whole. Sign language should be integrated into the standard school curriculum to ensure that everyone becomes proficient in this language and skill. Just as foreign languages are taught in schools, there's no reason why Indian Sign Language shouldn't be part of the curriculum.

The significance of sign language reaches beyond everyday conversations. In an increasingly interconnected and diverse world, sign languages are pivotal in areas such as education, employment, healthcare, and civic engagement. They empower deaf individuals to access quality education, pursue meaningful careers, make informed healthcare decisions, and participate in the political and social life of their communities. Without sign languages, millions would find themselves excluded, unable to fully engage in society.

To ensure that government proceedings and policies are accessible to the deaf community, it should be mandatory to have a sign language interpreter at every government event. This way, a significant portion of the population would not miss out on essential government information and programs.

In a world that prides itself on progress and inclusivity, such oversights should be deemed unacceptable. The International Day of Sign Languages serves as a stark reminder of the imperative for governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize accessibility and inclusivity in all facets of society. It is a day when we should reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that sign languages are accessible to all, everywhere.

As we commemorate the International Day of Sign Languages in 2023, let us recognize the power of communication and the indispensable role sign languages play in bridging the gap for the deaf community. Let us also advocate for increased awareness, investment, and action to guarantee that sign languages are accessible to everyone, everywhere. Only through such collective endeavours can we genuinely create "A World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere!" and transform the global order for the better, making it a more inclusive and equitable place for all.
The rise of Sikh ethno-nationalism in the 1980s threatened Indias integrity. Todays Khalistan movement is more globalised, with a worldwide network of sympathisers. Khalistan movement has ties to Canada, straining India-Canada relations. Khalistanis aim to influence Sikh youth in Punjab. Addressing this threat requires a robust security and intelligence approach. It is imperative for India and Canada to collaborate against terrorism, transcending boundaries and religions.

The rise of Sikh ethno-nationalism in the 1980s posed a threat to Indias territorial integrity. Since then, it has transcended the borders of India. The way the 21st-century Khalistan movement is shaped and propagated to its followers is markedly different from the violent upsurge of the 1980s. It is much more globalised now. While hardcore advocates like Amritpal Singh have followed in the footsteps of the Bhindranwale cult, the worldwide network of Khalistani sympathisers has provided the movement with an easier source of sustenance than in the past.

The history of Khalistan lies in the roots of Sikhism. The revered Sikh religion was founded by Guru Nanak in Punjab in the 15th century. It boasts more than 25 million followers worldwide, with Sikhs constituting a minority group in India, making up less than 2 per cent of the countrys total population of 1.4 billion today. However, they are a majority in their home State of Punjab.

The word Khalistan signifies the establishment of an ethno-religious sovereign state for the Sikhs, referred to as the land of the Khalsa. This is defined as the land of the pure. Additionally, Khalsa encompasses both a community of believers who consider Sikhism their faith and a group of initiated Sikhs. Devout orthodox Sikhs are ritually admitted to this community upon reaching puberty. The very concept of Khalsa was established by the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, in the year 1699.

However, the demand for the establishment of Khalistan is a relatively recent development, originating during the period of British colonialism in India. It primarily emerged in the Punjab region. Some proponents of Khalistan assert that their envisioned state encompasses the current Punjab State, while others advocate for the inclusion of the Punjab region in Pakistan, along with a demand to incorporate other significant neighbouring states such as Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the Chandigarh region.

Furthermore, Shimla and Lahore are considered the two potential capitals of Khalistan. The original call for the formation of Khalistan was, in fact, a response to the Pakistan Resolution of 1940. This resolution, also known as the Lahore Resolution, was authored and prepared by Muhammad Zafarullah Khan and ratified by the All India Muslim League on March 23, 1940. The term Khalistan was first coined by Dr VS Bhatti to signify an independent Sikh State in March 1940.

The primary objective behind the Khalistan demand was to secure better representation for Sikhs in political institutions and to establish a homeland for the community. After the partition of India in 1947, the Sikhs were deeply affected as Punjab was divided into two parts  one remained with India and the other with Pakistan. This further fueled the demand for a Sikh homeland.

The Canadian connection to the Khalistan movement is longstanding. The current controversy surrounding Khalistan has strained the relationship between India and Canada, particularly after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated in Canadas Parliament that there were credible allegations linking Indian Government agents to the June murder of the Sikh separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Indian Government promptly denied any involvement in Nijjars killing. It is evident that Trudeau is attempting to avoid openly addressing the issue of the growing Khalistan movement in Canada.

India has repeatedly accused Canada of continuously supporting the Khalistan movement, which is banned in India. However, this movement enjoys widespread popularity among a substantial section of Sikhs worldwide.

What Trudeau is doing today amounts to nothing more than resorting to vote bank politics in Canada. According to Indian estimates, nearly 8,000-9,000 Khalistani radicals exert influence over approximately 15 gurdwaras, using them as centres for fundraising and garnering support for political parties in Canada. Their primary sphere of influence lies in political mobilisation in Brampton, Ontario, as well as Vancouver and Surrey in British Columbia. Instead, Trudeau should have recognised the gravity of the situation and cooperated with the Indian Government in expelling all Khalistani activists from his country.

The day will come when they may pose a potential security threat to Trudeaus fellow citizens. There is an abundance of evidence pointing to the growth of Sikh militancy in Canada. In June 2020, Indian intelligence agencies issued a warning that criminal gangs based in Canada, comprising Indian expatriates from Punjab, including Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), are directly providing funding to the Khalistanis. The infamous Dhaliwal and Grewal gangs, operating in the British Columbia Province and involved in a drug-trafficking network, have connections to Gurpatwant Singh Pannu of the SFJ. Additionally, another notorious syndicate called the Brothers Keepers of Vancouver has been linked to these gangs.

Furthermore, the SFJ is establishing close links with the Pakistani establishment and agencies in order to reignite the Khalistan movement. It is reported that the SFJ is diligently working to organise a referendum for self-determination on the issue of Khalistan. Canadian authorities must take note that SFJ activists in Punjab and the Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh are consistently receiving substantial funds from gangs based in that country.

Pannun has issued a threat to Indo-Canadian Hindus, urging them to leave Canada and return to India. In a public video message, he stated, Indo-Canadian Hindus, you have renounced your allegiance to Canada and the Canadian Constitution. Your destination is India. Leave Canada and go to India.

This has sparked another diplomatic dispute between India and Canada. This will result in significant economic losses for both nations. Moreover, the expulsion of diplomatic staff from both sides, along with visa restrictions, will only lead to a severe strain in their bilateral relations.

While there is currently no active insurgency in Punjab, there has been ongoing support for the Khalistan movement in the State. Consequently, successive Central governments issued repeated warnings about Khalistanis attempting a resurgence and seeking to influence the youth of Punjab.

Moreover, Punjabs political instability, fueled by infighting within the Congress and the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party to power, has created an environment where neighbouring Pakistan, its state agencies, and Sikh extremist factions based in Canada have been relentless in their efforts to destabilise Punjab in recent times.

The warning issued by Ganga Singh Dhillon was stark: We are not seeking just a piece of land. We are looking for a territory where Sikhs can safeguard their women and children. Where a Sikh can determine his own destiny  where our religious shrines are not subject to being overrun by army tanks. You can call it an independent Punjab, a sovereign state, or Khalistan. What we are requesting is a homeland for the Sikh nation (Give us Khalistan and leave us in peace, The Illustrated Weekly of India, July 21, 1985).

However, Harjot strongly contends that the emotional attachment with Punjab among Sikhs is relatively recent and does not trace back to the early days of the Sikh community as some Khalistan ideologues might assert today. It is the convergence of history and geography, discourse and space, territoriality and metacommentaries that has transformed Punjab into Khalistan. Both Punjab and Khalistan are human-made constructs, and there is nothing inherently natural about them (Harjot S Oberoi, From Punjab to Khalistan: Territoriality and Metacommentary, Pacific Affairs, Spring 1987)

Answers to these underlying currents are not very difficult to find in a globalised world. We are all part of a flat world where identities and cultural insignia are often overshadowed by economic desires, in contrast to what we experienced in a pre-globalised era. Migration has become a way of life. As more and more Sikhs migrated abroad, particularly to the US, the UK, and Canada for a better life, these extremist elements started relying on this extensive diaspora for their sustenance.

Back in India, all these groups are banned, and authorities are closely monitoring their activities and local connections. Consequently, they have found Canada to be a favourable ground for promoting and motivating many youths to support their agenda. For a long time, Khalistanis have been organising against India in Canada, and successive administrations in Ottawa are well aware of this.

Trudeau should not have aligned himself with one of the banned terror groups in India. He is well aware that he is on the wrong side. These Khalistanis have no allegiances; they simply want to keep their agenda alive so that their supporters and sympathisers remain intact for the long run.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a helping hand to Trudeau, and he should have responded by taking decisive action to eradicate these criminal gangs from Canadian soil altogether.

We all must understand that terrorists recognise no religion or boundaries. They are enemies of civil society and universally recognised liberties of modern society. They stand against peace and humanity. As two democracies, India and Canada must join forces in the fight against Khalistanis. It is now time to prevent them from spreading their agenda and destabilising peace in both countries. The resurgence of the Khalistani movement is a warning signal for both Punjab and all of India. This must be addressed with a superior security and intelligence strategy and network. Undoubtedly, Delhi today possesses much stronger anti-terror infrastructure and more robust leadership than it did in the 1980s to deal with Bhindranwale-like symptoms.

(The writer is currently president of the Global Research Foundation)
The Indo-Canada relations have deteriorated after the killing of Nijjar, a pro-Khalistani. Are sectional conflicts among Khalistanis in Canada the cause?

Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegation that Indian agents had murdered the Khalistani leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, on June 18, 2023, in Canada, is reportedly based on inputs from intelligence sources. This raises the question as to how reliable these inputs are. No final judgement is possible until these inputs and the evidence behind them are made public. Nevertheless, one can have some idea of the efficiency of the Canadian intelligence and security establishment by looking at their performance in respect of the biggest ever terrorist outrage emanating from Canadian soil--the mid-air explosion that brought down Air Indias Boeing 747 aircraft, Emperor Kanishka, carrying flight AI 182 from Toronto to Mumbai via Montreal, off the coast of Ireland. All 329 persons, passengers and staff, on board the flight which had taken off on June 23, 1985, were killed. Only 131 of the bodies could be recovered.

The Air India explosion was a result of negligence, intelligence failure, inaction and lax security arrangement on the part of the Canadian authorities. For quite some time before the explosion there was a fear that Khalistani terrorists in Canada were planning a strike. Alerted, Indias Intelligence Bureau had sent a telex message on June 1, 1985, both to Air Indias management and the Canadian authorities asking them to beef up security measures to forestall a possible attack on an aircraft by Sikh terrorists.

James Bartleman, then head of Canadas intelligence bureau, got a frosty response from an official of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), whose attention he drew to a highly classified Communications Security Establishment (CSE) document saying that Sikh extremists might be targeting AI 182. He was told that officials were probing the matter. Security measures remained lax. Sniffer dogs remained missing from all Canadian airports because they were under training at Vancouver. X-ray screens at Torontos Pearson Airport broke down on the day of the flight.

Days before the bombing, Canadian intelligence operatives who were tracking Talwinder Singh Parmar, founder and leader of terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), and subsequently considered to be the mastermind behind the downing of AI-182-- heard an explosives test that he conducted in a forest. They ignored it, thinking that it was a gunshot!

In its report submitted in 2010, a commission of inquiry, appointed by Stephen Harper, then Canadas Prime Minister, in 2006, and headed by a retired judge of the countrys Supreme Court, John Major, condemned several security failures and blunders on part of Canadians that led to the bombing. According to the report, the RCMP and Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) had significant pieces of information that, taken together, would have led a competent analyst to conclude that Flight 182 was at high risk of being bombed by known Sikh terrorists in June 1985. Lack of coordination among them prevented the risk from being neutralised. The report called the security lapses "inexcusable" and termed Canadian security arrangements at the time "wholly deficient".

Nor have the post-explosion developments shown any profound regret on the part of the Canadian authorities over what had happened. Nor have they reached out to the victims and their families the way they should have. The earnestness with which investigations into the outrage were conducted is reflected in the fact that only one person Inderjit Singh Reyat, was convicted and, that too, decades after the bombing. Talwinder Singh Parmer, who had returned to India, was killed in an encounter with the Punjab police in 1992. The other accused, including Ripudaman Singh Malik, who was subsequently murdered in Canada on July 14, 2023, were acquitted.

In a searing observation, judge John Major, had stated that Canada had relegated the biggest terrorist attack targeting their country to background. He noted, "I stress this is a Canadian atrocity. For too long the greatest loss of Canadian lives at the hands of terrorists has somehow been relegated outside the Canadian consciousness. Given this background, one can hardly be blamed for doubting, prima facie, Canadian intelligence agencies conclusion that Indian agents had murdered Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This is particularly so in the context of Ripudaman Singh Maliks subsequent murder. He had written a letter on January 17, 2022, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praising him for his initiative to redress some of the pending demands of the Sikhs. While thanking Modi for removing the names of some Sikhs from the blacklist which prevented them from visiting India, he accused certain anti-India members of the Sikh community of running an orchestrated campaign against Modi. Back in Surrey in British Columbia, his praise for Modi had prompted a section of Sikhs to accuse him of treachery towards the Sikh qaum. Was he murdered for the 180-degree turn in his attitude to India and Modi?

The world of Khalistani terrorists, it appears, is not one of great mutual camaraderie and friendship, but one of sectional acrimony. Was Hardeep Singh Nijjar a victim of this internecine conflict, and the RCMP, CSIS and the CSE have been clueless about this entire matter as they were about the preparations to blow up the Air India flights? The question needs to be looked at seriously.

(The author is Consulting Editor, The Pioneer. The views expressed are personal)
The US is deeply concerned about the allegations raised by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against India on the killing of a Khalistani separatist in Canada, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said and Washington was "closely coordinating" with Ottawa on the issue and wants to see "accountability" in the case.

Speaking at a press conference here on Friday, Blinken said the US has engaged directly with the Indian government on the issue and the most productive thing would be the completion of this investigation.

Let me say a few things about this. First, we are deeply concerned about the allegations that Prime Minister Trudeau has raised, the top US diplomat said in response to a question on Trudeau's allegations against India.

Trudeau said in the Canadian Parliament earlier this week that Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia.

We have been consulting throughout very closely with our Canadian colleagues  and not just consulting, coordinating with them  on this issue. And from our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceed, and it would be important that India work with the Canadians on this investigation. We want to see accountability, and it's important that the investigation run its course and lead to that result, Blinken said.

The top US diplomat was also asked about reports that President Joe Biden brought the issue up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally. I'm not going to characterise or otherwise speak to diplomatic conversations that we have, Blinken said.

We've been engaged directly with the Indian government as well. And again, I think the most productive thing that can happen now is to see this investigation move forward and be completed. And we would hope that our Indian friends would cooperate with that investigation as well.

More broadly  and you've heard me speak to this  we are extremely vigilant about any instances of alleged transnational repression, something we take very, very seriously. And I think it's important more broadly for the international system that any country that might consider engaging in such acts not do so. So it's something that we're also focused on in a much broader way.

Nijjar, 45, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was one of India's most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head and was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia on June 18.

Tensions flared between India and Canada early this week following Trudeau's explosive allegations.

India angrily rejected the allegations as "absurd" and "motivated", and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

While Canada hasn't yet provided any public evidence to back its claims, a media report citing Canadian government sources said that Ottawa's allegations are based on both human and signals intelligence and inputs from an ally the Five Eye intelligence network.

The Five Eyes network is an intelligence alliance consisting of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

The Canadian government has amassed both human and signals intelligence in a months-long investigation of the Sikh man's death that has inflamed relations with India, CBC News, a division of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, reported on Thursday quoting sources.

That intelligence includes communications involving Indian officials themselves, including Indian diplomats present in Canada, according to Canadian government sources.

Prime Minister Trudeau on Thursday said Canada is not looking to "provoke or cause problems" with India as he urged New Delhi to take the matter "extremely seriously" and work with Ottawa to "uncover the truth".

India asked Canada to come down hard on terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its soil and suspended visa services for Canadians.

India also asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic staff in the country, arguing that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalence in the mutual diplomatic presence. The size of Canadian diplomatic staff in India is larger than what New Delhi has in Canada.

The India-Canada ties had been reeling under some strain for the last few months in view of increasing activities of the pro-Khalistani elements in the North American country. India believes the Trudeau government is not addressing its genuine concerns.
In a remarkable feat of historical achievement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate nine Vande Bharat Express trains on Sunday. With this, all States across the country will now be connected with these semi-high-speed trains.

In June, Modi inaugurated eight Vande Bharat trains on different routes.

Among these nine trains, the Ministry of Railways led by Ashwani Vaishnaw is poised to introduce two trains for West Bengals Howrah and Tamil Nadus Chennai, with one each for Kerala, Odisha, Telangana, Gujarat, and the poll-bound Rajasthan.

The nine trains which will be flagged off on Sunday are on routes  Ranchi-Howrah, Patna-Howrah, Vijayawada-Chennai, Tirunelveli-Chennai, Rourkela- Puri, Udaipur-Jaipur, Kasaragod-Thiruvanantha puram, Jamnagar-Ahmedabad and Hyderabad-Bengaluru.

The inaugural Tirunelveli-Chennai Vande Bharat Express train will leave from Tirunelveli Junction 6 am and reach Chennai around 1:50 pm, while the return journey will begin at 2:50 pm on all days except Tuesdays.

According to reports, the locomotive will be operated at an average speed of 83.30 km an hour and halt at Virudhunagar, Madurai, Dindigul and Tiruchi.

Meanwhile, this will also be Tamil Nadus third Vande Bharat route after the launch of Chennai-Mysuru Vande Bharat Express in November last year and subsequently the Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat train.

Odishas second Vande Bharat express on Puri-Rourkela route is also set to be flagged off on Sunday.

The full trial run of the Puri-Rourkela Vande Bharat Express was conducted on Wednesday. The train will connect the coastal districts of the State to its western region.

Earlier, it was also reported that the semi-high speed train will cover the distance of 505 km in 7 hours and 30 minutes from Puri-Rourkela and 7 hours and 45 minutes on the down line i.e. Rourkela to Puri.

Bengaluru and Hyderabad Vande Bharat train will link the two tech cities and will cover the 610 km distance in 8.5 hours.

Speaking about its tentative schedule, the train will depart from Kacheguda in Hyderabad at 5.30 am and will reach Yeshwantpur around 2 pm.

In the return journey, the train will depart at 2:45pm and reach Kacheguda at 11:15 pm.

The semi-high speed train is likely to have 5 stops  Mahabubnagar, Kurnool City, Anantapur, Dhone, Dharmavaram.

Vande Bharat express between Vijayawada-Chennai will cover the distance between the two cities in 6 hours and 40 minutes.

Earlier this month, Vaishnaw had announced that Madhya Pradeshs Neemuch would soon get a Vande Bharat Express.

Vande Bharat Express is an indigenously manufactured, semi-high-speed, self-propelled train. The train has state-of-the-art passenger amenities, providing passengers with a faster, more comfortable and more convenient travel experience.
The Canadian Government has said the circulation of an online video in which Hindu Canadians are told to leave the country is offensive and hateful, asserting that acts of aggression, hate, intimidation or incitement of fear have no place in Canada.

The video was circulated amid escalating tensions between India and Canada following Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus explosive allegations of the potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on his countrys soil on June 18 in British Columbia. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.

India has angrily rejected Turdeaus allegations as absurd and motivated and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawas expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

Public Safety Canada, the department responsible for matters of public safety, emergency management, national security, and emergency preparedness, said the circulation of the video is offensive and hateful and is an affront to all Canadians and the values we hold dearly. There is no place in Canada for hate, it said on Thursday night in a post on X.

Indo-Canadian lawmaker Chandra Arya from Prime Minister Trudeaus party has earlier expressed dismay at the glorification of terrorism and hate crime targeting Hindus in this country in the name of freedom of expression in Canada.
A day after Parliament was adjourned sine die, a massive political controversy erupted on Friday over the use of offensive language by South Delhi BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri against Bahujan Samaj Party MP Danish Ali in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on the success of the Chandrayaan mission on Thursday. While leaders of the Opposition parties, including Ali, demanded swift action against Bidhuri, the BJP issued a show-cause notice to its two-time MP on Friday.

Th BJP sources said the party has sought a reply from the South Delhi MP as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for his use of unparliamentary words. Generally, those served the notice are given 15 days to answer.

We are truly dismayed by our MPs behaviour, especially considering that this incident occurred on a day when the nation was celebrating the passage of the Womens Bill and the success of Chandrayaan, both of which were being widely reported across the country. Furthermore, it coincided with an unprecedented record of productivity in both the Houses during the four-day Special Session in new Parliament, a top BJP leader told The Pioneer, requesting anonymity.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who had earlier initiated a discussion on the countrys Chandrayan success, said though he could not hear the comments of his party colleague in the House, he personally apologised for the remarks.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has taken serious note of the unparliamentary remarks made by Bidhuri and warned him of strict action if such a behaviour is repeated in the future, officials said.

While the objectionable remarks have been expunged from the proceeding records, a video of Bidhuri, in which he can be heard making derogatory remarks against Ali, is now circulating on various social media platforms.

Ali has also written to the Speaker demanding that the matter be sent to the Committee of Privileges.

Saying this with a heavy heart that I would be considering quitting the Lok Sabha if an appropriate action is not taken against Bidhuri over his remarks, Ali said, adding he was also threatened by Bidhuri in the speech.

I sent my letter to the office of the Lok Sabha Speaker and I am confident that he will take cognizance of the incident and appropriate action. I have given notice. All things are on record and it is happening for the first that this type of language has been used for an elected MP...

Ali in his letter said, I have been waiting to meet Birla since morning but he was not available. I have submitted my letter... I hope he will take appropriate action... everything is on record... it has happened for the first time that such a language has been used against an elected member... is this being taught in new India...

We are the mother of democracy... I am proud of it... I couldnt sleep the entire night... my brain nerves were about to burst... what could I have done... if this is the behaviour towards me then how a common man is being treated... I hope the Lok Sabha Speaker will take appropriate action in this matter.

Several Opposition members owing allegiance to the INDIA bloc visited the BSP MP.

After meeting Ali at his Pandara Road residence, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi told the media, Nafrat ke Bazaar mein Mohabbat ki Dukan (opening a shop of love in the market of hate).

Opposition parties are demanding strict action against Bidhuri, including suspension from the House and even his arrest.

Opposition leaders criticised BJP MPs Ravi Shankar Prasad and Harsh Vardhan for allegedly laughing while Bidhuri fied a broadside at Ali in the Lok Sabha. However, both Prasad and Vardhan have distanced themselves from the the controversy.

Harsh Vardhan, who represents Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha seat, issued a statement regretting the foul language used by his party colleague in the temple of democracy. I have been brought up in Chandni Chowk and my childhood spent with Muslims in the bylanes of this old Delhi and am thankful that people have sent me to the Lok Sabha from this locality only, Harsh Vardhan said.

The Opposition leaders highlighted instances where members from their own alliance, such as TMC, Shiv Sena, and AAP parliamentarians, were promptly reprimanded by the presiding officers of either House, and in some cases, they even faced suspensions.

Some of them were suspended for merely protesting in front of the Gandhi statue in Parliament, including women MPs, during the entire last Winter Session.

Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha (of the AAP) stand suspended even today for exercising their democratic right of protest inside Parliament and Bidhuri has spoken in a language that is an insult not only to Ali but also to every MP and every Indian, Opposition leaders said.

Describing the remarks as an insult to all MPs, Congress chief spokesman Jairam Ramesh said the apology offered by Singh was a mere eyewash and not acceptable.

It is an absolute shame what Bidhuri has said. Singhs apology is simply not acceptable. It is a half-hearted apology, it was an afterthought. What Bidhuri has said is an insult to Parliament and makes a mockery of what the prime minister keeps repeating Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas, Sabka Sabka Vishvaas, Sabka Prayas which becomes all bakwaas (nonsense), Ramesh told reporters.

CPI(M) members have demanded the arrest of Bidhuri, who is known for his abusive nature even on public platforms. No privilege for hate speech, arrest Bidhuri. Filthy abusive language used by Bidhuri against Ali on the Floor constitutes the worst kind of hate speech indicted by the SC. No MP can claim privilege for such speech. He should be arrested, the CPI(M) said in a statement.

Abusing Muslims, OBCs an integral part of BJP culture  most now see nothing wrong with it. Narendra Modi has reduced Indian Muslims to living in such a state of fear in their own land that they grin & bear everything. Sorry but Im calling this out. Ma Kali holds my spine, Trinamool Congress member Mahua Moitra said in a statement.

She demanded that Modi and the Speaker take strict action against Bidhuri.

Filthy language used by a BJP parliamentarian for fellow MP Ali. No shame left. This is sickening. Will Speaker Lok Sabha take note and take action, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha member Priyanka Chaturvedi told The Pioneer when sought for her comments on the row.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh wondered whether Bidhuris language was a result of the values taught by the RSS. I raised the issue of violence in Manipur and I was suspended. What action will be taken against this MP who abused Ali, Singh said on social media platforms.

The AAP also slammed BJP Lok Sabha members Harsh Vardhan and Ravi Shankar Prasad for laughing when Bidhuri was abusing Ali.

Why is this uncouth, uncultured BJP MP Bidhuri not suspended for his use of unparliamentary language and obnoxious behaviour in the Lok Sabha? Speaker Birla must take immediate action. Will BJP also suspend him from their party or will they give him a promotion, NCP spokesman Clyde Crasto said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to embark on a crucial visit to the border districts of Ferozepur and Amritsar in Punjab on September 26, where he will undertake significant official engagements. In Ferozepur, Shah is slated to inaugurate the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) satellite center, marking a momentous occasion for the region. Subsequently, he will make his way to the holy city of Amritsar to preside over the North Zone Council (NZC) meeting, which is expected to address pressing issues affecting North Indian states and Union Territories.

Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar disclosed this information during a press conference, along with Punjab BJP in-charge and Gujarats former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, following the conclusion of the party's core committee meeting. Union Home Minister Amit Shah would lay the foundation stone for the Rs 500 crore Ferozepur PGI Satellite Centre during his visit to Punjab on September 26. This move signifies a major development in the healthcare infrastructure of the region, he said.

The North Zone Council meeting, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is expected to witness the participation of Chief Ministers from key states including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh. Additionally, the Lieutenant Governors representing the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh will be in attendance, along with the Administrator of Chandigarh and their respective delegations. The primary focus of the meeting will revolve around security matters, with a specific emphasis on combating drug smuggling, a persistent concern in the region.

Interestingly, Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, a day prior to this announcement, issued a stern warning to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann concerning the status of Chandigarh as the capital city of Punjab. Jakhar took to social media to assert, "Punjabs right over Chandigarh is non-negotiable. Any purported move to give away or exchange our land will never be acceptable to the Punjabis."

The longstanding dispute over Chandigarh's status as the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana has been a contentious issue between the neighboring states for years. Chief Minister Mann had previously appealed to the Central Government for a separate land allocation in Chandigarh to house Punjab's assembly building, a move that drew criticism from opposition parties within the state.

In an unexpected development, Punjab Youth Congress leader Akshay Sharma announced his resignation from the Congress party during Jakhar's press conference and declared his affiliation with the BJP. Sharma cited concerns about the Congress's promotion of sycophancy and incompetence as reasons for his departure. The decision follows the recent appointment of Mohit Mohindra, son of veteran Congress leader and former Minister Brahm Mohindra, as the new Punjab Youth Congress president, after a closely contested internal election.

Jakhar, responding to media queries, addressed international relations, expressing hope that the current diplomatic tensions between Canada and India would be resolved amicably. He underlined India's commitment to universal peace and the fight against terrorism, emphasizing that India would not tolerate any compromise on its territorial integrity. He also commented on the ongoing Visa-related issues, expressing hope that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would reconsider his position and acknowledging India's diplomatic prowess on the global stage.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan performed bhoomi pujan and dedicated 15 MSME clusters on the occasion of State Level Employment Day. As many as 552 units will be established in these clusters with an investment of Rs 1 thousand 937 crore and about 28 thousand 300 people will get employment.

Chouhan also dedicated 1708 units with an investment of Rs 932.22 crore. This will provide employment to about 16 thousand 375 people. Along with this, bhoomi pujan of 307 industrial units of the state was also performed, these units with an investment of Rs 556.41 crore will provide employment to 6,310 people.

The Chief Minister performed the bhoomi pujan of 9 new development works costing Rs 554 crore 89 lakh and inaugurated seven development works built at the cost of Rs 159 crore 99 lakh in Ujjain. Under this, the bhoomi pujan of the Bhakta Niwas of Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee to be built at a cost of Rs 500 crore and the facility center to be built at a cost of Rs 17 crore is included. Chouhan also dedicated Meghdoot parking and divisional ITI. Chouhan also released the name and logo of Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple Bhakta Niwas with state-of-the-art facilities. He also released the name and logo of Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple Bhakta Niwas with state-of-the-art facilities.

Chouhan said that Ujjain, the center of spirituality, is now going to become the center of industries as well. By the grace of Mahakal Maharaj, industries are being established one after the other in Vikram Udyogpuri of Ujjain. The entire economy of Ujjain has changed. In the month of Sawan, 2.25 crore devotees came and participated in the worship of Mahakal Maharaj. One and a half lakh devotees are coming to Ujjain every day. The demand for hotels, restaurants, prasad and puja materials etc. is continuously increasing. New sources of income are developing. Additional Rs 3,000 crore is going to come to Ujjain.

Chouhan said that after Mahakal Mahalok, the second phase of Mahalok will also be dedicated. Avantika will now be more charming than the three Loks. Ujjain has moved on the path of development, Ujjain will be full of glory. A large number of businesses will start. Bhoomi pujan of the medical college will also take place soon.

The Chief Minister said that the blessings of Mahakaal are showering in the entire country. Drought situation was developing in the state 15 days ago. Ujjain is a big centre of religion, worship and penance. Development works will continue unabated in Ujjain. There will be no shortage of money for development works.

Chief Minister said that this is the era of women empowerment. Through the Mukhyamantri Ladli Bahna Yojana, we have given respect to our sisters, not money. This is not a scheme but a campaign to change the lives of sisters. The amount given to the sisters under the scheme has been hiked to Rs 1250. It will be gradually hiked to Rs 3,000, "This is Shivraj's guarantee that he will do whatever he has said".

Chouhan said that the amount received under the scheme has boosted the self-esteem and self-reliance of the sisters. This will strengthen the family and if the family is happy then it will also progress. The government is committed to public welfare. Along with making arrangements for education to the students, providing laptops and scooties etc. to encourage and inculcate competitive spirit, arrangements for free treatment and house and lease are being made for every family. Under the Mukhyamantri Bhu-Adhikar Yojana, every poor will be provided a land lease to live in, in the urban areas, the poor will be settled on the land freed from mafia. Along with this, housing will also be provided by making multi-storey buildings.
TORONTO  A large crowd of members of the Ukrainian community and politicians welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena Zelenska, with a standing ovation when they walked into a Canadian Armed Forces facility in Toronto on Friday night.

Zelenskyy, who is in Canada for the first time since Russian troops began a full-scale assault on Ukraine in February 2022, greeted the crowd with Slava Ukraini, a national salute that means glory to Ukraine.

About 1,000 people gathered in the Fort York Armoury to show support, including a group of students and teachers from St. Demetrius Ukrainian school who responded to Zelenskyys salute by singing the Ukrainian anthem. Others in attendance were singing along and waving Ukrainian and Canadian flags.

Vira Kalinova, a mother of two students at St. Demetrius, attended the event wearing a traditional Ukrainian shirt with her son. Kalinova said she was glad to see people showing support by singing the Ukrainian national anthem.

"The fact that the whole community came up together to sing it together, it's just heartwarming. It brings me to tears," she said.

"It's so nice to see it, so many people came out to support us."

Kalinova said it's hard for her and other Ukrainian Canadians to reconcile the fact that they are living in a safe place here in Canada while their family members and loved ones are suffering while fighting against the Russian invasion.

"(We are) living here in peace and quiet, but we're doing all we can to support families back home," she said.

Zelenskyy, who arrived at the venue accompanied by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chrystia Freeland, deputy prime minister and minister of finance, said he was happy to hear the Ukrainian anthem in Canada.

"I'm so proud to hear it in Canada," he said. "It's so inspiring and it's not just inspiring to others, it helps us to become stronger."

Story continues

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, several federal ministers and members of Parliament, as well as other Ontario mayors were among the politicians in attendance.

Zelenskyy thanked Canada for the ongoing support to his country, which he said would help the Ukrainian people defend their land and eventually win the war.

"The day will come when we gather at a similar place in Ukraine, many people, millions, cheering crowds, blue and yellow flags and Maple Leaf flags," he said to the cheering crowd.

"Whole Ukraine will say, thank you ... Canada."

Uliana Hlynchak, who was at the event, said Zelenskyy has become a symbol for Ukrainian resistance.

"He's basically a symbol of Ukrainian soldiers and people who are fighting just to defend their home," she said.

She said the ongoing war has affected Ukrainian people around the world.

"Ukrainians are emotional every day because we know what's happening in Ukraine, so many people died, so many people crippled this place, captured in Russian prisons," she said.

"Since we started, we don't sleep ... it's been an emotional roller-coaster, but we are trying to stay strong, because we need to give Ukraine all the support it needs as the Ukrainian community."

Trudeau said Canada has supported Ukraine with almost $9 billion and will continue to provide support until it wins the war.

"The cost on Canadians, on our lives, on our world will be so much greater if (Russian President Vladimir) Putin wins this war," he said. "We will, and have to, stand every day until Ukraine win this war."

Prior to the event at the Fort York Armoury, Trudeau and Zelenskyy, along with Freeland, attended a roundtable with business leaders including CEOs from Canada's largest banks, to discuss how Canadian businesses can invest in Ukraine during and after the war to help the country rebuild its economy and infrastructure.

Earlier Friday, the Ukrainian president thanked Canada and Canadians during an address to Parliament in Ottawa for standing with his country and his people in the war against Russia.

Speaking ahead of Zelenskyy, Trudeau announced that Canada was extending its financial aid to Ukraine with a $650-million commitment to give the country more predictable and stable support over the next three years.

Canada has already contributed more than $8 billion in support to Ukraine, including providing air defence systems, armoured vehicles and artillery shells, and training of Ukrainian soldiers, among other commitments.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 23, 2023.

Maan Alhmidi, The Canadian Press
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took stock of the ongoing preparations at the Jamboree Ground for the proposed programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bhopal on September 25. CM Chouhan apprised himself regarding the pandal, seating, cleanliness, parking, traffic, food arrangements and exhibition venue.

CM Chouhan said that arrangements should be made by planning at the micro level of each point and activities should be implemented keeping in mind the possibility of rain.

On this occasion, Medical Education Minister Vishwas Sarang, Mayor Malti Rai, MP VD Sharma, MLA Rameshwar Sharma, former Minister Umashankar Gupta, former Mayor Alok Sharma, Hitanand Sharma, Sumit Pachauri were present.

Chouhan also gave instructions virtually from the residence office to the district officers of Bhopal division regarding the arrangements for the citizens reaching to Bhopal.
The employees and officers working in the cooperative banks of the State will receive salary and perks at par with the nationalised banks. An order in this regard was given by the Cooperation minister Dhan Singh Rawat to the officers on Friday. He also directed that a transfer policy should be prepared for the employees of cooperative banks and a dress code for all the employees should be formulated.

The minister presided over a review meeting of the cooperative committees of Khirsu, Pabau, Thalisain and Beeronkhal at the directorate of the State integrated cooperative development project on Friday. The Cooperation secretary BVRC Purushottam said that the department is developing the software of the transfer policy which will be useful in transfers and postings.

The minister said that the bank officers should expedite the process of granting loans under Deendayal Upadhyaya Kisan Kalyan Yojana and housing, vehicle and other loans. He said that last year loans worth Rs 82 crore were disbursed and this year the target of disbursing loans should be Rs 200 Crores.

He directed the officers to ensure that Ayushman cards, and Abha IDs of all the employees are made and they should register in the Rakt portal for blood donation.

Rawat said that the cooperative department has secured first position in the state in the Ni-shay Mitra in the TB eradication campaign. The minister also reviewed the progress of the Veer Madho Singh Bhandari cooperative farming scheme and said that this type of farming will prove to be a boon for the farmers. The nodal officer of the project Anand Shukla said that vegetables, Kiwi, apricot, apple and oranges are being cultivated under the scheme.

The registrar of cooperatives Alok Kumar Pandey, chairman of district cooperative bank Narendra Singh Rawat, additional registrar Ira Upreti and others attended the meeting.
Director General of Police Sudhir Kumar Saxena said that a plan should be prepared seriously to maintain peace and law and order during festivals. Keep monitoring your areas continuously. He also directed to maintain adequate security arrangements on the arrival of VIPs and distinguished persons in the state. He was on Friday addressing senior officials through video conferencing.

In view of this, peace and law and order should be restored in Madhya Pradesh on the festivals of Ganesh Utsav, Dol Gyaras, Eid Miladunnabi, Anant Chaturdashi, Navratri Utsav, Dussehra etc. Director General of Police Sudhir Kumar Saxena on Friday addressed a meeting with officials of the state.

All ADGs/IGs, Police Commissioners of Bhopal and Indore, Range DIGs and all Superintendents of Police and Deputy Commissioners attended the meeting. ADG (Intelligence) Shri Adarsh Katiyar was present in this meeting.

DGP Saxena said that we have to be prepared to maintain peace and law and order during festivals across the state. Citizens are enthusiastically participating in the festivals, in view of which it should be ensured that the police arrangements are well maintained. This time Eid Miladunnabi and Anant Chaturdashi are on the same day. We have to take special care that communal harmony is maintained during this period. He said that additional forces have been made available to all the districts as per requirement.

The Superintendent of Police should thoroughly review the entire force and ensure adequate deployment at all sensitive and appropriate places. Take cooperation of village/city defense committee. He said that apart from the district and police station level, peace committee meetings should also be organized at beats and mohallas as per requirement. Keep beat level intelligence highly active.

DGP Saxena said that during festivals, special care should be taken to ensure that no incidents of indecency happen with women. Strict legal action should be taken against those who molest women.
In view of increasing cases of dengue in Dehradun, the district magistrate Sonika on Friday directed the officials to conduct a special anti-dengue drive in slums. Since the district teams found stagnant water at many religious places during inspections, the DM asked the officials to talk to the representatives of respective religious bodies to take necessary action on the matter. She stated this during the review meeting of the dengue campaign on Friday. She asked the officials to emphasise on raising awareness in slums besides conducting special measures for dengue prevention including fogging and spraying of larvicide. The teams also informed her that they found larvae on the premises of various schools. Besides this, many school children are still not wearing full-sleeved uniforms as per the guidelines issued by the government. Considering this, the DM asked the officials to act strictly against such schools. She directed the chief education officer to issue orders to the administrations of all schools to adhere to the rules or else, the district officials will have to take strict action against them for the violation. She also directed the education department to conduct surprise inspections of schools and impose hefty fines for their negligence.
The IMA, Jharkhand and JHASA today called off their statewide indefinite strike after arrest of main accused persons in the MGM doctor assault case. Under the banner of IMA and JHASA, State Unit, all the government and private doctors across the state protested against the incident of assault on Dr. Kamlesh Oraon, a pediatrician of MGM Medical College. Indefinite work boycott (except casual service) was announced from 6 am. The entire health system came to a standstill in the State.

Notably, the main demands of the doctors were  that the culprits should be arrested immediately, An FIR against the assault should be lodged by the Medical College administration, which till now was lodged only by Dr Kamlesh and Police personnel should be made in the medical college campus.

A few hours after the movement, the police administration took immediate action and arrested four people including the main accused Santosh and Ravi and the Administrative Officer cum SDO of MGM Medical College and the SSP appealed to IMA and JHASA to withdraw their work boycott. In view of the demands of the organization, the Superintendent of MGM Medical College lodged an FIR on behalf of the administration against the assault and prepared the necessary documents related to making police pipets and sent it to the SSP. All three main demands of the organization were accepted.

As soon as there was official confirmation that the demands had been accepted, IMA and JHASA jointly announced the withdrawal of the work boycott. IMA Secretary Dr. Pradeep Singh said that our movement was successful and the credit for this success goes to all the members of IMA, JHASA, Junior Doctor Association, Tribal Medical Association, AHPI, FORDA and their unity. Dr. PP Shah, President, JHASA said that we need to remain organized like this and thanked the doctors of all the organizations for the success of this movement.

Dr. AK Singh, President, IMA, Jharkhand raised the question that if a doctor on duty in a medical college is assaulted, then where was the security lapse. It is the responsibility of the SDO, the administrator of the medical college, to provide security to the students, doctors and paramedics inside the college campus. Dr. Thakur Mrityunjay Singh, Secretary, JHASA Jharkhand thanked the Police Administration for directly taking prompt action in the success of the movement and indirectly thanked the Health Minister for strengthening the organization.

There is resentment among doctors over non-implementation of the Medical Protection Act. Dr. R.S. Das, Vice President, Headquarters, said that today's boycott would perhaps be able to send a message to the government that whenever doctors agitate, health services would be disrupted and thousands of patients would directly suffer and lose their health. The CM and Health Minister will have to understand the importance of this important Medical Protection Act and make efforts to pass it in the next assembly session.

While sharing information related to the Medical Protection Act, Dr. Pradeep Singh said that it is already applicable in 23 states. And wherever this Act is implemented, there has been a significant reduction in the incidents of assault on doctors and paramedics, referrals have reduced, maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate have come down.
Extensive campaigning across Delhi University over the past weeks culminated in long queues at several colleges as students turned up to cast their votes to select their next students union.

The North Campus of Delhi University was seen painted in the colours of the student union elections. Tea stalls and eateries were decorated with posters bearing candidates names and photos while pamphlets were strewn all over Delhi Universitys North Campus as students waited to cast their votes for the universitys student body elections.

Supporters of various student groups were seen raising slogans at the campus intersection, reiterating the poll promises of the student organisations taking part in the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) election.

The Ratan Tata Library and JP tea stall have become a hub of discussions over the election. Many first-year students were seen filming the scenes on the campus. They also took selfies after casting their votes.

Voting for the student union elections had started since morning. At many places, students who came to vote for the first time were presented with roses. In some places, security personnel were seen using drones to monitor the overall scenario. Besides, in some spots, arrangements were made to provide cold drinking water to the students who came to vote.

During the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) polls on Friday, the National Students Union of India (NSUI) claimed that fake voting was conducted at Lakshmibai College, adding the college administration was also involved in the irregularities. Hitting out at the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the NSUI said Delhi University has become a puppet in the hands of the ABVP. The varsity, however, has dismissed the allegations.

Meanwhile, the ABVP has dismissed the NSUI claims as lies, saying the students are voting of their own free will and a lot of enthusiasm can be seen among the students regarding voting. ABVPs Aparajita, who is contesting for the post of Secretary, said, I am visiting various colleges of Delhi University. I am appealing to all the students of Delhi University, especially the girl students, to cast a vote for ABVP.

ABVP is the only student organisation that has fought for womens rights on the campus and womens empowerment in the university. I fully believe and request that our sisters at Delhi University will exercise their right to vote in favour of ABVP, she added. NSUI Delhi in-charge Nitish Gaur said the university administration was pressurising people to vote in favour of the other group. NSUI claimed that they have won in ARSD, Moti Lal Nehru morning, Sri Venkateshwara, Ram Lal Anand, Aryabhatt, Deshbandu, Sri Aurobindo morning, Ramjas, KM college, Campus Law center 2 posts, Satyawati morning, Miranda, Zakir Hussain morning, Shyam Lal colleges.

The ABVP has claimed to retain seats in PGDAV college, Dayal Singh, Aditi Mahavidhayala, Ramanujan college, Bhagat Singh college, Aurobindo college, Laxmibai college, Rajdhani college, Keshav Mahavidayalya, Bhagini Nivedita college, Deshbandu college, College of Vocational Studies, Bhaskaracharya college.

This year 24 candidates are in the fray for the DUSU polls being held after a gap of three years. While students of day classes were allowed to cast their votes till 1 pm, those from the evening classes could cast their votes from 3 pm to 7:30 pm. Around one lakh students are eligible to vote in the election, which also acts as a stepping stone for budding politicians.

Around 500 security personnel have been deployed at Delhi Universitys North Campus alone for the election. Adequate arrangements have also been made in the universitys South Campus for the polls.


|



The Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show, held at India Expo Mart, featured the participation of over 2,000 exhibitors showcasing products from various parts of the state. These exhibitors expressed their gratitude to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the opportunity.

One such exhibitor, Angika Kushwaha, hailing from Varanasi, said that she specialised in crafting Banarasi sarees and manages a workforce of one thousand individuals operating 300 looms. Angika, who holds a PhD in Textiles, is showcasing the intricacies of making Banarasi sarees. She said that weavers were getting all kinds of facilities under the Yogi government and she no longer had to worry about taking loans.

One such exhibitor, Angika Kushwaha from Varanasi, specialises in crafting Banarasi sarees and oversees a workforce of one thousand individuals operating 300 looms.

A PhD degree holder in Textiles, Angika said that weavers were now receiving various facilities under the Yogi government and they no longer had to worry about taking loans.

Dilshad Hussain, a Padmashree-awarded craftsman from Moradabad, displayed brass carvings at the event. He emphasised that international trade shows offer UP exhibitors a platform to present their products to international buyers. Dilshad Hussain expressed his gratitude to CM Yogi for providing such excellent facilities for exhibitors, describing it as a unique opportunity.

Sheesh Ram, an art enthusiast from Meerut and a Padmashree Award recipient as well, was delighted to participate in the UP International Trade Show. After serving in the Indian Army for 40 years, he made significant contributions to portrait painting and sculpture, gaining global recognition. Sheesh Ram emphasised that events like the International Trade Show not only elevate the prestige of artists and craftsmen but also enhance the reputation of Uttar Pradesh and India on the global stage.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has granted permission for the use of loudspeakers until midnight during Ramlila, Durga Puja, and Dussehra celebrations. Presently, loudspeakers were allowed only till 10 p.m.

This permission will be effective from October 15 to October 24. During this period, organisers will be required to strictly adhere to noise pollution regulations. After the Chief Ministers approval, the file has been sent to Lieutenant Govenor Vinai Kumar Saxena for final approval.

The announcement comes a day after Kejriwal met a delegation of office bearers of the Luv Kush Ramleela Committee. The request, made by various organisers, including the Lav Kush Ramlila Committee, was to extend the permission for using loudspeakers until midnight, instead of the previous limit of 10 pm

The Chief Minister took this matter seriously and, taking immediate action, granted permission to use loudspeakers until midnight on Friday. The file has now been sent to the Lieutenant Governor (LG), the Chief Minister Office said in a statement. Ramlila organisers must get permission from the police and ensure that the use of loudspeakers does not violate noise levels in residential areas, the CMO statement added.

Now, in Delhi, organisers of grand events such as Ramlila, Durga Puja, and Dussehra celebrations can use loudspeakers until midnight.

However, the organisers of these religious events will need to obtain permission from the Delhi Police with the condition that they do not violate the prescribed noise standards for residential areas during the use of loudspeakers. Presently, the use of loudspeakers in Delhi is allowed only until 10 pm.

The Ramlila in Delhi is set to begin on October 15 and will continue until October 24.

Every year, grand Ramlila performances take place in various parts of Delhi with great fanfare. Additionally, Durga Puja is also celebrated on a large scale.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday said the welfare schemes of the Chhattisgarh government are ensuring social and economic uplift of women.

He said this at a Teeja Pora Tihar and Mahila Sammelan here.

A large number of women gathered at the Chief Minister's residence to celebrate the traditional festival of Chhattisgarh with great enthusiasm.

The Chief Minister said that Teeja-Pora symbolizes the happiness of mothers and sisters.

Baghel, his wife Mukteshwari and family members participated in the event.

He said that in Chhattisgarh every possible initiative was being taken to make women economically and socially prosperous. For this, many new schemes and programmes were being implemented effectively.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday laid the foundation stone for Flipkart's regional distribution centre in Manesar and virtually launched Grocery Supply Center in Sonipat.



Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala was also present at the foundation stone laying ceremony.



Khattar highlighted the state's favourable environment for investors and industries. The investment by Flipkart, he said, is a testament to the conducive atmosphere created for businesses in Haryana.

Flipkart is making substantial investments in Haryana, including the establishment of a regional distribution centre in Manesar, covering 140 acres and involving an investment of Rs 1,389 crore, the chief minister said.



This distribution centre is poised to become Asia's largest and is likely to create direct and indirect employment opportunities for approximately 10,000 individuals, while the grocery supply centre in Sonipat will generate around 2,000 direct and indirect job opportunities, he added.



"Global City being developed in Gurugram district is a new chapter in the development of the area. The work of Global City, to be developed on about 1,000 acres of land between NPR (Northern Peripheral Road) and CPR (Central Peripheral Road), is also progressing rapidly. The state has set ambitious targets, aiming to contribute approximately Rs 14 lakh crore to the national GDP by 2024-25," Khattar said.

He underscored the importance of logistics and last-mile delivery in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of propelling India into a 5 trillion-dollar economy by 2024. The National Logistics Policy is hailed as a pivotal instrument in achieving this national goal.



"Key projects, such as the Global Smart City and Mass Rapid Transit System in Gurugram, and the Integrated Multi-Modal Logistics Hub in Narnaul, spanning 886 acres and costing USD 700 million in partnership with the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Project, are already in progress," he noted.



Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Chautala highlighted the significance of a newly opened distribution centre, particularly with regard to modern technology in logistics. The deputy chief minister hailed Flipkart for supporting the state government's policy of providing 75 per cent reservation for local youth in private sector jobs.
In a groundbreaking study conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur in collaboration with the Future Crime Research Foundation, it has been revealed that a staggering 80 per cent of all cyber fraud cases in India are operated from 10 districts.

These startling findings were unveiled in a recent white paper that sheds light on cyber crime trends spanning from 2020 to 2023. The report draws its data from authoritative sources, including the National Crime Records Bureau, Parliament records, and think tank reports.

The most concerning revelation from this study is the alarming concentration of cyber fraud in a few districts, marking them as hotspots for cyber criminal activities.

Among the various cyber crimes, online financial fraud has emerged as the most prevalent, constituting a staggering 77.41 per cent of the total cyber crimes, according to the latest available data.

What raises concerns further is that these 10 districts have become focal points for cyber criminals who are increasingly targeting UPI (Unified Payments Interface) transaction fraud, posing a significant threat to the financial security of individuals and businesses alike.

Leading the list of the top 10 districts grappling with cybercrime is Bharatpur in Rajasthan, contributing to 18 per cent of the total cyber crimes, primarily dominated by cyber fraud cases. In second place is Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, accounting for 12 per cent of the total cyber crimes. Gurugram secures the sixth spot with an 8.1 per cent share of the total cyber crimes. Other districts that have raised red flags in the report include Nuh, Deoghar, Jamtara, Alwa, Bokaro, Karmatand and Giridih.

While online financial fraud remains a grave concern, cyber criminals have displayed a wide range of tactics to exploit unsuspecting victims. Among their deceptive strategies are scams involving fake electricity or water bills, where individuals are tricked into making payments under the guise of outstanding dues. Equally disconcerting is the surge in fraudulent schemes persuading victims to unlock their credit or debit cards, ultimately resulting in unauthorised transactions.

In a sinister turn of events, cyber criminals have taken to trapping victims in fake obscene video calls, only to later threaten them with the release of compromising videos on the internet. This chilling tactic capitalises on the vulnerability of unsuspecting individuals, causing severe emotional distress and lasting trauma.

The psychological toll on victims subjected to such scams is immeasurable, emphasising the immediate need for enhanced cyber security measures, awareness campaigns, and legal safeguards to protect individuals from these heinous acts. Authorities and cyber security experts are actively working to combat these evolving threats and bring the perpetrators to justice.

In this digital age, securing financial transactions, protecting personal information and maintaining online safety are paramount. The battle against cyber crime remains an ongoing struggle, underscoring the importance of collective efforts to ensure the safety and security of individuals in the online world.

As the nation grapples with this rising cyber crime wave, it is imperative for individuals to exercise caution, maintain privacy settings and promptly report suspicious online activities. By joining forces, India can better equip itself to confront the ever-evolving challenges posed by cyber criminals and safeguard its citizens from financial and emotional harm.
Jharkhand High Court sitting judge, Justice Kailash Prasad Dev passed away on Friday at 5:20 am while undergoing treatment at Medica Hospital in Ranchi. Justice Dev was 55 years old and was suffering from critical illness for the past few months.

The official information issued by the High Court stated, "It is for information to all concerned that the business of the High Court of Jharkhand and its Offices as well as Subordinate Courts of the State shall remain closed on 22nd September 2023, as a mark of respect to the departed soul of Justice Kailash Prasad Deo, Judge, High Court of Jharkhand, Ranchi."

As the news of the passing away of Justice Prasad spread, the Court decided to suspend the activities of the High Court and Subordinate Courts and all the associated offices. "I am directed to inform you that Justice Kailash Prasad Deo, Judge, High Court of Jharkhand, Ranchi, has left for his heavenly abode today, i.e, September 22, 2023, and as a mark of respect to the departed soul, the business of all the subordinate courts of the state shall remain closed today," the registrar general of the high court said in a communication to district and sessions judges.

Justice Deo had been elevated from being a practicing advocate to a Judge of the High Court in 2017.

The mortal remains of the late Justice Kailash Prasad Dev moved from Medica Hospital to his residence at Doranda Nepal House. From there, it was taken to the Jharkhand High Court premises, followed by a final procession leaving the High Court for Muktidham.

The news of his passing has brought immense grief to the legal community, with Judges and Advocates expressing their sorrow and grief. The legal fraternity remembered Justice Prasad as a kind and cooperative judge of Jharkhand High Court.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren reached the high court premises and paid tributes to Deo.

Soren said he is saddened by the untimely demise of Justice Deo which "is an irreparable loss to the judicial world. May God grant peace to the departed soul and give strength to the bereaved family members at this difficult time of grief." Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan took to 'X' to express his grief

"The untimely demise of Jharkhand High Court Judge Kailash Prasad Deo is very sad and painful. His demise is an irreparable loss. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family members. May God give them the strength to bear this pain," Radhakrishnan said.

As the High Court was closed, Chief Minister Hemant Soren who was to file a petition at Jharkhand High Court challenging his summons by the Enforcement Directorate could not file his petition.

Soren has decided to approach the High Court after Supreme Court Monday refused to entertain Chief Minister Hemant Sorens plea challenging the summons issued to him by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with money laundering charges and asked him to instead approach the High Court in this regard.
Delhi Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved the allotment and allocation of parcels of land for the construction of a sewage pumping station, power grid and other utilities, pending for a long, in different parts of the national Capital, Raj Niwas officials said on Friday.

Saxena has approved the allotment and transfer of 3,360 sq mts of land at Bhalswa to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for the construction of a sewage pumping station in Badli.

The land will be transferred to DJB by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB).

He also approved the allocation of land measuring 1451.54 sq mts to RRTS on a temporary basis for a year for utility purposes in Jangpura area where construction activities are undergoing for the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transport System (RRTS) and an elevated road connecting the Ring Road, the officials said.

In Jangpura area, a parcel of 919.54 sq mts of land has been allotted to the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) for relocation of shops in the shadow area of the elevated road and temporary parking.

The above two allotments were made near the site where the LG had recently approved allotment of 297 sqmts of land to NCRTC for connectivity of stabling yard at Jangpura for implementation of Delhi-Meerut RRTS.

While clearing the proposal for allotment of 235 sqmts of land for relocation of shops, the entire cost of the relocation will be borne by the NCRTC which after construction of 17 shops, will return the land to DUSIB that will hand over the shops to the original allottees.

Similarly, he approved 220 acres of Gram Sabha land in Badarpur Khadar village of northeast Delhi to be allotted and utilised by the Education Department (for construction of Schools), DJB (for RO unit installation) and Environment and Forests Department.

He also approved the transfer of 1.2 acres of land of Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FC) to PWD for the construction of an underpass on the Outer Ring Road near MukarbaChowk.

This will include the construction of a road from Badli Junction to Haiderpur Metro Station in North Delhi and will ease traffic congestion on the critical junction where the Ring Road and National Highway leading to the Northern States intersect.
For the first time in the history of Madhya Pradesh, the longest green corridor of about 350 kilometers has been built. The liver of a brain dead patient was brought to Bhopal by road from Jabalpur at 2.20 pm on Thursday-Friday. The team of doctors had left for Bhopal with the liver at around 10.31 pm on Thursday night. That means the journey from Jabalpur to Bhopal was completed in about four hours. Doctors started the liver transplant surgery of the patient admitted at Bansal Hospital here at around 3.30 in the morning.

Earlier there was a plan to bring the liver through helicopter. The team of doctors flew from Bhopal to Jabalpur in CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan's helicopter, but due to it being night, the helicopter did not take the return flight. After which the decision was taken to bring the liver by road. The liver has been brought from Metro Hospital in Jabalpur to Bansal Hospital in Bhopal.

Bansal Hospital manager Lokesh Jha said that CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan had provided a helicopter to the doctors to bring Argon from Jabalpur.

For the first time, the largest green corridor of 350 kilometers

Dr. Rakesh Bhargava, Secretary of Kiran Foundation, which works for organ donation, said that for the first time in the state, on the intervening night of Thursday-Friday, the longest 350 km long green corridor was built between Jabalpur and Bhopal. Which was built between Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Raisen and Bhopal.

Earlier on May 10 this year, a 205 km long green corridor was built between Bhopal and Indore. Then, one kidney of Pushpalata Jain, who was admitted in Bhopal's Bansal Hospital after brain hemorrhage, was sent for transplant to a patient admitted in a private hospital in Indore.

Dr. Rakesh Bhargava told that on July 24, 2017 also, the organ of a brain dead patient from Jabalpur was transplanted to Bhopal. Then it was brought by flight. But, for the first time, argan is being brought from Jabalpur to Bhopal by road.

The liver is being brought from Metro Hospital in Jabalpur to Bansal Hospital in Bhopal.

The liver is being brought from Metro Hospital in Jabalpur to Bansal Hospital in Bhopal.

Bansal Hospital manager Lokesh Jha said that a 64-year-old patient was declared brain dead at Jabalpur's Metro Hospital on September 20. His family had expressed their desire to donate his organs. After which the liver was removed through surgery in one to one and a half hours. Which will be transplanted to a patient admitted in Bansal Hospital, Bhopal.
BJP State President and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi today addressed public meetings at Khunti and Manoharpur as part of Sankalp Yatra where he once again targeted the JMM/Congress alliance government.

Marandi said that the present government was not made to work. This Thugbandhan government was made only to loot the state and for corruption, which is visible continuously. He said that the appointment year of the JMM/Congress government, which came to power by talking about giving unemployment allowance or not five lakh appointments every year, has not come, whereas four years of this government are about to be completed.

He said that the achievements of the present government are crime, loot and corruption in the state. In the Hemant government, people are scared and criminals, robbers, brokers and middlemen are fearless.

He said that incidents of murder, robbery, kidnapping and rape are happening daily in the state. Sisters and daughters are being killed by sprinkling petrol and cutting them into pieces. Smuggling of sand from the state is taking place in Bihar, Bengal, Delhi, Mumbai. And the state police are arresting those who collect sand from the river for domestic work and sending them to jail.

He said that the state government has deployed the police not for action against criminals but for recovery. He said that there is corruption everywhere in the police station, block, DC office, secretariat. Middlemen brokers dominate. The poor have to pay thousands of rupees as a bribe even to get their names added in the death certificate and ration card.

He said that the officials ask for money after being beaten and say that if they have given, they will take it. The post has to be recharged like a mobile.

He said that there is loot of land in the state.

He said that today when the Chief Minister's property is being investigated and ED is sending summons for questioning, then to save the corrupt, they are spending crores of rupees on lawyers in the Supreme Court.

He said that today there are no teachers in the schools of the state, no doctors, no nurses, no medicines in the hospitals. The state government is not even able to repair the roads built by the BJP government. The middlemen are also looting the grains of the poor. And kept sending money to Hemant Soren's safe.

He said that BJP cannot see the plight of the state. He said that Jharkhand is the gift of the BJP government. Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government formed the state on the birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda.

He said that under the BJP government, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and bridges and culverts were constructed on river drains. And today under the leadership of Modi ji, progress is being made in all areas like roads, electricity, water, education and medicine.
The State government will bring the issue of the granting of leave travel allowance to the teachers and employees of the Education department in the meeting of the State cabinet. The Education minister Dhan Singh Rawat said on Friday that the education department employees and teachers will get the benefit of travel leave once in a year. The statement of the minister assumes significance because the finance department has annulled a decision of the Education department in this regard. On the orders of the education minister, the director general of Education Banshidhar Tiwari had issued an order on August 14 that all the teachers and employees of the State Education department will receive the benefit of the leave travel allowance once in a year. The employees of the Education department were demanding the facility of the allowance on the lines of the similar benefit given to the employees of the Higher Education department in the State. Interestingly, more than one lakh employees and teachers of the Education department availed the benefit of this allowance till September 2020 and after that this was discontinued. Under the scheme the employees will get the allowance and leave of two to six days for travelling to their native place once in a year.
Responding to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns request to advocate for the release of pending Rs 5,367 crore Rural Development Fund (RDF) from the Central Government besides addressing one percent reduction imposed on the Market Development Fund (MDF), Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Friday asked him to await the Supreme Courts order on the sub-judice matter.

Expressing his dedication to serving the people of Punjab, Purohit pointed out that the matter regarding RDF is currently sub-judice. He, in a letter to the Chief Minister, noted that the State Government had already approached the Supreme Court on this issue, emphasizing the importance of allowing the judicial process to unfold before taking any further actions.

It would be appropriate to wait for Supreme Courts decision before anything is done on the issue, he said.

At the same time, the Governor raised concerns regarding the substantial increase in Punjabs debt during the tenure of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) governments 18-month tenure, amounting to approximately Rs 50,000 crore.

The Governor questioned the utilization of this significant sum, seeking detailed information from the Chief Minister on how these funds have been allocated and spent, while contending that such information is crucial in convincing the Prime Minister that these funds have been used responsibly for the benefit of Punjabs residents.

I have learnt that the debt of Punjab rose by about 50,000 crore during your regime. Details of utilization of this huge amount may be furnished to me so that I will be able to convince the Prime Minister that the money has been properly utilized, he said in the letter.

Notably, a day before, the Chief Minister had shot off a communique to the Governor requesting his intervention in securing the release of Rs 5,637 crore RDF funds from the Central Government. Mann urged the Governor to represent Punjab's case to the President and Prime Minister, while underscoring the financial strain experienced by Punjab Mandi Board due to the delay in receiving the RDF.

Mann also highlighted that the Central Government's decision to reduce the Rural Development Fee (RDF) from three percent to two percent had resulted in a loss of Rs 400 crore for Punjab over two seasons.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister criticized the Central Government for issuing a flawed procurement sheet for wheat purchases during the 2023-24 season, leading to an additional loss of Rs 265 crore for Punjab.

Mann emphasized the crucial role of the responsible utilization of RDF funds in the development of the agricultural sector and the welfare of farmers. He called on Governor Purohit to address the issue with the President and Prime Minister to expedite the release of the pending funds.

The ongoing dispute over the RDF funds carries significant implications for Punjab's financial stability and its ability to carry out essential development projects. The exchanges between Chief Minister Mann and Governor Purohit highlight the complexity of the issue and its substantial impact on Punjab's rural economy and the livelihoods of its farmers.
Making the State's biggest smack seizures, the Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital police seized over one kilogramme of the contraband each in their respective districts. The Nainital police arrested three drug smugglers who belong to Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly with more than one kilogramme of smack worth about Rs one crore. The newly appointed senior superintendent of police of Nainital Prahlad Narayan Meena said all accused were arrested after getting a tip-off from an informer. The police checked three people in the Lalkuan area who were travelling on a motorbike. The police recovered more than one kilogramme of smack from the accused. He said that the three accused have been identified as Morpal, Arjun Pandey and Ravindra Singh. Meena said that Singh is purportedly a constable in UP police and the district police here will gather more information about him by coordinating with the senior officials of UP police. He also said that the director general of police Ashok Kumar also appreciated the work of Nainital police and announced a reward of Rs 25,000 to the teams. Besides this, Udham Singh Nagar police also nabbed a man named Iqbal Khan from the Kashipur area on Friday. The Udham Singh Nagar SSP Manjunath TC said that Khan was arrested during the checking when the police found him suspicious. The police recovered over 1.24 kilogrammes of smack worth about Rs 1.25 crore from his possession. "The accused Khan basically belongs to Delhi but is currently living in Kashipur. He revealed during the interrogation that he used to smuggle smack from Bareilly to sell it to various people in Kashipur. He appears to be connected to a big gang during the investigation. We are investigating the matter and will take further action accordingly," added TC.
Students participating in the Delhi University Students Union elections on Friday expressed hope that students leaders will work tirelessly and improve the campus environment. For most of them, this was the first opportunity to vote in the campus elections. The Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections were last held in 2019. The elections could not be held in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 while possible disruptions to the academic calendar prevented its conduct in 2022.

Tanupriya, a first-year student of Hansarj College, said they hope for the students leaders will work tirelessly and improve the campus environment.

Aastha Verma, another first-year student of Hansraj College, said the outcome of the elections will impact not only the universitys future but also their education. Vaishali, a fresher from Miranda House, said several changes are needed to enhance the campus experience and added that the students are eagerly waiting for the promises made by students leaders to become a reality.

Students from all around the world come here for education. Several changes are needed to enhance the campus experience. The candidates have made sweeping promises and all students are eagerly anticipating the moment when these promises will turn into a reality, she said.

The voting process for students of day classes concluded at 1 pm while those in evening classes can cast their votes till 7.30 pm.

Shambhavi, a first-year student at Campus Law Centre, however, expressed disappointment with the experience.

She said, I experienced this (election process) for the first time and did not like it much. They (students) wasted lot of papers. I found two candidates who spoke about this  one of them actually cleaned the papers and another used leaves for campaigning. Kritarth Apurva, a first-time voter from Kirori Mal College, however, loved the experience.

I am a first-year student and it was a great experience for me because I havent voted in any other elections. It was a practice for me ahead of next years Lok Sabha elections.

Students thronged the polling booths on Friday to cast their votes. Many second- and third-year students who are experiencing the election process for the first time also expressed their excitement at being able to take part in the campus polls.

Enhanced security during college fests, menstrual leaves and the presence of women cops outside campuses were the core issues for female students as they cast their votes in the Delhi University Students Union elections on Friday. Miranda House student Nikita highlighted the issue of security, especially during college fests.

On numerous occasions, some women have found themselves in unexpected and alarming situations during these festivities. Incidents like these dampen the students mood and also raise concern about their safety, she said.

Ritika, a second-year student of the college, urged the university administration to prioritise security during such events.

Bhumi, another student of the college, emphasised the need for proactive measures outside the campus. She proposed the presence of both female and male police personnel in the vicinity of girls colleges to ensure discipline and safety.

Nimisha, a final-year student, echoed her collegemates sentiments and added that there should be menstrual leaves. The ABVP and the NSUI released separate manifestos for women voters in the run-up to the polls. The NSUI, in its womens manifesto, has promised menstrual leaves, emergency response system for distress calls and increased police patrolling outside colleges.
As per the predetermined programme, a team of senior officials of the Election Commission of India reached Ranchi on Friday and held a review meeting regarding Special Brief Revision 2024 in a local hotel.

Senior Deputy Election Commissioner of Election Commission of India Dharmendra Sharma, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Nitish Kumar Vyas and Deputy Election Commissioner Manoj Kumar Sahu, Deputy Commissioners cum District Election Officers of all the districts in the presence of Chief Electoral Officer of Jharkhand K. Ravi Kumar were present in the review meeting.

Before the commencement of the special brief review meeting with the Cabinet Election Department and District Election Officers, the English and Hindi versions of the book named "Election Question Bank" prepared by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Jharkhand were released by the officials of the Election Commission of India. This book contains more than 1200 multiple choice questions related to the election process.

At the same time, the local language version of Jharkhand's awareness song "Main Bharat Hoon" of the Election Commission was launched. The local version of this song, prepared by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Jharkhand, has been prepared in Mundari, Kudukh, Ho, Santhali and Khadiya languages. Apart from this, a special IT tool designed for the use of 'Artificial Intelligence' in the training of election personnel under the innovation "Integrated Learning Management System" being prepared by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Jharkhand was also launched. Its demo was also displayed in front of the officials.

The officials of the Election Commission of India expressed satisfaction over the efforts being made by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Jharkhand.

In this one-day review meeting, a powerpoint presentation was given by the District Election Officers of all the districts, on which the officials of the Election Commission of India reviewed one by one and gave necessary instructions.
Columbus area residents who visit Columbus Community Hospital (CCH)s dermatology clinic will see a familiar face during their appointment in Columbus Native and Scotus Alum Dr. Dillon Clarey.

Clarey, members of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, friends, family and CCH staff celebrated the opening of CCHs new dermatology clinic on Sept. 19. Clarey will be the main dermatologist on staff at the clinic.

Ive been in Lincoln and Omaha the past eight or nine years. I always thought maybe Id come back, Clarey said. Not many people go to dermatology residency and practice in rural areas.

At his previous practices in Lincoln and Omaha, Clarey said he would occasionally see people from the Columbus, Platte County and surrounding areas and thought it might be time to come back to where things started and do what he knows here.

The way I saw it, being from here and wanting to give back to rural populations, working with the hospital I just thought was a good opportunity, Clarey said.

Clarey got his start in dermatology from a teacher figure in Omaha while he was doing his rotations and trying to figure out what direction he really wanted to steer his career.

I had a good mentor in Omaha who allowed me to get exposure to dermatology. I took a look at all of them and even decided I like the mix dermatology provides, Clarey said. I get patients from babies to adults, see a lot of different things, acne, psoriasis, itching. I can take care of skin cancer, surgery.

Dermatology, Clarey said, is an interesting field in that he is able to sometimes diagnose conditions just by seeing a picture of them, which isnt always the case in health care. That comes with quite a bit of learning on his end, he said, which is why Columbus having a dedicated dermatology clinic is important.

CCH, he said, recognized that as well, especially in a rural area.

I think dermatology is a field where you need somebody who studied it, someone whos been there several years in residency, knows what they dont know and knows what to refer on, Clarey said.

At the Sept. 19 ribbon-cutting at the Columbus Community Hospital Visiting Physicians Clinic, CCH Vice President Amy Blaser said the building dermatology is in is a good signifier of the citys progress at large, and this addition is part of that.

Right now, (this) building is completely full and that signifies power and progress. Were in the process of shuffling some clinics. There will be some remodeling going on, Blaser said. We started a full-time cardio clinic and dermatology. More than likely, dermatology will have a different home at some point in the future.

Clarey and the dermatology clinic are able to take patients Monday through Thursday, with Fridays being reserved to catch up on administrative work and callbacks. His favorite part in the almost-week theyve been open, he said, is the people he gets to help.

My favorite thing about it so far is taking care of patients. It took a long time to get to this point, Clarey said. I like rural populations. A lot of the people are easy to relate to. Im from Columbus. I took care of patients here when I got to rotate.
The State government has extended the term of the expert committee set up by the Pushkar Singh Dhami government for recommending ways for implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand. The tenure of the committee was to end on September 27. The government has extended the term of the committee by another four months. The expert committee on UCC has completed its work and is likely to submit the draft of its recommendation to the State government soon.

The State government constituted the expert committee on May 27, 2022 and directed it to submit its report within six months. After the end of its term on November 27, 2022 it was given an extension of six months. Its term was again extended for four months on May 27 this year.

The expert committee on UCC is headed by retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai and Justice (Rtd) Pramod Kohli, social worker Manu Gaur, former chief secretary of Uttarakhand Shatrughan Singh and vice chancellor of Doon University Surekha Dangwal are its members.

The committee has been mandated to examine all existing and relevant laws regarding marriage, divorce, right for property, inheritance, adoption and protection for implementation of UCC in the state. During the last one year the committee has sought suggestions from the people of all sections of the society and the members of the committee have toured different parts of the State. It is pertinent to mention here that in the run up for the assembly the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had promised had that the BJP government would bring a uniform civil code in the state and in the very first meeting of the state cabinet after swearing in of the new government last year, a decision to constitute an expert committee was made. CM Dhami has expressed his intention to implement the UCC in the State before the end of this year.


|



Amidst the growing controversy surrounding the suspension of Sanjay Gandhi Hospitals license in Amethi, Member of Parliament Varun Gandhi has penned a letter to Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, urging him to reopen the hospital.

The institution, bearing the name of Varun Gandhis father, has recently faced regulatory action, leading to concerns voiced by the Pilibhit MP.

The deputy chief minister addressed the matter, emphasising its gravity. He cited a tragic incident where a patient lost her life allegedly due to the hospital's negligence, prompting an investigation by a local-level team.

Pathak stated, We are in the process of regularising healthcare facilities across the state. Hospitals found guilty of patient fatalities due to negligence will face severe consequences and strict actions will be taken.

The controversy stems from the death of Divya Shukla, wife of Anuj Shukla, a resident of Ram Shahpur village in the Kotwali area of Musafirkhana. The incident occurred at Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Munsiganj, leading to the suspension of the hospitals license and the cessation of all its services.

In response to this development, hospital employees, led by Employee Union president Sanjay Singh raised slogans within the hospital premises, demanding an end to the suspension.

Afterward, the group submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate through the sub-divisional magistrate. Some of the employees have served the hospital for over three decades, and the suspension has cast a shadow over their livelihoods.

Meanwhile, Congress state president Ajay Rai has also written a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath proposing to formation of a committee to investigate the patients death while advocating for the continuation of patient care at the hospital.

He also called for the immediate withdrawal of the order to cancel the hospitals registration.

Rai highlighted the hospitals long-standing service in providing healthcare facilities to the local community and surrounding districts at minimal charges, without any intention of profit.
Professor Gadgils A Walk Up the Hill sheds light on the crisis in the Western Ghats, unveiling widespread illegal activities, and conflicts between the Church and political entities, writes Kumar Chellappan

The memoir, A Walk Up the Hill, authored by Professor Madhav Gadgil, a distinguished environmental scientist who headed the government-appointed Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), is poised to make a significant impact in India. The WGEEP was established by the Central Government through an order dated March 4, 2010.

The panel's mandate included assessing the current ecological status of the Western Ghats region, demarcating areas within the Western Ghats region in need of designation as ecologically sensitive, and recommending the notification of such areas as Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZs) under the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986. Additionally, the panel was tasked with making recommendations for the conservation, protection, and rejuvenation of the Western Ghats region, following a comprehensive consultation process involving the people and governments of all concerned states.

The report by the Gadgil committee was presented to then Union Minister for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh on August 30, 2011. This, in itself, was a rare event, as a committee usually submits its final report years after it was constituted, availing as many extensions as possible so that the head of the panel and members could continue receiving funds indefinitely.

Though Prof Gadgil was told that the WGEEP report would be made public on September 21, it was not to be. The Government had a change of heart, and the panel members were instructed not to discuss the contents with the public or the media. The Delhi High Court had to intervene to make the report public, and the Ministry for Environment and Forest uploaded it on its website.

The reasons behind the ministrys initial opposition to releasing the report were numerous. What the Gadgil committee members witnessed during their studies across the Western Ghats was shocking. A cabal of private industrialists, contractors, and elected representatives of the people were involved in plundering the ecologically fragile Western Ghats, despite the resistance of both the local population and the local self-governments. Although the Constitution of India demands that no industrialisation or commercial exploitation of ecologically and environmentally sensitive regions should be undertaken without obtaining green clearance from the local population and the Gram Sabhas, these laws were blatantly violated by politicians, religious leaders, and contractors whose sole ambition was to make more money without making any investment.

The Western Ghats, the mountain chain running parallel to the west coast of the Indian peninsula, covers an area of 1,60,000 sq km over a stretch of 1,600 km spanning across the States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. All over the world, such mountains, endowed as they are with high levels of environmental heterogeneity, are treasure troves of natural diversity. In the Western Ghats, the annual rainfall ranges from as much as 8000 mm in the southwestern corner of upper Nilgiris to a mere 500 mm in the Moyar gorge just 30 km to its east The Western Ghats are no ordinary biome. They constitute the water tower of peninsular India, providing water to 245 million people and draining a large part of the countrys land surface, writes Gadgil.

The studies conducted by Gadgil and other ecologists have confirmed the fact that Western Ghats have become an ecological hotspot. Only 7 per cent of the Ghats primary vegetation has survived and it has 51 critically endangered species. Climate change will cause further stress. Observations and inferences made by Gadgil and others have proved to be true as the entire area that comes under the shadow of the Ghats experience unexpected torrential downpour, landslides and even dry spell lasting months.

The verdant forests and greenery of the region have given way to barren lands. Unabated felling of trees and uncontrolled mining and quarrying have taken its toll as the forest and mining mafia have taken control of the entire stretch. Readers may be remembering forest brigand Veerappan kidnapping Kannada matinee idol Rajkumar to the Sathyamangalam forests in Tamil Nadu. The reason for the kidnapping was the turf war between various mafia groups engaged in looting the forest wealth, including exotic trees and mining of costly granites from the reserve forests in the Ghats, though Gadgil has steered clear from this part.

The shocking disclosures made by the ecologist are what he came across in the Western Ghats. The forests, rivers, mountains and valleys are on deathbed and are on life support systems. The Western Ghats have been exploited to the hilt by the mining and timber mafia. The region could not withstand any more invasions on its environment and ecology. The WGEEP committee, after a series of brainstorming sessions, suggested to the government that enough was enough and it was time to put a full stop to mining activities and tree felling. Some of the crucial recommendations made by Gadgil and his colleagues include no special economic zones, no new hill stations, rescheduling reservoir operations to improve downstream flows, participatory sand auditing and strict regulation of sand mining, rehabilitation of mined areas with special focus on reviving water resources, promoting organic agricultural practices and precision agricultural practices, strictly controlling use of dynamite and other explosives to kill fish, no mining in areas demarcated as Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ1), where mining exists it should be phased out in five years, by 2016 illegal mining to be stopped immediately, etc. The report was submitted to then minister Jairam Ramesh.

The UPA governments began its hide and seek game with the Gadgil committee report and it refused to divulge the details of the same. The Delhi High Court intervention made the ministry upload the report on its portal. But the report caused an earthquake in Kerala. The church reacted as if it had seen red despite the fact that it remained a closely guarded secret. Then Bishop of Idukki Mathew Aanikuzhikkattil issued a laity message with instruction to read the same on weekly congregations. He said in the message that the attempt has a diabolic nature and has been conceived to evict the population from the forests. The bishop also alleged that the report if implemented would make hundreds of thousands of people staying in the region homeless and destitute. The campaign was of the same style as we saw in the aftermath of the Citizen Amendment Bill getting legislated in Parliament. A campaign was unleashed across southern India alleging that the Bill was an attempt to get rid of a particular community from India.

Jolted by the stance of the church, the then Kerala Government passed a resolution in the Assembly condemning the Gadgil committee report. Though Gadgil was a fellow traveller, his comrades in the State had no qualms in lambasting the report. The resentment by the church led the Centre to appoint a committee headed by space scientist Kasturirangan to study the viability and feasibility of the Gadgil report. Kasturirangan did what he was asked to do and the story ended there. The Western Ghats continue its downward slide without any interruption. The man-animal conflict has become a regular event in the region as elephants, leopards and tigers come out of the forests in search of drinking water and a square meal which would sustain their lives. Who cares?

Even as Gadgil recounts his Western Ghats odyssey, another equally important study from Chennai-based CPR Environment Research Centre led by Dr Nanditha Krishna has more shocking disclosures to make. Sacred groves across India, home to local flora and fauna and mini biosphere reserves have shrunk and most of them have disappeared altogether from the face of the earth. Sacred groves represent an ancient Indian conservation tradition protected by local people out of reverence, respect and fear. These untouched patches of forest contain some endangered rare and threatened medicinal plant species. The rural folk conserve and preserve species diversity that are the last remnants of native vegetation, explained Dr Nanditha Krishna, the first winner of Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskaar for her relentless campaign against destruction of sacred groves which are known as Swami Shola, Koil Kadu in Tamil Nadu, Pavithra Vanam in Andhra Pradesh, Kavu in Kerala, Mawflong in Assam and Meghalaya, Mangaoon in Western Ghats, Dev Vana in MP and Karnataka.

This is a unique conservation style which makes use of religion and tradition to preserve ecology as a natural heritage. Wherever there are sacred groves, they are adored as spiritual retreat. Before concluding, let me draw readers attention to what SK Pottekat, the legendary travelogue writer, wrote in 1955 about his experience in Finland. Pine trees are the main source of income for European countries. When one cuts down a pine tree, he has to convince the authorities that six pine saplings have been planted. Did we have such laws in India at any time?

(The writer is special correspondent, The Pioneer)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had an active and packed first day of bilateral and multilateral meetings with his global counterparts and exchanged views on strengthening bilateral ties and issues of common concern as he arrived here for the high-level UN General Assembly session.

Jaishankar hit the ground running shortly after landing in New York early Friday morning, beginning his hectic schedule for the day with the Quad Foreign Ministers meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.

A joint readout of the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting issued after the meeting reaffirmed the group's unwavering support for the United Nations, the enduring importance of upholding mutually determined rules, norms, and standards, and to deepen Quad cooperation in the international system.

Jaishankar held bilateral discussions with Kamikawa, Japan's new top diplomat and exchanged perspectives on our Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

Delighted to meet Foreign Minister of Japan Yoko Kamikawa at #UNGA78. Discussed our regional, multilateral and global cooperation and taking them forward, Jaishankar said on X.

Jaishankar also met Wong for bilateral discussions. "Great to catch up with FM @SenatorWong of Australia on #UNGA78 sidelines. Noted the positive trajectory of our ties and discussed specific steps to take them further. Our exchange of regional and global assessments are always valuable.

Later, he held discussions with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira under the IBSA (India, Brazil and South Africa) grouping.

A very productive IBSA meeting with Foreign Ministers Mauro Vieira and Naledi Pandor on #UNGA78 sidelines. The Joint Communique demonstrates the strength of our South-South solidarity, he said.

In a heartwarming gesture, Pandor and Vieira applauded and congratulated India when Jaishankar told them about the passage of the landmark Women's Reservation Bill in the Indian Parliament.

In his bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of Bahrain, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Jaishankar said he had a good conversation on connectivity, economic linkages and regional dynamics.

Later in the day, Jaishankar met the UK Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and the United Nations at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Lord Tariq Ahmad.

A useful stocktaking of our relationship. Also discussed recent developments pertaining to Ukraine, he said.

An active first day at the 78th UNGA, Jaishankar said, tweeting a video that highlighted the day's meetings and engagements.
A team of Andhra Pradesh Police CID officials on Saturday began interrogation of TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu in the Skill Development Corporation scam case on Saturday at the central prison here.

On Friday, the ACB Court in Vijayawada granted two days' police custody of the 73-year old Naidu to the CID for further interrogation.

The questioning is allowed from 9.30 am to 5 pm on both days (September 23 and 24).
(): Israeli forces killed a Palestinian militant in the restive northern West Bank on Friday, Palestinian authorities said, the latest death in a spiral of violence that has gripped the occupied territory over the last year and a half, surging to levels unseen in two decades. The militant Islamic Jihad group claimed the man as its fighter and identified him as 18-year-old Abdallah Abu Hasan. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Hasan was shot in the abdomen by Israeli forces early Friday morning in a Palestinian village north of the West Bank city of Jenin. The Israeli army said the incident occurred during a nighttime raid into the West Bank, after Palestinians fired and threw explosives at soldiers in the town of Kafr Dan.

Soldiers shot back, hitting Hasan. The army also said it found and deactivated an explosive, arrested four suspects and confiscated two weapons Thursday night.

The operation marked the latest in a series of stepped-up raids Israel has been staging in Palestinian areas of the West Bank. Israel claims such raids root out militancy and thwart future attacks.

But Palestinian attacks on Israelis are also mounting. On Thursday, a young Palestinian man allegedly stabbed an Israeli security guard at a Jerusalem light rail station. He was then shot and wounded by police.

Tensions also appear to be spreading to Gaza.

Israeli media reported Friday that incendiary balloons launched from the Gaza Strip toward Israel started a fire just east of the territory, near an Israeli kibbutz. Video from the area showed small blazes burning through roadside vegetation, leaving large patches blackened and ashy.

Palestinians have been staging violent protests near the separation fence between Israel and Gaza in recent days.

Palestinians in Gaza have launched incendiary balloons at Israel in the past, in protest against an Israeli-Egyptian blockade imposed on the territory since 2007. The balloons have caused fires along the frontier near Gaza and ramped up tensions, prompting Israel on several occasions to use fighter jets to strike back against targets of the ruling Hamas group.

Some 190 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the start of the year, according to a tally by The Associated Press. Israel says most of those killed have been militants, but youths protesting the incursions and others not involved in the confrontations have also been killed.

At least 31 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks against Israelis since the beginning of 2023.

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians seek those territories for their hoped-for independent state.
Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through MedSurg and Cardiovascular segments. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions; devices to treat various urological and pelvic conditions; implantable cardioverter and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators; pacemakers and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers; and remote patient management systems. It also provides medical technologies to diagnose and treat rate and rhythm disorders of the heart comprising 3-D cardiac mapping and navigation solutions, ablation catheters, diagnostic catheters, mapping catheters, intracardiac ultrasound catheters, delivery sheaths, and other accessories; spinal cord stimulator systems for the management of chronic pain; indirect decompression systems; and deep brain stimulation systems. In addition, the company offers interventional cardiology products, that uses in the treatment of coronary artery disease and aortic valve conditions. Further, it provides stents, balloon catheters, guidewires, atherectomy, and thrombectomy systems to treat arterial and venous diseases; and peripheral embolization devices, radioactive microspheres, cryotherapy ablation systems, and micro and drainage catheters to treat cancer. The company was incorporated in 1979 and is headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
Envista Holdings Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells dental products in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Specialty Products & Technologies, and Equipment & Consumables. The Specialty Products & Technologies segment offers dental implant systems, guided surgery systems, biomaterials, and prefabricated and custom-built prosthetics to oral surgeons, prosthodontists, and periodontists; and brackets and wires, tubes and bands, archwires, clear aligners, digital orthodontic treatments, retainers, and other orthodontic laboratory products. This segment also provides software packages, which include DTX Studio Implant for treatment planning of dental implants; DTX Studio Lab for prosthetics treatment planning; and DTX Studio Clinic, a software package offered with its imaging devices. It offers its products under the Nobel Biocare, Alpha-Bio Tec, Implant Direct, Nobel Procera, Ormco, Spark, Orascoptic, Damon, Insignia, AOA brands. The Equipment & Consumables segment provides dental equipment and supplies, including digital imaging systems, software, and other visualization/magnification systems; endodontic systems and related consumables; restorative materials, rotary burs, impression materials, bonding agents, and cements; and infection prevention products. This segment offers its products under the Dexis, Gendex, i-CAT, Kerr, Metrex, Total Care, Pentron, Optibond, Harmonize, Sonicfill, Sybron Endo, and CaviWipes to dental offices, clinics, and hospitals. Envista Holdings Corporation was incorporated in 2018 and is headquartered in Brea, California.
The following companies are subsidiares of D.R. Horton: 10700 Pecan Park Austin Inc., 11241 Slater Avenue NE LLC, 2 C Development Company LLC, 8800 Roswell Road Bldg. B LLC, 91st Avenue & Happy Valley L.L.C., ANN & 215 LLC, Austin Data Inc., BP456 Inc., C. Richard Dobson Builders Inc., CH Funding LLC, CH Investments of Texas Inc., CHI Construction Company, CHM Partners L.P., CHTEX of Texas Inc., CV Mountain View 25 Inv LLC, Cane Island LLC, Continental Homes Inc., Continental Homes of Texas L.P., Continental Residential Inc., Continental Traditions LLC, Crown Operating Company Inc., Cypress Road L.P., D.R. Horton - CHAustin LLC, D.R. Horton - Colorado LLC, D.R. Horton - Crown LLC, D.R. Horton - Emerald Ltd., D.R. Horton - Georgia LLC, D.R. Horton - Hawaii LLC, D.R. Horton - Highland LLC, D.R. Horton - Indiana LLC, D.R. Horton - Iowa LLC, D.R. Horton - MV LLC, D.R. Horton - Nebraska LLC, D.R. Horton - Permian LLC, D.R. Horton - Regent LLC, D.R. Horton - Terramor LLC, D.R. Horton - Texas Ltd., D.R. Horton - WPH LLC, D.R. Horton - Wyoming LLC, D.R. Horton BAY Inc., D.R. Horton CA2 Inc., D.R. Horton CA3 Inc., D.R. Horton CA4 LLC, D.R. Horton Commercial Inc., D.R. Horton Cruces Construction Inc., D.R. Horton Inc. - Birmingham, D.R. Horton Inc. - Chicago, D.R. Horton Inc. - Denver, D.R. Horton Inc. - Dietz-Crane, D.R. Horton Inc. - Greensboro, D.R. Horton Inc. - Gulf Coast, D.R. Horton Inc. - Huntsville, D.R. Horton Inc. - Jacksonville, D.R. Horton Inc. - Louisville, D.R. Horton Inc. - Midwest, D.R. Horton Inc. - Minnesota, D.R. Horton Inc. - NNV, D.R. Horton Inc. - New Jersey, D.R. Horton Inc. - Portland, D.R. Horton Inc. - Torrey, D.R. Horton Inc. Foundation, D.R. Horton Insurance Agency Inc., D.R. Horton LA North Inc., D.R. Horton Life Insurance Agency Inc., D.R. Horton Los Angeles Holding Company Inc., D.R. Horton Management Company Ltd., D.R. Horton Materials Inc., D.R. Horton Realty LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Atlantic County LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Central Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Delaware LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Georgia Inc., D.R. Horton Realty of Melbourne LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Northwest Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Southeast Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Southwest Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Tampa LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Virginia LLC, D.R. Horton Seabridge Marina Inc., D.R. Horton Serenity Construction LLC, D.R. Horton Urban Renewal LLC, D.R. Horton VEN Inc., D.R. Horton  Corpus Christi LLC, DBC54 LLC, DHI Commercial - Lakeview LLC, DHI Commercial - Signal Butte LLC, DHI Commercial - Tamarron LLC, DHI Commercial Inc., DHI Communities Construction LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Arizona LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Colorado LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Florida LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Iowa LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Nevada LLC, DHI Communities Construction of North Carolina LLC, DHI Communities Construction of South Carolina LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Texas LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Utah LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Virginia LLC, DHI Communities II LLC, DHI Communities Inc., DHI Engineering LLC, DHI Insurance Inc., DHI Mortgage Company, DHI Mortgage Company GP Inc., DHI Mortgage Company LP Inc., DHI Mortgage Company Ltd., DHI Ranch Ltd., DHI Realty of Alabama LLC, DHI Realty of Mississippi LLC, DHI Title GP Inc., DHI Title LP Inc., DHI Title of Alabama Inc., DHI Title of Arizona Inc., DHI Title of Florida Inc., DHI Title of Minnesota Inc., DHI Title of Nevada Inc., DHI Title of Texas Ltd., DHI Title of Washington Inc., DHI Verandah South Shores Communities LLC, DHIC - Bridges LLC, DHIC - Brittmore LLC, DHIC - Carolina Forest LLC, DHIC - Desert Peak LLC, DHIC - Durbin Creek LLC, DHIC - Freestone LLC, DHIC - Hammock Landing LLC, DHIC - Heritage LLC, DHIC - Horizon Uptown LLC, DHIC - Jacobs Reserve LLC, DHIC - Lakeview LLC, DHIC - Lipoma LLC, DHIC - Minton Cove LLC, DHIC - Mountain Vista LLC, DHIC - Naco LLC, DHIC - Northshore LLC, DHIC - Prairie Village LLC, DHIC - South Creek LLC, DHIC - Tamarron LLC, DHIC - Valley Vista LLC, DHIC - Varina Gateway LLC, DHIC - Waterleigh II LLC, DHIC - Waterleigh III LLC, DHIC - Waterleigh LLC, DHIC - Westridge LLC, DHIC LLC, DHIC  Glendale LLC, DHIC  Grove West LLC, DHIC  South Park LLC, DHIC  Westinghouse LLC, DHIR - Aspen Vista LLC, DHIR - Avian Pointe LLC, DHIR - Emerald Lakes LLC, DHIR - Fosters Ridge LLC, DHIR - Gulf Stream LLC, DHIR - Parkview at Lynn Haven LLC, DHIR - Poplar Terrace LLC, DHIR - Properties I LLC, DHIR - Rock Ridge LLC, DHIR - Sunset Village LLC, DHIR - Village at Hickory Street LLC, DRH - ARK LLC, DRH - ASG LLC, DRH - HWY 114 LLC, DRH Cambridge Homes LLC, DRH Capital Trust I, DRH Capital Trust II, DRH Capital Trust III, DRH Colorado Realty Inc., DRH Construction Inc., DRH Energy Inc., DRH FS Mortgage Reinsurance Ltd., DRH Land Opportunities I Inc., DRH Land Opportunities II Inc., DRH Mountain View LLC, DRH Oil & Gas Inc., DRH Opportunities I Inc., DRH Properties Inc., DRH Realty Company Inc., DRH Realty of Iowa LLC, DRH Regrem L LLC, DRH Regrem LI LLC, DRH Regrem LII LLC, DRH Regrem LIII LLC, DRH Regrem LIV LLC, DRH Regrem LV LLC, DRH Regrem VII LP, DRH Regrem XII LP, DRH Regrem XIV Inc., DRH Regrem XIX Inc., DRH Regrem XLIX LLC, DRH Regrem XLV LLC, DRH Regrem XLVI LLC, DRH Regrem XLVII LLC, DRH Regrem XLVIII LLC, DRH Regrem XV Inc., DRH Regrem XVI Inc., DRH Regrem XVII Inc., DRH Regrem XVIII Inc., DRH Regrem XX Inc., DRH Regrem XXI Inc., DRH Regrem XXII Inc., DRH Regrem XXIII Inc., DRH Regrem XXIV Inc., DRH Regrem XXV Inc., DRH Southwest Construction Inc., DRH Tucson Construction Inc., DRHI Inc., Deer Valley Office Park LLC, Desert Ridge Phase I Partners, Emerald Creek No. 4 L.P., Emerald Realty of Alabama LLC, Emerald Realty of Central Florida LLC, Emerald Realty of North Florida LLC, Emerald Realty of Northwest Florida LLC, Emerald Realty of Southeast Florida LLC, Emerald Realty of Southwest Florida LLC, Encore II Inc., Encore Venture Partners II (California) L.P., Encore Venture Partners II (Texas) L.P., Encore Venture Partners L.P., Express Realty of Central Florida LLC, Express Realty of North Florida LLC, Express Realty of Northwest Florida LLC, Express Realty of Southeast Florida LLC, Express Realty of Southwest Florida LLC, Forestar Group, Forestar Group Inc., Founders Oil & Gas II LLC, Founders Oil & Gas III LLC, Founders Oil & Gas IV LLC, Founders Oil & Gas LLC, Founders Oil & Gas Operating LLC, GP-Encore Inc., Georgetown Data Inc., Germann & McQueen L.L.C., Grand Title Agency LLC, Grande Realty Incorporated, Grande Realty of Pennsylvania LLC, Greywes LLC, HPH Homebuilders 2000 L.P., Hadian LLC, KDB Homes Inc., Kaomalo LLC, Lexington Homes - DRH LLC, MRLF LLC, Martin Road Lake Forest LLC, McQueen & Willis LLC, Meadows I Ltd., Meadows II Ltd., Meadows IX Inc., Meadows VIII Ltd., Meadows X Inc., Melody Homes Inc., Pacific Ridge - DRH LLC, Rielly Carlsbad LLC, Rielly Homes Madison LLC, SFTEN LLC, SGS Communities at Grand Quay L.L.C, SHA Construction LLC, SHLR of California Inc., SHLR of Nevada Inc., SHLR of Washington Inc., SRHI LLC, SSHI LLC, Schuler Homes of Arizona LLC, Schuler Homes of California Inc., Schuler Homes of Oregon Inc., Schuler Homes of Washington Inc., Summerlin Pkwy & Cimarron LLC, Surprise Village North LLC, The Club at Cobblestone LLC, The Club at Hidden River LLC, Tierra Financial Advisors LLC, Travis County Title Company, Treasure Assets LLC, Venture Management of South Carolina LLC, Vertical Construction Corporation, WPH-Camino Ruiz LLC, WPH-Copper Canyon II LLC, WPH-Copper Canyon LLC, Walker Drive LLC, Western Pacific Brea Development LLC, Western Pacific Housing - Mountaingate L.P., Western Pacific Housing - SDG LLC, Western Pacific Housing - Westlake II L.P., Western Pacific Housing Inc., Western Pacific Housing Management Inc., Western Pacific Housing-Antigua LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Broadway LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Canyon Park LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Carrillo LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Communications Hill LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Copper Canyon LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Creekside LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Lomas Verdes LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Lyons Canyon Partners LLC, Western Pacific Housing-McGonigle Canyon LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Norco Estates LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Pacific Park II LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Park Avenue East LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Park Avenue West LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Playa Vista LLC, Western Pacific Housing-River Ridge LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Terra Bay Duets LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Torrey Meadows LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Torrey Village Center LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Windemere LLC, and Wilson Parker Homes.

Read More
Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) are found throughout western North America and is one of those iconic species seen when Nebraskans go to the Rockies for a summer vacation. These sure-footed animals are along highways standing on vertical cliffs and provide amazement to all who drive by.

They are one of the major game species of wild sheep and are even found in northwest Nebraska in our short grass prairies with higher elevations. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has a lottery where hunters can harvest a trophy ram from our high prairie landscape.

Many populations of bighorn sheep migrate seasonally across different elevational gradients on our continent and spend the summer in alpine environments with short growing seasons and low primary productivity and then find optimal forage at lower elevations where possible.

All animals are inherently tied to nutritional resources found on the landscape on our planet. Wildlife are constantly coping with environmental stressors, like disease, especially bacteria causing pneumonia, temperature changes, low amounts and diversity of summer forage and a multitude of other constraints.

Resource managers have been challenged with sheep susceptible to pneumonia for over a century. That means good forage and habitat are even more important.

My son Wyatt works for Gunwerks in Cody, Wyoming, and finds his ways into the woods and mountains on a regular basis. My oldest son, Seth, is finishing his last year of grad school and cant wait to get to those western grasslands and mountains as well.

We managed to find our way to Wyoming this past August. We thought it was a perfect time for my wife, son and girlfriend to visit Yellowstone National Park in mid-August. The weather and the scenery were awesome, and we saw natural beauty beyond belief. The crowds werent too bad either.

It was easy to tell if there were animals to be viewed as there was always a concentration of vehicles balled up along the road. We had a dim view of a grizzly sow and two cubs, a large bull buffalo laying peacefully 10 feet off the road. It amazes me that people take advantage of these park animals lack of fear and approach them freely. They are still wild.

Habitat quality is the most important aspect of any conservation effort, regardless of the species. The population recovery of large herbivores in the presence of disease; interactions between habitat quality and population dynamics still apply and likely are amplified with additional stressors like disease.

As I have logged almost 50 years in this career, I have learned that smooth talking rhetoric only goes so far. If conservation of what remains is a goal for common day man, it will take all of us working together to achieve sustainability of our natural resources, especially ourselves.

I am already looking forward to our next trip to the Rocky Mountains!
Merck & Co., Inc. is a US-based multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare company. It was officially founded in 1891 as the US arm of Merck Group, headquartered in Germany. Merck Group was founded in 1668 when Friedrick Jacob Merck purchased a pharmacy in Darmstadt, Germany. The company transformed from a pharmacy into a drug manufacturer in 1827 with the commercialization of morphine and the perfection of the manufacturing process. The company will later gain recognition for isolating and commercializing the manufacture of cocaine as well.

Merck Group sent Theodore Weicker to New York as its representative in 1889 and he quickly began to set up operations. The original investment of $200,000 resulted in a facility in lower Manhattan and the addition of Merck family member George Merck to the project. They began operations in 1891 and were in business as the US branch of Merck Group until 1917 and the onset of World War I.

World War I brought about the Trading With The Enemy Act of 1917 and the nationalization of Merck Groups US operations. Those operations were repurchased at a government auction only 2 years later with the help of Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers, but the split was done. The company retained rights to the Merck name in the US but remained independent. One of many noteworthy achievements in the post-War period is the discovery of streptomycin, which was revolutionary in treating tuberculosis.

In 1953 the company merged with Sharp& Dohme to form the then 2nd largest US drug manufacturer. The merger brought smallpox vaccines to the portfolio and opened a new avenue of research for the business. Since then, advancements in vaccine technology include treatments for mumps and chickenpox. Other notable advancements include the discovery of statins as a cholesterol inhibitor and work in veterinary medicine.

Today, Merck & Co operates through 2 segments and under 2 different names with a headquarters in Kenilworth, NJ. The company operates as Merck & Co in the US and as Merck Sharp & Dohme outside the US and Canada. The 2 segments are Pharmaceutical and Animal Health. Revenue topped $49 billion in 2022 and employed more than 68,000 people. The company has 8 research facilities near major university systems, including 7 in the US and 1 in the UK. As of 2022, the company had 82 pipeline products in Phase 2 trials, 30 in Phase 3 trials and 3 under review.

The Pharmaceutical segment researches discover and commercializes human health products in several areas of medicine. These include but are not limited to oncology, acute care, immunology, neuroscience, virology, cardiovascular, and diabetes. This segment has 6 blockbuster drugs as of late 2022, with each generating more than $1 billion in revenue. The leading treatments are Keytruda for treating cancer-related immune conditions, Gardisil which is a vaccine for HPV and Januvia for treating Type-II diabetes. The Animal Health segment discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets veterinary healthcare products and services. Both segments sell to healthcare facilities and distributors.
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. was founded in 1869 by Marcus Goldman as an investment bank catering to institutions and businesses. Among the firm's first products are the revolutionary use of commercial paper for entrepreneurs which opened a new method of finance for business and industry.

The original firm expanded to Goldman Sachs in 1882 with the inclusion of son-in-law Samuel Sachs and again in 1885 with a son and another son-in-law. The firm joined the New York Stock Exchange in 1896 expanding into trading of its own and in 1898 it was worth $1.6 million. The company began its work in the IPO market in 1906 with the initial public offering of Sears, Roebuck & Co., and then moved on to Ford and other prominent names of the time.

The 1930s brings a change of leadership and a new direction for the firm. The company shifted toward a purer play on investment banking and embarks on a campaign of acquisition that lasted until the present day. The company doesnt go public itself until 1999 and from that point on it will change into a bank holding company that not only offers investment banking services but takes deposits too, and in 2016 the company added consumer banking to its list of services.

Today, Goldman Sachs is a financial institution that provides a range of financial services for corporations, institutions, governments, and individuals globally. The company operates through four segments that include Investment Banking, Global Markets, Asset Management, and Consumer & Wealth Management. According to US banking regulations, it is systemically important to the financial health of America.

The company is headquartered in New York, New York, and operates 6 regional headquarters as well. Regional headquarters are located in financial hotspots such as London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangalore, and Warsaw. Among its many prominent CEOs are John Corzine and Hank Paulson who both went on to successful work in government.

The company's Investment Banking segment provides a full range of financial advisory services as well as underwriting for the public markets. The financial advisory services include but are not limited to strategic advisory for mergers and acquisitions, divestiture, restructuring, and spin-offs. This segment is also engaged in middle-market lending and transaction banking. Underwriting services include IPOs, preferred stock, debt instruments, and bridge loans.

Goldman Sachs Global Markets segment facilitates market transactions for institutions, banks, brokerages, corporations, and governments. Services include execution, derivatives, financing, clearing, settlement, and custody.

The Asset Management segment manages client portfolios across the investment spectrum while the Consumer & Wealth Management segment provides advisory and banking services to consumers.
Mativ Holdings, Inc. operates as a performance materials company. The company operates through two segments, Advanced Technical Materials and Fiber-Based Solutions. The Advanced Technical Materials segment manufactures and sells polymer, resin and fiber-based substrates, nets, films, adhesive tapes, and other nonwovens. This segment serves filtration, protective solutions, release liners, healthcare, and industrials end-markets. The Fiber-Based Solutions segment provides packaging, printing, and specialty papers; and various paper-based products for the consumer channel, such as bright papers, cardstock, stationery paper, envelopes, journals, and planners. It also offers combustibles products comprising conventional papers and filter wraps, low-ignition propensity papers wrappers for small cigars, and hemp-based alternatives; noncombustibles; and lightweight papers. This segment serves cigarette and cigar manufacturers, and commercial print and combustibles end-markets. The company sells its products in the United States, Europe and the former Commonwealth of Independent States, the Asia Pacific, the Americas, and internationally. The company was formerly known as Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. and changed its name to Mativ Holdings, Inc. in July 2022. Mativ Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 1995 and is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia.
Aflac (NYSE:AFL) pays an annual dividend of $1.68 per share and currently has a dividend yield of 2.20%. The company has been increasing its dividend for 41 consecutive years, indicating the company has a strong committment to maintain and grow its dividend. The dividend payout ratio is 22.46%. This payout ratio is at a healthy, sustainable level, below 75%. Based on earnings estimates, AFL will have a dividend payout ratio of 27.14% next year. This indicates that the company will be able to sustain or increase its dividend.

Read our dividend analysis for AFL.
Pfizer Inc. is a US-based multinational biotech company. The company operates as a research-based pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, production and marketing of medicines and vaccines. It is the 2nd largest drugmaker globally by revenue and is ranked 64th on the Fortune 500 list. The companys avenues of research include Immunology, Oncology, Cardiology, Endocrinology and Neurology.

Regarding its product line, the company has at least ten blockbuster drugs producing more than $1 billion in avenue revenue each. The company brought in over $81 billion in total revenue in 2021. The US is its main market and represents roughly 50% of all revenue. China and Japan make up roughly 12% of the business, while the rest come from the rest of the world. It employs roughly 79,000 people and is headquartered in New York state.

Pfizer Inc. was founded in 1849 by Charles Pfizer Sr. and his cousin Charles Earhart. The two were German immigrants and chemists that set up shops outside New York City to make medicinal compounds. The first major success was an antiparasitic called santonin, and the commercialization of citric acid-making technologies quickly followed that up. Their success with citric acid led to the companys expansion and other major discoveries.

World War I caused a shortage of materials for making citric acid and forced the company to seek alternatives. The one they latched on to was the fermentation of certain fungi known to produce citric acid naturally. This led to the advancement of fermentation technology that was later used in the commercial production of penicillin and then the advancement of antibiotics in general.

Pfizer Inc was incorporated on June 2nd, 1942 in Delaware, and another period of expansion began. The postwar drop in demand for penicillin led to the discovery of newer, more marketable antibiotics and cemented the companys role in modern medicine. By the time he 80s rolled around, the company was trading on the New York Stock Exchange and on the path to developing todays blockbuster lineup.

The companys top seller in 2021 was Comirnaty, a COVID-19 vaccine. It generated nearly $37 billion in 2021 and was followed by Prevnar, Ibrance and Eliquis with just over $5 billion in sales each. Other blockbuster names on Pfizers list include Xeljanz and Enbrel, each bringing in $3.5 billion. Pfizer operates 39 research and production facilities worldwide and sells its products in 125 countries.

As of 2022, the company had a robust pipeline of potential treatments, with more than 220 in some stage of clinical trials. Among its leading candidates is a vaccine for RSV, a life-threatening respiratory disease affecting children. 2021 highlights include 8 FDA approvals, four new regulatory submissions and 13 new trial startups. Pfizer is also a well-known dividend payer and has returned more than $8.7 billion to shareholders since going public.
Procter & Gamble Co, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a multinational consumer goods corporation founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble. The company has a rich history of innovation and has become a household name in many countries worldwide. Proctor & Gamble Co is a consumer staples stock. A consumer staples stock is a type of stock that offers investors a more stable and steady growth pattern that is minimally affected by economic factors.

With a market capitalization of over $327.9 billion as of February 2023, Procter & Gamble is one of the largest companies in the world. The company operates in over 70 countries, with its products sold in more than 180 countries globally. Its brand portfolio includes household names such as Tide, Pampers, Gillette, Head & Shoulders, Crest, and Olay.

Procter & Gamble's business is divided into five segments: Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric & Home Care, and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment includes SK-II, Pantene, and Herbal Essences. The Grooming segment comprises brands such as Gillette, Venus, and Braun. The Health Care segment includes brands such as Oral-B, Vicks, and Pepto-Bismol. The Fabric & Home Care segment includes Tide, Downy, and Swiffer brands. The Baby, Feminine & Family Care segment includes brands such as Pampers, Always, and Tampax.

Procter & Gamble's products are sold through various channels, including retail stores, online retailers, and direct-to-consumer channels. The company has also invested in e-commerce capabilities and digital advertising, recognizing the importance of these channels in reaching consumers.

Procter & Gamble has a long history of innovation and investing in research and development. The company's R&D efforts are focused on improving its existing products and developing new products that meet the evolving needs of consumers. Procter & Gamble also invests heavily in marketing and advertising, recognizing the importance of building strong brands that resonate with consumers.

Recently, Procter & Gamble has made sustainability a key focus area. The company has set ambitious goals to reduce its environmental footprint, such as using 100% renewable electricity at all its plants by 2030. Procter & Gamble has also committed to reducing its plastic packaging waste to reduce its use of virgin plastic by 50% by 2030.

Procter & Gamble has a strong financial position, a solid balance sheet and a history of strong cash flows. The company has a long record of paying dividends, with over 130 years of uninterrupted dividend payments. Procter & Gamble has also implemented a share buyback program, repurchasing over $30 billion of its shares in the past three years.

Despite its size and global reach, Procter & Gamble faces competition from various large and small companies. The consumer goods industry is highly competitive, with companies constantly vying for market share and consumer attention. Procter & Gamble must continue to innovate and invest in its brands to stay ahead of its competitors.
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation provides a range of financial products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Securities Services, Market and Wealth Services, Investment and Wealth Management, and other segments. The Securities Services segment offers custody, trust and depositary, accounting, exchange-traded funds, middle-office solutions, transfer agency, services for private equity and real estate funds, foreign exchange, securities lending, liquidity/lending services, and data analytics. This segment also provides trustee, paying agency, fiduciary, escrow and other financial, issuer, and support services for brokers and investors. The Market and Wealth Services segment offers clearing and custody, investment, wealth and retirement solutions, technology and enterprise data management, trading, and prime brokerage services. This segment also provides integrated cash management solutions, including payments, foreign exchange, liquidity management, receivables processing and payables management, and trade finance and processing services. The Investment and Wealth Management segment offers investment management strategies and distribution of investment products, investment management, custody, wealth and estate planning, private banking, investment, and information management services. The Other segment engages in the provision of leasing, corporate treasury, derivative and other trading, corporate and bank-owned life insurance, renewable energy investment, and business exit services. It serves central banks and sovereigns, financial institutions, asset managers, insurance companies, corporations, local authorities and high net-worth individuals, and family offices. The company was founded in 1784 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Bybit to Stop UK Services as Fin Regulators Clamp Down  Are You Affected?

Image Source: Capital.com

Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has revealed its decision to suspend services in the United Kingdom (UK) due to impending regulations from the countrys Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

In a Friday announcement, the exchange said it would begin the suspension process on October 1 and would no longer accept new account applications.

This will be followed by the suspension of new deposits, new contracts, and changes to positions for existing UK users on October 8.

Due to recent UK regulatory changes, Bybit will suspend its services in the UK. New account applications cease from Oct 1, 2023, 8AM UTC. Existing UK users, please manage your positions before Jan 8, 2024, 8AM UTC. #Bybit



Find out more here: https://t.co/ubKN3NrFhE pic.twitter.com/06ucS4giKV  Bybit (@Bybit_Official) September 22, 2023

The move comes in response to the FCAs introduction of new rules regarding marketing and communications by crypto businesses.

Bybit has made a choice to embrace the regulation proactively and pause our services in this market, the firm said.

The suspension will allow the company to focus its efforts and resources being able to best meet the regulations outlined by the UK authorities in the future.

Back in June, the FCA announced a revised financial promotions regime regarding the marketing of cryptocurrency assets.

On September 21, the agency issued a warning, reminding firms of the October 8 deadline and the potential risk of criminal charges.

While the FCA indicated that some firms may have until January 2024 to comply with the marketing rules, they would need prior approval from the regulator.

Bybit Continues to Wind Down Operations Across the World

This is not the first time Bybit has scaled back its services across the world in response to regulatory developments.

In May, the exchange announced plans to exit Canada, citing growing regulatory scrutiny in the country.

However, Bybit has also expanded into new markets, such as Kazakhstan, where it received in-principle approval to operate as a crypto custody service provider in May.

Earlier this month, Bybit CEO Ben Zhou explained that the new marketing rules set to be enforced in a few weeks will tighten the market, possibly forcing the firm off the UK market.

We do see regulation becoming more strict. Most likely, well have to retreat in many countries. I think the UK, well have to exit very soon. We recently exited France.

Zhou added that the new amendment has changed the ecosystem around financial solicitation to the extent that it makes it impossible to practice reverse solicitation, a practice most firms adopted to maneuver the previous laws.

Meanwhile, Bybit will not be alone in facing the challenges caused by the new FCA rules as several industry executives and observers have pointed out the effect of such policy.

On Sept 11, cryptocurrency exchange Luno revealed plans to halt certain clients from investing in crypto from Oct 6 two days before the enforcement of the new FCA rules.

Similarly, Delphi Labs general counsel Gabriel Shapiro has warned that most crypto firms will struggle to comply with the new financial promotions regulations.

tbh as a lawyer in the space I am close to capitulating. no one is going to be able to afford the work required to comply with this except CEXs and a few blue chip DeFi projectseven for them, there is not enough time. https://t.co/KJrNELjmOH  _gabrielShapir0 (@lex_node) September 11, 2023
FTX Files Lawsuit Against Former Salameda Employees to Recover $157 Million

Source: FTX

According to the recent court filing, FTX, the bankrupt crypto exchange, has filed a lawsuit against former employees of Salameda, a Hong Kong-incorporated entity affiliated with FTX, to recover about $157.3 million.

The Hong Kong firm was said to be controlled by the former CEO and founder of the bankrupt FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried, who is currently behind bars awaiting trial.

The former employees are alleged to have participated in the fraudulent withdrawal of assets from FTX a few days before it filed for bankruptcy in November 2022.

The lawsuit alleged Michael Burgess, Matthew Burgess, Lesley Burgess (their mother), Kevin Nguyen, Darren Wong, and two companies, namely 3Twelve Ventures and BDK Consulting, that co-toll multiple assets on FTX.com and FTX.us for fraudulently withdrawing assets before the exchange filed for bankruptcy.

Three months before FTX filed for bankruptcy in 2022, the listed names benefitted from preferential withdrawals that allowed some customers to withdraw some of their assets before they filed for bankruptcy and are avoidable under the Bankruptcy Code.

According to the filing, the alleged personnel had connections with some FTX employees, which they exploited to ensure they were prioritized over other customers.

According to FTX, the defendant rushed to their connections to withdraw their funds, which are currently worth more than $123 million of the total $157.3 million on its own on the exchange on or after Nov. 7 before the withdrawal window closed.

The lawsuit stated that the withdrawals were made with the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud FTX USs present or future creditors.

FTX Recovery Attempts as they had recovered more than $5 billion in different assets

FTX has been actively pursuing the recovery of owed payments from various affiliated parties, marking this as not their initial endeavor in this pursuit.

In June, the company disclosed a substantial debt of $8.7 billion to its customers. In a concerted effort to offset this, the company managed to reclaim $7 billion in liquid assets. During the same period, FTX complained to the Wilmington, Delaware bankruptcy court, seeking the return of $700 million that its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, had transferred to K5 entities in 2022.

FTX contended that Bankman-Fried, following his attendance at a social event hosted by Michael Kives, a co-owner of K5 Global, was characterized as an excessive benefactor, sending millions to K5 Global and its affiliated entities.

The company has also targeted not only FTXs founder and former CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried but also his executives and parents, as well as FTXs philanthropic and life science divisions.

Recently, FTX leveled allegations against the parents of the FTX founder, Joseph Bankman, and Barbara Fried, both law professors at Stanford Law School, accusing them of leveraging their legal expertise to divert funds.

Also in september, the collapsed crypto exchange secured court approval to liquidate, invest, and hedge $3.4 billion worth of cryptocurrency holdings in order to settle its outstanding debts.

According to the court filing, FTX owns $1.16 billion worth of Solana (SOL) tokens, worth more than one-third of the companys total $3.4 billion liquid crypto portfolio. Its next largest crypto stash, Bitcoin (BTC), is worth $560 million based on pricing as of Aug. 31. Ether (ETH) comes in at a distant third, worth $196 million.
Navdeep's name surfaced after the Telangana Narcotics Bureau (TNAB) arrested a gang including three Nigerian nationals a week ago. DC Image

Hyderabad: Tollywood actor Navdeep was questioned by the Telangana State Narcotics Bureau (TSNAB) for around six hours at the bureaus Lakdikapul office over evidence of the actors drug consumption after his name surfaces in a series of busts at high-end clubs for hosting drug parties.

TSNAB SP Sunitha Reddy said that they have seized his mobile phone and will send it for forensic analysis for further investigation. "After the analysis and further investigation, if some other leads come up, we will summon him again for questioning," she said.

In the probe, the police confronted Navdeep with names and numbers of persons with whom he had been in contact since 2017 and also his association with them. Among them, 30 numbers are stored in his mobile directory with their names, it was found.

Sunitha also said that Navdeep submitted to them a mobile phone which was in a formatted condition. "He was also carrying his mothers mobile phone and tried to pass it on as his mobile phone. But his mobile phone which he had left at home while coming for questioning, was also brought in. It was found that he left from all sharing platforms and also even uninstalled WhatsApp from his mobile phone," she said.

Speaking to the media after the questioning, Navdeep claimed that he was earlier questioned by the Directorate of Enforcement and the SIT commissioned to probe the Tollywood drugs scandal in 2017 and claimed his innocence, citing clean chit in that case. He also admitted that he and one of the arrested accused in the recent busts, Ramchand, were friends and both were associated with the BPM pub at Gachibowli.

"TSNAB officials are doing the investigation beautifully and they are going deep to the roots. They have a very good team with a very good success rate in the country. I cooperated with them and they have got all their answers. They said that they would call me again if needed," he said.
A case has been registered at Narsinghi Police Station against BRS MLA Beeram Harshavardhan Reddy and party MLC Challa Venkatram Reddy

Hyderabad: A case has been registered at Narsinghi Police Station against BRS MLA Beeram Harshavardhan Reddy, party MLC Challa Venkatram Reddy, and six others in connection with a land dispute case in Kokapet. T

According to Narsingi inspector Shiva Kumar, Goldfish Adobe Company has been developing a site in 2 acres, 30 pits at Survey No. 85 in Kokapet and MLC Challa Venkatram Reddy has had a dispute with the company. Gundu Shravan, the developer's representative, complained on Thursday night that the MLC, MLA and their followers evacuated the laborers from the temporary shelters built by the developer. Based on the complaint, a case has been registered against the MLC and MLA, police said.

"The laborers were forcefully evacuated. The followers of MLC threw out the belongings of the workers and also misbehaved with a pregnant woman. When I went there after receiving the information, I was also attacked," alleged Gundu Shravan in the complaint.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh (PTI)

Guwahati: In what may have international ramification, the Manipur government has called for the cancellation of the free movement regime with Myanmar that allows people residing close to both sides of the India-Myanmar border to venture 16 km deep into each other's territory without any document.

Announcing that mobile internet services, which were suspended after ethnic violence erupted in the state on May 3, will be restored from Saturday, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh told reporters, "The government had suspended mobile internet services on May 3 to check the spread of fake news, propaganda and hate speech. However, with the improvement of the situation, mobile internet services will be restored across the state from today."

Informing that his government has asked for cancellation of free movement regime in the wake of the prevailing law and order situation of the state, the chief minister however clarified that the present situation was a result of unplanned policies of the previous governments, and not an immediate aftermath of any recent decision.

He said, "Our government has requested the Union Home Ministry to cancel the free movement regime. Also, security forces have not been properly guarding the border. Instead of being deployed at zero point, they were found guarding the border 14-15 km inside Indian territory."

Mr Singh claimed that the Union Home Ministry has taken steps to fence 60 km of the international border in Manipur.

He asserted that his government will continue to deal with the influx of "illegal immigrants" and stressed the need for complete fencing of the India-Myanmar border. He said that the process for collecting biometric data of "illegal" immigrants in the state will continue in full swing.

The chief minister also came down heavily on the bandh culture and incidents of "rampant verbal abuse against MLAs, ministers and police officials, which has diverted people from real issues and created conflict among ourselves".

"Over the last two months, the situation has improved and the frequency of firing incidents has come down with the deployment of security forces in vulnerable areas," he said.

Mr Singh claimed that a countrywide survey has found a rise in drug and substance abuse among youths of the state, which was the reason why his government launched a 'war on drugs' in 2018. "This will continue... it will be carried out more strongly to destroy poppy plantations in the hills," he said.

The state has also set up a committee, jointly with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Narcotics & Affairs of Border (NAB), to survey the poppy plantation in the state. It will use the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and drone to survey and destroy the poppy plantation, he said.

People from Torbung, Serou, Koutruk who were displaced in ethnic violence have started re-settlement in their respective hometown, the chief minister said. The construction work of prefabricated houses in different sites were also completed, he added.

Mr Singh said that incidents of extortion, kidnappings, and perpetrating other crimes by miscreants impersonating policemen have increased.

The chief minister also asserted that his government has taken multiple initiatives to establish the rule of law in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Moreh, and Imphal.
The court also felt that releasing the funds to Siemens with some suggestions was reflecting likelihood of misusing public funds and that an in-depth enquiry with experts was needed. ANI

Vijayawada: Telugu Desam president N. Chandrababu Naidu filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court on Saturday challenging Andhra Pradesh High Courts order of dismissing FIR quash petition filed by him in connection with the AP skill development scam of Rs 371 crore.

Naidus advocates are likely to meet Supreme Court Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud on Monday to seek special mention of the SLP to take it up for hearing on the same day.

The AP High Court on Friday dismissed the FIR quash petition of Naidu underlining the need for an investigation to be carried with utmost proficiency and said the court was not inclined to interfere with the impugned proceedings.

With this, the ACB court granted two days custody to AP-CID to probe him further in the case and also extended the judicial remand serving at central prison in Rajahmundry over the weekend.
At the University of Virginia Board of Visitors first meeting of the academic year earlier this month, members got an education on how a high-functioning board operates. But not everyone agreed with the lesson.

Clayton S. Rose, who previously served as president of Bowdoin College from 2015 to 2023 and is now a professor at Harvard Business School, led the conversation. He was clear on one point: Board members should serve the universitys interests  that is, not personal interests.

Boards are a single unit, not a collection of free agents with a particular agenda in mind. They focus on the universitys interest, he told the board. Board members should be cheerleaders, he said, protecting the reputation of the institution they serve.

His point elicited some strong criticism from two board members, both appointed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Doug Wetmore, appointed last year, and Paul Harris, who just took his seat on the board this summer, argued that, while it might be true that trustees of private colleges  which Rose is familiar with  serve the university, UVa is different.

UVa is a state institution.

In the schools own Statement of Visitor Responsibilities it makes it clear: Visitors support the Universitys broader public mission and promote the values of a public university, including serving as conduits for conveying the interests of citizens and political leaders of the Commonwealth to the University.

Were a public body, said Wetmore. Our responsibilities are laid out in the Virginia Code. We take public oath of office to uphold the state constitution. Our meetings are open to the public. We have FOIA. The money we spend is public money.

While the boards members should naturally serve the school itself, they also owe an obligation to Virginia taxpayers and residents, Harris and Wetmore said.

The discussion of leadership also included the relationship between the board and the president.

Among the boards most primary and important duties are appointing and evaluating the universitys president, according to the boards statement of responsibilities.

Vice Rector Carlos Brown, general counsel for Dominion Energy and an appointee of Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam, offered an analogy. The president of the university is like a horse, he said. The board builds fences, establishing the parameters of the presidents work, and then allows the president to roam within the pasture.

Theres a partnership in that analogy, said President Jim Ryan.

I place great value on the guidance and leadership our Board of Visitors provides in setting a direction for the University and working with my team and me as we work to execute that vision, Ryan told The Daily Progress in an email after the meeting, clarifying his remarks. That partnership has worked very well in my time as President, and I am proud of what weve been able to achieve together over the past 5 years.

It shouldnt be taken for granted though, according to James Murray.

Murray, an investment banker who was appointed to the board by Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe and then reappointed by Northam, made a point during the boards meeting to say that a lack of trust between the board and Ryan could lead to dysfunction.

The remark was followed by a long silence.

As most early meetings go, especially one with recently appointed members, the first meeting the academic year included a great deal of questions regarding the powers of individual members, the ins and outs of the office and what to expect in the months to come.

For instance, at one point, members asked who the university counsel, Clifton Iler, represents in disagreements and challenges the university faces.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Iler said his obligation is owed to the institution and not specific individuals at the institution  echoing Roses remarks.

My title is university counsel, and I think its university counsel for a reason, Iler said.

For Youngkins newest appointees, their first meeting was a learning experience, they told The Daily Progress.

Thats true even for visitors who previously served on the board.

Im just learning, said John Nau, the chair and CEO of Silver Eagle Beverages who was appointed this past summer but previously served from 2011 to 2015. Every board is different. Its like a corporate board made up of members and what theyre interests are. Ive seen every report is focused on finances and student life, but every one of them is different, so Im listening.

Other visitors are true newcomers, such as Harris.

In my first year on the board, I anticipate spending a lot of time trying to understand this complex operating environment that is the university and understanding what its strategic priorities are and how theyre being executed, said Harris, who took his seat at the same time as Nau. I found the last few days to be very engaging and informative. Its certainly made me think about the university in a different way.

Harris was the first Black Republican elected to the House of Delegates since Reconstruction in 1997, but he does have some experience in higher education.

Once upon a time, he was on the other side of the table, he said. He served as a member of the administration at Hampton University for four years and gave presentations to board members. Though still finding his footing in his new position, he said he knows one thing already: Hes not there to meddle in administrative work.I completely relate to administrators at the university and how they carry out their functions with expected oversight from the board but not too much meddling and getting into managing the institution on a day-to-day basis, thats not our role, Harris said. I am very sensitive not to do that. I understand what my role is as a board member is not to get into the day-to-day stuff. That said, I do expect the administrators to not just bring good news all the time, but to be very frank and transparent about problems and challenges that exist so that we can help in our role as board members.

To that point, Rector Robert Hardie pointed out to board members at the meeting that they should try not to overwhelm staff with information requests.

UVa Chief Operating Officer J.J. Davis has previously told the board, especially Youngkin appointees, that her staff has struggled to answer all of their requests for information. Board membres, the school staff have said, need to be sure to follow the proper processes and go through committees to get information.Hardie asked Rose how he dealt with information requests during his time at Bowdoin. The staff has a day job, Hardie said, and they shouldnt have to undergo a fire drill every time a board member asks a question.
House of the chief of banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) Gurpatwant Singh Pannu after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) confiscated his immovable properties, in Chandigarh, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: In its latest crackdown on Canada-based "designated individual terrorist" Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday confiscated the house and land of the self-styled general counsel of the banned terror outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), in Amritsar and Chandigarh.

The NIAs action is part of a crackdown on terror and secessionist networks being operated from various countries, including Canada. This is the first time that the properties of an absconding accused of NIA have been confiscated under Section 33(5) of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

"Property confiscation" notices were put up outside the residence of pro-Khalistan leader Pannu in Chandigarh and near a piece of agricultural land in Amritsar after a confiscation order was passed by an NIA special court in Mohali, an NIA spokesperson said.

Pannu has been on the NIAs radar since 2019, when the agency registered its first case against him. Pannu has played a major role in promoting and commissioning terror activities and spreading fear and terror in Punjab and elsewhere in the country through threats and intimidation tactics.

Non-bailable warrants of arrest were issued against Pannu by an NIA special court in February 2021. He was declared a "proclaimed offender" on November 29, 2022.

So far, the NIAs investigation has revealed that Pannus organisation, the SFJ, was misusing cyberspace to radicalise gullible youth and instigate them to undertake terror activities. It further emerged during the probe that Pannu was the main handler and controller of the SFJ.

Sikhs for Justice was declared an "unlawful association" by the government of India, vide notification No. S.O. 2469 (E) dated July 10, 2019.

Pannu was declared a designated individual terrorist by the government in July 2020. He has been actively exhorting Punjab-based gangsters and youth via social media to fight for the cause of the independent state of Khalistan, challenging the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country, the NIAs probe revealed.

In recent days, Pannu has been in the news for issuing threats to senior Indian diplomats and government functionaries on public forums. He had also threatened Canadian Hindus a few days earlier, asking them to leave Canada, claiming that they had adopted a "jingoistic approach" by siding with India.

Pannu's properties were earlier attached following orders passed by the government in two different cases. A total of 10 accused, including Pannu, have so far been chargesheeted in the case, the agency said.
BRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao will address 100 public meetings in October and November for the upcoming Assembly polls, sources said.(Twitter)

HYDERABAD: BRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao will address 100 public meetings in October and November for the upcoming Assembly polls, sources said.

The party's election strategy committee is finalising the schedule for Chandrashekar Raos public meetings, with an expectation that the Election Commission of India will issue the poll notification in the first week of October and hold the polls in the first week of December.

BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao will take charge of the campaign in the northern districts, while Minister T. Harish Rao will be incharge of the southern districts. Besides, Rama Rao will also be tasked with campaigning in the GHMC and HMDA limits.

Sources said that Harish Rao will focus on the erstwhile undivided Medak, Nalgonda, and Mahbubnagar districts, in addition to the undivided Khammam district.

MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha will be given the responsibility of the undivided Nizamabad district, with a special focus on the Kamareddy constituency, from where the party chief will be contesting, apart from the Gajwel constituency, which he represents, party sources said.

It has been over a month, following a rally at Suryapet on August 20, since Chandrashekar Rao addressed a public meeting. Although he did address a meeting on September 16 at Kollapur, it was to mark the inauguration of the Palamuru Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme's first stage at the Narlapur reservoir.

The BRS manifesto committee is also engaged in preparing the document, with a special package for the poor and women, for the October 16 release in Warangal.

Rama Rao has hinted at announcing special packages for the poor and women in the manifesto while addressing a public meeting in Hyderabad after the distribution of 2BHK houses to the poor last Thursday.

In his address, Rama Rao urged the public not to believe the six guarantees of the Congress, assuring that BRS will give special packages and that Chandrashekar Rao will announce them soon.

Sources said that the Chief Minister will hold a public meeting in Warangal on October 16 to release the manifesto, in which he will reportedly better the Congress promises.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to launch BJP campaign on October 1 at a public meeting in Mahbubnagar for the Assembly elections.(PTI)

Hyderabad: The BJP is all set to notch up its political offensive in Telangana, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to launch the party campaign on October 1 at a public meeting in Mahbubnagar for the Assembly elections.

The party on Saturday announced that he would address a public meeting at 12.30 pm at Bhoothpur on the outskirts of Mahbubnagar town.

The event will mark the start of a series of public meetings the party is planning in all 17 Parliamentary constituencies, covering the 119 Assembly segments. Among the top BJP leaders to address these meetings in addition to Modi will be the home minister Amit Shah and BJP president J.P. Nadda.

For the October 1 meeting, the party considered Nalgonda, Nizamabad and Mahbubabad as possible venues, but decided on Mahbubnagar. Sources said that Modi would not spare the BRS government in his address on various fronts, especially concerning the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS).

Modis meeting will come just 14 days after the Congress Vijayabheri meeting in Tukkuguda near Hyderabad, with its top echelon of leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge addressing it. The party also announced six guarantees to the people.

As recently as September 16, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao addressed a public meeting in the Mahbubnagar district after he switched on a pump at the PRLIS Narlapur pump house marking the inauguration of the project.

The BJP maintained that it was nothing more than a symbolic act. It said that with 30 more pumps of the project still being installed and even tenders not called for canal works for the project, the inauguration by the Chief Minister was nothing more than an eyewash to garner votes.

Former MP from Mahbubnagar A.P. Jithender Reddy, along with party state general secretary G. Premender Reddy said preparations will begin in full swing for a massive public meeting and called on people from the former unified Mahbubnagar districts to attend the meeting in large numbers.
TPCC chief A. Revanth Reddy, are still in Delhi, in consultation with AICC leaders. (Image: Twitter)

Hyderabad: TPCC leaders, who have reportedly finalised at least 60 per cent of candidates for the upcoming state Assembly elections, are looking at selecting BRS dissidents for the remaining seats. Speculation is rife that a few senior leaders in the BJP are also keeping an eye on vacancies in the Congress.

TPCC senior leaders, including its chief A. Revanth Reddy, are still in Delhi, in consultation with AICC leaders and AICC Telangana incharge Manikrao Thakre about new inductions, after the screening committee sent its list of candidates for approval.

Sources said that a few senior leaders from BRS and BJP are in touch with the TPCC, expressing their willingness to join the party. This was also brought to the notice of AICC leaders, over dissidents' capabilities to win their respective constituencies.

It was also reported that Malkajgiri MLA Mynampalli Hanumantha Rao was likely to go to Delhi to join the Congress in the presence of AICC leaders. However, Hanumantha Rao, who quit the BRS over the lack of a ticket for his son M. Rohith, is unlikely to get his wish fulfilled, as the Congress has reiterated that it would stand by its One family, One seat policy in the Udaipur Declaration.

Although Hanumantha Rao's followers claimed the Congress had promised tickets for the minister and his son, sources said the AICC would take the call on the same.

Hanumantha Rao on Saturday said that he would contest from Malkajgiri constituency and serve the Malkajgiri public. In the previous election, Hanumanth Rao won the seat by a margin of 75,000 votes.
China is looking to build more military bases in Mozambique or Madagascar in the western Indian Ocean as well. (Representational Image/PTI)

India sits atop and astride a confluence of the the three seas namely the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. All these maritime brinies are of special significance for India that has unfortunately been suffering from a land obsession and corresponding sea blindness owing to the twin challenges from Pakistan and China that have been essentially land based for the past seven decades since the end of the Second World War.

The stability and safety of the broader Indo-Pacific region is vital for Indias security. Its azure waters serve as the lifeline for Indias economic growth, facilitating the transit of over 80 per cent of its critical crude oil imports and a vital conduit for the rest of its international commerce.

India, historically, therefore, has always been committed too and has advocated that the Indian Ocean must be a zone of peace. India has been against foreign military bases in the Indian Ocean and especially on its territory. On December 16, 1971, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) had passed a resolution calling for the Indian Ocean to be a zone of peace, vide U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2832 (XXVI).

Is India changing its stance both with regard to military bases in the broader Indo-Pacific region and even on its soil? At least, so it appears from a read of the recent joint communiques between India and the United States.

Paragraph fourteen of the joint statement from United States and India dated June 22, 2023, stated that: "President Biden and Prime Minister Modi also welcomed Indias emergence as a hub for maintenance and repair for forward deployed US Navy assets and the conclusion of master ship repair agreements with Indian shipyards. This will allow the US Navy to expedite the contracting process for mid-voyage and emergent repair"

The same formulation was repeated in paragraph eighteen of the joint statement from India and the United States dated September 8, 2023. It stated that: "The leaders applauded the conclusion of a second master ship repair agreement, with the most recent agreement signed by the US Navy and Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders, Ltd, in August 2023. Both sides recommitted to advancing Indias emergence as a hub for the maintenance and repair of forward-deployed US Navy assets and other aircraft and vessels"

A report published in a South India based newspaper on July 11, 2023, underscored the fact that "US Navy warships are likely to undergo repair at Larsen and Toubros shipyard at Kattupalli port in Chennai as per a landmark five-year master shipyard repair agreement (MSRA) signed last month between the US Navy and Larsen & Toubro. Currently, the shipyard is providing repairs for US Navy civil command ships". Mark the words, US Navy warships!

A close in-between-the-lines concurrent read of the two joint statements and the news report excerpted above raises the portentous spectre: Are these agreements a precursor to providing US military bases on Indian soil?

The United States already has a string of hub and spoke alliances in the Pacific part of the Indo-Pacific that commence from Japan in North Asia and go all the way down to Australia encompassing South Korea, Philippines and Thailand. It has a full spectrum security relationship with Singapore and even Taiwan. On September 10, 2023, it upgraded its relationship with even Vietnam to the comprehensive strategic partnership level surmounting the troubled legacy of the Vietnam war that raged in 1955-1975.

In the Indo part of the Indo-Pacific the United States has bases in Bahrain,Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, UAE, Israel and Diego Garcia. It has a security relationship with Saudi Arabia and Turkey is a Nato ally. The 5th and 7th Fleet of the US Navy regularly transit and patrol the Indo-Pacific from Japan to the Suez Canal. The newly formed security pact between Australia, United States and the United Kingdom, AUKUS, aims to monitor the South China Sea, and empower its regional allies such as Australia by providing them with valuable technology including nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs).

Then there is the fuzzy Quad construct  the Quadrilateral between United States, Japan, India and Australia in the Pacific and the equally amorphous I2U2 between Israel, India, US and UAE in the Indo part. The only thing missing in this entire architecture from the US perspective can be a proper military base in India that lies in the centre of the strategic arc from the Sea of Japan to the Suez Canal.

The Chinese also have been aggressive over the last two decades in scouring for and securing military bases in the Indo-Pacific. From Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, Gwadar in Pakistan, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, a surveillance station on Coco Islands in Myanmar, and a naval base on the Sihanoukville-Ream in Cambodia, the Chinese have assiduously created and nurtured what they call as the string of pearls.

China is looking to build more military bases in Mozambique or Madagascar in the western Indian Ocean as well. Another naval facility is coming up on the Atlantic Ocean side of Africa in equatorial Guinea. China also has a strategic relationship with both DPR Korea and Pakistan that are nuclear armed states and is emerging as the senior partner in the Sino-Russian relationship.

Where does this scramble leave India? For tensions in the Indo-Pacific region have been exacerbating since Xi Jinping assumed office in Beijing.

India has two options. It can either become a junior partner in the larger panoply of security groupings and networks in the Indo-Pacific that are undergirded by the United States for there never can be an equal partnership given the wide gap in the respective defence capacities of both the countries. The other option is to grow your economy, enhance your net national power and create your own network of bases in the Indo-Pacific, thereby safeguarding your strategic autonomy.

Indias efforts to create a presence in Mauritius and Seychelles have either been too incremental or subverted. While reports suggest that the facility on Agalega Islands in Mauritius is perhaps near completion, the effort to construct a base on Assumption Island in Seychelles has run aground.

India needs to bring the government of Seychelles led by the priestly President Wavel Ramkalwan around to its point of view by attempting to convince them that democratic India would always be a better ally than totalitarian China.

To conclude, India must maintain its strategic autonomy and not allow any military bases on Indian soil irrespective of how they may be dressed up and how attractive the option maybe in the short term. It must look to build its own military bases in the Indo-Pacific.
Best Buy Co., Inc. engages in the retail of technology products in the United States and Canada. The company operates in two segments, Domestic and International. Its stores provide computing and mobile phone products, such as desktops, notebooks, and peripherals; mobile phones comprising related mobile network carrier commissions; networking products; tablets covering e-readers; smartwatches; and consumer electronics consisting of digital imaging, health and fitness products, home theater, portable audio comprising headphones and portable speakers, and smart home products. The company's stores also offer appliances, such as dishwashers, laundry, ovens, refrigerators, blenders, coffee makers, and vacuums; entertainment products consisting of drones, peripherals, movies, music, and toys, as well as gaming hardware and software, and virtual reality and other software products; and other products, such as baby, food and beverage, luggage, outdoor living, and sporting goods. In addition, it provides consultation, delivery, design, installation, memberships, repair, set-up, technical support, health-related, and warranty-related services. The company offers its products through stores and websites under the Best Buy, Best Buy Ads, Best Buy Business, Best Buy Health, Buy Mobile, CST, Current Health, Geek Squad, Lively, Magnolia, Pacific Kitchen, Home, TechLiquidators, and Yardbird brands, as well as domain names comprising bestbuy.com, currenthealth.com, lively.com, techliquidators.com, yardbird.com, and bestbuy.ca. The company was formerly known as Sound of Music, Inc. Best Buy Co., Inc. was incorporated in 1966 and is headquartered in Richfield, Minnesota.
Prudential Financial, Inc. is a global financial services company headquartered in Newark, New Jersey. Founded in 1875, the company has become one of the world's largest insurance and investment management companies, with operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential Financial provides insurance, retirement, and investment products to individuals, businesses, and institutional clients.

The company has diverse products and services, including life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, retirement planning, asset management, and real estate services. Its offerings cater to a wide range of customers, from individuals to large corporations.

Prudential Financial's management team is led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Charles F. Lowrey, who assumed the position in 2018. Lowrey has been with the company for over 25 years and has held various leadership positions, including President and Chief Operating Officer. He has a strong track record of driving growth and profitability, having led the company's international business and overseen its merger with Prudential plc's Asian business. Other key management team members include Vice Chairman Robert Falzon and Chief Financial Officer Ken Tanji.

Over the past few years, Prudential Financial has delivered consistent financial results. The company reported revenue and net income up for the past several years. The company keeps an average profit margin of around 4%. The company has maintained a solid balance sheet with an average debt-to-capital ratio of approximately 20%. Prudential Financial's valuation metrics compare favorably to industry peers. The company's price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratio are slightly lower than the industry average. These metrics suggest that the company's stock is undervalued relative to its peers. Prudential Financial's stock has performed well over the past few years.

Prudential Financial operates in the insurance and investment management industry, which is highly competitive and subject to regulatory and political risks. The industry is also subject to cyclical and secular trends that can impact its profitability. For instance, low-interest rates can reduce the profitability of insurers and investment managers by reducing investment income. Prudential Financial's main competitors include MetLife, AIG, and Manulife Financial.

The industry is also subject to regulatory and political risks, such as changes in tax laws or regulatory requirements. In addition, consumer preferences and behavior can also impact the industry, as changes in consumer preferences for financial products and services can affect the demand for insurance and investment management products.

Prudential Financial has several growth opportunities. The company has a strong presence in Asia, particularly in Japan and China, where it has established partnerships with local financial institutions to distribute its products. The company also recently acquired Assurance IQ, a technology-enabled insurance brokerage, to expand its reach in the United States. Prudential Financial is also focused on developing new products and services to meet evolving customer needs, such as its Prudential LINK platform, which provides customers with a personalized approach to financial wellness. Additionally, the company has invested in digital and data capabilities to improve customer experience and streamline operations.

Prudential Financial also has opportunities for expansion into new markets. The company has been expanding its footprint in emerging markets, such as Brazil and Mexico, where it has seen strong growth potential. Furthermore, the company has been exploring opportunities in the growing retirement and financial planning market, particularly in the United States. The aging population has increased the demand for retirement and wealth management services.

Prudential Financial also faces several risks and challenges. The company is exposed to market risks, such as fluctuations in interest rates and equity markets, which can impact the value of its investment portfolio and earnings. In addition, the company's success depends on its ability to effectively manage risks associated with its insurance business, such as mortality, morbidity, and longevity risks.

Prudential Financial is also exposed to regulatory and political risks. Changes in regulatory requirements or tax laws can impact the company's operations and profitability. Furthermore, the company operates in multiple jurisdictions with different regulatory environments, which can create additional complexity and costs.
The Charles Schwab Corporation is a financial services company that offers a wide range of investment services, including brokerage, banking, and financial advisory services. Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Westlake, Texas, the company operates through two main segments: Investor Services and Advisor Services. The Investor Services segment offers individual investors retail brokerage and banking services, while the Advisor Services segment provides custodial, trading, and support services to independent investment advisors. In 2020, the company completed its acquisition of TD Ameritrade, further expanding its client base and offerings.

Charles Schwab Corporation's management team is led by Walt Bettinger, who has been the company's President and Chief Executive Officer since 2008. Mr. Bettinger joined the company in 1995 and has held various leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer and Head of Schwab Institutional.

Over the past few years, Charles Schwab Corporation has experienced steady growth in its key financial metrics. It is reporting increased revenue and increased profit margin. Charles Schwab Corporation's valuation metrics are generally in line with industry peers. The company's price-to-earnings ratio is slightly lower than the industry average, and the company's price-to-book ratio is also somewhat lower than the industry average. Charles Schwab Corporation's stock has generally performed well over the past few years, with some fluctuations in response to broader market conditions and regulatory changes. The company's stock price has outperformed the S&P 500 for several years. The company has also experienced increases in trading volume in response to changes in market conditions and regulatory changes.

Charles Schwab Corporation operates in the financial services industry, which has experienced significant growth and transformation over the past few years. The industry has been impacted by a range of factors, including advances in technology, changing consumer preferences, and regulatory changes. Charles Schwab Corporation competes with other financial services firms, including traditional brokerage firms, online investment platforms, and banks.

Charles Schwab Corporation has a range of potential growth opportunities, including expanding its offerings to meet the evolving needs of its clients. The company has been investing in technology and digital platforms to improve its services and attract new clients. In addition, the company's acquisition of TD Ameritrade has provided new opportunities for growth and expansion. The company also focuses on expanding its international presence and exploring new markets.

Charles Schwab Corporation faces a range of potential risks and challenges, including changes in regulatory and political environments that may impact the company's operations and profitability. The financial services industry is subject to a wide range of regulations, and changes in these regulations could significantly impact the company's operations. In addition, the industry is subject to intense competition, which could affect the company's ability to attract and retain clients.

Another potential risk is the impact of market volatility on the company's operations. Charles Schwab Corporation generates a significant portion of its revenue from commissions and fees, which are impacted by changes in market conditions. In periods of market volatility, clients may reduce their trading activity, which could affect the company's revenue and profitability.

The company also faces risks related to data security and privacy. The company collects and stores sensitive financial and personal information on its clients. Any breach of this data could significantly impact the company's reputation and financial performance.

To address these risks and challenges, Charles Schwab Corporation is focused on maintaining a robust regulatory compliance program and investing in data security and privacy measures. The company is also focused on diversifying its revenue streams and expanding its offerings to meet the evolving needs of its clients.
The iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Momentum SR Variant index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap US equities, selected and weighted based on price appreciation over 6- and 12-month periods and low volatility over the past 3 years. MTUM was launched on Apr 16, 2013 and is managed by BlackRock.
Capital One Financial Corporation was founded in 1988 with the goal of revolutionizing the credit card industry. The companys ground-breaking services were data-driven, opened the doors of credit to millions of people, and today Capital One is one of the worlds largest banks.

The companys commitment to connecting people with responsible credit helped to rank it 10th in the US in regard to total assets and 72nd globally. The company has nearly $400 billion in assets in late 2022 and operated a network of subsidiary institutions including Capital One bank. Capital One Financial Corporation is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, and operates a network of branches and offices throughout the US, Canada, and the UK.

Capital One Financial Corporation is the holding company for Capital One Bank (USA), National Association; and Capital One, National Association, which provides various financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Capital One Financial Corporation operates in three segments: Credit Card, Consumer Banking, and Commercial Banking. The Credit Card segment operates a wide range of revolving consumer credit cards while the Consumer Banking segment offers a range of traditional banking and investment products including auto and home loans, savings, and certificates of deposit. The Commercial segment offers business accounts, financing, commercial and multifamily real estate, and commercial and industrial loans.

In the US, the company serves its clients through digital channels, branches, cafes, and other distribution channels located in New York, Louisiana, Texas, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and California. Digital services include online accounts, account services, loan applications, and investments. Among the many features of banking with Capital One are fee-free checking accounts, cloud-based financial tracking services, and Capital One Cafes. The company operates more than 40 cafes across the US where anyone, not just account holders, can get a coffee or snack as well as improve their financial education. The cafes are equipped with ample public space, nooks for private work, and even event space for meetings.

Capital One continues to advance the digital financial industry to this day. The company was among the first to move its operations to the cloud, doing so in 2012, and it is now developing machine learning, open source, and cloud technology applications to help detect and prevent fraud, secure accounts, and improve banking services.

Capital One is committed to aiding the worlds fight against climate change. To that end, it is pursuing several avenues that include influencing its value chain, fostering a sustainable office culture that is in sync with its surroundings, promoting and financing sustainable energy projects, and transparency in regard to its climate goals.
If the National Hurricane Center wants to classify a tropical cyclone beyond Whitney, a supplemental list of names are used.

These names have been in place since 2021. Before 2021, the Greek alphabet was used for additional storms. However, a very active 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season, and the Greek alphabet storm names, brought confusion. This led the World Meteorological Organization to swap those names for this list.
Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM) is a multinational food processing and commodities trading company with a mission to unlock the potential of nature to improve the quality of life. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, ADM operates across six continents and offers a diverse range of products and services in the agricultural industry. The company's primary operations include oilseed processing, corn processing, agricultural services, and wheat milling. ADM's products are essential ingredients used in various consumer goods, including food, beverages, animal feed, and industrial products.

ADM serves many customers, including food manufacturers, livestock producers, energy companies, and traders. With a global network of over 450 crop procurement locations, ADM has established strong relationships with farmers and suppliers worldwide. The company's commitment to sustainability is evident through its efforts to promote responsible sourcing, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the efficiency of its operations.

ADM's leadership team comprises seasoned professionals with extensive industry experience. Juan R. Luciano serves as ADM's Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. Luciano has been with the company since 2011 and has been pivotal in driving ADM's growth and diversification. His background in agricultural commodities and his strategic vision has been instrumental in shaping the company's success.

ADM has consistently demonstrated strong financial performance over the past few years. The company reported revenues growing yearly, and net earnings for the same period also increased, indicating a stable net profit margin of approximately 3%. ADM's ability to generate solid revenues has been supported by its efficient operations, diversified product portfolio, and strong market presence.

ADM's valuation metrics indicate a reasonable valuation compared to industry peers. The company's price-to-earnings is below the industry average. This suggests that the market is pricing ADM's shares at a relatively attractive level based on its earnings. Factors driving the company's valuation include its diversified revenue streams, global footprint, and focus on sustainable practices. Recent investor sentiment has been positive, driven by ADM's solid financial performance and growth prospects.

In addition to positive market performance, ADM has experienced notable price movements and changes in trading volume due to various news and events. For instance, announcing strategic acquisitions or partnerships often generates investor enthusiasm and can lead to significant stock price increases. Conversely, adverse weather conditions affecting crop yields or changes in government policies related to trade and agriculture can impact ADM's stock negatively.

ADM operates in the global agricultural industry, which is crucial in feeding the world's population and meeting the growing demand for food, feed, and biofuels. Weather patterns, commodity prices, and global trade policies influence the industry.

ADM enjoys a competitive advantage through its integrated supply chain, an extensive network of processing facilities, and strong relationships with farmers and suppliers. The company's global reach enables it to access diverse sources of raw materials, manage risk effectively and provide customers with a reliable supply of high-quality products. Additionally, ADM's focus on sustainability and commitment to responsible sourcing aligns with changing consumer preferences and regulatory trends, positioning the company well for future growth.

ADM has identified several growth opportunities to drive future success. One such opportunity lies in expanding its specialty ingredients and nutrition business. The increasing consumer demand for healthy and sustainable food products presents an avenue for ADM to leverage its expertise in plant-based proteins, natural flavors, and functional ingredients. The company's recent investments in research and development have resulted in innovative product offerings that cater to evolving consumer preferences.

ADM aims to capitalize on the growing demand for renewable energy by expanding its biofuels and bio-based products portfolio. As governments worldwide implement policies to reduce carbon emissions, ADM's expertise in biofuel production positions it favorably to benefit from this transition.

Acquisitions and partnerships also represent growth avenues for ADM. By strategically acquiring complementary businesses or forming alliances with technology-driven startups, ADM can enhance its capabilities, expand its product offerings and access new markets.

Despite ADM's strong market position, several risks and challenges must be considered. One significant risk is the volatility of commodity prices, which can impact the company's profitability and earnings. Fluctuations in crop yields due to weather conditions, changes in global trade policies, and geopolitical tensions can influence agricultural commodities' supply-demand dynamics and pricing.

Regulatory and political factors also pose risks to ADM's operations. Changes in trade, food safety, and environmental standards and regulations can impact the company's ability to conduct business in certain regions. ADM must navigate these complexities while maintaining compliance and managing associated costs.

ADM faces competition from traditional agricultural players and emerging technologies in the plant-based protein and alternative ingredients space. The rapid pace of technological advancements and shifting consumer preferences require ADM to remain innovative and agile to stay ahead of the competition.
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc., a natural resource-based building materials company, supplies aggregates and heavy-side building materials to the construction industry in the United States and internationally. It offers crushed stone, sand, and gravel products; ready mixed concrete and asphalt; paving products and services; and Portland and specialty cement for use in the infrastructure projects, and nonresidential and residential construction markets, as well as in the railroad, agricultural, utility, and environmental industries. The company also produces magnesia-based chemicals products; dolomitic lime primarily to customers for steel production and soil stabilization; and cement treated materials. Its chemical products are used in flame retardants, wastewater treatment, pulp and paper production, and other environmental applications. Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Derry and Strabane will host a number of events during the Bounce Arts Festival, Northern Irelands leading celebration of artistic diversity and inclusion, which returns from October 6 to 8.

The line-up includes For the Love of Mary at the Alley Theatre in Strabane, a bilingual autobiographical journey to find the Virgin Mary performed by spoken word artist Mel Bradley.

Derry is hosting a number of events including Derry Ones  Whats the Craic performed in front of the Guildhall by Stage Beyond, the award-winning theatre company for adults with learning difficulties. The company is bringing its famous puppet show to town for a stellar line-up of fun sketches with a Derry theme, with a host of celebrity characters popping up from behind the curtain on the steps of the Guildhall.

The Au-some Collective will create an inclusive choral environment to raise awareness of neurodiversity with primary school children at the Tuned In Centre. There will also be a pop-up music event featuring Derrys own Jude Kuzma, aka DJ Bulletix at the North West Transport Hub. An electronic music composer and producer, graphic artist and wild-life watcher, he is known for his energetic performances and distinctive vocals.

Other events happening in the city are Lough Fad: A Users Guide book launch and performance with Ciaran O Dochartaigh at The Centre for Contemporary Art and Serve Your Rights! Poster Making Workshop and Display led by local artist Indigo Azidahaka at the Void Arts Centre, inviting children aged 4-14 to a fun filled workshop to learn about human rights.

Run by the University of Atypical, the festival showcases the extraordinary talent and creativity of d/Deaf, Disabled and neurodiverse artists in the UK, Ireland and beyond with a focus on accessibility for all audiences.

Void in Derry is one of the venues that will be hosting an event for the Bounce Arts Festival. Pictured are: Zoe McSparron from Void with Jonathan Mitchell, Access and Inclusion Coordinator at UofA and Federica Ferrieri, Bounce Coordinator

Many of the performances and workshops are free or pay what you can, and encompass all aspects of the arts including theatre, dance, comedy, puppetry, visual arts and talks.

Damien Coyle, Chief Executive of University of Atypical, said: The Bounce Festival has now evolved into one of the largest celebrations of artistic diversity and inclusivity in these islands. We are proud to be bringing it to new venues across Northern Ireland so that more people can enjoy the performances and ideas that these incredible artists have to offer.

Events will be held in Belfast and Derry, Omagh, Strabane, Downpatrick, Enniskillen and Cookstown.

The University of Atypical, a disabled-led arts charity, is celebrating its 30th year of supporting and developing the talent of d/Deaf, disabled, and neurodiverse artists and reaching wider audiences through access and inclusion.

Derry Tuned In Project will host one of the events for the Bounce Arts Festival. Pictured are: Jonathan Mitchell, Access and Inclusion Coordinator at UofA and Federica Ferrieri, with Big Phil Conn from Tuned In and a little Bounce supporter

The organisation started the Bounce Arts Festival in 2012 as part of the Cultural Olympiad and this year it is supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Department for Communities, Belfast City Council, The Ireland Funds, The National Lottery Communities Fund and The Santander Foundation.

Patricia Lavery, Head of Community Arts & Education, Arts Council of Northern Ireland said: We are committed to supporting the work of d/Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent artists.

Mel Bradley (centre) from the Derry Centre for Contemporary Art with Jonathan Mitchell, Access and Inclusion Coordinator at UofA and Federica Ferrieri, Bounce Coordinator

"The Bounce Arts Festival offers an important platform to shine a light on work from these amazing artists. Congratulations to University of Atypical for curating a terrific programme for Bounce this year, which features some of the most talented artists from Northern Ireland and beyond.

"I would encourage everyone to go along and enjoy this exciting and inspirational festival which is simply unmissable.

For more information on all shows and to book tickets, go to www.universityofatypical.org/bounce
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.
Home Off beat Ducati India: Bringing MotoGP To Italian Embassy! Ducati India rolled out an exclusive event hosted at the Italian Embassy in New Delhi. The event marked the presence of MotoGP riders, Ducati bike owners, representatives from Ducati Owners Clubs, Channel Partners, the Italian Ambassador to India and embassy personnel. -Irwin Mills

An exclusive social event, hosted by Ducati India, took place at the prestigious grounds of the Italian Embassy in New Delhi. This singular event drew an impressive crowd, including Ducati bike owners, representatives from Ducati Owners Clubs, Channel Partners, the Italian Ambassador to India, H.E. Vincenzo Deluca, and additional embassy personnel.

The event featured a special delegation of MotoGP riders from Italy. Some of the key attendees include Ducati Corse's Sporting Director Paolo Ciabatti, Ducati Lenovo's Test rider Michele Pirro, and riders Marco Bezzechi, Luca Marini, and Fabio Di Giannantonio from VR46 Racing and Gresini Racing teams. These are some of the fastest MotoGP riders worldwide, and attendees had the rare privilege of meeting and sharing insightful conversations with these motor racing celebrities.

The riders expressed their appreciation for their Indian fans and seemed eager to try out the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, MotoGPs latest racing addition. At the event, the Ambassador welcomed the riders, and they received a signed Ducati MotoGP book autographed by World Champion Pecco Bagnaia and other guests. The riders also participated in a raffle for signed Ducati t-shirts featuring their autographs.

A major highlight was the display of select Ducati bikes, such as the Panigale V4SP2, Streetfighter V4SP, and Panigale V4R. The owner of a brand-new Panigale V4SP even had the rare pleasure of having his bike delivered and signed by veteran Ducati rider Luca Marini.

Bipul Chandra, Ducati India's Managing Director, expressed his thrill about the event, grateful for the support from the Ducati Corse team and the Italian Ambassador's hospitable gesture of granting embassy access. He expressed high hopes for a victorious outcome for the Ducati Lenovo team and eagerly anticipates the race day.

In closing the event, Marco Biondi, Ducati APACs Vice President of Sales and Marketing, shared Ducati's excitement in preparation for the first-ever MotoGP Bharat. The event served as a fantastic prelude, bringing fans and their idolised Ducati MotoGP riders together to celebrate their shared passion for Ducati and MotoGP at the stunning Italian Embassy venue in New Delhi, sending well-wishes to the team for an impressive outcome at the race.
In November, Corvallis residents will vote for or against Measure 2-141, which is expected to raise a total of $34.6 million in taxes by 2028-29.

Dubbed the "City Livability Services Local Option Levy," it would raise money to continue operations for the Corvallis-Benton County Public library, Corvallis Parks & Recreational offerings and social services.

Its passage is a renewal of a levy originally passed in 2011. It was renewed in 2013 and expanded in 2019. The current levy expires June 30, 2024.

The renewal would retain the levy's current tax rate of $1.07 per $1,000 of assessed value for five years, beginning July 1, 2024.

The City Council approved the measure at a meeting in February, where it briefly discussed increasing it but ultimately deciding that the "no new taxes" narrative would be the winning strategy.

The Nov. 7 election comes six months after a multimillion-dollar Benton County bond measure failed at the ballot box, complicating plans to build a new correctional facility. While a bond pays for big-ticket projects, like new facilities, levies are used to pay for ongoing operations.

Though the levy's tax rate remains the same as before, it will likely result in a more than 3% bump in property taxes, according to information contained in the voters pamphlet.

In the first year, a renewed levy is estimated to generate approximately $6.5 million.

In the years after, it is estimated to generate approximately $7 million annually totaling $34.6 million over the five-year period.

Heres a summary of what the levy will pay for:

$480,000 for annual grants allocated to local social service agencies such as food banks, homeless services and youth centers.

51.9% of the remaining revenue (after the $480,000 allocation) will go to services at the Corvallis Public Library, including open days and hours, materials, programs and outreach.

48.1% of the remaining revenue (after the $480,000 allocation) will go to Parks & Recreation, including recreation programs, Osborn Aquatic Center, Corvallis Community Center, the Majestic Theatre and parks services and maintenance.

Various groups have expressed support for renewing the measure.

The Voters Pamphlet features nine arguments in the renewal's favor; from: the League of Women Voters of Corvallis, Benton County Democrats, Board of Directors of the Friends of Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, Benton County commissioners, Corvallis school board members, Corvallis mayor and councilors.

Former mayors Biff Traber and Julie Manning, business owner Morgan Orr, Common Fields, Squirrels Tavern and community members Laura and Mark Worden also expressed support for the measure.

One opposition statement was received from statistician John H. Detweiler, who has lived in Corvallis for more than 30 years.

Detweiler wrote that if Measure 2-141 passes, property taxes in Corvallis will most likely increase by 6.09% in the 2024-25 tax year from its 2022-2023 value, despite the tax rates staying the same.

"Because the assessed value (of properties) will go up," Detweiler said on a call, adding that in Corvallis, the assessed value of properties, which is used to calculate taxes, have risen at a rapid rate.

Assessed value is the lower of either the maximum assessed value or the real market value of a property, which Detweiler said has also been on the incline.

While the maximum assessed value cannot increase by more than 3% per year based on Oregon's Measure 50, assessed value can decrease or increase by more than 3% depending on the trajectory of real market value or past assessed value of properties, according to the Oregon Department of Revenue.

When landlords incur higher property taxes, costs will naturally be passed down to renters, Detweiler argued.

Compared with funding operations like the library and parks, Detweiler said in his opposition argument that keeping housing costs down should be the priority of voters at the November ballot.

If the measure fails, Detweiler said in his opposition argument, property taxes will increase only 0.35% or even decrease  by as much as 4.66%.

Ward 4 Councilor Gabe Shepherd agreed that assessed value of properties change from year to year, which, although it solely reflects property value, will likely impact property taxes.

But he said the council chose to keep the tax rate the same after taking into consideration increasing financial burdens on taxpayers.

"I just want people to remember that all the things we love and appreciate Corvallis for will be impacted," Shepherd said on a call.

Services like the library, the Majestic Theatre, the Osborn Aquatic Center and the Corvallis Community Center are highly dependent on the levy, Shepherd said.

If the measure does not pass, the library, for instance, will see a significant reduction in its operating hours, the elimination of home delivery services, reduced purchase of materials, outreach and programming, according to the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library Foundation.

Heres a timeline of the election:

Monday, Oct 9: Out of State ballots mailed.

Tuesday, Oct 17: Last day to register to vote.

Wednesday, Oct 18: Local ballots mailed.

Thursday, Nov 2: Last day for Election Official to mail ballots.

Friday, Nov 3: Voters needing a replacement ballot must make arrangements for pickup at Benton County Elections Office.

Tuesday, Nov 7, Election Day: 8 p.m. is the deadline to return ballots using an Official Ballot Drop Box anywhere in the state of Oregon or by USPS mail.

To check your ballot status and voter registration status, visit https://sos.oregon.gov/voting/Pages/myvote.aspx?lang=en or contact Benton County Elections & Passports by phone: 541-766-6756 or by email at elections@bentoncountyor.gov.

Related stories:
An Tain Arts Centres book club continues to grow, with their next meeting taking place upstairs in The Townhouse Bar & Restaurant at 8pm on Thursday 28th September.

Members will discuss Canadian novelist Emily St. John Mandels book Station Eleven.

An audacious, darkly glittering novel set in the eerie days of civilizations collapse, Station Eleven tells the spellbinding story of a Hollywood star, his would-be saviour, and a nomadic group of actors roaming the scattered outposts of the Great Lakes region, risking everything for art and humanity.

Mary Claire Cowley, Audience Development Manager at An Tain Arts Centre said: Our book club has grown and grown since we started it in 2020 and while we are currently reading Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, we will also be introducing our readers to some new work written by our writer in residence Radhika Iyers at our next meeting.

The book club has really become a fantastic way to meet new people and exhchange ideas and opinions with other book lovers.

This book club is aimed at adults, is free to attend but registration is required to participate.

Members are encouraged to contact their local library, to obtain a copy of the book, or contact Roe River books.

The monthly book club is in association with Roe River Books and Louth County Libraries.

Visit www.antain.ie to register and become a member of the book club.
In the Basic Education Report (BER), the Department of Education (DepEd) highlighted the challenges it encounters in delivering fundamental education to Filipino students, encompassing issues related to school infrastructure and educational materials.

With a firm dedication to closing the digital education gap, My Dream in a Shoebox (MDIAS), the annual educational initiative spearheaded by strategic marketing agency TeamAsia in collaboration with the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation (YBH), is actively working towards supporting the creation of future-ready classrooms. Through the establishment of educational hubs, known as e-hubs, in some of the most remote areas of the Philippines, an initiative led by YBH, children will gain access to essential resources for in-person learning, including six computers, a years worth of internet service, a printer and printing materials, school supplies, face masks, hand sanitizer, and a budget to cover logistical expenses.

Bea Lim, managing director of TeamAsia and chief dream builder of MDIAS, expressed her dedication to this cause, As we move forward into an era marked by technological advancements, its imperative that we equip our students with the means to succeed. Our e-hub donations represent our commitment to creating future-ready classrooms that foster creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. By providing these resources, we are empowering students to dream big and achieve even bigger.

According to Dr. Anton Mari Lim, YBHs co-founder, We are proud to work alongside My Dream in a Shoebox to empower children and transform their #BiggerDreams into a bigger and brighter reality. These e-hubs are not just technological tools, but bridges to opportunities, empowerment, and a brighter future. Thus, YBH is committed to building more opportunities or avenues for the children.

Aside from e-hubs, MDIAS also aims to raise P250,000 from donations in order to help 10 scholars in each of its 10 partner communities across the Philippines. Donations will be used to cover the costs of the childrens school supplies and hygiene kits with face masks and alcohol.

If youre interested to take part in this years MDIAS campaign, follow these steps to donate:

Visit the My Dream in a Shoebox website at https://shoeboxcampaign.teamasia.com/ Click the Donate Now button. Choose which of the causes you would like to donate to: Donate a Dream Kit, Support a Scholar, or Fund an e-hub. You can also donate to all! If you wish to donate a dream kit, the amount is P300. To fund an e-hub, you can input the amount you would like to donate and click Make a Donation. But if you want to support a scholar or a community, you may choose to donate PHP2,500 or PHP25,000, respectively. Review your cart and hit Proceed to Checkout. Fill up the billing form, choose your mode of payment, click Place Order.

We can all do our own partfilling up a shoe box with supplies and sending it over, donating money to support a scholar, or even the simple act of sharing posts to our networks and friends to encourage them to donate or volunteer, said Bea Lim. As someone told me before, which has now become our thrust and belief, Hanggat may bata na nangangarap at nangangailangan, nandoon ang My Dream in a Shoebox.

Make a donation now and see how small efforts can make a big impact on the youth and the community. To know more about the campaign, visit the website shoeboxcampaign.teamasia.com or contact the organizers at shoebox@teamasia.com.
One of the fastest 800-metre runners in Ireland threatened gardai during a recent incident: Ill f*** ye up like I did before.

Sergeant Pat Lyons outlined at Cork District Court what happened at Sullivans Quay, Cork, on September 12. Gardai went to the scene at 8.45am that morning following a report of a man causing a nuisance.

The guards spoke to Sekeriye Axmed at the scene. He provided gardai with a false name and date of birth on a number of occasions.

Mr Axmed was clearly intoxicated. He was unsteady on his feet and a there was a strong smell of alcohol. He became abusive to gardai in view of members of the public, stating, 'Ill f*** ye up like I did before'."

The reason he gave the false details was that he was aware that there were two bench warrants in existence for him.

Judge Olann Kelleher jailed the young man for two months for his threatening behaviour towards gardai and shorter concurrent sentences for failing to give his name to gardai and being drunk and a danger. Mr Axmed was convicted five times previously for his threatening behaviour.

Eddie Burke, solicitor, said the 23-year-old man was originally from Somalia, and in Ireland he was the third best 800-metre runner in the country.

The solicitor said: He drifted away from home and ended up couch-surfing and eventually homeless. Noting the defendants 22 previous convictions and three more in the latest incident, Judge Kelleher said: It is up to himself when he wants to stop.
RTE has refused to give a powerful committee the contractual details of three former executives.

Public Accounts Committee chairman Brian Stanley said committee members had received a number of documents this week, but some had been withheld by the national broadcaster.

Speaking to RTEs Morning Ireland, he said: Theres a number of documents that we didnt get, very important ones that actually we didnt get was  and I can confirm this to you  is the terms and conditions of the voluntary exit package for Geraldine OLeary, the former head of commercial at RTE, and Breda OKeeffe, the former chief financial officer, her exit package. We have been refused that.

We have also been refused Dee Forbes contract, shes the former director general who we havent had the opportunity to speak to her yet and were anxious to speak to her.

We didnt get theirs and thats very disappointing because (theyre) three people who have been very central to all of this.

Mr Stanley questioned whether other staff at RTE are also receiving such packages, adding that the committee will be seeking legal advice over the issue.

In a statement, RTE director-general Kevin Bakhurst said the broadcaster is fully co-operating with both committees and being as thorough and transparent as we possibly can, within what is permissible in law.

The statement said: RTE has provided the Public Accounts Committee with more than 160 documents requested, including one which contained over 500 emails relating to payments to Ryan Tubridy and a lengthy chronology of key events relating to Ryan Tubridys last contract.

This follows the recent provision of more than 170 documents to the Joint Oireachtas Committee in advance of last weeks meeting.

Where documents have not been provided, this is because of legal and contractual obligations which preclude RTE from providing personal information. We are not refusing to provide them."
A FUNDRAISER will be held in solidarity with Corks LGBT+ community tomorrow night at The Pavilion Bar at 7pm.

The event, called Our Haus, is a collaboration between Letycha Le Synn, Mia Gold, and Liam Bee, supported by the Cork Pride committee.

The organisers said: This is a night where we aim to shine a light on the strength of our community in recent troubling times, celebrate the art of drag and queer performance, and raise funds for our queens lost wages.

The fundraiser comes after a statement by Cork drag queens that they will no longer be performing in Chambers bar following a decision by the venue, run by the Reardens group, to temporarily remove rainbow flags and drag queen posters during Freshers Week, while student nights took place.

Several hundred members of the LGBT+ community in Cork also held a demonstration across the road from the venue last week.

Join all of Corks drag icons along with special guest performers from across Ireland, to celebrate the strength and solidarity of our LGBT+ community, whilst raising funds for our Queens, organisers said ahead of the fundraiser.

Sundays event will feature a live show from 8pm, as well as a raffle on the night in support of the cause. Doors open at 7pm at The Pavilion. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.
CORK City Council's collection of derelict site levies is just not working, a Cork activist has stated, after it emerged there is over 5 million outstanding.

Cork City Council confirmed to The Echo that, while it collected around 1.1m in derelict site levies between 2020 and 2023, a total of 5m remains outstanding.

Figures provided to The Echo show that the total invoiced amount in 2020 was 1.74 million and the total collected was 163,231.

In 2021, the total invoiced amount was 1.75 million and the total collected was 570,143 while the total amount invoiced in 2022 was 1.7 million and the total collected was 284,565.

As of July 2023, the total invoiced amount was 1 million and the total collected was 84,672. The council also confirmed that the levy collection rate from 2020 to 2022 was 19.6%.

Cork activist Frank O'Connor, who along with his partner Jude Sherry has been highlighting dereliction in Cork, said that the current levy collection model has been in place for 33 years is not working. He suggested that Revenue step in to collect the levies owed.

Mr O'Connor described the current collection rate in Cork city (19.6%) as a significant drop compared to 2018/19 rate, which he said was around 30%.

The question to ask is why we are continuing in Cork and nationally with a process that were supposed to trust but doesnt work, he said.

The system isnt working. I would argue that if you put the collection onto Revenue rather than onto the local authorities, straight away that would be a very positive step forward.

Mr OConnor said there is money being lost that could be reinvested in housing. He added that, in 2020, he and his partner Jude found there were 700 derelict sites within 2km of the city centre. He said that the council reported 95 on the register, adding:

Theres a massive difference between what theyre putting on the register and what actually is there so thats a problem straight away."

In response to a question submitted to council by Councillor Thomas Moloney (Ind) ahead of a recent Cork City Council meeting, Director of Services, Fearghal Reidy, confirmed that Cork City Council levied a total of 246 properties under the Derelict Sites Act in the past four years.

Mr Reidy confirmed there were 67 properties levied in 2020; 61 in 2021; 57 in 2022; and 61 in 2023.

He also confirmed that Cork City Council is actively pursuing legal action on a number of fines, a move that was welcomed by Sinn Fein TD Thomas Gould.

I welcome news that Cork City Council is seeking legal action over unpaid derelict sites levies, the Cork TD said.

He added, however, that it is disappointing to see a drop off in levies collected in 2022 when compared with 2021.

I hope that full-year figures for 2023 do not make a trend of this drop.

"The reality is though that Cork City Council is outperforming many local authorities in the collection of the levy.

The minister has convened a review of the Derelict Sites Act that has been ongoing for nearly two years now. It is time for this review to be reported and any necessary changes be made.

Speaking to The Echo, Councillor Thomas Moloney said: I believe there is an opportunity to collect a lot more money from the direct sites across the city and/or for the council to get a lot more accretive in the collection of fines."

He also highlighted the need for the council "to be much more aggressive and proactive in the compulsory purchase of the properties that the owners dont engage proactively [with the council over], and turn them around for people to be able to purchase and develop them".
The work of a journalist from The Echo has been recognised at the 2023 Local Ireland Media awards.

Donal O'Keeffe won Best Community Story for a heartwarming piece titled: 'Ukrainians proud to help their new home Fermoy'.

President of Local Ireland Dan Linehan describes the awards as an occasion for us as an industry to acknowledge and pay tribute in a formal manner to our colleagues in producing content in print and online that is best in class.

In Donals award-winning article, he spoke about how the Fermoy Tidy Towns committee had welcomed over a dozen new members who had just moved to the town after fleeing Ukraine.

He interviewed Fermoy Tidy Town chairperson and local county councillor Noel McCarthy, as well as sixteen-year-old Violetta Kit, who interpreted for her mother Yulia, explaining that they had been living in the town for just two weeks and wanted to repay some of the kindness they had been shown.

Speaking about his win, Donal said: This is a huge honour, and Im delighted. The article was about Fermoy Tidy Towns, and how its volunteers have welcomed new arrivals to the town, offering them a sense of purpose in their new home and an opportunity to meet new friends.

Ukrainian refugees have been welcomed to the North Cork town over the past year and have successfully integrated into the local community.

Now, Fermoy Tidy Towns is offering a similar welcome to people who have come to Ireland seeking international protection, and the local volunteers say they are delighted with the response they have received.

Organisations like tidy towns are often at the heart of their local communities, and as a local paper, The Echo has the great privilege to report such wonderful work.

Editor of The Echo Grainne McGuinness said: Donal is a passionate and dedicated journalist, and in the last year he has dedicated considerable time to covering the issues facing Ukrainians who have come to Cork and written about their welcome in our local communities. It is great to see Donal's work on this subject recognised and everyone in The Echo is delighted for him.

"The Local Ireland Media Awards celebrate the best of regional journalism in Ireland and we are thrilled to be celebrating Donal's win and our three other nominations, a testament to the work of all our journalists, editors and columnists."
A FERMANAGH woman who penned a book about her experiences during the Troubles will be the focus of a special event to raise funds for Cork Counselling Services.

Author Mary Lynchs life changed dramatically after she was forced out of her house at gunpoint by British soldiers.

She will be speaking about her ordeal at the Cork Counselling Services Fashion Fair at the Oriel House in Ballincollig which takes places on Sunday, October 1 at 2pm.

Ms Lynch is the author behind The Long Road Home which addresses the trauma she suffered resulting from painful memories.

The motivational speaker admits that even when the Troubles came to an end she was left with deep emotional scars that took decades to acknowledge.

She will be opening up about how counselling helped her return from a dark place to restore a positive outlook again.

Cork Counselling Services is a charity that has been providing affordable counselling in the community since 1982.

Depression, relationship breakdown, suicidality, self-harm, conflict and anxiety are just some of the topics dealt with by the organisation on a weekly basis.

The organisations motto is that ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference. It also offers training opportunities for those looking to work in the sector.

Next months fundraising event will include a fashion show featuring the work of Irish design company the Naya Collection as well as fashion items from Passion For Fashion in Minane Bridge and Ms Elllies in Kinsale. Refreshments will also be available with a raffle taking place towards the end of the event.

Tickets for the event are 40 and can be purchased via Eventbrite.

Cork Counselling Services is located on Father Mathew Street. To find out more about the centre visit www.corkcounsellingservices.ie. People can also reach out to the organisation via phone on 021-4274951.
BLACKPOOLS darkest hour reads the headline on the Evening Echo of Friday, September 26, 2003, over Vincent Powers report on the previous days fire at the Refond textile plant on the Sunbeam industrial estate in Blackpool.

The front-page photo showed smoke still billowing through the ghostly ruins of the destroyed multi-storey building, an image which Vincent Power notes recalled the then-still-recent memories of Ground Zero in the aftermath of the attacks on New Yorks World Trade Center.

Rays of autumn sunshine filter through the empty shell of the old Sunbeam factory that meant so much to generations of Cork families, he wrote.

Amid this mornings eerie silence in what was once a place of dreams, firemen thanked God no lives were lost.

He added that it was the biggest fire in Cork since the Opera House fire of 1955, although later writers would mention the fire that destroyed Suttons on the South Mall in 1963.

The cost of the inferno will run into millions of euro. It is, above all, a human tragedy with the loss of 110 jobs and the final end of the northsides link with the textile industry.

Sunbeam factory, Blackpool.

Bishop John Buckley, Catholic bishop of Cork and Ross, is quoted as saying: It is a great calamity for the city and particularly for the northside of Cork.

The Blackpool fire had broken out shortly after 2pm in Refonds bottom-floor dye room, quickly engulfing the factory, before spreading to the adjoining building, the former Sunbeam plant.

A listed building with more than 200 years of history attached to it, the Sunbeam building had been unoccupied for a number of years prior to the fire, but was used as a store room by Refond.

The huge fire at the Sunbeam Complex in Cork. Picture: Denis Minihane.

A distraught Chris Smith, Refonds general manager and director, is quoted by Claire OSullivan on page two of the Evening Echo as saying the management and staff were shellshocked. The place has been totalled, he said. Well never open again. It is the end of the textile industry in Corks northside.

The Sunbeam industrial estate began in the 1930s, when, wishing to expand his business, William Dwyer moved his textile factory from the old Butter Exchange in Shandon down to Blackpool. Known as Millfield Textiles, the company grew to employ 1,100 people at the height of its success in the 1960s.

Crowds gathered watching the fire at the Sunbeam Complex in Cork. Picture: Denis Minihane.

Acting as what would nowadays be considered an anchor tenant, Millfield helped to attract other businesses to the industrial estate, which in time became a major centre of employment on the northside. In the mid-1970s, as the traditional textile industry in Ireland was increasingly undermined by cheap imports from the Far East, Millfield was sold to UK giants Courtaulds and then, in the early 1990s, it was taken over by Sunbeam Industries Ltd, based in Westport.

The dramatic sight of what remained of the main building following the fire at the Sunbeam Complex in Cork. Picture: Denis Minihane.

In 1995, what was by then Sunbeam Knitwear closed its doors for the final time, and eight years later, a vital chapter in the industrial and social history of Corks northside ended forever in flames and smoke.
A Cork man with over 100 previous convictions was given a suspended sentence for being in possession of a screwdriver without a lawful excuse and he thanked the judge as he left court, saying, I dont plan on seeing you ever again  no offence your honour".

35-year-old Damien Morley, who now lives at an apartment at Cove Street in Cork, said he meant no disrespect in saying that to Judge Olann Kelleher.

The judge noted from his defence solicitor, Frank Buttimer, and even from the prosecuting office, Garda Derry OBrien, that the accused man appeared to have turned his life around for the better.

Back on March 24, he was found in possession of a screwdriver without a lawful excuse when he was searched on the street. He said at the time that he had it for his own protection. He cooperated with the search.

Mr Buttimer said it was a routine stop and search on the day.

The solicitor said the accused would have been constantly involved in drug and related activities in the past but he had turned things around quite well. Garda OBrien confirmed this was the case.

Thank you very much, your honour, Morley said as he left court with the suspended sentence.
A 36-year-old man accused of money-laundering in respect of 49,000 cash allegedly seized at a property in Mayfield last May was adjourned until December.

James McCarthy of Bay 10, Spring Lane halting site, Blackpool, Cork, appeared at Cork District Court where he also faced charges related to drugs.

The charge of money-laundering alleged that on May 9 at a house at Barnavara Crescent, Mayfield, Cork, he engaged in the possession of property, namely cash of 49,000, while knowing that it was the proceeds of criminal conduct.

He was also charged with possession of cannabis and having the drug for the purpose of selling or supplying to others at the same address on the same date, contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Judge Olann Kelleher adjourned the case until December 13 to allow time for directions to be obtained from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
CORK County Council is to establish a governance structure which would drive the development of Cork Harbour as a major green energy hub, the local authority confirmed in a statement on Thursday.

While the announcement took councillors by surprise when it was made yesterday afternoon, it comes during a period of consultation on a Government policy for the development of green energy around the Irish coast. It also comes as the Council is developing a Climate Action Plan with the aim of dramatically reducing emissions from the consumption of fossil fuel by 2030.

In its statement, the Council described Cork Harbour and the countys coastline as offering unlimited potential in terms of green energy prospects.

"Cork County's coast and harbour offer vast green energy possibilities, said County Cork Mayor, Cllr Frank OFlynn.

We are committed to unlocking this potential for the benefit of our region, our industry, and our communities, ensuring a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future for all.

In the statement, the Council pointed to a proven track record in leadership and its long-standing focus on the Cork Harbour Economy as it announced its to establish a governance structure which will ensure the potential for green energy production is guaranteed to provide long term benefit for Cork Harbour, the countys coast, industry, for Ireland and most importantly for people.

"In the realm of offshore energy and economic development, Cork's coast and harbour are unrivalled in Ireland," said Council chief executive Tim Lucey.

"This recognition is growing and the demand for harnessing this potential is evident.

The creation of this strategy is an exciting prospect with the full strategy set for completion in 2024.

Cork County Council's commitment to sustainable, green energy initiatives stands as a testament to our dedication to driving positive change for the environment and the economy. Cork County Council will said in its statement it would start the process by bringing stakeholders together and developing a comprehensive Cork Harbour and Coastline Green Industrial and Economic Strategy.

Procurement for services to prepare this high-level scoping document have begun and will focus on green industrial development opportunities, with a primary emphasis on large-scale offshore wind energy production around the Cork coastline from large scale offshore wind energy production, the statement said.

Cllr Marcia DAlton, an independent member of Cork County Council with a long-standing interest in Cork Harbour and its development, said she welcomed the concept of a development plan for Cork Harbour.

Theres immense potential in so many areas in Cork Harbour  its an untapped resource in so many ways and I as a representative of the harbour look forward to having informed discussions with Cork County Council on the green industry/energy concept.

Cllr DAlton said she had been pressing the Council for years to develop an integrated management plan for the harbour which would incorporate a special local area plan which would balance residential, recreational, historical, heritage, biodiversity with industry.
I HAD some interesting conversations this week. Id just enjoyed a midweek birthday hotel break (cheaper than the weekend) where, I told my friend, none of the staff was Irish.

Its the same everywhere she said. Restaurants, bars, the retail sector. People dont want to work. The ones with qualifications want careers. The unskilled stay on social welfare.

Another uneasy exchange followed.

Our government has thrown open our borders to thousands of refugees and asylum-seekers from radically different cultures across the globe; from places where policing is highly visible and even brutal, and where the police response to anti-social or criminal behaviour is immediate and extremely punitive.

These people arrive in Ireland, where theres no visible policing, and where a bureaucratic system apparently prevents gardai from immediately attending incidents of anti-social behaviour, crime or traffic accidents, for example, unless they get approval from a control unit.

Whats the long-term effect of this going to be, somebody wanted to know.

Somebody else said a Garda relative had recently left the force because he got a promotion and found it meant he was stuck in an office all day doing mountains of paperwork. He never met either the police officers working under him or any members of the community he was supposed to serve.

Hed told his relatives frontline gardai couldnt put a hand on anyone causing trouble without being called racist, or being told they were going to be investigated by GSOC. This wasnt why hed joined the Garda Siochana, he said, so he left.

Someone wondered if wed heard about the elderly residents in a town up the country, who were afraid to come out of their homes at school bus collection and drop-off times, because of the misbehaviour of local second-level students. Where were the guards, she wanted to know. I said Id been reliably told that elderly people living in a town in County Cork remain indoors at school lunch-break, because thats when second-level students are allowed to come rampaging down main street in big rough groups.

Whats being done about it, we all wanted to know.

Meanwhile, though theres no doubt that many of the refugees and asylum-seekers entering Ireland are sincere, decent, hard-working and law-abiding people, it is statistically inevitable that they cant all be.

It is inevitable that some people are flocking here to exploit an over-generous welfare system which provides them with some 900 a month  (Germany and France, for example offer around 500-600 a month), housing, a free health service, a free education system for their children, and the opportunity to misbehave under a poorly-resourced and demoralised policing service.

They see the disrespect with which teachers, nurses and gardai are treated by the public. They watch how the Irish government complacently presides over a policing crisis, a crime crisis, a road deaths crisis, a housing crisis, a massive health crisis, an environmental and biodiversity crisis...

They see how - quite incomprehensibly in the face of all these problems - much-needed public money is pouring out in welfare payments that are so generous that many people in this country dont ever feel the need to go out and work.

One Ukrainian refugee who lived in Ireland for six months told a newspaper the welfare benefits provided here are very generous compared to other countries  too generous, she felt. Statistics show that Ireland, which offers 900 or more a month, is one of the few countries where the number of people seeking refuge from the war in Ukraine, has increased month on month - despite the fact Ireland is geographically much further away than other EU States.

According to EU Statista data, in percentage terms, Ukrainian refugees - we now have around 96,000 or so here - currently account for just below 2% of our relatively small population. Thats a big number compared to France (there, a single asylum-seeker qualifies for about 528 a month in benefits) where Ukrainian refugees make up 0.11% of the population.

In Italy, also closer to the Ukraine than us, Ukrainians make up 0.28% of the population. In the UK its 0.31%.

The question many people are asking: Now that we have welcomed so very many asylum-seekers into this small island nation of ours, isnt it time to turn our attention and our resources to resolving our ballooning social problems, rather than continuing to allow in massive numbers of needy people our services cant cope with?

Another issue in all of this: I got an email from a man who believes Irelands generous welfare benefits system is putting the business sector at a significant disadvantage - employers cant find unskilled labour.

In his email, which he forwarded to the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, the man gave the example of a retail position offering remuneration of 11.68 an hour. An unskilled person on welfare with a partner and two children would get roughly the same per hour without even needing to get out of bed, he complained. Someone with four children was entitled to even more, on top of a medical card and, of course, no work-related expenses or child-care costs.

Does the retail sector pay employees extra for every additional child they have? he asked rhetorically. Do employers give employees an extra weeks wages at Christmas?

He believes theres little incentive to work if youre unskilled. Hes incensed by the recent decision to increase welfare payments on foot of increasing the minimum wage.

His solution: Rather than increasing the minimum wage, you should max out the welfare payment at 70% of the minimum wage, regardless of how many children a couple have.

The government lacks the backbone to do the tough, unpopular things needed to get more people out to work, he feels. As a result, he says, those who can successfully avail of Irelands generous social welfare system get to have a life, while middle Ireland is going around frantically trying to make ends meet, living in houses (if they are lucky) that wouldnt come close to meeting the guidelines for HAPP accommodation.

Think about it anyway.
A group of Philippines-returned medical graduates are being denied the Eligibility certificates required to appear for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) to practise medicine in India or pursue postgraduate (PG) medical degrees.

The issue started in 2018, when the Medical Commission of India (MCI), which is the predecessor of the National Medical Commission (NMC), introduced amendments to the Screening Test Regulations, 2002 and also in Eligibility Requirement for taking Admission in an undergraduate medical course in a Foreign Medical Institution Regulation, 2002, making it a requirement for the Indian FMGs to qualify National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).

Dr Apurva Dalvi, National Convenor, All India Medical Students Association-Foreign Medical Students Wing (AIMSA- FMG Wing), told Edex Live, There is a group of students from different universities in the Philippines who reached out to the FMG wing of AIMSA as they are being denied eligibility certificates, despite an exemption by the health ministry as well as the Delhi high court order. They are citing a 2018 notification by the MCI, which has now been replaced by NMC as a reason.

Background

The Philippines medical course structure consists of two parts  Bachelor of Science (BS), which is equivalent to a pre-medical course in the USA and Doctor of Medicine (MD), equivalent to MBBS.

When the MCI published notification for eligibility criteria in 2018, some students who had been admitted in 2017 and were pursuing their pre-medical course in the country were met by confusion.

We took admission and started our pre-medical course in the Philippines in 2017. During that time, we were considered eligible as per MCI. However, In 2018, they released a notification saying that when we take admission in a medical course after BS, we would have to appear for NEET examination, explained Nikita Kute, a foreign medical graduate from the Philippines' institute.

The students in the Philippines were being asked to obtain a NEET 2018 or 2019 certificate as their medical degree started in 2019, two years after being admitted into the BS (Pre-medical) course.

However, after a few parents approached the Delhi High Court, the court passed an order exempting the students who left India before May 31, 2018, from the MCI notification.

Now, after graduating this year, when we approached the NMC for an eligibility certificate which is required to appear for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination, they did not issue the same stating that we should present NEET 2018 or 2019 qualification, Nikita added.

Resolution expected

A group of Philippines-returned students and delegates from the AIMSA- FMG wing met with the Nation Commission for Backward Classes Chairman Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, along with officials from NMC and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

They have assured us that the issue will be resolved before October 10, 2023. We are still unsure about the situation as we need to appear for FMGE in December 2023 and need the certificates beforehand, said Dr Nikita Kute.
NATO could meet to discuss Article 4 after Russian missile strike in Poland: reports

closeVideo

Fox News Senior Foreign Affairs correspondent Greg Palkot reports the latest on Russian missiles hitting Ukraine and landing in Poland on 'Special Report with Bret Baier.'

KYIV, Ukraine  The sirens wailed again today In Kyiv, and the Fox News team heard explosions nearby.

Russian missiles were launched in a massive attack against Ukraine Tuesday, and one struck inside Poland, igniting big international concerns.

Early reports said a Russian missile landed three miles inside Poland, striking an agricultural site, killing two people perhaps by accident

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy was still very concerned.

RUSSIAN MISSILES CROSS INTO NATO MEMBER POLAND, KILL 2: SENIOR US INTELLIGENCE OFFICIAL

A vehicle travels past a police blockade after an explosion in <u>Przewodow</u>, a village in eastern Poland near the border with Ukraine, Nov. 16, 2022. (REUTERS/Kacper Pempel)

"This is a very significant escalation. We must act," he said in a TV address.

It's significant because any attack on a NATO country by another nation could trigger "Article 5" military action by the alliance. NATO says its concerned but is not confirming the reports. Neither is the Pentagon.

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: "COLD" WAR IN KYIV AS RUSSIA HITS COUNTRY'S ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE

"We dont have any information at this time to corroborate those reports," Pentagon spokesman Gen. Pat Ryder said, "and we are looking into this further."

Moscow is flatly denying it was involved. According to a defense ministry spokesman, "No strikes were made against targets near the Ukrainian-Polish state border by Russian means of destruction."

Firefighters work to put out a fire in a residential building hit by a Russian strike amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine Nov. 15, 2022. (REUTERS/Gleb Garanich)

Later reports suggested what landed in Poland might have been fragments of a Russian missile shot down by Ukrainian air defenses.

Poland is confirming the missile was Russian made.

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: OLD-STYLE GEAR TO FIGHT CURRENT-DAY UKRAINE WAR

A Fox News crew saw something similar when it went to the scene of a Russian strike in Kyiv Tuesday. A Russian missile flying over Kyiv had been hit by a Ukrainian missile and fell in pieces to the ground, badly damaging and setting fire to an apartment building. One person was killed, another was injured.

When Fox reached the neighborhood, the fire was out, but the damage was evident. Emergency workers swarmed over the scene. Some carted away shards of the missile.

Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller speaks to the media after a meeting in Warsaw of the security committee about the missile attack on the territory of Poland Nov. 15, 2022. (Maciek Jazwiecki/Agencja Wyborcza.pl via REUTERS )

One eyewitness told Fox the fireball in the sky was "shocking." Another said it was simply the work of the "Russian terror state."

All told, according to officials here, some 90 Russian missiles were launched across the country, and 70 were shot down by Ukraine. Fifteen hit the power grid, leaving millions nationwide without electricity.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

NATO says it will consider acting on the cross-border missile incident. Poland reportedly suggested the alliances "Article 4" be considered, which is a response to a threat rather than an attack by another nation on an alliance member.

Greg Palkot currently serves as a London-based senior foreign affairs correspondent for Fox News Channel (FNC). He joined the network in 1998 as a correspondent. Follow him on Twitter@GregPalkot.
Slot machine games are among the most popular gambling games,cryptocurrency account opening making up 70% of all games offered in online casinos slot machines. These games make up a significant percentage of total revenue for most online gambling sites. Slot machines are easy to play and entertaining, and require low stakes. This has attracted many players to slot machines, even though they do not provide the best odds of winning.

However, recognising whether you are on the right platform or not is still necessary, even if you are only playing for free. Some free online casinos can be harmful. However, you can find the best online casino from non gamstop casinos, which can ensure you remain as protected as possible when using the platforms made available.

Although slots may interest many people, not everyone enjoys the risk of playing for real money. If you are such a person, free online slots can be an ideal move for you. The following are some of the benefits that one can get from playing free slot machine games:

Playing for Fun and Pleasure

Casino slots are more than just games of chancethey can be a source of entertainment. Players enjoy slot machines even when they are not big winners. The absence of the pressure to bet with real money enables players to relax, focus on the game, and be entertained. Free games are a good choice for players who have never played slots before or those who do not want to take any risks while learning each game's special features. Each free game comes with bonuses, special symbols, jackpots, and features like free spins to keep each player entertained. These free games can also help to further develop any game skills that may need to be improved before playing for real, too.

No Money Loss

To avoid losing money, some people play slot machine games for free. This is an essential feature of online casinos, especially when just starting and playing for fun. When one first joins an online casino that offers free slot machine games, the casino will often provide bonuses or gifts to players. Welcome bonuses are usually offered to new members. They are generally given for slot games designed to attract players to the casino and encourage them to keep playing. Other types of bonuses include free spins and loyalty bonuses.

Free games give experience

A player at a casino must learn some basic strategies to become an experienced gambler. The people you see winning millions of dollars at a table did not start where they are now. They had to learn how the games work and practice before becoming winners. As we know, practice makes perfect! Rather than learning how to play a game by trial and error, it is best to try the free versions of the game. A more accessible alternative to losing real money is to play the free versions of games. By doing so, you can learn from your mistakes with no risk. In time, you will become a pro.

Conclusion

If you are fairly new to the online gambling world, there is a high chance that you want to keep things simple. No one will blame you for it, and slot games are an ideal choice if this is what you crave. Playing slot machines requires meager investment, and when you play them for free, you don't stand to risk any money at all.

Category: Casino Blog
Themega casino online kingplay poker doors to the sports book at FedEx Field opened two hours before the Washington Commanders first game of the NFL regular season, drawing fans in with air-conditioning that blasted onto the stadiums main concourse. Signs advertised a free Commanders hat for anyone who bet $20. A bouncer stood out front with a hand-held device that scanned IDs to check that patrons were 21 or older and not barred from gambling by state regulators.

A couple hundred cash bets had already been placed by the time Lawrence Harrod, 37, wandered in with his older brother shortly before kickoff. Harrod, who had already bet on four NFL games through a mobile gambling app, was mostly interested in taking a break from the humidity.
Definition of Overstatement

Overstatement is no deposit Australia casinoan act of stating something more profoundly than it actually is, in order to make the point more serious or important or beautiful. In literature, writers use overstatement as a literary technique for the sake of humor, and for laying emphasis on a certain point. For instance, when in his poem I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, Wordsworth reports daffodils as, stretched in never-ending line. In fact, he is not saying this statement literally; rather he is merely using overstatement to add emphasis on the long line of daffodils.

Examples of Overstatement in Literature

Example #1: The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County(By Mark Twain)

In Mark Twains short story, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, there are several instances of overstatement. For instance, when Simon Wheeler narrates his stories concerning Jim Smiley, Wheeler makes claim that Jim was a gambler and he probably would,  foller that straddle-bug to Mexico but what he would find out where he was bound for and how long he was on the road. It further talks about a bull pup of Jim Smiley and Andrew Jackson:

 his underjawd begin to stick out like the focastle of a steamboat, and his teeth would uncover, and shine savage like the furnaces.

Example #2: The Sahara of the Bozart(By H. L. Mencken)

It is, indeed, amazing to contemplate so vast a vacuity. One thinks of the interstellar spaces, of the colossal reaches of the now mythical ether. Nearly the whole of Europe could be lost in that stupendous region of fat farms, shoddy cities and paralyzed cerebrums: one could throw in France, Germany and Italy, and still have room for the British Isles. And yet, for all its size and all its wealth and all the progress it babbles of, it is almost as sterile, artistically, intellectually, culturally, as the Sahara Desert.

Mencken presents evidence to show his disdain against the southern region of U.S. He berates it for its paucity of cultural, and artistic and intellectual attainment, and therefore calls it the Sahara Desert, which is culturally dead.

Example #3: Romeo and Juliet(By William Shakespeare)

O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!

It seems she hangs upon the check of night

Like a rich jewel in an Ethiops ear.

Romeo is praising Juliets beauty by using light exaggeration. Here, the playwright uses metaphor to get this job done by comparing Juliet to a burning light that gives light to torches, and like a glowing jewel that shines against African cheeks.

Example #4: Revenge of the Pork Person(By Dave Barry)

A man can have a belly you could house commercial aircraft in and a grand total of eight greasy strands of hair, which he grows real long and combs across the top of his head so that he looks, when viewed from above, like an egg in the grasp of a giant spider, plus this man can have B.O. to the point where he interferes with radio transmissions, and he will still be convinced that, in terms of attractiveness, he is borderline Don Johnsons.

In this instance, the author is making an overstatement by a silly comparison between a mans belly and various other things.

Example #5: Parkers Back (By Flannery OConnor)

Flannery OConnor, in one of his short stories, Parkers Back, uses overstatement by writing:

And the skin on her face was thin and drawn tight like the skin on an onion and her eyes were gray and sharp like the points of two ice picks.

Example #6: I wandered lonely as a cloud (By William Wordsworth)

An hundred years should go to praise

Thine eyes and on thy forehead gaze;

Two hundred to adore each breast,

But thirty thousand to the rest;

An age at least to every part, 

In this example, the poet exaggerates the beauty of his beloved, and says if he had enough time, he would keep on complimenting all of her body parts, even for a bazillion years, which is quite impossible.

Function of Overstatement

Writers use this literary technique intentionally to create certain effect. Mostly, it helps to lay emphasis on some point. In prose, its purpose is to create humor and emphasis. When writers want to emphasize a point, they overstate it or exaggerate it. While in poetry, its purpose is to make comparisons and create images. Poets also use it for emphasizing a contrast between two things, by stating one idea as normal and another with overstatement.
Definition of Paronomasia

Paronomasia is indian casinos in western new yorka rhetorical device that can be defined as a phrase intentionally used to exploit the confusion between words having similar sounds but different meanings. It is like a word play, and is also known as a pun.

Types of Paronomasia

There are two types of paronomasia:

Typographic Paronomasia

Typographic paronomasia is further classified into five categories:

Homophonic The use of words that sound the same, but have different meanings, such as Pourout corruptions slag from every pore. Homographic Words that are spelled the same, but have different meanings, such as David doesnt feel welltoday, and My uncle is digging a new well. Homonymic These words include both homographs and homophones. Compound These contain two or more puns in a sentence. Recursive In these, the second part of a pun depends upon the meaning of the first.

Visual Paronomasia

These are actually puns and used in non-phonetic texts. Visual paronomasia includes the 4 Pics 1 Word word game, where players are supposed to look at four pictures and guess the word that they have in common.

Examples of Paronomasia in Literature

Paronomasia underscores the expertise of writers and their characters. From Jesus Christ to Shakespeare, examples of paronomasia have been crafted to create rhetorical effect.

Example #1: Richard III(By William Shakespeare)

Launce: It is no matter if the tiedwere lost; for it is the unkindest tiedthat ever any mantied.

Richard: Now is the winter of our discontent  made glorious summer by this Sonof York.

William Shakespeare is probably the most renowned punster in literature. Here the word tied is used three times as homophonic paronomasia, giving different meanings in three different places. Similarly, the word son is King Edward IV, not the weather of York.

Example #2: A Hymn to God the Father(By John Donne)

When Thou hast done, Thou hast not donefor I have more.

That at my death Thy Son

Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore

And having done that, Thou hast done;

I fear no more.

In the above excerpt, John Donne has rhymed his name with done, and his wifes name Anne More with more. The words are underlined. This is an example of homophonic paronomasia.

Example #3: Romeo and Juliet(By William Shakespeare)

Mercutio: Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance. Romeo: Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes with nimble soles; I have a soulof lead  So stakes me to the ground I cannot move

This extract is again an example of homophonic paronomasia. Shakespeare has exploited the words sole and soul. Both sound the same, though they have different meanings, creating comic effect.

Example #4: Great Expectations(By Charles Dickens)

Ticklerwas a wax-ended piece of cane, worn smooth by collision with mytickledframe.

Here, Dickens plays on the word tickle. This word is maneuvered in such a way that it gives two different meanings and comic effect.

Example #5: Ulysses(By James Joyce)

If you seekay

Tell him he may

Seeyou in tea

Tell him from me 

Joyce has included this brief poem with paronomasia words in it. Here, the word see is used with the same spelling but different meanings. It is creating humor when spelled out.

Example #6: Hamlet(By William Shakespeare)

Claudius:But now, my cousin Hamlet, and my son.

Hamlet: [aside] A little more than kin, and less than kind  Not so, my lord, I am too much in the sun.

Here, Hamlet is distressed that his mother married his uncle, which is not allowed in Christianity. The word kind is used as a short form of kindred. Shakespeare plays with the meaning of this word kind.

Function of Paronomasia

Paronomasia gives thoughtful meanings to literary texts, aside from providing humorous and witty comments. Through paronomasia, writers demonstrate the shrewdness of characters, and their own ingenuity by playing with the words. Besides, in literary works, paronomasia functions as a purposeful efforts to provide a source of comic relief, and to show their artistic ability. Being a source of fun, paronomasia is used in comedy theaters, and jokes give humorous meanings to perplexing stories. Also, it is found in limerick forms of poetry.
Share

Share Flipboard

Flipboard Email

(Lisa Stokes/Getty Images)

How to Use "Alternate"

How to Use "Alternative"

Examples

How to Remember the Difference

Pitfalls to Avoid

Sources

Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia

M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester

B.A., English, State University of New York

EnglishTable of ContentsByRichard NordquistRichard NordquistEnglish and Rhetoric ProfessorDr. Richard Nordquist is professor emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks.Learn about ourEditorial ProcessUpdated on April 06, 2019

The words "alternate" vs. "alternative" are closely related and can serve as synonyms at times, but they can't be used interchangeably in all cases. The terms date to the 16th century, and both describe a choice apart from what is first offered. Understanding how the terms work grammatically is key to learning how to use each correctly in context.

How to Use "Alternate"

As a verb, "alternate" (the last syllable rhymes with "late") means to happen by turns, to take turns, or to exchange places. As a noun, alternate (the last syllable rhymes with "net") refers to a substitutesomeone who is prepared to take the place of someone else. As an adjective, "alternate" (again, the last syllable rhymes with "net") means occurring by turns or being one of two or more choices.

How to Use "Alternative"

As a noun, "alternative" refers to one of two or more possibilities or something that remains to be chosen. As an adjective, "alternative" means offering a choice (between or among two or more possibilities) or something different from the usual or conventional.

Examples

The most common way to use "alternate" involves the idea of taking turns or happening by turns as in:

Each year, the names of hurricanes alternate between male and female.

between male and female. A nurse and a physical therapist visit my grandmother on alternate days.

The first sentence means that meteorologists give hurricanes male names one year, female names the next, and so on. The second sentence uses the term in a similar way, meaning that the nurse and therapist take turns visiting the grandmother, with each coming every other day. "Alternate" can mean every other, as in:

Two types of branching occur in trees and shrubs: alternatebranching and opposite branching.

"Alternate" sometimes refers to one other, as these sentences show:

Each year since 1989, a turkey and its alternate have been pardoned by the president. An alternate is chosen just in case the first bird can't perform its duties.

"Alternate" can serve as a verb:

It's a good idea to alternate strength-building exercises with cardiovascular exercises.

In this use, "alternate" generally means every other; physical trainers and other experts often suggest that exercisers, both experienced and novice, do weightlifting one day and cardio the next. The word "alternative," by contrast, often has just a slightly different meaning than "alternate"; the differences are nuanced:

The alternative was to attempt to land the plane on a highway.

In this case, "alternative" is used as a noun, meaning a second, or other, option, implying a choice between an unpleasant option and an even less-desirable option. "Alternative" can also work as an adjective:

My brother attends an alternative school for bright, independent students.

Here the notion of "alternative" is implied; the brother is attending a school that is an "alternative," or other option, to a regular school.

How to Remember the Difference

"Alternate" essentially means substitute (as in the first runner-up in a beauty pageant can serve as a substitute for the winner if necessary). Both words end with a "t" sound. Use that to remember that an "alternate" is essentially a "substitute."

"Alternative" usually means that you have to select from two stark choices or even from among several unpleasant choices or options. "Alternative" is the longer word, so use that idea to remember that "alternative" may well mean one among many choices, whereas "alternate" usually only refers to two options.

An "alternative" mnemonic tool is to think of "alternative" as a "hive" of unpleasant choices:

When we stumbled upon the beehive, we had no alternativebut to run for our liveseither toward the river, the lake, or the swimming pool!

Pitfalls to Avoid

"Alternatives" are joined by "and" not "or." For example, the "alternatives" are victory "and" (not "or") surrender, notes Morton S. Freeman in "The Wordwatcher's Guide to Good Writing & Grammar."

This goes back to the notion that "alternative" and "alternatives" refer to stark choices, often between something good or bad or worse. "Alternative" can suggest a harmless choice, such as an "alternative" to driving would be taking the bus. But, just as often, the term implies a compulsion to choose, says Freeman:

The alternatives are liberty and death.

Despite the famous saying that Patrick Henry uttered before the American Revolution"Give me liberty or give me death"he was actually referring to two stark "alternatives." The more correct, though far less dramatic, sentence would have been:

I choose between two alternatives: liberty and death.

Sources

"'Alternate' or 'Alternative'? | Oxford Dictionaries." Oxford Dictionaries | English, Oxford Dictionaries.

"Alternate vs. Alternative." Daily Writing Tips.

Freeman, Morton S. "The Wordwatcher's Guide to Good Writing & Grammar." Writer's Digest Books, 1991.

"Is 'Alternate' Any Different From 'Alternative'?" Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster.

FormatmlaapachicagoYour CitationNordquist, Richard. "Alternate vs. Alternative: How to Choose the Right Word." ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/alternate-and-alternative-1689296.Nordquist, Richard. (2020, August 26). Alternate vs. Alternative: How to Choose the Right Word. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/alternate-and-alternative-1689296Nordquist, Richard. "Alternate vs. Alternative: How to Choose the Right Word." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/alternate-and-alternative-1689296 (accessed November 20, 2022).
Playtech has fortified its partnership with the former Endemol Shine, Banijay Brands after being granted exclusive rights to use The Million Dollar Dropas part of its live casino offering in the United States  currently in Michigan and New Jersey, as well as retaining the right to Deal or No Deal Bingofor another five years.

The Million Dollar Drop is known in international markets simply as The Money Drop and is one of a number of branded products Playtech uses to enhance its offering with consumer-familiar products.

Playtech Live maintains a complete suite of game show oriented social online live dealer assisted real money gambling games and The Money Drop Live is one of its best-performing products  players find it engaging and entertaining and the brand is recognized around the world.

Banijay Group completed the acquisition of the iconic Endemol Shine in July 2020. Endemol Shine Group B.V. was a production and distribution company based in Holland with offices in the UK and elsewhere that provided scripted and non-scripted content. Some of the most well-known assets included Big Brother, Deal or No Deal, The Money Drop, Fear Factor, The Voice, MasterChef, Your Face Sounds Familiar, Peaky Blinders, Black Mirror, Humans, Grantchester, and Tin Star.

Worlds Largest Content Producer and Distributor

Banijay is now the worlds largestcontent distributor and producer. It was launched in 2008, is based in Paris, France, and operates under the direction of CEO, Marco Bassetti.

Commercial director of gaming and gambling at Banijay, Lex Scott said: Deal or No Deal and The Money Drop are iconic shows with strong fanbases, and we are delighted to see the brands grow into new product verticals.

We are thrilled to be extending our partnership with Playtech, as an industry-leading supplier, it is well-placed to expand The Money Drop brand into the US market.

Playtech has recently taken a push into more markets with its live casino content, including Switzerland and the United States, and has found welcoming customers across demographics. Pioneers in the genre with augmented reality and mixed reality games, the company may not have been aggressive enough with marketing and deployment and saw Evolution virtually takeover the vertical in recent years. This was met by dozens of pop-ups and serious contender studios and now Playtech is finding its place again  exclusive deals in US-regulated online markets are helping as well.

The Money Drop brand will also be used in the companys international RNG animated bingo products.

Localizing Content

Sasha Uman, live business development director at Playtech stated:

It is core to our strategy and growth in the US that Playtech Live delivers the highest levels of live gaming experiences, and through partnering with Banijay we are bringing the most engaging and innovative products, technologies and brands to new markets and audiences.

The Money Drop Live offers an incredible gaming experience and we cannot wait to introduce the localized Million Dollar Drop brand to our audiences in the US, and strengthen our position as a global leader in live gaming entertainment.

Source: Playtech Strengthens Banijay Partnership, GamingAmericas, January 20, 2022
What Is the Glass Ceiling?ruby of the nile slot

The term glass ceiling refers to a metaphorical invisible barrier that prevents certain individuals from being promoted to managerial- and executive-level positions within an organization or industry. The phrase is commonly used to describe the difficulties faced by women and minorities when trying to move to higher roles in a male-dominated corporate hierarchy. The barriers are most often unwritten, meaning that these individuals are more likely to be restricted from advancing through accepted norms and implicit biases rather than defined corporate policies.

Key Takeaways

The glass ceiling is a colloquial term for the social barrier preventing women from being promoted to top jobs in management.

The term has been broadened to include discrimination against minorities.

Marilyn Loden coined the phrase "glass ceiling" at a 1978 Women's Exposition.

Women make up 56.8% of the labor force in the U.S but hold only 29.1% of executive positions.

The U.S. Department of Labor launched the Glass Ceiling Commission in 1991 to address the glass ceiling.

Understanding the Glass Ceiling

Marilyn Loden first coined the phrase "glass ceiling" while speaking as a panelist at the 1978 Women's Exposition in New York. As a fill-in for her employer's only female executive, Loden was invited to discuss how women were to blame for the barriers preventing them from advancing in their careers. Instead, she spoke about deeper, ignored issues that historically kept women from occupying positions of authority: the glass ceiling.

This concept was later popularized in a 1986 Wall Street Journalarticle discussing the corporate hierarchy and how invisible barriers seemed to prevent women from advancing in their careers past a certain level. In 2015, the publication reported (quoting Gay Bryant, former editor of Working Woman magazine) that the concept goes back to the 1970s and may have originated with two women at Hewlett-Packard. The concept expanded in more contemporary times to include minorities in addition to women.

The equality gap varies between countries and may be driven by cultural stances against women and minority groups from participating in the workforce. Companies in the United States have responded to the equality gap by focusing on measures to increase diversity. This includes hiring personnel specifically tasked with ensuring that women and minorities see improved representation in management-level positions. By focusing on policies that reduce or eliminate the glass ceiling, companies can ensure that the most qualified candidates hold decision-making positions.

In 2021, women accounted for 56.8% of the labor force in the U.S. But when it came to chief executive positions, women held only 29.1% of these roles, and 85.7% of chief executives identified as white, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Research shows that diverse groups are more successful in making decisions than homogeneous ones, which has the effect of signaling to companies that eliminating the glass ceiling can positively affect their bottom line.



History of the Glass Ceiling

The U.S. Department of Labor launched the Glass Ceiling Commission in 1991 in response to the growing concern over barriers preventing women and minorities from advancing. It was charged with identifying the barriers that exist and policies that companies adopted or could undertake to increase diversity at managerial and executive levels.

The commission found that qualified women and minorities were being denied the opportunity to compete for or win decision-making positions. It also found that the perceptions of both employees and employers often included stereotypes that held women and minorities in a negative light.

When Hillary Clinton ran for president in 2008 and 2016, she repeatedly spoke of her goal of shattering the highest, hardest glass ceiling by becoming Americas first female president. Vice President Kamala Harris shattered the second-highest glass ceiling in the U.S. when she became the first female and first Black and South Asian Vice President on Jan. 20, 2021. She was also the first woman and first Black and South Asian attorney general of California, as well as the first Black woman to be elected district attorney of San Francisco.



41

The number of female chief executive officers leading Fortune 500 companies in 2021the highest number everbut still only 8.1% of the total list.

The Glass Ceiling vs. The Glass Cliff

The glass cliff is a closely related term, but refers to a phenomenon wherein women tend to be promoted to positions of power during times of crises, when failure is more likely. This could occur in fields as diverse as finance, politics, technology, and academia.

While the more common glass ceiling presents a barrier to reaching the highest executive levels within their respective organizations, the glass cliff addresses the tendency to place women who have broken through it into precarious positions, making it likely their performance will falter, as if they are at risk of falling off a cliff.

Had Hillary Clinton won the presidential election in 2008, which was the height of the Great Recession, she might have been seen as the victim of the glass cliff. The term was coined by professors Michelle K. Ryan and Alexander Haslam of the University of Exeter, United Kingdom, in 2004. Ryan and Haslam documented this phenomenon extensively in a study of Great Britains FTSE 100 companies.

Example of the Glass Ceiling

There are numerous examples of instances where individuals encountered and have been able to shatter the glass ceiling. As noted above, Hillary Clinton became the first woman to secure the Democratic nomination when she ran for president during the 2016 election.

As noted above, Kamala Harris shattered the glass ceiling when she became the first woman to be elected as U.S. Vice President under President Joe Biden. She is also the first Black and South Asian person to be elected to the position as well. Harris was officially sworn in as Vice President on Jan. 20, 2021.

Janet Yellen became the first female Treasury secretary after being nominated by President Biden and sworn in on Jan. 26, 2021. This isnt the first glass ceiling Yellen has broken either. She also served as the first woman to head the Federal Reserve, a role she held during President Barack Obamas administration.



What Does the Phrase Glass Ceiling Mean?

The glass ceiling is a metaphor that refers to the barrier that marginalized people, such as women and minorities, encounter when seeking career advancements.

What Is an Example of the Glass Ceiling?

There are many examples where individuals have broken the glass ceiling. Kamala Harris shattered a glass ceiling when she became the first woman Vice President of the United States. She is also the first Black person and the first person of South Asian descent to be elected to the role of Vice President.

From the first U.S. presidential election in 1789 until the early 21st-century, no Black person served as president. It was not until the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that all Black people could vote. However, in 2008, Barack Obama became the first African American to be elected President of the United States.



What Does It Mean to Break the Glass Ceiling?

Breaking the glass ceiling means overcoming the barriers set to prevent access to advancement. Breaking the glass ceiling also includes removing barriers for others experiencing the same struggles.

Where Did the Saying "Break the Glass Ceiling" Come From?

The term glass ceiling was coined by Marilyn Loden, a New York telephone company manager, during a 1978 Women's Exposition.

Does the Glass Ceiling Still Exist?

The glass ceiling still exists across various industries for different groups of people. Men still occupy most of the executive positions in corporations and other positions of power. Although there is more attention given to these barriers, they are still very much present in the workforce.
PDF Playlist

Friends [Remix] Listen online Anne-Marie,master slot online bet254prediction A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Marshmello

MarshmelloMarshmello

(22 fans)

Marshmello

Christopher Comstock, known professionally as Marshmello, is an American electronic dance music producer and DJ. more 

3:22 52 Views Playlists: #1

Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days , With EasyVideo Lessons!

Ooh ooh, ooh ooh (yeah, yeah, yeah)Ooh ooh, ooh oohSo many pretty girls in the world, but I wish that they was all like youYou can be my girlfriend or my friend, either way you gon' fall right throughLove to party, young nigga in a 'Rari, sorry I ain't even sorry, got juiceDolce & Gabbana, it ain't trickin' if you got it, if you want to we can go to Jimmy ChooYou got me messed up, I probably got every pair of Balmain in my dresserWhen she go down, no hands, like a TeslaShe gon' breath, I'll breathe in, when I touch herAirplane mode on your phone when I f*ck yaShe gon' let me know what's the bin, I'm a hustlerMoncler clothes when it's cold, I'ma bless yaShe ain't even got to sneak out, I'ma let yaAin't it no pressureHaven't I made it obvious?Haven't I made it clear?Want me to spell it out for you?F-R-I-E-N-D-SHaven't I made it obvious?Haven't I made it clear?Want me to spell it out for you?F-R-I-E-N-D-SF-R-I-E-N-D-SHave you got no shame? You looking insaneTurning up at my doorIt's two in the morning, the rain is pouringHaven't we been here before?Don't mess it up, talking that shitOnly gonna push me away, that's itHave you got no shame? You looking insaneHere we go againSo don't go look at me with that look in your eyeYou really ain't going away without a fightYou can't be reasoned with, I'm done being politeI've told you one, two, three, four, five, six thousand timesHaven't I made it obvious? (Haven't I made it?)Haven't I made it clear? (Haven't I made it clear?)Want me to spell it out for you?F-R-I-E-N-D-SHaven't I made it obvious? (Ooh)Haven't I made it clear? (I swear I)Want me to spell it out for you? (To spell it out for you?)F-R-I-E-N-D-SF-R-I-E-N-D-SF-R-I-E-N-D-SThat's how you f' spell "friends"F-R-I-E-N-D-SGet that shit inside your headNo, no, yeah, uh, ahF-R-I-E-N-D-SWe're just friendsSo don't go look at me with that look in your eyeYou really ain't going nowhere without a fightYou can't be reasoned with, I'm done being politeI've told you one, two, three, four, five, six thousand timesHaven't I made it obvious? (Have I not made it obvious?)Haven't I made it clear? (Yeah, I made it very clear)Want me to spell it out for you? (Yo)F-R-I-E-N-D-S (I said F-R-I-E-N-D-S)Haven't I made it obvious? (I made it very obvious)Haven't I made it clear? (I made it very clear)Want me to spell it out for you?F-R-I-E-N-D-SF-R-I-E-N-D-SMmm, ooh, ooh, oohAh, ah-oh, ah-oh
Definition of Caricature

Caricature is lucky win casino slotsa device used in descriptive writing and visual arts, in which particular aspects of a subject are exaggerated, to create a silly or comic effect. In other words, it can be defined as a plastic illustration, derisive drawing, or a portrayal based on exaggeration of the natural features, which gives a humorous touch to the subject.

During the 16th century, numerous painters (Holbein, Bruegel, and Bosch, for example) used particular aspects of caricature in their work. However, it did not involve anything comic until the 17th century. Later, in the 18th century, Carracci introduced caricature in a witty way in his works. Caricatures started gaining popularity in England when artists like Hogarth, Rowlandson, and Gillray followed Carraccis footsteps. The genre slowly developed to accommodate social and political satire as well.

Examples of Caricature in Literature

Example #1: Ethnic Distinctions, No Longer So Distinctive(By Matt Bai, New York Times, June 29, 2010)

Several authors have written about how President Obama is unpredictable. A piece of writing was published in The New York Timesthat shed light on this particular subject by highlighting how people have exaggerated certain aspects of the Presidents personality. Following is an excerpt from the same paper by Matt Bai:

Over the course of the last several weeks, commentators have taken to portraying Mr. Obama as clinical and insufficiently emotive, which is really just another way of saying the president is not really knowable. It is a caricature his opponents can exploit in part because a lot of voters remain murky on his cultural identity.

Caricature arises from the forcing and the embellishment of the basic rule of good description, that is, the principle of the dominant impression.

Example #2: Bleak House (By Charles Dickens)

One of the great examples of caricature from Charles Dickens has been given below:

Mr. Chadband is a large yellow man, with a fat smile, and a general appearance of having a good deal of train oil in his system. Mrs. Chadband is a stern, severe-looking, silent woman. Mr. Chadband moves softly and cumbrously, not unlike a bear who has been taught to walk upright. He is very much embarrassed about the arms, as if they were inconvenient to him.

It is beautiful example of caricaturing through words. The dominating impression is made by words like oily and fat, which sound quite literal initially. However, you realize shortly that the literal oiliness is a representation of the character Chadband. Chadband has a fat smile, and on the whole he appears to be slightly unctuous, like a phony preacher.

Function of Caricature

The caricature examples above have underscored the functions and role of caricature, and how it has evolved in modern day literature. Coming up with novel ideas to explain oneself, and the nature of the human race in general, is not something new to the world. This sort of representation has been witnessed since the time when men lived in caves.

Caricature was introduced to the masses during the age of enlightenment, and it bestowed the age it belongs to, with its subtlety and critical attitude. As a branch of modernism, it played a great role in expressing facts that were suppressed because of the conformists in the society at that point in time. It was a reminder for those who believed that the sword was mightier than the pen, and it started being used as a visual expressioof conventional society.

Nowadays, caricature is a highly dignified form of art that is approved of and used worldwide. Newspaper editors show great respect for the artists who create caricatures for their papers, which ofttimes publish caricatures that might even represent a conflicting ideology. Where this distinctive form of art can be used to portray important and transforming social and political ideas, it can also be provocative to certain groups. Underdeveloped countries have had a hard time warming up to this form of expression because they believe it is a creation of evil by governments.
Justin Trudeau.Photo: VCG

Imagine the leader of a country,which willingly surrenders its sovereignty and right to another nation, is accusing a third country thousands of kilometers away of interfering in its election - how absurd is that!Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is rehashing the so-called Chinese interference in his country's elections. According to Canadian media outlet Global News, he warned Monday that China, among some other countries, is "playing aggressive games" with Canadian democracy and institutions.Trudeau's remarks clearly echo the US-hyped "China's infiltration" theory. And they come after another Canadian media reported on Sunday that Canada will release a "long-awaited strategy for dealing with China" that will "look to Washington." What the Canadian PM said on Monday proves yet again that Canada's foreign policy, especially that toward China, doesn't fall far from the US'.In fact, Canada is well aware that the deterioration of relations with its second largest trading partner is hugely damaging to its own interests. But as the US has exerted unprecedented pressure on its allies to keep its alliance system from falling apart, Ottawa has no other choice but to follow Washington's clamors for getting tougher on Beijing.Xin Qiang, deputy head of the Center for American Studies at Shanghai-based Fudan University, told the Global Times that Trudeau's words demonstrate that he is treating China as an imaginary adversary regarding ideology and security. Thus, in his eyes, everything China does now seems to have a hidden purpose, whether to influence his country's politics or to undermine the international order the West dominates.The Canadian PM is making uncalled-for troubles against China, which is bound to affect bilateral relations. In response to his remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Tuesday that China has "no interest" in Canada's internal affairs.China has always treated Canada as a trading partner without having done anything to violate Canada's interests. The two countries used to enjoy a relatively good relationship for a long time. But in recent years, under the increasing pressure and agitation from Washington, Canada has completely taken the US' side. As a result, friction and even conflicts have gradually replaced cooperation and dialogue in China-Canada relations.In Washington's anti-China choir, Ottawa has become one of the most active members. It not only sings along to US' tune, but also sometimes sings one pitch higher than the US in terms of containing China. But to engage in such a dangerous game as a US pawn, Canada is risking drawing fire to itself.Lu Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, believes that in Washington's strategic competition with China, which the former has regarded as its top mission, the price for countries like Canada to become a pawn of any party will be extremely costly.Canada has the right to determine its foreign policy as a sovereign country. But instead, it has always been subordinate to the US on major security issues. It cannot afford to take a position too different from that of the US, with worries about possible harsh punishment from Washington.In addition, by accusing Beijing of "playing aggressive games," Trudeau seems to partially make a culprit of falling Western democracy out of China, as young Westerners' confidence in democracy is declining in countries such as the US, the UK and Canada.Just like the Canadian PM, some Western politicians tend to blame China for everything that goes wrong in their democratic systems in an oversimplified way to avoid any responsibility. They do not see the root cause of the decay of Western democracy, much less bother to do so. "Justin knows he is going to lose the next election and needs someone other than himself to blame," one Chinese-Canadian netizen argued on Twitter.According to Xin, Western democracy's increasing fragility comes from within. "The polarization of politics, the unreasonable, severe partisan struggle, and the ineffectiveness of governance have torn up Western society and created more confrontations," he said.Instead of blindly following the US to blame China, politicians like Trudeau should ask themselves what really poses a threat to Western democracy. Without genuine self-reflection, shifting the blame to others will never help save the already shattering Western democracy.
ata coin market cap betway sportsshows grade level based on the word's complexity. bachelorette [ bach-luh-ret, bach-uh-luh- ]/ bt lrt, bt  l- / New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ bach-luh-ret, bach-uh-luh- ]/ bt lrt, bt  l- /Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

nounan unmarried young woman, often one who is seeking or preparing to get married.

usage note for bachelorette

Words nearby bachelorette

How to use bachelorette C20: bachelor + -ette

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question bacheloretteFirst recorded in 190005; bachelor + -etteSee -ette.Bacharach, bachata, bachelor, bachelor apartment, bachelor chest, bachelorette, bachelorette party, bachelor girl, bachelorhood, bachelorism, Bachelor of ArtsDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
I received many bruises on my collarbones, neck, chest, and shoulders.

Couple guided Stella as she crawled and dipped her chest to pick up each magnet.

Forty minutes later he says, I think she may have chest injuries now.

At St. Barnabas Hospital, Pellerano was listed in stable condition with wounds to his chest and arm.

Once a month he attaches a device to his chest, clamps metal bracelets on his wrists, and hooks the whole thing up to a telephone. Alfred Hitchcocks Fade to Black: The Great Directors Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

As a good-looking young bachelor, though a detrimental, he had been very popular. The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills

He vowed he was taking even better care of himself than usual, but his chest is bad again. Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton

He continued active till his 35th year, when he began to decline, and died of water in the chest. The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell

He held the sabre lower, but the point was kept unwaveringly at the chest of his enemy; his teeth were set. The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with DPRK Foreign Minister Pak Ui-chun on the sidelines of ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meetings here on Wednesday.

Yang said that China-DPRK relations are in good shape and bilateral cooperation in various fields progressed smoothly. China highly values its traditional friendship with the DPRK and in the new era and under new circumstances,silver oak ndb will work with the DPRK to steadily advance their bilateral ties in the principles of carrying on tradition, looking to the future, developing good- neighborly friendship and enhancing cooperation.

Yang said that easing the situation on Korean Peninsula serves the interests of all parties. China will strengthen communication and coordination with all parties and work together to maintain peace and stability on the peninsula and create conditions for the resumption of the six-party nuclear talks.

Pak Ui-chun said that the DPRK highly values its friendly and cooperative relations with China and the DPRK-China friendship is unbreakable. The DPRK side thanked China for giving valuable support and assistance to the DPRK in its economic and social development over the years and expressed readiness to reinforce friendship and cooperation in all fields and step up communication and coordination with China in regional and international affairs.

The DPRK side expressed its confidence about greater progress in the traditional friendship and cooperation between the DPRK and China driven by concerted efforts of both sides.

Xinhua

Yang Jiechi met with DPRK Foreign Ministeradded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
If you have a negative reputation that follows you around and interferes with your ability to make friends or advance professionally, do you have a bad wrap, a bad rap, or a bad rep?

The answer might surprise you, and choosing the correct version of the phrase might be the first step in improving peoples perception of your writing abilities.

Other steps on the road to self-improvement include being honest with yourself and others, taking responsibility for your actions, and following through when you give someone your word.

For now, though, lets focus on choosing bad rap or bad rep.

What is the Difference Between Bad Rap and Bad Rep?

In this post, I will compare bad rap vs. bad rep. I will use each of these phrases in several example sentences, which will give you an idea of how they should appear in context.

I will also show you a mnemonic that helps writers choose either bad rep or bad rap.

When to Use Bad Rap

What does bad rap mean? Bad rap is a noun phrase. A bad rap is basically a negative reputation.

In this phrase, bad is an adjective, while rap means negative allegations. The word raphas a similar meaning in the phrase rap sheet, which is a criminal record.

Thus, a bad rap is an unflattering list of perceived crimes or misdeeds.

For example,

Youre going to get a bad rap around here if you dont learn to clean up after yourself, warned the foreman.

Dale quickly earned a bad rap for going on too many dates and having too few honest conversations with his friends.

With crippling student debt and their love for avocado toast, some crotchety rich people think millennials are ruining everything. But are millennials deserving of the bad rap they get? NPR

You might occasionally see the phrase bad wrap instead of bad rap. This variation is incorrect, though, and you should avoid it. It obviously conjures up the idea of a sandwich, so unless you are eating a bad sandwich, you should avoid using bad wrap.

When to Use Bad Rep

What does bad rep mean? Bad rep is misspelling of the phrase bad rap. It probably stems from the use of rep as an abbreviation of reputation, and the similarity in sound of rep and rap.

As easy as it is to see how this version of the phrase came into being, its less easy to see where it fits into actual usage.

The chart below graphs bad rep vs. bad rapin English books written since 1800.

As you can see, bad rap is strongly preferred in edited, published works. Since bad rap is the correct spelling, this is hardly surprising, but the chart provides a helpful illustration.

Trick to Remember the Difference

These phrases are similar, but bad rap is the only accepted version, and the only one that sees frequent use in published writing.

Use only bad rap.

You should avoid bad wrap and bad rep.

Rap is a negative allegation, like in rap sheet, so as long as you can remember the meaning of that word, you will know that bad rap is the correct version of this phrase.

Summary

Is it bad rap or bad rep? A bad rap is a negative reputation based on allegations of misconduct.

Bad rep is a misspelling based on the phonological similarity of rap and rep, and on the use of rep as an abbreviation for reputation.
UFC will use the program ProhiBet to expand its compliance with gambling regulations by catching fighters and others around the sport trying to place bets,idn slot 999 dollars rate the promotion announced Wednesday.

Through ProhiBet, wagers made by prohibited bettors  described in a release as UFC athletes, coaches, employees and officials  would be flagged by regulatory bodies and organizations.

UFC said ProhiBet, an encrypted system launched earlier this year, was designed to safeguard sports integrity and ensures the adherence to state-specific regulations. ProhiBet is a joint venture between Odds On Compliance and U.S. Integrity, the latter of which is UFCs official betting integrity partner.
Danite [ dan-ahyt ]/ dn at / New Word List Save This spirit lake casinoWord! [ dan-ahyt ]/ dn at /Save ThisWord!

nouna member of the tribe of Dan. a member of an alleged secret order of Mormons supposed to have been formed about 1837.

Words nearby Danite

How to use in a sentence Eshtaol and Zorah were of note in the history of Samson, but in his time they were Danite settlements. The Expositor's Bible: The Book of Joshua|William Garden Blaikie

The Expositor's Bible: The Book of Joshua|William Garden Blaikie And if any one of this Danite society reveals any of these things, I will put him where the dogs cannot bite him. History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Volume 3|Joseph Smith

History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Volume 3|Joseph Smith Many times they went to the opening where they could look down into the Danite village. Frank Merriwell's Bravery|Burt L. Standish

Frank Merriwell's Bravery|Burt L. Standish The Danite is moved chiefly by selfish and vain passions, and his sense of official duty is all too weak and vague. Judges and Ruth|Robert A. Watson Two or three miles to the northeast, where the valley broadens, lay the other important southern Danite town of Eshtaol. Biblical Geography and History|Charles Foster Kent

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question DaniteFirst recorded in 152535; Dan + -iteDanish blue, Danish loaf, Danish oil, Danish pastry, Danish West Indies, Danite, dank, danke, danke schon, Dankworth, Danl.Dictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
Hong Kong: SB holds youth leadership forum

The annual review of the Security Bureau Youth Uniformed Group Leaders Forum was held today, with Acting Chief Executive Chan Kwok-ki giving a speech.

Mr Chan Kwok-ki reported that the forum had organised nearly 20 activities over the past year, including courses and training camps run by the bureaus disciplined services and auxiliary services, and seminars on the countrys Constitution, the Basic Law and the Hong Kong National Security Law. It also organised visits to Beijing, Shaanxi and Greater Bay Area cities, allowing participants to learn more about national affairs and broaden their horizons.

He said he was pleased to note that the bureau plans to strengthen co-operation between the Leaders Forum and Shenzhen University to enhance exchanges between youths in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, deepening their understanding of the development opportunities in the bay area and increasing Hong Kongs integration into national development.

Noting that members had undergone significant growth thanks to the year-long learning programme, Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung said one of the participants had been recommended as a candidate to represent Hong Kong at the Youth Forum 2024 of the UN Office on Drugs & Crime.

He reported that another member has received an internship at a leading Mainland innovation and technology enterprise, while some others have joined the disciplined services.

Mr Tang said he hopes forum members will continue to take leadership roles regardless of the positions they hold, thereby making contributions to the country and Hong Kong.

This story has been published on: 2023-09-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
What Is Operating Expense Ratio (OER)?red stag free bonus

In real estate, the operating expense ratio (OER) is a measurement of the cost to operate a piece of property, compared to the income brought in by the property. It is calculated by dividing a property's operating expense (minus depreciation) by its gross operating income.

OER is used for comparing the expenses of similar properties. An investor should look for red flags, such as higher maintenance expenses, operating income, or utilities that may deter him from purchasing a specific property.

The ideal OER is between 60% and 80% (although the lower it is, the better).

Key Takeaways

In real estate, the operating expense ratio (OER) is a measurement of the cost to operate a piece of property, compared to the income brought in by the property.

The operating expense ratio (OER) is calculated by dividing all operating expenses less depreciation by operating income.

A lower operating expense ratio (OER) is more desirable for investors because it means that expenses are minimized relative to revenue.

Understanding Operating Expense Ratio (OER)

Formula for Operating Expense Ratio (OER)

 O E R = Total operating expenses  depreciation Gross revenue OER = \frac{ \text{ Total operating expenses} - \text{ depreciation}}{ \text{ Gross revenue}} OER=Gross revenueTotal operating expensesdepreciation

Operating Expense Ratio

1:23

In order to calculate the OER for a property, you need to know the operating expenses. These include all fees and costs incurred as the normal costs of doing business. You will also need to calculate the property's depreciation expense, which will vary by the particular accounting method employed.

Calculating OERs over a number of years may help an investor notice a propertys trends in operating expenses. If a propertys costs increase annually at a greater rate than income, the OER increases annually as well. Therefore, the investor may lose more money the longer they hold the property.

When owning an apartment building, an investor should figure in vacancies by using effective rental income, or potential rental income minus vacancy and credit losses, rather than potential rental income. Because managing vacancies are included in efficient property management, including vacancies in an OER gives a more accurate picture of operating expenses and shows where improvements may be made. For example, a poorly managed property will most likely have higher vacancy rates, which will be reflected in the OER.

Property management fees, utilities, trash removal, maintenance, insurance, repairs, property taxes, and other costs are included in OERs. Additional operating expenses that investors should figure into the OER include property management fees, landscaping, attorney fees, landlords insurance, and basic property insurance. These costs help run the property on a daily basis. For this reason, loan payments, capital improvements, and personal property are excluded from operating expenses.

A lower OER typically means the property is being managed efficiently and is more profitable for investors, and that less of the propertys income is covering operational and maintenance costs. If the business is scalable, the owner may increase the rent on each unit without greatly increasing operating expenses. In addition, the OER can show where potential issues may occur, such as utility bills increasing substantially, so investors can solve problems more quickly and protect their profit levels.

Example of Operating Expense Ratio (OER)

Take a hypothetical example, where Investor A owns a multi-family apartment building and brings in $65,000 per month in rent. The investor also pays $50,000 for operating expenses including his monthly mortgage payments, taxes, utilities, and so on. The property also is expected to depreciate by $85,000 this year.

Therefore, the annual OER can be calculated as:

 [ ( $ 5 0 , 0 0 0  1 2 )  8 5 , 0 0 0 ] ( 6 5 , 0 0 0  1 2 ) = 6 6 % \frac{ [(\$50,000 \times 12) - 85,000]} { (65,000 \times 12)} = 66\% (65,00012)[($50,00012)85,000]=66%

This means that operating expenses consume approximately two-thirds of revenues generated by this property.

Operating Expense Ratio (OER) vs. Capitalization Rate

The capitalization rate is used in the world of commercial real estate to indicate the rate of return that is expected to be generated on a real estate investment property. Often referred to as the "cap rate," this measurement is computed based on the net income which the property is expected to generate. It is used to estimate the investor's potential return on investment in the real estate market.

The cap rate simply represents the yield of a property over a one-year time horizon (assuming the property is purchased on cash and not on loan). It is defined by the formula:

 Cap rate = net operating income  current market value \text{ Cap rate} = \text{ net operating income} \div \text{ current market value} Cap rate=net operating incomecurrent market value

While the cap rate is similar to OER in terms of measuring the profitability of an investment property, it differs from the OER in that it uses gross revenue rather than net income and places that in the denominator. OER also does not take into account the market value of a property.

Limitations of the Operating Expense Ration

There are two drawbacks to the OER for real estate investors. First, because it does not include the market value of a property, it does not inform an investor about the relative value of a property at purchase or sale. It only speaks to the efficiency of ongoing operations. Thus, the OER should be used in conjunction with something like the capitalization rate when evaluating a property investment.

Second, because depreciation can be calculated in several different ways, the OER can be gamed by using a more favorable method of accounting for depreciation.
"I want paint to work as flesh... my portraits to be of the people, not like them. Not having a look of the sitter, being them ... As far as I am concerned the paint is the person. I want it to work for me just as flesh does."

Lucian Freud is the grandson of Sigmund Freud, the pioneer of psychoanalysis. Born in Berlin on December 8, 1922, he died in London on July 20, 2011. Freud moved to Britain in 1933 with his parents after Hitler came to power in Germany. His father, Ernst, was an architect; his mother the daughter of a grain merchant. Freud became a British national in 1939. In 1948 he married Kitty Garman, daughter of the British sculptor Jacob Epstein, but the marriage didn't last and in 1952 he married Caroline Blackwood. He started working as a full-time artist after being invalided out of the merchant navy in 1942, having served only three months.

The Greatest Figurative Painter

Today his impasto portraits and nudes make many regard him as the greatest figurative painter of our time. Freud prefers to not use professional models, to rather have friends and acquaintances pose for him, someone who really wants to be there rather than someone he's paying.

"I could never put anything into a picture that wasn't actually there in front of me. That would be a pointless lie, a mere bit of artfulness."

From 1938-1939, Freud studied at the Central School of Arts in London; from 1939 to 1942 at the East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing in Dedham run by Cedric Morris, and from 1942-1943 at Goldsmiths' College, London (part-time). From 1946-47 he painted in Paris and Greece. Freud had work published in Horizon magazine in 1939 and 1943. In 1944 his paintings were hung at the Lefevre Gallery.

In 1951, his Interior in Paddington (held at the Walker Art Gallery, in Liverpool) won an Arts Council prize at the Festival of Britain. Between 1949 and 1954 he was a visiting tutor at the Slade School of Fine Art, London.

Exhibitions and Retrospectives

Freud had a studio in Paddington, London, for 30 years before moving to one in Holland Park. His first retrospective exhibition, organized by the Arts Council of Great Britain, was held in 1974 at the Hayward Gallery in London. The one at the Tate Gallery in 2002 was a sell-out, as was the major retrospective at the London National Portrait Gallery in 2012.

"The painting is always done very much with [the model's] co-operation. The problem with painting a nude, of course, is that it deepens the transaction. You can scrap a painting of someone's face and it imperils the sitter's self-esteem less than scrapping a painting of the whole naked body."

According to critic Robert Hughes, Freud's "basic pigment for flesh is Cremnitz white, an inordinately heavy pigment which contains twice as much lead oxide as flake white and much less oil medium that other whites."

"I don't want any color to be noticeable... I don't want it to operate in the modernist sense as color, something independent... Full, saturated colors have an emotional significance I want to avoid."
Democrats and Republicans in the United States are gearing up for the 2022 midterm elections on November 8. How the voting turns out could lead to a shift of power in the U.S. Congress.

A recent survey by the Pew Research Center showed that voters in both parties are highly motivated to vote,enlisted game bonus code and 65 percent of registered voters say that it really matters which party wins control of Congress.

The races for many of the Senate and House of Representative seats are closely contested.

The survey also found that among all registered voters, Republican supporters are more likely than Democrats to say that their party will grab majority seats in the Senate and House.

Click arrow to see more

Click arrow to see more

Click arrow to see more

Click arrow to see more

Click arrow to see more

Click arrow to see more

Click arrow to see more

Click arrow to see more

Click arrow to see more

Click arrow to see more

Overall, the state of the U.S. economy ranks highest among the 18 issues included on the survey. 79 percent of the registered voters say that it will be key to their voting decisions. Inflation and specifically the cost of food and consumer goods, energy and housing remain the dominant economic concern.

Other top issues include the future of democracy in the country, education, health care, energy policy and violent crime.

Concerns about the coronavirus outbreak have been significantly lowered from the priority issue ranking by voters in both parties. Democratic voters are more likely than Republicans to say that it's very important to their vote (32% vs. 12%).

The Pew Research Center has found that the COVID-19 pandemic as an important voting issue has declined over the course of the year. Now about a quarter of the voters included the coronavirus outbreak in their voting priority issues, compared to a third of voters in March.

The survey showed that Republicans rank the economy, immigration, violent crime, the future of democracy in the country, and energy policy as the top five issues to consider when voting. Democrats care more about the future of democracy in the country, health care, abortion, Supreme Court appointments and climate change.

Meanwhile, voters' preferences vary greatly depending on which issues they prioritize. The survey showed that Republican candidates have the advantage on economy, crime, foreign policy and immigration, but Democratic candidates hold a wide lead among voters who prioritize abortion, health care, and Supreme Court appointments.

Click arrow to see more

Click arrow to see more

Click arrow to see more

Click arrow to see more

In addition, the survey also found that Republican and Democratic voters appear to be deeply divided in beliefs and attitudes on racial inequality, gender gap, the impact of government regulation on business, Islam, America's openness to people from around the world and foreign policy.

According to the survey, White voters, voters aged 65 and older and military veterans are more likely to support Republicans. And voters of color, younger voters and voters with college degrees favor Democrats.

For more, check out our exclusive content on CGTN Now and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The China Report.
Illustration: Xia Qing/Global Times

Insider and several other news organizations have identified 74 members of Congress who've recently failed to properly report their financial trades as mandated by the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012,also known as the STOCK Act which prohibits the use of non-public information for private profit. This followed the 2020 congressional insider trading scandal that happened at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, when several members of the US senate were caught making stock trades after being briefed about the coronavirus and the massive impact it would have upon the economy, jobs and the stock market.Each of these scandals resulted in zero conviction by the Department of Justice. Some members suffered short-term political misfortune - but this was marginal, at best. The reality is that members of Congress, including the country's third-highest-ranking official in the US government, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, are reportedly frequently engaged in such acts and are never brought to justice for any crimes they commit.There are a number of points to elaborate on this that are relevant to the upcoming midterm congressional elections. For one, the entire US political system encourages corruption because politics is essentially reduced to money. Being able to outspend political opponents is an accurate predictor of electoral success which is basically the most important factor in any election. The way that campaign finance laws are structured - especially the landmark 2010 Citizens United case that now equates money with free speech and legalized so-called "dark money" - means that candidates and sitting politicians spend the vast majority of their time asking people, particularly wealthy people, for money.Naturally, this leads to pay-to-play schemes and political favors being accounted for. Some political scientists in the US have thus argued for publicly-financed campaigns to ameliorate this issue, which is already the norm, for example, in Germany and other Western European countries. The status quo means, in a nutshell, that elections can be bought and that politicians find themselves indebted to the people that finance their campaigns.Secondly, being a member of Congress isn't profitable compared to private sector careers and is, in fact, costly. Members of Congress make over six figures, but this isn't a high salary when they have to self-finance their accommodation both in-district and in Washington, D.C., plus their travel costs. This further increases members' dependence on campaign contributions and prices average people out of political office.As Congressman Dan Crenshaw hinted (rather crudely, in my opinion), this means that only people who are already wealthy can even afford these costs or that politicians have to engage in unsavory business practices (like insider trade) to stay afloat. Of course, the extent of some members' wealth gains while in office, such as Speaker Pelosi, blows this totally out of the water. Clearly, they're using these trades to enrich themselves outright.The way the so-called democratic system is currently conceived in the US leaves much to be desired, to say the least. What is clear-as-day corruption in most comparable Western countries is the standard working order in Washington. The US political system not only provides incentives for politicians to enrich themselves while in office but pretty much requires them to do so in order to even live a decent life.This has obvious drawbacks with regard to the quality of American democracy. Studies have shown that the US democratic system is a functional plutocracy, for example, a government run by the wealthy. Likewise, the fact that elections can be purchased is an open secret; the courts have codified it and it's widely discussed by the public as well as openly in the media.This creates such a degree of cynicism that makes people lose faith in the system altogether. This is, in my opinion, reflected in the high amount of eligible adults that don't vote - usually floating around half the voting-age population in most elections - which suggests that elections in the US do not reflect public opinion, not to even mention the other baked-in issues such as the electoral college.The author is a Prague-based American journalist, columnist and political commentator. [email protected]
What Is a Genesis agen234 slotted screwdriver usesBlock?

A Genesis Block is the name given to the first block a cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, ever mined. A blockchain consists of a series of so-called blocks that are used to store information related to transactions that occur on a blockchain network. Each of the blocks contains a unique header, and each such block is identified by its block header hash individually.

These blocks get layeredone on top of the other, with the Genesis Block being the foundationand they grow in height until the end of the blockchain is reached and the sequence is complete. The layers and deep history of each sequence is one of the things that makes a blockchain-based cryptocurrency so secure.

Bitcoin's Genesis Block was the first instance of a proof-of-work blockchain system and is the template for all other blocks in its blockchain. In 2009, Bitcoin's pseudonymous developer, Satoshi Nakamoto, created the Genesis Block, which launched the cryptocurrency boom that is ongoing today.

Key Takeaways

Genesis Block is the name of the first block of Bitcoin ever mined.

In 2009, a developer named Satoshi Nakamoto created the Genesis Block.

The Genesis Block forms the foundation of the Bitcoin trading system and is the prototype of all other blocks in the Bitcoin blockchain.

Understanding the Genesis Block

Blocks are effectively digital containers where data pertaining to the transactions on the network are permanently recorded. A block records some or all of the most recent Bitcoin transactions that have not yet entered any prior blocks. Thus, a block is like a page of a ledger or record book. Each time a block is "completed," it gives way to the next block in the blockchain. A block is thus a permanent store of records that, once written, cannot be altered or removed.

The Genesis Block, also known as Block 0, is the very first block upon which additional blocks in a blockchain are added. It is effectively the ancestor that every other block can trace its lineage back to since every block references the one preceding it. This began the process of validating bitcoin transactions and introducing new bitcoins into existence.

The next block, known as Block 1, wasn't mined until six days after the Genesis Block. This is considered odd as the average timestamp gap between blocks is intended to be 10 minutes.

There are a few theories regarding the delay: Some have theorized that Nakamoto spent six days mining the original block to test out the Bitcoin system in order to make sure it was stable (then backdated the timestamp), while more some cultish followers believe Satoshi intended to recreate the story of God's rest after creating the world in six days.

Bitcoin Basics

Bitcoin is a type of cryptocurrency, which is based on the peer-to-peer electronic cash system developed by Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin refers to the system and concept of the trading platform and "bitcoin"small "b"refers to the virtual coinage that is traded. There are no actual coins, hence the "bit"or binary digit, the most basic unit of data in computingbefore "coin."

In the world of digital currency, blocks are files where data about the Bitcoin network and its transactions are permanently recorded. Each time a block is completedthat is, filled with bitcoin transactionsit gives way to the next block in the blockchain. The only way to release new cryptocurrency into circulation is through mining. So, to "mine bitcoin" is to "mint currency."

Like gold, Bitcoin cannot be created arbitrarily. Gold must be mined out of the ground, and Bitcoin (BTC) must be mined via digital means.

Moreover, Bitcoin's founder stipulated that, like gold, the supply of bitcoin should be limited and finite. Only 21 million BTC can be mined in total. When miners have unlocked this many bitcoin, then the planet's supply will be tapped out, unless someone changes Bitcoin's protocol to allow for a larger supply.

Mysteries of the Genesis Block

Beginning with the fact that the name "Satoshi Nakamoto" itself is a pseudonym, the Genesis Block and the founding of Bitcoin remains riddled with mystery. Shortly after the launch of Bitcoin, the person called "Satoshi Nakamoto" vanished from the face of the earth, leaving barely a trace. This auspicious event paved the way for the continuous enigma surrounding what fans lovingly call "the Block."

The First 50 BTC Could Not be Spent

The Genesis Block's beginnings were shrouded in the debate about a fine point of its creation: Was the code that rendered the Genesis Block effectively untradeable an intention or a mistake on the part of Nakamoto?

Although the Genesis Block points to a web addresswritten into the Genesis Block's codethat link displayed an error message when activated. The system could not find the first 50-BTC transaction in its database, and the spending transaction was rejected. So, the Genesis Block's transaction is not considered a "real transaction" by the original Bitcoin client.

But why? Did Nakamoto mean for the first bitcoin to be non-tradeable? Or, was it a mistake? This became the subject of much debate among Bitcoin fans and insiders. Because of the precision of this developer, however, most believe that it was hardly an error. Nakamoto likely wrote the code for the Genesis Block exactly the way he wanted it. We just will never know why, as the quirk was not discovered until after Nakamoto disappeared.

Current versions of the Bitcoin system handle the block/transaction databases differently from the original system, so the Genesis Block's transaction is now just a weird special case in the code.

Bitcoin's Genesis Block Secret Message

Another puzzling aspect of the Genesis Block is the secret message that Nakamoto instilled within the Block's raw data: "The Times 03/Jan/2009 Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks."

Although Nakamoto never commented on the meaning of this text, most believe that it serves as a mission statement for Bitcoin itself.

The text is a headline for an article in the January 3, 2009 edition of The [London] Times about the British government's failure to stimulate the economy following the 200708 financial crisis. Nakamoto famously hated the idea of too-big-to-fail financial institutions and wanted Bitcoin to be different in that regard. Most people think that Nakamoto's reference to the article in the Genesis Block's code was a hint as to how Bitcoin isdifferent from the big investment banks that needed government bailouts in 2008.

The True Legacy of the Genesis Block

Bitcoin cannot be bailed out because its process eliminates the middleman; there is no third-party, no corporate entity to go between BTC and the consumer.

The Bitcoin network checks and double-checks itself continuously via complex mathematical problems that are first resolved by computers, then by human bitcoin miners. One cannot proceed with any bitcoin trade until the math puzzle is validated. Another failsafe is that, because all transactions are stored forever, the actions of miners can always be traced, which makes it impossible to hide any evidence of wrongdoing.

In November 2013, early protegees of Nakamoto formed the Satoshi Nakamoto Institute (SNI) to educate the public about the history and vision of Bitcoins creation. Among other interesting details, the SNI houses one of the biggest remnants of Nakamotos online existence: An extensive list of forum posts, broken into subject categories, that the Bitcoin creator penned while he still worked on the project.

Some Bitcoin fans hold the Genesis Block in a kind of cult-like reverence, as they do its anonymous creator. Fans are drawn to Bitcoin's arcane construct and idiosyncratic vocabulary with the fervor of one obsessed with a sophisticated arcade game.

Bitcoin devotees have been donating small amounts of BTC to the Genesis Block as a tribute to Satoshi Nakamoto. This is seen as a kind of sacrifice because once a coin is moved into the Genesis Block, it can never be moved againsort of like throwing a quarter into a fountain.
Definition of Motivation

In literature,as ceme idn slots australia free motivation is defined as a reason behind a characters specific action or behavior. This type of behavior is characterized by the characters own consent and willingness to do something.

There are two types of motivation: one is intrinsic, while the other one is extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation is linked to personal pleasure, enjoyment and interest, while extrinsic motivation is linked to numerous other possibilities. Extrinsic motivation comes from some physical reward such as money, power, or lust. Intrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is inspired by some internal reward such as knowledge, pride, or spiritual or emotional peace or wellbeing, etc.

Characters have some motivation for every action, as do people in real life. Therefore, the implicit or explicit reference to a motivation of a character makes the piece of literature seem closer to life and reality.

Examples of Motivation in Literature

Example #1:Hamlet(By William Shakespeare)

All actions that Hamlet commits in the play are the result of his motivation, such as revenge, justification, and integrity of his character. Throughout the play, revenge remains a constant motivation for Hamlet. He is extremely grieved over his fathers death. His sorrow and grief are aggravated when the Ghost of his father tells him that the murderer has not only taken the throne, but has taken his mother as his bride.

This becomes a motivation for Hamlet to justify his actions and exact revenge for murder most foul, in the words of the Ghost. This motivation is further escalated when he sees his mother married to his uncle, the murderer. In fact, Hamlet finds an opportunity to kill his uncle, but he does not, as King Claudius was praying at the time. Hamlet does not want to send the murderers soul to heaven. This motivation stops him from taking action.

Example #2: Doctor Faustus(by Christopher Marlow)

In his introductory soliloquy, Dr. Faustus reveals his motivation very clearly. The chorus already confirms whatever he states in the soliloquy. The chorus informs the audiences of the play that Faustus received his academic degree of doctorate in theology (religion). He earned a doctoral degree only to become overinflated and conceited for his own satisfaction. His self-centered thinking brings up his moral and spiritual downfall. He desires to know more and more even something, which is beyond his capabilities. His motivation is pride in himself, which ultimately destroys him.

Example #3: Lady Macbethfrom Macbeth(by William Shakespeare)

According to many literary critics about Shakespeares characters, the most evil of all his female characters is Lady Macbeth, who happens to have the worst motivation behind her actions. She is highly cunning, skillfully manipulative, and much more ambitious than her husband, Macbeth. When she receives a letter from her husband revealing the prophecy of the witches that foretells that Macbeth will be the future king, she at once begins to plan the murder of Duncan.

Then, when Macbeth withdraws from taking action, she motivates and urges him to move forward. Therefore, not only are greed and lust her motivations, but she transfers these motivations to her husband, giving him reason to kill the king.

Function of Motivation

In literature, motivation is used to connect the behavior and actions of a character with the events of the story. Motivation serves as the logical explanation for what a character does, which is necessary for the readers and audiences to understand the causes of a characters actions. The core desires of characters lead the way to all actions in storytelling.

Sometimes motivations of characters change with the development of the story. With a change in the motivation, the character changes too. For effective characterization, unified and dominant motivation is inevitable. Great characters have great motivations. These characters teach some good or bad moral lessons to the readers and the audiences. The readers and audiences get more interested in motivated characters and understand those motivations, which make or break societies.
Facebook

Facebook Twitter

Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville

B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

The hammerhead worm (Bipalium sp.) is a terrifying, toxic terrestrial flatworm. This large planarian lives on land and is both a predator and a cannibal. While the distinctive-looking worms don't pose a direct threat to human beings, they're an invasive species that packs the power to eradicate earthworms.

Fast Facts: Hammerhead Worm

Scientific Name : Bipalium sp.

: Bipalium sp. Other Names : Broadhead planarian, "landchovy"

: Broadhead planarian, "landchovy" Distinguishing Features : Large terrestrial planarian with a spade-shaped head and ventral foot or "creeping sole"

: Large terrestrial planarian with a spade-shaped head and ventral foot or "creeping sole" Size Range : From 5 cm (B. adventitium) to over 20 cm in length (B. kewense)

: From 5 cm (B. adventitium) to over 20 cm in length (B. kewense) Diet : Carnivorous, known to eat earthworms and each other

: Carnivorous, known to eat earthworms and each other Lifespan : Potentially immortal

: Potentially immortal Habitat : Distributed worldwide, preferring humid, warm habitats

: Distributed worldwide, preferring humid, warm habitats Conservation Status : Not evaluated

: Not evaluated Kingdom : Animalia

: Animalia Phylum : Platyhelminthes

: Platyhelminthes Class : Rhabditophora

: Rhabditophora Order : Tricladida

: Tricladida Family : Geoplanidae

: Geoplanidae Fun Fact: The hammerhead worm is one of only a very few terrestrial invertebrates known to produce the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin.

Description

The most distinctive features of the hammerhead worm are its fan- or spade-shaped head and long, flattened body. The underside of the planarian has a large "creeping sole" used for locomotion. Species are differentiated by the shape of the head, size, coloration, and stripe pattern.

The terrestrial planarians are earth-colored, found in shades of gray, brown, gold, and green. Small hammerhead worms include B. adventitium, which ranges from 5 to 8 cm (2.0 to 3.1 inches) in length. In contrast, adult B. kewenseworms can exceed 20 cm in length.

The hammerhead worm has a long, flattened body and a broad head.up close with nature / Getty Images

Distribution and Habitat

Hammerhead worms are native to tropical and subtropical regions but have become invasive worldwide. It's believed the planarians were accidentally transported and distributed on rooted horticultural plants. Because hammerhead worms require humidity, they are uncommon in desert and mountain biomes.

Diet

Bipaliumworms are carnivores, known to prey on earthworms, slugs, insect larvae, and each other. The worms detect prey using chemoreceptors located under the head or ventral groove. A hammerhead worm tracks its prey, pushes it against a surface, and entangles it in slimy secretions. Once the prey is mostly immobilized, the worm extends is pharynx from its body and secretes digestive enzymes, then sucks liquefied tissue into its branched gut using cilia. When digestion is complete, the worm's mouth also serves as its anus.

Hammerhead worms store food in vacuoles in their digestive epithelium. A worm can survive several weeks on its reserves and will cannibalize its own tissues for food.

Bipalium kewense capturing an earthworm. Researchers believe the planarian secretes a toxin to immobilize its prey. Jean-Lou Justine, Leigh Winsor, Delphine Gey, Pierre Gros, and Jessica Thevenot

Toxicity

While some types of worms are edible, the hammerhead worm is not among them. The planarian contains the potent neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin, which the worm uses to immobilize prey and deter predators The toxin is also found in pufferfish, the blue-ringed octopus, and rough-skinned newts, but was not known to occur in any species of terrestrial invertebrate prior to its discovery in the hammerhead worm.

Behavior

Hammerhead worms have been mistakenly called hammerhead slugs because they move in a slug-like fashion. They use cilia on their creeping sole to glide over a strip of mucus. The worms have also been observed lowering themselves down a string of mucus.

Land planarians are photo-negative (light-sensitive) and need high humidity. Because of this, they usually move and feed at night. They prefer cool, damp places, typically residing under rocks, logs, or shrubs.

Reproduction and Regeneration

The worms are hermaphrodites, with each individual possessing both testes and ovaries. A hammerhead worm can exchange gametes with another worm via its secretions. Fertilized eggs develop inside the body and are shed as egg capsules. After about three weeks, the eggs hatch and the worms mature. In some species, juveniles have different coloration from adults.

However, asexual reproduction is much more common than sexual reproduction. Hammerhead worms, like other planaria, are essentially immortal. Usually, a worm reproduces via fragmentation, leaving behind a tail tip stuck to a leaf or other substrate, which then develops into an adult. If the worm is cut into pieces, each section can regenerate into a fully-developed organism within a few weeks. Injured worms rapidly regenerate damaged tissue.

Conservation Status

None of the species of hammerhead worm have been evaluated for the IUCN Red List, but there's no evidence their numbers are threatened. Land planarians are widely distributed in their natural tropical and subtropical habitats and have extended their territorial reach worldwide. Once established in a greenhouse, the animals disperse into the surrounding region. In colder climates, the worms are able to survive freezing temperatures by seeking protected locations.

Economic Importance

At one time, researchers were concerned terrestrial planarians might damage plants. Over time, they were deemed harmless to greenery, but then a more insidious threat appeared. Hammerhead worms have the potential to exterminate earthworm populations. Earthworms are vital because they aerate and fertilize the soil. Hammerhead worms are considered a threatening invasive species. Some methods used to control slugs also work on flatworms, however, their longterm impact on ecosystems has yet to be fully determined.

Sources
Illusion: Chen Xia/GT

Donald Trump recently said that he will make an important announcement next Tuesday. Most people believe that he will announce hiscandidacy for the 2024 US elections.Trump has chosen to send this signal before the US midterm elections, apparently to garner more support for a Republican victory. It also shows that he still has considerable appeal. At least, his long honed political sensitivity tells him that his "charisma" remains undiminished.Although recent US polls show a downward trend in Trump's support within his party, Trump's popularity could be rekindled with a possible Democratic loss in this midterm elections.As outsiders, the Chinese people don't particularly care which party will win in the midterms, but Trump jumping on the stage would clearly increase the drama.The only example in US electoral history of a man who ran again after losing was Democrat Grover Cleveland. He lost his re-election bid in 1888, but ran again to win in 1892.The difference is that Trump is unwilling to concede defeat and runs again because he still has a strong influence.Although his political life may become the victim of the political polarization, he will not give up the opportunity.These days, competition between the two parties has entered a white-hot stage. Both parties see midterm elections as a "major battle" that will determine the fate of the country.President Joe Biden has warned voters that American democracy is in peril, while Trump warned voters that more Democratic policies would soon turn the US into Cuba or Venezuela, with Republicans determined to "make sure America never becomes a socialist country."Elections in the US are no longer simply a choice between the policies of two parties.While voters still value specific policy directions such as abortion and gun control, elites in both parties do their best to guide voters to see elections as a "battle of lines."Has the nature and institutions of the American nation really reached a watershed moment?The extravagant expectations of the importance of elections in both parties reflect both the deep divisions in American society and the fundamentalism of the American political psyche. These two factors interact with each other.The American political system is not a passive participant in this cycle; it is also a division maker. The problems in US politics today stem from the basic design of the US political institutions and are exacerbated by increasingly hostile polarization, writes American political scientist Francis Fukuyama in an article published in the September/October 2014 issue of Foreign Affairs.This divide is profoundly affecting American political and social life, like two rival religions engaged in a fierce struggle. Each side sees the other as "not my people" and has a strong sense of disgust and distrust of the other, even to the point of believing that what the other side is doing is against morality and law and will bring destruction to America. American attributes were shredded.American elections have thus become a clash of mutual denigration and condemnation, with the result that whoever wins will only exacerbate the divisions and make it harder to heal them.The only consensus is on policy toward China. The divide has made both parties more aggressive on China policy, and both parties need to set a hostile country to show that they are pointing voters in the right direction and inspiring them to move toward to "compete" with it. As a result, the election has taken on a momentum of "I will be tougher than you."In this regard, it seems that making predictions about the direction of US' China policy after the election has become meaningless. One thing is for sure, the split will intensify. The winning party after the election does not have the ability or the will to bridge that divide, because it is more beneficial to pull in more votes by emphasizing, or keeping, the divide, or even exacerbating it.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. di [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter @dinggangchina
Nigerian online sports betting operator NairaBet announced the relaunch of its affiliate program, powered by marketing technology company Income Access and its iGaming affiliate software.

NairaBet was the first company to provide Nigerian bettors with online wagering options. Customers of the brand are offered the opportunity to bet on key football events, including Premier League and international football matches, as well as on a number of other sports events. A suite of slot titles complements the sports betting offering.

Having revamped and relaunched its affiliate program, NairaBet is now expected to be promoted by a wider number of affiliates. As mentioned above, the program is powered by Income Access affiliate set of tools, including the highly popular Ad Serving tool. Among other things, it will help NairaBet geo-target affiliate marketing campaigns.

The newly relaunched program will be managed by NairaBet affiliate managers, all of them boasting experience in the African iGaming market.

Commenting on the announcement, Akin Alabi, CEO of the Nigerian gambling operator, said that as they have grown in the local market, affiliate marketing has become an important driver for their success. Of their choice of Income Access as their partner, the executive noted that it was important to them to work with a company with knowledge of the industry and with a platform that would be able to support their growth and player acquisition efforts.

Income Access Managing Director Nicky Senyard added that they are happy to be partnering with an operator in a region where iGaming enjoys a fast-paced growth. Ms. Senyard also expressed confidence that NairaBets revamped affiliate program would present an excellent opportunity for domestic and international affiliates.

Income Access has recently launched affiliate programs with a number of other international iGaming brands, including Shadow Bet, SugarHouse Online Casino, and Argyll Entertainment, to help them boost their growth in the highly competitive online gambling environment. Overall, the company has been working with some of the leaders in the field, Coral, Sky Betting & Gaming, and BetVictor being few of these.

The affiliate marketing technology company was recently acquired by online payments provider Paysafe Group, known to be the owner of digital wallets Skrill and NETELLER.
Wang Xiaodong once gave a speech declaring that Chinas forward march is bestodds blue chip poker roomunstoppable. He published essays calling on China to build up its military. He co-wrote a book, bluntly titled China Is Unhappy, in which he said the country should aim to control more land and shape global politics. We should lead this world, he said.

Now, Mr. Wang, a 66-year-old Beijing-based writer once called the standard-bearer of Chinese nationalism, has another message: That nationalism has gone too far.

For years, it was Mr. Wang whom many Chinese dismissed as too radical, as he railed that the Chinese establishment was too beholden to Western ideas and global trade, too content to let China ease into a world order rigged by the United States.

Then, as China grew more powerful, his message championing nationalism  and his combative, only-idiots-disagree-with-me style  found a following. His book became a best seller. Today, swagger about the countrys greatness is a staple of Chinese public conversation, from diplomatic declarations to social media chatter.

But rather than reveling in that success, Mr. Wang has become alarmed by it. Egged on by government propaganda, Chinese nationalism has become increasingly volatile and vitriolic. And so Mr. Wang has found himself in the unexpected position of trying to tamp down the movement that he helped ignite nearly 35 years ago.

To his millions of social media followers, he now opines that excessive self-regard imperils Chinas rise, which he no longer calls inevitable. In blog posts and videos infused with a professorial  some say lecturing  demeanor, he warns that cutting off relations with the United States would be self-defeating. He lashes out at other nationalist influencers, accusing them of stoking extreme emotions to win followers.

Now, this pioneer of nationalist bravado is the one fending off criticisms of being too moderate, too cozy with the West, even a traitor.

Image Mr. Wang finds himself in the unexpected position of trying to tamp down the nationalist movement that he helped ignite nearly 35 years ago.Credit...Gilles Sabrie for The New York Times

Mr. Wang, who in person is warmer than his public persona might suggest, has greeted the reversal with a mixture of astonishment and amusement.

Theyve forgotten, in the past few decades, Ive been called nationalisms godfather. I created them, he said in an interview over tea and steamed fish at a Shanghainese restaurant near his home in Beijing. But I never told them to be this crazy.

Xi Tightens His Grip: Having secured a precedent-defying third term, Xi Jinping is poised to push his vision of a nationalist China even further, with himself at the center.

Having secured a precedent-defying third term, Xi Jinping is poised to push his vision of a nationalist China even further, with himself at the center. Zero-Covid Guessing Game: Companies, investors and policymakers are trying to divine when the Chinese government will drop its strict virus restrictions. But the decision comes down to one man: Mr. Xi.

Companies, investors and policymakers are trying to divine when the Chinese government will drop its strict virus restrictions. But the decision comes down to one man: Mr. Xi. Business Elite: Chinas entrepreneurs had an unspoken contract with the Communist Party: Let us make money and well turn a blind eye to how you rule. That is no longer the case.

Chinas entrepreneurs had an unspoken contract with the Communist Party: Let us make money and well turn a blind eye to how you rule. That is no longer the case. A Growing Climate Challenge: Chinas greenhouse gas emissions rose last year at the fastest pace in a decade. And the country's addiction to coal is likely to endure for years.

The divide may be, in part, generational. For young people who have known only an ascendant China, a strident posture toward the rest of the world may feel natural. Other older public figures have raised similar concerns to Mr. Wang; Yan Xuetong, an often-hawkish international relations professor, lamented this year that students held an overly confident, make-believe mind-set about Chinas global stature.

Chinas humbler history has been central to Mr. Wangs worldview.

Born to well-educated parents  his father was an engineer, his mother a teacher  he was 10 when Mao Zedong launched the Cultural Revolution. Mr. Wangs school closed for two years; he read old textbooks on his own.

That tumultuous period instilled in Mr. Wang a lasting pugnaciousness. Unsupervised, he and his friends frequently brawled with other young people. It made me feel very self-righteous  I could fight like that, without any punishment, he said, with a smirk familiar to viewers of his videos. That was not necessarily a great lesson for me.

After the Cultural Revolution ended, Mr. Wang enrolled at Beijings prestigious Peking University to study math  an educational pedigree this unapologetic elitist frequently invokes.

But Mr. Wangs attention quickly slipped from classes. The 1980s were a heady time of new ideas and national soul-searching, as the country distanced itself from Maos suffocating reign. Mr. Wang began devouring foreign novels, becoming more accessible as China opened its economy. He practiced English by listening to Voice of America and reading Readers Digest.

Soon, though, he would decide Chinas interest in the West had gone too far.

He traces his first major brush with nationalism to 1988, when the state broadcaster aired a documentary, River Elegy, which blamed Chinas backwardness on its traditional civilization and urged the country to learn from Japan and the West. Mr. Wang, by then working as a young economics professor, was outraged. He wrote a short essay criticizing the series as self-loathing  an idea he would later dub reverse racism.

Image Mr. Wang, left, in Japan in the 1980s where he earned a masters degree in engineering, pictured here with his tutor Kazukiyo Kurosawa.

It was a bold argument, given the documentarys imprimatur of state approval. Mr. Wang said he was able to publish it only by pleading with an editor at the newspaper China Youth Daily, which ran it not in the politics section but in the lower-profile entertainment pages.

It aroused intense debate anyway. And it made Mr. Wang a leading voice of Chinese nationalism, a movement that was gaining momentum as the broader political atmosphere changed. After the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, the government turned on the political openness of the 1980s and became more guarded toward the outside world.

Mr. Wang was there to cheer it on  and to argue that it didnt go far enough.

He churned out increasingly provocative books and essays, arguing that China should become more militant to survive American hegemony. He said Chinas huge population demanded more resources  which might not be attainable through peaceful means alone.

In China Is Unhappy, published in 2009, he called those who said China was not ready to take on the United States slaves who glorified peace.

The book climbed a best-seller list, earning international headlines. But in a sign that China was still negotiating its relationship to nationalism, the book was also widely criticized. Liberal intellectuals accused it of poisoning and militarizing Chinas youth. Xinhua, the state news agency, quoted readers reviews calling it poor and radical.

That uneasiness would soon dissipate. As Chinas hosting of the Beijing Olympics in 2008 fueled a new national confidence, Mr. Wang at first was thrilled. He was especially excited by how the internet helped those ideas spread, arguing it proved the organic appeal of nationalism  and his own ideas.

But gradually, that sense of vindication turned to concern.

Tensions between China and the West intensified as trade deficits soared and Chinas military began flexing its new muscles in places like the South China Sea.

Image A visitor at the Military Museum in Beijing, in September. Mr. Wang published essays calling on China to build up its military.Credit...Gilles Sabrie for The New York Times

The animus then spiked after the outbreak of the coronavirus, and some social media users began cheering the idea of severing economic ties with the United States, bragging that China could go it alone. Even cultural exchange became a target: users attacked vegetarianism as a foreign import, or questioned people for cosplaying in kimonos.

Mr. Wang  a self-declared fan of American TV, especially Westworld and Game of Thrones  began worrying that many Chinese had swung too far, from self-deprecation to imagined invincibility. He admitted to having been overly optimistic himself about the pace of Chinas development in his earlier writings, and said the country was still not as powerful as the United States.

Before, Chinese peoples self-esteem was too low, and they thought China couldnt do anything right, Mr. Wang said. Now, they think China is No. 1 and can fight anyone  and I cant take that either. China isnt that strong yet.

As had become his habit, he aired those views on the Twitter-like platform Weibo, where he has 2.5 million followers.

Last December, he posted a video arguing that China should do whatever was necessary to remain part of global trade, even if that meant enduring some humiliation.

I used to express some different views, Mr. Wang acknowledged in the video, seated before his usual backdrop of elegant carved wooden cabinets. But, he continued, we really havent gotten to the point where we win at everything we do.

This summer, after some social media users predicted that China would shoot down House Speaker Nancy Pelosis plane to Taiwan, Mr. Wang said too much bluster made China appear weak.

In turn, he is tarred by commenters as an arrogant has-been, and he seems to relish hitting back, with condescension. When one user told Mr. Wang to go to America, he responded, Idiots like you not only lack brains, you also lack morals.

Image Before, Chinese peoples self-esteem was too low, and they thought China couldnt do anything right, Mr. Wang said. Now, they think China is No. 1 and can fight anyone  and I cant take that either.Credit...Gilles Sabrie for The New York Times

There is one notable omission from his list of targets. He almost never criticizes the government, which arguably has done more than anybody to foment nationalism, through its aggressive Wolf Warrior diplomacy and disinformation campaigns about foreign countries.

Mr. Wang said he deliberately avoided direct commentary on domestic politics, focusing instead on social media users reactions to certain issues, because he worried about his social media accounts being shut down; he earns money through paid subscribers. He now tries to comment more on international affairs. Many of his latest videos are about the war in Ukraine. Im actually quite timid, he joked.

Still, if Mr. Wang comes off as moderate today, that is perhaps only because of how extreme Chinese online nationalists have become. He still champions a superpower China; his quibble is over tactics and timing. At times, he has joined the online masses in mobilizing against the West, such as when he cheered a boycott of Nike and H&M for swearing off Xinjiang cotton.

Song Qiang, one of Mr. Wangs four co-authors on China is Unhappy, said Chinese nationalism today was a clear descendant of the movement Mr. Wang had helped start, and shape.

Image A young visitor in front of a propaganda video for the Peoples Liberation Army at the Military Museum in Beijing.Credit...Gilles Sabrie for The New York Times

The national awakening that began with Wang Xiaodongs criticism of River Elegy  the 1988 documentary  has become mainstream, said Mr. Song, who added that he disagreed that young nationalists were irrational. Theres no reason to say that the nationalism inherited by the new generation is different from that of the 1990s.

Still, Mr. Wang knows his popular appeal may be diminishing, given how the broader political climate rewards more aggressive chest-thumping than he might think wise.

But he believes his views will retain an audience  at least for now.

Lets put it this way: Right now, its my generation thats in charge, not theirs, he said of younger Chinese. Well see what happens after we die.

Joy Dong and Liu Yi contributed research.

Advertisement

Continue reading the main story
Theladbrokes 100 free spins topic of value shadowed Aaron Judge all season. In April, the Yankees placed a value on his long-term future with the team: $213.5 million over seven years. In October, Judge placed a value on the American Leagues single-season home run record: He was going for it, every day, even after the Yankees clinched the A.L. East.

Judge declined the contract offer, and his big bet will soon pay off in free agency. He broke the record, and his performance stamped him on Thursday as the winner of the Most Valuable Player Award in the A.L.

Judge received 28 of 30 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers Association of America, which has awarded the M.V.P. since 1931. Shohei Ohtani, the two-way superstar for the Los Angeles Angels, got the other two first-place votes and finished second, with the slugger Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros placing third.

In the National League, Paul Goldschmidt, the slugging first baseman of the St. Louis Cardinals who flirted with winning the triple crown, won M.V.P., beating out Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres and his fellow Cardinal Nolan Arenado.

With 34 home runs and a 15-9 record on the mound, Ohtani had an even better overall season than he did in 2021, when he was the unanimous M.V.P. Among his accomplishments was becoming the first player in baseball history to have enough plate appearances and innings pitched to qualify for the league titles in both batting average and E.R.A. It would take a season that was arguably even more historic to beat him out, and Judge had just that.

He swatted 62 home runs, one better than Roger Mariss hallowed mark for the Yankees in 1961. While Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds all topped Mariss 61-homer mark between 1998 and 2001, they did so in the last few years before steroid testing. All three have been strongly linked to the use of performance-enhancing drugs, tainting their records for many fans.

Conveniently for Judge, though, McGwire, Sosa and Bonds all played for N.L. teams while zooming past Maris, leaving the 61-homer mark as the standard for A.L. sluggers. Judge surpassed it on Oct. 4 in Arlington, Texas, when he pulled a slider from the Rangers Jesus Tinoco over the left field fence at Globe Life Field.

Image Judge carried the Yankees for most of the 2022 season. On Oct. 4, he slugged his 62nd home run of the year, breaking Roger Mariss record for the most in a single season in the American League.Credit...Nathan Hunsinger for The New York Times

Judge finished the regular season as the league leader in homers (62), R.B.I. (131), runs scored (133), on-base percentage (.425), slugging percentage (.686) and total bases (391). His .311 average trailed only Minnesotas Luis Arraez, who hit .316.

And while the Yankees won the East by seven games, their summer was a struggle. Their division lead was whittled from 15  games on July 8 to 3  games on Sept. 9, and they needed the steady, high-impact production of Judge to survive. That went for defense, too; Judge entered the season with just 22 career starts in center field, but he made 74 starts there in 2022 and thrived.

Judge becomes the 14th Yankee to win the award and the first since Alex Rodriguez in 2007. The others include some of the most hallowed names in baseball history, including seven Hall of Famers  Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Joe Gordon, Phil Rizzuto, Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle  and the franchise stalwarts Spud Chandler, Maris, Elston Howard, Thurman Munson and Don Mattingly.

Judge finished fourth in the voting in 2021 and second to Houstons Jose Altuve in 2017, the year of the Astros sign-stealing scandal. Judge was the A.L. Rookie of the Year that season, when he hit 52 home runs and led the Yankees to a surprise appearance in the A.L. Championship Series.

The Yankees lost that series to the Astros in seven games, but the presence of a young core built around Judge  and another slugger, Giancarlo Stanton, who joined the Yankees in a December 2017 trade  seemed to herald a new era of pinstriped greatness. Yet the Yankees are still waiting for their next pennant.

While they have reached the playoffs in all six of Judges full seasons, they have never advanced past the A.L.C.S., where the Astros stopped them again in 2019 as well as this fall. The other budding stars around Judge have mostly failed to live up to their promise; infielder Gleyber Torres remains, but third baseman Miguel Andujar, first baseman Greg Bird, outfielder Jackson Frazier and catcher Gary Sanchez are all gone.

Image Judge and Shohei Ohtani were teammates at the All-Star Game in July and were M.V.P. front-runners all season.Credit...Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

The Yankees and Judge now find themselves at a crossroads: How much are the Yankees willing to offer Judge to stay, and how much does he really want to return? After the four-game sweep in the A.L.C.S., when Judge went 1 for 16 and made the final out, he reflected on his tenure in the Bronx.

Getting the chance to wear the pinstripes and play right field at Yankee Stadium, its an incredible honor that I definitely didnt take for granted at any point, Judge told reporters then. I always checked myself pregame, when Id say a little prayer, Id kind of look around the Stadium and kind of pinch myself that theres very few individuals that get a chance to run out on that field and do that and play in front of the fans that support us throughout my whole six years here.

He added: It was a special time. I just kick myself for not bringing home that championship for them.

Advertisement

Continue reading the main story
What Is the Fisher Effect?crystal forest slot machine free

The Fisher Effect is an economic theory created by economist Irving Fisher that describes the relationship between inflation and both real and nominal interest rates. The Fisher Effect states that the real interest rate equals the nominal interest rate minus the expected inflation rate. Therefore, real interest rates fall as inflation increases, unless nominal rates increase at the same rate as inflation.

Key Takeaways

The Fisher Effect is an economic theory created by economist Irving Fisher that describes the relationship between inflation and both real and nominal interest rates.

The Fisher Effect states that the real interest rate equals the nominal interest rate minus the expected inflation rate.

The Fisher Effect has been extended to the analysis of the money supply and international currency trading.

When the real interest rate is positive, it means the lender or investor is able to beat inflation.

When the real interest rate is negative, it means the rate being charged on a loan or paid on a savings account is not beating inflation.

Fisher Effect

Understanding the Fisher Effect

1:30

Fisher's equation reflects that the real interest rate can be taken by subtracting the expected inflation rate from the nominal interest rate. In this equation, all the provided rates are compounded.

The Fisher Effect can be seen each time you go to the bank; the interest rate an investor has on a savings account is really the nominal interest rate. For example, if the nominal interest rate on a savings account is 4% and the expected rate of inflation is 3%, then the money in the savings account is really growing at 1%. The smaller the real interest rate, the longer it will take for savings deposits to grow substantially when observed from a purchasing power perspective.

Countries will closely monitor the Consumer Price Index (CPI) when determining inflationary measures.

Nominal Interest Rates and Real Interest Rates

Nominal interest rates reflect the financial return an individual gets when they deposit money. For example, a nominal interest rate of 10% per year means that an individual will receive an additional 10% of their deposited money in the bank.

Unlike the nominal interest rate, the real interest rate considers purchasing power in the equation.

In the Fisher Effect, the nominal interest rate is the provided actual interest rate that reflects the monetary growth padded over time to a particular amount of money or currency owed to a financial lender. Real interest rate is the amount that mirrors the purchasing power of the borrowed money as it grows over time.

Importance in Money Supply

The Fisher Effect is more than just an equation: It shows how the money supply affects the nominal interest rate and inflation rate in tandem. For example, if a change in a central bank's monetary policy would push the country's inflation rate to rise by 10 percentage points, then the nominal interest rate of the same economy would follow suit and increase by 10 percentage points as well.

In this light, it may be assumed that a change in the money supply will not affect the real interest rate as the real interest rate is the result of inflation and the nominal rate. It will, however, directly reflect changes in the nominal interest rate.

When a country has a higher nominal interest rate than a different country, the first country's currency should see depreciation against the second currency, as the first currency will also be experiencing a period of increased inflation.

The International Fisher Effect (IFE)

The International Fisher Effect (IFE) is an exchange-rate model that extends the standard Fisher Effect and is used in forex trading and analysis. It is based on present and future risk-free nominal interest rates rather than pure inflation, and it is used to predict and understand the present and future spot currency price movements. For this model to work in its purest form, it is assumed that the risk-free aspects of capital must be allowed to free float between nations that comprise a particular currency pair.

The IFE was primarily used in periods of monetary policy where interest rates were adjusted more frequently and in larger amounts. With electronic trading and the advent of the retail arbitrage trader, the inconsistencies between spot exchange rates are more visible and thus the inconsistency is more quickly noticed and the trade becomes too crowded to be significantly profitable.

However, the IFE, as well as additional methods of trade confirmation can be incorrectly assessed. In this case, even though there may not be an empirical advantage to a trade, there may be a psychological one if the spot predictions have been incorrectly assessed and acted upon.

What Are the Main Causes of Inflation?

There are many causes of inflation but some of the most common ones are when prices rise due to an increase in the cost of production. For example, if a company receives goods from a different country and the cost of oil rises, those goods become more expensive because they now cost the company more to receive. Demand will also determine inflation. If many people rush to buy the same item or service, the price will rise. In the 2021/2022 environment, inflation was mostly driven by fiscal policy.

How Do You Profit From Inflation?

There are two schools of thought when it comes to inflation: those who beat inflation, and those who simply match it. Looking to match inflation is possible as a retail investor by investing in asset classes that are more likely to do well during such periods. Two common classes are real estate and commodities. A fixed mortgage will do well in an inflationary environment as it devalues the payments required. More commonly, an investor will place their money in inflation-indexed bonds, such as Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS). Those looking to actively beat inflation could consider value stocks and other companies that are easily able to pass on inflated costs to their consumers.

How Do You Find the Real Interest Rate?

The real interest rate is essentially the nominal interest rate minus the inflation rate. So if the nominal rate is 6% and inflation is 4%, the real interest rate is 2%. This interest rate can be calculated using currently available information, but some businesses will plan for future interest rate and inflation environments so they know how to adjust their pricing in the event of an increase or decrease in inflation.

The Bottom Line

The Fisher Effect is a theory describing the relationship between both real and nominal interest rates, and inflation. The theory states that the nominal rate will adjust to reflect the changes in the inflation rate in order for products and lending avenues to remain competitive. It is a theory that is sometimes applied to currency pairs in order to profit from price discrepancies through a trading style called arbitrage.
The walkway of the Brooklyn Bridge was the site of a shocking disaster on May 30, 1883, only a week after it opened to the public. With businesses closed for a patriotic holiday, crowds had flocked to the bridge's promenade, the highest vantage point in New York City at the time.

Near the Manhattan side of the great bridge a pedestrian bottleneck became tightly packed, and the shoving of the crowd sent people toppling down a short flight of stairs. People screamed. The crowd panicked, fearful that the entire structure was in danger of collapsing into the river.

The crush of people on the walkway became intense. Workmen putting finishing touches on the bridge raced along trusses to the scene and began tearing down railings to alleviate the crowding. People picked up babies and children and tried to pass them overhead, out of the crowd.

Within just a few minutes the frenzy had passed. But 12 people had been crushed to death. Hundreds more were injured, many seriously. The deadly stampede placed a dark cloud over what had been a celebratory first week for the bridge.

Detailed accounts of the mayhem on the bridge became a sensation in the highly competitive world of New York City newspapers. As the city's papers were still congregated in the neighborhood of Park Row, only blocks from the Manhattan end of the bridge, the story could not have been more local.

The Scene on the Bridge

The bridge had officially opened on Thursday, May 24, 1883. Traffic during the first weekend was very heavy, as sightseers flocked to enjoy the novelty of strolling hundreds of feet above the East River.

The New York Tribune, on Monday, May 28, 1883, printed a front page story indicating that the bridge might have become too popular. It ominously mentioned that bridge workers, at one point on Sunday afternoon, feared a riot.

The pedestrian promenade was popular on the Brooklyn Bridge.Getty Images

Decoration Day, the precursor to Memorial Day fell that Wednesday, May 30, 1883. After morning rain, the day turned very pleasant. The New York Sun, on the front page of the next day's edition, described the scene:

"When the rain was over yesterday afternoon the Brooklyn Bridge, which had its crowds in the morning, but had become comparatively open again, began to threaten a blockade. With the hundreds who came down town to the New York gates were hundreds of men in the uniform of the Grand Army of the Republic.

"Most of the people strolled over to Brooklyn, and then turned back without leaving the bridge. Thousands were coming over from Brooklyn, returning from cemeteries where soldier's graves had been decorated, or taking advantage of the holiday to see the bridge.

"There were not so many on the bridge as on the day after the opening, or on the following Sunday, but they seemed inclined to loiter. There would be an open space of from fifty to one hundred feet, and then a dense jam."

Problems became intense at the top of a nine-foot high flight of stairs built into the walkway, near the point at which the main suspension cables passed by the promenade on the Manhattan side of the bridge. The pressing of the crowd pushed some people down the stairs.

Did You Know?

Predictions of the Brooklyn Bridge's collapse had been common. In 1876, at about the halfway point of its construction, the chief mechanic of the bridge crossed between the Brooklyn and Manhattan towers on a cable to publicly demonstrate confidence in the bridge's design.

"Somebody shouted out that there was danger," reported the New York Sun. "And the impression prevailed that the bridge was giving way beneath the crowd."

The newspaper mentioned, "A woman held her baby over the trestle work and begged someone to take it."

The situation had turned desperate. From the New York Sun:

"At last, with a single shriek that cut through the clamor of thousands of voices, a young girl lost her footing, and fell down the lower flight of steps. She lay for a moment, and then raised herself on her hands, and would have got up. But in another moment she was buried under the bodies of others who fell over the steps after her. She was dead when they got her out more than half an hour afterward.

"Men sprang upon the rails at the side and waved the crowds back from both the New York and Brooklyn sides. But the people continued to crowd on toward the steps. No police were in sight. Men in the crowd lifted their children above their heads to save them from the crush. People were still paying their pennies at both gates and swarming in."

Within minutes the frantic scene had calmed. Soldiers, who had been parading near the bridge in Decoration Day commemorations, rushed to the scene. The New York Sun described the aftermath:

"A company of the Twelfth New York Regiment worked hard at dragging them out. Twenty-five seemed to be nearly dead. They were laid along the north and south sides of the pathway, and the people from Brooklyn passed on between them. Men and women turned faint at the sight of the swollen and blood-stained faces of the dead. Four men, a lad, six women, and a girl of 15 were quite dead, or died in a few moments. They had been found at the bottom of the heap.

"The police stopped grocers' wagons coming from Brooklyn, and, carrying the bodies of the wounded and climbing down the planks to the road, laid them in the wagons, and told the drivers to hurry to the Chambers Street Hospital. Six bodies were laid in one wagon. The drivers whipped up their horses and drove with full speed to the hospital."

Newspaper accounts of the dead and wounded were heartbreaking. The New York Sun described how one young couple's afternoon stroll on the bridge turned tragic:

"Sarah Hennessey was married on Easter, and was walking on the bridge with her husband when the crowd closed in upon them. Her husband injured his left arm a week ago, and clung to his wife with his right hand. A little girl fell in front of him, and he was thrown upon his knees and kicked and bruised. Then his wife was torn from him, and he saw her trampled upon and killed. When he got off the bridge he searched for his wife and found her in the hospital."

According to a report in the New York Tribune of May 31, 1883, Sarah Hennessey had been married to her husband John Hennessey for seven weeks. She was 22 years old. They had lived in Brooklyn.

Rumors of the disaster spread quickly through the city. The New York Tribune reported: "An hour after the accident it was told in the vicinity of Madison Square that 25 persons were killed and hundreds wounded, and at 42nd Street that the bridge had fallen down and 1,500 had lost their lives."

In the days and weeks following the disaster the blame for the tragedy was directed at the management of the bridge. The bridge had its own small police force, and officials of the bridge company were criticized for failing to place policeman at strategic place to keep crowds dispersed.

It became standard practice for uniformed officers on the bridge to keep people moving along, and the Decoration Day tragedy was never repeated.

The fear that the bridge was in danger of collapsing was, of course, completely unfounded. The Brooklyn Bridge has been renovated to some extent, and the original trolley track was removed in the late 1940s and the roadways changed to accommodate more automobiles. But the walkway still stretches down the middle of the bridge and is still in use. The bridge is crossed every day by thousands of pedestrians, and the promenade with striking views that drew revelers in May 1883 is still an attraction for tourists today.
What Is a Callable Bond?uptown aces 150 no deposit

A callable bond, also known as a redeemable bond, is a bond that the issuer may redeem before it reaches the stated maturity date. A callable bond allows the issuing company to pay off their debt early. A business may choose to call their bond if market interest rates move lower, which will allow them to re-borrow at a more beneficial rate. Callable bonds thus compensate investors for that potentiality as they typically offer a more attractive interest rate or coupon rate due to their callable nature.

Key Takeaways

A callable bond is a debt security that can be redeemed early by the issuer before its maturity at the issuer's discretion.

A callable bond allows companies to pay off their debt early and benefit from favorable interest rate drops.

A callable bond benefits the issuer, and so investors of these bonds are compensated with a more attractive interest rate than on otherwise similar non-callable bonds.

Callable Bond

How a Callable Bond Works

1:19

A callable bond is a debt instrument in which the issuer reserves the right to return the investor's principal and stop interest payments before the bond's maturity date. Corporations may issue bonds to fund expansion or to pay off other loans. If they expect market interest rates to fall, they may issue the bond as callable, allowing them to make an early redemption and secure other financings at a lowered rate. The bond's offering will specify the terms of when the company may recall the note.

A callableredeemablebond is typically called at a value that is slightly above the par value of the debt. The earlier in a bond's life span that it is called, the higher its call value will be. For example, a bond maturing in 2030 can be called in 2020. It may show a callable price of 102. This price means the investor receives $1,020 for each $1,000 in face value of their investment. The bond may also stipulate that the early call price goes down to 101 after a year.

Types of Callable Bonds

Callable bonds come with many variations. Optional redemption lets an issuer redeem its bonds according to the terms when the bond was issued. However, not all bonds are callable. Treasury bonds and Treasury notes are non-callable, although there are a few exceptions.

Most municipal bonds and some corporate bonds are callable. A municipal bond has call features that may be exercised after a set period such as 10 years.

Sinking fund redemption requires the issuer to adhere to a set schedule while redeeming a portion or all of its debt. On specified dates, the company will remit a portion of the bond to bondholders. A sinking fund helps the company save money over time and avoid a large lump-sum payment at maturity. A sinking fund has bonds issued whereby some of them are callable for the company to pay off its debt early.

Extraordinary redemption lets the issuer call its bonds before maturity if specific events occur, such as if the underlying funded project is damaged or destroyed.

Call protection refers to the period when the bond cannot be called. The issuer must clarify whether a bond is callable and the exact terms of the call option, including when the timeframe when the bond can be called.

Callable Bonds and Interest Rates

If market interest rates decline after a corporation floats a bond, the company can issue new debt, receiving a lower interest rate than the original callable bond. The company uses the proceeds from the second, lower-rate issue to pay off the earlier callable bond by exercising the call feature. As a result, the company has refinanced its debt by paying off the higher-yielding callable bonds with the newly-issued debt at a lower interest rate.

Paying down debt early by exercising callable bonds saves a company interest expense and prevents the company from being put in financial difficulties in the long term if economic or financial conditions worsen.

However, the investor might not make out as well as the company when the bond is called. For example, let's say a 6% coupon bond is issued and is due to mature in five years. An investor purchases $10,000 worth and receives coupon payments of 6% x $10,000 or $600 annually. Three years after issuance, the interest rates fall to 4%, and the issuer calls the bond. The bondholder must turn in the bond to get back the principal, and no further interest is paid.

In this scenario, not only does the bondholder lose the remaining interest payments but it would be unlikely they will be able to match the original 6% coupon. This situation is known as reinvestment risk. The investor might choose to reinvest at a lower interest rate and lose potential income. Also, if the investor wants to purchase another bond, the new bond's price could be higher than the price of the original callable. In other words, the investor might pay a higher price for a lower yield. As a result, a callable bond may not be appropriate for investors seeking stable income and predictable returns.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Callable Bonds

Callable bonds typically pay a higher coupon or interest rate to investors than non-callable bonds. The companies that issue these products benefit as well. Should the market interest rate fall lower than the rate being paid to the bondholders, the business may call the note. They may then, refinance the debt at a lower interest rate. This flexibility is usually more favorable for the business than using bank-based lending.

However, not every aspect of a callable bond is favorable. An issuer will usually call the bond when interest rates fall. This calling leaves the investor exposed to replacing the investment at a rate that will not return the same level of income. Conversely, when market rates rise, the investor can fall behind when their funds are tied up in a product that pays a lower rate. Finally, companies must offer a higher coupon to attract investors. This higher coupon will increase the overall cost of taking on new projects or expansions.

Pay a higher coupon or interest rate

Investor-financed debt is more flexibility for the issuer

Helps companies raise capital

Call features allow recall and refinancing of debt

Investors must replace called bonds with lower rate products

Investors cannot take advantage when market rates rise

Coupon rates are higher raising the costs to the company

Example of a Callable Bond

ProsCons

Let's say Apple Inc. (AAPL) decides to borrow $10 million in the bond market and issues a 6% coupon bond with a maturity date in five years. The company pays its bondholders 6% x $10 million or $600,000 in interest payments annually.

Three years from the date of issuance, interest rates fall by 200 basis points (bps) to 4%, prompting the company to redeem the bonds. Under the terms of the bond contract, if the company calls the bonds, it must pay the investors $102 premium to par. Therefore, the company pays the bond investors $10.2 million, which it borrows from the bank at a 4% interest rate. It reissues the bond with a 4% coupon rate and a principal sum of $10.2 million, reducing its annual interest payment to 4% x $10.2 million or $408,000.
What Is a Tender Offer?poker 500

A tender offer is a bid to purchase some or all of shareholders' stock in a corporation. Tender offers are typically made publicly and invite shareholders to sell their shares for a specified price and within a particular window of time. The price offered is usually at a premium to the market price and is often contingent upon a minimum or a maximum number of shares sold.

To tender is to invite bids for a project or accept a formal offer such as a takeover bid. An exchange offer is a specialized type of tender offer in which securities or other non-cash alternatives are offered in exchange for shares.

Key Takeaways

A tender offer is a public solicitation to all shareholders requesting that they tender their stock for sale at a specific price during a certain time.

The tender offer typically is set at a higher price per share than the companys current stock price, providing shareholders a greater incentive to sell their shares.

In the case of a takeover attempt, the tender may be conditional on the prospective buyer being able to obtain a certain amount of shares, such as a sufficient number of shares to constitute a controlling interest in the company.

How a Tender Offer Works

A tender offer often occurs when an investor proposes buying shares from every shareholder of a publicly traded company for a certain price at a certain time. The investor normally offers a higher price per share than the companys stock price, providing shareholders a greater incentive to sell their shares.

Most tender offers are made at a specified price that represents a significant premium over the current share price. A tender offer might, for instance, be made to purchase outstanding stock shares for $18 a share when the current market price is only $15 a share. The reason for offering the premium is to induce a large number of shareholders to sell their shares. In the case of a takeover attempt, the tender may be conditional on the prospective buyer being able to obtain a certain amount of shares, such as a sufficient number of shares to constitute a controlling interest in the company.

A publicly traded company issues a tender offer with the intent to buy back its own outstanding securities. Sometimes, a privately or publicly traded company executes a tender offer directly to shareholders without the board of directors (BOD) consent, resulting in a hostile takeover. Acquirers include hedge funds, private equity firms, management-led investor groups, and other companies.

The day after the announcement, a target companys shares usually trade below or at a discount to the offer price, which is attributed to the uncertainty of and time needed for the offer. As the closing date nears and issues are resolved, the spread typically narrows.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) laws require any corporation or individual acquiring 5% or more of a company to disclose their stake to the SEC, the target company, and the exchange.

Important

The shares of stock purchased in a tender offer become the property of the purchaser. From that point forward, the purchaser, like any other shareholder, has the right to hold or sell the shares at their discretion.

Example of a Tender Offer

For example, Company A has a current stock price of $10 per share. An investor, seeking to gain control of the corporation, submits a tender offer of $12 per share with the condition that they acquire at least 51% of the shares. In corporate finance, a tender offer is often called a takeover bid as the investor seeks to take over control of the corporation.

Advantages of a Tender Offer

Tender offers provide several advantages to investors. For example, investors are not obligated to buy shares until a set number is tendered, which eliminates large upfront cash outlays and prevents investors from liquidating stock positions if offers fail. Acquirers can also include escape clauses, releasing liability for buying shares. For example, if the government rejects a proposed acquisition citing antitrust violations, the acquirer can refuse to buy tendered shares.

In many instances, investors gain control of target companies in less than one month if shareholders accept their offers; they also generally earn more than normal investments in the stock market.

Disadvantages of a Tender Offer

Although tender offers provide many benefits, there are some noted disadvantages. A tender offer is an expensive way to complete a hostile takeover as investors pay SEC filing fees, attorney costs, and other fees for specialized services. It can be a time-consuming process as depository banks verify tendered shares and issue payments on behalf of the investor. Also, if other investors become involved in a hostile takeover, the offer price increases, and because there are no guarantees, the investor may lose money on the deal.
If you listen carefully to spoken English, you will notice that some people add an -s to many directional adverbs, while others do not. These variations also appear in written English.

While afterward and afterwards refer to events in time, rather than directions or physical locations, they are subject to the same principle. Read on to learn whether afterwards or afterward is appropriate for your own writing.

What is the Difference Between Afterward and Afterwards?

In this article, I will compare afterwardvs. afterwards.I will use each word in a sentence to illustrate its proper content, and I will then reveal an easy memory trick to help you remember when it is use appropriate to use afterwardand when it is use appropriate to use afterwards.

When to Use Afterword

What does afterword mean? Before we discuss afterwardand afterwards, we need to address an unrelated word that often gets misused: afterword.

An afterwordis a concluding section of a book. This section is usually written by a person other than the main author.

Here is an example,

My autobiography features an afterword written by noted tech investor Mark Cuban.

It is still in print, and there are plans for a paperback, with a new afterword. The New York Times

This is the only context in which afterwordcan be used. In all other instances, choose one of the words we are about to explore.

When to Use Afterward

What does afterward mean? Afterwardis an adverb. It is a synonym of later. It can be used in the ways demonstrated in the following sentences,

Morgan and Alex had a nice dinner, and went out for dessert afterward.

Afterward, the killer buried their bodies in the river flats.

Shortly afterward, a cybersecurity consulting firm reported the OneTouch Pings flaws, said Marene Allison, J&Js chief information security officer. The Wall Street Journal

When to Use Afterwards

What does afterwards mean? Afterwardscarries the same meaning as afterward, and is used in all the same contexts.

There is no clear preference for either word in American English, as evidenced by the below chart graphing afterwardvs. afterwardsin American English:

They are interchangeable in common usage, but for formal writing, some American editors prefer afterward. On the other hand, this next graph shows that afterwardsis the preferred term in British English:

These charts only examine word frequency in books written in English since 1800. They are unscientific, but still useful for identifying broad usage patterns.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Here is a helpful trick to remember afterwardsvs. afterward.

An afterwordis the concluding section of a book. This context is the only way this word is used. Afterword and book are each spelled with at least one O, so keeping this word separate will not be difficult.

Afterwardand afterwardsare adverbs. They are interchangeable in everyday American English, though some editors prefer afterwardin professional and academic writing. In British English, afterwards enjoys a slight advantage.

You can remember to use afterwardsfor British audiences since it contains an S, like the British town of Sussex.

Summary

Is it afterward or afterwards?Afterwardand afterwardsare adverbs that are synonymous with the word later. They are sometimes confused with the noun afterword, which is a section in some books.

Afterwardsappears to be slightly more common than afterwardin British English. In everyday American English, the two variants are interchangeable, but for more formal writing afterwardis the safer choice.

You can remember to reserve afterwardsfor British audiences since it is spelled with the same S that appears three times in Sussex.

Now that you know whether you should choose afterwardor afterwards, you can write an afterwordfor someone elses book in which you recommend writingexplained.org as a helpful knowledge base covering a variety of writing topics.
What Are the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)?nfl mvp oddschecker

Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) refer to a common set of accounting rules, standards, and procedures issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). Public companies in the U.S. must follow GAAP when their accountants compile their financial statements.

GAAP is guided by ten key tenets and is a rules-based set of standards. It is often compared with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which is considered more of a principles-based standard. IFRS is a more international standard, and there have been recent efforts to transition GAAP reporting to IFRS.

Key Takeaways

GAAP is the set of accounting rules set forth by the FASB that U.S. companies must follow when putting together financial statements.

GAAP aims to improve the clarity, consistency, and comparability of the communication of financial information.

GAAP may be contrasted with pro forma accounting, which is a non-GAAP financial reporting method.

The ultimate goal of GAAP is to ensure a company's financial statements are complete, consistent, and comparable.

GAAP is used mainly in the U.S., while most other jurisdictions use the IFRS standards.

GAAP

Understanding GAAP

1:43

GAAP is a combination of authoritative standards (set by policy boards) and the commonly accepted ways of recording and reporting accounting information. GAAP aims to improve the clarity, consistency, and comparability of the communication of financial information.

GAAP may be contrasted with pro forma accounting, which is a non-GAAP financial reporting method. Internationally, the equivalent to GAAP in the U.S. is referred to as International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). IFRS is currently used in 166 jurisdictions.



GAAP helps govern the world of accounting according to general rules and guidelines. It attempts to standardize and regulate the definitions, assumptions, and methods used in accounting across all industries. GAAP covers such topics as revenue recognition, balance sheet classification, and materiality.

The ultimate goal of GAAP is to ensure a company's financial statements are complete, consistent, and comparable. This makes it easier for investors to analyze and extract useful information from the company's financial statements, including trend data over a period of time. It also facilitates the comparison of financial information across different companies.

The 10 Key Principles of GAAP

There are 10 general concepts that lay out the main mission of GAAP.

1. Principle of Regularity

The accountant has adhered to GAAP rules and regulations as a standard.

2. Principle of Consistency

Accountants commit to applying the same standards throughout the reporting process, from one period to the next, to ensure financial comparability between periods. Accountants are expected to fully disclose and explain the reasons behind any changed or updated standards in the footnotes to the financial statements.

3. Principle of Sincerity

The accountant strives to provide an accurate and impartial depiction of a companys financial situation.

4. Principle of Permanence of Methods

The procedures used in financial reporting should be consistent, allowing a comparison of the company's financial information.

5. Principle of Non-Compensation

Both negatives and positives should be reported with full transparency and without the expectation of debt compensation.

6. Principle of Prudence

This refers to emphasizing fact-based financial data representation that is not clouded by speculation.

7. Principle of Continuity

While valuing assets, it should be assumed the business will continue to operate.

8. Principle of Periodicity

Entries should be distributed across the appropriate periods of time. For example, revenue should be reported in its relevant accounting period.

9. Principle of Materiality

Accountants must strive to fully disclose all financial data and accounting information in financial reports.

10. Principle of Utmost Good Faith

Derived from the Latin phrase uberrimae fideiused within the insurance industry. It presupposes that parties remain honest in all transactions.

Compliance With GAAP

If a corporation's stock is publicly traded, its financial statements must adhere to rules established by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC requires that publicly traded companies in the U.S. regularly file GAAP-compliant financial statements in order to remain publicly listed on the stock exchanges. GAAP compliance is ensured through an appropriate auditor's opinion, resulting from an external audit by a certified public accounting (CPA) firm.

Although it is not required for non-publicly traded companies, GAAP is viewed favorably by lenders and creditors. Most financial institutions will require annual GAAP-compliant financial statements as a part of their debt covenants when issuing business loans. As a result, most companies in the United States do follow GAAP.

If a financial statement is not prepared using GAAP, investors should be cautious. Without GAAP, comparing financial statements of different companies would be extremely difficult, even within the same industry, making an apples-to-apples comparison hard. Some companies may report both GAAP and non-GAAP measures when reporting their financial results. GAAP regulations require that non-GAAP measures be identified in financial statements and other public disclosures, such as press releases.

Selecting GAAP Principles

The hierarchy of GAAP is designed to improve financial reporting. It consists of a framework for selecting the principles that public accountants should use in preparing financial statements in line with U.S. GAAP. The hierarchy is broken down as follows:

Statements by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and Accounting Research Bulletins and Accounting Principles Board opinions by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) FASB Technical Bulletins and AICPA Industry Audit and Accounting Guides and Statements of Position AICPA Accounting Standards Executive Committee Practice Bulletins, positions of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF), and topics discussed in Appendix D of EITF Abstracts FASB implementation guides, AICPA Accounting Interpretations, AICPA Industry Audit, and Accounting Guides, Statements of Position not cleared by the FASB, and accounting practices that are widely accepted and followed

Accountants are directed to first consult sources at the top of the hierarchy and then proceed to lower levels only if there is no relevant pronouncement at a higher level. The FASB's Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 162 provides a detailed explanation of the hierarchy.

GAAP vs. IFRS

GAAP is focused on the accounting and financial reporting of U.S. companies. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), an independent nonprofit organization, is responsible for establishing these accounting and financial reporting standards. The international alternative to GAAP is the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), set by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

The IASB and the FASB have been working on the convergence of IFRS and GAAP since 2002. Due to the progress achieved in this partnership, the SEC, in 2007, removed the requirement for non-U.S. companies registered in America to reconcile their financial reports with GAAP if their accounts already complied with IFRS. This was a big achievement because prior to the ruling, non-U.S. companies trading on U.S. exchanges had to provide GAAP-compliant financial statements.

Some differences that still exist between both accounting rules include:

LIFO Inventory: While GAAP allows companies to use the Last In First Out (LIFO) as an inventory cost method, it is prohibited under IFRS.

While GAAP allows companies to use the Last In First Out (LIFO) as an inventory cost method, it is prohibited under IFRS. Research and Development Costs: These costs are to be charged to expense as they are incurred under GAAP. Under IFRS, the costs can be capitalized and amortized over multiple periods if certain conditions are met.

These costs are to be charged to expense as they are incurred under GAAP. Under IFRS, the costs can be capitalized and amortized over multiple periods if certain conditions are met. Reversing Write-Downs:GAAP specifies that the amount of write-down of an inventory or fixed asset cannot be reversed if the market value of the asset subsequently increases. The write-down can be reversed under IFRS.

As corporations increasingly need to navigate global markets and conduct operations worldwide, international standards are becoming increasingly popular at the expense of GAAP, even in the U.S. Almost all S&P 500 companies report at least one non-GAAP measure of earnings as of 2019.

Key Differences

There are some important differences in how accounting entries are treated in GAAP vs. IFRS. One major issue is the treatment of inventory. IFRS rules ban the use of last-in, first-out (LIFO) inventory accounting methods. GAAP rules allow for LIFO. Both systems allow for the first-in, first-out method (FIFO) and the weighted average-cost method. GAAP does not allow for inventory reversals, while IFRS permits them under certain conditions.

When a company holds investments such as shares, bonds, or derivatives on its balance sheet, it must account for them and their changes in value. Both GAAP and IFRS require investments to be segregated into discrete categories based on asset type. The main differences come in recognizing income or profits from an investment: under GAAP it's largely dependent on the legal form of the asset or contract; under IFRS the legal form is irrelevant and only depends on when cash flows are received.

Other differences appear in the treatment of extraordinary items and discontinued operations. In practice, since much of the world uses the IFRS standard, a convergence to IFRS could have advantages for international corporations and investors alike.

GAAP is only a set of standards. Although these principles work to improve the transparency in financial statements, they do not provide any guarantee that a company's financial statements are free from errors or omissions that are intended to mislead investors. There is plenty of room within GAAP for unscrupulous accountants to distort figures. So even when a company uses GAAP, you still need to scrutinize its financial statements.

Some Key Differences Between IFRS and GAAP

Where Are Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) Used?

1:32

GAAP is a set of procedures and guidelines used by companies to prepare their financial statements and other accounting disclosures. The standards are prepared by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), which is an independent non-profit organization. The purpose of GAAP standards is to help ensure that the financial information provided to investors and regulators is accurate, reliable, and consistent with one another.

Why Is GAAP Important?

GAAP is important because it helps maintain trust in the financial markets. If not for GAAP, investors would be more reluctant to trust the information presented to them by companies because they would have less confidence in its integrity. Without that trust, we might see fewer transactions, potentially leading to higher transaction costs and a less robust economy. GAAP also helps investors analyze companies by making it easier to perform apples to apples comparisons between one company and another.

What Are Non-GAAP Measures?

Companies are still allowed to present certain figures without abiding by GAAP guidelines, provided that they clearly identify those figures as not conforming to GAAP. Companies sometimes do so when they believe that the GAAP rules are not flexible enough to capture certain nuances about their operations. In that situation, they might provide specially-designed non-GAAP metrics, in addition to the other disclosures required under GAAP. Investors should be skeptical about non-GAAP measures, however, as they can sometimes be used in a misleading manner.

What Is the Difference between IFRS and GAAP?

Conceptually, GAAP is more rules-based while IFRS is more guided by principles. GAAP is used mainly in the U.S. and IFRS is an international standard. The two standards treat inventories, investments, long-lived assets, extraordinary items, and discontinued operations, among others.
Definition of Verbal Irony

Verbal irony occurs when a speaker speaks something contradictory to what he intends to say. It is vip club player free chipan intentional product of the speaker and is contradictory to his/her emotions and actions. To define it simply, it occurs when a character uses a statement with underlying meanings that contrast with its literal meaning; it shows that the writer has used verbal irony. Writers rely on the audiences intelligence for discerning the hidden meanings they intend to convey. Writers also use ironic similes to convey exactly the opposite of what they intend to say, such as soft as concrete.

Types of Verbal Irony

There are four major types of verbal ironies as follows.

Sarcasm: It intends to mock or ridicule or express contempt. Stable and Unstable Irony: Stable ironic remarks are clear, while unstable is, somewhat, ambiguous. Hyperbolic statement or Exaggeration and Understatement: Overstatement is an exaggeration, while understatement is belittling of something or the quality of some person. Socratic type of Ironic Remarks: It means to pretend ignorance to retrieve more knowledge from others.

Difference between Verbal Irony and Sarcasm

As verbal irony is contrary to what is being said, it may or may not have a mocking tone. However, in sarcasm, it is intended to criticize in the case which it may backfire. The reason is that it is often used to mock or ridicule or express hatred, while verbal irony may not intend to do it. Sarcasm is considered to be crude, while verbal irony is subtle.

Stable Vs. Unstable Irony

Stable irony uses sentences and phrases that are clear to the audience, but unstable is marked with ambiguity or ambivalence. The readers and audiences do not find it easy to understand the underlying irony in case of unstable ironic remarks. Otherwise, both are common in that both are types of verbal irony, or both use words to ironize some person, quality, or thing.

Using Overstatement and Understatement in Verbal Irony

Overstatement shows exaggeration that occurs in hyperbolic statements, an understatement means to stress on the littleness of things than their actual sizes. It could occur in the case of a physical description or even in the qualities of things or situations. It could also be that overstatement is the opposite of what a thing or quality actually is.

Verbal Irony Vs. Socratic Irony Difference

Verbal irony means to use words to show contrary to what actually is said about a situation, person or fact, the Socratic irony is marked with ignorance. A person using Socratic irony pretends to be ignorant of what the situation is. This is the way of showing his dumbness to his opponent to retrieve information or knowledge. It is also called verbal chess where the player does not demonstrate his actual knowledge in order to get more knowledge or extract information.

Examples of Verbal Irony from Literature

Example #1: Romeo & JulietBy William Shakespeare

Again and again he tried after the tempting morsel, but at last had to give it up, and walked away with his nose in the air, saying: I am sure they are sour.  I will not marry yet; and, when I do, I swear it shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate, rather than Paris.

Juliet does not like the decision of her father to marry Paris, whom she dislikes, and instead adores Romeo. Hence, she makes a decision to marry Romeo and tells her mother about it ironically that whenever she would marry, it would be Romeo  whom she dislikes  and not Paris, thus confusing her mother.

Example #2: Pride & PrejudiceBy Jane Austen

She is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me.

We can find many fine examples of verbal irony in Pride and Prejudice. In this example, we relish the ironic flavor of Darcys statement, as we later find out that the woman he found unsuitable to dance with, ends up taking a place in his heart.

Example #3: The Unknown CitizenBy W. H. Auden

The title of the poem, The Unknown Citizen, employs verbal irony, as the poet describes a person whom everyone knows, yet he is still unknown. Also, by deliberately capitalizing on common words, the speaker makes them sound meaningless, ironic, and sarcastic: the Greater Community, Social Psychology, Union, Public Opinion, and High-Grade Living. All of these terms sound formal, pompous, bureaucratic, and arrogant. Simply, through verbal irony, the poet shows how governmental agencies, which should serve human beings, have rather enslaved them.

Example #4: Oedipus RexBy Sophocles

TIRESIAS:

You are all ignorant. I will not reveal the troubling things inside me, which I can call your grief as well. OEDIPUS:

Do you intend to betray me and destroy the city?

All types of ironies are prevalent throughout the entire play, Oedipus Rex. One fine example of verbal irony occurs when Tiresias refuses to reveal the prophecy to Oedipus.

In fact, Oedipus has misunderstood Tiresias statement,  which I can call your grief as well. By this, Tiresias means that, if he reveals the truth, it would become Oedipus grief that he is the murderer of his king, Laius. This is a verbal irony in which Oedipus fails to realize that this grief is going to be an impending fate for him.

Example #5: A Modest ProposalBy Jonathan Swift

I rather recommend buying the children alive and dressing them hot from the knife, as we do roasting pigs.

Verbal irony is a dominant literary device in this novel by Swift. For instance, in the above statement, the author intends to point out that the government should not treat Irish people like animals. In irony, he compares the Irish to animals.

Example #6: Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized AutobiographyBy Lemony Snicket

Today was a very cold and bitter day, as cold and bitter as a cup of hot chocolate; if the cup of hot chocolate had vinegar added to it and were placed in a refrigerator for several hours.

Snicket uses verbal irony by employing ironic simile. Then, he proceeds to break down this simile, by overturning its meaning. By making a complex structure, the author creates verbal irony to let readers enjoy it.

Functions of Verbal Irony

Verbal irony is very common in everyday speech, plays, novels, and poetry, and usually occurs in the form of sarcasm. It depends upon timing and suitable circumstances to achieve its effect. Verbal irony develops funny and dramatic situations. Through verbal irony, writers and poets can convey their bitter messages indirectly, in a less bitter and more effective way. It makes a literary piece more effective by provoking readers into analyzing and thinking harder about a situation. By contrasting and comparing suppositions with reality, the readers can better understand the writers intent.

Related posts:
Thehow to earn bitcoins fast free attorney general for the District of Columbia filed a civil complaint against the Washington Commanders on Thursday, accusing the team of failing to refund hundreds of thousands of dollars in season ticket deposits to fans.

It was the second complaint filed against the team by Karl Racine, the attorney general, and came a week after the first civil complaint accused the Commanders, team owner Dan Snyder, the N.F.L. and Commissioner Roger Goodell of misrepresenting their efforts to address decades of sexual harassment and abuse of women who worked for the team.

The Commanders arrogance and blatant disregard for the law is a slap in the face to District residents who have supported the team for decades, Racine said in a statement Thursday.

In the complaint, the attorney general alleged that the team misrepresented the terms of returning customers security deposits, saying that their money would be refunded within 30 days after their season-ticket contracts expired. The team, the attorney general said, failed to disclose that it would hold those security deposits indefinitely unless the season-ticket holders followed an undisclosed, extra-contractual policy requiring them to submit a signed written request for their deposit to be returned.

The omission, the complaint said, tended to mislead consumers and is an unlawful trade practice.

In a statement, the team said it had hired an outside law firm and forensic auditors that found no evidence that the team intentionally withheld security deposits that should have been returned to customers or that the team improperly converted any unclaimed deposits to revenue.

The team said that in 2014, managers were told to send notices to more than 1,400 customers with deposits and returned all security deposits requested.

The N.F.L. did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Racine said he was seeking a court order to force the Commanders to stop these practices and pay back ticket holders who live in Washington, his jurisdiction, as well as financial penalties for the team for violating consumer-protection laws.

According to the complaint, the team has been withholding security deposits as far back as 1996. Over the years, some fans have been repaid, but many former season-ticket holders who live in the District are still owed hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Together, the two civil lawsuits brought in Washington add to the mounting legal inquiries of Snyder, who faces at least five open investigations, including one led by the attorney general for the state of Virginia.

The Commanders are headquartered in Virginia and play their home games in Maryland, but they draw on residents of those two states and Washington as ticket buyers and employees.

Racine in recent years has opened cases against Facebook and Amazon, joined other attorneys general in suing Google over privacy practices and brought a federal lawsuit against the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers over their roles in the Jan. 6 insurrection.

His complaints related to the Commanders could each result in potentially millions of dollars of penalties. In the first complaint, if a jury determined that the league and the team had lied about their investigation into sexual harassment at the organization, they could be fined up to $5,000 for each instance in which they misrepresented their efforts.

Courts have broad discretion to determine what constitutes a violation.

In contrast with Racines earlier suit, damages in the consumer-protection lawsuit filed on Thursday are more easily quantifiable because it seeks to identify money that may have been withheld from Washington consumers and other businesses.

The charges in the complaint on Thursday were originally brought to light in a hearing held by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, which began an investigation of the team in October 2021. Republican leaders announced on Thursday that the inquiry would be shelved early next year after the party gained control of the House of Representatives.

Numerous former team employees spoke to the congressional committee at a round table in February, including Jason Friedman, who for 24 years worked in the teams ticketing office.

He accused the team of keeping two sets of books in order to conceal hundreds of thousands of dollars of revenue that was supposed to be shared with all 32 N.F.L. franchises. He also claimed that the team had not properly refunded as much as $5 million in refundable security deposits to season-ticket holders.

In April, the House committee referred the allegations involving potential ticket fraud to the Federal Trade Commission. According to an ESPN report, the U.S. attorneys office in the Eastern District of Virginia is also looking into claims of financial malfeasance made against the team. The team has denied the charges and sent the F.T.C. 102 pages of support documents to disprove the allegations. The F.T.C. has not commented on its investigation.

The allegations made to Congress prompted the N.F.L. to hire Mary Jo White, an attorney and former chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to begin a new investigation into the Commanders and Snyder.

The problems facing Snyder and the Commanders, combined with the poor performance of the team on the field and the leagues lowest attendance, have irked the N.F.L.s other owners, who have privately discussed ousting Snyder. Twenty-four of the 32 team owners would have to vote to remove Snyder, a step that has never been taken in the N.F.L.s more than 100-year history.

Two weeks ago, Daniel and Tanya Snyder announced that they had hired bankers to explore all options for selling some or all of the team.

Advertisement

Continue reading the main story
China's President Xi Jinping called on the West to lift sanctions on Syria and offered Beijing's help in rebuilding the war-shattered country on Friday during rare talks with Syria's long ostracised leader Bashar al-Assad.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in eastern Hangzhou city, China, September 22, 2023. Photo handout via Reuters

Their meeting in the Chinese city of Hangzhou gave a boost to Assad's campaign to return to the global stage while allowing China to advance its strategic interests in the Middle East, where it is already aligned with Iran and Saudi Arabia.

"China opposes interference by external forces in Syria's internal affairs... and urges all relevant countries to lift illegal unilateral sanctions against Syria," said a readout of the talks published by Chinese state media.

Xi also told Assad that China would help Syria to rebuild its ruined economy and counter domestic unrest, by upgrading ties to a "strategic partnership".

Xi's endorsement should strengthen Assad's efforts to plot a a path back from what is effectively pariah status. Syria joined China's Belt and Road Initiative in 2022 and was welcomed back into the Arab League in May.

In Chinese diplomacy, a "strategic partnership" implies closer coordination on regional and international affairs, including in the military sphere. It is one grade below what Beijing calls a "comprehensive strategic partnership".

Western sanctions on Syria have been steadily tightened since the early days of a civil war that began in 2011 with a crackdown on protests and went on to kill hundreds of thousands of people and displace millions.

Assad's government, backed by Russia and Iran, now controls most Syrian territory and has re-established ties in recent years with Arab neighbours that once backed his opponents.

SANCTIONS DETERRENT

Syria desperately needs foreign investment for its infrastructure and industry. Its dire economic situation has triggered protests in southern Syria in which crowds have called for the president's removal.

However, analysts doubt that Chinese firms will rush back to Syria as they would risk becoming entangled in U.S. sanctions under the 2020 Caesar Act that can freeze the assets of anyone dealing with the country.

Chinese investors will also have to consider Syria's poor security and parlous financial situation.

Beijing has stepped up its diplomatic engagement with the Middle East in recent years, and in March helped broker a surprise deal between long-standing regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran to end their seven-year diplomatic rift.

Citing flagship initiatives aimed at building up infrastructure along the ancient Silk Road and promoting China's approach to global security, Xi extended support for Syrian efforts to improve relations with other Arab countries.

"China is reinforcing its message that it is there to try and help countries resolve their disputes and that peace stems from economic development," said Matteo Legrenzi, professor of international relations at Ca'Foscari, University of Venice.

"(China) is trying to perform a useful role from a distance. As they did with the Iran-Saudi Arabia rapprochement deal," he added.
Ademola Adedeji tried to picture what the jury saw when they looked at him.

Could they tell that he was the school president?blackjack table games The captain of the rugby team? The older brother who made dinners for his siblings and read them bedtime stories?

Or did they see only Defendant No. 7 in a trial of 10 Black teenagers charged with conspiracy to murder? A gangster, the prosecutors claimed, who waged war on his rivals?

Mr. Adedeji, a very dark, very tall 18-year-old, had a lot riding on his testimony that morning in April this year. It was the sixth week of his trial, and this was his only chance to tell his side of the story.

If the jury believed him, he could graduate from high school and attend one of the universities that had offered him admission. If they didnt, he could spend the next two decades in prison.

For weeks, Mr. Adedeji tried to follow the prosecutors arguments. They accused him of conspiring with the nine other defendants to murder and maim others.

But here is what baffled Mr. Adedeji: The prosecutors knew that he had not attacked anyone. He had never owned a gun, a knife or any other weapon. He had never thrown gang signs or dealt drugs. He had helped with the investigation, told detectives what he knew and volunteered his phone. He certainly had not killed anyone.

In fact, there was no murder victim.

What connected him to the case, and a major reason he was labeled a gang member, prosecutors said, were six text messages that he had sent when he was 17. Six texts sent within 20 minutes.

With that, he fell into the depths of a criminal justice system in Britain that, by several measures, disproportionately prosecutes and jails Black people. Black people are six times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people, and three times more likely to be arrested. A 2021 bipartisan parliamentary report found years of systemic failure to improve the countrys troubled record on policing and race.

Image Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester, England. The regions police force received official censure for failing to record an estimated 80,000 crimes in 2020.Credit...Mary Turner for The New York Times

Prosecutors have broad latitude when it comes to calling someone a gang member, a designation that legal experts say helps persuade jurors of guilt and can be used to seek longer sentences. With no clear, legal definition for a gang, the label tends to be applied disproportionately to groups of young Black men. In London, for example, nearly 80 percent of people in a police gang database are Black.

To dismantle gangs, the Crown Prosecution Service, the public body in charge of prosecutions in England and Wales, tells prosecutors that consideration should be given to conspiracy charges in order to demonstrate the overall criminality.

Doing so gives prosecutors key advantages. They can charge people who have done little or nothing to carry out a crime, and they can introduce evidence that might otherwise be excluded. In Mr. Adedejis conspiracy trial, that meant his posts on Instagram, his Snapchat texts, even the drill rap videos he watched on YouTube could be used to paint him as a hoodlum.

Mr. Adedeji agonized over all this when he testified that morning in Manchester in what is the countrys first special court for gang-related cases. He wore a white shirt, a rain jacket and a comically short tie. He was polite to a fault and so quiet that the judge twice told him to lean closer to the microphone.

Mr. Adedeji, youre essentially, absolutely not a member of a gang? the junior prosecutor, Andrew Smith, asked, sounding incredulous.

No, Mr. Adedeji answered.

You are absolutely not a violent man?

No, I am not.

You are absolutely not part of this conspiracy?

I am not.

Bonfire Night

Mr. Adedejis life changed on Nov. 5, 2020, on Bonfire Night, an annual celebration commemorating a failed attempt to blow up Parliament in the 17th century. He was hanging out with friends in a supermarket parking lot when he got word that his childhood friend John Soyoye had been stabbed.

Mr. Adedeji and Mr. Soyoye grew up together in Moston, a North Manchester neighborhood where wig shops and West African cafes flank the main street. Their mothers, both from Nigeria, attended the same church, and Mr. Soyoye often went to Mr. Adedejis home for jollof rice.

He was a hungry kid. We both loved food. Mr. Adedeji said. He was like my little brother.

The two were close friends and attended the same elementary school, where Mr. Adedeji at times felt a step behind. Only years later did he learn that he had dyslexia.

I was 16, and I was still counting my fingers to do my times tables, he said. I was battling it, and I was thinking I was dumb.

Mr. Adedeji got into fights until he broke a boys arm in a schoolyard brawl and police officers came to his house with a warning: another violent outburst and he would go to jail.

I thought to myself: Im not going to get into trouble no more, Mr. Adedeji said.

He worked with a tutor to catch up in his studies and was elected as head boy, the equivalent of school president. He volunteered at local charities, representing one at the House of Commons in London.

He grew to 6-foot-2, and his friends called him Stormzy because of his vague likeness to the British rapper.

Mr. Soyoye, whom Mr. Adedeji described as bubbly and joyful, was an up-and-coming performer of drill music, a subgenre of rap that is popular among young Britons. His rap group, M40, took its name from the first three characters of his neighborhoods postcode, the equivalent of a ZIP code.

When Mr. Adedeji saw his best friend running with troublemakers in the neighborhood, he warned him to correct course.

Stop chilling with these kinds of people, Mr. Adedeji recalled saying, because youre going to get yourself into trouble.

Then came Bonfire Night. Thirteen young men from the nearby suburb of Rochdale arrived in Moston, armed with machetes, knives, a bat and a pipe, escalating a fight that had begun that afternoon over a stolen jacket. Mr. Soyoye rallied some friends for a standoff and brought a machete.

Image Moston, the neighborhood in North Manchester where Mr. Adedeji and Mr. Soyoye grew up together. Mr. Adedeji said Mr. Soyoye was like my little brother.Credit...Mary Turner for The New York Times

The two groups had no history of conflict, but that day they clashed outside a funeral parlor. Security camera footage shows Mr. Soyoye swinging his machete before fleeing with his friends. But stab wounds slowed Mr. Soyoye down, and nine young men cornered him and fatally struck, stabbed, slashed and kicked him, according to a police report.

News of his friends death rattled Mr. Adedeji. He barely ate for weeks, and a psychiatrist prescribed antidepressants. I was going through a stage where I was upset. I was angry, Mr. Adedeji said.

Six Text Messages

Three days after Mr. Soyoyes death, Mr. Adedeji received a link inviting him to join a chat group on the Telegram app. He was the seventh and last person to join.

The first message he saw came from an acquaintance, Harry Oni, then 17, a lead rapper in M40 who, by his own admission, had taken part in the Bonfire Night fight.

The conversation quickly turned to retribution. Mr. Oni instructed everyone to stay away from a memorial for their fallen friend until we touch something. That word  touch  would later prove contentious, but nobody disputes that it was a reference to some kind of violence.

Two seconds later, Mr. Adedeji sent the first of six texts that would ultimately be read in court as evidence against him.

Yooo one of them man live on lime side street in Oldham, he wrote, referring to another nearby town linked to some of Mr. Soyoyes attackers.

Asked how he knew, Mr. Adedeji replied with teenage bluster. I have my links, he said.

He texted a postcode, along with a screenshot of a map. Drop there, he wrote.

After some unrelated banter, he sent his last text 20 minutes after joining the chat.

Image A memorial to Mr. Soyoye on the street in Moston where he was killed.Credit...Mary Turner for The New York Times

In the weeks after the Telegram exchange, teenagers from Moston  some in the chat group, others not  mounted a series of attacks to avenge Mr. Soyoyes death.

First, Mr. Oni and the teenager who had set up the chat group confronted two students at their high school. There were no injuries but a witness reported seeing a knife.

A month later, Mr. Oni and another teenager were captured on surveillance footage chasing an unidentified man from Rochdale. Mr. Oni struck the man twice with a machete, slicing his back, before the victim escaped into a convenience store.

Finally, four teenagers in a stolen S.U.V. chased a man to a quiet Rochdale street, hacked at him with a machete and tried to run him over, surveillance footage showed. The victim survived but refused to cooperate with the police.

None of the attacks occurred anywhere near the postcode that Mr. Adedeji had sent in the Telegram chat. Nobody who lived in that postcode was harmed either, although two suspects in Mr. Soyoyes murder were later arrested in the area.

The police and prosecutors agree that Mr. Adedeji did not participate in the violence. But that did not matter.

Gang War

In February 2021, Mr. Adedeji woke before dawn to armed officers banging on his familys apartment door. They searched everywhere, including in his mothers underwear drawer, but found no weapons.

I was shocked, Mr. Adedeji said. I didnt know what I had done.

The police wanted to talk to him after arresting Mr. Oni for his involvement in the Bonfire Night brawl.

Mr. Adedeji cooperated, volunteering his phone for detectives to copy. He was released on bail and asked to return to give a statement after officers established that he had not been part of the brawl.

He needed help, so he turned to someone who knew the legal system better than his parents: Roxy Legane, a tall youth worker with discreet tattoos and a colorful wardrobe.

Ms. Legane, 31, had last seen Mr. Adedeji a year earlier at an event arranged by her community organization, Kids of Colour. She was struck by his emotional intelligence. I remember thinking, This kid is very sweet, Ms. Legane said.

She connected him with a lawyer and accompanied him to the police station while his father waited outside.

Image Roxy Legane, a youth worker, leading a protest in Manchester in May against the trial of Mr. Adedeji and his fellow defendants. She attended court daily, standing in for parents who could not risk their paychecks.Credit...Mary Turner for The New York Times

The interview was short and friendly. When he said not all police are bad, an officer invited him to consider joining the force, Mr. Adedeji and Ms. Legane recall. Mr. Adedeji submitted a written statement and the police said he was free to go.

With the arrest behind him, he focused on his university applications and published a book he had co-authored, featuring stories from Black teenagers across Manchester.

But the criminal case was just beginning. Detectives investigating Mr. Oni discovered the Telegram chat on his phone and sent it to an organized crime unit for review.

Neither Mr. Adedeji nor anyone else in the Telegram chat were known to the police. But investigators concluded that theyd stumbled upon a new gang, one with a significant level of criminality and the structure and competence to carry out attacks, according to a police document reviewed by The New York Times.

They are attacking young black males at random, the police wrote, adding, They are in a gang war with Rochdale.

Britain has waged war on gangs since riots erupted in 2011 after the police killing of a black man in London. Only a small fraction of people arrested during the riots turned out to be gang members but, nonetheless, a crackdown began.

In the Manchester area, where Mr. Adedeji grew up, the authorities say that they have identified about 180 gangs. After reviewing the Telegram chat and other evidence, detectives concluded that everyone involved, including Mr. Adedeji, was a gang member, the police document shows.

In early April, as he recovered from emergency appendicitis surgery, Mr. Adedeji awoke to another pre-dawn raid.

Without his pain medication, he spent 12 hours writhing in a holding cell. In a long interview, the police asked him about the M40 group. He explained that it was a collective of Moston rappers but said that he was not a member, according to a transcript of his interview. Confronted with the Telegram chat, he apologized for sending the texts in anger.

Everyone was just talking rubbish, he told the police, who had evidence that two of the teenagers in the chat group had taken part in violent attacks. Half of these people in there, I promise you, they would never do anything like that.

Mr. Adedeji expected to go home, as he had a month earlier. Instead, he spent nearly a week in juvenile detention, on 23-hour-a-day lockdown, charged for conspiracy to murder.

I am another young black man who has been failed by the system, he wrote in a blog post after he was released on bail. The government dont want to listen to us or spend on us.

The Greater Manchester Police has a fractured relationship with Black residents, who make up about 3 percent of the nearly three million people in the region. Black people are stopped and searched at five times the rate of whites, and officers are much more likely to use force against them and to refer to their physique when doing so, according to the departments own report.

Police and city officials declined repeated interview requests. The police did not respond to written questions about the case, their gang policies or their own reports.

Image Mr. Adedejis mother, Taiwo Adedeji, center wearing blue, at the demonstration in Manchester in May.Credit...Mary Turner for The New York Times

Although Mr. Adedeji described his case as another example of racial inequity, the detectives, by contrast, viewed it as a step toward restoring trust in Black neighborhoods, where the police are criticized for neglecting crimes. That is a familiar dichotomy in many British and American cities, where minority communities can simultaneously feel underprotected and overpoliced.

It is no secret that the Greater Manchester Police has a reputation for failing young Black males, one officer noted in a report about the case.

That generational failure has discouraged victims from supporting the prosecution in the case, the officer wrote. To restore faith in the justice system, the officer added, it was vital that Mr. Adedeji and his friends be prosecuted.

It is difficult to assess Manchesters gang problem. The police received official censure for failing to record an estimated 80,000 crimes in 2020. A few violent deaths in the area made headlines the year that Mr. Soyoye was killed, fueling public concerns about gang violence. But hospital admissions for stabbings were down during that period. And nationally, crime remains on a downward trajectory.

I Dont Want to Go to Jail

The trial began in March this year in a Manchester super courtroom that had opened after a $2.5 million refurbishment intended to get gang-related suspects in front of judges quicker, Simon Wolfson, then the courts minister, said. Seventy-one such courtrooms have been refitted across Britain to handle cases with multiple defendants.

Prosecutors had christened it a few months earlier by convicting eight young men from Rochdale in the killing of Mr. Soyoye.

Then came Mr. Adedejis trial with 10 defendants. The judge, Justice Julian Goose, empaneled a jury on the first day, much speedier than the spirited haggling of the American voir dire process, which is meant to weed out bias among jurors.

Justice Goose asked the prospective jurors two questions: Have you booked a holiday or a medical procedure for the coming six to eight weeks? And do you know any of these witnesses and places?

A jury of 12 people was quickly formed, all but two of whom appeared to be white. Nearly everyone else in the courtroom was white, too, save for the defendants in the dock and their parents, who sat in the public gallery on the mezzanine floor comforting each other with optimistic forecasts for a quick dismissal.

Mr. Adedeji could not summon such optimism and turned to Ms. Legane for advice.

What if the jury thinks I am a bad kid, he had texted Ms. Legane. I dont want to go to jail.

Image Demonstrators outside the court in Manchester in May. The police have a fractured relationship with Black residents in the region, who make up about 3 percent of a population of nearly three million.Credit...Mary Turner for The New York Times

To prove conspiracy to murder, prosecutors needed to show that Mr. Adedeji had entered into an agreement with others, with an intent to kill.

It did not matter that no one had actually been killed. The agreement is a crime.

As a backup, prosecutors also charged him with conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. They would need to prove only that Mr. Adedeji, or others in the conspiracy, intended to cause serious injury.

Until recently, conspiracy charges had little effect in Britain because they were difficult to prove, said John R. Spencer, a University of Cambridge law professor. Intercepted phone calls are inadmissible, but messaging apps and social media have given teeth to a previously toothless legal rule, he said.

Mr. Adedejis designation as a gang member simplified the prosecutors job, according to lawyers and legal experts. Gangs, almost by definition, form criminal agreements to hurt their rivals.

The prosecutors in Mr. Adedejis case declined interview requests, citing professional rules of conduct. In a written statement, the Crown Prosecution Service said that there was no broad strategy of using conspiracy charges.

We do not select the cases that come to us and can only give charging decisions on those that do, the statement noted, adding, It was right that we put these defendants before the court.

At trial, the lead prosecutor, Jonathan Sandiford, produced weapons  machetes and knives  and showed surveillance footage that drew gasps from the public gallery.

All the defendants, Mr. Sandiford said, were part of a street gang called M40. Some wore blue bandannas and threw gang signs. Some dealt drugs, protected their territory and wrote drill rap lyrics to brag about their exploits, he said.

The defendants had a very personal motive for revenge, Mr. Sandiford said. The guilt and shame of knowing that they had run away and left their fellow gang member to die on the block.

Mr. Adedeji had not touched any of the weapons, was not in the surveillance footage and had not left his friend to die. But in Mr. Sandifords telling, his childhood friendship with Mr. Soyoye, forged over jollof rice and rugby, became evidence against him.

His affiliation to the gang came through his relationship, Mr. Sandiford said.

According to prosecutors, Mr. Adedeji was further implicated because Mr. Oni had saved his telephone number under a nickname, Stormzy, demonstrating how close the two were, and because Mr. Adedeji had been trusted enough to be invited to the Telegram chat.

A Gang? Or a Rap Group?

The jury was confronted with a core dispute: Either M40 was a gang, as the prosecution held, or a drill rap group, as the defendants argued.

Drill, which started in Chicago, is the anthem of Britains austerity generation. Its violent, nihilistic lyrics reflect the grimness of lives cut off from opportunity, said Franklyn Addo, a youth worker and author who submitted a witness statement in the trial.

The Crown Prosecution Service, by contrast, says that gangs use drill music to taunt rivals, incite violence or glamorize criminality. The police in London keep an index of drill videos and have asked YouTube to remove hundreds of them, a governmental response with echoes of American debates about gangsta rap in the 1990s and of the recent police response to drill music in New York. The British authorities have handed drill artists like Digga D gang injunctions  court orders requiring them to seek approval before releasing new music.

It is the policing of Black expression and Black sentiment, Mr. Addo said. Black Britons are pathologized as so dangerous, he said, that the authorities mistakenly believe that if we express violence in our music, then we are more inclined to commit that in real life.

In Mr. Adedejis case, the prosecutors treated M40s lyrics as confessions. They lingered over every syllable, emphasizing the occasional racial slur.

A police detective testified to interpret the slang. But he acknowledged learning about the genre from Wikipedia. And the police and prosecutors mistook a London drill group for one in Manchester because both wore purple bandannas.

People of my generation flocked in their millions to see Marlon Brandos murderous Godfather, or Al Pacinos blood-drenched Scarface, Adam Kane, a senior defense lawyer who represented another defendant, argued in court.

That is what we call entertainment.

In testimony, Mr. Oni was adamant that M40 was a rap group and that only four other defendants were members. Mr. Adedeji, who does not rap, was not part of the group.

But Mr. Oni made the prosecutors job easier. The surveillance video showed him to be violent, and his lyrics were, too.

People write the best lyrics from their own experience, Mr. Sandiford said.

It is fiction, Mr. Oni countered. It is an exaggeration.

Image A friend of Mr. Adedeji spoke to supporters during the protest in May. Credit...Mary Turner for The New York Times

The prosecutors had scant evidence to prove that Mr. Adedeji was in consort with the others, sothey mined the teenagers online life for evidence of a gang affiliation.

A picture of Mr. Adedeji holding a wad of cash to his ear in a post that mimicked a well-known Instagram pose was used as evidence of a criminal lifestyle. Prosecutors also claimed that Mr. Adedeji was in a video retrieved from Mr. Onis phone, wearing a blue bandanna and taunting the Rochdale group. But the more times they played the dark and grainy video in court, the clearer it became that Mr. Adedeji was not in it. The judge let jurors consider the video but urged them to be cautious before deciding who was in it.

Ms. Legane attended court daily, standing in for the defendants parents who could not risk their paychecks. She transcribed every word and tweeted daily trial updates. She became a chaperone and fierce advocate for the defendants. She raised money for lunches and Uber rides for Mr. Adedeji and three other defendants who were out on bail. The teenagers handed her their cellphones whenever they went into court.

To stave off his exhaustion and trepidation, Mr. Adedeji began doodling in court. In one drawing, he sketched himself hanging from a rope while wearing a suit with not guilty scribbled over it.

Its hard to hear what theyre saying about me, he said one day after court. Sending the Telegram messages, he acknowledged, was a mistake. I think the prosecutors are forgetting that we were all kids when this happened, and kids make mistakes.

Tell Us About Biggie Small

Mr. Adedeji looked small in the witness box last April as he testified in his own defense.

He emphatically denied being in a gang. He cried while recalling Mr. Soyoyes death. He said that he had joined the Telegram chat because he thought that his friends were organizing a memorial. He did not know who had killed his friend when he joined the chat three days after the killing, he said. He acknowledged being angry but denied plotting revenge.

Then Mr. Smith, the junior prosecutor, began his cross-examination.

You said you were young and dumb at the time, Mr. Smith said, sharply. Are you still young and dumb now?

No, Mr. Adedeji answered.

Mr. Smith brought up the contested meaning of Mr. Onis call to touch something. Mr. Oni had said that the word suggested any form of violence. Mr. Adedeji said that he understood touch meant to stab. But he denied sharing that intention.

I sent a postcode, he said. I never said I meant to go and kill someone.

During the cross-examination, it seemed that the prosecutors barely understood the hip-hop lifestyle they were putting on trial. That was especially apparent when Mr. Smith questioned Mr. Adedeji about an online conversation that came after Mr. Soyoyes killing but that predated the Telegram chat.

Mr. Adedeji had been frustrated as teenagers mocked his friends death online. One night, he confronted someone called Prince Abu on Snapchat for posting a disparaging video about Mr. Soyoye.

Prince Abu denied any involvement in the killing and cautioned against jumping to conclusions. Thats how Biggie Smalls was killed, because everyone thought that he had killed Tupac, he said, referring to the two American rappers who were murdered in the 1990s. He misspelled their names.

I just find you a weird person for posting that, Mr. Adedeji told Prince Abu. If I ever find out you post something like that again I am going to kill you.

The prosecutors used this to argue that the conspiracy had taken shape even before the Telegram chat.

So tell us about Biggie Small, Mr. Smith asked.

Tell you about Biggie Smalls? Mr. Adedeji responded, confused.

Prince Abu was talking to you about Biggie Small. People being killed previously. So what do you know about Biggie Small? Mr. Smith pressed.

Biggie Smalls was a rapper in New York, Mr. Adedeji explained. Its got nothing to do with me, he added.

Killed two people, Mr. Smith continued. Its there in black and white, he said. Whats all this about? This is your conversation now, remember?

Only when the jurors laughed did Mr. Smith drop that line of questioning.

The Verdict

Mr. Adedeji was playing blackjack with Ms. Legane in a courthouse hallway in May when the jury reached a verdict. They paused for a long, teary hug. There was no time to rush his parents to court.

The courtroom was tense. Ms. Legane took a sharp breath when the foreman got to Defendant No. 7, Mr. Adedeji.

Not guilty of Count 1. Guilty of Count 2.

Mr. Adedeji, along with five other defendants, was convicted of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. The first four defendants were found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder.

Ms. Legane burst into guttural sobs so loud that the judge ordered her out of court. Mr. Adedeji stood in stunned silence as the judge ordered his arrest.

Image Listening to Mr. Adedejis mother speaking during the protest in May. Mr. Adedeji, along with five other defendants, was convicted of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.Credit...Mary Turner for The New York Times

As she left the courtroom, Ms. Legane shouted, We love you! Mr. Adedeji disappeared from view as he was led to a basement cell.

In a courthouse hallway, Ms. Legane made dazed calls to parents. It is bad news, I am afraid, she said over and over again.

What do we do now? she asked between calls, clutching the teenagers phones.

She regrouped at a nearby bar with relatives of some of the defendants. Over fries and drinks, they jotted down things the young men would need  prescriptions, a change of clothes, the prison chaplains number.

Sentencing

Mr. Adedejis lawyer told him to prepare for the worst, up to 12 years in prison.

Ms. Legane organized a protest and gathered support from hundreds of people and organizations. Mr. Adedejis representative in Parliament, Lucy Powell, wrote to the judge condemning the frequent use of gang narratives in court.

The 10 defendants were sentenced in early July. The four defendants convicted of conspiracy to murder each received at least 20 years in prison. Still, the defense lawyers thought that Mr. Adedeji would probably get no more than four years.

The judge was unmoved by the arguments of Mr. Adedejis supporters. He sentenced him to eight years in juvenile prison, the same as the remaining five defendants.

Mr. Adedeji did not flinch but the public gallery heaved with fury and wailing relatives left the courtroom one after another. The judge issued stern orders for silence and, when the public ignored him, he rose to leave the courtroom. Just then, one defendants father shouted racist.

Mr. Adedeji lost his appeal against the sentence this month. He is still in touch with Ms. Legane through the prison email service.

Because of the color of my skin I got handed down a lengthy sentence, Mr. Adedeji wrote earlier this year.

I dont know how to feel about everything but I do know that every morning I get up with a smile on my face because I am proud of my skin color and proud of who I am.

Image Mr. Adedeji in April. Because of the color of my skin I got handed down a lengthy sentence, he wrote to Ms. Legane.Credit...Mary Turner for The New York Times

Jane Bradley contributed reporting.

Advertisement

Continue reading the main story
Daddah [ dad-uh,fallsview casino map dah-dah ]/ dd , d d / New Word List Save This Word! [ dad-uh,dah-dah ]/ dd , d d /Save This Word!

nounMokhtar Ould [mohkh-tahrould], /moxtr ald/, 19242003, Mauritanian statesman: first president of the Republic of Mauritania 196178.

Words nearby Daddah

How to use in a sentence "That's what Daddah says when he wants me to work in my garden," said Mary Jane. Mary Jane--Her Visit|Clara Ingram Judson

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Questiondad-blamed, dad-blasted, dad bod, dad-burned, Dadd, Daddah, daddy, daddy-longlegs, daddy-o, daddy track, dad-gummedDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
Illustration: Liu Rui/Global Times

Thismonth, G7 countries and Australia will set a fixed price when they finalize a price cap on Russian oil. In response, Russia said that it will refuse to ship oil to countries that set price caps. The Ukraine crisis is still in a deadlock, and the stability of the global market and supply chains have been severely damaged. However, the US and the West are still keen on engaging in a "sanction and arms race" against Russia and continue to send weapons to Ukraine. Meanwhile, they promote "de-Sinicization" in the global supply chain and core technology industries such as chips in the Asia-Pacific. At a time when international cooperation mechanisms such as "BRICS+" are striving to drive the world out of the haze of the pandemic and conflicts, US allies are still coordinating with US unilateralism and advance the fallacy of "decoupling." As a result, they have become increasingly isolated in the international community.First of all, the confrontational thinking of the Cold War mentality maintained by the US and the West has gone against the general trend of today's global landscape. Since February this year, the US, Europe, and Japan have imposed a stunning number of sanctions against Russia. Behind the unilateral sanctions is the narrow "conflict and confrontation" mentality, which divides the world into two camps, puts the geopolitical interests of the US and its allies above the common interests of the international community, and ignores the general consensus that human society is one with a shared future. Meanwhile, it hinders the arduous efforts of all countries to jointly pursue economic recovery since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and even makes developing countries, which are eager to stabilize supply chains and prices, ensure energy and food security, and pursue post-pandemic economic recovery, the biggest victim. Such perverse acts are obviously unpopular in the international community and cannot last long.Second, it is against the international concept of win-win cooperation that US allies coordinate with the US to form "small cliques." The interests of all countries in the world are highly integrated, and win-win cooperation is the general trend. However, in recent years, in order to achieve the goal of suppressing China and Russia, the US has frequently wooed G7 allies, activated NATO, a "Cold War relic," and established the AUKUS alliance to arm Australia. All these moves are pushing the world into the abyss of division.In contrast, BRICS and other mechanisms have continuously strengthened practical cooperation in global poverty reduction, food security, development financing, connectivity and other fields, and have been increasingly recognized and supported by developing countries. Nearly a year since the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) came into effect, it has injected strong impetus into the growth of trade and economic recovery in the Asia-Pacific region and even the world, and continuously boosted the confidence of regional countries in win-win cooperation. The SCO has also played a prominent role in counter-terrorism cooperation, political consultations, and mutual learning between cultures and civilizations.Developing countries and emerging economies are taking practical actions to forge a path of financial, trade and security cooperation that is not dominated by hegemony. The US-led small circles, which ignore the trend, will only isolate themselves in the end.US' allies should proactively embrace the global tide of mutual respect and win-win cooperation to drive the world out of the trauma of the pandemic. Over recent days, leaders from countries in Asia, Africa and Europe successively visited China for cooperation. The visit of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong displayed that China and Vietnam can properly handle the divergences in a mature manner, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania said, during the recent trip, that Tanzania views China as its top real friend and will always be a trustworthy partner for China. He also noted that Tanzania will work with China to strengthen practical cooperation across the board, take the relationship to a new height, and turn it into an exemplar for Africa-China relations in the new era. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit has sent two signals. First, decoupling with China is neither feasible nor desirable. Second, European countries can decide their own foreign policies and do not need to follow the US. This reflects the rational thinking of Germany as a major European power.US allies should also wake up to the US hegemonic plot to harm others while benefiting itself. The essential aim of US sanctions against others is not to maintain peace, but to maintain hegemony. The US needs allies to check and balance China and Russia, and it is willing to see its allies suffer from the backlash of sanctions. The US has realized its own energy independence, but it has been instigating Europe to formulate a strict "de-Russification" energy plan. When former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison was in power, Australia, a vital ally of the US in the Asia-Pacific, proactively handcuffed Australia's foreign policy to the US against China, causing significant damage to the stability and development of the region. Ironically, affected by the strained China-Australia ties, the market share of coal and barley that Australia exports to China plummeted, and Australia's "friends," such as the US, quickly filled the gap.Today, when conflicts and divergences are becoming more and more acute, US allies should abandon this Cold War confrontation and "small circle" mentality, and should seek to uphold the spirit of seeking common ground while reserving differences, and return to the right track of cooperation and development. For instance, they should pragmatically create conditions for the Ukrainian crisis to be resolved through political means, and stop cooperating with the US unilaterally when it comes to imposing sanctions. One could get hurt when adding fuel to the fire.The author is a research fellow of the Department for Asia-Pacific Studies at the China Institute of International Studies. [email protected]
This beem casino 30 free spinsarticle is part of The D.C. Brief, TIMEs politics newsletter. Sign up hereto get stories like this sent to your inbox.

A bullet doesnt make a sound.

It makes the initial roar as it leaves the gun, sure. Its shock to the body is matched with a spiteful slap to the eardrum. The noise can expand if it echos, as is often the case when fired in a closed space, like a school hallway in Newtown, Conn., a basement Bible study in Charleston, S.C., or the foyer of a synagogue in Pittsburgh. The shell casing can make its own distinct sound, whether it bounces on the linoleum floor of a school classroom in Uvalde, Texas, or is muffled in the carpet 32 floors above the Las Vegas Strip. And the reverberations can last years, especially for survivors who just wanted to get through Valentines Day in Parkland, Fla., or to find their safe space in Orlando.

And then there is the second-wave reverberation, a history lesson that tells us that any conversation about trying to quiet the ear-shattering explosion of each bullet is pointless, that ultimately nothing can be done about guns in a country that has more weapons than citizens.

So, as is the case far too often, the screech of yet more bullets established Americas latest soundtrack over the weekend as a gunman burst into a Colorado Springs gathering place for members of the LGBTQ community Saturday night, opening fire to kill five and injure at least 18 more. A suspect is being held on preliminary charges of murder and hate crimes, but those are subject to change as more is learned about him. Officials have been careful not to assign a motivation just yet to the attack on Club Q. But it stretches credulity to think the suspect in this case just happened to show up heavily armed and wearing body armor at one of the few places in the Springs where gay peopleincluding teens on some eveningsfelt comfortable.

It also demands an aggressive suspension of suspicion to think the current national environment toward LGBTQ rights has no bearing when a 22-year-old man allegedly walks into a gay bar and starts killing. This legislative season alone, lawmakers have introduced at least 344 anti-LGBTQ proposals, and 25 of them are now law, according to the Human Rights Campaign. The most common headlines around this onslaught of legislation has been to keep transgender youths from pursuing health care, playing sports on the teams of their choosing, or even identifying themselves in schoolsvery controversial efforts if you spend much time in the conservative corners of the internet when one can simultaneously lament Caitlyn Jenners persecution and obsess over a University of Pennsylvania swimmer in the same burst of online outrage. Nothing, especially targeted executions, happen in a vacuum.

Flags in Colorado are flying at half their height and vigils are popping up around the typically conservative city of Colorado Springs. The pains manifestation is sincere, but the follow-up probably will be a faint echo of it. Mass shootings often summon rage about why policymakers didnt anticipate this, gnashing about how to stop the next slaying, recriminations about the power of gunmakers and retailers and sportsman groups that have been co-opted for political machinations. But one thing remains louder than all of that chatter, and thats the many sounds of bullets.

I spend a lot of time in the days after such mass killings reconstructing the details of these evenings and considering the prospects of legislative relief. Often, I will send notes and texts to lawmakers, furtively asking what Washington will be doing in response, and, in a performative way, everyone pretends that this time will be different. The optimism for restrictions grows dimmer every time, the time frame for such talk grows narrower. Every passing hour makes any meaningful adaptation less urgent; that half-life used to be measured in weeks, not commercial breaks. All the while, its impossible not to imagine what it must have been likethe sound of each bullet ripping through the rooms, the bodies, the lingering echo of the crime scenes.

It is as deafening as it is depressing.

Make sense of what matters in Washington. Sign up for the D.C. Brief newsletter.
Chief negotiators from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan for cross-Strait relations will hold the 8th round talks on Aug. 9 in Taipei.

Chen Yunlin,888sport 88 free bet president of the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), and Chiang Pin-kung, chairman of the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), will discuss and endorse an investment protection agreement.

The two sides will also discuss and sign an agreement on cooperation between customs of each other, according to a press release issued Wednesday by the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

Xinhua

Chinese mainland, Taiwan to hold new round negotiation in Taipeiadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
Dadd / (dd) / New Word List Save This flaming hot 40 slotWord! / (dd) /Save ThisWord!

nounRichard. 181786, British painter of mythological and fairy scenes. He was committed to an asylum for patricide

Words nearby Dadd

How to use in a sentence For process of steaming, see Dadd's work on the Horse, p. 67. The American Reformed Cattle Doctor|George Dadd

The American Reformed Cattle Doctor|George Dadd The only really spiteful fellow among them was a man named Jem Dadd. Over The Side|W.W. Jacobs

Over The Side|W.W. Jacobs Ram was soon out and away, to hunt up Jemmy Dadd, whom he found at last with his eyes half-closed, yawning prodigiously. Cutlass and Cudgel|George Manville Fenn

Cutlass and Cudgel|George Manville Fenn The door dragged up, and Ram was not alone, for his voice could be heard in conversation with Jemmy Dadd. Cutlass and Cudgel|George Manville Fenn Jemmy Dadd was an old servant of Farmer Shackle, one who always made a point of doing as little as was possible about the farm. Cutlass and Cudgel|George Manville Fenn

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!QuestionDad and Dave, dad-blamed, dad-blasted, dad bod, dad-burned, Dadd, Daddah, daddy, daddy-longlegs, daddy-o, daddy trackCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
What Is the Marginal Rate of Substitution (MRS)?casino med bonus utan omsattningskrav

In economics, the marginal rate of substitution (MRS) is the amount of a good that a consumer is willing to consume compared to another good, as long as the new good is equally satisfying.

MRS is used in indifference theory to analyze consumer behavior. When someone is indifferent to substituting one item for another, their marginal utility for substitution is zero since they neither gain nor lose any satisfaction from the trade.

Key Takeaways

The marginal rate of substitution (MRS) is the willingness of a consumer to replace one good for another good, as long as the new good is equally satisfying.

The marginal rate of substitution is the slope of the indifference curve at any given point along the curve and displays a frontier of utility for each combination of "good X" and "good Y."

When the law of diminishing MRS is in effect, the MRS forms a downward, negative sloping, convex curve showing more consumption of one good in place of another.

Marginal Rate of Substitution

Formula and Calculation of the Marginal Rate of Substitution (MRS)

1:23

The marginal rate of substitution (MRS) formula is:

 M R S x y  = d y d x = M U x M U y where: x , y = two different goods d y d x = derivative of y with respect to x M U = marginal utility of good x, y \begin{ aligned} &|MRS_{ xy}| = \frac{ dy}{ dx} = \frac{ MU_x}{ MU_y} \\ &\textbf{ where:}\\ &x, y=\text{ two different goods}\\ &\frac{ dy}{ dx}=\text{ derivative of y with respect to x}\\ &MU=\text{ marginal utility of good x, y}\\ \end{ aligned} MRSxy=dxdy=MUyMUxwhere:x,y=two different goodsdxdy=derivative of y with respect to xMU=marginal utility of good x, y

What the MRS Can Tell You

The marginal rate of substitution is a term used in economics that refers to the amount of one good that is substitutable for another and is used to analyze consumer behaviors for a variety of purposes. MRS is calculated between two goods placed on an indifference curve, displaying a frontier of utility for each combination of "good X" and "good Y." The slope of this curve represents quantities of good X and good Y that you would be happy substituting for one another.

The slope of the indifference curve is critical to the marginal rate of substitution analysis. Essentially, MRS is the slope of the indifference curve at any single point along the curve. Since most indifference curves are curves, the slopes will be different as one moves along them. Most indifference curves are usually convex because, as you consume more of one good, you will consume less of the other. Indifference curves can be straight lines if a slope is constant, resulting in an indifference curve represented by a downward-sloping straight line.

If the marginal rate of substitution is increasing, the indifference curve will be concave to the origin. This is typically not common since it means a consumer would consume more of X for the increased consumption of Y (and vice versa). Usually, marginal substitution is diminishing, meaning a consumer chooses the substitute in place of another good, rather than simultaneously consuming more.

The law of diminishing marginal rates of substitution states that MRS decreases as one moves down a standard convex-shaped curve, which is the indifference curve.



Example of MRS

For example, a consumer must choose between hamburgers and hot dogs. To determine the marginal rate of substitution, the consumer is asked what combinations of hamburgers and hot dogs provide the same level of satisfaction.

When these combinations are graphed, the slope of the resulting line is negative. This means that the consumer faces a diminishing marginal rate of substitution: The more hamburgers they have relative to hot dogs, the fewer hot dogs they are willing to consume. If the marginal rate of substitution of hamburgers for hot dogs is -2, then the individual would be willing to give up 2 hot dogs for every additional hamburger consumption.

Investopedia/Julie Bang

Limitations of the MRS

The marginal rate of substitution has a few limitations. The main drawback is that it does not examine a combination of goods that a consumer would prefer more or less than another combination. This generally limits the analysis of MRS to two variables. Also, MRS does not necessarily examine marginal utility since it treats the utility of both comparable goods equally, though in actuality they may have varying utility.

What Is the Relationship Between Indifference Curve and MRS?

Essentially, MRS is the slope of the indifference curve at any single point along the curve. Most indifference curves are usually convex because as you consume more of one good you will consume less of the other. So, MRS will decrease as one moves down the indifference curve. This is known as the law of diminishing marginal rate of substitution. If the marginal rate of substitution is increasing, the indifference curve will be concave, which means that a consumer would consume more of X for the increased consumption of Y and vice versa, but this is not common.

What are the Drawbacks of Marginal Rate of Substitution?

The marginal rate of substitution has a few limitations. The main drawback is that it does not examine a combination of goods that a consumer would prefer more or less than another combination. This generally limits the analysis of MRS to two variables. Also, MRS does not necessarily examine marginal utility because it treats the utility of both comparable goods equally though in actuality they may have varying utility.

What Is Indifference Curve Analysis?

Indifference curve analysis operates on a simple two-dimensional graph. Each axis represents one type of economic good. The consumer is indifferent between any of the combinations of goods represented by points on the indifference curve because these combinations provide the same level of utility to the consumer. Indifference curves are heuristic devices used in contemporary microeconomics to demonstrate consumer preference and the limitations of a budget.

What Is an Indifference Curve?

1:29
What Is Insurtech?get free bitcoin fast

Insurtech refers to the use of technology innovations designed to find cost savings and efficiency from the current insurance industry model. Insurtech is a combination of the words insurance and technology, inspired by the term fintech.



Key Takeaways

Insurtech is the use of technology innovations designed to make the current insurance model more efficient.

By using technology such as data analysis, IoT, and AI, insurtech allows products to be priced more competitively.

Insurtech is used to more effectively process claims, evaluate risk, process contracts, or underwrite policies.

Insurtech is similar to fintech, as both leverage modern solutions that are revolutionizing each respective traditional industry.

There are headwinds for insurtechs, notably regulation issues and a reluctance of established insurers to work with them.

Understanding Insurtech

Insurtech is premised on the belief that the insurance industry is ripe for innovation and disruption. Insurtech is exploring avenues that large insurance firms have less incentive to exploit, such as offering ultra-customized policies, social insurance, and using new streams of data from Internet-enabled devices to dynamically price premiums according to observed behavior.

Regarding traditional insurance, some people pay more than they should be based on the basic level of data used to group people. Among other things, insurtech is looking to tackle this data and analysis issue head-on. Using inputs from all manners of devices, including geolocation tracking of cars to the activity trackers on our wrists, these companies are building more finely delineated groupings of risk, allowing products to be priced more competitively.



In addition to better pricing models, insurtech startups are testing the waters on a host of potential game-changers. These include using deep learning trained artificial intelligence (AI) to handle the tasks of brokers and find the right mix of policies to complete an individuals coverage.

There is also interest in the use of apps to pull disparate policies into one platform for management and monitoring, creating on-demand insurance for micro-events like borrowing a friend's car, and the adoption of the peer-to-peer model to both create customized group coverage and incentivize positive choices through group rebates.

There are many similarities to the goals and implementations of insurtech and fintech, as both the insurance industry and financial industry are undergoing substantial process changes.

Importance of Insurtech

Insurtech plays an important part in changing how coverage is applied and paid for in a number of different ways:

Insurtech enhances the customer experience. By leveraging technology, customers are more engaged in selecting their coverage, understanding their needs, and getting personalized service. Instead of having to travel to a branch or speak to a representative, the future of insurtech is moving towards self-serve, online dealings where customers have their choice of engagement channel.

By leveraging technology, customers are more engaged in selecting their coverage, understanding their needs, and getting personalized service. Instead of having to travel to a branch or speak to a representative, the future of insurtech is moving towards self-serve, online dealings where customers have their choice of engagement channel. Insurtech promotes efficiency. Policy-seekers and policy-holders can often research and explore options using the internet and apps. Without having to wait for business hours or an available representative, many insurtech companies empower users to quickly access the information they need without being bogged down in processes.

Policy-seekers and policy-holders can often research and explore options using the internet and apps. Without having to wait for business hours or an available representative, many insurtech companies empower users to quickly access the information they need without being bogged down in processes. Insurtech emphasizes individuality. Due to the innovative nature of information gathering and data processing, many new tools (discussed below) are now available to better understand each individual's true needs. This not only improves pricing but delivers more reliable, consistent coverage based on historical data.

Due to the innovative nature of information gathering and data processing, many new tools (discussed below) are now available to better understand each individual's true needs. This not only improves pricing but delivers more reliable, consistent coverage based on historical data. Insurtech improves flexibility. Modern insurtech offerings are more likely to have flexibile, customized, short-term, or transferrable plans. Instead of needing to lock into long-term arrangements, insurtech is more likely to give individuals specific coverage for a specific need over a specific duration.

Modern insurtech offerings are more likely to have flexibile, customized, short-term, or transferrable plans. Instead of needing to lock into long-term arrangements, insurtech is more likely to give individuals specific coverage for a specific need over a specific duration. Insurtech reduces operating costs. Traditional insurance companies relied on brick-and-mortar locations that necessitated manual labor. Now, insurtech companies can operate remotely with staff engaging with customers around the world. The operating model of the online company is similar skimmer with less overhead.

Traditional insurance companies relied on brick-and-mortar locations that necessitated manual labor. Now, insurtech companies can operate remotely with staff engaging with customers around the world. The operating model of the online company is similar skimmer with less overhead. Insurtech may decrease fraud.By leveraging data, analytics, trend analysis, and machine learning, insurtech companies may be able to detect fraudulent activities if inconsistencies in data arises. In addition, big data may also be able to discover potential loopholes that insurers can seek to close to avoid exploitation.

What Insurance Areas Does Insurtech Solve?

Claims Management

The claims management process traditionally resulted in manually reviewing each claim, deciding what compensation to award, then remitting that compensation. Now, insurtech companies aim to build processes that automate certain processes and detect fraud.

Larger companies can leverage technology to gather and aggregate specific data points regarding specific claims. These claims may also be validated using automation by comparing different data streams. Last, large companies can use automation or repetitive workflows to pay out a large number of claims with minimal human intervention.

Underwriting

The underwriting process entails reviewing an individual's profile, assessing their risk profile, and extending them an insurance package offer that includes their coverage. The information provided to a client also includes their monthly premium in addition to what compensation they may be entitled to under various claims.

Much of this data can be mined or gathered automatically. Even if a client must submit information, modern technology uses many data points to compare against historical data that can continually learn, grow, and make more educated assumptions. This means the data decides for itself whether to extend a policy to the individual and what price is fair for the associated level of risk.

Contract Execution

Whether it's related to paying out a claim, enforcing a different insurance level tier, closing a customer's policy that has expired, or approving a new customer, there are a tremendous number of contracts that occur related to insurance.

When leveraging blockchain technology, smart contracts can be triggered to execute when specific criteria is met. This eliminates the human element for needing to handle the contract, and this allows an unbiased, neutral party (i.e. technology) to evaluate the criteria of a contract and decide the appropriate course of action.

Risk Mitigation

As mentioned earlier, big data can be used to gather, analyze, and summarize information. This includes analyzing a customer's historical activity or assessing a broad range of claim types. Based on the information gathered, insurers may be able to detect fraud, protect against unsuitable risk, or better understand where they may be most exposed.

According to Grand View Research, the total insurtech industry value in 2022 was $5.4 billion. The revenue forecast for 2030 is $152 billion.

Innovations Driving Insurtech Change

There continues to be a growing, evolving range of technology used in insurtech that changes the way insurance is being performed. Here are the following most notable technologies being leveraged.

Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence functions allow certain tasks that previously required human interaction to now be performed exclusively reliant on technology. For example, customers would previously have to interact with representatives to have questions answered; now, interactive discussions with chatbots may allow a customer to receive help without talking to a human.

A subset of artificial intelligence is machine learning, the ability to extract historical data and compile predictive models. These models are then used to distribute information and may be set to a feedback loop. If future data in fed into the model, the model may "learn" and continually evaluate how to calculate appropriate premiums based on demographics or risk profiles.

Automation

Insurtech change relies on efficiency. This means that when insurance clients fill out a document online, that record is automatically stored in a data warehouse or used to automatically compile a policy ready for signature. Automation tools are utilized to avoid manual human intervention when technological tools can carry out a process on its own.

Big Data

Big data refers to the collection of massive amounts of information. This includes a broad range of data, the fast collection of real-time data, and a variety of data sets. Big data collection techniques allow insurers to gather a broader set of data used to analyze the risk profile of a customer to better understand their characteristics and habits. In addition, this information can be gathered for millions of customers and fed into predictive models discussed earlier.

Blockchain

Though most known for cryptocurrency, the fundamental basis for blockchain technology is immutable, distributed legers. This allows for unalterable record-keeping to ensure security and reliability in information storage. It also allows for smart contract execution to reside on a blockchain, remaining dormant until specific conditions are met to release insurance proceeds or validate an insurance client.

Drones

Insurtech also relies on innovative hardware technologies as well. Drones can be used to assess properties, evaluate property damage where it might have been physically unsafe for humans to traverse, or audit a site for a claim. Drones are now becoming increasingly reliant on high-definition photo and video quality, allowing for assessors to heavily rely on photographs and stored images from flights.

Internet of Things

Another insurtech innovation that relies on physical innovation is the Internet of Things (IoT). Though a digital concept, IoT relies on the interaction between physical goods and software. For example, auto insurers now commonly offer devices that gauge vehicle speed, handling, and driving habits that can be used to reward positive driving habits or penalize negative driving habits. While this level of information has never been available before, insurance companies can now base premiums on the smallest of details.

According to Hourly, there are over 3,400 insurtech companies, up from 1,500 companies in 2018.

Insurtech Companies

Below are examples of real insurtech companies and the ways each are innovating the insurance industry.

Lemonade

Lemonade directly sells insurance coverage via a custom mobile app. This coverage is sold directly to the customer as opposed to being transmitted via brokers. Insurance policies include renters' insurance, homeowners' insurance, pet insurance, and auto insurance. All insurance claims processing is performed through the digital platform.

Dacadoo

Dacadoo leverages consumer devices such as phones and smartwatches to gather information via an integrated API. This information crafts individual consumer profiles that allows Dacadoo to assess risk in real-time and adjust profiles based on positive or negative life improvements.

Bdeo

Bdeo leverages artificial intelligence to improve the claim processing experience. Bdeo relies on chatbots to interact with customers to gather claim information. The chatbot gives direction on what information is needed, how to photograph the damage, and where to input information. Then, remote adjusters analyze the information provided. The company also leverages a computer vision model that utilizes technology to minimize adjustor misevaluations.

Etherisc

Etherisc leverages blockchain technology to utilize smart contracts. Etherisc gathers information from third-party providers. Then, as events unfold, the company is able to have their contracts automatically perform tasks based on outcomes that are compared against this third-party information. For example, agribusiness insurance claims may automatically process when specific natural conditions occur; these natural conditions such as rainfall are compared with third-party data to ensure no fraudulent activity may occur.

Avinew

Avinew is a pioneer in the insurtech industry regarding internet of thing technology. The company offers lower premiums to customers who change their driving habits, choose less risky routes, or use an automatic driving system. This information is all possible by onboard devices that track vehicle useage and tendencies.

Criticism of Insurtech

Although many of these innovations are long overdue, there are reasons why the incumbent insurance companies are so reluctant to adapt. Insurance is a highly regulated industry with many layers of jurisdictional legal baggage to deal with. As such, the major companies have survived this long by being incredibly cautious, which has made them shy away from working with any startupslet alone startups in their own, very stable industry.

This is a bigger problem than it sounds, as many of the insurtech startups still require the help of traditional insurers to handle underwriting and manage catastrophic risk. That said, as more insurtech startups garner consumer interest with a refined model and a user-friendly approach, they may find that the incumbent players warm to the idea of insurtech and become interested in buying up some of the innovation.

There is also a certain level of privacy that is relinquished when adopting insurtech methodologies. Consider tracking devices that can detect whether you actually stop at stop signs. These devices also track your location, the places you visit, and how long you are at those locations. For some, this level of data collection and personally identifiable information is less preferable than the benefit received from the efficient, innovation of insurtech.



What Does Insurtech Mean?

Insurtech is a combination of "insurance" and "technology". It is an emerging industry that utilizes technology and modern innovations to change how traditional insurance is performed.

Is Insurtech a Component of Fintech?

Insurtech and fintech are often considered two different industries. Both rely on modern solutions to change how traditional services are performed. However, there are many differences between the financial sector and insurance sector. Therefore, insurtech companies are not likely to offer financial services in addition to insurance coverage.

How Does Insurtech Make Money?

Insurtech relies on minimal overhead and operational efficient to make money. Though it still earns revenue from clients, the goal is to have minimal costs by eliminating a physical office or personnel to perform tasks that have been eliminated through chatbots or automation. Due to lower costs, insurtech companies are often able to offer lower prices.

Is Insurtech Better than Traditional Insurance?

Some customers may prefer face-to-face interactions with a dedicated insurance agent they've gotten to know for years. Other customers may prefer to self-select their own policy that can be canceled using an app. Insurtech simply offers a different method of delivering insurance coverage that traditional insurance may not have been able to offer. Whether one is better than the other is simply a matter of consumer preference.

The Bottom Line

The traditional insurance industry is being disrupted by the introduction of technology. This new sector called insurtech offers customers a new way to do things by gathering information differently, executing contracts more efficiently, and analyzing information more accurately. Though some may feel the insurance industry will be losing a personal touch, insurtech strives to offer lower, more custom, and more flexible coverage.
Ballys Corporation could soon become the new owner of the World Poker Tour (WPT) as the company that currently owns it said Tuesday an offer tabled by the casino operator was superior to a bid recently made by a separate entity.

One of the worlds largest poker tours is owned by Allied Esports Entertainment, a global eSports and poker entertainment company. It recently entered into a stock purchase agreement with growth equity fund Element Partners, LLC.

After receiving Ballys offer, Allied said Tuesday that its Board of Directors has determined that one constituted a superior proposal.The eSports company also informed Element Partners that it would terminate their pending agreement, unless they negotiate an amendment to that agreement that would better Ballys bid until Friday, March 19.

The casino operator actually approached Allied with two proposals. Under the original one, Ballys would have purchased the other companys poker and eSports assets, including the WPT, for $100 million.

After discussions, Ballys revised its offer and decided to only acquire Allieds poker assets, including all entities comprising the World Poker Tour, for $90 millionin cash. The casino company said that the new proposal better mirrored the structure of Allieds stock purchase agreement with Element.

The eSports entertainment company noted Tuesday that there can be no assurance that it would eventually sell the WPT to Ballys.

Ballys Spree of Acquisitions

The Rhode Island-headquartered casino operator has had a busy year as it looks to grow its footprint in the US market and adapt its operations to the fast-changing local landscapethat has seen multiple states legalize sports betting and digital gaming in recent years.

Ballys, formerly Twin River Worldwide Holdings, rebranded last fall to signal its strategic realignment and a new chapter in its journey. The company also embarked on a spree of acquisitionsthat saw it significantly expand its physical footprint as well as scope of operations.

The first major acquisition was revealed by the operator in April 2020. Back then, it entered into an agreement with former Eldorado (now Caesars Entertainment Inc.) to buy Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport in Louisiana and the Montbleu Resort, Casino and Spa in Lake Tahoe, Nevada for $155 million. It also announced a similar agreement with Caesars to buy Ballys Atlantic City for $25 million.

Ballys then secured access to the Illinois gambling market through the purchase of Jumers Casino & Hotel in Rock Island from Delaware North in a $120 million deal.

In October, the operator bought the Ballys brand from Caesars for $20 millionand rebranded the following month, also revealing plans to rename all its properties around the US to reflect its new identity.

It was in November again when the company bought sports betting technology firm Bet.Works for $125 million, signaling deeper interest in the fast-growing US wagering space. It also recently announced the acquisition of daily fantasy sports platform Monkey Knife Fight and social games company SportCaller.

Source:Allied Esports Entertainment Board Determines Ballys Corporation Revised Proposal Is Superior to Element Stock Purchase Agreement, Business Wire, March 16, 2021
Online gambling software provider SOFTSWISS has recently launched a new client on its Online Casino Platform to celebrate yet another milestone during an exciting time for the company.

The software firm this week announced that it has welcomed Dreamz Casino to its platform to now power the iGaming operation. The online gaming brand, which was originally launched in 2018, has recently migrated onto SOFTSWISS platform from a third-party provider.

Breaking the news about its latest of an ever-growing number of clients, SOFTSWISS said that this new partnership reaffirms its platform as a reliable and innovativesolution for seasoned gambling operators.

Dreamz has joined more than 120 iGaming businesses that are currently powered by SOFTSWISS and its solution. The operator will thus be able to benefit from a wide array of important features, including a number of integrated online payment methods as well as content from the software providers Game Aggregator, which currently hosts more than 11,000 casino games from over 150 leading developers and suppliers.

SOFTSWISS gaming platform is further equipped with player and KYC management, reporting tools, and a flexible bonusing system, among other tools. It also supports multiple currencies and offers multiple marketing tools for player acquisition and retention.

Excited for All Future Joint Endeavors

SOFTSWISS said that its will now aim to help Dreamz quickly achieve its goals relating to market expansion and product diversification. The software company further elaborated that its platform boasts stability and high load tolerancethat will allow its new online casino clients large base of players to enjoy smooth experience with their favorite iGaming brand.

Of their latest important deal, SOFTSWISS Head of Business Account Managers Darya Avtukhovich said that they are happy to announced that Dreamz is now officially powered by their platform and that for their team the migration process was a great challenge, but we were committed to making it happen.

Ms. Avtukhovich went on to thank to Dreamz team for their trust in our solutionand noted that they are now looking forward to their future endeavors together.

A representative for the newly migrated online casino said that they are glad to be joining SOFTSWISS, which has a rather strong geo market coverage and presenceand that this collaboration is a thrilling step forwardfor Dreamz.

This is the latest of a host of big announcements made by SOFTSWISS in recent weeks. Early this month, the software company announced that it has obtained a license for online casino operations from the Hellenic Gaming Commission to conduct activities in the recently re-regulated Greek iGaming market.

It was also not long ago when SOFTSWISS announced the launch of its sportsbook solution with digital wagering operator Bambet.

Source:SOFTSWISS Online Casino Platform Integrates with Dreamz Online Casino, August 26, 2021
ELY, Nev. The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is welcoming history and railroad aficionados to the Iron Horse Symposium Sept. 28Oct. 1. This years theme focuses on delving deep into the early chapters of the railways history from 1900 to 1920.

The events scheduled are packed with immersive experiences that transport attendees back in time. Highlights include:

Presentations shedding light on the railways unfolding featuring multiple guest speakers including Ann Requa, granddaughter of Mark Requa, the builder of the Nevada Northern Railway.

Sunset, Stars and Champagne Train: Includes drinks, finger foods and a panel discussion titled Is this any way to run a railroad?

Mini-Photo Shoot & Tour: Located at the NNRYs East Ely Yard National Historical Landmark, followed by a train ride to the White Pine Public Museum.

It really is one heck of an underdog story, says NNRY President, Mark Bassett. Who could imagine a community that just had the major employer shut down shop would get a railroad donated to them and actually operate it for 36 years?

The cost of the symposium is $233.75 for members and $275 for non-members. The price includes all presentations, a yard tour, two train rides, yard photo opportunities, continental breakfast and lunches.

Optional add-on tours include the Haunted Ghost Train, a line tour of the original NNRY line from East Ely to Cobre, Shafter, Goshute, Cherry Creek and return to East Ely, and a tour of the Robinson Copper Mine, the reason for the railroad.

The weekend is chock full of special events focusing on the beginnings and history of the railroad. Tickets are now available for the main event and the optional add-on tours. You must register for the symposium to attend the optional tours.

Participants can secure tickets by phone at (775) 289-2085 or visit nnry.com to purchase tickets online.
I think all the traveling and all the nationalities put that stuff in my head.

He closed his eyes, imagining the virgins, imagining away the pain in his head and groin.

The scheme has been condemned by civil liberties groups and queried by the National Association of Head Teachers.

The gunman hardly broke stride as he nonetheless shot Merabet in the head, killing him.

I usually see people head to the stationary bikes, Steinbrick says. How to Survive the New Year Gympocalypse|Tim Teeman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Madame Ratignolle, more careful of her complexion, had twined a gauze veil about her head. The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin

Only in the carnage of the head, the tilt of the chin, was the insolence expressed that had made her many enemies. Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton

Old Mrs. Wurzel and the buxom but not too well-favoured heiress of the house of Grains were at the head of the table. The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills

She sat straight up in bed, and jerked her hands to her head, and screamed long and terribly. The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux
Homophones are words that sound the same but mean different things. They might even be different parts of speech.

Heard and herd are homophones that can both function as verbs, but only one of them is a noun. Do you know which one it is?

If not, dont worryyou can read the rest of this article to find out.

What is the Difference Between Heard and Herd?

In this post, I will compare herd vs. heard. I will use each of these words in at least one example sentence, so you can see how they appear in context.

Plus, I will show you a helpful memory tool that will make choosing either herdor heard much easier in your future writing endeavors.

When to Use Heard

What does heard mean? Heard is a verb. It is the simple past tense form of the verb to hear, which means to perceive auditory sensations.

Conjugations of Hear:

I/we hear: first person singular and plural present

You hear: second person singular and plural present

He/she/it hears: third person singular present

They hear: third person plural present

Hearing: present participle

Heard: simple past

The sentences below use heardas a verb,

Marvin Gaye heard it through the grapevine, which means he heard it while listening to someone gossip.

Jenny had been planning to ask Mark to go to the dance with her, but when she heard Marie ask him, she went to the bathroom to cry instead.

To find out about here vs. hear, see here.

When to Use Herd

What does herd mean? Herd, can be a verb or a noun. A herd is a group of animals. Many animals live in herds, like bison, cows, and zebras.

For example,

The alpha male antelope wanted to go to medical school to become a neurosurgeon, but decided to stay for the good of the herd.

Herd can also be used as part of a compound word that means one who tends to animals. A shepherd, for instance, watches sheep, while a goatherd takes care of goats.

When herd is used as a verb, it describes animal behavior related to grouping. Animals who gather in groups to live out their lives are said to be herding.

For example,

If you introduce several individual cows into the same pasture, they will herd together and stay in a group.

Trick to Remember the Difference

If you want to use either of these words as a noun, you should choose herd, since heard is never a noun. They can both be verbs, though, so your choice in this context is more difficult.

Remember Heard vs. Herd: Heard is a conjugation of the verb hear, which means to perceive auditory signals. Since heard and auditory each contain the letter A, using heard as a verb in the context of hearis an easy choice to make.

Summary

Is it heard or herd? While these two words are homophones, they are never interchangeable.
Democrats have retained control of the Senate,sport prediction site but power over the House still remains undecided. As of Sunday morning, 20 races for the U.S. House of Representatives were uncalled, with either political party within the means to take control of the 435-member House.

The current tally has Republicans leading with 211 seats. Democrats are lagging behind at 204 of the 218 needed to gain control of the House, but ballots are still being counted in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Maine, Oregon and New York.

Im incredibly pleased by the [voter] turnout. And I think its a reflection of the quality of our candidates, Biden said when asked about the election during a press gaggle on Nov. 13. [Im] confident [Democrats] could [keep the House]. Whether they will its a stretch. Everything has to fall our way.

Heres where the race currently stands.

Where does the race stand now?

The 2022 Midterm Election defied odds with Democratic candidates delivering major upsets and retaining more Senate and House seats than expected following Tuesdays vote.

Political pundits had long predicted a red wave, with many pointing to the presidents low approval ratingjust over 41% and rising inflation as evidence that Americans would overwhelmingly support a conservative majority. That did not come to fruition.

Going into the election, multiple races were a tossup, including Michigans 3rd and Nevadas 1st districts, which were both won by Democrats. Competitive races in Oregon and Arizona remain without a result.

In Washington, the states 3rd Congressional District had a surprising upset, with newcomer Marie Gluesenkamp Perez beating Trump-backed opponent Joe Kent for election. The region voted red for more than a decade, according to the Seattle Times, and Kent had previously called it deep red MAGA country.

Nevada Democrats successfully held on to their seats in a series of competitive races, theAP reports. Like many other states, redistricting changed the makeup of their districts, which made the races of Rep. Dina Titus, Susie Lee and Steven Horsford ones to watch.

Gerrymandering also worked against incumbents in other regions like Texas Rep. Mayra Flores, a Republican, and Arizona Rep. Tom O Halleran, a Democrat.

Nearly 90% of the votes are in for Arizona but the race remains tight. Republican Juan Ciscomani is currently in the lead by less than 1% of the vote. Delays in ballot counting were already expected because the verification of early voters signatures takes time. But Maricopa County, the states most populous region, also experienced problems with voter tabulation machines. Sixty out of the 233 voting centers in the county were affected by these issues, according to the Arizona Mirror.

This has also impacted the states governor race, where Arizonas Secretary of State, Katie Hobbs, is facing former TV broadcaster Kari Lake. TheAPhas not yet called the race because there are simply too many votes left to count to conclude Hobbs lead is insurmountable.

In Colorado, Trump-backed candidate Lauren Boeberts bid for reelection is neck and neck with former Aspen city councilman Adam Frisch. Prior to the ballot count, nonpartisan Cook Political Report said the race was solidly Republican. But Frisch is only a little over 1,000 votes behind Boebert, according to the New York Times. Colorados eight congressional district is also in a tight race, with Democrat Yadira Caraveo winning by just under 1,700 votes thus far.

Eighty percent of the vote is in for Alaska, where Rep. Mary Peltola, who won an August special election to fill a House seat, ran for reelection. She faced former Gov. Sarah Palin once again, and is in the lead with 47.3% of the vote, though the race has not been called.

Results in California are still unclear. Only 61% of the vote is in for Californias 13th district, and less than 50% is in for the 9th. Due to mail-in ballots, results in the Golden State, as well as Oregon and Arizona are taking longer.

New Yorks 22nd congressional district also remains a tight race, with more than 95% of the vote in. Republican Brandon Williams is outpacing his Democratic opponent, Francis Conole, by close to 4,000 votes. The seat was previously held by John Katko, a moderate Republican.

While many candidates endorsed by former President Trump won, numbers show that they are becoming less popular. The Timesreports that at least three Republican House candidatesLauren Boebert, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and J.R. Majewski who have supported QAnon theories underperformed during the Midterm Election compared to Trump.
Luck had always been the leader, had always been ready for any daredeviltry that came to his mind. Crooked Trails and Straight|William MacLeod Raine

Paul strode out of the kitchen and down the steps at the side of Joan, smiling with his usual daredeviltry. Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1909 to 1922|Lucy Maud Montgomery
What Are Organic Sales?all strip poker play live roulette

Organic sales are revenues generated from within a company. Organic sales encompass those streams of revenues that are a direct result of the firm's existing operations as opposed to revenues that have been acquired through the purchase of another company or business unit in the past year. The sale or disposal of business lines are also netted out of a total sales figure to derive organic sales. Measuring organic sales is important because it can show the amount of growth that's the direct result of a company's business plan or sales strategy.

Key Takeaways

Organic sales are revenues generated from within a company that are a direct result of the firm's existing operations.

Organic sales do not include sales revenue growth as a result of an acquisition of another company within the last year.

Organic sales figures are important since they show sales revenue growth from a company's core operations.

Understanding Organic Sales

Organic sales are the product of the internal processes of a company and are generated solely within the firm. Organic sales provides management and investors with the level of revenue that was generated from the sale of a company's products and services. If a company generates increases in organic sales, it's typically referred to as organic growth. Revenue growth from organic sales is usually measured on a year-to-year basis, but many companies also monitor organic growth from quarter-to-quarter.

Organic Sales Growth Strategies

Companies might achieve organic growth of their sales through internal strategies such as:

New product and service offerings

A marketing campaign for a particular offer to customers and prospects

Optimization of internal processes, which might involve boosting efficiency by making changes to the internal structure of a company

A new sales strategy with commissions or bonuses to employees who hit sales targets

Reallocating resources, such as sales and marketing staff, to products and services that are in higher demand

Sales Growth via Acquisition

Acquired sales, on the other hand, result from a company purchasing another business through an acquisition. An acquisition of another company would likely lead to sales and revenue growth for the acquiring company but would typically be referred to as inorganic growth. Achieving sales growth inorganically can be a benefit to companies that need access to a new market, product, or service. However, the integration process of two companies, following an acquisition, can be time-consuming. Also, acquisitions can negatively impact organic sales if the company is in a state of flux due to employee layoffs or consolidation of departments.

As a result, it's important to bifurcate the financial reporting of organic sales and inorganic sales if there's been a recent acquisition. For example, let's say a car parts manufacturer reports 4.5% sales growth for the year, 2.5% of which was contributed by an acquisition of a smaller company that occurred in the reporting year. Organic sales growth would, therefore, be 2.0%.

Once an acquisition is fully integrated into a company's existing operations, sales from the acquired unit or business would then be counted as organic sales. The same principle applies to the sale or disposal of business units, which is called a divestiture. If a company sells a business segment, the full duration of a comparison period must pass before organic sales are equal to total sales.

Benefits of Organic Sales

It's important for investors to be able to separate organic sales from sales that came from an external source. Organic sales figures will show how much revenue the company is generating from its core operations from period to period.

A breakdown of total sales into organic and acquired enables improved analysis of all aspects of a company's fundamentals, including:

Organic growth in sales of products and services or by specific segments

Profit margins, which help measure the percentage of revenue from sales that become profits

Changes in working capital, which measures a company's current assets, such as cash and money received from sales versus its short-term bills or current liabilities

Cash flow generation, which represents the net cash inflows or outflows during a period

Return on assets (ROA), which shows how efficient a company is at utilizing its assets to generate profit from sales

Return on invested capital (ROIC), which measures the return or profit above the cost of borrowing or issuing equity shares

Portions of executive compensation may also be tied to organic sales performance

Real World Example of Organic Sales

Large companies in the consumer staples industry have matured to the point where growth through acquisition is an essential component of their business model.

PepsiCo Inc. (PEP) is a global leader in the beverage and snack business and active in trading assets through acquisitions primarily. Pepsi had recently closed its acquisition of Rockstar Energy Beverages in 2019. However, the company's Q1-2020 earnings report shows that Pepsi reported organic revenue growthof 7.9% compared to Q1 of 2019.

By reporting the organic growth without the distortion of revenue from acquisitions, investors can determine whether the company's product lines saw sales growth, which include Pepsi beverages, Frito-Lay, and Quaker Foods.
The Yaogan XIX remote-sensing satellite is launched on the back of a Long March 4C carrier rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Taiyuan, capital of north Chinas Shanxi Province, Nov. 20, 2013.

Successfully launched on Wednesday, the satellite will be used to conduct scientific experiments, carry out land surveys, monitor crop yields and aid in preventing and reducing natural disasters. The launch marked the 184th mission for the Long March rocket family.

Xinhua/Yan Yan

China launches Yaogan XIX remote-sensing satelliteadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
Gaming and Leisure Properties announced Tuesday that it has acquired the northern Illinois black lokisite associated with the Hard Rock Casino project under construction in Rockford from an affiliate of 815 Entertainment for $100 million.

Simultaneous with the land acquisition, GLPI entered into a 99-year term lease with 815 Entertainment. Initially, annual rent is $8 million, subject to fixed 2% annual escalation.

In addition to the lease, GLPI has also committed to up to $150 million of development funding. The new development will open in September 2024 with 60,000 square feet of gaming floor, Initially, 1,250 slot machines, 50 table games, and in-person and online sportsbooks.

The project has a budget of $358 million, with about $120 million spent to date. 815 Entertainment currently operates a 37,800-square-foot temporary casino that opened in November 2021.

815 Entertainment is owned by Dan Fischer, along with a consortium of local investors and Hard Rock International, which is also acting as the property manager.

The agreements with 815 Entertainment will allow GLPI to expand its footprint with the addition of a new lease, new tenant, and commitment to provide potential funding, according to Peter Carlino, GLPIs chairman and CEO.

We believe this is an attractive transaction for our shareholders as the strong initial results at 815 Entertainments temporary facility demonstrate the strength of the location and the depth of the market, Carlino said.

Hard Rock, as the property manager and an equity investor in 815 Entertainment, will bring its management team to the project. The overall transaction structure makes $250 million available to 815 Entertainment to invest in the project and reflects GLPIs creativity in crafting a comprehensive construction financing solution, he said.

Hard Rocks financial strength and development trajectory are only made stronger with great partners like GLPI and 815 Entertainment, said Jon Lucas, chief operating officer for Hard Rock International.

In conjunction with the transactions, GLPI will receive a right of first refusal on the building improvements of the Hard Rock Casino if there is a future decision to sell them once completed, company officials said.
We feel their strangeness when we read their wordsthey lived on a plane where few dare to tread.

Despite the 21 years I did in prison for a drug conviction, I am assimilating back into mainstream or, dare I say, white America.

In defiance, I held my ticket above my head, which triggered the spitting and chants of How Dare You!

The casinos in sparks nevada man who removed the dolphin from the Indus River that Jabbar and his colleagues were trying to save told a judge he was responding to an impromptu dare by a friend.

While it may not leave you with many profound truths, I dare you not to fall in love. This Weeks Hot Reads: October 27, 2014|Charles Shafaieh|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He adds: None of the fighters will dare touch it, if an emir has given permission. U.S. Humanitarian Aid Going to ISIS|Jamie Dettmer|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

None other would dare to show herself unveiled to a stranger, and a white man at that. The Red Year|Louis Tracy

I never dare venture over except as the guest of some more fortunate friend. Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton

I do not knowI do not dare to believethat I shall live to hear that key grating in the lock. The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

She would not dare to choose, and begged that Mademoiselle Reisz would please herself in her selections. The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
What Is the Gordon Growth Model (GGM)?best buy poker table 1xbetnew

The Gordon growth model (GGM) is used to determine the intrinsic value of a stock based on a future series of dividends that grow at a constant rate. It is a popular and straightforward variant of the dividend discount model (DDM). The GGM assumes that dividends grow at a constant rate in perpetuity and solves for the present value of the infinite series of future dividends.

Because the model assumes a constant growth rate, it is generally only used for companies with stable growth rates in dividends per share.

Key Takeaways

The Gordon growth model (GGM) assumes that a company exists forever and that there is a constant growth in dividends when valuing a company's stock.

The GGM works by taking an infinite series of dividends per share and discounting them back into the present using the required rate of return.

It is a variant of the dividend discount model (DDM).

The GGM is ideal for companies with steady growth rates given its assumption of constant dividend growth.

Gordon Growth Model

Understanding the Gordon Growth Model (GGM)

1:49

The Gordon growth model values a company's stock using an assumption of constant growth in payments a company makes to its common equity shareholders. The three key inputs in the model are dividends per share (DPS), the growth rate in dividends per share, and the required rate of return (RoR).

The GGM attempts to calculate the fair value of a stock irrespective of the prevailing market conditions and takes into consideration the dividend payout factors and the market's expected returns. If the value obtained from the model is higher than the current trading price of shares, then the stock is considered to be undervalued and qualifies for a buy, and vice versa.

Dividends per share represent the annual payments a company makes to its common equity shareholders, while the growth rate in dividends per share is how much the rate of dividends per share increases from one year to another. The required rate of return is the minimum rate of return investors are willing to accept when buying a company's stock, and there are multiple models investors use to estimate this rate.

The GGM assumes a company exists forever and pays dividends per share that increase at a constant rate. To estimate the value of a stock, the model takes the infinite series of dividends per share and discounts them back into the present using the required rate of return.

The formula is based on the mathematical properties of an infinite series of numbers growing at a constant rate.

P = D 1 r  g where: P = Current stock price g = Constant growth rate expected for dividends, in perpetuity r = Constant cost of equity capital for the company (or rate of return) D 1 = Value of next years dividends \begin{ aligned} &P = \frac{ D_1 }{ r - g } \\ &\textbf{ where:} \\ &P = \text{ Current stock price} \\ &g = \text{ Constant growth rate expected for} \\ &\text{ dividends, in perpetuity} \\ &r = \text{ Constant cost of equity capital for the} \\ &\text{ company (or rate of return)} \\ &D_1 = \text{ Value of next year's dividends} \\ \end{ aligned} P=rgD1where:P=Current stock priceg=Constant growth rate expected fordividends, in perpetuityr=Constant cost of equity capital for thecompany (or rate of return)D1=Value of next years dividends

Source: Stern School of Business, New York University.

The main limitation of the Gordon growth model lies in its assumption of constant growth in dividends per share. It is very rare for companies to show constant growth in their dividends due to business cycles and unexpected financial difficulties or successes. The model is thus limited to firms showing stable growth rates.

The second issue occurs with the relationship between the discount factor and the growth rate used in the model. If the required rate of return is less than the growth rate of dividends per share, the result is a negative value, rendering the model worthless. Also, if the required rate of return is the same as the growth rate, the value per share approaches infinity.

Example of the Gordon Growth Model

As a hypothetical example, consider a company whose stock is trading at $110 per share. This company requires an 8% minimum rate of return (r) and will pay a $3 dividend per share next year (D 1 ), which is expected to increase by 5% annually (g).

The intrinsic value (P) of the stock is calculated as follows:

P = $ 3 . 08  . 05 = $ 100 \begin{ aligned} &\text{ P} = \frac{ \$3 }{ .08 - .05 } = \$100 \\ \end{ aligned} P=.08.05$3=$100

According to the Gordon growth model, the shares are currently $10 overvalued in the market.

What Does the Gordon Growth Model Tell You?

The Gordon growth model (GGM) attempts to calculate the fair value of a stock irrespective of the prevailing market conditions and takes into consideration the dividend payout factors and the market's expected returns. If the GGM value is higher than the stock's current market price, then the stock is considered to be undervalued and should be bought. Conversely, if the value is lower than the stock's current market price, then the stock is considered to be overvalued and should be sold.

What Are the Inputs for the Gordon Growth Model?

The three inputs in the GGM are dividends per share (DPS), the growth rate in dividends per share, and the required rate of return (RoR). DPS is the annual payments a company makes to its common equity shareholders, while the DPS growth rate is the yearly rate of increase in dividends. The required rate of return is the minimum rate of return at which investors will buy a company's stock.

What Are the Drawbacks of the Gordon Growth Model?

The GGM's main limitation lies in its assumption of constant growth in dividends per share. It is very rare for companies to show constant growth in their dividends due to business cycles and unexpected financial difficulties or successes. The model is thus limited to companies with stable growth rates in dividends per share. Another issue occurs with the relationship between the discount factor and the growth rate used in the model. If the required rate of return is less than the growth rate of dividends per share, the result is a negative value, rendering the model worthless. Also, if the required rate of return is the same as the growth rate, the value per share approaches infinity.
crypto reels free spinsshows grade level based on the word's complexity. diaster [ dahy-as-ter ]/ das tr / New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ dahy-as-ter ]/ das tr /Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

noun Cell Biology.the stage in mitosis at which the chromosomes, after their division and separation, are grouped near the poles of the spindle.

OTHER WORDS FROM diaster

Words nearby diaster

How to use diaster C19: from di- 1 + Greek aster star

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question diasterFirst recorded in 188085; di-+ -asterdiastral, adjectivediastase, diastasis, diastatic, diastem, diastema, diaster, diastereoisomer, diastereomer, diastole, diastolic, diastrophismDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
ELKO  The Elko Community Health Center, an outpatient surgical facility located in the East End Mall, is now open and accepting patients. Outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment in a fully modern care center, Elko CHC offers a new option for specialty healthcare and surgical procedures to residents of Northeast Nevada.

We are incredibly excited to serve the Elko Community and be able to offer high quality surgical care close to home, said Andrea Haslehurst, Chief Nursing Officer at Elko CHC. Weve put together a team of skilled local healthcare professionals who care deeply about their patients and their community.

This team includes a full-time nursing and facility staff based in Elko, currently hiring, and a roster of practicing physicians who will provide surgical, pre-, and post- operative care out of Elko CHC.

We have recruited highly qualified surgeons, including both local providers and those that travel to our community from other parts of Nevada, Utah, and Idaho to bring world-class care directly to our patients, said Haslehurst.

Elko CHC currently offers care across more than ten surgical disciplines, including cardiology, orthopedics, and general surgery, with more practitioners and specialties added regularly. Since the facilitys opening in March of this year Elko CHC has been continually credentialing new providers, among them Dr. Michael Song, a highly experienced board-certified neurosurgeon based out of Reno, who performed his first Elko CHC procedure in August.

Many Elko patients previously traveled to see Dr. Song, Haslehurst said. Thanks to Elko CHC, they will now be able to receive that same high-quality care from him in their local community.

Elko CHCs team has been pleased with their first six months in operation, and patients seem to agree. Of respondents to patient satisfaction surveys distributed by the facility, more than 95% of patients indicated they were completely satisfied with their experience and would recommend our facility to their family and friends, reported Tabitha Carlson, Vice President of Clinical Operations at parent company CHDP.

Thats what were aiming for, said Carlson. Our focus has always been on serving the community and ensuring each and every patient has the best experience possible.

As of September 2023, Elko CHC accepts insurance through Anthem and Surgery Plus employer direct, with plans to expand to Medicare and all major commercial insurances by the end of the year.
DEFINITION of Google Tax

A Google tax,bitcoin price chart canada also known as a diverted profits tax, refers to anti-avoidance tax provisions that have been introduced in several jurisdictions to deal with the practice of profits or royalties being diverted to other jurisdictions that have lower or zero tax rates. For example, internet giant Alphabet Inc.'s (GOOGL) Google paid a negligible amount as tax in the United Kingdom by completing its transactions in the low tax capital city of Dublin, Ireland, even though the revenue of $6.5 billion was earned in the UK.

BREAKING DOWN Google Tax

Though the term includes the name of the company (Google) that became the poster boy for the practice, diverting profits is observed to be rampant across various industry sectors. Mainly technology giants from the U.S., like Meta, formerly Facebook, (META), Apple Inc. (AAPL) and Amazon Inc. (AMZN), and other multinational corporations (MNC) like Starbucks Inc. (SBUX) and Diageo PLC (DEO), have been using such practices to lower their tax bills. For instance, a mobile app like Meta's WhatsApp messenger or a game like Clash of Clans may not employ a single employee in a particular country, but can still derive a lot of profit from its local user base who generate revenues for the company through online ads and in-app purchases. The companies enjoyed the freedom to account for such revenues and earnings at a destination of their choice, and they often diverted it to low cost jurisdictions.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) mandates that American businesses publicly report details on where and how much revenue they generate across the globe, allowing the authorities of other countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia to obtain more concrete data on any possible tax avoidance measures used by American businesses.

In the U.K. and Australia, tax laws were modified to prevent companies from following such practices. Amid rising public anger, the U.K. introduced the diverted profits tax in 2015 which was set at 25 per cent. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the U.K.s tax collection agency, secured 6.5 billion (around $8.33 billion) in additional taxes by challenging the transfer pricing arrangements of multinationals between 2012-2018. Its own figures show that it secured an extra 853 million (around $1.09 billion) in 2015-16, 1.62 billion (around $2.08 billion) in 2016-17 and 1.68 billion (around $2.15 billion) in 2017-18.

Australia began implementing measures in 2015, which led to the introduction of a diverted profits tax from July 2017 onwards that provisions for a 40 per cent tax on such tax avoidance practices.

Responding to the developments, global enterprises are now voluntarily paying up past dues and entering into settlements with the tax authorities to avoid being shamed by a Google tax. Diageo, the famous drinks giant that makes Tanqueray gin, recently struck an agreement with the HMRC to pay an extra 190 million (around $244 million) in corporation tax to avoid the potential damage to its brand reputation emerging from the Google tax. Google too has agreed to pay around $185 million in back taxes to the U.K.
royal panda fixed matchesshows grade level based on the word's complexity. deconstruct [ dee-kuhn-struhkt ]/ di knstrkt / New Word List Save This Word!See synonyms for: deconstruct / deconstructed on Thesaurus.comThis shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ dee-kuhn-struhkt ]/ di knstrkt /Save This Word!See synonyms for: deconstruct / deconstructed on Thesaurus.comThis shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

verb (used with object)to break down into constituent parts; dissect; dismantle.

Words nearby deconstruct

Words related to deconstruct deconstruct/ (diknstrkt) / verb (tr)to apply the theories of deconstruction to (a text, film, etc)to expose or dismantle the existing structure in (a system, organization, etc) Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question deconstructApparently back formation from deconstructiondeconflict, decongest, decongestant, decongestive, deconsecrate, deconstruct, deconstructed, deconstruction, decontaminate, decontextualize, decontrolDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
A general view shows a Syncrude oil sands mining facility near Fort McKay, Alberta, Canada. File photo: AFP

The acrid stench of gasoline permeates the air. And the soot coats everything in sight: the trees, the bushes, even the snow in winter. And all day long, explosions send the birds soaring to safety.At Fort McKay near Fort McMurray in western Canada, in the heart of the country's boreal forest, the pines and the people were long ago cleared out to make way for huge open-pit mines dedicated to excavation of oil sands.It's one of the biggest industrial projects in the world: As seen from above, the zone is in stark contrast to the vast expanse of green surrounding it. Huge black holes are gouged in the brown earth - they are giant pools of water.Then there is the network of roads on which hundreds of trucks drive every day, and the immense factories, with smoke spewing from wide chimneys.On the ground, the noise is deafening. And it's quite a scene for the uninitiated: In the middle of the huge basins dug to capture the polluted waters stand huge metal scarecrows clad in helmets and security vests.The ghoulish creatures are designed to scare away millions of migratory birds that arrive every year in this northern part of Alberta province. Adding to the mayhem: airhorns that are used several times a minute.The mines have made the people left in Fort McKay - many of them Indigenous Canadians - very rich. But the installations have also profoundly altered and damaged the land on which their ancestors relied for centuries."Everything has changed, everything's destroyed to me now," says 74-year-old Margie Lacorde who lives in the center of town in a house full of knick knacks and framed photographs.The talkative Lacorde, who belongs to the Metis people, is sad to see the parched, yellowing leaves due to drought, and wishes she could still swim in the rivers and gather berries in the forest like she did in her youth.The hunting grounds are long gone - the land was sold for industrial use.She remembers her childhood with a significant bit of nostalgia.Back then, families gathered snow and melted it to use as drinking and cooking water. Such a thing would be impossible today - once the snow hits the ground, it's immediately filthy, covered in the dust that filters down from the factories."We're First Nations and this is our territory that is all being desecrated by the oil industry for the sake of the dollar, money, prosperity," says Jean L'Hommecourt, an environmental activist who took up the fight her parents once championed.Even if agreements were reached with Indigenous communities to create jobs and protect some natural resources, the ecological impact of mining the oil sands have been so great that the 59-year-old woman says her people are now at risk.The area is a far cry from the picture postcard ideal of the Canadian West. There are no crystalline blue waterways or fish-filled rivers here.Instead, Moose Lake - sacred to L'Hommecourt's Dene people - is now only accessible by all-terrain vehicle, a five-hour drive on a road pockmarked by potholes that runs in between the mines.When she was growing up, L'Hommecourt's family cabin was in the middle of the forest, far away from the noise and bustle. But after the first oil sands mine was built in 1967, development proceeded at a rapid pace.Today, the active oil sands extraction sites form a chain that is more than 60 kilometers long, hugging the shores of the Athabasca River.Fort McKay - population, 800 or so - is a tiny speck on a map of this industrial complex.Canada is home to 10 percent of the world's known crude oil reserves - much of that is found in the oil sands of Alberta.Every day, nearly 3 million barrels of crude are extracted from the sands, according to official government data, helping to make Canada the world's fourth largest oil producer, and the primary exporter of crude to the US.In all, more than 4,800 square kilometers are used for oil sands mining.Many environmental activists say the impact of the oil industry is so great that the term "ecocide" is not too strong. Beyond the tangible destruction of the boreal forest, there is the massive amount of pollution in the air.The oil and gas sector accounts for a quarter of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, according to the latest official figures released in 2022. Of that total, the oil sands are responsible for 12 percent.And traces of other toxic emissions, such as sulfur and nitrogen oxides, have been detected in the soil and the snow dozens of kilometers from the mining zone."There's still a lot we need to do on recognizing the harm from cleaning up existing operations," says Keith Stewart of the environmental pressure group Greenpeace.Stewart nevertheless acknowledges a "huge shift" on protecting the environment in recent years. That reversal is not uniformly popular, as not everyone here sees the oil sands as a bad thing.AFP
M.A., Geography, California State University - Northridge

B.A., Geography, University of California - Davis

The following is a complete list of the state capitals of the 50 United States. The state capital in each state is the political center of the state and the location of the state legislature, government, and governor of the state. In many states, the state capital is not the largest city in terms of population. For example, in California, the most populous state of the United States, the state capital of Sacramento is the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state (the three largest are Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego).

The data below are from the United States Census Bureau.

State Capitals

Alabama - Montgomery

Population: 200,602 (2015 estimate)

Education: 31.4% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $43,535

Alaska - Juneau

Population: 32,756 (2015 estimate)

Education: 37.8% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $84,750

Arizona - Phoenix

Population: 1,563,025 (2015 estimate)

Education: 26.5% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $46,881

Arkansas - Little Rock

Population: 197,992 (2015 estimate)

Education: 38.5% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $46,409

California - Sacramento

Population: 490,712 (2015 estimate)

Education: 29.3% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $50,013

Colorado - Denver

Population: 682,545 (2015 estimate)

Education: 43.7% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $51,800

Connecticut - Hartford

Population: 124,006 (2015 estimate)

Education: 15% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $29,313

Delaware - Dover

Population: 37,522 (2015 estimate)

Education: 28.4% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $49,714

Florida - Tallahassee

Population: 190,894 (2015 estimate)

Education: 47.6% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $45,660

Georgia - Atlanta

Population: 463,878 (2015 estimate)

Education: 47.1% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $46,439

Hawaii - Honolulu

Population: 998,714 (2015 estimate)

Education: 32.5% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $73,581

Idaho - Boise

Population: 218,281 (2015 estimate)

Education: 39.1% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $49,209

Illinois - Springfield

Population: 116,565 (2015 estimate)

Education: 34.9% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $48,848

Indiana - Indianapolis

Population: 853,173 (2015 estimate)

Education: 27.6% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $42,076

Iowa - Des Moines

Population: 210,330 (2015 estimate)

Education: 24.7% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $46,430

Kansas - Topeka

Population: 127,265 (2015 estimate)

Education: 27.5% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $41,412

Kentucky - Frankfort

Population: 27,830 (2015 estimate)

Education: 25.5% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $40,622

Louisiana - Baton Rouge

Population: 228,590 (2015 estimate)

Education: 32.7% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $38,790

Maine - Augusta

Population: 18,471 (2015 estimate)

Education: 23.2% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $38,263

Maryland - Annapolis

Population: 39,474 (2015 estimate)

Education: 45.7% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $75,320

Massachusetts - Boston

Population: 667,137 (2015 estimate)

Education: 44.6% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $54,485

Michigan - Lansing

Population: 115,056 (2015 estimate)

Education: 25.1% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $35,675

Minnesota - St. Paul

Population: 300,851(2015 estimate)

Education: 38.6% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $48,258

Mississippi - Jackson

Population: 170,674 (2015 estimate)

Education: 26% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $33,080

Missouri - Jefferson City

Population: 43,168 (2015 estimate)

Education: 33.2% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $47,901

Montana - Helena

Population: 30,581 (2015 estimate)

Education: 44.8% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $50,311

Nebraska - Lincoln

Population: 277,348 (2015 estimate)

Education: 36.2% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $49,794

Nevada - Carson City

Population: 54,521 (2015 estimate)

Education: 20.4% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $50,108

New Hampshire - Concord

Population: 42,620 (2015 estimate)

Education: 35% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $54,182

New Jersey - Trenton

Population: 84,225 (2015 estimate)

Education: 10.7% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $35,647

New Mexico - Santa Fe

Population: 84,099 (2015 estimate)

Education: 44% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $50,213

New York - Albany

Population: 98,469 (2015 estimate)

Education: 36.3% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $41,099

North Carolina - Raleigh

Population: 451,066 (2015 estimate)

Education: 47.6% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $54,581

North Dakota - Bismarck

Population: 71,167 (2015 estimate)

Education: 34% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $57,660

Ohio - Columbus

Population: 850,106 (2015 estimate)

Education: 33.4% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $44,774

Oklahoma - Oklahoma City

Population: 631,346 (2015 estimate)

Education: 28.5% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $47,004

Oregon - Salem

Population: 164,549 (2015 estimate)

Education: 26.9% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $46,273

Pennsylvania - Harrisburg

Population: 49,081(2015 estimate)

Education: 18.4% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $32,476

Rhode Island - Providence

Population: 179,207 (2015 estimate)

Education: 28.6% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $37,514

South Carolina - Columbia

Population: 133,803 (2015 estimate)

Education: 40.1% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $41,454

South Dakota - Pierre

Population: 14,002 (2015 estimate)

Education: 33.2% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $52,961

Tennessee - Nashville

Population: 654,610 (Nashville-Davidson balance, 2015 estimate)

Education: 35.8% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $46,758

Texas - Austin

Population: 931,830 (2015 estimate)

Education: 46% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $55,216

Utah - Salt Lake City

Population: 192,672 (2015 estimate)

Education: 42.1% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $45,833

Vermont - Montpelier

Population: 7,592 (2015 estimate)

Education: 52.5% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $60,676

Virginia - Richmond

Population: 220,289 (2015 estimate)

Education: 35.4% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $41,331

Washington - Olympia

Population: 50,302 (2015 estimate)

Education: 43.4% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $52,834

West Virginia - Charleston

Population: 49,736 (2015 estimate)

Education: 39.3% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $48,959

Wisconsin - Madison

Population: 248,951 (2015 estimate)

Education: 55% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $53,933

Wyoming - Cheyenne

Population: 63,335 (2015 estimate)

Education: 27.7% have a bachelor's degree

Median Household Income: $54,845
02:50

America is psvr msn games free onlineheading back to the moon. Overnight, the most powerful rocket yet built with a crew-less capsule sitting on top, blasted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The Artemis 1 mission represents the first step toward putting humans back on the moon and eventually on Mars.

For more, check out our exclusive content on cgtn now and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the china report.
When voters approved the legalization of Las Vegas-style casino gambling for New York state in 2013, industry heavyweights had their eye on the Big Apple and its population with the NYC Metro area approaching 20 million people but lacking any true casinos. When Gov. Kathy Hochul more recently gave a nod to three new casino resorts in downstate New York; the public started to hear more about it too.

Its widely believed that two of the licenses will go to the two existing video lottery terminal and electronic table game venues  Resorts World New York City, adjacent to Aqueduct Racetrack near JFK Airport, and the Empire City Casino in Yonkers. The third license is the one that has created a clash of titans with mega-casino operators and billionaires wanting to get in on the action.

Proposals have bubbled up that range from a resort at Hudson Yards to a new attraction at Coney Island to the inevitable desire to inhabit the vibrant center of the American entertainment universe at Times Square. All told, there are at least six viable proposals making the rounds and stimulating conversation as well as big dollar money interest.

Advocacy Group Forms

One of those ideas has gained the support of a new advocacy group; its called the Coalition for a Better Times Square. While stalwart opposition remains  notably coming from Broadways largest theater owner, the Shubert Organization and league of operators, producers, general managers, and owners  others see the value in such an addition.

Its highly likely that big money is behind most grassroots groups in America, especially those involved in commercial advocacy that favors one entity over others. On its face and at its bones, the Coalition for a Better Times Square is composed of people and organizations that would benefit from any major economic engine being located there.

Construction unions, theater workers, hotel operators, small businesses, musicians and others have banded together to promote their location for a NYC casino to revitalize Times Square.

But the group doesnt want just any casino resort on Times Square, it favors Caesars Palace Times Square. Caesars Palace would be developed by a coalition including real estate developer SL Green, Caesars Entertainment, and the newest member  Roc Nation headed up by world-famous rapper Jay-Z.

Alicart Restaurant Group is a member of the coalition. Its CEO and President, Jeffrey Bank said: Times Square is the Crossroads of the World. Unfortunately, many tourists have yet to return and businesses still havent fully recovered from the impacts of the pandemic, which means lunchtime business is gone.

We need a new entertainment destination, like the facility proposed by SL Green and Caesars Entertainment, so we can bring our economy back and invest in needed safety, sanitation, and traffic flow.

New Footfall of 7m New Visitors Yearly

Group organizers predict new footfall of more than 7 million new visitors to Times Square each year if the entertainment center is built there. Many of those people will eat, sleep, and shop too so they estimate over $130 million annually in Broadway ticket sales and retail receipts as well as more than half a million overnight stays.

Union leaders are all for progress and keeping their members working so its no surprise that the Mason Tenders District Council of Greater New York and Construction and General Building Laborers Local 79 support the proposal.

Business manager Mike Prohaska said: A new gaming facility in Times Square would provide hundreds of well-paid, union jobs during both construction and operation. Caesars and SL Green both have strong pro-labor histories, and they have committed to minority hiring and apprenticeship programs that will open a pathway to the middle class for even more New Yorkers.

Laborers Local 79 vice president Chaz Rynkiewicz added: Our members need housing we can afford in New York City, and this is the only plan that puts a casino in a part of the city where it belongs and wont take away land that should go to housing.

Its no surprise that some owners and workers might have different opinions and positions on the idea and nowhere is that more obvious than in the contrasting agendas of the Broadway League (owners, managers, operators, etc.) and the Actors Equity Association.

The associations communications director, David Levy said: Equity members depend on a strong, thriving theater industry in Manhattan. Bringing almost half a million new theatergoers into our theaters, a commitment to union jobs, and unprecedented investments in safety and traffic flow will be beneficial for Broadway and its workers.

Source: Business Owners, Operators, Unions Team Up To Support NY Casino In Times Square, PlayNY, December 20, 2022
What Is Property?bet 3 way real online slots nz

Property is a term describing anything that a person or a business has legal title over, affording owners certain enforceable rights over said items. Examples of property, which may be tangible or intangible, include automotive vehicles, industrial equipment, furniture, and real estatethe last of which is often referred to as "real property."

Most properties hold current or potential monetary value and are therefore considered to be assets. But properties can simultaneously be liabilities in some situations. Case in point: if a customer sustains an injury on a company's property, the business owner may be legally responsible for paying the injured party's medical bills.

Key Takeaways

Property is any item that a person or a business has legal title over.

Property can be tangible items, such as houses, cars, or appliances, or it can refer to intangible items that carry the promise of future worth, such as stock and bond certificates.

Intellectual property refers to ideas such as logo designs and patents.

Property owners may also have liabilities, which is the case if a business owner is on the hook for medical expenses resulting from a customer incurring an injury on his company's grounds.

The most common types of property are real, private, government-owned, and personal property.

Understanding Property

Intangible property describes assets, such as stock and bond certificates, that represent current or potential value but don't carry intrinsic value. While these items are merely pieces of paper, they might represent significant amounts of money. Other types of intangible property, such as a brands reputation, are more nebulous and cannot be signified by a paper document.

Intangible properties, like design concepts, song lyrics, books, and screenplays, are categorized as intellectual properties. Even though these are not physical in nature, they may carry significant value. Examples of intellectual properties include Nikes swoosh logo and the chemical formula for Coca-Cola.

To enforce ownership of intangible properties, individuals and businesses typically hire lawyers to legally protect their items from infringement.

Types of Property

Property, in the broad sense, describes anything that a person, group of people, or entity owns. It includes real property, personal property, private property, government-owned property, and more.

Real Property

Real property is one of the most familiar types of property. It includes land, buildings occupying the land, and the rights to use and enjoy the land. Real property is the focal point of real estate, which deals with transactions (e.g., buying, selling, renting, and managing) involving land and buildings used for residential, commercial, and agricultural use.

Just as there are various types of property, there are different types of interests in property. Interests in real property include freehold estates and non-freehold estates. Freehold estates are ownership interests that have no expiration and can be inherited. Non-freehold estates, or leasehold estates, are not transferrable and have expirations; such estates include leases and other rental agreements.

Property law stipulates how real property can be used and the manner in which it can be legally transferred.

Personal Property

Personal property is as well known as real property but differs in that it does not include real estate (e.g., land and buildings attached to the land). Personal property is property that can be physically transferred and is not permanently attached to the land. It includes clothing, automobiles, furniture, tools, and more.

Personal property also includes intangible assets, such as bank accounts, patents, and investments. Although they are not physically moveable, rights remain with the person or entity listed as the legal owner, making them personal property.

Private Property

Private property is any property owned by a natural person or private entity. It includes personal, real, tangible, and intangible assets, including intellectual property. Private property is often categorized as real or personal; however, not all real or personal property is private property.

Private property is not open to the public nor is owned by a government. Governments can, however, assume ownership of private property under certain circumstances, such as eminent domain.

Government-Owned Property

Government-owned property includes all propertyincluding real property, resources, and other tangible and intangible assetsowned by a government body. In contrast to private property, most government-owned properties are public. For example, libraries, public schools, and city parks are government-owned property available to the public.

However, all government-owned property is not accessible to the public, and some publicly-accessed property is not always available to the public. For instance, a city park may have a curfew, after which the public cannot access it. A government-owned property, such as a military research facility or lab, may not be accessible at all to the public.

Sometimes private property can be escheated to a local government body, rendering it temporarily or permanently government-owned. Also, in some cases, the private property owner forfeits or sells their property rights to the government.



Evaluating Property Assets

When auditors, appraisers, and analysts calculate the value of a business, they factor all of its underlying property into the equation. For example, a manufacturer of small machine parts may gross just $80,000 per year, but if it owns the factory in which it operates, and that building is appraised at $1 million, the overall value of the business would be substantially higher than profits alone suggest.

Furthermore, if that same company holds a patent for a part, it has the potential to generate substantial income by licensing the rights to manufacture that item to a larger business, rather than producing the part in-house. In this way, licensing deals may create lucrative revenue streams that significantly boost a companys overall value.

Establishing Net Worth Through Property

An individual's net worth may be determined by calculating the total value of the properties they own, such as real estate, cars, jewelry, stocks, bonds, and retirement savings, and then subtracting any liabilities or debts from that figure.

For example, if an individual's assets include a $100,000 home, a $7,000 car, and a $65,000 IRA, the tally of their property comes to $172,000. But if that same individual is saddled with a $20,000 student loan and a $3,000 credit card bill, the total liabilities add up to $23,000. Thus, the total net worth would be $149,000 ($172,000 - $23,000).

When calculating an individual's net worth, less valuable items, such as furniture or articles of clothing are generally not factored into the equation, unless said items hold significant value as antiques or as rare collectibles do.

How Do You Find Out Who Owns a Property?

Locating the owner of a property can be done through an online search on a county assessor's website, with a court clerk, by soliciting the help of a real estate broker or attorney, or by a general online search.

What Are Property Taxes?

Property taxes, also known as ad valorem taxes, are tax assessments on the value of a property.

How Do You Calculate Property Taxes?

Property taxes are determined by multiplying a tax rate, determined by the local tax authority, by the assessed value of the property. If the value of a property is $100,000 and the tax rate is 4%, the property taxes are $4,000.

What Does a Property Appraiser Do?

A property appraiser is responsible for assessing the market value of a property for real estate transactions. In contrast, a property assessor assesses the value of a property for tax purposes.

The Bottom Line

Property includes the tangible and intangible assets a person or entity has title to and rights to use. There are various forms of property, each carrying its own set of rules for classification and use. Often, some assets may be classified as more than one type of property. A house is both real property and private property in some instances. A computer can be personal property and government-owned. It is important to understand the different types and the rights associated with them.
M.A., Geography, California State University - Northridge

B.A., Geography, University of California - Davis

A fault is a fracture in rock where there has been movement and displacement. When talking about earthquakes being along fault lines, a fault lies at the major boundaries between Earth's tectonic plates, in the crust, and the earthquakes result from the plates' movements. Plates can slowly and continuously move against each other or can build up stress and suddenly jerk. Most earthquakes are caused by the sudden movements after the stress buildup.

Types of faults include dip-slip faults, reverse dip-slip faults, strike-slip faults, and oblique-slip faults, named for their angle and their displacement. They can be inches long or extend for hundreds of miles. Where the plates crash together and move underground is the fault plane.

Dip-Slip Faults

With normal dip-slip faults, the rock masses compress on each other vertically, and the rock that moves heads downward. They are caused by Earth's crust lengthening. When they're steep, they're called high-angle faults, and when they're relatively flat, they're low-angle or detachment faults.

Dip-slip faults are common in mountain ranges and rift valleys, which are valleys formed by plate movement rather than erosion or glaciers.

In April 2018 in Kenya a 50-foot-wide crack opened up in the earth after periods of heavy rain and seismic activity, running for several miles. It was caused by the two plates that Africa sits upon moving apart.

Reverse Dip-Slip

Reverse dip-slip faults are created from horizontal compression or contracting of Earth's crust. Movement is upward instead of downward. The Sierra Madre fault zone in California contains an example of reverse dip-slip movement, as the San Gabriel Mountains move up and over the rocks in the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys.

Strike-Slip

Strike-slip faults are also called lateral faults because they happen along a horizontal plane, parallel with the fault line, as the plates slip by each other side by side. These faults are also caused by horizontal compression. The San Andreas Fault is the world's most famous; it splits California between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate and moved 20 feet (6 m) in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. These types of faults are common where land and ocean plates meet.

Nature vs. Models

Of course, in nature, things don't always happen in perfect black-or-white alignment with the models to explain the different types of faults, and many may have more than one type of motion. However, the action along faults may fall predominantly into one category. Ninety-five percent of the motion along the San Andreas fault is of the strike-slip variety, according to the United States Geological Survey.

Oblique-Slip

When there's more than one type of motion simultaneously (shearing andup or down motionstrike anddip) and both types of motion are significant and measurable, that is the location of an oblique-slip fault. Oblique-slip faults can even have rotation of the rock formations relative to each other. They're caused both by shearing forces and tension along the fault line.

The fault in the Los Angeles, California, area, the Raymond fault, was thought to have been a reverse dip-slip fault. After the 1988 Pasadena earthquake, though, it was found to be an oblique-slip because of the high ratio of the lateral movement to the vertical dip-slip.
In a one-day event on Friday,zar casino free spins 2022 September 8, businesspeople operating in the gaming industry in Colombia in its various verticals, land-based and online gaming platforms, as well as hundreds of foreign executives will gather at GAT Showcase at the Sheraton Bogota Hotel to attend the exhibition of global brands in an economic sector that generates key resources for health and thousands of jobs throughout the nation.

One week before the event, new sponsors are betting on the GAT Showcase Bogota format. Win Systems and Evolution have joined Betconstruct and Altenar in the Platinum Sponsors category. Likewise, the betting platform BetPlay will highlight its brand in the esports area and exhibition hall. Amusnet and Nuvei are two of the elite sponsors of GAT Showcase Bogota 2023.

The list of exhibitors and companies participating in GAT Showcase Bogota is as follows: Pragmatic Play, BetConstruct, BetPlay, Amusnet, Nuvei, Novomatic, Interblock, IGT, Win Systems, EGT, Merkur, BYA Group, Spintec, Nuvei, Inspired, Automated Transactions, EGT Digital, GLI, Mer Design, Luxor Games, Mobadoo, Radio Marcas, RPCol, World Reach SEO, Coljuegos, Asojuegos, Cornazar, Fecoljuegos and Fedelco.

The interactive platform GAT Networks is another innovation that entrepreneurs will experience at the Sheraton Bogota Hotel. It is an interactive platform through which sponsors, participating exhibitors, executives and visitors will be able to present their portfolios, news, and launches in interviews. The streaming broadcasts will be hosted by journalist and presenter Gladys Buitrago, with the support of Nueve Producciones, through social networks. The goal is to expand the audience and communities for the benefit of the business and the development of the sector.

The GAT Networks project will have two important media outlets: GAT Networks digital magazine with space for exhibitors, sponsors, and companies to promote their product and service portfolios.; and GAT Networks Streaming digital platform that will allow live broadcasting from where the events take place. This audiovisual material and its content will be shared through the GAT Networkss portal and social networks Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Visitors to the GAT Showcase will be able to consult the possibilities and advantages of GAT Networks at stand A8-2 in the Santafe Hall.

Jose Anibal Aguirre, CEO of GAT, said, We are taking advantage of this showcase to launch our main exhibition, Gaming & Technology Expo Cartagena 2024, as next year we will celebrate 25 years of continuous work, integration, and promotion of the gaming industry in Latin America. At the end of the exhibition, a reception will be held for the media, Colombian artists, and industry personalities. The positioning of the fair in Cartagena is exceptional. Last March, we had visitors from 41 countries and four continents. We are expanding the exhibition space at Cartagena Las Americas Convention Center with two additional halls. Some exhibitors claim to have achieved sales of up to $5 million and several business alliances in the previous version.

On April 9, 10, and 11, 2024, Cartagena will be dressed up to serve the participants of GAT Expo. The path of technology in the entertainment industry is dizzying, so we are incorporating novelties such as eSports tournaments, a universe in full development that seeks to professionalize and regulate the eSports category. This topic and AI are impacting, I mean revolutionizing the industry and will be part of the contents of the academic agenda of GAT Expo Cartagena with national and international speakers, experts in innovation and the latest technological trends, as an activity prior to the exhibition of equipment, products and services.

The September 8 event will be attended and supported by government authorities and the main trade associations of the sector: Asojuegos, Cornazar, Fecoljuegos and Fedelco.

Since 2016, Coljuegos, the Colombian Gambling Authority, has authorized the operation of sports betting and online games and currently there are 17 platforms with 8.5 million active player accounts throughout the country.
Daphnephoria [ daf-nuh-fawr-ee-uh,best online casinos for slots -fohr- ]/ df nfr i , -for- / New Word List Save This Word! [ daf-nuh-fawr-ee-uh,-fohr- ]/ df nfr i , -for- /Save This Word!

nounan ancient Greek festival in honor of Apollo.

Words nearby Daphnephoria

How to use in a sentence The Daphnephoria is headed by a boy, both whose parents are alive, and his nearest male relation carries the filleted pole. Archaic England|Harold Bayley

Archaic England|Harold Bayley The Daphnephoria was celebrated at Thebes in honour of Apollo every ninth year. Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome|E.M. Berens

Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome|E.M. Berens Three days later, Polemates defeated the invaders, and immediately instituted the Festival of Daphnephoria. Plant Lore, Legends, and Lyrics|Richard Folkard

Plant Lore, Legends, and Lyrics|Richard Folkard From some points of view "The Daphnephoria" is Leighton's greatest achievement. The Life, Letters and Work of Frederic Leighton|Mrs. Russell Barrington Of all his works in this class, there is no doubt that the Daphnephoria is the most technically complete. Frederic Lord Leighton |Ernest Rhys

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!QuestionDanville, Danzi, Danzig, dap, Daphne, Daphnephoria, Daphnia, Daphnis, Daphnis and Chloe, Da Ponte, dapperDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
WINNEMUCCA  Humboldt General Hospital is excited to announce a new partnership with Western Surgical Group, enhancing healthcare services for Winnemucca and surrounding communities.

Effective Sept. 30, Western Surgical Group will be providing advanced surgical care at Humboldt General Hospital, reinforcing its commitment to delivering exceptional medical services and expertise to patients in need.

Humboldt General Hospital has a rich history of providing top-notch healthcare services to rural Nevada. The collaboration with Western Surgical Group will further elevate the hospital's reputation for quality care and innovative medical solutions. This partnership aligns perfectly with the hospital's mission to be the leading provider of exceptional healthcare in rural Nevada.

Robyn Dunckhorst, CEO of Humboldt General Hospital, expressed her enthusiasm about this new partnership: "We are happy to welcome the esteemed Western Surgical Group to our facility. This collaboration symbolizes a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to offer the highest level of medical care to our community. By joining forces, we are confident in our ability to provide state-of-the-art surgical services that meet the evolving needs of our patients."

Western Surgical Group is a highly regarded medical practice known for its exceptional surgical expertise and dedication to patient well-being. With a team of highly skilled surgeons, including Dr. Alvaro H. Devia, Western Surgical Group has consistently demonstrated its commitment to advancing medical care through innovation and excellence.

Dr. Devia shared his thoughts on the partnership: "We are honored and excited to extend our surgical services to Humboldt General Hospital. This collaboration provides us with the opportunity to serve the Winnemucca community and surrounding areas, bringing our specialized skills and cutting-edge techniques to enhance patient care."

The partnership between Western Surgical Group and Humboldt General Hospital promises to deliver advanced surgical solutions and comprehensive care to the local population. Together, they aim to provide a seamless and exceptional experience for patients requiring surgical interventions.

For more information about Humboldt General Hospital and Western Surgical Group, please visit their respective websites: www.hghospital.org and www.westernsurgical.com.
What Is a Sales Tax?william hill free 100 spins

A sales tax is a consumption tax imposed by the government on the sale of goods and services. A conventional sales tax is levied at the point of sale, collected by the retailer, and passed on to the government. A business is liable for sales taxes in a given jurisdiction if it has a nexus there, which can be a brick-and-mortar location, an employee, an affiliate, or some other presence, depending on the laws in that jurisdiction.

Understanding Sales Tax

Conventional or retail sales taxes are only charged to the end user of a good or service. Because the majority of goods in modern economies pass through a number of stages of manufacturing, often handled by different entities, a significant amount of documentation is necessary to prove who is ultimately liable for sales tax. For example, say a sheep farmer sells wool to a company that manufactures yarn. To avoid paying the sales tax, the yarn maker must obtain a resale certificate from the government saying that it is not the end user. The yarn maker then sells its product on to a garment maker, which must also obtain a resale certificate. Finally, the garment maker sells fuzzy socks to a retail store, which will charge the customer sales tax along with the price of said socks.

Different jurisdictions charge different sales taxes, which often overlap, as when states, counties, and municipalities each levy their own sales taxes. Sales taxes are closely related to use taxes, which applies to residents who have purchased items from outside their jurisdiction. These are generally set at the same rate as sales taxes but are difficult to enforce, meaning they are in practice only applied to large purchases of tangible goods. An example would be a Georgia resident who purchases a car in Florida; she would be required to pay the local sales tax, as though she had bought it at home.

Nexus

Whether a business owes sales taxes to a particular government depends on the way that government defines nexus. A nexus is generally defined as a physical presence, but this "presence" is not limited to having an office or a warehouse; having an employee in a state can constitute a nexus, as can having an affiliate, such as a partner website that directs traffic to your business' page in exchange for a share of profits. This scenario is an example of the tensions between ecommerce and sales taxes. For example, New York has passed "Amazon laws" requiring internet retailers such as Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) to pay sales taxes despite their lack of physical presence in the state.

Excise Taxes

In general, sales taxes take a percentage of the price of goods sold. For example, a state might have a 4% sales tax, a county 2%, and a city 1.5%, so that residents of that city pay 7.5% total. Often, however, certain items are exempt, such as food, or exempt below a certain threshold, such as clothing purchases of less than $200. At the same time, some products carry special taxes, known as excise taxes. "Sin taxes" are a form of excise tax, such as the local excise tax of $1.50 New York City charges per pack of 20 cigarettes on top of the State excise tax of $4.35 per pack of 20 cigarettes.

Value-Added Tax

The U.S. is one of the few developed countries where conventional sales taxes are still used (note that, with limited exceptions, it is not the federal government that charges sales taxes, but the states). In most of the developed world, value-added tax (VAT) schemes have been adopted. These charge a percentage of the value added at every level of production of a good. In the fuzzy sock example above, the yarn maker would pay a percentage of the difference between what they charge for yarn and what they pay for wool; similarly, the garment maker would pay the same percentage on the difference between what they charge for socks and what they pay for yarn. Put differently; this is a tax on the company's gross margins, rather than just the end user.

The main objective of incorporating the VAT is to eliminate tax on tax (i.e., double taxation) which cascades from the manufacturing level to the consumption level. For example, a manufacturer that makes notebooks obtains the raw materials for, say $10 which includes a 10% tax. This means that he pays $1 in tax for $9 worth of materials. In the process of manufacturing the notebook, he adds value to the original materials of $5, for a total value of $10 + $5 = $15. The 10% tax due on the finished good will be $1.50. Under a VAT system, this additional tax can be applied against the previous tax he paid to bring his effective tax rate to $1.50  $1.00 = $0.50.

The wholesaler purchases the notebook for $15 and sells it to the retailer at a $2.50 markup value for $17.50. The 10% tax on the gross value of the good will be $1.75 which he can apply against the tax on the original cost price from the manufacturer i.e. $15. The wholesaler's effective tax rate will, thus, be $1.75  $1.50 = $0.25. If the retailer's margin is $1.50, his effective tax rate will be (10% x $19)  $1.75 = $0.15. Total tax that cascades from manufacturer to retailer will be $1 + $0.50 + $0.25 + $0.15 = $1.90.

The U.S. system with no VAT implies that tax is paid on the value of goods and margin at every stage of the production process. This would translate to a higher amount of total taxes paid, which is carried down to the end consumer in the form of higher costs for goods and services.
What Is Project Finance?march madness bracket odds

Project finance is the funding (financing) of long-term infrastructure, industrial projects, and public services using a non-recourse or limited recourse financial structure. The debt and equity used to finance the project are paid back from the cash flow generated by the project.

Project financing is a loan structure that relies primarily on the project's cash flow for repayment, with the project's assets, rights, and interests held as secondary collateral. Project finance is especially attractive to the private sector because companies can fund major projects off-balance sheet (OBS).

Key Takeaways

Project finance involves the public funding of infrastructure and other long-term, capital-intensive projects.

This often utilizes a non-recourse or limited recourse financial structure.

A debtor with a non-recourse loan cannot be pursued for any additional payment beyond the seizure of the asset.

Project debt is typically held in a sufficient minority subsidiary not consolidated on the balance sheet of the respective shareholders (i.e., it is an off-balance sheet item).

Understanding Project Finance

The project finance structure for a build, operate, and transfer (BOT) project includes multiple key elements.

Project finance for BOT projects generally includes a special purpose vehicle (SPV). The companys sole activity is carrying out the project by subcontracting most aspects through construction and operations contracts. Because there is no revenue stream during the construction phase of new-build projects, debt service only occurs during the operations phase.

For this reason, parties take significant risks during the construction phase. The sole revenue stream during this phase is generally under an offtake agreement or power purchase agreement. Because there is limited or no recourse to the projects sponsors, company shareholders are typically liable up to the extent of their shareholdings. The project remains off-balance-sheet for the sponsors and for the government.

Not all infrastructure investments are funded with project finance. Many companies issue traditional debt or equity in order to undertake such projects.

Off-Balance Sheet Projects

Project debt is typically held in a sufficient minority subsidiary not consolidated on the balance sheet of the respective shareholders. This reduces the projects impact on the cost of the shareholders existing debt and debt capacity. The shareholders are free to use their debt capacity for other investments.

To some extent, the government may use project financing to keep project debt and liabilities off-balance-sheet so they take up less fiscal space. Fiscal space is the amount of money the government may spend beyond what it is already investing in public services such as health, welfare, and education. The theory is that strong economic growth will bring the government more money through extra tax revenue from more people working and paying more taxes, allowing the government to increase spending on public services.

Non-Recourse Financing

When a company defaults on a loan, recourse financing gives lenders full claim to shareholders assets or cash flow. In contrast, project financing designates the project company as a limited-liability SPV. The lenders recourse is thus limited primarily or entirely to the projects assets, including completion and performance guarantees and bonds, in case the project company defaults.

A key issue in non-recourse financing is whether circumstances may arise in which the lenders have recourse to some or all of the shareholders assets. A deliberate breach on the part of the shareholders may give the lender recourse to assets.

Applicable law may restrict the extent to which shareholder liability may be limited. For example, liability for personal injury or death is typically not subject to elimination. Non-recourse debt is characterized by high capital expenditures (CapEx), long loan periods, and uncertain revenue streams. Underwriting these loans requires financial modeling skills and sound knowledge of the underlying technical domain.

To preempt deficiency balances, loan-to-value (LTV) ratios are usually limited to 60% in non-recourse loans. Lenders impose higher credit standards on borrowers to minimize the chance of default. Non-recourse loans, on account of their greater risk, carry higher interest rates than recourse loans.

Recourse vs. Non-Recourse Loans

If two people are looking to purchase large assets, such as a home, and one receives a recourse loan and the other a non-recourse loan, the actions the financial institution can take against each borrower are different.

In both cases, the homes may be used as collateral, meaning they can be seized should either borrower default. To recoup costs when the borrowers default, the financial institutions can attempt to sell the homes and use the sale price to pay down the associated debt. If the properties sell for less than the amount owed, the financial institution can pursue only the debtor with the recourse loan. The debtor with the non-recourse loan cannot be pursued for any additional payment beyond the seizure of the asset.
What Is Good Faith Money?videoslots slots best myvegas slots

Good faith money is a deposit of money into an account by a buyer to show that they have the intention of completing a deal. Good faith money is often later applied to the purchase but may be non-refundable if the deal does not go through.

Key Takeaways

Good faith money acts as a security deposit towards completing a purchase.

This payment is usually nonrefundable but credited towards the final purchase price.

When the seller wants to both qualify and motivate a buyer, the deposit amount asked for will be larger.

Depending on the supply and demand, good faith money amounts can vary as a percentage of the final price.

Both seller and buyer should specify good faith money terms in writing.

Good faith money often acts as a strong motivator for a buyer to close the deal as it represents a possible sunk cost; the higher the cost, the more likely they are to go through with the purchase.

Understanding Good Faith Money

Good faith money can also be known as earnest money and acts similar to a security deposit on a rental property. Where a security deposit for a rental home, vehicle, or equipment may be taken as insurance against damages, good faith money is usually taken as insurance against a lost opportunity should the buyer not go through with completing a purchase.

In most cases, the deposit amount will be a percentage of the total amount oweda small percentage for something large like a house or lease contract, and a larger percentage for smaller purchases of consumable items. A common example of good faith money is the so-called "earnest money" escrow deposit required by most home sellers to enter into a sales contract with a buyer.

Good Faith Money Amounts

The amount of good faith money used to initiate a contract with a seller will vary considerably depending on the asset, the local market, and the credibility of the buyer. For example, when the housing market in a given locale is very hot and multiple buyers make offers on the same properties, the expected earnest money deposit, in some areas, can rise higher than the standard 1% to 3% of the potential purchase price of the home.

In expensive neighborhoods, this can be such a substantial amount that the buyer has much more incentive to merely make the purchase, rather than delay while working out financing. Those buyers who do not have financing available already are thus weeded out in favor of buyers with stronger financial footing.

Good Faith Money as Motivation

This phenomenon reflects the fact that although the money is ostensibly for the seller to offset the opportunity cost of doing business with a different buyer, the higher demand allows the seller to command more earnest money, pushing the buyer to quickly make a decision right away.

This also creates a sunk-cost bias in the buyers that may help them get past their buyer's remorse if they bid up the property too high. Either way, a large earnest money requirement works in favor of the seller and should be a bit of a warning sign that they are about to pay an extra premium for the property. For someone who is looking to make a shrewd purchase, this would be a warning sign to let the property go.

Most good faith money deposits are part of an agreement that spells out the conditions under which a buyer may lose their deposit if they are unable or unwilling to complete the contract. The written agreement is important for the buyer to ensure that the deposit will actually go towards the purchase.

The potential buyer can sometimes get their good faith money back depending on the terms of the agreement. For example, if the home fails a home inspection by a professional, it is usually a fair and justifiable reason to get the good faith money back.

A good faith deposit may seem a little like a call option because the buyer has the right to complete the ultimate purchase. However, unlike an option, good faith money is usually applied to the final purchase price, while a call option premium is not.
If you need a place to dock your motorboat, should you look for a harboror harbour?

The answer depends on where your seafaring adventures have taken you. Harbor and harbour are two spelling variants of the same word. One is used in American English, and the other is used in British English.

Continue reading to discover which is which.

What is the Difference Between Harbor and Harbour?

In this article, I will compare harbor vs. harbour. I will outline when it is appropriate to use each of these spellings and use each in example sentences.

Also, I will tell you about a memory tool that will help you choose harbour or harbor in your own writing.

When to Use Harbor

What does harbor mean? A harbor is a safe place for boats. In this usage, it is a noun.

Harbors are generally made from structures like piers and jetties near the shore that allow boats to escape dangerous water conditions.

Here are a few examples,

My three sailboats are docked at Sky Harbor on the Atlantic coast of North Carolina.

If we make for the harbor, we can wait out the storm, suggested the first mate.

The pirates attacked the unarmed merchant vessels as soon as they passed beyond the harbor.

The British columnist Gideon Rachman has recently pointed out that the nostalgia that shapes some of the Brexit rhetoric  that image of Britain as the buccaneering trading nation that bravely forged its way into Hong Kongs harbor and Sydneys bay  is actually based on ignorance. The Washington Post

Harbor can also be a verb, where it means to shelter something from untenable conditions.

For example,

Dirty dishes harbor a veritable Eden of bacteria and germs.

I harbor no hard feelings toward you.

When to Use Harbour

What does harbor mean? Harbour is another variant of the same word. It can be used in all the same contexts because it means the same thing. Where harbor is used in American English, harbour is the preferred spelling in British English

Small stars, like the one orbited by GJ 1132b, are extremely common and are known to harbour scores of small, potentially habitable, planets. The Guardian

Below, you will see a graph harbourvs. harboras they appear in British English,

For reference, here is a chart of the same words in American English,

These spelling differences mimic other American-British differences. For example, color-colour, honor-honour, favorite-favourite, and others.

Note that these charts are not scientifically precise. They limit their data to books published in English since 1800. Since harbour has been in use in British English since at least the Middle Ages, the charts are not a complete picture. Still, they deftly illustrate contemporary usage trends.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Now, lets go over a trick you can use when choose harbor or harbourin your writing.

Harboris the spelling to use when writing to an American audience.

Harbouris the spelling to use when writing to a British audience.

Since harbour is spelled with a U, like United Kingdom, you should have little trouble telling the difference between the two forms of this word.

Summary

Is it harbor or harbour? Harbor and harbour are two versions of a word that has been in use for many centuries. As a noun, it means a place to shelter boats. As a verb, it means to shelter something from adverse conditions.

Harbor is the American version of this word.

Harbour predominates in British English.

Since harbour shares its U with United Kingdom, remembering which version is which is a simple matter.

The differences between American and British English can be confusing. Be sure to check this site any time you have questions about spelling differences between these language communities.
Photo: Screenshot from gameworldobserver.com

Thecooperation between Chinese gaming company NetEase and US-based Blizzard Entertainment in the Chinese mainland will be suspended on January 23, 2023 due to the expiration of licensing agreements, the two companies announced on Thursday. Shares in Hong Kong Stock Exchange listed NetEase had fallen 9.051 percent by press time on Thursday evening.Blizzard said in a statement that the two parties have not reached a deal to renew the agreements that is consistent with Blizzards operating principles and commitments to players and employees, so the current agreements are set to expire in January 2023.NetEase said the two companies have been conducting discussions but have failed to reach agreements in some key areas, noting that it regrets Blizzards earlier announcement about the suspension and has to accept the decision.Blizzard also expressed gratitude for the passion of players in the Chinese mainland since the two companies started their game publishing agreement in 2008, and vowed to look for alternatives to bring Blizzards games back to players in the future, the company said in an announcement.The 2022 third quarter financial results of NetEase published on Thursday stated that the net revenues and net income contribution from licensed Blizzard games represented low single digits as a percentage of NetEase's total net revenues and net income in 2021 and in the first nine months of 2022.NetEase said the expiration of the licenses will have no material impact on the companys financial results.According to the latest announcement from NetEase, the operation of multiple games developed by Blizzard will be suspended from January 24, 2023. The virtual top-up service and new player registration will be suspended from November 23, 2022, and the operation of games and servers will be officially closed at midnight on January 23, 2023.During the period, the operation of games and online stores will remain normal. After the official suspension, players game data will be saved, and remaining virtual currencies and game time will be refunded according to relevant laws and policies, said NetEase.The suspension will cover games including World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Warcraft III: Reforged, Overwatch, the StarCraft series, Diablo III, and Heroes of the Storm. The co-development and publishing of mobile game Diablo Immortal is covered under a separate agreement between the two companies.The news topped the search trending list on Sina Weibo On Thursday, and most netizens and players were discussing the license situation in the Chinese mainland market in the future.A regulation document issued by Chinas state council stated that operation licenses for imported internet videogames should be re-acquired after the operator is switched, and the operation would be halted until the new license is issued.NetEase published a letter to Blizzard games players on Thursday, saying that the company will do its best to negotiate with Blizzard to address issues including refunding, game data, virtual properties to protect the rights of players.Global Times
What Is a Gold Bug?types of poker games for home

In economics, the term gold bug is a colloquial expression used to refer to people that are particularly bullish on gold.

Although people differ in their reasons for being a gold bug, they commonly share a perception that the purchasing power of fiat currencies will decline due to factors such as inflation, expansionary monetary policy, and the rising national debt.

Key Takeaways

A gold bug is someone who expounds the virtues of gold as an investment, and who thinks its price will perpetually increase.

While there are several arguments used by gold bugs, they often center on the perceived threats posed to fiat currencies that makes gold attractive.

Gold bugs argue that because gold is priced in relation to fiat currencies, gold will therefore appreciate in value if fiat currencies lose their value.

Understanding Gold Bugs

The basic perspective shared by most gold bugs is that the price of gold will rise if the value of fiat currencies such as the U.S. dollar (USD) falls. Therefore, investors who are bearish on the long-term prospects of the USD may therefore also be bullish on gold. The term gold bug simply refers to the most adamant and outspoken among them.

In some cases, the term gold bug can be used in a pejorative sense, referring to an investor who is unreasonably confident that gold will increase in value. In this context, the term has a similar meaning as the expression permabull, except that it relates specifically to gold. For the most part, however, the term gold bug does not carry a positive or negative connotation. Instead, it simply refers to an investor that has become convinced that gold is likely to rise in value.

Rationale

For gold bugs, this apparent decline in fiscal health increases the risk that the government will respond to the rising debt burden by effectively devaluing the USD. For example, if the government were to default on the national debtwhether deliberately or indirectly, such as by failing to raise the so-called debt ceilingthis could cause the value of the USD to decline precipitously on international currency exchange markets, which in turn would cause the price of imported goods to rise for US consumers.

Alternatively, many gold bugs fear that the government will be forced to indirectly devalue the dollar even if they do not formally default on the national debt. For instance, expansionary monetary policy could cause inflation to gradually rise. This would effectively inflate away the national debt by eroding the real value of its outstanding principal. On the other hand, this strategy could have severe negative effects on the wealth and purchasing power of investors and citizens whose savings consist largely of USD-denominated assets.

For gold bugs, therefore, investing in gold can be an attractive way to both hedge against these risks and profit from any potential USD devaluation.

Real World Example of a Gold Bug

There are many common arguments for this belief. To begin with, gold bugs often argue that the fiat currency system allows governments to engage in fiscally reckless behaviors such as relying on chronic government borrowing to finance persistent budget deficits. In the United States, for instance, the budget deficit in 2021 is expected to reach $2.3 trillion, which is the second-largest deficit recorded since 1945 (the largest deficit was in 2020). In fact, the federal budget has run deficits during all but 11 years since then. The national debt has also exploded from roughly 40% of GDP in 1966 to over 100% of GDP in 2021.
Ali Salameh and Abu Daud also arrived at the Olympic Village to observe the attack from outside the fence. Mossads Greatest Female Assassin: An Excerpt From Sylvia Rafael|Ram Oren, Moti Kfir|September 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The chances that portraits of Daud and Saleh al-Kuwaiti will ever adorn a 200-shekel bill seem slim. For My Money, I'll Take the Al-Kuwaitis|Gershom Gorenberg|May 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Ibn Daud does not make use of creation to prove the existence of God, but neither does he posit eternal motion as Aristotle does. A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy|Isaac Husik
What Is Cash Flow From Investing Activities?fcs playoff odds slot gembira link

Cash flow from investing activities (CFI) is one of the sections on the cash flow statement that reports how much cash has been generated or spent from various investment-related activities in a specific period. Investing activities include purchases of physical assets, investments in securities, or the sale of securities or assets.

Negative cash flow is often indicative of a company's poor performance. However, negative cash flow from investing activities might be due to significant amounts of cash being invested in the long-term health of the company, such as research and development.

Key Takeaways

Cash flow from investing activities is a section of the cash flow statement that shows the cash generated or spent relating to investment activities.

Investing activities include purchases of physical assets, investments in securities, or the sale of securities or assets.

Negative cash flow from investing activities might not be a bad sign if management is investing in the long-term health of the company.

Understanding Cash Flow From Investing Activities

Before analyzing the different types of positive and negative cash flows from investing activities, it's important to review where a company's investment activity falls within its financial statements. There are three main financial statements: the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement.

The balance sheet provides an overview of a company's assets, liabilities, and owner's equity as of a specific date. The income statement provides an overview of company revenues and expenses during a period. The cash flow statement bridges the gap between the income statement and the balance sheet by showing how much cash is generated or spent on operating, investing, and financing activities for a specific period.

Types of Cash Flow

Overall, the cash flow statement provides an account of the cash used in operations, including working capital, financing, and investing. There are three sectionslabeled activitieson the cash flow statement.

Cash Flow From Operating

Operating activities include any spending or sources of cash that are involved in a company's day-to-day business activities. Any cash spent or generated from the company's products or services is listed in this section, including:

Cash received from the sale of goods and services

Interest payments

Salary and wages paid

Payments to suppliers for inventory or goods needed for production

Income tax payments

Cash Flow From Financing

Cash generated or spent on financing activities shows the net cash flows involved in funding the company's operations. Financing activities include:

Dividend payments

Stock repurchases

Bond offeringsgenerating cash

Cash Flow From Investing

Cash flows from investing activities provide an account of cash used in the purchase of non-current assetsor long-term assets that will deliver value in the future.

Investing activity is an important aspect of growth and capital. A change to property, plant, and equipment (PPE), a large line item on the balance sheet, is considered an investing activity. When investors and analysts want to know how much a company spends on PPE, they can look for the sources and uses of funds in the investing section of the cash flow statement.

Capital expenditures (CapEx), also found in this section, is a popular measure of capital investment used in the valuation of stocks. An increase in capital expenditures means the company is investing in future operations. However, capital expenditures are a reduction in cash flow. Typically, companies with a significant amount of capital expenditures are in a state of growth.

Below are a few examples of cash flows from investing activities along with whether the items generate negative or positive cash flow.

Purchase of fixed assetscash flow negative

Purchase of investments such as stocks or securitiescash flow negative

Lending moneycash flow negative

Sale of fixed assetscash flow positive

Sale of investment securitiescash flow positive

Collection of loans and insurance proceedscash flow positive

If a company has differences in the values of its non-current assets from period to period (on the balance sheet), it might mean there's investing activity on the cash flow statement.

Example of Cash Flow From Investing Activities

Below is the cash flow statement from Apple Inc. (AAPL) according to the company's 10-Q report issued on June 29, 2019.

The three sections of Apple's statement of cash flows are listed with operating activities at the top and financing activities at the bottom of the statement (highlighted in orange). In the center, are the investing activities (highlighted in blue).

Investing activities that were cash flow negative are highlighted in red and include:

Purchases of marketable securities for $21.9 billion

Payments acquiring property, plant, and equipment for $7.7 billion

Payments for business acquisitions and non-marketable securities

Investing activities that were cash flow positive are highlighted in green and include:

Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities for $26.7 billion

Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities for $49.5 billion

The net cash flows generated from investing activities were $46.6 billion for the period ending June 29, 2019. Overall Apple had a positive cash flow from investing activity despite spending nearly $8 billion on new property, plant, and equipment.

Cash Flow Statement Investing Activities Example: Apple Inc. Investopedia

As with any financial statement analysis, it's best to analyze the cash flow statement in tandem with the balance sheet and income statement to get a complete picture of a company's financial health.

What Activities Are Included in Cash Flow From Investing Activities?

The activities included in cash flow from investing actives are capital expenditures, lending money, and the sale of investment securities. Along with this, expenditures in property, plant, and equipment fall within this category as they are a long-term investment.

How Do You Calculate Cash Flow From Investing Activities?

Consider a hypothetical example of Google's net annual cash flow from investing activities. For the year, the company spent $30 billion on capital expenditures, of which the majority were fixed assets. Along with this, it purchased $5 billion in investments and spent $1 billion on acquisitions. The company also realized a positive inflow of $3 billion from the sale of investments. To calculate the cash flow from investing activities, the sum of these items would be added together, to arrive at the annual figure of -$33 billion.

Why Is Cash Flow From Investing Activities Important?

Cash flow from investing activities is important because it shows how a company is allocating cash for the long term. For instance, a company may invest in fixed assets such as property, plant, and equipment to grow the business. While this signals a negative cash flow from investing activities in the short term, it may help the company generate cash flow in the longer term. A company may also choose to invest cash in short-term marketable securities to help boost profit.
What Is a Golden Handshake?planet 7 0z presidential bookies

A golden handshake is a stipulation in an employment agreement which states that the employer will provide a significant severance package if the employee loses their job. It is usually provided to top executives in the event that they lose employment because of retirement, layoffs, or for negligence. However, payment can be made in several ways, such as cash or stock options.

Key Takeaways

Golden handshakes are pre-negotiated employment agreements that provide a severance if the employee were to involuntarily leave their position early.

Payment can be made in cash, stock options, or anything else accepted in the contract.

Golden Handshakes often come with non-compete clauses.

Golden Handshakes are often controversial and can cause upset in the general public.

Sometimes low-level employees receive a smaller version of the golden handshake.

Severance Package Basics

How a Golden Handshake Works

1:25

Sometimes these golden handshakes are for millions of dollars, which makes them a very important issue for investors to consider. For example in 1989, R.J. Reynolds Nabisco paid F. Ross Johnson over $52 million as part of a golden handshake clause. Some contracts, along with compensation, include non-competition clauses, which state that the employee is not allowed to open a competing business for a specified period of time after they are terminated.

A golden handshake can also be referred to as a golden parachute.

Special Considerations

Occasionally non-executives receive a golden handshake as a bonus. It is usually drastically different than the compensation that CEOs and top executives get, so one might call it a "silver handshake." Nevertheless, it is better than leaving with nothing.

An example of this is automotive companies that buy out union workers' contracts. This can then free up that capital to hire new workers at a more advantageous labor cost. Another example is people who are forced into early retirement. Often times companies want to bring in new talent so these people are paid severance packages.

Criticism of Golden Handshakes

Golden handshakes can be very controversial. They can damage a company's public image because large executive payoffs are viewed as a reward for failure. For example, in 2010 British the oil company BP had an oil spill that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico as a result of the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig.

The rig was leased to BP for exploration of the Macondo Prospect, an oil field off the coast of Louisiana. After the accident, which resulted in costs to the company of more than $69 billion, BP's CEO Tony Hayward was pushed out. However, he received a golden handshake payout of a year's salary, worth $1.5 million, in addition to keeping his approximately $17 million pension fund.

Other famous golden handshake controversies occurred during the 2008 financial crisis. After many of these banks got into financial trouble, top executives were forced to depart but left with large pay packages intact. Some big banks allowed top-level staff to cash out of incentive programs by accelerating the vesting of their stock awards. For example, Antonio Weiss, a former Lazard banker, acknowledged that he received up to $21 million in unvested income and deferred compensation following his departure.

Bank shareholders who were left with worthless stock and bond investments were upset by these agreements. Since then, some companies have given investors a say on executive pay packages at shareholder meetings. These shareholder votes are usually non-binding, but do provide a strong signal to management about investors' attitude toward excessive executive payouts.
top 3 cryptocurrency to invest in 2020shows grade level based on the word's complexity. daughter [ daw-ter ]/ d tr / New Word List Save This Word!See daughterbefore 950; Middle English doughter,Old English dohtor; cognate with German Tochter,Greek thygater,Sanskrit duhita OTHER WORDS FROM daughter daughterless, adjectivedaughterlike, adjective Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ daw-ter ]/ d tr /Save This Word!See daughterbefore 950; Middle English doughter,Old English dohtor; cognate with German Tochter,Greek thygater,Sanskrit duhitadaughterless, adjectivedaughterlike, adjective

Words nearby daughter

Words related to daughter Old English dohtor; related to Old High German tohter daughter, Greek thugater, Sanskrit duhita

daud, Daudet, dauerschlaf, Daugava, Daugavpils, daughter, daughter cell, daughter-in-law, daughter language, daughterly, Daughters of the American RevolutionDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
The Summit of the Group of 77 (G77) and China recently kicked off in Havana, Cuba. The event was attended by 31 heads of state and government, multiple heads of international and regional organizations, as well as high-level delegations from 116 countries.

On this important multilateral cooperation platform for developing countries, China, together with other developing countries, has held high the banner of development, focused on coordination and cooperation to address current challenges, and sent a strong voice of making global governance fairer and more equitable. This has sent a positive signal of solidarity and self-determination among Global South countries.

The world is undergoing changes on a scale unseen in a century. Developing countries are becoming stronger. South-South cooperation is playing an increasingly important role in driving the momentum of the collective rise of developing countries and in sustaining the continued global economic growth.

At the same time, however, unilateralism and hegemonism are becoming rampant. Some countries are resorting to such practices as unilateral sanctions, decoupling, and disruption of industrial and supply chains, seriously undermining the legitimate development rights and interests of developing countries and their space for development.

Developing countries generally hope to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, safeguard their development rights, uphold equity and justice, and make global governance fairer and more equitable.

The summit adopted the Havana Declaration. It stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive reform of the international financial architecture and a more inclusive and coordinated approach to global financial governance, and rejected unilateral sanctions against developing countries.

It fully proves that the G77 and China, practicing true multilateralism, represent a force of justice pursuing solidarity, cooperation and development. They firmly safeguard international equity and justice, strive to make a stronger voice of developing countries, and protect the common interests of developing countries.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres termed the G77 and China "a champion of multilateralism" in his speech, saying they will always be essential for the UN system.

As the world's largest developing nation and a natural member of the Global South, China breathes the same breath as other developing countries and pursues a shared future with them.

As the world has entered a period of turbulence and transformation with increasing uncertainties and instabilities, China is committed to building a Global South community with a shared future, encouraging developing countries to stay true to the original aspiration for independence and greater collective strength through unity, to advocate equity, justice and inclusiveness, and to pursue development, revitalization and win-win cooperation.

Only by rejecting bloc confrontation and the Cold War mentality and seeking to resolve differences and disputes between countries by peaceful means can developing countries better maintain world peace and tranquility.

Only by actively making their voice heard loud and speaking up for justice on the international stage can developing countries constantly strengthen their voice and representation in global governance and better safeguard their common interests.

South-South cooperation is always a high priority in China's cooperation with other countries. It is always a staunch advocator and active contributor to global development.

Today, China provides development assistance to more than 160 countries, joins hands with more than 150 countries in building the Belt and Road, and works with over 100 countries and international organizations to advance the Global Development Initiative (GDI), showing its role as a responsible major country.

China will continue to maintain close communication and coordination with G77 members in order to optimize the allocation of development resources, ensure efficient use of public goods of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation, and resolve problems in development.

Participants from many countries believe that China's active promotion of South-South cooperation has played an important role in promoting social progress and improving human welfare in developing countries.

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega noted that China's assistance to the people of Asia, Africa, and Latin America is provided with no conditions attached, and has contributed to the social progress and well-being of developing countries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, the BRI, the GDI, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, which offer a Chinese approach to lasting peace, greater development, and closer cooperation in the world, and also provide an important platform for deepening South-South cooperation.

The declaration approved by the summit incorporates multiple Chinese ideas and propositions, explicitly stating that relevant parties should strive to achieve global development and win-win cooperation based on the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

This once again demonstrates that the Chinese approach is in line with the trend of the times and meets the common expectations of developing countries for development and cooperation.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez pointed out that the GDI is of great significance and value, and this inclusive initiative conforms to the trend of establishing a new international order featuring equity and justice.

Djiboutian Prime Minister Kamil Mohamed stated that developing countries should explore relevant mechanisms and measures to promote domestic production and technological progress, thereby promoting sustainable development, and the GDI proposed by China is in line with this.

China stands firmly on the right side of history, and believes that a just cause should be pursued for the common good. No matter what stage of development it reaches, China will always be part of the developing world and a member of the Global South.

No matter how the international landscape changes, China will remain a sincere friend and reliable partner of developing countries, always firmly support and stand together with the G77, and stay committed to realizing their common development and rejuvenation and an even brighter future for mankind.
Eldorado Resorts must start paying Caesars Entertainment Corp. nearly $2.3 million in daily ticking fees after failing to complete its planned tie-up with the Las Vegas casino and hospitality powerhouse before a previously set deadline.

After months of negotiations, the transaction was announced last June. Eldorado, a smaller regional casino operator headquartered in Reno, Nevada, agreed to pay Caesars 10 cents per share per month if the deal did not close nine months after first announced. The deadline passed this past Wednesday.

Eldorado initially looked to finalize the deal sometime in the second quarter of the year, but according to recent reports, it was on track to close by mid-April.

RELATED: Casino Operators Caesars, Eldorado Agree to Merge

The Reno-based company offered to pay cash and stock worth $12.75 per each Caesars share last June when the mega-merger was announced. The deal is thus set to create a $17.3 billion gambling powerhousewith around 60 casinos around the US.

Eldorados proposed takeover needs approval from regulators in all states where the two companies operate. A number of regulatory bodies have given the green light to the combination over the past several months.

The transaction also needs approval from the Federal Trade Commission, which many believe it would get as soon as April.

Coronavirus Could Derail Deal?

According to a regulatory filing, Eldorado is set to be charged a pro-rated share of the ticking feeeach day.

A 2018 analysis by law firm Paul Hastings argues that ticking fees in mega-mergers are rare and that even though such penalty fees can push a buyer to progress at a quicker pace, they are somewhat redundant as most such transactions have a penalty clause for not closing. Eldorado would have to pay $836.8 millionif it fails to close.

However, Eldorados CEO, Tom Reeg, is reportedly pressing to close the tie-up. Mr. Reeg will step in as Chief of the combined entity when and if the combination happens.

The unprecedented economic situation created by the spread of the coronavirus has prompted discussions and speculations about whether the transaction would be finalized. Under the terms of the deal, Eldorado cannot use public health emergenciesto walk out of the tie-up unless such emergencies hit Caesars harder than any other casino operator.

The coronavirus has had a massive impact on casino stocks and the situation has got even worse when almost all casinos around the US closed to help contain the spread of the highly contagious virus.

However, it seems that Eldorado is determined to press forward with the combination. According to insiders, the company held a board meeting in early March, when there were just a handful of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Nevada, and directors agreed to close on the transaction as soon as April 11.

On the other hand, reports emerged at around the same time that banks that had previously agreed to provide more than $7 billion of loansto Eldorado to complete the takeover were faced with an uphill battle to offload that debt to investors as the coronavirus outbreak wreaked havoc in the hospitality industry.

Last June, JPMorgan, Credit Suisse, and Macquarie agreed to provide finances for the mega-merger, but they are now said to be grappling to convince bond and loan buyersto lend to a highly leveraged casino and hospitality company in the current situation.

And if the banks fail to secure takers, they might have to offer the $7 billion debt at a steep discount or event produce the cash themselves, which would burn a big holes in their balance sheets.

Source:As Caesars Deal Lingers, Buyer Faces $2.3 Million a Day in Fees

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on the days top casino news stories
What Is a Universe of Securities?roulette app

A universe of securities generally refers to a set of securities that share a common feature. For example, the broad universe of stocks for a U.S. investor will include all listed companies, large and small, and may also include foreign companies listed as American depositary receipts (ADRs). For some investors, a narrower universe may be used that is constrained to only value stocks or those with a market cap above some minimum threshold.

Key Takeaways

A universe of securities refers to the complete set of securities that share some common feature or features.

The scope of features used to define a universe of securities can be broad or narrow depending on an individual investor's goals and preferences.

Universes of securities often begin at the level of asset class and then become narrower by filtering parameters such as company size, credit quality, type or sector, and so on.

Understanding Universe of Securities

Security universes can be used for different purposes. Institutionally, investment managers typically specify a universe of securities that defines some of the investing parameters for a managed fund. Broadly, investors may choose to allocate different portions of their personal portfolio based on various security universes with different risk-reward characteristics.

A universe of securities can be broad or narrow based on the defined parameters, and can vary among different investors or portfolio managers. The investable universe, or market portfolio, includes all tradeable assets. In reality, most investors do not invest so broadly, and so a universe of securities could typically encompass all of the securities in a particular asset class. Within asset classes, universes will typically be focused on factors such as capitalization or industry.

Investors will often look to broad universes of securities when building out a diversified portfolio and may segregate universes by fixed income and equity. An investor with a conservative risk tolerance may be willing to consider any type of fixed income security for a fixed income portion of their portfolio because the risk of loss for fixed income investments is generally lower than other market investments. An investor seeking a slightly higher return and risk may want to focus on the entire universe of equities.

Within the fixed income asset class, there are several universes to consider. Many investors and managed funds segregate fixed income by term to maturity. Generally, shorter-term maturities will have lower interest rate risk, while longer-term maturities have higher interest rate risk. Other universes in fixed income can include government, municipal, or corporate. Further segregation can also create universes by credit quality or geographic location. Oftentimes, a specific index will also form the basis for a universe of securities.

The equity market also has many different segregation parameters for universes. Equities will commonly be divided by market capitalization, which can create large, mid, and small-cap universes. Other universes may include geography, growth, value, or sector. In the equity market, indexes are also commonly used to form the basis for a universe of securities.

Universe Analysis

Universes of securities are commonly the focus of research studies and analysis that can help to support all kinds of investors. Active traders focusing their investment strategies on certain universes will often analyze the historical characteristics of a universe of securities for insight on future trades and trading analysis.

Consider a technical trader focusing on small-cap stocks. This trader would want to focus their analysis primarily on a universe of small-cap stocks rather than a broad market universe like the S&P 500 or Russell 3000. To analyze the small-cap universe, they could do historical time series analysis on the Russell 2000 to identify various characteristics and regressive tendencies. A wide variety of software is also available for traders to develop forward-looking forecasted security prices.
What Is Tax Avoidance?cryptocurrency capitalization ranking

The term tax avoidance refers to the use of legal methods to minimize the amount of income tax owed by an individual or a business. This is generally accomplished by claiming as many deductions and credits as are allowable. It may also be achieved by prioritizing investments that have tax advantages, such as buying tax-free municipal bonds. Tax avoidance is not the same as tax evasion, which relies on illegal methods such as underreporting income and falsifying deductions.

Key Takeaways

Tax avoidance is any legal method used by a taxpayer to minimize the amount of income tax owed.

Individual taxpayers and corporations can use forms of tax avoidance to lower their tax bills.

Tax credits, deductions, income exclusion, and loopholes are forms of tax avoidance.

These are legal tax breaks offered to encourage certain behaviors, such as saving for retirement or buying a home.

Tax avoidance is unlike tax evasion, which relies on illegal methods such as underreporting income.

Tax Avoidance Vs. Tax Evasion

Understanding Tax Avoidance

2:01

Tax avoidance is a legal strategy that many taxpayers can use to avoid paying taxes or at least lower their tax bills. In fact, millions of individuals and businesses use some form of tax avoidance to cut down how much they owe to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) legally and legitimately. When used in this context, tax avoidance is also referred to as a tax shelter.

Taxpayers can take advantage of tax avoidance through various credits, deductions, exclusions, and loopholes, such as:

Claiming the child tax credit

Investing in a retirement account and maxing out your annual contributions

Taking the mortgage tax deduction

Putting money into a health savings account (HSA)

Credits and deductions (and, therefore, tax avoidance) must first be approved by U.S. Congress and signed into law by the president before it becomes part of the U.S. Tax Code. Once done, these provisions can be used for the benefit or relief of some or all taxpayers.

Tax avoidance is built into the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Lawmakers use the Tax Code to manipulate citizen behavior by offering tax credits, deductions, or exemptions. By doing so, they indirectly subsidize certain essential services such as health insurance, retirement saving, and higher education. Or, they may use the Tax Code to advance national goals, such as greater energy efficiency.



Special Considerations

The expanding use of tax avoidance in the U.S. Tax Code has made it one of the most complex tax codes in the world. In fact, its sheer complexity causes many taxpayers to miss out on certain tax breaks. Taxpayers end up spending billions of hours each year filing tax returns, with much of that time used looking for ways to avoid paying higher taxes.

Families often have a difficult time making decisions about retirement, savings, and education because the tax code changes every year. Businesses especially suffer the consequences of a tax code that constantly evolves, which can affect hiring decisions and growth strategies.

Eliminating or reducing tax avoidance is at the core of most proposals seeking to change the Tax Code. Newer proposals often seek to simplify the process by flattening tax rates and removing most tax avoidance provisions. Proponents of establishing a flat tax rate argue that it would eliminate the need to pursue tax avoidance strategies. Opponents, however, call the flat tax concept regressive.

There are some tax policies, though, that disproportionately advantage citizens with higher incomes. For instance:

Federal estate taxes are abolished on estates valued at less than $12.06 million in 2022 and $12.92 million in 2023

Capital gains are taxed at a lower rate than most earned income

Mortgage interest is deductible on both a first home and a second (but not a third) home

Make sure you save every receipt that may be useful for legal tax avoidance if you're a business owner, freelancer, or investor.

Types of Tax Avoidance

As noted above, there are several ways that taxpaying entities can avoid paying taxes. This includes certain credits and deductions, exclusions, and loopholes that make up the U.S. Tax Code. The following are just a few of the tools taxpayers have at their disposal to take advantage of tax avoidance.

The Standard Deduction

More than 90% of individuals use the standard deduction rather than itemizing their deductions. The standard deduction is $12,950 for single filers and $25,900 for married couples filing jointly for 2022. That rises to $13,850 for single filers and $27,700 for married couples filing jointly in 2023.





For most Americans, that negates the usefulness even of the mortgage interest deductionespecially now that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which was signed in 2017, increased the standard deduction capped deductions for state and local taxes at $10,000.

But there are plenty of small business owners, freelancers, investors, and others who save every business expense receipt that may be eligible for a deduction. Others leap to the IRS challenge and angle for every tax deduction and credit they can get.

Retirement Savings

Saving money for your retirement means you're probably engaging in tax avoidance. And that's a good thing. Every individual who contributes to an employer-sponsored retirement plan or invests in an individual retirement account (IRA) is engaging in tax avoidance.

If the account is a so-called traditional plan, the investor gets an immediate tax break equalling the amount they contribute each year, up to a limit that is revised annually. Income taxes on the money is owed when it is withdrawn after the saver retires. The retiree's taxable income will probably be lower as well as the taxes owed. That's tax avoidance.

Roth plans allow investors to save after-tax money and the tax break will come after retirement, in the form of tax-free savings. In this case, the entire balance of the account is tax-free. Roths allow the saver to permanently avoid income taxes on the money their contributions earn over the year.



Workplace Expenses

You can use deductions through your workplace to avoid taxes. You may be able to claim certain expenses that are not reimbursed through your employer on your annual tax return. These costs are considered necessary in order to do your job. Workplace expenses include mileage on a personal vehicle, union dues, or tools you may need.



Offshoring

There are loopholes in the U.S. Tax Code that allow corporations and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) to move their money to offshore tax havens. These are locations that have looser regulations, more favorable tax laws, lower financial risks, and confidentiality. Going offshore by setting up subsidiaries or bank accounts allows these taxpaying entities to avoid paying (higher) taxes in their home countries.



Tax Avoidance vs. Tax Evasion

People often confuse tax avoidance with tax evasion. While both are ways to avoid having to pay taxes, they are very different. Tax avoidance is very legal while tax evasion is completely illegal.

Tax evasion happens when people underreport or fail to report income or revenue earned to a taxing authority like the IRS. You are guilty of tax evasion if you don't report all of your income, such as tips or bonuses paid by your employer. Claiming credits to which you aren't entitled is also considered tax evasion. Some taxpayers are guilty of tax evasion by not filing their taxes or not paying their taxes even if they've filed returns.

Tax evasion is a serious offense. Entities that are found liable can be fined, jailed, or both.
zone casino online for funshows grade level based on the word's complexity. decoder [ dee-koh-der ]/ diko dr / New Word List Save This Word!See decoderFirst recorded in 191520; decode + -er1 Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ dee-koh-der ]/ diko dr /Save This Word!See decoderFirst recorded in 191520; decode + -er

Words nearby decoder

Words related to decoder decoder[ de-kodr ] An electronic or software device that converts telecommunication signals from their transmitted form into a form interpretable to other devices or to human beings. The American Heritage Science Dictionary Copyright  2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

declutter, deco, decoct, decoction, decode, decoder, decoding, decoherence, decoic acid, decoke, decollateDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
AP Style holds that writers should distinguish between the words alumnus, alumni, alumna, and alumnae.

Alumnus

AP Style uses alumnus when referring to a man who has attended a school. It uses alumni as the plural of alumnus.

Alumna

AP Style uses alumna when referring to a woman who has attended a school. It uses alumnae as the plural of alumna.

Alumni

AP Style uses alumni to refer to a group of men and women who have attended a college.

For further reading, check out our full post on Alumnus and Alumna.
M.L.S, Library Science, Indiana University

Clyfford Still (November 30, 1904 - June 23, 1980) was a pioneer in the development of abstract expressionism. He adopted complete abstraction earlier than most of his colleagues. His battles with the New York art establishment in the latter part of his career drew attention away from his paintings and blocked access to them for more than 20 years after his death.

Fast Facts: Clyfford Still

Full Name: Clyfford Elmer Still

Clyfford Elmer Still Known For: Completely abstract paintings that featured sharply contrasting fields of color and textures caused by the use of a palette knife

Completely abstract paintings that featured sharply contrasting fields of color and textures caused by the use of a palette knife Born: November 30, 1904 in Grandin, North Dakota

November 30, 1904 in Grandin, North Dakota Died: June 23, 1980 in Baltimore, Maryland

June 23, 1980 in Baltimore, Maryland Education: Spokane University, Washington State University

Spokane University, Washington State University Art Movement: Abstract expressionism

Abstract expressionism Mediums: Oil painting

Oil painting Selected Works: "PH-77" (1936), "PH-182" (1946), "1957-D-No. 1" (1957)

"PH-77" (1936), "PH-182" (1946), "1957-D-No. 1" (1957) Spouses: Lillian August Battan (m. 1930-1954) and Patricia Alice Garske (m. 1957-1980)

Lillian August Battan (m. 1930-1954) and Patricia Alice Garske (m. 1957-1980) Children: Diane and Sandra

Diane and Sandra Notable Quote:"I want to be in total command of the colors, as in an orchestra. They are voices."

Early Life and Education

Born in the tiny town of Grandin, North Dakota, Clyfford Still spent most of his childhood in Spokane, Washington, and Bow Island, Alberta, Canada. His family grew wheat on vast prairies that were part of the North American frontier.

Still first visited New York City as a young adult. He enrolled in the Art Students League in 1925. Returning to Washington state a year later, he began studying art, literature, and philosophy. Still's first stay as a student lasted for two years. He then returned in 1931 and eventually graduated in 1933. Continuing his studies, he received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Washington State College (now Washington State University).

"Self Portrait PH-382" (1940).WikiArt / Public Domain

Clyfford Still taught art at Washington State from 1935 until 1941. In 1937, he helped found the Nespelem Art Colony with Worth Griffin. It was a project dedicated to the depiction and preservation of the life of Native Americans on the Colville Indian Reservation. The colony continued for four summers.

Still's painting during his years at Washington State ranged from the ruggedly realistic "PH-77" to experiments with surrealism. A common element appeared to be man's experiences in unforgiving environments. Many observers believe they show the influence of Still's upbringing on the harsh prairie.

Abstract Expressionism Leader

In 1941, near the outbreak of World War II, Clyfford Still moved to the San Francisco Bay area. He worked as part of the industrial war effort while continuing to paint. His first solo exhibition took place in 1943 at the San Francisco Museum of Art (now the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art). Later in the year, Still relocated to the opposite side of the continent and taught at the Richmond Professional Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University) in Richmond, Virginia. Finally, in 1945, the young artist returned to New York City for the first time since 1925.

The 1940s were an exceptionally productive decade for Still. He developed his mature style as represented by "PH-182." His works were purely abstract and featured textured surfaces due to the use of a palette knife while painting. Areas of bold color produced sharp contrasts in both design and emotional impact on the viewer.

"PH-182" (1946).G. Starke / Creative Commons 2.0

Clyfford Still met painter Mark Rothko in California in 1943. In New York, Rothko introduced his friend to famed art collector and tastemaker Peggy Guggenheim. She gave Still a solo exhibition at her gallery, The Art of This Century, in 1946. Subsequently, he earned recognition as one of the top artists in New York's exploding abstract expressionist scene.

Still's paintings of the late 1940s are dominated by what are called "hot" colors: yellow, red, and orange. They show no definable figures at all. Clyfford Still painted only the drama of bold areas of color crashing into each other on the canvas. He once referred to his paintings as "life and death merging in fearful union."

From 1946 to 1950, Clyfford Still taught at the California School of Fine Arts wielding tremendous influence on the West Coast art world. In 1950, he left California to live in New York City for the next decade.

Disillusionment With the Art World

In the 1950s, Clyfford Still became increasingly suspicious of and disillusioned with the New York art establishment. He engaged in criticism of fellow artists. The battles resulted in the loss of long-term friendships with Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, and Barnett Newman. Still also broke his ties with Manhattan galleries.

The quality of Still's work did not suffer during the period. He produced paintings that appeared more monumental than before. Pieces like "J No. 1 PH-142" were impressive in size and stretched nearly 10 feet high and 13 feet across. The color fields set in opposition to each other stretched, in some cases, from the top to the bottom of the painting.

"J No. 1 PH-142" (1957).rocor / Creative Commons 2.0

In addition to his separation from colleagues and critics, Clyfford Still began to make his work more difficult for the public to see and purchase. He rejected all offers to participate in exhibitions from 1952 until 1959. In 1957, the Venice Biennale asked him to exhibit his paintings in the American Pavilion, and he turned them down. For most of the rest of his career, he refused to allow his work to be shown alongside the paintings of other artists.

In a final escape from the New York art world, Still moved to a farm in Westminster, Maryland, in 1961. He used a barn on the property as a studio. In 1966, he purchased a house in New Windsor, Maryland, less than 10 miles from the studio, where he lived until his death in 1980.

Later Work

Clyfford Still continued to produce new paintings until his death, but he chose isolation from other artists and the art world that he loathed. The colors in his works grew lighter and less intensely dramatic as he aged. He began to allow large segments of bare canvas to show through.

Still did allow a few exhibitions where he had firm control over the circumstances of the display of his pieces. In 1975, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art opened a permanent installation of a group of Clyfford Still paintings. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York presented a retrospective in 1979 that included the most extensive single collection of Still's art ever shown in a single place.

"PH-77" (1936).Mark Byzewski / Creative Commons 2.0

Legacy and the Clyfford Still Museum

After Clyfford Still died in 1980, his estate closed off a collection of over 2,000 of his works to all access by the public and art scholars for more than 20 years. The artist wrote in his will that he would bequeath the works that he still owned to a city that would dedicate permanent quarters for the art and refuse ever to sell, exchange, or give away any of the pieces. In 2004, the City of Denver announced its selection by Still's widow, Patricia, as the recipient of the art in the Clyfford Still estate.

The Clyfford Still Museum opened in 2011. It includes the artist's personal archival materials in addition to approximately 2,400 pieces from paper drawings to monumental paintings on canvas. A Maryland court ruled in 2011 that four of Still's paintings could be sold at auction to create an endowment to support the Clyfford Still Museum in perpetuity.

Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

The restrictions on access to Clyfford Still's work delayed comprehensive assessments of his impact on the development of painting by more than two decades. In the immediate wake of his death, most discussions focused on his antagonistic relationship with the art establishment instead of the impact and quality of his pictures.

As one of the first major American artists to embrace complete abstraction, Still had a significant impact on the development of abstract expressionism in New York. Through his teaching, he influenced students on the West Coast, and he strongly influenced the development of painting in the San Francisco Bay area.

Source
Aloud and out loud are a few English words that leave people wondering. Not many writers know whether or not there is a difference between them or if they can be used interchangeably.

This problem is further compounded when speaking, because one rarely takes the time in casual conversation to actually think about the differences between two word choices that are so much alike. Are these just variations of the same word? What are their functions inside a sentence? Should I use aloud or out loud?

In my post today, I want to go over all of these questions. I will cover the definitions of both words, their functions within the sentence, and a brief history of each word.

After reading this post, you shouldnt ever mix up aloud vs. out loud again.

What is the Difference Between Aloud and Out Loud?

Aloud is an adverb defined as with the use of the voice; orally, and audible, not silently or in a whisper.

To say something aloudis to say it in a voice that can be clearly heard, and can be distinguished from a whisper.

Out loud (two words) functions as an adverbial phrase and means basically the same thing as aloud. Out loud is defined as loud enough to be heard.

Can They Be Used Interchangeably?

While they both appear to carry the same meaning, there is one possible difference between the two.

Some dictionaries, including the Oxford English Dictionary, add the words aloud, without restraint to the definition of out loud. This means that out loud is probably the more appropriate word choice for a sudden outburst such as a scream or shout. It is more emphatic and can connote something involuntary or inappropriate.

For example, out loud is commonly paired with the verb to blurt.

He didnt raise his hand but instead blurted the answer out loud.

You never seeto blurt and aloudpaired together.

Similarly, if you consider the phrase laugh out loud, it is usually not something you choose to do but, instead, an involuntary response.

After reading the joke, he could not help but laugh out loud.

But what about something intentional and controlled like reading? Do you read out loud or aloud? This popular phrase is almost invariably to read aloud, with aloud being the preferred choice by many multiples (see chart below).

All of that said, these variations are generally used interchangeably in modern usage. You should choose whichever word fits better and goes with the rhythm of your proseyet keeping in mind the possible differences they evoke.

History of Aloud and Out Loud

According to the American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, out loudfirst came onto the scene in 1821 as a colloquialism for aloud.This means it is considerably younger than aloud, which has a recorded date all the way back to 1374.

Perhaps this is part of the reason why aloud has a perception of being outdated or more formal to some. The truth is neither choice is more formal than the other.

Summary

Out loudand aloudboth function as adverbs and are generally used interchangeably, but there can be a difference between out loud vs. aloud.

Aloudmeans to say something audibly so people can clearly hear you. It contrasts a whisper that cannot be heard.

Out loud means to say something loud enough to be heard. It is perhaps the preferred word choice to indicate a sudden outburst.
M.L.S, Library Science, Indiana University

Giorgio de Chirico (July 10, 1888-November 20, 1978) was an Italian artist who created distinctive cityscapes that helped lay a foundation for the development of surrealist art in the 20th century. He drew on lifelong interests in mythology and architecture to create paintings that pull the viewer into a world simultaneously familiar and eerily disturbing.

Fast Facts: Giorgio de Chirico

Occupation: Artist

Artist Artistic Movements: Surrealism

Surrealism Born: July 10, 1888 in Volos, Greece

July 10, 1888 in Volos, Greece Died: November 20, 1978 in Rome, Italy

November 20, 1978 in Rome, Italy Education: Athens School of Fine Arts, Academy of Fine Arts in Munich

Athens School of Fine Arts, Academy of Fine Arts in Munich Selected Works: "Montparnasse (The Melancholy of Departure)" (1914), "The Disquieting Muses" (1916), "Self-Portrait" (1922)

"Montparnasse (The Melancholy of Departure)" (1914), "The Disquieting Muses" (1916), "Self-Portrait" (1922) Notable Quote:"Art is the fatal net which catches these strange moments on the wing like mysterious butterflies, fleeing the innocence and distraction of common men."

Early Life and Education

Born in the Greek port city of Volos, Giorgio de Chirico was the son of Italian parents. At the time of his birth, his father was managing the construction of a railroad in Greece. He sent his son to study drawing and painting at Athens Polytechnic beginning in 1900. There, he worked with the Greek artists Georgios Roilos and Georgios Jakobides. De Chirico also developed a lifelong interest in Greek mythology. His hometown of Volos was the port used by Jason and the Argonauts when they set sail to find the Golden Fleece.

After the death of his father in 1905, de Chirico's family moved to Germany. Giorgio entered the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. He studied with the painters Gabriel von Hackl and Carl von Marr. Another early influence was symbolist painter Arnold Bocklin. Early works like "The Battle of Lapiths and Centaurs" used myths as primary source material.

"The Battle of Lapiths and Centaurs" (1909).WikiArt / Public Domain

Metaphysical Painting

Beginning in 1909 with "Enigma of an Autumn Afternoon," de Chirico's mature style emerged. It is a quiet, simplified scene of a town square. In this case, it is Florence, Italy's Piazza Santa Croce, where the artist claimed to have a moment of clarity where the world appeared as if for the first time. The nearly empty piazza includes a statue and the classical facade of a building. Some observers found the painting uncomfortable to view while others saw it as strangely comforting.

In 1910, de Chirico graduated from his studies in Munich and joined his family in Milan, Italy. He was there a short time before moving to Florence. He studied German philosophers, including Friedrich Nietzsche and Arthur Schopenhauer. They impacted the young artist's painting by encouraging his explorations of what lies beneath the ordinary, everyday view of life.

Referring to his works as part of the "Metaphysical Town Square" series, de Chirico spent the next ten years developing his style of metaphysical painting. He attempted to infuse his interpretations of ordinary reality with the impact of mythology and moods like nostalgia and a sense of waiting. The result was paintings that were haunting and even disturbing.

In 1911, Giorgio de Chirico moved to Paris and joined his brother, Andrea. On the way, he stopped in Turin, Italy. The city held particular interest as the location of Nietzsche's descent into madness. De Chirico insisted that he was the only man who truly understood Nietzsche. The architecture of Turin is featured extensively in de Chirico's paintings from the following few years.

"Montparnasse (The Melancholy of Departure)" (1914).WikiArt / Public Domain

His 1914 painting "Gare Montparnasse (The Melancholy of Departure)" is one of de Chirico's most celebrated works. He didn't create the painting to represent a particular place in reality. Instead, he appropriated architectural elements like a stage designer uses props. The use of multiple vanishing points produces a disquieting impact on the viewer.

After World War I began, de Chirico enlisted in the Italian army. Instead of service on the battlefield, he took an assignment at a hospital in Ferrara, where he kept painting. Meanwhile, his reputation as an artist continued to grow, and the first de Chirico solo show took place in Rome in 1919.

The Return of Craftsmanship

In November 1919, de Chirico published an article titled "The Return of Craftsmanship" in the Italian magazine Valori plastici. He advocated a return to iconography and traditional methods of painting. He also became a critic of modern art. Inspired by the work of the old masters Raphael and Signorelli, de Chirico believed that the arts must return to a sense of order.

In 1924, de Chirico visited Paris, and, at the invitation of writer Andre Breton, he met with a group of young surrealist artists. They celebrated his work from the previous decade as pioneering efforts in surrealism. Consequently, they severely criticized his classically inspired work of the 1920s.

The uneasy alliance with the surrealists grew increasingly contentious. In 1926, they parted ways. De Chirico referred to them as "cretinous and hostile." Late in the decade, he expanded his work into stage design. He designed sets for Sergei Diaghilev, founder of the Ballet Russes.

"Self-Portrait" (1922).Public Domain

The 1922 "Self-Portrait," painted by de Chirico, is one of many self-portraits from the decade. This one shows him on the right in the style of the Mannerist painters of the 16th century. On the left, his image is transformed into classical sculpture. Both represent the artist's growing interest in traditional techniques.

Late-Career Work

From 1930 until the end of his life, de Chirico painted and produced new works for nearly 50 more years. He moved to the United States in 1936 and then returned to Rome in 1944, where he remained until his death. He bought a house near the Spanish Steps, which is now the Giorgio de Chirico House, a museum dedicated to his work.

De Chirico's later paintings never received the acclaim lavished on his metaphysical period efforts. He resented the rejection of his new works believing that his later explorations were more mature and superior to the celebrated paintings. In response, de Chirico began creating "self-forgeries," backdated copies of metaphysical works that he presented as new. He was interested both in the financial profit and thumbing his nose at critics who preferred the early works.

De Chirico was an extremely prolific artist into his 80s. In 1974, the French Academie des Beaux-Arts elected him as a member. He died in Rome on November 20, 1978.

"Deux Figures Mythologiques" (1927).Francois Guillot / Getty Images

Legacy

De Chirico's most substantial impact on the history of art was his acceptance by the surrealists as a pioneer in their realm. Among the artists who openly recognized his influence were Max Ernst, Salvador Dali, and Rene Magritte. The latter said that his first view of de Chirico's "The Song of Love," was "one of the most moving moments of my life: my eyes saw for the first time."

Filmmakers also acknowledged the impact of de Chirico's metaphysical paintings on their work. The Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni created dark, empty cityscapes that echo some of de Chirico's most notable paintings. Alfred Hitchcock and Fritz Lang also owe a debt to the imagery of Giorgio de Chirico.

Bert Hardy / Getty Images

Sources
Homophones have similar pronunciations but different meanings.

Two homophones, bearing and baring, are even more confusing than most others, since bearing has so many definitions.

It can be difficult to even remember all the meanings of bearing, let alone whether or not it overlaps with the meanings of other words like baring.

Continue reading to learn the difference in meaning between baring and bearing. Bering, of course, is a proper noun for two bodies of water in the Northern Hemisphere, and will not factor into this discussion.

What is the Difference Between Bearing and Baring?

In this article, I will compare bearing vs. baring. I will use each of these words in at least one example sentence, so you can see them in context. Plus, I will show you a memory tool that will help you choose either baring or bearing in your own writing.

When to Use Bearing

What does bearing mean? The word bearing can function as multiple parts of speech.

It has several definitions as a noun, including an object that reduces friction between moving parts, and a synonym of relevance. You find bearings in cars, bikes, fidget spinners, etc.

In this article, however, I will concentrate on its use as a verb in this article.

As a verb, bearing can mean several things. It is the present participle of to bear, which can mean to carry, to gain ground, to have influence, to give birth, or to endure.

Here are examples of some of these meanings,

The favored horse was leading at the last lap, but the underdog horse was bearing down on him quickly.

I have been bearing this load for you since the Appalachians! complained Amy.

Paul Fusco, shooting in color, traveled in 1968 on the funeral train bearing Robert F. Kennedys coffin to Washington; the expectant mourners are a blurry, betrayed collective, with none of the specificity youll find in Cartier-Bresson or Robert Capa. The New York Times

For a discussion of the phrases bear with meand bare with me, see here. Also, here is a discussion of bear vs. bare.

When to Use Baring

What does baring mean? Baring is a verb. Specifically, it is the present participle of the verb to bare, which means to uncover or expose.

Someone who bares his soul to another person, for instance, is exposing his true thoughts or feelings in a vulnerable manner. Someone who bares her teeth is showing her teeth to someone else, likely as a signal of aggression.

As a present participle, baring describes a continuous action that is taking place right now, in real time.

For example,

As John washed the machinery, the thick coat of oil wiped away, baring the metal structures underneath.

I am baring my soul to you right now, Kelsey, and all you want to talk about is where to go for happy hour! said Mirsada.

At least a few fashion designers, it seems, have adopted Allys remedy: the aforementioned, leg-baring, expressively shrunken skirt suit. The Wall Street Journal

Baring is pronounced bare-ing.

When to Use Barring

What does barring mean? Another unrelated word, which has a different pronunciation, is the word barring, which can function as a preposition and a verb.

Barring a miracle, it looks like its going to rain. (Preposition)

Were barring you from attending this event. (Verb)

Barring is pronounced bar-ing.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Both of these words are the present participle tense of their respective verbs. They are also homophones, making them much more confusing.

Baring means exposing.

Bearing has several other definitions not related to exposing.

Remember baring vs. bearing:Since the root word of baring is bare, which means exposed or naked, and both bare and naked contain an A, it should be easy to remember when to use baring.

Summary

Is it bearing or baring? Baring is a conjugation of the verb to bare, which means to expose. Bearing is a conjugation of the verb to bear, which has many meanings, including to carry and to endure.
US sends warning to Iran with B-52 bomber flight over region

closeVideo

Fox News' Jennifer Griffin reports on the Pentagon's message to Iran as the regime continues its intense crackdown on protesters.

Enough material to fuel more than a dozen medium-range ballistic missiles has been intercepted by the U.S. Navy on a fishing vessel heading from Iran to Yemen.

The massive amount of explosive material was seized by the U.S. Naval Forces 5th Fleet on Nov. 8 while the ship was traveling along a route used to send weapons to the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the war-torn country.

"The unlawful transfer of lethal aid from Iran does not go unnoticed," Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces, said in a statement. "It is irresponsible, dangerous and leads to violence and instability across the Middle East."

The 5th Fleet said the vessel was intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard ship USCGC John Scheuerman and guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans.

IRAN ISSUES FIRST-KNOWN DEATH SENTENCE TO ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTER

The U.S. 5th Fleet removes explosive material found on board a ship traveling from Iran to Yemen. (U.S. 5th Fleet)

"Patrol coastal ship USS Hurricane (PC 3) and Navy explosive ordnance disposal technicians from U.S. 5th Fleets Task Force 56 also assisted during a weeklong effort to fully search the vessel and verify the type of material found," it said in a statement.

While on board, "forces discovered more than 70 tons of ammonium perchlorate, a powerful oxidizer commonly used to make rocket and missile fuel as well as explosives," according to the U.S. 5th Fleet, which added that it was the first time it has intercepted the material.

The U.S. 5th Fleet says it found "more than 70 tons of ammonium perchlorate, a powerful oxidizer commonly used to make rocket and missile fuel as well as explosives," on board the fishing vessel. (U.S. 5th Fleet)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The raid also netted more than 100 tons of urea fertilizer, a chemical compound which can be used to make explosives.

The U.S. 5th Fleet says the ship was traveling along a route historically used to send lethal aid to Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. (U.S. 5th Fleet)

U.S. forces sank the vessel on Nov. 13, determining it a hazard for commercial shipping. The four crew members operating it were returned to Yemen two days later during an at-sea exchange in the Gulf of Aden with the Yemen Coast Guard.

Liz Friden is a Pentagon producer based in Washington, D.C.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has a seminar and a working dinner with leaders of multinational businesses and leading US investment funds in New York

on September 21 (local time) (Photo: VNA)

At the seminar, leaders of businesses and investment funds as well as Vietnamese State management agencies discussed measures and orientations to attract more financial resources for socio-economic development, especially the building and development of financial centres in Vietnam.

Leaders of US investment funds held that amid fluctuations in the world geo-political and economic situation, Vietnam has been evaluated by international organisations as a bright spot in investment attraction with many favourable factors for the development of a modern financial market towards the formation of a financial centre capable of linking with financial centres in the region and around the world.

They pointed to Vietnams advantages in stable macro-economy and political situation, favourable location, improved investment and business environment, extensive international economic integration, fast digital economic development and innovation, and expanding economic scale and financial market.

They advised Vietnam to learn from international experience while choosing the model and method of building its financial centre which is compatible with international practices and suits the countrys real conditions.

Addressing the event, PM Pham Minh Chinh said that the elevation of the Vietnam-US relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership during US President Joe Bidens visit to Vietnam has opened up new trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.

He said that in the time to come, Vietnam will focus on promoting green, digital and circular economy and science-technology and innovation development to engage more deeply into the global investment structure, trade order and supply chain, while continuing to open its market, attracting high-quality foreign investment, supporting businesses in science-technology development, strengthening investment in infrastructure system, and focusing on high-quality human resources training.

The process requires the companion and resources sharing from international friends, multinational businesses and leading investment funds in the world and the US in particular, he stated.

The Vietnamese Government leader asked for experience sharing and political consultations from global firms and investment funds in mobilising financial resources and building of the financial centre in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as in developing other markets such as land-use rights, science and labour markets.

Vietnam hopes to receive their suggestions to enhance the governance capacity for Vietnamese public and private sectors, heading to a high level of transparency, efficiency and sustainable development, he added.

He pledged that Vietnam will continue to improve its business environment, ensuring the legal and legitimate rights and interests of investors, and creating optimal conditions for investors to operate effectively and sustainably in the country./.
Definition of Imperative Sentence

An imperative sentence is tips for buying cryptocurrencya type of sentence that gives instructions or advice, and expresses a command, an order, a direction, or a request. It is also known as a jussiveor a directive. Depending upon its delivery, an imperative sentence may end with an exclamation mark or a period. It is usually simple and short, but could be long and complex, depending upon its context.

For instance, John F. Kennedy shares a wish with his people, when he stated, And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. (President John Kennedy in his Inaugural Address, 1961). Note that this imperative sentence is not only long, but simply and ends with a period.

Types of Imperative Sentence

Share a Wish or Request This type of imperative sentence shares polite wishes and requests with someone, such as, Have a good day! Offer an Invitation This type of imperative sentence extends an invitation, such as, Please join me for dinner tonight. Share a Command/Request This type of imperative sentence gives a command or shares a request, such as, Stop beating the dog! Give Instructions This type of imperative sentence gives instructions, such as, Let him cool down, and then ask about the incident.

Everyday Use of Imperative Sentence

Consider vegetables over meat. (Advice) Leave this luggage at the gate. (Direction) Come here, check these documents, and give me your opinion. (Order) Put it down now! (Command) Please clean your room. (Request)

Examples of Imperative Sentences in Literature

Example #1: I have a Dream(by Martin Luther King, Jr.)

You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.

All the sentences shown in italics are imperative sentences. The tone of the speaker is to convey a sense of command, as well as advice.

Example #2: At the Bottom of the River (by Jamaica Kincaid)

Wash the white clothes on Monday and put them on the stone heap; wash the color clothes on Tuesday and put them on the clothesline to dry; dont walk barehead in the hot sun  when buying cotton to make yourself a nice blouse, be sure that it doesnt have gum on it, because that way it wont hold up well after a wash; soak salt fish overnight before you cook it 

This entire passage is in imperative sentences. All of them have commanding tones. The speaker is giving instructions, requests, and commands to someone about what to do or what not to do.

Example #3: Fergus and the Druid(by William Butler Yeats)

Take, if you must, this little bag of dreams;

Unloose the cord, and they will wrap you round.

In this example, Druid offers a bag to Fergus, which is filled with dreams. This bag helps him to know all in the end. These imperative sentences have used the tone of advice.

Example #4: Self Reliance(by Ralph Waldo Emerson)

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall. Speak what you think now in hard words, and tomorrow speak what tomorrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said today.

In this passage, the speaker is giving direction and advice to the audience regarding the importance of speaking during hard times.

Example #5: The Princess Bride(by William Gold)

Westley: Give us the gate key.

Yellin: I have no gate key.

Inigo Montoya: Fezzik, tear his arms off.

Yellin: Oh, you mean thisgate key.

In the first line, the character Westley has requested but without using appeals. In the third line, the character has given an order to break Yellins arms.

Function of Imperative Sentence

An imperative sentence plays an important role in writing as well as in speaking. It is not very common in literary writing, but very important in everyday conversational language. Besides this, it is commonly used in advertisements, manuals, instructions and road signs. It is more intentional as compared to an exclamatory sentence, as it requires a specific audience to be addressed. Writers mostly use imperatives to give clear and straightforward instructions, commands, or to express displeasure, likeness, fondness, and love through their writings.

Related posts:
Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and President of the Bangladesh-Vietnam Friendship Society (BVFS) Shamsher M. Chowdhury. (Photo: VNA)

NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue described the establishment of the BVFS in early 2023 as a milestone, helping to enhance understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries, as well as the bilateral relationship.



The NA leader pledged that after the visit he will instruct the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) to coordinate with the BVFS in cooperation activities, and consider the formation of the Vietnam-Bangladesh friendship association.



NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue also suggested the BVFS work harder to contribute to trade and investment promotion, helping Vietnamese and Bangladeshi businesses explore each other's markets.



For his part, Chowdhury, who is also former Foreign Minister and former Ambassador of Bangladesh to Vietnam, stressed that Bangladesh was the first country in South Asia to recognise and establish diplomatic ties with the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam at the ambassador level.



Vietnam is one of the countries that have played an important role in the Indo-Pacific, he said.



He emphasised that Hues official visit to Bangladesh will contribute to strengthening the bilateral political, diplomatic and economic ties, while fostering the friendship, cooperation and exchange between the people of the two countries.



Chowdhury said the BVFS will propose the Bangladeshi government name a road in Dhaka after President Ho Chi Minh./.
Saturday, September 23, 2023

GlobaleCrypto

, a global leader in digital asset mining services operating in over 100 countries, is proud to announce its expansion into the thriving Turkish cryptocurrency market. As Turkey garners increasing attention in the crypto space, GlobaleCrypto is introducing cutting-edge cloud mining solutions, offering investors innovative opportunities in this dynamic industry.

GlobaleCrypto, a global leader in digital asset mining services operating in over 100 countries, is proud to announce its expansion into the thriving Turkish cryptocurrency market. As Turkey garners increasing attention in the crypto space, GlobaleCrypto is introducing cutting-edge cloud mining solutions, offering investors innovative opportunities in this dynamic industry.

Commenting on this development, Zack Rios, Advertising Manager at GlobaleCrypto, stated, ."At GlobaleCrypto, we take pride in our status as pioneers in the crypto mining sector, leveraging cloud technologies to provide services in over 100 countries. We are delighted to include Turkey in our global network. With more than 10EH/s of hashrate under our management, we utilize cloud technology to oversee mining software and hardware on behalf of our users. Our commitment to using cutting-edge mining equipment, including products featuring advanced cooling technologies from Bitmain, Canaan, and Nvidia, ensures that mining earnings are automatically credited to users' accounts every 24 hours. We are a secure source of passive income for investors, operating under international licenses.."

Cloud mining has gained significant popularity in recent years, primarily due to its energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness compared to physical mining equipment. This approach allows individuals and institutions to access cryptocurrency mining services without the need for physical hardware, resulting in reduced energy consumption and lower hardware maintenance costs.

Zack Rios further elaborated on the benefits of cloud mining, saying, ."GlobaleCrypto is expanding rapidly in the digital asset and cloud mining sectors. Our platform streamlines the crypto mining process, enabling users to focus more on building their crypto portfolios while we handle the repetitive aspects. We have a robust business model encompassing cloud mining, miner hosting, and self-mining, which positions GlobaleCrypto strongly even amidst market volatility.."

For Turkish users, GlobaleCrypto offers an enticing opportunity to earn $7.21 per day using free mining machines. Once their earnings reach $50, they can easily withdraw their profits. Additionally, GlobaleCrypto provides flexible investment options, allowing users to earn up to $998 per day.

In the realm of cryptocurrency mining, the United States holds the top position, followed by Kazakhstan as the second-largest contributor to the global hash rate, according to statistics from Verified Market Research. Moreover, SimilarWeb, a web traffic analysis firm, reports that Turkey leads the world in internet traffic directed to Binance, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges globally.

GlobaleCrypto is committed to facilitating stable profits for investors and crypto enthusiasts in Turkey, contributing to the nation's growing prominence in the cryptocurrency landscape.

For Media Inquiries, Please Contact:

Zack Rios

Email: support@globalecrypto.com

Website: https://globalecrypto.com/

About GlobaleCrypto

GlobaleCrypto is a rapidly expanding platform offering digital asset mining and cloud mining services. The company empowers users to focus on building their crypto portfolios by streamlining the crypto mining process. For more information, please visit https://globalecrypto.com/about.
Emma Watson has gone back to university.

Emma Watson goes back to uni

The 33-year-old actress - who graduated from Brown University with a bachelor's degree in English literature in 2014 - has enrolled in a part-time Masters degree at Oxford.

A source told The Sun newspaper's Bizarre column: "The course is for older adults and can be done on a part-time basis, which is perfect for Emmas schedule.

"She only has to be on site for four or five days a year because she can do the rest of the course online from home."

And, Emma is expected to have a security team with her when she does attend the university, because she has suffered some safety scares recently.

The insider said: "Because shes a famous actress, shell have a security team looking after her whenever she has classes to go to.

"There have been a few incidents recently and she is taking every precaution necessary to ensure her safety.

A man was arrested during a Ralph Lauren fashion show in New York this month on suspicion of attempting to gain access to her dressing room and Emma has been feeling concerned.

The source added: "She flew to Milan with a specialist team from the UK, and Prada provided another security detail to guard her room overnight.

"There were lots of famous models and celebrities staying at the Palazzo Parigi where Emma stayed.

"She was worried the people who had been messaging her could be among the fans outside.

The man has denied criminal trespass and disorderly conduct and will return to court next month.
Kathy Griffin has accused Kanye West of controlling his wife Bianca Censori.

Kathy Griffin has accused Kanye West of controlling his wife Bianca Censori

The outspoken comic, 62, spoke out after the 46-year-old rapper has been spotted in a series of images with Bianca, 28, with him dressed head-to-toe in black and she in bizarre outfits such as a huge collar-like circle that covered most of her face.

She said in a long TikTok video about she fears Bianca  who Kanye is said to have married in a suspected non-legally binding and intimate ceremony in January in Beverly Hills  has no voice.

She added while its easy to make fun of Kanye because he is crazy and nutty, she believes he has gone too far when it comes to dressing his wife.

Kathy said: Weve all seen those photos of Kanye and his new wife Bianca Censori, right?

I see those photos when she is in those pantyhose and like not even a bandeau top, its really all about being see-through.

Even though Kathy conceded the outlandish outfits allowed Bianca to display her banging body she added her figure looks almost identical to Kanyes curvy ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, 42.

She added: So when I see this woman who has no voice, we have not heard a peep out of her.

Ive heard that she has a masters degree in architecture from a university in Australia, shes gorgeous and she seems to have no voice whatsoever.

Kathy then raised the question of whether Kanye is simply not letting her talk before highlighting how he is almost always covered head-to-toe while Bianca flashes her flesh.

The comic also tackled the recent incident of Kanye caught with his pants down while on a boat ride with Bianca in Venice by saying she thought the now-viral images from it that also showed Bianca crouched in between his knees reeked of abuse.

She said: When they were in Italy and he had her drop to her knees and give him a service and we saw his bare butt  knowing there were paparazzi photographers all the way around and people with just phone cameras  that to me just reeks of abuse.

Like, Get on your knees and do this now on a freaking water taxi.

I dont know her, Im never going to meet her, but I just want to know what you guys think, because it just looks like something a really controlling dude would do.

The Daily Mail has reported some of Kanyes closest friends have become extremely concerned about the pairs increasingly bizarre behaviour.

One source said: Bianca is stuck, and her friends are trying to save her, but no one can because of the blockades Kanye has put up.

Everyone is extremely concerned. This isnt who she is. She is an incredibly outspoken and lively person who is never one to keep her mouth shut.
Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue (second, left) and delegates attend the forum. (Photo: VNA)

In his speech at the Vietnam-Bangladesh forum on policies and laws to promote economic, trade and investment cooperation in Dhaka capital, Bangladesh, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said with a favourable geographical location, Bangladesh is considered a gateway for Vietnamese businesses to enter and expand to other South Asian and Middle East markets, and vice versa, Bangladeshi businesses can expand to markets in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - the 5th largest market in the world with about 650 million people - and enlarge to partner countries which have signed free trade agreements with Vietnam.



The Vietnamese top legislator said that in the current context of the global economy, Vietnam and Bangladesh need to strengthen cooperation, facilitate trade for each other, and enhance connections between their businesses to maintain existing supply chains, jointly attract capital and technology to develop new industrial supply chains with high added value. The two countries should also strengthen cooperation in agriculture and fisheries, especially rice and food, textiles and garment, construction materials, infrastructure investment, development of e-commerce and digital economy, Halal industry and tourism, he continued.



He said that on that basis, the two countries will soon strive for a trade turnover of about 2 billion USD.



Appreciating that Bangladesh has greened its textile industry and maintained orders amid a decline in other countries, the NA Chairman hoped that the two countries will coordinate to develop the textile and garment value chain on the basis of joint work and non-competition.



He also asked businesses from both sides to actively exchange and promote cooperation in the field of agriculture, especially clean agriculture and green agriculture adapted to climate change, and aquaculture, including pearl farming and processing.



In particular, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue also asked businesses and the Chambers of Commerce and Industry to urge the two countries to sign a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the field of agricultural cooperation soon as well as extend the MoU on agricultural cooperation on fisheries and breeding.



Shomi Kaiser, Vice President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), said the trade and investment cooperation relationship between the two countries is currently not commensurate with their potential.



The two countries have not signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), but Bangladesh has a large market and always wants to promote investment, business and trade cooperation in the spirit of mutual benefit, she noted, adding that Bangladeshi business community is ready to cooperate with Vietnamese enterprises.



Bangladesh's gross domestic product (GDP) reached 455 billion USD in 2022 and the country is aiming for 1 trillion USD in the near future.



According to Kaiser, the two countries have similarities in export markets and Vietnam has diverse export products.



Bangladesh is making efforts to resolve challenges to exit the group of low-income countries, she said, adding that in that spirit, Bangladesh wishes to share development experiences and strengthen investment and trade cooperation in the future.



At the forum, the Vietnamese top legislator witnessed the signing ceremony of MoUs between businesses of the two countries.



The same day, the NA Chairman hosted receptions for Joshoda Jibon Nath, Vice President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and leaders of the Bangladesh - Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BVCCI) and the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).



At the meeting with FBCCI Vice President Nath, Hue said he hoped that the federation will strengthen its role in helping Vietnamese businesses learn about investment opportunities in Bangladesh's industrial parks, especially 100 special industrial parks and 26 high-tech industrial zones that have been implemented in conjunction with the South Asian nation's investment attraction policies.



For his part, Nath said Bangladesh is negotiating to sign a number of free trade agreements, hoping Vietnam will play a role in connecting with the Southeast Asian market. Vice versa, Bangladesh can connect cooperation between South Asian countries and Southeast Asian nations, he said.



Meeting with leaders of BVCCI and DCCI, the Vietnamese top legislator asked them to closely coordinate with the authorities of Vietnam and Bangladesh to promote their roles as bridges and actively support enterprises of the two countries in studying, connecting, and investing in the two countries.



The two organisations should collaborate with relevant agencies of the two countries to promote and introduce Vietnam's culture, people, business and investment environment, which is being improved to Bangladesh's business community, and vice versa, Hue added.



Later the day, Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue had working sessions with leaders from the Doreen Group, Abdul Monem Limited (AML), Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI), and Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB), during which he affirmed that the National Assembly and Government of Vietnam will accompany with and create favourable conditions for foreign investors, including those from Bangadesh, to carry out investment and business activities and exploit strengths of each country.



He also informed them about policies, laws and orientations of Vietnam, while urging Bangladeshi groups and associations with their networks of offices and banches to serve as a bridge to bring potential investors inside and outside Bangladesh to come to make investment in Vietnam./.
Russell Brand ranted about a global media conspiracy as he broke his silence over the latest raft of sexual abuse allegations hes facing.

Russell Brand ranted about a global media conspiracy as he broke his silence over the latest raft of sexual abuse allegations hes facing

The comic, 48, has been accused by an ever-growing list of women of offences ranging from rape to sexual and emotional abuse since 16 September, and has now taken to Instagram to speak out about how he believes the world is in the grip of a collaboration between international corporations and news outlets.

He said in a three-minute video to his 3.8 million followers he needed fans to support him after a extraordinary and distressing week by signing up to his shows on the $60 subscription site Rumble.

Dressed in a simple white shirt without his normal jewellery, Brand said: Hello there you awakening wonders. Obviously, its been an extraordinary and distressing week and I thank you very much for your support and for questioning the information that youve been presented with.

By now youre probably aware that the British government have asked big tech platforms to censor our online content.

Some online platforms, have complied with that request. What you may not know is that this happens in the context of the Online Safety Bill  this is UK legislation that grants sweeping surveillance and censorship powers and is a law that has already been passed.

I also dont imagine that youve heard of the trusted news initiative and now, as often is the case when a word like trusted is used as part of an acronym to describe an unelected body, trust is the last thing you should be offering.

The trusted news initiative is a collaboration between big tech and legacy media organisations to target, patrol, choke and shut down independent media organisations  like this one.

Since Brand was accused of offences from rape and sexual abuse to emotional and physical abuse, YouTube have removed his ability to monetise his channel on the platform.

He has also been axed by his talent agency Tavistock Wood, been removed from his PR agencys site and had his upcoming book deal pulled and comedy material axed from streaming services.

Brand added in his Friday message he was now focusing on sharing his views on the Rumble platform, and said he would be discussing his belief in global conspiracies on a show there on Monday. (25.09.23)

He went on to tell how he believes all trusted news providers and digital platforms now collaborate in constructing narratives  whether thats around the war or the pandemic.

Brand added the public have to be very cautious indeed and pleaded with his fans to follow him on Rumble as it has commitment to independent content.

He said his Rumble show would tackle deep state and corporate collusion and how democracy has been shut down.

Brand added he believes a military industrial complex exists to enable and start wars that seem to be little more than money laundering operations  before he shared his sympathy with victims of all the wars going on now.

He also said his Rumble show would probe how big pharma have been able to avoid media investigation and said hed explore media corruption and censorship.

Brand concluded by saying the only way we can keep or voice is to support him on Rumble, adding: Keep me and our channel independent and I need your support now more than ever, and more than I ever imagined I would.

He concluded by saying: More important than that is, please, stay free.

Brand has denied all the allegations of abuse against him, saying all his past relationships were consensual.
Sir Michael Caine thinks every man should be forced to do National Service  and hates wokery.

Sir Michael Caine thinks every man should be forced to do National Service  and hates wokery

The 90-year-old was 12 when World War Two ended and was called up to the army when he was 18 and sent to occupied Berlin  before he was sent to fight in Korea a year later.

He told the Daily Mails You magazine: I think every young man should be made to do it. It truly makes a man of you.

But Michael admitted he soon fell in love with the money he could make from acting when he came out of service.

He added: I only became an actor after I left the army I got a movie and was like, F*** this! I love films more. I liked the money and all.

Michaels latest film is The Great Escaper, in which he plays real-life World War Two veteran Bernard Jordan.

Born in 1924, he left his care home in Hove aged 89 without telling his wife or carers where he was heading as he was determined to pay his respects at the 70th D-Day commemorations in Normandy.

When he was tracked down, and on returning home was stunned to find hed become a media sensation  nicknamed The Great Escaper.

Michael added in a chat to promote the film, out in October, that one of the things he despises about modern life is so-called wokeness.

He said: Its dull. Not being able to speak your mind and not being able to call anyone darling.

I try (to make myself woke), but its hard. I like to learn from friends who are younger than me.

Michael added his main focus now is staying alive to see his grandchildren grow up.

The Alfie star, who has been married to his second wife Shakira Baksh, 76, since 1973, has two daughters  Dominique, 67, from his first marriage to the late actress Patricia Haines, and Natasha, 50, from his marriage to Shakira  as well as three grandchildren: 12-year-old twins Miles and Allegra, and 13-year-old boy Taylor.

He said: As you get older, you inevitably think about dying, but as soon as you get grandchildren, your focus shifts.

You think about them. You want to go on living because they are so much a part of you, and you want to live for ever to see what they do with their lives. You just want to keep going.

He also said when asked for his secrets to a long life: Younger wives, no snacking and wear trainers at all times. And you have to be careful not to fall down.
Tyra Banks has hailed Oprah Winfrey a wise sage.

Tyra Banks has praised Oprah Winfrey

The 49-year-old model has always looked up to the media mogul and hopes her own influence on the younger generation can prove to be as powerful as the 69-year-old stars has been on hers.

She gushed to Britains HELLO! magazine: Oprah Winfrey has been my power woman for a long time.

I find her to be a wise sage  she just happens to exist on Earth, but I feel as though shes from a whole other place.

What she means to the world and what she brings to the world, and to me personally, is something I treasure.

One day I hope to be able to be a sage to a younger generation, as Oprah is to mine.

The Americas Next Top Model star is obsessed with trying new things in her career and doesnt worry about taking risks because she has so much passion for her work.

She said: Im obsessed with pivoting. Im obsessed with risk. I have no problem being first.

I think that curiosity and that tunnel vision fuel the entrepreneur in me.

Yes I had a very successful fashion career but my mom always said, Whats next? Think about the next thing. Whats your pivot? And not a pivot on the runway but a pivot in life.

Right now, ice cream makes me get up every single day  no just to eat it, but also to grow and run my SMiZE + Dream company.

Its been a passion of mine and I think that passion naturally sustains relevance.

I choose to be led by my passion, and being a businessperson and working on something that will outlive me.

So, its not about being hot today  its how do you sustain and not be a trend or a fad, but something truly iconic.
Bollywood young sensation Ishaan Khatter, known for his versatile acting prowess sent the internet into a frenzy when he made his first public appearance with his rumored girlfriend, Chandni Bainz. They attended an engagement bash in Mumbai on Friday night.

Ishaan Khatter, who is the younger brother of Bollywood heartthrob Shahid Kapoor, has been generating a lot of buzz lately for his love life. Rumors had been circulating for a while that the actor had found love once again.

While Ishaan had remained tight-lipped about his personal life till now, his recent appearance with the Malaysian model has sparked curiosity.

ISHAAN KHATTER MAKES IT OFFICIAL WITH RUMOURED GF CHANDNI BAINZ?

Ishaan and Chandni made their first public appearance at the engagement celebration of their friend, Ojas Desai, in Mumbai. Cameras captured Ishaan Khatter and Chandni Bainz walking hand-in-hand as they exited the event.

Ishaan Khatter looked dapper in a powder blue glimmering shirt, complemented by black trousers. Chandni Bainz, on the other hand, looked stunning in a floral thigh-slit gown, white heels, and a minimalistic makeup look.

NETIZENS REACT TO ISHAAN-CHANDNI'S VIDEO

The video shared by a paparazzi showed Ishaan ushering his rumored girlfriend into their car, before posing for the paparazzi. Take a look at the adorable video.

Their video went viral on social media and fans were quick to express their excitement and affection for the rumored pair. A user wrote, "She's very pretty. They make a nice jodi." Another user called him, 'A Gentleman'. "What a courteous boy," commented a third user.

Meanwhile, on the work front, the actor made his debut in 2017 with the acclaimed movie Beyond The Clouds and shot to fame with the 2018 romantic drama Dhadak, He went on to feature in A Suitable Boy, Khaali Peeli, and Phone Bhoot among others.

Currently, Ishaan Khatter has wrapped up the shooting of Pippa, an upcoming war drama scheduled for a theatrical release. He also has Netflix's The Perfect Couple, in his kitty.
In a heartwarming gesture, Sumit Arora, the talented screenwriter behind the captivating dialogues of Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming film 'Jawan,' recently shared a memorable picture of himself with the Bollywood icon. The photograph captures a candid moment between the two, radiating a sense of camaraderie and admiration. What truly struck a chord with fans, however, was the heartfelt caption that accompanied the photo, which says, "Last three years have been incredibly beautiful and memorable in more ways than one. Writing dialogues for this super special film, working with a powerhouse filmmaker, working with an immensely dedicated team who put in their ALL in the film and then... this beautiful man @iamsrk

I don't know if I will be able to say anything new apart from what has already been said about him. But all I can say is, that he is just magic of a person. A walking talking bundle of love. Anybody who meets him, comes back feeling special. He is a star who not only shines bright but also spreads his stardust onto you. I have been privileged to watch his magic so up close, both, in front of the camera, and off the camera. And there has been just so much to learn...

Dealing with every situation and every person with so much love, grace and gentleness. Giving equal respect to each and everyone. Always being so inclusive, and so open. So humble and always so witty. There is so much that one can learn from you and I really hope some of these learnings stick around and stay with me. At least some of it better should!

Thank you for everything sir, for all the love and all the laughter. You are truly the Zinda Banda of Bollywood. Bas now I will stop here.. warna aap phir se bologe ki, itna lamba lamba mat likh, picture hai, khatam bhi karni hai 

Sumit Arora's words resonated with sincerity as he expressed his admiration for Shah Rukh Khan.

Sumit Arora has indeed become a sensation in the world of Indian cinema, garnering widespread acclaim for his exceptional dialogues that promise to add depth and resonance to 'Jawan.' He has had an amazing hattrick year with "Dahaad," and "Guns & Gulaabs" as well. The wordsmith is currently busy with his upcoming project "Chandu Champion" and fans can't wait to see what new dialogues he will craft.
Ethirneechal new Aadhi Gunasekaran: It's hard to believe that a talented artist like G. Marimuthu is no longer with us. The director and actor, who worked in Tamil film and television industry, was known for his comic timing. He enjoyed a significant fan following among the audience, courtesy of his acting prowess. As he played an important role in Ethirneechal, fans are wondering who will replace him in the Sun TV serial.

MARIMUTHU TO BE REPLACED

Marimuthu played the role of Aadhimuthu Gunasekaran, who was Aadhimuthu and Visalatchi's eldest son. He was the husband of Eshwari and the father of Dharshan and Dharshini. The actor was seen as the main antagonist in the hit show, which was launched in 2022. Considered as one of the most popular Tamil television shows, Ethirneechal has set the TRP charts on fire.

Marimuthu impressed the audience and critics with his power-packed performance in the show. He passed away on September 8, 2023 after suffering a cardiac arrest. Marimuthu's death sent shockwaves across the industry. The actor was dubbing for his serial Ethirneechal when he suffered a cardiac arrest. Tamil actors including Rajnikanth offered condolence and expressed their grief over his demise.

NEW AADHI GUNASEKARAN IN ETHIRNEECHAL

Who will play the role of Aadhi Gunasekaran in Ethirneechal? This is the question on everyone's mind. In the previous episode, we saw that the truth about Jeevanandam's wife's death was unveiled. The makers have released a new promo, creating anticipation among the audience over new Adhi Gunasekaran.

As per the new promo, Ishwari has brought Jeevanand's daughter at her house. It created a lot of drama as Nandini asked Iswari about the girl. Gossip mills suggest that the makers are on the lookout for a suitable actor, who can do justice to the role and play the role of Aadhi in the serial.

The new promo released by Sun TV has hinted that the makers will soon introduce the new face, who will be seen as the main negative lead. Fans have already expressed their sorrow over the loss of their favourite Marimuthu. It remains to be seen if the TRPs of Ethirneechal will get affected or not due to the latest track.
Zee TV, India's leading broadcaster is revolutionizing consumer experiences this festive season by creating a holistic and immersive brand experience for its loyalists. After successfully organizing 'Zee TV Parel Cha Raja' last year for the first time, the channel is all set to take the celebrations a notch higher this year!

Visitors of Zee TV Parel Cha Raja can look forward to not only a spiritual experience but also a chance to meet their favourite Zee TV celebrities including actors Krishna Kaul (Ranbir), Rohit Suchanti (Rishi), Aishwarya Khare (Lakshmi), Smita Bansal (Neelam), Manasi Joshi Roy (Ambika), Navika Kotia (Kesar), Arjun Bijlani (Shiv), Nikki Sharma (Shakti) and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa judges Anu Malik and Neeti Mohan amongst others.

Aparna Bhosle, Business Head - Zee TV, said, "We are pleased to carry forth our partnership with Parel Cha Raja. The idea behind the pandal takeover is to create an immersive experience for all the devotees as they pray to their beloved Bappa. We had the privilege of welcoming a large number of devotees who came to seek Bappa's blessings during last year's festivities, and we look forward to making this year even more memorable. The presence of some of our most popular faces is sure to delight our viewers!"

The idol of Bappa, this year, is exquisite, evoking a deep sense of divinity, faith, and tranquillity among the worshippers. Moreover, in partnership with the pandal, Zee TV is organizing various competitions, games, and events such as drawing, photography, and videography to engage the audience further, in addition to the profound experience of venerating Bappa.

So, what are you waiting for?

As the Ganesh Utsav celebrations are in full swing, make sure to pay a visit to Zee TV Parel Cha Raja located at Nare Park ground, opposite Global Hospital, Parel, Mumbai - 400012
With their compelling plotlines, crime series on television have always kept audiences interested. With the same intention Star Bharat is all set to launch the new season of its most popular show, "Savdhaan India," with a new theme, "Criminal Decoded," which will make it extremely captivating for viewers. This new season of "Criminal Decoded" stands out because it will provide viewers a peek inside the minds of criminals. It also sees the return of seasoned actor Sushant Singh as the host, who is ready to once more shock viewers with thrilling tales. Sushant Singh's extraordinary storytelling abilities have not only made the show popular but have also garnered immense popularity for him among the public

Let's take a closer look at the 5 main upcoming episodes of this show:

The inaugural episode of 'Savdhaan India: Criminal Decoded,' titled 'Karan Arjun,' is scheduled to air on September 26th. This episode is rich in themes of liberation, love, revenge, and the repercussions of past actions. Following that, the second episode titled 'Cobra' promises a morally intricate and engaging narrative involving deceit, cunning, and an unwavering quest for ill-gotten wealth. In the third episode, 'Gandhi Nagar,' we are taken into a deep and enigmatic tale exploring the relentless hunt for a serial killer and the transformation of an outwardly ordinary individual. Moving on to the fourth episode, 'Narbali,' it unravels a dark and complex narrative that exposes the depths of desires, deception, and manipulation. Lastly, the fifth episode, 'Blue Bird Detective Agency,' dives into an entertaining and morally intricate storyline, revealing a world of deceit, manipulation, and criminal machinations.

Each episode will shed light on some special cases with themes that will send shivers down the viewers' spines. As each episode promises to be more thrilling and heart-pounding than the last. The coming week will be filled with stories which will be mysterious, will have conspiracies, and the unexpected twists that will undoubtedly keep everyone glued to their seats.

For those eager fans who have patiently awaited this moment, the wait will be finally over. Get ready to immerse yourself in the enigmatic world of crime with the highly anticipated return of 'Savdhaan India: Criminal Decoded.'

Prepare to witness the changing shades of human behavior on this journey. Starting from September 26th, every Monday to Saturday at 10:30 PM, exclusively on Star Bharat.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry (Photo: VNA)

Both expressed their delight at the success of President Joe Biden's Vietnam visit, affirming that it has contributed to raising mutual understanding between the two countries, for the benefit of their people and for peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

PM Pham Minh Chinh thanked and highly valued Kerrys support in the successful arrangement of the visit and in the establishment of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

Discussing measures to quickly realise the important agreements reached during the visit, particularly those related to climate change response, he proposed that the US continue backing Vietnam's efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and implement the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), especially in developing the renewable energy industry.

Kerry said President Biden is deeply impressed and highly valued Vietnam's warm reception during his recent visit. He affirmed that the US appreciates its relationship with Vietnam and supports the country's leadership role in global efforts to respond to climate change.

Taking note of PM Pham Minh Chinhs proposals regarding enhancing bilateral cooperation in climate change response and energy transition, Kerry said the US will continue strengthening cooperation with and support for developing countries, including Vietnam, to cope with climate change, with a focus on developing clean energy, smart grid systems and sustainable infrastructure.

As a long-standing friend of Vietnam, Kerry expressed his desire to further reinforce cooperation with the country to fulfill commitments made at the 26th United Nations Climate Conference (COP26) and future conferences of parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change./.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 22, 2023) - Eureka Lithium Corp. (CSE: ERKA) (OTCQB: SCMCF) (FSE: S580) ("Eureka Lithium" or "Eureka" or the "Company"), announces that its common shares are eligible for electronic clearing and settlement in the United States through the Depository Trust Company ("DTC"). DTC eligibility is expected to simplify the process of trading and enhance liquidity of Eureka Lithium Corp's shares in the United States. The Company's shares recently began trading on the OTCQB under the symbol "SCMCF".

The DTC is a subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, a U.S. company that manages the electronic clearing and settlement of publicly traded companies. Securities that are eligible to be electronically cleared and settled through DTC are considered to be "DTC eligible". This electronic method of clearing securities speeds up the receipt of stock and cash, and thus accelerates the settlement process for investors and brokers, enabling the stock to be traded over a much wider selection of brokerage firms by coming into compliance with their requirements.

"I am pleased to announce that Eureka's common shares are DTC eligible, which will make the trading of Eureka's shares easier, faster and cheaper for a wider array of investors," commented Jeff Wilson, CEO of Eureka Lithium Corp. "DTC eligibility enables US based investors to electronically buy, sell, withdraw and deposit at any legacy or online discount brokerages in North America.

The Company also announces a renewal agreement with MIC Market Information & Content Publishing GmbH ("MIC") (Address: Gerhart-Hauptmann-St. 49b 51379 Leverkusen; email: contact@micpublishing.de; phone: +49 2171-7766628) for marketing services which will continue to October 30th, 2023 or until budget exhaustion. MIC will utilize their online programs with the aim of increasing investor awareness and interest in the company through various online platforms and methods of engagement in consideration of EUR 150,000. The marketing activity will occur by email, Facebook, and Google. MIC does not have any prior relationship with the Company other than previous marketing engagements and will not receive any shares of the Company as compensation.

About Eureka Lithium Corp.

Eureka Lithium is the largest lithium-focused landowner in the northern third of Quebec, known as the Nunavik region, with 100% ownership of three projects comprising 1,408 sq. km in the emerging Raglan West, Raglan South and New Leaf Lithium Camps. These claims were acquired from legendary prospector Shawn Ryan and are located in a region that hosts two operating nickel mines with deep-sea port access.

Contact Information:

Jeffrey Wilson

Chief Executive Officer

info@eurekalithiumcorp.com

Cautionary Statement

Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements which may contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, and statements related to matters which are not historical facts, such as statements regarding the contemplated completion of the Acquisition and the Concurrent Financing, are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's expectations and are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct, nor that the Acquisition will be completed as contemplated, or at all, or that the Concurrent Financing will be completed as contemplated, or at all. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any future revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181639
In diesem Report stellen wir Ihnen 3 Top-Aktien aus dem Energie-Sektor vor, die Sie unbedingt auf Ihre Watchlist setzen mussen. Lassen Sie sich diese kostenlose Analyse nicht entgehen!

NEW YORK CITY (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC recommended Pfizer's (PFE) respiratory syncytial virus or RSV vaccine for pregnant people to protect their newborn from severe RSV illness. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization for U.S. infants. The new vaccine, Pfizer's bivalent RSVpreF vaccine (trade name Abrysvo), has been shown to reduce the risk of RSV hospitalization for babies by 57 percent in the first six months after birth, the CDC said in a statement. To maximize protection for babies after birth, the CDC recommends seasonal administration of one dose of RSV vaccine for pregnant people during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy. This is the first-ever fall in which eligible individuals can receive Pfizer vaccines to help protect against RSV, COVID-19, and pneumococcal pneumonia, the company said. On Friday, members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted, 11-1, to recommend maternal RSV vaccine for pregnant people during 32 through 36 weeks gestation, using seasonal administration, to prevent RSV lower respiratory tract infection in infants. The Committee also voted to approve Pfizer's bivalent RSVpreF vaccine for the Vaccines for Children Program (applying to pregnant people under 19 years of age). For More Such Health News, visit rttnews.com Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
The circuit works with the top 11,000 financial firms around the world.

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2023 / iSwiss Pay, a subsidiary of the iSwiss conglomerate, founded and managed by Swiss-Italian entrepreneur Aleo Christopher, has recently been given the green light to join the Swift system, the acronym for 'Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication', a cornerstone in the international payments process. Swift is the largest global system for transmitting payment orders and financial collateral, involving a vast network of over 11,000 members worldwide. Its capacity to process an average of 42 million payment orders per day makes it a crucial player in facilitating financial transactions on a global scale.

A major issue involving Swift recently has been its implication as a sanctions tool, with many Russian banks excluded from the circuit. This situation has highlighted Swift's strategic importance in international relations. The reintegration of several Russian banks into the system was Russia's main demand to get back into the Ukrainian grain export agreement.

Canadian-based iSwiss Pay, which specialises in payment services within the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) system, is now planning to expand its range of services, including payments through Swift. This initiative will provide access to a vast network of countries, initially concentrated in North America, before expanding to Africa and Asia, expanding the reach of financial services offered globally.

Aleo Christopher, CEO of iSwiss, emphasised the importance of access to the Swift system, describing it as a significant milestone for iSwiss Pay. He said: "This opportunity will allow us to manage our financial messages independently, expanding our presence and representing tangible recognition of the strength and reliability of our financial group. Being among the 11,000 members directly connected to this global financial circuit is a testament to our continued growth and commitment to the industry."

Aleo Christopher also revealed that access to Swift was an indispensable step for the group's future listing. To support the investments required for the infrastructure development, the group plans to list on a major international financial centre within the next two years. Although negotiations are ongoing, he concluded by saying, "I cannot provide further details at the moment, but you will certainly hear from me soon."

iSwiss Pay is a Canadian supervised company offering payment services in more than 30 major currencies, opening current accounts with IBANs in the SEPA area and issuing cards on major international circuits. It boasts an international clientele and is an integral part of the range of financial services the Swiss company offers its customers.

The new Swift code, operational from October 2023, is ISPACAXXX (iSwiss Pay Canada).

Media Contact

Organization: iSwiss Bank SA

Contact Person: Andrew Anderson

Website: https://iswiss.ch/

Email: support@iswiss.ch

City: London

Country: United Kingdom

SOURCE: iSwiss Bank SA

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786872/global-payments-iswiss-pay-is-welcomed-into-the-swift-system
LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2023 / Cozy Gent, the innovative bedding brand on a mission to revolutionize the way modern men experience sleep, is excited to announce the launch of its Kickstarter campaign. The campaign aims to expedite the production and global distribution of Cozy Gent's luxurious, eco-friendly bedding, crafted exclusively for the health-conscious, modern man.

"After searching high and low for a bedding brand that understands the unique sleep needs of men, we realized the market was missing something vital. That's when the concept of Cozy Gent was born," says Maxwell Grossman, Founder of Cozy Gent.

Why Cozy Gent is Not Just Another Bedding Brand: Cozy Gent stands in a league of its own, addressing the challenges men face with traditional bedding. We provide the ultimate solution for a restful and luxurious sleep experience. Our products are crafted from premium organic bamboo fabric, ensuring unmatched softness, and natural moisture-wicking properties.

Moreover, say goodbye to the hassle of traditional buttons or snaps. Our bedding sets come with high-quality YKK zippers, silver-infused fabric for powerful antimicrobial properties, and labeled corner tags for quick bed-making.

A Milestone in Men's Bedding: "Our aim is to address the unique sleep and bedding needs of men," explains Maxwell Grossman (Founder). "From luxury and comfort to practicality and hygiene, Cozy Gent ticks all the boxes."

Exclusive Kickstarter Perks: Backers of Cozy Gent's Kickstarter campaign can avail themselves of a range of exclusive perks, including early-bird pricing, double packs ideal for gifting, and all-in-one bedding sets. Each reward tier will include pillows, a duvet, a fitted sheet, and a uniquely designed Cozy Gent carrying bag.

About Cozy Gent: Cozy Gent is founded with the singular mission of elevating the sleep experience for modern men. Based at 207 Regent Street, London, Cozy Gent combines luxury, eco-friendliness, and practicality in its range of groundbreaking bedding products. For more information or to back the Kickstarter campaign, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1189283756/cozy-gent-bespoke-bedding-for-the-modern-man

Media Contact

Organization: Cosy Gent Ltd

Contact Person: Maxwell Grossman

Website: https://www.cozygent.com

Email: team@cozygent.com

City: London

Country: United Kingdom

SOURCE: Cosy Gent Ltd

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786871/cozy-gent-launches-kickstarter-campaign-to-introduce-eco-friendly-luxurious-bedding-for-men
HEFEI, China, Sept. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Multinational corporations are an important force in building an open world economy. The matchmaking meeting of multinational companies at the 2023 World Manufacturing Convention (WMC) was held on the afternoon of September 20, in Hefei. This matchmaking meeting resulted in 33 cooperation projects with a total investment of 15.6 billion RMB.

Volkswagen, Continental, NIO, Corning, Saint-Gobain and other multinational companies continue to expand investment in Anhui; BEA, HSBC, Mizuho, Standard Chartered, Nanyang Commercial Bank and other international financial institutions have successively made deployments in Anhui. According to the data, more than 4,600 foreign-funded enterprises had taken root in Anhui by the end of 2022, and 89 overseas Forbes Top 500 companies had set up 180 enterprises in Anhui, with foreign-funded enterprises contributing 23% of Anhui's imports and exports.

The technological innovation is the most beautiful business card in Anhui. The world's first quantum satellite "Mozi", the world's first commercial "quantum microscope" and many other world records are made in Anhui. According to statistics, Anhui has 23.7 effective invention patents per 10,000 people. With 121 universities, 7074 scientific research institutions, and 324 vocational schools, Anhui is also rich in innovation resources. Large scientific installations are forming clusters, and the key national laboratories have made plans in Anhui. The construction of Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center speeds up, and the Hefei-Wuhu-Bengbu National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone develops rapidly. On average, there are about 11 national high-tech enterprises more every day.

Anhui is also an important manufacturing base in China, with all 41 industrial categories, of which 14 industries have a yield value of more than 100 billion RMB, and the yield of home appliances, laptops, and LCD screens is leading in the country. About 4 trillion-level industrial clusters consisting of a new generation of IT, automotive and parts, equipment manufacturing, new materials are being built, of which the "top" automotive industry has gathered 7 finished vehicle factories, more than 1100 parts and components enterprises are above the designated size, the exportation of finished vehicles with independent brands is the highest in China.

Anhui's integration into the global supply chain system has been effective in recent years. In the first seven months of 2023, the actual use of foreign capital in Anhui's manufacturing and high-tech industries increased by 33.7% and 68.3% respectively, accounting for 52% and 45.2%.

Meanwhile, Anhui has various open platforms, including China (Anhui) Pilot Free Trade Zone, 21 national development zones, 7 first-class open ports, 5 comprehensive bonded zones, 11 Anhui's international cooperation industrial parks, 24 national bases of foreign trade transformation and upgrading as well as other international economic and trade cooperation platforms such as the "Investment Tour to Anhui", the WMC, the Haike Commerce Roundtable, and the "Anhui Going Global" FDI attracting operation, which provide a strong support for Anhui's opening up to the outside world.

Contact: Yuan Fan

Tel: 0086-13552640063

E-mail: 564346447@qq.com

Photo- https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2218815/Anhui.jpg

Logo- https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2218813/WMC_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/office-of-the-executive-committee-of-the-wmc-anhui-strengthens-scientific-and-technological-innovation-capacity-to-attract-multinational-enterprises-301936847.html
10X Insurance was created to provide holistic and best-in-class insurance solutions for small to mid-sized businesses that, until now, were traditionally reserved for larger organizations.

MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2023 / Cardone Ventures, a leading business consulting and management firm focused on the small and mid-sized business segment, is thrilled to announce the launch of its newest vertical, 10X Insurance. This new platform is designed to reimagine the insurance experience and deliver strategies, program design, and economic advantages unlike anywhere else. 10X Insurance will deliver an innovative and best-in-class insurance experience for small to mid-sized business owners, 1099 independent contractors, and solo entrepreneurs alike.

Cardone Ventures' mission is to create 1 million 10X businesses. A logical next step in propelling the greater success of the 10X community was delivering innovative insurance solutions for group benefits, and property & casualty coverage for small to mid-sized business owners.

"The launch of 10X Insurance represents another key milestone in the growth and expansion of Cardone Ventures and its reach in the small- to mid-sized business segment. We are excited to serve our customers in this critical area of their businesses - protecting the success these business owners have worked so hard to create" - Brandon Dawson - Co-Founder and CEO, Cardone Ventures

"10X Insurance was created to level the playing field for the 31.5 million small to mid-sized businesses that are the essential backbone of the American economy, and to provide those business owners with access to insurance expertise, strategies, program design, and economics historically reserved for large enterprise organizations. We are excited to serve small- to mid-sized business owners, 1099 independent contractors, and solo entrepreneurs with a world-class experience" - Sean Conrad - President of 10X Insurance

By offering a white glove experience with flexible plans and premium benefits, 10X Insurance introduces a new world of possibilities. With access to comprehensive data from insurance companies, 10X Insurance offers an alternative option that provides protection, tax advantages, and financial maneuverability.

Providing optimal foundations in the form of protection, savings, and other benefits, 10X Insurance helps to lay the groundwork for scaling as seamlessly as possible. This is what Cardone Ventures promotes as their latest in the 10X ecosystem, and it serves as a reasonable extension of their mission: helping entrepreneurs achieve their personal, professional, and financial goals through the growth of their businesses. With the support of Brandon Dawson, Grant Cardone, Sean Conrad, and the 10X community, 10X Insurance is poised to follow a similar trajectory of exponential growth as its brother and sister companies.

About Cardone Ventures: Cardone Ventures is a business consulting company founded by Grant Cardone and Brandon Dawson that helps business owners attain their personal, professional, and financial goals. Together, they help business owners elevate their company from a 360-degree perspective, including operations, marketing, finance, and people. The focus of Cardone Ventures is to help entrepreneurs grow from $2 million to $500 million+ and 10X all aspects of their business. The new Cardone Ventures Scottsdale Headquarters is located at 4800 N Scottsdale Rd. Suite 5500, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. For more information on Cardone Ventures, visit: https://www.cardoneventures.com.

About 10X Insurance: 10X Insurance delivers innovative and best-in-class insurance solutions for small to mid-sized business owners, 1099 independent contractors, and solo entrepreneurs. The 10X Insurance platform delivers innovative and holistic solutions for group benefits and property & casualty insurance for the small- to mid-sized business segment. 10X Insurance offers a white glove experience so clients can enjoy world-class customer support and customization according to their specific needs. For more information, visit: 10Xcoverage.com

Contact Information

Jeremy Gabbert

EVP of Revenue and Marketing

jgabbert@cardoneventures.com

503-536-0997

SOURCE: Cardone Ventures

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786866/cardone-ventures-co-founded-by-grant-cardone-and-brandon-dawson-announces-the-launch-of-10x-insurance
Pioneering fintech company aims to elevate innovation in Dubai's financial landscape

Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2023) - Fintech Surge, the most sought after gathering for the global fintech industry, announces Forus, a leading name in the global financial technology sector, as a Gold Sponsor for the 2023 edition. The event will take place from 15-18 October at Dubai Harbour, convening the entire fintech ecosystem to explore and shape the future of financial technology.

As the industry-defining location for financial innovations, strategic guidance and investment insights, Fintech Surge 2023 provides a platform for thought leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to collaborate, share insights, and drive innovation in the fintech domain. This year's theme, "Revolutionising financial services through technology," aligns seamlessly with Forus' commitment to transforming and enhancing financial experiences through cutting-edge technology solutions.

As a Gold Sponsor, Forus demonstrates its unwavering dedication to fostering growth and progress within the fintech ecosystem. The sponsorship showcases Forus' pivotal role in shaping the industry landscape and its dedication to driving advancements in financial technology that empower individuals and businesses to thrive in the digital age.

Nosaibah Alrajhi, Founder and CEO at Forus, comments: "We are excited to be a part of Fintech Surge 2023 as a Gold Sponsor. This event presents an excellent opportunity to engage with the brightest minds in the fintech space and contribute to meaningful conversations surrounding innovation, digital transformation, and the future of finance. Our commitment to providing seamless and technologically advanced financial solutions aligns perfectly with the event's objectives, and we look forward to meaningful discussions and collaborations."

Attendees of Fintech Surge 2023 will gain actionable insights on the trends propelling the industry and discuss solutions to challenges in fintech, as well as collaborate to transform global business strategies. Alongside more than 100 exhibitors, from leading international companies to the most disruptive startups across paytech, insurtech, regtech, wealth and asset management, digital banking and more, Forus will showcase its cutting-edge solutions that empower individuals and businesses to navigate the evolving financial landscape efficiently and effectively.

Forus encourages all attendees to visit its booth at Hall 7 and engage with its team of experts to explore how its innovative solutions can drive financial growth, security, and convenience. For more information about its participation at Fintech Surge 2023, please visit www.forusinvest.com or contact info@forusinvest.com.

For more information on Fintech Surge, and to register interest, visit https://www.fintechsurge.com/

About Forus Financing:

Forus is a pioneering Saudi fintech company dedicated to revolutionizing the way individuals and businesses manage their finances. With a focus on innovative technology solutions, Forus empowers its clients to navigate the complexities of the financial world with confidence. Through a diverse range of debt investment services, Forus is committed to driving financial growth, security, and convenience.

About Fintech Surge

Fintech Surge is the most sought after gathering for the global fintech industry. Capitalising on Dubai's pioneering status as a leading location for fintechs, it is the foremost platform where international finance and technology players meet to create limitless opportunities.

More than 1,000 investors and 100 exhibitors from more than 25 countries will gather to chart the way forward and inspire industry-wide transformation.

Taking place in October 2023, the second edition of Fintech Surge will take place alongside GITEX Global, uniting the global community at a new venue, the iconic Dubai Harbour. It is co-located with Fintech Surge, North Star and Marketing Mania.

For media enquiries please contact:

Claudia Dalton

Account director

Four Agency Worldwide

fintechsurge@four.agency

+971 58 850 5420

PR Contact:

ZEX PR WIRE

info@zexprwire.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181658
Gemspring Capital Management, a Westport, CT-based middle-market private equity firm, acquired majority interest in ClearCompany Holdings, a Boston, Massachusetts-based provider of human capital management software.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

Led by Andre Lavoie, CEO, ClearCompany provides a Talent Management software platform that offers a comprehensive suite of solutions to streamline talent acquisition, performance management, employee engagement, and analytics, with a primary focus on serving mid-market and enterprise businesses. The company supports a diverse base of more than 2,000 customers spanning nearly 50 distinct industry verticals.

Gemspring Capital, a Westport, Connecticut-based private equity firm with $3.5 billion of capital under management, provides flexible capital solutions to middle market companies. Gemspring partners with talented management teams and takes a partnership approach to helping drive revenue growth, value creation, and sustainable competitive advantages.

FinSMEs

23/09/2023
Danish Devgn, Ajay Devgns nephew, has made his directorial debut with a music video thats titled Hanju. In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, the filmmaker talks about getting tips from his uncle whos now a veteran in Hindi cinema, the experience of directing for the first time, and if he has any other aspirations in future.

Edited excerpts from the interview

Where did the idea of your first music video come from?

Kumar Mangat made me hear a song that was by Javed Ali and many other films that I have been an assistant on. I just heard the song and it resonated with me as it was about pure emotion and pure love, it wasnt just about instrumentation but also about piano and the lyrics were so pure. It had a contemporary touch to it and when I heard it, I decided I should direct it. It seemed like a good baby step towards my final goal.

How did it feel to take your first take as a director?

I was nervous, emotional, scared, everything. That was only for ten seconds because then I had to pull myself together as I had a lot of pressure to make it this in 24 hours; two days with 12 hours of shift and restricted budget.

What are the challenges while making a music video?

I have been on films where we have a lot of timelines to pace your story on the edit and establish your relationship. In this, the biggest challenge was the time constraint, to reveal the whole story in four minutes and also do justice to Javed Alis vocals.

What are the responses youve received so far?

There are some people who just praise you to be nice to you, but my best critics loved it. People like Abhishek Bachchan loved the video to a proper level, they genuinely told me it was really good. I went to the comments section and one of them read that the visuals are soul touching and it broke my heart.

Did you get any tips from Ajay Devgn?

Since it was my first directorial, I wanted him to come for the Mahurat shot but he said no. He said he didnt want to put his foot on mine and asked me to finish it and then hed see. That made me more nervous since nobody from the family was coming and I was alone on the sets. I just had to deliver to make them proud.
In Kangana Ranauts Thalaivii is a powerful scene where her sari is ripped and torn in parliament by a minister. Based on what happened to Dr J. Jayalalithaa in 1989, this anecdote is powerful because it told and continues to tell the story of countless women in politics.

From Vasundhara Rajes leaked photographs, to Mayawatis guest house scandal, to Mamta Banerjees Kolkata firing incident, to Indira Gandhi being called a witch, to Maneka Gandhis ad scandal, the smear campaign faced by women who enter public life is hardly new. Social medias easy voyeurism has made it so much worse.

A trickle down from prevailing cultural attitudes and social discourse, the treatment meted out to women in politics explains why politics is Indias Bermuda Triangle for women. The attitude of name calling, character assassination, reductionism, and diminishment highlights why there is such an underwhelming representation of women in politics.

And this is not just in India. Theresa May was labelled a bloody difficult woman. Hillary Clinton was called heartless, among many other monikers. Angela Merkel was labelled an iron frau. Female politicians have it rough and pay a social penalty. They face flak because of their gender. It doesnt help that men are antagonistic to female candidates.

Everyone is not sexist, of course, but outrageous personal attacks by male politicians makes it even more difficult for women. Ordinary women have to deal with trolling on Twitter, widespread misogyny, derogatory comments, threats to safety, and reductionist attitudes. Imagine then women in the public space, women mingling with the masses and the Lutyens, women shaping public policy. How can women thrive when it is difficult for them to survive?

No wonder then that despite our 685 million women, India ranks among the lowest out of 193 countries when it comes to the number of women in parliament. There are hardly around 14%female legislators in Parliament, far below the global average of around 25%. Even countries like Nepal and Saudi Arabia have more women in politics than we do.

This despite our impressive retinue of female Presidents, Prime Ministers and Chief Ministers. A fete even the US has not achieved. This despite the fact that research has shown that female legislators are better for the Indian economy. This despite our Gram panchayats that have strong female representation with over 40% women sarpanch.

We can all concede that female representation is low in parliament and therefore in decision making, which is a key indicator of a countrys empowerment, progress and equality. Yes?

We can all concede that politics is still a male domain. Yes?

That politics is a dirty field that is neither kosher nor for the faint-hearted. Yes?

That there are many reasons why women dont enter politics in India. Yes?

But how can the parliament be representative of the electorate or our republic, if women are disproportionately represented? Who better represents women-centric issues than other women?

The time has come that such obstacles are fought. With the reservation of 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha for women, as per the Womens Reservation Bill <that has been languishing in the parliament for over two and a half decades>, apna time aa gaya hai.

Why is this important? Womens political participation in Indias independence  though scantily recognised  has enabled many women in terms of education, suffrage, and economic emancipation. Increasing the number of women in national government will impact governance and transform leadership. It will galvanise other young female professionals.

This step in the right direction, needs to become a giant leap for women.

The issue is that though the government has shown interest and initiation, its done so with too many caveats like the bill coming into effect only after a delimitation exercise based on Census Data, which does not seem to have a clear timeline. Since the government has made a move to address Indias low female political participation, lets do it right. The reservation needs to come into effect immediately, not as an afterthought.

There also needs to be more intersectionality. Women from marginalized communities and minorities should also have equal access and representation.

Lets also not forget that men have historically been powerful allies in Indias feminist movement. If Sarojini Naidu asked for womens voting rights, Raja Ram Mohan Roy abolished Sati. If Savitribai Phule fought for caste, education and social upliftment, Mahatma Gandhi started the Stree Shakti movement. Weve all stood together for a better India.

Ask yourself. Women voters have increased in number, and in some constituencies like Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, female voters outnumber male voters. All women polling booths are set up around India. Women are voting with gusto, yes! But the burning question is are they voting for other women?

Do women vote for other women?

YES! A resounding yes! Who else understands what it takes for a woman to break not just the glass ceiling but the glass floor? Who else understands that we dont want to be your devi or your dayin, your abla nari or krantikaari. We just want to be a normal nari.

But I recall going to vote in the South Mumbai constituency where there were all male candidates. I was sorely disappointed that this happens even in Mumbai even in the 21st century. If we dont see female candidates, how do we vote for them?

Women have to raise their voices, be heard, vote for other women, and stand for elections. We have to take a collective call to become a vote bank. To form our own gulaab gang. Leavingelections as a battle among men is as outdated as the old boysclub, so lets leave it where it belongs: in our nations rear-viewmirror. Remember, a small step in parliament is a giant leap for women everywhere.

Meghna Pant is a multiple award-winning and bestselling author, screenwriter, columnist and speaker, whose upcoming novel THE MAN WHO LOST INDIA (Simon & Schuster) will be published in December 2023
At the signing ceremony (Photo: VNA)

With this move, Vietnam has so far formed diplomatic ties with 193 countries globally.

Minister Bui Thanh Son stressed that the event marks a historic milestone in the relationship between the two countries, laying a crucial foundation for the future development of bilateral ties and meeting the practical interests of their people for the sake of peace, cooperation and friendship in the region and the world.

To harness the potential of bilateral cooperation, he proposed that both sides facilitate visits at all levels and consider the establishment of mechanisms for periodic bilateral exchange to create a framework for long-term cooperation, especially in fields with huge potential like economy, trade and tourism.

Minister Bui Thanh Son also invited the Tongan FM to pay an official visit to Vietnam.

Minister Utoikamanu, for her part, believed that there is significant potential and room for bilateral collaboration.

Agreeing with Minister Bui Thanh Sons proposals, she wished both countries would step up cooperation in areas of mutual interest such as tourism, climate change response and aquaculture.

The two ministers agreed to offer mutual support at multilateral forums and develop relations between ASEAN and Pacific island countries.

Tonga is a Pacific island nation located more than 5,200 km west of Australia. It consists of 169 small islands with a total land area of 748 sq.km and a population of over 106,000 people (as of 2022). Tonga operates under a constitutional monarchy./.
Amid heightened tensions between the two nations, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, leader of the banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has issued threats to Indo-Canadian Hindus, asking them to leave Canada and return to India.

Days after the threat video went viral online, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) seized Pannuns properties in Chandigarh and Amritsar.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) today confiscated the house and land of the self-styled General Counsel of the outlawed Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) outfit & Canada-based designated individual terrorist Gurpatwant Singh in Amritsar and Chandigarh. This is the first time that properties of an absconding accused of NIA, have been confiscated under section 33(5) of UA(P)A, an NIA notification read, according to ANI.

Hindustan Times report claims that Pannuns agricultural property in the village of Khankot had a notice similar to this posted on it.

According to the outlet, the central investigation agency has seized 46 kanals of Pannuns agricultural land in the village in connection with a terror case that was reported in 2020.

The threat comes soon after Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau made a startling allegation that there was a potential link between Indian government agents and the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey in June this year.

Also read: Not just Nijjar: The 10 Khalistani names India shared with Canada in 2018

All about Gurpatwant Singh Pannun

Pannun is a New York-based Sikh secessionist leader who advocates for the creation of Khalistan. He is the legal advisor and spokesperson for SFJ, a banned organization that seeks to achieve Khalistan through a referendum.

Born in Khankot village of Punjabs Amritsar, he studied law at Guru Nanak Dev University and then served as a lawyer in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, according to Daily O. Mahinder Singh, his father, was once employed by the Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board. According to the Punjab Police file, he is between 51 and 53 years old.

According to The Statesman, Pannun may not be well-known in his village, but his family is richly endowed with excellent farmland, a school, and a college right there in the community. Their relocation from Pakistan to Khankot village during the 1947 Partition is the source of their fortune.

After being accused of being involved in the Hindu leaders murder, he escaped India for the United States in 2007.

In 2007, he founded SFJ, with the express intent of achieving self-determination for the Sikh people in their historic homeland in the region of Indian held Punjab and establishing a sovereign state, popularly known as Khalistan.

He faces 22 criminal cases, including three of sedition in Punjab.

Also read: What did Indias intel reveal about Khalistani Hardeep Singh Nijjar?

Terrorist label

The group and Pannu both gained attention in August 2018 after they planned a sizable pro-Khalistan Sikh gathering in Londons Trafalgar Square and declared their campaign, Referendum 2020.

He was declared a terrorist by the Indian government that same year, and under Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, his agricultural land was confiscated.

It is pertinent to mention here that in October 2022, Interpol denied Indias second application for a Red Corner Notice against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on terrorism-related grounds, citing a lack of information as the basis for their decision.

His followers consider him as a freedom fighter who is defending the rights of Sikhs despite the fact that he is a contentious figure. His critics accuse him of being a terrorist who wants to undermine India.

The prominent social media user Pannun frequently offers rewards for raising the purported flag of Khalistan on official structures and posts audio and video messages in accented Punjabi.

Notably, Pannun collaborated frequently with the murdered Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was stationed in Canada and whose death is at the heart of the diplomatic impasse between Ottawa and New Delhi.

Also read: How India-Canada ties turned rocky under Justins father, Pierre Trudeau

Threats and calls for referendums

In the latest viral video, Pannun can be heard saying, Indo-Canadian Hindus, you have repudiated your allegiance to Canada and the Canadian Constitution. Your destination is India. Leave Canada, go to India. Pro-Khalistan Sikhs have always been loyal to Canada. They have consistently sided with Canada and upheld its laws and Constitution.

Pannun has also urged all Canadian Sikhs to gather in Vancouver on 29 October for a vote on whether Indian High Commissioner Verma was to blame for the murder of Nijjar.

India has been concerned by the fact that Khalistani organisations had previously held referendums in Canada.

I urge the Canadian and Indian governments to take strict action against these violent extremists and especially SFJ and its chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.  Canada allows another anti India referendum in Surrey, where Gurpatwant Pannun openly calls for Balkanization of India. pic.twitter.com/WXTcIzYNQP  Dilpreet Chopra (@ChopraDilpreet) September 14, 2023

During the recently concluded G20 Summit, Pannun released an audio message asking Kashmiri Muslims residing in the Valley to go to Delhi and march to Pragati Maidan after Friday prayers, according to India Today. He also threatened to hoist the Khalistani flag at Delhis Indira Gandhi International airport.

In recent months, Pannun has also made threats against the Hindu population in Canada, including a video message in which he implied that if they did not leave the country by 29 October, he would target Hindu temples and businesses.

The SFJs previous secessionist movement was named Referendum 2020, and it aimed to liberate Punjab from Indian occupation.

The referendum was planned to take place in Punjab as well as significant cities in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Kenya, and the Middle East, but it finally fell through.

According to Indian Express, Pannun was in charge of the SFJs campaign against Indian officials whom it accuses of being responsible for the anti-Sikh riots in India in 1984. SFJ has filed court documents in the US in an effort to bring charges against Kamal Nath, Sonia Gandhi, and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

A federal court in Washington summoned Manmohan Singh in September 2013 while he was visiting the US in response to a complaint from the SFJ accusing him of funding crimes against humanity perpetrated upon the Sikh community in India.

Following a complaint made by the SFJ, then-Punjab CM Amarinder Singh had to cancel a trip to Canada in 2016. In relation to the riots in Gujarat in 2002, Pannun has also brought lawsuits against PM Narendra Modi and actor Amitabh Bachchan.

Anti-India sentiments

Pannun frequently expresses opinions that are unfavourable to the Indian government. In October 2020, for instance, just a week before the former prime minister Indira Gandhis death anniversary, Pannun made a video message in which he urged Indian students to raise the Khalistan flag and slogans in support of the country in exchange for an iPhone 12 Mini.

He had also written to Xi Jinping of China in June 2020 to empathise with the people of China following the Galwan conflict. He also criticised Indias violent aggression causing the death of several soldiers of China at Ladakh valley border, according to the Caravan.

Also read: How the pro-Khalistan sentiment has grown in Canada

India-Canada row

The tensions between India and Canada intensified on Monday as Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged that India may have been involved in the murder of Khalistan Tiger Forces leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

He said, We are there to work constructively with India. We hope that they engage with us so that we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter.

India strongly denies these accusations, calling them absurd and motivated.

The conflict has resulted in the expulsion of diplomats on both sides, warnings to citizens living in each others countries, and an ongoing diplomatic deadlock.

India asked for proof to back up Ottawas assertions in public, but Trudeau hasnt given any information on the information Canadas intelligence services have gathered.

With inputs from agencies
Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States of America on 20 January, 2021.

Imagine if someone could go back in time and inform him and his communications team that a few pivotal changes in the media would occur during his first three years in office.

Theres the latest news that Rubert Murdoch, 92, stepped down as the chairperson of Fox Corp. and News Corp. on 21 September, 2023.

Since the 1980s, Murdoch, who will be replaced by his son Lachlan, has been the most powerful right-wing media executive in the US.

While its not clear whether Fox will be any tamer under Lachlan, Murdochs departure is likely good news for Biden, who reportedly despises the media baron.

Adding to Bidens good-luck list is that Elon Musk, an eccentric  and erratic  billionaire, purchased Twitter, now rebranded as X, in October 2022, prompting millions of American users to drop the social media platform, which has become a hotbed of right-wing activity and commentary.

Xs power as an influential social, political and cultural force has since continued to decline.

Former president Donald Trump even originally spurned an invitation to return to X, after Twitter suspended his account in 2021 for the risk it posed to incite violence. (Trump has since posted one time on X, on 24 August, 2023.)

These and other incidents mark an astonishing and even historic run of good luck for Biden, who, like all politicians, remains somewhat reliant on the media to both get his word out and craft a positive public image.

No American president since Franklin Delano Roosevelt has enjoyed such a run of good media luck.

Ultimately, this luck  coupled with his avoidance of press conferences  might help Biden evade the intense scrutiny that all presidents face.

Other conservative voices in decline

A few other major media shifts have transpired during Bidens presidency.

Fox News lost approximately 1 million nightly prime-time viewers, or about a third of its audience, between 2020 and early 2023. CNN and MSNBC ratings tanked, too, reflecting an overall decline of the cable TV news universe.

Its also noteworthy that conservative political commentator Rush Limbaugh died on 17 February, 2021, leaving a massive void in right-wing talk radio.

Many loyal Limbaugh listeners then deserted AM talk radio as a main way they get their news.

More recently, Fox News fired Tucker Carlson, the host of Americas most popular right-wing cable TV news program in May 2023, after Carlsons racist text messages were made public as part of the lawsuit against Fox by Dominion Voting Systems.

Fox did regain some viewers after Carlson left.

And, finally, in September 2023, Project Veritas, a right-wing political group known for hiding cameras to embarrass journalists and nonprofits the group considered to be politically liberal, reportedly ended all of its investigations and fired almost all its remaining employees.

Given Bidens low approval levels  only 40.6 per cent of Americans said they approved of Biden in September 2023 polls  I cannot say with certainty that this chain of setbacks for conservative media platforms has helped Biden maintain, or drawn in, more voters and their support.

But this remains an astonishing and even historic run of good luck for a Democratic president when it comes to the media  bringing to mind Roosevelt, who benefited from a similar turn of events.

FDRs stroke of good luck

Its important to note that, in some ways, Roosevelt manufactured his luck.

Roosevelt hosted regular, popular fireside chats on the radio in the 1930s and 40s as a way to connect with voters and counter the newspapers that opposed him.

The media supported the White Houses attempts to hide Roosevelts paralysis, the result of contracting polio in his 20s.

And, at the request of the White House, some media outlets censored people on the radio who were critical of Roosevelts policies.

In much the same way, Joe Bidens media team has skillfully exploited the media.

Biden, for example, has kept a relatively low public profile  in the last century, only Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon have convened fewer average annual press conferences than the current president at this point in their tenure.

Luck may not last forever

The decline of conservative media over the past few years does not constitute a perfect trajectory for Biden  that would require, for instance, the emergence of a new liberal media figure with the influence of a Limbaugh or Carlson.

But Biden has benefited from right-wing media tumult.

Its not yet clear what Rupert Murdochs departure will mean for Fox News, especially since his son Lachlan Murdoch was already well established at Fox Corp as a top executive and staunch conservative.

Theres no guarantee that Bidens media luck will hold.

One potentially compromising factor is that Bidens son Hunter is facing felony gun possession charges and is expected to plead not guilty on 26 September.

But much of the media has avoided the most scandalous details or images portraying Hunter Bidens alleged illegal activities  or failed to clearly explain why they have avoided such reporting.

This offers yet another example of Joe Bidens outsized luck.

A belated fall

It is useful to remember that president Warren G. Harding was the president previous to Roosevelt who enjoyed good fortune with the media. Harding, the only professional journalist to be elected president, enjoyed enormous popularity within the newspaper industry.

Reporters, for example, hid his widely rumored  and eventually proven  extramarital affairs.

But after Harding died unexpectedly in 1923, the truth about his administrations corruption and his personal dealings, including details about hush payments to cover up a secret, unacknowledged child, dribbled out.

This happened first through quiet leaks, then in a flood prompted by a congressional investigation in the late 1920s regarding a top Harding administration official and a bribery scandal.

Hardings reputation never recovered.

In Hardings case, the so-called first draft of history provided by the newspapers proved embarrassingly inaccurate.

In other words: The presidents luck didnt hold out.
Former President Ram Nath Kovind will chair the first official meeting of the One Nation One Election Committee today in New Delhi.

Panel members that include the names of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, former Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Finance Commission Chairman N K Singh, former Lok Sabha Secretary General Subhash C Kashyap, senior advocate Harish Salve, and former Chief Vigilance Commissioner Sanjay Kothari, will most likely discuss the feasibility of simultaneous elections and recommend ways to tackle situations like a hung assembly or adoption of a no-confidence motion.

Apart from this, the committee will suggest a framework and a time limit around which the elections can be conducted in the country.

Last month, the central government reinforced its push for One Nation, One Election by constituting a panel to explore its feasibility in India.

If the government goes ahead with the plan, India will see simultaneous polls across states. The proposal states that elections for Lok Sabha and all state assemblies should be held at the same time.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that his government is making sincere attempts to draft laws in a simple manner and in Indian languages to the maximum extent.

Inaugurating the International Lawyers Conference here, he said the language used to write laws and in the judicial process plays a big role in ensuring justice

We in the Indian government are thinking that law should be produced in two ways. One draft will be in the language you are used to, he said to the audience drawn from the legal field. The second draft will be in a language which the countrys common man can understand. He should consider the law his own. Modi said there had been a practice of drafting laws in a complex manner.

Lauding the legal fraternity, he said the judiciary and the Bar have long been protectors of Indias justice system and noted that they played a pivotal in Indias independence. The likes of Mahatma Gandhi, B R Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel were lawyers, the prime minister said.

The conference, he said, is happening at a time when India has witnessed several historic moments.

Referring to the passage of the womens reservation bill in Parliament, he said this will give new direction and energy to women-led development. He also spoke of the G20 Summit and the successful Chandrayaan mission.

With India working hard to achieve the goal of becoming a developed country by 2047, it requires the base of a strong and impartial justice system, he said. Impartial justice has a big role in the growing faith of the world in India, Modi added.
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and his Japanese counterpart Yoko Kamikawa on Friday agreed to strengthen cooperation on the economic front, including achieving steady progress on the high-speed railway project, a flagship project between India, Japan.

The two ministers met in New York during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

In a 30-minute-long meeting, both ministers affirmed that maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law is critical and that Japan and India would strengthen their responses to issues in the international community, according to a release issued by Japans Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two ministers also shared views on regional situations including the Indo-Pacific and the situation in Ukraine, and on the Security Council reform.

EAM Jaishankar congratulated Foreign Minister Kamikawa on her appointment.

In response, Minister Kamikawa expressed her intention to further develop the Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership and her respect for Indias efforts as the Chair of the G20 New Delhi Summit.

Minister Kamikawa also stated that the two nations, as the G7 and G20 presidencies respectively, were able to cooperate closely and link G7 outcomes to G20 outcomes.

Taking to his social media X, formerly known as Twitter, Jaishankar stated, Delighted to meet Foreign Minister of Japan Yoko Kamikawa at #UNGA78. Exchanged perspectives on our Special Strategic and Global Partnership Discussed our regional, multilateral and global cooperation and taking them forward.

Delighted to meet Foreign Minister of Japan Yoko Kamikawa at #UNGA78. Exchanged perspectives on our Special Strategic and Global Partnership Discussed our regional, multilateral and global cooperation and taking them forward. pic.twitter.com/CXXWPvIgQG  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 22, 2023

Jaishankar is leading the Indian delegation for a week-long visit to New York, where he is scheduled to address a High-Level session of the 78th UNGA on September 26 according to an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.

During his visit from September 22-30, Jaishankar will in keeping with Indias support for the Global South, host a special event India-UN for Global South: Delivering for Development.

Upon completion of the 78th UNGA-related engagements, the external affairs minister will visit Washington DC from September 27-30 for bilateral meetings with US interlocutors.

His program includes discussions with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, senior members of the US administration, US business leaders and think tanks.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced on Saturday that internet services will be reinstated in the state from today.

#WATCH | From today onwards, internet services will be opened for the public, says Manipur CM N Biren Singh pic.twitter.com/GqP3eR4tmM  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2023

Internet services were suspended in the state on May 3 after tribal groups broke into a clash in the northeastern state.

However, in July, the Manipur government lifted the suspension on broadband internet conditionally in a liberalised manner, nearly three months after it was banned.

Mobile internet remained suspended, the state home department said in a notification.

Addressing a press conference here, Singh said, The government had suspended mobile internet services on May 3 to check the spread of fake news, propaganda and hate speech. However, with the improvement of the situation, mobile internet services will be restored across the state from today.

Meanwhile, Fresh clashes broke out between security forces and protesters in certain pockets of Imphal West on Friday night after one of the five defence volunteers released on bail by a special court was re-arrested by a central security agency, officials said.

There was, however, no official confirmation about the status of the re-arrested youth, officials added.

On Thursday, the state witnessed widespread clashes between security forces and protesters after demonstrators attempted to storm police stations as part of court arrest agitation demanding the unconditional release of the five village defence volunteers.

With inputs from PTI
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannuns residence at Sector 15 in Chandigarh.

VIDEO | NIA conducts searches at Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannuns residence at Sector 15 in Chandigarh. More details are awaited. pic.twitter.com/JUHhhYh9Mz  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 23, 2023

The investigative body had sought permission from a special court to all the immovable property belonging to Pannun under section 33(5) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967.

A property confiscation notice has been pasted outside a house owned by the designated terrorist in Chandigarh.

On the orders of the NIA court, a property confiscation notice has been pasted outside a house owned by banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) founder and designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, in Chandigarh. pic.twitter.com/X5ghFCVRFS  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2023

SFJ, a fringe organisation, was declared unlawful under Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Talking to News18, an official said, Pannun is accused in case RC-19/2020/NIA/DLI dated 05.04.2020 under sections 120-B, 124-A, 153-A 153-B and 17, 18 and 19 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The case relates to funding of terrorist activities in Punjab from abroad, creating disharmony among communities and radicalising youth for terrorist activities.

Punjab | On the orders of the NIA Mohali court, a property confiscation notice has been pasted outside a house belonging to Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in BharsinghPura village of Jalandhar district pic.twitter.com/eRPheA2bFA  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2023

Earlier this week, Pannun had threatened Hindus living in Canada and asked them to leave the country as soon as possible.

The move by the anti-terror body comes amid an escalating diplomatic row between India and Canada after Trudeau alleged that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Whom does the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) work for? The United States or China? On the face of it, this may appear as an outrageous question, but recent allegations about the agencys role in shielding Beijing regarding the origin of the novel coronavirus do raise such queries and misgivings. But, as we shall see, it is the reality that is outrageous, not the question.

And no, these are allegations are not by some Republican leader or conservative intellectual that could be simply brushed aside by the American mainstream media as a conspiracy theory. Staff on the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic and Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence recently heard testimony from a whistleblower alleging that the CIA offered six analysts significant monetary incentives to change their position on Covid-19s origin, said a press release of the US Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

The whistleblower, who presents as a highly credible senior-level CIA officer, alleges that of the seven members assigned to the CIA team tasked with analyzing Covid-19 origins, six officers concluded that the virus likely originated from a lab in Wuhan, China. The CIA, however, allegedly offered financial incentives to six of the experts involved in the investigation to change their conclusion in favor of a zoonotic origin, the release said.

The Chairmen of the two panels also requested former CIA COO Andrew Makridis to appear for a voluntary transcribed interview on September 26. At least, the source of the allegations is highly credible, even if the allegations are proved to be incorrect.

Whatever may be the findings of the two panels, it is indisputable that Chinas influence in the USas also in other countries and in international bodies like the World Health Organizationis immense and insidious. This helped a bunch of scientists manipulate global opinionby way of a letter to the reputed medical journal Lancetfor over a year into accepting the natural origin theory of the coronavirus.

It was a testimony to former US President Donald Trumps wisdom that he could see China for what it really is: the worlds most dangerous and powerful rogue nation. And he did everything that he could to restrain the depredations of the dragon. He had the courage to call the coronavirus what it was: China virus, for even if it did not come out of the Wuhan lab, its country of origin was still China. If the 1918-19 pandemic could be called Spanish flu, the novel coronavirus could also be called China virus.

But the problem in Americaindeed in the entire Western worldis that anyone who espouses such Enlightenment values as individual liberty and reason, they are immediately maligned as vile representatives of far Right, alt-Right, or racist. Normally, Leftists take charge, and liberals become their cheerleaders.

And since anything that Trump stands for is wrong, the entire intellectual establishment embraced the natural origin view of coronavirussomething that was quite convenient to the Chinese Communist Party. As we mentioned earlier, it became a dogma whose questioning attracted banishment, de-platforming, and worse.

It was only on May 5, 2021, that the prominent science journalist Nicholar Wade challenged the natural origin orthodoxy. The possibility of the virus birth in a lab got a leg up.

Wade also hinted at a concerted endeavor, if not a global conspiracy, aimed at proving that the origin of the novel coronavirus was natural. This not only underlined the disingenuousness of some dishonest scientists but also the credulity of intellectuals all over the world who unquestioningly accepted the scientists lies as gospel.

In an article in the prestigious magazine The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Wade talked about the intellectual elites anti-Trump obsession supporting the natural origin theory which helped the Chinese. Another reason [for the acceptance of the natural origin theory], perhaps, is the migration of much of the media toward the left of the political spectrum. Because [former US] President [Donald] Trump said the virus had escaped from a Wuhan lab, editors gave the idea little credence. They joined the virologists in regarding lab escape as a dismissible conspiracy theory.

Wade said that at that time it was really far too soon for anyone to be sure what had happened. Yet, the scientists overwhelmingly conclude[d] that this coronavirus originated in wildlife.

The scientists wrote a letter in February 2020 to the prestigious medical journal Lancet, stressing the natural origin theory of the coronavirus. According to Wade, It later turned out that the Lancet letter had been organized and drafted by Peter Daszak, president of the EcoHealth Alliance of New York. Daszaks organization funded coronavirus research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. If the SARS2 virus had indeed escaped from research he funded, Daszak would be potentially culpable. This acute conflict of interest was not declared to the Lancets readers. To the contrary, the letter concluded, We declare no competing interests.

Daszak and his cronies deceived the world for over a yearto help the CCP.

The CIA whistleblower story is a reminder of the inscrutable ways in which Beijing carries out its hegemonic plans all over the world. It would not be a surprise if the story turns out to be correct, for Americas deep statethe CIA, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, et alhas done everything to keep Trump at bay. Its hatred for Trumpin fact, for anyone who takes on the liberal establishmentthat it could even go to the treasonous extent to let the CCP bosses do whatever they want to do.

Unsurprisingly, the conservatives are furious. It is not for nothing that Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy has promised to shut down the FBI if he gets elected.

The writer is a freelance journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Now that Indias Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that the Canadian Government had not acted on the dossiers of 26 international terrorists supplied to them, the question arises if the shoe after all is on Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus foot  or, both feet, so to say. Yet, the question arises why neither the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, nor External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar did not use the inaugural session in the New Parliament Complex to give a fitting reply to Trudeau, who after all had announced the decision to deport an Indian diplomat in a similar forum in his country.

This is not the first time that Canada-based Khalistanis are in the news, and Justin Trudeau is not the first Canadian Prime Minister to be indifferent to Indian concerns. Remember the Air-India Flight 182, the mid-air blast of Emperor Kanishka on 23 June 1985 was the single largest air-bound terror-attack until 9/11. All 329 on board perished  and 268 of them were Canadian citizens  yet the successive Canadian government remained unmoved and unconcerned, hence inactive.

Blame it on Indias Cold War equations of the time, but even later, the US, ally of both nations, that otherwise probes deep and continually into state-sponsorship and condoning of terrorism elsewhere, looked the other way when it came to Canadian Khalistanis. Maybe, India is yet to involve the US in what otherwise should remain a bilateral, lest Washington should use it as a sneaky entry-point to get involved in India-Pakistan affairs.

Independent of whoever is in power, New Delhi has kept bilateral as bilateral  but differentiating it from terrorism that has international connotations as 9/11 too proved. If only the US and the rest of the world had taken the hijack of Indian Airlines IC 814 Delhi-Kathmandu flight seriously two years earlier in 1999, and abided by Indias appeals and submissions at the time, then maybe, the world would not have to face 9/11 at all.

For, even at the time of the Kathmandu hijack episode, at least one Indian analyst had pointed out that the next time such a thing happens it will be against the US and in the US in a way that the world would not be able to forget it for a long time. In arriving at the conclusion, the analyst had pointed to the way IC 814 got finally parked at Kandahar, then in Talibans control  and not in the Afghan capital of Kabul, which was in the anti-Taliban, pro-US government control, or whatever passed for government control. It indicated the thorough planning that had gone into the hijack, which was not an amateurish attempt like the early Palestine-linked hijack dramas in the previous decades.

More than Vienna

In a clear reference to Canada expelling the R&AW station chief in Ottawa, the MEA,thus far, has spoken only about the host violating the Vienna Convention pertaining to diplomatic protocols and niceties. There are also reports about Canadian agencies tracking Indian diplomats  which to be fair to everyone concerned, counterparts elsewhere too will be doing. That is after all their job to secure their nations integrity, territory, security, sovereignty and every other interest and concern.

However, going by the MEAs statements after mutual-expulsions, there is something more that Canada may have violated and more than once in the past few years. That is UN Security Council Resolution (UNSC) 1373, which was passed unanimously  but only after 9/11, as if only the West got to know and feel the pains of terrorism only then. At least the US did so only then.

Whatever that is, 1373 very clearly lays out that nations should not fund or encourage terrorists, and should deny safe haven to those who finance, plan, support, or commit terrorist acts, or provide safe havens, and also take the necessary steps to prevent the commission of terrorist acts, including by provision of early warning to other States by exchange of information.

Ironically in this case, it is India that has given early warning to Canada on the activities of Khalistani terrorists through the past several decades, seeking cooperation to make them face the law  either in that country, or in India, through extradition.

The shameful part in the case of Canada was/is that when India wanted the Emperor Kanishika master-mind extradited, citing the existing Commonwealth Convention in the matter, Ottawa came up with a very ingenious plea, to deny New Delhis request. Clever by half, Ottawa said that India, unlike Canada, did not acknowledge the supremacy of the British Crown (Queen Elizabeth II at the time), hence they were not bound by the Commonwealth Convention.

Unfortunately, India too did not take it up with the permanent British chair of the Commonwealth, to drive some sense into the other. Nor did it choose to announce imminent boycott of the Commonwealth, if only to bring pressure on either Canada, or the UK, or on Canada through the UK  which much smaller nations have done in their time. It is quite possible India still went by its rule-book, to keep bilateral, bilateral.

Ball in American court?

Leave aside bilateral, trilateral and multilateral, the ball now really is in the American court. Thus far, the US reactions in the matter tend to be more Canada-supportive than India-sympathetic. Increasingly, thus, the question arises if Canada has been playing Americas B-Team on human rights issues  whereby Washington plays tough against terrorism and terrorists on its homeland, and let Canada air its own selective human rights concerns relating to third-nations.

It is the kind of analogy often aired in the case of Wests fight against black money: We will keep our mainland territories clean, but will not discourage  but rather encourage  lesser sovereigns like St Kitts, Cayman Islands to provide safe-havens for their own tax-violators and other criminals. Where the US has acted against terror-funding, it is either regarding those perceived as being inimical to the country  or as a generous gesture to another nation, to consolidate its hold over the other.

The US black-listing some Pakistan-based terrorists over time, and also supporting India in the UN by doing the same, fall into this category. It is unclear if India has ever approached the US with a list of Canada-based Khalistani terrorists and/or their financiers in that country, for similar black-listing, and waits for Washingtons action/reaction. Or, should India at all take such an initiative when the US is known to have eyes and ears all over  and should thus have one, closer to home in Canada, even more.

Not the only one

Incidentally, India is not the only country that has been having problems with Canada in the latters handling of terrorists targeting the former. For long, Indias immediate Indian Ocean neighbour Sri Lanka has had similar complaints about Canada, and a few European nations providing shelter to LTTE militants and their fund-raisers. That they raised funds by taxing SLT Diaspora members by holding their family elders and children back home as hostage in the LTTE heartland in Sri Lanka has been well-documented.

Canada did not act on it, instead encouraged complaints from pro-LTTE groups that the Sri Lankan agencies were targeting them individually. So indifferent and porous was the Canadian intelligence that it was reported that the Tamil interpreters/translators that it hired from among the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora, turned out to be LTTE members  which they learnt by accident, much later.

On Sri Lankas complaints about fund-raising and arms-smuggling by and for the LTTE, the US itself began acting only post-9/11. Even then it was mostly symbolic  as otherwise, the US was in the forefront of ensuring the safety of terror-boss Prabhakaran. Washington has not forgiven Colombo for not letting the US Marines supposedly whisking away Prabhakaran, family members and his close aides, and had to die at the hands of the Sri Lankan armed forces at the final battle-field, in Mullivaikkal.

All this notwithstanding, the US  with Canada in toe and more vociferous than the former  has been after successive Sri Lankan Governments at the UNHRC. Off again, on again, Canada especially has been targeting Sri Lanka on human rights issues pertaining to the Tamils back home. As is known, the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora is as much a vote-bank in Canada and even more than the pro-Khalistani elements from India. Only that the pro-Khalistani Sikh groups have been around in Canada much earlier than the Sri Lankan Tamil counterparts. Both now have elected representatives, and have enough influence to direct the course of what still remains the white-Canadian politics.

India is on record that Canada has not provided any evidence to the involvement of the Indian diplomat in the Nijjar killing. If Trudeau thought that a passing reference to the alleged Indian involvement to his Indian counterpart Modi on the G-20 summit sidelines is enough to claim that New Delhi had been briefed, he needs to learn a lot more in diplomacy of the kind.

Days after India declaring that Canada did not provide any such information, leaked news items, alleging that Ottawa after all has intel inputs. Credible information, if any, should have been provided to whoever can act on it  unless the intention is to make political capital, nearer home and on the international arena, as if to extend it to the West-inspired UNHRC reports on minorities in India.

Available options

All this apart, there is this basic question pertaining to my counter-terrorism and your counter-terrorism when targeting one nations terrorists on anothers soil. The Israeli Mossad did it all across Europe and went all the way to Latin America in search of Jew-killers in Hitlers Germany, long after the Second World War was over, done and dusted. They are celebrated and books have been written, hailing their tenacity and dedication in the matter.

The US Marines did it to Osama bin-Laden inside Pakistan when the opportunity remained for them to arrest the worlds most-wanted terrorist. Yet, years later, they wanted freedom of sorts for Prabhakaran in Sri Lanka. The question before the world now is about the options available to a nation like India when other sovereigns like Canada refuse to cooperate with legal and legitimate counter-terror measures sought with adequate proof and evidence under the schemes provided, say, under Resolution 1373, to which Canada and all 196 members of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) are adherent?

It is anybodys guess if Trudeau chose the inaugural session in the New Parliament Complex in New Delhi, to throw out an Indian diplomat. Even if it was a coincidence, it is anybodys guess why the PM, who never loses an opportunity to target India-bashers overseas, did not respond in kind, as he is wont to be otherwise. With the UNGA now in session , will India flag concerns of the kind when it turn comes for addressing the world from the worlds largest podium in terms of global audience and attention they get  and refer to the particular violation of 1373 by Ottawa, time and again, as much as what Pakistan might have been doing in the immediate Indian neighbourhood?

The writer is a Chennai-based policy analyst & political commentator. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
That India  Canada relations has witnessed a downhill curve in the last few years is no secret; that the primary bone of contention here has been Canadian PM Justin Trudeaus soft, indulgent approach towards pro-Khalistan terror groups operating out of Canada, is equally well known. Yet, nobody had imagined the crisis to escalate to the present levels within days, the way it did after Trudeau launched a full-scale diplomatic war on India by alleging that Indian agents were responsible for the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist, on Canadian soil. Following Trudeaus charges, Canada expelled the head of Indian intelligence in that country, Pavan Kumar Rai.

India retaliated strongly by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat, Olivier Sylvester. The Modi government rejected Canadas allegations and called the charges levelled by Trudeau absurd and motivated. Delhi then came up with a strong advisory for its nationals and students in Canada, reminding them of the deteriorating security environment in Canada, besides advising them to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant. This was followed by India calling Canada a safe haven for terrorists and the cancellation of visa services to Canadians travelling to India.

Past Imperfect Future Tense

It goes without saying that the sudden escalation of the crisis has surprised many but for those who have followed Canadas politics from the 1980s, the present crisis was inevitable. Rather it was waiting to happen. Trudeaus irresponsible and reckless normalisation of Khalistan forces in Canada, only precipitated the crisis. The seeds of this crisis have however been sown in Canada since the late 1970s with almost every political party there guilty of indulgence for their vested gains.

It was in 1982 that the then Canadian government refused to entertain Indira Gandhis request to extradite Khalistan extremist Talwinder Parmar on charges of murder. The then PM of Canada was Justins father, Pierre Trudeau. In the ghastly 1985 Kanisha Air India mid-air bombing that resulted in 329 deaths, Parmar was the key conspirator. A year earlier, Parmar is said to have been vocal about his plans to blow off Indian planes mid air. The brazen complicity of Trudeau senior is what had set Canada on the path of appeasement of terror groups. Justin Trudeau has only taken the legacy forward with a shameless air of entitlement.

Jagmeet Singh Factor

Trudeau got into a semi-alliance with arch-rival Jagmeet Singhs New Democratic Party in early 2022. Jagmeet Singh has been a vocal Khalistan sympathiser. With this deal, at least on the issue of Khalistan terror, Trudeau has little option but to tread Jagmeet Singhs line for his survival. It was Jagmeet Singhs party that is believed to have pinned Trudeau down to nail India for Hardeep Singh Nijjars murder. Trudeau should have, of course, done better home-work to gauge the repercussions of this blunder.

Hence, Trudeau, in order to extend his own political survival, has risked Canadas equity globally. This is also the time when Canadian voters are particularly unhappy with Trudeaus performance and his ratings are at an all time low. The fragile ground situation in Canada and the levels of Hindu-hate prevailing there, was best exposed by Trudeaus own party MP, Chandra Arya who brought out a video highlighting the grim situation. In the video, Arya says, There would be an outrage in Canada if a white supremist attacked any group of racialised Canadians asking them to get out of our country. But apparently this Khalistani leader (Gurpatwant Singh Pannun) can get away with this hate crime. Hindu Canadians keep a low profile and are considered soft targets. The anti-Hindu elements cannot digest the success of Hindu-Canadians. Two well-organised groups claiming to represent their faiths have been attacking Hindu-Canadian community leaders, Hindu organisations and even me. For over ten months, I have been attacked for raising a flag with our Hindu religious sacred symbol Aum on our parliament hill

Aryas video is no less a direct attack on Trudeau exposing his inaction. This sentiment finds resonance among large sections of Canadians.

Thus, Trudeaus move to take an anti-India stance seems to have been borrowed from Pakistans playbook to deflect attention from his own failures. Every time that Pakistan was caught shielding and nurturing terror groups, it would retaliate by mounting its attack on India. Trudeau ought to have learnt his lessons from Pakistans decline, rather he has aped Pakistans vile ways, precipitating Canadas decline.

Why it was important for India to act tough

Justin Trudeau is a slow learner with poor intent. Over the last 6-7 years, India had repeatedly made its discomfort over increasing Khalistan activities known to Canada. Trudeau remained callously defiant.

If he had political maturity, he would have initiated a course correction at least after seeing Pakistans global ostracisation in past years. India has suffered for decades by following a soft approach towards Pakistan terror. Canada today is where Pakistan was in the 1980s. We cant afford to repeat the same mistakes now. If Canada does not clamp down on the terror groups operating on its soil now, the world would be risking heavy casualties in future. Trudeaus myopic political interests should not be allowed to mar his countrys future, given the significant percentage of immigrants who have made Canada their home in recent decades. In history, seldom has a country that bred poisonous snakes in its backyard, not been bitten by the same snakes.

Unlike the previous Indian governments, the Modi government does not believe in ignoring problems till they go out of hand. India has suffered heavy casualties by Khalistan terror including the loss of a PM and a Punjab CM. Hence, there can be no compromise on the issue of national security. It was important to send a firm message to Canada. This is a message not just to Trudeau, but almost to Canadas New Democratic Party. Canada, as a country and NDP as a political party there, will have to think beyond Trudeau and Jagmeet Singh respectively, if the country wants to retain global goodwill. There cant be any space for terror-supporters in a progressive, unified world.

Canada is at an important inflection point . It needs to make its choices clear. It needs to redeem itself for all those Canadians and well wishers of Canada worldwide, who dont subscribe to Trudeaus vile politics. In hindsight, the people of Canada will be grateful to India for providing their beautiful nation a clarity that will safeguard their own future.

The writer is the national spokesperson of BJP. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (Photo: VNA)

At the meeting, ministers pointed to major difficulties and challenges currently, especially those related to climate change, environment, food security, energy, water resources as well as the decline in trust and multilateral cooperation.

They were especially concerned as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been completed by 14%, and believed that the 2024 Summit of the Future is significant in creating new catalysts to promote the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

The ministers shared their countries' vision and priorities for the summit, and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening global governance and multilateralism, calling for respect for the basic principles of international law and the UN Charter.

Addressing the event, FM Bui Thanh Son stressed the need to listen to the opinions of countries and relevant parties, including the important role of youth in shaping the future world. The decision-making process needs to be led by member states and conducted in an open, transparent and inclusive manner without creating duplication or unnecessary burdens for developing countries, he stated.

The Vietnamese representative said that future agreements need to focus on promoting the SDGs, ensuring fairness, justice and the principle of common but distinct responsibilities. The reform of global multilateral systems, including international financial institutions, must prioritise ensuring the rights and creating more voices for developing countries, he underlined.

FM Bui Thanh Son also highlighted pressing challenges that need to be resolved such as climate change, global health governance, sustainably handling the water-food-energy relationship, as well as ensuring that digital technology and artificial intelligence serve humans.

The 2024 Summit of the Future is scheduled for September 22-23.

On the occasion of his participation at the high-level general debate of the United Nations General Assembly, FM Son had bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Belarus, Estonia, Hungary, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Iraq.

Meeting Belaruss Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik, FM Bui Thanh Son affirmed that Vietnam treasures the friendship and all-round cooperation with Belarus, and thanked the Government and people of Belarus for supporting Vietnam in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. The two FMs agreed to strengthen political consultation mechanisms to promote cooperation and actively prepare for delegation exchange activities, especially at the high level in the coming time.

FM Son underlined the need for Vietnam and Belarus to work closely together to better exploit advantages and potential of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Aleinik affirmed that Belarus attaches great importance to Vietnam and hopes that the two sides will deploy comprehensive and effective measures to beef up trade partnership and open the market for each others strong products, while strengthen cooperation in promising areas such as education and training, labour and agriculture.

In another meeting, Son and Hungarian FM Peter Szijjarto highly valued the traditional friendship and growing cooperation between the two countries in many areas, especially economy and trade, in the context that the two countries are celebrating the fifth anniversary of their comprehensive partnership.

FM Bui Thanh Son thanked Hungary for actively supporting Vietnam in the process of negotiating and signing the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and being the first EU member state to ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Association (EVIPA).

Szijjarto said that Hungary always highly values the role of the Vietnamese community in Hungary and supports the ECs removal of the yellow card against Vietnamese seafood exports.

The two sides concurred to coordinate closely to prepare for delegation exchanges, especially at the high level in the time to come, while strengthening collaboration and mutual support at multilateral forums. They also discussed a number of international and regional issues of shared concern.

At the meeting between FM Bui Thanh Son and Estonian FM Margus Tsahkna, the two sides affirmed the importance that they attach to the Vietnam-Estonia traditional relations and shared delight at the progress in bilateral ties over the years.

FM Bui Thanh Son thanked Estonia for supporting Vietnam in negotiating for the EVFTA and signing the EVIPA. He proposed that Estonia support the removal of the ECs yellow card against Vietnamese seafood exports. Tsahkna said he hopes the two sides promote cooperation in digital technology, green transition, and transport.

Meeting Iraqi Deputy PM and FM Fuad Mohamed Hussein, FM Son suggested that the two sides increase cooperation in promising areas such as agriculture, import-export and Halal market development.

The Iraqi official lauded the socio-economic achievements that Vietnam has gained over the past decades.

The two sides agreed to speed up procedures for the re-opening of the Iraqi embassy in Hanoi, and concurred to organise the next meeting of the Joint Committee on bilateral cooperation at an early date to promote the bilateral ties in politics, diplomacy and economy./.
India as a maritime civilisation was not considered seriously for a long time. And Indians got used to the idea that we were basically content to be within the sacred punyabhumi of Jambudvipa or Bharatvarsha or other terra firma. It is only now that the true extent of ancient Indias cultural outreach across the eastern and western seas are being explored and analysed. And the breadth of Indias enormous civilisational impact is being discovered.

The recently announced project of building a stitched ship, harking back to the technology that ancient Indians probably used to reach distant shoresfor trade if not always conquestis another step towards reclaiming Indias maritime legacy. It should, in fact, have been done when the 9th century stitched ship that sank off the coast of Srivijaya (Sumatra) near Belitung Island was recovered in 1998. But India was not ready, in many ways.

It was Oman that embarked on a joint project in 2008 with Singapore and the salvage company that retrieved it, to recreate that ship filled with Tang dynasty artefacts as it was thought to be an Arab vessel trading with 9th century China. Some even mistakenly called it a Tang ship. Archaeological and maritime experts, however, concurred that the technology of the ship was Indian, but that aspect was not given much importance.

The 9th century Belitung ship was recreated as the Jewel of Muscat, and sailed to Singapore where it was put on display. Indias project envisages a 22-month timeline to build the ship, then six months of prep for a journey, then sailing to Bali and back in 2025, to finally berth at a museum in the Harappan era port of Lothal, according to Sanjeev Sanyal, conceptualiser of this maritime adventure. Only this ship will recreate one from the 5th century.

Although an economist by training and profession, Sanyals deeply researched books on aspects of Indian history (such as the bestselling Ocean of Churn) have played a big role in kindling popular interest in hitherto ignored facets. It is entirely befitting then that he hit upon the idea of recreating a stitched ship to remind the worldand Indiathat our ancient maritime technology fuelled extensive trade and cultural forays to the east and west.

Serendipitously, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also green-flagged Sanyals idea, appreciating its long term benefit: to not only foster a spirit of adventure and challenge but also to spread awareness of Indias legacy of scientific progress in every sphere and in every era. For far too long India shied away from such dream projects that serve a purpose far beyond the obvious. Those were for developed countries, not us, we thought. No longer.

The memory of Indias ancient seafaring tradition survives most visibly in Odisha where the annual Bali Jatra is observed on Kartik Purnima by floating tiny paper boats lit with diyas on the Bay of Bengal. From the second century CE, sailors from Kalingacalled Sadhaba Puashad a bustling trade with Suvarnadwipa or Sumatra, Bali, Java, Borneo and Malaya, and Indian influence on the ancient culture and polity of that region are evident.

Few beyond the most rarefied academic circles know that ancient Indian sailors and traders were as intrepid as any from the Arab regions or the Chinese. It is known that many if not most of the crews on board the Arab dhowsprobably including the one that sank off Sumatracomprised people from the subcontinent, and merchants from India made round trips to the east and west for business. So shipbuilding was a crucial industry.

A painting of what seems to be a stitched ship at Ajanta dated to the 5th century CE, is the inspiration for Indias project. But there are older references to maritime activities. Indus Valley/Saraswati civilisation seals with images of ships have been found. Terracotta seals with seagoing vessels have been found in Bangarh and Chandraketugarh in West Bengal and a later seal in Kharosthi-Brahmi script refers to a Tridesayatra, or voyage to three places.

Dholavira and Lothal in Gujarat contain evidence of ports and even dry docks for repair, that bespeak considerable seafaring activity. And India abounds in ancient architectural remains of maritime activities from wharves to lighthouses. And there is epigraphic evidence of ship building and sea journeys undertaken from Indias coastlines. Even the ships Alexander of Macedonia needed to take part of his troops back in 325 BCE were built in Sindh.

The huge armadas that the great Chola king Rajendra I sent in 1017 and 1025 to teach the kingdom of Srivijaya a lesson and reopen the south-east Asian shipping routes also point to a shipbuilding industry that are well documented but are not widely publicised. By the time the Yukti Kalpataru was composed by the Paramara ruler Bhoja in the 11th century, the techniques of ship building were obviously advanced as it classified ships by size and purpose.

River ships were called Samanya and seafaring ones were Visesa, and there were sub-classes. The pleasure boat carving on the Jagannath Temple at Puri, for, instance is of the Madhyamandira type, while the sea-going one painted in Ajanta is of the Agramandira class. The Shilpasastra also refers to two types of ports Dronimukha on estuaries, Samudrapattana on the coast, and Jalapattana on navigable rivers, such as Muziris and Arikamedu.

The stitching technique rather than nails was probably used on the earliest ships. Ropes made of coconut coir were pushed through holes in custom cut and curved wooden planks, and then waterproofed with a mix of fish oil and other ingredients. Those masted ships withstood the long, monsoon-wind-propelled journeys from India to the spice islands of south-east Asia on one side and the trading ports to the west, from Oman to Africa.

The stitched ship technique is still in use along Indias Konkan coast, although now restricted to only small boats needed by local fishermen rather than the ocean-traversing vessels of yore. These boat-builders skills are a remnant of that ancient technology and as their knowledge of minutiae like types of wood and natural adhesives are being tapped by the team that has designed the stitched ship, this will be a way of preserving it for posterity.

The 21nd century construction will be by Hodi Innovations of Goa, but as it is a joint project of the Indian Navy and the Culture Ministry, minister of state Meenakshi Lekhi ceremonially laid the keel of the stitched ship last week, in the presence of Indias Navy Chief and Sanyal. The crucial stitching will be done by traditional shipwrights led by Babu Sankaran, an expert in the technique, who was also part of the Jewel of Muscat construction team.

Part of the knowledge preservation effort also includes identifying types of Indian wood to be used on parts of the ship, chosen for their specific qualities. Examination of the timber used in the Belitung shipwreck (remarkably well preserved as it had actually been buried under the seabed and thus escaped disintegration) had revealed that wood came from diverse places in Africa. Ancient Indians also had a wide variety to choose from.

Re-iterating Indias maritime influence has another obvious importance today: it counters the Chinese attempt to posit the countries of south-east Asia as part of its civilisational sphere, undeterred by evidence of temples, beliefs and cultural markers linking the Indian Ocean coastal nations to India. Drawing the connection back to millennia of shipbuilding and sailing would go a long way in bolstering Indias reassertion of its links to the east and west.

This is thus more than just a project. As Naval Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said at the keel-laying, building the ship is a step to free our nation from sea-blindness, kindle maritime consciousness, wherein following the footsteps of the Government, our citizens take to the seas to reach out to the worldbe it commerce, culture, connect, and co-prosperity. This is exactly what Indian seafarers who embarked the stitched ships did for centuries.

The author is a freelance writer. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Russian-installed head of Sevastopol in Crimea warned of a possible new Ukrainian missile attack on Saturday, a day after Kyiv hit Russias Black Sea Fleet headquarters in the city.

Attention! Missile danger! Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said on Telegram.

Close your windows properly and stay away from them, he said, asking commuters to get out of cars and public transport and seek shelter in a safe place.

But shortly afterwards he said the danger is over.

Kyiv struck the Russian naval headquarters on Friday, sparking a huge fire and leaving at least one Russian serviceman missing.

Razvozhayev had earlier said Saturday that fragments of a missile had fallen outside the city.

Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, has been targeted by Kyiv throughout Moscows offensive but attacks have intensified this summer.
Calling for Security Council reforms, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong backed India and Japan to be made permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

During her address at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, Wong stressed for greater permanent and non-permanent representation for Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

For UNSCs contribution to African Union-led operations. Our commitment to peace and security is why Australia seeks a seat in the Security Council for the year 2029-30. And it is why we pursue Security Council reforms. We must ensure greater permanent and non-permanent representation for Africa, Latin America, and Asia including permanent seats for India and Japan. And we must demand more of permanent members including constraints on the use of veto, she said during her address.

Earlier on Wednesday, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa had also backed India and Brazil to be given permanent membership of a reformed Security Council.The concept of security corresponds to a world that no longer exists. Portugal has defended that countries like Brazil and India become permanent members. This decision should be made. These countries cannot be ignored, he said during his address at the UNGA session.

Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during the G20 summit, had also made an endorsement of Indias bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council and said his nation would be proud if a country like India became a full member of the UNSC.

We would be proud if a country like India became a permanent member of the UN Security Council. As you know, the world is bigger and larger than five (permanent members). And when we say the world is larger than five, what we mean is that its not only about the US, UK, France, China and Russia. We dont want to have just these five countries on the Security Council, he said on the concluding day of the G20 Leaders Summit in New Delhi.

Notably, reforms in the global systems have been an issue continuously raised by India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the global stage.

During his concluding address at the G20 Leaders Summit here in the national capital, PM Modi reiterated his stance of making global systems in accordance with the realities of the present and took the example of the United Nations Security Council.

When the UN was established, the world at that time was completely different from today. At that time there were 51 founding members in the UN. Today the number of countries included in the UN is around 200. Despite this, the permanent members in UNSC are still the same, he said.

The Prime Minister said that a lot has changed in the world since that time, be it transport, communication, health, or education, every sector has been transformed.

These new realities should be reflected in our new global structure. It is a law of nature that individuals and organizations that fail to adapt to changing times inevitably lose their relevance. We must think with an open mind as to what is the reason that many regional forums have come into existence in the past years, and they are also proving to be effective, he further said.
In the midst of the ongoing diplomatic standoff between India and Canada, David Eby, the Premier of British Columbia province, said that the federal government is withholding crucial information regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Eby stated that despite a briefing with the director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), he found the information provided to be frustratingly lacking in concrete details. He said that all the information he is aware of about Nijjars killing is already in the public domain.

This development follows Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus statement in Parliament, where he accused India of involvement in the June killing of Nijjar on Canadian soil. In response, New Delhi vehemently denied these allegations, describing them as absurd and motivated.

Eby said that he strongly suspects the government is holding back information that could help the province protect its residents with connections to India from foreign interference.

He added that Canadas Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc had reached out, but there has not been good information sharing.

Eby was speaking at a media question-and-answer session after addressing local politicians at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities conference in Vancouver.

In response to the killing of Nijjar this June in Surrey, Eby said that the priority should be protecting the criminal prosecution process so people can be held accountable, but on the broader issue of ensuring community safety, theres a long way to go to share that information.

The BC premier further said he believes Ottawa has information through agencies including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) that could help respond to ground the situation in provinces.

There is a gap between the information that Ottawa has and the ability to communicate that information with provinces where we can actually make a difference from using it in terms of response to issues on the ground it was frustrating the Premier of British Columbia said.

I understand there may need to be reform around the act that governs CSIS in order for them to be able to share this information, Eby told mediapersons.

If thats whats required, lets make it happen because the only way that were going to make traction on this is by the federal government trusting the provincial government with information and being able to act on it in our local communities, CBC News quoted him as saying.

Meanwhile, while addressing a news conference in New York on Thursday, Trudeau failed to present any evidence to back his claims. The Canadian Prime Minister was repeatedly quizzed on the nature of the allegations but stuck to reiterating that there were credible reasons to believe that India was linked to the death of Nijjar.

Hardeep Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, on 18 June.

Amid the ongoing diplomatic standoff, both countries expelled each others senior diplomats. India has also halted visa services to Canada.

With inputs from ANI
In light of escalating tensions involving Russia, the United States, and North Korea, President Xi Jinping said on Saturday that China is ready to cooperate with South Korea to advance a strategic alliance that can change with the times.

Prior to the Asian Games opening ceremony, Xi met with Han in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, according to China Central Television (CCTV).

Prior to the scheduled trilateral discussions between China, Japan, and South Korea in Seoul on September 26, the first summit presided over by their senior officials in four years, a pledge to cooperation was made.

According to a source from Yonhap on Saturday, Xi told Han that he welcomes the summit at an appropriate time and will carefully consider visiting South Korea. A Chinese statement did not mention Xis comment on the summit or a visit to Seoul.

Xi stated that China places a high value on South Koreas positive attitude to commit to cooperation and urged South Korea to meet China halfway to maintain the course of friendly cooperation. He suggested that the two nations might intensify their mutually beneficial collaborations.

Following North Koreas Kim Jong Uns week-long visit to Russia earlier this month, which incensed the US, Japan, and South Korea, tensions between the two East Asian nations grew.

The foreign ministry announced on Thursday that South Korea has imposed sanctions on 10 people and two organisations in connection with North Koreas nuclear programme and its trafficking in weapons with three nations, including Russia.

(With agency inputs)
Once rock-solid, the support that Ukraine has gotten from its biggest backers for its fight against Russia is showing cracks.

Political posturing in places like Poland and Slovakia, where a trade dispute with Ukraine has stirred tensions, and Republican reticence in the United States about Washingtons big spending to prop up Ukraines military have raised new uncertainties about the Wests commitment to its efforts to expel Russian invaders more than 18 months into the war.

And Russian President Vladimir Putin, who hopes to outlast allied backing for Kyiv, will be ready to capitalize if he sees Ukraine is running low on air defence or other weapons.

The West has long been shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine against Russia. But between Ukraines impassioned, unending pleas for help and huge handouts from its backers, signs of discord have emerged.

In July, Britains defence minister at the time said Ukraine should show gratitude to the West after Kyiv renewed its vocal  but unsuccessful  push to join NATO.

This week, a new bout surfaced after Ukraine filed a complaint at the World Trade

Organisation against three neighbours and European Union members  Hungary, Poland and Slovakia  for banning imports of Ukrainian farm products, a key export for the war-weary countrys battered economy.

The three bristled at the move, with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki shooting back that his country is no longer transferring any weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming ourselves with the most modern weapons.

Some EU officials have warned that Putin is revelling at the new show of Western discord at a time when Ukrainian troops are making slow gains in their counteroffensive against Russian forces, who still control a vast swath of eastern and southern Ukraine.

Still, from Washington to Warsaw, where the military cost and capabilities of helping Ukraine are at issue, officials are playing down any talk of a rift.

I dont believe that one political dispute will lead to a breakdown, Polish President Andrzej Duda said, adding that his prime minister was only referring to newly ordered weapons that wouldnt ever go to Ukraine anyway.

Jake Sullivan, the Biden administrations national security adviser, said Thursday he believed that Poland will continue to be a supporter of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a brief visit to Washington this week, sought to shore up US support for his country, which has factored into the political campaign ahead of next years presidential election. Former President Donald Trump and leading GOP rival Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida say they want the US to stop sending weapons to Ukraine.

Senator Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, after meeting with Zelenskyy on Thursday, acknowledged that people are talking about how much money is being spent. But, he added, Were investing in democracy.

Other GOP presidential hopefuls like former Vice President Mike Pence, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie support Ukraine.

Politics over the issue is also playing out in Eastern Europe. Lithuanian President Gitanas

Nauseda, a big backer of Ukraines fight against Russia, appealed on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, for his counterparts in Ukraine and Poland to resolve current differences, and said his country was ready to facilitate dialogue between them.

Piotr Buras, a Warsaw-based senior fellow at the European Council of Foreign Relations, said, Polish-Ukrainian relations have become hostage to the Polish electoral campaign, referring to the countrys parliamentary elections next month.

Nonetheless, the harm from Morawieckis comments lingers, he warned.

It does a great deal of damage to the Ukrainian cause, as this narrative resembles and legitimizes those voices in Europe (mainly on the far-right) that question the need to supply weapons to Ukraine, Buras said in an email.

Robert Fico, a two-time prime minister in Slovakia, has returned as a front-runner in that countrys parliamentary elections. His populist, left-wing party has staked out a pro-Russia stance and vowed to reverse Slovakias military and political support for Ukraine if elected in the Sept. 30 vote.

Niklas Masuhr, a military analyst at the Centre for Security Studies at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, said its conceivable that some political parties might put their eggs in a nationalist basket to  curry favour with the electorate and avoid the impression of giving undue solidarity to Ukraine at the expense of domestic interests.

It would be naive to assume that there are no trade-offs between individual NATO countries interests and Ukrainian interests, said Masuhr, who called Poland a strident supporter of Ukraine when it came to the delivery of military equipment.

There is broad strategic overlap, but that doesnt mean that in every case these interests are aligned, he said. Issues like energy or food supplies are critical, or if you will, neuralgic, points in the relationship between these countries.

Daniel Fried, a former US ambassador to Poland and now a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank, said the recent standoff in Eastern Europe was not the end of the Polish-Ukrainian alliance and pointed to Dudas effort to walk back the comments by his prime minister.

This mini-crisis may have peaked, Fried said by phone from Berlin. This is going to happen  in a war kind of situation where peoples nerves are fried, and there are real issues at stake.

Im reasonably confident this will be patched up and is in the process of being patched up  at least I hope so, he said.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that America is deeply concerned about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations of Indias link to the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Speaking at a press conference in New York on Friday, Blinken said the US has engaged directly with the Indian government on the issue and the most productive thing would be the completion of this investigation.

Relations between India and Canada have hit rock bottom after Trudeau alleged that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Responding to a question on Trudeaus allegations against India, Blinken said, Let me say a few things about this. First, we are deeply concerned about the allegations that Prime Minister Trudeau has raised.

We have been consulting throughout very closely with our Canadian colleagues, and not just consulting, coordinating with them on this issue. And from our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceeds and it would be important that India work with the Canadians on this investigation. We want to see accountability and its important that the investigation runs its course and leads to that result, he added.

#WATCH | On the India-Canada row, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says We are deeply concerned about the allegations that Canadian PM Trudeau has raised. We have been consulting very closely with our Canadian colleagues, and coordinating with them on this issue. From our pic.twitter.com/jQA4ctG71v  ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2023

When asked about reports that suggest that US President Joe Biden personally raised the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Blinken said, Im not going to characterise or otherwise speak to diplomatic conversations that we have.

Weve been engaged directly with the Indian government as well. And again, I think the most productive thing that can happen now is to see this investigation move forward (and) be completed. And we would hope that our Indian friends would cooperate with that investigation as well, he added.

Meanwhile, the White House, similarly, has said that the US administration is deeply concerned by the allegations levelled by the Canadian government.

#WATCH | On the India-Canada row, White House press secretary Karine Jean Pierre says We are deeply concernedWe remain in regular contact with the Canadian government and Canadian partnersWe have engaged with the Indian government. But, certainly, were not going to get pic.twitter.com/ipuPb6qj9T  ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2023

hile Canada hasnt yet provided any public evidence to back its claims, a media report citing Canadian government sources said that Ottawas allegations are based on both human and signals intelligence and inputs from an ally the Five Eye intelligence network.

With inputs from PTI
On the sidelines of the 78th UNGA session in New York, Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Shoukry and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met here on Saturday.

In the presence of representatives from both sides, Jaishankar and the Egyptian Foreign Minister shook hands and then had a brief bilateral meeting.

The minister of external affairs had a full day of meetings with counterparts from other nations earlier on Friday, just outside the 78th UNGA.

According to a formal announcement by the Ministry of External Affairs, Jaishankar will speak at the 78th UNGA on September 26.

Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the president of Egypt, arrived in New Delhi earlier this month for the G20 conference. A sizable contingent of world leaders and delegates from international organisations participated in the summit, which took place over two days on September 9 and 10 at the cutting-edge Bharat Mandapam.

On the invitation of Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the Egyptian president, PM Modi travelled to Egypt earlier in June. The Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly welcomed the Prime Minister ceremoniously upon his arrival in Cairo.

President El-Sisis attendance as the Chief Guest at Indias Republic Day celebrations earlier this year prompted PM Modi to pay a reciprocal visit to Egypt. El-Sisis visit was quite successful, as it resulted in an agreement between the two countries to raise bilateral relations to the status of a strategic partnership.

Egypt has historically been one of Indias most significant commercial partners on the continent of Africa, thus PM Modis visitthe first by an Indian PM since 1997was noteworthy. According to the Egyptian Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS), the India-Egypt Bilateral Trade Agreement has been in effect since March 1978 and is based on the Most Favoured Nation clause.

Between April and December 2022, Egypts top five trading partners were all from India. It was the 5th-largest exporter to Egypt at the same time that it was the 11th-largest purchaser of Egyptian commodities.

The two nations have a strong political bond that is based on years of communication and collaboration on bilateral, regional, and international issues.

(With agency inputs)
On the eve of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met privately with his counterpart from Cyprus, Constantinos Kombos.

In the presence of representatives from both sides, the ministers shook hands and then engaged in brief bilateral discussions.

Prior to this, the EAM Minister met with the foreign ministers of Egypt and Uganda and held private discussions with Gen JeJe Odongo and Sameh Shoukry.

After meeting his Egyptian counterpart, Jaishankar posted on X, Great to see my friend FM of Egypt Sameh Shoukry in New York on #UNGA78 sidelines. Appreciate his warm words for the Indian Presidency of G20. Took stock of the great progress in our bilateral cooperation. 2023 has been a landmark year in India-Egypt ties. Committed to take them forward.

According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, EAM Jaishankar is in New York leading the Indian delegation to the UNGA session where he will address the UNGA on September 26.

Prior to the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York, the External Affairs Minister had an active and productive day of meetings with his peers from other nations.

In Nicosia, Jaishankar signed an MoU on Defence and Military Cooperation after meeting the countrys former foreign minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

Jaishankars initial trip to the nation coincided with the signing of this pact. The Letter of Intent on the Partnership for Migration and Mobility was also signed by the two parties.

(With agency inputs)
The European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, is reportedly gearing up to recommend formal talks on Ukraines accession to the bloc.

The commission is planning to launch this potentially multi-year process as early as next month, according to Bloombergs report. However, European leaders are expected to emphasize the need for progress in crucial areas like combating corruption as initial steps in the accession process. For Ukraine, this development is seen as a positive boost and a counterbalance to concerns about diminishing Western support for its ongoing war efforts.

Once the European Commission formalizes its recommendation, EU lawmakers will need to approve the move. Subsequently, Ukraine would be required to align with European Union legislation on matters such as the rule of law and its economy. Ukraine asserts that it has already initiated reforms in its judiciary and media sector.

Bloomberg reports that the commissions recommendation will be on the formal agenda for discussion in December. However, the positions of certain EU member states, including Hungary, remain uncertain and could pose challenges to the process.

In an upcoming summit in Spain next month, various EU leaders will discuss the enlargement of the bloc, including the potential inclusion of new members such as Western Balkan countries and Moldova, in addition to Ukraine.

During her 2023 State of the Union speech earlier this month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that new EU members would enhance the blocs geopolitical influence and capacity for action. She indicated that the EU, currently comprised of 27 members, could soon expand to over 30 members, emphasizing that the next enlargement must also be a catalyst for progress. Von der Leyen highlighted Ukraines significant strides since it was granted candidate status in July 2022.

However, Bloombergs sources cautioned that a failure to initiate talks on Ukraines EU integration would be politically inconvenient for the commission and might be seen as a lack of support for Ukraines ongoing counteroffensive efforts.

Another aspect to consider, as per an anonymous EU diplomat cited by Bloomberg, is the need to balance Ukraines aspiration to join the EU with the desires of Western Balkan countries seeking the same goal. The EU must demonstrate that it is not showing favouritism toward Kyiv during this process.
Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna says despite the "agrarian issue," Poland fully supports Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

"There were a lot of emotional statements, but the first thing I heard when I was in Brussels was 'welcome to the club,' that this is an absolutely normal family European process. We had some trade issues before this related to trade with Poland. For us, the most important thing is that now this entire dialogue has returned to a constructive direction, the restrictions have not been extended, the European Commission has created a special platform where we must find a solution to mutual export controls in order to prevent such situations in the future," she said in broadcast on a national telethon on Friday, answering the question of how much impact the "grain scandal" will have on Ukraine's prospects for joining the EU.

The Deputy Prime Minister expects that now the temperature of this discussion will decrease.

She also said despite trade differences, Ukraine and Poland continue to have many projects, and Poland also has full support for Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
A former Wagner mercenary group commander was detained by Norwegian police on suspicion of attempting to enter Russia illegally after applying for asylum there earlier this year, according to the mans attorney on Saturday.

Andrei Medvedev recalled fleeing as Russian guards opened fire on him in his account of his January flight from Russia over the countrys Arctic border with Norway. He has talked about his time fighting for the Wagner group in Ukraine.

Police stated in a statement late on Friday that a man in his 20s had been arrested for trying to enter Russia illegally, but they did not give his name. The identify of the individual who had been detained was withheld by a Finnmark local police officer.

Traversing the border to Russia is only allowed at designated points.

But Medvedevs arrest was due to a misunderstanding, his Norwegian lawyer Brynjulf Risnes told the media.

He was up there to see if he could find the place where he crossed (into Norway in January). He was stopped when he was in a taxi. He was never near the border  It was never his intention to cross the border (into Russia), Risnes said.

When he first arrived in Norway, Medvedev claimed he was looking for refuge because he feared for his life after seeing Russian captives who had been carried to the front lines of the Ukrainian conflict killed and treated badly.

His escape in January garnered international attention as a then-rare instance of a defection to a Western nation while claiming to have participated in the Ukraine War as a mercenary for Russia.

Although he acknowledged that doing so may endanger his life, he stated in a YouTube video that he wanted to go back to Russia and described himself as some kind of a boy in a big game that he no longer wanted to be a part of.

Risnes reported Medvedev had the right to return to Russia if he wanted to, but that a lot of changes need to happen in order to make a safe return.

In Norway, Medvedev was found guilty in April of participating in a pub brawl and having an air gun on him, but not of attacking police officers. He then stated that he was hoping for asylum and was looking to the future.

Just two months after sending his mercenaries forward on Moscow in a direct threat to the Russian system, Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin was assassinated when a private jet he used crashed on August 23.

(With agency inputs)
The ministers of India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA) praised the smooth organisation of the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi under the Indian G20 leadership and pledged their support for the Brazilian G20 presidency that will take over in the coming months.

On Friday, the ministers of the international tripartite grouping IBSA convened in New York on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). IBSA was formed to foster international collaboration among these three nations.

IBSA was established 20 years ago to advance sectoral trilateral collaboration and provide a new framework for South-South collaboration between three sizable pluralistic, multicultural, and multiethnic democracies in Asia, South America, and Africa.

The African Unions admission to the G20 under the Indian Presidency was warmly welcomed by the IBSA ministers. In a joint statement released during the 11th IBSA Trilateral Ministerial Commission Meeting, they decided to continue amplifying and better integrating the voice of the Global South into the G20 agenda under the Brazilian and South African presidencies in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

A very productive IBSA meeting with Foreign Ministers Mauro Vieira and Naledi Pandor on #UNGA78 sidelines. The Joint Communique demonstrates the strength of our South-South solidarity, posted Indias External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar following their meeting.

The IBSA ministers highlighted the necessity of fostering sustainable development and the G20s position as the foremost forum for international economic cooperation, according to the joint statement.

They commended the successful hosting of the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi under the Indian G20 Presidency and expressed their full support to the upcoming Brazilian G20 Presidency and highlighted the fact that, starting on 1st December 2023, the three IBSA countries will comprise the G20 troika. The sequence of four developing countries in the presidency of the group (Indonesia, 2022; India, 2023; Brazil, 2024; South Africa, 2025) constitutes a valuable opportunity to further integrate a developmental perspective in the G20 agenda, the joint communique read.

The ministers reaffirmed the necessity for coordinated macroeconomic policy in order to achieve robust, sustainable, equitable, and inclusive growth while limiting unfavourable spillovers and external shocks. The ministers also decided to work together on matters of shared concern, such as global trade and investment, environmental protection and climate change, terrorism prevention, social inclusion and food security, development challenges, and issues relating to health and education.

Additionally, the IBSA ministers reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing agricultural cooperation both within and outside of international organisations. They emphasised that one of the key ways to deal with the worlds food security challenges is through open, dependable, non-discriminatory, and unabated international trade in agriculture and related inputs.

The ministers also emphasised the need for agricultural commerce to remain free of protectionist policies and unilateral limitations.

They welcomed the United Nations declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets and encouraged production of millets as an alternate climate-resilient and nutritious grain for ensuring food security, according to the joint communique.

The ministers reaffirmed the necessity for coordinated macroeconomic policy in order to achieve robust, sustainable, equitable, and inclusive growth while limiting unfavourable spillovers and external shocks. The Ministers decided to work together on matters of mutual concern, such as global trade and investment, environmental protection and climate change, terrorism prevention, social inclusion and food security, development challenges, and issues relating to health and education.

According to a formal announcement from the Ministry of External Affairs, Jaishankar is leading the Indian team for a week-long trip to New York, where he is slated to speak at a High-Level session of the 78th UNGA on September 26.

In keeping with Indias commitment for the Global South, Jaishankar will hold a special event titled India-UN for Global South: Delivering for Development during his visit from September 2230. The external affairs minister will go to Washington, DC, from September 2730 for bilateral meetings with US counterparts after completing engagements relating to the 78th UNGA.

His programme will feature conversations with US business executives, think tanks, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, among other key US government officials.

(With agency inputs)
Although Israel claimed that Lebanon initiated the altercation, the Lebanese army said that it shot tear gas at Israeli forces over the border on Saturday in retaliation for smoke bombs thrown at its troops.

This summer, tensions along the border have risen, with rockets being fired towards Israel during outbursts of Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Hezbollah members or supporters clashing with Israeli soldiers.

Elements of the Israeli enemy violated the withdrawal line and fired smoke bombs at a Lebanese army patrol that was accompanying a bulldozer removing an earthen berm erected by the Israeli enemy north of the withdrawal line, the blue line, in the Bastra area, the Lebanese army said in a statement.

The Blue Line, a border drawn by the UN that delineates the point at which Israeli forces retreated in 2000 when they left south Lebanon, serves as the current demarcation line between the two nations.

The Lebanese patrol responded to the attack by firing tear bombs  forcing them to withdraw to the occupied Palestinian territories, Lebanons army added.

According to the Israeli military, the fighting was started by Lebanon.

A short while ago, IDF soldiers spotted an engineering vehicles shovel crossing the Blue Line from Lebanon into Israeli territory in the area of Mount Dov, a statement from the military said. In response, IDF soldiers used riot dispersal means.

The vehicle returned to Lebanese territory, the military said.

The local UN peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, reported that there had been conflict on Saturday.

UNIFIL is in touch with the parties to decrease tensions and prevent a misunderstanding. At the moment we are on the ground, monitoring the situation and trying to bring calm back to the area, spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said.

(With agency inputs)
Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia, claimed that China has pledged to continue talks with Southeast Asian nations over disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea and refrain from taking any steps that would lead to an escalation.

Anwar claimed that Chinese Premier Li Qiang offered him the promise after Beijing published a chart with a 10-dash line last month that appeared to expand its claims in the disputed waters.

The map has been rejected by Malaysia and several other Southeast Asian nations.

Anwar claimed that Li was clear and categorical when he stated that China would carry on with its negotiations and not exercise any action that would explode or cause dissension with our colleagues, our friends in the region.

That was very reassuring, Anwar told the media.

Anwar stated that Chinas attempts to impose its sovereignty over Taiwan are causing tensions to rise and that both sides should avoid unnecessary provocations that could have a negative impact on the area.

Anwar also addressed concerns raised about his dedication to democratic changes after his administration dropped corruption charges against important supporters, indicted opposition figures for sedition, and heightened scrutiny of Malaysias LGBTQ population.

Anwar asserted that laws prohibiting seditious remarks about the nations monarchy should be respected and that he would not interfere with the attorney general of Malaysias choices.

He reaffirmed that Malaysia will not recognise LGBTQ rights, but he added that the community shouldnt be subjected to harassment. He also spoke out against his governments decision to forbid Swatch watches honouring the Pride movement.

This year, the Malaysian home ministry seized and later outlawed the sale of rainbow-colored timepieces from Swatchs Pride collection on the grounds that they would be detrimental to morality and the general welfare.

According to the ministry, selling or possessing the prohibited item was punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine.

I wouldnt defend that actually, they were as you say, excesses, but there is a consensus in the country, they do not accept (LGBTQ rights), Anwar said.

(With agency inputs)
Unmitigated migration is taking a huge toll on the European Union. While there have been countries that resisted accepting the influx of migrants, now even the once-initially open to the idea are finding it hard to accommodate more. And the tension the question has led to can make it a dissolving force for the bloc, believes EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Borrell expressed concerns about the impact of immigration on the EU, warning that it could become a dissolving force for the international alliance. Borrell highlighted the rise of nationalist sentiments in Europe and the lack of agreement on a common migration policy within the EU.

Borrell stated, Migration is a bigger divide for the European Union. And it could be a dissolving force for the European Union. He pointed out that some member states have been reluctant to accept people from outside the EU, describing them as Japanese-style states that prefer not to mix and want to maintain their purity.

However, Borrell emphasized the paradoxical situation facing Europe due to its current low demographic growth. He noted that some states require an influx of immigration to address labour shortages, saying, If we want to survive from a labour point of view, we need migrants.

These remarks from Borrell come shortly after German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed concerns about Germanys capacity to accept more migrants and refugees. Steinmeier cited strong immigration from eastern borders, Syria, Afghanistan, and the arrival of over a million refugees from Ukraine in the past year. He called for a permanent solidarity mechanism to ensure a fair distribution of migrants across Europe.

Meanwhile, Italy has also been reevaluating its border policies in response to a spike in migration. The country initially suspended migrant transfers in December, citing technical issues related to intake capacity. This suspension has continued into 2023.

While Borrell cautioned that dissent over immigration could potentially threaten the unity of the EU, he believed that the bloc would remain intact for now. He suggested that Britains decision to leave the EU had served as a vaccine for other members, making them reluctant to follow suit.

The issue of migration has been a contentious one within the EU since 2015 when the bloc faced an influx of refugees and economic migrants due to poverty and conflicts in Africa and the Middle East. Some member states, including Hungary and Poland, strongly opposed EU attempts to enforce migrant quotas. Italy has also closed its ports to ships carrying migrants from North Africa, demanding that other member states share the burden of accepting them. Tighter border controls were a key aspect of the Leave campaign during the UKs 2016 Brexit referendum.
Former Pentagon official and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute Michael Rubin has said that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made a huge mistake by alleging that India had links with the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has made a huge mistake. He has made allegations in a manner which he has not been able to back. There are two possibilities here, either he was shooting from the hip and he does not have the evidence to support the accusations he made against the Indian govt or there is something there, in which case he needs to explain why his govt was sheltering a terrorist with blood on his hands, Rubin said.

#WATCH | Washington, DC | On allegations by Canada, Michael Rubin, former Pentagon official and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute says Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has made a huge mistake. He has made allegations in a manner which he has not been able to back. pic.twitter.com/U5bb4XPUav  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2023

Slamming the Canadian prime minister for not backing up his claims, Rubin said, He hasnt been able to release any definitive intelligencewhen Justin Trudeau says trust me, no one trusts him in the best of times. All the more so against the backdrop of an election campaign, hes presently losing.

Relations between India and Canada have hit rock bottom after Trudeau alleged that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

He added, Well, frankly, theres a much greater danger for Canada than India. If Canada wants to pick a fight, frankly, at this point, its like an ant picking a fight against an elephant. And the fact of the matter is India is the worlds largest democracy.

#WATCH | Washington, DC | On allegations by Canada, Michael Rubin, former Pentagon official and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute says Well, frankly, theres a much greater danger for Canada than India. If Canada wants to pick a fight, frankly, at this point, pic.twitter.com/7erf160mN8  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2023

Its far more important strategically than Canada is, especially as concern grows with regard to China and other matters in the Indian Ocean basin and the Pacific, the former Pentagon official continued.

Earlier this week, India issued an advisory for Indian nationals and students residing in Canada as well as those contemplating traveling to the country, asking them to exercise utmost caution.

The advisory by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, has been issued in view of growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada.
Pope Francis called for a pan-European response to migration on Saturday, denouncing belligerent nationalisms and warning against the Mediterranean becoming the graveyard of dignity due to the hundreds of drownings there.

Francis made a long speech in support of taking in refugees at the end of a church summit on Mediterranean issues in Marseille, a French port that has long been a crossroads of cultures and religions.

There is a cry of pain that resonates most of all, and it is turning the Mediterranean, the mare nostrum, from the cradle of civilization into the mare mortuum, the graveyard of dignity: it is the stifled cry of migrant brothers and sisters, he said, using Latin terms meaning our sea and sea of death.

Francis was greeted by President Emmanuel Macron at the blustery portside where the conference facility is located. Francis and Macron were scheduled to meet in private later on Saturday before Francis returned to Rome.

The pope started the day by visiting a facility for the destitute managed by the sisters order Saint Mother Teresa founded in Marseilles Saint Mauront neighbourhood, one of the countrys poorest.

Later during the conference, he urged for an ample number of legal and regular entrances of migrants, emphasising the importance of embracing people who are fleeing conflict, starvation, and poverty rather than preservation of ones own wellbeing.

About 178,500 migrants entered Europe through the Mediterranean this year, according to the UNHCR, while about 2,500 perished or disappeared.

Several European nations, like Italy, Hungary, and Poland, have governments that are strongly opposed to immigration.

Francis urged people to hear the cries of pain coming from the Middle East and North Africa.

How greatly we need this at the present juncture, when antiquated and belligerent nationalisms want to make the dream of the community of nations fade! he said. He did not name any countries.

Francis frequently advocates for sharing migrants among the 27 EU nations, but his general acceptance of migrants, including once labelling their exclusion scandalous, disgusting, and sinful, has infuriated conservative leaders.

Migration concerns had dominated his 27-hour journey. On Friday, he declared that saving migrants who are in danger of drowning at sea was a duty of humanity and that preventing rescues was a gesture of hate.

(With agency inputs)
Coming down heavily on Pakistan after the countrys caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar raised the Kashmir issue at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), India said that the cash-strapped nation should stop cross-border terrorism and vacate Indian territories under its illegal occupation.

The First Secretary at the United Nations for the Second Committee of UNGA, Petal Gahlot, said, Instead of engaging in technical sophistry, we call upon Pakistan to take credible and verifiable action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks whose victims await justice even after 15 years. In order for there to be peace in South Asia, the actions that Pakistan needs to take are threefold.

First Secretary at United Nations for 2nd Committee of UNGA, Petal Gahlot says Instead of engaging in technical sophistry, we call upon Pakistan to take credible and verifiable action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks whose victims await justice even after 15 pic.twitter.com/3A3r6yBfZO  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2023

First, stop cross-border terrorism and shut down its infrastructure of terrorism immediately. Second, vacate Indian territories under its illegal and forcible occupation. And third, stop the grave and persistent human rights violations against the minorities in Pakistan, she added.

During his speech at the 78th UNGA in New York on Friday, Kakar said, Pakistan desires peaceful and productive relations with all our neighbours including India, and added that Kashmir is the key to peace between Pakistan and India.

Emphasising Pakistans own sorry state of affairs, Gahlot said, As a country with one of the worlds worst human rights records, particularly when it comes to minority and womens rights, Pakistan would do well to put its own house in order before venturing to point a finger at the worlds largest democracy.

The condition of women belonging to minority communities in Pakistan notably Hindu Sikhs and Christians remains deplorable. According to a recent report published by Pakistans own Human Rights Commission, an estimated 1,000 women from minority communities are subjected to abduction, forced conversion and marriage in Pakistan every year, she added.

India has repeatedly raised its concern over Pakistans support of cross-border terrorism and has asserted that terror and talks cannot go together.

India has also provided evidence at various international forums of Pakistans support for Terrorist groups.

With inputs from ANI
At least 10 people were killed and neighbouring houses were completely destroyed when a truck bomb exploded at a checkpoint in the central Somali town of Beledweyne on Saturday, according to a police officer.

It was not immediately known who was to blame, although the Islamist organisation al Shabaab routinely conducts bombs in the nation in the Horn of Africa.

So far I have seen 10 dead people including soldiers and civilians and over a dozen others injured, but the death toll is sure to rise, police officer Ahmed Aden told Reuters.

Beledweyne is located in the Hiran region of central Somalia, the scene of recent clashes between the military and al Shabaab.

Five police officers who shot on the truck in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent it from slamming the checkpoint were among the deceased, according to Aden. Along with the checkpoint, other structures like stores and buildings were destroyed, he continued.

Halima Nur, a woman who lived close by, told the media that her niece and other people were at a local shop and were unable to be reached. Im at a loss for words; all the kiosks are now nothing more than ruins. Im unable to find my niece, she said.

Al Shabaab has been battling Somalias central government for more than a decade, aiming to establish its rule based on strict interpretation of Islamic sharia law.

(With agency inputs)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has unveiled a series of support measures for Ukraine, encompassing military, economic, and humanitarian aid. Additionally, he has committed to providing further diplomatic support, aimed at holding Russia accountable for its actions in the ongoing conflict.

Were continuing to impose costs on Russia and ensuring that those responsible for this illegal, unjustifiable invasion do not benefit from it, Trudeau said Friday during a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ottawa, the Canadian capital.

Zelenskyy also addressed Canadas Parliament on Friday. He flew into Ottawa late Thursday after meetings with U.S. President Joe Biden and lawmakers in Washington. He spoke at the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday.

Canada and Ukraine agreed to establish a working group with G7 partners to study the seizure and forfeiture of Russian assets, including from the Russian Central Bank, Trudeau said.

Canada also added 63 Russian individuals and entities to the countrys sanctions list, including those complicit in the kidnapping of children and the spreading of disinformation, Trudeau said.

Canadas pledge to stand with Ukraine will include $650 million in new military assistance over the next three years, Trudeau said.

Canada will provide Ukraine with 50 armoured vehicles, including armoured medical evacuation vehicles built in London, Ontario. Pilot and maintenance instructors for F-16 fighter jets, support for Leopard 2 battle tank maintenance, 35 drones with high-resolution cameras, light vehicles and ammunition are part of the intended support package, Trudeau said.

The multiyear support also will include a financial contribution to a U.K.-led consortium delivering air defence equipment to Ukraine, Trudeau said.

Canadas monetary support will continue into the 2024 fiscal year, while the governments also have signed a free trade agreement, Trudeau said.

Other assistance for nongovernmental organizations and Ukraines government will include measures to improve cyber resilience, rebuild local infrastructure and assist farmers. Canada also plans to contribute funds for Ukraines national war memorial and money to increase the availability of mental health support at the appropriate time, he said.

We stand here absolutely united in our defence of democracy and our condemnation of (Russian President) Vladimir Putins unprovoked, unjustified and unconscionable invasion of Ukraine, Trudeau said.

With inputs from AP.
Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna says Ukraine has not yet officially discussed with the European Commission the question of whether the timing of Ukraine's accession to the European Union depends on the end of the war.

"In order to be honest, we have not yet officially discussed this with the European Commission," she said on a national telethon on Friday, answering a question about whether the timing of Ukraine's accession to the EU depended on the end of the war.

At the same time, Stefanishyna said the Association Agreement was signed when Crimea had already been annexed, when hostilities had already started in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and this did not become an obstacle, and the provisions of the document apply to the entire territory of the country.

"As soon as we complete the substantive part of the negotiations, we will definitely find a formula, but we hope that by then there will be no such need, since we will definitely win," she said.
The White House Friday directed federal agencies to get ready for a shutdown after House Republicans left town for the weekend with no viable plan to keep the government funded and avert politically and economically costly disruption of federal services.

A federal shutdown after 30 September seems all but certain unless Speaker Kevin McCarthy can persuade his rebellious hard-right flank of Republicans to allow Congress to approve a temporary funding measure to prevent closures as talks continue. Instead, hes launched a much more ambitious plan to try to start passing multiple funding bills once the House returns Tuesday, with just five days to resolve the standoff.

We got members working, and hopefully well be able to move forward on Tuesday to pass these bills, McCarthy, told reporters at the Capitol.

McCarthy signalled his preference for avoiding a closure, but a hard-right flank of his House majority has effectively seized control. I still believe if you shut down, youre in a weaker position, he said.

The standoff with House Republicans over government funding puts at risk a range of activities  including pay for the military and law enforcement personnel, food safety and food aid programs, air travel and passport processing  and could wreak havoc with the US economy.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Friday that if federal workers go unpaid it would be Republicans fault. Our message is: This doesnt have to happen, she said. They can do their job and keep these vital programs continuing, keeping the government open.

With the 1 October start of a new fiscal year and no funding in place, the Biden administrations Office of Management and Budget began to advise federal agencies to review and update their shutdown plans, according to an OMB official. The start of this process suggests that federal employees could be informed next week if theyre to be furloughed.

President Joe Biden has been quick to blame the likely shutdown on House Republicans, who are intent on spending cuts beyond those laid out in a June deal that also suspended the legal cap on the government borrowings authority until early 2025.

Theyre back at it again, breaking their commitment, threatening more cuts and threatening to shut down government again, Biden during a recent speech in suburban Maryland.

McCarthy faces immense pressure for severe spending cuts from a handful of hard-right conservatives in his caucus, essentially halting his ability to lead the chamber. Many on the right flank are aligned with Donald Trump  the Republican front-runner to challenge Biden in the 2024 election. They opposed the budget deal the speaker reached with Biden earlier this year and are trying to dismantle it.

Trump has urged the House Republicans on, pushing them to hold the line against federal spending.

Led by Trump ally Matt Gaetz, the right flank has all but commandeered control of the House debate in a public rebuke to the speaker.

Late Thursday, the hard-right faction pushed McCarthy to consider their idea to shelve plans for a stopgap funding measure, called a continuing resolution, or CR, and instead start bringing up the 12 individual bills needed to fund the government.

The House GOP leadership then announced just that  it would begin processing a package of four bills to fund Defense, Homeland Security, State and Foreign Operations and Agricultural departments, setting up voting for Tuesday when lawmakers return. Work on some bills had been held up by the same conservatives demanding passage now.

Any progress we are making is in spite of, not due to McCarthy, Gaetz posted on social media, deriding the speaker for having sent lawmakers home for the weekend. Pathetic.

Gaetz and his allies say they want to see the House engage in the hard work of legislating  even if it pushes the country into a shutdown  as they pursue sizable reductions and cuts.

The House Rules Committee was holding a Friday afternoon session to begin preparing those bills, which historically require weeks of floor debate, with hundreds of amendments, but now are slated to be rushed to the floor for next weeks votes. The panel was expected to wrap up its work Saturday.

Its a capstone to a difficult week for McCarthy who tried, unsuccessfully, to advance a typically popular defense spending bill that was twice defeated in embarrassing floor votes. The speaker seemed to blame the defeat of the bill on fellow lawmakers who just want to burn the whole place down.

McCarthys top allies, including Garrett Graves, insisted Friday they were still working toward both ends  passing annual spending bills and pushing for the most conservative stopgap CR with border security provisions  in time to prevent a shutdown.

Shutdowns happen when Congress and the president fail to complete a set of 12 spending bills or fail to approve a temporary measure to keep the government operating. As a result, federal agencies are required to stop all actions deemed non-essential. Since 1976, there have been 22 funding gaps, with 10 of them leading to workers being furloughed.

The last and longest shutdown on record was for 35 days during Trumps administration, between 2018 and 2019, as he insisted on funding to build a wall along the US southern border that Democrats and some Republicans refused.

Because some agencies already had approved funding, it was a partial closure. The Congressional Budget Office estimated it came at a cost of $3 billion to the US economy. While $3 billion is a lot of money, it was equal to just 0.02 per cent of US economic activity in 2019.

There could be costs to parts of the economy and difficulties for individuals.

Military and law enforcement officials would go unpaid during the shutdown. The disaster relief fund of the Federal Emergency Management Agency could be depleted, hurting the victims of wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding.

Clinical trials on new prescription drugs could be delayed. Ten thousand children could lose access to care through Head Start, while environmental and food safety inspections would get backlogged.

Food aid for Americans through the Women, Infants and Children program could be cut off for nearly 7 million pregnant women, mothers, infants, and children.

Brian Gardner, chief Washington strategist at the investment bank Stifel, said that air traffic controllers largely continued to work without pay during the previous shutdown. He noted that visa and passport applications would not be processed if the government is closed.

The US Travel Industry Association estimates that the travel sector could lose $140 million daily in a shutdown.

But in a sign of how little damage that 35-day shutdown did to the overall economy, the S&P 500 stock index climbed 11.6% during the last government closure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has lambasted the UN Security Council yet again, saying in a speech this week that as long as Russia has veto power on the body, it will remain powerless to do anything to stop the war in Ukraine or any other conflict.

Ukrainian soldiers are doing with their blood what the UN Security Council should do by its voting. Veto power in the hands of the aggressor is what has pushed the UN into a deadlock.

Every time a member of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council the US, Russia, France, the UK and China engages in abhorrent actions, we see a wave of voices decrying the powerlessness and failure of the UN to stop conflict and atrocities.

Most recently, this has been focused on the Russian war in Ukraine. We also saw this criticism in relation to the US- and UK-led invasion of Iraq in the early 2000s.

The central part of this criticism is that the five permanent members of the Security Council (commonly referred to as the P5) have veto power, which can prevent UN action when they have engaged in wrongdoing. The other 10 rotating members of the Security Council do not.

This veto power is what has prevented Russia from being expelled from the UN, as Zelensky has repeatedly called for because suspension or expulsion of a member from the UN requires action from the Security Council.

This criticism is entirely reasonable the P5 shouldnt be able to prevent the UN from acting against them. However, this isnt a failure of the UN itself, but rather a design feature baked into the whole UN system.

And reform of the UN is functionally impossible, which is why we need to stop expecting so much from the global body.

Some are more equal than others

Article 2(1) of the UN Charter says the UN is based on the principle of sovereign equality. This, in principle, should mean all nations are equal under international law.

In reality, even when just considering the rest of the UN Charter, it is clear this is not the case.

Yes, all nations in the UN General Assembly have one vote and all those votes have equal weight, but this is somewhat insignificant because the work of the General Assembly isnt legally binding.

The only UN body that has the power to make binding international law is the Security Council. And this only happens when it is acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter for the maintenance of international peace and security.

In order for a resolution to pass in the Security Council, it must have the support of at least nine members and, critically, no opposing vote from a member of the P5. This is what is meant by the P5 veto power.

When the UN Charter was being drafted at the end of the Second World War, the allied powers and France agreed to enshrine themselves into the document as the P5.

Notably, the group included the Republic of China, the government led by Chiang Kai-shek in

Taiwan, which held the Security Council seat until the General Assembly expelled Taiwan and gave the seat to the Peoples Republic of China in 1971. And when the Soviet Union disbanded in the early 1990s, Russia inherited its seat on the Security Council through the Alma-Ata Protocol.

The charter gave the P5 the ultimate responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, while also functionally removing them from scrutiny because they possess veto power.

This wasnt a design oversight or failure, it was an intentional decision. This is clearly seen when you examine the wording of Article 27(3). This article requires a Security Council member to refrain from voting on a matter if they are party to a dispute but it does not apply to resolutions invoking Chapter VII (that is, a legally binding resolution).

The fact the charter includes a restriction on the veto but only in relation to non-binding resolutions demonstrates an intention to place the P5 beyond scrutiny.

So, what about veto reform?

If the existence of the veto prevents any Security Council action from being taken against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine (or against any other P5 state when they engage in similar conduct), why dont we just reform it?

Well, this cant be done because the drafters of the UN Charter made reform incredibly difficult. Namely, the P5 ensured they have a right to veto any proposed reforms to the UN structure by requiring all charter amendments to be ratified by each of them, in addition to getting a two-thirds majority in the General Assembly.

In essence, this means reforming the UN Charter is off the table because the P5 would be able to veto a reduction of their veto power.

The only avenue left for reform is to dissolve the UN Charter and reform the UN under a new treaty that limits or abolishes the power of the veto.

Given the state of global solidarity is very different today compared to the end of WWII when the UN was established, Im loathe to test this approach. A P5 that is restrained by the Charter when it suits them is less dangerous than a P5 that opts out of international law entirely, leaving them completely unrestrained in their aggression.

Tempering our expectations

Yes, this means the UN is powerless to address Russian aggression in Ukraine, in the same way it was powerless to address US and UK aggression in Iraq. And yes, this seems to go against the initial purpose of the global body, which was created to: to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind.

The Security Council, too, was given the mandate of maintaining international peace and security when it was created, as Zelensky has repeatedly pointed out.

But in accepting that mandate, the P5 ensured they wouldnt be subject to it. In creating the UN, they placed themselves above the law and above the power of the UN specifically so they could avoid scrutiny of their actions. They also ensured they could prevent any reform of the UN to limit their power.

As a result, maybe it is time we start treating the UN for what it is a diplomatic congress aimed at making the world a little better through encouraging cooperation. Rather than what we hope it to be a world government capable of effecting peace.
Canada will provide Ukraine with 650 million Canadian dollars as part of a long-term assistance program for armored vehicles and special medical evacuation vehicles, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.

I clearly stated that our government will help you as long as necessary... We will provide long-term assistance to Ukraine. We are talking about 650 million Canadian dollars over three years. This is for armored vehicles and also special ambulance evacuation vehicles that will be built in province of Ontario," he said in the Canadian parliament on Friday.

According to him, Canada will continue to provide economic assistance to Ukraine over the next year, "so that Ukraine is a powerful, dynamic and prosperous country.

In addition, as the prime minister said, Canada will send instructors for F-16 aircraft so that Ukraine can use these aircraft as efficiently as possible.
Zelenskyy on agreements with Biden: I think they will be implemented, its a matter of time

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commenting on the agreements reached the day before in the United States with American President Joseph Biden, said that the issue of their implementation is only a matter of time.

The head of state, first of all, expressed gratitude to the United States for the military assistance provided.

With all due respect to all our allies, the United States is providing the largest share of assistance. The assistance that our warriors on the battlefield on the front line really need at this moment, he said at a joint press conference with the Canadian prime minister in Ottawa on Friday.

Asked whether during the conversation Biden promised to send long-range army tactical missile systems to Ukraine, Zelenskyy said that we are discussing different types of weapons, including long-range weapons and artillery, 155 mm artillery shells and more, various assistance, including air defense systems."

At the same time, according to him, comprehensive discussions and work are underway with the United States at different levels.

We have cooperation at the level of security advisers, at the level of defense ministers and at our level, this is a separate bilateral type of relationship at the presidential level, he noted.

"I believe that most of what was discussed yesterday with President Biden, I think it will be possible to reach agreements and they will be implemented. Yes, it is a matter of time. Not everything depends on Ukraine. There are different processes, Ill be honest. The sooner (Ukraine will receive long-range weapons), the fewer people it will lose. This is a fact," Zelenskyy said.

The president of Ukraine also stressed that Russia cannot be allowed to divide opinions in the world.

I understand that Russia, for its part, is spreading disinformation, spreading its narratives everywhere. It is working with society, trying to influence politicians, public institutions, different political parties, different NGOs, many from different countries of the world. They are working very hard. They are pouring billions into this. That is a fact. This is to divide Europe, divide the US and divide the whole world," he said.
As a result of a Russian missile attack on Kremenchuk, Poltava region, 32 people were injured, city mayor Vitaliy Maletsky said.

The search work has been completed. Some 32 people were injured, including three children. Some 16 people were hospitalized, one person died, Maletsky wrote on Facebook.

He also added that as a result of the attack, several residential buildings in the central part of Kremenchuk were damaged by the blast wave. Windows were broken, the roof was damaged, and in some places there was damage to the facade finishing.

A special commission is already working, which inspects the facilities and records all damage. Residents whose property was damaged will receive compensation. Funding will be provided by the regional military administration and the city budget, the mayor indicated.

All city services are involved in the process of repairing damage to houses.

Earlier, Head of Poltava Regional Military Administration Dmytro Lunin reported 31 victims.
The greatest breakthrough in this counteroffensive is yet to come, Ukrainian troops need to at least reach Tokmak, the commander of the Tavria operational-strategic group of troops, Oleksandr Tarnavsky, said in an interview with CNN.

Tokmak is the minimum goal. The overall objective is to get to our state borders, he said.

He noted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to conduct offensive operations in the Melitopol direction. They destroy the enemy, step by step liberate temporarily occupied territories and consolidate on the achieved lines.

"Ukraines big breakthrough  the biggest of this counteroffensive  is yet to come. I think it will happen after Tokmak. At the moment they are relying on the depth of their defensive line there, Tarnavsky.
"Suspect Arrested For Injecting Mohbad Is Not A Registered Nurse"  Lagos NANNM

bohlah at 23-09-2023 11:22 AM (1 month ago) (m)

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) Lagos State Council, has said the person reportedly arrested for injecting Mohbad is not a registered nurse.

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) Lagos State Council, has said the person reportedly arrested for injecting Mohbad is not a registered nurse.

The association disclosed this in a press statement signed by the State Secretary, Toba Odumosu, on Saturday, September 23.



The association disclosed this in a press statement signed by the State Secretary, Toba Odumosu, on Saturday, September 23. Quote The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Lagos State Council, expresses its deepest condolences to the family and associates of the late musician, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as we mourn his tragic passing.



We fully support the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding his dath and urge the relevant authorities to leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice for him.



However, we must stress the importance of professionalism in reporting and conducting this investigation. NANNM is closely monitoring the situation with keen interest. Our preliminary investigations indicate that the individual reportedly taken into custody by the police for providing care to Mohbad is not a registered Nurse.



We emphasise the critical need to verify the qualifications and professional status of individuals before labelling them as healthcare professionals.



Furthermore, we call on the investigating authorities and the media to exercise caution and accuracy in their reporting during this investigation. We will not tolerate any misrepresentation of Nurses and the Nursing profession, t he statement reads in part. he statement reads in part.

Post Reply I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist Posted: at 23-09-2023 11:22 AM (1 month ago) | Addicted Hero

kp45 at 23-09-2023 01:00 PM (1 month ago)

(m) Is all right Posted: at 23-09-2023 01:00 PM (1 month ago) | Hero Is all right Reply

Dopybadass at 23-09-2023 01:04 PM (1 month ago)

(m) They just want to use her now as a scape goat Posted: at 23-09-2023 01:04 PM (1 month ago) | Gistmaniac They just want to use her now as a scape goat Reply

Boi2Man at 23-09-2023 02:34 PM (1 month ago)

(m) Please, dont distract the matter, finish your investigation and arrest the culprits Posted: at 23-09-2023 02:34 PM (1 month ago) | Gistmaniac Please, dont distract the matter, finish your investigation and arrest the culprits Reply

kacylee at 23-09-2023 05:36 PM (1 month ago)

(f) Lobatan! Auxiliary nurse I have been reporting for several years now and I am very interested in visual news reportage with strong inclusion of photos and video multimedia. Posted: at 23-09-2023 05:36 PM (1 month ago) | Addicted Hero Lobatan! Auxiliary nurse Reply

Jiiitk4 at 23-09-2023 05:52 PM (1 month ago)

(m) The nurse should be released with immediate effect. After all judges of the elections tribunal made it clear that certificate forgery is not a crime. Call her whatever you like . As we have auxiliary nurses so are politicians. All with forged certificates. Posted: at 23-09-2023 05:52 PM (1 month ago) | Gistmaniac The nurse should be released with immediate effect. After all judges of the elections tribunal made it clear that certificate forgery is not a crime. Call her whatever you like . As we have auxiliary nurses so are politicians. All with forged certificates. Reply

gogoman at 23-09-2023 09:55 PM (1 month ago)

(m) so who is she? dodgy shit Posted: at 23-09-2023 09:55 PM (1 month ago) | Grande Master so who is she? dodgy shit Reply

EDDYPRINCE at 24-09-2023 02:14 AM (1 month ago)

(m) Quote from: Dopybadass on 23-09-2023 01:04 PM They just want to use her now as a scape goat



What where u expecting to hear that Naira Marley killed him, some of you don't even have your own sense, people think for you. You already have a mind set. So whatever ever is said that those not involve Marley is a lie. Na wa oh ,,, all the school u went to are all wasted. They need to refund money to your parents Posted: at 24-09-2023 02:14 AM (1 month ago) | Addicted Hero What where u expecting to hear that Naira Marley killed him, some of you don't even have your own sense, people think for you. You already have a mind set. So whatever ever is said that those not involve Marley is a lie. Na wa oh ,,, all the school u went to are all wasted. They need to refund money to your parents Reply

EDDYPRINCE at 24-09-2023 02:18 AM (1 month ago)

(m) Nice step, so many things will be expose in this investigation, coz we just wan give police better money, who is the doctor that confirm him dead. Infact so many will enter this matter that nor be Naira Marley we go dey talk again. Posted: at 24-09-2023 02:18 AM (1 month ago) | Addicted Hero Nice step, so many things will be expose in this investigation, coz we just wan give police better money, who is the doctor that confirm him dead. Infact so many will enter this matter that nor be Naira Marley we go dey talk again. Reply

Dopybadass at 24-09-2023 02:55 PM (1 month ago)

(m) Quote from: EDDYPRINCE on 24-09-2023 02:14 AM What where u expecting to hear that Naira Marley killed him, some of you don't even have your own sense, people think for you. You already have a mind set. So whatever ever is said that those not involve Marley is a lie. Na wa oh ,,, all the school u went to are all wasted. They need to refund money to your parents

Guy if you think say I be the kind of person wey dey follow wetin people dey talk then you must be the biggest idiot ever,Dey talk well oh make I no go swear for you Posted: at 24-09-2023 02:55 PM (1 month ago) | Gistmaniac Guy if you think say I be the kind of person wey dey follow wetin people dey talk then you must be the biggest idiot ever,Dey talk well oh make I no go swear for you Reply

EDDYPRINCE at 25-09-2023 03:04 AM (1 month ago)

(m) Quote from: Dopybadass on 24-09-2023 02:55 PM Guy if you think say I be the kind of person wey dey follow wetin people dey talk then you must be the biggest idiot ever,Dey talk well oh make I no go swear for you



Mumu wetin your swear don do to those u don swear for before, if you are sensitive you should know the problem should come from the nurse and the hospital. Which one u come dey talk another tin so mk police nor comot with their findings again because your mind is already programmed like that of Oshodi touts abi? If una never hear say na Naira Marley kill ham dem the investigation is wrong. In all the videos una dey carry up and down which ome link Naira Marley. U just open your yeye mouth they talked swear. Who your swear don affect. Egwe. Posted: at 25-09-2023 03:04 AM (1 month ago) | Addicted Hero Mumu wetin your swear don do to those u don swear for before, if you are sensitive you should know the problem should come from the nurse and the hospital. Which one u come dey talk another tin so mk police nor comot with their findings again because your mind is already programmed like that of Oshodi touts abi? If una never hear say na Naira Marley kill ham dem the investigation is wrong. In all the videos una dey carry up and down which ome link Naira Marley. U just open your yeye mouth they talked swear. Who your swear don affect. Egwe. Reply
Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 Can Turn Your Phone Into a Webcam News oi -Kabir Jain

Google's Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 update, released for Pixel devices on Wednesday, brings a significant enhancement to the cameras of the smartphones. This update introduces a native webcam feature that converts the phone's camera into a webcam, eliminating the need for third-party applications or software.

Enhancing Video Conferencing

The new webcam functionality is accessible via a USB cable connection between your Android device and a laptop or desktop computer. It can be activated within the "Charging this device via USB" option in the notification tray post-connection. By selecting the "Webcam" option within the "Use USB for" section, users are presented with on-screen instructions to configure the webcam feed, including options to zoom and switch between front and rear cameras.

Device Compatibility

This feature is supported on all Pixel devices eligible for the beta update, except for the Pixel Fold. Android beta updates are typically first released for Pixel devices, suggesting that this webcam feature may eventually become available on Android phones from other manufacturers upon the general release of Android 14 in October.

Elevating Video Quality

While third-party apps like EpocCam and DroidCam have long facilitated Android phone usage as webcams, Google's integration marks the first native inclusion of this functionality within the Android platform. Modern smartphone cameras often outperform built-in laptop webcams, making this a compelling solution for improving video quality during meetings and live streams.

The Wired Connection

One notable aspect is the requirement for a wired connection, in contrast to Apple's wireless Continuity Camera feature that enables iPhones to serve as webcams for MacBooks. However, Android's webcam feature adheres to the USB Video Class (UVC) standard, ensuring compatibility across various operating systems, including Windows, Chromebook, Linux, and Mac. This universality eliminates any limitations, delivering a seamless webcam experience regardless of the system in use.

Inspired by Apple

Android's foray into webcam integration follows in the footsteps of Apple's "Continuity Camera." However, the Android version boasts greater flexibility, presenting itself as a generic USB webcam that can function across a wide array of devices, including Windows, Mac, Chrome OS, and potentially Linux. An intriguing twist is the ability to connect one Android phone to another, using the first phone's camera as the webcam for the second-an innovative concept for collaborative content creation.

Maximizing Camera Potential

The thickness of a phone compared to the slim confines of a laptop's top half allows most phone cameras to outperform their laptop counterparts. This feature underscores the importance of developing suitable phone mounts to position the camera optimally. While the current setup requires an external microphone, future updates may integrate the phone's microphone for a more streamlined experience.

Looking Ahead

As Google's Android 14 approaches its general release alongside the anticipated Pixel 8 series in October, users can look forward to improved webcam capabilities and enhanced video conferencing.

Via

Image credits: Ars Technica

Best Mobiles in India

Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications
Google Pixel 8a Live Images Surface Online: Rounded Corners and Thicker Bezels? News oi -Kabir Jain

Following the introduction of the Google Pixel 7a earlier this year at Google I/O, the tech behemoth is now preparing for the release of its Google Pixel 8 series, which is scheduled for October 4. However, live images of the Google Pixel 8a have surfaced online, thanks to the tipster Abhishek Yadav.

Let's dive into the details.

Design Evolution: Rounded Corners and Blue Hue

Recently leaked images provide a sneak peek into the design of the upcoming Google Pixel 8a, revealing a significant change in its aesthetics compared to its predecessor.

The Pixel 8a showcases a more rounded design, reminiscent of the premium Pixel 8 series while maintaining some resemblance to its predecessor. These leaked images also highlight the device's striking Blue color variant and the shift towards curvier corners in its design,

codenamed "akita," distinguishing it as a budget-friendly option inspired by the premium Pixel 8 lineup.

Front-Facing Changes: Notable Shifts

Moving on to the front, the Pixel 8a adopts a centered punch-hole notch display, in line with its predecessors, the Pixel 6a and Pixel 7a. The distinctive visor-shaped camera module, which is a signature of Google's a-series, will house a dual-rear camera setup.

Unfortunately, the bezels around the screen look thicker in the leaked pictures, which might make it harder to attract buyers, even though it's meant to be a budget-friendly phone.

Specs

A closer look at the leaked images shows the layout of the left and right edges. Notably, the power button and volume rockers will be located on the right edge, making them easy to reach. The SIM card tray will be located on the left edge.

The leaks also offer a glimpse under the hood. Last month, the Google Pixel 8a appeared on the Geekbench benchmark database. The listing revealed that the phone will have 8GB of RAM.

The smartphone is also set to debut with Android 14 out of the box. The Geekbench listing also confirmed that the Pixel 8a will feature an underclocked version of the Tensor G3 chipset, which has an integrated Mali G715 GPU.

Release Speculation

Interestingly, earlier speculation suggested that Google might skip a 2024 release for the Pixel 8a, with its fate tied to the performance of the Pixel 7a in terms of sales. There were hints that the company might opt for a two-year launch cycle for its mid-range smartphones.

However, the leaked images seem to challenge this notion, hinting at a potential Google Pixel 8a release in 2024.

Via

Source

Best Mobiles in India

Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications
Redmi K70 Series Launch Timeline Surfaces: Check Details News oi -Kabir Jain

Xiaomi is preparing to release its eagerly awaited Redmi K70 series. According to a report by Xiaomiui, the K70 series is expected to be released in December.

Recent findings from MIUI 15 builds based on Android 14 suggest that this flagship lineup, which will include three models-the Redmi K70 Pro (23117RK66C), Redmi K70 (2311DRK48C), and Redmi K70i (23113RKC6C)-will be released in December.

These models are currently being tested with MIUI versions MIUI-V15.0.0.2.UNLCNXM, MIUI-V15.0.0.2.UNKCNXM, and MIUI-V15.0.0.1.UNMCNXM, respectively.

A Glimpse into the Future Lineup

The Redmi K70 series is set to launch with a trio of models: the Redmi K70, K70 Pro, and K70i, each denoted by unique model numbers (23117RK66C, 2311DRK48C, and 23113RKC6C). Initial indications suggest these smartphones will hit the Chinese market by the end of November or the first week of December.

However, it's noteworthy that the Redmi K70 Pro will remain an exclusive offering for the Chinese market. For global consumers, Xiaomi plans to introduce the K70 series under the Poco F6 series branding.

Under the Hood

One of the key areas of intrigue is the processing power fueling these devices. The Redmi K70 Pro emerged on Geekbench (via MySmartPrice) sporting the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. Impressively, it notched up 1100 points in the single-core test and a formidable 5150 points in the multi-core test.

While the chipset's moniker remains enigmatic as 'Wall,' it's widely believed to align with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, boasting a peak clock speed of 3.19GHz. Furthermore, these devices will debut with Android 14 out of the box and a generous base of 16GB of RAM, with the potential for expanded memory options at launch.

As for the standard Redmi K70, Xiaomi may equip it with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, and the more budget-friendly Redmi K70i may feature the MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ chipset.

Best Mobiles in India

Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications
Kyiv's support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, despite bureaucratic and political obstacles, should continue to strengthen, the issue was discussed at a joint meeting of deputies of Kyiv City Council with the community under the walls of Kyiv City Council on Saturday, September 23, the press service of the city council reports.

Volodymyr Bondarenko, the deputy city mayor and secretary of Kyiv City Council, said at a meeting with an initiative group of Kyiv residents, the citys support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine consists of allocating funds for the purchase of drones, equipment, and for the priority needs of military units, to which the city has already sent more than UAH 4.6 billion, and for other needs of the army.

Kyiv has already spent more than UAH 4.6 billion on security, defense and provision of defenders and their families since February 24, 2022. Of this, almost UAH 3.5 billion went in the form of subventions for weapons, equipment, drones and other priority needs of the military units of the city that carry out combat missions on the front line. More than UAH 700 million were used to pay financial assistance to defenders and their families, UAH 439 million is aimed at providing apartments for defenders and their families, Bondarenko noted.

He also recalled that Kyiv City Council has provided a total of UAH 5 billion to support the military in 2023.

Kyiv City Council supported the initiative of mayor of the city Vitali Klitschko to strengthen support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine by UAH 5 billion. The city will continue to direct all possible resources to our defenders to bring victory closer. The capital provides maximum support to manufacturers of drones and other necessary equipment. These include premises, benefits, and full assistance. Kyiv is increasing support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In this matter there should be maximum interaction between local, central authorities and the public," Bondarenko noted.

At the same time, as he pointed out, the situation in the country largely depends on the situation in the capital and the state of the urban economy.
Independent Intelligence Review

Media release

22 Sep 2023

Prime Minister

The Australian Government has commissioned an Independent Review into Australia's intelligence agencies.

The work of our intelligence agencies underpins Australia's national security objectives, including safeguarding Australia's sovereignty in an increasingly uncertain security environment. Our intelligence agencies help protect Australia's security, prosperity and values in complex and changing circumstances.

The National Intelligence Community (NIC) has undergone significant structural and transformational changes in recent years. The Review will ensure that our intelligence agencies remain well-placed to serve Australia's national interest.

The Review will be co-led by Dr Heather Smith PSM and Mr Richard Maude.

Dr Smith is currently a professor at the Australian National University National Security College and has served as Secretary of the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, and Deputy Director-General of the Office of National Assessments. In April 2023, Dr Smith was appointed the National President of the Australian Institute of International Affairs. Dr Smith has nearly 20 years' experience in the public service at senior levels.

Mr Maude is currently Executive Director of Policy at Asia Society Australia and a Senior Fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute. He is a former senior Australian Government official with 30 years' experience in foreign policy and national security, including as the former Director-General of the Office of National Assessments. In May this year, Mr Maude was appointed to the External Advisory Panel to oversee the implementation of the Defence Strategic Review.

The reviewers will consult widely, and welcome public submissions. The findings of the Review will be provided to Government in mid-2024.

Independent Reviews of the intelligence community have been commissioned periodically, with the last completed in 2017.

Public submissions on matters included in the Review's Terms of Reference can be made to IIR2024@pmc.gov.au, or by post to '2024 Independent Intelligence Review' c/o Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, PO Box 6500 Canberra, ACT 2600. The closing date for public submissions is 24 November 2023.

Further information, including the Terms of Reference, can be found here: 2024 Independent Intelligence Review.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

"Our intelligence agencies underpin our national security objectives, including helping to safeguard our sovereignty in an increasingly uncertain security environment.

"This Independent Review will make sure that our intelligence agencies are best positioned to serve the Australian national interest, respond to future capability and workforce challenges, and continue to protect our security, prosperity and values.

"Dr Smith and Mr Maude are highly capable individuals with the specific skills needed to lead this Review."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, His Wife, And Three New Jersey Businessmen Charged With Bribery Offenses

Friday, September 22, 2023

For Immediate Release

U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York

Robert Menendez Allegedly Agreed to Use His Official Position to Benefit Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, Fred Daibes, and the Government of Egypt in Exchange for Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars of Bribes to Menendez and His Wife Nadine Menendez, Which Included Gold Bars, Cash, and a Luxury Convertible

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), announced that an Indictment was unsealed this morning charging U.S. Senator ROBERT MENENDEZ, his wife NADINE MENENDEZ, a/k/a "Nadine Arslanian," and three New Jersey businessmen, WAEL HANA, a/k/a "Will Hana," JOSE URIBE, and FRED DAIBES, with participating in a years-long bribery scheme. The Indictment alleges that MENENDEZ and his wife, NADINE MENENDEZ, accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars of bribes from HANA, URIBE, and DAIBES in exchange for MENENDEZ's agreement to use his official position to protect and enrich them and to benefit the Government of Egypt. Among other things, MENENDEZ agreed and sought to pressure a senior official at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in an effort to protect a business monopoly granted to HANA by Egypt, disrupt a criminal case undertaken by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office related to associates of URIBE, and disrupt a federal criminal prosecution brought by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey against DAIBES. MENENDEZ, NADINE MENENDEZ, HANA, URIBE, and DAIBES are expected to appear in federal court in Manhattan on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: "As the grand jury charged, between 2018 and 2022, Senator Menendez and his wife engaged in a corrupt relationship with Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, and Fred Daibes - three New Jersey businessmen who collectively paid hundreds of thousands of dollars of bribes, including cash, gold, a Mercedes Benz, and other things of value - in exchange for Senator Menendez agreeing to use his power and influence to protect and enrich those businessmen and to benefit the Government of Egypt. My Office is firmly committed to rooting out corruption, without fear or favor, and without any regard to partisan politics. We will continue to do so."

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: "The FBI has made investigating public corruption a top priority since our founding  nothing has changed. The alleged conduct in this conspiracy damages the public's faith in our system of government and brings undue scorn to the honest and dedicated public servants who carry out their duties on a daily basis. To those inclined to use the status of their public office for personal benefit, or those willing to provide bribes in an attempt to gain influence from a public official, the FBI will ensure that you face the consequences in the criminal justice system for your underhanded dealings."

According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]

ROBERT MENENDEZ is the senior U.S. Senator from New Jersey and currently the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee ("SFRC"). NADINE MENENDEZ began dating MENENDEZ in February 2018, they became engaged in October 2019, and they married in October 2020. Shortly after they began dating in 2018, NADINE MENENDEZ introduced MENENDEZ to her long-time friend WAEL HANA, who is originally from Egypt, lived in New Jersey, and maintained close connections with Egyptian officials. HANA was also business associates with FRED DAIBES, a New Jersey real estate developer and long-time donor to MENENDEZ, and JOSE URIBE, who worked in the New Jersey insurance and trucking business.

Between 2018 and 2022, MENENDEZ and NADINE MENENDEZ agreed to and did accept hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of bribes from HANA, DAIBES, and URIBE. These bribes included gold, cash, a luxury convertible, payments toward NADINE MENENDEZ's home mortgage, compensation for a low-or-no-show job for NADINE MENENDEZ, home furnishings, and other things of value. In June 2022, the FBI executed a search warrant at the New Jersey home of MENENDEZ and NADINE MENENDEZ. During that search, the FBI found many of the fruits of this bribery scheme, including cash, gold, the luxury convertible, and home furnishings. Over $480,000 in cash  much of it stuffed into envelopes and hidden in clothing, closets, and a safe  was discovered in the home, as well as over $70,000 in cash in NADINE MENENDEZ's safe deposit box, which was also searched pursuant to a separate search warrant. Some of the envelopes contained the fingerprints and/or DNA of DAIBES or his driver. Other of the envelopes were found inside jackets bearing MENENDEZ's name and hanging in his closet, as depicted below.







During this same search, agents also found home furnishings provided by HANA and DAIBES, the luxury vehicle paid for by URIBE parked in the garage, as well as over one hundred thousand dollars' worth of gold bars in the home, which were provided by either HANA or DAIBES. Two of the gold bars DAIBES provided are depicted in the photographs below.







In exchange for these and other things of value, MENENDEZ agreed to use his power and influence as a Senator to seek to protect HANA, URIBE, and DAIBES's interests and to benefit the Government of Egypt. Through this corrupt relationship, MENENDEZ agreed to take a series of official acts and breaches of his official duty. First, MENENDEZ took actions to benefit the Government of Egypt and HANA, including by improperly pressuring an official at the U.S. Department of Agriculture ("USDA") to seek to protect a business monopoly granted to HANA by Egypt. Second, MENENDEZ took actions seeking to disrupt a criminal investigation undertaken by the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General ("NJAG") related to URIBE and his associates. Third, MENENDEZ recommended that the President nominate a U.S. Attorney who MENENDEZ believed he could influence with respect to DAIBES and sought to disrupt a federal criminal prosecution undertaken by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey ("USAO-DNJ") of DAIBES.

Promised Actions to Benefit Egypt and Pressure the USDA

Shortly after she began dating MENENDEZ in 2018, NADINE MENENDEZ worked with HANA to introduce Egyptian intelligence and military officials to MENENDEZ. Those introductions helped establish a corrupt agreement in which HANA, with assistance from DAIBES and URIBE, provided bribes to MENENDEZ and NADINE MENENDEZ in exchange for MENENDEZ's actions to benefit Egypt and HANA, among others.

As part of the scheme, MENENDEZ provided sensitive, non-public U.S. government information to Egyptian officials and otherwise took steps to secretly aid the Government of Egypt. For example, in or about May 2018, MENENDEZ provided Egyptian officials with non-public information regarding the number and nationality of persons serving at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. Although this information was not classified, it was deemed highly sensitive because it could pose significant operational security concerns if disclosed to a foreign government or made public. Without telling his professional staff or the State Department that he was doing so, on or about May 7, 2018, MENENDEZ texted that sensitive, non-public embassy information to his then-girlfriend NADINE MENENDEZ, who forwarded the message to HANA, who forwarded it to an Egyptian government official. Later that same month, MENENDEZ ghost-wrote a letter on behalf of Egypt to other U.S. Senators advocating for them to release a hold on $300 million in aid to Egypt. MENENDEZ sent this ghost-written letter to NADINE MENENDEZ, who forwarded it to HANA, who sent it to Egyptian officials.

At various times between 2018 and 2022, MENENDEZ also conveyed to Egyptian officials, through NADINE MENENDEZ, HANA, and/or DAIBES, that he would approve or remove holds on foreign military financing and sales of military equipment to Egypt in connection with his leadership role on the SFRC. For example, in or about July 2018, following meetings between MENENDEZ and Egyptian officials, which were arranged and attended by NADINE MENENDEZ and HANA, MENENDEZ texted NADINE MENENDEZ that she should tell HANA that MENENDEZ was going to sign off on a multimillion-dollar weapons sale to Egypt. NADINE MENENDEZ forwarded this text to HANA, who forwarded it to two Egyptian officials, one of whom replied with a "thumbs up" emoji. MENENDEZ made similar communications over the ensuing years. For example, in January 2022, MENENDEZ sent NADINE MENENDEZ a link to a news article reporting on two pending foreign military sales to Egypt totaling approximately $2.5 billion. NADINE MENENDEZ forwarded this link to HANA, writing, "Bob had to sign off on this."

In exchange for MENENDEZ's agreement to take these and other actions, HANA promised NADINE MENENDEZ payments, including from IS EG Halal Certified, Inc. ("IS EG Halal"), a New Jersey company that HANA operated with financial support and backing from DAIBES. However, IS EG Halal had little to no revenue until the spring of 2019, when the Government of Egypt granted IS EG Halal a monopoly on the certification of U.S. food exports to Egypt as compliant with halal standards, despite the fact that neither HANA nor his company had experience with halal certification. The monopoly generated revenue for HANA, through which he paid NADINE MENENDEZ as promised.

Because the monopoly resulted in increased costs for U.S. meat suppliers, in or about April and May 2019, the USDA contacted the Government of Egypt and sought reconsideration of its grant of monopoly rights to IS EG Halal. After being briefed on the USDA's objections to IS EG Halal's monopoly by HANA and NADINE MENENDEZ, on May 23, 2019, MENENDEZ called a high-level USDA official ("Official-1") and insisted that the USDA stop opposing IS EG Halal's status as sole halal certifier. When Official-1 attempted to explain why the monopoly was detrimental to U.S. interests, MENENDEZ reiterated his demand that the USDA stop interfering with IS EG Halal's monopoly. Official-1 did not accede to MENENDEZ's demand, but IS EG Halal nevertheless kept its monopoly.

After financially benefitting from IS EG Halal's monopoly, HANA, at times with the assistance of DAIBES and URIBE, provided payments and other things of value in furtherance of the scheme. For example, in or about July 2019, after the mortgage company for the residence of NADINE MENENDEZ initiated foreclosure proceedings, HANA caused IS EG Halal to pay approximately $23,000 to bring the mortgage current. HANA did so after a series of discussions with NADINE MENENDEZ, as well as URIBE and DAIBES, about various options for bringing the mortgage current. Later in 2019, HANA and DAIBES caused IS EG Halal to issue three $10,000 checks to NADINE MENENDEZ for a low-or-no-show job. As the scheme continued, including through the additional actions described below, MENENDEZ and NADINE MENENDEZ received additional bribes, including gold and cash.

Promised Actions Seeking to Disrupt the NJAG Criminal Case

Also in 2019, HANA and URIBE offered to help buy a new Mercedes-Benz C-300 convertible worth more than $60,000 for MENENDEZ and NADINE MENENDEZ. In exchange, MENENDEZ agreed and sought to interfere in the NJAG's criminal insurance fraud prosecution of an associate of URIBE and a related investigation involving an employee of URIBE. On multiple occasions in 2019, URIBE, HANA, and/or NADINE MENENDEZ briefed MENENDEZ regarding the NJAG's insurance fraud prosecution and investigation. Following those briefings, and in exchange for the promise of the luxury convertible, MENENDEZ contacted a senior state prosecutor at the NJAG's Office who supervised the prosecution and investigation ("Official-2") at least twice. During those communications, MENENDEZ attempted to pressure Official-2 to resolve the prosecution more favorably to the defendant. Official-2 considered MENENDEZ's actions inappropriate and did not agree to intervene. Nevertheless, the prosecution was ultimately resolved with a plea allowing for no jail time and the investigation never resulted in any charges against URIBE's employee.

In exchange for MENENDEZ's actions, URIBE provided NADINE MENENDEZ with $15,000 cash for the down payment on the luxury convertible in April 2019. After the purchase was complete, NADINE MENENDEZ messaged MENENDEZ, "Congratulations mon amour de la vie, we are the proud owners of a 2019 Mercedes." and texted MENENDEZ the below photograph of the convertible:

Thereafter, URIBE made monthly payments to Mercedes-Benz for the convertible between 2019 and June 2022. URIBE only stopped making those monthly payments after the FBI approached MENENDEZ, NADINE MENENDEZ, and URIBE in connection with this investigation.

Promised Actions Seeking to Disrupt the USAO-DNJ Criminal Case

In October 2018, the USAO-DNJ charged DAIBES with federal criminal charges for obtaining loans under false pretenses from a New Jersey-based bank he founded. Between December 2020 and 2022, MENENDEZ agreed to attempt to influence the pending federal prosecution of DAIBES in exchange for cash, furniture, and gold bars that DAIBES provided to MENENDEZ and NADINE MENDENDEZ. In furtherance of this aspect of the scheme, MENENDEZ recommended that the President nominate an individual ("Official-3") as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey who MENENDEZ believed he could influence with respect to DAIBES's case. MENENDEZ also had direct and indirect contact with both Official-3 and another high-ranking official at the USAO-DNJ ("Official-4") in an attempt to influence the outcome of DAIBES's case.

Official-3 and Official-4 did not pass on to the USAO-DNJ prosecution team handling the DAIBES prosecution the fact that MENENDEZ had contacted them, and they did not treat the case any differently as a result of MENENDEZ's actions. DAIBES's case was ultimately resolved with a plea agreement that provided for a probationary sentence. In exchange for MENENDEZ's participation in the bribery scheme, DAIBES provided MENENDEZ and NADINE MENENDEZ with multiple things of value, including the two one-kilogram gold bars pictured below.

* * *

ROBERT MENENDEZ, 69, of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

NADINE MENENDEZ, 56, of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

WAEL HANA, 40, formerly of Edgewater, New Jersey, and originally of Egypt, JOSE URIBE, 56, of Clifton, New Jersey, and FRED DAIBES, 66, of Edgewater, New Jersey, are all charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants would be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI. Mr. Williams thanked the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation for its invaluable assistance on the investigation.

This case is being handled by the Office's Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eli J. Mark, Paul Monteleoni, Lara Pomerantz, and Daniel C. Richenthal are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This investigation remains ongoing. If you have information regarding the charges or defendants in the Indictment, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI and reference this case.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Contact

Nicholas Biase

(212) 637-2600

Attachment: U.S. v. Menendez et al Indictment [PDF, 994 KB]

Topic: Public Corruption

Component: USAO - New York, Southern

Press Release Number: 23-333

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Retired FBI Special Agent in Charge Pleads Guilty to Concealing Information from the FBI

Friday, September 22, 2023

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Charles F. McGonigal Admits to Receiving $225,000 Cash Payment

Charles F. McGonigal, 54, a former FBI Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office, pleaded guilty today to concealment of material facts for his undisclosed receipt of $225,000 in cash from an individual who had business interests in Europe while McGonigal was supervising counterintelligence efforts. The plea was accepted by U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who scheduled sentencing for Feb. 16, 2024.

According to papers filed with the court, from August 2017, and continuing through his retirement from the FBI in September 2018, McGonigal concealed from the FBI the nature of his relationship with a former foreign security officer and businessperson who had ongoing business interests in foreign countries and before foreign governments. Specifically, McGonigal received at least $225,000 in cash from the individual and traveled abroad with the individual and met with foreign nationals. The individual later served as an FBI source in a criminal investigation involving foreign political lobbying over which McGonigal had official supervisory responsibility.

The charge carries a statutory maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia, Assistant Director in Charge Donald Alway of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office, and Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI's Washington Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI Los Angeles and Washington Field Offices are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Aloi and Stuart D. Allen, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Friedman for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Deputy Chief Evan N. Turgeon of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance.

Topic: National Security

Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - District of Columbia

Press Release Number: 23-1,045

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Menendez 'Temporarily' Resigns as US Foreign Relations Panel Chair Amid Bribery Probe

Sputnik News

20230922

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Senator Bob Menendez is temporarily resigning as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee following an indictment for crimes including bribery and conspiracy to commit extortion, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Friday.

"Bob Menendez has been a dedicated public servant and is always fighting hard for the people of New Jersey. He has a right to due process and a fair trial," Schumer said in a statement.

"Senator Menendez has rightfully decided to step down temporarily from his position as Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee until this matter has been resolved."

Current Democratic Conference rules dictate that any lawmaker who serves as chair or ranking member of a congressional body must "immediately" step down from their post if charged with a felony.

Additionally, the senior-most Democratic member of the affected panel would take up corresponding responsibilities, which in regards to the Menendez case would be Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD). Cardin previously indicated in May that he intended to retire at the end of his term in 2025.

To date, at least two House Democrats have called on the New Jersey senator is fully resign from Congress, with Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) being one of the first to urge for the ouster.

Menendez has struck back at the allegations, saying that "for years, forces behind the scenes have repeatedly attempted to silence my voice and dig my political grave."

"Those behind this campaign simply cannot accept that a first-generation Latino American from humble beginnings could rise to be a US senator and serve with honor and distinction. Even worse, they see me as an obstacle in the way of their broader political goals," he said.

"I am confident that this matter will be successfully resolved once all of the facts are presented and my fellow New Jerseyans will see this for what it is."

Earlier Friday, the US Justice Department unsealed an indictment charging Menendez and his wife with bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right for allegedly exchanging his influence as a senator to enrich himself and co-defendants and benefit the Egyptian government.

The Friday indictment specifically focused on a luxury vehicle, gold bars and an apartment that Menendez and his wife, Nadine Arslanian, are alleged to have received as part of a "corrupt relationship" with New Jersey businessmen Wael Hana, Jose Uribe and Fed Daides.

As part of the arrangement, Menendez is alleged to have passed on sensitive US information to "secretly" aid the Egyptian government, as well as ghost-write a letter for Egypt seeking to convince his fellow senators to release $300 million in aid to the nation, among other findings.

The "corrupt relationship" is said to have gone on from at least 2018 to to about 2022.

The indictment marks the second such incident in which Menendez was hit with corruption charges. His initial brush came in 2015 and ended in a mistrial in 2018 after the presiding jury was unable to reach a verdict on all counts.

The 2015 indictment was tied to his relationship with a Florida eye doctor who would give gifts to the senator in exchange for using the power of Menendez's office.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






New Jersey Senator Menendez Stands Accused of Bribery, Corruption

By VOA News September 22, 2023

New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez and his wife, Nadine, have been charged with several counts of bribery, according to a corruption indictment unsealed Friday.

The indictment said a search of the senator's home turned up hundreds of thousands of dollars in allegedly ill-gotten gold bars and cash - much of it hidden in clothing, closets and a lock box.

Prosecutors said Menendez inappropriately wielded his power as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to provide aid to Egypt. In exchange, the authoritarian government allegedly funneled money into a little-known halal meat inspection business belonging to Nadine Menendez's friend.

In April 2020, after meeting with an Egyptian representative, Menendez urged former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to get more involved in negotiations among Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan over Ethiopia's construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a major concern for Egypt, which fears a disruption of Nile River waters.

Prosecutors said Menendez ghost-wrote a letter to his peers in the Senate encouraging them to provide $300 million in aid to Egypt. The North African nation has a long-standing record of human rights abuses and receives more than $1 billion a year from Washington, making it among the top recipients of U.S. government aid.

The senator also stands accused of relaying sensitive information to Egyptian politicians without approval.

Menendez wrote in an emailed statement that prosecutors had confused "the normal work of a congressional office" with bad-faith dealings.

Menendez will have to step down as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee effective immediately, according to Senate conduct rules. Whether Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will call on him to resign from the committee or even relinquish his seat is unclear.

Separately, prosecutors said Menendez and his wife took hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from three businessmen: Wael Hana, Jose Uribe and Fred Daibes.

In one instance, prosecutors said, Menendez recommended that President Joe Biden nominate Phillip R. Sellinger as U.S. attorney for New Jersey, believing he could persuade Sellinger to be lenient with Daibes, who was facing a criminal prosecution. Sellinger is not accused of misconduct.

Menendez was also said to have used his authority to intervene in another investigation by the New Jersey attorney general's office. The senator allegedly phoned a government official to discuss a probe of an Uribe co-worker, after which Uribe and Hana gifted Nadine Menendez a 2019 Mercedes-Benz convertible, according to the indictment.

"Congratulations mon amour de la vie, we are the proud owners of a 2019 Mercedes," Menendez's wife texted him, adding a heart emoji.

Authorities discovered more than $100,000 in solid gold bars and nearly half a million dollars in cash. Photos included in the indictment show that the money was found in white envelopes stuffed into the pockets of jackets with the senator's name on them.

The DNA of one of Menendez's co-defendants was detected on the money-filled envelopes. The indictment also revealed an internet search by Menendez: "how much is one kilo of gold worth?"

"For years, forces behind the scenes have repeatedly attempted to silence my voice and dig my political grave," Menendez said of the charges, which he vehemently denied. "Since this investigation was leaked nearly a year ago, there has been an active smear campaign of anonymous sources and innuendos to create an air of impropriety where none exists."

The senator said that he "will not be distracted" from his official duties.

Menendez is the first sitting U.S. senator to have been indicted in two independent criminal cases, according to Senate Historical Office records.

The new corruption scandal comes six years after a judge threw out charges that the senator used his political clout to help a Florida eye doctor who had showered him with gifts and campaign donations. Menendez was accused of strong-arming government officials to settle a Medicare billing disagreement in favor of the doctor's friend, among other illegal favors.

Menendez is the son of Cuban immigrants. His nearly 40-year political career has included six years as mayor of Union City, New Jersey, a seat in New Jersey's state legislature, and 14 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2006, Menendez inherited Governor Jon Corzine's Senate seat when Corzine gave it up to become governor of New Jersey.

Menendez is up for reelection next year, but it's unclear if he can win voters over again, especially after Governor Phillip D. Murphy of New Jersey, a former ally, called on the senator to resign in an early Friday evening statement.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






NATO appreciates Slovak Defence Ministry's progress in delivering its priorities and Alliance commitments

Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic

20.09.2023

At the Slovak Defence Ministry in Bratislava today, Deputy Defence Minister Marian Majer met Karl Ford, Director Defence Planning at NATO, who is visiting Slovakia as he leads regular Reviews of the member nations' defence programmes and plans under the NATO Defence Planning Process (NDPP). During their meeting, both leaders gave positive assessments of the progress being made by Slovakia towards the development and delivery of specific NATO Capability Targets, i.e. the shift in building the Armed Forces.

Deputy Defence Minister Marian Majer said: "The Review by the Alliance points to the fundamental progress we have achieved in recent years. By signing the contracts for the tracked armoured vehicles and 8x8 and 4x4 wheeled platforms, we have moved forward in building the Heavy Mechanised Brigade faster than foreseen by NATO two years ago."

The stand-up of the Heavy Mechanised Brigade is among the Ministry of Defence's main priorities, consistent with the Parliament-approved Long-Term Defence Development Plan.

Deputy Defence Minister Marian Majer continued: "Our purchase of F-16 fighter jets was not assessed positively by the Alliance in the past, given that it was a financially demanding project. Today, however, we can see that the decision to replace our supersonic aircraft was right, since NATOs eastern flank needs advanced ground as well as air capabilities."

At the meeting, it was reaffirmed that for Slovakia to meet its obligations towards Allies, it must continue to invest at least 2% of GDP in defence and increase the size of the Slovak Armed Forces in accordance with the Ministry of Defence-approved plans.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Address of President Charles Michel at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly

European Council / Council of the European Union

European Council

Speech

21 September 2023

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

The Security Council Chamber is decorated with a mural.

In it, the Norwegian artist, Per Krohg, depicts a phoenix. The phoenix is rising from a world covered in ashes, a world rebuilding itself after war. The lower section of the mural is dark, showing a dragon, soldiers and war machines.

The United Nations was founded to protect us from our demons. To elevate the global community towards peace, cooperation and solidarity. And yet... The climate crisis is wreaking havoc. The global effort to combat poverty is faltering. The Russian war against Ukraine is aggravating food insecurity and generating an energy crisis.

We are losing the sense of urgency which the pandemic instilled in us. And progress on gender equality is too slow.

'One Earth, One Family, One Future'. This is the mantra of the Indian Presidency of the G20. We are, after all, a global family. And the United Nations is the backbone of this family. But as Secretary-General Guterres says, this family is a dysfunctional one.

The European Union aspires to a multipolar world, a world which cooperates and moves towards greater democracy and more respect for human rights.

But trust is eroding. Tensions are multiplying. A dangerous bipolar confrontation threatens us. As if everyone has to take sides against each other.

Just like the frantic nuclear arms race last century, artificial intelligence, particularly in the military sphere, is becoming the arena for geopolitical competition.

The late Secretary-General, Dag Hammarskjold, wisely said: 'The United Nations was not created in order to bring us to heaven, but in order to save us from hell'.

Today, the United Nations system is stuck in a rut, and is being hindered by hostile forces. We must put multilateral cooperation back on track. For that, we need to:

Restore trust.

Resolve the most pressing problems.

Repair the United Nations system.

Trust is built on respect for the sacred principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and human rights.

Nevertheless, for the last 19 months, a permanent member of the Security Council, Russia, has been waging a war of conquest against a neighbouring country which has never threatened it. A war with all its horror and contempt for human life.

The General Assembly has condemned Russia's war against Ukraine on several occasions. This is, of course, a powerful reminder of the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. But that has not stopped the Kremlin in its murderous adventure. Nor has it curbed its sense of impunity... But this impunity will not last forever. Justice will be done. The European Union will steadfastly support Ukraine in exercising its right of self-defence.

During this war against Ukraine, the other major challenges facing the world have not gone away.

The planet is boiling. The world is torn apart by poverty and injustices. A miracle will not happen if we do not decide to mobilise the necessary funding. Now.

We have made a collective pledge to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. But if we stick to the schedule announced so far, global warming will reach 2.5 degrees by the end of the century.

We must wake up to this reality! The European Union has raised its targets for renewable energy use and energy efficiency. We are calling for a tripling of renewable energy targets, with the G20 following suit, and a doubling of energy efficiency targets by 2030.

It is also in the interest of all developed countries to help developing countries to move towards net-zero emissions. Only one quarter of global private investment is being made in developing countries. And yet, the G20 is responsible for 80% of global emissions...

And only this year is the international community expected to reach the USD 100 billion mark for the international financing of climate action. The European Union has been a driving force, providing USD 26 billion in 2021, more than its share.

The International Energy Agency estimates that global investment in the energy transition must reach USD 5 000 billion per annum in 2030  yes, more than 4% of global GDP. And that figure will have to be maintained until 2050 in order to achieve zero-carbon. At the upcoming COP28 in Dubai, we must establish the financing for the Loss and Damage Fund decided on last year in Sharm el-Sheikh.

Finally, natural disasters are unfolding at a dizzying pace. On every continent. And most recently in Libya. Now more than ever, an international disaster fund is necessary to ensure rapid and fair assistance and strengthen our collective resilience. Prevention is key.

Hence the importance of the work which we support within the United Nations on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Similarly, trade is a powerful lever to bring together climate challenges and prosperity. We call for an urgent solution for the World Trade Organization's dispute settlement mechanism.

The economic and financial situation of vulnerable economies has been seriously affected by the COVID-19 crisis and by Russia's war in Ukraine. More than 50 low-income countries have defaulted on their debts, and a dozen others could follow suit.

Because of debt-servicing, which has supplanted expenditure on social protection, health and education, 165 million individuals worldwide have been tipped into poverty. No-one should be forced to choose between alleviating poverty and greening the economy.

We cannot afford the luxury of another debate about how much money to donate. It's a question of making the global financial system more robust, fairer, and better prepared for the 21st century. The reallocation of USD 100 billion in special drawing rights constitutes an important step. And we should go further.

We also support the 'Sustainable Development Goals Stimulus' presented by Secretary-General Guterres. The EU is fully committed to implementing the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatments.

It is the Bretton Woods system that requires fundamental reform. Fairer. More inclusive. And more effective. That is the aim.

These institutions were created when many countries were still under colonial rule. The world has changed since then. However, the G7 countries still wield almost absolute decision-making power.

The European Union is prepared to better share power. Because the regions that have virtually no say need to be better involved in the decisions that directly affect them.

Secondly, there is a need for a financial shake-up. Whole regions of the world are deprived of access to financing, thereby not only hampering progress towards the sustainable development goals, but also increasing the risk of a debt crisis.

The Paris Summit for a New Global Financing Pact  convened by the French President and the Prime Minister of Barbados  showed the way forward in that regard. In the words of Mia Mottley, there is now 'the need for pace and scope. (...) Let us (...) not only do the right thing, but do it in time, and do it for the right reasons.'

We must make better use of state capital to stimulate private investment. We need to increase the lending capacity of international financial institutions as an essential safety net. To give an example: in the course of just 60 years, the World Bank's financing power, as a proportion of global production, has fallen more than sevenfold! And we need to reduce the cost of access to credit for vulnerable countries, which is several times higher than for advanced countries.

We also need to adapt the rules of the multilateral development banks as regards capital adequacy. This will allow them to utilise their balance sheets in a more dynamic way without jeopardising their soundness.

Precisely three years ago, Dr Tedros and I put forward the idea of an international treaty on pandemics. Together, we convinced the international community to launch negotiations within the framework of the WHO.

The world needs an ambitious and legally binding instrument to prevent, prepare for and respond to any future pandemics. It must be of benefit to everyone, in particular developing countries and those who are most vulnerable.

I now call on the parties to redouble their efforts to conclude those negotiations by May 2024. The European Union is making determined efforts to that end. We remain an open-minded and thoughtful negotiating partner.

The Secretary-General and his teams are the workhorses of action on a massive scale for the benefit of humankind. But United Nations governance is all too often hindered. The European Union supports the proposals for reform presented by the Secretary-General in 'Our Common Agenda'. We also welcome the progress made on working methods.

Today, I would like to bring a new perspective to the debate on United Nations reform. As well as three proposals. One concerning the right to veto. One concerning representativeness. And one concerning the role to be played by regional organisations. On those points, I call for an amendment to the United Nations Charter.

The right to veto in its current form is subject to abuse. It renders the Council powerless. A permanent member of the Security Council can flagrantly violate our Charter and international law... The fact that it has the right to veto sanctions against itself is even more shocking. And the fact that it exploits the Security Council for the purpose of propaganda and disinformation.

The Charter provides that a member of the Security Council should abstain from voting when it is the subject of the vote. I call on other members of the Security Council to invoke that clause when it could involve Russia.

The European Union supports France and Mexico's initiative aiming to limit the right to veto in cases of mass atrocities. We support the code of conduct regarding Security Council action against genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes. And all efforts to enhance the transparency and accountability of the Security Council.

In the context of Charter reform, I believe we should set up a mechanism that combines majority decision-making with moderate and flexible use of the right to veto.

Two: representativeness. The Security Council does not reflect today's world. There are 60 countries which have never yet had a seat on the Security Council.

Whole swathes of the world - Africa, South America, the Caribbean, Asia - have little or no representation. We support a global reform of the United Nations Security Council which strengthens the voices of these regions and countries.

Power and legitimacy go hand in hand. The Security Council's lack of representativeness is undermining its legitimacy. Legitimacy is key and should be reinforced on two fronts.

The United Nations, as its name suggests, is a club of nations. When we contemplate reforming the multilateral system, we consider the nation state to be its basic unit. An increase in the number of permanent members of the Security Council is inevitable. We must move beyond this status quo.

The role played by regional and continental organisations is growing. The European Union, of course, the African Union, the Community of Latin-American and Caribbean States (CELAC), ASEAN, etc. These organisations reflect a new level of legitimacy in international and multilateral fora.

They play a part in political and economic coordination among their members. They create spaces for closer cooperation. They also become spaces where rules are made.

That is the case of European integration. But the EU's example serves as an inspiration to others. Like the African Union, which is working to create a huge common trade area. These organisations are exerting a growing influence on the multilateral stage. They are vital contributors to stability. Their role in the multilateral system must grow. After all, they shape the structure of the multipolar world we are hoping for.

That is why through my vote the European Union immediately supported the call by Senegalese President Macky Sall to include the African Union as a full member of the G20.

I am convinced that the United Nations would become more legitimate and effective if it gave a place to regional organisations. Including them would create a virtuous circle. It would encourage regional organisations to cooperate more and better with each other, contributing to their own stability. And their stabilising influence would be further boosted in multilateral cooperation.

I will soon be taking the initiative to hold an institutional summit between the European Union, African Union, CELAC, ASEAN and with the United Nations Secretary-General.

The aim will be to reflect on how our organisations can act together to strengthen the multilateral system. In the framework of the United Nations and in the other international fora.

The European Union is a sound world partner. Multilateral cooperation is in our DNA. The EU and its Member States are the world's biggest donor for development and peace-keeping. Including in regions in which conflicts are protracted hopelessly.

In the Sahel, successive military coups are fuelling instability and insecurity, under the pretext of reducing them. I would like to take this opportunity to send a message of friendship and personal support to the President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, who has been imprisoned in his home by a military junta for 56 days now.

In the Middle East, we maintain that lasting peace will only be achieved when Palestinians and Israelis live in security in the context of the two-state solution.

We are shocked by the latest devastating developments in the South Caucasus. Military force is never a sustainable solution when there are hearts and minds to be won.

Around the globe, the European Union will continue to assume its responsibilities, with anyone who wishes to work towards the common good. The EU we will never allow itself to be intimidated by violence or blackmail.

The Per Krohg mural is a work of imagination. But it is also an appeal to our conscience. Now more than ever before, in a world faced with multiple dangers.

The philosopher Friedrich Holderlin said, 'But where the danger lies, also grows the saving power.' Faced with dangers, we have a vision of a better world. We have powerful means. I believe in the power of collective intelligence. It is up to us to act. Now. To make the world fairer, freer and more prosperous.

Thank you.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Minister Sklenar at ITAPA DEFENCE: Slovakia is not at the crossroads of the East and the West

Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic

21.09.2023

The main theme for this year's ITAPA DEFENCE Conference, which is being held at the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) Museum in Banska Bystrica today, is 'Defence Industry's Innovations and Benefits of Security Technologies'. The conference, established in cooperation with the Slovak Defence Ministry, covers lectures and panel discussions with MOD subject matter experts, defence technology specialists from the private sector, and NATO representatives.

Among the SVK MOD speakers and panellists at ITAPA DEFENCE were Defence Minister Martin Sklenar, Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko, Director General of the MOD Modernisation Department and National Armaments Director Michal Homza, Director of the MOD Investment Planning and Project Funding Branch and member of the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) Council of Investors for the Slovak Republic Michaela Kollarova, and Director of the MOD Analytical Section Barbora Hrozenska.

Speaking on the initial discussion panel, Defence Minister Sklenar clearly framed the foreign policy compass for Slovakia's security and defence, saying: "We are not at the crossroads of the East and the West. This is determined by what kind of life we want to live. From this point of view, the eastern alternative is clearly out of the question, because our citizens do not want to live like that."

Then, Minister Sklenar re-emphasised the significance of our NATO and EU membership and the importance of our continued support to Ukraine. "This is an investment in our defence in the sense that its a matter of clear mathematics - if Russian troops stay behind Ukraines border, our defence will be cheaper and simpler than in the opposite case, if we were to become neighbours," he explained.

Among the topics covered at the conference were also innovations in deep tech, sensor and imaging systems, energy infrastructure resilience, cyber security, and the strengthening of Slovakia's defence capabilities. The Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) accelerator programme, established by 31 NATO member states, was presented as an instrument in support of innovative technological solutions and suppliers to the benefit of all NATO allies.

Director of the MOD Investment Planning and Project Funding Branch Michaela Kollarova said: "Thanks to the DIANA accelerator programme, the Defence Department has become a solid part of the Alliances innovation ecosystem. We now have the opportunity to coordinate this instrument, which offers many opportunities for technology startups, businesses, and academia. Thanks to this synergy, we can modify and sustainably fund technological ideas for the needs of the defence and security sector."

The conference programme also features the ITAPA DEFENCE EXPO 2023 exhibition with military equipment and defence systems on display in the outdoor area, guided tours of the SNP Museum, and an online discussion event for the general public titled ITAPA OPEN TALK.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






On September 19, the Ministry of Justice filed a lawsuit with the High Anti-Corruption Court against Rostov Helicopter Production Complex PJSC Rostvertol for the recovery of its Ukrainian assets for state income.

The claim was filed with the participation of third parties who did not make independent claims: JSC Russian Helicopters, the Russian state corporation Rostec - on the side of the defendant and the state enterprise Lviv State Plant LORTA - on the side of the plaintiff.

According to the Ministry of Justice, Rostvertol is an enterprise in the Russian Federation that carries out a full cycle of production of modern helicopter equipment, develops and produces military equipment, in particular, combat helicopters, modernized helicopters such as Mi-24, Mi-35, Mi-28, used by the occupying country during the full-scale invasion.

At the same time, the release does not contain a list of assets that can be nationalized.

According to the database of court decisions, the matter concerns certain assets manufactured under a contract dated 2011 between LORTA and Rostvertol.

On September 20, the High Anti-Corruption Court accepted the claim for consideration and scheduled a court hearing for September 27.
Sudan's brutal conflict could spill over into wider region, warns Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan

21 September 2023 - Warning that the months-long conflict in Sudan could spill over in the region, Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan on Thursday called on the international community to consider designating the militias ravaging his country as terrorist groups "to protect the Sudanese people, the region and the world."

In his speech to the annual general debate of the UN General Assembly, Mr. Al-Burhan, who is President of the Transitional Sovereign Council, said that the Sudanese people have been facing a devastating war since April 15 launched against them by the Rapid Support Forces.

Describing those paramilitary forces as rebels in alliance with "tribal, regional and international militias, and mercenaries from different parts of the world," he said they had been committing horrendous crimes against Sudanese people.

Further, he said: "They attempted to obliterate the history of Sudanese people by destroying museums, court and civil registries. They had released terrorists and people wanted by international courts from prison."

"They have killed, looted, raped, robbed and seized citizens' homes and properties, and destroyed infrastructure and Government buildings."

A 'spark' that could inflame the region

"This war is now a threat to regional and international peace and security as those rebels have sought the support of mercenaries and terrorist groups from different countries and regions of the world," Mr Al-Burhan said, adding: "This is like the spark of ... a war that will spill over ... and burn the entire region."

"They have killed thousands and displaced millions," he said, emphasizing that the Government has responded to all initiatives for peace extended by the regional bloc IGAD and others, such as the Jeddah meeting organized by the United States and Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and South Sudan. Yet the rebels have refused all initiatives and "continue to commit genocide."

Mr. Al-Burhan thanked the Secretary-General and the United Nations and its agencies for their support and humanitarian aid. The Government has opened ports and airports and allowed convoys to bring assistance to people in need.

He called on all agencies to fill the gaps and meet the Sudanese people's needs for food, medicine and shelter.

Committed to transition

The President of the Transitional Sovereign Council stressed he is committed to a transfer of power to the Sudanese people through a peaceful and legitimate process. "A short period of transition during which the current security, humanitarian, and economic conditions and reconstruction are addressed," would be followed by general elections.

On other matters he stated his commitment to support women, children and vulnerable segments of society, and to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), pointing out that the freeze on international assistance has directly impacted the country's ability to achieve the global goals. He again appealed to donors to address the humanitarian situation in Sudan.

Finally, Mr. Al-Burhan called on regional organizations to work in the interests of the African people, stressing that he would not allow some external parties to impose solutions to Sudanese problems according to their own interests.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






At UN Assembly, Nepali Prime Minister urges focus on common goals

21 September 2023 - Addressing the UN General Assembly on Thursday, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Prime Minister of Nepal emphasized the importance of collective action in tackling global challenges through peaceful means and diplomatic dialogue.

He highlighted Nepal's unique position as regards climate change, saying that even with low emissions, vast forested areas that help preserve biodiversity, Nepal "suffers unfairly from climate crisis."

"This kind of mismatch must be addressed," the Prime Minister said, urging a mechanism to compensate countries making a positive difference in greening the planet.

"On our part, Nepal remains fully committed to the Paris Agreement and achieving its goals, having set an ambitious target of reaching a net-zero scenario by 2045," he added.

Reforms long overdue

Reshaping global governance and reforming multilateral institutions was overdue, Mr. Dahal said, urging meaningful engagement and representation of least developed, landlocked developing, and small island developing nations in the process.

"Only a more inclusive, fair and representative international financial architecture can be an antidote to the deep-rooted inequities and gaps," he added.

The Prime Minister also advocated for the reform of the UN Security Council, emphasizing the need for representation, transparency, and accountability. He urged revitalizing the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, granting them greater roles.

Conflict related transitional justice

Mr. Dahal said that currently as Prime Minister and a co-signatory of the 2006 Comprehensive Peace Accord, which ended the armed conflict, he has been making "serious efforts" to build consensus and complete the task of transitional justice and conclude Nepal's home-grown peace process.

In the transitional justice process, "there will be no blanket amnesty for serious violations of human rights," he affirmed, adding: "The ultimate objective is to establish an enduring peace in the country and foster harmony in society through peace, justice, and reconciliation."

Economic transformation

He went on to note that Nepal is focused on sustaining socio-economic growth and development, and that it will be graduating from the status of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) by 2026.

"We are in the process of finalizing the smooth graduation strategy," he said, highlighting that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) form the centre of Nepal's development vision and priorities.

Mr. Dahal urged greater international support through development and technical assistance, as well as foreign direct investment to overcome shocks induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and geo-political tensions.

Focus on common goals

The Nepali leader called for shift in the current trajectory of global affairs, away from geopolitical competition, power polarization, and economic nationalism. Instead, he urged the international community to refocus on shared objectives of peace, prosperity, and progress.

"It is time to build trust, promote partnership and collaboration, and work in solidarity when the world is facing the challenges of unprecedented scale and nature," he said.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






European Council President says it's time to put multilateralism back on solid ground

21 September 2023 - The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, appealed on Thursday to the international community to protect the principles of the UN Charter, reform the Organization's governance structures and double down on efforts to fight the climate crisis.

"Today, the United Nations system is sclerotic and hobbled by hostile forces. We must assume our responsibility. That means being engaged to put multilateral cooperation back on solid ground. For that, we need to: Restore trust. Resolve the most pressing problems. Repair the United Nations system.

Protecting the Charter

Trust and confidence between Member States is based on a faithful commitment to the principles outlined in the UN Charter, said Mr. Michel. Respect for national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and human rights are all fundamentally rooted in the agreements of the charter, he added.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, however, has shamelessly disregarded the principles of the charter and damaged the legitimacy of the UN Security Council, claimed Mr. Michel.

"For the last 19 months a permanent member of the Security Council, Russia, without any shame, has been undertaking a war to conquer its neighbouring country which never threatened it in the past," said Mr. Michel.

"We need to stop the Kremlin and its deadly adventure, but it has not been even slowed in its feeling of impunity."

Mr. Michel criticized the Security Council's veto policy, arguing that giving permanent members the right to veto sanctions against themselves "paralyzed" the council's ability to end conflict being perpetrated by one of its permanent members.

He also criticized the five-state makeup of the Security Council, arguing that larger and more diverse representation in the council would add to the council's legitimacy.

"Due to its lack of representativeness, the Security Council is inexorably damaging its own legitimacy," claimed Mr. Michel.

"The United Nations, as its name suggests, is a club of nations. When we contemplate reforming the multilateral system, we consider the nation state to be its basic unit. An increase in the number of permanent members of the Security Council is inevitable. We must move beyond this status quo," he added.

Climate crisis

Mr. Michel also addressed climate in his delivery to the UNGA, remarking that "the world is boiling."

"We have undertaken the collective to limit heating of the planet to 1.5 degrees, and yet we know that we are far from reaching that goal and the heating of our planet will achieve 2.5 degrees between now and the end of the century. We must get back on track."

In response to the slow progress, the European Union (EU) independently raised its targets toward renewable energy.

"We are calling for a tripling of renewable energy targets, with the G20 following suit, and a doubling of energy efficiency targets by 2030," said Mr. Michel.

He also emphasised the role of the EU in driving the international financing of climate action.

"The international community is expected to reach the $100 billion mark for the international financing of climate action. The European Union has been a driving force, providing $26 billion in 2021, more than its share," he said.

"Natural disasters are unfolding at a dizzying pace on every continent, and most recently in Libya. Now more than ever, an international disaster fund is necessary to ensure rapid and fair assistance and strengthen our collective resilience."

Reforming financial framework

Mr. Michel also encouraged the adoption of a robust and fair global financial framework that was "prepared for the 21 century."

"The economic and financial situation of vulnerable economies has been seriously affected by the COVID-19 crisis and by Russia's war in Ukraine. More than 50 low-income countries have defaulted on their debts, and a dozen others could follow suit," he said.

"Whole regions of the world are deprived of access to financing, thereby not only hampering progress towards the sustainable development goals, but also increasing the risk of a debt crisis."

Mr. Michel called for a "financial shake-up" and expressed his support for the Paris Summit for a New Global Financing Pact  convened by the French President and the Prime Minister of Barbados. He argued the international community must "increase the lending capacity of international financial institutions as an essential safety net" for smaller, developing countries.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Gen. Michael Langley's Libya Visit Highlights USAID Humanitarian Aid Efforts and Bilateral Cooperation

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, traveled to Libya, September 20-21, to further cooperation between the United States and Libya, and highlight the robust U.S. humanitarian response to the devastating floods.

By U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs , United States Africa Command Stuttgart, Germany Sep 22, 2023

STUTTGART, Germany -- U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, traveled to Libya, September 20-21, to further cooperation between the United States and Libya, and highlight the robust U.S. humanitarian response to the devastating floods.

Langley met with host nation civilian and military leaders, U.S. State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) officials, and U.S. service members.

During a visit to Benghazi, Langley and U.S. Special Envoy Ambassador Richard Norland acknowledged the tragic suffering caused by recent flooding in eastern Libya.

"Our deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in this tragedy," said Langley. "We commend the unity demonstrated by Libyans from all regions of the country as they come together to aid those in need."

U.S. Africa Command airlifted more than 13 metric tons of critical life-saving humanitarian supplies to northeastern Libya. The U.S. Air Force's 86th Airlift Wing conducted the C-130 airlift mission in support of the USAID response to the floods. To date, the U.S. has provided $12 million in response to this humanitarian disaster.

While in Tripoli, Langley met with Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dabaiba and General Mohamed al-Haddad, Chief of the General Staff, Libyan Armed Forces. In Benghazi, Langley met with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and General Abd al-Razzaq al-Nadhuri, Chief of the General Staff, Libyan Arab Armed Forces.

"It was a pleasure meeting with civilian and military leaders throughout Libya and to discuss ways to bring about a united country," said Langley. "Libya's strength lies in its unity. The United States stands ready to reinforce existing bonds and forge new partnerships with those who champion democracy, in pursuit of a safer, more prosperous Libya."

U.S. Africa Command is one of seven U.S. Department of Defense geographic combatant commands. The command is responsible for all U.S. military operations, exercises, security cooperation, and conducts crisis response on the African continent in order to advance U.S. interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.

The visit highlights U.S. Africa Command's 3D approach, which leverages diplomacy, development, and defense collaboration.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Armenian medics take training to the next level as part of Saber Junction 23

By James Cahill September 22, 2023

HOHENFELS, GERMANY -- Doctors and other medical personnel participated in the training exercise Saber Junction 23, which started Sept. 6 and ended Sept. 16, in Hohenfels, Germany, testing their capability to provide NATO-equivalent Role II medical services in a simulated combat environment. The hospital provided medical coverage to the U.S. Army's 2nd Cavalry Regiment, and other participating units, along with 14 Allied and Partner nations.

In a highly-specialized training event, Armenian military medics trained on loading and offloading simulated casualties with a U.S. medical evacuation helicopter.

"The participation of Armenian military medics in Saber Junction fortifies medical interoperability among our allies and partners. Moreover, this exercise is one avenue of building a stronger relationship between the U.S. and Armenia and sharing medical best practices and lessons learned to prepare for future operations," said U.S. Air Force Col. James Chambers, U.S. European Command Surgeon.

The U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) surgeon team, which conducted some of the training, also praised the efforts of the Armenians.

"USAFE surgeon team, in cooperation with Kansas National Guard, has been working closely with Armenia in supporting their Role II development," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Nisha Baur, an International Health Specialist with the USAFE team. "The Kansas-USAFE team has participated in multiple engagements to enhance Armenia's Role II capability. The Armenian team is motivated and interested in building the personnel and materials to support the Role II. They continually update their Standard Operating Procedures as they participate internally and externally in exercises."

Saber Junction is an annual exercise designed to prepare a U.S. Army Brigade Combat Team in support of NATO's collective deterrence and defense initiatives. The 2nd Cavalry Regiment stationed at Rose Barracks, Germany, led Saber Junction 23.

More than 4,000 soldiers from 14 NATO Allies and partners participated in the exercise. Participating countries, along with the United States, were Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Georgia, Italy, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Poland, and the United Kingdom.

Armenia's participation was an important step in a multi-year global health engagement "glide path" carefully facilitated by the U.S. EUCOM Surgeon's office, the National Guard State Partnership Program, and U.S. service component international health experts.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






USARCENT Deploys CCP to Jordan for Exercise Lucky Strike 23.2

U.S. Central Command

Sept. 22, 2023

By Sgt. 1st Class Michael Behlin U.S. Army

ZARQA, Jordan -- U.S. Army Central deployed its contingency command post Sept. 5-8 to Exercise Lucky Strike 23.2 at the Joint Training Center in Zarqa, Jordan.

Consisting of approximately 100 service members and civilians from the USARCENT headquarters, the CCP is USARCENT's rapidly deployable command element designed to provide command and control at any forward location in the U.S. Central Command region.

Exercise Lucky Strike 23.2 allowed the CCP the opportunity to develop standard operating procedures and interoperability before Exercise Internal Look, a CENTCOM coordinated command post exercise.

"The contingency command post is something that the theater Army is able to use for short duration operations and can be used in a variety of ways," said Col. Jennifer Reed, the USARCENT G33 chief of operations. "One of the important things about bringing it into theater is that it puts us closer to both our partners and subordinate units."

As an expeditionary headquarters, the CCP is designed to provide command and control operations, as well as military intelligence, logistics capabilities and other key functions. Lucky Strike presented a unique training opportunity to USARCENT as staff directorates tested capabilities in a partner nation.

The deployment of the CCP to a partner nation required meticulous planning and coordination. Leading the way for the CCP was its Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, who provided life support and administrative services throughout the exercise.

"The Warrior Battalion is here validating the readiness for the force package for the CCP, which is the expeditionary command and control capability for the USARCENT headquarters," said Lt. Col. Andrew Eagan, the USARCENT HHBN commander.

Overall, the command was pleased with the deployment and performance of the CCP during the exercise. According to Reed, the CCP's deployment to Jordan was a necessary building block for future operations.

"I think it's always going to be important for the staff to work together and develop interoperability with each other, our partners and higher headquarters," said Reed. "It's never easy to go on any type of field exercise, whether it's at the platoon level or theater Army level. The staffs from USARCENT, the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade, HHBN

and Area Support Group-Jordan has been immense."

Lucky Strike 23.2 was the second deployment for the USARCENT CCP in 2023. The CCP previously deployed to McCrady Training Center in August for Exercise Warrior Torch, in which personnel completed the tactical training and administrative tasks required to deploy overseas.

U.S. Army Central is the U.S. Army Service Component Command for U.S. Central Command and is responsible to the Secretary of the Army for the support and administration of more than 12,000 Soldiers, including those assigned to joint task forces and embassies, across the 21 countries in the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility.



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






September 22, 2023

Transcript

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks Welcoming the President of Mozambique Filipe Jacinto Nyusi

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III; President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi

SEC. AUSTIN: Mr. President, it's great to see you again. And I hear that you had a productive week at the U.N. General Assembly. Congratulations on signing another compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation in linking development and defense. And thanks for your leadership at the U.N. Security Council on issues from climate change to the role of women in security.

We also share your determination to prevent illegal fishing and trafficking in the region. So I appreciate your partnership on strengthening maritime security and domain awareness. We're committed to continuing to work together to eliminate the causes of conflict and to expand security in the region, and that's central to the U.S. strategy to prevent conflict and promote stability. We're investing in our partnership with Mozambique to strengthen regional stability.

We're aligning diplomacy, development, and defense to get after the forces that fuel instability and insecurity. So let me commend your important work to bring peace to your country after so many years of violence through efforts like signing the Maputo Peace Accords and demobilizing former fighters.

Terrorism remains a significant threat to regional security, and both of our countries have suffered from terrorism and we are in this together. So we're deeply grateful for your partnership to counter violent extremist groups in northern Mozambique, and your cooperation with the Southern Africa Development Community and the European Union and others shows the power of partnership in combating violent extremism.

We're also pleased to continue our partnership with Mozambique's Armed Forces and we look forward to deepening the military training between our countries.

And finally, Cyclone Freddy reminded us earlier this year of the disastrous effects that climate change can have on security, and we remain committed to working with you to mitigate those dangers.

Mr. President, thank you for your leadership to bolster regional security and for everything that you're doing to deepen our defense partnership. We are absolutely delighted to host you here, Mr. President. So thanks for taking the time to visit with us today.

Mr. President?

PRESIDENT FILIPE NYUSI (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Thank you very much. I wish to express my gratitude for the opportunity you are providing me to exchange, to compare notes on the area, the important area, under your leadership, defense.

I'm deeply touched for the fact that after our telephone conversation, I mentioned that I would be here in Washington, D.C. on the 21st, and that was very fast to schedule a meeting. And here we are, we are meeting.

I did not have an opportunity to introduce my delegation but I'm here with the Minister of Economy and Finance Max Tonela and the Ambassador of Mozambique to the USA. This side, I have the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy and my diplomatic advisor.

I wish to thank you most sincerely and President Biden and the government of the United States of America for the support we have been enjoying in different areas, ranging from the economy, health, and security.

I'll recall during the time of COVID-19 we did not have much possibilities but your country lended a hand and supported us so as to cope with these problem, and indeed, we are very grateful for that.

Following your advice, indeed I welcomed to my office General Michael Langley. He was with me. We talked, we compared notes, and I expressed to him our requirements in terms of our defense cooperation.

On the MCC, I fully agree with you and also on countering terrorism and also the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and reconciliation, as well as the need to do the surveillance of our maritime domain, maritime domain awareness. Indeed, we need to check these measures and do a bit more on that.

We remain ready to receive vessels of the United States of America coming to Mozambique to visit us, which is an opportunity for joint training with our own Navy. And we will remain indeed ready to deepen our cooperation in this regard.

So these would be my introductory remarks at this point in time. Thank you.

SEC. AUSTIN: Well, thank you, Mr. President. And again, we are delighted to have you here and I look forward to a great conversation.

Thanks, everybody.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3535581/

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






September 22, 2023

Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Bilateral Meeting With President of Mozambique Filipe Jacinto Nyusi

Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III welcomed President of Mozambique Filipe Jacinto Nyusi to the Pentagon today to discuss the growing bilateral defense relationship countering violent extremist organizations in Africa and the 3D approach of defense, development, and diplomacy.

The two leaders exchanged views on regional issues of shared interest, as well as Mozambique's role on the U.N. Security Council, selection as a Millennium Challenge Corporation compact recipient. They also discussed priorities and expanding cooperation related to implementation of the Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability.

Secretary Austin and President Nyusi expressed their dedication to deepening the U.S.-Mozambique defense and security relationship.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3535264/

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






September 22, 2023

Release

Department of Defense Selected Acquisition Reports (SARs)

The Department of Defense (DoD) has transmitted the President's Budget 2024 comprehensive annual Selected Acquisition Reports (SARs) to Congress.

SARs summarize the latest estimates of cost, schedule, and performance status for Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs) and Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) programs that exceed the MDAP cost threshold.

By law, the MDAP cost threshold is an estimated eventual total expenditure for research, development, test, and evaluation of more than $300,000,000 (based on Fiscal Year (FY) 1990 constant dollars) or an eventual total expenditure for procurement, including all planned increments or spirals, of more than $1,800,000,000 (based on FY1990 constant dollars).

There are 75 MDAP SARs: 16 for Department of the Army, 36 for the Department of the Navy, and 21 for the Department of the Air Force. Two additional MDAPs are direct reports to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment: Chemical Demilitarization  Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives and the Missile Defense System.

There are 20 MTA programs that met the MDAP threshold and submitted a SAR: 5 for the Department of the Army, 1 for the Department of the Navy, 12 for the Department of the Air Force, and 2 for the Space Development Agency.

The President's Budget 2024 SARs are published by the Washington Headquarters Services at https://www.esd.whs.mil/FOIA/Reading-Room/Reading-Room-List_2/Selected_Acquisition_Reports/. These SARs are filed under "2022 SARs" as consistent with the data reflected.

In accordance with title 10, United States Code, section 4351(b), the Department of Defense was required to prepare SARs annually through submission of the President's Budget 2024. Future reporting on MDAPs and MTA programs that exceed the MDAP threshold will be done through the Modernized Selected Acquisition Report (MSAR) process, which will continue to be released to the public annually. The Department of Defense is working closely with Congress to meet requirements for future MSARs processes.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3535172/

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






September 22, 2023

Release

Department of Defense Approves $100 Million in Grants Under the Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program

Today, the Department of Defense awarded seventeen Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program (DCIP) grants from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, totaling approximately $100 million. DCIP is a competitive program for states and communities to undertake infrastructure enhancements to support military value, the training of cadets at independent cover educational institutions, installation resiliency, and/or family quality of life that benefits their local installations.

On August 7, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment instructed the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation to invite grant applications for seventeen projects based on a competitive ranking of all proposed projects in response to a March 24, DCIP Notice of Funding Opportunity.

These awards derive from Fiscal Year 2023 appropriated funding and leverage an additional $39.8 million in non-federal and other federal funding for a total investment of $139.5 million.

"The Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program continues to be a critical program that demonstrates the importance of the relationship between installations and their surrounding communities in delivering critical infrastructure needs to support military service members, their families, and their communities," said Dr. William A. LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

"Executing the mission during an emergency is only possible if our service members and civilians can get to their base. Since 2020, DCIP has leveraged partnerships at the local level to build a 'one community' approach to delivering infrastructure that enables the Department of Defense to execute its mission, supports our service members, their families, and civilians, and improves the resilience of the communities that our installations rely on," said Brendan Owens, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment.

The grant awards are as follows:

$10,858,588 to the Municipality of Anchorage - Port of Alaska to undertake a $15,512,268 project to replace aged stormwater management infrastructure in support of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, alleviating flood and soil erosion issues.

$8,959,097 to the Northern California Power Agency, California, to undertake a $27,383,362 project to construct a new electric transmission line and substation upgrades in support of Sierra Army Depot, reducing the installation's energy vulnerabilities and increasing its grid capacity.

$5,979,060 to Jacksonville Port Authority, Florida, to undertake $11,958,120 a project to construct a new fire station in support of Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island and the Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Southeast Regional Fuels Depot, reducing flood threats and emergency response times, and increase capacity to house modern fire and emergency response equipment.

$4,952,000 to the City of Pensacola, Florida, to undertake a project to construct a parking apron at the Pensacola International Airport in support of Naval Air Station Pensacola and Naval Air Station Whiting Field to park Navy training aircraft and promote mission sustainment across several aviation-training platforms.

$6,439,954 to Santa Rosa County, Florida, to undertake a $9,189,259 project to construct a taxiway to an aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility in support of Naval Air Station Whiting Field, reducing aviation down time and eliminating the need to move military aircraft over civilian roadways.

$861,025 to Lowndes County Board of Commissioners, Georgia, to undertake a project in support of Moody Air Force Base and its connection to the County's public drinking water system, providing a redundant and more reliable water supply and expanding adequate water capacity to support modern firefighting systems implemented by the Air Force.

$6,886,183 to the State of Hawaii Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to undertake a $8,386,183 project to construct an emergency operations facility in support of the Pohakuloa Training Area, increasing the capacity for Army personnel, first responders, and community members to maximize resources and coordination when responding to emergency situations.

$900,000 to the Bayview Water and Sewer District, Idaho, to undertake a project in support of Naval Station Everett - Acoustic Research Detachment, improving a concrete water supply tank to improve the reliability and quality of local drinking water and expand availability for local fire suppression.

$4,930,000 to the City of Leesville, Louisiana, to undertake a project to extend a runway at the Leesville Airport in support of the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Johnson, providing the airfield redundancy and additional capabilities for the execution of missions at the installation.

$5,793,200 to Plaquemines Parish Government, Louisiana, to undertake a project in support of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, rehabilitating a flood control basin and related stormwater management infrastructure to control flooding and improve airfield operability during severe weather.

$13,725,400 to Plaquemines Parish Government, Louisiana, to undertake a project to construct a joint multi-use facility in support of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, providing a multi-agency emergency command center, an emergency provisions assembly staging and issuance point, and an early childhood healing and resiliency area.

$1,093,251 to Harrison Charter Township, Michigan, to undertake a $1,366,576 project in support of Selfridge Air National Guard Base, upgrading wastewater systems to handle higher wastewater flow rates from the installation and ensuring the station remains operational during power outages.

$9,285,576 to the Town of New Boston, New Hampshire, to undertake a project to construct a new fire station in support of New Boston Space Force Station, providing a modern fire station for the Town of New Boston to support fire, emergency, and HAZMAT services at the installation.

$8,028,000 to the Western Reserve Port Authority, Ohio, to undertake a $8,920,000 project to support Youngstown Air Reserve Station, resurfacing taxiways used by the installation for its mission and enabling improved training exercises, safer deployments, and more rapid emergency response.

$643,300 to the City of San Antonio, Texas, to undertake a $919,000 project to support Texas Army National Guard Martindale Army Heliport, reconstructing access to a main gate for safe and efficient access to the installation.

$2,369,284 to the City of Norfolk, Virginia, to undertake a $3,723,160 project to construct stormwater management system improvements on a main access road to Naval Station Norfolk, reducing flood constraints to allow better military and civilian personnel access for the local mission.

$8,007,388 to the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, to undertake a $11,439,126 project to support Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story to replace deteriorated infrastructure at Creeds Law Enforcement Training Facility, enabling a modern training environment for civilian and military police and Navy forces, enhancing operational readiness, training efficiency, and the ability to accommodate total force requirements.

Groundbreaking on these projects may commence once all environmental requirements have been met.

The Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program is authorized under 10 U.S. Code  2391.

For more information about the Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program, visit: https://oldcc.gov/defense-community-infrastructure-program-dcip.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3534765/

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Two of the three ships that used the temporary corridors established by the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reached the Black Sea ports, according to data from the MarineTraffic resource.

The bulk carriers YING HAO 01 and AZARA are located in Pivdenny port. The ENEIDA is heading for the port of Chornomorsk.

These are the first large-tonnage vessels that entered Pivdenny port, which actually stopped operating even before the end of the grain deal. Since April 29, 2023, when the Russian side at the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) in Istanbul stopped including ships heading to the port, it has not been working.

Earlier it was reported that three new ships are moving towards Ukrainian Black Sea ports along temporary corridors established by the Ukrainian Navy to load more than 127,000 tonnes of Ukrainian agricultural products, as well as iron ore.

The head of the monitoring group for sanctions and freedom of navigation at the Institute of Black Sea Strategic Studies, Andriy Klymenko, said on Facebook that the owners of the vessels that used the corridor are from China, Panama, and Poland.

The first ships to use the temporary corridor established by the AFU Navy for civilian ships were the RESILENT AFRICA and AROYAT, which loaded 20,000 tonnes of agricultural products for the countries of Asia and Africa.
MILEX23: EU launches crisis management military exercise

European External Action Service (EEAS)

22.09.2023

EEAS Press Team

The European Union is conducting its Crisis Management Military Exercise 23 (MILEX 23) which started on 18 September and will continue until 22 October.

19 Member States will participate in the MILEX 23 to enhance the EU's military readiness and capacity to respond more quickly and decisively to external conflicts and crises.

During the MILEX23, the EU will carry out its first military live exercise (LIVEX) between 16 and 22 October in Cadiz, Spain.With this first LIVEX, the EU is taking a significant step forward in EU security and defence policy in line with its Strategic Compass by boosting cooperation, preparedness and interoperability.

High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell said: "With the Strategic Compass, we are making a quantum leap to become a more assertive and capable security provider, better prepared to tackle present and future crises. Exercises are a key tool to increase the readiness and interoperability of our forces, strengthen our rapid response and reinforce our posture. As we conduct our first ever live exercise, we are making steps forward towards a stronger Military Planning and Conduct Capability and operational EU Rapid Deployment Capacity."

The LIVEX is a crucial step in the preparation of the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity (EU RDC) - a key instrument that will increase the EU's ability to act rapidly and robustly in response to crises by mobilising the necessary Member States' capabilities in a coordinated manner. The LIVEX represents also the EU's need for common training and exercises of its personnel in order to test and validate its concepts, procedures and tactics. Similarly, together with future LIVEX, it is a step further to reach full operational capability of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) by 2025, which should become the EU'scommand and control structure, including for the EU RDC.

Background/details

MILEX 23 will be carried out in two phases/parts:

1. Exercise Part 1 - A Command Post Exercise (CPX) from Monday 18 September to Friday 6 October. It will test the military planning process at the military strategic and operational levels.

2. Exercise Part 2 - The Live Exercise (LIVEX) will take place from 16 October to 22 October. The EU will bring together approx. 2800 military personnel from different Member States that will engage in a simulation of realistic crisis events that are specific for military operations and their support. The simulation will take place in the province of Cadiz (Spain) and will put in practice the Operational scenario developed during Part 1. This scenario involves naval elements, land components, air, space and cyber assets.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Azerbaijan: Address by the High Representative Josep Borrell to UN Security Council on Nagorno-Karabakh

European External Action Service (EEAS)

22.09.2023

New York

EEAS Press Team

Mr President,

Thank you for convening this important meeting at this crucial moment.

The European Union has been closely following the developments.

Let me start by expressing my full solidarity with the Karabakh Armenians, who have been enduring a period of intense hardship.

For months they have been in isolation due to the blockage of Lachin corridor that led to shortages of food and medicine. Their freedom of movement has been obstructed. And they have also been faced with multiple disruptions in the delivery of gas and electricity.

Azerbaijan bears the responsibility to ensure full respect for the rights and security of Karabakh Armenians.

And the EU has repeatedly made clear that the use of force to resolve disputes is not acceptable.

The European Union for that has condemned the military operation by Azerbaijan, and we deplore the casualties and loss of life caused by this escalation.

We have taken note of the respective announcements of a ceasefire and expect the cessation of hostilities and any kind of violence to hold.

The local population urgently needs humanitarian assistance, and they also need guarantees that their rights and security will be respected.

We, therefore, ask Azerbaijan to take concrete measures in this regard.

First, to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access to the civilian population in need, including through a full re-opening of the Lachin corridor. It is important that humanitarian actors can continue to operate and scale up their activities as needed in the current situation. The EU and its Member States stand ready to provide urgent humanitarian assistance. Today, the European Commission has announced a first package of humanitarian aid to support the people in need.

Second, to engage in a comprehensive and transparent dialogue with the Karabakh Armenians to ensure their rights and security, including their right to live in their homes in dignity. We note that a meeting took place today about this issue.

Let me be clear: the EU fully supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Azerbaijan and Armenia and expect all actors to do the same.

We call on Azerbaijan to reaffirm its unequivocal commitment to the territorial integrity of Armenia, and to agree to the delimitation of their bilateral border, in line with letter and spirit of the 1991 Almaty Declaration.

The EU calls for the resumption of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on all pending issues with the aim of concluding a peace treaty.

We remain committed to continue facilitating dialogue between all sides in order to ensure a comprehensive, sustainable peace for the benefit of all the people of the region.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Cooperation in the Barents Euro-Arctic Council continues without Russia

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland

News, 22.9.2023

Russia announced its decision to withdraw from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council on 18 September. The Barents cooperation will now continue between Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and the European Union, as it has continued since the Barents partners condemned Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine in March 2022.

Russia announced its decision to withdraw from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council on 18 September. The Barents cooperation will now continue between Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and the European Union.

Finland has held the chairmanship of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council since October 2021. According to the rotation system, the chairmanship was supposed to transfer to Russia in October 2023. Finland's position has been that the chairmanship cannot be transferred to a country that is engaged in an illegal war of aggression.

In March 2022, activities involving Russia were suspended in the Barents Euro-Arctic Council. The cooperation continued in "Friends of the Presidency" format, which included all other members of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council. At regional level, North Karelia has led the Barents cooperation since March 2022, and it will begin its two-year Presidency of the Barents Regional Council in October 2023.

The Barents Euro-Arctic Council

The Barents Euro-Arctic Council (BEAC) was established at Norway's initiative by the Kirkenes Declaration in 1993. Practical Barents cooperation is carried out in sectoral working groups, which include the Working Group of Indigenous Peoples that has a special advisory role.

The Barents cooperation takes a regional and practical approach to the wider Arctic cooperation. With the Barents cooperation, Finland has achieved concrete results in many areas that contribute to sustainable development, including people-to-people contacts and improved connectivity.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Investments in civil defence and crisis preparedness in the autumn budget

Government Offices of Sweden - Ministry of Defence

Published 22 September 2023

In light of the serious security environment, the Government has proposed a number of investments in civil defence and crisis preparedness in the Budget Bill for 2024 and the autumn amending budget for 2023.

Increased grants to municipalities and regions

The serious deterioration of the security environment and experiences from Ukraine have illuminated the need for strong civil defence, and municipalities and regions have a vital role to play in this. In the Budget Bill for 2024, the Government has therefore proposed that grants for the work of municipalities and regions on crisis preparedness and civil defence increase by SEK 100 million annually, starting in 2024.

Protection of civilian population

In a worst-case scenario - with Sweden at war - the civil population must be protected. In the Budget Bill for 2024, the Government has proposed additional funding to the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency for improvements and modernisation of civil defence shelters amounting to SEK 100 million per year, starting in 2024. The Government has also proposed SEK 40 million in additional funds to the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency to strengthen municipal rescue service capabilities during heightened alert and war.

Activation of civilian service

In the Budget Bill for 2024, the Government has proposed SEK 40 million in additional funding for the activation of civilian service within municipal rescue services. This means that people who already have sufficient competence will be registered for civilian defence duties within municipal rescue services. This will ensure the ability to rapidly increase the amount of available personnel during heightened alert.

The Swedish National Grid will also analyse the conditions for registering individuals for civilian defence duties within the area of energy supply.

Enhanced cyber capabilities in civil defence

The Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-SE) is Sweden's national group for the prevention and management of IT incidents. The Government has determined that CERT-SE, which is part of the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, needs to be reinforced. The Agency must also be able to offer qualified support to affected actors and continue to develop national capabilities to manage cyberattacks. The Government has therefore proposed increasing the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency's appropriation by SEK 20 million in 2024.

Increased appropriation to the Psychological Defence Agency

Security developments are placing greater demands on Sweden's psychological defence. In the Budget Bill for 2024, the Government proposes appropriating an additional SEK 8 million per year for the Psychological Defence Agency for the years 2024 to 2026.

Press release: New assignment and increased funding to Psychological Defence Agency

Preparations for Rakel Generation 2

The Rakel national communications system is approaching its technical expiration date and will need to be replaced. The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency has been tasked with planning and preparing the further development and introduction of Rakel Generation 2. In the Budget Bill for 2024, the Government has proposed increasing the appropriation for preparations for Rakel Generation 2 by SEK 20 million in 2024.

New emergency planning zones

Emergency planning zones have been introduced around each nuclear power plant. These are zones where planning is in place for evacuation, sheltering and iodine thyroid blocking. The decision to introduce new emergency planning zones in Sweden was made in 2020 and entered into force on 1 July 2022. The Government considers it necessary for relevant government agencies to take the measures required to establish the new emergency planning zones quickly, and has proposed increasing the appropriation to the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency by SEK 4 million in 2024.

Higher compensation for rescue services

Expenditures for compensation for rescue services have exceeded the previous estimate for 2023. This is due partly to rescue operations during forest fires earlier this year. In the autumn amending budget, the Government has therefore proposed increasing the appropriation for compensation for rescue services by SEK 10 million for 2023.

Increased remuneration to SOS Alarm

The costs for alerting services have exceeded the previous estimate. This is partly because the recruitment and training of new alerting services operators has required more resources than expected. In the autumn amending budget for 2023, the Government has therefore proposed increasing the remuneration to SOS Alarm Sverige AB by SEK 37.5 million in 2023.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Ministry of Defence military budget initiatives for 2024

Government Offices of Sweden - Ministry of Defence

Published 22 September 2023

Sweden is currently facing the most serious security situation since the Second World War. This places new demands on military defence.

Together with earlier decisions and annual adjustments, the appropriations for military defence, i.e. appropriations 1:1 to 1:13 in expenditure area 6, will increase by more than SEK 27 billion between 2023 and 2024, an increase of 28 percent.

These appropriations will have thus doubled since 2020. In comparison with what was presented in earlier budgets, military defence appropriations will increase by approximately SEK 700 million in 2024, SEK 1.2 billion in 2025 and SEK 7.4 billion in 2026.

According to NATO's definition of defence expenditure, which is broader and includes more items than just appropriations 1:1-1:13 in expenditure area 6, Sweden will already meet the NATO target of two percent of GDP in 2024. The NATO guideline also calls for Allies to spend at least 20 percent of annual defence expenditure on new equipment. The Government intends to continue proposing additional resources in the coming years so that the military defence appropriations (1:1-1:13) will equate to two percent of GDP.

Resources for personnel recruitment and retention

Reprioritisation of appropriations for 2024-2025 and planned additional funding for 2026 will enable specific investments in Swedish Armed Forces' personnel. The aim is to increase numbers and adjust for the effects of new collective agreements and decisions regarding salaries and supplements. With these resources, the Swedish Armed Forces will be better equipped to address longstanding problems with personal protective equipment.

The growth of the Swedish Armed Forces together with planned retirements means recruitment of new officers must increase. Swedish NATO membership will also require NATO structures to be staffed with Swedish officers, further intensifying the need.

The Government will therefore increase the appropriation for officer training by SEK 25 million for 2024, SEK 38 million for 2025 and SEK 50 million for 2026, in comparison with the 2023 appropriation. This means that the appropriation will total SEK 305 million for 2024, SEK 331 million for 2025 and SEK 351 million for 2026.

Major investments in military defence and NATO targets projected to be reached

Activities relating to NATO deterrence and defence measures

Sweden will be a credible, reliable and loyal member of NATO. The Government's budget includes increased appropriations to the Swedish Armed Forces that will make it possible to plan for activities within NATO's deterrence and defence measures.

In line with the 2020 Defence Resolution and subsequent agreements, the Budget Bill for 2024 includes substantial increases in the appropriations for military defence aimed at implementing the planned expansion of the war- and peacetime organisations. The enhanced defence capability will benefit both Sweden and NATO.

As a member, Sweden will contribute to NATO's common budget. In the Budget Bill for 2024, the Government has proposed setting aside SEK 600 million for NATO's 2024 military budget.

Major investments in military defence and NATO targets projected to be reached

Defence research, development and innovation

The Government will increase the appropriations for defence research, development and innovation so as to improve Sweden's ability to meet future threats.

Additional funds will be provided to the Swedish Defence Research Agency in 2024-2026. SEK 100 million will be invested in 2024, SEK 143 million in 2025 and SEK 189 million in 2026.

Funding for innovation procurement

Civilian technological development offers an outstanding opportunity for a country like Sweden to solve military problems by adapting new technologies to military applications. If the potential of new technologies cannot be harnessed for military purposes, the development of defence materiel in Sweden will fall behind. The Government will increase the funding for defence innovation and research by SEK 88 million in 2024, SEK 90 million in 2025 and SEK 247 million in 2026.

As a NATO member, Sweden will also contribute to the NATO Innovation Fund, which finances technological development within the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA). Sweden will initially contribute approximately SEK 44 million per year.

Major investments in military defence and NATO targets projected to be reached

Investments in foreign intelligence capability

Threats are growing and becoming increasingly complex, and so the need for analysis and assessments by intelligence agencies is increasing. Moreover, technological developments are placing greater demands on technical and digital capabilities. To address growing threats, increasing demands and technological developments, and to ensure that foreign intelligence capability is proportionate to other investments in military defence, additional resources must be allocated starting in 2024.

To enhance foreign intelligence capabilities, based on previous decisions the National Defence Radio Establishment's appropriation will increase by SEK 200 million in 2024, SEK 600 million in 2025 and SEK 700 million per year starting in 2026, in comparison with the appropriation for 2023. Moreover, additional funding will be allocated to the Military Intelligence and Security Service within the framework of the increases of appropriation 1:1 Unit activities and readiness.

Procurement and development of defence materiel

The appropriation for the development, procurement, replenishment and phasing out of defence materiel and facilities will increase by SEK 20 billion, from SEK 28 billion in 2023 to SEK 48 billion in 2024. This appropriation will also fund intended updates to technical capabilities and performance, which includes extending materiel service life. In addition, the appropriation may be used to fund initial procurements of readiness supplies and procurements aimed at increasing minimum stockpiles of readiness supplies. This appropriation funds any reorganisation and phasing out costs that may arise within the framework of ongoing restructuring of logistics and defence materiel supply, and research and development.

Major investments in military defence and NATO targets projected to be reached

Readiness and availability

The deterioration of the security environment has necessitated an increased focus on readiness. This entails continuous adaptations to improve readiness and the introduction of more exercises.

The Government's budget priorities also aim to improve resilience and increase operational capabilities. In the Budget Bill for 2024, the Government has proposed redistributing funds between appropriation items so as to implement initiatives concerning maintenance of existing defence materiel, with the aim of ensuring a general improvement in the availability of defence materiel and the ability to replenish and increase stockpiles of readiness supplies, including ammunition. This also contributes to the resilience of the Swedish Armed Forces.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






In conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister, Krisjanis Karins expresses interest in early ratification of Sweden's NATO Accession Protocol at Parliament of Turkiye

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

22.09.2023

On 21 September 2023, during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Krisjanis Karins, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkiye, Hakan Fidan.

While discussing cooperation between Latvia and Turkiye, the officials confirmed their mutual interest in the strengthening of bilateral dialogue and cooperation within NATO. The Foreign Ministers also discussed topics on the Council of Europe's agenda, in view of Latvia's current Presidency of the Council of Europe. Krisjanis Karins noted that one of the priorities of the Latvian Presidency was to promote the enforcement of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.

The conversation partners exchanged views on the current security situation in Europe and the consequences of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine. The Latvian Foreign Minister welcomed the efforts of Turkiye to resume the Black Sea grain initiative and he expressed the interest of Latvia in an early ratification of Sweden's NATO Accession Protocol by the Turkish Parliament. Krisjanis Karins expressed concerns over developments in Karabakh and voiced hope in a peaceful resolution of the situation through the use of all the diplomatic and political instruments available.

Foreign Ministers also discussed cooperation opportunities in international organisations.



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Krisjanis Karins in New York highlights the need for UN reform in order to address present-day challenges

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

22.09.2023

On 21 September 2023, during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Krisjanis Karins, took part in the ministerial level meeting for the preparation of the UN Summit of the Future, at which he underlined the need for reform of the multilateral system so that it could respond more effectively to emerging challenges. The inability of the international community to stop Russia's aggression against Ukraine has highlighted the drawbacks of the system, which must be set right by joint effort.

Krisjanis Karins emphasized that preparations for the Summit of the Future should be firmly based on the Charter of the United Nations, the existing norms need to be strengthened and the international framework adapted to new challenges. He recalled that Agenda 2030 clearly sets out the path to achieving the UN sustainable Development Goals. Given that digital transformation has accelerated significantly, the potential for digitalisation should also be exploited to reach those goals. In parallel, Latvia will continue to combat disinformation at the global level as well.

The Foreign Minister also pointed out that our decisions of today would affect succeeding generations; therefore, meaningful involvement of young people, civil society and the private sector in those processes was crucial.

Practical work on the preparation of the UN Summit of the Future began in February 2023, while the event itself is scheduled to take place in September 2024. It aims to revitalise the multilateral system in order to effectively achieve the goals set by the Charter of the United Nations and Agenda 2030.





NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






US F-16 jets arrive in Romania for NATO air policing

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

22 Sep. 2023

Four U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets arrived at Fetesti Air Base in Romania on September 22, 2023 to further enhance NATO air policing in the Black Sea region.

"I welcome the United States' deployment of additional F-16 fighter jets to NATO's air policing mission in Romania," said acting NATO Spokesperson Dylan White. "This sends a clear message that we will protect every Ally. As Russia continues its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, we have seen a number of strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure very close to NATO territory. We remain vigilant and in close contact with Allies in the region."

Following Russia's full-fledged invasion of Ukraine, NATO has reinforced its presence in the eastern part of the Alliance, including with new multinational battlegroups, more air and maritime presence, and regular surveillance flights.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






NATO tests counter-drone technologies during exercise

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

22 Sep. 2023

From 12 to 22 September 2023, over 300 participants from 15 Allied and three partner nations, the European Union and the private sector gathered in the Netherlands to increase their ability to counter potential threats posed by the malign use of small drones.

NATO's Counter Unmanned Aircraft System Technical Interoperability Exercise (C-UAS TIE23) brought together military, scientific and industry specialists to test high-tech commercial solutions used to detect, identify, and neutralise drones. Some 70 systems and technologies including sensors, effectors and jammers were tested live. The aim was to ensure that these high-tech solutions can connect instantly and operate together seamlessly.

The misuse of small and widely available drones has grown exponentially. Constantly improving the ability of counter-drone systems to operate together helps to strengthen Allied air defence and deterrence and defence. The exercise was organised by the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) and hosted by the C-UAS Joint Nucleus within the Dutch Ministry of Defence.



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Open letter by Ambassador Brian Aggeler, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, to the members of the Republika Srpska National Assembly

22 September 2023

Dear Members of the Republika Srpska National Assembly,

As democratically elected representatives, you have agreed to fulfill the solemn obligation of representing the best interests of your constituencies. In light of this responsibility to the electorate, on behalf of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission), I raise deep concerns regarding pending legislation that could seriously and negatively impact everyone living in the Republika Srpska (RS).

As you are certainly aware, RS authorities have unfortunately decided to move forward with adopting the Law on the Special Registry and Publicity of the Work of Non-Profit Organizations. If adopted, this law would profoundly and severely violate the basic human rights of citizens in the RS and Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) own international and domestic commitments, including rights enshrined in the constitutions of both BiH and the RS.

Commonly - and misleadingly - referred to as the "Foreign Agents Law," this law would impinge on the right to freedom of association by critically reducing the already rapidly shrinking space for the functioning of civil society organizations, the independent media and human rights defenders in the RS. This law would further prevent co-operation with international partners and organizations, including those of which BiH is itself a member.

While RS authorities have attempted to frame this law as promoting transparency, it could be easily weaponized to stigmatize and restrict the aforementioned local actors, all of whom are already operating under difficult and constrained conditions in the RS. Civil society organizations, the independent media and human rights defenders play indispensable roles in any democratic society.

The involvement of diverse individuals, associations, groups, organizations and institutions is vital in ensuring the fulfillment of and respect for fundamental human rights. Thriving functional democracies rest on the protection of these fundamental human rights, including the freedom of association. In turn, this enables citizens to come together to realize and enjoy many other rights.

The freedom of association and related human rights enable civil society organizations to create space for discourse, raise the awareness of the public and of institutions on essential issues, enable engagement across all levels of decision- and policy-making, and provide live and virtual town squares in which ideas are shared and developed.

Both domestic and international law protect these crucial functions. Societies cannot grow, develop or heal if citizens lack the freedom to connect and cooperate with those who share their values, engage in discourse where there are disagreements, and work on core social, cultural, political or economic causes. Put plainly, a society without freedom of association would not be a democratic society. In light of this, governmental authorities in democratic societies must respect the peaceful expression of differing and dissenting views, and, as a consequence, must publicly acknowledge - through action, law and policy - the important and legitimate role of civil society organizations, independent media and human rights defenders.

Concerned that these rights were under threat, and based on the draft law, the Mission requested a formal assessment by the OSCE's Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, which provides support, assistance and expertise to OSCE participating States and civil society to promote democracy, rule of law, human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination. ODIHR then invited the Council of Europe's Venice Commission, which assists CoE member states in ensuring compliance with European and international standards shaping democracy, human rights and the rule of law, to issue a joint Opinion that enumerated severe deficiencies of the draft and urged the RS Government to reconsider its adoption entirely.

Specific concerns highlighted in the joint Opinion include issues regarding onerous reporting requirements and an increase in governmental inspections, both of which seem designed to impede the basic functionality of these originations. Statutory limits on the participation of civil society organizations in political activities or action, without a clear definition of what that would constitute, impose limits on the fundamental right of association.

Further, the requirement that civil society organizations be included in the special registry, as well as certain labelling obligations, would likely lead to the stigmatization and side-lining of these organizations. Finally, this law would allow for the banning of civil society organizations absent objective and necessary criteria. Based on an objective reading, this draft text is excessively vague and ambiguous, making it difficult to anticipate potential abuse and violations, thereby undermining the principle of legal certainty.

Further, the law makes it very difficult, if not impossible, for civil society organizations to co-operate with international organizations, including the OSCE, or to work on any human rights issues. As an OSCE participating State, BiH committed itself to upholding relevant international human rights standards and OSCE human dimension commitments, noting the latter includes more than 10 unanimous commitments adopted over the last 30 years, including but not limited to the Copenhagen Document, which guarantees, amongst others, the right of association; the Moscow Document, which enumerates the narrow conditions under which such rights may be derogated; and the Charter of Paris for a New Europe, which affirms the freedoms of association and peaceful assembly. Per these commitments, governmental institutions in BiH, including elected bodies, have an obligation to institute and implement legal frameworks that protect both these rights and those who rely upon them.

This draft law, if adopted, would clearly and meaningfully contravene these commitments, commitments voluntarily undertaken by BiH as a member of the OSCE. In doing so, it would violate the rights of citizens in the RS by denying them access to and the enjoyment of their fundamental rights.

Following other regressive actions that restrict the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms in the RS, including the recent re-criminalization of defamation through amendments to the RS Criminal Code, the Mission views this so-called "Foreign Agents " as yet another serious step backwards from the full enjoyment and preservation of human rights and fundamental freedoms.All elected officials must refrain from taking any action that would undermine these rights. This includes immediately and permanently rejecting this draft law and any other similarly regressive legislation and further ensuring that all future legislation complies with the international and domestic human rights standards to which BiH has obligated itself.

The OSCE shares these grave concerns as a sincere and committed partner to promoting a better life for all citizens, and we are prepared to support all willing authorities aiming to do the same.

The Mission further remains committed to support the work of the civil society organizations, human rights defenders and independent media under attack by this and related legislation. We welcome continued engagement on this and other issues of mutual concern.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau held a meeting with representatives of Canadian business in Toronto, the presidential press service reports.

The meeting participants paid attention to the prospects for investing in Ukraine and the necessary prerequisites for starting this process before the end of the war, the report states.

Zelenskyy thanked Canada for the assistance Ukraine is receiving and emphasized the importance of implementing projects to restore the country.

We are very interested in your coming to Ukraine, very interested in the restoration of Ukraine - this is what we need today. These are all areas in which you are strong. We are very interested in your work, business and technology, Zelenskyy said.

For his part, Trudeau emphasized the importance of economic support for Ukraine.

A lot needs to be done in terms of humanitarian and military assistance. In addition, a lot needs to be done in economic terms. Therefore, I am glad that we can discuss this with President Zelenskyy, the prime minister emphasized.

It is noted that the meeting was attended by head of the President's Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak, his deputy Rostyslav Shurma, Minister of Finance of Canada Chrystia Freeland, President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alexandra Chyczij, heads of companies operating in investment, banking, export sectors, as well as in the field of construction, energy, technology and the like.
Hun Manet tells UN Cambodia's elections were fair

The new premier declined to mention the banning of the opposition and his father's threats of imprisonment.

By Alex Willemyns for RFA 2023.09.22 -- A month after he succeeded his father as Cambodia's prime minister in the wake of the country's latest election without an opposition, Hun Manet falsely told the U.N. General Assembly on Friday that the July 23 ballot was "free and fair" and "credible and just."

Hun Sen handed power to his son after claiming victory in an election in which he banned the last remaining opposition party, the Candlelight Party, and threatened prison time and disenfranchisement for any Cambodians who joined the party's efforts to boycott the vote.

His ruling Cambodian People's Party, which has been in power since 1979, won 120 of the 125 available seats - a five-seat drop from 2018, with those seats going to its longtime coalition partner Funcinpec.

Speaking before the U.N. General Assembly in English, Hun Manet said it was his "great pleasure" to address the chamber "as the new prime minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia," and lauded the election.

"Over 8.2 million people cast their ballots, a turnout rate of 84.59%," he said, pointing to the participation of 18 minor parties as evidence of fairness. "This is the highest turnout since the U.N.-supervised election in 1993, and a clear indication of our people's greater political maturity and enthusiasm in exercising their democratic rights."

"The election has been widely assessed as free and fair, credible and just, by thousands of observers," he said.

The United States and European Union declined to send observers due to concerns about the election's integrity.

Hun Manet also appeared to address U.S. claims and satellite imagery that appears to show China building a military base in the port city of Sihanoukville, which his father has also repeatedly denied.

"Cambodia shall not authorize any foreign military base on this territory, as clearly stated in its constitution," he said. "Cambodia will continue on its present path of independence and a neutral foreign policy."

Hun Manet became Cambodia's new premier on Aug. 22, after 38 years of rule by his father, who rose to power in 1985 under the communist regime installed by Vietnam after its ouster of Pol Pot.

Hun Sen long ruled with an iron fist, banning the resurgent Cambodia National Rescue Party shortly before the 2018 election and jailing its leader after the party threatened to win even a flawed election. Some members of the CNRP then reassembled into the Candlelight Party to contest this year's election, before that party, too, was banned.

Hun Manet's government has appeared no more eager for friendly competition, and has refused to give the party official registration documents it would need to contest in any future elections.

Change, or no change?

Outside the U.N. building on Friday, Cambodian-Americans and former opposition party leaders protested Hun Manet's appearance, calling for his government to be stripped of Cambodia's U.N. seat.

Former CNRP lawmakers including Ho Vann, Kong Saphea, Eng Chhay Eang and Mu Sochua - all of whom face lengthy prison sentences if they return to Cambodia - were in attendance, and the protesters reprised popular chants from the party's post-2013 election mass protests, including the rhetorical "Change, or no change?"

Sochua, who also served as Cambodia's minister for women's affairs from 1998 to 2004, told Radio Free Asia she thought Hun Manet would not be able to completely quieten the sense of shame about how he took power, unable to campaign, on his own, in a free election.

"I don't think that he sits in that seat comfortably," Mu Sochua said of Cambodia's U.N. seat. "Hun Manet is not a free man."

It was clear, she said, that Hun Sen hoped to give his regime - known for arresting opposition leaders, banning rival parties and violently attacking critics - a new coat of sheen using Hun Manet's face.

But Mu Sochua said the world should not buy what Phnom Penh was selling, and pointed to the decision to deny the opposition Candlelight Party its registration papers and the vicious beating of Ny Nak as evidence that the new prime minister was more of the same.

"If he wanted to be legitimized, if he wanted to be a new generation of Cambodian leader, we would have to start with free and fair elections," she said. "You cannot fake legitimacy. How can he show a new face for Cambodia when he is under the control of his father?"

No change

Others said they had traveled to New York to make sure the world knew Cambodians wanted the chance to freely choose their leaders.

"I came here because Cambodia is going on the wrong path for democracy," said Thy Doak, 63, who traveled from Boston. "This dictator passed his power to Hun Manet which goes against the Paris Agreements that [say] we should have free and fair elections."

Doak said he arrived in Cambodia as a refugee in 1984 and wanted his compatriots back home to enjoy the same freedoms he did now in the United States. He said he had no hope Hun Manet would deliver that.

"He's no different from his father. There's no change," he said. "I don't want Hun Manet to be a part of this thing. Cambodia does not deserve it. We're supposed to be a democracy, but we have a dictatorship."

Susie Chhoun, 45, who was born in the Khao-I-Dang refugee camp along the Cambodian-Thailand before her parents were given asylum in the United States in the 1980s, said she, too, held out little hope Hun Manet would usher in a period of change for her birth country.

"He already proved it. He wasn't elected; power was basically handed to him in the regime," Chhoun said, noting the irony of the situation.

"He got his education here in America, so you would assume he would have a different perspective and reform Cambodia to be more civilized. But it's not the case," she said. "He's arresting people the same way, and this is when he's new in power. Imagine after several decades."

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Vietnamese NGOs shy from UN engagement fearing government reprisal

Fewer groups are taking part in preparations for Vietnam's upcoming Universal Periodic Review.

By RFA Vietnamese 2023.09.22 -- Vietnamese humanitarian and non-governmental organizations are increasingly less inclined to work with the United Nations due to fear of reprisal from their government, according to a new report by the global body's human rights agency.

NGO activities are restricted in Vietnam, where criticism of the one-party state is not tolerated. Groups must register with the government and are strictly monitored by authorities.

In its 2022 U.N. in Vietnam Annual Results Report submitted to the 54th U.N. General Assembly that's going on in New York currently, the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, or OHCHR, said that while the space in which NGOs operate has always been constrained, it had narrowed significantly in the last year due to greater government control over groups' activities.

Recent arrests of environmental activists and NGO leaders "have made many civil society groups and non-profit organizations cautious, and even paralyzed some organizations' operations," a human rights activist from Hanoi who belongs to an unregistered NGO told RFA Vietnamese.

"Sensing the insecurity, our group stopped all activities a long time ago, including activities related to the United Nations organizations," said the activist who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke on condition of anonymity citing fear of reprisal.

Arbitrary application of restrictive legislation - including vague provisions in Vietnam's Criminal Code related to so-called "propaganda against the state" and the NGO regulatory framework - negatively impacted the ability and willingness of NGOs to engage with the U.N., the report said.

Fear of retribution

Accordingly, several NGOs and long-standing U.N. partners refrained from engaging with human rights mechanisms - including treaty body reviews and preparations leading up to the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review of Vietnam, scheduled to take place in April-May 2024 - due to fear of retribution, it said.

"The NGOs most affected are those working on human rights, gender equality and discrimination, the rule of law and governance," the OHCHR said. "Government partners and civil society organizations expressed reluctance to engage with international human rights mechanisms, including treaty bodies."

The report said that NGOs were hesitant to engage with the U.N. as implementing parties or to receive funds from the U.N. for fear of being investigated and found in violation of what it described as a complex and vague tax code.

The OHCHR did not disclose the names or other information about the NGOs mentioned in its report due to security concerns.

Arrests and detentions

In recent years, in addition to detaining dozens of political dissidents and social activists on charges of "anti-state propaganda" and "abusing democratic freedoms," the Vietnamese government has also arrested six environmental activists and leaders of registered NGOs on charges of "tax evasion."

They include Nguy Thi Khanh, winner of the 2018 Goldman Environmental Prize; lawyer Dang Dinh Bach, journalist Mai Phan Loi, journalist Bach Hung Duong, environmental campaigner Hoang Thi Minh Hong and sustainable energy expert Ngo Thi To Nhien.

According to the activist, more than 50 groups submitted reports to the U.N. to contribute to Vietnam's 3rd Universal Periodic Review in 2019, but only around 30 will be participating for this review - most of which are socio-political organizations and associations strictly controlled by the government.

The UN Human Rights office's report noted that authorities had taken revenge on individuals who contacted and submitted their reports on human rights violations to the U.N. or other international organizations.

Victims included rights activist Pham Doan Trang, Y Khiu Nie and YSi Eban from the Evangelical Church of Christ of the Central Highlands - a religious group unrecognized by the Vietnamese government - and Bui Thi Kim Phuong, human rights activist Nguyen Bac Truyen's wife.

Contributing without being repressed

Attempts by RFA to contact the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment went unanswered Thursday.

However, in an article published on Sept. 15, the official People's Newspaper said that some NGOs in Vietnam "carried out activities without goodwill that did not align with Vietnam's interests or even showed signs of violating the law and sabotaging national unity."

"In recent times there has been a prominent phenomenon in which - in the name of international cooperation in lawmaking, judicial reform, education, healthcare, particularly in protecting the rights of ethnic minority people, laborers, land and the environment - some NGOs attempted to interfere in Vietnam's internal affairs," wrote Quang Minh, the report's author.

"[The NGOs] provid[ed] biased information and assessments in order to cause public confusion, sow doubt, harm national unity, create regional division, and undermine people's trust in the party and the state," he said.

In December, the Vietnam Interfaith Council - an unrecognized group fighting for religious freedom in the country - and four organizations representing overseas Vietnamese issued a joint letter calling on Hanoi to better justify Vietnam's admission to the United Nations Human Rights Council for its 2023-2025 term.

The groups called for an immediate end to all repressive measures against individuals and organizations that exercise and protect fundamental freedoms.

They also called on Hanoi to "accept the essential role of independent civil society organizations in areas such as religion, environment - climate change, union activism, and media; [and] create conditions for civil society organizations to contribute to the development process of the country without being hindered or repressed."

Translated by Anna Vu. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






The Azadi Briefing: Afghanistan Receives Much-Needed Humanitarian Funding

By Abubakar Siddique September 22, 2023

The Key Issue

International humanitarian operations in Afghanistan were boosted after the European Union and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced they would provide nearly $550 million in funding.

The ADB has approved $400 million "in grants to protect the welfare and livelihoods of vulnerable Afghan people, particularly women and girls, and ease the adverse impact of the ongoing humanitarian crisis."

The EU has agreed to release more than $149 million of humanitarian assistance "in the fields of education, health, agriculture, and women's economic empowerment in Afghanistan."

The announcement follows desperate calls for funding after the UN warned that millions among the nearly 30 million Afghans dependent on humanitarian aid will go hungry if they don't receive urgent humanitarian funding.

"In Afghanistan, WFP has been forced to end life-saving aid for 10 million people," Cindy McCain, the executive director of the UN World Food Program (WFP), warned on X, formerly known as Twitter, on September 19. "This is what a funding crisis means: no $$, no food."

In August, the International Rescue Committee, a U.S. nongovernmental organization, said Afghanistan had only received 23 percent of this year's $4.6 billion proposed humanitarian funding.

Why It's Important: These announcements are welcome news for aid workers attempting to save lives in one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world.

The UN estimates that more than two-thirds of Afghanistan's estimated 40 million people need humanitarian assistance. The WFP estimates that more than 3 million Afghans are at risk of famine.

The Taliban's return to power in August 2021 quickly worsened the vast humanitarian crisis millions faced. The impoverished country lost Western aid, which was financing more than 70 percent of the government budget. The economy collapsed as sanctions kicked in against the Taliban leaders.

Yet the UN and international NGOs prevented thousands of deaths and starvation by quickly responding to the humanitarian crisis after utilizing generous funds from Western donors.

What's Next: New funding will help aid agencies prevent a humanitarian catastrophe during the winter, which begins with the first snowfall in November.

However, Western funding for humanitarian organizations in Afghanistan is not guaranteed in the long run. Domestic pressure is likely to prevent Western governments from giving money to a country where the Taliban government has even banned women from working for international aid groups after banning their education and work.

Longer term, Afghanistan's economy is unlikely to quickly turn around under the Taliban's unrecognized government.

What To Keep An Eye On

The caretaker Taliban government is working on a new constitution to establish a permanent government and consultative bodies.

The Taliban's chief justice, Abdul Hakim Haqqani, is leading the process of writing a constitution, which is under wraps.

"We are still working on the supreme law as we debate [the role of the consultative] councils," said Zabihullah Mujahid, chief Taliban spokesman. "Once finalized, it will revive all the aspects of governance."

After seizing power two years ago, the Taliban has imposed a caretaker government comprised of top Taliban leaders, which has been ruling in a legal vacuum by suspending the country's 2004 constitution.

Why It's Important: Few Afghans believe the Taliban constitution will be framed and adopted in any kind of a democratic, consultative process.

They are concerned that it will be yet another step toward permanently imposing a government by the group that has taken away most fundamental rights and freedoms from Afghans.

"This law is unlikely to be a recipe for a self-governing democratic polity that will pave the way for the international recognition of the Taliban government," Attiqur Rahman Habib, an Afghan legal expert, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/azadi-briefing- afghanistan-humanitarian-aid-taliban-constitution/32604874.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Scores Of Detentions Reported In Yerevan As Protesters Aim To Oust Armenian Prime Minister

By RFE/RL's Armenian Service, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service September 22, 2023

YEREVAN -- Dozens of people have been detained as anti-government protests continued in the Armenian capital on September 22.

Armenian police said after noon local time that 84 people had been detained and charged with disobeying police orders. Armenian opposition groups later claimed some 350 supporters had been detained.

The developments came after opposition leaders called for street blockades and other protest actions to be held on September 22 in an effort to force Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian from power.

Protesters have vowed to continue their action until Pashinian is removed and have said they plan to disrupt a meeting of his cabinet expected later in the day.

Police, who have used stun grenades during clashes with demonstrators since protests began in Yerevan on September 20, had warned that they would implement "special measures" if the clashes continued.

Police reportedly detained one of the protest organizers, Andranik Tevanian, during the demonstrations on September 22. The former parliamentarian was released after being questioned by the Investigative Committee.

Tevanian said during demonstrations on September 21 that "with disciplined and united efforts" Pashinian's ouster as prime minister "will happen in a very short time, even within days."

A son of Armenia's former President Robert Kocharian, Levon Kocharian, was among the detained protesters. His lawyer said law enforcement officers "severely beat" his client during his apprehension.

Pashinian has come under criticism for the government's response to Azerbaijan's lightning offensive earlier this week against Nagorno-Karabakh, an Azerbaijani territory that has a large ethnic Armenian population.

Azerbaijan has claimed that the offensive, which it describes as an "anti-terrorist operation," has brought the breakaway region back under its control.

Pashinian told his government on September 22 that Yerevan would accept an influx of ethnic Armenians if they chose to leave Nagorno-Karabakh, but that such a massive resettlement would only occur if it became impossible for them to remain there.

Demonstrators have decried what they call inadequate government support for the ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, while opposition leaders have announced plans to initiate impeachment proceedings against Pashinian.

As anti-government demonstrators blocked roads and assembled in Yerevan's central Republic Square on the morning of September 22, Pashinian expressed hope that ethnic Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh can remain there.

Azerbaijan, meanwhile, has reportedly indicated it envisages an amnesty for Armenian fighters in Nagorno-Karabakh who give up their arms amid a tentative cease-fire that stopped the fighting, which broke out when Azerbaijani forces launched a 24-hour military offensive on September 19-20.

"Even with regard to former militaries and combatants, if they can be classified in such a way, and even for them we are envisaging an amnesty or alluding to an amnesty as well," Hikmet Hajiyev, a foreign policy adviser to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev president, told Reuters.

Hajiyev also said that ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh have asked for humanitarian aid, which he said would begin to arrive on September 22. Media reports said at least four trucks with aid were seen headed toward Nagorno-Karabakh along the Agdam corridor that runs through Azerbaijan.

Hajiyev said that Baku seeks the peaceful reintegration of Karabakh Armenians.

The ethnic Armenian leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh said on September 22 that an agreement had also been reached for humanitarian aid to be trucked in from Armenia. The leadership said, however, that there had been no deal on security guarantees sought by Karabakh Armenians in exchange for giving up their weapons, or regarding a possible amnesty proposed by Baku.

On September 21, representatives of Azerbaijan and the ethnic Armenian leadership of the breakaway region failed to reach a breakthrough during closely watched "reintegration" talks in the western Azerbaijani city of Yevlax.

The two sides exchanged accusations and denials over reports of gunfire and apparent cease-fire violations in Nagorno-Karabakh's de facto capital, Stepanakert, but more meetings are expected.

Separatist leaders in Nagorno-Karabakh said in a statement following the meeting that they were ready to continue talks with Azerbaijani authorities.

"The parties especially stressed the need to discuss all existing issues in a peaceful environment, noting the readiness to continue meetings," the statement said.

Pashinian said on September 22 that the situation remains tense in Nagorno-Karabakh, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but which has enjoyed de facto independence since breaking away in a war in the 1990s.

During a short but bloody war in 2020, Azerbaijan recaptured much of the territory as well as seven surrounding districts that had been controlled since the 1990s by ethnic Armenians with Yerevan's support.

Some 120,000 ethnic Armenians live in Nagorno-Karabakh, and Pashinian on September 22 expressed optimism that they can get a real opportunity to return to their homes. At the same time, Pashinian noted a dire humanitarian crisis continues in Nagorno-Karabakh.

In a nationwide address on September 21, Aliyev declared victory in the offensive launched by his forces on September 19 after Baku accused "Armenian sabotage groups" for two separate deadly explosions in areas of Nagorno-Karabakh that are under the control of Russian peacekeepers.

The same day, UN Security Council members including the United States, Turkey, Russia and France called for peace, while Armenian and Azerbaijani officials traded barbs.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoian, who called for the emergency meeting, accused Baku of an "unprovoked and well-planned military attack" and said Azerbaijan was likely to use force against civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh again unless prevented by global powers.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov countered by accusing Yerevan of spreading misinformation, insisting that Baku had carried out an anti-terrorism operation against Armenian forces.

The offensive was halted on September 20 after Karabakh's ethnic Armenian leadership accepted a cease-fire proposal by the Russian peacekeeping mission, although sporadic fighting has been reported.

Nagorno-Karabakh human rights ombudsman Gegham Stepanian has said that at least 200 people, including 10 civilians, were killed and more than 400 others were wounded in the fighting.

RFE/RL could not independently confirm the casualty figures.

Azerbaijan's Prosecutor-General's Office on September 21 said six Russian peacekeepers had been killed during Baku's military offensive, five "by mistake" by Azerbaijani forces and one by Karabakh Armenian fighters.

With reporting by Reuters and TASS

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/nagorno-karabakh-pashinian- armenia-azerbaijan-humanitarian-aid/32604471.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Secretary Antony J. Blinken at a Press Availability

US Department of State

Remarks

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Palace Hotel

New York City, New York

September 22, 2023

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to day 27 of UNGA (inaudible). (Laughter.) Welcome to Friday, but the end also of a very (inaudible).

As President Biden said to the General Assembly, we are meeting at an historic inflection point. The importance of the United Nations Charter and its core principles has never been clearer. The need for cooperation to address challenges no nation can solve alone has never been greater, and I think you saw both of those ideas come together here in New York this week.

We came into this week clear-eyed about the stakes, committed to showing that we can deliver tangible results for the American people - and people around the world - by working in common cause, and determined to marshal the full force of American diplomacy to mobilize effective coalitions capable of meeting the challenges that we face.

As you heard President Biden say to the General Assembly, we can and we must cooperate to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to reform multilateral development banks to meet the needs of low- and middle-income countries, to invest in infrastructure that lays the foundation for broad-based economic opportunity, to address the climate crisis, to strengthen health and food security.

The United States is the world's leading contributor to all of these crucial efforts - and, as President Biden pledged, we will continue to be.

At the same time, we can and we must continue to defend the pillars of the United Nations Charter, and work to advance international peace and security, without which we can't achieve any of our goals to build a more free, a more open, a more secure, a more prosperous world.

There's no choosing between these priorities. We can do both. We have to do both. And as we've showed this week, we are doing both.

And let me just take a couple minutes to suggest how we're doing that.

We're delivering affirmative solutions for the challenges that are facing developing countries.

You've heard us and you've heard the President launch and address the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment, or PGI. You saw that further in action this week. We brought together private sector leaders to mobilize additional investment on top of the billions we and our G7 partners are already investing toward our goal of delivering $600 billion in high-quality infrastructure investment by the year 2027.

You saw us talk about and move forward on a program we called VACS. This is the program we have with the African Union and the United Nations on food security and helping countries in Africa in particular develop their own sustainable and effective sources of food. And here we're focused on making sure that with the most nutritious African crops - we're focused on them. We are breeding climate-resistant varieties and we're improving the soil they grow in. This focus on seeds and soil, as we call it, is a key part of the solution to meeting the global demand for food and making sure that countries in Africa in particular are self-reliant.

We convened countries in support of our multilateral mission in Haiti that the UN is now engaged in and working on. Kenya stepped forward in its willingness to be the lead nation. And in the weeks ahead, I suspect you'll see action here at the UN - at the Security Council - to endorse such a force. This is a critical moment in trying to address the needs in Haiti; in particular, to stabilizing the country so that everything else can move forward - political transition, humanitarian assistance, development.

We're also forging fit-for-purpose coalitions to tackle emerging challenges.

We brought together for the second time our Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats, here in New York convening more than 100 countries, and we're developing joint plans of action to deal with every aspect of the synthetic drug problem - public health, regulatory, security solutions - all grounded in cooperative work among countries and organizations. As you've heard me say, this is the number one killer of Americans aged 18 to 49 - in our case fentanyl - but this is a problem that is now taking root in many other parts of the world, and the fact that so many countries are digging in to working together and addressing it is evidence of the fact that there's a strongly felt need to find cooperative global solutions.

We gathered governments, artificial intelligence developers, civil society to help direct AI toward meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, to making sure that it is used for good to advance the progress that we know we need. Fostering its positive uses, minimizing its negative uses is a key part of what the United States is working to do every day, including around the world.

We also continue to strengthen our alliances and partnerships and bring them together in new ways.

We had the first-ever leaders level meeting of the C5+1, the group that brings together our Central Asian partners with the United States. We had meetings with the Quad, with the Gulf Cooperation Council, with ECOWAS.

We brought together the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation - over 30 countries from 4 continents working together to promote a sustainable ocean economy, to advance greater scientific and technological cooperation, and to address together the climate crisis.

Finally, we affirmed our commitment to upholding and defending the United Nations Charter.

In the Security Council, member-states from every region condemned Russia's war on Ukraine. They affirmed Ukraine's right to sovereignty and territorial integrity. They expressed support for a just and lasting peace.

And, of course, we advanced our work on these priorities in meetings with leaders from around the world. By my count and the count of the team, I met with more than 90 countries in both bilateral and multilateral meetings. So you get to cover a lot of ground over the course of five days.

This included candid and constructive discussions with China's Vice President Han Zheng - showing that we will continue to seek ways to work together on issues where progress demands our common efforts, while managing our competition responsibly.

So this has been an incredibly full week. And reflecting on it, I think that we saw an international community that looks to the United Stateslooks to the United States to bring countries together in a way that's affirmative, that's inclusive, and that meets the real challenges that people face, while at the same time upholding the basic principles of the international system that we know are vital to maintaining peace and stability.

We delivered on that this week. We're going to build on the momentum from this week as we go forward in the weeks and months ahead.

With that, happy to take some questions.

MR MILLER: First question goes to Will Mauldin with The Wall Street Journal.

QUESTION: Thank you so much, Mr. Secretary. I wanted to ask you about the Army tactical missiles, the ATACMS that the U.S. has agreed to provide to Ukraine. Was curious: What were the factors that led you and the others in the administration to make the decision, and do you think there are some missed opportunities in terms of Ukraine not getting this type of weapon or other systems earlier?

I also just wanted a quick follow-up on your UN remarks. You met with 90 countries. Is it - is the UN changing? Is it important to meet with more smaller and developing countries because some of the larger ones don't show up or don't see eye to eye on the Security Council? Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, Will. The second part first.

I think what was very striking about this week is the fact that, yes, we engaged, I engaged, with 90 countries. In some ways, that's typical of these weeks. But there - there was an intensity to the engagements I think because so many countries recognized that in different ways we're at what President Biden calls an inflection point, that the substance of the meetings was significant, and the twin pillars of what we're working on here: on the one hand, upholding the principles of the charter - sovereignty, territorial integrity; and on the other hand, moving forward on the things that matter to people around the world - the global goods that the United States uniquely is in a position to help advance, whether it's health, whether it's food security, whether it's energy security, whether it's infrastructure, whether it's climate, whether it's reforming the multilateral development and assistance and financial system.

All of those things were front and center. And by our presence, by our engagement, by the President's very forceful speech to the United Nations General Assembly, I think we've had an ability to demonstrate once again this week that the United States is the country that others look to for leadership, for support, for assistance, for partnership. It was very powerful and palpable this week.

With regard to Ukraine, you heard President Zelenskyy's very powerful address to the General Assembly, and you've also seen him at the Security Council. I think what was particularly instructive there was the fact that virtually every country on the Security Council made very clear their support for the UN Charter, for the principles at the heart of the charter that are being aggressed by Russia, and also noted the second- and third-order consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, consequences that are doing tremendous damage to countries around the world.

With regard to our own support for Ukraine, I think we delivered our - if I have the count right - 47th drawdown package of military equipment. We are constantly in discussions with Ukraine - and this has been the case from day one - on trying to determine what they need and to make sure that they get it when they need it. And it's an ongoing process and we're doing that virtually every day, and so are dozens of other countries around the world that are supporting Ukraine.

And as you've heard me say many, many times before, it's not just an individual system. You've got to make sure that they have the ability to operate the system, so training comes in in many cases. You've got to make sure they have to ability to maintain the system, so if you provide something it doesn't fall apart in a week's time. And you want to make sure that whatever many other countries are providing, it's being used in an effective and coherent way.

So that's literally a daily conversation with them. I don't have anything to say or certainly to announce on any given weapons system. You saw what was in the drawdown package that was announced yesterday, and this will - this whole process will continue going forward in terms of looking to address the needs the Ukrainians have to make sure that they can be as successful as possible in continuing to recover the territory that Russia has taken from them.

MR MILLER: Olivier O'Mahony with Paris Match.

QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. So - I'm sorry. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. What do you make of the absence of the leaders of the four other permanent members, member-states of the Security Council? And more particularly, do you regret the absence of President Macron, who is a big supporter of multilateralism? Thank you so much.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. I can't speak to those who are here or not here, what led to their decisions. These are obviously choices that governments and leaders make. I can tell you that certainly the French delegation was extremely active and present, led by Foreign Minister Colonna and by many other French diplomats we worked with very closely throughout the week on a wide variety of issues. So in my own experience this week, my French colleagues and counterparts have been very much engaged and very much present.

Just coming back to what I said a minute ago, I think from our perspective we've seen the intense focus, interest, and in many cases reliance of other countries on the work that the United States is doing both to uphold the core principles of the international system as expressed in the UN Charter as well as working to deliver on the needs that people have around the world if we're going to have a truly open, stable, prosperous, and secure world.

And everything that we did here this week, we found extremely enthusiastic engagement from countries throughout the world, whether it was in our own hemisphere, Africa, the Middle East, Asia. So for us, this was an extremely productive week , a very good way to be able to make progress on concrete issues that affect the lives of our own citizens and affect the lives of people around the world.

Again, I'd cite just one example of this was the coalition that I mentioned a moment ago that we brought together on dealing with synthetic opioids - in our case, fentanyl, but there - some of the other synthetic drugs that are having devastating consequences in countries around the world, whether it's captagon or tramadol or methamphetamines. And our ability to mobilize others in positive collective action, I think, was very much on display this week. This coalition, among many other things that we're doing, is one example of that.

MR MILLER: Humeyra Pamuk with Reuters.

QUESTION: Thank you, Matt. Thank you. Hello, Mr. Secretary; thank you. Two questions. Saudi Crown Prince MBS in an interview this week said, "If Iran gets a nuclear weapon, we must, too." I'm wondering: Don't you find this kind of desire potentially destabilizing for the region? And doesn't that comment give you second thoughts about enabling the kingdom to have civil nuclear program as part of the Saudi-Israel normalization deal? After all, the Iranian nuclear program began with U.S. technology provided under a 1957 agreement under Shah Pahlavi.

My second question is about Senator Menendez. There are a lot of details in the indictment on how he ghost-wrote a letter on behalf of the Egyptian Government to other U.S. senators advocating for them to release a hold on 300 million in aid to Egypt. And just last week, you have used your right to waive human rights conditions on $235 million of military aid to Egypt. While the allegations are from 2018, I'm wondering: Don't you think today's indictments cast a shadow on that decision, your decision last week? There are calls for that decision to be reviewed. What do you say? Thanks.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, Humeyra. Second part first. This is obviously an active and ongoing legal matter, so you'll understand that I have no comment on it.

With regard to Iran and nuclear weapons, I think the comments that you alluded to point to the fact that Iran's own activities in pursuing a nuclear program are a profoundly destabilizing element and one that risks the security of countries not only in the region but well beyond it, which is why we're determined - President Biden is determined - that Iran never acquire a nuclear weapon. And as we've said many times, we believe that diplomacy is the most effective way to do that. As you know, we tried to work indirectly with Iran as well as with European partners, and even Russia and China, to see if we could get a return to joint compliance with the Iran nuclear agreement, the so-called JCPOA, but Iran couldn't or wouldn't do that. And so the problem is very clear, and the problem is Iran. That is the destabilizing element.

Just this past week, we saw them remove IAEA inspectors, who are critical to doing the work of the IAEA, to, as best it can, ensure that Iran is being consistent with whatever obligations it has and is - and having a clear sense of what they're actually doing. So that is not evidence of an Iran that's interested in actually being a responsible actor when it comes to its nuclear program, and that is the destabilizing element.

MR MILLER: Serife Cetin with Anadolu Agency.

QUESTION: Secretary, thank you for the opportunity. We've seen that the U.S. has been following the developments in Karabakh very closely, and I believe you also spoke about this with your Turkish counterpart. Mr. Secretary, in a recent phone call with Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan, you said that the U.S. fully supports Armenia's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence. I'd just like to know if the U.S. also recognizes and supports Azerbaijan's right to restore its own territorial integrity, including in Karabakh. Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. Well, first let me say this. I had the opportunity this week to speak to both leaders - Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev. And what I expressed to both is our deep concern about the actions this past week, particularly Azerbaijan's military actions. And as a general proposition, for the United States we want to make clear that the use of force is unacceptable and it runs counter to the efforts that we've been engaged in - but more important, both countries have been engaged in - to find a just and dignified peace in the region.

This is something that's manifestly in the interests of both Azerbaijan and Armenia. Both have invested in it, including President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan. And this is something that we've worked to support along with the European Union. So the actions that we saw this week simply run counter to that effort, and that kind of just and durable peace that we're working toward would be a tremendous benefit to both countries, to the region, and also, I think, a strong change for the better in the current of history after 30 years of conflict.

I'm also deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation for the population inside Nagorno-Karabakh, and the imperative of having unimpeded access for humanitarian organizations to reach populations in need is also front and center in our thinking. So we've been in close touch with all sides - we've been in close touch with the European Union as well - to try to move this back to a better place. There have been conversations just over the last 24 hours involving Baku, involving those representing ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. And moving back to talking, negotiating, diplomacy is where we want to drive this.

When it comes to sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, we stand for those propositions for everyone concerned.

MR MILLER: And for the final question, Iain Marlow from Bloomberg.

QUESTION: Hi there, Secretary; thank you. I just wanted to ask on the Canada-India diplomatic spat over the alleged murder of the Sikh leader in Canada by agents of the Indian Government - two questions. First, there's been reports that President Biden brought this issue up with Modi personally and that a Five Eyes ally provided signals and human intelligence that formed the backbone of Trudeau's accusations in parliament earlier this week. I'm just wondering: Can you tell us anything about - anything more about U.S. engagement with Canada on this issue? And ongoing U.S. engagement with India - as people have said - spokespeople from the NSC have said - is ongoing.

And second, in comments in New York yesterday, Trudeau framed Canada's pursuit of these allegations not just as a process of finding justice for a Canadian citizen who was murdered, but as part of a broader battle to defend the international rules-based order. And I'm just wondering: India's obviously a growing strategic partner of the U.S. How do these allegations square with India's desire to play an increasingly prominent role on the world stage? And if these allegations turned out to be true, doesn't that undermine the U.S. vision of India as a pillar of democratic values that can help counterbalance China in Asia? Thanks.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, Iain. Let me say a few things about this. First, we are deeply concerned about the allegations that Prime Minister Trudeau has raised. We have been consulting throughout very closely with our Canadian colleagues - and not just consulting, coordinating with them - on this issue. And from our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceed, and it would be important that India work with the Canadians on this investigation. We want to see accountability, and it's important that the investigation run its course and lead to that result.

I'm not going to characterize or otherwise speak to diplomatic conversations that we have. We've been engaged directly with the Indian Government as well. And again, I think the most productive thing that can happen now is to see this investigation move forward, be completed. And we would hope that our Indian friends would cooperate with that investigation as well.

More broadly - and you've heard me speak to this - we are extremely vigilant about any instances of alleged transnational repression, something we take very, very seriously. And I think it's important more broadly for the international system that any country that might consider engaging in such acts not do so. So it's something that we're also focused on in a much broader way.

Thank you.

MR MILLER: Thank you.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Joint Statement on the Partners in the Blue Pacific Foreign Ministers Meeting

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

September 22, 2023

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Japan, Germany, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom on the occasion of the Partners in the Blue Pacific Foreign Ministers Meeting September 22, 2023.

Begin Text:

On September 22, 2023, Ministers and representatives of the Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP) met with Pacific Ministers to listen, discuss, consult, and collectively shape a shared vision and agenda for the PBP. Representatives discussed the first tranche of PBP initiatives.

The PBP is an informal coordination mechanism, launched in June 2022, to bring new energy and resources to deliver practical, tangible results in support of Pacific priorities. PBP partners share optimism for the Pacific's future and a commitment to get behind the aspiration of Pacific countries to meet the ambitions of the region including the Pacific Island Forum's 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Together and individually, our countries will continue to work to drive resources, improve coordination, and close gaps with the goal of supporting Pacific priorities.

Since the PBP was launched, progress has been made on several flagship programs as aligned with Pacific priorities outlined in the 2050 Strategy:

Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program : At last year's Pacific Disaster Risk Reduction Meeting in Nadi, Pacific Ministers called for urgent action to improve regional resilience in the face of disaster risk and climate change. Reflecting the priority placed on disaster preparedness in the Nadi Declaration, the 2050 Strategy, and the Boe Declaration, the PBP together with France have committed USD $55 million to the Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program, a Pacific-led, multi-donor investment that will expand pre-positioned humanitarian and emergency supplies in 14 Pacific countries and Timor-Leste. These strategic reserves will enhance the Pacific's crisis response in the critical first 48 hours and help them be better prepared for, and more resilient to, disasters.

Pacific Cyber Capacity and Coordination Conference, "P4C": The 2050 Strategy and the Boe Declaration recognize the expanded concept of security to include cyber security as a regional priority and call for collective action to address cyber-crime and other growing cyber threats. The PBP worked together with Pacific partners to create the Pacific Cyber Capacity Building and Coordination Conference, or P4C, which will meet in early October in Nadi, Fiji. The P4C will bring together key stakeholders from across the Pacific to understand the region's needs and discuss opportunities for cyber resilience in the Pacific. Together, we seek to pool and share tools, resources, and capacity building initiatives to help coordinate efforts and promote mutual goals in cyber resilience.

Pacific Fisheries and Oceans Science Research Vessel: Protecting the Blue Pacific Continent and its ocean resources is a critical priority in the 2050 Strategy. However, the climate crisis and its impacts such as ocean warming threaten these critical ocean resources. To support sustainable management of marine ecosystems, including the region's tuna fisheries, PBP partners have committed to provide at least USD $22 million to support a Pacific-owned ocean and fisheries research vessel. Once fully funded, this vessel, to be owned and operated by the Pacific Community (SPC), will provide critical research for addressing climate change impacts on Pacific oceans and fisheries.

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) Coordination: Fisheries provide more than $500 million per year in direct income to Pacific countries and territories but are under threat by IUU fishing. PBP partners are committed to working with Pacific countries, the Forum Fisheries Agency, and other regional organization partners to better coordinate combatting IUU fishing and MDA cooperation, building on the outcomes from the January workshop at the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu. PBP partners are working to better align and deconflict MDA support to the region and meet Pacific needs, including through developing a catalogue of tools and training available to Pacific governments and regional organizations.

Pacific Climate Change Centre: Recognizing the existential threat climate change poses to the lives and livelihoods of people in the Pacific, we continue to explore opportunities to deepen PBP partners' support to Pacific countries on climate change. This includes considering opportunities to expand support to the Pacific Climate Change Centre within the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) housed in Samoa, so that this center can provide cutting edge training and capacity building support to the region.

Next Steps

PBP partners will continue to listen and respond to feedback from Pacific Ministers and from across the region and be guided by Pacific priorities in support of Pacific regionalism. Partners recommitted to regular, enduring engagement and consultation with the Pacific Islands Forum and its members to ensure the PBP is working to deliver on Pacific priorities in alignment with existing regional architecture, especially as outlined in the forthcoming Implementation Plans for the 2050 Strategy. Partners welcomed Australia as the incoming chair of the PBP and thanked the United States for its past chairing. Partners decided to establish a troika system of chairship moving forward.

Attendees included representatives from Australia, Canada, Fiji, French Polynesia, Germany, Japan, Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Vanuatu, as well as France, India, the Pacific Islands Forum, the Pacific Community, and the European Union in their observing capacity.

End Text

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Acting Deputy Secretary of State and Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland and Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols After the Addressing the Urgent Security Situation in Haiti UN General Assembly Side Event

US Department of State

Remarks

Ambassador Victoria Nuland, Acting Deputy Secretary of State and Under Secretary for Political Affairs

Brian A. Nichols, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs

Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs

New York City, New York

September 22, 2023

MR MILLER: All right, let me just kick it off by saying obviously we have Acting Deputy Secretary Victoria Nuland and Assistant Secretary Brian Nichols. They're going to talk on the record about Haiti, and then take questions. Because the Secretary has a press conference in a little while where he'll be taking questions about everything under the sun, they're only going to take questions on Haiti. But the Secretary will be glad to take your questions on everything else at 3:00, I think it is.

With that.

ACTING DEPUTY SECRETARY NULAND: Excellent. Thank you, Matt. So the Secretary convened today a multinational meeting in support of the planned multinational security and support mission to Haiti. We had 34-plus countries and institutions represented. We began by hearing from President Henry[1], with whom the Secretary had a chance to also have a private conversation before the meeting started, and then hearing from Foreign Minister Mutua of Kenya. Kenya, as you know, has stepped up to be the lead nation for this mission. I would - and the mission itself will involve, assuming that the Security Council resolution clears, which we'll talk about in a minute - it'll include a component of static security support at key installations in Haiti, but also active security support for the Haitian National Police as they go on missions to try to get control of the streets and the gangs that have been so imperiling Haiti's security.

So the next step is a UN Security Council resolution blessing this mission under Chapter 7 authority. We expect to have some work on that next week here at the UN. There was very strong support in the room from everybody for the UN Security Council resolution, and there were a number of permanent and non-permanent members of the Security Council in the room. I would say that 10, 12 countries came forward with concrete offers of support, but everybody in the room said that they will find a way to support this mission. So we will then be looking for both police-contributing countries, countries who can provide financial support for this mission, countries that can provide the weapons and other kinds of things that the force will need, and continued training for the Haitian National Police in that regard. I think you know that the U.S. has provided $120 million for the Haitian National Police over the last two years. We have a very extensive training program, and we just noticed the Hill about an intention to provide 65 million more, and that's on top of the 500 million that the U.S. already provides in development and humanitarian assistance to Haiti.

We expect to be working with Congress to provide another $100 million in support for the MSS itself. And we expect the Pentagon will be providing another 100 million in in-kind support - intelligence, airlift, communications, and medical. So on top of those numbers I gave you earlier, about 200 million more with - assuming Congress supports - for this mission and we'll also be passing the hat internationally, and we expect a lot of our partners to be willing to step up.

Last point: You will have seen that we sanctioned more Haitians with 212(3)(c) visa sanctions today, five more people. We, the United States, have sanctioned more Haitians than any other country. These are individuals today who either themselves or members - who themselves are involved in drug trafficking and financing of the gangs, or members of their families. So that also sends a strong signal from the United States. And because these are visa sanctions, we obviously don't go into names.

Anything else, Assistant Secretary Nichols?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY NICHOLS: No, I think we can just go to the questions.

ACTING DEPUTY SECRETARY NULAND: Great.

QUESTION: You said 10 to 12 made offers. Is that offers of troops, or is that offers of money, or both? And then separately, what's your - what was the message to Henry? Because, I mean, there's a lot of doubt about how legitimate he is as a leader.

ACTING DEPUTY SECRETARY NULAND: So thank you for that. There were various offers. Some countries we know are going to contribute troops; other countries will likely contribute money. There may be some - we - offers of lift. We obviously will need equipment for the Kenyans, so - but in the room it was a mix of things.

I should have said at the outset that this obviously - this additional security support for Haiti goes hand in hand with the work that Prime Minister Henry is leading to forge a national consensus on a political path forward. The Secretary talked to him about that, and there was a very strong feeling in the room that these processes - both the security process and the political process - need to go hand in hand, they need to be a virtuous circle, and they need to be accelerated.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY NICHOLS: I'd just add that there were offers of support from Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean. There was a - it was really exciting just between the deputy secretary and I. And people were coming up to us today and yesterday, saying, "Hey, we're in, we're going to support; we are going to provide troops, we're going to provide police, we're going to provide money." The Kenyans have not yet provided the full list of what they need, so that's one of the reasons why people haven't been able to define their contributions more specifically. And as the resolution develops next week, the Kenyans have committed that they're going to get their asks ready so that we can really inventory what the needs are and what people will bring to the table.

QUESTION: The Kenyans have said that this security mission they've offered about a thousand people, police force. A lot of experts say that's way under what would be needed. They're speaking more about 2,000 or beyond that. What is your sense of - on that specific issue? I mean, since you had - there were some offers of troops, but what are we talking about?

ACTING DEPUTY SECRETARY NULAND: So we're not going to get into the overall size, but as the lead nation we expect Kenya to be the largest contributor, and a thousand is going to take care of a good chunk of this. But we'll have more for you on that as we continue to scope the mission. But we've already got, I think, five, six other countries ready to contribute. We're not going to announce on their behalf yet, but this is part of what we'll work on, right. We'll do the Security Council resolution, and then we'll work with the Kenyans on what exactly they're bringing and where the gaps are, and then go around.

QUESTION: So in Haiti there was a very strong reaction - sorry, Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald - there was a very strong reaction to this idea of a static force, and troops coming in to just protect buildings, when the reality on the ground is they've already lost 800 police officers in the first six months of this year. The gangs now are much more united. The MINUSTAH mandate of 6,000-7,000 struggled against the gangs and everybody agreed that this is a much tougher situation. So, there's a couple of questions that have come up in Haiti as a result of this in terms of static versus offensive. If there is a human rights violation 500 yards from where the Kenyans are protecting the Varreux terminal, will they be involved, will they not be? Will they not be involved in terms of, like - what can we expect in terms of the rules of engagement? It's one of the questions that have come up.

The other thing that has come up, there has been very nuanced - when the U.S. talks about this, they talk about a police mission. When Guterres talks about this, he talks about military and police assets. Do you all expect in the countries that have raised their hands, said we're - outside of Jamaica - are we going to see some sort of military as well as the police? Because history has shown us that, given the terrain in Haiti, that you need to have some sort of a military experience.

And then finally, how sure are you that this vote is going to go through? What I am hearing from your partners is that, while the U.S. may be optimistic, there's a lot of questions - exit strategy, deployment - that have not been answered, and not every country is ready on board to say "yes, we go do this."

ACTING DEPUTY SECRETARY NULAND: So that's a lot. Let's take them in line - but also just to say that a lot of these issues are being developed as we speak. So, to begin with, when the Kenyans went down to Haiti and looked at the situation, they came to the same conclusion that whereas we need some static security to relieve pressure on the police not to have to cover those installations - ports, airports, et cetera - that this mission also needs to be active in supporting the Haitian National Police on their actual missions. And so, the current draft in front of the council includes the capacity to do that. That's one thing, for sure.

In terms of our confidence on passage, again, this meeting had a lot of the members of the permanent council in it. A lot of them see that if we do not do this, the situation is just going to get harder. And we have spent this week building support, including among the doubters, including - with regard to the ROE and how this will go, that obviously has to be worked on and developed. And the kinds of questions that you raised at the end are generally fleshed out after a Security Council resolution. There is no precedent for that level of detail in a resolution itself.

Did I miss one? There were three questions, right?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY NICHOLS: So, just a couple things I would add: The countries that have offered their support have talked about both police and military. There - force generation, I think, is easier on the military side versus the police side. It's - there's more customary deployment for countries - and we have, again, offers from South America, Caribbean, Africa, Asia in that regard.

ACTING DEPUTY SECRETARY NULAND: I would just add on this there's a range of how countries operate, right. There are a number of countries, including the Kenyans, that have high-end police. They have gendarmerie that operate in that seam. So I think the majority you will see will be in that category, but there are countries that will want to contribute that only have military to offer. So it'll be an integrated force.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY NICHOLS: The other thing I would just note in terms of exit strategy and how this will be different: There are - the exit strategy goes through elections. And there was a lot of discussion, both in today's meeting and in yesterday's ECOSOC ad hoc working group meeting, about the importance of securing the path towards elections in Haiti and promoting more inclusive leadership on the way to elections so that all key political actors have confidence in the process.

The United States also has a long-term strategy for Haiti that's a ten-year strategy to provide assistance. And countries have learned lessons from the past, including the Government of Haiti itself, and there are - you can see that reflected in the text of the draft resolution. You can hear that reflected in the conversations that people have had, which talked about the importance of legal reforms in Haiti, institutional strengthening, economic development. This administration has already called for the renewal of HOPE and HELP legislation, for example. We've talked about the importance of promoting investment in that regard.

So, we're thinking about a lot of these issues to create a long-term path to a more sustainable, safe, and better future with Haitian people.

QUESTION: On the 

ACTING DEPUTY SECRETARY NULAND: I think we have time for one more 

MODERATOR: Time for one more - one more. Humeyra.

QUESTION: On the - thanks. On the passage of the Security Council resolution, have you been in touch with Russia and China? Do you have any idea whether they're on board or how they're going to vote? And I'm wondering: What do you think was the motivation for Kenya to take this mission on, to lead it? Just for - out of the goodness of their hearts, or U.S. promised something to them?

ACTING DEPUTY SECRETARY NULAND: So on the first issue, we've been in touch with all Security Council members permanent and non-permanent. And we will intensify that, obviously, as we move towards voting. And 

QUESTION: Did you get positive feedback from Russia and China?

ACTING DEPUTY SECRETARY NULAND: I'm not going to speak to how individual countries - I'm going to let them speak for themselves. But we are making very, very clear that this is important to the hemisphere, it's important to Haiti, it's important to us, and that we cannot as - particularly for permanent council members, we can't stand by and let Haiti collapse, that it is - this is a much-needed mission. And for whatever reason - it must be because it's Friday - I don't remember the second question.

QUESTION: Kenya. Kenya.

ACTING DEPUTY SECRETARY NULAND: Oh, Kenya. Yeah, so, listen, Kenya's got, as I said, very highly experienced, high-end police. They see this situation, and they were willing to support. They've had - been supported by the international community in the past. They do a lot of support to others around Africa. But I think this is one of the cool things about this - as Brian said, we've got countries from every continent willing to contribute here to Haiti.

But the fact that - in line with what the President spoke about in his remarks, what the Secretary said in his big speech, if we are as a global community interested in supporting the tenets of the UN Charter and coming to each other's support in times of need, it can't just be neighborhood by neighborhood. We need to have, really, a global response to all of these key questions - and that doesn't just go for the Ukraine crisis. It goes for all of these crises if we want the UN system to work. So, we're extremely gratified that the Kenyans are setting this example now of one neighborhood coming to the support of another.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY NICHOLS: Oh, absolutely. I would just add that - refer you to President Ruto's address to the General Assembly, where he talks precisely about why Kenya is taking on this effort. And Kenya is one of the most highly rated providers of forces for peacekeeping operations historically, and they're a country that has a deep commitment to the international system.

ACTING DEPUTY SECRETARY NULAND: All right, thank you all.

MODERATOR: Thank you all.

End Text

[1] Prime Minister Henry currently also serves as Acting President. [back to text]

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo Before Their Meeting

US Department of State

Remarks

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Palace Hotel

New York City, New York

September 22, 2023

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Hello, everyone. I am very, very pleased to be here for what is now the second trilateral ministerial meeting between Japan, the Philippines, and the United States. This follows on the meeting held with President Marcos, Prime Minister Kishida, and Vice President Harris in Jakarta.

We are very pleased and proud today to continue the work that we're doing to support and work with our Filipino and Japanese allies in the South China Sea and in the East China Sea, and we're looking forward to following up on the work that we've already started to look at how we can strengthen trilateral cooperation among us to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, and also to foster, to strengthen economic resilience and to promote the common prosperity of our people.

I think all three countries believe strongly that our collaboration, not only on a bilateral basis but on a trilateral basis, can produce very positive benefits not only for our countries but also for other countries and partners in the region and beyond.

So I'm very pleased today that we have this opportunity to actually deepen the work that we've already begun and to pursue it in the months ahead. Thank you.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa And Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Manalo

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

September 22, 2023

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko, and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo held a trilateral meeting today in New York during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week.

The three officials discussed ways to support economic resiliency and deepen trilateral cooperation on energy, infrastructure, and digital economy issues, and to enhance trilateral security cooperation, including on maritime domain awareness, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief efforts. The three officials reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace and stability in the South and East China Seas. They committed to uphold our shared values of freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights, and reaffirmed our shared vision, as equal and sovereign partners, for a free and open Indo-Pacific region that upholds international law. The three countries will continue to call out behavior that is inconsistent with international law, including the PRC's recent actions near Second Thomas Shoal that interfered with the Philippines' lawful exercise of high seas freedom of navigation.

This meeting builds on the September trilateral meeting between Vice President Kamala Harris, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.; the July trilateral meeting in Jakarta between the Secretary, former Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo; and the June meeting in Tokyo between U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Japanese National Security Advisor Akiba Takeo, and Philippine National Security Advisor Eduardo Ano. The three countries will continue to meet trilaterally to enhance this growing relationship and a free and open Indo-Pacific.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Secretary Blinken's Meeting with West African Partners on the Situation in Niger

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

September 22, 2023

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with representatives from Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member states, Mauritania, and the ECOWAS Commission to discuss the complex political crisis in Niger. He thanked ECOWAS for leading efforts to bring about a solution that preserves constitutional order in Niger. Partners were united in their position that the National Council for Safeguarding the Homeland in Niger must release President Mohamed Bazoum, his family, and all those unlawfully detained. The Secretary outlined the steps the United States has taken to support ECOWAS pressure on the CNSP to restore democracy, including restricting more than $600 million in security and development assistance, and suspending Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compacts. He conveyed appreciation for ECOWAS's strong defense of democracy in West Africa.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. The conference "Decolonization: The Quiet Revolution" held at the UN General Headquarters adopted a final statement, Trend reports.

The statement said:

"At the first event held in Baku on July 6, 2023, within the framework of the ministerial meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement under the chairmanship of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the parties agreed on the establishment of the Baku Initiative Group and expressed their intention to continue cooperation in the fight against colonialism.

The participants of the conference "Decolonization: Quiet Revolution" congratulated the Baku Initiative Group on the official start of its activities and expressed their gratitude for the organization of the conference with the support of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations (in its capacity as Chair of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement).

Representatives of the independence movements of New Caledonia, Martinique, French Guiana, French Polynesia, and Guadeloupe, the Secretariat of the Melanesian Initiative Group, and the Baku Initiative Group expressed their commitment to the basic principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, as well as the relevant resolutions on decolonization, and reiterated the importance of completing the decolonization process for the liberation of all nations under colonization.

Supporting peoples struggling for independence within the framework of fundamental principles of international law constitutes one of the main objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement, the second-largest international organization after the UN.

It provides valuable opportunities to join forces in the struggle for national independence of peoples affected by colonialism, in solidarity, to respond to the demand for legal redress for the human, economic, environmental, and cultural crimes committed by the French colonial power throughout history.

The independence and nationalist movements of New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Martinique, Guyana, and Guadeloupe, represented in New York, have issued an urgent appeal to the world, as well as to international organizations led by the United Nations, to support at the highest level their basic efforts to defend the rights to freedom, compensation, and development for their people.

We support the decision to submit a protest to the International Court of Justice against the third referendum on the decolonization process of the Kanak Socialist Front for National Liberation (FLNKS), which began with the Noumea Accord.

Regarding French Guiana, Martinique, and Guadeloupe, we demand that these countries be re-listed under the United Nations decolonization procedures.

Since Maohi Nui has been reinscribed on the list of countries to be decolonized, every year at all meetings of the United Nations General Assembly on Maohi Nui and French Polynesia, France has occupied the "empty chair position". We demand France start negotiations on the decolonization process as required by the resolutions adopted in 2013, 2019, 2020, and 2022.

At a time when humankind is facing global threats, the organization declares that the complete abolition of colonialism and neocolonialism and the building of a new world based on cooperation, equality among peoples, mutual respect, and the sovereignty of peoples must be the foundation of international relations.

The Baku Initiative Group and the organizations of the French colonies in South America, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific will continue their fruitful activities with the aim of strengthening solidarity between our peoples and establishing close cooperation with the Special Committee on Decolonization of the Non-Aligned Movement and other UN bodies".
Secretary Antony J. Blinken At the Addressing the Urgent Security Situation in Haiti Meeting

US Department of State

Remarks

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Palace Hotel

New York City, New York

September 22, 2023

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Brian, thank you very much. And good morning, everyone, and good morning, colleagues. Prime Minister, welcome. It's very good to have everyone around this table in this moment, and I think it is a critical moment.

We all know that the situation in Haiti is dire: more than 2,000 killings in the first six months of this year; more than 1,000 kidnappings in the same period; over five million Haitians who urgently need humanitarian assistance; tens of thousands of Haitians facing catastrophic hunger; nearly 60,000 suspected cholera cases. Nearly half of those cases are children.

When we recite these statistics, I think we have to remember what they mean, what the reality on the ground looks like, for the Haitian people, because it's easy to get lost in numbers and abstractions. These are real lives, and the effects are profound.

For residents in communes like Cite Soleil or Cabaret, it means - as a practical matter - that clean drinking water and electricity have been cut off for more than a year. It means shuttered hospitals and health clinics. It means people going days without having a single meal. It means parents not being able to send kids to school. It means minors subjected to forced conscription by gangs, and women to widespread sexual violence. Wandering outside the neighborhood - to shop for groceries, to look for work - can be, and often is, a death sentence.

The United States is the single largest donor of humanitarian assistance to Haiti. We're bolstering the Haitian National Police. And since July of 2021, we have invested over $120 million to strengthen its capacity to try to counter the gangs and stabilize the security environment. We're taking meaningful action to address the scourge of illegal weapons flowing into Haiti. We are providing humanitarian support - more than $205 million over the last two years. We're using sanctions and visa restrictions to hold accountable those who are financing the gangs.

The United States is committed to continuing and building on these efforts. Today, we're taking steps to impose additional visa restrictions on current and former Haitian officials who are enabling the violence. With that step, we've designated more than 50 individuals.

We're also announcing an additional $65 million to further professionalize the Haitian National Police and strengthen its capacity to dismantle the gangs and to safeguard communities.

Having said all that, we also know that more - much more - from all of us is needed. That's especially true, given the recent closure of all border crossings between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. We encourage the parties to reach an agreement as soon as possible, and in the meantime, we urge the creation of a humanitarian carve-out that allows for the delivery of food and medical supplies.

For aid to flow where it's needed, for the conditions Haitians need to be able to improve, for crucial political dialogue to be made possible, we know fundamentally that the security situation has to be stabilized.

As the Haitian National Police works to get to full strength and capacity, security assistance from international partners can play a critical bridging role. That's why the United States supports the UN-backed Multinational Security Support mission. The Government of Haiti, Haitian civil society, the UN secretary general, the Organization of American States, CARICOM, and other international partners have each called for such a mission.

The proposal for this mission now before the UN Security Council is designed to be truly multinational in its resourcing and nature. It requires a collective effort if it's going to succeed. And already, countries around the world are stepping up.

We welcome and appreciate the Kenyan Government's willingness to serve as the lead nation of this mission. Kenya recently concluded an assessment visit, which we look forward to hearing about today. We support Kenya's vision for a three-part security mission: providing operational support to the Haitian National Police to combat the gangs, ensuring static security of key installations and thoroughfares, and strengthening the Haitian National Police for the long term. Yesterday I had a chance to meet with President Ruto, and discussed that vision - and, again, greatly appreciate Kenya's leadership.

We also thank Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, and Jamaica, which have all pledged personnel for this mission.

The United States stands ready to support a Multinational Security Support mission by providing robust financial and logistical assistance. We intend to work with our Congress to provide $100 million in support, and our Department of Defense is prepared to provide robust enabling support - including planning assistance, intelligence support, airlift, communications, and medical support.

We urge the international community to pledge additional personnel, as well as equipment, logistics, training, and funding. We cannot be successful without these contributions.

And we strongly urge the Security Council to pass a resolution to authorize this mission. A Chapter VII UN Security Council resolution is a legal requirement for many countries, if they're going to participate. And we know their willingness to do so, but they need the backing of a Chapter VII resolution. As President Biden told the General Assembly this week, "The people of Haiti cannot wait much longer."

The United States is working with Ecuador to put forward a text. As we do, we remain mindful of the lessons learned from previous missions in Haiti, including the need to safeguard human rights and to promote accountability. We also recognize that improved security must be accompanied by real progress to resolve the political crisis. The support mission will not be a substitute for political progress. Indeed, it can help create space for Haiti to move forward.

With our support, this mission can deploy within months - and we really have no time to lose. We can and we must do what's necessary to make that happen. The safety, the security, the future of the Haitian people - and people across the region - depend on the urgency of our action. And that's why it's so important that we're all here today. And even more important is what we do coming out of today to be able to move forward.

Thank you very much.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






United States Hosts UNGA Side Event: Addressing the Urgent Security Situation in Haiti

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

September 22, 2023

On Friday, September 22, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken hosted an event on the margins of the 78th UN General Assembly to generate support for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti. Participants discussed outcomes of the Kenyan-led technical assessment trip to Haiti in August, resource requirements for the MSS mission, and the need for a Chapter VII UN Security Council Resolution authorizing the MSS mission's deployment.

Representatives from the Haitian government and key partners, including Kenya, Ecuador, France, Canada, and members of CARICOM, discussed the plans for an MSS mission, options to support the Haitian National Police, and concerns about the urgent security and humanitarian situation in Haiti.

The United States intends to provide significant support to an MSS mission, including logistics, billeting, airlift, communications, medical support, and potential funding. The dire situation in Haiti is a threat to international peace and security in the region - we must collectively come together to answer Haiti's call. We look to the international community to also provide funding, equipment, training, and personnel. As President Biden said, "the people of Haiti cannot wait much longer."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Joint Readout of the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New York

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

September 22, 2023

The following is the joint readout released by the Secretary of State of the United States and the Foreign Ministers of the Governments of Australia, India, and Japan. The Quad is a diplomatic network of four democracies committed to supporting a free and open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient.

Begin text:

We, the Secretary of State of the United States and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, India, and Japan, met in New York City during the 78th United Nations General Assembly to reaffirm our unwavering support for the United Nations, the enduring importance of upholding mutually determined rules, norms, and standards, and to deepen Quad cooperation in the international system.

The Quad reiterates its steadfast commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient. We recommit to advancing the vision Quad leaders articulated in Hiroshima on 20 May 2023: a region that is peaceful and prosperous, stable and secure, free from intimidation and coercion, and where disputes are settled in accordance with international law. We strongly support the principles of freedom, the rule of law, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and peaceful settlement of disputes; and oppose unilateral attempts to change the status quo. We seek to maintain and strengthen stability in the Indo-Pacific, where competition is managed responsibly.

We reiterate our commitment to the UN Charter and call for all countries to uphold its purposes and principles, including refraining from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. We underscore our commitment to upholding international law as the foundation for stability and equitable treatment of all member states.

We are steadfast in our support for full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and achievement of all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), so no one is left behind, and reiterate that the SDGs are integrated, indivisible, and balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental. We underscore the importance of achieving the SDGs in their entirety without selectively prioritizing a narrow set of such goals and reaffirm that the UN has a central role in supporting countries in their implementation. We underline the primacy of the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs as a consensus document supported by all member states and call on member states and the UN to protect it. The Quad's practical action in the Indo-Pacific is advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its SDGs by delivering sustained economic and social value, that is responsive to regional partners.

We affirm our support for a UN that solves the consequential challenges of our time and safeguards our shared and interconnected resources. We are committed to advancing a comprehensive UN reform agenda, including through expansion in permanent and non-permanent seats of the UN Security Council. In this regard, we call for a UN Security Council that is more representative, transparent, effective, and credible. We underscore the need to address attempts to subvert the international system, including in the UN, and promote accountability.

We support an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific underpinned by effective institutions and we reaffirm our unwavering support for ASEAN's unity and centrality, the ASEAN-led regional architecture - including the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum - and practical implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. We respect Pacific-led regional organizations, foremost the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), and are committed to supporting Pacific Island countries in line with the objectives of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent endorsed by PIF leaders. We are also further strengthening our cooperation with partners in the Indian Ocean region, including through the Indian Ocean Rim Association, to address the region's most pressing and important challenges.

We commit to advance the initiatives announced by our leaders in Hiroshima to support the Indo-Pacific region through practical cooperation, including on climate change and clean energy supply chains, and on infrastructure through the Quad Infrastructure Fellowships Program and the Quad Partnership for Cable Connectivity and Resilience. We continue to advance the development of a secure and trusted telecommunications network with a network modernization project and Open Radio Access Network deployment in Palau, progress on Quad cybersecurity initiatives  and explore avenues to share Earth Observation data to monitor extreme weather events and support climate adaptation. We support the private sector-led Quad Investors Network to facilitate investment in critical and emerging technologies. Such efforts help ensure the resilience of communities in the face of climate change and other global challenges. We are pleased to soon carry out the second tabletop Quad Pandemic Preparedness Exercise through the Quad Health Security Partnership to enhance the region's capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks of infectious disease. We will also continue to leverage our collective expertise to respond to challenges such as disinformation.

We are driving practical, positive outcomes for the region through the Quad Maritime Security Working Group. The Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness is supporting regional partners combat illicit maritime activities and respond to climate-related and humanitarian events. We look forward to the Quad Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Working Group convening our second tabletop exercise in Brisbane, Australia, to strengthen the Quad's readiness to support regional partners in times of humanitarian disaster.

We also discussed the recent Quad Counterterrorism Working Group's Consequence Management Exercise, which explored the capabilities and support Quad countries could offer regional partners in response to a terrorist attack and look forward to the upcoming Quad Counterterrorism Working Group meeting and tabletop exercise in Honolulu, Hawaii in December which will focus on countering the use of emerging technologies for terrorist purposes. We continue to cooperate on countering the use of the internet and other technologies for terrorist and violent extremist purposes. We are committed to countering terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including preventing the international and cross border movement of terrorists, and countering terror finance networks and safe havens. We stressed the need for a comprehensive and balanced approach to effectively curb terrorist activities through whole of nation and whole of international community efforts.

We reaffirm our conviction that international law, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the maintenance of peace and security in the maritime domain underpin the development and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific. We emphasize that disputes should be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law, without threat or use of force. We emphasize the importance of adherence to international law, particularly as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to address challenges to the global maritime rules-based order, including with respect to maritime claims, and in the South and East China Seas. We emphasize the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation and overflight consistent with UNCLOS and reiterate our strong opposition to any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion. We continue to express serious concern about the militarization of disputed features, the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels, and efforts to disrupt other countries' offshore exploitation activities.

We express our deep concern over the war raging in Ukraine and mourn its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences. We underscore the need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with international law, consistent with the principles of the UN Charter. We are deeply concerned about the global food security situation and support the efforts of the UN in the resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI). In the context of this war, we concur that the use, or threat of use, of nuclear weapons would be unacceptable. We underscore that the rules-based international order must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states.

We condemn North Korea's destabilizing launches using ballistic missile technology and its continued pursuit of nuclear weapons in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). We reaffirm our commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea consistent with UNSCRs, and we urge North Korea to abide by all its obligations under the UNSCRs and engage in substantive dialogue. We stress the importance of addressing proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies related to North Korea in the region and beyond and urge all UN Member States to abide by the related UNSCRs including the prohibition on the transfer to North Korea or procurement from North Korea of all arms and related materiel. We reconfirm the necessity of immediate resolution of the abductions issue.

We remain deeply concerned by the political, humanitarian, and economic crisis in Myanmar and again call for the immediate cessation of violence, the release of all those unjustly detained, unhindered humanitarian assistance, resolution of the crisis through constructive dialogue, and a return to Myanmar's transition towards inclusive federal democracy. We are also concerned with the implications of the ongoing situation in Myanmar on neighboring countries including a rise in transnational crime such as drug and human trafficking. We reaffirm our strong support to ASEAN-led efforts and the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. We also continue to encourage the international community to work together in a pragmatic and constructive way to support an end to the violence in Myanmar.

We, the Quad Foreign Ministers, continue to advance the vision set by our Leaders - that the Quad's multilateral cooperation will deliver concrete outcomes for the benefit of all people throughout the Indo-Pacific. We intend to meet in person for the next Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Japan in 2024.

End Text

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

22 September 2023

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

** Briefings

After you're done with me, at 1 p.m., there will be a briefing by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, and she will be joined by the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix; the Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support, Atul Khare; and the Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance, Catherine Pollard. They will be here to speak to you about Ghana's hosting of the 2023 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial meeting. That will take place in Accra on 5-6 December.

At 2 p.m., there will be a press briefing, also in this very room, by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Jalil Abbas Jilani.

And just to flag on Tuesday  first, we will do a briefing on Monday, though it's a floating holiday  and on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m., there will be a press briefing of the Alliance of Sahel States. The speakers will be Abdoulaye Diop, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mali, and Olivia Rouamba, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso.

And at 1:30 p.m., we will have our Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, to give you a kind of a wrap-up press conference.

** Syria

Turning to Syria, we have an update for you on cross-border aid deliveries to north-west Syria. Earlier today, five trucks carrying humanitarian aid provided by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) passed through Bab Al-Hawa border crossing from southern Turkiye. Another six trucks used the Bab Al-Salam border crossing also with IOM supplies.

Since the resumption of operations through Bab al-Hawa that took place on Tuesday, as you'll recall, 49 trucks carrying humanitarian assistance provided by UN agencies arrived in Idlib through this crossing.

Additional truck movements and missions by UN personnel are planned in the coming days.

The UN cross-border operation remains a lifeline to people in north-west Syria. Each month, we and our partners reach an average of 2.6 million people with critical assistance and protection services.

So far this year, more than 4,000 trucks with aid from the United Nations have crossed from Turkiye into north-west Syria using the Bab Al-Hawa, Bab Al-Salam and Al Ra'ae border crossings.

** Libya

Turning to Libya, Georgette Gagnon, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya, said that providing psychosocial support for the thousands of people impacted by Storm Daniel in eastern Libya is a priority.

On a two-day visit to Benghazi, Ms. Gagnon met with families who fled their flood-ravaged homes and sought safety in Benghazi, which is about 250 kilometres away from Derna. They spoke of their loss, and of their concern both for their children's education and of the unknown. She said that support is urgently needed to help people heal.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says that more than 4,000 fatalities have been confirmed, and more than 8,000 people are still missing. Sadly, these figures are expected to rise.

More than 43,000 people have been impacted by the rain and the dam break; that's according to the International Organization for Migration.

To give you a bit of context of the aid that's coming in, UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) has shipped 65 tons of medical and child protection supplies, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene items. The agency has provided emergency medical kits to support 15,000 people for three months, hygiene kits for almost 1,000 people, and 500 clothing kits. Mobile psychosocial support teams are being set up with social welfare authorities and two NGO (non-governmental organization) partners on the ground in Derna.

Meanwhile, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is distributing blankets, plastic tarpaulins and kitchen equipment to about 6,200 displaced families in Derna and in Benghazi. And the World Food Programme (WFP) has provided food rations for more than 9,000 people.

WHO, the World Health Organization, has shipped 28 tons of medical supplies and donated ambulances and medical kits. A WHO team met with the health authorities in Derna yesterday and agreed to prioritize mental health support for survivors.

** Niger

From Niger, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) tells us  or they're warning us rather  are warning all of us about access constraints in the Tillaberi region of Niger  that's in the western part of the country  where thousands of displaced people need humanitarian assistance.

The area hosts over 150,000 displaced men, women and children who have fled violence.

Some progress has been made after discussions with de facto authorities, but our humanitarian colleagues say they are still experiencing delays and difficulties as they are concerned this could further aggravate the situation of many, many vulnerable households.

** Climate

And also this year, you will have seen deadly floods all over the world, proving that while water is the key to life, it can also kill. For this reason, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and their partners today announced a new collaboration to help communities understand and act on water-related risks before they become disasters.

The programme is focused on supporting the countries of Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda, which all are linked by... which river? The Nile. All linked by the Nile River Basin, and this is a direct contribution to the implementation of the UN Secretary-General's "Early Warnings for All" initiative. The programme is being generously financed by the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

** Security Council

Just to note, you will have seen that yesterday the Security Council held a meeting on Armenia and Azerbaijan. Miroslav Jenca, our Assistant Secretary-General in the office of Political Affairs, briefed the Council and recalled to Council members the Secretary-General's extreme concern over the recent resumption of hostilities that resulted in the tragic loss of civilian lives, including children.

He said developments of the past few days should be seen in the context of the broader pattern of regular ceasefire violations, which have continued to persist. He called for a credible and durable cessation of all hostilities, pointing out that any renewed escalation would lead to further loss of life and human suffering and further set back internationally supported peace efforts.

Mr. Jenca stressed the protection and essential needs of the civilian population, including their human rights, must be respected.

** Palestine Refugees

And also in a high-level meeting, yesterday afternoon, co-hosted by Jordan and Sweden yesterday in support of Palestine refugees, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA, as well as Member States, reaffirmed their strong political support for UNRWA.

UNRWA said that the generous pledges made yesterday contribute to the core budget  used for critical services, including education and health care  and to its emergency responses to the multiple crises in the region for the months of September and October.

UNRWA appealed to its partners to urgently make sufficient funds available as soon as possible.

** Day of Sign Languages

Tomorrow is the International Day of Sign Languages. This Day is a unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all Deaf people and other sign language users.

** General Assembly

And just to give you a numerical update during this General Assembly, with a lot of events and bilaterals as you may have seen: The Secretary-General has had about 96 bilaterals to date and more tomorrow.

And in terms of the numbers of participants, the last numbers we had were 88 Heads of State, six vice-presidents, 43 Heads of Government, four deputy prime ministers, 41 ministers, seven chiefs of delegations, plus three high-level speakers from observers, which is about 192. I can't do the math.

** Financial Contribution

Lastly, but by no means least, we did get money, very welcome, from a country which has a green way of thinking.

In 2008, it banned plastic bags and packaging material, and asked citizens take part in a monthly community clean-up called Umuganda, translating to "coming together in common purpose".

The nation also hosts Car Free Days in its green capital city on the first and third Sunday of every month. Which country are we talking about?

Rwanda. We thank our friends in Kigali for their contributions. We're up to 135 fully paid-up Member States.

** Questions and Answers

Spokesman : Dezhi, any money?

Question : Sorry, I have no money, but I have several questions. On the Climate Ambition Summit: Last year, in December, when the Secretary-General was here, he said, and I quote, "It will be a no-nonsense summit. No exceptions. No compromises. There will be no room for back-sliders, greenwashers, blame-shifters or repackaging of announcements of previous year." But in that Climate Ambition Summit, without major economies, countries participating, what does the Secretary-General think of the Summit, the result of the Summit? Is that considered successful?

Spokesman : I think it was successful, in the sense that the Secretary-General kept his word. And he set a high bar for Member States and organizations and national authorities to be able to take the floor. And I think he kept his word. It was seen as a political push forward. And, you know, as he said, I think in closing, the advice he gave to all of the Member States  those who participated and those who didn't  to continue the fight against climate change, and as he put it, to take no prisoners.

Question : So, speaking of no compromises, on Wednesday, UK Prime Minister, [Rishi] Sunak, announced that he's postponing the deadline of phasing out gasoline cars and vans from 2030 to 2035. What's the reaction from the United Nations on this decision?

Spokesman : I would refer you to, I think, all of the strong words the Secretary-General has said about the need for greater climate action from Member States, including the G20.

Question : But, for this question, actually, I have something else to ask. In 2020, when UK announced this, the UK said it's a historic step, that UK is on course to be the fastest G7 country to decarbonize cars and vans. When we're talking about the ambition of those promises and commitments, do you think it should be more pragmatic  that it's not empty slogans or empty promises? Because it sounds like the UK Government said it's posting jobs in the beginning... [cross talk]

Spokesman : Well, Dezhi, I think the Secretary-General was very clear in what he wanted for his Summit on Wednesday. I think the speaking list was very clear, also sent a very clear message. And I will leave it at that for now.

Question : And one last question. On the bilateral between the SG and Foreign Minister [Sergey] Lavrov of Russian Federation. In the readout, it mentioned about host country issues. To be exact, what's that? The visas?

Spokesman : It's not a secret. It's the issues we've been talking about a lot, which is the issuance of visas.

Question : So, it's the visa issue?

Spokesman : Yes.

Correspondent : Okay.

Spokesman : Maryam?

Question : Thank you, Steph. The day before yesterday, a colleague of mine, a journalist, was attacked on the street right in front of the United Nations by the Islamic Republic delegation, a diplomat. He was pushed away. His phone was taken away. What does the Secretary-General think about behaviours such as this by delegation who travelled to New York to participate in UNGA (UN General Assembly)? And also, what does he think about the freedom of speech and freedom of free press? You know, the Islamic Republic has a long history in suppressing.

Spokesman : Well, what I would tell you, Maryam, is that we believe that journalists should be allowed to do their work wherever they are, whether it's on the streets of New York or anywhere else. And I think the Secretary-General has been very clear with that. I understand in this particular incident, which happened off campus, the host authorities are also dealing with it; but journalists should be allowed to do their work, full stop.

Question : Also, another question. The Islamic Republic Parliament passed a new hijab bill, which vastly increases jail terms and provides the crushing fines on women and girls who do not obey the compulsory dress code. What does the Secretary-General think of that?

Spokesman : I mean, I think the Secretary-General shares the regrets and concern expressed by the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the passage of this bill. And also, as you know, the Secretary-General raised in his meeting with President [Ebrahim] Raisi a few days ago the issue of human rights, especially when it comes to women and girls in Iran.

Question : Is he worried that this bill got passed after the Woman, Life, Freedom movement  right after...?

Spokesman : Well, I mean, I think the timing is the timing. We're concerned about the content. Vladimir, please.

Question : Hi, Stephane. About yesterday's meetings between Secretary-General and Mr. Lavrov: Did they discuss the Black Sea Initiative and, as I know, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergey Vershinin, also met Rebeca Grynspan here in New York. After all those meetings and consultations, does Secretary-General see any hope of the restoration of the Black Sea Grain Initiative?

Spokesman : I mean, no, nothing really to share with you, further than what was in the readout. Mr. Vershinin did meet Ms. Grynspan but the Secretary-General's determination on this issue continues. Mr. Klein?

Question : Yes. First of all, Maryam, I didn't hear the country that was being referred to with the incident with the journalist, was that Iran? Yeah. Okay. I didn't get you. All right.

My question is, again, regarding the Climate Summit; were there any countries that pushed back about being excluded from participating in a conference and among which... was there any communication between the United States and the United Nations, given the Biden Administration's investments, passage of legislation of many billions of dollars, investment in green energy and the other steps that the Biden Administration has been taking regarding climate change?

Spokesman : I mean, there was a lot of communication with many Member States.

Question : Could you elaborate?

Spokesman : No.

Yes, please. Go ahead.

Question : Hi, Serhii Barbu, Ukrainian TV Channel 5. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has provided a very clear plan for reforming the Security Council. There are several points of it. So, does the Organization support this Ukrainian idea of reform?

Spokesman : Well, I think the Secretary-General, Mr. [Antonio] Guterres, and frankly, I think the last two of his predecessors that I've known have been talking about Security Council reform for quite some time. If you look at the most recent remarks of the Secretary-General on the need to have a Security Council that is reflective of 2023, as opposed to 1945, this has been the Secretary-General's position for quite some time. Stefano?

Question : Thank you, Stephane. As you know, the migrant issue is very hot at the moment in Europe. It's [inaudible] just declared that can dissolve the European Union decision. So, the Secretary-General had a meeting with Prime Minister [Giorgia] Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister. And in a readout of the Italian Government, it says Secretary-General Guterres expressed his full agreement with Italy's approach to Africa. As you know, in this room, I asked you when the Italian Foreign Minister, [Antonio] Tajani, said they needs more UN in Africa, you said it's not a matter of will, it's a matter of money. Well, I asked him then exactly what you said, and he say he doesn't believe it's a matter of money, but it is a matter of politics, decision, strategy, and so on. So, because after the meeting here says that the Secretary-General Guterres is in full agreement, but in the readout that you published, it doesn't say full agreement. It said just that they talked. I would like to know the question is, is he in full agreement or not?

Spokesman : Stefano, the compare and contrast of readouts, that's your job. We've put out our readout. I can tell you from... I wasn't... the previous meeting I was in with the Prime Minister of Italy was back in Rome. And, of course, there, the issue of migration did come up. One of the Secretary-General's main points is that it's not just the job of countries who are on the border of the Mediterranean. Right? Whether it's Italy or Greece, to deal with the issue of migration, it is a European responsibility. It is a global solidarity. What we want is, and if I think I probably have said this 240 times, but it's about having real dialogue and agreements between countries of origin, countries of destination and countries of transit. And we have a global compact on migration. We have the framework. There needs to be more political will.

Question : A very quick follow-up. Because I consider the Secretary-General, this Secretary-General an expert on...

Spokesman : Sorry. If I could ask you two gentlemen in the back. Hello? Hello? Gentlemen. If I could ask you to stop talking because it's very, very distracting. Thank you.

Question : I was saying I consider Guterres an expert on the issue. What does he think about the so-called Tunisia memorandum between Italy, Poland, part of European Union?

Spokesman : Okay. I don't have his exact opinion on that. So... Okay. Yes?

Question : I just have one, Steph. Yesterday, on the Security Council meeting on Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenian Foreign Minister, Ararat Mirzoyan, called for UN peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh. What's the Secretary-General opinion on that?

Spokesman : Well, I mean, the Secretary-General's opinion on what's going on between our meetings in Azerbaijan I think was expressed by Mr. [Miroslav] Jenca. As you know, any peacekeeping mission would have to be decided on by the Security Council. Okay. I will see you all Monday. Stefano, please.

Correspondent : Sorry. It's another issue. It's another issue. Okay?

Spokesman : Sorry. And there's a mic open on the Webex if that could be closed. Thank you.

Question : Sorry. It's just that is [Joseph] Biden told President Zelenskyy that US will send Ukraine the ATACMS long-range missiles. So, what is the reaction? Because Russia has said before that if United States provide those weapons to Ukraine will consider...

Spokesman : We've not been in the business of commenting on all the weapons that have been going into Ukraine that have been used except to say that we want to see an end to the conflict in line with international law and General Assembly resolutions. And on that note, hasta la vista.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






World News in Brief: Healthcare crisis in DRC, Turk slams Iran hijab law, welcomes new India bill boosting women

22 September 2023 - In eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), increasing armed violence, forced displacement and devastating floods have fuelled deadly disease outbreaks and jeopardized healthcare, the UN health agency (WHO) said on Friday.

The World Health Organization's representative to the DRC, Dr Boureima Hama Sambo, warned that in six eastern provinces, health facilities have been set alight, health workers killed and others face constant physical and psychological threats, while supplies have been looted. Heavy rain, flooding and landslides have also compromised aid access.

Dr Sambo said that the DRC is facing its worst cholera outbreak since 2017, with the eastern provinces accounting for 80 per cent of the cases. The country is also battling a major measles epidemic and the combination of measles and malnutrition was particularly deadly for children under five.

The UN health agency official said that WHO has deployed experts to the affected areas to support the authorities in investigating and responding to these outbreaks, delivered medical supplies for cholera treatment, supported transportation of samples to labs for testing, and built cholera treatment centres.

Vaccine campaign

The World Health Organization recently completed a vaccination campaign in Ituri province reaching over one million of children under five, with more campaigns to follow in Kasai and Mai-Ndombe.

WHO was also providing health services, including access to mental health and psychosocial support, to victims of gender-based violence. Some 23,000 cases were reported in the six provinces from January to August 2023 and Dr Sambo said that the real figures were "probably much higher".

For a "more sustainable and resilient health response" in eastern DRC, Dr Sambo called for stronger donor support, as the UN health agency's response in the region was only 14 per cent funded so far.

Iran: new hijab bill must be shelved: Turk

High Commissioner for human rights Volker Turk, said on Friday that Iran's "draconian" Chastity and Hijab Bill "flagrantly flies in the face of international law" and must be shelved.

The bill vastly increases jail terms for offenders and provides for crushing fines on women and girls who do not obey the compulsory dress code.

According to the UN rights office (OHCHR), under the new, "even stricter" bill, now in its final stage of consideration before Iran's constitutional court, those who do not comply with country's strict Islamic dress code on head coverings and modest clothing risk up to 10 years in jail.

Those found in breach could also be flogged, as well as fined up to an equivalent of $8,500, subjected to travel restrictions and deprived of online access.

OHCHR called the decree "repressive and demeaning", insisting that "women and girls must not be treated as second class citizens".

Russia expert says mandate provides 'bridge to the Russian people'

The independent UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Russia, Mariana Katzarova, underscored on Friday the importance of her mandate to give a voice to victims of alleged violations in the country.

"Why is my mandate important? Because it's also the bridge to the Russian people, to the victims, to the civil society, to those who dare speak against the war on Ukraine", she told reporters in Geneva.

"It's a voice for the people of the Russian Federation, this mandate."

The independent Human Rights Council-appointed expert presented her first report to the Council on Thursday, sounding the alarm about what she says is a pattern of suppression of civil and political rights in Russia.

'Persistent use of torture'

She voiced grave concerns over mass arbitrary arrests and the "persistent use of torture and ill-treatment."

Citing almost 200 sources from inside and outside the country, the independent expert expressed concern about a lack of judicial independence and right to a fair trial.

The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Russia was created by the Human Rights Council in October last year, for a period of one year.

Ms. Katzarova told reporters that she thought a continuation of the mandate would be important, especially amid what she called "dark times for human rights" in Russia.

This is the first time in its history that the Council has authorised a rights expert to investigate rights violations within the borders of one of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, the so-called "P5".

Ms. Katzarova stressed that the P5 had a special responsibility to set an example for the rest of the world.

India: UN rights chief welcomes new bill to boost women in parliament

Rights chief Volker Turk welcomed on Friday the passage of a landmark bill in India which will reserve one third of seats in national and state parliaments for women.

The UN rights office (OHCHR) said that the Women's Reservation Bill will constitutionally entrench women's representation in parliament and be a "transformative move" for gender equality in India.

Citing India's example, Mr. Turk called on parliamentarians around the world to adopt legislative measures - including, where necessary, gender quotas - to ensure women's equal participation in the political discourse.

The new Bill requires ratification by at least 50 per cent of India's states to enter into force and the UN rights office called for their "swift support" and rapid implementation of the new system.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






SECNAV Delivers Remarks at the International Seapower Symposium 25

US Navy

Speech by Carlos Del Toro

Presented on 20 September 2023

Date Published 22 September 2023

Newport, R.I.

Good morning, everyone! It is wonderful to be with you all here at the Naval War College in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island for the 25th International Seapower Symposium.

First and foremost, I would like to thank each and every one of you, your spouses, and your staffs for traveling from across the globe to be here with us this week. We are truly humbled by your presence, and we feel fortunate that we are able to gather in-person in greater numbers again.

As Secretary of the Navy, I made enhancing strategic partnerships one of the three enduring priorities that guide our naval services in everything that we do. I can think of no event that offers a better opportunity to strengthen our bonds as maritime nations than the International Seapower Symposium.

I would also like to thank Rear Admiral Peter Garvin and the staff here at Naval War College for opening their doors to host us this week. As the only Secretary of the Navy to be a graduate Naval War College and as a proud alum, I appreciate every opportunity to come back here to this beautiful campus. And to those of you gathered with us today who are fellow alumniwelcome home!

Ambassador Kennedy, ma'am, it is wonderful to see you again. Thank you for traveling from Australia to be here with us, and for your continued leadership as one of our nation's senior representatives in the Indo-Pacific region.

Finally, Admiral Franchetti, thank you for inviting me to participate in this year's International Seapower Symposiumyour first as the leader of our Navy.

I know several of you in the audience already have a relationship with Admiral Franchetti from her time as either the Sixth Fleet Commander and the Commander of Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO in Europe, Commander of US Naval Forces Korea, the Director of Strategy, Plans, and Policy on the Joint Staff, or most recently as our Vice Chief of Naval Operations.

This week is indeed an opportunity for you to continue to build your relationships with Admiral Franchetti, as well as with one another. As maritime nations, it is imperative that we come together to address the common challenges that we collectively face.

As Admiral Franchetti stated moments ago, you have no more trusted friend than the United States Navy. However, actions speak louder than words, and our Fleet is deployed around the world, working hard every daythrough port visits, through exercises, through training exchanges, through leadership engagements at all levelsto earn your trust.

Allow me to highlight a few examples of how we have engaged with you since the beginning of this year, and how we are endeavoring to not only earn and reinforce your trust in us, but to promote unity and interoperability between our nations in every region around the globe.

In Africa, our Navy team is engaged every day with our partners to help combat a wide range of maritime challenges, ranging from piracy and illicit smuggling to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Exercises like Cutlass Express 2023 and Obangame Express 2023 provided our navies with an incredible opportunity to train alongside one another in addressing these issues, and I appreciated your feedback on the importance of these exercises when we gathered in Cabo Verde at the African Maritime Forces Summit back in March.

Beyond the maritime domain, we are actively supporting the Africa Malaria Task Force. At the task force's meeting in July, members of the US Naval Forces Europe-Africa Surgeon General's team joined over 70 representatives from 15 nations, non-governmental organizations, and non-profit organizations to discuss how we can better combat the health threat posed by this mosquito-borne parasite.

We are committed to working alongside you to improve the lives of millions of Africans affected by malaria across the continent, as we recognize that health security is a key component to national security.

However, many of these challenges are not unique to Africa. In Central and South America, we are dedicated to working with our partners to address many of the same key issuesillicit maritime activity, including narcotics and human trafficking, as well as IUU fishingthat threaten our regional economic security.

During exercise UNITAS 64 in July, 20 nations from throughout the region gathered in Colombia to discuss those issues, and we increased our interoperability through training and rehearsing operations critical to enforcing security throughout our respective exclusive economic zones.

I was fortunate enough to attend the opening days of UNITAS, and witnessed first-hand the excitement and passion our Sailors had for the opportunity to sail alongside our partners and increase their own skills.

Above all, UNITAS allowed our Sailors to build rapport and trust amongst each other.

Trust, proficiency, and interoperability are core tenets of our partnerships as we work together to advance our common interests in the Western Hemisphere, maintaining the stability and security necessary for economic prosperity.

UNITAS also allowed us to showcase how unmanned systems, operating at, above, and below the sea, are force multipliers in the practice of maritime domain awareness. Our team at US Fourth Fleet, led by Rear Admiral James Aiken, will continue to work with our partners across Central and South America to see how we can best integrate these unmanned platforms into our respective fleets, allowing us to know who is operating in our shared waters and what their intent is.

This effort builds upon the successes we have realized in the Middle East through US Fifth Fleet's unmanned effortTask Force 59led by Vice Admiral Brad Cooper.

With the support of many of you, we have been able to field a hybrid fleet across the Middle East region, from the Arabian Gulf to the Red Sea.

Just as in the Caribbean, we envision unmanned systems supporting us, our allies, and our partners throughout the region in our commitment to ensuring the free flow or maritime commerceeven as other nations endeavor to hinder it.

Through the Combined Maritime Forcesa 38-nation multi-national partnershipwe are working together to promote security, stability, and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, which encompass some of the world's most important shipping lanes.

As recent events have shown, Iran is willing to take actions that run counter to these ideals of stability and prosperity we are working together to promote. Through their harassment and seizure of merchant ships in international waters, Iran is disrupting the free flow of trade throughout the Middle East, negatively impacting our global economy.

Last month, we deployed over 3,000 Sailors and Marines to the region as part of a larger effort to deter and if called upon, respond tofuture acts of aggression against commercial shipping by Iran near the Strait of Hormuz.

We are committed to keeping these vital sea lanes of communication open so that we remain unencumbered in our ability to trade with one another.

Securing shipping lanes critical to the flow of international commerce is important not only in the Middle East, but in Europe as well.

In concert with our partners and allies, we endeavor to keep the seas open for the free flow of commerceincluding grain vital to our world's food stability.

From longstanding exercises like BALTIC OPERATIONS 2023 to NEPTUNE STRIKE 2023, we are sailing alongside our allies and partners in international waters throughout the Europe, building upon our interoperability while deterring further Russian aggression.

We are committed to working with you to support our Ukrainian partners as they counter Russia's illegal and unprovoked violation of their territorial and national sovereignty.

As President Biden expressed last month during his address to mark Ukraine's independence day, "The United States will continue our work, together with partners all around the world, to support Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russia's aggression, to uphold the foundational principles of the UN Charter, and to help the Ukrainian people build the secure, prosperous, and independent future they deserve."

I would like to thank those nations that continue to stand with and support Ukraine in its defense against Russia's attacks.

This prosperous future we seek in Europe is no different from what we are working towards in the Indo-Pacific, alongside our allies and partners.

From the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative, Pacific Partnership 2023, and exercise TALISMAN SABRE 23 in July, our naval services are operating side-by-side across this region.

We are committed to supporting you as you endeavor to secure your exclusive economic zones against encroachment from illicit maritime activity, including IUU fishing, and in deterring conflict that could endanger the world's economy and shipping that passes though the region.

Economic security is national security, and national security is indeed economic security.

Now, the examples I just highlighted are but a small snapshot of the hundreds of exercises, port visits, task forces, leadership summits, and one-on-one meetings we've had with one another in this year so far, in every region across the entire globe.

Admiral Franchetti and her team have crafted an incredible program of events for this week that builds upon the momentum gained from our prior engagements as we continue to think about how to address challenges in the maritime domainand how we can preserve the rules-based system of international order that has governed an era of relative international stability and prosperity over the last 80 years.

This week's panels include topics such as food, energy, seabed infrastructure, and commerce; artificial intelligence and unmanned technology; IUU maritime activity; and how we can better develop, empower, and retain Sailors in our respective naval services.

You will also have an opportunity to participate in an unmanned technology demonstration, providing a forum to build upon the panel discussion as we consider how we can all leverage game-changing technologies to advance our navies' capabilities at, above, and below the sea.

However, it is important to recognize that the dialogues we'll have this week don't end Friday at the closing ceremony.

Admiral Franchetti, myself, and our indeed our entire Department are excited to continue engaging with each and every one of you long after we leave Newport.

Future events already in the works include exercise Rim of the Pacific 2024the world's largest maritime exercise; International Seapower Symposium 26 in 2025; and planning for our Navy's 250th birthdayalso in 2025is underway.

And I am especially excited to share with all of you that, in 2026, we are planning to host an international naval review.

Our vision for this event, as part of a larger celebration of the United States of America's 250th birthday, is to invite youour fellow, like-minded maritime nationsto our shores in celebration of 250 years of our naval and national heritagesomething each and every nation represented here today has had a real and positive impact on.

Our successes are not ours alone, and our nation has flourished because of our many international partnershipsfriendshipsthat we share with you. Those friendships are built on decadesand in some cases, centuriesof trust and collaboration.

As a maritime nation, we are committed to maintaining a strong Fleet and Force that is capable of ensuring the free access to seas not just for ourselves, but for our allies and partners.

Despite whatever challenges we may face as a nation, those who would seek to up-end the international rules-based order should never question our commitment to defending democratic principles and freedom around the globe, especially in the maritime domain.

It is in our collective interest to work together in defense of our shared ideals as we endeavor to make our world a better place for our children, and our grandchildren.

Again, it is a true pleasure and honor to be with you all here in Newport, and I look forward to speaking with and listening to each and every one of you as we discuss how we can preserve a maritime commons that is free and open for all to use for the benefit of every nation around the globe.

May God continue to bless our nations, our fleets, and our Sailors and their families.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti Delivers Closing Remarks at the International Seapower Symposium

US Navy

Speech by Adm. Lisa Franchetti

Date Published 22 September 2023

Newport, R.I.

What a terrific week this has been. The United States Navy is truly honored to have been able to host you here in Newport, and it was a great privilege for me personally to have spent the last few days with you. It's been wonderful to see the extraordinary variety of uniforms, languages, cultures all gathered here together.



And I've really been delighted by the rich exchange of views, ideas, and perspectives that we've heard throughout our discussions. Over the course of the week, I've noticed that the breaks have gotten just a little bit longer, and that the volume has gotten a little bit louder of all our conversations. To me, that is a sign that the symposium is going very well, and that we're building our relationships and strengthening the bonds of friendship. I'm very grateful for the time we've enjoyed together, so please allow me to thank you again for being here and for your engagement this week.



And let me again recognize our spouses for your presence and your contributions. ISS would simply not be the same without you here. To our panelists and our moderators, I've learned a lot from your presentations and our discussions over the past several days. So my thanks to you, both for the time and thought that you put into your remarks, and for taking on some of the most pressing issues that we all face. Fellow leaders, this symposium is one of the most important events our Navy does, and it's so meaningful because all of you chose to invest your time and share your thoughts with one another.



So please let me also extend my thanks to your teams and your staffs for their support. I know how much work and effort goes into preparing for this symposium. As I look out in the audience and I've had a chance to interact with folks throughout the week, I see all of your assistance and your aids and all the supporting staff of the heads of navy and the coast guard. And I know that I'm looking at the leaders of the future, the admirals of tomorrow.



And I hope that when you all return to future iterations of ISS in 10, 20, or 30 years, when you're the heads of your navy or your coast guard, I trust that you will continue to build on these vital partnerships you started here this week. And as you climb the ranks, I hope that you will keep a course at the Naval War College in mind. I can't promise you that the Newport weather will be as great all the time as it's been this week, but I can assure you that you will always have an invitation to come here and study and develop relationships with other rising naval leaders.



And I've seen throughout the week, the Naval War College is truly a lifetime global connector. So to Pete Garvin and the team here at the Naval War College, thank you for hosting yet another wonderful symposium. I'd like you to enjoy a wonderful weekend off, because you don't need to start planning ISS 26 until Monday.



Let me also thank everyone else that has joined us from around the country to support ISS. My team from the OPNAV and Navy staff, our team of Naval Reservists, the interagency security teams here, local law enforcement, the interpreters, the musicians, all those who have prepared such excellent meals -especially the lobster last night - and so many others that have worked hard to support this symposium. You have my and our sincere thanks. How about a big round of applause to everyone that made this happen? Thank you so much.



Ladies and gentlemen, I view this week as just the beginning of a conversation between our maritime services, and it's a conversation that I know will continue. After the first ISS, way back in 1969, I think it was probably a lot more difficult for delegates to stay in touch once they left Newport.



But it's my understanding that just as ISS number one was taking place here in Newport, over on the other side of America, at the University of California at Los Angeles, the very first messages were being sent over what would eventually become the World Wide Web. Today, thanks to the internet, we have email, WhatsApp, Signal, Slack, Zoom, Skype, and many more. So in other words, we have many ways to keep these conversations going and no excuse not to stay in touch.



So I know that I look forward to hearing from you, I want to learn more from you, and I want to understand how the United States Navy can better partner with your maritime forces. ISS has brought us together, and now it's up to us to leverage what we've learned. As we prepare to return to our home offices, we have important work to do - work that will make a real difference in the lives of our sailors, our families, and our world. We have opportunities to pursue, plans to formulate, commitments to uphold and, as I suggested yesterday, we have significant choices to make in addressing our overlapping challenges.



So, my parting message is this. Let's build on the momentum and the bonds of friendship we have established here this week. Let's move forward together. Let's have the courage to have real conversations about tough, consequential issues and find solutions together. Let's keep our faith in one another and let's continue to earn one another's trust. I am confident that in an interconnected world which is prone to systemic shocks, from pandemics, war, and a changing climate, our interdependence should be a source of stability, not of fragility.



Regional, transregional, and global maritime frameworks that are fit for purpose deliver strength and resilience. Every nation here is a vital link in the chain. Every navy and coast guard here makes a difference. A maritime partnership that is based on some key characteristics, collaboration and integration, inclusion, and the principles enshrined in international law will increase our collective prosperity and improve our collective security. And with such a partnership, I know that we will be stronger together.



I thank you all very much, and I look forward to seeing you around the world and at ISS number 26.

Thank you very much. And, again, thank you for being here.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






SECNAV Delivers Remarks at the Inaugural DON STB Meeting

US Navy

Speech by Carlos Del Toro

Presented on 22 September 2023

Date Published 22 September 2023

Washington

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the inaugural meeting of the Department of the Navy's Science and Technology Board!

In a few minutes, I will be swearing in our board members, officially welcoming them as our Department's newest force-multipliers.

But before I do so, I'd like to share with you  and the members of the public who are joining us today virtually  how this board came about, why its work will be so important to the future of our Navy and Marine Corps, and my expectations for the board.

The vision for this board in its current structure and mission is only a year old, although it can trace its lineage back throughout our Department's history to prior science and technology advisory boards.

And it was about a year ago that, in a conversation with this board's first chairman  my friend, mentor, and former boss  the 71st Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Richard Danzig, that I recognized our Department's need to increase our capacity in terms of thought leadership in the science and technology realm.

It was during this conversation that I also realized Secretary Danzig was the right person to lead this board, not just because of his extensive leadership experience or familiarity with our Navy and Marine Corps, but because of his passion for ensuring our Sailors and Marines had access to technologies and capabilities at the leading edge to ensure they would always be successful in their assigned missions.

But I'm not the only one who thought Secretary Danzig was the right choice to lead this new board  ChatGPT, with the help of some well-written prompts by Director Jim Baker of Office of Net Assessment, came to the same conclusion.

To quote ChatGPT  "Overall, Richard Danzig's extensive experience in national security, defense policy, and the Navy, combined with his knowledge of technology and innovation, make him a valuable candidate to lead the Science and Technology Advisory Board."

I highlight this exchange between Director Baker and ChatGPT as an example of the new technological era our Nation now finds itself in  an era brought about in part by the technologies and capabilities that our Department of the Navy financed.

What many of you joining us today might not know is that our Office of Naval Research, for decades, has funded the development of the large language models that are now used for training artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT.

And today, we find ourselves watching this technology mature in ways few fathomed possible back when those first investments were made.

But what does all of this mean for our Navy and Marine Corps  our Sailors and Marines  in terms of how they will fight in future conflicts?

That question is why we are here today  and why each of you were invited to join our Department as members of this board.

This board is indeed unlike any Navy science and technology board of the past  both in terms of the challenges presented for consideration as well as the makeup of the board itself.

The strength of this board rests in your diversity  diversity of disciplines of expertise and studies, of professional backgrounds and networks, and diversity in your unique personal experiences as citizens of our great nation.

This board brings together leaders and experts from across the government, the military, academia, industry, and America's vast science and technology ecosystem.

You are retired career military officers, professors, engineers, published authors, company directors and executives, technologists, venture capitalists, and consultants.

You are passionate about a wide array of topics, spanning artificial intelligence and machine learning, data science, biology and chemistry, cybersecurity, space, marine engineering and safety, additive manufacturing, and the impacts that the advances in your respective fields will have on humanity.

But what's most important to me  to our Department  is that by taking this oath today, you are demonstrating your commitment to ensuring our Sailors and Marines strengthen their competitive warfighting advantages, that they remain safe, and, above all else, that they return home to their families.

With all of that in mind, I am charging you, as thought leaders in your respective disciplines, to explore the cutting edge technologies our Department is aware of and involved in  as well as the technologies we are not involved in  and conduct thorough assessments as to how they will impact both the near and distant futures of warfighting in all domains we operate in  at, above, and below the ocean's surface, ashore, as well as space and cyberspace.

I ask that you take into account the asymmetric nature of these technologies, and how their adoption can provide us with unique advantages as we work not only to deter conflict, but to promote peace and stability around the globe.

Our Department is faced with a unique set of challenges given our charge to operate across multiple domains, and we are looking to you to inject fresh perspectives in addressing those challenges.

As you conduct your business, I do not expect you to work in a vacuum and rely solely on one another.

I am empowering you to collaborate with other advisory boards across the Department of Defense  and our entire federal government  for it is my belief that the exploration and adoption of new and innovative technologies that this board advises on should not be confined to our Department.

Also, I ask that you leverage this board's Designated Federal Officer, Ms. Maria Proestou, and her team to connect you with the appropriate resources throughout the Department of the Navy that you may need access to over the course of your tenure.

We are invested in ensuring this board is able to conduct its work in a thorough, deliberate, and expedient manner. Do not hesitate to ask for what you need.

As we transition to the swearing-in, I will leave you with a final thought.

The science of today is the technology of the future, and that technology has the potential to be of incredible benefit to our Fleet, our Force, and to our Nation. We need you, our board members, to provide us with vision and guidance to reach the end-states our warfighters need.

Again, I am humbled by your acceptance to join our Department on this journey in re-imagining our approach to how we identify, research, develop, test, and field new technologies, and I am grateful to each of you for donating your time and expertise for the betterment of the lives of our Sailors, Marines, civilians, and their families around the globe.

Thank you.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






VCNO Hosts 25th International Seapower Symposium in Newport

US Navy - Press Release

22 September 2023

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti welcomed international heads of Navy and Coast Guard from nearly 100 nations at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, September 19-22, for the 25th International Seapower Symposium (ISS).

NEWPORT, R.I. - Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti welcomed international heads of Navy and Coast Guard from nearly 100 nations at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, September 19-22, for the 25th International Seapower Symposium (ISS).

First held in Newport in 1969, and biennially thereafter, ISS offers a forum for dialogue between international navies, coast guards, and the Marine Corps to bolster maritime security by providing opportunities to collaborate, develop trust, and further navy-to-navy training.

"Every Navy and Coast Guard represented here contributes to the stability of the global maritime commons," said Franchetti. "Whether you are countering drug trafficking, human smuggling, illicit weapons transfers, illegal and unregulated fishing or piracy, policing territorial waters, delivering humanitarian aid, food, or medicine to people in need, assisting mariners stranded at sea, escorting cargo transports or tankers, or deploying forces forward, each nation here is a vital link in the chain that forms the global maritime security network."

Throughout this year's symposium, themed "Security Through Partnership," panels and speakers highlighted the multinational role of allies and partners in competition, crisis, and conflict.

"We have the opportunity to choose engagement over withdrawal, to promote integration over fragmentation, to favor inclusion over exclusion, to champion collaboration over protectionism, and to choose principles over sheer power, as the basis for a partnership that benefits everyone," said Franchetti.

In addition to VCNO, delegates heard remarks from Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, U.S. Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy, and U.S. Naval War College President Rear Adm. Peter Garvin.

"The United States has always been a maritime nation," said Kennedy. "From our earliest days, our history was shaped by the sea. As an Atlantic and Pacific power dependent on trade and commerce, the U.S. Navy has always been at the center of our national identity, working to explore and understand the oceans, and keep the seas free and open for all."

The symposium included three regional briefs, four panels, and featured delegates from more than 35 countries through a variety of presentations throughout the week.

Some topics and interest areas discussed included seabed infrastructure; illegal, unreported, and unregulated maritime activity; artificial intelligence; and people. Secretary Del Toro conveyed the significance of discussing these topics as a group.

"It's important to recognize that the dialogues we had this week doesn't end at the closing ceremony. Our entire department is excited to continue engaging with each nation long after we leave Newport," said Del Toro. "It's in our collective interest to work together in defense of our shared ideals and preserve a maritime common that is free and open for all to use for the benefit of every nation around the globe."

The War College also hosted a technology demonstration consisting of seven exhibit stations showcasing cutting edge U.S. Navy unmanned technology capabilities. ISS delegates had the opportunity to witness real-world applications for selected equipment, gaining concrete technical knowledge, and interacting directly with U.S. Navy subject matter experts.

As the week concluded, Franchetti thanked the delegates and their spouses for their trust and confidence in the U.S. Navy as a maritime partner.

"The United States Navy is truly honored to have been able to host you here in Newport, and it was a great privilege for me personally to have spent the last few days with you," remarked Franchetti. "This symposium is one of the most important events our Navy does, and it's so meaningful because all of you choose to invest your time and share your thoughts with one another."

The next International Seapower Symposium will be held in Newport in 2025.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






US Eyes Closer Ties to Central Asia After New York Summit

By Navbahor Imamova September 22, 2023

Senior U.S. officials are upbeat about the prospects for improved relations with Central Asia's five republics following a first-of-its-kind summit between the region's leaders and President Joe Biden in New York this week.

"I think we've heard an openness from all our Central Asian colleagues and really a desire for more engagement with the United States," said Nicholas Berliner, special assistant to the U.S. president and senior director for Russia and Central Asia at the National Security Council.

Biden "cares about the region," Berliner said in an interview with VOA after the summit. "And I think if there were any doubts about the level of interest on the part of the United States in Central Asia, hopefully today's summit has put those to rest."

The so-called C5+1, a diplomatic platform launched in 2015, had met only at the foreign minister level before this week's session on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. But U.S. officials floated the prospect of more heads-of-state meetings in future.

"I have heard Central Asian leaders say this ought to be a tradition," said Donald Lu, U.S. assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, who told VOA that the summit could become an annual event.

At the closed-door meeting, Biden sought to balance calls for democracy and respect for human rights with the lure of closer economic and security cooperation, according to Berliner.

"President Biden's message to his counterparts was that the United States is ready to partner with you to address security issues, economic, climate and transportation issues, and to address human dimension issues," he said.

While Washington understands that the region is unlikely to abandon its close ties to its two powerful neighbors - Russia and China - the American officials said they are eager to offer those countries an alternative vision.

"We felt this was the right time to do this, and it's an important signal. It shows the importance and the value that the United States places on our relations with Central Asia," Berliner said.

Rights issues loom

Although U.S. officials were enthusiastic about the summit, human rights advocates were more measured.

"We hope President Biden was fully aware of the harsh reality in Uzbekistan and the rest of the region as he sat down with these authoritarian leaders," said Jahongir Muhammad, a former Uzbek politician and veteran journalist, who led a demonstration outside the United Nations with dozens of Central Asian immigrants.

Protesters noted the cases of imprisoned bloggers and missing activists, though VOA witnessed some debate among them about whether Uzbekistan is now freer and more open than under its previous authoritarian ruler, Islam Karimov, who died in 2016.

Human Rights Watch urged Biden to place human rights at the center of the summit, highlighting politically motivated prosecutions, suppression of free speech, and impunity for torture.

"While Russia's invasion of Ukraine has triggered renewed focus on this strategically important, resource-rich region, Biden should not allow this to eclipse urgent human rights concerns," HRW's statement on Monday said.

HRW also called out what it described as a lack of justice in Kazakhstan, civil society repression in Kyrgyzstan, a rights crackdown in Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan's reclusive dictatorship.

In Uzbekistan, despite President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's call at the General Assembly to respect human rights, the rights group believes Tashkent is "no longer pursuing a political reform agenda."

HRW cited Mirziyoyev's recent reelection without any competition and this year's constitutional amendments allowing him to remain in power for up to 14 more years.

HRW also pointed to restrictions on media, prosecutions of bloggers and a "heavy-handed response" to protests that took place in the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan in July 2022, when at least 21 people died.

Lu said Biden has sought to avoid lecturing other world leaders, including Central Asian leaders, acknowledging that Americans "have seen tremendous challenges in our country with respect to our democracy."

He said Biden focused at the C5+1 on how "we can work together" on issues like democracy and human rights. "And what I heard was a very receptive group of five leaders who themselves are looking at reforms in their home countries."

"There's a genuinely positive response when we say we want to be a constructive partner," Lu said. "If we just lecture other countries, very seldom does that produce a positive response."

That response was reflected in the joint statement emerging out of the summit, in which the six leaders reaffirmed their "commitment to working together to promote the rule of law and democratic governance." They also pledged to protect human rights, including those of women, children and persons with disabilities.

US commitment questioned

During a tour of Central Asia this summer, VOA learned that many in the region see America's engagement as short-term and limited by the whims of the authoritarian governments. U.S. media and civil society initiatives often find themselves under threat because of their push for justice and transparency.

Lu admitted that Washington faces challenges in the region, yet he remains optimistic.

"We are a reliable partner. ... We've offered advice often to new emerging democracies. We've offered our assistance to help with economic growth. ... That doesn't always mean that we have gotten along with every government."

Like Berliner, Lu expressed confidence in the continuity of the U.S. democratic system as the Biden administration pledges closer cooperation with the region.

"We want Central Asia to have good relations with its neighbors and the big partners around the world  with Russia, China, the United States," he said.

"If I were Central Asian, I would say take the best from all of the partners. Cultivate good relations with all of us. And we have something to offer as Americans, but I think the Chinese have something to offer. The Russians have something to offer. Central Asia should pick and choose the best from all of us."

Lu confirmed that each of the five Central Asian leaders invited Biden to visit his country. "He spent a lot of time in Afghanistan, he's visited Pakistan, but he hasn't visited any of the Central Asian republics, and he's really eager to do so."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Humanitarian aid sent by Azerbaijan to the Armenian population living in Karabakh has been handed over to Russian peacekeepers, Trend reports.

The Russian Defense Ministry released footage of peacekeepers delivering humanitarian aid sent by Azerbaijan to the Armenian residents of Karabakh.

The aid sent by Azerbaijan was received by Russian peacekeepers, stored at the base, and then distributed to the residents of Karabakh of Armenian origin.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, suppression of large-scale provocations in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region, disarmament, and withdrawal of Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, localized anti-terrorist activities were carried out in the region.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) to cease anti-terrorist activities of a local nature under the following conditions: the formations of the armed forces of Armenia, Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm; the formations of the armed forces of Armenia leave the territory of Azerbaijan; Armenian illegal armed groups are dissolved.

At the invitation of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ramin Mammadov, responsible for contacts with the Armenian residents of Karabakh, met with Sergey Martirosyan and David Melkumyan as representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh on September 21, 2023, in Yevlakh.

In the context of discussing social and humanitarian issues, the representatives of the Armenian residents of Azerbaijan's Karabakh region informed that there is a special need for fuel. At the same time, they asked for humanitarian assistance in the form of foodstuffs.

As a result of the meeting, their request was taken seriously. In particular, it is planned to supply fuel for the heating systems of kindergartens and schools, as well as the emergency medical service and fire department, and to provide humanitarian support in the near future.
Taliban Pledge To 'Neutralize' Activities of Afghan-Based Pakistani Militants

By Ayaz Gul September 22, 2023

Afghanistan's Taliban have pledged "concrete steps" to "neutralize" activities of militants plotting terrorist attacks against neighboring Pakistan, diplomatic sources told VOA on Friday.

The assurance was given in a bilateral meeting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi hosted Thursday with a high-level Pakistani delegation in Kabul, the sources privy to the talks said.

Asif Durrani, Pakistan's special representative on Afghanistan, led the delegation including senior military officials, among others. The visit came amid an upsurge in deadly attacks against security forces in Pakistan.

The banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, has claimed responsibility for much of the violence. Islamabad maintains TTP leaders and fighters sheltering in Afghanistan have intensified cross-border attacks since the Taliban reclaimed power in Kabul two years ago.

Hundreds of Pakistani police and soldiers have died in almost daily TTP attacks in the last year.

The sources told VOA that "the emphasis" of Thursday's talks was on the TTP, also known as the Pakistani Taliban. "The Afghan side was told that the TTP's use of Afghan territory against Pakistan has been a serious concern" for Islamabad.

The Kabul authorities "assured concrete steps to neutralize TTP activities," the sources added, without elaborating.

The meeting also decided to hold "regular consultations" to review the security situation along the nearly 2,600-kilometer border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

While Pakistani officials have not released any details of the talks, Muttaqi's office quoted him as stressing the need for both countries to refrain from making public statements that fuel mutual mistrust.

"No one will be allowed to spoil the relations between the two countries," the Taliban chief diplomat said. The statement on X, formerly Twitter, did not mention the TTP, nor did it refer to Kabul's alleged pledge about curbing the group's activities.

The Taliban deny allegations they are allowing anyone to use Afghan soil to threaten other countries.

Pakistani officials have previously claimed they shared with Taliban authorities "video evidence" and bodies of suspected Afghan Taliban fighters who joined TTP militants in recent high-profile "terrorist" attacks and were killed by security forces.

The United States has designated the TTP a global terrorist organization.

The group's leadership has publicly pledged allegiance to Hibatullah Akhundzada, the reclusive supreme leader of the Afghan Taliban. The TTP emerged in Pakistani border areas in 2007 and fought alongside the Taliban against U.S.-led NATO troops in Afghanistan.

"The group posing the greatest threat to the region's stability is the TTP. We have seen a very significant increase in attacks directed at Pakistan," Tom West, the U.S. special representative on Afghanistan, told a seminar in Washington last week.

"They [the TTP] became allies of the Taliban during the war. They were financial supporters, logistical supporters, and operational allies as well. I think the ties between them are quite tight," West said.

All American and NATO troops withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, just days after the then-Taliban insurgents took control of the country, ending nearly 20 years of U.S. involvement in the Afghan war.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Negotiators: No Agreement in 1st Day of Nagorno-Karabakh Talks

By VOA News September 22, 2023

Negotiators said Friday there were no results to report after the first day of talks between representatives for ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan's government to discuss the future of the breakaway region.

In a statement, the separatists said they were negotiating the withdrawal of their troops and, "and to ensure the return to their homes of the citizens displaced by military aggression." The statement, as reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP), said they agreed to meet again soon, but did not specify when.

The two sides did agree to allow humanitarian aid into the Nagorno-Karabakh region, where the estimated population of about 120,000 people are said to be suffering from shortages of food and other basic necessities. Convoys of trucks from both Armenia and Azerbaijan carrying humanitarian goods were seen entering the region Friday.

The Russia-mediated talks in Yevlakh, Azerbaijan, come a day after local fighters in Nagorno-Karabakh agreed to lay down their arms to end an offensive by Azerbaijan's forces.

The U.N. Security Council held its own talks about the situation Thursday. Representatives from Armenia and Azerbaijan traded accusations during the meeting, with Armenian Foreign Affairs Minister Ararat Mirzoyan accusing Azerbaijan of launching an unproved attack and of "ethnic cleansing."

Azerbaijan Foreign Affairs Minister Jeyhun Bayramov countered, calling the offensive "counterterror measures designed to disarm illegally armed forces in the region."

Members of the council urged both sides to resolve their issues through diplomacy.

Meanwhile, protesters took to the streets in the Armenia capital, Yerevan, for the third day Friday. The protesters are calling on the government to protect Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh and for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign for his handling of the crisis. Police said several arrests were made.

Azerbaijan said it launched its operation Tuesday in response to landmine explosions that killed four soldiers and two civilians in the region. Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev used a televised address Wednesday to claim victory, saying Azerbaijan had restored the region's sovereignty.

The Nagorno-Karabakh region is entirely within Azerbaijan but is populated largely by ethnic Armenians and had been under ethnic Armenian control since 1994, until parts of it were reclaimed by Azerbaijan during a war in 2020.

Along with Russia, the EU and the United States have an interest in the region and have held talks that are expected to continue, according to Mary Glantz, senior adviser on Russia and Europe Center at the United States Institute of Peace.

"The security of both sides and maintaining some sort of peace between those populations going forward is going to be a key issue [for] the international community  not just Russia and Turkey, but the EU and the United States," Glantz told VOA's Azerbaijan Service.

The security council will be convening to discuss the ongoing issues in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which, Glantz hopes, will be able to reach some sort of plan to ensure peace going forward.

"The military conquering of Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan is just a piece of it," she said. "Reintegrating the actual populations  having them live together side by side, the ethnic Azerbaijanis and the ethnic Armenians  is going to be an ongoing process."

Some information for this story provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Uncertainty Casts Shadow on Engagement With Military in Sahel

By Ignatius Annor September 22, 2023

The European Union and its Western partners are grappling with how to maintain diplomatic relations in the Sahel region following recent putsches in Africa.

At a round-table discussion Thursday hosted by the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, a Washington think tank, analysts focused on European engagement in the Sahel in the aftermath of a military takeover in Niger in July.

The analysts, including top EU diplomats, expressed grave concern about Africa's resolve to partner with Russia, despite Moscow's limited material wealth or infrastructure to offer the continent. The panelists said Africa is becoming the center of global geopolitics.

Damien Cristofari, senior adviser on European Affairs at the French Embassy in Washington, told VOA that the fluid situation in Niger leaves uncertainty for the EU's next line of action.

"We are still at the very [beginning] of the crisis, and so we have to let the dust settle and see what we can or cannot do," he said.

Partnership

Cristofari said in light of rising anti-French sentiment in the Sahel and parts of West Africa, like Mali and Burkina Faso, Paris is leaning toward developing more of a partnership with Africa. However, he said, such a partnership has to be "locally driven."

"We're promoting a partnership approach and have already started to rethink our global relationship with Africa," Cristofari said. "This was the purpose of the EU-African Union Summit in 2022, where all of us, Europeans and Africans, agreed to promote this partnership approach."

At the February 2022 summit in Brussels, 40 African heads of state met their European partners for what observers called a reset amid Russia's and China's growing influence on the continent.

The 27-nation bloc pledged $168 billion (150 billion Euros) in investments in the energy, transport, digital infrastructure, health and educational sectors over seven years.

Cristofari said despite the instability in the Sahel, the EU continues to provide aid and money to countries in the region, like Mali, but did not give any figures.

"But given this development, we have to reflect on what these engagements will be and whether we can maintain this level of engagement in the future," he said.

Petr Tuma, visiting fellow at the Atlantic Council, a U.S. think tank, told VOA that discussions about what happens in the Sahel are still in the early stages, and that it would be "tough" to find a "common line," as some EU member states are rooting for an alternative approach to resolving the Niger coup.

"Right now, we're still considering the next line of action, because [the power grab] was quite a shock for Europeans. It will be difficult, but still possible," he said.

"There's one buzzword we hear in Brussels: We need more of team spirit in Europe."

Tuma said the EU is looking to work with other countries in the Sahel to build their "defenses," but insisted it has no plan to abandon those facing political instability. He told VOA he had no further details on what that plan would look like.

"There are certain countries like those in the Gulf of Guinea who are still ready to cooperate with us, and so I think we have to focus on working together with them on the economy and regional stability," he said.

In 2014, Burkina Faso, Mali, Chad, Mauritania and Niger established the G5 Sahel group to counter the main challenges they face: insecurity and political instability. However, Michael Shurkin, director of global programs at the consulting firm 14 North Strategies, which focuses on Africa, told VOA that efforts by the EU and France in the Sahel have not yielded stability.

"There are fundamental questions to be asked about whether or not it is even worth the while or does one simply walk away," he said. "Or if one stays engaged, does it mean having to work with these [military] juntas and figuring out how best to work with the juntas?"

Democracy preferred

He said the latter is not something the EU or the United States "would rather be doing," adding that they would "really rather be working with democratic states."

Last month, military leaders in Gabon took power from longtime leader Ali Bongo Ondimba, who was elected in a vote that the opposition said was unfair.

Bongo's plea to the world to "make noise" fell on deaf ears, with some analysts telling VOA that it's unlikely regional countries and the international community will call for his reinstatement. The Bongo family has ruled the Central African nation for nearly 56 years.

In July, members of Nigerien leader Mohamed Bazoum's presidential guard toppled him and placed his family under house arrest. On Thursday, his lawyer, Seydou Diagne, said Bazoum has filed a lawsuit at the court of the regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja, to free him.

"There's an interest on the part of a lot of people in Washington to distance themselves from the French in the hope of trying to maintain lines of communication with these juntas and the population of these countries with the notion that there'll be an opportunity to engage constructively for something," Shurkin told VOA.

"Although nobody actually knows what that something would be ... what do we actually do and how do we improve things?" Shurkin said.

Anthony LaBruto contributed to this report, which originated in VOA's English to Africa Service.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russo-Ukraine War - 22 September 2023 - Day 576

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that over the last four days, both Russia and Ukraine have experienced unusually intense attacks deep behind their lines. There have been reports of explosions at Russian logistics sites, air bases and command posts in Crimea, the Krasnodar region, and near Moscow.

It is highly likely that Russia's Black Sea Fleet has again been heavily targeted. However, the explosions at Chkalovsky Air Base, near Moscow, are likely to be of most strategic concern to Russian leaders. This is a sensitive location because it hosts specialist military aircraft as well as VIP transport for Russian leaders. Reported damage to a COOT special mission aircraft is particularly relevant: the exact variant involved is unclear, but these valuable assets undertake missions which include electronic intelligence collection.

Russia has launched long-range strikes at targets across Ukraine repeatedly over the last week. This unusual intensity is likely partially in response to the incidents in Russia and Crimea. With the ground battle relatively static, each side is seeking advantage by striking through their adversary's strategic depth.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of September 22, there were 25x combat engagements. The Russian invaders launched 5x missile, 40x air strikes and 19x MLRS strikes at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Moreover, civilians in the settlement of Yurkivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast) and in the city of Kremenchuk (Poltava oblast) suffered from ruthless missile attacks. Residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure have been destroyed and damaged.

The operational situation in the east and south of Ukraine remains difficult.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. There are no signs of offensive groups being formed. Certain units of the Belarusian armed forces are performing tasks in the areas bordering Ukraine.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the border areas, continues shelling Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia. More than 20x settlements suffered Russian artillery and mortars fire, including Bleshnya, Prohres, Yanzhulivka (Chernihiv oblast), Obody, Kindrativka, Myropil's'ke, Stepok, Pokrovka, Pozhnya (Sumy oblast), Ohirtseve, Pletenivka, Chuhunivka, Bolohivka (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup'yans'k axis: the Russian adversary launched an air strike in the vicinity of Bolohivka (Kharkiv oblast). More than 10x settlements, including Fyholivka, Lyman Pershyi, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Kyslivka, Tabaivka (Kharkiv oblast), suffered Russian artillery and mortars shelling.

Lyman axis: the Russian adversary launched air strikes on the settlements of Makiivka, Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast) and Kopanky, Serebryanka, Spirne (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Pereizne, Fedorivka (Donetsk oblast), suffered Russian artillery and mortars fire.

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Forces successfully repelled Russian attacks in the vicinities of Min'kivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Hryhorivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces tried to restore the lost position near Andriivka (Donetsk oblast) to no success. The Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka and Pivnichne (Donetsk oblast). More than 25x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortars fire, including Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, Dyliivka (Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully repelled a Russian attack in the vicinity of Sjeverne (Donetsk oblast). The Russian adversary fired artillery and mortars at about 10x settlements, including Novokalynove, Ocheretyne, Berdychi, Avdiivka, Orlivka, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar'inka axis: during the day of September 22, the Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled 11x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Mar'inka and Krasnohorivka (Donetsk oblast). The Russian adversary launched air strikes near Mar'inka, Krasnohorivka. Paraskoviivka (Donetsk oblast). The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at about 10x settlements, including Mar'inka, Heorhiivka, Hostre, Antonivka, Katerynivka, Yelyzavetivka (Donetsk oblast).

Shakhtars'ke axis: The Russian adversary launched air strikes near the settlements of Vodyane and Vuhledar (Donetsk oblast). About 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Blahodatne, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortars fire.

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled a Russian attack in the vicinity of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). The Russian occupiers launched air strikes near Mala Tokmachka and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 20x settlements, including Levadne, Bilohir'ya, Orikhiv, Shcherbaky, Pavlivka, Lobkove (Zaporizhzhia oblast) and Nikopol' (Dnipropetrovsk oblast).

Kherson axis: the Russian invaders launched air strikes in the vicinities of Kozats'ke, Odradokam'yanka, Tyahynka Antonivka (Kherson oblast). The Russian occupiers fired artillery and mortars at about 10x settlements, including Mykil's'ke, Kherson Sadove, Zelenivka (Kherson oblast).

At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to conduct the offensive operation on Melitopol' axis and offensives (assaults) on Bakhmut axis, inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the Russian occupation forces, and exhausting the Russian forces along the entire front line.

In the city of Tokmak (Zaporizhzhia oblast) the local population continues to suffer from Russian occupiers, who, due to the delay in service pay and lack of food, are engaged in mass theft. In particular, the Russian occupiers force civilians to give them their domestic animals, food and canned goods.

During the day of September 22, the Ukrainian Air Force inflicted a successful hit on the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Command in the temporarily occupied Sevastopol, launched 12x air strikes on the concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 4x strikes against anti-aircraft missile systems of the Russian adversary.

Missile troops hit 2x anti-aircraft missile systems and 4x artillery systems of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces, in close cooperation with aviation and artillery, repelled four attacks launched by AFU assault groups near Vodyanoye and Maryinka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy's casualties were up to 200 Ukrainian personnel killed and injured, two infantry fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles.

In addition, in counter-battery warfare, one U.S.-made M777 artillery howitzer, one Giatsint-B gun, as well as one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-36 counter-battery radar station were neutralised.

In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces, helicopter strikes, and artillery fire repelled two attacks launched by assault detachments of the 12th Special Forces and 5th Territorial Defence brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces close to Grigorovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Serebryansky forestry.

Up to 30 Ukrainian personnel, three armoured fighting vehicles, two pickup trucks, and two D-30 howitzers.

In Zaporozhye direction, the Russian Group of Forces in air strikes and artillery fire defeated a cluster of manpower and hardware of the enemy near Rabotino and Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region).

Up to 20 Ukrainian personnel, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles were eliminated.

In counter-battery warfare, the Russian troops hit one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and three D-30 howitzers.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, air strikes and artillery fire delivered strikes against clusters of AFU manpower and hardware near Staromayorskoye, Novodonetskoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).

Up to 110 Ukrainian personnel, two armoured fighting vehicles, and three pick-up trucks were eliminated.

An ammunition depot of the AFU 1st Tank Brigade has been hit close to Zelenyi Gai (Donetsk People's Republic).

In Kupyansk direction, the Zapad Group of Forces supported by aircraft and artillery inflicted fire damage on the enemy near Artyomovka (Lugansk People's Republic) and Sinkovka, Berestovoye, and Ivanovka (Kharkov region).

The enemy's losses were up to 20 Ukrainian troops, two German-made Leopard tanks, and three motor vehicles.

In counter-battery warfare, the Russian troops hit one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system, one German-made Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzer, two Msta-b howitzers, one D-30 gun, and Rapira anti-tank gun.

Moreover, an ammunition depot of the 113rd Territorial Defence Brigade was neutralised close to Liptsy (Kharkov region).

In Kherson direction, up to 80 Ukrainian servicemen, seven motor vehicles, and one D-30 howitzer have been neutralised during the day.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 124 areas during the day.

P-18, ST-68, and PRV-16 radars for detecting and tracking air targets were destroyed near Novopetrovka (Kherson region).

Five command posts of the AFU's 24th, 28th, and 67th Mechanised, 100th Territorial Defence brigades, and 15th National Guard Regiment were hit near Serebryanka, Druzhba, and Dyleyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Air defence systems have intercepted 10 HIMARS MLRS projectiles during the day.

Moreover, 15 unmanned aerial vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were shot down near Verkhnekamenka, Lisichansk (Lugansk People's Republic), Staromikhailovka, Gorlovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Ocheretovatoye, Chistopolye (Zaporozhye region) and Novaya Kakhovka (Kherson region).

In total, 475 airplanes and 249 helicopters, 7,035 unmanned aerial vehicles, 438 air defence missile systems, 12,027 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,154 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 6,488 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 13,301 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






September 22, 2023

Release

U.S. and PRC Hold Working Level Meeting on DOD 2023 Cyber Strategy Summary and Related Cyber Issues

U.S. defense officials held a hybrid in-person and virtual meeting today with People's Republic of China (PRC) defense officials at the invitation of the Department of Defense to discuss its recently released Cyber Strategy Summary, in accordance with the 2014 U.S.-PRC Memorandum of Understanding on Notification of Major Military Activities Confidence Building Measure Mechanism. Following the briefing, the two sides engaged in substantive discussion on a range of cyber-related topics.

U.S. participants included representatives from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff. PRC participants included representatives from the Defense AttachA Office of the PRC Embassy and the Central Military Commission's Office for International Military Cooperation (OIMC).

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3535629/

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Lithuania's Foreign Minister Landsbergis in New York urged the international community to help Belarus' democratic forces more actively

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2023.09.22

On 21 September in New York, Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis spoke at the side event in the margins of the UN General Assembly high-level week: "The Threat to Belarus' Independence and the International Response".

"Today, no one doubts that the regimes of Lukashenko and Putin are working hand in hand in Russia's aggression against Ukraine and kidnapping Ukrainian children. As the world's "fatigue" due to the Russian war against Ukraine increases, we cannot remain passive observers of events in Belarus. The elected Belarusian democratic leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and other democratic forces in Belarus need the support of the international community, and we all need a democratic Belarus," Landsbergis said.

At the initiative of Lithuania and other international partners, much attention was paid to the efforts of the Belarusian people to defend their country's independence and the efforts of the international community to help them.

The head of Lithuania's diplomacy also stressed the importance of sanctions in ensuring the end of the impunity of authoritarian regimes.

"It is necessary not only to name loudly the crimes committed by the Lukashenko regime against the Belarusian people but also to impose even tighter sanctions on entities and individuals that assist Russia. We also need to more actively help the democratic forces of this country to preserve Belarus' independence, hold independent elections and restore democratic institutions," the head of Lithuania's diplomacy said in New York.

The event to support the democratic forces of Belarus in New York was possible thanks to the joint efforts of the Belarusian democratic forces, Lithuania, Poland, Iceland, Slovakia and Germany.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Strong multilateralism key to international cooperation, says China's Vice-President

21 September 2023 - The international community must move away from "power politics" by embracing the burgeoning multipolar world, with the UN at its core, the Vice-President of China said in his address on Thursday to the General Assembly.

"China is firm in supporting the international system with the UN at its core," and opposes hegemony, power politics, unilateralism, and a Cold War mentality, Han Zheng reiterated.

He stressed that China "will never practise hegemony," and that "a small number of countries have arbitrarily imposed illegal and unilateral sanctions," severely undermining the harmony and stability of international relations. Mr. Han encouraged the international community to jointly resist such acts. He emphasized that China "will never practice hegemony."

Mr. Han also highlighted China's status as the only permanent member of the UN Security Council to pledge no first use of nuclear weapons and called for the maintenance of security in both traditional and non-traditional domains.

Conflict in Ukraine

Mr. Han outlined China's desire for peace in Ukraine, arguing states had the obligation to respect the sovereignty and territorial claims of all other states. He stated that ceasing hostilities and resuming peace talks were the only way to settle the ongoing crisis.

"Communication and dialogue are an important way to achieve international security cooperation," he said.

"China supports all efforts that are conducive to the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis and stands ready to continue playing a constructive role for the early attainment of peace," he added.

Turning closer to home, he emphasized that there is only one China in the world represented by the government of the People's Republic of China.

"Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China's territory since ancient times," he stressed, and "realizing China's complete reunification is a shared aspiration," and his Government will "continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and utmost effort".

Member of Global South

Stressing China's position as a developing country, Mr. Han reiterated that development should be at the centre of the international agenda, with "win-win outcomes" that should reach every country and individual in a fairer way.

Marking the tenth anniversary of China's Belt and Road Initiative, Mr. Han cited over 3,000 cooperation projects and 16,000 freight services on the China-Europe Railway Express last year as examples of the initiative's success.

Furthermore, Vice-President Han said China will remain a developing country and "natural member of the Global South," firm in upholding their legitimate rights and interests. He reiterated China's opposition to politicization and double standards, particularly the use of human rights and democracy as a political tool to interfere in other countries.

Climate action

Mr. Han went on to emphasize how climate change and its disproportionate impact on developing countries exacerbates development gaps between low and high-income countries and obstructs effective international cooperation.

He reiterated the need to fully implement the Paris Agreement, to stop building any new coal-fired power projects abroad, and to vigorously support developing countries to build more green energy projects. He called on developed countries to do more to reduce emissions and provide developing countries with financing, technology, and capacity-building support.

"Developed countries should do more to reduce emissions and provide developing countries with financing, technology, and capacity-building support," said Mr. Han.

"China will continue to pursue ecological conservation on a priority basis, advance green and low-carbon development, stop building any new coal-fired power projects abroad, vigorously support other developing countries in developing green and low-carbon energy and help them build more green energy projects."

Through Chinese modernization and rejuvenation, the country seeks to achieve harmony between humanity and nature while promoting ethical material advancement, said Mr. Han.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






China sends clear signal at UNGA, upholding true multilateralism

Global Times

Vice President Han makes four-point proposal for dealing with world affairs

By Chen Qingqing Published: Sep 22, 2023 11:18 PM

While the US has been hijacking the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and turning it into a platform for touting its so-called leadership and peddle its "multilateral approach," Chinese Vice President Han Zheng sent out a clear signal upholding true multilateralism and elaborated in a comprehensive way on how to work together in building an open and inclusive world with lasting peace and prosperity.

The senior Chinese official also reiterated China's consistent position on the Taiwan question as some US-backed forces and the DPP authorities have been making some "trivial noises" at this annual gathering of world leaders, repeating their old trick of trying to turn the Taiwan question into a global topic.

In sharp contrast to the so-called "multilateral approach" adopted by the US, which is considered pseudo-multilateralism as its alliance-centered mindset only serves Washington's hegemony, China's approach in addressing the reform and development of global governance aims to build a community with a shared future for mankind and provide a solution for common challenges, experts said.

Defending true multilateralism

Speaking at the General Debate of the 78th session of UNGA on Thursday, Han called on the international community to follow the direction of a multipolar world and to make global governance more just and equitable.

Han said the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be addressed, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, and differences and disputes should be resolved in a peaceful way through dialogue and consultation.

When it comes to the Ukraine crisis, Han said China supports all efforts that are conducive to the peaceful resolution of the crisis and stands ready to continue playing a constructive role for the early attainment of peace.

Han also put forward a four-point proposal for tackling world affairs including upholding equity and justice, and maintaining peace and security; pursuing mutual benefit and delivering win-win outcomes, and achieving development for all; staying open and inclusive, and advancing human civilization; and staying true to multilateralism and improving global governance.

The vice president said that China will remain a member of the big family of developing countries. As the largest developing country, China is a natural member of the Global South, sharing weal and woe with the vast number of developing countries, Han said.

The concept of Global South has been gaining more attention as it is closely related to the ongoing strategic competition of major powers. There have been three prominent demands from the Global South - "no taking sides", "no bloc confrontation" and "no new Cold War," Zhu Jiejin, a professor of global governance studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times on Friday.

With those demands, developing countries are playing an important role in preventing a new cold war, so this concept of Global South goes beyond economic significance and now carries more political weight, he said.

With "Global South" becoming a buzzword in international politics, the US-led West has been instrumentalizing this concept and trying to exclude China, deprive it of its status as a developing country, and split the camp of developing countries.

"What the US has been touting is pseudo-multilateralism, as its essence is unilateralism to serve its own hegemony. This is completely different from the multilateralism based on inclusiveness and openness that many developing countries, including China, are supporting," Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Friday.

In the name of multilateralism, the US usually maintains the hegemony of pseudo-multilateralism, which is a destructive approach aimed at strengthening and consolidating its alliance system, even attempting to replace the UN-based multilateralism in the future, Li said.

Without mentioning the US by name, Han also pointed out in his speech at the UNGA that China opposes hegemonism and power politics, and opposes unilateralism and the Cold War mentality.

A few countries abuse illegal unilateral sanctions, causing serious damage to the harmony and stability of international relations, and the international community should resist them, he said.

'Trivial noises' on Taiwan question

Besides China's approach to safeguarding and promoting multilateralism, a clear message from the Chinese leader on the Taiwan question was also put under the spotlight, as a small number of countries, along with the DPP authorities, have been making some noises at the ongoing UNGA and repeating some old tricks of hyping the island joining the UN as an independent representative.

China resolutely safeguards its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China's territory since ancient times, Han told the meeting.

No one or force should ever underestimate the firm resolve, strong will and great capability of the Chinese people to safeguard their national sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said.

A very small number of countries, which have been maintaining so-called "diplomatic ties" with the island, including Guatemala, Paraguay and Palau, voiced support for the island's inclusion in the UN on Tuesday, local media in the island reported. Czech President Petr Pavel also hyped the Chinese military activities surrounding the Taiwan Straits in his address to the gathering.

"Every year, with the support of the US-led West, the DPP authorities repeated the old tricks of hyping the topic of its inclusion into the UN, in a bid to expand its international space," Xin Qiang, deputy director of the American Studies Center of Fudan University, told the Global Times on Friday.

Although the UN is an international stage, the annual UNGA is held in the US, which has been playing an active role in hyping the Taiwan question and making it an international topic, Xin said.

However, some experts considered those old tricks to be just trivial noises that are unlikely to attract much attention from the international community, as the one-China principle is a widely recognized consensus, and more importantly, developing countries have been focusing on non-traditional security issues at the UNGA.

"Some Western politicians are hyping the Taiwan question, trying to internationalize it and compare it with the Ukraine crisis, which is actually a narrative trap, as the nature of the Russia-Ukraine conflict is completely different from cross-Straits relations," Xin said.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






China, US set up working groups for economic issues

Global Times

Move marks major step in putting brakes on downward spiral in bilateral ties: experts

By GT staff reporters Published: Sep 22, 2023 08:17 PM

China and the US have agreed to set up two working groups for economic and financial matters in a major step that experts say could help put the brakes on a downward spiral in bilateral ties following a slew of recent high-level exchanges between officials.

The move, which calls for meetings to discuss economic and financial issues, sends a rare and important signal to the world that its two biggest economies are jointly working to manage differences and address disputes through consultations, after an extended period of relation deterioration due to the US' relentless crackdowns on Chinese high-tech industries and companies, which also drew firm responses from China, experts noted.

Underscoring the significance of the move, the working groups, agreed on by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, will be headed by vice-ministerial level officials and will hold meetings both regularly and irregularly to strengthen exchanges on economic and financial matters.

According to a statement by the People's Bank of China (PBC), the country's central bank, on Friday, the economic working group is led by vice-ministerial officials from the Ministry of Finance of China and the US Treasury Department, while the financial working group is led by vice-ministerial officials from the PBC and the US Treasury Department.

The US Treasury Department said on its official website on Friday that the two working groups will provide ongoing structured channels for frank and substantive discussions on economic and financial policy matters, as well as an exchange of information on macroeconomic and financial developments.

The formation of these working groups builds on the consensus reached between Yellen and He during her trip to Beijing in July this year, and is aimed at implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state in Bali, Indonesia, according to the US Treasury Department.

"These working groups will serve as important forums to communicate America's interests and concerns, promote a healthy economic competition between our two countries with a level playing field for American workers and businesses, and advance cooperation on global challenges," Yellen said on her X account on Friday.

Since 2018, the economic and trade contacts between China and the US have been mainly based on negotiations, and the high-level dialogue and communication mechanism was basically suspended. Therefore, the establishment of two high-level working groups by the two countries is of great significance and value, Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Friday.

He Weiwen, senior fellow of the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times on Friday that the working groups eye on achieving practical results following multiple previous China-US dialogues, and building consensus for global economy recovery, noting that China welcomes any types of bilateral communication channel.

Gao Lingyun, an expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, told the Global Times that the establishment of the working groups demonstrated that the efforts in China-US cooperation are transforming from lip service to practical moves.

"Generally, setting up the working groups generates a mechanistic measure to secure the stability of China-US relations, and will further avoid discord and impact on the global market caused by misunderstanding in terms of macroeconomic and financial policies," He noted.

Under the new China-US communication mechanism, China may focus on US-launched trade barriers, extra tariffs, export controls and investment restrictions, and the US may focus on issues of market rules and national security, Zhou said.

Zhou noted that the Biden administration's basic position on China will not change, but this kind of communication mechanism may at least enhance mutual understanding, reduce miscalculations and further bring economic and trade relations between the two countries back on track. "But what results can be achieved and what role can be played by China and the US under the new communication mechanism need to be further observed," he added.

The announcement follows a string of visits by US high-ranking administration officials to China this year.

During US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's visit in China in August, China and the US agreed to establish a multi-level communication mechanism to strengthen talks on economic and trade affairs, and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Raimondo agreed to maintain regular communication, discuss important issues directly and in a timely manner, and meet at least once a year, according to the Chinese commerce ministry.

"The US has been committed to communicating with China on economic and trade issues, and senior officials from the Biden administration including Yellen and Raimondo have also visited China, which at least responds to the wishes of the US business community for the US and Chinese economies to be highly complementary, and they hope to improve economic and trade relations with China," Zhou said.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






China's ill-defined spy law dampens foreign investor confidence

European and American Chambers of Commerce call for greater transparency as companies shift money elsewhere.

By Yitong Wu and Chingman for RFA Cantonese 2023.09.22 -- Investor confidence in China is at its lowest ebb in decades amid fears that the Counterespionage Law and other legislation could be used to target foreign companies, according to two reports from the European and American Chambers of Commerce and a high-ranking E.U. official.

While 2023 was supposed to be the year that investor confidence and optimism bounced back after years of restrictions under Chinese leader Xi Jinping's zero-COVID policy, but "the rebound has not materialized and business sentiment has continued to deteriorate," according to the AmCham's annual review of U.S. businesses in China released this week.

Just 52% of companies said they are optimistic about doing business in China over the next five years, and "companies are shifting supply chains and redirecting investment away from China, " the report said, with many citing Sino-U.S. tensions and a flagging economy.

This was the lowest level of optimism reported since the AmCham Shanghai Annual China Business Report was first introduced in 1999, according to Reuters.

Some 40% of respondents are redirecting or planning to redirect investment originally planned for China, a 6-percentage-point uptick from last year, the report said, with Southeast Asia the most favored destination.

Meanwhile, "concern over future Chinese commercial policies" was a factor for 48% of the 325 companies who responded to the survey, the report said.

'Legal uncertainties'

European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova said during a trip to Beijing this week that E.U. companies had told her that they "face many obstacles and legal uncertainties in China."

"For China's economic development, an attractive business environment with level playing field, fair conditions & transparency is crucial," she said via her X account ahead of the High-Level Digital Dialogue with Chinese officials and companies on Tuesday.

The European Chamber of Commerce had similar concerns in its Position Statement report published on Wednesday, citing uncertainty over how China will implement recent amendments to its Counterespionage Law, which came amid raids on foreign consultancy firms in China.

The newly amended law gives no definition of what constitutes a "state secret," a matter of national security or the national interest, but expands the definition of espionage to cover cyberattacks against government departments or critical information infrastructure.

It also gives the authorities broader powers to access data and electronic equipment and to issue travel bans to individuals.

"The amended [Counter]espionage Law and the new Foreign Relations Law indicates an increasing focus on national security across a widening scope of areas, which is

prompting businesses to exercise even more caution," the European Chamber of Commerce report said.

European companies are "struggling" to understand their obligations under the new laws, it said.

"[This is] a factor that significantly decreases business confidence," the report said, citing the lack of definition of what exactly constitutes a "state secret."

"With no clear understanding of what kind of information can and cannot be obtained ... conducting business intelligence operations becomes a high-risk activity," the report said. "This enhances the attractiveness of other markets that can provide more legal certainty."

'Buy China'

The AmCham report also cited patriotic "buy China" policies at state-owned enterprises and government agencies as a factor affecting business confidence.

"There are indications that "buy China" policies will soon apply to many more targets, potentially including the finance, energy and electricity areas which will be required to use only local software and hardware," the report said. "The ripples have already reached private Chinese firms, with many now opting to buy local products for reasons of political expediency."

"A majority, 56%, said there was favoritism toward local companies, nine percentage points higher than in 2020," it said, calling for a more predictable regulatory environment and fairer treatment for foreign companies.

European companies have also "reevaluated their basic assumptions about the Chinese market," the European Chamber of Commerce paper said. "The business community feels that predictability and reliability - core characteristics of China's attractiveness as an investment destination - have been eroded as a result of erratic policy shifts."

"Several European companies are either considering shifting or have already shifted investments out of China to increase supply chain resilience, or have onshored supply

chains into China, detaching them from global value chains," the report said.

"What kind of relationship does China want to have with foreign enterprises?" E.U. Chamber of Commerce in China President Jens Eskelund asked in a letter introducing his chamber's report.

"Businesses need an answer as to whether China will focus on self-reliance and on tightening regulations on the basis of security concerns or whether the country intends to follow through on its market opening promises," Eskelund said.

Future of the country

Germany-based international relations commentator Shi Ming said European companies are making it clear to the ruling Communist Party that they need to think realistically about their future in the country.

"These large European companies are no longer just talking - they have taken some very intensive measures and started to locate parts of their future [business] outside of China, or to withdraw from China altogether," Shi said. "European companies are saying very clearly ... that they are no longer obsessed with China."

He said the uncertainty over potential spying allegations was a big driver of this reaction, and that political considerations are now much more bound up with economic decision-making than before.

"Countries are now starting to react more strongly against China's Counterespionage Law [amendments] - Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called President Xi Jinping a 'dictator'," Shi said. "We haven't seen anything like that in Germany-China relations in 30 years."

Financial journalist He Jiangbing has already predicted a major shift in the way foreign companies manage their supply chains in the wake of the zero-COVID policy, and that the growing preoccupation with "national security" will hurt economic growth further.

"They're paying too much attention to security, which is very harmful to the economy," He said. "It's like the European Chamber of Commerce said, what exactly does 'endangering national security' mean?"

"[If they don't clarify], then this whole trumped-up [national security] charge thing will scare people away," he said.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. The Russian Community of Azerbaijan fully supports the efforts of Azerbaijan's leadership aimed at the early reintegration of the Armenian population of Karabakh into the multinational Azerbaijani society, the community said, Trend reports.

"The anti-terrorist activities in Karabakh and the meeting between representatives of the President of Azerbaijan and representatives of Karabakh residents of Armenian origin on September 21 in Yevlakh put an end to the long-standing conflict. The very next day, at the request of representatives of Karabakh Armenian residents, in the context of discussing social and humanitarian issues, 2 trucks with various food and hygiene products, as well as 2 cars with bread, were sent along the Aghdam-Khankendi road," the community said.

"We, the Russian population of Azerbaijan, are confident that the socio-economic plan for the reintegration of the Armenians of the Karabakh region fully complies with all the rights and norms of the constitution of the republic. Azerbaijan is traditionally a multinational, multicultural country where many ethnic groups live in peace and harmony. Throughout our history, we have always lived in peace with all the people who inhabit our country, regardless of nationality and religion. Now is the time for peace, development, and prosperity for the entire South Caucasus," the Russian Community noted.

The community also added that the valiant Azerbaijani Army, under the leadership of the President, victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, demonstrated true heroism and patriotism on the battlefield, liberating the Armenian population of Karabakh from the military junta of criminals who had forcibly held power for many years.

"We will always remember our heroes who gave their lives for their homeland. The Russian community expresses its condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to the wounded. We also express our condolences to the families of the deceased Russian peacekeepers who gave their lives for the establishment of peace in the region and sincerely hope that from now on, peace will be restored forever," the community emphasized.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, suppression of large-scale provocations in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region, disarmament, and withdrawal of Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, localized anti-terrorist activities were carried out in the region.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) to cease anti-terrorist activities of a local nature under the following conditions: the formations of the armed forces of Armenia, Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm; the formations of the armed forces of Armenia leave the territory of Azerbaijan; Armenian illegal armed groups are dissolved.

At the invitation of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ramin Mammadov, responsible for contacts with the Armenian residents of Karabakh, met with Sergey Martirosyan and David Melkumyan as representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh on September 21, 2023, in Yevlakh.

In the context of discussing social and humanitarian issues, the representatives of the Armenian residents of Azerbaijan's Karabakh region informed that there is a special need for fuel. At the same time, they asked for humanitarian assistance in the form of foodstuffs.

As a result of the meeting, their request was taken seriously. In particular, it is planned to supply fuel for the heating systems of kindergartens and schools, as well as the emergency medical service and fire department, and to provide humanitarian support in the near future.
Treasury Department Announces Launch of Economic and Financial Working Groups with the People's Republic of China

U.S. Department of the Treasury

September 22, 2023

Today, the United States and the People's Republic of China launched an Economic Working Group and a Financial Working Group under the direction of Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen and Vice Premier He Lifeng. The two Working Groups will provide ongoing structured channels for frank and substantive discussions on economic and financial policy matters, as well as an exchange of information on macroeconomic and financial developments. The formation of these Working Groups builds on the consensus reached between Secretary Yellen and Vice Premier He during the Secretary's trip to Beijing in July, and carries out President Biden's directive to deepen communication between the two countries following his meeting with President Xi in Bali last year.

The Economic Working Group will be led by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and China's Ministry of Finance. The Financial Working Group will be led by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the People's Bank of China. The two groups will meet at the Vice Minister level on a regular cadence and report to Secretary Yellen and Vice Premier He.

###

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Equality among states is non-negotiable, France says at UN

21 September 2023 - At the UN on Thursday, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna declared that her country defends the principle of equality between states - "a principle that no one can or must compromise" - and supports "African solutions to crises in Africa".

Focusing a large portion of her address to the General Assembly on global hotspots and the situation in Africa, Ms. Colonna said that: "We believe in African solutions to African crises, and we support African regional organizations whenever they request support from their partners".

In Niger, France thus supports the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) "in its efforts to reestablish a constitutional order called into question by force, since the democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, facing a putsch attempt," she said.

Finding solutions in Sudan

She also took the example of Sudan, where a deadly war has been raging for more than five months and where civilians are the first victims of this conflict.

It is the international community's duty to continue, "relentlessly", to seek solutions for peace, she said, adding that: "We once again ask the belligerents to stop fighting and spare civilians, to allow a humanitarian truce and to bring about an inclusive political solution."

As for the conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), "which for so long has been based on the same sources and has produced the same victims," she said: "Here too, France supports regional conflict resolution mechanisms, to facilitate a negotiated and peaceful solution."

According to Ms. Colonna, "France is and will remain a reliable and constant ally of African regional organizations when they fight for peace, for development, for democracy and for the security of the continent."

Russian aggression against Ukraine

Regarding the war in Ukraine, she stated that "nothing, neither morally nor legally, can ever justify invading its neighboring territory, attempting annexations through unworthy maneuvers and to torture the population."

"What we see is the expression of pure brutality, capable of using all weapons, even that of hunger, to try to resuscitate its imperialist chimera," she added.

She observed that faced with this, other nations, including France, are taking concrete action, by financing deliveries from the World Food Programme (WFP) for the benefit of the most fragile states, by facilitating the export of Ukrainian cereals through the corridors of solidarity of the European Union.

France had also supported financing ambitious programmes throughout the world for the development of local agriculture and for support for school canteens.

Defending cultural heritage

Foreign Minister Colonna stressed that France also defends the principle of the inviolability of the historical heritage of nations, "this heritage of the cultures of humanity".

"In Mosul and Timbuktu yesterday, in Odessa or Lviv today, everywhere France supports the actions of those who defend the historical treasures of countries that hatred threatens to destroy," she said.

She added that France also supports the principle of the fight against impunity, noting that its support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) is expressed as well in the Sahel to judge the jihadists "whom France had subdued yesterday and which once again threaten an entire region", than in Ukraine "where war crimes are committed daily against the population".

"What is happening in Ukraine concerns us all. If we let our common principles be transgressed there, they will be transgressed everywhere, if we let one aggression be rewarded, others will occur, there or elsewhere," she said.



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Germany and the Indo-Pacific - three years of enhanced engagement in a key region in international politics

Germany Federal Foreign Office

22.09.2023 - Article

Although far away, the Indo-Pacific is hugely important to Europe - many global issues of the 21st century will be decided there. You can find out here and in the German Government's recently published progress report what Germany is doing to raise its profile in the Indo-Pacific.

The world's fastest-growing economies are to be found between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. The region accounts for a third of trade outside Europe. More than 60% of the world's population live in the Indo-Pacific region and more than 60% of global GDP is generated there. However, the region is not free of tensions.

Three years ago, the German Government presented its policy guidelines for the Indo-Pacific, a road map for Germany's engagement in this key region in international politics. Today, the third progress report was published, in which the full scope of engagement of the last year is outlined. The importance of this region is also underscored by the many high-level political visits to the region: the Federal President, the Federal Chancellor and the Foreign Minister have all travelled to the region several times since taking up office. And only recently, Germany opened its first embassy in the small Pacific island states: in Fiji.

Focus on climate action cooperation

More than half of global CO2 emissions originate in the Indo-Pacific and 20 of the world's 33 megacities are located here. Last year, Germany therefore substantially expanded its cooperation with the region on climate issues: Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) were concluded with Indonesia and Viet Nam within the G7 framework with the aim of supporting these countries on their own path towards phasing out coal and transitioning to renewable energies. Australia, Indonesia, South Korea and Singapore have just joined the Climate Club initiated by the German Government, in which countries with ambitious climate targets want to closely coordinate and move forward. In the partnership with the regional organisation ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations), too, climate action is now a new key priority.

Threat of rising sea levels

Nobody is more aware of the existential threat posed by climate change than the Pacific island states. In August 2023, Germany opened an embassy in Suva, the capital of the South Pacific island state Fiji. This is not just any embassy because it symbolises Germany's long-term commitment to cooperating with the Pacific island states, especially on the fight against climate change.

To this end, the German Government has joined key international initiatives such as the newly founded Partners in the Blue Pacific initiative. Its purpose is to coordinate efforts in the Pacific island states. The other members are Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. Through the Rising Nations Initiative, Germany is helping to preserve the land and culture of the Pacific island states in the face of the existential threat they face from rising sea levels.

Strengthening peace, security and stability

As a trading nation with strong international links, Germany has a great interest in free shipping routes and in the preservation of peace and stability in the region. That is why we are now also more engaged in terms of security policy. Since 2023, the Indo-Pacific has been a new partner region in the Enable & Enhance initiative of the German Federal Government, the aim of which is to help our partners operate their own crisis prevention and management, for instance by providing certain advisory services or suitable equipment. This year, Germany also took part in multilateral military exercises in Australia with Luftwaffe transport aircraft and Eurofighters. International law is the foundation of the international order. We are working together with our partners to ensure that differences are settled peacefully and on the basis of international law - for example, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

European flagship projects in the region

Further diversifying our economic relations and making attractive offers to global partners are key elements of Germany's Indo-Pacific policy. The European Union's efforts to conclude new, sustainable free trade agreements with partners in the region as well as the EU connectivity strategy Global Gateway, which envisages investment in high-quality infrastructure, are particularly important here. Many investment projects are being planned in the region, for example the development of the ASEAN Highway No. 13, which is to better connect people in Laos, Viet Nam and Thailand in future.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Indian gov't seeks reduction in Canadian diplomats in India

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:43, September 22, 2023

NEW DELHI, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government on Thursday said it had asked Canada to reduce the number of its diplomats posted in India amid a diplomatic row, according to official sources.

New Delhi cited the "interference of Canadian diplomats in Indian affairs" as the reason for the move.

"The Canadian diplomatic presence in India is larger than what India has and accordingly needs to be downsized," India's foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told media.

"We have informed the Canadian government that there should be parity in diplomatic presence. Their numbers are very much higher than ours in Canada."

The step came hours after India suspended visa services in Canada.

Diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Ottawa took a hit after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that Indian agents played a role in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader near Vancouver in June.

India outrightly denied the allegations and described them as "absurd and motivated."

India has issued an advisory to Indians living in Canada, urging them to exercise utmost caution.

Canada has suspended talks on a trade deal with India.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






India suspends visa for Canadians, fueling diplomatic row

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:04, September 22, 2023

BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- India on Thursday suspended visa services in Canada, scaling up its diplomatic tension with Ottawa over the killing of a Canadian Sikh leader.

"Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice," the Indian private agency BLS hired for initial scrutiny of visa applications of Canadians said on its website Thursday.

The suspension came after the Indian government's advisory on Wednesday, warning its citizens in Canada against traveling to areas that are prone to anti-India activities.

On Monday Canada expelled a top Indian diplomat for his alleged involvement in the assassination of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

India reacted by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat on Tuesday, citing the Indian government's growing concern over the interference of Canadian diplomats in India's internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities.

So far none of Canada's closet allies has publicly criticized the Indian government after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the parliament on Monday that national security agencies were investigating "credible allegations" that the "agents of the government of India" could be involved in the killing of the prominent Canadian Sikh leader.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesperson told reporters the trade talks with the Indian government "will continue as before" on Tuesday.

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told the press on Tuesday that Britain would "listen very, very carefully to the serious concerns that have been raised by Canada," without mentioning India.

The Washington Post on Tuesday reported that Trudeau tried to push for a joint statement among its closest allies in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing nations including the United States, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, to condemn India prior to last week's Group of 20 summit in New Delhi, yet was turned down by the United States and others.

U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby has denied such claims. Canadian Foreign Ministry also denied the claims but confirmed that Trudeau did raise the issue to U.S. President Joe Biden and Sunak this week following his Monday statement in the Canadian parliament.

Kirby said the United States was "deeply concerned," wanted the matter to be handled in a "transparent" way, and encouraged Indian officials to cooperate in any investigation, in an interview with U.S. media on Wednesday. India rejected the idea it was involved in the murder.

Anonymous official sources said that Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will further clarify India's position during his visit to New York on Saturday to attend the UN General Assembly, and then possibly pay a bilateral visit to Washington D.C. after his address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, according to Indian media.

Jaishankar has met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him on the developments related to Canada, Indian media reported.

Nijjar had been a prominent advocate of the Khalistan movement, which seeks to establish an independent homeland for the Sikh community in India's northwestern Punjab region. Nijjar was killed outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple in Surrey, Canada's British Columbia, on June 18.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran will not allow any separatists to approach near borders: Raisi

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 22, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi has emphasized that Iran will not allow any separatist groups to approach its borders.

Iranian President on Friday and on the first day of Sacred Defense Week, addressing the armed forces in the massive military parade in Tehran emphasized that the rights of Armenians should be reserved and is a necessity, in such a way that the rights of Armenians must be maintained in the region and the state of the borders.

He considered the security and military defense cooperation of the countries as one of the manifestations of the neighborhood policy.

Raisi added that Iran's armed forces are ready to cooperate with all the countries of the region to build trust and confidence and are ready to cooperate to protect the Persian Gulf and the region from the presence of unnecessary foreigners.

Iranian President highlighted that the security of the region will be maintained by the armed forces of the region and the presence of foreigners is a problem of the region, Raisi emphsized.

He hailed the powerful presence of the armed forces to prevent any change in the geopolitics of the region and the change of borders.

6125**7129

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran's Armed Forces stage military parade in Sacred Defense Week

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 22, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- The Iranian Armed Forces on Friday have started massive military parades across the country to mark the Sacred Defense Week.

The Sacred Defense Week, which starts today, marks eight years of the Iraqi imposed war on Iran in the 1980s.

This week is annually celebrated nationwide to mark martyrs and war veterans of the Iraqi-imposed war on the Islamic Republic in 1980-88.

The march is also organized coincidently across the country.

The ceremony in Tehran is attended by Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, and senior military officials.

In Tehran, the ceremony is being held in the south of the capital at the mausoleum of the Founder of the Islamic Republic, the Late Imam Khomeini.

6125**7129

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran, Djibouti decide to resume diplomatic relations

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 22, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian and Djibouti's foreign ministers in a meeting decided to re-establish their diplomatic relations in line with the interests and ideals of their two nations.

The foreign ministers of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Djibouti met on Thursday on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly meeting.

The two countries agreed to develop friendly relations between them based on mutual respect for sovereignty, equality, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence.

Also, the two countries have decided to strengthen cooperation in various fields, including investment, trade, science and technological innovations.

In this meeting, which was held in a very friendly atmosphere, Amirabdollahian said that "we have always witnessed very good developments in the relations between Iran and Djibouti in the past long years and we have various issues for cooperation.

Amirabdollahian pointed out that Iran welcomes the expansion of relations with Muslim and brotherly countries and is interested in the relations between the two countries based on a normal path.

"We consider Djibouti as a friend and brother country of Iran, and Iran attaches importance to expanding relations with Djibouti as an important Muslim country in the Horn of Africa, and warmly shakes the hands of its brothers," the Iranian foreign minister said.

"We can establish strong relations and expand cooperation in all fields," he concluded.

2050

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran summons Swiss envoy to protest 'baseless' GCC-US claims

Iran Press TV

Friday, 22 September 2023 3:19 PM

Iran's Foreign Ministry has summoned the chargA d'affaires of Switzerland, which represents Washington's interests in Tehran, to protest "baseless" allegations leveled by the United States and the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council.

According to a Friday statement by Iran's Foreign Ministry, the Swiss chargA d'affaires was summoned on Thursday to express Iran's "strong protest and condemnation" of a joint statement issued following the ministerial meeting of the United States and the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council in New York on Tuesday and the US acts of provocation.

The ministry reiterated Iran's determination to "defend its territorial integrity, and protect its security and interests against any threats posed by the US government in connection with maritime security and commercial shipping."

"Iran will take the necessary strategies in this regard and to secure its national interests," it said.

Based on its wise approach to safeguard security and stability in the region, the statement added, Iran would never allow the US to plunder regional assets and resources through the continuation of its Iranophobia policy. The Swiss envoy assured that he would convey Iran's message to American officials, it noted.

The US-GCC statement renewed their call for Iran to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

It accused Iran of proliferating unmanned aerial vehicles and other dangerous weapons that pose a grave security threat to the region and called on Tehran to stop its activities in this regard.

Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities, which are entirely meant for defense.

The US and GCC foreign ministers also reiterated their support for the United Arab Emirates' call to reach a peaceful solution to the dispute over the three islands of Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb, and the Lesser Tunb in the Persian Gulf through bilateral negotiations or the International Court of Justice, in accordance with the rules of international law including the UN Charter.

The three Persian Gulf islands have historically been part of Iran, proof of which can be found and corroborated by countless historical, legal, and geographical documents in Iran and other parts of the world. However, the United Arab Emirates has repeatedly laid claim to the islands.

The three islands fell under British control in 1921 but on November 30, 1971, a day after British forces left the region and just two days before the UAE was to become an official federation, Iran's sovereignty over the islands was restored.

Iran recognizes that Arabs ruled the islands for centuries, but all historical documents show that they did so from the Iranian port city of Lengheh and therefore as Iranian subjects.



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran parades hypersonic, cruise missiles, 'longest-range' drone

Iran Press TV

Friday, 22 September 2023 9:53 AM

Iran has paraded its military hardware on the anniversary of a Western-backed war on the Islamic Republic in the 1980s, including "the longest-range drone in the world" along with ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

To commemorate the Holy Defense Week, the Iranian armed forces held military parades throughout the country and in the Persian Gulf waters.

In Tehran, President Ebrahim Raeisi and top military and government officials oversaw a parade at the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini, the late founder of the Islamic Republic, in the south of the capital on Friday morning. The date signifies the initiation of the war by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein against Iran 43 years ago.

Similar parades were conducted in various provinces across Iran, involving the participation of the Iranian Army, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Police, Border Guards, and Basij forces.

The latest military products, including various missiles and drones, are usually put on display at the annual parade. One of the highlights of Friday's parade in Tehran was the showcasing of two key Iranian missiles, namely Fattah and Paveh.

Fattah, literally meaning "the opener", is a precision-guided two-stage solid-fueled rocket with a range of 1,400 km and terminal speed of Mach 13 to 15. The speed, along with movable nozzles that allow the missile to maneuver in all directions both in and out of the Earth's atmosphere, makes it immune to interception by all existing anti-missile systems.

Paveh is a new long-range cruise missile that can travel as far as 1,650 kilometers (1,025 miles).

The parade also included the unveiling of "the longest-range drone in the world" along with Mohajer, Shahed and Arash unmanned aerial vehicles displayed in the event.

The Islamic Republic said last month that it had built an advanced drone named Mohajer-10 with an enhanced flight range and duration as well as a larger payload.

It has an operational range of 2,000 km (1,240 miles) and can fly for up to 24 hours, Iranian media reported then, adding that its payload could reach 300 kg (661 pounds), double the capacity of the Mohajer-6 drone.





NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the occasion of the country's national holiday, Trend reports.

"Your Majesty,

Dear Brother,

I feel privileged to convey my sincerest and best wishes to you and through you, to your entire people on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  the Proclamation of the Kingdom.

We attach a special importance to the relations between Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia based on mutual trust and support, and built on strong foundations such as shared historical and cultural roots, brotherhood and the Islamic solidarity. High level mutual visits, our beneficial collaboration on bilateral and multilateral basis covering various areas, ever expanding political, economic and cultural ties are seen as main factors that characterize multifaceted relations between our brotherly countries. You have delivered great services to develop and strengthen the partnership between Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia, and we highly value it.

The current level of our political ties and our active dialogue create good opportunities to further expand our interaction in all fields, and particularly, in energy and investment areas, including the territories liberated from the occupation. I value the project which is being implemented by Saudi Arabias leading ACWA Power to build the Wind Power Plant in Azerbaijan as an outstanding example of our collaboration.

We are grateful to Saudi Arabia for its constant support to the territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan.

I am confident that traditional friendly ties between Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia, and our beneficial cooperation both bilaterally and in the framework of international organizations will continue to strengthen and deepen by our joint efforts in line with the interests of our brotherly peoples.

On this pleasant day, I wish you sound health, success in your activities, and everlasting peace and prosperity to the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia," the letter said.
Iran holds 'very good' talks with Egypt, restores ties with Djibouti

Iran Press TV

Friday, 22 September 2023 8:09 AM

A high-ranking Iranian diplomat has lauded the recent meeting between foreign ministers of Iran and Egypt as "very good and positive," amid reports that the two regional heavyweights are engaged in behind-the-scenes negotiations to restore full diplomatic relations.

Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Nasser Kan'ani described the Wednesday meeting between Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York as a turning point in Tehran-Cairo relations and a positive step within the framework of Iran's ties with regional countries.

"The two sides exchanged viewpoints on issues of common interest, evaluated the current state of bilateral relations, and looked forward to their improvement. The talks opened up a new horizon on the path of mutual ties between the two countries," Kan'ani said.

The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry also expressed hope for "positive steps" towards a new era of relations between Iran and Egypt.

Last month, Chairman of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, Mohamed el-Orabi, said in an interview with the Arab World Press (AWP) news agency that contacts between Cairo and Tehran are ongoing, but they do not necessarily have to be publicized.

"The issue is very simple and should not become complicated. Restoration of full relations with Tehran will happen eventually, but Egypt has its reservations," Orabi said.

He noted that diplomatic interactions between Egypt and Iran already exist, and have not been severed, nevertheless, "determining factors" that are "unique in essence" should be taken into account when it comes to the re-establishment of ties.

Egypt severed its diplomatic relations with Iran in 1980 after it welcomed the deposed Pahlavi ruler of Iran and also recognized the apartheid Israeli regime.

Iran, Djibouti decide to resume diplomatic relations

Separately, Iranian and Djiboutian foreign ministers have agreed in a meeting to re-establish diplomatic relations between their respective countries in line with the interests and ideals of their nations.

The two top diplomats, who met on Thursday on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, reached an agreement to forge friendly relations between Tehran and Djibouti City anchored in mutual respect for sovereignty, equality, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence.

The two sides also decided to strengthen cooperation in various fields, including investment, trade, science and technological innovations.

"Relations between Iran and Djibouti witnessed a very good trend in the past. There exist various spheres for bilateral cooperation," Amir-Abdollahian said.

He pointed out that Iran welcomes expansion of relations with Muslim and brotherly countries, and is interested in the normalization of relations with Djibouti.

"We consider Djibouti as a friendly and brotherly country. Iran attaches significance to expansion of relations with Djibouti as an important Muslim country in the Horn of Africa," the Iranian foreign minister said.

"We can establish strong relations and develop cooperation in all areas," he noted.

Iranian, Maltese FMs discuss issues of mutual interest

Moreover, Amir-Abdollahian and his Maltese counterpart Ian Borg met and discussed on Thursday issues of mutual interest.

The Iranian foreign minister pointed to the good records of the two countries' commercial cooperation in the past, emphasizing that mutual cooperation will be on the right track soon.

He also referred to the cooperation capacities of the two countries in the fields of fisheries, agriculture, medicine as well as technology, voicing Iran's eagerness to strengthen ties with Malta in the areas of ports development and shipping.

Amir-Abdollahian went on to highlight Malta's membership in the UN Security Council, describing it as an opportunity to play a constructive role in international justice.

Iran's foreign minister also briefed the top Maltese diplomat on negotiations for the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and the removal of US-led sanctions against Tehran.

Borg, for his part, voiced his country's enthusiasm to foster friendly and constructive cooperation with Iran.

The senior Maltese diplomat also underlined the need for interactions and dialogue in order to have a better understanding of international developments, stressing that his country supports positive developments in Iran's foreign and regional relations.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Raeisi: Iran will not allow any separatist sedition near its borders

Iran Press TV

Friday, 22 September 2023 7:35 AM

President Ebrahim Raeisi says Iran will not allow any separatist group to have weapons and stir sedition against the Islamic Republic near its borders.

The president's warning on Friday during a military parade to mark the anniversary of the 1980-88 war on Iran comes as Tehran is assessing the implementation a security pact with Baghdad under which Iraq has undertaken to disarm terrorists operating against the Islamic Republic from its soil.

Raeisi hailed Iraq's recent announcement that it has moved armed anti-Iran groups away from near the border to other regions in Iraq, calling it a "positive step".

The president said that Iran needed to send experts to Iraq to ensure that the groups have been disarmed according to a March agreement between Iran and Iraq on the relocation of the armed groups.

He said Iran's armed forces successfully prevented any geopolitical and border changes in the region.

He touched on the ongoing developments in the Karabakh region, saying "Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan, but we emphasize that respecting the rights of Armenians is a necessity and their security and rights must be preserved".

The president's remarks came as Iran began to mark the "the Holy Defense Week" which honors the sacrifices of the nation during eight years of the Iraqi war under former dictator Saddam Hussein on the Islamic Republic.

Raeisi said self-confidence was one of the manifestations of the Holy Defense which helped to revive Iran's defense and military industries and turn the country from an importer into a producer and exporter of weapons.

"Today, the ability of our armed forces is famous all over the world. The ability of our armed forces in all fields is at a very good level," he said.

"Today, we say with all our strength that one of the manifestations of the authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran is the armed forces, and this authority is one of the most important manifestations of the country's honor," he added.

The Iranian nation wants to stand on its own feet, President Raeisi said, adding Iran "has presented the Islamic Republic as a model to the world and proved that it is possible to combine spirituality with politics and stand up to the enemies and teach the people of the region that the way to success is to stand and resist".

The president said Iran's enemies thought that the sanctions would stop its defense progress, but the reality is that the sanctions have stimulated Iran's military development.

Raeisi said Iran has now acquired significant deterrent power, which has deterred its adversaries from invading Iran or even imagining confronting its armed forces.

The Iranian president also said Iran has no intention to wage wars on other countries and that its military might be defensive in nature.

"Today, war and domination have no place in Iran's military doctrine, but a defensive approach to sustainable security and assuring deterrence is a definite policy," he said.

Foreign forces source of problems

He emphasized his administration's policy of prioritizing the neighborhood, saying that the country has sought cooperation with its neighbors in defense, as well as trade, technology and other fields.

The president said that regional countries should work together to end the presence of foreign forces in the region, especially in the Persian Gulf.

Raeisi said the presence of foreign military forces is not a solution to the regional problems, but rather a source of them.

Normalization deals with Israel doomed

He also commented on Israel's normalization deals with several Arab countries, saying that no Arab country could truly normalize its relations with the regime, as the Muslim world and other nations hate the regime.

Raeisi said that such normalization deals would not make Israel more secure, as the whole region hated the regime with all their hearts.

He condemned the normalization deals as a "stab in the back of Palestinians" and stressed that the oppressed people would not forgive those who normalized with the regime.

The Iranian president said that the Palestinian issue could not be resolved through normalization deals, and reiterated Iran's proposal for a referendum on the fate of the Palestinian lands involving all the original inhabitants of those lands.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Rights Group Says Iran's Security Forces 'Intentionally' Shot Protesters In The Eyes

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda September 22, 2023

The Iran Human Rights group (IHRNGO) said the Islamic nation's security forces "intentionally targeted" the eyes and faces of protesters during a violent crackdown on demonstrations last year sparkled by the death of a young woman in police custody for allegedly violating the country's hijab law.

In an analysis published on September 22, the Norway-based rights group said it was able to verify 138 cases of eye injuries sustained during the months-long, nationwide protests in Iran last year. Many of the victims lost vision in one eye, some in both.

"IHRNGO's analysis shows that the brutal crimes committed during the protests by the Islamic republic were planned, coordinated and calculated," said Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, head of the rights group.

"The Islamic republic leader, Ali Khamenei, and all the perpetrators of such crimes must be held accountable."

Reports of Iranian security forces shooting protesters in the eyes emerged in the first months of the demonstrations, which began immediately following the death of Mahsa Amini on September 16, 2022. The victims say they were purposely singled out before being wounded.

The Iranian government and senior security officials have rejected the accusations.

The victims include eight children, the youngest a 5-year-old girl, Iran Human Rights said.

Women accounted for 28 percent of those with eye injuries but only 9 percent of deaths, implying the "repressive forces have chosen to intentionally target women's eyes instead of fatally shooting them," the group said in its report.

In a smaller sample collected from the city of Mahabad, northwestern Iran, women constitute 56 percent of those with eye injuries, the group said.

Most eye injuries were caused by pellets made of metal and plastic. In nine of the cases, the injuries were caused by projectiles fired from paintball guns.

The rights group's data shows that Iran's security forces started shooting protesters in the eyes from the first days of protests in September 2022, while the last documented cases are from December 2022.

The actual number of protesters who have been blinded by security forces after being shot in the face is unknown.

The New York Times has estimated some 500 young Iranians were treated in Tehran hospitals for eye injuries during the first three months of the protests.

Iranwire, which documents human rights abuses in Iran, said it had confirmed some 580 cases of blinding in Tehran and the province of Kurdistan alone, "but the actual numbers across the country are much higher."

RFE/RL is unable to verify such reports.

Rights activists have reported several cases of protesters with eye injuries who were arrested in an apparent attempt to be silenced.

In addition to eye and other serious injuries, more than 500 people, including 71 children were killed during the demonstrations trigged by the death of Amini, who was arrested for allegedly violating strict dress rules for women.

The widespread unrest represents the biggest threat to the Islamic government since the 1979 revolution.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-security-forces- intentionally-shot-protesters-eyes/32605243.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Government Reportedly Ratcheting Up Pressure On Families Of Dead Iranian Protesters

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda September 22, 2023

Iranian security forces are reported to have escalated their actions against the families of protesters killed during widespread protests last year as the government continues to try and put a lid on unrest triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, the biggest challenge to the Islamic regime since the 1979 revolution.

Social media posts from the affected families, corroborated by videos, appear to show that memorial ceremonies in at least 19 cities, including Tehran, have been thwarted by Iran's security apparatus, including the western city of Ilam, where the tomb of Mohsen Ghaisari became a focal point of tension when his brother and several others were apprehended.

Ghaisari, a 32-year-old Kurdish Iranian, was fatally shot in the chest and head by a special unit officer during the 2022 nationwide protests after the death of Amini.

Meanwhile, in Qazvin, the family home of slain protester Javad Heydari was raided, leading to the arrest of his elderly father and two siblings, according to Fateme Heydari, Javad's sister.

Despite video showing the incident, Abbas Kazemi, the deputy governor of Qazvin for political, security, and social affairs, denied any official presence at the Heydari residence, framing the incident as a move to "protect local residents."

"The judiciary, the police, the security apparatus, all have collaborated to intimidate us bereaved families," said Farzaneh Barzekar, whose 21-year-old son was killed by security forces a year ago.

Barzekar herself was arrested earlier in September after attending a memorial ceremony for Javad Rouhi, a protester who recently died in prison.

Human rights groups highlighted similar incidents across the country, including the Human Rights Network of Kurdistan, which reported disruptions to memorial ceremonies in several cities, including Kermanshah and Quchan.

At least 500 people have been killed around the country since authorities began the current crackdown on her sympathizers, with thousands more detained or harassed.

Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-pressure-families-dead- protesters/32605092.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran Human Rights Highlights Targeting of Protesters' Eyes

By VOA Persian Service September 22, 2023

Iran Human Rights on Friday released its statistical analysis of eye injuries sustained during the crackdown on the 2022 protests. After cross-referencing the injuries with the list of protest-related fatalities, the organization concluded: "The firing upon women's faces and eyes by repressive forces has been highly systematic and deliberate."

Within Iran, the organization said, about 9% of the fatalities were women, yet women accounted for 28% of the eye injuries. In some areas, however, like Mahabad in West Azerbaijan province, 15% of the protesters killed were women, while they made up 56% of protester eye injuries.

The organization's "analysis shows that the brutal crimes committed during the protests by the Islamic Republic were planned, coordinated and calculated," Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of Iran Human Rights, wrote in the report. "The Islamic Republic leader, Ali Khamenei, and all the perpetrators of such crimes must be held accountable."

In late November 2022, The New York Times reported on the number of eye injuries in Iran since the nationwide protests began. Ophthalmologists from three major hospitals in Tehran a Farabi, Rasoul Akram and Labbafinezhad a estimated that more than 500 patients with severe eye injuries had been admitted to the three hospitals since mid-September.

Researchers from Iran Human Rights, or IHR, confirmed 138 verified cases related to eye injuries, out of which 43 individuals shared their medical details and documents with the organization under the condition of maintaining their anonymity.

The names and images of 95 other people, along with details regarding their eye injuries, the circumstances and the timing of the incidents, were included in the organization's report.

The report notes that eight children a four boys and four girls a were among the list of individuals with eye injuries. The youngest among them was a 5-year-old girl who sustained an eye injury from a pellet gunshot while on the balcony of her grandfather's second-floor apartment in Malek Shahr, Isfahan, resulting in the loss of her right eye.

The data gathered by IHR indicates that the targeting of protesters' eyes by repressive forces began in the early days of the nationwide protests, which started on September 17, 2022, and persisted extensively in various cities across Iran until the end of November.

The pattern of targeting eyes with pellet guns continued to a lesser extent in December, and in January, there were fewer protesters reporting eye injuries as a result of suppressive forces' gunfire, IHR found.

"The majority of eye injuries have been caused by pellets [metal and plastic] and resulted in the loss of eyesight in one eye and in some cases, both eyes," the IHR report said.

Iran Human Rights highlighted that in certain reports, particularly those concerning smaller cities, the injured individuals have successfully identified the perpetrators, and that this information will be shared with the United Nations Truth Commission.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






UN: New Iranian Dress Code Law Further Represses Women

By VOA News September 22, 2023

The U.N.'s human rights office Friday assailed a new law passed by Iran's parliament which increases jail terms and fines for female citizens who do not comply with the nation's strict Islamic dress code on head coverings and modest clothing.

Speaking at a news conference in Geneva, spokesperson for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Ravina Shamdasani said the decree a fully named the Bill to Support the Family by Promoting the Culture of Chastity and Hijab a is both repressive and demeaning.

She said under the new rules, women or girls found not following the strict implementation of the dress code could face 10 years in jail, where the previous term was two months. Fines have been raised from the equivalent of about $12 to about $8,500.

The new law comes about a year after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in morality police custody in September 2022 three days after being arrested for allegedly not wearing her hijab in accordance with Islamist rules.

Her death, following what witnesses said was a physical assault perpetrated by authorities, triggered months of mostly peaceful nationwide protests that posed the greatest challenge yet to the 44-year rule of Iran's ruling Shiite clerics.

Shamdasani told reporters Friday, "Unfortunately we haven't seen much progress in spite of the outpouring of outrage following the killing of Mahsa Amini. The situation has not improved with regards to the rights of women in Iran."

She said the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker TArk, said the "draconian" dress code bill "flagrantly flies in the face of international law, and that it must be shelved."

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran gives Iraq several days to fully enforce deal on disarming terrorists: Top commander

Iran Press TV

Friday, 22 September 2023 5:02 PM

A top Iranian military commander said the country has given Iraq several more days to fully implement a March agreement to relocate and disarm anti-Iran groups operating from the Arab country's Kurdistan region, stressing that all terrorist groups in the region must be disarmed.

Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, the Chief of General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, said the March agreement stipulated that these groups be disarmed by September 19 but this has not happened yet.

"What happened during this six-month respite was that [they] just distanced a bit from the borders of our country," he said while thanking the Iraqi government for its efforts to disarm the separatists.

He was speaking on the sidelines of a Friday military parade marking the beginning of the National Holy Defense Week.

"The president said that the armed forces give [them] a few days. We will wait for several days and we will send observer teams to this region to see if the disarming is completed or not. After that, we decide what to do," he said.

General Baqeri stressed all the terrorist groups should be disarmed and relocated.

"The president said separatist terrorists' armed forces should not be present in the Kurdistan region and all of Iraq. These terrorists should be fully disarmed and get expelled from Iraq," he said.

Iraqi officials have in recent days reported that government forces have gained full control over all border points with neighboring Iran and the terrorists have been evacuated from the border regions.

Iraq's defense minister Thabet Muhammad Saeed al-Abbasi on Tuesday told the Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya that the presence of Kurdish groups operating against Iran has been limited to five camps inside Iraq.

Iraqi authorities have repeatedly stressed Baghdad is committed to the security agreement with Iran.

The presence of Kurdish terrorist groups, including the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Komala, Kurdistan Free Life Party, and the Kurdistan Freedom Party, has been a source of tension between Iran and Iraq for years, with these groups often carrying out terrorist attacks on Iranian soil.

Following last year's riots, triggered by the death of Iranian woman Mahsa Amini, these groups intensified their subversive operations against Iran and smuggled weapons to their local agents.

That prompted Iran to push Iraq to put an end to terrorist activities of the anti-Iran groups, leading to the March agreement.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Troops arrest more than 100 villagers in Myanmar's Magway region

They were accused of abandoning an arms depot they had been told to guard.

By RFA Burmese 2023.09.22 -- Junta troops arrested and interrogated more than 100 villagers in Magway region's Gangaw township after anti-junta militias captured weapons in a raid on an arms depot, local People's Defense Forces said this week.

The roundup began on Monday in Kant That village, where villagers had been armed and told to defend the depot.

Earlier in the day, combined People's Defense Forces (PDFs) attacked the arms depot, according to a statement Thursday by the Yaw National Revolution Force.

They fought a 20-minute battle with junta troops and affiliated Pyu Saw Htee soldiers.

The statement said that three members of the combined junta forces were killed and the rest of the troops fled their camp.

A PDF official who didn't want to be named for security reasons said the defense forces were able to seize a lot of guns and bullets because the villagers who had been told to guard the depot didn't put up a fight, prompting an angry response from junta troops.

"The entire village was arrested and interrogated because they broke the security line," he said.

"Some villagers had no experience and ran away without shooting."

RFA phoned Than Swe Win, the junta spokesperson for Magway region, to get comment on the arrests but nobody answered.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Meeting with Governor of the Novgorod Region Andrei Nikitin

Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with Governor of the Novgorod Region Andrei Nikitin.

September 21, 2023

19:05

Veliky Novgorod

Andrei Nikitin thanked the President for his decision to visit the Defenders of the Fatherland foundation's centre, and went on to emphasise that the Novgorod Region, just like the country as a whole, was working on multiple fronts to bring the victory within reach. These efforts include supporting veterans, working with those deployed in the combat zone, as well as facilitating the return to civilian life and the rebuilding effort. The Novgorod Region is in charge of helping the Zaporozhye Region and the city of Energodar restore their infrastructure.

The Governor also expressed his gratitude for the President's decision in 2018 to support the creation of a special economic zone in the region. Seven companies have registered there so far, attracting investment, and the first building has been finished. All this has had a positive impact in terms of private investment and helped increase real wages.

Andrei Nikitin also pointed out that last year the region lagged behind in timber processing, but support measures for this sector helped launch all the plants. The sector now posts above-average growth rates and is about to make up lost ground.

The Governor talked about working with major corporations in various sectors. There are plans to build a plant for producing chemical sources of electric energy and solar batteries in cooperation with Roscosmos, as well as to offer cosmonaut training courses, since people from the region have been eager to apply for cosmonaut selection competitions. The Novgorod Region is in talks with Sberbank for making the so-called Sber Devices. The Governor noted that the region was building a new veterans' house and designed it as a digital facility so that not only young people, but the elderly too could use the latest devices.

The meeting's agenda also covered school renovation, a programme to ensure that half of the region's population gets access to quality water, expanding the gas distribution network, including facilitating household connections, as well as road repairs and the procurement of buses.

Vladimir Putin asked the Governor about the most urgent issues in the healthcare sector. Andrei Nikitin singled out heart diseases, saying that the region established a cardiac service. Last year, it emerged as a top region in terms of reducing the incidence of cardiac diseases. Borovichi and Staraya Russa received new equipment - this way people no longer have to travel to Novgorod in case of an emergency and can undergo surgery right away closer to their homes. The region is also working with the Government on another programme at the President's instructions, and intends to build a cardiac centre within the next few years.

Vladimir Putin pointed out that the region lacked specialist doctors.

Andrei Nikitin confirmed that the region was facing this challenge, saying that it has already started to address it. First, it sought to retain specialists in the region by helping them resolve their housing issues and providing apartments. This helped stop the drain. In addition, the region increased the number of students enrolled in the corresponding degree programmes and expects graduates from the local medical institute to play their part. According to the Governor, doctors who decide to stay and work in the region can now benefit from advantageous and rather favourable terms of employment.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali Abdoulaye Diop

21 September 2023 23:56

1841-21-09-2023

On September 21, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali Abdoulaye Diop on the sidelines of the general debate, held as part of the UN General Assembly's 78th session.

The ministers discussed topical matters related to further strengthening the traditionally friendly relations between Russia and Mali, and also engaged in an interested exchange of views on the situation in the Sahara-Sahel region, including the developments in the Republic of Niger. Russia reaffirmed its commitment to continuing to contribute to stabilising the situation in Mali, including within the United Nations.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Process of disarming Armenian illegal armed formations [which haven't been withdrawn contrary to the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] in Azerbaijan's Karabakh continues, Trend reports.

The footage on social media showed that members of the illegal formations hand over a large number of machine guns, mortars and other weapons, as well as ammunition.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, suppression of large-scale provocations in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region, disarmament, and withdrawal of Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, localized anti-terrorist activities were carried out in the region.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) to cease anti-terrorist activities of a local nature under the following conditions: the formations of the armed forces of Armenia, Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm; the formations of the armed forces of Armenia leave the territory of Azerbaijan; Armenian illegal armed groups are dissolved.

At the invitation of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ramin Mammadov, responsible for contacts with the Armenian residents of Karabakh, met with Sergey Martirosyan and David Melkumyan as representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh on September 21, 2023, in Yevlakh.

In the context of discussing social and humanitarian issues, the representatives of the Armenian residents of Azerbaijan's Karabakh region informed that there is a special need for fuel. At the same time, they asked for humanitarian assistance in the form of foodstuffs.

As a result of the meeting, their request was taken seriously. In particular, it is planned to supply fuel for the heating systems of kindergartens and schools, as well as the emergency medical service and fire department, and to provide humanitarian support in the near future.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's address at the Preparatory Ministerial Meeting for the Summit of the Future, New York, September 21, 2023

21 September 2023 21:08

1836-21-09-2023

Esteemed Mr President,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to support the key points made by Foreign Minister of Venezuela Yvan Gil on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter. We would also like to note the constructive contributions to the preparatory process by the Republic of Cuba as the chair of the Group of 77 and Pakistan as the coordinator of the Like Minded Group.

The talks focusing on the scope of the summit and its final documents have revealed deep differences in a number of key areas. The reason for this lies in the West's relentless pursuit of hegemony and its attempts to counteract the development of a fairer international order and to impose the infamous rules-based order which undermines international law and runs counter to the interests of the Global Majority countries that are home to over 80 percent of the people of our planet.

Such self-centred politics has already triggered a profound crisis in European security and is now creating extremely dangerous tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, where bloc-based approaches are being aggressively promoted.

The goals of the Summit of the Future include reaffirming the commitment of all UN member states to the principles of the UN Charter in their entirety and interdependence, giving a boost to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and reforming the global monetary system to reflect the actual weight and legitimate interests of the Global South.

This demands an end to the vicious practice of advancing geopolitical interests through the use of illegal coercive measures that undermine the achievement of the sustainable development goals.

We join in calling on the Secretary-General to draft a report about the repercussions of unilateral sanctions. We support the inclusion of issues related to science, technology, and innovation on the summit's agenda with the aim of overcoming digital inequality, democratising internet governance, and regulating AI technology with strict respect for the sovereignty of all countries.

The summit should not duplicate other negotiating formats. It is counterproductive to encroach upon the disarmament sphere and push through non-consensual decisions in this area bypassing the relevant UN platforms.

We must not forget about previous UN decisions that were approved to make our common future fairer but have remained on paper, as was noted at the recently held Sustainable Development Goals Summit. To achieve them, the West must fulfill its earlier undertaken commitments in the area of assisting development and climate financing and refrain from attempts to use the green agenda as an additional tool for neocolonial oppression of the Global South.

Russia will continue to increase its contribution to achieving the sustainable development goals, seeking balanced and acceptable solutions during the preparations for the Summit of the Future. The success of the summit is firmly grounded in the UN Charter principles, above all, the respect for sovereign equality of states and the preservation and strengthening of the intergovernmental nature of our organisation.

We caution against turning the Summit of the Future into an arena for pitting "democracies" against "autocracies." We are concerned about signs of the UN Secretariat's susceptibility to this confrontational concept.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova regarding the expulsion of Russian Orthodox Church priests from Bulgaria

21 September 2023 19:07

1831-21-09-2023

On September 21, priests from the Russian church mission in Sofia were summoned to Bulgaria's immigration service. They were handed a notice to leave the Balkan country within 24 hours as they allegedly posed a threat to national security. We are talking about Hegumen of the Mission of the Russian Orthodox Church in Sofia Archimandrite Vassian, Mission Secretary Archpriest Yevgeny, and a church staff member.

This egregiously unfriendly act by the Bulgarian authorities defies logic.

People who have dedicated their lives to serving God in the name of unity between the Russian and Bulgarian peoples based on a shared religion and Christian values were transported like criminals in a vehicle with barred windows back to the church by Bulgaria's immigration service for them to pack their belongings. Today, they will be deported as lawbreakers. They will simply be left at the Serbian border to fend for themselves.

Adding a particularly blasphemous dimension to this situation is the fact that this action was taken on a festive day that marks the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God which is a sacred and pure day for the Russian Orthodox Church parishioners.

We are outraged and shocked by what happened. This once again underscores that the current leadership of Bulgaria has clearly embarked on a path of destroying not only political contacts between our states, but also cultural and humanitarian ties between our peoples. Their current goal appears to be severing relations between the sisterly Russian and Bulgarian Orthodox Churches and the fraternal ties between the Russian and Bulgarian peoples.

This old Russian church, which has served as a place of shared worship for Russians and Bulgarians for many years, will now be closed.

Once again, we emphasise that the responsibility for the rapid deterioration of Russia-Bulgaria relations lies entirely with the Bulgarian side.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt Sameh Shoukry

21 September 2023 18:34

1830-21-09-2023

On September 21, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt Sameh Shoukry in New York on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

In the course of the conversation, the sides discussed the further development of traditionally friendly Russian-Egyptian relations. They confirmed their mutual interest in expanding multifaceted bilateral cooperation in accordance with the interstate Treaty on Comprehensive Partnership and Strategic Cooperation signed in Sochi in October 2018.

The ministers exchanged views on current issues on the Middle East agenda. They emphasised the importance of strengthening foreign policy coordination between Moscow and Cairo at the UN and other international platforms.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Telephone conversation with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov

Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

September 22, 2023

11:30

During the conversation, Vladimir Putin wished Serdar Berdimuhamedov a happy birthday.

The presidents reaffirmed their mutual resolve to continue to develop comprehensive relations between Russia and Turkmenistan in the spirit of a deep strategic partnership.

Vladimir Putin previously sent a message of greetings to Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

The message reads, in part:

"Russia sets a high value on your personal contribution to the development of a deep strategic partnership and effective cooperation between Russia and Turkmenistan in all areas.

I hope that we will continue our constructive dialogue and close cooperation on the current aspects of issues on the bilateral and international agenda to the benefit of our friendly nations and in the interests of security and stability in Central Asia and the Caspian region."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






The Week In Russia: Limited Leverage In The 'Near Abroad'

By Steve Gutterman September 22, 2023

Here are some of the key developments in Russia over the past week and some of the takeaways going forward.

'Debilitated In Multiple Ways'

When Azerbaijan launched a major offensive targeting the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh and what was left of its ethnic Armenian armed forces after a lopsided 2020 war, Russia did nothing to stop it.

That's despite the fact that Russia is the traditional guarantor of Armenia's security, has peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh, and is one of the powers, along with the United States and France, that have led long and fruitless efforts to mediate the conflict over the territory.

Moscow's almost pointed inaction led to speculation that, as The Guardian put it, "by forcing Armenia to give up its hold on Nagorno-Karabakh, the Kremlin was looking to weaken or even overthrow" Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.

Maybe so. Pashinian's relationship with Russia has been uneasy since his rise to power five years ago in the kind of peaceful, popular uprising that Russian President Vadimir Putin fears and hates, and his government has taken several steps lately that irked Moscow.

And it's not like Russia hasn't plotted -- or, in the case of Ukraine, launched a large-scale invasion -- with the goal of getting a more Moscow-friendly government into office in another country, near or far.

But there's another explanation for Russia's inaction: There's not much it could have done, even if it had wanted to do something.

"In the context of what has happened this week, is Russia the green-lighter that's given the green light permission for this to happen? Or is it a bystander not able to stop this from happening?" said Laurence Broers, a South Caucasus expert and an associate fellow at the London-based think tank Chatham House.

"I would argue that Russia has obviously been debilitated in multiple ways by the course of the Ukraine war. Its material capacity, but moreover, its reputation as a security patron in the South Caucasus has declined dramatically," Broers told RFE/RL's Balkan Service in an interview on September 21.

In addition, Russia's desire to protect Armenia's interests -- or its lack of such a desire -- may be driven not so much by its own aims and intentions as by the limits of its influence.

There have been "very significant shifts as a result of the Ukraine war, in terms of the usefulness of the relationships with Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia has become less important. Whereas Azerbaijan has become much more important and is a key actor in post-Ukraine war connectivity for Russia," he added. "And Turkey, of course, is a key country in the Ukraine war for Russia as well. Turkey, of course, being the core ally of Azerbaijan. So, I think we're seeing a Russia that is much more beholden to Turkic interests."

'Russia Can Do Very Little For Its Allies'

In an interview with the YouTube channel Khodorkovsky Live, economic and political analyst Vladislav Inozemtsev suggested Russia was simply not strong enough to stand up for the weaker party.

"Russia could hardly have helped in any serious way, because we all understand the scale of the gap between Azerbaijan and Armenia in terms of the economy and the military and weaponry," Inozemtsev said.

Anger at Pashinian may have been a factor in Russia's decisions on how to respond to Azerbaijan's attack on Nagorno-Karabakh, but it was "far from the primary one," he said. "Russia, on the whole, can do very little for its allies."

Another sign of Russia's limited influence on Baku and curtailed clout in the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh was Moscow's mild reaction to an incident in which Azerbaijani authorities said that five Russian peacekeepers, including a deputy commander of the force, were killed when Azerbaijani forces opened fire on a vehicle transporting them during the main offensive on September 20.

Russia's inaction in the face of the Azerbaijani offensive was not necessarily unexpected. Other than brokering a cease-fire that effectively recognized the loss of Armenian control over parts of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent districts, Moscow had done little during the war in 2020, and that hands-off conduct added to tensions between Putin and Pashinian.

But if there was any doubt that Russia would stand aside this time, too, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov quickly put it to rest by saying Azerbajian was taking action on its own territory -- a reference to the fact that Nagorno-Karabakh is formally part of Azerbaijan.

That may have been meant as an excuse for inaction, but it also was an echo of Moscow's assertions about Ukraine, where it claims that occupied Crimea and four other Ukrainian regions -- none of which its forces hold in full -- are Russian.

By that token, standing up for Nagorno-Karabakh would potentially undermine Russia's claims on those areas of Ukraine, though in the eyes of much of the world there is nothing to undermine because the claims have zero legitimacy to start with.

Russia has struggled to maintain influence in other former Soviet republics since the collapse of the U.S.S.R. in 1991. Since Putin came to power in 2000, it has used energy ties as well as other economic and diplomatic levers -- and in some cases, military force -- in efforts to achieve its goals and impose its will.

For Armenia at this point, a "dramatic shift away from Russia is not possible," Broers said, because of "the continuing, very deep structural dependency of Armenia on Russia, particularly in the fields of energy and the ownership of key strategic assets in the country."

Ukraine is a different story.

Moscow had already torpedoed ties with Kyiv in 2014 by seizing control of Crimea and fomenting war in the eastern Donbas region, where it encouraged separatism and gave direct military, diplomatic, and financial backing to the anti-Kyiv forces it incited.

The full-scale invasion of February 2022, also unprovoked, has clearly poisoned relations for decades or more. Russian forces have killed tens of thousands of Ukrainians soldiers and civilians, destroyed cities, towns, and villages, committed human rights abuses from rape and torture to what the International Criminal Court, in announcing a warrant for Putin's arrest, said were war crimes: the unlawful deportation and transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia.

How much sway Russia may have on Ukraine in the future depends in large part on the outcome of the war.

'Long And Messy'

In some ways, analysts say, Russia has already lost: Its forces failed to seize Kyiv and subjugate Ukraine in the days and weeks following the full-scale invasion and have suffered numerous setbacks since, retreating from large amounts of land they had occupied.

Olga Oliker, program director for Europe and Central Asia at the Crisis Group, told RFE/RL on September 18 that "it does look like what we're seeing is Ukraine making real progress now" in the counteroffensive it launched in early June, but that "it's going to be long and messy until and unless it stops being long and messy.'

For now, the results of the counteroffensive are unclear, and the end of the war does not seem to be in sight: Kyiv wants to push all Russian forces out of Ukraine and restore control over the country in its entirety, while Moscow insists that Ukraine cede Crimea and the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson regions -- even the parts its forces do not hold.

Analysts say Putin's main hope now is that support for Ukraine from the West and other parts of the world will flag.

The Russians "may no longer think that they're more committed [to the war] than the Ukrainians, but I believe they still think, in the Kremlin, that they are more committed than Ukraine's backers," Oliker told RFE/RL. "And from their perspective, the best way for this war to end is for the supply of weapons and economic assistance to Ukraine to stop."

Seeking to make sure that doesn't happen, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met with senior officials and lawmakers in the United States and Canada this week, including U.S. President Joe Biden, after delivering an address at the UN General Assembly.

At home, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been accompanied by a spiraling clampdown on civil society, independent media, and all forms of dissent, with a particular focus on silencing any manifestation of opposition to the war.

One of the many manifestations of the state campaign against dissent is the ongoing trial of Oleg Orlov, a leader of the Memorial Human Rights Center, which was shut down by court order in December 2021.

A hearing was held in Orlov's trial on September 22. Arrested in March and charged in connection with an article in which he condemned the war, he faces up to three years in prison if convicted, according to Memorial.

When the trial opened in June, the Council of Europe's human rights commissioner, Dunja Mijatovic, called it "a travesty of justice."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/week-in-russia-gutterman- limited-leverage-near-abroad/32605150.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russia Reportedly Plans To Ramp Up Military Spending in 2024

By RFE/RL's Russian Service September 22, 2023

Russia plans to significantly ramp up military spending next year as its invasion of Ukraine falters and a presidential election looms, Bloomberg reported, citing a draft budget submitted to parliament on September 22.

Russia intends to allocate 10.8 trillion rubles ($112 billion) to military needs next year, a jump by two-thirds compared with 2023, Bloomberg reported.

If the plans materialize, military spending will account for 6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), Bloomberg calculated, making it the largest item in the budget.

Russia's 19-month-long invasion of Ukraine is struggling, requiring the Kremlin to allocate ever more money to the military to prevent a rollback if not an outright defeat.

Ukraine's Western-backed forces have been making minor gains since its latest counteroffensive began in June. Any major Ukrainian victories in the coming months would be a blow to President Vladimir Putin, who is expected to run for reelection in March 2024.

While there is little doubt Putin will win the tightly controlled election should he run, setbacks could nonetheless make the election more problematic for the Kremlin.

To appease the population ahead of the election, Putin will also boost social spending by 1 trillion rubles ($10 billion), Bloomberg reported, citing the draft budget.

Another 11 trillion rubles ($114 billion) in spending next year is classified. That budget line item is also up two-thirds from last year.

Russia anticipates budget revenues will jump by more than a fifth next year, keeping the budget deficit below 1 percent.

Russian budget revenue is highly dependent on oil prices, which have rallied more than a quarter over the past three months, surpassing $90 a barrel.

Analysts forecast oil prices to remain high in the near-term.

Reporting by Bloomberg

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ramp-up-military-spending- 2024/32605178.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russia Calls Bulgaria's Decision To Expel Cleric 'Blasphemous,' Summons Ambassador

By RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service September 22, 2023

Moscow has reacted angrily to Bulgaria's decision to expel the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in Sofia, calling the move "blasphemous" and an "unfriendly" act as it closed the Russian Church in the Bulgarian capital in response.

The Russian state news agency TASS reported on September 22 that the Bulgarian ambassador to Moscow Atanas Krastin would be summoned for talks at the Russian Foreign Ministry over the expulsion of Archimandrite Vassian and two other clerics, both Belarusian citizens, for carrying out "activities directed against" the country's national security and interests.

Bulgaria's State Agency for National Security (DANS) said the three had worked to "purposefully influence the social and political processes in Bulgaria in favor of Russian geopolitical interests."

Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the clerics were summoned to Bulgaria's immigration service on September 21 and were handed a notice to leave the country within 24 hours.

It added that the three were transported "like criminals in a vehicle with barred windows" back to the church to pack their belongings and added that they would be transported to the Serbian border.

Bulgarian authorities have not given any details on the whereabouts of the clerics.

"We are outraged and shocked by what happened," the ministry's spokeswoman Mariya Zaharova said in the statement, adding that the responsibility for the "rapid deterioration of Russian-Bulgarian relations lies entirely with the Bulgarian side."

Russia's ambassador to Bulgaria, Eleonora Mitrofanova, added in an interview on state television that Russia would not take action directly against the Bulgarian Church in Moscow.

Archimandrite Vassian, whose secular name is Nikolai Zmeyev, was appointed by the Moscow Patriarchate as head of the Russian Orthodox Church in Sofia in 2018 -- days after the Russian Patriarch Kirill visited Bulgaria.

Questions over Archimandrite Vassian have swirled around Bulgaria for several months.

Earlier this month, lawmaker Atanas Atanasov called the cleric "a representative of Russian intelligence in a robe."

In December 2022, the Russian Orthodox Church in Sofia faced protests against the visit of a high-ranking representative of the Moscow Patriarchate, invited by Archimandrite Vassian.

The decision to expel the three clerics comes amid Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which the Russian Orthodox Church has supported.

The European Union imposed sanctions as a response to Moscow's war, and Russia added the EU member states, including Bulgaria, to its list of "unfriendly countries."

In 2022, Bulgaria, a member of NATO and the European Union, expelled 70 Russian diplomatic staff in a move that severely strained diplomatic ties between the two countries, which were close allies during communist times.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-bulgaria-expels- cleric-orthodox-church-ukraine/32604844.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov

22 September 2023 20:47

1859-22-09-2023

On September 22, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Azerbaijani delegation once again apologised to Russia for the tragic death of the Russian peacekeeping serviceman on September 20 in Nagorno-Karabakh, and assured the Russian side that a most thorough investigation is underway, which is already yielding results, and that all those responsible will be held accountable.

The sides discussed the situation in the region with a focus on the humanitarian component, as well as a number of other current international issues.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Press release on Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin attending the second round of Informal Interactive Dialogue on Cooperation between the UN and the League of Arab States

22 September 2023 20:35

1858-22-09-2023

On September 22, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin attended the second round of the Informal Interactive Dialogue on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. The discussion included issues of UN-LAS (League of Arab States) cooperation.

Regular consultations are held between representatives of the UN Security Council member states, the Arab "troika" (Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Bahrain), and the UN and the LAS Secretariats.

The interactive dialogue included a detailed discussion of ways to further strengthen the multilevel cooperation between the Arab League and the UN in the interests of peace and security, primarily in the Middle East and North Africa. It was reaffirmed that the development of such cooperation contributes to the achievement of political and diplomatic settlement of regional conflicts, overcoming humanitarian crises based on the principles of the UN Charter and the LAS and the standards of international humanitarian law.

The Russian side emphasised the importance of the greater involvement of the LAS in various international negotiating formats. Special mention was made of the positive significance of Syria's return to the LAS and the restoration of full participation of this UN member state in the activities of the pan-Arab organisation.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Press release on Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Foreign Minister of Bolivia Rogelio Mayta Mayta

22 September 2023 20:17

1857-22-09-2023

On September 22, Sergey Lavrov met with Foreign Minister of the Plurinational State of Bolivia Rogelio Mayta Mayta on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The parties reaffirmed their commitment to continue enhancing multifaceted Russian-Bolivian ties. Special focus was given to key aspects of expanding the political dialogue and cooperation in international affairs, primarily at UN venues. The ministers had a detailed discussion of trade and economic cooperation, including prospects for implementing mutually beneficial investment project, as well as opportunities for expanding cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

In addition, Bolivia's cooperation with BRICS was touched upon during the meeting.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Under the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, a working group led by Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev was established to address social, humanitarian, economic and infrastructure issues in the Karabakh region, Trend reports.

The working group shall operate within the framework of the Coordination Headquarters for addressing the issues in a centralized manner in the liberated territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The composition of the working group includes the Ministries of Economy, Labor and Social Protection of the Population, Agriculture, Internal Affairs, Health, Science and Education, "Azerenergy" OJSC, "Azerishiq" OJSC, "Azerigas" Production Union, State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads and other relevant institutions.

The following measures have been taken by the Working Group since September 20, 2023:

 On September 22, 2023, the Ministry of Emergency sent 2 trucks containing 40 tons of food and sanitary products and 2 trucks full of bread for Armenian residents via the operating Aghdam-Asgaran-Khankendi road;

 Tent camps for 1000 people were set up in Aghdam, Fuzuli and Kalbajar by the Ministry of Emergency Situations in order to provide Armenian residents with first aid and food. Police, military personnel and civilian workers are providing first aid and appropriate support on the ground to Armenian residents;

 Following a request the representatives of Armenian residents made at the meeting held in Yevlakh on September 21, fuel and lubricants will be provided, first of all to kindergartens, emergency medical aid and firefighting services.

 The passage of food and daily necessities is being ensured via the Lachin-Khankendi road for the use of the personnel of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, as well as for delivery to the civilian population through the peacekeepers;

 The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) shall facilitate the transportation of food, medicines and baby food via the Aghdam-Asgaran-Khankendi and Lachin-Khankendi roads, and the dispatch of additional staff from the organization's Baku and Geneva offices to the sub-office in Khankendi;

 Based on ICRC's request, the necessary opportunities shall be created for the evacuation of persons in need of medical assistance to Armenia.
Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Foreign Minister of Nicaragua Denis Moncada Colindres

22 September 2023 17:57

1852-22-09-2023

On September 22, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Nicaragua Denis Moncada Colindres on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

The foreign ministers exchanged views on the current issues of bilateral cooperation and strategic partnership, as well as interaction between Russia and Nicaragua on multilateral platforms, including the Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter. It was a trust-based and friendly conversation as always.

They reaffirmed their unwavering shared approaches including the categorical rejection of illegal unilateral sanctions, neo-colonial practices and interference in other states' internal affairs.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's talks with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

22 September 2023 04:41

1848-22-09-2023

On September 21, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a conversation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. The officials focused on the most challenging international problems and various aspects of cooperation between Russia and the United Nations.

The foreign minister once again underscored the need for the UN leadership and all without exception UN employees to abide by the principles of impartiality and equidistance enshrined in Article 100 of the UN Charter. He called on Antonio Guterres to prevent any involvement of officials representing UN agencies in politicised initiatives in the context of the Ukraine crisis. Attention was focused on the assurances by the UN Secretary-General concerning his intention to refrain from participating in undertakings that did not imply attendance by all parties concerned. Sergey Lavrov also pointed to the inadmissibility of using double standards with regard to different territories in UN statistics and other documents.

They also discussed in detail topics related to the proposed UN reform intended to adapt the United Nations to modern realities with a focus on the Secretary-General's Our Common Agenda initiative. Foreign Minister Lavrov noted the importance of taking into consideration the entire spectrum of opinions of UN member states while implementing any reform plans. He also said that there was no alternative to preserving the intergovernmental nature of the United Nations, given regard for the division of responsibilities between its main bodies. It was declared that Russia would be most active in relevant discussions at the Summit of the Future in September 2024, including in the work on the Pact for the Future, its final document.

In addition, Foreign Minister Lavrov drew the Secretary-General's attention to the fact of continued violations by the United States of its obligations under the 1947 Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, including its refusal to issue visas to diplomats from Russia and other countries for participation in UN events. He noted once again that the existing situation dictated the need for Antonio Guterres to launch an arbitration procedure against the United States as soon as possible, something that was repeatedly stated in related UNGA resolutions.

The minister handed over to the UN Secretary-General a book entitled Ukrainian Crimes against Humanity (2022-2023) by Maxim Grigoryev, member of the Russian Civic Chamber and Director of the Foundation for the Study of Democracy, as well as a video of the call of the girl from Lugansk Faina Savenkova to the United Nations to do everything to stop shelling of peaceful cities by Ukraine.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Jalil Abbas Jilani

22 September 2023 02:26

1847-22-09-2023

On September 21, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Jalil Abbas Jilani on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

The conversation focused on the current bilateral and international agenda, including Ukraine and Afghanistan. The parties reaffirmed their mutual commitment to building up bilateral trade and economic cooperation and interaction on regional and international issues.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud

22 September 2023 01:24

1843-22-09-2023

On September 21, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

The officials discussed at length the priority aspects of the further expansion of mutually beneficial Russian-Saudi cooperation in the context of the agreements reached earlier at the highest level. The parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening foreign policy coordination between Moscow and Riyadh at various international platforms.

The ministers noted the stabilising effect that cooperation between Russia and Saudi Arabia in this strategically important area has had on the global hydrocarbons market.

They also exchanged views on a range of current issues on the international and regional agenda, focusing on the developments in Syria and the Palestinian-Israeli settlement, and noting the importance of restoring Palestinian unity.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






UN HRC54: UK Statement on Russia

Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the Russian Federation. As delivered by the UK's Ambassador to the WTO and the UN, Simon Manley.

22 September 2023

Thank you Vice President,

Special Rapporteur,

Your report visibly demonstrates the rapid increase in repression since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Repression at home, aggression abroad.

Recent legislation adopted with little public scrutiny has further restricted the fundamental rights that Russians should enjoy under international law.

Criminal sentences have become harsher and longer. Judges are subject to political influence. Anti-war speech is criminalised.

More than half of those arrested for anti-war activism are women, and you noted, determined to advocate for peace in the face of gender-based violence and increased restrictions on their roles in public life.

A prohibitively hostile legal framework makes it almost impossible for non-government controlled media to operate, undermining an essential condition for free and fair elections.

We once again condemn the politically motivated prosecution of so many who oppose Russia's illegal invasion, including Vladimir Kara-Murza, Alexei Navalny, Ilya Yashin and Maria Ponomarenko. And we will continue to hold those responsible for human rights violations to account through our sanctions.

Special Rapporteur, given the Russian Government's failure to engage with your mandate, how can this Council promote the upholding of Russians' fundamental rights, particularly freedom of expression?

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






UN Report: Russian Repression of Dissidents, Civil Society Reaches Unprecedented Levels

By Lisa Schlein September 22, 2023

A U.N. human rights expert says repression against dissidents and civil and political rights in the Russian Federation has reached unprecedented levels since the country's invasion of Ukraine.

In her first report as Special Rapporteur of human rights in Russia, Mariana Katzarova told the United Nations Human Rights Council that Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine "has been followed by a rapid deterioration of the human rights situation."

She said the incremental and calculated restrictions on human rights in Russia over the past two decades "have culminated in the current state policy of criminalizing any actual or perceived dissent and bolstering support for the war" through censorship, state sponsorship propaganda, and state-controlled information sources.

During an interactive dialogue at the Council Thursday and Friday, Katzarova told delegates that Russian authorities had attempted to obstruct her work by denying her access to their territory and preventing her from meeting various stakeholders, including government officials, victims of human rights violations, civil society, and law enforcement.

"But this did not stop me from receiving information from almost 200 sources both within and outside Russia," she said.

Between the start of the war in Ukraine and June of this year, she said over 20,000 people have been detained for participating in largely peaceful anti-war protests and more than 600 criminal lawsuits have been initiated against so-called "anti-war activity."

"I have received credible reports of torture and ill-treatment against protesters, including allegations of rape and other sexual violence, committed by law enforcement officials against both women and men in detention," she said.

Katzarova also said there has been a surge in politically motivated prosecutions, with over 500 new cases last year alone, noting that at least 82 such cases were initiated in the first seven months of this year.

"The indictment of Wall Street Journal reporter, Evan Gershkovich, on charges of espionage, highlights the recent use of such charges against investigative journalists and people with no access to state secrets," she said.

Speaking to journalists in Geneva, Katzarova said Gershkovich's case and those of political figures such as Alexei Navalny, journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza, and Russian opposition politicians Ilya Yashin and Alexey Gorinov, highlight the importance of her mandate as a bridge to the Russian people.

She said she considered her mandate to be "a voice for the people of the Russian Federation ... for the victims of civil society, for those who dare to speak out against the war in Ukraine and get really punished for that."

She said she was prepared to listen to anybody in the Russian Federation and "to receive their submissions or their complaints or their grievances and bring them back to the Russian authorities and the international community."

Katzarova called on the international community to continue to seek engagement with Russian authorities to secure the immediate release of all political prisoners and to put in place comprehensive policies to protect and enable the vital work of human rights defenders.

Russia boycotted the meeting. Most of the delegates participating in the discussion following the rapporteur's presentation expressed concern about the worsening human rights situation in Russia.

They condemned crackdowns on opponents of the war in Ukraine. They lambasted Russia's restrictions on civil society, and the silencing of journalists and human rights defenders who have spoken out against the war.

Several countries criticized Russia's oppressive treatment of various minorities. They deplored recent attacks against LGBTQI persons and the denial of the rights of these groups.

While Russia chose not to confront its detractors, some allied countries came to its defense. Syria, for example, expressed full support for Russia's position, calling the Rapporteur's report "baseless, subjective, and full of misleading and baseless allegations." It said the council should immediately end this destructive approach and states should stop interfering in Russia's sovereign affairs.

The representative from Nicaragua rejected what she called the manipulation by the Special Rapporteur on Russia. She said the mandate was promoted by Western States who aim to destabilize Russia.

Cuba rejected the report as a selective politicized exercise against a specific country under the guise of human rights and without the consent of the concerned country.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Nearly 12 Years in, the Parties to the Conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic Continue to Perpetrate War Crimes and Violate Basic Human Rights, Commission of Inquiry Tells Human Rights Council

MORNING 22 September 2023

Council Concludes Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Russian Federation

The Human Rights Council this morning held an interactive dialogue with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic. It also concluded an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation.

Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, said the present stalemate in Syria was intolerable. The war had not ended; the country remained unsafe for the return of refugees; and Syrian youth were fleeing in droves. Despite diplomatic efforts to stabilise the situation in Syria, including through its re-admission to the League of Arab States, Syrians were suffering from escalating unrest and fighting along multiple frontlines, a near collapse of the economy, and persistent human rights violations and abuses. Nearly 12 years in, the parties to this conflict continued to perpetrate war crimes and to violate basic human rights.

Mr. Pinheiro said during the first half of 2023, Syrians continued to be killed, disappeared, tortured, arbitrarily detained, displaced and dispossessed by the State and three other main actors controlling a third of its territory, including United Nations-designated terrorist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham; the opposition Syrian National Army; and the Syrian Democratic Forces in northeast Syria. The report documented attacks and civilian casualties involving Syrian forces and five foreign armies still operating in the country. Across the country, State and non-State actors continued to intimidate and harass activists and journalists. As the economic catastrophe in Syria deepened, States imposing unilateral coercive measures needed to review the impact of these on the lives of Syrian citizens and humanitarian actors.

Syrian Arab Republic, speaking as a country concerned, said the Commission was continuing its biased approach to the situation in Syria, which faced again a litany of contradiction in facts, false information, and other biased conclusions. This Commission was a mere tool of incitement against the Syrian Government and proved Syria's rightful position of not recognising the Commission nor the resolution on which it was based. The Commission continued to evaluate issues outside its mandate, and ignored matters linked to human rights law that were relevant to the economic and living conditions in the country, such as the imposition of the illegal unilateral coercive measures, acts of aggression perpetrated against it, and the plundering of agricultural crops, violating the enjoyment of the Syrian people of their own natural resources. The withdrawal of the occupying American and Turkish forces was the only way to improve the situation, allowing the return of refugees and internally displaced persons, and the lifting of all illegally imposed unilateral coercive measures on the country.

In the discussion, some speakers said the comprehensive report shed light on persisting practices of arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances and denial of consent for humanitarian access, based on political differences. Speakers were deeply concerned about the continued patterns of alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by the Syrian regime. They were concerned about the renewed outbreak of fighting and its effects on the already dire humanitarian situation, worsened by hindrance of humanitarian access into some areas by the Government and other parties to the conflict. Some speakers emphasised their support for a Syrian-owned and Syrian-led solution to the conflict, rooted in human rights and the respect for Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity. Country specific initiatives were confrontational and counterproductive. The human rights situation could be better addressed through genuine dialogue and cooperation, with respect for the principles of impartiality, objectivity, non-selectivity and non-politicisation.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Council concluded the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, which began yesterday. A summary can be viewed here.

In closing remarks, Mariana Katzarova, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, said Russia's absence from the interactive dialogue yesterday and today was regrettable, as she had hoped they would engage. She called upon Russia to shoulder its international obligations and to work with the mandate to identify human rights solutions to the pressing challenges in the report, through a dialogue. She appealed to the authorities for access to the country, and to be able to communicate with all stakeholders in the Russian Federation, starting with the authorities. She had not lost hope that this would be the next stage in the mandate. She called again for the immediate release of all persons detained on political charges, an end to harassment and misuse of the court system for political purposes, and an end to provisions criminalising dissent, including on the war in Ukraine.

In the discussion, speakers were seriously concerned at drastic steps taken to limit media freedom, noting the systematic crackdown on civil society, independent media and journalists, lawyers, human rights activists, non-governmental organizations labelled as "foreign agents", and continuous repression against political opposition and critical voices. The judiciary was politicised and corrupted, acting as a repressive body, significantly undermining the rule of law and the protection of human rights in the country, instead of guaranteeing and promoting them. The Russian authorities were urged to stop and reverse the restrictive measures taken to curtail any dissenting voice speaking against the actions of the Government or against the war Russia was waging in Ukraine. Some speakers said the protracted, unwarranted approach towards Russia, perpetuated under the pretext of human rights, was unacceptable. The discussion today was not really to help the Russian Federation, but rather, represented an opportunity for elites to move forward in their geopolitical rivalry.

Speaking in the discussion on Syria were European Union, Estonia on behalf of the Nordic Baltic countries, United Kingdom on behalf of a group of countries, United Arab Emirates, Liechtenstein, Qatar, Italy, Ecuador, Luxembourg, Jordan, Costa Rica, Israel, United States, TArkiye, Egypt, Netherlands, France, Germany, Switzerland, Malta, Iraq, Belgium, Ireland, Georgia, Cyprus, China, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Australia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Venezuela, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Albania, Belarus, Iran, Greece, Sudan, Nicaragua and United Kingdom.

Also speaking were Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Centre Zagros pour les Droits de l'Homme, Palestinian Return Centre Ltd, World Jewish Congress, Association Ma'onah for Human Rights and Immigration, Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression, International Service for Human Rights, World Lebanese Cultural Union, Inc., Maat for Peace, Development and Human Rights Association, and Non c'A pace senza giustizia.

Speaking in the discussion on the Russian Federation were Romania, Australia, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Spain, Bulgaria, Albania, Belarus, Mali, Montenegro, Ukraine, Greece, Iran, Slovakia, Republic of Moldova, Italy, Eritrea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Nicaragua, Netherlands and Cuba.

Also speaking were Human Rights House Foundation, United Nations Watch, Conscience and Peace Tax International, International Federation for Human Rights Leagues, Humanists International, International Bar Association, Advocates for Human Rights, Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada, Amnesty International, and Physicians for Human Rights.

The webcast of the Human Rights Council meetings can be found here. All meeting summaries can be found here. Documents and reports related to the Human Rights Council's fifty-fourth regular session can be found here.

The Council will reconvene at 3 p.m. this afternoon to hold an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi, followed by an interactive dialogue on the interim oral update of the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Belarus. The Council will then hold a closed meeting of the Complaint Procedure.

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Russian Federation

The interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation started in the previous meeting and a summary can be found here.

Intermediary Remarks by the Special Rapporteur

MARIANA KATZAROVA, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, said she was encouraged by the number of remarks on Russia's policy of shutting down the civic space and suppressing independent voices. She encouraged the development of comprehensive strategies to protect the rights of journalists and independent voices, allowing them to sustain their work when abroad. Many civil society workers had continued to work in Russia, despite great dangers. States must support them and give them visas, to allow them to engage with the world. New laws had made a crime the activities of Russian civil society actors and partners with foreign organizations that were not registered. Better ways must be found to support them and allow them to continue their work.

On women human rights defenders, she had documented many cases where they were criminalised for their legitimate work, disproportionally targeting women, in particular those who had raised their voices against the war. Women who courageously protested the aggressive mobilisation in the most remote areas faced harassment and violence by law enforcement officers. No perpetrators had been held accountable for egregious violations of their rights.

On people detained on politically motivated grounds, Russia had failed to provide answers to letters sent by the Special Rapporteur and other mechanisms calling for a transparent and independent review of these cases. Harsh conditions of detention, including solitary confinement and lack of access to medical care, constituted torture and ill treatment of these persons. The impunity provided a fertile ground for further continuation of these practices, and she had received credible reports of these, including sexual violence perpetrated against both men and women by law enforcement officials. These cases had not been investigated, and victims seeking redress faced reprisals.

Discussion

In the discussion, some speakers welcomed the first report of the Special Rapporteur, which, despite the lack of cooperation from the Russian authorities, demonstrated the serious deterioration of the human rights situation in the country, justifying the renewal of her mandate. The report verified pervasive patterns of the repressive violations of human rights in the Russian Federation over the past two decades, with an unprecedented escalation since Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022.

One speaker noted that the report highlighted how Russia's criminal leadership waged war not only against Ukraine, but also against its own people. Speakers were seriously concerned at drastic steps taken to limit media freedom, noting the systematic crackdown on civil society, independent media and journalists, lawyers, human rights activists, and non-governmental organizations labelled as "foreign agents", and continuous repression against political opposition and critical voices. Critical voices, dissents, or any opposition to the Government, including anti-war pronouncements and support for Ukraine, were gravely muzzled and sanctioned.

The judiciary was politicised and corrupted, acting as a repressive body, significantly undermining the rule of law and the protection of human rights in the country, instead of guaranteeing and promoting them. The culture of impunity amplified the climate of fear and repression. Some speakers condemned the politically motivated prosecution of those who opposed Russia's illegal invasion, including Vladimir Kara-Murza, Alexei Navalny, Ilya Yashin and Maria Ponomarenko. Speakers were also seriously concerned by Russian propaganda, which promoted hatred and violence against Ukrainians.

A number of speakers said that these human rights violations were not fair responses in a democratic society. The Russian people had the right to benefit from a strong civil society that fulfilled its crucial role in ensuring accountability and access to information. The Russian authorities were urged to stop and reverse the restrictive measures taken to curtail any dissenting voice speaking against the actions of the Government or against the war Russia was waging in Ukraine. Russia should fully cooperate with the Special Rapporteur, as well as with all Special Procedures related to the human rights situation in the Russian Federation.

Some speakers said the protracted, unwarranted approach towards Russia, perpetuated under the pretext of human rights, was unacceptable. The resolution imposed a hostile monitoring mandate against the Russian Federation, used by hegemonic countries as a political instrument. The report was biased and subjective, drawn up from clandestine sources. It was without any credibility and did not present anything new outside of the West's Russian narrative. The discussion today was not really to help the Russian Federation, but rather, represented an opportunity for elites to move forward in their geopolitical rivalry.

These speakers emphasised that they rejected interference in the internal affairs of sovereign States, represented by the imposition of hostile mandates, which violated the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, which governed the work of the Council. They expressed support for the Russian Federation and called for an immediate cessation of the destructive approach, respecting provisions of the Charter and international law. Speakers also commended the Russian Government's commitment to human rights, and underlined the fact that the Russian Federation was a party to seven of the nine major international treaties for the promotion and strengthening of human rights.

Some speakers asked the Special Rapporteur, in the context of the Russian Government's failure to engage with her mandate, how could the Council promote the upholding of Russians' fundamental rights, particularly freedom of expression? Could the Special Rapporteur elaborate more on the climate of impunity, identified with regards to perpetrators of violence against women in Russia? How could the repressed civil society and media in the Russian Federation be better supported?

Concluding Remarks

MARIANA KATZAROVA, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, said domestic violence was not criminalised in Russian legislation, and this was a worrying situation, in the light of continued allegations of the practice, including sexual violence, which was prevalent in the Russian Federation. She was also concerned about violence against women in the Caucuses, including harmful traditional practices and the lack of will to apply federal legislation. On lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex plus persons and their treatment, human rights defenders were facing the most repression when aiding these people: threats and discrimination were common and even stricter legislation had been enacted since February 2022.

On freedom of expression, the World Press Freedom Index had Russia on 164th place out of 180, categorising the situation as very serious. In terms of conscientious objection to military service, her recommendation for the authorities was to respect this right in law and in practice and find unhindered access to alternative forms of service for both conscripts and members of the armed forces.

Attention must be paid to the practices of forced mobilisation among the indigenous communities and religious and ethnic minorities in distant areas of Russia. Russia's absence from the interactive dialogue yesterday and today was regrettable, as she had hoped they would engage, but she called upon Russia to shoulder its international obligations and to work with the mandate to identify human rights solutions to the pressing challenges in the report, through a dialogue. She appealed to the authorities for access to the country, and to be able to communicate with all stakeholders in the Russian Federation, starting with the authorities. She had not lost hope that this would be the next stage in the mandate.

Ms. Katzarova called again for the immediate release of all persons detained on political charges, an end to harassment and misuse of the court system for political purposes, and an end to provisions criminalising dissent, including on the war in Ukraine. She encouraged the international community to support the monitoring work of the United Nations Special Procedure mechanisms.

Interactive Dialogue with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic

Report

The Council has before it the report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/54/58).

Presentation of Report

PAULO SERGIO PINHEIRO, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, said the present stalemate in Syria was intolerable. The war had not ended; the country remained unsafe for the return of refugees; and Syrian youth were fleeing in droves. Despite diplomatic efforts to stabilise the situation in Syria, including through its re-admission to the League of Arab States, Syrians were suffering from escalating unrest and fighting along multiple frontlines, a near collapse of the economy, and persistent human rights violations and abuses. Nearly 12 years in, the parties to this conflict continued to perpetrate war crimes and to violate basic human rights. During the first half of 2023, Syrians continued to be killed, disappeared, tortured, arbitrarily detained, displaced and dispossessed, by the State and three other main actors controlling a third of its territory, including United Nations-designated terrorist group, Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham; the opposition, Syrian National Army; and the Syrian Democratic Forces in northeast Syria.

The report documented attacks and civilian casualties involving Syrian forces and five foreign armies still operating in the country. The Syrian Army and the Russian Air Force had launched many attacks on the earthquake-affected northwest, resulting in civilian casualties. Airstrikes widely attributed to Israel had killed and injured civilians, and rendered key transport infrastructure inoperable, including in the wake of the February earthquake.

Mr. Pinheiro said recent months also saw civilians killed and injured in attacks occurring between Kurdish-led forces and TArkiye and Turkish-backed militias along frontlines in the northeast. In June, tensions in Dar'a triggered airstrikes by the Syrian Air Force for the first time since 2018. Since the report was finalised in July, civilians continued to be killed in separate incidents in greater Idlib. The central Syria desert, an area controlled by multiple pro-government forces, including pro-Iran militias, witnessed brutal attacks which resulted in the kidnapping and death of scores of civilians, many shot dead at point blank range. In the northeast, the Kurdish Revolutionary Youth continued to abduct boys and girls with a view to integrating them into security forces.

In Al Hawl and Al Rawj camps, living conditions amounted to cruel and inhuman treatment and outrages on personal dignity for an estimated 50,000 people, mainly women and children. Fourteen States had repatriated more than 2,200 foreigners from these camps since the beginning of this year. Such efforts were absolutely critical, as the only human rights compliant solution for foreign nationals in the northeast were repatriations. In June, the self-administration in the northeast expressed its readiness to try an estimated 2,000 foreign men and boys, currently in detention camps, and asked the international community for assistance.

Mr. Pinheiro said across the country, State and non-State actors continued to intimidate and harass activists and journalists. Protests in Suwayda, now in their fifth week, coincided with growing criticism of public policies across Government areas. As the economic catastrophe in Syria deepened, States imposing unilateral coercive measures needed to review the impact of these on the lives of Syrian citizens and humanitarian actors. The colossal failure at the Security Council to reach a consensus to extend the Bab Al Hawa border crossing in July was a reminder of how politicisation deprived the most vulnerable Syrians of much-needed assistance. While the agreement reached in August between the United Nations and the Government of Syria to temporarily re-open border crossings was welcome, such temporary arrangements constrained the humanitarian response.

The Commission noted the announcement by the International Court of Justice that it would hold public hearings concerning the proceedings against the Syrian Arab Republic under the Convention against Torture. The Commission also welcomed the General Assembly's June decision to create the dedicated Independent Institution on Missing Persons, in line with the wishes and advocacy of Syrian family associations and women's organizations. It was expected that the Government and those who held information on Syria's tens of thousands of missing, proactively engaged with this new institution. Urgent responses from the international community were required.

Statement by Country Concerned

Syrian Arab Republic, speaking as a country concerned, said in each Council session certain countries imposed politicised, selective and non-objective meetings and mandates, targeting certain countries without any link or outcome to the protection and promotion of human rights, as was happening today. Shortly, there would be statements from these countries that considered the Council as nothing but a tool to serve their political ends. The Commission was continuing its biased approach to the situation in Syria, which faced again a litany of contradiction in facts, false information, and other biased conclusions, which was shameful from a professional perspective.

This Commission was a mere tool of incitement against the Syrian Government and proved Syria's rightful position of not recognising the Commission nor the resolution on which it was based. The Commission continued to evaluate issues outside its mandate, and ignored matters linked to human rights law that were relevant to the economic and living conditions in the country, such as the imposition of the illegal unilateral coercive measures, acts of aggression perpetrated against it, and the plundering of agricultural crops, violating the enjoyment of the Syrian people of their own natural resources. Syria reiterated its firm commitment of continuing to enhance access to aid to those within its country, and had granted access to certain United Nations bodies to the country to deliver such aid. Terrorist organizations had prevented this aid from accessing territories: it was ironic that there was no condemnation of this by the Commission.

The humanitarian situation could never be consistent with the continued blatant exploitation of these events. The withdrawal of the occupying American and Turkish forces was the only way to improve the situation, allowing the return of refugees and internally displaced persons, and the lifting of all illegally imposed unilateral coercive measures on the country. Syria reminded delegations to remember the request that a respectful manner was required at the Council and to not address countries in an inappropriate manner.

Discussion

In the discussion, some speakers expressed support for the work of the Commission of Inquiry and reiterated their full support for its mandate. The comprehensive report shed light on persisting practices of arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances and denial of consent for humanitarian access, based on political differences. Many speakers shared the concern of the Commission that grave violations of human rights and humanitarian law continued across the country.

Speakers were deeply concerned about the continued patterns of alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by the Syrian regime. Twelve years into the conflict, the status quo in Syria remained unacceptable, as all actors on the ground continued to violate systematically their obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law. The Syrian authorities, assisted by both State and non-State actors, had unleashed a reign of terror, using bullets, bombs, and even chemical weapons to smother the spirit of the Syrian people.

Some speakers were concerned about the renewed outbreak of fighting and its effects on the already dire humanitarian situation, worsened by hindrance of humanitarian access into some areas by the Government and other parties to the conflict. Violations of human rights affected returnees, with speakers echoing the call that the Syrian Arab Republic remained unsafe for returnees. It was alarming that several parties to the conflict continued to use the practices of arbitrary and incommunicado detention and enforced disappearance. All parties needed to end these degrading and dehumanising practices. Speakers also condemned the ongoing practice of child recruitment, particularly in the area controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces in the northeast.

A number of speakers welcomed the recent establishment of the Independent Institution on Missing Persons and demanded a prompt implementation, to assist families in the search of their missing relatives. It was time to finally provide answers to the families of all those who went missing or disappeared during the conflict in Syria. The institution of proceedings by Canada and the Netherlands at the International Court of Justice was hailed as an important step towards accountability. To ensure accountability for international crimes, on a level of individual criminal responsibility, the Security Council needed to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court.

Speakers reiterated the need to cease all indiscriminate and direct attacks on civilians, and end torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. There needed to be a comprehensive ceasefire, and a political solution, in line with United Nations Security Council resolution 2254. Speakers called on all parties to the conflict to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need. The Syrian authorities were urged to create the conditions for voluntary, safe and dignified return of refugees.

Some speakers thanked the Commission for drawing attention to the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the civilian population. The Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on human rights had visited Syria last year and had noted the devastating impact of illegitimate sanctions on the humanitarian situation in Syria and key sectors of its economy.

A number of speakers said that the United States and Great Britain had imposed these measures on the people of Syria, fundamentally violating their rights. These countries should respect the sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic and lift these unilateral coercive measures.

Some speakers emphasised their support for a Syrian-owned and Syrian-led solution to the conflict, rooted in human rights and the respect for Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity. Country specific initiatives were confrontational and counterproductive. The human rights situation could be better addressed through genuine dialogue and cooperation, with respect for the principles of impartiality, objectivity, non-selectivity and non-politicisation.

Speakers asked the Commission: what more could be done to help the Syrian people? What further action could be taken by the international community to end the recruitment and use of Syrian children by armed actors? How could States most effectively encourage parties to the conflict to engage with United Nations Security Council resolution 2254?

Concluding Remarks

LYNN WELCHMAN, Member of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, said the States involved in the conflict should ensure that their allies at all times respected international human rights and international humanitarian law, by providing, among other things, training. Syrian civil society must be supported: women's groups, refugees' rights groups and others had been absolutely critical to the work of the Commission and other bodies. States must continue to support the work of Syrian women's rights organizations and others that fought the range of discrimination faced by women and girls, including in such areas as poverty. All organizations providing humanitarian relief, including medical services, must be supported, both in and out of the country. Syria must be kept as a high-priority issue - it was an awful crisis, and ongoing, and all must help to ensure an end to it.

HANNY MEGALLY, Member of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, said there had been a focus on the refugee crisis in questions, and the question around the Syrian State picking up returnees to Syria - there may be legitimate reasons for this, the problem was what happened to them, and if there was torture, arbitrary detention or disappearance, this was an issue which the Commission had to investigate. With regard to conducive situations on the ground for refugees to return in safety, this was related to the economic situation. The international community could again be of help in this context, but there should be some form of international monitoring of returns, such as by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, who could monitor returnees and what happened to them on return. Today these conditions did not exist, and that was why the Commission said Syria was not yet safe for return. On ways to end the economic decline, the Commission was not an expert in that field, but there were two aspects to the issue: if there was rule of law within the country, an end to corruption, an end to abusive laws relating to foreign currency, this would help; on the outside of the country, international aid should be provided unfettered, without hindrance, on a scale that met the needs.

PAULO SERGIO PINHEIRO, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, said with regard to how victims and families could best be represented, the driving force lay in family and women's organizations. He thanked all for the dialogue. He reiterated one main point: the conflict in Syria was not over, it was far from over, and in some places, it was getting worse. The Syrian people continued to suffer every day. Turning one's back on them or letting the status quo continue could add to increasing their present misery.

Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the information media; not an official record.

English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






China declares 'strategic partnership' with Syria as Xi, Assad meet in Beijing

Iran Press TV

Friday, 22 September 2023 11:07 AM

China's President Xi Jinping and his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad have met in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, unveiling a strategic cooperation agreement between the two nations.

Xi and Assad "on Friday jointly announced the establishment of the China-Syria strategic partnership," Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported.

The Chinese president told Assad that Damascus-Beijing ties "have withstood the test of international changes", noting that the China-Syria strategic partnership "will become an important milestone in the history of bilateral relations."

"Faced with an international situation full of instability and uncertainty, China is willing to continue to work together with Syria, firmly support each other, promote friendly cooperation, and jointly defend international fairness and justice," Xi added, according to a readout from state broadcaster CCTV.

The Chinese leadership further said, "China supports Syria in opposing foreign interference, opposing unilateral bullying, safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity."

For his part, Assad "thanked the Chinese government for everything you have done to stand alongside the Syrian people" during their plight.

He stated, "The visit is important in terms on timing and circumstances, as a multi-polar world is being formed today that will restore balance and stability to the world."

"I hope that our meeting today will lay the foundations for a broad and long-term strategic cooperation in various fields," he was quoted as saying by Syria's official news agency SANA.

This is Assad's first official visit to China since 2004, and comes as the country is recovering from a foreign-backed militancy that erupted over 10 years ago.

The visit will also see Assad attending the Asian Games opening ceremony on Saturday.

In May, Syria also returned to the Arab fold after the Arab League readmitted the country to the bloc after a 12-year suspension.

The Arab League suspended Syria's membership in November 2011, when the country launched a campaign to weed out the most violent militants trickling into the country from around the world.

Syria, one of the six founding members of the Arab League in 1945, denounced the move as "illegal and a violation of the organization's charter."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






'Important visit': Iran's Quds Force commander in Syria for joint drill

Iran Press TV

Friday, 22 September 2023 11:06 AM

The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' Quds Force has visited Syria on an "important" trip and supervised a joint drill, according to Iranian media reports.

The reports said General Esmail Qa'ani oversaw a joint Iran-Syria drill and visited several regions in a continuation of efforts to help Syria deal with military and security challenges. The reports did not provide any details about the nature or location of the drill.

In the Syrian capital Damascus, the commander also saw down for talks with senior officials and military commanders.

The reports quoted Qa'ani as saying during the visit that the US is the main root of chaos, terrorism and fighting in Syria, the region and the world.

"Syria and Iran are brother states and they enjoy significant, all-out and deep strategic relations. The Islamic Republic of Iran will be by the side of the Syrian people and leadership in dealing with challenges," he was quoted as saying.

Iran and Syria developed friendly relations after the 1979 revolution in Iran. Iran rushed to Syria's help following the breakout of foreign-backed militancy in the country in 2011.

Syria, assisted by Iranian military advisors as well as Russian warplanes that came to its help, has managed to retake most of the territory lost to foreign-backed militants and terrorist groups, including Daesh.

Iran's President Ebrahim Raiei paid a visit to Syria in May, during which he sat down for talks with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad as well as other top officials.

During the visit, a first by an Iranian president in over 10 years, Raeisi stressed that the Islamic Republic will stand by its Syrian brothers in the post-war era of reconstruction and development as was the case during the fight against terrorism.

The Syrian president also hailed Iran's support for Syria throughout the Arab country's conflict, and called for Iran to play a bigger role in the establishment of sustainable peace in the country and reconstruction of war-torn parts of Syria.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






UN HRC54: UK Statement on Syria

Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria. As delivered by UK Ambassador to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

22 September 2023

Thank you, Mr Vice President,

Thank you, Commissioners for your typically clear and detailed articulation of the human rights violations, war crimes and crimes against humanity that so tragically persist in Syria.

We must heed the evidence: the conflict in Syria is not over. The deaths of thousands in the February earthquakes brought no respite from attacks on innocent people by the regime and its allies.

Life-saving humanitarian aid for the same people who face indiscriminate shelling is at the whim of the regime. Once again, permissions for humanitarian access expire abruptly in the peak of winter. The international community must work together to seek sustainable, unhindered, immediate humanitarian access to those most in need.

Meanwhile, returning refugees face blackmail, arbitrary detention and ill-treatment by Syrian security forces. Many, including children, have gone missing on return. The regime says it would welcome the return of refugees from neighbouring countries. On the basis of this evidence, it cannot be trusted.

Civilian deaths, aid restrictions, arbitrary detention. Bashar al Assad has no regard for the lives of the Syrian people. We must not abandon them. So I urge our fellow members of this Council to join efforts to secure accountability for these crimes.

Thank you.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Reintegration of Karabakh Armenians into the legal field of Azerbaijan is the only way to ensure their security, Karina Yeritsyan, a member of the Karabakh Armenians Movement, told Trend.

"Those who still dream of 'independence' should realize that the situation has changed dramatically. Azerbaijan and Armenia are negotiating the signing of a peace treaty. In this context, the reintegration of Karabakh Armenians into the legal field of Azerbaijan is the only way to ensure their security. Karabakh Armenians must realize that their fate depends not on the United States, France, Armenia, etc., but on themselves. Foreign countries will not help. Instead, it is necessary to show a serious approach to reintegration and cohabitation in Azerbaijan," she added.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, suppression of large-scale provocations in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region, disarmament, and withdrawal of Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, localized anti-terrorist activities were carried out in the region.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) to cease anti-terrorist activities of a local nature under the following conditions: the formations of the armed forces of Armenia, Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm; the formations of the armed forces of Armenia leave the territory of Azerbaijan; Armenian illegal armed groups are dissolved.

At the invitation of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ramin Mammadov, responsible for contacts with the Armenian residents of Karabakh, met with Sergey Martirosyan and David Melkumyan as representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh on September 21, 2023, in Yevlakh.

In the context of discussing social and humanitarian issues, the representatives of the Armenian residents of Azerbaijan's Karabakh region informed that there is a special need for fuel. At the same time, they asked for humanitarian assistance in the form of foodstuffs.

As a result of the meeting, their request was taken seriously. In particular, it is planned to supply fuel for the heating systems of kindergartens and schools, as well as the emergency medical service and fire department, and to provide humanitarian support in the near future.
Xi, Assad announce China-Syria strategic partnership

Global Times

Cooperation to help improve livelihood of Syrian people after turmoil

By GT staff reporters Published: Sep 22, 2023 10:56 PM Updated: Sep 23, 2023 12:28 AM

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Friday jointly announced the establishment of a China-Syria strategic partnership, as the two leaders met in Hangzhou ahead of the opening of the 19th Asian Games, almost two decades after Assad's last visit to China in 2004.

Experts regard the move as being of great practical significance, as it will greatly support the improvement of Syrian people's livelihoods, which have long been ignored by the West.

In Hangzhou on Friday, Assad was seen with his wife visiting the Lingyin Temple, one of the largest Buddhist temples in China. Their surprise appearance was warmly welcomed by local tourists and sparked heated discussions on Chinese social media.

In videos widely circulating on Weibo, Assad and his wife were seen shaking hands and exchanging hugs with visitors with big smiles on their faces - demonstrating through concrete actions that different cultures and civilizations can respect and communicate with each other smoothly, experts said.

When meeting with Assad, Xi said Syria was one of the first Arab countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, and was one of the countries that co-sponsored the resolution to restore the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations.

Over the 67 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, the China-Syria relationship has stood the test of changes in the international situation, and their friendship has grown stronger over time, he said.

The establishment of the strategic partnership will be an important milestone in the history of bilateral ties, Xi noted.

Zhu Yongbiao, director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies at Lanzhou University, told the Global Times on Friday that the establishment of the partnership is of great practical significance to both sides, and offers vast potential for future development. It also carries symbolic meaning, as it comes at a time when Syria has been embroiled in prolonged turmoil, particularly against the backdrop of US sanctions.

For Syria, the establishment of a partnership with China is an exit from its diplomatic isolation, highlighting the failure of the US and its allies' efforts to overthrow Assad government, Zhu noted.

At the same time, it reflected the strategic autonomy of China's diplomacy despite the US' unilateral long-arm jurisdiction, the expert said.

During the meeting between both heads of state, Xi emphasized that China will continue to firmly support Syria on issues concerning its core interests and major concerns, work with Syria to safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and support Syria in opposing foreign interference, rejecting unilateralism and bullying, and safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China supports Syria in conducting reconstruction, enhancing counter-terrorism capacity building, and promoting a political settlement of the Syrian issue following the "Syrian-led, Syrian-owned" principle, Xi said.

China also supports Syria in improving its relations with other Arab countries and playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, he added.

Amid the accelerated trend of reconciliation in the Middle East, Syria was reinstated to the Arab League after it was suspended from the body 12 years ago.

The visit came six months after a China-brokered deal saw longtime regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran agree to restore diplomatic relations. China now becomes one of a handful of countries outside the Middle East that Assad has visited since 2011, media reported.

Xi and Assad's meeting is a valuable pillar of support for improving the lives of the Syrian people in the process of post-war reconstruction and economic recovery, Zhu noted.

"Over the past decade, the lives of ordinary Syrians have been severely affected, and their plight was deliberately ignored by the West. In contrast, China has provided diplomatic and economic support, providing Syria promising prospects for strengthening cooperation," the expert said.

In January 2022, Syria joined China's Belt and Road Initiative. Xi on Friday told Assad that China is willing to strengthen cooperation under the initiative with Syria, and also to increase the imports of high-quality agricultural products from Syria.

Assad told Xi that Syria sincerely appreciates the Chinese government for its valuable support to the Syrian people and firmly opposes any interference in China's internal affairs. Syria is ready to be China's long-term friend and partner, he added.

After the meeting, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation agreements, including the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, economic development exchanges, and technological cooperation.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Turkey Targets LGBTQ Community as Erdogan Touts Family Values

By Umut Colak, Hilmi Hacaloglu, Ezel Sahinkaya September 22, 2023

As the Turkish government has stepped up its pledges to protect family values, members of the LGBTQ community in the country say they increasingly feel targeted.

During his United Nations General Assembly speech in New York, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan argued that "the institution of the family" was under attack.

"Defending family and [the] institution [of family] means defending ... the future of all humanity," Erdogan said on Tuesday. "I call on all our friends to display sensitivity in protecting [the] family institution."

Having long espoused a conservative Muslim view of society, Erdogan insists that marriage can be sanctioned only between a man and a woman, and has encouraged women to have multiple children to build the nation.

On Thursday, he said he was uncomfortable with the color scheme selected to promote the U.N.'s 2023 Sustainable Development Goals on a banner near the steps of the U.N. building, criticizing them as "LGBT colors."

"How many LGBT are there in the world right now? However much right they have on these steps, those against LGBT have as much right as well," Erdogan told reporters.

Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, has toughened rhetoric against the LGBTQ community in recent years, as Erdogan has repeatedly called them "perverts" or "deviants." He also accused the opposition of being pro-LGBTQ during his election campaign in May 2023.

Increase in violations

"The atmosphere in Turkey has already turned into a witch hunt against LGBT+ people," said Yildiz Tar, editor-in-chief of KaosGL.org, an LGBTQ rights organization and news portal.

"We see that there is an increase in the number of rights violations on the streets every year, and that torture and ill-treatment are increasing among these violations," Tar told VOA. Kaos GL issues an annual LGBTI+ Human Rights Report, which monitors policies and activities targeting Turkey's LGBTQ community.

According to Kaos GL's 2022 report, there were 612 cases of torture, ill-treatment and personal integrity-related violations last year.

Authorities have banned the LGBTQ Pride march in Istanbul since 2015, citing security concerns. At least 113 people were detained in Istanbul during this year's Istanbul Pride march.

Tar said the political atmosphere "makes the LGBTQ lives much more difficult and increases violence against them while it creates tremendous disinformation about the LGBTQ existence and identities."

One example of disinformation rife in Turkey: anti-LGBTQ claims that various large Western streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime and Netflix a which Turkey's media regulator, the Radio and Television Supreme Council, or RTUK, frequently fines for "normalizing obscenity" and "undermining family values" a are promoting homosexuality via subliminal messaging.

"It's as if [they think a person] can become LGBT+ by imitating and watching a TV series," Tar said.

Anti-LGBTQ march

Last Sunday, over 200 NGOs from conservative and nationalist backgrounds organized "The Big Family Gathering" march in Istanbul to demand the closure of LGBTQ associations in Turkey and end what they call "LGBTQ propaganda and imposition."

The march was first organized last year, and the RTUK caused a controversy by allowing a public service announcement on the march. The RTUK also allowed a similar public service announcement on this year's march.

"The known lobby, which tries to cover up serious diseases like drug addiction, early ages of death, high suicide rates, and mental collapse caused by the LGBT lifestyle, will not be successful no matter what it does," the organizers said in their press statement during the march.

A video message from Alexander Dugin, a Russian ultranationalist political theorist who is often referred to as "Putin's brain," was screened at the march.

"My dear Turkish friends, I am very happy that you organized this meeting against the normalization of LGBT," Dugin said in his message. "I am very glad that people from different political parties and movements are participating here, because this is not just an issue of religious people trying to preserve traditional Islamic religious values."

Tar said last week's anti-LGBTQ march and Russia's anti-LGBTQ policies are strikingly similar.

"The slogan like 'End to the LGBT propaganda' is the exact same statement from the gay propaganda ban in Russia," Tar said.

Some have accused march organizers of inciting people to hatred and to commit hate crimes. However, Kursat Mican, the chairman of the Unity in Ideas and Struggle Platform, a leading organization behind the march, denied those accusations.

"Those people say freedom and liberty, and they make all kinds of propaganda to transform my family, to change my generation. However, when I try to defend my values to defend my family, when I try to defend my generation and children, they will say it is wrong," Mican told VOA.

"Without family, there is no nation, state or future. This needs to be seen. We are here for all families and humanity," Mican said.

Elective course on family

Days before the march, Turkish Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin suggested in a TV interview that universal human rights declarations should be discussed and possibly amended because these texts protect LGBTQ rights.

Tekin also announced that Turkey has introduced an elective course on "The Family in Turkish Society" as an anti-LGBTQ effort this school year.

"We want to raise a generation that can reflect the values and independence of this country to future generations. In this sense, we must fight in our own way," Tekin said.

While many anti-LGBTQ groups describe sexual orientation in the context of lifestyle choices and "values," Western medical and psychiatric associations regard sexual orientation as innate and part of normal human diversity. LGBTQ rights defenders say the proportion of sexual minorities remains constant from country to country a including those with punitive laws.

Erdogan's ruling AKP prepared a constitutional amendment proposal expected to be submitted to the parliament in October, as the new legislative year in Turkey begins.

AKP proposes changing the constitution's Article 41 to legally codify the definition of family as a unit composed of a marriage between a man and a woman. The amendment aims to remove any possibility of legal same-sex marriage in the future.

Tar thinks that the "Big Family Gathering" marches are designed to set the stage for that constitutional debate.

"Rather than being organic reactions, I think these marches are several events organized to ensure the legitimacy of the legal steps the government will take from now on," Tar said.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Czech Republic, Denmark and the Netherlands sealed an agreement in Ramstein on supplies of weapons to Ukraine

Ministry of Defence & Armed Forces of the Czech Republic

Author: by editorial staff (ob)

19.9.2023

Dozens of countries which militarily support Ukraine, have once again met at the Ramstein airbase. Led by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the meeting's agenda included current information from the battlefield and the future development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and its capabilities. The Czech Republic was represented by Deputy Minister of Defence Daniel Blazkovec, who signed the so-called Letter of Intent with Defence Ministers of Denmark and the Netherlands. This agreement, which provides for further supplies of mostly Czech weaponry to Ukraine with financial support of Denmark and the Netherlands, represents a great opportunity for Czech industries.

Specifically, this will involve deliveries of additional tanks, howitzers, small arms, infantry fighting vehicles, air defence capabilities and electronic warfare systems from our defence industries, Deputy Minister Blazkovec elaborated. Kyiv will obtain both modern Czech weaponry and refurbished equipment already in use with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The weaponry and ammunition will be in battle ready conditions and will be delivered to Ukraine in the coming months and in 2024. The aim is to establish a long-term cooperation and support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The first project involves the donation of 15 modernised T-72EA main battle tanks scheduled to be delivered to Ukraine shortly.

"This agreement will greatly benefit the development of the Czech defence industry and the Czech Republic's security as such. It will help Czech defence and security industries become even more competitive on the global market. At the same time, the projects will have a substantial economic benefit for the Czech Republic, including job opportunities for our citizens", Deputy Minister Blazkovec underscored.

For the Czech Republic, this is not the first endeavour under which it delivers weaponry funded by another state. Forty five units (out of 90) of modernised T-72 tanks have been already supplied to Ukraine as part of trilateral project with the United States and the Netherlands. In addition, projects have been underway to supply the MR-2 Viktor air defence systems and passive surveillance systems.

Such industrial projects in support of Ukraine are coordinated by the MoD Intergovernmental Defence Cooperation Agency (AMOS), which is a component of the Czech Ministry of Defence. "Our mission is to provide coordination among all involved stakeholders. We obtain information from Ukraine on currently required equipment, Czech businesses prepare their offers and we present the package to our international partners, who provide funding for the projects," AMOS Director Ales Vytecka explained.

According to Jan Jires, Director General of the MoD Defence Policy and Strategy Division, the reason to forge the LoI was the need to ensure a sustained international military support to Ukraine. "We concurred with our partners that continuing supplies of materiel from industrial stocks and from manufacture are of essential importance for the defence capability of Ukraine in the coming months," he said and added that the joint intention was to harmonise the initiative with urgent capability requirements of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and to identify military equipment that can be delivered with speed.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Defence Minister Martin SklenAr in Ramstein: Ukraine continues to need our support

Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic

19.09.2023

The 15th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) in the format of ministers of defence and senior military officials took place at Germany's Ramstein Air Base today, with the latest battlefield developments in Ukraine and the most urgent military needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces at the top of the agenda. Slovakia was represented at the UDCG meeting by Defence Minister Martin SklenAr.

In a statement, Defence Minister Martin SklenAr said: "Our dialogue with Ukrainian partners on specific requirements continues. The aim of the Slovak Republic and our foreign partners is to provide the most targeted support possible in favour of the Ukrainian counter-offensive. Ukraine is heroically defending itself against RussiaEs senseless aggression, it is fighting for our shared values, it is helping to protect our way of life, and, therefore, we will continue to look for ways to support its just fightback against Russia and to protect the lives of civilian populations."

As part of the international community's initiative to support Ukraine with artillery munitions, Minister SklenAr informed his partners that next year Slovakia's defence industry will see a threefold increase in the production of ammunition against today's production levels. In addition, he noted that Slovakia has initiated efforts to extend the service life of expired artillery rounds in the stockpiles of some countries.

On demining training and operations, the head of the Slovak Defence Ministry promised that the SVK Armed Forces are ready to provide Ukrainian forces with training, and announced Slovakia's plan to assist Ukraine more actively in the demining process by joining the Demining Coalition, the formation of which was launched by Lithuania's Minister of National Defence at the UDCG meeting earlier this July.

Speaking about the Demining Coalition, Defence Minister SklenAr said: "Its goal is to train and equip 10 battalions for humanitarian demining operations across UkraineEs liberated territory. In addition to the provision of demining training to Ukrainian soldiers, in this initiative we can also see opportunities for the SVK defence industry."

Furthermore, he informed his counterparts that ten BoAena mine-clearing unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) have already been delivered to Ukraine and that closer collaboration between the SVK-UKR defence industries to design a new howitzer system has been underway.

Since its formation at Ramstein AB in Germany on 26 April 2022, the U.S.-led UDCG has met regularly to explore ways to sustain long-term support to Ukraine in its fight against the aggressor.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Defence Minister Martin SklenAr meets new Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov for bilateral talks at Ramstein AB

Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic

19.09.2023

Defence Minister Martin SklenAr met Rustem Umerov, the newly appointed Ukrainian Defence Minister, for bilateral talks in the margins of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) at Ramstein Air Base today. On this occasion, Martin SklenAr congratulated Rustem Umerov on his recent appointment and assured him of Slovakia's stable position on and support to Ukraine.

The defence ministers used their first in-person meeting to review the progress of Ukraine's counter-offensive, Slovakia's military assistance, and Ukraine's current needs in its fight against Russia's aggression. The bilateral defence meeting confirmed that Ukraine remains interested in ammunition which it urgently needs to protect its civilian populations and support its counter-offensive against Russia.

"Of course, we deal with each request very intensely. We are looking for opportunities for further support, with considerations of our own capacities and needs in mind. Alongside military aid packages, an important form of support is ever more intense cooperation between [SVK and UKR] defence industry firms," Minister SklenAr said, noting that this type of cooperation will bring economic benefits to both countries insofar as it will boost the production capacity of equipment and ammunition needed by both Ukraine and Slovakia.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Statement by President Charles Michel at the UN Security Council debate on Ukraine

European Council / Council of the European Union

European Council

Speech

20 September 2023

Ukraine is a crime scene. The perpetrator is sitting in this very room. You know who you are.

The Kremlin dreams of restoring the old Russian empire. After Ukraine, who will be next? Who will be next to satisfy Putin's fantasy of the past? And if Russia succeeds in Ukraine, what other countries would be tempted to copy its actions?

At this crime scene, we also have the victim, the attacked. Ukraine and all Ukrainians, fighting a battle they did not start, defending their country against a war they did not want and protecting their children against suffering nobody deserves. Trying to save them from another horror of this war - their forced abduction to Russia. So-called 'adoptions'. In reality, these are deportations of children.

I ask you all, including the Russian representatives: could you bear having your child stolen and deported? Your child forced to forget your family, your language, your land? So-called 're-education'. In fact, this is an attempt at cultural genocide.

By defending their children, Ukrainians are defending what is most precious: their families, their future, their freedom. This is why we, the European Union, stand firmly with Ukraine to defend itself. As long as the innocent are attacked, we will help them to defend themselves. And we will stay by their side, for as long as it takes.

At this crime scene, we also have the witnesses, all of us around the world. And all of us, sitting right here, the witnesses in this Security Council. What have we done about this crime? What have we done about this aggression? What have we done as one of the permanent members attacks its neighbour? What have we done, as it wields its veto power against each of us, and against the core principles of the UN Charter?

Do we not sit together in this chamber for one reason, and one reason only? To protect peace and security for all people, no matter their country or continent.

Powerful and responsible nations simply cannot turn a blind eye to these crimes, because we all share a responsibility. A responsibility to end war and a responsibility to work for peace. A just peace that respects the UN Charter and its core principles, the territorial integrity of each sovereign nation. A just peace that will never last if crimes go unpunished.

This is why I would like to speak directly to each of you around this table. As responsible nations, we all have a role to play in building global peace and stability. I would particularly like to speak to the esteemed Chinese representative. You have warned Russia against the use of nuclear weapons, and we welcome this. Now we are asking you to go further. Let's join forces to persuade Russia to end this criminal war that is hurting so many. Let's join forces to convince Russia to respect the principles of the UN Charter.

The consequences of this crime extend across the globe and the Kremlin's latest cynical actions are only making things worse. By pulling out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, for instance. When you shoot missiles at grain silos in Odessa, they also strike Africa and kill the most vulnerable, destroying the lives of millions.

A tragic crime is unfolding before our very eyes. And we are witnesses, all of us. We must stand strong by the side of the attacked, especially right here in the Security Council. That is why this chamber was born and that is why we are here today: to say 'no' to aggression. To protect peace, security, and cooperation, between people and between all our nations.

Thank you.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Canada reaffirms our unwavering support for Ukraine for as long as it takes

Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau

September 22, 2023

Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today welcomed the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to Canada to showcase Canada's ongoing solidarity and unwavering support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russia's war of aggression.

The Prime Minister and the President held a bilateral meeting where they discussed Ukraine's military, financial, development, humanitarian, and other needs, now and into the future. Both leaders reaffirmed the two countries' partnership and advanced the development of shared long-term security commitments, discussed efforts to rebuild Ukraine, and highlighted the close ties between our peoples and shared values that unite our countries.

The Prime Minister announced Canada is shifting our approach to provide multi-year assistance and ensure Ukraine has the predictable support it needs for long-term success. He announced new military, economic, peace and security, and development assistance and investments for Ukraine, and the leaders signed agreements to strengthen our economic ties.

As part of this new multi-year approach, and to continue building on our military support for Ukraine, Prime Minister Trudeau announced:

A new investment of $650 million over three years to supply Ukraine with 50 armoured vehicles, including armoured medical evacuation vehicles, built by Canadian workers in London, Ontario.

He also announced the following allocation as part of the $500 million in funding for military assistance to Ukraine announced while he was in Kyiv in June 2023:

$76 million for 35 high resolution drone cameras and in-service support;

$30 million for the Leopard 2 Maintenance and Service Centre in Poland;

Support for the Joint Coalition on F-16 Training to support the training of Ukrainian pilots;

A large package of NATO-standard small arms ammunition; and

$33 million for a United Kingdom-led partnership that is delivering high priority air defence equipment to Ukraine, including air defence missiles to help Ukraine defend against Russia's missile and drone attacks, as announced earlier this week.

To support Ukraine's economy so it can withstand Russia's unjustifiable invasion and continue supporting the people of Ukraine, now and into a future beyond Ukrainian victory:

Canada will again provide substantial macro economic support in 2024;

Prime Minister Trudeau and President Zelenskyy signed the modernized Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA), which supports long-term security, stability, and economic development in Ukraine, while also ensuring high-quality market access terms for Canadian businesses participating in Ukraine's economic recovery. This will create good, middle-class jobs in both of our countries.

To maintain pressure on the Russian regime and those responsible for its war of aggression:

Prime Minister Trudeau announced new sanctions targeting 63 Russian individuals and entities complicit in the illegal transfer and custody of Ukrainian children, generating and disseminating disinformation and propaganda, as well as entities in Russia's nuclear sector already sanctioned by our international partners; and

Canada and Ukraine have agreed to work with international partners to establish a working group of eminent persons to provide advice to decision makers on the seizure and forfeiture of Russian assets, including Russian central bank assets.

To support peace, security, and stabilization for Ukraine, the Prime Minister announced an additional $8.3 million as follows:

$4.3 million to strengthen nuclear security measures at the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, replacing equipment destroyed or stolen during Russia's short-lived occupation of the site in 2022;

More than $1.7 million in new funding for Canadian NGO eQualitie to continue its work to enhance the cyber resilience of Ukrainian civil society to cyber attacks;

Approximately $2 million in new funding for Canadian NGO Parliamentary Centre to continue providing technical assistance and support to the Ukrainian Parliament; and

Approximately $250,000 for Ukrainian NGO Building Ukraine Together (BUR) to support a community-level youth engagement and recovery initiative.

In line with the priority needs of Ukraine, Prime Minister Trudeau announced an additional $34 million in development assistance for four multi-year initiatives supporting:

mental health

small-scale farmers and restoration of agricultural livelihoods

local infrastructure rehabilitation and reconstruction

technical assistance for inclusive recovery

Today's announcements bring Canada's total committed support to more than $9.5 billion in multifaceted assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of 2022, as well as the recent announcements made by the Prime Minister in July to renew and expand Operation REASSURANCE, part of NATO's defence and deterrence measures in Eastern Europe.

Russia must withdraw its troops immediately, completely, and unconditionally. Canada supports Ukraine's current initiative for a just and sustainable peace based on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and commends the key principles of Ukraine's 10 Point Peace Formula. A peace settlement must defend the UN Charter, be based in international law, and preserve Ukraine's territorial integrity. Peace must be based on respect for the facts and the rules.

Canada continues to condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia's war of aggression, both bilaterally and at the UN, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), NATO, the G7, the G20, and other multilateral forums. Canada will always stand with Ukraine and Ukrainians as they continue to defend their freedoms, independence, and democracy.

Quote

"Canada will stand with Ukraine with whatever it takes, for as long as it takes. As Ukrainians continue to fight for their freedom and their democracy, our support will be unequivocal until they are victorious. Slava Ukraini!" The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick Facts

The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, the Minister of National Defence, Bill Blair, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, MAlanie Joly, and the Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, Mary Ng for the extended bilateral meeting.

President Zelenskyy was accompanied by the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska.

During his visit to Canada, President Zelenskyy delivered an address to Parliament to thank Canada for its continued support. He will travel to Toronto to participate in a business roundtable with Canadian businesses and an event with Canadians, including the Ukrainian-Canadian community.

While in Ottawa, the First Lady of Ukraine engaged directly with researchers serving veterans and their families during a visit at the Royal Ottawa Hospital and the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, where she was joined by Minister of Veterans Affairs, Ginette Petitpas-Taylor, and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Ya'ara Saks.

The sanctions announced today build on 59 rounds of sanctions imposed by Canada since the start of Russia's full-scale, unjustifiable invasion in February 2022, bringing the number of individuals and entities sanctioned by Canada in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova to more than 2,700 since Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea in 2014.

Since February 2022, Canada has committed over $2.4 billion in military assistance to Ukraine. This includes eight Leopard 2 main battle tanks, one armored recovery vehicle, a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) with associated munitions, 39 armoured combat support vehicles, anti-tank weapons, small arms, M777 howitzers and associated ammunition, high-resolution drone cameras, winter clothing, and more.

Operation UNIFIER is Canada's military training and capacity building mission in support of Ukraine's Armed Forces. This mission was extended until March 2026 and has provided training to more than 38,000 Ukrainian military and security personnel, helping Ukraine restore its security and territorial integrity, and supports Ukraine's broader defence reform objectives, advancing its Euro-Atlantic ambitions.

In 2022, Canada's merchandise exports to Ukraine totalled $150.2 million, and merchandise imports from Ukraine totalled $271.2 million, an increase of 19 per cent over the previous year.

With these newly announced resources, Canada's total committed development assistance to Ukraine since January 2022 is over $171.7 million to continue supporting key priorities in Ukraine. The new funding comes from Global Affairs Canada's reference levels. Approximately $9.3 million of today's announcement is part of additional development assistance announced in Budget 2023.

Since Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, Canada has welcomed more than 175,000 Ukrainians and their family members. We are helping Ukrainian families find a safe, temporary home and have put in place support services for their arrival.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Readout of U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland's Meeting with Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin

Friday, September 22, 2023

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

U.S. Attorney General (AG) Merrick B. Garland hosted Ukrainian Prosecutor General (PG) Andriy Kostin at the Justice Department today. The two leaders discussed efforts to hold accountable perpetrators of war crimes and other atrocities and the importance of strong, independent anti-corruption institutions.

"The Justice Department and the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office are united in our resolve that the Russian perpetrators of aggression, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in Ukraine will not get away with them," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. "And the Justice Department will continue to stand beside our Ukrainian partners as they work to ensure the continuity of a justice system the Ukrainian people can believe in."

The meeting highlighted the important progress that the Department's War Crimes Accountability Team, in partnership with PG Kostin's Office, continues to make in its domestic investigations. The team also continues its support for Ukraine accountability efforts by providing Ukrainian prosecutors with operational assistance and advice including, recent training on environmental crimes and cooperation on victim witness issues. The AG also noted that earlier this month, the Department's War Crimes Accountability Team made its second set of contributions of Ukraine-related evidence to Eurojust's Core International Crimes Evidence Database.

The AG and PG also discussed the work of the newly appointed U.S. Special Prosecutor for the Crime of Aggression at the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine at The Hague as well as the work of the Department's Resident Legal Advisor in Kyiv, Ukraine. After reaffirming their commitment to these important efforts, the leaders identified areas for strengthened law enforcement cooperation, including efforts against cybercrime, organized crime, and community prosecution.

AG Garland reiterated the Department's commitment to work with Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) to support and strengthen efforts to target high-level corruption, through the Criminal Division's Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) Resident Legal Advisor in Kyiv.

The PG and Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Oksana Markarova then presented Attorney General Garland with the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise award that President Zelenskyy authorized for the Attorney General's steadfast support to Ukraine.

Also at the meeting was the Justice Department's Counselor for War Crimes Accountability, Eli Rosenbaum, who accepted the order of merit award presented by PG Kostin and authorized by President Zelenskyy.

Attorney General Garland also reaffirmed the Department's continued commitment to seizing and forfeiting illicit assets through the Department's Task Force KleptoCapture and efforts of preventing and disrupting critical technology from being acquired by the Russian war machine.

PG Kostin updated the AG on anticorruption efforts as well as the importance of efforts to recover and seek justice for Ukrainian children kidnapped and forcibly deported by Russia and the gravity of Russian war crimes against Ukrainian children and adults.

Component: Office of the Attorney General

Press Release Number: 23-1044

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Foreign Minister Tsahkna in New York: holding Russia's leadership to account should not be mere wishful thinking

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

22.09.2023

Yesterday 21 September, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna met with the UN's Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo and attended several events dealing with accountability. The focus of the meetings was on the creation of an international tribunal, and the situation of Ukrainian children in the war of aggression.

At his meeting with Under-Secretary DiCarlo, Tsahkna said that in a situation where the aggressor is holding the UN Security Council hostage and the council is paralysed, we must take steps to restore the work of the council. "This means we need to reform the council," Tsahkna said. He also noted that one of Estonia's priorities was to keep the international spotlight on Ukrainian children. "Here it is important that we can cooperate with other countries and organisations to make sure Ukrainian children get back home," the foreign minister said, adding that the issue of holding Russia's leadership to account cannot be mere wishful thinking; instead, it requires us to take real and practical steps.

Tsahkna and DiCarlo also spoke about the Black Sea grain deal and the possibility of exporting Ukraine's grain through the Baltic States.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna attended the informal ministerial meeting of the network of the International Criminal Court (ICC), thanking the ICC's prosecutor for his consistent work. "Since the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, the ICC has made great progress, launching an investigation into the war and issuing warrants for the arrest of Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova," the minister said. He also said that it was crucial to achieve political support for establishing the international special tribunal and maximum consensus across regions. "Our priority is that the organisers and perpetrators of all these crimes stand trial and are held to account, including Russia's leadership headed by President Putin," he added.

Tsahkna noted that Estonia's contribution to upholding international law was the candidacy of Andres Parmas to the International Criminal Court this year.

The foreign minister's speech at the informal ministerial meeting of the ICC - https://vm.ee/en/news/informal-ministerial-network-imn-international-criminal-court-icc

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran supports any initiative to end Ukraine war: Amirabdollahian

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 22, 2023

New York, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has said that Tehran welcomes and supports any initiative for the establishment of peace and ending the Ukraine war.

Amirabdollahian on Thursday local time held a meeting with the President of the United Nations General Assembly at its 78th session and Trinidad and Tobago's permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, Dennis Francis on the sidelines of the 78th UNGA session in New York.

Countries' attention to multilateralism is an important fact, and in this framework, your role is very key, and in this regard, it is very important that developing countries feel that their voice is heard in the UN General Assembly, Iranian Foreign Minister said to Dennis Francis.

AmirAbdollahian emphasized that the United Nations is a place where all governments can use it to speak their words and play an influential role, adding that we in Iran should strive to realize human, religious and moral values.

"I would like to emphasize that we do not consider war as a solution in relations between countries and we believe that differences and crises should be resolved through dialogue", Iranian top diplomat highlighted.

President of the United Nations General Assembly at its 78th session for his part in the meeting expressed satisfaction with this meeting and glorifying Iran's ancient and rich civilization.

Francis said that despite the complex conditions and high international tensions that everyone is trying to have his own position, we are trying to respect this diversity and at the same time help solve problems and make the world a better place for humanity and their children in the future.

He added that we will try to restore solidarity and trust in the UN General Assembly and help solve international issues and problems.

6125**7129

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (Modon) has signed a SAR500 million ($133.30 million) investment agreement with the Vaccine Industrial Company to set up a joint venture factory in Sadeer City.

The agreement aims to localise the manufacturing of vaccines and vital medicines in the kingdom, said a Saudi Press Agency report.

This agreement comes in line with Modon's strategy to create an integrated industrial and investment community to attract national and foreign investor partners and to reinforce its initiatives and efforts to enhance the sustainability of the industrial sector, in addition to increasing the pharmaceutical sector's share of GDP and raising the percentage of its exports, in line with the objectives of the national industry strategy to make the Kingdom an attractive hub for quality investments.

The 42,000 sq m plant will create around 150 new jobs and aims to achieve 20% export of seasonal flu, Covid -19, chickenpox, and rotavirus vaccines, in addition to pneumococcal and meningitis vaccines, given the strong demand for Saudi pharmaceutical exports in the Gulf and regional countries, the report said
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Armenians must look not to the west - toward Armenia - but to the east for a good life, member of the Karabakh Armenian Movement Georgy Arakelyan told Trend.

"As expected, Armenia abandoned us. All this is due to the fact that we were always strangers to them. Both in the Soviet years and after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In the 1980s, the ideas of "miatsum" were created only to come to power in Armenia by new political forces," he said.

"Just as in the 80s we were used and abandoned, so it is now. History repeats itself. I hope that the Armenians of Karabakh will finally understand that for a good life they need to look not to the west - to Armenia - but to the east," the activist added.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement [signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war], suppression of large-scale provocations in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region, disarmament, and withdrawal of Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, localized anti-terrorist activities were carried out in the region.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent [temporarily stationed in Azerbaijan under the trilateral statement], an agreement was reached on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) to cease anti-terrorist activities of a local nature under the following conditions: the formations of the armed forces of Armenia, Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm; the formations of the armed forces of Armenia leave the territory of Azerbaijan; Armenian illegal armed groups are dissolved.

At the invitation of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ramin Mammadov, responsible for contacts with the Armenian residents of Karabakh, met with Sergey Martirosyan and David Melkumyan as representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh on September 21, 2023, in Yevlakh.

In the context of discussing social and humanitarian issues, the representatives of the Armenian residents of Azerbaijan's Karabakh region informed that there is a special need for fuel. At the same time, they asked for humanitarian assistance in the form of foodstuffs.

As a result of the meeting, their request was taken seriously. In particular, it is planned to supply fuel for the heating systems of kindergartens and schools, as well as the emergency medical service and fire department, and to provide humanitarian support in the near future.
Lithuanian-Japanese ministerial defence consultations focus on increasing cooperation and assistance to Ukraine

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2023-09-22

International cooperation

Minister of National Defence Arvydas AnuAauskas met with Director General for International Affairs of the Bureau of Defense Policy of the Ministry of Defense of Japan Jun Miura visiting Lithuania on September 21-22. Expert-level consultations were held at the Ministry of National Defence for the second consecutive year strengthening the cooperation between the two countries.

"Deepening the cooperation is a natural step forward in the times of challenges posed to our countries by the Russian and Chinese activities and ambition. Expanding Lithuanian-Japanese relations are also reflected in the Lithuanian-Indo-Pacific Strategy Lithuania has unveiled this year," said Minister A. AnuAauskas.

J. Miura and his delegation of representatives of Japan's Ministry of Defense met with MoD Defence policy Director Vaidotas Urbelis who moderated the consultations, representatives of the Ministry of National Defence and MoD subordinate bodies, and toured Lithuanian Armed Forces units.

The countries agreed during the consultations to continue the regular development of the dialogue format and sharing data on the Russian and Chinese activities. Other topics discussed were military contacts and increasing cooperation in the area of training. Lithuania and Japan intend to continue consulting on cyber, have agreed to launch contacts in the area of hybrid security and defence industry and technology. The war Russia had launched and assistance to Ukraine were discussed extensively at the consultations.

The Lithuanian and the Japanese Ministries of Defence have agreed to the official wording of a Memorandum of Cooperation, the document is expected to be signed at the next meeting.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Poland stops sending weapons to Ukraine: PM

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:04, September 22, 2023

WARSAW, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Poland will not send weapons to Ukraine anymore, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Wednesday night.

The announcement came as Polish-Ukrainian relations became strained owing to the extension of a ban by Warsaw on Ukrainian grain import. The European Union last week lifted such restrictions.

Speaking on private TV channel Polsat News, Morawiecki said Poland was helping Ukraine but could not agree on any destabilization of the Polish market by grain imports from Ukraine.

The grain onto the Polish market had depressed prices and led the government to introduce price guarantees and ultimately the ban on imports, he said, adding that the transit of Ukrainian goods will be maintained.

Morawiecki also said that instead of sending weapons to Ukraine, Poland was now "defending ourselves."

On Thursday, Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller told the Polish Press Agency that the country would carry out previously agreed arms deliveries to Ukraine.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Biden announces new military aid for Ukraine amid Congress budget deadlock

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 15:06, September 22, 2023

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday announced a new military aid package worth 325 million U.S. dollars for Ukraine, including more air defense, while the U.S. Congress is struggling to reach a compromise to avert a federal government shutdown.

Biden announced the package during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Washington.

The package includes counter-airstrike systems, dual-purpose improved conventional munitions, and anti-tank weapons, among others, said the U.S. Department of Defence in a press release.

The package, however, does not include the longer-range ATACMS missiles Kiev wanted, which can strike up to 300 km away.

Zelensky earlier met with Biden, U.S. Congress members, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to discuss more aid for Ukraine, U.S. media reported.

The package is separate from the additional 24 billion dollars that Biden wants the Congress to approve for Ukraine, despite objection from some Republican representatives who intend to cut aid.

Since February 2022, U.S. military aid to Ukraine has totaled 43.9 billion dollars, according to U.S. government figures.

Aid to Ukraine has been one of the core issues in the Congress deadlock over the next financial year's budget, which may lead to a U.S. federal government shutdown after Sept. 30.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Poland to send older weapons to Ukraine to fulfill existing agreements: President

Iran Press TV

Friday, 22 September 2023 2:39 PM

Poland's president says his country will fulfill existing arms supply agreements with Kiev but it may only send more of its older weapons to the country.

President Andrzej Duda made the remarks to walk back his prime minister's comments about not providing Kiev with more weapons.

Prime Minister of Poland, Mateusz Morawiecki, said on Wednesday that the country is "no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons."

Duda said on Thursday that Morawiecki's remarks were "interpreted in the worst possible way."

"In my opinion, the prime minister meant that we won't be transferring to Ukraine the new weaponry that we're currently buying as we modernize the Polish army."

"As we receive the new weaponry from the US and South Korea, we will be releasing the weaponry currently used by the Polish army. Perhaps we will transfer it to Ukraine," the president added.

Poland, one of Kiev's closest allies, is also a key transit country for weaponry that the United States and other Western supporters are sending to Ukraine. Poland has already sent Ukraine 320 Soviet-era tanks and 14 MiG-29 fighter jets.

It has also signed multiple arms deals, including with the United States and South Korea, from whom it ordered K2 "Black Panther" tanks and K9 howitzers.

Warsaw's latest announcement about sending its outdated weapons to Ukraine comes amid a bitter spat with Kiev over a temporary ban on Ukraine's grain imports to a number of European countries.

Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine has closed off Black Sea shipping lanes used before the war, resulting in the European Union (EU) becoming a major transit route and export destination for Ukrainian grain.

The EU agreed to restrict exports to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia in May, seeking to protect farmers there who blamed the shipments for a slump in prices on local markets.

The European Commission announced last week that it would let existing restrictions expire. But Poland, Slovakia and Hungary said they will extend the ban.

In response, Kiev said it would file a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the ban.

Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's President, told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that "it is alarming to see how some in Europe, some of our friends in Europe, play out solidarity in a political theater - making a thriller from the grain."

Zelensky said that the nations involved "may seem to play their own role but in fact, they are helping set the stage to a Moscow actor."

His comments sparked immediate condemnation from Poland, with the foreign ministry summoning the Ukrainian ambassador to convey its "strong protest."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






First US Abrams tanks to arrive in Ukraine next week: Biden

Iran Press TV

Friday, 22 September 2023 6:46 AM

US President Joe Biden has announced that the first US Abrams tanks allocated for Ukraine will arrive there next week.

Making the announcement on Thursday during a White House meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Biden said his administration would continue to support the war against Russia.

Biden said he had approved the next tranche of the military aid to Kiev, which included additional artillery and ammunition, launchers and interceptors, and more anti-tank weapons.

The president agreed to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine in January. Before that, the US military had argued that US tanks would be of little benefit to Ukraine.

In prepared remarks addressing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Biden said the American leadership's support for Kiev is about "the future of freedom."

"America can never, will never walk away from that," he said. "That's why 575 days later, we stand with Ukraine, and we'll continue to stand with Mr. President."

"Mr. President, we're with you. And we're staying with you," he added.

Zelensky wins Biden support but faces US skeptics

Zelensky's visit to Washington on Thursday came as the Biden administration sent Congress a supplemental funding request that includes another $24 billion in military, humanitarian, and financial assistance for Ukraine.

Americans have already provided tens of billions of dollars of weapons and munitions to Kiev with Biden making the argument that Russia's protection of the pro-Moscow Russian-speaking people in Donbas is a threat to democracy globally, and Russian President Vladimir Putin would look to invade another country to stop NATO's encroachment if it successfully takes Ukraine.

US Republicans have a different view about the ongoing proxy war against Russia, seeing Zelensky, a comedian-turned-politician, as lacking the military knowledge to bring victory for the senile Biden.

Republicans in Congress, as well as some leading presidential candidates, including former President Donald Trump, have pushed back on the continued supply of weapons and munitions to Ukraine.

Those skeptics of Zelensky's chances of defeating Russia say it is not in the interest of the Americans to send tax-payers' money to be burned by Kiev's forces in its futile fight against the stronger Russian troops.

Republican lawmakers wrote to Biden ahead of Zelensky's visit, voicing their opposition to continued spending on the supply of lethal arms to Kiev.

The US-led Western allies began flooding Kiev with weapons and ammunition shortly after Russia launched its "special military operation" in the country in February 2022.

Moscow has repeatedly warned world leaders against the continued supply of weapons and munitions to Ukraine, pointing out that such measures will not stop Russian troops from defending its objectives and that arming Kiev would only prolong the war.

The Biden administration has so far spent more than $100 billion on the war in Ukraine, according to the White House.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Heavy Metal: The Radioactive Ammunition Headed For Ukraine

By Amos Chapple September 22, 2023

After U.S. President Joe Biden told his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, on September 21 that a new shipment of arms would arrive in Ukraine "next week," Zelenskiy replied that the package has "exactly what our soldiers need now."

Headlining the new delivery is the first shipment of U.S.-made Abrams tanks, which will presumably arrive with their controversial ammunition of 120 mm depleted uranium rounds.

Depleted uranium (DU) is a byproduct of the process to enrich uranium for use in nuclear fuel or weapons. The United States has vast stocks of the material, which is essentially nuclear waste that is 60 percent as radioactive as raw uranium. Beginning in the 1970s, the material began to be tested in sabot rounds -- dart-like projectiles fired from tank cannons designed to pierce the solid slabs of frontal armor used in Soviet tanks of the time.

The advantages of DU as an armor-piercing projectile are many, as are the controversies that have persistently surrounded its use.

Uranium is the heaviest naturally occurring element on Earth. A 10-centimeter cube of the metal weighs around 20 kilograms, giving it virtually unstoppable momentum and, when alloyed with small amounts of titanium, DU acquires steel-like strength.

Unlike tungsten projectiles, which squish or "mushroom" when they strike steel, DU anti-tank darts "self-sharpen" by shearing off their sides as they slam through armor. A final, macabre characteristic of the material is its propensity to vaporize into a superheated aerosol that explodes into a fireball after penetrating the target vehicle.

It is this toxic, radioactive aerosol especially that has led to decades of research, activism, and fears for what DU does to the environment and to people. Following the first Gulf War, the metal was blamed for the serious health issues suffered by veterans of the conflict that became known as "Gulf War syndrome."

A 2008 study by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs found no link between DU exposure and widespread health issues, and NATO concluded the same in 2005. Later research, however, has linked wartime DU exposure to extensive health problems including surges in cancer rates among soldiers and civilians exposed to the metal.

Britain has been supplying Kyiv with DU munitions to be fired from its Ukrainian-crewed Challenger tanks since early 2023.

In March the Kremlin responded furiously to the news that the shells, which Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed had a "nuclear component," would be supplied to Ukrainian forces.

Putin claims Russia has "hundreds of thousands" of DU projectiles in its armory and that "Russia will have to respond accordingly" to the munitions being supplied to Ukraine.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-us-war-invasion- russia-depleted-uranium-photos/32604793.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Canada Pledges More Military Aid As Kyiv Confirms Hitting Russian Black Sea Fleet HQ

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, Current Time September 22, 2023

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged an additional C$650 million (US$482 million) for Ukraine during a visit by President Volodymyr Zelensky to Ottawa as Kyiv announced a successful strike on Russia's Black Sea fleet headquarters in occupied Crimea.

The latest Canadian aid, to be delivered over a three-year period, would include some 50 armored vehicles as well as training for F-16 pilots, Trudeau told parliament. Canada has now committed over C$8 billion in aid to Ukraine since the start of Russia's invasion.

"Canadian support for Ukraine with weapons and equipment has allowed us to save thousands of lives," Zelenskiy said in an address to Parliament following his meeting with the president.

The pledge comes fast on the heels of a U.S. announcement made a day earlier while Zelenskiy was in Washington to send more aid to Ukraine.

Kyiv is preparing for a long war with Russia and needs continued Western military and financial support to beat back Moscow's forces. While support has remained high in Canada, home to one of the largest Ukrainian diasporas in the world, it has been sagging in the United States.

The U.S. Congress is currently debating whether to approve another $24 billion aid package to Ukraine that would cover the country's needs through the end of the year.

A $45 billion package approved in December is expected to be depleted soon. A faction within the Republican Party has opposed approving more support to Ukraine, holding up passage of the bill.

Future U.S. aid could hinge on Ukraine's progress in the war.

Missile Strike

A day after Zelenskiy's meetings in Washington with members of Congress, the Ukrainian military announced it had stuck the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Moscow-controlled Crimea.

Video on social media shows the headquarters on fire just as a missile slams into the building, causing an explosion. It is unclear if the fire was caused by a first missile.

"The Ukrainian defense forces carried out a successful attack on the command post of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in temporarily occupied Sevastopol," the military said.

The Russian Defense Ministry wrote on Telegram on September 22 that a member of the military is missing after the city came under attack by cruise missiles. The ministry had previously announced that one soldier was killed before updating its statement.

"Russian air-defense systems shot down five missiles while repelling an attack on Sevastopol," the ministry said. "Due to the attack by cruise missiles, the historical building of the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet was damaged."

RFE/RL's Crimea.Realities, a regional outlet of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, reported on September 22 that three powerful explosions were heard in the city, which is home to a large port used by the Russian Navy.

Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-installed governor of the Ukrainian peninsula illegally seized and annexed by Moscow in 2014, said in a series of Telegram posts that at least one missile launched by "the enemy" struck the headquarters. He did not give details on casualties.

Razvozhayev warned residents of the city on the southwestern tip of the peninsula that "another attack is possible," and urged them to stay in their homes and to not attempt to travel to the city center. He said that roads in the center had been closed.

"Those who are near the fleet headquarters, head to the shelters if you hear the siren," he wrote.

Razvozhayev asked residents not to post photos or videos on social media.

A few hours later, various Telegram channels reported that several explosions were heard in an area close to a thermal power plant in Sevastopol. The blasts occurred while rescue teams were cleaning up debris caused by the missile attack on headquarters.

The Krymsky Veter Telegram channel reported that the thermal power plant in Sevastopol was not damaged. Razvozhayev has yet to comment on the situation.

Ukraine has made striking targets in Crimea a priority in recent months. Russia supplies its forces fighting in southern Ukraine partially from Crimea, where it also has several bases.

To halt military and other critical supplies, like gasoline, from arriving in Crimea, Ukraine has been targeting a bridge connected mainlaind Russia with the peninsula.

Traffic on the bridge was halted on two separate occasions on September 22 amid bombing fears.

Meanwhile, Russia has restarted its systematic campaign of air attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure ahead of winter, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said on September 22.

During last winter, Russia targered power plants, transmission lines, and other critical infrastructure necessary to heat homes and buildings in an attempt to freeze Ukrainians into submission. It failed.

Renewed attacks will do no better this year, Shmygal said.

"We are much better prepared and stronger than we were last year," he said.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-black-sea-fleet- missile-strike-ukraine-grain/32604812.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Statement by Russian Defence Ministry

22.09.2023

The Kiev regime has launched a missile attack on Sevastopol this afternoon

In repelling the missile attack, Russian air defence systems shot down five missiles. As a result of the attack, the historic HQ building of the Black Sea Fleet was damaged. One serviceman reportedly went missing.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Statement by Russian Defence Ministry

22.09.2023

On 22 September 2023, at about 10:30 Moscow time, the Russian Armed Forces has foiled an attempt by the Kiev regime to launch a terrorist attack with aircraft-type guided missiles and UAVs against facilities on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Air defence systems on duty detected and destroyed one Ukrainian guided missile and two fixed-winged UAVs near the western coast of the Crimean Peninsula.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Canada Commits $482Mln in Military Assistance to Ukraine, to Send F-16 Pilot Trainers

Sputnik News

20230922

WASHINGTON, (Sputnik) - Canada will be providing Ukraine with C$650 million ($482 million) in military assistance over the next three years and will be sending F-16 trainers for Ukrainian pilots, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Canada on Thursday for a two-day visit. While in Ottawa, the President is set to deliver an address to the Canadian House of Commons and to participate in the signature of bilateral agreement with the Canadian government.

"Today, we were making a longer term, multi year commitment that provides predictable steady support to Ukraine. It will include $650 million over three years for 50 armored vehicles, including medical evacuation vehicles, that will be built by Canadian workers in London, Ontario," Trudeau said during his address at the House of Commons

Canada will also be sending F-16 instructors to train Ukrainian pilots, and to maintaining the donated fighter jets, Trudeau said.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Armenian residents of Azerbaijan's Karabakh will be provided with electricity and heat, the representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for Special Assignments Elchin Amirbayov told BBC radio, Trend reports.

He stated that the humanitarian situation in Karabakh is gradually improving, as both the Lachin and the Aghdam roads are actively used.

Amirbayov reminded that, on September 22, the Azerbaijani government sent four cargo trucks with humanitarian aid to Khankendi, which included food and hygiene supplies.

The official also said that Russian peacekeepers [temporarily stationed in Azerbaijan under the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] delivered humanitarian aid.

"We intend to continue providing the population there with everything they need. We are actively working with the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is evacuating the wounded persons. All other needs of Armenian residents of Karabakh, including access to electricity and heating, will be met," he added.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, suppression of large-scale provocations in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region, disarmament, and withdrawal of Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, localized anti-terrorist activities were carried out in the region.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) to cease anti-terrorist activities of a local nature under the following conditions: the formations of the armed forces of Armenia, Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm; the formations of the armed forces of Armenia leave the territory of Azerbaijan; Armenian illegal armed groups are dissolved.

At the invitation of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ramin Mammadov, responsible for contacts with the Armenian residents of Karabakh, met with Sergey Martirosyan and David Melkumyan as representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh on September 21, 2023, in Yevlakh.

In the context of discussing social and humanitarian issues, the representatives of the Armenian residents of Azerbaijan's Karabakh region informed that there is a special need for fuel. At the same time, they asked for humanitarian assistance in the form of foodstuffs.

As a result of the meeting, their request was taken seriously. In particular, it is planned to supply fuel for the heating systems of kindergartens and schools, as well as the emergency medical service and fire department, and to provide humanitarian support in the near future.
Russia Destroys Two More Leopard Tanks in Ukraine - Defense Ministry

Sputnik News

20230922

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukrainian forces lost up to 20 troops and two Leopard tanks in the Kupyansk direction over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry stressed, adding that the Moscow's troops also destroyed an ammunition depot in the same region on Friday

"In the Kupyansk direction, units of the 'Western' group of troops, supported by aviation and artillery fire, inflicted damage on the enemy in the areas of the settlements of Artemovka in the Lugansk People's Republic, Sinkovka, Berestovoye, and Ivanovka in the Kharkov region. The losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces amounted to 20 Ukrainian troops, two German-made Leopard tanks, and three vehicles," the ministry reported.

Moreover, Russia repelled four attacks, wiping out over 260 Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk and Krasny Liman regions near the settlements of Vodyanoye and Maryinka over the past 24 hours, the ministry said.

"Enemy losses [in the Donetsk direction] amounted to up to 200 Ukrainian soldiers killed and wounded, two armored combat vehicles and three cars, a US-made M-777 howitzer, a Giatsint-B and a US-made AN/TPQ-36 counter-battery radar," the ministry reported.

Russia also repelled two attacks by Ukraine in the Krasny Liman direction, the ministry said.

"[In this region] up to 60 Ukrainian soldiers, three armored combat vehicles, two pickup trucks, and two D-30 howitzers were destroyed," the ministry highlighted.

In addition, Kiev lost up to 110 military personnel, two armored combat vehicles and three pick-up trucks in the South Donetsk direction, the ministry said.

Furthermore, Russian air defense systems shot down 15 Ukrainian drones and ten HIMARS Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) shells over the past 24 hours, the ministry emphasized.

"The air defenses intercepted ten rockets of the US-made HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system. In addition, 15 unmanned aerial vehicles of the UAF were destroyed in the areas of Verkhnekamenka, Lisichansk of the Lugansk People's Republic, Staromikhailovka, Gorlovka of the Donetsk People's Republic, Ocheretovatoye, Chistopolye of the Zaporozhye region, and Novaya Kakhovka of the Kherson region," the statement said.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russia Predicts Further Ukraine-Poland Tensions - Kremlin

Sputnik News

20230922

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Moscow predicts that tensions between Kiev and Warsaw will increase, as well as with other EU countries, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Friday.

On Wednesday, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that the country is no longer supplying Ukraine with weapons as it is actively arming itself. In response, Ukrainian lawmaker Mykola Kniazhytskyi said that Poland continues to supply weapons to Ukraine. Commenting on the remark, government spokesman Piotr Muller said that Poland is supplying weapons to Ukraine only under the previously reached agreements.

"We see that there are certain tensions between Warsaw and Kiev. We predict that these tensions between Warsaw and Kiev will increase," Peskov told reporters, adding that tensions between Kiev and other European states will also increase over time, as it is inevitable.

Commenting on Poland's active arming, the official said that Poland is an aggressive country that interferes in other countries' internal affairs, adding that Moscow and Minsk are on alert.

Russia, Belarus Working on Joint Security Concept

Russia and Belarus are currently working on a joint security concept document, the Kremlin spokesman stated.

In April, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to develop a security concept of the Union State to "formulate the fundamental tasks of cooperation in the sphere of growing tensions on external borders of our states, the sanctions and information war unleashed against us" after talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

"As it was already mentioned at the highest level this work is underway," Peskov emphasized, answering a question about the current stage of the security concept of Russia and Belarus.

Putin-Erdogan Talks: No Progress Yet, Exact Date Not Fixed

There has been no progress on the talks between the Russian and Turkish presidents, and there is no exact date of future negotiations as of yet, the spokesman noted.

Earlier in the day, a source in the Turkish leader's administration told Sputnik that Ankara is counting on phone conversations between Putin and Erdogan on the grain deal in the coming days.

"No, there is no progress yet. There is also no exact date for the conversation, currently it is not in the schedule. But you know that conversations between Putin and Erdogan are coordinated in a matter of hours, so there will be no problem if such is necessary," Peskov told a briefing.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Justin Trudeau signed an updated Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and Canada

President of Ukraine

22 September 2023 - 22:47

During the working visit of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Canada, bilateral documents were signed.

In particular, the Head of State and the Prime Minister of Canada signed an updated Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and Canada.

The document will facilitate the creation of a new favorable climate for economic relations between the two countries, for the development of trade in goods and services, investment, the formation of a developed competitive market economy in line with national priorities, the development of its key industries, the implementation of systemic reforms and the improvement of the overall well-being of the population.

Also, in the presence of Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Justin Trudeau, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between Ukrhydroenergo and AECON Construction Global Services Incorporated on cooperation in the construction of hydroelectric power plants in Ukraine.

The document provides for the study of the possible participation of the Canadian AECON in the construction of Kaniv PSPP and Kakhovka HPP.

The memorandum was signed by Ihor Syrota, CEO of Ukrhydroenergo, and John M. Beck, founder and chairman of AECON Group Incorporated.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






President of Ukraine meets with Prime Minister of Canada in Ottawa

President of Ukraine

22 September 2023 - 18:57

A meeting between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau has begun in Ottawa.

The leaders will hold one-on-one and expanded negotiations.

"Thank you for your support since the first days of the full-scale war - these are phone calls, as well as real steps by your government and all Canadians. Thank you to your beautiful country! I want to thank you for sheltering Ukrainians in this difficult period and helping us on the battlefield with military, financial and humanitarian aid. Thank you for standing with us, for standing for our victory," the Head of State said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Justin Trudeau will discuss Ukraine's defense needs, further financial and humanitarian support for our country, as well as expanding opportunities for economic and investment cooperation.

The President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Canada will take part in the signing of bilateral documents and meet with media representatives.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






To prevent universities and libraries from burning anywhere in the world, evil and aggression must be punished - Olena Zelenska during her visit to Georgetown University

President of Ukraine

22 September 2023 - 16:03

As part of the visit to the United States, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Pentagon Memorial in Washington, D.C., in honor of the 184 victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the U.S. Department of Defense headquarters.

"We in Ukraine understand this pain well, because our country is experiencing daily terror against peaceful cities, homes, hospitals and community centers by Russia. We know how important it is to stop this evil so that no one else dies. Ukraine stands with the United States. The United States stands with Ukraine," the President's wife said.

In addition, Olena Zelenska visited Georgetown University. It is the oldest university in Washington, D.C., and the oldest Catholic university in the United States. It was founded in 1789.

Among the alumni are 12 heads of state, including the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton. In addition to Bill Clinton, Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service has been graduated by former Lithuanian President Dalia GrybauskaitA, former European Commission President JosA Manuel Barroso, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Paula Dobriansky, former White House spokesman Ned Price, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst, and other high-ranking officials.

In 2022, Ukrainian students founded the Ukrainian Club at Georgetown University. It has 50 members, 20 of whom are ethnic Ukrainians.

The university administration maintains friendly relations with the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States. In particular, on the first anniversary of the start of full-scale Russian aggression, the university hoisted the Ukrainian flag on its main administrative building.

Olena Zelenska thanked the leadership of the institution and students for their solidarity with Ukraine in the fight against the invader. The President's wife noted: "In Ukraine, the school year began with air raids, with a risk to the lives of educators and students. People often ask: "What is Ukraine defending, what is it fighting for?" Actually, it is for this very thing. For young people to be able to study and live in their country in peace, not to die under bombs on their streets, and for teachers to be able to teach. I believe that with the support of all caring people in the world, future leaders like the Georgetown University students I met today, it will happen," she said.

The First Lady also opened a Ukrainian bookshelf at the university, donating books on the history of literature and more. Thus, the United States became the 40th country to participate in the First Lady's Ukrainian Bookshelf project, which has already donated 47,000 Ukrainian books to libraries around the world.

"Information about Ukraine comes not only from the news, but also from books, from our literature, history, philosophy - primary sources for long and thoughtful reading and understanding. For those who want to know more about us from us. Today I am pleased to open a shelf at the friendly Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where there are always many Ukrainian events and meetings. The future leaders of the United States and the free world study here, and their awareness is important not only for them, but also for the entire international community," Olena Zelenska emphasized.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






President met with the most influential American entrepreneurs

President of Ukraine

22 September 2023 - 12:41

During his visit to the United States, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the most influential American entrepreneurs and heads of major foundations.

The meeting was organized with the assistance of JP Morgan, the world's largest investment bank. The total value of assets under management of the funds whose managers participated in the event exceeds $30 trillion.

In particular, the meeting was attended by Bloomberg LP founder Michael Bloomberg, Pershing Square Capital CEO Bill Ackman, Starwood Capital Chairman Barry Sternlicht, Citadel LLC founder Kenneth Griffin, Blackstone President Jonathan Gray, BlackRock Vice Chairman Philipp Hildebrand, Schmidt Futures Chairman Eric Schmidt, Kraft Group Chairman Robert Kraft and others.

The parties discussed the prospects for attracting the largest American business to rebuild Ukraine and implement investment projects.

American businessmen and financiers have confirmed their readiness to make large-scale investments in Ukraine as soon as the war is over and security guarantees are in place.

The President also had a separate meeting with Larry Fink, Chairman of BlackRock, the world's largest asset management company.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Speech by the President and the First Lady of Ukraine to the U.S. government and business representatives, media and Ukrainian community

President of Ukraine

22 September 2023 - 12:02

President:

Please...

First Lady:

Thank you. Dear friends! Volodymyr and I have never made such addresses before. But never before has our country had such reasons to be grateful.

There were different times in the long history of the Ukrainian people. Ukrainians did not stop fighting for freedom - this is in the character of our men and women. Equally.

Now I am not afraid that Ukrainian freedom will fall. In general, freedom will never fall again. The world can be sure of that, because it can be confident in America.

President:

This Monday, after arriving in New York, my team and I immediately went to Staten Island - to the hospital where our guys - our heroes, who were seriously wounded in battles, are recovering. Soldiers, sailors, sergeants... Ordinary guys. Some of them are now learning to walk again. They get used to prostheses. But they are the ones who would not agree to the occupation.

They are strong guys - with brave spirit. I am proud of our soldiers! Each of them. And what I noticed there, during the meetings with the doctors of the Staten Island University Hospital... in their eyes... I noticed that the people who work there, in the hospital, and return our guys to a normal life, - Americans, - they are also proud of Ukrainian warriors.

Never before have Americans been so proud of the power and strength of Ukrainians. Thank you so much!

It's a big privilege to be here. Thank you! Dear friends!

Dear Americans!

Among the documents I saw here today at the National Archives of the United States, was a telegram from Abraham Lincoln to General Grant. An inspiring document... Absolutely.

"Hold on with a bulldog grip, and chew and choke as much as possible," - President Lincoln's words reflect the courage and faith that helped America. Such words reflect exactly how Ukrainians fight. In our victorious battles for Ukraine and Kharkiv and the Snake Island in the Black Sea. In our battle for Bakhmut, where our soldiers are pressing forward - no matter the challenges. In our battle for every inch of Ukrainian land.

Every day of this war, Ukrainian soldiers hold-on with the grip of a bulldog. They chew and choke the Russian occupiers as much as possible. Never before has the Russian dictatorship met such strong resistance. And never again will Russia manage to destroy any other nation.

Putin's list was long. Just recently. After Ukraine, if we fall, half of Europe would again be in danger of being in Moscow's sphere of influence.

But American investment in Ukrainian security and global protection of freedom is working. One hundred percent. Every cent. Now Putin's list of goals is different - instead of dictating terms to America, Europe and the whole free world, Putin is forced to humiliate himself by personally entertaining a delegation from Pyongyang and trying to find favor with Tehran. This is his clear weakness. Yes, it's true.

Ukraine pays the highest price for defending freedom and global security. Every day and night our soldiers sacrifice their lives holding their ground in the trenches on the front line. They lose their comrades in battle. They lose limbs tripping Russian mines. Every day and night, Russia continues its terror with missiles and Iranian drones. But every day and every night, our unity stays strong. You support us. And we know we shall not fall. And we see how our freedom keeps the snatch of a bulldog. And we are confident that other nations will not have to throw their armies into this battle, because Ukraine is capable of ending this war with a victory that will become our common victory. It is not the evil empire, but the lack of unity that can bring freedom to its knees. We will do everything to ensure that our unity - the unity of Ukraine, the United States and the entire free world - becomes stronger than ever before. And that all people, women and men, adults and children, every family... People's desire to live and not the artillery or missiles, would determine life on Earth.

First Lady:

Over the past year and a half, we've all experienced many important things. And we did many things for the first time.

I personally made my first official visit to the U.S. a year ago and spoke in the Congress.

At that time, my husband could not leave Ukraine for a foreign visit - while the fate of Ukraine was yet to be decided. Never before has the First Lady from another country addressed the Congress.

And never before had asked for weapons to defend her country.

But, even if we do something for the first time, something extraordinary, and it is for the sake of salvation - it delivers the response.

I saw the tears of senators and congressmen. This proved better than words - we value life equally. It is equally important for us that life wins.

The stories of Ukrainian children killed by Russian missiles, which I told Congress about, are not out there somewhere. They are here.

Perhaps never before has the world felt so strongly that global means small. That the trouble of some is the trouble of all, that violation of rights in one end of the world is violation of the rights of all.

I returned home with your support, with weapons - such as anti-aircraft defense that gives protection to our people - adults and children... Such was our path to the "Patriots" in Ukraine. And thousands of lives have now been saved. This is so important - when the Congress hears, when America hears!

I came back with the feeling that we understand each other.

President:

Today, there are different people here - doctors and soldiers, politicians and businessmen, adults and children... Ukrainians, Americans. There is not a single soul here today who would not care what happens to freedom. And there is not a soul in Ukraine that does not feel gratitude to you, America. To you - the people who help us not because you have to, but because your heart cannot let you do otherwise. Thank you. That is humanity. This is what makes us Ukraine. That's what makes you America.

Today, we're here together with Olena to express gratitude to all of you, to the Americans - ordinary people who have done and are doing extraordinary things at the call of their hearts. American hearts beat just like the hearts of Ukrainian people. And all the most important historical achievements of nations are a reflection of whether people are capable of being extraordinary for the sake of life, for the sake of freedom. Never before in human history has this been more vital than it is now.

I want you all to know that America has saved millions of Ukrainian lives. Millions! Men and women, children and adults, in cities and in villages... Millions of Ukrainian children can now be with their mothers... Men on the frontline now hear their children waiting for them in cities and villages deep in the rear. It is possible because most of Ukraine is free. And we must free all of our land, our people. And I thank every American, everyone in the world who is helping, for every life saved in Ukraine.

Today here is Ivan. Hi, Ivan. Please, come. We see you. A Ukrainian boy, he is only 17 years old. He lost his leg when a Russian tank crushed the car his family was traveling in. His stepfather died then, his mother was wounded. Now Ivan not only walks and runs, he surfs and knows that he has a chance for a full life.

Today here is a Ukrainian girl Sasha, she is 10 years old. Her family tried to leave Bucha at the beginning of the Russian invasion. Russian soldiers fired at the car - Sasha received a serious injury to her hand. There was a long time of treatment and rehabilitation. According to the "Unbreakable" program - just like Ivan - now Sasha also has a full life ahead, I am grateful for that.

Grateful for thousands of such children and adults who were helped by American doctors!

We want to thank all the doctors!

President:

Here is Peter Harsh, a doctor. Where is Peter? Thank you. Who helped Ivan and many other boys and girls, men and women. Here is Yakov Granidar, a doctor. Please, Yakov, come to us. A co-founder of a foundation that gave a chance for a full life to more than a hundred Ukrainians. Here is Genadii Fuizailov, professor of Harvard Medical School, doctor, founder of the foundation that provided treatment for children with extremely serious burns. Here is doctor Robert Montgomery. He himself lives with a donor heart, and at the same time he travels to war-torn Ukraine and helps people's hearts to beat - he operates himself. Here is Michael Corcoran, a doctor, the founder of medical clinics. He has been helping the military for a long time. Here is Oksana Jackson, a pediatric plastic surgeon. Since 2013, she has been coming to Ukraine to operate on children. After the start of the war, her patients became soldiers who needed facial operations. Here is Walter Ulrich, chief of a charitable organization that supplies medical equipment to Ukraine. More than 175 tons of such equipment are already saving lives. Thank you so much. Here is Vitaliy Dubil, who helps hospitals in Ukraine, in particular, the largest children's hospital located in Kyiv, as well as military doctors of our country. Here is Alla Lopatkina, the president of the foundation that sends ambulances and fire trucks to Ukraine, dozens and dozens are already in Ukraine. Here is Yuriy Deichakivskyi, cardiologist, volunteer, man who helps...

If America did not have such people, there would be no freedom left in the world but for such great hearts.

First Lady:

We said that this defense conducted by Ukraine is a protection of values. Such as a right to life and personality. These are not only physical things, but also intangible values. The defenders of Ukraine are very different people - of different views, beliefs, or not religious at all.

But they all clearly feel that they are fighting against evil. Against the worst that might be borne within a human - a conscious effort to kill, destroy, grab, enslave. Therefore, it is also a spiritual battle. Sincere gratitude to everyone who fights together with us in spiritual dimension and dimension of values.

I have the honor of knowing Archbishop Borys Hudziak personally. And he is known to thousands of Ukrainians - soldiers, displaced persons, and many others whom he helps. And young people who, thanks to him, get a great education.

And also here is the rector of the Church of St. Andrew and chaplain of the US Air Force Volodymyr Shtelyak and our honorary consul in the city of Seattle and pastor Valery Holoborodko... Leaders of their communities who help others.

First Lady:

I would like to invite to join us Mr. Peter Gelb, the general director of the "Met" - the legendary New York Opera, - which has become one of the largest centers of support for our fight with the language of art. Peter's tremendous work has helped us to achieve the cultural solidarity we need - a culture that fosters freedom, that gives strength to stand in the struggle.

President:

Thank you so much. Here today are the leaders of the Ukrainian community in America, activists, volunteers, benefactors. Michael Sawkiw, Andriy Futey, Yaroslav Dzwinyk, Iryna Mazur, Lilia Popovych, Jonathan Freedman, Maryna Bayduk, Dora Chomyak, Nadia Shaporynska, Iryna Vaschuk, Cristopher Michael Manson.

Those who work tirelessly 24/7 to help and bring the time of our victory closer. Thank you so much.

President:

I remember how the journey of confidence that we are on now began. When I spoke with President Biden early in the morning on February 24, 2022, the first day of the Russian invasion, the world did not really believe in Ukraine. The endless columns of Russian tanks and vehicles that invaded our territory seemed invincible to many in the world. But I assured President Biden then, that we - in Ukraine - will not give up. And he assured me that America will be with us as long as it takes. The United States Congress supports us. The President supports us. People support us. Ukraine will always be grateful for this. Never before has there been such a powerful unity between Ukraine and America. But what could be more convincing than when even America's children are eager to help defend freedom?

Ryan, Mr. Hirschhorn, please join us! Ryan is a strong man, he is 13 years old. Together with his father he launched a very inspiring project - using hearts. It is a blue and yellow sculpture that reminds other people, other communities and nations what freedom is all about. This project fundraised big donations to buy medical equipment for Ukrainians. Ryan could just spend time with a PlayStation - he's a real man, but he's a teenager. But Ryan has a strong, great heart, golden heart, such hearts take freedom seriously, they don't just play with it. Thank you, Ryan! Thank you, our friend!

President:

It is a great privilege to honor all of you with state awards of Ukraine! On February 24th, we in Ukraine could not have known that we would be supported by so many people and such kind of people! But now we see it could not be otherwise. Ukrainians, Americans - we do not betray ourselves, we do not betray freedom.

Let our open hearts win! And now I ask everyone to applaud every great heart!

President:

Thank you America! God bless America!

 NNN!

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Volodymyr Zelenskyy on strengthening Ukraine's long-range capabilities: The moment will come - we will all see it

President of Ukraine

22 September 2023 - 10:30

Ukraine is working hard to obtain long-range weapons, and the results of this work will be visible in some time. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy while speaking to Ukrainian journalists in Washington.

The Head of State noted that he had important meetings in the U.S. capital. In particular, he had extremely frank conversations with American congressmen.

"They received all the answers," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

The President noted that during the meeting with the congressmen, certain plans were discussed, as well as the assistance Ukraine needs.

"The White House also noted that we talked to the congressmen. The Pentagon also addressed me with this issue. My voice is heard, and it is necessary to have such direct conversations," the Head of State noted.

Regarding the prospects of providing Ukraine with ATACMS, Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that it is generally about boosting Ukraine's long-range capabilities.

"We have been working on this issue for a very long time and very hard. And it will be the same as with F-16s. We understand what will happen. And the moment will come when we will all see it," the President summarized.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






We will work together for Ukraine to produce the necessary weapons together with America - address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

President of Ukraine

22 September 2023 - 04:37

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

It was a very important visit to Washington, with very significant results.

I met with President Biden and his team. There is a new defense package: air defense, artillery, shells, engineering equipment.

There is also a long-term agreement - we will work together for Ukraine to produce the necessary weapons together with the United States.

This is a new level of our unity! Co-production in the defense industry with the United States is a historic thing. A new industrial base, new jobs for both our nations. In particular, Ukraine will be able to produce air defense systems. We are preparing to create a new defense ecosystem together with the United States to produce weapons to further reinforce freedom and the protection of life together.

This will yield global positive results. Thank you, Mr. President Biden!

I thank the Congress - both parties, both houses. Today, I started my day in the American capital with the Congress - with very frank, detailed conversations. I felt trust - trust that is always the basis of unity. There were clear, straightforward questions from members of the House of Representatives and senators. There were straightforward answers. It is a priority for Ukraine to have the necessary transparency in our relations with America.

There were meetings today at the Pentagon as well - important conversations about defense support. Important agreements were reached.

Government officials have been quite busy. In particular, today the Ministry for Strategic Industries, Minister Kamyshin, signed cooperation agreements with three key associations. More than 2,000 defense companies are American companies. We are engaging them to work in Ukraine. We have a memorandum on energy cooperation. Today we discussed fundamental things about Ukraine's recovery after the hostilities.

We also discussed strengthening our state's institutions to clear Ukraine of any hostile and corrupt influences. There is a value-based decision to return to Ukraine the artifacts stolen by the occupiers - items from the Scythian period.

The First Lady had some important events today. She met with the First Lady of America, Jill Biden. Georgetown University - meeting with students, expanding our cultural diplomacy. The 40th Ukrainian bookshelf. Then in the evening, together with Olena, we addressed all Americans - political leaders, members of Congress, and ordinary Americans who have done so many extraordinary things to help our people, Ukrainian children, our Ukrainian families, and our warriors. Thank you, United States, thank you, America!

And we keep working to strengthen Ukraine. Thank you to everyone who helps us! Glory to all our warriors!

We will definitely prevail!

Glory to Ukraine!

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Ukraine Claims Responsibility for Striking Russian Navy Headquarters in Crimea

By VOA News September 22, 2023

Ukraine claimed responsibility for a missile attack Friday on the headquarters of Russia's navy in Crimea, delivering a major blow for Moscow as it suffers a string of attacks on the strategically significant port in recent months.

"The headquarters of the fleet have been hit in an enemy attack," said Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-installed governor of Sevastopol.

Video footage on social media showed plumes of thick smoke coming out of the Russian naval headquarters in the region.

"Ukraine's defense forces launched a successful attack on the headquarters of the command of the Black Sea fleet of Russia in the temporarily occupied Sevastopol," the Ukrainian army said on Telegram.

According to Russia's defense ministry, one serviceman was missing. The ministry reported that its historic headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet were damaged.

The Crimean Peninsula was simultaneously hit by an "unprecedented cyberattack" on its internet providers, said Oleg Kryuchkov, an adviser to the Crimea governor.

Ukraine has increasingly targeted naval facilities in Crimea in recent weeks, while the brunt of its summer counteroffensive makes slow gains in the east and south of Ukraine, the Institute for the Study of War said Thursday.

Military experts say it is essential for Ukraine to keep up its attacks on targets in Crimea to degrade Russian morale and weaken its military.

The attack came a day after Russia pounded cities across Ukraine with missiles and artillery strikes, killing at least five people.

A Russian attack injured 13 people in a town west of the Ukrainian city of Donetsk, close to Ukraine's eastern front, a local official said early Friday.

Two airstrikes on the town caused a fire, Roman Padun, the administrative head of the town of Kurakhove, told public broadcaster Suspilne.

Russia and Ukraine have recently experienced "unusually intense" attacks "deep behind their lines," the British Defense Ministry said Friday in its daily intelligence update on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In the last four days, the ministry said there have been reports of explosions at Russian logistics sites, air bases and command posts in Crimea, the Russian Krasnodar region and near Moscow.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials said Thursday that Russian forces carried out aerial attacks on multiple cities overnight, killing at least two people.

Ukraine's military described the Russian action as a "massive missile attack on the civilian infrastructure of a number of regions."

Oleksandr Prokudin, the regional governor of Kherson, said a Russian strike hit a residential building, killing two people and injuring five others.

Serhiy Popko, the head of Kyiv's military administration, said on Telegram that debris fell on the Ukrainian capital after air defenses shot down Russian missiles.

Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said seven people were injured and several buildings were damaged.

In northeastern Ukraine, the regional governor of Kharkiv, Oleh Syniehubov, said at least six Russian strikes hit the city of Kharkiv and damaged civilian infrastructure.

Russia said Thursday it destroyed 19 Ukrainian drones over the annexed Crimean Peninsula and nearby Black Sea.

The Russian Defense Ministry said it downed three Ukrainian drones over the Kursk, Belgorod and Orlov regions of Russia.

Poland tensions

On Friday, Poland's prime minister told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy not to "insult" Poles, sustaining harsh rhetoric toward Kyiv despite the Polish president's efforts to defuse a dispute over grain imports.

Brewing tensions between Poland and Ukraine over grain imports will not significantly affect good bilateral relations, Polish President Andrzej Duda said Friday at a business conference. "I have no doubt that the dispute over the supply of grain from Ukraine to the Polish market is an absolute fragment of the entire Polish-Ukrainian relations."

Tensions have been growing between Poland and Ukraine since Warsaw started it's temporary ban on imports of grain from Ukraine to protect Polish farmers.

Ukraine pushed for a deal with Poland Thursday to end the grain restrictions.

In his address to the United Nations General Assembly this week, Zelenskyy said Kyiv is working to preserve land routes for the export of grain, but he added that the "political theater" surrounding the import of grain only helps Moscow.

"I ... want to tell President Zelenskyy never to insult Poles again, as he did recently during his speech at the U.N.," Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki was quoted as saying by state-run news agency PAP.

Poland said Thursday it will only supply Ukraine with previously agreed upon deliveries of ammunition and armaments.

The statement from a government spokesperson came a day after Morawiecki announced an end to weapons transfers to Ukraine as Poland works to arm itself "with the most modern weapons."

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, September 23. The Azerbaijani Army is providing security for the local Armenians in Karabakh, Spokesperson for the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, Colonel Anar Eyvazov said, Trend reports.

He has made the remark within the framework of the visit of military attaches accredited in Azerbaijan to the city of Shusha.

Right now the engineers of the Azerbaijani Army are clearing the area, and also provide food, water, heating for local Armenians that live here. The process is ongoing.

We have also established temporary camps in Kalbajar, Fuzuli, Aghdam, where we provide humanitarian needs for people in need, he said.

Eyvazov reminded that on September 19, four Azerbaijani policemen were killed by a mine blow on the Ahmadbayli-Fuzuli-Shusha road.

Later that day, two servicemen were shot by the illegal Armenian armed forces, which were acting on the territory of temporarily deployment of Russian peacekeepers. After that, Azerbaijani Armed Forces undertook local anti-terror measures, which lasted less than 24 hours. This resulted in an agreement that the disarmament of the Armenian armed groups will start. The process is also ongoing. We are collecting the remaining weapons, and in parallel, providing locals with food, water and other needed supplies. We also would like to make sure that those people who live here and those who will come back are living here safely, so we are clearing the territory of mines, he said.
Zelenskyy Thanks Canada for Helping Save 'Thousands of Lives'

By VOA News September 22, 2023

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking Friday to Canada's Parliament, expressed his gratitude for Canada's support of his country, which has been fighting a Russian invasion since February 2022.

"Canadian support for Ukraine with weapons and equipment has allowed us to save thousands of lives," he said, adding, "Canada's leadership in sanctions against Russia for this war on terror really encouraged others in the world to follow your lead."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged an additional $482 million in aid for Ukraine. He said the package would include about 50 armored vehicles and F-16 training for Ukrainian pilots.

So far, Canada has provided $5.9 billion in military and other aid to Ukraine. Trudeau promised that Canada would continue to stand "strongly and unequivocally" with Kyiv. "The Ukrainian people are the tip of the spear that is determining the future of the 21st century," he said in a statement.

The two leaders also were scheduled to sign an agreement designed to strengthen economic ties between their countries.

Zelenskyy was heading to Toronto with Trudeau to meet with business leaders and members of the Ukrainian Canadian community. Canada is home to the world's second-largest Ukrainian diaspora, with 1.4 million people of Ukrainian descent.

Zelenskyy's Canadian stops followed a whirlwind Washington visit, during which he won a pledge of continued support from President Joe Biden and delivered a bracing message: Without another tranche of U.S. funding to combat Russian aggression, Ukraine will lose the war.

"The United States is going to continue to stand with you," Biden told Zelenskyy on Thursday at the White House.

Biden assured the Ukrainian president that strong U.S. support for his nation's fight against Russian aggression would continue despite opposition from some Republican lawmakers to providing billions more in war funding for Ukraine.

Biden's request for an additional $24 billion in Ukraine aid through the end of the year is tied up in a budget fight in Congress that could lead to a government shutdown after a September 30 deadline.

Asked how to overcome the opposition, Biden said the only way was approval by Congress.

"I'm counting on the good judgment of the United States Congress. There's no alternative," he said.

Despite the opposition from some Republican lawmakers, the response on Capitol Hill was generally positive to Zelenskyy's urgent plea for supplemental funding.

Graham hears strong case

Speaking to VOA's Ukrainian Service, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he thought Zelenskyy made a strong case that with America's help, Ukraine would win, and without it, it would lose the war.

"And if [Russian President Vladimir] Putin gets away with this in Ukraine, he will keep going in Europe, and China is likely to invade Taiwan," Graham said.

"If you don't get that, you're missing a lot of history. So, I thought he was compelling, he was humble."

Graham noted that 18 months into Ukraine's war against Russian aggression, not one American soldier has died, NATO is bigger, the Russian economy is crumbling and the Russian military is being decimated. "This has been a good investment for the American people," Graham said.

"This idea that Ukraine doesn't matter, it's a non-event to American national security, I think it's ridiculous. If you don't think China's watching, you are missing a lot, and Putin will keep going. If we beat him in Ukraine, we make the world a better place, and all they need is American military and economic support for a fraction of our defense budget," he said.

Graham expressed optimism that Congress would approve the U.S. aid for Ukraine. "Who wants it on their resume that when the world was challenged, the world order as we know it was under siege, you blinked? ... I'm going to tell my House colleagues: You're writing history for the world. Don't get it wrong."

In her remarks to VOA's Ukrainian Service, Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar expressed confidence there would be bipartisan support in Congress for additional funding.

"There's always going to be some people that have a different view - that's democracy. But the vast majority in the Senate, the vast majority of Democrats and Republicans, are strongly standing with Ukraine," she said.

Security package

Zelenskyy also met with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ahead of a Pentagon announcement of a new security package of more air defense and artillery capabilities for Ukraine.

Pentagon press secretary Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told reporters Thursday that "everything is on schedule" for the delivery of M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine and that if there was a government shutdown, F-16 training in the U.S. for Ukrainian pilots would still take place.

From the beginning of hostilities in February 2022 to May 2023, the U.S. provided more than $76.8 billion in assistance to Kyiv, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.

VOA's Penelope Poulou, Tatiana Vorozhko Koprowicz, Katherine Gypson and Jeff Seldin contributed to this report.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






We appreciate Canada's decision to join the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 - Volodymyr Zelenskyy following talks with Justin Trudeau in Ottawa

President of Ukraine

23 September 2023 - 01:15

During his working visit to Canada, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau.

The Head of State expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister of Canada for supporting Ukraine and Ukrainians. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Canada has provided our country with over 8 billion Canadian dollars and trained almost 40 thousand Ukrainian servicemen in the framework of Operation UNIFIER.

"During this war, and in various other times, our state and our people have received from Canada only respect, only a desire to help, only trust. And please know: we appreciate this attitude, we are grateful to you. Ukraine will definitely remember this," the President said during a conversation with media representatives following the negotiations with Justin Trudeau in Ottawa.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that when Ukraine wins, it will be a joint victory with Canada, with all friends and partners, and with the free world.

In the course of the negotiations, the parties discussed defense cooperation. The Head of State noted Canada's leadership in humanitarian demining and expressed hope that with Canadian support, the task of clearing the entire Ukrainian land of mines and unexploded ordnance would be realized.

"I really appreciate Canada's decision to join the F-16 pilot training program. Thank you, Justin. Today we discussed in detail the reinforcement of our sky shield. I thanked the Prime Minister for his government's decision to purchase a new batch of missiles for Ukraine's air defense systems. This is a very timely decision given the daily Russian attacks with missiles and Iranian "Shaheds" against our cities, our people, our civilian infrastructure," the President said.

In addition, today Ukraine received a new defense support package from Canada, which includes armored fighting vehicles and armored evacuation vehicles necessary to save the lives of wounded soldiers.

The meeting also focused on cooperation between Ukraine and Canada in the military industry, including joint arms production.

"We look forward to the participation of Canadian companies in the first Defense Industries Forum to be held in Ukraine shortly," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He noted that the updated Free Trade Agreement signed today will serve as a basis for rebuilding Ukraine.

The President emphasized Canada's readiness to continue sanctions pressure on Russia to prevent it from increasing its financing of aggression.

The parties also discussed various aspects of the Ukrainian Peace Formula, in particular the points related to justice: convicting Russia for aggression and compensating for all the damage it caused. The Head of State thanked Canada for supporting the organization of the Global Peace Summit.

"I am also grateful for the leadership in the work on security guarantees for Ukraine for the period before joining NATO. Our teams are working on the preparation of a bilateral document on security guarantees," he emphasized.

In conclusion, Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Canada and its government for the fact that the Ukrainian culture and community in this country are always on a par with all other communities and cultures and feel respected.

For his part, Justin Trudeau announced the allocation of 650 million Canadian dollars in military aid to Ukraine over the next three years.

He confirmed that Canada would provide instructors to train pilots on F-16s and help with tank maintenance. In addition, Ukraine will receive 35 drones with hi-res cameras, armored vehicles, and ammunition.

It was also confirmed that Canada will make a financial contribution to the creation of a consortium for the transfer of military equipment to Ukraine and will provide significant macroeconomic assistance to our country in the 2024 fiscal year.

Justin Trudeau assured: Canada will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






This Russian aggression must end with our victory - speech by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the solemn session of the Parliament of Canada

President of Ukraine

23 September 2023 - 00:22

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen!

Canada!

Before I start I just want to remind one thing. This thing is very important to understand both Ukraine and Canada. And what we are up to, what we need to do. To do together.

1983. The City of Edmonton. Its history is closely linked to the destiny of Ukraine and Ukrainian Canadian community.

That year in Edmonton the first monument to the victims of Holodomor was built in the world. Thank you so much! Was built to remember the genocide against the Ukrainian people. The genocide ordered and perpetrated by Moscow.

The first ever Holodomor monument in the world. At that time Ukraine did not yet have memorials commemorating the victims of genocide of Ukrainians. Because Ukraine was under Moscow's control back then.

This fall will mark the 40th anniversary since that first and very important commemoration of the victims of Holodomor. A lot has changed since then. Ukraine gained independence. Ukraine is restoring its own historic memory. Dozens of other countries - their parliaments, their governments have already recognised Holodomor as a genocide of the Ukrainian people. This year alone there have been 11 of such recognitions. And I am sure that the world - the whole world - will recognise the truth about Holodomor.

But there is something that has not changed either in 40 years since the monument in Edmonton was built or in 90 years since the Holodomor. Moscow now as always is bent on controlling Ukraine and makes use of all available means to do that including genocide. It is genocide - what Russian occupiers are doing to Ukraine.

And when we want to win, when we call-on the world to support us, it is not just about an ordinary conflict. It is about saving lives of millions of people.

Literally physical salvation. Ordinary women and men, children... Our families. Whole communities. Entire cities... Russia's destruction of Mariupol or Volnovakha or Bakhmut or any other city or village in Ukraine must not go unpunished. Life and justice must prevail - everywhere in Ukraine, for all Ukrainians.

This Russian aggression must end with our victory, so that Russia will never bring back genocide to Ukraine and will never even try to do so. Moscow must lose - once and for all. And it will lose!

Dear speakers! The whole Parliament of Canada!

Dear Justin, Mr. Prime Minister! Ladies and gentlemen of the government!

Dear representatives of all the communities and cities!

All citizens of Canada!

In my opinion, one of the most sterling qualities of your country is that justice is not an empty word for Canada.

Another extremely important fact about you is that you never, ever make a political bet on hatred and enmity. You are always on the bright side of history.

During the First World War, and in the time between those terrible wars, and during the Second World War, and during the Cold War, you always defended freedom. You have always defended justice.

I had no doubt that you would choose the side of freedom and justice when Russia launched a full-scale war against Ukraine. Thank you.

But it is never enough only to choose the right side.

You also need to be able to be a leader on this side. And you do. You are a leader. I thank you for that, Canada!

Thank you for your political support for Ukraine. This is truly support of a leader. And it is global in scale.

Because when you are fighting for something, when you are fighting for good in human nature, the false neutrality looks obviously immoral.

When one sees true leaders, all others who are afraid to be real, to speak out, to fight - have only two options. To change or to be looked down.

I thank you, Canada, for being a real example of leadership and honesty for so many around the world - an example that inspires others to defend life.

Canada's support for Ukraine with weapons and equipment has allowed us to save thousands of lives. This includes air defense systems, armored vehicles, artillery shells, and very significant assistance in demining. Thank you!

Canada's leadership in sanctions against Russia for this war and terror really encourages others in the world to follow your lead.

I am especially grateful for your extremely strong, 100 percent leadership support of the Ukrainian movement to NATO.

For your strong participation in training our soldiers. It is very important. It is already a tradition - that Canada trains those who defend the world. Thousands and thousands of pilots during the Second World War. Thousands and thousands of Ukrainians now. This is what makes victory strong and indispensable - training. Thank you for this!

Thank you for your economic support. For helping Ukraine to get rid of its dependence on Russian nuclear fuel. This is progress not only for us.

Ukraine and Canada, together with their partners and friends, are demonstrating to everyone that it is quite realistic to completely cut-off our ties with dubious Russian nuclear technologies.

In addition to the purely technological danger, the Russian nuclear industry also serves Moscow's political expansion. Russia uses nuclear technology, and the construction of nuclear power plants, like gas and oil, for political attacks against the sovereignty of other nations. Russia is trying to break the sovereignty of others through its manipulation of energy resources... all energy resources. So, the more nations are free from Russian energy resources, the sooner energy in the world will once again become just an energy resource, not a weapon against sovereignties.

Another important area of our cooperation. Literally justice.

Today, in talks with Justin, with Mr. Prime Minister, we discussed the Canadian initiative for the G7 to step-up efforts to confiscate Russian assets. Those funds that Russia and its henchmen use to pay for the war should be used to fairly compensate for the damage caused by war and terror.

Active and global work is also required to bring Russia to justice for the crime of aggression itself and for absolutely all crimes from this aggression - all deaths, every deportation of every child and adult. Every life needs to be protected. Every attacked nation needs justice to rule.

The world needs it too.

So that other potential aggressors can see that war ends in verdicts for the aggressor.

I urge you, Canada, to extend your ability to lead to other countries, especially in this matter - of justice, of prosecuting the aggression, of compensation for aggression, of making the aggressor feel how strong justice is.

And most of all, I would like to thank you, Canada, for the purely human thing - for making Ukrainians feel at home when they are here, in Canada. Thank you.

This is not just a legacy of history. This is a legacy of character.

The Ukrainian Canadian community is about millions of Ukrainian destinies that have become the destiny of Canada with all its diversity of communities.

Freedom-loving. Courage. Our special inner call for justice. The ability of our people to share comfort wherever they go, to build and create not to ruin or humiliate.

Ukrainian flags in Canada are a part of everyday life as absolute trust to Canada in Ukraine. In fact, such proximity provides many answers, including answers to questions about this war.

Can we give up? No.

Can we betray the good in human nature? No.

Can we agree to evil? No.

Can we allow our identity to be erased? No.

Ukraine and Canada are the same - we stand and we fight for life.

Ukraine, not genocide, will be victorious in this war. People will be the winners, not the Kremlin. Freedom will be the winner. Justice will be the winner. You can know this for sure about us, because you know for sure about yourself that you would never submit to evil.

Je te remercie, Canada!

And may one day soon a monument be built in Edmonton as in other cities of the world and in the cities of Ukraine to honor the victory of our people in this war. Our common victory with you.

With you - the people of Canada, with all your communities, with all your legacy, the legacy of good.

Ladies and gentlemen!

Today me and my beautiful First Lady had the honor of meeting with Governor General of Canada Honourable Mary Simon. She taught me a word from her mother tongue - "ajuinnata". She said the meaning of this word is - don't give-up, stay strong against all odds. And so shall it be.

Ajuinnata Canada! Ajuinnata Ukraine!

 NNN!





NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Shift4 Payments, Inc. (NYSE: FOUR) between November 10, 2021 and April 18, 2023, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important October 19, 2023 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Shift4 securities 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 Shift4 class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=18626 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 19, 2023. 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. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. 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 has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. 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, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Shift4 had inadequate disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting; (2) as a result, Shift4 failed to properly account for customer acquisition costs, thereby artificially inflating its net cash provided by operating activities; (3) accordingly, Shift4 would likely be forced to restate one or more of its previously issued financial statements; (4) Shift4 employed accounting maneuvers in connection with, among other things, its mass strategic buyout program and sponsor bank merchant settlement account, that were designed to present an inaccurate picture of, inter alia, the Company's performance, its underlying business quality, and its earnings power; (5) all the foregoing, once revealed, was likely to negatively impact Shift4s reputation and business; and (6) as a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Shift4 class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=18626 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@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

lrosen@rosenlegal.com

pkim@rosenlegal.com

cases@rosenlegal.com

www.rosenlegal.com
NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. (NYSE: HE) between February 28, 2019 and August 16, 2023, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important October 23, 2023 lead plaintiff deadline.



SO WHAT: If you purchased Hawaiian Electric securities 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 Hawaiian Electric class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=18336 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 23, 2023. 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. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. 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 has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. 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, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Hawaiian Electrics wildfire prevention and safety protocols and procedures were inadequate to meet the challenges for which they were ostensibly designed; (2) accordingly, despite knowing the degree of risk that wildfires posed to Maui, the Companys inadequate safety protocols and procedures placed Maui at a heightened risk of devastating wildfires; and (3) as a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Hawaiian Electric class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=18336 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@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

lrosen@rosenlegal.com

pkim@rosenlegal.com

cases@rosenlegal.com

www.rosenlegal.com
Fort Worth, Texas, Sept. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fort Worth, Texas  Patriot Mobiles donated Folds of Honor car hood is being unveiled at this weekends Texas Motor

Speedway NASCAR Cup Series race.



Furthering the companys commitment to Americas military and first responders, Patriot Mobile is donating the hood

design for their sponsored number 15 car to Folds of Honor.



This car is absolutely gorgeous, and we are excited to help promote the work of Folds of Honor, that has provided over

44,000 life-changing educational scholarships to children and spouses of Americas fallen or disabled heroes, said Patriot

Mobile CEO, Glenn Story. The large majority of race fans are freedom loving Americans, just like us, and we cant wait to

hang out with everyone this weekend, so come see us in the Fan Zone.



The Patriot Mobile Fan Zone booth is located near Gate 8. Go visit the Patriot Mobile team for fun prizes and giveaways

including race themed patriotic t-shirts, phone chargers, fans to keep you cool and more playoff weekend necessities.

The Patriot Mobile booth has great shade and an oversize phone charging station.



Earlier this year, Patriot Mobile announced its sponsorship of Rick Ware Racing and veteran NASCAR driver JJ Yeley. In

July, Patriot Mobile donated the hood to the movie Sound of Freedom for both the Atlanta and Pocono races to bring

awareness to the human trafficking crisis. JJ Yeley and Rick Ware Racing are excited to partner with Patriot Mobile to

bring awareness to these important causes.



Founded in 2007 by Lt Col Dan Rooney, the Folds of Honor organization has provided more than 44,000 life-changing

educational scholarships to the spouses and children of Americas fallen or disabled military. In 2022, that mission

expanded to support families of Americas first responders as well.



Patriot Mobile is Americas ONLY Christian conservative wireless provider. Since 2013, Patriot Mobile has given Americans

a conservative alternative for their cell service by providing dependable nationwide coverage on 4G and 5G networks

and exceptional U.S.-based customer support. Patriot Mobile gives a portion of every dollar earned to support

organizations that align with our Four Pillars of Giving:

First Amendment

Second Amendment

Sanctity of Life

Military, Veterans and First Responder Heroes

Patriot Mobiles mission is to passionately defend our God-given constitutional rights and freedoms, and to glorify God

always.

Attachment
VANCOUVER, Sept. 22, 2023 - Reflex Advanced Materials Corp. (CSE:RFLX) (FSE:HF2) ("Reflex" or the "Company") announces an amendment to the terms of its non-brokered private placement financing (the "Private Placement") previously announced on August 21, 2023. The Private Placement is now comprised of up to 5,000,000 units of the Company ("Units") at an updated price of $0.20 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000.



Each Unit continues to consist of one (1) common share in the capital of the Company ("Share") and one-half (1/2) of one (1) Share purchase warrant ("Warrant"), whereby each whole Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase an additional Share at an exercise price of $0.35 for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance.

Closing of the Private Placement, subject to certain conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, is anticipated to occur prior to the end of September 2023. The net proceeds of the Private Placement are intended to be used to advance the Company's Ruby Graphite Project and for other general corporate purposes. Finders' fees may be payable to eligible arm's length persons with respect to certain subscriptions accepted by the Company.

Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the Units issuable under the Private Placement will be offered for sale to purchasers resident in Canada and/or other qualifying jurisdictions pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A.2 of NI 45-106 (the "LIFE Exemption"). Because the Private Placement is to be completed pursuant to the LIFE Exemption, the securities issued in connection with the Private Placement will not be subject to resale restrictions in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws.

In connection with this announcement, there is an amended offering document dated September 22, 2023, that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.reflexmaterials.com. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision.

The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or available exemptions from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

Paul Gorman

CEO & Director

Reflex Advanced Materials Corp.

Suite 915 - 700 West Pender Street

Vancouver, BC V6C 1G8

Canada

Tel: (778) 837-7191

Email: info@reflexmaterials.com

About Reflex Advanced Materials

Reflex Advanced Materials Corp. is a mineral exploration company based in British Columbia. Its objective is to locate and, if warranted, develop economic mineral properties in the strategic metals and advanced materials space. It is focused on improving domestic specialty mineral infrastructure efficiencies to meet surging national demand by North American manufacturers. The Company is working to advance its Ruby Graphite Project, located in Beaverhead County, Montana, and ZigZag Property, located in Thunder Bay Mining Division, Crescent Lake Area, Ontario.

For more information, please review the Company's filings available at www.sedarplus.ca and visit the Company's website at www.reflexmaterials.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or" should" occur or be achieved. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating to the closing of the Private Placement, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, and the use of proceeds from the Private Placement are forward-looking statements. 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 Reflex, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability to complete exploration work, the results of exploration, continued availability of capital, and changes in general economic, market and business conditions. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Reflex does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this press release, and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, September 23. Karabakh separatists have began the disbandment of illegal armed formations, Trend reports.

According to information, on September 20, after Azerbaijan announced the suspension of local anti-terrorist measures, a number of measures began to be implemented, such as the retreat of armed groups from combat positions and the beginning of the process of their dissolution, search for the dead and missing, evacuation of the wounded to Armenia, accompanied by the International Committee of the Red Cross and Russian peacekeepers, organization of delivery of humanitarian goods. The Armenian vests of Karabakh are advised to remain calm, not to panic and not to engage in provocations. Armenian residents of Karabakh are advised to remain calm, not to panic and not to engage in provocations.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, suppression of large-scale provocations in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region, disarmament, and withdrawal of Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, localized anti-terrorist activities were carried out in the region.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent [temporarily stationed in Azerbaijan under the trilateral statement], an agreement was reached on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) to cease anti-terrorist activities of a local nature under the following conditions: the formations of the armed forces of Armenia, Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm; the formations of the armed forces of Armenia leave the territory of Azerbaijan; Armenian illegal armed groups are dissolved. At the same time, all weapons, ammunition and heavy equipment are transferred. Coordination of the above processes with the Russian peacekeeping contingent is ensured.

At the invitation of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ramin Mammadov, responsible for contacts with the Armenian residents of Karabakh, met with Sergey Martirosyan and David Melkumyan as representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh on September 21, 2023, in Yevlakh.

In the context of discussing issues of a social and humanitarian nature, representatives of the Armenian residents of the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan reported that there is a special need for fuel.

At the same time, they asked for humanitarian aid in the form of food. At the end of the meeting, their request was received positively. In particular, it is planned to ensure the supply of fuel to provide heating systems for kindergartens and schools, as well as emergency medical services and fire services, and provide humanitarian support.
VANCOUVER, Sept. 22, 2023 -

TSX VENTURE COMPANIES

None

23/09/22 - TSX Venture Exchange Bulletins

TSX VENTURE COMPANIES

Athabasca Minerals Inc. ("AMI")

BULLETIN TYPE: Resume Trading

BULLETIN DATE: September 22, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

Effective at 5:00 a.m. PST, Sept. 22, 2023, shares of the Company resumed trading, an announcement having been made.

________________________________________

Boron One Holdings Inc. ("BONE")

BULLETIN TYPE: Miscellaneous

BULLETIN DATE: September 22, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted the Company's warrant incentive program (the "Warrant Incentive Program") designed to encourage the exercise of 14,362,833 existing warrants of the Company, of which (i) 7,263,263 warrants entitled the holder to acquire one common share at a price of $0.06 at any time prior to September 24, 2023; and (ii) 7,099,570 warrants entitled the holder to acquire one common share at a price of $0.05 at any time prior to September 09, 2023.

Pursuant to the Warrant Incentive Program, each of the holders of warrants that exercised warrants during an early exercise period (the "Early Exercise Period") received one (1) additional warrant entitling such holder to acquire one common share of the Company until August 30, 2025, exercisable at a price of $0.10 per share for the first 12 months from issuance and thereafter at $0.20 per share until August 30, 2025 (collectively, the "Incentive Warrants").

The Early Exercise Period commenced on August 31, 2023 and expired on September 14, 2023.

In connection with the Warrant Incentive Program, a total of 6,261,000 warrants were exercised, providing gross proceeds of $341,660 to the Company and resulting in the Company issuing 6,261,000 common shares and 6,261,000 Incentive Warrants as follows:

Number of shares issued upon exercise of existing warrants: 6,261,000 common shares

Purchase Price (exercise price of the existing warrants): $0.06 per common share or $0.05 per common share

Incentive Warrants: 6,261,000 common share purchase warrants to purchase 6,261,000 common shares

Incentive Warrant Exercise Price: $0.10 per share for the first 12 months from issuance and thereafter at $0.20 per share until August 30, 2025.

Number of Placees: 22 Placees

Insider / Pro Group Participation:









Placees # of Placee (s) Aggregate # of Shares





Aggregate Existing Insider Involvement: 1 250,000 Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: 1 1,100,000



All existing warrants that were not exercised under the Warrant Incentive Program continued to entitle the holder to acquire one common share at their respective original exercise price in accordance with their original terms.

For further details, please refer to the Company's news releases dated August 08, 2023, August 25, 2023 and September 20, 2023.

________________________________________

FIRST HYDROGEN CORP. ("FHYD")

BULLETIN TYPE: Securities for Services

BULLETIN DATE: September 22, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's proposal to issue 86,362 compensation warrants that are exercisable into common shares at a price of $4.50 per share for 2 years and $91,760 cash, in consideration of certain services provided to the company pursuant to an agreement dated July 5, 2023.

Number of Service Providers: 1

Non-Arm's Length Party / Pro Group Participation:









Creditors # of Creditors Amount Owing Deemed Price per Share Aggregate # of Warrants









Aggregate Non-Arm's Length Party Involvement: N/A N/A N/A N/A Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: 1 $91,760 N/A 86,362



For further details, please refer to the Company's news releases dated July 28, 2023, and September 15, 2023.

__________________________________

FPX NICKEL CORP. ("FPX")

BULLETIN TYPE: Resume Trading

BULLETIN DATE: September 22, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

Effective at 5:00 a.m. PST, Sept. 22, 2023, shares of the Company resumed trading, an announcement having been made.

________________________________________

Grid Battery Metals Inc. ("CELL")

BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered

BULLETIN DATE: September 22, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement :

Number of Shares: 4,000,000 shares

Purchase Price: $0.12 per share

Warrants: 4,000,000 share purchase warrants to purchase 4,000,000 shares

Warrant Exercise Price: $0.155 for a five-year period

Number of Placees: 10 placees

Insider / Pro Group Participation:









Placees # of Placee (s) Aggregate # of Shares





Aggregate Existing Insider Involvement: NA NA Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: 1 100,000



Aggregate Cash Amount Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate # of Warrants Finder's Fee: NA 400,000 NA



The Company issued a news release on September 21, 2023 confirming closing of the private placement.

________________________________________

Kesselrun Resources Ltd. ("KES")

BULLETIN TYPE: Property-Asset or Share Purchase Agreement

BULLETIN DATE: September 22, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation of a Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") dated August 23, 2023, between the two arm's length parties (the "Vendor") and Kesselrun Resources Ltd. ("the Company"). Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company has the option to acquire 100 % of the owner's right, title and interest into the property on the Bluffpoint gold project consist of four mineral claims located in Northwestern Ontario.

As consideration, the Company has agreed to make a cash payment of $6,000 and issue 400,000 common shares at closing.

In addition, the vendor has a 1% royalty with a $500,000 buy-down Option to eliminate the 0.5% royalty.

For further details, please refer to the Company's news release dated September 13, 2023.

_________________________________________

Kootenay Silver Inc. ("KTN")

BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Brokered

BULLETIN DATE: September 22, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 1 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Brokered Private Placement announced on May 01, 2023:

Number of Units: 37,725,000 Units

Purchase Price: $0.1 per unit

Warrants: 37,725,000 share purchase warrants to purchase 37,725,000 shares

Warrant Exercise Price: $0.14 for a three-year period

Number of Placee: 53 Placees

Insider / Pro Group Participation:

Placees # of Placee (s) Aggregate # of Units





Aggregate Existing Insider Involvement: Aggregate Existing Pro Group Involvement: 1 4 3,000,000 1,450,000









Aggregate Cash Amount Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate # of Warrants Agent's and Finder's Fee: 225,090 N/A 1,963,500



Finder's Warrants Terms: Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one unit at the price of $0.10 per unit for a period of 3 years from the date of issuance.

Pursuant to Corporate Finance Policy 4.1, Section 1.9(e), the Company issued a news release on May 24, 2023, announcing the closing of the private placement.

________________________________________

LIFEIST WELLNESS INC. ("LFST")

BULLETIN TYPE: Property-Asset or Share Disposition Agreement

BULLETIN DATE: September 22, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 1 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to the arm's length disposition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Australian Vaporizers Pty. Ltd., a wholly owned Australian subsidiary of the company.

As consideration, the Company will receive US$1.9 million, subject to certain adjustments.

For further details, please refer to the Company's news release dated September 18, 2023.

________________________________________

PJX Resources Inc. ("PJX")

BULLETIN TYPE: Warrant Term Extension

BULLETIN DATE: September 22, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has consented to the extension in the expiry date of the following warrants:

Private Placement:

# of Warrants: 9,350,400

Original Expiry Date of Warrants: October 5, 2022

Previously Extended Expiry Date of Warrants: October 5, 2023

New Expiry Date of Warrants: October 5, 2024

Exercise Price of Warrants: $0.20

These warrants were issued pursuant to a private placement of 2,480,000 flow-through shares and

6,870,400 non-flow-through shares with an aggregate of 9,350,400 share purchase warrants attached, which was accepted for filing by the Exchange effective October 6, 2020.

For further details, please refer to the Company's news release dated September 18, 2023.

________________________________________

RUMBU HOLDINGS LTD. ("RMB.P")

BULLETIN TYPE: CPC-Information Circular

BULLETIN DATE: September 22, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's CPC Information Circular dated September 21, 2023, for the purpose of mailing to shareholders and filing on SEDAR.

________________________________________

SOURCE TSX Venture Exchange
Le Mans no replacement for Schumacher says Hulkenberg

A Le Mans seat is "no replacement" for Formula 1, according to 2015 Le Mans winner Nico Hulkenberg.

Mick Schumacher, Abu Dhabi GP 2022

 Haas F1 Team / LAT

Alpine confirmed at Suzuka that it is in talks with Mick Schumacher about a seat for the 24-year-old German in the Renault-owned camp's new prototype project in world endurance racing.

That is because Logan Sargeant, Felipe Drugovich and now perhaps Liam Lawson are all in the running for the final race seat on next year's F1 grid.

Schumacher is no longer in the running.

I definitely believe that he would do a better job than Logan Sargeant, Mick's uncle Ralf Schumacher told Sport1 at Suzuka.

He says it's a shame that Schumacher, currently the Mercedes reserve driver, appears to be looking beyond F1 to keep his racing skills active.

I think the circumstances under which Mick got into Formula 1 were extremely bad, Schumacher said. Year one was with another rookie in a car that said Formula 1 on it, but it wasn't really a Formula 1 car.

Ralf says Mick was then too weak initially in year two at Haas, and also with a team that wasn't necessarily behind him - especially the team boss .

He admits that young Schumacher is not likely to secure the vacant Williams ride.

Felipe Drugovich is waiting with a lot of money, said Ralf.

In 2015, Hulkenberg accepted an offer from Porsche to contest the fabled Le Mans 24 hours in the top prototype category whilst also racing in F1 with Force India.

The German won.

But as for Schumacher's situation, he says world endurance racing is not a replacement for F1.

It's an alternative, Hulkenberg told Auto Motor und Sport. "But there is no replacement for F1.
Tost doubts Vettel will return to F1

One veteran Formula 1 figure doubts Sebastian Vettel will return to the grid.

Sebastian Vettel, Japanese GP 2023

 Ferrari

The quadruple world champion is at Suzuka this weekend, watching from turn 2 where on Thursday all of F1's active drivers attended his 'bee hotel' launch.

German Vettel, 36, even put on a trackside bib to watch the action at his favourite F1 circuit up close, and became emotional on Sky Deutschland when admitting that every car that buzzes past gave him goosebumps .

I knew it would be difficult for me to watch here in Japan. This is extremely difficult for me, he admitted to the broadcaster.

This is my favourite track and I've said it before that I would never mind coming back to drive here. I mean, right now it's hard for me to just stand here and remember what it's like to drive one of these cars, Vettel added.

According to Alpha Tauri boss Franz Tost, however, he doubts Vettel is serious about a full-time return to F1.

It's clear that he misses Formula 1, said the Austrian. "It would be tragic if he didn't.

"But I doubt that he will come back as a driver. There are 24 events now and I find it difficult to imagine him doing that again.
Tourism has potential for more achievements

Daily Graphic Editorials Sep - 23 - 2023 , 08:51

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) deserve a pat on their shoulders for their hard work that has contributed to an increase in tourist traffic into the country.

GTA recorded 500,000 visitors in the first half of this year, out of the 1.2 million tourists targeted by the ministry.

On a quarterly basis, the 500,000 is more than a 50 per cent increase over the 247,834 visitors recorded in the first quarter of 2023  and indicates a significant rebound for a sector that was badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic

The Ministry and GTA are anticipating an estimated tourism revenue of US$3.4billion against the US$2billion realised in 2022.

While the GTA has attributed the rise in tourist arrivals largely to its December in Ghana (GH) initiative, we also believe that the marketing of Ghana to the global community as a peaceful country, a place that is ready to receive people of African descent from the Diaspora and a place to experience diverse cultures, a move spearheaded by the President, has contributed immensely to that.

If we must strike while the iron is hot, then we must not rest on our laurels, but do more to sustain the increased tourist arrivals into the country. The Diaspora must be used as the launch pad to achieve this, if indeed Ghana is to become the Mecca for Pan Africanism.

The country is blessed with many indigenous festivals all year round, which can be harnessed and made attractive to the international community so as to pull in guests locally, as well as those from abroad, and not wait for only December.

The country is made up of 16 regions, all of which have something to offer to attract tourists.

In this regard, the Daily Graphic calls for a deliberate plan involving all the MMDAs in all the regions to bring this into fruition.

We, therefore, find it reassuring that the GTA is already considering leveraging other peak months so that throughout the year, Ghana will be on the map for travellers.

If we are looking forward to having more guests in town all year round, then we must beef up our security and ensure effective traffic control.

Also, by allowing more people in, we are indirectly importing foreign cultures, so we must do well to convey to our guests what hurts the sensibilities of Ghanaians.

There is also the need to invest in infrastructure and grant tax rebates to vendors of top-of-the-range musical equipment and lighting to prevent embarrassing experiences as happened at some of the outdoor musical concerts.

We urge that the authorities grant special concessions to organisers of events, sanctioned by the GTA.

Further, the hospitality industry must consider discounted rates coupled with improved services, especially during peak periods, to enable more guests to afford their services.

We also urge the GTA to effectively supervise the Air BNB business which has come to add to the hospitality business and also ensure that all in the sector meet internationally accepted standards at all times.

Indeed, when it comes to receiving guests from our airports, taxi and car hiring services are the first port of call.

We, therefore, urge the proper training of both professionals and amateurs who will be assisting guests and giving them the proverbial Ghanaian welcome when they arrive, instead of finding ways to rip them off.

Once a guest feels welcome into our country, he or she will not only want to come back, but become an ambassador who will encourage others to visit.

We admit that there is a lot to be done to make Ghana the number one tourist destination in Africa, and that is the reason why we urge the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, National Security, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Immigration Service, the Ghana Airport Company Ltd, the Art Centre Traders Association, event organisers and traditional catering services, among others, to effectively collaborate to make it happen.
Deprived Nanapa community receives furniture for only basic school

Haruna Yussif Wunpini Features Sep - 23 - 2023 , 08:28

Nanapa, a small farming community with a population of 600 inhabitants who are mostly farmers, lies in the forest belt in the Atiwa East District of the Eastern Region.

Due to its location in the hinterland, it is beset with many challenges such as insufficient number of dual desks for the pupils and students of its only basic school, the Nanapa D/A Basic School, which currently has 222 learners.

Apart from that, the road linking the community with other towns and hamlets is in a deplorable state, making it difficult for the farmers and market women to transport farm produce such as maize, plantain, cassava, cocoyam and vegetables to the market centres, especially Enyeresi, which can be found along the Bunso Nkawkaw stretch of the Accra-Kumasi highway.

The community also does not have a clinic, health centre or CHPS compound, forcing the sick and pregnant women in labour to travel all the way to the Enyeresi Government Hospital some kilometres away for delivery and treatment.

Due to the current situation in the area, especially concerning education, effective teaching and learning are hampered at Nanapa D/A Basic School because school- children cannot sit down comfortably to learn.

Furniture for schoolchildren

Another aspect of education in the area is that schoolchildren at the town's kindergarten, as well as those in primary one, do not have furniture. As such, parents have to accompany them to the school with their furniture to and from school daily, a situation that makes it almost impossible for many parents to send their kids to school, consequently affecting teaching and learning in the school negatively.

It is against this background that the Nana Adjei Kyerema Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the welfare of children and vulnerable in society, has, for a start, donated 70 dual desks to the basic school to help address their challenges.

The donation was a response to an appeal made by the Odikro of the community, Baffour Rockson Akwei I, as well as the school authorities, about the lack of furniture in the school.

CSR for community

At a ceremony to present the furniture to the school last week Wednesday, the Founder, Adjei Kyerema, said the donation was part of the foundation's corporate social responsibility towards the community, especially the school.

The foundation, he stated, was also committed to contributing towards a brighter future for the children and the vulnerable in the community he hailed from.

Mr Kyerema, who is also a businessman and an entrepreneur, said investing in childrens education by providing them with desks to sit on would enhance effective teaching and learning among schoolchildren and teachers.

That, he indicated, would help improve the human resource base of the community and the country as a whole.

Mr Kyerema expressed the hope that the provision of the items would go a long way to improve the academic work of pupils and students, who would in turn train the next batch of future leaders in the district.

He urged the management of the school to ensure that the furniture donated would be well maintained and put to good use.

That, Mr Kyerema noted, would encourage others in the community to emulate such a gesture.

Other basic schools

When asked about the future plans of the foundation, he said other basic schools in nearby communities in the district would also be catered for, depending on their needs.

The headteacher of the school, Osei Abrokwa, was full of praise for the foundation for responding to their call for assistance.

He was hopeful that the provision of the furniture would help address the challenge of inadequate desks in the school.

Mr Abrokwa expressed gratitude to the management and representatives of the foundation for the gesture.

He, however, listed several challenges facing the school, such as the lack of an ICT laboratory, laptops, furniture and illegal mining, which some pupils sneak to engage in at times.

Good performance

Regarding the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), Mr Abrokwa said despite such challenges, the performance of the pupils at the JHS level had been good and that last year a pupil obtained an aggregate of 16 at the BECE.

He was hopeful that the performance of the pupils this year would result in a single-digit aggregate.

The School Improvement Support Officer of the Ghana Education Service for Enyeresi, Millicent Penni, for her part, pointed out that the lack of furniture for schools in the district had become a worrying phenomenon which needed to be addressed.

She said most chiefs in the areas were also trying their best to provide such desks to enable schoolchildren to have an enabling environment to learn.

Ms Penni said the Atiwa East District Assembly was also doing its best to provide desks to ensure that all schools within the catchment area were provided furniture to improve academic work in the schools.

Teachers, he also stated, needed chairs and tables to do their work in the classrooms.

Residents

Doris Korkor, a resident of Nanapa, who said she was happy about the supply of furniture to the school, was grateful to the foundation.

She said the availability of the furniture had saved them from carrying the items from home to school and back daily.

That, Ms Korkor emphasised, had averted the situation where the schoolchildren had to sit and write on the bare floor.

She said since the accessible road to the town was also in a poor state, it needed to be rehabilitated to make it easier for both farmers and traders to send their wares to the marketing centres.

That, she also indicated, would make it more convenient for the sick, especially pregnant women, to be conveyed to the Enyeresi Government Hospital for delivery and treatment.

The Odikro of Nanapa, Baffour Rockson Akwei I, received the furniture and handed it over to the headteacher, Mr Abrokwa, and his staff.

He called for more support for the school, which he stated needed help and appealed to other well-to-do Ghanaians and organisations to support in that regard.

Baffour Akwei advised the management of the school to take good care of the furniture for it to last longer and urged the community members to not take the furniture to their homes.
Democracys difficult days

Dr John Osae-Kwapong Opinion Sep - 23 - 2023 , 09:25

Democracy for a long time, I feel, did not have to make an argument for why it held legitimacy over other forms of government.

By default, it was adjudged the best form of government. It appeared to enjoy moral superiority over the others. The names used to describe other forms of governments were a clear demonstration that they were not the best or appropriate ways to govern citizens.

However, it appears that over the last few years democracy is being called to task. Democracy is now being asked to defend its legitimacy and moral superiority over others. Democracy is being asked to show a balance sheet wherever it is practised. This is something Giovanni M.

Carbone foresaw back in 2009 when he authored his brilliant piece titled "The Consequences of Democratisation" in the Journal of Democracy. Among the many things he said was this  A few years down the road, people living in recently-reformed states are likely to begin asking questions about what their new regimes have been able to deliver.

The case of Ghana

Afrobarometer Round 9, 2022, recorded the lowest level of satisfaction with the way democracy works in Ghana. When asked Overall, how satisfied are you with the way democracy works in [Ghana]?  only19 per cent said very satisfied with another 31 per cent saying fairly satisfied. Combined, a total of 51 per cent said they were fairly satisfied or very satisfied with the way democracy works in Ghana. This is how satisfaction with the way democracy works in Ghana has looked over the years of the survey  63 per cent (1999); 72 per cent (2002); 82 per cent (2005); 83 per cent (2008); 75 per cent (2012); 68 per cent (2014); 80 per cent (2017); and 68 per cent (2019).

The current state of dissatisfaction is a curious one because it is occurring at a time when Ghanaians hold very positive attitudes towards democracy and democratic norms.

Why the high & low periods of satisfaction?

I recently worked on a yet-to-be-delivered presentation titled Why Are We So Dissatisfied with the Way Democracy Works? again using data from the Afrobarometer Survey. I divided our satisfaction with the way democracy works into three distinct periods  a) year of highest satisfaction (2008); b) year of double-digit decline compared to the previous survey year (2014 and 2019); and c) year of lowest satisfaction (2022). I explored the following factors to see the extent to which they help explain these three distinct periods  trust in institutions, perceptions of institutional corruption, citizens evaluation of central government performance, the overall governance environment, and evaluation of the fight against corruption.

In the statistical analysis of the data, and I am certain this comes as no surprise, each of these factors had an effect on citizens satisfaction with the way democracy works. For example, the more trust citizens express in elected officials, the more satisfied they are with the way democracy works. Another example, the more citizens evaluate central government positively in addressing their needs in education, health, crime, infrastructure, water and sanitation, etc. the more satisfied they are with the way democracy works.

Democracys promise to Ghanaians

But even as these factors were shown to chip away at the extent to which citizens feel satisfied with the way democracy works, I asked myself a number of questions earlier this week. What is the promise of democracy? In particular, what does democracy promise Ghanaians? Are we judging democracy on things that democracy does not promise? Should we first agree on what democracy promises?

The reflection was prompted by a public lecture I attended on September 18, 2023. The main speaker was my friend and colleague (he is also a CDD-Ghana Democracy and Development Fellow), Dr Kwame Sarpong Asiedu, who provided answers to the question 1993 to present  has this democracy delivered a health dividend to Ghanaians? The answer was a categorical no based on a selected number of health outcomes which were quite sobering.

But that is when I began to ask myself all sorts of questions including whether democracy promises the health outcomes against which my friend and colleague was evaluating the performance of our thirty-year-old democracy.

What does democracy promise Ghanaians? It finally occurred to me that our answer can be found in one of the parts of the constitution I find critically important. That is Chapter 6- The Directive Principles of State Policy. The chapter spells out the many things that the framers of our constitution expected The Ghanaian Democratic State to deliver to its citizens.

That is what our democracy promises. And that must regularly be our point of reflection. We must regularly go back to Chapter 6 and ask, "is our democracy living up to its promises?" If not, how can it be made to do so, especially as I regularly argue that we have made our peace with democracy?

The writer is a Democracy and Development Fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-Ghana).
LACHIN, Azerbaijan, September 23. The Lachin-Khankendi road is intended for the passage of food and basic necessities for use by the personnel of the contingent of the Russian peacekeeping forces, as well as for delivery to the civilian population through peacekeepers, Trend reports.

For this purpose, 4 trucks belonging to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have already been checked and transported from the Lachin border checkpoint in the direction of Khankendi.

According to the information, food products were sent in the trucks for the Armenian residents of Karabakh.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement [signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war], suppression of large-scale provocations in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region, disarmament, and withdrawal of Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, localized anti-terrorist activities were carried out in the region.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent [temporarily stationed in Azerbaijan under the trilateral statement], an agreement was reached on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) to cease anti-terrorist activities of a local nature under the following conditions: the formations of the armed forces of Armenia, Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm; the formations of the armed forces of Armenia leave the territory of Azerbaijan; Armenian illegal armed groups are dissolved.

At the invitation of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ramin Mammadov, responsible for contacts with the Armenian residents of Karabakh, met with Sergey Martirosyan and David Melkumyan as representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh on September 21, 2023, in Yevlakh.
Drowning In Ghana: A silent killer that demands immediate action

Francis Atayure Abirigo Opinion Sep - 23 - 2023 , 17:50

In the tranquil waters of Ghana's sea, lakes and rivers, a silent crisis lurks, claiming lives with an unrelenting grip - drowning.

The 2020 World Health Organization (WHO) report sheds light on a dire situation that demands our urgent attention. Beyond Ghana's borders, neighbouring countries also grapple with this underreported but deadly scourge. It's time to confront this issue head-on and prevent further tragedy.

Ghana is known for its vibrant culture and diverse landscapes, but beneath the surface lies a hidden danger. The WHO's 2020 report paints a chilling picture, reporting 740 drowning fatalities, comprising 0.42% of total deaths. This issue places Ghana at a troubling 93rd position in the global ranking of drowning deaths. It's a stark reminder that the threat is real and close to home.

Zooming out to the Sub-Saharan African region, Ghana's struggle with drowning is not unique. Neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso, with 910 fatalities, and Togo, with 225 deaths, share our pain. Ivory Coast, with a staggering 1,232 deaths, grapples with its own crisis. In this corner of Africa, we are bound together not just by geography but by a shared peril.

The hidden tragedy is the unreported drownings

While the WHO report is a wake-up call, it's important to note that the actual numbers could be even higher. Ghana has a troubling issue of unreported drowning cases. In remote areas like Mirigu and Sirigu, young lives are lost to drowning, and these incidents only come to light through social media. The absence of a systematic reporting mechanism conceals the true extent of the problem.

Who are the victims, and why are they at risk? Drowning doesn't discriminate; however, certain trends emerge. The most vulnerable age groups are 5-9 years old, 10-14 years old, and young adults aged 18-25 and 25-35. Males are disproportionately affected, though some females also fall victim, often during recreational activities.

Root causes of drowning

Drowning incidents have multifaceted causes. Economic activities like fishing, lack of parental supervision, recreational ventures, children's curiosity, the absence of swimming training, and the menace of floods all contribute to this grim statistic.

Ghanas lack of data and collective effort is more catastrophic

Perhaps the most troubling aspect of this crisis is the lack of concrete data. There is no clear evidence that the Ghana Statistical Authority and the Ghana Population and Housing Census do include drowning deaths in their data collection questionnaire. This information gap hinders our ability to formulate targeted solutions. Moreover, there is no strong collective advocacy platform or national strategy for drowning prevention among others.

Voices of policymakers

While some policymakers and government officials express concern about drowning incidents, there is no cohesive effort. Civil society, too, is vocal during flood and disaster situations, but this focus is sporadic.

Here are some notable statements made by policymakers in the past:

1. In 2011, Mr. Alban Sumanna Bagbin, then Minister of Water Resources, Works, and Housing, called for measures to prevent drowning in water bodies across the country.

2. The Minority Caucus of Parliament in 2023 raised questions at the education committee level due to the drowning of nine people in Faana-Bortianor and eight children in the Sene East District in the Bono East Region.

3. The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, expressed sorrow about the Faana river disaster, emphasizing the need to avoid politicizing such tragedies and so on.

The urgent call for a national drowning prevention plan

Ghana stands at a critical juncture. Drowning is a stark and silent crisis that is stealing lives, especially those of our children. We cannot allow this tragedy to persist. A comprehensive national drowning prevention plan is the need of the hour. This plan should unite government agencies, both majority and minority caucuses of parliament, civil society organizations, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in a collective effort to address the root causes of drowning and implement strategies to save people.

The strategies should encompass various measures, including but not restricted to deploying lifeguards at prominent rivers, lakes, seas, beaches, swimming pools, and similar locations. Additionally, it is imperative to address the issue of river dredging to facilitate unobstructed water flow, a critical step in preventing flooding, which poses a significant drowning risk in Ghana.

Ghana's drowning epidemic is a tragedy that can no longer be ignored. Let us come together as a united nation to prevent future loss of life, ensuring that every child can grow up without the fear of being swept away by this silent tide. Our collective action can be the lifesaver our nation desperately needs now.

Conclusion:

The 2020 WHO report has pulled back the curtain on the alarming reality of drowning in Ghana. It's a silent crisis that should fill us with alarm and compel us to take action. We must demand change, not just from our policymakers but from ourselves as a united community. We have the power to make a difference, to save lives, and to prevent further heartbreak. Let us not allow Ghana's waters to continue as silent killers. The time has come to take action and secure a safer future for our nation and its people.
The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day: The love and hypocrisy

Dr George Asekere Opinion Sep - 23 - 2023 , 09:33

The memorial day of Ghanas founder President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, was marked on Thursday, September 21, 2023 with interesting developments.

It is, therefore, in order to wish the Osagyefo a happy birthday wherever he is now and to thank him for playing his part in Ghanas journey so far.

To say that Ghanaians are divided over how to position Dr Nkrumah historically is to state the obvious. Those belonging to the centre-right of our political divide do not share the view that Dr Nkrumah should be designated as the founder of Ghana, a position strongly advocated and held by those belonging to the centre-left of our political divide.

In the midst of this national embarrassment, we keep stressing that a nation that does not honour its heroes is not worth dying for. Maybe the popularity of Ghanas first President globally has shown that when destined to be great alive or dead, there is very little man can do about it.

Nkrumahs birthday

The official position notwithstanding, the division is that Dr Nkrumahs birthday remains nationally commemorated as a memorial day in honour of him.

To give meaning to this, the state refurbished the Kwame Nkrumah museum in Accra where his remains, together with that of his wife, Fathia, have been permanently laid to rest pending the rapture. Surely, this is good and must be commended as it gives meaning to the assertion that, a nation that honours it heroes is worth dying for.

Media reports from the Nkrumah Museum showed that many people marked the day positively. The state made revenue from the tourists which is a good way of generating revenue internally without controversies. Apart from the revenue, the occasion certainly provided many the opportunity to build rapport with others.

As sociologists would want us to believe, it was certainly a marriage market and some surely met their future life partners there. Health experts have argued that such joyous moments have a positive impact on our health and general well-being. So, beyond celebrating Dr Nkrumah, we saved money for the state through tickets sold there and the savings made from people who would have ended up eventually in the hospital due to stress.

While this should have been the ideal thing going forward, the day was not all joyful. The negative aspect of the events that unfolded on the Nkrumah Memorial Day created the impression that we are fixated on preaching what appears good and practising the exact opposite.

Many expected some form of national recognition by officialdom and that was, largely, not the case. The state did not issue any official statement leaving many who were glued to the television, radio and online sources, to hear, read or watch the news at mid-day, overly disappointed. This is something we can correct going forward since it takes nothing away from us.

Other matters arising

Another ugly spectacle was the banter between the Ghana Police Service and organisers of the Fix the Country Movement who organised a demonstration dubbed Occupy Jubilee House. The question that I kept asking was whether the organisers of the disrupted demonstrations were actually lawless and whether the police were independent and responsible.

We read from the news that the police had secured an injunction to stop the demonstration. We also heard in the news that the organisers were not served the said injunction. This is where the danger lies and the earlier we tackled it, the better it is for us collectively.

In recent years, we have been fed with news on how people treat court injunctions and bailiffs. The theoretical explanation is within the Thucydides standard of justice and power in his Peloponnesian war thesis. He asserted that the standard of justice depends on the power to compel. As such, the powerful, including the rich do what they have the power to do and the weak poor must accept what they have to. Is it the case that the police enforce the law when it is about a certain group and not the same as other groups? But democracy does not work that way.

We must work assiduously to prevent the floodgates from spilling. Unlawful as it is, many will rightly raise questions when two people; one with the help of the police prevent a court bailiff from being served an injunction, and another hearing of an injunction, both go ahead to do what led to the legal suit. The police move to arrest one group of lawless people and stay mute about another group of lawless people. This is not too good and raises questions about the independence of the police service.

There is also a difficulty in fathoming why demonstrators and the police have difficulty in the first place. There should not be any such difficulty if we are minded about our country and our collective quest to make it better. Long live Ghana.

The writer is a Lecturer, Department of Political Science, University of Education, Winneba
World leaders speak at United Nations General Assembly

Mary Mensah International News Sep - 23 - 2023 , 08:46

Several days of speeches from heads of state and government began last Tuesday as the General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) kicked off in New York, United States with the climate crisis and the war in Ukraine expected to figure prominently at the United Nations this week.

This years week-long high-level UN gathering, which runs from Tuesday, September 19, through to Tuesday, September 26, is the first full-on meeting of world leaders since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted travel, has 145 leaders scheduled to speak. Its a large number that reflects the multitude of crises and conflicts.

Given the diversity of speakers, the General Debate usually covers a range of issues of regional and global interest. But for the first time in years, US President Joe Biden, who spoke soon after Guterres, is the only leader from the five powerful veto-wielding nations on the UN Security Council to address the 193-member assembly.

Absent Presidents

For the first time since 2010, leaders of four of the councils five permanent members, known as the P5, were not speaking at the General Debate. The four others, Chinas Xi Jinping, Russias Vladimir Putin, Frances Emmanuel Macron and Britains Rishi Sunak, are all skipping the UN this year and this has put the spotlight on Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who made his first appearance at the assemblys podium later last Tuesday, and on President Biden, who was watched especially for his views on China, Russia and Ukraine.

Rishi Sunak will be the first British Prime Minister in more than a decade to skip the event, saying his busy schedule prevents him from going to New York. French President Emmanuel Macron also misses the event, citing scheduling conflicts.

The high-level General Debate, which began last Tuesday, following two weeks of meetings, is the most widely watched event in the UNs annual calendar as it provides world leaders and heads of state the opportunity to lay out their priorities for the coming year, urge cooperation on pressing issues and often call out their adversaries. It is a one-of-a-kind moment each year for leaders from every corner of the globe to not only assess the state of the world but to act for the common good.

This years theme

This years General Debate is being held on the theme, Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all.

Insisting that international cooperation is critical, the United Nations Chief, Anthonio Guterres, delivered a dire warning to leaders from across the world when he opened the debate last Tuesday, declaring that the planet was becoming unhinged with mounting global challenges and geopolitical tensions and warning that we seem incapable of coming together to respond.

Addressing Presidents and Prime Ministers, monarchs and ministers at the opening of the UN General Assemblys high-level meeting, the Secretary-General ticked off a list of existential threats the world is facing, from climate change to disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Our world is becoming unhinged. Geopolitical tensions are rising. Global challenges are mounting. And we seem incapable of coming together to respond, Guterres told the people who run the worlds nations. He said the United Nations and the ways that countries cooperate must evolve to meet the era.

US President

President Joe Biden, during his speech last Tuesday, said the number of Security Council permanent members should be increased. His remarks echoed his initial call from last year when he specifically said permanent seats should be granted to nations in Africa and Latin America. We need to be able to break the gridlock that too often stymies progress and blocks consensus on the council, he said Tuesday. We need more voices and more perspectives at the table.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told the UN General Assembly that, "Evil cannot be trusted," as he urged the world to unite to end Russian aggression against his country. In a passionate speech in New York, which focused heavily on the danger Russia poses to the world, Mr Zelensky said a nuclear-armed Moscow must be stopped from "pushing the world to the final war," adding that other common challenges such as climate change can only be properly addressed after Moscow had been pushed back.

The overall role of UNGA

The 193-member UN General Assembly debates matters of human rights, international law and cooperation in economic, social, cultural, educational, and health fields. It has the ability to pass resolutions and declarations meant to set out the guiding principles of the organisation.

According to the UN Charter, the body is also charged with addressing matters of international peace and security not currently being addressed by the UN Security Council (UNSC). The UNGA approves the UNs sprawling annual budget and one of its six main committees directly oversees the funding of peacekeeping missions around the world.

Who speaks at the UNGA

The UNGA president typically delivers the first speech of the General Debate. This sessions leader, Dennis Francis from Trinidad and Tobago, has said that he wants to prioritise greater multilateralism and equal opportunity during his tenure.

Brazil then traditionally delivers the first country speech, with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expected to make climate change a centrepiece of his address. Lula, who took office in January, has vowed to re-establish Brazil as a global leader in the environment and bolster the protection of the critical Amazon rainforest after years of destruction.

From there, the order of speakers then follows a complex algorithm reflecting level of representation, geographical balance, the order in which the request to speak was recorded and other considerations, the UN says on its website.

The Sustainable Development Goals

The UN has described the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as an urgent call for action between nations to address poverty, hunger and other global issues.

They were laid out in the so-called 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted in 2015 and provides a blueprint for achieving several benchmarks by 2030.

The list includes 17 goals, including ensuring quality education, providing clean water and sanitation, and taking urgent action to tackle the climate crisis.
Action plan to strengthen aquaculture sector in the offing

Emelia Ennin Abbey & Mildred Asaah Sep - 23 - 2023 , 08:05

An initiative to develop a roadmap to strengthen and ensure sustainable growth of the countrys aquaculture sector has started.

Known as the Blue Food Partnership Ghana initiative, it is aimed at catalysing science-based actions towards healthy and sustainable blue food value chains.

The private sector led initiative is also to enable Ghana to meet the increasing demand for healthy and nutritious food in more sustainable ways.

Ghana is currently the only country in West Africa to join the global initiative which is supported by the United Kingdoms Blue Planet Fund, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, Friends of Ocean Action, Futurefish and championed in Ghana by the Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana.

Blue Foods are foods that are captured by fisheries or cultivated by aquaculture from the ocean, rivers, lakes, ponds and tanks, and can derive from aquatic animals, plants or algae.

Network meeting

As part of the process to develop an action plan for the countrys blue food partnership Ghana initiative, a networking meeting was held yesterday in Accra.

It brought together stakeholders across the aquaculture value chain, including aquaculture farmers, processors, hatcheries operators, scientists, government representatives and operators of restaurants.

Huge demand

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, the Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Moses Anim, said there was a huge demand for aquaculture products in Ghana.

He said the per capita consumption was between 20 kilograms (kg) and 26kg with 60 per cent of protein source coming from aquatic animals.

Mr Anim said Ghana had a good climate for aquaculture with huge irrigated areas, dams and dug-outs.

The demand for aquaculture produce, he said, was less than the supply while the challenge of the depletion of marine resources, which used to provide about 80 per cent of protein sources, had even made it worse as it now stood at 55 per cent.

"In 1996, Ghana was landing about 250,000 tonnes of pelagics but as of the end of 2014, it had reduced to about 44,000 tonnes," the deputy minister said.

Following the dwindling marine sources, Mr Anim said aquaculture had, therefore, become the most viable alternative to supply aquatic animal food.

State of aquaculture

Aquaculture in Ghana, he said "is not doing badly producing about 132,000 tonnes of fish, representing 20 per cent of total aquatic animal production."

Mr Anim indicated that the government's decision to update the 2008 Fisheries and Aquaculture National Policy was in the right direction as it had helped to set out aquaculture as a stand-alone focus area.

The deputy minister stressed the need to encourage diversification of aquaculture species as the current focus was on two species, namely tilapia and catfish.

Chamber

The Chairman of the Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana, Dr Henry Anim Somuah, commended the UK Government and other partners for choosing the chamber to lead such an important initiative in Ghana.

He said promoting sustainable practices would support the transformation of Ghanas aquaculture industry which was currently the fastest growing in sub-Saharan Africa.

A project lead of Futurefish, the technical partners of the Blue Food Partnership Ghana Initiative, Dr Olek Kaminski, said the initiative would ensure the adoption of more responsible practices and a resilient aquaculture industry.

He said a number of stakeholders engagement had been held, while a survey had also been carried out to find out the priority areas for the sector.

Also, there would be the need for awareness creation of the benefits in patronising farmed fish in order to grow the sector, Dr Kaminski said.
Develop open communication with patients  Medical Consultant

Yaa Kuffour Senyah & Jemima Okang Addae Sep - 23 - 2023 , 08:10

Health workers in the country have been urged to patiently engage patients in medical facilities to ensure their safety at all times.

A Quality Improvement Consultant, Dr Gilbert Buckle, said patients, mostly, had the fear of interacting with medical officials when admitted or were under treatment.

That, he said, hindered them from knowing most procedures conducted on them by the officials and communicating adequately on how they fared while being treated.

Dr Buckle gave the advice at the commemoration of the World Patient Safety Day and Quality Improvement day at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (GARH) in Accra yesterday.

He said not providing adequate information to patients affected their ability in communicating their challenges to health officials to adequately solve them, thereby causing morbidities or unwanted cases on many occasions .

Dr Buckle, therefore, encouraged medical officials to work together to create a good patient to medical official relationship in solving most patient safety challenges in health facilities.

So, as medical officers, be clear in your mind that the patients are more concerned about their health and wellbeing than the medical officials are. So find ways to encourage them that they are at a safe space while delivering quality service to ensure that they are well taken care of, he explained.

The Medical Director of GARH, Dr Emmanuel Srofenyoh, said hospitals mainly existed because of patients, hence patient safety was meant to be addressed as paramount in its daily operations.

He said the lack of patient safety was recorded as one of the causes of patient morbidity in hospitals as stated by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Thus, as an operating health facility in the country, it was important to commemorate World Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Day to review their safety strategies and look at ways to improve on the strategies to improve on patient safety in the hospital.

Dr Srofenyoh, however, gave an assurance that the facility was committed to improving the quality of care for patients to ensure that they fully recovered from the various illnesses they checked into a facility with.

Patient engagement

Speaking on enhancing patients engagement, the Deputy Chief Nursing Officer at GARH, Mavis Aggrey, said patients ought to actively seek information about their healthcare facilitys infection control policies and procedures.

Encourage open communication between healthcare providers and patients. Patients should feel comfortable asking questions and reporting any concerns about infections, she explained.

She noted that there was lack of support and attention paid to patients perspective although they had first hand knowledge of their conditions as they were at the centre of treatment process.

Education

The Quality Assurance Manager at GARH, Sarah Ghanney, said educating patients and the community were key to patients safety.

She explained that effective communication between patients and healthcare providers was important in creating the enabling environment for reporting issues of safety.

Ms Ghanney said the hospital had suffered repercussions from the public when patients, who had been victims of unsafe care, reported their ordeal to the media.

She said it was for this reason that the hospital upgraded the Quality Assurance unit to Quality and Patient Safety Department in 2021 to ensure quality and safe healthcare delivery.
MIASA holds midterm conference on sustainable governance

Zadok Kwame Gyesi Sep - 23 - 2023 , 11:26

The Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa (MIASA) in collaboration with the University of Ghana has held its Midterm Conference with focus on sustainable governance.

The three-day conference, which started on September 19-21, 2023, was on the theme: Sustainable Governance in a Time of Global Flux: Issues, Concepts and Future Directions.

The event brought together about 100 scholars and researchers from across the globe to deliberate on the thematic research areas of MIASA.

The Midterm conference hosted a total of six panels and three roundtables with keynote addresses from Professor Elisio Macamo from the University of Basel and member of MIASAs Academic Avisory Board as well as Professor Dzodzi Tsikata from SOAS, University of London, formerly Director at Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana, and co-initiator of MIASA, founding director and former chair of MIASAs Executive Council.

Among the topics treated and discussed at the event included Sustainable peacebuilding? Historical trajectories and global interconnections; Formal institutions, informality and knowledge production: Developing a research agenda for the analysis of institutional variations in Africa; Strengthening Governance Institutions for Accountability and Service Delivery in Africa; Interreligious relations in Africa  How to avoid conflict and promote peace; Seeking Support Through Religious Networks: Responses to Terrorist Attacks in Africa; and Extractive governance across time and space: what does sustainability mean in contexts of mineral, oil, or gas production?

The MIASA is an institute under the College of Humanities, University of Ghana. It is based on a collaboration between the University of Ghana and four German partners: the University of Freiburg (leading house), the Goethe University Frankfurt, the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA), and the German Historical Institute Paris (GHIP).

MIASA, which serves as a platform for German-African research collaboration in the social sciences and humanities aims at making African thinking increasingly relevant in academic debates.

The Institute is jointly sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the University of Ghana.

MIASA's research programme explores the issue of sustainable governance in an interdisciplinary perspective, focusing on three thematic area: democratic governance; peace and conflict, and sustainable transformations.

Moreover, MIASA is interested in issues that are at the intersection of these areas and that allow for anchoring its research in concrete experiences and historical contexts: migration; landownership and acquisition; restitution of colonially taken African objects; African cities; and human rights.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, the two MIASA Directors, Dr. Grace Diabah and Dr. Susann Baller, noted that since the start of its fellowship programme in 2019, MIASA had hosted more than 100 fellows at its premises.

Dr Ballaer said the midterm conference, which marks the middle of MIASAs six year main phase of German government funding, was meant to bring together different MIASA fellow generations and MIASAs partners as well as other researchers from across the globe to reflect on MIASAs overarching topic of sustainable governance.

According to the MIASA Directors, the conference would enable participants to explore the interconnections and interconnectedness between MIASAs thematic areas.

For them, the conference addresses the question of which role governance plays for them and which forms, practices and expressions governance takes, as well as question, rethink and reinvent concepts, methods and epistemologies of sustainability and sustainable governance.

The conference also reflected on the recent transformations and disruptions across the world as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russias invasion of Ukraine with its attendants debates about the governance of economies and growing inequalities across some economies.

In her welcome remarks, Dr. Christina Norwig of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)) noted that challenges such climate change or peace building do not stop at national borders but that such societal challenges had to be carried out internationally.

She said MIASA had created opportunities for researchers from across the globe to meet and deliberate on key issues that affect the development of the world, particularly Africa.
US to support Ghana achieve nutrition, health objectives  Malave

Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Sep - 23 - 2023 , 09:16

The United States (US) is committed to supporting the government to achieve its nutrition and health objectives to build a more resilient, productive and inclusive society.

The Nutrition and Social Protection Team Lead, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Maureen Malave, said the US was committed to the partnership to support nutrition activities in Ghana to improve the health of Ghanaians.

That, she said, would be continuously done through the Resilience in Northern Ghana (RIIG II) project by working with the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD).

As part of the project, 17 districts would implement activities in the areas of health, agriculture, water, sanitation and hygiene to help address all the root causes of malnutrition, she added.

Close-out event

She was speaking at the regional close-out learning event of the Advancing Nutrition Ghana project in Bolgatanga last Wednesday.

It was on the theme: Deepening the multi-sectoral nutrition agenda-The USAID advancing nutrition story.

She indicated that USAID was actively working with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to strengthen networks of practice across northern Ghana and ensure the integration of nutrition services at all levels of the healthcare system.

Support health workers

She said the organisation would continue to support health workers to improve service delivery and counselling related to infant and young child feeding, anaemia prevention and control, the management of severe malnutrition and community-based nutrition services.

She stressed that poor nutrition had many adverse consequences for child survival and long-term well-being, saying It has far-reaching consequences for human capital, economic productivity and national development.

USAID will continue to work with GHS to advocate the inclusion of nutrition commodities in the essential medicines list so that commodities can be covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), she said.

Commendation

The Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, commended USAID for the interventions in the region and assured the organisation of continuous partnership to ensure that the lives of the people were enhanced.

As we celebrate the successes of the project, let us be mindful of the challenges and work to sustain the gains made together with other USAID interventions in our respective areas of jurisdiction, he said.

I wish to assure you of the governments commitment and that of the Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) towards improving the lives of the people through partnership and infrastructure provision, among others, Mr Yakubu stated.

In a welcome address, the Deputy Director, Administration at the Regional Directorate of the GHS, Pascal Dongzuing, said the project had contributed significantly to addressing malnutrition in the region.

He noted that the region benefitted from the project in the areas of capacity building, community engagements, mobilisation, fuel support for outreaches, the supply of essential registers and service delivery tools, among others.

He mentioned that as part of the project, pregnant women in all four districts of operation, namely Garu, Tempane, Bawku West and Bawku Municipality, had been provided with the maternal and child health record books towards improving service delivery and documentation.

The Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, Naba Baba Salifu Atamale Lemyaarum, who chaired the event, underscored the need for children to be provided with the needed nutritional foods right from infancy to enable them to grow healthy.
PNC unhappy with demonstration on Nkrumahs birthday

Daily Graphic Politics Sep - 23 - 2023 , 11:59

The Peoples National Convention said it was disheartened that Ghanas first President Dr Kwame Nkrumahs birthday celebration on Thursday was marred by attempted demonstration and arrests.

About 50 people were arrested by the police for going ahead with the planned demonstration despite being warned not to do so by the police.

A statement issued and signed by its General Secretary, Janet Asana Nabla, said Nkrumah would have been upset if he was alive that instead of celebrating him, the day was poisoned with negativity of the demonstration.

The PNC maintained that it was not only demonstrations that people could use to register their grievances particularly on a day when the man being celebrated believed in unity, rule of law and togetherness.

Lectures/Symposiums

The demonstrators could have used lectures and symposiums to send their grievances across since; they could not obtain police consent.

More to the point, Ghana is in a volatile situation in the West African sub-region which has been plagued with coups detat, a situation in which the demonstrators are fully aware, the statement said.

The statement said the PNC was aware that citizens have a basic human right to demonstrate whenever they deem fit, but the law also requires that they first acquire permission from the police.

Despite the fact that we condemn the abuse, we will caution demonstrators in the future to request police permission before holding a protest, the statement added.

It said the PNC would not permit people or organisations that have never cast a ballot or supported the Nkrumah/Limann legacy to take advantage of the Day by acting in defiance of the law.
Police brutality on protesters step backward for democracy  NDC

Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Politics Sep - 23 - 2023 , 11:47

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned what it has described as unwarranted brutality meted out to the individuals who participated in the Occupy Jubilee House protests in the early hours of Thursday (September 21, 2023).

A statement signed by the partys General Secretary on Thursday (Sept 21), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, said that the party was saddened about such crude tactics being deployed by the police, especially at a time when the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, was being applauded for making efforts to transform the police service into one of the best institutions in the country.

This shameful show of brute force runs counter to that. Its regrettable the police would think that violence and suppression of human rights is the best way to address issues, It said.

After 31 years of our democratic journey, it is a crying shame that we cannot find more peaceful ways to address these issues. This is a massive step backward for our democracy, the statement added.

The party, therefore, called on the police to release the arrested protestors and to use professional means and practices in handling such issues.

The statement also called on progressive forces to join the NDC to provide legal and other support to assist all the protestors who were arrested or injured by the police.

In the spirit of solidarity, we extend empathy to protesters who have been injured and/or detained by the police, it added.

The organisers of the protest had planned to assemble at the 37 Military Hospital bus station (trotro station), from where they were going to march to the Jubilee House.

But police officers quelled the protest and arrested the protesters who were less than 50.

Those arrested were taken to various police stations in Accra.

As of 10 a.m. there was still police presence at the 37 Military Hospital bus station, and any protester wearing black or red who was seen around the area was arrested by the police.

Injunction

The Ghana Police Service in a statement on Wednesday, Sept 20, said it had filed an application at the High Court in Accra and successfully served organisers of the planned demonstration.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 24.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has met with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres within the framework of the high-level week of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Trend reports.

During the meeting, the current cooperation agenda between Azerbaijan and the UN, as well as the current situation in the region, were discussed.

Bayramov noted that since Azerbaijan became a member of the UN, it has engaged in fruitful cooperation with the organization, including its specialized agencies, emphasizing the significance of the UN's activities in Azerbaijan.

Providing information on the current situation in the region and the peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Bayramov also spoke about the recent local anti-terrorism measures undertaken Azerbaijan, which resulted in ending the presence of illegal Armenian armed forces in Karabakh, which was a violation of four UN Security Council resolutions.

These measures will be a contribution to the peace process, including the removal of remnants of the 30-year occupation, as well as the withdrawal of illegal armed forces that have persistently disrupted peace and stability in the region. This includes the reintegration of local Armenian residents in the Karabakh region.

In this regard, it was reported that in recent days, a meeting took place between the representative of the Azerbaijani Government and the representative of Armenian residents in the city of Yevlakh. It was also mentioned that steps have been taken on our side in line with the results of this meeting, including the provision of humanitarian aid to meet the needs of the residents.

Minister Bayramov provided information to the UN Secretary General about the ongoing process of disarmament of Armenian armed forces. He also presented images of captured military equipment and weapons over the past three days.
Back in March, OnePlus launched a Lite version of its Buds Pro in China. These have today landed in Europe too, although under a different name: OnePlus Buds Pro 2R. They are the same exact thing, though, aside from the name - oh, and only the white version seems to be available for some reason.

There's an introductory offer if you act fast, but there's a caveat which you should read on to find out. So, in Europe you can get the Buds Pro 2R for just 129, down 20 from the normal price of 149. To get the lower price, you just need to pre-order a pair until September 25 at 11:00 CEST from OnePlus' official store.

That seems like a great deal, but here's the thing. The non-R, non-Lite OnePlus Buds Pro 2 are currently offered for 125.30. That makes them cheaper, and they also have wireless charging and head tracking support, unlike the Buds Pro 2R. Otherwise, they're identical, so if you can still grab the Pro 2 earbuds for 125.30, we'd say definitely go for those. On the other hand, if the price goes up, then maybe the Buds Pro 2R are a good choice for you if you don't care for wireless charging and head tracking.

If you're interested in either pair, make sure you read our review of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2. Everything we said about them applies to the Buds Pro 2R, aside from the wireless charging and head tracking of course.
The Galaxy A05 and A05s are both upcoming smartphones at the lower-end of the Korean company's roster, and both of these have been leaking a lot lately. Most recently, we've seen them in leaked schematics portraying the differences in design (and some features).

Today, the Galaxy A05s has landed in the Google Play Console, a sign of an imminent launch. The listing, as always, provides us with an image of the device, along with some of its specs.

According to the Google Play Console, the Galaxy A05s will have a screen with 1080x2400 resolution, Android 13 on board, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 SoC at the helm, and 6GB of RAM. That being said, there may be other memory variants too.

Past leaks and rumors had the Galaxy A05s coming with a 6.6-inch display, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and a 4,000 mAh battery with support for 25W fast wired charging. As you can see from the image above, there will be a sizeable 'chin' under that screen.

Via
Briefing is now complete before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Borja v. Nago, which challenges federal and state overseas voting laws that discriminate against residents of Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other territories, according to a statement from the Right to Democracy project.

Right to Democracy seeks to advance democracy and self-determination in U.S. territories.

In a brief filed on Sept. 20, plaintiffs ask the court to reject arguments from the U.S. Justice Department that voting is not a fundamental right for residents of U.S. territories who could vote for president by absentee ballot in their former state of residence if they lived in any foreign country or the Northern Mariana Islands but cannot because they live in Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Going further, the Justice Department argues that even assuming these discriminatory laws are unconstitutional, the federal government cannot be sued because Hawaii remains free to fix any injury caused by federal discrimination, the statement said.

It added that the Justice Department also argues that the proper remedy for any unconstitutional discrimination would be to deny overseas voting rights in the NMI rather than extend them equally to all former state residents who lose their right to vote simply by moving overseas.

While long-established Supreme Court precedent makes clear that voting is a fundamental right for all citizens, it is disappointing to see the Biden Justice Department arguing that is not true when federal overseas voting laws discriminate against citizens who move from a state to Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to Neil Weare, co-director of Right to Democracy and who represents the Borja plaintiffs.

He said this is just another example of how the federal government continues to diminish democracy, self-determination, and political power in U.S. territories.

DOJs constricted view  that statutory extensions of the right to vote are not considered fundamental would upend voting rights jurisprudence as we know it, Weare said. Simply put, the right to vote is fundamental no matter where you happen to live or whether it is based on statute or the constitution.

Parker Rider-Longmaid, counsel at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, which also represents the Borja plaintiffs, said: DOJ defends the discriminatory federal law by arguing that states are free to fix it.

Thats absurd. The federal governments law defines the states political community to include former state residents but then unconstitutionally discriminates against those who move to certain territories. The federal government must take responsibility for that law, Rider-Longmaid said.

Rider-Longmaid added that its equally absurd for DOJ to suggest that the appropriate fix here is to take away voting rights, rather than extend them with an even hand, when the entire purpose of this law was to enfranchise more citizens.

Last year, a Hawaii district court denied the Borja plaintiffs challenge to these discriminatory federal and state overseas voting laws.

Under current law, residents of Hawaii or other states who move to a foreign country or the NMI remain free to vote for president by absentee ballot in their former state of residence. But those who move to Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or other territories cannot.

Plaintiffs are also represented by Guam attorney Vanessa Williams, Virgin Islands attorney Pamela Colon, and former Guam resident T.J. Quan, who is now an attorney in Hawaii.

The next step in the case is oral argument before the Ninth Circuit, which is expected early next year.

The lawsuit is part of a broader effort by Right to Democracy to advance democracy and self-determination in U.S. territories.

Right to Democracy said it does not take a position on political status  that is for the people of each territory to decide. But when federal or state laws discriminate to unconstitutionally deny residents of U.S. territories their right to vote, courts can and should intervene.

Art competitionAs part of this broader effort, Right to Democracy is also currently holding a Territories Art Competition for young people ages 12-17 to express through visual arts, words, or music What Does Democracy Mean to You?

Winners from each territory will receive prizes in the amount of $500, $250, and $100.

The deadline for submissions is Oct. 10, 2023. More information at https://www.righttodemocracy.us/art_competition.

We hope young people in each territory will use the arts to express what a democracy means to them, even as the Justice Department continues to argue against a right to democracy in U.S. territories, Weare said.
A man believed to be in his 30s is dead after a 2004 Mitsubishi Montero lost control and veered off the roadway early morning Saturday on Route 4 near a water pump by the Sinajana hill, according to the Guam Police Department and Guam Fire Department.

Before fire fully engulfed the vehicle, four individuals helped pull the driver, GPD said.

The fatal traffic crash happened at around 2:09 a.m., according to police.

GFD said at 2:10 a.m., its personnel initiated and conducted CPR on a male, approximately in his mid-30s, en route to Naval Hospital Guam.

Hours later, GPD confirmed the person involved in the crash died.

The operator was transported to Naval Hospital where he was pronounced deceased by Dr. Haggerty. Official identification is pending notification of the next of kin, GPD said.

When the Mitsubishi Montero lost control and veered off the roadway, it collided with a chain link fence before crashing into a Guam Waterworks Authority chlorine station at the Guam Power Authority/GWA pump station A-23/25, GPD said.

Police said GWA confirmed there was no chlorine spillage as a result of the crash.

Immediately after the collision, a fire engulfed the vehicle. It was identified that four individuals provided assistance to the operator and pulled the driver out of the vehicle before it was fully consumed by the flames, GPD said.

GFD extinguished the fire before it could have caused further damage.

GPDs Guam Highway Patrol Division has taken over the investigation and is currently working to determine the cause of the crash. The investigation remains open.

This marks Guams 19th serious traffic crash and 23rd fatality for the year.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 24. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, as part of his participation in the high-level week of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, has met with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Trend reports.

At the meeting, the parties exchanged views on issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the two countries, as well as on the latest situation in the region.

The growing dynamics of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran in the economic, trade and humanitarian spheres were noted with satisfaction, and the importance of high-level meetings and interstructural contacts carried out recently in a number of other areas was emphasized.

The parties exchanged views on bilateral and recent regional events. At the meeting, attention was paid to the process of reintegration of people of Armenian origin living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and the process of disarmament of illegal Armenian formations.

During the meeting, views were also exchanged on other issues of mutual interest at the regional and international levels.




Haiti - UN : High-level meeting on the establishment of a multinational intervention mission





U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield joined Secretary of State Antony Blinken for a meeting on September 22 to discuss the proposed creation of a multinational security support mission in Haiti.



On the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, joined Secretary of State Antony Blinken for a September 22 ministerial meeting to discuss the proposed establishment of a Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) to Haiti. In addition to U.S. and Haitian government officials, other high-level participants included representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Beirut, Belize, Canada, CARICOM, Chile, Colombia, Cote DIvoire, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, EU, France, Germany, Guyana, Jamaica, Japan, Italy, Mexico, OAS, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, and Uruguay.



This ministerial supported months-long efforts led by officials from the U.S. and Ecuadorian missions to the United Nations, who are negotiating a UN Security Council Resolution asking the body to authorize a proposed Kenya-led MSS mission (MSS) in Haiti  a direct response by the international community to requests from the Government of Haiti. This effort is critical to restoring the security, safety, and stability of the Haitian people.



Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the United States would provide logistics, including intelligence, airlift, communications and medical support to the mission, as well as $100 million for the emergency response mission. Haiti which must still be approved by the United Nations Security Council.



Blinken urged the international community to pledge additional personnel as well as equipment, logistics, training and funding for this effort to succeed concluding "Improved security must be accompanied by real progress to resolve the crisis politics, he said. The support mission will not replace political progress. 



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Security Council vote next week ?

Friday September 22, 2023, following a high-level meeting on security in Haiti at the invitation of American Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, Maria Isabel Salvador, Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) estimated that the UN Security Council could vote on the resolution authorizing a multinational security mission in Haiti next week without specifying a date.



Saut-dEau : Police station burned down

Friday, September 22, high tension reigned in the town of Saut-d'Eau (Dept. of the Centre) where heavily armed individuals terrorized the population of the commune... In the evening, these individuals attacked and set fire to the police station...



Conditional stay : 71,000 Haitians already legally in the USA

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials, from January 5 to August 2023, more than 211,000 people : Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans arrived legally in the country as part of the conditional residence program including 71,000 Haitians out of the 84,000 authorized.



UN : SG Guterres / PM Henry meeting

Secretary General Antonio Guterres spoke with Prime Minister Ariel Henry and expressed solidarity with the Haitian people who continue to suffer from a multifaceted crisis, exacerbated by gang violence. The two men also discussed the deployment of a Multinational Security Support Mission in support of the Haitian National Police. They further discussed the importance of reaching broad political agreement in order to create conditions conducive to holding elections and paving the way for development.



Haiti : Biden organized an important meeting

Friday, September 22, 2023, President Biden organized a closed-door meeting on Haiti, on the agenda: the needs of the Kenyan mission and the results of the assessment mission to Haiti carried out by senior Kenyan officials last August. More than 30 countries attended the meeting, and at least 11 of them made commitments to support the mission without further details, according to a senior U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to the resulting from this meeting...



Haiti will deport an American citizen

American citizen Robert Brenton Nutther will be expelled from Haitian territory. The expulsion order was adopted on September 19, 2023 and published in the official journal Le Moniteur. Robert Brenton was arrested in Les Cayes last July and accused of "incitement to violence".



HL/ HaitiLibre


















BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Azykh and Taghlar caves located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as prehistoric sites in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

The decision was made at the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).

Earlier, Armenia protested against it, but the Armenians' dirty campaign at UNESCO proved fruitless.

The Azykh and Taghlar caves are two prehistoric sites in the Khojavand region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, bearing exceptional value as places of dwelling for hominins since as early as 1,200,000 years ago and containing testimony to prehistoric fauna. The archeological excavations of the caves, started in the early 1960s, allowed the discovery of a huge diversity of tools and animal fossils, which remains a testament to the importance the region of South Caucasus has played in human migrations in prehistoric times, providing evidence of prehistoric beliefs about hominin species and the early use of fireplaces.
Newly adopted budget appropriates $37 million for Henderson County

Jennifer Balkcom

The 2023-24 budget adopted by the North Carolina General Assembly includes $37 million in 18 separate grants for public water and sewer, flood resiliency, emergency services, rural fire & rescue departments and nonprofits, state Rep. Jennifer Capps Balkcom announced.

The budget appropriates $30 billion to fund new projects across the state, including significant investments in water and sewer improvements, transportation, school safety, teacher and state employee raises, and economic development.



The budget includes these appropriations for Henderson County:

$14.75 million for Hendersonville city water & sewer

$14 million for Henderson County Flood Resiliency Project

$2.34 million for Blue Ridge Community College

$2 million for Henderson County Agricultural Services

$1 million for Henderson County EMS

$600,000 for Gerton Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue, Inc.

$450,000 for Blue Ridge Fire & Rescue, Inc.

$416,000 for Henderson County Sheriffs Office

$300,000 for Angels Watch Foster Care Program

$250,000 for Edneyville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Inc.

$235,000 for Town of Fletcher Police Department

$183,381 for St. Gerard House

$130,000 for Mills River Fire & Rescue Department

$120,000 for Dana Community Center

$105,000 for Henderson County Equipment

$100,000 for Saluda Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Inc.

$100,000 for Henderson County for Ecusta Trail

$40,000 for Henderson County Library

Over the biennium, the legislation cuts taxes by $1.2 billion for families and businesses, ensuring hardworking citizens can keep more of their hard-earned money, Balkcom said, while the state's rainy-day fund grows to nearly $5 billion and could be used in response to potential economic downturns and natural disasters. Gov. Roy Cooper, who got one of his highest priorities, Medicaid expansion, but also had to accept numerous changes that stripped him of power, announced that he would not veto the spending plan.

As a freshman lawmaker, it was exciting to participate in the budget process and secure critical funding for our local communities, Balkcom said. This is a great budget that will improve the lives of countless North Carolinians. The budget also includes additional funding for teacher pay supplements in rural and underserved areas. This will bring a yearly pay boost of $4,441 for Henderson County teachers. Statewide, the budget also provides:
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. The delegation of the Military University of Technology (MUT) and the War Studies University (WSU) of the Republic of Poland visited Azerbaijan.

In accordance with the bilateral cooperation plan, the National Defense University presented to the Polish delegation an extended briefing on the military education system in Azerbaijan.

It was noted that the relations between the two countries are developing in an ascending line. The meeting also discussed the prospects for the development of cooperation in the field of military education, as well as a number of issues of mutual interest.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan discussed in detail the progress of the implementation of current joint projects and agreements, as well as the possibilities of expanding bilateral trade, economics, transport, logistics, and interregional cooperation, Trend reports.

During the meeting between Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov and Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan Arman Shakkaliyev on September 22, both sides noted the positive dynamics of the growth of trade turnover between the two countries.

In particular, the ministers stressed additional opportunities to increase mutual trade turnover to $10 billion in the coming years due to mutual supplies of food, textiles, automobiles, electrical equipment, ferrous metals, oil, and gas products. A joint foreign trade company created in the spring of 2023, having already exported products totaling $1.3 million during its operation, is designed to contribute to this.

As a result of the meeting, the parties agreed on the format of further cooperation on the implementation of the agreements reached and the defined new areas of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Meanwhile, 7 trade contracts and 24 joint investment agreements signed during the visit of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym Jomart Tokaev, to Uzbekistan in December 2022 are currently being implemented.

Over the past 6 years, the volume of trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan has grown by almost 2.5 times and amounted to $4.6 billion in 2022, which is an increase of 17.8 percent compared to the figure for 2021 ($3.9 billion). In this context, the parties set out the tasks of further increasing the volume and expanding mutual trade.
US based chipmaker Micron Technology, Inc. carried out the groundbreaking of its $2.75 billion assembly, testing and packaging plant (ATMP) in Sanand, Gujarat, on Saturday. The 'Ground Breaking Ceremony' at Micron Technology in Sanand in Gujarat on Saturday. (PTI)

The event took place at Gujarat Industrial Development Corporations (GIDC) industrial estate in Sanand where the company has been allotted 93 acres of land for the project.

The company is poised to begin construction in a record-breaking timeframe of less than three months after signing the MoU, Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel said while speaking at the event.

The project marks the largest investment under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).

The groundbreaking event is a direct outcome of Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent visit to the United States in June, which took place upon the invitation of US President Joe Biden.

Speaking to reporters in Delhi on Thursday, Union minister of state for entrepreneurship, skill development, electronics & technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, In January 2022, PM Modi laid out his vision for India in the global semiconductor ecosystem. He wanted India to rapidly catch up after decades of our country having missed opportunities and failed to make a mark in semiconductors.

He added that within 15 months, India was witnessing one of the largest names in the world of semiconductors - Micron of the US- setting up its first plant in Gujarat.

It tells you that in such a short time, in 15 months time, India has moved from the old narrative of why invest in India for semiconductors to why are we not investing in India for semiconductors, said Chandrashekhar.

Tata Projects on Saturday announced its collaboration with Micron Technology to construct an advanced semiconductor assembly and test plant in Sanand and said it will roll out semiconductor chips next year.

The contract awarded to Tata Projects solidifies the companys proficiency in large-scale, sustainable infrastructure development in the Indian manufacturing landscape, it said in a statement.

This enduring project is a significant milestone and the largest investment under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM). The construction of Phase 1 will include a 500,000 square feet clean room space, scheduled to be operational by late 2024, said the statement.

Vinayak Pai, managing director and chief executive officer (MD & CEO), Tata Projects, said, We are thrilled to embark on this significant journey with Micron Technology, an industry leader in innovative memory and storage solutions. This collaboration exemplifies the unwavering commitment of Tata Projects to advancing technology, promoting sustainable development, and contributing considerably to Make in India initiative. Through this classic venture, we are not just building a state-of-the-art semiconductor assembly and test plant; we are laying the foundation for Indias technological prowess on the global stage.

On June 28, Micron Technology had inked a pact with the Gujarat government for setting up a semiconductor manufacturing facility in the state.

Were excited to break ground on Microns new assembly and test facility here in GIDC, Sanand, Ahmedabad, India, and lead this transformation in Indias semiconductor industry, said Microns senior vice president of Global Assembly and Test Operations Gursharan Singh.

At the MoU signing event in Gandhinagar, the company had said in a presentation that it will create 5,000 direct and 15,000 indirect jobs. The semiconductor chips produced in Sanand will be used across India and exported globally. The first chip from this plant is expected within 18 months, it said.

The Gujarat government handed over the Offer Cum Allotment (OCA) letter to Micron for the allotment of 93 acres of area at Sanand GIDC Estate.

Micron Technology will establish Assembly and Test facility, wherein it will focus on transforming wafers into ball grid array (BGA) integrated circuit packages, memory modules and solid-state drives.

Micron is likely to draw more global semiconductor leaders and multinational corporations (MNCs) to initiate advanced manufacturing operations within the state of Gujarat. Also, it is anticipated that this facility will serve as a catalyst, drawing numerous participants from the complete semiconductor supply chain to establish their presence in Gujarat.

The Gujarat government announced the Gujarat Semiconductor Policy 2022-2027 in July last year, making it the first state in India to introduce a dedicated policy aimed at attracting investments in the chip manufacturing sector.

The state has also established a dedicated Gujarat State Electronics Mission (GSEM) under the Department of Science and Technology, to assist and attract global investors.

The investment by Micron is a novel step towards PM Modis USD 10 billion Semicon India Program to create an Aatmanirbhar Bharat in global semiconductor supply chain manufacturing.

From automobiles to mobile phones and railways to defence, semiconductor chips function as the heart of modern-day products. The size of global semiconductor industry is 650 billion dollars ( 53 lakh crore) and it is projected to increase up to 1 trillion dollars ( 82 lakh crore) by 2030.

India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi is rapidly emerging as a major hub for electronics manufacturing, with the sector crossing 8.25 lakh crore ($110 billion) last year and providing over 25 lakh (2.5 million) jobs. Notably, mobile manufacturing alone accounted for over Rs. 3.5 lakh crore ($47 billion), said a media release by the Gujarat government on June 28.

During PM Modis US visit earlier this year, three semiconductor companies have firmed up their plans to invest in India. Besides Micron, Applied Materials, a leading semiconductor equipment company is expected to invest USD 400 million dollars to build a collaborative engineering centre in India while Lam Research, another leading semiconductor company has announced that it will train 60,000 Indian engineers using its cutting-edge semi-verse technology, according to officials.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
China's First Auto Works (FAW) is set to strengthen its presence in the micro-EV segment with the launch of the Xiaoma Small Electric under the Bestune brand. Pre-sales for this electric car are scheduled to commence this month, Live Hindustan reports. Xiaoma Small Electric car(Live Hindustan)

The FAW Bestune Xiaoma will go head-to-head with the popular Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, currently the best-selling microcar in China. The Bestune Xiaoma is priced between 30,000 to 50,000 Yuan (approximately 3.47 lakh to 5.78 lakh).

Introduced at the Shanghai Auto Show earlier this year in April, the Bestune Xiaoma initially appeared in both hardtop and convertible variants. However, for the time being, only the hardtop variant will be available, with the possibility of the convertible version being introduced at a later date yet to be determined. The car features a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and an attractive dual-tone theme on the dashboard.

The Xiaomi Small Electric boasts a distinctive boxy profile with a dual-tone colour scheme that exudes a playful, animated aesthetic. Notable design elements include large square headlamps with rounded corners and aerodynamic wheels aimed at optimising range. The rear of the car maintains a cohesive design theme with matching tail lamps and bumper.

The Bestune Xiaoma is built on the Xiaoma FME platform, incorporating a dedicated chassis for EV and range extender models. The FME platform consists of two sub-platforms, A1 and A2, designed to accommodate vehicles with varying wheelbases. Range figures for the EV variant exceed 800 kilometres, while the extender model boasts a range of 1200 kilometres. Both platforms support an 800 V architecture.

Under the hood, the micro-EV is powered by a single 20 kW electric motor positioned on the rear axle. The vehicle is equipped with a lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery sourced from Goshan and REPT. Further details about the powertrain are yet to be disclosed. In terms of safety, the Bestune Xiaomi includes a driver-side airbag and features a 3-door configuration. The car's dimensions measure 3000mm in length, 1510mm in width, 1630mm in height, and a wheelbase of 1,953mm.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Farmers, along with pro-Kannada outfits continued to stage protests on Saturday in Karnataka's Mandya against the Cauvery Water Management Authority's (CWMA) order to release water to neighbouring state Tamil Nadu. They laid on the ground and raised slogans demanding justice, and also formed human chains. Protestors formed human chains in protest of release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.(ANI)

Protests were spread across the southern state, with members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike staging demonstrations in Bengaluru and Udupi on Thursday and Friday, respectively. They also held protests in other Cauvery river basin districts including Mysuru, Chamarajanagar and Ramanagara, according to news agency PTI. Other districts such as Chitradurga, Ballari, Davanagere, Koppal and Vijayapura also saw protests, wherein individuals engaged in sloganeering, blocking roads, burning tyres and effigies.

READ | Decision to be made by Sept 26 on Cauvery water release: Karnataka govt

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists, who were headed by Praveen Shetty, even blocked a highway in Bengaluru's K R Puram. Many including Shetty were then detained by police. Some Kannada organisations also blocked the TK Halli pumping station in Mandya, which supplies water to all of Bengaluru city. Cops deployed their personnel at the spot to pacify the crowd, the agency said.

The Raitha Hitarakshana Samiti in Mandya even called for a bandh in the district on Saturday. This gained support by various groups and is expected to affect daily life activities including vehicular movement and business today.

Over this, the state's Home Minister, G Parameshwara, said, "There is nothing wrong with it. It is their right to protest and the government has no objection to it. But public property should not be destroyed, they should not indulge in any illegal activity and cause inconvenience to people. I appeal to them in this regard."

READ | What is Cauvery water row? Latest updates on Karnataka-Tamil Nadu dispute

Security tightened in border districts, Tamil dominated areas

The minister also said police are well prepared to handle the situation in case there are any untoward incidents, and that they have been deployed near the KRS dam in Mandya in heavy numbers.

Back in the state capital, the police department heightened security around Tamil dominated areas, with police commissioner B Dayananada saying that all necessary security measures and precautions are being taken. Officers are on high alert for incidents of stone pelting on any Tamil Nadu registered buses or private vehicles, he said.

(With agency inputs)

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. For the first time in Azerbaijan, cyber security competitions will be held in October this year, uniting teams from the spheres of state security, telecommunications, and critical infrastructure, as well as the banking sphere, head of the State Service for Special Communication and Information Security Tural Mammadov said, Trend reports.

He spoke at the II Summit of IT heads of state institutions held in Azerbaijan's Baku.

According to him, 20 teams representing various sectors will participate in the upcoming final stage, demonstrating the highest level of skills and expertise in the field of cyber security.

"This competition, part of an initiative to strengthen information security in the country, is designed to promote and improve the cyber defense of important sectors of the state. Participating teams will be required to secure virtual information systems in a competition that will be conducted by simulating cyber attacks. This event represents an important step toward securing critical information systems," Mammadov noted.
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike members on Friday staged a protest near the District collector's office in Udupi against the order released by Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) instructing the state government to follow its order to release water to Tamil Nadu. Members of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike raise slogans during a protest against Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).(PTI)

KRV members tried to hold a Gherao at the collector's office however they were detained by Manipal Police.

Earlier today Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that the government is committed to fighting for farmers in the state and further appealed to the farmers to call off the Saturday's 'Bandh' in Cauvery Water row to ensure that no law and order situation is being disturbed in the state.

READ | Decision to be made by Sept 26 on Cauvery water release: Karnataka govt

"I think whatever share will be given to Tamil Nadu, we are bound to it. We have been protecting the farmers. I am appealing to everyone no one should interfere, and no one should call for this 'bandh'. You should be very cautious. The court is very strict on these 'bandh' issues. Tomorrow if anything happens, it will be a law and order problem," he said.

"So, I appeal to withdraw the 'bandh' immediately. We are there to fight. The Karnataka Government is committed to fight for the sake of the farmers of Karnataka," he added.

Various farmer's organisations in Mandya are protesting and have called for a 'Bandh' on September 23 after the Supreme Court on Thursday refused to interfere with the order of Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to Karnataka on releasing 5,000 cusecs of water every day for now to Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, the BJP questioned the intentions of the Karnataka government in the Cauvery water row.

"State government is behaving casually in regard to the Cauvery water row and if it continues to neglect such an important issue then pontiffs, farmers and the citizens of Bengaluru will become rebels. The incumbent government had created a big problem for the whole state on this issue and had been committing mistakes from day one," former Karnataka CM Bommai said.

READ | What is Cauvery water row? Latest updates on Karnataka-Tamil Nadu dispute

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to interfere with the order of Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to Karnataka on releasing 5,000 cusecs of water every day for now to Tamil Nadu.

The matter has been a controversial issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for decades and they have been locked in battle over the sharing of water from the Cauvery river, which is a major source of irrigation and drinking water for millions of people in the region.

The Centre formed the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) on June 2, 1990, to adjudicate disputes between Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Puducherry with respect to the water-sharing capacities.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Karnataka Tourism Minister HK Patil on Friday announced that 550 monuments will be adopted by the private sector with the government working as a facilitator adding that the private sector has voluntarily committed 500 crore for developing tourism in the state. Karnataka tourism minister HK Patil. (PTI)

"Minister unveiled a government plan to protect, conserve, and develop nearly 550 monuments available for 'adoption.' These monuments, which include temples, churches, mosques, and other heritage sites, will be opened for tourism, creating opportunities for investment and employment generation. The innovative program is set to launch on September 25," an official statement said.

Addressing the curtain-raiser event for the 'Dakshin Bharat Utsav,' which is scheduled to take place from December 14-16 in Bengaluru, HK Patil said, "Even though some ventures may not be profitable, they will provide a unique global experience. With Karnataka boasting four UNESCO-recognized heritage sites, including the recent addition of Belur, Halebidu, and Somanathapura of the Hoysala architecture, alongside Hampi, Pattadkal, and the Western Ghats, the state anticipates increased visitor numbers."

READ | Hampi Utsav to be held in February next year, says Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan

He also emphasized Karnataka's diverse tourism offerings, encompassing heritage, adventure, beach tourism, pilgrimage, and environmental attractions.

Kapil Mohan, the Additional Chief Secretary of Karnataka, welcomed the 'Dakshin Bharat Utsav' concept and stressed the need for southern states to collaborate in promoting tourism. He highlighted the untapped potential of the Western Ghats, the expansive Deccan Plateau spanning multiple states, and numerous heritage sites for tourism-friendly projects.

In his welcome address, FKCCI President, BV Gopal Reddy, announced the upcoming 'Dakshin Bharat Utsav' from December 14 to 16 at the Bangalore Palace Grounds, designed to showcase the rich cultural and historical heritage of South India.

"This event promises significant investment opportunities in tourism and serves as a platform for small and medium enterprises to invest in tourism-related activities across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Puducherry, thereby stimulating revenue generation and job creation," he said.

READ | World heritage tag to Hoysala temples: Here's what CM Siddaramaiah said

Reddy further emphasized that Karnataka, as the host of this summit, possesses numerous heritage sites that can be developed as tourist destinations without compromising their historical significance.

"The state proudly boasts UNESCO World Heritage sites, along with 600 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monuments and 800 state-protected monuments," he said.

The Chairman of FKCCI Tourism Committee, GK Shetty, revealed that the 'Dakshin Bharat Utsav' will be held in rotation among southern states, with FKCCI actively participating in enhancing tourism across southern India.

"By improving connectivity between southern states, this initiative aims to increase tourist mobility, resulting in more employment opportunities and foreign exchange earnings," he said.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Amid resistance from the Opposition, the Himachal Pradesh Assembly approved the bill to hike stamp duty from the current 4%-6% to 8% on property transactions over 50 lakh. It was earlier set at 4% for women and 6% for men. With an increase in the registration fee, it will now be costlier to own properties in the state. Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu speaking inside the House in Shimla on Saturday. (HT Photo)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main Opposition party in the state, staged a walkout from the Assembly on Saturday, opposing the governments decision to increase stamp duty.

The government has, however, introduced a relief measure for women, who will have to pay 4% stamp duty on property registrations up to 80 lakh. Earlier, this limit was set at 50 lakh. Initially, Opposition had recommended amendments to the bill, prompting the government to raise the property registration limit for women.

Revenue minister Jagat Singh Negi presented the Indian Stamp Himachal Pradesh Amendment Bill 2023 in the House on Friday. The opposition voiced strong objections, characterising the move as an imposition of excessive financial burden on the public. Chief minister Shukvinder Singh Sukhu proposed certain amendments, leading to an adjournment of the bills discussion until after lunch. Tensions ran high during the subsequent debate on passing the bill, leading to an uproar by the opposition. The Opposition leaders later returned to the House.

Negi defended the stamp duty increase by citing the states debt of 75,000 crore and the unfavourable economic climate. He emphasised the need for the government to seek additional revenue sources, expressing concerns about overreliance on borrowing. The state government justified its fee structure by aligning it with that of neighbouring Haryana.

Sukhu highlighted cases over the last ten months wherein land transactions occurred based on power of attorney. He stressed the necessity of curbing such practices and reiterated the governments commitment to empowering women. He attributed the Oppositions walk out as their failure to support womens rights, characterizing the BJP as anti-women.

The fee amount of general power of attorney has been increased from 100 to 1,000, from 150 to 1,500 and from 200 to 2,000. The government rejected the oppositions argument that the ten-fold increase is not appropriate.

During the bills deliberation, BJP MLA Randhir Sharma voiced concerns, suggesting that it would impose an additional financial burden on the states residents, particularly the less affluent.

MLA Trilok Jamwal argued that the increase was unwarranted, given the limited landholdings of many residents in the state. He warned that this move would disproportionately affect the less privileged.

Opposition leader Jai Ram Thakur proposed that an increase up to 5% could be considered reasonable, emphasising that the current hike was excessive and would negatively impact the publics financial well-being.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The National Investigation Agency has initiated proceedings to seize the property of slain terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. On the orders of the NIA Mohali court, a property seizure notice has been pasted outside a house belonging to Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Bhar Singh Pura village in Jalandhar on Saturday. (ANI)

The notice in this regard has been pasted outside Nijjars residence in Jalandhars Bhar Singh Pura area in which the court of special judge CBI-cum-NIA, Mohali, has directed Nijjar to appear before the court on September 11 regarding the application filed by the NIA under section 33(5) of UAPA act to confiscate immovable property belonging to Nijjar. The NIA had moved this application following an investigation into the 2021 UAPA Act case registered against Nijjar. Tensions flared between India and Canada early this week following Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus explosive allegations of the potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Nijjar on his countrys soil on June 18 in British Columbia. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.

India angrily rejected the allegations as absurd and motivated and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawas expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

The NIA is investigating the case registered against Nijjar on October 8, 2021, in an attempt to murder (307), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 201(destruction of evidence) and other sections of the Arms Act and UAPA Act after he was accused of planning an alleged targeted killing of a village priest, who survived the attack even after receiving multiple bullet injuries.

Gurmukh Singh, the village panchayat member, said this is the 5th or the 6th time that the NIA notice has been pasted.

The house has been locked for the past four years. The teams of Punjab police and NIA conducted multiple raids in the past years but they left empty-handed, he said.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Tightening the noose around pro-Khalistani terrorists, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday confiscated the property of banned outfit Sikhs for Justices chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannu at his ancestral village of Khankot in Amritsar and Chandigarh. A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team after putting up a notice, confiscating 26 kanals of agricultural land, at Sikhs for Justice chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannus ancestral village of Khankot in Amritsar district on Saturday. (HT Photo)

Official sources said a property confiscation notice was put up outside Pannus house in Sector 15, Chandigarh. The action was taken under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

Also read: Handed over list of 9 terrorists...chose to ignore: Ex Punjab CM slams Trudeau

1/4th share of house no 2033, Sector 15-C, Chandigarh, owned by Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a proclaimed offender in an NIA case, stands confiscated to the state under Section 33 (5) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act by the orders of the NIA special court, Mohali, Punjab. This is for information of general public, read the notices outside Pannus house and at his Amritsar village.

The NIA confiscated 26 kanals of agricultural land belonging to Pannu at Khankot in Amritsar in connection with a terror case registered in 2020.

Pannu, who is facing around 22 criminal cases in Punjab, including three of sedition, is known to be operating from Canada.

The NIA property confiscation notice outside Gurpatwant Singh Pannus house in Sector 15, Chandigarh. (Sanjeev Sharma/HT)

In July 2020, the Union ministry of home affairs had declared Pannun a terrorist on grounds of sedition and secessionism, and requested an Interpol red notice for him. In 2020, the NIA had attached Pannus 46 kanal land at Khankot village and 11 kanal and 13.5 marlas of land in Sultanwind village of Amritsar.

Pannus father Mohinder Singh Pannu was a resident of Nathu Chak village of Patti sub division in Tarn Taran before Partition. After 1947, the family shifted to Khankot village in Amritsar district.

Mohinder stayed in Chandigarh till his death in 1996.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The alleged misrepresentation of facts by Godrej Eternia, a commercial complex located in Industrial Area, Phase 1, while seeking environmental clearance has reached the Union ministry of environment and forest, which will now take a decision in the matter. An expansive business office complex spanning around 5 acres, Godrej Eternia had come up in 2015. (HT Photo)

The Chandigarh regional office of the environment ministry will also examine the issue, officials privy to the case said on Saturday, adding that due to the long list of violations, the complex may even be sealed.

The UT administration had recently submitted a report with the ministry regarding the violations in Godrej Eternia building.

An expansive business office complex spanning around 5 acres, Godrej Eternia had come up in 2015. Subsequently, the landowners transferred ownership to individuals and diverse business entities, fostering a thriving centre of commercial activity. The environmental clearance was procured in 2009.

Over 14 years later, the UT administration in August had issued a show-cause notice against the site for obtaining the certificate through misrepresentation of facts.

The building plan sanctioned in 2009 and its subsequent revised iterations, culminating in the 2015 Occupation Certificate, are alleged to have been secured through distortion and concealment of critical information, the notice states.

Concurrently, the UT Estate Office had also sent out notifications disclosing initiation of a show-cause notice by the State Environment Assessment Authority against the site, owing to violations and non-compliance with stipulated regulations, aggravated by the absence of a wildlife clearance certificate.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Nearly two months after he was questioned by the vigilance bureau (VB) in a case pertaining to the alleged illegal allotment of land in his name, former finance minister and Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leader Manpreet Badal filed a pre-arrest bail application in the Bathinda district court. Former finance minister and Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leader Manpreet Badal filed a pre-arrest bail application in the Bathinda district court. (HT File)

The additional district and sessions judge Ram Kumar Singla has listed the matter for September 26.

The court has asked the state and VB to produce police records on the day of hearing, Tuesday.

Sukhdeep Singh Bhinder, who represented Manpreet in the court, said on Saturday that along with the bail plea, they had submitted a transcript of chief minister Bhagwant Manns recent public address where he allegedly stated that the five-time legislator will be sent behind the bars.

The bail application states that CM is trying to mount pressure on the VB. Badal duly accepted VBs summons and appeared before its Bathinda zone office on July 24 and submitted all details related to the plot allotment. The probe is a result of political vendetta and the police administration may be abused to harass Manpreet on fabricated grounds, said Bhinder.

As per official sources privy to the probe, no first information report (FIR) has been lodged against Manpreet yet.

The veteran politician has been terming the complaint a bundle of lies claiming there was no irregularity in the plot allotment.

Manpreet was summoned following a complaint by former MLA Sarup Chand Singla who had alleged irregularities in the purchase of a property in a prime location in Bathinda city.

Singla, who too had switched from the Shiromani Akali Dal to the BJP, had filed a complaint before vigilance in September 2021 alleging that during his tenure as finance minister in the previous Congress regime, Manpreet had abused his position by converting commercial plots in the Model Town into residential plots for himself.

The allotment was done by Bathinda Development Authority (BDA).

In July, Manpreet was grilled for over four hours.

In a scathing attack on his colleague in the saffron party, Manpreet had termed the complaint an outcome of the political frustration of Singla, who is a former legislator from Bathinda Urban.

After appearing before the VB in July, the former finance minister had shared documents to state that Singla had earlier lodged a complaint with the Lokpal, and the same was dismissed on September 13, 2022, as there was no representation on the behalf of the complainant.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
The RSS-affiliated ABVP was leading on all the four central panel posts of the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) after eight rounds of counting, according to official data. (From L to R) Tushar Dedha, Presidential Candidate, Sushant Dhankar Vice President Candidate, Aprajita, Secretary Candidate Sachin Baisla Joint Secretary Candidate from ABVP for upcoming DUSU Elections addressing a press conference at DDU Marg in New Delhi, India, on Friday, September 15, 2023. (Photo by Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times)

Counting of votes for the DUSUs central panel posts of president, vice-president, secretary and joint secretary are underway. The election was held on Friday.

According to the data shared by Chief Election Officer, DUSU, ABVP candidates were leading on all the four posts in the first eight rounds. The Congress-affiliated NSUI was trailing on all the posts..

The DUSU elections have always seen a direct fight between the ABVP and NSUI.

Twenty-four candidates are in the fray for the elections.

The DUSU elections were last held in 2019. The polls could not be held in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 while possible disruptions to the academic calendar prevented their conduct in 2022.

Chander Shekhar -- the chief election officer for the polls -- said the university recorded a voter turnout of 42 per cent. Around one lakh students were eligible to vote in the election.

While the voting percentage was higher than in 2019 when a turnout of 39.90 per cent was recorded, it failed to surpass the nearly 11-year-high figure of 2018. The turnouts in 2018 and 2017 were 44.46 per cent and 42.8 per cent, respectively.

Elections at 52 colleges and departments for the central panel were conducted through EVMs while voting for the college union polls was on paper ballot.

For the students, core issues ranged from fee hikes to the lack of affordable accommodations, enhanced security during college fests and menstrual leaves.

The ABVP, Congress-affiliated NSUI, CPI(M)-backed Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the CPI(ML)-Liberation-linked All India Students' Association (AISA) had fielded candidates for all four central posts. The ABVP won three of the four seats in the 2019 elections.

The DUSU is the main representative body for most colleges and faculties. Each college also has its own students' union, elections to which are held annually.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Delhi University recorded a voter turnout of 42 per cent as students cast their votes for the DUSU's central panel after a gap of almost four years amid heavy police presence and last-ditch efforts by organisations to woo voters. Students seen on the day before the DUSU Elections at North Campus, Delhi University in New Delhi, India, on Thursday(Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)

In a late-night update, Prof Chander Shekhar -- the chief election officer for the polls -- said the university recorded a voter turnout of 42 per cent.

While the voting percentage was higher than in 2019, when a turnout of 39.90 per cent was recorded, it failed to surpass the nearly 11-year-high figure of 2018. The turnouts in 2018 and 2017 were 44.46 per cent and 42.80 per cent, respectively.

The Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections were last held in 2019. The polls could not be held in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 while possible disruptions to the academic calendar prevented their conduct in 2022.

Voting for the DUSU elections concluded late on Friday and the results of all four central panel posts -- president, vice-president, secretary and joint secretary -- will be announced on Saturday.

Roads littered with campaign material, political discussions at tea stalls, excited students queueing up to cast their votes -- the university was abuzz with activity on Friday as young voters thronged campuses to exercise their franchise.

The voting process for students of day classes concluded at 1 pm while those in evening classes cast their votes till 7.30 pm.

For many organisations backed by political parties, these polls are a way to gauge the mood of young voters. This year's elections assume significance as they were held a few months before the Lok Sabha polls.

For the voters, core issues ranged from fee hikes to the lack of affordable accommodations, enhanced security during college fests and menstrual leaves.

Tanupriya, a first-year student of Hansraj College, expressed hope that the students' leaders will "work tirelessly and improve the campus environment".

Aastha Verma, another first-year student of Hansraj College, said the outcome of the elections will impact not only the university's future but also their education.

Vaishali, a fresher from Miranda House, said several changes are needed to enhance the campus experience and added that the students are eagerly waiting for the promises made by students' leaders to become a reality.

Miranda House student Nikita highlighted the issue of security, especially during college fests.

"On numerous occasions, some women have found themselves in unexpected and alarming situations during these festivities. Incidents like these dampen the students' mood and also raise concern about their safety," she said.

Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh made a surprise visit to polling stations while voting was underway. Singh took stock of security arrangements at the polling stations and sought information about the situation from election officials.

He visited the polling booths at Hansraj College and Hindu College and also interacted with the students.

Elections at 52 colleges and departments for the central panel were conducted through EVMs while voting for the college union polls was on paper ballot.

The Congress-affiliated National Students' Union of India (NSUI) has claimed to have won union elections in 17 colleges (day colleges) while the RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) said it claimed victory in 34.

Twenty-four candidates are in the fray for the elections.

The ABVP, NSUI, CPI(M)-backed Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the CPI(ML)-Liberation-linked All India Students' Association (AISA) fielded candidates for all four central posts.

The ABVP won three of the four seats in the 2019 elections.

The DUSU is the main representative body for most colleges and faculties. Each college also has its own students' union, elections to which are held annually.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
The Delhi government aims to strengthen its health care infrastructure with the construction of 11 new hospitals in the Capital, besides expanding its existing hospitals, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday. The announcement at the inauguration of a new Out Patient Department (OPD) block at Aruna Asaf Ali Hospital in Civil Lines. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal interacts with patients during the inauguration of the newly-built OPD Block of Aruna Asaf Ali Hospital at Civil Lines on Saturday. (HT Photo)

I am delighted that a new block has been constructed. The older block lacked the required space and other facilities. The new block is spacious, centrally air conditioned with availability of rooms for specialists. I interacted with a few patients and asked them about their well-being. They told me they travelled a long distance for better medical facilities. Earlier, doctors and patients had to face hardships in OPD for treatment due to lack of space in the older block. Now, I believe that the new block will help in accommodating more patients, Kejriwal said.

Built at an approximate cost of .22.8 crore over a period of one year, the new block has floors with 25 consultation rooms.

The CM said that the state government has not only improved the quality of government hospitals but also made all healthcare services, including medicines and tests, free of cost, and is working to bring the Capitals health system at par with international standards and the World Health Organisations parameters.

Kejriwal said that his Aam Aadmi Party government further plans to enhance healthcare services with the addition of nearly 16,000 beds across state-run hospitals, including at least 35 existing ones and the upcoming hospitals.

Until now, there used to be 10,000 beds in government hospitals, including Delhi government hospitals. Now, 11 new hospitals are being constructed and the existing hospitals are getting revamped. This will lead to the availability of an additional 16,000 new beds in Delhi government hospitals alone. We also need to make their management more efficient so that all the available machines, doctors, and facilities can be utilised at the optimum levels, Kejriwal said.

Leader of Opposition in the Delhi assembly, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, questioned CMs claims on healthcare services, which were under immense stress during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the past nine years, the Kejriwal government has not built a single new hospital. The AAP government has been unable to complete multiple hospitals approved before 2013. People should remember the dire situation during the pandemic in Delhi when there was a severe shortage of hospital beds, doctors, medicines, ambulances, and oxygen and the Centre had to step in because the state government failed to provide even basic healthcare services. In several Delhi government hospitals, it is a common site to see two patients lying on one bed, patients being given treatment while they are lying on the floor of the hospitals. I challenge the CM to take the Opposition and the media on a joint inspection of any Delhi government hospital, said Bidhuri.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
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.
Lucknow: Former Congress MLC Deepak Singh on Saturday accused union minister Smriti Irani of being the person behind the order to cancel registration of Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, Munshiganj, Amethi and said the order would be challenged in the Allahabad high court on Monday. The Sanjay Gandhi Charitable Trust runs the hospital. Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi is the chairperson of the trust while Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are its members. (Pic for representation)

The Sanjay Gandhi Charitable Trust runs the hospital. Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi is the chairperson of the trust while Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are its members.

Singh said union minister Smriti Irani had worked out a plan to close the hospital that was catering to medical and healthcare needs of the people of nearby districts.

Union minister Smriti Irani has conspired to get the Sanjay Gandhi Hospital closed. All the preparations have been made to challenge the order in Allahabad high court, said Singh.

However, a senior BJP leader of Amethi said the union minister had nothing to do with the order to cancel the hospitals registration. He said deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak, who is also UPs health minister, had ordered an inquiry following death of a woman who underwent treatment at the hospital and was later referred to Lucknow. He said the order to cancel the registration had been issued after an inquiry and Singhs charges against the union minister were baseless.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Mumbai: A crew of eighteen sailors, who were stranded at Nishtun port, Al Mahra Yemen, were brought back to Mumbai on Saturday. An official of the shipping ministry said that the shipa chemical tankerwas stuck as the vessel ran aground at the Nishtun port. 18 stranded Indian sailors in Yemen brought back home

They had sent distress signals and were able to reach Mumbai after efforts from embassies in Riyadh and Djibouti. The Indian embassy in Riyadh said on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the sailors reached Aden on Friday after weeks of relentless efforts by India. With the relentless efforts of our embassies in Riyadh & Djibouti, for the past few weeks, 18 Indian sailors stuck at Nishtun Port finally reached Aden safely today, it said late Friday India also thanked the Yemen government for local support.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
MUMBAI: The crime branch officials on Saturday arrested seven persons who allegedly defrauded several banks of crores of rupees. The police said the leader of the gang was a former member of the sales team of a renowned private bank knew the loan process well and even used his contacts to dupe the banks. In 2021, he was arrested for purchasing high-end cars on loans and later mortgaging them. HT Image

The police officials said the gang secured loans using forged documents like ITR, and salary slips, showed fake business and promised loans to people.

In a joint operation, Unit 3 of the crime branch and its Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU) arrested Pradeep Maurya, 49, a resident of Bhandup West and his associates Abdul Ahad Izarul Shaikh, 44, a Wadala resident, Kadar Ahmed Parmar, 43, a resident of Kurla West, Jagdish Jamsandekar, 53, resident of Palghar, Meenakshi Shridhankar, 35, resident of Bhandup, Sushma alias Shilpa Mohite, 40, who stays in Palghar, and Manju Gaikwad, 39, from Mulund West.

The police said Maurya, the leader of the gang, was arrested in 2021 when the police seized 19 high-end cars like Audi, Mercedes, Mini Cooper and MG Hector from him. Police officials said he had purchased the cars by availing vehicle loans from banks and later mortgaged the vehicles by taking sizable amounts from unsuspecting people.

After he came out on bail he started a new business, said a crime branch officer. As he is very well versed with banking processes, as he has worked with banks and has contacts inside banks, he initially through the other accused approached people who required loans or credit cards and used their documents to obtain huge loans by enhancing their card limits by showing them in businesses. He has even rented shops, and industrial units, and shown his other accused as employees to get loans in the name of the needy people. He has forged ITR, salary slips, agreement copies and shown more income to get loans and later withdrawn the money, the officer added.

The accused used to manipulate CIBIL score of individuals and enhance it to secure maximum loan amounts in the name of unsuspecting people and either used to take away the entire loan amounts or commission, if not the entire amount. He had shown businesses like units and garment factories to get loans in other peoples names and later withdrew the full amounts and cheated banks as well as the complainants.

Maurya has recently purchased a 1.5 crore flat in Bhandup. We suspect the role of several employees associated with various banks and are inquiring from that angle as well. This, though, appears to be just the tip of the iceberg, said the officer. He added that the accused were produced before a local holiday court and have been remanded in police custody.

The complainants were later approached by banks to pay the loan and credit card money and only then did they realise that there were so many loans in their names. The police said most of the victims were from Bhandup and nearby areas.

The police suspect the loan fraud to run in crores and involvement of several bank employees and have zeroed in on at least one so far. The accused are booked under section 419 (personation for the purpose of cheating), 420 (cheating), 465 (forgery), 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, said the police officer.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Shahad: Two employees were killed, two were reported missing and five were injured after a tanker exploded in the Century Rayon plant on Murbad Road in Ulhasnagars Shahad town. The tanker was due to be filled in the carbon disulphide (CS2) section but exploded before that while it was still under inspection. Police officials said the Directorate of Industrial Security would conduct a probe to find out what led to the incident and whether all security measures were in place. The preliminary investigation suggests that the tanker exploded before carbon disulfide was filled in it. CS2 is highly inflammable, and thus an inspection of the tanker is carried out and nitrogen gas is used to cool down the temperature before CS2 can be filled. (Pramod Tambe/HT PHOTO)

The deceased have been identified as CS2 section operator Rajesh Shrivastava, 46, and helper Shailesh Yadav, 25. The injured are Century Rayon employees Sagar Jhelte, 44, and Prakash Nikam, 34, tanker driver Pandit More, the drivers helper Hanshraj Saroj, 52 and a person identified as Amit Bharnuke. They were taken to Century Rayon Hospital, and one person was shifted to Jupiter Hospital in Thane for further treatment. The two missing people were identified as Pawan Yadav and Ananta Jadhav Dingode, and the authorities are looking for them.

While police sources pegged the time of the explosion at between 10.15 and 10.45 am, the company in its official statement said that it took place at 11.15 am. Workers said it shattered the windows of the nearby sections in the plant while local residents said it was so powerful that its effects were felt in areas like Tanaji Nagar, Shahad Phata, Shivneri Nagar, Gulshan Nagar and Shahad Gaothan, all within a one-km radius of the plant.

The preliminary investigation suggests that the tanker exploded before carbon disulfide was filled in it. CS2 is highly inflammable, and thus an inspection of the tanker is carried out and nitrogen gas is used to cool down the temperature before CS2 can be filled. The inspection was going on with nitrogen gas processing, when the explosion occurred, said Dilip Phulpagare, senior police inspector, Ulhasnagar police station. We have lodged an Accidental Death Report and further investigations are on. The officer said that body parts found at the explosion site would be sent for forensic and DNA testing.

Brijesh Yadav, brother of the deceased Shailesh Yadav, rushed to the hospital with his family members when he heard about the accident, but his brother had already been declared dead by then. Shailesh stayed at Kalyan, while his wife and two childrena three-year-old daughter and a one-year-old sonlived at Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, he said. He had been made a permanent employee only six months ago. Earlier, my father was working here but due to his health issues the company employed my brother in his stead three and a half years ago. He was earning a salary of 18,000 per month.

Vivek Shrivastava, the brother of the second deceased, Rajesh Shrivastava, said that his brother had worked in the CS2 department as an operator for 25 years, and lived in Kalyan with his wife and two children. I work in another unit in the same company, he said. When I got to know about the accident, I rushed here and searched for him, but I could not find him. Subsequently, I got to know that one body had been taken to Central Hospital, and went there. My brothers torso is missing.

Ganesh Mhatre, nephew of Ananta Jadhav who has been reported missing, said that he and his family went to the hospital but his uncle could not be traced by the company authorities. My uncle worked here for the last 20 years as a permanent employee, he said. He has two children.

The Century Rayon public relations officer told HT that a third-party tanker which arrived at the plant site got ruptured while it was under inspection before being filled. After the incident, all emergency services were activated, and the area was cordoned off, he said. We have initiated an internal investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident. Suitable compensation and job assurance to the dependents of the deceased are being planned.

Rohit Pawar, NCP MLA, visited the hospital after hearing about the explosion. The company should take precautions so that such explosions do not recur, he said. Action should be taken if anyone is held responsible for the explosion. We will stand by the people who suffered this tragic blow if they do not get justice.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Three displaced residents of Manipurs Kangpokpi district were arrested in Assams Cachar district for allegedly looting shops and a petrol pump, using firearms, on Friday night. Police said that the arrested Manipur residents had taken shelter in a camp made for displaced people in Mizorams Kolasib district before they entered into Assam. (Representative Image)

According to police, a group of miscreants were conducting robberies in various parts of Cachar district and on Friday night some of them were arrested. Additional superintendent of police of Cachar district, Subrata Sen on Saturday told reporters that in the initial investigation, it was found that all of them are residents of Manipurs Kangpokpi district.

They said that they were displaced from their native places earlier this year due to the ethnic violence. They took shelter in a camp made for displaced people in Mizorams Kolasib district. They later entered Assam secretly and got involved in illegal activities here, Sen said.

The arrested persons have been identified as Dimngel Lalboi Michael, Paojalen Dimngel and Thangboi Dimngel-all residents of Saijong and Paohao villages under Saikul police station of Manipurs Kangpokpi district, according to the police.

The additional SP said that during the search, they recovered one 9mm pistol, one .22 pistol and 65 rounds of ammunition.

In last two months they robbed cash worth 3-4 lakhs and other valuable items from several shops including wineshop, hardware shop, petrol pump etc, Sen said.

Sen said that they are investigating important aspects like, how they managed to enter Assam with firearms, who gave them shelter in Assam and how many of them are still absconding.

We are interrogating them and we are hoping to get more relevant information in further investigation, the additional SP said.

Police said that the Manipur residents were arrested under sections 392 (robbery) 397 (attempt to cause death or grievous hurt during robbery or dacoity) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Theyll be produced before the court on Sunday, police said.

The ethnic conflict that has engulfed Manipur since May 3 has claimed 175 people till date, 1,108 others injured,32 missing and nearly 50,000 people were displaced besides burning several villages and localities.

In two different cases in last two months, the Cachar police arrested several Manipur residents while they were attempting to transport drugs through Mizoram.

According to the police, the consignments came from Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts of Manipur. The drug peddlers are now taking new routes using hills of Mizoram to reach Cachar district, a senior police official said.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Saturday said the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar which allows people on either side to travel up to 16 km inside the other country. Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh (File Photo)

He added that Manipur has also requested the Centre to permanently close the FMR in the state.

Because of this FMR, were not able to control the illegal influx from Myanmar, so weve requested the Union home ministry, Biren Singh said while addressing a press conference in Imphal on Saturday.

Singh, accompanied by ministers Govindas Konthoujam(Works), Th Basantakumar(Education)and MLA Kh Joykishan, announced on Saturday at a press conference.

Our governments priority is to stop illegal influx from Myanmar for that we need immediate border fencing. Now Union home minister already sanctioned and Im told that the work order has also been issued to BRO (Border Road Organisation) for about 60 km (border fencing activities) subject to confirmation, said the Manipur CM.

He added that the government has resolved to continue the functioning of a three-member cabinet sub-committee which was formed with minister Letpao Haokip as its chairman to check and identify illegal immigrants, to protect and safeguard the indigenous population.

As biometric recording is necessary as preliminary to the NRC (National Register of Citizens), the state government has urged the Centre to extend the time for the biometric process by a year in the state, said Singh.

Showing concerns regarding the prevalence of alcohol and substance use among youth in the state, Singh expressed the need to strengthen the war on drugs campaign in Manipur.

A joint committee of the Narcotics Control Bureau and Narcotics and Affairs of Border (Manipur police) have been constituted to continue the surveillance as well as the destruction of the poppy plantations, he added.

The chief minister further announced that as a precautionary measure, the state government had imposed a ban on the internet in the state, but it will be restored for the public from Saturday.

On the Manipur unrest, he said that the central government has provided an adequate number of paramilitary forces and accordingly we have deployed it at vulnerable areas that are the reason why no unwanted incidents were reported in the last one month.

On the rehabilitation of displaced persons, he said, the unrest and turmoil in and around Imphal in the recent past has hampered the rehabilitation and resettlement activities.

The ethnic conflict that has engulfed Manipur since May 3 has claimed 175 people till date, 1,108 others injured, 32 missing and nearly 50,000 people were displaced besides burning a number of villages and localities.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
PRAYAGRAJ A man, under the influence of alcohol, returned home from a celebration and engaged in a heated argument with his 70-year-old father. This altercation escalated to an extent that he assaulted his father with an axe and a rod, resulting in the elderly mans death late on Friday night in Shukulpur village, located within the jurisdiction of the Antu police station. The accused has been arrested by the police. The accused has been arrested by the police. (HT Photo)

According to reports, Jagdamba Prasad Shukla (70) had three sons, two of whom, Santosh and Arun, reside and work in Delhi. They have established their own homes approximately 50 metres away from Shuklas residence. The middle son, Vinod Shukla, continued to live in the original house built by his father.

Family members informed the police that Vinod returned home inebriated from a party on Friday night. He had gone to Santoshs house to discuss matters with his father. It is alleged that during their conversation, emotions escalated, leading Vinod to attack his father with both an axe and a rod, causing severe injuries.

Upon hearing the victims cries for help, family members, including his two daughters-in-law and local residents, rushed to the scene. There, they found Vinod standing near his injured father. The injured Shukla was immediately transported to Pratapgarh Medical College, but sadly, he succumbed to his injuries on the way, as confirmed by Jitendra Singh, the station officer (SO) of the Antu police station.

Upon arriving at the scene, the police gathered information and took the accused into custody. SO Jitendra Singh said, The victims body has been sent for a postmortem examination. In response to a complaint filed by the victims elder daughter-in-law, Radha Devi, an FIR has been registered against the accused, invoking relevant sections of the law in connection with this tragic incident.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A 40-year-old man, who had been duping people by masquerading as the chief secretary of Haryana, has landed in police net. The imposters elaborate ploy included armed personal security guards, luxury cars and fake identity cards to project himself as a high-ranking government official, said Mohali police. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The accused, Sarabjit Singh Sandhu, hailing from Achint Kot near Atari, Amritsar, had defrauded multiple people by promising them opportunities to settle abroad, as per Mohali police who arrested him.

His elaborate ploy included armed personal security guards, including ex-servicemen, luxury cars and fake identity cards to project himself as a high-ranking government official.

To bolster his fraudulent act, he had affixed a flag on his car reading chief secretary of Haryana and installed red/blue beacons, creating the illusion of a VIP vehicle.

His arrest also led to the recovery of a .45-bore pistol, whose licence was obtained using a counterfeit residential proof from Rajpura, said Kharar DSP Karan Singh Sandhu.

As per investigators, Sandhu is already facing charges of fraud and cheating in various districts. He had been operating as an immigration agent, deceiving unsuspecting victims with promises of life abroad. He would affix fake visa and permanent residency stamps on the victims passports, amassing crores that he also used to acquire property, the DSP added.

His arrest came following a tip-off that he was planning to target more innocent individuals in Mohali. The CIA team of the Mohali police set a trap near Kharar-Kurali road and apprehended Sandhu. The accompanying gunmen were reportedly unaware of Sandhus illicit activities.

He has been booked under Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 417 (cheating), 420 (fraud), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), and 474 (possession of counterfeit documents) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with relevant sections of the Arms Act.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A family court in Odisha on Friday rejected the divorce petition filed by Biju Janata Dal (BJD) member of Parliament (MP) Anubhav Mohanty against his wife and film actor Varsha Priyadarshini as the couple could not prove their allegations and counter allegations. nubhav Mohanty and Varsha Priyadarshini (File Photos)

The actor-turned-politician had filed a petition seeking a divorce from his wife Varsha Priyadarshini at a Delhi-based court in July 2020 citing non-consummation of marriage among other causes. The case was shifted to the family court in Cuttack following the direction of the Supreme Court in March 2021. The court also rejected the petition of Priyadarshini for restitution of conjugal rights.

The court held that Mohanty has failed to establish that his wife refused consummation of their marriage and caused mental cruelty to the petitioner by her conduct towards him and his family members. As the petitioner has failed to substantiate his pleadings, he is not entitled to get a decree of divorce in his favour in the interest of social justice, family court judge Swagati Das said in her order. The court also said though his wife Varsha claimed restitution of conjugal rights, she made unsubstantiated allegations against Mohanty.

She is under protection of police as per the order of domestic violence court. She has filed some other cases against the petitioner(Mohanty) which are sub-judice. Therefore, allowing the prayer of restitution is not safe while the wife is not feeling secured in the house of the petitioner. Marriage of a person may be confined to his family and relatives, but his divorce affects a society. So, law of divorce is a social legislation which does not permit a wrongdoer to take its benefits. Therefore, both parties are not entitled to any order in their favour in view of Section 23 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, the court said.

Mohantys lawyer Lalitendu Mishra said his client would appeal against the order in high court. At least the case has come to an end. The quashing of divorce petition means they cant live together. We will analyse the judgment thoroughly and will appeal in the high court, said Mishra.

Mohanty and Priyadarshini got married in February 2014 in a big wedding ceremony in Bhubaneswar after years of courtship, but the marriage soured in less than 6 years with the MP filing a divorce petition in Delhi alleging that there was no physical intimacy between them even after six years of marriage. He also accused his wife of not staying at her in-laws house, frequently going to her parents house, failing to discharge her matrimonial obligations and making false allegations by linking him with his co-actresses.

Priyadarshini in August 2020 filed a case of domestic violence against him and his family under Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 at a court in Cuttack. She demanded a monthly amount of 70,000 towards house rent and maintenance.

The 41-year-old MP had been a famous actor in Odia movies for over a decade before he started his political career in 2013 with the BJD and was made a Rajya Sabha MP in 2014. As his stock within BJD rose, the party pitted him against Baijayant Panda from Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat in 2019 Lok Sabha seat, which he won by a handsome margin. However, his marital strife dented his political stock as the party kept him away from bypoll campaigns in Balasore Sadar, Tritol and Pipili assembly constituencies over the last two years.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
LUCKNOW A fresh controversy has erupted over the acquisition of 1.6 acres of land at Angad Tila by the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya. This dispute has set the Naga Sadhus of Hanuman Garhi against the Trust, which is currently overseeing the construction of the Ram Mandir. Representative pic of Ayodhya (HT File)

The Trust intends to use this land for expanding the Ram Janmabhoomi campus and its associated projects. Conversely, the Naga Sadhus of Hanuman Garhi claim that the land rightfully belongs to them.

As the standoff continued into Sunday, the Naga Sadhus stood their ground and established a langar (community kitchen) while engaging in bhajan-kirtan on the Angad Tila land adjacent to the Ram Janmabhoomi campus.

Despite mounting pressure from the Ayodhya administration to resolve the dispute with the Trust, the Naga Sadhus, undeterred, demolished the construction work carried out by the Trust with the aid of earth movers on Sunday.

A portion of Angad Tila is situated within the Ram Janmabhoomi campus, while the majority of the monuments land lies outside of it. According to the historical account, the Angad Tila land is the property of Hanuman Garhi, as claimed by the Naga Sadhus.

Priest Ramesh Das of Hanuman Garhi asserts that Mahant Murli Das of Hardwari Peeth of Hanuman Garhi is the custodian of Angad Tila. After weeks of unsuccessful negotiations between the Trust and Hanuman Garhi, the Ayodhya administration declared the land as nazul land (government land).

Representing the Ayodhya administration, the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) held discussions with the Naga Sadhus of Hanuman Garhi on Sunday, but these talks proved futile. The land unequivocally belongs to Hanuman Garhi. We possess all the necessary records, said Mahant Sanjay Das, former president of Akhada Parishad.

Commenting on the issue, Anil Mishra, a member of the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust, said, The Trust had sought to acquire the land (Angad Tila). Talks between the Trust and Hanuman Garhi have reached an impasse... We are no longer involved in this matter. What the district administration is doing (declaring Angad Tila land as government land) is beyond our control.

Back in June 2021, the Trust found itself embroiled in another land purchase controversy in Ayodhya, involving the acquisition of 1.2080 hectares of land in Ayodhyas Bag Bijaisi. However, that issue has since been resolved.

Now, with the Trust stepping aside, the Hanuman Garhi Sadhus anticipate a contentious battle with the Ayodhya administration. Everyone knows who prompted the sudden declaration of Angad Tila land as nazul land (government land) by the Ayodhya administration, said Mahant Sanjay Das.

Challenging the Ayodhya administration will not be an easy task for the Naga Sadhus of Hanuman Garhi.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, September 23. Trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and Austria amounted to $12.474 million from January through July 2023, accounting for 0.2 percent of Kyrgyzstan's total trade, Trend reports.

Data from the State Statistical Committee of the country indicates that this figure is 2.2 times higher than in the same period of 2022 ($5.551 million).

Imports by Kyrgyzstan from Austria, constituting the largest share of the total trade turnover, reached $12.240 million, which is a rise of 2.3 times compared to $5.108 million from January through July 2022. This accounts for 0.2 percent of Kyrgyzstan's total imports.

On the other hand, exports from Kyrgyzstan to Austria amounted to $234,400, decreasing by 48 percent compared to the same months in 2022, when they reached $443,100.

Kyrgyzstan's trade turnover with European countries totaled $1.066 billion from January through July 2023, making up 13.1 percent of Kyrgyzstan's overall trade. The figure increased 3.9 times compared to the same period in 2022 ($272.972 million).

Kyrgyzstan's imports from Europe amounted to $657.847 million, which is a 2.9-fold increase year-on-year. These imports constituted 10 percent of Kyrgyzstan's total imports.

Kyrgyzstan's exports to European countries during this period experienced a more significant increase, growing by 7.7 times. Exports totaled $408.782 million from January through July 2023, compared to $52.718 million during the same months in 2022. Exports to European countries accounted for 25.5 percent of Kyrgyzstan's total exports.
In the wake of the recent floods in Bharuch, Vadodara and Narmada districts in Gujarat, a political showdown has unfolded, with opposition Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) stepping up their attacks on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state. The Sardar Sarovar Dam. (ANI)

On Thursday, the Congress alleged that the flooding was man-made and resulted from the gross negligence of authorities responsible for managing the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP). The state government said that the operation of the Sardar Sarovar Dam was necessitated by unforeseen circumstances, including heavy rainfall and flash floods, despite no significant forecast.

SSP is an inter-state project with a terminal dam on the Narmada River at Kevadia in Gujarat. A multi-purpose project with irrigation, power and drinking water benefits, it is meant to benefit Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Addressing a press conference in Ahmedabad on Thursday, Jaynarayan Vyas, a former BJP minister who joined the Congress in November last year, said the purpose of the SSP authorities is to regulate floodwaters, and it has a mechanism to release water based on real-time data. However, the system relies on accurate data, and there seems to be a disconnect between the Narmada Control Authority and the Gujarat government, he added.

The NCA was established as per the conclusive orders and decisions of the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal (NWDT) to serve as the organisation responsible for executing its directives and rulings. This authority commenced its operations on December 20, 1980. It operates as a corporate entity and includes representatives from the four states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, as well as representatives from the Government of India.

Heavy rainfall in Madhya Pradesh starting on September 6 raised water levels in the Sardar Sarovar Dams reservoir. This led to the need to open many dam gates due to continuous upstream rain, a process that began between September 14 and September 15, causing a challenging situation downstream for engineers and revenue officials from September 7 to 14, said Vyas.

The delay in response is due to unforeseen circumstances, highlighting government oversight issues. Concerns have been raised about the flooding being a human-made disaster, with questions raised about the reasons behind the Gujarat government actions. I would like to ask why flood reports werent publicised and why the related website was shut down after September 6. Critical information on water release is available on the NCAs website but the same hasnt been uploaded on the website of revenue, irrigation departments, or the Gandhinagar Flood Control Centre. Even NCA has stopped uploading the daily report on its website from September 6 due to some unknown reason, said Vyas.

Sagar Rabari, the general secretary of Gujarats Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), also raised concerns about the state governments decision to significantly decrease water releases from the Sardar Sarovar dam during the initial week of September. He pointed out that this reduction in water supply occurred at a time when farmers were increasingly in need of water resources.

Describing the situation as a man-made disaster, Rabari raised questions about the governments inaction during the crucial 36-hour period when they were well aware of heavy rainfall in the highlands and the ongoing release of water from Omkareshwar Dam.

We are only being informed about the substantial rainfall, but we are not provided with specific details such as the amount of rainfall in the Narmada catchment area, he said.

The NCA data of September 6 shows 133.98 metres as the water level (at Sardar Sarovar Dam) with 4,295 million cubic metres of water stored, making the reservoir 75 per cent full.

Rabaris reaction comes in the wake of the flooding of several low-lying areas in the Bharuch district following heavy rain in the state and allegedly due to the sudden release of water from the Sardar Sarovar dam. As of Monday, 12,000 people from eight districts were evacuated to safety.

An official at Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL), which is implementing the SSP project, said: Gujarat had not received any significant rainfall in August 2023 and its share in Narmada Basin was just 7.72 million acres feet (MAF) in first week of September against 9 MAF in a normal monsoon year. The water level of SSP on September 4 should be 136.64 m as per Reservoir Operation Table finalised by Sardar Sarovar Reservoir Regulation Committee (SSRRC) meeting held on August 1, 2023. Actual level on SSP on September 4, 2023 was 133.73 m and in the contravention of SSRRC decision, the River Bed Power House at SSP was running and water was going to sea. To protect the standing crops and need for drinking and irrigation water of next 10 months in Gujarat, the priority is to save every drop of water rather than production of electricity, so the power plant was closed on September 6.

Rainfall data recorded from September 5 to 14 at rain gauge stations upstream of the SSP showed consistently low to very low rainfall. However, on September 15, the catchment area of SSP experienced moderate rainfall, followed by extremely heavy rainfall on September 16 and 17, according to SSNNL officials. During this period, the upstream major dam, Indira Sagar Project (ISP), reached full capacity and commenced releasing all its water downstream towards the Sardar Sarovar Dam.

Furthermore, a sudden cloud burst occurred between ISP and SSP, resulting in a flash flood within the SSP region, according to SSNNL. The maximum inflow recorded at SSP was 21.75 lakh cusecs at 23:00 hrs on September 16, 2023, despite no significant forecasts by the Central Water Commission (CWC), it said.

SSP initiated water releases downstream at 10am on September 16, 2023, starting with 45,000 cusecs, which gradually increased to 1 lakh cusecs at 12 noon, 5 lakh cusecs at 2pm, 8 lakh cusecs at 5pm, and finally, reached 18 lakh cusecs in the early morning of September 17, 2023, according to SSNNL statement.

The Sardar Sarovar Dam Authority effectively managed the situation by controlling the maximum flood discharge from 21.75 lakh cusecs to 18.62 lakh cusecs, reducing the peak flow by 4 lakh cusecs through careful gate operations and utilising available cushion, it said.

Its important to note that there was no significant rainfall, outflow from ISP, or forecasts by the Central Water Commission on September 13, 14, and 15. Therefore, there appeared to be no compelling reason to release water from SSP during these specific dates, it added.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
LUCKNOW The Women and Child Security Organisation (WCSO) wing of the U.P. Police launched the Shakti Didi campaign this week, which entails women inspectors and sub-inspectors in every district raising awareness among young girls about womens safety and cyber security. Police officers from 68 districts of U.P. attended the launch of the Shakti Didi campaign at the U.P. Police 112 headquarters. (HT Photo)

The Shakti Didi campaign will focus on students from classes 6th to 8th across over 68 districts. Trained officers will visit schools over the upcoming months to educate students on topics such as appropriate touch, inappropriate touch, street safety, and online security.

Additionally, WCSO has collaborated with the national childrens rights organisation, Plan India, to provide Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials for distribution in schools. This initiative is spearheaded by Ruchita Chaudhury, Superintendent of Police, WCSO.

These materials have been produced in the form of posters to be displayed in schools, guiding children on how to stay vigilant regarding cyber security and preventing sexual harassment. In the initial rollout, 10,500 posters have been printed and disseminated across the 68 districts.

Sudhir Kumar Rai, technical lead at Plan India, mentioned that the content for these materials received approval from the Basic Education Department, and helpline numbers were included on the posters based on the departments suggestion.

For the campaign launch event at the U.P. Police 112 Headquarters, each district sent five police officials. These officers participated in a Training for Trainers (TOT) program where they were briefed on how to communicate with children regarding topics like cyber safety, appropriate touch, and inappropriate touch.

Subsequently, they will return to their respective districts to train their colleagues, the Shakti Didis, before commencing school visits to engage with students. Chaudhury said, An initial meeting took place in August, involving seven police commissionerates in the planning stage. Later, we decided to expand the launch and involve more police officers to expedite the fieldwork by the Shakti Didis.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Lucknow The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to impose a fine of up to 1 lakh and initiate legal action against schools operating without recognition in the state. State govt to run campaign in all districts until Oct 10 to identify such schools (HT Photo)

The state government will conduct a comprehensive campaign in all districts of the state until October 10 to identify schools that continue to operate without recognition or have had their recognition revoked, according to a government press release.

Subsequently, these schools may face legal action along with penalties of up to 1 lakh. Furthermore, if the violation persists, a daily fine of 10,000 will also be imposed.

It is worth noting that the state government in Uttar Pradesh operates primary and junior high schools, aided junior high schools, as well as recognised primary and junior high schools to provide education to children up to the age of 14. The Free and Compulsory Childrens Education Act contains a clear provision that prohibits the establishment or operation of schools without obtaining recognition.

Action will be taken as per rules

Director of Education (Basic), Mahendra Dev, has issued a letter in this regard to the Basic Education Officers of all the districts and instructed them to conduct the campaign. The letter states that anyone who establishes or operates a school without the necessary recognition certificate or continues to operate a school after its recognition has been revoked will face strict consequences in line with the rules.

According to the rules, individuals operating a school without the necessary recognition may be fined up to 1 lakh, and if the violation persists, an additional daily fine of 10,000 will be imposed on such schools.

These provisions of the law have been implemented by the State Government in Uttar Pradesh under the Free and Compulsory Education Act Rules, 2011.

The Education Department (Basic) has directed all Block Education Officers to conduct a thorough inspection of all schools operating without recognition in their respective blocks by October 10 and ensure strict action against them.

Furthermore, all Block Education Officers have been directed to gather evidence in this regard and provide it to the Education Department. A list of schools against which action needs to be taken should be submitted to the Education Department by October 15 as per the directive.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Pune: To address the pressing concerns related to scarcity and quality of water in Pimpri-Chinchwad, researchers from the Advanced Center for Water Resources Development and Management (ACWADAM), a city-based not-for-profit organisation, will start a survey from Monday to revive the groundwater resources in Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) areas. To address water scarcity and water quality issues in Pimpri-Chinchwad, a city-based organisation will start a survey from Monday to revive the groundwater resources in the areas. ((PIC FOR REPRESENTATION))

The voluntary three-day survey will be conducted with the help of housing societies and private organisations. A similar survey was carried out by ACWADAM in Pune city four years ago. The Pimpri-Chinchwad survey will also cover industries, according to officials.

Jairaj Rajguru, senior researcher, ACWADAM, said, In our initial phase, we will cover dug wells, borewells, and springs within the PCMC vicinity. We will measure water levels and conduct thorough water quality assessments.

At ACWADAM we have developed a simple methodology for mapping aquifers using the same for different studies in India. During the survey, we will use the same methodology to map the aquifers in the twin city. As PCMC is an industrial hub, even industries will be included in the survey. Later, our report will provide observations and suggestions needed to revive the groundwater resources in the twin city.

Ravindra Sinha, founder, NGO Bhujal Abhiyan, said, The survey will help to identify reasons behind the decline in groundwater level and give solutions needed to increase the vital resource. To meet the citys increasing water requirements due to rapid urbanisation, there is a need to shift focus on groundwater and conduct initiatives to its levels. Water levels in borewells, wells and springs prior to and post-monsoon will be studied. In the upcoming days, the team will reach out to residents and societies in PCMC area. We appeal to citizens to extend their support to our efforts.

Sanjeevan Sangale, chairman, Chikhali Moshi Pimpri-Chinchwad Housing Societies Federation (CMPCHSF), said, for long the twin city has been facing water shortage and water cuts. The housing societies and federation will participate in the survey and provide support to identify the issues to address water crisis.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
PUNE As the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has not received 200 crore from the state government, it has diverted 30 crore of the civic body employees 7th Pay Commission funds to continue with the Katraj-Kondhwa road widening project work. With the state government yet to release  200 crore for the Katraj-Kondhwa road widening project, PMC has diverted  30 crore of the civic body employees 7th Pay Commission funds to continue the works. (HT FILE)

VG Kulkarni, chief superintendent engineer of road department, said, We have spent 50 crore on road work excluding land acquisition. Now, we have 30 crore which we will spend on management consultant fees, compensation of land, and underground cable relocation. After that, we will need another  100 crore for road work.

The Katraj-Kondhwa road is an arterial road linking Satara road to Solapur road. While the road sees heavy outbound traffic from the westerly bypass to Solapur road, it is only 15 to 20 metres wide and faces severe traffic congestion along the 3.5 km stretch from Kondhwa through Khadi Machine Chowk to Katraj junction.

In December 2018, a PMC-appointed contractor had started widening the road from the existing 15 to 20 metres to 84 metres. The project cost including goods and services tax (GST) was estimated to be  215 crores and the deadline for completion of the project was set as December 2021. However, the work ground to a halt last year as the PMC did not have funds to acquire land for the project. Thereafter, the PMC decided to reduce the width of the road to only 50 metres, down from the 84 metres proposed earlier as it was burdening the PMC coffers.

The PMC also approached the state government to provide funds for land acquisition. Now, that the state government has agreed to provide funds, the civic body has decided to resume the project after the rainy season.

In January 2023, PMC sent a letter and demanded 200 crore for land acquisition. There are a total of 150 landowners who have demanded cash compensation. However, the state has not released funds. So PMC diverted 30 crores from 130 crore fund allocation for the 7th Pay Commission of PMC employees in the annual budget 2023-24.

Sudhir Chavan, executive engineer of the PMC road department who is handling the project, said, We are carrying out road work in patches where we got a piece of land from owners. Also, we are pursuing funds from the state government for land acquisition. We need a total 280 crore to acquire land. Out of which, the state will give us 200 crore and PMC will contribute the remaining amount.

He said, The stretch of 3.5 kilometres from Khadi Machine Chowk to Katraj Junction on Katraj -Kondhwa road is crucial one. If it is not completed, there is no use of the flyover on Katraj-Kondhwa road at Katraj junction as commuters will have to face bottleneck on Khadi Machine Chowk.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
As the weekly farmer markets have increased in the city, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has put in place rules and regulations for them to abide with ban to use footpaths, roads as it obstructs traffic. Vendors selling goods on footpath at Balewadi. (HT FILE PHOTO)

With the help from the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB), the concept of farmer markets was introduced in the city a few years ago. Once in a week, farmers began selling vegetables and fruits to customers, bypassing middlemen and ensuring better quality products to end users.

Currently, there are more than 60 farmer markets operational across the city. However, of late, in many markets instead of farmers, local vendors are putting their stalls with some occupying footpaths and creating traffic issues.

To address the issue, the civic officials had called a meeting with representatives of these markets on Wednesday. Madhav Jagtap, head, PMC anti-encroachment department, who chaired the meeting, issued guidelines for farmer markets.

Jagtap said, It has been decided that farmer markets will be held only in open and amenity spaces and not on footpaths. The farmers association will have at least 200 members registered with MSAMB.

According to Jagtap, the farmer groups should have permission from both MSAMB and PMC for holding the weekly market.

PMC has issued guidelines for organising market after receiving feedback from various stakeholders, he said.

Many residents have complained of traffic jams caused by weekly markets. At Katraj-Ambegaon, the weekly farmer market often leads to traffic chaos as some vendors sell vegetables on footpaths.

Ravi Limaye, a resident, said, It is good that farmer markets are held at local areas. However, citizens park vehicles haphazardly and footpaths are occupied by vendors. The space given for farmers are often used by local vendors.

As farmer markets have in the past received good response, many elected members such as corporators and MLAs used to regularly organise it at their wards. However, it was found that instead of farmers, many local vendors were putting their stalls at these markets. Public complaints and parking issues led PMC to meet the representatives of farmer groups to address the situation.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Directorate of State Council of Educational Research and Training, SCERT, Assam has announced the new releasing date for Assam DElEd PET Result 2023. The Pre Entry Test result will be announced on September 24, 2023. Candidates can check the result through the official website of SCERT at scertpet.co.in. The result will be announced at 12 noon. Assam DElEd PET Result 2023 releasing tomorrow at scertpet.co.in

The official website reads, Result of PET-2023 will be declared on 24th September 2023, 12:00 PM onwards.

Assam DElEd PET Result 2023: How to check

All the appeared candidates can check the result by following the steps given below.

Visit the official website of SCERT, Assam at scertpet.co.in.

Open the link to check DElEd PET results.

Key in your credentials and login.

Check and download the result.

For future uses, save a copy of your scorecard.

The Pre Entry Test 2023 was conducted on September 10, 2023 at various exam centres across the state.

After declaration of district wise result with score & category wise rank, online counseling will be held where candidates will have to mandatorily give their preferences of TEIs where he/she intends to study. The revised dates of the online counselling will be shared by the Council soon. For more related details candidates can check the official site of SCERT.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here! Get latest news on Education along with updates on Board Exams and Competitive Exams at Hindustan Times. Also get latest Job updates on Employment News

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

Exam and College Guide Top Engineering Colleges in India Click here

Click here Top Medical Colleges in India Click here

Click here Popular BBA colleges in India Click here

Click here Explore Scholarships Click here

Click here Top LLB Colleges in India Click here
Actor Aamir Khan extended a helping hand to the families affected by the recent catastrophe in Himachal Pradesh, which resulted in devastating landslides, widespread damage, and collapse of several buildings. He has donated 25 lakh to the Aapda Rahat Kosh-2023 as a charitable gesture to help the families devastated by the current disaster. (Also Read: Aamir Khan, ex-wife Reena Dutta are all smiles as they pose for photographers outside Mumbai jewellery shop. Watch) Aamir Khan has donated  25 lakh to families affected by Himachal Pradesh disaster

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while expressing his profound gratitude to Aamir Khan for his invaluable support, said that the assistance will undoubtedly assist in relief and rehabilitation efforts aimed at helping the affected families to recover from the aftermath of the disaster. The Chief Minister said that the fund will be judiciously utilised to ensure that it reaches those in dire need. He said that his noble gesture of Hindi cinema icon was set to make a remarkable difference in the lives of those who have been adversely affected by monsoon fury in the State.

Persistent rainfall in Himachal Pradesh has resulted in multiple landslides and cloudbursts in various areas. Incessant rains in Himachal Pradesh have led to multiple landslides and cloudbursts in several places.

Coming back to Aamir Khan, his production Laapataa Ladies, which is directed by Kiran Rao, received a positive response at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Laapataa Ladies stars Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Chhaya Kadam, and Ravi Kishan in lead roles. The film was screened at the grand premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 8. Set in 2001, in rural India, Laapataa Ladies follows the jolly mess that ensues when two young brides get lost from a train.

Presented by Jio Studios, Laapataa Ladies is co-produced by Aamir and Jyoti Deshpande. The film has been made under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions and Kindling Productions, with the script based on an award-winning story by Biplab Goswami.

The film will be released on January 5, 2024.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Actor Alia Bhatt has given a glimpse of herself as she recently attended the Gucci Spring/Summer 2024 show at the Milan Fashion Week. Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Alia posted a bunch of pictures. (Also Read | Alia Bhatt says she was initially defensive when asked about nepotism, later realised her privilege) Alia Bhatt shared pictures on Instagram.

Alia shares pics from Milan

In the photos, Alia wore a neon green top and bell-bottom denims. She accessorised her outfit with golden earrings and a bracelet. Alia also carried a black bag with her and wore dark sunglasses. In the pictures, Alia gave different poses and expressions for the camera. She also posted a selfie as she sat in her car. Instead of a caption, Alia simply wrote, "#GucciAncora @gucci @sabatods."

Alia talks about her to-dos in the city

Taking to Instagram, Vogue India shared a video of Alia from the event. In a video, Alia introduced herself and said it was her first time in Milan. She also said, "I was naturally extremely excited. My to-dos are already done which were going to a home-style Italian restaurant and having some really nice authentic bread and some pasta. Really filled up on the carbs before coming for this fantastic show. New vibe that I'm currently loving is extremely easy, feeling like yourself which I'm 100 percent feeling."

Alia poses with Davika Hoorne

In another clip, she was seen chatting with actor-model Davika Hoorne. They also posed for pictures and hugged each other. At the event, Alia sat in the front row along with Bad Bunny and Kendall Jenner. The front row was also graced by Julia Roberts and Ryan Gosling among others.

Alia recently talked about nepotism

Recently, talking with InStyle Australia, Alia opened up about nepotism and her privileged position. She had said, I was aware that my family was in the movie industry so I naturally was also more inclined towards it, but its not like my father ever spoke to me like, Oh, the day you want to act, we will give you this movie'. He never brought that up. Never.

Alia's films

Alia was last seen in her Hollywood debut this year with Heart of Stone. Before that, she starred in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani alongside Ranveer Singh, Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi and Jaya Bachchan. Alia will be next seen in Farhan Akhtars directorial Jee Le Zaraa which also stars Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif in the lead roles.

Hello hello cinephiles! We are now live on Whatsapp Channels! Get your daily dose of hottest movie updates, fresh celebrity interviews and so much more. From King Khan  to Queen Bey , we've got everything covered here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT Entertainment Desk Dedicated professionals who write about cinema and television in all their vibrancy. Expect views, reviews and news. ...view detail
Actor Ishaan Khatter made his first public appearance with rumoured girlfriend-model Chandni Bainz. Taking to Instagram on Saturday, a paparazzo account posted a video as the duo exited a building. (Also Read | Ishaan Khatter calls The Perfect Couple co-star Nicole Kidman 'iconic') Ishaan Khatter with rumoured girlfriend Chandni Bainz in Mumbai.

Ishaan escorts Chandni to car

In the clip, Ishaan held Chandni's hand as they climbed down the stairs. He also escorted her to the car and opened the door for her. After she sat inside, Ishaan closed the door and went to pose for the paparazzi. He flashed the thumbs-up sign and smiled at the cameras.

The duo was reportedly attending the engagement ceremony of Ishaan's friend. For the event, he wore a shimmery sky-blue shirt, black trousers and shoes. Chandni opted for a black printed dress and heels for the occasion. After posing for the paparazzi Ishaan left in the same car as Chandni.

Fans react to rumoured couple's clip

Reacting to the post, a fan wrote, "She's very pretty. They make a nice jodi (couple)." A comment read, "He is a gentleman just like his brother..." An Instagram user called them a "cute couple". "They are such an amazing couple. So it's official then? Ishaan has a girlfriend. Congratulations!" "He is so sweet to his girlfriend. They look good together," commented another fan.

Ishaan rumoured ex-girlfriend is Ananya Panday

Earlier, Ishaan was rumoured to be in a relationship with actor Ananya Panday. Last year, they made headlines after the rumoured couple went to celebrate New Year together at the Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan. The duo did not share any pictures of them together from the vacation but was spotted together at the Mumbai airport, as they returned from Rajasthan. They featured together in the film Khaali Peeli (2020).

Ishaan's upcoming projects

Fans will see Ishaan in his Hollywood debut series The Perfect Couple, headlined by Nicole Kidman. The Netflix series is based on American author Elin Hilderbrand's novel of the same name. It is directed by filmmaker Susanne Bier.

The Perfect Couple also features Liev Schreiber, Dakota Fanning and Eve Hewson. It follows Amelia (Eve) who is about to marry into a wealthy Nantucket Winbury family, to the disapproval of their matriarch novelist (Nicole). Ishaan essays the role of Shooter Dival, the best friend of the groom Benji Winbury (Billy Howle).

He also has Pippa, a biopic on Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta, a veteran of the 45th Cavalry tank squadron, who, along with his siblings, fought on the eastern front during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. Directed by Raja Krishna Menon, the movie is based on Brigadier Mehtas book The Burning Chaffees. The film also stars Mrunal Thakur, Priyanshu Painyuli and Soni Razdan.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT Entertainment Desk Dedicated professionals who write about cinema and television in all their vibrancy. Expect views, reviews and news. ...view detail
Actor Priyanka Chopra hinted that she won't attend her cousin-actor Parineeti Chopra's wedding with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raghav Chadha in Udaipur. There have been reports that Priyanka will attend Parineeti's wedding with her daughter Malti Marie Chopra Jonas. So far, Priyanka's mother Madhu Chopra has been seen at the pre-wedding festivities. (Also Read | Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha arrive in Udaipur for wedding. Watch) Priyanka Chopra might not attend Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha's wedding.

Priyanka to miss Parineeti's wedding?

Taking to Instagram Stories on Saturday morning, Priyanka shared an old picture of Parineeti Chopra enjoying her beverage outdoors. She wore a black top, a multi-coloured skirt and a hat. Parineeti closed her eyes as she smiled.

Sharing the picture, Priyanka wrote, "I hope you are as happy and content as this on your big day little one..always wishing you so much love (red heart emoji) #newbeginnings @parineetichopra @raghavchadha88."

Priyanka shared an old picture of Parineeti.

Priyanka spends time with Malti, Frankie in farm

Ahead of this post, Priyanka shared a video on Instagram featuring herself, her daughter Malti and her brother-in-law Frankie Jones as they visited a farm. In the clip, Priyanka was seen playing with a goat as she tried to balance it on her back. She laughed, posed and spoke to someone as the goat stood on her back.

Priyanka was seen wearing a white shirt, khaaki pants, a cap and white sneakers in the clip. Malti was seen looking at the animals nearby wearing a blue and red outfit. Frankie posed with a few birds on his head and hands.

Priyanka captioned the post, "Farm life with our favourite uncle @franklinjonas at the lovely @kfar_saba_urban_farm. So quaint and fun. Thank you miss Limore.#goat." She also added You Make Me Happy by My Sun and Stars as the background music.

About Parineeti and Raghav's wedding

Raghav Chadha and Parineeti's wedding will take place in Udaipur. Top politicians and film personalities are expected to attend the pre-wedding functions on Saturday and the main ceremony on Sunday at The Leela Palace Udaipur. Parineeti and Raghav got engaged in May in Delhi in a private ceremony. It was attended by family members, including Priyanka, and political leaders.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Hollywood actor Kevin Bacon destroyed a house on his farm in northwestern Connecticut, believing that it was haunted. The previous owner of the property had feared Bacon might get possessed. Kevin Bacon (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP, File)(Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Bacon made the revelation on Rob Lowes Literally podcast last month.

One of the pieces that we bought had an old house in it and [the owner] didnt want me to own the house. It was an abandoned house that he had grown up in, said Bacon.

Bacon highlighted that during the negotiations for the sale, the property owner was sceptical about selling the house.

Eventually, I said, Listen, you cant sell me a piece of land but not sell me the house thats on it. Like, thats just weird, said Bacon.

The 65-year-old actor shared that the property owner later revealed the reason behind his reluctance to sell the house.

He said, I cant sell it to you because its haunted, and Im afraid that youll get possessed and, you know, do some serious damage,' revealed Bacon.

As per the sale contract, Bacon agreed to destroy the house within a month of purchasing it.

In the contract, I had to destroy [the house] within a month (of purchase), revealed Bacon.

ALSO READ| Leonardo DiCaprio slams Hollywood's past depiction of Native American tribes' history

During the podcast, 'Hollow Man' actor shared that before destroying the house, he wanted to keep some items but his wife Kyra Sedgwick was absolutely against any such idea.

But I went up there and there were some beautiful old pine boards and a banister and I said to Kyra, Weve gotta take those out. And shes like, No youre not. Youre not putting those fing things in our house,' recalled Bacon.

Bacon is known for starring in sci-fi and supernatural activity related films. He has acted in movies like Hollow Man, Mystic River, Tremors, Wild Things, X-Men: First Class, Apollo 13, Trapped,
A new detail about how Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas headed for divorce has been revealed in a news report. According to the BuzzFeed report, the couple had a fight on Joe Jonas' 34th birthday on August 15 which eventually led to Joe Jonas filing for divorce 15 days later. Sophie had claimed she learnt about the divorce filing four days later on September 5. Also read: Joe Jonas' ex-wife Sophie Turner and ex-girlfriend Taylor Swift step out together in NYC: Is this for real! Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party last year. (AFP)

A BuzzFeed report states that the court documents read: The breakdown of the parties' marriage happened very suddenly. The parties had had an argument on August 15, 2023. On or about September 1, 2023, the father filed a divorce case against the mother in Florida. On or about September 5, 2023, the mother found out through the media that the father had filed for divorce.

Sophie Turner had wished Joe Jonas on his birthday

Before the argument, Sophie had wished Joe on her Instagram Story. Sharing a cute picture of them together posing in night suits, Sophie had written, Happy birthday handsome @joejonas. She had shared a few more happy pictures of the occasion.

Sophie Turner had wished Joe Jonas on his birthday.

Reports of the couple selling their Miami home made headlines after the news of their divorce but they had actually started the proceedings to sell the house in April, according to the report.

Sophie's lawsuit and Joe's response

Sophie recently filed a lawsuit which alleged that Joe Jonas was refusing to let their children, Willa, 3, and 14-month-old daughter return to England. Joe has filed a response to the lawsuit. The statement obtained by People read: After multiple conversations with Sophie, Joe initiated divorce proceedings in Florida, as Florida is the appropriate jurisdiction for the case. Sophie was aware that Joe was going to file for divorce. The Florida Court has already entered an order that restricts both parents from relocating the children. Sophie was served with this order on September 6, 2023, more than two weeks ago."

The statement asserted that the musician is "seeking shared parenting with the kids so that they are raised by both their mother and father and is, of course, also okay with the kids being raised both in the US and the UK," but also alleges that the children "have spent the vast majority of their lives in the US"

This is an unfortunate legal disagreement about a marriage that is sadly ending. When language like 'abduction' is used, it is misleading at best, and a serious abuse of the legal system at worst. The children were not abducted," the statement said.

Hello hello cinephiles! We are now live on Whatsapp Channels! Get your daily dose of hottest movie updates, fresh celebrity interviews and so much more. From King Khan  to Queen Bey , we've got everything covered here!

(With ANI inputs)

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Nicki Minaj is not letting the drama get to her, as she showed off her curves and teased her new music, 'Queen Radio' on Instagram. TOPSHOT - US rapper Nicki Minaj performs onstage during the MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on September 12, 2023. (Photo by Timothy A. CLARY / AFP)(AFP)

The rap star posted a video of herself rocking a beige bodysuit and lip-syncing to her upcoming song, Big Difference, which she debuted at the VMAs. She captioned the post with a plug for her Apple Music show, Queen Radio, which airs tonight.

Fans were quick to praise her look and express their excitement for her new album, Pink Friday 2, which is set to drop in November.

However, Nicki has also been dealing with a lot of controversy lately, involving her husband, Kenneth Petty, and her rival, Cardi B. Petty, who is on parole for a 1995 attempted rape conviction, was placed on house arrest after he allegedly threatened Cardis husband, Offset.

The reality TV star then accused Cardi of being behind a swatting incident at her home, where someone called the police and claimed that there was a hostage situation.

Nicki shared the audio of the call on social media and warned the caller that they would face consequences.

You gon get the breaks beaten off you, she said.

Nicki and Petty are also facing a lawsuit from Pettys accuser, Jennifer Hough, who claims that they harassed and intimidated her to recant her testimony. Hough appeared on The Real this week and broke down in tears as she recounted her ordeal.

ALSO READ| Leonardo DiCaprio and Vittoria Ceretti's romance: Goes beyond a fling

Nicki and Petty have denied the allegations and have filed a motion to dismiss the case. Plus, Hollywood Unlocked founder Jason Lee claimed that Nicki and Petty tried to hire someone to harm him, and urged Pettys parole officer to lock him up.

If you know Kenneth Pettys parole officer, please send it to me, he said on his show.

Email it to me right now. Send it to Hollywood Unlocked. Please DM us. Because Im gonna call him and send him this receipt that I got  tried to hire somebody to come get me.

With so much drama surrounding her, fans are curious to hear what Nicki has to say on Queen Radio tonight.
Jen Shah The former star of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Jen Shah, found herself in prison due to her 2021 arrest on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud. She and her assistant were accused of defrauding many victims in a telemarketing scheme, including working-class senior citizens. In January 2023, she began serving her six-and-a-half-year sentence and reportedly struck up an unlikely friendship with Elizabeth Holmes, the convicted Theranos CEO. Housewives of Reality: When the cameras stop rolling, legal drama unfolds, but their stories continue. (Instagram)(Instagram)

Jen Shah's Shocking Fall: From Real Housewives Star to Prison Inmate, and an Unexpected Bond Behind Bars with Elizabeth Holmes. therealjienshah (Instagram)(Instagram)

ALSO READ: Shannon Beador of 'Real Housewives of Orange County' arrested for DUI and hit-and-run in California

Lisa Hochstein

A star of The Real Housewives of Miami Lisa Hochstein went through a tough divorce from her husband, Lenny, in 2022. The divorce battle included a restraining order petition from Lenny's girlfriend, Katharina Mazepa, 28, alleging harassment. The restraining order was ultimately dismissed, and Lisa returned to the show for Season 6.

Lisa Hochstein's Real Housewives Journey: Navigating a Divorce, Restraining Orders, and a Return to the Spotlight lisahochstein (Instagram)(Instagram)

Luann de Lesseps

The Real Housewives of New York star faced legal trouble in 2017 when she was arrested in Palm Beach, Florida, on various charges, including disorderly intoxication and battery of an officer. She reached a plea deal, which required community service and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Despite these incidents, her career continued with appearances on spinoff shows.

Luann de Lesseps: Rising Above Legal Turmoil - The 'Real Housewives' Star's Journey to Redemption and Resilience countessluann (Instagram)(Instagram)

Teresa Giudice

In 2014, the Real Housewives of New Jersey star and her then-husband, Joe Giudice, pleaded guilty to multiple counts, including bankruptcy fraud and wire fraud. They both served prison sentences, but Teresa returned to the show after her release.

Teresa Giudice: From Legal Battles to Reality TV Comeback  The Real Housewives of New Jersey Star's Triumph Over Adversity teresagiudice (Instagram)(Instagram)

Danielle Staub

A former Real Housewives of New Jersey star's scandalous past was exposed in a 1996 book. She had been arrested in 1986 on charges of extortion, kidnapping, and drug possession. This revelation led to infamous moments on the show, including the table-flipping incident. She returned to the show as a friend in later seasons.

Danielle Staub: The Real Housewives' Shocking Past and Unforgettable TV Moments daniellestaub (Instagram)(Instagram)

ALSO READ: It makes my cheeks go red, RHOY's Jenna Lyons shares humiliating encounter with Ralph Fiennes

Kim Richards

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum faced legal issues in 2015 with arrests for drunken behavior and shoplifting. While she avoided jail time, she was placed on probation and completed community service. Her struggles with alcohol were part of her storyline on the show, which ultimately led to her departure.

Kim Richards: Battling Demons on and off The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills kimrichards (Instagram)(Instagram)

Erika Jayne

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Erika Jayne filed for divorce from her husband, Tom Girardi, in 2020. They faced lawsuits for alleged embezzlement of funds meant for plane crash victims' families and accusations that their divorce was a scheme to protect assets. Erika's legal issues were the subject of a Hulu documentary, but she continued to be part of the show.

These housewives have had their fair share of legal drama, but it hasn't always hindered their careers in the world of reality TV.

Erika Jayne's Legal Storm: From Divorce Drama to Reality TV Resilience theprettymess (Instagram)(Instagram)
The area under kharif or summer rice has expanded to a record 41.15 million hectares as on September 22, despite a monsoon-battering El Nino weather pattern, a final round of official estimates show. The area under kharif or summer rice has expanded to a record 41.15 million hectares as on September 22. (HT Archive)

For a country battling high cereal prices for the last 12 months, the robust acreage of the main summer staple should help to put a lid on prices and boost supplies. Harvests are due to begin next month.

The reported paddy acreage is 2.7% higher than the corresponding period of last year and 3% higher than the normal area as calculated by the agriculture ministry. The driest August on record had triggered drought-like conditions in parts of the country but a late revival of the monsoon in September has improved the condition of most crops.

Rice plantings have increased in Telangana, a large producer, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday announced that the summer monsoon will start withdrawing from September 25.

The monsoon is vital to Asias third-largest economy because it waters nearly half of Indias net-sown area and replenishes over 100 nationally important reservoirs critical for drinking, irrigation and energy.

Robust rice production will boost procurement, or governments purchase of rice for state-held granaries, boost supplies and could prompt the government restore exports.

The retreating rain-bearing system will bring more rain in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and West Bengal, which are states that had the driest conditions this summer and are producer of crops such as paddy, soyabean, pulses and oilseeds.

Late rains have reduced the monsoon deficit from 11% just weeks ago to 6% currently. Fresh rains have been very beneficial for sugarcane, paddy and pulses, said Abhishek Agrawal of Comtrade.

Rice acreage was deficient in August but picked up in a big way with the revival of the monsoon under the influence of low-pressure systems, according to an update by the agrometeorology division of the IMD.

However, pulses output is set to decline this year and could keep their prices high, as the acreage under most types of lentils is lower than last year. The total area under pulses is down by nearly 4% to 1.2 million hectares. India relies on imports to meet its total domestic demand of pulses.

Harvesting of rice usually commences in October but there could be a delay in states such as Punjab. We have re-sown paddy with late-maturing varieties because of a poor monsoon, Jaipal Singh Nain, a member of the Bharatiya Kisan Union from Fazilka, Punjab, had told HT earlier this week.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday met Gautam Adani in Ahmedabad as both of them were present at the inauguration of India's first Lactoferrin plant in Ahmedabad. Later, Pawar visited Adani's residence and office in Ahmedabad, reports said. "It was a privilege to inaugurate India's first Lactoferrin Plant Exympower in Vasna, Chacharwadi, Gujarat along with Mr Gautam Adani," Pawar posted on Twitter. The meeting comes amid Rahul Gandhi's continuous attack on Adani and at a time when the opposition bloc INDIA is preparing for a united fight against the BJP in the 2024 elections. Sharad Pawar is a key leader of the INDIA bloc and he was the host of the last meeting of the alliance in Mumbai. Sharad Pawar and Gautam Adani together inaugurated a factory in Gujarat on Saturday.

Sharing the photos of the event which were posted by Sharad Pawar's handle only, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the picture speaks a thousand words but only if Rahul Gandhi is willing to listen to them. No one in the INDIA bloc takes Rahul Gandhi seriously, Poonawalla said.

"I just hope that Sharad Pawar ji wont be abused by likes of Alka Lamba again merely because nobody in INDI Alliance takes @RahulGandhi or his utterances seriously. This picture speaks a thousand words provided Rahul Gandhi is willing to listen," Poonawalla tweeted.

This is not the first time that Sharad Pawar's closeness with Adani has come to light. In an interview early this year, Sharad Pawar opposed the opposition's demand for a joint parliamentary committee to probe the charges against the Adani Group and said he would favour a Supreme Court-monitored committee instead.

In his autobiography Lok Maze Saangati, Sharad Pawar described Gautam Adani as a hard-working, simple and down-to-earth person. It was at the insistence of Sharad Pawar that Gautam Adani ventured into the thermal power sector, Sharad Pawar wrote in his book recounting how Adani built his corporate empire starting from scratch.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail
Bengaluru: Various organisations, including farmers groups and pro-Kannada activists, have called for a Bengaluru bandh on September 26 to protest against the Karnataka governments decision to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. This call for the bandh is expected to disrupt normal life in the city, with even driver unions, including those representing app-based auto-rickshaws and cabs, and restaurant associations announcing their support. Senior BJP leaders B.S. Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai during a protest against the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu from dams in Karnataka, in Bengaluru, on Saturday. (PTI)

The call for the bandh was first made by the Karnataka Water Conservation Committee president, Kurubur Shanthakumar, who announced the Bengaluru bandh over the Cauvery issue on September 26 (Tuesday). Simultaneously, former MLA and pro-Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj convened a meeting of various organisations in the city to discuss a date for a state-wide strike in Karnataka.

The confusion arose as both leaders made announcements regarding the bandh, but they later met and decided to make a final announcement on September 25. Shanthakumar, however, maintained that he would not withdraw the bandh called for September 26.

Shanthakumar has appealed to schools, colleges, IT companies, and the film chamber to declare a holiday in support of the bandh. He has further demanded that the state government convene a special assembly session. A protest march is scheduled from Town Hall to Mysuru Bank Circle at 11am on September 26. The Aam Aadmi Party has also extended its support to the bandh, he said.

We request schools and colleges to remain closed. This is not a bandh call given by organisations but by the people of Bengaluru. IT companies and Film Chambers of Commerce should also extend their support to the bandh. Shops and commercial establishments should voluntarily shut down business, said Shanthakumar, who is also the president of the Sugarcane Growers Association.

Tanveer Pasha, president of the Ola Uber Drivers and Owners Association, confirmed their participation in the Bengaluru bandh, stating that airport cabs would also be affected. There will be no compromise when it comes to land, language, and water. Without any second thoughts, we support the bandh, Pasha said.

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) plans to operate Namma Metro services as usual, while state-run KSRTC and BMTC will decide on their operations after assessing the law and order situation, said a transport department official.

Many businesses, particularly small and local establishments, are expected to remain closed in solidarity with the bandh. PC Rao, president of the Bruhath Bangalore Hotels Association, has expressed moral support for the bandh. However, essential services, including hospitals, will remain open.

Bengaluru City police commissioner B Dayananda assured that all necessary security measures and precautions are being taken. Officers are on high alert for incidents such as stone pelting on any Tamil Nadu-registered buses or private vehicles, especially in border areas. We have taken all precautions and we are taking a close watch on the sensitive areas, he said.

Following the bandh call, the BJP has announced support for the bandh. Speaking to reporters, former Karnataka CM Yediyurappa said, The Cauvery issue is very particular, and it is going to harm the interests of the Karnataka people. They are releasing the water even without the Supreme Courts decision. We are agitating throughout the state, particularly in Mandya. We also observed a strike today(September 23) in Mandya. We are also planning to start agitation throughout the state, particularly in Bengaluru. There is no drinking water for Mysuru and Bengaluru, and it is going to cause a crisis-like situation in the state.

On Saturday, Former Karnataka chief ministers BS Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai and senior BJP leaders were detained by the local police on Saturday, during a protest rally they opposed the governments move to let the waters of river Cauvery flow to Tamil Nadu.

The BJP leaders staged the rally near the Mysore Bank Circle in the city on Saturday, demanding the immediate resignation of chief minister Siddaramaiah, alleging that the decision of his government to let the river water flow to Tamil Nadu had caused intense problems for the people of Karnataka, especially farmers.

Speaking to reporters on the bandh call, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said, We are there to protect the interests of the farmers of Karnataka, but the Opposition wants to play politics over water. I want to tell everyone that we will not come in the way of your protest, but let it be peaceful, and no harm should be done to life and property. We have appealed to the authorities that no one should take the law into their hands. I appeal to them not to organize a bandhWe are there to support the interests of Karnataka

Several shops and business establishments remained closed in Mandya on Saturday in response to a call for bandh by Mandya District Farmers Struggle Committee in protest against the release of Cauvery water from the reservoirs to Tamil Nadu.

Private buses and autos stayed off the roads while theatres, hotels and most commercial establishments downed their shutters as activists of Kannada organisations and farmers outfits staged demonstrations in different parts of Mandya. The police have also clarified that the traffic was plying normally on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday moved the Supreme Court challenging the state high courts order dismissing his petition to quash a case filed by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) in the alleged multi-crore skill development corporation scam, a party spokesperson said. TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu at a court on September 11 after his arrest in the alleged Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation scam. (PTI)

On behalf of Naidu, his counsels filed a special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court.

The SLP is expected to come up for hearing in a day or two, TDP official spokesperson N Vijaya Kumar said.

Meanwhile, a team of CID officials began their interrogation of Naidu in the skill development corporation scam case at the Rajahmundry central prison, where he has been on judicial remand since September 11, people familiar with the matter said.

On Friday, the special court for anti-corruption bureau cases in Vijayawada granted two days police custody of the TDP president. The court also extended the judicial remand of Naidu.

The court allowed a team of nine senior officials from the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the CID, accompanied by six more junior police officers, one professional videographer and two official mediators to participate in the interrogation.

The team, led by deputy superintendent of police M Dhanunjayudu began the questioning of Naidu at the conference hall of the jail.

On behalf of Naidu, senior advocate and former advocate general of the state Dammalapati Srinivas was allowed to be present in the hall when the TDP chief was being grilled. The court clearly told the authorities that they should not subject Naidu to any third-degree treatment.

Naidu was given a five-minute break for every hour, so that he could consult his lawyer. The jail authorities made all arrangements, including medicines and ambulance service, in case the TDP chief suffered any medical emergency due to stress during the interrogation.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Saturday wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla giving a 'second-to-second' development of what happened between BSP MP Kunwar Danish Ali and BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. And in his account, he accused Danish Ali of instigating Bidhuri by saying some 'unpardonable' words aimed at PM Modi. In his letter, Dubey made it clear that he did not support what Bidhuri said to Danish Ali but gave a background of what led to those utterances. BJP issued a showcause notice to MP Ramesh Bidhuri after he abused BSP MP Danish Ali in Parliament.

"...in this unprecedented din, which has unfortunately grabbed media attention, and then was lapped up by other political parties with hidden agendas to perpetuate their politics on the issue," Dubey wrote.

"When Shri Danish Ali was busy instigating Shri Bidhuri with his intemperate comments, he made a highly objectionable and derogatory remark against our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Jee. In his desperation to denigrate the ruling dispensation and Prime Minister's achievement of landing Chandrayaan 3 on the moon, he screamed across the isle, without the microphone..." the BJP MP wrote,

"This statement made by Shri Danish Ali, I think, was more than enough for any patriotic public representative to 'lose his calm' and it led to Shri Bidhuri responding to him like he did," Dubey wrote. The media attention did not go into these details when Danish Ali made such 'disgraceful and demeaning' comment, Nishikant Dubey said.

"...not only Shri Ramesh Bidhuri has exhibited 'inappropriate' behaviour but Shri Danish Ali is also equally guilty of uttering highly deplorable and unpardonable words against the Honourable Prime Minister of the largest democracy of the world i.e, the Republic of Bharat. Besides, other Members and Parties also made unsavory remarks/comments against the 'cherished faith' of the majority community," Dubey said.

Was trying to save the dignity of PM post

The BSP MP replied to the allegation and said it was a narrative that was being peddled by the BJP. "Whereas the truth is that I worked to save the dignity of the post of Prime Minister and made the chairman aware of the highly objectionable words related to Modi ji," Danish Ali posted on Twitter.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) aims to strengthen long-term cooperation and deepen strategic partnerships with Turkmenistan, a source at the OSCE told Trend.

The organization stressed that it continues to actively support Turkmenistan in strengthening control over the border territories, developing regional ties, ensuring environmental protection and assistance in a number of other key areas.

At the same time, it was noted that some of the most innovative joint projects between Turkmenistan and the OSCE include the creation of a center of excellence in the field of cybersecurity, the economic empowerment of women, as well as initiatives in the development of 'smart cities'.

The OSCE stressed that it actively organizes and promotes educational programs and seminars in Turkmenistan covering a wide range of skills: from combating cybercrime and the use of digital evidence to 'green' energy diplomacy.
New York: India continued with its extensive diplomatic outreach, touching base with partners of the global north, engaging with those who constitute the global south across continents, and sustaining its outreach to West Asia and Africa on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. New York, Sept 23 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets Carlos Pinto Pereira, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guinea-Bissau on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) meeting, in New York on Saturday. (ANI Photo) (Dr. S. Jaishankar twitter)

On Friday  after attending a Quad ministerial, meeting his Japanese and Australian counterpart, and participating in an IBSA ministerial  external affairs minister S Jaishankar first met Bahrains Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, and tweeted, Good conversation on connectivity, economic linkages and regional dynamics.

Jaishankar also met UKs minister of state Tariq Ahmad and tweeted that the two did a useful stocktaking of the relationship and discussed recent developments pertaining to Ukraine. The two ministers met for an extensive one-on-one chat after officials and are likely to have focused on Canadas recent allegations, especially given the presence of a large Sikh diaspora in the UK including Khalistani groups and UKs own unique relationship with both India and Canada.

On Saturday, Jaishankar met Egypts foreign minister Sameh Shoukry. Appreciate his warm words for the Indian Presidency of G20. Took stock of the the great progress in our bilateral cooperation. 2023 has been a landmark year in India-Egypt ties. Committed to take them forward. Egypt was a guest country at G20 and hosted PM Narendra Modi in June for a visit.

He then met Ugandas foreign minister Odongo Jeje. Fondly recalled my visit to Uganda. Happy to note that the progress of various bilateral initiatives. Offered our fullest support on their upcoming NAM and G77 Presidencies, tweeted Jaishankar.

Continuing with Indias intensified engagement with Cyprus, Jaishankar met its foreign minister Constantinos Kambas, and tweeted, after the meeting,  Talked about follow-up steps to my visit last December. Indias interest in the Mediterranean is steadily growing. Cyprus will always be a valued partner.

He also met Guinea Bissaus foreign minister Carlos Pereira. Discussed expanding our development partnership and enhancing our trade and investment.

The minister is scheduled to address a major event on India and the global south later on Saturday, besides speaking on the Indian G20 presidency at a separate event.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Prashant Jha Prashant Jha is the Washington DC-based US correspondent of Hindustan Times. He is also the editor of HT Premium. Jha has earlier served as editor-views and national political editor/bureau chief of the paper. He is the author of How the BJP Wins: Inside India's Greatest Election Machine and Battles of the New Republic: A Contemporary History of Nepal. ...view detail
New York: When external affairs minister S Jaishankar stepped into a meeting room on the fourth floor of the Lotte Palace Hotel in New York to attend the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) ministerial on Friday, he explained to his counterparts why he had arrived in the city just that morning. From left to right (United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian foreign minister Penny Wong, India FM S Jaishankar, and Japanese FM Yoko Kamikawa on the sidelines of UNGA78 in New York) (Twitter/@DrSJaishankar)

Jaishankar told them about the special session of the parliament and how India had just passed a law reserving one-third of the seats for women in parliament and state assemblies. After hearing him, South Africas minister of international relations and cooperation, Naledi Pandor said that was a very progressive step by India and congratulated Jaishankar. And in the small room, with just over a dozen delegates from the three countries, Pandor led a round of applause for India.

If it was the womens reservation bill that drew India accolades on one end  the issue also came up in Jaishankars conversation with Australian foreign minister Penny Wong  it was the success of the G20 summit under the Indian presidency that was a talking point on the other.

When the UKs minister of state for South Asia Tariq Ahmad stepped into the Kennedy Room in the same hotel to meet Jaishankar, he began by congratulating India for G20. The Indian minister, in turn, told him it was thanks to all members of the group, who showed a willingness to give a little and termed the entire process an education.

Or when Bahrains foreign minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani began his bilateral meeting with Jaishankar at the same venue, his first comment was about the G20. Well done, the Bahraini minister remarked. He then hailed the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor.

Even as discussions around Canadas allegations against India have dominated the headlines  and it is indeed a big talking point across the world of diplomacy in New York  Indias brand is also defined by other issues. From progressive steps towards enhancing womens representation to multilateralism, Delhis story has traction.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to the legal fraternity for their substantial contribution to the country's independence movement and its continued progress. Addressing the 'International Lawyers' Conference 2023' at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi, PM Modi emphasized the paramount role lawyers and the judiciary have played in shaping India's legal system and maintaining law and order. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice DY Chandrachud interact during the International Lawyers' Conference 2023 at Vigyan Bhawan, in New Delhi, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.(PTI)

India completed 75 years of independence recently. In the fight for independence, the legal fraternity played a huge role. Many lawyers left their practice to join the independence movement, Prime Minister Modi said.

The legal fraternity plays a very important role in the building of any country. For years, the judiciary and Bar have been the patron of India's law and order, he added.

Prime Minister Modi said his government is making sincere attempts to draft laws in a simple manner and in Indian languages to the maximum extent.

"We in the Indian government are thinking that law should be produced in two ways. One draft will be in the language you are used to," he said to the audience drawn from the legal field. "The second draft will be in a language which the country's common man can understand. He should consider the law his own."

The prime minister went on to highlight the traditional Indian practice of conflict resolution through Panchayats, which, he said, has been ingrained in the country's culture for decades.

To formalize this age-old system, the government recently enacted the Mediation Act, a move that aims to bring a regulated structure to the informal conflict resolution process.

To give this informal arrangement a regulated form, the government has made Mediation Act, he noted.

He also pointed out that the International Lawyers' Conference coincided with several historic developments in India, including the passage of the women's reservation bill and the successful landing of the Chandrayaan-3 mission on the south pole of the Moon.

This conference is taking place during that period when India is taking several historic steps. Recently Women's Reservation Bill was passed in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam will give a new direction and energy to the women-led development in India, he said.

PM Modi also reiterated the government's ambitious goal of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047, emphasizing the critical importance of an unbiased, strong, and independent judiciary in achieving this objective.

We are working towards becoming a developed (nation) by 2047. For this, an unbiased, strong, and independent judiciary is needed... I am hoping that through this conference, we can all learn from each other.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh has strongly condemned Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's unsubstantiated allegations about Indian involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani extremist and wanted terrorist, in Canada. In an opinion article for The Indian Express (behind paywall), Singh highlighted the Indian government's previous efforts to raise concerns about Canada sheltering anti-India elements and terrorists, accusing Canada of providing "political asylum" to individuals involved in terrorism. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shakes hands with Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh in Amritsar.(PTI Photo)

He cited a list of A-category terrorists presented to Trudeau during a meeting in 2018, which Canada allegedly ignored.

When I met Trudeau as Chief Minister of Punjab on behalf of the Government of India in February 2018 at Amritsar, I handed over a list of nine A-category terrorists to him for action, he wrote. But the Canadian government chose to ignore the list completely.

Singh, however, said that the allegations levelled by Trudeau do not come as a surprise as he plays to the extremist gallery.

He described the situation as a "classic case of the pot calling the kettle black," asserting that Canada itself has harboured anti-India activities.

The former chief minister pointed to past attacks on Indian consulates and Hindu places of worship in Canada, questioning whether the Canadian government had taken appropriate action against those responsible for these acts of violence.

Hitting out at Trudeau for not curbing anti-India activities on Canadian soil, he dismissed the excuse of "freedom of expression" for acts of subversion.

Singh speculated that Trudeau's allegations might be influenced by political factors, including his minority government's reliance on the support of the New Democratic Party led by Jagmeet Singh, a known Khalistan promoter. He also mentioned Trudeau's low approval ratings as a possible motivation for his actions.

Drawing a parallel between Canada and Pakistan in their protection and patronage of anti-India forces, Singh called on India to intensify international pressure on Canada to hand over terrorists involved in heinous crimes on Indian soil.

"Pakistan may be doing it more discreetly for fear of international repercussions, Canada is doing it openly in the name of "liberal" values."

Read the full article here

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Amid row over BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri's attack on BSP MP Kunwar Danish Ali in the Lok Sabha, a video of Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan using vile language for PM Modi and Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar surfaced on Saturday. Asking whether this is 'muhabbat ki dukan', BJP leaders cornered the Congress and demanded Udai Bhan's sacking from the party, the same way the Congress wanted action against Bidhuri on Friday. A video of Haryana Congress president Udai Bhan (right) using abusive language for PM Modi surfaced.

Udai Bhan defended his statement and said he did not even take a name. What I did say that was wrong? Did I use abusive words? I only stated the truth. I would have apologised if had said anything wrong....BJP should keep their MPs and leaders under control. I have said similar things in 20-30 rallies before. If I have said anything wrong they can go to court, the Haryana Congress president told ANI.

Rahul Gandhi met Danish on Friday after the BSP MP said he might consider quitting Parliament if the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla does not take any action against BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri who abused the Muslim MP. 'Nafrat ki bazaar mein muhabbat ki dukan," Rahul Gandhi said after meeting Danish.

A day later, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla asked whether Haryana Congress president Udai Bhan's language shows 'muhabbat ki dukan'. "Here is the Congress President in Haryana - he has used the most inexcusable, horrible language for PM & CM. Will the Congress sack him? Is this Muhabbat Ki Dukan? No this is Congress ke gaali galauj ka saaman," the BJP spokesperson wrote.

"From abusing Modi samaj....to this - Rahul Gandhi has only encouraged this language & behaviour! Rahul Gandhi, Kharge ji & Sonia ji themselves have used worst abuses too. Even Janta has been called Rakshas by Congress so this is their true character," Poonawalla wrote.

Danish Ali too made indecent remarks in Lok Sabha: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey

Bidhuri's choice of words against Danish Ali became a major political row as several MPs wrote to the Lok Sabha Speaker condemning what happened inside the House in the presence of the Speaker. While Om Birla issued a warning to Bidhuri and expunged those words, Congress Lok Sabha leader Adhir Chowdhury said expunging the words is not enough as the video has already been in circulation.

BJP issued a showcause notice to Bidhuri on Friday.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, however, gave a twist to the entire incident and said the Lok Sabha speaker should also probe the indecent remarks and conduct of Danish Ali. "Under Lok Sabha rules, obstructing another MP during the time allotted to him, speaking while sitting and giving a running commentary also call for punishment," Dubey wrote on Twitter.

Uday Bhan did not speak in anger, he was smiling: BJP's Sudhanshu Trivedi

"The language he used for the Prime Minister defines pettiness in the politics of India. This is the limit of lowliness. That too for a Prime Minister who has not taken a single leave in the last 9.5 years... What has the Congress not said for PM Modi in the past, for his late father, last mother, his previous profession, his caste... But the roadside language used today by the Haryana Congress President... he is seen in the video smiling. This means it was not spoken in anger," BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail
India-Canada New Highlights: Days after accusing the agents of the Indian government of being involved in the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Friday said that Ottawa wants to "work constructively with India" on the case. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, shakes hand with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau upon his arrival at Bharat Mandapam convention centre for the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, September 9, 2023. (HT Photo)

The raging diplomatic row has brought down India-Canada ties to its lowest in decades with the Narendra Modi government strongly dismissing Trudeau's claims as "absurd" and politically motivated.

Amid the tensions, India on Thursday had stopped processing visa applications by Canadians and also asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic staff in the country. However, amid speculations of a possible retaliation by Canada on the matter, an official told HT Friday that the Canadian visas were being processed normally.
India on Friday called out Pakistan after its caretaker prime minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar raised Jammu and Kashmir in his address to the UN General Assembly. Kakar had called Kashmir as the key to peace between India and Pakistan, Petal Gahlot, India's first secretary at United Nations for second committee of UNGA.(ANI)

Petal Gahlot, India's first secretary at United Nations for second committee of UNGA, said,"Pakistan has become a habitual offender when it comes to misusing this August forum to peddle baseless and malicious propaganda against India".



Member states of the United Nations and other multilateral organisations are well aware that Pakistan does so to deflect the international community's attention away from its own abysmal record on human rights. We reiterate that the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir are an integral part of India. Matters pertaining to the UTs of J&K and Ladakh are purely internal to India. Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on our domestic matters, she added.



Over the years, Pakistan has been trying to internationalise Jammu and Kashmir at global forums including the UN. India has been calling out Pakistan for sheltering terrorism on its soil.

Pakistan obviously is the exception when it comes to the neighbourhood. The fact is we cant allow terrorism to be normalised. We can not allow that to become a basis to come into discussion with Pakistan, external affairs minister S Jaishankar had said in June this year.



The tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pulwama terror attack on February 14, 2019 in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel lost their lives. India responded by carrying out airstrikes in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.



Six months later that year, India abrogated Article 370, revoking the special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Following the removal of the Article 370, the former state was split into two territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Highlighting the need to collaborate as nations, institutions and individuals to find innovative solutions, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud on Saturday said that institutional collaboration is a precursor to solution-finding not only while adjudicating judicial questions, but it also plays a significant role in increasing access to justice. Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud highlights the need to collaborate as nations, institutions to find innovative solutions. (ANI)

In his address at the inaugural session of the International Lawyers Conference organised by the Bar Council of India, the CJI made a note how individuals from diverse backgrounds came together to pass the Womens Reservation Bill in Parliament and drew a parallel with the similar effort made seven decades ago when the Constitution was drafted.

Individuals from different regions of India, diverse backgrounds and even conflicting ideologies came together to draft the Constitution in one voice ... We find the same bipartisan effort - and this is something to which we as citizens of India must be proud - has gone into the passing of womens reservation bill in the Parliament, said justice Chandrachud at the event, which also saw the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The CJIs speech focused on collaboration for engagement between nations, constitutions and legal systems. It is utopian to think that there will be a day when we find perfect solutions and no challenges to justice delivery exist. However, it is definitely not utopian to aspire to a world where nations, institutions and most importantly individuals are open to engage with and learn from one another, without feeling threatened or belittled. It is in this engagement that I believe lies the framework to find solutions, he said.

Justice Chandrachud added nothing explains this push towards engagement across nations better than the slogan for the recently concluded G20 summit - Vasudhev Kutumbhakam- the world is a family.

While the Constitution provides for separation of powers between the legislature, executive and judiciary, the CJI said, it also creates a space for institutions to learn from each other and deliver justice.

In our tendency to emphasise the differences, we often forget the abundant examples of collaboration between institutions to further the interest of justice. This holds true not only in lofty constitutional challenges, but more frequently, in the everyday interactions between courts and the government, he said.

The CJI said that the judiciary and other institutions may place them at the different ends of the table but their ultimate aim is the same - for the nation to progress and prosper. Institutional collaboration is a precursor to solution-finding not only while adjudicating judicial questions, but it also plays a significant role in increasing access to justice, he said.

At the event, justice Chandrachud also highlighted that a budget of more than 7,000 crore was being made available for the third phase of the e-Court project.

Just last week, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Honble Prime Minister approved Phase III of the e-Court Project with a financial outlay of over 7000 crore. The e-Court programme, being implemented collectively by the e-committee, Supreme Court of India and the Union Ministry of Law & Justice, is a perfect example of institutions collaborating to make justice more accessible, affordable, and transparent, he added.

On a parting note, the CJI urged lawyers to become more global in their outlook. It is time for our lawyers to reach across the world in a global landscape. We cannot look at ourselves as domestic practitioners. We must look at the global platform, he said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Utkarsh Anand Utkarsh Anand is Legal Editor at the Hindustan Times. He writes on law, judiciary and governance. ...view detail
Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Saturday announced that the internet ban will be lifted in the state from today. The state government had imposed a ban on internet services in some districts of the strife-torn state after the ethnic clashes first erupted on May 3. The government later lifted the ban partially, allowing broadband services to function with certain conditions. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. (File photo / ANI)

As a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of rumours and videos, photos, and messages, which might affect the law and order situation of the state, the state government imposed a ban on the internet. But from today onwards the internet ban will be lifted, Singh told a press conference in Imphal.

The announcement comes a day after the government appealed to surrender all illegal weapons held by any person or groups across the state within a period of 15 days from September 22.

In a press release issued on Friday evening, the government said it is willing to take a considerate view of the persons submitting such illegal weapons within these 15 days.

At the end of the 15 days, security forces, both the central and state will undertake a strong and comprehensive search operation all over the state to recover such weapons, and all persons associated with any illegal weapons will be dealt with severely, as per law, the release said.

There have been reports of extortion, threats and abduction by miscreants/groups using illegal weapons. This is a serious matter and the state government will take strong action against such miscreants/groups in any part of the state.

The ethnic conflict has claimed 175 people to date, left more than 1,100 others injured, and thousands of people displaced. There were 5,172 arson cases, including the burning and vandalisation of 4,786 houses and 386 religious places during the four-month-old crisis. A total of 5,668 arms have been lost from across the state. So far security forces have successfully recovered 1,329 arms.

(This is breaking newsPlease check back for updates)

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Jadavpur University student, who allegedly jumped to death from the second floor of his hostel on August 9, was chased in a naked condition along the hostel corridor by his seniors while he was allegedly ragged and sexually harassed by them, according to an internal probe report. The victim was found lying near his hostel building in a naked condition and profusely bleeding on August 9. (File Photo)

The report by a seven-member internal probe committee set up by the university to probe the 17-year-old first-year students death has also said that the victim had desperately tried to hide himself from the perpetrators.

The 46-page report was submitted last week after the committee questioned around 85 people, including hostel inmates, university officials, hostel superintendents and security guards. The 12 students, who were arrested by the police in connection with his death, couldnt be questioned as they were in custody.

The report, quoting eyewitnesses, said the victim had tried to hide himself in a hostel room and the toilet.

One of the boarders, on hearing the loud cry around 11.30pm on that day, rushed to the second-floor corridor of A-2 block, and reported to have seen the victim running in a completely naked state, and desperately trying to enter the toilet and then rushing into room number 65, the report said. The seniors, however, blocked all his escape routes and dragged him out from the room when he tried to lock its door from inside.

Even as the victim tried to close the door of the room from inside, Md. Arif and other seniors pushed open the door, and pulled him out. Thereafter, he was reportedly offered a bottle of water, which he gulped a bit, and then threw the bottle at Md. Arif. All this while the victim was standing stark naked in front of many seniors at the 2nd floor well-lit lobby, facing utter humiliation, said the report, a copy of which is with HT.

The committees report, however, failed to shed any light on the final sequence of events that led to the students death.

Information regarding the victims movements, just prior to his fatal fall, is rather uncertain and vague, as none of the depositors gave a clear-cut description of the fall incident, which could help in ascertaining the cause and sequence of the mishap. Many have reported to have seen him run towards the end of the corridor with Md. Arif following him, but thereafter, the depositors seem to have lost sight of the final fall due to one reason or the other, the report said.

Arif, a third-year student of civil engineering, has already been arrested and is now in judicial custody. He along with 11 other former and current students have been charged with murder and also booked under the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The report said that the victims easy and smiling demeanour was replaced by rather tense and jittery body language by August 8 when he had come to attend the orientation program. He left midway from the program, without collecting his food packet, accosted by two hostel seniors.

The final ragging started around 7.30pm on August 9 when the victim was taken to room number 59 along with 6-7 other freshers.

The committee found that every night during late hours, first-year students coming to stay in the hostel, were forced to shout sexist remarks and abuses targeting women and girls living in the police quarters adjacent as a part of ragging process.

As the victim was reluctant to do it, he was forced to do it multiple times as punishment. According to one of the depositors, the victim appeared literally shattered after this incident, and burst into tears. He was given an antacid when he complained of stomach pain.

At around 8.20pm he was seen in the dining room profusely sweating. He is learnt to have told an inmate that he was very scared as seniors were drinking alcohol in the room. The next session of ragging started around 9pm in room 104, said a committee member.

The committee also found that a general body (GB) meeting of the hostel was held at 11pm where all freshers were asked to come except the victim. He was held back by some seniors in the hostel while others attended the meeting.

As it seems, the victim was singled out for ragging, which was carried out in a systematic planned manner, deliberately isolating him for severe ragging, while rest of his batchmates were far from him attending to the hostel GB, said the report.

Some of the depositors told the probe committee during questioning that they had heard a student crying for help around 11.45pm. One of the depositors who sprinted to the second floor spotted the victim running in a naked condition along the corridor.

The probe committee has recommended expelling of four university students, who are among 12 people arrested for the role in the death. One student was arrested on charges of trying to obstruct the police from entering the campus.

The victim was found lying near the hostel building in a naked condition and profusely bleeding. He was rushed to the hospital a little after midnight and died in the early hours of August 10.

The probe committee found that after the student was taken to the hospital, a series of general body meetings were held by the accused persons where a narrative was prepared, which was supposed to be told to the police, university officials and media.

All the accused persons were giving a similar kind of version which seemed to be tutored during the initial stages of interrogation. They, however, differed when details were sought and the crime scene was reconstructed, said a senior police officer.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Cooperation between the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Uzbekistan will become a key planning tool for achieving the countrys Global Methane Pledge objectives, a source at the EBRD told Trend.

The EBRD is currently working with the Uzbek government on the development of a national methane emissions program.

"It will become a key planning tool for achieving the countrys Global Methane Pledge objectives," the source said. "Our support, both technical and financial, should help Uzbekistan with a rapid reduction in its emissions by 2030."



The initiative followed a recent meeting between Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Jamshid Kuchkarov and representatives of the delegation of EBRD headed by Managing Director for Central Asia Zsuzsanna Hargitai. Following the talks, the parties agreed to further expand and strengthen comprehensive cooperation.

Renewable energy, particularly solar and wind power, is considered one of the most important aspects of the EBRD's activities in Uzbekistan. The EBRD arranged two syndicated loans totaling $520 million to assist in the construction and commissioning of two wind farms with a total installed capacity of 1 GW in the Bukhara region in 2022. This landmark financing represents EBRD's largest renewable energy project in its operational regions.

Recently, the EBRD invested 20 million euros in the implementation of the Fund for the Development of Public-Private Partnership Projects in Uzbekistan.

The Fund is formed at the expense of grant funds in the amount of ten million euros attracted by the EBRD and loans in the amount of ten million euros provided by the EBRD to Uzbekistan.
Amritsar/Chandigarh House of the chief of banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) Gurpatwant Singh Pannu after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) confiscated his immovable properties, in Chandigarh, Saturday. (PTI)

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday confiscated the property of banned outfit Sikhs for Justices chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannu at his ancestral village of Khankot in Amritsar and in Chandigarh, people aware of the development said and a signboard put up outside the premises suggested.

A property confiscation notice was put up outside Pannus house in Sector 15, Chandigarh. The action was taken under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, in what is the first time that assets were attached by the government in a terrorism-related case.

1/4th share of house no 2033, Sector 15-C, Chandigarh, owned by Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a proclaimed offender in an NIA case, stands confiscated to the state under Section 33 (5) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act by the orders of the NIA special court, Mohali, Punjab. This is for information of general public, read the notices outside Pannus Chandigarh house and at his Amritsar village property.

Pannus outfit is at the heart of diplomatic tensions that have spiked between India and Canada, following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations that Indian agents were potentially involved in the killing of Pannus close ally and Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.

India rejected the allegations as absurd and motivated and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawas expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

The NIA confiscated 46 kanals of agricultural land belonging to Pannu at Khankot in Amritsar in connection with a terror case registered in 2020.

Pannu, who is facing around 22 criminal cases in Punjab, including three of sedition, is believed to be living in Canada, where he is a citizen.

In July 2020, the Union ministry of home affairs had declared Pannun a terrorist on grounds of sedition and secessionism, and requested an Interpol red notice against him. In 2020, the NIA had attached Pannus 46-kanal land at Khankot village and 11 kanal and 13.5 marlas of land in Sultanwind village of Amritsar.

Pannus father Mohinder Singh Pannu was a resident of Nathu Chak village of Patti subdivision in Tarn Taran before Partition. After 1947, the family shifted to Khankot village in Amritsar district. Mohinder stayed in Chandigarh till his death in 1996.

Pannu has been on the NIAs radar since 2019, when the anti-terror federal agency registered its first case against the terrorist, who has been playing a major role in promoting and commissioning terror acts and activities, and spreading fear and terror in Punjab and elsewhere in the country through his threats and intimidation tactics.

Non-bailable warrants of arrest were issued against Pannu by the Special NIA Court on February 3, 2021, and he was declared a Proclaimed Offender (PO) on November 29 last year.

Investigations have revealed that Pannus organisation, Sikhs for Justice, was misusing cyberspace to radicalise gullible youth and instigate them to undertake terrorist crimes and activities, NIAs spokesperson said.

Pannu, who was declared a designated individual terrorist on July 1, 2020, has been actively exhorting Punjab-based gangsters and youth over social media to fight for the cause of the independent state of Khalistan, challenging the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country, the spokesperson added.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
New Delhi: The National Investigation Agencys probe into the financial activities of Canada-based top Khalistani leaders and gangsters has revealed that money generated in India through extortion and smuggling not only funds their violent acts, both in India and Canada, but is invested in yachts, movies and even the Canadian Premier League. Vandals allegedly associated with the so-called Khalistan referendum in Canada have been blamed for at least a dozen cases of desecration of temples with graffiti or anti-India posters. (AP)

Besides, the money generated by the gangsters was invested in the clubs and bars in Thailand as well.

Also Read: Khalistani terrorist Pannus assets confiscated in Punjab

The agency has listed 13 instances from 2019 to 2021 when amounts ranging from 5 lakh to 60 lakh was sent by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi to Canada and Thailand using the hawala route.

It has already been established by the agencies that Bishnoi, through his deputy Satwinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar, worked very closely with Khalistani groups operating from Canadian soil, particularly Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) leader Lakhbir Singh Landa.

...the money collected through extortion, illegal liquor, arms smuggling business, etc was sent to Satwinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar and one Satbir Singh alias Sam in Canada through hawala for further investment as well as for funding the radical activities of pro-Khalistan elements (PKEs), says the NIA charge sheet, filed in March against 14 persons who are part of larger Khalistan-gangster nexus.

Also Read: Canadian politicians denounce threat to Hindus but mum on pro-Khalistani outfit

Asserting that the pointsperson for managing the ill-gotten money in Canada has been identified as one Satbir Singh alias Sam, the NIA charge sheet says, Sam invested a part of this money to purchase yachts, finance movies and organise the Canadian Premier League in Canada, adding that Bishnoi (currently in jail) confessed that he also received funds from Sam on several occasions.

The transactions to Canada mentioned by the NIA in its charge sheet include 2 lakh monthly sent to Goldy Brar in 2021, two payments of 20 lakh each in 2020 to Brar, 50 lakh given to Sam in 2020, again 60 lakh given to both Brar and Sam in 2021 and then two more separate payments of 40 lakh and 20 lakh to Sam in 2021.

The agency hasnt further elaborated on the gangsters and Khalistanis investments in Canada.

Also Read: Act against pro-Khalistan elements targeting diplomats, India tells Canada

About investments in Thailand, NIA says the money collected by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang through extortion, illegal liquor, arms smuggling business, etc was sent to one Manish Bhandari in Thailand through hawala by (gangster) Virendra Pratap alias Kala Rana, his father Joginder Singh and Rajkumar alias Raju Basodi for further investing in nightclubs and bars.

When any member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang goes to Thailand, Bhandari provides accommodation and logistics support to him, it adds.

A senior officer, who didnt want to be named, said the ill-gotten money was also invested in various properties and efforts are on to identify all those assets.

Highlighting how the association of Bishnois gang and PKEs was forged, the NIA charge sheet says Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) leaders Wadhawa Singh and Harwinder Singh Rinda were searching for experienced shooters in India.

This is where (the) Lawrence Bishnoi gang fitted into the scheme of things. His syndicate is spread across states (and Union territories) that include Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar and Jharkhand.

For the Indian gangs, the PKEs and terror groups provide an avenue to access sophisticated weapons, launder money, and settle members abroad with the help of PKEs who are well settled in various countries across the world, the charge sheet says.

A senior officer familiar with the activities of gangsters and PKEs in Canada said, Ottawa needs to take into custody and hand over these two dozen-odd gangsters-PKEs such as Landa, Brar, Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala who are the brains behind all the activities.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Neeraj Chauhan Neeraj Chauhan, senior associate editor with the National Political Bureau of Hindustan Times, writes on security, terrorism, corruption, laundering, black money, narcotics, and related policy matters while covering MHA, ED, CBI, NIA, IB, CVC, NHRC, CAG, Income Tax department, etc. ...view detail
The panel headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind to discuss the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections across the country met for the first time on Saturday and discussed several aspects, including the possibility of a common voter ID card and electoral roll and the necessary modifications required in laws, people familiar with the matter said. Former President Ram Nath Kovind greets Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday. (PTI)

Also Read: A vote for One Nation, One Election agenda

The eight-member high-level committee was announced by the Union government on September 2 to look into how simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, municipalities and panchayats can be held in the country, a plan that could save money, but one that also involves many legal and procedural complications.

The panel is deliberating on several issues, foremost of which is ensuring a timeline for the implementation of the one nation, one election idea, a person said on the condition of anonymity. It will also deliberate on the legal and constitutional ramifications of the process to ensure that the polls are simultaneously conducted.

The panel also decided that it would ask the opinion of experts before working on a framework, the person added.

Also Read: Guest Column | One nation, one election is need of the hour

Union home minister Amit Shah, law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, former leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Finance Commission chairman NK Singh, former Lok Sabha secretary general Subhash C Kashyap and former chief vigilance commissioner Sanjay Kothari attended the meeting, a government statement said, adding that noted lawyer Harish Salve joined the meeting virtually.

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the leader of the single-largest opposition party in Lok Sabha, was not present, the statement noted. Chowdhury had opted out of the committee, calling it an eyewash and an attempt to reach foregone conclusions.

Saturdays statement added that all recognised political parties will be invited to share their suggestions with the committee. In addition, the Committee will also invite law commission of India to make their suggestions/view points on the issue of simultaneous elections in the country, it added.

Also Read: Number Theory | Will One Nation, One Election help the BJP?

The panel was announced a day after the government scheduled a five-day special session of Parliament, the announcement for which prompted speculation that Lok Sabha polls could be brought forward. The big legislative move during the session, however, was on the constitutional amendment to give women 33% reservation in state assemblies and the Lok Sabha once the census is carried out.

India had simultaneous elections for state assemblies and the Lok Sabha until changes in electoral schedules in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advocated for simultaneous elections, a sentiment echoed by Kovind in 2017. The Law Commission also supported the idea in 2018, citing the burden of frequent elections and the need for a workable constitutional formula.

The Election Commission of India too has said it supports the idea, emphasising logistical, financial and legal feasibility based on its analysis and historical precedent.

Opposition parties, however, have opposed the move, saying that holding simultaneous polls would inevitably help the incumbent government. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on September 3 condemned the idea of one nation, one election, calling it an attack on India, which is a Union of states. INDIA, that is Bharat, is a Union of States. The idea of one nation, one election is an attack on the Union and all its States, Gandhi posted on X (formerly Twitter).

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday mocked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for carrying a "suitcase with wheels" on his head during the latter's recent interaction with porters. MP chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan (File Photo)

Gandhi had interacted with porters at Anand Vihar railway station in Delhi on Thursday and images showed him in a trademark porters' red shirt carrying a suitcase with wheels on his head.

"I am surprised. What does the future hold for a party whose leader carries a suitcase with wheels on his head (instead of pulling it)," he said.

Chouhan also expressed displeasure at the objectionable remarks of Bharatiya Janata Party Lok Sabha MP Ramesh Bidhuri against Bahujan Samaj Party MP Kunwar Danish Ali in Parliament.

"The BJP is averse to any such undignified behaviour. He has been served notice (by the party)," Chouhan said.

Chouhan said the Congress' 'Jan Aakrosh Yatra' was turning out to be depiction of the people's anger towards the opposition party, adding that Digvijaya Singh's photographs were missing since people are still aware of the misrule when the latter was chief minister between 1993 and 2003.

"Nath is also missing from the yatra. The people of MP are extremely angry with the Congress as the Nath government (which was in power between December 2018 and March 2020) stopped welfare schemes of the BJP for tribals and women," he claimed.

The BJP was holding 'Jan Ashirwad Yatra' as it had got love and blessings from the people, while the Congress had embarked on 'Jan Aaakrosh Yatra' as the opposition party had only received anger from them, Chouhan claimed.

"During their yatra, Congressmen are fighting with each other and even guns are on display, Chouhan alleged.

Nath had earlier said the purpose of the Congress' yatra was to express people's pain and suffering due to the Chouhan's government's misrule.
Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday moved the Supreme Court challenging the Andhra Pradesh high court order dismissing his petition for quashing the first information report against him in the alleged multi-crore Skill Development Corporation scam, a party spokesperson said. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu (PTI)

On behalf of Naidu, his counsels filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court challenging the judgment delivered by high court, on Friday, rejecting his plea.

The SLP is expected to come up for hearing in a day or two, TDP official spokesperson N Vijaya Kumar said.

Naidu was arrested on September 9 for allegedly misappropriating funds from the Skill Development Corporation when he was chief minister in 2015, which resulted in a purported loss of more than 300 crore to the state exchequer.

On Saturday, a team of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officials began interrogation of Naidu in the scam, at Rajahmundry central prison, where he has been lodged since September 11, people familiar with the matter said.

On Friday, the special court for Anti-Corruption Bureau cases in Vijayawada granted two days police custody of the TDP President to CID for further interrogation. The questioning is allowed from 9.30am to 5pm on both days.

The court allowed three deputy superintendents of police from the Economic Offences Wing of CID, accompanied by six more junior police officers, one professional videographer and two official mediators to participate in the interrogation.

A team, led by DSP M Dhanunjayudu began questioning Naidu in the conference hall of the jail, the people said. The court allowed questioning of Naidu in the jail premises itself considering the paucity of time, health and age of the former chief minister, helping him avoid the nearly 200 km-long journey from Rajamahendravaram central prison to the CID office in Mangalagiri.

On behalf of Naidu, senior advocate and former advocate general of the state Dammalapati Srinivas, was allowed to be present in the hall during the questioning.

Naidu was given a five-minute break for every hour, so that he could consult his lawyer. The jail authorities made all arrangements, including medicines and ambulance service, in case the TDP chief suffered any medical emergency due to stress during the interrogation.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has confiscated the properties owned by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, head of the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) outfit, in Chandigarh and Amritsar under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, co-founder and legal adviser of the banned US-based Khalistani organisation Sikhs for Justice.

A property confiscation notice pasted outside Pannun's residence at sector 15 in Chandigarh reads, 1/4th share of house no. #2033 Sector 15-C, Chandigarh, owned by Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a 'proclaimed offender' in NIA case RC- 19/2020/NIA/DLI, stands confiscated to the state under section 33(5) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 by orders of the NIA special court, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, Dated 14/09/2023. This is for information of general public.

A similar notice was put up on the agricultural land belonging to Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in his ancestral village Khankot in Amritsar. The central probe agency has confiscated 46 kanal of agricultural land belonging to Pannu in the village in relation to a terror case registered in 2020.

Pannus father Mohinder Singh Pannu was a resident of Nathu Chak village of Patti sub-division in Tarn Taran before the partition. After the partition, the family shifted to Khankot village of Amritsar.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is one of the founders of the US-based separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and actively lobbies for a separate state for Sikhs, which they call Khalistan, in the US, Canada and the UK.

In July 2020, Pannun was designated a terrorist by the Union home ministry and two months later, the government ordered the attachment of his properties under Section 51A of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Pannun has been running a campaign against India and motivating Sikh youngsters in his home state Punjab to join militancy.

He has been a leading organizer of the so-called Khalistan Referendum, inviting Sikhs worldwide to vote on whether Punjab should become an independent nation based on religion. He also worked closely with Canada-based Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whose murder has been at the centre of the diplomatic standoff between Ottawa and New Delhi.

(With bureau inputs)

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra came down heavily on the Bharatiya Janata Party after its member of Parliament hurled communal slurs against a fellow Muslim lawmaker of the Bahujan Samaj Party on the floor of the House. Speaking to news agency PTI, Moitra alleged that the BJP has created an ecosystem where they have made it normal to say such things in the open. TMC MP Mahua Moitra speaks in Lok Sabha. (File photo /ANI/Sansad TV)

The TMC MP said she was ashamed that the minority Muslim community was subjected to hate speech on the floor of the House but was happy that BJP's true colours stand exposed.

A major controversy erupted after a video of BJP MP from South Delhi Ramesh Bidhuri using derogatory words for BSP MP Danish Ali was widely circulated on social media.

Ali wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking action against Bidhuri and said he would otherwise resign as a member of Parliament.

In the letter, Ali said, he directed the most foul, abusive invectives against meAmong the words he directed against me were Bhadwa (pimp), Katwa (circumcised one), Mullah Ugrawadi and Mullah Atankwadi(Muslim terrorist) etcThis is most unfortunate and the fact that it has happened in a new Parliament building under your leadership as Speaker is truly heartbreaking for me as a minority member of this great nation and an elected Member of Parliament as well.

Reacting to the controversy, Mahua Moitra, who earlier demanded that Bidhuri be made an example of, said, The problem is not Bidhuri. The problem is that the BJP has created an ecosystem where they have made it normal to say such things in the open. People have seen the true colours of the BJP.

In a way, I am ashamed, of course, that this happened. But in a way, I am happy because it is high time that people saw the BJP's true colours.

Imagine you are telling an MP, the highest elected representative in the world's greatest democracy to his face that Is Mulle ko nikaal ko (kick out this Muslim), she added.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday condemned the Bharatiya Janata Party MP Ramesh Bidhuri's abusive remarks at Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Danish Ali in the Parliament and said that such ideas should be publicly disowned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief (RSS) Mohan Bhagwat. Tharoor also alleged that the display of "such attitude" has been given free rein by the BJP and RSS. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor speaks with the media at the Parliament House during the special session, in New Delhi, Thursday.(PTI)

The horrific behaviour of Ramesh Bidhuri towards Danish Ali has been widely condemned and I join all those who demand condign punishment, to ensure that such conduct does not recur. But what's equally troubling is the mindset it reveals -- the visceral hatred & contempt towards a section of our fellow Indians merely because of their faith. Such attitudes have been given free rein by the BJP, RSS, the Congress MP said in a post on X(formerly Twitter).

Tharoor said it was appalling that such venom finds open expression too often in too many places -- and now even in the Parliament and demanded that Modi, and Bhagwat must publicly disown such ideas. They must instead avow that they want to unite India, not divide it. Otherwise this toxin of hate will rip our society and nation apart, he further said.

Opposition demands suspension

Bidhuri's remarks made a day before, triggered widespread outrage on social media and among the politicians after a video of the incident went viral on social media. His remarks, made during the discussion on the Chandrayaan-3 Mission in Lok Sabha, were expunged from the proceedings. He was given a warning by Speaker Om Birla, however, several MPs called for his suspension, labelling his comments as hate speech.

Meanwhile, Danish Ali called the incident heartbreaking and said that if action is not taken against Bidhuri for his derogatory remarks in the Lok Sabha, then he could consider quitting the membership of the House. "This is nothing less than hate speech. This is hate speech on the floor of the House," Ali said.

Following the incident, Bidhuri was issued a show cause notice by the BJP president JP Nadda, whereas BJP leaders including Union minister Rajnath Singh expressed regret over the incident.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Ramesh Bidhuri has come under massive attack over his religious slurs at Bahujan Samaj Party counterpart Danish Ali in the Lok Sabha. Speaker Om Birla warned the MP from South Delhi of strict action if such offence is repeated. The BJP has also issued a showcase notice to the lawmaker.



ALSO READ: Rahul Gandhi meets Danish Ali; 'Will consider leaving Parliament': BSP MP

BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri speaks in the Lok Sabha during a special session of Parliament in New Delhi(HT_PRINT)

Who is Ramesh Bidhuri?

Ramesh Bidhuri, a two-term MP, has been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) since his childhood. As a college student, he was a member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the RSS's student outfit, and was elected in 1983 as a central councillor of Shaheed Bhagat Singh College as well as the Delhi Universitys Executive Council.

Bidhuri made his electoral debut in 1993 Delhi assembly polls by contesting from Tughlakabad seat, but lost. He again unsucccessfully contested in 1998 before winning the 2003 election. He won from Tughlakabad in 2008 election. In the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, Bidhuri contested from South Delhi but lost to Congress's Ramesh Kumar. However, he won the seat in 2014 and 2019 general elections.



ALSO READ: Outrage as BJPs South Delhi MP hurls religious slurs in Lok Sabha

Bidhuri's controversial past

Ramesh Bidhuri has come under immense criticism over his controversial remarks in the past. Here are some instances



1. Bidhuri drew flak last month when he called Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal a dwarf. Well said Dwarf Duryodhan. Due to just 3 days of rain in Delhi, all the roads of Delhi were converted into lakes. Crores of scams in the name of making rooms in schools, the so-called World Class Mohalla Clinic is a den of animals and alcoholics. @BJP4Delhi, he had posted on X.



2. In 2015, five women MPs- Ranjeet Ranjan (Congress), Sushmita Dev (then with Congress), Supriya Sule (NCP), Arpita Ghosh (Trinamool Congress) and PK Sreemathi Teacher (CPI-M), had lodged a complaint with then Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan accusing Bidhuri of abusing them in the house.



3. During the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Bidhuri had stoked a massive row over his alleged abusive remark on Arvind Kejriwal. The Delhi poll panel had served a notice to the MP following complaint by AAP leader Raghav Chadha, who had contested Lok Sabha election from South Delhi.



4. In 2017, Ramesh Bidhuri had drawn flak over his derogatory remark against former Congress president Sonia Gandhi. According to a TOI report, he was quoted saying that a grandchild may be born within 5-6 months in Italy but in Indian culture, it does not work that way. The BJP leader had even dragged Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati into the controversial remark.



5. According to reports, Bidhuri snapped at a parent who had met him to seek help regarding matter related to a school. The BJP MP allegedly asked the parent,"Why do you give birth to a child in the first place?

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Amid the Oppositions uproar against BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri for his religious taunts to BSP MP Danish Ali, another BJP lawmaker in Lok Sabha, Nishikant Dubey claimed on Saturday that Ali allegedly provoked Bidhuri by targeting the PM. Amid the Oppositions uproar against BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri for his religious taunts to BSP MP Danish Ali, another BJP lawmaker in Lok Sabha, Nishikant Dubey claimed on Saturday that Ali allegedly provoked Bidhuri by targeting the PM (HT)

While Ali and other Opposition leaders cited video footage of Bidhuri calling Ali a Bhadwa (pimp), Katwa (circumcised) and Mullah Atankvadi (Muslim terrorist), Dubeys allegations were not immediately supported by any proof. In a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Dubey maintained that Bidhuri used inappropriate and said, whatever Ramesh Bidhuri uttered in the House on that date against another member of Parliament was inappropriate and I also oppose the usage of any such words by any MP against another member or their religious-cultural beliefs.

But Dubey went on to claim that during the entire speech of Bidhuri, Danish Ali, MP indulged in a running commentary and also made unsavoury remarks towards one and all with a view to disrupt Bidhuri and also to instigate him into losing his calm and composure and stop him from expressing his views in the House.

In his letter to Speaker, Dubey also claimed when Danish Ali was busy instigating Bidhuri with his intemperate comments, he made a highly objectionable and derogatory remark against PM Narendra Modi. In his desperation to denigrate the ruling dispensation and the PMs achievement on landing Chandrayaan 3 on the moon, he screamed across the isle without the microphone but could be clearly heard saying that Neech ko neech nehi kahenge toh kya kahenge.

This statement made by Ali, was more than enough for any patriotic public representative to lose his calm and it led to Bidhuri responding to him like he did, said the BJP MP who also claimed that Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Ray questioned the existence of Ram and Pushpak Viman and DMK claimed there is no God.

On Thursday, Bidhuri kicked up a controversy for targeting fellow Lok Sabha member Ali with religious slurs and phrases that amount to hate speech during the momentous session in the new Parliament building this week.

The video of the bigoted attack, which took place during a discussion on the success of Chandrayaan-3 on Thursday, went viral on Friday and provoked outrage from other parliamentarians, some of whom -- including Ali  sought action over breach of parliamentary privilege.

The remarks were expunged by the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who also issued a stern warning to Bidhuri, saying any recurrence of such behaviour in future will lead to strict action. But other leaders said that this action was inadequate and warranted a suspension at the very least.

The BJP issued a notice to Bidhuri to explain his conduct within 10 days and in a statement issued later, without naming Bidhuri, said it had taken immediate action and sought to questioned the opposition why it did not take similar measures.

Today some BJP leaders are trying to run a narrative that I provoked Shri Ramesh Biduri in the Parliament, whereas the truth is that I worked to save the dignity of the post of Prime Minister and made the Chairman aware of the highly objectionable words related to Modi Ji. Had demanded his removal from the proceedings of the House, Danish Ali said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, September 23. Indian IndiGo, a low-cost airline, has started operating flights from Indias Delhi to Uzbekistans Tashkent, Trend reports.

Regular flights on the Delhi-Tashkent - Delhi route will be operated on A320 aircraft with a frequency of four times a weekon Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

IndiGo is a private airline headquartered in Indias Gurgaon city. The company is one of the fastest-growing budget carriers in the world. With a fleet of more than 300 aircraft, the airline operates more than 1,800 flights a day and connects 78 domestic and 26 international destinations.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday announced 10 lakh to shift a 2-year-old child who is undergoing treatment in Turkey to Chennai on an air ambulance. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin.

"As they lost their savings in giving emergency treatment to the child on parents request Tamil Nadu Chief Minister announced 10 lakhs to shift the girl child from Turkey to Chennai on air ambulance," a release from the Tamil Nadu Department of Information and Public Relations said.

The Welfare Board for Non-Resident Tamils is taking steps to shift the girl from Turkey to Chennai.

A 2-year-old child, daughter of one Manoj, who belongs to Tamil Nadu's Kancheepuram district got a sudden illness on a plane when they were travelling from San Francisco to Chennai. Later the flight made an emergency landing in Turkey where the girl child is undergoing treatment at the Istanbul hospital. The parents of the child made a request to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin to help them shift the girl child to Chennai for more treatment.
The credible allegations related to the potential link between Indian agents and the killing of Sikh radical Hardeep Singh Nijjar were communicated to New Delhi weeks ago, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (REUTERS)

Canada has shared the credible allegations  that I talked about on Monday  with India, Trudeau said in a media interaction on Friday.

Trudeau was referring to his statement in the House of Commons during which he made the allegations about India in Nijjars murder on June 18. We hope that they engage with us so we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter, he said on Friday.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in New Delhi earlier that no specific information has been received from Canada.

Trudeaus charges have led to a series of fallouts, including both countries expelling diplomats. The Indian diplomat, who was based in Ottawa, has already left Canada.

However, Canada has also attempted tempering its stance. India is a country of growing importance and a country that we need to continue to work with not just in a region but around the world and we are not looking to provoke or cause problems, Trudeau said on Thursday in New York.

On Friday, Francois-Philippe Champagne, Canadas minister of innovation, science and industry, told BNN Bloomberg network: I think its a time to de-escalate. I dont think its in anyones interest to escalate any of that.

Emboldened by Trudeaus allegations, the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice called for shutting down Indias mission in Canada on September 25 and for the expulsion of Indias High Commissioner to Ottawa. In a video that went viral, it asked Canadian Hindus of Indian origin to leave the country.

The video attracted more condemnation on Friday, as Pierre Poilievre, leader of the opposition Conservative Party, posted on X (formerly Twitter), In recent days, we have seen hateful comments targeting Hindus in Canada. Conservatives condemn these comments against our Hindu neighbours and friends. Hindus have made invaluable contributions to every part of our country and will always be welcome here.

The only cabinet minister from the community, Anita Anand, joined in. As Hindu Canadians, our home is here, she posted on X. Our Canadian society is diverse and inclusive and we must hold those values close to our hearts day in and day out.

However, Hindu organisations are disappointed that Trudeau has yet to address the issue. We expect the PM to not only react but also help drive some concrete action. As he has mentioned, this is a country of rule of law, Manish Puri, a member of the Hindu Community of Canada, said on Thursday.

Concern over the attack on the community has resulted in a surge in support for an e-petition before the House of Commons to recognise Hinduphobia in the glossary of terms in the Human Rights Code to describe anti-Hindu prejudice and discrimination.

The petition, e-4507, has so far gathered nearly 16,000 signatures, jumping from 9,000 recorded just 48 hours ago, whereas the threshold to have it referred to the government is just 500.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday said that Ottawa had shared allegations regarding the killing of pro-Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar with India weeks ago. During a joint press briefing alongside Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ottawa, Trudeau said that Canada wants to "work constructively with India" to get to the bottom of this very serious matter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau at Rajghat in New Delhi during the G20 Summit earlier this month. (AP File Photo)

A major diplomatic row erupted after Trudeau alleged potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist, in Surrey, British Columbia, in June. India has rejected the allegations as "absurd" and "motivated" and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

In regards to India, Canada has shared the credible allegations that I talked about on Monday. With India, we did that many weeks ago. We are there to work constructively with India and we hope that they engage with us so that we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter, Trudeau said.

Canada, however, hasn't yet provided any public evidence that supports Trudeaus accusation of Indian involvement in the killing of Nijjar. A Canadian media report citing government sources said that Ottawa's allegations are based on both human and signals intelligence and inputs from an ally of the Five Eye intelligence network.

The Five Eyes network is an intelligence alliance consisting of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday said that Washington is "deeply concerned" about the allegations and wants to see accountability. While addressing a press conference in New York, Blinken said that the US has engaged directly with the Indian government and called it "important" that the investigation runs its course and leads to the result.

"We are deeply concerned about the allegations that Prime Minister Trudeau has raised. We have been consulting throughout very closely with our Canadian colleagues, and not just consulting, coordinating with them on this issue."

"And from our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceed. And it would be important that India work with the Canadians on this investigation. We want to see accountability, and it's important that the investigation run its course and lead to that result," he added.

Blinken, however, refused to give details regarding the diplomatic conversations that the US had with both nations.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the United States is in communication with India on Canada's allegations.

"We have engaged with the Indian government. But certainly, we're not going to get into our private diplomatic conversations. But, yes, there have been conversations with our partners in the Indian government," Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference.

"Obviously, we are deeply concerned, as he said as well... what the Prime Minister (of Canada) has referenced here. And so, we remain in regular contact with the Canadian... government and the Canadian partners," she said.

Responding to questions, Jean-Pierre said she would not comment on diplomatic conversations.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Telangana high court on Saturday ordered cancellation of preliminary examinations for recruitment for Group-1 services in the state government held by the Telangana State Public Services Commission (TSPSC) on June 11, people familiar with the matter said. This is the second time that the same exam has been cancelled. (Wikimedia Commons)

A single-judge bench of Telangana high court headed by justice P Madhavi Devi pronounced the judgment after hearing a batch of petitions filed by several candidates, backed by National Students Union of India (NSUI), who contended that the commission had violated its own guidelines mentioned in the recruitment notification for Group-1 services.

Arguing for the petitioners, senior advocate Aloor Giridhar Rao brought to the notice of the court that the TSPSC authorities did not collect the biometric details of the candidates, while allowing them into the examination hall, though it was clearly mentioned in the notification.

The counsel for the petitioner also argued that OMR (optical mark recognition) sheets given to them did not have hall ticket numbers.

Agreeing with their contention, the judge ordered the commission to cancel the Group-I preliminary examination forthwith and conduct the examination afresh.

The applicants will be notified about the date, when the exam will be conducted again, in the due course.

There was no immediate response from the government, but a senior TSPSC official familiar with the development said the commission would file a review petition before the division bench, after obtaining the order copy of the single judge bench.

Over 232,000 candidates appeared for the exam which was conducted by the TSPSC on June 11 for recruitment to 503 Group-I posts such as: deputy collectors, tehsildars, deputy superintendents of police, commercial tax officers and mandal parishad development officers etc., in the government.

Speaking to reporters, NSUI Telangana unit president Balmoori Venkat alleged that the TSPSC had totally bungled in the conduct of such a prestigious recruitment test.

The commission did not follow the biometric system, though it was mentioned as a part of the guidelines in the recruitment notification, he said.

Venkat pointed out that there were discrepancies in the number of OMR sheets too.

Earlier, the number of OMR sheets was 233,206. After 17 days, they [TSPSC] added 258 sheets through a web note. This means that the number of candidates appearing for exam also changed, he alleged.

This is the second time that the same exam has been cancelled.

On March 17, the TSPSC had cancelled the exam, that was conducted on October 26 last year due to question paper leakage scam that had rocked the state.

The TSPSC had to cancel several recruitment exams due to the scam allegedly involving its own employees, which was unearthed by a special investigation team (SIT) constituted by the state government to probe into the matter of TSPSC exam papers being leaked.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Antony J Blinken, the Secretary of State, said on Friday that the US has been consulting, even coordinating, with Canada on its allegation linking the government of India with a killing on its soil, and wants the Canadian investigation to proceed, India to cooperate with the investigation, and the investigation to lead to accountability. A confiscation notice outside the house of Gurpatwant Singh Pannu on Saturday. (PTI)

The US, he added, was extremely vigilant about any instances of alleged transnational repression, and took it very, very seriously as a broader issue. While he said it in the context of Canadas allegation, the broader issue in the international system he alluded to appears to be a reference to US criticism of China for its pattern of transnational repression in the West.

Blinken made his first set of comments on the issue at a press conference in New York on Friday on Canadas allegation linking agents of the government of India to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist and a Canadian citizen, on Canadian soil.

Blinkens comments came hours before India intensified its crackdown against the secessionist Khalistani network which is at the heart of the row. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) used legal provisions for the first time to confiscate the properties of Canada-based designated individual terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu. Pannu is the self-styled general counsel of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a pro-Khalistan organisation banned by India in 2019.

The US State Department, in response to a set of questions from HT just hours before Blinkens remarks, said that the US views its relationship with India as vitally important but takes this issue very seriously and will defend its principles and consult with its ally as it pursues law enforcement and diplomatic processes.

Asked about American engagement with Canada and India on the issue, and how it squared with Indias desire to play a more prominent role and the USs expectation of India being a democratic counterweight to China, Blinken said that they were deeply concerned about the allegations.

We have been consulting throughout very closely with our Canadian colleagues  and not just consulting, coordinating with them  on this issue. And from our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceed, and it would be important that India work with the Canadians on this investigation. We want to see accountability, and its important that the investigation run its course and lead to that result, he said.

Blinken, like US National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan earlier in the week, said he would not characterise or speak of diplomatic conversations but that US had been engaged directly with the Indian government. And again, I think the most productive thing that can happen now is to see this investigation move forward, be completed. And we would hope that our Indian friends would cooperate with that investigation as well.

India has denied the Canadian allegations and has said it has been provided no specific information regarding it.

Blinken then said there was a broader issue involved. You have heard me speak to this. We are extremely vigilant about any instances of alleged transnational repression, something we take very, very seriously.

He said it was important for the international system that any country considering in engaging in such acts not do so.

The US administration and Congress has been extremely critical of what it sees as Chinas transnational repression, with the State Department terming it especially pervasive, pronounced, and persistent, particularly against Uyghurs, Tibetans, members of other ethnic and religious minority groups, Hong Kongers, and PRC citizens and non-PRC citizens living abroad, who seek only to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

On Thursday, HT asked the State Department a set of questions about the nature of US-Canada consultations, American assessment of the evidence behind the allegation, Indias concerns about Canada serving as a base for terrorism and extremism, and whether the allegation is leading to a rethink in the administrations approach to India.

On Friday, a State Department spokesperson said the US will not comment on the substance of private diplomatic conversations nor on intelligence or law enforcement matters. We are coordinating and consulting with Canada closely on the issue.

The spokesperson added, Our relationship with India remains vitally important, but we take this issue very seriously. Regardless of the country, we will defend our basic principles and consult closely with allies like Canada as they pursue their law enforcement and diplomatic processes.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Punjab MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Saturday said at Raghav Chadha's wedding with Parineeti Chopra, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann's hundreds of security men, bullet-proof land cruisers have been deployed for duty. Calling Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha Arvind Kejriwal's 'blue-eyed boy', Harsimrat Kaur said there is no wonder that the Punjab governor has been asking the government how it spent 50,000 crore loan that it took in the last 18 months. Raghav Chadha and Parineeti Chopra will tie the knot on Sunday, September 24.(ANI Pic Service )

Raghav Chadha and Parineeti Chopra are set to get married in Udaipur on Sunday following the series of pre-wedding events. The Bollywood actor and the AAP MP studied together at the London School of Economics and have been friends for a long time.

The BJP has already raised allegations of splurging at an 'aam-aadmi' MP's wedding. Delhi BJP leader Virendraa Sachdeva cited Raghav Chadha's income tax return and asked how an MP who claimed to have 2.44 lakh in 2020-2021 could book Maharaja suite that costs 10 lakh per night. According to reports, Parineeti and Raghav booked the 3,500 square feet Maharaja Suite at the Leela Palace Hotel.

"They said they wont take VVIP facilities, security, etc. Now they have built a 100 cr Sheesh Mahal, use luxury cars at cost of state exchequer, put Punjab police to use for their own show off rather than let them police the state where Sidhu Moosewala gets killed in broad daylight. Where is all this money being spent from? Is it taxpayer money? How can someone whose declared annual income is about 2-3 lakhs spending 10 lakhs per night on a suite?" BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said.

Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh arrived in Udaipur to attend the ceremonies. I congratulate Raghav and Parineeti on the new chapter of their lives. May God fulfil all their wishes. Today and tomorrow is the wedding ceremony and all the people will join it," Sanjay Singh said.

Bhagwant Mann and Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit recently have had a rift over the government's debt. The chief minister has urged him to take up the issue of the pending rural development fund. In reply, the Governor sought the details of the utilisation of debt of 50,000 crore raised by the present government during its tenure. the debt of the Punjab rose by about 50,000 crore during your regime. Details of the utilisation of this huge amount may be furnished to me so that I will be able to convince the Prime Minister that money has been properly utilised, the Governor wrote.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
What even is mead? The flavourful alcoholic beverage is made by fermenting honeyed water with fruit and, often, spices. PREMIUM A tasting at Cerana Meads in Nashik.

Around the world, the revival can be traced through the past decade, with meaderies coming up across the US in much the same way that beer breweries were then mushrooming across Bengaluru.

Now, the market is once again altering the fate of the honeyed tipple. In a fragmented industry where small batch, micro and craft have come full circle, to become unique selling points, mead is making a comeback.

Wine and beer have persisted but, around the world, mead fell out of favour in the 18th century, amid the dawn of the industrial revolution  likely because brewing the first two was easier and more cost-effective on an industrial scale.

In India, earliest recorded mentions of a mead-like beverage are in the Rigveda, whose verses are traceable to at least 1500 BCE.

The earliest evidence of a drink made from fermented fruit and honey dates to about 6,500 BCE China, with traces found in Neolithic pottery. (The earliest traces of wine and beer, incidentally, date to centuries later, about 6000 BCE and 4000 BCE respectively, and coincide with the spread of settled living and agriculture.)

In the real world, mead is the oldest alcoholic beverage known to humans.

For most Indians, it has been the stuff of literary fantasy, popping up in Asterix comics, then at The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade, the village of wizards near Harry Potters school of magic.

Domestically, the shift can be traced to 2017, and the setting up of Moonshine Meadery in Pune, the first mead company in modern India.

Early conversations were tough, says Rohan Rehani, co-founder with Nitin Vishwas. They would go something like this: Hey, would you like to try this mead? Whats mead? Its an alcohol made from honey. Must be super sweet. No, its really not. Please taste it. Oh thats pretty good.

What made things tougher was that, legally, mead did not exist. Honey-based alcohol was not an excise category, so licencing was a tangle. Rehani lobbied with Maharashtras excise department for 18 months before the company received its licence in 2017.

There were soon more entrants to the fray. In 2018, fruit-wine manufacturers Hill Zill introduced Arka in Maharashtra. Cerana Meads began distribution in Nashik and Mumbai in 2020. The following year, Delhi-based No Label and Karnataka-based Stump hit local markets (it took founder Himavanth Hasaganur Jayanth protracted lobbying to have the category listed in that state). The bistro Nho Saigon in Mumbai began serving its own craft meads on tap the same year.

Flavours, across brands, include options such as coffee, apple cider, jamun, hibiscus, pomegranate-vanilla, passion fruit and rose. Prices range from 180 and 1,000 for a pint.

SWEET SUCCESS

It all started, for Moonshine, with a story from overseas. Vishwas, then a consultant with McKinsey, was on an international flight in 2014 when he saw a story in an in-flight magazine about the growing interest in this beverage.

Intrigued, he and Rehani, a childhood friend (theyre both 39 and have known each other for 30 years), began experimenting, testing tiny batches on family and friends. Then Vishwass wife Viveki Pasta brought a few bottles back from the US.

We tasted those and they were so much better than what we were churning out, says Rehani, laughing. He decided to travel to the US, for groundwork and hands-on experience, and volunteered briefly with a meadery there.

Back home, the two men knew that beer dominates the Indian alcohol market. The latest data from Statista indicates that 32% of Indian alcohol drinkers prefer beer, followed by wine (22%) and whiskey (14%). But Indians are also known to like sweet, carbonated beverages, and even mix these with whiskey.

Moonshine set out to bridge this gap, offering a relatively mild, slightly sweet alcoholic beverage, aimed at people who didnt really like the sharpness of alcohol.

By the end of its first year, Rehani says, Moonshine was available at over 150 locations (stores, cafes and bars) across Mumbai and Pune. Six years in, the brand is now available at about 1,000 sites across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa and Haryana.

Growth is being reported by the other entrants too. We plan to expand manufacturing capacity from 20,000 litres to 1 lakh litres a month, says Jayanth, 28, of Stump.

Hill Zills Arka has spent the past year expanding its presence across Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Arunachal Pradesh.

Mead is an ancient tradition in India. Our brand is named after one such drink mentioned in Indian scriptures dating to 1700 BCE, says Hill Zills Priyanka Save, 38, co-founder with Nagesh Pai, 38. In heavy rain, it is said that beehives got saturated with water and could be squeezed into a bag, the honeyed mix then fermented and consumed as arka.

Mead has a smaller carbon footprint as well, Save adds. It uses less water than beer, no grains or hops, neednt be boiled, and increases the value of fruits, which are grown in abundance in India and are susceptible to spoilage. This constitutes an agricultural benefit.

Indians may never become primarily mead drinkers, but the taste for it is growing, says culinary anthropologist Kurush Dalal. In my observation, it is doing better than ciders ever did in India, he says. It is easy to make, can be flavoured beautifully, and though Indians didnt drink cider, we did take to apple-cider beer, which is also a preferred flavour among mead-drinkers.
When Avril Stormy Unger, 37, an interdisciplinary artist from Bengaluru, was considering coming out as queer during the pandemic, she scoured the internet for stories that might mirror her experience and help her navigate it. PREMIUM The portal features videos and transcripts of young people sharing their stories. Their anonymity is protected by rainbow-themed art.

She found very few accounts from Indians online. So she turned to people in the real world, including friends, friends of friends and celebrities who had embraced sexuality as a spectrum. It struck her as sad that so many resonant and evocative stories were playing out across India, yet so few had been documented or archived in depth. And so she decided to create an archive of her own. ProjectAlmirah.com (almirah is Hindi for closet), launched earlier this year, holds eight first-person narratives so far  with more to come  presented as videos and as transcripts. In each video, the speakers anonymity is protected by rainbow-themed art. The speakers range in age from 25 to 35, and are from Mumbai, Bengaluru, Goa and Chennai. They talk about navigating their identity with family, with community and within themselves. Some are from conservative joint families, others have supportive inner circles. They all speak of how they dealt with the fear that usually accompanies the idea of declaring oneself different. The main fear is that of rejection. This can sometimes push the process by years, says Unger. There is also the fear that stepping out of the almirah may not eventually be worth this cost. I worried, Unger says, that I may end up isolated with this new version of myself that I did not know very well.

Ungers project seeks to celebrate the need to come to ourselves despite the heteronormativity that surrounds us, she says.

Unger saw friends fade from her own life, when she acknowledged her sexuality in 2021. Still, overall, she is a happier person, she says, because I know a deep truth about myself, about who I truly am.

The pandemic as a time of clarity is something the speakers on Project Almirah talk about too. Amid those years of living in altered circumstances  ranging from immensely stressful homes that forced them back into the closet, to quiet solitude that allowed them to redraw boundaries they had inherited  they were either forced to or found themselves finally able to acknowledge deep truths about themselves. Ungers project seeks to celebrate this resilience and the need to come to ourselves despite the heteronormativity that surrounds us. Meanwhile, through her research, her conversations and her project, Unger has acquired the community that she was missing. There is a sense of belonging when we talk to each other, a feeling of being heard and seen, and a euphoria from our shared joys and from the fact that our struggles are shared, she says. In future videos, and hopefully a podcast with some funding, she wishes to address issues such as why heterosexual people seem to know so little, or acknowledge so little, about what life as a queer person is like. There is a certain kind of blindness that straight people exhibit, she says. We often have to educate others about our lives, terminology and pronouns. And aspects of this identity are treated as a debate, when these aspects are simply the everyday life of the queer. Her mission to build up the archive of personal stories is driven partly by this: the sense, as she puts it, that our own stories can sometimes feel like all we have.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
It was the first science-fiction show on Doordarshan. Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS; 1966-69), beamed into Indian living rooms in 1984, the same year as our first homegrown soap opera, Hum Log. PREMIUM There was a sense of people being the best they could be, on board the USS Enterprise. As Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and the others travelled through space, there were a number of firsts on board too, including the interracial kiss between Kirk and communications officer Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) in 1968.

It was set in the 23rd century, with the crew of the starship USS Enterprise on an epic five-year journey to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before. As this team traversed the galaxy at warp speed, they encountered hostile aliens, long-dead cultures, god-like beings. They time-travelled and fought deadly space battles. The show was like nothing wed seen before.

September is celebrated as Star Trek month because it is when TOS aired its first episode in the US, in 1966. It ran for three seasons and enjoyed modest success, but it became the pop-culture juggernaut it is today after it was syndicated around the world.

Thats when the shows core trio became global stars too, an unusual thing for television at the time. They were, of course, the charming, decisive, daring Captain Kirk (William Shatner), his cool and logical half-Vulcan first officer, Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and the ships skilled but irascible doctor, Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley).

The three mens crackling chemistry at least partly explains why the show worked as it did. Because even when I watched it on Doordarshan, it was pretty clear that the rocks on unknown planets were made of foam. Some of the enemy aliens looked more comical than fearsome. And the shiny costumes of the otherworldly women were, well, out of this world.

But aside from the lead trios chemistry, there was the sheer novelty of this imagined universe crafted by Gene Roddenberry, in which the Enterprise glided past glowing planets in the starlit void of space, with its circular Bridge an array of beeping, blinking panels. The show stood out amid the other foreign series on Doordarshan, which were typically sitcoms such as I Love Lucy (1951) and Diffrent Strokes (1978).

I rediscovered TOS on Netflix a few years ago and have since rewatched it. It is still my favourite of all the many Star Trek series. Its central theme  of a utopian, progressive, inclusive future for mankind in the stars  remains a beacon of hope. Take the Vulcan philosophy of IDIC, Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. Or Kirks curt response to a display of prejudice by a crew member: Leave any bigotry in your quarters. Theres no room for it on the Bridge.

Communications officer Uhura was played by a black actor, Nichelle Nichols, even as the civil rights movement unfolded in the US. Actor Whoopi Goldberg would later recall seeing Uhura for the first time: I yelled out, Momma! Theres a black lady on television and she aint no maid!

Uhura and Kirk famously made history with American TVs first inter-racial kiss, in 1968, only a year after the US Supreme Court struck down a law against inter-racial marriage. Amid the Cold War, a Russian was introduced as the Enterprise navigator.

There was an Indian element too: the charismatic antagonist and super-being Khan Noonien Singh (played, albeit, by the Mexican actor Ricardo Montalban). And there was Lieutenant Rahda in Season 3, played by Naomi Pollack (who had previously played a Native American on the show). Rahda wore a bindi, a thrilling thing to see in a mainstream global hit at the time. (The Indian actor Persis Khambatta, for all those wondering, would come later; the stunning, bald navigator featured in the 1979 film Star Trek: The Motion Picture.)

TOS inspired at least two homegrown sci-fi shows on Doordarshan. There was Space City Sigma (1989), in which intergalactic humans  led by a commander, a communications officer, a cyborg and an inhouse doctor  fought an alien race. And Captain Vyom (1998), set in the 22nd century, in which Milind Soman pursued 12 criminals who had escaped from a prison on one of Jupiters moons.

Meanwhile, back in Star Trek month, 1984, The New York Times reported that TOS had become so popular that patients in a New Delhi hospital were crowding around the buildings sole TV set on Sunday mornings, to watch it. Eventually, hospital authorities removed the set, the report went on to say, because it was all proving to be too much of a distraction for the staff.

I know I would have been one of the people standing riveted before the TV. All these years on, the love affair continues.
Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt are both fashion icons in their own right. The actors' red carpet appearances at various global events set the internet ablaze - case in point: Alia Bhatt's most recent appearance at the Gucci Ancora show. Today, Alia returned to Mumbai after attending the fashion event at the Milan Fashion Week. Meanwhile, the paparazzi clicked Deepika at the airport as she rushed to catch a flight out of Mumbai. Their airport looks grabbed the internet's attention. Scroll through to see what the two divas wore. Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt's airport looks wow the internet. (Instagram)

Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt's airport look

The paparazzi clicked Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt at the airport today. Deepika's video shared by a paparazzo page shows her exiting her car in a stylish all-black tank top and cargo pants, serving fierce boss babe vibes. Meanwhile, Alia got clicked in a long black tank and white pants as she exited the airport. Fans loved the stars' airport looks and dropped compliments in the comments section. One wrote, "Ufff Deepu killing it." Another commented, "Always love her casual fits a lot."

Coming to Deepika Padukone's airport outfit, she chose a black sleeveless tank bodysuit featuring broad straps on the shoulders, a plunging U neckline, a racerback detail, and a bodycon fitting. She wore it with matching cargo pants featuring a high-rise waist, several pockets, and a cinched hem.

Deepika accessorised the ensemble with chunky black Chelsea boots, statement gold rings, a monogram shoulder chain bag from Louis Vuitton, and embellished glasses (also from the luxury label). Lastly, she chose a sleek ponytail, minimal glam, nude lip shade, and feathered brows for the makeup picks.

Meanwhile, Alia's airport fit features a black sleeveless tank top featuring a long hem-length, button details on the torso, ribbed design, round neckline, and a relaxed fit. She wore it with white pants featuring a tapered straight-leg fitting.

Alia accessorised her outfit with striking yet minimal additions, including white lace-up sneakers, futuristic sunglasses from Gucci, gold hoop earrings, a chain-link bracelet, and a black tote bag from Gucci. Side-parted open messy hair, blush pink lip shade, glowing skin, and feathered brows rounded it off.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, September 23. The United Nations will establish its first Central Asian Office for Project Services in Uzbekistans Tashkent, Trend reports.

The news followed a recent meeting between Uzbek Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov and UN Deputy Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Office of Project Services Jorge Moreira da Silva.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on expanding cooperation through the implementation of joint projects in the fields of education, health, and environmental protection.

The meeting resulted in the signing of an agreement on the establishment of the first UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Central Asia, which will serve to enrich ties between the participants and expand cooperation in the implementation of the Uzbekistan 2030 reform strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals of the country.

Uzbekistan has reached an extraordinary level of collaboration with the United Nations in recent years, as approximately 140 joint initiatives and schemes are currently in progress. Moreover, six resolutions have been passed by the UN General Assembly with Uzbekistans initiative, and a trust fund aimed at providing social assistance to the inhabitants of the Aral Sea region is actively functioning.

Earlier this year, Uzbekistan and the UN cooperated on a project to reduce the negative impact of the severe environmental situation in the Aral Sea region. In total, within the framework of the priority areas of the UN Trust Fund, more than $16 million has been allocated for the realization of seven projects in the Beruniy, Takhtakupyr, Bozataw, Kungrad, and Muynak districts of the Karakalpakstan region and the city of Nukus in Uzbekistan.
Sonam Kapoor travelled to Milan, Italy, recently to attend the ongoing Milan Fashion Week for the fashion house Hugo Boss. The luxury label displayed their Fall/Winter 2023 collection during the event. Sonam, dressed from head-to-toe in Boss, arrived at the fashion show in a black gown with a plunging neckline - serving a moment for risque fashion. Fans loved the style moment and showered Sonam with compliments. Scroll through to check out what she wore. Sonam Kapoor attends the Milan Fashion Week for Hugo Boss. (Instagram)

Sonam Kapoor attends the Hugo Boss show at Milan Fashion Week

Hugo Boss invited Sonam Kapoor to attend their show at the Milan Fashion Week on September 22. Sonam shared pictures of her glamorous and elegant avatar for the fashion event. The post shows her striking poses while dressed in a silk black gown with a plunging neckline. Read our download on Sonam's look below. Meanwhile, the Boss Fall/Winter show revisits its heritage through a thoroughly modern lens.

Sonam Kapoor's black silk gown features a plunging cowl neckline displaying her decolletage, a satin ribbon attachment tied around her neck like a scarf, full-length sleeves with button cuffs, a cinched waistline, a floor-length hem, and a figure-hugging silhouette accentuating her enviable frame.

Sonam styled the ensemble with striking accessories, including high heels, a box clutch, dainty earrings, and a statement ring. Lastly, she chose shimmering black eye shadow, kohl-lined eyes, winged eyeliner, on-fleek brows, blushed cheeks, beaming highlighter, contouring, blush pink lip shade, and mascara on the lashes for the glam picks. A centre-parted bun with crown braids gave the finishing touches.

Meanwhile, Sonam's fans loved her Milan Fashion Week look and flooded the comments section with compliments. One wrote, "She is the boss." Another commented, "You totally slayed it in this look." Farah Khan wrote, "Sonammmm how gorgeous r u looking." Boss commented, "@sonamkapoor stunning wouldnt even begin to describe it."

What do you think of Sonam Kapoor's look for Milan Fashion Week?

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
International Day of Sign Languages is an annual event that promotes the linguistic and cultural diversity of deaf communities around the world. It is an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of sign languages in the lives of deaf communities and the need to protect them as an essential part of human diversity. Millions of people around the world use sign language as their primary means of communication. They are complex visual-gestural communication systems with their own grammar and syntax. This day promotes the linguistic rights of deaf people and aims to increase awareness, inclusion and acceptance of deaf people in society. Read on to know more about the day. (Also read: Day for the Welfare of Cancer Patients 2023: Date, history, significance and celebration of World Rose Day ) International Day of Sign Languages 2023: Date, history, significance(Freepik)

When is the International Day of Sign Languages 2023?

The International Day of Sign Languages will be celebrated globally on Saturday, September 23.

International Day of Sign Languages 2023 theme

"A World Where Deaf People Can Sign Anywhere" is the theme of this year's Sign Language Day 2023. A world where national sign languages are valued and utilized widely as a component of national societies, and deaf people are viewed as a natural variety of human variation.

International Day of Sign Languages history

The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), a federation of 135 national federations of the deaf, proposed the idea for the day on behalf of the estimated 70 million deaf people around the world. The Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations, along with 97 other UN Member States, sponsored Resolution A/RES/72/161, which was unanimously adopted on December 19, 2017. The date of September 23 was chosen to honour the day in 1951 when the WFD was established. On that day, an advocacy group was founded, and one of its main objectives was to preserve sign languages and deaf culture as a prerequisite for the fulfilment of the human rights of deaf people.

In 2018, as part of the International Week of the Deaf, the International Day of Sign Languages was observed for the first time. The International Week of the Deaf, which was first observed in September 1958, has developed into an international movement of deaf unity and coordinated lobbying to bring attention to the problems that deaf people deal with on a daily basis.

Significance of International Day of Sign Languages

The International Day of Sign Languages provides a unique opportunity to support and preserve the cultural diversity and linguistic uniqueness of all sign language users, including Deaf people. Together, deaf communities, governments and civil society groups continue to create, promote and recognise national sign languages as an integral part of the dynamic and diverse linguistic landscapes of their respective nations.

According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are over 70 million deaf people in the world. More than 80% of them live in underdeveloped countries. They collectively use more than 300 different sign languages. In order to raise public awareness of the value of sign languages in the full realisation of the human rights of deaf people, the United Nations General Assembly has designated 23 September as the International Day of Sign Languages.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
With the highly anticipated festive season just around the corner, Indias travel aspirations are set to peak. With the celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi underway and other major festivals such as Dusshera and Diwali just around the horizon, leisure travel is on the rise. While the term pent-up demand was expected to be short-lived post covid, the appetite for travel has not diminished even in 2023. Demand is clearly on the rise. In fact, it is safe to replace pent-up demand with new demand. What the travel industry is witnessing is the new demand and new normal which has become the baseline. (Also read: Biswanath Ghat in Assam selected as Best Tourism Village of India 2023 ) India's travel aspirations peak as festive season approaches, with demand for leisure travel on the rise. (Unsplash/@Nature Photographer)

Top travel trends for the festive season

Karthick Prabu, Head of Strategy, Cleartrip based on the recent data from Cleartrips insights shared with HT Lifestyle some key travel trends that are likely to shape the festive fervour this season.

1. Experiential travel will continue to have a stronghold on travellers bucket lists. The desire for unique and memorable experiences has become the mainstay, especially after the muted pandemic period.

2. In 2023, the average domestic flight price for this holiday season is at about INR 6000, which is 6% more than the same period in 2022. Irrespective of the price increase, ticket bookings are on high.

3. This holiday season, Goa has replaced Jaisalmer as the top travel destination in India, followed by Udaipur, Jaipur, Munnar, and Lucknow. Interestingly, except for Goa, none of these destinations were in the top 5 domestic destinations for the last holiday season.

4. With respect to international destinations, Pattaya has taken the top spot for this holiday season, followed by Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, and Hanoi. In 2022, Singapore was the top travel destination. Hanoi, a city with a rich cultural heritage in Vietnam, has made it to the top 5 travel destinations for Indians.

5. Short-haul international travel destinations continue to rule the roost for Indian travellers. However, solo female travellers have two long-haul destinations - London and Toronto - in the top 5 international destinations. Dubai was the top international destination for solo female travellers last year as well.

6. Another clear trend that has emerged is the shortening of the advance booking window for both domestic and international hotel bookings. On average, the booking window has shrunk by 10-15% compared to last year's holiday season. However, for flight bookings, there is no change in the advance booking window.

7. When it comes to domestic hotel bookings, people are extending their holiday duration by 30% compared to the same period last year. Its clear that travel has taken paramount importance among Indian travellers.

The upcoming festive season appears to be promising for the industry, reflecting a heightened demand for travel and vacations from October to December.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
John Giannandrea, a former top Google executive who decamped to Apple Inc. to head its artificial intelligence business, pointed out a quiet change in the latest iPhone software update that allows users to select a search engine other than Googles when browsing the internet in private mode. The change means iPhone users can more easily switch between Google and a different search engine with a single tap. (AP)

The iOS 17, released Monday, added a second setting, so you could choose two different search engines, Giannandrea said in testimony in federal court in Washington as part of the Justice Departments antitrust suit against Alphabet Inc.s Google.

ALSO READ: Apple unveils iOS 17. Check eligible iPhones, how to download update, features

The change means iPhone users can more easily switch between Google and a different search engine with a single tap.

The difficulty of switching search engines has been hotly contested in US governments antitrust suit, which alleges that Google illegally maintained its monopoly over online search via contracts with web browsers and smartphone makers, including Apple.

Google said in its opening statement last week that its easy for users to change search engines in a matter of seconds. But on Thursday, Gabriel Weinberg, the chief executive officer of rival search engine DuckDuckGo, testified that Googles default status on browsers represents a barrier to user switching, saying there are just too many steps.

Googles contract with Apple makes it the pre-selected, or default, search engine in Safari, the web browser for iPhone, iPad and Mac computers. In exchange, Google pays Apple some of the revenue it earns from advertising. Though the exact amount is confidential, the Justice Department said earlier in the case that Google pays Apple between $4 billion and $7 billion annually.

In his testimony, Giannandrea said Google will still be the default search engine for Safari in private mode, which doesnt keep a history of the websites a user visits. But users will now have a choice to pick Yahoo Inc., Microsoft Corp.s Bing, DuckDuckGo or Ecosia for private browsing, he said.

Giannandrea worked at Google between 2010 and 2018 as senior vice president of engineering for search. The Scotland-born executive, now 58, then moved to Apple, where he heads the companys AI and machine learning initiatives. He testified briefly on Thursday, returning to the stand for more than four hours Friday in a sealed session.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Shashi Tharoor took to X to share an incredible picture. He posted an image of the Gopuram of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple taken during the autumnal equinox. The MP added that on this day the sun appears sequentially in each of the windows of this ancient structure. MP Shashi Tharoor's post has prompted people to share varied comments. (HT_PRINT)

Landed in Thiruvananthapuram on a special day - September 23, the autumnal equinox, is one of the two days of the year when the sun appears sequentially in each of the windows of the Gopuram of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, tweeted Shashi Tharoor.

Also Read: Shashi Tharoor pens emotional note on closure of Indian Club in London

In the next few lines, he shared this incredible occurrence in detail. Just amazing to think the Gopuram was rebuilt 260 years ago with none of todays technology available, and they got it perfectly aligned with the suns course. This pic was at sunrise. The sun will appear in the fourth window at dusk, as it sinks into the horizon, he added.

Take a look at this post by Shashi Tharoor:

Shashi Tharoor shared the post a few hours ago. Since being tweeted, it has accumulated more than 1.4 lakh views, and the numbers are only increasing. Additionally, the share has gathered close to 3,900 likes. People posted varied comments while reacting to the share.

What did X user say about this picture?

Our ancient architecture is truly a blessing and represents our cultural heritage beautifully, wrote an X user. The alignment of the Gopuram with the sun's course on the autumnal equinox is a testament to the incredible craftsmanship and ingenuity. It's awe-inspiring to think about how they achieved such precision without modern technology, added another. Very impressive and interesting! shared a third. Many wrote amazing while sharing their reactions.

The autumnal equinox occurs in September each year. This day marks the end of summer and the beginning of autumn in the northern hemisphere.

Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" "Exciting news! Hindustan Times is now on WhatsApp ChannelsSubscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
A recording was released on Friday of a 911 emergency call from a homeowner reporting that the pilot of a US Marine Corps F-35 had parachuted into his backyard after ejecting from the stealth jet. A stealth-capable US fighter jet vanished on September 17, 2023 -- not from prying eyes but rather from the American military, prompting an unusual call to the public.(AFP)

"I guess we got a pilot in our house," the homeowner said. "He ejected from the plane. I guess he landed in my backyard and we were trying to see if we could get an ambulance to the house."

"I'm sorry, what happened?" said the bewildered 911 dispatcher who fielded the unusual call over the weekend.

The pilot parachuted safely into a neighborhood in North Charleston, South Carolina, on Sunday after ejecting from the $80 million jet, which continued flying in what some called a "zombie state."

The plane eventually crashed about 60 miles (100 kilometers) north of where the pilot ejected and the wreckage was located on Monday after the authorities asked the public to help find the missing jet.

After the homeowner spoke to the dispatcher, the pilot himself got on the phone and tried to explain the situation.

"I'm a pilot in a military aircraft and I ejected so I just rode a parachute down to the ground," he said. "Can you please send an ambulance?"

The dispatcher at this point did not appear to understand that she was speaking to the pilot himself.

"How far did he fall?" she asked.

"I was at 2,000 feet," the pilot said.

"Okay, and what caused the fall?" the dispatcher asked.

"An aircraft failure," the pilot responded.

He told the dispatcher he was "not sure where the airplane is" and asked if there had been any reports of an airplane crash.

"I have not seen any come up yet," the dispatcher said.

The wreckage of the F-35 was found in Williamsburg County, South Carolina, northeast of Joint Base Charleston, where the plane took off on a routine training flight.
Antony J Blinken, the Secretary of State, has said that the US has been consulting, even coordinating, with Canada on its allegation linking the government of India with a killing on its soil, and wants the Canadian investigation to proceed, India to cooperate with the investigation, and the investigation to lead to accountability. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US wants the Canadian investigation to proceed, India to cooperate with the investigation, and the investigation to lead to accountability(REUTERS)

The US, he added, was extremely vigilant about any instances of alleged transnational repression, and took it very, very seriouslyas a broader issue. While he said it in the context of Canadas allegation, the broader issue in the international system he alluded to appears to be a reference to US criticism of China for its pattern of transnational repression in the West.

Blinken made his first set of comments on the issue at a press conference in New York on Friday on Canadas allegation linking agents of the government of India to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist and a Canadian citizen, on Canadian soil.



ALSO READ: India yet to get info that backs Canada claim

Separately, in response to a set of questions from HT, the State Department, just hours before Blinkens remarks, said that the US views its relationship with India as vitally important but takes this issue very seriously and will defend its principles and consult with its ally as it pursues law enforcement and diplomatic processes.

When asked about American engagement with Canada and India on the issue, and how it squared with Indias desire to play a more prominent role and USs expectation of India being a democratic counterweight to China, Blinken said that they were deeply concerned about the allegations.

We have been consulting throughout very closely with our Canadian colleagues  and not just consulting, coordinating with them  on this issue. And from our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceeds, and it would be important that India works with the Canadians on this investigation. We want to see accountability, and its important that the investigation run its course and lead to that result, he said.

Blinken, like US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan earlier in the week, said he would not characterise or speak of diplomatic conversations but that US had been engaged directly with the Indian government. And again, I think the most productive thing that can happen now is to see this investigation move forward, be completed. And we would hope that our Indian friends would cooperate with that investigation as well.



ALSO READ: 'Want to work constructively with India', says Justin Trudeau

Blinken then said there was a broader issue involved. You have heard me speak to this. We are extremely vigilant about any instances of alleged transnational repression, something we take very, very seriously.

He said it was important for the international system that any country considering in engaging in such acts not do so. The US administration and Congress has been extremely critical of what it sees as Chinas transnational repression, with the State Department terming it especially pervasive, pronounced, and persistent, particularly against Uyghurs, Tibetans, members of other ethnic and religious minority groups, Hong Kongers, and PRC citizens and non-PRC citizens living abroad, who seek only to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

On Thursday, HT asked the State Department a set of questions about the nature of US-Canada consultation, American assessment of the evidence behind the allegation, Indias concerns about Canada serving as a base for terrorism and extremism, and whether the allegation is leading to a rethink in the administrations approach to India.

On Friday, a State Department spokesperson said US will not comment on the substance of private diplomatic conversations nor on intelligence or law enforcement matters. We are coordinating and consulting with Canada closely on the issue.

The spokesperson added, Our relationship with India remains vitally important, but we take this issue very seriously. Regardless of the country, we will defend our basic principles and consult closely with allies like Canada as they pursue their law enforcement and diplomatic processes.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Days after an offensive video from a pro-Khalistan group threatening Hindus in Canada to leave the country went viral, top federal public safety officials and politicians have denounced the "online hate video" and asserted that Hindus are safe and welcome. Vandals allegedly associated with the so-called Khalistan referendum in Canada have been blamed for at least a dozen cases of desecration of temples with graffiti or anti-India posters. (AP)

However, neither the government body nor the politicians singled out the video by name, according to a report by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

Dominic LeBlanc, Canadas minister of public safety, democratic institutions, and intergovernmental affairs, said that the circulation of an online hate video targeting Hindu Canadians runs contrary to the values we hold dear as Canadians. (India-Canada news LIVE)

LeBlanc, wrote in a post on X, There is no place for acts of aggression, hate, intimidation or incitement of fear.

The video showed Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of the pro-Khalistan group, Sikh for Justice, and a lawyer based in New York, openly asking Hindus from Canada to go back to India.

Even the Public Safety Department of Canada called the video offensive and hateful, the report by the country's public broadcaster said.

Acts of aggression, hate, intimidation or incitement of fear have no place in this country and only serve to divide us, the Department said in a separate post on X.

We urge all Canadians to respect one another and follow the rule of law. Canadians deserve to feel safe in their communities, the CBC said, further quoting the Departments post on X.

The video surfaced days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's explosive allegations on September 18 of the potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, on Canadian soil on June 18 in British Columbia.

India angrily rejected Trudeaus allegations as absurd and motivated.

It also expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawas expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

Earlier in 2020, India had designated Nijjar, 45, as a terrorist.

LeBlancs sentiment was echoed by New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.

The CBC quoted Poilievres own statement on X, wherein he noted Hindus have been the target of hateful comments in recent days and added that every Canadian deserves to live without fear and feel welcomed in their community.

Conservatives condemn these comments against our Hindu neighbours and friends. Hindus have made invaluable contributions to every part of our country and will always be welcome here, Poilievre said.

Singh, also a Sikh, said Hindus in Canada deserve to be here. Anyone that suggests otherwise does not reflect the values of inclusion, compassion and kindness we hold close as Canadians, CBC said quoting Singhs post on X.

Earlier on Friday, Indo-Canadian lawmaker Chandra Arya from Trudeau's party had expressed dismay at the glorification of terrorism and hate crime targeting Hindus in the name of freedom of expression in Canada.

A few days back, Khalistan movement leader in Canada and the president of Sikhs for Justice which organises the so-called referendum, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun attacked Hindu Canadians asking us to leave Canada and go back to India, Arya, a member of the Liberal Party of Canada, said.

I have heard from many Hindu-Canadians, who are fearful after this targeted attack. I urge Hindu-Canadians to stay calm but vigilant. Please report any incident of Hinduphobia to your local law enforcement agencies, the Indo-Canadian MP had posted on X.

The Khalistan movement leader is trying to provoke Hindu Canadians to react and divide the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada, Arya had said.

Canadas Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan also posted on X: To Hindu Canadians and Indians from all backgrounds: Anyone who says you do not deserve to be safe & welcomed in your home, does not embody the values of freedom and kindness we hold dear as Canadians. Do not let others de-legitimise or question your place and love for Canada.
China's President Xi Jinping on Saturday said he will seriously consider visiting South Korea, Yonhap news agency reported, as part of efforts to support peace and security on the Korean Peninsula. Chinese President Xi Jinping. (File Photo)

Separately China Central Television (CCTV) reported that Xi had told South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Saturday that China is willing to work to promote a strategic partnership between the two countries.

Xi, who has not visited South Korea since 2014, held talks with Han in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou before the opening ceremony of the Asian Games on Saturday.

The commitment to cooperation came ahead of scheduled trilateral talks in Seoul on Sept. 26 involving senior officials from China, Japan and South Korea, intended to pave the way for the first summit between the three countries in four years.

Xi told Han he would welcome such a summit at an opportune time and would seriously consider visiting South Korea, Yonhap reported.

A Chinese statement did not mention Xi's comment on the summit or a visit to Seoul.

China attaches great importance to the positive willingness of South Korea to commit to cooperation, Xi said, according to CCTV, and asked South Korea to meet it half way to maintain the direction of friendly cooperation. The two countries can deepen mutually beneficial cooperations, he said.

Citing what it said was a high-ranking South Korean government official, Yonhap reported that Xi had said China supports dialogue between the two Koreas and will continue efforts for peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, while Han had asked China to play a constructive role in relations with North Korea.

Tensions between the two countries rose after North Korea's Kim Jong Un made a week-long visit to Russia earlier this month, which angered the United States, Japan and South Korea.

South Korea imposed sanctions on 10 individuals and two entities in relation to North Korea's nuclear program and weapons trade with three countries, including Russia, the foreign ministry said on Thursday.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asserted that the credible allegations related to the potential link between Indian agents and the killing of Khalistani figure Hardeep Nijjar were communicated to New Delhi weeks ago. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during an event with the Ukrainian-Canadian community in Toronto, Canada, on September 22, 2023. (AFP)

Speaking to the media on Friday during an availability with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is currently in Ottawa, Trudeau said, Canada has shared the credible allegations  that I talked about on Monday  with India.

He was referring to his statement in the House of Commons during which he first made the allegations about India in Nijjars murder on June 18.

We hope that they engage with us so we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter, he added.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said in New Delhi earlier that no specific information has been received from Canada.

Trudeaus charges have led to a series of fallouts including both countries expelling diplomats. The senior Indian diplomat, who was based in Ottawa, has already left Canada.

However, Canada has also attempted tempering its stance. On Thursday in New York, Trudeau had said, India is a country of growing importance and a country that we need to continue to work with not just in a region but around the world and we are not looking to provoke or cause problems.

On Friday, Canadas Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne told the network BNN Bloomberg, I think its a time to de-escalate, I dont think its in anyones interest to escalate any of that.

Emboldened by Trudeaus allegations, the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice or SFJ has called for shutting down Indias mission in Canada on September 25 and for the expulsion of Indias High Commissioner to Ottawa. In a video that went viral, it also asked Canadian Hindus of Indian origin to leave the country. That video attracted more condemnation on Friday, as Pierre Poilievre, leader of the official opposition Conservative Party, posted on X (Twitter), In recent days, we have seen hateful comments targeting Hindus in Canada. Conservatives condemn these comments against our Hindu neighbours and friends. Hindus have made invaluable contributions to every part of our country and will always be welcome here.

The only Cabinet Minister from the community, Anita Anand joined in, as she posted, As Hindu Canadians, our home is here. Our Canadian society is diverse and inclusive and we must hold those values close to our hearts day in and day out.

However, Hindu organisations are disappointed that Trudeau has yet to address the issue. On Thursday, Manish Puri, member of the Hindu Community of Canada, said, We expect the PM to not only react but also help drive some concrete action. As he has mentioned, this is a country of rule of law.

Concern over the attack on the community has resulted in a surge in support for an e-petition before the House of Commons to recognise Hinduphobia in the glossary of terms in the Human Rights Code to describe anti-Hindu prejudice and discrimination. The petition, e-4507, has so far gathered nearly 16,000 signatures, jumping from 9000 recorded just 48 hours earlier whereas the threshold to have it referred to the Government is just 500.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anirudh Bhattacharyya Anirudh Bhattacharya is a Toronto-based commentator on North American issues, and an author. He has also worked as a journalist in New Delhi and New York spanning print, television and digital media. He tweets as @anirudhb. ...view detail
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Armenian media sources are spreading outright misinformation about the Azerbaijani Armed Forces' "attack on an ammunition depot of Russian peacekeepers [temporarily stationed under the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] in Azerbaijan's Karabakh, Trend reports.

The footage released by the sources clearly shows that there can be no talk of an explosion at a large ammunition depot since attacks on such objects cause much larger explosions and fires.

Apparently, this is footage of an attack on the positions of Armenian illegal armed formations [which haven't been withdrawn from Karabakh, contrary to the trilateral statement], which often deliberately placed their targets not far from the positions of the peacekeepers in order to have additional cover.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, suppression of large-scale provocations in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region, disarmament, and withdrawal of Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, localized anti-terrorist activities were carried out in the region.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) to cease anti-terrorist activities of a local nature under the following conditions: the formations of the armed forces of Armenia, Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm; the formations of the armed forces of Armenia leave the territory of Azerbaijan; Armenian illegal armed groups are dissolved.

At the invitation of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ramin Mammadov, responsible for contacts with the Armenian residents of Karabakh, met with Sergey Martirosyan and David Melkumyan as representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh on September 21, 2023, in Yevlakh.

In the context of discussing social and humanitarian issues, the representatives of the Armenian residents of Azerbaijan's Karabakh region informed that there is a special need for fuel. At the same time, they asked for humanitarian assistance in the form of foodstuffs.

As a result of the meeting, their request was taken seriously. In particular, it is planned to supply fuel for the heating systems of kindergartens and schools, as well as the emergency medical service and fire department, and to provide humanitarian support in the near future.
Since the start of 1900, human lifespan has increased considerably across the world, thanks to great advancement in science and healthcare. The development of vaccines and proper treatment facilities has helped mankind triumph over several diseases which were considered fatal some decades ago. Stem cells(File Photo)

If all goes well, humans will see themselves living till 120 years of age in next few years. According to a report by the New York Post, Dr. Ernst von Schwarz believes that thanks to stem cell research humans will be surviving till the age of 150 years by the end of this century.

Dr. Ernst is a triple board-certified internist, cardiologist, and heart transplant cardiologist at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and the Heart Institute of the Southern California Hospital. He has written books like Secrets of Immortality and The Secret World of Stem Cell Therapy.

I believe that we can create prolongation of life. Probably within a couple of years people can live to 120, 150 years if not longer than that," Dr. Ernst told the New York Post.

And not just as bed-bound non-communicating individuals, but really as active individuals who can participate in social life, professional life and have a quality of life. Because thats the goal, added Dr. Ernst.

However, Dr. Ernst emphasises that it would be not possible without the additional work of eating healthily and exercising regularly. He highlights that the age of 30 is when one needs to change their lifestyle for a long life.

ALSO READ| Is Tucker Carlson going to host a show on Russian state TV?

Talking about stem cell research, Dr. Ernst said, In the last few years, we have shifted from what we call reactive medicine to what we now call regenerative medicine using mainly stem cell therapies.

Even though stem cells are not FDA-approved, thats the future of medicine where we are able to repair damage. And by repairing damage we can prolong life, or even reduce certain processes of aging, he added.

Although as per official records, only one person in mankind's history has lived till the age of 120. Frances Jeanne Calment, who died in 1997, aged 122 years and 164 days is the only person to have achieved the feat. Even Calment's longevity was questioned with theories ruling that Calments daughter was actually posing as her.
Humans of New York founder Brandon Stanton recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his opinion on India-based storytelling company Humans of Bombay. Brandon Stanton and Karishma Mehta

The 39-year-old blogger expressed his disappointment at the company filing a lawsuit against another storytelling platform, while they themselves copied his initiative.

"I've stayed quiet on the appropriation of my work because I think @HumansOfBombay shares important stories, even if they've monetized far past anything I'd feel comfortable doing on HONY. But you can't be suing people for what I've forgiven you for," posted the American blogger.

Humans of Bombay is an Indian storytelling platform based on the same niche as Humans of New York. The platform was started as a Facebook Page in 2014 by founder Karishma Mehta and has gained huge popularity and fanbase over the years.

The platform recently filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court against an online storytelling portal 'People of India' for copyright infringement which did not sit well with Brandon.

According to him, HOB can not sue people for doing something that he forgave them for i.e. copying Humans of New York.

Interestingly, HOB did not sit down on the conversation and posted an open letter reply to Brandon on X (Formerly Twitter)

People all around the world have been reacting to Brandon's post and many of the opinions are not in favour of the move made by HOB.

HoB is not an appropriation but actually an insult to your work. Its embarrassing that it exists and this action of their founder to sue someone else for the same stuff theyre doing reeks of insecurity, replied a user to Brandon's post.

Many have been tagging the HOB owner and asking her to drop the lawsuit, agreeing that she can not sue someone for what she herself has done.

this is not done. You must drop the lawsuit. If you've taken inspiration from Humans Of New York and they have been kind, you must afford the same liberty to others.

"HOB is a subpar imitation of a brilliant HONY. It's disheartening to witness such blatant theft of a brand and its mission, and turn it into a personal PR machine and for-profit business, driven by individuals seeking to monetise others' stories.

Drop the lawsuit!"
An email exchange on Hunter Bidens laptop reveals how a former aide to Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) tried to get Joe Biden to host an event for a US-Spain business group in 2010, and how Hunter later got involved in lobbying for a Spanish rail company. FILE PHOTO: Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, departs federal court after a plea hearing on two misdemeanor charges of willfully failing to pay income taxes in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. July 26, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo(REUTERS)

Danny OBrien, who was Menendezs chief of staff at the time, contacted Eric Schwerin, Hunters partner at Rosemont Seneca Partners, in April 2010 to ask him about the possibility of getting the vice president to host an event at his residence for the US-Spain Council, which Menendez chaired.

The council aimed to strengthen ties between the two countries and was planning to host Spanish bank CEOs and the foreign minister.

Schwerin forwarded the request to Hunter, who had expressed interest in Spain, according to then-US Ambassador to Spain Alan Solomont.

OBrien also sent a formal letter to the vice presidents office, but it was declined. He then reached out to Hunter directly, hoping that he could persuade his father to attend the event. The two met at a Washington Nationals game in June 2010, a month before the event.

FILE - Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee speaks during Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, March 22, 2023, in Washington. Menendez and his wife have been indicted on charges of bribery. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)(AP)

The emails also show that Hunter used his connections to promote CAF USA, the American subsidiary of the Spanish railway manufacturer CAF, which had a plant in New York and had won a contract with Amtrak in July 2010.

The first son emailed Hilary Rosen, a partner at the PR firm SKDKnickerbocker, in September 2010, suggesting that CAF USA needed to appeal to key senators and congressmen who could influence the White House and the Department of Transportation.

They need Menendez (very involved in US- Spain business counsel) to take the lead (not Lautenberg- they hate each other) they need him to go to [Sen. Chuck] Schumer [D-NY] and raise an alarm that NY is in jeopardy of loosing [sic] hundreds of jobs and go to Steny and point out that MD faces the same fate in the loss of supplier jobs, Hunter wrote.

ALSO READ| Who is Bob Menendez? The New Jersey senator charged with corruption by DOJ

You clearly have pulled them from the abyss, but the notion they havent hired a world-class lobbyist as they have a world-class PR firm is ridiculous, he added.

I want to send that message but only if it doesnt interfere with the direction you are headed. I obviously cant lobby, but if I could I would be in Schumers office begging and arguing for jobs in NY.

The CAF manufacturing facility can be found in Elmira Heights, New York. In July 2010, the company secured a substantial contract worth approximately $300 million with Amtrak, as reported by a trade publication.
Insisting that there was no change in party supremo Nawaz Sharifs plan to return to Pakistan next month, former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif has said his elder brother would present an agenda of progress on October 21, media reports said here on Saturday. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (AP)

Ending his self-imposed exile in London, 73-year-old Nawaz, also the three-time prime minister, is expected to return to Pakistan on October 21 and lead the PML-N party in the general election declared to be held in January 2024. He had left Pakistan on medical grounds in 2019.

Nawaz Sharif will return to a resounding welcome in Lahore, and will then address the nation at a rally at Minar-i-Pakistan where he will present the partys plan to tackle poverty, unemployment and improve the economic situation, Shehbaz told reporters after a meeting with Nawaz, party vice president Maryam Nawaz and former finance minister Ishaq Dar at London, the Dawn newspaper reported.

The increase in political activity in the PML-N camp comes after the September 15 Supreme Court of Pakistans ruling that scrapped the recent amendments to the countrys anti-graft laws and restored corruption cases against several public office holders, including Nawaz Sharif.

The apex court had announced its reserved decision on jailed former prime minister Imran Khans plea filed last year, challenging the amendments made to the accountability laws by the then government led by Shehbaz Sharif.

Spending barely two days in Pakistan, Shehbaz had returned to London on Thursday after he had landed late on Monday night returning from a month-long stay in the UK capital meeting with his brother and other party leaders in view of the upcoming general elections.

The PML-N president was quoted by Dawn as saying that the meeting (in London) was called to discuss Nawazs next legal and political steps. Asked if he had returned to London to give a special message from the establishment to Nawaz, the party president was quoted as answering that the meeting discussed the legal and political next steps for Mian (Nawaz) sahib.

The News International further quoted Shehbaz as saying: There was zero substance in the speculation that was going around that he had rushed to London, days after reaching Lahore, with a special message for his elder brother.

The Dawn also quoted Shehbazs comments on Pakistans current economic condition and how when Nawaz was ruling between 2013 and 2017, he ended 20 hours of load shedding, mainstreamed CPEC, and invited billions in investment.

What happened in 2018 [Nawazs removal] the nation saw what a joke was played. The country was thwarted from racing to new heights and Nawazs mandate was stolen, he was quoted further.

The News International quoted Shehbaz as saying further, Sharif will present the agenda of progress and success. Nawaz Sharif is the leader, who earlier took Pakistan to the path of progress and hope, and delivered for the masses and will do so again.

It also mentioned how Shehbazs visit came days after videos of Nawaz calling for the accountability of former army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa and ex-ISI chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hamid were published by the London party headquarters on social media.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Pope Francis on Saturday condemned "belligerent nationalisms" and called for a pan-European response to migration to stop the Mediterranean, where thousands have drowned, from becoming "the graveyard of dignity". Pope Francis reacts as he attends a meeting at Palais du Pharo.(Reuters)

Francis spoke out in favour of welcoming migrants, in a long speech that concluded a Church conference on Mediterranean issues in Marseille, a French port that for centuries has been a crossroads of cultures and religions.

"There is a cry of pain that resonates most of all, and it is turning the Mediterranean, the 'mare nostrum', from the cradle of civilization into the 'mare mortuum', the graveyard of dignity: it is the stifled cry of migrant brothers and sisters," he said, using Latin terms meaning "our sea" and "sea of death".

Francis was welcomed at the windy portside where the conference centre is located by President Emmanuel Macron, with whom he was due to have a private meeting later on Saturday before returning to Rome.

The pope began the day by visiting a centre for the needy in Marseilles' Saint Mauront district, one of France's poorest, run by the order of nuns founded by Saint Mother Teresa.

Later at the conference, he called for "an ample number of legal and regular entrances" of migrants, with emphasis on accepting those fleeing war, hunger and poverty, rather than on "preservation of one's own wellbeing".

According to UN Refugee Agency UNHCR, about 178,500 migrants have come to Europe via the Mediterranean this year, while about 2,500 died or went missing.

Governments in several European countries, including Italy, Hungary, and Poland, are led by outspoken opponents of immigration.

Francis called on people to "hear the cries of pain" rising from North Africa and the Middle East.

"How greatly we need this at the present juncture, when antiquated and belligerent nationalisms want to make the dream of the community of nations fade!" he said. He did not name any countries.

While Francis has said often that migrants should be shared among the 27 EU countries, his overall openness towards migrants, including once calling their exclusion "scandalous, disgusting and sinful," has riled conservative politicians.

His 27-hour trip has been dominated by migration issues. On Friday, he said migrants who risk drowning at sea "must be rescued" because doing so was "a duty of humanity" and that those who impede rescues commit "a gesture of hate".
Pakistans interim prime minister said dismissed the possibility that the countrys military would manipulate the results of the upcoming national elections in the country and try to sabotage the chances of jailed former premier Imran Khans party in the polls. Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar asserted that the election body will conduct the vote, not the military. Pakistan Elections: Pakistan's interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar(AP)

Why would the poll body chief turn in any sense of the word against me, he told news agency Associated Press.

Pakistan has been in deepening political turmoil since April 2022 when Imran Khan was removed from office following a no-confidence vote in the parliament. He was arrested in early August on corruption charges and sentenced to three years in prison. The term was later suspended though he still remains in jail.

The election commission announced that the polls would take place during the last week in January, delaying the vote which was to be held in November as per the country's constitution.

When the commission sets an exact election date his government will provide all the assistance, financial, security or other related requirements", the interim PM said.

On cases against Imran Khan, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said, We are not pursuing anyone on a personal vendetta. But yes, we will ensure that the law is appropriate. Anyone, be it Imran Khan or any other politician who violates, in terms of their political behavior, the laws of the country, then the restoration of the law has to be ensured. We cannot equate that with  political discrimination.

He called his governments working relationship with the military very smooth, as well as very open and candid", saying, We do have challenges of civil-military relationships, Im not denying that civil institutions in Pakistan have deteriorated in terms of performance for the last many decades but the military is disciplined and has organizational capabilities.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Relations between Prince Harry and his father King Charles have deteriorated since the Duke of Sussex his wife Meghan Markle stepped down from their roles as working royals in 2020. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have since moved to California. While Prince Harry has said that he hopes to reconcile with his father, a report claimed that the king gave Prince Harry an ultimatum if he ever wants to truly fix things with his dad. Royal Family: Britain's King Charles III looks on. (AFP)

[Charles] will always be there for [Harry] but draws the line at public slanging matches, a royal insider told British news outlet Bella Magazine. If the talks take place, the King will make it very clear that there will be absolutely no private family business discussed in public moving forward. Staff are trying to fine-tune the details," the insider added.

However, it is unclear whether Prince Harry and King Charles met up while Harry was in Europe for the Invictus Games. At the closing ceremony, Prince Harry said, "We've all witnessed the true impact sport has had on your recovery. But you will never truly know the impact your actions this week have had on millions of people around the world. You have opened peoples hearts, through your vulnerability, through your resilience and your sheer abilities. You have shown us that joy can emerge from struggle."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left the royal family and have spoken about their experience since- sitting down with Oprah Winfrey, releasing a Netflix documentary, and Prince Harry's memoir, Spare".

The royal family did not response to stories shared by the couple except addressing the allegations of racism toward Prince Archie while Meghan Markle was pregnant with him.

It remains to be seen whether Prince Harry and King Charles sort their problems out.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Prince Harry made a "snide remark" that broke Prince William's wife Kate Middleton's trust resulting in a royal rift between them, as per a royal expert. The comment resulted in Kate Middleton feeling bad owing to which she will not be in a hurry to heal the feud with her brother-in-law, royal expert Katie Nicholl said. The pair used to be "very very close" before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down as senior working royals, she said, adding. Queen Elizabeth II, and from left, Meghan the Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate the Duchess of Cambridge.(AP)

"When you think of the personal revelations, and I think you can call them snide remarks made about Kate in Spare, Harry broke the one rule and that is staying silent on family matters."

In his tell-all memoir, which was released back in January, Prince Harry discussed the royal feud calling her the "sister I've never had and always wanted".

Katie Nicholl said, "While Kate and Harry used to be very, very close, there's been a complete breakdown of that relationship. I dont think Kate does angry. I think it is more a case of feeling very disappointed, very let down and feeling hurt knowing that she had no right of reply - and Harry knew full well she had no right of reply."

Unlike his wife, the royal expert explained that Prince William was "very angry" at his brother for dragging Kate Middleton into it, feeling that she was "blameless throughout".

[Kate] acted very much as the peacekeeper, she tried to get the brothers back on an even keel and for Kate to be dragged into this mucky saga was upsetting for her and certainly did infuriate William," she said.

Talking of Meghan Markle, the royal expert said, "I think its too far down the line for Kate and Meghan. There were some deeply personal revelations about Kate in the book."

"Meghan clearly didnt enjoy her time here [in the UK] and shes obviously leading a much happier life in California. She is certainly in no hurry to come back to Britain [to reconcile], though she was certainly in a hurry to leave!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Ukraine on Saturday morning launched another missile attack on Sevastopol in occupied Crimea, a Russian-installed official said, a day after an attack on the headquarters of Russias Black Sea Fleet left a serviceman missing and the main building smoldering. Russia-Ukraine War: An aerial view of the city of Sevastopol after a missile attack struck the headquarters of Moscow's Black Sea fleet in annexed Crimea.(AFP)

Sevastopol was put on air raid alert for about an hour after debris from intercepted missiles fell near a pier, Gov. Mikhail Razvozhayev wrote on the messaging app Telegram. Ferry traffic in the area was also halted and later resumed.

Loud blasts were also heard near Vilne in northern Crimea, followed by rising clouds of smoke, according to a pro-Ukrainian Telegram news channel that reports on developments on the peninsula. Crimea, illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, has been a frequent target for Ukrainian forces since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of the neighboring country almost 19 months ago.

Ukraine's intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, told Voice of America on Saturday that at least nine people were killed and 16 injured as a result of Kyiv's attack on the Black Sea Fleet on Friday. He claimed that Alexander Romanchuk, a Russian general commanding forces along the key southeastern front line, was in a very serious condition following the attack.

Budanov's claim could not be independently verified, and he did not comment on whether Western-made missiles were used in Friday's strike.

The Russian Defense Ministry initially said that Friday's strike killed one service member at the Black Sea Fleet headquarters, but later issued a statement that he was missing.

Ukraines military also offered more details about Friday's attack on Sevastopol. It said the air force conducted 12 strikes on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters, targeting areas where personnel, military equipment and weapons were concentrated. It said two anti-aircraft missile systems and four Russian artillery units were hit.

Crimea has served as the key hub supporting Moscows invasion of Ukraine. Sevastopol, the main base of Russias Black Sea Fleet since the 19th century, has had a particular importance for navy operations since the start of the invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine has increasingly targeted naval facilities in Crimea in recent weeks while the brunt of its summer counteroffensive makes slow gains in the east and south of Ukraine, the Institute for the Study of War said. Military experts say it is essential for Ukraine to keep up its attacks on targets in Crimea to degrade Russian morale and weaken its military.

Elsewhere, Ukraines military said Saturday that Russia launched 15 Iranian-made Shahed drones at the front-line Zaporizhzhia region in the southeast, as well as Dnipropetrovsk province farther north. It claimed to have destroyed 14 of the drones.

Separately, Zaporizhzhia regional Gov. Yuri Malashko said that Russia over the previous day carried out 86 strikes on 27 settlements in the province, many of them lying only a few kilometers (miles) from the fighting. Malashko said that an 82-year- old civilian was killed by artillery fire.

In the neighboring Kherson region, Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin said at least one person died and three were injured over the past day because of Russian shelling. Russia fired 25 shells targeting the city of Kherson, which lies along the Dneiper River that marks the contact line between the warring sides, Prokudin said.

Residential quarters were hit, including medical and education institutions, government-built stations that serve food and drinks, as well as critical infrastructure facilities and a penitentiary, he said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Taiwan's Defence Minister has called China's military movements "abnormal", noting the recent amphibious exercises in addition to drills in Chinas Fujian Province, reported Taipei Times. China-Taiwan Conflict: A Chinook helicopter carrying a Taiwan flag flies over the city during the country's National Day celebration in Taipei, Taiwan.(Reuters)

Taiwan's National Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said, "Our initial analysis is that they are doing joint drills in September, including land, sea, air and amphibious."

"The recent enemy situation is quite abnormal," he added.

Recently, Taiwan has reported a rise in Chinese military activity over the past week as dozens of fighters, drones, bombers and other aircraft, as well as warships have been seen operating around the country, reported Taipei Times.

The comment came after the ministry released a statement on Thursday stating that it was keeping a watch on Chinese activities near Dacheng Bay in Fujian Province.

Moreover, according to the Taiwan security sources, China performs landing drills in the Bay Area.

However, China has not commented on this issue yet and neither did its defence ministry respond to the two requests from Taiwan's ministry, Taipei Times reported.

Chiu further said that releasing the information about Dacheng Bay was in line with his ministry's principle of telling people what was happening.

A military researcher at the National Policy Foundation think tank, Chieh Chung, noted that China carried out landing drills in Dacheng Bay in September last year and the year before that.

Those drills featured civilian ships with equipment practising "dockless unloading" to simulate a situation in which they might need to land after port facilities are knocked out of action or destroyed, Chieh said.

Underscoring the geographical difficulties, a senior US defence official told the US Congress that China would be hard-pressed to carry out a frontal, amphibious invasion of Taiwan, reported Taipei Times.

Moreover, last week, China dispatched over 100 naval ships on regional exercises in areas such as waters in the South China Sea and off Taiwan's northeast coast, according to a regional security official.

Read more: Ukraine targets key Crimean city after striking Russian navy headquarters

The National Defence Ministry further noted that China traditionally performs large-scale exercises from July to September, according to Taipei Times.

Adding to this, the ministry said that it had detected 24 Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force planes yesterday entering Taiwan's air defence zone over the previous 24 hours, with at least 17 crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait, as shown on a map they published.

According to another security source, China was likely seeking to wear out Taiwan's military with constant missions so close to Taiwan, especially with longer flights along the median line than before, reported Taipei Times.

China is seeking to normalize these activities and push Taiwan into a corner, the source said, adding that it risked a miscalculation if Chinese ships or aircraft got too close and Taiwan opened fire.

However, Taiwan has always said that it would stay calm and would not escalate the situation but also that it would not allow "repeated provocations from China, the source added.

Earlier this month, Taiwan's National Defence Ministry issued a strong plea to Beijing to cease its continuous military provocations after the detection of more than 100 Chinese warplanes in close proximity to the island within a 24-hour period.

In a statement, the ministry expressed grave concern over the substantial number of warplanes, which it said posed "severe challenges to the Taiwan Strait and regional safety."

The ministry added, "The Communist military's persistent military harassment can easily result in a sharp increase in tensions and worsen regional security. We call on the Beijing authorities to take up its responsibility and immediately stop this kind of destructive, unilateral action."

The highest recorded number of Chinese warplanes entering Taiwan's ADIZ within a 24-hour period was reported in October 2021, when 56 planes conducted such incursions in a single day, CNN reported.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A massive planet 15 times larger than the giant of our solar system, Jupiter, has been discovered surrounded by three other bodies. The exoplanet was found in a star system called HIP 81208, which is located about 480 light-years from Earth.

ADVERTISIMENT

The discovery is described in an article published in Astronomy & Astrophysics. The distant exoplanet was discovered through observations made with the Very Large Telescope (VLT) of the European Southern Observatory, located in Chile.

HIP 81208 has long been known to astronomers. A blue-white star HIP 81208 is at the center of the system. Its size is almost three times larger than our Sun. Red and brown dwarfs are also found nearby, which are 8 and 15 times smaller than our sun, respectively.

While other objects in the system had been discovered earlier, the exoplanet was only seen with the VLT. The telescope took a sufficiently detailed image of the system for astronomers to spot the fourth object in the system, a planetary mass body orbiting the red dwarf.

As it was found, the gas giant has a radius that is only slightly larger than the largest planet in the Solar System, Jupiter, but its mass is 14.8 times larger.

ADVERTISIMENT

The blog of the European Southern Observatory explains that HIP 81208 is somewhat unique and calls it a "hierarchical quadruple system", with two stars and two smaller bodies orbiting each of them.

The scientists said that the mass of the newly discovered exoplanet indicates that it is located on the border between a planet and a brown dwarf, which are often called "failed stars". Such dwarfs are too small to support nuclear fusion in their cores, as typical stars do, but still too large to be called planets.

The discovery of the exoplanet was made thanks to the VLT instrument for exoplanet research called SPHERE. This technology allows scientists to search for exoplanets not through indirect methods, such as measuring the "wobbles" of host stars, but by capturing the systems directly.

ADVERTISIMENT

HIP 81208 is the first hierarchical quadruple system to be photographed directly.

The study of this celestial quartet will help astronomers understand how such complex systems form and evolve, as well as will provide physicists with data on the theoretically complex dynamics of many-body combinations.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL reported that astronomers saw the hellish future of the Earth live for the first time.

Subscribe to OBOZREVATEL on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest news


The French government on Saturday denounced "unacceptable violence" at a protest led by the hard left against police brutality, with officers trapped in their police vehicle after it was attacked, an AFP correspondent said. People march with a banner that reads, "no justice, no peace," in Paris.(AP)

The nationwide protest came just under three months after the point-blank killing by a policeman of a youth outside Paris at a traffic check sparked over a week of rioting in Paris and elsewhere.

Hundreds of people wearing black and in hoods broke away from the main march of several thousand people in Paris

They smashed the windows of a bank branch and threw objects at a police car stuck in traffic, an AFP reporter said.

Paris police said that the police car was attacked with a crowbar and only the intervention of an anti-riot police unit allowed the release of the vehicle.

A video later published by the BFMTV channel and shared on the internet showed a group of masked protesters running after the car, repeatedly kicking it, as one man smashes a window with a crowbar.

An officer gets out and brandishes his service weapon, but does not fire it and gets back in the vehicle.

"We see where anti-police hatred leads," Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin wrote on X, formerly Twitter, denouncing "unacceptable violence" against the police.

Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said three people had been arrested over the incident.

Unions said some 80,000 people were expected to protest across France, responding to a call by the radical left including the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party but police put the number at 13,800.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asserted that the credible allegations related to the potential link between Indian agents and the killing of Khalistani figure Hardeep Nijjar were communicated to New Delhi weeks ago. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the House of Commons in Ottawa (AP Photo)

Speaking to the media on Friday during an availability with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is currently in Ottawa, Trudeau said, Canada has shared the credible allegations  that I talked about on Monday  with India.

He was referring to his statement in the House of Commons, during which he first made the allegations about India in Nijjars murder on June 18.

We hope they engage with us so we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter, he added.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said in New Delhi earlier that no specific information has been received from Canada.

Trudeaus charges have led to a series of fallouts, including both countries expelling diplomats. The senior Indian diplomat, who was based in Ottawa, has already left Canada.

However, Canada has also attempted to temper its stance. On Thursday in New York, Trudeau said, India is a country of growing importance and a country that we need to continue to work with not just in a region but around the world, and we are not looking to provoke or cause problems.

On Friday, Canadas minister of innovation, science and industry Francois-Philippe Champagne, told the network BNN Bloomberg: I think its a time to de-escalate. I dont think it is in anyones interest to escalate any of that.

Emboldened by Trudeaus allegations, the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice or SFJ has called for shutting down Indias mission in Canada on September 25 and for the expulsion of Indias High Commissioner to Ottawa.

In a video that went viral, it also asked Canadian Hindus of Indian origin to leave the country. The video attracted more condemnation on Friday, as Pierre Poilievre, leader of the official opposition Conservative Party, posted on X (Twitter), In recent days, we have seen hateful comments targeting Hindus in Canada. Conservatives condemn these comments against our Hindu neighbours and friends. Hindus have made invaluable contributions to every part of our country and will always be welcome here.

The only cabinet minister from the community, Anita Anand joined in, as she posted, As Hindu Canadians, our home is here. Our Canadian society is diverse and inclusive and we must hold those values close to our hearts day in and day out.

However, Hindu organisations are disappointed that Trudeau has yet to address the issue. On Thursday, Manish Puri, a member of the Hindu Community in Canada, said, We expect the prime minister to not only react but also help drive some concrete action. As he has mentioned, this is a country of rule of law.

Concern over the attack on the community has resulted in a surge in support for an e-petition before the House of Commons to recognise Hinduphobia in the glossary of terms in the Human Rights Code to describe anti-Hindu prejudice and discrimination. The petition, e-4507, has so far gathered nearly 16,000 signatures, jumping from 9000 recorded just 48 hours earlier whereas the threshold to have it referred to the Government is just 500.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anirudh Bhattacharyya Anirudh Bhattacharya is a Toronto-based commentator on North American issues, and an author. He has also worked as a journalist in New Delhi and New York spanning print, television and digital media. He tweets as @anirudhb. ...view detail
Russia, the United States and China have all built new facilities and dug new tunnels at their nuclear test sites in recent years, satellite images obtained exclusively by CNN show. China's President Xi Jinping (left) and US President Joe Biden.

This comes at a time when tensions between the three major nuclear powers have risen to their highest in decades.

Though there is no evidence to suggest that Russia, the US or China is preparing for an imminent nuclear test, the images, obtained and provided by a prominent analyst in military nonproliferation studies, illustrate recent expansions at three nuclear test sites compared with just a few years ago, says the CNN report.

One is operated by China in the far western region of Xinjiang, one by Russia in an Arctic Ocean archipelago, and another in the US in the Nevada desert.

The satellite images from the past three to five years show new tunnels under mountains, new roads and storage facilities, as well as increased vehicle traffic coming in and out of the sites, said Jeffrey Lewis, a professor at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, as per CNN.

There are really a lot of hints that were seeing that suggest Russia, China and the United States might resume nuclear testing, he said, something none of those countries have done since underground nuclear testing was banned by the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. China and the US signed the treaty, but they havent ratified it.

Retired US Air Force Colonel Cedric Leighton, a former intelligence analyst, reviewed the images of the three powers nuclear sites and came to a similar conclusion.

Its very clear that all three countries, Russia, China and the United States have invested a great deal of time, effort and money in not only modernizing their nuclear arsenals but also in preparing the types of activities that would be required for a test, he said, as per CNN.

Though Moscow has ratified the treaty, Russian President Vladimir Putin in February said he would order a test, if the US moves first, adding that no one should have dangerous illusions that global strategic parity can be destroyed.

The expansions risk sparking a race to modernize nuclear weapons testing infrastructure at a time of deep mistrust between Washington and the two authoritarian governments, analysts said, though the idea of actual armed conflict is not considered imminent, reports CNN.

The threat from nuclear testing is from the degree to which it accelerates the growing arms race between the United States on one hand, and Russia and China on the other, Lewis said. The consequences of that are that we spend vast sums of money, even though we dont get any safer.
Vietnam has executed long-time death row prisoner Le Van Manh, a lawyer confirmed Saturday, despite international pleas to spare his life. File photo of Le Van Manh.

In 2005 Manh was charged with robbery, as well as the rape and murder of a 13-year-old girl in the northern Thanh Hoa province.

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said police obtained a confession through torture that was relied upon to convict him.

Manh later retracted the confession, saying that police had beaten him severely.

The Supreme Court in Hanoi handed down the death penalty at an appeal trial in 2008.

Hanoi lawyer Nguyen Ha Luan, who helped Manh's family petition the Vietnamese president to halt the execution, posted his death certificate on social media Saturday.

"According to reports and official letters, defendant Le Van Manh was executed... the (execution) notice letter has been sent to the family," he said on Facebook.

The death certificate stated: "Le Van Manh born in 1982. Nationality: Vietnamese. Died at 08:45 on September 22, 2023, at execution house of Hoa Binh provincial police."

His body was buried at Cho Nhang cemetery, the lawyer said, citing official documents sent to Manh's family.

Earlier this week, the diplomatic missions of the European Union, Canada, Norway and the United Kingdom in Vietnam urged authorities to show Manh mercy.

"We strongly oppose the use of capital punishment at all times and in all circumstances, which is a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and can never be justified, and advocate for Vietnam to adopt a moratorium on all executions," the joint statement said.

Amnesty International called the execution "sickening".

"Despite knowing in detail that Le Van Manh's case was mired in serious irregularities and violations of the right to a fair trial... authorities in Vietnam executed him anyway mere days after informing his family to make arrangements for his remains," Chiara Sangiorgio, Amnesty's death penalty expert, said Saturday.

The ICJ said Manh's execution "is a violation of his right to life and freedom from cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment under international human rights law."

"Vietnam must join the global trend towards the abolition of the death penalty and the establishment of a moratorium on the use of the death penalty," the ICJ's spokesman said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
New York: Brazils foreign minister Mauro Vieira has said that while Indonesia, South Africa and his own country helped in pushing the G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration, the final success was due to Indias hard work and ability to convince all countries. Brazil FM Mauro Vieira (Centre), India FM S Jaishankar (right) and South Africa FM Naledi Pandor (left) on UNGA78 sidelines (Twitter/@DrSJaishankar)

In an interview with HT in New York on Friday, after he had just finished chairing the India-Brazil-South Africa ministerial meeting, Vieira said IBSA was a very important grouping where the three countries share a common goal of global institutional reform and discuss a range of social and political issues, drive cooperation on the global stage, serve as a steering committee for G20, and deliver development benefits elsewhere.

In what is among the first reactions from a country of the global south on Canadas charges against India  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has alleged possible links between agents of the government of India with the killing of a man India designated as a terrorist on Canadian soil  Brazil said it did not have a position on the issue and it was a bilateral matter between two other countries, adding IBSA was not the forum to discuss it.

Asked about the takeaways from the IBSA ministerial, Brazils foreign minister said that for him, it was a special moment since this was the first meeting he chaired after receiving the presidency from India earlier in the year. This is a very important grouping. We can discuss many issues like the social dialogue between our societies and political issues. We can discuss our common positions in many different international forums and we can also promote cooperation with other countries. The IBSA fund is working very well. It has financed 42 projects in 37 different countries9, and we also have another kind of synergy, Vieira said.

He pointed out that the three IBSA members will soon serve as the troika for the G20 from November, once India hands over the presidency to Brazil, as the past, present and next presidency of the grouping, Delhi, Pretoria and Brasilia will then act as a steering committee for the group.

The three countries, the minister said, were developing countries with similar visions of world problems and similar goals like the reform of global governance, especially the United Nations Security Council and the World Trade Organization. He claimed that India, Brazil and South Africa wanted to promote global peace, understanding and cooperation among their governments.

With India acknowledging the role played by Indonesia, Brazil and South Africa in carving out a consensus during G20, HT asked the minister if he could give a sense of the collaboration among the countries.

Giving credit to external affairs minister S Jaishankar, Vieira said, Yes. Four countries were working together pushing for this important declaration. But I think the final success was due to the hard work that India and minister Jaishankar put into this presidency. And he was finally able to convince all parts of the G20, of course with the support of Indonesia, Brazil, and South Africa. But it was due mainly to his ability and his hard work.

Asked if Brazil had a position on Canadas recent allegations against India and whether it had come up in discussions, Vieira said, No, I dont have a position on that. I think it is between the two other countries. I dont know the details, but we didnt discuss this issue in this forum. Its for another kind of issue.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asserted that the credible allegations related to the potential link between Indian agents and the killing of Khalistani figure Hardeep Nijjar were communicated to New Delhi weeks ago.

Trudeaus charges have led to a series of fallouts, including both countries expelling diplomats.

Emboldened by Trudeaus allegations, the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice or SFJ has called for shutting down Indias mission in Canada on September 25 and for the expulsion of Indias High Commissioner to Ottawa

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Accused Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey surprised his girlfriend (now wife) Nadine Arslanian with a romantic proposal in front of the Taj Mahal in India in 2019, according to a recently surfaced video posted on X (formerly Twitter). FILE - . Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife Nadine Menendez were indicted Friday, Sept. 22, on bribery charges. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)(AP)

The video shows Menendez, who is the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, singing a rendition of Never Enough from the movie The Greatest Showman to Arslanian, who is seen sitting on a bench near the iconic monument of love and passion.

ALSO READ| Who is Bob Menendez? Charged senator who 'exported' illegal halal meat to Egypt

Menendez then gets down on one knee and presents a ring to Arslanian, who accepts his proposal and hugs him.

The couple met at an IHOP in Union City, New Jersey, in 2018 and hit it off right away, according to a New York Times article that featured their love story. They bonded over their shared interests in politics, travel, and music.

Menendez said he was impressed by Arslanians intelligence and beauty, while Arslanian said she was drawn to Menendezs passion and humour.

We were introduced by the owner of the IHOP, and I didnt know at that time that Bob was a senator, she said.

He was very intelligent and had a great sense of humor, and he was very, very hot.

However, their fairy tale romance has been overshadowed by a corruption scandal that has landed them both in legal trouble.

On Friday, federal prosecutors charged Menendez and Arslanian with taking bribes of cash, gold bars, and a luxury car from three New Jersey businessmen and the Egyptian government in exchange for using Menendezs influence to export illegal halal meat to Egypt from U.S. and in other endeavors.

ALSO READ| Hunter Biden's emails reveal how a former aide to Sen. Bob Menendez asked Joe Biden's help in hosting a 2010 event

Prosecutors said they found $480,000 in cash and $100,000 in gold bars hidden in their home, as well as a 2019 Mercedes-Benz parked in their garage. They also accused Menendez of hosting meetings between Egyptian officials and Arslanian, who acted as his consultant on foreign affairs.

Menendez and Arslanian have denied the charges and said they are innocent.

The Senator said that the prosecutors had mischaracterized his normal work as a senator and accused them of trying to silence his voice.

Arslanians lawyer said she denies any criminal conduct and will fight the charges in court.
Bob Menendez a New Jersey Democratic senator has been charged with corruption alongside his wife, Nadine Menendez by the Department of Justice. The duo conspired to commit bribery, honest services fraud and to commit extortion under the hood of official rights. According to the indictment, Bob exerted substantial influence over military financing to Egypt.

According to a statement made by a US attorney in New York, Bob and Nadine were "in a corrupt relationship with three New Jersey businessmen- Wael Hana, Jose Uribe and Fred Daibes."

The couple have been indicted and charged with corruption for the second time in ten years.

In a news release, the prosecutors claimed they "allegedly accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars of bribes in exchange for using Menendezs power and influence as a senator to seek to protect and enrich Hana, Uribe, and Daibes and benefit the Government of Egypt."

Bob Menendez's professional career

Bob Menendez born on January 1, 1954, is an American lawyer and politician. He has been serving as the senior United States Senator from New Jersey since he first obtained the position in 2006.

A Democratic Party member, he has been the chairman of the United States Committee on Foreign Relations from 2013 to 2015 and again since the year 2021.

Interestingly, since his appointment in the position, Egypt has been one of the largest recipients of U.S. aid. More than $1 billion per year of grants have been provided by the U.S. between 2018 and 2022 in military financing and military sales.

Along with these positions, Bob has held office at Union City School District's Board of Education, been a mayor of Union City, and won a seat in the House of Representatives which paved the way for his appointment as a U.S. Senate.

Previous indictment and corruption charges

In 2013, reports surfaced that a grand jury in Miami was investigating Bob's role in advocating the business interest of a Florida-based ophthalmologist, Salomon Melgen.

It was in 2015 that the DOJ indicted Menendez and the doctor with charges of bribery, fraud and making false statements.

In 2018, the United States Senate Select Committee on Ethics admonished Bob in a letter:

"The Committee has found that over a six-year period, you knowingly and repeatedly accepted gifts of significant value from Dr. Melgen without obtaining required Committee approval, and that you failed to publicly disclose certain gifts as required by Senate Rule and federal law."

Present indictment and charges

According to the indictment, Bob exerted substantial influence over military financing to Egypt.

A total of $480,000 cash stuffed in envelopes and hidden in clothing was found in Nadine Menendez's safe deposit box.

Additionally, $100,000 in gold bars were found at his home, provided by either of the three businessmen he was involved with.
The rules of etiquette always adapt to the time and are usually not regulated except for the diplomatic sphere. With the development of modern technologies, a new conventional section has emerged, which is business telephone etiquette.

ADVERTISIMENT

These rules vary depending on the corporate requirements of the company and the specific situation. Olha Serdiuk, a psychologist and etiquette expert, explains whether it is necessary to respond to all messages in a business chat and what hours it is better not to write about work issues.

How to address the interlocutor in business correspondence

Correspondence should begin with a first name (if you know the name). When sending a message for the first time, be sure to introduce yourself.

Then briefly but clearly state the essence of the issue.

Be sure to follow the logic, structure and conciseness. Don't forget to check the text for errors. Average messages should include:

greeting;

5-7 sentences about the case (the limit is rather conditional, the main thing is to write clearly)

gratitude for cooperation

ADVERTISIMENT

a wish for a good day;

farewell with signature and contact information (if necessary).

Is it necessary to reply to all messages?

In business communication, the response should depend on the type of email. It is mandatory to respond to requests, appeals, proposals, inquiries and demands.

According to an etiquette expert, it's best to respond to official emails within the first two hours of receiving the message.

If the situation or issue cannot be resolved so quickly, simply inform that it is not possible to resolve the issue at this time and that it needs to be studied in detail. You should then indicate when and how soon you need to contact again.

If the message remains unanswered for a long time, the initiator of the communication can send a second message or call.

Rules of telephone etiquette

ADVERTISIMENT

You should call during business hours from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. +/- 1 hour. You should not disturb a person with work-related issues on weekends and holidays. The average call duration is 5-7 dial tones. If you are not answered or called back, you can write a message or repeat the call in about 2 hours. Begin the phone conversation with a greeting, introduction and clarification of whether the other person is comfortable talking now. After that, you should state the essence of the issue, thank them and say goodbye. In the event of a force majeure situation, you should apologize for disturbing a person outside business hours.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL shared how to behave at a business dinner.

Subscribe to OBOZREVATEL on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest news


Countries that decide to weaken their support for Ukraine against the backdrop of Russia's full-scale invasion are strengthening Russia. We cannot remain neutral in this war unleashed by the Kremlin.

ADVERTISIMENT

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky made the statement during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa. The President was quoted by the press service of the President's Office on its official website.

"You help Ukraine or Russia. There will be no intermediaries in this war. By weakening assistance to Ukraine, you will strengthen Russia. We know what to expect from powerful Russia... I think history and its witnesses have long answered this question," the head of state said.

He called the reduction of aid to Kyiv a huge risk because "we must fight for freedom, for democracy and for people's rights."

ADVERTISIMENT

The President thanked those partners who helped Ukraine with military equipment, weapons and financial support. However, "this is not the biggest price," Zelensky emphasized.

"Ukraine is one the who pays the biggest price today. It is people that we lose. However, we are very grateful for the help," he added.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported:

- Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Canada on September 22. He took part in the signing ceremony of an agreement to continue strengthening economic ties together with Justin Trudeau.

- As part of the trip, the Ukrainian leader visited the Canadian parliament and addressed politicians with a strong speech.

ADVERTISIMENT

- Canada declared its long-term support for Ukraine. Over the next three years, Ottawa will provide Kyiv with 50 armored vehicles - combat and evacuation - and will train our pilots to fly F-1 fighter jets.

Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Wait!

Before you go

Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters

Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request.

* I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Subscribers to Register-Star or The Daily Mail are eligible to receive full access to HudsonValley360.

If you have an existing print subscription, please make sure your email address on file matches your HudsonValley360 account email.
ADVERTISE

Hypebot & MusicThinkTank

With the internet and digital technologies driving rapid change within the music industry, articles about new releases and who has been hired and fired are no longer enough. Our up to the minute industry news alongside insightful commentary helps our readers sift through the rumors and developments to find the information they need to keep their businesses moving forward.

Hypebot is read daily by more than 30,000 music industry professionals including executives and senior staff of music related tech firms, internet based music sites, every major label group and most indies as well as many managers, artists and members of the live music community:

Contact us for the latesst stats, ad rates and sponosorship opportunites. We also offer combined rates with MusicThinkTank.
There were still three leaves not found as of Sunday; here's a second set of clues to help hunt them down. 5. (first clue) Little Red can put her hood to use in this beautiful meadow; (second clue) Learn to trot and canter in the Village Beautiful. 10. (first clue) Russian storytellers enter here for their epic roots; (second clue) cross this border for famous turnips 13. (first clue) The legends of George Washington and Humpty Dumpty meet; (second clue) At the NA corner of a fruit and a barrier Extra hint: there is one leaf each in Florida, North Adams, and Williamstown

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  The annual Fall Foliage Leaf Hunt, a traditional and popular feature that kicks off Fall Foliage Festival Week, starts today, Saturday.

This year the committee has revealed that there will be 15 colorful leaves hidden in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, North Adams, Savoy, and Williamstown.

When a leaf is found, it should be brought to the Office of Tourism at North Adams City Hall during normal business hours to claim a prize. One prize per household please. Prizes are generously donated by area businesses including Advanced Auto Parts, Big Y, Boston Sea Foods, Give a Dog a Bath, Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, Mount Williams Greenhouse, Oriental Buffet, Planet Fitness, Tourists, Triple Scoop and Walmart.

Upon finding a hidden leaf, the plastic bag with the yellow or orange leaf should be removed and brought in and the second bag with the green leaf should be left at the site. This way, subsequent hunters will know they correctly solved the clue but someone already claimed the prize-winning leaf.

A second set of clues will be announced in the event of unclaimed leaves. A complete list of winners, locations, and sponsors will be released in October. All leaves should be returned by Oct. 10 to receive a prize.

As always, the leaf committee has included an invisible leaf hunt for homebound residents.

Participants in the invisible hunt are asked to mail a postcard (or card in an envelope) with the number of the clue and the answer/s with their name, address, and phone number or email address, to the Office of Tourism, City Hall, 10 Main St., North Adams, MA 01247.

Only mailed entries will be accepted. In the event of a tie, the earliest postmark will determine the winner. Please submit answers to be received by Oct. 10.

This year's Fall Foliage Festival theme is "Once Upon a Time in North Berkshire" and the first set of clues are:

1. All the storybook characters live here gratis

2. Curl up with a good storybook here

3. Florinda and Roger could apply here for a cauldron permit

4. Home of a misunderstood swan's adoptive dad

5. Little Red can put her hood to use in this beautiful meadow

6. Midas and Aesop's serpent meet here to nosh

7. Not bad, just big

8. Peas sold separately

9. Rapunzel could let her hair down in (old) New Providence

10. Russian storytellers enter here for their epic roots

11. Spiteful stepsibs spiff up to samba

12. Stealing from giants works up an appetite

13. The legends of George Washington and Humpty Dumpty meet

14. The 2nd pig should have shopped here

15. Tumnus' friends' home for industry

Invisible Leaf Hunt (mail-in entries only)

1. These musicians delighted us on accordions, keyboards, and more at community events, nursing homes, and even some bazaars, which was particularly appropriate given their band name.

2. The gingerbread man  and countless Northern Berkshire residents and visitors  might have run, run as fast as they could to this longtime Eagle Street institution, perhaps to get a classic smiley-face cookie?

3. There was one chef for each of the Bill(sville)y Goats Gruff at this beloved brookside restaurant.
On the night of September 23, air defense forces shot down 12 attack drones over the Dnipropetrovsk region. The falling debris from the UAVs damaged a critical infrastructure facility.

ADVERTISIMENT

Civilian facilities were also damaged as a result of the nighttime enemy attack. This was reported by the head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration Serhiy Lysak on Telegram (scroll to the bottom of the page to see the photo).

Two gas stations and a traffic light in the Novooleksandrivka community were damaged. Dry grass also caught fire. Rescuers extinguished the fire at the scene. The RMA clarified that there were no civilian casualties.

At the same time, Russian occupation forces continue terrorizing the Nikopol district with constant shelling. The enemy dropped an explosive from a UAV in Marhanets. Terrorists also struck the Chervonohryhorivka community with heavy artillery.

As a result of the Russians' criminal actions, 10 private houses were damaged. The roof of one of them caught fire.

ADVERTISIMENT

The enemy shelling also damaged 5 outbuildings and a gas pipeline. Fortunately, there were no casualties.

ADVERTISIMENT

On the evening of September 22, Russian terrorists struck Kremenchuk, Poltava region once again. They hit a civilian infrastructure facility. They killed one person and injured 31 others, including three children.

On the night of September 23, Russian terrorist forces attacked Odesa region with Oniks missiles. Two of them hit a recreational area in an open area.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, on September 21, Russia launched Onyx missiles at Odesa region. As a result of another terrorist attack, a recreational infrastructure facility in the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district was damaged. In addition, there are reports of destruction of houses and damaged cars.

Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Healey Appoints Three to Board of Higher Education

BOSTON  Gov. Maura T. Healey appointed Harneen Chernow, Danielle Allen and Christina Royal to serve on the Board of the Department of Higher Education.

Healey also reappointed Chris Gabrieli as chair.

"Equity is at the center of our administration. I'm proud to be appointing members of the Board of Higher Education who share this commitment and will work to expand access to affordable, high quality higher education for every student," said Healey. "Massachusetts has long been a leader in higher education, and I'm confident that under the leadership of Chair Gabrieli and the other board members, we will continue to lengthen our lead and deliver results for the people of Massachusetts."

The Department of Higher Education aims to improve the quality of higher education throughout the state and ensure that Massachusetts residents have the opportunity to benefit from a higher education that enriches their lives and advances their contributions to the civic life and economic development of the state. The high standard held for the state's institutions of higher education allows for a concerted focus on equity, accountability, empowerment, and much more, said the governor. The 13-member board is responsible for defining and maintaining the mission of the Department of Education.

"For the last eight years, I have had the privilege of serving on the board and am grateful to continue because our work is not finished," said Gabrieli. "I am delighted to work with our terrific cohort of fellow board members, our secretary and commissioner and our higher ed leaders and stakeholders who also all believe in making sure our colleges and universities have the tools and innovations they need to serve our students, educate our workforce and build more equitable communities. I look forward to working with my new colleagues and am excited to see what we will accomplish together."

Gabrieli was first appointed in March 2015. He has been the co-founder of several non-profit education innovation and reform initiatives and a lecturer at Harvard's Graduate School of Education. He is also the chairman of theSpringfield Empowerment Zone Partnership, a partnership between the state, district and teacher's union aimed at accelerating innovation and success for students.

Harneen Chernow is a director of the 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds (TEF), a multi-state health-care workforce intermediary providing education and training opportunities to more than 300,000 members in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington D.C. and the state of Florida. Of central importance in her work is TEF's partnership with the public postsecondary education system, in which members complete their degrees and obtain necessary credentials. Chernow's focus and experience is in expanding career advancement and educational opportunities to workers who have been systemically excluded from succeeding in postsecondary education, helping them access family-sustaining jobs and careers.

Danielle Allen is James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University, where she is a professor of political philosophy, ethics, and public policy. She is a seasoned nonprofit leader, advocate for democracy, and was a leading national voice on the pandemic response. She's also an author and a mom. A past chair of the Mellon Foundation and Pulitzer Prize boards, and former dean of humanities at the University of Chicago, Allen continues to serve as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and American Philosophical Society.

Christina Royal is the president of Infinite Unlearning LLC and recently wrapped up her tenure as the fourth president of Holyoke Community College. She headed the college from 2017 to 2023 as its first woman, multi-racial and queer leader. She has served in progressively responsible roles in both higher education, with experience with community college and private four-year institutions, as well as in corporate environments. In her presidency at Holyoke, she led the creation of the college's first strategic plan, which prioritized equity by removing barriers for historically marginalized learners, including people of color, LGBTQ-plus, first generation, adult learners, and students living in poverty. Royal also established the President's Student Emergency Fund, collaboratively transformed the institution's shared governance model, launched El Centro to support Latinx students as a Hispanic Serving Institution, expanded mental health services, and secured the largest philanthropic gift to a community college in Massachusetts, among other notable accomplishments.
Robert and Kathleen Walsh donated a painting by George Hoose to the Fitch-Hoose House museum. The couple saved the painting, which had been gifted to Robert's grandfather by his good friend Hoose. Historical Commission co-Chair Debra Kovacs with the Walshes at the Fitch-Hoose House museum. The small house has been featuring the paintings of George Hoose. PreviousNext

Painting Donated to Historic Fitch-Hoose House



George Hoose's Indian head paintings are thought to be modeled on in-law Samuel Caesar, who claimed to be of native descent and wore a headdress. DALTON, Mass.  A painting by George Hoose was donated to the Fitch-Hoose House museum last week.

George Hoose died in 1977 at age 80. He was a prolific painter and was known for the "Indian Head" painting on Gulf Road that has long since been painted over and weathered away.

The donated painting is believed similar to that lost artwork.

"[The painting] is just one more wonderful piece that helps us be more connected with the Hoose family. It's very exciting," Historical Commission co-Chair Debora Kovacs said.

The painting of an "Indian Head" was donated by Robert and Kathleen Walsh after hearing of the art month the museum is having through September.

Next year, the Historical Commission wants to host a bigger exhibit so it can display more of Hoose's paintings but needs to find a safe way to do it.

This donated painting may be based on one of the Hoose relatives  Samuel Caesar, who married Algernon Hoose's sister Hannah, Kovacs said.

It is believed that Caesar was half Native American and half African American, she said. He can be seen wearing a headdress in some pictures.

According to the Walshes, George Hoose was a lifelong friend of Robert's grandfather Harold Oles Sr.

Hoose and Oles were boyhood friends and shared similar interests in Native Americans and how it all connected with slavery and the Underground Railroad, Kathy Walsh said.

"I'm really not too sure but I understand that it is almost an exact copy of the Indian that was painted on the rock on Gulf Road," she said. "George Hoose must have gotten his inspiration for this painting from the rock because they used to hike up there all the time."

Hoose and Oles enlisted together in World War I and were separated when called up for active duty.

Oles was sent to France, where he was assigned to the artillery, and Hoose made it as far as Connecticut but was never sent overseas because the armistice was signed.

Upon Oles' return, the duo's friendship was back on track, Walsh said. Hoose gifted the painting to Oles around 1976 and it hung in his house on Park Circle Drive in Dalton until his death on June 7, 1985.

The painting was then moved to the basement by his son Harold Oles Jr. (Robert Walsh's uncle), where it stayed until the son's death on Feb. 9, 2007.

While clearing out the basement, somebody in the family discovered the painting and intended on throwing it away but was saved by the Walshes and it hung in their home for close to 10 years.

Since the museum was renovated in 2014, the commission has brought and continues to bring to life its scattered history, Kovacs said during a previous interview, and the museum has reunited members of the Hoose family with their ancestry.

The Historical Commission hopes that as more light is shined on the history of the Hoose family more residents will step forward with stories or items to share with the museum, Commissioner Thomas Snyder said.
Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

New Orleans supply of drinking water has been thrown into crisis due to the threat of saltwater intrusion from the Gulf of Mexico on the rapidly-shrinking Mississippi River.

On Friday, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards announced plans to declare a state of emergency. The US Army Corps of Engineers has also laid out a timeline of when parts of the states southeastern region are expected to be impacted, and is transporting millions of gallons of freshwater to create a mix that is safe for use.

Some parts of Louisiana are already under a boil water advisory. Local governments have set up bottled water distribution centers and patients on dialysis or with kidney failure have been advised to consult with their physician.

The water crisis threatens to reach parts of New Orleans, a city of more than 370,000, by late October.

The Mississippi River is expected to hit record lows for the second, consecutive year and increase the chance of saltwater moving upstream.

Significant rainfall - needed to combat the heavy layer of salt - is not expected for several months, the governor said.

He warned residents against panic-buying of water.

Were being proactive. Were applying best practices and lessons learned from the past, the governor said, according to The Associated Press.

Mr Edwards said he would file an official request with the federal government to get more agencies involved in the response.

New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell has already signed an emergency declaration, while the citys sewage board is analysing lead pipes throughout the city.

Mr Edwards said the emergency is just one of the climate-related challenges that Louisiana has experienced this year  as health authorities continue to grapple with a prolonged drought and above-average heat.

The Mississippi River is expected to hit record lows for the second, consecutive year. Without significant rainfall in the following week, saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico flowing upriver is expected to affect drinking water for several regions in southeastern Louisiana (AP)

Residents in Lower Plaquemines Parish have been warned against using their tap water and bottled water is being distributed to the community.

Belle Chasse, St Bernard, Algiers, Gretna, West Jefferson, Carrollton and East Jefferson are expected to be impacted by October.

The Army Corps of Engineers is finishing a 25-foot underwater levee in the Mississippi in an attempt to prevent saltwater from contaminating drinking supplies.

The purpose of the levee is to increase water flow that will then push the saltwater back to the gulf.

The Army Corps of Engineers is finishing a 25-foot underwater levee in the Mississippi in an attempt to prevent saltwater from contaminating drinking supplies (AP)

We are going to create a wall of mud to bring that depth up and what that will do is allow the fresh water to continue moving downward but it will impede the progress of the saltwater upriver, Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett told CNN.

We are looking to have our initial capacity to transport approximately 15 million gallons of water next week and we will continue to increase capacity as the conditions continue, Col Jones said, according to WWL-TV.
More than 30 combat engagements between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and the Russian occupiers took place at the frontline in Ukraine over the past day. Ukraine's soldiers continue defensive actions in the east and south of the country, as well as offensive ones in the Melitopol and Bakhmut directions.

ADVERTISIMENT

This is stated in the morning report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook on September 23. It is also noted that our defenders continue counter-battery fighting in the Kherson direction, destroying supply depots and successfully striking the enemy's rear.

The news is being updated...
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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

AlphaTauri will retain Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo for the 2024 Formula 1 season.

Red Bulls sister team had a difficult choice between the duo and Liam Lawson, who has impressed filling in for the injured Ricciardo in the last three races.

But the New Zealander will return to Red Bull in a reserve role - with Ricciardos full-time return to F1 confirmed.

Tsunoda, competing at his home race in Japan this weekend, will race with the Faenza outfit for a fourth consecutive season.

Eight-time race winner Ricciardo replaced the axed Nyck de Vries after 10 races this season before injuring his hand in Zandvoort.

It remains to be seen whether Ricciardo will return in Qatar in two weeks time - if so, this weekend at Suzuka would be Lawsons final race for the team.

The 21-year-old achieved the teams best-finish with ninth at last Sundays Singapore Grand Prix.

Tsunoda qualified ninth at his home race on Sunday, with Lawson just missing out on Q3 in 11th.
Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The Princess of Waless royal milliner has created an adorable calendar filled with dogs wearing hats to raise funds for pet shelters.

Awon Golding is the famous milliner behind hats that have been worn by the likes of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle as well as celebrities such as Lady Gaga. Recently, Golding revealed the sixth edition of the Haute Dogs calendar.

The cute calendar notably features a different rescue dog for each month of the year, each one sporting dog-sized couture hats designed by Golding as well as other notable milliners like Rachel Trevor-Morgan, Liz Crossman, Grainne Maher, and Jessica Broas. The milliner told People, All the dogs featured have been saved from certain death.

She added to the outlet, This calendar is showing the world that these needy dogs make gorgeous best friends and family pets  so many are still trying to find their forever homes.

Ms Golding said that each year proceeds go to a different organisation.

This year, proceeds will go to Harbin SHS Animal Rescue, a US-registered non-profit organisation. The operation is run by a small group of volunteers in China who have given over 4,000 rescue dogs forever homes in the US alone. The funds will directly support veterinary treatment for dogs under Harbin SHS care.

After witnessing a surge in both animal neglect and abuse in Harbin - a city in Northeast China where the illegal dog meat trade claims the lives of many pups - in 2016, founders Emily, Hayley, and Aimee gave up their day jobs to start the organisation. Theyve dedicated their efforts to preventing as many dogs as possible from being sent to the slaughterhouse.

The calendar is modelled by dogs that were saved by the charity including an adorable corgi named Alys, who can be seen wearing Trevor-Morgans jaunty English straw boater inspired by the prestigious annual rowing gala, Henley Regatta. Harbin SHS reportedly rescued Alys from a meat truck and nursed them back to health before they were adopted by a family in the United Kingdom.

In 2018, after she began trying hats on her beloved rescue dog, Stevie, Ms Golding was inspired to start the charity project that raised awareness and funds for rescue dogs like her own.

The calendar has since raised more than $85,000 for international dog rescue charities and Ms Golding said that she hopes that the organisation will be able to raise another $12,000 with the 2024 edition.

Ms Golding is known for running her own eponymous label, famous for its contemporary and whimsical creations, making her designs not only a crowd-pleaser but a favourite among the royals.

On Christmas Day in 2018, the Duchess of Sussex notably donned a blue and black feathered beret. Meanwhile, at Prince Philips memorial service last year, the Princess of Wales opted for a wide-brimmed hat from the designer. She also sported another Golden design - a blue pillbox-inspired hat - during Easter celebrations in April.

Calendars are available on the projects website and can be shipped worldwide.
Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Keith Richards multiple extended families all love each other, the 79-year-old rock star has said in a new interview.

Richards also described shedding some of his vices, including heroin and cocaine, over the years as he embraces a life of near-sobriety  calling it a unique experience.

Earlier this month, Richards joined bandmates Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood as they paid tribute to late drummer Charlie Watts at the launch of The Rolling Stones forthcoming album Hackney Diamonds in east London.

Ahead of the release of the eagerly anticipated record, Richards spoke to The Telegraph about his relationships with his many children and grandchildren, the fascinating process of ageing, and giving up the alcoholic beverage he ominously calls Nuclear Waste.

Richards has been married to former model and actor Patti Hansen, 67, for nearly 40 years. The couple share two children, daughters Theodora, 38, and Alexandra, 37.

Before his marriage to Hansen, the legendary guitarist was in a 13-year relationship with Rolling Stones muse and It Girl of the Seventies, the late German-Italian model Anita Pallenberg.

They welcomed three children during that time, Marlon, now 54, and Dandelion Angela, who turned 51 in April. Their third child, a son Tara Jo Jo Gunne, tragically died from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in 1975, when he was just two months old.

Marlon, a gallery curator and photographer, and his wife Lucie Richards have three children, including model Ella Richards, 26.

On the subject of family life, Richards told the newspaper: I love my families. I have several  extended. And they all love each other.

Elsewhere, the musician said he was embracing a healthier way of living; Richards said he hasnt touched a cigarette since 2019, gave up heroin in 1978 and then cocaine in 2006.

I still like a drink occasionally  because Im not going to heaven any time soon  but apart from that, Im trying to enjoy being straight. Its a unique experience for me, he said.

However, Richards drink of choice is now no longer what he dubs Nuclear Waste, a blend of vodka and orange soda that he was frequently seen sipping during earlier interviews.

Despite the years of substance abuse, Richards said that he is blessed to be healthy as he approaches his eighties.

Im blessed, maybe, that physically this thing just keeps going, he said, during the interview. So far, I have no real problem with getting old. There are some horrific things that you can see in the future, but youve got to get there.

Richards continued: Im getting along with the idea of being 80, and still walking, still talking. I find [ageing] a fascinating process...

The Rolling Stones new album Hackney Diamonds will be released on 20 October.
Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

After a suprise September heatwave in the UK, when temperatures rose as high as 33.5C, autumn has now officially set in.

The change in seasons is the result of the autumn equinox, which arrives this year on Saturday 23 September.

What is the autumn equinox and why does it happen?

The autumn equinox always takes place in September, either falling on the 22nd or 23rd day of the month.

An equinox occurs twice in the year when the sun "sits right above Earths Equator", National Geographic states.

The Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, explains that the Earth, which tilts on its axis, orbits the sun.

As it orbits the sun, the sun illuminates the northern or southern hemisphere more depending on where the Earth is along its orbit, the museum states.

However, at two points in the year the sun will illuminate the northern and southern hemispheres equally. These are known as the equinoxes.

This also means that, in the northern hemisphere when autumn officially begins, spring is commencing in the southern hemisphere at the same time.

Encyclopdia Britannica adds that the autumn equinox in the northern hemisphere marks just one of two times of the year when the sun is exactly above the Equator and day and night are of equal length.

The autumn season lasts until winter, which begins this year in the northern hemipshere on 21 December.

When is the spring equinox?

The spring equinox in the northern hemisphere is the second of the two times of the year when day and night are of equal length.

The 2024 spring equinox, marking the official start of spring, will take place on Monday 20 March.
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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A man has been taken to hospital after being bitten by a suspected American XL bully dog in a south London park.

The victim, in 40s, was attacked in Pasley Park, Walworth, shortly after 6pm on Friday and was taken to hospital suffering injuries to his arm, the Metropolitan Police said.

The owner of the dog left the scene with the dog before officers arrived, a Met spokesperson added.

The dog is believed to have been a grey-coloured XL bully.

Police are investigating and no arrests have been made.

Writer and lawyer Ness Lyons said the attack happened in her local park.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, she said: Earlier this evening an XL bully jumped a fence and attacked a man in my local park. Partially witnessed by my son.

Man was bitten badly in several places including his abdomen.

Police and ambulance came, but it took an hour. Horrifying.

The owner grabbed his dog and legged it.

Elsewhere, demonstrators rallied in central London on Saturday in opposition to the Prime Ministers proposed American bully XL ban.

They clutched placards with messages such as dont bully our bullies and chanted save our bullies, while on person was pictured wearing a T-shirt which said muzzle Rishi Sunak dont bully our breed.

Mr Sunak has promised to ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act by the end of the year in response to a series of attacks, but owners of are not expected to face a cull of their pets.

On Monday, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said a transition period would be introduced, with details likely to follow a consultation on the plan.

Owners could face a requirement to neuter their dogs and muzzle them in public, the Governments chief vet has suggested.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman on Monday said: We will need to safely manage the existing population of these dogs. Exactly what that looks like will be a topic for the consultation.

And there will need to be some sort of transition period.
Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The economy and the royal family are among the topics leading Saturdays papers.

The Financial Times reports Chancellor Jeremy Hunt plans Novembers Autumn Statement to simplify a complex landscape for Brits wanting to see more cash in their savings accounts.

The Times leads with former premiers Boris Johnson and David Cameron reportedly intervening in the Governments plans to scale back HS2.

Elsewhere, The Sun claims the Duke of Sussex rejected an offer to spend the anniversary of the Queens death at Balmoral.

The Daily Star lambasts the King for using a private jet as he warned of the existential threat of climate change.

The Guardian reports the Government is considering legislation banning people born after 2009 from purchasing cigarettes.

Senior civil servants have warned of a woke takeover of Whitehall, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The Daily Mail dedicates its front page to the story of a 19-vear-old Brit condemned to die in secret by the NHS.

The Independent says Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer held secret Brexit talks with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The i reports secret talks have also been held between the UK and Russia over avoiding a nuclear clash and food crisis.

And an FBI instructor has told the Daily Mirror an actor who fell to his death after a row with Pete Doherty was thrown over the balcony.
Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Protestors against the UKs exit from the European Union have labelled the move a huge mistake as they campaigned to re-join the bloc.

A large crowd of pro-EU protestors gathered outside the Hilton hotel on Park Lane in west London for the National Rejoin March (NRM) on Saturday.

Hundreds of people dressed in blue clothing and carrying EU flags filled the pavement ahead of the march through the citys streets, which was due to culminate with a rally at Parliament Square.

Clusters of Metropolitan Police officers were at the scene as protestors handed out flyers and passing cars beeped their horns in support.

The UK voted to leave the European Union in a referendum in June 2016, called by then-Prime Minister David Cameron.

Peter Corr, leader and co-founder of NRM, said he decided to organise the march as it felt like everyone had given up on the cause.

Mr Corr, a lorry driver from Derby, told the PA news agency: Brexit was a huge mistake, were all  especially working class and poorer people  paying for it and we need to do something about it.

He said 60% of the country, and 80% of people aged under 25, consistently say they would rejoin the EU in polls, adding: I hate racism and xenophobia and thats just what a big part of that Vote Leave campaign really felt like to me.

Ceira Sergeant, 21, from Walton in Liverpool, one of speakers at the rally, said: I was only 14 when the referendum happened, so there was a huge amount of my peers who never got the chance to have their voices heard.

Protestors held up placards before the march expressing their discontent with leaving the EU, including The road to rejoin the EU starts here, and Rejoin, Rejoice.

Another sign read: Tories out, migrants welcome  Rejoin the EU.

Individuals groups from across the country, including Devon, Cornwall and Stratford, were present with personalised placards.

Protestors from other European countries also attended the event with many wearing EU-styled berets.

Representatives of the Green Party also displayed a banner in solidarity of the protests.

Terry Reintke, member of European Parliament from Germany and co-chair of the Green Group in the parliament, said Europeans see events like the march with a lot of sympathy and that the UK is viewed as an absolutely integral partner.

She said: The UK has managed to build one of the biggest pro-European movements across Europe, and we can still feel there are so many millions of people in the UK who want to rejoin the EU.

Asked whether there had been discussions in European Parliament about the UKs possible return, Ms Reintke said: If there was a willingness to rejoin, our door would be open.

Lisa Burton, 53, from Rhonda Valley in Wales, now lives in Lanzarote, Spain and is vice chair of campaigning group Bremain in Spain.

She said: Its just becoming evident of the damages of Brexit  every sector is suffering.

Were British immigrants living in the EU who took advantage of the freedom of movement, and I feel British people have a very warped image of what that is  they think its only inward.

We think that sticking plasters over Brexit is never going to be enough, Ms Burton added.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Armed police officers have handed in their weapons over the charging of a colleague with the murder of a Black expectant father.

Chris Kaba, 24, died after he was shot in the head through the windscreen of a car he was driving in Streatham Hill, south east London, in September 2022.

This month, a firearms officer was charged with his murder, and appeared - identified only as NX121 - at Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Scotland Yard confirmed a number of the officers colleagues had stepped back from armed duties in fear over how future police shootings were judged by the Crown Prosecution Service.

At least 100 officers have handed in their firearms passes, according to the BBC.

It comes after Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who has met and spoken to 70 firearms officers since the murder charge, said officers were feeling anxious over how split-second decisions might be assessed years after the event.

A Met Police spokesperson said: Senior officers, including the Commissioner, have been meeting with firearms officers in recent days as they reflect on the CPS decision to charge NX121 with murder.

Many are worried about how the decision impacts on them, on their colleagues and on their families. They are concerned that it signals a shift in the way the decisions they take in the most challenging circumstances will be judged.

A number of officers have taken the decision to step back from armed duties while they consider their position. We are in ongoing discussions with those officers to support them and to fully understand the genuinely held concerns that they have.

The police shooting of Chris Kaba has sparked protests by campaigners (Left Unity/PA) (PA Media)

The spokesman added: The Met has a significant firearms capability and we continue to have armed response teams deployed in communities across London to keep the public safe.

Following a meeting with armed officers on Friday, Sir Rowley said: They were understandably anxious as they consider how others may assess their split second decisions years after the event, with the luxury of as much time as they want to do this, and the effect this can have on them and their families.

As I continue my work today, our firearms officers are on patrol deployed on proactive crime and counter terrorism operations as they are every day.

Chris Kaba died after he was shot through an Audi car windscreen (Inquest/PA) (PA Media)

They are not only prepared to confront the armed and dangerous to protect Londons communities but they do so recognising the uniquely intense and lengthy personal accountability they will face for their split-second operational decisions.

Indeed, I understand why many of them are reflecting on the potential price of such weighty responsibilities. Bravery comes in many forms.

When officers have the levels of uncertainty and worry I saw in my colleagues today, simply going in and doing their jobs not knowing what incidents are ahead of them is courageous.

District Judge Nina Tempia granted an order for anonymity for the firearms officer charged with Mr Kabas murder.

At the second hearing at Central Criminal Court on Thursday afternoon, the Recorder of London Mark Lucraft KC said he would consider the anonymity applications next on September 29.

He also granted the defendant, who spoke only to confirm his identity as officer NX121, conditional bail. The defendant was told he must sleep and live at a specified address, surrender his passport and not apply for any international travel documents.

A plea and trial preparation hearing was scheduled for December 1, with a provisional trial date set for 9 September next year.
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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Police are looking for the owner of a suspected XL Bully after a man was attacked in a London park.

The victim was rushed to hospital after sustaining injuries to his arm in Pasley Park, between Oval and Walworth in the south of the city, at around 6pm on Friday. There have been no arrests so far as officers appeal to find the owner.

XL Bully dogs are currently under the spotlight after Rishi Sunak announced last week the breed would be banned in the UK by the end of the year following a spate of horrific attacks.

Police were called by LAS (London Ambulance Service) at 18.07hrs on Friday, 22 September to Pasley Park SE17 after a man, aged in his 40s, was bitten by a dog, the Met said in a statement. He was taken to hospital with injuries to his arm.

Have you been affected by this story? If so email eleanor.noyce@independent.co.uk

The owner of the dog left the scene with the dog prior to police arrival, it added. The dog is believed to be a grey-coloured XL Bully. There have been no arrests; enquiries are ongoing.

In 2023, over a third of recorded dog attacks - 341 out of 841- were by American Bully breeds including the Bully XL, according to campaign group Bully Watch.

Hundreds of XL Bully owners joined a protest against a planned ban (PA)

Announcing the planned ban, Mr Sunak said: The American XL bully dog is a danger to our communities, particularly our children.

I share the nations horror at the recent videos weve all seen. Yesterday we saw another suspected XL bully dog attack, which has tragically led to a fatality.

It is not currently a breed defined in law, so this vital first step must happen fast. It is clear this is not about a handful of badly trained dogs, its a pattern of behaviour and it cannot go on.

Rishi Sunak announced the plan last week (PA)

Hundreds of XL Bully owners joined a protest on Saturday opposing the ban, with another due to take place in Birmingham on 30 September.

It comes as dog shelters say they have been flooded with XL Bully dogs as panicked owners try to get rid of them before a ban comes into force.

The Large Breed Dog Rescue in Greenhithe, Kent, said it turned down 25 American XL Bullies in the past week and urged people not to panic.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A major Conservative Party donor has threatened to switch his allegiance to Labour over the madness of Rishi Sunaks net zero U-turn.

Billionaire John Caudwell was the Tory partys largest donor before the last election, but he has now said there is no chance whatsoever that he will support Mr Sunak after the changes the prime minister made on an array of green policies earlier this week.

In 2019, the founder of mobile phone retailer Phones4U, which went into administration in 2014, gave 500,000 to the party. According to the Sunday Times Rich List 2022, Mr Caudwell is worth 1.58bn, and he was ranked 984th on the Forbes 2022 list of the worlds billionaires, which listed his net worth as $2.8bn.

John Caudwell, the billionaire founder of Phones 4U, says he was beyond shocked at the PMs reversal on green reforms (Getty)

This week, Mr Sunak jettisoned an extensive list of net zero pledges, delaying a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars until 2035 and diluting targets for the phasing out of gas boilers.

He announced that the UK will stick by its net zero commitment, but rolled back planned measures designed to keep the country on track to meet its climate goals by 2050. Mr Sunak argued that the policies imposed unacceptable costs on ordinary people, though climate experts have strongly rejected that claim.

The prime minister was widely mocked for axeing policies that did not actually exist  such as a theoretical new tax on meat and compulsory car-sharing.

In The Sunday Times, Mr Caudwell said he was beyond shocked at the madness of Mr Sunaks reversal on green reforms that had been introduced by former prime minister Boris Johnson.

If Rishi sticks to this, would I donate to the Conservative Party? Absolutely not, he said. No chance whatsoever with the decisions they are making at the moment.

Would I switch to Labour? The answer to that is very simple: I will support any party that I believe will do the right thing for Britain going forward.

Earlier this week, Rishi Sunak jettisoned an extensive list of net zero pledges (AFP/Getty)

The billionaire said he was horrified by the changes Mr Sunak has made to the Tory partys green policies, remarking that the decision moves the Conservatives back a long way.

Whatever chance they had of winning the next election, this moves them backwards, he said. It shows inconsistency. It shows lack of determination. Its depressing.

Mr Caudwell said he had been extremely disappointed by the management of the Conservative Party over the past four years, but had been prompted to speak out following Mr Sunaks net zero statement.

The biggest problem that we face is the environment and climate change, he told Sky News. He said that delaying the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars to 2035 meant there was a risk that it would already be too late.

It is a devastating mistake, because we might already be past the tipping point, he said.
The 247th Guards Air Assault Regiment of the Russian aggressor country's Airborne Forces lost three commanders during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Two of them were killed and one resigned.

ADVERTISIMENT

British intelligence drew attention to this. The report was published on September 23 on the Twitter account of the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The ministry called the 247th Airborne Regiment one of the most prestigious regiments in Russia. It is actively involved in a criminal unprovoked war against Ukraine.

In early September 2023, the commander of the 247th Airborne Regiment, Colonel Vasily Popov, was probably killed on the southern front line (Orikhiv direction, Zaporizhzhia region).

According to media reports, only a few weeks earlier, in August 2023, his predecessor, Colonel Petr Popov, scandalously resigned from his post. Several Russian sources wrote that the occupier protested the inability of the "second army of the world" to return the bodies of the dead invaders.

ADVERTISIMENT

Ex-commander of the 247th Air Assault Regiment, Colonel Konstantin Zizevsky, was killed near Mykolaiv in the first weeks of the war.

It is known that he was born on 12.12.1984 in Pskov (Russia). He graduated from the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School and the Academy of the Armed Forces of the terrorist country. He commanded this regiment since 2020. The funeral took place on March 6, 2022.

"The experience of the 247th Regiment highlights the extreme exhaustion and high turnover of the Russian armed forces, even among relatively senior ranks," the British intelligence concluded.

ADVERTISIMENT

The 247th Airborne Division is part of the 7th Guards Air Assault Division of the Russian Federation. It is stationed in Stavropol.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported:

- Over the past day (September 22), the Ukrainian Defense Forces eliminated 510 Russian servicemen. The number of Russian losses in manpower for the entire period of the full-scale war is estimated at 275,460.

- To find out how much military equipment the aggressor country's army has lost, read the statistics of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Only verified information on our Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A wealthy couple are locked in a court row with their devious little sod of a nephew over claims he stole their 4m house in a celebrity millionaires row.

Michael Lee, 79, and his wife King-Su Huang, 73, became neighbours to Chariots of Fire producer Sir David Puttnam when they bought a three-bedroom home in a mews in Kensington, west London, near the Royal Albert Hall.

But the house was bought in the name of their very close nephew, Cheng-Jen Ku, and now the couple are fighting a bitter court battle over who is the true owner.

Ms King is suing her nephew  backed by her husband as a key witness  claiming that she was always the rightful owner.

Mr Cheng, however, insists the house is his because his aunt gifted it to him  a claim blasted as piffle by Mr Lee as the case began at Central London County Court.

Mr Lee told Judge Alan Johns KC that his nephew had gone from being a cute little kid, nicknamed Trouble, to mean and nasty in adulthood.

He is trying to steal our house because he has turned out to be a devious little sod and thats why were in court, he said.

Mr Lee, who became a millionaire through an Essex-based electronics company, told the court it had always been his dream to own a mews house.

(Champion News)

The property in Queens Gate Place Mews, also near the Natural History Museum, dating to 1866-1869, is accessed through a Grade-II Listed archway.

Mr Lee said his wife handed their nephew 1.57m to buy the house in his name, explaining that, because they already owned a string of properties he didnt want them all to be in the couples names.

The house is now worth more than twice the price paid. Mr Cheng became its registered owner, coming and going as he pleased and with his own keys. He and his aunt and uncle had a room there.

(Champion News)

Ms Kings barrister, Rupert Cohen, told the judge the couple insisted that there had been a clear understanding that, despite being in their nephews name, she was the true owner, with her nephew holding it on trust for her.

[Ms King] claims that she and her nephew agreed, prior to the purchase of the property, that the property be registered in his name, but that the beneficial interest would be hers, and she provided the entire purchase price of the property, he said.

But Mr Chengs barrister, Scott Redpath, claimed the clear intention was to give this property to him.

Mr Cheng maintains that the house was a gift from his beloved aunt in line with Taiwanese custom, although conceding she may still have rights to a minority stake in the property.

(Champion News)

Part of the logic in gifting him the mews house was to preserve the family wealth, Mr Cheng claims, following a cultural expectation that, if gifted a property, he will maintain it for the wider family importance.

Mr Cheng insists he was unwell when he initially agreed to sign over his property.

Mr Lee said when he first encountered his nephew as a spirited five-year-old Trouble had been an affectionate nickname, but he said: He was quite a cute little kid back then, its only now that hes turned mean and nasty.

Although he claims the property was gifted to him, Mr Cheng accepts that the court could find that his aunt has a small stake in it, given their shared use of it over the years.

The case continues and the judge is expected to reserve his ruling until a later date.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Cruel puppy-smuggling gangs are hiring swanky short-term lets such as Airbnbs to trick buyers into thinking the pets have come from clean and loving homes, according to the RSPCA.

The animal-welfare charity claims the tactic is increasingly being used by large, organised criminal gangs when selling dogs from puppy farms, places where numerous dogs are continually bred and often kept in poor conditions.

Airbnb has responded by saying it has not seen any evidence to support these claims.

The popularity of cavapoo puppies has soared (Getty Images)

However, RSPCA inspector Kirsty Withnall said: We have been seeing this for the past few years. Some of the bigger, more organised gangs have done this. It is very devious. Its not common but we do come across it.

The criminals tend to use one property per litter, so when that litter has gone, they move onto another property.

The tactics are helping criminals make huge amounts of money through the smuggling and selling of fashionable breeds such as cavapoos and cockapoodles, says the RSPCA.

This year, the government scrapped a planned new law that would have banned live exports and cracked down on puppy smuggling, to the dismay of animal-welfare campaigners.

Puppy farms in countries such as Romania and Poland breed dogs for sale, often in squalid conditions, and then separate them from their mothers while too young to travel, meaning their immune systems cannot withstand infections, says the RSPCA.

The charity says that pups are then issued with fake vaccination certificates, but often fall ill soon after being sold to unsuspecting UK buyers. Its even feared that the lack of vaccinations could allow rabies to return to the UK.

The group says that the property owners and letting companies of the short-let homes used are unaware of what is happening.

In 2021, the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals seized eight puppies from a property listed on Airbnb in Glasgow. The owner had unknowingly rented their premises to unscrupulous dealers.

Four of the animals died with health issues such as parvovirus  a fatal dog virus.

After buying from puppy farms, owners can be left heartbroken when their new pet turns out to be dangerously ill or even dies. They can also have to pay huge bills for emergency treatment.

An Airbnb spokesperson said: We have not seen any evidence to support these claims. Airbnb is committed to animal welfare, and we partner with World Animal Protection to provide expertise and consult on our policies.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A farmer is murdered; a seven-year-old girl lies in hospital dangerously ill, delirious and racked with fever, and a hidden cargo of high-value puppies is discovered inside a lorry from Poland. As two farms come under suspicion, tests confirm rabies is back in Britain.

Step forward Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, the reliable Brighton-based cop played by John Simm in the televised ITV series, to uncover whats going on.

In his latest door-stopping novel, thriller writer Peter James immerses Grace in the real-life horrors of puppy farming and dog-smuggling  a deadly trade that causes human and animal misery alike.

Peter James and Spooky (Peter James)

The profits that organised crime gangs are making from it can outstrip even those of drug dealers, reaching an eye-watering 50,000 a week, according to the RSPCA.

Dealers cash in on the craze for breeds such as cockapoos, whose popularity has soared thanks to their cute looks and various celebrities flaunting them as designer accessories.

Pre-pandemic, popular types of puppy sold for between 500 and 2,000, but now prices start at around 1,500 and can run up to 5,000 for breeds such as miniature dachshunds. Last year French bulldogs with sought-after colouring sold for 3,500.

With such prices, ruthless breeders and dealers dont care about the risk of bringing rabies back into the UK, which apart from an isolated case in 2012, has been free of the disease for a century.

James, who has often gone out with Sussex Police to research each of his 19 Grace novels, tells The Independent: Rabies is a big fear of the RSPCA and the medical world.

Dogs are being smuggled from Romania, which has the highest incidence of rabies in Europe. Theyre coming in with fake vaccination certificates so its almost just a matter of time before rabies comes back into England if this trade isnt stamped on.

Nearly 100 puppies were hidden behind straw bales in a lorry at Holyhead Port in 2016 (RSPCA)

The puppy-smuggling model works on a churn basis: animals are bred abroad, often in Ireland, Romania, the Czech Republic and Poland, then taken from their mothers when they are still too young to be separated  as little as two weeks  and shipped en masse, hidden in cramped, sometimes filthy cages, in lorries or car boots with insufficient food or water, often for journeys lasting several days.

The animals immune systems are poor and they have not had vital vaccinations against disease. By law, they should be 15 weeks old before they may be transported. It leaves them seriously ill, often suffering from a fatal virus called parvovirus that kills them within days or weeks.

Some unscrupulous dealers are now hiring properties short-term to trick buyers into thinking the dogs come from good homes.

The RSPCA says it is highly likely that a large proportion of the English puppy market is provided by unlicensed breeders or imported puppies, especially after a lockdown surge in demand, when its thought as many as 87,000 could have been smuggled into the country.

Puppies smuggled in a lorry at Holyhead port (RSPCA)

James says: I had a catch-up meeting with the Chief Constable, who said one of the big issues they have is the black market in puppies and adult dogs.

I was appalled at the concept of it. The RSPCA in Sussex were very excited I was going to be tackling this and they showed me hours of footage of illegal puppy farming and dogs being smuggled in from Romania and Poland.

If these dealers are caught, their sentences are pathetic.

Earlier this year the government dropped the Kept Animals Bill, which would have reduced the scope for puppy-smuggling.

As part of his research for the novel, James posed as a customer and rang two breeders he was certain were involved in smuggling and asked questions. In both cases, as I started probing they hung up on me, he says.

The RSPCA has found that some of the most unscrupulous breeders are hiring Airbnb properties to make buyers think they are adopting a dog from a good home.

Like lots of things in life, people want to pay and have the puppy instantly RSPCA Inspector Kirsty Withnall

Kirsty Withnall, a specialist with the charity  who features in Jamess novel under her real name  says buyers should look out for giveaway clues, such as a house thats too tidy.

Buyers have said the place looked a bit sparse, without many family photos. Typically the wife and kids are sitting awkwardly on show, whereas in their own home the kids would be sprawling around, she says.

Or else people will meet the seller in a layby. Like lots of things in life, people want to pay and have the puppy instantly. Or they take their kids, who fall in love with the animal so they cant leave without it, even if they think its a bit dodgy.

The sellers then change their mobile numbers and cant be contacted, only for the new family pet  which was too sick to survive  to die within weeks or days or even the same day.

Cockapoos and labradoodles - anything crossed with a poodle is fashionable. They dont shed hair but we find quite a lot of behavioural problems with them, Ms Withnall says.

Upsettingly, gangs dont care about the dogs welfare  all they care about is duping people to make money.

Kirsty Withnall adopted a dog called Ozzie who came from a puppy farm (Kirsty Withnall / RSPCA )

Some of the conditions weve found have been dreadful  filthy, often at the back of a house but owners bring the dog into the house just to sell it.

The puppies may die within days of people buying them or even on the same day.

In Stop Them Dead, the girls family buy an adorable-looking puppy from a seller in a pub car park, but a scratch on her nose from the animal spells trouble, and both pup and girl steadily fall ever more unwell.

James, who with his wife has just over 100 animals, including chickens and rabbits as well as cats and dogs, at their Jersey home, is anguished by the conditions to which smuggled puppies are subjected.

These people arent spending money on vet bills or injections. And buyers are paying out often thousands of pounds on a dog thats possibly at best got hip dysplasia or at worst parvovirus and wont survive. Its heartbreaking.

They are put into something like a concentration camp  concrete buildings with faeces on the floor, and just left there until theyre sold - its horrific.

And its no coincidence that most of his villains are people who dont like dogs, he says.

Labradoodle puppies have experienced a surge in popularity (AFP via Getty Images)

Over the years Ive written about many issues that often Sussex Police or the Met [Scotland Yard] have asked me to highlight  such as human organ trafficking and internet romance fraud  which was a direct request from Sussex Police to do as a warning. But Ive written this novel as an out-and-out thriller.

It starts with a struggling farmer and his wife being woken up at 2am by a break-in at a barn where they have a litter of puppies and he ends up dying in a pool of blood.

He says he tried not to depict anything too horrific that would distress a dog lover but to expose the horrors of rogue breeders and smugglers who profit from misery.

All crime writers deal with dark subjects but I try to deal with it in an enjoyable and entertaining way. Theres a fine line between horror and humour. Were all fascinated by the criminal world, he says.

He is appalled that most police forces have so few rural crimes officers - in some cases just two - after budget cuts under Theresa May. Dog-smuggling is part of a wider problem of dog theft, he warns.

People think theyre safe if they chip their dog, but a rural crimes officer showed me how criminals can put a chip in over the top. If that dog goes to a vet thats what the vet reads.

Sussex Police say they work with the RSPCA and Trading Standards to tackle dog theft and puppy farming. Superintendent Steve Biglands, head of the forces rural crime team, says: It is known that those who prey on dog owners operate in elaborate criminal networks within which dogs can be quickly and secretively moved around the country. By working with other agencies to share information we are able to close the gap and target these criminals more effectively.

Very often these are criminals with multiple criminal enterprises from burglary and acquisitive crime to road traffic offences, poaching and wildlife crime. By targeting some of these other offences, opportunities are presented to disrupt the dog thefts too. We collaborate with other police forces in the region to share information and target these criminals.

Fans of the Grace novels will be intrigued by Jamess next novel, They Thought I was Dead  the story of his adored wife Sandy, who vanished nine years before the crime series started.

Stop Them Dead is published this week, and They Thought I was Dead will be out in May.
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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Detectives are appealing for witnesses and information after a 19-year-old was stabbed to death in south-east London.

The teenager was injured in Jubilee Park, close to Tent Peg Lane in Petts Wood, at about 2.30pm on Wednesday.

An air ambulance was called, but he died at the scene.

His family has been told, but he is yet to be named by police.

A post-mortem examination on Friday gave his cause of death as a stab wound to the heart.

Detective Chief Inspector Laura Semple said: This investigation continues at pace and we are making progress in piecing together the events that led to this young man losing his life.

However, we need the help of the public.

I would ask anyone who was in the park area and who saw the events leading up to this attack to come forward and speak to police.

I am especially keen to hear from people who may have captured events on camera or taken images that could assist our work.

She said anyone with relevant footage or images can uploaded them at Public Portal (mipp.police.uk).

Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101 quoting reference CAD 3972/20Sep.

To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Thousands of Remainers flooded central London with a sea of blue flags and yellow stars as they demanded the country overturn the 2016 Referendum result and rejoin the EU.

A large crowd of pro-EU protestors gathered in Parliament Square for the National Rejoin March (NRM) on Saturday. Former Belgian PM Guy Verhofstadt and Remainer Queen Gina Miller united to lead the march before addressing the large gathering.

Peter Corr, leader and co-founder of NRM, said he decided to organise the march as it felt like everyone had given up on the cause.

Protesters marched from Hyde Park to Palace of Westminster in central London (AFP/Getty)

European MP and former Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt (3rdL) and anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller (2ndL) take part in a rally calling for the UK to rejoin the EU (AFP/Getty)

Mr Corr, a lorry driver from Derby, said: Brexit was a huge mistake, were all  especially working class and poorer people  paying for it and we need to do something about it.

He said 60 per cent of the country, and 80 per cent of people aged under 25, consistently say they would rejoin the EU in polls, adding: I hate racism and xenophobia and thats just what a big part of that Vote Leave campaign really felt like to me.

Supporters donned EU flags, facepaint, berets and in the case of one group, staged an interpretive dance routine as they were headed from west London to the heart of government.

There were flashes of confrontation as pro-EU activists were heckled by protesters out in London to oppose Sadiq Khans expansion of Ulez and to oppose Rishi Sunaks planned ban on XL Bully dogs.

Brexit critic Gareth Kearns, 53, said one driver had given the crowd nearing a thousand strong the finger as he rounded Hyde Park Corner.

Another guy shouted youre wasting your time, he told The Independent. Firstly, if youre practising democracy its never a waste of time.

Secondly dont you have a different argument against us? They cant. They have got nothing.

Protesters claimed Brexit had broken British politics (PA)

Fellow protester Madeleina Kay, 29, said the country took a darker turn after the Brexit referendum.

The winner of the Young European of the Year 2018 told The Independent: I was very disappointed I thought it was a different country. But the only people Im angry at are the politicians because they lied to us.

Theyve let everybody down and we can see the consequences of that now, the cost of living crisis and they have taken rights away from us.

Rejoining is going to be a long campaign but the younger people voted Remain and that is the future.

Anne Iacovazzo was among the pro-EU crowd (Barney Davis/The Independent)

Anne Iacovazzo, 62, is a mother of two children who were born in France and raised in the UK. She is particularly concerned about the impact of pollution and believes regulation would be tighter in the EU.

She said: Pollution is just one of the reasons Im here there are so many. Im married to an Italian so my kids have an Italian passport but their friends do not.

The government let water companies dump sewage because of the supply chain crisis.

The EU rules wouldnt allow that. We have more pesticides we arent testing meat coming from Brazil. Ive stopped eating meat completely now to avoid it.

Eric Stoch was painted head to toe in blue body paint for the march (Barney Davis)

The enthusiastic and colourful crowd saw a wide range of ages from childen to pensioners.

Eric Stoch, 23, north London, painted head to toe in blue body paint said: I think everyone young and old can see its a disaster.

We dont have much left of a democracy at all getting out on the streets is one of the few beacons of democracy have left.

This dance routine continued along the march route (PA)

MEP Terry Reintke, co-president of the Greens group, said the EUs door would be open to a possible return by the UK.

When I see thousands of Europeans in the streets it makes me so hopeful that we will be back together again, she told the crowd. The EU is far from perfect we know this. We live in a cost of living crisis, we see war in Ukraine where the geopolitical situation is really hard. Europeans are struggling.

Its even more important for EU to stand together. People are clear we want the UK to be part of that we want the UK to rejoin the European Union.

The next steps are clear: we want you back in the Erasmus programme and want closer trade links.

We want colleagues of UK to be re-elected into the EU as soon as possible. We are still with you, we love you and we want you back.

The march attracted Remainers of all ages (Barney Davis/The Independent)

(PA)

Protester Steve Bray, better known as the Stop Brexit Man, called for a fair and honest proportional representation system before begging the crowd to tactically vote to remove the Conservatives. He confirmed will be bringing his megaphone to their Manchester conference next month.

We dont want to be at [the] Labour conference at all but Brexit is the elephant in the room, he told the crowd. They are all in denial.

The Green Partys Zack Polanski told the audience Brexit has failed.

Steve Bray is an ardent critic of Brexit (EPA)

It has been a disaster for the climate crisis, he said. But most of all its hitting the poorest and the most vulnerable in the country the hardest. They have been lied to.

We will be heard, we will stand up and be counted. Our cause is just, our commitment unwavering.

The young people know what needs to be done lets make sure our future is in Europe.

Activist Femi Oluwole told crowds that Brexit broke British politics.

Our politicians arent experts  Boris Johnson studied Greek poetry at university, he said to laughs.

We are tired of being deliberately hurt by our own politicians. We can barely afford food, we cant afford Brexit.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Scrapping the second leg of HS2 would be a tragedy, the governments own infrastructure tsar has warned, saying it would send a terrible message to the rest of the world.

Sir John Armitt, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, said it would look as though the UK could not cope with ambitious building projects.

His warning came as Boris Johnson and David Cameron both warned Rishi Sunak not to cut back HS2  amid concerns that the leg from Birmingham to Manchester could be axed.

The Independent revealed last week that Mr Sunak and his chancellor Jeremy Hunt were considering ditching the projects northern section, despite having already spent 2.3bn on it.

Mr Johnson described the proposed cut as total Treasury-driven nonsense, saying It makes no sense at all to deliver a mutilated HS2.

We need to connect the Midlands with the North with HS2, because that is the way to deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail, he told The Times. And it makes no sense for HS2 to terminate at Old Oak Common rather than Euston.

David Cameron is also said to have privately raised concerns about cuts to the project. Its unusual for him  hes tended to stay out of politics ever since he left, one source said.

Measures under consideration by the government include cutting the sections north of Birmingham, as well as terminating the line early at Old Oak Common station in outer London, rather than at Euston.

George Osborne, who as chancellor originally signed off HS2, has already described the proposed cuts as a mistake.

Speaking on Saturday, Sir John warned of the dangers of abandoning the project: If we dont continue, what are we saying to the rest of the world?

Acknowledging the need for cost controls, he told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: What are we saying to all those investors that we want to bring into the UK? Heres a country which sets itself ambitions and then runs away when it starts to see some challenges. We have to meet the challenges.

HS2 is a high-speed rail line intended to stretch from London, through the Midlands, to major cities in the North. It is meant to speed up journey times  including on routes it does not directly serve, such as to Scotland  but will also release capacity on existing railway lines to intensify local and regional services.

This week, Mr Hunt said the government was looking at all the options, adding: We do need to find a way of delivering infrastructure projects that doesnt cost taxpayers billions and billions of pounds. The Treasury chief said no decisions had yet been taken.

HS2s original leg to Leeds via Sheffield was already scrapped under Mr Johnsons premiership, while Mr Sunak was chancellor.

Labours official policy is to build HS2 in full, including the previously cancelled spur to Leeds  though spokespersons for the opposition party have at times in the last two weeks appeared reluctant to confirm this.

It is also understood that any move by the government to pull the legislation for the northern phase of the project  which is currently going through parliament  would significantly complicate the process for a new government attempting to complete it.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The Liberal Democrats are to signal their intention to take aim at Tory heartlands in the run-up to the next general election, promising to usher in a liberal Britain after years of Conservative rule.

In a speech on Sunday, deputy leader Daisy Cooper will tell activists that the party has a huge opportunity to grab parts of Rishi Sunaks so-called blue wall in southern England.

It comes after a string of wildly successful by-election results for what has for a long time been the third party of British politics, after years in the political wilderness.

We have a huge opportunity. Right across the blue wall, and right across the country  people are furious with the Conservatives, Ms Cooper is expected to say.

Theyre angry that nothing works  everythings broken  and that all the things we cherish  our NHS, our precious environment, our standing in the world  have been trashed.

Whats more, they know who did it. This appalling Conservative government  too busy fighting each other to do anything useful, he added.

The Lib Dems have struggled to get their national vote share off the ground, with most polls putting them between 9 and 14 per cent  slightly up on their 2019 result. But the party is optimistic that it could pick up more seats by concentrating its activists in traditionally Tory seats where voters are dissatisfied with the government.

Ms Cooper will say: Its not just that theyve blown a hole in our economy, driven our NHS into the ground, and allowed water companies to pour sewage into our rivers and onto our beaches with impunity. The most unforgivable thing about this Conservative government is that theyve broken peoples hope.

Whilst we are ashamed of this government, we are so proud of our country and of our NHS. We know that there are millions of people across the UK who share our vision and want to live in a liberal Britain. Between now and the next general election, its up to us to show them a brighter future is possible.

Speaking on Saturday, former leader Vince Cable said the Lib Dems would not be looking to do a deal with Labour after the election, and that there were no discussions of a confidence and supply arrangement between the two parties.

On the first day of his partys annual conference from Bournemouth, Sir Vince said there was every reason to be buoyant and optimistic.

Theyve had this succession of good by-election results, and very good local election results, with very effective organisation and targeting, which has done very well, he told broadcaster GB News.

There are good expectations that when the election comes, well get a substantial number of MPs.

Cooperation between the two largest opposition parties has been tested by the impending by-election in Mid Bedfordshire  where both sides have sent activists and hope to win.

Previous mid-term contests have generally seen one party or the other run a low-key campaign in a bid to unseat a sitting Tory candidate.

Asked about the situation unfolding in the seat, Sir Vince said: There are cases in these very large constituencies  North Shropshire is a good example  where we came from a low base after the election in 2019 to win, so my opinion is that we can do very well. Polls suggest a three-way contest, with Labour slightly ahead.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The UKs summit on artificial intelligence will look at protecting humanitys future by countering the risk of losing control of the machines, the Deputy Prime Minister has told world leaders.

In a speech setting out the opportunities and dangers of AI, Oliver Dowden told the United Nations General Assembly that the daily rate of progress the technology was making would require countries to regularly meet to discuss the necessary guardrails.

Mr Dowden, who laid out a dystopian future of what could happen if AI development goes unchecked, warned that global regulation is falling behind current advances and called for international co-operation to ensure it is used for good.

The UK will host an AI safety summit in November, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak keen to establish a key role for Britain in harnessing and regulating the technology.

I do believe that policy-makers and Governments ignore this expert consensus at the peril of all of our citizens Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden

Mr Dowden, a close ally of the Prime Minister, has led the UK delegation at the gathering of world leaders and top diplomats in the US as Mr Sunak stayed away.

The Prime Minister, who has blamed diary pressures for his absence, has been accused of snubbing the event.

Mr Dowden told the New York gathering on Friday that the AI summit, being held at Bletchley Park where codebreakers worked to decipher enemy communications during the Second World War, would look at the most serious possible risks associated with the emerging technology.

He told the 193 UN member states that experts gathering in Buckinghamshire would discuss AIs potential to undermine our biosecurity or increase the ability of people to carry out cyber attacks, as well as the danger of losing control of the machines themselves.

The senior Conservative politician, in a message to those who would say that these warnings are sensationalist or belong in the realm of science-fiction, pointed to AI developers themselves warning that its potential should be treated with the same priority as a pandemic or nuclear war.

Even those behind its creation have admitted they cannot explain some of the ways that AI learns, he said, adding that the scale and speed of its advances was unlike anything we or our predecessors have known before.

I do not stand here claiming to be an expert on AI, but I do believe that policy-makers and Governments ignore this expert consensus at the peril of all of our citizens, he said.

The AI revolution will be a bracing test for the multilateral system, to show that it can work together on a question that will help to define the fate of humanity.

Our future, humanitys future, our entire planets future, depends on our ability to do so.

Mr Sunak has been openly pitching for the UK to be the geographical home of a centre for AI safety.

Mr Dowden said the UK was uniquely placed to respond to AIs threats, being home to world-leading universities and frontier technology companies, while also having played a part in the computing revolution.

The UK has opted to invite China to the flagship AI safety summit in a move that has been criticised by some Beijing-sceptic Tories.

The decision was made despite relations with China having been strained by a series of security rows, including the arrest of a parliamentary researcher under the Official Secrets Act.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Rishi Sunaks decision to backtrack on key climate policies could leave Conservative MPs in heartland seats vulnerable, polling suggests.

Research by pollsters Survation found support for climate action particularly high in Tory-held constituencies in the southeast of England, where the Tories are facing a series of challenges by the Lib Dems and Labour. The Tories are predicted to hold just 29 out of 52 seats in the southeast, according to analysis of over 20,000 voters by the firm.

It comes as Mr Sunak jettisoned a long list of net zero pledges, including delaying a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars until 2035, and introducing diluted targets for the phasing out of gas boilers. He was also widely mocked for axing policies that did not exist  such as theoretical new taxes on meat or compulsory car sharing  topics which are often fodder for online disinformation.

However, the partys stance on green issues has proven a vote winner in at least one constituency, as the Tories won the Uxbridge byelection by opposing Sadiq Khans expansion of the Ulez anti-pollution scheme.

Ulez has proven to be a divisive issue, with a backlash from motorists forced to pay a daily 12.50 charge if their vehicles do not meet low emissions standards. The Conservatives capitalised on the discontent and rode it to a narrow victory in July, in a seat thought to be Labours for the taking.

But in a fresh blow for Mr Sunak, Survation found the most marginal constituencies in Tory heartland seats overwhelmingly support almost all specific climate policies polled. In addition, almost three in four of these constituents (72 per cent) said those policies would influence how they voted.

Georgia Whitaker, a climate campaigner at Greenpeace, which commissioned the polling, said: Voters in the most hotly contested seats are saying that climate change matters to them, and they want bold policies to tackle it.

But in a desperate attempt to play politics with the climate, Sunak risks haemorrhaging his partys support in Tory strongholds and key marginals.

This endless flip-flopping on such vital issues will not only leave people with higher bills and a damaged economy, but it could badly backfire against Sunaks party at the next election unless the government changes tack.

Rishi Sunak dumped key net zero policies earlier this week (EPA)

Some 85 per cent of voters in the blue wall want the government to provide more financial support to insulate homes, while almost four in five (73 per cent) want more government funding for heat pumps.

And 88 per cent want to see more investment in renewable power, while 79 per cent want rail travel subsidised to ensure it is always cheaper than driving.

Greenpeace has launched a campaign to encourage people to become climate voters at the next general election, expected next year.

They want voters to choose candidates who are committed to reducing the UKs emissions in line with scientific advice and improving nature.

Activists said they were aiming to recruit at least 1 million climate voters and would be knocking on doors across the country but especially in marginal and blue wall areas.

The campaign has received support from high-profile celebrities including Stephen Fry, Olivia Colman, Mel B, Will Poulter and Joe Lycett, who have also put their signature to an open letter alongside 100,000 other people demanding politicians take stronger action on climate.

Actor Peter Capaldi backs the Greenpeace campaign (Getty)

Actor Peter Capaldi, who is also backing the campaign, said: It can feel overwhelming when you look at all the crises we are facing, like the cost of living, extreme weather, and pollution choking our rivers and seas.

But none of this is inevitable and, although were clearly already suffering the effects of extreme weather, theres still time to change direction.

I stand with people all over the country who are demanding climate action for our NHS, our economy and our planet. A safer, healthier future for all is within our grasp if politicians can be bold and brave enough to deliver it.

Its up to us to demand that our political leaders listen, and deliver on what the country and our children deserve.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Rishi Sunak is facing open revolt from the top of his own party, key advisers and business leaders over HS2 after The Independents revelations about plans to ditch the multibillion-pound project.

Two former Tory prime ministers, the governments infrastructure tsar, northern powerhouse groups and mayors both north and south all came out on Saturday to slam Mr Sunak.

Clamour has been building since The Independent broke the story 10 days ago, detailing how sunk costs of 2.3bn could be offset by a 34bn saving if HS2 was scrapped north of Birmingham.

This newspaper outlined how so-called Project Redwood was drawn up to enable the prime minister and chancellor to sit down face to face to discuss the cost and benefits. The nominal price tag for the first phase is expected to increase by another 8 billion thanks to inflation, compared to the most recent June 2022 estimate.

Downing Street has repeatedly refused to say whether the long-running and over-budget scheme will go ahead, despite repeated questioning from the British media.

The Independent understands a decision on the project could be announced as early as Friday, ahead of Tory conference in Manchester to try and quell discontent.

A chorus of objection to scrapping the second phase of the project came from:

 Sir John Armitt, chair of the governments infrastructure commission, who said it would be a disaster

 Boris Johnson called it Treasury-driven nonsense which would mutilate HS2

 David Cameron is said to be concerned that it would be anti-Conservative

 London mayor Sadiq Khan described ditching the project as a colossal waste of money

 West Yorkshire mayor Tracey Brabin warned the move would damage jobs, investment and economy

 Business group the Northern Powerhouse Partnership said cutting back the line would be wrongheaded

Among the proposals being considered are stopping the line north of Birmingham, while another section of line into central Manchester, set to also be used by the Northern Powerhouse Rail project, is apparently on the chopping block and could be cut to save costs.

The final stretch of the line into Euston, the most expensive part of the project, could be abandoned in favour of terminating at Old Oak Common, six miles north.

Mr Johnson this weekend branded cost-saving measures desperate, urging the prime minister to deliver on the 2019 levelling-up pledge the Conservatives were elected on. He said it would mutilate the whole project.

It is the height of insanity to announce all this just before a party conference in Manchester, he said. It is no wonder that Chinese universities teach the constant cancellation of UK infrastructure as an example of what is wrong with democracy.

Mr Cameron has also privately raised significant concerns about the possibility that the high-speed rail line could be heavily altered, according to The Times.

In a letter to Mr Sunak, mayor of London Mr Khan warned that it would take longer to get from Birmingham to central London on HS2 than existing trains if plans to terminate at Euston station were abandoned.

The government's approach to HS2 risks squandering the huge economic opportunity that it presents and turning it instead into a colossal waste of public money, the Labour mayor said in a letter to the PM.

Sadiq Khan warned it may take longer to get from Birmingham to central London on HS2 than on existing trains (PA Wire)

When the railway first opens between London and Birmingham, expected between 2029 and 2033, its terminus in the capital will be Old Oak Common, in the western suburbs.

Mr Khan said: Terminating the service at Old Oak Common would be a short-sighted decision which will have long-term implications, significantly downgrading the value of HS2 as a high-speed connection and leaving a ridiculous situation where a 'high speed' journey between Birmingham and central London could take as long as the existing route, if not longer.

He said the best case journey time of one hour and 22 minutes from Birmingham to Euston, changing at Old Oak Common onto the Elizabeth line and Northern line, was already one minute longer than the existing train time.

Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, added: Scrapping the project in the north of England will damage jobs, investment and the economy and leave plans to level up in tatters.

Big infrastructure projects need long-term commitment over successive governments. There must be a better way than this piecemeal stop-start approach that we have seen from this government.

Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, which represents businesses across the north, told The Independent: For both the north and for London the government is considering wrongheaded choices.

A map of the projects proposed services (HS2)

As Boris Johnson rightly argues, this isnt just the worst of Treasury orthodoxy stopping the most vital sections of HS2 allowing the north to benefit, but losing Northern Powerhouse Rail  or the Charles line as leading northern Tory John Stevenson has christened it.

It was the current prime minister who convinced Boris to make it central to his domestic policy platform and general election campaign. It is time for him to remember it was in large part down to him  remember he is a northern parliamentarian as well as just respect the mandate of the 2019 election.

HS2s original leg to Leeds via Sheffield was already scrapped under Mr Johnsons premiership, while Mr Sunak was chancellor.

Labours official policy is to build HS2 in full, including the previously cancelled spur to Leeds  though spokespersons for the opposition party have at times in the past two weeks appeared reluctant to confirm this.

It is also understood that any move by the government to pull the legislation for the northern phase of the project  which is currently going through parliament  would significantly complicate the process for a new government attempting to complete it.

This week, Mr Hunt said the government was looking at all the options, adding: We do need to find a way of delivering infrastructure projects that doesnt cost taxpayers billions and billions of pounds. The Treasury chief said no decisions had yet been taken.

A government spokesperson said: The HS2 project is already well under way with spades in the ground, and our focus remains on delivering it.
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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Sinn Feins grip on PSNI leadership must be broken, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said.

Following a number of controversies involving the leadership of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Sir Jeffrey insisted that Sinn Feins word should carry no more weight with a chief constable than that of others.

There can be no more cases where its one rule for Sinn Fein and another rule for the rest of us, he added, in his weekly message to party members, seen by the PA news agency.

Former chief constable Simon Byrne resigned earlier this month following a string of controversies, including the fallout from a PSNI data breach in which the names and details of all officers and staff members were mistakenly released online.

In addition, a High Court ruling said that two junior officers were unlawfully disciplined for an arrest made at a Troubles commemoration event in 2021.

The judge said they had been disciplined to allay a threat that Sinn Fein could withdraw its support for policing.

Sinn Fein has insisted there was no such threat.

Deputy Chief Constable Mark Hamilton is assuming the responsibilities of the chief until the new leader of the PSNI is found, with the recruitment exercise due to complete in November.

Sinn Fein Stormont leader Michelle ONeill has said she did not threaten to pull her party from the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

In his latest message to party members, Sir Jeffrey said the headlines about policing in recent weeks have been the culmination of years where leadership in policing has been undermined.

He said many people are still furious about the large crowds which turned out, including Ms ONeill, and Sinn Fein president Mary-Lou McDonald at the height of coronavirus lock down restrictions for the funeral of senior republican Bobby Storey in June 2020.

He also claimed that the PSNI failed to hold people in Sinn Fein accountable for the scenes.

Sir Jeffrey wrote: Policing is about enforcing the law by pursuing those who engage in criminality and break the law.

We ought all to be equal under the law.

That is why the perception of two-tier policing is so corrosive to the fabric of democracy.

If the rule of law is not being enforced without fear or favour, then a basic building block of our democratic society is giving way and eventually the whole structure will fall.

Never was this so visible as the hands-off approach to the IRA funeral of Bobby Storey.

As I travel around Northern Ireland, I still meet people who tell me how they buried their father or mother without their own children present so they could adhere to the Covid health rules.

To this day, they are furious that Sinn Fein organised a funeral for the IRAs Bobby Storey, brought thousands of people onto the streets for a political rally in a graveyard and the police were complicit in the organising of the event rather than in upholding the health rules.

During that same Covid period, other organisations brought people on to the streets, yet the PSNI policed those events in a different manner than the approach they took to Bobby Storeys funeral.

Sir Jeffrey added: Sinn Feins word should carry no more weight with the next chief constable than that of any other elected representative.

There can be no more cases where its one rule for Sinn Fein and another rule for the rest of us.

The DUP leader also urged that the next chief constable and senior command team must be policing focused, not politics focused, and opposed the reintroduction of 50/50 recruitment.

Some within nationalism are campaigning night and day to have 50:50 recruitment restored.

They want 50% of recruits to be Roman Catholic in each recruitment round, he said.

We will oppose such a step. It would be a retrograde step.

The only consideration in recruitment should be ones ability to be a good police officer, not their religious background.
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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has held a meeting with a senior official from Sudan during a technical stopover in Ireland.

Mr Zelensky stopped at Shannon Airport on the west coast of Ireland as he returned to Europe from North America, where he addressed the UN Security Council in New York.

He also met with US President Joe Biden at the White House, addressed the Canadian parliament in Ottawa, as well as talks with the countrys Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

On Saturday, Mr Zelensky shared a photograph of him holding a meeting with the President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of Sudan, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, at Shannon Airport.

I am grateful for Sudans consistent support of Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, he posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

We discussed common security challenges, namely the activities of illegal armed groups financed by Russia.

I invited him to support the Grain From Ukraine initiative and take part in this years summit.

We considered possible platforms for intensifying cooperation between Ukraine and African countries.

Irelands Department of Foreign Affairs said it could confirm it had been a technical stopover, and no Irish government ministers had been involved.

The department can confirm this was a technical stopover, with no bilateral element, they said.

As per normal practice for stopovers at this level, protocol staff of the department were on the ground to offer practical assistance.
Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

For Lachlan Murdoch, this moment has been a long time coming. Assuming, of course, that his moment has actually arrived.

On Thursday, his father Rupert Murdoch announced that in November he'll step down as the head of his two media companies: News Corp. and Fox Corp. Lachlan will become the chair of News Corp. while remaining chief executive and chair at Fox Corp., the parent of Fox News Channel.

The changes make Rupert's eldest son the undisputed leader of the media empire his father built over decades. There's no real sign that his siblings and former rivals James and Elisabeth contested him for the top job; James in particular has distanced himself from the company and his father's politics for several years. But Rupert, now 92, has long had a penchant for building up his oldest children only to later undermine them  and sometimes to set them against one another  often flipping the table without notice.

Given Rupert Murdoch's advanced age, this might be his last power move. But there's a reason the HBO drama  Succession  was often interpreted as a thinly disguised and dark satire of his family business. In Murdoch World, as in the fictional world of the Roy family, seemingly sure things can go sideways in an instant, particularly when unexpected opportunities arise.

Lachlan Murdoch has lived that first hand. Born in London, he grew up in New York City and attended Princeton, where he focused not on business, but philosophy. His bachelor's thesis, titled A Study of Freedom and Morality in Kant's Practical Philosophy, addressed those weighty topics alongside passages of Hindu scripture. The thesis closed on a line from the Bhagavad Gita referencing the infinite spirit and the pure calm of infinity, according to a 2019 article in The Intercept.

Beatrice Longuenesse, Lachlan's thesis advisor at Princeton, confirmed the accuracy of that report via email.

After graduation, though, Lachlan plunged headlong into his father's business, moving to Australia to work for the Murdoch newspapers that were once the core of News Corp.'s business. Many assumed he was being groomed for higher things at News Corp., and they were not wrong. Within just a few years, Lachlan was deputy CEO of the News Corp. holding company for its Australian properties; shortly thereafter, he took an executive position at News Corp. itself and was soon running the company's television stations and print publishing operations.

Lachlan's ascent came to an abrupt halt in 2005, when he resigned from News Corp. with no public explanation. According to Paddy Manning, an Australian journalist who last year published a biography of Lachlan Murdoch, the core problem involved two relatively minor issues on which Lachlan disagreed with Roger Ailes, who then ran Fox News.

The real point was that Lachlan felt Rupert had backed his executives over his son, Manning said in an interview. So Lachlan felt, 'If I'm not going to be supported, then what's the point?' Manning did not have direct access to Lachlan for his book The Successor, but said he spoke in depth with the people closest to his subject.

Lachlan returned to Australia, where he has often described feeling most at home, and founded an investment group that purchased a string of local radio stations among other properties.

While he was away, News Corp. entered choppy waters. The U.K. phone-hacking scandal, in which tabloid journalists at the News of the World and other Murdoch-owned publications had found a way to listen to voicemails of the British royal family, journalistic competitors and even a missing schoolgirl, had seriously damaged the company. The fracas led to resignations of several News Corp. officials, criminal charges against some, and the closure of News of the World as its finances went south.

Manning said that the damage the scandal inflicted on News Corp.  and on both Lachlan Murdoch's father and his brother James, chief executive of News' British newspaper group at the time  helped pull Lachlan back to the company.

He was watching the family tear itself apart over the phone-hacking scandal, Manning said. Lachlan was instrumental in trying to circle the wagons and turn the guns outwards, and stop Rupert from sacking James.

While it took more convincing, Lachlan eventually returned to the company in 2014 as co-chairman of News Corp. alongside James.

Not long afterward, Ailes was forced out of his job at Fox News following numerous credible allegations of sexual harassment.

Lachlan Murdoch has drawn criticism from media watchdogs for what many called Fox News' increasingly conspiratorial and misinformation-promoting broadcasts. The network hit a nadir following the 2020 election when voting machine company Dominion Voting Systems sued Fox News for $1.6 billion, alleging that Fox knowingly promoted false conspiracy theories about the security of its voting machines.

Fox settled that suit for $787.5 million in March of this year. A similar lawsuit filed by Smartmatic, another voting-machine maker, may go to trial in 2025, Fox has suggested.

In certain respects, though, Lachlan Murdoch's behavior suggests some ambivalence about his role at News Corp. In 2021 he moved back to Sidney and has been mixing commuting and remote work from Australia ever since. I think theres a legitimate question about whether you can continue to do that and for how long while running companies based in the U.S., Manning said.

___

Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives funding from the Quadrivium foundation, founded by James and Kathryn Murdoch. More information about AP climate initiative can be found here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A Virginia mother of three, who has been missing for weeks, made contact with her mother and husband  but she refused to disclose her location.

The Franklin County Sheriffs Office told The Messenger that Laura Cook, 30, said she and her children  Benjamin, seven, Hannah, five, and Elijah, two  were fine. However, she did not reveal where they were.

But when asked about talking with her daughter, Lisa Tousa, declined to confirm to the outlet whether they had spoken this week. Ms Tousa previously told the outlet that Ms Cook was five months pregnant.

I will confirm that I am worried about my daughter and Im worried about my grandchildren, Ms Tousa said. My daughter and my grandchildren are still missing. No one knows where they are.

Ms failed to appear for her third scheduled court date at the Franklin County Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court. She failed to appear at the first two court appearances  on 5 September and 13 September  the second of which prompted a missing persons investigation.

By contrast, Mr Cook has shown up for court, the sheriffs office said: The husband has been cooperative with our office and has been attending any court dates that were set.

Since the children and Ms Cook disappeared, her husband, Jordan Cook, has sung to a different tune entirely from her mother.

Mr Cook said he was not concerned and insisted that they werent in fact missing.

Contrary to what has been reported, my wife and children are not missing. I have no reason to be concerned about their safety or well-being, he toldABC 13 earlier this month. I have heard from my wife, and Im sure she and my children are doing well.

The pair live in Ferrum, Virginia, and there are reportedly no records of 911 calls that would indicate signs of a domestic dispute.

A lot of times you see these situations where a parent loses custody and takes the kids and runs away. This doesnt seem to be like that, Sgt Megan Huston told The New York Post.

But theyre not originally from here so I cant say if something has or has not happened elsewhere, Im not privy to that information, she added. Its a complex situation that we have limited details on.

Despite her husbands claims, Lauren Cooks name will remain on the missing persons list until a law enforcement agency must make in-person contact, the sheriffs office previously explained.

Ms Cooks phone last pinged on 7 September in Lexington, a town about 90 miles from her home. There has been no activity in her bank account since she vanished.

Investigators confirmed earlier this month that Ms Cook and her kids were in Litchfield, Illinois on 14 September.

Its unclear whether the mother-of-three and her children were still in the state. It is believed that she and her three children could be travelling in a blue 2013 Chrysler van with Virginia tags.
Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Drug cartels employ 175,000 people across Mexico making it the fifth largest employer in the country, according to a new study.

A vast network of 150 cartels are recruiting upwards of 350 new members a week. This puts the Mexican drug trade on par with industries like general practice medicine, which employed 189,000 people in 2023; coffee and tobacco cultivation, according to the Mexican government.

The cartels employ a similar number of people as Oxxo, Mexicos largest corner shop chain.

The study counted everyone from rural peasants cultivating opium to armed men guarding drug labs to cartel leadership organising international smuggling.

The Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels, Mexicos largest, employ an estimated 46,600 on their own, according to the paper.

Its very important to understand the size of the problem, Rafael Prieto-Curiel, who led the research at the Complexity Science Hub in Vienna, told The Los Angeles Times. It helps put the issue into perspective.

The research comes as a black eye for Mexican leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador who had made cracking down on cartel activity as one of the pillars of his presidency.

The study estimated cartel employment levels from statistics on incarcerations and deaths of known members in Mexico.

The research team found that extensive recruitment efforts were necessary to replace the 37 per cent of known cartel members killed or put in prison in the last decade.

In addition to studying the size of the cartels, the researchers also projected how various public safety intiatives would impact their growth.

The paper found that under law-and-order approaches focused on incarceration of cartel members, the groups would still grow 26 per cent by 2027, while peaceful negotiations would have no meaningful effect. Instead, researchers argued, only decreasing recruitment would make a dent.

However some observers questioned the methodology of the study.

It can be very difficult to say who is a member of a criminal organisation, and who isnt, Victoria Dittmar, a researcher for the think-tank, Insight Crime, told The Guardian.

What about a politician that receives money? Or someone who cooperates with the group just once?

The US Drug Enforcement Administration estimated in July that the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels employ nearly 45,000 people.

Homicides in Mexico have tripled since 2007, reaching 34,000 murders in 2021, and making the country one of the deadliest in Latin America.

Earlier this month, the United States had a major break against the powerful Sinaloa cartel, when Mexico agreed to extradite Ovidio Guzman Lopez, the son of legendary traffickerJoaquin El Chapo Guzman, on drug charges. He has pleaded not guilty.

This action is the most recent step in the Justice Departments effort to attack every aspect of the cartels operations, Attorney General Merrick Garland said.

Mr Guzman Lopez was captured in January in Culiacan in Sinaloa state, following a massive military operation.

In April, the younger Guzman was charged with overseeing efforts to steer the cartel towards producing fentanyl, a drug which has flooded the United States in recent years.

El Chapo was tried in New York in 2019 and is serving a life sentence at a super-max prison in Colorado.
Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice

The small town of Pomfret, Vermont, has resorted to drastic measures to stop the flow of social media-hungry tourists clogging up rural backroads during the iconic fall foliage.

The town board agreed to block anyone but locals from using Cloudland Road, a dirt track with stunning rural views, during peak leaf-peeping season from 23 September to 15 October.

Windsor County sheriffs deputies will monitor both ends of the road to stop the crowds which locals have branded Tick Tockers.

It was too much, local farmer Mike Doten told the Boston Globe. Something had to be done.

There is no way a fire truck or an ambulance can get up this road in the middle of foliage season, he added. Its just too crowded.

An Instagram search for Sleepy Hollow Farm, a famous vista in Pomfret, yields countless identical photos of lone individuals standing on leafy lanes.

However, locals say the reality on the ground is far different: Tourists getting their cars stuck in the dirt. People hopping fences into private property. Thoughtless visitors using the bathroom and leaving their trash along the side of the road.

Prior to the shut-down, Pomfret tried making the popular road one-way, to seemingly little effect, so theyve opted for new tactics including reaching out directly to influencers.

Upon being informed of the situation by the residents of Pomfret, I recognized the importance of respecting the wishes of the local community, Kiel James Patrick, one influencer, told The Daily Mail.

In response, Ive removed posts featuring Sleepy Hollow Farm from my platforms and communicated with friends and fellow influencers about the farms private nature and the need for privacy and respect.

The message from town residents is at odds with the state which is trying to encourage the return of tourists after devastating floods in Vermont this summer.

We know that folks all over the country saw images of the flooding, so we take it very seriously to make sure people know that Vermont is very much open, Commissioner Heather Pelham of the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing recently told NBC5.

The state has spent around $200,000 on extra billboards and other ads in markets like Boston and New York City to woo visitors.

Vermonts iconic fall foliage is a major driver of state tourism (AFP via Getty Images) open image in gallery

A million or more people visit Vermont each fall to see the foliage, according to officials, plowing hundreds of millions of dollars of revenues into the state.

Extreme weather, including heavy rains and wildfire smoke, may mean a shorter foliage season this year.

This year trees have been stressed physiologically by two types of extreme weather weve seen in the Northeast: a summer of historic rainfall versus two previous years of drought, University of Vermont professor Bill Keeton said earlier this year.

Like drought, heavy moisture can cause leaves to drop off sooner than usual and have more muted fall colors overall, while the warming fall temperatures are delaying the onset of fall colors, resulting in a shorter foliage season.
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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Russias foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has rubbished Ukraines 10-point peace plan and warned the conflict will be resolved on the battlefield if the West stuck to it.

Addressing the UN General Assembly on Saturday, Mr Lavrov dismissed the West as an empire of lies and said the plan promoted by Kyiv was completely not feasible.

In a letter to Mr Lavrov last month, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres outlined four measures the UN could facilitate to improve Russias grain and fertiliser exports in a bid to convince Moscow to return to the Black Sea deal, which allowed Ukraine to export grain through the corridor and helped address a global food shortage.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a press conference after addressing the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York (Reuters)

We explained to the secretary general why his proposals wont work, Mr Lavrov said. We dont reject them. Theyre simply not realistic. They cannot be implemented.

Earlier on Saturday morning, Ukraine launched another missile attack on Sevastopol in occupied Crimea, a Russian-installed official said, a day after an attack on the headquarters of Russias Black Sea Fleet left a serviceman missing and the main building smouldering.

Sevastopol was put on air raid alert for about an hour after debris from intercepted missiles fell near a pier, governor Mikhail Razvozhayev wrote on the messaging app Telegram. Ferry traffic in the area was also halted and later resumed.

Loud blasts were also heard near Vilne in northern Crimea, followed by rising clouds of smoke, according to a pro-Ukrainian Telegram news channel that reports on developments on the peninsula.

Crimea, illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, has been a frequent target for Ukrainian forces since Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of the neighbouring country almost 19 months ago.

A satellite image shows smoke billowing from a Russian Black Sea Navy HQ after a missile strike (Reuters)

Ukraines intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, told Voice of America on Saturday that at least nine people were killed and 16 injured as a result of Kyivs attack on the Black Sea Fleet on Friday.

He claimed that Alexander Romanchuk, a Russian general commanding forces along the key southeastern front line, was in a very serious condition following the attack.

Elsewhere, Ukraine said its heavy artillery was inflicting hell on Russian lines near Bakhmut.

Captured by Russian forces in May, heavy weapons supplied by the West are inflicting significant damage on enemy lines, with the 155mm howitzers supplied by the US and Nato allies said to be proving key in the long-awaited counteroffensive.

They [the Russians] hate our hardware, said 30-year-old unit commander Oleksandr. Thats what we gather from our intercepts. We hear that we keep giving them hell and they keep wondering how much ammunition we have left.

Justin Trudeau meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky in Canada (Press release)

Oleksandr described Klishchiivka  a village close to the devastated town of Bakhmut  as one of the places [the Russians] were clinging to. We will see whats next. We will develop our success.

Meanwhile, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has announced several support packages for Ukraine, including military, economic and humanitarian assistance. He has also pledged an extra show of diplomatic backing in steps intended to punish Russia over its war in Ukraine.

In a news conference held with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, Mr Trudeau confirmed that Canada would continue to impose costs on Russia and ensure that those responsible for this illegal, unjustifiable invasion do not benefit from it.

We stand here absolutely united in our defence of democracy and our condemnation of Vladimir Putins unprovoked, unjustified and unconscionable invasion of Ukraine, Mr Trudeau added.

Canada and Ukraine have agreed to form a working group with G7 partners to analyse the seizure and forfeiture of Russian assets, including from the Russian Central Bank. It has also added 63 Russian individuals to its sanctions list, including those who are complicit in the kidnapping of children and the spreading of disinformation, Mr Trudeau said.
 Close Aftermath of Russian missile strike on Ukraine mail depot that killed six

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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Vladimir Putins warplanes have dropped explosive objects into the paths of civilian shipping lanes in the Black Sea, the regions military command said.

The occupiers are continuing to terrorise the paths of civilian shipping in the Black Sea with tactical aviation, dropping explosive objects into the likely paths of civilian vessel traffic, it said.

There were three such drops registered in the last 24 hours. However, the navigation corridor continues to function under the watch of the defence forces.

Ukraine is trying to build up a new shipping lane without Russian approval to revive its vital seaborne exports. But Russia said it would consider any vessel a potential military target after it quit UN-brokered deal allowing Ukrainian goods to pass through.

It comes as Ukrainian troops have made confirmed advances against Russia on two fronts, according to the Institute for the Study of War.

Geolocated footage posted on 30 October shows that Ukrainian forces have advanced northeast of Kurdyumivka (10km southwest of Bakhmut), it said.

Ukrainian forces have also marginally advanced west of Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia, according to geolocated footage seen by the think tank.
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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky called on Canada to stay with his country in its war against Russia, in his first visit to the country since the start of the invasion.

The Ukrainian president arrived in Canadas capital Ottawa late on Thursday night and addressed the parliament on Friday where he sought to bolster support from Western allies for Ukraines war.

Moscow must lose once and for all. And it will lose, Mr Zelensky said during his address on Friday.

He repeatedly thanked Canadians for financial support and for making Ukrainians fleeing war feel at home in Canada, prompting a number of standing ovations from dignitaries and parliamentarians.

Mr Zelensky said Canada has always been on the bright side of history in fighting previous wars and said it has helped saved thousands of lives in this war with its aid to Kyiv.

Canada is home to about 1.4 million people of Ukrainian descent, close to 4 per cent of the population.

More than 175,000 Ukrainians have come to Canada since the war started and an additional 700,000 have received approval to come as part of an initiative that supports temporary relocation of those fleeing the war.

The initiative allows for an open work permit for three years with pathways to permanent residency and citizenship.

In his speech Mr Zelensky linked the suffering of Ukrainians now to the 1930s genocide caused by Stalin, when the Soviet leader was blamed for creating a man-made famine in Ukraine believed to have killed more than 3 million people.

He also noted that it was in Edmonton, Canada, where the worlds first monument was erected in 1993 to commemorate the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide.

The Ukrainian president expressed hope that a monument would one day be raised in Canada to Ukraines victory over Russias invasion, maybe in Edmonton.

I have a lot of warm words and thanks from Ukraine to you, Mr Zelensky said in prime minister Justin Trudeaus office before his speech.

You have helped us on the battlefield, financially and with humanitarian aid. ... Stay with us to our victory.

It is Mr Zelenskys first visit to Canada since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. He previously addressed the Canadian Parliament virtually after the war started.

Mr Trudeau called the visit an opportunity to show Mr Zelensky how strongly and unequivocally we stand with Ukraine and announced an additional $650m Canadian (394m) over three years for 50 armored vehicles that will be built in Canada.

We are shifting our approach to provide multiyear assistance to ensure Ukraine has the predictable support it needs for long term support, Mr Trudeau said at a news conference.

Mr Zelensky and Mr Trudeau also attended a rally in Toronto with the local Ukrainian community late Friday.

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau (R) and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky interact on stage during a rally at Fort York in Toronto, Canada (Getty Images)

The visit comes as cracks begin to appear in the united Western front backing Ukraine for the last 19 months of gruelling war against Russia with hard-right Republicans led by Donald Trump becoming increasingly hostile to sending more aid and key partner Poland saying it will no longer send arms to Kyiv.

Recommended

Ukrainian troops are struggling to take back territory that Russia gained over the past year and with no end to war in sight, Mr Zelensky has a hard road ahead to keep the momentum in favour of Kyiv going, a task for which allies like Canada play a key role.

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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Thousands of protesters have formed a sea of blue and yellow in central London as they call for the UK to rejoin the EU.

The National Rejoin March attracted a crowd of thousands who marched from Park Lane, outside the London Hilton, toward Parliament Square for speeches and a waving of flags of the EU nations.

At Parliament Square, speakers, including former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt and high-profile campaigner Gina Miller  who masterminded an anti-Brexit legal challenge, addressed the crowd.

The organisers estimated attendance at the march to be in excess of 20,000 people.

Hundreds of people joined the second National Rejoin March in London on September 23 (Barney Davis)

I think everyone young and old can see its a disaster, said Eric Stock, 23 from north London, who was painted from head to toe in blue body paint. He added: We dont have much left of a democracy at all. Getting out on the streets is one of the few beacons of democracy we have left.

Ceira Sergeant, a leader in the youth wing of the rejoin movement, said she was too young to vote in the 2016 referendum.

She said: Everytime I come to London Im stunned by just how positive everyone is. Its the best turnout I have ever seen.

I have true faith we will rejoin in my lifetime. In the last year this movement has grown exponentially.

Everybody in power needs to wake up to what young people especially want.

However, not everyone was in support. One motorist heckled the activists, shouting: Youre wasting your time. But others on an open top bus passing the rally gave their thumbs up to the cheering activists,

March headed to Parliament Square in London (Barney Davis/The Independent)

It was the second annual march held - although this years event started off slowly, the crowds swelled in the sunshine like last year when thousands of people joined. Those taking part want to put rejoining the EU back on the agenda.

It comes as The Independent reveals Keir Starmer held secret talks with Emmanuel Macron about Brexit. The Labour leader has said he will seek to improve the governments Brexit deal  but also insisted there is no case for rejoining the EU, its single market, or customs union.

Eric Stoch, 23, north London, was painted head to toe in blue body paint for the march (Barney Davis)

Saturday saw the second annual Rejoin March (Barney Davis/The Independent)

As the march started, Madeleina Kay, 29, said the country had taken a darker turn after the Brexit referendum in 2016.

Ms Kay, who was awarded Young European of the Year by the Schwarzkopf Foundation in 2018, said: I was very disappointed thought it was a different country. The only people Im angry at are the politicians because they lied to us.

Theyve let everybody down and we can see the consequences of that now, the cost of living crisis they have taken rights away from us.

Rejoining is going to be a long campaign but the younger people voted Remain and that is the future.

Proud Welshman Gareth Kearns, 53, said: People always say only old people for Brexit is sort of true but when you get to the very elderly the people who actually remember the Second World War they are with us. But they cant be expected to go on a long march from here, they all take a shorter route.

Speeches are made at Parliament Square with thousands of people gathered in front of the stage (Barney Davis)

On the march reaching Parliament Square, dancers waved EU flags while preparations were made for the speeches. German MEP Terry Reintke told those watching: When I see thousands of Europeans in the streets it makes me so hopeful that we will be back together again.

The EU is far from perfect we know this. We live in a cost of living crisis, we see war in Ukraine where geopolitical situation is really hard. Europeans are struggling. Its even more important for EU to stand together.

People are clear we want the UK to be part of that we want the UK to rejoin the European Union. We are still with you, we love you and we want you back.

The Green Partys Zack Polanski proudly declared Brexit has failed as he took to the stage. It has been a disaster for the climate crisis, he said.

But most of all its hitting the poorest and the most vulnerable in the country the hardest. They have been lied to. We will be heard, we will stand up and be counted. Our cause is just, our commitment unwavering. The young people know what needs to be done lets make sure our future is in Europe.

This article was amended on 27 September 2023. It originally stated that a crowd of 3,000 people joined the event, but organisers put the figure at in excess of 20,000, while the Metropolitan Police did not give a figure for attendance.
The brother of a Nottingham university student stabbed to death on her way home from a night out has paid tribute to her.

Grace O'Malley-Kumar was on her way home from a night out with friend Barnaby Webber, when both were stabbed to death on June 13.

Grace's younger brother, James, has now set up a foundation in honour of his sister.

James OMally-Kumar said: Out of this horrible tragedy, we must make something good come from this and that was the ultimate force behind the foundation.
A man who fled Venezuela with his pet squirrel is now facing having to say goodbye as it is unlikely the animal will be allowed across the US border.

Yeison, 23, is among the millions of Venezuelans in recent years who have fled because of political and economic upheaval, and has spent months in Mexico waiting to make an asylum case in the US.

He is now scheduled to get that chance but will probably have to leave behind his pet squirrel, Niko.

Yeison said going without Niko was out of the question.

It would practically be like starting with nothing, Yeison said.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The US explorer Mark Dickey has relived his dramatic rescue from deep inside a Turkish cave this summer, recalling how he was ready to die.

Dickey embarked on an expedition to Turkeys Morca cave on 29 August. At 1,276 metres, it is the third deepest cave in the country.

On day four of the expedition, he suddenly started vomiting and defecating blood. By the fifth day, he was on the brink of death.

What I can remember is an immediate and sudden increase in exhaustion, Dickey told The Telegraph. I had been feeling slightly more lethargic earlier in the day but then suddenly I got really, really tired.

My consciousness actually felt like it was diminished like it suddenly got harder to think. I needed to vomit. I needed to go to the bathroom. I had hot and cold flushes rapidly, and broke out into a sweat. I felt like I was going to pass out.

Some 24 hours later, Dickey felt that he wouldnt survive: The pulse on my wrist was becoming extremely, extremely difficult to feel, and it reached the point where it was impossible to count. The thought transitioned to I am probably going to die here.

Dickey, 41, is a US researcher, search and rescue specialist and caving enthusiast who has ventured to depths of 1,000 metres at least 20 times over the previous two decades.

He previously visited Morca in 2022, and was returning to explore uncharted caverns and passages to judge whether it would be suitable for training novice Turkish cavers.

Mr Dickeys fiancee and fellow caver Jessica Van Ord was with him when he fell ill and stayed with him until medics arrived and gave him IV fluid and blood.

She eventually climbed out and stayed at a base camp near the mouth of the cave, while working with the 150-strong team of cavers who travelled to Turkey to help bring Mr Dickey out by stretcher.

Mark Dickey is lifted out from Turkeys Morca cave on 12 September (EPA)

Dickey is carried out on a stretcher (Dia images)

Cave rescue teams from several European countries conducted a extraction effort to rescue Dickey ((AP Graphic))

The volunteers initially worked to stabilise Mr Dickeys condition before he could be moved. He required a doctor to administer vials of blood to keep him stabilised.

Eventually, his bleeding had stopped and he was able to walk unassisted, according to Cave Rescue Bulgaria.

Then the mission to extricate him began, with rescue teams setting up medical base camps at various depths throughout the caves where they could rest and recuperate.

Rescue teams used explosives to blast open parts of the cave to safely extract him. Rock hammers were also used by rescuers to make way for a stretcher to ensure Mr Dickeys safety during ascent.

It took three days for a number of rescue teams working in relay to extract him, navigating steep cliffs and narrow passages.

A European Cave Rescue Association member goes down into the Morca cave during Dickeys rescue (AP)

Dickey talks to journalists after being rescued (Dia images)

At the surface, Dickey was airlifted to a hospital in Ankara, the Turkish capital, where tests identified his illness as gastrointestinal bleeding triggered by a lesion in his intestine, the cause of which remains unknown.

Upon his rescue, Dickey said that it was amazing to be above ground again, as he was taken to a medical tent for examination before he could be transferred to hospital after his ordeal.

He thanked the rescue teams and Turkish government for bringing him to safety and said they had saved my life, literally no questions asked.

A New Jersey native and current resident of Croton-on-Hudson, New York, Dickey is a highly-trained caver, and cave rescuer himself and is well-known in the international speleological (cave expert) community, according to the European Cave Rescue Association (ECRA).

His resume of cave explorations and expert status is endless: secretary of the ECRA medical committee, lead instructor for Caving Academy, a US-based organisation that prepares other cavers for exploration, and a national instructor for the National Cave Rescue Commission.

Since his discharge from the hospital, Dickey has said that he is keen to go caving as soon as next month, despite the risk his illness might strike again.

Caving is one of the final frontiers of exploration, he said. We are pushing the exploration of the world in one of the few places where humans have never been.

Is there anything to do differently? No. I can make sure I have no pre-existing medical condition and as long as I have no increased risks of recurrence then Ill go caving.
European Union antitrust enforcers have slapped Intel with a fresh 376.4 million euro (327.3 million) fine in a long-running legal fight which the chipmaker appeared to have won last year (Alamy/PA)

European Union antitrust enforcers have slapped Intel with a fresh 376.4million fine in a long-running legal fight which the chipmaker appeared to have won last year.

The European Commission imposed the fine after a court threw out an original 1.06billion penalty issued in 2009 over allegations the company used illegal sales tactics to shut out smaller rival AMD.

The commission, the 27-nation blocs top antitrust watchdog, accused Intel of abusing its dominant position in the global market for x86 microprocessors with a strategy to exclude rivals by using rebates and sales restrictions.

The EUs General Court last year annulled the original decision, saying the commissions analysis of the rebates did not meet legal standards.

However, the court confirmed the sales restrictions amounted to an abuse of Intels dominant market position.

It could not decide how the total fine could be divided up between the two offences, leaving the commission to come up with a new number.

The lower fine imposed by todays decision reflects the narrower scope of the infringement compared to the 2009 Commission decision, the EU watchdog said on Friday.

Intels European press team did not respond immediately to an email seeking comment.
Fifteen permanent noise measuring systems have now been installed around Dublin Airport by the DAA to satisfy local residents complaining about noise levels at the new North runway.

It is the latest move in the ongoing clash between householders and the airport authority since the new runway opened over a year ago last month.

The DAA was ordered by the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority ( ANCA) to install the noise measuring systems on November 30 last year in 23 community locations no later than August 24, 2024

ARCHIVE: Video compares noise around Dublin Airport before and after flight paths were changed

Fingal County Council confirmed that 15 of these were now operational since August while the remaining eight systems are due to be installed within the next 12 months.

It is understood the fifteen locations with the new noise monitoring systems are Ashbourne, Balcultry, Bay Lane, Bishopswood, Coast Road, Portmarnock, Donabate, Dunboyne, Feltrim, Malahide Demesne, Roundwood, St Davids, St Doolaghs, St Margarets, Summerhill and Swords.

The DAA and Fingal County Council have been at loggerheads over the noise issue for weeks now.

The issue has also been raised by local TDs in the Dail.

Dublin Airport: PHoto: Brian Lawless/PA

Only in late July last the Council issued an enforcement notice against the DAA alleging it breached the planning conditions in relation to the North Runway following complaints from nearby residents.

It demanded that no more than the 65 flights allowed under the original planning permission use the runway at night between 11pm and 7am.

The residents claimed it was been violated daily and the noise had become unsustainable.

The DAA went to the High Court and got a stay on the notice claiming it would lead to the cancellation of thousands of flights during the peak summer season and affect 700,000 passengers.

Both parties are due back in court in November .

A flight taking off from Dublin Airport. Pic: PA Wire

Fingal County Council said the new noise monitoring systems are accessible for public viewing via Dublin Airport Webtrak flight monitoring system.

The council said:  This information is available to communities for the visibility of near-live aircraft noise information.

The data is also used to validate noise models used in aircraft noise assessments.

ANCA also directed DAA to provide two mobile noise monitors that could be rotated through communities that do not have a permanent noise monitor.

Fingal Labour TD Duncan Smyth said the new flight paths since the opening of the north runway were have a detrimental affect on many local communities near Dublin Airport and their quality of life had diminished.

The residents had been demanding that the permanent noise monitoring systems be installed.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has been asked by the Government to examine whether laws that criminalise the intimidation and obstruction of politicians carrying out their work are being used effectively in the wake of hostile protests outside Leinster House this week.

The Irish Independent understands that as part of a security review ordered by Justice Minister Helen McEntee yesterday, Mr Harris has been asked to look at whether a provision within the Offences Against the State Act, which outlaws the obstruction by violent means or other forms of intimidation the work of government, legislators and the judiciary, has been utilised.

It will form part of a security and protection review for politicians and staff in Leinster House that Mr Harris has been asked by the minister to carry out in the wake of the events outside the Dail last Wednesday.

Politicians and staff working in the parliamentary precinct were subjected to verbal abuse, hostile treatment and a brief blockade of cars conducted by far-right protesters while trying to leave the complex as the Dail returned from its summer recess.

The move was announced by Ms McEntee yesterday. The minister also said she had asked her officials to examine whether existing legislation is sufficient to deal with intimidation centred on our democratic institutions.

Ms McEntee said she would also consult with the Attorney General on the matter.

The chairs of political parties and parliamentary groups, and representatives of staff and media working in the Houses of the Oireachtas, will be asked to take part in the review, which will be concluded by the end of October.

Any garda action to curb violent demonstrations at the national parliament must not include the blanket closure of streets around Leinster House, Dail chairman Sean O Fearghail has said.

Democracy under siege: How the hostile protests developed outside the Dail

But the Ceann Comhairle said that such street-closing measures can be selectively applied when the security authorities believe there is a risk of a repeat of the behaviour witnessed last Wednesday afternoon.

Mr O Fearghail also said Wednesdays ugly events left him with a sense of regret that small far-right groupings were not dealt with more firmly until now, after they previously demonstrated excessively at asylum seekers accommodation and at libraries.

On Wednesday afternoon a disparate group of demonstrators, mainly espousing various far-right causes, caused disturbances outside Leinster House on Kildare Street in Dublin, and also on Merrion Street, behind the parliament which is also the site of Government Buildings.

We absolutely must take steps, in consultation with the gardai, to deal with what happened outside Leinster House on Wednesday and prevent it happening again, the Ceann Comhairle said.

But we must also distinguish between those poisonous spreaders of hate and those who seek to legitimately exercise their traditional right to demonstrate outside Dail Eireann.

This small disparate group have an agenda based upon disruption. But these kind of people cannot be allowed curb other peoples legitimate rights, Mr O Fearghail added.

There have been calls for a so-called cordon sanitaire, systematically closing some streets around the Dail, Seanad and Government Buildings, when demonstrations are being organised.

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe is among those who have endorsed this idea.
A man caught urinating on a garda station gate needed to use a toilet, found himself with limited options and did not realise where he was, a court has heard.

Uyi Ogie (28) was arrested after gardai saw him walk up to the station in north Dublin and relieve himself on the gate.

Adjourning the case, Judge Bryan Smyth told him he could avoid a criminal conviction if he made a 100 charity donation.

Ogie, of Church Street, Dublin, pleaded guilty to offensive conduct on August 6 this year.

Dublin District Court heard the accused was seen walking up to the rear gate of Clontarf garda station at 3am.

He urinated on the gate and was arrested and charged.

The court heard he replied yes, Im sorry after caution.

Ogie had one previous conviction, for drink driving.

He found himself in a difficult situation where he had limited options, defence solicitor Mark OSullivan told the court.

He didnt appreciate that it was a garda station.

Mr OSullivan asked Judge Smyth to give the accused a chance on this occasion, pointing out that his client apologised straight away when apprehended.

The judge said he would apply the Probation of Offenders Act if the accused made a 100 donation to the Peter McVerry Trust. Otherwise, he said, Ogie would be fined and convicted.

He adjourned the case to next month after Mr OSullivan said Ogie was on social welfare and needed time to get the money. The judge granted free legal aid.
New figures show more than half of all full-time staff are affected  far higher than was previously thought

New figures from Revenue show more than half of all full-time workers are hit with the highest, 40pc rate of PAYE

At least 1.1 million people  representing a majority of Irelands full-time workers  are hit with the highest, 40pc rate of PAYE, new figures from Revenue show.

The number is significantly higher than previously reported and reflects a change in Revenues methodology.

It is likely to fuel calls for a Budget tax cut and potentially re-ignite a row between ministers from Fine Gael and Fianna Fail last May over proposals to give higher-rate taxpayers a 1,000 tax cut in next months Budget.

The new figures significantly undermine claims that the higher PAYE rate applies only to high earners and tally with Central Statistics Office (CSO) data showing the median annual wage was 41,222 in 2021, the most recent year for which data is published.

Fine Gael ministers Martin Heydon, Peter Burke and Jennifer Carroll MacNeill first proposed the tax cut in a joint article published in the Irish Independent.

But the plan was attacked by opposition TDs and by Fianna Fail, in part because the then Revenue data indicated that only 650,000 earners  a clear minority of taxpayers  stood to gain, and they represented the best-paid workers.

The new figure of 1.077 million is published in Revenues pre-Budget Ready Reckoner, an information pack that helps calculate the impact of changes to tax rates, bands and credits.

Previous versions of the Ready Reckoner applied a methodology that subtracted a significant number of taxpayers who pay the higher rate but gain money back from other credits.

Under that old methodology, there would be 773,000 taxpayers on the top rate, still up significantly on previously published information.

The new figure shows 31pc of all taxpayers are paying the top rate. The old methodology put the figure at just 23pc.

The total number of individuals paying the top rate is likely to be higher even than Revenues new figure when dual-income households  counted as a single tax unit  where both partners earn more than 40,000 are factored in.

And the share of full-time workers paying the higher rate is above 50pc, based on the CSOs separate Labour Force Survey.

It put the total number of people working in Ireland between April and June this year at 2.643 million. That included an estimated 559,100 people who worked part-time.

It means there are 2.08 million people working full-time versus Revenues 1.077 million top-rate taxpayers.

The new data is likely to revive calls for income tax relief, especially with ministers sitting on a record tax take.

Under the Fine Gael ministers proposals last May, the income at which the higher 40pc PAYE rate kicks in would be hiked from 40,000 to 44,000 and households would also gain from a 100 increase in personal tax credits.

They calculated the typical resulting tax cut for those who benefited would be around 1,000.

The Governments projections indicate a Budget surplus of 10bn this year will increase to 16bn next year.

Ministers are scrambling to manage the windfall, with in some cases significant underspends by some departments of money already allocated to them and plans for a so-called Sovereign Wealth Fund that would take a significant share of the tax excess and invest it for the long term.

Mitigating the capacity to cut taxes are well-founded fears that a significant amount of the States income at the moment is unreliable, coming from massive corporate tax payments from multi-nationals that cannot be depended on into the future.

The earnings cut-off point for paying the top rate of tax has already been increased from 35,500 in 2019 to 40,000 in the past year.

Lifting the pay cut-off from 39,000 to 40,000 in Budget 2023 was worth about 640 a year to higher-rate taxpayers, but the new data shows it still means a majority of full-time workers are caught by the top rate.
Ozempic is licensed in Ireland to treat type 2 diabetes but is also prescribed off-label to treat obesity. Stock image: Getty Images

Ozempic, the so-called miracle weight-loss jab in demand in Ireland, has a new rival, a new study reveals today,

It found that tirzepatide is more effective in blood sugar control and body weight loss than semaglutide which is the active ingredient in Ozempic.

Ozempic is licensed in Ireland for diabetics but is also prescribed off-label to treat obesity.

New research involving a meta-analysis of 22 studies shows that tirzepatide is superior to semaglutide for both control of blood sugar and in terms of the amount of body weight lost.

Tirzepatide, which is not yet available here, is administered by weekly injection, and is made by Eli Lilly.

Ozempic, and its stronger version Wegovy, are produced by Novo Nordisk.

Wegovy, which is licensed to treat obesity, is not yet available in Ireland.

The latest research shows medicines are advancing in the treatment of blood sugar control in diabetes and weight loss. It will be presented to the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Hamburg next month. The study is by Dr Thomas Karagiannis, of Aristotle University, in Greece, and colleagues.

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, is approved for treatment of type 2 diabetes and also obesity/weight loss management.

Tirzepatide has been approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and its manufacturers have submitted applications for its approval for obesity/weight loss management.

There are few randomised controlled trials (RCTs) directly comparing injections of tirzepatide with injections of semaglutide. In this new research, the authors combined the data from 22 available trials to perform a meta-analysis to compare tirzepatide with semaglutide in terms of their efficacy and safety in people with type 2 diabetes.

The authors searched Medline and the Cochrane Library for RCTs that assessed maintenance jabs of tirzepatide in doses of 5mg, 10mg, or 15mg weekly, or injections of semaglutide in doses of 0.5mg, 1mg, or 2mg weekly for at least 12 weeks. Trials that included other drugs and placebos were also included.

The meta-analysis then calculated any differences in effects on blood sugar control, body weight, and the risk of adverse events.

The 22 RCTs included data from 18,472 patients, all with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

The authors found that tirzepatide 15mg was the most efficacious in reducing HbA1c  high levels of which indicate high blood sugar levels  versus placebo, followed by tirzepatide 10mg and semaglutide 2mg.

The authors explain: The three tirzepatide doses were more effective than the three respective semaglutide doses, with the difference between the two drugs being larger with the higher doses.

The authors said in summary: In people with type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide 5mg, 10mg, and 15mg were more efficacious in reducing HbA1c compared to semaglutide 0.5mg, 1.0mg, and 2.0mg, respectively.

Tirzepatide also was also more effective for weight loss than semaglutide, with a larger weight-loss effect at higher doses.

However, researchers also noted that all doses of tirzepatide and semaglutide increased risk for gastrointestinal adverse events compared to the placebo, with tirzepatide 15mg yielding the highest increased risk for nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Only onshore wind and solar farm projects that already had planning permission could enter the auction. Photo: PA

The next round of contracts for wind and solar farms  due to be awarded next week  will provide less green electricity than hoped for and cost the consumer more, industry groups say.

They say delays getting planning approval and agreements on connection to the national power grid meant few projects were able to compete for the contracts.

Contracts covering 16.5 years instead of the 20 years previously offered, and no allowance for rising costs, were also a deterrent.

They say the result will be less renewable power coming on stream in the next years while lack of competition will increase prices.

We believe it is likely to be the least successful auction to date in terms of the amount of renewable energy awarded contracts, said Wind Energy Ireland (WEI).

Conall Bolger, chief executive of the Irish Solar Energy Association (ISEA) was also pessimistic.

He said the amount of power generation expected to get contracts could be less than a third of that indicated when details of the auction were announced last April.

This auction was supposed to see a big increase in renewable capacity but were decelerating when we should be accelerating, he said.

Were deeply concerned and we want Government to work with us in making it possible to get more projects out the gate.

Were not going to meet our renewable energy targets if we continue like this.

Only onshore wind and solar farm projects that already had planning permission and agreement from Eirgrid on a grid connection could enter the auction.

WEI said, however, it was taking almost two years for wind farms to get through planning while ISEA said it was taking up to a year-and-a-half to get solar projects through An Bord Pleanala appeals.

Subsequent grid connection applications held projects back further.

The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications said it could not comment on the ongoing auction.

The results are due to be announced on Tuesday.

Contracts to supply power are awarded under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which gives a guaranteed price for power for a guaranteed period of time. The lowest bidders win the contracts.

The State makes up the difference for the companies if prices are lower when they sell their power on the wholesale electricity market, but the companies pay back the difference if they achieve higher market prices.

WEI said it believed this auction would settle on a price of around 100 per megawatt hour.

The first auction, RESS 1 held in 2020, settled on a price of 74.08; RESS 2, completed last year, settled on 97.87, and a special RESS for offshore wind settled on 86.05.

WEI said the Oireachtas Climate Committee should investigate the RESS system.

Committee member, Sinn Fein TD Darren ORourke, said he would have no objection.

The mood music around this is very bad, he said. Lets see what the auction results look like but if there are fundamental problems with the system they will put our renewable energy targets and energy security at risk and they will need to be addressed.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 22, 2023. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

The Taoiseach has used Irelands national speaking slot at the United Nations to denounce Russias imperialist and brutal invasion of Ukraine.

It was the most grave and flagrant breach of the UN charter in Irelands term on the Security Council, an act of unprovoked and unjustified aggression by an expansionist, revanchist power against its neighbour, he said.

The brutality of Russias actions in Ukraine has caused unfathomable suffering for the people of that country. As I stand on this most global of stages, I am deeply conscious of the wider suffering it has caused, he said, citing global food, energy and economic insecurity.

For some nations listening to him at the General Assembly, the war on Ukraine might seem like a European problem  a conflict in which there is little at stake for the rest of the world, the Taoiseach said.

Each of us in these United Nations has a deep interest in ensuring that Russias attempt to move borders by force does not succeed. When one aggressor prevails, their peers elsewhere take note and are emboldened. We know this from history.

The people of Ukraine deserve the unqualified support  and the action to back it up - of every single UN member state, he said from the famous dais on New Yorks east side.

Equally, the Russian Federation and its Leaders deserve our utter condemnation for what they have done and are continuing to do. They must be held accountable.

The Government has announced additional humanitarian assistance for Ukraine and for Moldova, bringing Irelands total so far this year to almost 40 million.

Speaking ahead of his formal speech, the Taoiseach said: I know that the vast majority of countries in the world support Ukraine in their effort to defend their independence, their sovereignty, their democracy, their territorial integrity.

Some other countries don't. And I think Ireland has a role to play in saying that we're a country that has never been a colonial power. We're a country that has never really got involved in global games, spheres of influence, or with the big powers. We're a non-aligned country and neutral militarily.

What this is about is right and wrong in 2023. And no country should try to change borders by force. No country should try to change or bring down a democratic government, by military means or by supporting a military coup, and there can't be equivocation on this.

We will still stand in support of Ukraine, because Putin has to be stopped.
RTE has refused to release any of the correspondence between director general Kevin Bakhurst and Ryan Tubridy and his representatives about the stars proposed return to Radio One, which was abandoned last month.

The discussions came to an abrupt end after Mr Bakhurst took issue with Tubridy failing to take responsibility for the secret payments fiasco which rocked the national broadcaster in a statement after the publication of a report by Grant Thornton.

RTE told the Irish Independent that it cannot release any of the correspondence between Mr Bakhurst and Tubridy or his representatives under Freedom of Information (FOI) laws because the records are programme-related.

As you might imagine, records of the type requested cover a range of issues such as programmes/podcast, terms and conditions, payments, RTEs FOI unit said. The station said other records are exempt as they concern personal information related to Tubridy.

It said that while some details in relation to the provisional agreement are known, the records sought are defined as personal information and therefore subject to a mandatory exemption from release. The broadcaster said, citing previous case law, that it could not identify a sufficient public interest reason that outweighed the right to privacy.

News of the decision comes just days after RTE declined to supply the Dails Public Accounts Committee (PAC) with a copy of former director general Dee Forbess contract and information about the exit packages of former top executives.

PAC chairperson Brian Stanley said it is disappointing that a number of very important documents were not provided. But Mr Bakhurst has rejected claims that the broadcaster is refusing to provide details of exit packages for former executives.

He said RTE is fully co-operating with both committees and being as thorough and transparent as we possibly can, within what is permissible in law.

Kevin Doyle: Explaining the fallout between Tubridy and Bakhurst

He said where documents have not been provided, this is because of legal and contractual obligations which preclude RTE from providing personal information. He also reiterated that no exit payment was made to Ms Forbes or former commercial director Geraldine OLeary. We are not refusing to provide them, he said.

He said RTE has provided the PAC with more than 160 documents requested, including one with over 500 emails relating to payments to Mr Tubridy and a lengthy chronology of key events relating to Mr Tubridys last contract.

This follows the recent provision of more than 170 documents to the Joint Oireachtas Committee in advance of last weeks meeting, he added.

Mr Stanley said senior executives are coming before the committee on October 5.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said RTE should give any information it can, but added: I imagine they have legal advice. And of course if they breached the law or any confidentiality clause in doing so, they would then be open to a compensation claim and the cost of that will probably fall back on the taxpayer.

So I think RTE needs to give any information that it can  but if its legally barred from doing so, I would understand why it cant.
The Westmeath school that sacked teacher Enoch Burke has erected a sign that reads, Trespassers will be prosecuted at the entrance.

It comes days after Mr Burke was imprisoned having attended the premises almost daily during term since the beginning of the school year.

Wilsons Hospital School went to the High Court this month when Mr Burke returned after the summer holidays despite court orders not to.

It successfully argued that he was in contempt of court, and Mr Burke was imprisoned by Judge Mark Heslin until he purges his contempt.

The newly-erected sign at Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath.

Mr Burkes dispute with Wilsons Hospital school in Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath, had its roots in a request by the former principal, Niamh McShane, in May of last year that teachers call a transgender child by a new name and by their preferred pronouns.

Mr Burke, an evangelical Christian, objected and publicly challenged Ms McShane at a chapel service and after a school dinner.

These events prompted the principal to compile a report for the board of management, which ultimately decided to put Mr Burke on paid administrative leave on August 22 last year.

Despite being suspended, the teacher continued to show up for work, even when the school secured a court order restraining him from doing so.

Mr Burke spent 108 days behind bars last year for contempt of court when he continually turned up at the school following his initial suspension.

He was released just before Christmas by Mr Justice Brian OMoore who said Mr Burke had wrongly claimed he faces jail because of his religious convictions and was acting in a way likely to prolong his imprisonment.

He said it was difficult to avoid the conclusion that Mr Burke was exploiting his imprisonment for his own ends.

The court will not enable someone found to be in contempt of court to garner some advantage from that defiance, he said at the time.

But Mr Burke continued his daily return to the school in January.

The High Court then imposed a daily 700 fine on him, but that did not the deter Mr Burke, who made a two-hour trip each way from Co Mayo to the school each day whereupon he would stand outside it when the doors were locked against him.

Mr Burke refused to accept his dismissal and claimed that he was at the school to teach, prompting the school to take further legal action against him.

Mr Burke described the schools application as manifestly diabolical.

But Mr Justice Heslin said his contempt of court was manifestly clear and jailed him. He said Mr Burke was to remain in Mountjoy Prison indefinitely or until he purges his contempt by giving an undertaking to stay away from Wilsons Hospital School.

Now that Mr Burke has been imprisoned again the school has taken the decision to put a sign at the gate stating that the school is private property and that trespassers will be prosecuted.

Asked why the decision to erect the sign was taken after Mr Burkes imprisonment, the school did not comment when approached by the Irish Independent.
Minister of State Mary Butler has opened up about a death threat she received during the summer that prompted concern for her safety.

The Waterford TD was speaking in the aftermath of a protest outside Leinster House on Tuesday that saw a mock gallows featuring a hanging effigy accompanied by photos of a number of Irish politicians, including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald.

People outside Leinster House last week. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Ms Butler said a credible death threat she received in recent months has changed how her constituency office operates and she had to inform gardai of her movements in the aftermath.

Ive had a death threat over me during the summer, she told WLR FM.

Ive had a situation for three weeks where the gardai recommended that I did not travel anywhere on my own and as much as possible, to stay at home.

"I dont publicly talk about this because Im not trying to be a victim here. All democratically elected people have a mandate and we should be entitled to go about our work.

She said gardai have reviewed the safety of all deputies and made recommendations to the Waterford TD which she has taken on board.

When I do any events, at the moment I do not advertise that Im going to that particular event."

Ms Butler said her offices now function by appointment only, she can no longer hold clinics with constituents and she had to change the office doors  which now include peep holes.

Ms Butler was also advised to ensure that none of her staff are ever left alone as some of them have been subjected to abuse (and) threats.

"Im sorry that I have to say this today, but I always have to be conscious of where I am going and who is with me and that is a sad day for me.

Ms Butler said 99pc of people are good and would never send threats, adding: There is a small element that is making my life and my job very uncomfortable.

The death threat was by email through her constituency office which was forwarded to the gardai.

"The threat was to my life and the person was happy to go to jail as a result of what would or potentially could happen to me, she said.

"The email says that if I ever cross this persons threshold or ever came to their door, that they wouldnt be responsible for their actions, they were prepared to do jail and they were prepared to take my life.

She said the gardai had to be notified about all of her movements and where she was going as it was considered a credible death threat that she now believes has passed.

"Im not the only politician and I dont want to make it about me, but were trying to encourage more women into politics and at the moment, would I encourage my daughter into politics? No, I wouldnt.

On the events that occurred outside Leinster House earlier this week, Ms Butler said: "What happened Tuesday reached a new level that was orchestrated, designed to obstruct, abuse and cause as much disruption as possible. And they succeeded.

Protesters outside Leinster House, Dublin, as the Dail resumes after summer recess. Picture date: Wednesday September 20, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH Dail. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

All deputies and senators going to Leinster House on Tuesday had received an email notifying them that Kildare Street would be closed off to vehicles due to protests, she said.

Two members of her staff were shook after they had been subjected to being called traitors and being shouted at and phones being put in their face and recorded while entering Leinster House.

There were bottles of urine, people were being spat at, huge levels of abuse. It wasnt only for politicians because we have to remember theres a lot of people working in Leinster House, its a very large campus.

She said the protest was aggressive and gardai had an awful tough job to do.

Gardai at protests outside Leinster House last Wednesday. Photo: Collins

Ms Butler said she was advised not to leave Leinster House under any circumstances.

Around 5.30pm or 6pm, I did get a call from my youngest asking me, Mam, are you OK? Im seeing a lot of stuff going on on social media in relation to the Dail.

She said all of those working in Leinster House have families to go home to and there was genuine upset that people were worried for our safety.

Ms Butler added she did not feel unsafe while inside Leinster House but was upset to see how Kerry Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae and Cork TD Donnchadh O Laoighaire were treated.

She said the protesters were a really, really small minority of people who do not represent Irish society or the good people of Ireland.

Ms Butler said they clearly crossed the line this week, adding: I was leaving the Dail at 10.15pm on Tuesday night as I was leaving the building, I said to two ushers, Is it OK for me to go outside?

She was told it was and proceeded to the front gates, where she was conscious crossing the road after exiting Leinster House.

"Unfortunately, things have changed in Irish politics. Im eight years now in Leinster House and the changes that have happened in the last 12-18 months have been unbelievable.

The junior minister said social media has enabled the spread of misinformation where truth is often secondary.
The number of TV licences bought so far this month has increased slightly, but figures are still down on 2022.

RTE has been suffering a loss in licence fee revenue since the payments scandal broke this summer.

Between the last week of June and the second week of August, the number of TV licences bought dropped by more than a third, from 171,547 in 2022 to 113,182 in 2023.

September was the first time in more than a month that the number of TV licences bought in a week exceeded 10,000. But figures for the first two weeks of this month were still down compared with last year.

In the first week of September, 11,502 TV licences were bought compared with 17,640 in 2022.

The second week of the month saw 10,153 TV licences purchased, which was a drop from 14,921 bought in the same week last year.

Cash-strapped RTE has already estimated it will lose around 21m in TV licence fee revenue by the end of this year.

The increase in evasion comes as the broadcaster recently reported a 2.8m deficit for last year, and was forced once again to seek interim funding from the Government.

The payments scandal first emerged near the end of June, with RTE announcing on June 22 that it had paid Ryan Tubridy 345,000 more than it had publicly declared.

The following week, the public paid for 10,612 TV licences  a reduction from the 15,825 bought at the same time the year before.

Licence revenue for July was down by almost a third. There were 40,103 TV licences bought in July, compared with 57,400 in July 2022.

Over the five weeks of August, there was a 37pc reduction in the purchase of TV licences.

A total of 40,812 paid the licence fee last month, compared with 65,761 in August 2022.

Media Minister Catherine Martin this week urged the public to pay their TV licence, stating that it was really important.

It is the model that we have in place to support public service broadcasting which is of such importance to society and democracy.

I can understand the frustration out there and the mood of people.

But, again, I have to emphasise it is underlying public service broadcasting, and it is so important, from news, current affairs, sport, art, independent productions, its of immense importance, she said.

A drop in licence fee revenue has exacerbated RTEs funding crisis.

The broadcaster has declined to reveal if the payments scandal had any impact on its commercial advertising revenue this summer.

Former RTE director general Dee Forbes had already sought a nearly 35m Budget 2024 bailout in May, before the payments scandal.

The Government is still trying to decide on a new future funding model for public service broadcasting.
Nina Mishchenko and her son Andriy (13) were forced to flee their home in Kyiv in late February 2022. They now live in Citywest Hotel in Dublin

Recently I missed a significant date. In the middle of September, it was one-and-a-half years since my son Andriy and I arrived in Ireland. The time has passed so quickly. It seems like yesterday we were sitting at home and hearing explosions and I was calling my sister to tell her that the war had started in Ukraine. I want to thank Ireland for opening its doors to us Ukrainians. Most of those who left are women with children. According to the latest statistics, as of the beginning of September there are almost 92,500 Ukrainians in Ireland, and almost 30,000 of them are children.

I am increasingly convinced that Ireland is the best country for me after Ukraine. For example, I like the climate, there is no extreme heat or extreme cold. And the humidifier, which is so necessary in Ukraine, is built into nature itself and is part of the country. I see how my son doesnt even pay attention to the rain anymore. But we havent learned all the names and types of rain in English yet. However, the Ukrainian habit of looking out the window and understanding the temperature and what to wear by the clothes does not work. Everyone experiences the weather in their way  there may be a person in shorts nearby, and next to her in a jacket.

I am grateful to Ireland for the opportunities  schools for children, and education programmes for adults that will help you find a job you like later. My son is safe and doesnt have to go to a bomb shelter at school.

I am glad that more and more of my friends are finding jobs in Ireland. Some are helping Ukrainians, some are in medicine or IT. My third friend has already gone to college to study professions that they didnt have in Ukraine. One is learning to be a tour guide, another to be a hospital manager, and another to study computer science.

I went to college to study marketing and business. I am very interested in understanding the Irish economy, understanding what happened during the Celtic Tiger, and why the housing crisis arose. Learn the local customer service, which I like. These lectures also help me to understand what I need to read and research to be in context.

Irish cuisine is still unusual for many Ukrainians, but it is easy to buy Ukrainian products in Polish or Moldavian stores. The team at the City West Hotel understands the importance of food for us. And now we can eat borscht several times a week, dumplings, and even buckwheat porridge. They even changed the soups to more traditional chopped ones. By the way, the coffee shop in our hotel is open almost according to the Ukrainian schedule  until 9pm (in Ukraine it would be open until 11pm). We are grateful for the delicious coffee that gives us a sense of home. Most of us are happy to drink it around the clock.

But the most important wealth of Ireland is its people. Sincere, kind, and cheerful people who have accepted us Ukrainians as their friends and we feel this support. And this gives a sense of peace and security most of all.

Adapting to a new life in Ireland is a complicated process. It takes time, effort, and patience. But it is important not just to sit and wait for the war in Ukraine to end. For many Ukrainians who have been forced to flee their country, adapting to Ireland is a real challenge. But adaptation is simply a necessity from a psychological point of view as well. Otherwise, you feel like a person without roots, who was pulled out of the ground and placed in a glass jar. The roots are already in the water, but the feeling that you can grow to your full potential is not yet there.

I am grateful to Ireland for allowing me and my son to start a new life. Am I happy? It seems so. But sometimes I still cant believe Im in Ireland... Its like everything is fine, but I still wake up in the morning and cant figure out where I am. My friend called it a life borrowed for a- year and a half. Is it mine? Will it last long? I still cant answer these questions.

But when I see a message from the European Commission that temporary protection will be extended until March 2025, I understand that on the one hand, they will still take care of us for another year. On the other hand, the war will last a long time. Its sad because we all look forward to Ukraines victory as the most important event of our lives. And I want it to happen as soon as possible. I still cant accept the thought that the war could be long. I dont want to believe it.
Grainne Seoige: If you concentrate on self-care and self-love, you tend to attract somebody

Ready to front new Irish dating show Gra ar an Tra, the TV presenter talks about growing up in the Gaeltacht, the loneliness of menopause and how she found love when she least expected it

Grainne Seoige. Picture: Gerry Mooney

Katie Byrne Sat 23 Sep 2023 at 03:30

Time is not on Grainne Seoiges side the week were due to chat. Her guest presenting slot on The Six OClock Show, an appearance on Celebrity Gogglebox and her sons birthday have all come at once. Theres some email ping-pong before she finds a window for a chat via Zoom.
Vogue Williams revealed her children are different religions during a discussion on identity on the Late Late Show.

The Irish model and presenter joined James Nesbitt, Ciara Mageean and Baz Ashmawy as guests alongside host Paddy Kielty on Friday nights episode.

As the discussion turned to identity, Mageean and Nesbitt spoke about being from Northern Ireland and religion.

That prompted 37-year-old Williams, who is married to Made In Chelsea star Spencer Matthews, to jump in with a surprising comment about her children, Theodore (five) Gigi (three) and one-year-old Otto.

Chat: Kielty with Ciara Mageean, James Nesbitt, Vogue Williams and Baz Ashmawy. Photo: Michelle Daly/RTE

Two of my kids are Protestant and one is Catholic, which I actually didnt know, she revealed, drawing bemused laughter from the audience.

My mother-in-law, she organised the first two christenings and I organised the last one.

So, weve got a very mixed household.

I only found out when we were in the church for the last one and the priest held the baby up and said, Welcome to the Catholic church.

Spenny [her husband] looked at me, like, What?"

Nesbitt, who had revealed he would be a guest on the show to the Belfast Telegraph last month, also discussed his experience after moving to England earlier in his career.

Im just delighted that people are owning their own identity now, not fighting each other or killing each other over it, he said.

Certainly when I first went to drama school a long, long time ago, I went as a Protestant but I think the first day I arrived there in London, I was kind of seen as someone who was naturally pro-republican and pro-the struggle.

Late Late guests James Nesbitt, Vogue Williams and Baz Ashmawy with host Patrick Kielty. Photo: Michelle Daly/RTE

Not for anything I said or did but because I think I was being considered Irish for maybe the first time.

I think for Protestants at that time it was quite odd to, I suppose, go there and be considered Irish, particularly by the English who didnt really distinguish really I think between the north and south.

The Ballymena-born ex-Cold Feet and Bloodlands star feels society has reached a point where mature discussions can now be had.

Nesbitt (58) added: I would consider myself a Protestant, an Irishman from the north of Ireland who does not refute nor shy away from my Protestant culture, but it doesnt define me, you know? And nor do I deny my Catholic friends their culture.

But honestly, I do think, as great as it is that we can have our identity and a sense of it, I think for way too long where we came from people focused on the differences that kept us apart rather than exploring the common ground and the views and the issues and the problems that we share.

I just think now that there is possibly an appetite to really celebrate the different identities here on the island.

Discussion: Patrick Kielty chats identity with James Nesbitt. Photo: Michelle Daly/RTE

Also appearing on the show was Portaferry athlete Mageean.

The 31-year-old, who smashed Sonia O'Sullivan's longstanding Irish mile record earlier this year, represented Ireland at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, and has also medalled for Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games.

Mageean said: The decision between running for GB and Ireland - being from Northern Ireland, we have that option - it was hands down, it was always going to be Ireland for me.

The dream of running with the Irish vest on my back, seeing the Tricolour rise and Amhran na bhFiann ring around the stadium is everything that I dream of.

But Im also extremely proud to go out and represent Northern Ireland in the Commonwealths.

Its where Im born and we are a special bunch of people up there - a very special identity.

Its a nation thats been through an awful lot but, honestly, (we are) the best people in the world.

If youre looking a good night out, theres no better place than Belfast.
The European Unions executive arm is preparing to recommend starting membership talks with Ukraine in earnest, offering a boost to Kyiv as it seeks to ensure that allies continue military and financial support.
If anyone on Capitol Hill thinks Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky can be talked into ultimately accepting anything less than the ejection of Russian forces from his country, forget it.

The Ukrainian people, despite the depredations they have endured for the past 19 months, are adamant in their determination to oust the invaders. A negotiated settlement or cease-fire is simply unthinkable  that was my overwhelming sense, gleaned from talking with a broad swathe of Ukrainians during a recent week-long visit.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the UN General Assembly yesterday that Israel is at the cusp of a historic breakthrough leading to a peace agreement with Saudi Arabia.

He struck an optimistic tone throughout his roughly 25-minute address, displaying contrasting maps showing Israels isolation at the time of its creation in 1948 and the six countries that have normalised relations with it, including four that did so in 2020 in the so-called Abraham Accords.
Could potential US government shutdown affect probes into both Trump and Biden?

A recently launched impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden focuses on the business dealings of his son, Hunter Biden

Former president Donald Trump greets supporters in Iowa. Photo: AP/Charlie Neibergall

Makini Brice Sat 23 Sep 2023 at 03:30







The looming US government shutdown that some hardline Republicans, including Donald Trump, are cheering for could slow one of their other priorities: the recently launched impeachment inquiry of Democratic President Joe Biden.
Tokyo/IBNS: Indian percussionist Prodyut Mukherjee, a GIMA winner and Grammy jury member, concluded his five-city tour of Japan with a performance at the Embassy of India, Tokyo.

Held under the aegis of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the musical tour also covered Hiroshima, Kyoto, Kofu, and Yokohama.

Mukherjee acknowledged the warm welcome accorded to him by the Indian ambassador, Sibi George, and was full of praise for the hospitality extended by the people of Japan.

He said, "This was my first visit to the land of the rising sun. My visit to Hiroshima was special as the city evokes memories of the nuclear explosion and my music has always been devoted towards building world peace."
Photo Courtesy: Antony Blinken Instagram page

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged India to cooperate with Canada in the investigation related to the death of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, an incident which has triggered a diplomatic standoff between Ottawa and New Delhi.

Blinken said the US is 'deeply concerned' about the allegation raised by Trudeau over the death of the Khalistani leader.

"We are deeply concerned about the allegations that Prime Minister Trudeau has raised," Trudeau told reporters.

He said: "We have been consulting throughout very closely with our Canadian colleagues  and not just consulting, coordinating with them  on this issue."

"From our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceed, and it would be important that India work with the Canadians on this investigation," he said.

"We want to see accountability, and its important that the investigation run its course and lead to that result," Blinken said.

He made the comments at a time when Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be visiting the US to attend the 78th United Nations General Assembly.

During his visit, he is also scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The ongoing India-Canada tensions continued to simmer as Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has reiterated his allegations on India's role in the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June in British Columbia, claiming that there are 'credible reasons' to believe in the same.

Addressing a press conference at Canada's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, Trudeau was quoted as saying by media: "As I said on Monday, there are credible reasons to believe that agents of the Government of India were involved in the killing of a Canadian on Canadian soil."

He said: "There is something of utmost foundational importance in a country's rule of law in a world where international rules-based order matters."

He asked the Indian government to 'work' with Canada to ensure full transparency and accountability in the matter.

While New Delhi outrightly rejected Trudeau's allegation, calling it "absurd" and "motivated", the relations between the two countries have worsened with Canada and India expelling a senior diplomat each.

India has also issued a travel advisory for Indian nationals, particularly students, in Canada and also those contemplating travel to the North American country, asking them to exercise utmost caution.

Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar?

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canada-based pro-Khalistan leader, was shot dead in Surrey city, British Columbia province in June.

He had been a leading figure in the Khalistan separatist movement and was closely associated with Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).

Nijjar was also serving as the president of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey.

Nijjar, a member of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was a wanted terrorist for his involvement in various acts of violence and subversive activities.
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Kamal Haasan

New Delhi/IBNS: "A young child is being targeted," said actor-turned politician Kamal Haasan in an indirect response to Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin 's controversial remark on 'Sanatan Dharma', media reports said.

Haasan, who heads the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) party in Tamil Nadu, made the comment without taking the name of Udhayanidhi, his opponent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or any other political outfit.

"A young child is being targeted today as he had spoken about Sanatan Dharma," said Haasan as quoted by Times Now.

Haasan added that Udhayanidhi's comment was not new as similar remarks were also made by his grandfather and DMK patriarch Karunanidhi.

What did Stalin Jr. say about Sanatan Dharma?

In an address, Udhayanidhi, the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, said as quoted by The Indian Express, "Some things cannot be opposed, they should be eradicated. Mosquitoes, dengue fever, malaria, and Corona cannot be opposed. They should be eradicated. So should Sanatan (Dharma)."

The DMK minister said, "What did Sanatanam do to women? It prevented them from stepping out of the house, made them commit sati (self-immolation on their husbands pyre), and shave their head and wear a white saree post their husbands death. It also led to child marriages."

"While we think of introducing schemes to benefit our students education, fascists are coming up with schemes to stop them from achieving that because the principle of Sanatanam is that we shouldnt study at all, and NEET is one fine example of that," he added.

Modi attacks INDIA alliance over 'Sanatan Dharma' remark

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has slammed the opposition bloc, INDIA, accusing it of attempting to destroy the Sanatan Dharma.

Modi said, "A few groups are working to divide the country and society... They have come together to form an INDI alliance. They have also decided on a hidden agenda to attack India's culture.
Imphal/UNI: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday announced that the ban on mobile internet will be lifted from the violence-marred state.

He said action has been taken against two Airtel staff for violating internet ban in Churachandpur district.

Internet was banned on May 3 this year after riots started in Churachandpur district.

Addressing the media at the Secretariat here, Singh said the Manipur government formed a committee to enquire into the influx of illegal immigrants headed by Minister Letpao Haokip.

The works of the committee will continue, he said the centre had instructed the completion of biometrics data within this month but it is yet to be over.

The government has requested extension of the biometrics collection for another one year to take up the National Register of Citizens (NRC), he added.

The Chief Minister said, to stop influx of people, the 398 km Manipur Myanmar international border has to be guarded.

Work to fence 79 km will start, he said.

India and Myanmar have Free movement Regime (FMR) which enables people from both countries to move freely upto 16 km into each others territory. The border was not properly fenced and the FMR deteriorated the situation in Manipur, Singh said.

Recommendation was made for cancellation of FMR, he added.

The government has started taking up works to rehabilitate displaced families by building temporary houses, the CM said.

The security personnel are still under stress and people should stop disturbing them, he further said.

Government has identified all the vulnerable points from where attacks on civilians were reported and BSF and CRPF personnel were deployed which has resulted in improvement of the situation, Singh said.

The Government will also continue the war against drugs. A survey will be carried out to detect poppy plantations and it will be destroyed, he announced.

A report which indicated high use of drug, intoxicants, liquor in Manipur is alarming and people should fight the menace, Singh said and appealed to all civil societies to resolve the crisis in Manipur due to clashes between two ethnic groups.

The Chief Minister also said all illegal weapons held by any person or groups across the State should be surrendered within a period of 15 days.

At the end of the 15 days, Security Forces, both from the Centre and the State will undertake a strong and comprehensive search operation all over the State to recover such weapons, and all persons associated with any illegal weapons will be dealt with severely, as per the law.

He further said there have been reports of extortion, threats and abduction by miscreants/ groups using illegal weapons. This is a serious matter and the State Government will take strong action against such miscreants/ groups in any part of the State.
Photo courtesy: UNI

Hyderabad/UNI: Tollywood actor Navadeep appeared before the Narcotics Police here on Saturday in connection with the Madhapur drugs case.

Navadeep is the 29th accused in the drug case.

The narcotics police will inquire about Navdeep's association with the alleged drug supplier Ramachander.

There are suspicions that Navdeep has been involved in the distribution of drugs within the film industry.

Navadeep had filed an anticipatory bail petition in the High Court. The High Court has directed Navadeep to attend the hearing under Section 41 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

Section 41 A CRPC notice has been issued to Navadeep in response to the court's order.

Earlier, Navadeep also disclosed that he is in Hyderabad and has no connection with the Madhapur drugs case.

Till date, a total of 11 individuals have been arrested in connection with the drugs case.
Image: Pixabay

Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested ten persons for allegedly trying to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere outside the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar on Friday.

Srinagar Police said the ten persons shall be booked under the relevant section of law.

10 Hooligans arrested for trying to vitiate peaceful atmosphere outside Jamia Masjid yesterday after Friday prayers.

They shall be booked under the relevant section of law," Srinagar Police said in a post on X. " Public is requested not to indulge in such acts failing which law will take its own course.

On Friday, Kashmiri separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who was released after over four years of house detention, delivered the first sermon at the grand mosque after the J&K special status was scrapped in August 2019.

There was a charged atmosphere inside Jamia Masjid Srinagar on Friday and pro-separatist slogans were also reportedly raised outside the mosque by a group of people.

After the conclusion of Friday prayers, the officials said congregational prayers at Jamia Masjid Srinagar concluded peacefully.

(With UNI inputs)
Photo Courtesy: X page video grab

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has confiscated the properties owned by banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in Chandigarh and Amritsar under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

A property confiscation notice pasted outside Pannun's residence at sector 15 in Chandigarh was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times, 1/4th share of house no. #2033 Sector 15-C, Chandigarh, owned by Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a 'proclaimed offender' in NIA case RC- 19/2020/NIA/DLI, stands confiscated to the state under section 33(5) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 by orders of the NIA special court, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, Dated 14/09/2023. This is for information of general public.

A similar notice was put up on the agricultural land belonging to Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in his ancestral village Khankot in Amritsar, the newspaper reported.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun recently threatened the Hindu community members of Canada to leave the nation.

He issued the threat amid the ongoing diplomatic standoff between India and Canada over the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The ongoing India-Canada tensions continued to simmer as Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has reiterated his allegations on India's role in the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June in British Columbia, claiming that there are 'credible reasons' to believe in the same.

Addressing a press conference at Canada's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, Trudeau was quoted as saying by media: "As I said on Monday, there are credible reasons to believe that agents of the Government of India were involved in the killing of a Canadian on Canadian soil."

He said: "There is something of utmost foundational importance in a country's rule of law in a world where international rules-based order matters."

Also Read: The Pannun puzzle: Chinas surprising embrace of Khalistan separatist movement

He asked the Indian government to 'work' with Canada to ensure full transparency and accountability in the matter.

While New Delhi outrightly rejected Trudeau's allegation, calling it "absurd" and "motivated", the relations between the two countries have worsened with Canada and India expelling a senior diplomat each.

India has also issued a travel advisory for Indian nationals, particularly students, in Canada and also those contemplating travel to the North American country, asking them to exercise utmost caution.
Demand is growing for travel with pets on holiday, straining the limited places available on airlines that are slow to catch up with the trend.

Low-cost carriers have been quicker off the mark, offering discounts on pet airfare to attract more customers. A total of 33,000 pets flew on T'way Air, Jeju Air and Air Busan in the first half of this year, which averages 5,500 a month, compared to 28,200 or 2,350 two years ago.

"The number of travelers flying with their pets this year surged more than 120 percent compared to last year, especially since April when lockdown ended," a Jin Air staffer said.
Ottawa/Washington: The United States worked in close coordination with Canada to gather intel on the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, that had prompted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus offensive allegation about Indias involvement, media reports said.

A report in the media said CTV News Channel, Canada's 24-hour all-news network, reported quoting the US Ambassador to Canada David Cohen as saying that there was shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners that helped Canada allege a potential link between the government of India and the murder of a Canadian citizen, Nijjar.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau on September 18 alleged potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey in British Columbia on June 18. India dismissed the allegation, calling it absurd and motivated.

According to a detailed dossier prepared by Indian authorities, and accessed by NDTV, Nijjar allegedly ordered several killings and attacks in Punjab while taking refuge on Canadian soil.

According to the dossier cited by NDTV, Nijjar a resident of the Bhar Singh Pura village in Punjab's Jalandhar, Hardeep Singh Nijjar was initiated to the gangster life by Gurnek Singh alias Neka, the dossier said. In the 1980s and 90s, he was associated with Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) militants and later since 2012, he was closely associated with Jagtar Singh Tara, Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) Chief, it added. After his name cropped up in several terrorism cases, Nijjar escaped to Canada in 1996.

Later, he allegedly came in touch with Pakistan based KTF Chief, Jagtar Singh Tara. He also visited Pakistan in the garb of a Baisakhi jatha member in April 2012 and underwent an arms and explosive training there for a fortnight, the dossier said.

Five Eyes network is an intelligence alliance comprising the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. It is both surveillance-based and signals intelligence (SIGINT).

In 2020, India designated Nijjar (45) as a terrorist.

As per the media report cited above, The CTVs report is based on its exclusive interview on CTVs programme Question Period with Vassy Kapelos that is to air on Sunday.

CTV quoted Cohen as saying that he confirmed: There was shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners that helped lead Canada to make the statements that the Prime Minister made.

In the days since, as diplomatic tensions continue to ratchet up  from Canada reassessing its staffing in India, to India suspending visa services for Canadians  there have been swirling questions about what intelligence is at the centre of this story, who was aware of it, and when, the CTV report said.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar fled to Canada on a fake passport in 1996 and lived there quietly as a truck driver. However, he also travelled to Pakistan to receive training in the use of weapons and explosives. While living in Canada, he is accused of ordering several killings and attacks in Punjab.

Cohen confirmed that Canada and its Five Eyes partners (the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand) shared intelligence about India's possible involvement in the murder.

He declined to provide more details about the intelligence, but his statement suggests that it was significant enough to lead Canada to make public statements about India's involvement.

He (Cohen) made this comment while denying a Washington Post report alleging that weeks before Trudeaus bombshell declaration, Ottawa asked its closest allies, including the US to publicly condemn the murder and that overture was rebuffed, the CTV said, according to the report.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US is deeply concerned about the allegations raised by Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau against India and Washington was closely coordinating with Ottawa on the issue and wants to see accountability in the case.

We have been consulting throughout very closely with our Canadian colleagues  and not just consulting, coordinating with them  on this issue. And from our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceed, and it would be important that India work with the Canadians on this investigation. We want to see accountability, and its important that the investigation run its course and lead to that result, Blinken said.
Photo Courtesy: Rishi Sunak Facebook page

British PM Rishi Sunak is planning to introduce measures that would ban the next generation from buying cigarettes.

Government sources told The Guardian the prime minister was looking at measures similar to those brought in by New Zealand last December.

The measure reportedly involves steadily increasing the legal smoking age so tobacco would end up never being sold to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.

It is understood Sunaks leadership pledge to fine people 10 for missing a GP or hospital appointment may also be back on the table, although this could be politically difficult, reported The Guardian.

Sunak announced the idea during his campaign in the summer 2022.

However, it seems that he had dropped it when he took office last autumn.

A New Zealand-style anti-smoking policy would mean cigarettes would be phased out completely for the next generation, reported The Guardian.
Image: Unsplash

Activist group Student for Free Tibet (SFT), a prominent Tibetan student organization, recently demonstrated outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City when Chinese Vice President Han Zheng was visiting the UNGA gathering.

The student group demanded the immediate closure of state-run colonial boarding schools in Tibet, reported Phayul.

The night before, a vivid illustration was projected on the side of a towering building that showed a child studying CCP propaganda in a state-run colonial boarding school, with slogans such as One Million Children Stolen from Their Families, Han Zheng and China Committing Genocide in Tibet, Abolish Chinas Boarding School in Tibet, and Tibet Will Be Free, the news portal reported.

Hours before Chinese Vice President Han Zheng was scheduled to attend a United Nations event, dozens of Tibetan youth activists banded together carrying banners, chanted slogans, and shared stories about the harsh realities faced by Tibetan children who are forced into Chinas state-run boarding schools in Tibet.

Tenzin Myinle, Director of SFT Grassroots, emphasized the significance of their protest, stating, During this trip, Han Zheng will spin Chinas Colonial Boarding School system as a talking point for the modernization of Chinese-Occupied Tibet, weaponizing the UNGAs platform to legitimize Chinas genocide in Tibet.
Photo Courtesy: @CommrRCMPGRC

One police officer was shot dead and two other officers injured on Friday while executing a search warrant at a home in Coquitlam, a city about 30 km east of Vancouver, Canada.

The suspect was also shot and sustained serious injuries, said a police statement.

"The attending officers became engaged in an altercation with a man which resulted in multiple officers being injured and the man being shot," it said.

The injured were transported to hospital, but one of the officers succumbed to his injuries.

Local media reported that the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has been deployed and will investigate the incident.

(With UNI Inputs)
In a world where political games are played in the shadows and where the echelons of power are masked by veils of duplicity, the recent public announcement by Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau about allegations of Indian involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar has rattled many. But, one must ask, why is Canada so vociferous about India while seemingly turning a blind eye to Chinas mischief?

The contradictory stances of the Canadian Liberal Party on the issue of foreign interference, especially from China, are both bemusing and alarming. When it was about China, alleged interference in Canadas electoral process was played down by the Liberals. Yet, when it comes to India, even non-conclusive intelligence becomes the basis for a powerful accusation.

One might argue that every intelligence hint should be taken seriously. True, but how is it that multiple reports indicating Chinas interference are shrugged off, while a single alleged report against India garners such attention? Is it not strikingly odd? Does it not seem more probable that China, with its track record, might be meddling than not?

We must recognize that Trudeaus allegation came without proof whatsoever. When India called for evidence, Canadas reaction was far from satisfactory. If the intent was genuine concern, why the murky waters of accusations without substantial evidence? Why not focus on a joint probe and diplomatic channels first?

The public statements from other nations, despite being cautious, have been rooted in their geopolitical strategies more than any real doubt over the intelligence. No one wishes to take sides prematurely, especially with the shifting sands of global power dynamics.

Trudeaus international diplomatic dealings appear to lack consistency, where on one hand he raises concerns about Indias internal matters, but on the other, he overlooks crucial security reports pertaining to Chinese interference on Canadian soil.

Therein lies the contradiction. The Trudeau governments hesitance in dealing with foreign interference, especially from China, whereas publicly accusing India without any evidence, seems to be driven less by concerns of national security and more by political motives.

Senior Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman recently stated in an interview if you want to have some Canadian context about whats going on and why he may have done this, heres what I think is maybe the leading theory we can say as to why Trudeau has started to fight with India. In Canada, we have this big, big spectre of foreign interference from China. Thats a major scandal right now. Its Justin Trudeaus Liberal party, was getting help from the CCP at different points in elections Its a whole big thing that we need an investigation into.

It is ironic that a country that prides itself on its democratic values, rule of law, and justice appears to be selectively sighted. Trudeaus government needs to be equally assertive, if not more, in dealing with Chinese interference.

To truly stand as a beacon of justice and democracy, Canadas approach to foreign interference, irrespective of the nation involved, must be consistent, transparent, and devoid of political calculations. Trudeaus handling of India deserves scrutiny, yes, but so does his approach towards China.

The real question isnt about which country might have crossed the line. Its about whether Canada, under Trudeaus leadership, has the moral fortitude to draw that line clearly in the first place and protect its national interests without fear or favor.

(Photo and Text credit: Khalsavox.com)
Amid the ongoing tensions between India and Canada, along with growing concerns among parents about the hefty investments in their childrens education in Canada, staggering statistics reveal a capital outflow of a staggering Rs 68,000 crore each year from Punjab.

According to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), a total of 226,450 visas were approved for Indian students in 2022. Of these, a significant portion, approximately 1.36 lakh students, hailed from Punjab, pursuing various courses with an average duration of two to three years.

Current estimates from student visa processing agencies suggest that around 3.4 lakh Punjabi students are currently enrolled in various educational institutions across Canada.

Chairman of the Association of Consultants for Overseas Studies, Kamal Bhumla, stated, Based on the figures available to us, nearly 60 percent of Indians migrating to Canada are Punjabi, accounting for an estimated 1.36 lakh students who went last year. On average, each student pays approximately 17,000 Canadian dollars in annual fees, in addition to depositing 10,200 Canadian dollars as Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) funds.

Bhumla, with nearly three decades of experience in the visa processing business, also pointed out that until 2008, only 38,000 Punjabis were heading to Canada each year.

Sandeep Makkar, an employee at a private company, who has two daughters pursuing degree courses in Canadian colleges, shared his experience, saying, On average, I had to allocate nearly Rs 22 lakh per child per year, covering tuition fees, GIC, and other overhead expenses. Depending on their standard of living in Canada, students need between 3,000 to 5,500 Canadian dollars per year, which parents have to provide for at least the initial two years.

A senior official from a prominent forex company in Jalandhar added, We often observe that the average expenditure incurred by Punjabi parents to send their children to Canada on a student visa amounts to approximately Rs 20 lakh per year. Extrapolating from this data, it is safe to estimate that there are at least 3.4 lakh Punjabi students in Canada, collectively contributing Rs 68,000 crore annually to the Land of the Maple Leaf.

The surge of Punjabi students on Canadian campuses is a noteworthy trend, with nearly 60 percent of all Indian students moving to Canada being of Punjabi origin.

Approximately 1.36 lakh Punjabi students made the journey to Canada last year, with each student paying an average annual fee of around 17,000 Canadian dollars, as stated by Kamal Bhumla, Chairman of the Association of Consultants for Overseas Studies.

(Photo and text credit: Khalsavox.com)
Radha Ashtami 2023 Fast: Radha Ashtami also known as Radhashtami or Radha Jayanti is one of the major and auspicious Hindu festivals celebrated across India to honour the birth anniversary of Radha Rani, the beloved consort of Lord Krishna. According to the Hindu calendar, the auspicious festival typically falls on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the bright half of the lunar month of Bhadrapada and this year the festival of Radha Ashtamil is celebrated today, Saturday, 23 September 2023. Devotees observe this day with great devotion and enthusiasm, conducting special prayers, bhajans (devotional songs), and reading Radha-Krishna stories.

Radha Ashtami 2023: Do's And Don'ts While Observing Radha Ashtami Fast | Photo: Freepik

Temples dedicated to Radha and Krishna are beautifully adorned, and devotees offer sweets and flowers. Radha Ashtami symbolises the divine love between Radha and Krishna, and it holds significant cultural and spiritual importance, especially in North India.



Devotees intending to fast on Radha Ashtami should adhere to the fasting guidelines outlined below:

Here are some Dos and Donts while observing the Radha Ashtami fast:

Do's

1. Devotees are encouraged to wake up early in the morning during the auspicious Brahm Muhurat. If you reside in Vrindavan, participating in the Mangala Aarti is a revered practice.



2. Those observing a fast on Radha Ashtami should make a solemn vow to maintain a strict fast until the following day.

3. For individuals unable to fast for a full 24 hours, it is advisable to observe the fast until Madhyahna Kaal. After performing the puja during Madhyahna Kaal, it is permissible to break the fast.

4. Devotees should conclude their fast by consuming sattvik food exclusively.

5. It is considered highly meritorious to perform the abhishekam of Radha Krishna and Laddoo Gopal Ji using Gangajal and Panchamrit during Madhyahna Kaal. Adorn them with flowers, jewelry, and fine clothing.

6. Devotees should offer homemade Bhog Prasad, which may include Tulsi Patra, Panchamrit, Panjiri, Kheer, Halwa, Malpua, Poori, and Chana.

7. Singing devotional songs and bhajans dedicated to Radha Rani to please her with your heartfelt devotion is a cherished practice.

8. While worshipping Radha Ji, chant various hymns, shlokas, and mantras.

9. Maintaining celibacy during the sacred fast on Radha Ashtami is of utmost importance.

10. Adhere to the auspicious Muhurat and avoid any delays in Radha Puja rituals.

11. Radha Ashtami Wishes, Quotes, Images

Don't

1. It is advised to refrain from engaging in arguments or speaking ill or using bad words for anyone during this sacred observance.

2. The consumption of any tamasic food items, such as onions, garlic, eggs, and meat, is strictly prohibited on Radha Ashtami as it goes against the sanctity of the occasion.

3. Abstaining from alcohol on this auspicious day is essential, as it is believed to avert bad luck.

According to the Hindu calendar, Ashtami Tithi began on Radha Ashtami will start on Friday, September 22nd, at 01:35 PM and end at 12:17 PM on Saturday, September 23rd. Moreover, if you look at the Madhyahna Radha Ashtami Puja Muhurat. It will begin at 11:01 AM and will last till 01:26 PM. The duration of the same will be for 02 Hours and 25 Min.

Ashtami Tithi Begins 01:35 PM September 22, 2023 Ashtami Tithi Ends 12:17 PM September 23, 2023 Madhyahna Time 10:26 AM to 12:52 PM September 23, 2023

Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.



For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events
Global warming is changing apple farming in Korea as orchards gradually disappear in southeastern Daegu but spread further north in mountainous Gangwon Province. Gangwon used to have about the same area of apple orchards as Daegu but now has 3.5 times more.

According to the Rural Development Administration, apple farming land in North Gyeongsang Province shrank 44.1 percent compared to 1993, from 36,021 hectares to 20,151 hectares, and in Daegu from 447 hectares to 86 hectares.

Although North Gyeongsang Province remains Korea's top spot for apple farming with 59.7 percent, the proportion continues to shrink because of climate change.
The killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in June this year and its aftereffects have exposed how the country has for many years failed to act against extremist groups, despite being repeatedly provided evidence of their activities.

REUTERS

In the case of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, he, like many Sikhs who fled Punjab in the 80s and 90s, had claimed religious persecution as the reason for seeking asylum in countries like Canada, UK, and Germany.

How Hardeep Singh Nijjar reached Canada

The reason for Justin Trudeau's unprecedented outrage was that a Canadian citizen was killed on Canadian soil by foreign agents.

But the nature of Hardeep Singh Nijjar's Canadian citizenship and how he acquired it is, at best, dubious.

UNSPLASH

To start with, Hardeep Singh Nijjar went to Canada in 1997 using a fake passport in the name of one Ravi Sharma.

Why Hardeep Singh Nijjar's asylum claim was rejected

After entering Canada illegally, Nijjar applied for asylum, claiming that he feared persecution in India because he belonged to "a particular social group".

But this was turned down as his claims were identified as a 'fabricated narrative'.

He then tried to get Canadian citizenship using a "marriage" agreement with a woman who sponsored his immigration.

BCCL

But this also fell flat as the woman who had agreed to marry Singh had also arrived in Canada in 1997 on sponsorship by a different husband.

When did he get Canadian citizenship?

Nijjar reportedly appealed against the rejection in the courts, although he kept claiming himself to be a Canadian citizen.

It is still unclear how and when Nijjar got his Canadian citizenship.

In Canada, Nijjar worked as a plumber and a truck driver before gaining popularity among Khalistani separatists.

What Canada knew about Nijjar

What makes Canada's position in the entire episode even worse is that for nearly a decade, authorities there knew that he was a wanted criminal in India.

Nijjar had over a dozen criminal cases of murder and other terrorist activities against him in India, and after Canadian authorities failed to act, New Delhi got an Interpol Red Corner Notice (RCN) issued against him in November 2014.

AP

All the Canadian authorities did was to put his name on a no-fly list in 2018.

He became the de facto chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force, a banned terror outfit, in 2015 after its founder, Jagtar Singh Tara, was arrested in Thailand and extradited to India.

REUTERS

The NIA, which prepared a dossier on him, said Nijjar entered into gurudwara politics in 2021 by forcefully becoming the president of the gurudwara in British Columbia province's Surrey to protect himself from extradition.

For more on the news, sports, and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
At a time when employees across the world are battling layoffs and low or even no salary hikes, a CEO's decision in favour of his employees is drawing praise.

What Did CEO Satish Malhotra Do?

dmagazine

Satish Malhotra, who is the CEO of American specialty retail chain company The Container Store, has voluntarily reduced his salary by 10% to help offset costs and help with salary hikes for other employees at the company.

Satish has been the company's CEO since February 1, 2021. He previously worked at the world-renowned cosmetics chain Sephora for 20 years.

How Much Does He Earn?

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company noted Malhortras annual salary would drop from $925,000 to $832,500 for a six-month period, as per the Fortune report.

Last year, Malhotras total compensation came in at $2.57 million. It was not made clear what the average increase would be for employees. The Container Store reported an adjusted net loss of $10.1 million in its most recent quarterly results, more than $20 million worse than the same period a year ago.

thecontainerstore

Also Read: Was YouTube's Ex-CEO Susan Wojcicki Also Google's First Landlord?

When Google & Apple CEOs Took Paycuts This Year

Satish Malhotra has joined Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai in the list of CEOs who took pay cuts this year amid mass layoffs and cost cuts.

Reuters

In January this year, barely 10 days after announcing 12,000 layoffs, CEO Sundar Pichai said that all roles above the senior vice president level will see a significant reduction in their annual bonus.

Pichai, however, did not mention the percentage of salary that will be cut or for how long. During the address, Pichai said, "The more senior you are, the more your compensation is tied to performance." Click here to know more.

And much before the Google CEO announced his paycut, Apple announced Tim Cook's voluntary paycut for 2023, despite not doing mass layoffs.

Reuters

Apple is cutting its CEO Tim Cooks compensation by 50% to $49 million in 2023, citing investor guidance and a request from Cook himself to adjust his pay. Click here to know more



For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here.
The Ondo State House of Assembly has given the states Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, a seven-day deadline to respond to the allegations of fund misappropriation levelled against him.

Oshati Olatunji, Chairman of the State Assembly Committee on Information, stated this during an interview on Channels TVs Politics Today.

The House had charged Lucky Aiyedatiwa with gross misconduct while serving as acting governor while Governor Rotimi Akeredolu was abroad on a three-month sick leave.

READ ALSO: Nigeriall Aggressively Fight Human Rights Shielding Criminals Stealing Our Natural Resources  Tinubu

There are allegations against the deputy governor bordering on misappropriation of funds. We are duty bound as legislators to do our job. We are not witch-hunting anybody.

This includes a N30 million allegation and violation of the constitution. What we are saying is that he should give us a reply to these allegations within seven days, Olatunji said.
The Nigerian Army has rescued six abducted female students of the Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State.

Recall that unspecified numbers of students were abducted in the early hours of Friday after bandits invaded the institution in the Sabon-Gida community of the Bungudu Local Government Area of the state.

However, a resident of Sabon-Gida identified as Nazeer Sabon-Gida told Channels Television that the gunmen invaded the community around 3 am and started shooting indiscriminately.

He stated that three students hostels were attacked, and the bandits took away all the students in the hostels.

Another source said the bandits were engaged with troops of the Nigerian Army in a fierce gun battle but that did not stop the bandits from escaping with the kidnapped victims.

READ MORE: Students Abducted As Bandits Invade Zamfara Community

Meanwhile, the Force Information Officer, Operation Hadarin-Daji, Captain Ibrahim Yahaya, confirming this to the newsmen yesterday in Gusau, said that the the troops pursued the abductors who took the students, mostly females, to the forest.
Doctor Abayomi Baiyewu, from Obitoks Hospital in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, who performed two surgeries on the late Adebola Akin-Bright, has been revealed not to be a certified surgeon.

The Lagos State House of Assembly, on Friday, September 22, made this known while revealing its findings on the circumstances that led to the disappearance of the late Adebola Akin-Brights small intestine.

This revelation comes after the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, during plenary on Thursday, September 21, directed the Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko, to write to the State Police Command for the arrest of Dr. Abayomi Baiyewu of Obitoks Hospital in the Alimosho area of Lagos.

READ ALSO: Lagos Boy With Missing Intestine Dies

Recall that Adebola died on Tuesday, September 19, shortly after the House called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to further assist the patient in seeking treatment abroad.

Noheem Adams, the chairman of the Lagos Assembly ad-hoc committee with the mandate to investigate the circumstances that led to the disappearance of Adebola Akin-Brights small intestine, disclosed that during the investigation, the committee learnt from Dr. Baiyewu that he is not a surgeon but only relied on his experience as a medical doctor.

He also said Baiyewu, whose testimonies were recorded, told the committee that he did not carry out any medical examination on the boy before the first surgery which he did himself, adding that he only relied on the report from a hospital the patient was first taken to.

Noheem said after Baiyewu did the first surgery, the boy continued to complain about stomach pain and was taken back to Obitoks Hospital where Baiyewu carried out another round of surgery by himself.

Following more complications, Noheem said the boy was taken to LASUTH where it was confirmed that part of his intestine was missing.

The lawmaker said as a doctor, Baiyewu should have taken the excised part of the boys body to a pathological department for a test, but that Dr. Baiyewu told the committee that the body parts were mistakenly discarded and that the doctor had planned to do a third surgery before the boy was taken to LASUTH.

The House commiserated with the bereaved family with Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda calling for the sealing of the hospital.

Another member of the committee, Lawal Aina, told his colleagues it was a pitiable sight when the committee visited Adebola at the hospital.

He added that upon interrogation, it was discovered that Dr. Baiyewu proved not to have been a certified surgeon.

Some of the lawmakers who spoke on the issue suggested that a formal complaint be made against Dr. Baiyewu to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for action while others urged stricter monitoring of medical doctors and hospitals.
Nigerias President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has established a humanitarian and poverty alleviation trust fund, hence, seeking urgent international support to address the nations issues.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, made the announcement on Friday at the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.

According to Edu, 30 percent of the funding is expected to come from the Federal Government while 70 percent is expected from agencies.

She said: Lots of commitment is needed at all level to see that Nigeria is able to overcome its challenges especially as it has to do with persons who are affected by humanitarian crisis, where we have about 16 million registered persons that are affected by humanitarian crisis.

And suffice to say that this number might actually be doubled because there are persons who are affected but they are not registered and they live within communities and have not come forward for formal registration.

So, we might be dealing with close to 35 million persons that are directly or indirectly affected by humanitarian crisis.

I would want to state a couple of things. The first point is that Nigeria needs as a country to have support from the UN at all levels to see that we can meet the needs of our citizens.

We also need the support of all the UN agencies that are in the room and those who are operating in Nigeria, even those who are not operating in Nigeria.

Its time for you to put boots on the ground and support Nigeria all the way and we need to do this in a more coordinated and strategic manner.

READ ALSO: Gov. Soludo Suspends Tuition Fees In All Junior Secondary Schools

Stating that the fund would have several governing caders with a structure that would show accountability and transparency, she said: Thirty percent of the funding expected in this trust fund will be coming from the government of Nigeria, and is expected that the rest of this funding comes from other nations, the United Nations, donor agencies, philanthropic individuals, private sector, who we want to bring fully into the space amongst other forms of innovative fundraising.

The essence is for us to be able to adequately address the issues which we face on the ground as a matter of urgency.

Im sure we already know that the president declared a state of emergency on food security in Nigeria, he equally had a state of emergency on other things like humanitarian crisis and our ability to provide durable solutions.

Edu said the government was counting on the support of the international community and development partners to provide adequate support in tackling poverty in Nigeria.

And as we make plans to come in and address this need, what must be key at the back of our minds is providing durable solutions.

We must be able to address education for these persons, we must be able to address their livelihood, we must be able to address their reintegration back into communities, we must be to address their resettlement, including the provision of proper shelter for them to stay in.

We must be able to address their GPV needs amongst other things and were counting on your support, she added.

Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, welcomed the initiative, saying it would take more than the efforts of the government to tackle humanitarian issues.
Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, on Friday, posited that there may be a skeleton behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubus cupboard for not disclosing his University academic records.

Recall that the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party had filed a petition to obtain more information about Tinubus academic records at Chicago State University.

However, Tinubu entered an emergency application at the United States District Court to delay execution of the release of his CSU records.

READ ALSO: Irreparable Damagell Be Done If CSU Releases My Records To Atiku  Tinubu To U.S. Court

According to Ibes statement, It should be now obvious even to the blind that Tinubu is hiding something in his records at the Chicago State University, and even elsewhere.

I do hope whatever it may be, it will not be of a scope that will give Nigerians a heart attack. Nigerians will soon see the true position of Atiku on the records of Tinubu at CSU. It is just a matter of time.

Documents sought by Atiku through his counsel, Angela M. Liu, include a record of his admission and acceptance at the university, dates of attendance, degrees, awards, and honours attained by Tinubu at the University.
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, said that he has no blood relationship with the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the state, Usman Ododo.

The Governor on Friday explained that the two of them may be from the same place but they dont share any blood relationship.

He also accused the opposition parties of being behind rumours of the relationship between himself and Ododo.

Speaking during the third edition of the Governor Yahaya Bello Seminar for Political and Crime Correspondents/Editors in Abuja, with the theme, Fight against insecurity: Achieving results in a challenging environment: The Kogi example, Governor Yahaya added that Ododo emerged from a keenly contested but free and fair primary election of the APC.

Bello said: Ododo has endeared himself to the people of Kogi. How can you be the most popular candidate, positioned to win, and still instigate violence?

READ MORE: DSS Grilled Kogi APC Governorship Candidate, Ododo Over Frivolous And Unfounded Allegation  Fanwo

Ododo and I may come from the same place but we do not share any blood relationship whatsoever. Do your findings. He is a very compassionate, hardworking and competent fellow, and those qualities spoke for him at the primaries.

Ethnic sentiments set Kogi back for 19 years and we must break away from that for competence. My administration has changed the narrative of ethnicity and has been appointing and working with competent people as against choosing people from tribes in the state.

We raise people from different backgrounds, irrespective of their senatorial zones, he added.

Anyone can choose to remember me for what I have achieved. I want to be remembered for that man who took up the challenge of leadership in Kogi State in areas of disunity, insecurity, poor dividends of democracy and in all areas of challenge, as one who came and laid a solid foundation for a new Kogi State to thrive, he said.
The Niger State Police Command has arrested five suspects allegedly in possession of human skull, said to be for money ritual along the Minna-Bida road in the state.

Two of the suspects, Isah Mohammed (26 years old) and Idris Mohammed (28 years old), both from Sakpe village in Edati Local Government Area, were reportedly caught with the skull wrapped in a bag by a sister security agency during a routine patrol.

The two suspects were later handed over to the state Police Area Command in Bida for further investigation. During this process, they revealed the names of three others who assisted them in exhuming a corpse and removing the head.

Confirming the incident in Minna, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), DSP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that the suspects were intercepted in a Mitsubishi Lancer vehicle by a sister security agency at the toll gate along Bida-Minna while searching the passengers on September 11, 2023, in the afternoon.

READ ALSO: Edo Police Arrest 28-Year-Old Truck Conductor For Raping A 15-Year-Old Girl

According to him, During police interrogation, the suspects claimed that they obtained the human skull from their village and were aided by three other individuals to the grave where the skull was exhumed.

The additional suspects include Ibrahim Jiya (18 years old), Suleiman Usman (22 years old), and Abdullahi Usman (24 years old), all hailing from the same address.

The police spokesman further stated that the three suspects were also apprehended and confessed that the skull was dug out from the burial ground in Sakpe village, belonging to Ndako Daniyan, who passed away three years ago in the same village.

He added, Two of the suspects, Isah and Abdullahi, claimed to have met an individual named Alfa Suleiman from Kwara State in Bida three weeks ago. He instructed them to obtain a human skull for a money ritual and advised them to take it to someone in Minna, providing N30,000 for the purpose. The unknown recipient instructed them to call him when they reached Kpakungu, and he would meet them.

The five suspects have been transferred to SCID Minna for a thorough investigation and diligent prosecution of the case.
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa has posited that one of Nigerias major problems is violation of laws.

Diri who spoke on Friday in Yenagoa, the state capital, during a thanksgiving service for the 2023/2024 legal year said Nigerians obey laws abroad but question security agents at home for doing their job.

When Nigerians travel out of Nigeria, they obey the law, but in Nigeria, they question security operatives for doing their job, the governor said.

He furthered that all Nigerians must obey the law no matter their social standing in society.

Matilda Ayemieye, Chief Judge of Bayelsa, said the judiciary in the State has made significant progress in deploying technology in the administration of justice.

Bayelsa state judiciary is now a reference point in the use of the court recording system as well as the e-filing of cases in the entire country.

READ ALSO: Derogatory Words Used By Tribunal Proves Verdict Was Biased  Atiku To SCourt

These were possible because of the vision of the past leadership of the judiciary and the unwavering support from the state government.

Our mission is to consolidate on the gains already recorded and open up new frontiers.

We have started the accessibility project to bring speedy and effective dispensation of justice closer to the people of Bayelsa, she said.

According to her, magistrates and high courts in the state are undergoing rehabilitation and renovation.

She further expressed optimism that by the end of the current legal year, all courts sitting outside their designated places would be fully relocated.
This ugly tale of domestic abuse is related from various angles by the security cameras in a residential block in Parana, southern Brazil. First we see the street as viewed from the front door of the building and a stationary white vehicle with a man and woman inside. On closer inspection, it appears that the man is preventing the woman from getting out of the car and, though the details are obscured, their movements can be seen to become increasingly agitated.

The man holds the bleeding body of his wife after retrieving it from the pavement where it landed

Cut to the parking lot below the apartments: the man gets out of the car and seizes the woman by the throat. She struggles free and hides behind one of the pillars. When he discovers her hiding place, she runs.

Cut to the elevator: the man pushes the woman inside and delivers the odd kick and blow as she tries to escape his clutches.

Cut to the elevator later that evening: the man holds the bleeding body of his wife after retrieving it from the pavement where it landed after falling from the balcony of their fifth floor apartment. Once he has taken the body back to their apartment, he returns to the elevator and cleans up the blood.

The footage was shot the night of July 22 and broadcast last Sunday on one of Brazils most popular programs, Fantastico, stirring national debate on domestic abuse and the vulnerability of women in a country that prefers to turn a blind eye.

Murder of this nature has reached a new record, jumping from 812 deaths in 2016 to 1,133 last year

Despite advances in recent years, women in Brazil cannot expect much support either from their neighbors or the authorities when they feel at risk in their own homes. Nor do those standing in the next general elections in October appear to be proposing any solutions. With the fifth-highest femicide rate in the world, the standard practice in Brazil is to keep ones nose out of other peoples matrimonial affairs. Now, according to the NGO Forum Brasileno de Seguridad Publico, murder of this nature has reached a new record, jumping from 812 deaths in 2016 to 1,133 last year.

The laws and legal instruments that we have at our disposal are very good in themselves but not useful as they do not offer protection to prevent femicide, says political scientist Ilona Szabo. Previous behaviors and aggressions, first verbal and then physical; the visits to the health center  all this should be registered and taken into account. Its not enough just to pursue what is reported to the police.

Tatiana and Luis Felipes neighbors admit to having heard raised voices and turning a blind eye

The tragedy that unfolds on the video shows the 32-year-old biology professor Luis Felipe Manvalier and his wife, 29-year-old lawyer Tatiana Spitzner, embroiled in a highly charged situation. Manvalier was later arrested as he fled toward the border between Brazil and Argentina and Paraguay, and is now in jail awaiting trial. He denies having murdered his wife and claims that she threw herself off the balcony. Meanwhile, Tatianas sister and several of her friends have spoken out about Manvaliers prior aggressions toward his wife and their own lack of intervention. Tatiana and Luis Felipes neighbors also admit to having heard raised voices and turning a blind eye.

The best way to detect and to stop this type of violent behavior is to openly discuss it when it first arises, says Szabo. Femicide is the conclusion of a cycle of violence, not an isolated incident and its important to understand that. Because we can avoid it, but we are not doing so.

English version by Heather Galloway.
United Nations Children Fund, (UNICEF) has decried over the stunting rate of children in Benue state, the food basket of the nation, saying 283,727 children under five years of age, are malnourished and stunted.

Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, made this known on Thursday in Makurdi during the Coordination meeting of all partners, stakeholders and Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, on the implementation of food and nutrition programme in the state.

Mrs. Chiluwe highlighted out that the situation was made worse by the fact that available data indicated almost one out of two (43%) children are denied the vital benefits of exclusive breastfeeding within the first six months of life in Benue State.

READ MORE: Over 330 Million Children In Extreme Poverty Globally  UNICEF

Mrs. Chiluwe said: Benue State though the Food Basket of Nigeria alone has stunting rate of 21 percent (representing 283,727 children under five years of age), underweight prevalence of 13.6 percent and almost 1 out of 2 (43 percent) children are denied the vital benefits of exclusive breastfeeding within the first six months of life in Benue.

Unfortunately, malnutrition has become a silent emergency and this silent emergency receives far too little attention.

UNICEF is committed to working with all of our partners in government and other UN agencies, the media as well as civil society and the private sector to help propel this global movement forward.

The stakes could not be higher; and the path to progress could not be more clear; it is time for all of us to seize this opportunity.

The causes of stunting may be complex, but in the end, our choice is very simple.

The Chief also stated that: investments in Scaling-Up Nutrition will yield immediate returns. They will save and contribute to lives, enable children and their mothers to have a better future, contribute to livelihoods, reduce poverty, and contribute to the economic growth of nations.

Yet nutrition has a perennial low attention in Nigeria and in Benue state and has therefore contributed to the high global malnutritional rates.

In her presentation on nutrition activities in Benue from 2022 till date, the State Nutrition Focal Person, Mrs. Faustina Shar said that a comprehensive review of results in 2021 showed significant decline in child food poverty rate across the states but Benue showed higher levels compared to other states.
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a suspect, Peace Robert, after she was declared wanted over a series of fraudulent activities bordering on criminal conspiracy, a threat to life, forgery, fraudulent conversion, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

Before Roberts arrest, the police said the suspect declined multiple requests to engage with the police.

According to the police, such an act led to her being declared a person of interest on July 22 as her activities had allegedly affected numerous individuals including the petitioner.

The police further noted, It is essential to correct any misconceptions regarding allegations of police misconduct. The assertion that the police surrounded and threatened Ms. Roberts life is categorically false.

READ ALSO: Police Arrest Wanted Bandits Informant In Abuja

Police Operatives acted upon credible intelligence on her whereabouts received from a concerned member of the public, enabling them to locate and apprehend Ms. Robert.

At present, Ms. Robert is in custody, and the investigative process will continue with the utmost diligence and impartiality.

The police said the suspect would be given the opportunity to present her perspective during the course of the investigation, ensuring a fair and comprehensive assessment of her involvement or lack thereof in the alleged fraudulent activities.

The police force urged Nigerians who have been defrauded or have any pending case with the suspect to show up and relate with the police operatives investigating her.

The Police Special Fraud Unit, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja is investigating Roberts involvement in alleged serial fraud, impersonation, and cyberstalking cases.

Upon conclusion of Police investigations into more available credible evidence, Ms Peace will be charged to court, the police said.
A former member of the Boko Haram terrorist, Musa Dauda, has been arrested for allegedly killing and secretly burying his ex-wife, Hafsat Musa.

In a press briefing on Friday in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, the State Police Spokesman, ASP Sani Kamilu, said the incident happened on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

The police spokesman said, Dauda had invited 45-year-old Hafsat to meet with him on her farm at Muhammed Goni stadium before he killed and secretly buried her.

Kamilu said the decomposing body of Hafsat was discovered on the farm by her relatives, and the Police were informed. He added that the woman went missing thereafter, leading to a frantic search by members of his family and a report to the police.

On 17/09/2023 at about 1225hrs the police operatives of the command received information from one Uwani Bello and Nura Mohammed that they visited a farm and discovered a lifeless body of Hafsat Musa half buried in the ground.

READ MORE: Over 100 Terrorists Killed As ISWAP, Boko Haram Clash In Borno

That on 12/9/2023 at about 1330hrs one Musa Dauda a repentant Boko Haram terrorist of Dala Area Maiduguri invited his divorced wife, one Hafsat Musa age 45yrs of the same address to meet him in her farm situated inside Mohammed Goni stadium BULUMKUTU Area, since then Hafsat Musa did not return back home neither was she seen again.

The case was not reported to the police in time until a few days when a decomposed corpse was discovered by the relatives of the deceased at the farm, and police detective immediately swung into action and visited the scene, photographed the body and other evidence were gathered, the scene secured and the corpse later evacuated to Umaru Shehu Ultra Modern Hospital for autopsy.

Effort was intensified to arrest the prime suspect Musa Dauda who is said to be her former husband and had disappeared and was declared wanted by the Police.

On 21/09/2023 at about 1715hrs based on credible information, the suspect was arrested around the Gadabul area of Dala Lawanti Maiduguri by the police.

The suspect confessed to the commission of the offense (killing of his divorced wife, Hafsat Musa) that he met her with somebody on the said farm and he suddenly hit her with a hoe on the head where she slumped and became unconscious. He subsequently buried her in the said farm and ran away.

The State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, SCIID has commenced a diligent investigation and the suspect will soon be arraigned in court for prosecution. The statement concluded.
Duane Morris attorney Michael Rinaldi presents his firm's report to the Central Bucks school board during a special meeting on April 20. The district is now accusing the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights of failing to report bullying allegations involving a district student. Read more

After accusing one of its teachers of concealing bullying of a transgender student, the Central Bucks School District is now saying federal officials contacted by the teacher also wrongly covered up abuse.

In a letter asking the U.S. Department of Educations Inspector General to investigate the Philadelphia office of the departments Office for Civil Rights earlier this month, Central Bucks school board president Dana Hunter said that when the office received a complaint in spring 2022 from teacher Andrew Burgess detailing alleged bullying, assaults, and threats against the student, it should have contacted the district and local law enforcement.

Instead, the office closed the complaint, saying it could not investigate the discrimination without disclosing the students identity.

The district is concerned that OCRs Philadelphia office violated the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990, requiring prompt reporting of suspected child abuse, Hunter said in the Sept. 15 letter.

Advertisement

The office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.

The letter is the latest chapter in the saga around allegations Central Bucks has discriminated against LGBTQ students, which the civil rights office has investigated for the past year.

Burgess was involved in bringing those claims to the office. In addition to the since-dismissed complaint filed on behalf of the bullied student, he filed a complaint alleging he was suspended in retaliation for helping the student. He also cooperated with the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, which filed a complaint in October 2022 on behalf of seven transgender and nonbinary students in the district, alleging the district had created a hostile environment for LGBTQ youth.

The ACLU accused the district of failing to address persistent bullying of LGBTQ students  a climate the organization said was worsened by discriminatory policies and directives, like calls to remove classroom Pride flags.

But Central Bucks denies the claims of unaddressed bullying  instead casting blame on Burgess. A report by the Duane Morris law firm, hired by the district to investigate and address the allegations, said Burgess had endangered the bullied student by discouraging him and his mother from going to administrators. Instead, the teacher compiled a dossier of assaults and threats against the student, which he then submitted to the civil rights office.

The law firm  which conducted a five-month investigation and said Democrats had weaponized false allegations against the school boards Republican majority  points to notes taken by the Lenape Middle School principal, indicating that the bullied students mother had called the school and shared that she was given a civil rights complaint by a teacher.

She told the principal she was confused about how this would help her child in the short term, according to the firms report.

Burgess says he never encouraged the family not to report to administrators, but gave them the choice. He said the student, who had been repeatedly harassed, didnt want to submit a report through the districts system because it would notify the parents of those doing the bullying.

It had already been made clear to Burgess and other teachers that the district was not taking action to address anonymously reported incidents of bullying, the ACLU said in a lawsuit filed in April on behalf of Burgess.

In the lawsuit, Burgess said he had asked the student if he was thinking of hurting himself, but the student earnestly told Burgess that he was not. He said he determined the student was not describing child abuse, as defined by Pennsylvania law, and thus the situation did not trigger the mandated reporting procedures for teachers who suspect child abuse.

But the alleged threats and bullying would qualify as mental injury under the federal Victims of Child Abuse Act, Hunter said in the letter.

The office participated in Mr. Burgesss cover-up of abuse of a vulnerable, transgender middle-school student, endangering that student in its game of political gotcha with the district, Hunter said.

She said the offices politically motivated investigations of the district have already gone on for about a year and have been very costly, diverting scarce resources that could be used for other purposes, and that it shouldnt have taken the district hiring its own law firm to learn of serious allegations of abuse of a vulnerable child.

 READ MORE: More than 300 women teachers say Central Bucks underpaid them compared to men. Heres what to know.

As of March, Central Bucks estimated that Duane Morris bills would top $1 million. The district agreed to pay U.S. attorney and former Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill McSwain $940 an hour, and fellow former federal prosecutor Michael Rinaldi, $640 an hour.

Burgess, who was suspended by the district again after the April release of Duane Morris report, said the district knew who the student  who no longer attends school in the district  was and could have taken action on its own.

Rather than causing further harm, Burgess lawsuit says, he was the students sole safe haven after the administration did nothing discernible throughout the year in response to repeated complaints about bullying.
The Rutgers University senate on Friday voted no confidence in president Jonathan Holloway, following several controversial decisions in recent months, including the ouster of the Newark campus chancellor and the planned merger of the universitys two medical schools.

The move, which passed 89 to 47, also follows rocky faculty contract negotiations that resulted in a strike last spring at the 67,672-student public flagship university, during which time Holloway had threatened to seek an injunction to make faculty return to class.

Largely symbolic, the vote does not carry any authority but does send a message about the dissatisfaction of the senate, made up of a broad base of students, faculty, alumni, and staff.

The measure specifically states that the senate has lost confidence in his ability to effectively lead this institution.

But the board of governors, which has the authority to appoint the president, left no doubt it supports Holloway.

Advertisement

Jonathan, you have been a calm but powerful agent of change, wrote William E. Best in a letter to the president before the vote. We applaud every decision you made and remain steadfast in our support of you for making them.

A leader through turbulent times

Holloway, 56, Rutgers first Black president, has been on the job for a little over three years. He took office in July 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

 READ MORE: First black president for Rutgers University expected to be appointed

When President Holloway first came to Rutgers several years ago, he had all the good will in the world from everybody within our beloved community and he has failed to live up to that, again and again, said Audrey Truschke, a professor in the department of history at Rutgers-Newark, adding that he has repeatedly disrespected the faculty and the senate.

Norman Markowitz, an associate professor of history, who spoke during the meeting held via Zoom, also raised Holloways attitude toward the senate as an issue.

If the president and the university treat the university senate the way high school principals treat student governments, which is to pat them on the head and then do what they want, we will all suffer, he said. I would say that this is in President Holloways interest. He should realize that his policies on this issue and his role in the strike, which was successful, have lost him huge support among the faculty, the students, and staff. ... He must act to regain that support.

Alexis Winters, a student at Rutgers-Camden, said she and other students met with Holloway last semester about the strike and other concerns and felt their concerns were completely dismissed.

 READ MORE: Rutgers faculty and grad student unions will go on strike

In a statement, the university said Holloway, a U.S. historian who came to Rutgers from Northwestern University where he was the provost, would continue to work with the university and senate.

The statement from Dory Devlin, assistant vice president for news and media relations, also highlighted accomplishments under Holloway, saying he has strengthened the school, leading it through the pandemic, and to increasing prominence in national rankings.

Holloways allies point to rising rankings, other signs of progress

In U.S. News rankings released earlier this week, Rutgers-New Brunswick placed 40th, tied with the University of Washington and Tufts University. Thats up 15 spots and the first time it broke the top 40, according to U.S. News, which said Rutgers benefited from the rankings increased emphasis on how well schools did enrolling and graduating students from economically diverse backgrounds. Rutgers-Camden also advanced 29 spots to 98, while Rutgers-Newark improved, too.

Sponsored research at Rutgers now approaches $1 billion, the number of students competing for admission to the university this year exceeded 56,000 and is at an all-time high, and Rutgers is among the top producers of internationally recognized scholars receiving Fulbright Fellowships and other prestigious fellowships, scholarships, and awards, Devlin said.

Some members of the university senate spoke against the no-confidence measure, saying it would accomplish nothing, except to damage the institutions reputation and distract from its mission.

I think its a hindrance to reconciliation, said Ronald Quincy, a professor from the school of planning and public policy. It has destabilizing elements.

Kevin Schroth, an associate professor at Rutgers School of Public Health, said the no-confidence vote would not be productive.

I dont think that it will help us to rebuild bridges that will help the senate to get to where it is at its best, which is being able to provide advice and contribute to a dialogue with the administration, he said. I think this builds bigger walls between the senate and the university.

Competing visions

Tensions between Holloway and the teaching staff mounted last year as negotiations for new contracts grew more tense.

We hope that the courts would not have to be called upon to halt an unlawful strike, Holloway wrote in a March 21 message to the campus community.

When the faculty went on strike in April, the university did not seek an injunction, but faculty continued to be critical of Holloway for suggesting it. The strike lasted a week and Rutgers educators, researchers, and clinicians ratified new contracts in May.

The senate resolution also called out the approved merger in July of the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick and the New Jersey Medical School in Newark. Holloway pushed to move forward despite significant opposition and refused to respect the senates effort to pause the process, according to the approved senate resolution.

The board chair in his letter, however, praised Holloway for his efforts on the merger.

Your vision of a unified medical school is both measured and ambitious, befitting the development of a world- class academic medical center..., Best said.

Holloway also came under fire in August when the university announced that popular Newark chancellor Nancy Cantor would not continue in her position after this academic year. The resolution noted the decision to dismiss Cantor, who had been in the job for nearly 10 years and had nurtured close ties with the community, with no explanation and counter to the recommendations of a campus committee tasked with conducting a yearlong, comprehensive review of her performance.

And the senate resolution also dinged Holloway for a 6% tuition increase this year, as well as rising housing and dining costs.

Earlier this year, Temple Universitys faculty union was preparing to hold a vote of no confidence in its president, Jason Wingard, but he resigned.

The faculty union voted no confidence in Provost Gregory N. Mandel and Board Chair Mitchell Morgan. Wingard, Temples first Black president, had been on the job for less than two years.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and other top state Democrats called on U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez to resign Friday, hours after he was indicted on federal bribery charges for a second time in less than a decade.

Menendez, a three-term Democrat who is up for reelection next year, has denied charges that he accepted hundreds of thousands in payoffs in exchange for assisting three state businessmen with their personal and legal problems.

Still, Murphy said in a statement: The alleged facts are so serious that they compromise the ability of Sen. Menendez to effectively represent the people of our state. Therefore, I am calling for his immediate resignation.

 READ MORE: N.J. Sen. Bob Menendez indicted over gifts of gold bars and a luxury car

Advertisement

Other members of Menendezs party quickly followed suit.

In the interest of ensuring that New Jerseyans continue to be granted the federal representation that they deserve, and to make sure that our party is able to keep its focus on the critical upcoming state legislative elections in November, I believe that the best course of action is for Sen. Menendez to resign so that he can focus his full attention on his legal defense, said Leroy Jones Jr., a longtime Menendez ally and the chairman of the state Democratic Party.

Senate President Nicholas Scutari, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, and U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, who represents parts of South Jersey, also issued statements Friday.

 READ MORE: U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez indictment: Read the charges

The charges laid out against Sen. Menendez go against everything we should believe as public servants, Coughlin said. Though I know that this indictment is an accusation, not a conviction, and that the senator has the right to defend himself from these charges, I believe Sen. Menendez must immediately step down and allow New Jersey and America to move forward.

Menendez, who previously beat a federal bribery case in 2017, has vowed to remain in office as the new charges against him play out. However, he surrendered his position as chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Friday in light of the case against him.

 READ MORE: Who is Bob Menendezs wife, Nadine? Who else was charged in the indictment?

The relatively swift calls for the senators resignation from senior party leaders stood in contrast to how the party responded to Menendezs earlier legal troubles.

Despite electoral vulnerability in 2018, Menendez didnt face a serious primary challenge in the aftermath of a bribery case that ended in a mistrial.

This time around, the public appeared to have soured on Menendez even before the latest indictment. Just 35% of New Jersey adults approved of his job performance in the most recent Monmouth University poll, while 44% disapproved. Over the past year, his job rating has declined even among Democrats, according to Monmouth.

Prosecutors allege that Menendez used his influence to interfere on U.S. relations with Egypt on behalf of one businessman paying him bribes and leaked highly sensitive information on U.S. embassy personnel in exchange for bribes. Hes also accused of attempting to interfere in separate state and federal investigations involving businessmen and their allies offering him payouts.

I have worked every day  to create jobs, strengthen public safety, update infrastructure and reduce costs for New Jersey families, Menendez said in his statement Friday. I remain focused on continuing this important work and will not be distracted by baseless allegations. 
Anyone who's ready to sign up for Medicare has a lot of decisions to make. But one decision is especially importantshould you choose Medicare Advantage or use Medigap to supplement your Original Medicare plan?

If you choose the Medigap supplement plan route, you'll keep Original Medicare (Parts A and B), and purchase a supplement plan from a private insurer to fill coverage gaps. You'll also need to purchase prescription drug coverage (Part D). Conversely, Medicare Advantage plans are an all-in-one solution. They replace Original Medicare as well as cover gaps in its coverage. Almost all of them offer prescription drug coverage too. Additionally, many Medicare Advantage plans offer extra coverages such as vision and dental.

Key Takeaways Original Medicare provides good basic health coverage, but Part B only pays 80% of approved costs in most cases, and some items are not covered such as prescription drugs.

Medigap supplemental insurance plans are designed to fill Medicare Part A and Part B coverage gaps.

To avoid penalties and gaps in coverage, most people should sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B within the seven-month window that starts three months before their 65th birthday.

Medicare Advantage plans, offered by private, Medicare-approved insurers, are an alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) that also include additional coverages to fill gaps.

Although Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage is optional, if you dont have qualifying drug coverage there may be financial penalties if you need to buy a policy later on.

Medicare Coverage

Budgeting for healthcare costs in retirement is tough since theres often no way of knowing whether your expenses each year will be minimal or huge. While traditional Medicare (Part A and Part B) provides good basic coverage, Part A is subject to a yearly deductible and Part B normally only pays 80% with the insured typically owing 20% coinsurance. Unlike coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), there is no cap on the amount a person might have to pay in one year.

Let's say, for example, that you need heart bypass surgery. The cost would average $151,271, and you would be responsible for a copay. The cost could even be much more depending on the hospital, and if there are complications or something else goes wrong.

In addition, some health needs, such as prescription drugs, hearing aids, eyeglasses, and dental care, are not covered at all by regular Medicare (Parts A and B).

There are two basic ways for recipients to fill most of these coverage gaps and reduce the risk of tremendous bills in a bad health year:

Medicare plus Medigap supplemental insurance policies Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Plus Medigap Supplemental Insurance Policies

About 49% of the about 60 million Medicare beneficiaries choose Medicare Parts A and B, which cover hospitals, doctors, and medical procedures. The other 51%, 30.8 million people, are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. Over 80% of of beneficiaries on Original Medicare supplement their insurance with Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance), Medicaid, or employer-sponsored insurance. In 2022, 49 million were enrolled in a standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug policy.

Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medigap plans, are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.

While supplementing Medicare with Medigap may be the more expensive option, it has a few advantages. Both Medicare and Medigap insurance plans cover you for any hospital or doctor in the U.S. that accepts Medicare, and the great majority do. There is no need for prior authorization or a referral from a primary care doctor. Coverage includes the entire U.S., which may be important for anyone who travels frequently or spends part of the year in a different locale. This option is also attractive to those who wish to use particular physicians or hospitals.

Medicare Advantage Plans

Available from private, Medicare-approved insurance companies, Medicare Advantage policies (also known as Medicare Part C) are marketed to consumers by companies including Aetna, Humana, and Kaiser Permanente. Medicare Advantage plans may have no premium, or a lower one compared to the significant premiums for Medigap. Medicare Advantage plans cover hospitals and doctors and often include prescription drug coverage and some services not covered by Medicare, too. In 2023, 51% of Medicare beneficiaries opted for a Medicare Advantage plan.

Most Medicare Advantage plans operate as a health maintenance organization (HMO) or a preferred provider organization (PPO). HMOs require members to use the doctors and hospitals in their networks. PPOs generally let members get care outside the plan's network, but members may have to pay more for such care. Some plans require prior authorization for specialist care or procedures, or a referral from a primary care doctor. Plans might not cover care given outside of the networks geographical area. On the other hand, Medicare Advantage plans often offer additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare, such as eyeglasses, routine dental care, or gym memberships.

The average Medicare beneficiary had access to 43 Medicare Advantage plans in 2023. With so many choices, it's important to take the time to find the best plan for your unique circumstances.

When to Sign up for Medicare

As you approach age 65, its important to know which enrollment deadlines apply to your circumstances. Begin by checking your eligibility. To avoid costly penalties and gaps in coverage, most people should sign up for Medicare Part A (hospitals) and Part B (doctors) in the seven-month window that starts three months before you turn 65.

If you currently get Social Security, you will be automatically enrolled; if not, you need to sign up either online or at your Social Security office.

Medicare Part B

If you are working at age 65, however, and you have employer insurance through a company with more than 20 employees, you have the right to stay on your employer insurance and delay signing up for Medicare Part B until your employer coverage ends. If you work for an employer with fewer than 20 employees, it is very important to ask the employer whether you are required to sign up for Medicare and get that decision in writing.

Medicare Part D

Once youve enrolled in Medicare, a key decision point is choosing coverage for Part D prescription drug insurance. If you dont enroll in Part D insurance when you start Medicare and want to buy drug coverage later on, you may be permanently penalized for signing up late.

You can avoid the penalty, however, if you have what's known as creditable prescription drug coverage, which is prescription drug coverage (from an employer or union, for example) thats expected to pay, on average, at least as much as Medicares standard prescription drug coverage. If you have this kind of drug coverage when you become eligible for Medicare, you are generally allowed to keep it. You generally won't have to pay a penalty if you later decide to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan and you haven't gone for longer than 63 continuous days without creditable coverage.

Many Medicare Advantage plans include Part D drug insurance, but a stand-alone policy can also be purchased for those who choose regular Medicare (Part A and Part B) or a Medicare Advantage plan that doesnt include Part D.

Choosing Traditional Medicare Plus a Medigap Plan

As noted above, Original Medicare comprises Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). You can supplement this coverage with a stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan and a Medigap supplemental insurance plan. While signing up for Medicare gets you into Parts A and B, you have to take action on your own to buy these supplemental policies.

Finding Part D, Drug Insurance

To get started, find the plans available in your zip code. Once you have created an account at Medicare.gov, you can enter the names of your drugs and use a convenient tool that allows you to compare plan premiums, deductibles, and Medicare star ratings.

If you dont take many (or any) prescription drugs, look for a plan with a low monthly premium. All plans must still cover most drugs used by people with Medicare. If, on the other hand, you have high prescription drug costs, check into plans that cover your drugs in the donut hole, the coverage gap period that kicks in after you and the plan have spent a certain amount on covered drugs for the year, $5,030 in 2024, up from $4,660 in 2023.

Selecting a Medigap (Supplemental) Plan: Recent Changes Limit Choices

Medigap policies are private plans, available from insurance companies or through brokers, but not on medicare.gov. The plans are labeled A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N, each with a different standardized coverage. Plans F and G also offer high-deductible versions in some states. Some plans include emergency medical benefits during foreign travel. Since coverage is standard, there are no ratings of Medigap policies. Consumers can confidently compare insurers prices for each letter plan and simply choose the better deal.

As of Jan. 1, 2020, Medigap plans sold to new Medicare beneficiaries aren't allowed to cover the annual Part B deductible.

Before 2020, Plan F was the most popular Medicare supplement with over half of all supplement policyholders choosing Plan F in 2016. The plan gave the most comprehensive coverage, including paying the annual Medicare Part B deductible ($240 in 2024, up from $226 in 2023). However, in an effort to limit Medicare costs, Congress suspended Plans C, F, and High Deductible F for people who become Medicare-eligible in 2020 and beyond.

Plan D and Plan G have similar benefits to Plan C and Plan F, except for not covering the Part B deductible. People who signed up or became eligible for Medicare before 2020 can purchase or continue Plans C or F, though prices may rise and it may be a better deal to switch to a plan that doesnt cover the deductible.

Choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan

Medicare Advantage Health Plans are similar to private health insurance. Most services, such as office visits, lab work, surgery, and many others, are covered after a small co-pay. Plans might offer an HMO or PPO network, and all plans have the same mandatory limit on members' annual out-of-pocket expenses. Each plan has different benefits and rules. Most provide prescription drug coverage. Some require a referral to see a specialist, while others do not. Some may pay a portion of out-of-network care, while others will cover only doctors and facilities that are in the HMO or PPO network. There are also other types of Medicare Advantage plans.

Selecting a plan with a low or no annual premium can be important. But it's also essential to check on co-pay and coinsurance costs, especially for expensive hospital stays and procedures, to estimate your annual expenses. Since care is often limited to in-network physicians and hospitals, the quality and size of a particular plans network should be an important factor in your choice.

Head to the Find a Medicare plan page at Medicare.gov, where the compare feature allows you to look at plans side by side. The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), an insurance rating organization, also tracks what consumers think of Medicare Advantage plans' services and physicians, and whether the plans meet certain quality standards. Zero Medicare Advantage plans earned a 5-star rating in 2023, 24 earned 4.5 stars, and 127 earned a 4-star rating. Be sure to check the ratings for plans available in your state.

What to Consider in Making Your Choice

Your lifestyle, health condition, and finances may all influence what you determine is best for you: traditional Medicare plus Medigap or Medicare Advantage. Here are some things to consider:

The Costs

Medicare Advantage plans might save you money on premiums, but be sure to check whether prescription drug benefits are included. If not, youll need to buy a separate Part D plan if you want that coverage. Also check the cost of any premiums, copays, and other out-of-pocket expenses, and whether there are any limits in the coverage. If extra benefits are included, such as help with hearing aids and dental bills, be sure to find out how much of these expenses will actually be covered.

Compare these costs to those of purchasing Medigap and stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug policies. Calculate the premiums, as well as the amount of any out-of-pocket expenses (deductibles, copays, coinsurance) the policies may require. Yes, these can be complex calculations, but an insurance broker can help by doing the math for you and making cost-saving recommendations.

Choice of Doctors

Original Medicare allows you to use any U.S. doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, and most do. Most Medicare Advantage plans restrict you to using physicians in their network and may cover less, or none, of the expenses of using out-of-network providers.

Under Medicare Advantage HMO plans, your care is coordinated and your primary care doctor will be in the loop about the findings of specialists. If your plan is a PPO, however, getting referrals from a primary care doctor wouldn't be required. With traditional Medicare, you dont need a referral to see a specialist or a prior authorization for procedures, but youll need to make sure care is coordinated and your doctors are in communication with one another. Often this is best done by developing a relationship with a primary care physician and letting them refer you to specialists. However, it's your choice and not required.

Local Conditions and Convenience

In some areas where physicians and hospitals are scarce, its important to check out both the networks of available Medicare Advantage plans and the locations of providers who accept regular Medicare. Are the doctors accepting new patients? Will you have to travel far to see a provider or be treated in an emergency room? Advice from local professionals, neighbors, and licensed insurance brokers can help you find Medicare Advantage plans that do business in your area. Compare plans to find one that suits your needs.

Lifestyle Factors

Frequent travel, dual residences, and the desire to keep seeing your current physician are some of the factors that may make regular Medicare a good choice. Ask your current physicians if they participate in any Medicare Advantage plans or accept regular Medicare. For frequent fliers, choosing regular Medicare plus a Medigap insurance policy that covers emergency care in foreign countries may be a good bet. Similarly, people who spend part of the year in a different geographical area may find it difficult to stay in-network for medical care and might be better off with regular Medicare and a Medigap insurance policy.

Your Health

People with chronic diseases and those who develop a serious health condition should look deeper into the choices available. A Medicare Advantage plan may be a better choice if it has an out-of-pocket maximum that protects you from huge bills. Regular Medicare plus a Medigap insurance plan generally allows you more choice in where you receive your care. Check whether any expensive drugs or equipment (such as supplies for people with diabetes) will be covered by your Medicare prescription drug plan, whether it's a standalone one or part of a Medicare Advantage plan.

Broader Benefits

Medicare Advantage plans are evolving as the government allows insurers to add coverage for additional benefits not included in regular Medicare. As a result, it pays to reconsider your choice of regular Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage each year during open enrollment to make sure youre getting the benefits you need most, whether it's home care or transportation to doctors. The CARES Act of 2020 relaxed rules on home care by allowing Medicare certification of home care given by physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse specialists. The act also expanded telehealth access by making coverage more flexible.

Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage: What's the Difference

Can You Switch? Yes, but Theres a Catch

Its logical to consider enjoying the cost savings of a Medicare Advantage plan while youre relatively healthy, and then switching back to regular Medicare if you develop a condition you want treated at an out-of-town facility. In fact, switching between the two forms of Medicare (or between Medicare Advantage plans) is an option for everyone during the open enrollment period. This annual election period runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year.

Heres the catch. If you switch back to regular Medicare (Part A and Part B), you may not be able to sign up for a Medigap insurance policy. When you first sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B, Medigap insurance companies are generally obligated to sell you a policy, regardless of your medical condition. You're also allowed to buy a Medigap policy without medical underwriting restrictions if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan when first eligible for Medicare but switch to traditional Medicare within a year, and again if you later switch back to a Medicare Advantage plan but return to original Medicare coverage within a year. Otherwise, Medigap insurers may charge you extra due to your age and preexisting conditions, or not to sell you a policy at all if you have serious medical problems.

Some states have enacted laws to address this. In New York and Connecticut, Medigap insurance plans are guaranteed-issue year-round, meaning the insurers must provide coverage without medical underwriting to all who seek it. In Massachusetts, guaranteed-issue Medigap enrollment is available in February and March each year, while Medigap insurers in Maine must offer Plan A on a guaranteed-issue basis for one month each year. If you live in a state that doesn't offer this protection, planning to switch between traditional Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan depending on your health is a risky business.

Do not pay a Medicare broker directly for their assistance. They are paid by the insurance company to sell their insurance. If you suspect Medicare Advantage fraud, please call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 or the Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor at 1-877-772-3379.

Why Do I Need Medigap if I Already Have Medicare? Since Medicare Part B only covers about 80% of medical costs, signing up for Medigap can save you out-of-pocket costs. Medigap is a private insurance option that is designed to supplement Medicare (Part A and Part B) plans, paying costs that would otherwise be your responsibility.

How Do I Choose Between Medicare Advantage and Medigap? Consider your priorities, like budget, choice, travel, and health conditions. While Medicare Advantage can be more affordable for people with long term health issues, Medigap gives you flexibility and choice by expanding your network.

What Are the Benefits to Medicare Advantage? Medicare Advantage covers more than Medicare (Part A and Part B), allowing patients more options and flexibility. Many Medicare Advantage plans cover hearing aids, vision, and dental care.

The Bottom Line

Whether Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare and a supplement plan is right to for you comes down to a number of personal factors. Are the yearly out-of-pocket maximums of Medicare Advantage plans important to you? Would you prefer to not be constrained by a network, and not need to get referrals? If so, the Original Medicare plus Medigap route may give you more choices. However, if you'd like coverage for dental, vision, and hearing aids, then certain Medicare Advantage plans may be your best option.
The scam begins with a call from someone purporting to be from your bank. The caller asks you to log into your account.

They then ask you to access another web address that offers a live chat service or to verify your PC.

In reality, this allows the fraudster remote access to your computer, your screen, and all your files and programs.

Finally, the caller will set up payments on your online banking, asking you to read out the one-time security code from your banks app to approve the payments.

The live chat scam has been around for a while.

It was first reported in mainland Europe. It then spread to Britain and Australia and now its here.

Bank of Ireland last week warned its business customers to be vigilant. A few days later, AIB warned that fraudsters are now contacting people through a bad actor or fake website, offering products that seem to be often from legitimate, well-known names in financial services.

The scammers share sophisticated brochures and materials that appear real, sending these to consumers using the real names and job titles from people in AIB or other banks.

After the victim signs all the relevant fake documents, they are then asked to transfer money to an account which they later realise does not belong to the genuine financial services firm but is in fact controlled by the scammer who now have their money.

Banking & Payments Federation Ireland head of financial crime Niamh Davenport.

The victim is often put under a degree of time pressure to act, for instance to get the best rate of return.

Its then that their money is stolen  in some cases a persons life savings.

Fraud is not new. Its as old as mankind itself. But as security, detection, and awareness evolve so do the scammers.

Fifteen years ago, anyone with the internet was the target of people purporting to be from African royalty, commonly referred to as the infamous Nigerian prince scam.

Largely targeting older people, the scheme involves a monarch asking the recipient to transfer large sums of money in exchange for a share of their royal fortune.

Around the same time, landlines across the country started going ballistic with a wave of Microsoft specialists eagerly offering free, unsolicited tech support. All the customer had to do to avail of this kind-hearted service was enter a few banking details here and there to help the caller fulfil their duty. What could go wrong?

Criminals back them followed a step-by-step guide on how to operate a scam but, with time, awareness, and infinitely more resources fraudsters in todays world employ deception that is more targeted, more believable, and all the more damaging to the average working household and business.

The figures are eyewatering. Figures from Comreg (the Commission for Communications Regulation) show that scams costs Irish consumers more than 300m each year  115m lost to scam text messages and 187m to scam calls.

In 2022, Comreg estimates there were close to 365,000 cases of fraudulent scams, 89m annoying communications and 31m distressing communications.

More than 5,000 businesses were victims of fraud.

Data from Fraudsmart, led by the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) for last year shows that fraudsters stole 85m from customers  with card fraud making up 95% of cases.

It found half of all adults experienced attempted fraud by text message.

Banking & Payments Federation Ireland head of financial crime Niamh Davenport warns that todays scams are far more varied and sophisticated than any Nigerian prince fraud.

Even as recently as 2017, the vast majority of fraud scams we saw were impersonating banks themselves, Ms Davenport tells the Irish Examiner. Now, it has gone the other way.

While fraudsters will always target banks, the ones were seeing now also involve the impersonation of individuals, utility companies, phone providers and of course [M50 motorway toll operator] eFlow.

There are so many different variations and because there is a chance that you may have missed a bill, or you were recently driving on the motorway, youre not going to be as vigilant.

Even for more tech-savvy technology users, Ms Davenport emphasises the extensive lengths that criminals will go to make a scam more believable and hence all the more damaging.

According to the financial crime chief, fraudsters will often scan all social media accounts belonging to a potential victim, gathering information on where they have recently been, where they may have spent money, who they were with, and what their future plans are  all to curate an email, phone call, or text message that sounds more personalised and more believable.

While many would never think criminals go to such dramatic lengths, Ms Davenport says they are far more thorough than one would assume.

You have to understand the potential reward if a fraud proves successful. Very large sums of money can be transferred as part of a scam, she says.

Lets say a fraudster does this for a large number of people. All it takes is one person to believe them. We have seen people put their entire retirement savings into fraudulent scams, minimum deposits could be as high as 25,000. One reward can make even up to three months of background-gathering very profitable.

Just recently, the BPFI reported that 85m was fraudulently taken from people in Ireland last year  an increase of 8.8% compared to 2021.

While the vast majority of these sorts of schemes are transnational, Ms Davenport stresses that fraud is very much a borderless and global issue.

Among those working within Ireland, fraudsters have targeted a number of specific cohorts, and not just older people. Businesses and young people have also been highlighted in the BPFIs scam detection and alert platform, Fraudsmart.

Often targeted as potential money mules, young adults and teenagers as young as 15 have offered their bank accounts to fraudsters as a way to transfer and launder money, with the account holder keeping a portion of that money for themselves as payment.

According to Ms Davenport, the majority are recruited through social media. A recent report from the BPFI said that in the first half of this year more than 2,600 mule accounts  most of which belonged to 18- to 24-year-olds  had been identified. More than 17.5m of stolen funds were transferred through these accounts.

This money is coming from successful scams, says Ms Davenport.

These transfers represent the eFlow text messages, the targeted investment scams, and banker impersonations.

This is not some victimless act  the money that students are transferring is funding human trafficking, drug trafficking, and organised crime. If only a lot more knew what they were enabling, I think a lot less would be happy to do it.

The growth of artificial intelligence, in particular, generative AI  the software behind chatbots such as ChatGPT  could be a game-changer for scammers.

Gregory OHare, Trinity College Dublin professor of artificial intelligence and head of the School of Computer Science and Statistics, said that while it has the capacity to bring great benefit, AI can also be used in a more malevolent manner.

It could absolutely be used for fraudulent purposes, says Prof OHare, noting a number of ways AI could be used to assist in a scam.

He says generative AI and chatbots have the power to generate sophisticated dialogue, similar to the stylised scripts used by financial lenders, with Prof OHare also noting that fraud operations will no longer be bounded by the limits of human effort.

You may have 20 people working a fraud operation, but there is an eventual limit on the amount of work they can do, he says. AI opens that up massively, meaning frauds dont have to be constrained by its human headcount.

Since economic crime records began in 2019, instances of fraud reported to the gardai have more than doubled. Justice Minister Helen McEntee recently announcing a 21% increase in the resources provided to Garda National Economic Bureau since 2020 to tackle the growing problem.

However, as Prof OHare told a recent Oireachtas hearing: The velocity of AI technology is alas fast exceeding the rate at which the law around AI can be framed.
Sinn Feins grip on PSNI leadership must be broken, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has said.

Following a number of controversies involving the leadership of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Mr Donaldson insisted that Sinn Feins word should carry no more weight with a chief constable than that of others.

There can be no more cases where its one rule for Sinn Fein and another rule for the rest of us, he added, in his weekly message to party members, seen by the PA news agency.

Former chief constable Simon Byrne resigned earlier this month following a string of controversies, including the fallout from a PSNI data breach in which the names and details of all officers and staff members were mistakenly released online.

Former Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable Simon Byrne (Liam McBurney/PA)

In addition, a High Court ruling said that two junior officers were unlawfully disciplined for an arrest made at a Troubles commemoration event in 2021.

The judge said they had been disciplined to allay a threat that Sinn Fein could withdraw its support for policing.

Sinn Fein has insisted there was no such threat.

Deputy Chief Constable Mark Hamilton is assuming the responsibilities of the chief until the new leader of the PSNI is found, with the recruitment exercise due to complete in November.

Sinn Fein Stormont leader Michelle ONeill has said she did not threaten to pull her party from the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

In his latest message to party members, Mr Donaldson said the headlines about policing in recent weeks have been the culmination of years where leadership in policing has been undermined.

He said many people are still furious about the large crowds which turned out, including Ms ONeill, and Sinn Fein president Mary-Lou McDonald at the height of coronavirus lock down restrictions for the funeral of senior republican Bobby Storey in June 2020.

He also claimed that the PSNI failed to hold people in Sinn Fein accountable for the scenes.

(left to right) Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, and Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill arrive at St Agnes Church in west Belfast for the funeral of senior Irish Republican and former leading IRA fi

Mr Donaldson wrote: Policing is about enforcing the law by pursuing those who engage in criminality and break the law.

We ought all to be equal under the law.

That is why the perception of two-tier policing is so corrosive to the fabric of democracy.

If the rule of law is not being enforced without fear or favour, then a basic building block of our democratic society is giving way and eventually the whole structure will fall.

Never was this so visible as the hands-off approach to the IRA funeral of Bobby Storey.

As I travel around Northern Ireland, I still meet people who tell me how they buried their father or mother without their own children present so they could adhere to the Covid health rules.

To this day, they are furious that Sinn Fein organised a funeral for the IRAs Bobby Storey, brought thousands of people onto the streets for a political rally in a graveyard and the police were complicit in the organising of the event rather than in upholding the health rules.

During that same Covid period, other organisations brought people on to the streets, yet the PSNI policed those events in a different manner than the approach they took to Bobby Storeys funeral.

Mr Donaldson added: Sinn Feins word should carry no more weight with the next chief constable than that of any other elected representative.

There can be no more cases where its one rule for Sinn Fein and another rule for the rest of us.

The DUP leader also urged that the next chief constable and senior command team must be policing focused, not politics focused, and opposed the reintroduction of 50/50 recruitment.

Some within nationalism are campaigning night and day to have 50:50 recruitment restored.

They want 50% of recruits to be Roman Catholic in each recruitment round, he said.

We will oppose such a step. It would be a retrograde step.

The only consideration in recruitment should be ones ability to be a good police officer, not their religious background.
A Palestinian protester uses sling shots to hurls stones while waves Palestinian flag as others burn tires during clashes with Israeli security forces along the frontier with Israel, east of Gaza City, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.

Israel carried out a series of airstrikes in the Gaza Strip late on Friday after Palestinian activists launched incendiary balloons into Israel as a week of violence along the volatile frontier intensified.

The rising tensions along Israels front with Gaza came as fighting in the occupied West Bank surged to levels unseen in two decades. In the latest bloodshed Friday, the Israeli army killed a Palestinian militant in the northern West Bank.

Palestinian activists have been protesting for the past week next to the fence separating Gaza and Israel. The protests have turned violent, with demonstrators hurling explosives toward Israeli troops, and soldiers responding with tear gas and live fire.

For the first time in the current round of unrest, Palestinian protesters on Friday launched balloons into Israel, blackening large patches of vegetation on the other side of the border. Palestinian health officials said Israeli fire wounded 28 Palestinians during protests along the barrier. Hamas, the Islamic militant group ruling Gaza since 2007, says youths have organized the protests in response to Israeli provocations.

Unrest over the past week has escalated tensions and prompted Israel to bar entry to thousands of Palestinian laborers from the impoverished enclave.

Palestinians in Gaza have launched balloons in the past to protest an Israeli-Egyptian blockade imposed on the territory since 2007. The balloons have caused fires and scorched Israeli farmland, prompting Israel on several occasions to use fighter jets to strike at Hamas.

The evening airstrikes struck three military posts belonging to Hamas, the army said. Israel and Hamas have fought four wars and engaged in numerous smaller battles since Hamas took over the territory.

Palestinian protesters at the border fence on Friday said they were demonstrating against recent Jewish visits to a disputed holy site in the Old City of Jerusalem. Jews revere the hilltop compound as the Temple Mount, home to the biblical Jewish Temples. Today, it is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

Under longstanding arrangements, Jews are allowed to visit the site, but not to pray there. But growing numbers of visits  along with scenes of some Jews quietly praying  have raised Palestinian fears that Israel is plotting to divide or take over the site. Israel says it is committed to the longstanding status quo.

Earlier Friday, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian militant in the northern West Bank, Palestinian authorities said. The Islamic Jihad militant group claimed the man as its fighter and identified him as 18-year-old Abdallah Abu Hasan.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said Hasan was shot in the abdomen by Israeli forces early Friday morning in a Palestinian village north of the West Bank city of Jenin.

The Israeli army said the shooting occurred during a nighttime raid in Kafr Dan, a town near the militant stronghold of Jenin. It said Palestinians fired at soldiers and threw explosives. Soldiers shot back, hitting Hasan.

The operation was the most recent in a series of stepped-up raids Israel has been staging in Palestinian areas of the West Bank. Israel claims such raids root out militancy and thwart future attacks.

But Palestinians say the raids entrench Israels 56-year occupation over the West Bank. The raids, which have been escalated over the past year and a half, also show little sign of slowing the fighting.

Some 190 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the start of the year, according to a tally by The Associated Press. Israel says most of those killed have been militants, but youths protesting the incursions and others not involved in the confrontations have also been killed.

At least 31 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks against Israelis since the beginning of 2023.

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians seek those territories for their hoped-for independent state.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Representatives from Children's Health Ireland are to appear before the Oireachtas Health Committee on Thursday to answer questions about the controversy around spinal surgery at Temple Street hospital.

The hearing is addition to the committee's usual meeting on Wednesday.

This follows a week of controversy over revelations in reports published by CHI this week and a commitment by the HSE to run an external review into problems identified with complex spinal surgery for children with spina bifida.

Advocacy groups representing young patients' families have said they may not support a HSE review into failings in spinal care at the Childrens Health Ireland (CHI) site.

This afternoon the advocacy groups responded to HSE chief executive Bernard Glosters offer to meet them, by reiterating their hope to meet the Taoiseach instead.

In a statement shared on social media and addressed to Mr Gloster, they said they stand firm in their intention to boycott the proposed review unless the terms of reference are widened.

We call for an independent investigation, that ensures transparency, expediated justice and comprehensive terms of reference for all involved, the groups said.

They said they await communication from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to meet with them as requested on Friday to discuss the proposed review.

Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy said it is not surprising that families have lost confidence "because theyve been given repeated guarantees and those guarantees didnt stand up".

The advocacy groups said parents of some children whose files were examined through an earlier review commissioned by CHI were not aware this was happening.

Ms Murphy told RTE radio this was a "failing" adding: It all undermines trust and it is quite a paternalistic approach, taking to we know what is best from the medics, when in fact very often parents are watching the deterioration (of their child).

James Browne, Minister of State for Law Reform at the Department of Justice, said his adult sister has spina bifida.

My own sister has Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus and there was a time when she was very young, she was four or five years of age, she could walk 100m with the aid of callipers, but on her own, he said.

And she faced serious deterioration to the point when she was eight or nine, she was in a wheelchair and couldnt even stand.

He was not suggesting any negligence around this, but recalled clearly the communication obstacles facing his mother.

What was very clear, and my mother would still talk about it, is the complete lack of information, not knowing and not being listened to in terms of seeking advice or getting answers to questions, he said.

Mum would always say she was very much dismissed anytime she raised any issues. I think there is still a lot of that going on, and the parents are the people who need to be listened to here.

He said affected parents need to be involved in creating the terms of reference for any review.
A random knife attack on a German tourist repeatedly stabbed at Dublin Airport was "a cry for help" from a man "driven to despair" after being made homeless, a court heard.

Kasonga Mbuyi, 51, whose latest address was a hostel on Clare Street in Limerick, was charged with assault causing harm, unlawful possession of a penknife as a weapon, and carrying an article with intent to cause injury outside the departures lounge at Terminal 1 on September 17.

The Irish citizen, originally from Angola, appeared at Dublin District Court, where Judge John Campbell refused bail and held him in custody.

The court heard that Mr Mbuyi, 51, who has lived in Limerick since 2003, sought social welfare assistance after becoming homeless.

Detective Garda Cathal Connolly told the court that Mr Mbuyi made no reply to the assault charge but responded "I was looking for help" to the weapons offences.

He objected to bail, citing flight risk concerns. He alleged that at 11.20am on September 17, the German national had been standing alone outside the departure entrance.

The tourist was "subjected to a random knife attack", allegedly perpetrated by the accused.

"I'm going to kill you"

The detective claimed Mr Mbuyi made no attempt to conceal his identity and told the man "I'm going to kill you", before attacking and stabbing him to the left side of his body.

The contested bail hearing was told he used a penknife with a two-and-a-half-inch blade.

Both fell to the ground, but friends of the injured man ran out and pulled them apart, after which the accused was arrested.

The court heard that the German suffered eight wounds to his left arm and body, requiring 12 stitches, and he has been discharged from hospital.

Judge Campbell heard that the incident was captured on CCTV.

Detective Garda Connolly explained that the accused was charged on Friday night after spending several days getting treatment for a broken ankle and displaced knee, injuries which predated the incident.

He agreed with defence solicitor Tracy Horan that the accused said he was seeking help. He was recently made homeless from an address in Limerick, where he had lived for seven years.

His former rented home was sold, and he had to move into a hostel, which he was not used to, the court heard.

His social welfare payments stopped.

Detective Garda Connolly said the accused had been at the airport "tapping" people for money to buy a ticket to London.

Flight risk

The officer feared that the accused, who has no ties to this jurisdiction, would be a flight risk if granted bail.

The garda said due to the alleged incident, Mr Mbuyi's former hostel could no longer offer him accommodation because of its duty of care.

He accepted the accused was in great pain from his pre-existing leg injuries.

Pleading for bail, Ms Horan said he had Irish citizenship since 2014 but was "driven to despair" and "just broke".

Mr Mbuyi, who was on crutches, listened to the proceedings with the help of an interpreter but did not address the court.

Ms Horan said he would abide by strict conditions and said refusing bail could lead to a lengthy period in custody.

A file is to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions with a recommendation that he face trial on indictment at a higher level, which can impose sentences of up to five years for the offences.

Judge Campbell denied bail and remanded Mr Mbuyi in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday. Legal aid was granted.
The scenes outside Leinster House last Wednesday require a swift and serious response from the criminal justice system. The harassing and attacking of public representatives and others demands no less. This was not an ordinary public order incident. It was, as noted by the Ceann Chomairle Sean O Fearghail, an attack on democracy. The outcome represented a failure of both garda intelligence and the sufficient deployment of resources. There is, no doubt, plenty of video footage with which the gardai can now work. The principals in these small number of apparently far-right groups can be easily identified. One can only hope that proper cases are assembled and the courts process the matter with the seriousness it deserves.

The shock engendered by the violence and disruption has prompted heightened concern about the rise of this kind of thuggery. All reportage from the scene describes the outstanding feature of the gathering as anger. The precise worldview of the thuggish element is unclear beyond hackneyed slogans about immigration and Ireland for the Irish with opposition to transgender rights and even the proposed right to housing referendum thrown in. But unlike the recent targeting of libraries, and before that refugee centres, there appeared to be no focus to their ire beyond generally lashing out at the concept of a national parliament.

Michael Healy-Rae TD with a garda moments after being confronted by protesters near Leinster House on the first day of the Dail.

Michael Healy Rae, who was subjected to appalling intimidation as he left Leinster House, is not a well-known champion of transgender rights. Neither has he ever advocated open borders for asylum seekers. But the bile showered on him, as he was escorted by two gardai, was revolting, and must have been frightening. Had he been without the escort there is every chance he would have been assaulted. The anger at the root of the protest was quite obviously incoherent.

So what does all of this mean? There have been understandable fears expressed that it represents a major leap forward for the far right. This should be put in context. Last February, at the height of ugly protests outside refugee centres, a conference was held to analyse what was going on. A representative from the Far Right Observatory (now renamed the Hope and Courage Collective) which monitors this activity, told the conference that the level of fear, noise and panic created by these people did not reflect their numbers. In total, they consisted of two or three small political organisations, including between 25 and 30 individuals. These are the propagandists, the organisers, the disseminators of hatred towards minorities.

This is a very small number of committed individuals determined to disrupt and reshape our liberal democracy. Most of these people were present at Leinster House, but notably were not among the thirteen arrested, which suggests they were content to sit back and watch others do their violent bidding. As of now, they have absolutely zero political representation. A few dozen people in a state of five million can do damage but can surely be easily countered with proper application.

Next years local elections will demonstrate exactly what the level of support for these people is and whether or not they remain exclusively a law and order issue.

Beyond the committed activists there are figures in public life who happily sup at the trough of disillusion where the far right lurks. Elements in the wider media ecosystem are adept at issuing well-tuned dog whistles in areas like immigration. There are also a few politicians who are happy to hunt down floating votes, irrespective of the consequences. All three of the medium-sized parties in the current political firmament include individuals who have, at the very least, had bad thoughts in this regard. Less tolerance for any of that wouldnt go astray. For instance, greater care should be taken among politicians with terms like our own people in a society where one in five residents were born outside the state.

There is also, however, a wider cultural phenomenon that is manna for the far right.

Public debate, and even meaningful protest, is going through a process of displacement by abuse, slogans, and polarisation.

Most of this happens on social media but it is now leaking out into the real world. One narrative propagated frequently and cynically by populist political elements, on both the left and right, is that of the failed state. This portrays the country as a kip, run by kleptomaniacs who are in it exclusively for their own good at the expense of ordinary people. Whip that up enough times, and coated with anger, dont be surprised when a thuggish element takes the battle directly to Leinster House.

Members of the Garda Public Order Unit watch protesters outside Leinster House, Dublin.

Polarisation is an integral part of this milieu. Opposing sides on public matters are far less inclined to debate or argue their differences. They hurl abuse across cyberspace, and do their damnest to drown out anything that questions their narrative. One example where this has arrived in the real world occurred last Saturday in Dublins Merrion Square at a gathering and counter gathering centred on the touchstone of the culture wars, transgender rights. Both sides present claimed to be highlighting the lived experience of victims  their victims  and to be representative of the silent majority. In reality, both claims are highly dubious.

Gardai were present and barriers erected between the two sides. Those who gathered to talk about the rights of women  as they saw it  tried to make speeches. Their opponents, representing transgender rights  as they saw it  didnt just protest but shouted down the speeches. Differences have moved way beyond debate or argument to a point where the other side simply must not be heard. This particular barney has a preponderance of people on both sides who are highly educated and articulate yet the first instinct is to shut up the opposition. In such a cultural milieu, is it a surprise if people less resourced opt instead for violence?

Polarisation in the political sphere now knows few truces, even when it comes to attempting to marginalise the far right. For instance, last February at the height of the ugly protests against refugee centres, a counter-demonstration was organised in Dublin city centre. Before it took place, People Before Profits Mick Barry made it obvious that, in his opinion, taking on the far right didnt require unity of purpose. This needs to be a demonstration which is not just anti-racist, but anti-government, he said. Immediately, anybody who supported the government  around 40% of the electorate  must have paused and wondered whether this gig was for them. In such a fractured public sphere is it any wonder that those wishing to disrupt see possibilities for exploitation?

There is plenty that we all can do to maintain the tenets of liberal democracy. Those who foment polarisation for their own uses or attempt to drown out debate might take a good hard look at themselves before decrying the culture that saw things descend to the point arrived at last Wednesday. The thugs who brought violence to Leinster House must face the full rigours of the law but lets not kid ourselves that they are operating in a vacuum.
Artist Maeve Taylor (now proudly 95) came face-to-face with her younger self earlier this month when Kilmainham Gaol museum invited her to view the head of a sculpture she modelled for in 1955.

The bust, in storage since the 1970s, is now on display but Maeve, a prolific artist herself, did not know of its existence.

The sculpture by Yann Renard Goulet of Mother Ireland which stands outside the Custom House in Dublin

There is an irony in that because the original sculpture, a depiction of Mother Ireland (Mise Eire) with a dying soldier which stands outside the Custom House in Dublin, had somehow fallen beneath the radar.

Indeed, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar didnt know of its existence when, 10 years ago, he was first introduced to the woman who posed for the sculpture by Yann Renard Goulet. It was commissioned in the 1950s to commemorate those who died in a War of Independence attack on the Custom House.

HISTORY HUB If you are interested in this article then no doubt you will enjoy exploring the various history collections and content in our history hub. Check it out HERE and happy reading

Yet, as Maeve recalls, the then-Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport was rather dismissive and told her she was mistaken about the statue. She wasnt long putting him right. She wrote to him, enclosing firm evidence along with a note which ended: Whats more, I hope it [the proof] will help you not to doubt the veracity of a lady of advanced years who can still vote!

His reply  and apology of sorts  came promptly: Dear Maeve, he wrote, I am now fully satisfied that you are indeed the lady from the statue. When I pass by it, I shall forever think of our fleeting encounter at the Strawberry Fair [in the Phoenix Park].

The letter is one of several in a series of scrapbooks that chart the extraordinary life of an artist who has been at the centre of Irish cultural life for decades. Theres a photograph of Maeve standing between former Taoiseach Charles Haughey and actor Micheal Mac Liammoir.

Maeve Taylor standing between former Taoiseach Charles Haughey (right) and actor Micheal Mac Liammoir (left). A congratulatory note from Mac Liammoir on Maeves 1973 art show reads: I thought it so full of charm and perception and wish I could have seen it all again.

Alongside it, a congratulatory note from Mac Liammoir on Maeves 1973 art show reads: I thought it so full of charm and perception and wish I could have seen it all again.

Maeve Taylor is pointing out the note as she sits in the conservatory of her north Dublin home recalling a life less ordinary. Despite the many ups and downs, all of her memories are recounted with a large dollop of self-deprecatory wit. I cant cook, I cant sing and I cant sew, she says. The only thing I can do in the world is paint.

Yet, she raised seven children, the late Tommy, Anne-Marie, Denise, Mark, Michele, Dervilla and Lisa. Anne-Marie, who has organised the afternoon get-together, says they somehow learned to manage for themselves.

Her mother, Maeve, she adds, lives on coffee, sweets and cigarettes though, up to very recently, she went kayaking every summer with her son-in-law. There is photographic proof of that, too, in an archive that is vividly brought to life by Maeves flowing conversation and razor-sharp memory.

Her father, a bank manager, was banished from the family home in Dublin when Maeve was just six months old because one of his siblings believed, wrongly, that he was gambling. He went to the States and Maeve never saw him again.

One of Maeve Taylor's paintings. She set up a studio at her home in Coolock where she completed hundreds, maybe thousands, of oil paintings which were widely shown.

Her two brothers George and Brendan went out to their father in their 20s, while her sister Joan remained in Dublin.

Meanwhile, Maeves mother Mabel Ellis (nee Reynolds) moved back to her family home, Summerlea, in Douglas, Cork. Maeve spent the first 10 very happy years of her life there before moving back to Dublin. As a young woman she worked in CIE on OConnell Street as a comptometer [or mechanical calculator] operator before enrolling in the National College of Art.

George Collie, artist and teacher, took her under his wing and when, after two years as a full-time student, the money ran out, she did courses by night. She had found her calling, one which her husband Mark Taylor  he was a farmer and the love of my life  supported when she married him in 1955.

She set up a studio at her home in Coolock where she completed hundreds, maybe thousands, of oil paintings which were widely shown, including at the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) Annual Exhibition. She worked in ceramics too.

Soon, she had a large fan base at home  and abroad. In 1972, a group of Americans went to her home studio and bought all they could: Theyd even have taken the half-baked stuff from the kiln if Id opened the door, she told Irish Banking Magazine.

A decade later, a letter from the Sunday Independent in 1983 gives an insight into her popularity at home: An 82-year-old man drove specially from Tullamore to Dublin, bought a painting of Maeve Taylors he had seen on the invitation to the opening of her exhibition in the Arts Club and drove straight back home. Is this a record?

Speaking of records, Maeve Taylors wonderful archive tells the story of her life in photos. There are shots of her with several artist friends, from Camille Souter to Markey Robinson, as well as ones with prominent political figures from former President Mary Robinson to former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Maeve Taylor painting the home of former Taoiseach Charles Haughey at Abbeville in Kinsealy

Theres a photo of her painting the home of another former leader, Charles Haughey, at Abbeville, in Kinsealy. When it was finished, he said thanks for the gift. I said, Its not a gift, but he took it anyway.

Though she doesnt hold a grudge as Haughey often opened the annual charity art exhibitions she ran for 25 years at the Mater Hospital, St Vincents Hospital and Kellys Hotel in Rosslare.

As well as raising hundreds of thousands of euros for charity, they gave many struggling artists a much-needed platform for their work, as well as a share of the sales. I got a lot of letters from artists to thank me for providing this forum because they said they wouldnt have made it as artists without it, she says.

Theres also a photograph of Maeve with another former Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, taken last May at the commemoration of the bombings on Talbot Street in 1974. She is a member of Justice for the Forgotten and goes along every year to recall those who died.

On that fateful day, 17 May, she had gone with three of her daughters to Guineys to buy a white cardigan for her daughter Lisa, who was making her Communion the next day. When the bomb went off, all of them were injured, though they made full recoveries. Lisa even made her Communion the next day, with several stitches on her head.

A painting by Maeve Taylor. She had a large fan base at home  and abroad.

It was a terrible, terrible time. There were 12 dead at my feet and the glass  we were like a dartboard  was stuck in our backs, she recalls.

There were other terrible times. She had seven healthy children  I love all of them  but she also had some miscarriages. Yet, she got through with the help of her three amigos  Our Lord, Our Lady and St Anthony.

She was a regular reader at Sunday mass in the local church, St Brendans in Coolock, too. She is keen to mention that as it was an important part of her life.

And yet, after many cups of coffee, the odd cigarette, a few choice expletives and lots of chat, you cant help feeling that you have just scratched the surface of artist Maeve Taylors life and times.
I wish to highlight the long-standing and ongoing pay and career inequality that exists in the Irish workforce and health care service.

I am a medical scientist, currently working in the haematology department of the Mercy University hospital, and I am writing to inform the Irish public about this ongoing matter as, since our two days of industrial action back in May 2022, it seems to have fallen off the radar and I am routinely asked by members of the public as to the outcome of that action and the current situation.

I feel strongly that there is a huge workplace inequality that is being ignored and allowed to fester and that the Irish public has a right to be informed adequately and at the very least kept abreast of the matter.

After all, diagnostics is something that affects us all and no health care service could function without it.

Patrick Naughton, Bishopstown, Cork

My conservative views are not 'far right' The violent protests outside Dail Eireann on Wednesday, which must be condemned, were an inevitable result of the denial of democratic access and free discussion by the legacy media and political establishment on hugely worrying issues being foisted on the Irish people by stealth methods by the liberal political and media establishment. The so-called independent media are most complicit in censoring discussions that need to be had for our own good. Labelling conservative Irish people as far right by the far left political establishment is preposterous. One example in my case, a reasoned letter on the need for a referendum on the open door immigration asylum system, sent in on numerous occasions, is verboten and not for discussion. Is this not complete censorship of free speech in a so-called democracy? Peter Monahan, Drogheda, Co Meath Read More Protesters bring gallows to demonstration outside Leinster House

Policing violent thugs

The protests outside Leinster House were shocking but not surprising.

The same language, vocabulary, themes, and circular logic of the people involved have been seen time and again, including at Grand Parade in Cork City against migrants, including in March 2023, and then again throughout the summer against public libraries.

Hopefully the Government parties eyes will be well and truly opened by the images of Michael Healy-Rae being shoved around in the heart of Dublin.

I remember not too long ago when Micheal Martin criticised the language used to describe far-right protestors as being nasty name-calling.

Now that its come to Leinster House  rather than beating up migrants in tents  maybe the Government and the gardai might do something.

Theres more gardai at evictions than there were policing these violent thugs.

Fachtna ORaftery, Clonakilty, Co Cork

Read More Far-right agitators flew in from UK to protest at Cork library

Emboldened thugs don't act in my name Such emboldened thuggery that we witnessed outside the Dail (Irish Examiner, September 20 ) is reminiscent of the rise of fascism in Europe in the 1930s. Such aggressive action is designed to provoke the State to legislate for the withdrawal of long-cherished civic rights and to create a Leviathan state. These disparate groups, united in their hatred of progress and immigration, bring the right of protest into disrepute as their real intention is to forcefully impose their distorted views on the rest of the Irish people. I have been involved in protests on various issues since 1979. These peaceful protests were designed to highlight injustice and to invite passersby to join in but never to alienate them by acting in a thuggish and threatening manner. The community is caught on the horns of a dilemma  whether to react to them or ignore them. The State should not be provoked to react in a repressive manner by bring in any sort of emergency legislation to delimit civic rights, as any such a move would play into their hands. Yet the activity of these fascist groups cannot be ignored as they threaten the rest of society. Groups dedicated to the promotion of human rights should not allow themselves to be browbeaten into silence by these insidious groups. It is time to stand up and tell them: Not in my name. Brendan Butler, Drumcondra, Dublin 9

Mental health epidemic

I find it difficult to comprehend the mental health epidemic I feel we are dealing with in Ireland today.

Children are not getting the basic human right to health. I will remind you that we did sign up to a treaty in 1994 with the UN where the Irish Government agreed to uphold the promise of human rights to children.

I do not accept that approximately 600 people under the age of 18 were refused the right to mental health services because they did not meet the criteria to be accepted into the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs).

Now, the taxpayer was left with the bill to bail out the banks. The same government was able to provide hundreds of millions to manage the emergency of the covid pandemic. Is this not an emergency?

From working as a tax adviser, I do understand the allocation of money to different areas. I also know that I pay my taxes and I, for one, would like to see a chunk of this money go towards saving children from the risk of going homeless as a result of mental health difficulty or vice versa.

I have been at both ends  working in tax compliance as well as experiencing mental health issues leading to becoming homeless.

I dont welcome the 100m being invested in foster care services this year. Not when people are screaming for mental health funding which, again, is particularly needed in Camhs.

We are talking about life-threatening illnesses leading to the loss of life in many cases.

The economic evaluation of QALYs examines which people need more funding than others taking income and education into account. I do not accept this. Children should be placed as priority of this measurement.

I dont accept education or income as an acceptable means to test where we should be driving our tax. Shall we find another method of economic measure perhaps when making decisions on investment? Perhaps.

But my optimism is thrown out and fast. Basic human rights... well, we are well used to broken promises in this country. There is nothing positive to take away from the refusal of children to health  physical or mental. To do so, would be an insult to the lives lost to mental health and homelessness in a country that has a long long way to go. I dont accept that 'we have come a long way with mental health'.

Justifications such as comparing ourselves to where we were 10 years ago are complete avoidance and a serious refusal to take responsibility.

We may as well throw the new term, generational trauma, into the mix and see where it lands. That would probably get people through difficult conversations that come in the community too.

However, aimlessly shooting in the dark is something our ancestors had to do to stay alive in this country. Over 100 years on, can we do better? Michael Collins comes to mind. He didnt fight for our freedom for this. Nor those who left Ireland to seek refuge. Nor the people who spilled blood for a belief in Ireland.

This is 2023. This is an Ireland of inclusion, diversity, enterprise, and the growth in socialism. Can we put our money where our mouth is please? Health is wealth. Without it, there is no quality of life.

I know I am not alone when I say my door is open but the door is well and truly shut when it comes to mental health. Save the percentages and the millions increase in the budget each year. Throwing money at this and hoping it goes away is not the solution. These are not banks, these are peoples lives.

Accountability and transparency are two words that need to be carved into the walls of the Dail chamber when mental health comes up in conversation.

Cathal OReilly, Clonmel, Co Tipperary

Response on Taiwan Further to the Letter to the Editor ('Ireland must back Taiwan in their bid for seat in UN', Irish Examiner, Monday, September 18), several historical facts need to be clarified. When discussing the post-World War II international order, we must notice the Potsdam Proclamation issued after the Potsdam Conference in 1945 reaffirmed the terms of the Cairo Declaration, which states that all the territories Japan has stolen from China, such as Taiwan, shall be restored to China. This is a major outcome of the World Anti-Fascist War after 35m Chinese soldiers and civilians were either killed or wounded during that war. In 1945, the then Republic of China, which represented the whole Chinese territory, including both the mainland and Taiwan, became a member of the UN. In 1949, after defeat in the civil war, Chiang Kai-shek and some of his followers fled to Taiwan, which led to the confrontation and separation between the mainland and Taiwan. Despite that, Chiang Kai-sheks regime always insisted that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belonged to one and the same China, and never gave up his ambition to achieve reunification of China. With the support of the US and some other countries, the Chiang Kai-shek regime held the seat of China in the UN until 1971. On October 25, 1971, the 26th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority, which decides to restore all its rights to the Peoples Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representatives of the Taiwan authorities from the place which they unlawfully occupy. Henceforth, the dual representation proposal put forth by the US and a few other countries to keep Taiwans seat in the UN became a piece of waste paper. If Chinas representation does not include Taiwan, why expel representatives of the Taiwan authorities? The resolution does not need to mention part of a country, which just shows that the government of the Peoples Republic of China represents all of China, including Taiwan. The one-China principle is a prevailing consensus among the international community, a basic norm in international relations, and the political foundation for the establishment and development of diplomatic relations between China and other countries, including Ireland. Zhao Mengtao, Spokesperson, Chinese Embassy in Ireland, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
A 23-year-old Venezuelan man is preparing to say goodbye to a pet squirrel he says he brought from his home country on a journey to Mexico.

Yeison is among the millions of Venezuelans in recent years who have fled because of political and economic upheaval, and has spent months in Mexico waiting to make an asylum case in the US.

He is now scheduled to get that chance but will probably have to leave behind his pet squirrel, Niko.

The pair are an unusual but blunt reflection of the emotional choices migrants make over what to take  and what to leave behind  as they embark on the dangerous trip north.

Niko, a pet squirrel, and his owner, Yeison, in their tent at a migrant camp in Matamoros, Mexico (Valerie Gonzalez/AP)

Yeison, who declined to give his last name because he fears for his familys safety in Venezuela, said going without Niko was out of the question.

But Mexico is where they might be forced to part ways.

Yeison has secured an appointment to present himself at the border to seek entry to the US and request asylum.

Animals are generally not allowed to cross the border.

It would practically be like starting with nothing, without Niko, Yeison said.

Many who set off on the roughly 3,000-mile journey to the US do so with only what they can carry and their loved ones.

For Yeison, that was a squirrel with a black stripe and flecks of white hair, who made the long trip nesting in a red knit cap stuffed inside a backpack.

For six months, Yeison and Niko lived in a tent at an encampment with hundreds of other migrants in Matamoros.

Theres a connection between him and the squirrel, so much that he preferred to bring it with him than leave the squirrel behind with family in Venezuela and face the dangers that come with the migrant journey. They gave each other courage

The site is across from the Texas border city of Brownsville, which is hundreds of miles east of Eagle Pass and not experiencing the same dramatic increase in migrants that prompted the mayor to issue an emergency declaration this past week.

On a recent day, Niko crawled over Yeisons shoulders and stayed close while darting around the tent.

The chances are slim that Yeison can take Niko across the border, but volunteers at the encampment are not giving up.

Gladys Canas, the director of non-governmental organisation Ayudandoles A Triunfar, said she has encountered other migrants who wanted to cross with their pets  cats, dogs and even a rabbit once.

But until now, never a squirrel.

Ms Canas helped connect Yeison with a veterinarian to document Nikos vaccinations to provide to border agents.

Niko is fed by his owner Yeison (Valerie Gonzalez/AP)

She is hopeful they will allow the squirrel to cross, whether with Yeison or with a volunteer.

Theres a connection between him and the squirrel, so much that he preferred to bring it with him than leave the squirrel behind with family in Venezuela and face the dangers that come with the migrant journey. They gave each other courage, she said.

Yeison said he found the squirrel after nearly stepping on him one day in Venezuela.

The squirrel appeared to be newly born and Yeison took him home, where he named him Niko and family members fed him yoghurt.

The picky squirrel, Yeison said, prefers nibbling on pine trees and is fed tomatoes and mangoes, even in times when food is hard to come by.

At first, Yeison said he sought work in Colombia.

Niko and Yeison in their tent at a migrant camp in Mexico (Valerie Gonzalez/AP)

He returned to find a loose pine splinter lodged in Nikos eye and resolved after that to take the squirrel with him on the next journey to the US.

Like thousands of migrants, Yeison made the trip through the perilous jungle known as the Darien Gap, where he said he found the body of a man under some blankets.

He said he concealed Niko in a backpack when they boarded buses and crossed through checkpoint inspections in Mexico.

But one time, Yieson said, a bus driver discovered the squirrel and made him pay extra to keep the animal on board.

Yeison said he sold his phone for 35 dollars (28.50) to cover the cost.

Once they reached the encampment in Matamoros, the pair settled into a routine.

Yeison makes money cutting hair by his tent and often falls asleep sharing the same pillow with Niko at night.

I dont want for him to be separated from me, because I know that wed get heartsick. Im sure of that

He was bracing for a separation.

I dont want for him to be separated from me, because I know that wed get heartsick. Im sure of that, Yeison said.

And if he doesnt get sick, I hope he gets to be happy. And that he never forgets my face.
A smart toilet that can identify a person from their analprint has won one of this years spoof Ig Nobel prizes.

Just like fingerprints, the creases in the lining of a persons anus  known as analprint  is said to be unique.

The toilet  developed by experts at Stanford University in the US  features cameras that take photos of a persons bottom to analyse these distinctive creases.

Health prize winner Seung-min Park and the Stanford toilet (Ig Nobel/Seung-min Park/Stanford University/PA)

However, the key aim of the Smart Healthcare Toilet is to look for signs of diseases by analysing stools and urine.

In addition to the anus, the cameras also take pictures of stools to look for tell-tale signs of cancer and other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.

The technology comes with test strips that can detect substances such as glucose and red blood cells in the urine, which are associated with various health issues.

Our bathrooms, often seen as the most private of spaces, have the potential to become the silent guardians of our health

Dr Seung-min Park, an instructor of urology at Stanfords School of Medicine, who led the research, told the PA news agency, said: Our bathrooms, often seen as the most private of spaces, have the potential to become the silent guardians of our health.

The Smart Healthcare Toilet is our vision of the next frontier in healthcare, where preventive healthcare melds effortlessly into our daily routines.

The toilet is among 10 other winners at the annual spoof awards for wacky science, which are supposed to make us laugh but then make us think.

The prize is awarded annually by the science humour magazine the Annals of Improbable Research.

Winners receive a 10 trillion dollar bill from Zimbabwe alongside a trophy.

Dr Park, who won the public health prize, described it as a humbling experience, which serves as a tribute to the researchers, mentors, and visionaries who dare to seek answers in unconventional places.

We might laugh at the thought of a Smart Healthcare Toilet today, but with this recognition, it becomes evident that the potential for positive health impact, even in our most private moments, is immense

He told PA: We might laugh at the thought of a Smart Healthcare Toilet today, but with this recognition, it becomes evident that the potential for positive health impact, even in our most private moments, is immense.

Other awards at the virtual ceremony on Thursday included the medicine prize for using cadavers to explore whether there is an equal number of hairs in each of a persons two nostrils, and the nutrition prize for experiments to determine how electrified chopsticks and drinking straws can change the taste of food.

The education award was scooped up by the research team studying the boredom of teachers and students.

Dr Wijnand Van Tilburg, an experimental social psychologist at the University of Essex, who was part of this team, said their studies showed the mere expectation that classes will be boring caused students to feel bored.

He said studying boredom is very important because it has been blamed for behaviours like lacking attention, loss of motivation, and even student drop outs.

Nobel laureate Marty Chalfie presenting the education prize to Katy Tam, Wijnand van Tilburg and Christian Chan (Ig Nobel/PA)

Dr Van Tilburg told PA: Beyond education, boredom is associated with poor mental health, such as depression and anxiety.

To combat the negative outcomes of boredom, it is crucial to study it scientifically.

This will help us answer questions such as who is likely to get bored and why, what the causes are of boredom, and what can we do to avoid (it).

An international collaboration won the communication prize for studying the brains of people who are expert at speaking backwards, some of whom are able to rapidly reverse sentences of up to 12 words.

Dr Adolfo Garcia, of the Global Brain Health Institute in the US, told PA: It all began when we learned that a famous Argentine photographer had this ability and was willing to have his brain scanned.

We were intrigued by the oddity of the situation, but then became amazed at how proficient he was at reversing speech.

Nobel laureate Rich Roberts presenting the geology and chemistry prize to Jan Zalasiewicz (Ig Nobel/PA)

He said their work gives insights into how the fundamental aspects of human language shape the brain.

The mechanical engineering award went to a team who re-animated dead spiders to use as them as mechanical gripping tools.

Faye Yap, a PhD student at Rice University in the US, said the findings, published in the journal Advanced Science, showed that spiders are able to grasp objects greater than their own weight, potentially opening the doors to a new area of robotics.

A study of the unfamiliar or peculiar sensations people feel when they repeat a single word many times was awarded the literature prize while the chemistry and geology gong went to Jan Zalasiewicz, emeritus professor of palaeobiology at the University of Leicester, for explaining why geologists like to lick rocks.

Prof Zalasiewicz, told PA: These days field geologists sometimes lick rock samples theyve collected before examining them with a hand lens, because its easier to see the mineral particles on a wet rock surface.

A couple of centuries ago and more, though, some geologists had learnt to tell different rocks and minerals apart by their taste  thats a skill weve now almost completely lost.
A UK study looking at the longer-term impact of Covid-19 has found that nearly a third of patients who were admitted to hospital with the virus had abnormalities in multiple organs five months after infection.

MRI scans of patients in the study showed more abnormal findings involving the lungs, brain and kidneys compared to a group of people who had not had the virus.

According to the findings, abnormalities in the lungs were significantly higher (almost 14-fold higher) among patients discharged from hospital for Covid.

Abnormal findings involving the brain and kidneys were three and two times higher respectively.

At five months after hospital discharge for Covid-19, patients showed a high burden of abnormalities involving the lungs, brain and kidneys compared to our non-Covid-19 controls

The researchers suggest that in patients who did not have other conditions that might have caused abnormalities to their organs, Covid infection may have caused the damage.

The extent of abnormalities on MRI was often influenced by the severity of the Covid infection the patients had experienced and their age, as well as comorbidities (other conditions).

The findings are part of the C-MORE (Capturing the MultiORgan Effects of Covid-19) study, which is being led by Betty Raman, associate professor of cardiovascular medicine, University of Oxford.

She said: We found that nearly one in three patients had an excess burden of multiorgan abnormalities on MRI relative to controls.

At five months after hospital discharge for Covid-19, patients showed a high burden of abnormalities involving the lungs, brain and kidneys compared to our non-Covid-19 controls.

The age of the individual, severity of acute Covid-19 infection, as well as comorbidities, were significant factors in determining who had organ injury at follow-up.

(The research) provides some validation to patients, especially those who are severely crippled with symptoms, that perhaps there is something that we need to look into and follow up and do more tests to be sure that they don't have organ involvement

She added: In patients without organ-specific comorbidities, the damage may well be due to severe Covid-19 infections.

The pattern of injury can also give us some clues. For example, the pattern of lung changes which map on to ground glass changes on CT scans suggest that this is related.

The presence of kidney injury in someone with a previously normal creatinine and no renal disease may well be Covid-19-associated changes.

Yes, we think that comorbidities (for example diabetes, cardiac disease etc) lower the reserve of organs and potentially play a role in delayed recovery, but we see organ abnormalities even in those without comorbidities.

But Dr Raman said people who had been suffering with long Covid should feel hopeful that the research was ongoing, and that there were some answers.

She explained: It (the research) provides some validation to patients, especially those who are severely crippled with symptoms, that perhaps there is something that we need to look into and follow up and do more tests to be sure that they dont have organ involvement.

Published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, the follow-up study of 500 post-hospital admission patients, is a key element of the national PHOSP-COVID platform, led by the University of Leicester, which is investigating the long-term effects of the virus on people who had been admitted to hospital.

The new paper presents the results of an interim analysis of 259 post-hospital admission coronavirus patients and 52 people who did not have the virus  a control group.

Our findings also highlight the need for longer-term multidisciplinary follow-up services focused on pulmonary and extrapulmonary health (kidneys, brain and mental health), particularly for those hospitalised for Covid-19

The study found that while some organ-specific symptoms correlated with the scans  for example, chest tightness and cough with lung MRI abnormalities  not all symptoms could be directly linked to MRI-detected anomalies.

The paper also confirmed that multi-organ MRI abnormalities were more common in patients previously admitted to hospital who reported severely impaired physical and mental health after Covid, as previously described by the PHOSP-Covid study investigators.

Dr Raman said: What we are seeing is that people with multiorgan pathology on MRI  that is, they had more than two organs affected  were four times more likely to report severe and very severe mental and physical impairment.

Our findings also highlight the need for longer-term multidisciplinary follow-up services focused on pulmonary and extrapulmonary health (kidneys, brain and mental health), particularly for those hospitalised for Covid-19.

Although the researchers conducted analysis to reduce this risk of overestimating organ abnormalities, they say a limitation of their study is that they are unable to eliminate organ damage existing before the infection.

The C-MORE study is being led by researchers from the University of Oxfords Radcliffe Department of Medicine and is supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and the NIHR Oxford Health BRC, as well as the BHF Oxford Centre for Research Excellence and Wellcome Trust.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced several support measures for Ukraine, including military, economic and humanitarian assistance, while also pledging an additional show of diplomatic backing through steps intended to punish Russia over the war.

In a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mr Trudeau said: Were continuing to impose costs on Russia and ensuring that those responsible for this illegal, unjustifiable invasion do not benefit from it.

Canada and Ukraine have agreed to establish a working group with G7 partners to study the seizure and forfeiture of Russian assets, including from the Russian Central Bank, Mr Trudeau said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged to punish Russia for the invasion of Ukraine (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)

The country added 63 Russian individuals and entities to its sanctions list, including those complicit in the kidnapping of children and the spreading of disinformation, Mr Trudeau said.

Mr Trudeau added that Canadas pledge to stand with Ukraine will include 650 million Canadian dollars (453 million) in new military assistance over the next three years.

Canada will provide Ukraine with 50 armoured vehicles, including armoured medical evacuation vehicles built in London, Ontario.

Pilot and maintenance instructors for F-16 fighter jets, support for Leopard 2 battle tank maintenance, 35 drones with high-resolution cameras, light vehicles and ammunition are all part of the intended support package, the prime minister said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with addressed the Canadian parliament on Friday (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)

The multiyear support also will include a financial contribution to a UK-led consortium delivering air defence equipment to Ukraine, he added.

Canadas monetary support will continue into the 2024 fiscal year, while the governments also have signed a free trade agreement.

Other assistance for non-governmental organisations and Ukraines government will include measures to improve cyber resilience, rebuild local infrastructure and assist farmers.

Canada also plans to contribute funds for Ukraines national war memorial and money to increase the availability of mental health support at the appropriate time, he said.

Mr Trudeau said: We stand here absolutely united in our defence of democracy and our condemnation of (Russian President) Vladimir Putins unprovoked, unjustified and unconscionable invasion of Ukraine.
Protesters against the UKs exit from the European Union have labelled the move a huge mistake as they campaigned to re-join the bloc.

A large crowd of pro-EU protestors gathered outside the Hilton hotel on Park Lane in west London for the National Rejoin March (NRM) on Saturday.

Hundreds of people dressed in blue clothing and carrying EU flags filled the pavement ahead of the march through the citys streets, which was due to culminate with a rally at Parliament Square.

Hundreds of people joined the march from Park Lane to Parliament Square (Jeff Moore/PA)

Clusters of Metropolitan Police officers were at the scene as protesters handed out flyers and passing cars beeped their horns in support.

The UK voted to leave the European Union in a referendum in June 2016, called by then-British prime minister David Cameron.

Peter Corr, leader and co-founder of NRM, said he decided to organise the march as it felt like everyone had given up on the cause.

Mr Corr, a lorry driver from Derby, told the PA news agency: Brexit was a huge mistake, were all  especially working class and poorer people  paying for it and we need to do something about it.

He said 60% of the country, and 80% of people aged under 25, consistently say they would re-join the EU in polls, adding: I hate racism and xenophobia and thats just what a big part of that Vote Leave campaign really felt like to me.

Ceira Sergeant, 21, from Walton in Liverpool, one of speakers at the rally, said: I was only 14 when the referendum happened, so there was a huge amount of my peers who never got the chance to have their voices heard.

Supporters held placards that called for a new referendum on re-joining the EU (Jeff Moore/PA)

Protestors held up placards before the march expressing their discontent with leaving the EU, including The road to re-join the EU starts here, and Re-join, Rejoice.

Another sign read: Tories out, migrants welcome  Rejoin the EU.

Individuals groups from across the country, including Devon, Cornwall and Stratford, were present with personalised placards.

Protestors from other European countries also attended the event with many wearing EU-styled berets.

Representatives of the Green Party also displayed a banner in solidarity of the protests.

Terry Reintke, member of European Parliament from Germany and co-chairwoman of the Green Group in the parliament, said Europeans see events like the march with a lot of sympathy and that the UK is viewed as an absolutely integral partner.

She said: The UK has managed to build one of the biggest pro-European movements across Europe, and we can still feel there are so many millions of people in the UK who want to rejoin the EU.

Asked whether there had been discussions in European Parliament about the UKs possible return, Ms Reintke said: If there was a willingness to re-join, our door would be open.

Lisa Burton, 53, from Rhonda Valley in Wales, now lives in Lanzarote, Spain and is vice chairwoman of campaigning group Bremain in Spain.

Protestors from other European countries also joined in at the event (Jeff Moore/PA)

She said: Its just becoming evident of the damages of Brexit  every sector is suffering.

Were British immigrants living in the EU who took advantage of the freedom of movement, and I feel British people have a very warped image of what that is  they think its only inward.

We think that sticking plasters over Brexit is never going to be enough, Ms Burton added.
Pope Francis greets participants during a moment of recollection with migrants and religious leaders in Marseille, southern France, on September 22, 2023.

Pope Francis blasted the fanaticism of indifference that greets migrants seeking a better life, as he arrived Friday in the Mediterranean port of Marseille amid a new influx of would-be refugees from Africa that has sparked a backlash from some of Europes increasingly anti-migrant leaders.

Opening a brief, overnight visit to the French port, Francis presided over a silent moment of prayer at a memorial dedicated to sailors and migrants lost at sea. He was surrounded by Marseilles faith leaders and representatives of migrant rescue organizations that have increasingly come under fire from Europes populist leaders.

The visit, scheduled months ago, came as Europes migrant dilemma is again in headlines, after the Italian island of Lampedusa was overwhelmed last week by nearly 7,000 migrants who arrived in a day, more than its resident population.

Cruelty, a lack of humanity. A terrible lack of humanity, Francis said of the Lampedusa drama as he flew to Marseille.

Historys first Latin American pope has made the plight of migrants a priority of his 10-year pontificate, travelling to Lampedusa in his first trip as pope to honor migrants who drowned, celebrating Mass on the U.S.-Mexico border and most spectacularly, bringing home 12 Syrian Muslims on his plane after visiting a Lesbos, Greece refugee camp.

Citing the Gospel mandate to welcome the stranger, Francis has developed a mantra, exhorting governments to welcome, promote, protect and integrate desperate people fleeing wars, poverty, and climate crises.

On Friday, Francis gathered with Marseille priests at the Notre Dame de la Garde basilica and then led an interfaith prayer at its nearby memorial, which stands on a rocky outcropping overlooking Marseille and the Mediterranean Sea. There, Francis said far too many people fleeing war, poverty, misery, and climate disasters had never made it to shore.

And so this beautiful sea has become a huge cemetery, where many brothers and sisters are deprived even of the right to a grave.

Adding to his prepared remarks, he extended a special thank-you to the humanitarian groups that rescue migrants, blasting efforts to block their rescues as gestures of hatred  an apparent reference to Italys frequent impounding of rescue boats on technical violations.

Francis is in Marseille to preside over the closing session of a gathering of Mediterranean-area Catholic bishops. But his two-day visit to Marseille is aimed at sending a message well beyond the Catholic faithful to Europe, North Africa and beyond.

About 350,000 Catholic faithful were expected in the city over the weekend, including 100,000 to line Marseilles major avenue ahead of a Saturday Mass at the Velodrome stadium that President Emmanuel Macron is expected to attend. The city was put under high security, including through kilometers (miles) of barriers and dozens of surveillance cameras deployed along Francis route.

Francis visit comes 10 years after his papacy-opening pilgrimage to Lampedusa, which is the migrant smugglers destination of choice because its closer to Africa than the Italian mainland. There, Francis celebrated Mass on an altar made of shipwrecked wood, tossed flowers in the sea in tribute to migrants who had drowned and decried the globalization of indifference that the world shows desperate migrants.

On Friday, he issued a more emphatic variation on that theme, blasting the fanaticism of indifference that greets migrants, a recognition that in the 10 years since, Europe has only hardened its line on migration with some countries emphasizing border fences, repatriations, and the possibility of a naval blockade to keep migrants out.

In that same decade, according to the International Organization of Migration, an estimated 28,000 migrants have died in the Mediterranean trying to reach Europe, while others have been subject to horrendous conditions in Libyan detention centers where abuse is rife.

We cannot be resigned to seeing human beings treated as bargaining chips, imprisoned and tortured in atrocious ways, Francis said in clear reference to the Libyan camps. We can no longer watch the drama of shipwrecks caused by the cruel trafficking and the fanaticism of indifference.

He insisted that people who are at risk of drowning when abandoned to the waves must be rescued.

Its a duty of humanity; its a duty of civilization! he said.

He spoke in front of a monument made up of the cross of Camargue, a symbol composed of a Christian cross, an anchor, and a heart embodying faith, hope, and charity. The words to those who perished and disappeared at sea, victims of illegal immigration were added to the memorial in 2010, after some migrants were saved from a shipwreck by a French ship.

After the new arrivals at Lampedusa last week, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni resurrected calls for a naval blockade and announced new centers to hold those who dont qualify for asylum until they can be sent home.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Lampedusa and backed Melonis call for beefed up naval missions to prevent departures from Tunisia, insisting that the European Union would decide who can enter the bloc, not human traffickers.

France, for its part, beefed up patrols at its southern border with Italy, a few hours drive from Marseille, and increased drone surveillance of the Alps to keep newcomers from crossing over. With a European Parliament election set for next year and Frances far right challenging the centrist governments policies, French government officials stood firm.

France will not take in migrants from Lampedusa, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said this week on French TV network TF1. Its not by taking in more people that were going to stem a flow that obviously affects our ability to integrate them into French society, he said.

Marseilles archbishop, Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, who was born in Algeria and moved to France as a child, has said such aggressive measures werent the answer. But he said naive and peacenik speeches about everyone living together happily ever after werent helpful either.

Speaking at the memorial on Friday, Aveline noted that death at sea is a risk sailors take as part of their job. But he said migrants fleeing war and misery shouldnt be forced to face such risks. He said it was criminal that migrant traffickers take advantage of desperate migrants.

And when political institutions forbid non-governmental organizations and also commercial ships that cross these waters from rescuing shipwreck victims, its an even more serious crime and violation of the most elementary international maritime law, Aveline said.

It was an apparent reference to regulations Melonis right-wing government has introduced, requiring humanitarian rescue ships to return to port after each rescue, often far from the search and rescue zone, taking them out of active rescue operations for days at a time.

Ahead of Francis visit, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the maritime rescue organization SOS Mediterranee, which operates a ship that assists migrants, issued an urgent appeal for rescues to continue.

The unfathomable death toll in the Mediterranean this year could have been prevented if the political will was there, the groups said.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Myanmars junta killed 24 Sagaing Region resistance fighters and two civilian administrators on Friday evening, according to rebel groups.

Troops stationed at the entrance of Myaung Township reportedly surrounded resistance fighters from the Chay Yar Taw Peoples Defense Force (PDF) and other PDFs under the civilian National Unity Government.

They were surrounded and trapped while they were moving from Myinmu Township to Myaung, said Amara of the Civilian Defense and Security Organization of Myaung.

Residents said the bodies of 24 resistance fighters and two Myinmu Township Administration staff were found near Chay Yar Taw village on the Myinmu-Myaung road on Saturday.

The fighters were armed but they lacked automatic rifles and sufficient ammunition and surrendered to the surrounding force, the Myaung groups said.

Three of those seized managed to escape, they said.

Amara expressed the groups sadness for the loss and called on other groups to consider their safety with similar massacres being reported in the area.

She said resistance groups were clearly being poorly led with unclear chains of command.

These sad incidents have happened because each group is acting in an unruly manner. Who shall take responsibility for these losses? she asked.

Further fighting with the junta was reported on Saturday with resistance groups entering Myaung Township.
Myanmar junta troops are looting abandoned homes and shops in Kamma Town, Magwe Region, according to resistance groups.

Sixteen resistance groups in Pakokku District attacked junta troops at a police station and other regime buildings on September 19.

After reportedly suffering heavy losses, the junta launched airstrikes on Kamma town, displacing around 2,000 residents.

Troops are still in the town, breaking into houses and shops and taking valuables, said a resident sheltering with his family in a Pakokku Township village.

Kamma is 30km south of Pakokku.

A member of Myaing Peoples Defense Force (PDF) said: More reinforcements have arrived in the town and they are breaking into shops and houses. Theyre taking rice, cooking oil, phones and jewelry.

A junta helicopter shot at random into Kamma, injuring a resident, the resistance group said.

Light Infantry Division 101 reinforcements were attacked with drones in a convoy on Thursday.

Convoys from Pakokku and Nyaung Jippin village carrying over 100 troops were also attacked, resulting in numerous junta injuries, Pakokku PDF claimed.

The group said troops remain isolated in the town, surrounded by resistance groups.

On September 3, resistance groups raided Kamma police station and immigration office and killed at least seven junta troops. The junta responded with a strike by a Mi-35 helicopter and reinforcements from Pakokku.

Residents said they will not return until the troops leave.

We could not bring any valuables when we left. We fear we will have lost everything we have worked through our lives to create, said Daw Than Than, a Kamma resident.
Axis of pariahs

Belarus has echoed Russias President Putin in hailing Myanmar as a reliable partner.

Belarus considers Myanmars military regime to be a reliable partner in the Asian region, said Belarus ambassador to Russia Dmitry Krutoi as he held talks with junta-appointed Myanmar ambassador to Belarus Lwin Oo. The two envoys discussed deputy prime minister and foreign minister Than Shwes visit to Belarus last week, the state-owned Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BelTA) reported on September 19.

Along with its neighbor Russia, Belarus is among a handful of countries that supplies arms to Myanmars regime, which is committing war crimes against its own civilians.

Last year, Putin called Myanmar our long-standing and reliable partner in Southeast Asia.

Like Russia, Belarus has provided support for the Myanmar regime at the United Nations. It also appointed a new ambassador to Myanmar last year. On September 15, the regime followed suit by opening a Consulate General in Minsk.

Holiday in hell

The juntas tourism ministry is promoting Naypyitaw for the coming tourist season, which begins around the end of next month.

On September 21, the ministry issued a list of 24 tourist destinations in Myanmar. Topping the list is the administrative capital thats notoriously known as Myanmars ghost city, built amid farmland and bisected by vast but deserted concrete boulevards.

Earlier this month, Naypyitaw Council member Than Tun Oo invited international tourists to visit the Buddha Statue built by junta boss Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw, at the inauguration of the International Tourism Alliance of Silk Road Cities in China. The alliance consists of 58 cities in China, Myanmar, Europe, Africa and America.

To create an impression of the colossal Buddha statue being thronged with pilgrims and visitors, the regime is providing free meals and cash rewards for locals who visit the landmark.

But in a stark contrast to the juntas glossy promotion, its nerve center is now being targeted by resistance forces. At a press conference last month, the regime admitted clashes had occurred in Naypyitaw. Last week, resistance forces launched a drone attack on the juntas airbase adjacent to Naypyitaw International Airport. On September 18, the UK issued a travel warning for Myanmar, telling its citizens not to travel to many parts of the country. So, welcome to Naypyitaw!

Guilty consciences

Staff of state-owned broadcaster Myanma Radio and Television, which serves as a platform for junta propaganda, joined a September 19 webinar on Mental Health and Wellbeing for Journalists in the age of Social Media and Disinformation, organized Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD).

Under the leadership of junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun, who also serves as deputy information minister, MRTV has been churning out downright lies about the situation in Myanmar ever since the 2021 coup.

As countless Myanmar people are being forced to queue for cooking oil, the broadcaster maintains the economy is picking up. MRTV is also tasked with discrediting the popular revolt against the regime, and covering up the juntas deadly air strikes, arson attacks and artillery barrages against civilians. Meanwhile independent media outlets are subject to a crackdown by the regime that has forced journalists into hiding or into jail.

The webinar will do nothing to ease the guilty consciences of MRTV staff members. Those who want to make a living with a clear conscience should join the Civil Disobedience Movement instead.

China tapped for census, surveillance assistance

Myanmar immigration minister Myint Kyaing visited Beijing earlier this week to seek its help in conducting the next census and introducing a surveillance system in Myanmar. Read more:

General stripped of posts amid corruption probe

Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun has been axed as chair of three key economic bodies as the regime probes graft charges against him stemming from its bid to rein in soaring prices. Read more:

Nuclear training from China?

The regimes request for training from China at a regional forum last week follows the Myanmar militarys decades-long pursuit of Russian nuclear expertise. Read more:
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, right, speaks as Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, left, listens during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on July 7, 2023.

The U.S. Treasury Department and Chinas Ministry of Finance launched a pair of economic working groups on Friday in an effort to ease tensions and deepen ties between the nations. Led by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Vice Premier He Lifeng, the working groups will be divided into economic and financial segments.

The working groups will establish a durable channel of communication between the worlds two largest economies, Yellen said in a series of tweets detailing the announcement. She said the groups will serve as important forums to communicate Americas interests and concerns, promote a healthy economic competition between our two countries with a level playing field for American workers and businesses.

The announcement follows a string of high-ranking administration officials visits to China this year, which sets the stage for a possible meeting between President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in November at an Asia-Pacific economic conference in San Francisco.

China is one of the United States biggest trading partners, and economic competition between the two nations has increased in recent years. The two finance ministers have agreed to meet at a regular cadence, the Treasury Department said in a news release.

Yellen, along with other Biden administration officials, traveled to China this year after the Democratic president directed key senior officials to maintain communication and deepen constructive efforts after he met with Xi in Bali last year.

The groups launch also comes after Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinas vice president on Monday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.

Working groups between the U.S. and China are not a new creation. Reps. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., and Darin LaHood, R-Ill., set up a working group in 2005 between lawmakers in the two nations. And as recently as August, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said she and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao promised to set up a working group of officials and private sector representatives to seek solutions on trade and investment issues.

Areas of disagreement between the nations have included tariffs, technology, and Chinas claims to self-governing Taiwan and large parts of the South and East China Seas.

Tensions between the countries reached a fever pitch earlier this year when a Chinese surveillance balloon was spotted traveling oversensitive U.S. airspace. The U.S. military shot the balloon down off the Carolina coast after it traversed sensitive military sites across North America. China insisted the flyover was an accident involving a civilian aircraft and threatened repercussions.

In April, Yellen called out Chinas business and human rights abuses in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet while striking a conciliatory tone about how there is a future in which both countries share in and drive global economic progress.

Relations between the two countries have become further strained as the Communist nation has grown its ties with Russia despite its continued invasion into Ukraine.

The U.S. last year moved to block exports of advanced computer chips to China, an action meant to quell Chinas ability to create advanced military systems including weapons of mass destruction, Commerce Department officials said last October.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Why Yevgeny Prigozhins private jet plummeted into a field northwest of Moscow is still a mystery. The Russian military leaders he tried to oust with his armed rebellion remain in power. His mercenary army is under new management.

And President Vladimir Putin, whose authority was badly dented by the short-lived mutiny, seems as strong as ever, with Prigozhins fiery death sending a chilling message to anyone challenging him.

A month after Prigozhin was killed in a suspicious plane crash, the Kremlin seems to be succeeding in keeping the demise of the profane and outspoken Wagner chief as low-key as possible  a strategy underlined by Putins absence at his funeral and troops keeping the media from entering Porokhovskoye Cemetery in St. Petersburg for his Aug. 29 burial.

Prigozhins funeral was the culmination of a covert operation aimed at his elimination, said Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. It was conducted under the strict oversight of security agencies, shrouded in secrecy and involved deceptive tactics, she noted.

Makeshift street memorials sprouted in several cities honoring the 62-year-old Prigozhin, but they have been quietly removed by authorities. Recruitment billboards for the Wagner Group had vanished shortly after the rebellion fizzled.

In a further indignity, someone stole a violin that was left on his grave, a nod to the mercenary groups namesake, German composer Richard Wagner. Another man tried but failed to steal a sledgehammer placed there  another Wagner symbol after the group boasted of using such a tool to beat traitors to death.

Now, a surveillance camera is mounted on a nearby tree and a 24-hour guard monitors Prigozhins well-tended grave, which on Friday was covered in flowers and written tributes. Cemetery workers say there is a steady trickle of visitors.

A makeshift memorial to Yevgeny Prigozhin in Moscow, August 24, 2023. STRINGER (REUTERS)

From Bakhmut success to failed mutiny

Prigozhins greatest wartime accomplishment  the Wagner-spearheaded capture of the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut in May after months of bloody combat  is under threat. Kyivs troops are seeking to reclaim it in their counteroffensive in order to deal a psychological blow to Russia.

Still, the private army that once counted tens of thousands of troops is a precious asset the Kremlin wants to exploit, and Russian officials are pondering the possibility of sending some Wagner fighters back to Ukraine.

Prigozhin launched the June 23-24 rebellion, bent on ousting the Russian Defense Ministrys leadership that he blamed for mistakes in pressing the war in Ukraine. His mercenaries took over Russias southern military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don and then rolled toward Moscow before abruptly halting the mutiny.

Putin denounced them as traitors, but the Kremlin quickly negotiated a deal ending the uprising in exchange for amnesty from prosecution. The mercenaries were offered a choice to retire from the service, move to Belarus or sign new contracts with the Defense Ministry.

Exactly two months after the rebellions start, a plane carrying Prigozhin and his top lieutenants crashed on Aug. 23 while flying from Moscow to St. Petersburg, killing all 10 people aboard.

An investigation was launched but no findings have been released. Moscow rejected an offer from Brazil, where the Embraer business jet was built, to join the inquiry.

A preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment concluded an intentional explosion caused the crash, and Western officials have pointed to a long list of Putin foes who have been assassinated. The Kremlin called allegations he was behind the crash as an absolute lie.

The day after the crash, Putin gave a dry eulogy for Prigozhin in brief televised remarks, saying he had known him since the early 1990s. Prigozhin was a man of difficult fate who had made serious mistakes in life, he said, without displaying any emotion.

Asked last week why the official investigation hasnt yielded any results, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded tersely that its a difficult probe.

After the crash, a reckoning

Despite any damage done to Putin by the rebellion, Prigozhins death was a powerful signal to Russian elites about challenging his authority.

Russian officials, meanwhile, moved quickly to take control of the companys personnel and assets.

Deputy Defense Minister Col. Gen. Yunus-Bek Yevkurov led a delegation to Syria, Libya, Central African Republic and other countries where Wagner has operated to tell their leaders that the Defense Ministry will take over the job.

The death of Wagners leaders allows the Kremlin to establish control over the mercenaries in Africa, said Africa expert Alexandra Fokina in a recent analysis. Africas strategic importance for Russia is rising, and Moscow will likely try to nationalize those assets without the loss of efficiency.

That doesnt necessarily mean Wagner mercenaries in Africa will be placed under the control of the Defense Ministry. Instead, Fokina said the Kremlin could allow some of them to operate autonomously as a private entity under new, government-appointed leadership.

By maintaining such hybrid model, Moscow would be able to continue using the mercenaries in the gray zone, officially keeping a distance from Wagners activities in the region, Fokina said.

Wagners African operations hinged heavily on personal contacts developed by Prigozhin and his lieutenants, links that could be broken if the Defense Ministry tries to take full control, she noted.

Choosing an appointee from the ranks of Russia instructors working in Africa would allow the Kremlin to rely on the existing channels of communication with the local leadership, she said.

Whether all Wagner mercenaries come under the governments command or some are allowed to operate privately, Moscow is likely to retain its clout in Africa.

Russias appeal as a security guarantor and military partner remains intact, irrespective of the fate of the Wagner Group, Mathieu Droin and Tina Dolbaia wrote in an analysis published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

In Belarus, the field camps that housed several thousand Wagner troops after the mutiny have shrunk following Prigozhins death. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said they could be offered contracts with his military.

Other Wagner forces could return to Ukraine under the auspices of Russias National Guard, according to messaging app channels linked to the mercenary group, although there is no official confirmation of such a plan.

Prigozhin foes still in power

The military leaders Prigozhin cursed and castigated in profane videos last spring  Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and chief of the General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov  remain in power and have effectively secured their positions despite his calls for their ouster.

Shoigu and Gerasimov seem very much to have won, said Mark Galeotti, a London-based Russia expert who heads the consulting firm Mayak Intelligence. Their position was saved precisely by Prigozhins mutiny.

He noted that while Shoigu and Gerasimov were phenomenally unpopular figures within the military and widely blamed for mishandling the war, they also are very useful to the Kremlin as a lightning rod, attracting all the criticism, rather than Putin himself.

Shoigu attended Putins talks this month with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and accompanied Kim as he inspected Russias nuclear-capable strategic bombers and a warship on a visit that fueled Western concerns of a possible deal for Moscow to tap Pyongyangs huge munitions arsenals for use in Ukraine.

Gen. Sergei Surovikin, whom Prigozhin had mentioned as a possible replacement for Gerasimov, vanished from public view after the mutiny and eventually was dismissed as air force chief after a two-month investigation into his possible connection to the mutiny  a sign authorities worked methodically to uproot any dissent in the ranks.

Shoigu and Gerasimov also removed other senior officers who appeared too ambitious or defiant, including Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov, commander of the 58th army in Ukraines Zaporizhzhia region who was dismissed after speaking out about challenges faced by his troops amid Kyivs counteroffensive.

Surovikin was appointed air defense coordinator for the Commonwealth of Independent States, an alliance of former Soviet nations. While its a token job with no power or influence and clearly a humiliating demotion, the fact he wasnt booted from the military altogether signaled the investigation hadnt implicated him in any serious wrongdoing.

Earlier this month, Surovikin was seen in Algeria as part of a Russian military delegation.

Galeotti emphasized that despite the demotion, Surovikin has kept his rank. If Putin reshuffles the military leadership, he might return with a senior job.

Surovikin is now in a position in which he has no power and no prestige but also no responsibilities. He cant screw things up, Galeotti said in a recent podcast.

A successor to Shoigu could make Surovikin a new chief of the General Staff, he said, adding: They dont have many truly able figures.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Luis Alberto Mio Morocho, during the extradition hearing at the Spanish High Court on Friday.

Luis Alberto Mio Morocho, 53, left Peru in 2019 and has no intention of returning. He made this clear in the Spanish High Court during an extradition hearing to address the order to send him back to the country, which is supported by the Spanish Prosecutors Office. The Peruvian judiciary wants him returned to face allegations of being a member of the so-called Death Squad, a group of corrupt police officers who organized massacres of common criminals to gain prestige and promotions. Morocho has been linked to 13 murders carried out a decade ago, according to the indictment. But during his testimony in court, he and his defense team have insisted that all the charges against him are political persecution.

Based on this argument, among others, Morocho is attempting to evade the Peruvian courts. It now falls to the Criminal Chamber of the High Court to give the green light to his extradition, which the judges will study after Fridays hearing with a decision expected in the next few weeks. The Public Prosecutors Office has concluded that all the legal requirements for the extradition of the former police officer have been met and that, in addition, the thesis that his defense has put on the table does not make sense. The prosecutor noted that during the last eight years, there have been five different governments in Peru with successive interior ministers. Therefore, according to the prosecution, it is impossible that different high-ranking officials have been passing the extradition order from one to another to the detriment of the defendant. There is, moreover, no evidence of this, the prosecution added.

The Spanish National Police arrested Mio Morocho on September 29, 2022, in Guadalajara. With his wife and son, he lived discreetly in the town of around 90,000 inhabitants, where he also works in a warehouse, as he told the court. According to his version of events, he left Peru in 2019 because he was the target of three attacks after his name appeared in the media. My arrival in Spain was normal. I arrived at the airport and went to immigration, where I fully identified myself, Mio Morocho said, adding the he informed the Peruvian consulate of his new address. At the time of his arrest, investigators described him as a very dangerous individual.

The documentation submitted by Peru states that Mio Morocho was part of a true criminal organization. According to the indictment, although he was a lower-ranking member of the Death Squad, Mio Morocho oversaw intelligence work and preparing the crimes. As the National Police explained, this group of corrupt agents was dedicated to recruiting informants, paid by the organization itself, who encouraged low-level criminals to commit crimes, such as kidnappings or robberies. This information was then leaked back to the Death Squad. In this way, the agents were able to surprise the criminals and shoot them in the act, later reporting that the shootings had been the result of confrontations involving danger to their lives. They would then fabricate intelligence documentation to justify their actions, according to the Peruvian authorities.

At Fridays hearing, Mio Morochos lawyer stated that handing him over to Peru means endangering his life. There is no legal certainty there. There is judicial corruption under the orders of the government, the lawyer said. Mio Morocho said that he remained in the Peruvian police force until 2019, shortly before his departure to Spain: Seeing that I was excluded from any type of police [action], I opted to be discharged, he said.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Reddit 336 Email 588 Shares

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu seems to love waving around cartoonish props at the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting. This year his theme was the likelihood of an Israel-Saudi rapprochement, which is being pushed by the Biden administration despite the abysmal Saudi human rights violations and despite Netanyahus ongoing destruction of the last vestiges of Israeli democracy.

This years prop, in that regard, showed the wacky plan to build a rail line to transship goods from Indias Mumbai port to Haifa in Israel, where theyd be offloaded for delivery across the Mediterranean. Since shipping costs per pound are about five times cheaper than rail costs, the plan baffles me. It will allegedly cost $20 billion. I guess it is only money.

The problem? When the drawing of the rail line reaches Israel, the map just shows the entirety of what had been British Mandate Palestine as one country, Israel. The Palestinian West Bank and Gaza Strip had been wiped off the map.

This map, of course, depicts the openly stated ambitions of the current extremist government in Tel Aviv, of annexing outright all the Palestinian lands that Zionist militias had proven unable to take in 1948. Netanyahu wants it all, from the Jordan to the sea.

Yet when Palestinians say, From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free, this phrase is lambasted by the US Israel lobbies as anti-Israel hate.

The phrase as Palestinians use it is not, of course, intended to call for the replacement of Israel by Palestine, as propagandists charge, but to assert that Palestinians will not remain stateless (West Bank and Gaza) or second-class citizens (in Israel) forever, that they will ultimately be emancipated from Israeli Apartheid policies.

Prominent commentator Marc Lamont Hill of Temple University was fired from CNN in 2018 for using the phrase on air, in the sense I just outlined.

Wouldnt Netanyahus map be, by the same token, an instance of anti-Palestinian hate? But let me assure you that no one is getting fired from US television for saying anything negative about Palestinians.

We all remember, as well, Netanyahus crude illustration of the alleged Iranian nuclear bomb. Iran is not assessed by US intelligence even to have a nuclear weapons program, only a civilian enrichment capacity. Israel, in contrast, has several hundred nuclear warheads, which it usually declines to confirm.

Since Netanyahu is such an inveterate liar, however, it was likely that sooner or later he would slip up. So at the roster of the United Nations, he asserted Above all  above all  Iran must face a credible nuclear threat. As long as Im prime minister of Israel, I will do everything in my power to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons.

Menacing Iran with a nuclear threat contravenes the United Nations Charter, which forbids not only aggressive war but also aggressive threats of violence toward other states. It also contravenes Israeli policy of declining to admit to its nuclear arsenal, which kicked off the nuclear arms race in the region in the first place.

Netanyahus minders swooped in to clean up his indiscretion, and likely nothing more will be said about it in the West. Iranians are less likely to forget his threat to nuke them.

Nor will Palestinians forget that he wiped them off the map.
British society has sometimes been quicker than its government institutions to repair the damage of its colonial footprint in the world, if only with small gestures that are more symbolic than anything else. Last Thursday, in a low-key ceremony in London, Ethiopias ambassador to the United Kingdom, Teferi Melesse, received a lock of hair from Ethiopias Prince Alemayehu. The young boy was taken from his homeland in 1868 when he was seven years old and buried aged 18 in St. Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle.

His relatives, descendants of Emperor Tewodros II (negus negusti, or emperor of Abyssinia, in the Amharic language), and the Ethiopian government itself, have repeatedly demanded Alemayehus return. Buckingham Palace has so far resisted calls to repatriate his remains, arguing that it is not possible to do so without disturbing the resting place of a substantial number of others in the vicinity.

The hair had been in the possession of Leoni Turner, a descendant of Captain Tristam Speedy, one of the leaders of the assault on the fortress of Magdala in 1868, under the command of Robert Napier, an officer of the army of the British Raj, the colonial government of the British crown in the Indian subcontinent. Through the Scheherazade Foundation, which is dedicated to building bridges between cultures, both the lock of hair and much of the plunder from Magdala have been returned to the Ethiopian government. Turner herself was present at the ceremony to hand over the lock of hair.

The restitution of Ethiopian artefacts looted by the 1868 British expedition to Magdala is important for restorative justice and an excellent way to build better relations and collaborations between British and Ethiopian institutions, Alula Pankhurst, a member of the National Commission for the Restoration of Ethiopias Legacy, told the BBC. But he also made it clear that this is, in his view, a first step.

The kidnapping of the prince

In 1868, Emperor Tewodros II, irritated by Queen Victorias lack of response to a letter suggesting an alliance between the two empires, as well as a request for ammunition, armaments, and military experts, took several European missionaries and diplomats hostage in the city of Magdala, among them the British consul. What happened next can be described as a rain of fire, and one of the greatest orgies of plunder and robbery carried out in the name of the British Empire, Ethiopian-American writer Maaza Mengiste recounted several years ago.

The story goes that Emperor Tewodros took his own amid the hundreds killed by the British Indian Army at the Battle of Magdala. To ensure their safety on the return journey, the expedition took with Empress Tiruwork Wube, Tewodros wife, and their son, Prince Alemayehu, who was then seven years old. The empress died during journey. When Alemayehu reached England, Queen Victoria became fond of the young prince and his melancholic expression  which never left him  when she met him on the Isle of Wight, where she would often go to rest. She agreed to leave Alemayehu, the first child kidnapped by the British Empire, in the hands of Captain Speedy, a strange man who always dressed in oriental clothes and became accustomed to sleeping in the same bed as the prince. After Speedy took the boy with him on a trip halfway around the world, Buckingham Palace decided that he needed a formal education.

Alemayehu was sent to the private Rugby School and from there to the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. In both institutions he suffered bullying and was an unhappy child. When he turned 18 and lost his royal maintenance, Speedy decided to leave him in the care of Dr. Arthur Ransome, in the city of Leeds. He died soon after of pleurisy, convinced that someone had poisoned him and still pining for his native Ethiopia. Much pained and shocked to have learned, through a telegram, of the death this very morning of good Alemayehu, Queen Victoria wrote in her diary. It is so sad! So alone, in a strange country, without a single relative [...] His life was not a happy one. Full of difficulties of all kinds. So sensitive, always thinking that people were staring at him because of the color of his skin. We are all very sad, wrote the monarch.

Queen Victoria decided to bury Alemayehu in St. Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle, not in the royal crypt where the remains of Henry VIII and now Elizabeth II rest, but in the catacombs adjacent to the chapel. A bronze plaque in the central nave of St. Georges contains the words written by Queen Victoria herself, I was a stranger and ye took me in. But Alamayehus body rests in the brick crypt outside the chapel. He was not welcomed inside, Lemn Sissay, a British author and broadcaster of Ethiopian origin, has denounced.

In March 2019, the United Kingdom presented a lock of Emperor Tewodros IIs hair to an Ethiopian government delegation at the National Army Museum in London.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
On Friday, Ukraine hit the Russian navy base in Sevastopol, Crimea, with medium-range missiles. The home port of the Black Sea Fleet is located in the the centre of the city and numerous videos shared on social networks by members of the public have shown several explosions and columns of smoke rising from the Russian fleets central headquarters and also from the naval docks. On Saturday, another attack was launched against Sevastopol.

The occupying authorities have indicated that Fridays bombardment was carried out with missiles and that it only affected the building that serves as the fleets headquarters. The images that have emerged from the attack against the Sevastopol captaincy confirm that at least one missile hit the facade, although without causing the building to be destroyed.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has been using a modification of its Neptune marine anti-ship missile to attack ground targets, especially air defense batteries. The Neptune became famous among the Ukrainian population when one of the missiles sank the Moskva, flagship of the Russian fleet in the Black Sea, in 2022.

The latest bombing in Sevastopol comes after Thursdays attack (again with a Neptune) against the Saky air base, also in Crimea, where 12 combat aircraft were stationed, according to the Ukrainian Security Services (SSU). One of the Russian fleets ship dry docks in Sevastopol was also targeted last week by Ukrainian missiles and nautical drones, damaging a submarine and a landing ship. Another blow to the Russian fleet in Crimea came on Wednesday, when long-range Storm Shadow missiles hit the Verkhnosadove base, an underground bunker complex. In addition to the attacks that hit their targets, Ukraine has been mounting daily drone attacks to test the Russian air defense network on the Crimean peninsula, considered one of the best in the world.

The Storm Shadow is a long-range missile produced by the United Kingdom and France, and is the first weapon supplied by NATO allies that the Ukrainian Air Force is using against Russian positions in Crimea. Air Force Commander Mikola Oleshchuk has confirmed that the Storm Shadows have been fired from fighter-bombers.

Until a few months ago, the NATO member states that support Ukraine established as an essential condition that their weapons not be used in attacks on Russian territory, or Crimea. For the Kremlin, Crimea is a red line, an inalienable part of Russian the national identity, and attacking it with Western weapons, as the Russian Ministry of Defense has warned, could cause an escalation in the conflict. Russia annexed Crimea by force in 2014 while supporting separatist uprisings in Donbas, in eastern Ukraine.

The Storm Shadow missiles were used successfully in the attack on the Sevastopol dry dock last week. Ukraine is also using aerial and sea drones to hit Russian warships. Based in Crimea, the enemy fleet is blocking maritime traffic in the Black Sea and preventing Ukrainian ports from accessing the sea. Russia has also occupied the Ukrainian coast of the Azov Sea during the invasion.

The Russian governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, reported this Friday that there has also been an unprecedented cyber attack that has interrupted internet service on the peninsula.

The secretary of the Security Council of Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov, has stated on the social network X that the attacks are precision and exclusively against military infrastructure. Danilov, in his characteristically provocative tone, wrote that the Russian navy has two options in Crimea, either to sink its ships voluntarily in the face of the enemys proximity, or to wait for its fleet to be sliced like salami.

Ukrainian pressure on Crimea coincides with the launch of an alternative route to export Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. Last July, Russia stopped its participation in the so-called Black Sea Grain Initiative, by which it had committed to Turkey and the United Nations to allow merchant ships with Ukrainian grain heading to international markets to trickle down from Ukrainian ports. Russia broke the agreement, claiming that Western sanctions hindered its exports. But Ukraine has started a new route this week: without leaving Ukrainian waters, merchant ships sail to ports in neighboring Romania. From there they continue their journey to Turkish waters. Ukraine and shipping companies believe Moscow will not authorize an attack on commercial vessels.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
137 Shares Share

Should doctors be able to write?

At first glance, this might seem like a question with an easy answer.

Yes, you might say, doctors receive a doctorate and are trusted with communicating to and about people at critical moments in their lives. Or you could reply, No, they are scientists and so need to be functional communicators able to write basic notes and prescriptions, and anything more than that is professional frosting.

As with all questions, sorting out which answer is (more) correct is easier if we define our terms.

The key words in this question are doctor and write. Both have literal bare-bones definitions, and both play out in the real world in myriad and widely varied ways. For the purposes of this post, doctor means a licensed physician who engages in clinical care, research, education, or health care leadership and writing means the ability to use narrative to effectively communicate ideas, thoughts, feelings and opinions to others.

Of course, as a doctor-writer who teaches other doctors how to write, I should admit that Im biased.

But I recognize that I am a doctor who enjoys writing and wants it as part of her career. From that perspective, writing might be one of my hobbies, comparable to the activities of colleagues who invent creative cocktails, build musical instruments from raw materials, or breed lamas (yup, I know at least one doctor who does each of these things)

The difference between these activities and writing is that one can be a very fine physician without ever having mixed a drink, carved the fine curves of a violin, or inspired romance between lamas.

On the other hand, I would argue that one cannot be a good doctor without being able to communicate ones thoughts, knowledge, opinions, and analyses in writing. Sure, a person might be a remarkably skilled surgeon or an uncannily perceptive leader of family meetings, but if that information isnt relayed accurately and effectively in the chart or in written materials for families, the well-being of patients and families are in jeopardy. These faulty hand-offs, transitions, and instructions have been shown, repeatedly, to be the cause of medical errors, readmissions to hospitals, unnecessary tests, and death.

And thats just one aspect of the doctors role. Another fundamental set of professional responsibilities, cited in the Physician Charter, adopted by leading medical societies in the US, Canada, UK and Europe in 2002 included providing expert advice to society on matters of health.

Note, it doesnt say to patients but to society  and what are the most effective ways to reach large numbers of people? There are really just three modalities: text, audio, and video. And the latter two, to be effective, often have scripts. Moreover, they always require the clarity of language and expression, mastery of storytelling, and judicious use of data that can best be taught and practiced through writing.

So my vote on should doctors be able to write?

A resounding yes.

We dont  wont, cant  all be Chekhov or Gawande, but we should all have some basic ability to discuss matters of health and health care in ways that are accessible, interesting, and informative to people with no medical background.

Lucky for me, it seems increasing numbers of other doctors agree: In the last few months, I have taught public medical writing at the University of California San Diego, Oregon Health Sciences University, the Society of General Internal Medicine meetings (with Lisa Saunders of the New York Times and Anna Reisman of Slate), and the American Geriatrics Society annual meeting, to name a just a few.

At each place, I encountered health professionals eager to tell stories of their patients, colleagues, research and practice, and at each place I was thrilled to find that alchemy of passion, advocacy, expertise, and talent necessary to produce good work and improve the world.

My hats off to them.

Louise Aronson is a geriatrician and the author of A History of the Present Illness. She blogs at her self-titled site, Louse Aronson, and can be found on Twitter @LouiseAronson.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
1 of 1

      ,        

khaskhabar.com : , 23  2023 3:03 PM
To most people, getting information regarding a treatment to fade spots, reduce wrinkles or cellulite or tighten the skin is comparable to taking a physics or chemistry exam: the language can be a bit complicated. This all started about 40 years ago, when NASA aerospace physicist Max Huber, after suffering tremendous burns to his face while performing a chemical experiment in his laboratory, decided to create his own cure. The result would be the famous (and very expensive) La Mer cream (Jennifer Lopez favorite), with biofermentation of several types of seaweed.

To continue with the space references, here is an interesting fact. To keep the surfaces of spacecraft clean, NASA scientists use nanosilver, a material with known antimicrobial properties, instead of resorting to the vapors that regular cleaning products emit. Silver nanoparticles are powerful disinfectants, because fungi and bacteria die upon contact with them. Well, in the field of cosmetics, there is a facial line with a patented formula (Silver Hydrosol & DHA HP) that uses colloidal silver as the main ingredient.

Joy Isaacs is the founder of Argentum and, with the contribution of scientist Gilbert Mouzin, she based her line of products on the effectiveness of the active ingredients of silver. La Potion Infinie (Argentums star product) promises to treat spots, wrinkles and sagging. Conclusion: whether you are in the beauty salon or in orbit, hygiene is key. Another similar case is that of aerogel-textured creams (evanescent, light, airy), which benefit from the Active Rush technology originally developed by NASA to insulate space shuttles. Today it is used in skin care products as a lightweight, breathable moisturizer (Olay Regenerist Whip is one of them, and Clarins and LOccitane also have creams with similar textures).

Going one step further, we enter the complex world of machines. In the era of artificial intelligence, the machinery used in the world of aesthetics is capable of detecting anything our skin needs. For a few years now, the lighting technology used to grow plants in space has been applied to human cells to promote faster healing, both in the medical and the aesthetic fields. NASA uses LED light for its plants; aerospace researchers discovered other benefits of this light on Earth  specifically, in age-delaying treatments (it reduces wrinkles, spots, acne, and rosacea). Near-infrared light penetrates the dermis at a specific wavelength, activating faster and healthier cell regeneration without causing burns.

The two most recent aesthetic LED light launches come from the Swedish brand Foreo. Their FAQ 202 anti-aging mask, with eight different wavelengths (including near-infrared), can access the deepest layers of the skin, while the Unicskin mask ergonomically adapts to the face. Both devices can be used at home, although they are not cheap (approximately $850 and $350, respectively). Natalia de la Vega, founder of the Tacha beauty centers, has been applying LED light therapy for a long time. NASA discovered this type of light to accelerate the cicatrization and healing of astronauts in a zero-gravity atmosphere. It was then that Dior laboratories created a red light mask with Lucibel, specialists in photobiomodulation. Its design evokes the oval of the face and offers a brighter, firmer skin, homogeneous tone and closed pores, she explains.

Another field developed at NASA has been the use of certain lasers capable of measuring the difference in density and volume between the treetops and the ground from space; a valuable piece of information that is used to study the tree cover and climate change, estimating the level of vegetation. As for the role of lasers in beauty, one of the latest that dermatologists use is called Endolift. Dermatologist Carlos Morales defines it as an interstitial laser for non-surgical skin tightening. The problem with most non-surgical tightening treatments is the poor ability to reach deep layers of the skin without damaging the superficial layers. This laser is composed of a 0.3 millimeter optical fiber that introduces energy and tightens the skin from within; without a doubt, one of the greatest advances in skin rejuvenation, he points out. The laser is the perfect weapon to go deeper into the skin (that was also the case with the diode laser that removed hair), just like the aeronauts who study the forests from above do with their accurate lasers.

All these new technologies are used to meet the needs of a society that demands the elixir of eternal youth at any price, in the shortest possible time, without undergoing surgery or the inconveniences of the postoperative period. For this reason, more and more sophisticated devices are being created (Israel and the United States are pioneers in their manufacture and development) and becoming part of the equipment of renowned doctors and beauticians for exclusively professional use, and they are in high demand for being a generally painless alternative to injections, fillings, or surgery.

One of the first machines to enter the market was LPG (along with hair removal lasers), more than 30 years ago. Its creator was Louis-Paul Guitay, a French engineer and inventor who mechanically reproduced the manual massage that a physiotherapist was giving him to recover his muscles after a serious accident. LPG is considered a therapeutic device (in France it is found in rehabilitation centers), but it was later discovered that it also had benefits in the aesthetic field, as it helps reduce volume, fat, and cellulite in specific areas of the body. Its complex technology is endorsed by the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). Lionel Galipienzo, general manager of LPG Spain, explains that the new head of the equipment includes a sensor capable of detecting whether it is localized fat, cellulite or flaccidity, in order to attack the problem intelligently. It has already been patented and supported by 145 scientific studies and more than 80 publications in the scientific press, and is present at medical conferences, explains Galipienzo.

Ana Revuelta, an aeronautical doctor and pharmacist, emphasizes the effectiveness of focused ultrasound with visualization from Merz Aesthetics. Its high technology, approved by the FDA and published in the prestigious Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. It acts in the deepest layers of the skin, creating thermal coagulation points whose main action is to stimulate collagen and elastin, achieving a lifting effect without having to undergo surgery. The thermal coagulation points enter the skin like meteorites that collide with the SMAS (superficial muscular aponeurotic system) and cause the formation of collagen, thus generating biostimulation naturally, she explains.

Another scientific advance in the field of cosmetics is high-intensity fractionated bipolar radiofrequency. This radiofrequency can tighten the skin, obtaining an effect that could be considered a non-invasive replacement for surgical lifting and other, more aggressive methods. In this type of procedures, Dr. Agustin Granado Tiagonce particularly highlights the effectiveness of the Morpheus 8 device: It improves the texture, looseness, and appearance of the skin, even eliminating fat from the jowl, a problem that worries men and women.

Ricardo Ruiz, founder and director of the International Dermatological Clinic and head of Dermatology at the Ruber International Hospital, both in Madrid, is skeptical about many of these inventions. In aesthetic medicine, there is a lot of smoke. Sometimes miraculous results and revolutionary innovations are promised, but the reality is that there have been no major advances in the last 15 or 20 years, he says. Today, the prevention and treatment of facial aging revolves around combining botulinum toxin with fillers and collagen inducers. And lasers for spots or veins, radio frequencies and ultrasounds have not evolved much, either, he points out. That said, with todays technology interesting aesthetic results can be achieved and, in many cases, a lot of surgeries can be delayed or even avoided. The debate is open, and if you decide to try any of the techniques available today, you should always seek the advice of a professional.

Meanwhile, cosmetic houses keep researching, creating and investing money in launching new formulations with ingredients that promise to be the elixir of eternal youth. The same thing happens with the technology. Scientists from cosmetic laboratories collaborate with renowned universities to research cell aging. Among the latest advances in this field, a study on the microbiome applied to a cream developed by the Shiseido group and presented recently at a conference in Barcelona, Spain, stands out. If the pace of the research is maintained, will they one day be able to find the magic formula to prevent the face and body from drooping? What if an internal antigravity mechanism was discovered in the skin? What if our skin could regenerate instead of sagging? Flaccidity is the biggest challenge in the fight against aging, much more than wrinkles. And firmness is the goal.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
The control tower of Camp VI detention facility is seen on April 17, 2019, in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba.

A military judge at Guantanamo Bay has ruled one of the 9/11 defendants too mentally ill to stand trial, after a military medical panel found that the mans abuse in CIA custody years earlier has rendered him psychotic. Guantanamo military commission spokesman Ronald Flesvig confirmed the ruling by Judge Col. Matthew McCall. The ruling means Ramzi bin al-Shibh will not be tried together with his four 9/11 co-defendants, whose case will now proceed without him.

McCall made the ruling Thursday night. A notice on the military commissions website Friday said his written decision was under security review and unavailable.

A Yemeni, al-Shibh is accused of organizing one cell of the 19 hijackers who carried out the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people. A military medical panel last month diagnosed him as having post-traumatic stress disorder with secondary psychosis, and linked it to his torture and solitary confinement during four years in CIA custody after his 2002 arrest.

Al-Shibh has complained for years since his transfer to the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, that his guards were attacking him, including by invisible rays, so as to deprive him of sleep and cause him pain.

Defense attorney David Bruck argued at a hearing by the military court Tuesday for McCall to accept the medical panels finding that al-Shibhs mental issues were too severe for him to meaningfully take part in his defense.

Bruck pointed to what he said was al-Shibhs solitary confinement over four years in detention at CIA black sites, and torture that included his being forced to stand sleepless for as long as three days at a time, naked except for a diaper and doused with cold water in air-conditioned rooms, for the mans lasting belief that his American guards were still conspiring to deprive him of sleep.

Bruck indicated that al-Shibh would be expected to remain in custody if found incompetent to stand trial.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy speaks with reporters as he arrives for the day at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on September 18, 2023.

The White House is preparing Friday to direct federal agencies to get ready for a shutdown after House Republicans left town for the weekend with no viable plan to keep the government funded and avert politically and economically costly disruption of federal services.

A federal shutdown after Sept. 30 seems all but certain unless Speaker Kevin McCarthy can convince his rebellious hard-right flank of Republicans to allow Congress to approve a temporary funding measure to prevent closures while they work on the annual federal spending plan. But the House is not expected back until Tuesday, leaving just five days to resolve his standoff.

We got members working, and hopefully well be able to move forward on Tuesday to pass these bills, McCarthy, R-Calif., told reporters at the Capitol. McCarthy signaled his preference for avoiding a closure, but a hard-right flank of his House majority has effectively seized control. I still believe if you shut down, youre in a weaker position, he said.

The standoff with House Republicans over government funding puts at risk a range of activities  including pay for the military and law enforcement personnel, food safety and food aid programs, air travel and passport processing  and could wreak havoc with the U.S. economy.

With the Oct. 1 start of a new fiscal year and no funding in place, the Biden administrations Office of Management and Budget is preparing to advise federal agencies to review and update their shutdown plans, according to an OMB official. The start of this process suggests that federal employees could be informed next week if theyre to be furloughed.

President Joe Biden has been quick to blame the likely shutdown on House Republicans, who are intent on spending cuts beyond those laid out in a June deal that also suspended the legal cap on the government borrowings authority until early 2025.

Theyre back at it again, breaking their commitment, threatening more cuts and threatening to shut down government again, Biden during a recent speech in suburban Maryland.

McCarthy faces immense pressure for severe spending cuts from a handful of hard-right conservatives in his caucus, essentially halting his ability to lead the chamber. Many on the right flank are aligned with Donald Trump  the Republican frontrunner to challenge Biden in the 2024 election  opposed the budget deal the speaker reached with Biden earlier this year and are trying to dismantle it.

Trump has urged the House Republicans on, pushing them to hold the line against federal spending.

Led by Trump ally Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., the right flank has all but commandeered control of the House debate in a public rebuke to the speaker.

Late Thursday, the hard-right faction pushed McCarthy to consider their idea to shelve plans for a stopgap funding measure, called a continuing resolution, or CR, and instead start bringing up the 12 individual bills needed to fund the government.

The House GOP leadership then announced just that  it would begin processing a package of four bills to fund Defense, Homeland Security, State and Foreign Operations and Agricultural departments, setting up voting for Tuesday when lawmakers return. Work on some bills had been held up by the same conservatives demanding passage now.

Any progress we are making is in spite of, not due to, McCarthy, Gaetz posted on social media, deriding the speaker for having sent lawmakers home for the weekend. Pathetic.

Gaetz and his allies say they want to see the House engage in the hard work of legislating  even if it pushes the country into a shutdown  as they pursue sizable reductions and cuts.

The House Rules Committee announced it would meet Friday afternoon to begin preparing those bills, which historically require weeks of floor debate, with hundreds of amendments, but now are slated to be rushed to the floor for next weeks votes.

Its a capstone to a difficult week for McCarthy, who tried, unsuccessfully, to advance a typically popular defense spending bill that was twice defeated in embarrassing floor votes. The speaker seemed to blame the defeat of the bill on fellow lawmakers who just want to burn the whole place down.

Shutdowns happen when Congress and the president fail to complete a set of 12 spending bills, or fail to approve a temporary measure to keep the government operating. As a result, federal agencies are required to stop all actions deemed non-essential. Since 1976, there have been 22 funding gaps, with 10 of them leading to workers being furloughed.

The last and longest shutdown on record was for 35 days during Trumps administration, between 2018 and 2019, as he insisted on funding to build a wall along the U.S. southern border that Democrats and some Republicans refused.

Because some agencies already had approved funding, it was a partial closure. The Congressional Budget Office estimated it came at a cost of $3 billion to the U.S. economy. While $3 billion is a lot of money, it was equal to just 0.02% of U.S. economic activity in 2019.

There could be costs to parts of the economy and difficulties for individuals.

Military and law enforcement officials would go unpaid during the shutdown. The disaster relief fund of the Federal Emergency Management Agency could be depleted, hurting the victims of wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding.

Clinical trials on new prescription drugs could be delayed. Ten thousand children could lose access to care through Head Start, while environmental and food safety inspections would get backlogged.

Food aid for Americans through the Women, Infants and Children program could be cut off for nearly 7 million pregnant women, mothers, infants, and children.

Brian Gardner, chief Washington strategist at the investment bank Stifel, said that air traffic controllers went unpaid during the previous shutdown. But they largely continued to work without pay. He noted that visa and passport applications would not be processed if the government is closed.

The U.S. Travel Industry Association estimates that the travel sector could lose $140 million daily in a shutdown.

But in a sign of how little damage that 35-day shutdown did to the overall economy, the S&P 500 stock index climbed 11.6% during the last government closure.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Sunshine and a few afternoon clouds. High around 50F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low around 25F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo departed for the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, Saturday, to attend the opening ceremony of the Asian Games and meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the sporting event, according to his office.

During his two-day visit, Han is expected to attend a luncheon hosted by Xi for the leaders of countries competing in the Games and hold talks with Xi ahead of the opening ceremony later in the day.

The exact time, venue and agenda for their meeting are being discussed.

Han will be the first high-level Korean official to meet with Xi since President Yoon Suk Yeol met with him on the sidelines of a Group of 20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, in November 2022.

During the meeting, Han is expected to convey Seoul's initiatives to arrange a trilateral summit involving Japan and China, and extend an invitation to Xi for a visit to South Korea, a proposal previously made by Yoon during the November meeting.

Han is accompanied by First Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin and Vice Culture Minister Jang Mi-ran, a former Olympic gold medalist in weightlifting.

Han earlier told reporters that Seoul is committed to maintaining an amicable relationship with Beijing, emphasizing that his trip aims to demonstrate Seoul's dedication to enhancing South Korea-China relations.

Korea has usually sent the culture minister to such events. (Yonhap)
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Snow showers this morning. Becoming partly cloudy later. High 42F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 40%..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 29F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
In science fiction movies, if someone is on an asteroid, they are probably mining a valuable metal, serving time as a prisoner for some interplanetary felony, or sacrificing their life to save the Earth from an imminent impact and hoping, perhaps, that their name will grace some institute or other in Idaho. But, at 8.55 a.m. local time (4:55 p.m. CEST) in the Utah desert this Sunday, the prequel to those cheesy action movies will be played out. A capsule carrying samples from the surface of Bennu, a 500-meter-long asteroid, is scheduled to arrive. The capsules landing will be covered live on NASAs YouTube channel.

Unlike the action movie heroes who bring their physical strength to bear on fictional near-Earth asteroids, the engineers and scientists responsible for the NASA mission (the third to bring asteroid material back to Earth, after the two Japanese Hayabusa missions) are using their mental prowess. The round trip mission to the asteroid Bennu, an object the size of a shopping mall that orbits the Sun between Mars and Earth, is a display of technical and scientific precision. After a seven-year journey, the probe landed on Bennu, more than 300 million kilometers (186 million miles) away from Earth. It approached the surface, landed on the celestial body that has only a tiny gravitational pull, collected at least 250 grams (9 ounces) of dust and rocks from its surface and took off again to begin its journey home.

As was already known by those in charge of the Japanese space agency JAXA (pioneers in sending spacecraft to gather asteroid dust), placing a probe in the orbit of such a small body requires particular expertise. Rather than entering its gravitational field, as man-made objects do when visiting planets or moons, Hayabusa 1 caught up with the asteroid Itokawa on its way around the Sun. Bennu, a little larger than Itokawa, has become the smallest object ever orbited.

After catching up to the asterioid, the descent to collect the sample on an unknown surface is fraught with danger. In 2005, Hayabusa 1 was only able to collect a few particles after a failure in its collector, and that semi-success was not known until 2010, after a bumpy five-year return. Hayabusa 2, the improved version of its predecessor, managed to bring back five grams (0.18 ounces) of the asteroid Ryugu, and the OSIRIS-REx capsule will multiply that amount by more than 50.

Dante Lauretta, the missions lead researcher, said that the scientists expected it to be something similar to a sandy beach and it turned out to be a much more rugged terrain, full of rocks up to ten meters (32 feet) high that the probe could crash into. Bennu looks more like a giant ball pool floating in space, a much less compact surface than it appeared from the outside. When OSIRIS-REx descended to collect its samples, it encountered no resistance and sank half a meter (20 inches) into the surface, until the retrojets returned it to orbit. After overcoming these uncertainties and traveling millions of kilometers back to Earth, scientists and engineers expect that the capsule (and its loot) will crash land, with surgical precision, in an area of Utah of about 600 square kilometers (231 square miles), equivalent to an area the size of the city of Chicago.

Taking all the necessary precautions, so as not to contaminate the samples and to prevent any extraterrestrial threat from escaping, the military and scientists will collect the capsule in Utah and send it to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. If everything runs smoothly, analysis on the samples will begin and plans will be drawn up on how they will be shared among scientists from all over the world who are interested in unraveling the asteroids secrets. This study, together with all the information collected by OSIRIS-REx during its visit to Bennu, will be a journey into the past to understand our origins and a way of making preparations to avoid a space cataclysm. When Bennu crosses Earths orbit around the Sun, which is estimated to occur on September 24, 2182, there is estimated to be an impact risk of one in 2,700, according to NASA.

NASA illustration of the OSIRIS-REx probe. AP

Asteroids are like fossils from the beginnings of the solar system, and it is suspected that the water in the oceans could have come from an ancestral bombardment of these objects. There is even speculation that the organic compounds that made life possible arrived inside them. Although meteorites from asteroids arrive continuously, traveling to an asteroid while it is still in space and bringing back unaltered samples has its advantages, such as understanding what those rocks are like when they have not been exposed to natural processes on their journey to Earth.

Carbonaceous chondrite meteorites usually break away from their parent asteroids or comets thanks to action that favors the most resistant rocks [the others are pulverized or never reach the Earths surface, since their mass is lost in the fireball phase when they enter the atmosphere]. Furthermore, chondrites usually take tens of millions of years to reach the Earth and, in their transit, they can be heated by the Sun or impact other objects, explains Josep Maria Trigo, a researcher at the Institute of Space Sciences (CSIC-IEEC), in Barcelona. The center has a clean room for collected samples and meteorites, which was used by the scientists to study the materials returned from comet 81P/Wild 2 and the Itokawa asteroid. It is where they also aspire to analyze some samples from Bennu.

Rene Duffard, from the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia, says that the work of these missions is also changing the idea we have about asteroids. Although there is a classification into carbonaceous, metallic, or silicate, according to their composition, the arrival of probes has confirmed that they are accumulations of debris, which can be mostly of one type or another, but which can include surprises, because you can find anything in an accumulation of rubble. This explains the capacity for improvisation that those in charge of the OSIRIS-REx probe have had to apply so as to adapt to the unexpected. It also explains the possible questions that would be raised about the best option to destroy or divert one of these objects if it looked like it would collide with Earth.

In their role as fossils or pristine evidence, Duffard says that these orbital debris dumps have, among other things, the advantage that they have remained there, in space, without any alteration for the 4.5 billion years since the formation of the Earth. On the planets surface there was movement of tectonic plates, erosion, rain, and wind, and the rocks were altered, he adds. Furthermore, unlike meteorites, the information does not appear out of context. For example, its the difference between an archaeologist receiving a bone but not knowing where it was found, or being told that it was found on a specific beach under certain conditions, he says.

Knowledge of Bennus structure is also relevant if we consider the possibility of changing its trajectory to prevent it from hitting the Earth. In those cases, what we want is to transmit kinetic energy to the object and also have a lot of material released that generates additional propulsion, explains Juan Luis Cano, NEOCC Information Service coordinator at the European Space Agency, the body that monitors near-Earth objects. This multiplier effect is different if one impacts a porous material [like Bennu], because the energy compacts the material instead of releasing it, he adds. That makes it more difficult for us to predict how much we will be able to change its trajectory, he concludes. Another aspect that has been studied with Bennu is the Tarkovsky effect. It is a very small force on asteroids, caused by solar radiation and how they absorb and radiate it from different faces, which, in the very long term, changes their trajectory. Missions like OSIRIS-REx will make it possible to be more prepared when future generations have to face one of these untimely encounters.

From the Utah desert, Lucas Paganini is one of the NASA scientists awaiting the arrival of this time capsule that will tell us what was happening in the solar system 4.6 billion years ago. If asteroids have the necessary organic compounds or could have brought water to Earth  all essential elements for life  the question we ask ourselves is whether what happened here could also have happened on other planets, orbiting other stars, in other planetary systems, says Paganini. Or if it could have happened on one of Jupiters moons, although the conditions are different. That is the puzzle we are trying to decipher, the researcher concludes.

While researchers on Earth are analyzing the cargo brought back by OSIRIS REx and fantasizing about what it will tell us about the Earths past or the origin of life, the probe will already be preparing for its next mission. When it starts its engines again, it will set off to meet the asteroid Apophis, which will pass by our planet in 2029, at a distance of 30,000 kilometers (18,600 miles), one tenth of the distance that separates us from the Moon. Although scientists consider a collision unlikely, the information OSIRIS REx collects will help us prepare for any unforeseen event. Perhaps the probes also deserve a plaque at some institute or other in Idaho.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Joe Biden visited the Detroit Auto Show in September of last year accompanied by Mary Barra, president of General Motors. On Tuesday he will return to Michigan, but this time to support those who are striking against the Big Three in Detroit: General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis. The president of the United States will make history by joining the striking workers, picking up the gauntlet thrown down on Friday by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union president, Shawn Fain. Just over a year before the elections in which a second term is at stake, Biden  who has declared himself the most pro-union president in history  wants to show his support for a segment of the population whose vote can be decisive in key states.

Tuesday, Ill go to Michigan to join the picket line and stand in solidarity with the men and women of UAW as they fight for a fair share of the value they helped create. Its time for a win-win agreement that keeps American auto manufacturing thriving with well-paid UAW jobs, the president wrote on X, the social network formerly called Twitter.

It was the response to a deliberate, public invitation issued earlier by the union leader. We invite and encourage everyone who supports our cause to join us on the picket line, from our friends and family all the way up to the president of the United States. We invite you to join our fight. The way you can help is to build our movement and show the companies that the public stands with us and stands with our elected national negotiators, Fain said shortly after 10 a.m. in a video in which he called on workers to extend the strike to 38 component distribution centers throughout the country.

There is no precedent for a U.S. president joining a picket line, although it is unclear what form President Bidens visit will take and where it will take place. In 1937, then Vice President John Nance Garner supported federal intervention to end the historic strike at the Flint auto body plant in Michigan, indirectly sowing the seeds of the UAW, but the idea was rejected by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The president urged General Motors, then the largest company in the world, to recognize the union, which would become a very influential political player in the following decades.

President Biden campaigned hard with the unions before the mid-term elections to retain the blue collar vote in three traditionally Democratic states. Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan are part of the so-called Rust Belt, where much of the United States heavy industry is concentrated. He won all three in 2020, as Donald Trump lost his bid for re-election.

Republican presidential candidates have insistently criticized Bidens closeness to the unions. On Friday, the president also tweeted a video that alternates these criticisms from the right with images of him supporting the workers and their union leaders, and a single word: Yes.

The president had already shown his sympathies for the motor workers cause last week in a brief appearance at the White House. Automotive companies have seen record profits, including the last few years, because of the extraordinary skill and sacrifices of UAW workers. But, in my view, those record profits have not been shared fairly with those workers, he said. In short, auto industry workers helped create the American middle class. They deserve a contract that sustains them and the middle class, he added.

I understand the workers frustration. Over generations, workers sacrificed so much to keep the industry alive and strong, especially through the economic crisis and the pandemic. Workers deserve a fair share of the profits they help create for an enterprise, he insisted, reiterating his idea that strong unions are necessary for a strong economy. Regarding the negotiators, he said: They have worked around the clock, and the companies have made some significant offers. But I think they should go further to ensure that record corporate profits mean record contracts for the UAW.

Biden has tasked acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su and White House senior adviser Gene Sperling with the job of mediating to offer their full support to the parties in reaching a contract.

With his unprecedented move, Biden has outmaneuvered Trump, who has also planned a rally with union workers in Detroit on September 27. The political event has been deliberately timed to clash with the second Republican primary debate, scheduled for that day at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

Although he approved tax cuts for companies and individuals with high incomes, Trump is aware that to be elected president he needs to attract the vote of those workers disenchanted with globalization and the loss of purchasing power in states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin. In the state of Michigan, Trump won the 2016 election against Hillary Clinton, but lost the 2020 election against Joe Biden. Along with Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin, Nevada, and Arizona, it is one of the battleground states where the result of the presidential elections on November 5, 2024 will be decided.

According to The New York Times, which advanced the former presidents plans, Trump plans to speak in front of more than 500 workers, and his campaign plans to fill the room with a hand-picked audience made up of plumbers, pipe installers , electricians, and workers in the automotive sector. The union leader published a statement after learning of the former presidents plans, showing his hostility: Every fiber of our union is being poured into fighting the billionaire class and an economy that enriches people like Donald Trump at the expense of workers. We cant keep electing billionaires and millionaires that dont have any understanding what it is like to live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to get by and [then] expect them to solve the problems of the working class, Fain said.

Bidens campaign also lashed out at the former president. Donald Trump is going to Michigan next week to lie to Michigan workers and pretend he didnt spend his entire failed presidency selling them out at every turn. [...] No self-serving photo op can erase Trumps four years of abandoning union workers and standing with his ultra-rich friends, tweeted Ammar Moussa, spokesperson for Bidens re-election campaign.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., is surrounded by reporters as he walks on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, May 10, 2022, in Washington.

In late 2020, Sen. Bob Menendez met with Philip Sellinger, a private practice lawyer and former fundraiser for the senator, to assess his potential fit as the next U.S. Attorney for the state of New Jersey  and to discuss one case in particular.

If appointed, Sellinger would assume control of one of the largest prosecutors offices in the country, a post that comes with the power to bust mob bosses and go after corrupt public officials.

But Menendez, federal prosecutors say, was fixated on a less consequential matter: ensuring the future prosecutor would act sympathetically toward a friend of his facing bank fraud charges, real estate developer Fred Daibes.

Daibes is now a key figure in a sweeping bribery case brought against Menendez, his wife and multiple other associates. It accuses Menendez and his wife of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of cash, gold bars and a luxury car in exchange for a range of favors, including secretly aiding the government of Egypt on U.S. policy matters and interfering in three criminal investigations, including the one involving Daibes.

The indictment unsealed Friday by the U.S. attorney in Manhattan said Daibes paid bribes, including envelopes stuffed with thousands of dollars in cash and gold bars worth more than $120,000.

Menendez has denied wrongdoing, blaming the prosecution on forces behind the scenes who cannot accept that a first-generation Latino American from humble beginnings could rise to be a U.S. Senator. An attorney for Daibes, Tim Donohue, said he was confident his client would be completely exonerated of all charges.

Daibes and Menendez both rose to prominence as power players in the same stretch of urban communities across the Hudson River from Manhattan, where local politics and real estate have long involved favor-trading.

In his home base of Edgewater, New Jersey, just up the river from Union City, where Menendez was once mayor, Daibes is widely credited with building out a gold coast of luxury high rises along the formerly industrial waterfront.

That achievement may have been helped by Daibes cozy relationship with a number of Edgewater officials, who turned away rival developers from the community and approved his lucrative deals, according to lawsuits and a recent report by the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation.

That report found Daibes rented a discounted apartment to Edgewaters mayor and provided several million dollars in revenue to a local councilmans business, while accruing development rights and reneging on promises to build affordable housing.

It said people who opposed Daibes faced reprisals. Edgewaters previous mayor, James Delaney, testified that his political support evaporated when he complained about what he believed was a corrupt agreement between local officials and Daibes. He ultimately didnt run for reelection.

This report is a cautionary tale concerning the inherent dangers of enabling an influential, politically-connected and unelected private citizen to hold outsized power in government concerns, the commission wrote.

Delaneys former wife, Bridget Delaney, who had spent 15 years working for Daibes at his restaurant, said the couple were effectively run out of Edgewater, ruining their lives.

Theres fraud all over that town, she told The Associated Press on Friday. When hes in jail, maybe that will provide some relief.

In 2018, Daibes was charged by federal prosecutors in Newark with obtaining loans under false pretenses from a bank that he owned. The charges were serious, carrying the potential for years in prison.

Daibes was still awaiting trial in 2021 when Menendez, as New Jerseys senior senator, played a key role in advising the new administration of President Joe Biden on potential candidates to be the top federal prosecutor in the state.

According to the indictment, Menendez initially rejected Sellinger as a candidate after their December 2020 job interview because the lawyer told him he would likely have to recuse himself from any case involving Daibes due to a previous matter in which he represented the developer.

But after another candidate fell through, Menendez ultimately recommended him for the job.

After Sellinger was sworn in, the Department of Justice had him step aside from the Daibes prosecution and hand responsibility for it to another senior prosecutor. Menendez, according to the indictment, then badgered both Sellinger and the prosecutor who had been put in charge of Daibes case, calling them several times.

Menendez also asked one of his political advisors to let Sellinger know he was upset with the way the Daibes case was being handled, according to the indictment.

During the months in 2022 when Menendez was trying to influence the handling of the case, Daibes arranged for Menendezs wife, Nadine, to be given two gold bars, each worth around $60,000, along with an envelope containing thousands of dollars in cash, the indictment said.

At one point, Menendez performed a web search for how much is one kilo of gold worth?

David Schertler, a lawyer for Nadine Menendez said she denies any criminal conduct and will vigorously contest these charges in court.

Sellinger and his senior prosecutor told investigators they kept Menendezs attempts to influence the case from the team of lawyers handling the prosecution and took no steps to intervene, the indictment said.

In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for the New Jersey U.S. Attorneys Office noted the recusal by Sellinger, adding that all activity related to that matter was handled appropriately according to the principles of federal prosecution.

Last year, following a delayed trial, Daibes pleaded guilty in his bank fraud case. Under the agreement, he would receive only probation, according to his attorney. But his sentencing has been repeatedly delayed and is now scheduled to take place next month.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
New Delhi [India], September 23 (ANI): Delhi Police on Saturday argued that BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh knew what he was doing and therefore he tried to cover up his action with a complaint which shows his intention.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal heard the arguments of Delhi Police in the wrestler sexual harassment case.

Also Read | Hardeep Singh Nijjar Killing: Khalistani Tiger Force Chief Took Training in Pakistan, Backed Terrorist Activities Across India, Claims Fresh Intelligence Report.

Special public prosecutor (SPP) Atul Srivastava argued that there was an intention on the part of the accused and there are incidents connected to one another. Therefore, the complaints were clubbed into one FIR.

"There are connected incidents and complaints which were clubbed", Delhi police argued.

Also Read | DUSU Elections Result 2023: ABVP Wins Three Central Panel Posts of Delhi University Students Union, NSUI One (Watch Video).

The prosecutor also cited the Supreme Court judgement in the Tulsi Prajapati encounter case in which two FIRs were clubbed.

The SPP also submitted that the court has jurisdiction to try the matter as some of the incidents took place in Delhi.

He also submitted that the complaints are not time-barred as there are complaints of section 354 IPC.

Delhi Police also argued that the sanction under section 188 CrPC is not required as some of the incidents happened within India.

In support of his arguments, the SPP referred to the incidents that took place in Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Bellary and New Delhi to show the intention of the accused.

He also argued that the actions of the accused were facilitated by the co-accused. He stopped the brother and husband of two complaints outside the room of the accused in the WFI office in New Delhi.

The court will continue to hear further submissions of Delhi police on the point of the charge against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the Sexual Harassment case on October 7.

Earlier, Delhi police on September 16, argued that accused BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was never exonerated by the oversight committee. It was argued during arguments on the charge in the women's wrestler's sexual harassment case against Singh.

It was also argued by the Delhi police that mere a gesture is enough to constitute an offence under section 354 IPC.

Special public prosecutor (SPP) Atul Srivastava for Delhi police argued that the accused was never exonerated of the allegations by the oversight committee. The committee never said that the allegations were false or unsubstantiated.

SPP also argued that the committee gave recommendations only for future purposes. It was not an adjudication.

The adjudication and Prosecution Proceedings are different in nature. It is not like that even if an accused is exonerated, he can not be prosecuted.

"Was the oversight committee a committee under the POSH Act, the court asked? The SPP replied in negative.

He also read the oversight committee in the court and said that the tasks given to the committee were different and were not mirror images. The issue itself was different

They have made some recommendations, these are not outcomes, these are recommendations for future purposes, the SPP submitted.

"Nowhere have they stated that these allegations are not substantiated or are false," the SPP said.

Delhi police also argued on the point of offence under section 354 IPC. The SPP said that if there is a reaction on the other side of my action, then there is a use of force.

"It is for me to have the knowledge that whatever I do may outrage the modesty. The accused must follow self-restraint," the SPP submitted.

"Mere gesture is also enough to constitute an offence under section 354 IPC, he added.

The SPP submitted that if he has put up questions like Do you have a boyfriend, have also asked to have sexual relations, this constitutes 354A read with 354 IPC.

On the last date of the hearing on September 1, Senior advocate Rebecca John argued that the oversight committee was an eyewash to assuage the sentiments.

"Its report needs to be junked as there was no clear finding, and it was not constituted according to the rule of the POSH Act", the senior counsel had argued.

She further argued that the court has territorial jurisdiction to try this case as some of the offences are committed in Delhi, the counsel argued.

The counsel also argued that there is no need to take sanction under sanction 188 for prosecution as some of the offences committed are within India.

The charges need to be framed against the accused persons as there were multiple acts by the accused, there was a pattern and there is one individual who committed the offence.

However, the counsel for complainants had submitted that the incident mentioned by one of the complainants is from 2012 and prior to the amendment to the offence of sexual harassment.

But she is still a relevant witness in this case. She may be treated as a witness now, the Senior counsel argued. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], September 23 (ANI): Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani attended the 'National Annual Stakeholders Consultation on Child Protection' event organised by the Supreme Court Committee on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion Smriti Irani said that from 2014 to 2023, the Government of India, through Child Care Institutions (CCI), have managed to provide assistance to over 7,00,000 children.

Also Read | Delhi Rains Videos: Heavy Rain Lashes Parts of Delhi-NCR, Bring Respite From Humid Weather.

"I can proudly share with you that when you look at the budget allocated by the government for child welfare, it increased from 60 crores, as was given in the year 2009-10, to 1472 crores just as of last year. We also are mindful of the fact that not one department, but the government as a whole, needs to look at children in need of protection and in need of welfare" the Union Minister said

Speaking on the Ministry using the Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti National Master Plan for effective planning of locations of Anganwadi Centres, Smriti Irani said that over 3286 childcare institutions had been registered and tracked.

Also Read | Canadian Politicians Slam Video Threatening Hindus of Indian Origin To Leave Canada, Refrain From Naming SFJ and Gurpatwant Singh Pannu.

"We used to fund close to 500 institutions in 2009-10, today our benefits reach over 3000 CCIs in the country. Childline which was functional only in 80 districts is now functional in close to 560 districts and we now with the Ministry of Home Affairs are ensuring that every district now has added capacity building for childline" she said.

The Union Minister further said that during the pandemic, there was an international hue and cry that many children in India have been orphaned and are in need of support because they are in distress.

She said, "That's when not only the government stepped up but also the Supreme Court where directions were given to people across the nation that if you find a child in need of support that child should be immediately brought to authorities so that the state can provide care for such children."

She said that over 45,000 children in CCIs were not only vaccinated but also supported and due diligence was taken by the Supreme Court.

"The PM was insistent that those children who have been orphaned need to come under the care of the PM Office and the PM care for children's schemes where a child orphaned during Covid would be provided academic, financial and support for their mental health along with medical health. 4345 such children today are in the care of PM's office," she added.

Smriti Irani added that under the Nirbhaya fund close to 415 POCSO courts have been set up.

"We have allocated 80 crores for police officers and the victims who seek the attention of the court. Today 5534 CCIs are effectively monitored under the act and also have ensured that their registration is as per the law. Today close to 2600 children have been adopted in only one year," she said.

The Supreme Court Committee on Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare in partnership with UNICEF India is organising a two-day national consultation on best practices followed in states and the way forward to strengthen justice systems for children in conflict with the 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)
New Delhi [India], September 23 (ANI): Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Saturday said that drafting of the Constitution by the Constituent Assembly is a classic example of engaging beyond partisan lines as individuals from diverse backgrounds came together to draft the Constitution in one voice.

CJI while speaking at the inaugural session of an international lawyers conference hosted by the Bar Council of India, appreciated how individuals from diverse backgrounds cooperated to pass the Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament.

Also Read | Jammu and Kashmir: 10 Youths Arrested for 'Vitiating Peaceful Atmosphere' Outside Srinagar's Jamia Masjid During Friday Prayers.

Individuals from different regions of India, diverse backgrounds and even conflicting ideologies came together to draft the Constitution in one voice... We find that the same bipartisan effort, and this is something to which we as citizens of India must be proud, has gone into the passing of the Women's Reservation Bill in the Parliament," CJI Chandrachud said.

There is often a difference in perspective between my colleagues on the bench and me. When the day comes to a close, we come together and share moments of camaraderie. This idea of friendship beyond differences may seem lighthearted. However, it plays a pivotal role in fostering mutual respect for other perspectives and in acknowledging that there is always something to learn from each other. Only when we recognise this shared intention to deliver justice, can we sit at the same table to find solutions, he added.

Also Read | Ramesh Bidhuri Abusive Remarks Row: Jamiat Ulema-E-Hind Calls Incident 'Shameful', Urges Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla To Take Action Against BJP MP.

CJI said that the judiciary and the government are also working together, in a spirit of collaboration, to find solutions to various problems.

The CJI said that the rapid advancement of technology has created complex legal issues, with lawyers leading the way in navigating this landscape.

They ensure clients and governments adapt to tech changes while upholding legal rights and regulations, covering areas like cybersecurity, data privacy, and intellectual property. Lawyers also bear significant commercial responsibility, driving economic growth by helping clients and governments enhance business efficiency and cross-border operations. Through their role in facilitating international trade, investments, and collaborations, they contribute to nations' economic well-being and global cooperation, he added.

CJI Chandrachud said that it is utopian to think that there will be a day when "we find perfect solutions with no challenges to the justice delivery".

It is utopian to think that there will be a day when we find perfect solutions and no challenges to justice delivery exist. However, it is definitely not utopian to aspire to a world where nations, institutions and most importantly individuals are open to engaging with and learning from one another, without feeling threatened or belittled. It is in this engagement that I believe lies the framework to find solutions, he said.

Referring to engagement between nations, Constitution and legal systems, Justice Chandrachud said, What better example than our beloved constitution! From the drafting of our Constitution to the adjudication of constitutional questions, India has a rich tradition of engaging with foreign Constitutions and precedents. It is often argued, and I tend to agree, that our openness to draw from foreign experiences is rooted in our perception of the Constitution as a transformative document. When a Constitution is perceived as transformative, it is more likely that foreign experiences will be drawn as inspiration of how such transformation is possible on several issues.

He further said that knowledge sharing is a two-way street with decisions of the Indian Supreme Court being regularly cited and relied on by foreign courts faced with thorny constitutional questions.

CJI also said that at the administrative level, too, the Indian Judiciary must remain receptive to collaborating with various nations.

India has played a pivotal role in the construction of both the Supreme Courts of Mauritius and Bhutan. Recently, I had the privilege of signing an MoU with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Singapore in the field of judicial cooperation. Indeed, nothing explains this push towards engagement across nations better than the slogan for the recently concluded G20 summit - Vasudhev Kutumbhakam, the world is a family, CJI Chandrachud said.

The event, also attended by Attorney General for India R Venkataramani, said social media is a borderless world of communication and disregards ethical and moral considerations.

Social media is a borderless world of communication. But it disregards ethical demands... we need to talk about its impact on justice delivery, he said.

Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta said that India is becoming the powerhouse of the economy in the world under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Under the visionary Prime Minister, we have taken several new initiatives. India has jumped to the 79th position in ease of doing business. We have entered an era of 100 per cent FDI through automatic route, he told the gathering also attended by the Prime Minister. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Sep 23 (PTI) Supreme Court Judge Justice Hima Kohli on Saturday said the entry of first-generation lawyers from diverse backgrounds and the increased representation of women in the legal profession are steps towards inclusivity.

Justice Kohli was speaking at the Forbes India-Legal Power List 2022 finale to felicitate lawyers.

Also Read | DUSU Elections Results Reflect Faith of Young Generation in an Ideology That Puts National Interests First, Says Amit Shah After ABVP Wins Three Posts.

She said that the Indian legal profession no longer operates in silos but has witnessed remarkable changes in its demographic composition over the past few decades. It is a vibrant, ever evolving organism that grows richer with each new voice that joins the chorus, Justice Kohli said.

"The entry of first-generation lawyers from different backgrounds and the increased representation of women in the legal profession are steps towards inclusivity. They send a powerful message across the country that the tide has truly turned and status quo is passe," she added.

Also Read | Ramesh Bidhuri Abusive Remarks Row: BSP MP Danish Ali Counters BJP's Allegation, Says 'Worked To Save Dignity of Prime Minister's Post'.

The Supreme Court judge said that the first-generation lawyers coming from diverse socio-economic backgrounds often enter the field with a sense of purpose and mission that transcends traditional boundaries.

"It is often said that when fresh winds blow, the air feels crisp and new. Unlike those who may have inherited a legal practice, these first-generation lawyers coming from diverse socio-economic backgrounds frequently bring with them an outsider's perspective that can challenge entrenched practices. This is critical for stimulating an ethical discourse within the legal community," she said.

First timers are more likely to question established paradigms, be it in the attorney-client relationship, billing practices or the just considerations of advising corporate clients when confronted with conflicting interests, Justice Kohli said.

"In their zeal to do so, they compel the entire profession to revisit and re-evaluate some of its most foundational principles. Their queries and challenges to status quo serve as a refreshing ethical audit of sorts, compelling the legal community to sit up, introspect, improvise and adapt," she added.

Regarding the growing presence of women in the legal profession, she said it was not merely a matter of statistical representation but it signifies a fundamental shift in the legal landscape.

"It marks a positive step forward, not just for gender diversity, but for the evolution of honest thinking in the practice of law. Women with their multitasking skills bring diverse experiences and perspectives to the workplace, often leading to a more nuanced understanding of moral considerations," Justice Kohli said.

She said that the inclusion of first-generation lawyers and the growing representation of women in the legal field has had a transformative impact on the very fabric of the profession.

"Their contributions are far from mere tokenism. They bring to the table a wealth of diverse perspectives that challenge established norms and infuse cliched discussions with fresh ideas rooted in social justice, fairness and equity," she added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Indore (Madhya Pradesh) [India], September 23 (ANI): Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Kamal Nath has taken a jibe at the Bharatiya Jana Party (BJP)-led state government and said that the government whose priority is not youth should be thrown out.

Nath made the remark while addressing the Berozgaar Maha Panchayat program in Madhya Pradeshs Indore district on Saturday.

Also Read | DUSU Elections Results Reflect Faith of Young Generation in an Ideology That Puts National Interests First, Says Amit Shah After ABVP Wins Three Posts.

I am surprised, what type of government is running here? The government whose priority is not the youth, that government should be thrown out. I am using these harsh words because you (youth) are our future, Nath said.

Today, no investments are coming to Madhya Pradesh. CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan comes and does drama here in Indore about the investment summit that Rs 33 lakh crore investment will come, he said.

Also Read | Ramesh Bidhuri Abusive Remarks Row: BSP MP Danish Ali Counters BJP's Allegation, Says 'Worked To Save Dignity of Prime Minister's Post'.

The Congress leader added, I want to tell CM Chouhan to first fill the vacant posts, and do the rest of the things later.

Meanwhile, reacting to Naths remark, BJP spokesperson Rajneesh Aggarwal hit back and said that Naths language showed he was feeling frustrated and disappointed due to the fear of his defeat in the upcoming assembly polls.

It appears from Naths language that he is feeling frustrated and disappointed due to the fear of his defeat. The Congress-led Kamal Nath government had praised the investment that came in the BJP government before 2018 during the event of 'Magnificent MP', Agarwal said.

Even before that, in the written reply in the state assembly, the Kamal Nath government itself explained about the benefits of the industrial investment and benefits during BJP's Shivraj government, he said.

Naths 15-month government had imposed an undeclared ban on government recruitments. In the name of skill development, youth were being given training about playing drums, bands and grazing cattle (referring to nothing productive activity), he added.

Notably, the state is scheduled to go for the Assembly polls later this year. Through the polls, the state will elect legislators from 230 Assembly constituencies.

The last Assembly polls in 2018 saw the Congress coming to power, with veteran leader Kamal Nath taking oath as the chief minister.

Nonetheless, a political upheaval rocked the state in 2020, after the then Congressman Jyotiraditya Scindia, along with 22 loyalist MLAs, switched over to the BJP camp.

The Congress government fell after being reduced to a minority and the BJP formed the government, with Shivraj Singh Chouhan returning as chief minister. (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], September 23 (ANI): Karnataka Congress MLA Basavaraj Rayareddy on Saturday said the government was holding discussions on a proposal to bring in five more deputy chief ministers to the cabinet headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, with some ministers already coming out in favour of it.

As of now, CM Siddramaiah has only one deputy in DK Shivakumar. However, Rayareddy said the government was seriously considering bringing in more ahead of next year's Lok Sabha elections.

Also Read | Madhya Pradesh - Geological Wonders on Epic TV: Discover Secrets Buried Underneath Orchha, Dhala Crater and Other Ancient Sites in MP in Special Broadcast on Epic Channel.

Karnataka is the sixth-largest state in the country, in terms of its geographic or territorial expanse, after Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat.

Speaking to ANI on Saturday, the Congress MLA said Home Minister G Parameshwara, along with fellow cabinet colleague MB Patil and others have "lent their weight" to the proposal.

Also Read | Judiciary, Legal Fraternity Have Been Long Protectors of India's Justice System, Says PM Narendra Modi at 'International Lawyers' Conference 2023 (Watch Video).

He added that the proposal of having additional chief ministers was mooted by state Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna.

"At least six more deputy CMs should be appointed in Karnataka. Our government is holding discussions on a proposal to bring in a few more deputy CMs, considering the parliamentary elections next year," Rayareddy told ANI on Saturday.

"The proposal has already received support from several senior members of the cabinet, including G Parameshwara and MB Patil. I, too, agree with Rajanna's proposal that the government needs to bring in more deputy chief ministers to ensure better governance and administration," the MLA added.

"There should be at least six deputy CMs for a state like Karnataka," the Congress MLA said, adding that Andhra Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also has five deputies.

"Karnataka is a big state, They (govt) can create another five posts (for deputy CMs). If the proposal is accepted, the number of deputy CMs in the state, including DK Shivakumar, will come to six," he added. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Shimla, Sep 23 (PTI) Himachal Vidhan Sabha on Saturday passed the Indian Stamp (Himachal Pradesh amendment) Bill 2023 seeking hike in stamp duty in amended form amid walkout by opposition BJP.

The original Bill had proposed a uniform stamp duty of eight per cent for both sexes for properties values at above Rs 50 lakh against four per cent and six per cent for women and men earlier.

Also Read | Bihar Bridge Collapse: Amid Heavy Rains, Bridge Caves In in Jamui District (Watch Video).

The opposition members opposed the amendment saying that eight per cent stamp duty for women for property valuing over Rs 50 lakh was unfair.

Intervening in the matter, the CM said the government would bring an amendment to change the clause.

Also Read | Chandrababu Naidu Arrested: TDP Chief Moves Supreme Court Seeking To Quash FIR Against Him in Skill Development Scam Case.

Later, the bill was passed in an amended form increasing the limit of four per cent stamp duty for women for properties up to Rs 80 lakh but BJP was not satisfied with the change and staged a walkout.

Taking exception to the walkout by BJP, Sukhu said that we accepted the suggestion of the BJP and increased the four per cent stamp duty for women up to Rs 80 lakh but still they staged walkout.

The CM said that in the past 10 months, a large number of cases have come to notice where properties were sold through Power of attorney and this needed to be checked.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, who introduced the Bill said that the financial position of the state was grim and the debt burden was over Rs 75,000 crore.

Resource mobilisation was imperative but still the stamp duty was on par with neighbouring state of Haryana, he added.

BJP MLA Randhir Sharma said that a steep hike in stamp duty would put a burden on the people.

Instead of giving Rs 1,500 per month to women, the government was increasing the stamp duty.

Trilok Jamwal of BJP said that the increase in stamp duty was 100 per cent and the government should reconsider it.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Basti/Gorakhpur, September 23: A man and his wife allegedly died by consuming poison hours after the latter was gang-raped in a village of Uttar Pradesh's Basti district, police said on Saturday. An FIR has been filed over the incident and two men have been arrested in connection, they added. The 30-year-old man and his 27-year-old wife consumed poison during the wee hours of Thursday. While the husband died the same day, the wife succumbed at a hospital in Gorakhpur on Friday, Basti SP Gopal Krishana said on Saturday.

The couple's relatives have alleged that the wife was gang raped by the two men in her house in the Rudhauli police station area on the intervening night of September 20 and 21, the SP said. Tamil Nadu Gang-Rape Horror: Husband Invites Friend to House, Rapes Wife With Him in Coimbatore.

Before allegedly committing suicide, the couple recorded a video in which they mentioned names of the accused, the police said. Based on a complaint by the brother of the deceased man, an FIR was filed against the two men on Friday under Sections 376 D (gang rape ) and 306 (abetment to suicide), the SP said.

The accused duo -- Adarsh (25) and Triloki (45) -- have been arrested and an investigation is underway," he added. The deceased's children told the police that when they were getting ready to go to school on Friday morning, their parents told them that they had consumed poison and were going to die, the police said. Bengaluru Horror: College Girl Gang-Raped, Private Pictures and Videos Leaked on Social Media; Dance Teacher Among Three Arrested.

The couple has three children, two sons aged eight and six-year-old and a one-year-old daughter, they said. According to preliminary investigation, the rape incident is linked with the sale of land owned by the deceased, they added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
KYODO NEWS - Sep 23, 2023 - 17:38 | All, Japan, Travel/Tourism

The Japanese government is looking to expand its electronic visa services system to streamline application procedures for foreign visitors amid a resurgence of tourism after the end of coronavirus-related border control measures, according to government officials.

The Foreign Ministry began the online service in March in 11 countries and regions, with China added to the system in June. Among its conveniences, it enables eligible applicants to obtain short-term stay visas without going to their local Japanese embassy or consulate.

In the first eight months of this year, some 15.19 million foreign tourists entered Japan, data from the Japan National Tourism Organization shows. The figure represents about 69 percent of the total number recorded in the same period of 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic emerged.

An official from the ministry's Foreign Nationals' Affairs Division said that "the rate of online applicants is increasing. The system allows for smooth issuance of documents, and it is very likely to be contributing to the recovery in inbound tourism."

The ministry is currently assessing whether to make the scheme available in more countries.

Computerization of the visa system has sped up processing times and reduced staff workload, according to another government official.

"Inbound tourist numbers are on an upward trend, meaning we could at some point become unable to respond with the current workforce. I hope we can progress further with bringing the system online," the official said.

Under the scheme, applicants from all eligible countries and regions except China can pay for visa fees using credit cards.

Users are informed of the results of their screening by email. By accessing the system's website, successful applicants can present their visa issuance notice from their smartphones when boarding a flight to Japan or entering the country.

The 12 countries and regions are Brazil, Britain, Canada, Cambodia, China, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

Related coverage:

August foreign entries to Japan at 2.2 million, 85% of pre-pandemic level
New Delhi, Sep 23 (PTI) A 28-year-old man died on Saturday days after he allegedly shot himself from the weapon of his personal security officer (PSO) in south Delhi's Greater Kailash area, police said.

The deceased was politically active and associated with the BJP, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Chandan Chowdhary said.

Also Read | Andhra Pradesh: Three Person Electrocuted to Death After Comin in Contact With Live Wire in Kakinada District.

On Wednesday, information was received that Karan Banka, a resident of Greater Kailash-1, slipped in his bathroom and suffered a head injury. He was admitted to Max Hospital in Saket, the DCP said.

Police reached the hospital where they were informed that Banka had suffered a gunshot injury. He shot himself in his bathroom, she said.

Also Read | Nagpur Rain Videos: Heavy Rainfall Lashes Many Parts of Nagpur, Several Roads and Residential Areas Waterlogged.

Banka's father, who saw him lying in the bathroom, rushed him to hospital, she said.

There was an entry wound on the right temple and exit from the left. Karan had hired a personal security officer. The weapon was licensed and belongs to his PSO Dinesh, Chowdhary said.

He succumbed to the injury on Saturday. Appropriate legal action is being taken, she said.

Inquiry so far has revealed that Banka was in need of money and offered people known to him to invest money with him, the DCP added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Silchar (Assam), Sep 23 (PTI) The indefinite hunger strike by students of NIT Silchar in protest against the alleged suicide of a third-year student was called off following discussions with the institute Director Dilip Kumar Baidya, an official said on Saturday.

The Director, who had met the agitating students for the first time on Friday afternoon, met them at again at night and assured them that the Dean(Academics) B K Roy would be removed from the post, following which the strike was called off by the students

Also Read | Andhra Pradesh: Three Person Electrocuted to Death After Comin in Contact With Live Wire in Kakinada District.

The Director offered fruit juice to the students to end the hunger strike which was launched by the students on Sunday and 10 students were hospitalised with the condition of one turning critical.

'The Director apologised to us with folded hands and he is like our father. We trust him and respect his assurances, so we are calling off the agitation", a student Rishi Kant said.

Also Read | Nagpur Rain Videos: Heavy Rainfall Lashes Many Parts of Nagpur, Several Roads and Residential Areas Waterlogged.

The Director has 'assured us that the Dean Academics will be removed within two days', Kant added.

He (Director) also assured the students that the agitation period would not be counted in the academic calendar and none of them would be marked absent, Kant said.

Baidya had met the students for the first time on Friday afternoon but the students said that they would call off the strike only if they receive written assurance from the authorities.

Later in the night they, however, agreed to call off the agitation as the entire discussion was video recorded.

"The Director told us that they want to start anew, leaving behind all the issues of the past. They could have prevented violence by talking to the students on time. We don't want to pressurise, change has to come from both sides," Kant said.

"The authorities can close the institute for an indefinite period if we continue with the agitation and we don't want that," he said.

The students requested the Director to conduct a condolence meeting for Koj Buker, a student hailing from Arunachal Pradesh who had allegedly committed suicide on September 15 in his hostel room.

Baidya said that they wanted to conduct it on Friday but it was not possible due to protests and now it will be held on Monday in the campus. Registrar K L Baishnab has also issued a notice appealing to the students to call off the hunger strike.

A notice was issued by the Registrar on Friday appealing to the students to call off all agitation and resume classes as well as other academic activities so that the academic environment of the institute is maintained.

The students had also written to President Droupadi Murmu demanding that the college administration should lodge an FIR to ensure a proper investigation into the alleged suicide of the student whose family should also be extended comprehensive support, including financial, legal, security and emotional support.

The students have been alleging that Roy had insulted the victim who got six backlogs in his first-semester examination, which was held in 2021

The students launched the protest on the night of September 15 and had allegedly vandalised the residence of the Dean (Academics), following which the police lathi-charged them and 40 students were injured.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ghaziabad, September 23: A 50-year-old man on Saturday allegedly ended his life here over harassment by a few persons, including a former BSP MLA and an officer of the Muradnagar municipality, police said. Before allegedly committing suicide, Shahir Husain shot a video where he alleged that he was being harassed by former BSP MLA Wahab Chaudhary, executive officer of Muradnagar municipality Abhishek Kumar, two advocates Mumtaz and Imran, and another person named Dharmi, the police said.

Chaudhary represented the Bahujan Samaj Party as an MLA from the Muradnagar constituency from 2012 to 2017. He is the husband of the current chairperson of the Muradnagar municipality here. Karnataka Tragedy: Woman Commits Suicide After Arrest of Husband, Son; Hubby Dies of Heart Attack in Mysuru Jail.

After Husain allegedly tried ending his life on Saturday morning, his wife Walisa rescued him and rushed him to a private hospital, but he died during treatment, the police said. Walisa lodged a complaint against the persons mentioned by her husband in the purported video which later went viral on social media, they added. IIT Hyderabad Student Dies by Suicide Due to Mental Stress, Body Found Hanging in Hostel Room.

Commissioner of Police Ajay Kumar Mishra told PTI that based on a complaint by Husain's wife, an FIR has been registered against the accused under Section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], September 23 (ANI): The tenure of the experts committee preparing the draft of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for Uttarakhand has been extended by a period of four months.

The Uttarakhand government has extended the tenure of the expert committee headed by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai for the Uniform Civil Code by four months, read a statement by the Chief Minister's office.

Also Read | Pope Francis Rejects Migrant emergency in Europe.

The panel was constituted on May 27, 2022 and this is the third time that an extension is given to the committee whose tenure was scheduled to end on September 27.

After receiving public suggestions, the committee has done the work of preparing a draft but the report has not been submitted to the government yet, the statement added.

Also Read | Maharashtra Blast: Two Killed, Six Injured in Gas Container Explosion in Thane.

The expert committee had sent a proposal to the government to extend the tenure by four months. After the approval of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Additional Secretary (Home) Radha Raturi has issued orders to extend the tenure of the committee by four months, read the statement by the Chief Ministers office.

Earlier in August, Chief Minister Dhami said that the UCC would be implemented in the state soon after a draft for the same is ready.

"It is our resolution to bring the Uniform Civil Code as soon as possible. When we get the UCC draft, we will take this process forward this year. We will move ahead to implement it," Dhami told ANI.

The UCC was promised to the people of the state in the run-up to the 2022 assembly polls.

"We were re-elected with a massive mandate, breaking the convention of incumbent governments losing the polls. After forming the government, we set up a committee to draft the UCC," Dhami said.

He claimed that Uttarakhand would emerge as a shining example before the whole country with regard to the implementation of the UCC.

Article 44 of the Constitution of India says that the State shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) throughout the territory of India. The UCC proposes a common set of laws dealing with marriage, inheritance, adoption, and other matters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also made a strong case for the implementation of the UCC at a recent public meeting and several leaders in the opposition have also voiced opposition to the proposed legislation.

With regard to a reference sent by the Ministry of Law and Justice on June 17, 2016, the 22nd Law Commission of India examined the subject matter of the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC). (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New York, September 23: India has hit out at Pakistan after the country's caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar predictably raised the Kashmir bogey in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly. In its right to reply, the First Secretary at United Nations for the Second Committee of UNGA, Petal Gahlot said that Pakistan should vacate occupied areas of India and stop cross-border terrorism. She asked Pakistan to stop human rights violations against minorities in Pakistan.

Petal Gahlot said, "In order for there to be peace in South Asia, the actions that Pakistan needs to take are threefold first stop cross-border terrorism and shut down its infrastructure of terrorism immediately. Second, vacate Indian territories under its illegal and forcible occupation. And third stop the grave and persistent human rights violations against the minorities in Pakistan." Indian diplomat reiterated that union territories of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh are integral parts of India and Pakistan has no "locus standi" to make statements regarding India's domestic matters. India-Canada Row Over Hardeep Singh Nijjar Killing: India Extends Passport and Consular Services for Its Citizens in Canada

"We reiterate that the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of India. Matters pertaining to the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are purely internal to India," Petal Gahlot said. "Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on our domestic matters. As a country with one of the world's worst human rights records, particularly when it comes to minority and women's rights, pakistan would do well to put its own house in order before venturing to point a finger at the world's largest democracy," she added. PM Narendra Modi Stops BJP Mahila Morcha Chief Vanathi Srinivasan From Touching His Feet at Party Headquarter in Delhi (Watch Video)

Indian diplomat slammed Pakistan for making "baseless and malicious propaganda" against India at the United Nations General Assembly. In her remarks, Gahlot said, "Pakistan has become a habitual offender when it comes to misusing this august forum to peddle baseless and malicious propaganda against India. Member States of the United Nations and other multilateral organizations are well aware that Pakistan does so to deflect the international community's attention away from its own abysmal record on human rights."

Calling Pakistan home to the largest number of internationally proscribed terrorist entities, Gahlot urged Pakistan to take "credible and verifiable action" against perpetrators of the 2011 Mumbai terror attack. "Pakistan has been the home and patron to the largest number of internationally proscribedterrorist entities and individuals in the world. Instead of engaging in technical sophistry, we callupon Pakistan to take credible and verifiable action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks whose victims await justice even after 15 years," Petal Gahlot said.

Highlighting the systemic violence against minorities in Pakistan, Petal Gahlot spoke about the conditions of Christians and Ahmadiyya communities. She spoke about the Jaranwala incident where Churches and Christian houses were burnt down. "A glaring example of the systemic violence against minorities in Pakistan was the large-scale brutality perpetrated against the minority Christian community in Jaranwala in Pakistan's Faisalabad district in August 2023 where a total of 19 churches were gutted and 89 Christian houses were burnt down," the Indian diplomat said. She further said, "Similar treatment has been meted out to the Ahmadiyya whose places of worship have been demolished. The condition of women belonging to minority communities in Pakistan notably Hindus, Sikhs and Christians, remains deplorable."

She made reference to a report published by Pakistan's Human Rights Commission which revealed that 1000 women from minority communities were subjected to abduction and forced conversion and marriage. "According to a recent report published by Pakistan's own Human Rights Commission, an estimated 1,000 women from minority communities are subjected to abduction and forced conversion and marriage in Pakistan every year," Petal Gahlot said. Pakistan caretaker PM Kakar's remarks came during his address to the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York today. He said, "Pakistan desires peaceful and productive relations with all our neighbours including India," and added that "Kashmir is the key to peace between Pakistan and India."

India has repeatedly raised its concern over Pakistan's support of cross-border terrorism and has asserted that terror and talks cannot go together. India has also provided evidence at various international forums of Pakistan's support for Terrorist groups. Pakistans caretaker PM however harped on what he called the illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Lahore, September 23: A 14-year-old Pakistani girl on Saturday shot dead her father for allegedly raping her for the last three months here in the country's Punjab province, police said. The incident happened in the Gujjarpura area of Lahore city when the girl in her statement to police said that her father had been raping her for the last three months.

"She said she was going through hell and decided to kill her rapist father and hence shot him dead using his gun," Sohail Kazmi, who is investigating the case, said. Kazmi said that the girl's father died on the spot. Pakistan Shocker: Man Flashes, Assaults Burqa-Clad Woman in Karachi, Arrested; Disturbing Video Surfaces.

"A case would be registered against the suspect after investigating all aspects," the officer said. The case came into the limelight a day after a Pakistani court on Friday handed down a death sentence to a man for raping his minor daughter. Pakistan Shocker: Mother, Son Stabbed to Death by Unidentified Assailant in Rawalpindi; Father Critical.

Additional Sessions Judge Mian Shahid Javed of the Gender-Based Violence Court Lahore sentenced accused M. Rafique to death for raping his minor daughter.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad, Sep 23 (PTI) The Islamabad High Court on Saturday fixed September 25 as the date for hearing jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's post-arrest bail in a case related to the alleged disclosure of state secrets.

Khan, 70, filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the rejection of his post-arrest bail by a special court that is proceeding against him and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the case.

Also Read | Canadian Politicians Slam Video Threatening Hindus of Indian Origin To Leave Canada, Refrain From Naming SFJ and Gurpatwant Singh Pannu.

The special court on September 13 extended the judicial remand of Khan and two-time foreign minister Qureshi till September 26 in the cipher (secret diplomatic cable) leakage case.

Both Khan and Qureshi have been accused of violating the secret laws of the country regarding a document sent by the Pakistan embassy in March last year that has gone missing.

Also Read | Australia Backs India To Be Made Permanent UN Security Council Members Along With Japan (Watch Video).

According to a cause list issued by the IHC registrar for the coming week, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq will hear the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party chief's bail petition on Monday (September 25), The News reported.

Earlier this week, the court issued a notice to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), seeking arguments in the case.

The special court  established under the Official Secrets Act  had rejected the post-arrest bail pleas of Khan and his party's Vice Chairman Qureshi in the case.

Last month, the FIA booked the PTI chief and his party's vice chairman under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly misplacing and misusing the classified document for vested political interests.

Subsequently, both leaders were arrested in connection with the investigation into the case and a special court was established under the Official Secrets Act to try the accused.

Khan has been kept in the Attock Jail since August 5 after his conviction in the Toshakhana corruption case. His sentence was suspended by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on August 29, but he continues to remain in Attock prison in the cipher case.

In March last year, ahead of the vote of no-confidence that resulted in his ouster, Khan pulled out a piece of paper - allegedly the cipher - from his pocket and waved it at a public rally in Islamabad, claiming it was the evidence of an international conspiracy being hatched to topple his government.

However, during the interrogation with the joint investigation team (JIT) in the jail on August 26, Khan denied that the paper he waved at a public gathering last year was the cipher. He also admitted to losing the cipher, saying he couldn't recall where he kept it.

His principal secretary Azam Khan stated before a magistrate and the FIA that the Khan used it for his political gains' and to avert a vote of no-confidence against him.

The purported cipher contained an account of a meeting between US State Department officials, including Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu, and Pakistani envoy Asad Majeed Khan last year.

Of late, Khan has come under increased scrutiny following the publication of a purported copy of the secret cable by the US media outlet The Intercept, with many in the previous government led by Shehbaz Sharif pointing fingers at the PTI chief for being the source of the leak.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], September 23 (ANI): The growing tensions between India and Canada have raised concerns among parents about the hefty investments in their childrens education in Canada. Analysis revealed this investment as an outflow of a staggering Rs 68,000 crore each year from Punjab, Khalsa Vox reported on Saturday.

According to the Khalsa Vox, last year total 226,450 visas were approved by Canada under the Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and a significant portion, approximately 1.36 lakh students, hailed from Punjab. These students are pursuing various courses with an average duration of two to three years.

Also Read | Canadian Politicians Slam Video Threatening Hindus of Indian Origin To Leave Canada, Refrain From Naming SFJ and Gurpatwant Singh Pannu.

The current data from student visa processing agencies suggest that around 3.4 lakh Punjabi students are currently studying in various educational institutions across Canada.

As per the Khalsa Vox, the Chairman of the Association of Consultants for Overseas Studies, Kamal Bhumla said, Based on the figures available to us, nearly 60 per cent of Indians migrating to Canada are Punjabi, accounting for an estimated 1.36 lakh students who went last year. On average, each student pays approximately 17,000 Canadian dollars in annual fees, in addition to depositing 10,200 Canadian dollars as Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) funds.

Also Read | Australia Backs India To Be Made Permanent UN Security Council Members Along With Japan (Watch Video).

He informed that only 38,000 Punjabis were applying for Canada each year until 2008 but the numbers are now booming at multiple folds pace.

A senior official from a prominent forex company in Jalandhar added, We often observe that the average expenditure incurred by Punjabi parents to send their children to Canada on a student visa amounts to approximately Rs 20 lakh per year. Extrapolating from this data, it is safe to estimate that there are at least 3.4 lakh Punjabi students in Canada, collectively contributing Rs 68,000 crore annually to the Land of the Maple Leaf.

The Khalsa Vox publication reported that the surge of Punjabi students on Canadian campuses is a noteworthy trend, with nearly 60 per cent of all Indian students moving to Canada being of Punjabi origin.

Approximately 1.36 lakh Punjabi students made the journey to Canada last year, with each student paying an average annual fee of amount 17,000 Canadian dollars as stated by the Chairman of the Association of Consultants for Overseas Studies, Kamal Bhumla. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, September 23: The All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), Patna, has invited applications from candidates for Professor, Additional Professor, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor posts. The application process for the same is underway, and the last date to submit the application form is 15 days from the date of publication of the advertisement.

The AIIMS Patna Recruitment 2023 advertisement was published in the employment news on September 23. Candidates who are interested and eligible can apply online by visiting the official website of AIIMS Patna at aiimspatna.edu.in. The AIIMS Patna recruitment drive is being held to fill 93 vacancies in the organisation. RBI Assistant Recruitment 2023: Vacancies Notified for 450 Assistant Posts, Apply Online at opportunities.rbi.org.in.

Of the 93 vacancies, 33 vacancies are for Professor posts, 18 for Additional professors, 22 for Associate professors and 20 vacancies for Assistant Professors. To apply for AIIMS Patna Recruitment 2023, the upper age limit is 50 years for the post of Assistant Professor and Associate Professor.

On the other hand, for the post of Additional Professor and Professor, the upper age limit is 58 years. General and OBC candidates applying for the above-mentioned posts have to pay an application fee of Rs 2000. For EWS, SC and ST applicants, the application fee is Rs 1200, while PwBD candidates are exempted from paying the application fee. IIT Dhanbad Recruitment 2023: Vacancies Notified for 71 Assistant Professor and Other Posts, Apply Online at iitism.ac.in Till October 27.

Candidates looking forward to applying for AIIMS Patna Recruitment 2023 can check the eligibility criteria and other details on the detailed notification available here.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 23, 2023 03:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Bengaluru, September 23: In an unfortunate incident in Bengalurus Doddaballapur, a 19-year-old TV technician who was trying to rescue his cat stranded atop a tree was electrocuted when he came in contact with a live overhead wire in Karnataka on Friday morning. The youths family helplessly watched as he was dying.

The deceased has been identified as Roshan, a resident of Shantinagar, Doddaballapur town. TOI reported that the incident took place at 11 am when Roshan's nearly two-year-old cat climbed a tree in the backyard of his house and got stranded there. Roshan's father Jabiulla told police his son heard the cries of the cat and walked to the backyard to check what had happened. Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Dead Body of Missing Minor Girl Found Inside Field in Firozabad.

"Roshan saw his cat was stranded atop a tree. He had tied a small metal chain around the cat's neck and the same got stuck between the branches. Roshan was worried that the cat might break its neck while attempting to free itself. Saying he'd rescue the pet, Roshan climbed the tree," Jabiulla told police. Noida Businessman Found Dead Under Mysterious Circumstances at Karauli Baba Ashram in Kanpur.

However, half way through the climb, Roshan came in contact with a live wire passing through the tree. "Roshan was electrocuted even as his family watched. Everyone cried for help.

Soon, fire and emergency personnel reached the spot, but Roshan had by then died. The fire brigade workers managed to rescue the cat," said Doddaballapur police.

Police said that they are waiting for Roshan's family to file a complaint so that they can register an FIR.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 23, 2023 10:29 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
KYODO NEWS - Sep 23, 2023 - 07:07 | All, Japan, World

The foreign ministers of Japan, the United States, Australia and India on Friday urged all U.N. members not to trade weapons with North Korea, as Pyongyang has been trying to expand its military collaboration with Russia.

At their talks on the sidelines of the annual session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, the ministers from the four-way grouping, known as the Quad, also agreed to enhance cooperation toward achieving their vision of a "free and open Indo-Pacific."

The ministers shared the view that their countries will oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo by force, apparently with Russia's aggression against Ukraine and China's growing maritime assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region in mind.

Yoko Kamikawa, who became Japan's first female foreign minister in around two decades in a Cabinet reshuffle on Sept. 13, participated in a Quad gathering for the first time. She replaced Yoshimasa Hayashi, who was often seen as holding a pro-China stance.

Kamikawa confirmed with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar that the Quad ministerial meeting will take place in Japan next year.

"We strongly support the principles of freedom, the rule of law, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and peaceful settlement of disputes" as well as oppose unilateral attempts to change the status quo, the ministers said in a joint readout released after the gathering.

"We concur that the use, or threat of use, of nuclear weapons would be unacceptable," the readout said, with fears lingering that Russia may use such arms against Ukraine.

The Quad top diplomats reaffirmed that they will work together to promote reform of the United Nations, whose dysfunction has hampered its responses to international disputes, particularly over Russia's war in Ukraine.

Russia is one of the five veto-wielding members of the U.N. Security Council, along with Britain, China, France and the United States.

India, a member of the BRICS forum also comprising Brazil, China, Russia and South Africa, has maintained a friendly relationship with Moscow even after the launch of its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The Quad ministers, meanwhile, exchanged views on North Korea's nuclear and missile development. Russian President Vladimir Putin held bilateral talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Russia last week.

Kamikawa spoke to her U.S., Australian and Indian counterparts about the safety of Japan's discharge of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean, which started on Aug. 24.

The Quad foreign ministers gathered for the first time since March, when they met in New Delhi.

Later Friday, Kamikawa, Blinken and their Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo met and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace and stability in the South and East China seas, according to the U.S. State Department.

The three countries also indicated they will "continue to call out behavior that is inconsistent with international law," such as China's "recent actions" near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, it said.

In early August, the Philippines criticized China over the incident in which its vessel shot a water cannon at a Philippine military-chartered boat near the Manila-controlled shoal.

Kamikawa and Blinken also held brief trilateral talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin in New York.

Related coverage:

North Korea's Kim, Russian defense chief discuss deeper defense ties

North Korean leader Kim inspects Russian warplanes, Pacific fleet vessel

North Korea fires 2 ballistic missiles ahead of Kim-Putin talks
New Delhi, September 23: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Kunwar Danish Ali, who was abused in Lok Sabha, hit back at BJPs allegations of provoking MP Ramesh Bidhuri, saying he worked to save the dignity of the post of Prime Minister. Today some BJP leaders are trying to run a narrative that I provoked Ramesh Bidhuri in the Parliament, whereas the truth is that I worked to save the dignity of the post of Prime Minister and made the Chairman aware of the highly objectionable words related to Modi Ji. Had demanded his removal from the proceedings of the House, Danish Ali wrote on X.

His remarks came after BJP MP Nishikant Dubey alleged that Danish Ali also made highly objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that the BSP called PM Modi Neech which triggered Bidhuri and he fell in BSP MP's trap. Ramesh Bidhuri Abusive Remarks Row: Jamiat Ulema-E-Hind Calls Incident Shameful, Urges Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla To Take Action Against BJP MP.

In a letter to Speaker Om Birla, Dubey accused Danish Ali of giving a running commentary during Bidhuris address in Lok Sabha on Thursday (September 21), as well as making derogatory remarks intended to cause him to lose his cool. He said that the issue of breach of privilege, which Danish Ali and other MPs have been vocal about, cannot be applied in isolation because it would result in a significant and irreversible miscarriage of justice.

Dubey said in his letter that Trinamool Congress and DMK members made comments regarding another communitys faith. On Friday, Danish Ali wrote to the Speaker to refer his case to the privilege committee and also urged him to order an inquiry into the matter. Ramesh Bidhuri Abusive Remarks: May Consider Quitting House If Action Not Taken Against BJP, Says BSP MP Danish Ali (Watch Video).

Even BJP on Friday issued a show cause notice to party MP Bidhuri for using unparliamentary words against the BSP MP in Lok Sabha. Bidhuri's remark sparked outrage, with the opposition leaders calling for strict action against him.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and many other opposition party MPs demanded Bidhuri's suspension from Parliament, saying that the language used by him "should not be used inside or outside Parliament". Even Speaker took "serious note" of objectionable comments made by Bidhuri in the House and warned him of "strict action" if such behaviour is repeated in the future.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 23, 2023 10:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
New Delhi, September 23: Amid an uproar over BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri's derogatory remarks against BSP parliamentarian Danish Ali in the Lok Sabha, prominent Muslim organisation Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind on Saturday said it was a "shameful incident" in the democratic history of India and it was the constitutional as well as moral responsibility of Speaker Om Birla to take action in the matter. Bidhuri's remarks targeting Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) member Ali during a discussion on the success of Chandrayaan-3 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday triggered a massive furore, with opposition leaders calling for strict action against him.

In a statement, Jamiat chief Maulana Arshad Madani said the manner in which an MP from the ruling party used unparliamentary language for a Muslim MP in Parliament is a "shameful incident" in the democratic history of the country. After seeing what happened, Madani said, it can be stated that "extreme hatred" against Muslims has now reached the "temple of democracy". He said had any opposition MP used such language in the House, he would have been immediately thrown out and strict action would have been taken against him. Ramesh Bidhuri Abusive Remarks: NCP Leader Supriya Sule To Move Privilege Motion Against BJP MP, Says He Is Frequent Offender

"The Supreme Court has issued an order to take action against hate speech ... action has also been taken in some cases, but since this is a matter of Parliament, the speaker has full authority to take action," Madani said. He asserted that it is the constitutional and moral responsibility of the speaker to order action against the MP who used such language. Birla has warned Bidhuri of "strict action" if such behaviour is repeated and Ali has asserted that he could consider quitting the membership of the House if no step is taken. Ramesh Bidhuri Abusive Remarks in Lok Sabha: Probe Indecent Conduct of Danish Ali Too, Asks BJP MP Nishikant Dubey to Speaker Om Birla

The INDIA bloc parties have rallied behind Ali, who has said it was nothing less than hate speech and demanded that the matter be referred to the privileges committee of the House even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued a show-cause notice to Bidhuri. Amid calls from several opposition parties for Bidhuri's suspension from Parliament, the speaker took "serious note" of the comments and warned the Lok Sabha member from South Delhi of "strict action" if such behaviour is repeated in the future.
Cynthia Lennon, the first wife of Beatle John Lennon, sits behind copies of her newly released book entitled John in 2005.

Cynthia Lennon, the former wife of Beatle John Lennon, died on Wednesday at her home in Mallorca, Spain, a representative for her son confirmed. She was 75.

She died after a short but brave battle with cancer and her son, Julian Lennon, was at her bedside, according to a statement from the family. Julian also sent out a tweet announcing his mothers death.

Cynthia was married to the Beatles legend from 1962 until 1968. John was shot to death in 1980 at the age of 40.

Advertisement

Her impact on the Beatles was always covert, if not intentionally marginalized. When she became pregnant with Julian, thus threatening the bands young-and-single image, manager Brian Epstein helped arrange their wedding on the condition that it be kept quiet even though the marriage was an open secret in the British music press.

In her book A Twist of Lennon Cynthia described her life with John as an undercover existence, and according to her memoirs, she spent her wedding night without John while the Beatles played a concert in Chester.

However, she does show up as a presence in several Beatles songs. Both Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds and Good Night were written about the young Julian while John and Cynthia were married. Paul McCartneys Hey Jude was written as a comforting ballad for Julian during his parents separation.

Cynthia was born in Blackpool, England, and was the youngest of three children of Charles and Lillian Powell. She grew up in England and attended the Liverpool College of Art, where she met John in 1957.

After Cynthia and John divorced in 1968, John married Yoko Ono and had another son, Sean Lennon. After her divorce from John, Cynthia said her income was never stable, according to People. In her book, John, she talked about being mistreated by her ex-husband during their marriage.

Author Hunter Davies, who wrote the only authorized Beatles biography, described Cynthia as a lovely woman who was ill-treated by her famous husband, according to the Associated Press. He said that unlike John, she was quiet and reserved and calm and not a hippy at all.

Advertisement

In 1991, Cynthia auctioned off some of Johns writing, including memorabilia he had collected over the years.

Ive enjoyed these things for 30 years, Cynthia told People at the time. But its time for a change.

The Los Angeles Times interviewed Cynthia in 1988, when she described how she and John were drawn to each other after suffering the loss of parents at a young age. Throughout her six-year marriage to John she was an eternal optimist, according to the interview.

The interview came around the time Imagine, a documentary about John, was released.

Id like this to be a culmination of sorts  of the good, the bad and the brilliant side of John Lennon, and not to have anything smoothed over, she said.

Twitter: @kurtisalee
A massive landfill fire is ravaging the US Virgin Islands, and it has gotten so intense that another US Caribbean territory, Puerto Rico, is sending some help in the form of its National Guard.

Puerto Rico deployed its National Guard to help fight the massive landfill fire that started in the US Virgin Islands. The massive fire has been burning for over a week now and has already forced schools to cancel classes and some businesses to close down.

Helicopters are now gathering seawater to help put out the blaze that was started at the Bovoni landfill on the island of St. Thomas. As for the Puerto Rico National Guard, it was reported that it supplied 60,000 gallons (227,000 liters) of water during its mission. So far, the US Virgin Islands National Guard has already dropped more than 11,000 gallons (41,600 liters) of water on the fire, according to the Associated Press.

Meanwhile, US Virgin Islands officials are now warning residents who are living near the affected landfill that there might be some water contamination thanks to all the water that firefighters and the National Guard are pouring into the area.

US Virgin Islands Fire: Governor Declares State of Emergency

As the fire has been burning for quite some time now, US Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has issued an Executive Order that declares a State of Emergency all over the US territory. While the fire is contained only within St, Thomas Island, smoke has been affecting other areas.

According to The St. Thomas Source Virgin Islands, the smoke can be seen and smelled for miles. This resulted in poor air quality throughout the territory and forced schools and businesses to close.

READ MORE: US Virgin Islands: 5 Most Beautiful Places to Visit During Your Next Getaway

"The fire is not sustainably contained and external assistance is required to extinguish the flames below the surface of the green waste area of the Bovoni landfill, stated Governor Bryan in his Executive Order. Immediate action must be taken to secure the necessary support to extinguish the fire, including coordination of firefighting assistance through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact."

The Emergency Management Assistance Compact is a law that allows all 50 states and other US territories to send help whenever a governor declares a State of Emergency. Other states can send in personnel, equipment, and commodities to assist with response and recovery efforts in other states and territories. So far, only Puerto Rico has answered the call.

When Did the US Virgin Islands Fire Start?

As the fire continues blazing, firefighters and volunteers are continuing their efforts to try and put out the massive US Virgin Islands fire. As this is happening, LOOP Caribbean News reported that citizens have already been advised to minimize their outdoor exposure because of the spoke and to also keep their windows closed,

The fire itself began on September 14 and is continuing to burn. That particular landfill has had a long history of environmental problems and spontaneous blazes are common.

READ MORE: Barbados: 5 Incredible Places in Rihanna's Home Country

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Why Do Britain & The U.S. Both Have Territories Called The Virgin Islands? - Name Explain
A heartbreaking incident unfolded in Indiana, where a 6-month-old Indiana baby boy was discovered severely injured and nearly consumed by rats in a home described as "infested" with these rodents.

The child's parents are now facing felony charges concerning this horrifying case.

The Evansville Police Department swiftly responded to a distress call on September 13 by the child's father.

He reported that his baby had suffered severe bite wounds. This grim revelation is based on arrest affidavits acquired by the Evansville Courier and Press, a member of the USA TODAY Network.

The home where this tragic incident occurred is just south of downtown Evansville, approximately three miles from the Kentucky state border.

Both parents, aged 28 and 31, have been arrested and are currently held in the Vanderburgh County Jail.

They face multiple charges related to neglect and other criminal offenses. Jail records show that the father is being held without bond, while the mother's bond has been set at $10,000.

It is currently unclear whether either of the parents has retained legal representation.

Furthermore, the child's aunt, who also resided in the same household in Evansville, has been arrested on similar charges.

READ NEXT: Baby Dies After Being Mauled by 2 Rottweilers

Indiana Baby Boy Suffers 'Near Fatal Event'

The infant's ordeal is described as a "near-fatal event" in hospital records, according to AOL.

He was found in his bassinet, lying face down, with numerous bite wounds covering his face and body.

The probable cause affidavits for the father, David Anthony Schonabaum, and the mother, Angel Schonabaum, indicate that the baby sustained over 50 bites on his forehead, right cheek, and nose. He also had multiple bites on his right leg and foot.

The child's left hand exhibited a significant wound on the top of his ring finger, exposing the bone. On his right hand, bites extended from his elbow to his hand.

All four fingers and the thumb on his right hand had lost flesh from the top, revealing the fingertip bones. The index and pinky fingers were the most severely injured, with flesh missing halfway down each finger.

As of Friday, Sgt. Anna Gray of the police confirmed that the baby had been discharged from the hospital and placed in foster care.

Indiana Baby Boy, Not the Sole Victim of Rat Bites

The family's residence on South Linwood Avenue, where the baby's 3- and 6-year-old siblings and 2- and 5-year-old cousins lived, was deplorable.

The home was filled with clutter, trash, and rat feces, as reported by the police. Sgt. Anna Gray described the scene as one of the most disturbing cases of child neglect in her extensive career.

The baby's father informed investigators that they had been dealing with a rodent issue since March, and Terminix exterminators were actively treating the house.

Shockingly, this was not the first time rats had harmed children in the home.

Two children in the household reported to a teacher at their school earlier this month that mice had bitten their toes while sleeping. This information was detailed in the affidavit, the NY Post noted.

Four days later, an employee from the Indiana Department of Child Services visited the residence, where the children's caregiver claimed that the marks on her child's toes were probably just scratched from the bed frame.

A case manager had been visiting the home twice a week since April due to previous reports involving the children, including an incident last year where a child was injured due to lack of supervision and a complaint in June alleging that the Indiana baby boy's father, David Schonabaum, had physically abused one of the children.

READ MORE: Illinois Family of 4, 3 Dogs Shot Dead

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Police: 3 charged after infant nearly dies from rat bites in Evansville - From Eyewitness News WEHT WTVW
This aerial photo shows the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) naval vessel Aba sailing on the sea. (Photo by Zhang Bin/Xinhua)

ZHANJIANG, Guangdong, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) naval vessel recently rescued two Philippine fishermen, said Chinese authorities.

According to the PLA Southern Theater Command Navy and the South China Sea division of the China Coast Guard, the PLA naval vessel Aba was approached by two Philippine fishermen seeking help during its cruise in the eastern maritime zone of the Nansha Islands.

One of the fishermen suffered wounds inflicted by propeller blades and was losing blood. PLA naval medics examined the wounds and brought the fisherman aboard for further treatment.

On board the vessel, PLA naval medics cleansed the fisherman's wounds, stopped the bleeding, and bandaged the wounds. The vessel also provided the fishermen with food and medical supplies, including drinking water, antibiotics and painkillers.

The crew later transferred the fishermen to the Philippine side. Meanwhile, the China Coast Guard informed the Philippine side of the situation via the coast guard communication hotline between the two countries. 

A medic of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) naval vessel Aba cleanses a Philippine fisherman's wounds on board the vessel. (Photo by Pan Yueqiang/Xinhua)

A medic of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) naval vessel Aba measures the blood pressure for a wounded Philippine fisherman on board the vessel. (Photo by Pan Yueqiang/Xinhua)

Two Philippine fishermen seek help from soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) naval vessel Aba. (Photo by Pan Yueqiang/Xinhua)

A Philippine fisherman gestures after being rescued by soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) naval vessel Aba. (Photo by Pan Yueqiang/Xinhua)

Soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) naval vessel Aba transfer the Philippine fishermen with a lifeboat. (Photo by Pan Yueqiang/Xinhua)
Authorities evacuated a medical office building in Allentown on Saturday morning due to downed wires pulling on an exterior wall, threatening the walls collapse, a city fire official said.

Fire department spokesman Capt. John Christopher said the incident was at a St. Lukes University Health Network office building at 1941 W. Hamilton St.

Branches of a tree that appeared to have fallen along the buildings parking lot could be seen atop the front of some vehicles there.

The incident was reported about 9 a.m.

Allentown firefighters evacuated the building and established a secure area around the exterior in the event the wall collapses, Christopher said.

It does look like the wall at some point is going to come down because its pulled away, but it hasnt actually collapsed yet, Christopher told lehighvalleylive.com about an hour after the initial call.

St. Lukes spokesman Sam Kennedy said the health network was assessing the building. It is not open for the weekend, so there was no immediate patient impact, he said. It also was not immediately clear if the portion of the building that was damaged is used by the networks medical practices there, so any impact on patients going forward was continuing to be assessed, he said.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
Santa Claus is coming to town soon, and you just might be able to help him deliver some gifts to kids.

The United States Postal Service has opened up its Operation Santa initiative to ensure every child gets their wish granted this holiday season.

Through this program, USPS announced that it would be accepting letters written to Santa from now until Dec. 11, 2023.

After children and their families have submitted letters, people or groups of people can pre-register to adopt a letter starting Nov. 6. The general letter adoption pool would open Nov. 20.

How to adopt a letter from Santa:

First, you create an account on the USPS website. Then, read the available letters and pick the one you want.

Find a gift for the letter-writer and ship it from any participating USPS location before Dec. 18, 2023.

You can read some of the past letters here.

About Operation Santa

The USPS Operation Santa program started in 1912, when local postmasters could read and respond to letters.

The program opened to the general public in the 1940s, when charities, nonprofits, corporations and regular people could all participate in sponsoring a gift.

In 2017, the program went online and then expanded online to everyone in the U.S. in 2019, where it remains its current form.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
A man admitted making gain by deception from a shop in Portlaoise.

Poca Munteanu, 23, with an address at 63 Manor Street, Waterford was accused of the offences at Campus Spar, Mountmellick Road in Portlaoise on December 6 last year.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the accused and an accomplice went into the shop and twice ordered 100 worth of Playsafe credit.

His accomplice took photos of the playsafe receipt, said Sgt Kirby.

He left the premises without taking the receipt or paying, he explained.

From the details on the photo, a total of 200 credit was used, explained Sgt Kirby, who said the defendant had 11 previous convictions.

The shop was at a loss of 200, he said.

Judge Andrew Cody was told the Playsafe receipt is similar to a debit or credit card and is used to purchase items online.

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was a 23 year-old Romanian national.

There was an accomplice. While this accused was distracting the teller it was the other person who took the picture, she said.

She claimed her client had owed a debt to the accomplice but the man wouldnt take it and instead wanted her client to accompany him to the shop.

I have the 200 to compensate the injured party, she said.

Judge Andrew Cody convicted the accused and sentenced him to four months which he suspended for three years.
The abandoned orphanage in Kherson, Ukraine, from which Russian forces are believed to have abducted 46 children BERNAT ARMANGUE / AP

Russia is not alone in forcibly transferring Ukrainian children to its territory. Less well known is the fact that Belarus, Moscow's number-one ally in the war in Ukraine, also engages in this illegal practice, which could constitute a war crime. More than 2,150 Ukrainians aged between 6 and 15 living in Russian-occupied areas have been deported to Belarus since the Russian invasion in February 2022, according to official Belarusian documents and statements, consulted by Le Monde, and leaks compiled by Belarusian opposition politician Pavel Latushko, who was sentenced in March to eighteen years in prison in absentia in Minsk after a sham trial. A former member of the regime, Latushko submitted evidence of Belarus' involvement in these forced displacements to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on June 27.

In March, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova, for organizing the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko too could eventually be the subject of an arrest warrant.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Kyiv is losing track of Ukrainian children deported to Russia

On September 13, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning "the illegal transfer of more than 2,150 children, including orphans, from Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine to so-called recreation camps in Belarus, where they are subjected to Russification and indoctrination". The European Parliament said that "Alexander Lukashenko is as responsible for these war crimes as Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova," and called on the ICC to "issue a similar international arrest warrant for" the Belarusian leader.

The Minsk regime makes no secret of these forced transfers. On the contrary, it claims that they are "humanitarian" operations designed to offer respite to war-torn children. In August, Lukashenko publicly acknowledged his direct involvement, in close collaboration with Russia. "We agreed with Vladimir Putin that we would finance these trips from the state budget of the Union [a treaty linking Russia and Belarus]," he said. "We have done so and will continue to do so without worrying about any reproach."

Belarus, which has served as a rear base for Russian troops since the invasion of Ukraine, boasted that it had brought in "over a thousand children" in the spring. On Tuesday, September 19, a group of 48 Ukrainian children arrived from the occupied regions of Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia. Images broadcast by the official press show them thanking the authorities, red and green Belarusian flags in hand, flanked by riot police.

You have 75% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
BUS EIREANN has taken a leap forward in improving public transportation with its recently revamped Route 329 from Kilfinane to Limerick.

Commencing operations on September 10, these enhanced services signify a substantial stride towards facilitating better connectivity and convenience for the local community.

The enhanced Route 329 now boasts eight daily return trips between Kilfinane and Limerick.

With extended operating hours, designed to cater to the needs of commuters, early birds can now catch the bus as early as 6am from Limerick and 6:15am from Kilfinane.

Night owls will appreciate the late-night departures, with services leaving Limerick at 8pm and Kilfinane at 7:15pm.

Another addition to the route is the introduction of five daily services on Sundays and Public Holidays, offering passengers even more flexibility in their travel plans.

This enhanced Bus Eireann Route 329 will serve communities along the route, including Kilfinane, Kilmallock, Bruff, Grange, Ballyneety, Drombanna, Kilmallock Road, Roxboro Road, Limerick City, and Limerick bus/train station.

The expanded service is set to greatly benefit residents and commuters by providing improved access to education, employment opportunities, and a wide range of amenities in these areas.

This transformation of Route 329 is aligned with the ambitious Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, a crucial national public transport initiative developed and funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of the Transport for Ireland (TFI) Network.

It is said that demand for services in the west is higher now than pre-pandemic, with passenger numbers nationally up by 20-30% compared to 2019.

Maura Quane, Corporate Manager of Ballyhoura Development, said: These additional services will further support residents by providing access to employment and educational opportunities and contribute to the vibrancy of Kilfinane, a town that has so much to offer both residents and visitors.

Information regarding service details and timetables can be found on buseireann.ie
Guests attend the New Silk Road Logistics Forum in Duisburg, Germany, Sept. 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

DUISBURG, Germany, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- A forum on how to improve logistics on the Silk Road was held in Duisburg, Germany this week. The new Silk Road Logistics Forum was attended by over 200 representatives from Germany and China, who discussed ways to boost their cooperation.

Freight trains between China and Europe have expanded, and Duisburg is now connected with over 20 Chinese cities.

Named the China-Europe Railway Express, the freight trains between China and Europe are a successful and competitive project under the Belt and Road initiative, said Lars Nennhaus, COO of Duisburger Hagen AG. The cooperation on logistics between Duisburger Hafen AG and its Chinese partners is covering a wide range of areas, Nennhaus added.

As the biggest inland port city in Europe and an international trade and logistics hub, Duisburg is deeply involved in the Belt and Road initiative, said Du Chunguo, Consul General at the Consulate of China in Duesseldorf.

Duisburg has become an important destination for the China-Europe Railway Express in Western Europe, given that the station operates the highest train frequency with the largest haulage volume, he said. Improving logistics infrastructure and services between China and Europe will provide a lasting impetus for cooperation between the two sides.

Duisburg is an important logistical hub along the New Silk Road due to its convenient location for road, water and rail transport, said Soeren Link, the mayor of Duisburg city. Logistics demand between Europe and China is high, he added, and Duisburg will continue to work with China to advance the Belt and Road initiative.

The first freight train from China arrived at Duisburg railway station in 2011. Around 70 freight trains transport goods between Duisburg and over 20 Chinese cities every week. 

Lars Nennhaus, COO of Duisburger Hagen AG, addresses the New Silk Road Logistics Forum in Duisburg, Germany, Sept. 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

Du Chunguo, Consul General at the Consulate of China in Duesseldorf, addresses the New Silk Road Logistics Forum in Duisburg, Germany, Sept. 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

Soeren Link, the mayor of Duisburg city, addresses the New Silk Road Logistics Forum in Duisburg, Germany, Sept. 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
THE UKRAINIAN President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended an unscheduled meeting at Shannon Airport.

It is understood the Ukrainian president was returning from the United States and Canada when he made the unplanned stopover.

President Zelenskyy met with the President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of Sudan Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

In a post on X (formally Twitter) President Zelenskyy said: At Shannon Airport, I held an unscheduled meeting with President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of Sudan Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

I am grateful for Sudan's consistent support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We discussed common security challenges, namely the activities of illegal armed groups financed by Russia.

I invited him to support the Grain From Ukraine initiative and take part in this year's summit. We considered possible platforms for intensifying cooperation between Ukraine and African countries, the Ukrainian President added.

President Zelenskyy has previously thanked Ireland for its support for his country in the Ukraine war.

As of June this year Ireland has taken in over 80,000 refugees who fled the war in Ukraine.
An image generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered tools has left netizens mesmerised, as a simple image of a lonely island with coconut trees somewhat also looks like India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The image shared on microblogging platform X (Formerly Twitter) is made by Madhav Kohli, who has earlier also blended artistic expression with AI tools to create such mesmerising images. Kohli shared his creation on X with a caption that read, Do you see him too?" Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels :rocket: Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights! Click here! The image shared is that of a small and beautiful island against the backdrop of a sky filled with the rays of the setting sun. The sky is of blended hues of pink and blue. At first glance, you are likely to not realise the trees bending in a such a way it makes PM Modi's face.. However, once you look closely and for a longer period, you will notice it PM Modi's face.

The tweet since being posted has accumulated close to 2,500 views.

An X user wrote This is sick bro", while reacting to the post. Another person asked which app was used to generate the image. To this, Kohli replied, Stable diffusion."

What is Stable Diffusion?

It is an AI platform where users can create descriptive images. According to the official website of the platform, users can create AI images with shorter prompts and generate words within images." They can also generate stunning visuals and realistic aesthetics."

PM Modi latest update

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the residents of Kashi were its true brand ambassadors and expressed his desire to see the ancient temple town's glory reverberating around the world.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating 16 residential schools for needy children in Uttar Pradesh named after former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Modi also announced a tourist guide competition and said that be it a tourist spot or a 'dham' (pilgrimage place), good guides are very necessary.

"The people of Kashi know the most about Kashi. Here, every person, every family is the brand ambassador of Kashi in its true meaning. But it is also important that everyone is able to convey the information about Kashi effectively," he said.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
Tata Projects on Saturday announced its collaboration with Micron Technology to construct an advanced semiconductor assembly and test plant in Sanand, Gujarat.

The company in a statement said the contract awarded to Tata Projects solidifies the company's proficiency in large-scale, sustainable infrastructure development in the Indian manufacturing landscape.

According to the statement, situated in the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation area of Chaarodi, Sanand, the project spans an expansive 93 acres of land.

"This enduring project is a significant milestone and the largest investment under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)," the statement said, adding that the construction of Phase 1 will include a 500,000 square feet cleanroom space, scheduled to be operational by late 2024.

The statement said the project encompasses the design and construction of a first-of-its-kind DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and NAND (non-volatile flash memory) assembly and test facility in India.

Tata Projects aims to use modern construction methods and techniques involving integrated EPC delivery through 4D BIM and hybrid modular accelerated construction, it added.

According to the statement, the Sanand factory will be designed in accordance with LEED Gold Standards of the Green Building Council and will also integrate advanced water-saving technologies.

Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Saturday said the "Bhoomi Pujan" (groundbreaking ceremony) for the country's first semiconductor plant has taken place in Gujarat.

The ground-breaking for the country's first semi-conductor plant marks a pivotal moment in carrying forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a self-reliant India.

Vaishnaw expressed confidence that the construction of the semiconductor plant would be completed soon, adding that the first indigenous microchips are expected to be rolled out by December 2024.

"Today 'Bhoomi Pujan' of the first semiconductor plant was conducted. This is an important step in carrying forward the PM's vision (of Atmanirbhar Bharat). The construction of the plant will be completed soon and the first indigenous microchips will roll out from here by December 2024," Vaishnaw said.

Underlining the strides marked by the country's electronic industry under the leadership of PM Modi, Vaishnaw said, In 2014, the manufacturing cost of mobile phones in India was 17,000 crores. This has now soared to 3,65,000 crores. The electronics industry, once valued at 1,90,000 crores, has expanded to be worth 8,30,000 crores."

Exports have increased fivefold, rising from 40,000 crores to 2,00,000 crores," the Union Minister added.

All these advancements are attributed to semiconductor chips, Vaishnaw said, adding that the country was poised to become a major semiconductor hub.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
New Delhi: Kamal Haasan-starrer Nayakan directed by Mani Ratnam, will re-release in cinemas for the stars birthday on 3 November. The 1987 crime drama also features Saranya and Karthika, with Janagaraj, Vijayan, M. V. Vasudeva Rao, Delhi Ganesh, Nizhalgal Ravi, Nassar and Tara in supporting roles. It is loosely based on the life of the Bombay underworld don Varadarajan Mudaliar and the American film The Godfather (1972).

Movie theatres are re-releasing old hits, and curating special screenings on birth anniversaries of popular yesteryear stars to bring audiences back to the cinemas as many new films are failing to draw audiences.

Multiplex chains INOX and PVR said theyd seen positive response to the Amitabh Bachchan festival organized for the actors 80th birthday last October, Dilip Kumars 100th birth anniversary in December, as well as Rajnikanths birthday, besides a special screening of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.

While older hits, especially of south Indian stars, would be re-released in cinemas even in pre-covid times, the strategy gained more traction recently with 50-60 halls across metros screening old films for a period of four to five days.

According to industry insiders, a dash of nostalgia helps the films grab eyeballs despite being on streaming platforms.

We have organised screenings of old hit films in the past, too, but it was done on a limited scale, so was not as viable. Since the Amitabh Bachchan festival though, the response from audiences has been overwhelming. It also has to do with the fact that we have been able to increase the number of screens and properties, as a result of which marketing has been viable," Rajendar Singh Jyala, chief programming officer, INOX Leisure had said in an earlier interview.

All these films are available on streaming platforms, but nostalgia has a big role to play in watching them on the big screen, Jyala had said. INOX will continue to seek opportunities around special occasions in the lives of yesteryear stars.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
Stocks to watch: ITC share price remained in 190 to 250 apiece range from 190 to 220 per share levls during November 2020 to February 2022. However, after coming out of this base building moce, ITC share price has ascended to the tune 450 apiece levels in last 19 months, delivering around 105 per cent return in this time. So, ITC shares are one of the multibagger stocks that Indian stock market has delivered in recent years.

Looking at HDFC Bank shares, this Nifty heavy weight has been trading in 1500 to 1700 range for near one year, even though market is highly bullish on HDFC Bank shares in this period, especially after HDFC Bank and HDFC merger. Experts believe that fundamentals of the bank have remained strong throughout this period and post-merger, it has managed to improve its CASA, which may further improve. apart from this, HDFC Bank's NPA ratio is one of the lowest among Indian banks, which is attracting foreign institutional investors (FIIs).

However, they said that lending business of the company is under pressure after Indian government introduced bad loan regime to address the NPA issue of PSU banks. Now, big PSU banks like State Bank of India (SBI), Bank of Baroda (BoB), Canara Bank, Punjab National Bank (PNB), etc. are giving tough challenge to HDFC Bank's lending business. Apart from this, HDFC Bank will have to maintain is ALM (Asset Liability Management) post-HDFC Bank and HDFC merger.

So, it may take some time for the HDFC Bank shares to come out of the base building mode, but once it picks momentume, there can be sharp upside movement in this Nifty 50 stock. Till then, HDFC Bank shares can be termed as gearing for an ITc moment.

Challenges for HDFC Bank

Speaking on the challenges that HDFC Bank is facing post-merger, Sandeep Pandey, Former Deputy Vice President at HDFC Bank said, "ITC and HDFC Bank are two different kinds of companies. ITC share price was under base building mode due to long-term lockdown impact whereas HDFC Bank has challenges on the management front. After merger with HDFC Ltd, its total number of departments have surged around four times. Its lending business has come under pressure due to big PSU banks like SBI, BoB, PNB and Canara Bank are competing against private lenders in a efficient manner. PSU banks have all of a sudden become cash rich after Government of India introduced ban loan initiative to counter NPA problems of state-owned banks. So, in short to medium term, PSU banks are expected to outperform private bank shares including HDFC Bank."

"Coming back to HDFC Bank, there are some big positives that a long term investor can't afford to miss out. HDFC Bank's NPA ratio is one of the lowest among Indian banks, which is attracting FIIs. It has been able to maintain its ALM post-merger and we need to remain vigilant about the banks performance on this parameter in enar term," Sandeep Pandey said.

HDFC Bank vs ITC

Speaking on HDFC Bank shares, Vaibhav Vidwani, Research Analyst at Bonanza Portfolio said, On 1st April 2022 merger news of HDFC Bank and HDFC Ltd. came in market on that day HDFC Bank touched the level of 1700 after that the bank was not able to sustain on that level. The boards of the two companies approved the merger on 30th June 23 and HDFC Bank was added to the MSCI index on July 13, 2023 after the bank completed a $40 billion merger with HDFC Ltd. These all things showcase strength and growth potential of the Bank. Despite all of the above factors share price of HDFC bank is reluctant to break the high of 1700."

HDFC BANK More Information

Bonanza Portfolio expert said that in analyst meet post-merger HDFC Bank said that the net interest margin (NIM) will decline and possibly fall by 25 bps for FY24E. This is due to the combined impact of an increased cash reserve ratio, surplus liquidity and increase in non-performing loans due to nonindividual loan portfolio of HDFC Ltd., which can act as barrier to break resistance of 1700 in the upcoming months. In the recent rally also, HDFC Bank failed to attract investors. Investors normally looks for companies with attractive valuation and growth potential. HDFC Bank has both of these qualities.

On why ITC shares turned out showstopper on Dalal Street in last one and half year, Vaibhav Vidwani said, "ITC witnessed severe disruption in its business across segments due to Covid Restrictions and less mobility. The year was filled with fluctuating demand levels creating an environment of risk and uncertainty. The changing consumer preferences and shift towards "contactless shopping" were in an uptrend. ITC remained proactively engaged with ecommerce platforms and aligned supply chains to deliver the right SKUs and service emergent demand in an efficient manner. The Cigarette business saw a gradual recovery in the second half, due to ease in restrictions, but the risk of illegal availability of smuggled Cigarettes remained to be a key challenge which had already witnessed significant erosion of volumes. After a relatively subdued first half, revenue in the second half of FY22 witnessed double-digit growth in the FMCG business."

Highlighting the reasons that has dragged HDFC Bank shares, Harish Menon, Co-founder and head of Investments and product research at House of Alpha said, "Typically, the primary objective of a merger between two business entities is to foster overall value creation. However, the acquisition of HDFCa non-banking financial institutionby its subsidiary, HDFC Bank, has triggered a series of short-term complications. These include an increase in the latter's cost of borrowing and a decline in the net interest margin (NIM), all occurring without substantial synergy benefits. Additionally, this merger does not offer any advantages in terms of regulatory arbitrage."

Menon said that these factors have exerted downward pressure on the stock price. Whether the augmented scale of the merged entity can yield economies of scale benefits remains contingent upon various factors and will be the main trigger of any breakout of a long term range.

Will HDFC Bank shares give ITC moment?

Stock market experts said that HDFC Bank may remain in base building mode for short to medium term as it will take time for the private lender to bring its all departments in order post-merger. However, they maintained that "HDFC Bank is too big to fail' and hence HDFC Bank shareholders should hold the stock as it may give IT moment once it comes out of the base building mode. They also advised fresh investors to look at HDFC Bank shares provided they have a long term time horizon.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
The Indian defence sector registered an impressive growth of 12% year-on-year in the financial year ended March 2023.

Strong order books led by increased government spending on defence and high exports contributed to this growth.

However, this wasnt the case ten years back.

Although defence companies had good financials, they were run by the government, where profit wasn't the primary motive, and export opportunities were almost nil. Moreover, many companies were plagued with corruption and scams.

However, the defence space has undergone many changes in the last few years. With growing geopolitical tensions, countries increased their defence spending, and India focussed on indigenisation and encouraged defence production in the country.

It also focused on exports, which fuelled the growth of the defence companies.

Hence, the defence space is considered a good opportunity that investors can capitalise on.

However, its not just the pure defence stocks that are benefitting from the current trend of high defence spending. Companies that supply to the defence sector are also prime beneficiaries.

With growing order books, the companies that supply components to these defence firms are vital for their growth.

Hence, one can consider these stocks to be a kind of derivative of the main defence companies when scouting for opportunities in the defence space.

We have shortlisted four such companies.

Take a look.

#1 Solar Industries

First on the list is Solar Industries.

The company is a leading manufacturer of bulk explosives, packaged explosives and initiating systems, which find use in several industries, including mining, infrastructure, and construction.

In 2010, it also ventured into defence and started manufacturing propellants for missiles and rockets, warheads and warhead explosives.

Solar Industries is one of the largest players in the explosives industry with a 24% market share and also the first private player to manufacture explosives such as RDX, HMX, and TNT for the defence sector.

The company has thirty-four manufacturing plants in India and six plants abroad, with a capacity to produce over 4.5 million (m) metric tonnes of explosives per annum.

Solar Industries also manufactured six Pinaka Rockets, which the Indian Army has inducted.

The company also ventured into manufacturing space launch vehicles by partnering with ISRO and Skyroot Aerospace.

Solar Industries is developing an array of drones for ammunition delivery to bring a new capability to the Indian armed forces. It also successfully demonstrated its prototypes of weaponised hexacopter drones and loitering munitions and became the first Indian firm to do so.

For the financial year 2023, the company has high growth plans. It plans to establish three more manufacturing facilities in Australia, Thailand, and Indonesia to grow its international operations.

Solar Industries is also heavily investing in capex to grow its defence portfolio and plans to invest around 7.5 billion (bn) in the financial year 2024.

Coming to its financials, the companys revenue and net profit have grown at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 22.9% and 24%, respectively. This is primarily due to the growing share of defence in the revenue mix and internal manufacturing of key raw materials.

The company's order book stood strong at 29 bn as of 31 March 2023. This, along with the Make in India initiative, provides revenue visibility for the company in the medium term.

#2 Premier Explosives

Second on the list is Premier Explosives.

As the name suggests, the company manufactures industrial explosives, detonators, propellants, pyros, and countermeasures.

It is the only Indian company to export fully assembled rocket motors.

The company also undertakes the operation and maintenance of solid propellant plants at the Sriharikota centre of ISRO and the solid fuel complex at Jagdalpur for DRDO.

It has successfully developed and manufactured propellants for various rockets like Pinaka, missiles such as Astra and Akash, and strategic missiles such as Agni and Veda.

Premier Explosives has also developed strap-on-motors for satellite launch vehicles.

Some of its clients include DRDO, Bharat Electronics, ISRO, and Coal India. The company has recently obtained a license from the Chief Controller of Explosives for the production of solid propellant. It has already received orders to manufacture solid propellants for ISRO, DRDO, and L&T.

The company is investing heavily in research and development (R&D) for its defence portfolio and has several products under development, such as 70 mm rockets, air-glide bombs, ammonium perchlorate, HTPB & CL20, and pyrogen igniters for missile programs.

It has also collaborated with Gulbarga University, IIT Madras, and BITS Pilani for research in high-energy materials.

Coming to its financial performance, its revenue has grown at a CAGR of 9.7% in the last three years. It reported a net profit of 70 m against a loss of 110 m three years ago.

Recently, it received a licence, which will help the company save on transportation costs and store ammonium nitrate in bulk at its facilities, which is an important raw material for the company.

As of 30 June 2023, the company's order book stood at 11 bn, which is 5.5 times the financial year 2023's revenue. This shows that the company has good revenue visibility in the medium term.

#3 Avantel Soft

Next on the list is Avantel Soft.

The company is engaged in developing customised solutions for Indian National Satellite (INSAT) based communication services for military applications.

It also develops wireless defence electronics, radar systems, and software applications for the defence and aerospace sectors.

Avantel Soft has an established market presence in the electronics and telecom equipment business. This has enabled it to establish long-standing relations with its customers. Its customers include the Indian army, railways, air force, ISRO, DRDO, Boeing, and L&T.

The company's in-house R&D facility, which is recognised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, is why it stands out from its peers.

It also spent close to 77 m in the financial year 2023 for R&D. For the financial year 2024, the company has taken up the design and development of software-defined radios (SDR) in high frequency (HF), very high frequency (VHF), and ultra-high frequency (UHF) for marine and land-based solutions.

It is also designing air defence radars for the Indian Army.

All this shows that the company is geared up to make the most of the current Make in India initiative.

Coming to its financials, in the last five years, the revenue has grown at a CAGR of 21.6%, driven by a strong order book. The net profit also grew by a CAGR of 23.1%.

Going forward, the companys established relationships with its customers and strong order book will drive its growth in the medium term.

#4 MTAR Technologies

Last on the list is MTAR Technologies.

Established in 1970, it is a manufacturing company that has precision engineering capabilities to build nuclear and pressurised water reactors, aerospace engines, and many other critical components and assemblies.

Its product portfolio includes fuel machining heads, drive mechanisms, water-lubricated bearings, liquid propulsion rocket engines, cryogenic engines, and high-precision sheet metal.

Its products find use in nuclear, space, defence, and aerospace industries. Some of the companys clients include ISRO, Rafael, Elbit, DRDO, BHEL, Bharat Dynamics, and Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research.

MTAR contributed to several notable missions in India. In Indias recent Chandrayaan-3 mission, the company supplied core parts of the rocket engines and core pumps of cryogenic engines required for the take-off.

Its products were also used in India's Aditya L1 mission, and it is also supplying grid fin for the Gaganyaan mission.

In August 2023, the company received the much-awaited 'Defence Industrial Licence' for the production of various mechanical and electronic subsystems in the defence sector.

This will help the company fasten its own defence product line and bid for major defence projects in the country.

MTAR Technologies has huge capex plans. It is planning to set up manufacturing units in Europe and the US. This will take the total manufacturing facility count from seven to nine.

In the last five years, the companys revenue has grown at a CAGR of 26.1%, driven by strong growth across all segments. The net profit also grew at a CAGR of 21.4%.

As of June 2023, the company's order book stood at 10.8 bn, of which 500 m worth of orders were received in the first quarter itself. Further, it is expecting orders worth 12 bn during the year.

The company expects revenue to grow between 45-50% for FY24, with strong revenue growth expected over the coming three quarters.

Should you invest in companies supplying to defence?

The next ten years are considered a golden period for the defence sector.

With nations across the world increasing their defence spending, the government has increased defence spending to increase defence manufacturing and boost defence exports in the country.

All this means the defence sector is poised for growth, which implies that the companies that supply to the defence sector will also enjoy a slice of this growth.

However, it is important that you do your due diligence before investing in these companies. Remember to treat these companies with the same caution as you do with other companies.

Happy investing!

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such.

This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com
Abbott Laboratories' Indian unit has warned of potential supply shortages of two popular laxative syrups after production was prohibited in India's Goa state, where drug inspectors have found lapses at a company factory, a letter shows.

Goa, where Abbott has one of its two India plants, asked the company to halt production of Cremaffin and Duphalac syrups last month. The request followed the recall of another Abbott drug which triggered factory inspections by health officials who found contamination risks and sanitisation issues.

The two laxative brands together have estimated annual sales of $70 million in India, healthcare data firm Pharmarack says.

In a letter to Goa's Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration dated Sept. 18, which is not public and has not previously been reported on, Abbott pushed state regulators to allow it to restart manufacturing the two medicines.

"The two products have a high consumption rate and are highly prescribed," Abbott said in the letter seen by Reuters. "We are likely to face a supply shortage of these two products," it warned.

Cremaffin, Abbott argued, is a "necessity to support hospitalised patients" while Duphalac is prescribed in serious disorders caused by liver failure.

Abbott in India and the Goa FDA spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

India is a major market for Abbott. Its currently regulatory challenges in the country began in August with the recall of thousands of bottles of its popular Digene Gel antacid syrup following complaints about its taste and odour.

Abbott has since halted production of Digene but says there is no impact on patient health.

Drug inspectors who visited the Goa facility following the recall flagged issues such as water stagnation in tanks and pipes, saying it could lead to contamination and microbial growth.

They asked the company to fix the problems and the FDA warned it could revoke the manufacturing licence for Digene syrup, Reuters reported earlier this month.

In its latest letter, Abbott told Goa authorities it had taken corrective steps, segregating the manufacturing lines of different drugs and changing its cleaning protocols.

"We are committed to invest and upgrade the manufacturing site," it said, asking that no action on the licence be taken.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the 2023 International Lawyers' Conference at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

Speaking on occasion, PM Modi said, Language and simplicity of law is another area of the justice delivery system which isn't talked about much. Earlier, any law's drafting was very complex. We are trying to find solutions to this. We have taken the first step to simplify Data protection law."

The inaugural ceremony saw the presence of important dignitaries, including Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.

Modi further said, I congratulate the Supreme Court of Bharat for providing operative parts of the judgements in the litigant's language."

Modi further informed that the government is making sincere attempts to draft laws in simple language, Indian languages as much as possible.

"We in the Indian government are thinking that law should be produced in two ways. One draft will be in the language you are used to," he said to the audience drawn from the legal field. "The second draft will be in a language which the country's common man can understand. He should consider the law his own."

Modi said there had been a practice of drafting laws in a complex manner.

Lauding the legal fraternity, he said, "The judiciary and the Bar have long been protectors of India's justice system and noted that they played a pivotal in India's independence. The likes of Mahatma Gandhi, B R Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel were lawyers", the prime minister said.

The conference, he said, is happening at a time when India has witnessed several historic moments.

Referring to the passage of the women's reservation bill in Parliament, he said this will give new direction and energy to women-led development. He also spoke of the G20 Summit and the successful Chandrayaan mission.

With India working hard to achieve the goal of becoming a developed country by 2047, it requires the base of a strong and impartial justice system, he said. Impartial justice has a big role in the growing faith of the world in India", Modi added.

Meanwhile, CJI Chandrachud said that it is not utopian to aspire to a world where nations, institutions, and most importantly individuals are open to engaging with one another.

"Each one of us has volumes to learn from different jurisdictions, perspectives, and most importantly each other. Over the next two days, we will witness some of the best minds including judges from across the globe, my own colleagues from the Supreme Court and several High Courts, global practitioners, and legal scholars," the CJI said in his address.

During his speech, Union Minister for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, emphasized the Indian legal framework that promotes a favourable environment for business operations.

The International Lawyer's Conference 2023, hosted by the Bar Council of India, centers around the theme 'Emerging Challenges in Justice Delivery System' and is scheduled for September 23 and 24. The primary goal of this conference is to provide a platform for substantive conversations and deliberations on a wide range of legal subjects with both national and international significance. It seeks to encourage the exchange of thoughts and experiences, as well as to enhance international collaboration and comprehension of legal matters.

This inaugural conference, a first-of-its-kind in India, will delve into various subjects including newly emerging legal trends, issues related to cross-border litigation, the impact of legal technology, and environmental law.

The event will feature the presence and active engagement of esteemed judges, legal experts, and prominent figures from the global legal community.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
Amid growing tension between India and Canada over allegation of alleged involvement in the June killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia's Surrey , a news media report has shown that youngsters from Punjab invest a whopping 68,000 crore for education in just Canada itself.

While the firestorm between Ottawa and New Delhi emerged owing to contradicting approach to extremists of a particular religion, it seems followers of the same have contributed to the large influx of immigrant student pool in the North American country.

Earlier reports had suggested that Canada remains the top choice among Punjabi youngsters due to its flexible education policy, work opportunities, easier post-graduation immigration possibilities. Mint had earlier reported that Punjab had witnessed a four times rise in foreign enrolment for higher studies among students from Punjab, among them Canada being the most preferred location.

Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels :rocket: Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights! Click here

According to the Khalsa Vox, in the year 2022, a total 226,450 visas were approved by Canada under the Immigration, refugee and citizenship Canada (IRCC), and a significant portion, approximately 1.36 lakh students, hailed from Punjab. These students are pursuing various courses with an average duration of two to three years.

The current data from student visa processing agencies suggest that around 3.4 lakh Punjabi students are currently studying in various educational institutions across Canada.

The Khalsa Vox publication reported that the surge of Punjabi students on Canadian campuses is a noteworthy trend, with nearly 60 per cent of all Indian students moving to Canada being of Punjabi origin.

Approximately 1.36 lakh Punjabi students made the journey to Canada last year, with each student paying an average annual fee of amount 17,000 Canadian dollars as stated by the Chairman of the Association of Consultants for Overseas Studies, Kamal Bhumla.

Notably, the gargantuan influx of students from Punjab to Canada has also seen a growing corruption, wherein agencies promising a seat in esteemed institutions of Canada. The Canadian authorities had found that several students had been living in Canada on Student visa, but their admission papers were fake.

The matter came to light in March when these students, after finishing their studies, applied for permanent residency in Canada and the Canadian Border Security Agency (CBSA) found their documents fake.

A whopping 700 students faced deportation when the scam by the agencies came to limelight. However, the Canadian authorities temporarily stalled the deportation orders.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said Friday that conflict, displacement, climate-related shocks and persistent disease outbreaks continue to be the major drivers of need in Ethiopia.

The UNFPA said in its humanitarian response situation report issued Friday evening that malnutrition remains a public health problem in various regions of the East African country plagued by food insecurity, inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene services, and disease outbreaks.

According to the Humanitarian Response Plan 2023 for Ethiopia, over 20 million people are estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance, including 4.5 internally displaced persons (IDPs).

UNFPA said cholera cases continue to rise and spread with outbreaks reported in many Ethiopian regions.

It said climate-related events caused by heavy rainfall and floods have resulted in new displacements in the Oromia region while water shortage due to drought continues to impact the Somali region.

It said climate-related shocks, particularly associated with Ethiopia's ongoing main rainy season, have brought torrential rain and flooding impacting several parts of the Oromia region, and some one million people face water shortage due to drought in over 323 locations across the Somali region.

The UNFPA further said since the onset of the crisis in Sudan, the influx of people to Ethiopia mainly through Metema and Kurmuk in the Amhara and Benishangul regions, respectively, has exceeded 80,000 people.

In Amhara, a region already grappling with widespread cholera outbreak, at least 225 cases and seven cholera related deaths were confirmed at the Kumer site, which hosts close to 10,000 refugees and asylum seekers who fled the crisis in Sudan.

It warned that protection risks are reported to be high for women and girls due to the lack of food, water and proper sheltering options. 
The ongoing dispute between Ottawa and New Delhi concerning the killing of Khalistani terrorist could have negative repercussions for Ottawa in terms of trade and its inclusion in Indo-Pacific institutions, according to an expert.

As reported by PTI, India's standing as a democratic nation committed to adhering to a rules-based global order could face damage in light of a recent diplomatic dispute. This disagreement flared up between India and Canada when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made accusations of potential Indian involvement in the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and Khalistani terrorist, which occurred in British Columbia on June 18.

India has dismissed the accusations as "absurd" and "motivated." In response to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official related to the case, India has reciprocated by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat.

Also Read: Billions at stake: India-Canada economic ties have been flourishing; then, Justin Trudeau accused New Delhi of murder

In a blog posted by the Wilson Institute on Friday, Canada Institute Associate Xavier Delgado said, "Trade will likely be the first major casualty of the fallout, with negotiations for the EPTA (Early Progress Trade Agreement) being put on hold."

"Both countries declared that they would pause trade talks with each other earlier this month and Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng has indefinitely postponed a trade mission to New Delhi that had been planned for October," he wrote.

The negotiations were a notable part of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, which listed the EPTA as a critical step towards a larger comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) that would bolster trade ties between the two countries, he said.

Also Read: India-Canada News Highlights: India desists issuing new visas for Canadians

The halted trade negotiations have created tension in a bilateral trade partnership worth $17 billion. From 2012 to 2022, Canada's merchandise trade with India witnessed substantial growth, with Canadian energy products exports and Indian consumer goods imports seeing significant increases. Delgado reported these developments, as reported by PTI.

"A reduction in the flow of Indian immigrants, which constitute almost one in five of all recent immigrants to Canada, could be even more devastating than a deterioration of trade relations," he said.

Canada has recently achieved a population milestone of 40 million people due to a surge in inbound migration following the COVID-19 pandemic. The country's rapid population growth, the most rapid among G7 nations, is primarily propelled by immigration.

"A chilling of relations with India could hinder Canada's ability to join the network of Indo-Pacific institutions, both because regional allies will be wary of angering the Modi government and because India itself could block Canadian membership in certain groups. Ottawa is clearly aware of India's influence and power in the region," Delgado said.

Also Read: India-Canada row: Hardeep Singh Nijjar 'faked' marriage to get Canada citizenship in 1997, says report

However, Canada is not the only party that stands to lose from this dispute, he said.

"The allegations can damage India's public image as a democratic nation committed to a rules-based order or, more critically, its perception as a trustworthy ally in the competition against China.

"Canada's Five Eyes partners could re-evaluate intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation with India if Canadian officials uncover definitive proof of India's involvement in Nijjar's murder," he said.

Although Canada has not presented any public evidence to support its assertions, a report from the media, citing sources within the Canadian government, stated that Ottawa's claims rely on a combination of human intelligence, signals intelligence, and information provided by an ally within the Five Eyes intelligence network.

Also Read: What is 'Five Eyes Intelligence' that is backing probe in Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder

The Five Eyes network is an intelligence alliance comprised of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Prime Minister Trudeau on Thursday said Canada is not looking to "provoke or cause problems" with India as he urged New Delhi to take the matter "extremely seriously" and work with Ottawa to "uncover the truth".

India-Canada relations have faced growing tension over the past few months due to the heightened presence of pro-Khalistani groups in North America. India perceives that the Trudeau administration is not adequately addressing its legitimate concerns in this matter.

(With inputs from PTI)

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
Ottawa is yet to provide credible evidence that India was behind the killing of Khalistan Tiger Force terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, but Canadian intelligence continues to push the narrative of him being the innocent and religious-minded head of Guru Nanak Gurudwara in Surrey, Canada .

A dossier put together by Indian intelligence agencies claims that he became the head of the Sikh temple by threatening his own cousin and the temples former president Raghbir Singh Nijjar.

Nijjar, the dossier adds, was an old associate of Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) terrorist Gurdeep Singh aka Deepa Heranwala, who was involved in over 200 killings in Punjab in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was initiated into crime by another gang lord, Gurnek Singh aka Neka.

Nijjar escaped to Canada on a forged passport in the name of Ravi Sharma" in 1996 and kept a low profile as a truck driver and a plumber, the dossier adds. He came in touch with Pakistan-based KTF chief Jagtar Singh Tara and visited Pakistan under the cover of being a Baisakhi jatha member in April 2012, it says. He was radicalised by Tara and cultivated by the Pakistan spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), with the former imparting him arms and explosives training in 2012 and 2013. The dossier even claims that in 2013, Tara sent the US-based Harjot Singh Birring to Canada to train Nijjar in using a handheld GPS device. In 2015, after the deportation of Jagtar Singh Tara to India from Thailand, Nijjar assumed the role of operations chief of KTF.

Track all the India-Canada row LIVE updates here

By then, there was already an Interpol Red Corner notice against him, according to the dossier. This was issued in November 2014, but he was then granted citizenship despite his request for political asylum being rejected twice by the Canadian immigration authorities.

After assuming charge of KTF in Canada, Nijjar was actively involved in spotting, networking, training, funding, and operationalizing KTF module members according to the dossier, which lists his activities.

 In 2014, according to the dossier, Nijjar provided funds to another Canada-based Sikh radical, Surjit Singh Kohli, who in turn gave money to former Babbar Khalsa International terrorist Parminder Singh aka Kala to purchase a weapon to kill Baba Piara Singh Bhaniarawala, a socio-religious head in Ropar, and Shiv Sena leader Sanjeev Ghanouli, claiming that both were anti-Panthic.

 In December 2015, Nijjar organised an arms training camp in Mission Hills, British Columbia, Canada, to impart training on the use of AK-47 assault rifles, sniper rifles, and pistols to Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal. In January 2016, he sent Dhaliwal to Punjab to kill Shiv Sena leaders and create a communal situation in the state but the terrorist was picked up by Punjab Police in June of the same year.

 Nijjar along with gangster-turned-terrorist Arshdeep Singh Dala trained a module of four KTF members, the dossier said, and this carried out the targeted killings and abductions in 2020 and 2021. Three of the module members were arrested and they revealed the names of both Nijjar and Dala, the dossier said.

 In September 2021, on directions from Nijjar and Dala, three KTF membersKanwarpal Singh, Kulwinder Singh and Kamalpreet Singh  from Moga were part of a plot to assassinate SSP Moga Harmanbir Singh Gill and two inspectors of the criminal investigating agency in Moga district.

 On February 19, 2022, the dossier said, Haryana Police arrested three members of a gang involved in contract killings in Punjab on directions of KTF and International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF)

The dossier points out that Nijjar was designated as a terrorist by the Home Ministry on July 1, 2020, and the National Investigation Agency announced a cash award of 10 lakh on him on July 22, 2022, the KTF chief operated with impunity in Canada.

Indias effort was to get Ottawa to act against him, people familiar with the matter said. Nijjar had 10 FIRs against him in India, and New Delhi wanted to proceed against him in those cases.

(Disclaimer: This story has been taken from LiveMint's sister publication, Hindustan Times.)

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri has triggered a massive controversy after making a derogatory remarks against BSP MP Danish Ali during a discussion on Chandrayaan-3 mission's success. The video of Bidhuri's controversial references to the Danish Ali have gone viral on social media. Speaker Birla has cautioned him and warned of strict action if such an offence is repeated, however, opposition parties have been demanding strict action against him, including suspension from the House.

Meanwhile, BJP president JP Nadda has a issued show cause notice to their party MP Ramesh Bidhuri for use of objectionable words against BSP's Danish Ali in Parliament, according to PTI report. The said remarks were expunged from Parliamentary records and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh immediately expressed regret for Bidhuri's behaviour in the House.

This is not the first time, Bidhuri has made such remarks. There have been previous other occasions when he have passed offensive remarks at members of political parties.

1. In a recent incident, Last month, Bidhuri called Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Bona meaning dwarf. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, Well said Dwarf Duryodhan. Due to just 3 days of rain in Delhi, all the roads of Delhi were converted into lakes. Crores of scams in the name of making rooms in schools, the so-called World Class Mohalla Clinic is a den of animals and alcoholics."

2. In May 2019, a show cause notice was issued to Ramesh Bidhuri after he abused Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal during a public meeting in South Delhi's Mehruali area. The notice was issued after Raghav Chadha lodged a complaint against him.

3. Prior to that, in 2017, he had passed remark on former Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Mayawati during a public rally in Mathura. While speaking at an election rally, he had said, Italy mein aise sanskar hote honge ke shadi ke 5-7 mahine baad pota ya poti bhi aa jaye, Bhartiya sanskriti mein nahi (a grandchild may be born within 5-6 months in Italy but in Indian culture), as quoted by Times of India. Further adding, he had said, "Aise sanskar Congress me ya Mayawati ji ke ghar me hote honge... Bhartiya sanskriti me aise sanskar nahi hai" (This kind of culture would either be in Mayawati's home or Congress family but it's not there in the Indian culture), as quoted by TOI.

4. As per media reports, in 2015, five women MPs including Ranjeet Ranjan (Congress), Sushmita Dev (former Congress and now part of TMC), Supriya Sule (NCP), Arpita Ghosh (TMC), PK Sreemathi Teacher (CPI(M)) had lodged a complaint had accused Bidhuri of using abusive and sexist remarks against them in the Lok Sabha. Bidhuri, however, had rejected all the allegations.

5. According to media reports, another incident happened last year in 2022, when a parent went to him to ask for his assistance with a school-related issue, Bidhuri allegedly told them, "Why do you give birth to a child in the first place?"

Meanwhile, Ramesh Bidhuri is a BJP MP from South Delhi and has been associated with the RSS since childhood. During his college years, he was also a member of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the RSS's student outfit. He has been elected to Parliament in 2014 and 2019 from the South Delhi constituency. Speaking of his educational background, media reports state that he had done his graduation in Commerce from Delhi University and also pursed his LLB from Chaudhary Charan Singh University in Meerut. In 1993 and 1998, contested in Delhi assembly polls from Tughlakabad seat, however, he lost both the time. However, he later won in 2003 and 2008 from the same seat. Later, in 2009 Lok Sabha polls, he contested from South Delhi, however, he lost after winning in 2014 and 2019.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday informed that the internet services will be open to the public from today.

While mobile internet services, the primary means of internet access for most individuals, have remained prohibited for the past four and a half months, broadband services were partially reinstated under specific conditions, as indicated by a government directive issued on July 25.

Earlier on Friday, the Manipur government asked the people of the state to surrender illegal weapons within 15 days or face comprehensive search operations by security forces, an official statement from the chief ministers office informed.

As per a report by ANI, in the statement, the Manipur government said that the State Government is willing to take a considerate view for the persons submitting such illegal weapons within these 15 (fifteen) days.

At the end of the 15 (fifteen) days, Security Forces, both of the Centre and the State will undertake a strong and comprehensive search operation all over the State to recover such weapons, and all persons associated with any illegal weapons will be dealt with severely, as per the law," it reads.

Also Read: Manipur: Situation in Imphal twin districts tense but normal. Top updates

It further said that there have been reports of extortion, threats and abduction by miscreants and groups using illegal weapons.

This is a serious matter and the State Government will take strong action against such miscreants/ groups in any part of the State," it said.

The government additionally urges the residents of the state to collaborate with both the Central and State Governments in the efforts to reestablish peace and return the state to normalcy.

On Friday, the Manipur government submitted a status report to the Supreme Court regarding the recovery of stolen or missing weapons and ammunition "from various origins" in the state, particularly in light of the ethnic violence.

Also Read: Manipur News: Five village defence volunteers arrested for possessing weapons, granted bail after protests

A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was informed by the Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta that the confidential status report has been filed on the issue and it is for the judges only. The bench agreed to accept the report confidentially as the issue regarding the weapons was extremely sensitive".

(With inputs from ANI)

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has seized properties of pro-Khalistan extremist outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The properties in Chandigarh, and Amritsar has been confiscated by the investigative agency couple of days after Pannun openly posted a hate video threatening Hindus to leave Canada.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) today confiscated the house and land of the self-styled General Counsel of the outlawed Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) outfit & Canada-based designated individual terrorist Gurpatwant Singh in Amritsar and Chandigarh. This is the first time that properties of an absconding accused of NIA, have been confiscated under section 33(5) of UA(P)A" an NIA notification read.

Earlier in the day NIA's Mohali court also ordered the confiscation of property of a house belonging to slain Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in BharsinghPura village of Jalandhar district.

The investigative agency's move comes even as the diplomatic tension between India and Canada regarding the Khalistani extremism refusing to die down. Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau has remained unfazed about his allegations of involvement of Indian intelligentsia in the killing of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil, while Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi is yet to make an official statement.

According to Hindustan Times report, A property confiscation notice pasted outside Pannun's residence at sector 15 in Chandigarh read, 1/4th share of house no. #2033 Sector 15-C, Chandigarh, owned by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a 'proclaimed offender' in NIA case RC- 19/2020/NIA/DLI, stands confiscated to the state under section 33(5) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 by orders of the NIA special court, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, Dated 14/09/2023. This is for information of general public."

A similar notice was put up on the agricultural land belonging to Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in his ancestral village Khankot in Amritsar.

The central probe agency has confiscated 46 kanal of agricultural land belonging to Pannu in the village in relation to a terror case registered in 2020, the HT report noted.

The video of Pannun surfaced days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's explosive allegations on September 18 of the potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, on Canadian soil on June 18 in British Columbia.

India angrily rejected Trudeaus allegations as absurd" and motivated."

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is one of the founders of the US-based separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and actively lobbies for a separate state for Sikhs, which they call Khalistan, in the US, Canada and the UK.

In July 2020, Pannun was designated a terrorist by the Union home ministry and two months later, the government ordered the attachment of his properties under Section 51A of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Pannun has been running a campaign against India and motivating Sikh youngsters in his home state Punjab to join militancy.

Notably, Pannun also worked closely with Canada-based slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whose murder has been at the centre of the diplomatic standoff between Ottawa and New Delhi.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is contemplating drastic anti-smoking policies that could effectively prevent the next generation from ever purchasing cigarettes, The Guardian reported citing confidential government sources. These measures are reportedly akin to those implemented by New Zealand in December 2022, which aim to incrementally raise the legal age for buying tobacco products.

Such drastic steps could permanently phase out cigarette sales for those born on or after January 1, 2009. In New Zealand, former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also took action to lower the nicotine content in tobacco and limit its sale to specialised stores.

Although Sunak's office has remained tight-lipped, it's understood that these anti-smoking measures are part of a wider consumer-centric policy initiative aimed at the upcoming elections, the publication added. LiveMint could not independently verify the report.

The UK Labour Party earlier signalled openness to similar proposals earlier in 2023. Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting expressed the party's intent to consult on gradually discontinuing cigarette sales for younger age groups, echoing New Zealand's approach.

Sunak, as per the publication, is also reconsidering levying a 10 ( 1,000) fine for those who miss medical appointments, a proposal initially announced during his summer 2022 campaign. However, the political feasibility of such an action remains uncertain.

Sunak has faced considerable challenges, including criticisms for backtracking on his party's net-zero emissions commitments. However, the anti-smoking policy seems to be a distinct strategy designed to address public health concerns.

Rumours are also swirling that the prime minister might revamp the education system, potentially overhauling A-levels in favour of a system resembling the international baccalaureate (IB), allowing students to study more subjects, The Guadian reported.

Meanwhile, Keir Starmer has accused Sunak of causing instability, stating the government's recent moves have exacerbated the country's economic woes. The leader of the Labour Party did not mince words, saying that Sunak's inconsistencies are impeding national renewal.

Read more about the development in The Guardian report.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
India has hit out at Pakistan after the country's caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar predictably raised the Kashmir topic in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

In its right to reply, the First Secretary at United Nations for the Second Committee of UNGA, Petal Gahlot said that Pakistan should vacate occupied areas of India and stop cross-border terrorism. She asked Pakistan to stop human rights violations against minorities in Pakistan, ANI reported. Petal Gahlot said, In order for there to be peace in South Asia, the actions that Pakistan needs to take are threefold first stop cross-border terrorism and shut down its infrastructure of terrorism immediately. Second, vacate Indian territories under its illegal and forcible occupation. And third stop the grave and persistent human rights violations against the minorities in Pakistan."

Indian diplomat reiterated that union territories of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh are integral parts of India and Pakistan has no "locus standi" to make statements regarding India's domestic matters.

"We reiterate that the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of India. Matters pertaining to the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are purely internal to India," Petal Gahlot said.

Also Read: Indus water row: India, Pakistan meet in Vienna to resolve dispute over hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir

"Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on our domestic matters. As a country with one of the world's worst human rights records, particularly when it comes to minority and women's rights, pakistan would do well to put its own house in order before venturing to point a finger at the world's largest democracy," she added.

Indian diplomat slammed Pakistan for making "baseless and malicious propaganda" against India at the United Nations General Assembly.

In her remarks, Gahlot said, "Pakistan has become a habitual offender when it comes to misusing this august forum to peddle baseless and malicious propaganda against India. Member States of the United Nations and other multilateral organizations are well aware that Pakistan does so to deflect the international community's attention away from its own abysmal record on human rights."

Also Read: Pakistan begging for funds while India has reached Moon: Nawaz Sharif

Calling Pakistan home to the largest number of internationally proscribed terrorist entities, Gahlot urged Pakistan to take "credible and verifiable action" against perpetrators of the 2011 Mumbai terror attack.

"Pakistan has been the home and patron to the largest number of internationally proscribed terrorist entities and individuals in the world. Instead of engaging in technical sophistry, we call upon Pakistan to take credible and verifiable action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks whose victims await justice even after 15 years," Petal Gahlot said.

Petal Gahlot addresses systemic violence against minorities in Pakistan, focusing on Christians and Ahmadiyya communities, citing the Jaranwala incident involving the burning of Churches and Christian homes.

"A glaring example of the systemic violence against minorities in Pakistan was the large-scale brutality perpetrated against the minority Christian community in Jaranwala in Pakistan's Faisalabad district in August 2023 where a total of 19 churches were gutted and 89 Christian houses were burnt down," the Indian diplomat said. She further said, "Similar treatment has been meted out to the Ahmadiyya whose places of worship have been demolished. The condition of women belonging to minority communities in Pakistan notably Hindus, Sikhs and Christians, remains deplorable."

Also Read: Anantnag encounter: Asaduddin Owaisi hits out at govt, says 'And we are playing cricket' vs Pakistan

She cited a report from Pakistan's Human Rights Commission, which disclosed that 1,000 women from minority groups had experienced abductions followed by coerced conversions and marriages.

"According to a recent report published by Pakistan's own Human Rights Commission, an estimated 1,000 women from minority communities are subjected to abduction and forced conversion and marriage in Pakistan every year," Petal Gahlot said.

Pakistan caretaker PM Kakar's remarks came during his address to the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York today. He said, "Pakistan desires peaceful and productive relations with all our neighbours including India," and added that "Kashmir is the key to peace between Pakistan and India."

India has repeatedly raised its concern over Pakistan's support of cross-border terrorism and has asserted that terror and talks cannot go together. India has also provided evidence at various international forums of Pakistan's support for Terrorist groups. Pakistans caretaker PM however harped on what he called the illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.

(With inputs from ANI)

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
The Kingdom was Saudi Arabia was established in the year 1932 with Arabic as its national language and Quran as its constitution, reported The National News.

Todays Doodle celebrates Saudi Arabias National Day. On this day in 1932, the nations of Najd and Hijaz united to officially become the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." the search giant wrote in a blog post.

According to the website of Saudi Arabia's Foreign Office, Saudi Arabia Nationa Day is celebrated on September 23 each year to commemorate the unification of the kingdom by the founder King Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud in 1932.

It further notes that the national emblem of the country, two crossing swards and a datepalm between them, was chosen during the reign of the first ruler.

Saudi National Day celebrations:

The capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, is home to the most popular celebrations in the country with airplanes soaring over the sky while people gather in the streets to wave the national flag. Moreover, buildings are draped in the green color of the Saudi National flag on this occasion.

Many people attend the traditional folk festivals while many others rush to take advantage of the deals across the malls in the country. Moreover, families come together to feast on traditional dishes like Kabsa (made with a combination of chicken, pine nuts, raisins and rice).

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
Amid the soaring relations between India and Canada, the latter's Prime Minister has reiterated that Indian agents were behind the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.

Trudeau made this explosive statement on Monday (18 September), flaring the relationship between the two countries. And, on Friday, Trudeau repeated his claim.

The Indian government has strongly rejected Canada's PM's statement by calling it "absurd". India designated Nijjar a terrorist in 2020. He was shot dead outside a gurudwara in British Columbia in June this year.

Here are 10 updates on this big story:

Canada PM Justin Trudeau said Canada has shared with India evidence of "credible allegations" about the involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar many weeks ago. He added, "What we are asking is for India, to commit constructively with Canada to establish the facts on this situation. We're there to work with them. And we have been for weeks now".

The US government said it expects the Indian government to work with Canada on efforts to investigate the possible involvement of New Delhi agents in Nijjar's death.

The Consulate General of India in Toronto has extended consular services for Indian nationals in Canada. The consulate services that have been extended include passport issuance, attestation, police clearance certificate, and passport renewal.

Congress party said that the fight against terrorism has to be uncompromising and called for "intensive diplomatic engagement" to resolve the "serious crisis" while ensuring the security of Indians in Canada.

India has suspended new visas for Canadians and asked Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence in the country.

Canada's allegations of India's involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Nijjar are based on both human and signals intelligence and inputs from an ally from Ottawas Five Eye intelligence network.

The based on both human and signal intelligence and inputs from an ally from Ottawas Five Eye intelligence network.

US President Joe Biden and other leaders expressed concern to PM Narendra Modi about Canadian claims that New Delhi was involved in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada when they met at the G20 this month.

Canadian tourists, business travelers, and even some former Indian citizens are rushing to change flights and inquire about their trip deposits after India abruptly suspended visa applications in the country amid an escalating diplomatic row.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada must stand up for the international rules-based order after accusing Indian agents of orchestrating the murder of a Canadian Sikh leader. But he acknowledged India is also a country of growing importance" that the West  including Canada  must continue to work with.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that US is "deeply concerned" about the allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the Indian government's involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar .

Tensions escalated between India-Canada relations after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18 this year.

Coming back to Blinken, he said that the US wants to see accountability and called it "important" that the investigation runs its course and leads to the result.

Addressing a press conference in New York, Blinken said that the US has engaged directly with the Indian government. He said that the US is consulting "very closely" with Canada and coordinating on the issue. He called it important that India works with Canadians on the investigation.

When asked about US' engagement on the row, "We are deeply concerned about the allegations that Prime Minister Trudeau has raised. We have been consulting throughout very closely with our Canadian colleagues, and not just consulting, coordinating with them on this issue," he said in the press conference as quoted by ANI.

"And from our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceed. And it would be important that India work with the Canadians on this investigation. We want to see accountability, and it's important that the investigation run its course and lead to that result," he added.

Blinken refused to give details regarding the diplomatic conversations that US had with both nations. He said that investigation must move forward and be completed.

Blinken said, "I'm not going to characterize or otherwise speak to diplomatic conversations that we've have. We've been engaged directly with the Indian government as well. And again, I think the most productive thing that can happen now is to see this investigation move forward, be completed. And we would hope that our Indian friends would cooperate with that investigation as well."

"More broadly, you've heard me speak to this. We are extremely vigilant about any instances of alleged transnational repression, something we take very, very seriously. And I think it's important more broadly for the international system that any country that might consider engaging in such acts not do so. So, it's something that we're also focused on in a much broader way," he added.

Meanwhile, the Canadian on Friday said that Ottawa had shared allegations regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar with India weeks ago. Addressing a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trudeau said, "In regards to India, Canada has shared the credible allegations that I talked about on Monday. With India, we did that many weeks ago. We are there to work constructively with India and we hope that they engage with us so that we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter."

Ministry of External Affairs in a press release said that Trudeau had made similar allegations to PM Modi and they were "completely rejected."

MEA in a press release said, We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of the Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated."

(With inputs from ANI)

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
"The Aral Sea is starting to be a global problem," a Uzbek expert said, adding that the path to solutions lies in technological cooperation.

TASHKENT/URUMQI, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Uzbek farmer Sherzod Donaev is counting the days until reaping a bumper harvest of some 5,000 kg per hectare from his cotton fields.

Three years ago, Donaev could not imagine such a good yield. By adopting a water-saving irrigation system, the annual yield nearly doubled, and inputs of labor, fertilizers, and water have all decreased significantly, he told Xinhua.

In 2020, Donaev became the first in his village to use the water-saving cotton cultivation technology under the guidance of experts from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG), Chinese Academy of Sciences.

For him, the technology not only increased his family income but also offered him an exciting prospect for a more beautiful homeland.

While Uzbekistan is famous for its cotton production, in the past several decades the livelihoods of Uzbek cotton farmers have been under severe threat from the ecological crisis of the Aral Sea.

Once the world's fourth-largest lake, the Aral Sea has shrunk remarkably since 1960 -- with its surface area dwindling from 67,000 square km in 1960 to just 6,000 in 2020.

Abandoned ships run aground in the Aral Sea, once the world's fourth-largest lake, in Uzbekistan, Sept. 29, 2021. (Photo by Zafar Khalilov/Xinhua)

The exposed lake bed has been a main source of salt as well as dust storms, said Chen Xi, director of the Research Center for Ecology and Environment of Central Asia, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

After nearly five years of cooperation, Chinese and Uzbek scientists found out that increased evaporation caused by rising temperatures is a key factor in the Aral Sea crisis. They then proposed the adoption of a water-saving technology as a solution to restore the lake.

Chen said that saving water is a crucial step toward ecological sustainability for Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and the surrounding area, such as China and Eastern Europe. "We are interconnected with each other and share the only Tianshan Mountains," he said.

"We calculated that widespread adoption of the technology in Uzbekistan's main cotton-producing regions is expected to save 8-10 billion cubic meters of water annually, effectively maintaining the Aral Sea's surface area and reducing salt and dust storms," he said.

In northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the expertise in water-saving technology, such as mulching drip irrigation, has been well established in agricultural activities for many years.

Cotton farmer Gong Lunquan checks the growth of cotton in a cotton field near Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhou Shengbin)

In a cotton field near Urumqi, cotton farmer Gong Lunquan showed an irrigation station to Xinhua. He explained that drip irrigation saves at least 500 cubic meters of water per mu (667 square meters) annually, and yet brings about a significant increase in yield.

The basin irrigation used in the past could result in uneven watering, where you saw floods in low places and drought in high ones, but the drip irrigation has perfectly solved that problem, Gong said.

Over the years, research institutes in China and Uzbekistan have set up several demonstration zones for water-saving fields, and Donaev's cotton fields are among these zones.

This aerial photo taken on Sept. 14, 2023 shows cotton fields near Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhou Shengbin)

Shamshodbek Akmalov, associate professor at the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers, National Research University, has long collaborated with Chinese scientists in seeking solutions to the Aral Sea crisis.

"The Aral Sea is starting to be a global problem. I am sure, and I saw many times when visiting China, that there are sciences with high potential," he said in a recent interview, adding that the path to solutions lies in technological cooperation.

Liu Tie, a researcher at the XIEG, told Xinhua that the technology applied in Uzbekistan is not merely a duplicate of Chinese practices but also a solution tailored to local needs, crafted through a series of experiments and adaptations.

Liu has devoted years to the ecological research in Central Asia and has witnessed growing acceptance of and trust in scientific cooperation among local people.

"For our shared homeland, any amount of effort is worth it," he said. 
President Joe Biden plans to visit Michigan on Tuesday in a show of solidarity with the United Auto Workers who are on strike against Detroit automakers. As reported by Reuters , this move places him at the heart of the conflict that has created tension between his labour supporters and prominent car manufacturers.

As a Democrat, President Joe Biden considers himself a strong advocate for labor unions. His upcoming visit to Michigan, which coincides with former President Donald Trump's visit to the state the following day, will emphasize his backing for the rights of union workers to strike and engage in collective bargaining.

"Tuesday, I'll go to Michigan to join the picket line and stand in solidarity with the men and women of UAW as they fight for a fair share of the value they helped create," Biden said on Friday in a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. "It's time for a win-win agreement that keeps American auto manufacturing thriving with well-paid UAW jobs." Biden is running for re-election in 2024 and will likely face Trump, who is the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination.

Also Read: Joe Biden raised Khalistani terrorist murder with PM Modi during G20; White House says 'no exemption for such act'

A spokesperson for Trump's campaign said Biden's trip to Michigan was "a cheap photo op." "The only reason Biden is going to Michigan on Tuesday is because President Trump announced he is going on Wednesday," the Trump campaign said in a statement late on Friday.

On Friday, the United Auto Workers (UAW) extended an invitation to President Biden to visit their striking workers on picket lines. Additionally, they announced their intention to widen the scope of their strike from Detroit to encompass parts distribution centers nationwide for General Motors and Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler. Meanwhile, Stellantis reported significant advancements in their negotiations with Ford Motor.

"It's very rare for a president to visit strikers," said Jeremi Suri, a historian and presidential scholar at the University of Texas at Austin. He added that even pro-labor Democratic President Jimmy Carter never visited a picket line. This would be a major, major shift for Biden to identify the presidency with striking workers, rather than siding with industry or staying above the fray," Reuters reported.

Also Read: US President Joe Biden invited as chief guest for Republic Day celebrations by PM Narendra Modi, says US Envoy to India

While numerous labour unions have already given their endorsement for Biden's re-election, the United Auto Workers (UAW) has not yet provided its endorsement at this time. Biden has expressed the view that automakers should take additional steps to guarantee that their remarkable corporate profits translate into significant contracts for the UAW. This aligns with the sentiments expressed by union leaders.

The Detroit Three automakers and the UAW both have significant interests tied to federal policy decisions. Automakers are relying on substantial subsidies from Washington to support their production of electric vehicles. They are also engaged in negotiations with the Biden administration regarding forthcoming emissions regulations that mandate a rapid and costly transition to electric vehicles, a move the industry finds challenging.

On the other hand, the union is apprehensive about the shift to electric vehicles potentially leading to job losses due to the reduced need for parts in their production.

Donald Trump intends to visit Detroit to address a rally that is being promoted as an event for auto workers. His aim is to regain the support of blue-collar voters who shifted their allegiance to Biden in the 2020 election. Trump has urged union members to disregard the guidance of their union leaders.

Also Read: Biden government to deliver free COVID tests to US households and invest $600 million in domestic manufacturers

Trump has not said if he will visit the picket lines. United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain blasted Trump earlier in the week, saying the union was "fighting the billionaire class and an economy that enriches people like Donald Trump at the expense of workers." The last US president to show such support for striking workers was probably Theodore Roosevelt, Suri said. In 1902, Roosevelt invited striking coal workers to the White House with government officials and management, concerned that the country faced a coal shortage, Reuters reported.

Ahead of the precedent-shattering meeting, Roosevelt, like Biden, found himself with little leverage to negotiate. "There is literally nothing ... the national government has any power to do," Roosevelt complained to U.S. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, according to a recounting of the strike on the Department of Labor website. "I am at wit's end how to proceed."

As reported by Reuters, workers on the picket lines had mixed feelings over whether Biden should visit. Some said politicians should stay out of the fray, while others said they would welcome the support if the strike continued.

"Me personally, I wouldn't mind if Biden stepped up and showed some support," said Laura Zielinski, 55, of Toledo, Ohio, on Tuesday, noting Biden's visit to the Stellantis Toledo assembly plant in 2010 while he served as vice president.

"Support like that would put a spotlight on the talks - kind of give a nudge to the companies." Thomas Morris, 60, who was on a picket line in the Philadelphia suburbs, said he appreciated Biden's support of unions and calls for corporations to pass along record profits to workers and consumers. He would love to see Biden join. "It would bring a lot of publicity and help the fight," Morris said.

(With inputs from Reuters

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
Congress veteran leader and former defense minister of India AK Anthony's son Anil Anthony had joined Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) on 6 April, 2023, months after quitting Congress. The move had rollerbladed after Anil Anthony had put forth a tweet criticising the controversial BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Now, almost six months after the debacle, AK Anthony's wife has expressed displeasure in certain decisions taken by Congress. In a video that has been posted on social media site YouTube, Congress leader AK Antony's wife, Elizabeth, had expressed vehement displeasure with Congress' form of functioning.

In the video published on the YouTube channel of a Christian meditation centre, Elizabeth can be heard saying, Anil's greatest aspiration was to enter politics. However, his dream faced a significant obstacle when the Congress passed a resolution against dynasty politics during the Chintan Shivir.".

"This meant that my son, now 39 years old, had to consider his future carefully. One day, he called me and informed me that the PMO had contacted him, inviting him to join the BJP. While we have deep-rooted beliefs in the INC, having dedicated our lives to the party, we found ourselves at a crossroads," Elizabeth added.

Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels :rocket: Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights! Click here!

Anil Antony had reportedly told his mother that he would get good opportunities if he joined the BJP.

Anil Anthony got the new opportunity in politics because of the intercessory prayers, his mother said in the video. Switching from the Congress to the BJP invited some troubles inside the family too. Those were also resolved by the prayers, she said.

On her political ideology, she said she had contempt for the BJP but prayers changed it and she safeguarded her son's decision even from his father. AK Antony came to know about the development only through television channels. As of now, there is no rift between the father and the son but AK Antony asked Anil to not discuss politics in the house.

Anil Antony had joined the BJP and slammed a section of the Congress leadership for "serving the interests of a single family" instead of working for the country. In the Congress, Anil was heading the digital media cell of Kerala.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
All India Congress Committee chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) invited actresses to the New parliament Building, but missed out on calling President of India Droupadi Murmu, touting the act as an insult to the first citizen of India. Kharge took the jibe at the saffron party at a gathering in poll bound Rajasthan.

"This is an insult to the president," Kharge said.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was referring to the incident where Thank You For Coming movie actors Shehnaaz Gill, Bhumi Pednekar, Shibani Bedi, Dolly Singh visit the new Parliament with union minister Anurag Thakur.

Kharge further accused the BJP of practicing casteism, Then President Ram Nath Kovind not invited to foundation laying of new Parliament building as he is 'untouchable'".

"If the foundation laying was done by an untouchable, then naturally it would have to be washed with Ganga water," he said, referring to the former president's caste.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also joined in on the allegations of casteism and advocated conducting a caste census and asked why was Prime Minister Narendra Modi afraid" of it.

Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels :rocket: Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights! Click here

During his speech, Kharge also alleged misuse of central probe agencies by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP. Kharge alleged Prime Minister Modi pitches four candidates against the Congress - one each of BJP, Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax Department and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Mallikarjun Kharge said, Each Congress candidate has to fight 4 pitched by PM Modi - 1 of BJP, ED, I-T, CBI".

The Congress President also questioned the Narendra Modi government's intention behind bringing the women's reservation bill, saying the BJP does not want to give reservation to women.

He said the BJP thought of the women's reservation bill just ahead of elections as several opposition parties have formed the INDIA bloc.

"When Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and I together came up with the idea of INDIA, the women's bill came to their mind," he said.

Rahul Gandhi also said, "Prime minister, please tell India in your next speech that the Congress had conducted the caste census. You have the figures. Show it to the people of India. And you should conduct the next census on the basis of caste. Do not insult the OBCs. Do not cheat the OBCs," Gandhi said.

He said, "As soon as I started raising the issue of caste census in Parliament, BJP MPs tried to suppress my voice."

Gandhi said there is a fight of ideology going on between the BJP and the Congress in the country. If you ask BJP workers about the relationship between Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they will run away," the Congress leader told his party workers.

He said the BJP wants women's reservation to be implemented in 10 years, but we want it today and OBCs included in it".

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday laid the foundation stone of the new building of Pradesh Congress Committee in Jaipur and unveiled a plaque, party leader said.

The Congress office, a four-storey structure, will be built in the Mansarover area of the city, said PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
AAP leader Raghav Chadha's upcoming nuptials have become a bone of contention in political circles with allegations levelled against the Bhagwant Mann government. Punjab lawmakers including SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal have lashed out at the AAP over the lavish wedding preparations and the many resources currently at the couple's disposal.

Wedding of Arvind Kejriwal's blue eyed boy Raghav Chadhabut at his service is Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's hundreds of security men, bullet proof land cruisers etc! Waah! No wonder Punjab Governor is rightfully asking where Punjabs Rs. 50,000 crores worth of loans taken in last 18 months has been spent by AAP's Punjab government," tweeted MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal.

The AAP leader Raghav Chadha who shows an annual income of 2.44 lakh in his election affidavit, booked the Maharaja Suite, which costs 10 lakh per night, for his wedding," added BJP leader Virendraa Sachdeva.

He also shared screengrabs of the politician's finances and the relevant news reports to underscore his point.

Chadha is set to marry actor Parineeti Chopra in Udaipur on Sunday. The duo had gotten engaged at a small ceremony in mid-May with several leading politicians and actors in attendance.

The couple held their ardas ceremony in the national capital earlier this week, with visuals soon going viral on social media platforms. They had previously been spotted offering prayers at the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain and the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Senior AAP leaders including Mann and party chief Arvind Kejriwal arrived in Udaipur on Saturday afternoon ahead of the nuptials. The wedding rituals and functions are scheduled to take place over the weekend at the Leela Palace Hotel in Udaipur.

(With inputs from agencies)

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
India and Canada are embroiled in a battle of allegations that has sired a firestorm of diplomatic row between the two countries, over the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June at a Sikh holy shrine in British Columbia's Surrey, in June this year.

While Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has remained unfazed about his credible allegations made against India, accusing the latter of being involved in the June killing of the Khalistan terrorist, India has over and again refuted and binned such claims.

Nijjar's killing: Allies support for PM Trudeau

In an interview published by US media outlet New York Times, PM Trudeau cracked down on his allegations and said that Canada-based Nijjar's killing on Canadian soil is absolutely unacceptable.

When PM Trudeau was asked whether his allies have been supporting him in his allegations against India, he said, Every ally I have spoken to, bar none, has been unequivocal that this sort of violation of a countrys sovereignty and of the rule of law is absolutely unacceptable. I think people are quietly waiting to see how things unfold. But standing up for the rule of law isnt a momentary thing. Its a process that happens over weeks and months."

Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels :rocket: Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights! Click here!

Nijjar's killing: What PM Justin Trudeau wants?

In the interview published by New York Times, PM Trudeau has mentioned that the most fitting resolution to the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar would be, a number of people thrown in jail, convicted. A series of lessons learned and changes made to the way the Indian government and the intelligence services operate".

India-Canada row over Nijjar's killing

Prime Minister Trudeau addressing a press conference on Friday, had said, Canada has shared the credible allegations that I talked about on Monday with India. We did that many weeks ago...We hope that they engage with us so that we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter. That's important", amid spiraling deterioration of relationship between Modi and Trudeau.

Meanwhile, United States seems to be caught in quandry as experts suggest Joe Biden is likely to favour India, over Canada, is a situation arises, while others suggest that US would stand for the American bastion in this predicament.

India has over the years maintained that Canada, among other countries have deliberately remained silent on claims of Khalistan terrorism in their countries. The tension with Canada magnified and surfaced after PM Trudeau alleged there could be "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Nijjar on his country's soil on June 18 in British Columbia.

India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.

India angrily rejected the allegations as "absurd" and "motivated" and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

Notably, PM Trudeau's allegations came only days after he went back from Delhi, India, after attending the Group of 20 (G20) summit. The allegation about the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar also came after US President Joe Biden spent much of the past few months courting India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking to draw him closer to the American orbit, in a bid to woo in its geopolitical contests with Russia and China.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
BJP leaders took a fresh swipe at Rahul Gandhi on Saturday over NCP chief Sharad Pawar's meeting with Gautam Adani. The duo had come together in Gujarat's Vasna to inaugurate the country's first lactoferrin plant. According to reports the senior politician also visited the businessman's residence and office in Ahmedabad.

I just hope that Sharad Pawar ji wont be abused by likes of Alka Lamba again merely because nobody in INDI Alliance takes @RahulGandhi or his utterances seriously. This picture speaks a thousand words provided Rahul Gandhi is willing to listen," said BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla. He re-shared photos of the event that were posted by Pawar on X (nee Twitter) earlier in the day to underscore his point.

It was a privilege to inaugurate Indias first Lactoferrin Plant Exympower in Vasna, Chacharwadi, Gujarat along with Gautam Adani," Pawar had tweeted earlier on Saturday.

The development comes at a time when INDIA leaders  including Rahul Gandhi  have taken repeated potshots at the businessman and his dealings with the Indian government.

Pawar's closeness with Adani had previously come to the fore in April when the latter met the NCP chief at his Silver Oak residence in Mumbai. Pawar had also opposed the opposition's demand for a joint parliamentary committee to probe the charges against the Adani Group and said he would favour a Supreme Court-monitored committee.

"Nowadays names of Ambani-Adani are being taken (to criticise the government) but we need to think about their contribution to the country. I think other issues like unemployment, price rise, and farmers issues are more important," he had said in April.

(With inputs from agencies)

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
Launching a scathing attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya-Janata Party (BJP)-led union government, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin raised corruption allegations quoting the report by Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). Stalin said the BJP must be defeated comprehensively" in the 2024 elections.

He said that the CAG report claims there have been irregularities to the tune of 7.5 lakh crore adding neither the Prime Minister nor any Union Ministers have responded to this so far.

In the latest episode of his podcast series, Speaking for India, Stalin said, How many people! How many crores! Right from the Ayodhya project to the Ayush Bharat scheme, there have been irregularities to the tune of 7.5 lakh crore, claims the CAG report. So far neither the Prime Minister nor the union minister concerned have responded to this. They cannot respond either, That's the reason why Modi takes on different kinds of politics to misdirect the people."

In the 2024 elections, the BJP must be defeated comprehensively. All the people of India must unite as one voice to put an end to the BJP's communal, divisive, authoritarian, and corporate-driven politics," Stalin said.

The CAG report proves that we have been sharing factual insights based on real data. I ask Modi, who accuses INDIA of being an alliance of corrupt people; the CAG report exposes the corruption in your rule. Have you read what the report says? Did you discuss this in the special session? Did you even answer," Stalin said in his podcast.

Speaking on the UDAN scheme, Stalin said, The report gives an example of the UDAN scheme. They started this project with a huge bang. It was launched in 2016 with the idea that the poor could travel by air and that airports would be set up in tier-two cities as well. The union government has allocated 1,089 crore for the UDAN scheme. Out of the 774 routes that were planned, only 7% of the routes are operational and the other 93% routes are inactive".

Stalin alleged that PM Modi falsely projected himself to be a beacon of development before assuming office in 2014.

Before coming to power in 2014, Gujarat was falsely projected as a haven of prosperity as if it were flourishing all around and through such lies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi falsely projected himself to be the beacon of development," he said.

Has he made us a developed country? Can he list everything that India has achieved under his leadership in terms of development," he said.

The CM further alleged the BJP government utilising the pension funds for advertisements of the Centre.

The Chief Minister added, According to me, today's BJP government is made up of five Cs. Communalism, Corruption, Corporate Capitalism, Cheating and Character Assassination. This is a rule of five Cs. This would be the befitting description. The BJP has managed to hide it through propaganda and advertisements until now," he said.

Next, as we often say the BJP builds a false image through advertising. The funds allocated from 2017 to 2021 in various pension schemes of the Union government have been utilised for the advertisement of the Union government and it has been exposed that irregularities have been committed," the CM added.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
Kamal Haasan, the leader of the Makkal Needhi Maiam, expressed on Friday that Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, a member of the DMK party, is facing unwarranted scrutiny due to his comments about Sanatana Dharma.

As reported by PTI, during a party gathering in Coimbatore, Haasan indirectly referred to Udhayanidhi, the BJP, or other groups and stated that a "young individual" is currently under scrutiny for discussing Sanatana Dharma.

Also Read: Sanatan Dharma Remark Row: Supreme Court issues notice to Tamil Nadu govt, Udhayanidhi Stalin

Suggesting that the minister's statement about Sanatana Dharma is not groundbreaking, the actor insinuated that many leaders associated with the Dravidian movement, including Udhayanidhi's late grandfather and DMK stalwart M. Karunanidhi, have previously made similar comments.

Also Read: Let Sanatan Dharma fall, Dravidam win: Udhayanidhi Stalin's remark faces BJP's scorn, Congress distances from DMK

PTI noted that Haasan pointed out that the depth of reformist leader Periyar V. Ramasamy's indignation against societal problems becomes evident when one examines his life. He emphasized that individuals like himself have come to comprehend the term 'Sanatana' primarily because of Periyar's influence and teachings.

Though Periyar had been the administrator of a temple and had even performed puja while in Kashi, he gave up all that and dedicated his entire life in the service of people", Haasan said.

Also Read: Why Periyar would have led todays anti-nationals

Neither the ruling DMK nor any other party can claim that Periyar belongs only to them; the entire state of Tamil Nadu should celebrate him as their leader," he said, adding that he himself has been one among those who honour Periyar.

Speaking about the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, he said the BJP regime may attempt to even advance it according to their convenience.

Earlier on Friday, Supreme Court issued notices to the Tamil Nadu government and DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin over the comment on Sanatan Dharma.

The apex court released notices to the state government and Udhayanidhi Stalin on the latter's comments that Sanatan Dharma was against the idea of social justice and that it had to be eradicated.

As reported by ANI, the Supreme Court also issued notice to MP A Raja, MP Thirumavalavan, MP Su Venkatesan, Tamil Nadu DGP, Greater Chennai Police Commissioner, Union Home Ministry, Minister for Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Department PK Sekar Babu, Chairman of Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission Peter Alphonse and others.

(With inputs from PTI)

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
In December 2005, five groups of Wall Street investors flew in private jets to Portland, Maine, where they took waiting limousines to a warren of metal buildings that resembled a midsize lumberyard. They had come to Bushmaster Firearms in pursuit of a highly profitable product whose market was growing faster than any other in Americas stagnant gun industry. The product was the AR-15, and red-hot Bushmaster, the nations leading manufacturer of the rifle, had decided to auction itself to the highest bidder.

Bushmasters owner Dick Dyke had once feared that he could never sell the company because so many people had a negative view of the gun. A few years earlier, Dyke had been forced to resign his post as President George W. Bushs chief Maine fundraiser after the media found out he made AR-15s for a living. After that, his company was again pilloried when two snipers who terrorized the Washington, D.C. area used a Bushmaster in their attacks.

But by 2005, Dykes concerns had evaporated. Sales of the AR-15 were growing faster than any other rifle or shotgun. When Dyke let it be known that he might be interested in selling, potential private-equity buyers rushed up to Maine to see his operations and make a bid for the AR-15 maker. All of the sudden, they became an amazing thing," recalled John DeSantis, Bushmasters chief executive.

The reason Wall Street investors were drawn to the gun was not only current profits but the potential to make a lot more, given increasing market demand. Dykes firm was, in many respects, a classic American business success story: Product sells well, investors come in to expand production and marketing, and sales soar.

But this business success story, which led to a massive increase in AR-15 production and civilian ownership in subsequent years, would have profound consequences for the U.S., affecting how we vote, how we go to social events and how our children attend school. The arrival of private equity in the AR-15 market would turn a once-disdained product into one of the most controversial and well-known icons of Americas culture wars.

By the end of the 2000s, the AR-15 had become a badge of honor for millions of supporters of the Second Amendment. As mass shootings with the rifle increased, it also became a symbol for millions of Americans who saw it as the epitome of violent dysfunction in a gun-obsessed America.

Today, the guns image is everywherebumper stickers, pins, Internet memes, hats and shirts. Signs with the guns silhouette crossed out by a line are carried at massive gun-control rallies across the country. Gun-rights advocates wave flags at their rallies with the AR-15s image bearing the slogan Come and Take It." With more than 20 million of the rifles now in civilian hands, it has come to occupy the center of Americas bitter debate over firearms.

The AR-15 was created for the U.S. military in the 1950s by a little-known gun designer named Eugene Stoner at a small company in Southern California called ArmaLite. The weapons revolutionary design made it lightweight and easy to shoot. Stoner devised an ingenious way of using the hot gas from the exploding gunpowder to move parts inside the gun to eject spent casings and load new rounds, eliminating metal parts that had been used in other rifles. He also used modern materials like aluminum and plastic instead of wood and steel. The rifle was easy to manufacture and relatively inexpensive to make compared to traditional rifles.

After much bureaucratic infighting, the gun was adopted by the Pentagon as the militarys standard rifle and renamed the M16. The rifle made for the military could be fired on automatic, meaning a person could shoot a stream of bullets by holding down the trigger, or semiautomatic, meaning a shooter had to pull the trigger for each bullet fired. Civilian AR-15s sold in the U.S. are semiautomatic.

Sales of a civilian version of the AR-15, first marketed to hunters in the early 1960s, were weak for decades. Its martial look and function, its small-caliber bullets and the plastic and aluminum parts were a turn-off for many hunters used to rifles made of polished wood and gleaming steel. Serious problems with the roll-out of the M16 in Vietnam led many veterans of that conflict to dislike the gun. Soldiers died on the battlefield with M16s in their hands because of jamming problems caused by changes made by the military to the guns ammunition and other issues. Beyond Doomsday preppers and collectors, most gun-owners werent interested.

In 1977, Stoners patent expired, opening up competition for Colt, the storied gunmaker that manufactured both military and civilian versions of the rifle. By the 1980s, a handful of smaller gunmakers were making and selling civilian versions of the AR-15.

These companies received strongly negative reactions to the guns when they displayed them at NRA conventions in the 1980s and 1990s. Wed have NRA members walk by and give us the finger," said Randy Luth, owner of DPMS Panther Arms, one of the AR-15 makers.

Officials organizing the most important gun industry trade showthe Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show, or SHOT Showtried to make it as uncomfortable as possible for AR-15 makers to market their products. They werent members of our club," said one industry executive.

Cultural and political shifts after the Sept. 11 attacks transformed the guns image. Veterans coming back from the wars wanted the civilian version of the M16. American consumers wanted to buy it too, because they saw the soldiers fighting in the Middle East carrying the weapon. The 2004 expiration of the federal assault-weapons banwhich had prohibited the sales of AR-15s on paper, though not in realityand the passage of legislation to protect gunmakers from lawsuits combined to create a perfect environment for large gunmakers to manufacture, market and sell large quantities of AR-15s.

The same mainstream gunmakers that had ignored the gun for decades jumped headlong into the market. Bill Silver, head of commercial sales at gunmaker SIG Sauer, known for high-end pistols, said he encouraged executives to build their own version of Stoners rifle. Ill sell as many as you can build," Silver told them. He believed the gun would be a hit because the tough-looking military-style weapon had what he called the wannabe factor."

Dick Dykes Bushmaster now became the envy of all gunmakers. As a young man Dyke wanted to be a dancer, but his parents refused to pay for art school, so he studied business instead and embarked on a career of turning around failing companies. In 1976 Dyke purchased the bankrupt Bushmaster for $241,000. By the 1990s, he had turned it into a viable enterprise by selling a semiautomatic version of Stoners gun and its parts at a time when few other gunmakers made the weapon. Dyke could get machine shops to churn out parts at a low cost. All his employees had to do was assemble the guns and ship them out.

When John DeSantis, an engineer who had worked for established weapons firms, came to Bushmaster in 1998 he was shocked to learn how much the AR-15 sold for and how little it cost to make. The company had gross margins of around 40%, more than double that of companies making traditional hunting rifles or shotguns, he said. Under DeSantiss leadership, Bushmaster pushed down the cost of production even further by pressuring suppliers for lower prices. Bushmaster was soon selling a single XM-15its version of the AR-15for $750 to $900, when it cost between $250 and $300 to build.

As money flowed in, Dyke became a local hero, paying high wages and donating to philanthropic causes. He also treated himself, driving a Rolls-Royce and drawing a salary of about $1 million a year, according to DeSantis.

Business boomed after 9/11 and the end of the federal assault-weapons ban, and Dyke decided to sell. When the Wall Street investors arrived, DeSantis gave each group of visitors a PowerPoint presentation with charts and graphs showing profits and the companys growth. In 2004, Bushmaster brought in $46.6 million, with more than $7 million in earnings. By 2005, revenue had reached $60.8 million, with $11.2 million in earnings.

One group of investors caught DeSantiss attention because they actually knew something about guns. They worked for a Manhattan-based private-equity firm called Cerberus. They told DeSantis that their boss, Stephen Feinberg, liked guns and was interested in buying a gun company. DeSantis had never heard of the man.

Most Americans had never heard of Feinberg or his Manhattan-based private-equity firm, even though the businesses it controlled had more than $30 billion in combined annual sales. Notoriously secretive, Feinberg maintained the trappings of his working-class upbringing as the son of a steel salesman, even as Cerberus grew. He drove trucks and loved to go hunting. In the gun industry, he saw an investment opportunity that other Wall Street tycoons did not.

When Dyke unsealed bids for Bushmaster, Cerberus had offered $76 million315 times what Dyke had paid for the company. Dyke was thrilled, but Bushmasters employees initially were worried about a private equity takeover. DeSantis, who stayed on as chief executive, wondered why Feinberg, a Wall Street giant, wanted to buy Bushmaster. Feinbergs Cerberus controlled sprawling international operations worth billions. Why did he want little Bushmaster?

DeSantis soon learned that Cerberuss purchase of Bushmaster was just the first step in its grand plan to shake up and ultimately dominate the gun industry. Feinbergs point man on the project was George Kollitides II, a Columbia MBA. After the U.S. invaded Afghanistan in 2001, Kollitides came up with the idea to invest in private companies aiding the war effort, according to his deposition in later court proceedings. But the military market for guns was smaller than he expected, and he worried about its volatility. No war meant fewer sales.

Instead, Kollitides grew intrigued by the U.S. civilian gun market. There was a gigantic, thriving commercial market, and there may be an opportunity there," he recalled thinking. The gun industry at the time was a fractured ecosystem of companies, most making their own type of firearm. Kollitides decided to apply a standard private equity practice: buy up and consolidate.

If the plan worked, the company could sell gun owners every kind of firearm they wanted, including ARs, and bring down the cost of production through scale. Kollitides understood the AR-15 to be important in this mission. The market for the gun had been growing about 8% every year from 1998 to 2005. As an investor, this would excite me," he said.

Cerberuss efforts to build a firearms conglomerate were not the subject of mainstream media coverage, but the gun world buzzed. After buying DPMS Panther, another AR-15 maker, Cerberuss gun conglomerate became the largest manufacturer of the rifle in America, producing 118,000 ARs in 2007, almost half the number made in the U.S. that year.

The compounded annual growth rate for the long-gun markethunting rifles, shotguns, etc.was 5% from 2004 to 2007. The rate for the AR-15 market was 36%. The men running the new gun conglomerate were sure they could sell even more. They launched a camouflage AR-15 model under its Remington brand, hoping to draw hunters to the semiautomatic rifle. They increased credit lines for wholesalers, the middlemen who bought the guns from manufacturers and then sold them to gun shops. As soon as that opened up, we just went crazy," DeSantis recalled.

The 2008 presidential election supercharged the AR-15 market. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee, took a cautious approach to the gun issue. Obama had learned from watching what happened to his predecessors in 2000 and 2004 that talking about gun control didnt help Democrats win national elections.

But the Democrats moderate stance made no difference to the NRA. The group announced it would spend a record $40 million to defeat him and back Arizona senator John McCain, the Republican nominee. The NRA launched a website, GunBanObama.com, and claimed he would be the most anti-gun president in American history." Gun shops taped up NRA posters declaring, On the Second Amendment, Dont Believe Obama!" Dealers at gun shows displayed photos of Obama and advised shoppers to Get em before he does."

On Nov. 4, 2008, Obama was elected president, and panicked gun owners rushed to buy AR-15s. That November, the FBI conducted more background checks for firearms purchases than in any other month since the modern background-check system was instituted in 1998. AR-15 makers called it the Barack boom."

Bushmasters workers put in six days a week, from seven in the morning to eight at night, assembling rifles by hand. At least 26 different gun companies made 444,000 AR-15-style rifles for sale in the U.S. in 2008, representing nearly 10% of all guns made in the U.S. that year.

Executives at Feinbergs gun firm moved to grab an even larger share of the expanding AR-15 market. They changed the companys name from American Heritage Arms to Freedom Group. They pushed their AR-15s into big-box stores such as Walmart, slashing the prices of their low-end rifles to get them on the shelves of Americas largest retailer. With Cerberus and them, its all about the numbers and volume," remembered Luth, who was still in charge at DPMS.

Freedom Group also dramatically altered the way that Bushmasters AR-15s were marketed. In the past, a typical Bushmaster ad would feature photos of rifles and parts with detailed descriptions of their specifications. In one from 1998, Bushmaster highlighted that its rifles had Heavy Profile Premium Match Grade Barrels" and manganese phosphate finish for rust and corrosion protection." This approach appealed to older hobbyists who owned lots of guns.

But industry executives worried that these older hobbyists were tapped out and believed they needed to market to a new generation of consumers. Freedom Group launched an ad campaign in the glossy pages of Maxim, a magazine popular with young men featuring scantily-clad female models. The ads featured an image of the XM-15 and the words Consider Your Man Card Reissued."

Sales of Bushmaster rifles soared. The vast majority were purchased by Americans who used them to go target shooting or varmint hunting. But some ended up in the hands of disturbed loners who wanted to use them for something much more sinister.

On Dec. 14, 2012, a frail 20-year-old beset with mental problems used the Bushmaster purchased by his mother to attack Sandy Hook Elementary School near his home in western Connecticut. He shot and killed 20 first-graders and six educators before killing himself.

The immediate aftermath was akin to the U.S. reaction to 9/11bafflement, sadness, horror, anger. The funerals for the Sandy Hook Elementary School victims began on a gray day, Dec. 17, when Noah Pozner and Jack Pinto, both six years old, were laid to rest. Six-year-old Ben Wheelers funeral was held on Dec. 20 at Trinity Episcopal Church. It was filled to capacity. His father read The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost.

On that same day, Freedom Groups board of directors held an emergency meeting by telephone. Kollitides, who had risen to become Freedom Groups chief executive, thanked the board members for meeting on short notice. He informed them that Cerberus, under pressure from major investors, had decided to consider selling the gun company after the shooting.

Kollitides noted that gun sales continued to be strong after the tragedy and then turned to other matters, including the possible acquisition of a gun-barrel manufacturer. The board still had business to attend to while they awaited a possible sale. Some in the meeting noted that the deal for the barrel maker would increase margins even further on the companys AR-15s. The board voted to authorize the acquisition. Cerberus would ultimately decide against selling its gun firm as sales of AR-15s soared after Sandy Hook.

It was an awful, horrific, huge tragedy, but its impact on the long-term capital decisions of the business were notwere not a factor," Kollitides later said in a deposition. We were in the business of legally making guns to legally sell to legal gun owners. So there is no other thing to do than wake up and make guns on Monday morning."

Cameron McWhirter and Zusha Elinson are reporters for The Wall Street Journal. This piece is adapted from their new book, American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15," which will be published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux on Sept. 26.

View Full Image The Selling of Americas Most Controversial Gun

View Full Image The Selling of Americas Most Controversial Gun

View Full Image The Selling of Americas Most Controversial Gun

View Full Image The Selling of Americas Most Controversial Gun

View Full Image The Selling of Americas Most Controversial Gun
Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, meets with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia, Brazil, Sept. 22, 2023. At the invitation of the Brazilian government and the Workers' Party of Brazil, Li paid an official friendly visit to Brazil from Monday to Friday. (Xinhua)

BRASILIA, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to work with Brazil to deepen all-round practical cooperation, cement coordination within such multilateral mechanisms as BRICS and the Group of 20, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, said a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) during his visit to Brazil.

Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Li paid an official friendly visit to Brazil from Monday to Friday.

Conveying cordial greetings of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Lula, Li noted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of strategic partnership between China and Brazil.

Xi and Lula have met and exchanged views with each other on several occasions, jointly opening up and steering the future for China-Brazil relations in the new era, said Li, also secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

China and Brazil are the largest developing countries in the Eastern and Western Hemisphere respectively, and are comprehensive strategic partners, he said, adding that the two countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties next year.

The two countries should build on their past achievements and forge ahead with deeper political mutual trust as well as continuous mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, said Li.

The CPC is willing to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning with the Workers' Party of Brazil, jointly explore the modernization path in line with their respective national conditions, and promote the in-depth development of China-Brazil comprehensive strategic partnership, he said.

Conveying his good wishes to Xi and recalling his cordial association with Xi, Lula said Brazil and China are good friends and partners, embracing fruitful bilateral cooperation in such fields as politics, economy and trade, party-to-party relations and collaboration on international affairs.

Brazil hopes to promote the synergy between its New Growth Acceleration Program and China's development strategies, so as to advance the sustainable development of the two countries, Lula said.

He added Brazil stands ready to strengthen cooperation with China within multilateral mechanisms, so as to jointly address such global challenges as poverty, inequality, climate change, as well as conflicts and confrontation, and to promote world peace, development and prosperity.

Noting that the Workers' Party of Brazil and the CPC have maintained close contacts, Lula said he is willing to play a positive role in deepening bilateral relations and the friendship between their people.

During his visit, Li also met with Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, in which he said that China is willing to make good use of such mechanisms as the intergovernmental high-level coordination and cooperation committee, continuously enrich the strategic connotation of its relations with Brazil, and strengthen bilateral cooperation in such areas as trade and investment, energy resources, cultural and people-to-people exchanges and technology.

For his part, Alckmin said he welcomes and looks forward to the comprehensive and in-depth participation of Chinese enterprises in the implementation of Brazil's development plan and the expansion of their investment and business in Brazil.

Brazil stands ready to work with China to lift bilateral practical cooperation to higher levels, with the support of such mechanisms as the high-level coordination and cooperation committee, he added.

When meeting with Brazilian Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco, Li said China is willing to work with Brazil to enhance exchanges between their legislative bodies, provide legal and policy support for bilateral cooperation, consolidate popular support for bilateral relations, and establish a model of South-South cooperation.

Pacheco said that the Brazilian side fully respects China's historical and cultural traditions and its development path in line with its national conditions, admires the centennial glory of the CPC, and is willing to improve the legislative exchange mechanism and deepen interactions between the two countries, so as to serve the development of bilateral relations.

During his meeting with President of the Workers' Party of Brazil Gleisi Hoffmann, Li said the CPC attaches great importance to strengthening experience exchanges with the Workers' Party of Brazil on party and country governance.

China stands ready to work with Brazil to take the 40th anniversary of the establishment of party-to-party relations next year as an opportunity to advance exchanges at all levels, make good use of the BRICS interparty exchange mechanism as well as the platform of the China-Latin America political parties forum, and promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation, Li said.

Congratulating China on making remarkable achievements in its economic and social development, Hoffmann said that strengthening bilateral and multilateral coordination between the two parties bears greater strategic significance amid an increasingly diverse international landscape.

The two sides jointly attended the signing ceremony of the agreement on exchanges and cooperation between the CPC and the Workers' Party of Brazil.

During Li's visit, he also briefed the hosts on the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the CPC, and on its full and rigorous self-governance.

Enforcing full and rigorous self-governance is a distinctive feature of the CPC Central Committee with Xi at its core in governing the country, Li said, adding that the CPC will unswervingly enforce Party discipline and practice anti-corruption.

The Brazilian side spoke highly of China's efforts in this regard, and expressed willingness to work with the CPC to strengthen interparty exchanges as well as mutual learning on each other's governing experience. 

Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, meets with Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin in Brasilia, Brazil, Sept. 21, 2023. At the invitation of the Brazilian government and the Workers' Party of Brazil, Li paid an official friendly visit to Brazil from Monday to Friday. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, meets with President of the Workers' Party of Brazil Gleisi Hoffmann in Brasilia, Brazil, Sept. 20, 2023. At the invitation of the Brazilian government and the Workers' Party of Brazil, Li paid an official friendly visit to Brazil from Monday to Friday. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, meets with Brazilian Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco in Brasilia, Brazil, Sept. 22, 2023. At the invitation of the Brazilian government and the Workers' Party of Brazil, Li paid an official friendly visit to Brazil from Monday to Friday. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)
OTTAWA, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- One police officer was shot dead and two other officers injured on Friday while executing a search warrant at a home in Coquitlam, a city about 30 km east of Vancouver, Canada.

The suspect was also shot and sustained serious injuries, said a police statement.

"The attending officers became engaged in an altercation with a man which resulted in multiple officers being injured and the man being shot," it said.

The injured were transported to hospital, but one of the officers succumbed to his injuries.

Local media reported that the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has been deployed and will investigate the incident. 
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.
Longford has the potential for a biomethane industry which would produce 18 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of renewable gas and reduce carbon emissions by almost 5,000 tonnes annually, it has been claimed.

Nationally, Ireland has the potential for a biomethane industry, which would replace more than a quarter of natural gas on the national network, create significant new agri-income streams and reduce Irelands total emissions by almost 4 million tonnes per year - 6.5% of Irelands total emissions1.

These are the main findings from the Biomethane Energy Report2, which was launched last week by Gas Networks Ireland, the operator of Irelands state-owned gas network, at the Irish Renewable Gas Conference in Dublin.

Structurally identical to natural gas, biomethane is a carbon neutral renewable gas derived from organic sources such as landfill, food waste and agricultural waste. Biomethane is fully compatible with the existing national gas network and existing appliances, technologies and vehicles. It seamlessly replaces natural gas to reduce emissions in heating, industry, transport and power generation.

The report is based on findings from responses to a market testing Request for Information (RFI) issued by Gas Networks Ireland to current and future biomethane producers in October 2022.

The report identifies 176 projects throughout Ireland that have the overall potential to produce 14.8 terawatt-hours (TWh) of biomethane per annum, amounting to 26% of Irelands current gas demand.

The top five counties in terms of prospective biomethane production volumes were Cavan, Kildare, Limerick, Cork and Monaghan.

The RFI identified two potential biomethane production projects in Longford.

Irelands biomethane potential as outlined in this report, both in terms of potential project numbers (176) and in terms of volume of biomethane production (14.8 TWh), demonstrate how achievable the Governments target to produce up to 5.7 TWh of biomethane by 2030 is, Gas Networks Ireland said.

The State-owned infrastructure operator said it was confident that, with the right structures and policies put in place, the Governments target can be achieved and possibly exceeded.



Gas Networks Irelands Chief Executive Officer Cathal Marley said: The findings published in our report send out a strong signal that there is both interest in and demand for, biomethane production in Ireland."
Almost exactly six years on from Hurricane Ophelia ripping through Ireland causing huge damage and loss of life, a storm of the same name could impact us next week.

Dubbed Storm Ophelia 2.0 by Weather Alerts Ireland, the system has been named by the NOAA in America and its remnants could affect our weather next week.

The storm is currently tracking towards East USA and would weaken considerably crossing the Atlantic if it was to impact Ireland. The system could bring cold and miserable conditions to Ireland, according to one forecaster.

"This Ophelia is very different to the Ophelia we had before but its strange that is has the same name," Weather Alerts Ireland said.

"The ICON model is also forecasting this strong system to impact Ireland," they added.

However, speaking about the same storm, Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather said: "Thankfully this Ophelia is not likely to become a hurricane or head for Ireland but could bring flooding to parts of East USA."

Weather models do show some wet and windy conditions arriving in Ireland next week.

In its latest outlook for the coming days, Met Eireann said it will remain "unsettled owing to a mobile Atlantic regime."

They have not given a forecast beyond next Tuesday which they say will "be a wet day with heavy spells of rain, later clearing to sunny spells and well scattered showers."

They do, however, temper that forecast by saying there is "some uncertainty" in the forecast.

Between now and then, Met Eireann says the weekend will turn colder with Saturday morning feeling "chilly" but "largely dry with spells of hazy sunshine."

They added: "However, early brightness will be replaced by cloudier skies as outbreaks of rain and drizzle gradually move up from the southwest of the country, heaviest later. Highest afternoon temperatures of 11 to 16 degrees (north to south) with mostly fresh and gusty south to southeast winds."

They say Saturday night will be "wet at first with the possibility of further falls of rain later, especially in the south. Lowest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees in moderate to fresh southerly winds."

On Sunday, "scattered outbreaks of rain will become more widespread and persistent with some very heavy falls, leading to localised flooding. Blustery too in fresh to strong and gusty southerly winds with highest temperatures of 17 to 19 degrees. Becoming drier overnight, though some showers will feed in later off the Atlantic.

"Some sunny spells but with passing blustery showers too [on Monday], most frequent closer to the Atlantic. Highest temperatures of 16 to 19 degrees in fresh and gusty southwest winds."
Crime

By Long Island Published: September 23 2023

A man was arrested in Suffolk County for passing counterfeit $100 bills at multiple locations across the county.

Suffolk County Police last night arrested a man for passing counterfeit currency in Suffolk County.

Southampton Police Department advised Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad detectives that Nicolas Munoz was in custody after he was arrested for using counterfeit cash throughout the Seventh and Fifth Precinct of Suffolk County, as well as Westhampton Village, Southampton Village and Easthampton Village.

Following an investigation, it was determined that Munoz was responsible for passing counterfeit $100 bills at the following locations:

 Abys Deli & Catering, 459 Montauk Highway, East Moriches, on September 1

 The Tipsy Duck Wine Co., 509 Montauk Highway, Eastport, on September 1

 Its Only Natural, 118 S Country Road, Bellport, on September 3

 Aegean Cafe, 35 Main St., Sayville, on August 31

 Tola, 136 S Country Road, Bellport, on September 3

 Sayville Bean, 59 Main St., Sayville, on August 31

 Sayville Cheese, 110 Main St., Sayville, on August 31 and September 17

 Cafe Joelle, 25 Main St., Sayville, on August 31

 Wayward Kitchen and Cocktails, 98 Main St., Sayville, on August 31

 Mini Monet, 122 Main St., Sayville, on September 17

Munoz, 22, of 71-01 Jamaica Ave., Queens, was charged with eleven counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 1st Degree.

Detectives are continuing the investigation to determine if Munoz is responsible for using counterfeit cash in additional jurisdictions. Southampton, Westhampton Village, and Easthampton Town Police Departments are also investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call the Seventh Squad at (631)852-8752. At the time of his arrest, Munoz was operating a 2002 blue Honda CRV, with a switched New York license plate of TYLC-4466.
It was an eight-hands dinner like no other  promoting the best of Singaporean and Filipino flavors while championing sustainability.

Singapores Chef Li Guang LG Han of Restaurant Labyrinth and Vijay Mudaliar, Head Bartender and co-owner of Native Bar and Restaurant, partnered with Manilas Chef Jordy Navarra of TOYO Eatery and Chef Stephan Duhesme of Metiz for an exclusive 10-course on September 17, 2023.

At Restaurant Labyrinth, our local produce advocacy is grounded on sustainability. We are proud to say that anywhere from 60 to 90 percent of the ingredients used in our dishes come from within Singapore, said Chef Han.

Founded in 2014, one Michelin-starred Restaurant Labyrinth has consistently been included in the Asias 50 Best Restaurants list for three years now, and has earned a spot among the Worlds 50 Best Restaurants this year.

Singapore is an island city. There is definitely a lack of space. But despite all the challenges we face, we all have to do our little part for the next generation, he added.

For his part, Mudaliar, a sustainability titan in Singapores bar scene, pioneered a form of urban foraging in Singapore that focuses on wild food resources and incorporates them into cocktails.

The cocktails I prepare reflect the philosophies I believe in. There is always room to improve in our efforts toward sustainability, he said.

Mudaliars Native cocktail bar, which focuses on ingredients sourced locally and regionally, has since expanded to include a restaurant with mostly pescatarian and vegetarian options, and a fermentation lab within its three-floor space on Singapores Amoy Street.

Han and Mudaliars collaboration with Manila-based chefs Navarra and Duhesme is part of the Asian Culinary Exchange (ACE) organized by chef and food writer Angelo Comsti. This years edition of ACE is designed to showcase Singapore through a series of cross-cultural collaborations between Singaporean and Filipino chefs.

The exchange is part of Serve It, Singapore!  a project of the Singapore Tourism Board that brings a slew of one-of-a-kind dining experiences straight from the culinary capital of Singapore to delight the palates of Filipino foodies.

Fang Xun Ong, Philippines Area Director of STB, said: Singapore has long acknowledged sustainability as a vital part of its present and future. Collectively, we have been taking steps to develop innovative experiences with a reduced impact on the environment.

Sustainability is not just a buzzword. It is time we start normalizing sustainability in the food industry, Comsti added.

TOYO Eatery, for example, bagged this years Flor De Cana Sustainable Restaurant Award due to its commitment to minimize its carbon footprint and to source local ingredients. It also has the distinction of holding the 42nd spot among Asias 50 Best Restaurants in 2023.

Sustainability for us at TOYO Eatery is cultivating the relationships we have with the people that nurture our country. We are delighted to be recognized for our commitment to upholding our heritage and seeing how closing loops forms part of a larger conversation on sustainability, Navarra said.

Metiz, on the other hand, debuted at the 48th spot among Asias 50 Best Restaurants in 2023 thanks to its sustainable practice of using local produce to delight diners in surprising and ingenious ways.

I think of Metiz as a creative space that serves food. We collectively share a unified vision on how to present food, and that vision involves promoting ingredients easily found in the country and sourcing them from farmers that adhere to sustainable agricultural practices, Duhesme said.
Malaysia is expecting enhanced engagements with the Philippines as it renewed its commitment to do its part in developing cooperations in the areas of the halal industry, agriculture, green technology, and digitalization.

At the Malaysian National Day reception in Makati City on Friday night, Malaysian Ambassador Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino said the two nations are at a point where their bilateral relations are at its peak.

Remarkably, this is the year where both our leaders officially met twice within a span of not less than six months. The Philippines was one of the first countries that invited Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim right after he was elected, Castelino said.

He shared that at the time it was proposed, Malacanang agreed in less than 24 hours, indicating how special the relationship is between the two leaders.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. hosted a state visit for Prime Minister Anwar on March 1-2.

Barely four months after, Anwar hosted a state visit for Marcos on July 25-27.

This, to me, is truly special  and I am happy to be a part of the history to witness this momentous elevation of our countrys relationship. The two leaders agreed to focus collaborations on halal industry, agriculture, digitalization, and green technology, he said. I can say that today, our bilateral relations are at its peak.

In March, Marcos and Anwar agreed that reinvigorating trade and investment exchanges would help the two countries navigate through the ongoing impacts of the pandemic and the changing geopolitical landscape in the region.

The Philippines is hoping to tap the huge halal market, the global market size of which was valued at more than US$2 trillion in 2022.

Malaysia is also seen as an ideal partner for Manila as the government seeks to accelerate digitalization in the country.

Malaysias digital economy  derived from the traditional economic activities that utilize digital technologies  has contributed 23.2 percent to the national gross domestic product.

By 2025, the figure is expected to rise to 25.5 percent.

Castelino also highlighted the strong people-to-people relations between the two states as reflected in the high turnout of Malaysian businesses at the reception.

Your openness and friendship exemplify the spirit of diplomacy and togetherness, where people come together to build bridges of understanding and work towards common goals, he said.

It is through the exchange of ideas, the sharing of experiences, and the forging of friendships that we grow as individuals and as nations.


Libyas flood-devastated port city of Derna will host an international conference next month to aid reconstruction efforts, authorities in the east of the divided country said Friday.

There was no immediate reaction from the internationally recognised government in Tripoli nor any details on how the rival administration would accommodate delegates in a city where entire neighbourhoods have been swept away.

A tsunami-sized flash flood broke through two ageing dams upstream from Derna after a hurricane-strength storm lashed the area on September 10, sweeping thousands of people into the sea.

The government invites the international community to participate in the conference planned for October 10 in Derna to present modern, rapid projects for the reconstruction of the city, the eastern administration said in a statement.

It said the conference was being held in response to the demands of residents of the stricken city of Derna and other towns that suffered damage during the flooding.

Despite a wave of nationwide solidarity since the flood, there was no immediate show of support for the proposed conference from the Tripoli-based government of interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah.

And even the office of strongman Khalifa Haftar, the main military backer of the eastern administration, questioned how many donor governments would attend.

Are donor countries going to take part or are they going to wait for a conference organised by Dbeibah? Haftars spokesman Ahmad al-Mismari asked. This political polarisation has harmed Libyans.

Libya has been wracked by division and on-off conflict ever since a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

A bloody 2019 assault on Tripoli by Haftars forces ended in defeat by Dbeibah loyalists and an August 2020 ceasefire that largely holds.

 Mass burials 

There is still no widely accepted death toll for the floods which devastated Derna and nearby coastal towns.

The latest official death toll released on Friday evening stood at 3,753 but the eventual count is expected to be far higher, with international aid groups giving estimates of up to 10,000 people missing.

Bodies are still being found in large numbers, under the debris or on beaches where they have washed up after being swept out to the sea by the flood.

On Friday, dozens of bodies were delivered in a lorry and two pick-ups to the village cemetery in Martouba, 27 kilometres (17 miles) southeast of Derna, for burial, footage posted on social media showed.

Libyan media said 200 people were buried in the cemetery in a single day.

The International Organization for Migration said Thursday that more than 43,000 people have been displaced from the disaster zone.

It said a lack of water supply is reportedly driving many displaced out of Derna.

In Susa, about 60 kilometres (40 miles) to the west, residents complained that they too had no access to drinking water after the flood badly damaged a desalination plant.

Instead, volunteers have to bring water from nearby cities in big trucks, 34-year-old Ahmed Saleh told AFP.

Mobile and internet services were restored in Derna on Thursday following a two-day disruption that came after demonstrations by angry residents on Monday.

The protests saw hundreds of demonstrators gather outside the citys grand mosque, chanting slogans against the eastern-based parliament and its leader and calling for accountability over the high death toll.

Amnesty International reported arrests of critics and protesters in Derna and criticised efforts to choreograph and control media access.

The dams that burst had developed cracks as far back as the 1990s, Libyas top prosecutor has said, as residents accused authorities of negligence.

Scientists from the World Weather Attribution group said in a report issued on Tuesday that a deluge of the magnitude seen in eastern Libya was an event that occurred once every 300-600 years.

They said such downpours were both more likely and heavier because of human-caused global warming, resulting in up to 50 percent more rain.
HANGZHOU, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The People's Republic of China and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste on Saturday issued a joint statement on establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The following is the full text of the statement:

Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste on Establishing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

23 September 2023, Hangzhou

1. From September 21 to 25, 2023, H.E. Mr. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, attended the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. During the visit, H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, held cordial and friendly talks with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao. The two leaders had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of shared interests and reached broad important consensus. The two sides decided to elevate bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

2. Both nations share the view that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Timor-Leste 21 years ago, the two countries have acted with mutual respect and treated each other as equals, with the friendship continuing to deepen. In particular, since the two countries established a comprehensive partnership of good-neighbourly friendship, mutual trust and benefit in 2014, mutual political solidarity has increased, bilateral cooperation across various fields has extended, and the China-Timor-Leste friendship is deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples.

With both China and Timor-Leste at a critical phase of expediting modernization and realising rejuvenation, while facing historic changes of the world, China-Timor-Leste relations bear greater strategic significance than ever before. Looking to the future, the two nations will establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to lead concrete cooperation in various fields and promote the well-being of the two countries and two peoples so as to make a greater contribution to regional and global peace, stability and development.

3. Timor-Leste highly commended the great achievements China has made in the First Decade of the New Era and believes that Chinese modernization presents a new paradigm, which broadens paths and options for developing countries to achieve modernization and provides a Chinese solution for humankind to pursue a better social system. Timor-Leste believes that the Communist Party of China will lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in a concerted effort to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building a great modern socialist country in all aspects, and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization.

4. China congratulated Timor-Leste on successfully holding the Parliamentary election and establishing a new Government. China also highly commended Timor-Leste for continuing to advance national rejuvenation and development during the 21 years since the Restoration of Independence and for the important achievements it has made in economic construction and the improvement of livelihoods. China believes that under the guidance of the new Government Program, Timor-Leste will accelerate national construction and development, and expressed its willingness to continue providing assistance to support its social and economic progress.

5. The two nations agreed to maintain the positive momentum of high-level exchanges, reinforce strategic communication and solidify friendship and mutual political trust so as to keep strengthening bilateral relations. The two nations further agreed to enhance communication among central and local governments, legislative bodies and political parties and promote policy coordination and experience sharing in governance.

6. The two nations emphasized that mutual support on issues concerning each other's common interests demonstrated the strategic significance of China-Timor-Leste relations. Timor-Leste reiterated its firm adherence to the one-China principle, recognized that there is but one China in the world, and that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole lawful government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. Timor-Leste is opposed to any form of "Taiwan independence," will not establish any form of official relationship or conduct any form of official contacts with Taiwan, and supports the efforts of the Chinese government to realize national reunification. China reiterated its firm support for the Timor-Leste people in choosing the development path best suited to its national circumstances, and for Timor-Leste's efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests, and opposed any external interference in Timor-Leste's internal affairs.

7. Timor-Leste highly appreciated the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by President Xi Jinping and welcomes the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by China. The two nations will deepen cooperation in areas related to these three initiatives to pursue common development, common security and cultural prosperity, and contribute through joint efforts actively to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

8. The two nations spoke highly of the achievements of Belt and Road cooperation, and will sign the Cooperation Plan between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste on Jointly Promoting the Belt and Road Initiative at an early date, to strengthen and promote high-quality, win-win BRI cooperation.

9. The two nations agreed to make full use of mechanisms, such as the China-Timor-Leste Economic and Trade Joint Committee to expand bilateral trade and investment volume. The two nations will also implement more concrete cooperation in four key areas: industry revitalisation, infrastructure development, food self-sufficiency and livelihood improvement.

Industry revitalisation. Timor-Leste expressed appreciation to the Chinese Government for granting zero-tariff treatment to 98 percent of the tariff lines of Timor-Leste exports to China. The two nations agreed to expedite efforts to establish an agreement on fishery cooperation with a whole industry chain including fishing, farming and manufacturing. China will continue to render help in technology training on coffee growing and support Timor-Leste in exporting coffee to China to support revitalising the Timor-Leste coffee industry. The two nations agreed to enhance energy policy exchanges and explore the possibility of cooperation in the exploitation and development of oil and natural gas.

Infrastructure development. China will focus on the policy priorities of the government of Timor-Leste, guide enterprises to ensure sound operation and maintenance of the national grid in Timor-Leste and conduct cooperation with Timor-Leste on communication infrastructure. China expressed its willingness to encourage its enterprises to actively participate in the development of infrastructure including roads, bridges and ports. The two nations agreed to expedite efforts to establish bilateral Air Services Agreement and explore inaugurating scheduled flights at an early date.

Food Self-sufficiency. The two nations will implement agricultural projects such as hybrid rice breeding cooperation, granary and food processing, corn whole mechanism technical cooperation, and agriculture technology cooperation (Phase II), and ensure efficient building of an agricultural hi-tech development zone to help Timor-Leste achieve food self-sufficiency and modernization of agriculture. The two nations agreed to expedite efforts to establish an agricultural cooperation agreement and a joint working group, promote experience sharing in poverty alleviation and rural revitalisation.

Livelihood improvement. The Chinese government will continue to send medical team to Timor-Leste, providing medical services for the Timorese people and will ensure sound implementation of projects including the National Imaging Center of Timor-Leste and etc. The two nations will also accelerate cooperation on the digital TV Project (Phase II) and the China-Timor-Leste Friendship Hospital. Timor-Leste expressed gratitude to China for providing government scholarships. China stands ready to carry out more projects to promote economic growth and improve livelihoods in Timor-Leste.

10. The two nations agreed to enhance high-level military exchanges, strengthen cooperation in areas such as personnel training, equipment technology, the conduct of joint exercises and training. The government of Timor-Leste highly commended the Peace Ark Hospital ship from the Chinese Navy which performed "Mission Harmony-2023" in Timor-Leste from September 3rd to the 10th, which provided humanitarian medical service to local Timorese people.

11. The two nations agreed to strengthen the friendship province cooperation between Hunan Province and Manatuto District, conduct cooperation programs in areas such as vegetable planting, animal husbandry and aquaculture and encourage the Macao Special Administrative Region and Dili to establish sister-city ties at an early date.

12. China supports Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN, welcomes Timor-Leste to playing a larger role in regional cooperation, and will render help within the scope of its capacity to Timor-Leste in capacity building and other aspects. China will share more development opportunities and benefits with Timor-Leste through the platforms of China-ASEAN cooperation and East Asia cooperation.

13. The two nations commended the important role of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macau) in promoting mutually beneficial cooperation and economic ties. Both nations will ensure sound implementation of the outcomes of the Ministerial Conference of the Forum held in April 2022, and enhance cooperation under the framework of the Forum.

14. China and Timor-Leste share common interests and similar positions in international affairs, support the United Nations (UN) in playing a central role in maintaining world peace, promoting common development and advancing international cooperation, and will strengthen mutual support in international affairs, including upholding the UN-centered international system, the international order based on international law and the norms governing international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Both nations agreed to jointly maintain the unity and cooperation of the international community, oppose hegemonism and power politics, uphold true multilateralism, and promote humanity's common values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom.

15. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao expressed gratitude for the warm and friendly hospitality of the Chinese government and people and looked forward to early visits to Timor-Leste by Chinese leaders. 
Tara Corey was pregnant when she first joined the nursing staff of the birthing center at UMass Memorial Health HealthAllianceClinton Hospital in Leominster.

It was such a scary time for so many expecting and laboring mothers and I felt like I could relate in a unique way, Corey said in a text conversation with MassLive Saturday.
In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, MassLive asked readers to identify people who are emerging Hispanic leaders throughout the state, working to make a difference in their own area of interest, be it politics, education, business or the arts.

These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.

Frank M. Martinez Lopez is executive director of Enlace de Familias, helping families develop leadership skills and secure stable homes. (Kamila O'Neill photo)

Frank M. Martinez Lopez

Age: 33

Community: Holyoke

His story: As the executive director of Enlace de Familias, Frank Martinez Lopez works to empower and provide opportunities for Holyoke residents and those in surrounding communities who may be overlooked. Enlace de Familias offers leadership workshops, financial literacy education, immigration assistance and food support.

We strive to amplify the voices of our community members and ensure that their concerns, dreams and aspirations are at the forefront of our endeavors, Martinez Lopez said.

Martinez Lopez said the organization is working to forge a path where every member of the community can thrive regardless of obstacles they may face.

Read more: Faustina Cuevas fights for language access in her native city of Lynn

Growing up, Martinez Lopez attended Holyoke public schools, working as early as the age of 9 as a youth counselor at Morgan Elementary School. He also participated in youth leadership groups such as Teens Leading the Way and AnyTown.

Martinez Lopez moved away from home due to the financial barriers of pursuing higher education in Massachusetts, landing in Puerto Rico where he eventually earned his Bachelors degree in nursing. He stayed there for 10 years until Hurricane Maria brought him back to Holyoke in 2017.

He started working at Enlace de Familias as a Federal Emergency Management Agency specialist and later served as the talent acquisitions coordinator at MassHire Holyoke Career Center.

Ive come to embrace the profound wisdom of VIVE en Amor Y gratitud, which translates to live in love and gratitude, Martinez Lopez said.

In his words: Allow your genuine passions to guide your path in community work. Embrace the diversity within your community, appreciate its cultural tapestry, and stand resilient in the face of challenges. Your unyielding dedication and belief in the potential of others will be your greatest assets. By living in love for the community you serve and cultivating gratitude for the privilege of effecting positive change, youll not only find fulfillment in your mission but also inspire others to do the same.

Each day, we will introduce more leaders, and were always open to hear about more inspiring people. If youd like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, MassLive asked readers to identify people who are emerging Hispanic leaders throughout the state, working to make a difference in their own area of interest, be it politics, education, business or the arts.

These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.

Paulette Pinero is the founder of Unstoppable Latina, an organization to help women of color who are entrepreneurs. (Kamila O'Neill photo)

Paulette Pinero

Age: 36

Community: Springfield

Her story: Paulette Pinero founded a company called Unstoppable Latina with the belief that every woman, or mujer as she said, deserves an opportunity to build a thriving business aligned with her values and purpose. Pinero strives to guide entrepreneurial women of color in harnessing their superpowers, elevating their brands, and making an impact on their own terms.

Pinero spent more than 16 years working in the nonprofit sector before launching Unstoppable Latina to empower women who looked and lived like me, she said.

Throughout my career, I witnessed Latinas and women of color persist through immense challenges to provide for their families and uplift their communities, she said. Yet traditional spaces for entrepreneurs failed to acknowledge Latina womens unique journeys or true potential, according to Pinero.

Read more: Alicia Lopez inspires through teaching English as a second language

Unstoppable Latina works to empower ambitious women of color to grow confident brands, thrive in business and create meaningful change.

In her words: Make sure you are weaving your personal brand, authentic voice and charisma into your business. Most people are no longer interested in investing in or purchasing from perfect and faceless brands. Folks want to connect with real people and relatable stories.

Read more: Eric Segundo is driven to help veterans receive their benefits

Each day, we will introduce more leaders, and were always open to hear about more inspiring people. If youd like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
A Greenfield man faces several charges after setting off a manhunt on Friday afternoon after police say he struck and dragged a trooper on Interstate 91 in Holyoke, according to Massachusetts State Police.

Michael J. Williams, Jr., 45, is charged with eight counts in connection with a multi-agency manhunt that involved several State Police patrols, a canine unit, local police patrols along bike trails, railroad tracks, a drone and a boat in the Connecticut River.

The trooper dragged by Williams was brought to Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton for a lower-body injury and was treated and released, police said.

Williams is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; negligent operation of a motor vehicle; operating after license was suspended for prior OUI offense; leaving the scene of a crash that caused personal injury; failure to stop for the police; speeding; marked lane violation; and resisting arrest.

The incident began when a trooper tried to stop Williams, who police say was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu, due to driving violations at the Holyoke rest stop on the northbound side of Interstate 91 around 3 p.m.

The trooper stood outside the Malibu and was trying to secure the suspect when Williams drove off, according to State Police.

The trooper was dragged a short distance and Williams struck the troopers cruiser as he attempted to flee, police say.

After getting free from Williamss car, the trooper called in the incident, setting off a large manhunt.

Several minutes later, Williams went off-road and crashed his car, running into the woods near Route 5 in Holyoke.

Troopers set up a perimeter around the area while police from Northampton and Easthampton searched along the Manhan Rail Trail, a bike trail that passes through Easthampton, Holyoke and Northampton, and railroad tracks with canine units.

Northampton police launched a drone to help in the search and Easthampton police used a boat in the Connecticut River.

At about 5:35 p.m., state police K9 unit Sgt. Jack Doherty and partner Roxy found Williams and took him into custody.

Hes being held without bail for a violation of conditions of his probation from a previous conviction, according to police.

He is expected to be arraigned in Northampton District Court on Monday.

State Police Association of Massachusetts President Patrick McNamara issued a statement after the arrest.

Twice in a matter of about a week is twice too many. Today another member was injured when struck and dragged by a fleeing suspect during a traffic stop in Holyoke. Enough is enough. This reckless and blatant disregard for the lives of our members needs to stop, McNamara said in an email. We are relieved that the involved Trooper was not seriously injured and pleased that this fugitive was apprehended quickly thanks to the hard work and dedication of our Troopers and local Law Enforcement partners. Like we said last week, those who hurt our members will be tracked down and held to answer for their crimes.
A 17-year-old boy is under arrest in connection with the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old boy in Brockton on Friday afternoon, according to the Plymouth County District Attorneys Office.

Massachusetts State Police and Brockton police are investigating the shooting, which took place at 3:23 p.m. at 131 Lynn Road.

The 17-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with possession of a gun, but authorities did not release his name.

The victims name was also not released.
A Scituate man was arrested on Saturday morning after an armed carjacking and attempt to flee arrest ended with a BMW crashing into a stone wall in Kingston, according to Massachusetts State Police.

Trevor Baylef, 34, was identified as the suspect in a morning carjacking and chase that began at 8:23 a.m. when Boston police issued a Be On the Look Out alert that a BMW X5 SUV was wanted after an armed carjacking.

The BMW was last seen on Interstate 93 at Route 3. At the same time, a call came to police that a vehicle was driving erratically on Route 3 in the southbound lane with the same description as the BMW.

At about 8:28 a.m. State Police saw the BMW on Route 3 South in Duxbury near the North Street overpass.

Police tried to stop the driver but he fled and a pursuit ensued.

After taking exit 18 off Route 3 onto Main Street in Kingston, the driver crashed into a stone wall near the intersection of Main Street and Landing Road.

Baylef was brought to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth for potential injuries from the crash.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash, according to police.

State police said they found a knife in plain sight inside the crashed BMW.
MOGADISHU, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least 20 people, most of them civilians, were killed in a suicide car bomb attack on Saturday at a checkpoint in Beledweyne town in central Somalia, local officials said.

The explosion occurred near a market and two petrol stations, causing massive destruction, said Beledweyne District Commissioner Omar Alasow. He added that security forces and medical teams are on the ground to support the victims of the suicide bomb attack.

"We are still gathering details related to the terrorist attack. The casualties are significant, and we are transporting the victims to local hospitals. If they cannot treat the serious casualties, we will try to airlift them to Mogadishu for further treatment," Alasow told local reporters.

"It is a very shocking and disturbing terrorist attack. Houses and business centers were destroyed, and residents inside those houses are still missing. Some dead bodies have been recovered. The blast was like an earthquake," Abdi Hussein, an elder who was at the scene, told Xinhua by phone.

Local sources told Xinhua that the death toll could rise to 30, as several people who were wounded are in critical condition.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the al-Shabab extremist group usually stages such attacks in Mogadishu and elsewhere across Somalia. 
(*This developing story will be updated)

A Brockton mother has told a Boston television station that her son, 15, was shot and killed on Friday after authorities arrested a 17-year-old as a suspect.

Jason Benson-Green was identified as the shooting victim by his mother, Pemi Benson, in an interview with WCVB-TV on Saturday afternoon.

I just want to know what happened to my son, what exactly happened, she told the news outlet.

Authorities have not released the victims name. And at this time, MassLive has not independently confirmed the boys identity.

Earlier Saturday, the Plymouth County District Attorneys Office announced that a 17-year-old boy was in custody in connection with the fatal shooting, which took place at 3:23 p.m. at 131 Lynn Road. The boy, 17, is charged with possession of a gun.

The district attorneys office did not identify the victim of the shooting or the suspect.

Benson-Green was shot in the chest and first responders brought him to South Shore Hospital in Weymouth where he was pronounced dead, WCVB reported.

Benson told the outlet that her son came home from school, changed clothes and left the house. He was last seen headed toward a friends house on Lynn Road, Benson told WCVB, and before she got a call telling her that her son had been shot.

Massachusetts State Police and Brockton police are investigating the shooting incident.
With millions of Americans facing the resumption of student loan payments, a Massachusetts lawmaker has renewed her call to cancel that debt, arguing that its a racial justice imperative.

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-7th District, joined by advocates, made that call Friday in a panel discussion during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundations annual legislative conference in Washington D.C.

Student debt cancellation is essential and it is a racial justice imperative, Pressley said in a statement. Black folksespecially Black womenare among the most impacted by the student debt crisis, so we must be intentional in centering their voices and experiences in our policy response. Student debt cancellation is essential.

After a pandemic-inspired pause, interest on student loan debt kicked back in on Sept. 1. Borrowers will be required to start repaying their loans in October.

In 2019-20, 56% of Massachusetts college graduates had some student debt, with an average of $33,457, according to data compiled by the Institute for College Access and Success. That was the eighth-highest tally nationwide.

About a third of those students, 31%, had non-federal debt, which often is costlier and carries fewer consumer protections than federal debt, the institute said in a statement.

The largest component was private student loans, offered by banks and private lenders. About 14% of the commonwealths students had such debt, with an average debt of $42,748, the institutes data indicated.

On Friday, Pressley criticized Republicans who had worked to derail the Biden administrations efforts to offer student loan forgiveness up to $20,000 to millions of borrowers.

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Democratic White Houses debt-forgiveness regime in June. The administration says its pursuing another pathway to forgiveness through federal rule-making, which could take months or years, and still face legal challenges, CNN reported.

No corrupt court or extreme Republican should stand in the way of long overdue relief, Pressley said. Im grateful for our advocates and partners in this work who joined us to speak to this crisis and offer real-time resources for borrowers. This conversation underscored why we must deliver student debt cancellation for Black America and borrowers everywhere.

Student debt cancellation advocates who were on-hand for Fridays event met with borrowers to help them prepare for the resumption of payments, Pressleys office said in its statement.

Education should be the key to liberation, but far too many borrowers, especially Black borrowers, are enslaved by a system of perpetual debt, Wisdom Cole, the national director of the NAACPs Youth & College Division, said.

As repayments loom over our community, the NAACP is committed to ensuring that every borrower has access to the resources they need and deserve, Cole continued. As we battle for freedom and financial security, we remain focused on holding our elected leaders accountable to the promises theyve made to Black America. Its not done until its done.

During Fridays panel discussion, advocates tackled such topics as:

How the student debt crisis is the result of anti-Black policy and systemic divestment in education in America;

How student debt cancellation is an effective and high-impact way to address economic justice and teacher retention;

Existing resources and tools currently available for student loan borrowers;

Why the Administration must use every tool to deliver on the Presidents promise of broad student debt cancellation without delay; and

Why student debt cancellation is a racial and economic justice issue, according to Pressleys office.

The most effective way to narrow the wealth gap for communities of color and working-class households is to provide significant student loan relief to borrowers and reform our educational system to ensure it is equitable for future students, Jaylon Herbin, the director of federal campaigns at the Center for Responsible Lending, said.

You can watch a full video of the discussion here.
Bing Productions will present four programs offering a compelling range of music and musicianship this fall at Trinity United Methodist Church.

The Springfield Chamber Players Horn Trio, Don Bikoff: American Primitive and Traditional Blues Guitar, a silent film screening of Nosferatu with live improvised accompaniment by the Dylan Jack Quartet and The Springfield Chamber Players String Quartet all are on the program.
For all of MassLives Big E coverage, click here.

Did you know the only place to set foot in all six New England states in one hour is right at The Big E? Yes, you will literally be standing on each of the six states property right in West Springfield.

It may sound confusing, but The Avenue of States at The Big E holds a bunch of lore, of which fairgoers might not be aware.

Eastern States Exposition founder Joshua L. Brooks long ago hoped to have state buildings at the fair that would unite the agricultural and industrial parts of the exposition and showcase traditional and new products and attractions that make each New England state unique, The Big Es website states.

After all, The Big E is the only fair in the nation where more than one state participates, Noreen Tassinari, director of marketing at the fair, told MassLive.

Here are facts about the state buildings located on The Avenue of States that you may not be aware of.

The property was first used for the National Dairy Show before the start of the Eastern States Exposition

Brooks convinced the planners of the National Dairy Show, who had never held the show in the East, to move to the newly created fairgrounds, Tassinari shared.

The nations largest cattle show directors found the idea preposterous, according to Mass Moments. But, they were unaware that Brooks owned and operated a 300-acre farm in Wilbraham, believing that cooperation and the adoption of innovative techniques for financing and marketing would lead to an agricultural revival in New England, the website added.

His goal  link the regions agriculture to its industry and commerce.

The guy was a force of nature, Tassinari praised about Brooks.

His next goal was to take the Eastern States Exposition even further.

The Big E is the only fair in the nation to highlight more than one state

The Avenue of States is the whole reason The Big E is such a unique fair, as it is the only fair in the nation that includes more than one state.

The Big E pays homage to all six New England states  Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. In each state building on the Avenue of States, fair visitors will be able to step foot in each state building, being met with iconic and niche elements hailing from that state.

The Avenue of States was meant to include more than just New England states

Upon the creation of the fair we all know and love today, Brooks original goal was to create a fair that showcases all states in the North East.

Not only did this include New England, but other states like Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.

The states outside of New England never came to fruition, Tassinari shared, but certainly all six New England states have their building under Brooks goal  to bring all six states together in one location.

The Avenue of States epitomizes that philosophy in bringing all the states together, Tassinari said.

The Massachusetts building came first

Brooks used his powers of persuasion to convince the Massachusetts legislature and its governor to spend $50,000 to build the Massachusetts building that stands to this day at The Big E. It was designed by architect James H. Ritchie.

The building was built and dedicated on Sept. 16, 1919 by then Gov. Calvin Coolidge, who went on to eventually become president.

The Avenue of States would not see another State Building until 1925.

Each building is a replica of each states original State House

When building the Massachusetts building, Ritchie designed an almost perfect replica of the original Massachusetts State House, which you can see sit right in Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston.

Every other state house to come at the fair would follow that same theme  mimicking the original design of the states building. After Massachusetts, came Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Each state building sits on land actually owned by the state

Yes, you can actually walk in different states all while never leaving The Big E.

The land is deeded to its states. So it is official that you are on state property, Tassinari said.

But there is a catch.

When it comes to public safety, guests of the fair still need to adhere to local West Springfield rules and regulations.

Including owning the land the buildings sit on, the states themselves actually run each state building. It is up to that specific state to select the exhibitors in the buildings as well as handle repairs to them, not The Big E.

Any modifications or upgrades over the years have all been handled by each respective state.

The cost of each state building widely varies

The buildings on the Avenue of States were not built in a day. In fact, they were built years after one another. The final building  Rhode Island  was not dedicated until 1957. Massachusetts had been built first in 1919.

Because of the years the buildings are apart, the cost to build each one greatly varies.

See what each cost in the order the buildings were built below.

Massachusetts, 1919  $50,000

Maine, 1925  $50,000

Vermont, 1929  $60,000

New Hampshire, 1930  $75,000

Connecticut, 1939  $85,000

Rhode Island, 1957  $150,000

The New Hampshire building doesnt include sales tax

As a perk of each building following the rules of that given state when it comes to conducting commerce, if a fairgoer makes a purchase in the New Hampshire building, they dont pay sales tax.

In the state of New Hampshire, there is no general sales tax on goods purchased.
For all of MassLives Big E coverage, click here.

The Big E saw its largest attendance of the 2023 season on Friday.

The fair reported a daily attendance of 97,477  a daily attendance record. Overall, 587,680 people have attended The Big E eight days into the 17-day fair.

On Thursday, when Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey visited the fair, there were 69,963 who attended.

Fairgoers headed to The Big E on Saturday can expect cool temperatures and should prepare to see some rain throughout the day.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service are predicting a cloudy day with a chance of rain at 70% in the morning and in the afternoon, with temperature highs around 60 degrees and winds of 10 to 15 miles per hour, according to the official forecast for Greater Springfield.

As for Saturday night, there is a 50 percent chance of rain with near-steady temperatures in the mid-50s and winds could get up to 25 miles per hour.

On Sunday, there is a 50% chance of rain in the morning and afternoon, with temperatures reaching the low 60s and winds of 10 to 15 miles per hour.

If it rains on the day youre planning to go to The Big E, you can still go. The fair is open rain or shine.

Of course, rain makes the day a bit tricky.

The fairs website suggests visiting one of its 40 buildings, including Avenue of the States and Storrowton Village. For those looking for something fun to do inside Avenue of the States buildings, consider drinking around New England  a nod to the TikTok trend of drinking around the world at Epcot in Disney World.

People can also see animals in the Farm-A-Rama building. This includes seeing the Clydesdales, watching chicks hatch and seeing goats. A fake cow gives children the opportunity to try milking it.

Visiting the Fair on a rainy day is one of the best kept secrets in New England, as some Big E Lovers only visit on days when the forecast calls for rain, the website states.

For those who forgot their rain gear, The Big E has you covered.

Numerous vendors sell rain gear, warm clothes and hearty, warm meals, The Big E said.

For more on daily weather ahead of going to The Big E, click here.
Fall officially arrived on Saturday, Sept. 23, and the first day of the new season will bring cloudy skies and off-and-on rain to parts of the state.

Temperature highs are expected in the low 60s for most of Southern New England and the steadiest rain is expected south of Springfield and across Worcester and Boston, according to meteorologists at the National Weather Service. North of that region will likely see spotty and light rain.

A chance of rain is at 70% for the morning and afternoon in the Greater Springfield area, with temperature highs around 60 degrees and winds of 10 to 15 miles per hour.

The weather for Greater Boston and Worcester areas is looking much the same, according to the National Weather Service.

Both areas will have cloudy afternoons with a 50% to 70% chance of rain, temperature highs in the lower 60s and winds five to 10 miles per hour. Temperatures will cool later in the evening to the upper 50s.

The effects of tropical Storm Ophelia making landfall in North Carolina overnight will be felt in Massachusetts on Saturday, according to meteorologists at WCVB.

As this lifts northward, its going to send a plume of tropical moisture in our direction. And that is going to mean off-and-on rain for us this weekend. The first round comes in Saturday morning from the south and then spreads northward, StormTeam 5 chief meteorologist Cindy Fitzgibbon said. Second round on Sunday is lighter overall.

Parts of southeastern Massachusetts could end up with up to three inches of rainfall by the end of the weekend, according to WCVB, with amounts south of the Turnpike in the one- to three-inch range.
I hope everyone is able to get out and visit the Big E at least once this fall while its still going on. As the state Senator who represents West Springfield and many of its surrounding communities, my team and I have been spending a lot of time at the fairgrounds showing off all that our region has to offer. Just this past Thursday, I joined Gov. Healey and many other local and state officials to ring in the start of Massachusetts Day.

Monday morning was an especially momentous start to the week as I chaired our third public hearing for the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery alongside my House co-chair, Adrian Madaro. The hearing was focused on opioid legislation and we heard in-person and virtual testimony on bills focused on prescription opioids, patient and prescriber education requirements, non-opioid alternative forms of care, and other related matters.

Wednesday afternoon, I chaired a hearing for the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. The specific focus of this hearing was legislation concerning veterans recognitions and designations. Along with my House co-chair, Rep. Gerry Cassidy, I heard testimony from many advocates on numerous bills, including my own, S. 2357, An Act Relative to Recognition of the Honor and Remember Flag in the Commonwealth. This bill would designate the Honor and Remember flag as a symbol of the commonwealths concern and commitment to honoring and remembering the lives of all members of the United States Armed Forces who have lost their lives while serving, or as a result of service, and their families. Thank you to all the veterans who have worked on this legislation.
Le ministere de lAgro-Industrie organise le 16 octobre 2023 cette journee mondiale dans le pays avec de nombreuses activites sous le theme Water is life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind.

Cabinet has taken note of the activities being organised by the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security in the context of World Food Day 2023 celebrated on 16 October every year to mark the foundation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The theme chosen for this years celebration is Water is life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind.

To mark World Food Day, the second edition of the Agricultural Science Exchange Forum would be organised in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute on 12 and 13 October 2023 at the Mauritius Cane Industry Authority, Reduit on the theme Transforming Agrifood Systems through Research and Innovation for Resilience. The Forum aims at providing a dynamic platform for researchers, practitioners and industry experts to engage in robust discussions, exchange innovative ideas and foster collaborations that will shape the future of agrifood systems. An Open Day at the Agricultural Services of the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security would also be held to mark the 130 years of the creation of the Agricultural Services in Mauritius and to take cognisance of the services provided to support local production and ensure food security.
The photo shows the main entrance of a factory in the modern Phoenix Park Industrial Estate, built by the Chinese company Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG), in Trinidad and Tobago. (Xinhua/Zhu Wanjun)

The Trinidad and Tobago Phoenix Park Industrial Estate, the Caribbean's first project under the Belt and Road Initiative, continues to attract local and foreign investment.

PORT OF SPAIN, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- An industrial park in Trinidad and Tobago continues to attract local and foreign investment after becoming the Caribbean's first project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

Designed and built by China's Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG), the Trinidad and Tobago Phoenix Park Industrial Estate covers an area of about 580,000 square meters.

The facility's management began a month ago by the Evolving Technologies and Enterprise Development Co. Ltd (e TecK), a state company under Trinidad and Tobago's Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the park uses artificial intelligence tools and high-speed Internet connectivity for better installment management, energy efficiency and environmental protection. In addition, it has full access to water, electricity, gas services, wastewater treatment and green belts.

Five standard factory buildings, each covering an area of 5,000 square meters, have been built in the park at the first stage. They facilitate the production flow and operation of companies first installed in the park, in the surroundings of the port of Point Lisas, located in the central-western part of the country.

Meanwhile, Sekou Alleyne, president of InvesTT, the national investment promotion agency, said dozens of domestic and foreign companies are interested in investing in the facility.

"The proximity to the port and the infrastructure in the park is of the most interest to the investors," said Alleyne, who has visited China plenty of times over the past few years.

For his part, Daniel Duncan, vice president of e TecK, noted that it is vital for Trinidad and Tobago to extend investment opportunities beyond the energy and gas sectors.

"As the country is striving towards diversification and not dependent on oil and gas only, these types of development are critical to Trinidad and Tobago, hence the reason the Phoenix Park Industrial Estate," he said.

The first Chinese company settled at Phoenix Park was SUMMIT, a company founded in 2001 in the Chinese province of Guangdong and specialized in suitcase production.

This park is "practical in terms of transport aside from being a tax-free zone," said Huang Qiujiu, head of the company.

"We learn the machines and everything," SUMMIT worker Trevon Dimsoy told Xinhua. "I want to work here."

Once the industrial park operates at full capacity, authorities estimate that 4,500 jobs will be created.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, September 22, 2023

A New York law requiring social-media platforms to accept complaints about offensive speech and disclose how they're handled violates the First Amendment, the law's critics argued this week to the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.

The law presents a First Amendment 'triple whammy,' video platform Rumble and UCLA Law professor Eugene Volokh writes, who operates the Volokh Conspiracy blog.

It unconstitutionally regulates protected speech, compels covered websites to endorse and promote the states unconstitutional perspective on 'hate speech' ... and pressures them to target this disfavored -- but protected -- speech because of its viewpoint, under pain of investigation and fines, the blog adds.

Earlier this year, U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Carter in the Southern District of New York blocked the statute on the grounds that it likely violates the First Amendment.

He ruled that although the law doesn't force companies to remove offensive material, the requirement to post a policy about hate speech in itself forces Rumble and others to publish a message with which they disagree.

advertisement advertisement

The law, which was passed several months after a white supremacist killed 10 Black people at a grocery store in Buffalo, requires social platforms to offer users a mechanism to make complaints about hateful conduct, and also requires the platforms to publicly post a policy that details how they will respond to complaints.

The measure defines hateful conduct as using social media to vilify, humiliate, or incite violence against a group or a class of persons on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Carter ruled that those standards are vague and appear to cover constitutionally protected speech.

It is not clear what the terms like 'vilify' and 'humiliate' mean for the purposes of the law, he wrote. For example, could a post using the hashtag 'BlackLivesMatter' or 'BlueLivesMatter' be considered 'hateful conduct' under the law? Likewise, could social media posts expressing anti-American views be considered conduct that humiliates or vilifies a group based on national origin?

New York Attorney General Letitia James has asked the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals to reinstate the law, arguing it regulates conduct, not speech.

The report-mechanism requirement provides that networks must make a user tool available on their websites -- it does not require users to report anything and does not require networks to respond to user reports in any way, James' office wrote in a brief filed in June.

Volokh and Rumble counter in their new papers that the law's mandates interfere with their First Amendment right to decide what to publish on their sites.

They add that the law's definition of hateful could sweep in a broad array of content, including an editorial in The Washington Post opposing bans on burning the Quran, a historical video of Malcolm X discussing white peoples guilt, or a John Oliver comedy segment poking fun at the British for having a monarchy.

The 2nd Circuit hasn't yet said when it will hear arguments in the matter.
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, September 22, 2023

Uber has launched a campaign that celebrates Ukrainian Uber drivers who also support the war effort in various ways and are recognized as everyday heroes.

The rideshare giant enlisted NYC-based agency Kin to develop the campaign, Keep Ukraine Moving, which includes two massive billboards in Times Square that share the stories of the Ukrainian drivers.

advertisement advertisement The billboards play rotating video vignettes that showcase those stories and encourage viewers to think about What Makes a Hero?

The campaign calls attention to UNITED24, the Ukrainian government's fundraising platform, to help raise funds for life-saving ambulances.

The campaign video was shot on the ground in Ukraine by Ukrainian production company Shelter.

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Uber has funded 500,000+ rides to bring refugees to safety, doctors to hospitals, and relief aid to frontline communities  all thanks to courageous drivers, said Julia Paige, senior director of global social impact from Uber. This initiative is our way of recognizing and honoring these remarkable men and women.
by Tanya Gazdik , September 22, 2023

Comedian Kenan Thompson returns to star in new creative from Autotrader, a Cox Automotive company.

"If You See a Car, Find It on Autotrader," from 72andSunny New York, includes video, digital and social creative.

The creative addresses the main issue for today's car buyers: finding the car they want with pricing to fit their budget.

In the 30-, 15- and six-second spots, Thompson appears in both fictional and real-life settings alongside a variety of new and used vehicles, reminding viewers that every car they see can be found on Autotrader.

Through high-profile media placements and social media content, Thompson highlights the breadth of Autotrader's inventory and budgeting tools, says Ken Kraft, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Cox Automotive.

advertisement advertisement

"Autotrader's ongoing collaboration with Kenan has been a tremendous success, leveraging his comedic talent and widespread genuine appeal to connect our brand with car buyers of all ages while also leaning into creative and platforms targeted at younger audiences," Kraft says in a release.

This is Autotrader's second campaign with Thompson, an extension of the brand creative and partnership that launched in 2021.

The previous campaign, "Only One Reason," also from 72andSunny, featured Thompson buying a car from home with Autotrader.

In addition to the TV and digital spots, the campaign also features Thompson in a Q&A series on social media, where Autotrader aims to reach younger car buyers.

Sitting behind the wheel of a parked vehicle, a place where many content creators film their social media posts, Thompson humorously answers some of the most-asked car-buying questions.
Disclaimer :

The perspectives and beliefs presented in this sponsored content are solely those of the sponsor and do not reflect those of Medindia. Medindia holds no responsibility or liability for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, incidental, special, or consequential damages that may result from the utilization of this material.
KINSHASA, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- China has made remarkable achievements in the past decades, and is a role model for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to follow, President of the Senate Modeste Bahati Lukwebo said here Friday.

"Everyone has followed China's evolution with interest," he said while addressing a reception held at the Chinese Embassy in the DRC celebrating the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Noting that China's achievements, particularly its economic growth, poverty alleviation and technological development, were fulfilled "through work and discipline," the Senate president said, "China is a good example for the Congolese to follow."

DRC President Felix Tshisekedi's successful and fruitful state visit to China in late May has injected strong momentum into bilateral cooperation in various fields, Bahati Lukwebo said, reaffirming the DRC's commitment to collaborating with China. 
Advertisement

CDNF rescues motor neurons in models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by targeting endoplasmic reticulum stress - (https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/146/9/3783/7078992)

The CDNF protein, discovered by Professor Mart Saarma laboratory in 2007, is mostly found in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) within cells. ER is an important cell organelle mainly involved in the synthesis and maturation of circa one-third of all proteins in the cell. CDNF has previously shown therapeutic potential in Parkinsons disease In this study, the Regenerative Neuroscience Group used three animal models that were genetically modified to express human mutations (TDP43-M337V and SOD1-G93A) affecting ALS patients. They were particularly interested in studying ER stress, which is a cellular response to protecting cells and its proteins. If ER stress becomes chronic, as is the case in many neurological diseases, it can cause cell death."Symptom amelioration is reflected in an increased number of surviving motoneurons in the spinal cord of the animals compared to rodents that did not receive CDNF. Our experiments suggest that CDNF may rescue motoneurons by reducing the ER stress response and, therefore, cell death. Importantly, ER stress was present in all our animal models, independently of the specific genetic mutations" says Dr. Francesca De Lorenzo, lead author of the study, from the University of Helsinki.Professor Michael Sendtner from the University of Wurzburg, Germany, one of the world's leading researchers in the field of ALS research and co-author of the study, comments: "This study opens the way to a rational therapy to counteract one of the most severe cellular pathologies in ALS: ER stress".Source: Eurekalert
The United Nations General Assembly's high-level meeting on the fight against tuberculosis (TB) is held at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- World leaders at the United Nations General Assembly's high-level meeting on the fight against tuberculosis (TB) on Friday approved a political declaration to advance efforts to end the disease by 2030.

The document lays out ambitious new targets for the next five years, which include reaching 90 percent of people with TB prevention and care services, providing social benefit packages to those who have the disease, and licensing at least one new vaccine.

"I congratulate all member states on the approval of this draft political declaration, which I will submit to the General Assembly for its formal adoption at a later date," said UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis.

"We come together today with a purpose or resolve and try to reinvigorate commitments and accelerate progress towards ending tuberculosis, a millennia old disease, but it's one of the world's top infectious killers," said Francis.

"Why, after all the progress we have made - from sending man to the moon, to bringing the world to our fingertips - have we been unable to defeat a preventable and curable disease that kills over 4,400 people a day?" he said.

"TB epidemic thrives due to well-known inequities such as poverty and undernutrition, and it is further exacerbated by conflicts, climate change, and other crises," said Francis.

The COVID-19 pandemic reversed years of progress in the fight to end TB, placing on heavier burden on those affected, especially the most vulnerable, he said.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed called for action to tackle the main drivers of infection - poverty, undernutrition, lack of access to healthcare, the prevalence of HIV infections, diabetes, mental health, and smoking.

Stigma surrounding the disease needs to be reduced so that people can get help without fear of discrimination, she said, and governments must ensure universal health coverage that includes TB screening, prevention and treatment.

Mohammed also shared her own reason for supporting the global fight. "My commitment is my personal story: losing my father to TB at 50, 37 years ago this week," she said.

"Ending tuberculosis is possible. It requires political will, financial commitment, and global solidarity. The UN system stands ready to support all efforts... Together we must pledge to spare no effort to end tuberculosis once and for all," said Mohammed.

TB is the second leading infectious killer worldwide after COVID-19, with some 1.6 million deaths in 2021 alone, according to the World Health Organization. 

The United Nations General Assembly's high-level meeting on the fight against tuberculosis (TB) is held at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis (Front) speaks at the United Nations General Assembly's high-level meeting on the fight against tuberculosis (TB) at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis (C, Front) and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed (L, Front) attend the United Nations General Assembly's high-level meeting on the fight against tuberculosis (TB) at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)
A Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General report highly critical of the Veterans Crisis Line's handling of a suicidal veteran sparked outrage this week from U.S. senators responsible for oversight of the VA.

The OIG report, released last week, detailed the failure of the Veterans Crisis Line, or VCL, to help the veteran, who died by suicide minutes after cutting off contact. The veteran reached out to the hotline by text, telling a responder they had tested out their planned means of suicide and were in a location where they had access to those materials.

The crisis line responder did not contact the veteran directly by phone or alert first responders, but instead directed the individual to enact a safety plan formulated with a nearby family member. The responder terminated the text thread without verifying that the plan had been enacted when the veteran did not respond.

Read Next: Government Shutdown Would Not Affect VA Medical Care and Most Benefits, Secretary Says

"This is an incredibly damning OIG report, incredibly damning," Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said in a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing Wednesday on suicide prevention at the VA. "I'm struck that the executive director who apparently interfered with the OIG report was not fired. She's reassigned, I presume, still receiving a paycheck."

The report also appeared to outrage the committee chairman, Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.

"We've had so damn many hearings on mental health, and it doesn't seem like anything has changed," Tester said. "We just got to do better. ... It's ruining lives, it's ruining families."

In addition to the failure of the responder to help the veteran, the inspector general's investigation found systemic issues at the VCL, such as lack of a policy on silent monitoring, which is supposed to be conducted for quality control, and an inability to save texts other than cutting and pasting.

"The OIG determined that the leaders failed to establish a text message retention process in over 10 years of the VCL's use of text messaging for crisis management," wrote Dr. John Daigh, the VA's assistant inspector general for health care inspections.

With an estimated 17 veterans dying each day by suicide, the VA has made suicide prevention a top priority. Matthew Miller, executive director for suicide prevention at the Veterans Health Administration, told senators that the VA hired 900 crisis line workers in the last 18 months.

Since adopting the 988, Press 1 emergency number, Miller added, the VA's crisis line has fielded more than 1 million calls, texts and chats.

In 2016, the VCL came under fire for failing to answer all calls. More than one-third of the calls to the line were rolled over to contractors who had less training than the VA employees who manned the call center.

The number of veterans who died by suicide in 2021 is expected to be released by the VA this month. In 2020, the most recent year for which data is available, 6,146 veterans died by suicide, down nearly 10% from 2018.

The inspector general report said the San Antonio-area veteran, who suffered from post-traumatic stress and had a history of suicidal behavior, texted the crisis line in 2021 asking for help. The veteran previously had been flagged as being a high risk for suicide, but that flag had been removed the year before, eliminating a marker that would have warned the Veterans Crisis Line responder of the veteran's mental health history.

The veteran, who was not named in the report, contacted the line at 10:14 p.m. and said they were in a place with access to means. The veteran said they had tested the method to a point, "feeling everything fade."

The veteran then said they had a safety plan with a family member and had texted a hint that the safety plan needed to be enacted. That text, at 11:02 p.m., was the last from the veteran. The responder continued to try to text the veteran but did not receive a response. The responder terminated the call at 11:29 p.m.

According to the report, the veteran died by suicide at 11:40 p.m.

The IG concluded that the crisis line worker's response was inadequate, failing to recognize the veteran's suicide risk and not following up when they stopped texting. The responder never reached out to the veteran by phone and did not send emergency personnel to the scene, despite the veteran saying on the text thread that they had attempted suicide.

Later, crisis line leaders delayed disclosure of the death and did not conduct a root cause analysis of the suicide -- an investigation that is required to be done within 45 days.

Furthermore, leaders failed to update the veteran's status in the electronic health record and elsewhere, exposing the family to calls from providers about appointments and medical care and "caring communication" notices from the VA after the veteran's death.

"Why does it take an inspector general's investigation for this to be addressed? What's not taking place at VA to get this solved before this particular veteran committed suicide?" asked Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas, the committee's ranking Republican.

In testimony to the committee, Miller acknowledged the veteran's death by suicide immediately following contact with the Veterans Crisis Line.

"We, I, as a veteran grieve the loss of a veteran," Miller said.

The inspector general recommended that the crisis line review all communications between staff and veterans and improve risk assessment guidelines for responders. The VA has plans to update the text messaging service of the crisis line next year, according to the report.

During the hearing, Miller pledged improvements at the crisis line and throughout the VA to prevent suicides.

"It's our earnest desire and pledge to apply the wisdom gained through this review to strengthen processes as we continue to serve veterans who are the center of all we do, even at this very minute as we answer calls," Miller said.

If you are a service member or veteran who needs help, it is available 24/7 at the Veterans and Military Crisis Line, call, 988 Press 1, text 988 or use the online chat function at www.veteranscrisisline.net.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com.

Related: VA Launches New Ads Directed by Oscar Winner with Its 'Don't Wait. Reach Out' Campaign
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  The Great Lakes frigid fresh water used to keep shipwrecks so well preserved that divers could see dishes in the cupboards. Downed planes that spent decades underwater were left so pristine they could practically fly again when archaeologists finally discovered them.

Now, an invasive mussel is destroying shipwrecks deep in the depths of the lakes, forcing archeologists and amateur historians into a race against time to find as many sites as they can before the region touching eight U.S. states and the Canadian province of Ontario loses any physical trace of its centuries-long maritime history.

What you need to understand is every shipwreck is covered with quagga mussels in the lower Great Lakes, Wisconsin state maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen said. Everything. If you drain the lakes, youll get a bowl of quagga mussels.

Quagga mussels, finger-sized mollusks with voracious appetites, have become the dominant invasive species in the lower Great Lakes over the past 30 years, according to biologists.

The creatures have covered virtually every shipwreck and downed plane in all of the lakes except Lake Superior, archaeologists say. The mussels burrow into wooden vessels, building upon themselves in layers so thick they will eventually crush walls and decks. They also produce acid that can corrode steel and iron ships. No one has found a viable way to stop them.

Wayne Lusardi, Michigan's state maritime archaeologist, is pushing to raise more pieces of a World War II plane flown by a Tuskegee airman that crashed in Lake Huron in 1944.

Divers started discovering (planes) in the 1960s and 1970s, he said. "Some were so preserved they could fly again. (Now) when they're removed the planes look like Swiss cheese. (Quaggas are) literally burning holes in them."

Quagga mussels, native to Russia and Ukraine, were discovered in the Great Lakes in 1989, around the same time as their infamous cousin species, zebra mussels. Scientists believe the creatures arrived via ballast dumps from transoceanic freighters making their way to Great Lakes ports.

Unlike zebra mussels, quaggas are hungrier, hardier and more tolerant of colder temperatures. They devour plankton and other suspended nutrients, eliminating the base level of food chains. They consume so many nutrients at such high rates they can render portions of the murky Great Lakes as clear as tropical seas. And while zebra mussels prefer hard surfaces, quaggas can attach to soft surfaces at greater depths, enabling them to colonize even the lakes sandy bottoms.

After 30 years of colonization, quaggas have displaced zebra mussels as the dominant mussel in the Great Lakes. Zebras made up more than 98% of mussels in Lake Michigan in 2000, according to the University of California, Riversides Center for Invasive Species Research. Five years later, quaggas represented 97.7%.

For wooden and metal ships, the quaggas' success has translated into overwhelming destruction.

The mussels can burrow into sunken wooden ships, stacking upon themselves until details such as name plates and carvings are completely obscured. Divers who try to brush them off inevitably peel away some wood. Quaggas also can create clouds of carbon dioxide, as well as feces that corrode iron and steel, accelerating metal shipwrecks' decay.

Quaggas have yet to establish a foothold in Lake Superior. Biologists believe the water there contains less calcium, which quaggas need to make their shells, said Dr. Harvey Bootsma, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's School of Freshwater Sciences.

That means the remains of the Edmund Fitzgerald, a freighter that went down in that lake during a storm in 1975 and was immortalized in the Gordon Lightfoot song, The Ballad of the Edmund Fitzgerald," are safe, at least for now.

Lusardi, Michigan's state maritime archaeologist, ticked off a long list of shipwreck sites in the lower Great Lakes consumed by quaggas.

His list included the Daniel J. Morrel, a freighter that sank during a storm on Lake Huron in 1966, killing all but one of the 29 crew members, and the Cedarville, a freighter that sank in the Straits of Mackinac in 1965, killing eight crew members. He also listed the Carl D. Bradley, another freighter that went down during a storm in northern Lake Michigan in 1958, killing 33 sailors.

The plane Lusardi is trying to recover is a Bell P-39 that went down in Lake Huron during a training exercise in 1944, killing Frank H. Moody, a Tuskegee airman. The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of Black military pilots who received training at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama during World War II.

Brendon Baillod, a Great Lakes historian based in Madison, has spent the last five years searching for the Trinidad, a grain schooner that went down in Lake Michigan in 1881. He and fellow historian Bob Jaeck finally found the wreck in July off Algoma, Wisconsin.

The first photos of the site, taken by a robot vehicle, showed the ship was in unusually good shape, with intact rigging and dishes still in cabins. But the site was fully carpeted with quagga mussels, Baillod said.

It has been completely colonized," he said. "Twenty years ago, even 15 years ago, that site would have been clean. Now you can't even recognize the bell. You can't see the nameboard. If you brush those mussels off, it tears the wood off with it.

Quagga management options could include treating them with toxic chemicals; covering them with tarps that restrict water flow and starve them of oxygen and food; introducing predator species; or suffocating them by adding carbon dioxide to the water.

So far nothing looks promising on a large scale, UW-Milwaukee's Bootsma said.

The only way they will disappear from a lake as large as Lake Michigan is through some disease, or possibly an introduced predator," he said.

That leaves archaeologists and historians like Baillod scrambling to locate as many wrecks as possible to map and document before they disintegrate under the quaggas' assaults.

At stake are the physical remnants of a maritime industry that helped settle the Great Lakes region and establish port cities such as Milwaukee, Detroit, Chicago and Toledo, Ohio.

When we lose those tangible, preserved time capsules of our history, we lose our tangible connection to the past, Baillod said. Once they're gone, it's all just a memory. It's all just stuff in books.
State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada

Postal Code
HANOI, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's climate investment opportunities will reach up to 757 billion U.S. dollars by 2030, focusing on renewable energy, green construction, energy efficiency and transportation, according to the latest statistics of the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Vietnam's climate finance sector is still facing significant challenges in ensuring a strong alignment between major investment opportunities and environmental goals, Vietnam News Agency reported on Friday, citing Allen Forlemu, IFC's regional industry director for Financial Institutions Group, Asia and Pacific.

He proposed changing the way banks operate and transitioning to sustainability.

The IFC also recommended Vietnam focus on scaling green infrastructure, particularly green energy, green transport, energy efficiency and green buildings, and the transition from "brown" and heavy industries toward sustainable and low carbon pathways, exposing an enormous long-term funding gap.

State Bank of Vietnam Deputy Governor Pham Thanh Ha said the Vietnamese government is introducing a green finance classification system to promote and guide the expansion of sustainable investments, Vietnam News Agency reported.

Vietnam made the commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, phase out coal power by 2040, and reduce methane emissions by 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030. 
COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, MI - You can immerse yourself in a forest which has been transformed into a haunted, illuminated Halloween trail. Now in its fourth year, Glenlore Trails just opened this weekend for the Halloween season.

Located at 860 Newton Road in Commerce Township at Multi Lakes, the family-friendly trail is a one-mile walk through the woods. There are no jump scares. The theme for this years immersive nighttime stroll is CarnEvil, featuring numerous interactive experiences and games scattered throughout the trail.

Its kind of a circus theme, said Scot Schoeneberger, owner of the company behind the experience, Bluewater Technologies of Southfield. Weve got some fun games and additional large format interactive games which will be out on the trail. That will be different from last year as we continue to reimagine this based on feedback from surveys.

It takes Schoeneberger and his team nearly a year to put all of this together.

We usually start planning in February by designing the whole thing and then we take it to our engineering team. They run power, data, lighting, control... all of that. We then come out about a month beforehand and pull cable through the woods. Meanwhile, the team back at Bluewater is doing all of the programming and interactives while were designing the content. Its a full-year process and it changes every year.

Tickets, which can be purchased here, are $25 for general admission. $20 for ages 65+ and $15 for ages 4-12. Kids 3 and under are free.

Glenlore Trails runs through October 29. The forest will then be turned into a Christmas illuminated trail known as Aurora which will open around Thanksgiving and runs through the holiday season.

We dont take the infrastructure out. We give ourselves two to three weeks for changeover and were out here every single day for very long days to make that happen, taking the scenic out and putting all new scenic in and testing everything and then were ready to go.

MORE FROM MLIVE:

Michigan wine bar named one of the 24 best new restaurants in the entire U.S.

See the tallest skyscrapers in the world made from LEGO all in one place in Michigan

Swanky new Michigan hotel has year-round rooftop bar with dazzling skyscraper views
OTSEGO COUNTY, MI - A traffic stop led to an arrest Saturday, Sept. 23 after police say a Gladwin man, 44, was caught with brass knuckles and methamphetamine.

Michigan State Police around 1 a.m. stopped a vehicle traveling north on I-75 near Sturgeon Valley Road for speeding, a news release said. The registration plate was also expired.
ANN ARBOR, MI - A man accused of being involved in an overnight crime spree in Ann Arbor is being held on a $2 million cash surety bond.

Christian Reyes, 22, from Ypsilanti, was arraigned Friday, Sept. 22 on charges of armed robbery, attempted home invasion, fleeing and eluding and one count of resisting and obstructing a police officer.

Ann Arbor police say a second suspect remains hospitalized and a third was arrested Thursday, Sept. 21.

Related: 2 men arrested after armed robbery, attempted home invasion in Ann Arbor

Police responded Thursday around 2:15 a.m. to the 200 block of South Main Street for a report of an armed robbery.

Two women were standing on the sidewalk when a vehicle heading north on South Main Street made a U-turn and parked nearby, Ann Arbor police said in a news release. Two people got out of the car, one armed with a long gun and the other wearing a ski mask and carrying a knife, and demanded cash from the women.

After getting money from the women, who were not harmed, the suspects walked back to the vehicle and drove away.

About three minutes later, police saw a vehicle at a gas station on Main Street that matched the description given by the women. Police then chased the vehicle until it crashed at Allmendinger Park, 655 Pauline Boulevard, police said.

Two suspects ran away while another remained on the scene.

The first suspect, 20 from Saline, was taken to University Michigan Hospital. Police expect him to be arraigned Saturday, Sept. 23.

Reyes was arrested around 4:30 a.m. when police spotted him walking on South Main Street. The third suspect, an 18-year-old Ann Arbor man, was arrested later that day with charges pending.

Police also believe the men are connected to an attempted home invasion that occurred the same day around 2 a.m.

A homeowner, who heard his car alarm and someone banging on the front door, opened his door and was confronted by two men. The homeowner was able to fight off the suspects and lock his door, police said.

More on MLive:

8-year-old dies after being hit by farm equipment in Southwest Michigan

We just cut off the bloodstream: UAW workers walk out at Lansing parts warehouse

Air pollution fines would benefit local areas under Michigan bill
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Two regional education agencies are stepping in to make sure preschool programming in Kent County continues uninterrupted after a local early-learning group abruptly shut down this week due to alleged embezzlement by its founder.

The Kent Intermediate School District (ISD) and First Steps Kent announced Friday, Sept. 22, they are taking over some preschool programs that had previously been led by the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC) to ensure children continue to have access to high-quality early childhood services.

The ELNC is a nonprofit that provided preschool services to kids ages 0-5 in underserved communities in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Battle Creek. The group announced Wednesday it was closing after its founder and former CEO Nkechy Ekere Ezeh allegedly stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the organization along with bookkeeper Sharon Killebrew. Both were terminated, officials said.

RELATED: Brazen fraud: Early-learning group shut down by ex-CEOs alleged embezzlement

Ezeh has since denied the claims and alleged she was wrongly fired by ELNC as retaliation for her refusal to hire a Board of Directors member, her attorney said Friday in a statement.

The Kent ISD said Friday it is working to ensure children in preschool programs previously run by ELNC will continue to have access to high quality preschool as expected this year. The ISD is taking over contracts with four community organizations that previously worked with ELNC to provide state-funded preschool.

We share in the sadness and disappointment many people across the community feel right now, Ron Koehler, superintendent of Kent ISD, said in a statement. Our priority is making sure young children have access to the quality early education they need and deserve and are not negatively impacted by this situation.

Kent ISD and First Steps Kent are also looking for other organizations that can absorb some of ELNCs other services to help minimize the impact on young children and their families, the agencies said.

Childrens brains develop rapidly in the earliest years of life, building the foundation for future success, said Jennifer Headley-Nordman, president of First Steps Kent. We are fully committed to ensuring there is no loss of support to children and families in our community during this critical time of learning and development.

First Steps Kent is the authorizer of the countys Ready by Early Childhood Millage, of which ELNC was a recipient of funds, according to a release from the group. A thorough independent review and two audits have found no inappropriate usage of millage funds by ELNC, the release said.

ELNC is an initiative that worked to change the reality of underserved children by designing and implementing a preschool service system aimed at providing high quality early care and education programs in vulnerable neighborhoods.

The nonprofit filed a lawsuit last week against Ezeh and its former bookkeeper, Sharon Killebrew, alleging they virtually bankrupted the childrens learning organization.

Ezehs attorney, Stephen Drew, released a statement Friday that said he will be working aggressively to clear his clients name.

RELATED: Founder of early childhood learning group falsely accused of embezzlement, attorney says

The allegations made in the complaint filed against Dr. Nkechy Ezeh are false.  Over the past couple of months, Dr. Ezehs name, moral character, and commitment to vulnerable children have been constantly attacked and questioned, Drews statement reads.

The complaint not only contains critical omissions and misrepresentations designed to paint Dr. Ezeh in a negative light but is also an attempt to hide her wrongful termination earlier this year, a larger effort by the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative to discredit her so they could take without compensation her intellectual property that helps educate vulnerable children.

More on MLive:

5 fun things to do in Grand Rapids this weekend (Sept. 22-24)

Whats being built in Forest Hills? New $12.3M building will open next spring

West Michigan school district considering ban of 8 books

11 Michigan schools earn 2023 National Blue Ribbon recognition
AMMAN, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Jordan and the German Development Bank in the kingdom on Friday signed a 22.4-million-euro (about 23.8 million U.S. dollars) grant agreement to support the Jordanian education sector.

The Jordanian Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation said in a statement that the aid will fund teachers' salaries in public schools that accommodate Syrian students for the academic year 2023/2024.

Jordan's Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan said the grant is part of commitments made by the German government to support implementing the plan of Jordan's Education Ministry to accelerate the education of Syrian refugee children.

Germany is the second-largest donor country to Jordan, the statement noted. 
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Two years ago, when financial tech company Acrisure moved to downtown Grand Rapids, CEO Greg Williams wanted his firms presence to be felt beyond the walls of its newly built, seven-story office tower at Studio Park.

The goal, he said, was to have a lasting impact on the city.

On Friday, Williams did his part to carry through on that goal. His company, founded in 2005, pledged $30 million for a planned 12,000-capcity riverfront amphitheater at 201 Market Ave. SW in downtown Grand Rapids.

With the gift, Acrisure secured naming rights for a venue that officials say will serve as an economic and cultural asset for the region, and activate an underused, industrial stretch of the Grand River.

When we came in and moved into the downtown area, we said we wanted to not just move downtown, we want to impact downtown, Williams said, speaking after Acrisures gift was announced Friday at the Downtown Market in Grand Rapids. I think a lot of people took that as a soundbite. We actually really meant it. So, we had real conviction and desire to make a difference.

Related: New Grand Rapids riverfront concert venue to be named Acrisure Amphitheater

Construction is expected to begin next year on Acrisure Amphitheater. Officials hope to have the venue, whose total price tag is estimated at $184 million, open by May 2026 in time for the summer concert season.

For Acrisure, a relatively unknown but fast-growing company, the benefits of securing naming rights for the highly anticipated venue are numerous.

It helps raise brand awareness of the company, which got its start as an insurance brokerage and has since expanded to include financial services and technology. It also, Williams said, helps with employee attraction and retention by making Grand Rapids a vibrant, amenity-rich community.

Acrisure employs 16,000 people in 21 countries, 1,100 of whom work in West Michigan.

Related: Grand Rapids company settling into $33M office building opened amid COVID-19 pandemic

Yes, theres a source of pride on a personal level, he said, when asked what securing naming rights means to him and his company. But theres an element to it in terms of business that it does help us in terms of being thought of as an inspiring, forward-thinking company.

A significant number of Acrisures employees work for companies that have been purchased by Acrisure but still operate under their original name and branding.

The push to build the amphitheater, underway since at least 2018, is being led by Grand Action 2.0, a private economic development group. The group is co-chaired by Carol Van Andel, Dick DeVos and Tom Welch, regional president of Fifth Third Bank.

Other partners include the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority, which would own and operate the venue. The city of Grand Rapids and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., a nonprofit that coordinates development in the urban core, have also been active on the project. The state, in a budget signed last year by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, has provided $30 million for the venue.

Now, Acrisure, through its donation, is playing a key role in the effort too.

The privately-owned company acquires independent insurance, real estate and cyber service agencies in the U.S. and across the world. Historically, Acrisure operated those companies under their original name and branding. However, as part of its effort to build its brand, the company is now operating new businesses it buys under the Acrisure name.

In addition to insurance, Acrisure also provides cyber security services, mortgage services, payroll services and more.

The company has grown dramatically in recent years.

Since 2009, for example, Acrisures revenue has jumped from $38 million to more than $4 billion.

During that time, it has acquired companies not only throughout the U.S., but also in Europe and South America. Reports in June from Reuters and Bloomberg News, indicating the company is considering becoming a publicly traded firm, estimated Acrisures value at $23 billion.

Weve done over 100 acquisitions a year, on average, for the past six or seven years around the globe, said Williams, 62, of East Lansing. People, when they really kind of peel back the onion and say, Why would I sell my business, or why would I become part of Acrisure, we do have things other companies just dont have. Its not just scale. its capabilities. Products, and services and capabilities.

The amphitheater is first piece of a larger redevelopment plan for a 31-acre stretch of the Grand Rivers eastern edge along Market Avenue SW between Fulton and Wealthy streets. Ultimately, the plan is to transform that area, now home to surface parking lots, city offices and machinery, into a vibrant, mixed-use development with housing, green space and retailers.

Officials hope the development serves as a cultural and recreational asset, and helps Grand Rapids grow and attract new residents and businesses.

Following Fridays event, Williams said he was interested in playing a part in the development of the amphitheater when he first heard about the project. He said he met with Grand Action 2.0 a little over a year ago. They expressed a need, he said. We expressed an interest in helping out.

Originally, Grand Actions request was for $20 million. But that increased to $30 million based on scope and scale of the project changing, he said.

It became clear this was big, bold and impactful, he said of the amphitheater, and a bit of an unlock as it relates to development of the riverfront.

Acrisures amphitheater investment joins other gifts the company has made in West Michigan and throughout the country.

In 2020, the company pledged $15 million to establish the Acrisure Center for Innovation in Childrens Health at Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital in Grand Rapids. And last year, it purchased the naming rights for the Pittsburgh Steelers stadium and Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, California.

Were slowly but surely building an awareness around the brand, and things like this certainly augment, Williams said. You wouldnt do just digital. You wouldnt just do this. Combined, its a powerful combination.

During Fridays event, Williams paid tribute to the DeVos and Van Andel families, saying hes learned from their history of community involvement and philanthropy.

At the end of the day, were just following the lead that you and your families had established years ago, he said, addressing members of the two families. Ive learned from what youve done, and I think this community obviously has been a huge benefactor. Hopefully, Acrisure can continue that role and play a role in some of those things going forward.

Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter.

Read more on MLive:

4 things to know about large Grand Rapids housing, retail project

5 fun things to do in Grand Rapids this weekend (Sept. 22-24)

Feds seek $833K in back wages, damages for 177 Barrio Tacos workers

Agencies step in to help kids after early-learning group closes due to ex-CEOs alleged embezzlement
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  After eight days of voting, just under 700 paintings, sculptures and other entries competing for a $125,000 grand prize at ArtPrize 2023 have been whittled down to 25.

Visitors to ArtPrize  the open, international art competition that brings scores of visitors to downtown Grand Rapids to explore, engage, and vote on hundreds of entries  were fans of entries big and small.

From a bright, colorful mural depicting elephants in the African wilderness to a painting representing the past, present and future of Grand Rapids, the top vote-getters represent a host of different styles and artistic statements.

The Top 25 entries, culled from just under 700 total entries, were announced Friday evening at a ceremony at the ArtPrize Oasis at 555 Monroe Ave. NW.

A total of 31,566 total votes were cast for the Top 25, which was limited to one entry per venue. The grand prize winner will be announced Friday, Sept. 29, during the ArtPrize closing ceremony. A list of the top entries can be seen below, while photos of them can be seen in the gallery above.

Heres a look at the Top 25 vote winners:

-Abdoulaye Conde: Raining Wisdom. This entry is located at 45 Ottawa Ave. NW.

-Chenel Joseph: Guidance. This entry is located at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.

-David Stricklen: Exploring the Infinite. This entry is located at The B.O.B.

-Gina Wolfrum: Dancing Sky. This entry is located at the Courtyard Downtown Grand Rapids.

-Michelle Sider: Yemenite Reflections. This entry is located at The Atrium at Uccellos Downtown.

-Jesse Douglas and Sotir Davidhi: Evolve. This entry is located at Vicinity Energy Grand Rapids.

-CultureVerse presents MYPH: Light in the Dark. This entry is located at the ArtPrize ClubHouse.

-Michele Boudreaux: Elevated Serenity: A Paper Symphony of Blooms & Balloons 2D. This entry is located at Oh, Hello Paper & Gifts.

-Gregory Urbin: Novucubism. This entry is located at Sundance Grill & Bar.

-John Brummel: The Heart of our Nation. The entry is located at Has Heart at Veterans Memorial Park.

-Christopher Shields: Technophobia. This entry is located at The Morton.

-Abram Sudan: Cosmic Depths: A Triptych Exploration. This entry is located at Beacon Corner Bar.

-Bryce Culverhouse: Black History Series. This entry is located at Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives.

-Ryan McCallister: Count On Me. This entry is located at Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.

-Rebecca Humes: Tale of Ten Dresses. This entry is located at JW Marriott Grand Rapids.

-BC ClayArt: Time at Stonehenge. This entry is located at DeVos Place Convention Center.

-John Niewiek: A Love Story. This entry is lcoated at Waters Center/Homewood Suites by Hilton Grand Rapids Downtown.

-Michael Quandt: Whats Not Cool About A Dragon? This entry is located at Monroe North Business Association at Sixth Street.

-Tom Gifford: MI Light. This entry is located at BIGGBY COFFEE in downtown Grand Rapids.

-Julie Weaverling: Lift the Sky. This entry is located at Fountain Street Church.

-David Kail: Egg Prize. This entry is located at Van Andel Arena.

-Brandon Johnson: The Burbs. This entry is located at Brush Studio.

-Sarah Seaberg: The Michigan Smiles Project. This entry is located at Websters Market Inc.

-Karen Dixon: Perfectly Imperfect 2.0. This entry is located at McKay Tower.

-Howard Wright: Paint the Calder. This entry is located at Hyatt Place Grand Rapids/Downtown.

Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter.

Read more on MLive:

The Rapid bus system seeks community input on 20-year public transportation vision

Michigan couple accused of entering U.S. Capitol in Jan. 6, 2021, riot, are good people, attorney says

Motorcyclist dies after being rear-ended by vehicle

Brazen fraud: Early-learning group shut down by ex-CEOs alleged embezzlement
On a rocking boat in the Mackinac Strait with a wealthy donor below deck, presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy made his way to Mackinac Island to woo the Michigan Republican Party faithful Friday evening.

Im mapping out a course to win this general election in a landslide. I believe we will be successful, Ramaswamy said in an interview on the boat. And I take Michigan as a critical part of the path both the primary and the general.

He was the most prominent speaker at the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference, headlining the first of two days of conference speakers, which is markedly smaller than in past years.

When attendees gathered in a Grand Hotel ballroom for Ramaswamys keynote address that evening, the space was a little more than half full. He held the audience enraptured by railing off a litany of hardline conservative policies wrapped in a unified theory of how the country went astray.

How did it happen that this fringe philosophy, this idea that your genetics determined who you are  race, gender, sexuality, climate  how did that fringe philosophy in the halls of academia, that began as a challenge to the system, how did it become the new system, Ramaswamy said.

He paired that theory with neoconservative priorities like shrinking government, promising to rescind  a majority of federal regulations on day one and remove a vast swathe of the federal agencies including the FBI, the IRS, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers of Disease Control and the U.S. Department of Education, among others.

That is how you unlock the U.S. economy, Ramaswamy said.

In the interview, he blamed Democrats in Washington, DC, for the ongoing United Auto Workers strike against the Detroit Three automotive corporations.

What I would like to do is send a message to those workers that I understand your frustrations. I really do, he said. But I think the places where those frustrations should be directed are at the party whos responsible for their plight  thats the US government today.

He also criticized Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, whos made confronting human-driven climate change a priority in her second term, of bending the knee to the climate cult.

Ramaswamy, a entrepreneur worth more than $500 million, founded an investment fund, invested primarily in the fossil fuel industry and promised that under his administration, we will drill, we will frack, we will burn coal, we will embrace nuclear. He said a candidates assets shouldnt have to be held in a blind trust until theyre elected.

He expressed optimism that he could work with Whitmer on efforts to increase nuclear energy in Michigan.

Michigan voters last November enshrined abortion rights in Michigans constitution, and Ramaswamy said hed respect that decision as president, calling himself an absolutist on states rights. At the same time, he told The Detroit News that hed like to see a single day of in-person voting for elections, which would violate another constitutional amendment voters approved in 2022.

Ramaswamy is currently third place in the Republican primary, polling about 8% nationally in averages from RealClearPolitics and FiveThirtyEight. It places him far behind former President Donald Trump, who is averaging 58 and 55%, respectively.

In Michigan, however, voters opinions may matter less in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. On Sunday the partys state committee is set to vote on a plan that would mean 39 of the 55 Michigan delegates sent to the Republican National Convention would be picked by party insiders, rather than the public in 2024.

Dave Kiessel, a precinct delegate from Leelanau County said he very impressed with what he heard from Ramaswamy, but didnt seem him in the leading role.

He would be a good partner for Trump, Kiessel said. Give Trump four years and let him slip right in there for the next four years.

Ramaswamy said hed take that praise  for now.

I think for people who might not have known who I was even four months ago, to be there in the month of September, thats great, Ramadswamy said. Come February, I think theyre gonna be in a very different place.

Ramaswamy has avoided directly criticizing Trump on the campaign trail, instead positioning himself as the best person to carry on Trumps legacy.

I am an America First conservative, but I am not a Trump First conservative, Ramaswamy said. His America First agenda does not belong to one man, it does not belong to Donald Trump.

A small group of college Republicans, when asked by MLive, said they liked his speech but were searching for a more moderate choice in the primary. They asked not to be named out of concern theyd be scorned for that sentiment.
LANSING, MI  A bill wending its way through the Michigan Legislature would redirect civil penalties paid by companies who violate air pollution laws to communities affected by those contaminants rather than into the states general fund.

On Thursday, Sept 21, the House natural resources committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 26, which would amend Michigans air pollution laws to create a new fund that would distribute money from some environmental fines to nonprofits, schools, colleges and local governments.

The bill is sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, who introduced it in mid-January. It passed the state Senate on June 14 on a party-line vote.

Supporters drew skeptical questions about pollution enforcement procedures from Republicans on the House panel and the bill is being opposed by Michigan business groups.

The committee did not vote on the bill Thursday.

Chang said the legislation comes out of conversations with residents in Detroit who want to see air pollution enforcement fines benefit affected neighborhoods.

Right now, our laws do not provide a mechanism to ensure that the fines paid actually are directed to mitigating the harm in the community polluted by the company, Chang said.

If this bill becomes law, we will be able to  in a way that does not have a dramatic impact on industry  make a big positive impact for neighborhoods in my district and many of yours.

The legislation sets up an Air Quality Enforcement and Mitigation (AQEM) Fund at the state Treasury and requires all civil and administrative fines collected under Part 55 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to be deposited into it.

The fund would pay local entities 70 percent of those funds through a grant program, and EGLE would retain 30 percent of those funds for training, air monitoring and inspections.

Eligible uses for the money would include air pollution mitigation efforts such as vegetative buffers, indoor filtration systems and diesel engine retrofit or replacement programs. Other uses could include health assessments and community training programs.

Grant guidelines would be developed by an advisory committee. Disadvantaged, or environmental justice communities on the frontlines of the pollution, would be given priority in grant distribution by using state and federal justice screening tools.

The bill is supported by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), the states environmental regulatory agency.

The legislation would not give EGLE any additional authority to issue new pollution violations, said Travis Boeskool, EGLE deputy director.

Boeskool said EGLE annually refers between five and 10 percent of legal violation notices to escalated enforcement, a process sparked by the number and severity of certain violations which often results in an administrative consent order and potentially civil penalties.

According to Chang, the general fund received about $1.2 million in 2020 and 2021 from those.

Its just changing where that money ends up, Boeskool said.

Related: Stellantis to pay $284k air pollution fine

However, business groups argued Thursday that the new funding destination would create an incentive to increase fines and pollution enforcement.

John Boothroyd, government relations manager at Michigan Sugar Company, argued the money EGLE would get for administration and training purposes does create a reason to, in subjective cases, find a reason to move towards a fine.

Boothroyd argued the companys Bay City processing facility has received numerous violations related to nuisance odors  although, according to EGLE, it has not been fined for odors.

The Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA) and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce echoed Boothroyds concern about the fund incentivizing increased enforcement. Both organizations also argued that the states screening tool to identify which communities would be eligible to receive funding is not ready to be deployed.

The state is still developing its MiEJScreen, which is an interactive map that identifies communities that may be disproportionately affected by environmental hazards. According to EGLE, a similar federal tool would be used until the states draft tool is finished.

Mike Alaimo, director of environmental and energy affairs for the chamber, said the states environmental justice tool uses different criteria than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tool, such as the amount of brownfield sites per capita in an area, that ultimately we believe doesnt match the intent of how we want to identify EJ communities.

Simone Sagovac of the Southwest Detroit Community Benefits Coalition argued that recent supplemental environmental projects required of certain polluters in recent years in response to violation enforcement has made a real difference in certain parts of metro Detroit. Examples include air filters in elementary schools in industrialized areas, and window and ventilation system upgrades in homes along the I-75 corridor.

But this has occurred only in special circumstances, she said.

While small programs dont solve our air emissions problem, the community projects made possible by directing funds are helping people, Sagovac said.
As tensions emerge between protesters and police over clashes at the #OccupyJublieeHouse demonstration, actor Emmanuel Asiamah has called for calm and accountability.

He noted that there would be a break of trust between citizenry and leaders when peaceful demonstrations that are aimed at voicing issues about misgovernance are met with violence and brutalities.

In a Twitter thread addressing the situation on Friday, September 22, Emmanuel Asiamah urged Ghanaians to be united as they call on leaders to address the high cost of living.

"When peaceful protests, driven by the desire for change, are met with violence from our supposed peacekeeping officers, it shatters the trust between the people and those in power," the philanthropist wrote.

He added, "We must demand justice and accountability for these actions, urging our leaders to address this issue head-on. In our pursuit of a better Ghana, unity is paramount."

The actors comments come after police arrested 49 people near Jubilee House on Thursday in connection with the protests.

They explained that the arrests were due to the group's disregard for a court order barring protests at the location.
23.09.2023 LISTEN

Ghanaian music producer Appietus has issued a warning to musicians who enjoy copying the musical creations of other professionals in the field.

According to Appietus, such actions have no bearing on the growth of the Ghanaian music industry.

In an interview with 3FM, he stated Again, we like to change too much. We let go of our style for others yet it results in arguments. However, the moment they let things go, so do we. If you go to Jamaica, they are still doing dancehall. America is still doing hip-hop but in a modified form. Its still there- they havent thrown it away. If these people kept throwing what they had away, what would they have?

He continued that copying others will eventually fade out Ghanaian music works.

I heard that we now have GhanaPiano. If we dont take care, well just put Ghana on anything. We have to have a name that is ours. We had azonto and highlife; we should own it, otherwise, well come off as students in class that stretch their necks to copy.

You need a good product. You need connection and money as well. If you get these three, youll blow. If you dont have that, forget it, he emphasised.
SDK, a comedian from Ghana, has joined day 3 of #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest to demand good governance from the NPP government.

He cautioned opponents of the demonstration in an interview with TV3 not to distract the protesters.

I am really angry, I came here with two legs but probably I will leave here with one leg. We are very angry, we are not here to fight anyone, we dont have stones, we dont have guns. We are protesting peacefully or they thought we are going to the Jubilee house to steal some documents or to steal one million dollars like Cecilia, we are here protesting peacefully.

We are exercising our rights, we need good roads, I almost died at the Tema motorway because one driver did not know that there was a manhole, SDK stated.

The leadership of the #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration has vowed to continue their protest despite the arrest of some participants and alleged intimidation by the police.

The Ghana Police Service had earlier announced an injunction to prohibit the group from protesting within the vicinity of the Jubilee House.
The Minority in Parliament has said Ghana's huge indebtedness to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) renders it a risky place for potential investors.

This is because Ghana is being noted as the most indebted country to the IMF under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust, with an outstanding loan amounting to 1,689 billion Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) according to reports.

This accounts for nearly 10% of the total loans outstanding within the Trust.

Isaac Adongo, the Ranking Member on the Finance Committee of Parliament, expressed deep concern regarding Ghana's high debt levels and diminished foreign reserves.

According to him, these factors are impeding the nation's ability to attract foreign investment.

He remarked, "If you look at our creditworthiness in terms of our net international reserves to cover those portfolios, Ghana is a risky country, and the IMF itself is worried."

Mr Adongo also issued a caution that Ghana may find itself ineligible for another IMF program.

He noted, "But for the fact that Ghana has a track record of historically meeting its obligation to the IMF, these statistics alone [are enough] for you to know that Ghana will not qualify for an IMF program."

The significant debt burden that Ghana currently bears has raised apprehension among potential investors.
The vibrant city of Osu came alive on August 29, 2023, as it climaxed the Osu Homowo Festival with a mini durbar at the forecourt of the Osu Mantse Palace.

The Osu Homowo Festival is a cherished tradition of the Ga people in Osu. It is a time when the community comes together to commemorate their history, celebrate their culture, and showcase their accomplishments. The festival, known for its colorful and lively celebrations, serves as a reminder of the resilience and unity of the Ga-Dangme people and how they conquered hunger together as a people. This year's theme, "Beauty in Tradition," resonated throughout the festival, as it celebrated the intrinsic value of Ga culture, emphasizing that traditions are not relics of the past but living expressions of heritage and identity.

One of the highlights of this year's festival was the Durbar, a ceremonial gathering that brought together dignitaries, traditional leaders, and the local community. This grand event, which marked the climax of the Homowo festival, was graced by a host of dignitaries, including H.E. Amer Jamil Ghanem Ali Alalawi (UAE Ambassador), H.E. Anne Sophie Ave (French Public Diplomacy Ambassador), Mr. Atta Yeboah Gyan (Deputy Managing Director of Fidelity Bank), Nana Kwaku Agyei Yeboah (CEO of the Student Loan Trust Fund), Mr. Will Senyo (CEO of Impact Hub), Mrs. Maamle Andrews (Chief Director of Ministry of Education), Nana Sika Afrah Mensah (Deputy Coordinator of Free SHS, Ministry of Education). The event was also graced by traditional leaders including Nakyei Dodi Akai Bi (Paramount Queen Mother of Awutu State), Mama Bobi (Divisional Queen Mother of Asogli State), Nene Pediator (Divisional Chief of Kudragbe in Ada), Asafoatse Kotoko Debrah (Divisional Chief of Kabiawe in Ada) and Klikpa Seitse.

Cultural displays took center stage, providing a captivating insight into the traditions and customs of the Ga people. There were displays from the Osu Obonufoi, Osu Adowafoi, Osu Asafo, Klama dancers from Osuwem and varied number of Cultural groups. These performances told stories of the past, celebrated the present, and looked forward to a promising future, showcasing the "Beauty in Tradition." A significant part of the Durbar was the recognition and awarding of students who excelled in the annual Osu Homowo Science Fair. These students were awarded with laptops, science laboratory equipment and cash prizes to encourage and support their studies. This educational initiative encourages young minds to explore their scientific potentials and contribute to community development. The presence of the Chief Director from the Ministry of Education and the CEO of the Student Loan Trust Fund underscored the importance of education in the Ga-Dangme community and Ghana as a whole.

As the event drew to a close, the celebration continued with a feast. Guests and attendees were treated to the traditional Ga meal called "Kpokpoi." This dish, prepared with care and precision, consists of steamed corn meal and palm nut soup and smoked fish as the main protein.

The Osu Homowo Festival is not just a celebration; it's a reaffirmation of cultural identity, a testament to the power of education, and a demonstration of the warmth and hospitality of the Ga people. It serves as a bridge between tradition and modernity, reminding everyone of the importance of preserving heritage while embracing progress. The Osu Homowo Festival stands as a testament to the power of cultural celebration to bring people together, educate, and inspire, highlighting the profound "Beauty in Tradition" that connects us all.
The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, a Presidential aspirant for the New Patriotic Party, has reminded party delegates that the November 4, Presidential primaries is about someone who can win political power for the party in 2024.

He in that regard, called on the delegates to vote massively for him as the next leader of the party, stressing that he was the most experienced and well-marketed among all the aspirants.

He said he was optimistic that with him as the Presidential candidate, the NPP would form the next government in 2025 to continue with the good policies of President Akufo-Addo.

The Vice President made the call when he interacted with delegates in the Bia West and Juaboso constituencies on day two of his campaign tour of the Western North Region.

He emphasized that the current administration had introduced a lot of social intervention programmes, including free SHS and Technical and Vocational Education Training, re-introduced teacher and nursing training allowance, free WASSCE and Basic Education Certificate Examination registration, one constituency one ambulance, among others, which was unprecedented and promised to do more for the Ghanaian people in 2025.

The Vice President also mentioned the cocoa rehabilitation programme, pruning and the supply of free cocoa seedlings and plantain suckers to cocoa farmers in the Western North region as some of the intervention in the cocoa sector.

The government has also increased the price of cocoa from GHC800 to GHC1308, the highest price of cocoa in the history of this country, he added.

Dr Bawumia announced that a welfare fund would be instituted specially for polling station executives to motivate them to work harder in the best interest of the party.

He also promised to unite the rank and file of the party for a resounding victory in 2024, adding that he had what it takes to bring everyone on board to bring the needed unity and peace within the party.

The Vice President was accompanied by Madam Catherine Afeku, former campaign team member of Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyeremateng, Mr William Benjamin Assuah, Former Regional chairman and regional coordinator for Alan, Mr Kingsley Aboagye Gyedu, former Western North Regional Minister and Mr Richard Ebbah Obeng, Western North Regional Minister.

The rest are Mr Alfred Obeng Boateng, Member of Parliament for Bibiani -Anhwiaso -Bekwai constituency, Augustine Blay, Executive Secretary to the Vice President and Mr Alex Tetteh, Member of Parliament for Akontombra.

GNA
YINCHUAN, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Deng Guoxue, 40, is sanguine about his company's future cooperation with Arab countries in power infrastructure construction after participating in a project that installed 5 million electricity meters in Saudi Arabia in order to establish a power consumption information collection system.

During their busiest time, the engineer from the Ningxia branch of the State Grid Corporation of China and his team set up 1.5 million electricity meters within 300 days in the foreign country.

Thankfully, their hard work paid off, as the system started operation in October 2021.

The agreement for the project was signed by the State Grid Corporation of China and Saudi Electricity Company in 2019, and included the installation of electricity meters in nine southern provinces in Saudi Arabia and the development of supporting facilities for power supply lines.

Technology services, equipment integration, trial tests, and maintenance and personnel training were also part of the project, which marked the first whole electricity consumption information collection system exported from China to overseas.

Deng's team was in charge of the project construction in Najran, located in the south of Saudi Arabia. They found it quite challenging due to the local arid and hot climate, unique terrain, and the alien cultural environment, but still inspiring as it could become a helpful reference for future project construction efforts in foreign countries.

"The most difficult part was to train the local personnel how to run the system. We designed the curriculum, prepared textbooks and materials, as well as built a real-scenario experiment workshop with simulation equipment all on our own," Deng recalled.

"Because of the language and cultural barriers, we had to spend extra hours on interaction with the foreign students, sometimes in our dormitory," the senior engineer added. Deng has been working for the company's branch in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region since 2008.

The Ningxia branch of the Chinese company is also working with another Arab country, Oman, to help the country upgrade its grid. Last year, State Grid Corporation of China sent a team on a field trip to Oman.

"The project is aimed at modernizing Oman's grid system, which remains largely unchanged since 1967, with severe imbalances of power supply between its northern and southern parts," said Ma Jun, a member of the 40-person team in charge of the project.

With abundant experience in green energy development and research, Ningxia hopes to take its clean power technologies to the Gulf region, which now relies on fossil oil and natural gas for power generation, while boasting rich wind and solar resources.

Facing the challenge of fossil oil depletion, Oman plans to raise the proportion of green power to 20 percent of its total power generation by 2026, thus demanding a complete renovation of its grid system.

"Through building a new grid system which introduces green energy and helps power source transformation, we are expected to help them solve the imminent problem of oil resource depletion as well," said Ma.

Currently, Ningxia is also running a joint laboratory with Oman to carry out experiments on how to quickly introduce new energy into the grid system of Oman while maintaining the stability of power supply, according to the State Grid Corporation of China. 
Pope Francis arrived in Marseille on Friday for a two-day visit expected to focus on the surge in migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean, bringing a message of tolerance amid bitter debate over how Europe manages asylum seekers.

The French port was decked out in the yellow and white colours of the Vatican for the first visit by a pope to France's second-largest city in 500 years, where he will celebrate a stadium mass on Saturday.

The 86-year-old is visiting to take part in a meeting of Mediterranean-area Catholic bishops and young people  but his trip comes at a politically sensitive time.

The pontiff disembarked at Marseille airport from his plane away from the view of cameras. He was then wheeled in a wheelchair towards Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, who was waiting on the airport tarmac to greet him, an AFP correspondent said.

He then stood up from his wheelchair to acknowledge the welcome of a military band.

Migrant crisis

A surge in migrant boats arriving from North Africa on the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa last week trigged outrage in Italy and a heated debate across Europe over how to share responsibility for the numbers.

Marseille is a historic gateway for immigrants and also home to some of the poorest neighbourhoods in Europe, many of which are plagued by drug trafficking.

The desperate conditions that cause many people to leave their homes for a new life, and the risks they take to do so, have been a key theme during Francis's decade as head of the Catholic Church.

Speaking at the Vatican on Sunday, he noted that migration "represents a challenge that is not easy ... but which must be faced together".

He emphasised the need for "fraternity, putting human dignity and real people, especially those most in need, in first place".

Ahead of what will be his 44th overseas trip, Francis acknowledged this month that papal voyages were not as easy as they used to be.

He underwent hernia surgery in June, less than two years after having colon surgery, and routinely uses a wheelchair because of a troublesome knee.

Meeting pilgrims

Despite the decline in France of Catholicism, the once dominant faith, the pope's visit has sparked huge enthusiasm, with almost 60,000 people expected at a mass on Saturday afternoon.

"Habemus papam" headlined regional newspaper La Provence, using the famous Latin phrase meaning "We have a pope!" used on the election of a pontiff.

For Joseph Achji, a 25-year-old Syrian Christian originally from Aleppo, the pope's visit is a "chance of a lifetime".

He will head to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, a symbolic monument overlooking the city, for a prayer with local clergy on Friday afternoon.

That will be followed by a moment of meditation with representatives of other religions at a memorial to sailors and migrants lost at sea.

The United Nations estimates that more than 28,000 migrants who have tried to cross the Mediterranean since 2014 have gone missing.

After 8,500 migrants landed on Lampedusa in three days earlier this month, the European Union promised more help for Rome.

But France, amid wrangling over a draft law governing migrant arrivals there, said it would not accept anyone from the island.

"We are expecting very strong words" from the pope, said Francois Thomas, head of Marseille-based SOS Mediterranee, which operates a migrant rescue boat in the sea.

"It is our humanity that is sinking if Europe does not do something."

Macron to attend mass

French President Emmanuel Macron will attend the Pope's mass in Marseille, a decision that has sparked controversy among left-wing politicians in the strictly secular country.

The pontiff has a cordial relationship with Macron, who was himself educated by Jesuits, and the leaders have already seen each other three times.

Thierry Rambaud, a law professor in Paris, said the pope "is a foreign head of state, it's normal for the president to meet him and be present at the ceremony".

"Of course Emmanuel Macron is president of a secular republic, but many of his fellow citizens are of Catholic faith and it's a way of showing respect," he added.

(AFP)
The term "showdown" has gained prominence in Ghanaian political discourse, particularly within the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), after events of the NPP Super Delegates Conference.

During the conference, Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central and one of the NPP's presidential aspirants, threatened to give President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia a "showdown" when his polling agent was reportedly attacked.

This term has now found its way into the vocabulary of many politicians, including Vice President Dr. Bawumia, who recently used it in a statement addressing the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Speaking at a meeting with NPP delegates in the Nkwanta South Constituency in the Oti Region, Vice President Bawumia expressed his determination to give the NDC and its flagbearer, John Mahama, a "showdown" in the Volta Region.

"If I contest, I will pull more votes for the NPP in the Volta Region as well, and that will mean that all the strongholds of the NDC will be shaken.

This accounts for their fear of Dr. Bawumia because they fully appreciate that if I am the candidate for the NPP, I will give the NDC a showdown," Dr. Bawumia stated.

Nana Akomea, the Chief Executive of the State Transport Company (STC) also borrowed the term "showdown" during a panel discussion on Peace FM's Kokrokoo morning show.

"Ken has made the word showdown very popular...but you know, Dr. Bawumia has turned it against the NDC.

We've turned the showdown against the NDC, which is the way it should be, and it's so interesting," Nana Akomea remarked.

Nana Akomea further expressed confidence that Dr. Bawumia would give Kennedy Agyapong a proper "showdown" in the NPP primaries scheduled for November 4, 2023.

"We will give him (Kennedy Agyapong) a showdown," Nana Akomea emphasized.
23.09.2023 LISTEN

The President of the Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG), David Kwadwo Amoateng, has raised concerns about what he perceives as "extreme corruption" at the Tema Harbour.

Mr. Amoateng alleges that the Customs Commissioner is enriching himself at the expense of traders who are burdened with exorbitant port duties that he believes are unjustified.

In an interview with NEAT FM's Ghana Montie morning show, David Kwadwo Amoateng expressed his frustration with the current state of affairs at the Tema Harbour.

He questioned why customs officials were imposing burdensome duties on traders, making it increasingly difficult for them to conduct their businesses efficiently.

"Why are they making things difficult for us?" Amoateng asked, emphasizing the negative impact of these high duties on traders.

Mr Amoateng went on to assert that the Customs Commissioner is a major contributor to the rising prices of goods in the country.

He stated, "Customs Commissioner is the reason why things are getting expensive in this country."
23.09.2023 LISTEN

Nana Obiri Boahen, former Deputy General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) is very hopeful Mr. Alan Kyerematen, one of the flagbearer hopefuls who withdrew from the party's presidential race, will not form his own political party.

Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' morning show, Nana Obiri Boahen emphasised that despite Alan Kyerematen harbouring issues with the party, he remains a committed member of the NPP.

Mr Boahen underscored the importance of unity within the party, stating that the NPP should stand together to support whoever is ultimately elected as the flagbearer.

According to Nana Obiri Boahen, Alan Kyerematen, who played a significant role in the formation of the NPP, would continue to support the party.

"Though he has decided to stay away from the contest, I'm not sure he will also want to form his own political party and stay away from the party that he helped form with his money, sweat, and blood," Nana Obiri Boahen remarked.

Alan Kyerematen officially withdrew from the NPP's presidential race in a statement dated September 5, 2023.

In the statement, he cited concerns about the intimidation of his agents among other issues as a reason for his withdrawal.

While confirming his withdrawal from the presidential primaries scheduled for November 4, 2023, Kyerematen indicated that he would announce his next move in Ghanaian politics after consulting with his family, stakeholders, and interest groups.

He said, In light of the foregoing, I wish to confirm that I am honourably withdrawing from the process that will lead to the Presidential Primaries to be held on the 4th of November 2023.

In the next upcoming weeks, I will provide an indication of the role that I will play in politics in Ghana, after consultations with my family and other well-wishers, various stakeholders and interest groups, he added.
23.09.2023 LISTEN

The question posed above as a title to this article may look awkward at first sight, but in reality, it is penetrating. It may look awkward because ethnically, the first Prime Minister/President of modern Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah (born as Mbeah Kofi Mboloma), was an Nzema man born to parents in Nkroful in the Western Region of the country. Kusaas never contributed to his upbringing and education, but he turned out in his lifetime to love them affectionately and grew to abundantly loathe their bitterest enemies - the Mamprusis. Dr. Nkrumah stood for justice, fairness and equality for the Kusaug Kingdom in nine years of his rule of Ghana and the rest of his life while in exile in Guinea, where he kept a seamless personal link with Messrs Imoru Ayarna and Asumda Ayebo, the doyens of Kusaug politics. In 1986, Mr. Ayarna told me about the late John Ndebugre in Accra of how he maintained a constant relationship with Dr. Nkrumah in Guinea. While in exile in Guinea, he never forgot of Bawku, and in particular, his miraculous escape from death at the Kulungungu abortive bombing.

The question is particularly penetrating because it seeks to explore and discuss what Nkrumah stood for with regard to the Kusaug Kingdom and the Kingdom's neocolonialist struggles. It will also discuss the development efforts Dr. Nkrumah invested in Kusaug during his Administration. Today, being Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day (his birthday set aside to celebrate him and his achievements), there are many reasons why Ghanaians, and Kusaas in particular, should eulogize him at the micro-levels.

He built the giant Akosombo dam and hydropower generating plant to provide Ghanaians with reliable and affordable electricity. Though he didn't live to see the extension of electricity to Kusaug during his reign, its source of generation taped to transmit electric power by President J. J. Rawlings to the North, including 72% of Kusaug.

Though the Mamprusis hated him and continuously and erroneously said it was he who took the chieftaincy from them and gave it to Kusaas, the historical facts available looked different. By ignoring the findings of the three-man Opoku Afari Committee of Inquiry and White paper assented to by the Acting Governor-General of Gold Coast, Lord Listowell, the Mamprusi continued to peddle false information and took part in, at least, twice of the six attempts to assassinate Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. These two instances were the Kulungungu bombing on August 01, 1962 and the Accra Stadium bombing attempt on May 06, 1964. It was believed that the Kulungungu bombing, in which he received many shrapnels at his back finally killed Dr. Nkrumah. The biochemical effect of the shrapnel biomagnified and turned into a malignant, carcinogenic condition that eventually killed him while still undergoing treatment in Bulgaria.

Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's achievements for Kusaug were immense. Apart from the general rapid economic and social development that the country (Ghana) experienced during his Administration, Dr. Nkrumah singled out Kusaug as a community development model in Ghana. Being a global captain in liberation struggles, Dr. Nkrumah made sure he religiously implemented the remits of Lord Listowell's White Paper, arising out of the 1957 Opoku Afari Committee's Report. Through his personal actions, Kusaas consolidated the double independence and self-determination they had simultaneously gained from the colonial masters and the Mamprusis. Working through the then Upper Regional Commissioner, Mr. Asumda Ayebo (himself a Kusaa), infrastructural and institutional development in the Kusaug Area was vigorously pursued. Roads and bridges were constructed in the entire Kusasi District to enhance movement. The Bawku Groundnut Factory was established at Kpalwega to process the huge groundnuts that were produced in the Area. At the Regional level, Kusaas benefitted from the rapid industrialization drive that took place in Bolgatanga. The Zuaruangu Meat Factory, Bolgatanga Rice Mills and the Pwalugu Tomato Factory were industrial establishments Dr. Nkrumah designed and was implemented by Mr. Asumda Ayebo for which Kusaas also benefitted in terms of commerce and employment.

The Local Governance systems in Kusaug Area was well structured and government services to communities tickled dawn to the remotest of villages. Agriculture in Kusaug was gradually modernized at the local level while emphasizing on organic agricultural husbandry. Simple implements such as draught animal hoes and carts were introduced in the crop production cycle at the peasants level, in addition to the elaborate State farms concepts. Consequently, food was in abundance in the Area and poverty among households was minimal. Local economies and traditional enterprises were vibrant and became sustainable that bolstered livelihoods of Kusaas. The chieftaincy institution in Kusaug was restructured and the power of traditional administration was vested in the hands of the indigenous Kusaas. Peace and equity prevailed in the Area. The Kusaas' cultures were made rich, admired and revered by many other tribes.

In the educational sector, every Electoral Area had a Middle School and, at least, four Primary Schools built for them to recruit children in the local areas. The Azoka Secondary School and Pusiga Training College were established in the Kusaug Area as second-cycle institutions for students in the area to attend at minimal cost. Kusaug was the only area in Ghana that simultaneously received three model boarding schools to prepare pupils for boarding life in second-cycle institutions. These institutions were: Bawku Middle Boarding School, Tempane Middle Boarding School an Kusanaba Girls Vocational Boarding School. In fact, most Kusaas would have remained in the shadows of darkness, but for Dr. Nkrumah's expansive educational drive in the Kusaug Area.

It must be stated that four major reasons might have accounted for Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's love for Kusaas and Kusaug. First, his intrinsic love for justice, equity, fairness, and human rights issues possibly compelled him to come to the aid of the Kusaas who, at the time, were just emerging from absolute suppression and oppression meted out to Kusaas by the uprooted colonial white masters and the arrogant Mamprusis. Second, Kusaas were extremely loyal to Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and the Convention People's Party (CPP). Dr. Nkrumah recognized and appreciated that sense of loyalty by the Kusaas to him and his government. Third, Mr. Asumda Ayebo ever saved Dr. Nkrumah's life. While in Bolgatanga in1963 on an official visit, a huge bone from the meat of ruminant he was eating as lunch mysteriously got lodged in the upper section of his oeseophagous, thus strangulating him inconveniently. Like a typical Kusaa, Mr. Asumda went behind the President and hit him hard at upper part of his back. The impact of his blow relaxed muscles of the throat and involuntarily expelled the renegade bone from Dr. Nkrumah's throat, thus preventing him from dying from asphyxiation. Dr. Nkrumah never forgot to appreciate other people's efforts, assistances and contributions towards his life and rule. Fourth, the Mamprusis' unending hate for him, naturally pushed him to align himself with the majority Kusaas. Indeed, Dr. Nkrumah was full of foresight and wisdom. In 1964, Dr. Nkrumah decided to resettle all the settler Mamprusis in Bawku at Damongo at State expense and use the landmass at their enclave to develop official buildings. However, Asumda Ayebo, the then Regional Commissioner, advised against the resettlement scheme. But for that intervention by Mr. Asumda, they would have been whisked away by Dr. Nkrumah and ultimately saved Kusaas from later experiencing this quagmire.

From the many elliptical view points posted above, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was a Kusaa, not by any form of pathological twitch, but by his actions and deeds towards Kusaug. Dr. Nkrumah symbolized the sum of resistance to how Kusaas were exploited to keep Mamprugu surviving; he smothered the Mamprusis' horrors, the Kusasi bloodshed and the Kusaug demean that kept oiling the hegemony and dominance of the Mamprusis over Kusaas.

The relationships between Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Kusaug were symbiotic. He traded intrinsic justice, equality and fairness to Kusaas for loyalty and respect from Kusaas. Dr. Nkrumah was bombed several times because, as part, he stood for Kusaug and Kusaas. The Kusaug Kingdom adored him and stayed loyal to him. That was why when he was overthrown, Kusaas never sung along the dirty and insinuating song: "Kwame Nkrumah _sheggie;_ Kwame Nkrumah _wawa;_ Kwame Nkrumah _danduri wa;_ Kwame Nkrumah _yaa mutu"._ The Hausa song could be loosely translated as: "Kwame Nkrumah, a bastard (rogue); Kwame Nkrumah, a fool; and Kwame Nkrumah is dead". Later periods proved that Kusaas were right in abstaining from the tirades against Dr. Nkrumah. "Nkrumah never dies" is a resurrected mantra now. Ghanaians, and particular, Kusaas are now saddened that he was overthrown.

On this commemorative day, let us celebrate Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, a mutant of a Kusaa that was 'cloned' by Imoru Ayarna, Asumda Ayebo, Amadu Seidu, Hebi Dukmus Dougouyalle, Abugrago Azoka I, and many forthright Kusaas.

Long live Dr. Kwame Nkrumah,

Long live Ghana,

Long Live Kusaug.

_THE END_
Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister for Information, has said the government will be proactive in setting the agenda for national development.

Government should not be shy of getting involved in agenda-setting because the only way you can communicate governance properly is by participating in agenda-setting, Mr Oppong Nkrumah said.

The Minister said this when he delivered a public lecture on the topic: A Legal Framework for Communicating Governance, organised by the Faculty of Law, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).

The event was meant to highlight how various laws affect the creation of common understanding about the countrys governance processes and activities.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah said government communication was very important as it enabled it to engage with all stakeholders, create awareness, take timely decisions and shape behaviours, and forge international cooperation.

Through agenda setting, political actors diligently strived to elevate certain issues and make them prominent in public discussions, the Minister explained.

Therefore, proactive agenda-setting would enable the government to send to the public domain the developmental efforts being made so as to generate citizens' support.

He urged all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure that their Public Relations Officers received and shared information proactively within the government to facilitate agenda-setting.

Efforts to improve inclusivity in government communications through sign language and interpretation should be maintained and mainstreamed.

He said the template developed for crisis communication during COVID-19 pandemic should be replicated during other national crises, adding that, a periodic review of the crisis communication model should be done to keep up with changing trends.

In discussing the legal framework for communicating governance in Ghana, the Minister highlighted five different sets of laws that constituted the framework.

These include the 1992 Constitution and the Executive Instruments, Civil Service Act, and Presidential Office Act.

The others are: Transparency Laws  including the Right to Information Act and the Whistleblowers Act-, Wingmen  comprising Political Party Constitutions and Standing Orders of Parliament -, and Free Media Laws such as Article 167(c) and National Media Commission Act.

The Minister said some parts of the legal framework had clarity and allowed for more coherence in communicating governance and participating in agenda setting.

He, however, noted that that other parts of the framework were ambiguous and lacked clarity and authority for the persons supposed to operate in there.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah said that there had been a proposed review of parts of the Presidential Office Act and the Civil Service Act, as well as the Executive Instrument for setting up Ministries.

This should bring some more clarity and impetus for the purposes of governance and communicating governance and agenda-setting, he noted.

He said the current managers of government communications had made efforts to collaborate with Party Communicators and Members of Parliament to facilitate agenda setting and communication of governance.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah recommended that the ambiguous parts of the legal framework must be given clarity urgently, and the efforts to secure amendment that would bring clarity should be sped up.

The Minister also said there should also be a consensus to deal with the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation.

GNA
23.09.2023 LISTEN

OccupyGhana, a civil society group, has condemned the arrest of protesters during Thursday's Occupy Jubilee House' demonstration.

The group said their arrests were an affront on the fundamental human rights of the protesters to freely express themselves and assemble.

In a democratic society, we firmly uphold the belief that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental pillar of freedoms of expression and assembly.

These rights, enshrined in the Constitution, should be unwaveringly upheld and respected by all state institutions, OccupyGhana said in a statement on Friday.

According to the group, the police should have pursued an alternative or less confrontational approach to manage the situation.

It said the arrests had raised questions about the appropriateness of the response by law enforcement agencies.

It is important to note that these arrests took place during a time when potential traffic disruptions would have been minimal.

Furthermore, we are reliably informed that there was no court injunction served to the demonstrators, indicating that their right to protest remained fully protected under the law, the group said.

OccupyGhana demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances behind the protestors arrests to ensure that justice was served, and peaceful demonstrators rights were vigorously protected.

The group also urged the police to adhere to the rule of law and to respect the constitutional rights of all citizens.

In the interest of nurturing a democratic society where dissenting voices are not merely tolerated but celebrated and respected, we call upon all stakeholders, including the Ghana Police Service and the government, to engage constructively with citizens exercising their constitutional rights.

We are informed that those who were arrested have now been released, which is a positive development, the statement added.

The Police on Thursday arrested about 50 demonstrators who joined hundreds seeking to protest in front of the Jubilee House, the seat of government.

The arrest took place at the 37 Trotro station where the demonstrators had converged to embark on their planned protest.

The protestors are demanding reforms to lower the cost of living, reduce corruption and improve governance.

GNA
An international force for violence-plagued Haiti came closer to reality Friday after months of fruitless efforts, with the United States saying up to a dozen countries had offered support and pledged its own logistical assistance.

"Ten to 12 came with concrete offers to this mission," State Department number two Victoria Nuland said after a ministerial meeting on Haiti on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Kenya has offered to lead the force with a contribution of 1,000 security personnel and Jamaica, the Bahamas and Antigua have made known their willingness to participate. Nuland did not name all the countries.

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has been calling for nearly a year for a force to deploy to the Western Hemisphere's poorest country, where armed gangs have seized control of vast swathes of land following intersecting public health, political and economic crises.

In an address to the General Assembly after he took part in the US-led talks, Henry said the Security Council "must act urgently" in authorizing the multinational force.

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly. By Leonardo Munoz (AFP)

"Kidnappings for ransom, looting, arson, massacres, sexual violence, organ trafficking, human trafficking, murders, extrajudicial killings, child soldiers, blockades of major roads -- this is a non-exhaustive list of the crimes perpetrated by the armed gangs," Henry said.

He asked for "brotherly solidarity to help us turn this dark page. I ask the international community to act, and act quickly."

Until the Kenyan offer, no country had been willing to take charge of the Haiti force, with Canada considering but determining it was too risky.

In the meantime, more than 2,400 people have died in Haiti's violence since the start of the year, according to the United Nations.

US raises support but not troops

US President Joe Biden has made clear he will not put American troops in harm's way. But the United States has offered logistical support including through air transport, intelligence, housing and medical support.

People displaced by the latest attack of gang violence take refuge in an abandoned movie theater converted into a shelter in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on August 30, 2023. By Richard PIERRIN (AFP/File)

Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the ministerial meeting that the Biden administration would ask Congress for $100 million to support the mission, which includes both troops and police.

"With our support, this mission can deploy within months -- and we really have no time to lose," Blinken told the meeting that included Henry.

He said that the mission could create "space" for Haiti to resolve its political crisis. The country has not held elections since 2016.

"The support mission will not be a substitute for political progress," Blinken said.

Blinken also announced that the United States would restrict visas to five current or former Haitian officials over involvement with street gangs.

The peacekeepers will not operate under a UN flag, but the United States is leading efforts for a Security Council resolution to authorize the effort.

A resolution co-sponsored by the United States and Ecuador should be finalized next week, said Nuland, who expected "very strong support" on the Security Council.

A man flees tear gas as people demonstrate over the rise in the cost of living in Petit-Goave, Haiti on September 14, 2023. By Richard PIERRIN (AFP/File)

In his address to the General Assembly on Tuesday, Biden called for the Security Council to act and thanked Kenyan President William Ruto.

Ruto in his own speech recalled how Haiti was the first nation in the Western Hemisphere to abolish slavery when it defeated French colonizers in 1804.

"Haiti deserves better from the world," Ruto said.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados said Friday that Haiti "cannot wait much longer."

"I hope that those who constitute the members of the Security Council will recognize that they cannot use Haiti as a pawn, because they have suffered for too long and by the hands of too many," she said.

Complicating diplomacy on Haiti is that it is one of the dwindling number of nations that recognize Taiwan rather than Beijing, although diplomats have voiced hope that China will support a resolution.

A UN peacekeeping mission was in operation in Haiti from 2004 to 2017 but fell out of favor after a cholera outbreak traced to infected UN personnel claimed thousands of lives.
23.09.2023 LISTEN

Where there is a will, there is a way. This is part of the belief that keeps going the camp of Kennedy Agyapong (Hon.) in their resolute determination to see him emerge victorious in the impending NPP flagbearers contest.

Those of us who support Kennedy do believe in the wonders of the heading of this publication, thus, No Shaking.

We are well-grounded in the belief that Kennedy is currently a God-send servant come to liberate Ghanaians from the chains of official corruption, malfeasances, political dishonesty, visionless, joblessness and non-enforcement of the laws of the land.

No matter what anyone says, Kennedy is more than a presidential material. He does stand taller than any of his rivals on the issues of honesty and strict enforcement of the laws. Without stringent enforcement of the laws, no country can prosper to the admiration of its citizenry.

As Rome was not built in a day as the saying goes, so can no nation develop socio-economically to benefit her citizens if the laws of the land are not strictly enforced and adhered to by the people. When the laws work with each person conforming to its demands, the country and the people stand to prosper simultaneously.

Who among the four contestants can be said to surpass Kennedy in the two areas mentioned above? I dont think there is any.

While most NPP faithful are thinking about winning election 2024 for the party, the supporters of Kennedy are thinking about winning the election to save Mother Ghana from slipping any further down that pit of lawlessness, the bane of Ghanas socio-politico-economic emancipation.

Those using Kennedys propensity to insult as his drawback, a perfect campaign issue to seize and capitalise on to nail him down, have failed, I must confess. His insults pale to nothing compared to his capabilities to save Ghana.

All the fans of Kennedy and his showdown apostles are saying, for them, until the bones are rotten, it is No Shaking all the way.

Ghanaians, please be politically savvy. Think more about your future and that of your offspring than thinking about only what you can get today which may be comparable to the morning dew that dissipates with the rising Sun.

I trust in Dr Alhaji Mohammadu Bawumia; however, it is not his season yet, considering the level of lawlessness, official corruption, malfeasances, etc., ongoing in the country.

I cannot stand the continuous devastation of the nations water bodies, arable and fertile lands and forests, while for political correctness or incorrectness, the government of the day has become incapacitated to dealing with the situation which is made worse by the opposition NDC promising to encourage and resource the perpetrators of the devastation to carry on with their work if they came to power.

Is it good for us as Ghanaians to sit on the fence while the mentioned elements of life are irreparably destroyed? No. Why then not vote for someone who can end that canker within days of assuming power as the president of Ghana?

Such person is no one other than your well-known Kennedy Agyapong (Hon.), the product of Assin Dompim L/A Middle School.

I prefer to see a team of Kennedy Agyapong, Dr Alhaji Mohammudu Bawumia, Dr Kwabena Duffour and Dr George Akuffo-Dampare (IGP) rule Ghana come election 2024 where Kennedy wins as president to form his government.

Those of us supporting Kennedy and Dr Bawumia should please desist from attacking the personality of any of them.

What happens if the one you are insanely attacking today emerges victorious on 4 November 2023 from the flagbearership contest? Will you then swallow back your sputum to go and campaign for him? This is why you must be circumspect in what you say or write.
New York, September 22, 2023 The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for the immediate and unconditional release of journalist Bakary Mankajang after his arrest by Gambian police in connection with his reporting on police killings in Senegal.

Gambian authorities must swiftly and unconditionally release journalist Bakary Mankajang, drop all charges against him, and allow him to work freely, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator in Durban, South Africa, on Friday. The detention and prosecution of Mankajang for his reporting is a chilling reminder of the countrys past under the Yahya Jammeh dictatorship and a betrayal of its democratic gains.

Jammeh, who took over the West African nation in a 1994 coup, has been accused of multiple human rights abuses, including the killing and torture of opposition members and journalists, during his 22 years in office.

Gambian police spokesperson Modou Musa Sissawo told CPJ by phone on Friday that Mankajang remained in detention and was charged with interference with witnesses in connection with his reporting on the killing of two police officers in Casamance, an area of Senegal south of Gambia.

Interference with witnesses is a misdemeanor, which carries up to two years imprisonment and a fine, according to Sections 34 and 102 of the criminal code.

Mankajang recently traveled to Casamance to conduct interviews about the killings, according to a Facebook post by the journalist and a statement by local trade group Gambia Press Union. Mankajang is an independent reporter who posts on TikTok and a Facebook page called Mankajang Daily, which collectively have about 70,000 followers.

Mankajang has been detained since officers arrested the journalist on Wednesday, September 20, after he responded to a police summons at Faji Kunda police station outside the capital, Banjul, according to the GPU statement and the journalists Facebook post.
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Consulate-General in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa, hosted a reception on Friday evening to mark the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), which falls on Oct. 1.

The event, held at the Table Bay Hotel, was attended by nearly 400 guests, including Lechesa Tsenoli, deputy speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa as the guest of honor, other parliament members, government officials, foreign diplomats, representatives from different organizations and Chinese companies in Cape Town.

In his welcome speech, You Wenze, Chinese consul-general in Cape Town, highlighted China's remarkable development under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) through 74 years of hard work.

"From the founding of the PRC in 1949, to reform and opening-up, and to the new era, the CPC led the Chinese people to open up our own waterways in the rapids of the times and embarked on a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics," said You.

He also noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between China and South Africa.

"Over the past 25 years, our relations have made a significant leap from partnership to strategic partnership and to comprehensive strategic partnership," You said. "Our relations have entered a 'golden era,' enjoying broad prospects and a promising future."

Addressing the event, Tsenoli said that being the second largest economy in the world, China has enough to be proud of when looking back at the challenges it has faced and successfully tackled over time.

South Africa is glad about its growing relationship with China and appreciates deeply their work to promote the African Union Agenda 2063, especially the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, said Tsenoli.

"We hope that our people-to-people relationship, our party-to-party relationship, as well as our government-to-government relationship will go even deeper and stronger," he said. 
Private legal practitioner, Kwame Jantuah, has warned authorities against the influx of Chinese tanker trucks in Ghanas oil downstream space.

The legal practitioner wants the influx checked to save local businesses.

A letter by the Tanker Owners Union to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), appealed to the NPA to intervene in the importation of several tanker trucks by Chinese nationals into the country which they said is affecting their livelihoods.

Mr. Jantuah in an Eyewitness News interview on Citi FM backed the calls of the Union and warned the government of the consequences of the importation of the trucks if it is not urgently checked.

The downstream industry is one part of the oil value chain that has a lot of Ghanaians in there and so we must not entertain foreigners in the space. The Chinese just dont do anything for nothing.

They want maximum control to put in a refinery, they want to go into haulage, if they go into haulage, the next thing you will see will be petrol garages and the moment that happens, the local industry and companies like GOIL will be dead.

We must prioritise local companies and not necessarily allow foreign companies to come in and kill local companies. The quantum of people that will go out of business will be more than the number of people that they will employ and the profit they will be making will be repatriated back to China the repatriation will be done in Dollars and this will put a strain on the Ghanaian economy.

-citinewsroom
Pope Francis on Saturday urged European governments to welcome migrants instead of viewing them as invaders, striding into in a hugely sensitive political debate again inflamed by mass arrivals.

"Those who risk their lives at sea do not invade, they look for welcome," Francis said in a speech closing a conference of bishops and young people from around the Mediterranean in the French port city of Marseille.

Migration is "a reality of our times, a process that involves three continents around the Mediterranean and that must be governed with wise foresight, including a European response," the pontiff added.

Francis' 35-minute speech drew a standing ovation from his audience, but his position on migration was unlikely to please French President Emmanuel Macron and Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who were both present and plan tougher measures to control arrivals.

Thousands of peope arrived on Italian island Lampedusa last week. By Zakaria ABDELKAFI (AFP/File)

The pope's forceful interventions come as the migration debate has been stoked by mass arrivals on the Italian island of Lampedusa last week.

Speaking at a monument to people lost at sea on his arrival in Marseille on Friday, the pontiff had insisted that "people who are at risk of drowning when abandoned on the waves must be rescued".

He thanked aid groups rescuing migrants in danger at sea, condemning efforts to prevent their work as "gestures of hate".

Tens of thousands expected

Tens of thousands of people are expected to watch Francis as he travels through the streets of Marseille later Saturday before celebrating mass for almost 60,000 people in the city's famed Velodrome stadium.

Up to 100,000 are expected to line the Avenue du Prado for his "popemobile" tour and many roads are decked out with the white-and-yellow colours of the Vatican.

Francky Domingo, a Beninese man who heads a group of undocumented migrants in Marseille, said he hoped the pontiff's visit would "give us back a little hope" and "calm the political tensions".

The pope has been moved in a wheelchair but has appeared energetic. By Andreas SOLARO (AFP)

The Mediterranean port is a "cosmopolitan, multicultural, multireligious" hub but "faces huge difficulties, drug trafficking that costs human lives every day (and) the problem of housing", Domingo added.

Around 40 people have been killed in shootings in Marseille this year, and Macron has promised billions of euros to upgrade city infrastructure in a bid to stop the downward spiral.

Not everyone has welcomed the Pope's visit.

Some politicians on the left have criticised Macron's decision to attend Saturday's mass as an infringement of state secularism.

Others on the right have attacked Francis for "interfering" in domestic politics.

The pontiff did nothing Saturday to dodge such allegations, appearing to weigh in on two of Macron's projects -- assisted dying and inscribing the right to abortion in the constitution.

Old people risk being "pushed aside, under the false pretences of a supposedly dignified and 'sweet' death that is more 'salty' than the waters of the sea," Francis warned.

He also spoke of "unborn children, rejected in the name of a false right to progress, which is instead a retreat into the selfish needs of the individual".

Religious heritage

Francis' messages may have less resonance given Catholicism's long decline in France.

The pope said migrants were not invaders. By Sebastien NOGIER (POOL/AFP)

Fewer than a third of people still say they are Catholic, and only a fraction of those regularly attend mass.

The country's religious heritage nevertheless still has enormous weight, with Macron showing off progress in restoring the fire-ravaged Notre Dame cathedral in central Paris to Britain's King Charles III this week.

He has also announced tax breaks for contributions to a fund to renovate church buildings in villages too small to take on the repairs themselves.

burs-tgb/sjw/ach
Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva this week, Armenia's ambassador Andranik Hovhannisyan said that his country had previously warned of "looming ethnic cleansing" in Nagorno-Karabakh, stressing it was now "in progress". For Armenians, the recent attacks in the enclave have brought back bitter memories of the 1915 genocide.

"This week has been a catastrophe for the South Caucasus," says Lara Setrakian, president of the Yerevan-based think-tank Applied Policy Research Institute (APRI).

"The military action and offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh have caused a devastating humanitarian crisis. You have many dead, wounded and missing. This is no way to conduct diplomacy," she told RFI.

Talks between Armenian separatists and Azerbaijan on integrating the breakaway territory were held on Thursday, after fighters from the Nagorno-Karabakh region  home to some 120,000 ethnic Armenians  agreed to lay down their arms in a ceasefire deal.

Images distributed by Azerbaijan's state media showed the Armenian separatist delegation sitting around a table with negotiators dispatched by Baku to resolve the decades-long dispute over the breakaway mountainous territory.

According to a dispatch by Azeri news portal Azadliq, the "anti-terrorist operation has been suspended" as long as "units of the Armenian armed forces and illegal Armenian armed units located in the Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts and are completely disarmed".

"We were hoping for peaceful and genuine negotiations between Baku and the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh ... and now they are essentially being bombarded and starved into submission," says Setrakian.

The peace talks followed "three extremely brutal days in Nagorno-Karabakh and it is simply a negotiation by force," she added.

"People are desperate and they're being driven out of their homes. They have no choice. So what happens next is apparently in the hands of Baku because it is willing to exert force at every turn to get what it wants."

Mass protests

Following Baku's recent claims that Nagorno-Karabakh is now fully under Azerbaijani control, many people took to the streets in the Armenian capital Yerevan earlier this week deeming the Armenian government had capitulated.

But Setrakian doesn't agree.

"I don't think the government of Armenia could have done more. They were negotiating in good faith. They thought that the government of Azerbaijan was serious about peace talks," she says.

The assault, earlier this week, came as a complete surprise. "Five days before it began, the US State Department said it would be absolutely unacceptable for Azerbaijan to use force against this population."

Despite that, there was prolonged bombardment, reports of gunfire and even ground movement of Azerbaijani troops into Nagorno-Karabakh, with dozens of people killed, hundreds wounded and thousands displaced.

Armenia's Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, "is now caught in a very bad position," says Setrakian. "He had invested a lot in the peace process and this doesn't convince anyone in Armenia that that was a good idea."

'Autonomy'

Today's situation is a replay of a conflict that goes back more than a hundred years. The enclave, with a majority Christian Armenian population, is separated from Armenia proper by high mountain ranges and only reachable via a narrow pass  the Lachin Corridor  but easily accessible from mainly Muslim Azerbaijan.

Research by scholar Arsene Saparov found that when the regions of the "South Caucasus"  Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia  were incorporated in the newly created USSR as "Socialist Republics" in the 1920s, the Bolsheviks just granted Nagorno-Karabakh "autonomy" instead of attaching it to Armenia to avoid antagonising Azeri sentiments.

Under Soviet rule from 1921 to 1989, the area lived in relative peace, but when the USSR started to fall apart, hostilities flared up with a brutal, six-year war starting in 1988 which cost the lives to some 25,000 people.

According to Human Rights Watch, both sides were guilty of extreme atrocities. In 1994 a stalemate resulted in a fragile peace guarded by international peacekeepers, but hostilities broke out again in 2020.

Powerless Russians

That war ended with a Moscow-brokered ceasefire. A Russian force of 1,960 military personnel and 90 armoured personnel carriers was deployed in the enclave to keep the peace, with a renewable, five-year mandate.

That deal, says Setrakian, "was essentially thrown out the window this week" by Azerbaijan, and the Russian peacekeepers were powerless.

"Since the start of the Ukraine war, Russia has simply been unable to maintain that position and unable to keep the peace," she says. As a result of western sanctions imposed following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has become increasingly dependent on Turkey and Azerbaijan "for various economic interests and energy exports".

At the same time, Armenians are highly suspicious of Baku's talk of "integration" of the "Artsakh" population into an Azeri-controlled Nagorno-Karabakh. "They [Azerbaijan authorities] say that they want to integrate Armenians as citizens and live in peace. But in fact, Azerbaijan has made life miserable, unliveable for Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"Children are hungry, civilians have died, people are trying to evacuate, and the routes are blocked. It is a crisis, a true humanitarian crisis.

"Now if we start to see many of them going, this will be evidence of ethnic cleansing. Genocide, ethnic cleansing by some definition is happening now," Setrakian underlines.

Another genocide?

In August this year, a hard-hitting " expert opinion " by former ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo, claimed that by isolating the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave and using "starvation" as a weapon, Azerbaijan may be guilty of genocide.

Quoting the UN Genocide Convention, Ocampo said that "the blockade of the Lachin Corridor by the Azerbaijani security forces impeding access to any food, medical supplies, and other essentials, should be considered a Genocide," since Baku is "deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction".

"Starvation as a method to destroy people was neglected by the entire international community when it was used against Armenians in 1915, Jews and Poles in 1939, Russians in Leningrad in 1941, and Cambodians in 1975-1976.

"Starvation was also used in Srebrenica in the winter of 1993-1994," Ocampo wrote.

Last Thursday, the Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) said in a statement that "while a ceasefire has been concluded, FIDH remains concerned that there is a real risk of genocide of ethnic Armenians in areas coming under Azerbaijan's effective control".

The fact that Turkey presents itself as the main backer of Azeri aggression may strengthen painful memories of the 1915 Armenian genocide  still officially denied by Ankara  where an estimated 1.2 to 1.5 million Armenians were systematically killed by the Ottoman empire.

The events are commemorated by an impressive monument overlooking Yerevan today.

"I think this is very much the legacy of genocide that Armenians feel is being perpetuated now," says Setrakian.
Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Banatama Constituency in the Ashanti Region, Daniel Okyem Aboagye has given up his last breath.

Information gathered indicates that the businessman and member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) died in the early hours of Saturday, September 23.

He died battling an illness.

The death of Daniel Okyem Aboagye has been confirmed by the Majority Leader and MP for Suame, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu during an interview with Kumasi-based Hello FM.

The deceased was a member of the Seventh Parliament of Ghana and mostly spoke on issues of the economy on behalf of the NPP government.

While in Parliament, Daniel Okyem Aboagye was a member of the economic committee.

As a businessman, he owned many ventures mostly in the Ashanti Region.

Often regarded as a business mogul due to his successes, he also owns 2M Transport Services.
Legal representative of some of the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protesters Mr Martin Kpebu is demanding an apology from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for the action of the Ghana Police Service last Thursday.

The private legal practitioner insists that the minimum Dr George Akuffo Dampare must do is to apologise not only to the protesters picked up but also to the good people of Ghana.

Its normal, you are a fine man, just that you are human and you will make a mistake, Mr Kpebu, who joined the protest on Friday, September 22, stated on The Keypoints on TV3/3FM on Saturday, September 23.

He said if the IGP does well, like he did in Assin North Constituency in the June 27 by-elections, he will be praised.

But if his actions go wrong, he conversely stated, they must be criticised.

For Mr Kpebu, Dr Akuffo Dampare may have been affected by the factions within the Service and the ongoing parliamentary probe on a secret tape about a plot to remove him.

As soon as this disquiet in the Police Service, Maame Tiwaas faction, COP Mensahs faction and the other problems youve had came up, I said lets go into it because it will help you, he addressed IGP Dampare.

You mean well. Naturally you are human but the way you retrogressed our democracy on Thursday, please that one the minimum you can do is to render an unqualified apology because you have given a big blot on our democracy.

On Thursday, after police warned the public against joining any calls for demonstration as a result of an application filed at the High Court, a group of protesters converged at the 37 Lorry Station to march to the seat of government.

They were, however, all picked up and sent to various police cells across the capital.

Numbering about 56, they were released same day, nonetheless.

The protesters came back on Friday to march towards the Jubilee House.

With none of them arrested this time, they were stopped in front of the 37 Military Hospital by crowd-combating police officers.

They stayed there until heavy rains dispersed them.

Having been in the rains for almost 2 hours, later it was quite scary, Mr Kpebu confessed.

-3news.com
The second edition of the Africa Peace Advocate Awards event held recently celebrated the remarkable efforts of over 30 Ghanaian individuals who have dedicated themselves to promoting peace in their communities and beyond.

The event, which took place at the Pottersville Church International, East Legon Hills, Santoe in Accra on Thursday, September 21, 2023 brought together prominent figures, activists, and supporters of peace from across the nation. It was held under the theme: Action for Africa Peace

The Africa Peace Advocate Awards event aimed to acknowledge and honor Ghanaians who have utilized their platforms to create awareness, foster dialogue, and inspire action towards achieving lasting peace.

The recipients of the awards were selected based on their exceptional contributions and positive impact on society.

Among the distinguished awardees was Joseph Kobla Wemakor, a renowned journalist and peace advocate who has consistently used his media platform to highlight the importance of peaceful coexistence.

His unbiased reporting and commitment to promoting dialogue have played a significant role in resolving conflicts and fostering understanding among diverse communities.

Another notable recipient was Regina Asamoah, a young entrepreneur who founded an organization dedicated to empowering women and promoting peace through economic development.

Her initiatives have not only provided economic opportunities for marginalized communities but have also fostered unity and reconciliation among different ethnic groups.

The Africa Peace Advocate Awards event also recognized the efforts of organizations that have made significant contributions to peacebuilding in Ghana.

One such organization is the Pamcos Foundation, a non-governmental organization that has been at the forefront of peace education and conflict resolution. Their tireless efforts have helped bridge divides and promote peaceful coexistence among Ghanaians.

Addressing the noble gathering, the United Nations Eminent Peace Ambassador and Country Director for the International Association of World Peace Advocates, Dr. Samuel Ben Owusu, reminded the honorees about the significance of the honor and charged them to be resolute, committed to work, and vigorously utilize their various platforms to advocate for peace, development, and progress for the betterment of all within the African continent.

We are not just going to honor you with awards. Its for work. We need you. Ghana needs you. Africa needs you. We need you to use your platforms to speak to bring about change.

During the event, the awardees expressed their gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the importance of continued efforts towards peacebuilding.

They called for increased collaboration, dialogue, and inclusivity in order to address the root causes of conflicts and create a more harmonious society.

The Africa Peace Advocate Award event served as a platform to inspire and encourage Ghanaians to actively participate in promoting peace within their communities. By recognizing the achievements of these remarkable individuals and organizations, the event aimed to inspire others to take action and make a positive difference in their society.

As Ghana continues its journey towards a more peaceful and prosperous future, the Africa Peace Advocate Award event serves as a reminder of the power of individuals and organizations to effect change and build a society rooted in peace, unity, and understanding.

Below is the list of the awardees:

1. Mrs. Rev. Dr. Joy Owusu

2. Dr. Bright Okoh

3. Lady Rev. Mrs. Martha Frimpong Boateng

4. Rita Esionam Garglo

5. Dr. Chester Bonnako

6. Ms. Harriet Nartey

7. Ms. Edna Bruce Cudjoe

8. Ms. Regina Asamoah

9. Apostle Abraham Lamptey

10. Hon. Dr. Mrs. Hanna Louisa Bisiw-Kotei

11. Fiifi Pratt

12. Mr. Gilbert Aggrey Abeiku

13. Nana Ama Anima Tutuwaa I

14. Dr. Nana Enyinfua III

15. Mrs. Theresa Tawiah Anang

16. Rev. Dr. Victor Anang

17. Pamela Agyapomaa Anokye

18. May Adaeze Chinda

19. Ms. Emmaline Dartey

20. Rev. Nelly Deladem

21. Mrs. Yvonne Antonio

22. Capt. Nii Kojo Nseni Mankattah

23. Ms. Cecilia Agyeiwaa

24. Anokyewaaba Serwaa

25. Ms. Valentina Ofori Afriyie

26. Mr. Philip Danquah

27. Joseph Kobla Wemakor

28. Nana Okogyeaman Oprepeh X

Source:IAWPA
Peasant Women Farmers in communities in the Talensi and Nabdam Districts of the Upper East Region who are into sheanut picking have expressed worry about the way and manner they are often harassed by some Fulani herdsmen in the area.

The Peasant Women Farmers who made the allegation explained that the Fulani headmen sometimes harassed them and ceased the sheanuts they pick and often attempt raping them.

The Peasant Women Farmers who belong to the Maltaaba Peasant Women Farmers' Cooperative ( MAPEWFAC ), made the complaint at a Joint Stakeholder Review Forum held in Bolgatanga on Thursday.

The forum organized by MAPEWFAC with funding support from STAR Ghana Foundation attracted 60 Peasant Women Farmers from the two Districts.

Mrs Yinwonbe Ziba, one of the participants from the Namolgo community in the Talensi District stated that many community members depend on sheanut picking as one of their major livelihoods. She noted that the spate of harassment by the Fulani herdsmen with their cattle was affecting their economic livelihoods.

Mrs Zagre Yenbila, another participant from the Yarkoti community in the Nabdam District, stated many of the peasant farmers have stopped picking sheanut because of the phenomenon.

We have to commute long distances to the bush to pick sheanut to earn a living only to be harassed by these Fulani headmen, she stressed.

The key findings of the needs assessments which was conducted by MAPEWFAC in some communities in the two Districts revealed that the communities in the two districts include insecurity, lack of veterinary services, grinding mills, potable water, inadequate credit facilities, no kindergartens, inadequate farm inputs (quality seeds, fertilizers) , inadequate income generating activities, poor soils and lack of electricity.

A Development Consultant who is a facilitator to MAPEWFAC, Mr Vincent Subbey, prior to the conducting of the need assessments in the communities, organized a capacity building programme for the staff of MAPEWFAC to empower them to undertake the activity.

He entreated the participants not to only rely on government for support, but to be very innovative and resilient in championing development activities in their respective communities.

Madam Lydia Miyella, the Executive Director of MAPEWFAC who also expressed worry about the trend called on the District Security Committees of the two Assemblies to collaborate with security agencies to address the concern raised by the group.

She explained that the rationale for organising the forum was to find a synergy of the needs of the small rural women farmers from its operational areas so as to build their capacity to address their own challenges as well as advocate for support in addressing such challenges.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is presenting himself as the man to save the Ukrainian grain export deal. The United Nations General Assembly saw Erdogan stepping up his efforts to rescue the deal after Moscow pulled out.

The Turkish leader, who has close ties with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, brokered the grain agreement last year with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

Analysts say Erdogan, who met with Putin earlier this month, is viewed as the best hope of persuading Putin to return to the deal.

"Russia has two specific conditions for the revival of the grain deal," says Ozgur Unluhisarcakli, head of the Ankara office of the German Marshall Fund.

"Both are related to relaxing some of the sanctions against Russia ... One is that the Russian Agricultural Bank should be reconnected with the swift payment system. The other that European cargo ships carrying Russian grain should be able to be insured."

Concessions a risk

But Unluhisarcakli warned that granting such concessions would be contentious.

"The United States and Europe will be making calculations with costs and benefits. The benefit is obvious, at the cost of accommodating Russia's demands on, let's say, Ukraine's defence efforts or Russia's war effort."

Erdogan voiced sympathy for Moscow's demands at the recent G20 gathering of world leaders, which added to Ankara's Western allies' growing concern over Erdogan's close ties to Putin.

Those ties will likely complicate the Turkish leader's efforts to persuade US President Joe Biden to make concessions.

"We know the relationship between President Erdogan and President Biden is not excellent," says Mustafa Aydin, president of the International Relations Council in Turkey (UIK-IRCT).

"Obviously Erdogan knows that he cannot convince the United States to move by himself."

Aydin suggests Erdogan will be looking for allies.

"I think he's going to try to bring the United Nations into the picture to convince Biden to make a move towards Russia."

Humanitarian corridor

Ukraine has started exporting grain in the face of Russian threats through what it calls a humanitarian corridor  a route that hugs the coast of Black Sea countries through to Istanbul.

But Kyiv's challenge to Moscow brings the danger of an escalation in the Ukrainian war.

"There is no guarantee that 'accidents' won't happen or that Russia won't intentionally try to block the exports," warns Aydin.

"One suggestion is that NATO's ships come to the Black Sea to protect the shipment of Ukrainian grain. More of NATO's ships on the Black Sea might create even further dangers of threats for security in the region."

With Turkey the gatekeeper to the Black Sea, any NATO naval deployment to protect grain would need Ankara's permission  a decision that would force the country to take sides in the Ukrainian conflict.

For Erdogan, saving the grain deal will not only avert the risk of famine and soaring food prices, it will help silence critics of his ties to Putin.
Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has voiced his strong condemnation of the recent horrific shooting incident in the Pusiga District of the Upper East Region.

On Thursday, September 21, two buses were targeted, resulting in the tragic deaths of nine passengers.

The assailants blocked the buses traveling from Cinkaasi in neighboring Togo to Bawku at the Gbewaa College of Education police barrier and carried out the fatal attack. This cowardly act, which claimed the lives of six women and three men while leaving around 15 others injured, has been vehemently condemned by Mr Ayariga.

In a statement, Mr Ayariga described the shooting as 'unacceptable' and emphasized the need for a halt to such senseless acts that undermine the recent improvements in security in Bawku and its vicinity.

He called for a strong response from the security forces to prevent retaliatory acts and ensure the safety of travelers in the region.

Mr Ayariga also commended the security agencies for their efforts in minimizing casualties during this tragic event and urged them to take urgent steps to enhance security for travelers in the Bawku and Walewale areas and their surroundings.

Source: Classfmonline.com
After an unsuccessful attempt to use the Liberation Road to get to the Jubilee House on Saturday, September 23, protesters of #OccupyJulorbiHouse are considering an alternative route to use to get to the seat of government.

An attempt to use the Olusegun Obasanjo Highway was blocked by the police who mounted barricades much to the wild agitation of the protesters.

They returned to the Liberation Road in front of the 37 Military Hospital but were stopped by the human wall of heavily-armed police officers.

The protesters made a second dash away from the officers after their plea to move at least 100 meters away from the Jubilee House was denied.

Convenor Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor was seen leading the procession back to the Akuafo Intersection.

Asked by Media Generals Eric Mawuena Egbeta if they are combing for alternative routes, he said: Thats what we are doing.

We are trying to seek an alternative route to the seat of government.

It is the third and final day of protest of Democracy Hub.

Day 1 on Thursday, September 21 turned chaotic after all who showed up to march to the Jubilee House for the planned three-day picketing were rounded up and marched into a waiting police bus to the Accra Regional Police Command.

They were, however, all released on same day.

They vowed to return the following day.

Indeed, on Friday, September 22, the protesters, joined by some celebrities, were allowed to march up to the front of the 37 Military Hospital.

Not even heavy rains could stop them from protesting.

On Saturday, they still resolved to march to the Jubilee House.

So far, no progress has been made as they weigh their options of routes after being stopped in front of the 37 Military Hospital.

-3news.com
KHARTOUM, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Friday said that some 5.3 million have fled from the war in Sudan since mid-April when the conflict broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

"With fighting between the SAF and the RSF in its fifth month since April, some 5.3 million people have fled their homes and sought refuge in Sudan or neighbouring countries," OCHA said in its latest report on Friday.

"Within Sudan, more than 4.2 million people have been displaced to 3,929 locations across all 18 states as of September 19," it said.

Also, over 1 million people have crossed into neighbouring countries, including the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan, OCHA cited the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) as saying.

It noted that the UN-led humanitarian appeal remains woefully underfunded, only at about 31 percent of what is needed.

"Donors should step up humanitarian funding for local and international organizations that are providing vital assistance in Sudan and neighbouring countries," according to the report.

Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the SAF and the RSF in Khartoum and other areas since April 15, resulting in at least 3,000 deaths and more than 6,000 injuries, according to figures released by the Sudanese Health Ministry. 
In a recent article published on BarristerNG.Com, the Presiding Judge of the Kwara state Upper Area Court, Mr. Sunday Adeniyi, made headlines for a warning he issued during a court proceeding, expressing concerns about the potential misuse of his photographs and mentioning "juju," also known as fetish practices. This incident provides an opportunity to explore various aspects of the rule of law, judicial behavior, the expectations of judges, self-assurance, and the message this sends to the public.

Judge Adeniyi, while I was unable to locate your specific image on the internet despite searching official sources and websites related to the judiciary in Kwara State, Nigeria, I would like to express the importance of transparency and public awareness about judicial officers. As a public servant, it would be valuable for the Kwara judiciary to consider posting images and information about its judges, including yourself, on their official platforms. This would help meet the public's need for information and foster a greater understanding of the judiciary's role in the public interest.

Judge Adeniyi's behavior during this incident raises several important questions about the conduct and expectations of judges in the legal system. Judges hold a unique and crucial role in upholding the rule of law. Their behavior should reflect impartiality, fairness, and a commitment to justice.

Judge Adeniyi's unusual assertion that individuals should not seek out his photographs or use them for "evil purposes" raises pertinent questions regarding the balance between a public official's right to privacy and the principles of transparency and accountability in a democratic society like Nigeria.

In any democratic society, public officials, including judges, are considered public servants, entrusted with upholding the law and maintaining justice. Consequently, they operate within the public domain, serving as integral components of the legal system. This inherently places them under public scrutiny and accountability, which is crucial for a healthy democracy.

Citizens in a democratic society possess the legitimate right to access information about public officials, which extends to images and photographs of those officials. This right is rooted in the principles of transparency and accountability, both of which are essential pillars of democratic governance. It serves as a means for the public to gauge the performance, integrity, and conduct of those who hold public office.

While it is undeniable that judges, like all individuals, are entitled to their privacy and personal boundaries, it is equally vital for them to comprehend that their actions and behavior in public spaces come under the purview of public scrutiny. When judges carry out their duties in open courtrooms, they are performing official functions that are fundamentally part of the democratic process.

This leads to a critical question: Does Judge Adeniyi's request align with the principles of transparency and accountability? It's imperative to consider whether his appeal for individuals to refrain from seeking his photographs while in the performance of his judicial duties aligns with the expectations placed on public officials in a democratic society.

While respecting the privacy of public officials, including judges, is essential, it must be balanced with the public's legitimate right to access information about those who serve in the public domain. Judges, as upholders of justice, must navigate this delicate balance, ensuring their actions align with the principles of transparency and accountability that underpin a democratic society like Nigeria.

Furthermore, Judge Adeniyi's comment that individuals should direct their "black power" and fetish practices elsewhere is concerning. Judges should avoid making statements that could be perceived as discriminatory or biased, as it may erode public trust in the judicial system.

It is essential to emphasize the need for judges to separate personal beliefs or concerns related to "juju" from their institutional duties. Judges, as impartial figures upholding the rule of law, should maintain a clear distinction between their private beliefs and their professional responsibilities. This demarcation ensures the fair and equitable application of justice within the legal system, irrespective of personal convictions or apprehensions.

The incident involving Judge Adeniyi serves as a reminder of the importance of the rule of law and public perception. The rule of law is a fundamental principle that ensures equality before the law and protects individuals' rights. It also includes the idea that no one, including public officials, is above the law.

When judges issue statements that could be interpreted as attempts to curtail public oversight or engagement, it can undermine the foundations of the rule of law and erode public trust in the legal system. For a democracy to thrive, citizens must have confidence that their judicial system operates transparently and fairly, free from undue influence or bias. In the context of African countries like Nigeria, it is crucial to separate religious sentiments, personal beliefs, and fears related to traditional practices from modern judicial procedures. This demarcation ensures that justice is dispensed impartially and in adherence to the rule of law, fostering a more equitable and inclusive legal system.

Judge Adeniyi's concluding statement, "If I do it and you feel that it is short of expectations, leave God to do the final judgment," reflects a degree of self-assurance. While judges should have confidence in their decisions, they are also accountable for those decisions. In a constitutional democracy like Nigeria, the legal system allows for appeals and review of judgments, ensuring that no one individual's decisions are final.

From a psychological perspective, judges like Judge Adeniyi must grapple with various cognitive and emotional factors in their roles. They can be influenced by cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias, which may impact their decisions. Judges must also manage their own emotions and navigate the emotions of litigants, witnesses, and attorneys while maintaining composure and fairness in the courtroom.

Moreover, judges often make decisions based on incomplete information, requiring them to manage uncertainty effectively. The inherent stress of the judicial profession underscores the importance of developing resilience to cope with its demands.

The rule of law has profound psychological implications for both judges and citizens. The perception of fairness within the legal system is pivotal for public trust in the rule of law. Judges must ensure that their decisions are not only legally sound but also perceived as fair by all parties. Procedural justice, including being heard, treated with respect, and having a voice in the process, holds significant value for individuals involved in legal proceedings. Judges' decisions can have profound psychological repercussions on litigants, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the potential emotional and psychological consequences of legal outcomes. Judges need to be emotionally balanced and self-assured.

Modern courtroom best practices can be substantially enriched when viewed through the lens of psychological principles. Judges can benefit from psychological training that equips them with tools to recognize and mitigate biases, manage their emotions, and make decisions that prioritize justice. This enhances their self-assurance and self-esteem. Effective communication is a fundamental psychological skill that judges should cultivate, as clear and empathetic communication can mitigate tensions in the courtroom and contribute to a positive perception of the legal process. Judges frequently serve as mediators and facilitators in resolving disputes, highlighting the value of familiarity with conflict resolution techniques grounded in psychology. Recognizing the psychological toll inherent to the profession, judges should have access to mental health support and resources to cope with stress and maintain their well-being. This can alleviate concerns about acts like "juju" or fetish practices.

In conclusion, the incident involving Judge Adeniyi's warning about the use of his photographs offers valuable insights into the intersection of judicial behavior, the rule of law, public perception, self-assurance, and various psychological aspects of the judicial profession. While judges deserve privacy and respect, they must also uphold the principles of transparency and accountability that underpin the rule of law. It is crucial that judges maintain impartiality, avoid making potentially discriminatory statements, and understand that their decisions are subject to scrutiny and appeals. By embracing psychological principles and addressing the psychological aspects of their roles, judges can enhance their decision-making, communication, and overall effectiveness, contributing to a legal system that is legally sound, just, transparent, and responsive to the psychological needs of society.

Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi, who was born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, to a father who served in the Nigeria police for 37 years, is an American-based police and prison scientist and forensic, clinical, and legal psychologist. A government consultant on matters of forensic-clinical psychological services in the USA; and a former interim associate dean and assistant professor at Broward College, Florida. The Founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation, Center for Psychological Health and Behavioral Change in African Settings. A former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. In 2011, he introduced state-of-the-art forensic psychology into Nigeria through N.U.C. and Nasarawa State University, where he served in the Department of Psychology as an Associate Professor. He has taught at various universities and colleges including Florida memorial University, Florida International University, Broward college, Lynn University, and a contributing faculty member at the Weldios university in Benin Republic, Nexus International University, Uganda, Nova Southeastern University and Walden University in USA.
X Financial (NYSE:XYF  Get Free Report) and Greystone Housing Impact Investors (NYSE:GHI  Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, dividends, earnings, analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership and risk.

Profitability

This table compares X Financial and Greystone Housing Impact Investors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Get X Financial alerts:

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets X Financial 27.89% 22.98% 12.16% Greystone Housing Impact Investors 61.07% 18.07% 3.79%

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for X Financial and Greystone Housing Impact Investors, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score X Financial 0 0 0 0 N/A Greystone Housing Impact Investors 0 0 2 0 3.00

Valuation & Earnings

Greystone Housing Impact Investors has a consensus price target of $20.00, suggesting a potential upside of 21.58%. Given Greystone Housing Impact Investors higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Greystone Housing Impact Investors is more favorable than X Financial.

This table compares X Financial and Greystone Housing Impact Investors revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio X Financial $516.58 million 0.40 $117.73 million $3.17 1.35 Greystone Housing Impact Investors $81.07 million 4.63 $65.56 million $2.33 7.06

X Financial has higher revenue and earnings than Greystone Housing Impact Investors. X Financial is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Greystone Housing Impact Investors, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Risk and Volatility

X Financial has a beta of 0.66, suggesting that its share price is 34% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Greystone Housing Impact Investors has a beta of 0.66, suggesting that its share price is 34% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

1.4% of X Financial shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 9.6% of Greystone Housing Impact Investors shares are owned by institutional investors. 31.6% of X Financial shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.3% of Greystone Housing Impact Investors shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

About X Financial

(Get Free Report)

X Financial provides personal finance services in the People's Republic of China. The company offers services as an online marketplace connecting borrowers and investors. Its loan products include Xiaoying credit loan, which consists of Xiaoying card loan; and Xiaoying preferred loan to small business owners, as well as Xiaoying revolving loan. The company also offers Xiaoying housing loan, a home equity loan product for property owners; investment products through Xiaoying wealth management platform, such as loans, money market, and insurance products; and loan facilitation services to other platforms. The company was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Shenzhen, the People's Republic of China.

About Greystone Housing Impact Investors

(Get Free Report)

Greystone Housing Impact Investors LP acquires, holds, sells, and deals in a portfolio of mortgage revenue bonds (MRBs) that are issued to provide construction and/or permanent financing for multifamily and student housing residential properties and commercial properties. It operates through four segments: Affordable Multifamily MRB Investments, Seniors and Skilled Nursing MRB Investments, MF Properties, Market-Rate Joint Venture Investments. The company was formerly known as America First Multifamily Investors, L.P. and changed its name to Greystone Housing Impact Investors LP in December 2022. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is based in Omaha, Nebraska.

Receive News & Ratings for X Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for X Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Bank of China Limited (OTCMKTS:BACHY  Get Free Report) crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $9.41 and traded as low as $8.55. Bank of China shares last traded at $8.57, with a volume of 64,688 shares trading hands.

Bank of China Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $103.04 billion, a PE ratio of 3.38 and a beta of 0.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 0.88. The firms 50 day moving average is $8.66 and its 200-day moving average is $9.40.

Get Bank of China alerts:

Bank of China (OTCMKTS:BACHY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 30th. The bank reported $0.64 earnings per share for the quarter. Bank of China had a net margin of 20.59% and a return on equity of 8.68%. The business had revenue of $21.91 billion during the quarter.

Bank of China Cuts Dividend

About Bank of China

The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 21st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 6th were paid a $0.7093 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, July 5th. Bank of Chinas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 25.87%.

(Get Free Report)

Bank of China Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking and financial services in Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and internationally. It operates through Corporate Banking, Personal Banking, Treasury Operations, Investment Banking, Insurance, and Other segments. The Corporate Banking segment provides current accounts, deposits, overdrafts, loans, payments and settlements, trade-related products, and other credit facilities, as well as foreign currency, derivative, and wealth management products for corporate customers, government authorities, and financial institutions.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Bank of China Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of China and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Clarus Group Inc. increased its position in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 18.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,511 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 845 shares during the quarter. Clarus Group Inc.s holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $538,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in PM. Green Square Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Philip Morris International during the 2nd quarter valued at $232,000. EP Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Philip Morris International during the 1st quarter valued at $98,000. Clear Harbor Asset Management LLC increased its position in Philip Morris International by 59.0% during the 1st quarter. Clear Harbor Asset Management LLC now owns 4,214 shares of the companys stock valued at $410,000 after purchasing an additional 1,563 shares during the period. Cypress Wealth Services LLC increased its position in Philip Morris International by 6.3% during the 1st quarter. Cypress Wealth Services LLC now owns 4,514 shares of the companys stock valued at $439,000 after purchasing an additional 267 shares during the period. Finally, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its position in Philip Morris International by 13.7% during the 2nd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 200,438 shares of the companys stock valued at $19,567,000 after purchasing an additional 24,207 shares during the period. 79.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Get Philip Morris International alerts:

Philip Morris International Price Performance

Philip Morris International stock traded down $0.99 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $94.93. The stock had a trading volume of 4,903,648 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,475,599. The company has a market capitalization of $147.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.37, a PEG ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $96.23 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $96.00. Philip Morris International Inc. has a one year low of $82.85 and a one year high of $105.62.

Philip Morris International Increases Dividend

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 20th. The company reported $1.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.50 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $8.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.76 billion. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 11.63% and a negative return on equity of 127.84%. Philip Morris Internationals revenue was up 14.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.48 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 27th will be paid a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 26th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.48%. This is a boost from Philip Morris Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.27. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 98.26%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have issued reports on PM. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $115.00 to $110.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $113.00 to $111.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 22nd. 22nd Century Group reaffirmed a reiterates rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Tuesday, June 27th. Citigroup raised shares of Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the stock from $109.00 to $117.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 20th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $110.64.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Philip Morris International

Philip Morris International Profile

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Hershey (NYSE:HSY  Get Free Report) and Hotel Chocolat Group (OTCMKTS:HCHOF  Get Free Report) are both consumer defensive companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, risk, dividends, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability and earnings.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Hershey and Hotel Chocolat Groups revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Get Hershey alerts:

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Hershey $10.42 billion 4.08 $1.64 billion $8.69 23.93 Hotel Chocolat Group N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Hershey has higher revenue and earnings than Hotel Chocolat Group.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Hershey 16.49% 55.74% 16.99% Hotel Chocolat Group N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Recommendations

This table compares Hershey and Hotel Chocolat Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Hershey and Hotel Chocolat Group, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Hershey 0 9 8 0 2.47 Hotel Chocolat Group 0 0 0 0 N/A

Hershey currently has a consensus price target of $262.10, suggesting a potential upside of 26.05%. Given Hersheys higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Hershey is more favorable than Hotel Chocolat Group.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

56.5% of Hershey shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.3% of Hershey shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Hershey beats Hotel Chocolat Group on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Hershey

(Get Free Report)

The Hershey Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of confectionery products and pantry items in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America Confectionery, North America Salty Snacks, and International. It offers chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery products; gum and mint refreshment products, including mints, chewing gums, and bubble gums; pantry items, such as baking ingredients, toppings, beverages, and sundae syrups; and snack items comprising spreads, bars, snack bites, mixes, popcorn, and pretzels. The company provides its products primarily under the Hershey's, Reese's, Kisses, Jolly Rancher, Almond Joy, Brookside, barkTHINS, Cadbury, Good & Plenty, Heath, Kit Kat, Payday, Rolo, Twizzlers, Whoppers, York, Ice Breakers, Breath Savers, Bubble Yum, Lily's, SkinnyPop, Pirates Booty, Paqui, Dot's Homestyle Pretzels, and ONE Bar brands, as well as under the Pelon Pelo Rico, IO-IO, and Sofit brands. It markets and sells its products to wholesale distributors, chain grocery stores, mass merchandisers, chain drug stores, vending companies, wholesale clubs, convenience stores, dollar stores, concessionaires, and department stores. The company was founded in 1894 and is headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

About Hotel Chocolat Group

(Get Free Report)

Hotel Chocolat Group plc manufactures and retails chocolates and cocoa-related products under the Hotel Chocolat brand name in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Saint Lucia, the United States, and Japan. It offers a range of chocolates, including gifts, and rare and vintage chocolates, as well as coffee drinks; wine, beer, and spirits; and beauty products. The company sells its products through a network of stores, as well as through online subscription; and operates restaurants, hotels, and cocoa estates. It also holds properties. The company operates 122 Hotel Chocolat locations in the United Kingdom; one in the republic of Ireland, and Ireland; the United States; and Japan. Hotel Chocolat Group plc was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Royston, the United Kingdom.

Receive News & Ratings for Hershey Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hershey and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Dorian LPG (NYSE:LPG  Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities research analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Friday.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. DNB Markets cut shares of Dorian LPG from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $26.90 price objective for the company. in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded Dorian LPG from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $30.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Thursday, August 3rd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Dorian LPG presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $26.98.

Get Dorian LPG alerts:

Get Our Latest Stock Report on Dorian LPG

Dorian LPG Price Performance

LPG traded up $1.25 on Friday, hitting $29.39. 1,086,108 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 626,042. Dorian LPG has a 12 month low of $12.90 and a 12 month high of $30.09. The business has a 50-day moving average of $26.89 and a two-hundred day moving average of $24.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 2.50 and a quick ratio of 2.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.94 and a beta of 1.17.

Dorian LPG (NYSE:LPG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 2nd. The shipping company reported $1.21 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.64 by ($0.43). Dorian LPG had a return on equity of 22.93% and a net margin of 46.96%. The firm had revenue of $111.56 million for the quarter. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.56 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Dorian LPG will post 4.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Dorian LPG news, Director Thomas Jason Coleman sold 17,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.60, for a total transaction of $418,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 298,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,330,800. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Thomas Jason Coleman sold 17,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.60, for a total value of $418,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 298,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,330,800. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO Theodore B. Young sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.00, for a total value of $78,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 87,805 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,282,930. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 261,700 shares of company stock valued at $7,160,748. 15.90% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in Dorian LPG by 8.2% in the third quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,263,675 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $71,427,000 after acquiring an additional 400,804 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in Dorian LPG by 11.8% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,240,874 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $64,622,000 after acquiring an additional 341,453 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in Dorian LPG by 8.7% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,313,316 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $26,188,000 after acquiring an additional 105,059 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Dorian LPG by 4.9% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,006,993 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $13,665,000 after acquiring an additional 46,925 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in Dorian LPG by 32.6% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 799,380 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $11,583,000 after acquiring an additional 196,749 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.01% of the companys stock.

Dorian LPG Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Dorian LPG Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the transportation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) through its LPG tankers worldwide. It owns and operates twenty-five very large gas carriers (VLGCs). The company was incorporated in 2013 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Dorian LPG Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dorian LPG and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Elk River Wealth Management LLC cut its position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM  Free Report) by 10.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 4,272 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 473 shares during the quarter. Elk River Wealth Management LLCs holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF were worth $800,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Annapolis Financial Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 94.7% in the 1st quarter. Annapolis Financial Services LLC now owns 148 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP increased its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 450.0% in the 1st quarter. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP now owns 154 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 126 shares during the last quarter. Tandem Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Cowen Prime Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the 1st quarter worth $32,000. Finally, 25 LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the 1st quarter worth $33,000.

Get iShares Russell 2000 ETF alerts:

iShares Russell 2000 ETF Price Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA:IWM traded down $0.40 during trading on Friday, reaching $176.67. The company had a trading volume of 23,171,082 shares, compared to its average volume of 23,203,894. The company has a fifty day moving average of $188.82 and a two-hundred day moving average of $182.33. iShares Russell 2000 ETF has a 12 month low of $162.50 and a 12 month high of $199.26.

iShares Russell 2000 ETF Company Profile

iShares Russell 2000 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Index (the Index). The Index is a float-adjusted capitalization weighted index that measures the performance of the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market and includes securities issued by the approximately 2,000 smallest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 2000 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 2000 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Nabors Industries (NYSE:NBR  Get Free Report) and Awilco Drilling (OTCMKTS:AWLCF  Get Free Report) are both energy companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, dividends, earnings, risk, profitability, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

Profitability

This table compares Nabors Industries and Awilco Drillings net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Get Nabors Industries alerts:

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Nabors Industries -0.96% -17.98% -2.22% Awilco Drilling N/A N/A N/A

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Nabors Industries and Awilco Drillings top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Nabors Industries $2.67 billion 0.44 -$350.26 million ($5.87) -20.94 Awilco Drilling N/A N/A N/A $4.33 0.13

Analyst Recommendations

Awilco Drilling has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Nabors Industries. Nabors Industries is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Awilco Drilling, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for Nabors Industries and Awilco Drilling, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Nabors Industries 1 4 2 0 2.14 Awilco Drilling 0 0 0 0 N/A

Nabors Industries presently has a consensus price target of $145.00, indicating a potential upside of 17.96%. Given Nabors Industries higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Nabors Industries is more favorable than Awilco Drilling.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

80.4% of Nabors Industries shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 3.0% of Awilco Drilling shares are held by institutional investors. 7.1% of Nabors Industries shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

About Nabors Industries

(Get Free Report)

Nabors Industries Ltd. provides drilling and drilling-related services for land-based and offshore oil and natural gas wells in the United States and internationally. The company operates through U.S. Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. It provides tubular running, wellbore placement, directional drilling, measurement-while-drilling (MWD), equipment manufacturing, and rig instrumentation services; and logging-while-drilling systems and services, as well as drilling optimization software. The company also offers ROCKit, a directional steering control system; SmartNAV, a collaborative guidance and advisory platform; SmartSLIDE, an advanced directional steering control system; and RigCLOUD, which provides the tools and infrastructure to integrate applications to deliver real-time insight into operations across the rig fleet. In addition, it manufactures and sells top drives, catwalks, wrenches, drawworks, and other drilling related equipment, such as robotic systems and downhole tools; and provides aftermarket sales and services for the installed base of its equipment. The company marketed approximately 300 rigs for land-based drilling operations; and 29 rigs for offshore platform drilling operations. Nabors Industries Ltd. was founded in 1952 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

About Awilco Drilling

(Get Free Report)

Awilco Drilling PLC does not have significant operations. It previously engaged in the provision of drilling services to oil and gas companies. The company was incorporated in 2009 and is based in Westhill, the United Kingdom.

Receive News & Ratings for Nabors Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nabors Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
IGM Financial Inc. (OTCMKTS:IGIFF  Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Thursday, September 21st, investing.com reports. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 29th will be paid a dividend of 0.4208 per share on Tuesday, October 31st. This represents a dividend yield of 6%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 28th. This is a positive change from IGM Financials previous dividend of $0.41.

IGM Financial Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS IGIFF opened at $27.70 on Friday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $29.02 and a 200-day simple moving average of $29.56. IGM Financial has a 1 year low of $24.78 and a 1 year high of $33.21.

Get IGM Financial alerts:

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on IGIFF shares. National Bank Financial lowered their price objective on shares of IGM Financial from C$48.00 to C$47.00 in a research report on Friday, August 4th. Scotiabank lowered their price objective on shares of IGM Financial from C$47.00 to C$45.00 in a research report on Friday, August 4th. TD Securities lowered their price objective on shares of IGM Financial from C$48.00 to C$46.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on shares of IGM Financial from C$44.00 to C$43.00 in a research report on Friday, August 4th.

IGM Financial Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

IGM Financial Inc operates as a wealth and asset management company in Canada. It operates through Wealth Management, Asset Management, and Strategic Investments and Other segments. The company offers financial advisory services; and IG Living Plan that provides financial planning services, such as investment vehicles, insurance products, mortgage and banking solutions, and charitable giving program.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for IGM Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IGM Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Investment Advisory Group LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG  Free Report) by 10.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 8,858 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 847 shares during the period. Investment Advisory Group LLCs holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF were worth $868,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Key Financial Inc increased its position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 8.2% during the first quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 1,370 shares of the companys stock valued at $137,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares in the last quarter. Gries Financial LLC grew its position in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Gries Financial LLC now owns 10,703 shares of the companys stock worth $1,066,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares during the period. Benin Management CORP grew its position in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. Benin Management CORP now owns 2,611 shares of the companys stock worth $260,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares during the period. Pathstone Family Office LLC grew its position in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 6,033 shares of the companys stock worth $581,000 after purchasing an additional 118 shares during the period. Finally, Beta Wealth Group Inc. grew its position in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Beta Wealth Group Inc. now owns 31,284 shares of the companys stock worth $3,034,000 after purchasing an additional 126 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 83.21% of the companys stock.

Get iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF alerts:

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Trading Up 0.4 %

NYSEARCA:AGG traded up $0.40 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $95.05. The company had a trading volume of 7,294,228 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,112,347. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a 52 week low of $93.20 and a 52 week high of $101.15. The firms 50 day moving average price is $96.34 and its 200-day moving average price is $97.86.

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Profile

IShares are index funds that are bought and sold like common stocks on national securities exchanges as well as certain foreign exchanges. iShares are attractive because of their relatively low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account.

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AGG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
NEW DELHI, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chief Minister of India's northeastern state of Manipur N Biren Singh announced that the internet services in the state were restored on Saturday.

"As a precautionary measure to prevent unwanted incidents, the state government imposed a ban on the internet. But from today onwards, the internet will be open to the masses," he said while addressing a press conference.

Local government snapped internet services for mobile and broadband on May 3 across the state, the day large-scale violence broke out. The ban, first imposed for a duration of five days, citing the law and order problem, had been extended since then.

Although the government on July 25 lifted the ban partially, allowing only broadband services to function with certain conditions, the mobile internet ban continued.

Manipur has been on edge since May 3 when large-scale violence broke out in the state during a tribal protest over the inclusion of the non-tribal Meiteis community for a scheduled tribe status - designated for disadvantaged socio-economic groups, which gives them reservations in education and government jobs. 
Mcdonald Partners LLC decreased its position in shares of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 1,459 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 36 shares during the period. Mcdonald Partners LLCs holdings in BlackRock were worth $1,009,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Steward Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in BlackRock during the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Tyler Stone Wealth Management grew its holdings in BlackRock by 71.4% during the 4th quarter. Tyler Stone Wealth Management now owns 48 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. Centerpoint Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in BlackRock during the 1st quarter valued at $34,000. Sittner & Nelson LLC grew its holdings in BlackRock by 48.6% during the 1st quarter. Sittner & Nelson LLC now owns 52 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barrett & Company Inc. acquired a new stake in BlackRock during the 1st quarter valued at $38,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.01% of the companys stock.

Get BlackRock alerts:

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have commented on BLK. Bank of America reduced their price objective on shares of BlackRock from $928.00 to $921.00 in a research note on Sunday, July 16th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded shares of BlackRock from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price objective for the company from $770.00 to $835.00 in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of BlackRock from $780.00 to $820.00 in a research note on Monday, July 17th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of BlackRock from $881.00 to $888.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 18th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of BlackRock in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $767.69.

BlackRock Stock Performance

NYSE:BLK traded down $8.73 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $660.10. The stock had a trading volume of 468,469 shares, compared to its average volume of 572,327. The stock has a market capitalization of $98.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.27, a P/E/G ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $702.47 and a 200-day simple moving average of $681.01. BlackRock, Inc. has a 52 week low of $503.12 and a 52 week high of $785.65. The company has a current ratio of 4.21, a quick ratio of 4.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 14th. The asset manager reported $9.28 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.52 by $0.76. The firm had revenue of $4.46 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.47 billion. BlackRock had a net margin of 29.90% and a return on equity of 14.29%. BlackRocks quarterly revenue was down 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $7.36 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that BlackRock, Inc. will post 35.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

BlackRock Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 22nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 8th were paid a dividend of $5.00 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 7th. This represents a $20.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.03%. BlackRocks payout ratio is 58.41%.

Insider Buying and Selling at BlackRock

In other BlackRock news, CEO Laurence Fink sold 20,200 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $742.04, for a total transaction of $14,989,208.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 464,125 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $344,399,315. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, CEO Laurence Fink sold 20,200 shares of BlackRock stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $742.04, for a total value of $14,989,208.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 464,125 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $344,399,315. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Mark Wiedman sold 2,079 shares of BlackRock stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $733.82, for a total transaction of $1,525,611.78. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,160 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,520,331.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.96% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

BlackRock Company Profile

(Free Report)

BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BLK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Sigma Healthcare Limited (ASX:SIG  Get Free Report) declared a interim dividend on Thursday, September 21st, MarketIndexAU reports. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 10th will be paid a dividend of 0.005 per share on Tuesday, October 10th. This represents a dividend yield of 0.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Sunday, September 24th.

Sigma Healthcare Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 48.33.

Get Sigma Healthcare alerts:

About Sigma Healthcare

(Get Free Report)

Further Reading

Sigma Healthcare Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the wholesale distribution of pharmaceutical goods and medical consumables primarily in Australia. The company operates various aligned pharmacies, including branded pharmacies under the Amcal, Guardian, Discount Drug Stores, and PharmaSave brands.

Receive News & Ratings for Sigma Healthcare Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sigma Healthcare and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Procyon Advisors LLC raised its stake in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) by 61.3% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 35,497 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 13,487 shares during the period. Procyon Advisors LLCs holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $2,012,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vontobel Holding Ltd. lifted its stake in Charles Schwab by 7.5% in the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 20,822 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,847,000 after buying an additional 1,452 shares in the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. raised its holdings in Charles Schwab by 4.3% in the 1st quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 6,263 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $528,000 after acquiring an additional 259 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 25.4% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 13,064 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,101,000 after purchasing an additional 2,648 shares during the period. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its position in Charles Schwab by 7.5% during the first quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 3,807 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $321,000 after buying an additional 267 shares during the period. Finally, Covestor Ltd increased its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 16.6% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,239 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $104,000 after acquiring an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. 81.61% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Charles Schwab alerts:

Insider Buying and Selling at Charles Schwab

In other news, CFO Peter B. Crawford sold 3,792 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.31, for a total value of $217,319.52. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 44,725 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,563,189.75. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 75,760 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.60, for a total value of $5,045,616.00. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 59,672,778 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,974,207,014.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Peter B. Crawford sold 3,792 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.31, for a total transaction of $217,319.52. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 44,725 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,563,189.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 159,599 shares of company stock worth $10,542,469 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 6.60% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently commented on SCHW shares. Citigroup upped their price objective on Charles Schwab from $65.00 to $75.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 19th. Wolfe Research cut their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $62.00 to $60.00 in a report on Monday, June 26th. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $67.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $70.00 to $74.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Charles Schwab from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, September 17th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $72.28.

View Our Latest Research Report on SCHW

Charles Schwab Stock Down 1.5 %

Shares of SCHW traded down $0.86 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $55.15. The company had a trading volume of 7,022,755 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,693,168. The stock has a market cap of $97.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.07, a PEG ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 0.92. The companys 50 day moving average price is $61.51 and its 200 day moving average price is $56.69. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 52 week low of $45.00 and a 52 week high of $86.63.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $4.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.61 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 27.54% and a net margin of 33.15%. Charles Schwabs quarterly revenue was down 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.97 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.24 EPS for the current year.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 25th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 11th were issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 10th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio is presently 29.15%.

Charles Schwab Profile

(Free Report)

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Vietnam Enterprise Investments Limited (LON:VEIL  Get Free Report) traded down 2% on Friday . The company traded as low as GBX 593 ($7.35) and last traded at GBX 593 ($7.35). 446,546 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 230% from the average session volume of 135,277 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 605 ($7.49).

Vietnam Enterprise Investments Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of 1.21 billion, a P/E ratio of -167.99 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a quick ratio of 247.74, a current ratio of 125.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. The business has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 617.44 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 581.99.

About Vietnam Enterprise Investments

(Get Free Report)

Vietnam Enterprise Investments Limited is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Dragon Capital Management Limited. It invests in the public equity markets of Vietnam. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. It primarily invests in value and growth stocks of companies.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Vietnam Enterprise Investments Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vietnam Enterprise Investments and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
you are here:
Siddharth Upasani is a Special Correspondent at Moneycontrol. He has been covering the Indian economy, economic data, and monetary and fiscal policies for nine years. He tweets at @SiddharthUbiWan. Contact: siddharth.upasani@nw18.com
TEHRAN, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned Swiss charge d'affaires, whose country represents U.S. interests in Iran, to protest against U.S. "baseless anti-Tehran" claims, said the ministry on Friday.

In the meeting on Thursday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry notified the Swiss diplomat, who was summoned in the absence of the Swiss ambassador, of Tehran's strong protest against the U.S. "injudicious position toward Iran and provocative moves."

Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi and GCC member states' foreign ministers in New York and issued a joint statement.

They called on Iran to "cease its proliferation of dangerous weapons that pose a grave security threat to the region" and renewed their call for Iran to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

In addition, they voiced "support for the United Arab Emirates' call to reach a peaceful solution to the dispute over the three islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa," which Iran says "have historically been part of the country, citing historical, legal, and geographical documents as proof."

Iran's Foreign Ministry stressed that the country is determined to defend its territorial integrity and protect its security and interests against any threats from the U.S. government regarding maritime and shipping security, and will implement the necessary measures to safeguard its national interests.

It also stressed that Iran will not allow the United States to continue its "plunder of the region's wealth and resources through pursuing its Iranophobia policy."

The Swiss diplomat gave the assurance to convey Iran's protest to Washington as soon as possible. 
This aerial photo taken on Sept. 22, 2023 shows the cruise ships "Mediterranea" and "Dream" docked at a port in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua)

TIANJIN, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- A cruise ship registered in the Bahamas docked at a port in north China's Tianjin Municipality on Friday upon arrival, signaling a promising revival of the city's cruise tourism industry.

The ship, named "Mediterranea," is scheduled to embark on an international cruise route on Sept. 30 with Tianjin as its home port, according to its operator Adora Cruises.

To ensure the efficient berthing of the ship, local authorities assisted more than 900 Chinese and foreign crew members in completing all necessary formalities for port entry.

In July, the cruise ship "Dream" also docked in Tianjin. Registered in Liberia, the vessel boasts more than 1,000 cabins and can accommodate over 2,000 passengers.

The upcoming voyages of two cruise ships mark the post-pandemic recovery of Tianjin's cruise tourism sector.

The largest cruise homeport in northern China, Tianjin International Cruise Home Port has received over 880 international cruise ships and handled more than 4.26 million inbound and outbound passengers.

China's Ministry of Transport announced on Tuesday the full resumption of international cruise ship transport to and from ports in the country.

The ministry said in its notice that local transport authorities at the ports where cruise ships dock should formulate plans for restoring international cruise transportation and proceed with the resumption work after obtaining approval from local governments. 

This photo taken on Sept. 22, 2023 shows the cruise ship "Mediterranea" docked at a port in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua)
BRASILIA, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to work with Brazil to deepen all-round practical cooperation, cement coordination within such multilateral mechanisms as BRICS and the Group of 20, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, said a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) during his visit to Brazil.

Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Li paid an official friendly visit to Brazil from Monday to Friday.

Conveying cordial greetings of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Lula, Li noted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of strategic partnership between China and Brazil.

Xi and Lula have met and exchanged views with each other on several occasions, jointly opening up and steering the future for China-Brazil relations in the new era, said Li, also secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

China and Brazil are the largest developing countries in the Eastern and Western Hemisphere respectively, and are comprehensive strategic partners, he said, adding that the two countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties next year.

The two countries should build on their past achievements and forge ahead with deeper political mutual trust as well as continuous mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, said Li.

The CPC is willing to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning with the Workers' Party of Brazil, jointly explore the modernization path in line with their respective national conditions, and promote the in-depth development of China-Brazil comprehensive strategic partnership, he said.

Conveying his good wishes to Xi and recalling his cordial association with Xi, Lula said Brazil and China are good friends and partners, embracing fruitful bilateral cooperation in such fields as politics, economy and trade, party-to-party relations and collaboration on international affairs.

Brazil hopes to promote the synergy between its New Growth Acceleration Program and China's development strategies, so as to advance the sustainable development of the two countries, Lula said.

He added Brazil stands ready to strengthen cooperation with China within multilateral mechanisms, so as to jointly address such global challenges as poverty, inequality, climate change, as well as conflicts and confrontation, and to promote world peace, development and prosperity.

Noting that the Workers' Party of Brazil and the CPC have maintained close contacts, Lula said he is willing to play a positive role in deepening bilateral relations and the friendship between their people. 
KIEV, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- NATO will not accept Ukraine as a member until the end of the conflict, the bloc's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said.

He made the statement during a public lecture at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, reported the Ukrainian government-run Ukrinform news agency on Friday.

"The fact that the war is in an active stage does not allow us to invite them (Ukrainians) tomorrow or today," said Stoltenberg.

At the same time, Stoltenberg suggested that Ukraine may become a NATO member after the cessation of the hostilities in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"These are interrelated issues -- NATO membership, ending the war and ensuring lasting peace after the war," he said.

Providing Ukraine with Western-style weapons and training of Ukrainian servicemen is bringing Ukraine closer to NATO membership, he added.

NATO recognized Ukraine as its Enhanced Opportunities Partner in 2020. 
PHNOM PENH, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has said that Cambodia has set a strategy to transform it into a high-income country by 2050.

Hun Manet made the remarks at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the United States on Friday (New York time), according to a statement of his speech released to the media on Saturday.

"Like many developing countries, Cambodia has a lot more to do to reach our goal of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a resilient, vibrant and prosperous high-income country by 2050," he said.

"To this end...my government is committed to taking transformative actions through our recently launched Pentagonal Strategy for Cambodia's socio-economic development over the next 25 years," he added.

The Pentagonal Strategy is being implemented from Phase I in the five areas of growth, employment, equity, efficiency, and sustainability, Hun Manet said, adding that the five key priorities are people, roads, water, electricity and technology, especially digital technology.

According to the Cambodian leader, the country is steadily transitioning from a least developed country status to a developing country status in 2027.

He said the kingdom's economic growth is expected to continue growing at 5.6 percent in 2023, up from 5.2 percent in 2022.

Cambodian Ministry of Commerce's Secretary of State and Spokesman Penn Sovicheat said the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement, and the Cambodia-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement will help Cambodia graduate from its least developed country status and achieve its goals of becoming an upper-middle income country in 2030 and a high-income nation by 2050.

"The RCEP, along with other bilateral FTAs, has not only given a boost to the kingdom's sustainable trade growth, but also become a magnet to attract more foreign direct investments," he told Xinhua.

The RCEP agreement comprises 15 Asia-Pacific countries, including 10 ASEAN member states - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - and their five trading partners, namely China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. 
Technicians check equipment at a gas gathering and transmission station of the Fuling shale gas field in Fuling, southwest China's Chongqing, Sept. 21, 2023.

The Fuling shale gas field in Chongqing has produced over 60 billion cubic meters of natural gas, according to Sinopec, its developer and China's largest oil refiner. The gas field, which began commercial development in 2014, brings green and clean energy to more than 70 cities along the Yangtze River Economic Belt. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

Technicians check equipment at a gas gathering and transmission station of the Fuling shale gas field in Fuling, southwest China's Chongqing, Sept. 21, 2023.

The Fuling shale gas field in Chongqing has produced over 60 billion cubic meters of natural gas, according to Sinopec, its developer and China's largest oil refiner. The gas field, which began commercial development in 2014, brings green and clean energy to more than 70 cities along the Yangtze River Economic Belt. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

This aerial photo taken on Sept. 19, 2023 shows workers carrying out production activities at a well of the Fuling shale gas field in Zhongxian County, southwest China's Chongqing.

The Fuling shale gas field in Chongqing has produced over 60 billion cubic meters of natural gas, according to Sinopec, its developer and China's largest oil refiner. The gas field, which began commercial development in 2014, brings green and clean energy to more than 70 cities along the Yangtze River Economic Belt. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

Technicians carry out equipment maintenance at a well of the Fuling shale gas field in Zhongxian County, southwest China's Chongqing, Sept. 19, 2023.

The Fuling shale gas field in Chongqing has produced over 60 billion cubic meters of natural gas, according to Sinopec, its developer and China's largest oil refiner. The gas field, which began commercial development in 2014, brings green and clean energy to more than 70 cities along the Yangtze River Economic Belt. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

Technicians tour as they perform equipment maintenance at a well of the Fuling shale gas field in Zhongxian County, southwest China's Chongqing, Sept. 19, 2023.

The Fuling shale gas field in Chongqing has produced over 60 billion cubic meters of natural gas, according to Sinopec, its developer and China's largest oil refiner. The gas field, which began commercial development in 2014, brings green and clean energy to more than 70 cities along the Yangtze River Economic Belt. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

This aerial photo taken on Sept. 19, 2023 shows workers carrying out production activities at a well of the Fuling shale gas field in Zhongxian County, southwest China's Chongqing.

The Fuling shale gas field in Chongqing has produced over 60 billion cubic meters of natural gas, according to Sinopec, its developer and China's largest oil refiner. The gas field, which began commercial development in 2014, brings green and clean energy to more than 70 cities along the Yangtze River Economic Belt. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

A technician carries out equipment maintenance at a well of the Fuling shale gas field in Zhongxian County, southwest China's Chongqing, Sept. 19, 2023.

The Fuling shale gas field in Chongqing has produced over 60 billion cubic meters of natural gas, according to Sinopec, its developer and China's largest oil refiner. The gas field, which began commercial development in 2014, brings green and clean energy to more than 70 cities along the Yangtze River Economic Belt. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

Technicians carry out routine maintenance at a gas gathering station of the Fuling shale gas field in Fuling, southwest China's Chongqing, Sept. 21, 2023.

The Fuling shale gas field in Chongqing has produced over 60 billion cubic meters of natural gas, according to Sinopec, its developer and China's largest oil refiner. The gas field, which began commercial development in 2014, brings green and clean energy to more than 70 cities along the Yangtze River Economic Belt. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

A technician carries out equipment maintenance at a well of the Fuling shale gas field in Zhongxian County, southwest China's Chongqing, Sept. 19, 2023.

The Fuling shale gas field in Chongqing has produced over 60 billion cubic meters of natural gas, according to Sinopec, its developer and China's largest oil refiner. The gas field, which began commercial development in 2014, brings green and clean energy to more than 70 cities along the Yangtze River Economic Belt. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

A technician carries out routine maintenance at a gas gathering station of the Fuling shale gas field in Fuling, southwest China's Chongqing, Sept. 21, 2023.

The Fuling shale gas field in Chongqing has produced over 60 billion cubic meters of natural gas, according to Sinopec, its developer and China's largest oil refiner. The gas field, which began commercial development in 2014, brings green and clean energy to more than 70 cities along the Yangtze River Economic Belt. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

Technicians check equipment at a gas gathering and transmission station of the Fuling shale gas field in Fuling, southwest China's Chongqing, Sept. 21, 2023.

The Fuling shale gas field in Chongqing has produced over 60 billion cubic meters of natural gas, according to Sinopec, its developer and China's largest oil refiner. The gas field, which began commercial development in 2014, brings green and clean energy to more than 70 cities along the Yangtze River Economic Belt. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)
Hong Kong: FS visits biopharmaceutical co in UK

Financial Secretary Paul Chan visited a biopharmaceutical company and the Royal College of Art, and took part in a luncheon held by the China-Britain Business Council as part of the London trip.

Mr Chan visited AstraZeneca and met the company's senior management to learn about its drug research and development as well as its latest expansion plans.

AstraZeneca indicated that after detailed discussion with the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, the company plans to develop a research and development centre in Hong Kong and will engage in further discussion with relevant departments.

The Financial Secretary then attended a roundtable luncheon held by the China-Britain Business Council, and met representatives of British enterprises that have business or plan to set up business in the Mainland and Hong Kong.

Mr Chan also visited the Royal College of Art, which collaborated with Polytechnic University to establish the Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design in 2021. He toured a number of applied research projects of the laboratory to learn about how artificial intelligence could empower different types of design.



Additionally, he met Hong Kong students in the UK under the Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme of the Education Bureau to understand their lives and studies, looking forward to their return and contributions to Hong Kong's development upon graduation.

This story has been published on: 2023-09-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Abdissa Yilma, director general of Ethiopian Space Science and Geospatial Institute, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Sept. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)

ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- On a typical rainy morning at the mountainous Entoto ground receiving station on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, Dawit Kassaw is busy monitoring the status of servers while identifying daily missions regarding satellite operations.

Kassaw, a unit leader for the ground application satellite system at the Ethiopian Space Science and Geospatial Institute, is one of the young Ethiopian space science enthusiasts who are shouldering the mammoth responsibility of solidifying Ethiopia's recent gains in its pursuit of advancements in space science, thanks to successful cooperation with China.

As one of the Ethiopian pioneers in this field, Kassaw expressed his pride and amazement at the success of the satellite project in Ethiopia in such a short span of time.

"The satellite project in Ethiopia was not something that we expected to be successful in our generation, and I am very proud and impressed to be a part of this project," Kassaw told Xinhua in a recent interview.

In December 2019, the East African country launched its first-ever satellite, abbreviated as ETRSS-1, into space from China. The command and control center is located on the 3,200-meter-high hill of Entoto on the outskirts of Addis Ababa.

With a passion for space science and satellite operations, Kassaw, who is at the forefront of Ethiopia's journey toward self-sufficiency in this cutting-edge field, embodies the positive impact of China's extensive support and capacity-building efforts.

Kassaw's daily activities at the Entoto Ground Receiving Station revolve around monitoring server status, identifying daily missions, and analyzing the data and imagery received from satellites.

"We have been to China twice for training purposes. In addition, we have also received on-site training by Chinese experts here. These training contents were new to us, in particular, and to our country in general, and have helped us a lot in our professional development," Kassaw said.

"The capacity development and knowledge transfer initiatives, particularly in remote sensing applications and satellite in-orbit operations, have equipped us with the necessary skills to confidently carry out satellite operations," Kassaw added. "The training and skills transfer efforts have provided us with the foundational knowledge and skills."

Thanks to the successful capacity building and knowledge transfer initiatives, Kassaw said Ethiopian professionals are now able to independently manage the entire satellite operations process and provide valuable insights for end-users.

Looking to the future, Kassaw expressed his aspirations to deepen his engagement and knowledge of satellite technology, particularly in the design phase of Ethiopia's future satellite projects.

"The contribution and support of the Chinese team in this project have been key factors that have helped us reach where we are now. We would like to thank our Chinese colleagues for their dedication and support," Kassaw said.

Just like Kassaw, fellow Ethiopian space science enthusiasts argue that the successful transfer of advanced technologies has empowered Ethiopian professionals to excel in the field, fostering innovation and driving the nation's progress in the space sector.

One of them is Melaku Muka, director of satellite operations at the Space Science and Geospatial Institute. Muka said the collaboration between China and Ethiopia in the space science and satellite operations sector has opened up new horizons for Ethiopia's development.

"Throughout the development, launch, and in-orbit operation of the satellite, the Ethiopian team has worked alongside Chinese partners, and we have received extensive training in different phases of satellite development and in-orbit operation. All this training has helped us gain technology transfer in the industry," Muka said.

"I can say that we will strive to build world-class infrastructure for satellite ground operations and provide reliable data for every sector of the country," he added.

Abdissa Yilma, director of the Space Science and Geospatial Institute, also shed light on the instrumental role played by China in realizing Ethiopia's space sector aspirations.

Yilma recounted the inception of the satellite project in Ethiopia, which began with collaborative efforts involving the Chinese government. This collaboration culminated in the signing of an agreement in April 2016 and led to the launch of Ethiopia's first-ever satellite from China in December 2019.

According to Yilma, the Chinese-backed satellite project in Ethiopia has proved crucial for various purposes over the past three years of operation, including providing valuable imagery for the East African country's agriculture and tourism sectors, among others.

Yilma emphasized how the satellite project has attracted widespread attention, motivating the entire population and instilling a sense of pride and enthusiasm, particularly among the younger generation.

ETRSS-1 is the result of support from the Chinese government, Yilma said, adding that without the initiation of this project, the country might have delayed its satellite programs. "That is truly a significant contribution from China because the project was financed by the Chinese government."

Recalling the challenging times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the progress of Ethiopia's space science operations, Yilma underscored that the cooperation between Ethiopian and Chinese teams ensured the smooth operation of the satellite and the efficient reception of satellite imagery.

Yilma said as the partnership continues to strengthen, Ethiopia looks forward to undertaking more ambitious projects with China, leveraging its expertise and support to achieve more achievements in space science and satellite operations. 
SYDNEY, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Australia Federal Police (AFP) said on Saturday that the authorities seized more than 200 kg of cocaine concealed in the hull of a cargo ship last month.

According to an AFP statement, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers used an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle to search a vessel docked in Melbourne's Maribyrnong Terminal on Aug. 9.

They identified a suspicious hull attachment in the ship's sea chest, which is an area of the vessel that contains pipes used to pump seawater into and out of ballast tanks.

Packages of cocaine were retrieved from inside the sea chest and then seized, the AFP said, adding that the ship had traveled from Argentina via New Zealand before docked in the port of Melbourne.

The AFP said that the cocaine from the ship had an estimated street value of 80 million Australian dollars (about 51.54 million U.S. dollars).

The police had begun an investigation to identify the source of the drugs and their intended destination.

ABF Maritime and Enforcement South Branch Commander Clinton Sims said that Australia was being targeted by organized crime groups moving illegal drugs through the border using parasitic hull attachments on commercial ships. 
WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden has told his Ukrainian counterpart that the United States will send Ukraine a type of long-range missile capable of striking inside Russia, NBC News reported Friday.

The report cited three U.S. officials and a congressional official familiar with the discussions. They were not authorized to disclose the information publicly.

Ukraine has long asked for the Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, from the United States to boost its fighting forces in the ongoing conflict with Russia. The Biden administration had feared that Ukrainian troops would hit targets inside Russia using the long-range missiles.

It is unclear when the ATACMS will be delivered, nor is it certain when a formal announcement will be made, said the report.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in Washington on Thursday for a meeting with Biden at the White House.

Biden told reporters after the meeting that "the first U.S. Abrams tanks" will arrive in Ukraine "next week." 
The Gutu West by-election, scheduled for November 11, will complete the National Assemblys 10th Parliament with a total of 280 seats.

The election was postponed due to the unfortunate passing of one of the candidates, Christopher Mutonhori Rwodzi. As a result, the poll for the seat had to be rescheduled.

President Mnangagwa officially announced the new date for the Gutu West by-election through a proclamation gazetted yesterday, in accordance with the Electoral Act. The Nomination Court will convene on October 10 to receive the names of candidates interested in contesting the election.

Among the candidates who had previously been nominated for the Gutu West Constituency were Cde John Paradza of Zanu-PF and Mr. Ephraim Murudu of CCC.

According to the Electoral Act, if a candidate passes away between the Nomination Court and the polling period, ZEC (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission) is required to declare all proceedings related to the election as void. Subsequently, all election proceedings must commence anew, as if a vacancy had occurred.

In the recent harmonized elections, Zanu-PF emerged victorious in 136 National Assembly constituencies, while CCC secured 73 constituencies. Additionally, Zanu-PF obtained an extra 40 seats through the womens and youth quotas, while CCC gained an additional 30 seats. If Zanu-PF succeeds in the Gutu West by-election, its total seat count could rise to 177. Observers anticipate a favourable outcome for Zanu-PF based on the results from neighbouring constituencies.

Notably, Zanu-PF emerged triumphant in all other three seats in Gutu District during the August harmonized elections, including the seat in CCC leader Nelson Chamisas home village.

Breaking News via Email
Nelson Chamisa Claims Consultations with SADC Leaders on Zimbabwes Political Situation

Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has stated that he is being consulted by leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regarding the resolution of Zimbabwes current political deadlock following the disputed general election.

Speaking during a CCC provincial council meeting in Chinhoyi, Chamisa asserted that despite intimidation and alleged rigging techniques employed by the ruling Zanu PF-aligned Forever Associates of Zimbabwe (FAZ), he emerged as the true winner of the presidential election.

Chamisa emphasized that the greatest achievement of the recently concluded harmonized elections was the ability to shed light on the longstanding issue of contested poll outcomes in Zimbabwe over the past four decades since independence. He claimed to have convinced SADC that the electoral process in Zimbabwe is problematic, describing it not as an election but as a war. Chamisa revealed that he engaged in an extensive video conference call with SADC officials, who sought his input on resolving the political impasse resulting from the widely criticized elections.

The CCC leader expressed his belief that the people of Zimbabwe are resolute in their demands for a legitimate election that truly reflects their decision on national leadership, rather than the chaotic circumstances witnessed in the country. Chamisa disclosed that the CCC has submitted a comprehensive dossier outlining the proposed path forward to SADC and other institutions, expressing optimism that their struggle will ultimately succeed, leading to his inauguration as the countrys leader. He urged his supporters to remain patient as efforts to dismantle President Emmerson Mnangagwas administration continue.

After the meeting at the partys offices, Chamisa paid tribute to the late Ward 2 Councillor Patricia Chibaya in Chinhoyis Hunyani suburb. Describing her as an exceptional leader who brought people together, he mourned her passing and expressed his respect and admiration for her influential and dignified leadership qualities. Councillor Chibaya will be laid to rest at Chemagamba Cemetery on Saturday.

Breaking News via Email
Noel Rungano, the councillor for ward 4 in Epworth and a member of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), was reportedly abducted, assaulted, and later found near Chikurubi Maximum Prison in an incident that occurred on Wednesday night. This information was confirmed by Promise Mkwananzi, the spokesperson for CCC.

According to Mkwananzi, Runganos wife reported the abduction, which took place late at night at their residence. The CCCs security department promptly located Rungano and rushed him to the hospital after finding him abandoned near Chikurubi. He had suffered severe injuries from the assault.

Mkwananzi placed blame on the ruling party, Zanu PF, for the attack and called upon President Emmerson Mnangagwa to put an end to political violence. He urged Mnangagwa to exercise political restraint and prioritize the peace and security of all citizens, emphasizing the importance of respecting the choices made by Zimbabwean voters.

We continue to denounce political violence and restate the fact that Mr Mnangagwa could not have won the elections and yet be so bitter and vindictive.

We expected him to be celebrating his victory. Mr Mnangagwa ought to exercise political restraint and uphold peace and security of all citizens as required of him (as a de facto ruler) by the law.

We reaffirm that no amount of intimidation will dissuade Zimbabweans from peacefully and non-violently demanding that our votes must count and our choices must be respected, Mkwananzi said.

Breaking News via Email
From hangry to chonky: Fat Bear Week is coming NPR (David L)

Ghostly Deep Sea Dumbo Octopus Delights Researchers In Wholesome Video IFLScience (furzy)

Oaks vs. squirrels: A battle is underway in some Minnesota trees, and its nuts MPR News (Chuck L)

Worm that jumps from rats to slugs to human brains has invaded Southeast US ars technica (David L)

Extraordinary structure has no real parallel in the archaeological record, scientists say CNN (Kevin W)

The Physics of Crowds Nautilus

#COVID-19

The president wanted to make sure that no one can go without tests, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said.

The counties include Alameda, Contra Costa, Sonoma, and San Mateo. Several more Bay Area health depts are also expected to issue mandates. pic.twitter.com/tvQsgBG7lk

GREAT NEWS: Several counties in CA have reinstated their mask mandates for healthcare settings. They will be in effect from Nov 1 to Apr 30.

ma points out that the delay till November 1 is odd:

Climate/Environment

Indigenous people shed tears of joy and celebrated after Brazils Supreme Court ruled against an effort to restrict native peoples' rights to protected reservations on their ancestral lands  a win for Indigenous and climate activists. pic.twitter.com/HYAvZzSg77

China?

China Keeps Trying to Crush Them. Their Movement Keeps Growing. New York Times (David L)

Rahm Emmanuel in Japan, goes rogue on China Responsible Statecraft

India

Why Canada Is Having A Diplomatic Crisis With India Ian Welsh (Micael T)

A Murder, a Diplomatic Dust-Up and the Risk of Impunity New York Times (David L)

European Disunion

New Not So Cold War

Ukraine war: US to give Kyiv long-range ATACMS missiles  media reports BBC

>US Cant Deal with Defeat Consortium News (Chuck L)

The dilemma over transferring Russian assets to Ukraine Gillian Tett, Financial Times (David L)

Biden UN speech: no Ukraine compromise, negotiation Asia Times (Kevin W)

UN Feedback Shows That While the West Is Hostile to Russia, the World Isnt Russia in Global Affairs (Micael T)

Ukraine, before and after. The Floutist. Important. A speech by Scott Ritter.

Ukraine SitRep: The War By Numbers Of Humans Moon of Alabama (Kevin W). We get a shout out :-)

Fields Fortified by Russia Become Pivotal to Ukraines Counteroffensive Wall Street Journal. The hopium, it burns.

Hoo boy. Admittedly the neocons have given plenty of grist for this point of views:

 Alexander Dugin, we increasingly hear the leaders of our country define modern western civilisation with the word 'Satanism'. What do you think is meant by this?  The statement that the West is a 'satanic civilisation' was uttered by the President in his keynote speech during pic.twitter.com/JApI04lgqB  Alexander Dugin (@Agdchan) September 18, 2023

Living conditions in Ukraine are resembling a new slavery, a triumph of Western democracy in the 21st century AlMayadeen (Micael T). Consistent with our post yesterday on economic collapse.

Russias indefinite ban on diesel exports threatens to aggravate a global shortage CNBC (Kevin W). We have been intermittently putting up posts on the expectation that diesel supplies would come under stress. That is finally starting to happen. And now.

Collapse of Black Sea grain deal worsen increasing global food insecurity: Irish premier Anadolu Agency

European shame. In Europe they collect from Wikipedia any information for sanctions against Russia International Affairs (Micael T)
Yves here. Andrew Korybko suggests that it would behoove the US to notice the Ukraine-Germany-Poland power struggles and intervene on behalf of Poland v. Germany. But that would require finesse, a quality not much in evidence in the Administration.

I also am curious to see if European readers agree with this take. It seems plausible that Germany, despite becoming weaker due to de-industrialization and increasingly sharp political divides, would still seek to maximize its position.

By Andrew Korybko, a Moscow-based American political analyst who specializes in the global systemic transition to multipolarity in the New Cold War. He has a PhD from MGIMO, which is under the umbrella of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Originally published at his website

The Biden Administration can either turn a blind eye to its German liberal-globalist allies dual power plays over Ukraine and Poland or pragmatically support the latter in order to maintain the geopolitical balance in Europe by averting German hegemony. Whichever of these two options it chooses will have far-reaching implications for US grand strategy.

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Arkadiusz Mularczyks interview on Friday with the RMF24 radio station saw him hint that Germany is to blame for his countrys dispute with Ukraine. Their bilateral tensions, which saw Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki reveal that Warsaw wont supply Kiev with modern arms any longer, were discussed here and should be read for background. What follows are highlights from the Google Translated version of Mularczyks interview that will then be analyzed in the larger context:

-

* Poland expects the US to take its side by convincing Ukraine to correct its attitude

 I think that in some way the participation of the United States will cool down hot Ukrainian heads.

* Kievs decision to publicize its problems with Poland risks weakening the anti-Russian coalition

 This dispute, which is publicly disseminated around the world, serves neither Poland nor Ukraine. Neither does it serve our common cause  defeating Russia in this war. It should be absolutely quiet, all kinds of misunderstandings resolved. This is our goal.

* Germany is suspected of trying to cut deals with Ukraine behind Polands back

 We see attempts to bypass Poland, i.e. talks about transit through Poland and trade in Ukrainian grain over our heads. Certain clues lead to Berlin. It is probably obvious that the frequent recent visits of many ministers to Kiev, as well as meetings of President Zelensky with important German politicians, including Ursula von der Leyen, are perhaps arrangements above our heads.

* German-controlled Brussels has ulterior motives in offering to resolve the grain dispute

 Thank you for such help, where Poland is ordered over our heads to open its Polish borders to Ukrainian grain, the aim of which is to finish off Polish agriculture and Polish farmers. Mrs. von der Leyen is not the President or Prime Minister of Poland and these matters are decided in Poland, not in Brussels.

* Ukraine needs to engage directly with Poland, not Germany, if it wants to improve bilateral ties

 Ukrainians must understand that if they want to have good relations with Poland, they must establish it with Poland, not with Berlin.

* Ukrainian oligarchs profit from the German plot to kill Polands domestic agricultural industry

 For these large, global farms and oligarchs in Ukraine, it is best to sell grain in Poland, because it is the cheapest transport, the closest to a large market and it is the most convenient for them. We are open to transit. Let this grain go to France, Berlin, Hamburg, and then to Spain. However, we cannot allow this grain to reach Poland and eliminate Polish agriculture.

-

Mularczyks argument is intriguing for several reasons. First, it absolves Zelensky of full responsibility by portraying him as a German puppet, which secondly revives Polands traditional paranoia about that countrys geopolitical intentions. Third, it replaces prior fears of a secret German-Russian deal over Poland with a new German-Ukrainian one. Fourth, it implies that oligarchs put Zelensky up to this, which finally suggests that he can crack down on them and other pro-German forces to resolve this dispute.

Germanys alleged power play to kill Polands domestic agricultural industry by flooding it with Ukrainian grain aligns with the geostrategic motives explained in this analysis here earlier the summer about how Germanys Military Patronage Of Ukraine Ramps Up Its Regional Competition With Poland. In brief, it was assessed that Berlin is striving to replace Warsaw as Kievs top European partner, all with the aim of further pressuring Poland into returning to its traditional post-communist status as a German vassal.

The upcoming elections on 15 October will play a pivotal role in this respect since the return to power of the Civic Platform (PO) opposition would end the ruling Law & Justice (PiS) partys plans to replicate the late Jozef Pilsudskis policy of remaining equidistant from Germany and Russia via a regional sphere of influence. If the incumbents win re-election though, even if they have to form a coalition government with the anti-establishment Confederation party, then theyre expected to largely retain this course.

Therein lies one of the reasons why Germany is supposedly trying to destroy Polands domestic agricultural industry as soon as possible via the means that Mularczyk detailed through Ukrainian grain since PiS will require the continued loyalty of its rural base in order to remain in power. Economically ravaging this electorally strategic part of the country ahead of the next elections could very well doom PiS plans, ergo why Berlin allegedly cooked up this latest grain scheme with Kievs related oligarchs.

Polish Agriculture Minister Robert Telus claimed in late August prior to the European Commission lifting its prior compromise deal over its eastern members unilateral ban on associated Ukrainian imports that this was an attempt to meddle in the polls:

[Its] a purely political decisionThere are no substantive arguments, nor has anyone presented them to us. Politically, there are elections on 15 October and its about destabilisingThe EU is trying to use us as part of a partisan struggle. These are very important elections for Poland, but also for Europe, because the narrative in Europe is changing completely: right-wing narratives are starting to win and this leftist policy of the EU is starting to lose.

Mularczyks arguments are essentially a more detailed elaboration of Telus assessment that doesnt shy away from directly blaming Germany for the dispute that subsequently unfolded with Ukraine over this extremely sensitive issue.

Its also interesting to draw attention to his emphasis on Germanys suspected cultivation of influence among Ukraines agricultural oligarchs. That point implies that Poland is well aware of who truly calls the shots behind the scenes in that country, namely shadowy but very powerful forces much more than its public representatives. Apart from the oligarchs, who operate in a wide array of industries, this also includes various factions among its military and intelligence services.

Germanys supposedly secret alliance with Ukraines agricultural oligarchs show that its trying to pull Zelenskys strings via these forces, though that doesnt absolve him of responsibility for this dispute since it was he himself who hinted at the UNGA that Poland was doing Russias bidding. Mularczyks condemnation of him for those remarks and his concern that they risk weakening the anti-Russian coalition flips the script by ironically suggesting that its Zelensky whos the one doing Russias bidding.

Even so, the rest of his interview builds the narrative that powerful agricultural oligarchs pushed him to do this at Germanys urging, but it gives Zelensky the chance to resolve the Polish-Ukrainian dispute by cracking down on these forces. For that to happen, however, Poland believes that the US would have to convince him to make this move and fully back him in the face of the potential consequences. In effect, Mularczyk wants Zelensky to purge German agents of influence on a US-backed anti-corruption pretext.

Hes unlikely to do this on his own at that Polish officials thinly disguised request, which is why itll ultimately come down to whatever the US decides to do. The Biden Administration can either turn a blind eye to its German liberalglobalist allies dual power plays over Ukraine and Poland or pragmatically support the latter in order to maintain the geopolitical balance in Europe by averting German hegemony. Whichever of these two options it chooses will have far-reaching implications for US grand strategy.
Study: Asteroid that wiped out dinosaurs allowed flowers to grow on the planet

According to a study, the giant asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period about 145 million to 66 million years ago left flowers relatively unharmed . In the aftermath, ancient flowers bloomed on a post-apocalyptic Earth.

Details of the study were published in the journal Biology Letters.

After an asteroid struck Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula 66 million years ago, Earth lost at least three-quarters of its species, along with all non-avian dinosaurs.

Experts call this devastating period the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) mass extinction event.

New modeling showed that, even amid widespread devastation, angiosperms or the major families of flowering plants were adaptable enough to survive the deadly event and spread all over the planet.

Flowers took over after the dinosaurs were wiped out

Jamie Thompson, the study lead author and a postdoctoral evolutionary biologist at the University of Bath in England, explained that after most of Earth's species became extinct at K-Pg, angiosperms flourished, just like how mammals took over after the dinosaurs.

Now, almost "all life on Earth depends on flowering plants ecologically," added Thompson.

However, plants lack skeletons or exoskeletons like most animals. This meant plant fossils are rare compared to animals, making it rather difficult to confirm the timeline of evolution from fossil evidence alone.

According to a separate 2008 study published in the journal The Paleontological Society Papers, most of the record is made up of isolated leaves that were not attached to other plant organs.

While there is proof for flowering-plant extinctions after the asteroid strike, researchers say there isn't any for the widespread decline as in other types of organisms. (Related: Study: 360M-year-old fossil from Ireland proves plants are capable of self-defense.)

To learn more about how flowering plants responded to the K-Pg extinction event, the authors of the recent study analyzed major flowering-plant lineages previously mapped from DNA mutations of at least 73,000 living species of flowering plants.

The research team used mathematical models to estimate that flowering plants experienced a relatively stable extinction rate over time, with no evidence of a mass extinction.

The lineages to which many species belonged, such as families and orders, survived enough to flourish and then dominate. Out of an estimated 400,000 plant species living today, at least 300,000 are flowering plants.

Many modern flowering plant families emerged before the K-Pg event

Most of the flowering plant families that thrive today emerged before the K-Pg event, with the ancestors of modern orchids, magnolias and mint living alongside the dinosaurs.

After the K-Pg extinction, the surviving flowering plants gradually spread and diversified.

In a statement, Santiago Ramirez-Barahona, a study co-author and a researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, explained that flowering plants "have a remarkable ability to adapt."

Flowers can use different seed-dispersal and pollination mechanisms. Some flowering plants have duplicated their entire genomes while others have evolved new ways to photosynthesize, added Ramirez-Barahona.

"This 'flower power' is what makes them nature's true survivors," concluded Ramirez-Barahona.

Visit CosmicImpacts.com to learn more about asteroids.

Watch the video below to learn how winter grass survives.

This video is from the Surviving Hard Times channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Health Ranger Report: Randall Carlson and Mike Adams discuss the Younger Dryas comet impact theory.

Scientists find dinosaur hatchery in India with more than 250 fossilized titanosaur eggs.

Collapse in population of mammals and birds is now impairing the ability of plants to migrate via seed dispersal.

Sources include:

LiveScience.com

Bath.ac.uk

Brighteon.com
EU to expedite plans for a common defensive union ahead of possible Trump victory in 2024

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen encouraged a fully-fledged European defense industry strategy during her fifth State of the European Union address on Sept. 13 at a European Parliament session in Strasbourg. She also detailed the skeletal framework for the European Union's (EU) legislative agenda for 2024.

Von der Leyen confirmed that the EU would expedite plans for a common defensive union. She also promised to arrange an integrated military-industrial base in the next legislative term. According to von der Leyen, the EU will continue to develop the European defense industry strategy to find out how it can support the industry "to ramp up the production of critical equipment."

In the past, European leaders have expressed concerns about the possibility of an isolationist America after 2024 and the consequences of a second Donald Trump administration for the EU.

Toward the end of her speech, von der Leyen said that while they started to build the European Defense Union with 27 members, she believes they can finish it with 30 or more members, alluding to an expanded EU with Eastern European and Western Balkan countries.

Meanwhile, French Commissioner Thierry Breton talked about how a common EU military-industrial complex would appear in reality. There is already speculation in Brussels that Breton has his eye on replacing von der Leyen as president of the European Commission.

Breton is a staunch supporter of European "strategic autonomy," which asserts "greater EU independence from Washington as voiced by French President Emmanuel Macron in his comments about future relations with China." (Related: Trump: FEARMONGERING about new COVID-19 variants a "lunatic ploy" to rig 2024 elections.)

After von der Leyen's speech, Breton posted on LinkedIn to announce that the return of "high-intensity conflict" to Europe emphasizes the need for a unified EU military strategy moving forward. He added that it is also crucial to adapt armies and industries "to new realities and new threats."

Breton explained that while the security of supply and the ability to scale up has become crucial, it is also important to "produce more and faster, without depending on others." He warned that injecting more money in a "dispersed and uncoordinated way" would worsen the EU's inefficiencies.

EDIRPA could be a starting point for a more ambitious common defense agenda

Additionally, Breton mentioned that the EU was working on a European Defense Investment Program (EDIP). The bloc, through the European Defense Fund, has launched "new instruments" such as the European Defense Industry Reinforcement through the common Procurement Act (EDIRPA).

The EDIRPA is meant to "consolidate demand and support joint acquisition with 300 million euros," along with a 500 million euros Instrument for Direct Support to Industrial Ammunition Production Capacity.

Euro federalists also hope to leverage the Russo-Ukrainian crisis to achieve their long-term goals of European military integration, as the alliance starts acquiring arms as a single unit for the first time. On Sept. 12, an overwhelming number of European MEPs supported the EDIRPA, with 530 voting in favor, 66 against and 32 abstaining.

Michael Gahler, a German conservative MEP and co-rapporteur for the Foreign Affairs Committee, explained that the EDIRPA would be a historic moment for EU defense and that it would help establish the first EU instrument for joint procurement by member states.

Gahler added that the EDIRPA could help the EU refill its stocks, increase interoperability among the armed forces, strengthen the industry and offer more unwavering support for Ukraine.

He warned that if there was a historical crisis, EDIRPA could only "be a starting point for a far more ambitious common defense agenda." Gahler added that if the Russia-Ukraine war taught the EU one thing, it's that the EU is not prepared to defend itself.

He warned that the EU can no longer afford to ignore that and it is crucial to prepare and address the problem before it is too late.

Together with von der Leyens aforesaid comments, the EC, under the current Spanish presidency, also organized a conference in Brussels evaluating the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), a key defense initiative meant to give rise to broader EU integration.

At the Brussels conference, Jiri Sedivy, the European Defense Agency Chief Executive said that "a bold and concrete PESCO strategic review" will be a sound political signal towards citizens and partners or competitors. It will also confirm that the governments of EU Member States are politically willing to improve common security and defense.

Can Trump win in 2024?

Observers say Trump's campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 is looking very much like his victorious run in 2016. Just like in the 2016 campaign cycle, Trump faces primary challengers who could split the opposition vote and enable him to win primaries and delegates with only 30 percent of the vote.

But the Trump of 2024 has different advantages and disadvantages.

He's a former president who controls the majority of the Republican Party. However, he also faces two criminal trials that could bring to light embarrassing details of his conduct while two other investigations are still pending.

Republican pollster Whit Ayres said Trump is "the favorite," but many events could still take place between now and the nomination. Many of those events are unprecedented, making them impossible to predict.

But it is safe to say that Trump looms large even in Europe.

Visit Trump.news for more news related to Donald Trump.

Watch the video below to find out if Trump can get disqualified from the 2024 U.S. presidential elections.

This video is from the Flyover Conservatives channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Trump 100% confident HE WILL WIN against Biden in the 2024 presidential elections.

Trump lays out 2024 presidential run agenda, promises to complete mission and build America up again.

Trump planning to run again in 2024; releases campaign ad promoting his America First domestic energy platform.

Sources include:

TheNewAmerican.com

Politico.eu

USAToday.com

Brighteon.com
Finland builds first section of BORDER FENCE with Russia

Finland has now built the first section of its border fence with Russia , with Finnish Border Guard (FBG) soldiers protecting the barrier.

Finnish radio station Yle reported the development on Sept. 14. According to the outlet, the metal fence spanning three kilometers had been erected in the South Karelia region near the busiest border crossing. The fence located in the southeastern town of Imatra stands three meters high and is topped with barbed wire.

Construction of the fence on Finland's eastern land border with Russia, which measures 1,340 kilometers (833 miles) long, began in the spring. It was initially projected to be completed by the end of June, but the projected completion date got pushed back. Difficulties in construction and time-consuming installations of the monitoring system contributed to the delays.

Several hundred meters of the test section are also located in the area of the local military barracks, where surveillance techniques are being tested. Ultimately, Remix News said about 70 km (43.5 mi) of the border in this region is slated for fencing in the area. "The experience from the pilot will be used in the next stages of work," said Ismo Kurki, project leader for southeastern Finland's FBG unit.

Meanwhile, the FBG's Lapland branch reported that tree cutting for a similar fence began in early September. Initial work on building a barrier in the northern Lapland region has commenced, it added. The barrier will be erected in the municipality of Salla, Remix News stated.

However, building the border fence in Lapland is no easy task. Challenging soil and water conditions in the form of swamps and impassable forests already hinder illegal migration. Given this, the fence will only be erected along the main road, with a pontoon bridge becoming necessary to secure the rest of the border.

Helsinki ultimately intends to secure approximately 200 km (124.27 mi) of its land border with Russia, about 15 percent of Finland's entire eastern border. The border fence project is expected to be completed by 2026. (Related: Suddenly, walls work! Finland begins construction on 124-mile wall along border with Russia.)

Border fence part of new Finnish government's hard-line approach to immigration

According to Remix News, the border fence construction was part of the hard-line approach to immigration espoused by the new conservative government in Helsinki. This new government, which ascended to power in June, comprised of the majority National Coalition Party (NCP) and the Finns Party. The majority parties joined two minority factions  the Swedish People's Party and the Christian Democrats  to form a coalition government.

Under the coalition government, the NCP's Petteri Orpo became prime minister. The Finns Party, led by Deputy Prime Minister Riikka Purra, provided "instruction" and "special influence" over the country's immigration policy.

"I am delighted [to announce] that together with our negotiating partners, we have agreed on an immigration package that can be rightly called a paradigm shift in immigration policy," Purra told reporters following negotiations for a coalition agreement among the four parties.

According to the deputy prime minister, the agreement included plans to cut refugee quotas; increase the threshold for migrants to obtain work visas to come to Finland; and extend the duration foreign nationals need to reside in the country before they can apply for citizenship.

Under the agreement, "the government will make international protection temporary in nature" by putting a three-year limit. [It] will examine the possibilities to impose a prison sentence as punishment for illegal stays in the country, taking into account the impacts of this on general government finances."

Criminal offenses by migrants will be dealt with in the strictest manner, with those found guilty of a serious crime having their protection revoked and being banned from the country.

"Rejected asylum applicants will return, or will be returned to, their countries of origin as soon as possible," it added. "The government will ensure that the asylum process will not become a channel for job-seeking and labor immigration."

Visit BorderSecurity.news for more stories about nations securing their borders.

Watch this clip of U.S. Border Patrol agents revealing the wide-open borders that allow illegal aliens to cross, a stark contrast to what Finland is doing.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Biden approves billions for defending Ukraines borders but refuses to finish building border wall for America.

HYPOCRISY: Democrats now demanding barriers for Capitol yet oppose Mexico border wall.

Poll reveals majority of Arizonans want a BORDER WALL in the Grand Canyon State.

Crimes at the border: Illegal immigrants, illegal drugs flow freely in southwest border.

Ann Coulter: BORDER WALL solves every problem in America.

Sources include:

GlobalResearch.ca

RMX.news 1

RMX.news 2

Brighteon.com
Merrick Garland refuses to answer questions by House Judiciary Committee about ongoing Hunter Biden investigation

In his testimony and subsequent questioning before the House Judiciary Committee, Attorney General Merrick Garland refused to answer questions regarding the Department of Justice's ongoing investigation of presidential son Hunter Biden.

House Republicans called upon Garland to answer questions before the Judiciary Committee, believing him to be a linchpin as they seek to bolster their evidence for an impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden, under the belief that Garland may have knowledge that the president profited from his son's business dealings. (Related: Hunter Biden INDICTED by Delaware federal court on GUN-RELATED CHARGES.)

On at least six different occasions, Garland cited protections for "internal deliberations" to prevent answering questions related to the ongoing investigation against Hunter or the two federal indictments of former President Donald Trump.

"I'm not going to get into the internal deliberations," said Garland on one occasion.

"I do not intend to discuss the internal Justice Department deliberations, whether or not I had them," said Garland after another occasion, referring to the possibility of whether or not he colluded with David Weiss, the special prosecutor handling the investigation of Hunter Biden.

Garland also refused to answer a question over Weiss' decision to let the statute of limitations expire on potential charges related to Hunter's work in 2014 and 2015 for Ukrainian energy firm Burisma, which may have led to then-Vice President Biden receiving millions of dollars from the company.

"I don't know anything about the statute of limitations here. The investigation was in the hands of Mr. Weiss to make the determinations," said Garland.

Garland protecting Weiss from Republican scrutiny

Along with possibly uncovering additional evidence for the House's impeachment inquiry against Biden, at the heart of Garland's testimony is a desire from the Judiciary Committee to further scrutinize the attorney general and his possible interference in the ongoing legal troubles involving Hunter.

Two whistleblowers from the Internal Revenue Service recently alleged that Weiss was making some unusual decisions during the Justice Department's investigation on Hunter. Weiss initially supported levying felony tax charges against Hunter before dropping it. Weiss was also allegedly prevented by higher-ups at the Justice Department from filing certain charges against the presidential son.

Garland appointed Weiss on Aug. 11 to serve as the Justice Department's special counsel for the Hunter Biden investigation, a decision that has irked Republicans because they believe Weiss is going too easy on the presidential son. Garland claims "extraordinary circumstances" influenced his decision to appoint Weiss to the role, but when questioned about what these circumstances were he has refused to be forthcoming.

"The fix is in," said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio. "He could have selected anyone. He could have picked anyone inside government, outside government. He could have picked former attorney generals, former special counsels, but he picks the one guy  he knows will protect Joe Biden. He picks David Weiss."

Weiss himself has rejected the claims of the whistleblowers. Garland also said that he has kept a promise he made before the Senate during his confirmation in 2021 that he would not interfere with the work of Weiss to avoid any appearance that he was influencing an investigation.

"I have kept that promise," claimed Garland. "The way to not interfere is to not investigate an investigation."

Garland has also defended Weiss from Republican scrutiny, claiming that the Delaware prosecutor is a competent career attorney. He has also portrayed Weiss as the lone decider in cases he has handled.

"Mr. Weiss was a supervisor of the investigation, at the time and at all times. He made the necessary [and] appropriate decisions," said Garland.

BigGovernment.news has more stories about government officials' abuse of power.

Watch this clip featuring Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana grilling Garland.

This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Stand-alone unit formed by FBI to prosecute and mitigate threats against prosecutors and agents was involved in Hunter Biden probe.

White House: NO PARDON for Hunter Biden if found guilty on gun charges (a small slap on the wrist that protects him from much larger prosecutions).

"Big Guy" Joe Biden aware of Hunter Biden's drug-fueled meltdown during October 2018 gun purchase.

SHAMELESS COLLUSION: Hunter is President Biden's "informal adviser" despite being the reason for father's impeachment inquiry, NYT reports.

Hunter Biden's lucrative INFLUENCE PEDDLING scheme could spell the end for "Big Guy" Joe.

Sources include:

FreeBeacon.com

BostonGlobe.com

TheGuardian.com

DailyCaller.com

Brighteon.com
Elon Musk warns: The border is WIDE OPEN for all who want to crash it

SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has warned that "anyone from Earth" can simply enter the U.S. , thanks to the Biden administration's open border policies.

Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin posted on Sept. 18 stunning footage shot from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. The video recorded more than 2,000 illegal aliens swarming the city of Eagle Pass in Texas in a matter of hours. "One of the largest mass illegal crossing we have ever seen took place in Eagle Pass this morning, with Border Patrol sources telling us over 2,200 people crossed there since midnight," Melugin captioned his tweet on X (formerly Twitter).

"It happened right next to the port of entry, as illegal immigrants continue to ignore [the] Biden [administration's] messaging of 'do not come,' and do not fear the promised 'consequences' for crossing illegally."

The X owner then put in his two cents with his reply to the Fox News correspondent. "Most people don't understand that this is not a case of people from Mexico entering the U.S., but anyone from Earth," replied Musk.

The National Border Patrol Council (NBPC), which represents U.S. Border Patrol agents, also weighed in on the illegal crossings. "The border is wide open for all who want to crash it. Nothing has changed. That's a fact," it posted on X. The NBPC also blasted the Biden administration for being "all propaganda" in regard to the ongoing invasion.

"Illegal crossings continue to surge in and around Eagle Pass, despite extensive measures taken by Texas authorities  including installing a floating buoy barrier in the Rio Grande," InfoWars noted. (Related: Texas to place FLOATING BARRIERS along Rio Grande River to block border crossers.)

Border Hawk earlier reported on Sept. 15 that hundreds of illegal aliens, hailing mostly from Venezuela, are arriving every day in the city of Piedras Negras in Mexico's Coahuila state. According to the outlet's Efrain Gonzalez, the illegals arrive by train to the city before crossing into Eagle Pass  located directly across Piedras Negras.

Eagle Pass declares STATE OF EMERGENCY due to influx of illegals

Even Eagle Pass itself has buckled from the strain of illegals entering the country, thanks to the Biden administration's open borders policy. This has led the city to declare a state of emergency.

Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas Jr. did just that, signing an emergency declaration on Sept. 19 set to last seven days unless renewed. The declaration allows the city to access more resources to help manage the influx of illegals at the border. "The city of Eagle Pass is committed to the safety and well-being of our local citizens," Salinas said in a press release announcing the state of emergency.

In a video posted on Sept. 20, Salinas narrated a visit to the Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras International Bridge and described what he saw. Based on the footage, the mayor was accompanied by the police chief, fire chief and other staff members who were "on top of the situation."

"As you can see, this is not normal to have thousands of people down in the international bridge," he said. "This presents a lot of problems potentially for our community."

According to Salinas, many of the illegals entering are single males as opposed to family units. He even pointed out that some of them have criminal records.

"We don't want these people just to be walking our streets," the mayor lamented. "A lot of them do have [criminal] records. And talking to Border Patrol, talking to the [Texas Department of Public Safety], there's no way of confirming who are these people."

"This already has taken a toll on the economy by affecting commercial traffic. But we're going to do everything possible to make sure we maintain the order [and] maintain peace in Eagle Pass."

Visit InvasionUSA.news for more stories about the non-stop entry of illegal aliens at the southern border.

Watch this footage of illegal aliens crossing into Eagle Pass in Texas from Mexico, all thanks to the Biden administration's lax stance on border security.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

VIDEO: Migrants cheer aboard packed train rolling toward the U.S.-Mexico border.

El Paso mayor: 20K illegals waiting to surge across southern border once Title 42 ends.

BORDER DEFENSE: America protects US-Mexico border with barbed wire and verbal warnings.

Biden's federal border patrol agents sabotage Texas Gov. Abbott's efforts to keep illegal migrants out.

Heavy rains compel hundreds of illegal migrants to try to FORCE their way across border into Brownsville, Texas.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

BorderHawk.blog

TheHill.com

Brighteon.com
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

HANGZHOU, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday met with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province.

Noting that China and the ROK are immovable close neighbors and inseparable cooperative partners, Xi said the steady and solid advancement of the bilateral ties serves the common interests of the two countries and their peoples, and bodes well for regional peace and development.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1992, friendship and cooperation have always been the mainstream of China-ROK relations, said Xi.

He expressed the hope that the ROK will work with China in the same direction, formulate policies and take actions that demonstrate the importance attached to China-ROK relations, uphold mutual respect, and stick to the direction of friendship and cooperation. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)
Paxton in victory lap interview with Tucker Carlson slams establishments John Cornyn and Karl Rove

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) torched establishment Republicans Karl Rove and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) during an interview with Tucker Carlson following his acquittal on impeachment charges in the Lone Star State and floated a potential primary challenge to Cornyn in 2026.

(Article by Nick Gilbertson republished from Breitbart.com)

Carlson asked Paxton what percentage of his time Rove, who authored a Wall Street Journal op-ed in August titled The End Is Near for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, spends trying to destroy Republicans?

Paxton responded, a good part.

Ep. 25 Liberals like Karl Rove just tried to annihilate Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. It didn't work. Paxton just joined us for his first interview since his acquittal. pic.twitter.com/SAJGNN5LXW  Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) September 21, 2023

I mean, my view is that his [Political Action Committees] PACs have gone after conservatives for a long time, under the guise of being, you know, a PAC that goes after Democrats, but I dont view him as an ally of Republicans, Paxton said.

Carlson went on to ask Paxton why is it so threatening to the Republican establishment when a Texas conservative advocates for real borders. In response, Paxton pointed to the group Texas Lawsuit Reform (TLR), and specifically one of its board directors, Dick Weekley:

The only I can think of, you know, you look at guys like Dick Weekley, hes a homebuilder and hes one of the leaders of TLR, I mean, I think they think illegal immigration is a good thing. It helps their business. And obviously, I dont agree with that. I think its devastating to my state. And if we want to have a program were going to bring workers in from other countries lets get some legislation to do it the right way instead of just opening our borders to who knows who.

Carlson zoned in on Cornyn regarding illegal immigration, wondering why he is not outraged and upset about the effect it is having on Texas, prompting Paxton to observe Cornyn has been vacant on this issue.

Look, I have no idea why he doesnt seem to address this on a regular basis. Thank God Ted Cruz has, but John Cornyn has been basically vacant on this issue, Paxton told Carlson, adding:

To me, hes been in Washington too long. Hes been there for what, 14 years or so? And I cant think of a single thing hes accomplished for our state or even for the country, let alone the fact that we have a massive invasion into our state, and he doesnt speak out against it. Ive never seen a proposed legislation that significantly affects it, or at least push hard for it. I havent seen him in that fight.

Paxton spoke in more detail about Cornyns history in Texas and national politics, agreeing with Carlsons accusation that he is a puppet of the Bush family. Specifically, Paxton pointed to the Robin Hood plan as an example of Cornyn doing the Bush familys bidding when he served on the Texas Supreme Court.

Hes the guy that pushed through our Robin Hood plan. He did it judicially by judicial activism for the Bushes instead of passing legislation because they didnt want to pass legislation because President Bush was running for president, Paxton said, adding it was done illegally in his opinion:

Cornyn did it judicially, I think completely illegally, and turned our schools into very mediocre prospects because it took the rich school districts, took their money, and put it with the state, and then the state was supposed to give that to the poor school district. The problem is it made all of them mediocre. Instead of letting the good school districts be good and focusing on the ones that needed more help, John Cornyn created a socialistic network, and really, I think he hurt our schools and hurt our ability to educate our kids, and he got away with it. No one ever talks about it, but he did that for the Bushes, and for that they made sure he was [Attorney General of Texas for one term and then a U.S. senator. So he got paid off, and now whenever they ask him to speak, criticize me when Im running against George P. Bush, or criticize me when I had this happen, he does what they asked him to do. He is a puppet of the Bush and Karl Rove team.

Paxton said that Cornyn has just has never had real competition for his seat in a Republican primary and asserted Cornyns record is lacking in support and advocacy for Texas.

Carlson asked earlier if Paxton would consider challenging Cornyn in 2026. The attorney general said, everythings on the table for me, and floated a potential candidacy:

Now that Ive been through this, and Ive seen how guys like John Cornyn have represented the state of Texas and not represented us, I think its time somebody needs to step up and run against this guy that will do the job and do it the right way and represent us and worry about whats going on at the border.

Carlson followed up, asking Paxton what comprises Cornyns voting base. Paxton pointed to the Republican establishment in Washington, DC, and particularly Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, as reasons he has remained in office.

You know, hes just been fortunate because of the money from D.C., the support from guys like Mitch McConnell, I think he is hes been able to stay there. I think those days are over, Paxton concluded.

Read more at: Breitbart.com
Sam Bankman-Frieds father complained about being paid only $200K a year when he expected an annual salary of $1M from FTX

Joseph Bankman, the father of disgraced cryptocurrency mogul and former billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried, allegedly complained to his son about him only having a salary of $200,000 a year , a fraction of the $1 million he was expecting

This is according to a lawsuit filed by FTX, the cryptocurrency exchange founded by Bankman-Fried, against his parents. This lawsuit accuses Joseph and Barbara Fried, Sam's mother, of siphoning millions of dollars from FTX for their own benefits and causes.

The lawsuit details a complaint made by Joe to his son about his pay from FTX and how he brought Fried in to mediate the matter. (Related: Sam Bankman-Fried indicted AGAIN for allegedly using $100M in stolen customer funds for political donations.)

The exchange detailed in the lawsuit between Bankman-Fried and his father allegedly took place in January 2022. In emails, Joseph, 68, told the company's head of administration in the United States that he was only getting paid $16,667 a month from the company when he was "supposed to be getting $1M/yr, starting in December," wrote Joe. "So that would be a bit more than $80,000 a month, gross."

Joseph used Sam's mother Barbara to lobby their son to increase their salaries

When Joseph didn't receive any satisfactory answers about his salary from FTX executives, he took his complaints directly to his son, who was also serving as FTX's CEO. He wrote in an email: "Gee, Sam I don't know what to say here. This is the first [I] have heard of the 200K a year salary! Putting Barbara on this."

FTX's lawyers argue that Joseph used Barbara, 71, to lobby their son to increase their salaries. Both he and his wife are already earning sufficiently as professors at Stanford University in California. Joseph and Barbara are both professors at Stanford's law school. Joseph is a specialist in business and corporate law, while Barbara is a professor emeritus and an expert on legal history and theory.

"In other words, Bankman lobbied his son to massively increase his own salary," wrote FTX's lawyers in the lawsuit. "Bankman's influence paid off, not only for him but for Fried too."

"Within two weeks, Bankman-Fried gifted Bankman and Fried together $10 million in funds originating from Alameda Ltd.," continued the lawyers. Alameda Research, also founded by Bankman-Fried, is a sister company to FTX and the crypto trading firm that played a pivotal role in the FTX empire's demise.

FTX's lawyers further wrote that within three months of Joseph's email to his son, Bankman-Fried handed over the deed to a $16.4 million home in the Bahamas to Joseph and Barbara that was paid for "with funds ultimately provided by FTX Trading."

"Bankman and Fried enjoyed the benefits of more than $90,000 in expenses, paid for by FTX Trading, for their Bahamas residence," continued the lawyers.

The lawsuit further alleges that Joseph donated $5.5 million to Stanford in an effort to "curry favor with and enrich his employer at the FTX Group's expense."

Finally, the suit claims that the couple "either know  or ignored bright red flags revealing  that their son, Bankman-Fried, and other FTX insiders were orchestrating a vast fraudulent scheme."

Joseph and Barbara, through their lawyers, have denied all of FTX's allegations. In a statement, attorneys Sean Heckler and Michael Tremonte, representing Joseph and Barbara, accused FTX of attempting to "intimidate" the couple.

"This is a dangerous attempt to intimidate Joe and Barbara and undermine the jury process just days before their child's trial begins," wrote the lawyers. "These claims are completely false."

Learn the latest about Bankman-Fried and cryptocurrencies at CryptoCult.news.

Watch this clip from "The Glenn Beck Program" on TheBlaze as he questions why Sam Bankman-Fried's campaign finance charge was dropped.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Former colleague's inside story: Disgraced Sam Bankman-Fried intended to build vaccine factory in the Bahamas.

Biden's Justice Department drops campaign finance charge against Democratic megadonor Sam Bankman-Fried (who illegally paid off Democrats).

PAYING OFF THE COMMIES: Sam Bankman-Fried of FTX funneled $40 million in crypto bribes to CCP officials.

SAM THE SIPHON: Filings show former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried took $2.2 billion in customer funds for personal use.

SEC reveals Sam Bankman-Fried squandered FTX missing funds on political donations and himself.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

BusinessInsider.com

CoinDesk.com

Brighteon.com
SBFs parents involved in democrat dark money and illegal election tactics

In a lawsuit filed on Monday, Sam Bankman-Frieds parents have been accused of being involved in Democratic dark money and illegal election tactics.

(Article republished from GreatGameIndia.com)

A right-leaning political research group identified the parents of suspected cryptocurrency fraudster Sam Bankman-Frieds involvement with Democrat dark money and illegal 2020 election strategies.

A new scandal has erupted about Allan Joseph Bankman and his wife, Barbara Fried, who are presently being sued to recover some of the $26 million that were fraudulently transferred and misappropriated funds as part of FTXs bankruptcy.

The two were accused of diverting millions of firm funds to their pet causes in a lawsuit filed on Monday seeking the clawback. Bankman, who claims to have assisted FTX in navigating tax issues, allegedly considered having funds made available by Sam through Arabella, one of the biggest dark-wing money advisory groups in the USA, whose board Bankman served on.

This meant that Bankman had unfettered access to the FTX Groups financials and corporate structure  two things that would have alerted him that money was moving between and among the FTX Exchanges, FTX Insiders, and other legal entities, reads the filing.

Enter your email address to subscribe to GGI and receive notifications of new posts by email.

The lawsuits footnote on page 19 disclosed Bankmans advising position.

Arabella oversees significant left-wing nonprofit organizations, which go on to sponsor tax-exempt corporations. Conservatives have increased their scrutiny of the firm because of this dark money arrangement, according to the Washington Examiner.

BRO THE STORY IS THAT SAM BANKMAN FRIEDS DAD WAS ON THE BOARD OF LEFT WING DARK MONEY BEHEMOTH ARABELLA ADVISORS AND YOURE MAD CONSERVATIVES ARE CALLING THEM OUT?! HTTPS://T.CO/JJT0VY551Q  COMFORTABLY SMUG (@COMFORTABLYSMUG) SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

The New Venture Fund, which offered a platform through which FTX.US and its donors could contribute to particular charitable causes, is mentioned in the complaint, which seeks to recover money Bankman and Fried are accused of having fraudulently transferred and misappropriated.

This is a dangerous attempt to intimidate Joe and Barbara and undermine the jury process just days before their childs trial begins, the attorneys for Bankman and Fried said.

The US seized 1 million barrels of Iranian oil from the ship Suez Rajan in April, which was allegedly being sold to China by the IRGC.

Meanwhile, the NY Post says that Barbara Fried sent a document in late 2019 urging Democrats to give to a 501(c)(3) known as The Voter Registration Project or Everybody Votes, in accordance with a study from a right-leaning political research organization.

THE STANFORD PROFESSOR ARGUED THAT GETTING MORE DEMOCRATS REGISTERED TO VOTE WOULD BE FAR MORE EFFECTIVE THAN SIMPLY DONATING TO CANDIDATES, AND ENCOURAGED DONORS TO GIVE 90% OF THEIR ELECTION CONTRIBUTIONS TO EVERYBODY VOTES. NON- PARTISAN VOTER REGISTRATION CHARITIES ARE 4 TO 10 TIMES MORE COST-EFFECTIVE AT NETTING ADDITIONAL DEMOCRATIC VOTES, FRIED WROTE IN THE MEMO. THE CHARITY ENDED UP RAISING A WHOPPING $190 MILLION, ACCORDING TO RECENT FILINGS CITED BY THE CAPITAL RESEARCH CENTER.

According to Parker Thayer, the reports author, charities and foundations are particularly prohibited from functioning to support a political party, in effect or in design, because they dont disclose donations until years after theyve been made.

The tactic, which managed to stay out of the news and as far as we know out of Republicans sight-lines, Fried also advised individuals to keep quiet about, she wrote. Republicans wont be surprisedand wont carethat yet another group is attempting to raise money for voter registration in competitive states.

However, they would be very interested in the scope of our activities, the specifics of our targeting, and the names of the groups we are proposing.

An unidentified veteran Republican fundraiser and strategist said, This is the darkest of dark money.

THE NEWS COMES JUST DAYS AFTER FEDERAL PROSECUTORS ACCUSED BANKMAN-FRIED OF USING $100 MILLION IN STOLEN CUSTOMER FUNDS FOR POLITICAL DONATIONS. WHILE THERES NO EVIDENCE THAT HE GAVE MONEY TO VOTER REGISTRATION EFFORTS OR THAT HIS MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN ANY WRONGDOING, IT UNDERSCORES THE IMPACT THE ENTIRE FAMILY HAD ON POLITICS. IN 2020, VOX REPORTED ON THE MEMO FROM MIND THE GAP AND THE MILLIONS THE GROUP RAISED AIMED TO RAISE. BUT THE NEW REPORT FROM CAPITAL RESEARCH CENTER REVEALS HOW EFFECTIVE THE MEMO WAS WITH DEMOCRATIC MEGA DONORS. WARREN BUFFETTS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, THE SUSAN THOMPSON BUFFETT FOUNDATION, DONATED $5 MILLION TO VOTER REGISTRATION EFFORTS WHILE GEORGE SOROS DONATED $10.4 MILLION, THE REPORT ADDS.

So many pies, so many hands in them

Read more at: GreatGameIndia.com
Drought has struck the water supply in the city of Seattle, Washington, prompting local authorities earlier this week to impose water restrictions on the public.

As a statewide drought resulted in water reservoirs reaching below their normal average, the threat of water crisis is looming for the city last seen almost a decade ago.

The Seattle drought comes amid a similar natural disaster in the Midwest region of the United States, affecting the drinking water supply of several towns, including in the states of Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, and Texas.

Although the said extreme weather event is common in the Western US, drought conditions are relatively rare in Seattle, which typically has a temperate climate.

Seattle Water Crisis

On Thursday, September 21, the Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) asked approximately 1.5 million of its customers living in the Seattle area to conserve water as drought conditions have persisted across the state of Washington.

The public utility agency posted on its website that it is planning to stretch the region's water supply amid the crisis, recommending some of the following measures:

Stop watering your lawn

Take shorter or fewer showers

Fix leaks immediately, especially running toilets

The SPU acknowledged that while Seattle may be known for its rainy weather, the past several months saw the persistence of dry weather and lack of precipitation across the Pacific Northwest, an evident characteristic of drought.

According to Elizabeth Garcia, a water resources planner at the agency, their hydrologic model suggests that there is a significant depletion of water supply from mountain reservoirs, highlighting that water levels are already lower than their historical average.

Under this circumstance, the SPU is adjusting to maintain adequate water supply for their customers, Garcia adds.

Also Read: Drought Conditions and Hot Temperatures Affect 57.51% of Mainland 48 States: US Government Reports

Washington Drought

The Seattle drought is part of a statewide emergency due to the lack of rainfall in recent months, as mentioned earlier. In early July, Washington officials issued a 'drought advisory' that was followed by a drought emergency for 12 counties.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 6.3 million residents across Washington are affected by drought, with 10 counties under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Drought Disaster Designations. The agency also said nearly 10% of Washington is under extreme drought, while 43% of the state is in severe drought.

In this context, history might repeat itself because of the drought conditions impacting Seattle and the rest of Washington.

According to SPU, it was in 2015 when the agency last it activated its 'Water Shortage Contingency Plan,' where it also urged its customers to voluntarily consume less water. Although recent rainfall helped water levels to increase, it is still not enough to address the water demand of the local population.

The agency notes that normal water usage can get back to normal when enough rain refills the mountain reservoirs back to their necessary levels.

Related Article: US Drought Threatens Drinking Water of Some Midwest Towns
The rhinoceros population has been devastated by poaching, climate change and habitat loss. Continuous conservation efforts have helped to increase the global number of rhinos.

Reports showed that more than 7,100 African rhinoceros have died due to poaching. Rhinos have been targeted for poaching for the value of their horn and uses for traditional medicines.

The animal decline can lead to a brink of extinction, especially the Sumatran and Javan rhinos. As a result, conservation and protection efforts are essential to save their endangered species.

Recovering population of rhinos

In recent reports, the global population of rhinos managed to recover slowly despite the growing concerns about poaching and habitat loss. The said animal's population increased to 26,272.

The recovery was noticeable in the end of 2021. The conservation and rehabilitation efforts have significantly increased the number of endangered rhinos.

Here are the latest numbers about the rhino population:

The global population of rhinos increased to about 26,272.

In 2022, the southern white rhino recovered, reaching at least 16,803. In 2021, the white rhino was only 15, 942 and 18,067 in 2017.

In 2022, the number of black rhinos reached 6,487. In 2021, the population was only 6,195.

The Javan and Sumatran are on the brink of collapse. Javan species had about 76 in 2021, while Sumatran was 34 to 47.

In 2021, the Great one-horned rhinos had 4,014.

Climate change and habitat loss are also two factors that affect the rhinos. The climate change-induced extreme drought can make it challenging for rhinos to survive and look for potential food.

In addition, the high temperatures can spawn deadly wildfires. Water loss can also occur due to the dry conditions.

The frequent weather changes can cause the emergence of invasive species, affecting the essential food sources of rhinos.

Conservationists are also looking into ways to protect the population of Sumatran and Javan Rhinos, which are on the brink of extinction. The IUN Red List classified the two species as critically endangered.

Also Read: Global Impact of Extreme Weather Events: Climate Change Can Intensify Frequent Hurricanes, Drought, Wildfires

More facts about rhinos

Rhinos depend on their smell because of their poor vision. They can communicate with their other rhinos using honks. They can growl to show dominance and fight other rhinos.

Every September 22, people celebrate World Rhino Day to raise awareness about the Rhino population and call for urgent efforts to protect their species.

There are five species of rhinos: Javan rhino, Black rhino, white rhino and Indian Rhino. They thrive in dense forest areas. Their size or appearance makes them the second largest animal found on land.

The horn is made of keratin, making it more attractive for poachers. The horn has a high value that poachers sell for traditional medicine or cultural traditions.

Related Article: Alarming Whale Deaths in Northeast Blamed For Climate Change, Vessel Collisions, Fishing Gear Entanglement

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
Methuselah, the world's oldest aquarium fish, could be over 100 years old as opposed to previous estimates that the Australian lungfish was in her 80s or 90s, according to new DNA analysis.

The aquarium fish first arrived in the United States aboard an ocean liner and was transported at San Francisco's Steinhart Aquarium during the late 1930s. Since 2017, she unofficially held the title of the oldest fish living in an aquarium until now.

Named after the biblical figure who lived for more than 900 years, Methuselah's arrival in the US coincided with some of history's most unforgettable events, including the aftermath of the Great Depression and before the start of World War II.

While we have recorded these historical events, there was no clear record regarding the age of Methuselah the fish. The main reason for this mystery is that there is no method at that time to determine her age.

Methuselah Could be Older

Methuselah is still swimming and thriving in an aquarium located at the California Academy of Sciences, wherein during its press release on September 18, revealed the estimated age of the beloved Australian lungfish. Based on the DNA analysis led by CSIRO's Dr. Ben Mayne and Seqwater's Dr. David Roberts, the estimated age of Methuselah is around 92, which is higher than her previous estimated age of 84.

Despite the estimation, the Cal Academy also stated the possibility that the said aquarium fish can be much older with an estimated upper age limit of 101 years old. After all, this is possible as Methuselah outlived the 231 other fish from Australia and Fiji that arrived with her in San Francisco, according to the Smithsonian Magazine.

To determine the exact potential age of the marine animal, scientists collected samples from 32 other lungfish individuals across the US and Australia. The samples include Cal Academy's two other lungfish with ages 50 and 54.

The significant discovery surrounding the fish's age has been made possible today since technology surrounding DNA and genetics in general during the 1930s was non-existent.

Also Read: Oldest Moss Takakia in Himalayas Growing for 390 Million Years Risks Extinction to Climate Breakdown

Are Australian Lungfish Endangered?

The Australian lungfish (Neoceratodus forsteri), sometimes called the Queensland lungfish, is the oldest known living vertebrate species with ancestors dating back 380 million years ago, according to Foundation for Australia's Most Endangered Species (FAME). N. forsteri is one of the six lungfish species in the world and they are sometimes referred as "living fossils" due to their ancient fossil record.

The Australian lungfish is designated as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning their population is declining and this makes them subjected to conservation and protection efforts from fishing.

The sea creature's name "lungfish" is derived from its unique ability to breathe air using one lung to breathe air to the surface of the water, especially during dry periods or the water quality changes, according to the Australian Museum.

Related Article: World's Oldest Stone Fish Weir Dating Back 11,000 Years Ago Discovered in Alaska
In a Thai mangrove, a new species of tarantula with captivating blue hair was found. It was given the victors of a charity auction as its name.

New Species: Tarantula With Blue Hair

A new species of tarantula with a blue-violet coloring that resembles electrical sparks, according to biologists, has been found in Thailand.

#wagnertonight#Maddow

Science break.

Entomologists in Thailand have been stunned by an electrifying new species of tarantula found in the southern part of the country. The blue coloration in animals is a relatively rare phenomenon that evolved independently at least eight times. pic.twitter.com/Msaqv7mnq9  Firecaptain and Jack (@Firecaptain16) September 22, 2023

The number of species in the genus Chilobrachys has increased to 32 thanks to the discovery of this new species of tarantula in a mangrove in Thailand's Phang-Nga region. The team matched the new species to other closely related species by measuring and dissecting the specimen.

According to the study, the tarantula possesses metallic blue and violet hairs on its legs, chelicerae, and top of its carapace. They contend that even though the blue color is uncommon in nature and typically results from photonic nanostructures rather than a pigment, it has independently evolved up to eight in tarantula species. Iran just discovered a brand-new species of tarantula with golden hair.

Exciting Discovery

This is the first species of tarantula to be discovered in a mangrove environment in Thailand.

The first specimen, according to researcher Dr. Narin Chomphuphuang, was discovered on a tree in the mangrove jungle. The challenge in catching an electric-blue tarantula is having to climb a tree and lure it out of a series of hollows in slick, humid weather. These tarantulas live in hollow trees. We only managed to gather two different kinds of tarantula throughout our journey because the team had to trek at low tide in the evening and at night.

Also Read: Atlas Moth Disguise: An Insect That 'Transforms' Into a Cobra to Scare Off Predators

Naming a Discovery in Thailand

An auction campaign was held to decide the new name for this remarkable species in order to raise money for the Lahu children's education in Thailand. The Lahu people are an indigenous hill tribe, and because of poverty, many of their children are unable to attend school.

The goal was to break the cycle of poverty by raising money by auctioning off the opportunity to name the new species and using the proceeds to improve the children's access to school. The auction's revenues were also utilized to support cancer patients.

The new species is known as Chilobrachys natanicharum sp. nov., a combination of the names of the auction winners Natakorn Changrew and Nichada Changrew.

Blue Tarantula: Chilobrachys Natanicharum sp. nov.

According to the study, the new tarantula dwells inside tree hollows in mangrove areas where it is common. Additionally, according to the experts, this species can reside on land in burrows. They inhabit a variety of altitudes, ranging from sea level to 187 feet.

The team emphasizes how the killing of this species along with other tarantula species, combined with the deterioration of their environment, has decimated their populations throughout Thailand. They contend that to stop additional decreases, ecosystems and species need to be conserved, and enhanced monitoring procedures are also necessary.

Related Article: Swarm of Tarantulas on the Prowl for Mating in San Diego During Their Last Year Alive
A park official report recently spotting a cheetah for the first time in 42 years on a gravel road in Eswatini, Africa. Before this unexpected occurrence, it was believed that cheetahs were extinct in the region.

Locally Extinct Cheetah in Eswatini, Africa

A park ranger was caught in unexpected traffic while traveling along a dirt road in Eswatini, Africa. In front of him was a famous wild cat that had been thought to be extinct in the area for 42 years. The "rare" cheetah was observed on Saturday, September 16, by Park Warden Sonnyboy Mtsetfwa while driving through the Mlawula Nature Reserve, according to Thulani Methula, the Eswatini National Trust Commission director of parks.

Driver spots iconic wild cat  considered locally extinct for 42 years  along road https://t.co/D5A7uZTNx1  NWN Writer (@NWN_Writer_Co) September 23, 2023

The cheetah may be seen in pictures moving forward of a white automobile down a muddy road. It looks to be scanning the area as it moves. The cat almost appears to be gazing towards the car in one image.

Officially, cheetahs did not exist in the nation when the Mlawula Nature Reserve was formed in 1976, according to the Eswatini National Trust Commission. In 1981, cheetahs were brought back into the park as a mating pair, however, it is believed that they have not yet established a territory there.

The latest cheetah sighting in Eswatini occurred in "late 1981," according to park officials. It was thought that the reintroduction had failed. This is no longer the case.

The cheetah that Mtsetfwa rediscovered is thought to be a member of a family that resides in the park and is linked to the breeding couple that was reintroduced. Officials stated that they are working to confirm this by deploying other camera traps in the vicinity of the encounter.

Also Read: Cheetah Cubs Join Lincoln Children's Zoo as Part of Species Survival Plan

Cheetahs

The cheetah, the fastest land mammal, are slender cat that has a top speed of 60 to 70 mph. They are iconic wild cats found worldwide, according to Eswatini officials, but listed as vulnerable and experiencing population declines. However, the population of cheetahs is few in Africa. Cheetahs probably barely remain in 6% of their former habitat in eastern Africa.

Cheetahs are locally extinct in Eswatini, previously Swaziland, a small nation in southern Africa, for 42 years. To the east is Mozambique, and to the south, west, and north is South Africa. The Eswatini-Mozambique border is close to the Mlawula Nature Reserve.

Wild population survival is at risk from illegal trade. Cheetahs are captured illegally, sold live to the exotic pet trade, and even poached for their skin. East Africa is the region where unlawful live trafficking is the most probable cause to have a negative impact on wild populations. Although the precise origin of the trafficking is unknown, data gathered from interdictions and dialogue with traders indicates that cheetahs are occasionally taken from areas outside of Somalia, such as sections of Ethiopia and Kenya.

Also when cheetahs attack livestock as a result of a decrease in their natural prey, farmers often kill the livestock in reprisal, which leads to conflict between the two species.

Related Article: Heatwave Kills Cheetah Cubs Said to End Extinction of Species in India
Australians experienced challenging heat, according to the latest reports. Climate change, El Nino and the Indian Ocean Dipole can likely worsen the heat.

Recently, Central Australia experienced raging bushfires. Extreme fire dangers were issued in Barkly North, Darwin and Adelaide River. The threat of bushfires and wildfires is likely due to dry vegetation, extreme heat and strong winds.

Australians are advised to check the weather and the heat. It is best to avoid prolonged exposure to heatwaves or limit any outdoor activities. Older adults and people with medical conditions are at risk of the deadly heat.

Challenging heat in Australia

The arrival of El Nino can help unleash the deadly and unseasonal heat in Australia, bringing record-breaking heat to the region. The September heatwaves can cause life-threatening heat and health concerns.

One of the dangers of extreme is the emergence of bushfires. As a result, residents are advised to observe the fire restrictions, particularly in the forest.

With El Nino, bushfires can become frequent or intensify. The phenomenon can likely cause reduced precipitation, warmer temperatures and increased fire risks.

Drought conditions can also occur, affecting crop growth and supplies. Increasing ocean temperatures can cause devastating effects on aquatic animals and coral reef systems.

Furthermore, the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) can contribute to the alarming heat in Australia. It can affect the weather in the country. The Positive event of IOD can bring less rainfall and warmer sea surface temperatures.

On the other hand, the negative event of IOD can unleash cooler temperatures and more rainfall events.

How climate change influenced the weather

Climate change can affect the global weather. It can intensify drought, wildfires, storms and hurricanes. The rapid intensification of extreme weather events can unleash severe impacts on communities, making it more difficult to prepare or recover.

Wildfires and drought are both linked to human-induced climate change. The all-time high greenhouse gas emissions can likely worsen the effects of climate change.

Dry vegetation is favorable to cause deadly fires. On the other hand, climate change contributes to the frequency of hurricanes.

Warmer surface temperatures can rapidly develop hurricanes.

Also Read: Global Impact of Extreme Weather Events: Climate Change Can Intensify Frequent Hurricanes, Drought, Wildfires

Staying safe from extreme heat in Australia

Homeowners should prepare for the possible health and environmental impacts of extreme heat. Here are essential reminders to stay safe from heatwaves in Australia.

Australians should regularly monitor the latest heat forecasts this month. When the heat worsens, it is advisable to stay at home.

Checking the body temperatures of their family members can save them from potential signs of heat-related health concerns.

Wearing comfortable clothes and avoiding strenuous tasks can prevent the possible risks of heatwaves.

Homeowners should check their cooling system at home.

Outdoor workers should always bring bottled water at all times. It is important to get some shade to prevent prolonged exposure to heat.

Related Article: Fire Frequency Can Cause Ecosystem Collapse, Research Shows

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- A UN spokesman said on Friday that 49 UN aid trucks transited the reopened Bab al-Hawa border crossing from Turkiye into northwest Syria to deliver relief to Idlib this week.

Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said five truckloads of aid from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) went through Bab al-Hawa Friday, and another six from IOM took the Bab al-Salam crossing route. Bab al-Hawa reopened on Tuesday.

"Additional truck movements and missions by UN personnel are planned in the coming days," Dujarric said. "The UN cross-border operation remains a lifeline to people in northwest Syria. Each month, we and our partners reach an average of 2.6 million people with critical assistance and protection services."

The spokesman said that so far this year, more than 4,000 trucks with UN aid have crossed from Turkiye to northwest Syria using the Bab al-Hawa, Bab al-Salam and al Ra'ee border crossings. UN personnel completed 224 cross-border missions altogether.

The key Bab al-Hawa crossing was shuttered to UN convoys after the UN Security Council failed to reach an accord on a resolution in July to re-authorize the Syria cross-border humanitarian aid delivery mechanism through the crossing.

The United Nations and Syria worked out an agreement last month allowing for Tuesday's resumption of relief convoys through Bab al-Hawa. 
Auto workers take part in a strike in Belleville, Michigan, the United States, on Sept. 22, 2023. (Photo by Val Waller/Xinhua)

Expansion of the strike will make situation worse as the impact of strike has already been spreading.

CHICAGO, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The United Auto Workers (UAW) is expanding its strike against the Big Three U.S. automakers to 38 General Motors Co. and Stellantis NV parts distribution centers across the United States, UAW President Shawn Fain announced during a Facebook live event Friday.

Ford Motor Co. is spared from the expansion of the strike as its negotiations with UAW will continue.

Some 5,600 workers at those facilities spanning 20 states are slated to walk off the job at noon Friday, joining the 12,700 workers who are already on UAW's strike.

An auto worker holding a placard takes part in a strike in Belleville, Michigan, the United States, on Sept. 22, 2023. (Photo by Val Waller/Xinhua)

The union's strike originally just targeted three plants, namely Ford's Wayne Assembly Plant in state of Michigan, GM's Wentzville Assembly in state of Missouri and Stellantis' Toledo Jeep plant in state of Ohio. This is the first time in its 88-year history for UAW striking against all Big Three U.S. automakers.

Fain threatened days ago if serious progress was not made in negotiations, the union would spread strike to more plants Friday.

Expansion of the strike will make situation worse as the impact of strike has already been spreading.

Auto workers take part in a strike in Belleville, Michigan, the United States, on Sept. 22, 2023. (Photo by Val Waller/Xinhua)

GM has idled its Fairfax plant in Kansas where 2,000 hourly employees work, as a result of the impact of the UAW strike at its Wentzville Assembly Plant in Missouri. Stellantis on Wednesday laid off 68 workers at its machining plant as a result of the UAW's strike at its Toledo Jeep plant in Ohio. Ford laid off about 600 workers last week at its Wayne plant, where the UAW body and paint shop workers are striking.

After almost a week of negotiations, it appears the union and the Big Three automakers are still far apart on some key issues, The Detroit News reported Friday.

GM President Mark Reuss in an opinion piece published in a local media Wednesday called UAW demands "untenable," saying GM's offer would bring 85 percent of the company's represented employees to a base wage of about 82,000 dollars a year. UAW Vice President Mike Booth, also director of the union's GM department, nevertheless responded with his own piece Thursday, saying the union was fighting for all 100 percent of its members. 
PARIS: A new diabetes drug leads to more weight loss and lower blood sugar than its blockbuster rival semaglutide, also known as Ozempic, a review of research said on Saturday.

Tirzepatide, sold under the brand name Mounjaro by US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, is currently approved to treat type 2 diabetes in the United States, Europe and most recently the UK.

However Eli Lilly is seeking to get the drug authorised in the US for obesity, which would put it further in competition with Danish firm Novo Nordisk's semaglutide drug, known as Ozempic for diabetes treatment or Wegovy for weight loss.

After Ozempic went viral on social media earlier this year for its ability to help people lose weight, skyrocketing demand led to occasional supply shortages -- and concerns that people without diabetes or obesity were using it to shed a few kilos.

New research, which is being presented at a conference in Germany and has not been peer-reviewed, suggests that Eli Lilly's newer drug could be even more effective.

The Greek researchers combined data from 22 previous randomised control trials which separately looked at the two drugs, both of which are taken once a week as an injection.

The researchers then used the studies, which covered a total of nearly 18,500 patients with type 2 diabetes, to compare three different doses of both drugs over a period of at least 12 weeks.

Lead author Thomas Karagiannis of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki told AFP that for the highest doses, "tirzepatide resulted in an average weight loss that was 5.7 kilograms (12.5 pounds) more than semaglutide".

ALSO READ | Weight-loss drugs give Danish economy a major boost

It also led to a two percent reduction in blood sugar levels compared to the highest dose of semaglutide."However, it is also notable that the highest tirzepatide dose was associated with increased gastrointestinal adverse events," Karagiannis added.

Give to those with 'greatest need'

The research will be presented next month at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Germany.

Duane Mellor, an expert in evidence-based medicine at the UK's Aston University not involved in the research, cautioned that it was not a full peer-reviewed paper.

"It would have been better if it had analysed data from studies which directly compared the two drugs," he told AFP.

Given previous shortages of these drugs, Mellor emphasised that it was essential that both are "given to those with the greatest need," such as people living with type 2 diabetes.

A previous study found that the highest dose of tirzepatide leads to an average loss of 15 percent of body weight over 72 weeks. However, like Ozempic, the weight can come back if people stop taking the drug.

Both drugs mimic the gastrointestinal hormone GLP-1, activating receptors in the brain involved in appetite regulation.

But unlike semaglutide, tirzepatide also targets fellow hormone GIP, which stimulates the release of insulin.

Sales of Mounjaro nearly reached $1 billion in the second quarter of this year alone.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

PARIS: A new diabetes drug leads to more weight loss and lower blood sugar than its blockbuster rival semaglutide, also known as Ozempic, a review of research said on Saturday. Tirzepatide, sold under the brand name Mounjaro by US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, is currently approved to treat type 2 diabetes in the United States, Europe and most recently the UK. However Eli Lilly is seeking to get the drug authorised in the US for obesity, which would put it further in competition with Danish firm Novo Nordisk's semaglutide drug, known as Ozempic for diabetes treatment or Wegovy for weight loss.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); After Ozempic went viral on social media earlier this year for its ability to help people lose weight, skyrocketing demand led to occasional supply shortages -- and concerns that people without diabetes or obesity were using it to shed a few kilos. New research, which is being presented at a conference in Germany and has not been peer-reviewed, suggests that Eli Lilly's newer drug could be even more effective. The Greek researchers combined data from 22 previous randomised control trials which separately looked at the two drugs, both of which are taken once a week as an injection. The researchers then used the studies, which covered a total of nearly 18,500 patients with type 2 diabetes, to compare three different doses of both drugs over a period of at least 12 weeks. Lead author Thomas Karagiannis of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki told AFP that for the highest doses, "tirzepatide resulted in an average weight loss that was 5.7 kilograms (12.5 pounds) more than semaglutide". ALSO READ | Weight-loss drugs give Danish economy a major boost It also led to a two percent reduction in blood sugar levels compared to the highest dose of semaglutide."However, it is also notable that the highest tirzepatide dose was associated with increased gastrointestinal adverse events," Karagiannis added. Give to those with 'greatest need' The research will be presented next month at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Germany. Duane Mellor, an expert in evidence-based medicine at the UK's Aston University not involved in the research, cautioned that it was not a full peer-reviewed paper. "It would have been better if it had analysed data from studies which directly compared the two drugs," he told AFP. Given previous shortages of these drugs, Mellor emphasised that it was essential that both are "given to those with the greatest need," such as people living with type 2 diabetes. A previous study found that the highest dose of tirzepatide leads to an average loss of 15 percent of body weight over 72 weeks. However, like Ozempic, the weight can come back if people stop taking the drug. Both drugs mimic the gastrointestinal hormone GLP-1, activating receptors in the brain involved in appetite regulation. But unlike semaglutide, tirzepatide also targets fellow hormone GIP, which stimulates the release of insulin. Sales of Mounjaro nearly reached $1 billion in the second quarter of this year alone. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Puran Choudhary By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: Despite the current geopolitical situation between Canada and India, there will be no problems with the transit of students for educational purposes said Professor Rhonda Lenton, President, Vice Chancellor, York University, Canada in her visit to Bengaluru, on Friday.

Canadian university representatives are in India, and on the ground along with their partners, to make it very clear that India is very important to us. It is a strategic partner and we want to deepen the relationship that we have with the country, she added.

Lenton was speaking on the sidelines of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for academic collaboration with OP Jindal Global University and supporting student mobility between the two countries.

On speaking about the current geopolitics between the two nations she said, I do not think that politics is the major premise for building any international relationship. From an inductive point of view, universities working in collaboration will still have the same courtesy towards each other.

The MoU will focus on student and faculty exchange programs, short-term study abroad programs, dual-degree programs, and collaborative research projects. A recent data from the Canadian Bureau for International Education stated that currently, there are over 8 lakh international students in Canada with 34 per cent of them from India, contributing over 30 billion dollars to Canada.

C Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, OP Jindal Global University spoke to TNIE and said, There are implications at the geopolitical level. But as universities, we are conscious of the role and responsibilities we play.

Education has helped to cement better ties with countries even in the most difficult situations, and added that he hopes that the situation gets better, however the universitys primary focus remains education.

This partnership looks at investing in several critical initiatives, to strengthen the ties and create mutually beneficial opportunities for students.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

BENGALURU: Despite the current geopolitical situation between Canada and India, there will be no problems with the transit of students for educational purposes said Professor Rhonda Lenton, President, Vice Chancellor, York University, Canada in her visit to Bengaluru, on Friday. Canadian university representatives are in India, and on the ground along with their partners, to make it very clear that India is very important to us. It is a strategic partner and we want to deepen the relationship that we have with the country, she added. Lenton was speaking on the sidelines of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for academic collaboration with OP Jindal Global University and supporting student mobility between the two countries. On speaking about the current geopolitics between the two nations she said, I do not think that politics is the major premise for building any international relationship. From an inductive point of view, universities working in collaboration will still have the same courtesy towards each other. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The MoU will focus on student and faculty exchange programs, short-term study abroad programs, dual-degree programs, and collaborative research projects. A recent data from the Canadian Bureau for International Education stated that currently, there are over 8 lakh international students in Canada with 34 per cent of them from India, contributing over 30 billion dollars to Canada. C Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, OP Jindal Global University spoke to TNIE and said, There are implications at the geopolitical level. But as universities, we are conscious of the role and responsibilities we play. Education has helped to cement better ties with countries even in the most difficult situations, and added that he hopes that the situation gets better, however the universitys primary focus remains education. This partnership looks at investing in several critical initiatives, to strengthen the ties and create mutually beneficial opportunities for students. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Ramashankar By

Express News Service

PATNA: The Patna High Court on Friday directed the Bihar government to conduct a survey on the number of cases pending in district courts, estimated to be around 67,000, for over two decades.

After hearing arguments on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Kaushik Ranjan, a division bench headed by Chief Justice KV Chandran gave two weeks to the state government to conduct a survey on the matter.

In an earlier hearing, the High Court directed the secretary of Bihar State Legal Services Authority (BALSA) to cross-check the data of the National Judicial Grid and National Crime Records Bureau with the original records, according to petitioners counsel Shama Sinha. Sinha said that there were about 67,000 cases in which the parties were not showing any interest.

The High Court had earlier asked the Bihar State Legal Services Authority (BALSA) and District Legal Services Authority to take action after identifying the pending cases after crosschecking the available data of the Judicial Grid and National Crime Records Bureau with original records.

As many as 7.80 lakh lakh criminal cases are pending due to the lack of lawyers cooperation. The court was also told that efforts were being made by the Bihar Federation of Women Lawyers to provide training to lawyers to provide legal aid to such under-trial prisoners. The process of providing necessary information and training for legal aid is likely to be started soon.

In the earlier hearing, the court directed the Bihar State Legal Services Authority to investigate the data and take action. The court said that providing assistance to lawyers in these cases should be taken seriously. Advocate Shama Sinha had told the court that many cases were very old, most of which have lost their relevance.

In the earlier hearing, the petitioners lawyer Shama Sinha told the court that the data were obtained from National Judicial Grid and the National Crime Records Bureau. These data were presented before the court. The PIL has been filed to implement the law of plea bargaining under the Criminal Procedure Act. The report said a criminal case dating back to 1965 is pending in a court in Bihar, which is clearly visible in the National Judicial Data Grid. The next hearing on this matter will be held after two weeks.

Many cases old, have no relevance

In the earlier hearing, the court directed the Bihar State Legal Services Authority to investigate the available data and take action. Advocate Shama Sinha had told the court that many cases were very old, most of which have lost their relevance.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

PATNA: The Patna High Court on Friday directed the Bihar government to conduct a survey on the number of cases pending in district courts, estimated to be around 67,000, for over two decades. After hearing arguments on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Kaushik Ranjan, a division bench headed by Chief Justice KV Chandran gave two weeks to the state government to conduct a survey on the matter. In an earlier hearing, the High Court directed the secretary of Bihar State Legal Services Authority (BALSA) to cross-check the data of the National Judicial Grid and National Crime Records Bureau with the original records, according to petitioners counsel Shama Sinha. Sinha said that there were about 67,000 cases in which the parties were not showing any interest.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The High Court had earlier asked the Bihar State Legal Services Authority (BALSA) and District Legal Services Authority to take action after identifying the pending cases after crosschecking the available data of the Judicial Grid and National Crime Records Bureau with original records. As many as 7.80 lakh lakh criminal cases are pending due to the lack of lawyers cooperation. The court was also told that efforts were being made by the Bihar Federation of Women Lawyers to provide training to lawyers to provide legal aid to such under-trial prisoners. The process of providing necessary information and training for legal aid is likely to be started soon. In the earlier hearing, the court directed the Bihar State Legal Services Authority to investigate the data and take action. The court said that providing assistance to lawyers in these cases should be taken seriously. Advocate Shama Sinha had told the court that many cases were very old, most of which have lost their relevance. In the earlier hearing, the petitioners lawyer Shama Sinha told the court that the data were obtained from National Judicial Grid and the National Crime Records Bureau. These data were presented before the court. The PIL has been filed to implement the law of plea bargaining under the Criminal Procedure Act. The report said a criminal case dating back to 1965 is pending in a court in Bihar, which is clearly visible in the National Judicial Data Grid. The next hearing on this matter will be held after two weeks. Many cases old, have no relevance In the earlier hearing, the court directed the Bihar State Legal Services Authority to investigate the available data and take action. Advocate Shama Sinha had told the court that many cases were very old, most of which have lost their relevance. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

TORONTO: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said Canada has shared with India evidence of "credible allegations" about the involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar many weeks ago and wants New Delhi to "commit constructively" with Ottawa to establish the facts on this serious matter.

Tensions flared between India and Canada early this week following Trudeau's explosive allegations of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Nijjar on his country's soil on June 18 in British Columbia.

READ MORE | Why India Fears Khalistan Movement and how Canada became embroiled in a diplomatic spat

India angrily rejected the allegations as absurd and motivated and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

"I just want to simply say that we've shared those allegations, those credible allegations with India for weeks. We are working with our partners," Trudeau said on Friday in a press conference with the visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"And what we are asking is for India, to commit constructively with Canada to establish the facts on this situation. We're there to work with them. And we have been for weeks now," Trudeau said in response to a question.

"Canada has shared the credible allegations that I talked about on Monday with India. We did that many weeks ago. We hope that they engage with us so that we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter. That's important," he said.

On Thursday, India asked Canada to come down hard on terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its soil and suspended visa services for Canadians, as escalating tensions between the two nations over the killing of Najjar pushed their ties to an all-time low.

India also asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic staff in the country, arguing that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalence in the mutual diplomatic presence.

The size of Canadian diplomatic staff in India is larger than what New Delhi has in Canada.

When asked about Canada sharing any information in the case with India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi said: "No specific information has been shared by Canada on this case, either then or before or after.

We have, you know, as we have said, or I think we have made very clear, we are willing to look at any specific information."

"We have conveyed this to the Canadian side and made it clear to them that we are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us.

But so far we have not received any such specific information," MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in New Delhi.

India also said it has very "specific evidence" about criminal activities by individuals based on Canadian soil and it has been shared with the Canadian authorities on a regular basis but has not been acted upon.

Canada's allegations of India's involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist in Surrey that sparked a diplomatic row between the two nations are based on both human and signals intelligence and inputs from an ally from Ottawa's Five Eye intelligence network, a media report has said citing the Canadian government sources.

According to a report in the media here, Canada's allegations of India's involvement in the killing of Najjar are based on both human and signals intelligence and inputs from an ally from Ottawa's Five Eye intelligence network.

The Canadian government has amassed both human and signals intelligence in a months-long investigation, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

The Canadian government has not released its evidence and has suggested it could emerge during an eventual legal process.

READ MORE | Trudeau repeats allegations, says he's not looking to 'provoke', urges India to work with Canada to uncover truth

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

TORONTO: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said Canada has shared with India evidence of "credible allegations" about the involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar many weeks ago and wants New Delhi to "commit constructively" with Ottawa to establish the facts on this serious matter. Tensions flared between India and Canada early this week following Trudeau's explosive allegations of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Nijjar on his country's soil on June 18 in British Columbia. READ MORE | Why India Fears Khalistan Movement and how Canada became embroiled in a diplomatic spatgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); India angrily rejected the allegations as absurd and motivated and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case. "I just want to simply say that we've shared those allegations, those credible allegations with India for weeks. We are working with our partners," Trudeau said on Friday in a press conference with the visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "And what we are asking is for India, to commit constructively with Canada to establish the facts on this situation. We're there to work with them. And we have been for weeks now," Trudeau said in response to a question. "Canada has shared the credible allegations that I talked about on Monday with India. We did that many weeks ago. We hope that they engage with us so that we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter. That's important," he said. On Thursday, India asked Canada to come down hard on terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its soil and suspended visa services for Canadians, as escalating tensions between the two nations over the killing of Najjar pushed their ties to an all-time low. India also asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic staff in the country, arguing that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalence in the mutual diplomatic presence. The size of Canadian diplomatic staff in India is larger than what New Delhi has in Canada. When asked about Canada sharing any information in the case with India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi said: "No specific information has been shared by Canada on this case, either then or before or after. We have, you know, as we have said, or I think we have made very clear, we are willing to look at any specific information." "We have conveyed this to the Canadian side and made it clear to them that we are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us. But so far we have not received any such specific information," MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in New Delhi. India also said it has very "specific evidence" about criminal activities by individuals based on Canadian soil and it has been shared with the Canadian authorities on a regular basis but has not been acted upon. Canada's allegations of India's involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist in Surrey that sparked a diplomatic row between the two nations are based on both human and signals intelligence and inputs from an ally from Ottawa's Five Eye intelligence network, a media report has said citing the Canadian government sources. According to a report in the media here, Canada's allegations of India's involvement in the killing of Najjar are based on both human and signals intelligence and inputs from an ally from Ottawa's Five Eye intelligence network. The Canadian government has amassed both human and signals intelligence in a months-long investigation, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported. The Canadian government has not released its evidence and has suggested it could emerge during an eventual legal process. READ MORE | Trudeau repeats allegations, says he's not looking to 'provoke', urges India to work with Canada to uncover truth Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Ejaz Kaiser By

Express News Service

RAIPUR: The ruling Congress party in Chhattisgarh will organise Bharose Ki Yatra (journey of trust) in all the 90 constituencies of the state on October 2.

The day-long event is seen as a continuation of the public meetings organised in recent weeks as Bharose Ka Sammelan by the Bhupesh Baghel government in some of the districts.

Bharose Ki Yatra will be the first political yatra of the Congress party to be taken out for a day ahead of the Assembly polls scheduled later this year. The decision was taken by the senior party leaders in a meeting attended by the state in-charge Kumari Selja, CM Bhupesh Baghel, his cabinet colleagues and senior leaders in the party office Rajiv Bhawan. Selja said that the party will give more tickets to women this time for the upcoming polls.

Besides the CM, the state ministers, MLAs, party leaders, cadres and office bearers will attend the yatra in their respective constituencies on Gandhi Jayanti.

The Congress will publicise among the masses the achievements of the Bhupesh Baghel government during the last four and a half years besides the failures of the Modi-led Centre. The Congress leaders told this newspaper that the yatra will be taken out on motorbikes in the strength of 200 to one thousand in each constituency.

The BJP took a dig at the proposed programme of the Congress. The Congress party is shaken by the response the BJPs ongoing parivartan yatra (journey for change) is getting from the people. So they are forced to take out such yatra, said Arun Sao, BJP state president.

The opposition BJP has launched two parivarta yatra and both will culminate at Bilaspur on September 28. The opposition claimed that the partys preparations for the upcoming assembly polls remain ahead with the first list of candidates declared last month.

BJP shouldn't be worried about us. The Congress list will be announced at an appropriate time. The BJP neither has leaders nor policy and engages only on jumlebaji to misguide people, stated Selja.

Meanwhile, the CM informed that the Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi will be visiting Kanker, north Bastar on October 4 and Rahul Gandhis trip is scheduled for another Barose Ka Sammelan programme in Bilaspur on September 25. The party president Mallikarjun Kharge will be in Baloda Bazar district on September 28.

The 90-member Chhattisgarh House has 71 Congress MLAs.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

RAIPUR: The ruling Congress party in Chhattisgarh will organise Bharose Ki Yatra (journey of trust) in all the 90 constituencies of the state on October 2. The day-long event is seen as a continuation of the public meetings organised in recent weeks as Bharose Ka Sammelan by the Bhupesh Baghel government in some of the districts. Bharose Ki Yatra will be the first political yatra of the Congress party to be taken out for a day ahead of the Assembly polls scheduled later this year. The decision was taken by the senior party leaders in a meeting attended by the state in-charge Kumari Selja, CM Bhupesh Baghel, his cabinet colleagues and senior leaders in the party office Rajiv Bhawan. Selja said that the party will give more tickets to women this time for the upcoming polls.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Besides the CM, the state ministers, MLAs, party leaders, cadres and office bearers will attend the yatra in their respective constituencies on Gandhi Jayanti. The Congress will publicise among the masses the achievements of the Bhupesh Baghel government during the last four and a half years besides the failures of the Modi-led Centre. The Congress leaders told this newspaper that the yatra will be taken out on motorbikes in the strength of 200 to one thousand in each constituency. The BJP took a dig at the proposed programme of the Congress. The Congress party is shaken by the response the BJPs ongoing parivartan yatra (journey for change) is getting from the people. So they are forced to take out such yatra, said Arun Sao, BJP state president. The opposition BJP has launched two parivarta yatra and both will culminate at Bilaspur on September 28. The opposition claimed that the partys preparations for the upcoming assembly polls remain ahead with the first list of candidates declared last month. BJP shouldn't be worried about us. The Congress list will be announced at an appropriate time. The BJP neither has leaders nor policy and engages only on jumlebaji to misguide people, stated Selja. Meanwhile, the CM informed that the Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi will be visiting Kanker, north Bastar on October 4 and Rahul Gandhis trip is scheduled for another Barose Ka Sammelan programme in Bilaspur on September 25. The party president Mallikarjun Kharge will be in Baloda Bazar district on September 28. The 90-member Chhattisgarh House has 71 Congress MLAs. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

GUWAHATI: A special court in Manipur on Friday granted bail to the five youths who were arrested by police for possessing weapons, amid an agitation for their release. Their arrests had triggered fresh tension in the ethnic violence-hit state.

The court granted them bail after they had furnished a PR bond of Rs 50,000 with one surety of the like amount. In its order, the court said the five accused shall cooperate with the investigation, make themselves available before the investigating authorities and not influence prosecution witnesses or leave the state without its prior permission and appear before the investigating officer every 15 days.

The court said, So far, there is no material evidence to show that the accused persons have committed terrorist acts, which can be punished under Section 16 of the UA(P) Act, except mentioning of the accused No. 1 being the member of a terrorist organisation. So far, none of the accused persons have committed any illegal and prejudicial acts against the State, as mentioned. They were all arrested by the police saying they entered prejudicial activities against the State.

The court also said that the investigating officer cannot show strong prima facie case against all the accused persons for the commission of terrorist acts and prejudicial activities against the State attracting section 16 UA(P) Act and Section 121-A of the IPC as of now.

Protestors, mostly members of Meira Paibi (Meitei women torchbearers) and local clubs, had enforced a 48-hour bandh till midnight of Wednesday demanding the release of the persons.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

GUWAHATI: A special court in Manipur on Friday granted bail to the five youths who were arrested by police for possessing weapons, amid an agitation for their release. Their arrests had triggered fresh tension in the ethnic violence-hit state. The court granted them bail after they had furnished a PR bond of Rs 50,000 with one surety of the like amount. In its order, the court said the five accused shall cooperate with the investigation, make themselves available before the investigating authorities and not influence prosecution witnesses or leave the state without its prior permission and appear before the investigating officer every 15 days. The court said, So far, there is no material evidence to show that the accused persons have committed terrorist acts, which can be punished under Section 16 of the UA(P) Act, except mentioning of the accused No. 1 being the member of a terrorist organisation. So far, none of the accused persons have committed any illegal and prejudicial acts against the State, as mentioned. They were all arrested by the police saying they entered prejudicial activities against the State.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The court also said that the investigating officer cannot show strong prima facie case against all the accused persons for the commission of terrorist acts and prejudicial activities against the State attracting section 16 UA(P) Act and Section 121-A of the IPC as of now. Protestors, mostly members of Meira Paibi (Meitei women torchbearers) and local clubs, had enforced a 48-hour bandh till midnight of Wednesday demanding the release of the persons. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Ramashankar By

Express News Service

PATNA: One more bridge caved in in Bihar's Jamui district on Saturday, triggering debate over the quality of material being used in the construction of bridges in the state.

Reports said that four pillars of the Sono Churhet Kajwe bridge over the Barnar River were damaged due to the heavy flow of water in the river. The officials, however, attributed the reason to heavy downpours in the region during the past 24 hours, which raised the water level in the swollen river.

Over a dozen villages under Sono block in the district have been completely cut off from the district headquarters. The movement of vehicles on the damaged river has also been stopped by the district administration as a precautionary measure.

We have informed people about damage to pillars from six to 10 through the public address system. A team of officials is camping at the site to take stock of the damages caused in the river. The traffic on the damaged bridge has been stopped, Sono block development officer (BDO) Rajesh Kumar said.

Station house officer (SHO) of Sono police station Chitranjan Kumar said that a police team led by sub-inspector Bipin Kumar has been deployed at the site to take stock of the situation and control the mob gathered after hearing the news about the collapse of the bridge.

On the other hand, residents alleged that the bridge got damaged due to illegal sand mining in the river.

Illegal sand mining is going on unabated in the river, especially near the pillars. People of the area have earlier drawn the attention of the officials towards it, said a resident Mukesh Shashtri.

On June 4, an under-construction bridge, which was supposed to connect Khagaria district with Bhagalpur, collapsed. Later another bridge in Kishanganj district caved in on June 24.

Opposition BJP took a jibe at the collapse of the bridge in Jamui district.

BJP leader Nikhil Anand said, The state government should look into a series of bridges getting damaged in the state in the past year. Use of sub-standard quality of material is perhaps the main reason behind it.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

PATNA: One more bridge caved in in Bihar's Jamui district on Saturday, triggering debate over the quality of material being used in the construction of bridges in the state. Reports said that four pillars of the Sono Churhet Kajwe bridge over the Barnar River were damaged due to the heavy flow of water in the river. The officials, however, attributed the reason to heavy downpours in the region during the past 24 hours, which raised the water level in the swollen river. Over a dozen villages under Sono block in the district have been completely cut off from the district headquarters. The movement of vehicles on the damaged river has also been stopped by the district administration as a precautionary measure.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); We have informed people about damage to pillars from six to 10 through the public address system. A team of officials is camping at the site to take stock of the damages caused in the river. The traffic on the damaged bridge has been stopped, Sono block development officer (BDO) Rajesh Kumar said. Station house officer (SHO) of Sono police station Chitranjan Kumar said that a police team led by sub-inspector Bipin Kumar has been deployed at the site to take stock of the situation and control the mob gathered after hearing the news about the collapse of the bridge. Bridge caved in #Jamui after two days of rain: 24 villages affected due to closure of operations, villagers said - sand was being lifted near the bridge.#Bihar #BridgeCaved #ClimateActionNow #Rainfall #hurricane #Storm #JamuiBridgeCaved@officecmbihar@TejashwiOffice@Jduonline pic.twitter.com/qa4kttfu6N  Anchor Manish Kumar (@manishA20058305) September 23, 2023 On the other hand, residents alleged that the bridge got damaged due to illegal sand mining in the river. Illegal sand mining is going on unabated in the river, especially near the pillars. People of the area have earlier drawn the attention of the officials towards it, said a resident Mukesh Shashtri. On June 4, an under-construction bridge, which was supposed to connect Khagaria district with Bhagalpur, collapsed. Later another bridge in Kishanganj district caved in on June 24. Opposition BJP took a jibe at the collapse of the bridge in Jamui district. BJP leader Nikhil Anand said, The state government should look into a series of bridges getting damaged in the state in the past year. Use of sub-standard quality of material is perhaps the main reason behind it. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: Released from house arrest after over four years, Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday said people like him were peace promoters, not separatists or disrupters.

He pitched for dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue at the prayers at Kashmirs grand mosque, Jamia Masjid. The Mirwaiz criticised the reading down of Article 370 saying it was an assault on Kashmiri identity, adding harsh and unilateral decisions of disempowerment were taken by the administration.

Terming Kashmir as a human problem and not a territorial tug of war, the Mirwaiz said, We in Hurriyat believe that a part of J&K is in India, a part with Pakistan and some part with China. All these comprise J&K as it existed in August 1947. Its people are divided by an artificial line. This issue has to be addressed through dialogue.

On Prime Minister Narendra Modis statement that todays era must not be of war, in the context of the Ukraine invasion, he said it applies to Kashmir too. The police guard deployed outside his residence was withdrawn and he was allowed to move out. A senior police officer visited his residence on Thursday and informed him that restrictions on his movement had been lifted.

The Mirwaiz was under house arrest since August 4, 2019, a day before the Centre abrogated J&Ks special status, withdrew its statehood and reduced it to two Union Territories. As he left his home and reached Jamia Masjid, a large number of people welcomed him with slogans of Sher Aaya, Mirwaiz Aaya (lion Mirwaiz has come), making him emotional. He broke down on reaching the pulpit. These four years were the worst period of my life after my fathers death. Being here is a very emotional moment for me, he said.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

SRINAGAR: Released from house arrest after over four years, Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday said people like him were peace promoters, not separatists or disrupters. He pitched for dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue at the prayers at Kashmirs grand mosque, Jamia Masjid. The Mirwaiz criticised the reading down of Article 370 saying it was an assault on Kashmiri identity, adding harsh and unilateral decisions of disempowerment were taken by the administration. Terming Kashmir as a human problem and not a territorial tug of war, the Mirwaiz said, We in Hurriyat believe that a part of J&K is in India, a part with Pakistan and some part with China. All these comprise J&K as it existed in August 1947. Its people are divided by an artificial line. This issue has to be addressed through dialogue.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); On Prime Minister Narendra Modis statement that todays era must not be of war, in the context of the Ukraine invasion, he said it applies to Kashmir too. The police guard deployed outside his residence was withdrawn and he was allowed to move out. A senior police officer visited his residence on Thursday and informed him that restrictions on his movement had been lifted. The Mirwaiz was under house arrest since August 4, 2019, a day before the Centre abrogated J&Ks special status, withdrew its statehood and reduced it to two Union Territories. As he left his home and reached Jamia Masjid, a large number of people welcomed him with slogans of Sher Aaya, Mirwaiz Aaya (lion Mirwaiz has come), making him emotional. He broke down on reaching the pulpit. These four years were the worst period of my life after my fathers death. Being here is a very emotional moment for me, he said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Mukesh Ranjan By

Express News Service

RANCHI: Jharkhand police has ordered its Special Branch to probe the Maoist links with some of the frontal organizations like Stan Swamys Bagaicha, Stan Swami Nyay Manch and several

others active in the state and submit a report.

In case any of the activities or meetings organized by these organisations seem to be illegal or against the law from any perspective, then the local police station must be informed immediately after making an entry into the diary, said the order issued by the Jharkhand police.

The probe has been ordered against 64 organisations active in the state with a maximum of 29 located in Ranchi. Jamshedpur has 20 such organisations, along with seven in Bokaro, six in Saraikela, four in Giridih, three in Pakur, two in Chatra, three in Latehar, two in Gumla, one each in Dumka, Garhwa, Ramgarh and Khunti.

Meanwhile, a delegation of these organisations met Special IG Prabhat Kumar demanding to clear their stand on the issue. They also demanded immediate rejection of any such list if it has been issued by the State Police. They have been struggling hard for the constitutional rights of the tribal, poor, minorities and the deprived which the state government has also taken cognizance of, they said.

Notably, eight of the total 24 districts considered to be in the extreme influence category in terms of Maoist activity fall in Jharkhand. Maoists have their presence in 16 districts of the state.

Opposing the arrest of Stan Swamy in the case related to the violence which erupted at an event to mark 100 years of the Bhima-Koregaon battle on January 1 in 2018 leaving one dead and several others injured, CM Soren had said that the Central government is trying to suppress all the voices being raised against it.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

RANCHI: Jharkhand police has ordered its Special Branch to probe the Maoist links with some of the frontal organizations like Stan Swamys Bagaicha, Stan Swami Nyay Manch and several others active in the state and submit a report. In case any of the activities or meetings organized by these organisations seem to be illegal or against the law from any perspective, then the local police station must be informed immediately after making an entry into the diary, said the order issued by the Jharkhand police. The probe has been ordered against 64 organisations active in the state with a maximum of 29 located in Ranchi. Jamshedpur has 20 such organisations, along with seven in Bokaro, six in Saraikela, four in Giridih, three in Pakur, two in Chatra, three in Latehar, two in Gumla, one each in Dumka, Garhwa, Ramgarh and Khunti.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Meanwhile, a delegation of these organisations met Special IG Prabhat Kumar demanding to clear their stand on the issue. They also demanded immediate rejection of any such list if it has been issued by the State Police. They have been struggling hard for the constitutional rights of the tribal, poor, minorities and the deprived which the state government has also taken cognizance of, they said. Notably, eight of the total 24 districts considered to be in the extreme influence category in terms of Maoist activity fall in Jharkhand. Maoists have their presence in 16 districts of the state. Opposing the arrest of Stan Swamy in the case related to the violence which erupted at an event to mark 100 years of the Bhima-Koregaon battle on January 1 in 2018 leaving one dead and several others injured, CM Soren had said that the Central government is trying to suppress all the voices being raised against it. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
TAURANGA, New Zealand, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- A shipping container loaded with products from New Zealand and Pacific Island nations Vanuatu and Niue left the Port of Tauranga, the largest port in New Zealand, on Saturday for the China International Import Expo (CIIE) 2023.

The CIIE, in its sixth edition this year, will be held in Shanghai on Nov. 5-10.

The COSCO Shipping container, which left for China on Saturday, carried a wide range of products from New Zealand, Vanuatu and Niue, such as dairy products, honey, juice, and art crafts. The container is expected to arrive at Shanghai Port in mid-October.

Kang Xiaoyu, managing director of COSCO Shipping Lines New Zealand, told Xinhua that her team in New Zealand had been preparing for the shipment for quite a long time.

"In order to better meet the logistics needs of exhibits at the CIIE in New Zealand and surrounding South Pacific island countries, COSCO Shipping strives to create a complete exhibit supply chain service plan for exhibitors," Kang said.

In response to the difficulties encountered by local companies in production and operations, a special working group was established for the transportation of exhibits for the sixth CIIE and dedicated personnel was assigned to coordinate the work, she added.

COSCO Shipping is the official international shipping service provider for the CIIE.

According to Joe Pacoa, director of Vanuatu's Department of External Trade, Vanuatu's exhibition products are natural and distinctive. They have received positive feedback from Chinese consumers at previous CIIEs. Vanuatu's water, kava and noni juice have forayed into the Chinese market.

Encouraged by this, Vanuatu will continue to introduce more exhibition products at this year's CIIE, including local jewellery, sea cucumber-based cancer-fighting health products, mineral water, kava-based foods and daily necessities, chocolates, coconut oil, Tamanu oil, as well as traditional local handcrafted items and wood carvings, Pacoa said. 
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Indias relations with Canada have hit a diplomatic low. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus return from India after the G20 Summit earlier this month and his subsequent allegations against Indias involvement in the killing of Khalistani extremist Harminder Singh Nijjar (who was a Canadian citizen) in June stirred up a hornet's nest.

Diplomats were expelled from each other's country and Canada also reached out to the Five Eyes to pressurise India. His ratings on his home turf have plummeted to a low as a recent poll reveals that opposition leader Pierre Poililievre is the preferred PM with 40 per cent of Canadians favouring him in comparison to 31 per cent in favour of Trudeau.

Why is Trudeau sinking his reputation by aligning himself with Khalistani extremists? There are close to 7.7 lakh Sikhs in Canada, which constitute 2 per cent of the countrys total population and they hold significant political influence in Canada. Canadian Parliament has 18 Sikh MPs. Though not all Sikhs are radical in their approach, the ones who exercise deep influence over the community and also have deep pockets. They are said to be involved in organised crime and illicit activities. Trudeau seeks their support just for funds but also for vote-bank politics.

The association with Khalistani radicals isnt new. Trudeaus father, Pierre Trudeau, who was the 15th PM of Canada, had gone all out to provide a safe haven for radical supporters of Khalistanis in the 1980s when thousands of Sikhs migrated to Canada. These included Talwinder Singh Parmar who killed policemen in Punjab in 1981 before fleeing to Canada. India sought his extradition which Pierre refused.

On June 1st, 1985, Indian intelligence alerted Canada about a possible aircraft sabotage, which they ignored and exactly 23 days later, Air India Flight 182 (Kanishka) was blown up from Toronto to London killing 329 on board. This is considered the worst terrorist attack in Canada to date.

Unfortunately, Justin Trudeau carries his fathers legacy of supporting or rather seeking support from Khalistani extremists to vote bank politics.

The only time things improved between India and Canada was when Stephen Harper was the Prime Minister, and they nosedived again when Trudeau came to power as the 23rd PM of Canada.

He was sworn in as the Prime Minister in 2015 and first came to India three years later in 2018. His first India trip too was marred with controversy as his reception in Mumbai was attended by Jaspal Atwal, a Khalistani convicted in 1986 for attempting to murder Malkiat Singh Sidhu, a minister in the Punjab Government and also for assaulting former Premier of British Columbia, Ujjal Dosanjh. India was miffed with Jaspals attendance and cold-shouldered Trudeau who was accompanied by his wife and three children too. PM Modi met him on the sixth day of his arrival and voiced his displeasure and said there was no place for those who misuse religion. On the same trip, the then chief minister of Punjab Amrinder Singh refused to greet Trudeau in Amritsar, where he had gone to visit the Golden Temple.

Five years later, Trudeau came to India again, this time for the G20 Summit. Before he arrived in Delhi, he began to bicker about G20 not inviting Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskky. After arriving in Delhi, he courted controversy again as he defended the Khalistani extremists in Canada and their rights to protest `terming it as freedom of speech. This naturally miffed India as there have been a series of instances in the past year where Khalistani extremists have spoken against India and desecrated temples which included graffiti on Hindu temples and rallies calling out to protest against India and even threatening the safety of Indian diplomats. Posters had appeared putting a bounty on the heads of Indian diplomats working in Canada.

Indias concerns and complaints at the official and diplomat levels yielded no results.

Meanwhile, Trudeau after finding little or no support in G20 was in the news again  as his aircraft developed a technical snag as a result of which he was the last leader to leave India. He refused to accept Indias offer of flying him out in a special aircraft which was kept on standby for him. He confined himself to his hotel room for the 36 hours that he had to stay back and refused to accept any courtesies extended by India. He left after his own aircraft was rectified. He got a lot of bad press back home in Canada too.

On returning to Canada, Trudeau stirred the hornet's nest and in Parliament made allegations against India stating that the government was involved in the killing of Khalistani extremist Harminder Singh Nijjar (who was a resident of Canada) who was found dead in June. He also went further to state that he had communicated the same to PM Modi, which PM Modi rubbished.

The fallout of this statement was unprecedented as Trudeau expelled an Indian diplomat, which was reciprocated in India. India went a step further and has stopped issuing visas to Canadians until further notice. The relations between the two nations have reached a diplomatic low and it is not a situation that will normalise soon.

India has also asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic strength in India in order to keep parity with the strength of Indian diplomats in Canada.

"Canadian diplomats are seen to interfere in our internal affairs," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said recently.

Trudeau has always supported the Khalistani movement in Canada, primarily for vote bank politics. His party is funded by Khalistanis and he has also been a part of their rallies. The support of Khalistanis runs in his family, as his father Pierre Trudeau who was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada was responsible for offering asylum and welcoming Khalistani hardliners into Canada when the Punjab problem was at its peak. The infamous Kanishka Aircrash also took place during his tenure.

When and whether diplomatic ties between India and Canada will normalise, only time will tell.

"If PM Trudeau was to come out and say that he didnt imply India was responsible for the killing of Harminder Singh Nijjar, there could be a possible thaw," suggested an expert on India-Canada ties, adding that until then Indian citizens in Canada will be on tenterhooks and Canadians wanting to come to India will have to hold on to their plans for some more time.

Meanwhile, Trudeau has been mired in controversy over charges of corruption back home in Canada. He has been subjected to investigation thrice by the Ethics Commissioner.

Trudeau is merrily hosting his friend Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskky in Canada at present. He is pledging support to Ukraine, pretending to be oblivious to the challenges on his home turf!

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Indias relations with Canada have hit a diplomatic low. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus return from India after the G20 Summit earlier this month and his subsequent allegations against Indias involvement in the killing of Khalistani extremist Harminder Singh Nijjar (who was a Canadian citizen) in June stirred up a hornet's nest. Diplomats were expelled from each other's country and Canada also reached out to the Five Eyes to pressurise India. His ratings on his home turf have plummeted to a low as a recent poll reveals that opposition leader Pierre Poililievre is the preferred PM with 40 per cent of Canadians favouring him in comparison to 31 per cent in favour of Trudeau. Why is Trudeau sinking his reputation by aligning himself with Khalistani extremists? There are close to 7.7 lakh Sikhs in Canada, which constitute 2 per cent of the countrys total population and they hold significant political influence in Canada. Canadian Parliament has 18 Sikh MPs. Though not all Sikhs are radical in their approach, the ones who exercise deep influence over the community and also have deep pockets. They are said to be involved in organised crime and illicit activities. Trudeau seeks their support just for funds but also for vote-bank politics.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The association with Khalistani radicals isnt new. Trudeaus father, Pierre Trudeau, who was the 15th PM of Canada, had gone all out to provide a safe haven for radical supporters of Khalistanis in the 1980s when thousands of Sikhs migrated to Canada. These included Talwinder Singh Parmar who killed policemen in Punjab in 1981 before fleeing to Canada. India sought his extradition which Pierre refused. On June 1st, 1985, Indian intelligence alerted Canada about a possible aircraft sabotage, which they ignored and exactly 23 days later, Air India Flight 182 (Kanishka) was blown up from Toronto to London killing 329 on board. This is considered the worst terrorist attack in Canada to date. Unfortunately, Justin Trudeau carries his fathers legacy of supporting or rather seeking support from Khalistani extremists to vote bank politics. The only time things improved between India and Canada was when Stephen Harper was the Prime Minister, and they nosedived again when Trudeau came to power as the 23rd PM of Canada. He was sworn in as the Prime Minister in 2015 and first came to India three years later in 2018. His first India trip too was marred with controversy as his reception in Mumbai was attended by Jaspal Atwal, a Khalistani convicted in 1986 for attempting to murder Malkiat Singh Sidhu, a minister in the Punjab Government and also for assaulting former Premier of British Columbia, Ujjal Dosanjh. India was miffed with Jaspals attendance and cold-shouldered Trudeau who was accompanied by his wife and three children too. PM Modi met him on the sixth day of his arrival and voiced his displeasure and said there was no place for those who misuse religion. On the same trip, the then chief minister of Punjab Amrinder Singh refused to greet Trudeau in Amritsar, where he had gone to visit the Golden Temple. Five years later, Trudeau came to India again, this time for the G20 Summit. Before he arrived in Delhi, he began to bicker about G20 not inviting Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskky. After arriving in Delhi, he courted controversy again as he defended the Khalistani extremists in Canada and their rights to protest `terming it as freedom of speech. This naturally miffed India as there have been a series of instances in the past year where Khalistani extremists have spoken against India and desecrated temples which included graffiti on Hindu temples and rallies calling out to protest against India and even threatening the safety of Indian diplomats. Posters had appeared putting a bounty on the heads of Indian diplomats working in Canada. Indias concerns and complaints at the official and diplomat levels yielded no results. Meanwhile, Trudeau after finding little or no support in G20 was in the news again  as his aircraft developed a technical snag as a result of which he was the last leader to leave India. He refused to accept Indias offer of flying him out in a special aircraft which was kept on standby for him. He confined himself to his hotel room for the 36 hours that he had to stay back and refused to accept any courtesies extended by India. He left after his own aircraft was rectified. He got a lot of bad press back home in Canada too. On returning to Canada, Trudeau stirred the hornet's nest and in Parliament made allegations against India stating that the government was involved in the killing of Khalistani extremist Harminder Singh Nijjar (who was a resident of Canada) who was found dead in June. He also went further to state that he had communicated the same to PM Modi, which PM Modi rubbished. The fallout of this statement was unprecedented as Trudeau expelled an Indian diplomat, which was reciprocated in India. India went a step further and has stopped issuing visas to Canadians until further notice. The relations between the two nations have reached a diplomatic low and it is not a situation that will normalise soon. India has also asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic strength in India in order to keep parity with the strength of Indian diplomats in Canada. "Canadian diplomats are seen to interfere in our internal affairs," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said recently. Trudeau has always supported the Khalistani movement in Canada, primarily for vote bank politics. His party is funded by Khalistanis and he has also been a part of their rallies. The support of Khalistanis runs in his family, as his father Pierre Trudeau who was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada was responsible for offering asylum and welcoming Khalistani hardliners into Canada when the Punjab problem was at its peak. The infamous Kanishka Aircrash also took place during his tenure. When and whether diplomatic ties between India and Canada will normalise, only time will tell. "If PM Trudeau was to come out and say that he didnt imply India was responsible for the killing of Harminder Singh Nijjar, there could be a possible thaw," suggested an expert on India-Canada ties, adding that until then Indian citizens in Canada will be on tenterhooks and Canadians wanting to come to India will have to hold on to their plans for some more time. Meanwhile, Trudeau has been mired in controversy over charges of corruption back home in Canada. He has been subjected to investigation thrice by the Ethics Commissioner. Trudeau is merrily hosting his friend Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskky in Canada at present. He is pledging support to Ukraine, pretending to be oblivious to the challenges on his home turf! Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: Mobile internet was restored in Manipur on Saturday, more than four and half months after the services were suspended on May 3 in the wake of ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis.

the Governor of Manipur is pleased to revoke all orders issued regarding the suspension of mobile data servicesand hereby, orders the restoration of MMS over mobile service providers/mobile internet/data services in the territorial jurisdiction of Manipur normally with effect from 23-09-2023, the states home department said in an order.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced the restoration of mobile internet services.

The state government had imposed a ban on internet services as a precautionary measure to thwart unwanted incidents. I am glad to inform the citizens of the state that from today onwards, the internet will be open to the masses, Singh had told journalists.

On July 25, the state government lifted the suspension of internet services on broadband (ILL and FTTH) in a liberalized manner subject to fulfilment ofterms and conditions.

ALSO READ | 175 killed, over 1,100 injured in four months of Manipur violence

Singh said the state governments priority is to stop the illegal influx of people from neighbouring Myanmar.

For that, we need immediate fencing of the international border, he said.

He also said that the Free Movement Regime (FMR) agreement, signed between the governments of India and Myanmar, has remained closed. He said the home ministry had closed it at the request of the Manipur government as checking illegal migration was difficult because of its presence.

FMR was signed in 2018 as part of the Act East Policy to facilitate the movement of people residing along the international border and encourage people-to-people contact. FMR allowed them to travel upto 16 km inside each others territories without a visa.

Meanwhile, protests had erupted in Imphal on Friday night when a youth was rearrested in another case soon after he and four others were released on bail. The five were arrested by the police last week for possessing weapons and donning camouflage uniforms.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

GUWAHATI: Mobile internet was restored in Manipur on Saturday, more than four and half months after the services were suspended on May 3 in the wake of ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis. the Governor of Manipur is pleased to revoke all orders issued regarding the suspension of mobile data servicesand hereby, orders the restoration of MMS over mobile service providers/mobile internet/data services in the territorial jurisdiction of Manipur normally with effect from 23-09-2023, the states home department said in an order. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced the restoration of mobile internet services.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The state government had imposed a ban on internet services as a precautionary measure to thwart unwanted incidents. I am glad to inform the citizens of the state that from today onwards, the internet will be open to the masses, Singh had told journalists. On July 25, the state government lifted the suspension of internet services on broadband (ILL and FTTH) in a liberalized manner subject to fulfilment ofterms and conditions. ALSO READ | 175 killed, over 1,100 injured in four months of Manipur violence Singh said the state governments priority is to stop the illegal influx of people from neighbouring Myanmar. For that, we need immediate fencing of the international border, he said. He also said that the Free Movement Regime (FMR) agreement, signed between the governments of India and Myanmar, has remained closed. He said the home ministry had closed it at the request of the Manipur government as checking illegal migration was difficult because of its presence. FMR was signed in 2018 as part of the Act East Policy to facilitate the movement of people residing along the international border and encourage people-to-people contact. FMR allowed them to travel upto 16 km inside each others territories without a visa. Meanwhile, protests had erupted in Imphal on Friday night when a youth was rearrested in another case soon after he and four others were released on bail. The five were arrested by the police last week for possessing weapons and donning camouflage uniforms. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By AFP

NEW DELHI: On Saturday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) confiscated the properties of a prominent Sikh separatist and close ally of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whose killing has sparked a diplomatic row between India and Canada.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a lawyer believed to be based in Canada, was designated as a terrorist by Indian authorities in 2020 and is wanted on charges of terrorism and sedition.

He is also the founder of the US-based group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), whose Canada chapter was headed by Nijjar before he was gunned down by masked assailants in June near Vancouver.

The group, which has been banned by India, has been a vocal advocate for the creation of an independent Sikh homeland called Khalistan.

A diplomatic firestorm erupted this week with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying there were "credible reasons to believe that agents of the government of India were involved" in Nijjar's death.

Meanwhile, India dismissed Trudeau's allegations as "absurd", tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions followed, and India has stopped processing visa applications by Canadians.

Pannun jumped into the raging row and issued a video telling Canadian Hindus to "go back to India", claiming they had adopted a "jingoistic approach" by siding with India.

In an interview with an Indian news channel, Pannun said Nijjar had been his "close associate" for over 20 years and was like a "younger brother" to him. He also blamed India for Nijjar's killing.

'Heinous crimes'

Soon after his interview was aired, the government issued an advisory to news networks asking them to refrain from giving a platform to people accused of "heinous crimes".

Armed with court orders, officials of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday confiscated Pannun's house in Chandigarh, the capital of the Sikh-majority state of Punjab, it said in a statement.

The NIA also confiscated agricultural land belonging to him in Amritsar, it added.

It accused Pannun of "actively exhorting Punjab-based gangsters and youth" on social media "to fight for the cause of the independent state of Khalistan, challenging the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country".

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: On Saturday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) confiscated the properties of a prominent Sikh separatist and close ally of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whose killing has sparked a diplomatic row between India and Canada. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a lawyer believed to be based in Canada, was designated as a terrorist by Indian authorities in 2020 and is wanted on charges of terrorism and sedition. He is also the founder of the US-based group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), whose Canada chapter was headed by Nijjar before he was gunned down by masked assailants in June near Vancouver.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The group, which has been banned by India, has been a vocal advocate for the creation of an independent Sikh homeland called Khalistan. A diplomatic firestorm erupted this week with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying there were "credible reasons to believe that agents of the government of India were involved" in Nijjar's death. Meanwhile, India dismissed Trudeau's allegations as "absurd", tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions followed, and India has stopped processing visa applications by Canadians. Pannun jumped into the raging row and issued a video telling Canadian Hindus to "go back to India", claiming they had adopted a "jingoistic approach" by siding with India. In an interview with an Indian news channel, Pannun said Nijjar had been his "close associate" for over 20 years and was like a "younger brother" to him. He also blamed India for Nijjar's killing. 'Heinous crimes' Soon after his interview was aired, the government issued an advisory to news networks asking them to refrain from giving a platform to people accused of "heinous crimes". Armed with court orders, officials of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday confiscated Pannun's house in Chandigarh, the capital of the Sikh-majority state of Punjab, it said in a statement. The NIA also confiscated agricultural land belonging to him in Amritsar, it added. It accused Pannun of "actively exhorting Punjab-based gangsters and youth" on social media "to fight for the cause of the independent state of Khalistan, challenging the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country". Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a compelling case on Friday for securing a full majority, emphasising its importance in making decisive decisions, especially in light of the recent passage of the Womens Reservation Bill in the Upper House of Parliament for Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.

His remarks were particularly relevant as the nation prepares for the upcoming general election, slated for April 2024, and assembly elections in various states.

PM Modi underscored that a government with a full majority, as the BJP-led government currently enjoys at the Centre, is essential for ensuring the welfare of women and the nation as a whole. He stressed that such a government is crucial for facilitating the passage of important bills in Parliament.

Describing the Womens Reservation Bill as a significant step toward fulfilling Indias democratic commitment, PM Modi asserted that a full majority government is imperative for advancing the countrys development agenda.

Taking a dig at previous governments, he pointed out that discussions about reserving seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies had been ongoing for nearly three decades without any concrete action due to a lack of commitment.

He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to pass the Womens Reservation Bill, emphasising that it became possible because the people had elected a strong, stable, and decisive government with a full majority. He referred to this as a realisation of Modis guarantee and highlighted that the BJP had included the Womens Reservation Bill in its 2019 general election manifesto.

Earlier, upon his arrival at the BJP party headquarters, PM Modi received a warm welcome from the partys women leaders and workers. The atmosphere was festive, with thousands of women workers, leaders including women ministers, and the partys national president celebrating the passage of the Bill. PM Modi, reaffirming his commitment to womens empowerment, shared the stage with two women union ministers, Smriti Irani and Nirmala Sitharaman, along with other women leaders.

Addressing the gathering, Modi credited the full majority given by women and the publics support to the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha election for strengthening the governments ability to make such significant decisions. He stressed the importance of a majority in enabling decisive actions for the country and womens welfare.

The Prime Minister also took a swipe at the Opposition, which had objected to the use of the word Vandan (respect) in the Bills title. Modi stated that when the BJP prioritises respect and dignity for women, some individuals in politics become uncomfortable. The Prime Minister also assured the audience that the Nari Shakti Vandan Act had become a reality due to a strong and decisive government with an absolute majority.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a compelling case on Friday for securing a full majority, emphasising its importance in making decisive decisions, especially in light of the recent passage of the Womens Reservation Bill in the Upper House of Parliament for Lok Sabha and state assembly elections. His remarks were particularly relevant as the nation prepares for the upcoming general election, slated for April 2024, and assembly elections in various states. PM Modi underscored that a government with a full majority, as the BJP-led government currently enjoys at the Centre, is essential for ensuring the welfare of women and the nation as a whole. He stressed that such a government is crucial for facilitating the passage of important bills in Parliament.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Describing the Womens Reservation Bill as a significant step toward fulfilling Indias democratic commitment, PM Modi asserted that a full majority government is imperative for advancing the countrys development agenda. Taking a dig at previous governments, he pointed out that discussions about reserving seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies had been ongoing for nearly three decades without any concrete action due to a lack of commitment. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to pass the Womens Reservation Bill, emphasising that it became possible because the people had elected a strong, stable, and decisive government with a full majority. He referred to this as a realisation of Modis guarantee and highlighted that the BJP had included the Womens Reservation Bill in its 2019 general election manifesto. Earlier, upon his arrival at the BJP party headquarters, PM Modi received a warm welcome from the partys women leaders and workers. The atmosphere was festive, with thousands of women workers, leaders including women ministers, and the partys national president celebrating the passage of the Bill. PM Modi, reaffirming his commitment to womens empowerment, shared the stage with two women union ministers, Smriti Irani and Nirmala Sitharaman, along with other women leaders. Addressing the gathering, Modi credited the full majority given by women and the publics support to the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha election for strengthening the governments ability to make such significant decisions. He stressed the importance of a majority in enabling decisive actions for the country and womens welfare. The Prime Minister also took a swipe at the Opposition, which had objected to the use of the word Vandan (respect) in the Bills title. Modi stated that when the BJP prioritises respect and dignity for women, some individuals in politics become uncomfortable. The Prime Minister also assured the audience that the Nari Shakti Vandan Act had become a reality due to a strong and decisive government with an absolute majority. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Opposition parties on Saturday stepped up pressure on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for stringent action, including suspension, against BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri over his derogatory remarks against BSP MP Danish Ali in the House.

Congress chief whip in Lok Sabha K Suresh, who was in the chair at the time of the incident, is among the leaders who have written to Birla demanding the immediate suspension of Bidhuri and that the matter be sent to the privileges committee.

While the BJP had issued notice to Bidhuri after facing flak over his utterances, the party also hit back at the opposition leaders, alleging they have been making uncouth and objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his parents.

BJP MP Nishikant urged the Speaker to form an inquiry committee to look into statements made by Ali and members from parties like the TMC and the DMK in Lok Sabha and alleged that the BSP MP made "highly objectionable" remarks against Modi that provoked the ruling party MP.

Former Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb shared a video clip on X of Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan allegedly making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and asked if any opposition leader had condemned it.

Speaker Birla had on Friday warned Bidhuri of "strict action" if such behaviour is repeated and his remarks were expunged from parliamentary records but the INDIA bloc parties had demanded that the matter be referred to the privileges committee of the House.

As Bidhuri's remarks during a discussion on the success of Chandrayaan-3 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday triggered a furore, Ali had said that he could consider quitting the membership of the House if no step is taken.

In his letter to Birla, Suresh, who is on the panel of chairpersons, said the incident has brought unfathomable shame and loss of dignity to the House.

The members of the panel preside over House proceedings when both Speaker and Deputy Speaker are not present.

"A Member of Parliament, behaving like a hatemonger in the hallowed halls of our democracy is a shocking aberration which must never be tolerated."

ALSO READ | 'Will consider quitting House if action is not taken against Bidhuri': Danish Ali

Therefore, I request that the strictest possible actions against Ramesh Biduri MP, including his suspension from the house and an express reference to the matter to the Privileges Committee be undertaken and justice is granted to Danish Ali MP, who was insulted and harassed in the Lok Sabha at the earliest," Suresh said.

In his letter written to the Lok Sabha Speaker, Congress leader and former Maharashtra minister Naseem Khan demanded that Bidhuri be "permanently suspended".

Bidhuri's "shameful" statement is an insult not only to the MP but also to Parliament, the "sanctum sanctorum of our democracy", he said.

Speaker Birla should send a strong message by effecting immediate "permanent suspension" of Bidhuri, Khan demanded.

BRS MLC in Telangana K Kavitha also urged the Lok Sabha Speaker to take stringent action in the matter.

"Such behaviour has no place in our democratic discourse. I request Hon'ble Speaker Om Birla Ji to take immediate and stringent action," she said on X. Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi demanded Bidhuri's suspension.

"Why has action not been taken till now? By just issuing a warning, you are telling the MPs that you can get away with such conduct," she said.

DMK's Thamizhachi Thangapandian said, "When Ramesh Bidhuri made that statement, our party MP Kanimozhi stood up and registered her protest.

A letter was written to the Speaker. Action needs to be taken. Prominent Muslim organisation Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind said it was the constitutional as well as moral responsibility of Speaker Birla to take action in the matter.

Members of the TMC and NCP among others have written to the Speaker seeking action against Bidhuri, who represents South Delhi Lok Sabha seat.

However, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey wrote to the Lok Sabha Speaker, accusing Ali of making unsavoury remarks during Bidhuri's speech in the House aimed at instigating him to lose his composure.

Dubey alleged that Ali also made a "highly objectionable and blasphemous" remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He used the "neech" barb, the BJP leader claimed, saying it was more than enough for "any patriotic public representative to lose his calm and fall into his trap by uttering unsavoury words."

Dubey was, however, categorical in condemning Bidhuri's comments, saying no decent society can justify them and they cannot be condemned enough.

"But the Lok Sabha Speaker should also probe the unsavoury remarks and conduct of Danish Ali.

Under Lok Sabha rules, obstructing another MP during the time allotted to him, speaking while sitting and giving a running commentary also call for punishment," he posted on X.

In his letter, Dubey said TMC and DMK members also made comments about the faith of another community. What he has written is a verifiable fact, he claimed.

If Bidhuri has committed an inappropriate act, then other members, including Ali, have also contributed to spreading enmity amongst communities.

"I, therefore, request you to constitute an 'Inquiry Committee' to investigate the utterances made by various members during the said discussion and also to inquire the extent of culpability of various other members of Parliament in instigating our citizens by way of their comments made in the House," he wrote to the Speaker.

BJP's Haryana in-charge Biplab Kumar Deb hit out at state Congress chief Udai Bhan for allegedly making derogatory remarks against against Modi and Khattar.

He dubbed Bhan's remarks as a reflection of the "pervert mentality" of the opposition party.

"Is it Rahul Gandhi's shop of love," he said.

"Did any opposition leader condemn this? Has the Congress asked him to apologise," asked the BJP Rajya Sabha MP.

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said Bhan has used petty and indecent words for the prime minister which cannot be condemned enough. It has caused pain and anguish among not only BJP members but also among people of the country, he said.

Congress leaders have in the past also used similarly tasteless and objectionable remarks against not only him but also his parents, he alleged.

Meanwhile, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav compared Bidhuri's behaviour to that of "street bullies".

The RJD leader also said that he had no hopes of action against Bidhuri since it appears that those in the BJP had the right to indulge in all types of delinquent behaviour.

"We saw the plight of award-winning female wrestlers who sat on dharnas for months.

But no action was taken against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh whom they accused of sexual harassment," Yadav alleged.

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal questioned the "silence" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on the matter.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Opposition parties on Saturday stepped up pressure on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for stringent action, including suspension, against BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri over his derogatory remarks against BSP MP Danish Ali in the House. Congress chief whip in Lok Sabha K Suresh, who was in the chair at the time of the incident, is among the leaders who have written to Birla demanding the immediate suspension of Bidhuri and that the matter be sent to the privileges committee. While the BJP had issued notice to Bidhuri after facing flak over his utterances, the party also hit back at the opposition leaders, alleging they have been making uncouth and objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his parents.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); BJP MP Nishikant urged the Speaker to form an inquiry committee to look into statements made by Ali and members from parties like the TMC and the DMK in Lok Sabha and alleged that the BSP MP made "highly objectionable" remarks against Modi that provoked the ruling party MP. Former Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb shared a video clip on X of Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan allegedly making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and asked if any opposition leader had condemned it. Speaker Birla had on Friday warned Bidhuri of "strict action" if such behaviour is repeated and his remarks were expunged from parliamentary records but the INDIA bloc parties had demanded that the matter be referred to the privileges committee of the House. As Bidhuri's remarks during a discussion on the success of Chandrayaan-3 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday triggered a furore, Ali had said that he could consider quitting the membership of the House if no step is taken. In his letter to Birla, Suresh, who is on the panel of chairpersons, said the incident has brought unfathomable shame and loss of dignity to the House. The members of the panel preside over House proceedings when both Speaker and Deputy Speaker are not present. "A Member of Parliament, behaving like a hatemonger in the hallowed halls of our democracy is a shocking aberration which must never be tolerated." ALSO READ | 'Will consider quitting House if action is not taken against Bidhuri': Danish Ali Therefore, I request that the strictest possible actions against Ramesh Biduri MP, including his suspension from the house and an express reference to the matter to the Privileges Committee be undertaken and justice is granted to Danish Ali MP, who was insulted and harassed in the Lok Sabha at the earliest," Suresh said. In his letter written to the Lok Sabha Speaker, Congress leader and former Maharashtra minister Naseem Khan demanded that Bidhuri be "permanently suspended". Bidhuri's "shameful" statement is an insult not only to the MP but also to Parliament, the "sanctum sanctorum of our democracy", he said. Speaker Birla should send a strong message by effecting immediate "permanent suspension" of Bidhuri, Khan demanded. BRS MLC in Telangana K Kavitha also urged the Lok Sabha Speaker to take stringent action in the matter. "Such behaviour has no place in our democratic discourse. I request Hon'ble Speaker Om Birla Ji to take immediate and stringent action," she said on X. Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi demanded Bidhuri's suspension. "Why has action not been taken till now? By just issuing a warning, you are telling the MPs that you can get away with such conduct," she said. DMK's Thamizhachi Thangapandian said, "When Ramesh Bidhuri made that statement, our party MP Kanimozhi stood up and registered her protest. A letter was written to the Speaker. Action needs to be taken. Prominent Muslim organisation Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind said it was the constitutional as well as moral responsibility of Speaker Birla to take action in the matter. Members of the TMC and NCP among others have written to the Speaker seeking action against Bidhuri, who represents South Delhi Lok Sabha seat. However, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey wrote to the Lok Sabha Speaker, accusing Ali of making unsavoury remarks during Bidhuri's speech in the House aimed at instigating him to lose his composure. Dubey alleged that Ali also made a "highly objectionable and blasphemous" remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He used the "neech" barb, the BJP leader claimed, saying it was more than enough for "any patriotic public representative to lose his calm and fall into his trap by uttering unsavoury words." Dubey was, however, categorical in condemning Bidhuri's comments, saying no decent society can justify them and they cannot be condemned enough. "But the Lok Sabha Speaker should also probe the unsavoury remarks and conduct of Danish Ali. Under Lok Sabha rules, obstructing another MP during the time allotted to him, speaking while sitting and giving a running commentary also call for punishment," he posted on X. In his letter, Dubey said TMC and DMK members also made comments about the faith of another community. What he has written is a verifiable fact, he claimed. If Bidhuri has committed an inappropriate act, then other members, including Ali, have also contributed to spreading enmity amongst communities. "I, therefore, request you to constitute an 'Inquiry Committee' to investigate the utterances made by various members during the said discussion and also to inquire the extent of culpability of various other members of Parliament in instigating our citizens by way of their comments made in the House," he wrote to the Speaker. BJP's Haryana in-charge Biplab Kumar Deb hit out at state Congress chief Udai Bhan for allegedly making derogatory remarks against against Modi and Khattar. He dubbed Bhan's remarks as a reflection of the "pervert mentality" of the opposition party. "Is it Rahul Gandhi's shop of love," he said. "Did any opposition leader condemn this? Has the Congress asked him to apologise," asked the BJP Rajya Sabha MP. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said Bhan has used petty and indecent words for the prime minister which cannot be condemned enough. It has caused pain and anguish among not only BJP members but also among people of the country, he said. Congress leaders have in the past also used similarly tasteless and objectionable remarks against not only him but also his parents, he alleged. Meanwhile, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav compared Bidhuri's behaviour to that of "street bullies". The RJD leader also said that he had no hopes of action against Bidhuri since it appears that those in the BJP had the right to indulge in all types of delinquent behaviour. "We saw the plight of award-winning female wrestlers who sat on dharnas for months. But no action was taken against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh whom they accused of sexual harassment," Yadav alleged. Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal questioned the "silence" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on the matter. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Shruti Kakkar By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking an audit of the source code of all Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and placing the report in the public domain.

Calling the issue sensitive, a bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra maintained that if the source code or hash code signature of EVMs is placed in the public domain, it could be misused by unscrupulous elements.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is entrusted with control over elections. Presently, the petitioner places no actionable material before this court to show that the Election Commission has acted in breach of its constitutional mandate. Placing the source code audit in the public domain intervenes with policy issues and we are not inclined to interfere in this. There is no material to show that the Election Commission is not fulfilling its mandate. Thus, we do not interfere in this petition, the court said in its order.

The order came while the bench was considering a plea filed by one Sunil Ahya, wherein it was contended that there was no formal audit report of the source code available in the public domain. Calling such audit mandatory for the survival of democracy, Ahya submitted before the bench that source code was like the brain of the EVMs.

Pleas on marital rape listed for mid-Oct

The Supreme Court on Friday said it would list pleas on the issue of marital rape for hearing in mid-October. The pleas raise the legal question of whether a husband enjoys immunity from prosecution

for the offence of rape if he forces his wife, who is not a minor, to have sex.

Petition for the survey of Shahi Eidgah binned

The top court on Friday refused to entertain a plea by Shri Krishna Janambhoomi Mukti Nirman Trust seeking a survey of the Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura to determine whether it was built on a pre-existing Hindu temple. The appeal challenging a July 10 decision of the Allahabad High Court.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking an audit of the source code of all Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and placing the report in the public domain. Calling the issue sensitive, a bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra maintained that if the source code or hash code signature of EVMs is placed in the public domain, it could be misused by unscrupulous elements. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is entrusted with control over elections. Presently, the petitioner places no actionable material before this court to show that the Election Commission has acted in breach of its constitutional mandate. Placing the source code audit in the public domain intervenes with policy issues and we are not inclined to interfere in this. There is no material to show that the Election Commission is not fulfilling its mandate. Thus, we do not interfere in this petition, the court said in its order. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The order came while the bench was considering a plea filed by one Sunil Ahya, wherein it was contended that there was no formal audit report of the source code available in the public domain. Calling such audit mandatory for the survival of democracy, Ahya submitted before the bench that source code was like the brain of the EVMs. Pleas on marital rape listed for mid-Oct The Supreme Court on Friday said it would list pleas on the issue of marital rape for hearing in mid-October. The pleas raise the legal question of whether a husband enjoys immunity from prosecution for the offence of rape if he forces his wife, who is not a minor, to have sex. Petition for the survey of Shahi Eidgah binned The top court on Friday refused to entertain a plea by Shri Krishna Janambhoomi Mukti Nirman Trust seeking a survey of the Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura to determine whether it was built on a pre-existing Hindu temple. The appeal challenging a July 10 decision of the Allahabad High Court. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar hit the ground running with the Quad meeting shortly after landing in New York on Friday morning. He was in the city to participate in the UNGA session. Had a warm discussion with Quad colleagues to start my 78th UNGA participation. Welcomed Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa. We discussed defending the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific and delivering on Quad commitments. We always value our collective contribution to doing global good, Jaishankar posted on X.

A warm discussion with Quad colleagues to start my #UNGA78 participation. Welcomed Japanese FM Yoko Kamikawa to the meeting.



Discussed defending the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific and delivering on Quad commitments.



Always value our collective pic.twitter.com/g1pDdIpQ8e  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 22, 2023

A 14-point joint statement was issued after the meeting, which spoke about the Black Sea Grain initiative, Ukraine, North Korea, Myanmar, and countering terrorism. The meeting was also attended by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The four leaders met for the first time after the diplomatic downgrade of ties between India and Canada.

It was good to join my fellow Quad foreign ministers from India, Australia and Japan on the sidelines of UNGA. The Quad is vital to our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, and together we reaffirmed our commitment to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, said Blinken after the meeting.

The joint statement made by the four ministers reaffirmed their support for the UN, the enduring importance of upholding mutually determined rules, norms and standards, and to deepen Quad cooperation in the international system.

The conversations also included Ukraine, North Korea and Myanmar. We express our deep concern over the war raging in Ukraine and mourn its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences. We underscore the need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with international law, consistent with the principles of the UN Charter. We are deeply concerned about the global food security situation and support the efforts of the UN in the resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. In the context of this war, we concur that the use, or threat of use, of nuclear weapons would be unacceptable, the joint statement read.

The ministers also condemned North Koreas launching of ballistic missile technology and its continued pursuit of nuclear weapons in violation of multiple UN Security Council Resolutions. On Myanmar, the ministers expressed concern over the political and humanitarian crisis and called for immediate cessation of violence.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar hit the ground running with the Quad meeting shortly after landing in New York on Friday morning. He was in the city to participate in the UNGA session. Had a warm discussion with Quad colleagues to start my 78th UNGA participation. Welcomed Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa. We discussed defending the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific and delivering on Quad commitments. We always value our collective contribution to doing global good, Jaishankar posted on X. A warm discussion with Quad colleagues to start my #UNGA78 participation. Welcomed Japanese FM Yoko Kamikawa to the meeting. Discussed defending the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific and delivering on Quad commitments. Always value our collective pic.twitter.com/g1pDdIpQ8e  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 22, 2023 A 14-point joint statement was issued after the meeting, which spoke about the Black Sea Grain initiative, Ukraine, North Korea, Myanmar, and countering terrorism. The meeting was also attended by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The four leaders met for the first time after the diplomatic downgrade of ties between India and Canada.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); It was good to join my fellow Quad foreign ministers from India, Australia and Japan on the sidelines of UNGA. The Quad is vital to our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, and together we reaffirmed our commitment to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, said Blinken after the meeting. The joint statement made by the four ministers reaffirmed their support for the UN, the enduring importance of upholding mutually determined rules, norms and standards, and to deepen Quad cooperation in the international system. The conversations also included Ukraine, North Korea and Myanmar. We express our deep concern over the war raging in Ukraine and mourn its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences. We underscore the need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with international law, consistent with the principles of the UN Charter. We are deeply concerned about the global food security situation and support the efforts of the UN in the resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. In the context of this war, we concur that the use, or threat of use, of nuclear weapons would be unacceptable, the joint statement read. The ministers also condemned North Koreas launching of ballistic missile technology and its continued pursuit of nuclear weapons in violation of multiple UN Security Council Resolutions. On Myanmar, the ministers expressed concern over the political and humanitarian crisis and called for immediate cessation of violence. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Preetha Nair By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: A day after the passage of the Womens Reservation Bill in Parliament, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said he regrets that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government did not provide a separate OBC quota for women when it brought the Bill in 2010.

Addressing a press meet in New Delhi, the former Congress president urged the Modi government to implement the Bill immediately and said that his party would conduct a caste census if it came to power.

Gandhi said that though his party supported the Womens Reservation Bill, it came with riders  it would be implemented only after the caste census and the delimitation process were completed.

It may take 10 years or more. I am not sure if it will be implemented even after then, he said, adding that it is a diversionary tactic to divert attention from the caste census. The truth is that the reservation can be implemented today. It is not a complicated matter. But the government doesnt want to do that, he added.

When asked if he regretted that the UPA government could not pass the Womens Reservation Bill as it did not have a separate quota for OBC women, Gandhi said, We regret that decision 100% We should have done then and we definitely will. We also did the caste census, we did not release it at that time due to some reasons, but it should be released now.

Though the Manmohan Singh-led government passed the Womens Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha in 2010, it could not pass it in the Lok Sabha as it was vehemently opposed by parties like the Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal in want of a quota within quota for OBC women.

Gandhi said that while there is no official data available on the exact percentage of the OBCs in the country, it is said to be about 50 per cent. But, he added, their representation in the decision-making was negligible. Of the 90 top officials at the secretary level, there were just three OBC officers who control only 5 per cent of the Union budget, he said.

As the Prime Minister keeps saying he is an OBC leader, I want him to explain why only three OBCs are in the Government of India. And why is the OBC community, which is the backbone of this country, responsible for only 5 per cent of the budget? Gandhi said. The BJP delays the caste census since it does not want to empower OBCs proportionate to the population, he said.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: A day after the passage of the Womens Reservation Bill in Parliament, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said he regrets that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government did not provide a separate OBC quota for women when it brought the Bill in 2010. Addressing a press meet in New Delhi, the former Congress president urged the Modi government to implement the Bill immediately and said that his party would conduct a caste census if it came to power. Gandhi said that though his party supported the Womens Reservation Bill, it came with riders  it would be implemented only after the caste census and the delimitation process were completed. It may take 10 years or more. I am not sure if it will be implemented even after then, he said, adding that it is a diversionary tactic to divert attention from the caste census. The truth is that the reservation can be implemented today. It is not a complicated matter. But the government doesnt want to do that, he added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); When asked if he regretted that the UPA government could not pass the Womens Reservation Bill as it did not have a separate quota for OBC women, Gandhi said, We regret that decision 100% We should have done then and we definitely will. We also did the caste census, we did not release it at that time due to some reasons, but it should be released now. Though the Manmohan Singh-led government passed the Womens Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha in 2010, it could not pass it in the Lok Sabha as it was vehemently opposed by parties like the Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal in want of a quota within quota for OBC women. Gandhi said that while there is no official data available on the exact percentage of the OBCs in the country, it is said to be about 50 per cent. But, he added, their representation in the decision-making was negligible. Of the 90 top officials at the secretary level, there were just three OBC officers who control only 5 per cent of the Union budget, he said. As the Prime Minister keeps saying he is an OBC leader, I want him to explain why only three OBCs are in the Government of India. And why is the OBC community, which is the backbone of this country, responsible for only 5 per cent of the budget? Gandhi said. The BJP delays the caste census since it does not want to empower OBCs proportionate to the population, he said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Rajesh Asnani By

Express News Service

JAIPUR: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has promised that women's reservation would be implemented immediately if a Congress government is formed at the Centre.

Speaking at a party workers' conference in Jaipur on Saturday, Gandhi emphasised that the entire opposition supports the idea of women's reservation and expressed his eagerness to see it put into action without any delay. In contrast, he slammed the BJP's stance claiming that the Modi dispensation intends to implement it after a decade.

While addressing the gathering, Rahul Gandhi also alleged, "The central government wanted to change the name of the country from India to just Bharat, which is why a special session of Parliament was called." He argued, "It's clearly written in the Constitution that India is Bharat." He added that when the government realised their proposal lacked public support, they introduced the Women's Reservation Bill to try and justify a special session.

Gandhi didn't stop there; he also challenged the Central Government on the issue of a caste census, stating, "Modi claims to provide participation to the OBC category but is afraid of the caste census. They are also afraid of Adani." He urged voters, "When BJP people come asking for votes, ask them why they are not conducting the caste census." He presented statistics, saying, "Today's India is run by 90 people, but out of these 90 officers, only 3 are OBCs. They have only 5 percent of India's budget."

He stressed the necessity of a caste census, saying, "Caste census is necessary to give proper representation to every class in India. This census will reveal how many people belong to which class in India." He urged, "We had conducted this census; you have the figures. Put those figures before the people of India and also get the caste census conducted in the next census. Don't insult the OBC."

In addition, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP of being anti-women and casteist, stating, "If Congress government comes in 2024, we will immediately give women reservation." He highlighted the incident where President Draupadi Murmu was not invited to the inauguration of the new Parliament building, saying, "This is an insult to the President because she is a tribal." He attacked the BJP, saying, "They talk about promoting Dalits and tribals just for the sake of saying it."

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot claimed, "When the INDIA alliance was formed, the foundations of the NDA government were shaken. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself is nervous." He alleged, "Efforts are being made to harass the Congress government through ED, CBI, and Income Tax, but now the public has come to know the truth. This is the first time that there is no visible wave of protest against any government." Gehlot expressed confidence, saying, "Congress government is being formed in Rajasthan."

Former state president and CWC member Sachin Pilot predicted that the upcoming election would break the cycle of power change in Rajasthan. He said, "In the upcoming assembly elections, the Congress government will be formed once again, and the history of 30 years will change." He noted, "Everyone is watching the BJP meetings; there are empty chairs. No one is ready to listen." He expressed hope, stating, "The people of the country will form a Congress government in Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan."

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

JAIPUR: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has promised that women's reservation would be implemented immediately if a Congress government is formed at the Centre. Speaking at a party workers' conference in Jaipur on Saturday, Gandhi emphasised that the entire opposition supports the idea of women's reservation and expressed his eagerness to see it put into action without any delay. In contrast, he slammed the BJP's stance claiming that the Modi dispensation intends to implement it after a decade. While addressing the gathering, Rahul Gandhi also alleged, "The central government wanted to change the name of the country from India to just Bharat, which is why a special session of Parliament was called." He argued, "It's clearly written in the Constitution that India is Bharat." He added that when the government realised their proposal lacked public support, they introduced the Women's Reservation Bill to try and justify a special session.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Gandhi didn't stop there; he also challenged the Central Government on the issue of a caste census, stating, "Modi claims to provide participation to the OBC category but is afraid of the caste census. They are also afraid of Adani." He urged voters, "When BJP people come asking for votes, ask them why they are not conducting the caste census." He presented statistics, saying, "Today's India is run by 90 people, but out of these 90 officers, only 3 are OBCs. They have only 5 percent of India's budget." He stressed the necessity of a caste census, saying, "Caste census is necessary to give proper representation to every class in India. This census will reveal how many people belong to which class in India." He urged, "We had conducted this census; you have the figures. Put those figures before the people of India and also get the caste census conducted in the next census. Don't insult the OBC." In addition, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP of being anti-women and casteist, stating, "If Congress government comes in 2024, we will immediately give women reservation." He highlighted the incident where President Draupadi Murmu was not invited to the inauguration of the new Parliament building, saying, "This is an insult to the President because she is a tribal." He attacked the BJP, saying, "They talk about promoting Dalits and tribals just for the sake of saying it." Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot claimed, "When the INDIA alliance was formed, the foundations of the NDA government were shaken. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself is nervous." He alleged, "Efforts are being made to harass the Congress government through ED, CBI, and Income Tax, but now the public has come to know the truth. This is the first time that there is no visible wave of protest against any government." Gehlot expressed confidence, saying, "Congress government is being formed in Rajasthan." Former state president and CWC member Sachin Pilot predicted that the upcoming election would break the cycle of power change in Rajasthan. He said, "In the upcoming assembly elections, the Congress government will be formed once again, and the history of 30 years will change." He noted, "Everyone is watching the BJP meetings; there are empty chairs. No one is ready to listen." He expressed hope, stating, "The people of the country will form a Congress government in Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan." Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, on late Friday evening, held a 50-minute closed-door meeting with UP CM Yogi Adityanath on the first day of his four-day Lucknow Pravas and discussed various issues.

According to highly-placed sources, the meeting between Bhagwat and Yogi focused on the current political scenario of the state. The sources claimed that the RSS chief discussed the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya in January next year.

Bhagwat laid stress on celebrating the consecration ceremony in temples across the country.

The sources also said that the deliberations also featured those 14 Lok Sabha seats of the state that BJP had lost in the 2019 general election. The sources said that during his stay in Lucknow, the RSS chief, besides discussing the prospects in those 14 LS seats with in-charges, will also hold separate meetings with RSS leaders of the districts under which these 14 Lok Sabha seats fall.

The RSS chief also discussed the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP)s plans to take out Shaurya Yatras between September 30 and October 15 that will cover five lakh villages across the country to connect people with the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) in Ayodhya.

Around 2,281 such yatras will be taken out by the VHPs affiliate Bajrang Dal in all prominent cities and locations across the country.

With reference to the Women Reservation Bill passed by the Parliament, the RSS chief laid stress on increasing activities of the Rastra Sevika Samiti the women's wing of the RSS and sending the message across about BJPs women-centric development model of which the womens reservation bill is a part.

In the wake of the upcoming battle of 2024, the RSS chief stressed increasing participation and appointments of the Dalit community in various organisational posts of the RSS.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

LUCKNOW: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, on late Friday evening, held a 50-minute closed-door meeting with UP CM Yogi Adityanath on the first day of his four-day Lucknow Pravas and discussed various issues. According to highly-placed sources, the meeting between Bhagwat and Yogi focused on the current political scenario of the state. The sources claimed that the RSS chief discussed the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya in January next year. Bhagwat laid stress on celebrating the consecration ceremony in temples across the country.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The sources also said that the deliberations also featured those 14 Lok Sabha seats of the state that BJP had lost in the 2019 general election. The sources said that during his stay in Lucknow, the RSS chief, besides discussing the prospects in those 14 LS seats with in-charges, will also hold separate meetings with RSS leaders of the districts under which these 14 Lok Sabha seats fall. The RSS chief also discussed the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP)s plans to take out Shaurya Yatras between September 30 and October 15 that will cover five lakh villages across the country to connect people with the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) in Ayodhya. Around 2,281 such yatras will be taken out by the VHPs affiliate Bajrang Dal in all prominent cities and locations across the country. With reference to the Women Reservation Bill passed by the Parliament, the RSS chief laid stress on increasing activities of the Rastra Sevika Samiti the women's wing of the RSS and sending the message across about BJPs women-centric development model of which the womens reservation bill is a part. In the wake of the upcoming battle of 2024, the RSS chief stressed increasing participation and appointments of the Dalit community in various organisational posts of the RSS. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- UN peacekeeping operations are confronted with a multitude of challenges, with the most significant being the division among member states, the UN peacekeeping chief said on Friday.

"Peacekeeping operations are facing a number of challenges. The biggest challenges of all is the division across our member states," Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN undersecretary-general for peace operations, told reporters during a press briefing announcing that Ghana will host the 2023 United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial in Accra on Dec. 5-6.

The presence of this division creates a distinct political landscape, one in which peacekeeping operations receive diminished political backing. More critically, it also results in reduced support for the political processes associated with each of these missions, and certainly, a lack of unanimous support, added Lacroix.

The UN peacekeeping chief stressed that "we also face other challenges resulting from the evolution of conflict, new kind of threats, the use of misinformation, disinformation, the use or the impact of the negative use of digital technology, new form of attacks against our peacekeepers, and so on and so forth."

In response to a question regarding how the division affects peacekeeping, Lacroix said it is having "a significant impact."

Considering the situation, he emphasized the necessity to enhance partnerships.

Speaking of the upcoming meeting in Accra, Lacroix said the meeting "will be mostly about not only continuing but reinforcing the very good partnership that we've had so far with our member states."

Lacroix said this is the first time that the peacekeeping ministerial level meeting will be held in Africa. "And we believe that it is an important signal due to the presence of many peacekeeping operations in the continent of Africa, but also in terms of the important contribution that many African countries" including Ghana, are bringing to peacekeeping.

According to the UN peacekeeping chief, the meeting will have two objectives -- to discuss the key challenges that are being faced by peacekeeping operations, to look at the efforts that are being made to overcome these challenges, and to adapt peacekeeping to the new environment, new political environment and security environment in which it operates.

"And the second objective, which is related to the first one, is to register pledge announcement by troop and police contributing countries, by participants, so that ... our members can continue performing their duties," he said.

On the rationale behind selecting Ghana as the meeting's host, Lacroix said it's evident that Ghana stands out as one of the largest and most steadfast proponents of peacekeeping, boasting a formidable track record as one of the leading troop-contributing nations to peacekeeping efforts. 
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Saturday took a swipe at the government over BJP Lok Sabha member Ramesh Bidhuri's derogatory remarks in the Lower House against BSP MP Danish Ali, saying the "seven-star edifice" saw the new culture of "hate" being inaugurated in Parliament.

Bidhuri's remarks targeting Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) member Danish Ali during a discussion on the success of Chandrayaan-3 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday triggered a furore, with opposition leaders calling for strict action against him.

In a post on X, Sibal mentioned the derogatory words used by Bidhuri against Danish Ali and questioned the "silence" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on the matter.

Ramesh Bidhuri (BJP) MP in Parliament called :



Danish Ali (BSP) MP :



Bhadwa (pimp)

Katwa (circumcised one)

Mullah Ugrwadi (Muslim terrorist)

Atankwadi (Terrorist)



PM : silent

HM : silent



The 7 star edifice saw the new culture of hate being inaugurated in Parliament !  Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) September 23, 2023

"The seven-star edifice saw the new culture of 'hate' being inaugurated in Parliament," Sibal said.

The proceedings of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha shifted from the old to the new Parliament building during the just-concluded session.

Bidhuri's derogatory remarks in Lok Sabha against Danish Ali triggered a massive outrage on Friday with Speaker Om Birla warning him of "strict action" if such behaviour is repeated and Ali asserting he could consider quitting the membership of the House if no step is taken.

The INDIA bloc parties rallied behind Ali, who said it was nothing less than hate speech and demanded that the matter be referred to the privileges committee of the House, even as the BJP issued a show cause notice to Bidhuri.

READ MORE | 'Unfortunate that BJP has not yet taken appropriate action': Mayawati on Bidhuri's remarks in LS

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Saturday took a swipe at the government over BJP Lok Sabha member Ramesh Bidhuri's derogatory remarks in the Lower House against BSP MP Danish Ali, saying the "seven-star edifice" saw the new culture of "hate" being inaugurated in Parliament. Bidhuri's remarks targeting Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) member Danish Ali during a discussion on the success of Chandrayaan-3 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday triggered a furore, with opposition leaders calling for strict action against him. In a post on X, Sibal mentioned the derogatory words used by Bidhuri against Danish Ali and questioned the "silence" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on the matter.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Ramesh Bidhuri (BJP) MP in Parliament called : Danish Ali (BSP) MP : Bhadwa (pimp) Katwa (circumcised one) Mullah Ugrwadi (Muslim terrorist) Atankwadi (Terrorist) PM : silent HM : silent The 7 star edifice saw the new culture of hate being inaugurated in Parliament !  Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) September 23, 2023 "The seven-star edifice saw the new culture of 'hate' being inaugurated in Parliament," Sibal said. The proceedings of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha shifted from the old to the new Parliament building during the just-concluded session. Bidhuri's derogatory remarks in Lok Sabha against Danish Ali triggered a massive outrage on Friday with Speaker Om Birla warning him of "strict action" if such behaviour is repeated and Ali asserting he could consider quitting the membership of the House if no step is taken. The INDIA bloc parties rallied behind Ali, who said it was nothing less than hate speech and demanded that the matter be referred to the privileges committee of the House, even as the BJP issued a show cause notice to Bidhuri. READ MORE | 'Unfortunate that BJP has not yet taken appropriate action': Mayawati on Bidhuri's remarks in LS Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

NEW DELHI: A high-level committee to explore the feasibility of conducting simultaneous elections, headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind, held its first meeting here on Saturday and decided to invite political parties and the Law Commission to seek their views on holding synchronised polls in the country, a statement said.

The government had, on September 2, notified the eight-member "high-level" panel to examine and make recommendations at the earliest on the issue of holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, municipalities and panchayats.

Home Minister Amit Shah, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, former leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Finance Commission chairman N K Singh, former Lok Sabha secretary general Subhash C Kashyap and former chief vigilance commissioner Sanjay Kothari attended the meeting.

Noted lawyer Harish Salve joined the meeting virtually.

The Congress's leader in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, was not present in the meeting, the statement noted.

After he was named to the committee, Chowdhury had written to Shah, "declining to serve on the committee".

"I have no hesitation whatsoever in declining to serve on the committee whose terms of reference have been prepared in a manner to guarantee its conclusions. It is, I am afraid, a total eyewash," Chowdhury had said in the letter.

PHOTO | Former President Ram Nath Kovind chaired the first meeting of the 'One Nation One Election' committee to explore the possibilities of holding simultaneous national, state, and panchayat elections across the country.



The meeting was attended by Union Home minister Amit pic.twitter.com/0nOtnA7ffR  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 23, 2023

Outlining the modalities of working of the committee, it decided to invite recognised national parties, parties having governments in states, those having their representatives in Parliament and other recognised state parties "for seeking suggestions or viewpoints on the issue of simultaneous elections in the country".

In addition, the committee will also invite the Law Commission for its suggestions and viewpoints on the issue of simultaneous elections, according to a statement issued by the law ministry.

The government notification had said the panel would make recommendations "at the earliest", but did not specify a time frame for the submission of the report.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been pitching for "one nation, one election", asserting that it will save a lot of money and resources.

In Parliament, the government has batted for holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, saying it would result in a huge saving to the public exchequer.

It also listed out the "imperatives", such as amending the Constitution and bringing all political parties on board, before carrying out the gigantic exercise.

The committee will examine and recommend specific amendments to the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act and any other laws and rules that would require amendments for the purpose of holding simultaneous elections.

It has also been tasked to suggest a framework for synchronisation of elections and "specifically suggest the phases and time-frame within which simultaneous elections may be held if they cannot be held in one go...."

It will also examine and recommend if the amendments to the Constitution would require to be ratified by the states.

Certain amendments to the Constitution require ratification by at least 50 per cent of the state assemblies.

The committee will also analyse and recommend possible solutions to scenarios such as a hung house, the adoption of a no-confidence motion or defection or any such event in case of simultaneous elections.

The panel has also been asked to recommend "necessary safeguards for ensuring the continuity of the cycle of simultaneous elections and recommend necessary amendments to the Constitution so that the cycle of simultaneous elections is not disturbed".

The issue of logistics is also on the agenda of the panel as the massive exercise would require an additional number of electronic voting machines (EVMs), paper-trail machines and polling and security personnel.

It will also examine and recommend the modalities of the use of a single electoral roll and electoral identity cards for identification of voters in elections to the Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies, municipalities and panchayats.

A parliamentary committee had recently said a common electoral roll will help reduce expenses and prevent manpower from being deployed for work on which another agency is already working.

While the Election Commission (EC) is mandated to hold the parliamentary and Assembly polls, the state election commissions (SECs) hold the local body elections.

The EC and the SEC are separate bodies under the Constitution with a fixed mandate.

The original proposal was for simultaneous elections to all three tiers of democracy -- Lok Sabha (543 MPs), Vidhan Sabha (4,120 MLAs) and panchayats and municipalities (30 lakh members).

The notification pointed out that the elections to the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies were mostly held simultaneously from 1951-52 to 1967, after which the cycle got broken and now, elections are held almost every year and within a year at different times, which result in a massive expenditure by the government and the other stakeholders.

It also leads to a diversion of security forces and other officers engaged in elections from their primary duties for significantly prolonged periods.

Frequent polls, it said, disrupt developmental work on account of a prolonged application of the Model Code of Conduct.

Top law ministry officials had recently briefed Kovind on the panel's terms of reference.

Shah and Meghwal had also met Kovind after the panel was notified.

Sources had described their meeting with Kovind as a "courtesy call".

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: A high-level committee to explore the feasibility of conducting simultaneous elections, headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind, held its first meeting here on Saturday and decided to invite political parties and the Law Commission to seek their views on holding synchronised polls in the country, a statement said. The government had, on September 2, notified the eight-member "high-level" panel to examine and make recommendations at the earliest on the issue of holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, municipalities and panchayats. Home Minister Amit Shah, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, former leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Finance Commission chairman N K Singh, former Lok Sabha secretary general Subhash C Kashyap and former chief vigilance commissioner Sanjay Kothari attended the meeting.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Noted lawyer Harish Salve joined the meeting virtually. The Congress's leader in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, was not present in the meeting, the statement noted. After he was named to the committee, Chowdhury had written to Shah, "declining to serve on the committee". "I have no hesitation whatsoever in declining to serve on the committee whose terms of reference have been prepared in a manner to guarantee its conclusions. It is, I am afraid, a total eyewash," Chowdhury had said in the letter. PHOTO | Former President Ram Nath Kovind chaired the first meeting of the 'One Nation One Election' committee to explore the possibilities of holding simultaneous national, state, and panchayat elections across the country. The meeting was attended by Union Home minister Amit pic.twitter.com/0nOtnA7ffR  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 23, 2023 Outlining the modalities of working of the committee, it decided to invite recognised national parties, parties having governments in states, those having their representatives in Parliament and other recognised state parties "for seeking suggestions or viewpoints on the issue of simultaneous elections in the country". In addition, the committee will also invite the Law Commission for its suggestions and viewpoints on the issue of simultaneous elections, according to a statement issued by the law ministry. The government notification had said the panel would make recommendations "at the earliest", but did not specify a time frame for the submission of the report. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been pitching for "one nation, one election", asserting that it will save a lot of money and resources. In Parliament, the government has batted for holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, saying it would result in a huge saving to the public exchequer. It also listed out the "imperatives", such as amending the Constitution and bringing all political parties on board, before carrying out the gigantic exercise. The committee will examine and recommend specific amendments to the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act and any other laws and rules that would require amendments for the purpose of holding simultaneous elections. It has also been tasked to suggest a framework for synchronisation of elections and "specifically suggest the phases and time-frame within which simultaneous elections may be held if they cannot be held in one go...." It will also examine and recommend if the amendments to the Constitution would require to be ratified by the states. Certain amendments to the Constitution require ratification by at least 50 per cent of the state assemblies. The committee will also analyse and recommend possible solutions to scenarios such as a hung house, the adoption of a no-confidence motion or defection or any such event in case of simultaneous elections. The panel has also been asked to recommend "necessary safeguards for ensuring the continuity of the cycle of simultaneous elections and recommend necessary amendments to the Constitution so that the cycle of simultaneous elections is not disturbed". The issue of logistics is also on the agenda of the panel as the massive exercise would require an additional number of electronic voting machines (EVMs), paper-trail machines and polling and security personnel. It will also examine and recommend the modalities of the use of a single electoral roll and electoral identity cards for identification of voters in elections to the Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies, municipalities and panchayats. A parliamentary committee had recently said a common electoral roll will help reduce expenses and prevent manpower from being deployed for work on which another agency is already working. While the Election Commission (EC) is mandated to hold the parliamentary and Assembly polls, the state election commissions (SECs) hold the local body elections. The EC and the SEC are separate bodies under the Constitution with a fixed mandate. The original proposal was for simultaneous elections to all three tiers of democracy -- Lok Sabha (543 MPs), Vidhan Sabha (4,120 MLAs) and panchayats and municipalities (30 lakh members). The notification pointed out that the elections to the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies were mostly held simultaneously from 1951-52 to 1967, after which the cycle got broken and now, elections are held almost every year and within a year at different times, which result in a massive expenditure by the government and the other stakeholders. It also leads to a diversion of security forces and other officers engaged in elections from their primary duties for significantly prolonged periods. Frequent polls, it said, disrupt developmental work on account of a prolonged application of the Model Code of Conduct. Top law ministry officials had recently briefed Kovind on the panel's terms of reference. Shah and Meghwal had also met Kovind after the panel was notified. Sources had described their meeting with Kovind as a "courtesy call". Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Harpreet Bajwa By

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: Amid the ongoing face-off between India and Canada, Punjab politicians across party lines have slammed Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his remarks targeting India, but at the same time, asked the Union government to resolve the matter keeping in mind the Indian students who go to Canada on a study visa.

Most of these students are from Punjab. Besides, there are thousands of Punjabis who have taken up Canadian citizenship. Vikramjit Singh Sahney, AAPs Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, said he believed dialogue was the only way forward for every diplomatic problem.

Sahney expressed deep concern over Trudeaus claims targeting the Indian government over the killing of a Khalistani terrorist. Instead of issuing a public statement and sending back a senior Indian diplomat, Trudeau should have initiated a dialogue with India on his doubts about Indias alleged interference on Canadian soil, he said.

However, Sahney said shutting down visa issuance was not a prudent step. There are thousands of Punjabis living in Canada; one wrong step and they will have to face the collateral damage. A vast majority of Canadian Sikhs are pro-India and cannot be blamed for acts of a handful of fundamentalists, he said.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal appealed to Home Minister Amit Shah to take necessary steps to ensure a quick resolution of the dispute with Canada. Punjabis are in a state of panic due to deteriorating relations between the two countries, he said and made a similar appeal to the Canadian government. There is a sense of panic and both governments should quickly find a solution to the crisis, he said.

Badal also expressed deep concern over the suspension of visa services for Canadian nationals to India, saying it affected lakhs of Punjabis living overseas, including nationals of Indian origin as well as students. This is set to create hurdles, uncertainty, and anxiety for Punjabis, he said.

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said the decision to suspend visa services will badly impact Punjabis who have now taken Canadian citizenship. A large number of Indian-origin Canadians have families back home. There are elderly parents and siblings whom they visit during the festival season. I appeal to the Ministry of External Affairs to resolve the issue at the earliest, he said.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

CHANDIGARH: Amid the ongoing face-off between India and Canada, Punjab politicians across party lines have slammed Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his remarks targeting India, but at the same time, asked the Union government to resolve the matter keeping in mind the Indian students who go to Canada on a study visa. Most of these students are from Punjab. Besides, there are thousands of Punjabis who have taken up Canadian citizenship. Vikramjit Singh Sahney, AAPs Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, said he believed dialogue was the only way forward for every diplomatic problem. Sahney expressed deep concern over Trudeaus claims targeting the Indian government over the killing of a Khalistani terrorist. Instead of issuing a public statement and sending back a senior Indian diplomat, Trudeau should have initiated a dialogue with India on his doubts about Indias alleged interference on Canadian soil, he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); However, Sahney said shutting down visa issuance was not a prudent step. There are thousands of Punjabis living in Canada; one wrong step and they will have to face the collateral damage. A vast majority of Canadian Sikhs are pro-India and cannot be blamed for acts of a handful of fundamentalists, he said. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal appealed to Home Minister Amit Shah to take necessary steps to ensure a quick resolution of the dispute with Canada. Punjabis are in a state of panic due to deteriorating relations between the two countries, he said and made a similar appeal to the Canadian government. There is a sense of panic and both governments should quickly find a solution to the crisis, he said. Badal also expressed deep concern over the suspension of visa services for Canadian nationals to India, saying it affected lakhs of Punjabis living overseas, including nationals of Indian origin as well as students. This is set to create hurdles, uncertainty, and anxiety for Punjabis, he said. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said the decision to suspend visa services will badly impact Punjabis who have now taken Canadian citizenship. A large number of Indian-origin Canadians have families back home. There are elderly parents and siblings whom they visit during the festival season. I appeal to the Ministry of External Affairs to resolve the issue at the earliest, he said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

Police officer arrested for alleged links with LeT

Deputy Superintendent of Police Sheikh Aadil was arrested in Srinagar on multiple charges, including his alleged links with a LeT operative, and corruption. The officer is accused of helping the LeT operative to evade arrest and attempting to implicate a police officer who was investigating him. Sources say phone analysis of the accused revealed that he was in constant touch with Aadil, who was guiding him on how to circumvent the law. The Deputy SP has been booked under various sections including 167 ( public servant framing an incorrect document with intent to cause injury), among others.

L-G administration to unveil start-up policy

The Lt Governor administration in Jammu and Kashmir will be unveiling the J&K start-up policy next month. The policy will provide a roadmap for nurturing innovation, creating jobs and driving economic growth in the UT. It will ensure market access, and suitable infrastructure and help entrepreneurs in their businesses. According to officials, 529 start-ups in J&K have been registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) from January 2016 to March 2023, signifying a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in the UT.

1st IAF show in Jammu drew a huge response

The Indian Air Force held a first-of-its-kind air show in Jammu. The air show was held by the IAF and J&K government to mark the 76th year of the accession of J&K into the Indian Union and the Diamond Jubilee of Air Force Station Jammu. The IAF Air Warrior Drill Team (AWDT), Aakashganga Daredevil Skydiving Team, Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT), Mi-17 1V Helicopters and the Air Force Band participated in the two-day marquee event. The event began with a free display by Akashganga Daredevil Skydiving Team, who dived with the Indian Flag and the IAF flag, enthralling a huge audience.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

Police officer arrested for alleged links with LeT Deputy Superintendent of Police Sheikh Aadil was arrested in Srinagar on multiple charges, including his alleged links with a LeT operative, and corruption. The officer is accused of helping the LeT operative to evade arrest and attempting to implicate a police officer who was investigating him. Sources say phone analysis of the accused revealed that he was in constant touch with Aadil, who was guiding him on how to circumvent the law. The Deputy SP has been booked under various sections including 167 ( public servant framing an incorrect document with intent to cause injury), among others. L-G administration to unveil start-up policygoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Lt Governor administration in Jammu and Kashmir will be unveiling the J&K start-up policy next month. The policy will provide a roadmap for nurturing innovation, creating jobs and driving economic growth in the UT. It will ensure market access, and suitable infrastructure and help entrepreneurs in their businesses. According to officials, 529 start-ups in J&K have been registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) from January 2016 to March 2023, signifying a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in the UT. 1st IAF show in Jammu drew a huge response The Indian Air Force held a first-of-its-kind air show in Jammu. The air show was held by the IAF and J&K government to mark the 76th year of the accession of J&K into the Indian Union and the Diamond Jubilee of Air Force Station Jammu. The IAF Air Warrior Drill Team (AWDT), Aakashganga Daredevil Skydiving Team, Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT), Mi-17 1V Helicopters and the Air Force Band participated in the two-day marquee event. The event began with a free display by Akashganga Daredevil Skydiving Team, who dived with the Indian Flag and the IAF flag, enthralling a huge audience. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: Three weeks after the 40-year-old woman constable was brutally assaulted by unidentified miscreants on the Saryu Express train, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force and Ayodhya Police, in a joint operation, gunned down the prime accused and arrested two of his associates following an encounter in Ayodhya on Friday.

Three cops, including the station officer of Purakalandar police station Ratan Sharma, were also injured in the exchange of fire. While the deceased was identified as Anis Khan, the two accused arrested included Azad and Vishambhar Dayal Dubey. The duo suffered bullet injuries and are under treatment at a hospital in Ayodhya. The encounter between the police force and the accused took place at Chhitarva Para Kail Road under the Purakalander police station area of Ayodhya.

Meanwhile, special director general (law and order) Prashant Kumar announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for the Ayodhya police team for finding the accused. A woman constable was found lying under a berth in a pool of blood with deep cuts on her face and other parts of the body and dishevelled clothes in the general compartment onboard Saryu Express running between Mankapur and Prayagraj on August 30.

The Railway Police personnel rushed her to Shri Ram Hospital in Ayodhya from where she was referred to Lucknow Trauma Centre. However, after the medical examination, sexual assault of the police personnel was ruled out.

According to Ayodhya Superintendent of Police Raj Karan Nayyar, the police got a tip-off, after which a photograph was shown to the victim. The police started working out the case and identified the accused on the basis of the statement given by the injured constable who is convalescing at Lucknow Trauma Centre.

Ayodhya tightens security

Uttar Pradesh Special Security Force took over security of the red zone of the Ram Janmabhoomi replacing the Provincial Armed Constabulary personnel in Ayodhya. Eight companies of the UPSSF were deployed in the red zone of the campus on Thursday.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

LUCKNOW: Three weeks after the 40-year-old woman constable was brutally assaulted by unidentified miscreants on the Saryu Express train, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force and Ayodhya Police, in a joint operation, gunned down the prime accused and arrested two of his associates following an encounter in Ayodhya on Friday. Three cops, including the station officer of Purakalandar police station Ratan Sharma, were also injured in the exchange of fire. While the deceased was identified as Anis Khan, the two accused arrested included Azad and Vishambhar Dayal Dubey. The duo suffered bullet injuries and are under treatment at a hospital in Ayodhya. The encounter between the police force and the accused took place at Chhitarva Para Kail Road under the Purakalander police station area of Ayodhya. Meanwhile, special director general (law and order) Prashant Kumar announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for the Ayodhya police team for finding the accused. A woman constable was found lying under a berth in a pool of blood with deep cuts on her face and other parts of the body and dishevelled clothes in the general compartment onboard Saryu Express running between Mankapur and Prayagraj on August 30. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Railway Police personnel rushed her to Shri Ram Hospital in Ayodhya from where she was referred to Lucknow Trauma Centre. However, after the medical examination, sexual assault of the police personnel was ruled out. According to Ayodhya Superintendent of Police Raj Karan Nayyar, the police got a tip-off, after which a photograph was shown to the victim. The police started working out the case and identified the accused on the basis of the statement given by the injured constable who is convalescing at Lucknow Trauma Centre. Ayodhya tightens security Uttar Pradesh Special Security Force took over security of the red zone of the Ram Janmabhoomi replacing the Provincial Armed Constabulary personnel in Ayodhya. Eight companies of the UPSSF were deployed in the red zone of the campus on Thursday. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

NEW YORK: The US is deeply concerned about the allegations raised by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against India on the killing of a Khalistani separatist in Canada, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said and Washington was "closely coordinating" with Ottawa on the issue and wants to see "accountability" in the case.

Speaking at a press conference here on Friday, Blinken said the US has engaged directly with the Indian government on the issue and the most productive thing would be the completion of this investigation.

"Let me say a few things about this. First, we are deeply concerned about the allegations that Prime Minister Trudeau has raised," the top US diplomat said in response to a question on Trudeau's allegations against India.

Trudeau said in the Canadian Parliament earlier this week that "Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and the killing" of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia.

"We have been consulting throughout very closely with our Canadian colleagues and not just consulting, coordinating with them on this issue. And from our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceed, and it would be important that India work with the Canadians on this investigation. We want to see accountability, and it's important that the investigation run its course and lead to that result,' Blinken said.

The top US diplomat was also asked about reports that President Joe Biden brought the issue up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally.

ALSO READ | Canada shared intelligence on Nijjar's killing with India weeks ago, says PM Trudeau

"I'm not going to characterise or otherwise speak to diplomatic conversations that we have," Blinken said.

"We've been engaged directly with the Indian government as well. And again, I think the most productive thing that can happen now is to see this investigation move forward and be completed. And we would hope that our Indian friends would cooperate with that investigation as well," he added.

"More broadly and you've heard me speak to this we are extremely vigilant about any instances of alleged transnational repression, something we take very, very seriously. And I think it's important more broadly for the international system that any country that might consider engaging in such acts not do so. So it's something that we're also focused on in a much broader way," he further said.

Nijjar, 45, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was one of India's most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head and was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia on June 18.

Tensions flared between India and Canada early this week following Trudeau's explosive allegations.

India angrily rejected the allegations as "absurd" and "motivated", and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

While Canada hasn't yet provided any public evidence to back its claims, a media report citing Canadian government sources said that Ottawa's allegations are based on both human and signals intelligence and inputs from an ally the Five Eye intelligence network.

READ MORE | Why India Fears Khalistan Movement and how Canada became embroiled in a diplomatic spat

The Five Eyes network is an intelligence alliance consisting of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

The Canadian government has amassed both human and signals intelligence in a months-long investigation of the Sikh man's death that has inflamed relations with India, CBC News, a division of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, reported on Thursday quoting sources.

That intelligence includes communications involving Indian officials themselves, including Indian diplomats present in Canada, according to Canadian government sources.

Prime Minister Trudeau on Thursday said Canada is not looking to "provoke or cause problems" with India as he urged New Delhi to take the matter "extremely seriously" and work with Ottawa to "uncover the truth".

India asked Canada to come down hard terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its soil and suspended visa services for Canadians.

India also asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic staff in the country, arguing that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalence in the mutual diplomatic presence.

The size of Canadian diplomatic staff in India is larger than what New Delhi has in Canada.

The India-Canada ties had been reeling under some strain for the last few months in view of increasing activities of the pro-Khalistani elements in the North American country.

India believes the Trudeau government is not addressing its genuine concerns.

READ MORE | Trudeau repeats allegations, says he's not looking to 'provoke', urges India to work with Canada to uncover truth

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW YORK: The US is deeply concerned about the allegations raised by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against India on the killing of a Khalistani separatist in Canada, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said and Washington was "closely coordinating" with Ottawa on the issue and wants to see "accountability" in the case. Speaking at a press conference here on Friday, Blinken said the US has engaged directly with the Indian government on the issue and the most productive thing would be the completion of this investigation. "Let me say a few things about this. First, we are deeply concerned about the allegations that Prime Minister Trudeau has raised," the top US diplomat said in response to a question on Trudeau's allegations against India.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Trudeau said in the Canadian Parliament earlier this week that "Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and the killing" of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia. "We have been consulting throughout very closely with our Canadian colleagues and not just consulting, coordinating with them on this issue. And from our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceed, and it would be important that India work with the Canadians on this investigation. We want to see accountability, and it's important that the investigation run its course and lead to that result,' Blinken said. The top US diplomat was also asked about reports that President Joe Biden brought the issue up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally. ALSO READ | Canada shared intelligence on Nijjar's killing with India weeks ago, says PM Trudeau "I'm not going to characterise or otherwise speak to diplomatic conversations that we have," Blinken said. "We've been engaged directly with the Indian government as well. And again, I think the most productive thing that can happen now is to see this investigation move forward and be completed. And we would hope that our Indian friends would cooperate with that investigation as well," he added. "More broadly and you've heard me speak to this we are extremely vigilant about any instances of alleged transnational repression, something we take very, very seriously. And I think it's important more broadly for the international system that any country that might consider engaging in such acts not do so. So it's something that we're also focused on in a much broader way," he further said. Nijjar, 45, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was one of India's most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head and was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia on June 18. Tensions flared between India and Canada early this week following Trudeau's explosive allegations. India angrily rejected the allegations as "absurd" and "motivated", and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case. While Canada hasn't yet provided any public evidence to back its claims, a media report citing Canadian government sources said that Ottawa's allegations are based on both human and signals intelligence and inputs from an ally the Five Eye intelligence network. READ MORE | Why India Fears Khalistan Movement and how Canada became embroiled in a diplomatic spat The Five Eyes network is an intelligence alliance consisting of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. The Canadian government has amassed both human and signals intelligence in a months-long investigation of the Sikh man's death that has inflamed relations with India, CBC News, a division of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, reported on Thursday quoting sources. That intelligence includes communications involving Indian officials themselves, including Indian diplomats present in Canada, according to Canadian government sources. Prime Minister Trudeau on Thursday said Canada is not looking to "provoke or cause problems" with India as he urged New Delhi to take the matter "extremely seriously" and work with Ottawa to "uncover the truth". India asked Canada to come down hard terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its soil and suspended visa services for Canadians. India also asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic staff in the country, arguing that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalence in the mutual diplomatic presence. The size of Canadian diplomatic staff in India is larger than what New Delhi has in Canada. The India-Canada ties had been reeling under some strain for the last few months in view of increasing activities of the pro-Khalistani elements in the North American country. India believes the Trudeau government is not addressing its genuine concerns. READ MORE | Trudeau repeats allegations, says he's not looking to 'provoke', urges India to work with Canada to uncover truth Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Expressing its concerns over "a sense of complacency" within the Union Health Ministry and the centre in implementing the TB elimination programme, a parliamentary panel has said that the shifting of responsibility to non-governmental organisations "eventually may impede the overall progress" of TB eradication programme.

In its 149th report in Parliament, the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare said it believes that the task at hand is enormous and time is short to meet the End TB target by 2025.

India has set the target of eliminating TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global deadline of 2030.

As the government is working in mission mode, the Committee recommended that robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms be implemented to track progress towards TB elimination goals, it added.

Appreciating the immense potential of the Ni-Akshay Mitra Initiative in enhancing TB control efforts in India and alleviating the 58 socio-economic burdens of TB disease, the Committee, however, said that the adoption of TB patients under Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PMTBMBA) to eradicate TB by 2025, the Ni-Akshay adoption model cannot be considered as the mainstay to fight against TB.

The Committee further expresses its concerns over a sense of complacency within the Ministry and the Government organisation responsible for implementing the TB elimination programme due to a shift in their responsibility to non-governmental organisations, which eventually may impede the overall progress, it added.

It thus suggested that the government establish a robust selection process for Ni-Akshay Mitra and implement effective monitoring mechanisms to ensure their diligent fulfilment of responsibilities.

Under the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative, which was launched by President Droupadi Murmu last year, community support is provided to TB patients so that they can be adopted and cared for by an individual, elected representatives or institutions.

As per WHO Global TB Report 2022, around one-quarter of the worlds population  two billion - is latently infected with TB, and it is the 13th leading cause of death and the second leading infectious killer after COVID-19. India contributes approximately one-fourth of the international cases, roughly 25 lakhs out of 1.05 crores globally.

The panel said that over the last five years, TB disease has been more commonly seen in the age groups of 15-24 years and 25-34 years than in other age groups.

As the health of the young population is central to the nation's health, it suggested a robust population-based approach be worked out to address their socio-economic conditions, healthy lifestyle and preventive strategies to have a holistic approach to the TB elimination drive.

The Committee believes that as the health of the young population is central to the nation's health, a robust population-based approach should be worked out to address their socio-economic conditions, healthy lifestyle and preventive strategies to have a holistic approach to the TB elimination drive.

It also said that it is imperative to conduct a survey on the financial impact of TB in India, which would give a realistic picture of socio-economic status as well as the financial burden of TB disease on a family. Such surveys can also be combined with other health surveys on a national level to assess the catastrophic costs related to TB disease. The government may also explore avenues to integrate such surveys with the Ni-kshay portal.

Keeping in view the large population of India and the target of achieving TB elimination by 2025, the panel suggested that there is a need to significantly increase the rate of TB case finding by taking various steps, including aggressive use of X-rays for faster and confirming TB diagnosis; scaling up molecular laboratories to block levels; and holistic implementation of intensified case finding in OPDs of all healthcare facilities.

It also suggested contact tracing, involvement of the private sector and an increase in awareness programmes.

In view of higher prices of anti-TB drugs, the Committee suggested that the government may collaborate with pharmaceutical companies to negotiate prices for TB drugs through bulk purchasing or licensing agreements.

It said that it has come to their notice that some drugs used for treating Drug-Resistant TB are still unavailable to private practitioners and recommended establishing an arrangement with fixed accountability to maintain a regular supply of quality TB medications to all parts of the country.

Moreover, the government may encourage the domestic production of generic TB drugs with infrastructural support, streamlined regulatory processes, and tax incentives to reduce dependency on imported medicines, it added.

The Committee also pushed for newly developed skin tests to be utilised extensively for TB preventive treatment and conducted for close contact with TB patients and risk groups like diabetes, alcoholics, etc. The validation of this test for children less than 18 years old may be expedited so that the TB preventive treatment may be given at the infection level itself.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Expressing its concerns over "a sense of complacency" within the Union Health Ministry and the centre in implementing the TB elimination programme, a parliamentary panel has said that the shifting of responsibility to non-governmental organisations "eventually may impede the overall progress" of TB eradication programme. In its 149th report in Parliament, the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare said it believes that the task at hand is enormous and time is short to meet the End TB target by 2025. India has set the target of eliminating TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global deadline of 2030.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); As the government is working in mission mode, the Committee recommended that robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms be implemented to track progress towards TB elimination goals, it added. Appreciating the immense potential of the Ni-Akshay Mitra Initiative in enhancing TB control efforts in India and alleviating the 58 socio-economic burdens of TB disease, the Committee, however, said that the adoption of TB patients under Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PMTBMBA) to eradicate TB by 2025, the Ni-Akshay adoption model cannot be considered as the mainstay to fight against TB. The Committee further expresses its concerns over a sense of complacency within the Ministry and the Government organisation responsible for implementing the TB elimination programme due to a shift in their responsibility to non-governmental organisations, which eventually may impede the overall progress, it added. It thus suggested that the government establish a robust selection process for Ni-Akshay Mitra and implement effective monitoring mechanisms to ensure their diligent fulfilment of responsibilities. Under the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative, which was launched by President Droupadi Murmu last year, community support is provided to TB patients so that they can be adopted and cared for by an individual, elected representatives or institutions. As per WHO Global TB Report 2022, around one-quarter of the worlds population  two billion - is latently infected with TB, and it is the 13th leading cause of death and the second leading infectious killer after COVID-19. India contributes approximately one-fourth of the international cases, roughly 25 lakhs out of 1.05 crores globally. The panel said that over the last five years, TB disease has been more commonly seen in the age groups of 15-24 years and 25-34 years than in other age groups. As the health of the young population is central to the nation's health, it suggested a robust population-based approach be worked out to address their socio-economic conditions, healthy lifestyle and preventive strategies to have a holistic approach to the TB elimination drive. The Committee believes that as the health of the young population is central to the nation's health, a robust population-based approach should be worked out to address their socio-economic conditions, healthy lifestyle and preventive strategies to have a holistic approach to the TB elimination drive. It also said that it is imperative to conduct a survey on the financial impact of TB in India, which would give a realistic picture of socio-economic status as well as the financial burden of TB disease on a family. Such surveys can also be combined with other health surveys on a national level to assess the catastrophic costs related to TB disease. The government may also explore avenues to integrate such surveys with the Ni-kshay portal. Keeping in view the large population of India and the target of achieving TB elimination by 2025, the panel suggested that there is a need to significantly increase the rate of TB case finding by taking various steps, including aggressive use of X-rays for faster and confirming TB diagnosis; scaling up molecular laboratories to block levels; and holistic implementation of intensified case finding in OPDs of all healthcare facilities. It also suggested contact tracing, involvement of the private sector and an increase in awareness programmes. In view of higher prices of anti-TB drugs, the Committee suggested that the government may collaborate with pharmaceutical companies to negotiate prices for TB drugs through bulk purchasing or licensing agreements. It said that it has come to their notice that some drugs used for treating Drug-Resistant TB are still unavailable to private practitioners and recommended establishing an arrangement with fixed accountability to maintain a regular supply of quality TB medications to all parts of the country. Moreover, the government may encourage the domestic production of generic TB drugs with infrastructural support, streamlined regulatory processes, and tax incentives to reduce dependency on imported medicines, it added. The Committee also pushed for newly developed skin tests to be utilised extensively for TB preventive treatment and conducted for close contact with TB patients and risk groups like diabetes, alcoholics, etc. The validation of this test for children less than 18 years old may be expedited so that the TB preventive treatment may be given at the infection level itself. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Prabhu Chawla By

The abacus of aspiration enumerates the formula of ambition. Numbers tell taller stories than politicians speaking about their track record. But nailing the narrative is the problem. Last week, parliament created history by passing the 128th amendment to Indias 63-year-old Constitution in less than 24 hours. But the power of politics is in nuances, not demagoguery. For over four decades, Indias gentler sex has been promised one-third reservation in the Lok Sabha and assemblies, giving them more numerical political power going by the rhetoric.

But does power lie in numbers or the final count? The current share of women in the power matrix tells a sad story. In spite of there being enough of them in every walk of life, from politics to corporates, their representation is disproportionate to males, although female literacy rate in 2021 was at 91.95 percent. Patriarchy calls the shots. All the three pillars of Indian democracylegislature, executive and judiciaryare dominated by gents. Women in India have been denied access and entry, which they deserve, to the rooms with power. For them, roaming up and down the corridors of power has been the only badge of honour.

The tone for the marginalisation of women in public life was set after the Congress party came to power in 1947. All of Indias fourteen prime ministers have pontificated about empowering the fairer sex, but none of them endowed major political or executive responsibilities on their female colleagues. Surprisingly, even the liberal Jawaharlal Nehru couldnt find enough women ministers. Never since independence have women got even a 20 percent share in the Cabinet. The number of female Union ministers rarely crossed the half-a-dozen mark; even in the largest Cabinet of 34 ministers headed by Vajpayee, there were just two.

Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur was Indias first female Cabinet-rank minister. But during his second term, Nehru didn't entrust women with Cabinet posts; only Lakshmi Menon was made deputy minister for external affairs. Lal Bahadur Shastri and later Indira Gandhi did not accommodate enough women ministers. They created the junior-most post of deputy minister to accommodate favourites. During 1962-67, there were just five women in the Council of Ministers and they held insignificant portfolios. When Indira returned to power in 1967 with a reduced majority she didnt appoint a single woman to the Union Cabinet; there was one minister of state and two deputy ministers. Even after she romped home for the third time in 1972 with a two-thirds majority, she stuck to the three-woman formula of junior ministers, including Nandini Satpathy.

When she lost in 1977, luck didnt smile on the gentle sex. Morarji Desai added only four women as ministers of state without important portfolios. However, when Indira returned to South Block again in 1980 with over 350 seats, her heavy dependence on male colleagues was evidentshe picked only three women ministers of state, including Sheila Kaul, a relative. However, it was Rajiv Gandhi who tried to break the glass ceiling; of his 401 MPs, twelve women were in the Council of Ministers. Still, not one held Cabinet rank. Only Kaul got independent charge of education and culture.

During 1989-91, women lost their political clout in the House. Both V P Singh and Chandra Shekhar, billed as messiahs of social justice, gave poor representation to women MPs in their governments. Singh appointed a minister of state and a deputy Minister. It was P V Narasimha Rao, the accidental prime minister, who holds the record of appointing women ministers, with a dozen of them in his council, and was the second PM to have a woman Cabinet minister. Among his twelve female colleagues, Sheila Kaul was the second Cabinet-rank woman minister; a rare event after 40 years. However, Rao didnt believe that women could handle sensitive and important portfolios like finance, defence, home, HRD, commerce or finance.

Congress puppets H D Deve Gowda and I K Gujral lacked the clout to choose their Cabinets. The only prominent female minister in the Vajpayee government with full Cabinet rank was Sushma Swaraj in 1998. In his second term, the number of women went up to eleven, with three Cabinet ministers. But men got the best jobs.

Manmohan Singh, despite his partys commitment to womens reservation, chose only two women Cabinet ministers in 2004Ambika Soni and Meira Kumarwhile the eight female ministers of state received insignificant portfolios. Singh broke records at some point during his second term with fifteen women ministers, with five given Cabinet ranks. Again, none of them held finance or strategic portfolios, except ally Mamata Banerjee, who ran railways.

The situation improved radically when Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014. He inducted ten female ministers and set a record by appointing Sushma Swaraj as India's first female external affairs minister and Nirmala Sitharaman as a minister of state with independent charge of the commerce ministry. Smriti Irani was made the first Cabinet-rank woman HRD minister since independence. Modi raised the bar later by appointing Sitharaman first as defence minister and then finance. During his second term, the number of women with Cabinet rank is two, while their total number is eleven.

Now the states. Since 1947, India has had only fourteen women chief ministers as against 350 male CMs. It was the Congress which chose the first woman CMSucheta Kripalani of Uttar Pradesh in 1963. Since then it has had just five women CMs and the BJP one less. The remaining six have been from regional parties. In fact, the smaller parties have had more women CMs than the national outfits.

ALSO READ | Attacks on NRIs put US economy at risk

Since the Male Club has always headed the states and political parties, membership was restricted by gender to lead the executive. As of now, only three women are chief secretaries of states out of a total thirty-six. Less than half a dozen ladies head state police forces. Not a single woman has ever become director of CBI, ED, IB and other agencies. No feminine touch at the top of the Election Commission, armed forces, Supreme Court or RBI either. Hardly a dozen women are CEOs of the 200-odd public sector companies. Not a single cabinet secretary, defence secretary, home secretary, or finance secretary has belonged to the fairer sex till now.

Just raising the female numbers in legislatures isnt going to empower Indias womenfolk. In political hierarchy they still yield to the male whip, not wield it. A numerically enhanced status could remain only symbolic if the spirit is not followed. The system needs a calculated institutional and structural transfer of power from men to women in policy making. Numbers proverbially speak for themselves, but silence will speak louder if the roar of reform emerges from only the throat of paper tigresses in the chauvinistic jungle of politics.

CLICK THIS LINK TO READ MORE COLUMNS BY PRABHU CHAWLA

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

The abacus of aspiration enumerates the formula of ambition. Numbers tell taller stories than politicians speaking about their track record. But nailing the narrative is the problem. Last week, parliament created history by passing the 128th amendment to Indias 63-year-old Constitution in less than 24 hours. But the power of politics is in nuances, not demagoguery. For over four decades, Indias gentler sex has been promised one-third reservation in the Lok Sabha and assemblies, giving them more numerical political power going by the rhetoric. But does power lie in numbers or the final count? The current share of women in the power matrix tells a sad story. In spite of there being enough of them in every walk of life, from politics to corporates, their representation is disproportionate to males, although female literacy rate in 2021 was at 91.95 percent. Patriarchy calls the shots. All the three pillars of Indian democracylegislature, executive and judiciaryare dominated by gents. Women in India have been denied access and entry, which they deserve, to the rooms with power. For them, roaming up and down the corridors of power has been the only badge of honour. The tone for the marginalisation of women in public life was set after the Congress party came to power in 1947. All of Indias fourteen prime ministers have pontificated about empowering the fairer sex, but none of them endowed major political or executive responsibilities on their female colleagues. Surprisingly, even the liberal Jawaharlal Nehru couldnt find enough women ministers. Never since independence have women got even a 20 percent share in the Cabinet. The number of female Union ministers rarely crossed the half-a-dozen mark; even in the largest Cabinet of 34 ministers headed by Vajpayee, there were just two.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur was Indias first female Cabinet-rank minister. But during his second term, Nehru didn't entrust women with Cabinet posts; only Lakshmi Menon was made deputy minister for external affairs. Lal Bahadur Shastri and later Indira Gandhi did not accommodate enough women ministers. They created the junior-most post of deputy minister to accommodate favourites. During 1962-67, there were just five women in the Council of Ministers and they held insignificant portfolios. When Indira returned to power in 1967 with a reduced majority she didnt appoint a single woman to the Union Cabinet; there was one minister of state and two deputy ministers. Even after she romped home for the third time in 1972 with a two-thirds majority, she stuck to the three-woman formula of junior ministers, including Nandini Satpathy. When she lost in 1977, luck didnt smile on the gentle sex. Morarji Desai added only four women as ministers of state without important portfolios. However, when Indira returned to South Block again in 1980 with over 350 seats, her heavy dependence on male colleagues was evidentshe picked only three women ministers of state, including Sheila Kaul, a relative. However, it was Rajiv Gandhi who tried to break the glass ceiling; of his 401 MPs, twelve women were in the Council of Ministers. Still, not one held Cabinet rank. Only Kaul got independent charge of education and culture. During 1989-91, women lost their political clout in the House. Both V P Singh and Chandra Shekhar, billed as messiahs of social justice, gave poor representation to women MPs in their governments. Singh appointed a minister of state and a deputy Minister. It was P V Narasimha Rao, the accidental prime minister, who holds the record of appointing women ministers, with a dozen of them in his council, and was the second PM to have a woman Cabinet minister. Among his twelve female colleagues, Sheila Kaul was the second Cabinet-rank woman minister; a rare event after 40 years. However, Rao didnt believe that women could handle sensitive and important portfolios like finance, defence, home, HRD, commerce or finance. Congress puppets H D Deve Gowda and I K Gujral lacked the clout to choose their Cabinets. The only prominent female minister in the Vajpayee government with full Cabinet rank was Sushma Swaraj in 1998. In his second term, the number of women went up to eleven, with three Cabinet ministers. But men got the best jobs. Manmohan Singh, despite his partys commitment to womens reservation, chose only two women Cabinet ministers in 2004Ambika Soni and Meira Kumarwhile the eight female ministers of state received insignificant portfolios. Singh broke records at some point during his second term with fifteen women ministers, with five given Cabinet ranks. Again, none of them held finance or strategic portfolios, except ally Mamata Banerjee, who ran railways. The situation improved radically when Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014. He inducted ten female ministers and set a record by appointing Sushma Swaraj as India's first female external affairs minister and Nirmala Sitharaman as a minister of state with independent charge of the commerce ministry. Smriti Irani was made the first Cabinet-rank woman HRD minister since independence. Modi raised the bar later by appointing Sitharaman first as defence minister and then finance. During his second term, the number of women with Cabinet rank is two, while their total number is eleven. Now the states. Since 1947, India has had only fourteen women chief ministers as against 350 male CMs. It was the Congress which chose the first woman CMSucheta Kripalani of Uttar Pradesh in 1963. Since then it has had just five women CMs and the BJP one less. The remaining six have been from regional parties. In fact, the smaller parties have had more women CMs than the national outfits. ALSO READ | Attacks on NRIs put US economy at risk Since the Male Club has always headed the states and political parties, membership was restricted by gender to lead the executive. As of now, only three women are chief secretaries of states out of a total thirty-six. Less than half a dozen ladies head state police forces. Not a single woman has ever become director of CBI, ED, IB and other agencies. No feminine touch at the top of the Election Commission, armed forces, Supreme Court or RBI either. Hardly a dozen women are CEOs of the 200-odd public sector companies. Not a single cabinet secretary, defence secretary, home secretary, or finance secretary has belonged to the fairer sex till now. Just raising the female numbers in legislatures isnt going to empower Indias womenfolk. In political hierarchy they still yield to the male whip, not wield it. A numerically enhanced status could remain only symbolic if the spirit is not followed. The system needs a calculated institutional and structural transfer of power from men to women in policy making. Numbers proverbially speak for themselves, but silence will speak louder if the roar of reform emerges from only the throat of paper tigresses in the chauvinistic jungle of politics. CLICK THIS LINK TO READ MORE COLUMNS BY PRABHU CHAWLA Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
NEW DELHI/BENGALURU: JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday said he supports the bandh called by the people of Mandya to protest against the release of water to TN. He said he will return to Bengaluru from Delhi on Saturday morning and will head directly to Mandya. He said, I briefed (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah on the ground situation.

He said the State Government filed the petition before the Supreme Court too late. Urging the government not to follow the SC order, he said, If the court passes a strict order that cannot be followed, the State Governments decision in the interest of the people will not be a violation of the order. But legal experts said it would amount to contempt of court.

They said Kumaraswamy too had released water during his tenure as CM. Kumaraswamy said, In the state, we have three former chief justices of India, several retired Supreme Court judges and six legal experts who worked as advocates general. Doesnt the government have the common sense to invite them and hold meetings?

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI/BENGALURU: JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday said he supports the bandh called by the people of Mandya to protest against the release of water to TN. He said he will return to Bengaluru from Delhi on Saturday morning and will head directly to Mandya. He said, I briefed (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah on the ground situation. He said the State Government filed the petition before the Supreme Court too late. Urging the government not to follow the SC order, he said, If the court passes a strict order that cannot be followed, the State Governments decision in the interest of the people will not be a violation of the order. But legal experts said it would amount to contempt of court. They said Kumaraswamy too had released water during his tenure as CM. Kumaraswamy said, In the state, we have three former chief justices of India, several retired Supreme Court judges and six legal experts who worked as advocates general. Doesnt the government have the common sense to invite them and hold meetings? googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: Assam native Mohammad Ekbal Hussain who has been arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) of the Crime Branch for involvement in the one-time password (OTP) scam, reportedly had links with Pakistani intelligence operative Abdul Hamid alias Khurram.

The STF said Hussain had directly sold OTPs of several WhatsApp and Telegram accounts along with mule bank accounts to Khurram. He went into hiding and switched off his mobile phone after the agency arrested the prime accused of the case, Pathani Samanta Lenka, and other members of the racket. STF said Hussain used more than 37 mobile phones and over 500 SIM cards to carry out cyber offences.

During the investigation, Hussain revealed he had been selling OTPs of WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram along with pre-activated SIM cards and mule bank accounts for the last two years. He was earning `50,000 to 60,000 per month, said an STF officer.

He even disclosed many youths in his native village Gendhua Pathar are involved in such cyber crimes. Hussain and other youths of the village use SIM cards and mobile phones for around a month and then destroy them by throwing the devices into the river, said the STF officer. He was produced before a court in the state capital on Friday. Apart from remaining in contact with Khurram, he communicated with another accused in the case Abhijit Desmukh.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

BHUBANESWAR: Assam native Mohammad Ekbal Hussain who has been arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) of the Crime Branch for involvement in the one-time password (OTP) scam, reportedly had links with Pakistani intelligence operative Abdul Hamid alias Khurram. The STF said Hussain had directly sold OTPs of several WhatsApp and Telegram accounts along with mule bank accounts to Khurram. He went into hiding and switched off his mobile phone after the agency arrested the prime accused of the case, Pathani Samanta Lenka, and other members of the racket. STF said Hussain used more than 37 mobile phones and over 500 SIM cards to carry out cyber offences. During the investigation, Hussain revealed he had been selling OTPs of WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram along with pre-activated SIM cards and mule bank accounts for the last two years. He was earning `50,000 to 60,000 per month, said an STF officer.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He even disclosed many youths in his native village Gendhua Pathar are involved in such cyber crimes. Hussain and other youths of the village use SIM cards and mobile phones for around a month and then destroy them by throwing the devices into the river, said the STF officer. He was produced before a court in the state capital on Friday. Apart from remaining in contact with Khurram, he communicated with another accused in the case Abhijit Desmukh. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
XI'AN, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The health commission of Xi'an, the capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Saturday signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with representatives of Uzbekistan, the Czech Republic and Georgia to spread the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

The signed parties will promote exchanges and cooperation in the fields of TCM diagnosis and treatment, rehabilitation and preventive healthcare, according to the MoUs.

They will also encourage cooperation on the training and development of TCM professionals, work together to establish overseas TCM clinics and centers, and provide TCM services to locals following consultation and when conditions are favorable, per the MoUs. 
By AFP

NAIROBI: Ethiopia said Saturday that it has begun a second round of negotiations with Egypt and Sudan over a controversial mega-dam built by Addis Ababa on the Nile, the source of long-running tensions between the three nations.

Ethiopia this month announced the completion of the fourth and final filling of the Grand Renaissance Dam, prompting immediate condemnation from Cairo, which denounced the move as illegal.

Egypt and Sudan fear the massive $4.2-billion dam will severely reduce the share of Nile water they receive and have repeatedly asked Addis Ababa to stop filling it until an agreement is reached.

For years at loggerheads over the issue, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed agreed in July to finalise a deal within four months, resuming talks in August.

"The second round of the tripartite negotiation among #Ethiopia, #Egypt, and #Sudan on the... annual operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (#GERD) has commenced today, September 23, 2023, in Addis Ababa," Ethiopia's foreign ministry said on X, formerly Twitter.

"Ethiopia is committed to reaching a negotiated and amicable solution through the ongoing trilateral process."

Protracted negotiations over the dam since 2011 have thus far failed to bring about an agreement between Ethiopia and its downstream neighbours.

Egypt has long viewed the dam as an existential threat, as it relies on the Nile for 97 percent of its water needs.

The dam is central to Ethiopia's development plans, and in February 2022 Addis Ababa announced that it had begun generating electricity for the first time.

At full capacity, the huge hydroelectric dam -- 1.8 kilometres long and 145 metres high -- could generate more than 5,000 megawatts.

That would double Ethiopia's production of electricity, to which only half the country's population of 120 million currently has access.

The position of Sudan, which is currently mired in a civil war, has fluctuated in recent years.

The United Nations says Egypt could "run out of water by 2025" and parts of Sudan, where the Darfur conflict was essentially a war over access to water, are increasingly vulnerable to drought as a result of climate change.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NAIROBI: Ethiopia said Saturday that it has begun a second round of negotiations with Egypt and Sudan over a controversial mega-dam built by Addis Ababa on the Nile, the source of long-running tensions between the three nations. Ethiopia this month announced the completion of the fourth and final filling of the Grand Renaissance Dam, prompting immediate condemnation from Cairo, which denounced the move as illegal. Egypt and Sudan fear the massive $4.2-billion dam will severely reduce the share of Nile water they receive and have repeatedly asked Addis Ababa to stop filling it until an agreement is reached.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); For years at loggerheads over the issue, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed agreed in July to finalise a deal within four months, resuming talks in August. "The second round of the tripartite negotiation among #Ethiopia, #Egypt, and #Sudan on the... annual operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (#GERD) has commenced today, September 23, 2023, in Addis Ababa," Ethiopia's foreign ministry said on X, formerly Twitter. "Ethiopia is committed to reaching a negotiated and amicable solution through the ongoing trilateral process." Protracted negotiations over the dam since 2011 have thus far failed to bring about an agreement between Ethiopia and its downstream neighbours. Egypt has long viewed the dam as an existential threat, as it relies on the Nile for 97 percent of its water needs. The dam is central to Ethiopia's development plans, and in February 2022 Addis Ababa announced that it had begun generating electricity for the first time. At full capacity, the huge hydroelectric dam -- 1.8 kilometres long and 145 metres high -- could generate more than 5,000 megawatts. That would double Ethiopia's production of electricity, to which only half the country's population of 120 million currently has access. The position of Sudan, which is currently mired in a civil war, has fluctuated in recent years. The United Nations says Egypt could "run out of water by 2025" and parts of Sudan, where the Darfur conflict was essentially a war over access to water, are increasingly vulnerable to drought as a result of climate change. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: In the United Nations Security Assembly (UNGA) on Saturday, India asked Pakistan to shut down its terror infrastructure and reminded it of its blatant violation of the human rights of minorities. This rebuttal came after Pakistans interim Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar raked up Kashmir in his speech.

"Pakistan has become a habitual offender when it comes to misusing this august forum to peddle baseless and malicious propaganda against India," said Petal Gahlot, Indias first secretary at the UN while exercising a right to reply.

Earlier, Kakar, while addressing the 78th session of the UNGA, said, "Pakistan desires peaceful and productive relations with all our neighbours including India. India has evaded implementation of the security councils resolutions which call for the final disposition of Jammu and Kashmir to be decided by its people through UN-supervised plebiscite."

India reminded Pakistan that it was seeking action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks.

"Instead of engaging in technical sophistry, we call upon Pakistan to take credible and verifiable action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks whose victims await justice even after 15 years," Gahlot said, adding that India reiterated that the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir are an integral part of India.

"Matters pertaining to the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are purely internal to India. Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on our domestic matters," Gahlot, said adding that Pakistan misused multilateral forums to spread false propaganda against India.

India also highlighted the gross violations of human rights in Pakistan when it came to minorities which included Hindus, Sikhs and Christians.

The recent attacks on Christian communities in Pakistans Jaranwala were mentioned by India, where dozens of churches were set ablaze and Christian houses were vandalised in mob violence as a mob of miscreants attacked them claiming that some members of the community engaged in blasphemy. The issue of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of Hindu girls was also raised.

"The condition of women belonging to minority communities in Pakistan notably Hindus, Sikhs and Christians remains deplorable. According to a recent report published by Pakistans own Human Rights Commission, an estimated 1,000 women from minority communities are subjected to abduction, forced conversion and marriage in Pakistan every year, Gahlot said.

"Instead of engaging in technical sophistry, we call upon Pakistan to take credible and verifiable action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks whose victims await justice even after 15 years," Gahlot said, outlining the steps Islamabad should take to restore peace in the region.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: In the United Nations Security Assembly (UNGA) on Saturday, India asked Pakistan to shut down its terror infrastructure and reminded it of its blatant violation of the human rights of minorities. This rebuttal came after Pakistans interim Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar raked up Kashmir in his speech. "Pakistan has become a habitual offender when it comes to misusing this august forum to peddle baseless and malicious propaganda against India," said Petal Gahlot, Indias first secretary at the UN while exercising a right to reply. Earlier, Kakar, while addressing the 78th session of the UNGA, said, "Pakistan desires peaceful and productive relations with all our neighbours including India. India has evaded implementation of the security councils resolutions which call for the final disposition of Jammu and Kashmir to be decided by its people through UN-supervised plebiscite."googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); India reminded Pakistan that it was seeking action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks. "Instead of engaging in technical sophistry, we call upon Pakistan to take credible and verifiable action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks whose victims await justice even after 15 years," Gahlot said, adding that India reiterated that the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir are an integral part of India. "Matters pertaining to the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are purely internal to India. Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on our domestic matters," Gahlot, said adding that Pakistan misused multilateral forums to spread false propaganda against India. India also highlighted the gross violations of human rights in Pakistan when it came to minorities which included Hindus, Sikhs and Christians. The recent attacks on Christian communities in Pakistans Jaranwala were mentioned by India, where dozens of churches were set ablaze and Christian houses were vandalised in mob violence as a mob of miscreants attacked them claiming that some members of the community engaged in blasphemy. The issue of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of Hindu girls was also raised. "The condition of women belonging to minority communities in Pakistan notably Hindus, Sikhs and Christians remains deplorable. According to a recent report published by Pakistans own Human Rights Commission, an estimated 1,000 women from minority communities are subjected to abduction, forced conversion and marriage in Pakistan every year, Gahlot said. "Instead of engaging in technical sophistry, we call upon Pakistan to take credible and verifiable action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks whose victims await justice even after 15 years," Gahlot said, outlining the steps Islamabad should take to restore peace in the region. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By AFP

YEREVAN: A US congressional delegation was meeting Armenia's leaders on Saturday to express support in the wake of protests rocking the small Caucasus nation after Azerbaijan reclaimed control over disputed Nagorno-Karabakh.

The US embassy said the group will meet Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and a handful of other officials "to discuss US-Armenian relations and the impact of Azerbaijan's recent military actions on the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh".

The United States has a large Armenian community that fervently supports Yerevan in its decades-long standoff with Baku over the ethnically Armenian enclave.

The visit comes as Pashinyan tries to survive the latest wave of protests against his tumultuous rule.

Pashinyan led Armenia when Azerbaijan first seized back large swathes of Nagorno-Karabakh in a six-week war three years ago.

That defeat sparked violent demonstrations in Yerevan that saw protesters ransack Pashinyan's office.

Armenia's parliament plans to launch impeachment hearings against Pashinyan over this week's military triumph by its arch-rival when it returns to session next month.

The US delegation is led by Senator Gary Peters.

The Democrat from Michigan this month accused Azerbaijan of launching "unprovoked" attacks against its neighbour.

President Ilham Aliyev's "regime is perpetrating a humanitarian disaster in Nagorno-Karabakh," he said on social media Friday.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

YEREVAN: A US congressional delegation was meeting Armenia's leaders on Saturday to express support in the wake of protests rocking the small Caucasus nation after Azerbaijan reclaimed control over disputed Nagorno-Karabakh. The US embassy said the group will meet Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and a handful of other officials "to discuss US-Armenian relations and the impact of Azerbaijan's recent military actions on the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh". The United States has a large Armenian community that fervently supports Yerevan in its decades-long standoff with Baku over the ethnically Armenian enclave.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The visit comes as Pashinyan tries to survive the latest wave of protests against his tumultuous rule. Pashinyan led Armenia when Azerbaijan first seized back large swathes of Nagorno-Karabakh in a six-week war three years ago. That defeat sparked violent demonstrations in Yerevan that saw protesters ransack Pashinyan's office. Armenia's parliament plans to launch impeachment hearings against Pashinyan over this week's military triumph by its arch-rival when it returns to session next month. The US delegation is led by Senator Gary Peters. The Democrat from Michigan this month accused Azerbaijan of launching "unprovoked" attacks against its neighbour. President Ilham Aliyev's "regime is perpetrating a humanitarian disaster in Nagorno-Karabakh," he said on social media Friday. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: United States Ambassador to Canada David Cohen has said shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners led Canadian PM Justin Trudeau to make the allegation that India was behind the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

"There was shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners that helped lead Canada to making the statements that the Prime Minister made," said Cohen in a televised interview with CTV News.

Cohen would not comment on whether the intelligence informing the Canadian government's investigation was both human and surveillance-based, or whether it included signals intelligence of Indian diplomats.

The US envoy also said that there was a lot of communication between Ottawa and Washington DC.

ALSO READ | Canada's charges based on Indian officials' communications, inputs from Five Eye ally: Report

"Look, I will say this was a matter of shared intelligence information," Cohen said. "There was a lot of communication between Canada and the United States about this, and I think that's as far as I'm comfortable going," he added.

Cohen also said that the US took these allegations very seriously.

"And, you know, if they prove to be true, it is a potentially very serious breach of the rules-based international order in which we like to function," he said.

Officials in Washington have said that Biden's concern over the allegations has been expressed to India, and the US has asked India to co-operate in Canada's investigation, according to the ambassador.

"We think it's very important to get to the bottom of it," Cohen said.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: United States Ambassador to Canada David Cohen has said shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners led Canadian PM Justin Trudeau to make the allegation that India was behind the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. "There was shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners that helped lead Canada to making the statements that the Prime Minister made," said Cohen in a televised interview with CTV News. Cohen would not comment on whether the intelligence informing the Canadian government's investigation was both human and surveillance-based, or whether it included signals intelligence of Indian diplomats.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The US envoy also said that there was a lot of communication between Ottawa and Washington DC. ALSO READ | Canada's charges based on Indian officials' communications, inputs from Five Eye ally: Report "Look, I will say this was a matter of shared intelligence information," Cohen said. "There was a lot of communication between Canada and the United States about this, and I think that's as far as I'm comfortable going," he added. Cohen also said that the US took these allegations very seriously. "And, you know, if they prove to be true, it is a potentially very serious breach of the rules-based international order in which we like to function," he said. Officials in Washington have said that Biden's concern over the allegations has been expressed to India, and the US has asked India to co-operate in Canada's investigation, according to the ambassador. "We think it's very important to get to the bottom of it," Cohen said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
New Delhi, September 22

T he Ministry of Railways has announced revisions to the ex-gratia relief amounts for individuals affected by train accidents, untoward incidents and manned level crossing gate accidents.

This decision is part of the government's ongoing efforts to provide support to those affected by railway-related mishaps.

The revised ex-gratia relief rates have been updated for various categories of incidents. In cases of Train Accidents, as defined under Section 124 of the Railways Act, 1989, the revised rates are - Rs 5,00,000 in the event of death, Rs 2,50,000 for grievous injury, and Rs 50,000 for simple injury, read the Ministry of Railways press release.

For Untoward Incidents, as defined under Section 124-A of the Railways Act, 1989, the revised rates include Rs 1,50,000 for death, Rs 50,000 for grievous injury, and Rs 5,000 for simple injury.

Additionally, for Accidents at Manned Level Crossings, attributed to the Railway's prima facie liability, the revised rates are Rs 5,00,000 in the event of death, Rs 2,50,000 for grievous injury, and Rs 50,000 for simple injury.

These updated ex-gratia relief rates aim to provide appropriate compensation for individuals affected by such incidents, ensuring fair and consistent support, the release said.

There is an additional ex-gratia relief in case of hospitalisation of grievously injured passengers beyond 30 days, it said.

For Train Accidents, Rs 3,000 per day will be released at the end of every 10-day period or the date of discharge, whichever is earlier.

For Untoward Incidents, Rs 1,500 per day will be released under similar conditions for up to six months of hospitalization, followed by Rs 750 per day for the next five months.

The ex-gratia relief is exclusively for passengers who are grievously injured in train accidents or untoward incidents as defined under Section 123, read with Section 124/124-A, of the Railways Act, 1989, read the press release.

The maximum immediate relief paid in cash for initial expenses is up to Rs 50,000, with the remaining amount to be paid by Account Payee Cheque/RTGS/NEFT/Any other online payment mode.

The entire ex-gratia/enhanced ex-gratia amount may be disbursed through these modes if deemed appropriate, read the press release.

It's important to note that no ex-gratia relief will be provided to road users in case of accidents at Unmanned Level Crossings, trespassers, or persons electrocuted by Over Head Equipment .

However, in cases of train accidents and untoward incidents, the ex-gratia payments will not be considered when calculating the final claim for compensation.

Ex-gratia payments will also be made to railway servants killed or injured by a moving train while performing their duty, it said. This includes situations like gang men working on tracks accidentally run over by a moving train.

Payments will be sanctioned/arranged preferably on the spot by a Senior Scale Officer nominated by the General Manager, ensuring immediate medical attention to injured persons, it said.

Revised ex-gratia relief rates for train accidents and untoward incidents

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Study reveals discovery of mosquitoes could lead to new strategy against dengue fever and other mosquito-borne vectors

Washington, September 22

R esearchers from the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have made an important discovery about Aedes aegypti mosquitos, which could one day lead to better methods for reducing mosquito-to-human transmission of dengue, yellow fever, Zika, and other potentially fatal viruses.

When infected, Aedes aegypti mosquitos do not succumb to these viruses and continue to travel and eat normally. As a result, infected mosquitos can transmit their viral cargo to people. The researchers revealed that an Aedes aegypti protein called Argonaute 2 plays an important role in maintaining mosquitos healthy and active despite these infections through a variety of molecular pathways.

The discovery represents a significant advance in understanding mosquito biology. It also hints at a strategy that would aim to shut down Ae. aegypti mosquitoes' defenses whenever they become infected by certain viruses--killing the mosquitoes and thereby reducing the transmission of those viruses by Ae. aegypti to humans. Instead of making mosquitoes more resistant to the viruses, the discovery opens a possible path for making mosquitoes more susceptible and less tolerant to virus infection, which would impair their ability to transmit disease.

The findings of the research were published online in Nature Communications.

"Researchers have long wondered why Ae. aegypti mosquitoes don't get sick when they are infected by these viruses--our findings effectively solve this mystery and suggest a potential new mosquito-based disease control strategy that merits further study," says study senior author George Dimopoulos, PhD, a professor in the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute and in the Bloomberg School's Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology.

The study's lead author was Shengzhang Dong, PhD, a senior research associate in the Bloomberg School's Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology.

Ae. aegypti mosquitoes transmit "arthropod-borne" or "arbo-" viruses including dengue virus, yellow fever virus, Zika virus, chikungunya virus, and Mayaro virus. Each year these pathogens sicken millions of people around the world each year, killing tens of thousands. There are no antiviral therapies for any of these viruses. Currently, a vaccine is available for yellow fever virus. One dengue vaccine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for individuals between six and 16 who have had prior dengue infection. Disease control methods for Ae. aegyptiemphasize the use of insecticides, which have had limited success and have led to insecticide resistance.

Ae. aegypti mosquitoes are effective vectors of arborviruses because they can sustain significant infections with these viruses without suffering costs to their overall ability to reproduce--what biologists call "fitness." If the mosquitoes' fitness was impaired, they would likely have evolved strong defenses against these pathogens. Instead, they somehow ended up with a live-and-let-live balance that allows them to carry at least moderate viral loads without apparent adverse effects.

In the new study, Dimopoulos and Dong examined the role of Argonaute 2, a protein that in mosquitoes serves as part of an important antiviral mechanism known as the small interfering RNA pathway, which works by recognizing and destroying viral RNAs.

The researchers found that in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes lacking the Ago2 gene, the siRNA pathway is impaired, arborvirus infection becomes more severe, and the mosquitoes' ability to transmit these viruses drops sharply--as they sicken, feed less, and often die within days.

The scientists showed that this increased mortality is caused not only by the impairment of the siRNA antiviral pathway, but also by defects in two other processes that happen to depend on Ago2 DNA repair, and a basic waste-removal process called autophagy. Ago2-deficient mosquitoes exposed to arborviruses were left with hyperinfections, extensive DNA damage, and the accumulation of molecular waste in their dying cells.

Apart from illuminating an important aspect of Ae. aegypti biology, the findings point to a possible new arboviral disease control strategy. This would be to engineer the mosquitoes so that arbovirus infections trigger the loss of their tolerance mechanisms, perhaps via the inhibition of Ago2. Arborvirus-carrying Ae. aegypti mosquitoes would thus die quickly, whereas the much greater number of non-arborvirus carrying Ae. aegypti should be unaffected.

"The biology of mosquito susceptibility and tolerance to infection is an interesting area of exploration for other pathogens as well," said Dimopoulos. "For instance, mosquitoes that transmit malaria parasites could perhaps also be engineered to become sick and succumb to infection."

Dimopoulos and his research group are now exploring possible ways of engineering Ae. aegypti to test this possible new disease-control strategy.

"Aedes aegypti Argonaute 2 controls arbovirus infection and host mortality" was co-authored by Shengzhang Dong and George Dimopoulos.

Study reveals discovery of mosquitoes could lead to new strategy against dengue fever and other mosquito-borne vectors

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
UP International Trade Fair will be a milestone in taking Uttar Pradesh to new heights: State Finance Minister

Greater Noida, September 22

T he Uttar Pradesh International Trade Fair will prove to be a milestone in taking Uttar Pradesh to new heights because the environment created under the Yogi government for establishing industries in the state will attract investors from across the globe, said Suresh Khanna, Finance Minister, on Friday.

He stated that the state government is always ready to address the problems of entrepreneurs because the growth of industries will help the state become a trillion-dollar economy.

The finance minister added that exporters and MSMEs should get insurance because natural disasters are increasing in frequency and severity, resulting in significant financial losses. In such cases, a company with insurance will be compensated for 80% to 90% of the loss.

Minister Rakesh Sachan also laid emphasis on providing insurance to MSME entrepreneurs. Referring to the incident of fire in the garment industry of Kanpur, he added that several companies did not have insurance; if they had, they would have gotten aid. That is why the insurance trend should increase, like the growing companies in the MSME sector.

Nand Gopal Nandi, Minister for Industrial Development, said that the Yogi government is serious about industrial growth and dedicated to transforming the state into a trillion-dollar economy. As a result, a conducive environment has been created for the continuous establishment of industries in UP.

He noted that the ongoing trade show is truly exceptional. It has attracted 500 buyers from 70 different countries, which is expected to significantly boost investments in the state. This will increase employment opportunities and contribute to the overall economic development of Uttar Pradesh.

People with knowledge of the insurance industry also provided a detailed explanation of the reasons why insurance is essential for industries at this time.

State Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna, MSME Minister Rakesh Sachan and Industrial Minister Nand Gopal Nandi participated in the insurance session held on the second day of the UP International Trade Show organized at India Expo Center.

UP International Trade Fair will be a milestone in taking Uttar Pradesh to new heights: State Finance Minister

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
BEIJING, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed the importance of high-quality development in promoting new industrialization to lay a strong material and technological foundation for Chinese modernization.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a recent instruction on pushing forward new industrialization.

Xi said that realizing new industrialization is a key task in China's pursuit of Chinese modernization to build a stronger country and advance national rejuvenation in the new era.

To lay a strong material and technological foundation for Chinese modernization, Xi called for efforts to adapt to and lead the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, seek high-quality development in the promotion of new industrialization, and integrate the construction of a manufacturing powerhouse with the development of the digital economy and industrial informatization.

Xi's instruction was read out at a national meeting on pushing forward new industrialization held from Friday to Saturday in Beijing.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended the meeting and stressed the importance of improving the resilience and safety of industrial and supply chains, accelerating the improvement of China's industrial innovation capacity, and constantly promoting the optimization and upgrading of the country's industrial structure.

Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, urged the deep integration of digital technology and the real economy, and the green development of the industrial sector.

Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, called for efforts to strengthen scientific and technological innovation and safeguard industrial security at the meeting. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends a national meeting on pushing forward new industrialization and delivers a speech during the meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 22, 2023. The meeting was held from Friday to Saturday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attends a national meeting on pushing forward new industrialization in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 23, 2023. The meeting was held from Friday to Saturday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)
Biden in tight spot with UAW asking him to join workers at picket lines

Washington, Sep 22

U S President Joe Biden finds himself on a hot spot with United Auto Workers union president Shawn Fain inviting him to stand alongside the workers at the picket lines as the near week-long strike escalated with a call to 38 other plants in 20 states to join in.

The UAW on Friday invited Biden to join the picket line in the union's strike against three Detroit automakers, thus putting the White House on the spot in an escalating dispute.

"We invite and encourage everyone who supports our cause to join us on the picket line from our friends and families all the way up to the President of the United States," Fain said on a Facebook Live broadcast.

"We invite you to join us in our fight".

The UAW, which had supported Biden in the 2020 elections, was probably prompted by the President's statement a couple of days ago where he had said that he was on the side of labour as automakers had made enormous profits and that they ought to share it with the workers who make their cars.

The striking workers could have also been encouraged by a large number of Democrats throwing in their lot with the labourers as Democratic Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman joined United Auto Workers members on the picket line after the unprecedented lightning strike by the UAW against GM, Ford and Stellantis (Chrysler).

The White House did not immediately respond to the UAW invite, media reports said. The UAW on Friday expanded its strike to include all 38 parts distribution facilities at General Motors and Stellantis -- but not additional plants at Ford, where negotiators have made progress.

The work stoppage began a week ago when the union shut down a GM plant in Missouri, a Ford factory in Michigan and a Stellantis site in Toledo, Ohio. Those plants remain on strike.Biden has called on the automakers to deliver "record contracts" after earning "record profits" in recent years, but he also said after the strike began that the automakers had made "significant offers".

The union responded by saying "the White House is afraid" of its movement. Biden wants the automakers to produce more electric vehicles to up his campaign on climate change. The union also wants more EVs, but is concerned it could lead to fewer unionised jobs.

The three Detroit automakers have a workforce of over 150,000 UAW-represented employees at dozens of factories in the US, making popular vehicles like the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and Jeep Wrangler.

Biden in tight spot with UAW asking him to join workers at picket lines

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Ottawa, Sep 23

C anadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced new military, economic, peace and security, and development assistance and investments for Ukraine, after a meeting with visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In a press release posted on his office website on Friday, Trudeau said Canada is "shifting the approach to provide multi-year assistance", Xinhua news agency reported.

He announced a new investment of 650 million Canadian dollars ($487.5 million) over three years to supply Ukraine with 50 armoured vehicles, including armoured medical evacuation vehicles.

According to the release, Trudeau and Zelensky signed the modernized Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, which ensures high-quality market access terms for Canadian businesses participating in Ukraine's economic recovery.

The two countries have agreed to work with international partners to establish a working group of eminent persons to provide advice to decision-makers on the seizure and forfeiture of Russian assets, including Russian central bank assets, the release said.

Trudeau announced an additional 34 million Canadian dollars ($25.5 million) in development assistance for four multi-year initiatives supporting mental health, small-scale farmers and restoration of agricultural livelihoods, local infrastructure rehabilitation and reconstruction, as well as technical assistance for inclusive recovery.

Trudeau also announced new sanctions targeting 63 Russian individuals and entities, the release said.

Zelensky, who was visiting Canada from Thursday to Friday, delivered a speech to parliamentarians on Friday calling on Canada and other Western allies for further support.

Canadian PM announces new multi-year assistance to Ukraine

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New York, September 22

T he foreign ministers of Quad group - which includes India, Australia, Japan and the United States - have reiterated their commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea and have pushed North Korea for compliance with UN Security Council Resolutions .

"We reaffirm our commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea consistent with UNSCRs, and we urge North Korea to abide by all its obligations under the UNSCRs and engage in substantive dialogue," read a joint readout issued by the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

The foreign ministers ofQu ad group met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York on Friday.

Following their meeting, US State Secretary Antony Blinken posted on X, "Good to join my fellow Quad foreign ministers from Australia, India, and Japan on the sidelines of UNGA78. The Quad is vital to our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, and together we reaffirmed our commitment to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter."

The meeting was attended by EAM S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.

"Delighted to meet Foreign Minister of Japan Yoko Kamikawa at UNGA78. Exchanged perspectives on our Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Discussed our regional, multilateral and global cooperation and taking them forward," posted EAM Jaishankar on X.

EAM Dr S Jaishankar met Foreign Minister of Japan Yoko Kamikawa on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York.

After taking power in 2011, Kim Jong-Un of North Korea has ramped up its efforts to build a long-range nuclear missile capable of hitting targets around the globe.

North Korea recently conducted a test of its new Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile using solid propellants.

The test has drawn reactions from neighbouring countries, with Japan, South Korea, and the United States expressing concerns about regional stability and emphasizing the need for closer cooperation and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

The Hwasong-18 is a North Korean Three-Stage Solid-Fueled Intercontinental Ballistic Missile .

It is the first solid-fueled ICBM developed by North Korea and was first unveiled in the February 2023 parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army.They are primarily used as strategic weapons for deterrence purposes.

It can be used to target military installations, such as command and control centers, missile silos, air bases, naval bases, and troop concentrations.

Quad nations reaffirm commitment to North Korea's denuclearisation, call to abide by UN resolutions

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Ottawa, September 23

C anadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has reaffirmed support for Ukraine. He said that Canada will continue to provide economic support to Ukraine over the next year so that it remains a "strong, dynamic and prosperous democratic nation."

Trudeau addressed the Canadian Parliament after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena Zelenska were welcomed with loud cheers from the Canadian lawmakers.

In his address at the Canadian Parliament, Trudeau expressed hope that Ukraine won't need military or financial support for long and that peace in the country will return soon. He called for opposing Russian President Vladimir Putin and rejecting his attempts to bring the world back to a time when "might made right."

While addressing the Parliament, the Canadian PM said, "We will continue to work with our partners, including within NATO, to provide unwavering support. We will continue to provide economic support to Ukraine over the next year so that it remains a strong, dynamic and prosperous democratic country. But our greatest hope is that you won't need military or financial support for long and that peace returns soon. But, it cannot be a false peace based on a compromise imposed by the aggressor."

He further said, "For a lasting peace, we must oppose Putin and reject his attempts to bring us back to a time when might made right. A lasting peace must clearly establish that borders must be respected regardless of the size of the neighbouring army. This peace must restore the right of Ukrainians to determine their own future. Canada stands with the principles of Ukraine's peace formula. We believe that peace must respect the UN charter, be based on international law and preserve Ukraine's territorial integrity. This is the peace we must fight for. And that is what Ukraine has done for one year, six months and 29 days."

He said that the Canadian government will continue to support Ukraine "for as long as it takes." He said that Canada has provided USD 9 billion in military, financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine since its conflict started with Russia.

Trudeau said, "President Zelenskyy, I have clearly said that our government will stand by you for as long as it takes. Canada has provided nearly USD 9 billion in military, financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine since Putin began his war of aggression. We are making a longer-term, multiyear commitment that provides predictable, steady support to Ukraine," Trudeau said.

"It will include USD 650,000,000 over three years for 50 armoured vehicles, including medical evacuation vehicles that will be built by Canadian workers in London, Ontario. We have also sent F-16 trainers for pilots and for maintenance so Ukrainians are able to maximize their use of donated fighter jets," he added.

Lauding Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine, Trudeau said that they are holding the rules-based order in the balance. He said that Ukraine is fighting for the kind of future the people of the world are going to live in.

"When rules-based orders crumble, so much is lost, one example of how this breakdown manifests is the horrifying preventable hardship as Russia blocks grain exports, worsening hunger and starvation among the world's most vulnerable people," Trudeau said.

"President Zelenskyy, you and the Ukrainian people are holding the rules-based order in the balance. You are on the front lines, not just in the fight for Ukraine, but in the fight for the kind of future we are all going to be living in. Rules matter following the Second World War, the bloodiest and deadliest conflict humanity has ever known, the whole world's nations agreed on a common set of rules and principles to reestablish peace," he added.

He said, "Putin governs with deception, violence, and repression. He imprisons his own people and stirs up ugly sentiments of xenophobia and racism. But his imperial delusions in Ukraine have been met with a fierce defence." He called for denouncing violations of the rules-based international order and stressed that "aggressors must be held responsible" for their actions. "Violations to the rules-based international order must be denounced, and aggressors must beheld responsible for their actions. That has always been our government's position. That is why, without exception, we oppose authoritarian states," Trudeau said. "And we stand by those who defend international law, universal human rights, and the ability ofall peoples to decide on their own future. That is why we remained faithful to our principles when Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were arbitrarily detained by China," he added.

He added, "In this era of uncertainty and of resurgent great power, competition, rules are what will protect us. And it's not enough for them to just be written down somewhere. We must advocate for them, stand up for them, and live by them. History will judge us on how we defend democratic values. And Ukraine is at the tip of the spear in this great challenge of the 21st century. That's why Canada and Canadians are there for Ukraine, and why we stand so unequivocally against Russia."

Will continue to work with our partners...provide unwavering support to Ukraine: Trudeau

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Ottawa, September 23

U krainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday said that Russia's aggression must end with Ukraine's victory. He offered repeated thanks to Canada for its continued support of Kyiv.

Zelenskyy was accompanied by Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska. They received a standing ovation upon arrival in the House of Commons.

In his address at the Canadian Parliament, Zelenskyy said, "This Russian aggression must end with our victory so that Russia will never bring back genocide to Ukraine and will never ever try to do so. Moscow must lose once and for all and it will lose."

He started his address by talking about the construction of the world's first Holodomor monument in Edmonton in 1983.

"At that time, Ukraine didn't yet have memorials commemorating the victims of the genocide of Ukrainians because Ukraine was under Moscow's control back then. This fall will mark their 40th anniversary of the very first and important commemoration of the victims of Vladimir," Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy said that a lot has changed in the past 40 years. He noted that Ukraine gained independence and dozens of countries recognized Vladimir for the genocide of the Ukrainian people. He said that 11 of these recognitions have been made this year.

Zelenskyy said Canada's military assistance so far has saved thousands of lives. He lauded Canada for imposing sanctions against Russia. He thanked Canada for supporting Ukraine's bid for NATO. He expressed gratitude to Canada for training Ukrainian soldiers. He thanked Canada for economic assistance and for helping Ukraine to get rid of Russian oil.

Ukrainian President said, "Moscow now as always is bent on controlling Ukraine and makes use of all available means to do that, including genocide. It is genocide what Russian occupiers are doing to Ukraine and when we want to win, when we call on the world to support us, it is not just about an ordinary conflict. It is about saving lives of millions of people."

Zelenskyy said that people will be winners in the war and not the Kremlin. He expressed hope that one day there will be a monument built in Edmonton to commemorate Ukraine and Canada's common victory. He ended his speech by saying "Slava Ukraini."

"Ukraine and Canada are the same. We stand and we fight for life. Ukraine, not genocide will be victorious in this war. People will be the winners, not the Kremlin. Freedom will be the winner justice will be the winner. You can know this for sure about us because you know for sure about yourself that you would never submit to evil," Zelenskyy said.

Canadian lawmakers applauded following Zelenskyy's speech in the House of Commons. It was the Ukrainian president's second address to the Canadian Parliament since its conflict began with Russia in 2022. He had previously addressed the parliament virtually in 2022.

Prior to Zelenskyy's address, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has reaffirmed support for Ukraine. He said that Canada will continue to provide economic support to Ukraine over the next year so that it remains a "strong, dynamic and prosperous democratic nation."

In his address at the Canadian Parliament, Trudeau expressed hope that Ukraine won't need military or financial support for long and that peace in the country will return soon. He called for opposing Russian President Vladimir Putin and rejecting his attempts to bring the world back to a time when "might made right."

The Canadian PM said, "We will continue to work with our partners, including within NATO, to provide unwavering support. We will continue to provide economic support to Ukraine over the next year so that it remains a strong, dynamic and prosperous democratic country. But our greatest hope is that you won't need military or financial support for long and that peace returns soon. But, it cannot be a false peace based on a compromise imposed by the aggressor."

He further said, "For a lasting peace, we must oppose Putin and reject his attempts to bring us back to a time when might made right. A lasting peace must clearly establish that borders must be respected regardless of the size of the neighbouring army. This peace must restore the right of Ukrainians to determine their own future. Canada stands with the principles of Ukraine's peace formula. We believe that peace must respect the UN charter, be based on international law and preserve Ukraine's territorial integrity. This is the peace we must fight for. And that is what Ukraine has done for one year, six months and 29 days."

He said that the Canadian government will continue to support Ukraine "for as long as it takes." He said that Canada has provided USD 9 billion in military, financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine since its conflict started with Russia.

Trudeau said, "President Zelenskyy, I have clearly said that our government will stand by you for as long as it takes. Canada has provided nearly USD 9 billion in military, financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine since Putin began his war of aggression. We are making a longer-term, multiyear commitment that provides predictable, steady support to Ukraine,"

He added, "It will include USD 650,000,000 over three years for 50 armoured vehicles, including medical evacuation vehicles that will be built by Canadian workers in London, Ontario. We have also sent F-16 trainers for pilots and for maintenance so Ukrainians are able to maximize their use of donated fighter jets."

This Russian aggression must end with our victory: Ukraine's President Zelenskyy

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New York, September 23

E xternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held a meeting with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The two leaders noted the positive trajectory of ties between India and Australia and discussed specific measures that need to be made to take the relations further.

In a post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, Jaishankar stated, "Great to catch up with FM @SenatorWong of Australia on #UNGA78 sidelines. Noted the positive trajectory of our ties and discussed specific steps to take them further. Our exchange of regional and global assessments are always valuable."

Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed regional, multilateral and global cooperation with his Japanese counterpart Yoko Kamikawa. Both delegates further exchanged views on the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

Taking to his social media 'X', Jaishankar stated, "Delighted to meet Foreign Minister of Japan Yoko Kamikawa at #UNGA78. Exchanged perspectives on our Special Strategic and Global Partnership Discussed our regional, multilateral and global cooperation and taking them forward."

Notably, Jaishankar is leading the Indian delegation for a week-long visit to New York, where he is scheduled to address a High-Level session of the 78th UNGA on September 26, according to an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.

He will also attend various plurilateral and bilateral meetings. EAM Jaishankar will also be meeting with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and President of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis.

During his visit to the US from September 22-30, Jaishankar will in keeping with India's support for the Global South host a special event 'India-UN for Global South Delivering for Development'.

Upon completion of the 78th UNGA-related engagements, EAM Jaishankar will visit Washington, DC from September 27-30 for bilateral meetings with US interlocutors.

His program includes discussions with his US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, senior members of the US administration, US business leaders and think tanks. He will also be addressing the 4th World Culture Festival being organised by the Art of Living.

EAM Jaishankar and his Australian counterpart Wong note positive trajectory of ties

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New York, September 23

U S Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday said that Washington is "deeply concerned" about the allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the Indian government's involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

He said that the US wants to see accountability and called it "important" that the investigation runs its course and leads to the result.

While addressing a press conference in New York, Blinken said that the US has engaged directly with the Indian government. He said that the US is consulting "very closely" with Canada and coordinating on the issue. He called it important that India works with Canadians on the investigaton.

Asked about US' engagement with India and Canada amid the diplomatic row, Blinken said, "We are deeply concerned about the allegations that Prime Minister Trudeau has raised. We have been consulting throughout very closely with our Canadian colleagues, and not just consulting, coordinating with them on this issue."

"And from our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceed. And it would be important that India work with the Canadians on this investigation. We want to see accountability, and it's important that the investigation run its course and lead to that result," he added.

He refused to give details regarding the diplomatic conversations that US had with both nations. He said that investigation must move forward and be completed. He expressed hope that India will cooperate with the probe that the Canadian government is making regarding the issue.

Blinken said, "I'm not going to characterize or otherwise speak to diplomatic conversations that we've have. We've been engaged directly with the Indian government as well. And again, I think the most productive thing that can happen now is to see this investigation move forward, be completed. And we would hope that our Indian friends would cooperate with that investigation as well."

"More broadly, you've heard me speak to this. We are extremely vigilant about any instances of alleged transnational repression, something we take very, very seriously. And I think it's important more broadly for the international system that any country that might consider engaging in such acts not do so. So, it's something that we're also focused on in a much broader way," he added.

His statement comes after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged India's role behind the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has out-rightly denied such allegations calling them 'absurd' and 'motivated'.

In his news conference in New York on Thursday, the Canadian Prime Minister, however, failed to present any evidence to back Canadian claims. Trudeau was repeatedly quizzed on the nature of the allegations but stuck to reiterating that there were "credible reasons" to believe that India was linked to the death of Nijjar.

"There are credible reasons to believe that agents of the Government of India were involved in the killing of a Canadian on Canadian soil. That is ...there is something of utmost foundational importance in a country's rule of law in a world where international rules-based order matters" said Trudeau.

"We call upon the Government of India to take seriously this matter and to work with us to shed full transparency and ensure accountability and justice in this matter" he added.

In response to a query, Trudeau said, "We are standing for the rule of law or highlighting how unacceptable it would be for any country to be involved in the killing of a citizen on its own soil."

"I think it is important that as a country with a strong, independent justice system ... we allow those justice processes to unfold themselves with the utmost integrity. but I assure this decision to share these allegations on the floor in the House of Commons on Monday morning was not made lightly and was done with utmost seriousness," Canadian PM said.

Deeply concerned...critical that probe proceeds: Antony Blinken on India-Canada diplomatic row

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Ottawa, September 23

C anadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday said that Ottawa had shared allegations regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar with India weeks ago.

While addressing a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trudeau said, "In regards to India, Canada has shared the credible allegations that I talked about on Monday. With India, we did that many weeks ago. We are there to work constructively with India and we hope that they engage with us so that we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter."

On Monday, Justin Trudeau alleged India's role behind the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar resulting in flaring up of tensions between the two nations. India on Tuesday rejected such allegations calling them 'absurd' and 'motivated'.

Ministry of External Affairs in a press release said that Canadian PM Justin Trudeau had made similar allegations to PM Narendra Modi and they were "completely rejected."

MEA in a press release said, "We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of the Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated."

It further said, "Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister, and were completely rejected."

India on Tuesday expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a reciprocal move to Canada expelling a senior Indian diplomat in light of the claim of New Delhi's involvement in the killing of the wanted separatist leader.

On Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that the allegations made by Canada regarding the "potential links" of India behind the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are "politically driven".

"Yes, I do think there is a degree of prejudice here. They have made allegations and taken action against them. To us, it seems that these allegations by the government of Canada are primarily politically driven," Bagchi said while addressing a weekly presser.

The MEA spokesperson further said no information has been shared by Canada regarding the killing of Nijjar.

"We are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us, but so far we have received no specific information from Canada," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday answering queries.

In his news conference in New York on Thursday, the Canadian Prime Minister, however, failed to present any evidence to back Canadian claims. Trudeau was repeatedly quizzed on the nature of the allegations but stuck to reiterating that there were "credible reasons" to believe that India was linked to the death of Nijjar.

"There are credible reasons to believe that agents of the Government of India were involved in the killing of a Canadian on Canadian soil. That is ...there is something of utmost foundational importance in a country's rule of law in a world where international rules-based order matters" said Trudeau.

"We call upon the Government of India to take seriously this matter and to work with us to shed full transparency and ensure accountability and justice in this matter" he added.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of Khalistan Tiger Force -- a Sikh extremist organisation banned by India -- and a "designated terrorist" was gunned down in Canada's Surrey in June.

Shared credible allegations with India many weeks ago: Canada PM Trudeau

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New York, September 23

E xternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held a meeting with counterparts from Brazil, Bahrain and South Africa on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Jaishankar and Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani held talks on connectivity, economic linkages and regional dynamics.

In his post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, Jaishankar stated, "So glad to meet Foreign Minister of Bahrain, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani this evening. Good conversation on connectivity, economic linkages and regional dynamics."

Earlier this month, India, the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

EAM Jaishankar also held a meeting with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and South African counterpart Naledi Pandor. He noted that the joint communique showcases the strength of "South-South" solidarity.

Taking to X, Jaishankar stated, "A very productive IBSA meeting with Foreign Ministers Mauro Vieira and Naledi Pandor on #UNGA78 sidelines. The Joint Communique demonstrates the strength of our South-South solidarity."

Jaishankar held a meeting with the UK Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, and United Nations Lord Tariq Ahmad. The two leaders spoke about India-UK ties and discussed developments related to Ukraine.

"Pleased to meet UK MoS @tariqahmadbt in New York today. A useful stock taking of our relationship. Also discussed recent developments pertaining to Ukraine," Jaishankar posted on X.

Earlier, EAM S Jaishankar held a meeting with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

In a post shared on X, Jaishankar stated, "Great to catch up with FM @SenatorWong of Australia on #UNGA78 sidelines. Noted the positive trajectory of our ties and discussed specific steps to take them further. Our exchange of regional and global assessments are always valuable."

Penny Wong noted that Australia and India share an interest in a "stable, secure region" and a world in which agreed rules are "upheld and sovereignty is respected."

Taking to X, Penny Wong stated, "Constructive meeting with @drsjaishankar discussing regional security, and a range of bilateral issues including economic engagement. Australia and India share an interest in a stable, secure region, and a world in which agreed rules are upheld and sovereignty is respected."

Earlier in the day, S Jaishankar discussed regional, multilateral and global cooperation with his Japanese counterpart Yoko Kamikawa. Both delegates further exchanged views on the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

Taking to his social media 'X', Jaishankar stated, "Delighted to meet Foreign Minister of Japan Yoko Kamikawa at #UNGA78. Exchanged perspectives on our Special Strategic and Global Partnership Discussed our regional, multilateral and global cooperation and taking them forward."

Notably, Jaishankar is leading the Indian delegation for a week-long visit to New York, where he is scheduled to address a High-Level session of the 78th UNGA on September 26, according to an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.

EAM Jaishankar will be meeting with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and President of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis. During his visit to the US from September 22-30, Jaishankar will in keeping with India's support for the Global South host a special event 'India-UN for Global South Delivering for Development'.

Upon completion of the 78th UNGA-related engagements, EAM Jaishankar will visit Washington, DC from September 27-30 for bilateral meetings with US interlocutors.

His program includes discussions with his US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, senior members of the US administration, US business leaders and think tanks. He will also be addressing the 4th World Culture Festival being organised by the Art of Living.

EAM Jaishankar meets counterparts from Brazil, Bahrain and South Africa

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Musk impressed by iPhone 15 photos & videos, says 'I'm buying one'

San Francisco, Sep 23

E lon Musk, the owner of X, has expressed his intention to purchase one model from Apple's latest iPhone 15 series, following its recent release.

Tesla CEO expressed his admiration for Apple's iPhone 15 in a brief but noteworthy exchange on X.

The conversation started when Apple CEO Tim Cook shared photos taken with the iPhone 15 Pro Max by renowned photographers -- Stephen Wilkes and Reuben Wu.

"World-renowned photographers Stephen Wilkes and Reuben Wu show us creativity is limitless with iPhone 15 Pro Max. Their vivid photos display breathtaking views from the beauty of summer in Rhode Island to the other-worldly deserts of Utah," Cook posted on X on Friday.

Musk responded by praising the high quality of iPhone photos and videos, expressing his interest in the device.

"The beauty of iPhone pictures and video is incredible," he said.

Later, when Cook announced Apple's latest product lineup is now available around the world, Musk declared "I'm buying one!".

Earlier this week, in an interview with CBS, Cook said that there are "some things about" Musk's X that he doesn't like.

Cook called the platform's apparent anti-semitism problem "abhorrent" but added, "Twitter is an important property; I like the concept that it's there for discourse".

However, when asked whether Apple should be advertising on X, he said that this is something the company "constantly" asks itself.

iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities, starting at Rs 79,900 and Rs 89,900, respectively.

iPhone 15 Pro starts at Rs 134,900 and is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities.

iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at Rs 159,900 and is available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities.

Musk impressed by iPhone 15 photos & videos, says 'I'm buying one'

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Photo: Contributed

My mom used to say, Theres not much a cookie cant cure.

I know thats perhaps a tad optimistic, but I always loved the philosophy. I know cookies dont cure anything, but my ongoing road trip has confirmed my belief they do help create and reinforce connections.

Ill give you an example using Oreo cookies. I have yet to meet anyone who doesnt like them. (But I know youre out there, and I dont want you to feel excluded so please read on.) Oreos can make people smile. And, in the U.S., they have so many types.

I am a traditional kind of gal. No Double Stuff for me, thanks. Chocolate filling is OK, but why mess with success? Or so I thought until we got to Iowa and I found Toffee Crunch Oreos.

Fair warning, this variation turns a vintage favourite into a new thing altogether. But change is good, and innovation, especially the tasty kind, deserves appreciation.

I could do without Pumpkin Spice Oreos, but if these show up in Canada, Id say go ahead and try them. They gave me the same kind of ear-to-ear smile as the originals, and they are downright yummy.

There are plenty of independent places where amazing home-baked goods are produced and we have supported many in our travels. I have made it a mission to avoid corporate coffee places and frequent the local haunts. But there is one American chain of grocery stores that has a sort of cult status, so we needed to include it on our shopping list. Its Trader Joes.

If youve never been to a Trader Joes, its hard to explain just how much fun it can be. They have treats of every sortflavoured fruit jellies, chocolate covered nuts and dried fruit, packaged sweet and savoury sauces and condiments. Its a gourmands paradise. But the cookie aisle is almost daunting.

I am a fan of Joe-Joes, their sandwich cookies. Chocolate cookies with a peanut butter filling are a good combination, but at Christmas, they do a deluxe chocolate covered sandwich with peppermint filling and candy cane pieces on the outside. There are also Dunkers (crispy oatmeal cookies), Triple Ginger Snaps, soft-baked Snickerdoodles. You get the idea.

For a store-bought cookie, Trader Joes has got all the bases covered. The catch is, you have to make your own connection with other fellow cookie lovers.

I dont want to finish this column without giving you an example of a homemade cookie you can try yourself as that would be mean. So, Im going to share a recipe ta friend shared with me, one she has always made for her family, just as her mom did when she was little.

Have you heard of Monster cookies? I hadnt. We were comparing childhood memories of favourite treats, and apparently this is a popular Midwest cookie. It is a hearty, flavourful recipe, good enough for a midday snack but with just enough decadence to offset the oats.

The recipe she shared was for huge proportions, meant to last a large family a little while. (It started with three pounds of peanut butter). She mentioned mixing it in her turkey roasting pan. I was doubtful about making a huge batch, but once I tasted them, I realized the sense in it. That same old smile crept across my lips and spread from ears to ear, and I could feel the love that came from making them.

Photo: Contributed

Sustenance is defined as food and drink regarded as a source of strength and nourishment. I take the Winnie the Poohs interpretation of this conceptsustenance is about feeling connected to our food and the enjoyment of it. Our favourite foods call to us, just like Poohs pots of honey. (Pooh has also shown us that foods like honeyand cookiescan cause us to see heffalumps at night if we have too many. )

Everyone has a favourite cookie that sustains them. Maybe its homemade, or maybe its store bought. Either way, they have a special place in our hearts. They connect us to that warm, fuzzy feeling we get from pleasant experiences. When we get to share them with others, it amplifies the feeling.

I hope you get to share a favourite cookie with someone special soon.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
BEIJING, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Multiple subway lines in Beijing will participate in a pilot project to transport express parcels during off-peak hours from Saturday, aiming to reduce road congestion and lower carbon emissions.

Beijing's urban rail transit network has been expanding in recent years, with 27 lines currently covering a total distance of 807 kilometers, according to Wang Shuling from the Beijing Transport Institute.

The capital handles approximately 15 million express parcels every day, and most are delivered via urban road transportation.

The pioneering project "leverages the surplus capacity of subway systems during off-peak hours," Wang said. "It is expected to gradually alleviate traffic congestion while lowering carbon emissions."

To ensure the safe and orderly operations of the pilot lines, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport has stipulated that goods transported must adhere to a catalog of items prohibited on Beijing subways and pass security checks, according to commission official Zhou Yuan.

Participating enterprises have designed reusable express delivery boxes that are compatible with urban rail transit dimensions, and developed dedicated trolleys that can facilitate safe and convenient transportation, Zhou said. 
Trudeau's India allegation based on 'shared intelligence from Five Eyes': US ambassador

Ottawa, Sep 23

U S Ambassador to Canada David Cohen has said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation against India was based on "shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners," the media reported.

"There was shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners that helped lead Canada to making the statements that the Prime Minister Trudeau made," Cohen said in an exclusive interview to CTV.

The Canadian government has collected "human and signal intelligence" involving Indian officials, including Indian diplomats present in Canada linking them to killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the media reported.

"Based on a month-long investigation into Nijjar's death, the Canadian government had amassed both human and signals intelligence which includes communications involving Indian officials themselves, including Indian diplomats present in Canada," public broadcaster Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported quoting government sources.

Some of the intelligence was provided by an unnamed ally in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, that consists of the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, the CBC reported.

India and Canada are enmeshed in a diplomatic row over Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau allegation of involvement of Indian intelligence and the state in the killing of Canadian citizen and Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in June in British Columbia. Nijjar was declared designated terrorist by India in 2020.

India had rejected claims by the Canada government terming them as "absurd and motivated".

Both countries announced tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats and issued travel advisories.

Nijjar was shot dead outside a Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.

Trudeau's India allegation based on 'shared intelligence from Five Eyes': US ambassador

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Utopian to think justice delivery can't be challenged: CJI at International Lawyers' Conference

New Delhi, September 23

C hief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Saturday said it was "utopian" to think that there could ever be a day when the "delivery of justice" will not be challenged.

Addressing the inauguration of the International Lawyers' Conference 2023 in the national capital on Saturday, the CJI also underlined the "pivotal role" played by India in raising Supreme Court buildings in Mauritius and Bhutan.

The CJI, however, said it is realistic to aspire to a world where nations, institutions and, most importantly, individuals are open to engaging with each other.

"Each one of us has volumes to learn from different jurisdictions, perspectives, and most importantly each other..," CJI Justice Chandrachud said at the inauguration of the International Lawyer's Conference on Saturday.

Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Vigyan Bhawan on Saturday, the inauguration was also attended by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.

He said the programme will witness the participation of distinguished judges, legal professionals, and leaders of the global legal fraternity over the next two days.

"It is utopian to think that there will be a day when we will find perfect solutions and no challenge to justice delivery. However, it is not utopian to aspire to a world where nations, institutions, and most importantly individuals are open to engaging with one another," the CJI said, adding, "India has a relatively infant law for IBC and we have drawn extensively from jurisdictions such as the UK, US, Australia, and Singapore."

Recalling a recent meeting with his Singapore counterpart and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, the CJI said the work of the Supreme Court is often cited by the offices of justice overseas.

"Knowledge sharing is a two-way street," Justice Chandrachud said, adding that India "played a pivotal role in constructing" the Supreme Court buildings in Mauritius and Bhutan.

The conference aims to serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue and discussion on various legal topics of national and international importance, foster the exchange of ideas and experiences, and strengthen international cooperation and understanding of legal issues.

The conference, being organised for the first time in the country, will discuss topics such as emerging legal trends, challenges in cross-border litigation, legal technology, and environmental law, among others.

Organised by the Bar Council of India, the two-day International Lawyer's Conference 2023 is themed on 'Emerging Challenges in Justice Delivery System'.

Utopian to think justice delivery can't be challenged: CJI at International Lawyers' Conference

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Nagpur, Sep 23

A woman was killed and hundreds of people were evacuated to safer places after a thunderous downpour since midnight of Friday-Saturday virtually submerged the state's second capital Nagpur into a lake city, and the Indian Army was called for the rescue operations, officials said.

The torrential rains accompanied by thunder and lightning, poured over the city and surroundings, and many areas woke up to between one and four feet of waterlogging.

Thousands of citizens were left stranded in their homes or buildings, unable to step out as waters flooded the ground floors of housing complexes and in some areas power was switched off as a precaution, hitting even water supply.

A 70-year-old woman identified as Mirabai Pillay died in the flood waters and over 350 people in different parts were evacuated to safer locations.

Besides the Army, the SDRF, NDRF, Nagpur Police, fire brigade and other agencies were deployed in boats to help out the marooned people and take them to safer locations as intermittent rains continued to batter the city even on Saturday.

Some areas of the city which reported severe waterlogging included Shankar Nagar, Panchsheel Chowk, Sitabuldi, Ambazari, Kanchipura, Itwari, Lakadganj, Dharampeth, Mekosabaug, Sadar, Cotton Market and surroundings.

At least 50 girls stuck in a private hostel were rescued with ropes and shifted to a higher location, and some distressed families in buildings where two-three feet water seeped into their homes, were also moved out.

Hundreds of public and private vehicles all over the city were partly or fully submerged under water as drains, gutters, the Ambazari Lake and other water bodies flooded beyond the danger levels, with the waters gushing into the city.

As the rains assumed alarming proportions by 5 a.m., the city and district authorities ordered closure of all schools for the day to avoid inconveniencing the students.

The IMD has issued an alert for more heavy rains over the next 48 hours and urged people to exercise all precautions including moving out to safer spots with the help of the rescue agencies.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said in Mumbai that the government is constantly monitoring the flood situation in Nagpur while Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis is likely to reach here this evening for a spot assessment of the scenario.

The IMD said that more than 100 mm rainfall was recorded in just four hours after midnight, which led to flooding the Nag River, and a local road bridge is reportedly washed away, stranding vehicular traffic in both directions

1 killed, 350 evacuated as Nagpur turns into 'lake city' after heavy rains

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
EAM Jaishankar has productive, busy day of bilateral, multilateral engagements in New York

New York, September 23

E xternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a productive and busy day of engagements with his counterparts from multiple countries on the margins of the 78th United National General Assembly in New York.

The significant day for the EAM began with the Quad Foreign Ministers meeting which included the foreign ministers of the four-nation bloc -- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.

https//twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1705382104815865949

Quad Ministers in a Joint Statement addressed and reaffirmed action on some really prominent issues including counter terrorism, cross-border movement of terrorists, indo-Pacific, denuclearization of North Korea, reiterating UNSC expansion and Russia-Ukraine War.

External Affairs Minister held a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa and discussed regional, multilateral and global cooperation.

Taking to his social media 'X', formerly known as Twitter, Jaishankar stated, "Delighted to meet Foreign Minister of Japan Yoko Kamikawa at #UNGA78. Exchanged perspectives on our Special Strategic and Global Partnership Discussed our regional, multilateral and global cooperation and taking them forward."

EAM also met with his Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and noted the positive trajectory of ties with Australia and discussed specific measures that need to be made to take the relations further.

In a post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, Jaishankar stated, "Great to catch up with FM @SenatorWong of Australia on #UNGA78 sidelines. Noted the positive trajectory of our ties and discussed specific steps to take them further. Our exchange of regional and global assessments are always valuable."

Later on, Jaishankar held a meeting with counterparts from Brazil, Bahrain and South Africa. Jaishankar and Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani held talks on connectivity, economic linkages and regional dynamics.

Jaishankar stated on X, "So glad to meet the Foreign Minister of Bahrain, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani this evening. Good conversation on connectivity, economic linkages and regional dynamics."

Later in the day, Jaishankar met the UK's Minister of State Foreign Commonwealth & Development Affairs, Tariq Ahmed.

"Pleased to meet UK MoS @tariqahmadbt in New York today. A useful stock taking of our relationship. Also discussed recent developments pertaining to Ukraine," Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation for a week-long visit to New York, where he will address the United Nations General Assembly.

Jaishankar, who will embark on his US visit today, is scheduled to address a High-Level session of the 78th UNGA on September 26 according to an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.

EAM Jaishankar has productive, busy day of bilateral, multilateral engagements in New York

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New York, September 23

E xternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry here on Saturday and discussed bilateral ties on the margins of the 78th United Nations General Assembly session in New York.

After shaking hands, Jaishankar and the Egyptian Foreign Minister had a brief bilateral meeting in the presence of officials from the both sides.

Earlier on Friday, External Affairs Minister had a productive and busy day of engagements with his counterparts from multiple countries on the margins of the 78th UNGA.

Jaishankar is scheduled to address the 78th UNGA on September 26 according to an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Earlier this month, Egypt President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi arrived in New Delhi for the G20 summit. The summit, which was attended by a sizeable complement of world leaders and delegates representing international organisations, hosted at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam over two days -- September 9 and 10.

Earlier in June, PM Modi visited Egypt at the invitation of the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. On his arrival in Cairo, the Prime Minister was received by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and was accorded a ceremonial welcome.

PM Modi's Egypt visit came as a reciprocal gesture following President El-Sisi's presence as the Chief Guest at India's Republic Day celebrations earlier this year. El-Sisi's visit proved to be highly successful, culminating in both nations mutually agreeing to elevate their relations to the status of a strategic partnership.

The PM Modi's visit, the first by any Indian PM since 1997, was significant as Egypt has traditionally been one of India's most important trading partners in the African continent. India-Egypt Bilateral Trade Agreement has been in operation since March 1978 and is based on the Most Favored Nation clause, according to the Egyptian Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics .

India was Egypt's fifth largest trading partner in the period April -December 2022. It was the 11th-largest importer of Egyptian goods and the 5th-largest exporter to Egypt during the same time.

The two countries share a close political understanding based on a long history of contact and cooperation in bilateral, regional and global issues.

EAM Jaishankar holds bilateral talks with Egyptian counterpart in New York

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- In response to the UN chief's recent call for a renewed approach to global peace and security, countries participating in the UN Peacebuilding Commission gathered at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday to deliberate on the way forward.

The secretary-general's New Agenda for Peace seeks to tackle these intricate challenges by leveraging multilateralism, firmly grounded in the principles of the UN Charter and international law. It places a central focus on fostering trust, solidarity, and universality.

This development arises in the wake of criticism from certain member states, which contend that the United Nations' effectiveness in peacebuilding and peacekeeping has diminished. These concerns coincide with escalating demands for comprehensive reform of institutions such as the Security Council.

Representing the UN chief at the meeting, that brought together ministers from member states and countries on the commission's agenda, UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo explained the details of the plan.

"Our goal is to present a unifying vision for peace and security -- one that is clear-eyed about the magnitude of today's challenges, and which addresses the concerns and priorities of different constituencies," she said.

At the heart of this vision lies an appeal for member states to give precedence to diplomacy, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding. Achieving these objectives necessitates the implementation of comprehensive strategies, the display of political courage, and the cultivation of robust partnerships supported by sustainable resources and driven by national leadership.

The commission, an intergovernmental advisory body launched in 2005, plays a crucial role in supporting peace efforts in conflict-affected countries.

Consisting of 31 member states elected from the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the Economic and Social Council, it brings together top donors and troop-contributing countries.

"Above all, greater trust -- among member states, among people and in the institution of the United Nations itself -- is essential," underscored DiCarlo, presenting an approach to conflict prevention and peacebuilding that rests on three principles.

Recognizing the broad impact of violence, A New Agenda for Peace urges all member states to work tirelessly to silence the guns.

It underscores the importance of involving all nations in prevention efforts, not limited solely to those currently embroiled in conflicts. The call extends to every state, urging them to formulate their own national strategies for prevention.

Lastly, it stresses that prevention must "be nationally led and owned," addressing trust issues and aligning national priorities with international support when necessary.

Regarding the reform of UN entities such as the Security Council and General Assembly, the Peacebuilding Commission assumes a significant role in facilitating dialogues pertaining to peace and development matters, enhancing collaboration, and establishing formal ties with international financial institutions.

In her advocacy for greater sustainability and predictability in financing peacebuilding initiatives, DiCarlo also stressed the need for stronger connections between the commission and the Peacebuilding Fund. She emphasized the General Assembly's commitment to financing peace as a crucial reminder. 
BEIJING, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- As Chinese farmers celebrate the sixth harvest festival on Saturday, local signature farm produce industry is thriving, adding a splash of color to the country's panorama of rural revitalization.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has made in-person efforts to urge the effective fostering of signature farm produce, with a view to creating local job opportunities and increasing the incomes of rural residents.

On his trip to south China's Guangdong Province in April this year, Xi visited a lychee orchard in a village and talked with technicians there. He learnt about their incomes and the sales channels for lychees, as well as the challenges facing the business.

Xi called for the enhancing of technologies used in lychee cultivation, preservation and processing, so as to boost the sector.

"Developing local characteristic industries is an important way to achieve rural revitalization. We should do a good job to boost the local specialty industry and promote rural revitalization across the board by invigorating industries," he told local cadres.

One year earlier, when inspecting south China's Hainan Province, he learnt that local people had created a better life by developing the tea industry, taking advantage of the unique natural conditions there.

Xi emphasized the importance of integrating ecological resources with the growth of industries, and urged efforts to "continue to expand and improve industries including organic farm produce, rural tourism and leisure agriculture."

For over a decade, Xi has always had high expectations of the production and popularization of local signature products, such as peonies, tea oil, strawberries, potatoes, apples and grapes, to name a few.

On many occasions, while visiting the countryside, he would carefully investigate the output of local specialties and farmers' incomes, talking with local people in greenhouses, on field ridges, among the fruit trees and in front of farmhouses.

Speaking at multiple important conferences around the country, he has also stressed the necessity of properly developing these industries.

In 2020, at the annual central rural work conference, he emphasized the importance of accelerating the development of rural industries. He mentioned some typical examples, including the success of the black fungus industry in a village in the Qinling Mountain area of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, as well as the daylily base in north China's Shanxi Province.

At the annual central rural work conference held in December 2022, Xi noted, "The development of industries is the most important point on the agenda of rural revitalization, and supportive policies must be implemented to the letter in this regard. Particular attention should be paid to local specialties." 
Download Now

The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print.




A receding hairline, a total loss of hair from the crown, and ultimately, the classical horseshoe-shaped pattern of baldness: Previous research into male pattern hair loss, also termed androgenetic alopecia, has implicated multiple common genetic variants. Human geneticists from the University Hospital of Bonn (UKB) and by the Transdisciplinary Research Unit "Life & Health" of the University of Bonn have now performed a systematic investigation of the extent to which rare genetic variants may also contribute to this disorder. For this purpose, they analyzed the genetic sequences of 72,469 male participants from the UK Biobank project. The analyses identified five significantly associated genes, and further corroborated genes implicated in previous research. The results have now been published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Communications.

Male-pattern hair loss is the most common form of hair loss in men, and is largely attributable to hereditary factors. Current treatment options and risk prediction are suboptimal, thus necessitating research into the genetic underpinnings of the condition. To date, studies worldwide have focused primarily on common genetic variants, and have implicated more than 350 genetic loci, in particular the androgen receptor gene, which is located on the maternally inherited X chromosome. In contrast, the contribution to this common condition of rare genetic variants has traditionally been assumed to be low. However, systematic analyses of rare variants have been lacking. "Such analyses are more challenging as they require large cohorts, and the genetic sequences must be captured base by base, e.g., through genome or exome sequencing of affected individuals," explained first author Sabrina Henne, who is a doctoral student at the Institute of Human Genetics at the UKB and the University of Bonn. The statistical challenge lies in the fact that these rare genetic variants may be carried by very few, or even single, individuals. "That is why we apply gene-based analyses that first collapse variants on the basis of the genes in which they are located," explained corresponding author PD Dr. Stefanie Heilmann-Heimbach, who is a research group leader at the Institute of Human Genetics at the UKB at the University of Bonn. Among other methods, the Bonn researchers used a type of sequence kernel association test (SKAT), which is a popular method for detecting associations with rare variants, as well as GenRisk, which is a method developed at the Institute of Genomic Statistics and Bioinformatics (IGSB) at the UKB and the University of Bonn.

Possible relevance of rare variants in male-pattern hair loss

The research involved the analysis of genetic sequences from 72,469 male UK Biobank participants. Within this extensive data set, Bonn geneticists, together with researchers from the IGSB and the Center for Human Genetics at the University Hospital Marburg, examined rare gene variants that occur in less than one percent of the population. Using modern bioinformatic and statistical methods, they found associations between male-pattern hair loss and rare genetic variants in the following five genes: EDA2R, WNT10A, HEPH, CEPT1, and EIF3F.

Prior to the analyses, EDA2R and WNT10A were already considered candidate genes, as based on previous analyses of common variants. "Our study provides further evidence that these two genes play a role, and that this occurs through both common and rare variants," explained Dr. Stefanie Heilmann-Heimbach. Similarly, HEPH is located in a genetic region that has already been implicated by common variants, namely the EDA2R/Androgen receptor, which is a region that has consistently shown the strongest association with male-pattern hair loss in past association studies. "However, HEPH itself has never been considered as a candidate gene. Our study suggests that it may also play a role," explained Sabrina Henne. "The genes CEPT1 and EIF3F are located in genetic regions that have not yet been associated with male-pattern hair loss. They are thus entirely new candidate genes, and we hypothesize that rare variants within these genes contribute to the genetic predisposition. HEPH, CEPT1, and EIF3F represent highly plausible new candidate genes, given their previously described role in hair development and growth." Furthermore, the results of the study suggest that genes that are known to cause rare inherited diseases affecting both skin and hair (such as the ectodermal dysplasias) may also play a role in the development of male-pattern hair loss. The researchers hope that the puzzle pieces they have discovered will improve understanding of the causes of hair loss, and thus facilitate reliable risk prediction and improved treatment strategies.

The research was supported by funding from the Medical Faculty of the University of Bonn. Prof. Dr. Markus Nothen, Director of the Institute of Human Genetics at UKB and co-author of the study, is a member of the Transdisciplinary Research Area (TRA) "Life and Health" at the University of Bonn. The publication costs in open access format were funded by the DEAL project of the University of Bonn.
Scientists studying Alzheimer's disease (AD) have identified thousands of genetic variants in the genome in the development of this progressive neurodegenerative disease.

These variants are predominantly located in genomic regions that do not code for proteins, making it difficult to understand which variants confer individuals' risk of AD. Non-coding variants were once thought to be "junk DNA" by scientists. In recent years, these variants have been appreciated for playing crucial roles in controlling gene expression across tissues and cell types. However, linking these non-coding variants to the genes they regulate and effects on AD-related functions is a daunting task.

Now, researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and The University of California, San Francisco, have identified the connections of risk variants with functions in microglia and then how they may contribute to AD.

Microglia are brain's immune cells and are critically important for AD. Our study focuses squarely on the critical genomic regions that are important for regulating microglia cells. These variants and regions we've uncovered will serve as a great starting point for conducting further experiments in microglia." Yun Li, professor of genetics and biostatistics, UNC School of Medicine and UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health

Li and Yin Shen, PhD, associate professor at the Institute of Human Genetics and the Department of Neurology at UC-San Francisco, and their teams performed a detailed analysis in microglia of potential functional regions harboring genetic variants associated with AD. They discovered 181 new regions of interest containing 308 prioritized variants, which were previously not considered to play a role in Alzheimer's disease. Their results were published in Nature Genetics.

Fine-mapping and CRISPRi

Li and her colleagues started from 37 genetic loci associated with AD to prioritize risk variants and their residing potential functional regions -- termed candidate cis-regulatory regions (cCRE) -- in microglia, they performed a process called fine-mapping. One locus at a time, they studied the associated variants with a special consideration of epigenetic signatures and 3D genome interaction annotations indicating their likelihood of functioning in microglia.

After prioritizing variants that are most likely to exert their effect on AD through gene regulatory function in microglia, they performed CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) screening experiments to nail down the exact regions that affect microglia gene expression using human pluripotent stem cell differentiated microglia.

Using this epigenomic editing technology, the researchers can "perturb" candidate regions to see whether any tested genomic regions can impact downstream gene expression. They found that turning off one region can often impact a "whole neighborhood" of genes, much like a blackout on a power grid.

"We have been asking the wrong question," said Li. "We should be asking what the targeting gene or genes of these variants are affecting the microglia. Sometimes, one variant may affect the expression of multiple genes in the neighborhood."

Identifying one among the rest

Additionally, each region could contain several AD-associated genetic variants. Researchers then needed to pinpoint which variants are causal among the many that were identified through genetic analysis. Such precision is crucial for understanding the mechanisms by which non-coding variants contribute to the development of AD.

The team employed a cutting-edge genome editing technique  prime editing, which allows them to introduce one single DNA base substitution at a time and to assess individual variant function at the TSPAN14 AD risk locus. Through this method, they were able to identify one specific variant, differentiating it from another which is almost perfectly correlated and in the same cCRE region, to be responsible for TSPAN14 expression.

Linking non-coding variants to functions beyond gene expression

More importantly, the responsible variant further negatively affected a cascade of downstream cellular processes, including the maturation of ADAM10 protein and soluble TREM2 shredding in microglia. Since all three aforementioned genes are known to be risk genes for AD, the study successfully links an AD non-coding variant to functions in microglia beyond control of gene expression.

Their research findings, Li said, will serve as a new foundation from which other researchers can discover more causal variants of AD, predict disease risks, and develop more effective therapies. This work was also made possible in collaboration with Li Gan's group from the Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College.

Li, Shen, and Gan labs will continue to expand the analysis of AD risk variants using more complex model systems that mimic the human brain, such as human cerebral organoids.
A cavalcade of vehicles full of striking auto workers exit a GM factory in Belleville, Michigan, the United States, on Sept. 22, 2023. (Photo by Val Waller/Xinhua)

CHICAGO, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The United Auto Workers (UAW) is expanding its strike against the Big Three U.S. automakers to 38 General Motors Co. and Stellantis NV parts distribution centers across the United States, UAW President Shawn Fain announced during a Facebook live event Friday.

Ford Motor Co. is spared from the expansion of the strike as its negotiations with UAW will continue.

Some 5,600 workers at those facilities spanning 20 states are slated to walk off the job at noon Friday, joining the 12,700 workers who are already on UAW's strike.

The union's strike originally just targeted three plants, namely Ford's Wayne Assembly Plant in state of Michigan, GM's Wentzville Assembly in state of Missouri and Stellantis' Toledo Jeep plant in state of Ohio. This is the first time in its 88-year history for UAW striking against all Big Three U.S. automakers.

Fain threatened days ago if serious progress was not made in negotiations, the union would spread strike to more plants Friday.

Expansion of the strike will make situation worse as the impact of strike has already been spreading.

GM has idled its Fairfax plant in Kansas where 2,000 hourly employees work, as a result of the impact of the UAW strike at its Wentzville Assembly Plant in Missouri. Stellantis on Wednesday laid off 68 workers at its machining plant as a result of the UAW's strike at its Toledo Jeep plant in Ohio. Ford laid off about 600 workers last week at its Wayne plant, where the UAW body and paint shop workers are striking.

After almost a week of negotiations, it appears the union and the Big Three automakers are still far apart on some key issues, The Detroit News reported Friday.

GM President Mark Reuss in an opinion piece published in a local media Wednesday called UAW demands "untenable," saying GM's offer would bring 85 percent of the company's represented employees to a base wage of about 82,000 dollars a year. UAW Vice President Mike Booth, also director of the union's GM department, nevertheless responded with his own piece Thursday, saying the union was fighting for all 100 percent of its members. 

An auto worker holding placards takes part in a strike in Belleville, Michigan, the United States, on Sept. 22, 2023. (Photo by Val Waller/Xinhua)

An auto worker holding a placard takes part in a strike in Belleville, Michigan, the United States, on Sept. 22, 2023. (Photo by Val Waller/Xinhua)

Auto workers take part in a strike in Belleville, Michigan, the United States, on Sept. 22, 2023. (Photo by Val Waller/Xinhua)

Auto workers take part in a strike in Belleville, Michigan, the United States, on Sept. 22, 2023. (Photo by Val Waller/Xinhua)

Auto workers take part in a strike in Belleville, Michigan, the United States, on Sept. 22, 2023. (Photo by Val Waller/Xinhua)

Auto workers take part in a strike in Belleville, Michigan, the United States, on Sept. 22, 2023. (Photo by Val Waller/Xinhua)
Data from the UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) indicates that cases of TB in England increased by 7% in the first half of 2023 compared to the same timeframe in 2022, with 2,408 notifications compared to 2,251 in the first 2 quarters of 2022.

While England remains a low-incidence country for tuberculosis, progress towards elimination has stalled in recent years. Ahead of the United Nations (UN) High Level Meeting on tuberculosis, UKHSA is reminding people that TB is not just a problem for other countries - it is impacting increasing numbers of people at home.

TB notification rates in England remain highest in people who are originally from parts of the world where TB is more common and those in large urban areas in England which are associated with higher levels of deprivation, and in inclusion health groups - a term used to describe people who are socially excluded and typically experience multiple overlapping risk factors for poor health. This includes those experiencing homelessness or contact with the criminal justice system.

TB disproportionately impacts certain people, in part, due to the barriers they may face in accessing the interventions designed to identify clinical onset of TB; access to diagnostic and treatment services; ability to self-administer treatment and attendance at follow-ups.

Dr Esther Robinson, Head of the TB Unit at UKHSA , said:

TB is curable and preventable, but despite significant progress towards elimination in recent years, the disease remains a serious public health issue in the UK. With treatment, most people will make a full recovery. It is very important that those with relevant symptoms are tested for TB and appropriate treatment is started promptly, both for the individual and for the prevention of onward transmission. As we head into winter, it is important to remember that not every persistent cough, along with a fever, is caused by flu or COVID-19. A cough that usually has mucus and lasts longer than 3 weeks can be caused by a range of other issues, including TB. Tuberculosis develops slowly, and it may take several weeks, months or even years after you were infected before you notice you're unwell. Contact your GP if you think you could be at risk so you can get tested and treated."

Multi-drug resistance remains a major concern for TB treatment, but the latest data indicates that the proportion of people with a multi-drug resistant form of the TB bacteria has remained relatively stable in recent years.
Petrol and diesel prices today, September 23, mostly remained unchanged in the country. In Delhi, petrol price today stood at Rs 96.72 per litre and diesel at Rs 89.62 per litre. In Mumbai, petrol was selling at Rs 106.31 per litre on Saturday, while diesel stood at Rs 94.27.

Among other major cities, in Kolkata, petrol was selling at Rs 106.03 per litre, while diesel was at Rs 92.76 a litre. In Chennai, the price of petrol stood at Rs 102.63 per litre and diesel at Rs 94.24 per litre. In Hyderabad, the petrol price was at Rs 109.66 a litre and diesel stood at Rs 97.82 per litre.

In Lucknow, the petrol price stood at Rs 96.57 per litre and diesel was at Rs 89.76 per litre.
The All India Management Association (AIMA) is slated to release the Management Aptitude Test (MAT) 2023 results today, September 23. Candidates who took the entrance exam can check and download their scorecards by visiting the official website  mat.aima.in  and inputting the relevant login credentials. The AIMA authorities held the MAT exam in computer-based test mode on September 17, as per the schedule.

This year, the MAT 2023 question paper had four distinctive sections: language comprehension, intelligence and critical reasoning, data analysis and sufficiency, mathematical capabilities, and the Indian and global environment. Furthermore, each section contained 40 questions, which the candidates had to answer in 150 minutes. Students will receive one point for each correct answer. For each incorrect response, 25 points will be deducted.

MAT 2023 Result: How to Check

Step 1: Go to AIMAs official website, mat.aima.in.

Step 2: Log in to the candidates dashboard with your email address and password.

Step 3: Click the View MAT Result button.

Step 4: The MAT scorecard will appear on the screen

Step 5: Print out your MAT scorecard after downloading it.

Candidates are urged to thoroughly review all of the information on the results after obtaining them. The MAT scorecard should include the following information: name of the candidate, MAT 2023 roll number, The birth date of the candidate, Gender, Secured marks in each segment, MAT 2023 Scorecard Validity, Percentile, and the candidates address.

The institutes that accept MAT scores will shortlist students based on their cutoff criteria. The AIMA stated that once the MAT result is revealed, the participating institutes will issue their MAT 2023 cut-off. As per AIMA, Candidates are advised to check the approval/recognition status of various programs directly from the concerned Authorities/ Institutes/ Universities.

Moreover, AIMA stated that they have received reports of aspiring candidates MAT scores being rejected by some participating institutes and universities for admission to MBA full-time courses, despite their confirmation at the time of participation. Hence, before applying for the MAT, candidates should double-check with the relevant institutes or universities.

Management Aptitude Test is a standardised national-level test that has been used by business schools (B-Schools) since 1988 to assess students for admission to MBA courses and associated degrees. In 2003, the Ministry of Education of the Government of India authorised MAT as a national-level test..
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations are in full swing, and television stars are fully immersed in the festivities. While some opt for intimate home-based ceremonies, others are either hosting or attending vibrant Puja gatherings. One prominent Ganesh Chaturthi event is an annual affair hosted by director-producer Ektaa Kapoor. Among the numerous TV and Bollywood celebrities attending the festivities at Ektaa Kapoors residence, a particular couple caught the paparazzis attention.

Actress Ankita Lokhande and her husband Vicky Jain were spotted leaving Ektaa Kapoors home. A video posted by an Instagram paparazzi account captured Ankita Lokhande looking radiant in a lilac saree, elegantly paired with a tasteful necklace and matching earrings. Her makeup was understated yet dewy, completing her look.

On the other her, Ankitas husband Vicky Jain opted for a simple white kurta pyjama adorned with golden, shimmery accents on the neckline. He completed his ensemble with golden slip-on mojari shoes.

Watch the video here:

The video footage captured the couple as they exited the gate, acknowledging the presence of the media personnel and photographers. They posed together, sporting warm smiles, as they bid their farewell.

This celebrated couple, Ankita Lokhande and Vicky Jain, tied the knot in December 2021. The actress gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Archana in the immensely popular television series Pavitra Rishta. Apart from that, Ankita has also graced the small screen with her presence in shows like Ek Thhi Naayka and Shakti  Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki.

In 2019, Ankita Lokhande ventured into Bollywood with her role in Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi, alongside Kangana Ranaut. She also appeared in Baaghi 3, where Tiger Shroff played the lead role. Additionally, Ankita Lokhande showcased her talent as a participant in TV reality shows like Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and Comedy Circus.

The host of this Ganesh Chaturthi event, Ektaa Kapoor, the 48-year-old producer is gearing up for another groundbreaking cinematic journey with her upcoming project, Thank You For Coming. This film delves into the lives of five diverse women spanning various age groups. With its trailer and songs already making waves, the much-anticipated film gained further attention when it had its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.

During this premiere, Thank You For Coming received unanimous love and standing ovations from enthralled audiences.

Directed by Karan Boolani and produced by Rhea Kapoor and Ektaa Kapoor, Thank You for Coming boasts a star-studded cast including Bhumi Pednekar, Shehnaaz Gill, Dolly Singh, Kusha Kapila, and Shibani Bedi in lead roles. The film is set to hit the screens on October 6, 2023.
There is no question of compromising on issues related to terrorism, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri told News18 in an exclusive interview on the plummeting relations between India and Canada over Ottawas allegations that New Delhi had a hand in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Allegations are very different from evidence. I am sure the Ministry of External Affairs will deal with this. As far as I am concerned, there is no question of compromising on issues of terror. I have chaired the UN committee on terror. This business of going soft on some terrorists and not agreeing on the definition because one countrys terrorist is another countrys freedom fighter is very so and so (sic), the Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs and Petroleum & Natural Gas said.

A former diplomat, Puri was Chairman of the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee during 2011-2013.

There are people who are fugitives and in violation of our law. The government will deal with this properly. There will be people envious and jealous (of India), but India is capable of dealing with it. The fact that India acted as a unifier in a divided world and got the G20 Delhi declaration speaks volumes of the maturity of the leadership, the minister said.

Puri added that Khalistani sentiment has no resonance on the ground in Punjab.

I am very familiar with Punjab, fought an election there and I go there often. There is no concern on ground on Khalistan. Our people are also very mature. If anyone believes that outside forces with little bit of funding can create social divide here, their imagination is running riot.

Canada and India expelled a senior diplomat each earlier this week after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the involvement of agents of the Indian government in the killing of 45-year-old Nijjar, a prominent Sikh separatist leader, in Surrey in June. The claims were outrightly rejected by New Delhi as absurd and motivated.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and one of Indias most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia on June 18.

Nijjar was designated a terrorist by India under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in July 2020 and his property in the country was attached by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in September 2020.

Interpol Red Corner Notice was also issued against him in 2016. The local police of Surrey had also put Nijjar under house arrest temporarily in 2018 on suspicion of his terror involvement but he was released later.

Bilateral ties between India and Canada have been tense in recent months. Trade talks have been derailed and Canada just cancelled trade talks.

In his interview to News18, Puri also lauded the Narendra Modi governments recent decision to lower cylinder prices. It was a farsighted and sensitive decision taken by the PM on Raksha Bandhan.

He also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhis remarks on the Womens Reservation Bill. It is quite possible that Rahul Gandhis statements were written by the NGOs who have not read the Constitution. You brought the bill but couldnt see it through. This is Modi governments bill and not the Congresss.
The Centre, in a recent directive, has asked Joint Secretary-level officers to have a weekly interface with the programme heads of the flagship Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) across states following reports of many states not spending the budget under the scheme, News18 has learnt.

According to officials, in a meeting held recently, top officials from the Union Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) asked joint secretaries to hold discussions with all state programme heads on a weekly basis so as to follow up on the expenditure made under the scheme.

Officials said the move was prompted mainly due to several opposition-ruled states such as Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, among others, not spending the given outlay under the scheme, putting the beneficiaries at a disadvantage.

With just a few months away from 2024, when the next general elections are due, the ministry is making sure that the budget assigned to it is utilised and welfare works are completed by the year-end.

Among the opposition-ruled states, the Centre has withheld funds under the scheme to West Bengal since 2021, invoking a section under the MGNREG Act citing misuse of funds. This is despite the fact that the move has deprived its beneficiaries as well as denied their right to demand work as provisioned under it. A workers union has also filed a case against it in the Calcutta High Court.

MGNREGA guarantees 100 days of unskilled manual work to the adult members of a rural household in a financial year who have registered under it. The scheme worked as a safety net for thousands of migrant workers who went back to their native places during the pandemic years.

A Parliamentry Standing Committee on rural development, in a report released on implementation of MGNREGS during the Monsoon Session this year, said the Centres action taken replies to the recommendations made by the panel were stereotypical and evasive. It raised concerns that the benefits of the scheme were not reaching its intended target, the marginalised workers.

The report also highlighted the massive pendency in the liability of wages. As on January 1, Rs 6,231 crore in wages and Rs 7,616 crore in material component was pending liability on the Centres part, the panel observed.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday said Ottawa shared the credible allegation that agents of the Indian government were behind the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar with New Delhi weeks ago.

Follow India Canada News LIVE

Canada has shared the credible allegations that I talked about on Monday with India. We did that many weeks ago, the Canadian prime minister told a news conference in Ottawa, a Reuters report said.

We are there to work constructively with India. We hope that they engage with us so that we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter, he added.

Tensions flared between New Delhi and Ottawa earlier this week following Trudeaus allegations of potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil in June 2023.

Nijjar was shot dead outside a Gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.

India rejected the allegations as absurd and motivated and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a retaliatory move to Ottawas expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday said the United States wanted to see accountability over the killing of the Khalistani terrorist.

We are deeply concerned about the allegations that Prime Minister Trudeau has raised, Blinken told reporters in a press briefing.

Earlier on Tuesday, White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the US is deeply concerned about the allegations levelled against India by Canada.

We are deeply concerned about the allegations referenced by Prime Minister Trudeau, Watson said.

On Thursday, Trudeau said that Canada is not looking to provoke or cause problems with India and urged the Indian government to work together to uncover the truth.

While speaking on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Trudeau said, We call upon the government of India to take seriously this matter and to work with us to shed full transparency and ensure accountability and justice in this matter. We are a country of the rule of law. We are going to continue to do the work necessary to keep Canadians safe and to uphold our values and the international rules-based order. Thats our focus right now.
Female cheetah Veera was shifted to a soft release boma from the quarantine enclosure in Kuno National Park (KNP) in Sheopur in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, taking the number of the big cats that made this transition during the week to 12, officials said.

Veera was shifted to the soft release boma successfully following protocols after completion of a health checkup, an official release said.

The cheetah was fitted with a satellite collar before shifting. Veera is healthy. It was in the quarantine boma for health checkup.

The shifting in the soft-release boma was completed successfully in the presence of senior officers by the team of veterinarians of KNP, it said.

Earlier this week, male cheetahs Pawan, Gaurav, Shourya, Vayu, Agni, Prabhas and Pawak and female cheetahs Dheera, Nabha, Asha and Gamini were shifted to the soft release bomas from the quarantine enclosures.

Under the cheetah reintroduction project, eight Namibian cheetahs, comprising five females and three males, were released into enclosures at KNP on September 17 last year.

In February this year, 12 more cheetahs arrived at KNP from South Africa. Later, four cubs were born in KNP, which raised their number to 24. Since March, nine cheetahs, including three cubs, have died, while 14 cheetahs and one cub are in healthy condition, officials said.

Cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has confiscated the properties of designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a member of the banned pro-Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).

The NIA had approached a special court for the confiscation of the immovable properties belonging to Pannun under section 33(5) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967, an official release said.

This is the first time properties of someone absconding and accused under section 33(5) of the UAPA have been confiscated by the NIA, a significant departure from when properties used to be seized and could be contested in courts.

Fringe organisation SFJ, run by a few radical Sikhs of foreign nationality in the US, Canada, the UK, etc, was declared unlawful under the provisions of Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The Centre by its July 10, 2019 notification had declared SFJ unlawful association and had banned it for five years, saying the groups primary objective was to establish an independent and sovereign country in Punjab and it openly espouses the cause of Khalistan and in that process, challenges the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.

Multiple agencies have filed cases against Pannun who has been declared as an individual terrorist under the fourth schedule of UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Amendment Act).

NIA confiscates properties of designated terrorist & Sikhs For Justice chief Gurpatwant Singh PannunCNN-News18's @AnchorAnandN shares more details on this #Exclusive input by @manojkumargupta | @aayeshavarma pic.twitter.com/AIZ7rmRTqe  News18 (@CNNnews18) September 23, 2023

The action comes amid a diplomatic low between India and Canada over Ottawas allegations that New Delhi had a hand in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Both countries expelled a senior diplomat each earlier this week after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the involvement of agents of the Indian government in the killing of 45-year-old Nijjar, a prominent Sikh separatist leader, in Surrey in June. The claims were outrightly rejected by New Delhi as absurd and motivated.

Pannun is accused in case RC-19/2020/NIA/DLI dated 05.04.2020 under sections 120-B, 124-A, 153-A 153-B and 17, 18 and 19 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The case relates to funding of terrorist activities in Punjab from abroad, creating disharmony among communities and radicalising youth for terrorist activities, an official told News18.

The properties include agricultural land in Village Khankot, Amritsar and share of House Number 2033, Sector 15/C, Chandigarh.

In October last year, the Interpol had sent back Indias request seeking a Red Notice against Pannun. The Central Bureau of Investigation, which is the national central bureau of India to liaison with the Interpol, had sent the request of the NIA seeking Red Notice against Pannun but it was returned with further queries.
This week was all about the Womens Reservation Bill as parties across the political spectrum spoke about women empowerment and the need for reserving seats for them.

While political parties have been vocal about the need for better women representation, has any outfit given 33 per cent or more seats to women while distributing tickets in at least the last Lok Sabha polls? Data shows that the only parties that have given decent representation to women were TMC (37 per cent) and BJD (33 per cent).

As per a report from the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch, released in 2019, there were 724 women candidates in the last Lok Sabha.

Among the political parties, West Bengals ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) was the sole national party that gave 37 per cent tickets to women in the last Lok Sabha. Out of TMCs 62 candidates, 23 were women. TMC is no longer a national party after the Election Commission snatched its status.

Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the regional and ruling party of Odisha, gave 33 per cent tickets to women  seven out of 21 seats. Further, BJD has also emerged as the only party where 33 per cent of the MPs are women in Parliament. However, back in its state, the representation of women remains sad at just 14 per cent.

In terms of elected representatives, there are a few more parties that have 33 per cent or more women MPs in Parliament, including Maharashtras Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Uttar Pradeshs Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. However, the total number of women MPs from these parties is less than five.

When it comes to political parties that are sending a major chunk of MPs to Parliament, the picture is grim.

According to another report from ADR, published this month, there are 767 MPs in Parliament from the two Houses. Overall, there are 656 male MPs and 111 women (15 per cent).

More than half of this  389 MPs  are from BJP alone. The ruling party at the Centre has given space to just 55 women, making it just 14 per cent. Had the party followed the formula of 33 per cent women, its poll promise in 2014 and 2019, it would have to send at least 128 women to the House  73 more from the current number. The numbers suggest that for every female MP in BJP, there are six male MPs.

After BJP, it is the Congress that has 81 MPs in Parliament. Even though the Grand Old Party has been promising women reservation since 2009, it is better than the BJP with just one additional percent of women. Of its 81 MPs, 12 are women  just 15 per cent.

The next largest party in Parliament is TMC. Of the 36 MPs of the party, 11 are women  a better number of 31 per cent.

Tamil Nadus ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has 34 MPs but only three women (nine per cent) while Andhra Pradeshs ruling Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) has 31 MPs but only four are women (13 per cent).

Odishas ruling BJD and Bihars ruling Janata Dal (United) both have 21 MPs each in Parliament. But while BJD has seven women (33 per cent), JD(U) just has one female (five per cent).

Are assemblies any better?

Of the 4,001 MLAs across assemblies in India, there are just 378 women  making up nine per cent.

Two of the biggest national parties  BJP and Congress  have better representation of women in Parliament than in assemblies.

Of the 4,001 MLAs, at least 1,356 are from the BJP but only 135 (10 per cent) are women. For Congress, which has 719 MLAs, the women representation stood at nine per cent with just 65 female MLAs.

Across assemblies in India and even in Lok Sabha, currently women representation stands at just 15 per cent. While drafting the Constitution of India, reformist BR Ambedkar advocated for equal participation of women in both personal and professional spheres. However, it has remained a dream.

The Womens Reservation Bill, which was first introduced in 1996 and since then has remained a lip service, got the Lok Sabhas vote earlier this week and then received clearance from the Rajya Sabha on Thursday night.

While it is still unclear when the reservation will become a ground reality, maybe it is time that parties speaking about women empowerment give a decent representation to women in at least the upcoming Lok Sabha poll.
JERUSALEM, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military struck a military post belonging to the Hamas organization which rules the Gaza Strip on Saturday, according to a statement released by the Israeli army.

The strike, carried out using an unmanned aerial vehicle, came in response to a demonstration held by residents of the territory adjacent to the border with Israel.

"Hundreds of rioters have gathered adjacent to the security fence in the Gaza Strip... Soldiers were dispatched to the scene and operated against the violent riot using riot dispersal means and precise live fire," the statement read.

On Friday, the military also struck at Hamas targets after incendiary balloons were sent from the Gaza Strip and caused fire on the Israeli side of the border.

Palestinian protestors have been gathering at the border in the past week, burning tires and throwing explosive devices at Israeli troops.

The demonstrators and Hamas say the protests are in response to recent Jewish visits to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem, a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 
Indias Intelligence agencies have received inputs about meetings held between leaders of Pakistan-based outfits and Pro Khalistani Entities (PKEs) where they sought each others support in fulfilling their agenda against India.

Sources said Khalistani groups have been asked to push Pakistans Kashmir agenda while Pakistan will support the Khalistan cause diplomatically.

Proving the Intel right, PKEs and their leaders were found releasing videos on the Kokernag Operation that took place in Kashmir recently. Khalistani sympathiser Gurpatwant Singh Pannu and others released videos on the operation, speaking out against the Indian Army. On the other hand, PKEs also released audio tapes and videos in support of the terrorists during the operation in which the Indian Army and J&K Police lost brave officers and jawans.

On Friday, the Pakistan government spoke about Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the ongoing row, with caretaker prime minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar saying: These ideologues of Hindutva, they are becoming emboldened in a manner that they are now going beyond the region.

According to Intelligence sources, in the last 10 days, multiple meetings have taken place between Pakistani outfits and PKEs in Toronto and Ottawa where the plan against India was discussed. Also, in the past 72 hours, rounds of meetings have been held at various places with different leaders.

The sources said all agencies have been asked to accelerate the legal process and investigations against Khalistani terror groups and their members.

Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has released pictures of 10 wanted accused in the March 2023 attack and vandalism of the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, USA, and sought information about them from the general public.

The agency has accelerated the investigation despite an ongoing diplomatic issue with Canada and issued three separate Request for Identification & Information notices against the accused, seeking any information of importance that could lead to their arrest.

According to the list, of a dozen gangsters living abroad, 80 per cent are in Canada. Agencies said multiple inputs and information have been shared with Canada along with addresses of the gangsters but the Trudeau government has not taken any concrete steps.

Similarly, sources said Indian agencies have found that various absconders from Pakistan have been shifted to Canada and are residing there.
Delhi University students cast their votes for the DUSUs central panel after a gap of almost four years amid heavy police presence and last-ditch efforts by organisations to woo voters.

Voting for the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) concluded late on Friday and the results of all four central panel posts  president, vice-president, secretary and joint secretary  will be announced on Saturday.

The DUSU elections were last held in 2019. The polls could not be held in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 while possible disruptions to the academic calendar prevented their conduct in 2022.

Roads littered with campaign material, political discussions at tea stalls, excited students queueing up to cast their votes  the university was abuzz with activity on Friday as young voters thronged campuses to exercise their franchise.

The voting process for students of day classes concluded at 1 pm while those in evening classes cast their votes till 7.30 pm.

For many organisations backed by political parties, these polls are a way to gauge the mood of young voters. This years elections assume significance as they were held a few months before the Lok Sabha polls.

For the voters, core issues ranged from fee hikes to the lack of affordable accommodations, enhanced security during college fests and menstrual leaves.

Tanupriya, a first-year student of Hansraj College, expressed hope that the students leaders will work tirelessly and improve the campus environment.

Aastha Verma, another first-year student of Hansraj College, said the outcome of the elections will impact not only the universitys future but also their education.

Vaishali, a fresher from Miranda House, said several changes are needed to enhance the campus experience and added that the students are eagerly waiting for the promises made by students leaders to become a reality.

Miranda House student Nikita highlighted the issue of security, especially during college fests.

On numerous occasions, some women have found themselves in unexpected and alarming situations during these festivities. Incidents like these dampen the students mood and also raise concern about their safety, she said.

The chief election officer is yet to announce the final voter turnout.

The turnout in 2019  when the elections were last held  was 39.90 per cent. The turnouts in 2018 and 2017 were 44.46 per cent and 42.8 per cent, respectively.

The Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections were last held in 2019. The polls could not be held in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 while possible disruptions to the academic calendar prevented their conduct in 2022.

Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh made a surprise visit to polling stations while voting was underway. Singh took stock of security arrangements at the polling stations and sought information about the situation from election officials.

He visited the polling booths at Hansraj College and Hindu College and also interacted with the students.

Elections at 52 colleges and departments for the central panel were conducted through EVMs while voting for the college union polls was on paper ballot.

The Congress-affiliated NSUI has claimed to have won union elections in 17 colleges (day colleges) while the ABVP said it claimed victory in 34.

Twenty-four candidates are in the fray for the elections.

The RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Congress students wing National Students Union of India (NSUI), CPI(M)-backed Students Federation of India (SFI) and the CPI(ML)-Liberation-linked All India Students Association (AISA) fielded candidates for all four central posts.

The ABVP won three of the four seats in the 2019 elections.

The DUSU is the main representative body for most colleges and faculties. Each college also has its own students union, elections to which are held annually.
The UK is keen on welcoming an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) to set up an offshore campus in the country and some UK universities are already in talks with IITs to explore the possibility, according to top British government officials. Several universities from the UK are also interested in setting up their branch campuses in India and are waiting for final regulatory framework from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to move formally in this regard, they said, adding with five UK universities having their campuses in Malaysia, the country has the expertise.

Certainly, there has been a discussion about IITs setting up their campuses abroad. We have talked to the Indian High Commission in London because we think nothing would symbolise better the genuine two-way nature of the relationship between the two countries than IITs or other top institutions in India deciding to set up campuses in the UK. So we are very open to that, Steve Smith, International Education Champion of the UK government, told PTI. I know that quite a lot of UK institutions have talked to IITs about whether that would be a possibility. So again, its not going to be happening tomorrow but I do think thats the trend for how the relationship will develop, he added.

Smith is leading the largest-ever delegation of UK universities and education leaders, which is on a five-day visit to India to meet key stakeholders with discussions on internationalisation of higher education institutions through partnership, dual degrees and furthering research collaborations on the agenda. Two IITs have already announced setting up their offshore campuses and have signed formal agreements in this regard. While IIT Madras is setting up its campus in Tanzanias Zanzibar, IIT Delhi is setting up an offshore campus in Abu Dhabi.

Asked about whether UK universities are also exploring setting up their campuses in India, Smith said, The simple answer is yes. There is a lot of interest. But of course, the thing you have to do is to have the regulatory framework sorted, because no governing body anywhere in the world would commit to that unless the regulatory framework was agreed, signed and sealed. So we have made major strides on getting to that situation in the last two or three years. The University Grants Commission (UGC) had in January this year announced draft regulations for foreign universities to set up their campuses in India. However, the final regulations have not been notified yet. Alison Barrett, Director India, British Council, said, I can assure you that while a lot of the universities are thinking about long-term physical presence, but again, we need to get everything finalised. So that there are no roadblocks. We are very interested in seeing that happen here and also of course, Indian institutions opening in the UK. We are very excited because the future is about genuine two-way partnerships. And thus, branch campuses, physical presences are very attractive to us. But again, once we have got the regulations and the UK has a lot of expertise in that area as well. If you look at Malaysia there are five UK universities that are very well established there. So there is a lot of expertise within the UK university network of doing that. Hence, they are really interested in this opportunity in India as well, Barrett added.

The two officials, however, refused to divulge names of the universities exploring the collaborations in the two areas. The delegation, coordinated by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), arrived in India on Sunday. It includes representatives from 31 UK higher education institutions and bodies.

The delegation participated in the India-UK Higher Education Conference organised by the British Council on September 18 and 19 in Delhi. The discussions focused on transnational education and facilitating the expansion of higher education partnerships between the institutions from the two countries. Barrett said improving the quality of education and internationalisation are a key part of the ongoing conversations. The delegation will also delve into transnational education and share insights into the scope and opportunities presented by the mutual recognition of qualifications and the foreign collaboration regulation of the UGC.

Furthermore, there will be discussions on the opportunities available for two-way student mobility.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday vowed to help Nepal transform itself from a landlocked country to a land-linked nation by facilitating infrastructure connectivity and transit transportation cooperation as he met Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' here.

Xi met Prachanda on the sidelines of the Hangzhou Asian Games here in eastern China.

Prachanda, who politically distanced from the pro-China Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) headed by KP Oli after becoming Prime Minister in December last year made his maiden visit to China after visiting India and the US.

In his meeting with Prachanda, Xi who made a high-profile visit to Nepal in 2019 and announced several high-profile projects said the two countries sharing borders through Tibet made progress with the 'Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network' and other 'Belt and Road' projects that have taken shape.

He urged efforts from both sides to promote infrastructure connectivity and expand transit transportation cooperation to help Nepal transform itself from a landlocked country to a land-linked country at an early date, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted him as saying.

The trans-Himalayan connectivity projects include road and rail connectivity being laid through the rugged Himalayan mountains connecting Nepal with Tibet.

As a landlocked country, much of its imports go through India. China wants to weigh in to reduce Nepals dependence on India as part of efforts to expand its own influence.

Critics however say that most of the Chinese projects in Nepal were stuck, including the border infrastructure as Beijing closed its borders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nepal signed a transport-transit agreement to access seven ports in China; nine BRI projects were selected, and the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network umbrella concept was presented, enhancing cross-border cooperation according to Pragya Ghimire of the Institute of Foreign Affairs, Nepal.

When Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Nepal in 2019, the two countries signed seven bilateral agreements, but most were not implemented, she wrote in an article published in the Nepalese daily, the Kathmandu Post ahead of Dahals eight-day visit during which he is scheduled to visit Tibet.

In his meeting with Prachanda, Xi said The two sides should always understand and support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, and constantly consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations.

For his part Prachanda said Xi is a visionary global leader and a good friend of all Nepalese people, Xinhua reported.

Hailing Nepal and China as friends and partners who can understand, rely on and support each other, Prachanda reiterated Nepal's firm adherence to the one-China policy, he said.

Under the one-China policy, Nepal cracks down on Tibetan visits to India through the land borders to meet the Dalai Lama.

Both Taiwan and Tibet are inalienable parts of China's territory, and Nepal will not allow any force to use its territory to undermine China's sovereignty and security, Dahal told Xi adding that this position is firm and unshakable.

He noted that Nepal highly appreciates the Belt and Road Initiative and will actively participate in Belt and Road cooperation and that it will also promote the construction of the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network.

Both countries were expected to sign several agreements to boost Chinese investments in Nepal, according to Nepalese media reports.

Meanwhile, Nepal Prime Minister 'Prachanda's press advisor Govinda Acharya said, The two leaders agreed on forging collaboration among all the regional forces on issues relating to regional stability, peace and progress. The two leaders agreed to intensify mutual cooperation by understanding each others concerns and sensitivities, Acharya said.

Xi said he was ready to collaborate and cooperate with an open heart in matters relating to Nepals economic and social development. Nepal and China have taken forward very close relations without any discrimination regarding small and big countries, recognizing mutual respect, support and coexistence by pursuing five principles of peaceful co-existence," Xi said during the meeting.

He also expressed confidence that the relations between the two countries will be taken to a new height in the days ahead, government daily Gorkhapatra reported quoting press advisor Acharya.

Elaborating on the existing historical relations between Nepal and China for a long time, Prime Minister Prachanda said that the new concepts floated by President Xi will prove significant for the peace and development of this region.

Prachanda has directly flown to China from New York, where he addressed the 78th General Assembly of the United Nations.

The Prime Minister is accompanied by Foreign Minister NP Saud and other senior officials during his official visit to China. After meeting President Xi, Prachanda will visit Beijing, where he will participate in bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang on September 25.
It is a well-known fact that actor Ajith Kumar loves biking and has embarked on a world tour on his motorcycle and completed the first leg of his world tour a couple of months ago. As a part of his tour, Ajith was spotted riding in Oman a few days ago. The actor has now returned to Chennai and is expected to begin shooting for his upcoming film Vidaa Muyarchi. It is directed by Magizh Thirumeni.

The Vedalam actor was spotted at the Chennai airport. For the day, he donned a white shirt, grey-coloured chinos and sunglasses. Fans were eagerly taking pictures as they managed to get a glimpse of him

According to reports by ETimes, he will begin the next leg of his world tour after he completes the shooting of Vidaa Muyarchi. The films shoot is expected to begin in October, and the first shooting schedule is planned to start in Dubai.

According to the latest update, the film underwent significant alterations due to Lyca Productions reported decision to withdraw from the project. Moreover, as per reports, Ajith might be sharing screen space with Trisha Krishnan for the fifth time after Yennai Arindhaal, Mankatha, Ji, Poorna Market and Kireedam. There are also speculations that there is another female lead in the film. Recently, Ajith and Sanjay Dutt were photographed together adding fuel to the rumours of a potential collaboration.

Nirav Shah will be the movies cinematographer, while Anirudh Ravichander will be scoring the music.

Ajith Kumars bike tour is part of a cause known as Ride For Mutual Respect. The Tamil actor has completed riding through all the states in India in the first leg of his world tour before the release of Thunivu in January. Ajith then completed his tour in Nepal and Bhutan where his fans had spotted him resting by the side of the road and having rajma chawal at a restaurant.
It was in May when Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt was announced to be Indias first global brand ambassador for the Italian luxury fashion brand Gucci. Since then, she has debuted as a house ambassador at their Cruise 2024 show in Seoul, South Korea. Currently, Alia has jetted off to Milan to make an appearance at the brands Ancora Spring Summer 2024 show. It isnt just her trendy fashion statement that has created a buzz on social media; her reunion with Thai star Davika Hoorne has also become one of the major highlights of the event. Footage of their quick interaction shows Alia Bhatt hugging Davika as they exchanged pleasantries surrounded by people.

The duo kept holding each others hand until the end of their conversation with contagious smiles spread across their faces. The Brahmastra diva crushed in with her minimalistic approach in an embellished neon collared top that she paired with comfy flared denim. With blushed cheeks, she kept her makeup simple yet elegant, and her sleek tresses were left loose. While Davika opted for a peppy two-piece set featuring a baggy jacket and matching shorts. Though the details of their interaction remain unclear, the two seemed happy to have crossed paths once again if the clip is anything to go. Moreover, fans were irked by Alias gestures towards Davika and called out the actress for talking to her while chewing on something. Alia was seen chewing something while speaking to Davika and this did not go well with many of her fans. One person questioned Alias manners and said, Chewing while talking to someone  when is she going to learn manners?, while another wrote, Whats Alia chewing ??.

Catch a glimpse of it here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pinkvilla USA (@pinkvillausa)

The last time the duo spent some quality time together was during the Seoul show. A happy photograph of Alia and Davika ended up amassing massive traction on Instagram. Shared on the official account of the Thai star, they slayed in Guccis stylish apparel while posing for a series of playful pictures. With bright smiles on their faces, Davika captioned the moment as Love before adding a red heart emoticon to sum up her feelings. The Bollywood diva also ended up re-sharing the picture on her Instagram story to wish the gorgeous Thai personality on her birthday.

Take a look at it here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by davikah (@davikah)

The Ancora Spring Summer 2024 show unveils the first collection of fashion maverick Sabato De Sarno. It was scheduled to take place on Friday, September 22 Friday at 9 am EST or 6:30 pm IST. Besides Alia and Davika, many prominent faces including Ryan Gosling and Kendall Jenner were in attendance to grace the event.
Actress Alia Bhatt recently attended the Gucci Spring/Summer 2024 show at the Milan Fashion Week. On Saturday, the actress shared a carousel of photos on her Instagram account. In the pictures, Alia sported a vibrant neon green top paired with bell-bottom jeans. Her outfit was complemented by elegant gold earrings and a matching bracelet. Alia completed her look with a black handbag and stylish dark sunglasses. In the caption, she wrote, Personal style but guccified.

Th actress is now back from Milan and was captured at the Mumbai airport. She looked relax in a black tank top with a longer hem and white trousers. She accessorised her look with white sneakers and dark sunglasses and kept her hair loose. As she made her way out of the arrivals gate, the actress smiled for the paps.

On Instagram, Vogue India posted a video featuring Alia at the event. In the video, Alia introduced herself and mentioned that it was her first visit to Milan. She expressed her excitement and shared her pre-show checklist, which included dining at a cozy Italian restaurant and indulging in some delicious authentic bread and pasta. Alia admitted to loading up on carbs before attending the show. She also spoke about her newfound love for a relaxed vibe, where she feels completely at ease.

Alia made her Hollywood debut earlier this year in the film Heart of Stone. Before that, she was seen in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, sharing the screen with Ranveer Singh, Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi and Jaya Bachchan. Alias upcoming project is Farhan Akhtars directorial venture titled Jee Le Zaraa, where she will be joined by Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif in the lead roles.
Rumours have been doing the rounds claiming that Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra have walked out of Jee Le Zara. Directed by Farhan Akhtar, the film is set to be the first ever all-girls road trip movie. The film was announced in 2021 and was expected to go on floors this year. However, the film has been delayed several times. With no official update from Farhan, rumours claimed that Katrina and Priyanka are no longer a part of the film. Now Farhan Akhtar has finally broken his silence on the reason behind such rumours.

During an interview with Variety, Farhan Akhtar claimed that the dates were an issue behind the delay. He told the publication,

We just have issues with dates, and the actors strike thats happened has put Priyankas dates into a huge tizzy with what can happen and what cant, so Ive started genuinely believing that that film now has a destiny of its own. Itll happen when it has to, well see.

Earlier this year, a Bollywood Hungama report stated that due to lack of coinciding dates from the stars, the film had to be put on the backburner. Priyanka Chopra was not able to commit the dates to shoot in 2023 due to her Hollywood commitments and asked Farhan if they could shoot for Jee Le Zaraa in 2024. While Farhan was fine with it, Alia Bhatt is already committed to shooting for Ramayana and Baiju Bawra in 2024. Given that the two films are going to be taxing, she couldnt align her date for next year. When nothing fell in place, Farhan decided to delay the film until the right time, the source claimed.

When Farhan Akhtars Jee Le Zaraa was announced, it had everyone excited owing to its stellar cast of Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt and Priyanka Chopra. Netizens were stoked to see another road-trip film like Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara but with a women-centric cast. However, it was recently reported that Farhan Akhtar delayed the project.
Shah Rukh Khans action-packed film, Jawan has entered the Rs 500 crore club in less than two weeks of its release. The Atlee directorial made the best of the Ganesh Chaturthi holiday and as a result, registered Rs 500 crore collection in India alone. The film continues to heap praises from celebrities across various industries. Among those who made this film possible, writer Sumit Arora is the happiest. To express his appreciation for King Khan, Sumit penned a heartfelt note. SRK made it special by reacting to it.

On Saturday, Sumit Arora took to his X(formerly Twitter) handle and shared an adorable picture of himself hugging Shah Rukh Khan. While the snap itself was lovely, it was the overwhelming note that captured everyones attention. He wrote, Last three years have been incredibly beautiful and memorable in more ways than one. Writing dialogues for this super special film, working with a powerhouse filmmaker, working with an immensely dedicated team who put in their ALL in the film and then this beautiful man @iamsrk. I dont know if I will be able to say anything new apart from what has already been said about him. But all I can say is, that he is just magic of a person. A walking talking bundle of love. Anybody who meets him, comes back feeling special. He is a star who not only shines bright but also spreads his stardust onto you. I have been privileged to watch his magic so up close, both, in front of the camera, and off the camera. And there has been just so much to learn

Last three years have been incredibly beautiful and memorable in more ways than one. Writing dialogues for this super special film, working with a powerhouse filmmaker, working with an immensely dedicated team who put in their ALL in the film and then this beautiful man pic.twitter.com/2nWIfNwfNq Sumit Aroraa (@Sumitaroraa) September 23, 2023

He added, Dealing with every situation and every person with so much love, grace and gentleness. Giving equal respect to each and everyone. Always being so inclusive, and so open. So humble and always so witty. There is so much that one can learn from you and I really hope some of these learnings stick around and stay with me. At least some of it better should! Thank you for everything sir, for all the love and all the laughter. You are truly the Zinda Banda of Bollywood. Bas now I will stop here.. warna aap phir se bologe ki, itna lamba lamba mat likh, picture hai, khatam bhi karni hai #Jawan.

Abhi bhi lamba hi likha hai. Sankshipt beta sankshipt. The ability to invest love in ur creativity but not fall in love with it is the greatest quality a writer can possess. U have been a pillar of strength thru the making of #Jawan & ur dialogues made the film memorable. Love u https://t.co/7Z1XDt66h4 Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) September 23, 2023

King Khan was quick to acknowledge Sumit Aroras love for him. He replied, Abhi bhi lamba hi likha hai. Sankshipt beta sankshipt. The ability to invest love in ur creativity but not fall in love with it is the greatest quality a writer can possess. U have been a pillar of strength thru the making of #Jawan & ur dialogues made the film memorable. Love u.

Directed by Atlee, Jawan also has Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi in lead roles. Deepika Padukone plays a special cameo in the film.
Raghav Chadha and Parineeti Chopra are getting married on September 24 in Udaipur and have already arrived in the city for the big day. News18 got access to their wedding invite and it seems like the couple is preparing for a massive wedding ceremony. The wedding card has confirmed that it is set to be a two-day grand affair. Parineeti and Raghav will kick off the wedding celebrations with a welcome lunch on September 23. To witness their beautiful and grand union, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejariwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann have also reached Udaipur.

On Saturday, a clip was shared by the popular paparazzo handle Viral Bhayani, which showed Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann exiting the airport together with their entourage and security personnels. The two leading faces in Politics also waved at the paparazzi, present at the scene to welcome them. Needless to say, their attendance will accentuate the beautiful occasion of Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadhas wedding.

Take a look:

As per the wedding invite, Parineeti and Raghav will kick off the wedding celebrations with a welcome lunch on September 23. Titled Grains of Love, the lunch will take place at the Inner Courtyard from 12 pm till 4 PM.

The lunch will then be followed by a 90s themed dance party. The party invite reads, Lets party like its the 90s. On the same day, the Chopra family will be hosting Parineetis Choora Ceremony. The wedding ceremony will kick off on September 24 with Raghavs Sehrabandi followed by a baraat at the Taj Leela Palace. The jaimala will take place at 3.30 pm followed by the pheras at 4 pm and vidai at 6 pm.

According to reports, Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha became friends while studying in London. The actress graduated from Manchester Business School with a triple honours degree in business, finance, and economics, while the politician attended the London School of Economics (LSE). They first met in London, and their bond grew stronger over time.

According to a Womens Era report, Parineeti and Raghav took their friendship to the next level during her filming of Chamkila in Punjab. It was reported that the AAP leader regularly visited the actress on the set of the Netflix film directed by Imtiaz Ali.

Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha got engaged on May 13 at New Delhis Kapurthala House. But the rumours about their relationship had started spreading months before they exchanged rings. Parineeti and Raghav were first seen together outside a restaurant in Mumbai. In March of this year, the politician denied claims of an affair with her. However, their frequent outings and dates fueled the rumours.

Meanwhile, the bride and groom have reached Udaipur, and the festivities are to begin today. Raghav Chadha and Parineeti Chopra are both well-known in their fields. While Parineeti has been lauded for many of her performances on screen, Raghavs journey from accountant to becoming the youngest Member of Parliament at the age of 33.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks at a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday scorned U.S. double standards over the Golan Heights and the Donbass region in Ukraine.

Asked at a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York to comment on U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield's seemingly self-contradictory remarks on the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all UN member states and on U.S. recognition of Israel's sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights, Lavrov first read a Russian statement on the Donbass: "The Donbass is very important to Russia's security. As long as Zelensky is in power in Ukraine, as long as NATO is present in Ukraine, militia groups backed by NATO, the Zelensky regime itself - all of these pose a significant security threat to Russia, and as a practical matter, the control of the Donbass in that situation, I think, remains of real importance to Russia's security. Legal questions are something else. And over time, if the situation were to change in Ukraine, that's something we'd look at. But we are nowhere near as that."

He then read the text of an interview of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken with Wolf Blitzer of CNN on Feb. 8, 2021: "As a practical matter, the Golan is very important to Israel's security. As long as Assad is in power in Syria, as long as Iran is present in Syria, militia groups backed by Iran, the Assad regime itself - all of these pose a significant security threat to Israel, and as a practical matter, the control of the Golan in that situation, I think, remains of real importance to Israel's security. Legal questions are something else."

"And that's the answer to your question," said Lavrov.

Thomas-Greenfield, in a press briefing on Sept. 14 on her country's priorities at this year's high-level week of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), said, "During this year's UNGA, we will work to uphold the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, including respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all member states."

At the same briefing, when asked about the Golan Heights, she said her country's recognition of Israel's sovereignty over the territory has not changed.

In March 2019, then U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation recognizing Israel's sovereignty over the territory that Israel seized from Syria in 1967 and annexed it in 1981.

Immediately after Israel's annexation of the occupied territory in 1981, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 497, which declared that the Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights "is null and void and without international legal effect." 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks at a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
Grand preparations are underway for Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadhas wedding. The couple reached Udaipur on Friday, September 22 and will tie the knot tomorrow i.e. on September 24. Amid all this, it has now been reported that security has been beefed up at The Leela Palace Hotel where the couple is staying and will get married.

As reported by India Today, 100 security guards have been deployed at the venue for the grand wedding. Since the wedding venue is built in the middle of Lake Pichola, the security guards will be surrounding it in five boats. Raghavs baarat will be unique. The Aam Aadmi Party politician will go from one hotel to the wedding venue in a boat decorated in Mewari style and therefore, special security personnel have also been deployed at the jetty (platform built till the boat reaches) of these hotels.

Meanwhile, a source close to the hotel has also informed the news portal that a special agreement has been made to maintain the privacy of the wedding. As a part of this, any outsider entering the hotel premises will be completely scanned. Not just this but staff members are also not allowed to go out of the hotel for three days.

It has also been reported that phone cameras will be taped to avoid any leaks from the much-awaited wedding.

Raghav Chadha and Parineeti Chopras pre-wedding festivities will begin today. The couple recently hosted a Sufi night and an ardaas evening in New Delhi too.

Meanwhile, it was recently reported that the actress has opted for a pastel-coloured lehenga by fashion designer Manish Malhotra for her special day. Parineeti and Manish share a long friendship. Manish is very well aware of Paris style and what she wants for her wedding. Hence, the actress was always clear that she will be a Manish Malhotra bride, a source cited by India Today claimed.

Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha got engaged on May 13 this year at New Delhis Kapurthala House. Before this, the two had never publicly discussed their relationship but reportedly, the duo has known each other for several years. They were spotted together for several dinner dates. The duo studied together at the London School of Economics.
Actor Parineeti Chopra and politician Raghav Chadha are all set to tie the knot on September 24. The grand nuptial ceremony will take place in Udaipurs The Leela Palace. Currently, the preparations are in full swing for their big fat Indian wedding. The couple recently hosted a few of their pre-wedding festivities in New Delhi which included a Sufi night and an ardaas ceremony.

The city of Rajasthan, with its regal heritage, has been a favourite location for celebrity weddings. In 2021, actors Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal got hitched at the lavish Six Senses Fort Barwara, a luxury heritage wellness retreat near Ranthambore. The one thing that stood out at the wedding was the heavy-duty security, which left many shocked. It was reported that drone cameras were banned and guests attending the wedding had to sign a no photo discloure agreement. The construction of a phone tower and increased security even posed inconvenience for local villagers and commuters.

But the Parineeti-Raghav wedding seems to a much smoother affair despite high and stringent security. Arvind Kumar Poswal, the newly appointed District Magistrate of Udaipur, exclusive told News18, Royal weddings keep taking place in Udaipur every now and then. In fact, our city is known for hosting some of the biggest and most opulent wedding affairs. This time around, we have received special force members since some VVIPs will attend the big-scale wedding. Asserting how there no security concerns yet, he adds, So far, we arent facing any kind of difficulties in handling the media or the public.

He further reveals that the wedding will be graced by the whos who of Indian politics such as Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann. Weve amped up security only around the main wedding venue of The Leela Palace. The Chief Ministers of Punjab and Delhi will be attending the gala. The security will be in tandem with what their protocol demands, he pointed out.

The DM also hints that the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, may also grace the celebrations. The CM of Rajasthan may also attend the wedding but his schedule hasnt reached us yet. The roads in and around The Leela Palace also have members of special forces on duty 247, he says.

On a related note, Parineetis sister, Priyanka Chopra Jonas will reportedly not be able to make it to the formers big day owing to prior commitments. The wedding promises to be a culinary delight, with renowned chefs invited to prepare delicious Punjabi and Rajasthani cuisine for the guests. In true Rajasthani style, Parineeti and Raghavs families will speculatively welcome their guests in true Mewari style, featuring performances of the traditional Ghoomar dance of Rajasthan.
Back in 2014, Vishal Bhardwaj created Haider which turned to one of the most revisited films in the history of India cinema. Starring Shahid Kapoor, Tabu and Kay Kay Menon in the lead roles, the film revolved around a young man named named Haider who returns to Jammu and Kashmir amid the violent insurgency, to seek closure of his fathers disappearance. While it was known, that Shahid did not charge a penny for his role, he recently revealed why he agreed to do the film for free.

In an interview with Film Companion, Shahid revealed that the team couldnt afford him. They couldnt afford me. They said if they had to pay me, then the budget of the film wouldnt get sanctioned because it was a very experimental subject. They really didnt know if it would land at all but it was a very compelling kind of product to make and so I said, Yeah, I will do it for free.

When asked if he has done other films for free, Shahid stated that he made an exception for Haider. It was only time I did it. It just happened at that time. I said, Yeah lets do it, its okay. He then laughed and added, Ghar bhi chalana hai (I have to take care of my household as well).

Meanwhile on the work front, there are reports that Shahid may reunite with his Padmaavat director Sanjay Leela Bhansali for a big commercial entertainer. A source close to the development informed Pinkvilla, shared that Shahid and Bhansali have been talking since a couple of months for a very special film. Shahid and SLB have mutual respect for each other and are discussing the idea of collaborating on a special project. Its an out and out masala entertainer, and the script has been completely developed by Bhansalis team of writers. The filmmaker has been actively working towards casting the film over the last few months, and is having detailed conversations with Shahid on the permutation and combinations with regards to film.

Apart from that, Shahid Kapoor already has three films lined up in his pipeline. He will next be seen in directors Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sahs Impossible Love Story, Aditya Nimbalkars Bull, and a remake of the 1964 film Woh Kaun Thi?
One of the most talked-about celebrity couples, Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha, is all set to tie the knot. The pre-wedding festivities will begin in Udaipur on September 23 and they will marry on September 24 in a traditional wedding ceremony. From being acquainted with each other when they studied in London to the breakfast that led to choosing each other as life partners, the duo have surely come a long way. Ahead of their intimate wedding, here is a look at their unique love story.

According to reports, Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha became friends while studying in London. The actress graduated from Manchester Business School with a triple honours degree in business, finance, and economics, while the politician attended the London School of Economics (LSE). They first met in London, and their bond grew stronger over time.

According to a Womens Era report, Parineeti and Raghav took their friendship to the next level during her filming of Chamkila in Punjab. It was reported that the AAP leader regularly visited the actress on the set of the Netflix film directed by Imtiaz Ali.

Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha got engaged on May 13 at New Delhis Kapurthala House. But the rumours about their relationship had started spreading months before they exchanged rings. Parineeti and Raghav were first seen together outside a restaurant in Mumbai. In March of this year, the politician denied claims of an affair with her. However, their frequent outings and dates fueled the rumours.

Sometime after their engagement, Parineeti Chopra talked about her relationship with Raghav Chadha publicly for the first time through her Instagram handle. She shared pictures from their engagement ceremony and wrote, When you know, you know. One breakfast together, and I knew  I had met the one. The most wonderful man whose quiet strength would be calming, peaceful and inspiring. His support, humour, wit and friendship are pure joy. He is my home. Our engagement party was like living a dream  a dream unfurling beautifully amidst love, laughter, emotion and loads of dancing! As we hugged those we loved dearest and celebrated with them, emotions overflowed. As a little girl in awe of princess stories, I had imagined how my fairytale would begin. Now that it has, it is even better than I had imagined.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @parineetichopra

Recently, even Raghav Chadha opened up about his relationship with Parineeti Chopra. In an interview with Ranveer Allahbadia, the politician shared, Hum jaise bhi mile, it was very magical and a very organic way of meeting. It is something that I thank God every day for, for giving me Parineeti in my life.

He added, Bahut badi blessing hai and I am extremely happy that I have her as my partner. As I said, I thank God every single day for giving her to me.

Meanwhile, the bride and groom have reached Udaipur, and the festivities are to begin today. Raghav Chadha and Parineeti Chopra are both well-known in their fields. While Parineeti has been lauded for many of her performances on screen, Raghavs journey from accountant to becoming the youngest Member of Parliament at the age of 33.
In a surprising move, the Opposition alliance, aptly named INDIA, has declared one of its initial decisions: a boycott of approximately 14 prominent TV anchors. Their rationale behind this action stems from their belief that these anchors host prime-time shows that propagate messages of hatred. The tussle between the political establishment and the media is far from novel, and its essential to recognise that such attempts to curtail the medias role do not align with democratic principles. While theres no room for support when it comes to those who promote hate, attempting to vilify a segment of the media through a boycott is a questionable approach.

Dangerous Precedent

If the Opposition alliance, including the Congress, seeks to convince the public that the Indian media has always maintained complete impartiality, they may be leading people down a misleading path. In the ever-evolving landscape of global media, Indias own media industry has experienced a multitude of transformations over the past decade. In todays media landscape, the once-clear demarcation between opinion and news has become increasingly hazy. The distinction that was once a guiding principle for journalists and readers alike has been muddled, leaving us to navigate a complex web of information where objectivity is often overshadowed by subjectivity.

Gone are the days when news outlets were expected to provide unbiased reporting, presenting facts devoid of personal perspectives or biases. In this era of sensationalism, digital media dominance, and the ever-expanding online landscape, it is undeniable that the way we consume news and opinions has undergone a profound transformation. The advent of personalised content has revolutionised the way information is disseminated and received. In the ever-evolving landscape of media, the very essence of what it means to be a journalist has undergone a profound transformation.

In the current landscape of public discourse, there is an undeniable need to confront the issue of holding individuals, institutions, or media segments responsible for disseminating messages of hatred. Its vital to scrutinise cases where deliberate attempts have been made to foster divisions and animosity within society. However, painting a narrative that insinuates the Opposition alliances primary agenda, revolving around targeting a particular section of the media, is not just fraught with danger but also establishes an unsettling precedent.

Wrong Messaging

It is crucial to understand that the Opposition alliances strategy might be ineffective, primarily because of its messaging approach. There are tactful ways to address concerns, and its essential to acknowledge that various political parties, both past and present, have, at times, chosen to boycott media organisations, anchors, or newspapers. It would be inaccurate to claim that the ruling party has never engaged in disputes with media outlets. In reality, virtually every political organisation in India has, on occasion, benefited from media biases.

The Opposition alliances unequivocal message that they intend to boycott media critical of their views raises concerns about the principles of democracy. Opposition parties should also be cautious because instances of state dispensations targeting journalists have occurred in states under their rule. This phenomenon spans from West Bengal to Punjab, Rajasthan, and beyond. Many media outlets face government scrutiny, regardless of the political party in power, if they report unfavourably about them. Journalists and editors in India, especially those working for vernacular news organisations, endure persistent harassment.

Opposition parties could have taken a subtler approach, such as refraining from participating in media debates hosted by certain anchors. Its widely known that many political parties have unofficially adhered to such policies against specific channels, programmes, or anchors long before any official announcements. In a time of heightened polarisation, the nuances of messaging are crucial. An attempt to convey strong messaging through misguided means can ultimately prove counterproductive.

Oppositions Politics of Convenience

Since Narendra Modi took office as Indias Prime Minister in 2014, a persistent chorus from the Congress and left-leaning circles has claimed that democratic values in India are eroding under the rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The government finds itself under the relentless scrutiny of Opposition parties, who vehemently argue that it suppresses the expression of dissenting opinions. Frequently travelling abroad, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacks the BJP government as being undemocratic.

In the midst of the Opposition political parties declaration to boycott a certain segment of the media, a pressing inquiry arises: Does this course of action adhere to the fundamental tenets of democracy? In the realm of political discourse, a pressing question looms large: Does the act of boycotting certain media outlets amount to a curtailment of the cherished principles of free speech and expression?

This inquiry demands the attention of the Opposition as they grapple with the implications of their actions. In the realm of political discourse, a pressing matter beckons the attention of the Opposition: The critical examination of their stance on championing the fundamental principles of freedom of speech and expression. A pertinent question arises: Can this noble cause be subject to selectivity, contingent upon ones convenience?

In contemplating the matter at hand, it becomes imperative for the Opposition to engage in introspection regarding their stance on the preservation of democratic principles. Should the burden of upholding these values rest solely on the ruling regime, or is it incumbent upon the Opposition to demonstrate an unwavering dedication to this cause as well?

Unsettled Priorities

The Opposition alliances decision to prioritise the boycott of specific news anchors as one of its initial actions exposes a lack of cohesion in their priorities. It is increasingly evident that all is not well within the alliance itself. State units of the Congress party in Delhi, Punjab, and West Bengal have expressed reservations about aligning with the AAP (in Delhi) and the Trinamool Congress (in Bengal). Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has firmly stated its refusal to engage in seat-sharing discussions in Bengal and Kerala. Despite Bihars Chief Minister Nitish Kumar initially playing a central role in the alliance, he has been sidelined, leaving the alliance without a clear direction.

Crucially, none of the critical electoral issues have been discussed and settled within the alliances meetings. In the midst of these uncertainties, what the Opposition parties are projecting is a sense of insecurity.

Its imperative to emphasise that in a democracy, criticism should always be welcome. If the media is stifled, it poses a threat to the democratic fabric. However, its essential to clarify that this doesnt imply endorsing or supporting hate speech. If the Opposition has concerns about specific anchors, channels, or shows, legal avenues are available. There are democratic means of protest besides boycotting, which should not be a prime political strategy as it contradicts democratic principles.

The author is a visiting faculty of journalism, a political columnist, and a doctoral research scholar. He tweets at @sayantan_gh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooqs sudden appearance at Srinagars Jama Masjid after a hiatus of four years marks the beginning of a new chapter in post-Article 370 Naya Kashmir or New Kashmir.

As he ascended the pulpit, the erstwhile face of Kashmiri separatism couldnt keep his emotions in check. One cant say whether the tears rolling down his cheeks were prompted by contrition or gratitude, but the Narendra Modi governments decision to release Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from detention is certainly in good faith.

The sceptics will, no doubt, disagree. They will attribute the Modi governments change of heart to a desperate stab at damage control; a bid by the National Democratic Alliance to underline its commitment to democracy when it is being accused of encroaching upon civil liberties by some.

As if on cue, the rights lobby has already described Mirwaizs release as a defeat for the politics of repression and prejudice. Beyond them, the Opposition has delighted at the Centres humbling  borne out of legal compulsion  and pointed out that after Mirwaiz Sahab went to the High Court seeking his release, the government was forced to release him.

But for those who have been closely following the arc of the Centres recent decision-making on Kashmir, the move to free the Mirwaiz is the latest in a series of steps being taken to restore the long-stalled political process in the Valley.

For instance, the Centre has begun the process of healing and confidence building by examining what is needed to conduct an election and restore statehood for Jammu & Kashmir. The Centre has also decided to reach out to political stakeholders in the Valley.

The Centre has long maintained that it is ready to engage with any voice in Kashmir that seeks to accept the primacy of Indias Constitution. No doubt the Centre will hope that the Mirwaiz will reciprocate its move to grant him freedom by turning his back on the separatist project that he espoused all these years.

In his carefully worded and haltingly delivered speech on Friday, the Mirwaiz said he would continue to seek a peaceful resolution of peoples issues, despite paying the price for it.

The phrase peoples issues is a nod to bread-and-butter matters that Kashmiris seem to have prioritised after the abrogation of Article 370. In the past, the Mirwaiz would have formulaically invoked the more loaded term peoples aspirations as a code or the right to self-determination or azadi.

In fact, the Mirwaiz on Friday pointedly distanced himself from his separatist antecedents. Addressing his rapturous audience, he said: We have been called separatists, anti-national and peace disruptors. However, we have no personal benefits to gain from this. I did not have any personal ambition here.

Interestingly, he also took a leaf out of the Prime Ministers book. Quoting Modis not an era of war remark, he went on to generically denounce violence emphasising that we have always believed and participated in efforts seeking resolution through an alternative to violent means, which is dialogue and reconciliation.

While the Mirwaiz has made a good beginning by making all the right noises, if he has truly internalised the this is not an era of war sentiment, the Centre will expect him to go further. For one, it will hope that he will clearly denounce Pakistan-sponsored Islamist terror, especially bigoted attacks targeted at the Kashmiri Hindu community.

The ball is now in the Mirwaizs court. He is the keeper of his own continued azadi.

Rahul Shivshankar is Consulting Editor at Network18. He tweets at @RShivshankar.
Justin Trudeau has much to answer for willfully causing a crisis in India-Canada relations. Indias repeated protests to the Canadian government on allowing anti-Indian Khalistani activities on its soil have gone unheeded. Trudeau interfered in our internal affairs by sympathetically commenting on the farmers agitation. He has allowed the Sikh extremist elements in Canada to hold referenda for an independent Khalistan. Glorifying the assassination of Mrs Indira Gandhi in a parade organised by Khalistani elements has been tolerated, as have been the calls by these elements to kill Indian diplomats. Our diplomatic premises have been attacked, as also Hindu temples. Our requests for extraditing those involved in terrorist violence in India have not borne fruit.

Trudeau has exceeded all limits in stating in Parliament that Indian agents are suspected of killing Hardeep Singh Nijjar. There are credible allegations, he said, that Nijjars killing has potential links to India. Credible allegations is not evidence. That he talks of potential links means that the investigation is yet incomplete. The Indian link is still unconfirmed. He has asked for cooperation from India in investigating the murder. Why does he seek our cooperation if he already has sufficient evidence of an Indian link? If he does not have such evidence, what has pushed him to make a formal statement in parliament prematurely?

In any case, he must approach India with clean hands. He has rejected cooperation with India to curb the activities of Sikh extremists in Canada against Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity. Cooperating with India to control the activities of such elements serves the interests of both Canada and India in maintaining friendly and productive ties. Relations between the two societies  Canada and India  are liable to be rocked if elements in Canadian society are determined to promote violence and separatism in Indian society.

Trudeau is well aware of the rise of the Khalistan movement in Punjab, the ethnic killings it involved, the storming of the Golden Temple, the killing of Mrs Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards, the anti-Sikh riots in Delhi that followed, the restoration of peace in Punjab, the links of the Khalistani elements with Pakistan which currently shelters some of them and whose intelligence agency is working with these groups in Canada and elsewhere to revive terrorism in Punjab. Despite this, he has been unresponsive to Indias concerns about efforts in Canada to revive separatism and violence in Punjab. As against this, India has done no harm to Canadas sovereignty, territorial integrity or its internal peace and stability.

The Canadian Prime Minister cannot take a position that he will not cooperate with India to address its concerns, but India needs to cooperate with Canada in addressing his concerns. Is it a sense of entitlement, or a belief that Canada can harm Indias interests by allowing anti-India activity on its soil in the name of politically and morally superior and unchallengeable Canadian values of freedom of speech which India should dutifully accept?

Trudeaus concern is about the killing of a person against whom a Red Corner Notice had been issued by Interpol. Why was the Red Corner Notice ignored and Nijjar not arrested and extradited to India? This person entered Canada on a false passport, his application for Canadian citizenship was rejected in the first instance and his re-application after marrying a local woman was again rejected on the ground that it was a marriage of convenience. In his parliament statement, Trudeau refers to Nijjar as a Canadian citizen. The question to ask is how a fugitive from Indian justice with a Red Corner Notice against him became a Canadian citizen? What does this say about Canadian politics, the attitude of its bureaucracy towards India and the strength of the Khalistani lobby within the Canadian system.

How has Trudeau ruled out the possibility of Nijjars murder being the result of feuds amongst fringe elements with violent agendas engaged, according to the Indian government, in murders, human trafficking and drug trafficking, and so on, within Canada?

Trudeau has done great damage to Canada-India ties by accusing India of organising a political assassination abroad. By his own admission he raised the Nijjar affair with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 meeting in no uncertain terms, which was a case of effrontery on his part, and was confronted with not only a rejection of what he claimed but was told in return about Indias concerns about Canada allowing freedom to anti-Indian elements in Canada to undermine our sovereignty and territorial integrity. He has overstepped limits in sacrificing ties with India over the case of an India-origin criminal who was given Canadian nationality on dubious grounds.

Trudeau has irresponsibly tried to bracket India with those regimes that the West accuses of murders of its opponents on foreign soil. This is a grave step he has taken. Only a long history of enmity or serious geopolitical rivalry between countries backed by a propaganda campaign to deny legitimacy to the regimes concerned would justify such an accusation. He has sought support from the Anglosphere  the so-called Five Eyes countries that share intelligence  for his accusation against India. Regrettably, the US National Security Council spokesperson has thought it fit to say that the US is engaging India on the matter and repeated that it was responsive to Canadian concerns. The Australian Foreign Office spokesperson too waded into the issue, which is not a bilateral one between India and Australia, stating that Australias deep concerns about these allegations had been shared at senior levels in India. It needlessly connected this issue to maintaining peace among Australias diverse communities and protection of freedom of speech. The Australian Foreign Minister was subject to a barrage of questions by journalists on the issue at the UN, but she has remained non-committal, even on the question of whether it was discussed at the G7 meeting.

What could be the reasons that have pushed Trudeau to seek a political confrontation with India? It seems to be a family tradition. His father, Pierre Trudeau, protected Khalistani elements in Canada, refused the extradition of Talwinder Singh Parmar who was implicated in the downing mid-Atlantic of the Air India plane in 1985. In the 2021 election Trudeaus Liberal Party could not win a majority and is dependent on the 25 strong NDP led by Jagmeet Singh for survival. Whatever the personal views of Jagmeet Singh on the Khalistan issue, it is obvious that he would be a conduit of pressure on Trudeau by the extremists. If they can influence the political class, why cannot they influence the police and security apparatus under the control of the government?

To sow disinformation in a receptive environment to implicate India would not have been difficult. Add to all this is Trudeaus own woke mentality, and all that it implies in terms of minority issues. This would also explain why he is willing to seriously damage state to state ties for the sake of a known criminal.

Kanwal Sibal is a former Indian Foreign Secretary. He was Indias Ambassador to Turkey, Egypt, France and Russia. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has said his government is providing free and round-the-clock electricity supply as he has Gods blessings.

Inaugurating development works in the Mahipalpur area of the Bijwasan Assembly segment on Friday, Kejriwal said only two states, Delhi and Punjab, ruled by the AAP have provided free electricity, whereas in other states people are paying higher bills and yet faced hours-long power cuts.

There are only two states  Delhi and Punjab  where electricity is free. This is magic. Only I have the blessings of God to provide free and 24-hour electricity supply, he said.

The AAP convener said his government in Delhi has worked more to provide roads, sewer and water pipelines in unauthorised colonies than what other parties did in 70 years.

He said Delhi was a surplus state despite providing free education, medical care, water and electricity because it was run by an honest government.

Invoking Shah Rukh Khans Jawan movies dialogue, Kejriwal said that politicians visit people during elections and seek votes in the name of caste and religion. Those politicians should be asked if they will provide education to children and health services to the people, he said.

I do not know any other political party that talks about education and the health of the people. Only AAP works for education and health. We are not here to do politics, we are in politics to serve and build the nation, the chief minister said.

Kejriwal said India can not become Vishwaguru (world leader) unless good education and health facilities are ensured for everyone in the country.

The Delhi chief minister said that he will not let people-centric development and welfare works of his government stop despite hurdles created in the path of his government.
A few minutes after JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy met the top BJP leadership in New Delhi to cement a deal with them for the next Lok Sabha elections, someone in Karnataka joked that JDS should change its name to JDC or Janata Dal Communal.

Jokes apart, it was a serious statement, given that the JDS  the family party of the Gowda clan  had been questioning BJPs secular credentials describing it as a communal party till the assembly elections in May in which JDS suffered the most humiliating defeat. The BJP had maintained a distance from the JDS after the disastrous 20:20 experiment of 2006-07, calling it the most dangerous party.

After that short-lived marriage of communal and secular, both the parties had drifted apart, often attacking each others political positions. The Congress, which had formed a coalition with HDK as chief minister after its defeat in the 2018 elections, used to attack JDS, calling it the B team of BJP.

During the recent assembly elections, the Congress leadership in the state often attacked the JDS, alleging a secret pact with BJP to defeat the Grand Old Party. In that most-important election, both suffered a humiliating loss and the result has brought them together to fight the ruling Congress.

Even though BJP and JDS made their alliance public on Friday, people of Karnataka were aware of the parties planning to forge a tie-up at least two months ago.

During the Monsoon session of the Assembly, it was HDK who led the attack on Congress government, relegating main opposition BJP to second place. A leaderless and rudderless BJP in the state had to swallow its pride and allow JDS to dictate terms.

With the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka successfully engineering a political realignment and pushing JDS to the brink, the alarmed Gowda clan has embraced BJP for its political survival.

Party patriarch and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda is 92 and not keeping well. Family members fear that in a post-Gowda scenario, JDS may not even survive. To safeguard their personal interests, they have hammered out an arrangement with the BJP. Some feel it is the first, big step towards JDS merger with the BJP in near future.

The BJP in Karnataka is yet to come out of the shock of defeat and the party bosses in New Delhi know that the local leadership wont be able to revive the prospects of the saffron brigade on its own and getting the Gowdas on their side would be useful to mount a strong challenge to Congress in the old Mysore region where the BJP was wiped out in the May assembly elections.

The BJP ruled Karnataka twice since 2008. However, it never got majority on its own because of its inability to breach the Vokkaliga fortress of old Mysore region. Vokkaligas or Gowdas dominate about six districts in this agri-rich region.

KPCC president and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is also a Vokkaliga and is being seen as a replacement for the Gowda clan. In the May assembly elections, DKS decimated the JDS and Congress literally swept the Vokkaliga heartland. The BJP, which polled about 8 per cent more votes in the region, failed to translate them into seats. BJPs higher vote share finished JDS, indirectly helping the Congress.

Since they have over 50 per cent vote share together, the alliance looks formidable on paper. But two plus two is not always equal to four in politics and can lead to yet another political realignment of power.

Two dominant upper castes  Lingayats and Vokkaligas  have a long history of mutual distrust and are wary of each other. Post 1972, they came together to vote against their common enemy Congress only twice  backing the Janata Party and Dal. After the disintegration of the Janata Pariwar, Lingayats moved to the BJP and their caste man BS Yediyurappa became their leader. The Gowda caste moved with Deve Gowdas JDS.

The Congress has managed to get a good chunk of both Lingayat and Vokkaliga votes in the last assembly elections. But it is still a party of AHINDA or Minorities, OBCs, SC/STs.

The JDS and BJP alliance might lead to a clash of upper castes and AHINDA once again in the state.

The Lingayats are upset with the BJP for trying to shake off their support and make it a multi-caste party. Given their antipathy towards the Gowda clan, they may not back the HDK-led alliance, fearing a takeover of the party by their sworn enemy.

The Vokkaliga also have their own fears. Some of them feel that backing the alliance might lead to Brahmin-Lingayat hegemony, which they detest.

Even in the state BJP, both Lingayat and Vokkaliga leaders are not enthusiastic about shaking hands with the Gowdas. The past experiences have made them bitter. The Yediyurappa faction also fears an eventual takeover of the party by the Gowdas. The Vokkaliga leaders of the BJP fear Gowdas might eclipse them completely, ending their careers.

Outside 6-8 districts of the Old Mysore region, the JDS has almost no base in the rest of Karnataka. The alliance wont be of much use there.

The ruling Congress claims the alliance wont be able to defeat it. Leaders, including Siddaramaiah, argue that it will collapse post the parliamentary elections.

However, they are cautious internally and fear that a big regrouping of the Gowda caste behind JDS might actually help the BJP. The severe drought and no water in the river Cauvery might also work against the ruling Congress.

Top leadership of the party, including Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, have held a detailed discussion on the possible consequences of the alliance.

By joining hands with the BJP, the JDS has signalled a complete break from its secular politics and the baton of the party has been handed over to HDK and his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy, with Deve Gowda walking into the sunset.

The outcome of the Lok Sabha elections will determine the future of the alliance which, for now, looks formidable on paper.

The JDS, however, is known for its sudden political U-turns and only time will tell if there are any new turns or the alliance will last for some time.
The first official meeting of the One Nation, One Election Committee is all set to be conducted on Saturday under the chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind. In this highly-anticipated meet-up, panel members are likely to discuss and make recommendations for carrying out simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha, state assemblies, municipalities, and panchayats.

In the meeting, the panel will examine various scenarios for the simultaneous polling and make recommendations on how situations like a hung assembly or adoption of a no-confidence motion will be tackled.

The One Nation, One Election committee will also suggest a framework and a time limit within which the elections can be carried out. The panel will also discuss how to go about holding consultations with stakeholders, research on the subject, and preparation of working papers.

Committee President Kovind during the convocation ceremony of a private university informed the media about the meeting.

The meeting comes after the Narendra Modi-led BJP government constituted a committee headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind.

Currently, the Election Commission of India (ECI) conducts the elections for state assemblies as well as Lok Sabha (Parliament) as separate events. Every state holds its elections every five years, similar to the Lok Sabha, however, most of the states have their own electoral cycle.

Who all are members of One Nation, One Election Committee

Members of the One Nation, One Election include Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, former leader of the opposition Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, former chairman of 15th Finance Commission NK Singh, former Lok Sabha general secretary Subash Kashyap, senior advocate Harish Salve, former chief vigilance commissioner Sanjay Kothari, and Minister of state (law) Arjun Ram Meghwal.

What is One Nation, One Election

The idea of One Nation, One Election refers to holding simultaneous elections across the country, which means, that the polls for Lok Sabha and state assemblies will be held together.
This photo taken on Sept. 21, 2023 shows the logo of the Sino-Congolese Bank for Africa (BSCA) at one of the bank's branches in Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of the Congo. (Xinhua/Shi Yu)

BRAZZAVILLE, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Countries around the world, including the Republic of the Congo, are expected to benefit from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), said Congolese Minister of Economy and Finance Jean-Baptiste Ondaye.

He made the remarks in front of reporters after a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new branch of the Sino-Congolese Bank for Africa here in Brazzaville, the Congolese capital, on Friday.

The BRI has "significant prospects for growth and inclusion," he said.

"As you know, African countries suffer from an infrastructure deficit, and this initiative should help reduce the infrastructure divide," the minister added.

Ondaye said the bank reflects the long-standing fraternity, friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The bank has played a crucial role in Congo's economic development and the digitalization of banking services like its ATM network. Ondaye said support from the bank has increased despite various shocks to the world economy.

In June 2014, the Agricultural Bank of China signed an agreement with the Congolese side to establish the bank, which entered into service in 2015. 

A client enters the headquarters of the Sino-Congolese Bank for Africa (BSCA) in Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of the Congo, Sept. 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Shi Yu)

Congolese Minister of Economy and Finance Jean-Baptiste Ondaye addresses the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new branch of the Sino-Congolese Bank for Africa (BSCA) in Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of the Congo, Sept. 22, 2023. (Photo by Guy-Gervais Kitina/Xinhua)
Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu on Saturday welcomed the National Investigation Agencys move to confiscate the properties of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a member of the banned pro-Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), and urged the government to extradite the designated terrorist.

Ravneet Bittu is the grandson of Beant Singh, then chief minister of Punjab who was assassinated by extremists in 1995.

The government should extradite him (Pannun). I appreciate this action, the Ludhiana MP told News18. His properties should be bulldozed. Pannuns properties should be bombed. He is supplying drugs. He is insulting our country. His property should be bulldozed this is a welcome step, he added.

The NIA on Saturday confiscated certain immovable properties belonging to Pannun under section 33(5) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967.

Multiple agencies have filed cases against Pannun who has been declared as an individual terrorist under the fourth schedule of UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Amendment Act).

Pannun is accused in case RC-19/2020/NIA/DLI dated 05.04.2020 under sections 120-B, 124-A, 153-A 153-B and 17, 18 and 19 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The case relates to funding of terrorist activities in Punjab from abroad, creating disharmony among communities and radicalising youth for terrorist activities, an official told News18.

The properties include agricultural land in Village Khankot, Amritsar and share of House Number 2033, Sector 15/C, Chandigarh.

The action comes amid a diplomatic low between India and Canada over Ottawas allegations that New Delhi had a hand in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Ravneet Bittu had also raged against Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Parliament this week, saying that the money of Canadians involved in narcotics trade in Punjab is being pumped into his party.

Supporting the Narendra Modi governments foreign policy on the issue, the Congress MP said: Our foreign policy from Jawaharlal Nehru to PM Narendra Modi ji has been of non-alignment. The Congress has also taken a strong stance on what the Canadian PM has said in their Parliament

The Canadian PM is speaking against our country and our prime minister in his Parliament. When Trudeaus father was the prime minister, Kanishka bombing took place, even investigation of that could not take place, he said, referring to the bombing of an Air India flight in 1985.

Ravneet Singh Bittus grandfather and then Punjab CM Beant Singh was assassinated in an explosion outside the Punjab civil secretariat that also killed 16 others on August 31, 1995. In May this year, Supreme Court declined to commute the death penalty of Balwant Singh Rajoana, who was convicted in the assassination case.
Soon after BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri made objectionable comments against BSP MP Danish Ali in the Lok Sabha on Thursday night, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stood up to promptly ask the chairperson to delete Bidhuris comments from the records of the debate, and apologised to Danish Ali.

Sir, you have shown greatness Benny Behanan, Congress MP from Chalakudy in Kerala, responded to Singh as he apologised.

The records of the debate are now public on the Lok Sabha website. The Chairperson, Kodikunnil Suresh, informed the Defence Minister that Bidhuris comments had already been deleted.

Rajnath Singh told the House that he had not been able to hear the entire speech by Bidhuri, but Opposition MPs were saying that their feelings had been hurt by some of the comments. I would urge you to remove such statements from the recordsif he has said something that has hurt their feelings, I express regret for the same.

Many MPs sprung to Danish Alis defence. DMK MP DM Kathir Anand said Bidhuri must apologise, while party colleague Kanimozhi also tried to speak to back the demand. Congress MP S Jothimani stood up to say: Sir, this is not done. NK Premchandran, RSP MP from Kerala, said: Sir, expunging it (Bidhuris comments) from the records is not enough.

Danish Ali, meanwhile, kept trying to make his point, asking how Bidhuri could make such comments about him. How dare he say this? He must apologise. What is this? How can he be allowed to speak like this? Whom is he calling a  (Expunged as ordered by the Chair)? Are there  (Expunged as ordered by the Chair) in this House? Can  (Expunged as ordered by the Chair) enter in this House? He must apologise (sic), the records of the debate now show.

Ali had raised a point of order to protest Bidhuris comments around 11pm.

The Speaker has since issued a stern warning to Bidhuri and the BJP has issued him a show-cause notice.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, meanwhile, has demanded an inquiry committee into the entire episode, claiming Danish Ali had used derogatory words for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, provoking and instigating Ramesh Bidhuri.

Ali screamed across the aisle, without the microphone but could be clearly heard saying neech ko neech nahi kahenge to kya kahenge, says the letter by Dubey to the Speaker. The Parliament debate records, however, do not mention Ali saying any such thing.

Ali has clarified that while the BJP is running a false narrative that he had provoked Bidhuri, the truth is that I worked to save the dignity of the post of Prime Minister and made the Chairman aware of the highly objectionable words related to Modi ji and demanded their removal from the proceedings.
The iPhone 15 series finally went on sale yesterday, September 22, and now Elon Musk has expressed his desire to buy the iPhone 15 on X (formerly Twitter).

This series of events unfolded after Apple CEO Tim Cook posted Apples commissioned imagery captured by photographers Stephen Wilkes and Reuben Wu.

World-renowned photographers Stephen Wilkes and Reuben Wu show us creativity is limitless with iPhone 15 Pro Max. Their vivid photos display breathtaking views from the beauty of summer in Rhode Island to the other-worldly deserts of Utah, Tim Cook said on X.

Elon Musk, the owner of X, then went on to praise iPhones for thier photo and video-taking qualities. The beauty of iPhone pictures and videos is incredible, Musk replied to Cook.

Later on Friday, when Cook made the post celebrating the new launches from Apples Fifth Avenue store in New York, Elon Musk was quick to reply that he was buying one.

Im buying one! Musk said.

With that said, Musk, after buying Twitter in 2022, has had a mixed relationship with Apple. Evidently, as per Musk, Apple had mostly stopped advertising on Twitter in November 2022, and said, Do they hate free speech in America?

A couple of days later, Musk met Tim Cook at the Apple Park and said that we (Apple and X) resolved the misunderstanding about Twitter potentially being removed from the App Store.

More recently, Tim Cook said that there are some things about Elon Musks X that he doesnt like. Cook called the platforms apparent anti-semitism problem abhorrent in an interview with CBS, but at the same time added that Twitter is an important property; I like the concept that its there for discourse.
A horrifying incident unfolded in the Sabah state of Malaysia on Wednesday, as a 23-year-old man lost his life to a crocodile attack while attempting to trap crabs in the waters of Kampung Tinagian, Tanjung Labian, according to a report by the Independent. The victims three friends could only watch in disbelief as the reptile lunged at their friend, snatching him in a matter of seconds.

According to reports, the young mans friends were present during the tragic encounter. Lahad Datu district police chief, Rohan Shah Ahmad, talked about the incident to The Star, stating, The three friends could only watch as the attack happened in a split second. The friend vanished in an instant [into the water] before they could do anything.

The victims lifeless body was discovered at 7.20 a.m. local time, bearing bite marks on his left arm and head. Scratches were also found on his chest, back of the neck and back. In light of this tragic incident, authorities transported the remains to Lahad Datu Hospital for a comprehensive autopsy.

The police chief urged the community to exercise extra caution when near sea and river environments. This incident marked the first crocodile attack reported in Lahad Datu this year.

washing clothes

Earlier this year, another harrowing incident occurred in Malaysia, where a mother-daughter duo fell victim to a crocodile attack, reported News18. In the Malaysian state of Selangor, near Sungai Merbau, 38-year-old Raminten and her 9-year-old daughter Natasyah were attacked by a crocodile whileon the riverbank.

The predator, known for its stealthy approach, first targeted Natasyah, sinking its teeth into her legs and dragging her into the water. In a courageous act of maternal instinct, Raminten jumped into the river to rescue her daughter, engaging in a fierce struggle with the crocodile, which turned its attention to her as well.

Fortunately, the cries for help reached nearby passersby, who rushed to the scene and, witnessing the dire situation, intervened. With a collective effort, they managed to capture the crocodile and transport it away on a boat. While both Raminten and Natasyah suffered severe leg injuries from the crocodiles bites, their lives were ultimately spared, thanks to Ramintens fearless rescue and the swift action of the villagers.
The Delhi Metro, a vital transportation system for countless passengers, has recently faced growing concerns regarding discipline and safety due to a rising trend of unruly behaviour. While it was once known for providing a comfortable travel experience, the metro has now transformed into a platform where people showcase their talents, such as dancing and singing, often resulting in viral social media content. Despite stern warnings from the Delhi Police against creating such videos inside the metro, some commuters continue to disregard the rules. In a recent incident, a viral video captured a man attempting a backflip while the metro was in motion, but his daring stunt quickly turned into a regrettable mishap as he ended up falling on his head.

The video of the unfortunate incident was posted on Instagram. The clip garnered mixed reactions; some social media criticised his stunt and made fun of him, while others expressed genuine concerns over his fall. Sharing the post, he simply stated, Metro mein chot lag gai. (I got hurt in the metro).

View this post on Instagram A post shared by chaman flipper (@chaman_flipper)

Since Chaman Flipper shared the video clip, it quickly went viral and received over 1 million views along with numerous comments from social media users.

A user wrote, Nahin araha hai toh kyun kar rahe ho? (If you cant do it, then why are you trying?).

Another wrote, Itne niche se karoge toh aisa hi hoga na. (If you attempt it from that low, this is bound to happen).

Ek baar aur karo. Ones more. (Try it one more time), a comment read.

A user jokingly shared, Ye sharam ke maare agle station pe utar gaya hoga. (Due to embarrassment, he must have left the metro at next station).

Another suggested, Is bande ko pakad ke police me dedo. Metro me ye karna kitna risky hota hai. (Catch this guy and hand him over to the police. Doing this in the metro is so risky).

One more wrote, Khatam tata bye bye.

Creating videos inside metro trains or other public transport has become a trend, with people dancing, singing, and even attempting stunts. While this entertains some, it can cause inconvenience to fellow commuters. Recently, fitness influencer Misha Sharma joined the trend and shared a video of herself executing a flawless somersault in a busy Bangalore Metro. She expertly landed on her feet after completing a 360-degree flip.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by MISHA SHARMA (@mishaa_official_)

Misha Sharmas video gained 5 million views.
A group of Japanese tourists was in for a huge shock when a Singapore restaurant charged a whopping $680 (Rs 56,503) for a crab dish they served. The bill has become a talking point on social media as people discuss how expensive the food can be in Singapore. Junko Shinba, one of the tourists, was shocked to see the bill when she ordered the signature Alaskan King Crab at a restaurant in Singapore. She even called the police and created a ruckus at the restaurant.

Shinba explained that she and her friends ordered the restaurants signature Alaskan king chilli crab dish after a waiter recommended it. She added that the waiter highlighted the crab as a dish priced at $20, but did not explain to them that this price was per 100 grams. She claimed that they were not informed of the total weight of the crab before it was cooked. She also revealed that they were shocked to see the dish when it arrived. Her group of four ended up getting way more than they could eat, which was about 3,500 grams of the dish and the total amount they were charged was $680.

She then asked the restaurant to call the police as she was not informed earlier about the price of the dish. In response to the situation, the restaurant staff said that they did not overcharge her group and even showed her a receipt from another customer who ordered a similar dish and paid the total bill. They also added that, after a long discussion, they even gave her a discount of $78 out of goodwill, but she was still not ready to pay the bill. They also revealed that when the dish arrived, everyone in the group even took selfies with the food.
Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said he condemns the hateful comments targeting Hindus in Canada and said that every community deserves the right to live without fear in their community.

Every Canadian deserves to live without fear and feel welcomed in their community. In recent days, we have seen hateful comments targeting Hindus in Canada. Conservatives condemn these comments against our Hindu neighbours and friends, Poilievre said.

Every Canadian deserves to live without fear and feel welcomed in their community.In recent days, we have seen hateful comments targeting Hindus in Canada. Conservatives condemn these comments against our Hindu neighbours and friends. Hindus have made invaluable contributions  Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) September 22, 2023

Hindus have made invaluable contributions to every part of our country and will always be welcome here, he further added.

Canada has seen a rise in anti-India and anti-Hindu incidents due to the Justin Trudeau governments casual approach towards the Khalistani separatist movement which has flourished in Canada in the past few decades.

Poilievres statement comes as India and Canada relationship hit a fresh low over the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus claims that India played a role in the June murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani separatist-terrorist, near Vancouver.

Nijjar was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for funding terror and conspiracy to commit murder and threatened Indias sovereignty by expressing his desire to carve out Khalistan from India.

Canada expelled a senior Indian diplomat from the country and India responded by expelling a Canadian diplomat from the country and reducing its diplomatic staff and stopping visa services.

Poilievre, the leader of the opposition, has been critical of Trudeaus handling of international and domestic affairs. He also weighed in on the issue of Hardeep Singh Nijjar and said the Trudeau government should be wary of the consequences if it cannot back the claim of Indias involvement in the killing of Nijjar with credible evidence that Trudeau claims to be in possession of.

I think the prime minister needs to come clean with all the facts. We need to know all the evidence possible so that Canadians can make judgments on that. The prime minister hasnt provided any facts, Poilievre said earlier this week.

Trudeaus coalition partner, Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the National Democratic Party, also known for sympathizing with the Khalistan movement, in a social media post sought to assure Hindus living in Canada that the nation is their home as well.

To Hindus across Canada. This is your home and you deserve to be here. Anyone that suggests otherwise does not reflect the values of inclusion, compassion and kindness we hold close as Canadians, Singh said in a tweet, but his message was met with skeptical responses.
India told Pakistan to shut down terror infrastructure in the country and reminded Pakistans government of its own abysmal record of minority rights violations on Saturday at the United Nations while exercising its right to reply after interim Pakistan Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar raked Jammu and Kashmir in his speech at the UN General Assembly.

#WATCH | First Secretary at United Nations for 2nd Committee of UNGA, Petal Gahlot says "Pakistan has become a habitual offender when it comes to misusing this August forum to peddle baseless and malicious propaganda against India. Member states of the United Nations and other pic.twitter.com/eIyynFFa1Q ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2023

Pakistan desires peaceful and productive relations with all our neighbours including India India has evaded implementation of the security councils resolutions which call for the final disposition of Jammu and Kashmir to be decided by its people through UN-supervised plebiscite, Kakar said, while addressing the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

First Secretary at United Nations for 2nd Committee of UNGA, Petal Gahlot says "Instead of engaging in technical sophistry, we call upon Pakistan to take credible and verifiable action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks whose victims await justice even after 15 pic.twitter.com/3A3r6yBfZO ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2023

We reiterate that the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir are an integral part of India. Matters pertaining to the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are purely internal to India. Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on our domestic matters, First Secretary at United Nations for 2nd Committee of UNGA, Petal Gahlot, said.

Petal Gahlot, who has also served as an under-secretary at the union ministry of external affairs West division said Pakistan is a habitual offender when it comes to misusing multilateral forums for spreading false propaganda against India.

Pakistan has become a habitual offender when it comes to misusing this August forum to peddle baseless and malicious propaganda against India, the Indian official at the UN said.

Member states of the United Nations and other multilateral organisations are well aware that Pakistan does so to deflect the international communitys attention away from its own abysmal record on human rights, Gahlot said.

The official then highlighted to the members the recent attacks on Christian communities in Pakistans Jaranwala where dozens of churches were set ablaze and Christian houses were vandalised in mob violence as a mob of miscreants attacked them claiming that some members of the community engaged in blasphemy.

Gahlot also harshly criticised Pakistan for raking up the Kashmir issue while it is unable to guarantee protection to women and women from minority communities from rising instances of abduction, forced conversion and marriage.

The condition of women belonging to minority communities in Pakistan notably Hindu Sikhs and Christians remains deplorable. According to a recent report published by Pakistans own Human Rights Commission, an estimated 1,000 women from minority communities are subjected to abduction, forced conversion and marriage in Pakistan every year, Gahlot said.

Instead of engaging in technical sophistry, we call upon Pakistan to take credible and verifiable action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks whose victims await justice even after 15 years. In order for there to be peace in South Asia, the actions that Pakistan needs to take are threefold, Gahlot said, outlining the steps Islamabad should take to restore peace in the region.

(with inputs from Shalinder Wangu)
Jessica Burgess, a woman from the US state of Nebraska accused of helping her teenage daughter acquire abortion pills, was sentenced Friday to two years in prison, the New York Times reported.

Burgess and her daughter were charged with working together to end Celeste Burgess pregnancy last year.

Jessica Burgess ordered the pills online and gave them to her daughter, who was 17 years old at the time and in the third trimester of her pregnancy, the Times reported, citing prosecutors.

Authorities said the Burgesses later buried the fetal remains.

In April 2022, police began investigating concerns that Celeste Burgess had given birth prematurely to a stillborn child, which was allegedly buried.

This July, the daughter was sentenced to 90 days in jail after she pleaded guilty to removing or concealing human skeletal remains.

The same month, Jessica Burgess pleaded guilty to violating Nebraskas abortion law, furnishing false information to a law enforcement officer and removing or concealing human skeletal remains.

Celeste Burgess, who was released earlier this month, was in the courtroom and wiped tears from her face when her mother was sentenced on Friday, The Norfolk Daily News reported.

According to the newspaper, the judge denied a request by Jessica Burgess lawyer to sentence her to probation, saying she had treated the fetal remains like yesterdays trash.

The 42-year-old mother faced five charges  including one under a 2010 law which only allows abortion up to 20 weeks after fertilization.

Police began investigating the Burgesses before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, but their case and subsequent convictions have fanned fears of how women and anyone helping them could be prosecuted for abortions in the wake of the landmark reversal.

In August, Facebook sparked outrage by complying with the police investigation, boosting concerns that the platform will be a tool for clamping down on anyone involved in abortion procedures.
Former Pentagon staffer Michael Rubin shot back at US Secretary of State Antony Blinken after he said the US remains vigilant regarding instances of transnational repression while indirectly referring to the claims made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the killing of Khalistani separatist-terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

#WATCH | Washington, DC | On allegations by Canada, Michael Rubin, former Pentagon official and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute says "Let's not fool ourselves, Hardeep Singh Nijjar was not simply a plumber any more than Osama Bin Laden was a construction pic.twitter.com/NTwBPDkEA2 ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2023

Blinken urged India to cooperate in the ongoing investigations on Friday but stopped short of commenting directly on the subject.

We are deeply concerned about the allegations that Canadian PM Trudeau has raised. We have been consulting very closely with our Canadian colleagues, and coordinating with them on this issue. From our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceed, Blinken said.

We would hope that our Indian friends would cooperate with that investigation as well, he said.

We are extremely vigilant about any instances of alleged transnational repression, something we take very seriously and its important for the international system that any country that might consider engaging in such acts not do so, the US secretary of state further added.

#WATCH | On the India-Canada row, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says "We are deeply concerned about the allegations that Canadian PM Trudeau has raised. We have been consulting very closely with our Canadian colleagues, and coordinating with them on this issue. From our pic.twitter.com/jQA4ctG71v ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2023

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday that India played a role in the June murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani separatist-terrorist, near Vancouver.

Nijjar was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for funding terror and conspiracy to commit murder and threatened Indias sovereignty by expressing his desire to carve out Khalistan from India.

Canada expelled a senior Indian diplomat from the country and India responded by expelling a Canadian diplomat from the country and reducing its diplomatic staff and stopping visa services.

Michael Rubin, former Pentagon official and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, however, was not impressed with Blinkens statement. He also criticised the Canadian government for not backing their claims with credible evidence and said Trudeau is shooting from the hip.

He also said Nijjar has blood on his hands and is not a mere plumber as Canada is claiming him to be.

Lets not fool ourselves, Hardeep Singh Nijjar was not simply a plumber any more than Osama Bin Laden was a construction engineer. He had blood on his hands through multiple attacks, Rubin said.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has made a huge mistake. He has made allegations in a manner which he has not been able to back. There are two possibilities here, either he was shooting from the hip and he does not have the evidence to support the accusations he made against the Indian government, Rubin further added, urging Trudeau to answer why Canada was sheltering a terrorist.

Secretary Blinken may, after the facts, say that the United States will always stand against transnational oppression. Were actually being hypocritical if Secretary Blinken makes that statement, Rubin said, referring to the killings of Iranian Quds chief Qasem Soleimani and former al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden.

What were talking about isnt transnational repression. Were talking about transnational terrorism, Rubin said.

(with inputs from ANI)
John Manley, who was Canadas deputy prime minister from 2002 to 2003 in the Jean Chretien government, urged Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to not run for the upcoming election as Liberal Party leader.

He backed his request up by citing three rules. First, he referred to the famous and critically acclaimed television sitcom, Seinfeld, and secondly, he highlighted that change is a force of nature in politics. Thirdly, he pointed out that his predecessors did not continue in the job past a decade.

Manley pointed to the success of the show and highlighted that the creator Jerry Seinfled discontinued the show after nine seasons and did not go for a tenth season. Manley said Seinfeld decided to end the sitcom when it was the most popular.

It was the perfect moment, and the proof that it was the right moment is the number of questions youre still asking me about it, Seinfeld creator Jerry Seinfeld told the New York Times in 2018, revealing that he was being offered $5 million per episode for a 10th season.

So 2025, Mr. Trudeau will have had 10 seasons. Before him, Stephen Harper  nine seasons. Before him, Jean Chretien  10 seasons. Before him, Brian Mulroney  nine seasons. You want a renewal after 10 seasons? Manley was quoted as saying by Bloomberg BNN.

The odds are against it, quite apart from anything else. Time for a change is a force of nature in politics, Manley further added.

Manley also said that the polls suggest Trudeau and his Liberal Party is struggling with stats showing that if elections were held in the current setting the Conservatives would receive 41% support from committed voters, the Liberals 26%, the NDP 18% and the Greens 4%.

Justin Trudeau is facing criticism from the opposition and sections of Canadians after he alleged that India was responsible for the murder of Khalistani separatist-terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. His government expelled a senior Indian diplomat and India responded similarly by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat.

The diplomatic tensions with India have also led many asking Trudeau to step down from his role.
Ukraine has reported breaking through Russian defence lines in the south as its army said Saturday that senior Russian navy commanders were among dozens killed or wounded in a missile attack on Moscows Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Crimea. Russias foreign minister Sergei Lavrov accused western powers of directly fighting Russia in comments at the United Nations.

In the latest claims of progress in the Zaporizhzhia area, the Ukrainian general leading the counteroffensive there told US media that the advance was still underway. On the left flank (near the village of Verbove) we have a breakthrough and we continue to advance further, general Oleksandr Tarnavskiy told CNN in an interview released Friday.

Ukraine launched its counteroffensive to claw back territory from Russian forces in June. Progress has been slow, with much of the territory heavily mined, but Kyiv has in recent weeks reported making strategic advances in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Not as fast as it was expected, not like in the movies about the Second World War, Tarnavskiy said in the CNN interview, adding it was important not to lose this initiative.

Last month Kyiv declared a strategic victory when it recaptured the southern village of Robotyne.

Tarnavskiy said a major breakthrough would be if Kyiv recaptured the city of Tokmak  20 km from the front line  which fell to Russian forces at the start of their invasion. Retaking Tokmak would allow Ukrainian forces to push further toward occupied Melitopol and annexed Crimea.

I think it (a breakthrough) would happen after Tokmak, he said, but warned: At the moment (Russian forces) are relying on the depth of their defensive line there.

Tarnavskiy disagreed with some predictions that Ukraines push could be further slowed in the coming winter months. The weather can be a serious obstacle during advance, but considering how we move forward, mostly without vehicles, I dont think (it) will heavily influence the counteroffensive, he said.

Assault squads

He gave some insight into the type of fighting taking place in the south, 19 months into Moscows invasion.

Right now, neither the enemy nor us uses large formations, companies, battalions or brigades. We use assault squads, groups of 10 to 15 men.

They conduct titanic work of concentrating enemy fire on them and using all the means they have to use to survive.

The interview was published a day after Kyiv struck Russias Black Sea Fleet headquarters in the Crimean port of Sevastopol, claiming to have killed senior commanders. The army said the strike had happened during a meeting of the Russian navys leadership.

Kyivs intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said the attack killed at least nine people, including generals, in comments to Voice of America. The details of the attack will be revealed as soon as possible and the result is dozens of dead and wounded occupants, including senior fleet commanders, the Ukrainian army said.

AFP is not able to verify this information.

Russia has said one of its servicemen is missing after the attack.

Battlefield mess

Tarnavskiy said the counteroffensives success depended not only on what happens on the front, but also on destroying command centres that create a mess on the battlefield. Strikes on Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, improved morale for Ukrainian troops, he added. It helps us, but it also gives us hope for the future.

At the United Nations in New York, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday accused Western powers, through their support to Ukraine, of effectively entering into direct war against Moscow. You can call it anything you want, but they are fighting with us, they are straight-up fighting with us.

We call it a hybrid war, but that doesnt change things, Lavrov told a news conference.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was headed for home after addressing the United Nations and talks in Washington with the US Congress and President Joe Biden, who pledged the imminent arrival of US tanks to bolster Ukraines arsenal.

The Ukrainian leader took to X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday to announce he met Sudans army chief and de facto ruler general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan during a stopover in Ireland. Im grateful to Sudan for its constant support for Ukraine sovereignty and territorial integrity, Zelenskyy said, at a time when Kyiv is seeking to counter growing Russian influence in Africa.

The two leaders had talked of common security challenges, particularly the activities of illegal armed groups financed by Russia. Zelenskyy also said he made a brief halt in the Polish city of Lublin during the afternoon to decorate two Polish volunteers.
Federal prosecutors charged powerful US Senator Robert Menendez on Friday with bribery and extortion, saying gold bars and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash had been found at the high-ranking Democrats home.

In one of several allegations, the Justice Department said Menendez had provided sensitive information to the Egyptian government in order to help an Egyptian-American businessman protect his monopoly.

It was the second corruption indictment in eight years against the veteran New Jersey politician, 69, and may place into question his hold on his seat in Congress and the Democratic Partys slim majority in the Senate.

Hours after the indictment Menendez stepped down temporarily as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, a position that had given him significant influence over US foreign relations.

The senator and his wife accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for Senator Menendez using his power and influence to protect and to enrich those businessmen and to benefit the government of Egypt, said Damian Williams, the federal prosecutor for the Manhattan, New York district.

In a statement, Menendez called the allegations baseless and characterized the indictment as a personal attack on him and his wife Nadine Menendez, who was also indicted.

They have misrepresented the normal work of a Congressional office, Menendez said.

Calls for his resignation even came from fellow Democrats, with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy saying the charges were deeply disturbing.

The alleged facts are so serious that they compromise the ability of Senator Menendez to effectively represent the people of our state. Therefore, I am calling for his immediate resignation, he said in a statement.

But Menendez was defiant in a statement issued Friday evening: It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat. I am not going anywhere.

Cash, gold and a Benz

Prosecutors said they found more than a half-million dollars in cash in Menendezs New Jersey home and in his wifes safe deposit box, allegedly received from three New Jersey businessmen seeking his help.

Much of the cash was stuffed in envelopes and boxes and hidden around their home, some tucked into jackets bearing his name.

Gold bars worth around $150,000 and a luxury Mercedes Benz convertible, gifted by one of the businessmen, were also found.

Prosecutors said they had evidence showing that around the time he and his wife received the gold bars, Menendez searched Google to find out how much they were worth.

Menendez took the money to help protect two of the businessmen from Justice Department investigations, and to help the third, Egyptian-American Wael Hana, with a business monopoly granted to him by the Egyptian government, the indictment said.

Among other actions, Menendez provided sensitive US Government information and took other steps that secretly aided the Government of Egypt, it said.

Menendez, his wife, Hana and the two other businessmen, Jose Uribe and Fred Daibes, were charged with two counts of bribery and fraud.

Menendez and his wife were also charged with extortion.

If found guilty, the most serious of the charges can bring up to 20 years in prison.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement that Menendez has been a dedicated public servant.

He has a right to due process and a fair trial, Schumer said.

Second corruption indictment

A senator since 2006 and before that a member of the House of Representatives for 14 years, Menendez has been a Democratic stalwart in Congress for three decades.

In his position as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Menendez, the son of Cuban immigrants, has been a fierce opponent of normalizing relations with the Castro regime in Cuba.

He also opposed authoritarian regimes like Venezuela and China, stymied arms deals with Turkey, and strongly supported Israel.

In 2015, he was charged with accepting bribes of private flights, luxury vacations and over $750,000 in illegal campaign donations.

But the charges were dismissed three years later after a deadlocked jury could not reach a verdict in the case.

Up for reelection

He comes up for reelection to the Senate next year, and it was not immediately clear how the new indictment would affect his once-impenetrable standing with New Jersey voters.

To my supporters, friends and the community at large, I ask that you recall the other times the prosecutors got it wrong and that you reserve judgement, Menendez said Friday.

Democrats head into the 2024 elections with a narrow 51-49 majority in the Senate.
HARARE, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese community in Zimbabwe held a musical and cultural performance gala on Friday night to mark the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

The event, held in Zimbabwe's capital Harare, was graced by officials from the Chinese embassy and the Zimbabwean government, members of the Chinese community, as well as artists from Zimbabwe and China, among others.

Attendees at the gala were captivated by musical and acrobatic performances, presented by both visiting Chinese artists and local Zimbabwean performers.

Zhao Ke, chairman of the China-Zimbabwe Exchange Center and host of the event, told Xinhua that his organization invited artists from China to perform at the gala to cement China-Zimbabwe cultural exchanges.

"The Chinese artists were from China's Jiangsu Province and we plan to make this an annual event. I am happy about the cultural exchanges because we had both Chinese artists and Zimbabwean artists performing together," Zhao said.

Earlier in the day, the Chinese Embassy held a reception in Harare to mark the 74th anniversary of the founding of the PRC. 
The tiny Pacific island nation of Niue has come up with a novel plan to protect its vast and pristine territorial watersit will get sponsors to pay. Under the plan, launched by Niue's Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi on Tuesday in New York, individuals or companies can pay $148 to protect 1 square kilometer (about 250 acres) of ocean from threats such as illegal fishing and plastic waste for a period of 20 years. Niue hopes to raise more than $18 million from the scheme by selling 127,000 square-kilometer units, representing the 40% of its waters that form a no-take marine protected area. "Niue is just one island in the middle of the big blue ocean," Tagelagi said. "We are surrounded by the ocean, and we live off the ocean. That's our livelihood."

Most fishing in Niue is to sustain local people, although there are some small-scale commercial operations and occasional offshore industrial-scale fishing, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization. "Because of all the illegal fishing and all the other activities at the moment, we thought that we should be taking the lead, to teach others that we've got to protect the ocean," Tagelagi said. Niue is especially vulnerable to rising sea levels threatening its land and freshwater, and the island is at risk of more intense tropical storms charged by warmer air and waters. With a population of just 1,700 people, Niue acknowledges it needs outside help, reports the AP.

It's one of the smallest countries in the world, dwarfed by an ocean territory 1,200 times larger than its land mass. Under the plan, the sponsorship moneycalled Ocean Conservation Commitmentswill be administered by a charitable trust. Niue will buy 1,700 sponsorship units, representing one for each of its citizens. Other launch donors include philanthropist Lyna Lam and her husband Chris Larsen, who co-founded blockchain company Ripple, and US-based nonprofit Conservation International, which helped set up some technical aspects of the scheme. (Read how the ocean is changing color).
The US keeps a terrorist watchlist to keep an eye on "people reasonably suspected to be involved in terrorism (or related activities)," as part of its effort to keep Americans safe, the FBI says. No one is supposed to be put on the list because of their race, ethnicity, or religion. But the Council on American Islamic Relations, a Muslim rights organization, said it found that about 98% of the 1.5 million people on the list happen to be Muslim Americans. That's resulted in a new lawsuit filed by the group against the federal government, the Guardian reports.

The Terrorist Screening Dataset was created after the 9/11 attacks, during a period of routine surveillance of Muslim Americans. Civil rights groups call the list Islamophobic and say it's used to facilitate "harassment and humiliation" and want it dropped. The organization points out that US law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned that far-right domestic terrorists are a bigger threat than Islamist extremism. "The time has come for the Biden administration to end the use of the watchlist," said CAIR's Dawud Walid.

One Muslim American victimized by the list is Mohamed Khairullah, the New Jersey mayor who was turned away from the White House in May despite being invited to an event there. The Secret Service would not specify why he was stopped from attending. The lawsuit was filed Monday in federal court in Boston on his behalf and others,' per the AP. "If I don't do something now, my children and their children will probably be second-class citizens based on their ethnic and religious background," Khairullah said at a press conference. (Read more terrorist watch list stories.)
Pope Francis challenged French President Emmanuel Macron and other European leaders to open their ports to people fleeing hardship and poverty, insisting Saturday that the continent isn't facing a migration "emergency," but rather a long-term reality that governments must deal with humanely. For a second straight day in the French port city of Marseille, Francis took aim at European countries that have tried to close their doors to migrants, with the pontiff attempting to shame them into responding with charity instead. He called for migrants to have legal pathways to citizenship, and for the Mediterranean Sea that so many people try to cross to reach Europe to be a beacon of hope, not a graveyard of desperation, per the AP .

The Mediterranean, Francis told Macron and a gathering of regional bishops, "cries out for justice, with its shores that on the one hand exude affluence, consumerism, and waste, while on the other there is poverty and instability." The pope's visit to the city in southern France comes as Italy's far right-led government has reacted to a new wave of arriving migrants by threatening to organize a naval blockade of Tunisia and to step up repatriations. The French government, for its part, has beefed up patrols on its southern border to stop migrants in Italy from crossing over.

Macron's centrist government has taken a harder line on migration and security issues after coming under criticism from French conservatives and the far right. With elections for the European Union's Parliament set for next year, Macron is pushing for the EU to strengthen its external borders and to be more efficient in deporting individuals who are denied entry. Francis' two-day trip was scheduled months ago, but it's taking place as mass migration to Europe is once again making headlines. Nearly 7,000 migrants who boarded smugglers' boats in Tunisia came ashore on the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa within a day last week, briefly outnumbering the resident population. Nevertheless, Francis said talk of a migration "emergency" only fuels "alarmist propaganda" and stokes peoples' fears.

story continues below

"Those who risk their lives at sea do not invade, they look for welcome, for life," he said. "As for the emergency, the phenomenon of migration is ... a reality of our times, a process that involves three continents around the Mediterranean and that must be governed with wise foresight, including a European response capable of coping with the objective difficulties." History's first Latin American pope has made the plight of migrants a priority of his 10-year pontificate. For his first trip as pope, he traveled to Lampedusa to honor migrants who'd drowned while attempting to cross the sea. In the years since, he has celebrated Mass on the US-Mexico border, met with Myanmar's Rohingya refugees, and, in a visible display of his commitment, brought home 12 Syrian Muslims on his plane after visiting a refugee camp in Lesbos, Greece.

(Read more Pope Francis stories.)
Ukraine said it launched missiles timed to strike during a high-level meeting at Russia's Black Sea headquarters. "The result is dozens of dead and wounded occupants, including the senior leadership of the fleet," Special Operations Forces posted on Telegram. Russia's defense ministry responded that just one serviceman was killed, NBC News reports, later changing his status to "missing." The missiles left the base's main building damaged and smoldering. A second attack on Sevastopol, a city on the occupied Crimean Peninsula, followed on Saturday morning, a Russian-backed official said, per the AP .

Ukraine has been attacking Russian military infrastructure in Crimea, especially naval installations, in the past few weeks, per CNN. Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014, and Ukraine wants it back. The strikes also provide Ukraine with successes even as its counteroffensive against Russian forces lags. The Crimea bridge and other high-profile targets are important strategically and symbolically. Russia has based its Black Sea fleet in Sevastopol since the 19th century. After the strike Friday, a Ukrainian defense official issued a warning that Russia's fleet could be "sliced up like a salami" in future attacks.

Ukrainians also reported new Russia attacks on cities. One reportedly injured more than 30 people, three of them children, in Kremenchuk, with another strike injuring civilians and damaging civilian infrastructure in Yurkivka. The regional governor of Zaporizhzhia reported that Russia had carried out 86 strikes on 27 settlements there in one day. The BBC posted video it said it authenticated of a missile hitting Russia's Black Sea headquarters here. (Read more Russia-Ukraine war stories.)
Russia's foreign minister denounced Western nations generally and Ukrainian peace proposals and attempts to revive the Black Sea grain initiative specifically at the United Nations on Saturday. Sergey Lavrov called the Kyiv government's 10-point peace plan "completely not feasible," Reuters reports. If Ukraine and its Western allies don't budge from the proposal, he said, the matter will be settled on the battlefield. "It's not realistic and everybody understands this but, at the same time, they say this is the only basis for negotiations," Lavrov said, per the Guardian .

Lavrov similarly dismissed UN proposals to reopen the corridor for Ukrainian agricultural exports as "simply not realistic." Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had listed four steps the UN could take to urge Russia to rejoin the deal and get grain and fertilizer moving again to combat the global food shortage. Lavrov said Saturday that Russia had abandoned the agreement because it was made promises that weren't kept, involving ending sanctions on a Russian bank. "We explained to the secretary general why his proposals won't work," he said.

The diplomat included a big-picture attack on Russia's opposition, nations that he said are preventing the creation of "a genuine multipolar world order," per the AP. "The US and its subordinate Western collective are continuing to fuel conflicts which artificially divide humanity into hostile blocks and hamper the achievement of overall aims," Lavrov told the General Assembly. "They are trying to force the world to play according to their own self-centered rules," he added, calling the West "an empire of lies." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had told the UN on Tuesday that it's Russia that's weaponizing food, energy, and children against "the international rules-based order." (Read more Russia-Ukraine war stories.)
David Brown, center, a scientific recovery expert assigned to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, conducts recovery operations during a mission in northern Germany, Sept. 6, 2023. Agency personnel conducted an excavation in an effort to find a U.S. aircraft crew lost over Germany during World War II. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jack A. E. Rigsby)
TUNIS, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian President Kais Saied signed a presidential decree dividing the country into five regions, said the official Journal of the Republic of Tunisia (JORT) on Friday.

The division came within the new political organization included in the new Tunisian Constitution ratified in 2022, and also comes in preparation for the establishment of the National Council of Provinces and Regions, which was stipulated in the Constitution.

According to JORT, the first region includes the provinces of Bizerte, Beja, Jendouba, and Kef; the second region includes the provinces of Tunis, Ariana, Ben Arous, Zaghouan, Manouba, and Nabeul; the third region includes the provinces of Siliana, Sousse, Kasserine, Kairouan, Monastir and Mahdia; the fourth region includes the provinces of Tozeur, Sidi Bouzid, Sfax and Gafsa, while the fifth region includes the provinces of Tataouine, Gabes, Kebili and Medenine.

Chapter Two of the presidential order indicates that a regional council "meets in circulation among the provinces that make up the region, and the meetings are held at the provinces' headquarters." The meeting location changes every six months for each region.

As for Chapter Three of the presidential order, it stressed the need for the provinces that make up the region to provide the regional councils with "all necessary human and material means to ensure the proper performance of their tasks." 
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, yesterday sent cables of congratulations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on Saudi Arabias National Day.

HM the King and HRH Prince Salman expressed sincere congratulations to King Salman, wishing him abundant health, happiness and long life, as well as further progress and prosperity to the brotherly Saudi people, under his leadership.

HM King Hamad and His Royal Highness expressed pride in the deep-rooted solid fraternal relations between the two kingdoms and their peoples, affirming Bahrains constant keenness to continue strengthening its fruitful cooperation and joint action with Saudi Arabia, within the ongoing robust strategic partnership between the two kingdoms, in a way that benefits their peoples.

They praised the approach adopted by Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to enhance economic development and prosperity across the region, in a way that ensures security, stability and peace for all.

HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister sent a similar cable to HRH Prince Mohammed.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The High Criminal Court began hearing the case of a university student accused of hacking into its electronic systems. He managed to gain access to the computers in the university laboratories after secretly obtaining the login credentials of a fellow student, impersonating her, and downloading malicious programmes that posed a threat to the security of the universitys database and jeopardised its safety.

The accused student attended Thursdays session and admitted to committing the crime, but denied any intention or knowledge of causing harm to the universitys laboratories. He claimed that he was testing his abilities and exploring his technical qualifications.

The National Cyber Security Center received a report from a senior network specialist at the university, indicating that the universitys security software had successfully prevented an attempt to download malicious software onto one of the computers in the information technology lab.

Based on the report, it was revealed that the programme the accused student attempted to download was designed to crack secret codes stored in computer systems and bypass its security programmes.

Further investigation traced the attempted download to the personal data of a student in one of the departments unrelated to the computer science department. The student denied involvement, stating that she was not knowledgeable in using such technologies.

Through the investigation, it was discovered that the accused student, who was studying cybersecurity, obtained her personal login credentials through the universitys systems and computers. He was subsequently apprehended.

The accused admitted that on the day of the incident, he visited the universitys information technology lab and accessed a computer. He managed to access a list containing the names and data of students and teachers. Out of curiosity, he randomly selected the personal identification number of a female student along with her university ID, logged out of his own account, and reentered the system using her data.

Subsequently, he accessed the search engine and attempted to download a programme but was unable to open it after the download was complete. He justified the incident as a test of his abilities and exploration of his technical qualifications.

The prosecution accused him of unlawfully using the electronic signature of the victim on March 6 and 7, 2023, within the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Bahrains security department. He accessed the computer in the universitys information technology lab by using the victims electronic signature, which was her secret password for her university account.

This act was done with an unlawful purpose, as he logged into the computer system using the victims electronic signature in order to download malicious software onto the universitys devices while impersonating her identity.

The prosecution has charged him with the unauthorised utilisation of the victims electronic signature on March 6 and 7, 2023 for an illegal purpose, by accessing the computer in the universitys information technology laboratory by using the victims electronic signature for the purpose of uploading a malicious program to university devices impersonating her identity.
Photo: The Canadian Press A sexual assault expert testifies under cross-examination at the trial of a man accused of killing a 13-year-old girl in a B.C. park. Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A lawyer for Ibrahim Ali at his B.C. murder trial has highlighted part of an expert witness's report saying there's "considerable overlap" between the type of injuries that can occur in consensual and non-consensual sex acts.

Sexual assault expert Dr. Tracy Pickett previously testified that injuries suffered by a 13-year-old girl found dead in a Burnaby, B.C., park six years ago "strongly indicated" sexual assault.

Pickett pushed back under cross-examination by Ben Lynskey in the B.C. Supreme Court, as the two had a lengthy exchange about what "considerable" actually means.

Ali has pleaded not guilty to the girl's first-degree murder.

Lynskey has focused his cross-examination on the medical limitations of assessing whether a sex act was consensual or non-consensual.

Pickett, who specializes in emergency and clinical forensic medicine, says there are many topics in the medical field that cause controversy and overlap could be attributed, in part, to the fact the genital region is "a small area."

She later agreed with Lynskey that some of the girl's injuries, including bruises on her arms and abrasions on her head, could be unrelated to sexual activity.

Pickett previously told the court she considered all of the injuries the girl sustained, including to her face, head, neck, knees, back, both legs and arms, and genital and anal regions, before forming her conclusions.

The girl's body was found in Burnaby's Central Park early on July 19, 2017, just hours after her mother reported her missing.

The teen can't be named because of a publication ban.

Caution: Graphic material follows

Crown witness and RCMP forensic biologist Christine Crossman had testified last week that only the DNA of Ali and the girl was detected from swabs of her vaginal area, with sperm cells matching Alis DNA.

Pickett testified Friday that semen would pool in a woman's vaginal vault, as it is biologically designed to do, but it would leak out "relatively quickly" due to gravity if she then had been vertical, particularly if she was being active.

"My opinion would be there would not be a large volume (remaining) if she was vertical, walking around (or) active after, particularly not hours later," she said.

Pickett said that would not happen if the woman remained lying down.

Kevin McCullough, another lawyer for Ali, has previously suggested that whoever had "forced sex or sex with the girl may not be the person who killed her.

Crown attorney Isobel Keeley said in an opening statement in April that the court would hear evidence showing the girl was walking or running through the neighbourhood park when she was dragged off a pathway into the forest by Ali, who sexually assaulted and strangled her to death.

The defence has not yet told the jury its theory of events, but has said Ali's genetic profile only matched samples from the 13-year-old girl's vaginal and anal areas.

McCullough asked Crossman to confirm several pieces of evidence were not tested for DNA, including the girl's stained clothing, which could have established another suspect in the case.
MOGADISHU, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Somali National Army said Saturday that its forces killed 27 al-Shabab militants in the ongoing military operations in three villages in Galmudug state in central Somalia.

The Ministry of Defense said that the operation, conducted on Friday night in Mililiqo, Ceel Gambar and Baalal Dheer villages, also resulted in the destruction of three al-Shabab hideouts.

"Three enemy bases were targeted and destroyed, along with their vehicles and military equipment," the ministry said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

There was no immediate comment from al-Shabab militants regarding the latest military operation. The Somali army, in conjunction with regional and international troops, have intensified efforts to neutralize the al-Qaida-linked armed group.

The allied forces drove the al-Shabab militant group out of Mogadishu in 2011, but the Islamist group is still capable of conducting attacks, targeting government installations, hotels, restaurants, and public places. 
President Bola Tinubu has established a humanitarian and poverty alleviation trust fund for the country.

Betta Edu, the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, made the announcement on Friday at the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.

Edu said 30 percent of the funding is expected to come from the federal government while the balance of 70 percnet is expected from donor agencies.

According to the minister, the fund would have several governing caders with a structure that would show accountability and transparency.

Thirty percent of the funding expected in this trust fund will be coming from the government of Nigeria, and is expected that the rest of this funding comes from other nations, the United Nations, donor agencies, philanthropic individuals, private sector, who we want to bring fully into the space amongst other forms of innovative fundraising, she said.

The essence is for us to be able to adequately address the issues which we face on the ground as a matter of urgency.

Im sure we already know that the president declared a state of emergency on food security in Nigeria, he equally had a state of emergency on other things like humanitarian crisis and our ability to provide durable solutions.

Edu said the government was counting on the support of the international community and development partners to provide adequate support in tackling poverty in Nigeria.

And as we make plans to come in and address this need, what must be key at the back of our minds is providing durable solutions, she added.

We must be able to address education for these persons, we must be able to address their livelihood, we must be able to address their reintegration back into communities, we must be to address their resettlement, including the provision of proper shelter for them to stay in.

We must be able to address their GPV needs amongst other things and were counting on your support.

Edu said the number of persons affected by the humanitarian crisis in the country is expected to rise and asked concerned parties to act fast.

She added that the government is seeking urgent international support to address human and climate-induced displacement and poverty in the country.

Martin Griffiths, UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, welcomed the initiative, saying it would take more than the efforts of the government to tackle humanitarian issues.




The North Central APC Forum, under the aegis of the All Progressive Congress (APC), has warned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against taking any actions or making moves inimical to the interest of the party or the North Central region.





Chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Saleh Mandung Zazzaga, stated this in Jos, the Plateau State capital, after an emergency meeting to assess and review the election tribunal judgements and how the APC has fared so far.





He said all hands must be on deck to ensure that the party performs well at the court, whether tribunal, appeal or Supreme Court.





According to him, Reports reaching us suggest that some appointive office holders like Wike are still playing double games, since he is part of the APC by appointment, while he still remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).





We gathered he is still backing the PDP in many of their endeavours and activities, particularly in the post-election cases in the court.





It is high time Wike comes out clean and takes a stand on the party he really belongs to, otherwise, should his actions run contrary to that of the APCs interest, they will not hesitate to initiate several actions against him, including legal action.





As someone who is holding an appointive position of the APC, a Lawyer by profession and someone reputed for doggedly fighting political-legal battles right from Rivers State, he (Wike) should come out strong and be seen to be supporting and strategising for victory for the candidates of the APC in the courts, at least in the North-Central Region, under which the FCT falls, he said.





Zazzaga further cautioned Wike against using his position as the FCT Minister to strategise for his 2027 presidential ambition, as some people are peddling in some quarters.





He maintained that their forum will be watchful to ensure his loyalty to the nation, the APC and President Bola Tinubu is complete first, without engaging in any tactics for self-interest.





The Chairman advised Wike to be cautious in FCT demolition, land revocation and other administrative policies that will have negative outcomes, as the North Central will be the first region to bear the brunt and take the full heat of any unpalatable occurrence in the FCT.





He said the region is already going through many challenges, including security, and they would not want anything to aggravate the situation further.





He called on all the APC leaders, supporters and members alike to support all their candidates pursuing legal post-election matters in the courts.





He also urged Nigerians in general to support Tinubu, Secretary to Government of the Federation, George Akume, all the ministers and those holding appointive positions so that they can excel in their responsibilities and deliver the dividends of democracy to the nation.
Algerian Minister of Culture and Arts Soraya Mouloudji delivers a speech before a ballet performance by dancers from China's Suzhou Ballet Theatre in Algiers, Algeria, on Sept. 22, 2023. China's Suzhou Ballet Theatre celebrated the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Algeria with impressive performances at the Algiers Opera House on Friday and Saturday. (Xinhua)

ALGIERS, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese ballet troupe celebrated the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Algeria with impressive performances at the Algiers Opera House on Friday and Saturday.

The captivating performances were staged by artists from the Suzhou Ballet Theatre, and were jointly sponsored by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Algeria's Ministry of Culture and Arts, and the Chinese Embassy in Algeria.

These performances were part of "many magnificent cultural events celebrating the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Algeria," said Chinese Ambassador to Algeria Li Jian

The ballet performance featured elements of Chinese culture through ballet in an Arab country, symbolizing the merging of cultures, the universal pursuit of beauty, and humanity's shared desire for peace and happiness, the Chinese envoy said.

For her part, Algerian Minister of Culture and Arts Soraya Mouloudji emphasized the deep friendship between Algeria and China, noting that cultural exchanges based on mutual respect are a crucial part of the two countries' enduring friendship and cooperation.

She stated that the Chinese artists' performance in Algeria exemplified the shared commitment of both nations to building stronger cultural ties.

Wang Quanxing, director of the Suzhou Ballet Theatre, expressed his gratitude for the warm reception from the Algerian audience.

He hoped that this series of performances would help introduce traditional Chinese culture, especially the distinctive culture of Suzhou, an eastern Chinese city with a rich cultural heritage. This, Wang believed, would also strengthen the enduring friendship between China and Algeria.

The Suzhou Ballet Theatre is performing in Algeria from Sept. 20 to 23, staging three performances in the capital Algiers and the northeastern province of Constantine. 

Dancers from China's Suzhou Ballet Theatre perform in Algiers, Algeria, on Sept. 22, 2023. China's Suzhou Ballet Theatre celebrated the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Algeria with impressive performances at the Algiers Opera House on Friday and Saturday. (Xinhua)

Dancers from China's Suzhou Ballet Theatre perform in Algiers, Algeria, on Sept. 22, 2023. China's Suzhou Ballet Theatre celebrated the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Algeria with impressive performances at the Algiers Opera House on Friday and Saturday. (Xinhua)

Dancers from China's Suzhou Ballet Theatre perform in Algiers, Algeria, on Sept. 22, 2023. China's Suzhou Ballet Theatre celebrated the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Algeria with impressive performances at the Algiers Opera House on Friday and Saturday. (Xinhua)

Dancers from China's Suzhou Ballet Theatre perform in Algiers, Algeria, on Sept. 22, 2023. China's Suzhou Ballet Theatre celebrated the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Algeria with impressive performances at the Algiers Opera House on Friday and Saturday. (Xinhua)

Dancers from China's Suzhou Ballet Theatre perform in Algiers, Algeria, on Sept. 22, 2023. China's Suzhou Ballet Theatre celebrated the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Algeria with impressive performances at the Algiers Opera House on Friday and Saturday. (Xinhua)

Dancers from China's Suzhou Ballet Theatre perform in Algiers, Algeria, on Sept. 22, 2023. China's Suzhou Ballet Theatre celebrated the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Algeria with impressive performances at the Algiers Opera House on Friday and Saturday. (Xinhua)

Dancers from China's Suzhou Ballet Theatre perform in Algiers, Algeria, on Sept. 22, 2023. China's Suzhou Ballet Theatre celebrated the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Algeria with impressive performances at the Algiers Opera House on Friday and Saturday. (Xinhua)

Dancers from China's Suzhou Ballet Theatre perform in Algiers, Algeria, on Sept. 22, 2023. China's Suzhou Ballet Theatre celebrated the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Algeria with impressive performances at the Algiers Opera House on Friday and Saturday. (Xinhua)
The Benue State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi, the state capital, has upheld the election of Governor Hyacinth Alia of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The tribunal dismissed the petition of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its governorship candidate in the March 18 poll, Titus Uba, challenging Alias victory.

The three-man panel of justices, led by Justice Ibrahim Karaye, held that the tribunal had no jurisdiction to entertain the petition as the matter raised before the court are pre-election issues as captured in section 285 of the Electoral Act.

Details shortly
The election of Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, was affirmed by the governorship election petition tribunal on Thursday.

Delivering judgement, a three-member tribunal led by Kudirat Akano, dismissed the petition filed by Chijioke Edeoga, candidate of the Labour Party (LP).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the winner of the March 18 governorship election with 160,895 votes.

Edeoga came second with 157,552 votes while Frank Nweke of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) polled 17, 983 votes to claim third place.

But Edeoga and his party approached the tribunal, seeking to disqualify Mbah and declare him the winner of the election.

Edeoga claimed to have polled the highest valid votes cast in the election.

The petitioners also challenged the candidacy of the governor over an alleged forgery of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.

However, the tribunal held that Edeoga and his party failed to prove their case.

The court held that Mbah met the minimum requirement to stand for election which is a school certificate or its equivalent.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL JUDGEMENT.




The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has announced that henceforth, only concrete road technology would be adopted throughout the country.





Umahi made this known during a visit to Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State in Calabar on Friday.





The minister explained that he was conducting a road tour in the Niger Delta region, following President Bola Tinubus directive.





He said the president has authorised the implementation of reinforced concrete technology for all road projects across the country, with a particular focus on the Niger Delta due to its water levels.





Umahi, an engineer by profession, noted that the failure of roads in the country often stems from contractors neglecting proper compaction of soil, embankments, and pavement.





He expressed concern over the substandard and adulterated bitumen being supplied to the country by contractors.





He said, We are insisting that going forward, any contractors that do not have a sheep foot roller will not be awarded a road contract.





We expect that when doing a road, you use sharp sand first after removing the mud up to a stable place, then you apply lumps and sharp sand again before you do stone base and allow vehicles on it for a duration to achieve good compaction.





Following the meeting, the Minister and Governor Bassey Otu toured one of the states reinforced concrete road projects.





The pinister then proceeded to continue his tour of federal roads in Cross River, including the Calabar-Itu federal highway leading to Akwa Ibom State and the Akamkpa-Biase Federal road leading to Benue State.





Governor Bassey Otu welcomed the minister and urged more attention to be given to federal roads in the state, which are vital for connecting the state to neighboring states as well as Nigeria to Cameroon.





Otu commended Umahi for his dedication to addressing issues related to failed and substandard roads.





He mentioned that his administration had already implemented reinforced concrete road technology in the state, citing Nyong Edem Street in Calabar South as an example of a road constructed using reinforced concrete.
The military high command has condemned the attack on troops and other security agents in Imo State.





Some gunmen suspected to be combatants of the Indigenous People of Biafra on Tuesday killed and set some soldiers, policemen, and men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps ablaze in two patrol vehicles in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of the state.





Speaking on the issue on Friday in a statement by the Director of Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, it said the troops and other security agents of Operation Search and Flush were ambushed while responding to a distress call.





He said the operations conducted by troops led to the rescue of kidnapped residents, among others.





Buba said, Sadly, a joint patrol team of Operation Search And Flush suffered a setback when responding to a distress call in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State. They were ambushed by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliated Eastern Security Network.





Meanwhile, troops operations lead to the rescue of kidnapped hostages and others.





He noted that other operations conducted by troops led to the destruction of IPOB camps in Abia State.





He added, Overall, as of 22 September 2023, the armed forces neutralised 52 terrorists and arrested the following: 53 criminals, and seven suspected oil thefts while rescuing 61 kidnapped hostages. Additionally, a total of seven terrorists comprising five adult males, and one adult female surrendered to troops.





He said that troops of Operation Delta Safe denied oil thieves an estimated sum of N946,387,570.00 being the value of seizures.
The Niger State Police Command has apprehended five suspects allegedly involved in the possession of a human skull for a money ritual along the Minna-Bida road in the state.





Initially, it was reported that two of the suspects, Isah Mohammed (26 years old) and Idris Mohammed (28 years old), both from Sakpe village in Edati Local Government Area, were caught with the skull wrapped in a bag by a sister security agency during a routine patrol.





The two suspects were later handed over to the state Police Area Command in Bida for further investigation. During this process, they revealed the names of three others who assisted them in exhuming a corpse and removing the head.





Confirming the incident in Minna, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), DSP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that the suspects were intercepted in a Mitsubishi Lancer vehicle by a sister security agency at the toll gate along Bida-Minna while searching the passengers on September 11, 2023, in the afternoon.





According to him, During police interrogation, the suspects claimed that they obtained the human skull from their village and were aided by three other individuals to the grave where the skull was exhumed.





The additional suspects include Ibrahim Jiya (18 years old), Suleiman Usman (22 years old), and Abdullahi Usman (24 years old), all hailing from the same address.





The police spokesman further stated that the three suspects were also apprehended and confessed that the skull was dug out from the burial ground in Sakpe village, belonging to Ndako Daniyan, who passed away three years ago in the same village.





He added, Two of the suspects, Isah and Abdullahi, claimed to have met an individual named Alfa Suleiman from Kwara State in Bida three weeks ago. He instructed them to obtain a human skull for a money ritual and advised them to take it to someone in Minna, providing N30,000 for the purpose. The unknown recipient instructed them to call him when they reached Kpakungu, and he would meet them.





The five suspects have been transferred to SCID Minna for a thorough investigation and diligent prosecution of the case.




Private medical doctors in Lagos have faulted the report of the Panel constituted by the State House of Assembly in an attempt to investigate the missing intestine of late 12-year-old Adebola Akin-Bright, stating that the matter was done without including a doctor on the panel.





The doctors under the auspices of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners, ANPMP, Lagos State Chapter said the absence of a medical doctor in the panel made the job of the respected panel difficult as it was clear evidence that members of the panel were genuinely ignorant of some of the workings of the medical profession which became obvious from some of the questions posed during their sitting.





The medical doctors also dismissed the call for the arrest of the private doctor, saying it might have been borne out of an immediate emotional reaction to the news of the unfortunate death of the deceased.





In a press statement jointly signed by the ANPMP Lagos Branch Chairman, Dr Makinde Akinlemibola and General Secretary, Dr Debo Adebiyi, titled: Re: The Case Of Alleged Missing Intestines; Setting The Records Straight, they maintained that there was no rationale whatsoever to call for the arrest of the doctor for simply doing his job, especially when the government hospital involved and his personnel are left untouched.





The statement reads in parts, It is important to note that the honourable members of the panel also demonstrated a clear case of witch-hunt and working to a predetermined answer by attempting to reduce the session to a Yes and No session for our member from the private hospital while the doctor from the government hospital involved in the management of the deceased was given the latitude to give a detailed report.





The bias was taken to a ridiculous level when the same doctor who operated on the patient at the government hospital was asked to assess and determine the response of the doctor who operated on the patient in the private hospital. A case of being a judge in your case you would say!





Of course, the doctor seeing the absurdity of the request cleverly declined.





A similar panel set up earlier by the Ministry of Health (HEFAMAA) that had a surgeon on the seat had confirmed that the X-ray films taken while the patient was on admission at LASUTH also showed the presence of the intestines.





Information available to us also confirms that a large mass of black tissue was removed at LASUTH and handed to the patients mother to take to the histopathology laboratory by the team that operated on the patient at LASUTH after they came out of the theatre.





Strangely, the government through their agency, HEFAMAA rushed to seal up the theatre of the private hospital, while the government hospital where the patient was operated on and eventually died was left to continue to operate as if nothing happened.





We have to emphasise here that matters of this nature deserve thorough investigation by a well-constituted professional team and the only body empowered by law to investigate such cases is the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN.





The doctors vowed to monitor the events closely as they unfold and to a logical conclusion to stop what they described as an attitude of vilifying the private medical practice at every opportunity.





Continuing, the doctors who said they have been following the trending case of the alleged missing intestine expressed concern about the misconceptions, half-truths and outright falsehoods being peddled in the media.





We as an association wish to first and foremost express our deep sympathy to the family of now deceased Adebola Akin-Bright.





We have refrained from commenting on this issue in public for obvious reasons, we are however constrained to state some facts just to set the record straight because it is said that, repetition makes a fact seem truer, regardless of whether it is or not.





We have been able to establish some privileged and incontrovertible facts based on available scientific evidence at our disposal some of which we will share here:





The patient was first operated on at Obitoks Hospital 6th of March 2023 on account of a ruptured appendix after he was referred from a medical centre where he was managed for typhoid enteritis.





It was discovered on the operation table that there was an abscess which will require a different management approach to drain. (The appendix at that time must not be removed because of the abscess). The patient however got better afterwards.





The patient presented again about 3 months later and a diagnosis of obstructed intestine was made which necessitated operating on the abdomen again to relieve the obstruction.





It is a fact that the parents were invited into the operating room to see and confirm the point of obstruction and the 4 inches of the small intestine to be removed, out of the about 24 feet of the normal small intestine.





It was also established that the patient was referred to the tertiary centre 8 days post-operation at the request of the parents. It is a fact that the patient was admitted to LASUTH on the 17th of June.





The patient was however eventually operated upon on the 14th of July 2023 (i.e. 28 days after admission in LASUTH). It is therefore strange how the story of the missing/disappearing intestine gained prominence in the media in a patient who was on admission to a public facility (LASUTH) for almost 28 days.





The question to then ask is, how did the patient survive for 28 days without intestine? In addition to this, it was also established as confirmed by ultrasound scan and X-ray done at LASUTH on the 19th of June (I.e. 3rd day on admission) that there was the presence of normal intestinal movement, they queried.




Controversial actor Uche Maduagwu has always been on Yul Edochies throat after he married Judy Austin as his second wife.





The first time he blasted Judy, asking if she did not know that Yul had been married for over 16 years before getting pregnant for him. He even slammed Yuls actor-father Pete Edochie over his silence on sons marriage saga.





This time, the social media influencer is urging the bearded actor to prevail on his second wife to tender a public apology to his first wife, May for getting pregnant for him or he should stop calling himself Odogwu.





In an Instagram post, Madugawu wrote: Getting belle for a #married man na the highest form of spiritual bullying. Any woman who does that kind of despicable and insensitive thing to a #Christian Family certainly does not care about the depression the #wife of that man will go through.





If not for the grace of God, #family and friends, what would have happened to this #good woman? If you cannot tell Judy to apologize publicly to May for getting belle for you, stop calling yourself Odogwu.





Her apology will not change anything, but apologizing when you wrong someone is a sign of remorse. Its, however, up to Yul Eochie to adhere to the advice and do the needful.




Thousands of loyalists of former governor Ibikunle Amosun from the 20 local government areas of Ogun State have rejoined the mainstream of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by the State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.





Receiving the returnees led by the factional Chairman of the Amosun-led party Executive at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, the State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun commended them for their loyalty and being steadfast with what they believed in.





The governor said: I want to congratulate your sense of loyalty to leadership, which I will say is not only commendable, it is enviable.





This is a culture that we must promote and entrench. It is a culture that is fast eroding; it is a culture that we are fast losing. Loyalty is 100 per cent.





For some others, they move once things are not working well, but for you, you stay put. This sense of loyalty is worthy of emulation. We must appreciate the fact that there can only be one leader in a party at a time.





Even when we have ambitions and desires, we must subordinate ourselves 100% to leadership and believe that it is in that subordination that will allow us to flourish and achieve our objectives, our dreams, our desires and aspirations, not by forming factions or by breaking away.





Because by so doing, it only weakens the fabric of that collective union that we call our party. You must appreciate that there can be only one leader of the party at a time in the state, and that leader is the governor.





As the leader of the party, I appreciate the task bestowed on me and it is my duty to work towards individual and collective welfare of our members, the governor noted.





The governor urged all members to put the past behind them and work towards repositioning the party to achieve its aims and work for the socio-economic development of the state.





Let us the past behind us. Let us promote what unites us as a family. I welcome you back. The future of Ogun State is in your hands and it is for us for the taking. The same joy the father of the prodigal son received his lost son back home, the same way I receive you today.





To those who did not leave, please let us receive our brothers and sisters back. To those who are joining us, please let us display a sense of loyalty. I can assure you, you will be fully integrated. 





Chairman of the State All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Yemi Sanusi, said in every human relationship, there is bound to be disagreement, adding that even in time of war, there is always a place for peaceful settlement of conflict, calling the returnees to fully integrated themselves with other members of the party.





Leader of the returnees, Chief Derin Adebiyi, said they have all agreed to return to the mainstream to contribute to the development of the party and the State in general, thanking the governor and the party members for receiving them back.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo says Hope Uzodimma, governor of the state, is now begging residents for votes after introducing harsh policies.

Uzodimma is seeking re-election. He is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election billed for November 11.

In a statement, Ikenna Onuoha, spokesperson of Imo PDP, accused Uzodimma of delegating members of the APC to incessantly bombard residents of the state with unsolicited phone calls as he begs for votes.

The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party Gubernatorial Campaign Council in Imo state has been drawn to a clandestine move by the All Progressive Congress and Hope Uzodinma to legalize vote buying in the state, the statement reads.

This time, Uzodinma is said to have delegated members of APC to incessantly bombard Imo people with unsolicited phone calls, begging for votes and promising to financially reward them for each vote cast for APC.

It is shameful that Uzodinma is going about begging for the votes of Imo people after he flagrantly ignored them and instead, introduced harsh and obnoxious policies that are detrimental to their welfare.

Our campaign council therefore queries Uzodinmas morality in soliciting votes from Imo people now that it is clear to him that his political future is in serious danger, having treated the people of the state with disdain and utter disregard.

The question now is, if Uzodinma and APC are convinced that the election would be a walk-over for them, why then are they going about begging, and spending airtime bombarding the phone numbers of aggrieved Imo people without authorization?

The PDP (Sam-Jones) Gubernatorial Campaign Council further enjoins Uzodinma and his outgoing APC administration to stop embarrassing themselves by going beggarly, after they had failed to apologize to Imo people for harassing, intimidating and molesting them at no provocation.
A man was sentenced last week to life in prison after he was convicted in a retrial of killing an aspiring rapper in Bergen County and setting his body on fire over 12 years ago, authorities announced Friday.

An investigation revealed that on Aug. 15, 2011, Randy Manning, formerly of Englewood, shot Rhian Stoute to death in a vacant house in Englewood, according to a release from the Bergen County Prosecutors Office.

Stoute was a rapper from New York City who performed under the name Kampane, according to Billboard magazine.

He returned to the scene several hours later and set the Stoutes body on fire, hid the body in an SUV and drove it to Paramus where abandoned the vehicle on a quiet residential street, the office said.

He discarded key pieces of evidence in sewers in both Paramus and Brooklyn, New York, that were later discovered by detectives during their investigation, officials said.

Manning was arrested and was originally convicted and sentenced to life in prison in 2014, but that conviction was tossed in 2020.

The state Supreme Court upheld the decision of an appellate judge who tossed the conviction, and ruled that the office illegally skirted the requirement for a warrant before searching the call records and location data on Mannings cellphone, according to a report by NorthJersey.com.

Then again, on June 7, 2023, following a six-week trial, a jury convicted Manning on charges of murder, weapon-related offenses, desecration of human remains, unlawful moving of human remains, arson, hindering apprehension by destroying or concealing evidence, hindering apprehension by giving false information to law enforcement, and unlawful taking of a means of conveyance, the office said.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare (at the podium and on the screens) delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare on Friday blasted Japan's discharge of nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean, describing it as an attack on global trust and solidarity.

Solomon Islands stands with like-minded Pacific islanders and is appalled by Japan's decision to discharge over 1 million tons of nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean, Sogavare told the General Debate of the UN General Assembly.

The assessment report of the International Atomic Energy Agency is inconclusive and the scientific data shared remain inadequate, incomplete and biased. These concerns were ignored, he noted.

If the nuclear-contaminated water is safe, it should be stored in Japan. The fact that it is dumped into the ocean shows that it is not safe, said the prime minister.

"The effect of this act is transboundary and intergenerational and is an attack on global trust and solidarity. So the message is clear: our lives, our people do not matter!" he said.

"We call on Japan to explore other options in addressing the treated nuclear wastewater and to immediately stop discharging it into the Pacific Ocean," he said. "If we are to rebuild trust and reignite global solidarity, we must be honest and frank in protecting our oceans which is the lifeblood of our people."

Sogavare said he has a moral obligation to speak against Japan's discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean.

"I am morally and ethically obliged to speak for humanity, the voiceless, and our children's children. We are the ocean. It is our past, our present, our future. It is the foundation of our very existence, it is our identity," he said. "Please stop the discharge of nuclear treated water or history will judge us." 

Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
David Brooks addressed his recent viral meal post on PBS NewsHour Friday. "I made a mistake," he said. But the New York Times columnist couldn't resist talking about the implications of his complaint for everyday Americans. David Brooks via X; PBS
Leer en Espanol

EDITORS NOTE: NJ Cannabis Insider, NJ.coms B2B cannabis industry trade journal and events vertical, is hosting the states foremost business conference on Oct. 12. Tickets are limited.

A national organization recently conducted the first-ever study to provide an overview of the U.S. Hispanic communitys perception, attitudes towards and usage of cannabis.

In partnership with Q & A Research Inc., the National Hispanic Cannabis Council (NHCC)  a nonprofit that advocates for economic empowerment of Hispanics in the emerging cannabis industry  conducted its 2023 U.S. Hispanic Cannabis Awareness & Perception Study, the organization announced Tuesday.

A key finding from the survey is that 40% of respondents use cannabis on a monthly basis, indicating that potentially 2.5 million Hispanic acculturated or bicultural adults across the country may be regular cannabis users.

That group is estimated to spend about $2.5 billion annually on cannabis, according to the NHCC.

Given that New Jersey boasts a diverse population of almost 9.3 million, with Hispanic people comprising 22% of this demographic, industry leaders in the states cannabis sector say that this studys insights could help inform the local landscape and its future.

Jessica Gonzalez, an attorney and cannabis policy advocate, highlighted that the substantial number of Hispanic cannabis users, as revealed by the study, underscores the industrys need to invest in translating more training and materials into Spanish.

While I am happy to read about our buying power and our attitudes towards cannabis, we still need a lot more work to educate the Latino community and meeting them where they are in terms of their language barriers in terms of their citizenship status, said Gonzalez, a consultant helping to launch the New Jersey Business Action Centers free Cannabis Technical Assistance Program and Training Academy.

Gonzalez, who immigrated to the U.S. from Ecuador when she was three, also emphasized that the Hispanic people are not monolithic and it is also crucial to provide support for those who are undocumented.

The NHCCs surveyed audience found it important to support Latino-owned cannabis businesses and products, at a rate higher than other published studies, according to the report.

Also, the report says Hispanic consumers are more likely to support Hispanic-owned cannabis businesses and products.

And, while opinions on marijuana seem to be shifting, many still agree that there is a stigma taboo around cannabis in the community, said Antonio Valdez, executive director of the NHCC.

Joshua Alb, founder of Cannademix and a cannabis business license holder, observes that in his community, there remains a lingering taboo around cannabis among the older generations. However, he notices a positive shift in attitudes among younger individuals.

He also sees the insights provided in the report regarding the buying behavior of the Hispanic community and the potential for Latino-owned businesses to thrive, ringing true for New Jersey.

New Jersey has the ability to really demonstrate that buying power with really an unknown ceiling at the moment because the fact that it hasnt truly been tested here, said Alb, who hosts educational cannabis events, including a forthcoming networking party to mark Hispanic Heritage Month.

I also think whats really going to stand true here in Jersey is that Latin brands are going to do very well, he said.

The goal of the NHCCs study is for it to be used as a benchmark to measure attitude and perception changes over time and use the insights to educate the industry and elected officials on the communitys true sentiments toward cannabis.

U.S. Hispanics are supporting cannabis reform in record numbers, National Hispanic Cannabis Council president Brian Vicente, said in a statement. While stigma remains, this breakthrough study demonstrates record support among this importantand growingpopulation of Americans.

Nyah Marshall may be reached at Nmarshall@njadvancemedia.com.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
A teenager was who was 16 when he was accused of fatally shooting a man in Asbury Park last year, will be tried as an adult, according to a indictment announced Friday by the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office.

Joseph Argilagos, now 17, whose identity had previously been withheld due to this age, and another man, Lydell Brown, 19, both of Asbury Park, were indicted on charges of murder and weapons-related offenses, the office said.

Shortly after 5:45 p.m. on July 8, 2022, officers from the Asbury Park Police Department responded to a report of gunfire originating from the 100 block of Prospect Avenue, near the intersection with Atlantic Avenue. There they found 19-year-old Dariel Vernet, of Asbury Park, shot multiple times, investigators said. He was taken to the nearby Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead about an hour later.

Brown and Argilagos were identified as suspects and Argilagos was apprehended just days after the shooting, authorities said. Brown was not apprehended until May of this year when he was arrested in Toms River by multiple agencies.

Earlier this week, Argilagos was waived up to adult court via a motion by prosecutors, who also filed motions to keep both him and Brown detained pending the outcome of the cases against them, the office said.

We do not take any decision to seek to waive a juvenile defendant up to adult court lightly  many factors are carefully weighed, including the severity of the crime, the precise age of the defendant, and the degree of the defendants culpability, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said in a statement. In this case, considering that a life was taken in such intentional and violent fashion, we strongly believe that this waiver serves the interests of justice.

Anyone with additional information about the shooting was still urged to contact Monmouth County Prosecutors Office Detective Sergeant Christopher Guy at 800-533-7443 or Asbury Park Police Department Detective Anthony Troublefield at 732-774-1300.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
UPDATE: Murphy, other top N.J. Democrats call on Sen. Menendez to resign

A new, explosive corruption indictment against U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez shook New Jerseys political world on Friday, with Republicans denouncing the states senior and calling for his resignation, while his Democrats remained largely mute in the initial hours after the stunning allegations were made public.
A plan to build New Jerseys first terminal for transporting liquefied natural gas  a project that critics say is a threat to surrounding communities and the environment  has been hit with another federal roadblock.

The U.S. Department of Transportations Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration suspended a Trump-era rule earlier this month that would have allowed liquified natural gas to be transposed by rail, according to the Federal Register.
The driver of a motorized scooter died Wednesday night after he crashed into a car in Paterson while fleeing police, authorities said.

Totowa police officers in a marked patrol cars were following the gas-powered motorized scooter being driven by an unidentified man with a male passenger, according to a statement from the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office, which is investigating the deadly crash.

The pursuit began in Totowa and continued into Paterson until the scooter collided with a car at 7:19 p.m. near McBride and Murray avenues, the office said. The crash caused both the driver and the passenger of the scooter to be ejected.

Both men were taken to St. Josephs University Medical Center, where the driver was pronounced dead at 2:06 a.m. on Thursday, investigators said. The others involved in the collision, including the scooter passenger, sustained non-life-threatening injuries, officials said.

The crash was still being probed Friday by the office, which investigates any fatal encounter between police and a person. The findings of the investigation will be presented to a grand jury to determine if the officer or officers involved were justified in their actions.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
Gov. Phil Murphy and several other top New Jersey Democrats late Friday called on Democratic U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez to resign immediately, hours after the states senior senator was indicted for the second time in eight years, this time on bribery and influence peddling charges.

The allegations in the indictment against Senator Menendez and four other defendants are deeply disturbing, Murphy said in a statement. These are serious charges that implicate national security and the integrity of our criminal justice system.

Under our legal system, Senator Menendez and the other defendants have not been found guilty and will have the ability to present evidence disputing these charges, and we must respect the process. However, the alleged facts are so serious that they compromise the ability of Senator Menendez to effectively represent the people of our state. Therefore, I am calling for his immediate resignation.
In a stunning move, U.S. Rep. Andy Kim announced Saturday he will challenge U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, a fellow New Jersey Democrat, in next years election after Menendez was indicted on wide-ranging corruption charges and has so far rebuffed pleas from several top Democrats to step down.

After calls to resign, Senator Menendez said I am not going anywhere. As a result, I feel compelled to run against him, Kim, D-3rd District, said in a statement. This is not something I expected to do, but I believe New Jersey deserves better.
This could be one interesting standoff.

Gov. Phil Murphy and more than a dozen other prominent Democratic leaders in New Jersey urged newly indicted Democratic U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez to resign immediately on Friday as the states senior senator fights federal charges that he and his wife accepted gold bars, a convertible, and hundreds of thousands in cash in a wide-ranging corruption scheme.
New Jersey is getting slammed Saturday by Tropical Storm Ophelias wide-ranging heavy rain and fierce wind gusts already topping 50 mph as the storm made landfall in North Carolina.

Forecasters are still calling for 2 to 3 inches of rain for most of New Jersey this weekend with winds gusting as high as 60 mph along the Jersey Shore and coastal flooding expected, forecasters say. Ophelia is expected to weaken as it moves inland and reach southern New Jersey as a tropical depression.

While most of New Jersey will get 3 to 2 inches of rain this weekend, many parts of the Jersey Shore are expected to receive 3 to 4 inches.National Weather Service

Rainfall totals will be higher along the Jersey Shore and less in northwest parts of the state. Some power outages are also expected with more than 11,000 already in the dark as of 8 a.m.

Moderate to briefly heavy rain will fall this morning, but not enough to cause any flooding issues yet, the National Weather Service said in its Saturday morning forecast discussion.

The top wind gusts reported so far by the National Weather Service is 62 mph in North Beach Haven on Long Beach Island, followed by 61 mph in Sea Isle City and Tuckerton at 52 mph.

Those gusts are expected to get stronger later this morning and afternoon before diminishing this evening.

Weekend rain and wind will bring minor to moderate flooding to the Jersey Shore as well as areas along the Delaware Bay and Delaware River.National Weather Service

Moderate flooding is expected with the evening high tides from the Barnegat Bay to Cape May, the weather service said. Flooding will be minor further north along the shore as well as along the Delaware River and Delaware Bay, forecasters say.

South Jersey has the best shot to get heavy rain later in the day with precipitation in north and Central Jersey expected to lighten.

(For) much of our area from Philly northward, rain will actually tend to become more intermittent from midday through this evening, the weather service said. As whats left of weakening/transitioning Tropical Storm Ophelia tracks across Virginia toward the Chesapeake tonight, additional rain will tend to overspread more of the area tonight...but still, the threat for heavy rainfall looks rather limited.

Winds gusts along the Jersey Shore should exceed 50 mph at times on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.National Weather Service

Rain and wind will continue Sundayl, but the winds wont be hazardous except along the immediate coast. There could even be breaks in the rain during the day as highs top out in the 60s. Atlantic and Cape May counties should reach the low 70s Sunday.

Ophelia made landfall in the area of Emerald Island, North Carolina at about 6:15 a.m. packing maximum winds of 70 mph, just short of the minimum winds to be declared a Category 1 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center said Saturday morning.

The storm was about 25 miles west northwest of Cape Lookout, moving north-northwest at 9 mph. Ophelia is expected to remain a tropical storm until Sunday morning when it weakens into an tropical depression as the center of the storm travels through Maryland.

Tropical Storm Ophelia has made landfall in north Carolina and will continue to track inland on Saturday while weakening.

Tropical storm force winds extend up to 310 miles from Ophelias center.

A high wind warning remains in effect until this evening for Atlantic, Cape May and Ocean counties with 30 to 40 winds gusting as high as 60. Coastal Monmouth and southeast Burlington are under a wind advisory  winds of 20 to 30 mph might gusts as high as 45 mph.

There are also a variety of coastal flood and high surf advisories as well as rip current warnings along the Jersey Shore on Saturday. In addition, the weather services New York office has issued a coastal flood statement for eastern Essex, eastern Union and Hudson counties from 1 to 5 p.m. Minor flooding is expected in those areas.

Current weather radar

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
PHNOM PENH, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The release ceremony for the results of the "iYunnan" series of activities in Cambodia was successfully held here on Friday, as one of the events to mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of China-Cambodia diplomatic ties.

The event was hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia, the Yunnan Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the information office of the Yunnan government, the National Television of Cambodia, and the government of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture.

The "iYunnan" series of activities is one of the innovative non-governmental friendly exchange brands created by the Yunnan Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

According to the organizer, since its launch in July, it has received enthusiastic responses from Cambodian people.

More than 100 excellent speeches, singing and talent entries were carefully prepared by 12 schools and more than 100 teachers and students.

Among many high-quality programs, nine works stood out and won the first, second and third prizes, and 52 works won excellence awards and were finally unveiled at the results release ceremony.

More than 500 people took part in the event, where they experienced a cultural feast in which Chinese civilization and Angkor civilization intertwined, and the beauty of Yunnan's humanities and Cambodian customs complemented each other.

Also, they enjoyed a joint performance conducted by young people from both countries.

At the event, Cambodia's "Silk Road Friendship Library" was inaugurated, and a special experience event "Go to the windy place - Dali" was introduced.

Sophorn Kacrona, a 16-year-old spectator, said such an event was crucial to promoting cultural exchanges and people-to-people interactions between the two countries.

"I feel very happy to participate in this 'iYunnan' event. The performance was amazing for me because I had never watched such a show before," she told Xinhua after watching it.

She said artists are really very talented.

"In the future, I want to visit China, and the place I want to go is Yunnan Province because I saw the performance this moment describing Yunnan well," Kacrona said. 
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.
PHNOM PENH, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- For You Seavkheng, a 51-year-old Cambodian patient, free medical services provided by a Chinese "Peace Angel" medical team have not only helped improve her health, but also saved her money on medical expenses.

Seavkheng, who has been suffering from a chronic daily headache and high blood pressure for two years, had her health conditions checked and been treated by the medical team on Friday at the Preah Ket Mealea Hospital, known as the military hospital, here in the country's capital Phnom Penh.

"Such a free treatment is good because our country has many needy people including me, and we're delighted that good doctors come to treat us," she told Xinhua. "Some patients have no money, so this (free) treatment is very helpful."

The mother of three children said this humanitarian mission would contribute further to promoting friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

"I'm happier if such a free treatment could be conducted more often," she said. "I wish them (the Chinese medics) good health and safe travel back home."

Em Sothea, 54-year-old patient from the southeastern Svay Rieng province, said she has had diabetes, arthritis, and body aches for several years. She came to the hospital after receiving the news of the free medical services from a relative.

"It's an effective treatment, with good quality medicine provided, and I feel better," she told Xinhua. "I want such more free medical services in Cambodia."

Sothea said she highly trusted Chinese doctors and the medicine that they provided.

Zhang Yi, leader of the "Peace Angel" medical team, said the team began to offer free-of-charge medical services to Cambodian patients on Friday as part of the China-Cambodia "Peace Angel-2023" joint humanitarian exercise.

"This is the first time that our "Peace Angel" medical team has come to Cambodia to provide medical drills and medical services," he told Xinhua.

"I believe that there will be more and more medical cooperation between our two militaries in the future," he added.

Zhang was confident that medical exchanges and academic exchanges between the two sides will become better and better, and friendship between China and Cambodia will last forever.

The team is scheduled to travel to the northwestern Siem Reap province to provide such free medical services to patients there, he said. 
First things first: There's no need to panic. The wedge won't reach water intakes in New Orleans' urban core for weeks. The wedge is moving upriver at about 1 miles a day.

Still, residents are wondering what will happen then. Here are some answers.

Is it safe to drink?

When the salinity of the river rises where government systems draw water for purification, it will be too high to be processed by the human body. That could make you sick, and even lead to kidney failure.
These five gubernatorial candidates have accepted their invitation to participate in the town hall forum (clockwise from upper left): former Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson, former Louisiana Association of Business and Industry CEO Stephen Waguespack, Treasurer John Schroder, attorney Hunter Lundy, and state Sen. Sharon Hewitt. Attorney General Jeff Landry, not pictured, has not yet accepted an invitation to participate.
YANGON, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Myanmar Corn Industrial Association (MCIA) is seeking ways to boost corn exports to China in 2023, the MCIA has confirmed to Xinhua.

"We expect to export 400,000 tons of corn to China this year. Corn is exported to China, Vietnam and the Philippines from September to January," an MCIA source told Xinhua.

Although Thailand is No. 1 importer of Myanmar's corn, the association also seeks a bigger share of the Chinese market this year to boost the country's corn export as a whole, according to the association.

Corn is a main export item of the Southeast Asian country after beans and pulses.

Myanmar is estimated to export 2 million tons of corn this year, of which 1 million tons have been exported to Thailand during the February-August period. 
YAOUNDE, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Seven separatist fighters, including a key commander, were killed when government forces struck their hideout early on Saturday in Cameroon's war-torn Anglophone region of Northwest, according to several local and security sources.

The crackdown, as confirmed by a military official in the region who requested not to be named, was launched in the early hours of Saturday in the Boyo division of the region.

Among those killed was a key commander who referred to himself as "General RK."

"General RK was among the first to take up arms in 2017 to fight the government. He was leading several groups of fighters in the Northwest region and was responsible for the deaths of many soldiers and civilians," the official told Xinhua by phone. He added that the physical elimination of General RK could be a significant setback to the separatist insurgency in the region.

Fighting between government forces and separatist fighters has persisted in Cameroon's two English-speaking regions of Northwest and Southwest since 2017 when separatists attempted to establish an independent nation in these regions. 
The work of the late iconic choreographer Gerald Arpino will be celebrated in a special dance concert on Sept. 23 and 24 in Chicago.

The Arpino Chicago Centennial Celebration, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Arpino's birth, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 and 1 p.m. Sept. 24 at The Auditorium Theatre in Chicago. The show is being presented by The Gerald Arpino Foundation.

According to Kim Sagami, president of the board of The Gerald Arpino Foundation, this is a wonderful tribute to choreographer Arpino, who was a co-founder and director of The Joffrey Ballet and a revered artist in the dance world. She said Arpino was a very important part of shaping the dance landscape in the 20th century.

"He was the first to use modern dance technique and incorporating it into ballet (technique)...He was a groundbreaker in that sense," Sagami said.

Sagami said this celebratory dance concert was in the planning stages for awhile. She added members of the foundation realized in 2020 that this year would be the 100th anniversary of Arpino's birth and wanted to do something special to honor it.

The dance program will feature different works and different companies on both days. They'll be performing special Arpino works.

Dance companies to be featured on Sept. 23 will be American Ballet Theatre, Ballet West, The Joffrey Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet and San Francisco Ballet. Performing on Sept. 24 will be Ballet West, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Eugene Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet and San Francisco Ballet.

Among stellar Arpino works to be performed will be "Suite Saint-Saens," "Light Rain," "Round of Angels" and "Reflections."

Sagami said Arpino dedicated his life to "promoting dance" and nurturing dancers as well.

Sagami said she hopes audiences take away the "joy of dance" after viewing this show.

"I'd like them to be inspired. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I hope people don't pass it up."

FYI: The Arpino Chicago Centennial Celebration will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 and 1 p.m. Sept. 24 at The Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. Tickets are $45250. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org/events-details/gerald-arpino-chicago-centennial-celebration/ or call 312-341-2300 . Also visit arpinofoundation.org.
CROWN POINT  A Calumet woman drove drunk on I-80/94 with her toddler son in the back seat, according to charges filed in the Lake Superior Court on Wednesday.

Kennedie Smith, 27, was charged with two felonies: neglect of a dependent and operating while intoxicated. If convicted on all charges, the Illinois woman would face up to five years in prison.

Charges state officers pulled a tan SUV over around 12:30 a.m. on Labor Day because the driver was swerving as the vehicle took the ramp from I-65 onto I-80/94.

Police had the driver exit the ramp and pull over onto the intersection of Central Avenue and Benton Street.

When they stopped the car, Smith told them that she was swerving because her son had unbuckled his seatbelt, according to the probable-cause affidavit.

Smith purportedly smelled of alcohol, had glossy eyes and spoke with slurred speech.

When police asked her if she had anything to drink she told them that she had some wine at her friend's house "about an hour ago," the affidavit states.

Police said they performed alcohol tests and Smith stumbled and nearly fell when she did the walk-and-turn test. When officers administered a portable breath test, Smith's blood alcohol content was 0.152, which is nearly double the legal limit.

Smith's friend came to the scene and picked up her son while Smith was transported to the Lake County Jail, charges state.

Court records indicate Smith bailed out of the jail on Thursday. She is set to appear in Mag. Kathleen Sullivan's courtroom Oct. 4.
If you've got a little goblin or ghoul at home and are looking to make memories, maximize their haul of candy this Halloween or just give them another chance to dress up in their adorable costume, you can head to downtown Chesterton's business district.

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce and downtown Chesterton merchants will host trick-or-treating this year.

Businesses along Calumet and Broadway in Chesterton will pass out candy to children dressed up for Halloween from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, October 27. Halloween falls on Tuesday, Oct. 31 this year.

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce, which serves businesses in the Duneland towns of Beverly Shores, Burns Harbor, Chesterton, Dune Acres and Porter in Porter County, will give out candy in the chamber parking lot at 220 Broadway Avenue by Thomas Centennial Park.

We expect over 1,000 local children and their families to this trick or treating event, said Maura Mundell, the Duneland Chamber of Commerce President. The streets are filled with little super heroes, witches, monsters and ghosts. It is fantastic. We welcome all organizations and businesses who want to give out candy downtown.

Urschel Laboratories, Avalon Springs Health Campus, Cleveland Cliffs, WIMS 95.1 FM/AM1420, 1st Source Bank, McColly Real Estate  Paul Boyter, NITCO, Franciscan Health Michigan City, NIPSCO, Public Affairs, Centier Bank, Horizon Bank and Legacy Sign Group are sponsoring the free community event.

For more information, call the Duneland Chamber of Commerce at (219) 926-5513, email info@dunelandchamber.org or visit www.dunelandchamber.org.
A 38.22-acre parcel of land in north-central LaPorte County that's home to one of the best examples of boreal flatwoods in Indiana will be preserved and protected from future development.

Indiana's Natural Resources Commission (NRC) this week designated the state-owned property just east of Interstate 94 and Stateline Blueberries, and south of County Road 1000 North, as the North Woods Nature Preserve  Indiana's 299th nature preserve.

According to the NRC, the property contains dry-mesic upland forests, mesic upland forests and boreal flatwoods, including red oak, white oak, red maple, American beech, pin oak, and black gum trees.

The preserve also will protect paper birch, long sedge and goldthread plant populations, along with small examples of shrub swamp and sedge meadow along the southern property boundary.

Gallery: Take a virtual tour of Indiana's state parks Brown County State Park Chain O' Lakes State Park Charlestown State Park Clifty Falls State Park Falls of the Ohio State Park Fort Harrison State Park Harmonie State Park Lincoln State Park McCormick's Creek State Park Mounds State Park O'Bannon Woods State Park Ouabache State Park Pokagon State Park Potato Creek State Park Prophetstown State Park Shades State Park Shakamak State Park Spring Mill State Park Summit Lake State Park Tippecanoe River State Park Turkey Run State Park Versailles State Park White River State Park Whitewater Memorial State Park
At a closed-door meeting with Republicans in the basement of the Capitol on Wednesday night, Speaker Kevin McCarthy pitched what he thought could finally be a breakthrough in a spending dispute with right-wing rebels that had left the House in a state of paralysis, staring down a disastrous shutdown with no way to move forward.

Then Representative Matt Gaetz, the Florida Republican who months ago emerged as Mr. McCarthys chief tormentor, rose to speak.

Mr. Gaetz announced flatly that he had seven members who would oppose any plan to pass a stopgap measure to keep the government from shutting down on Oct. 1, no matter what spending or policy concessions Mr. McCarthy was willing to make to win them over. The proclamation did not go over well in the room, where even some members of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus grumbled in disapproval.

But after the meeting, Mr. McCarthy quietly approached Mr. Gaetz and asked him to share the list of names, which Mr. Gaetz happily turned over.
The Smithsonians National Museum of the American Latino, slated to rise on the National Mall in Washington, is meant to give a prominent presence to the story of Americas largest minority group. But the institution has already been caught up in the broader partisan battles over American history, before a single brick has been laid.

In July, a group of Latino Republican congressmen led a vote to eliminate the museums funding in next years budget, calling its view of Latinos insulting and inaccurate. Some conservative commentators have harshly criticized the museums preview exhibition, blasting it as a Marxist portrayal that paints Latinos as victims of an oppressive United States.

Then earlier this month, questions about the museums direction surged anew when Time magazine reported that the museums director had quietly halted work on a planned second exhibition, about the Latino civil rights movement of the 1960s. It is being replaced with a show about salsa music, a swap some involved with the museum say smacks of politics.

The director, Jorge Zamanillo, said that decision was not driven by politics.

I realized I wanted to go in a different direction, he said, noting that work on the civil rights show began before he arrived at the museum in May 2022. He prefers shows, he said, with a bigger reach.
On Friday, Netflix is shutting down its mail-order DVD service. Customers who still receive physical DVDs can hold on to the ones they have. Please enjoy your final shipments for as long as you like! the company wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. I misread this as Please enjoy your final shipments for as long as you live!, a chirpy and morbid send-off, conjuring images of a devoted Luddite breathing his last in a room littered with faded red envelopes and dusty remote controls.

This is not a eulogy for the DVD. I stopped receiving DVDs by mail more than a decade ago with little remorse. Or at least I think I did. I tried recently to access my complete Netflix viewing history only to discover that all DVD data is deleted 10 months after your subscription ends. Now Im left with just my streaming history, which begins in 2009 with Party Down, a show which, for many reasons, feels recent and very much of the streaming era.

If Im forlorn about anything, its the lost data. I cant remember a single movie I watched on DVD from Netflix. I remember the first rentals my parents brought home to play on our hulking faux-bois VCR (Billy Wilders 1960 film The Apartment, A Little Romance, with Laurence Olivier and a teenage Diane Lane). I remember borrowing the comically gigantic laser disc of Koyaanisqatsi in the college library and renting Say Anything from Tower Video in the East Village.

These movies, these moments, are the pegs that threads of memory wind around. Who I was, what I did, how I felt at a moment in time. I rented Jim Jarmuschs Down by Law from Kims Video, then I went and got steamed eggs at a cafe. I can see the video on the cafe table. I remember the winter coat I had. I wish I could recall the Netflix rentals, summon the memories that accompany them.
Barely three years after its entire fleet was grounded, Qantas Airways has never been more profitable. But as Australias national airline has emerged stronger from the pandemic, it has alienated its most important constituency: Australians.

They bemoan that its flights are unreliable and expensive. They are aghast at how government protectionism has made Qantas by far the biggest airline in Australia and pushed up the price of travel. They are stunned by allegations that it sold tickets for flights it never intended to fly. They cannot square how Qantas unfairly laid off hundreds of workers, then handed out enormous paychecks to its chief executive and board of directors.

Now, as the baying for blood intensifies, labor unions and lawmakers are calling on the companys board to resign en masse.

The anger is personal for Australians, who feel profound ownership over the carrier that bills itself as the spirit of Australia, said Geoffrey Thomas, the Perth-based founder of AirlineRatings.com. Were fiercely proud of it  so we expected better of it.
Liv Grace came down with respiratory infections three times over the course of four months. Each occurred after a visit to a medical provider in the Bay Area.

Mx. Grace, 36, a writer who uses they/them pronouns, was infected with respiratory syncytial virus, which led to pneumonia, in December, after they were treated by a nurse wearing a surgical mask who complained about her children being ill with the virus.

Mx. Grace got Covid after a visit to a cancer center for an infusion in February. And there was the pale, coughing phlebotomist who drew blood in April, just before they came down with Covid again.

Mx. Grace was born with a rare immune deficiency related to lupus and takes a medication that depletes the cells that produce antibodies. The combination renders the body unable to fend off pathogens or to recover quickly from infections.
Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 23, 2023. Saleumxay Kommasith on Saturday called for collective actions to tackle global challenges, warning against unilateralism. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith on Saturday called for collective actions to tackle global challenges, warning against unilateralism.

Today the international community is facing multiple crises at an unprecedented level. Following the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the major challenges facing developing countries vary from poverty, debt, and an unjust international financial architecture to extreme natural calamities, he told the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

This has already been compounded by regional tensions and unilateral measures as a result of geopolitical rivalries. All this has not only hampered the hard-earned development progress during the last decade, but also threatened the survival of humankind, he warned.

"At this critical juncture, the most appropriate solutions are needed in order to address such challenges. It requires unified and collective actions that are guided by the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and we must firmly uphold multilateralism in tackling them," he said.

"To save our world from another catastrophe, our shared wisdom and united political determination are more crucial than ever. This must be done by putting aside any unilateral interests and resolutely avoiding greater confrontation and division among the UN member states," he said. "To this end, the United Nations must be reformed in a way that it can effectively fulfill its mandate. We need the UN that is more relevant and effective in the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape and is able to address the challenges threatening international peace, security and sustainable development."

With scientific and technological advancement and innovation, humankind is now better equipped to tackle global challenges. Yet, without common desire, shared responsibilities and collective actions, the most vulnerable peoples in the world will continue to be left behind, he said.

Resolving global conflicts and disputes by peaceful means is the only viable way to ensure long-lasting peace and coexistence. In this regard, Laos urges an immediate end to the conflict in Ukraine through peaceful dialogues, he said.

Like many other countries, Laos believes that unilateralism, particularly unilateral coercive measures, not only contravenes the principles of the UN Charter and international law, but also severely causes negative consequences to innocent people and hinders national development of many developing countries, he said.

In this regard, Laos continues to join the global call for lifting the economic embargo against Cuba, removing it from the list of "state sponsors of terrorism," and ending all unilateral coercive measures against the island, he said. 

Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith (Front) delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 23, 2023. Saleumxay Kommasith on Saturday called for collective actions to tackle global challenges, warning against unilateralism. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
It was January 2018, and Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey had just won a huge legal victory. His trial on federal bribery charges had ended in a hung jury, and the U.S. Justice Department had announced that it would not seek a new trial. He was free to walk with no criminal conviction, ready to take on another campaign for re-election.

Weeks later, he started dating Nadine Arslanian.

Ms. Arslanian, who would eventually marry Mr. Menendez, quickly introduced him to one of her longtime friends: Wael Hana, an Egyptian American businessman in New Jersey. The future Ms. Menendez was eager to connect her influential new boyfriend with Mr. Hanas high-level connections in the Egyptian government.

What unfolded in the next four years is what prosecutors described on Friday as a sprawling corruption scheme that would ensnare the halal meat industry, American military aid to Egypt and the appointment of a top New Jersey law enforcement official. Prosecutors accused Mr. Menendez, 69, of abusing his power to influence arms sales to Egypt and to attempt to interfere with criminal investigations into Mr. Hanas web of business associates.

An F.B.I. search last year of the couples New Jersey home revealed some of the fruits of their scheme, prosecutors said. Federal agents found more than $480,000 in cash stuffed throughout the house in envelopes and in the pockets of jackets that were embroidered with the senators name. Inside the home were more than $100,000 worth of gold bars, some of which had unique serial numbers that traced back to Mr. Hana. A shiny Mercedes-Benz convertible sat in the garage.
New York City is implementing new rules in its homeless shelters in what officials said was an effort to reduce crowding as thousands of migrants continue to arrive from the southern border.

New York is required by law to provide shelter to anyone who asks for it, but Mayor Eric Adams announced in July that adult migrants without children would be allowed to stay in city shelters for only 60 days before having to reapply for beds. The city has since issued about 13,000 notices of the 60-day limit, and for about 50 people that end date was Saturday.

On Friday, the mayor announced another change: The time limit for migrants who reapply for shelter would be just 30 days, a shift first reported by The City.

We have now reached a point where we are full and must take action to move people seeking asylum more quickly through our shelter system, Anne Williams-Isom, the deputy mayor for health and human services, said on Friday.
In a state long attuned to the drumbeat of political corruption  salacious charges, furious denials, explosive trials  Senator Robert Menendez has often registered as the quintessential New Jersey politician.

He successfully avoided charges in one case, and after federal prosecutors indicted him in another, he got off after a mistrial in 2017. To those who were digging my political grave, Mr. Menendez warned then with characteristic bravado, I know who you are and I wont forget you.

Six years later, he is once again on the brink, battling for his political life after federal prosecutors in Manhattan unsealed a jarring new indictment on Friday charging the powerful Democratic senator and his wife in a garish bribery scheme involving a foreign power, piles of cash and gold bars.

A defiant Mr. Menendez, 69, immediately vowed to clear his name from what he cast as just more smears by vengeful prosecutors. A top adviser said that he would also continue running for re-election in 2024, when he is trying to secure a fourth full term.
That much was expected. But beyond the presidential contenders, there were also the ostensibly populist Republicans who have placed workers at the center of their case.

Autoworkers deserve a raise  and they deserve to have their jobs protected from Joe Bidens stupid climate mandates that are destroying the U.S. auto industry and making China rich, Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri said. Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio wrote that he was rooting for the autoworkers across our country demanding higher wages and an end to political leaderships green war on their industry. Likewise, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida pinned the strike on a radical climate agenda that seeks the end of gas-powered cars even if it means destroying American jobs, adding: Instead of supporting either union bosses or C.E.O.s we need to support American workers who want policies that protect their jobs.

Youll notice that for all the talk about workers, not one of these more populist Republicans has actually said their demands should be met. They havent affirmed the right of labor to strike. They havent even blamed management for the strike, despite the fact that the U.A.W. is taking aim at rising corporate profits, which it believes could support higher wages, cost-of-living protections and stronger benefits  and the two-tier system that pays new workers less than veteran workers for the same work.

And they havent voiced support for the largest, most ambitious organizing goal of the U.A.W.  the unionization of new electric vehicle and battery factories, either as part of a new contract or pursued through new organizing. If anything, Republican attacks on electric vehicles work to obscure the nature of the conflict, which is less about a new product category than about the balance of power between labor and management in the American auto industry.

As (my former editor and colleague) Harold Meyerson notes in a piece for The American Prospect:

The long-term future of the U.A.W. truly hinges on its ability to unionize the Big Threes non-union competitors and their own non-union E.V. factories springing up in the right-to-work South. As todays Wall Street Journal points out, the S.E.C. reports that total compensation (wages and benefits) for the median-paid worker at Teslas factories is a bare $34,084, while for the median worker at GM, its $80,034; at Ford, $74,691; and at Stellantis, $68,683. Total compensation at the Big Three and non-Big Three new E.V. and battery factories, as well as at the non-E.V. foreign-owned auto factories that are spread across the South, also falls well short of the levels that U.A.W. members make at the Big Three.

In short, he concludes, the union wont long be able to realize the kind of gains its members need unless it can level up the standards at Tesla et al., lest it be compelled to face a long-term leveling down to Elon Musks idea of what a proper division of revenue should be.
In recent weeks there has been a lot of discussion about Joe Bidens age. Hes old. But you know what comes with age besides a slower gait and forgetting words? Wisdom  in particular how to handle a high-stakes diplomatic encounter without blowing things up (or blowing things up before you want them to blow up). And thats what I think I saw at the face-to-face meeting between Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on Wednesday in New York.

A lot of Israeli reporters and people I know were left depressed by the meeting, because Netanyahu came out and told everyone how warm and friendly it was. And Biden spoke about the unbreakable bonds between America and the Jewish state. Many Israelis so detest Netanyahu that they wanted Biden to publicly rebuke him over the judicial coup that Bibi has mounted  and when that didnt happen they thought the meeting was a huge missed opportunity.

I get it, I get it, I told them. But didnt you see it? I asked.

See what? they responded.

While Biden was publicly putting his right arm around Netanyahus shoulder  precisely to defuse any attacks from Republicans for being too tough on Israel  I hear the president was, SO TO SPEAK, using his left hand to privately slip a homework assignment into Bibis pocket. It was like a magician at work; youd need to find the instant replay in double slow motion to see it.

And do you know what that homework assignment said? My reporting suggests that it was broadly along these lines:

Bibi, you want this deal that would normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. I want it, too. But to get this deal, Im going to have to do something really hard: forge a mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia and maybe agree to some kind of civil nuclear program for the kingdom under strict controls. The Saudi leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is going to have to do something really hard: normalize relations between the home of Islams two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina, and the Jewish state. And now youre going to have to do something hard, too.
Introduction by Judith Freeman

Photographs and text by Jim Mangan

For decades, the community was a refuge for the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a polygamist sect that broke away from the Mormon Church in 1890.

Warren Jeffs was the latest in a line of F.L.D.S. leaders to rule over the Crick. He was considered a prophet, and the community was bound to his word  until he was convicted of sexually abusing minors and sent to prison for life in 2011.

Things slowly began to change in the F.L.D.S. community after that, though Mr. Jeffs still demanded obeisance from his prison cell. During his final days as a free man, as he became more paranoid, he excommunicated many followers for their sins  watching a movie, listening to music, wearing a short-sleeved shirt or showing interest in a girl. Before the fall of the self-proclaimed prophet, many teenage boys were cast out, as had been the custom for many generations. They were left to fend for themselves to ensure the older men had no competition for the younger girls. The boys were referred to as the lost boys, only they were more forsaken than lost, cast beyond the pale to fend for themselves in a world they did not know. The boys you see photographed here escaped the fate of becoming lost boys after Mr. Jeffs was jailed. Many of them chose to stay in the Crick, living with their mothers.

One December, I took a ride down the Crick with the boys, alongside the photographer Jim Mangan. They approached us one by one on horseback over the lip of the ravine dressed in attire from another century, some in buckskin shirts and vests they stitched themselves. They wore hats with stained brims pulled low against the bright sun shining down upon the boisterous scene. Many of the houses in town were oversized to accommodate plural families and had never been finished. The streets were left unpaved and muddy, and the walls and fences that once encircled family compounds had begun to deteriorate, the metal warped and buckled, the boards broken into weathered slats and rough slabs lying upon the red earth. Everywhere there was the sense of detritus, of once usable things left in various states of decay and abandonment.

After Mr. Jeffs fall, many of his followers fled the Crick. But the boys you see photographed did not flee. They chose to stay on the land that formed them, riding alongside one another as they always had.
Additionally, as Ms. Cottle points out, there is usually little or no training offered to family members in how to take care of the ill (i.e., feeding, hydrating, giving medications, diapering, dressing), and often there is no emotional support offered in light of the physical and mental toll that caregiving for a relative can take.

I find it egregious and very painful to witness this countrys willingness to abandon an entire generation as it ages and suffers inevitable illnesses.

Barbara R. Rauch

New York

To the Editor:

Michelle Cottle paints a depressing picture of our nations failure to care for aging Americans who often have physical and mental impairments.

As a former gerontologist who led research teams studying the needs of caregivers of relatives with Alzheimers, I learned that families often designate the family member with the least resources to be the primary caregiver. Typically thats a woman who is divorced, unmarried, childless or unemployed.

Caregiving is a stressful and thankless job that often leads to the caregivers depression and social isolation. Other family members may provide money to caregivers, but they seldom convey their sympathy or contribute their own precious time.
On Wednesday the Biden administration announced that it will offer work permits and deportation protections to over 400,000 Venezuelans who have arrived in the United States since 2021. On paper this is a humanitarian gesture, a recognition of the miseries of life under the Maduro dictatorship. In political practice its a flailing attempt to respond to a sudden rise in anti-immigration sentiment in blue cities, particularly New York, as the surge of migrants overwhelms social services and shelters.

I say flailing because the fundamental problem facing the Biden administration is on the southern border, where every attempt to get ahead of the extraordinary numbers trying to cross or claim asylum has been overwhelmed.

In Eagle Pass, Texas, The Wall Street Journal reports that in a week, an estimated 10,000 migrants have entered the city, whose entire population is less than 30,000. The subsequent movement of migrants to cities like New York, Chicago and Washington has been encouraged by red-state governors, but under any circumstances such crowds in Eagle Pass would eventually mean rising numbers in big cities. And policies that make it easier to work in those cities, like the Biden move, are likely to encourage more migration until the border is more stable and secure.

The liberal confusion over this situation, the spectacle of Democratic politicians like Eric Adams and Kathy Hochul sounding like Fox News hosts, is a foretaste of the difficult future facing liberals across the Western world.
NATIONAL

An article on Friday about the timeline of Rupert Murdochs career misstated how much the Walt Disney Company paid to acquire most of 21st Century Foxs assets in 2019. It was $71.3 billion, not $71.3 million.

An article on Sept. 16 about protests against migrants in New York City misstated the percentage of migrants living in city homeless shelters that are housed at a single facility. Two percent of the migrants living in city shelters are staying on Staten Island, but not all of them are at St. John Villa Academy.

SPECIAL SECTION: CLIMATE FORWARD

An article on Thursday about protecting ocean life misstated several actions taking place at the United Nations this week in regards to the High Seas Treaty. Delegates signed the treaty, but did not ratify it; ratification is done by the national governments of the signing countries. The article also described imprecisely the involvement of the United States. The United States did sign the treaty, but it has not been ratified.

MAGAZINE

An article on Page 38 this weekend about research on animals use of language refers incorrectly to Robert C. Berwicks field of study. He is a computer scientist and computational linguist, not a linguist.
Usually, you go to the zoo to look at live animals. But at the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, people also went to see the dead ones.

The attraction, called the Delbridge Museum of Natural History, hosted one of the most impressive taxidermy collections in the country, with some 150 animals from six continents, each meticulously positioned in a diorama depicting their natural habitat. There, visitors could encounter  up close  a (stationary) mob of kangaroos, a pouncing lion, a panda eating bamboo and more.

On Aug. 18, Sioux Falls and Great Plains Zoo officials announced that the Delbridge Museum had closed after nearly 40 years, citing an increased risk of chemical exposure to staff and visitors as the animal specimens age. At a news conference, streamed live on Facebook on Aug. 29, they specified that a majority of the taxidermy mounts contained arsenic, a toxic substance that can cause pregnancy complications, cancer and even death.

When we have a known carcinogen in one of our public displays, we cant take risk, Paul TenHaken, the mayor of Sioux Falls, said at the conference. Dave Pfeifle, city attorney for Sioux Falls, added that there are no acceptable levels of risk regarding arsenic.
ROME, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Earlier this week, Italy's LUISS University hosted the launch of the world's first triple-degree program that groups together students from China, Europe and the United States to equip them with multicultural knowledge in the areas of business, academic work, and cultural heritage.

The so-called ACE program is operated by the Renmin University in Beijing, the George Washington University in the United States, and the Rome-based LUISS University.

"The goal of the three-year program is to create a kind of 'cultural competency,'" Andrea Prencipe, an economist and LUISS University's rector, told Xinhua.

"We believe the students involved will surpass the (usual) norms because of the experiences they will have," he said.

Under the program co-hosted by the participating universities, a group of students from Asia, Europe, and the United States will work together on the selected topics. They will complete the program with triple bachelor's degrees, one from each university, with an emphasis on what the LUISS University calls "competence and adaptability."

The program officially began a year ago with studies at each student's home university, and this year's launch represented the start of the three-year international phase of the curriculum, involving all three capital cities.

The program, which covers topics like business administration, international business and global political economy and management, also relies on partnership agreements with over 300 other universities in 65 countries.

"Arriving in Rome surprised me in a good way," Sihan Yang, an 18-year-old student from Beijing, told Xinhua. "It is one thing to read about cultural and academic differences in a textbook, and another to experience it first-hand. I think the value of a program like this goes beyond what we study. It's a whole new world."

Wanli Yang, 19, from Chengdu, agreed: "I can already see this will help us prepare for working in business in Europe and around the world ... It is proving to be a great introduction to the global business stage."

The program at the LUISS University will cover business fundamentals and doing business in Europe, while the other two universities will focus on the Chinese and American aspects of these topics. 
When Mississippis mostly white and Republican-controlled State Legislature voted last spring to add a state-run police force and court system atop the existing ones in the states mostly Black, Democratic-run capital, Jackson, some residents went to court to fight what they called an assault on their right to self-government.

Now the State Supreme Court has handed them a small victory, ruling unanimously that the Legislature had no authority to add four state-appointed judges to the locally elected Circuit Court that handles most of the citys court cases.

The addition of four special circuit judges to the Hinds County Circuit Court was one aspect of much broader legislation that lawmakers called an attempt to address violent crime in Jackson, a city of 150,000.

Other parts of the measure expanded the jurisdiction of a small state police force, originally set up to guard government buildings, to encompass the entire city and established a new, separate court system to serve an area encompassing most of the citys predominantly white neighborhoods.
A Louisiana man convicted of attempted murder was returned to the United States this week after hiding in Mexico for more than 30 years, the F.B.I. announced on Wednesday.

The man, Greg Lawson, 63, of Ringgold, La., was convicted in 1991 for wounding Seth Garlington, then 21, in a gun battle outside a store in Ringgold on April 24, 1990, after an altercation between the two men, according to a news report at the time by The Associated Press.

The shooting left Mr. Garlington in serious, but stable condition at a hospital, The Shreveport Times reported.

Mr. Garlington could not be reached for comment on Saturday.

A grand jury indicted Mr. Lawson on 12 charges, including some stemming from another assault days before the shooting, The Shreveport Times reported.
Assumptions about a generation of young men had proven to be false. But the lifelong sentences many of them had been given, fueled in part by those assumptions, remained in place. Nowhere was this truer than Philadelphia, which sentenced more children to life in prison without the possibility of parole than any other place in the United States.

Then, in the 2000s, the way the law treated young people started to evolve. Beginning in 2005, a series of Supreme Court decisions made mandatory life sentences for minors rarer across the country, prompting longstanding sentences to be reconsidered.

Today, Philadelphia is a national outlier in the number of child lifers who have been released, as Issie Lapowsky reported in a story for the Times in August. Hundreds of mostly Black men exiled as youths to prison for life have begun living on the outside.

Issie chronicled how these men got out of prison after having grown up in the carceral system. From the moment the men entered a system that treated them like adults, every incentive encouraged them not to be perceived as children. But as the law adapted to better regard the still evolving brains of children, at least some of the men Issie spoke with started to do the same. Learning more about the forces that had acted on them as youths gave the men newfound power as adults.
American spy agencies provided information to Ottawa after the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in the Vancouver area, but Canada developed the most definitive intelligence that led it to accuse India of orchestrating the plot, according to Western allied officials.

In the aftermath of the killing, U.S. intelligence agencies offered their Canadian counterparts context that helped Canada conclude that India had been involved. Yet what appears to be the smoking gun, intercepted communications of Indian diplomats in Canada indicating involvement in the plot, was gathered by Canadian officials, allied officials said.

While Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has called on India to cooperate with the Canadian investigation, American officials have largely tried to avoid triggering any diplomatic blowback from India. But the disclosure of the involvement of U.S. intelligence risks ensnaring Washington in the diplomatic battle between Canada and India at a time when it is keen to develop New Delhi as a closer partner.

The United States did not learn about the plot, or evidence pointing to Indias involvement in it, until after operatives had killed the Sikh leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, allied officials said.
If anything, becoming a target of the right after publicly disclosing what she had learned in the White House was perhaps the least surprising thing that Ms. Hutchinson had encountered over the past three years. Some of her most vivid testimony to the Jan. 6 committee was her description of an enraged Mr. Trump hurling his plate of lunch across the room after hearing Attorney General William P. Barr say he saw no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election.

I grabbed a towel and started wiping the ketchup off of the wall to help the valet out, Ms. Hutchinson testified.

Both in print and in the conversation in her high rise, Ms. Hutchinson described a journey down a political rabbit hole that might have tested the psychological stamina of a more seasoned operative. It was one in which loyalty to Mr. Trump surmounted all else, to the point where White House staffers routinely laid leak traps in hopes of discovering who was feeding information to the media. Once Mr. Meadows asked Ms. Hutchinson if she would take a bullet for the president. (Perhaps in the thigh, she nervously joked in reply.)

It was, by her telling, an administration awash in paranoia, with Mr. Meadows and others refusing to dispose of daily litter in burn bags for fear that someone from the deep state might intercept the contents. Instead, she writes, Mr. Meadows burned so many documents in his fireplace in the final days of the Trump presidency that his wife complained to Ms. Hutchinson about how expensive it had become to dry-clean the bonfire aroma from his suits.

For all its obsession with secrecy, the Trump White House was also strangely unpoliced, she writes, particularly in the waning days of the administration. On Jan. 15, 2021, Ms. Hutchinson encountered Mike Lindell, the conspiracy-minded My Pillow entrepreneur, roaming the building unescorted, declaring, We can still win.
For months, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said he plans to continue his long-shot challenge against President Biden in the Democratic primary rather than dropping out to launch a third-party bid.

But lately Mr. Kennedys message has seemed to shift, including publicly telling a voter who asked about his plans that he was keeping his options open.

If Mr. Kennedy does decide to leave the party of his famous father and uncles to run in the general election, one potential landing spot may be the Libertarian Party, which at the moment lacks a widely known candidate but has excelled at securing ballot access.

In July, Mr. Kennedy met privately with Angela McArdle, the chair of the Libertarian Party, at a conference they were both attending in Memphis  a meeting that has not previously been reported.
Tyson Foods and Perdue Farms, which together produce a third of the poultry sold in the United States, are under federal investigation into whether they relied on migrant children to clean slaughterhouses, some of the most dangerous work in the country.

The Labor Department opened the inquiries after an article in The New York Times Magazine, published this past week, found migrant children working overnight shifts for contractors in the companies plants on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Children as young as 13 were using acid and pressure hoses to scour blood, grease and feathers from industrial machines.

Meat processing is among the nations most hazardous industries, and federal law bans minors from working in slaughterhouses because of the high risk of injury. The Times article focused on one child, Marcos Cux, whose arm was mangled in a conveyor belt last year as he sanitized a deboning area in the Perdue plant. He was in the eighth grade.

The investigations are a rare instance of two major consumer brands facing federal scrutiny over child labor. Many meat-processing companies outsource cleaning to sanitation firms, which technically employ the workers. After another Labor Department investigation recently found more than 100 children cleaning plants around the country, one firm, Packers Sanitation Services Inc., paid a $1.5 million fine. But the national corporations that benefited from the childrens work, including Tyson, did not come under investigation.
A group of Ukrainian Army soldiers pierced by Russian grenades and mortar shells arrived at a hospital recently in need of surgery. It would have been a familiar scene from the bloody war grinding on in Ukraine, except for two crucial differences: Most of the wounded soldiers were American, and so was the hospital  the U.S. Armys flagship medical center in Germany.

The Army has quietly started to treat wounded Americans and other fighters evacuated from Ukraine at its Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. Though the number so far is small  currently 14  it marks a notable new step in the United States deepening involvement in the conflict.

When the war erupted in 2022, hundreds of Americans  many of them military veterans  rushed to help defend Ukraine. Nineteen months later, perhaps a few hundred are still there, volunteering for local militias or serving under contract with the Ukrainian national army.

An unknown number of them have been shot, hit by artillery, blown up by mines or otherwise injured in combat. About 20 have been killed. Most of the wounded have had to rely on a patchwork of Ukrainian hospitals and Western charities for help. Now, though, the Pentagon has stepped in to offer some of them the same care it gives to American active-duty troops.
The silent walk is TikToks latest wellness obsession, a blend of meditation and exercise that aims to improve mental health. Unlike the similarly trendy hot girl walk, a four-mile odyssey that requires goal-setting and giving thanks, the silent walk does not involve multitasking. There is no agenda other than to set one foot in front of the other and take note of the world around you.

Walking in silence is an ancient tradition rooted in mindfulness, a form of meditation that helps people focus on the physical sensations, thoughts and emotions of the present moment, without any judgment.

The fact that the silent walk is nothing new has attracted a chorus of critics; Gen Z thinks it just invented walking, they say.

To that, Arielle Lorre, 38, a content creator in Los Angeles, had to laugh.

Fifteen or 20 years ago, this would not have even been a conversation, said Ms. Lorre, who has often discussed the benefits of silent walks, most recently on her podcast and on TikTok. But silent walking feels relevant right now because many of us have become tethered to our devices, she added.

The question then becomes: How do we counteract that? Ms. Lorre said.

Walking is a well-established balm for the mind and body. Research has shown that walking for as little as 10 extra minutes a day may lead to a longer life. And a 2020 study in The Journal of Environmental Psychology found that a 30-minute walk in an urban park reduced the amount of time that people dwelled on negative thoughts. Walking has also been shown to improve creativity and help fend off depression.
The pledge last March sounded as catchy as it was ambitious: European Union states would deliver a million rounds of 155-millimeter ammunition to Ukraine within a year.

Now, at a critical moment in the war and with Ukraine running short of artillery shells to drive its counteroffensive, experts, weapons manufacturers and even some government officials are expressing growing doubts. Europes shrunken military sector, they say, may simply be unable to ramp up production fast enough to achieve the million-shell goal.

Since March, governments across Europe have become more aggressive about assessing  and replenishing  ammunition needs, not just for Ukraine, but also for their own military stockpiles.

Manufacturers are building 155-millimeter rounds even before being fully paid. And European Union officials have fast-tracked at least eight contracts with producers on the continent to supply and reimburse states that jointly procure artillery ammunition instead of competing for it.
OTTAWA, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Friday new military, economic, peace and security, and development assistance and investments for Ukraine, after meeting with visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In a press release posted on his office website, Trudeau said Canada is "shifting the approach to provide multi-year assistance."

He announced a new investment of 650 million Canadian dollars (487.5 million U.S. dollars) over three years to supply Ukraine with 50 armoured vehicles, including armoured medical evacuation vehicles.

According to the release, Trudeau and Zelensky signed the modernized Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, which ensures high-quality market access terms for Canadian businesses participating in Ukraine's economic recovery.

The two countries have agreed to work with international partners to establish a working group of eminent persons to provide advice to decision makers on the seizure and forfeiture of Russian assets, including Russian central bank assets, the release said.

Trudeau announced an additional 34 million Canadian dollars (25.5 million U.S. dollars) in development assistance for four multi-year initiatives supporting mental health, small-scale farmers and restoration of agricultural livelihoods, local infrastructure rehabilitation and reconstruction, as well as technical assistance for inclusive recovery.

Trudeau also announced new sanctions targeting 63 Russian individuals and entities, the release said.

Zelensky, who was visiting Canada from Thursday to Friday, delivered a speech to parliamentarians Friday calling on Canada and other Western allies for further support. 
Along the serpentine highway linking Armenia with Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway Armenian enclave, Norik Grigoryan strained to catch a glimpse of his village just a few miles away. His wife and son are stuck there, he said, after Azerbaijan reclaimed the region this week in a swift military operation.

But the passage was blocked, and communications were intermittent at best.

Weve been waiting for three days, said Mr. Grigoryan, 55, standing with a group of sullen men, also anxiously waiting to join relatives and friends.

Yesterday, I was standing here, my pressure went high, I almost died, he said. Vodka saved me.

Two days after the Azerbaijani military brushed aside Russian peacekeepers and routed a vastly outgunned group of fighters defending the Armenians in the enclave, concerns mounted about the tens of thousands of Armenians who were now stranded there under their new Azerbaijani rulers.
The Russian-installed authorities in occupied Crimea said Ukrainian forces targeted the peninsula with another air attack on Saturday, the second in two days as Kyiv increasingly takes aim at the region in an effort to disrupt Moscows military operations.

Mikhail Razvozhayev, the governor of Sevastopol, Crimeas largest city and the home of Russias Black Sea Fleet, said that air defenses had been activated in the area and that debris from a downed rocket fell in the bay. The local authorities issued several warnings about possible air assaults on Saturday morning, urging residents to stay calm and seek shelter.

Saturdays attack came a day after Ukrainian forces launched a missile strike that damaged the Black Sea Fleets headquarters. Russias Defense Ministry said that a serviceman was missing after that attack.

The back-to-back assaults on Crimea, which the Kremlin illegally annexed in 2014, are part of a Ukrainian campaign to hit deep behind Russian lines in an effort to sever Moscows battlefield supply chain and undermine Russias ability to hit Ukrainian territory from afar. In recent weeks, Ukraine has sharply accelerated the pace of strikes on the peninsula, hitting air-defense systems, a submarine and a command post.
Tea has my heart, Liz Coleman explained as she sank into a chair under the gold-painted ceilings of the Grand Cafe in Oxford, England. But I cant live without coffee.

Ms. Coleman, 31, was getting her caffeine fix from an almond milk latte that she sipped during a break from a nearby conference this month. As a British woman of Persian descent, she said tea looms large in her home life, but when she is out, it is always coffee.

Tea is woven deep into Britains cultural fabric, having arrived in the 1650s after Dutch traders brought it to Europe from China. Centuries of tradition made it the nations favorite hot drink. But coffee, a longtime rival, has increasingly challenged that status, and a recent survey suggested it had finally ousted tea from its prime spot, setting off a war of statistics as the two industries defend their beverages.
After decades as one of the worlds largest recipients of United States foreign aid, the Egyptian government was nervous about how long the largess would continue at that level. But when the United States cut a sliver of the aid in 2017 over Egypts grim human rights record, stunning Cairo, Egyptian officials found an ally in Senator Robert J. Menendez of New Jersey.

He happened to be the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, a position that Egypt evidently felt could help its footing in Washington. And even as he accused the Trump administration of being lax when it came to Egypt, prosecutors say he was doing favors for Egyptian officials who had gotten to know him through his then-girlfriend  signing off on arms sales and secretly helping it lobby Washington to release funding.

In return, according to a federal indictment of Mr. Menendez unsealed on Friday, Mr. Menendez and his wife, Nadine Menendez, received hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, checks and bars of gold.

It was a price that Egyptian officials clearly felt was worth paying.

Since the late 1970s, Washington has sent Cairo up to $1.3 billion each year as a legacy of Egypts peace agreement with Israel in the Camp David Accords  money that Egypt treasures as a sign of its strategic importance and which has paid for its ever-growing military arsenal.
In the days after much of the coastal city of Derna, Libya, was washed away by devastating floods, Mahbuba Khalifa wrote a poem to honor her hometown, known by Libyans as the city of poets.

I used to carry your great legacy in my conscience and on my shoulders, and I walked with arrogant pride and I had a certain pride that I did not deny. Whoever sees me and sees the radiance of light that I bear as a mark on my features must know  without asking me where I am from  that I am your daughter.

For Ms. Khalifa, a Libyan writer and poet, it was the most poignant way to mourn a city with a history as an intellectual and cultural hub  and a long tradition of rebellion against occupation and authoritarian powers.
Jann Wenner was removed from his position at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame after he said that Black and female musicians were not articulate enough to be featured in his book. Which magazine did Wenner co-found?
A national Road Safety campaign has been named after a famous woman from Ferbane.

Mary Ward is often mentioned as being the first road traffic fatality on record. She fell to her death from a slow-moving steam-driven vehicle on Oxmantown Mall, Birr in August 1869.

This week The Road Safety Authority (RSA) said they have just launched the Who was Mary Ward? Vision Zero campaign.

This is a very important campaign which is calling on the public to work together so we see our last road death in Ireland.

The Road Safety Authority is appealing to people to change their driving behaviour, to make Irish roads safer for all. Vision Zero, they say, is aiming for no road deaths or serious injuries on Irish roads by 2050.

They are appealing to all road users  drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians  to make a behavioural change in order to prevent further tragedy.

They are encouraging people to spread the word with friends, family members and colleagues about Vision Zero.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers, T.D. pointed out that Vision Zero requires the collaboration of government agencies, law enforcement, and road users themselves. While the Vision Zero target is ambitious, it is achievable. Between 2006 and 2018 we cut road deaths by almost two-thirds. After many successful years, there has been an alarming increase in fatalities in more recent times.

@Every single death is a tragedy for the victims families, friends and communities. Our ambition now is to reduce road deaths by 50% by 2030. The Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 outlines a comprehensive plan and framework to enhance road safety over the next number of years. The Government is committed to working with our colleagues in the RSA, the Gardai and other stakeholders to deliver reform of the penalty points system, implement the speed limit review and deliver public information campaigns, among a range of other policy and enforcement measures, to work towards a future with no deaths on Irish roads.

Sam Waide, CEO, RSA said: Road safety requires a collective effort towards a future where every road journey ends safely. Unfortunately, since the worlds first recorded road death in Co. Offaly in 1869, there have been thousands of other lives lost tragically on Irish roads. Our Who was Mary Ward campaign asks the public to join this concerted effort in achieving Vision Zero - the ambition that no one will lose their life on Irish roads by 2050. If every member of the public today committed to making one positive change in their driving behaviour, it will make our roads a safer place and help us in achieving this vision.

Liz ODonnell, Chairperson of the RSA added: Since the first road death was recorded in Birr, Co. Offaly, thousands of families have grieved the loss of a loved one on Irish roads. Many others have been left with life-changing injuries as a result of a road traffic collision. Through this campaign, the families of road safety victims have bravely come forward to impart the human impact and permanence of such tragedies and have kindly granted permission for their loved ones names to appear in the campaign. I am asking all road users to think about one thing they could do to prevent further tragedy, so no more families are left needlessly grieving a life lost on Irish roads. Whether its having a conversation with family or friends about road safety, reducing speed or avoiding distractions while driving, your efforts could save a life.

As of 11 September 2023, a total of 130 people have died on Irish roads, 25 more than the same period in 2022.
BORD na Mona came under attack at Monday's meeting of Offaly County Council.

A number of councillors lashed the energy company, accusing it of continuing to fail to engage with elected councillors, especially on the issue of its future plans for all of its land.

There was even a suggestion that Offaly County Council should stop chanelling Creative Ireland funding towards the sculpture park at Lough Boora unless Bord na Mona meets with the local authority and its elected members.

However, one representative, Cllr Eamon Dooley, said the Energy Minister should be the target, not the energy company.

Cllr Dooley, Fianna Fail member and former Bord na Mona employee, said he believed Bord na Mona will be awarded a contract worth 30 million or thereabouts for the construction of the new tourist trails in the Midlands but he was concerned about the terms and conditions of the deal.

It's going to be their land so what are we going to get out of it? We're told it's going to be great for Offaly, but will it be at the end of the day?

The Ferbane-based councillor said Bord na Mona did not have a good track record of delivering for Offaly and he called on all other councillors to make representations in their own parties because a political decision will determine the trails project.

The councillors were told by Anne Dillon, council director of service, that the council had been briefed by Failte Ireland, the intermediary body for the European just transition fund, and it was actively engaging with local authorities as well as Bord na Mona, Waterways Ireland, Coillte and other partners.

The council had engaged with Bord na Mona on the strategic trails project. We believe we're coming very close to the identification of the routes for those trails and a majority of those trails will be in Offaly on Bord na Mona lands, said Ms Dillon.

She said there will be an opportunity to link those trails to towns and villages in the county through partnerships with communities and the local authority and other landowners.

Cllr Dooley indicated he did not trust Bord na Mona: With the best intentions in the world, somebody telling you they're going to link the towns and villages and it doesn't happen, it's too late then.

Cllr John Leahy, Independent, expressed his concern about Lough Boora and said it needed investment, especially its sculpture park.

Cllr John Clendennen, Fine Gael said there would be no point in the council investing in the sculpture park if other aspects of the park are falling behind and potentially giving us a bad name. We're gone blue in the face at this stage looking for engagement from Bord na Mona, he remarked.

Amanda Pedlow, heritage officer, revealed that a tender is out for the maintenance of the sculpture park and Sharon Kennedy, director of service, detailed that a consultant will be appointed to advise because we have to have regard to the original artists.

Ms Kennedy said: A number of the sculptures are well weather worn and need attention. All of them do.

Cllr Neil Feighery, Fine Gael said he had met Jobs and Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney both in Tullamore and at the party think-in and he was in favour of setting up a meeting with Bord na Mona.

Cllr Feighery said the company must publish its land use strategy. It's stonewalling of our repeated attempts to have the strategy published is completely unacceptable, said Cllr Feighery.

He said councillors were being blindfolded and ignored by Bord na Mona which had a duty to act as a semi-state company.

Another Fine Gael member, Cllr John Clendennen said Bord na Mona's priority is energy and they were profit driven but Offaly was at risk of being the victims because there's a short window to draw down just transition funding and the company's energy development could be at the expense of tourism.

Cllr Clendennen asked for common decency that the land management plan be given so that Offaly County Council could draw down funds for job creation and tourism before August 2026 when the window will close for the funding for the Failte Ireland Bord na Mona trails development fund. There's no point in us crying to Government then. We have our opportunity.

The councillor recalled summer 2021 and discussions on the different aspects of how funding would be attained.

All those stars have aligned except for Bord na Mona and the clock is ticking now. He claimed he had seen nothing to indicate Bord na Mona were interested in tourism development.

Cllr Feighery said when he was last in Lough Boora he could not believe how it had disimproved and suggested that the council turn off the tap in funding for the sculpture park because Bord na Mona were not investing in the overall park.

He said the council needed to know how much the company was investing in Lough Boora Discovery Park.

I've heard figures quoted to me and they're absolutely dismal.

Cllr Dooley said he believed a meeting with Bord na Mona would not achieve anything. We're shooting the wrong messenger here. Bord na Mona for all their faults are only doing the bidding of the [energy] department and the minister.

He pointed out that Ireland had not transposed the EU law on community energy unlike every other country and that was because of the power of the energy companies in Ireland.
Photo: The Canadian Press Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, bottom, greets General Assembly President Dennis Francis, top left, as he arrives at the podium to address the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Saturday.

Russia's top diplomat denounced the United States and the West on Saturday as self-interested defenders of a fading international order, but he didn't discuss his country's war in Ukraine in his speech to the U.N. General Assembly.

The U.S. and its subordinate Western collective are continuing to fuel conflicts which artificially divide humanity into hostile blocks and hamper the achievement of overall aims. Theyre doing everything they can to prevent the formation of a genuine multipolar world order, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

They are trying to force the world to play according to their own self-centered rules, he said.

As for the 19-month war in Ukraine, he recapped some historical complaints going back to the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union, and alluded to the billions of dollars that the U.S and Western allies have spent in supporting Ukraine. But he didn't delve into the current fighting.

For a second year in a row, the General Assembly is taking place with no end to the war in sight. A three-month-long Ukrainian counteroffensive has gone slower than Kyiv hoped, making modest advances but no major breakthroughs.

Ukraine's seats in the assembly hall were empty for at least part of Lavrov's speech. An American diplomat wrote on a notepad in her country's section of the audience.

Since invading in February 2022, Russia has offered a number of explanations for what it calls the special military operation in Ukraine.

Among them: claims that Kyiv was oppressing Russian speakers in Ukraines east and so Moscow had to help them, that Ukraines growing ties with the West in recent years pose a risk to Russia, and that its also threatened by NATOs eastward expansion over the decades.

Lavrov hammered on those themes in his General Assembly speech last year, and he alluded again Saturday to what Russia perceives as NATOs improper encroachment.

But his address looked at it through a wide-angle lens, surveying a landscape, as Russia sees it, of Western countries efforts to cling to outsized influence in global affairs. He portrayed the effort as doomed.

The rest of the planet is sick of it, Lavrov argued: They dont want to live under anybodys yoke anymore. That shows, he said, in the growth of such groups as BRICS  the developing-economies coalition that currently includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa and recently invited Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to join next year.

Our future is being shaped by a struggle, a struggle between the global majority in favor of a fairer distribution of global benefits and civilized diversity and between the few who wield neocolonial methods of subjugation in order to maintain their domination which is slipping through their hands, he said.

Under assembly procedures that give the microphone to presidents ahead of cabinet-level officials, Lavrov spoke four days after Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Joe Biden.

Zelenskyy accused Russia of weaponizing food, energy and even children against Ukraine and the international rules-based order at large. Biden sounded a similar note in pressing world leaders to keep up support for Ukraine: If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?

Both Lavrov and Zelenskyy also addressed the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday but didn't actually face off. Zelenskyy left the room before Lavrov came in.
An Tran, executive officer in the Los Angeles Mayor's Office of International Affairs, speaks at a specialized forum on the current investment and trade opportunities with China in Los Angeles, California, the United States, on Sept. 21, 2023. U.S. business owners and investment groups attended the forum on Thursday in downtown Los Angeles. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

by Julia Pierrepont III

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. business owners and investment groups attended a specialized forum on the current investment and trade opportunities with China on Thursday in downtown Los Angeles, California.

Speakers at the forum, hosted by the Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board's L.A. Office and Sino America Business Development Co., acknowledged that the relationship between the United States and China stands as one of the most significant and multifaceted economic partnerships in the world.

They also agreed that as two of the largest economies, the two countries' intertwined trade and investment networks and decisions influence commodity prices, currency values, and investment sentiments worldwide, and play a pivotal role in shaping global economic trajectories and industry trends.

The total volume of China-U.S. trade reached a record high of nearly 760 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, according to statistics from the General Administration of Customs of China.

Post-pandemic, An Tran, executive officer in the Los Angeles Mayor's Office of International Affairs, is looking forward to seeing more of what exciting opportunities China and Shanghai have to offer U.S.-based businesses and investors, pointing out that it has been a productive two-way street, with "China remaining one of the largest sources of FDI (foreign direct investment) in L.A. County."

Doug Bruhnke, CEO of Global Chamber and acting executive director of Global Chamber Los Angeles, told Xinhua that he is optimistic about doing business in China in the future, despite political tensions.

"No matter what's going on politically, we need to be collaborating. We need to be working together," he said. "Trade is in the best interests of both our countries. Transparency and trust and working together and building a village of traders and supporting trade are all good things."

Forum presentations showcased China's growth as a global hub for research and development where foreign firms can tap into this ecosystem and benefit from cost-effective innovation, abundant talent, and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

The event also featured presentations from leading experts on doing business in China with a focus on leveraging trade fairs, especially China's two major trade shows, China Import and Export Fair, also known as Canton Fair, and China International Import Exhibition (CIIE).

The two trade shows are open to all types of consumer goods and services, Vlady Cornateanu, founder/president of Sino American Business Development Co., CEO of Addiction/True Affair Apparel and a 30-year veteran participant in the Canton Fair, told Xinhua.

"Technology, logistics, social media, transportation, car manufacturing, medicine, agriculture, hotels, construction, manufacturing equipment and so much more are there. Any industry imaginable can find what they need to do business," he explained.

Launched in 1957, the trade show is held every spring and autumn in Guangzhou. For foreign businesses predominantly interested in manufacturing and/or importing from China, the Canton Fair is one of the most significant trade events globally.

About 35,000 enterprises attended the 2023 spring Canton Fair on-site as exhibitors. The fair serves as a nexus for international trade, drawing participants from over 220 countries and regions.

For foreign businesses looking predominantly to export their products to China, CIIE is the place to start.

Held in autumn annually since 2018 in Shanghai, CIIE is the world's first import-themed national-level exhibition. The trade fair grants foreign businesses one-stop-shop access to exporting their products to China and demonstrates the commitment to liberalizing China's market and fostering global trade partnerships, helping to transition China from an export-driven economy to an import and consumption-driven economy as well.

It has become an essential event for businesses vying for a foothold or expansion in the Chinese market.

Claire Shao, U.S. chief representative at Invest Shanghai, said, "After attending the Canton Fair and the CIIE, I believe you can make your own conclusion that China's door will not be closed, but will open wider and wider."

"China is clearly a very successful country, with great opportunities," said Bruhnke. "They don't want to be the United States. They want to be China, but able to do some of the things that the U.S. is doing so successfully."

"So, I expect that they'll continue learning, adjusting to the way the world does business, and migrating to strategies that allow them to be even more successful," he concluded. 

Vlady Cornateanu, founder/president of Sino American Business Development Co. and CEO of Addiction/True Affair Apparel, speaks during an interview at a specialized forum on the current investment and trade opportunities with China in Los Angeles, California, the United States, on Sept. 21, 2023. U.S. business owners and investment groups attended the forum on Thursday in downtown Los Angeles. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

Doug Bruhnke, CEO of Global Chamber and acting executive director of Global Chamber Los Angeles, speaks at a specialized forum on the current investment and trade opportunities with China in Los Angeles, California, the United States, on Sept. 21, 2023. U.S. business owners and investment groups attended the forum on Thursday in downtown Los Angeles. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)
Bengaluru: How Forest Dept Trying To Capture The Leopard?

Big Cat On The Loose: Leopard Spotted Yet Again Near IT Park In Kudlu, Residents Panic

Watch Comedian Danish Sait's Hilarious Take On Leopard Sighting In Bengaluru's Kudlu Gate Goes Viral

Bengaluru Bandh On September 26 Over Cauvery Issue: What's Open And Closed?

Bengaluru

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and 150 pro-Kannada organisations have called for a Bengaluru bandh on Tuesday, September 26, over Cauvery water issue. Sugarcane Growers' Association President Kurubur Shantakumar held a press conference to announce his support for the Bengaluru bandh on September 26. He urged all other organisations to join the bandh.

The Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti (KJSS), a pro-Kannada organisation, has also called for a Bengaluru bandh on September 26. The KJSS has said that it is calling for the bandh with the support of several other organisations to protest the release of Cauvery water from the KRS dam to Tamil Nadu.

As part of the bandh, a mammoth rally will be taken out from Town Hall to Mysore Bank Circle (SBM Circle) at 11 am.

As per reports, BJP leaders have said that the Bengaluru bandh serves as a rallying call for unity and proactive engagement among Kannadigas. They emphasize that the Cauvery water dispute transcends the realm of politics; it is a matter of societal and economic significance that impacts every Kannadiga.

Meanwhile, K Radha Krishna Holla, president of the Karnataka State Travel Operators' Association (KSTOA), has declared support for the Bengaluru bandh. Holla said that the KSTOA is supporting the bandh because the Cauvery water crisis is a major concern in Karnataka.

The Cauvery water dispute is a long-standing one between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Both states claim their rights over the Cauvery river water. The Supreme Court has issued orders from time to time on the sharing of water between the two states.

Let's take a closer look at what's expected to be closed and what might remain open during this bandh.

What to Expect During the Bandh

Shop Closures: A significant impact of the bandh is likely to be observed in the form of shop closures. Many businesses, especially small and local establishments, are expected to remain shut in solidarity with the bandh.

Mandya Bandh Call Over Cauvery Water Issue Sees Shops Shut Across The District

Transport Disruptions: The bandh may lead to disruptions in public transportation (KSRTC buses). Expect bus services and other forms of public transit to be affected, potentially causing inconvenience for commuters.

Educational Institutions: Schools and colleges have declared holidays.

Banks and Offices: While the extent of closure among banks and corporate offices may vary, some could be affected by the bandh, potentially leading to work disruptions.

Movie Theaters: The Kannada film industry has shown solidarity with the bandh and movie theatres in the city are expected to remain closed.

Restaurants and Eateries: Restaurants and eateries may choose to remain closed or operate with limited services.

Protests and Demonstrations: It's likely that pro-bandh activists will stage protests and demonstrations in different parts of the city.

What May Remain Open

Hospitals and Medical Services: Essential services, particularly hospitals and healthcare facilities, are expected to remain open to ensure that the public's health needs are met.

BMTC Buses and Namma Metro: Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus services will not be affected. Metro services too will be available as usual.

Cabs: Ola, Uber drivers have announced their withdrawal of support from the Bengaluru Bandh.



Farmers, Pro-Kannada Outfits Allege Bengalureans Not Taking Part In Cauvery Protest

Emergency Services: Police, fire, and emergency services will continue to operate to address any urgent situations.

Supermarkets and Grocery Stores: Large supermarket chains and grocery stores may choose to stay open, although it's advisable to check for updates from local stores.

Government Offices: While some government offices could be affected, essential services like the police department will remain functional.

Meanwhile, Karnataka State Private Transport Association, comprising 32 private transport organisations, announced its participation in the Bengaluru Bandh. This could likely disrupt the services of school vans, cabs, autos, and airport taxis. However, the federation emphasised that its members would have the option to decide whether to undertake specific trips, refrain from certain journeys, or suspend operations entirely.

However, residents and commuters in Bengaluru are advised to stay informed about the latest developments regarding the Bengaluru bandh. It's recommended to plan ahead for any potential disruptions in transportation and access to essential services.
Big Cat On The Loose: Leopard Spotted Yet Again Near IT Park In Kudlu, Residents Panic

Bengaluru Bandh On Sep 26: Will Schools, IT Companies Be Shut Over Cauvery Issue?

Bengaluru

oi-Madhuri Adnal

In a significant development, a bandh has been announced for Bengaluru city on Tuesday, September 26, to protest the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. The decision was made following a meeting held at Freedom Park in the city, which included the participation of over 15 organizations, including the Aam Aadmi Party, several Resident Welfare Associations, and pro-Kannada groups.

The announcement of the bandh was made by prominent farmer leader, Kuruburu Shanthakumar, who sought the support of various organisations in the cause. Shanthakumar has not only appealed to educational institutions, such as schools and colleges, but also to the Film Chamber and IT companies, requesting them to declare a holiday in solidarity with the protest. Furthermore, he called upon the government to convene a special session of the Assembly to discuss and address the pressing Cauvery issue.

Meanwhile, a section of society had already demonstrated their discontent by staging protests in Bengaluru on Saturday over the Cauvery issue. These demonstrations sought to halt traffic at several locations within the city.

Bengaluru Bandh On September 26 Over Cauvery Issue: What's Open And Closed?

The Karnataka government, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, opted to adhere to the Supreme Court's directive on Friday, deciding to accept the order to release water to Tamil Nadu. The apex court had, on September 21, declined to intervene in the decision of the Cauvery Water Management Authority, which had ordered the release of 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.

Simultaneously, various organizations in Mandya observed a bandh today as a sign of their condemnation of the state government's choice to release water to Tamil Nadu. The Cauvery issue remains a complex and deeply emotional matter, sparking protests, meetings, and calls for political action.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 23, 2023, 15:37 [IST]
Big Cat On The Loose: Leopard Spotted Yet Again Near IT Park In Kudlu, Residents Panic

Cauvery Water Row: As Protest Intensifies In Parts Of Bengaluru, Several Areas On High Alert

Bengaluru

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) began protests in Bengaluru on Saturday over the Cauvery water row. Protesters gathered at Mysore Bank Circle and Malleshwaram and raised slogans like 'Cauvery Nammadu' (Cauvery is ours). They also demanded that the Karnataka government take steps to protect the state's interests in the Cauvery water dispute.

On the other hand, the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), a pro-Kannada organisation, is also protesting in Electronic City against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, according to TV9 report. KRV Narayana Gowda faction workers expressed their anger by burning the effigy of the Tamil Nadu government and chanting slogans against the state and central governments.

The protests caused traffic disruptions in the areas where they were held. Police personnel were deployed in large numbers to maintain law and order.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru's Police Commissioner, B Dayananda, has issued a directive to all Deputy Commissioners of Police in the city, urging them to remain vigilant and avert any potential untoward incidents. Additionally, the Commissioner has instructed Deputy Commissioners of Police to enhance security measures in areas with significant Tamilian populations.

In response to the Supreme Court's recent ruling, which has stirred discontent, various organisations have called for protests in Bengaluru. As a precautionary measure, the Police Commissioner has mandated that Deputy Commissioners of Police implement requisite measures to ensure the preservation of law and order.

Earlier, Former Chief Minister and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai cautioned that if the State Government neglects Karnataka's interests in the Cauvery water dispute, it could incite rebellion from pontiffs, farmers, and the citizens of Bengaluru.

Farmers, Pro-Kannada Outfits Allege Bengalureans Not Taking Part In Cauvery Protest

Speaking to reporters following a meeting with party office-bearers from the Cauvery basin districts regarding the next steps in the Cauvery issue, Bommai criticised the government for a series of mistakes, noting that the state had to release 7.5 tmcft of water to Tamil Nadu due to inadequate representation in the Supreme Court.

Furthermore, he highlighted that the government has not been transparent about its plans for Karnataka, and the BJP intends to respond earnestly by organizing protests in the Cauvery basin districts. He accused the government of engaging in political maneuvers to mask its shortcomings and criticized the Congress leaders for not engaging in discussions with Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, instead of shifting the blame to the Central government.

Bommai emphasized that the government must urgently file an interim application before the Supreme Court, addressing the need for drinking water in Bengaluru and the responsible use of additional water by Tamil Nadu.

Mandya Bandh: Farmers Intensify Protest Over Cauvery Row

Farmer organisations in Mandya and Maddur district are staging protests and have announced a 'Bandh' today. This action follows the Supreme Court's decision on Thursday not to intervene in the directive from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to Karnataka, mandating the release of 5,000 cusecs of water per day for 15 days to Tamil Nadu.

The Cauvery water dispute is a long-standing one between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Both states claim their rights over the Cauvery river water. The Supreme Court has issued orders from time to time on the sharing of water between the two states.

Cauvery Row: Farmers, Pro-Kannada Outfits Stage Protest In Mandya

The Tamil Nadu government has accused Karnataka of violating the Supreme Court's order and has demanded that the court take action against the state.

The Karnataka government has defended its position, saying that it does not have enough water to share with Tamil Nadu.
Farmers, Pro-Kannada Outfits Allege Bengalureans Not Taking Part In Cauvery Protest

Bengaluru

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Farmers and pro-Kannada outfits in Karnataka have alleged that Bengaluru residents are not taking part in the Cauvery protest. They say that Bengalureans are benefiting the most from the Cauvery water, but they are not doing enough to support the farmers who are fighting for their water rights.

Kurubur Shanthakumar, president of the Karnataka Sugarcane Cultivators Association in Mandya, said that for one drop of water, Bengaluru citizens will have to suffer more. He also said that for the farmers, it is okay since they can manage it since they reside in rural areas, but what would Bengaluru citizens do? He urged Bengaluru citizens to participate in the protest, as reported by News18 Kannada.

Other farmers and pro-Kannada activists have also echoed Shanthakumar's sentiments. They say that Bengaluru citizens are taking the Cauvery water for granted and are not realising the seriousness of the situation. They warn that if the farmers do not get their fair share of water, it will lead to a food crisis in Karnataka.

Cauvery Row: Farmers, Pro-Kannada Outfits Stage Protest In Mandya

The farmers and pro-Kannada activists have urged Bengaluru citizens to come out to the streets and join the protest. They say that the protest is not just about the Cauvery water, but it is also about the future of Karnataka.

Meanwhile, in the midst of the ongoing dispute over Cauvery water sharing with Tamil Nadu, Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, expressed the government's commitment to protecting the interests of the state's farmers. During a Cabinet meeting on Friday, it was decided to adhere to the court's order regarding the distribution of Cauvery water. The Deputy Chief Minister further urged the farmers to cancel the planned 'Bandh' on Saturday in the Cauvery water row to maintain law and order in the state.

In Mandya, various farmer organisations are currently protesting and have called for a 'Bandh' on September 23. This agitation follows the Supreme Court's refusal on Thursday to intervene in the order issued by the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), which directed Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Actor Vishal Calls For Joint Decision On Cauvery Water Dispute

Meanwhile, the BJP has questioned the Karnataka government's intentions in the Cauvery water dispute. Former Karnataka CM Bommai stated, "The state government is displaying a casual approach to the Cauvery water issue. If this neglect continues, it may lead to discontent among pontiffs, farmers, and the citizens of Bengaluru. The incumbent government has mishandled this issue from the beginning, causing significant problems for the entire state."

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 23, 2023, 11:00 [IST]
Who All Are Supporting Bengaluru Bandh On September 26?

Bengaluru

oi-Madhuri Adnal

A collective of over 100 organisations, which met at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, has jointly issued a call for a voluntary citywide shutdown, or Bengaluru bandh on September 26. They have also planned to conduct a rally from Town Hall to the Mysore Bank Circle from 11 am. Furthermore, these organisers have urged autorickshaw and taxi unions to abstain from their usual operations during this period.

The pro-Kannada groups have put forth several demands, including a special legislative session initiated by the Karnataka government to deliberate on the contentious issue of Cauvery river water sharing. They also seek the formulation of a distress formula for equitable water allocation. Additionally, they have issued appeals to IT companies, their employees, industrialists, educational institutions, the film chamber, and the general public to endorse and participate in the proposed bandh.

Bengaluru Bandh: Wide Support for Shutdown

The Federation of Kannada Sanghas, which represents a coalition of 80 associations from diverse firms, such as HAL, BEL, ITI, BHEL, MICO, and businesses in Peenya, has lent its support to this call for a shutdown.

Bengaluru Bandh On September 26 Over Cauvery Issue: What's Open And Closed?

The BBMP employees' welfare association is also in solidarity and anticipates abstaining from work on the scheduled day. The Chickpet traders' association has extended its backing for the bandh. Furthermore, the organisers have reached out to various groups, including auto and taxi drivers, hoteliers' associations, resident welfare associations, and advocates' associations, to garner their support.

Earlier, Kurubur Shanthakumarr, the leader of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), stressed the importance of this protest for the well-being of the state's population. This initiative was set in motion following a preparatory meeting held three days ago.

Jaya Karnataka's state president, Jagadish, emphasized that the government must not disregard the sentiments of the people. He expressed concerns about diverting water to Tamil Nadu when water scarcity looms in their own state, calling for immediate action to cease further water release to Tamil Nadu. Their plans also involve staging sieges at the residences of elected representatives in all 31 districts.

Cauvery Water Row: As Protest Intensifies In Parts Of Bengaluru, Several Areas On High Alert

Bengaluru Bandh Impact

The Bengaluru bandh on September 26 is likely to have a significant impact on the city. Shops and businesses are expected to remain closed, and public transportation is likely to be affected. Residents are advised to plan their travel accordingly.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 23, 2023, 15:26 [IST]
Tamil Actor Vishal Calls For Joint Decision On Cauvery Water Dispute

Chennai

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Tamil actor Vishal Krishna has urged the governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to take a joint decision on the Cauvery water dispute. He said that the issue has been a headache for both states for years, and it is time to find a permanent solution.

Vishal was speaking at the success party event of his latest film, Mark Antony, in Chennai. He said that the two states should work together to ensure that the Cauvery water is shared equitably and sustainably.

Ananth Nag calls for tougher stance on Cauvery water

Kannada actor Ananth Nag has also spoken out on the Cauvery water dispute, calling for a tougher stance from the Karnataka government. He said that the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu has misled people's sentiments on the issue, and that the Karnataka government needs to give a correct answer.

Mandya Bandh On Sep 23: Will Schools, Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway Be Closed?

Nag said that the Cauvery water dispute is not just a question of Bengaluru, Mandya, and Mysuru, but affects the entire state of Karnataka. He said that the water going to Tamil Nadu is not for drinking, but for agriculture and industry, and that it is eventually used and released into the sea.

Nag urged the Karnataka MLAs, MPs, and CM to stand together and solve the Cauvery water dispute once and for all. He said that the Karnataka government needs to take a tougher stance on the issue, and that the Kannadigars need to stand together to protect their rights.
CHICAGO, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The United Auto Workers (UAW) on Friday has expanded its strike against the Big Three U.S. automakers to 38 General Motors Co. and Stellantis NV parts distribution centers across the United States, bringing the total factories on strike up to 41.

Ford Motor Co. is spared from the expansion of the strike as its negotiations with the union will continue.

Some 5,600 workers at those facilities spanning 20 states walked off their jobs on Friday, joining the 12,700 workers already on UAW's strike, said UAW President Shawn Fain during a Facebook live event on Friday.

This expansion has taken the strike nationwide, Fain said. "We will be everywhere, from California to Massachusetts, from Oregon to Florida. And we will keep going, keep organizing, and keep expanding the Stand-Up Strike as necessary."

The union's strike originally just targeted three plants, namely Ford's Wayne Assembly Plant in Michigan, GM's Wentzville Assembly in Missouri and Stellantis' Toledo Jeep plant in Ohio. This is the first time in its 88-year history for the union to strike against all Big Three U.S. automakers.

Fain threatened days ago if serious progress was not made in negotiations, strike will be taking place on more plants on Friday.

An expanding strike will make things worse.

GM has idled its Fairfax plant in Kansas where 2,000 hourly employees work, as a result of the impact of the UAW strike at its Wentzville Assembly Plant in Missouri. Stellantis on Wednesday laid off 68 workers at its machining plant as a result of a strike at its Toledo Jeep plant in Ohio. Ford laid off about 600 workers last week at its Wayne plant.

After almost a week of negotiations, it appears the union and the Big Three are still far apart on some key issues, The Detroit News reported Friday.

In an opinion piece published by local media on Wednesday, GM President Mark Reuss called the UAW demands "untenable," saying GM's offer would bring 85 percent of the company's represented employees to a base wage of about 82,000 dollars a year.

UAW Vice President Mike Booth, also director of the union's GM department, nevertheless responded on Thursday, saying the union was fighting for all 100 percent of its members. 
Assets Of Khalistani Extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun Seized By NIA In Punjab

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken possession of properties owned by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) organisation, in Chandigarh and Amritsar, utilising the powers vested in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

A property confiscation notice affixed to Pannun's residence in Sector 15, Chandigarh, states, "1/4th share of house no. #2033 Sector 15-C, Chandigarh, owned by Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a 'proclaimed offender' in NIA case RC- 19/2020/NIA/DLI, stands confiscated to the state under section 33(5) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 by orders of the NIA special court, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, Dated 14/09/2023. This is for information of the general public."

A similar notice has been posted on Gurpatwant Singh Pannu's agricultural land in his ancestral village of Khankot in Amritsar. The NIA has taken control of 46 kanals of agricultural land connected to Pannu, related to a terrorism case filed in 2020.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannu's father, Mohinder Singh Pannu, originally hailed from Nathu Chak village in the Patti sub-division of Tarn Taran before the partition. After the partition, the family relocated to Khankot village in Amritsar.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is a co-founder of the US-based separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and is actively engaged in advocating for a separate Sikh state, referred to as Khalistan, in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

'Go To India': Pro-Khalistan Outfit SFJ's Gurpatwant Singh Pannun Threatens Hindus To Leave Canada

In July 2020, Pannun was designated as a terrorist by the Union home ministry, and two months later, the government ordered the attachment of his properties under Section 51A of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Pannun has been conducting a campaign against India, encouraging Sikh youth in his home state of Punjab to embrace militancy.

He has been a prominent organiser of the so-called Khalistan Referendum, inviting Sikhs worldwide to vote on whether Punjab should become an independent nation based on religion. Pannun also worked closely with Canada-based Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whose murder has been at the center of the diplomatic standoff between Ottawa and New Delhi.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 23, 2023, 15:00 [IST]
'No Link Between My Film And The Issue': Actor Siddharth Disappointed After 'Chithha' Event Disrupted

Cauvery Row: Farmers, Pro-Kannada Outfits Stage Protest In Mandya

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Protests have erupted in the Cauvery river basin regions, including Mysuru, Mandya, Maddur, Chamarajanagara, Ramanagara and various other parts of the state, according to PTI.

These demonstrations come in response to a call by farmer groups and pro-Kannada organizations, urging the state government to withhold the release of water to the neighboring state.

As tensions escalate over the release of Cauvery water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu, prompting a statewide shutdown call, law enforcement agencies have heightened security measures throughout the state.

Tamil Actor Vishal Calls For Joint Decision On Cauvery Water Dispute

These protests gained momentum following the Supreme Court's decision not to interfere with the directives issued by the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC). These directives mandated Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.

Karnataka has consistently maintained its inability to release water, citing its own pressing requirements for drinking water and irrigation within the Cauvery basin regions. This decision is influenced by the water scarcity resulting from insufficient monsoon rainfall.

#WATCH | Karnataka: Farmers and pro-Kannada outfits stage protest in Mandya, over the Cauvery river water sharing issue. pic.twitter.com/1AMpi0TiOl  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2023

Meanwhile, amid the ongoing dispute over Cauvery water sharing with Tamil Nadu, Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, announced on Friday that the government remains committed to safeguarding the interests of the state's farmers, as reported by PTI.

He also disclosed that during a Cabinet meeting on Friday, it was resolved to adhere to the court's order concerning the distribution of Cauvery water.

The Supreme Court, in a hearing on the preceding Thursday, refused to intervene in the CWMA order. A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai, PS Narasimha, and Prashant Kumar Mishra emphasized that both the CWMA and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) consistently meet and oversee the assessment of water needs at 15-day intervals.

According to PTI, the Supreme Court dismissed an application by the Tamil Nadu government, which sought an increase in its current allocation of Cauvery water from 5,000 to 7,200 cusecs per day. Tamil Nadu had requested new directives for the release of Cauvery river water from Karnataka, arguing that the neighboring state had altered its stance and was providing a lesser amount of water than previously agreed upon.

Cauvery Water Row: Protests To Continue In Mandya District, Bengaluru On High Alert

On September 20, the Karnataka government submitted an application to the Supreme Court, requesting the court to instruct the CWMA to review its decision from September 18, which mandated the continuous release of 5,000 cusecs of river water to Tamil Nadu until September 29.

Karnataka, in its application, stated, "This water year of 2023-24 has begun on a bad note. The southwest monsoon, which feeds the catchment in Karnataka, has failed miserably. Even at the reservoir level, which covers a part of the catchment, the shortfall is 53.42 percent. If the shortfall is considered up to the inter-State border Biligundulu, where flows are accountable, the shortfall and distress would be much more than 53.42 percent."
Fresh Clashes In Imphal West After One Of Five Released Youth Rearrested

India

oi-PTI

Fresh clashes broke out between security forces and protesters in certain pockets of Imphal West on Friday night after one of the five defence volunteers released on bail by a special court was re-arrested by a central security agency, officials said.

There was, however, no official confirmation about the status of the re-arrested youth, officials added.

While four arrested youth were handed over to their family members after being granted bail, Moirangthem Anand, a former cadre of the banned People's Liberation Army, has been re-arrested, they said.

Anand's wife, who broke down in front of Imphal police station, said, ''I have been told by police that my husband has been arrested in connection with a previous case which is more than 10 years old.'' One of the released village defence force volunteer identified as L Michael told reporters, ''Though four of us were released from the lock-up, Anand was whisked away by few officials. That's the last time we saw him.'' Meanwhile, security forces including RAF personnel fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse protesters at Kwakeithel stretch, Singjamei and Uripok in Imphal West district. Protesters burnt tyres in the middle of the road in protest against the government and police.

Curfew Reimposed In Imphal After Protesters Try To Storm Police Stations

A special court in Imphal on Friday had released the five youths on bail upon furnishing of PR bond of Rs 50,000.

Police had recovered one INSAS rifle with 78 rounds of ammunition from Anand when they arrested him along with four others on September 16 at Kongba in Imphal East district.

On Thursday, the state had witnessed widespread clashes between security forces and protesters after demonstrators attempted to storm police stations as part of ''court arrest agitation'' demanding the unconditional release of the five village defence volunteers.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 23, 2023, 10:54 [IST]
Hardeep Singh Nijjar Was A Killer, Not A Religious Head, Say Sources In Indian Intel

India

oi-PTI

Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whose killing led to a row between India and Canada, was not a religious and social figure but a terrorist who was involved in running terrorist training camps and funding terror acts, sources have said.

Nijjar was a close associate of Gurdeep Singh alias Deepa Heranwala, who was involved in the killing of around 200 people in Punjab during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Heranwala belonged to the banned Khalistan Commando Force. Nijjar, who was killed by unidentified assailants on June 18 at a parking lot of a Sikh gurdwara in British Columbia, had escaped to Canada in 1996 fearing arrest by police here, and indulged in illegal activities like drug smuggling and extortion in Canada to arrange funding for terrorist activities, sources said.

Nijjar was also involved in training youths at a terror camp in British Columbia to carry out attacks in India, they said. Over the years, Nijjar assumed the role of 'Operation Chief' of Khalistan Tiger Force, or KTF, a banned terror group. In 2020, he was accused by the government of being actively involved in "operationalizing, networking, training and financing" KTF members.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar: Who Was The Khalistani Terrorist Killed In Canada?

In 2012, Nijjar visited Pakistan and came in touch with Jagtar Singh Tara, chief of Babbar Khalsa International, another banned terror group. Tara supplied him with arms and trained him in assembling IEDs in 2012 and 2013. He sent US-based Harjot Singh Birring to Canada to train Nijjar in operating a hand-held GPS device. Nijjar also sent 1 million Pakistani rupees to Tara, sources said. In 2014, Nijjar planned a terror attack on Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa in Haryana in the direction of Tara. However, the attack could not take place because Nijjar was denied an Indian visa, they said.

Nijjar allegedly muscled his way into the post of president of the local gurdwara in Surrey, Canada in 2021, forcibly deposing his cousin, Raghbir Singh Nijjar, the incumbent, with threats of violence. The National Investigation Agency has registered several cases against Nijjar as well as issuing an Interpol Red Corner Notice for raising a module in Canada involving Khalistani separatist Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal. Nijjar was also the head of the Canada chapter of Sikhs For Justice, another banned terrorist organization. He had also organized violent anti-India protests in Canada and threatened Indian diplomats, sources said.

Nijjar had also given a call to ban Indian Embassy officials from participating in various programs organized by local gurdwaras in Canada. India and Canada are embroiled in a diplomatic row over the killing of Khalistani Nijjar in June. The row erupted following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in his killing. India on Tuesday rejected the allegations as "absurd" and "motivated" and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

What Is Five Eyes Intelligence That Is Backing Probe In Khalistani Terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's Murder?

In reflection of the hardening of its position, India on Wednesday advised all its nationals living in Canada and those contemplating traveling there to exercise "utmost caution" given growing anti-India activities and "politically-condoned" hate crimes as well as "criminal violence" in that country. India on Thursday announced temporarily suspending the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens given the "security threats" faced by its high commission and consulates in Canada.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 23, 2023, 15:11 [IST]
Heavy Rains Lash Nagpur After Overnight Rain, Several Areas Waterlogged

India

oi-PTI

Heavy rains lashed Nagpur city from Friday midnight, inundating low-lying areas and triggering measures to shift people from these pockets to safer places.

According to the weather department, Nagpur airport reported 106 mm of rainfall till 5.30 am. Several roads and residential areas have been inundated, said officials. The administration has declared a holiday for schools as a precautionary measure.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is from Nagpur, took to X to share that he is continuously monitoring the rain situation in the city.

"There has been incessant rainfall due to which the Ambazari lake is overflowing. The low-lying area around it is affected more due to this. Other parts of the city too are affected," said his office on X.

The deputy CM has instructed the Nagpur collector, municipal commissioner and police commissioner to "immediately activate multiple teams for rescuing people who are stuck at few places", Fadnavis's office said.

Fire Breaks Out At Explosives Factory In Nagpur, 1 Killed

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force are also being deployed, it said. Meanwhile, the local administration moved people from many flooded areas to safer places in the city. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation has advised people not to step out of their homes unless for important work. Due to continuous rains, many city roads are waterlogged, it said waterlogged.

The Nagpur centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said "severe/moderate thunderstorm with lightning" will likely continue at isolated places in Nagpur, Bhandara and Gondia districts. There is also a possibility of "intense rain at isolated places" in these areas, it said. Light to moderate rainfall is likely to occur at many places in Wardha and some parts of Chandrapur, Bhandara and Gondia districts.

Light rainfall is very likely to occur at isolated places over Amravati, Yavatmal and Gadchiroli, it added.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 23, 2023, 10:36 [IST]
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Calls Out Congress for Alleged Social Media Misuse in Politics

Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister of Kerala, has accused the local Congress party of using social media platforms to harass and tarnish the image of political opponents. This statement comes after a local Congress functionary was arrested for alleged online harassment. The CM also advised his party workers not to engage in such activities but focus on discussing development schemes and programs.

India

-Krishna Kripa

In the wake of a recent arrest involving online harassment of female family members of CPIM leaders by a local Congress functionary, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has expressed concerns over the misuse of social media for political gains. The incident has sparked off a heated debate on the use and abuse of social media platforms in Indian politics.

Political Mud-Slinging via Social Media

Vijayan, who is also a senior leader in the Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPIM, made remarks on Saturday that suggested that an enormous amount of money was being funneled into special agencies to influence public opinion through both social and mainstream media. He criticized the opposition party, Congress, accusing them of resorting to spreading fake news and launching personal attacks aimed at tarnishing their opponents' reputation.

"Last time assembly elections, they failed to gain seats. This time they have come prepared to spread fake news and hurl personal and targeted insults to tarnish the image of their political opponents," Vijayan said during an inaugural event at Trikaripur.

A Call for Respectful Discourse

The chief minister urged his party workers not to engage in such online mud-slinging but rather focus on exposing those involved in online harassment. He encouraged them instead to promote discussions about state government development schemes and programmes. His call represents a plea for more responsible use of these powerful digital platforms and reinforces the importance maintaining respectful discourse within political debates.

"Social media is being widely used today," he noted. "However, we must not lose our civility while using it. Our discourse must be respectful and not aimed at insulting or targeting anyone personally."

An Arrest Sparks Off Concerns

The comments from Vijayan came following Friday's arrest by Kerala Police of 26-year-old Abin Kodankara, a local Congress functionary. He was arrested on charges of online harassment targeting female family members of CPIM leaders. The incident has underscored the concerns raised by Vijayan and highlighted the pressing need to address the issue of cyberbullying and online harassment in India's political landscape.

In conclusion, as social media continues to play an increasingly significant role in shaping public opinion and influencing electoral outcomes, it is imperative that political parties use these platforms responsibly. The misuse of social media for spreading fake news or launching personal attacks not only undermines the democratic process but also fosters a toxic environment that can have serious implications for individuals targeted. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's call for civility and respectful discourse should serve as a reminder to all stakeholders in Indian politics about the ethical obligations they carry while operating within digital spaces.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Returns from Successful Investment Tour in Spain & UAE

India

-Krishna Kripa

After a 12-day tour of Spain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee returned to Kolkata last Saturday. The chief minister described her trip as 'very successful', stating that it was aimed at attracting investments for the state.

Mamata Banerjee's Successful Tour

Banerjee landed at the city airport around 7 PM and expressed her satisfaction over the outcomes of her trip. "It was a very good trip. I have not ever seen such a successful tour in my life. I am happy that I could do so much for Bengal," she told reporters upon arrival.

The chief minister also revealed that several meetings were organised by FICCI, an Indian Chamber of Commerce, during which major Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed. These MoUs are expected to pave way for substantial investments in West Bengal, thereby boosting its economy.

Promising Offers from Spain and Dubai

In a subsequent post on social media platform X, Banerjee asserted that she had returned with serious offers for investments and partnerships from both Spain and Dubai. This is indicative of potential international collaborations which can significantly contribute to the development projects within West Bengal.

"Back to Kolkata with serious offers for investments and partnerships from Spain and Dubai. Follow-up overseas delegations will come shortly and during BGBS in November for carrying forward what we started," she wrote on X.

Gratitude towards Supporters

Banerjee also expressed gratitude towards all those who played instrumental roles in making her tour fruitful. She thanked Indian Embassies, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Indian Chamber Of Commerce (ICC), industry-business delegates accompanying her, and the media fraternity for their concerted efforts towards a common mission.

"I thank the Indian Embassies, CII, FICCI, ICC, accompanying industry-business delegates and the media fraternity for working hard towards a common mission. Jai Biswa Bangla! Jai Hind!", she said in her post.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's recent tour of Spain and UAE seems to have been highly successful in terms of attracting foreign investments for West Bengal. The signing of major MoUs during meetings organised by FICCI is a promising sign of potential economic growth in the state. With follow-up overseas delegations expected shortly and during BGBS in November to continue what has been initiated on this trip, there is much anticipation regarding the future developments that these international collaborations will bring about.
What Is The Task Of 'One Nation, One Election' Committee? What We Know, So Far

'One Nation, One Election: First Meet Of Panel Headed By Kovind This Afternoon

One Nation, One Election: First Meeting Of Study Panel To Be Held On September 23

One Nation, One Election: Former President Kovind To Chair First Meeting In Delhi Today

India

oi-Stuti Tripathi

Former President Ram Nath Kovind is all set to chair the first meeting of 'One Nation, One Election's first official meeting in Delhi on 23rd September 2023. The committee will discuss simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, municipalities, and panchayats, and make recommendations on how situations like a hung assembly or adoption of a no-confidence motion will be tackled.

Reportedly, Committee President Kovind informed the media about the meeting during the convocation ceremony of a private university.

The 'One Nation, One Election' committee will also propose a structure and a defined schedule for conducting the elections. The committee will also address procedures for engaging with stakeholders, conduct research on the topic, and prepare working papers.

Furthermore, an important recommendation likely to be put forth by the 'One Nation, One Election' committee is the proposal of a structured framework and a specified timeline for the conduct of elections.

Currently, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is responsible for overseeing separate Lok Sabha and State Assembly Elections, each operating on a distinct five-year cycle.

One Nation, One Election: BJP Chief JP Nadda Meets Kovind

Notably, the committee's membership comprises prominent figures including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, former leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, former chairman of the 15th Finance Commission NK Singh, former Lok Sabha general secretary Subash Kashyap, esteemed senior advocate Harish Salve, former chief vigilance commissioner Sanjay Kothari, and Minister of State (Law) Arjun Ram Meghwal.

It is noteworthy that the formation of the 'One Nation, One Election' committee and its inaugural meeting coincide with the upcoming state assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram later this year. These elections are also expected to set the stage for the critical Lok Sabha Elections scheduled for early next year in 2024.
BJP Issues Show Cause Notice To Bidhuri For His Objectionable Remarks Against Danish Ali In LS

Will Consider Quitting Lok Sabha If No Action Taken Against Ramesh Bidhuri: Danish Ali

Opposition Urges LS Speaker For Strict Action Against Ramesh Bidhuri Over Derogatory Remarks

India

pti-PTI

Opposition parties on Saturday demanded Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to take stringent action, including suspension, against BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri over his derogatory remarks against BSP MP Danish Ali in the House.

While the BJP had issued notice to Bidhuri after facing flak over his utterances, the party also hit back at the opposition leaders, alleging they have been making uncouth and objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his parents.

BJP MP Nishikant urged the Speaker to form an inquiry committee to look into statements made by Ali and members from parties like the TMC and the DMK in Lok Sabha and alleged that the BSP MP made "highly objectionable" remarks against Modi that provoked the ruling party MP.

As Bidhuri's remarks during a discussion on the success of Chandrayaan-3 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday triggered a furore, Ali had said that he could consider quitting the membership of the House if no step is taken. In a letter written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Congress leader and former Maharashtra minister Naseem Khan demanded that Bidhuri be "permanently suspended".

Bidhuri's "shameful" statement is an insult not only to the MP but also to Parliament, the "sanctum sanctorum of our democracy", he said. "It is very unfortunate and disturbing that language which was earlier confined to street debates related to organisations like RSS and VHP has now entered Parliament through BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri," he alleged.

Speaker Birla should send a strong message by effecting immediate "permanent suspension" of Bidhuri, Khan demanded. BRS MLC in Telangana K Kavitha also urged the Lok Sabha Speaker to take stringent action in the matter.

"It's saddening and shocking to hear the disrespectful comments made by MP @rameshbidhuri towards MP Danish Ali Ji in the supreme legislature of our Nation. Such behaviour has no place in our democratic discourse. I request Honble speaker @ombirlakota Ji to take immediate and stringent action," she said on X. Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi demanded Bidhuri's suspension.

"Why has action not been taken till now? By just issuing a warning, you are telling the MPs that you can get away with such a conduct...," she said.

DMK's Thamizhachi Thangapandian said, "When Ramesh Bidhuri made that statement, our party MP Kanimozhi stood up and registered her protest. A letter was written to the Speaker.

However, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey wrote to the Lok Sabha Speaker, accusing Ali of making unsavoury remarks during Bidhuri's speech in the House aimed at instigating him to lose his composure. Dubey alleged that Ali also made a "highly objectionable and blasphemous" remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He used the "neech" barb, the BJP leader claimed, saying it was more than enough for "any patriotic public representative to lose his calm and fall into his trap by uttering unsavoury words."

"But the Lok Sabha Speaker should also probe the unsavoury remarks and conduct of Danish Ali. Under Lok Sabha rules, obstructing another MP during the time allotted to him, speaking while sitting and giving a running commentary also call for punishment," he posted on X.

Meanwhile, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav compared Bidhuri's behaviour to that of "street bullies". The RJD leader also said that he had no hopes of action against Bidhuri since it appears that those in the BJP had the right to indulge in all types of delinquent behaviour.

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal questioned the "silence" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on the matter. PTI MR SJR NAC KR CHS ASK RT RT RT
TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu Pens An Open Letter From Prison: Not In Jail, But In People's Hearts

Skill Development Scam: Chandrababu Naidu Moves SC Against HC Order Dismissing His Petition

India

oi-Sushmita Halder

Telegu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court in response to the rejection of his plea to drop an FIR against him in connection with the Skill Development Corporation scam case.

Earlier today, authorities from the Andhra Pradesh Police CID interrogated Naidu in the central jail at Rajamahendravaram regarding the scam.

Naidu was granted police custody for two days by the Vijayawada Anti-Corruption Bureau Court for further questioning. His judicial remand in the ongoing case has been extended until September 24th.

The interrogation is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 23 and 24. Various law enforcement officers from the CID's Economic Offences Wing, accompanied by a professional videographer and two official mediators, will be present during the questioning session.

Earlie3r on Friday, TDP's state president, K Atchen Naidu, said that his party's legal division will appeal to the Supreme Court following the dismissal of Naidu's FIR quash plea by the High Court of Andhra Pradesh. The state president cited Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy adopted a vengeful approach towards the southern state's principal opposition party.

Andhra HC Dismisses Chandrababu Naidu's Quash Petition In Skill Scam

The case involves a alleged scam involving the Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation. Naidu was arrested and produced in court in Vijayawada. The case investigates the formation of Centers of Excellence clusters, which allegedly caused a significant loss to the state government. The CID claims that money was primarily illicitly funnelled to fake companies through falsified invoices.

Officials reported that the case is connected to the creation of Centers of Excellence (CoEs) groups in Andhra Pradesh, which have a projected total worth of 300 crore. They also stated that the supposed deceit has levied a substantial loss exceeding 300 crore on the state government.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 23, 2023, 17:28 [IST]
In a world that strives for progress and equality, it's deeply troubling to acknowledge that there are still countries where men practice slavery. This abhorrent practice, which has persisted for centuries, continues to inflict untold suffering on countless individuals. In this comprehensive exploration, we will delve into the disturbing realities of modern slavery and shed light on the countries where it remains a grim reality.

The Persistence of Slavery in the 21st Century

Unveiling the Hidden Chains

Modern slavery is a global issue that often operates in the shadows, making it challenging to combat effectively. Understanding the extent of this problem is the first step toward eradicating it.

Forms of Modern Slavery

Slavery today takes on various forms, such as forced labor, human trafficking, debt bondage, and child exploitation. These practices are not confined to any particular region but are found in different corners of the world.

Countries Where Men Perpetuate Slavery

A Closer Look at the Offenders

Several countries have gained notoriety for their involvement in perpetuating slavery. These nations must be held accountable for their actions.

Case Study: Mauritania

Mauritania, in West Africa, has one of the highest rates of slavery in the world. Despite laws criminalizing slavery, it continues to persist, primarily affecting the Haratin ethnic group.

Case Study: North Korea

North Korea's oppressive regime has been accused of subjecting its citizens to forced labor in deplorable conditions. These practices have drawn international condemnation.

Case Study: Libya

Libya's political instability and conflict have created a breeding ground for human trafficking and forced labor, with migrants and refugees often falling victim to exploitation.

Case Study: Pakistan

In Pakistan, bonded labor remains a significant problem, with many individuals trapped in a cycle of debt and servitude, often lasting generations.

Factors Perpetuating Slavery

The Complex Web of Causes

Understanding why slavery endures is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat it.

Poverty and Vulnerability

Poverty is a driving force behind many individuals' susceptibility to exploitation. Lack of economic opportunities leaves people desperate and easy targets for slave traders.

Weak Legal Frameworks

In countries with weak legal systems, perpetrators of slavery often operate with impunity. Strengthening the rule of law is essential in eradicating this practice.

Corruption and Complicity

Corruption among law enforcement and government officials can enable slavery to persist. Rooting out corruption is a critical step in addressing this issue.

Demand for Cheap Labor

The global demand for inexpensive products and services can fuel slavery as unscrupulous businesses seek to minimize labor costs.

The Fight Against Modern Slavery

International Efforts

Various organizations and initiatives are dedicated to combating modern slavery. Their work is instrumental in raising awareness and providing support to victims.

Raising Awareness

Raising public awareness about the prevalence of slavery is essential for generating pressure on governments and businesses to take action.

Supporting Survivors

Organizations offer vital support to survivors, including shelter, legal assistance, and counseling, to help them rebuild their lives.

Advocating for Policy Change

Advocacy at the national and international levels is crucial for driving policy changes that can help eradicate modern slavery. In a world that aspires to be just and humane, the existence of countries where men practice slavery is a stark reminder of the work that remains. Efforts to combat this abhorrent practice must persist, with individuals, organizations, and governments coming together to end the suffering of those ensnared in modern slavery.
Union Minister Amit Shah's Optimistic Take on Cooperative Sector

Delivering the Laxmanrao Inamdar Memorial Lecture at Mumbai University, Union minister Amit Shah expressed confidence in the bright future of the cooperative sector. He highlighted that despite past political interference, this economic model still holds relevance today and will play a crucial role in India's development.

India

-Krishna Kripa

Union Minister Amit Shah, during the Laxmanrao Inamdar Memorial Lecture at Mumbai University on September 23, emphasized the continuing relevance of India's cooperative sector. He asserted that despite suffering from political interference in the past, this sector holds a bright future and remains vital for India's economic development.

The Revitalization of Cooperative Sector

Shah credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for breathing new life into the cooperative movement by establishing a separate Cooperation Ministry. As its first appointed Cooperation Minister in 2019, Shah has been instrumental in steering this critical sector towards growth and innovation.

He also underscored that various new initiatives are being planned to further bolster the cooperative sector. The Union government is committed to ensuring that even individuals with minimal capital can contribute significantly to national development through their participation in this economic model.

A Platform for Economic Equality

In his lecture, Shah highlighted how the cooperative movement provides an inclusive platform where "the smallest of the smallest person" can play a role in nation-building. This assertion strongly refutes any notion about it becoming irrelevant or outdated. He confidently stated, "Do not even by mistake assume that cooperative sector has become irrelevant. I can say this with confidence that cooperative sectors future is bright".

The Post-Independence Era and Cooperative Movement

In post-independence India, according to Shah, the cooperation movement played an essential role as it offered an alternative economic model bridging socialism and capitalism's divide. It was driven by several dedicated individuals who worked tirelessly to give direction and ethos to this unique sector.

Navigating Past Challenges

Despite these promising aspects, he acknowledged that political interference had adversely impacted this sector over time. However, he reiterated his belief in its resilience and potential for growth, indicating a shift in the government's strategy towards empowering and revitalizing this sector.

In conclusion, Amit Shah's speech at Mumbai University underlined the importance of the cooperative sector in India's socio-economic fabric. He highlighted its potential for inclusive growth and assured that the Union government is committed to taking new steps to ensure its future success. Despite past political interference, he expressed confidence in its bright future and emphasized that it remains an essential part of India's economic model.
Vacate PoK, Stop Terrorism: India's Strong Message To Pakistan At UN

India

oi-PTI

India has strongly hit out at Pakistan after its caretaker leader raked up Kashmir in his address to the UN General Assembly, with Delhi saying the "home and patron" to the largest number of proscribed terrorist entities in the world should take credible action against perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks instead of engaging in "technical sophistry".

First Secretary in India's Permanent Mission to the UN Petal Gahlot exercised India's Right of Reply in the UNGA after Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar raised the Kashmir issue in his address at the General Debate during the high-level 78th session of UNGA on Friday.

"Pakistan has been the home and patron to the largest number of internationally proscribed terrorist entities and individuals in the world. Instead of engaging in technical sophistry, we call upon Pakistan to take credible and verifiable action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks, whose victims await justice even after 15 years," Gahlot said in the scathing response.

She said Pakistan needs to take three-fold action for there to be peace in South Asia.

UNGA Adopts Resolution Introduced By India; PM Modi Thanks Countries

"First, stop cross-border terrorism and shut down its infrastructure of terrorism immediately. Second, vacate Indian territories under its illegal and forcible occupation, and third, stop the grave and persistent human rights violations against the minorities in Pakistan." In his address earlier, Kakar said Pakistan desired peaceful and productive relations with all its neighbours, including India. ''Kashmir is the key to peace between Pakistan and India,'' he said.

Gahlot reiterated that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of India.

"Matters pertaining to the UTs of J and K and Ladakh are purely internal to India. Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on our domestic matters." The young Indian diplomat asserted that as a country with one of the world's worst human rights records, particularly when it comes to minority and women's rights, Pakistan ''would do well to put its own house in order before venturing to point a finger at the world's largest democracy".

India stressed that Pakistan has become a "habitual offender" when it comes to misusing the august forum of the United Nations to peddle "baseless and malicious" propaganda against India.

Gahlot said the member states of the United Nations and other multilateral organisations are well aware that Pakistan does so to "deflect the international community's attention away from its own abysmal record on human rights''.

Citing a "glaring example" of the systemic violence against minorities in Pakistan, Gahlot referred to the large-scale "brutality" perpetrated against the minority Christian community in Jaranwala in the country's Faisalabad district in August 2023, where a total of 19 churches were gutted and 89 Christian houses burnt down.

"Similar treatment has been meted out to the Ahmadiyyas whose places of worship" have been demolished.

The condition of women belonging to minority communities in Pakistan, notably Hindus, Sikhs and Christians, remains deplorable, she said.

India abstains on UNGA resolution calling for Russia to pay reparations to Ukraine

According to a recent report published by Pakistan's own human rights commission, an estimated 1000 women from minority communities are subjected to abduction, forced conversion and marriage in Pakistan every year, Gahlot added.

A Pakistani diplomat took the floor to exercise Islamabad's Right to Reply to India's response.

India fields its young female and male diplomats posted at its Permanent Mission in New York to give scathing and hard-hitting responses to Pakistan's Presidents, Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers, who repeatedly raise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in their annual addresses to the high-level General Assembly sessions.
Canada Shared Evidence On Nijjar's Killing With India 'Many Weeks Ago': Trudeau

International

oi-PTI

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said Canada has shared with India evidence of ''credible allegations'' about the involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar many weeks ago and wants New Delhi to ''commit constructively'' with Ottawa to establish the facts on this serious matter.

Tensions flared between India and Canada early this week following Trudeau's explosive allegations of the ''potential'' involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Nijjar on his country's soil on June 18 in British Columbia.

India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.

India angrily rejected the allegations as ''absurd'' and ''motivated'' and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case. ''I just want to simply say that we've shared those allegations, those credible allegations with India for weeks. We are working with our partners,'' Trudeau said on Friday in a press conference with the visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Justin Trudeau Is Not The Best Choice For Next Canada PM: Says A Poll

''And what we are asking is for India, to commit constructively with Canada to establish the facts on this situation. We're there to work with them. And we have been for weeks now,'' Trudeau said in response to a question.

''Canada has shared the credible allegations that I talked about on Monday with India. We did that many weeks ago...We hope that they engage with us so that we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter. That's important,'' he said.

On Thursday, India asked Canada to come down hard on terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its soil and suspended visa services for Canadians, as escalating tensions between the two nations over the killing of Nijjar pushed their ties to an all-time low.

India also asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic staff in the country, arguing that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalence in the mutual diplomatic presence. The size of Canadian diplomatic staff in India is larger than what New Delhi has in Canada. When asked about Canada sharing any information in the case with India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi said: ''No specific information has been shared by Canada on this case, either then or before or after. We have, you know, as we have said, or I think we have made very clear, we are willing to look at any specific information.'' ''We have conveyed this to the Canadian side and made it clear to them that we are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us. But so far we have not received any such specific information,'' MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in New Delhi.

Canada Asked To Downsize Diplomatic Presence In India: MEA

India also said it has very ''specific evidence'' about criminal activities by individuals based on Canadian soil and it has been shared with the Canadian authorities on a regular basis but has not been acted upon. Canada's allegations of India's involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist in Surrey that sparked a diplomatic row between the two nations are based on both human and signals intelligence and inputs from an ally from Ottawa's Five Eye intelligence network, a media report has said citing the Canadian government sources.

According to a report in the media here, Canada's allegations of India's involvement in the killing of Nijjar are based on both human and signals intelligence and inputs from an ally from Ottawa's Five Eye intelligence network.

The Canadian government has amassed both human and signals intelligence in a months-long investigation, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported. The Canadian government has not released its evidence and has suggested it could emerge during an eventual legal process.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 23, 2023, 9:11 [IST]
A spy balloon: Is it new and why is it creating news

US Secretary of State Blinken scraps his Beijing visit after China's spy balloon detected in US

Neither side ever announced there would be a visit: China on Blinken cancelling his Beijing trip

Deeply Concerned About Allegations Raised By Trudeau Against India: Antony Blinken

International

oi-PTI

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said America is deeply concerned about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of India's potential involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist and that it would be important that New Delhi works with Ottawa on this investigation.

Speaking at a press conference here on Friday, Blinken said the US has engaged directly with the Indian government on the issue and the most productive thing would be the completion of this investigation.

Tensions flared between India and Canada early this week following Trudeau's explosive allegations of the ''potential'' involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia on June 18. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.

India angrily rejected the allegations as ''absurd'' and ''motivated'', and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

Canada Shared Evidence On Nijjar's Killing With India 'Many Weeks Ago': Trudeau

Responding to a question on Trudeau's allegations against India, Blinken said, ''Let me say a few things about this. First, we are deeply concerned about the allegations that Prime Minister Trudeau has raised.'' ''We have been consulting throughout very closely with our Canadian colleagues, and not just consulting, coordinating with them on this issue. And from our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceeds and it would be important that India work with the Canadians on this investigation.

''We want to see accountability and it's important that the investigation runs its course and leads to that result,'' he said.

Blinken was also asked about reports that President Joe Biden ''personally'' raised the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

''I'm not going to characterise or otherwise speak to diplomatic conversations that we have.

''We've been engaged directly with the Indian government as well. And again, I think the most productive thing that can happen now is to see this investigation move forward (and) be completed. And we would hope that our Indian friends would cooperate with that investigation as well,'' the Secretary of State said.

He said the US is ''extremely vigilant about any instances of alleged transnational repression'' and takes them ''very, very seriously''.

''And I think it's important more broadly for the international system that any country that might consider engaging in such acts (does) not do so. So it's something that we're also focused on in a much broader way,'' Blinken said.

Nijjar, 45, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was one of India's most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head. He was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey.

While Canada hasn't yet provided any public evidence to back its claims, a media report citing Canadian government sources said that Ottawa's allegations are based on both human and signals intelligence and inputs from an ally the Five Eye intelligence network.

The Five Eyes network is an intelligence alliance consisting of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

The Canadian government has amassed both human and signals intelligence in a months-long investigation of the Sikh man's death that has inflamed relations with India, CBC News, a division of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, reported on Thursday quoting sources.

That intelligence includes communications involving Indian officials themselves, including Indian diplomats present in Canada, according to Canadian government sources.

US In Communication With India On Canada's Allegations: White House

Prime Minister Trudeau on Thursday said Canada is not looking to ''provoke or cause problems'' with India as he urged New Delhi to take the matter ''extremely seriously'' and work with Ottawa to ''uncover the truth''.

India asked Canada to come down hard on terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its soil and suspended visa services for Canadians.

India also asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic staff in the country, arguing that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalence in the mutual diplomatic presence. The size of Canadian diplomatic staff in India is larger than what New Delhi has in Canada.

The India-Canada ties had been reeling under some strain for the last few months in view of increasing activities of the pro-Khalistani elements in the North American country. India believes the Trudeau government is not addressing its genuine concerns.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 23, 2023, 9:35 [IST]
Nagpur: Heavy Rains Flood Several Areas, 400 People Rescued

Nagpur

oi-Sushmita Halder

More than 400 people, including 70 students from a school for the speech and hearing-impaired, were rescued after heavy rains flooded several parts of Nagpur city. However, an elderly woman died due to the heavy rains.

Houses and local infrastructure were badly affected as water levels rose, turning streets into waterways following around 90mm of rain between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. An orange alert has been issued for the region, indicating further significant rainfall is expected.

Schools and colleges have been closed as a precautionary measure and rescue operations are underway by teams from the National and State Disaster Response Forces.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Fadnavis have been in contact with local officials in Nagpur, directing all the necessary aid and resources to those in need should the situation worsen.

Shinde also directed officials to seek additional teams of NDRF and SDRF if the water level increases in the flooded areas.

Officials have recommended citizens avoid going out unless necessary due to continuous rains. Local meteorological sources anticipate severe/moderate thunderstorms with lightning will likely persist in Nagpur, Bhandara and Gondia districts, with a chance of extreme rainfall in isolated areas.

Fadnavis took to X in the morning to share that he was continuously monitoring the rain situation in the city.

"There has been incessant rainfall due to which the Ambazari lake is overflowing. The low-lying area around it is affected more due to this. Other parts of the city too are affected," said his office on X.

The deputy CM has instructed the Nagpur collector, municipal commissioner and police commissioner to "immediately activate multiple teams for rescuing people who are stuck at few places", Fadnavis's office said.

Fadnavis also appealed to people not to believe in any rumours.

Officials have recommended citizens avoid going out unless necessary due to continuous rains. Local meteorological sources anticipate severe/moderate thunderstorms with lightning will likely persist in Nagpur, Bhandara and Gondia districts, with a chance of extreme rainfall in isolated areas.

Likely light to moderate rainfall is also expected across most parts of Wardha and some parts of Chandrapur, Bhandara and Gondia districts. Furthermore, light rainfall could affect isolated areas in Amravati, Yavatmal and Gadchiroli.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 23, 2023, 22:16 [IST]
Nipah Virus Found In Bats In Wayanad: Health Minister Urges People To Be Vigilant

Malayalam Actor Madhu Turns 90

Thiruvananthapuram

oi-PTI

Legendary actor R Madhavan Nair, popularly known as Madhu who has portrayed several iconic characters in Malayalam cinema in his six decade-long career, turned 90 on Saturday.

A multiple award winner and a Padma Shree awardee, Madhu did hero as well as character roles in nearly 500 movies and directed and produced a handful of films.

The thespian is now leading a retired life at his house here with his only daughter Uma.

Sources close to him said there would be no formal celebrations to mark his 90th birthday as the actor prefers to lead a quiet life.

Born on September 23, 1933 in the state capital, Madhavan Nair began his career as a lecturer in a college in nearby Nagercoil after completing his post-graduation in Hindi from Banaras Hindu University.

He later quit his teaching career to join the National School of Drama in New Delhi which paved the way for the moulding of one of the most talented actors in Indian cinema.

Tamil Actor Vishal Calls For Joint Decision On Cauvery Water Dispute

He began his acting career through the film ''Ninamaninja Kalpadukal'' released in the year 1963 and since then he had been an integral part of Malayalam cinema.

Even amidst the immense popularity of iconic actors Sathyan and Prem Nazir, audiences gave a special place for Madhu in their hearts.

The evergreen role of Pareekutty in legendary movie ''Chemmeen'', the first south Indian film to win the President's gold medal for the best film, and that of Vishwam in the National Award-winning movie ''Swayamvaram'' placed Madhu among the legendary actors of Malayalam.

Though he predominantly acted in Malayalam films, he also tried his luck in Bollywood as well and co-starred with 'Big B' Amitabh Bachchan in the movie ''Saat Hindustani''.

A five-time state award winner, Madhu was bestowed with the J C Daniel Award, the highest film award in Kerala, by the state government.

The actor was conferred with Padma Shree in the year 2013.

Actor Akhil Mishra Of '3 Idiots' Fame Passes Away

People from various walks of life wished the veteran a happy birthday on the occasion. ''Happy Birthday my Superstar,'' said superstar Mammootty on his Facebook page, extending birthday greetings to Madhu.

Top actor Mohanlal also wished him on the occasion through his social media handle and shared a photo of him with the veteran.

Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cheriyan visited the actor at his house to extend greetings. Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan also wished Madhu on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, September 23, 2023, 13:13 [IST]
Azerbaijan says it has sent tons of food aid and hygiene products to the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, days after a cease-fire was reached between Baku and ethnic Armenian separatists.
During a speech in France, the Catholic leader urged a humane pan-European response to migration. French President Emmanuel Macron attended the address, as his government deliberates tougher action on the issue.
Newsy 19 Sep 2023

ViewFive Americans detained for years in Iran walked off a plane and into freedom Monday, most arm-in-arm, as part of a politically..
A prominent Uyghur scholar specialising in the study of her people's folklore and traditions has been sentenced to life in..

IndiaTimes 23 Sep 2023
Saudi Arabia National Day, observed annually on September 23rd, marks the founding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. This significant day is celebrated with great enthusiasm and pride throughout the nation, with festivities held across the country. Google Doodle marks the celebration this year with a special illustration that captures the essence of this important occasion.

Historical Significance:

Saudi Arabia's National Day holds immense historical significance for the nation. It commemorates the day when Abdulaziz Ibn Saud, commonly known as Ibn Saud, united various regions and tribes to establish the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This unification marked a pivotal moment in the history of the Arabian Peninsula and laid the foundation for the modern Saudi state.

Cultural Celebrations:

The National Day is celebrated with pomp and grandeur in the national capital of Riyadh, where people from all walks of life gather in the streets to wave the national flag, sing patriotic songs, and participate in various cultural events. The festivities extend beyond Riyadh, as the entire country joins in the celebration. Saudi Arabia's diverse cultural heritage is showcased through traditional dances, music performances, and exhibitions.

National Pride and Unity:

National Day in Saudi Arabia is not just a celebration of the nation's history, but also a display of unity among its citizens. It is a day when Saudis come together to express their love for their country and their commitment to preserving its rich traditions and heritage. The Saudi flag, with its distinctive green color and the Shahada (the Islamic creed), becomes a symbol of national pride.

Google Doodle's Tribute:

Google, a global tech giant, often commemorates important events and figures through its Doodle feature on its search engine homepage. This year, Google Doodle has chosen to honor Saudi Arabia's National Day with a special illustration that reflects the spirit of the occasion. The Doodle serves as a digital tribute to the kingdom's history and culture, allowing people worldwide to learn about and celebrate this significant day.

Cultural and Economic Growth:

Saudi Arabia has made tremendous strides in recent decades, not only in preserving its cultural heritage but also in modernizing its economy. The nation is known for its rich oil reserves, and it has strategically diversified its economy to reduce its dependence on oil. Vision 2030, an ambitious plan introduced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aims to further propel Saudi Arabia into a dynamic, knowledge-based economy while preserving its cultural roots.

Saudi Arabia National Day, observed on September 23rd, is a day of great importance for the kingdom and its people. It signifies the unity, heritage, and national pride that are integral to the Saudi identity. With Google Doodle's special illustration joining in the celebration, the world is reminded of the rich history and culture of Saudi Arabia, making this day not only a national celebration but also a global recognition of the kingdom's significance.

Google Doodle Commemorates Armenias Independence Day, Know Every things About Armenia
European governments have a duty to rescue asylum seekers who cross the sea to escape conflict, Pope Francis said in Marseille. He called it "a duty of humanity" to save people in difficulty.
India will send military contingents to the US and Russia for combat exercises. The 'Yudh Abhyas' exercise in Alaska is a bilateral endeavor with the US, focusing on combat operations in extreme conditions. Meanwhile, a multi-nation counter-terrorism drill will take place in Vladivostok, Russia, with China's participation. India remains concerned about the Russia-China alliance amid the ongoing military confrontation in Ladakh and the war in Ukraine.
The Armys Landstuhl Regional Medical Center has quietly started admitting Ukrainian Army soldiers who were wounded in combat, most of them American volunteers.
Upworthy 28 Sep 2023

Kyiv may have boasted that Russia's Black Sea Fleet commander Viktor Sokolov was among those killed in a missile strike on..
Eurasia Review 28 Sep 2023

By Connor OKeeffe



Last week, prosecutors for the Southern District of New York unsealed an indictment against New..
Minister of External Affairs S.Jaishankar held discussions with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira under the IBSA grouping on the sidelines of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

The ministers expressed their intention to further energise and leverage the IBSA Forum. To that effect, they agreed to hold a meeting of ministers of foreign affairs in Brazil in the first quarter of 2024 and tasked the Sherpas to elaborate a proposal on IBSA institutional development.

The ministers affirmed the strategic significance of IBSA in safeguarding and advancing the interests of the Global South on the global stage, including at the multilateral and plurilateral bodies.

They agreed to strengthen and expand the IBSA Fund.

The fact that the three countries will make up the G20 troika in 2024, provides further opportunities for concerted actions and cooperation in several areas.

What is IBSA?

 IBSA is a unique forum which brings together India, Brazil and South Africa, three large democracies and major economies from three different continents, facing similar challenges.

 The grouping was formalised and named the IBSA Dialogue Forum when the foreign ministers of the three countries met in Brasilia on June 6, 2003 and issued the Brasilia Declaration.

 The IBSA has emerged as a key tripartite grouping for the promotion of cooperation in a range of areas.

 IBSAs success demonstrates, most vividly, the desirability and feasibility of South-South cooperation beyond the conventional areas of exchange of experts and training.

 The IBSA Fund is a special feature of IBSA collaboration, an internationally recognised initiative of South-South cooperation, with 42 projects in 37 countries.

Cooperation in IBSA is on three fronts:

1) As a forum for consultation and coordination on global and regional political issues, such as, the reform of the global institutions of political and economic governance, WTO/Doha Development Agenda, climate change, terrorism, etc.

2) Trilateral collaboration on concrete areas/projects, through fourteen working groups and six People-to-People Forums, for the common benefit of three countries.

3) Assisting other developing countries by taking up projects in the latter through IBSA Fund.
United Nations: India on Friday strongly hit out at Pakistan after its caretaker leader raked up Kashmir in his address to the UN General Assembly.



In a sharp attack at Pakistan, New Delhi said that the home and patron to the largest number of proscribed terrorist entities in the world should take credible action against perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks instead of engaging in technical sophistry.

First Secretary in India's Permanent Mission to the UN Petal Gahlot exercised India's Right of Reply in the UNGA after Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar raised the Kashmir issue in his address at the General Debate during the high-level 78th session of UNGA on Friday.

Pakistan has been the home and patron to the largest number of internationally proscribed terrorist entities and individuals in the world. Instead of engaging in technical sophistry, we call upon Pakistan to take credible and verifiable action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks, whose victims await justice even after 15 years, Gahlot said in the scathing response.

She said Pakistan needs to take three-fold action for there to be peace in South Asia.

First, stop cross-border terrorism and shut down its infrastructure of terrorism immediately. Second, vacate Indian territories under its illegal and forcible occupation, and third, stop the grave and persistent human rights violations against the minorities in Pakistan.

#WATCH | First Secretary at United Nations for 2nd Committee of UNGA, Petal Gahlot says "Pakistan has become a habitual offender when it comes to misusing this August forum to peddle baseless and malicious propaganda against India. Member states of the United Nations and other pic.twitter.com/eIyynFFa1Q  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2023

In his address earlier, Kakar said Pakistan desired peaceful and productive relations with all its neighbours, including India. "Kashmir is the key to peace between Pakistan and India," he said.

Gahlot reiterated that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of India.

Matters pertaining to the UTs of J and K and Ladakh are purely internal to India. Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on our domestic matters.

The young Indian diplomat asserted that as a country with one of the world's worst human rights records, particularly when it comes to minority and women's rights, Pakistan "would do well to put its own house in order before venturing to point a finger at the world's largest democracy.

India stressed that Pakistan has become a habitual offender when it comes to misusing the august forum of the United Nations to peddle baseless and malicious propaganda against India.

Gahlot said the member states of the United Nations and other multilateral organisations are well aware that Pakistan does so to deflect the international community's attention away from its own abysmal record on human rights".

Citing a glaring example of the systemic violence against minorities in Pakistan, Gahlot referred to the large-scale brutality perpetrated against the minority Christian community in Jaranwala in the country's Faisalabad district in August 2023, where a total of 19 churches were gutted and 89 Christian houses burnt down.

Similar treatment has been meted out to the Ahmadiyyas whose places of worship have been demolished.

The condition of women belonging to minority communities in Pakistan, notably Hindus, Sikhs and Christians, remains deplorable, she said.

According to a recent report published by Pakistan's own human rights commission, an estimated 1000 women from minority communities are subjected to abduction, forced conversion and marriage in Pakistan every year, Gahlot added.

A Pakistani diplomat took the floor to exercise Islamabad's Right to Reply to India's response.

India fields its young female and male diplomats posted at its Permanent Mission in New York to give scathing and hard-hitting responses to Pakistan's Presidents, Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers, who repeatedly raise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in their annual addresses to the high-level General Assembly sessions.

(With PTI inputs.)
Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"The book is very well written...very important in this individualized capitalistic illusory world that enslaves us all within its tentacles and forces us to believe that we are atomized and disconnected beings. Indigenous Lakota people end prayers with "Mitakuye Oyasin...all my relations..." An ancient African proverb states, "A person is a person only because of and with others..." This instructive text is very useful for us living in what we are always told is the modern world, because it reconnects us all and reminds us that ultimately, the endless circle of the Universe binds and connects us all and the Earth is Mother to us with no hierarchy...the ones at the bottom matter the most...like the ants who build mounds and hills, all working in unison and harmony...the book teaches that we were created for community and our destiny is organic community...anything else is doomed..."



Julian Kunnie, Professor of Religious Studies/Classics at the University of Arizona and author of The Cost of Globalization: Dangers to the Earth and Its People
"In America, I was free only in battle, never free to rest."

James Baldwin

I feel hit in my stomach. I end up half smiling or nodding. "You worry too much! Turn everything over to God." And then the Look. The Look. I'm the biggest fool this person has ever encountered. I don't seem to know God! I don't know that God is in control! I mentioned climate change rather than refer to the "weather." Or I expressed concern about the animosity that surrounds any mention of slavery or African American studies.





Recalling contemporary philosopher Martin Hagglund's observation s about democracy, he writes that "we are answerable not to God but to one another." In a democracy, therefore, we are answerable to one another, for democracy is about freedom and equality. Institutions, he argues, if democratic, aren't subjected to law (as he religion). Rather democratic institutions are subject of law. Democracy is incompatible with capitalism. The purpose of our economic production, writes Hagglund, "is already decided" for us. Capitalism is about generating "a growth" of capital in the economy. This ordering of humanity and goods necessary to sustain life doesn't bode well with the idea of freedom and equality unless we are to consider how the 1% are able to freely profit from the labor of the 99%.





Advocating and working toward deliberating an economy that is compatible with democracy, should be our goal, writes Hagglund. But capitalism has its cohorts and the resurgence of white nationalism, particularly among evangelicals on the Right, isn't a bad idea until it isn't.





Espousing anger and hate toward fellow citizens deemed enemies of God sells books, videos, t-shirts, gold crucifixion chains. Guns. A steady stream of anti-LGBTQ+ or anti-American American AP courses or anti-abortion diatribe pollute social media websites, resulting in a barrage of racist and sexist and anti LGBTQ+ comments. This isn't democracy. Deliberating capitalism from democracy, requires visions of what it would be like to be free of the "unfreedom."





What if I engaged a family member, friend, or neighbor on some pressing issue. We have plenty. And instead of receiving a warning: "leave it to God," we actually debated our respective visions of the unfree. To be free of "religious visions of eternity" is to be free of the "unfreedom," Hagglund writes. It is to be free to ask, What is it that I should do with my life?"





I'm not a believer, despite being baptized and raised a Catholic, and attended Catholic elementary school. But I do recall a Jesus whose vision of a beloved community led him to give up a fairly secure life as a member of the skilled working class and join the economically poor and marginalized. The wretched of the Earth. In his early years, Jesus enters a Jewish temple and overthrows the tables of the money changers.

Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
In a previous editorial (What must be done? TMS September 11, 2023) I made the point that public discourse may not manifest underlying objective facts that play a key role in causing it.

For example, something that I am calling an objective fact, namely the objective need to spend public money to compensate for a chronic insufficiency of effective demand, may put wind in the sails of a belligerent discourse that vilifies a foreign power as an enemy and calls for a costly military intervention. This paradox appears in a different light if it is considered that the logic of the system implies that increasing public debt one way or another is required. Until there is a different system with a different logic it is the way to save jobs and to allow continuing, as distinct from stopping, producing for the purpose of selling.

Randall Wray has recently demonstrated that, consistently with the theoretical claim that there is a chronic failure of effective demand in the private sector, that the private sector as a whole can only run a surplus when the public sector as a whole runs a deficit.

There thus arise opportunities to create employment in the armed services and in private firms that make weapons with political arguments whose appeal is strengthened by an unmentioned appeal to the general principle that public money must in any case be spent one way or another in order to try to stabilize and to grow an economy with an inherent tendency to falter for lack of demand -- to stop when it needs to go -- in order to keep employment and profit up.

The same people who bemoan the cost of a welfare state, may advocate more public funding of a military state. Some families may become accustomed to living generation after generation on the largesse of the military fraction of the public sector. Others may see a military career as the best option for young people with limited opportunities in the private sector. In both cases the case for an aggressive posture toward real or suspected enemies may find its reasons strengthened, and even become unquestionable, because of an unmentioned, and perhaps unconscious, personal interest.

It follows that pacifists and non-pacifist peacemakers should not pay excessive attention to the surface features of pro-war discourse. It may be tempting to reply when peacemakers are attacked as cowards or traitors or mocked as naive idealists. The patient reasoning of the peacemakers may be answered by absurd or post-truth arguments, like the argument that it is Vladimir Putin s secret intention to follow up his conquest of Ukraine by invading Poland and then Finland. Such arguments may be easy to refute -- if at an advanced stage of political polarization anybody still cares about truth -- but they conceal more than they reveal the causes that explain why they are made. Peacemakers should devote more attention to less visible but more powerful causes of war and of war rhetoric, like the chronic shortages of effective demand, and the consequent shortages of civilian employment providing dignified livelihoods, and like the massive humiliation of those who are regularly rejected by the labour market or kept on short leashes as part time employees and/or as tenants on short leases who can barely afford, or cannot afford at all, to pay the rent. Meanwhile, others enjoy the unstable comfort of those who are doing well in a war economy. The latter want to believe that they are serving their country and defending just causes worldwide. They are likely to become angry when the worldview that underpins their livelihood and their self-esteem is threatened.

On the other hand, among the peacemakers there are economic optimists like Bob Reuschlein and Kenneth Boulding who believe that less public spending, on the military or on anything else, will not slow down economic activity at all. It will simply free up resources now wasted on useless spending. The freed-up resources will quickly be used in the private sector to create new jobs making useful products. In his History of Economic Analysis Joseph Schumpeter classifies such economists as "hitchless economists" while he calls those who read the logic of markets as implying that sales tend to lag behind the need for sales to generate jobs and profits "hitch economists." Theoretically, the argument between hitchless and hitch can go on forever, as it did in an endless debate between Friedrich von Hayek (hitchless) and John Maynard Keynes (hitch) that ended only on Keynes untimely death.

I am suggesting that the hitch economists are right, that military spending is a major but usually semi-conscious or unconscious or disguised way to use public deficits to try to stabilize an inherently unstable (and inherently unjust) system, and that peacemakers should not be distracted by today's highly polarized post-truth public discourse. Instead, they should focus more on -- for one thing -- how to pay for dignified livelihoods for all in compliance with social human rights. Indeed, I think it is an ethical duty of everyone who has more than they need to share with those who have less than they need -- and specifically by donating to nonprofits, thus helping create good jobs that are paid for more (if not entirely) by donations and less (if at all) by sales; or by quietly providing support for efforts of people rejected by the labour market to organize and to solve their problems themselves (as in Asset Based Community Development, unbounded organizing and in innumerable other ways.) Public employment (for welfare not war) will always be fundamental, but never enough. Given that funds sufficient to solve the employment problem cannot come from sales, and cannot come from taxes, the necessary funds must come from surplus where surplus can be found.

Another side of my argument is that it does little good simply to insist that public policy pay more attention to economic issues and not be distracted by culture wars. Why not? Because mainstream thinkers, and also the well-known dissenting schools of thought, do not know how to construct a just society that is ecologically sustainable even if they decide to make sustainable shared prosperity their goal. Nobody does. Not even no-growth economists who make the valid point that continuing growth indefinitely would not be possible even if it were desirable.

If it is agreed, then, that the hitch economists are right, and that dignity for all cannot be paid for by the income generated by sales of products; and if we can give examples of other ways to pay for dignity and security, then still there remains the question "who or what will do what must be done?" One of the great disappointments of the twentieth century was learning from the experience of social democracies that shared prosperity cannot sustainably be achieved by taxing and spending either. I first raised the questions who will do what must be done, and how will it be paid for (in my September 11 editorial) in connection with what must be done to reverse global warming. Global warming and the humiliation of millions by the labour market are just two of a number of issue areas where humanity is now called to reinvent itself. One of the greatest challenges I have not yet mentioned: it is probably the case that the earth can continue to support human life indefinitely only if the number of humans on the planet is much smaller than it is now.

It is not likely that any individual or group can come up with realizable solutions to humanity's existential challenges -- and even less likely that someone will discover a way to solve them all simultaneously. In the mid-1940s, however, the philosophers Karl Popper and John Dewey advocated more promising approaches. They can be read as suggesting that larger organized societies, nations, or humanity, might organize themselves in ways that would systematically facilitate collective problem solving. In both cases a philosophy of democracy is integrated with a philosophy of science, and in Dewey s case with a philosophy of education. Popper adds a philosophy of enemies that is best disregarded.

In Popper's open society social innovations are tested in pilots before going to scale. Science guides practice as it does in Project Drawdown. Freedom of speech protects investigative journalists and the autonomy of universities. Those of us who do not agree with Popper's version of the scientific method are free to participate in academic discussions devoted to improving the practices of scienceby improving its theories and methods. For Dewey, every social institution is an experiment. It is to be judged by its results, and amended when ways are found to get better results with better institutions.

At about the same time, others were calling for reviving the study of the great books of the western tradition, going back to Socrates and Plato. For some, studying old classics was taken to be a pretext for keeping today s institutions as they are. For others, it was an opportunity to revive Great Conversations now more than two thousand years old, conversations that, as Paulo Freire put it, create a different kind of truth. The spirit of dialogue launched by Socrates idea that participants should not be unconditional advocates of their own point of view, but rather seekers obedient to the guidance of the logos wherever the logic of the argument might lead ends up creating truth more than it discovers it. It criticizes existing norms in the light of reason and leads to understandings that facilitate working together to transform oppressive and dysfunctional institutions.

The revival of the Great Conversation idea can be extended to revive the study of the Chinese classics, of Ubuntu, Dharma, Buen Vivir, kinship worldviews, and so on; and further extended to encourage contemporary new thinking, as in the feminisms and the ecologisms.

A society as a whole, deliberately organized as a learning society that systematically encourages criticizing itself for the sake of improving itself, might well be the kind of society most likely to adapt and to survive in harmony with -- not in conflict with -- mother nature.
New York City: The External Affairs Minister of India, S. Jaishankar, and his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa, reached a consensus on bolstering economic collaboration, with a special focus on advancing the high-speed railway venture--an emblematic project jointly undertaken by India and Japan.

This pivotal meeting took place in New York City during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session. In a half-hour discussion, both ministers underscored the vital importance of upholding and fortifying a global order characterized by freedom and adherence to the rule of law. They committed to reinforcing their collective efforts in addressing international issues, as elucidated in a statement released by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Furthermore, the ministers engaged in a comprehensive exchange of views regarding regional developments, including matters concerning the Indo-Pacific and the situation in Ukraine. They also deliberated on reforms to the United Nations Security Council.

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar extended his warm congratulations to Foreign Minister Kamikawa on her appointment. In response, Minister Kamikawa expressed her firm determination to enhance the "Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership." She also expressed deep respect for India's role as the Chair of the G20 New Delhi Summit.

Minister Kamikawa emphasized the close cooperation between their two nations as they assumed the presidencies of the G7 and G20, respectively, and their ability to align the outcomes of the G7 with those of the G20.

Taking to his social media platform 'X,' formerly known as Twitter, Jaishankar shared, "I had a delightful meeting with Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa at #UNGA78. We exchanged perspectives on our Special Strategic and Global Partnership and discussed our collaborative efforts on regional, multilateral, and global fronts."

Notably, Jaishankar is leading the Indian delegation during a week-long visit to New York, culminating in his address to a high-level session of the 78th UNGA on September 26, as confirmed by an official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs.

As part of this visit from September 22 to 30, Jaishankar will host a special event titled 'India-UN for Global South: Delivering for Development,' aligning with India's commitment to supporting the Global South.

After concluding his engagements related to the 78th UNGA, the External Affairs Minister is slated to travel to Washington, D.C. from September 27 to 30 for bilateral meetings with U.S. counterparts. His itinerary includes discussions with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, high-ranking members of the U.S. administration, leaders from the American business community, and representatives of prominent think tanks.

UN Forecasts Global Economic Slowdown to 2.3% in 2023 Amid Complex Challenges

Palestinian-Americans Accuse Israel of Bias at Borders
The family of Sarah Pliner, the 50-year-old bicyclist killed when hit by a truck in Southeast Portland last fall, will receive $1 million from the trucking companys insurer in a settlement reached out of court.

The trucking company, Logistics and Distribution Services Inc., did not admit liability in the fatal crash. A lawyer for Pliners family said they believe the driver of the semi-truck failed to check the passenger-side rear-view mirror.
A Gresham police officer has been released from a hospital and is recovering at home after being hit by a stolen car.

Shortly after 2 p.m. Thursday, officers were on Northeast Liberty Avenue when bystanders told them about two people who appeared to be unresponsive in a vehicle. Officers determined that the car had been reported as stolen. When they attempted to arrest the driver, he hit one officer with the car, according to a news release from the Gresham Police Department.

The driver, identified by police as Rian Thomas-Rodgers, 33, drove away before hitting a nearby building and crashing into a tree. He then attempted to escape on foot, and officers caught and arrested him.

Thomas-Rodgers was treated at a hospital for a minor injury he sustained while running before being taken to the Multnomah County Detention Center on allegations of second-degree assault, assaulting a public safety officer, unauthorized use of vehicle, attempt to elude by vehicle, reckless driving, reckless endangering, and first-degree criminal mischief.

Police recovered a rifle with a collapsible stock and extended magazine and several rounds of ammunition from the stolen car. Police say they are continuing to investigate and more charges are possible.

 The Oregonian/OregonLive
Jose Juan Mandujano-Aguilar pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in the unprovoked attack on a Hillsboro police officer and was sentenced to 70 months in prison on Friday.

On Aug. 19, 2022, Mandujano-Aguilar attacked Lieutenant Neil Potter near the Hillsboro Police Department. Police said Potter suffered a concussion and broken nose and Mandujano-Aguilar repeatedly reached for Potters service weapon during the fight. Potter shot Mandujano-Aguilar three times in the face and head, according to a news release from the Washington County District Attorneys Office.

The Washington County Major Crimes Team investigated the shooting and a review by district attorneys office determined in July that Potter acted in self defense and the use of deadly was force was justified.

Court records show that charges of attempted murder and assaulting a public safety officer against Mandujano-Aguilar were dismissed after he pleaded guilty to second-degree assault.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Bracken McKey prosecuted the case against Mandujano-Aguilar and Washington County Circuit Court Judge Eric Butterfield presided.

 The Oregonian/OregonLive
A Portland man who was racing two other motorists when the cars collided, causing one of the other drivers to fatally hit a young mother waiting at a bus stop, took a plea deal Thursday for his role in the crash.

Kenneth J. Freeman, appearing in Multnomah County Circuit Court with a neck tattoo reading, Portlands Finest, pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide and was sentenced to five years in state prison, with credit for time served.
Note: This short review was part of our guide to the Portland areas best new food carts of 2023, which originally published on Friday.

Of all the places Ive dreamed of visiting since having two kids just in time for a global pandemic, Peru sits right at the top, a kind-of bucket-list Machu Picchu.

Besides those Incan ruins, much of the draw is the food: Pristine ceviche at La Mar, a tasting menu at Maido or Central, some late-night Peruvian-Chinese fusion, the cuisine known as Chifa, eaten on the streets of Lima.

Until I can get there, Ill enjoy a handful of good restaurants (Andina, Casa Zoraya, El Inka, Lima Restaurant), and now this Peruvian American, female-owned food cart, which relocated earlier this year from its original spot at Southeast Portlands CORE pod to Beavertons sprawling BGs Food Cartel. Here, closer to Virginia-born, Lima-raised owner Chelsea Smiths Washington County home, the cart appears to have found a warm welcome.

Mamas is the place to come for good ceviche with the usual Peruvian accoutrements  thick cut of sweet potato, thin-sliced onion, large kernels of corn both blanched and toasted, all marinating in the evocatively named citrus-and-spice marinade leche de tigre.

Its also a solid stop for Chifa-style fried rice; stir-fried tallarines verdes (green noodles); or lomo saltado, the seared steak with French fries and roasted tomato served, like everything here, in a compostable bowl.

Smith, who opened the cart after becoming a single mom to 2-year-old daughter Azul, plans to open a second cart in Oregon Citys Lot Corner 14 pod next month.

Order this: Lomo saltado, tallarines alla huancaina, ceviche Peruana and a neon-yellow Inka Kola.

Details: Noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday; 4250 S.W. Rose Biggi Ave., Beaverton; 971-754-0552.

 Michael Russell; mrussell@oregonian.com

Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe
Most of the final exam in Andy Olstads quantitative foundations class in the Oregon State University College of Business is focused on cut and dried statistics. But every term, Olstad gives students a chance to describe in an open-ended essay their experiences in his rather challenging class, hoping they will pinpoint the virtues that have helped them persevere.

Now, a computer can answer that question.

Earlier this year, Olstad fed his prompt into ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot from OpenAI that burst into public consumption last November and continues to get more advanced. ChatGPT can write like a human. And when it answered Olstads prompt, he couldnt distinguish the computers answer from a students.

That was really shocking, Olstad said. I figured, Oh, well, Ill be able to tell the difference. I really couldnt and that was an eye-opener.

As a new school year gets underway, professors at Oregons colleges and universities are racing to adapt their teaching to publicly available artificial intelligence, a technology with the potential to be as disruptive as calculators or the internet. While advances in artificial intelligence open new avenues for students to skip steps or cheat on assignments that professors have already seen put to use, colleges and universities are also encouraging faculty to get familiar with the technology to incorporate it into their teaching.

That was Olstads approach last year. On his spring final, he told students they could use ChatGPT for the essay, or they could write it themselves. If they used artificial intelligence, they had to include a list of the prompts theyd asked the bot.

Only a quarter of Olstads students used the bot, he said. The ChatGPT essays were consistently mediocre, he said, with a few exceptions. One of his highest scoring students used ChatGPT for help. She turned in nearly 40 pages of back-and-forth with the AI, showing Olstad how she engaged with the prompt and refined the bots suggestions to make the essay her own.

It was reassuring, Olstad said, to see students think deeply about the question, even if they were answering it with the technology. On the other hand, Olstad said he may need to reconsider how to work with students who are less excited. The old idea that students had to engage with an essay to get it done just doesnt hold anymore, he said.

I think were in for huge changes, said Olstad, who is also the director of teaching and learning excellence in the business school. Its not going to be possible to ignore AI and keep teaching well.

Reporter Sami Edge asked ChatGPT to answer a prompt similar to Olstads in 300 words. The bot generated this answer in seconds. To read its full answer, visit: https://bit.ly/3t2dZg2

As the 2023-24 school year kicks off at most Oregons public colleges and universities next week, it will largely be up to individual professors to decide how they will tackle artificial intelligence in the classroom.

In surveys of North American professors this year, academic publishing company Wiley found that most believe their students are already using AI in the classroom. Only 31% of the professors said they felt positive about the technology.

Some of Oregons largest institutions, including the University of Oregon, Oregon State and Portland Community College, have created faculty cohorts to help educators learn about artificial intelligence, pinpoint their concerns and guide them to think about whether and how the technology might be useful to their lessons or students. At an AI symposium next week, Portland Community College will teach faculty how to use ChatGPT.

It is a tool we will need to figure out how to embrace where appropriate, Jen Piper, a dean in the community colleges business school, said in an email. Students will need to learn how to be good users of AI tools as it will impact their ability to be successful in the workplace.

During a back-to-school webinar in mid-September, members of Oregon States Higher Education AI Task Force urged faculty to play with AI tools if they hadnt already, communicate clearly with their students about whether they were allowed to use AI in the course and feed their assignments through tools like ChatGPT to see what the bots can do.

At some institutions, professors are reporting more AI-related academic misconduct. Since February, AI misuse in coursework has made up 50% of all academic misconduct cases at the University of Oregon, Dean of Students Marcus Langford said. UO has also amended its policies on plagiarism to include the use of AI, spokesperson Angela Seydel said. Portland Community College saw a 10% increase in misconduct reports related to AI in the spring, student conduct manager Charisse Loughery said, but homework sharing websites like Course Hero and Chegg were still a larger problem. Professors have expressed concerns about the impact the technology will have on critical thinking and writing, which are often intertwined.

Jaden OHara, a sophomore at the University of Portland, said he first learned about ChatGPT last year from his cousins. At first he didnt believe there was an AI that could write an entire essay for him  until he started to play around. As an engineering student, OHara has few classes where hes required to write essays and says he hasnt used ChatGPT for the ones he does have. But he did use the bot for help with Calculus 2, asking it to explain concepts he didnt understand and give him practice problems.

Its a pretty useful tool, he said.

Jacqueline Van Hoomissen, associate dean in the University of Portland College of Arts and Sciences, talks with students during a class on exploring and using generative AI tools. Van Hoomissen co-teaches the artificial intelligence course with faculty from math and other disciplines who pulled together the one credit seminar over the summer in response to rapid developments in AI.Sami Edge/The Oregonian

Inara Scott, a senior associate dean in Oregon States business school, wants faculty to see the promise of AI, not just its perils. Several professors in her school are using it in the classroom, and the business school has created a set of icons to show students the extent to which AI is allowed or expected in their classes. In a data analytics course, for example, a professor is allowing students to use ChatGPT to help them write code. Coding has been a hurdle for some students, Scott said, and the technology helps move them more quickly to the actual goal of the class, which is to analyze the data.

Scott thinks the new technology demands that faculty think critically about what theyre teaching, how theyre teaching it, and why.

Students hold an enormous amount of power in this new world. They can do our assignments, most of the time, with the AI, she said. So I have to be really good at designing creative, engaging, authentic assignments that students want to do and see the value of.

The University of Portland is hoping to position its students to take on leadership roles in the AI field, said Valerie Banschbach, dean of the universitys College of Arts & Sciences. She thinks the continued advancements in AI will underscore the value of a liberal arts education that has taught students to think critically about the ethical and social implications of the technology.

AI parallels things like climate change. If youre viewing it as a threat and a problem, it really requires not just the engagement of the technologists, the engineers, the scientists, but the humanities folks who have that grounding in cultural awareness, Banschbach said. If were going to turn AI into an opportunity for humanity instead of a huge threat that has the potential to completely sink us, weve got to have the full interdisciplinary conversation.

Jillian Nguyen, left, and James Dong use AI to generate images of transportation inspired furniture in a class on using AI tools at the University of Portland.

Ethics debates over the technology were on full display this week in a one-credit class on exploring generative AI tools that a team of University of Portland faculty pulled together over the summer. Jon Down, a business professor, walked the class of engineers, nursing students and physics majors through how to use platforms like DALL-E 2 and Midjourney to generate images. Down had uploaded an image of a painting from a local gallery and asked the bots to create variations of it.

Would you say thats art?, Down asked the class. Do you get any credit for the art or is that just the system?

Alex Melemai argued yes. Even if AI makes an image, Melemai said, you made the prompt.

Claire Beaumont disagreed. I dont necessarily think that the person who typed the prompt into an image generator would be able to claim any credit as being the artist or even originator of that work, she said.

Academics are also wrestling with questions of how AI will impact equity in education. Artificial intelligence can help level the playing field for disadvantaged students in some ways, professors say. For example, AI can allow English Language Learners to feel more confident in their writing by using Chat GPT to check their work, University of Portland professor Jacqueline Van Hoomissen said. Scott thinks it has the potential to expand access to effective, individualized tutoring. If AI is freely accessible to everyone, it could help with equity, said Regan Gurung, associate vice provost at Oregon State. But if future iterations of ChatGPT or other technology come at a price, that raises new issues, he said.

If we get to that point where only students who can afford a certain subscription can turn in those good papers, thats clearly problematic, he said.

Melemai, a senior at the University of Portland, has found ChatGPT useful as a tutor. Melemai is in a class thats making an electric vehicle, but has little experience in that arena and will sometimes ask the bot to explain to him what parts of the vehicle do. He also uses it to check his work on short answers, prompting the bot with questions like: Would I be correct in saying

Melemai said its like a smarter version of online forums that he has used in the past to search for experts on certain topics.

As a computer science major, Melemai thinks the possibilities of AI are limitless. Hes considering working in that field in the future.

I think its going to change everything. Its probably like the biggest thing since the internet, he said. Were at such an infant stage and its already such a big deal.

This story was brought to you through a partnership between The Oregonian/OregonLive and Report for America. Learn how to support this crucial work.

Sami Edge covers higher education for The Oregonian. You can reach her at sedge@oregonian.com or (503) 260-3430.
New state data released this week found that Oregon students as a whole showed virtually no growth from the previous years dispiritingly low scores on standardized reading, math and writing tests.

But there are glimmers of hope and signs of progress to be found at individual schools and districts around the state, proving that academic gains are possible, even for student groups that have been the hardest hit in the years since the pandemic shuttered school buildings.

Schools in Portland, North Clackamas, Grants Pass and the tiny Elkton Charter School in Douglas County were among those whose students demonstrated promising growth. Yet, even most of those districts still have enormous room for improvement, particularly among Black and Latino students, special education students and those whose families qualify for food stamps.

Its only in the very wealthiest district in Oregon that anywhere close to 90% of students are where they need to be in order to graduate high school fully ready for college or a career. In Riverdale, a tiny district sandwiched between Portland and Lake Oswego, 85% of students tested as proficient in English. Even there, only 69% of students tested as proficient in math. Those numbers, while not 100%, are far above the dismal statewide figures showing that 40% of students hit proficiency targets in English and 30% did so in math.

At Sitton Elementary in North Portland, both 3rd and 5th grade students made huge jumps in math and English in the 2022-2023 school year. In third grade, 40% of students hit proficiency levels in reading last spring, up from about 26% the previous year. Fifth grade math showed a similarly impressive gain, from just about 17% in 2022 to 30% this year.

The school, which sits on the edge of Portlands St. Johns neighborhood, has both Spanish language immersion classrooms and English-speaking ones. Only 28% of its students are white, according to state data.

The school has benefited from having support specialists to help classroom teachers, said Principal Becky Berry. Instead of pulling students out of the classroom for remedial help, she said, Sitton has experimented with a push-in model where a math specialist might come and sit with students who need extra help during a lesson, to be there in case they get stuck and to encourage them to collaborate on finding an answer.

Among the other supports the school offers is a beloved therapy dog and golden retriever named Landon who has quickly become a celebrity around campus. Berry said Landon brings kids joy and can help them calm down so they are ready to learn. Its just hard to feel sad when you see that cute face, said one second grader.

Berry, like other principals around the state, said that having clear data on student performance helps her team drill down on precisely who is struggling with fractions, or phonemic blends, or spelling words. Teams of teachers, including classroom teachers, special educators and English language teachers, at Sitton meet weekly to look at that data and adjust their planning, Berry said.

Were always asking, Where are the successes? Berry said. And then, Where are those gaps? And in a very timely manner, what are we going to do about those gaps? What are we going to do tomorrow? What are we going to do next week? How do we keep pace and stay on it? And that really is the work of our educators.

Throughout the state, student behavior and emotional dysregulation have been big obstacles to academic learning, particularly since the return to full-time, in-person school in fall 2021. That was the case in Grants Pass too, said Susan Zottola, the districts director of elementary education. But Grants Pass was still one of only a few larger districts in the state to see overall growth in both English and math, including big gains in both subjects at third grade and more incremental ones in some of its later grades.

Teachers in Grants Pass say that bulked up mental and emotional learning supports, paid for in part by federal pandemic relief funds, have made a huge difference, Zottola said. Having specially trained providers at school to help a kid calm down not only helps that student, but their classmates, she said.

In addition, to build relationships and trust with families, Grants Pass has experimented with half-days during the entire first week of school for kindergarteners through fifth graders, with afternoons reserved for one-on-one meetings with families and teachers to talk through hopes and fears for the school year.

Parents have raised concerns about the child care challenges that presents, Zottola said, but they and teachers say they are grateful for the chance to connect on a personal level and that it helps the teaching staff better understand what kids will need to succeed.

The district has also offered after school math tutoring to between 40 and 50 middle school students, said Trisha Evans, the director of secondary education, and is trying to expand the program this year, though the budget wont stretch to cover every student who needs the help. The middle schoolers who are struggling the most with literacy and writing also now take English twice during the school day, Evans said, a strategy that has shown promise in other states.

In the North Clackamas School District, Riverside Elementary in Oak Grove had a banner year, with about one-third of third graders hitting proficiency targets in math, a huge jump up from just 15% the previous year  though about 15% of the grade did not get tested. Teachers at the school, where about one-third of students are Latino, have been doing intensive training to better understand how the brain learns foundational math skills and working together to translate that learning to their classrooms, said Principal Teresa Jaramillo.

Its key to understand that theres not just one way to solve a math problem, said Dianna Ngai, the districts associate director of teaching, learning and professional development. Some students will be quick to grasp that 6 x 3 = 18 but others need to see a visual representation. Others need to be able to draw or use blocks to get to the answer with their hands, while some might do best to puzzle through solutions with their classmates before arriving back at 18, Ngai said.

Teachers at Riverside also use data  quizzes, in-class assignments and verbal check-ins with students  to figure out what concepts students have grasped and what teachers might need to re-teach in a different way before moving onto other units, Jaramillo said.

Oregons smaller, rural districts often have higher across-the-board poverty levels than their metro area counterparts. But tiny Elkton in Douglas County, where 135 students attend a single K-12 charter school and the poverty rate is 19%, had an astounding 91% of its third graders hitting math proficiency and 83% of the same grade doing so in English, both up about 28% from the previous year.

Superintendent Andy Boe, Elktons sole administrator, said his experienced early elementary teachers deserve the credit and that the school, like others in Douglas County, has benefited from a partnership with the Ford Family Foundation, which has helped them analyze data about their student body, above and beyond just test scores.

Their data sets also include attendance, socioeconomic levels and the results of surveys given to teachers and students about how safe and supported they feel at school. Armed with that information, Boe said, teachers can better pinpoint what every student needs.

The Elkton school is also home to one of the states free preschool programs for families whose income puts them at 200% or below on the federal poverty scale. For a family of four thats $60,000.

That gets kids in school and used to being around us and being part of who we are, Boe said. It used to be that we would see kids start in kindergarten and it would take us a year, a year and a half to get them sorted out and on track. Preschool moves them forward socially and emotionally so they are ready to learn in kindergarten. Thats a huge piece.

 Julia Silverman, @jrlsilverman, jsilverman@oregonian.com
Portland Community College has enrolled more than 26,000 students for the fall term that begins next week, a 10% percent increase over enrollment last year and a marked improvement for the states largest two-year school, which has lagged behind smaller institutions in recovering students since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oregons community colleges were harder hit by pandemic enrollment declines than most of their counterparts across the nation. Enrollment at the states 17 community colleges remained down by more than a quarter in fall 2022 as compared to three years prior, far outpacing the national average of 16%. That prompted budget cuts at schools across the state.

By last fall, those severe enrollment drops had stabilized at most of Oregons smaller community colleges. However, Portland Community College, which was among the schools closed for in-person classes the longest during the pandemic, was still losing students. That finally changed last spring, when student counts stopped declining. And this fall, the states largest college is finally posting sizable gains.

We are really, really pleased, said Ryan Clark, the colleges vice president for enrollment management.

Clark said that Portland Community College has tried to focus on bringing life back to campuses by being more consistent with in-person services. At the same time, it has developed more flexible student services and class options for students who may want to be in-person sometimes, but also have the option to attend remotely.

The community college is seeing a rebound in various types of enrollment, Clark said, from students taking non-credit English as a second language classes to apprenticeship students or degree seekers who intend to start at the community college before transferring to a four-year school. While fall enrollment signals that Portland Community College is starting to recover, the numbers are still below the schools pre-pandemic enrollment of closer to 30,000 students.

We are hoping to see this trend of slowly rebuilding continue over the next couple of years and get up to levels that are probably more similar to just before the pandemic, Clark said.

Enrollment growth is playing out in other parts of the state, too. Central Oregon Community College is starting the year with 11% more credit-seeking students than last year. Vice President of Student Affairs Alicia Moore said in a news release that she suspects new career-specific programs, a record amount of scholarship dollars and changes in the labor market are to thank.

Its very encouraging to see this positive enrollment growth after several years of pandemic-driven decreases, Moore said.

Official fall enrollment counts will be available in a few months after the states Higher Education Coordinating Commission tallies student numbers across the state.

Last year, Oregon Community College Association Deputy Director John Wykoff warned of a fiscal cliff that community colleges could face with low enrollments and the end of federal pandemic aid. Whether schools went over that cliff or were able to avoid it is a bit of a mixed bag, he said. Almost all colleges shrunk, Wykoff said, forcing them to make cuts throughout the past few years. Portland Community College trimmed about $30 million from its budget by restricting travel expenses and laying off a handful of permanent staff, said Eric Blumenthal, vice president of finance and administration at the college. However the school avoided major programmatic cuts, he said. Other colleges including Chemeketa and Linn-Benton and Blue Mountain community colleges also made staff and program cuts.

Community colleges were also anticipating a possible recession and declining state revenues that would have exacerbated their funding situations, Wykoff said. But the 2023 state budget picture for Oregons colleges and universities turned out better than many predicted, after a budget surplus allowed lawmakers to increase higher education spending and pour an extra $100 million into need-based financial aid.

We seem to be in a spot right now where enrollment is increasing and the state budget is healthy, and thats a better place for us to be than we often are, Wykoff said.

This story was brought to you through a partnership between The Oregonian/OregonLive and Report for America. Learn how to support this crucial work.

Sami Edge covers higher education for The Oregonian. You can reach her at sedge@oregonian.com or (503) 260-3430.
James Strand was a soft-spoken recluse who rarely shared his passion for fantasy and horror literature. I probably met him ten times in my life, says Susan Hasty, his niece. I thought he was the most mysterious guy ever. He lived in a small, 100-year-old house on a sparse, lonely corner of Lents, and taped black plastic to the windows to keep his rare books and comics safe in the dark.

His was a collection worth protecting. Stephen King first editions. H.P. Lovecraft manuscripts. High-grade comics and pulps from the 1940s, all unique and valuable. How valuable? Two million. Conservatively, estimates Scott Brown, an antiquarian book dealer in Northwest Portland. A million for the books. A million for the comics.

At the end of July, and the eve of his 88th birthday, Strand collapsed just outside the small kitchen he rarely if ever used. He died, I would gently offer, in the company of the life-long companions he treasured most, but it was several days before neighbors came looking for him.

James Strand

On Aug. 4, the Multnomah County medical examiner called Hasty, who was vacationing in Montana, to tell her of Strands death, and his body was carted out of the house at 8920 Southeast Woodstock.

The odds are good the local tweakers were watching. By the time Hasty returned from Montana on Aug. 11, the house had already been ransacked.

The library was pristine, the rest of the house uninhabitable, Hasty says. Trashed. Sofas turned upside down. Crap all over the floor. And there was no light anywhere. It was a little grim. He was into horror, as you know. We called the house the little house of horrors.

I knew Strand from The Oregonian, where he worked in the print shop for 54 years. Wed occasionally bump into one another near Powells Books, and hed quietly tell me about his latest purchase at a Heritage auction. So, I knew the value of the Golden Age comics, at least, in that house.

Even in his mid-80s, Strand had major buys with Heritage Auctions.

Hasty and her partner, Katie Schnell, didnt. I didnt know what I was looking at, Hasty says. And it was terrifying inside. I just peeked around the corners, thinking I could be murdered at any moment. They didnt know if they were allowed to remove things from the house  Its a crime scene now, notes Hasty  so they just boarded up the doors and windows.

And every night, the scumbag thieves returned.

The house was broken into eight times that I know of, Hasty says. A neighbor would text me: They got in again last night.

As early as Aug. 11, James Strands extraordinary collection began showing up at Portland bookstores and comic shops. The $5,000 Stephen King firsts and the $10,000 pulps and the $20,000 Bernie Wrightson original art arrived with a bald guy on crutches, a woman in a nurses outfit, a car without license plates.

Never the same person, says John Thomas at Chaparral Books. And getting creepier all the time. The staff was pretty jittery about the characters coming in here. We decided not to invite them back.

Scott Brown

Scott Brown, one of the more thoughtful people in town, first realized something was seriously wrong on Aug. 12 when a Portland bookseller list serve reported a flurry of books inscribed to the mysterious James Strand.

My involvement started as a welfare check, Brown says. The working assumption was he was still alive and was getting robbed and no one could get hold of him.

Once Brown discovered Strand was dead, he began compiling spreadsheets of the missing material. When he alerted other booksellers about the theft, he heard from collectors like Ralph Mulleins of Virginia, whod purchased two presentation copies of The Talisman  a 1984 book by King and Peter Straub  on eBay for $4,400.

Stephen King's inscription on Strand's first edition of "The Gunslinger"

Mulleins has collected Stephen King for 30 years; he shelves the most valuable volumes in Room 217, a tribute to The Shining. He says red flags went up for him after the eBay seller continued to offer him exceptional items.

These books rarely see the light of day, says Mulleins, who has volunteered to return the books to Hasty and take the loss. To see them suddenly appear on the market didnt seem right.

Brown says he reported all this to the Portland Police: It didnt seem like anything was going to happen. Fortunately, however, hed previously worked with the FBI to arrest a book thief in New Orleans, and he called the bureaus art theft crime team.

Almost immediately, the FBI had four agents at Strands home.

The FBI is looking into this, says Joy Jiras, a bureau spokeswoman. We normally dont confirm that, but we have reason to believe this collection has made its way onto the market. Were alerting booksellers to be on the lookout.

Brown has spent the last month doing the same. He says those conversations have been much more difficult with comic-book dealers and collectors than his colleagues in the book trade.

A tote bag filled with some of the rare pedigree comics stolen from James Strand's home.

Part of my role has been to talk people who have bought things into coming clean about it, Brown says. There are people Ive spent many hours on the phone with. Theres been a lot of comic-book theft in Portland lately  private collections, stores broken into  and part of the reason for that is dealers and collectors will buy stuff from sketchy people. Until they stop doing that, theres a lot of incentive to steal comics. They are easy to fence.

For the moment, most of Strands collection remains missing, and everyone  save the tweakers and thieves  is feeling an extraordinary sense of loss.

Strand had great collecting instincts and a singular passion. Its hard to place a value on some of the things he acquired, like the original art to Lovecrafts horror novella, The Shadow Over Innsmouth.

James Strand collected unique material  letters, manuscripts, original artwork. Things that are irreplaceable, Brown says. Thats what book dealers and comic-book dealers are most upset about. If its lost, its lost. You dont get it back.

Thats just the beginning of what we cant retrieve.

Hasty doesnt remember speaking to her uncle since he showed up at her grandmothers memorial service in 2008: It brings tears to my eyes that I didnt know him better. Im sorry about the books, but Im sorriest about my relationship with him. He was bright. He was gentle. He was kind. What more can you ask for in a human being? And I let that slip through my fingers.

-- Steve Duin

stephen.b.duin@gmail.com
Gov. Tina Kotek has nominated a new chair of the Oregon Workers Compensation Board, two months after putting the former chair on administrative leave after it came to light that the state had paid for an investigation into her conduct.

Constance Wold was placed on administrative leave in July, a day after The Oregonian/OregonLive revealed that the state paid a lawyer more than $42,000 to conduct a mysterious investigation into workplace complaints against Wold.
WASHINGTON: The White House has confirmed that the United States is actively engaged in discussions with India regarding Canada's allegations concerning New Delhi's potential involvement in the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader on Canadian soil. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated on Friday that the U.S. is also maintaining regular communication with the Canadian government.

A diplomatic dispute has emerged between India and Canada subsequent to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's assertions of possible Indian agent involvement in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, in British Columbia on June 18.

India has vehemently dismissed these allegations as "absurd" and "motivated," leading to the expulsion of a senior Canadian diplomat by India in response to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official connected to the case.

Jean-Pierre told reporters during her daily news briefing, "We have engaged with the Indian government. However, we will not divulge the specifics of our private diplomatic conversations. Nevertheless, we have indeed held discussions with our counterparts in the Indian government."

She added, "Clearly, we share the concerns expressed by the Prime Minister of Canada. Consequently, we are maintaining consistent communication with the Canadian government and our Canadian partners."

When questioned, Jean-Pierre declined to comment on the specifics of the diplomatic discussions.

Earlier this week, the U.S. expressed its support for Canada's efforts to investigate India's alleged involvement in Nijjar's assassination, emphasizing that no country should receive any "special exemption" in cases of such activities.

Despite Canada not yet providing public evidence to substantiate its claims, a media report, citing Canadian government sources, indicated that Ottawa's allegations were based on both human and signals intelligence, as well as information from a Five Eyes intelligence network ally.

The Five Eyes network is an intelligence alliance comprised of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

In a sign of India's firm stance on the matter, the Indian government advised all of its nationals residing in Canada and those considering travel there to exercise "utmost caution." This advisory was issued in light of increasing anti-India activities, "politically-condoned" hate crimes, and "criminal violence" in Canada.

Prime Minister Trudeau, on Thursday, emphasized that Canada does not seek to "provoke or cause problems" with India. Instead, he urged New Delhi to treat the issue with "extreme seriousness" and collaborate with Ottawa to "uncover the truth."

India-Canada relations have been strained in recent months due to the escalating activities of pro-Khalistani elements in North America. India perceives that the Trudeau government is not adequately addressing its legitimate concerns.

Alleged Canadian Media Reports Hint at Possible Indian Officials' Involvement in Nijjar Killing

US Backs Canada's Pursuit of Investigation Against India

India Temporarily Halts Visa Services in Canada Citing Operational Concerns
Wine news is rolling in as fast as the grapes. The items listed here are a mere snapshot of whats happening from McMinnville to Portland.

Remy Drabkin works hard to make her Three Wives Estate Vineyard in Dayton the "bee's knees."Photo by Cheryl Juetten

Bees have a friend in Remy Wines

Remy Wines recently received a Native Wildflower Seed Grant from Pollinator Partnership, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to protecting pollinators and their habitats. They hope their grants will enhance 26,000 acres of pollinator habitat by 2025.

This means that instead of seed money, Remy Wines is receiving seeds that have been determined to be beneficial to preserving honeybee populations. All species included in the seed mix are native to Oregon, and the package has been created specifically for the habitat at Remy Wines.

Noon-5 p.m. daily, 17495 N.E. McDougall Road, Dayton, remywines.com or 503-864-8777.

Kirk Sutherland, wine director at Ava Gene's in Southeast Portland, has created an exciting wine dinner series this fall.Photo courtesy of Submarine Hospitality

New wine dinner series at Ava Genes

Wine director Kirk Sutherland put together a great lineup of local wineries for Ava Genes fall dinner series. The lineup begins with newcomer Cho Wines and ends with beloved old guard Cameron Winery. The dinners take place in Fora, Ava Genes private dining space around the corner from the restaurant.

The cost is $150 plus a 20% gratuity for a four-course dinner with seasonal dishes prepared by co-executive chefs Amelia Kirk and Ross Effinger. There will be wine pairings with each course, and dont be surprised if the participating winemakers make a few special bottles magically appear.

Each weeks menu will vary based on seasonal produce and the wine producers pairings. The dinners begin at 7 p.m., except for Cameron Winery, which has 5:30 and 8 p.m. seatings available. Reserve your seats via the restaurants website.

The lineup: Cho Wines  Oct. 4; Division Wine Co. and Day Wines  Oct. 18;, Buona Notte Wines  Nov. 1; Cameron Winery  Nov. 15.

3377 S.E. Division St., Portland, avagenes.com or 971-229-0571.

Kate Norris and Thomas Monroe of Division Winemaking Co. in Southeast Portland.Photo by Matt Firman

Hang out at harvest with Division Wine Co.

Want to see what making wine really looks like? Make a reservation for Division Wine Co.s new Harvest Hangs program. This tour captures harvest action at The Yard, Divisions new winery facility in Southeast Portland.

After an opening toast with bubbles, guests will taste active ferments, and participate in harvest activities, like punchdowns. The tour will be followed by a tasting featuring two half-glasses of wines connected to that days winery activity.

The tours take place every Thursday through the end of October. The cost is $20 for groups of 1-10, and spots may be booked online.

5 and 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 28-Oct. 26, 2005 S.E. Eighth Ave., Portland, divisionwineco.com or 503-208-2061.

Michael Claypool's Clay Pigeon is the only winery I know of where you need a garage door opener to get in.Photo by Michael Alberty

Clay Pigeon returns to its garagiste roots

Many winemakers start in their garage before moving on to a big, shiny winery. Michael Claypool is the first winemaker Ive met that is doing it in reverse.

Until recently, Claypool made his Clay Pigeon wines at Adega Northwest in Southeast Portland. When that facility decided to relocate to Hillsboro, Claypool wanted to remain close to his Portland home. So starting this fall, he is making wine where it all started for him  his garage.

Wherever they are made, Clay Pigeon wines are well worth seeking out.

Garage location unknown, claypigeonwinery.com or info@claypigeonwinery.com.

Ben Kaehler is the new general manager of The Walls Vineyards and PASXA Wines in Walla Walla, Washington.Photo by Mark Van Donge

Ben Kaehler trades the Willamette Valley for Walla Walla

Ben Kaehler is a talented winery general manager, so I was sad when I heard he was leaving his position at Lemelson Vineyards in Carlton. But I was happy to discover Kaehler is off to an exciting new adventure.

Kaehler was recently named the new general manager by The Walls Vineyards and PASXA Wines in Walla Walla, Washington. There, Kaehler teams up with The Walls new winemaking duo of Sally Johnson Blum and Suzanne Harryman.

Thomas Houseman of Radiant Sparkling Wine Co. (far right), with fellow winemakers John Grochau, GC Wines, and Brianne Day, Day Wines.Photo by Joshua Chang/Foundry 503

The return of the prodigal winemaker

In 2020, I couldnt believe the news that Thomas Houseman was leaving Anne Amie Vineyards in Carlton to take the winemaking position at 2 Lads Winery in Traverse City, Michigan. Who does that? We lost Kaehler, but Im thrilled to report that we got Houseman back.

Houseman is now the general manager at Radiant Sparkling Wine Co. in McMinnville. One of the valleys most effervescent personalities now helps ensure that Oregons sparkling wines get even better.

Paul Johnson, owner/winemaker at Satyr Fire Wine, directs Linfield University's new student-operated wine bar in McMinnville.Photo by Barbara Rose Johnson

Acorn to Oak Wine Experience opens in McMinnville

The Acorn to Oak Wine Experience is Linfield Universitys new student-operated wine bar. This is just a teaser. Look for a full review of Acorn to Oak next week.

Noon-8 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 3-8 p.m., Thursday & Monday, 546 N.E. Third St., McMinnville, acorntooakwine.com or hello@acorntooakwine.com.

-- Michael Alberty writes about wine for The Oregonian/OregonLive and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. He can be reached at malberty0@gmail.com. To read more of his coverage, go to oregonlive.com/wine
New York, US (PANA) - The UN and Ghana jointly announced on Friday that Decembers UN Peacekeeping Ministerial meeting will be hosted in Accra, at a time when some African nations are questioning the value of having blue helmets on their soil
Photo: (Photo : Diana Polekhina on Unsplash)

In a recent announcement, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that pregnant women receive an RSV vaccine between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation to protect their newborns from the virus. This recommendation was endorsed by CDC Director Mandy Cohen following an 11-1 vote in favor of the injection by an advisory committee to the agency.

FDA-Approved Abrysvo: A New Means of Protecting Babies from RSV

The Food and Drug Administration has already approved the single-dose shot, known as Abrysvo and made by Pfizer. It stimulates the production of antibodies in the mother that transfer through the placenta, offering the first approved means of protecting babies from RSV. Clinical trial data shows that this protection lasts through the first six months of life.

When administered between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation, Abrysvo was found to reduce the risk of severe disease from RSV among infants by 91% within roughly three months after birth. By around six months, the efficacy was just under 77%.

RSV, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus, is typically mild in young, healthy adults but poses a significant threat to children under 5 years old. The virus causes up to 80,000 hospitalizations and up to 300 deaths annually among this age group in the United States. Nearly 80% of children hospitalized with RSV under the age of 2 have no underlying medical conditions. Last year, a dramatic increase in severe RSV infections overwhelmed children's hospitals.

Another new form of RSV protection for babies was also approved this summer: an injectable drug called Beyfortus that delivers a dose of antibodies directly to an infant's bloodstream. The CDC recommended Beyfortus for all babies up to 8 months old who are born during or entering their first RSV season, as well as for infants 8 to 19 months old who are at increased risk of severe disease and entering their second season.

Read Also: Amy Schumer's Three-Year-Old Son Hospitalized with RSV

Concerns Raised Over the Complexity of CDC's Recommendation

The CDC advisory committee stated that either Beyfortus or Abrysvo can be used to protect infants, and most babies won't need both. The benefits of the vaccine are that it protects babies immediately after birth and doesn't require them to get a shot. However, the antibody injection doesn't pose a risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, and some evidence suggests its protection wanes more slowly.

Despite these developments, some concerns have been raised. Dr. Helen Keipp Talbot, the lone CDC advisory group member who voted against Abrysvo, expressed concern that the recommendation was too complicated. On the other hand, Dr. Pablo Sanchez, a pediatrics professor at the Ohio State University College of Medicine, praised the options available for protecting infants and children.

Abrysvo is expected to be listed at $295, but the price for individual consumers will depend on their insurance plans. The shot will be covered under the CDC's Vaccines for Children Program, which makes some vaccines and immunizations free to children who are uninsured, underinsured, Medicare-eligible, or Native American or Alaska Natives.

Meanwhile, two new RSV vaccines are already available at pharmacies for adults ages 60 and older, a group also vulnerable to severe illness. One of those shots, from Pfizer, is the same formulation as the new shot for use during pregnancy.

Related Article: Experts Forecast Regular Timing for This Year's RSV Season with New Tools To Bolster the Battle
Photo: (Photo : MANDEL NGAN / Getty Images)

Costco and FXI Inc. are at the forefront of consumer concerns following the announcement of a critical mattress recall. This callback, prompted by a potential mold risk, brings to light the importance of quality assurance for daily-use products.

Overview of the Mattress Recall

Costco, a leading retailer, and FXI Inc., a top-tier manufacturer, recently addressed the mold risk in mattresses exclusively sold at Costco.

FXI Inc., collaborating with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, has identified that certain units of the Novaform ComfortGrande and the Novaform DreamAway might have encountered water during the manufacturing process. This water exposure could lead to mold development, compelling an urgent mattress recall.

For many, mold is a silent adversary. The mold risk is particularly significant for those with mold sensitivities or compromised immune systems. Exposure symptoms, detailed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can include burning eyes, respiratory discomfort, and skin reactions.

Scope and Scale of the Recall

This Costco-initiated mattress recall affects an estimated 48,000 units of the Novaform ComfortGrande and DreamAway mattresses.

Customers who chose Costco, either their brick-and-mortar stores or online portal, particularly in the northwestern states or California's San Francisco Bay area, are urged to inspect their purchases made between January and June this year.

To combat the mold risk, FXI Inc. is offering comprehensive solutions. Affected customers can opt for a full refund or a free mattress replacement. The latter includes both the retrieval of the recalled unit and delivery of a fresh one. Customers can reach out to FXI Inc. at 888-886-2057 or visit their website for clarity.

Although FXI Inc. has reported 541 mold occurrences on these mattresses, no health incidents linked to the mold risk have been cited.

To ascertain the recall's applicability, customers should inspect the mattress's 'law tag,' which will indicate its production details at the FXI Inc.'s San Bernardino facility.



The recall pertains to specific mattress sizes and models:

For the DreamAway 8" Mattress, the recall includes the Twin model with ITM/ART #1698562 priced at $160 and $150, and the Full model with ITM/ART #1698564 priced at $210 and $200. On the other hand, the ComfortGrande 14" Mattress is also subject to the recall.

The affected sizes and models for this line include the King with ITM/ART #1413200 priced at both $700 and $750, the Cal King with ITM/ART #1413201 priced at $700, the Queen with ITM/ART #1413202 priced at $580 and $600, the Full with ITM/ART #1413203 priced at $500, and the Twin with ITM/ART #1413204 priced at $400.

Read Also: Michigan Toddler Found Safe in Woods; Loyal Family Dogs Stand Guard Throughout Ordeal

Costco's Dedication to Consumer Safety

Costco's reputation for customer commitment shines as they proactively connect with buyers who might have been exposed to the mold risk. Despite this initiative, consumers should also take active measures, especially if their households include individuals more susceptible to mold complications.

In an era where consumer safety is paramount, such recalls emphasize the mutual responsibility of companies like Costco and FXI Inc. and consumers to ensure product integrity. Both entities are diligently working to alleviate concerns and prioritize public health.

Related Article: Trial of Netflix's 'Take Care of Maya' Reveals Heartbreaking Abuse in Johns Hopkins Hospital
Two new articles appeared today on the website of the Interpreter Foundation:

Mormons Narrative Strategies to Provide Literary Justice for Gideon, written by Nathan J. Arp

Abstract: Although unable to write more than a hundredth part of his peoples history, Mormon seemingly found the time and plate-space to deliver literary justice on behalf of Gideon, who suffered a martyrs death at the hand of the wicked Nehor. This article applies a literary approach buttressed by evidence from the Book of Mormon to suggest that Mormon intentionally supplied tightly-controlled repetitive elements, like the repetition of names, to point the reader to discover multiple literary sub-narratives connected by a carefully crafted network of themes running under the main narratives of the scriptures. The theories espoused in this work may have begun with the recognition of the reader-arresting repetition of Gideons name in Alma 6:7-8, but driven by scriptural data points soon connected Gideon with Abinadi, the Ammonites, and others. The repetitive and referential use of the moniker Nehor, Gideons murderer, on various peoples by Mormon seemed to connect thematically and organically to a justice prophesied by Abinadi. In parallel with the theme of justice laid upon the Nehor-populations, evidence is marshaled to also suggest that Mormon referenced the place-name of Gideon to intentionally hearken back to the man Gideon. Following the role of Gideon, as a place, we propose Mormon constructed a path for the martyr Gideon via proxy to meet the resurrected Lord in Bountiful. Mormons concern for the individual and his technique for rewriting Gideons story through proxy ultimately symbolizes the role Christs atoning power can take in each of our lives to save us.

Interpreting Interpreter: Gideons Justice, written by Kyler Rasmussen

This post is a summary of the article Mormons Narrative Strategies to Provide Literary Justice for Gideon by Nathan J. Arp in Volume 58 of Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship. All of the articles may be seen at https://interpreterfoundation.org/category/summaries/. An introduction to the Interpreting Interpreterseries is available at https://interpreterfoundation.org/interpreting-interpreter-on-abstracting-thought/. The Takeaway: Arp argues that Mormons treatment of the story of Gideonand subsequent use of the name Gideon in his writingsincludes a carefully crafted subtext that emphasizes the justice of God, promotes peacemaking, and outlines a path to salvation in Christ.

Yesterday and today represent an important anniversary, and it has not gone wholly unnoticed:

200 Years Ago: An Angels Visit that Led to the Book of Mormon: President Nelson and Elder Stevenson share comments on social media

Apostles Testimonies of the Book of Mormon: A compilation of testimonies in honor of the 200th anniversary of the angel Moronis first appearance to Joseph Smith on September 21-22

Video: Restoration Ongoing Since the Angel Moroni Appeared to Joseph Smith, Historians Say

There is also a connection with the anniversary in this article, from Time: How Mormonism Went Mainstream

And, given the subject matter of his latest book, I expect that even this article was timed to coincide with Moroni Day: The faithful scholar: Richard Bushman said he finds no contradiction between faith and scholarship

Im delighted to report that, upon returning home today, I found that a copy had arrived at my house of Ronald K. Esplin, Dean C. Jessie, Brent M. Rogers, Gerrit J. Dirkmaat, and Andrew H. Hedges, eds., The Brigham Young Journals, Vol. 1, April 1832  February 1846 (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center and BYU Press, Brigham Young University, in cooperation with the Brigham Young Center Foundation, Sandy, Utah, and Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, Utah).

We are fortunate to live in a time when wonderful resources like these are being made publicly and widely available.

Something terrible and frightening occurred to a member of our family this past Sunday, in a far distant place. The news came out of the blue. It was fragmentary. For a while, too, my wife and I were out of cell phone range, and we were left to imagine what might be happening and how bad things were. In such times, when we feel powerless and can only pray, it is very good that we can, in fact, pray.

I wont give details here, out of respect for the privacy of certain family members and because, quite frankly, there are malicious readers of this blog whom I dont trust not to seek to exploit such events in order to mock and wound me and in order to torment people for whom I care deeply. Happily, though, although the event was genuinely horrific, its effects have turned out about as well as they possibly could have. One might indeed say, as I do say, that our prayers in this instance have been answered. There are still challenges ahead and possible problems on the horizon, but we will somehow cope with them. And we continue to pray and will continue to do so.

Some others who became aware of what had happened joined their prayers with ours, and I want to express my gratitude to them for that, and for their kindness to us. Its satisfyingly good to belong to a community of good and faithful people, as we are fortunate to do.

And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one anothers burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you? (Mosiah 18:8-10)

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King spoke often of the beloved community. Im blessed to belong to one such.
[see book information and purchase options]

Jason Engwer is a prolific Protestant anti-Catholic apologist and webmaster of the site, Triablogue. He used to interact with me from 2000 to 2010 or so and then promptly stopped. I continue to critique his material, if I think there is educational value in doing so. Maybe one day hell decide to start dialoguing again. In any event, Ill continue to do what Ive done these past [nearly] 33 years as a Catholic apologist, and if I see that he makes some dubious claim against a Catholic position, Ill respond, provided it is substantive enough to be worth addressing.

*****

Im replying to an old debate (dated sometime prior to August 2004) that Jason had with Robert Sungenis on the topic of justification. I will interact only with Jasons portions. His words will be in blue. I use RSV for Bible citations.

As James explains in 2:8-12, people would have to live perfectly, obeying all of Gods laws (James 2:10), in order to be saved through works. Instead of trusting in a law of works, we have to trust in a law of liberty (James 2:12).

James is reiterating that the law doesnt save anyone, which is elementary NT soteriology, and a proposition concerning which Catholics and Protestants are in full agreement (see Rom 4:13-16). On the other hand, St. Paul notes that it is the doers of the law who will be justified (Rom 2:13) and that the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good (Rom 7:12) and Christ is the end of the law (Rom 10:4) and love is the fulfilling of the law (Rom 13:10). In other words, although the law itself doesnt save, and was our custodian until Christ came (Gal 3:24), nevertheless, those who are justified by grace through faith will always do works, flowing from this grace-soaked faith, and these will be meritorious and play a role in their salvation. Its not law and works by themselves, but flowing from faith (James 2:14, 17-18, 20-22, 24-26). These works are meritorious and help bring about salvation and eternal life:

Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, He who through faith is righteous shall live. Romans 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Romans 6:22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 . . . God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he received approval as righteous, Jude 1:20-21 But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Hes addressing the evidence of saving faith (James 2:14).

Not at all. Rather, in that verse he is asserting that faith alone cannot save (Can his faith save him?), and has to be accompanied by works, so that possessing both, a person can be saved. He makes this perfectly plain ten verses later: You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone (Jas 2:24), and also three verses later: faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead (Jas 2:17).

Since faith always comes before works, do [Catholics] want to argue that people respond to the gospel with dead faith, which becomes living faith only later?

Thats not possible for a Catholic to do, according to Trent, in its Canons 1 and 3 on Justification:

CANON I. If any one saith, that man may be justified before God by his own works, whether done through the teaching of human nature, or that of the law, without the grace of God through Jesus Christ; let him be anathema. CANON III. If any one saith, that without the prevenient inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and without his help, man can believe, hope, love, or be penitent as he ought, so as that the grace of Justification may be bestowed upon him; let him be anathema.

Theres no way to avoid the fact that Genesis 15:6 refers to righteousness being reckoned through faith alone, when Abraham does nothing more than trust God. There is no baptism, giving money to the poor, or any other work done in Genesis 15:6. Righteousness was reckoned to Abraham through faith alone, . . . James 2:23 refers to Abraham having righteousness reckoned through faith alone. There are no works in Genesis 15:6. . . .

Genesis 15:6 does tell us what Paul means by faith. What occurs in Genesis 15:6? Is Abraham baptized? Is he circumcised? Does he give money to the poor? No, Abraham just believes God. Thats faith alone. If somebody today did nothing more than what Abraham did in Genesis 15:6, you as a Catholic would say that he was unjustified.

James (2:23) gives an explicit interpretation of Genesis 15:6, by stating, And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness, and he was called the friend of God. The previous three verses were all about justification, faith and works, all tied in together (2:20: faith apart from works is barren; 2:22: faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works) and this is what James says fulfilled Genesis 15:6. So, no, according to the inspired exegesis of James, Abraham was not justified by faith alone in Genesis 15:6.

James tells another person to show me his faith through his works (James 2:18). Thats justification before men. We see something similar in James 3:13. Who would have seen Abrahams work of offering Isaac? Isaac would have seen it. And millions of others have seen it by means of hearing about it through scripture. The idea of justification before men, regardless of whether the word justify is used, is a theme we see often in scripture, sometimes negatively (Matthew 6:1-5, Luke 16:15, Romans 4:2, Galatians 3:11) and sometimes positively (Luke 7:35, James 2:18, 3:13). The phrase before God in a passage such as Galatians 3:11 seems to assume that you can be justified before others as well. The concept of being justified, or vindicated, before men is Biblical and is what James refers to in 2:18. What else would show me mean?

I dont see how this proves that James is operating with an entirely different conception of works (before men only, and not before God). To the contrary, James, just like Paul, ties both faith and works into salvation, not just flattering and God-honoring appearances before men. They are connected to salvation itself (1:12, 21-22; 2:14) as well as to justification (2:21, 24-25); both things directed Godward and not merely towards other persons. Abraham proved that he feared God and believed. But it was not before men. It was a thing that was in and of itself, whether anyone saw it or not, and before God (for His sake, not Gods).

Per the usual unacceptable anti-Catholic method of citing the Church fathers, Jason cites three carefully selected snippets from St. John Chrysostom, out of context, in which he uses the phrases faith alone and faith only:

They said that he who kept not the Law was cursed, but he proves that he who kept it was cursed, and he who kept it not, blessed. Again, they said that he who adhered to Faith alone was cursed, but he shows that he who adhered to Faith alone is blessed. (Commentary on Galatians, 3) by faith alone He saved us (Homilies on Ephesians, 5)

In his homily on Galatians 3, Chrysostom was treating the same topic as Paul in that passage: whether one is saved / justified by the law or by faith. Paul states in Galatians 3 that no man is justified before God by the law (3:11) and that we are justified by faith (3:24). That is the topic, rather than a supposed denial of works also being necessary in the quest for and attainment of salvation. Chrysostom, accordingly, cites Galatians 5:4: You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. He is basically making the same reference to initial justification in his comment from Homily 5 on Ephesians, too.

Catholics fully agree with Protestants that initial justification is monergistic and comes entirely through Gods grace (not by the law), which brings about our faith in response. What we deny is the notion of obtaining a salvation that can never be lost, through faith, and the notion that works play no role whatsoever in our salvation and justification, after initial justification. That is the particular sense in which Chrysostom uses faith alone in the words Jason cites. This isnt faith alone in the Protestant sense at all, and we know this for sure, by noting what he said about faith alone many times elsewhere (see below).

Attend to this, ye who come to baptism at the close of life, for we indeed pray that after baptism ye may have also this deportment, but thou art seeking and doing thy utmost to depart without it. For, what though thou be justified: yet is it of faith only. But we pray that thou shouldest have as well the confidence that cometh of good works (Homilies on Second Corinthians, 2)

In his Homily 2 on Second Corinthians, Chrysostom immediately conjoins the faith with works, and I commend Jason for including that portion. I take it that the confidence referred to is confidence of procuring salvation, if one continues faithfully in the Way. Moreover, in his comment on 1:6-7 he expressly denies faith alone:

for not through believing only comes your salvation, but also through the suffering and enduring the same things with us. . . . the work of salvation consists not in doing evil, but in suffering evil.

Therefore, he provides an interpretation of his own use of the phrase faith only in the same piece of writing, and proves that it is not according to the Protestant notion of faith alone.

For my part, I take into account St. John Chrysostoms entire teaching on the topic; for example, as part of my extensive research for my 303-page book, The Quotable Eastern Church Fathers: Distinctively Catholic Elements in Their Theology (July 2013). This book included almost seven pages of his citations opposing faith alone and another five pages of his statements on faith and works. Thats real  and appropriately thorough  research, folks, as opposed to mere quote-mining for pet passages. But Jason didnt cite passages such as the following from the great saint and Doctor of the Church:

Ver. 7. To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life. Here also he awakens those who had drawn back during the trials, and shows that it is not right to trust in faith only. For it is deeds also into which that tribunal will enquire. (Homily V on Romans 1:28: v. 2:7; my italics) For each of us shall give account of himself to God. In order therefore that we may render up this account with a good defence, let us well order our own lives and stretch out a liberal hand to the needy, knowing that this only is our defence, the showing ourselves to have rightly done the things commanded; there is no other whatever. And if we be able to produce this, we shall escape those intolerable pains of hell, . . . (Homily XXI on 1 Corinthians 9:1, 11, v. 9:12; my italics) [H]ow, tell me, doth faith save, without works? (Homily IV on Ephesians, v. 2:8-10; my italics) He too was one of the guests, for he had been invited; but because, after the invitation and so great an honor, he behaved with insolence towards Him who had invited him, hear what punishment he suffers, how pitiable, fit subject for many tears. For when he comes to partake of that splendid table, not only is he forbidden the least, but bound hand and foot alike, is carried into outer darkness, to undergo eternal and endless wailing and gnashing of teeth. Therefore, beloved, let not us either expect that faith is sufficient to us for salvation; for if we do not show forth a pure life, but come clothed with garments unworthy of this blessed calling, nothing hinders us from suffering the same as that wretched one. (Homily X on John, v. 1:13; my italics) Is it then enough, saith one, to believe on the Son, that one may have eternal life? By no means. And hear Christ Himself declaring this, and saying, Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ( Matt. vii. 21 ); and the blasphemy against the Spirit is enough of itself to cast a man into hell. But why speak I of a portion of doctrine? Though a man believe rightly on the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, yet if he lead not a right life, his faith will avail nothing towards his salvation. Therefore when He saith, This is life eternal, that they may know Thee the only true God ( c. xvii. 3 ), let us not suppose that the (knowledge) spoken of is sufficient for our salvation; we need besides this a most exact life and conversation. Since though he has said here, He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life, and in the same place something even stronger, (for he weaves his discourse not of blessings only, but of their contraries also, speaking thus: He that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him;) yet not even from this do we assert that faith alone is sufficient to salvation. And the directions for living given in many places of the Gospels show this. Therefore he did not say, This by itself is eternal life, nor, He that doth but believe on the Son hath eternal life, but by both expressions he declared this, that the thing doth contain life, yet that if a right conversation follow not, there will follow a heavy punishment. (Homily XXXI on John, v. 3:35-36; my italics) How long shall we neglect our own salvation? Let us bear in mind of what things Christ has deemed us worthy, let us give thanks, let us glorify Him, not by our faith alone, but also by our very works, that we may obtain the good things that are to come . . . (Homily XLVI on John, v. 6:52; my italics) [A] right faith availeth nothing if the life be corrupt, both Christ and Paul declare . . . (Homily LXIII on John, v. 11:40; my italics) Faith is indeed great and bringeth salvation, and without it, it is not possible ever to be saved. It suffices not however of itself to accomplish this, . . . on this account Paul also exhorts those who had already been counted worthy of the mysteries; saying, Let us labor to enter into that rest. Let us labor (he says), Faith not sufficing, the life also ought to be added thereto, and our earnestness to be great; for truly there is need of much earnestness too, in order to go up into Heaven. (Homily VII on Hebrews, v. 4:11-13; my italics) For unless we add also a life suitable to our faith, we shall suffer the extremest punishment. (Homily LXIV on Matthew 19:27, 4; my italics)

Should I conclude, then, that all of these people agreed with my view of salvation? No, obviously not. A church father could refer to salvation being through faith alone in one passage, but refer to baptismal regeneration or some other form of salvation through works elsewhere. He may have been inconsistent. Or he may have just defined faith alone differently than I do. We would have to examine each case individually. I agree. I did examine St. John Chrysostoms teachings on this specific topic sufficiently enough to reach a firm conclusion. Jason did not. And so he put out a mistaken, incomplete picture, and hence indefensibly misrepresented Chrysostom. It happens all the time with anti-Catholic attempts at patristics.

For [Catholics] to say that the words faith alone dont appear in a passage like Mark 2:5 or Luke 18:10-14 is inconclusive. The concept can be there without the words being there, just as the concept can be absent with the words being there. Is the concept of faith alone present in passages like Mark 2:5 and Luke 18:10-14? Yes, it is. . . . The man in Mark 2:5 was paralyzed. He didnt do any works. He wasnt water baptized, was he? The text says that Jesus forgave him upon seeing their faith, not their faith and their works. Jesus could have told the paralytic that he was healed, then told him to be baptized if he wanted to be saved. Instead, Jesus saved him through faith alone. Technically, from the passage, we know that the mans sins prior to that time were forgiven, not that he was eschatologically saved. That is an assumption unwarranted in the text, that smuggles in Protestant faith alone soteriology and eternal security. To dismiss this case as an exception to the rule is arbitrary. As well see, Mark 2:5 isnt the only example of a Biblical figure being saved through faith alone, and we have no examples of a person believing, but being unforgiven until his baptism. Passages like Mark 2:5 arent exceptions to the rule. Theyre examples of the rule.

Mark 2:5 reads, And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, My son, your sins are forgiven.  This teaches (I think, arguably, anyway) justification by faith, but not faith alone. The two concepts are distinct. Catholics accept the first thing and reject the second as unscriptural and illogical. Its the same for Luke 18:10-14. There simply isnt enough information in the passage to conclude faith alone. Every mention of faith is not a proof of faith alone. What about Luke 18:10-14? Jesus says nothing at all about baptism or any other work. Rather delightfully, Luke 18:10-14 concludes four verses before the passage about the rich young ruler, in which he asks Jesus, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (18:18). Jesus in His two-part answer never mentions faith, but rather, He asked whether the man kept the commandments (18:20); then upon finding out that he did, said, One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven (18:22). Two works are what would save him, according to God the Son, and this has to be harmonized with His teaching in Luke 18:10-14. That is the furthest thing imaginable from faith alone. Thus, Catholics fully concur with the [initial] justification by faith in both passages brought up by Jason, while not agreeing that subsequent faith is sufficient for salvation without accompanying works.

The thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43) would be yet another example [Catholics] would have to dismiss as an exception to the rule.

*

Of course we would, since that man couldnt do anything (including any work or baptism) even if he wanted to. So its an exceptional situation, and God understands that. So do Catholics when we use it as the prime example of a baptism by desire.

*

[T]he Judaizers Paul was responding to in his writings, for example, didnt deny the necessity of faith. They denied the sufficiency of faith. This is why Paul assumed that the Galatians would agree with him that their Christian life at least began with faith (Galatians 3:2). Its not as though the Judaizers were opposed to having faith. Instead, the Judaizers, like Roman Catholics, added works as a requirement for salvation.

*

We do so because Jesus, Paul, and the Bible massively, undeniably do so, and we follow them wherever they lead. See:

*

*

*

The reason why Paul had to define grace (Romans 11:6) and could assume that his opponents accepted the necessity of faith (Galatians 3:2) was because his opponents claimed to believe in salvation by grace and through faith. But they added works to grace and faith. The Roman Catholic Church has done the same thing. . . .

*

Paul is not excluding a type of works that does nullify saving grace, while including another type of works that doesnt nullify saving grace. Rather, hes excluding all work, because work of any type would nullify salvation by grace.

*

Jasons premise is wrong, because Paul  like Jesus (reply to the rich young ruler, etc.)  believed that works were necessary, too:

Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, He who through faith is righteous shall live. Romans 6:22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 . . . God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

I know, I already cited these, but repetition is a good teacher. And there is nothing better to recite and memorize than Holy Scripture. Sanctification and righteousness (including good works) are parts of the cause of salvation, not merely an optional way of thanking God for a salvation already supposedly gained with no chance of ever losing it: so says St. Paul.

*

Why is it that there are so many dozens of passages in scripture about salvation that only mention faith?

*

Because this is referring to initial justification, which indeed comes by and through faith, enabled by grace. Why is it  since we are asking challenging questions  that there are so many dozens of passages in scripture ( at least fifty ) about salvation that only mention works? Why is it that Jesus only mentioned works to the rich young ruler : precisely in reply to his query about how one attains heaven and is saved?

*

Since the work of justification was done by Christ, and that work is finished, it makes no sense to refer to multiple justifications.

*

It makes just as much sense as it does for Paul to refer to an ongoing tense of being saved in the Bible:

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. [note that Paul includes himself in this description, as well as the entire Corinthian assembly of Christians]

It makes as much sense as it does for the Bible to refer to a future salvation that is only attained through much effort and time:

Matthew 10:22 . . . he who endures to the end will be saved. (cf. 24:13; Mk 13:13) * Acts 15:11 But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus . . . * Philippians 2:12 . . . work out your own salvation with fear and trembling

* Philippians 3:11-12 that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. [12] Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, . . . *

It makes as much sense as Paul stating that salvation  far from being a one-time instant thing  was relatively nearer to us now than when we first believed (Rom 13:11), or that we as believers nevertheless still have a hope of salvation (1 Thess 5:8), or Peter asserting that we Christians are those who grow up to salvation (1 Pet 2:2). If salvation is an ongoing process or lifelong quest (as I have just proven with ten Bible passages), then so is justification. Its common sense. I also proved in a recent article utilizing the example of Abraham (including NT interpretations of his justification), that justification is ongoing and comes by works as well as by faith.

God glorifies those He justifies (Romans 8:30).

*

Of course He does. This particular verse tells us nothing about whether justification is a long process or can be lost, or is tied inexorably to sanctification. In context, however, Paul does clarify and states that we can become heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him (Rom 8:17). Note that suffering is a prerequisite for glorification and eschatological salvation, and he appears to be talking about a long process. This is verified by 8:18, where he states that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us, and especially in the following passage:

Romans 8:35-36 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written, For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.

Paul repeatedly refers to people having peace in the present (Romans 5:1)

*

Absolutely. He writes in that verse that since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Catholics believe in a moral assurance of future salvation , conditional upon avoiding mortal sin or formally confessing it should we commit it. Then Paul refers in 5:2 to this grace in which we stand. But is that forever determined in one moment of decision for us? No. This grace can be lost, as Paul also teaches:

1 Corinthians 9:27 but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. Galatians 5:4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons. 1 Timothy 5:15 For some have already strayed after Satan.

and assurance of the future (Romans 5:9-10, 6:8) because of a past justification.

*

Those passages have to be interpreted in light of the five above, which also come from Paul. Taken together, it adds up to a moral assurance, precisely as Catholics teach. One can have a very high degree of moral assurance, and trust in Gods mercy. St. Paul shows this. He doesnt appear worried at all about his salvation, but on the other hand, he doesnt make out that he is absolutely assured of it and has no need of persevering. He cant coast. That seems to be his outlook. We can have assurance and faith and hope, yet this is understood within a paradigm of perseverance and constant vigilance in avoiding sin, that has the potential to lead us to damnation.

*

Moreover, Paul says that we will be presented holy and blameless and irreproachable before him, provided that we continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel which [we] heard (Col 1:22-23). The past justification is our initial one, but it can be lost through sin and rebellion, if we fail to persevere in grace (Gal 5:4) and seriously fall short in following Gods moral commands.

*

In passages like Mark 2:5, Luke 18:10-14, Acts 10:44-48, etc., there arent any saving works. Those passages . . . exclude all works.

*

This is an argument from silence, which never prove much, if anything. To simply not mention a thing in merely one passage is not proof that it is excluded altogether. Secondly, I already noted that Luke 18:10-14 is four verses before the rich young ruler passage. If in fact Jesus excluded all works in 18:10-14, then He almost immediately contradicted Himself in telling the rich young ruler that he could be saved and go to heaven by following the commandments and selling all that he had (i.e., two works; and Jesus never mentioned faith when asked about the process of salvation). Acts 10:44-48 is about the day of Pentecost and Christians first receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In that respect it is very similar to initial justification: God acting unilaterally in bestowing a tremendous blessing.

*

Nobody has ever been saved by obeying Gods commandments, even when they had faith.

Luke 18:18, 20 And a ruler asked him, Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? . . . [20] [Jesus] You know the commandments: . . . 

According to Jesus, obeying the commandments can indeed save a person. He did go on to say that the rich young ruler lack[ed] just one thing: he had to give hiss possessions to the poor. So, then, he would have been saved by the commandments and one specific additional command from God to do a good work. Faith is never mentioned. According to Protestantism, Jesus would necessarily (lest he lead us all astray) have had to say something along the lines of, Two things you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and exercise faith alone in me, and you will have treasure in heaven.

*

That doesnt even make any sense. If he had to do this work to be saved, then it clearly wasnt faith alone. I would say that its implied that he had faith, in his following of the commandments. He had to believe in God in order to believe that these commandments came from Him and were worthwhile to abide by. But if faith alone is true, and if in fact  Nobody has ever been saved by obeying Gods commandments, even when they had faith, then this passage could not possibly be written the way it is in fact written in the inspired, infallible revelation of Holy Scripture. And Jesus would become a sincere teacher of heresy at best or a lying deceiver at worst.

Romans 2:6-7, 13 For he will render to every man according to his works: [7] to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; . . . [13] For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. * Matthew 25:31-36 When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. [32] Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, [33] and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. [34] Then the King will say to those at his right hand, `Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; [35] for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, [36] I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. * Revelation 2:23 . . . I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve. * Revelation 20:11-13 Then I saw a great white throne and him who sat upon it; from his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. [12] And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, by what they had done. [13] And the sea gave up the dead in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead in them, and all were judged by what they had done. * Revelation 22:12 Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense, to repay every one for what he has done.

In these five passages, works alone are said to be a direct cause of justification (Rom 2:6-7, 13) and final salvation and admittance to heaven (Mt 25:31-36; Rev 2:23; 20:11-13; 22:12). This doesnt exclude faith (by the same principle of the argument from silence just mentioned; and Catholics certainly dont exclude it), but it does exclude faith alone, since for that to be true, it would have to be the only reason why people were saved, rather than works also being required, or being the only thing (alone or not) mentioned as being required, as in these passages.

*

Paul is excluding even good works done with faith and in obedience to God. He excludes the possibility that anybody has fulfilled Romans 2:13.

*

Nonsense. If this were true, then Paul would have had to write in Romans 2:13, it is . . . the doers of the law who will not be justified. But in fact he wrote, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: it is . . . the doers of the law who will be justified (Rom 2:13). Jasons extreme antipathy towards works  let it be known  amounts to a fringe and reactionary faith alone outlook that verges on antinomianism, and which is rejected by many if not most conservative Protestant theologians. *

According to the Catholic Church, we are saved through laws such as the ten commandments . . . Nobody would arrive at the Roman Catholic gospel by studying the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.

*

According to Jesus, too (Lk 18:20): at least in the case of the rich young ruler. Im very glad that if we must have an honest disagreement with someone, its with Jason and not Our Lord Jesus. I build an elaborate extensive scriptural case for Catholic soteriology, precisely by highlighting (with scores of NT passages) the teachings of Jesus and Paul.

*

Peter and the other apostles said that salvation comes upon believing response to the preached word

*

They also wrote the following (and these passages must be harmonized in any coherent take on NT soteriology): Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Acts 2:38-41 And Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him. And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. Acts 22:16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name. (cf. 9:17-18) Romans 6:3-4 Or dont you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 1 Peter 3:21 Baptism  now saves you  [Catholics] would never tell people that believing in Christ gives them life and keeps them from condemnation. Instead, [Catholics] would tell them about . . . obeying the ten commandments, etc. You would tell them that believing in Christ isnt enough. If we did this (and of course its not all we do, and is a misinformed caricature), it would be exactly what Jesus said and didnt say in Luke 18 (talking to the rich young ruler). Thats a good model to follow, I would say, since Jesus said, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do (Jn 14:12). One of these works was telling the rich young ruler how to be saved. So we can and should imitate it, according to Jesus words in John 14:12. Jesus also said  when He was being more detailed about these matters, as opposed to proverbial  that simply believing in Him wasnt enough: Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I tell you? (Lk 6:46). We should never contradict Jesus. Jason is in deep spiritual trouble and theological confusion by frequently doing so. Its a frightening thing. And he continues to teach others on his blog. Those who claim that faith must be combined with works in order for a person to be saved cant explain the passages of scripture in which people are saved when they believe, before doing any works. Thats easy. They arent saved in the sense that it can never be lost; they are initially justified (which is a monergistic, unilateral action of Gods grace). They are in good graces with God, and only saved in the sense that they will attain heaven if they persevere and never fall away from faith and grace. Jesus didnt always require faith to physically heal people or to perform some other miracle for them, but He did require faith to heal them spiritually. He didnt in the case of Paul, who had no Christian faith before God supernaturally converted him on the spot. We know this for sure because when this occurred, Jesus said to him (present tense), Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? (Acts 9:4) and I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting (Acts 22:8). there are no scriptural examples of people not being saved until they work,

See Matthew 25:31-36; Luke 6:46; 18:18 ff.; John 14:12; Romans 1:17; 2:6-7, 13; 5:10; 6:22; Philippians 2:12; 3:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 11:4; Revelation 2:23; 20:11-13; 22:12  thats fifteen passages (fifteen more than no scriptural examples), almost all of which were fully cited, above.

Romans 2:12-13 says that obedience to the law without sin brings justification. Then how can Paul say, the doers of the law who will be justified (2:13)? In other words, there are some who will be justified (innumerable passages in Paul), and to do so  according to what he states here  they had to follow the law by doing it. Its not saying that this has to necessarily be done in a sinless state (Jason arbitrarily and groundlessly merely assumes that); only that it is the ones who act according to the law who will be justified, and insofar as they do that, they did it without sin, since disobeying the law, not following it, is sin. But none of this excludes faith. Its asserting, rather, the necessity of works in the overall equation and process of justification and salvation.

*

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that we attain eternal life through grace, faith, and a system of works.

*

So does the New Testament; especially Jesus and Paul , as repeatedly proven above. Thats exactly why we teach it! Its Protestant soteriology that is shockingly unbiblical and which massively contradicts the Bible.

*

Acts 16:31 is heresy to a Roman Catholic.

*



*

This stark difference of methodology can be readily observed, above. Note the huge amount of Scripture I bring to bear: virtually all of which Jason ignored in his presentation. The Bible is the Bible, and its all inspired, infallible revelation. If we ignore or rationalize large portions of it, only harm (and possibly, eventual spiritual ruin) will result.

*

Jason almost certainly wont reply to this because he has ignored my dozens of rebuttals of his arguments since 2010. But even in the days when he did respond, he would often ignore some 80% of my arguments ( Not in the slightest. It simply states the principle that belief and faith in Jesus are necessary for salvation. Yes, of course! DUH! Elsewhere, the Bible frequently elaborates upon this and on how works are incorporated into the process of the attainment of salvation. Protestants like Jason only look at one sort of passage and ignore other related, relevant ones, leading to misleading half-truths (which are not much better than outright falsehoods). Catholics, in great contrast, harmonize all of them together.This stark difference of methodology can be readily observed, above. Note the huge amount of Scripture I bring to bear: virtually all of which Jason ignored in his presentation. The Bible is the Bible, and its all inspired, infallible revelation. If we ignore or rationalize large portions of it, only harm (and possibly, eventual spiritual ruin) will result.Jason almost certainly wont reply to this because he has ignored my dozens of rebuttals of his arguments since 2010. But even in the days when he did respond, he would often ignore some 80% of my arguments ( as I documented after becoming very tired of it), so he would likely do the same with all this scriptural data, if the past is a reliable guide. In fact, my documentation of his pathetic and what must also be called cynical debate (?) method of extreme picking-and-choosing appears to be what caused him to stop replying to me altogether.

*

***

*

Summary: The exact nature of justification, relationship of faith and works, and sanctification and justification are discussed in reply to anti-Catholic Jason Engwer.
Bernard Allotey Jacobs says the removal of Haruna Iddrisu as leader of the Minority in Parliament by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will inure to the benefit of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during the 2024 elections if they elect Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as their flagbearer.



It could be recalled that the Member of Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, was in January this year replaced with the Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson as Minority Leader.



This sudden change in the NDC parliamentary leadership evoked agitations, however, the party maintained their decision.



Discussing the prospects of the ruling NPP in the 2024 elections, the former NDC Central Regional Chairman now Social Commentator, held the view that the NDC's decision against Haruna Iddrisu will definitely hurt the opposition party in next year's general elections.



He expounded that "Haruna, as you see him, is an idol when you go to the North. He is highly so respected that what he says within that Tamale...whatever he says there is final, so his removal has infuriated the Dagombas" and due to this, Dr. Bawumia also being a Northerner will have an upperhand over his competitor, John Dramani Mahama, who is the NDC flagbearer.



He stressed; "What has happened to Haruna Iddrisu has evoked the spirit of loyalty behind Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia."



"If the NPP gives their maximum support for Bawumia, there's trouble for the largest opposition party", he further argued.



Bernard Allotey Jacobs made these emphatic statements on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Bernard Allotey Jacobs has slammed the opposition National Democratic Congress for accusing the Electoral Commission (EC) of trying to sabotage their strongholds so as to cause them to lose the 2024 elections.



At a media briefing on the exercise, NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah alleged that the EC had intentionally taken faulty machines to some of its district offices in areas it deems as NDC strongholds to frustrate eligible voters.



There is not more than two centres where these breakdowns are happening which are in the stronghold of the NPP. All the rest are in the stronghold of the NDCIt is like His Excellency when he was complaining about politicking within the bar association which turns to campaign at the bar conference, he said.



Allotey has ridiculed this claim of a marriage between the Electoral Commission and the New Patriotic Party to rig the elections.



In a brief reply to the NDC, he said; "Any political party that says such a thing shows its weakness that that party is weak. That that party is not on the ground; that that party has no people who relate with the Electoral Commission."



He made this comment during Peace FM's Wednesday edition of "Kokrokoo" programme.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Prof. Smart Sarpong has advised the campaign team of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to graciously open their arms wide to welcome those from the Alan camp who desire to join their team while they gear up for the November 4 presidential primary.



Alan Kyerematen weeks ago withdrew from the New Patriotic Party's upcoming presidential election and some members from his camp are already jumping to the side of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.



The Member of Parliament of Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro constituency, Sylvester Tetteh, former Minister of Tourism, Catherine Afeku and former Member of Parliament for Ayensuano in the Eastern Region, Samuel Ayeh-Paye who played principal roles in Alan's camp have all declared their support for Dr. Bawumia.



Looking at the political experiences, hard work and influence of these people, Prof. Smart Sarpong urged the Bawumia team to accept them without a tinge of hesitation.



"They are prepared meals available to be used...I don't think they they need a meeting to get these strong pillars; assign them responsibilities", he said on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" panel discussion show.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Organizers of a planned picketing at the Jubilee House, the seat of government dubbed #occupiedjubileehouse have been arrested after they proceeded with their demonstration despite an injunction application filed at the court by the police.



They were arrested when they started the protest march from 37 vicinity in the capital.

They said to have violated the Public Order Act.



The organizers, Democracy Hub, planned to demonstrate within the vicinity of the Jubilee House from Thursday 21st to Saturday 23rd September 2023, but the police in a statement disclosed it had filed an injunction application at the court and waiting for it to determine the matter before taking any further action.



The group expressed its disappointment at the partisan attempts by the Police to disrupt peaceful and democratic mobilization for our upcoming Occupy Jubilee House picket.



The group therefore urged the public in a press release to disregard the police communication and convene at the 37 Trotro Station on Thursday, September 21 for the protest.



However, on the day of the protest, police officers arrested three of the organizers of the Democracy Hub as they attempted to carry out the demonstration. The Vormawor boys who were identified as Simon Kudjo, Kojo Ackah and Kwami Dzata were arrested for allegedly participating in an illegal demonstration.



According to the Accra Regional Police Command, the Vormawor boys were in violation of the Public Order Act, which requires organizers of demonstrations to notify the police and obtain a clearance before demonstrating.



The police said the Democracy Hub organizers failed to obtain such a permit, therefore their planned protest was illegal and in contravention of the law.



The police also stated that the arrested individuals will be prosecuted for their actions and reminded the public about the importance of obtaining permits before holding demonstrations.



Meanwhile, the Democracy Hub has condemned the arrest of the organisers, saying it was a clear example of the governments attempt to silence dissenting voices and suppress freedom of expression.



The group called on the government to respect the right of citizens to peaceful protest and demanded the immediate release of the Vormawor boys.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Former flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, is set to address the public on his political ambition this coming Monday, September 25.



The decision follows his withdrawal from the upcoming NPP presidential race, citing instances of intimidation towards his supporters during the recent Super Delegates Conference.



Having consulted with his family, well-wishers, stakeholders, and interest groups, Kyerematen will provide insights into his future involvement in Ghanaian politics during his speech.



The former Trade and Industry Minister expressed his concerns over the skewed nature of the Super Delegates Conference, stating that it favored one particular aspirant.



He referenced pronouncements made by leading NPP members both before and after the elections, which also supported his observations.



Kyerematen emphasized the unprecedented levels of intimidation witnessed by a significant number of delegates across the 16 regions of Ghana, calling it a dark spot in the history of the partys internal elections.



Highlighting an incident where his polling agent in the Northeast Region suffered severe eye damage, he condemned acts of violence and collusion reported in other voting centers. Kyerematen expressed his commitment to the safety and well-being of those who work for him and with him, vowing to fight for their interests.



Questioning the partys path towards potential self-destruction, Kyerematen expressed doubts that similar circumstances would not persist or intensify in the next round of elections. Consequently, he officially announced his honorable withdrawal from the upcoming presidential primaries scheduled for November 4, 2023.



Kyerematen conveyed his well-wishes to the remaining aspirants and expressed gratitude towards his family, the Alan 4 President (A4P) Campaign Team, and his supporters in Ghana and around the world.



He reassured them that the battle was in the hands of the Lord, and those who patiently waited upon Him would be rewarded.



The veteran politician, commonly known as Alan Cash, has been actively vying for the NPP flagbearership since 2007. Despite his expectations of securing a top-two position in the Super Delegates Conference, he finished third with 95 votes, as Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Central, took the second lead with 132 votes.



Sources indicate that Kyerematen had planned to withdraw from the NPP race altogether and pursue the 2024 presidential race as an independent candidate, distancing himself from the party.



Recent speculation was that he was flirting with the defeated CPP flagbearer, Ivor Greenstreet.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Editors Note: This story was updated to reflect that Bettie Gallagher was found safe.

Pennsylvania State Police were looking for a missing 89-year-old woman from Franklin County who may be have been at special risk of harm or injury.

Bettie Gallagher, of Guilford Township, was last seen near the 6200 block of Duffield Road in Guilford Township around 11 a.m. Friday, according to a police report.

Gallagher is 5-feet 10-inches tall, weighs 110 pounds, has gray hair and brown eyes. Police did not provide a description of the clothing she was last seen wearing.

Police said Gallagher was found safe around 4:30 p.m.

READ MORE:

Sit-in planned to protest food services at Pa. college

PennDOT, Norfolk Southern reach deal to expand Pa. passenger rail service
WILLIAMSPORT - The chief executive officer of the Lycoming County telecommunications firm will stand trial on charges that accuse him of fatally shooting his brother-in-law in the lobby of the business.

District Judge William Solomon made the ruling Friday following a preliminary hearing for Kenneth Richard Michaels, 65, at which the prosecution presented only one witness.

Michaels is charged with killing John Roskowski, 69, on Aug. 17 after he let him inside Cable Services Co. in the 2100 block of Marydale Avenue in Old Lycoming Twp. just north of Williamsport.

The only witness was Lycoming Regional Police Detective Justin Segura who testified the feet of Roskowskis body were just inches inside the lobby door.

The location of the body as recorded by a police body camera differs from the account of the shooting given by Michaels when interviewed, Segura said. This is what he said Michaels told him:

He heard the buzzer at the locked lobby door, took a 9mm handgun from his desk, put it in his pocket and then let Roskowski, a former owner, into the building.

He pointed the gun at Roskowski, who was yelling obscenities, after he took five or six steps into the lobby, told him stop and asked the receptionist to call 911. He fired after Roskowski took three or four more steps forward.

Roskowski dropped to the floor and Michaels returned to the office area of the business without offering aid to his brother-in-law who was pronounced dead on arrival at UPMC Williamsport.

The autopsy report states Roskowski was shot in the abdomen with the bullet damaging several internal organs, Segura said.

He testified Michaels told him he had taken the gun, which he had a license to carry, to work with him that day because he was scared. The arrest affidavit provides this additional information:

The day before Roskowski had driven his car to the business to have it serviced as he had done in the past.

Michaels, upon learning this, warned employees that Roskowski no longer was allowed on the property of the family-owned business.

Roskowski returned about 10:30 a.m. the day he was shot, learned what Michaels said, became irate, parked his car outside the administrative offices and continuously pushed the buzzer on the front door.

Michaels admitted when questioned he knew Roskowski was unarmed, Segura said.

Defense attorney Michael Rudinski asked Solomon to dismiss the homicide and possession of an instrument of crime charges arguing everything in the hearing was hearsay.

First Assistant District Attorney Martin Wade argued the evidence showed Michaels could have taken a number of counter measures to prevent the shooting including not letting him in the business. Michaels made false statements to police, he pointed out.

Michaels, who is married to Roskowskis sister, remains jailed without bail pending trial.
WILLIAMSPORT - You dont belong here. Dont come back.

That was the stern warning issued Friday by U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann after he sentenced a citizen of India who has been caught three times in the country illegally.

Rohitkumar Patel, 30, who in July admitted his role in a scheme to fraudulently obtain U non-immigrant visas, for victims of crimes, by staging fake robberies, received a time-served sentence.

He already has served nine months more than the maximum under the sentencing guidelines, the judge noted.

Brann ordered him turned over immediately to immigration officials so he can be deported. If that does not occur he will be on supervised release for three years.

Patel does not have any legal status in the United States and previously was removed in 2001 and 2007, the judge said.

Patel, who before his arrest was living in Jersey City, New Jersey, had pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit fraud and make false statements about visa and healthcare matters.

He had admitted being paid $5,000 to arrange the June 21, 2019, robbery at the Fuel On convenience store in Lock Haven and providing the pellet gun that was used.

Vinaykumar Patel, who owned the store, is accused of arranging to have Jeel Patel of Baltimore, Maryland, and Tapan Trivedi, of Naperville, Illinois, all natives of India, working at the time.

Jeel Patel has pleaded guilty while the other two are awaiting trial.

After the robbery, a State College attorney fraudulently was induced to prepare visa applications that included supporting documents for submission to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the indictment states.

Documents included those from healthcare providers who they had told falsely they had been injured or were suffering from emotional distress from the robbery.

The U non-immigrant visas were created in October 2000 for victims of certain serious, primarily violent crimes, including assault, kidnapping, rape, and their family members.

Applicants for those visas are required to submit a personal statement describing the criminal activity of which they were the victim.

We have enough crime in the district without fake robberies at convenience stores, assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur told the judge.
The Brandywine Valley SPCA in Chester County is helping more than 20 homeless dogs that were involved in a collision on I-95 in Delaware Saturday morning.

A total of 23 dogs were taken to the SPCA following the crash in New Castle County just after 6:45 a.m. on I-95 north, Delaware State Police told NBC10 in Philadelphia.

A 31-year-old Maryland woman lost control of her car and hit a van that was carrying the dogs from Louisiana, causing the van to go off the road and overturn into an embankment, the story says.

Neither of the drivers were injured in the crash. The Maryland woman was given a speeding ticket.

One dog with a leg injury was taken to an emergency vet clinic for further evaluation.

Crews with the Delaware Office of Animal Welfare responded to the crash and got the dogs to the SPCA.

The story says the dogs were being taken to rescue organizations in the region due to overcrowding in Louisiana shelters.

The shelter, which serves Pennsylvania and Delaware, is seeking donations to support the emergency medical care of these dogs and others.

READ MORE:

Coroner called to Cumberland County crash: reports

Video shows married trooper tackling ex-girlfriend before having her committed: police
Sitting at home one day in April, Dr. Rudolph Cumberbatch received a phone call from an unknown number. When he picked up, he recognized his grandson Eddies voice.

Eddie explained that he was calling from Ohio, that hed been in a serious accident, and that though he was OK, his car had been totaled. He needed $18,000 immediately.

But Eddies father, who was nearby, felt suspicious when he learned what was happening. He called Eddie only to find that the 19-year-old was healthy and safe at home in his Chicago apartment. There had been no car wreck. A voice scammer had found Eddies popular TikTok Channel, sampled his voice with speech synthesis technology, and impersonated him.

"I sort of fell for it because basically, it sounded very much like him," Dr. Cumberbatch told Yahoo Finance. "I was so shaken up that I didn't even question it, because I get a lot of screwed-up calls and I always question these people. But this one I did not question at all."

(Photo: Getty Creative)

Cumberbatchs experience is one of many raising concerns among experts who worry that voice scams could pose an increasing threat to Americans as artificial intelligence, or AI, continues to evolve and makes it harder to detect whats real and whats not. Still, there are several ways Americans can protect themselves from being swindled.

"It's going to be extremely common, because what tends to happen in anything that is related to manipulated media, which this falls under, is once you have someone demonstrate the effectiveness of that technique, you're going to have an endless number of copycats who get creative with it and try to do a variation on the initial grift," said Wasim Khaled, co-founder and chief executive of Blackbird.AI, an AI-powered risk intelligence firm.

In March, the Federal Trade Commission warned of an increase in AI voice scams, while a recent McAfee study found that out of 7,000 people surveyed, one in four indicated they had experienced an AI voice scam or knew someone who had. The same study reported that 77% of those who received an AI voice call lost money.

Story continues

Scam incoming call alert screen on mobile phone.

Though scams have always existed, AI has made them vastly more convincing.

For example, in romance scams, scammers have traditionally posed as prospective lovers to swindle their victims. Previously, fraudsters could connect with potential victims over email or messenger, but now they can use voice-cloning technology to disguise their voices as well. In other words, a male scammer could call a lonely old man with the fake voice of a young woman in an attempt to defraud him.

"There's impersonations, there's government agency scams, there's prize scams, there's gift card scams, caller ID spoofing," said Khaled. "All of these types of scams have been going on in one form or another but being able to clone a voice now supercharges those existing scams that already worked pretty well, but create an additional level of authenticity as well."

With McAfee's assistance, Yahoo Finance sampled audio of Executive Editor Brian Sozzi on Yahoo Finance Live and crafted a scam of our own. The results are pretty disconcerting. Listen for yourself.

Yahoo Finances scam required only one minute of uninterrupted audio and an easily accessible software. The McAfee report found that some scammers need just three seconds of audio of someones voice to create a convincing fake. Meanwhile, social media instructionals on voice cloning abound, meaning that even a mediocre scammer can learn the tech and produce impressive results.

But folks can still fight back, experts say.

"If you have some level of knowledge and some level of defense that you take personal responsibility for it  that's the only line of defense you have today," Khaled said, noting that from a tech perspective, there are no safeguards "in place yet."

"So you have to get educated," he added. Heres how.

Have a security word

Experts say that security words are one of the most effective forms of defense against voice AI scams. That means coming up with a secret word or phrase, so if a fraudster calls and fails to give the secret phrase, you can be confident that youre about to be the victim of a ruse.

"If they're asking for something like a ransom payment for a kidnapping, what is that secret word?" Khaled said. "Basically get ahead of the situation before it gets any further."

Consider location-tracking services

Dr. Michael Skiba, also known as Dr. Fraud for his expertise in scams and crime, said that tracking services like Find My or Life360 can help if you think youre on the receiving end of a fraud.

For instance, if a swindler calls you and tells you hes kidnapped your significant other in another country, you can verify whether thats true on Find My Friends, which permits users to see their friends location on a map.

"So, if you get a call saying that your son or daughter is in Mexico and you look and they're at their college campus  youre right off the bat thinking my flag should be out," he said.

Be wary of unknown numbers

Steve Grobman, senior vice president and chief technology officer at McAfee, advised folks to screen unexpected phone calls from unknown numbers. Many mobile providers offer call screening, where the caller has to provide identifying information before the user even answers the call. The cell providers sometimes label unknown phone numbers as "Spam Risk" or "Telemarketer."

"When in doubt, sending an unknown or unexpected number to voicemail is a good approach," Grobman said.

Be aware of your online presence

Take inventory of your social media accounts and channels where your voice is on display.

"One of the important things to do is to make any social media account private, and that is so that people can't just go onto a public Instagram account, grab audio from that video clip, and use it to synthesize a voice," said Khaled. "That's going to create a much bigger obstacle for anyone so that they can't have their voice out there."

Grobman warned users about the dangers of having too much information available online. He said that social media offers a gold mine for scammers who want to tailor their messaging to particular individuals.

"To better mitigate these risks, periodically review your social media connections and privacy settings to ensure youre sharing only with people you know and trust," he said. "If you have an open social media profile, its critical to be more on guard when it comes to communications you receive, as the public, including scammers, have access to more information about you."

Hang up and call back

If you think youre receiving a call from a scammer, hang up and call back. That way, you can confirm the identity of the caller.

"You call them back at their real number," Khaled said.

Even if the scammer posing as your loved one says theyre calling from a kidnapper cell, still call that loved one back on their usual number.

"If you call back the real number and they pick up, [everything is]  it's another great way to just quickly spot check," he said.

Pause and take a deep breath

Scammers try to generate panic to swindle their victims. When experiencing a flight-or-flight response, victims struggle to think clearly and tend to make impulsive decisions, like wiring vast sums of money to an afflicted relative or acquaintance. Thats why, Grobman said, its important to remain calm.

"Scammers prey on creating a sense of fear and urgency, since it means their victims are much more likely to act first and ask questions later," he said. "Taking a few seconds to calmly analyze the situation allows users to better identify fraudulent communications."

"The primary key to avoiding most scams is being vigilant and alert," he added.

Spread the word

Perhaps the best way to fight back against scams is to spread awareness, Khaled said. Warn your family, friends, and colleagues of the prevalence of AI voice frauds.

"It's not just your elder relatives now, because they're not the only ones falling for it," he added. "So spreading the word is critical if you happen to be the one that sees the information first."

Dylan Croll is a Yahoo Finance reporter.

Click here for the latest personal finance news to help you with investing, paying off debt, buying a home, retirement, and more

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
Harrisburg-area rail travelers will soon have more options to travel to western Pennsylvania.

PennDOT and Norfolk Southern Corporation inked a deal Friday to expand passenger rail service on the Pennsylvanian Amtrak line between New York and Pittsburgh via Harrisburg.

The agreement will increase from once to twice daily the number of trains operating on that line that also serves Lancaster, Lewistown, Huntingdon and Altoona in central Pennsylvania.

This agreement lays the groundwork for expanded passenger rail service in Western Pennsylvania while simultaneously preserving a critical freight rail corridor, said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. Ensuring more Pennsylvanians have access to safe and reliable transportation to Western PA will reduce commute times, help connect hundreds of thousands of residents, and boost local economies. This expansion of service on the Pennsylvanian will provide key mobility and economic benefits.

Pennsylvania will invest more than $200 million in infrastructure and safety improvements that will be constructed and maintained by Norfolk Southern, PennDOT said.

PennDOT said it has applied for grant funds through the Federal Railroad Administration to help cover the cost of the improvements.

Norfolk Southern is excited to build upon our partnership with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by increasing passenger rail options for the citizens of Pennsylvania while improving the resilience of our infrastructure for the shippers in the Commonwealth, said Norfolk Southern Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Mike McClellan. This is a win-win agreement that would not be possible without the dedication and collaboration of our state officials, who share our vision for enhanced rail service across the Keystone State.

The Pennsylvanian is a key passenger rail route connecting the travelers from east to west, and with the Capitol Limited, with Cleveland, Chicago and points west.

Pennsylvania has 65 operating railroads  the most of any state  and has 5,600 miles of track, fifth in the nation.
Recently, I attended a meeting of the American Fisheries Society in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Scientists from the U.S., Canada, and Eurasia expressed no doubts that lakes, streams, and oceans were warming. For most fish species, warming will have harmful effects.

That same evening, I watched the Republican presidential debates. What a contrast! When asked to raise their hands if they believed that man-made emissions were the cause of global warming, not one of the eight raised their hand.

Ron DeSantis objected to raising his hand. Nikki Haley acknowledged the link between emissions and warming and suggested that the U.S. should pressure China and India to reduce their emissions, because they are the largest sources of greenhouse gases.

Haley neglected to note that per capita, the U.S. ranks first in emission of greenhouse gases.

Vivek Ramaswamy declared that climate warming was a hoax. As for the rest of the candidates  no comment. What scares me is that our next president might be among this group.

The decision to lead the world in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions should not be political. Unfortunately, it has been. Democrats have largely supported legislation aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Many Republicans have not.

We must use our votes to show that we are deeply concerned with global warming and the degraded environment we will be leaving our children and grandchildren.

Robert Carline, PhD, former President of the American Fisheries Society, State College, Pa.
This could be one interesting standoff.

Gov. Phil Murphy and more than a dozen other prominent Democratic leaders in New Jersey urged newly indicted Democratic U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez to resign immediately on Friday as the states senior senator fights federal charges that he and his wife accepted gold bars, a convertible and hundreds of thousands in cash in a wide-ranging corruption scheme.

But their calls for his resignation made Menendez, who is up for re-election next year, only more defiant.

It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat, the 69-year-old three-term senator replied in a statement Friday night. I am not going anywhere.

It all sounds like the beginning of a long and nasty political stalemate. Here are five things to look for regarding how this could play out for a suddenly troubled New Jersey Democratic Party in the coming year.

1. Menendez could remain in office, but in a weakened state.

After the indictment was announced, Menendez ceded chairmanship on the influential Senate Foreign Affairs Committee until the matter has been resolved, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said. Thats actually required under Senate Democratic rules when a member in a leadership position is indicted.

Menendez also stepped away as ranking Democrat of the panel after he was indicted on corruption charges in 2015 and returned to the post two years later when a jury deadlocked and the judge declared a mistrial. Menendez became chair in 2021 after Democrats regained control of the Senate.

Murphy and other party leaders stood by him last time. But the allegations in this indictment suggest this is a stronger case, with photo evidence of the alleged ill-gotten gains.

If anybody read this indictment, it does sound like a TV drama of a gangster series, said Loretta Weinberg, the Bergen County Democrat and former state Senate majority leader, who remains active in politics. It is so overwhelming when you find hundreds of thousands of cash stashed away. It is really dismaying, disgusting.

I wish him well in fighting this in court, Weinberg added.

Another point: While it is hard to predict court schedules, Menendez would either be preparing for or actually facing trial in his election year. Last time, the case was over a year before his re-election bid.

2. Democrats could play hardball and challenge Menendez in the primary election next June.

Menendez is seeking a fourth full term in 2024, the same year as the next presidential election, in which Democratic President Joe Biden is running for a second term.

Several top county Democratic Party leaders in New Jersey were among those Friday calling on Menendez to resign. They wield tremendous power over who receives choice ballot placement  known as the county line  in the state. If Menendez doesnt leave, those leaders could deny him the line and field a candidate to challenge him for the partys nomination.

Party operatives named several big-name Democrats Murphy could appoint to temporarily replace Menendez should he step down. Some of them could also be in play if top Democrats want to force a primary fight.

Dworkin said that would be an expensive endeavor.

Democrats dont want to do that, the Rowan professor said. Strategically, thats something Democrats really want to avoid.

But should Democrats do it if Menendez doesnt resign? Weinberg, the retired state legislator, said yes.

I dont think we have any choice, she said.

3. Democrats in the U.S. Senate hold a precarious majority. The pressure to win is immense.

This comes as Democrats hold a razor-thin margin of control in the U.S. Senate. There are 49 Republicans, 48 Democrats and three independents  Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, Angus King of Maine, and Bernie Sanders of Vermont  who caucus with Democrats. Joe Manchin from West Virginia is a Democrat but has openly discussed becoming an independent.

Every race matters in this hyper-partisan era of politics and New Jersey Democrats surely dont want to risk losing a Senate race to Republicans for the first time since 1972.

Menendez has always won handily, but a Monmouth University poll last month shows hes losing ground with Democrats. His approval numbers among Democrats slipped eight points to 58% while his disapproval number increased 7 points to 23%, according to the survey. Among all registered voters, his approval rating was 36%. Of course, the poll was taken prior to the indictment.

This is also also unfolding less than two months before all 120 seats in the Democratic-controlled state Legislature are on the ballot, and Democrats are likely looking to avoid added controversy two years after Republicans surprisingly gained seven seats.

4. Watch for what U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Chuck Schumer do and say.

Booker, a fellow Democrat and the states junior senator in Washington, did not issue a statement when the calls for resignation stacked up like cord wood late Friday.

I think many people are waiting to see what Cory Booker does, said Ben Dworkin, director of the Rowan University Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship. Hes been his partner and colleague in the Senate and has a different working relationship with other officials. I think all eyes are on Sen. Booker to see what he will do.

Schumer, the top Democratic official in the Senate, called Menendez a dedicated public servant (who) is always fighting hard for the people of New Jersey. He has a right to due process and a fair trial.

Who knows what hes saying in private. One Democratic operative, who declined to be identified to be able to reveal what party leaders are thinking, said Friday its unclear what the House or Senate will do and Schumer could tell Menendez its over.

For the record: While the Senate has disciplined members (including admonishing Menendez in 2018) and several have resigned under pressure, it hasnt actually expelled anyone since 14 were thrown out during the Civil War for supporting the Confederacy.

5. How can Democrats blast Trump and support Menendez in an election year?

Democrats are also aware of how it would look if Menendez vies for re-election under indictment the same year Republican former President Donald Trump runs again for the White House despite facing his own, multiple indictments.

State Assemblyman John McKeon, D-Essex, said he wants Menendez to step aside because enough is enough and noted Democrats shouldnt play a double standard.

If you have that same complaint about Trump that he should be disqualified to run for re-election, it would be hypocritical to think different with Menendez, McKeon said.

But even with the mounting pressure, could Menendez hang in there anyway?

If anyone could stick it out, it would be Bob Menendez, Dworkin said.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio.
By STEPHEN GROVES, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP)  The federal government is heading toward a shutdown that will disrupt many services, squeeze workers and roil politics as Republicans in the House, fueled by hard-right demands for deep cuts, force a confrontation over federal spending.

While some government entities will be exempt  Social Security checks, for example, will still go out  other functions will be severely curtailed. Federal agencies will stop all actions deemed non-essential, and millions of federal employees, including members of the military, wont receive paychecks.

A look at whats ahead if the government shuts down on Oct. 1.

WHAT IS A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN?

A shutdown happens when Congress fails to pass some type of funding legislation that is signed into law by the president. Lawmakers are supposed to pass 12 different spending bills to fund agencies across the government, but the process is time-consuming. They often resort to passing a temporary extension, called a continuing resolution or CR, to allow the government to keep operating.

When no funding legislation is enacted, federal agencies have to stop all nonessential work and will not send paychecks as long as the shutdown lasts.

Although employees deemed essential such as air traffic controllers and law enforcement officers still have to report to work, other federal employees are furloughed. Under a 2019 law, those same workers are slated to receive backpay once the funding impasse is resolved.

WHEN WOULD A SHUTDOWN BEGIN AND HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

Government funding expires Oct. 1, the start of the federal budget year. A shutdown will effectively begin at 12:01 a.m. if Congress is not able to pass a funding plan that the president signs into law.

It is impossible to predict how long a shutdown would last. With Congress divided between a Democratic-controlled Senate and Republican-led House, and Speaker Kevin McCarthys hard-right conservatives looking to use the shutdown as leverage for spending cuts, many are bracing for a stoppage that could last weeks.

WHO DOES A SHUTDOWN AFFECT?

Millions of federal workers face delayed paychecks when the government shuts down, including many of the roughly 2 million military personnel and more than 2 million civilian workers across the nation.

Nearly 60% of federal workers are stationed in the department of Defense, Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security.

Federal workers are stationed in all 50 states and have direct interaction with taxpayers -- from Transportation Security Administration agents who operate security at airports to Postal Service workers who deliver mail.

Some federal offices will also have to close or face shortened hours during a shutdown.

Beyond federal workers, a shutdown could have far-reaching effects on government services. People applying for government services like clinical trials, firearm permits and passports could see delays.

Businesses closely connected to the federal government, such as federal contractors or tourist services around national parks, could see disruptions and downturns. The travel sector could lose $140 million daily in a shutdown, according to the U.S. Travel Industry Association.

Lawmakers also warn that a shutdown could rattle financial markets. Goldman Sachs has estimated that a shutdown would reduce economic growth by 0.2% every week it lasted, but growth would then bounce back after the government reopens.

Others say the disruption in government services has far-reaching impacts because it shakes confidence in the government to fulfill its basic duties. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce warned, A well-functioning economy requires a functioning government.

FILE - The U.S. Capitol is seen on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)

WHAT ABOUT COURT CASES, THE WORK OF CONGRESS AND PRESIDENTIAL PAY?

The president and members of Congress will continue to work and get paid. However, any members of their staff who are not deemed essential will be furloughed.

The judiciary will be able to continue to operate for a limited time using funds derived from court filings and other fees, as well as other approved funding.

Notably, funding for the three special counsels appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland would not be affected by a government shutdown because they are paid for through a permanent, indefinite appropriation, an area thats been exempted from shutdowns in the past.

That means the two federal cases against Donald Trump, the former president, as well as the case against Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, would not be interrupted. Trump has demanded that Republicans defund the prosecutions against him as a condition of funding the government, declaring it their last chance to act.

HAS THIS HAPPENED BEFORE?

Prior to the 1980s, lapses in government funding did not result in government operations significantly shuttering. But then-U.S. Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti, in a series of legal opinions in 1980 and 1981, argued that government agencies cannot legally operate during a funding gap.

Federal officials have since operated under an understanding they can make exemptions for functions that are essential for public safety and constitutional duties.

Since 1976, there have been 22 funding gaps, with 10 of them leading to workers being furloughed. But most of the significant shutdowns have taken place since Bill Clintons presidency, when then-Speaker Newt Gingrich and his conservative House majority demanded budget cuts.

The longest government shutdown happened between 2018 and 2019 when then-President Trump and congressional Democrats entered a standoff over his demand for funding for a border wall. The disruption lasted 35 days, through the holiday season, but was also only a partial government shutdown because Congress had passed some appropriations bills to fund parts of the government.

President Joe Biden addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, file)AP

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO END A SHUTDOWN?

Its the responsibility of Congress to fund the government. The House and Senate have to agree to fund the government in some way, and the president has to sign the legislation into law.

Congress often relies on a so-called continuing resolution, or CR, to provide stopgap money to open government offices at current levels as budget talks are underway. Money for pressing national priorities, such as emergency assistance for victims of natural disasters, is often attached to a short-term bill.

But hardline Republicans say any temporary bill is a non-starter for them. They are pushing to keep the government shut down until Congress negotiates all 12 bills that fund the government, which is historically a laborious undertaking that isnt resolved until December, at the earliest.
Bonnie Raitt accepts the award for song of the year for "Just Like That" at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. First Lady Jill Biden looks on from right. Raitt performed Friday, Sept. 22 at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Respecting the artist's wishes, The Herald did not shoot still photography or video during the show.
A community conversation on how to help Ukrainians displaced by the war was held at the Ryga Arts Festival in Summerland. From the left, Dianne MacDonald who provided accommodation for two families, recently arrived Sasha (Oleksandr), Galia Kwetny, translator, and Karmen McNamara of Help Ukraine Vancouver Island.
People take part in a public sector union demonstration in Montreal, Saturday, September 23, 2023. Quebec public sector employees marched in Montreal on Saturday to demand higher wages and better working conditions amid stalled contract negotiations with the government.. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Beijing said it would welcome a proposed visit to China next month by US senators, seeing it as an opportunity to "inject positive energy" into bilateral relations.

"China welcomes people from all walks of life in the United States, including members of the Congress, to visit China so as to have a better understanding of China, promote exchanges between the two countries, and inject more positive energy into the China-US relationship," Liu Pengyu, spokesman for China's Washington embassy, said on Thursday.

The office of US Senator Mike Crapo, Republican of Idaho, said the trip would also include visits to Japan and South Korea. Photo: Getty Images/TNS alt=The office of US Senator Mike Crapo, Republican of Idaho, said the trip would also include visits to Japan and South Korea. Photo: Getty Images/TNS>

The Senate majority leader, Charles E. Schumer, a Democrat of New York, and Senator Mike Crapo, Republican of Idaho, are planning to head a bipartisan trip to China in October, according to multiple reports. It would mark the first such visit by members of the US Congress to mainland China in more than four years.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

The delegation also expects to visit Japan and South Korea, according to Crapo's office. Schumer's office did not immediately respond to inquiries about the trip.

While invitations have reportedly been extended to several senators from both parties, the delegation's membership remains unclear.

A trip to China by US lawmakers would follow a flurry of visits by senior US government officials in recent months, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and John F. Kerry, the special envoy on climate change.

Story continues

Some legislators expressed concerns about Schumer's proposed visit. "Communist China has chosen to be America's enemy and NOTHING Schumer says is going to change that," Senator Rick Scott, Republican of Florida, said in a statement.

The senators' trip would be "significant", and such congressional visits are "commendable for their pragmatism", Zhiqun Zhu, a professor of international relations at Bucknell University, said.

He noted that visits to the mainland had been halted for over four years - "a sharp contrast to the frequent visits to Taiwan by members of Congress in recent years".

At least 37 US lawmakers visited Taiwan in 2022, the most in a decade, according to Bloomberg. After then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met with President Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei in August 2022, Beijing launched an unprecedented military exercise around the self-ruled island.

Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, also hopes to lead a House delegation to China when the State Department deems it "appropriate", The Washington Post reported. His office did not immediately respond to questions about his proposal.

Khanna is a member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). But the committee's chairman, Mike Gallagher, a Wisconsin Republican, said that he had "no plan" to visit China - "not right now", he said.

In May, Schumer, a long-time China hawk, announced plans for a legislative package dubbed "China competition bill 2.0". The new bill, aimed at expanding last year's landmark Chips and Science Act, would focus on issues including limiting the flow of advanced technologies to China and deterring Beijing's aggression toward Taiwan.

"I think the Chinese government understands that Congress is a stronghold of anti-China politicians today," Zhu said.

"However, this will not affect how members of Congress will be received in China, and the Chinese are likely to show hospitality and warmth towards the bipartisan group led by Schumer and Crapo as part of the effort to rebuild trust between Congress and the Chinese government."

He added: "As a congressional leader, Schumer's visit will carry additional weight, and will be taken seriously by Beijing."

Wang Huiyao, the founder and president of the Centre for China and Globalization (CCG) in Beijing, said a visit led by Schumer was "necessary" as part of any effort to strengthen US-China communications "from all sides".

"It will be a good start," he said.

Additional reporting by Bochen Han

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2023 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2023. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Email

Print

Donald Trump is reportedly going to Michigan on Thursday to use the UAW strike as a GOP debate distraction, but President Biden will be there two days earlier to join the picket line.

The Washington Post reported, President Biden will speak Tuesday in Michigan to support the UAW, according to two people familiar with his plans, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a visit that hasnt been announced yet. Union leaders invited him earlier Friday to join the picket line.

Biden later tweeted:

Tuesday, Ill go to Michigan to join the picket line and stand in solidarity with the men and women of UAW as they fight for a fair share of the value they helped create. Its time for a win-win agreement that keeps American auto manufacturing thriving with well-paid UAW jobs.  President Biden (@POTUS) September 22, 2023



The union and workers have made it clear that they would welcome a visit from Biden, but they have told Trump to stay away.

Trump is trying to use the strike to create a distraction and harm the ratings of the second Republican presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, which he will not be attending.

Trumps event has all of the hallmarks of being a sham. Trump is going to invite members from other unions and former union members, but he will not be exclusively speaking to United Auto Workers.

While Trump uses the strike as a prop to disguise the fact that he is afraid to debate, President Biden is going to Michigan to defend the freedom of workers to collectively bargain.

By the time Trump gets to Michigan, he will be old news.

President Biden is welcome and will have a message that the President Of The United States supports organized labor.
St. Johns United Methodist Church and its United Methodist Women hosted the annual statewide conference of the United Women in Faith. The conference was held Oct. 19-21, and more than 200 women from around the state attended. Agenda topics included mission activities locally, statewide and  Read moreStatewide group makes donation to Aiken's Stand at the Crossroads
A $28 million build-to-rent townhome development has started vertical construction in West Ashley.

Georgia-based Trilogy Investment Co. is building the 71-unit Villas at the Creek on 10 acres at 3894 Savannah Highway. A company affiliate bought the property in Red Top in 2021 for $5 million, according to Charleston County land records.

Situated on Rantowles Creek, units will have 3 bedrooms and 2 baths and include single-car garages, granite countertops and 9-foot ceilings. Community amenities will include walking trails, a gazebo, grilling stations, a dog park and kayak launch.

Trilogy's chief development officer John Boniface called the Lowcountry "a thriving community" and "one of our favorite places to develop and build."

Growing up in Charleston, I have a deep appreciation for the culture, natural beauty and opportunity that makes Charleston one of the most desirable places in America for the individuals and families that we serve," he said. "This will be the first of several communities the Trilogy team intends to bring to the Charleston area."

Trilogy partnered with the Charleston-based Center Park Group to manage and build the West Ashley project. The developer expects the first units to be available by mid-2024.

Joint venture

A Charleston-based rental housing and development firm has partnered with a real estate investment firm from New York City to buy a townhome community in Summerville for $22.3 million.
Photo: Wikipedia Ahmed Altantawy

A leading Egyptian opposition politician was targeted with spyware after announcing a presidential bid, security researchers reported Friday. They said Egyptian authorities were likely behind the attempted hack.

Discovery of the attempt last week by researchers at Citizen Lab and Googles Threat Analysis Group prompted Apple to rush out operating system updates for iPhones, iPads, Mac computers and Apple Watches to patch the associated vulnerabilities.

Citizen Lab said in a blog post that recent attempts to hack former Egyptian lawmaker Ahmed Altantawy involved configuring his connection to the Vodaphone Egypt mobile network to automatically infect his devices with the Predator spyware if he visited certain websites not using the secure HTTPS protocol.

Bill Marczak, the researcher involved at the University of Toronto-based internet watchdog, declined to provide more detail on how he and Google researcher Maddie Stone discovered the spyware exploit chain, which he said was sent to Altantawy's phone via SMS and WhatsApp links from Egyptian soil.

Once infected, the Predator spyware turns a smartphone into a remote eavesdropping device and lets the attacker siphon off data.

"It's scary the fact that the government can essentially select anyone on Vodafone Egypts network and perhaps other networks for infections and they just flip a switch and select them for targeting, he said. Marczak said the most likely scenario here is that, yes, there is this cooperation from from Vodafone.

Altantawy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on being targeted by the alleged spyware, nor did Egyptian officials.

Citizen Lab had previously identified Egypt as a customer of Predator's maker, Cytrox, and determined that Altantawy's phone was successfully hacked with it in 2021 in a separate incident.

Citizen Lab also previously documented Predator infections affecting two exiled Egyptians, and in a joint probe with Facebook determined that Cytrox had customers in countries including Armenia, Greece, Indonesia, Madagascar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Serbia.

Altantawy, a former journalist and lawmaker, announced in March his bid to challenge incumbent President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi in 2024, who has overseen a sharp crackdown on political opposition. Rights groups accuse el-Sissis administration of targeting dissent with brutal tactics  forced disappearances, torture and long-term detentions without trial.

Altantawy, family members and supporters have complained of being harrassed, which led him to ask Citizen Lab researchers to analyze his phone for potential spyware infection.

"We didnt see any evidence of a successful hack, but we did note that he had (the phone) in lockdown mode, said Marczak.

Apple offers lockdown mode for iPhone users at high risk of being targeted with spyware, who include human rights activists, journalists and opposition politicians in countries like Egypt.

In July, the U.S. added Predator's maker, Cytrox, to its blacklist for developing surveillance tools deemed to have threatened U.S. national security as well as individuals and organizations worldwide. That makes it illegal for U.S. companies to do business with them. Israel NSO Group, maker of the Pegasus spyware, was similarly sanctions in November 2021. The reported use of Predator in Greece helped precipitate the resignation last year of two top government officials, including the national intelligence director.

The latest discovery brings to five the number of zero-day vulnerabilities to Apple software for which patches have been released this month.
In the early hours of September 8, two Philippine boats and their two coastguard escorts sailed towards the contested Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.

It was their third mission in five weeks to deliver food, water and fuel to troops on the submerged reef in the Spratly archipelago.

To Beijing, those troops - who use a grounded World War II warship as a base - are illegally occupying the Chinese territory of Renai Jiao. The reef is controlled by Manila but also claimed by Beijing, Taipei and Hanoi.

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.

As the Philippine vessels neared the reef, Chinese ships stationed nearby tried to stop them, according to data from ship tracking site MarineTraffic.

One was a coastguard vessel but the other eight Chinese ships were apparently fishing boats.

Four of the steel-hulled civilian ships sailed with the Chinese coastguard vessel, taking turns to block the Philippine coastguard ships BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan from getting close to the reef.

Four more civilian ships were standing by as three more Chinese coastguard vessels surrounded the Philippine boats.

The Chinese ships came within metres of the BRP Cabra's hull, video footage released by the Philippine coastguard showed. The Philippines said the Chinese vessels' "dangerous manoeuvres" had endangered the crew and that their presence in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) was illegal, but the resupply mission was completed.

The incident is an example of how China is increasingly using civilian ships to assert its territorial claims to nearly all of the resource-rich South China Sea.

Its neighbours are concerned that Beijing is seeking to achieve its goals by blurring the lines between civilian and military forces, and by using force such as firing water cannon.

Story continues

These so-called grey zone tactics are used by governments to compel others to act in a certain way while enabling them to deny responsibility for what are seemingly civilian activities.

Ray Powell, director of SeaLight, a Stanford University project focused on grey zone activities in the South China Sea, said there should be clear demarcation of troops and civilians in conflicts to avoid civilian casualties - a principle struck after the immense loss of civilian lives in World War II.

"Once you start blurring that, then it becomes very hard to decide who is a lawful target," Powell said. "That then leads us into places that are scary places."

He pointed to the firebombing and use of atomic bombs by the United States in Japan in World War II - which killed more than 200,000 civilians - before those rules of engagement were made.

In the South China Sea, the Chinese coastguard fired water cannon at Philippine ships resupplying troops on Second Thomas Shoal on August 5. Weeks later, a Chinese coastguard vessel was said to have used water cannon on a Vietnamese fishing boat near the disputed Paracel Islands, injuring some of the fishermen on board, according to Vietnamese media reports.

For more than two decades, China and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have been negotiating a binding code of conduct for the South China Sea, but there is no agreement in sight.

China did sign the non-binding Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea in 2014, which sets out safe behaviour in a bid to make military action more predictable - but it only applies to navies, not coastguards or militias.

China's embassy in Manila did not respond to requests for comment. Responding earlier to the August 5 incident, the Chinese foreign ministry claimed the outpost on Second Thomas Shoal violated international law and that the Philippines had ignored China's warnings not to send building materials to reinforce the crumbling warship it uses as a base.

China did not say how it knew the resupply boats were carrying construction materials.

Beijing claims "historical rights" over most of the South China Sea with its nine-dash line, though it has not specified what rights it has beyond its claims to the Spratly, Paracel and Pratas Islands and the Macclesfield Bank.

Its claims overlap with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

Beijing also rejected a 2016 ruling by an international tribunal in The Hague that invalidated its expansive claims - based on historical maps and documents about Chinese activity on disputed reefs and islands - because they went against the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), which China has signed and ratified.

Manila and Washington have repeatedly criticised Beijing for using what are ostensibly fishing boats to block Philippine vessels from getting to Second Thomas Shoal. They say those fishing boats are part of China's professional maritime militia.

At the Asean summit earlier this month, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr called on the 10-nation bloc to rally and act against China's "dangerous use" of coastguard and militia ships.

Hours later, the September 8 confrontation unfolded. The Chinese fishing vessels all had names that began Qiong Sansha Yu - "Qiong" referring to the character for Hainan province, "Sansha" pointing to the city that includes the Spratlys, Paracels and Macclesfield Bank in its jurisdiction, and "Yu" meaning fishery.

Powell said they were professional militia ships, that their crew members wore paramilitary uniforms and they did not fish.

"No fishing ship would spend as much time as they do just roaming around doing nothing, but that's essentially what they do," he said.

"They are paid militia, and their primary job is to help assert Chinese jurisdiction or sovereignty over maritime spaces."

According to MarineTraffic, the four civilian ships that confronted the Philippine fleet on September 8 - Qiong Sansha Yu 00008, 00114, 00115 and 00231 - had been at Mischief Reef since August 29, some 32km (20 miles) from Second Thomas Shoal.

MarineTraffic publishes ship data using their automatic identification systems that transmit location and speed.

Days before the confrontation, the Chinese ships took turns in pairs to guard Second Thomas Shoal before heading back to Mischief Reef, where China has built an artificial island, sent troops and installed radomes and an airfield.

The ships had sailed from Qinglan Port in Wenchang, on the southern Chinese island of Hainan, according to the tracking site.

The port is one of three in the province where militia fleets can dock. Satellite images from Google Earth show nearly 20 ships measuring 50 to 60 metres (164 to 197 feet) docking at the port since it opened in 2017.

Some of those ships have the same features as the civilian vessels involved in the September 8 incident near Second Thomas Shoal.

The Qiong Sansha Yu 00115 was identified as one of the Chinese fishing boats that confronted Philippine vessels near Second Thomas Shoal earlier this month. Photo: AFP alt=The Qiong Sansha Yu 00115 was identified as one of the Chinese fishing boats that confronted Philippine vessels near Second Thomas Shoal earlier this month. Photo: AFP>

Chinese state media has reported on militia activities aimed at defending the country's territorial claims to reefs and islands in the South China Sea. But the foreign ministry has repeatedly denied using militia for this purpose.

In 2021, asked why more than 200 such vessels had appeared in the disputed Whitsun Reef, also in the Spratlys, the ministry said they were fishing boats taking shelter from bad weather.

According to Powell from SeaLight, the Qiong Sansha Yu fleet is part of a professional, uniformed militia paid to assert Chinese sovereignty in disputed areas.

Their training is organised by local governments. Raoping county in Guangdong province, for example, arranged eight days of combat-readiness training for more than 160 maritime personnel in June 2022, the government's website said.

A maritime militia was established in 2013 under the People's Liberation Army's Sansha garrison command, according to state media reports.

There were 215 people in the Sansha militia in its first two years, state-run Hainan Daily reported in 2014. A 2021 promotional video shows personnel training with grenades and assault rifles that are also used by the PLA.

An outpost for the Sansha maritime militia was set up on Woody Island in the Paracels, as well as an office for "united military, coastguard and civilian defence", Senior Colonel Cai Xihong wrote in an article in PLA journal Guofang in 2015.

Cai, commander of the Sansha garrison at the time, and co-author Hong Yao said the militia was overseen by Sansha City Fisheries Development. The company is wholly owned by the Sansha city government's financial bureau, according to Tianyancha, a Chinese company data provider.

Cai and Hong said the militia used fleets of steel-hulled ships that could be used for fishing and combat to protect maritime rights.

Such ships had been deployed on 228 missions from 2012 to 2014 including to chase away foreign fishing boats, prevent them from landing on islands, and "safeguard peace and stability" at sea.

Another part of the militia is the Spratly Backbone Fleet, which uses smaller ships that sit near disputed reefs for most of the year to create, in effect, a floating outpost, according to Powell.

Sitting in the EEZ of another country is not illegal under Unclos. But, he said: "What we're trying to expose in that case is not necessarily illegal activity, but activity that is intended to make an assertion on behalf of the state rather than fishing, as a fishing ship would normally do".

China is not the only South China Sea claimant to have a militia. Vietnam, another communist state, also does, but its maritime militia is believed to be much smaller.

While Hanoi does not release official figures on the militia, Major General Pham Quang Ngan, head of Vietnam's militia and self-defence department, told local media in 2019 that there were 1.5 million personnel.

Colonel Nguyen Phuong Hoa wrote in 2016 that 0.08 per cent of militia personnel worked for the maritime militia. That would suggest the country had about 1,200 maritime militia personnel if the proportion stayed the same from 2016 to 2019.

Chen Xiangmiao, an associate research fellow at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies in Hainan, said there was not much call for China's militia to operate as an armed force.

Still, he said it was needed to bolster the country's limited coastguard numbers in the South China Sea - though the size of its maritime militia is not known.

"The management of the Chinese militia is in a bit of a disarray," Chen said.

"Vietnam's militia has a very clear survey method to separate militia personnel and ordinary fishers."

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2023 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2023. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
SCENE 1: A Saturday afternoon in a busy grocery store parking lot. Ive got a ton of errands to run, and no time to spare. Happily, there are two adjacent spaces ahead  one for me and one for the car approaching from the other direction. Im about to pull into my space when the other driver veers away from the spaces  in order to back in.

I detest this time-wasting maneuver on principle, and even more when it affects me. I extend my arms, turn my palms up and fix an exasperated What is wrong with you? expression on my face, never imagining he would notice, since hes so busy  backing into a perfectly good pull-in space.

He finally gets situated in his space, and Im able to park. He remains in his car. I dont dare repeat my gesture as I walk by, harmless as it is, because I know that while encountering an enraged and dangerous person is statistically unlikely, its less unlikely than it used to be.

As I walk past, he shouts something to me. Thats worrisome.

Then he shouts it again, and I make out Sister. I turn tentatively toward him, and he continues: Reject anger. Choose peace. He says it again. I pause, say, Youre right, and walk into the store to do my shopping, grateful for how improved my perspective is for having been so interrupted.

Thirty minutes later, the peace man and I simultaneously push our carts of groceries out separate doors and toward our adjacent cars.

I hope I didnt upset you when I called out to you, he says. I assure him it was fine.

I know backing into spaces takes more time," he continues. "Thats the reaction I usually get. But I was told to back in.

He goes on to explain that hes an anger management counselor and is always looking for opportunities to diffuse potentially dangerous situations. This hadnt been such a situation; I actually wasnt angry  just annoyed  but I thank him for putting the situation into perspective.
TOWNVILLE  Rolling farm fields and modest homes dot the two-lane highway that leads into Townville, an unincorporated community of 4,000 in Anderson County.

An advertisement for "pick your own pumpkins" stands by the highway, while another sign admonishes drivers to "drive like your kids live here."

The heart of Townville is a small collection of two restaurants, six churches, a post office, a Dollar General and Townville Elementary, where a 2016 school shooting rocked the community to its core.

Nearly seven years ago, 14-year-old Jesse Osborne shot his father, three students and a teacher, killing his father and critically wounding 6-year-old student Jacob Hall, who died from his injuries three days later.

While few signs of the shooting remain, the scars endure.

Townville rallied together in the aftermath. They mourned with the families, held fundraisers and set up more community watch organizations.

And local government leaders moved to secure gun rights.

In 2020, Anderson County became one of at least 11 counties in South Carolina to adopt language establishing the jurisdiction as a Second Amendment sanctuary. Fearing stricter federal gun control efforts, County Council's intent was to safeguard residents' Second Amendment rights despite their tragic history.

"When I was sworn in to County Council, I took an oath to protect the Constitution of the United States and the state constitution," said councilman Brett Sanders, who helped develop and pass the ordinance. "It's our constitutional right."
ROCK HILL  It was 8 a.m. on a normal Sunday in August, just another day in a string of months that felt all the same for James Lightner.

Lightner, a Rock Hill barber for over 15 years, had hit a "plateau" in his career. Then, while giving his kids a bath at 8 a.m. on that Sunday, he stumbled upon an Instagram reel.

It was a viral video of a Cincinnati barber, Vernon Jackson, who has appeared on "Good Morning America," interviewed with Jennifer Hudson and held hair-cutting events in London.

In the video, Jackson gives a haircut to Ellison Eubanks, a 7-year-old who has down syndrome and a congenital heart defect. The two are depicted joking back and forth, as Eubanks tells Jackson to start and stop the razor every few seconds. They both smile  the full-teeth kind  for nearly the entire 60 seconds.

All the way back in Rock Hill, it shook something alive in Lightner, a 38-year-old barber and owner of The Shop, prompting him to bring Jackson to Rock Hill for an event on Sept. 25.

Lightner regained the spark to scale the plateau that had been holding him back.

I got to the point to where I got comfortable, and I wasn't pushing like I needed to, he said.

Until he saw the reel.

It was just a door opener," he said, adding "it just drove me. I want to do something good.

After watching the video, Lightner sent an Instagram message to Jackson. Jacksons work is a blessing," he wrote, and offered his help.

He didnt expect a response.

Two hours later, Jackson responded. Jackson didnt just want Lightner to weigh in. He saw Lightner's drive to help kids and wanted to work with another Black barber. He wanted to fly to Rock Hill and put on an entire event.

On Sept. 25 from 1 to 5 p.m. at The Shop on Anderson Road, Jackson and Lightner will team up to host The Gifted Event," providing free haircuts for kids with disabilities. Jackson will participate in a meet-and-greet before, but once the clock hits 1 p.m., they will shut down the business and focus their energy on the more than 10 kids who booked appointments.
President Biden will travel to Michigan to join the picket line of auto workers on strike nationwide. Tuesday, Ill go to Michigan to join the picket line and stand in solidarity with the men and women of UAW as they fight for a fair share of the value they helped create, Biden Xeeted yesterday on the site formerly known as Twitter.

Tuesday, Ill go to Michigan to join the picket line and stand in solidarity with the men and women of UAW as they fight for a fair share of the value they helped create. Its time for a win-win agreement that keeps American auto manufacturing thriving with well-paid UAW jobs.  President Biden (@POTUS) September 22, 2023

Even though the Big 3 have faithfully toed the Biden line with nary a whimper, Biden now means to let them know he owes them nothing. Stick it to the man, Big Guy! Give us bread, but give us roses as we sing the car electric.

We hope he gets the respect he deserves when he pitty-pats with his UAW brothers and sisters. He may be the oldest human being of any gender to picket the Big 3 and is certainly the only Hunter Biden daddy thatll walk the line.
This circuitious episode, hosted by me in Budapest with John Yoo in Dallas and Lucretia in her undisclosed desert location, starts off with the entirely predictable news that David Brooks drinks his whisky on the rocks (insert shudders and horror here), and quickly moves on to the news that hasnt broken yet, so well fix it: Gavin Newson is running for president. We knowhe hasnt offically announced, but hes behaving like a candidate more and more every day. And why has no one noticed that Newsom would also solve the Democrats Kamala problem? (See the Constitution, Article II, Section 1, especially the passage that reads, The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. That rules out Kamala as Newsoms running mate, which is okay because Newsom and Harris hate each other.

We also devote too much time to the sartorial severity that is the Fetterman Senate Dress code, and youll just need to listen to hear who Lucretia calls Senator Stripper Boots.

From there I give a central European sit rep on attitudes there about the Ukraine War, American policy about the war, and general political matters, all gleaned from my conversations this week with some highly placed (and very smart) Hungarian sources.

Weve been wanting to talk about a legal issue thats been our mind for a while, and we finally get to it in this episode in depth: qualified immunity. We dont quite reach a firm conlusion about how the doctrine should be reformed, but youll feel smarter for our dissection of it.

Finally, a few quick notes on the Kendi implosion, missing jet fighters, and other fun matters. But not to worrywere still drinking our whisky neat, even if David Brooks kills his with four ice cubes. In an airport.

So listen here, or over at our hosts at Ricochet when it goes up there, or wherever you source your podcasting pleasure.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-23 19:40:28

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 538 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2023 / In the ever-evolving landscape of venture capital and innovation, Avon River Ventures, under the visionary leadership of CEO Krutarth Shah, is making waves by taking a giant leap toward funding companies in North America with a wealth of intellectual property (IP) assets. This strategic move is shaping the future of innovation and highlighting the significance of protecting and leveraging intellectual property in the business world.A Visionary Leader: Krutarth ShahAt the helm of Avon River Ventures stands Krutarth Shah, a seasoned entrepreneur and visionary. His background in finance and technology positions him perfectly to lead this ambitious venture. Shah's dedication to fostering innovation and supporting businesses with strong intellectual property portfolios is a driving force behind Avon River Ventures' mission.The Intellectual Property AdvantageIntellectual property is a cornerstone of modern business success. It encompasses patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets and is pivotal in safeguarding a company's unique innovations and ideas. Companies with robust IP portfolios often possess a competitive edge and are better positioned for long-term growth.Funding InnovationAvon River Ventures understands IP's critical role in a company's growth trajectory. With a commitment to funding and nurturing businesses with substantial intellectual property assets, the firm actively seeks out ventures across North America that demonstrate innovative thinking and a strong commitment to protecting their IP.Unlocking the Potential of IPIntellectual property is not just a legal safeguard; it's a strategic asset that can be leveraged in various ways. Avon River Ventures aims to help companies unlock the true potential of their IP by providing funding, mentorship, and strategic guidance. This support empowers businesses to expand their operations, develop new products, and explore new markets.A Boon for Startups and Established CompaniesAvon River Ventures' focus on intellectual property funding is a game-changer for startups and established companies. Innovative startups can now secure the capital needed to bring their ideas to fruition. Established companies can access the resources required to strengthen their IP portfolio further and maintain their competitive advantage.Shaping the Future of InnovationIn an era where intellectual property rights are more critical than ever, Avon River Ventures and Krutarth Shah are paving the way for innovation-driven companies to thrive. By recognizing the value of IP and offering financial support, they are shaping the future of business and contributing to the growth of North America's knowledge-based economy.ConclusionAvon River Ventures' dedication to funding companies with rich intellectual property portfolios is a testament to the importance of innovation and IP protection in today's business landscape. Under the leadership of CEO Krutarth Shah, this venture capital firm is providing financial support and nurturing a culture of innovation and excellence. As they continue to make strides in North America, we can expect the companies they support to flourish and contribute significantly to the world of intellectual property-driven innovation.About Avon River VenturesAvon River Ventures is an Independent Venture Funding group specializing in Intangible and Tangible Asset Backed Financing and Private Equity Investments. Led by their CEO, Krutarth Shah, the firm has constructed a high-value corpus of services and funds that promotes investments in high-growth companies across the globe.PR Contact:ZEX PR WIREinfo@ zexprwire.com SOURCE: Avon River Ventures
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-23 17:01:18

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 601 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

10X Insurance was created to provide holistic and best-in-class insurance solutions for small to mid-sized businesses that, until now, were traditionally reserved for larger organizations.MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2023 / Cardone Ventures, a leading business consulting and management firm focused on the small and mid-sized business segment, is thrilled to announce the launch of its newest vertical, 10X Insurance. This new platform is designed to reimagine the insurance experience and deliver strategies, program design, and economic advantages unlike anywhere else. 10X Insurance will deliver an innovative and best-in-class insurance experience for small to mid-sized business owners, 1099 independent contractors, and solo entrepreneurs alike.Cardone Ventures' mission is to create 1 million 10X businesses. A logical next step in propelling the greater success of the 10X community was delivering innovative insurance solutions for group benefits, and property & casualty coverage for small to mid-sized business owners."The launch of 10X Insurance represents another key milestone in the growth and expansion of Cardone Ventures and its reach in the small- to mid-sized business segment. We are excited to serve our customers in this critical area of their businesses - protecting the success these business owners have worked so hard to create" - Brandon Dawson - Co-Founder and CEO, Cardone Ventures"10X Insurance was created to level the playing field for the 31.5 million small to mid-sized businesses that are the essential backbone of the American economy, and to provide those business owners with access to insurance expertise, strategies, program design, and economics historically reserved for large enterprise organizations. We are excited to serve small- to mid-sized business owners, 1099 independent contractors, and solo entrepreneurs with a world-class experience" - Sean Conrad - President of 10X InsuranceBy offering a white glove experience with flexible plans and premium benefits, 10X Insurance introduces a new world of possibilities. With access to comprehensive data from insurance companies, 10X Insurance offers an alternative option that provides protection, tax advantages, and financial maneuverability.Providing optimal foundations in the form of protection, savings, and other benefits, 10X Insurance helps to lay the groundwork for scaling as seamlessly as possible. This is what Cardone Ventures promotes as their latest in the 10X ecosystem, and it serves as a reasonable extension of their mission: helping entrepreneurs achieve their personal, professional, and financial goals through the growth of their businesses. With the support of Brandon Dawson, Grant Cardone, Sean Conrad, and the 10X community, 10X Insurance is poised to follow a similar trajectory of exponential growth as its brother and sister companies.About Cardone Ventures: Cardone Ventures is a business consulting company founded by Grant Cardone and Brandon Dawson that helps business owners attain their personal, professional, and financial goals. Together, they help business owners elevate their company from a 360-degree perspective, including operations, marketing, finance, and people. The focus of Cardone Ventures is to help entrepreneurs grow from $2 million to $500 million+ and 10X all aspects of their business. The new Cardone Ventures Scottsdale Headquarters is located at 4800 N Scottsdale Rd. Suite 5500, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. For more information on Cardone Ventures, visit: https://www.cardoneventures.com About 10X Insurance: 10X Insurance delivers innovative and best-in-class insurance solutions for small to mid-sized business owners, 1099 independent contractors, and solo entrepreneurs. The 10X Insurance platform delivers innovative and holistic solutions for group benefits and property & casualty insurance for the small- to mid-sized business segment. 10X Insurance offers a white glove experience so clients can enjoy world-class customer support and customization according to their specific needs. For more information, visit: 10 Xcoverage.com Contact InformationJeremy Gabbert EVP of Revenue and Marketing jgabbert@ cardoneventures.com 503-536-0997SOURCE: Cardone Ventures
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-23 12:34:12

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 350 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2023 / Cozy Gent, the innovative bedding brand on a mission to revolutionize the way modern men experience sleep, is excited to announce the launch of its Kickstarter campaign. The campaign aims to expedite the production and global distribution of Cozy Gent's luxurious, eco-friendly bedding, crafted exclusively for the health-conscious, modern man."After searching high and low for a bedding brand that understands the unique sleep needs of men, we realized the market was missing something vital. That's when the concept of Cozy Gent was born," says Maxwell Grossman, Founder of Cozy Gent.Why Cozy Gent is Not Just Another Bedding Brand: Cozy Gent stands in a league of its own, addressing the challenges men face with traditional bedding. We provide the ultimate solution for a restful and luxurious sleep experience. Our products are crafted from premium organic bamboo fabric, ensuring unmatched softness, and natural moisture-wicking properties.Moreover, say goodbye to the hassle of traditional buttons or snaps. Our bedding sets come with high-quality YKK zippers, silver-infused fabric for powerful antimicrobial properties, and labeled corner tags for quick bed-making.A Milestone in Men's Bedding: "Our aim is to address the unique sleep and bedding needs of men," explains Maxwell Grossman (Founder). "From luxury and comfort to practicality and hygiene, Cozy Gent ticks all the boxes." Exclusive Kickstarter Perks: Backers of Cozy Gent's Kickstarter campaign can avail themselves of a range of exclusive perks, including early-bird pricing, double packs ideal for gifting, and all-in-one bedding sets. Each reward tier will include pillows, a duvet, a fitted sheet, and a uniquely designed Cozy Gent carrying bag.About Cozy Gent: Cozy Gent is founded with the singular mission of elevating the sleep experience for modern men. Based at 207 Regent Street, London, Cozy Gent combines luxury, eco-friendliness, and practicality in its range of groundbreaking bedding products. For more information or to back the Kickstarter campaign, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1189283756/cozy-gent-bespoke-bedding-for-the-modern-man Media ContactOrganization: Cosy Gent LtdContact Person: Maxwell GrossmanWebsite: https://www.cozygent.comEmail: team@ cozygent.comCity: LondonCountry: United KingdomSOURCE: Cosy Gent Ltd
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-23 06:45:24

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 653 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2023 / Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of DigitalOcean Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DOCN) securities between February 16, 2023 and August 25, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period") have until November 13, 2023 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the DigitalOcean class action lawsuit. Captioned Agarwal v. DigitalOcean Holdings, Inc., No. 23-cv-08060 (S.D.N.Y.), the DigitalOcean class action lawsuit charges DigitalOcean as well as certain of its top executive officers with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the DigitalOcean class action lawsuit, please provide your information here:You can also contact attorney J.C. Sanchez of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at jsanchez@ rgrdlaw.com CASE ALLEGATIONS: The DigitalOcean class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that defendants lacked the skills and experience to assess complicated tax matters and therefore did not design or maintain effective controls over DigitalOcean's accounting for income taxes.The DigitalOcean class action lawsuit further alleges that on August 3, 2023, DigitalOcean announced that it had "identified certain errors within the unaudited condensed financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 as included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2023 filed on May 9, 2023" related to DigitalOcean's accounting for income tax expense, resulting in an overstatement of income tax expense in the quarter of approximately $18 million. The DigitalOcean lawsuit alleges that on this news, the price of DigitalOcean stock fell nearly 25%.The DigitalOcean class action lawsuit further alleges that on August 24, 2023, DigitalOcean announced that DigitalOcean's Board of Directors had begun a search for a new CEO to replace defendant Yancey Spruill who would step down as CEO and board member as soon as his successor was appointed. The DigitalOcean class action lawsuit alleges that on this news, the price of DigitalOcean stock fell more than 8%.THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired DigitalOcean securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the DigitalOcean class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the DigitalOcean class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the DigitalOcean class action lawsuit. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the DigitalOcean class action lawsuit.ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller is one of the world's leading complex class action firms representing plaintiffs in securities fraud cases. The Firm is ranked #1 on the most recent ISS Securities Class Action Services Top 50 Report for recovering more than $1.75 billion for investors in 2022 - the third year in a row Robbins Geller tops the list. And in those three years alone, Robbins Geller recovered nearly $5.3 billion for investors, more than double the amount recovered by any other plaintiffs' firm. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in the world and the Firm's attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest securities class action recovery ever - $7.2 billion - in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information:Attorney advertising.Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.Contact:Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101J.C. Sanchez, 800-449-4900jsanchez@ rgrdlaw.com SOURCE: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-23 02:03:01

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 848 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

RADNOR, PA / ACCESSWIRE / September 22, 2023 / The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP ( www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been against Shift4 Payments, Inc. ("Shift4") (NYSE:FOUR). The action charges Shift4 with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the company's business, operations, and prospects. As a result of Shift4's materially misleading statements and omissions to the public, Shift4's investors have suffered significant losses.CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR SHIFT4 LOSSES. YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK OR COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BROWSER: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/shift4-payments-inc?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=four&mktm=r CANNOT VIEW THIS VIDEO? PLEASE CLICK HERELEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: OCTOBER 19, 2023CLASS PERIOD: NOVEMBER 10, 2021 THROUGH APRIL 18, 2023CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS:Jonathan Naji, Esq. at (484) 270-1453 or via email at info@ ktmc.com Kessler Topaz is one of the world's foremost advocates in protecting the public against corporate fraud and other wrongdoing. Our securities fraud litigators are regularly recognized as leaders in the field individually and our firm is both feared and respected among the defense bar and the insurance bar. We are proud to have recovered billions of dollars for our clients and the classes of shareholders we represent.SHIFT4'S ALLEGED MISCONDUCTThe Class Period begins on November 10, 2021, when Shift4 issued a shareholder letter before markets opened, announcing the company's Q3 2021 financial results. In the shareholder letter, the company recorded $19.3 million of customer acquisition costs in the investing activities section of its unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, as well as $25.6 million in net cash provided by operating activities, for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.On October 21, 2022, Shift4 disclosed in an SEC filing that certain of its financial statements should no longer be relied upon and would need to be restated because of a material weakness in the company's financial controls, which had caused it to incorrectly treat "customer acquisition costs" as cash used in investing activities rather than cash used in operating activities in its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As a result, Shift4 was forced to negatively revise its net cash provided by operating activities in certain past financial statements. On this news, Shift4's stock price fell $1.21 per share, or 2.67%, to close at $44.16 per share on October 24, 2022.Then, on April 19, 2023, market analyst Blue Orca Capital published a report alleging that Shift4 "engaged in a string of highly questionable and hyperaggressive accounting maneuvers seemingly designed to keep the stock afloat," including "cash flow manipulation" and "inexplicable distributor acquisitions that enabled it to capitalize a major component of COGS." The report also indicated that Shift4 engaged in unreported related-party transactions and that the company's questionable accounting maneuvers "inflated 2022 gross profit by 13%, Adj. EBITDA by 34%, and operating income by close to 3x."Following this news, Shift4's stock price fell $5.95 per share, or 8.68%, to close at $62.59 per share on April 19, 2023.WHAT CAN I DO?Shift4 investors may, no later than October 19, 2023, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff for the class, through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPor other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Shift4 investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information. The class action complaint against Shift4, O'Meara v. Shift4 Payments, Inc., et al., Case No. 23-cv-03206, is filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania before the Honorable Joseph F. Leeson Jr.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASEWHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF?A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLPKessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com CONTACT:Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPJonathan Naji, Esq.280 King of Prussia RoadRadnor, PA 19087(484) 270-1453info@ ktmc.com SOURCE: Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-23 12:36:49

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 451 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

The circuit works with the top 11,000 financial firms around the world.LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2023 / iSwiss Pay, a subsidiary of the iSwiss conglomerate, founded and managed by Swiss-Italian entrepreneur Aleo Christopher, has recently been given the green light to join the Swift system, the acronym for 'Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication', a cornerstone in the international payments process. Swift is the largest global system for transmitting payment orders and financial collateral, involving a vast network of over 11,000 members worldwide. Its capacity to process an average of 42 million payment orders per day makes it a crucial player in facilitating financial transactions on a global scale.A major issue involving Swift recently has been its implication as a sanctions tool, with many Russian banks excluded from the circuit. This situation has highlighted Swift's strategic importance in international relations. The reintegration of several Russian banks into the system was Russia's main demand to get back into the Ukrainian grain export agreement.Canadian-based iSwiss Pay, which specialises in payment services within the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) system, is now planning to expand its range of services, including payments through Swift. This initiative will provide access to a vast network of countries, initially concentrated in North America, before expanding to Africa and Asia, expanding the reach of financial services offered globally.Aleo Christopher, CEO of iSwiss, emphasised the importance of access to the Swift system, describing it as a significant milestone for iSwiss Pay. He said: "This opportunity will allow us to manage our financial messages independently, expanding our presence and representing tangible recognition of the strength and reliability of our financial group. Being among the 11,000 members directly connected to this global financial circuit is a testament to our continued growth and commitment to the industry." Aleo Christopher also revealed that access to Swift was an indispensable step for the group's future listing. To support the investments required for the infrastructure development, the group plans to list on a major international financial centre within the next two years. Although negotiations are ongoing, he concluded by saying, "I cannot provide further details at the moment, but you will certainly hear from me soon." iSwiss Pay is a Canadian supervised company offering payment services in more than 30 major currencies, opening current accounts with IBANs in the SEPA area and issuing cards on major international circuits. It boasts an international clientele and is an integral part of the range of financial services the Swiss company offers its customers.The new Swift code, operational from October 2023, is ISPACAXXX (iSwiss Pay Canada).Media ContactOrganization: iSwiss Bank SAContact Person: Andrew AndersonWebsite: https://iswiss.ch/Email: support@ iswiss.chCity: LondonCountry: United KingdomSOURCE: iSwiss Bank SA
Multiple insiders secured a larger position in Schroders plc (LON:SDR) shares over the last 12 months. This is reassuring as this suggests that insiders have increased optimism about the company's prospects.

While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares.

See our latest analysis for Schroders

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Schroders

In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when Non-Independent Non-Executive Director Leonie Emma Schroder bought UK1.1m worth of shares at a price of UK4.71 per share. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price of UK4.09. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. We always take careful note of the price insiders pay when purchasing shares. As a general rule, we feel more positive about a stock if insiders have bought shares at above current prices, because that suggests they viewed the stock as good value, even at a higher price.

In the last twelve months Schroders insiders were buying shares, but not selling. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

Schroders is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying.

Insiders At Schroders Have Bought Stock Recently

It's good to see that Schroders insiders have made notable investments in the company's shares. We can see that Non-Executive Director Claire Louise Howard paid UK42k for shares in the company. No-one sold. This could be interpreted as suggesting a positive outlook.

Insider Ownership

Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Schroders insiders own about UK51m worth of shares. That equates to 0.8% of the company. While this is a strong but not outstanding level of insider ownership, it's enough to indicate some alignment between management and smaller shareholders.

Story continues

So What Does This Data Suggest About Schroders Insiders?

We note a that there has been a bit of insider buying recently (but no selling). Overall the buying isn't worth writing home about. But insiders have shown more of an appetite for the stock, over the last year. Insiders own shares in Schroders and we see no evidence to suggest they are worried about the future. In addition to knowing about insider transactions going on, it's beneficial to identify the risks facing Schroders. While conducting our analysis, we found that Schroders has 1 warning sign and it would be unwise to ignore this.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-23 22:10:09

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 567 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Multifaceted entrepreneur, Hailey Tubbs, continues to make waves in the business world as she records major feats in real estate, agriculture, and consultancyHOUSTON TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2023 / Hailey Tubbs is breaking ground across industries, defying all odds, including her humble beginnings, to become a successful businesswoman. The milestones achieved by the Houston-born entrepreneur are particularly laudable, as she is carving a niche in industries otherwise synonymous with the male gender. Tubbs currently has her hands in several ventures, including real estate, cattle farming, and tax services, with plans to continue expanding her reach as she showcases her versatility and business acumen."At the age of 15, I got my first job at McDonald's starting on my mission of becoming wealthy and obtaining financial freedom. After much trial and error with working various jobs, I realized that owning and running my own business was the avenue that I preferred to take. I've always had money management skills so saving has always been a priority. After reaching my set goal of saving. I started my first business "Luxury House English Bullies" I bought a male and female in which I bred them and sold the puppies from 500 to 1500." - Hailey Tubbs.Entrepreneurship is not often as rosy as it looks on the outside and recent stats' revealing that 50% of businesses fail to make it to their fifth anniversary is a testament to this fact. It can be even more challenging for female entrepreneurs, as they tend to have more hurdles to scale. Consequently, businesswomen such as Hailey Tubbs are worth celebrating, considering the impact they have had on different industries.As a real estate maven, Tubbs has built an impressive portfolio of properties, with her knack for identifying undervalued properties and turning them into profitable investments standing her out in the market. She has also stood out for her negotiating skills and strong network across the real estate industry. In addition to her real estate ventures, Tubbs is also a cattle rancher. Her ranch boasts a thriving herd of cattle, which she manages with precision and care. Tubbs' commitment to sustainable farming practices and animal welfare has earned her a reputation as an ethical and responsible rancher.Hailey Tubbs has also shown her vastness in the tax services realms, with her knowledge and expertise in tax planning, preparation, and consulting proving invaluable to individuals and businesses, as they seek to navigate the seemingly complex tax system.The woman with many feathers to her hat never shies away from sharing her wealth of knowledge with as many people as possible in her local community and across the globe. Tubbs uses every opportunity to motivate individuals, reiterating the possibility of overcoming any obstacle, as she personifies her journey to success. In her book titled Everybody Can't Go, Tubbs covers different aspects of starting and growing a business, including money management, personal credit, and business credit. She is also a philanthropist actively supporting community-oriented causes through local charities and organizations.To learn more about Hailey Tubbs and how the remarkable entrepreneur of several sides is breaking new grounds, visit - https://www.thehaileytubbsway.com . Hailey Tubbs also has a growing online community across social media and can be found on Instagram.Media Contact:Company Name: The Hailey Tubbs WayContact Person: Hailey TubbsAddress: P.O. Box 38196 Houston Tx 77238E-Mail Address: Thehaileytubbsway@ gmail.comWebsite: SOURCE: Hailey Tubbs
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-23 17:34:28

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 541 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2023 / Peernetics is developing a revolutionary crypto payments platform featuring the native $PNS token. This innovative merchant and retail crypto payments solution will enable users worldwide to conduct transactions in their preferred cryptocurrency. Peernetics' platform will be designed for global accessibility, and its highlight will be easy Web3 integration and automatic currency conversions.Peernetics is all set to provide merchants with a streamlined and secure avenue for growth. The platform envisages safety of all transactions through encryption and decentralized technology, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution.Peernetics will also eliminate the necessity to convert cryptocurrencies into fiat currency, providing users with a seamless spending experience. Additionally, the platform will feature enhanced overall value proposition." Imagine a world where digital payments are effortless, secure, and accessible to all, while also offering exclusive discounts. That's what we're building at Peernetics. With our Utility Token, Merchant Solutions, and Innovative Payment Gateway, we're transforming the future of finance, one blockchain at a time, all while giving you access to unbeatable discounts ," said Naz, Co-Founder and CEO of Peernetics.Key Aspects of Peernetics:$PNS Token: With a total supply of 1,000,000,000 tokens, the $PNS token is built on the secure and scalable Polygon Blockchain, supporting an impressive 65,000 transactions per second.Web3 Merchant Portal: Merchants will be able to showcase their brands and products to Peernetics users, providing business offers and boosting sales, revenue, and traffic while leveraging effective marketing campaigns. The Merchant Partner Network will be free to join, and for a special monthly fee starting at just 149, Peernetics will connect member brands with their ideal target audience.Payment Gateway: Peernetics' Payment Gateway will have faster transaction processing times, reduced costs, and heightened security and privacy measures for businesses and consumers. Robust security and fraud prevention features will enhance transaction security.Multi-Coin Support: Peernetics will facilitate easy integration with existing systems, supporting over 100 digital currencies, with transaction fees ranging from just 0.5% to 1%.Learn more about the $PNS token: https://www.peernetics.io/pns-token Peernetics tokens are currently available through an ICO. Holders of 2,000 or more $PNS tokens automatically qualify for exclusive perks offered by Peernetics' merchant partners.For more information about Peernetics and its crypto payments platform, please visit them on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090423096792 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peernetics/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/peernetics LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peerneticss/ Telegram: https://t.me/peernetics_chatYouTube: https://youtube.com/@peernetics Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/peernetics/ Discord: https://discord.gg/RXma3ErDXs Medium: https://medium.com/@peernetics About Peernetics:Peernetics exists to enable the mass adoption of cryptocurrency payments. Peernetics empowers businesses to accept, exchange, withdraw, send, store, and receive 100+ cryptocurrencies. Founded by a team of passionate professionals, they seek to make it as easy as possible for all businesses to step into the world of cryptocurrency. They break down barriers to entry by taking ground-breaking and confusing technology and transforming it into an uncomplicated and user-friendly cryptocurrency payment gateway. For more information, please visit their website .Media ContactOrganization: Peernetics LtdContact Person: Media relationsWebsite: https://www.peernetics.io Email: info@ peernetics.io Contact Number: 07502579595Address: International House, 10 Beaufort Court, Admirals WayAddress 2: London, United Kingdom E14 9XLCity: LondonCountry: United KingdomSOURCE: Peernetics Ltd
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-23 19:45:24

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 560 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2023 / Hagens Berman urges RTX Corporation f/k/a Raytheon Technologies Corporation (NYSE:RTX) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now. The Firm also encourages persons with knowledge that might assist the investigation to contact its attorneys.Class Period: Feb. 8, 2021 - July 25, 2023Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Oct. 2, 2023Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/rtx Contact An Attorney Now: RTX@ hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895RTX Corporation (RTX) Securities Fraud Class Action:The litigation focuses on RTX's disclosures about its manufacturing quality controls within its Pratt & Whitney engine program.The complaint alleges that RTX made false or misleading statements and failed to disclose that: (1) its engines had been affected from at least 2015 - 2020 by a quality control issue; and (2) this issue would require RTX to recall and reinspect many engines, affecting its customers and harming its business.Investors learned the truth on July 25, 2023, when Reuters reported that contamination in the metal used to manufacture the Pratt & Whitney engine parts meant that 1,200 of the more than 3,000 engines built of the twin-engine Airbus A320neo between 2015 and 2021 must be removed and inspected for micro cracks.The same day, RTX reduced its 2023 free cash flow guidance by about $500 million (or about 10%) and blamed this on "recent" findings of contamination in the metal used to make its Pratt & Whitney engine parts that would require potentially hundreds of accelerated engine inspections.During the earnings call, management revealed "[i]t's going to be expensive" and "[t]his is an issue that we first uncovered back in 2020 when we had an incident with the V2500 turbine disc." On Sept. 11, 2023, RTX announced that approximately 600 to 700 engines would be removed for shop visits, it would incur a $3 billion pre-tax charge during Q3 2023, and it cut its full-year sales outlook.These events sent the price of RTX shares significantly lower."We're focused on investors' losses and proving RTX misled investors about its manufacturing quality controls and, recently, its claim to have remediated the contamination issue in 2021," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.If you invested in RTX Corporation and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, submit your losses nowIf you'd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the RTX case and our investigation, read more Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding RTX Corporation should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email RTX@ hbsslaw.com # # #About Hagens BermanHagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com . Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.Attorney advertising.Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.Contact: Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
Movie Title: Blackbook

Release Date: 22nd September, 2023

Director: Editi Effiong

Runtime: 2 hours

Cast: Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sam Dede, Alex Osifo, Iretiola Doyle, Patrick Doyle, Femi Branch, Olumide Oworu, Bimbo Manuel, Boki Ofodile, Nobert Young, Shaffy Bello amongst others.

Proper character development is rarely seen in Nollywood movies, and the anticipated 2023 film Black Book seems to understand the assignment with its protagonist.

Paul Edimas fharacter, played by Nollywood veteran Richard Mofe-Damijo, reminds you of the famous American John Wick character being an action thriller.

They share almost the same backstory, which drives their journey. John Wick is a former hitman drawn back into the criminal underworld he had abandoned.

On the other hand, Paul Edima, who was also a hitman, returns to his former life when his only son, Damilola, is killed by the same gang members he left 24 years ago.

The film tells how the fathers sins, particularly a criminal one, end up visiting the ones he loves most regardless of how he tries to protect them from it.

Its interesting to see how this story around Pauls past as a hitman affects his new title of deacon in the present. His life is assessed based on his new faith, and the bothersome question is if he genuinely abandoned his former life or just disguised it.

The film also shows how people in power can manipulate everyone around them for their selfish reasons. Once they get into the highest office, they are in complete control and can change the lives of ordinary people.

Meanwhile, RMD worked to deliver his role as an action thriller protagonist.

Story

The plot outlives the pidgin phrase trouble dey sleep, Nyanga go wake am, Paul is a notorious hitman who went silent for 24 years and makes a comeback to seek justice for his dead son.

In the beginning, Professor Craig (Bimbo Akintola), the CEO of the Nigeria Energy & Oil Company, has been fighting tirelessly against corruption in her community, but stepping on toes, some people want her out of the office.

This leads to the kidnap of her husband and baby, masterminded by a gang controlled by General Issa (Alex Usifo). For the police to stay off their tracks, they pin the kidnapping on an innocent man, Damilola Edima (Olumide Oworu)

Damilola is also Pauls son, and it is revealed to viewers that he used to work for General Issa before he went low.

Paul left his past life to become a deacon. When he left, he returned a black book, where he recorded all their criminal escapades, to General Issa, leaving the business behind entirely. He never looked back, but the past has returned to haunt him after they mistakenly killed his son.

When Paul finds out about his only sons death, not only is he killed, but he is wrongly described as a kidnapper; he decides to go after his sons killers himself and would stop at nothing. Would he get the justice he seeks?

The Good

The first thing worth commending is the story because no film is without an account. The storyline is different, not the usual Nollywood action movie, but it could have been better told.

The cinematic elements are another point to commend the movie, even though it didnt cut across all shots, especially the outdoor scenes. The night and indoor locations were more cinematic than the day and indoor settings.

Yes, casting! It was a fantastic list of brilliant actors, from Richard Mofe-Damijo to Alex Osifo to Patrick Doyle, Sam Dede, Ireti Doyle, and Shaffy Bello. We see a list of these old and new Nollywood names who brought their A-game.

RMD gave a stellar performance likened to the famous John Wick. Considering his age, his acting in the fight scenes is incredible.

I loved the production design, especially the flashback scenes. It was realistic and helped to give the movie the desired story look. Also, the dialogue was good enough to drive the film but could have been better written.

The Bad

The danger of chasing too many things at a time cannot be overemphasised in Nollywood films. Often, producers want to explore several themes at the same time. Because too many questions wish to be answered simultaneously, in the midst of it, the films core journey is lost.

Consider the logline of the film, which says that Paul Edima takes justice into his own hands and fights a corrupt police gang to absolve his sons unlawful death.

One would expect that that is what the film is all about, which portrays a clear and definite journey, but no. It tried to kill too many birds with one stone.

After the inciting incident around his sons death, the story gets a bit complex to keep track of his mission in the film.

Suddenly, viewers realise Paul has a black book, where he documented everything General Issa did when he was part of the gang. He starts pursuing that and trying to save Victoria, a journalist he saved as a child, almost forgetting the sons case.

Also, the relationship between Paul and his son before his death should have been better established. The producers should have dedicated more than three scenes in a two-hour film to help the audience get emotional watching Paul grieve over his son.

We only see them swimming on the beach, conversing in the kitchen, and then, boom, his son was killed. Considering the plot, their love and relationship should have been further explored.

Watching it, I couldnt relate to Pauls tears and pain after losing his son because I wasnt invested in their relationship enough to feel the emotions of losing someone dear.

Viewers also didnt get the feel of Pauls cruelty as the dangerous and most feared hitman he was portrayed as.

Despite being a beautiful film with exciting scenes, The Blackbook could capture viewers attention more if the producers delayed some of the secrets revealed at the beginning talk about delayed gratification. The early revelations made it predictably dull and devoid of suspense.

The Black Book is suitable for a first-time watch. However, watching it again would be a fantastic torture for me.

Final Verdict: 6/10

It is streaming on Netflix!

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


On the sidelines of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) conference held in Washington DC recently, DUBAWA Editor Kemi Busari sat with Angie Holan, the new Director of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). Ms Holan, who was part of the team that won the Pulitzer Prize for the 2008 fact-checking of the U.S. presidential election, spoke on issues around government interference in fact-checking, business models, gender fact-checking, among others.

Its been about three months now; how is it going with your new role? How are you connecting with the fact-checking community globally?

Its been terrific so far. I was fortunate to have started my new position with a visit to Seoul, South Korea, for our GlobalFact10, where I met many of our fellow fact-checkers. Now, I think about the concerns of everyone versus one fact-checking organisation.

Learning about the different countries and cultural contexts of fact-checking has also been wonderful. We have a universal core commitment to principles of accuracy, transparency, fairness, and open corrections process irrespective of our countries specific politics and cultural attitudes. At its core, the fact-checking is the same.

What are your thoughts on fact-checking organisations in Africa and the growing community?

Im looking forward to learning more about fact-checking in Africa. I have seen it grow since 2014, when fact-checkers came together for the first time globally in London. The first fact-checking organisation I met was Africa-Check, and since then, Ive seen the organisation grow around the continent. Ive also seen new organisations like DUBAWA, affiliated with investigative journalism, come up. Ive seen other groups like Pesa Check.

Its also been wonderful to see the collaboration of the fact-checkers. They have a good spirit, cooperate on election coverage and support one another through regional networks. So, its been a terrific story of growth, and I want to do everything I can to help it continue.

In Africa and in other parts of the world, fact-checking is fast becoming a major part of elections. What can you say about these developments? And what is your advice to the fact-checkers, especially those working on the Liberia election and other related elections?

Fact-checking elections is a very natural fit for fact-checkers. We would cover the campaigns, the messaging, what the candidates say, and what independent groups say because, as we all know, in elections, a lot of people are trying to influence the outcome. So, fact-checking campaign messages is critical.

However, my advice to any organisation would be to plan. Set your standards for what you think will be fair coverage. Ensure you do everything you can to distribute your fack-checks when the voters pay attention. Many voters dont tune in towards the end, so be energetic to get your fact checks in front of people.

Theres a growing train of governments fact-checking or counter-fact-checking globally. This worries a lot of fact-checkers in some countries. Whats your take on this, and what is the IFCN position?

The IFCN has been monitoring this trend. I certainly would be interested in hearing about specific examples because I think this is a case where things can unfold very differently in various countries, so we have to be cautious. We would check if there are statements that the IFCN needs to make that support fact-checkers.

A few things about government fact-checking are that a lot of the message is defending the government, which is not fact-checking. Fact-checking has to be independent. So, if you are a government and your supposed fact-check defends your policies, thats not fact-checking. I would discourage governments from labelling what theyre doing as fact-checking. The government is the only agency with the scope to collect census and environmental statistics. I would encourage the government to collect and supply evidence to fact-checkers. The government has its interests, but we also want to encourage the government to be evidence-based and factual in all of its messaging.

Weve seen attempts by governments to regulate fact-checking in some countries. A specific example is in Nigeria prior to the election when a government agency wanted to certify fact-checkers. Whats the IFCNs approach towards this?

We will oppose any regulation discouraging the independence of fact-checkers and their findings. Beyond that, different countries have different laws and traditions around media regulations, so we have to look at all of that very carefully.

A couple of new fact-checking organisations have been worried about the inability to sign up for IFCN signatories. Whats the IFCN doing to alleviate this challenge?

A few different dynamics are going on here. In some ways, the IFCN has been a victim of its success. We have seen an explosion of applications in the past year, and we try to go through them in our usual process as best we can. But frankly, weve had so many applications that it has slowed down our process. As you know, our methodology is to have every applicant assessed by an independent media expert, reviewed in depth by the IFCN staff, and then go to the board of advisors for a vote. At every step of that process, there can be complications or slowdowns. So that is one of the issues.

Another issue is that sometimes we have fact-checking organisations that apply but are still waiting to become signatories. To be a signatory, you have to meet several benchmarks, you have to publish regularly, and your fact checks have to be sourced. Our latest global fact-check grant programme had a build segment to fund and encourage fact-checking organisations.

However, we want to see the process taking less time than it has been lately, and we are doing our best to speed it up. Its one of our top priorities.

The business model for fact-checking has been on the lips of many fact-checkers. Some organisations rely solely on the funds they get from the Meta fact-checking partnership, and on the other hand, some are outside the partnership and are struggling. So, whats your position on fact-checking organisations relying entirely on funding from Meta? Secondly, how do we innovate with the business model so that fact-checkers remain independent?

Sustainability is one of the most pressing issues facing our community. The IFCN, as a network, encourages our members to find the sustainability model that works for them. We dont have a position on who should fund fact-checkers or how they should be funded. We are okay with organisations position as long as their independence is preserved and theyre still meeting the fact-checking standards.

Sometimes, Im asked if the IFCN can do something to help a signatory work with Meta, and we really cant. Those are independent decisions between Meta and the fact-checking organisations themselves.

However, I dont think anyone or any business would be comfortable having all their funding come from one source because they will lose all their funding when circumstances change. For funding diversity, this is something where the community needs to come together and share its best ideas.

I plan to convene a working group on sustainability where we can discuss these issues as a community and share best practices. One thing will not save journalism, but many things together might save it, which is true for fact-checking.

Regarding gender fact-checking, a situation where a particular gender has been targeted with misinformation or disinformation. We see that a lot in Nigeria; what should be the best approach for fact-checkers?

We need to be very delicate to communities and individuals in delicate situations. So, people who are marginalised or have traditionally been victims of violence or harassment (women) must have sensitive coverage.

Fact-checking organisations must have their standards, but combining the two principles of being cautious about the dangers of amplification and being extremely sensitive to communities and individuals under threat is the best way to proceed.

What would you say about the work DUBAWA does in Africa?

The work has been incredibly valuable, and its been wonderful to see DUBAWA recognised at our global fact-checking conference with the award for its fact-checking efforts against false cures. I congratulate DUBAWA for the growth of the many countries its operating in. I also love to see its partnership with investigative journalists in its region. Thats extraordinarily powerful  a natural relationship between fact-checkers and the investigative journalism community. People should look to DUBAWA as a model for organising fact-checking organisations in other countries.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


A United States court has given an order delaying the execution of an earlier order to the Chicago State University to release the academic records of President Bola Tinubu to the Peoples Democratic Partys presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

At an emergency hearing on Thursday, a judge of the District Court of Northern Illinois, Eastern Division, Nancy Maldonado, agreed to delay an order requiring Chicago State University to provide the academic documents of President Tinubu.

The order brings a reprieve to the Chicago State University and Mr Tinubu in their fierce efforts to convince the court against ordering the release of the requested documents.

On the other hand, the ruling amounts to a setback for Atiku who is racing against time to obtain the documents for use in his ongoing legal challenge of Mr Tinubus victory in the 25 February election in the Nigerian courts.

Both the Nigerian and U.S. proceedings have garnered interest internationally.

Mr Tinubu had filed the emergency motion to halt Chicago State University (CSU) from releasing his academic records to Atiku.

Earlier in the week, the U.S. court ordered the Chicago State University to release all relevant and non-privileged documents to Atiku within two days.

The Magistrate Judge, who oversaw the hearing, Jeffrey Gilbert, ordered CSU to release the documents to Atiku by the end of Thursday.

But Mr Tinubu asked the court to delay the implementation of that order until at least Monday, 25 September.

Request granted

Mr Tinubus lawyers had, in their emergency motion, requested a review of the magistrate judges decision by a district judge.

The request was granted by Ms Maldonado on Thursday.

Ms Maldonado ordered the lawyers on both sides to file additional arguments by next Thursday, 28 September.

Mindful of legal deadlines in the Nigerian Supreme Court, Ms Maldonado said she would rule as quickly as possible after that. I will have a busy weekend, she said.

The issue is of process and rules. Im a rule person; thats why Im a judge. This case is quite involved. I am aware of the stakes. Its more important to me to get this right, CBS news quoted her as saying.

Mr Tinubus political rival, Atiku, alleged that documents showing that Mr Tinubu graduated from Chicago State in 1979 are not authentic, and that is grounds to nullify Mr Tinubus election victory earlier this year.

The university says it can confirm that the president graduated from CSU. However, it cannot authenticate the diploma certificate in question because it is a ceremonial document, not part of a students official academic file.

Atiku came second behind Mr Tinubu in Februarys election and has challenged the result at the Presidential Election Petition Court. That challenge was dismissed, but Atiku has lodged an appeal against the judgement at the Supreme Court.

At the hearing by the U.S. district judge on Thursday, Chicago State University lawyer Michael Hayes said the university wanted clarity and is ready to provide the requested documents once the legal issues are resolved.

We dont have a dog in this fight, said Mr Hayes, adding that the university has amassed significant legal fees and unwarranted bad public relations because of the political fight in a foreign land.

Documents requested by Atiku

The former vice president requested four documents from Chicago State University:

(1) An example of a Chicago State University diploma issued to President Tinubu in 1979.

(2) Mr Tinubus diploma issued in 1979.

(3) Any example of a Chicago State University diploma that contains the same font, seal, signatures, and wording as contained in Exhibit C to the First Liu Declaration, which purports to be a CSU diploma issued to Mr Tinubu on or about June 22, 1979.

(4) CSU documents certified and produced by Jamar Orr, an associate general counsel at CSU at the time.

Chicago State University statement

As an educational institution, we are sometimes asked to provide information related to student records. A federal law known as FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) protects the privacy of student records and limits what an institution can release.

In August 2023, a request was made in U.S. federal court by a third party for the university to provide information related to educational records concerning Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria, and a former CSU student. The university can confirm Tinubu attended CSU and graduated in 1979 with a bachelors degree. Federal law, however, prevents us from providing any further information without consent or unless allowed to do so via court order.

It is important to note that the university is not a party to the Nigerian legal proceedings that spurred this request. We are confident in the veracity and integrity of our records regarding Tinubus completion of graduation requirements and degree certificate.

Our response to the request for Tinubus academic records has been entirely consistent with our practices, policies and federal law. We would respond in exactly the same manner for any request for any student information by a third party, the statement read.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


About five years after Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and his predecessor, Ibikunle Amosun, had a parting of ways, the two leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) appeared to be coming together again.

On Friday, the governor hosted a meeting with some associates of Mr Amosun in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Although Mr Amosun was not at the event, a personal aide of his told this newspaper in confidence that the former governor gave his approval for the meeting.

The protracted crisis in the APC began after Mr Abiodun was endorsed by the national leadership of the APC as the partys governorship candidate despite the nomination of Adekunle Akinlade at a congress of the party organised by the then governor.

Mr Amosun, who was the APC senatorial candidate in that years general elections, went on to back Mr Akinlade who later lost the election as the candidate of Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

READ ALSO:

Mr Amosun also refused to back Mr Abioduns reelection in 2023, despite remaining in the APC with the governor. This time, his group supported Biyi Otegbeye of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Mr Abiodun won the election again but his victory is being challenged at the petition tribunal by Ladi Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

On Friday, prominent members of Mr Amosuns camp told Mr Abiodun that they had decided to bury their hatchets and support the governor as the leader of the APC in the state,

The group was led to the meeting, held at the Presidential Lodge in Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta, by Derin Adebiyi, who had been sacked as the state APC chairman at the outset of the crisis by the Adams Oshimole-led National Working Committee of the party.

They were received by APC leaders in the state.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the move towards reconciliation started many months ago.

Also at the meeting was Tunji Egbetokun, the political adviser of the governor.

Welcome speech

The senator representing Ogun Central, Shuaib Salisu, who was deputy chief of staff to Mr Amosun, in his first term, said he was proud to be a bridge between the two groups.

Speaking at the event, Governor Abiodun praised the group for remaining in the APC despite the long crisis.

I want to congratulate your sense of loyalty to leadership, which I will say is not only commendable, it is enviable, the elated governor said.

This is a culture that we must promote and entrench. It is a culture that is fast eroding, it is a culture that we are fast losing. Loyalty is 100 per cent.

For some others, they move once things are not working well, but for you, you stay put. This sense of loyalty is worthy of emulation. We must appreciate the fact that there can only be one leader in a party at a time.

Even when we have ambitions and desires, we must submit ourselves 100 per cent to leadership and believe that it is in that submission that will allow us to flourish and achieve our objectives, our dreams, our desires and aspirations, not by forming factions or by breaking away.

To those who did not leave, please let us receive our brothers and sisters back. To those who are joining us, please let us display a sense of loyalty. I can assure you, you will be fully integrated.

Mr Amosun could not be reached on the phone and his spokesperson did not offer any comment on the development when approached.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Friday, urged the leaders of the 10th National Assembly to embrace divergent views and work for the sustenance of Nigerias democracy.

Democracy thrives when we agree that every voice holds value and each perspective significant, Mr Shettima said in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, while declaring open a two-day retreat for the National Assembly leaders.

Mr Shettima, harping on why leaders should remain humble and united in serving the people, said Nigeria is a blessed country with great hope, and that political power is a gift from God.

We are going to spend more years of our lives outside power than in power. Power, to me, is a humbling experience. Power should be used for the good of the people.

We are the luckiest among Nigerians. We are not better than our next-door neighbours, he said while referring to his old classmate at the University of Ibadan, who was the brightest then in their class, but was now languishing in a mediocre bank.

The vice president said those who lead the country are merely the peoples representatives, and not because they are the best.

Apparently highlighting the importance of Nigeria to Africas and global affairs, Mr Shettima talked about the exponential growth in the countrys population and asserted that If Nigeria fails, the black man has failed.

One out of every four black men is a Nigerian. The trajectory of global growth is facing Africa, and Nigeria will make or mar that transition.

Let us make Nigeria work, he urged.

Mr Shettima said he considered it a rare privilege for him to address the gathering which had in attendance the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the past leaders of the National Assembly, including Ahmed Lawan, David Mark, Ken Nnamani, and Pius Ayim.

The former speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who is now the chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, was also present at the retreats opening ceremony.

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, who had accompanied President Tinubu to the U.S. for the 78th UN General Assembly meeting in New York, was represented at Ikot Ekpene by the Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi.

But Mr Eno, as soon as he arrived at Uyo on Friday afternoon, drove to Ikot Ekpene where he met with Mr Shettima and the Senate President, Mr Akpabio, and other visitors to the state.

Unbroken bond

Mr Shettima assured of a cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature, most especially since Mr Tinubu, himself, and other top officials of the administration served previously as members of the National Assembly.

For the first time in our history, the heart of the executive branch of our government is serviced by the alumni of the National Assembly. Both the Chief of Staff and the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President are proud alumni of the National Assembly. The Secretary to the Federal Gkovernment is one of us.

We cannot, therefore, afford to go to war. Not because we are going to overlook each others transgressions, but because you are going to engage with those who know the gravity of your work and would never take you for granted, the vice president said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, with utter certainty, reassured us that we are not in government to go to war with the National Assembly. We are here to collaborate and march towards shared values.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops of the Nigerian armed forces have eliminated 52 terrorists, apprehended 60 and rescued 61 kidnapped hostages in different operations between 15 and 22 September.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, a major general, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Buba said a total of seven terrorists comprising five adult males and two adult females surrendered to troops within the period under review.

He said the troops recovered a total number of 77 weapons and 658 different types of ammunition.

The breakdown is as follows: 53 AK47 rifles, two AK47 rifles loaded with 8 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 18 locally fabricated rifles, one Beretta pistol, and three pump action guns.

650 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 50 AK47 magazines, two rounds of 9mm ammo, six rounds of 7.62 NATO and five fragmentation jackets.

Furthermore, troops recovered 15 vehicles, 12 motorcycles, 12 Bicycles, five mobile phones, 12 cutlasses, two generator sets, two gas cylinders, 133 livestock and a sum of N602,000 and Airtel airtime worth N8,000, he said.

Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe denied oil thieves an estimated N946.38 million being the value of seizures in the South-South region.

He stated that the troops recovered 496,250 litres of stolen crude oil, 83,400 litres of illegally refined AGO, 1,200 litres of PMS, four pumping machines, five speed boats, 34 dugout pits, 57 storage tanks, 16 wooden boats, 85 ovens and three outboard engines.

According to him, the mission of the military against terrorists and other violent extremist groups in the country remains unchanged.

The military will continue with aggressive operations to force these groups to submission, he added.

The Defence spokesperson said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai were engaged in ambushes, raids, rescue operations, fighting patrols, attacks as well as cordon and search activities in the North-east theatre.

He added that troops of Operations Hadarun Daji, Safe Haven, Whirl Punch and Whirl Stroke had also sustained aggressive postures against bandits and other criminals in North-west and North-central.

According to him, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke conducted 22 operations, 13 fighting patrols, six confidence-building patrols and one raid operation within the period under review.

He said that the areas covered included Mbaayande, Mbamazu and Mbaagudu villages of Konshiga Local Government Area of Benue.

Troops of Joint Task Force Operations UDO KA and Operation Search and Flush in the South East region sustained momentum in the fight against insecurity in the region.

Troops apprehended five suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists in Ikwo and Ihiala Local Government Areas of Ebonyi and Anambra States, respectively.

The military will through its operations continue to make improvements towards ensuring safety of citizens and restoring security across the country.

Citizens are encouraged to know something, say something and let the military do something about it, Mr Buba said.

(NAN)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The House of Representatives says it will resume from its annual recess on Tuesday to continue the first legislative year of the 10th Assembly.

Yahaha Danzaria, the clerk of the house, said this in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

The 10th House proceeded on its annual recess on 27 July.

This followed a plenary session during which Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced the leadership of the standing committees of the house.

Commenting on the resumption, Akin Rotimi, the spokesperson of the house and chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said the 10th Assembly had been prolific.

He said since its inauguration, the house had recorded 470 bills, with all passing first reading, while four passed second reading.

He added that there had been 175 motions considered by the parliament.

He said in spite of the recess, it had continued to function, as various ad hoc committees continued to carry out their crucial mandates.

He said this had generated significant positive public interest.

Mr Rotimi said some of the key early developments expected on resumption was the conclusion of the work of all ad hoc committees and the submission of their reports.

He said this was for the consideration of the house in line with the directive of the speaker.

He said the house would get the final draft of its Legislative Agenda developed by the ad hoc committee, led by the Majority Leader, Julius Inhonvbere.

He said it would be considered and adopted by the house, adding that the draft agenda was developed following extensive consultations with critical stakeholders.

Mr Rotimi also said that the membership of the standing committees would be announced and fully constituted.

(NAN)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Key Insights

Using the Dividend Discount Model, Colonial Motor fair value estimate is NZ$9.49

Current share price of NZ$8.80 suggests Colonial Motor is potentially trading close to its fair value

Colonial Motor's peers seem to be trading at a higher discount to fair value based onthe industry average of 40%

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of The Colonial Motor Company Limited (NZSE:CMO) as an investment opportunity by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Colonial Motor

The Calculation

As Colonial Motor operates in the specialty retail sector, we need to calculate the intrinsic value slightly differently. In this approach dividends per share (DPS) are used, as free cash flow is difficult to estimate and often not reported by analysts. This often underestimates the value of a stock, but it can still be good as a comparison to competitors. The 'Gordon Growth Model' is used, which simply assumes that dividend payments will continue to increase at a sustainable growth rate forever. The dividend is expected to grow at an annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.3%. We then discount this figure to today's value at a cost of equity of 8.3%. Relative to the current share price of NZ$8.8, the company appears about fair value at a 7.2% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

Story continues

Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate)

= NZ$0.6 / (8.3%  2.3%)

= NZ$9.5

dcf

Important Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Colonial Motor as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.3%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.202. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Colonial Motor

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings.

Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Opportunity

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Lack of analyst coverage makes it difficult to determine CMO's earnings prospects.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Paying a dividend but company has no free cash flows.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Colonial Motor, we've compiled three fundamental items you should look at:

Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with Colonial Motor , and understanding this should be part of your investment process. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! Other Environmentally-Friendly Companies: Concerned about the environment and think consumers will buy eco-friendly products more and more? Browse through our interactive list of companies that are thinking about a greener future to discover some stocks you may not have thought of!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every New Zealander stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
The University of Abuja (UofA) has reacted to the allegation of running some unaccredited courses by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

In a statement by its Acting Director, Information and University Relations, Habib Yakoob, the university said CORENs statements were misleading as well as an attempt to undermine the integrity of the universitys engineering programmes.

The university admitted that the body wrote to it about accreditation, but said factors such as the COVID-19 break and industrial actions affected the development.

It, however, did not deny the accusation that accreditation of some of its engineering programmes already expired.

While it is true that COREN wrote a couple of times requesting to visit the University for the purpose of Outcome Based Education (OBE) accreditation of Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, their inconsideration for the challenges faced by the University of Abuja for several months occasioned by strike actions and the outbreak of COVID-19 is to say the least upsetting, parts of the statement reads.

COREN accusation

Last week, COREN stated at a press conference that some engineering courses for which the University of Abuja admitted students were unaccredited.

Media reports quoted the President and Chairman of Council, COREN, Sadiq Abubakar, a professor, as saying the body had written several times to five universities whose accreditation had expired but none of them had replied positively.

Mr Abubakar listed the illegal engineering courses at the UofA to include; Chemical Engineering and Civil Engineering which expired in March 2020, and Electronics Engineering and Mechanical Engineering which expired in April 2022.

Other universities with similar infractions, according to him, are Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma; the University of Calabar (UniCal); Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Yola; and the Technical University, Ibadan (TUI), Oyo State

He said: Failure to rectify their non-accreditation status will result in blacklisting them as non-accredited institutions whose graduates of engineering programmes will not be recognised for registration as engineering practitioners and will lack the legal backing to practise engineering in Nigeria.

UniAbuja replies

In its reply, the UofA said it doesnt shy away from accreditations or hide its facilities from regulatory bodies.

It added that the university acknowledges the importance of accreditation for quality assurance.

It, however, said that doesnt confer on COREN the right to stampede our institution through a needless press conference.

The statement said: We believe that as a professional body, COREN should develop a better mechanism of relating with universities, instead of its current headmaster approach to issues that demand cordiality.

Let it be known that the University of Abuja has never shied away from exposing its facilities to regulatory bodies, more so when a lot of rapid infrastructural and academic developments have been taking place in the university for some time now, it said.

It is important to note that in 2015, having undergone a rigorous review process by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and COREN, the University of Abuja received full accreditation of its Chemical Engineering and Civil Engineering programmes as well as interim accreditation of its Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering programmes.

The university said the COREN registrar until recently doubled as the external examiner for one of the engineering programmes in our university, and concluded that the press conference addressed to accuse the institution smacks of blackmail.

The university said: Just a couple of days ago, the University received good news from the National Universities Commission (NUC) approving three of its engineering programmes, B Eng Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, B Eng Architecture, and B Eng Agricultural Engineering. The programmes were approved, along with 23 others presented by the university during resource verification exercise of the NUC. This, indeed, is no mean feat.

That the university of Abuja acknowledges the importance of accreditation as a means to ensuring that our engineering graduates meet the necessary professional qualifications and standards, does not confer on COREN the right to stampede our institution through a needless press conference.

Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPNP), Lagos State Chapter, has faulted the investigation of the Lagos State House Assembly on the circumstances that led to the alleged disappearance of Adebola Akin-Brights small intestine and the patients eventual demise on Tuesday,

The chairman of the Lagos Assembly ad-hoc committee set up for the investigation, Noheem Adams, had earlier revealed that the doctor who performed surgery twice on the boy in a private facility is not a qualified surgeon.

In reaction, the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, during plenary on Thursday, directed the Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko, to write to the State Police Command for the arrest of the doctor identified as Abayomi Baiyewu of Obitoks Hospital in the Alimosho area of Lagos.

Master Akin-Bright died on Tuesday evening at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, after the House earlier called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to further assist the patient in seeking treatment abroad.

However, the ANPNP-Lagos in a statement Friday signed by its Chairman, Makinde Akinlemibola, said the association is concerned by the misconceptions, half-truths and outright falsehoods being peddled in the media.

It added that the panel constituted by the State House of Assembly investigated the matter without including a doctor on the panel, and thereby making it difficult for the panel.

There was clear evidence that members of the panel were genuinely ignorant of some of the workings of the medical profession which became obvious from some of the questions posed during their sitting, it noted.

ANPNP highlights concerns

According to the association, the patient was first operated on at Obitoks Hospital on 6 March 2023 on account of a ruptured appendix after he was referred from a medical centre where he was managed for typhoid enteritis.

The group said: It was discovered on the operation table that there was an abscess which will require a different management approach to drain. (The appendix at that time must not be removed because of the abscess). The patient however got better afterwards.

The patient presented again about 3 months later and a diagnosis of obstructed intestine was made which necessitated operating on the abdomen again to relieve the obstruction.

It added that the parents were invited into the operating room to see and confirm the point of obstruction and the four inches of the small intestine to be removed, out of about 24 feet of the normal small intestine.

According to ANPNP, the patient was admitted to LASUTH on 17 June, eight days post-operation at the request of the parents and was operated upon on 14 July 2023, 28 days after admission.

It is therefore strange how the story of the missing/disappearing intestine gained prominence in the media in a patient who was on admission to a public facility (LASUTH) for almost 28 days, ANPNP noted.

The question to then ask is, how did the patient survive for 28 days without intestine?

In addition to this, It was also established as confirmed by ultrasound scan and X-ray done at LASUTH on the 19th of June(I.e. 3rd day on admission) that there was the presence of normal intestinal movement.

Faulty investigation

Speaking further on the investigation, ANPNP accused the panel of witch-hunt and working to a predetermined answer by attempting to reduce the session to a Yes and No session for the private hospital while the doctor from the government hospital was given the latitude to give a detailed report.

The bias was taken to a ridiculous level when the same doctor who operated on the patient at the government hospital was asked to assess and determine the response of the doctor who operated on the patient in the private hospital, it said.

The association also cited the result of the panel set up earlier by the Ministry of Health (HEFAMAA) confirming that the X-ray films taken while the patient was on admission at LASUTH also showed the presence of the intestines.

It however, requested that the case should be thoroughly investigated by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

There is no rationale whatsoever to call for the arrest of the doctor for simply doing his job, especially when the government hospital involved and his personnel are left untouched, it added.

Background

Master Akin-Brights mother, Deborah Abiodun, had cried out to the Lagos State governor to initiate a thorough investigation into the disappearance of her 12-year-old sons small intestine during his treatment at LASUTH.

According to her, their ordeal began when surgeons at LASUTH informed her of the disappearance of her sons intestine following a corrective surgery at the facility.

Mrs Abiodun recounted the traumatic journey in a viral video saying: Sometime in March this year, my boy started vomiting and stooling, and the hospital we took him to suspected typhoid and he was treated.

However, when his condition didnt improve after about five days, we moved him to another hospital, Obitoks Medical Centre, where it was discovered that he had a ruptured appendix requiring surgery.

After about two weeks in the hospital, he emerged looking healthy again and even resumed school, doing well.

Tragically, in June, Adebola complained of stomach pain, leading us back to the hospital (Obitoks). It was then discovered that he had developed intestinal obstruction, necessitating another surgery.

There appeared a complication as the boy was still draining bilious fluid more than seven days after the surgery.

She said at Obitoks Hospital, her son was recommended for another surgery and they opted for LASUTH.

After the surgery in LASUTH, she said the consultant surgeon, who performed the surgery, informed her that his small intestine was missing, and they could not guarantee his survival beyond five days.

Believing that the intestine was missing in LASUTH, Mrs Abiodun pleaded for the intervention of the Lagos State Government.

However, the management of LASUTH denied culpability in the alleged disappearance of the intestines of Maste Akin-Bright in a post on its official X handle.

It noted that the corrective surgery was indeed carried out on the patient in question and insisted that LASUTH did not willfully remove any organ or structure from the patient who was referred to the tertiary health institution after having two surgeries done in a private hospital.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


A father of five, Mallam Garba, (not his real name) from an Adamawa community, says he lost his first daughter, Aisha, as a result of hunger resulting from low crop yield.

At the burial ground, when Aisha body was about to be buried, Mr Garba told mourners that he lost his daughter life as the result of hunger.

He narrated, My family faced acute hunger for weeks, without having up to two meals in day. When Aisha discovered that our condition was getting worse, she decided to go on daily fasting just for her junior sibling to eat. She sacrificed her meals so that we could have something to eat before we slept. And sometimes she could not have the two meals, if she eats at sunset, when she breaks the fast, she could not have meal at the sunrise to begin another day. On day 30 of her hunger fast, she starts vomiting blood whenever she coughed. Sadly, we lost her after some days.

After the confession at the burial ground, people donated some money, while others promised to help Mr Garba and his family and Aishas siblings to survive the hunger.

Flooding

Flooding is a factor affecting farming in northern Nigeria.

Across Nigeria, the advent of 2022 rainy season led to heavy rainfall, rivers overflowing their banks, and the spillage of water from dams in neighboring Cameroon, which contributed to severe flooding in 31 out of the 36 Nigerian states.

According to satellite analysis conducted by the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) between 13-17 October, up to 6,600,000 people are potentially exposed to flooding and over 30,000km of land was flooded across the country.

Adamawa was among the most affected states with an estimated of 260,000 people affected by floods and around a 1,000km of land submerged across the state was destroyed.

According to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), flooding was caused mainly by heavy rains starting from 11 July  24 October 2022.

Additionally, increased water flows from river source in the Cameroonian highlands also contributed to the river Benue overflowing, leading to the flooding of several communities in Adamawa State.

This was compounded by the spillage of water from the Lagdo dam in Cameroon which led to further displacement of people and the destruction of farmland, barns and other properties.

Suleiman Muhammed, the Executive Secretary of the Adamawa Emergency Management Agency said that as of 11 September, 2022, 25 deaths were reported, 58 critically injured, 131,638 individuals were displaced, and 153 communities in 18 local governments were submerged.

Mr. Muhammed said, According to the 2022 Humanitarian Needs Overview, over 2.45 million persons in need (PIN) including Internally Displaced persons (IDPs), returnees and host community populations live in Adamawa State. However, over 1.1 million were classified as being either severe, extreme, or catastrophic.

With these flooding incidents occurring, farmlands experienced low yield thereby creating humanitarian crisis.

Gerio

Out of those communities affected by floods, the reporter visited one which appeared to have been badly affected.

Gerio is a community that has existed for more than 50 years. It is located at one of the reserve banks along River Benue and its residents are fishermen and farmers. Investigation shows how flood affected farming activities and farmers here.

Adamu Haruna, a fisherman and farmer, said that he grew up in the community and has experienced natural disasters such as flood and drought.

Last years flood wiped out almost all our farmland, without any food to eat throughout the rainy season. The little savings we had were spent on buying food. We only depend on the reserve bank here and its continued drying due to dry season farming. Its the only source of water for about thousand hectares of farmland. Even this year we still suffered climate (change), two month ago the water washed out our crops we have to replant it with the intention maybe we can get something that would reduce the hardship

Another respondent, Hauwa Muhammad said, our children are in serious health condition due to the hunger. Our husbands only depend on fishing and the bank is full with long grass as they cannot fix their net and when it is dry season, the water keeps drying some places and we experience drought. Politians and government agencies usually made promises but none of the promises come to exist.

Is Cameroonian Lagdo dam a problem to Nigeria?

An ethnic group, Batta call her Binuwe, the mother of water due to her size and benefits to the upper and lower Benue regions, from where she joins the River Niger.

Its major tributaries are Faro, Tiel, kilengi and Kebbi from its North Bank.

Others are Beti, Mayo Ine, Mayo Balwa, Kunini, Gongola, Lamurde, Namnai, Taraba and Donger River flowing in from the south bank.

Yakubu Abdullahi, a journalist, said: In the last two or three decades, anytime the rainy season reaches its peak, Nigerians will go through the same ritual of Cameroon opening the floodgates of its dam at Lagdo.

At the same time, people will continue blaming Cameroon for pushing floodwaters and devastation to Nigeria. Also people will blame the government for not building dams at Dasin Hausa and other strategic locations.

But it appears that the volume of water from the Lagdo dam when released is not up to 10 per cent of the water pumped into the Benue River from the major tributaries mentioned above.

Some persons believe that the release of water from the Cameroonian dam is one of the reasons for low crop yield experienced in Northern Nigeria.

What can be done to stem the flooding?

But Mr Dobe, a farmer in Gerio, says the Lagdo dam is not responsible for the challenges faced by the farming community.

As you can see, we are here in the raining season. Now we farm two times, both in the raining season and dry season because of the changing weather, climate change could be the major factor.

In 2021, we experienced drought in our dry season farming due to shortage of water that we have in Gerio reserve river. It is becoming a real challenge for this land. About 80  90 per cent of the rice we plant has died because Cameroon did not release water from its dam.

When the raining season set in, we planted for 2022 with the intention of recovering what we lost in 2021. However, too much rain became a disaster to us as it washed away everything. The water coming from Cameroon dam is not a disaster to us. As you can see, the water came since last two weeks, but we are still harvesting because it did not reduce the crop yield. We are yet to say that it was successful but we love the water to come from the dam. What is disturbing us is natural rainfall not the water from Cameroon dam.

This story was produced with fellowship support from African Climate Stories.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


( Read 2666 Times)

Under the collaboration with Hindustan Zinc Limited, the Javarmata Agro Farmer Producer Company Limited held its annual meeting for farmer producer organizations (FPOs). The meeting was attended by key figures, including Anupam Nidhi, Head CSR of Hindustan Zinc; Ram Murari, Head SBU of Javarmata Mines; Dr. Mathur Singh, Director of the Agriculture Department; Dr. Sudhir Kumar Verma, Director of Atma Project; Omprakash Berla, Regional Director; Soran Singh, Agriculture Supervisor; and Prakash Meena, Sarpanch of Javarmata.

During the meeting, Javarmata Agro Farmer Producer Company Limited, an FPO affiliated with Javarmata Mines, reported a turnover of over 26.77 million based on its 700 shareholders. The session began with Lalchand Meghwal, FPO President, providing a brief overview of the FPO's perspective and mission, shedding light on commercial achievements for the fiscal year 2022-23. Discussions also took place regarding the FPO's business plan for the fiscal year 2023-24, director elections, and bonus share distribution.

Share certificates were distributed to shareholders, and recognition was given to farmers who conducted the highest volume of trade with the agricultural service center.

The Solution Project, initiated by Hindustan Zinc Limited in collaboration with FPOs, aims to empower farmers and strengthen the agriculture-based livelihoods. Under this initiative, FPOs offer market-oriented pre and post-harvest services, emphasizing community organizations and FPO-led development. The Solution Project, which began in September 2016 and unifies five districts of Southern Rajasthan, focuses on improving the welfare of farmers' communities through agriculture, livestock management, and FPOs.

Through FPOs, farmers have not only gained a new perspective on managing their farming costs but have also received regular market information. They have improved their market access and decision-making regarding the sale of their produce, resulting in better price realization. These achievements highlight the commitment of Hindustan Zinc and its partners to sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing farmers' livelihoods in Rajasthan.

Source :
(Reuters) -Ford Motor has offered Canadian union Unifor wage increases of up to 25% in its tentative agreement, the union said on Saturday.

The agreement provides a 10% wage increase for the first year followed by increases of 2% and 3% through the second and third year and a $10,000 productivity and quality bonus to all employees on the active roll of the company, Unifor said.

The proposals also include an increase in the monthly basic benefit and special allowance in all class codes across defined benefit and hybrid pension plans and investments to help transition from traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle production to electric vehicle (EV) assembly facilities.

Unifor, which represents about 5,600 Canadian auto workers, on Friday said that its Ford leadership group has voted unanimously to support the tentative agreement.

Ford is also in the midst of contract negotiations in the U.S. with a strike by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union at its at the automaker's Wayne, Michigan assembly plant.

The UAW began strikes on Friday against 38 parts distribution centers across the United States at GM and Stellantis, extending its unprecedented, simultaneous strikes that began with one assembly plant each of the Detroit Three. The additional facilities added about 5,600 workers to the 12,700 already on strike.

The UAW said on Friday that Ford had improved its contract offer, including boosting profit sharing and agreeing to let workers strike over plant closures but said the union still has "serious issues" with Ford and its workers would remain on strike at the automaker's Wayne, Michigan assembly plant.

Unlike UAW, Unifor chose one of the Detroit Three as a "target" to negotiate with first - in this case, Ford - in a pattern bargaining tactic used to set the tone for subsequent deals with other companies.

UAW President Shawn Fain said in a Facebook live event that by targeting distribution centers the strike becomes a nationwide event. He said he expected talks to continue through the weekend.

Story continues

The standoff is fueling worries about prolonged industrial action that could disrupt production and dent U.S. economic growth. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Thursday showed significant support by Americans for the striking auto workers.

U.S. President Joe Biden said in a social media post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he would come to Michigan on Tuesday "to join the picket line and stand in solidarity with the men and women of UAW," while former President Donald Trump, who is seeking a new term, will be in Michigan on Wednesday to address auto workers, his campaign said.

(Reporting by Gokul Pisharody in Bengaluru; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Alistair Bell)
DUBLIN, Sept. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Ammonia Crackers Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Cracker Type, Capacity, End User, and Region - Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global ammonia crackers market is poised for significant growth, with an estimated valuation of $1,574.44 million in 2032, up from $201.6 million in 2023, exhibiting a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 25.7%.

Ammonia crackers, which are crucial for hydrogen production, hold the potential to revolutionize the energy sector, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change impacts.

Market Overview

Ammonia, a hydrogen carrier, is a vital component in the transition towards a greener, more sustainable energy landscape. It enables the cost-effective storage and distribution of substantial quantities of energy, making it a key player in the quest for a carbon-neutral energy sector.

Market Lifecycle Stage

The ammonia crackers market is in a dynamic state of development. Small-scale ammonia crackers have reached maturity, while large-scale counterparts are still in the developing stage. Key players in the ecosystem include ammonia cracker manufacturers, green hydrogen and green ammonia producers, technology providers, and end users. Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, China, the U.K., and Rest-of-the-World are the prominent regions driving market growth.

Industrial Impact

Ammonia crackers hold great promise in the journey toward a carbon-neutral energy sector. By leveraging this technology, the world can reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, combat climate change, and usher in a cleaner and more sustainable energy landscape. Continuous research and development efforts are poised to unlock new possibilities for hydrogen production, distribution, and utilization.

Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic had an adverse effect on various sectors globally, including the ammonia crackers market. Lockdowns, production halts, and disruptions in supply chains significantly impacted the market in 2020. However, with the world recovering from the pandemic, the ammonia crackers market is expected to regain momentum.

Market Segmentation

End User: The ammonia crackers market serves various industries, including heat treatment, the metal industry, oil and gas, power generation, mobility, and others. Increased initiatives related to decarbonization are expected to drive high adoption rates in mobility and power generation. Cracker Type: The market is segmented into centralized and decentralized ammonia crackers. Decentralized ammonia crackers are anticipated to lead the market during the forecast period. Capacity: Capacity segments include small-scale (<_50 />1,000 Nm3/hr). Small-scale ammonia crackers led the market in 2022, primarily due to demand from end-use industries such as the metal industry, heat treatment, and mobility. Region: Key regions for ammonia crackers production include Asia-Pacific and Japan , Europe , China , the U.K., North America , and Rest-of-the-World. Asia-Pacific and Europe are expected to be prominent regions for ammonia crackers production due to increased import of green ammonia as a hydrogen carrier.

Recent Developments

In June 2023 , Proton Ventures conducted diverse studies related to ammonia cracking and initiated efforts to develop commercial pilot projects for ammonia cracking, which would significantly contribute to global hydrogen production facilities.

, Proton Ventures conducted diverse studies related to ammonia cracking and initiated efforts to develop commercial pilot projects for ammonia cracking, which would significantly contribute to global hydrogen production facilities. In September 2022 , Syzygy Plasmonics, LOTTE Chemical, LOTTE Fine Chemical, and Sumitomo Corporation of Americas partnered to test Syzygy's fully electric, photocatalytic ammonia cracking reactor on a commercial scale in South Korea .

Demand Drivers and Limitations

Drivers:

Increasing Awareness Regarding Green Hydrogen

Increased Adoption of Ammonia Crackers in End-User Industries

Need for Effective Hydrogen Carrier

Limitations:

Toxicity of Liquid Ammonia and Trace Amounts of Ammonia in Hydrogen after Decomposition

High Cost of Green Hydrogen Production and Significant Energy Requirements in Cracking

Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis

Several companies play a crucial role in the ammonia crackers market, divided into three categories based on capacity: small scale (<_50 />1,000 Nm3/hr). Key players in each category include:

Small Scale:

Lindberg/MPH

Borel Swiss

Gasbarre Products, Inc.

Suzhou Since Gas Technology Co., Ltd.

Nuberg GPD

MVS Engineering Pvt. Ltd.

Medium Scale:

Siemens Energy

Air Liquide

KBR Inc.

AMMPOWER

Duiker Combustion Engineers

Suzhou Since Gas Technology Co., Ltd.

AMOGY Inc.

MVS Engineering Pvt. Ltd.

Large Scale:

Haldor Topsoe A/S

Siemens Energy

Air Liquide

thyssenkrupp AG

KBR Inc.

Duiker Combustion Engineers

These companies are actively contributing to the advancement of ammonia cracking technology and its applications across various industries. Collaboration and innovation are key drivers in the competitive landscape of the ammonia crackers market.

Key Questions Answered in the Report

What are the steps taken by the existing players to improve/maintain their market positioning, and what are some of the key strategies adopted by new players entering this market space?

Which are the major companies in the ammonia crackers ecosystem? What are their market shares?

How does the supply chain function in the global ammonia crackers market?

How much is the green hydrogen and green ammonia market and how is it expected to grow over forecast period?

How is the cost of ammonia crackers determined? What are the factors impacting the cost of ammonia crackers?

What is the cost comparison for centralized vs. decentralized ammonia crackers?

ammonia crackers? What is impact of ongoing research for scaling up of ammonia cracking technologies?

How does supply chain of centralized and decentralized ammonia crackers vary?

ammonia crackers vary? What are the major patents filed by the companies active in the ammonia crackers market?

How much is the growth potential of large scale ammonia crackers in the next decade?

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xcga82

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.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until November 20, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against CS Disco, Inc. (NYSE: LAW), if they purchased the Company's shares between July 21, 2021, and August 11, 2022, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Get Help

CS Disco investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-law/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

CS Disco and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On August 11, 2022, the Company released disappointing financial results for the second quarter of 2022, disclosing that revenue growth had decelerated drastically over past quarters and that it would no longer be including in its guidance any revenues attributable to its largest customers for the entire year, shocking investors and analysts alike.

On this news, shares of CS Disco plummeted $15.53 between August 11, 2022 and August 12, 2022, a drop of more than 53%.

The case is Gambrill v. CS Disco, Inc., No. 1:23-cv-08270.

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.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler
France's Minister of State for Development and International Partnerships Ms. Chrysoula Zacharopoulou and ECW Executive Director Yasmine Sherif call on donors and the private sector to urgently provide a total of US$1.5 billion.

NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- At this weekend's Global Citizen Festival in New York, France's Minister of State for Development and International Partnerships, Ms. Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, and Education Cannot Wait Executive Director Yasmine Sherif announced 40 million in new, additional funding from the Government of France.

Education Cannot Wait (ECW) has now mobilized US$870 million toward its 2023-2026 Strategic Plan to reach 20 million crisis-impacted children with the safety, hope and opportunity of a quality education.

"Championing global education and emancipation is an absolute priority for France. The message of the Paris Pact for People and the Planet is that we must all take our part to allow each country to alleviate poverty and tackle climate change," said France's Minister of State for Development and International Partnerships, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou. "This includes states, which must support development policies with sufficient resources. For this reason, I am particularly pleased to announce, on behalf of France and President Macron, the allocation of 40 million to support ECW's actions for the 2023-2026 cycle."

"With this new bold and generous contribution, France shines as an example for others to follow," said ECW Executive Director Yasmine Sherif. "We call on government donors, philanthropic foundations, and the private sector to follow suit and join our collective efforts to mobilize a total of US$1.5 billion by 2026 to provide quality education to 20 million crisis-affected girls and boys so they can learn, grow and rebuild their societies."

Globally, around 224 million children are deprived of a quality education due to armed conflicts, forced displacement, climate-induced disasters and other protracted crises. They need urgent support to fulfil their right to a quality, inclusive education.

Together with strategic partners, ECW has already reached close to 9 million girls and boys in some of the harshest crises around the globe.

While donors are stepping up, the funding gap has actually widened in recent years. Humanitarian appeals for education in emergencies have nearly tripled from US$1.1 billion in 2019 to almost US$3 billion at the end of 2022.

Take action today with Global Citizen and with your personal donation to Education Cannot Wait.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1656121/Education_Cannot_Wait_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Education Cannot Wait
NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until October 23, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. (NYSE: HE), if they purchased the Company's securities between February 28, 2019 and August 16, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

Get Help

Hawaiian Electric investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-he/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

Hawaiian Electric and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) the Company's wildfire prevention and safety protocols and procedures were inadequate to meet the challenges for which they were ostensibly designed; (ii) accordingly, despite knowing the degree of risk that wildfires posed to Maui, the Company's inadequate safety protocols and procedures placed Maui at a heightened risk of devastating wildfires; and (iii) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

The case is Bhangal v. Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., et al., No. 23-cv-04332.

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.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler
SHANGHAI, Sept. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc. (2696. HK) announced that the new drug application (NDA) for new indication of HANSIZHUANG (serplulimab injection), an innovative anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody independently developed by the company, in combination with drugs containing fluorouracil and platinum for the first-line treatment of patients with PD-L1 positive unresectable locally advanced/recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), has been approved by the National Medical Products Administration (the "NMPA")providing a new treatment option for patients with ESCC. Up to date, HANSIZHUANG has been approved for the treatment of microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) solid tumors, squamous non-small cell lung cancer (sqNSCLC) and extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). To further benefit patients, Henlius continues to differentiate and optimize product portfolios and the roadmap of HANSIZHUANG in lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and other cancers.

Wenjie Zhang, Chairman, and Executive Director of Henlius, remarked, "ESCC is the fourth approved indication of HANSIZHUANG and its approval signifies that this high-quality anti-PD-1 mAb offers a new ray of hope for the treatment of difficult-to-treat gastrointestinal cancer. Since it launched in March 2022, HANSIZHUANG has benefited a wide range of patients with lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and other tumors, further solidifying its positive reputation with a strong brand effect. Moving forward, we will continue leveraging the strengths of HANSIZHUANG and fully tapping its potential to accelerate market expansion to provide affordable, innovative treatments to more patients worldwide."

Jason Zhu, Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer of Henlius, said, "Henlius is driven by unmet clinical needs and has devoted itself to precision immunotherapy for tumors. We are focusing on major cancer types, steadily expanding the clinical layout of HANSIZHUANG in multiple cancer types, and actively initiating immune combination therapy trials worldwide. The approval of ESCC further validates the potential of HANSIZHUANG and demonstrates the innovation capabilities of Henlius. We look forward to more positive study results of HANSIZHUANG to make further contributions to cancer treatment for more cancer patients."

Prof. Jing Huang, the leading principal investigator of ASTRUM-007, from Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, said, "ESCC is the most common pathological type of esophageal cancer with high clinical demand and relatively poor overall prognosis. The phase 3 clinical study (ASTRUM-007) on serplulimab plus chemotherapy for unresectable locally advanced/metastatic esophageal cancer achieved promising results, which was conducted on a large sample of the local population and fully demonstrated that serplulimab in combination with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for locally advanced/metastatic and PD-L1 positive (PD-L1 CPS1) esophageal cancer patients can significantly improve progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). We are hoping that serplulimab will benefit more patients in clinical practice."

Providing a new solution for urgent clinical needs

Esophageal cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide as well as a prevalent malignant tumor in China. According to the data, the incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer rank sixth and fourth, respectively, among all malignant tumors in China, of which ESCC is the most common pathological type that accounts for about 85.79% of all esophageal cancer cases[1]. As the symptoms of early esophageal cancer are often subtle, about 70% of patients are diagnosed at mid-to-late stage, missing out on surgical treatment[2]. In recent years, many studies have shown that anti-PD-1 mAb combined with chemotherapy can bring survival benefits to patients with esophageal cancer. Up to date, immune checkpoint inhibitor combined with chemotherapy has become the standard first-line treatment for advanced esophageal cancer in China[3].

The approval was primarily based on ASTRUM-007, a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, phase 3 study aiming to compare the efficacy and safety of serplulimab versus placebo in combination with chemotherapy (5-FU + cisplatin) in patients with previously untreated, PD-L1positive (PD-L1 CPS1), advanced ESCC. According to the study results published in the international leading journal Nature Medicine, serplulimab in combination with chemotherapy significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), its safety was also manageable. Notably, the PD-L1 high-expression group receiving serplulimab combined with chemotherapy gained a greater survival benefit comparing to the intention-to-treat (ITT) group, in the analysis of the group with PD-L1 CPS10, the combination of serplulimab and chemotherapy group had a median OS of 18.6 months, with an absolute extension of 4.7 months compared to the control group and a 41% reduction in the risk of death. The results of ASTRUM-007 have been released at many world-class conferences, such as the 2022 ESMO Asia Congress and the 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting, receiving high recognition from the international academic community.

Widening indication coverage for patients worldwide

Henlius focuses on lung and gastrointestinal cancer and promotes the synergy of HANSIZHUANG with innovative therapies, in which more than 10 clinical trials on immuno-oncology combination therapies have been initiated worldwide. As of now, the company has enrolled more than 3,600 subjects, and the global clinical research data will provide strong support for its NDAs in overseas markets. In terms of gastrointestinal cancer, HANSIZHUANG has been approved for the treatment of MSI-H solid tumours, which brings hope to patients with MSI-H colorectal cancer and MSI-H gastric cancer. Furthermore, HANSIZHUANG has led the way with a phase 3 clinical study on neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapies for gastric cancer, striving to benefit gastric cancer patients from the early line of immunotherapy. In the field of lung cancer, HANSIZHUANG has been approved for sqNSCLC and ES-SCLC, making it the world's first anti-PD-1 mAb for the first-line treatment of SCLC. The company also plans to submit a marketing application for HANSIZHUANG as a first-line treatment for non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (nsNSCLC) in China in the second half of 2023. In addition, HANSIZHUANG was also granted orphan drug designations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Commission (EC) for the treatment of SCLC, and its Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for the first-line treatment of ES-SCLC was validated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in March 2023, with the expectation of approval in the first half of 2024. Henlius also lanuched a head-to-head bridging trial of HANSIZHUANG versus first-line standard-of-care atezolizumab for ES-SCLC in the U.S. and the company plans to submit a Biologics License Application (BLA) for HANSIZHUANG in the U.S. in 2024. Furthermore, Henlius is steadily advancing a global multi-center clinical research of HANSIZHUANG for the limited stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC).

Henlius proactively promotes the commercialization of HANSIZHUANG to enhance its accessibility through multiple dimensions and channels. Up to date, HANSIZHUANG has benefited over 37,000 Chinese patients and has completed the tendering process on the procurement platform in 29 provinces in Chinese mainland and was included into the customized commercial medical insurance directory in 26 Provinces and cities such as Shanghai, Chengdu, Ningbo, Xiamen, Fujian, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, etc. For the overseas market, Henlius forged a partnership with Kalbe Genexine Biologics (KGbio) to grant it an exclusive license to develop and commercialize HANSIZHUANG in relation to its first monotherapy and two combination therapies in 10 Southeast Asian countries. In August 2023, the company further granted KGbio exclusive development and commercialization authorizations of HANSIZHUANG in 12 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. In addition, Henlius entered into an exclusive license agreement with Fosun Pharma for the commercialization of HANSIZHUANG in the U.S., aiming to expand the overseas market layout of HANSIZHUANG and reach out to a wider range of global patients.

In the future, Henlius will continue to enhance its capabilities in innovation, manufacturing, and commercialization, dedicating its efforts to the development of a system for precision treatment and translational medicine research and maximizing the clinical value of HANSIZHUANG to set the pace in tumor immunotherapy to deliver warmth and hope to patients all over the globe.

References [1] Chen R, Zheng R, Zhang S, et al. Patterns and trends in esophageal cancer incidence and mortality in China: an analysis based on cancer registry data[J]. Journal of the National Cancer Center, 2023. [2] Wang, T. Y. et al. "Analysis of efficacy and survival of third-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced esophageal squamous carcinoma." Third Academic Annual Meeting of the Specialized Committee on Geriatric Tumor Therapy of Sichuan Anti-Cancer Association and the First Academic Annual Meeting of the Specialized Committee on Anti-cancer Drugs of Sichuan Anti-Cancer Association Sichuan Anti-Cancer Association, 2018. [3] Standardization for diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer (2022 edition)

Bureau of Medical Administration, National Health Commission of the Peoples Republic of China, 2022.

About HANSIZHUANG

HANSIZHUANG (recombinant humanized anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody injection, generic name: serplulimab injection) is the first anti-PD-1 mAb for the first-line treatment of SCLC. Up to date, 4 indications are approved for marketing in China, 1 marketing application is under review in the EU, and more than 10 clinical trials are ongoing across the world.

HANSIZHUANG was launched in March 2022 and has been approved by the NMPA for the treatment of MSI-H solid tumours, squamous non-small cell lung cancer (sqNSCLC), extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Its marketing applications of the first-line treatment for ES-SCLC are under review by the EMA. Focusing on lung and gastrointestinal cancer, the synergy of HANSIZHUANG with in-house products of the company and innovative therapies are being actively promoted. It has successively obtained clinical trial approvals in China, the U.S., the EU and other countries and regions to initiate more than 10 clinical trials on immuno-oncology combination therapies in a wide variety of indications. As of now, the company has enrolled more than 3,600 subjects in China, the U.S., Turkey, Poland, Georgia and other countries and regions, and the proportion of White is over 30% in two MRCTs, making HANSIZHUANG an anti-PD-1 mAb with one of the largest global clinical data pools. The results of 3 pivotal trials of HANSIZHUANG were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Nature Medicine and the British Journal of Cancer, respectively. Furthermore, HASIZHUANG was recommended by the CSCO Guidelines for Small Cell Lung Cancer, the CSCO Guidelines for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, the CSCO Guidelines for Esophageal Cancer, the CSCO Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer, the CSCO Clinical Practice Guidelines on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor, the China Guidelines for Radiotherapy of Esophageal Cancer, and other definitive guides, providing valuable references for clinical diagnosis and treatment of tumours. On the other hand, serplulimab was granted orphan drug designations by the U.S. FDA and the EC for the treatment of SCLC, and its bridging head-to-head trial in the United States to compare HANSIZHUANG to standard of care atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1 mAb) for the first-line treatment of ES-SCLC is well under way.

About Henlius

Henlius (2696.HK) is a global biopharmaceutical company with the vision to offer high-quality, affordable, and innovative biologic medicines for patients worldwide with a focus on oncology, autoimmune diseases, and ophthalmic diseases. Up to date, 5 products have been launched in China, 1 has been approved for marketing in overseas markets, 19 indications are approved worldwide, and 2 marketing applications have been accepted for review in the U.S., and the EU, respectively. Since its inception in 2010, Henlius has built an integrated biopharmaceutical platform with core capabilities of high-efficiency and innovation embedded throughout the whole product life cycle including R&D, manufacturing and commercialization. It has established global innovation centers and Shanghai-based manufacturing facilities in line with global Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), including Xuhui Plant certificated by China and the EU GMP and Songjiang First Plant certificated by China GMP.

Henlius has pro-actively built a diversified and high-quality product pipeline covering over 20 innovative monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and has continued to explore immuno-oncology combination therapies with proprietary HANSIZHUANG (anti-PD-1 mAb) as backbone. Apart from the launched products HANLIKANG (rituximab), the first China-developed biosimilar, HANQUYOU (trastuzumab for injection, trade name in Europe: Zercepac; trade names in Australia: Tuzucip and Trastucip), the first China-developed mAb biosimilar approved both in China and Europe, HANDAYUAN (adalimumab) and HANBEITAI (bevacizumab), the innovative product HANSIZHUANG has been approved by the NMPA for the treatment of MSI-H solid tumors, squamous non-small cell lung cancer (sqNSCLC) and extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), making it the world's first anti-PD-1 mAb for the first-line treatment of SCLC. What's more, Henlius has conducted over 30 clinical studies for 16 products, expanding its presence in major markets as well as emerging markets.

SOURCE Henlius
----- YL201 Phase I/II Investigators Meeting was successfully held in Guangzhou, China

GUANGZHOU, China, Sept. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 23, 2023, oncologists and experts from more than 60 clinical research centers across the country gathered in Guangzhou to participate in the YL201 Phase I/II Investigators Meeting hosted by Suzhou MediLink Therapeutics Co., Ltd. The chair of this meeting was Professor Li Zhang, from the Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University, who gathered the wisdom and experience of experts, to discuss the development strategy of the clinical trial protocol in depth, and lay a solid foundation for the efficient drug development of YL201.

Presentation by the Chairperson of the Meeting, Lead Investigator Professor Li Zhang, said that "ADC is currently a highly anticipated field, and the data generated from the early international multi-center clinical trial of YL201 project by MediLink is exciting. There is hope for a breakthrough therapy in the future, and it has provided a solid foundation for the rapid advancement into Phase I/II. Sincere wishes for further progress and breakthroughs in this project, bringing better data and outcomes to the field of cancer treatment".

At the meeting, Professor Hongyun Zhao shared the exciting clinical trial data of the recent successful dose exploration stage.

Sponsor representative, Dr. Tongtong Xue, Chairman and CEO of MediLink Therapeutics, said in his opening remarks that "it is a great honor to invite experts in the field of oncology from all over China to witness the growth and progress of MediLink. As a dynamic young company, through the joint efforts of the team, researchers and collaborators in the past 1.5 years, the YL201 project has been initially confirmed for safety, and the convening of this Investigator's Meeting marks the initial success of the original TAMLIN antibody conjugation technology of MediLink". Dr. Xue also noted that "MediLink has made great strides to help patients and still has a long way to go", underscoring the belief of MediLink to continue to accelerate the pace of development for YL201, and contribute to new cancer treatment solutions to benefit more patients.

About MediLink Therapeutics:

Founded in 2020, MediLink Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC). The company has developed the Tumor Microenvironment Activable LINker-payload (TMALIN) novel antibody drug conjugates platform technology with independent intellectual property rights, which is believed to not only achieve high DAR value, uniformity stable conjugation, and also further improve the therapeutic window of ADC drugs. The goal of MediLink Therapeutics is to provide more effective treatment options for cancer patients worldwide. The company is headquartered in Suzhou, China, and has set up R&D branches in Shanghai, China, Boston, and the USA.

SOURCE MediLink Therapeutics
SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mibro, the renowned smartwatch brand from Zhenshi Technology, a member of the Xiaomi ecological chain, has launched two new upgraded smartwatches -- Mibro T2, a lifestyle smartwatch to help people achieve the balance of life, work, and wellness; Mibro GS pro, a premium multisport GPS smartwatch designed for athletes and adventurers to perform at their best.

Left: Mibro Watch T2; Right: Mibro Watch GS Pro

The two smartwatches offer dual-strap options: the T2 has leather and silicone while the GS Pro has enhanced elastic silicone and woven. With REM tracking and a 4PD matrix heart rate sensor, these watches offer enhanced health and sleep monitoring, yielding more precise data. The T2's professional 6-Axis motion sensors and the GS Pro's professional 9-Axis motion sensors improve the precision of activity tracking. Both watches have an altitude barometer, making them good hiking and climbing companions.

The T2's battery life in Daily mode can last up to 10 days, and the GS Pro's 20-day battery life significantly reduces the frequency of charging. These watches are highly waterproof, support global GPS satellite positioning, and high-resolution AMOLED displays. They enable Bluetooth calling, allowing users to answer calls directly from their watches, whether they're busy working or working out.

The T2 combines a precision steel digital watch crown with a curved screen, exuding a high-end aesthetic. The GS Pro elevates this with 316L stainless steel, mirroring the quality of traditional high-end timepieces. The new watches also feature over 100 specialized sport modes for enhanced user exploration.

As the excellent choices for anyone looking for a high-quality, feature-rich smartwatch that combines style and performance, the Mibro T2 and Mibro GS pro will be available in October for purchase through selected retailers worldwide.

Founded in 2015, Zhenshi Information Technology (Shanghai) Co.,Ltd., has created two renowned brands, Xunkids and Mibro. With over 200 top R&D engineers focused on the most advanced technology development on smart wearable devices, Zhenshi is proudly serving over 30 million customers across more than 150 countries worldwide. In 2022, Mibro achieved a 500% sales growth compared to 2021. Mibro's impressive sales achievements also include being featured Thailand Shopee Birthday Sale's best-selling wearables brands along with Amazfit, Huawei, and Garmin on the 12th December, 2022.

For more information, please visit https://www.mibrofit.com/ , or follow them on Facebook and Instagram. For business inquiries, please contact: [email protected].

Media Contact: [email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216037/Gs_pro.jpg

SOURCE ZhenShi Information Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Prepare to experience a laser engraving journey like never before as Monport Laser announces the expansion of its robust after-sales technical support services. With an unwavering dedication to exceeding customer expectations, Monport is now seeking skilled technical professionals from all corners of the United States. Join forces with the industry leader as Monport Laser redefines excellence in the laser engraving realm.

In today's fast-paced world, technical support service is crucial for customers to keep up with their businesses' growth. Monport Laser has built its reputation on its outstanding technical support services for laser engraving machines across the industry. The company believes that every customer deserves exceptional service and the highest level of technical support.

Monport Laser is committed to expanding its technical support services to provide customers with even more comprehensive support. The company is seeking technical support professionals from all over the United States with expertise in troubleshooting and customer service. Monport Laser wants to work with highly skilled technical professionals to build a strong national network of technical support that can offer more localized, region-specific services to customers. Monport will cooperate with these technical support personnel in different depths according to their professionalism, and full-time and part-time intentions. Experts who are proficient in the field of CO2 laser engraving and experts who are proficient in fiber laser are of course mainly responsible for different fields.

As part of this plan, Monport Laser has invested in the recruitment of well-trained and experienced professionals to form a team for after-sales technical support services. This team will work closely with customers on a regional level to solve technical problems and other concerns directly. With a more localized approach, Monport Laser aims to establish a more flexible support system for its customers.

Furthermore, Monport Laser encourages technical support professionals with a passion for laser technology and a mission to contribute to the laser industry to join their team. The company offers competitive packages and benefits for qualified technicians and ensures a career roadmap for growth and development within the company.

"We are excited to grow our after-sales technical support team and collaborate with all talented technical professionals who share our passion for laser technology," said Charlie Smith, Manager for Monport Laser. "Our mission is to provide personalized and on-demand technical support services to our customers, and we believe that with a strong regional team, we can deliver even more exceptional services that exceed expectations."

Monport Laser encourages all interested parties to submit a resume and application through their website. As Monport Laser finds more talents to join their team, they are confident in their ability to provide invaluable support to growing the laser engraving industry and serve customers on a more localized and individual level.

Stay tuned as Monport Laser continues its quest to push the boundaries of innovation, providing cutting-edge technology alongside an unbeatable customer experience. With Monport Laser at the forefront, the possibilities in the laser engraving industry are boundless, promising a future filled with stunning creations, seamless operations, and unmatched satisfaction for customers across the United States and beyond.

Join Monport Laser and Enjoy the Magic of Laser!

Company: Monport Laser

Contact email: [email protected]

Pre-sales Phone: (+1)332-251-1208

Monport Laser Website: https://monportlaser.com/

Monport Address: Monport Tech Inc. 300 LENORA ST 878, SEATTLE, WA, 98121-2411, UNITED STATES

SOURCE Monport Laser
NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until October 19, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Shift4 Payments, Inc. (NYSE: FOUR), if they purchased the Company's securities between November 10, 2021 and April 18, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Get Help

Shift4 investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-four/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

Shift4 and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On April 19, 2023, Blue Orca Capital reported that "Shift4 [is], in reality, a roll-up of low-tech POS systems and payment processors which is substantially less profitable, generates far less cash, and is materially more levered than investors are led to believe," and that in 2022, the Company "engaged in a string of highly questionable and hyper-aggressive accounting maneuvers seemingly designed to keep the stock afloat, from cash flow manipulation to inexplicable distributor acquisitions that enabled it to capitalize a major component of COGS [cost of goods sold]."

On this news, shares of Shift4 fell $5.95 per share, or 8.68%, to close at $62.59 per share on April 19, 2023.

The case is O'Meara v. Shift4 Payments, Inc., et al., No. 23-cv-03206.

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.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler
Caregivers, especially women caregivers, are getting cheated out of retirement savings thanks to the pandemic  and now the transition back to the office.

Heres why.

As many of you know, caregiving duties  kids, elderly parents, lazy husbands  were a major factor that pushed droves of women to exit the workforce during the pandemic. And it's the reason many are still on the sidelines  or will soon be once again as back-to-office mandates make it impossible to do both.

And that has major repercussions on the ability for women to save for retirement.

To be sure, its something employers are starting to address from financial assistance to referral programs, though it may not be enough.

The numbers: An eye-popping 39% of us left the workforce in the past year to provide caregiving, up from 22% in 2022, according to a new report from Goldman Sachs Asset Management. And 22% switched from their full-time job to a part-time job for the same reason, up from 10% a year earlier.

The findings are based on a July 2023 survey of 5,261 US individuals.

While the report did spotlight that a sizable 65% of US workers are now confident in their ability to meet their retirement savings goals, up from 57% last year, caregivers arent dancing in the streets.

It is not sufficient to simply tell people to save more, Chris Ceder, senior retirement strategist at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, told Yahoo Finance. That may not be possible. Caregiving may seem unrelated to retirement, which is exactly why it is important to raise awareness.

The reasoning is clear. The US retirement system is primarily employer-based, so people who are not employed because of undertaking caregiving responsibilities likely are not saving in a retirement plan, nor receiving employer contributions, he added.

Meanwhile, among retirees, 50% retired earlier than expected, according to the survey. Within that group, nearly half retired for reasons outside of their control  most often for caregiving or poor health  and 54% retired more than four years earlier than they had planned for those purposes.

Story continues

54% of retirees entered retirement more than four years earlier than they had planned for. (Getty Creative)

The damage is clear. Workers who stop working for four years in their early 30s may find themselves with 18% lower retirement savings than if there was no time-out, according to Ceder. And someone who retires four years earlier than expected may have a 25% lower retirement account than if they had stuck to their plan.

For many of my clients, particularly Gen X and the sandwich generation, caregiving creates an impediment for saving for retirement, Lazetta Rainey Braxton, a certified financial planner and co-CEO at 2050 Wealth Partners, told Yahoo Finance.

It comes down to this: It is very difficult to ramp up retirement when you are not able to really manage your assets, which is your time, your energy, and your money, Braxton said. If you are a caregiver, then you don't have the time to work, you don't have the energy to do something on the side, and you're not earning the money that you need to be able to save.

The harm is not only from the inability to save in employer-provided retirement accounts, or set aside a portion of income in an IRA account from freelance earnings. Its cashing out of retirement funds already saved, which further damages a caregivers retirement, said Cindy Hounsell, president of the Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement.

Its not clear how many caregivers cashed out, but people who switched jobs certainly did. Overall, 44% of respondents cashed out retirement savings at least once as they were changing jobs, up from 42%, and 42% stopped saving for retirement as the result of a financial hardship such as credit card debt, up from 33%.

Theres a domino effect to stepping away from a job to take care of someone. Leaving a job or cutting back hours to part time is not just about the salary, but leaving promotional opportunities, job security, and possibly leaving money on the table because you are not vested in your employers contributions to your retirement plan, Hounsell said.

But theres some hope thanks to the tax code and some steps employers are starting to take," Zaneilia Harris, a certified financial planner at Maryland-based Harris & Harris Wealth Management, told Yahoo Finance. One suggestion I have for some clients is to use the tax credit for being a caregiver towards funding a Roth IRA. (Taxpayers can claim up to $500 as a nonrefundable Credit for Other Dependents in their care if they meet certain criteria.)

Taxpayers can claim up to $500 as a nonrefundable tax Credit for Other Dependents. (Getty Creative)

Employers could help bridge the time-out gap in retirement savings by providing employer programs that help people stay employed and balance their professional and family responsibilities, Goldman's Ceder said. These include caregiving and parental leave programs  for both men and women  as well as back-up childcare programs. Provide returnship programs that support employees coming back from a workforce lapse. And, if possible employees should increase retirement contributions well in advance of taking time out of the workforce.

There are some bits of evidence that employers are catching the drift. Caregiving and parental leave programs that help women and men together navigate their family responsibilities has been an expanding area in employer benefits, Kathleen Barber, head of corporate benefits and compensation at Goldman Sachs Ayco, told Yahoo Finance.

If employers dont help, what should caregivers do?

For employers that are providing help, the most frequently offered programs are unpaid leave of absence (40%), paid leave of absence (34%), online resources and/or tools (24%), and an employee assistance program that offers counseling and referral services (24%), according to a Transamerica Institute report published in May.

And about 1 in 5 employers offer training on handling caregiving situations for employees (23%) and for managers (21%). Large and medium companies are more likely to offer caregiving support programs than small companies (96%, 95%, and 79%, respectively).

General caregiver leave is expanding including back-up care that provides a certain number of days of emergency care assistance each year, Barber said. And a small percentage provides ongoing financial assistance toward regular care costs, she added.

While retirement sentiment improved over last year, the financial vortex created by issues like caregiving remains a huge problem for many workers and will continue to impact new generations of retirement savers, Ceder said.

Kerry Hannon is a Senior Reporter and Columnist at Yahoo Finance. She is a workplace futurist, a career and retirement strategist, and the author of 14 books, including "In Control at 50+: How to Succeed in The New World of Work" and "Never Too Old To Get Rich." Follow her on Twitter @kerryhannon.

Click here for the latest personal finance news to help you with investing, paying off debt, buying a home, retirement, and more

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
Students of Compton Unified and Lynwood Unified School districts had the opportunity to have Los Angeles Dodgers players and alumni read to them as part of LA Reads, an initiative to promote a lifelong love of reading.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marked the culmination of Think Together's month-long work with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation to support LA Reads, their literacy program with engaging and educational resources that make reading fun for everyone. In partnership with Compton Unified and Lynwood Unified School Districts, nearly 150 second- and third-grade students across four schools participated in readings by Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, former pitcher Dennis Powell and former outfielder Al Ferrara.

Think Together and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation teamed up this month to promote literacy to kids in Compton Unified and Lynwood Unified School Districts! It was a home run for nearly 150 second- and third-graders who participated in readings by Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, former pitcher Dennis Powell and former outfielder Al Ferrara.

"We're incredibly thankful for our longstanding partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, which continues to provide enriching experiences for our students," shared Randy Barth, founder and CEO of Think Together. "When organizations join forces like this for our youth, it truly underscores the presence of caring individuals in their lives and creates memories that will last a lifetime."

Think Together serves more than 5,500 students in Compton Unified nearly 3,000 students in Lynwood Unified with afterschool and expanded learning programs. These students receive enriched programmatic experiences, in addition to core academic afterschool programing, thanks to partnerships like the one with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.

Think Together and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation have partnered since 2015 to provide students with increased access to literacy programs, Coding for All initiatives, college and career readiness and social emotional learning. In 2023, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation awarded Think Together a $20,000 grant to create trainings for Think Together's middle school program leaders around social emotional learning and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs.

"LA Reads is making significant strides in tackling the literacy crisis in Los Angeles, and we are optimistic that through these community events, reading will become more engaging and synonymous with success for underserved youth," said Nichol Whiteman, CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.

To learn more about Think Together, visit www.thinktogether.org.

To learn more about the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, visit: www.Dodgers.com/LADF.

To learn more about Compton Unified School District, visit: https://www.compton.k12.ca.us

To learn more about Lynwood Unified School District, visit: https://www.mylusd.org

About Think Together

Think Together partners with schools and communities to pursue educational equity and excellence for all kids. As a nonprofit organization, Think Together innovates, implements and scales academic solutions that change the odds for hundreds of thousands of California students. Think Together's program areas include early learning, afterschool, school support services and leadership development for teachers and school administrators. For more information, call (888) 485-THINK or visit www.thinktogether.org.

SOURCE Think Together
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
Rio De Janeiro, Sep 23 : At least six suspects were killed as the Brazilian police carried out an operation in Salvador, according to local press.

Salvador is the regional capital of the state of Bahia, with more than 2.9 million inhabitants.

The police launched a mega-operation against a criminal group accused of murdering more than 30 people this month, which has resulted in 34 deaths so far, Xinhua news agency reported.

Friday's operation, during which six suspects were killed, sought to serve 43 search and arrest warrants against the criminal gang accused of the multiple murders.
Indian national in US gets 10 years in jail for money laundering conspiracy. Image Source: IANS News

New York, Sep 23 : A 40-year-old Indian national in the US state of Colorado has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for conspiring to commit money laundering, and ordered to pay $1,163,947.28 in restitution.

Dhruv Jani was part of a conspiracy to launder funds obtained from a government official imposter scheme, starting in January 2020, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado announced on Friday.

Sentenced by US District Court Judge Raymond P Moore on September 21, Jani will be deported to India after serving his term of incarceration.

"This sentence holds Mr Jani accountable for his malicious acts of orchestrating Social Security-related and government imposter scams that preyed upon vulnerable persons," said Gail S Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration.

According to the plea agreement, victims in the US were contacted by telephone and coerced into believing they were under investigation by "agents" of federal law enforcement agencies, like the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Social Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security, Treasury, or Drug Enforcement Administration.

Victims were told that their identities had been connected to a criminal incident, that their imminent arrest and/or deportation from the US had been ordered by law enforcement.

They were told them that the only way to avoid arrest and or deportation was to pay the 'government' large sums of money.

The 'agent' then convinced the victim to package and ship the cash to alleged government officials via Federal Express or United Parcel Service.

Many of these same victims were also directed to mail packages of cash to individuals in other states.

"We must protect our elderly and our vulnerable citizens," said US Attorney Cole Finegan.

"Making victims fearful, this defendant created a scheme that cheated them out of more than a million dollars. For this, he will now spend years in

federal prison."

The investigation was jointly conducted by investigators from the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General (OIG), US Postal

Inspection Service, Department of Homeland Security-OIG, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Colorado Police Department.
Silchar, Sep 23 : Students of NIT Silchar in Assam have called off their five-day hunger strike after the institute's director assured to consider their demands, officials said on Saturday.

The 2000-odd students, who were on a hunger strike levelling serious allegations against the Dean, Academics B.K. Roy in connection with the suicide of a third year electrical engineering student, Koj Buker, decided to end their protest on Friday night.

Officials from NIT administration handed over the packets of fruit juice to the protesting students.

One of the protesting students said, "The authorities promised to fulfill our two primary demandsa"Professor Roy will be removed from his position within the next couple of days and there will be no action against the students who launched a protest following Buker's death."

Earlier on Friday, the director of the engineering institute professor Dilip Kumar Baidya, met with the protesters and urged them to call-off the strike. He expressed regret to the students for not getting in touch with them sooner and gave them the assurance that professor BK Roy would be removed from his position as dean of academics within the following two days.

But the students demanded a written statement from the director and will not end the hunger strike until they receive it. The students presented Professor Baidya with a list of their demands during the hour-long meeting that took place at the new gallery on Friday afternoon.

Following the apparent suicide of third-year Electrical Engineering student Koj Buker, the hunger strike began on morning of September 18. According to the authorities, Buker's hanging body was discovered in the institute's hostel-7 on September 15. The dean of academics, professor BK Roy, was accused by the students of abetting the suicide.

Students made two demands to the director on Friday afternoon: first, they want professor Roy to resign, and second, they want no disciplinary action to be taken against the students for protesting on campus.

"We sympathise with the family of the deceased student, and we understand your agitation. We apologize for not being able to get in touch with you sooner. Within the following two days, we are prepared to meet the demands," professor Baidya told the students.

He also told reporters there, "We feel that the issues have been almost resolved."
YICHANG, March 2, 2017 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on March 1, 2017 shows the transmission lines at the Three Gorges power plant in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province. The Three Gorges power plant, the world's largest hydropower project, has generat. Image Source: IANS News

Chennai, Sep 23 : The Tamil Nadu Industries Association leaders have announced that around 50,000 industries including small-scale industries will go on a one-day strike on September 25 against the electricity tariff revision in the state.

The protesting organisations are also demanding the state to withdraw peak hour charge and fixed charges.

The office bearers of the striking organisations in a statement said that around three crore labourers including 1.2 crore registered employees and mirgrant laboruers in these 50,000 units will strike work on Monday.

The group in the statement said that the state government did not consult with the industry representatives before taking a decision to increase the power tariff. They also charged that while states like Maharashtra, Haryana and Gujarat were providing subsidies to industries, the Tamil Nadu government is creating difficulties for the industries with exorbitant electricity tariffs.

Tiruppur Exporters and Manufacturers Association (TEAMA) president, M.P. Muthurathinam in the statement said, "The garment industries are suffering due to low order volume as well as labour issues. The peak hour charges levied in two phases from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and fixed charges are crippling small industries."

Another industrialist from Coimbatore on conditions of anonymity said that the prices of HP motors for which the city is famous for has almost doubled due to the peak charges and fixed charges as well as electricity tariff hike.

Speaking to IANS, the industrialist said, "We are seriously facing a shut down and the state which was once an attractive destination is slowly becoming a persona non granta for us and we are planning to scout other states for better prospects."

Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Coimbatore, South Indian Engineering Manufacturers Association (SIEMA), Tamil Nadu Electricity Consumers Association (TECA) are among the 165 industries organisations from the state that will participate in the strike on Monday against electricity tariff revision.
San Francisco, Sep 23 : Elon Musk, the owner of X, has expressed his intention to purchase one model from Apple's latest iPhone 15 series, following its recent release.

Tesla CEO expressed his admiration for Apple's iPhone 15 in a brief but noteworthy exchange on X.

The conversation started when Apple CEO Tim Cook shared photos taken with the iPhone 15 Pro Max by renowned photographers -- Stephen Wilkes and Reuben Wu.

"World-renowned photographers Stephen Wilkes and Reuben Wu show us creativity is limitless with iPhone 15 Pro Max. Their vivid photos display breathtaking views from the beauty of summer in Rhode Island to the other-worldly deserts of Utah," Cook posted on X on Friday.

Musk responded by praising the high quality of iPhone photos and videos, expressing his interest in the device.

"The beauty of iPhone pictures and video is incredible," he said.

Later, when Cook announced Apple's latest product lineup is now available around the world, Musk declared: "I'm buying one!".

Earlier this week, in an interview with CBS, Cook said that there are "some things about" Musk's X that he doesn't like.

Cook called the platform's apparent anti-semitism problem "abhorrent" but added, "Twitter is an important property; I like the concept that it's there for discourse".

However, when asked whether Apple should be advertising on X, he said that this is something the company "constantly" asks itself.

iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities, starting at Rs 79,900 and Rs 89,900, respectively.

iPhone 15 Pro starts at Rs 134,900 and is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities.

iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at Rs 159,900 and is available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities.
Washington, Sep 23 : US President Joe Biden has told his Ukrainian counterpart that the Washington will send Kiev a type of long-range missile capable of striking inside Russia, local media reported.

According to NBC News, it is unclear when the Army Tactical Missile System known as ATACMS will be delivered, nor is it certain when a formal announcement will be made.

The report cited three US officials and a congressional official familiar with the discussions. They were not authorized to disclose the information publicly.

Ukraine has long asked for ATACMS, from the US to boost its fighting forces in the ongoing conflict with Russia, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Biden administration had feared that Ukrainian troops would hit targets inside Russia using the long-range missiles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in Washington on Thursday for a meeting with Biden at the White House.

Biden told reporters after the meeting that "the first US Abrams tanks" will arrive in Ukraine "next week."
Mumbai, Sep 23 : A 60-year-old man was killed by asphyxiation in a fire that broke out on the upper floors of a 15-storied building in Dadar, here on Saturday morning, the BMC Disaster Control said.

The blaze occurred around 8.35 am on the 13th floor of the Raintree Building in Dadar Hindu Colony, sparked panic among the people living on the higher floors.

A team of Mumbai Fire Brigade rushed there, even as some locals attempted to help out the residents, as thick clouds of smoke were seen above the building, said an eyewitness.

One person - identified as Sachin Patkar, 60 - who suffered breathing problems due to inhaling the toxic fumes was rushed to the Sion Hospital around 9.50, but was declared dead on admission.

The cause of the blaze and details of other casualties are not known and the fire-fighting operations continue.
Rishi Sunak wants Britain to lead on AI safety - IAN VOGLER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

It took just 23 words for the world to sit up and pay attention. In May, the Center for AI Safety, a US non-profit, published a one-sentence statement warning that artificial intelligence should be considered an extinction risk alongside pandemics.

Those who endorsed the statement included: Geoffrey Hinton, known as the Godfather of AI; Yoshua Bengio, whose work with Hinton won the coveted computer science Turing prize; and Demis Hassabis, the head of the Google-owned British AI lab Deepmind.

The statement helped to transform public opinion on AI from seeing it as a handy office aide to a potential threat of the kind usually only seen in dystopian science fiction.

The Center itself describes its mission as reducing the societal-scale risks from AI. It is now one of a handful of California-based organisations advising Rishi Sunaks government on how to handle the rise of the technology.

In recent months, observers have detected an increasingly apocalyptic tone in Westminster. In March, the Government unveiled a white paper promising not to stifle innovation in the field. Yet just two months later, Sunak was talking about putting guardrails in place and pressing Joe Biden to embrace his plans for global AI rules.

Sunaks legacy moment

An AI safety summit at Bletchley Park in November is expected to focus almost entirely on existential risks and how to negate them.

Despite myriad political challenges, Sunak is understood to be deeply involved in the AI debate. Hes zeroed in on it as his legacy moment. This is his climate change, says one former government adviser.

In November, Bletchley Park will host Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's AI Safety Summit - Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street

In the last year, Downing Street has assembled a tight-knit team of researchers to work on AI risk. Ian Hogarth, a tech investor and the founder of the concert-finding app Songkick, was enlisted as the head of a Foundation Model taskforce after penning a viral Financial Times article warning of the race to God-like AI.

This month, the body was renamed the Frontier AI taskforce  a reference to the bleeding edge of the technology where experts see the most risk. Possible applications could include creating bioweapons, for example, or orchestrating mass disinformation campaigns.

Story continues

Human-level AI systems just a few years away

Hogarth has assembled a heavyweight advisory board including Bengio, who has warned that human-level AI systems are just a few years away and pose catastrophic risks, and Anne Keast-Butler, the director of GCHQ. A small team is currently testing the most prominent AI systems such as ChatGPT, probing for weaknesses.

Hogarth recently told a House of Lords committee that the taskforce is dealing with fundamentally matters of national security.

An AI that is very capable of writing software can also be used to conduct cybercrime or cyberattacks. An AI that is very capable of manipulating biology can be used to lower the barriers to entry to perpetrating some sort of biological attack, he said.

Leading preparations for the AI summit are Matt Clifford, an entrepreneur who chairs the Governments blue-sky research lab Aria, and Jonathan Black, a senior diplomat. The pair, who have been dubbed Number 10s AI sherpas, were in Beijing last week in order to drum up support for the summit.

Meanwhile, the research organisations now working with the taskforce have raised eyebrows for their links to the effective altruism (EA) movement, a philosophy centred around maximising resources for the best possible good.

The movement has become controversial for concentrating on long-term but unclear risks such as AI  judging that the lives of people in the future are as valuable as those in the present  and for its close association with FTX, the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange founded by the alleged fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried.

Of the six research organisations working with the UK taskforce, three  The Collective Intelligence Project, the Alignment Research Center, and Redwood Research  were awarded grants by FTX, which dished out millions to non-profits before going bust. (The Collective Intelligence Project has said it is unsure if it can spend the money, The Alignment Research Center returned it, while Redwood never received it).

One AI researcher defends the associations, saying that until this year effective altruists were the only ones thinking about the subject. Now people are realising its an actual risk but youve got these guys in EA who were thinking about it for the last 10 years.

No guarantee tighter regulation will yield results

Those close to the taskforce are said to have brushed off a recent piece in Politico, the Westminster-focused political website, that laid out the strong ties to EA. It focused on the controversial aspects of the movement but, as a source close to the process says: The inside joke is that theyre not effective or altruists.

Still, start-ups have raised concerns that the focus on existential risk could stifle innovation and hand control of AI to Big Tech. One lobbyist says that, counterintuitively, this obsession with risk could concentrate power in the hands of major AI labs such as OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, DeepMind and Anthropic (the bosses of the three labs held a closed-door meeting with Sunak in May).

Rishi Sunak meeting with Demis Hassabis, chief executive of DeepMind, Dario Amodei, chief executive of Anthropic, and Sam Altman, chief executive of OpenAI, in 10 Downing Street in May - Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street

Hogarth has insisted these companies cannot be left to mark their own homework, but if government safety work ends up with something like a licensing regime for AI models, they are the most likely to benefit. What we are witnessing is regulatory capture happening in real time, the lobbyist says.

Baroness Stowell, the chair of the Lords communications and digital committee, has written to the Government demanding details on how Hogarth is managing potential conflicts of interests around his more than 50 AI investments, which include Anthropic and defence company Helsing.

There is no guarantee that the current push for tighter regulation will yield results. Other past efforts have fallen by the wayside. Last week it emerged that the Government had disbanded the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation Advisory Board, created five years ago to address areas such as AI bias.

However, those close to the current process believe the focus in Downing Street is now sharper. And to the clutch of researchers working on preventing the apocalypse, the existential risks are more important than other considerations.

Its a big opportunity for global Britain, a thing that the UK can actually lead on, says Shabbir Merali, who developed AI strategy at the Foreign Office and now works at the think tank Onward. It would be strange not to focus on existential risk - thats where you want nation state capability to be.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : A BJP leader, who shot himself on Wednesday, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital this morning, an official said here.

Karan Banka, a resident of Greater Kailash-1, was facing financial difficulties and needed money, the initial probe revealed.

According to police, on Wednesday, they received a late-night call informing them that around 12:30 p.m., Banka had slipped in the bathroom, resulting in a head injury.

He was subsequently admitted to Max Hospital Saket.

"The Station House Officer (SHO) of GK police station, along with the staff, arrived at the hospital. It was discovered that Karan had suffered a gunshot wound, which he had inflicted on himself in his bathroom," said the Deputy Commissioner of Police (south) Chandan Chowdhary.

"The gunshot had an entry wound on the right temple and an exit wound on the left. Karan had a personal Personal Security Officer (PSO), and the firearm used in the incident was licensed and belonged to the PSO, Dinesh," said the DCP.

Initial inquiries suggest that Karan was actively involved in politics. "In recent times, he had been facing financial difficulties and had been seeking investments from people he knew," said the DCP.

"Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday. Appropriate legal actions are being pursued in this matter" the DCP added.
United Nations, Sep 23 : India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended meetings of the Quad and IBSA on the sidelines of the high-level General Assembly meeting.

Starting at the meeting's fourth-day mark on Friday, he attended a ministerial meeting of the Quad, the group of India, the US, Japan and Australia, and of the IBSA, the India, Brazil and South Africa group.

He had bilateral meetings with Tariq Mahmood Ahmad, a minister of state in Britain's Foreign Office, Foreign Ministers Penny Wong of Australia, Yoko Kamikawa of Japan and Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani of Bahrain.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was at the Quad meeting at which they reiterated their determination to fight terrorism and to work to keep the Indo-Pacific "free from intimidation and coercion", while jointly working on development projects for the region.

Foreign Ministers Mauro Vieira of Brazil and Naledi Pandor of South Africa attended the IBSA meeting, which focused on tri-continental cooperation among the three countries.

Jaishankar posted on X that their joint statement "demonstrates the strength of our South-South solidarity".

After the meeting with Ahmad, Jaishankar said in an X post that they discussed recent developments pertaining to Ukraine - where the two countries do not see eye to eye - and took stock of bilateral relations.

With Kamikawa, Jaishankar posted that they "exchanged perspectives on our Special Strategic and Global Partnership [and] discussed our regional, multilateral and global cooperation and taking them forward".

He posted that he and Zayani had a good discussion "on connectivity, economic linkages and regional dynamics".

In another X post, Jaishankar called the exchange of global and regional assessments with Wong "valuable".

Wong said in her X post after the meeting, that they discussed regional security, and a range of bilateral issues including economic engagement".

"Australia and India share an interest in a stable, secure region, and a world in which agreed rules are upheld and sovereignty is respected," she said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi skipped the high-level meeting and Jaishankar is scheduled to speak for India at the General Assembly September 26.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
Chicago, Sep 23 : The United Auto Workers (UAW) has expanded its strike against the big three US automakers to 38 General Motors Co. and Stellantis NV parts distribution centers across the US, bringing the total factories on strike up to 41.

Ford Motor Co. is spared from the expansion of the strike as its negotiations with the union will continue.

Some 5,600 workers at those facilities spanning 20 states walked off their jobs on Friday, joining the 12,700 workers already on UAW's strike, said UAW President Shawn Fain during a Facebook live event, Xinhua news agency reported.

This expansion has taken the strike nationwide, Fain said. "We will be everywhere, from California to Massachusetts, from Oregon to Florida. And we will keep going, keep organizing, and keep expanding the Stand-Up Strike as necessary."

The union's strike originally just targeted three plants, namely Ford's Wayne Assembly Plant in Michigan, GM's Wentzville Assembly in Missouri and Stellantis' Toledo Jeep plant in Ohio. This is the first time in its 88-year history for the union to strike against all Big Three U.S. automakers.

GM has idled its Fairfax plant in Kansas where 2,000 hourly employees work, as a result of the impact of the UAW strike at its Wentzville Assembly Plant in Missouri. Stellantis on Wednesday laid off 68 workers at its machining plant as a result of a strike at its Toledo Jeep plant in Ohio. Ford laid off about 600 workers last week at its Wayne plant.

After almost a week of negotiations, it appears the union and the Big Three are still far apart on some key issues, The Detroit News reported Friday.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : An Indian Army contingent consisting of 32 personnel from a Rajputana Rifles battalion has departed for Russia to participate in a counter terrorism field training exercise scheduled to be conducted from September 25 to 30, the Defence Ministry announced on Saturday.

The multinational joint military exercise being hosted by Russia is part of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus Expert Working Group on Counter Terrorism. Russia is a co-chair of the EWG along with Myanmar.

Since 2017, the meet is held annually to allow dialogue and cooperation among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Plus countries.

The exercise will comprise of a number of counter terrorism drills including destroying of terrorist groups in a fortified area. The main objective of the exercise is strengthening and promoting regional cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism.

It will provide the Indian army with a platform to share their expertise and best practices in counter-terrorism operations besides increasing cooperation between other 12 participating countries. Indian Army is also expected to enrich its professional experience from the exercise.
Trudeau's India allegation based on 'shared intelligence from Five Eyes': US ambassador. Image Source: IANS News

Ottawa, Sep 23 : US Ambassador to Canada David Cohen has said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation against India was based on "shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners," the media reported.

"There was shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners that helped lead Canada to making the statements that the Prime Minister Trudeau made," Cohen said in an exclusive interview to CTV.

The Canadian government has collected "human and signal intelligence" involving Indian officials, including Indian diplomats present in Canada linking them to killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the media reported.

"Based on a month-long investigation into Nijjar's death, the Canadian government had amassed both human and signals intelligence which includes communications involving Indian officials themselves, including Indian diplomats present in Canada," public broadcaster Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported quoting government sources.

Some of the intelligence was provided by an unnamed ally in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, that consists of the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, the CBC reported.

India and Canada are enmeshed in a diplomatic row over Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau allegation of involvement of Indian intelligence and the state in the killing of Canadian citizen and Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in June in British Columbia. Nijjar was declared designated terrorist by India in 2020.

India had rejected claims by the Canada government terming them as "absurd and motivated".

Both countries announced tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats and issued travel advisories.

Nijjar was shot dead outside a Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 23 : The Kerala unit of the CPI is all set to request Congress Lok Sabha member Rahul Gandhi not to contest from Wayanad in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

A decision to this effect was taken at the just-concluded national leadership meet of the CPI and according to sources, the decision will now be officially conveyed to the Congress.

According to the sources, the CPI wants Gandhi to contest against a BJP candidate.

The CPI believes that since it is a full fledged ally of the Congress-led I.N.D.I.A political front, the grand-old party should ensure that Gandhi does not contest from Wayanad.

In Kerala, the CPI is the second largest ally of the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front and the Wayanad seat, since its formation in 2009, has been contested by the CPI. In all the three previous elections, the Congress candidate had an easy outing, especially in 2019 when Gandhi won with a staggering margin of over 4.31 lakh votes.

Though the CPI is all set to convey its decision, Congress sources expressed their doubt in the request being considered.

Incidentally, of the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala, the CPI will contests from four. In the 2019 polls, it had suffered a massive defeat, when the Congress-led UDF won 19 seats. One of the reasons for their defeat is Gandhi deciding to contest from Wayanad.

Dismissing the suggestion, CPI(M)'s central committee member and former State Minister A.K.Balan stated that the decision to contest has been taken by the concerned political parties only.

Meanwhile, State Congress president K.Sudhakaran said that CPI or for that matter any 'ally' cannot decide on what other parties should do.

"Gandhi will contest from Wayanad itself," he asserted.
Imphal, Sep 23 : Amid incidents of protests and clashes, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh announced that the internet ban in the strife-torn state will be lifted from Saturday.

Internet services were banned immediately after the ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3 and were periodically extended considering the prevailing law and order situation.

Responding to the appeal from all sections of people and various organisations, the state government following the Manipur High Court order had partially lifted the ban earlier.

While making the announcement, the Chief Minister told the media that destruction of illegal poppy cultivation would continue in the state.

"Besides, the state forces continue to destroy the illegal poppy cultivation, the Narcotics Control Bureau would also take actions against the illegal poppy trading," Singh said.

Meanwhile, defying curfew hundreds of people, mostly women, continued their protests in different places of Imphal East and Imphal West districts against the rearrest of Moirangthem Anand Singh(45) by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday.

After a series of massive agitations since September 17 by many civil society organisations and local clubs against the arrest of five "Village Defence Volunteers", a special NIA court in Imphal on Friday granted conditional bail to all five men who were arrested on September 16 wearing

security forces uniforms and armed with sophisticated weapons.

Officials said that the authority released four of the five and handed over them to their family members but Singh was rearrested by the NIA for certain other cases.

"Singh, a trained cadre of the banned Peopleas Liberation Army militant outfit, is likely to be taken to Delhi or outside Manipur for further interrogation," a senior police official said on condition of anonymity.

Singhas wife, who broke down in front of Imphal police station, said that she was told by the police that her husband has been rearrested in connection with a 10-year old case.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : The killing of Sukhdool Singh Gill aka Sukha Duneke in Winnipeg, Canada, on Wednesday has thrown the spotlight on the global operations of notorious Indian criminal gangs.

Duneke, who was allegedly associated with the infamous Bambiha gang, was wanted in multiple cases in India, including for murder, extortion, and attempt to murder.

He was also a person of interest for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Duneke's murder has raised questions about the extent to which Indian criminal gangs operate outside the country. According to sources, Duneke had fled to Canada in 2017, where he ran an extortion racket. His name prominently featured in the list of 43 individuals released by the NIA earlier this week, all allegedly involved in terror-related activities.

The Bambiha gang has a long-standing rivalry with other Indian criminal groups, including the gangs led by Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar.

Duneke himself was an accused in the murder of kabaddi player Sandeep Naggal Ambian, who was shot during a match at Mallian village in Punjab in March 2022. It was alleged that Duneke had provided a hideout to the killers at a relative's home in Amritsar.

After Duneke's murder, rival gangsters from Punjab, including Bishnoi and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, claimed responsibility for the act through separate Facebook posts. The incident once again highlights the volatile and dangerous criminal landscape in the region.

Intelligence sources indicate that at least eight gangsters are suspected to be operating from within Canada, pointing to a global network of Indian criminal elements.

The NIA and Delhi Police's Special Cell have for long suspected the presence of these gangsters abroad, and the recent incident seems to confirm their suspicions.

Security agencies have consistently maintained that Duneke was hiding in Canada, and they had even submitted a dossier to the Canadian authorities regarding his activities.

But was Duneke the only gangster hiding in Canada, operating his nefarious network from abroad?

According to sources, the answer is a resounding no.Intelligence sources reveal that at least eight gangsters are suspected to be operating from within Canada.

As per sources, Satwinder Singh (Goldy Brar) is believed to be hiding in either the US or Canada, while Lakhbir Singh Sandu (Landa), Arshdeep Singh (Arsh Dalla), Satveer Singh Warring (Raman Judge), Charnjit Singh (Rinku Bihla), Sanawer Dhillon, and Gurpinder Singh (Baba Dalla) are suspected to be in Canada.

Gaurav Patyal (Lucky) and Anmol Bishnoi are believed to be in the US.

Notably, the NIA announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for information leading to the arrest of Lakhbir Singh Sandhu (Landa) for promoting the terror activities of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) in India.

The international reach of these criminal networks is evident in their involvement in heinous crimes, including attacks on government buildings using RPGs and the murder of political leaders.

Gurpinder Singh, known as Baba Dalla who currently resides in British Columbia, had issued threats against an accused in the Punjab sacrilege case, highlighting the interconnected nature of these criminal operations.

Arsh Dalla, also living in British Columbia, is wanted for the murder of Ripudaman Singh Malik, an accused in the 1985 Kanishka airplane bombing. His involvement in a high-profile case demonstrates the global reach of these criminal enterprises.

Charnjeet Singh, alias Rinku Bihla, is another figure wanted for his alleged role in extortion and homicide cases. He played a key role in financing the murder of Dera Premi Manohar Lal in 2020, besides orchestrating an attack on priest Kamaldeep Sharma in Phillaur in 2021.

Raman, known as 'Judge', hails from Ferozepur, Punjab, and is the brother of incarcerated gangster Gagandeep Singh. Together with Bihla, Raman is alleged to have provided logistic support and financing for the murders of Dera Premi and the priest in Phillaur in 2020.

"These foreign-based pro-Khalistani terrorists are also involved in smuggling weapons, ammunition, explosives, and other contraband from across the border. They have also been linked to terrorist activities within India, including high-profile attacks on state institutions," said intelligence sources.

The global reach of Indian criminal gangs and their involvement in terror-related activities are of increasing concern for the Indian authorities. The recent killing of Duneke serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by these transnational criminal networks.

As investigations continue, it remains to be seen how these criminal elements will be dealt with on the international stage.

(Shekhar Singh can be reached at shekhar.s@ians.in)
Mumbai, Sep 20 : Actress Arti Singh, who plays the role of Chandra in the show 'Shravani', has revealed why she is looking forward to the makeover her character will be getting in the show 'Shravani'.

In the earlier episodes, Chandra, was a vision of grandeur, draped in heavy, brightly coloured sarees with heavy embroidered jacket that echoed her role as the Thakurian of the household. Her attire was supported with opulent jewellery, enhancing her commanding presence.

However, with the leap into a new chapter, Chandra has undergone a striking transformation. She now graces the screen in plain chiffon sarees, their simplicity only accentuating her timeless beauty. Her choice of minimal jewellery adds a touch of understated elegance, reaffirming her status as a magnetic and enigmatic character.

Elaborating on the transformation, Arti Singh shared: "I'm really excited about this new transformation, and I am genuinely liking the look. My previous look was quite heavy, adorned with loads of jewellery, but that was an experience in itself."

"I'm hopeful that this new look will bring a much-needed change to my character in Shravani. It's a fresh chapter, with a narrative that will keep the audience hooked to their TV screens."

The drama airs on Shemaroo Umang.
London: Woman thought to be sleeping on flight was dead. Image Source: IANS News

London, Sep 23 : A 73-year old woman on board a British Airways flight from London to Nice, who was thought to be asleep, was dead, the media reported.

Fellow passengers got concerned when they were unable to wake up the elederly woman after which they alerted the crew.

The crew in turn informed the paramedics who tried to revive her but in vain.

The woman was declared dead at 10 p.m, and suspected to have died of heart attack, French news outlet 'The Connexion' reported.

The woman had died mid-air but the passenger realised it after the flight landed.

Confirming the death, British Airways told Daily Mail: "Sadly, a customer passed away on a flight from London Heathrow to Nice. Our thoughts are with the customeras family at this difficult time."
Costco recalled 48,000 mattresses due to mold growth reported by over 500 customers, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The recall only applies to people who bought the "Novaform ComfortGrande 14-inch" and "Novaform DreamAway 8-inch" mattresses this year.

The mattresses were exclusively sold at Costco stores located in the San Francisco Bay region, throughout the Greater Northwest and on the retailer's website. The prices of these high-quality mattresses were carefully curated to range from $150 to $750, ensuring excellent value for an affordable price.

Mold might have grown in the mattresses due to exposure to water during manufacturing. According to the CPSC, this could put individuals with weakened immune systems, damaged lungs or mold allergies at risk of health problems.

If you currently possess one of the mattresses that have been recalled, your next step is to reach out to the manufacturer, FXI. According to the CPSC, FXI provides customers a full refund or a free replacement.

If you decide to go for the replacement, the company will deliver the new mattress to you at no cost and haul away the old one for free.

To receive a refund or replacement, consumers should contact FXI at (888) 886-2057 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, to speak with a customer service representative.

More recalls: Search USA TODAY's database of publicly available recall data

To determine whether your mattress is covered in the recall, FXI has advised that you locate the law tag. The law tag will specify whether your ComfortGrande or DreamAway model was manufactured in FXI's San Bernardino, California plant between Jan. 2 and April 30 for the ComfortGrande and between Jan. 30 and April 30 for the DreamAway model.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Novaform mattress recall: Costco reports 48,000 may be growing mold
TN DMK leader attacked with swords in Bluru; video goes viral. Image Source: IANS News

Bengaluru, Sep 23 : A video of an attack on DMK leader, who is also a rowdy sheeter from Tamil Nadu, by a rival gang at a Bengaluru hotel has gone viral on social media raising concerns in the state capital.

The incident had taken place on September 4 when V.K. Guruswamy, a DMK leader, was sitting with a broker and chatting with him at a hotel in Kammanahalli in Bengaluru. The footage shows a gang of five persons barging inside the hotel and launching a brutal attack on him.

Though Guruswamy notices the gang and tries to escape, he gets caught by

the gang. The gang thrashes him as he runs all across the hotel.

Police explain that the 64-year-old Guruswamy was hit by a sword more than 70 times.

He was rushed to the hospital and surprisingly, Guruswamy survived the attack and he is being treated at the hospital.

Banaswadi police, who had lodged a case in this regard, had cracked the case

and found that the attack was carried out by the gang of rowdy Pandiyan of the state.

The police had arrested the attackers Karthik, Vinod Kumar and Prasanna.

Guruswamy was having a close connection with politicians in Madurai.

The Tamil Nadu police have opened a history sheet against him. He is facing the

allegation of involvement in eight murders.

East DCP Bheema Shankar Guled stated that Guruswamy faced murder, murder

attempt charges and he is a history sheeter in Kirutai police station. He had a rivalry with another gang for 30 years.

Guruswamy is being treated at the hospital. The real estate agent with him had also suffered serious injuries.

Further investigation in the case is on.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : Shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's much talked-about India visit for the G20 summit, the tone and tenor of the relations between the two nations changed in the aftermath of the assassination of prominent Khalistan supporter Hardeep Singh Nijjar, causing a fissure between communities -- in both Canada and India.

This development necessitates understanding how the Indian diaspora in Canada has evolved and come to affect not only bilateral associations, but also polarise the Canadian Indian community to the extent of inciting concern by governments.

As it has come to light, at least 21 pro-Khalistan separatists are sheltered by Canada.

The situation took an unforeseen turn after the elimination of proscribed Khalistan Tiger Force leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia on June 19 this year.

In July 2022, National Investigation Agency (NIA) accused him of conspiring to murder a Hindu priest in Punjab and declared him a "fugitive terrorist." NIA also published his Surrey residential address and announced a reward of USD 12,000 for information that could lead to his arrest.

As per a Washington Post report, "Nijjar's family and friends say he advocated for a peaceful and democratic path to a Sikh homeland." Prior to his death, he was organising a referendum among the Sikh diaspora to gauge support for Khalistan.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has reportedly "weaponised the radical Sikhs against their parent country and polarised the Indian diaspora in Canada for political motives."

The proclamation that pro-Khalistan supporters will hold demonstrations outside Indian diplomatic missions in Canada on September 25 by targeting the Indian national flag and nationalist Indians in Canada, speaks of a grave and a compounding situation.

The Indian community in Canada appears to be split into Sikh radicals and nationalist Indians who are labelled as RAW agents and harassed.

The reason matters escalated to this point -- threatening India's national security from a distant foreign land and thus creating diplomatic tensions -- is because the foreign land of Canada has had a long history of Indians residing there for nearly two centuries.

As the largest non-European ethnic group, Indians are among the most rapidly growing communities in Canada. The North American country is home to the seventh largest Indian diaspora. Ontario and British Columbia have the maximum concentration of Indians, followed by Alberta and Quebec.

It was in the late 19th century that the Canadian Indian community came to be, spearheaded by Punjabi, predominantly Sikhs (most of whom were farmers), and fewer Hindus and Muslims. Many of them were British Army veterans, as Canada was a part of the British empire.

In 1858, Queen Victoria declared that, throughout the Empire, the people of India would enjoy "equal privileges with white people without discrimination of colour, creed or race."

Upon retiring from the army, some soldiers joined an Indian diaspora which was inclusive of people from Burma, Malaysia, East Indies, the Philippines, and China. They found work with the police force and some became night-watchmen. Some even began small businesses of their own. These jobs earned them great wages compared to Indian standards.

In the early 20th century, the government established measures to curb the number of Indians immigrating to Canada. This policy was enforced to make sure that Canada retained its European demographic, as was the system in America and Australia for immigration.

It has been a trend throughout history that the majority of South Asian Canadians have been Indians/of Indian origin.

1902 was a significant year, when Punjabi Sikh settlers first arrived in British Columbia to work at the Columbia River Lumber Company.

In 1903 was what may be termed as the first major wave of immigration from South Asia to Canada when many men arrived in Vancouver. These migrants had heard of Canada from British-Indian troops in Hong Kong, who had travelled through Canada the year before for the coronation of Edward VII.

In 1905, the early settlers built the first Gurdwara in British Columbia and North America; but it was destroyed in a fire in 1926.

The second Gurdwara in Canada was built in 1908 in Vancouver for the growing number of Punjabi Sikh settlers that worked at sawmills close by. This Gurudwara was demolished in 1970 and relocated.

The oldest Gurdwara in Canada is the Gur Sikh Temple in British Columbia. Built in 1911, this Gurudwara was designated as a national historic site of Canada in 2002. This is Canada's third-oldest Gurdwara. Eventually more were built.

However, it was no smooth sailing after arrival for Indian immigrants in Canada. Racism welcomed them.

Most British-origin Canadians feared that migrant workers would work for lower wages and an influx of immigrants would threaten their jobs. Hence, a series of race riots targeting Indians (and other immigrants, mainly the Chinese, and Black Canadians) ensued.

1906 and 1907 saw heavy immigration from the Indian Subcontinent to British Columbia. An estimated 4,700 people had arrived. There was also an influx of Chinese and Japanese immigrants at this time.

More immigrants came the following year, taking the figure to 5,209. The government then began checking migration. Most of the few arrivals then were single men, many of whom returned to South Asia, while some went in search of opportunities southward to the US.

As India was getting closer to Independence in 1947, many of British Columbia's anti-South Asian legislation were withdrawn. The Canadian-Indian community's right to vote was restored.

1950 was an eventful year in Indo-Canadian history when 25 years after settling in Canada, Naranjan 'Giani' Singh Grewall became the first person of Indian origin in North America to be elected to public office against six other candidates.

Grewall was re-elected to the board of commissioners in 1952 and by 1954, was elected and became mayor of Mission, a city in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.

In 1951, the Canadian government enacted an annual immigration quota for India allowing 150 in a year. The figure stood at 100 for Pakistan and 50 for Sri Lanka.

In 1967, all immigration norms in Canada based on specific ethnic groups were scrapped. Immigration from European countries to Canada was declining since their economies were booming post war.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the Indo-Canadian community began urbanising as tens of thousands of immigrants moved from India into Canada each year, contributing to nearly 20 per cent of the population.

In 2015, Canada had introduced an express-entry system that offered permanent residency invitations to highly skilled workers, even if they have not secured a job in there.

The spike in migration between 2017 to 2021 coincided with the tenure of Donald Trump, the US President, when his anti-immigration stance had in part won him the 2016 election.

By 2017, India was the country to give maximum international students to Canada. Much like the historical immigration pattern, most Indian migrants came from Punjab, aside from Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh/Telangana.

In 2019, the number of permanent residents declined significantly owing to travel disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. But there was a significant jump of 198 per cent the following year when restrictions were lifted.

In recent times, Indian immigrants to Canada have tripled since 2020, about close to two million mark.

Further, Canada plans to welcome 1.45 million new immigrants in the next three years.

Indians are the largest group to receive permanent residency in Canada and there has been a 260 per cent increase in the same. Except in the wake of the pandemic in 2020 and 2022, the number of Indian immigrants has seen a constant rise each year since 2013.

Further, Canada is a hotspot for Indian tech workers too. As per a recent report, India is the country with most tech workers who moved to Canada between April 2022 and March 2023.

IANS previously reported that Canada's immigration-friendly national policy and labour cost advantage attracted more than 32,000 tech workers, with 15,097 coming from India.

Given such a dense connect with Canada, India's strained relations with the country is of great concern, especially with regard to the millions of immigrants and all aspects related to them.

(Kavya Dubey may be reached at kavya.d@ians.in)
New Delhi, Sep 23 : ICRA Analytics, a wholly owned subsidiary of ICRA Ltd, announced that it has collaborated with FactSet to provide its daily security level valuation (SLV) of fixed-income securities to FactSet licensed users.

ICRA Analytics is currently one of the two valuation agencies authorised for the valuation of fixed-income securities. It holds a prominent share in the Market Linked Debentures (MLDs) valuation space.

As a part of the collaboration, ICRA Analytics will provide daily security level valuation (SLV) of all fixed income securities to FactSet licensed users. Such users can run further analytics using FactSet's proprietary models and attribution tools. FactSet is a global financial digital platform and enterprise solutions provider. They are the global market leaders in attribution analysis tools and have over 185,000 users with offices in 20 countries.

Commenting on the collaboration, Ashwini Kumar, Head Market Data, ICRA Analytics said, "We are glad to collaborate with FactSet, who are global market leaders in attribution analysis tools, to provide our daily security level valuation of fixed income securities to their licensed users. Such users can run further analytics using FactSet's proprietary models and attribution tools."

Commenting on the collaboration, Yeshwant Lingudkar, Regional Director, Head - Indian Subcontinent, FactSet, said, "FactSet's strategic alliance with ICRA Analytics empowers us to deliver comprehensive and advanced fixed income analytics solutions to our clients in the local investment management space in India. With ICRA data being integrated, our clients can run reports on characteristics, exposure, performance, attribution, and risk of their fixed income portfolios with FactSet's flexible, industry-leading solutions for portfolio analysis."

ICRA Analytics' valuation of fixed income securities is a key enabler for Indian debt funds and its valuation methodology is validated and accepted by fund managers and industry leaders. It holds nearly one-third (30 per cent) of the total market share in the valuation industry. Over 8000 corporate bonds, g-secs (government securities), SDLs (State Development Loans), CPs (Commercial Paper), CDs (Certificates of Deposit) and T-bills (Treasury bills), MLDs Sub-Investment grade securities are valued by the company daily.

ICRA Analytics provides its valuation services to various asset managers which include AMCs (asset management companies), insurance companies, wealth managers, banks, corporates, primary dealers and NBFCs among others. It had recently collaborated with Bloomberg to provide domestic bond valuation data.
Los Angeles, Sep 23 : While actor Christian Bale may have donned the mantle of Batman in director Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight trilogy', it was not always going to be the case as actor Jake Gyllenhaal was considered to wear the batsuit in 'Batman Begins', according to screenwriter David S. Goyer.

During an episode episode of the 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast, Goyer, who helped develop the trilogy's story and co-wrote Nolan's first 'Batman' film, said that after a number of people screen-tested for the part of the superhero's alter-ego Bruce Wayne in the first film, he "advocated for Gyllenhaal."

"We would chat about all sorts of things. There were a number of people who had screen-tested, and I had advocated for Gyllenhaal," said Goyer. "I mean, Gyllenhaal is amazing, Christian Bale is amazing, so who knows what," as per The Hollywood Reporter.

When host Josh Horowitz asked him if there's any footage somewhere of Gyllenhaal auditioning in the Batman costume, the scribe said, "I believe there is, yes".

As for other roles in Nolan's trilogy, Goyer said: "There were a couple of different candidates in the running for Ra's Al Ghul," but that he voted for Liam Neeson because he "was a little older." He said it made more sense with the story they were trying to tell regarding "this paternal story about the shadow of his (Bruce's) father."

In 'The Batman Begins', Japanese actor Ken Watanabe had portrayed the League of Assassins (renamed League of Shadows in the movie), though his role was revealed to be that of a decoy, with the actual Ra'as Al Ghul being Liam Neeson.

The Oscar-nominated actor at the time was fresh off his success with the film 'Brokeback Mountain', a Western-gay-romance film where he starred alongside Heath Ledger who later ended up becoming the Joker in 'The Dark Knight'.
Bengaluru, Sep 23 : Close on the heels of Karnataka Congress Minister K.N. Rajanna vouching for three more DyCM posts, party MLA and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's follower Basavaraja Rayareddy, on Saturday, sought creation of five DyCM posts.

Speaking to reporters here, Rayareddy maintained that the DyCM D.K. Shivakumar is the principal of all others. "In my opinion, five DyCM posts have to be created in Karnataka to benefit in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections," he said.

Currently, Shivakumar is the only DyCM. Similar opportunities should be given regionally and district wise. The chance should be given to candidates belonging to Lingayat, Muslim, Dalit communities and one Dalit candidate as well, he added.

If this is done, all communities will support the Congress party. "I support the demand of Minister Rajanna. He demanded for three and two more DyCM posts to be created," Rayareddy stated.

He maintained that the Congress government will turn unstable if it wins fewer seats than the BJP-JD (S) alliance. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led government is stable and strong, he stated.

He also denied that creation of more DyCM posts is aimed at weakening the position of present DyCM Shivakumar. "The proposal is not against Shivakumar. He is a good organiser. Let him become principal DyCM. Let others be called as his subordinates," he stated.

Rayareddy claimed that CM Siddaramaiah will remain as the Chief Minister for five years. He is made CM for the full term. He can resign to the post as per his wish. But, the high command while making him the CM, had clearly stated that he has been made so for the full term.

Minister for Cooperation K.N. Rajanna and Rayareddyas statements have created a furore within the Congress party.

Rajanna had stated that if three posts of Deputy CM are not created, then the government will become "unstable". Rajanna stressed on the creation of three Deputy CMs posts in the state to win more seats in the Lok Sabha elections.

"If Congress wins less seats in Parliamentary elections, the government is going to be unstable. On many occasions, the high command had considered the public opinion whenever there was a defeat in the Lok Sabha elections," he said.

"I have told the high command to create three DyCM posts to ensure a stable government and to win more Lok Sabha seats. This is not a statement with ill-intention and I am stating this in the interest of the party," the minister added.

"It is wrong to interpret that CM Siddaramaiah is prompting me to talk on this matter. I have not met CM Siddaramaiah in the recent past. It is also wrong to say that Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar is going to lose prominence if three more DyCMs are made," he said.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : In a massive action against the banned terror organisation Sikh For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has confiscated two properties of Pannu.

"We have confiscated two properties of Pannu in Punjab's Amritsar and Chandigarh," an NIA official told IANS.

The official said that the agency has confiscated properties of Pannu which include 46 Kanal of agricultural property in the ancestral village Khankot, located on the outskirts of Amritsar district.

The official also said that it has also confiscated his residential property in Sector 15 area of Chandigarh.

The agency sleuths also put the hoarding outside the property of Pannu informing him about the anti-terror probe agency's action.

After confiscation, Pannu lost rights to the property and the property now belongs to the government. In 2020, his properties were attached, which meant he could not sell the property.

SFJ, a fringe organisation, was declared unlawful under Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The action against Pannu has been taken in connection with the NIA's case filed on April 5, 2020 under sections 120-B, 124-A, 153-A 153-B and 17, 18 and 19 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The case relates to funding of terrorist activities in Punjab from abroad, creating disharmony among communities and radicalising youth for terrorist activities.
Bengaluru, Sep 23 : Karnataka Police department is on high alert and has made elaborate security arrangements in the backdrop of protests being held in Bengaluru and other districts of south Karnataka on Saturday opposing the government's move to release water to Tamil Nadu.

Home Minister G. Parameshwara has warned the protestors not to disturb the law and order situation and cause damage to public properties during the protests.

BJP and JD(S) have declared their support to various farmersa and Kannada organisations who are protesting against the Congress government. BJP leader C.T. Ravi is joining the protestors in Mandya in the morning while former CM and JD (S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy has announced that he will join the protests in Mandya after arriving from New Delhi.

BJP is staging a massive protest at the Mysuru Bank Circle in the Central Business District of Bengaluru. Large number of people are expected to take part in the protest and it is likely to throw the traffic out of gear.

Former CM Basavaraj Bommai and other top leaders from BJP are taking part in the protest. The BJP unit is organising protests across Bengaluru.

The bandh call has got a good response in Mandya district. The shops, theatres and commercial establishments barring the emergency services remained closed. Roadblocks are reported from the region. The security is tightened in Mysuru and Ramanagara districts.

The security is also beefed up near the roads of Bengaluru where buses owned by Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation ply as there are high chances of agitators targeting them. The police department has also deputed a platoon at the Mysuru Satellite Bus Terminal where buses from Tamil Nadu are halted.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : While gender-sensitive language should be encouraged, use of derogatory terms that perpetuate gender stereotypes and undermine the dignity and rights of individuals based on their gender should not be used in legal documents and pleadings, the Delhi High Court has said.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma made the observation while hearing a woman's plea challenging a trial court's grant of anticipatory bail to a man accused of raping her under false pretenses of marriage.

While the court did not cancel the anticipatory bail, it strongly objected to the derogatory language used by the accused against the woman in his counter affidavit.

Justice Sharma cited the recent 'Handbook on Combating Gender Stereotypes' launched by the Supreme Court, suggesting its use in drafting pleadings, orders, and judgements.

The court noted that legal professionals can contribute to dismantling entrenched biases by challenging and discarding gender stereotypes in their language, actions, and interactions.

The court called upon the legal community to promote a culture of gender sensitivity and uphold values of fairness and respect in both professional conduct and legal documents.

While recognising the adversarial nature of the criminal legal system, the court stressed that strong language should not cross the line into offensiveness and should always align with the dignity of the legal profession.

The accused had employed inappropriate language, making derogatory remarks about the woman's character and marital status.

Justice Sharma condemned the use of such language, stating that it went beyond the permissible boundaries of language expected in legal pleadings.

The court said that using derogatory language that undermines an individual's dignity based on their gender is incompatible with the principles of equality, dignity, and respect.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : Bluestone, India's leading omnichannel jewellery retailer, is set to secure Rs 550 crore ($65 million) funding, with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath contributing Rs 100 crore, media reports said on Saturday.

According to the reports, Gaurav Singh Kushwaha, founder and CEO of Bluestone, confirmed the development, saying the company was in the final stages of securing a funding round worth $65 million, valuing the company at around Rs 3,600 crore ($440 million).

The funding round includes participation from Zomato founder and chief executive Deepinder Goyal and CEO Amit Jain, and financial services firm IIFL.

Moreover, the reports mentioned that Ranjan Pai, the chairman of Manipal Group, and Info Edge Ventures are each contributing around Rs 100 crore in this funding round, with additional participation from existing investors.

Bluestone has raised new funding after Tata Group's Titan bought a stake in CaratLane, a rival omnichannel retailer founded by Mithun Sacheti, valuing the company at approximately $2 billion.

Bluestone previously raised $30 million from Sunil Kant Munjal's Hero Group family office, valuing the company at $378 million, the reports said,

Founded in 2011, Bluestone was an early entrant in the vertical e-commerce sector, but in the last 18 months, it has turned around its operations by focusing on establishing an offline presence.
New York, Sep 23 : Democratic Senator Bob Menendez and his wife have been charged with taking bribes from three New Jersey businessmen, the media reported.

As per US Attorney's office, Menendez, 69, accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of cash and gold bars in exchange for using his power and influence as New Jersey's senior senator, Xinhua news agency reported.

As the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Menendez has been an important ally to fellow Democrat Joe Biden as the president has sought to reassert US influence on the world stage, rally support for congressional aid to Ukraine and push back China's rise.

"Behind the scenes, Senator Menendez was doing those things for certain people -- the people that were bribing him and his wife," Damian Williams, the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, said.

A lawyer for Nadine Menendez, 56, who has been married to the senator since 2020, denied wrongdoing and would defend against the allegations in court.

The investigation marks the third time federal prosecutors have investigated Menendez.

Federal prosecutors in New Jersey dropped a case in January 2018 in which Menendez was charged with accepting private flights, campaign contributions and other bribes from a wealthy patron in exchange for official favors.

On top of that, a 2017 trial on those charges ended in a deadlocked jury. He was also investigated in 2006.

He was never convicted despite facing multiple charges over the past dozen years.

Prosecutors allege the "corrupt relationship" between Menendez and three businessmen began around 2018.

According to the indictment, Wael Hana -- originally from Egypt -- arranged meetings in 2018 between the senator and Egyptian officials, in which officials pressed Menendez to sign off on military aid Washington had withheld.

Prosecutors said another businessman, Jose Uribe, who worked in trucking and insurance, gave Nadine Menendez 15,000 US dollars in cash to help pay for a Mercedes-Benz convertible after her husband helped to resolve fraud investigations into Uribe's associates.

Fred Daibes, a real estate developer, gave Menendez gold bars and cash after Menendez sought to influence a federal criminal case in New Jersey against Daibes for obtaining loans under false pretenses, prosecutors said.

Menendez, his wife and three businessmen are all expected to appear in Manhattan federal court on September 27.
Potential United Security Bancshares (NASDAQ:UBFO) shareholders may wish to note that the Director, Jagroop Gill, recently bought US$241k worth of stock, paying US$7.00 for each share. Although the purchase only increased their holding by 3.4%, it is still a solid purchase in our view.

View our latest analysis for United Security Bancshares

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At United Security Bancshares

In fact, the recent purchase by Director Jagroop Gill was not their only acquisition of United Security Bancshares shares this year. Earlier in the year, they paid US$6.47 per share in a US$511k purchase. Although we like to see insider buying, we note that this large purchase was at significantly below the recent price of US$7.31. Because the shares were purchased at a lower price, this particular buy doesn't tell us much about how insiders feel about the current share price.

In the last twelve months insiders purchased 140.19k shares for US$934k. On the other hand they divested 15.00k shares, for US$99k. In the last twelve months there was more buying than selling by United Security Bancshares insiders. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. So if that suits your style you could check each stock one by one or you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Does United Security Bancshares Boast High Insider Ownership?

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. Insiders own 19% of United Security Bancshares shares, worth about US$24m. This level of insider ownership is good but just short of being particularly stand-out. It certainly does suggest a reasonable degree of alignment.

Story continues

So What Does This Data Suggest About United Security Bancshares Insiders?

The recent insider purchases are heartening. And an analysis of the transactions over the last year also gives us confidence. When combined with notable insider ownership, these factors suggest United Security Bancshares insiders are well aligned, and that they may think the share price is too low. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for United Security Bancshares you should know about.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Toronto, Sep 23 : Top Canadian politicians, including many of Indian descent, have slammed a video released by pro-Khalistan Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) group asking Hindus of Indian-origin to leave the country, stating that the community is "welcome" and "safe" in the country.

However, except Hindu-Canadian Liberal MP Chandra Arya, most remained silent on naming SFJ, the terrorist group banned by India in 2019, and its leader, Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, who is seen in the video threatening the Hindus.

"Every Canadian deserves to live without fear and feel welcomed in their community," Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.

He added: "In recent days, we have seen hateful comments targeting Hindus in Canada. Conservatives condemn these comments against our Hindu neighbours and friends. Hindus have made invaluable contributions to every part of our country and will always be welcome here".

"To Hindu Canadians and Indians from all backgrounds: Anyone who says you do not deserve to be safe & welcomed in your home does not embody the values of freedom & kindness we hold dear as Canadians. Do not let others delegitimise or question your place and love for Canada," Harjit Singh Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness, said.

"As Hindu Canadians, our home is here. Our Canadian society is diverse and inclusive and we must hold those values close to our hearts day in and day out," President of Treasury Board and former defence minister, Anita, Anand, wrote on X.

The offensive video, which now has been deleted, came just after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused New Delhi of involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, resulting in tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats.

Released early this week, Pannun, who faces 22 criminal cases in Punjab, can be heard saying in the 45-second video clip: "Indo-Canadian Hindus, you have repudiated your allegiance to Canada and Canadian constitution. Your destination is India. Leave Canada, go to India".

Designated as a terrorist in India, Pannun has been holding referendums in Canada, calling for an independent homeland for Sikhs. The next referendum is scheduled to be held on October 29 in Surrey.

However, condemnation of the video by Jagmeet Singh, NDP's Indian-origin Sikh leader who is seen as a Khalistani supporter, took many social media users by surprise with many asking whether his account was "hacked".

In a post shared on X, Jagmeet wrote: "To Hindus across Canada... This is your home and you deserve to be here. Anyone that suggests otherwise does not reflect the values of inclusion, compassion and kindness we hold close as Canadians".

After Trudeau's accusations against the Indian government, Jagmeet pledged to seek justice for Nijjar.

Sharing a long post slamming the video, Karnataka-born Arya was the only leader to name SFJ and Pannu and spoke about the Khalistan movement in Canada.

"Few days back Khalistan movement leader in Canada and the president of Sikhs for Justice which organised the so-called referendum Gurpatwant Singh Pannun attacked Hindu-Canadians asking us to leave Canada and go back to India," Arya said in a video message shared on X on Thursday.

He said that the "Khalistan movement leader is trying to provoke the Hindu-Canadians to react and divide the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada".

Members of the Hindu community started coming to Canada 100 years ago. The community has people who migrated from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Southeast Asia and even Africa.

According to Statistics Canada, as reported in the 2021 Census, Hindus rose from 1.0 per cent to 2.3 per cent (close to 830,000 people) of total Canadian population from 2001 to 2021.
Los Angeles, Sep 23 : Actor-comedian Russell Brand has made his first public comments since he was sentenced for rape and sexual harassment, with five women hurling accusations of "sexual assaults and emotional abuse". The actor said that it has been an incredibly distressing week.

In a video posted to his official YouTube channel September 22 afternoon (Pacific Standard Time), Brand did not directly acknowledge the details of the accusations, but instead alluded to them with an opening statement.

He says in the video, "Hello there, you awakening wonders. Obviously, it's been an extraordinary and distressing week, and I thank you very much for your support and for questioning the information that you've been presented with."

Brand continued from there by noting what he was planning to discuss on his YouTube channel in the coming week, with topics including the pharmaceutical industry and media censorship, as reported by 'Variety'.

"You're probably aware that the British government has asked big tech platforms to censor our online content and some online platforms have complied with that request," he says.

The video, which was titled "So," where he made a vague acknowledgement of the unfavorable spotlight that Brand now finds himself under. He also implored his viewers to follow him on the online video platform Rumble.

"Keep me and our channel independent. I need your support, now more than ever. More than I imagined, I would," Brand concludes. "More important than any of that is that you please, if you can, stay free."

Brand issued a preemptive response to the allegations against him, one day before The Sunday Times published its report. In that video, titled "So, This Is Happening," Brand stated that he "absolutely refutes" the "astonishing, rather baroque attacks" against him, though he did not go into extensive detail on the accusations against him at the time.

Since the article, Brand's live tour has been postponed and his publishing deal with Pan Macmillan imprint Bluebird was suspended. The BBC has also removed some previous programs that featured Brand from digital services, saying that the content "falls below public expectations."
Jaipur, Sep 23 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who reached Jaipur at around 7 a.m. on Saturday morning, will lay the foundation stone of the new Congress headquarters building in Jaipur.

Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will lay the foundation stone of the new building and both the leaders will also address a public meeting at the Housing Board Ground on Shipra Path of Mansarovar.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, State President Govind Singh Dotasara welcomed Rahul Gandhi at the airport. Rahul Gandhi will first lay the foundation stone of the new Congress headquarters building in Mansarovar, and will hold a meeting in the afternoon. After this he will inaugurate Gandhi Vatika at 3.30 pm.

It is believed that Rahul Gandhi and Kharge will give a new political line to the Congress leaders. This is the first meeting of the two leaders after the passing of the Women's Reservation Bill. In such a situation, there can be an announcement regarding women also.

Over 60,000 party officials, including more than 52,000 Congress booth presidents, 2200 division presidents, 400 block presidents, and many district presidents, have been called for this meeting. Workers have also been called from Jaipur and surrounding districts.

The big meeting of Rahul and Kharge in the capital is being considered as the beginning of Congress' election campaign.

The meeting of Rahul-Kharge is taking place at a time when Prime Minister Modi's election rally is scheduled to be held in Jaipur after two days on September 25. Congress is trying to show political strength before Modi's meeting. Congress has called grassroot level party officials in the meeting, while common people have also been called in the PM's meeting. There will definitely be a political comparison of the crowd gathered in both the meetings.

Meanwhile, there is yet another fact making news. The picture of Sachin Pilot is missing from posters of Congress headquarters building while photos of Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge along with in-charge Sukhjinder Randhawa, CM Ashok Gehlot, State President Govind Singh Dotasara and UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal can be seen.

Sachin Pilot not getting a place in the poster amid Rahul's efforts to give the message of unity through the meeting and foundation stone laying ceremony before the elections has become a point of political discussion.
New Delhi: High Level Committee meeting on one nation one Election at Jodhpur house. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Sep 23 : The first official meeting of the 'One Nation, One Election' Committee took place on Saturday under the chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind during which the members decided to hold discussion and get suggestions from the stakeholders and the political parties.

The first meeting was held at the Jodhpur Hostel here, which was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, committee member and former Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad among others.

In this highly-anticipated meet-up on Saturday, it was discussed to hold deliberations with the political parties and get their views on the idea of the aone nation, one electiona.

The source said that the committee members also decided that if any of the political parties want to seek an appointment with the committee, it will be allowed to give their suggestions.

The source further said that the committee members also discussed to get the suggestions and views of the stakeholders like the Election Commission of India and other bodies.

The source also said that the members, during the meeting also primarily discussed how the committee will function and on which issues it need to have deliberations with everyone to build a consensus on the idea of the aone nation, one electiona.

The source said that the panel also discussed how it needs to examine various scenarios for the simultaneous polling and make recommendations on how situations like a hung assembly or adoption of a no-confidence motion will be tackled.

The meeting comes after the Narendra Modi-led BJP government constituted a committee headed by former president Kovind.

Besides Kovind, Azad and Shah, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, former chairman of the 15th Finance Commission N.K Singh, former Secretary General of Lok Sabha Subhash Kashyap, senior advocate Harish Salve and former Chief vigilance Commissioner Sanjay Kothari are the other names, who are part of the eight-member panel.

However, Chowdhury declined an invitation to be part of the eight-member committee formed by the Union government to examine the 'One nation, One election' concept.

The committee will look into the feasibility of holding not only Lok Sabha and assembly elections simultaneously, but also elections to municipalities and panchayats, according to the gazette notification.

The committee will analyse and recommend possible solutions linked to simultaneous elections if there is a hung House, no-confidence motion, defection, or any such other event.

A single electoral roll and identity card for voters valid for the national, state, civic body and panchayat elections will be explored, the government said in the notification.

The BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on many occasions have made statements on the need for 'One Nation, One Election'.
Bengaluru, Sep 23 : The police custody of Chaitra Kundapura, the prime accused in BJP MLA ticket scam, will be produced before the court as the duration of his police custody will end on Saturday.

The sleuths of special wing CCB investigating the scam will also produce accused Gagan Kadur, Ramesh, Channa Naik, Dhanraj, Srikanth before the court. The authorities are most likely to hand them over to judicial custody.

Abhinava Halasri Swamiji, another accused in the scam is still being questioned by the special team and until his investigations are over the Hindu activist Kundapura and others bail plea will not be entertained by the court.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda had said that the special wing CCB sleuths, who are investigating the BJP MLA ticket scam, have seized Rs 2 crore worth valuables, gold jewellery, and Rs 76 lakh in cash.

Dayananda said that Rs 2 crore worth valuables, and gold jewellery were seized from accused Chaitra Kundapura, a Hindutva activist, in the case.

Dayananda stated that Rs 56 lakh in cash was seized from the mutt of the arrested seer Abhinava Halasri. After carrying out further investigations Rs 20 lakh was seized from a person connected to the seer.

The police have arrested eight persons and notice has been issued to four persons to appear for questioning in connection with the case.

Congress Spokesperson from Mysuru M. Laxman had alleged that he had got inputs on the BJP MLA ticket scam amounting to Rs 185 crore. Seventeen ticket aspirants have been cheated by Chaitra Kundapura. She got tickets for 23 people and made money, he had claimed.

He had said that Chaitra Kundapura had direct connections with the BJP top leadership and demanded that it should be probed.

"We are taking a delegation to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in this regard and he will be requested to give directions for a comprehensive probe into the scam," he had said. The BJP had given tickets to 72 new faces in the recently concluded assembly elections and faced a humiliating defeat.

The scam came to light following an industrialist Govind Babu Poojari lodging a complaint against Chaitra Kundapura and others for cheating him of Rs 5 crores after promising a BJP MLA ticket. Kundapura had claimed the involvement of the top party leadership in the scam.
Hyderabad, Sep 23 : Tollywood actor Navdeep on Saturday appeared before Telangana State Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TSNAB) in a drugs case.

In response to the notices served by TSNAB on Thursday under 41A of Criminal Procedure Code, the actor appeared before the officials.

The officials were questioning him about his alleged links with drug peddlers.

His name had cropped up during an investigation conducted by TSNAB in a drugs case.

The agency had said that the actor was evading arrest in the case registered recently by the Gudimalkapur police following the arrest of three Nigerian peddlers.

An accused arrested based on the information provided by Tollywood financier Venkataramna Reddy and ex-Navy officer B. Balaji, who were arrested in another case recently, had allegedly revealed the name of Navdeep.

However, Navdeep had denied his involvement and approached the Telangana High Court for anticipatory bail.

The court on Wednesday directed the police not to take coercive action against him. It, however, said police can question him by issuing him a notice.

Navdeep was among the Tollywood personalities questioned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Telanganaas Prohibition of Excise department in 2017 in connection with a high-end drugs racket. In 2021, he along with other film personalities was also questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the same case.

The SIT had given clean chit to celebrities in the drugs case.
Bengaluru, Sep 23 : Karnataka unit of BJP on Saturday staged a protest here against the Congress government's move to release water to Tamil Nadu.

Addressing the agitators, former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa alleged that the Congress government in Karnataka has become Tamil Nadu's agent.

"The Congress, which was supposed to protect the interest of the state, is acting like an agent of Tamil Nadu. The ministers of the state are issuing statements as if they are agents of Tamil Nadu," Yediyurappa attacked.

The state government had released water before the order of the Supreme Court. The farmers are pushed into crisis. Let Tamil Nadu send a team of experts to Karnataka, they will know the crisis here, he said.

Knowing well that there is no storage of water in state reservoirs, the water released day and night to Tamil Nadu neglecting the interests of the state. This is just a symbolic protest. In the coming days the protest will be launched with more intensity in the state. All MLAs and MPs will

together come into the agitation, Yediyurappa stated.

Former PM H.D. Deve Gowda, former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy has stated that the state should not release a drop of water to Tamil Nadu. The Congress government should stop acting like an agent of Tamil Nadu and file a petition before the Supreme Court. They must efficiently present the views,

he stated.

Former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai stated that there is an easy way to solve the Cauvery issue. "Write a letter to your friend Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin. The intervention of Sonia Gandhi will also benefit the state. Mr Siddaramaiah asked Sonia Gandhi to hold a meeting with CM Stalin and him," he alleged.

Former DyCM Govind Karajol, former Speaker Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri, MLAs K. Gopalaiah, Ravi Subramanya, C.K. Ramamurthy, Uday Grudachar and MP P.C.

Mohan took part in the protest.

The protestors raised slogans chiding CM Siddaramaiah that he is CM of Tamil Nadu. They also shouted that DyCM Shivakumar is DyCM for Tamil Nadu.

The police took custody of all BJP leaders who took part in the protest and released them later.
Los Angeles, Sep 23 : Actress Emma Watson is heading back to school to chase a degree from Oxford. The 33-year-old actress who played Hermione Granger in all eight of the blockbuster Harry Potter films, has reportedly signed up for a part-time Master's degree at Oxford University.

But fellow students might not be able to get very close to the star as she will reportedly be bringing a heavy security presence with her, reports Mirror.co.uk.

Emma, who already graduated from Brown University with a bachelor's degree in English literature in May 2014, will be heading to the world famous university to attend a handful of lectures.

However, it is suggested she will complete most of her degree virtually - while security guards will protect her whenever she does need to go to campus. The Sun reports that the actress is keen to keep herself safe while studying.

A source told the publication: "The course is for older adults and can be done on a part-time basis, which is perfect for Emma's schedule. She only has to be on site for four or five days a year because she can do the rest of the course online from home."

"Because she's a famous actress, she'll have a security team looking after her whenever she has classes to go to. There have been a few incidents recently and she is taking every precaution necessary to ensure her safety."

As per Mirror.co.uk, the report of Emma's new education plans comes after a man was arrested earlier this month after trying to break into her dressing room at a fashion show in New York. The man in question has so far denied criminal trespass and disorderly conduct and his case is due to be heard in a USA court next month.
Mumbai, Sep 23 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived here on Saturday for his annual Ganeshotsav darshan at various locations in the city.

Shah will visit the famed Lalbaugcha Raja at Parel in south-central Mumbai and pray at the idol of Lord Ganesha.

He will also take darshan of the Lord Ganesha at the homes of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Mumbai BJP President Ashish Shelar and some other spots here.

Soon after his arrival this afternoon, Shelar and family accorded a warm welcome to Shah at their Bandra home and other party leaders, and later presented a memento to him.

The Mumbai Police have deployed tight security for Shah's visit coming on a wet weekend with rains lashing most parts of Mumbai and Maharashtra.
Hangzhou, Sep 23 : The president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach praised the organising committee of the Hangzhou Asian Games for its arrangements and said he is looking forward to an Asian Games that will set new standards.

Bach, who is in Hangzhou to attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games, visited the Asian Games Athletes Village on Saturday and interacted with some international athletes there.

Talking about his expectations from the Asian Games in Hangzhou, Bach said, "We can look forward to an Asian Games which will set new standards in many different respects. We have here a great number of new sports. We see an organisation which is making use of all the digital expertise which China and Hangzhou has to offer.

aWe can look forward to Games which will be organised in a very sustainable way, with a reduction of the carbon footprint, with an extensive waste management system," Bach said.

aWe can look forward to Games which the athletes will enjoy. From our conversation with a number of athletes, they are extremely happy with the conditions here in the (Athletes) Village, the IOC president added.

He said the venues are outstanding and the athletes are looking forward to giving their best.

aMost importantly with the (Athletes) Village, they are looking forward to shining in venues of these Asian Games which are just outstanding when you look at them as state of the art.

aAll this combined with the Chinese efficiency and hospitality and organising, and the big smiles of the volunteers, so we can really look forward to a great event," he added.

While cost-effectiveness has been the regular bugbear for organisers of all multi-discipline, multi-nation mega-events, the organising committee of the Hongzhou Asian Games are promoting these games as low-cost environment-friendly Games with simplicity and sustainability as their aims.

--IANS

bsk/cs
Mandy Thacker, Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce community development coordinator, pours green chilis into warming dishes during the Chili & Salsa Showdown at the Pueblo Convention Center Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.

Chili & Salsa Showdown winners announced

To kick off the 29th annual Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival, the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce hosted its Chili & Salsa Showdown Thursday, where professional and amateur chefs alike served up their best recipes to a panel of judges for a chance to be recognized as one of Pueblo's best.

The big winner at this year's showdown was Paul Cordova of Taco Casa, who took home first place in both the red chili and salsa categories in the commercial side of the competition.

Here are the rest of the first-place winners of this year's showdown, in both the commercial and non-commercial categories:

Commercial (first place winners receive $500)

Green Chili  Prime on a Dime (Anthony Gallegos)

Red Chili  Taco Casa (Paul Cordova)

Salsa  Taco Casa (Paul Cordova)

Non-commercial (first place winners receive $100)

Green Chili  Brad Bowers

Red Chili  George Lott

Salsa  Caroyl Pacheco

A new Domino's Pizza location has opened at 110 Lincoln St. in Pueblo.

Domino's Pizza opens new location in central Pueblo

Domino's Pizza has a new central location at 110 Lincoln St. that is enabling the locally owned and operated Domino's branches to offer quicker and better service to the entire community.

The new location, in the heart of the city, will serve central Pueblo from north to Joplin, west to 24th Street, south to Stonemoor Hills and almost all the way east to Northern Avenue, covering the midtown, Abriendo and Pueblo Community College areas.

The building once was home to a gun range and law offices, among other businesses.

The full-service store offers carryout from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, curbside delivery to your car from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and home delivery from 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Domino's offers a carryout special of one large, one-topping pizza for $7.99 and a special on two large, two-topping pizzas for $11.99 each.

To order call 719-225-2227. For online ordering go to dominos.com.

Story continues

The Pueblo franchise operators have put in more than two decades overseeing the business, which now includes four Pueblo stores and one Pueblo West store. The store managers are hiring at all of the local Domino's.

The Dish is a new feature in the Pueblo Chieftain highlighting local food and restaurant news. To submit news tips about new product offerings, changes in hours, special events, expansion plans, etc., email Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon at tharmon@chieftain.com for consideration.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: The Dish: Pueblo's Chili & Salsa Showdown winners; new Domino's Pizza
Google mocks Apple in new video for lack of RCS messaging support. Image Source: IANS News

San Francisco, Sep 23 : Google has mocked Apple in a new video by comparing the iPhone to an "iPager" because it does not use the RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging protocol and still uses the decades-old SMS/MMS protocol for messaging with Android users.

According to The Verge, Google last year launched a "Get the Message" campaign to put pressure on Apple to support RCS on the iPhone, which is still ongoing today with "iPager".

"iPager isnat real, but the problems that Apple causes by using SMS are," said Google in the video description on YouTube.

"Letas make texting better for everyone and help Apple #GetTheMessage and upgrade to RCS," it added.

RCS enhances messaging by providing end-to-end encryption, read receipts, and the ability to share high-resolution photos and videos.

iMessage provides similar features, but only for messages sent between other iMessage users, making Android users appear as green message bubble nuisances in group messages -- a real issue in countries like the US, where more than half of the population owns an iPhone, the report said.

Google ended the video with a link to Android.com/GetTheMessage and the new animated mascot.

The campaign has been underway for one year, and iOS 17 just became available as a new update to Apple's operating system. However, thereas no support for RCS there.
Bengaluru, Sep 23 : When the results for over 70,000 gram panchayat seats spread across 5,728 villages in Karnataka were announced in 2020, the numbers revealed the assertiveness of nari shakti. While 50 per cent of the total seats were reserved for women, more than 50 per cent of the elected representatives were women.

The 35-year-old US educated home maker Swathi Thippeswamy and Bheemavva, a migrant worker, who made it to the posts of president in Sokke gram panchayat in Davanagere and Tallur gram panchayat in Udupi district respectively have successfully completed their tenures and are continuing as members, inspiring their fraternity. Several other members hold Ph.D, postgraduate, medical, engineering and law degrees, according to the Rural Development of Panchayat Raj Department.

Vimala K.S., a social activist from Janwadi Mahila Sanghatane, told IANS that when it comes to assertiveness, it is much better in Karnataka when compared to other states. At the panchayat level though patriarchy and feudal values are still practiced, it is better. This is because in 1986 during late Ramkrishna Hegde's tenure as chief minister, reservation was introduced.

It has been quite a long time but it has still not reached the desired levels because the whole society is dominated by feudal values, she says.

There will definitely be an impact on local governance due to the presence of women. This is not only in Karnataka, it is the same in West Bengal where women got reservation during the tenure of former Chief Minister Jyoti Basu. There were hundreds of women led panchayats, they got elected in the general category and won against male candidates, Vimala said.

Secondly, there is a perceptual difference between men and women while making decisions. In my experience as a search committee member if there is discussion on civic amenities, women demanded drinking water, streetlights etc while the men demanded community halls. Basic necessities will be a priority for women, Vimala stated.

The 33 per cent reservation will definitely make a difference. In this system as well women are winning but itas not a cakewalk. One has to spend money, muscle power is required for men and woman candidates. When you are contesting against a man and when you contest against a woman there is a lot of difference, she explained.

Vimala added, again it depends on the party, money and caste. But, womenas reservation is going to create an impact. Since the 90s women's participation has been there. It has created awareness among women. As patriarchal values are there they wonat allow women to take the real required decisions. Even then, the whole journey from the 90s onwards has created awareness and a section of women have become assertive.

Jyothi Ananthasubbarao, writer and activist attached to the All India Youth Federation, told IANS that in the beginning the women representatives were clueless and due to male domination there was no opportunity for them. But, now they are able to overcome it.

They have been able to make decisions on their own and run panchayats well. Many of them are taking good decisions, doing good work in Mandya, Kolar and other places. The implementation of the MNREGA scheme has also had an impact she said.

Their training is focusing on making women representatives aware of their power. However, it takes time to overcome male chauvinism. There has been a remarkable change, Jyothi Ananthsubbarao stated.

On the ground the change is already visible. aI have observed that women representatives have implemented MNREGA to the optimum level as 50 per cent of the workers are women. They are taking initiatives. The women presidents are getting the work done diplomatically without creating a hostile situation," Ananthsubbarao opined.

Despite the brighter picture in the local bodies, the Karnataka Assembly presents a poor picture. The 224-seat legislative assembly has just 10 women MLAs and the 34-member cabinet has only one woman minister in Laxmi Hebbalkar.
Kolkata, Sep 23 : On September 12, 1996, a soft- spoken and extremely low profile Lok Sabha member from West Bengal became a pioneer in raising the demand for 33 per cent reservation for women in parliamentary and legislative berths by moving a Private Member's Bill for the first time on the floor of the House.

The late Geeta Mukherjee, a seven-time CPI Lok Sabha member from Panskura constituency (now non-existent because of delimitation) from the-then undivided Midnapore district of West Bengal, raised the demand which finally took shape in the form of the Nari Shakti Vandana Adhiniyam on the floor of Parliament a few days back.

West Bengal, during the successive regimes of the Left Front and the Trinamool Congress took the initiative for pushing an increasing number of women candidates in the elections for the three-tier panchayat system in the state, which is the most effective grassroots-level public participation in rural civic affairs.

In fact, the recently concluded polls for the three-tier panchayat system were conducted with more seats for women compared to the polls in 2018. This time, the polls were conducted with 16,900 seats in the general category reserved for women in the gram panchayat level, 2,496 at the panchayat samiti level and 252 at the zilla parishad level. The number of seats in all the three tiers in the general category reserved for women this time was much higher than what it was in 2018.

However, despite the impressive presence of the women representatives in the three tiers of the panchayat system, there has not been any instance of a woman panchayat member becoming a major political face, be it at the national level or the state level. In both the earlier Left Front and the current Trinamool Congress regime, the trend has continued that the political activities of the panchayat-level leaders get restricted to the grassroots level and never reach the higher levels.

Political analyst Sabyasachi Bandopadhyay, who has done an in-depth study on the representation pattern at the panchayat level, said that although the trend has been the same in both the Left Front and Trinamool Congress regimes, the reasons are different.

According to him, in the previous Left Front regime when the CPI(M) was in the majority in all the three-tiers of the panchayat system, the decision on the candidates was taken by the district level committees of the party in consultation with the state committees. "Individual choice or liking did not matter for the CPI(M) where an unreserved seat getting reserved for women is left for the wife or daughter or sister of the previous elected representative from that seat. It was the party which used to decide who will be the woman candidate from that newly reserved seat and family-linkage with the party was never the deciding factor for the CPI(M). While this was the good side of selection ignoring the family line, the bad side was that the elected women candidates hardly had the chance to function independently. Everything was dictated either by the local committee or the district committee of the party. This was the reason why these women panchayat members could not reach the higher levels despite the Indian communists being vocal about women empowerment from the beginning," Bandopadhyay said.

Admitted Nazima Bibi, a former village panchayat member from Murshidabad district, that since the first day of her term as an elected representative her entire functioning was well defined and there was hardly any scope to go beyond that.

However, pointed out Bandopadhyay, the pattern is completely different in the case of the Trinamool Congress., where the choice of local leaders follows the family line. "So in many cases where the unreserved seats got reserved for women, the wife or daughter or sister of the previous elected representative from that seat were fielded as party candidates. But these candidates when elected remained elected representatives only in name with the control being in the hands of their husbands or brothers or fathers," Bandopadhyay added.

However, political columnist Nirmalya Banerjee feels that there is a bigger socio-economic reason why women panchayat members cannot bloom. "Most of these women representatives come from financially backward backgrounds where they have to handle too many things at a time starting from domestic work to helping their male family members in agricultural work, among others. So after all these in addition to the work as elected panchayat members, they hardly get the time to prepare themselves for the higher political levels," Banerjee added.
Bhopal, Sep 23 : Making a mockery of women's representation, the husband of a woman municipal councillor in Madhya Pradesh was seen actively participating as well as creating a ruckus during an official meeting while his wife -- the councillor -- was sitting quietly as a mere spectator.

It happened in Sironj, a municipality in Vidisha district located around 70 km from the state capital Bhopal, on Friday at the time when the country is celebrating the passage of the 'historic' Women's Reservation Bill that aims to promote women's representation in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.

However, this (Sironj) incident wasn't the sole example of women's representation being mocked as such incidents have been a regular affair in the state and only a few of them get noticed.

There have been several instances when male family members have taken the oath of office instead of the duly elected women representatives in Madhya Pradesh panchayats. Over a dozen such incidents were reported in Dhar, Damoh, Sagar, Panna, Rewa and some other districts where the elected women representatives were among the spectators or at home while their husbands or other relatives took the oath on their behalf.

The worst part is that a majority of women Gram Panchayat heads (Sarpanch and Panch) are elected just to fulfil the mandatory constitutional procedure as particular seats are reserved for the women and they only sign on documents while the rest of the work were being done by their male family members.

A woman officer posted in the state Panchayat and Gram Vikas Department and looking after such issues, told IANS that such occurrences blatantly contravene established rules and are a direct mockery of the principles of constitutional democracy.

The efforts to empower women at the grassroots level appear to be an uphill battle, she added.

"It is a well-acknowledged concept especially in male dominating society, especially in rural parts of the country and it is more because of illiteracy of women representatives and of course the 'parda-pratha'. I have witnessed several incidents where women are elected as Panchayat heads, but they are not allowed to go outside and talk to the villagers, forget about taking decisions on their own," she said on condition of anonymity.

Women have to face threats from powerful elements if they make bold decisions or assert their authority. Such a case was reported in July this year when a woman sarpanch belonging to the Dalit community was allegedly dragged in the mud and beaten up with shoes by three men in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district.

But, on the positive side, there are many such examples when women have broken all stereotypes by not only becoming gram panchayat heads but also actively participating in the governance system.

For instance, Vandna Bahadur Maida, a Tribal woman of Jhabua district in the state with her activism became the first woman representative of her village in 2013.

Madhya Pradesh is among those states where 50 per cent of gram panchayat seats have been reserved for women for last many years. In the last panchayat elections, around 52 per cent of women candidates were elected as panchayat heads, and around 650 of them were elected unopposed in 2022.
(PANCHAYAT PACKAGE) In UP, men benefit more than voiceless women in reserved seats. Image Source: IANS News

Lucknow, Sep 23 : If there is one state where men have benefitted more than women because of reservation for women, it is Uttar Pradesh.

In Uttar Pradesh, out of the 9.1 lakh representatives, 3, 04,638 are women.

Yet the tangible and transformative contribution of grassroots women leaders remains sidelined, in favour of stories around failure and co-option.

The story of a man who broke his vow of celibacy in 2021 to marry and make his wife contest in the panchayat election after the seat was reserved for women, showcases the intense desire of men to retain their hold on seats reserved for women.

The husbands of women who are elected as panchayat heads are known in Uttar Pradesh as 'Pradhan Pati' and many in the village are more familiar with the Pradhan Pati than the Pradhan herself.

A woman Pradhan head from central Uttar Pradesh who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, "I do not know anything about the work allotted to me and it is my husband who does all the work. My job is only to put my signature wherever my husband says."

Asked whether she did not feel deprived of her authority in this situation, she said, "I do not know how the administration works and I do not want to land into any controversy or trouble. So, it is better that my husband takes care of everything."

During her election, the photograph of her husband was placed as prominently as hers on the hoardings and he would address the election meetings.

"That is because no one knows me but everyone knows him and we got votes because of his name," she confesses.

Social activists, meanwhile, feel that women in panchayats can make a difference if they assert themselves.

"Women leading a panchayat can really turn around the situation of a village. Women in panchayats add a humaneness to a governing body and stay more focused on social and human development issues rather than material transformations," says Chandra Shekhar Pran, Founder, Teesri Sarkar, a public campaign for the institutional development of panchayats.

Pankunwar is a living example of it. She was an elected panch of Mamna village panchayat in Kabrai block, Mahoba district, Uttar Pradesh, for two consecutive terms from 2011 to 2021.

She has been constantly encouraging other women panchayat members to raise issues at the panchayat meetings regarding access to water and girls' education.

Pankunwar raised the issue of roads in panchayat meetings and now the village has an unkempt but pucca road. "I used to tell other members that unless they raised issues around water and education, how would they get solved," she said.

Mamna village lies in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, which is notorious for recurring droughts. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission of the Central government, the village has got water pipelines laid but no taps installed.

Namrata (name changed on request), on the other hand, is a young business graduate who opted out of a 'safe and lucrative career' to pursue politics.

She contested the panchayat polls and won but the past two years have left her completely disillusioned.

"I thought I was educated and could make a difference but it seems that the entire local administration is ranged against me. I can feel a sense of hostility in the meetings where the officials try to create obstacles and I often get isolated. The system is apparently too strong for an individual to make a difference," says Namrata, who defeated a BJP candidate.

A retired official of the panchayati raj department in the state, said that 33 per cent reservation  or more for women would not make much of a difference unless actual power is ensured in the hands of women.

"Women empowerment will be possible only when women start taking the authority into their hands and the government and husbands stop indulging in back seat driving," he said.

The official who did not wish to be named, said that barely three or four per cent of the elected women in panchayats actually exercise their authority.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud on Saturday said that citizens should be proud of the bipartisan efforts echoed in Parliament during passing of the Women's Reservation Bill.

Such spirit was reflected in drafting of the Constitution where members engaged beyond partisan line and conflicting ideologies came together "in one voice" to draft the Constitution, he said while addressing the inaugural session of the International Lawyers' Conference organised by the Bar Council of India.

CJI Chandrachud said that while the judiciary upholds rule of law, the bar plays a key role as lawyers help in business efficiency and cross border transactions and contribute to national well being and economic development.

He stressed that it is time for the lawyers to reach across the world in a global landscape.

During his address, he mentioned that the Central government has allocated a budget of more than 7,000 crores for Phase-III of e-Courts project .

He also mentioned the recent Constitutional Bench proceedings where the Supreme Court had asked the Union Road Transport and Highway Ministry to relook into its notifications providing that Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) licence holders do not require separate endorsement to drive a transportvehicle of LMV class.

"Instead of viewing the case as an adversarial challenge, the court and government are collaborating to save the livelihood of millions of drivers across the country," he said.

He added that constitutional structure may put the executive and judiciary at the different ends of the table but the aim of both is the same i.e. progress and prosperity of the nation.

Earlier in the day, the Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal had hailed the Supreme Court for conducting the highest number of virtual hearings in the world during the CoVID-19 pandemic.
Heavy rain to continue over northeast, Sub-Himalayan Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar for next 3 days. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Sep 23 : The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday said that heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to continue over Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Sikkim and over northeast India during next two days and decrease thereafter.

In its bulletin, the IMD said that in East India, the weather forecast for the coming days indicates the likelihood of light to moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning.

There is also the possibility of isolated heavy rainfall, particularly over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, as well as Bihar on Saturday and Sunday.

"Jharkhand and Gangetic West Bengal may experience similar weather conditions on Saturday. Over the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, this pattern is expected to persist till September 27," said the weather forecast agency.

"Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim could witness isolated very heavy rainfall on Saturday, while Bihar may experience this on Saturday and Sunday. A higher level of intensity is expected on Saturday with isolated extremely heavy rainfall in Bihar," said the IMD.

In Northeast India, light to moderate fairly widespread rainfall and thunderstorm activity is anticipated in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya on Sunday. There's a chance of isolated heavy rainfall, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh, west Assam, and Meghalaya on Saturday.

In Central India, the forecast suggests light to moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning.

"East Madhya Pradesh may experience this on Sunday, West Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha on the same day, and Chhattisgarh till September 25. East Madhya Pradesh and north Chhattisgarh may encounter isolated very heavy rainfall on Saturday," the IMD predicted.

South India is expected to witness light to moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall, with isolated heavy rainfall likely in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, North Interior Karnataka, and Rayalaseema on Saturday.

In Northwest India, the forecast calls for light to moderate scattered to fairly widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, and isolated heavy falls, mainly in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab on Saturday.

West India is also expected to experience light to moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning, with isolated heavy rainfall particularly in Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, and Marathwada on Saturday.

Lastly, scattered light to moderate rainfall is likely over other parts of the country during the next five days.
Nagpur, Sep 23 : A woman was killed and hundreds of people were evacuated to safer places after a thunderous downpour since midnight of Friday-Saturday virtually submerged the state's second capital Nagpur into a lake city, and the Indian Army was called for the rescue operations, officials said.

The torrential rains accompanied by thunder and lightning, poured over the city and surroundings, and many areas woke up to between one and four feet of waterlogging.

Thousands of citizens were left stranded in their homes or buildings, unable to step out as waters flooded the ground floors of housing complexes and in some areas power was switched off as a precaution, hitting even water supply.

A 70-year-old woman identified as Mirabai Pillay died in the flood waters and over 350 people in different parts were evacuated to safer locations.

Besides the Army, the SDRF, NDRF, Nagpur Police, fire brigade and other agencies were deployed in boats to help out the marooned people and take them to safer locations as intermittent rains continued to batter the city even on Saturday.

Some areas of the city which reported severe waterlogging included Shankar Nagar, Panchsheel Chowk, Sitabuldi, Ambazari, Kanchipura, Itwari, Lakadganj, Dharampeth, Mekosabaug, Sadar, Cotton Market and surroundings.

At least 50 girls stuck in a private hostel were rescued with ropes and shifted to a higher location, and some distressed families in buildings where two-three feet water seeped into their homes, were also moved out.

Hundreds of public and private vehicles all over the city were partly or fully submerged under water as drains, gutters, the Ambazari Lake and other water bodies flooded beyond the danger levels, with the waters gushing into the city.

As the rains assumed alarming proportions by 5 a.m., the city and district authorities ordered closure of all schools for the day to avoid inconveniencing the students.

The IMD has issued an alert for more heavy rains over the next 48 hours and urged people to exercise all precautions including moving out to safer spots with the help of the rescue agencies.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said in Mumbai that the government is constantly monitoring the flood situation in Nagpur while Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis is likely to reach here this evening for a spot assessment of the scenario.

The IMD said that more than 100 mm rainfall was recorded in just four hours after midnight, which led to flooding the Nag River, and a local road bridge is reportedly washed away, stranding vehicular traffic in both directions
New Delhi, Sep 23 : The Income Tax (I-T) Department is providing an opportunity to taxpayers who have previous outstanding demands of payments against them, to have these reconciled so that refunds in their cases, if any, can be issued.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the I-T Department said it "is making every effort to complete the processing of Income Tax Returns (ITRs) and issuance of refunds expeditiously".

However, there are a few cases in which refunds are due to the taxpayer, but previous demands are outstanding.

"Taxpayers are requested to avail this opportunity and respond to such intimations to enable cleaning up/reconciliation of pending demands and facilitate timely issue of refunds," the statement read.

Section 245(1) of Income-tax Act, 1961, mandates providing of an opportunity to the taxpayer to make a representation before adjusting the refund against an existing demand. The taxpayer is required to agree, disagree or clarify the status of the demand.

Accordingly, taxpayers with existing demand(s) in the previous years are being intimated of the same, the official statement said.

The I-T Department said that this is a taxpayer-friendly measure where an opportunity is being provided in line with principles of natural justice.

For the Assessment Year 2023-24, 7.09 crore returns have been filed. Of these, 6.96 crore ITRs have been verified, of which 6.46 crore returns have been processed as on date including 2.75 crore refund returns, the I-T Department stated.
Thane, Sep 23 : At least two workers were killed and six others injured in a major explosion in a company in Maharashtra's Thane on Saturday, Police said.

The tragedy occurred around 10.45 am at the Century Rayon Co.when the gas container was brought to the company premises and it was being readied by the workers to fill up with Carbon Disulphide (CS2) gas.

Suddenly, there was a massive explosion that rattled the factory premises and nearby buildings, and resulted in eight casualties, including two fatalities.

The cause of the blast is not clear and the Ulhasnagar Police have informed the concerned departments while cordoning off the factory and surroundings and carrying out further investigations.

Of the injured, two are in the ICU and the remaining are in the general ward of the Century Rayon's hospital, and at the Fortis Hospital, while a search is on for the two reported missing in the explosion.
It looks like British American Tobacco p.l.c. (LON:BATS) is about to go ex-dividend in the next 4 days. The ex-dividend date is one business day before the record date, which is the cut-off date for shareholders to be present on the company's books to be eligible for a dividend payment. The ex-dividend date is important as the process of settlement involves two full business days. So if you miss that date, you would not show up on the company's books on the record date. Accordingly, British American Tobacco investors that purchase the stock on or after the 28th of September will not receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 3rd of November.

The company's upcoming dividend is UK0.58 a share, following on from the last 12 months, when the company distributed a total of UK2.31 per share to shareholders. Last year's total dividend payments show that British American Tobacco has a trailing yield of 8.5% on the current share price of 27.1. Dividends are an important source of income to many shareholders, but the health of the business is crucial to maintaining those dividends. So we need to check whether the dividend payments are covered, and if earnings are growing.

Check out our latest analysis for British American Tobacco

Dividends are typically paid out of company income, so if a company pays out more than it earned, its dividend is usually at a higher risk of being cut. British American Tobacco is paying out an acceptable 58% of its profit, a common payout level among most companies. That said, even highly profitable companies sometimes might not generate enough cash to pay the dividend, which is why we should always check if the dividend is covered by cash flow. It paid out more than half (50%) of its free cash flow in the past year, which is within an average range for most companies.

It's encouraging to see that the dividend is covered by both profit and cash flow. This generally suggests the dividend is sustainable, as long as earnings don't drop precipitously.

Story continues

Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends.

Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing?

Companies with falling earnings are riskier for dividend shareholders. Investors love dividends, so if earnings fall and the dividend is reduced, expect a stock to be sold off heavily at the same time. With that in mind, we're discomforted by British American Tobacco's 27% per annum decline in earnings in the past five years. Ultimately, when earnings per share decline, the size of the pie from which dividends can be paid, shrinks.

Many investors will assess a company's dividend performance by evaluating how much the dividend payments have changed over time. In the last 10 years, British American Tobacco has lifted its dividend by approximately 5.5% a year on average. Growing the dividend payout ratio while earnings are declining can deliver nice returns for a while, but it's always worth checking for when the company can't increase the payout ratio any more - because then the music stops.

To Sum It Up

From a dividend perspective, should investors buy or avoid British American Tobacco? It's never good to see earnings per share shrinking, but at least the dividend payout ratios appear reasonable. We're aware though that if earnings continue to decline, the dividend could be at risk. Overall it doesn't look like the most suitable dividend stock for a long-term buy and hold investor.

With that in mind though, if the poor dividend characteristics of British American Tobacco don't faze you, it's worth being mindful of the risks involved with this business. To help with this, we've discovered 2 warning signs for British American Tobacco that you should be aware of before investing in their shares.

A common investing mistake is buying the first interesting stock you see. Here you can find a full list of high-yield dividend stocks.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 23 : Congress on Saturday asked the Pinarayi Vijayan led Left Democratic Front (LDF) why they are not ousting ally JD (S) from their Front after its national leadership become an ally of NDA which is led by BJP.

"On one hand they say they are against BJP and on the other hand they ally with JD(S) in Kerala. They even have a cabinet minister from JD(S). This is how CPI-M works," said Satheesan.

"CPI-M has expressed reservation in joining the INDIA alliance. Vijayan is scared of BJP as he is in neck deep in numerous cases and due to these cases that they are unable to attack the BJP. They should oust the Kerala unit of the JD (S) from the cabinet and from the LDF," Satheesan said.

Meanwhile K.Krishnankutty, State Minister for Electricity and one of the two legislators of the Kerala unit of JD (S) said they are hoping that the national leadership of their party will allow them to take their own independent political position.

"We are not going to join the NDA as we are strongly with the LDF. Our state unit will be meeting on October 7 to decide on the future course of action," said Krishnankutty.
Woman gang-raped in front of her husband in Bihar. Image Source: IANS News

Bhubaneswar, Sep 23 : Tension erupted in Rayagada district of Odisha after a minor girl student was raped by one of the staffers of an ashram school.

The accused, who works as a peon in the same school, has been arrested by the police on Friday night.

Victim, a class-III student, was forcibly raped by the accused during the lunch break Friday. The critically injured victim was rescued and later rushed to the local PHC for treatment.

She was then shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in Rayagada as her condition deteriorated.

The victim's mother has also filed a complaint with the local police.

Meanwhile, the relatives of the victim along with other villagers staged a demonstration at the school demanding action against the accused.

A police team of Dangasil outpost immediately reached the school and arrested the accused.

"The irate villagers present at the spot demanded the police to hand over the accuse. When the cops refused to comply, the villagers engaged in a scuffle with police. Our team tried to pacify the villagers and advised them not to take the law into their hands, but they did not budge.

"Soon, the villagers went berserk and started pelting stones at police. The angry mob later set ablaze a police van parked at the outpost. Several of our police personnel have sustained injuries due to the stone pelting," said Vivekanand Sharma, SP Rayagada.

Police has reportedly detained several villagers involved in the violence and arson.
Chennai, Sep 23 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin on Saturday announced that the state would provide state honours for the funeral of organ donors.

In a social media post on microblogging site X on Saturday, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said, "In order to honour the sacrifice of those who donate their organs and save many lives, the funeral of those donating their organs before their deaths will be conducted with state honours."

He also said that the state of Tamil Nadu continues to be a pioneer in the country in giving life to the hundreds of patients through organ donation, the Chief Minister said that the achievement has been made possible by the selfless sacrifices of families who come forward to donate the organs of the family members who suffer brain death under tragic circumstances.

Tamil Nadu has recently won the award for the best State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) from the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO).

As per the official data, since the inception of the deceased organ transplantation programme in 2008, the state of Tamil Nadu had 1,706 donors.

A total of 786 hearts, 801 lungs,1566 livers, 3047 kidneys, 37 pancreas, six small bowels, two stomachs and four hands have been transplanted. At present, there are 40 government hospitals in Tamil Nadu that have organ retrieval licenses in the states.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : Delhi L-G V.K Saxena on Saturday took serious note of delay on part of the Delhi government in issuing notification for appointment of Special Public Prosecutors (SPPs) for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has resulted in stalling the progress of trials in POCSO cases in various special courts of the national capital for the last nine months.

He also recalled all the files and referred them to Union Ministry of Home affairs for necessary appointments, officials said.

According to LG House officials, the L-G by invoking Rule 19 (5) of the Transaction of Business of GNCTD Rules, 1993 in public interest, recalled all the files or proposals, for appointment of Special Public Prosecutors or Public Prosecutors for CBI in POCSO cases and referred the same to the Ministry of Home Affairs, government of India for necessary appointments or notifications under section 24(8) of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

The official said that these extremely important files had been pending at the level of the Home Minister the Delhi government since February 2023, after having moved between him and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in January 2023.

The official said that the L-G has taken serious note of the delay by the Delhi government to issue notification for appointment of Special Public Prosecutors (SPPs) for CBI,which has resulted in stalling the progress of trials in POCSO cases in various special courts of the National Capital for the last nine months.

The official said that the CBI in December 2022 had requested for issuance of notification for appointment of CBI senior public prosecutors or prosecutors under section 32 of the POCSO Act for trial of POCSO cases in various courts in Delhi and a reminder was sent on March 15, this year.

The official said that Saxena noted that the file in this regard had been inordinately delayed, while it kept moving from the Minister-in-charge to the Chief Minister.

"The file with a proposal to this effect has been pending since January this year. Initially the file was submitted by the Home Department to the Minister-in-Charge on January 11 this year and subsequently it was forwarded to the Chief Minister on January 16, who returned it to the Minister-in-Charge on February 6," the official said.

The official further said that Kailash Gehlot is the Minister-in-Charge (Home Department) since March 9, 2023.

Gehlot replaced Satyendar Jain, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in money laundering case.

The official said that the cases relating to Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act are sensitive in nature and as per law the trial in these cases are to be completed within one year from the date of cognisance of offence and the delay in appointment of SPPs will adversely affect the case of investigating agency and may give undue benefits to the perpetrators of crime against innocent children.

The L-G House official also said that it was noted that such sluggish and insensitive approach in dealing matters relating to cases of rape and POCSO Act, tantamount to extending undue benefits to perpetrators of such heinous crime.

"Owing to the delay, the Home Department moved for approval of the L-G in this matter. Accordingly, Saxena accorded approval to the proposal for obtaining the nod of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, for appointment notification of SSP or PP of CBI as SPPs in the POCSO cases," the officials said.

They further said that since the issue of appointment was pending at the level of Minister-in-Charge since long, Principal Secretary (Home), proposed that the matter be referred to MHA for invoking the powers of Central Government under section 24(8) of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and approval of MHA be obtained and conveyed to the CBI.

The official said that the CBI has also intimated that more than 20 cases have been registered by it on the allegations of circulation, storing and viewing of child sexual exploitation materials through various social media platforms or groups.
After over two years, mother held for killing 8-yr-old son who saw her in compromising position with uncle. Image Source: IANS News

Jaipur, Sep 23 : Rajasthan police have arrested a woman and her brother-in-law for killing her 8-year-old son after he saw them in a compromising position in Bharatpur in 2021, the police said on Saturday.

On February 15, 2021, Gyan Singh, the father of Golu, the victim, had lodged a missing complaint for his son at a police station in Bharatpur. The police searched for Golu a lot but could not trace him.

The police then revisited Gyan Singh's house on February 18, 2021 with dog squad, which stopped in a field near his house belonging to a person named Lakhan Singh.

After a thorough search of the field, a child's shoe was found there. While the shoe did not belong to Golu, the police became suspicious and started digging the field which led to the recovery of the child's body.

However, even after finding the body, the police could not crack the case.

Gyan Singh later filed a writ petition in the Rajasthan High Court, which ordered a fresh probe by an RPS-level officer.

When the police spoke in detail with Gyan Singh's family members, relatives and neighbours, an affair between Hemlata, Golu's mother, and Krishnakant, her brother-in-law, came to light.

The police then arrested Hemlata and Krishnakant and interrogated them, both separately and by making them sit face-to-face. After thorough interrogation, both the accused confessed to the crime.

A student of Class III, Golu was the youngest of three siblings. His father Gyan Singh worked in a petrol pump, while Krishnakant was unemployed.

One night when Gyan Singh was out on duty, Krishnakant stayed back at the house. Later that night, Golu woke up and found Hemlata and Krishnakant in a compromising position. Out of fear of getting exposed, they strangled Golu to death.

After killing Golu, Hemlata and Krishnakant buried his body in a field near the house. When Gyan Singh returned home in the morning, Hemlata and Krishnakant told him that Golu was missing. They even pretended to search for Golu in the entire village.
Gmail adds 'Select all' option on Android, to let you select 50 emails at once. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Sep 23 : Google is adding a useful "Select all" button to Gmail on Android, allowing users to clean up their inbox more easily and quickly.

According to 9to5Google, Gmail for Android will start showing a "Select all" button when users start selecting multiple emails at once. This feature has been available on Gmail's web app for quite some time, but has never been available on mobile devices.

While the name suggests that this will select every email in your inbox, it is actually limited to 50 -- the same as the web version, making it slightly less useful, but it's still a useful feature, the report said.

According to the report, the feature is rolling out as a server-side change, meaning users wonat see it till itas there. Meanwhile, Google has brought its AI-powered coding assistant called Studio Bot to India, along with other countries. It first rolled out Studio Bot to Android developers in the US in May this year.

"Studio Bot is available in more than 170 countries and territories, with support for the English language," the company said in an update. Studio Bot helps developers build apps by generating code, fixing errors, and answering questions about Android.

It is a conversational experience in Android Studio that helps you be more productive by answering Android development queries.

--IANS

shs/svn
Ahmedabad, Sep 23 : The Gujarat government on Saturday introduced a special relief package for the farmers affected by the recent flooding caused by the overflowing Narmada River in Bharuch, Narmada, and Vadodara districts between September 16 and September 18.

Previously, the ruling BJP had faced criticism from the opposition, including the Congress and AAP, who accused the party of insensitivity toward the flood-affected residents in low-lying areas, and labeled the situation a "man-made disaster."

Following a report on the estimated damages incurred by standing crops in the three districts due to the river flooding, the government has decided to allocate a special relief package from the state budget, in addition to the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), to assist farmers in recovering their losses.

Earlier, Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi pointed out, "Despite heavy rain in Madhya Pradesh and continuous monitoring of water levels in the Narmada dam, SSNNL officials did not release an adequate amount of water on September 15 and 16. Instead, they waited for the dam to overflow on September 17, causing massive flooding downstream."

The relief package will benefit farmers who have suffered a loss of 33 per cent or more in agricultural and horticultural crops during the kharif season 2023-24 in the affected villages, as declared by the district administration, with a maximum cap of two hectares.

For non-irrigated agricultural crops, affected farmers will receive Rs 8,500 per hectare as per SDRF norms. For irrigated agriculture and rainfed horticulture crops, they will receive Rs 8,000, in addition to Rs 17,000 per hectare as per SDRF norms. Perennial crops will receive assistance of Rs 15,000 per hectare, in addition to Rs 22,500 paid as per SDRF norms.

Similarly, for perennial horticultural crops with a loss of 33 per cent or more, farmers will be eligible for assistance of Rs 1,02,500 per hectare.
Mumbai, Sep 23 : Ahead of the wedding celebrations of Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra and AAP minister Raghav Chadha, guests have been arriving at the venue to bless the soon-to-wed couple. While the family members of both Parineeti and Raghav have been turning up in huge numbers, Raghav's friend from politics too arrived.

Member Of Rajya Sabha Sanjeev Arora from Raghavas Aam Admi Party was seen deboarding at the venue along with his wife. While Sanjeev was seen in a grey ethnic wear, his wife donned a salwar kurta with floral prints. Sanjeev is the same MP who first congratulated Raghav and Parineeti on social media ahead of the pairas engagement in May, this year.

In addition, Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh also reached Udaipur with his wife to attend the wedding ceremony of party leader Raghav Chadha and actor Parineeti Chopra. He will be a part of the baaraat on Sunday.

Other bigwigs from the political world like Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann, Bhupesh Baghel and Ashok Gehlot are also expected to bless the couple on Sunday.

Raghav Chadha and Parineetias wedding festivities began with a mehendi function in Udaipur on Friday. The couple will host a chooda ceremony, followed by haldi and sangeet. The wedding will take place tomorrow, according to pictures of the invitation of the wedding card that went viral.
Kolkata, Sep 23 : Veteran actor Anupam Kher, as he gears up for the release of his next film 'The Vaccine War', has gone to the capital of West Bengal, Kolkata to perform his new autobiographical play 'Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai'.

The actor has said that he and the audiences will partake in moments of laughter, joy, sorrow and life.

Taking to his X account (formerly Twitter), the actor wrote: "Namaskar Kolkata. Just landed in the #CityOfJoy to perform my autobiographical play #'KuchBhiHoSaktaHai at Science City Auditorium tomorrow at 7 PM. Am told that the show is packed."

He further wrote in Bangla, "You and I together, we will share bits of some laughter, some tears, love and some life's moments".

He captioned the video by simply showing a one and a half minute clip of his plane proceeding to land, showcasing the shanties as well as apartments and the packed main roads in the bustling city, shooting it all from the window seat.

The 'Vijay' actor will launch his new project tomorrow at 7pm in Kolkata, and was told prior to his arrival that the whole show was already booked, indicating the excitement among Bengalis for the actor.

On the work front, Anupam Kher is already booked for a bunch of projects with his most recent one being the upcoming Vivek Agnihotri bio-science directorial 'The Vaccine War' where he will portray the role of one of the Central Government ministers, overlooking preparations of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Kher was also seen in the Malayalam film 'Voice of Sathyanathan' and has numerous other projects lined up, including the Telugu film 'Tiger Nageswara Rao', the Kannada film 'Ghost' and the Canadian film 'Calorie'. He was also seen in the Hindi web-serials 'Trial By Fire' and 'The Freelancer'.
Bengaluru, Sep 23 : Various organisations, who have launched a protest against the Congress government in Karnataka demanding immediate halt of water release to Tamil Nadu, have called for Bengaluru bandh on September 26.

"We request schools and colleges to remain close. This is not a bandh call given by organisations but by the people of Bengaluru. Information and Technology companies and Film Chambers of Commerce should also extend their support to the bandh. Shops and commercial establishments should voluntarily shut down business," said Sugarcane Growers Association President Kuruburu Shanthakumar.

The decision in this regard was taken by the Cauvery Jala Samrakshana Samiti, Federation of Farmers' Associations, Federation of pro-Kannada organisations and organisation for the Bengaluru Resident Welfare Associations.

The representatives of all the organisations have deliberated and decided to give a call for bandh. On September 26, the organisations will take up a massive protest rally from the Town Hall to SBM Circle in Bengaluru.

Addressing mediapersons, Shantakumar called for the bandh at the Freedom Park in Bengaluru after staging a symbolic protest on Saturday.

Shantakumar demanded that the government should call for a special session and take a decision to stop the water release to Tamil Nadu. The Supreme Court should remove the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).

Reacting to the development, Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar said though the government is committed to protecting the interests of people, the opposition parties are giving political twist to it.

"There is no use of observing bandh. No one should take law into their hands," he said.

"If the image and stature of Bengaluru city is dented, it is like stabbing one's own heart. We are protecting the interest of farmers. What benefit will they get from the bandh? If there is a benefit, let them observe bandh. The government is fighting for you. I request not to commit the blunder of observing Bengaluru bandh," Shivakumar stated.

Reacting to the statement by a DMK leader that Cauvery is not the property of Karnataka, Shivakumar maintained that the river is property of South India.

When asked about Union Home Minister Amit Shah meeting JD(S) leaders and not giving appointments to government representatives, he maintained that former Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy who met Shah had stated that he had discussed the Cauvery issue.

"Let him reveal the golden words that he discussed," Shivakumar said.

--IANS

mka/svn
Elon Musk. Chesnot via Getty Images

Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos have topped a list of billionaires who saw the biggest wealth increases in 2023.

The top 10 gainers have added almost $400 billion to their combined net worth so far this year, per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Other notable winners include Nvidia's Jensen Huang and Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin.

As the final quarter of 2023 draws near, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos are leading a list of 10 mega-billionaires who have seen the biggest wealth surges this year, supercharged by a stock-market rally that steamrolled recession calls.

The top 10 wealth gainers of 2023 added a stunning $397 billion to their combined fortunes year-to-date, according to Insider calculations based on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Musk saw the steepest jump in net worth with a $99 billion increase to $236 billion, cementing his position as the world's richest person. That corresponded with a 107% surge in the stock price of his electric car company Tesla.

The billionaire owns around 13% of the EV maker and holds over 300 million exercisable options  as such, his personal fortune is inextricably tied to the stock-market performance of the firm.

Zuckerberg ranked No. 2 on the list of wealth gainers, with a $61.9 billion increase in his riches to $108 billion. The increase was fueled by a 151% year-to-date rally in the stock of his firm, Meta Platforms.

Jeff Bezos came third, adding $46.5 billion. Also on the list were Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Oracle's Larry Ellison, Nvidia's Jensen Huang, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, Michael Dell and Spanish tycoon Amancio Ortega.

Interestingly, nine of the 10 billionaires were from the tech sector - underscoring how the biggest wealth-creating theme of 2023 has been the rally in technology stocks fueled by the investor exuberance over the rise of artificial intelligence. Ortega, founder of the Inditex fashion group, was the only exception to this.

Nvidia CEO Huang's wealth surged by $22.2 billion in 2023 as the chipmaker's stock rocketed 187%, outperforming every other stock in the S&P 500 index.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Aspiring Indian students get admission in Canadian institutes as they normally do: Officials. Image Source: IANS News

Chandigarh, Sep 23 : Visa by Canada for Indian citizens, including students, amid a growing diplomatic row between the countries has not stopped and aspiring students are rushing in to get admission for the January intake in colleges and universities as they normally do, officials here said on Saturday.

This is despite BLS, India's visa processing centres in Canada, this week suspended services citing operational reasons.

Besides, India has issued a travel advisory for Indians travelling to Canada, citing safety concerns.

Speaking with the media, Canada's Immigration Minister Marc Miller urged Indians, who are concerned about safety, to remain calm.

"I think everyone knows Canada is a safe country and given the events of the last two or three days and the seriousness of the allegations that - it's important for everyone to stay calm."

Canadian federal public safety officials say Hindus from India are safe and welcome in Canada after a viral video from a pro-Khalistan group called for them to leave the country.

Saying there should be no tension between the Sikh Canadian and Hindu Canadian communities, Punjab-origin Member of Parliament for Brampton North, Ruby Sahota, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "There has been a video circulating targeting Hindu-Cdns, calling on them to move back to India.

"This is against Canadian and Liberal values. I will always stand up for everyone's rights. I condemn this statement and any hate towards Hindu-Cdns. Such speech has no place in Canada."

Mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown, participated in a 'garba', a traditional Indian dance, on Friday.

"This evening, we hosted the @CityBrampton's first City organized outdoor garba at Gage Park. Attendees dressed in their finest garba attire and took part in an evening of traditional dances, music, and cuisine," he said.

India is the second largest source of foreign students coming to Canada, just behind China. In 2022, there were 118,095 Indians who gained permanent residence in Canada. Of these, 59,503 Indians transitioned from permanent residents to Canadian citizens.

Immigration consultants based in Chandigarh told IANS the admission process and craze of Indian students for admissions to Canadian colleges and universities is normal as there is no impact of "diplomatic standoff" between two nations.

"The number of applications for study visa in Canada for the January intake is the same as it was in the previous (September) session, which is normally the major among all three major intakes," a consultant with Canam, a leading international education consulting organization, told IANS.

He said there is no delay in visa processing time for Indian nationals and colleges and universities are accepting new applications as they normally do.

Working in Canada while studying is an added attraction that can help one get practical work experience and build his/her network.

Most international students are eligible to work while studying. There are different requirements for working on campus and off campus. Normally, international students can work off campus up to 20 hours per week.

A majority of Indian students work in food services, retail, and hospitality.

As per the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada issued study permits to 551,405 international students from 184 countries, in 2022, an increase of 24 per cent on 2021, in what Canadian immigration described as a "record-breaking year" for visa applications.

Out of the total international students, 41 per cent (226,450) are Indian students, a majority from cash-rich Punjab, up from 169,460 the previous year.

As per estimates, there were 807,750 study permit holders in Canada last December, over 190,000 more than in 2021, against Canada's target of 450,000 foreign students by 2022 set out in the country's 2014 international education strategy.

Upon graduation, a foreign student may apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. Under this program, the work permit may be issued for the length of the study program, up to a maximum of three years.

According to the Canadian government, foreign students contribute more than $15.3 billion annually to the economy. There are no restrictions on the type of employment during the study or work permit.

Also each year thousands of graduates from India opt for Canadian residency -- a source of educated, young workforce.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at gulatiians@gmail.com)
New Delhi, Sep 23 : Intelligence agencies have claimed in their report that Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the Canadian-based pro-Khalistan terrorist, incited young individuals to engage in a secessionist movement and persuaded them to paste provocative posters bearing pro-liberation slogans in Punjab.

He also runs a law firm abroad. Pannun's law firm is known as 'Pannun Law Firm' and has offices in New York (Astoria Boulevard, Queens) and California (Liberty Street, Fremont).

However, ironically, he has been accused of spreading hatred in India, and also creating law and order problems in the country.

On July 6, 2017, a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was filed against Pannun at Sohna, SAS Nagar.

Several youths were arrested in connection with this case.

The Intelligence report mentions that, on Pannun's instructions, the arrested youths were involved in promoting the secessionist movement and also in posting provocative posters with pro-liberation slogans in Punjab.

A case under the TADA Act was also registered against Pannun on December 20, 1990.

On April 2, 2018, another case was filed against Pannu at PS Sadar Banga, SBS Nagar.

Pannu was accused of encouraging Sikh youths to burn liquor shops and engage in other destructive activities.

A month later, on May 31, 2018, another FIR was lodged at Rangar Nangal, Batala.

The police dismantled a terror module engaged in burning liquor shops and planning other destructive activities, including killings. It was revealed that they were instigated by Pannun.

Pannun also urged youths to display banners for the Punjab Referendum across the state.

On October 19, 2018, a case was registered at Sultanwind, Amritsar, regarding this incident.

On Pannun's instructions, these youths attempted to display Referendum 2020 banners in Amritsar city, potentially leading to communal tensions between Hindus and Sikhs.

In 2019, Pannun was charged under several sections of the IPC, and under sections 13, 17, and 18 of the UA(P) Act by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for involvement in secessionist and terrorist activities against India.

This case was filed on January 15, 2019. Later, in April 2020, the NIA added sedition charges against Pannun.

It has been learnt that Gurpatwant Singh Pannun's father, Mohinder Singh Pannun Jat, was a resident of village Nathu Chak, Patti, TTN (before Partition) and Village Kahnkot, PS Ram Bagh, District Amritsar-City (after Partition). He resided in Chandigarh between 1953 and 1996 until his death.

Amarjit Kaur Pannun, around 80 years old, is his mother.

Pannun was married to Kulwinder Kaur, also known as Nikki, a resident of Dhariwal in Gurdaspur district.

They have one son and one daughter.

(Atul Krishan can be approached at atul.k@ians.in)
Bengaluru, Sep 23 : Chaitra Kundapura and six accused in the sensational BJP MLA cash-for-ticket scam were sent to judicial custody till October 6 by the Third Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Bengaluru on Saturday.

The accused would be lodged in the Bengaluru Central Jail in Parappana Agrahara on the outskirts of the city.

Kundapura and others were produced before the court as their police custody was about to end on Saturday.

The court had also given directions to the Public Prosecutors to file objections for the bail petition of accused Ramesh, Channa Naik and Dhanraj and adjourned the matter to September 26.

Abhinava Halashri Swami, another accused in the scam is still being questioned by the special team.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda had said that the Special Wing CCB sleuths, who are investigating the ticket scam, have seized Rs 2 crore worth of valuables, gold jewellery, and Rs 76 lakh in cash from accused Kundapura.

Dayananda stated that Rs 56 lakh in cash was seized from the mutt of the arrested seer Abhinava Halashri. After carrying out further investigations Rs 20 lakh was seized from a person connected to the seer.

The police have arrested eight people and notices have been issued to four persons to appear for questioning in connection with the case.

Congress spokesperson from Mysuru, M Laxman had alleged that he had got inputs on the cash-for-ticket scam amounting to Rs 185 crore and that 17 ticket aspirants had been cheated by Kundapura. "She got tickets for 23 people and made money," he had claimed.

He had said that Kundapura had direct connections with the BJP top leadership and demanded that these links should be probed.

"We are taking a delegation to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in this regard and he will be requested to give directions for a comprehensive probe into the scam," he had said.

The BJP had given tickets to 72 new faces in the recently-concluded Assembly elections and faced a humiliating defeat.

The scam came to light following an industrialist Govind Babu Poojari lodging a complaint against Kundapura and others for cheating him of Rs 5 crore after promising a BJP ticket. Kundapura, too, had claimed the involvement of the top party leadership in the scam.
Hyderabad, Sep 23 : In an embarrassment for the Congress party in Telangana, all three Congress MPs from the state missed voting on the Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha.

After initially denying it, the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) on Saturday admitted that Revanth Reddy, Uttam Kumar Reddy and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy could not participate in the voting.

Revanth, who is also TPCC president and the two other MPs, had gone out to attend a meeting of the party's screening committee to finalise the candidates for upcoming Assembly elections.

By the time they came back to Parliament, the voting was done on the Bill. The leaders were juggling between the Parliament session and screening committee meeting happening concurrently.

Ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) slammed the Congress party over its three MPs not participating in the voting, which took place on Wednesday.

It alleged that the three MPs walked out of the Lok Sabha at the crucial time of voting on the Bill.

The BRS alleged that the hypocrisy of the Congress party on women empowerment was exposed once again.

The Congress leaders initially denied that its MPs were not present during the voting. However, the party later posted on X that the MPs could not participate in the voting as they were working for the state's interests. It is a shame that this is being politicised, it said.

"We may not have been there at the time, but our full support was given at the CWC meeting in Hyderabad," reads the statement.

The party also stated that in 2010, the Congress government led by Sonia Gandhi brought a bill to provide 33 percent reservations without any conditions like census and delimitation redistribution of constituencies). Even though it has full power to implement the bill today, the BJP government has brought the bill with conditions so that it does not come into force immediately.

However, the Congress party under the chairmanship of Mallikarjun Kharge and the leadership of Sonia Gandhi supported the bill, clearly stating this is the dream of Rajiv Gandhi and the policy of the Congress party.

The party recalled that the Congress MPs fought in the Parliament for Telangana state and bore the attack by pepper sprays. It alleged that KCR did not even bother to visit the MPs who were admitted to hospital due to the pepper spray.
New Delhi: Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President Manjinder Singh Sirsa reached Delhi-Haryana's Tikri Border with Langar for the farmers who are protesting against Central Farm laws, on Nov 28, 2020. . Image Source: IANS News

Chandigarh, Sep 23 : BJP National Secretary Manjinder Sirsa on Saturday said as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was out to destroy Punjab for sake of promotion of his boss and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and said AAP has no agenda for welfare of Punjab and instead it was using all its resources for promotion of the party.

In a statement here, Sirsa said it was shocking to note that Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit has asked the Mann to furnish details on how government has spent Rs 50,000 crore loan taken by it.

He said Punjabis are also surprised to see that during last few decades Punjab was burdened with loan of Rs 2.75 lakh crores but during stint of the AAP government, surpassed all records of taking debts.

He said all this money was being used for promotion of AAP in election-bound Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and other states.

He said a huge amount is being spent on giving advertisements in newspapers, electronic media as well as social media apart from spending on to and fro charges of charted planes for Kejriwal.

Sirsa asked Punjabis whether this was abadlava they had voted for? He said only abadlava they will witness in remaining part of this AAP government will be only destruction of Punjab at the hands of Kejriwal, Mann and others.

He said no development is taking place in Punjab and all welfare schemes have been either curtailed or have been stopped till afurther noticesa without assigning any reason.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : Amid India-Canada heightened row, a former military commander Lt. Gen. R.N. Kapur (retd) on Saturday said instead of precipitating diplomatic issues, Canada should "thank and reward" whoever killed a terrorist residing illegally on its land.

"He (Hardeep Singh Njjar) was not only a threat to India but also could become a threat to Canadian citizens. In fact, Canada should be happy and thank and reward whoever killed a terrorist residing illegally on their land," Lt. Gen. (retd) Kapur told this correspondent.

"Osama bin Laden was killed in Pakistan by the US without any permission from a sovereign nation and their indulgence in investigation of a purported similar crime amounts to hypocrisy of Western world. I think the strong but diplomatic reaction against Canada by the government of India is fully justified," he said.

Gen. Kapur said: "It is unfortunate that Canada has made an issue about a terrorist being killed on their land and put allegations against India without any credible evidence. Nijjar was a proclaimed terrorist who had illegally defected to Canada after murdering people in India and against whom Red Corner Notice was existing.

"Nijjar was also continuing to carry out anti-India activities including being in possession of an AK-47 rifle in Canada," he maintained.

Answering questions, the retired officer said: "Canada as a member of the UN is guilty of sheltering a proclaimed terrorist by a friendly country and needs to take action against the rest of Khalistan group terrorists lest they become victims of terrorism on their own land."

Almost echoing the same spirit, Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon official and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute has told the media: "... let's not fool ourselves, Hardeep Singh Nijjar was not simply a plumber any more than Osama Bin Laden was a construction engineer. He had blood on his hands through multiple attacks."

He said, US Secretary of State Antony may say that the US will always stand against 'transnational oppression'.

"We are actually being hypocritical if Secretary Blinken makes that statement because after all, what we're talking about isn't trans-national repression. We are talking about trans-national terrorism and what the US did to Qasem Soleimani and what the US did to Osama Bin Laden is really no different than what India is alleged to have done in this case."

Rubin also counseled the US leadership that it should understand why and how things have unfolded.

In Khalistani terorism, "...there's a much greater danger for Canada than India", Rubin opined, and also went on to state, "if Canada wants to pick a fight, frankly, at this point (against India),

it's like an ant picking a fight against an elephant".

He also said: "I suspect that the US doesn't want to be pinned in the corner to choose between two friends, but if we have to choose between two friends, increasingly we are going to choose India on this matter simply because Nijjar was a terrorist."

"Justin Trudeau probably isn't long for the Canadian premiership, and then we can get rebuild the relationship after he is gone," Rubin has been quoted as saying.

(Nirendra Dev is a New Delhi-based journalist. He is also author of the books 'The Talking Guns: North East India', and 'Modi to Moditva: An Uncensored Truth'. Views expressed are personal)
Chandigarh, Sep 23 : Amid the strained diplomatic ties between India and Canada, Punjab unit BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Saturday wrote to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to set up a helpline to address concerns of Indians and students in Canada.

"I have urged him to issue a detailed statement listing out various steps and measures being taken by the government of India for the welfare of our citizens in Canada, which I believe would go a long way in assuaging the sense of deep anxiety, panic and indecision prevailing among them," he said.

The Punjabis form the biggest number of citizens residing in Canada.

Jakhar hoped Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would realise his "folly at the earliest and relations between India and Canada are put on an even keel once again".
Los Angeles, Sep 23 : Hollywood actor Samuel L. Jackson and his wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson shared a sweet date night at the Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS Gala held in Beverly Hills.

The longtime couple looked snazzy on the red carpet with Samuel wearing a dark navy suit and LaTanya dressing in a colourful white, black and yellow printed dress, as they gathered with friends to honor Magic Johnson who received the Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award, reports 'People' magazine.

Angela Bassett and her husband, Courtney B. Vance were hosts for the evening and presented the award to Johnson. Other stars in attendance to support the cause were 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' star Kathy Hilton and Dancing With the Stars pro Gleb Savchenko.

As per 'People', in June, Samuel, 74, and LaTanya attended the 76th annual Tonys, at which the actor was nominated for best performance by an actor in a featured role in a play for August Wilson's The Piano Lesson, which LaTanya, 73, directed him in.

They also stepped out together on the red carpet for the premiere of Samuel's movie 'Secret Invasion'. On his Instagram Jackson wrote: "About last night! On The Marvel Red Carpet with the Mrs @ltjackson_".The pair, who met in college, have been married for 43 years and share one daughter, Zoe, who is an Emmy-winning reality TV producer.
Kolkata, Sep 23 : The Jadavpur University (JU) authorities informed on Saturday that the process of installing CCTV cameras on the campus has commenced.

A total of 10 locations have been identified where the work for installing 29 artificial intelligence-enabled CCTV cameras has started.

The decision to install CCTV cameras was taken following the ragging related death of a fresher at the students' hostel of JU on August 10.

It is learnt that of the total 29 CCTV cameras, 26 will be installed within the campus while three will be installed in its periphery. One camera will be installed at the entrance of the main students' hostel where the mishap took place on August 10, which is located outside the campus.

"The entrance and exit gates of the university campus have been given special focus for installing the CCTV cameras. Two CCTV cameras will be installed in each of these gates. The administrative building of the university will also be brought under CCTV surveillance," a JU insider said.

He said that all past attempts to install CCTV cameras on the campus did not turn out to be fruitful mainly because of the resistance from a section of the students' unions.

"However, this time there was not much resistance, probably because of the tragic death of the first year student," he added.

Besides installing the CCTV cameras, the JU authorities have also taken a decision to deploy former defence personnel in the varsity's security team. JU insiders said that a total of 30 retired army personnel will be deputed for this purpose.
Srinagar, Sep 23 : Jammu and Kashmir Police alongwith security forces have arrested two terrorists linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT/TRF and recovered incriminating materials, arms and ammunition from their possession in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, officials said on Saturday.

Police said an individual namely Yaseen Ahmad Shah, resident of Janbazpora Baramulla was missing from his home and had joined proscribed terror outfit LeT/TRF.

"Accordingly, a case under relevant sections of law was registered in Police Station Baramulla and investigation was taken up," police said.

"On receipt of this information, based on human/technical intelligence, a joint team of Baramulla Police, Army & CAPF during MVCP checking at Tapper Pattan apprehended the said terrorist."

Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including one pistol, one pistol magazine and eight live rounds were recovered from his possession.

"During questioning, he disclosed the name of his other associate as Parvaiz Ahmad Shah son of Ali Mohd resident of Takiya Wagoora. Accordingly, joint parties of Baramulla Police, Army and CAPF raided his residence and subsequently arrested him. Upon his disclosure, two hand grenades were also recovered from his possession," police said.

Police said that during the further course of interrogation of terrorist Mohd Yaseen Shah and on his disclosure, one pistol, one pistol magazine and eight live rounds were also recovered from his house at Janbazpora.

"Investigation so far has revealed that these two terrorists were operating on the directions from Pakistan based handlers and were planning to recruit more terrorists and carry out terrorist activities in Baramulla and nearby areas. The investigation is at the initial stage and more arrests and recoveries are expected," police said.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Janet Yellen signaled her support for a plan to tax profits made on frozen Russian assets this week, according to Bloomberg.

Any money made would be used to help fund the reconstruction of Ukraine.

This seems like a reasonable proposal, she told the outlet.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has signaled that she supports a plan by the European Union to impose a windfall tax on frozen Russian assets, according to Bloomberg.

The trading bloc's leaders want to levy any profits made on state-backed investments, and then use the money raised to help fund the rebuild of Ukraine.

"This seems like a reasonable proposal," Yellen told the outlet. "It's a different thing than seizing the assets."

Yellen added that the US is already in talks with the EU about the idea, per Bloomberg.

Shortly after the Kremlin invaded Ukraine last year, western countries froze around $300 billion worth of assets held by the Bank of Russia, Moscow's central bank.

Policymakers believe that it's illegal to seize the assets outright under international law, so have cooked up an alternative plan that involves taxing any profits made by the frozen investments.

The money raised could be use to help fund the reconstruction of Ukraine. In March, a joint report by Kyiv, the European Commission, the World Bank, and the United Nations estimated that it will cost $411 billion to rebuild infrastructure in the war-torn country.

France and Germany have both pushed back against the EU's plan to tax the frozen assets, while European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde warned in July that the trading bloc's proposal risked undermining both the euro and the Eurozone's financial stability.

Read the original article on Business Insider
New Delhi, Sep 23 : A 16-year-old student in northeast Delhi was allegedly subjected to physical assault by his teachers after he was caught looking out of the window, the official said on Saturday.

According to the police, the incident was brought to their attention after the mother of the victim, a resident of Karawal Nagar, approached them with a complaint.

She recounted that on September 15, her younger son had gone to school in northeast Delhi's Yamuna Vihar area, where his teacher, Shubham Rawat, allegedly reprimanded him for looking out of the window and subsequently expelled him from the class.

"The child cried and offered an apology to the teacher. However, later in the fourth period, Rawat reportedly took him to a separate room, where he called in three other teachers and subjected the student to physical assault," said a senior police officer.

"All the four teachers reportedly threatened the victim with dire consequences, warning him not to report their actions. Upon returning home, his family members became suspicious after seeing his distressed condition, and injury marks on his body," the officer said.

"Upon inquiry, the boy narrated the entire incident and expressed his reluctance to return to school out of fear. The complainant then met the principal and sought action against the accused teachers.

"A case has been registered, and the accused individuals -- Shubham Rawat, Anupam, S.S. Pandey and Nishant -- are cooperating with the investigation," the officer added.
Imphal, Sep 23 : Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Saturday said that the 'Free Movement Regime (FMR)" with Myanmar which allows people on either side to travel up to 16 km inside of either country is suspended at the moment and that the Centre has been requested to permanently close the FMR with the state.

Four northeastern states  Manipur (398 km), Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km) and Mizoram (510 km)  share a 1,643-km unfenced border with Myanmar and there are 16 km FMR along these international borders.

Highlighting some core issues to be taken up on priority basis by the state government, the Chief Minister highlighted that for the past four months, Manipur is in an unfortunate situation, however, with full support of the Centre, cooperation of all sections including media, state government machineries, MLAs and Ministers, for the past one month there has been a pause in gunfights and other violent incidents.

The government has resolved to continue the functioning of the cabinet sub-committee which was formed with Minister Letpao Haokip as the chairmen to check and identify illegal immigrants coming from outside, with an objective to protect and safeguard the future generation of the indigenous people, he told the media.

Noting that biometric recording is necessary as preliminary to the National Register of Citizens (NRC), Singh said that the state government has urged the Centre to extend the time for Biometric process by a year in the state.

Biometric recording of Myanmarese nations, residing in Manipur, is the first priority, he added.

Explaining the importance of border fencing along Myanmar border to check influx of illegal immigrants, the Chief Minister said work for fencing along the international boundary by identifying some vulnerable stretches have been awarded to the Border Road Organisation (BRO).

Rehabilitation and resettling of displaced persons at their original place, is another priority the Chief Minister said, adding that around 700 displaced families in Torbung, some in Sugunu have been resettled in their original localities.

The government has to work for the rehabilitation, resettling of displaced persons, construction of prefabricated houses, deployment of security forces in vulnerable areas, but if there is unrest and turmoil in Imphal, how is the government supposed to take up all these works, the Chief Minister asked.

Singh said that the break in gun fights witnessed over the past one month or so is because of proper deployment of security forces in vulnerable areas.

Security forces have also started entering Churachandpur on top of those already there with the support and cooperation of the people of the town, he said, adding that 25 persons have been arrested so far by the police in the district.

Altogether seven cases have been charge-sheeted.

Another serious issue is the disappearance of youth below 30 years from the society, the Chief Minister said highlighting the report of "Magnitude of Substance use in India 2019" published by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Stating that the finding highlighted in the report regarding prevalence of use of alcohol, ganja and other drugs in the State is quite alarming and concerning, Singh expressed the need to strengthen the 'War against Drugs' campaign in the state.

The Chief Minister said a joint committee of the Narcotics Control Bureau and Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB) has been formed to survey and destroy poppy plantations.

The Chief Minister said during the past two three months, certain splinter groups who don police uniforms and are armed have created an unrest in the society with a series of unwanted incidents like kidnapping, shooting of persons, etc.

The Chief Minister highlighted a few incidents including kidnapping of an engineer from Tingri by unknown armed persons in combat dress, kidnapping of a Kom individual, placing of grenade in at residence for extortion, among others.

The Chief Minister further lamented distrust and disrespect shown to the government by a section of the society and said that it is the government with the support of the public that is facing all the issues in the state.

He sought trust in the government and said that the government stands firmly with the commitment against the breaking of Manipur.

Speaking against the spread of fake news which helps create unrest in the state, he said "we should be clear on who we are fighting against instead of turning against each other."

"We should be very clear that we are fighting against forces which are trying to disintegrate and break Manipur," he said lamenting that certain organisations formed in localities seem to be dictating unrest.

The Chief Minister further said that mobile service provider Airtel's alleged leakage of internet service in Churachandpur has been found to be true and two employees have been subsequently suspended.

Singh appealed for all to join hands and stand unitedly including all indigenous communities including the Kukis to rebuild the old peaceful Manipur and resettling the displaced families.
Recovery of looted arms turning out to be a challenge for Manipur govt. Image Source: IANS News

Imphal, Sep 23 : Though a very challenging task, the recovery of thousands of looted guns and ammunition is now the top priority for the authorities in ethnic violence hit Manipur as less than one third of such weapons have been recovered in the past 115 days.

Many senior in-service and retired police and army officers have also said that recovery of the huge number of looted arms must be undertaken on a priority basis.

Lt Gen L. Nishikanta Singh (retd), who served in the Indian Army for 40 years in various capacities and headed the army's Intelligence Corps for 5 years, also emphasised that recovery of arms and talks between the Meitei and Kuki communities is very important to end the ethnic hostilities.

According to various reports, during the ethnic riots which broke out on May 3, over 4,000 different types of sophisticated arms and lakhs of different types of ammunition were looted from the police stations and police outposts by the mobs, attackers and militants.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah after his four-day (May 29-June 1) visit to Manipur, on June 1 urged the people in possession of these looted arms, to return them otherwise the security forces would take appropriate action.

The Manipur government has also on a number of occasions made similar appeals to the people.

According to a top police official, so far 1365 sophisticated firearms and 15,100 various types of ammunition have been recovered from different parts of the state.

The Manipur government in its latest directive on Friday night warned the people who have looted arms to return them within 15 days, otherwise strict legal and security measures would be taken against them.

The state government is willing to take a considerate view of the persons depositing such weapons by October 6, said the state government order, that was issued by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh's office.

The directive said that after October 6, the Centre and the state security forces would launch a comprehensive search operation all over the state to recover the looted weapons, and all persons associated with any illegal weapons will be dealt with strictly, as per the law.

Terming this as a serious matter, police officials said that using these looted arms, some cadres of different groups and miscreants extorted money from the people through intimidation and abduction threats.

The Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) headed by Justice Utpalendu Bikas Saha (retired) earlier this month in a letter to Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi made six recommendations, including recovery of looted arms and ammunition.

Accepting the recommendations of the MHRC, the state government has directed the Director General of Police to recover the arms and ammunition, looted during the ethnic riot from the armouries of the security forces and the Churachandpur gun shop.

The Manipur government on September 22 told the Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud that it has filed a status report on the recovery of arms from "all sources".

The apex court had on September 6, directed the Manipur government and the security agencies to file a status report on the recovery of arms from 'all sources' in the violence-hit state.

In a fresh development in the trouble-torn state, insurgents have acquired vehicles and modified them to resemble those used by the Central paramilitary forces like the Assam Rifles.

The Assam Rifles has requested the Manipur police to take prompt action against the insurgents who are using the vehicles converted to resemble the TATA 407 vehicle, being used by Assam Rifles by painting the Assam Rifles insignia.

On September 16, the Manipur police arrested five persons in Imphal with looted weapons and wearing camouflage uniforms.

On Friday, the Manipur police displayed a fake identity card, posted on X (formerly Twitter) : "Fake I-card. Manipur Police has not issued such a card. Necessary legal action will be initiated."

Various tribal organisations including the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), an apex body of tribals in Manipur and Kuki organisation Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) claimed that some valley based insurgent groups are using the looted arms in their violent activities.

The ethnic violence between the non-tribal Meiteis and the tribal Kukis broke out in the northeastern state after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

At least 175 people were killed, 1108 injured and 32 are missing in Manipur since the ethnic violence broke out.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's 3.2 million population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while the tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts, which comprises around 90 per cent of the state's total geographical area.

(Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in)
Guwahati : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressing a press meet regarding the launch of "Lachit Borphukan App" at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati on Wednesday, October 26, 2022. (Photo:IANS/Himanta Biswa Sarma Twitter). Image Source: IANS News

Guwahati, Sep 23 : Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said at least 2.2 lakhs borrowers who could not repay their loan will get relief under the state government's initiative.

The state government had organised an event to waive-off loans of women borrowers of state from different microfinance companies.

The Chief Minister said that his government has fulfilled an ambitious election promise made two years ago during the assembly polls in Assam.

"A section of the media also claimed that we have backtracked on our earlier poll promises. I want to make it clear that we have been fulfilling all our promises. Those loans which had become non-performing as on March 31, 2021 will get reliefs," Sarma said.

A ceremonial distribution of relief under the Assam Microfinance Incentive & Relief Scheme was organised by the state administration in Dispur. Borrowers whose accounts had turned non-performing asset (NPA) as on March 31, 2021 and having outstanding principal amount upto Rs. 25,000 are deemed to be eligible for benefits in this category.

An official statement mentioned that the state government is shelling out a total of Rs 291 crore as compensation to the lenders (microfinance institutions) and this move is expected to benefit a total of around 2.2 lakh borrowers from across the State.

In return, the concerned microfinance institutions shall issue "no due certificate" to the borrowers, thus making the latter credit-worthy again under the formal financial system.

Claiming the Assam Microfinance Incentive & Relief Scheme as a first of its kind in the country, Sarma said its main objective was to provide relief to eligible borrowers who had availed small loans from microfinance institutions and the formal banking system but owing to certain circumstances, they couldn't repay the borrowed amount in full.

The Chief Minister said the primary reasons behind the default in loan repayment can be said to be the Covid-19 pandemic scenario and the anti-CAA movement.

"Now that the pandemic period and days of strife have been left behind, it is important that a healthy credit habit is built up in the State," he added.

The event was also attended by Ministers of Assam Cabinet Ajanta Neog, Jayanta Mallabaruah, Chandramohan Patowary, along with a host of senior officials and representatives of microfinance institutions.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : Delhi Police has filed over 1,400 pages of charge sheet before a court here against 11 accused in a case related to Pragati Maidan tunnel robbery.

The 1,417-page long charge sheet has been filed before Duty Magistrate Anamika of Patiala House Court against the accused persons identified as Usman Ali alias Kallu, Supreet, Irfan, Anil a.k.a Choti, Murli, Kuldeep alias Lungad, Vishal, Pradeep alias Sonu, Pawan, Amit alias Bala, and Anuj Mishra alias Sanki.

The charge sheet has been filed under Sections 395 (dacoity), 397 (robbery or dacoity with an attempt to cause death or grievous hurt), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 482 (using a false property mark), 471 (using a forged document or an electronic record as a genuine one), 412 (dishonestly receiving property stolen in the commission of a dacoity), 212 (harbouring offender), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code and 25/27 of the Arms Act.

The court has fixed the matter for further hearing on October 3.

On June 24, a delivery agent and his associate travelling in an Ola cab were robbed of cash at gunpoint inside Delhi's Pragati Maidan tunnel by four men on two bikes.

According to police, the delivery agent identified as Patel Sajan Kumar submitted a written complaint regarding the incident at Tilak Marg police station.

Kumar told the police that he, along with his friend Jigar Patel, was going to Gurugram to deliver a bag containing cash. They hired an Ola cab from Lal Qila, and while on the way to Gurgaon on the Ring Road, when they entered the tunnel, four people on two motorcycles intercepted their cab and robbed the bag at gunpoint.

As per police, they robbed Rs 25.08 lakhs.

Usman has been identified as the mastermind behind the conspiracy, providing crucial information to the other individuals involved. He has been employed as a courier for an e-commerce company in the Chandni Chowk area for several years, thereby possessing valuable knowledge regarding the movement of cash in locations such as Kucha Ghasiram and Kucha Mahajani, as per police.

"Usman, while working as a delivery boy, was well aware about people taking money from the Chandani Chowk area," said police.

Usman had roped in Irfan, who works as a barber in Burari area, for the job. They further after making a plan roped in people from Loni and Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh.

Usman had also done recce of the Chandani Chowk before committing the crime. Kuldeep, who is found previously involved in 16 cases, had rented an accommodation in Burari area to divide the looted amount.
Ahmedabad, Sep 23 : Senior Opposition leader and Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar's meeting with billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani in Ahmedabad is causing ripples in the political circles.

Sources said the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo visited Adani's office and residence in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

Pawar later posted on X: "It was a privilege to inaugurate India's first Lactoferrin Plant Exympower in Vasna, Chacharwadi, Gujarat, along with Mr. Gautam Adani."

Pawar is a prominent member of the Opposition INDIA bloc and his meeting with Adani, who has been targeted repeatedly by the Congress and other Opposition parties with demands of a probe by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) into the Hindenburg-Adani issue, has raised eyebrows.

Pawar and Adani had held meetings in April and June this year, which had also raised the political temperature.

The first meeting of INDIA coordination committee was held at Pawar's residence in New Delhi earlier this month where several issues were discussed.

The INDIA bloc had announced a 14-member coordination committee featuring prominent Opposition leaders during its third meeting in Mumbai on September 1.
New Delhi, Sep 23 : Director Vivek Agnihotri's bio-science film 'The Vaccine War' has released a hard rock version of the Rigveda hymn 'Nasadiya Sukta'.

Combining the traditional sonic aesthetics of mantras and its complex intonations in Hindi, this rendition gives a hard rock touch to the Hymn of Creation, feeling extremely serious and yet calming and peaceful.

'Nasadiya Sukta' from 'The Vaccine War' features heavy and hard edged rock riffs combined with traditional folk music reminiscent of classical Carnatic style, complete with sitars, chanting and shreddy guitar solos.

The production is booming loud with a very fine audio design, the bass is a bit subdued and the drums are simple though don't have a loud enough impact on the snare or the cymbals.

But that can very easily be ignored due to the power packed guitar riffs combined with the feeling of being inside a temple, as if priests are chanting the Sukta right in front of you.

Vivek Agnihotri, taking to his X account (formerly Twitter) announced the song and wrote: "THE WAIT IS OVER: Launching Nasadiya Sukta from Rigveda that features in #TheVaccineWar #ATrueStory. Nasadiya Sukta is the world's first scientific theory on the creation of the universe. Pls share this and make the world aware about the scientific temperament of Hindu civilisation."

The song is accompanied by a music video showing clips from the movie regarding both vaccine preparation, media's largely negative role, political controversies and the determination of the scientists to 'Make In India' something real and achievable.

For the unversed, 'Nasadiya Sukta' is a hymn from the Rigveda and is the 129th sukta from the 10-th mandala of the text.

In its Sanskrit passages, the whole sukta narrates the beginning of the world from a void born of nothingness before even existence.

It proceeds to talk about the primal seeds that were sown by the One up above before darkness, light, mortality, immortality.

The seeds eventually find their perfect soil bringing up strength and creating life, though this is not attributed to gods because the hymn narrates that even gods came after existence began, and all that was born will be returned to the void one day.

In between, the music video cuts in the song as some very important moments are featured, such as the media criticism of the vaccine due to their political affiliations, a complete no-trust of the government, and having no belief in Indian quality.

The two most important dialogues shown in the music video are from Nana Patekar, the first when he is talking to the scientists at the ICMR saying: "Today we have ICMR only because of the I (meaning that the Indian Council of Medical Research is only working because of its first initial which stands for 'Indian').

The second one is when he addresses the media and says: "If this vaccine had a label which was from the West, you wouldn't even question it."

'The Vaccine War' will be released in theatres on September 28, 2023.
New Delhi: TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu coming out from the office of the Election Commission of India. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Sep 23 : Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu has approached the Supreme Court (SC) against an order of the state High Court refusing to quash the FIR registered against him and to set aside his judicial remand in connection with the alleged Skill Development Corporation scam case.

A special leave petition has been filed in the Supreme Court on September 23.

On Friday, Justice Sreenivas Reddy of the Andhra Pradesh High Court dismissed the petition filed by Telugu Desam Party chief where he had claimed that the case against him was politically motivated and the FIR registered against him should be quashed.

Later on the same day, Vijayawada ACB Court granted custody of Naidu to the CID for two days for interrogating him in Rajahmundry Central Jail where he is currently lodged.

After the end of the two-day custody, Naidu will be produced before the Vijayawada court through video-conferencing.

Naidu was arrested in the case by the CID in Nandyal on September 9. The next day, ACB Court in Vijayawada sent him to judicial custody for 14 days. The former chief minister was subsequently shifted to Rajahmundry Central Jail.

The Vijayawada Court had also rejected Naiduas plea for house custody instead of judicial custody.

The case relates to the establishment of clusters of Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in the state of Andhra Pradesh, with a total estimated project value of Rs 3,300 crore when Naidu was the chief minister.

The CID claimed that the alleged fraud has caused a huge loss of Rs 371 crore to the state government. The agency claimed that an advance of Rs 371 crore, representing the entire 10 per cent commitment by the government for the project, was released before any expenditure by the private entities.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sept 23 : With the Lok Sabha elections round the corner, speculation are are rife over the likely candidates to be fielded by the traditional rival political fronts in Kerala.

Kerala has 20 Lok Sabha seats of which the Congress-led UDF had won 19 seats in 2019, thus literally wiping out the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF.

While the LDF is under pressure due to the numerous alleged scams involving its leaders, the rout in the recent Puthuppally Assembly bypoll, where Chandy Oommen, the son of two-time former Chief Minister late Oommen Chandy, won by election by a staggering margin of over 37,000 votes, has dealt further blows to the ruling party.

Hence, Vijayan will surely do all it takes to improve upon LDF's 2019 tally when the nation goes to the polls next year. Accordingly, he appears to be trying to bridge the gap with those who have kept out of the party's primary political activities, including two-time former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac, sitting legislators K.K. Shailaja and K.T. Jaleel (both were surprise exclusions from his Cabinet when he retained office after the 2021 Assembly polls), and Kannur strongman P. Jayarajan.

State Minister for SC/ST, K. Radhakrishnan, a close aide of Vijayan, is also another person who might be considered for ticket.

Those under consideration from the CPI also include Rajya Sabha member Binoy Viswam and former state minister V.S. Sunil Kumar.

The above leaders are in strong contention for being fielded from seats which the Left thinks they can win because of their popularity.

Meanwhile, the Congress is also searching for candidates keeping the winnability factor in mind.

Veteran legislator and former state minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, when asked about the speculation about Achu Oommen Chandy - the younger daughter of Oommen Chandy - being fielded as a candidate, said that even though no such process has been initiated yet, "she is our girl and a very capable personality".

"We all like her and none will have any problem in accepting her as a candidate. But then again, candidate selection is not done by us," said Radhakrishnan.

The BJP has also started scouting for names, though the ones that are doing the rounds have not tasted much electoral success.

The names include state BJP President K. Surendran, superstar and former Rajya Sabha member Suresh Gopi, Sobha Surendran, Union MoS for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan, and former Mizoram Governor Kummannem Rajasekheran.

Even though it's early days, the three political fronts have set their sights on the polls and in the coming weeks and months, the list can only get bigger.
Panaji, Sep 23 : Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday welcomed the women's reservation bill and said that as per provision 13 seats will be reserved for women in state's legislative assembly.

"I welcome the Women Reservation Bill. It is the first time that women are getting 'Sanman' (of reservation) by the BJP government under the leadership of Narendra Modi. I congratulate him," Sawant said.

Speaking about the reservation for Goa assembly, he said that 13 seats will be reserved for women in Goa.

Goa has 40 members in the state legislative assembly.

"It will help women for their representation in Lok Sabha and assembly," Sawant said.

Meanwhile, Congress in Goa has called the bill another 'Jumla' by the BJP government.

Congress leader Girish Chodankar has said that 'Women Reservation' should not become another 'Jumla' like 'crediting 15 lakhs in account of every citizen', which was a failed promise of the saffron party.

He said that BJP is trying to divert attention from public issues by bringing Women's Reservation Bill, which according to him has no clarity about its implementation.

"Government should declare the 2011 caste census and conduct a fresh census immediately, so the Bahujan Samaj gets justice in reservation," Chodankar said.
In what is sure to be shocking news, college students feel differently about major issues than their parents did. The topic of the hour is college itself. According to many young people, the herculean four-year undertaking is no longer worth the trouble.

Thats from the point of view of Phillip Cohen, a sociology professor at the University of MarylandCollege Park. The overarching attitude of todays college students, Cohen tells Fortune in an interview, is that getting a college degree is no longer a ticket to a secure future, even if they themselves chose to enroll.

The parents of todays college students often told them going to college would provide a path to job security, which would eventually blossom into a fruitful career. That comes with the generational benchmarks of home ownership, a vacation fund, and even the ability to provide for a family, and the next generations education, too. Thats what the American Dream purported to offer, at least, until Gen Z came along and upended it.

Historically, we were told, For 20 years you learn, for 30 years you lead, and maybe for 20 years, if youre lucky, if you live this false American dream, then you get to live, Ziad Ahmed, the founder and CEO of Gen Z-focused consulting firm JUV Consulting, said at Fortunes Impact Initiative conference last week. Gen Z is taking the microphone back and saying, Hell no. I want to learn, I want to lead, and I want to live simultaneously. And youll be damned if you tell me otherwise.

The idea of college ensuring success has eroded, Cohen tells Fortune. To be sure, pursuing education and a career is still a safer bet for your future, he says, noting that job outcomes and salary baselines are significantly improved with each advanced degree. But those material benefits are just not a guarantee anymore.

But while Cohens students expressed their disappointment and anxiety, college isnt quite going out of style just yet. In a national Harris Poll survey of 2023 graduates, 90% said theyre glad they went to college and said they still believe a degree is their best shot at a strong future. Then again, more than half of adultswith the benefit of hindsighttold the Wall Street Journal in a survey last year that the economic benefits (or earning potential) of getting a bachelors degree doesnt outweigh the cost. Thats a 40% jump from those who said the same in 2013.

Story continues

The shift in attitude may partly be because college graduates have been desperately trying to pay off their hundreds of thousands of dollars of student loans for years or even decades. Indeed, collegewhether or not its necessary on principlehas become an exorbitant expense that about half of the country incursto the point where the cost isnt worth it for some. But college students may also be seeing that employers are more and more focused on what workers can actually do in a given role. In many major industries, skills are becoming more valuable than pedigreeand anyone can learn.

The skills-first mentality is edging out the college diploma

The move towards skills-based hiring has gained substantial steam throughout the pandemic as workers and bosses reconsidered their values and needs. But the shift has been underway for nearly a decade.

Under the tutelage of former CEO Ginni Rometty, consulting giant IBM coined the term new collar jobs to describe opportunities calling for a specific handful of skills rather than a certain major or undergrad degree. With a focus on new collar jobs, the percentage of IBM roles that required a four-year degree dropped from 95% in 2011 to less than 50% in January 2021.

In todays job market, bosses need to be amenable to new approaches, LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky told the Harvard Business Review last year. Hiring through a professional or alumni network was a fine approach when the market was bursting with talented applicants, he said. But when the labor market is moving much quicker, we really need to figure out something to focus on, he explained. [And] that alternative, flexible, accessible path is really going to be based on skills.

Indeed, companies that prioritize skills over antiquated signals like where (or whether) they earned a degree will help ensure that the right people can be in the right roles, with the right skills, doing the best work, Roslansky said, adding that it will lead to a more efficient and equitable workforce, "which then creates better opportunities for all.

Even college itself is a means of honing soft skills that will serve students well in future jobs. The people you want around are the people who know new things, Cohen, the Maryland professor, says. Its hard to impart on todays young people, but the idea is that what you get from college is not just skills, but the experience of thinking and learning for four years.

This isnt just good news for young people who are considering eschewing a degree (and all the subsequent loans) altogether. Its also good news for employers. Companies that get on board and forgo degree requirements could stand to see an explosion of talent, with nineteen times the workers placed in suitable roles. Who could argue against that?

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

More from Fortune:

5 side hustles where you may earn over $20,000 per yearall while working from home

Want more for your money? These 14 savings accounts have rates of 5% APY (and higher)

Buying a house? Here's how much to save

This is how much money you need to earn annually to comfortably buy a $600,000 home
Nagpur, Sep 23 : At least three persons including a woman have died while over 400 people evacuated to safer places after a thunderous downpour since midnight of Friday-Saturday virtually submerged Maharashtra's second capital Nagpur which resembled 'lake city', an official said on Saturday, adding the Indian Army was called for the rescue operations.

The torrential rains accompanied by thunder and lightning, poured over the city and surroundings, and many areas woke up to between one and four feet of waterlogging.

Thousands of citizens were left stranded in their homes or buildings, unable to step out as waters flooded the ground floors of housing complexes and in large areas power was switched off as a precaution, hitting even water supply.

A 70-year-old woman identified as Mirabai Pillay is among three who have died in flood-related incidents and over 400 people in different parts were evacuated to safer locations, even as more than 10,000 homes were inundated and led to heavy losses.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said in Mumbai that the government has been constantly monitoring the flood situation in Nagpur and is in contact with the officials there.

Union Minister for Highways Nitin Gadkari, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis held meetings with top civic officials to discuss the rescue and relief operations even as the city remains under an orange alert for the next two days.

Fadnavis announced compensation of Rs 10,000 to people whose homes were inundated by the flood waters, Rs 50,000 to shopkeepers and Rs 10,000 to small businesses which have suffered losses in the flood aftermath.

The government will also fund the removal of the silt, muck and debris left behind in the mayhem after the flood waters started receding late this evening.

"The city witnessed massive rains of over 100 mm in just four hours last night, and 90 mm in just two hours. Owing to this, the Ambazari Lake overflowed, the water entered the adjacent Nag River and Pivli River, leading to the flooding in the city," Fadnavis said, explaining the causes.

The floods have caused damage to many roads, bridges, at least one road has caved in, walls near drains have collapsed and water entered the homes of people in the surroundings, he added.

In view of the grim situation, several power transformers were shut off as a precautionary measure, and at least 14 have yet to be commissioned, causing blackouts in many parts of the city, but Fadnavis said power shall be restored by Sunday morning.

Since morning, besides the army columns, teams of the SDRF, NDRF, Nagpur Police, fire brigade and other agencies were deployed in boats to evacuate the marooned people in different parts of the city to safer locations as intermittent rains continued to batter the city even on Saturday.

Some areas of the city which reported severe waterlogging included Shankar Nagar, Panchsheel Chowk, Sitabuldi, Ambazari, Kanchipura, Itwari, Lakadganj, Dharampeth, Mekosabaug, Sadar, Cotton Market and surroundings.

At least 50 girls stuck in a private hostel were rescued with ropes and shifted to a higher location, and some distressed families in buildings where two-three feet water seeped into their homes were also moved out.

Hundreds of public and private vehicles all over the city were partly or fully submerged under water as drains, gutters, the Ambazari Lake and other water bodies flooded beyond the danger levels, with the waters gushing into the city.

As the rains assumed alarming proportions by 5 a.m., the city and district authorities ordered closure of all schools for the day to avoid inconveniencing the students.

The IMD has issued an orange alert with more heavy rains predicted over the next couple of days and urged people to exercise all precautions including moving out to safer spots with the help of the rescue agencies.
Guwahati : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressing a press meet regarding the launch of "Lachit Borphukan App" at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati on Wednesday, October 26, 2022. (Photo:IANS/Himanta Biswa Sarma Twitter). Image Source: IANS News

Guwahati, Sep 23 : The Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress on Saturday lodged a police complaint against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for allegedly making hate speech while campaigning in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh recently.

According to the complaint lodged by Mahila Congress President Mira Barthakur Goswami at the Dispur police station, Sarma allegedly challenged former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Kamal Nath to set fire to 10 Janpath in Delhi, just as Lord Hanuman did to Lanka in the Ramayana.

10 Janpath happens to be the official residence of former Congress Presiden Sonia Gandhi.

Addressing a Jan Ashirwad rally in Madhya Pradesh's Vidhisha district on September 19, Sarma had said that members of the opposition INDIA bloc made statements comparing the Hindu religion (Sanatan Dharma) to malaria.

"I want to challenge Kamal Nath who claims to be a true Hanuman Bhakt. Hanuman had burnt Lanka, you should also burn 10 Janpath. Those who are giving statements against Hinduism, you should remove such people otherwise you should burn 10 Janpath," Sarma had reportedly said.

Goswami claimed on Saturday that the suggestion to burn down 10 Janpath was an open invitation to the public to indulge in arson and riots by using Hindu religious sentiments.

"Even though the statement was made in Madhya Pradesh, it had been widely disseminated in print, electronic, and social media in Assam," she said.

The complaint mentioned, "The effects of the instigation of communal hatred and violent activities will definitely affect the sentiments of the people of Assam and disrupt the peaceful atmosphere of the state as well as the whole country in the name of religion."

Meanwhile, Rupam Hazarika, the officer in-charge of Dispur police station, said that the police have launched a probe and they would decide whether to file an FIR later.

On Thursday, Congress' Debabrata Saikia, the Leader of Opposition in Assam Assembly, had also filed a complaint against Sarma at the Nazira police station in Sivasagar district for his alleged comments on 10 Janpath, but no FIR has been registered by the police yet.
Guwahati : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressing a press meet regarding the launch of "Lachit Borphukan App" at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati on Wednesday, October 26, 2022. (Photo:IANS/Himanta Biswa Sarma Twitter). Image Source: IANS News

Guwahati, Sep 23 : In a bid to boost self-employment in Assam, the state government has launched an ambitious 'Atmanirbhar Asom' initiative on Saturday.

An official statement mentioned that under the scheme, financial aid will be given to 2 lakh youth for creating a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem.

This scheme aims at facilitating self-employment among educated youth, creating an entrepreneur-oriented ecosystem in the state, generating employment via new ventures, financial assistance to individuals to set up or expand existing enterprises, increasing focus on the rural economy etc.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted that the scheme has been designed to create self-employment avenues in the state to enable the youth to fuel development of the state.

He also said that the latest initiative has the potential to strengthen the rural economy.

"The unemployed degree holders in engineering, MBBS, BDS, agriculture, animal husbandry, fishery etc will be kept in the first category and will be given Rs 5 lakh. On the other hand unemployed post graduates, general graduates, ITI, polytechnic pass-outs will be kept in the second category for government assistance of Rs 2 lakh," the Chief Minister said.

He also mentioned that in the first category out of Rs 5 lakh, the beneficiaries will have to return Rs 2.5 lakh without any interest and the remaining amount will be government assistance.

"Similarly, in the second category, Rs 1 lakh will be government subsidy and remaining Rs 1 lakh will have to be paid back by the beneficiary without any interest," Sarma added.

According to him, the targeted sectors will be agriculture and horticulture, stationery, poultry, dairy, goat farming, piggery, fisheries, packaging, readymade garments, fabrication, plantation -- bamboo, rubber, agar etc, wood-based industries etc.

One member from one family each shall be eligible for the scheme and the applicant will be registered with the employment exchange.
Guwahati, Sep 24 : Senior Assam Congress leader Debabrata Saikia has alleged that one of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's close aides was involved in rampant corruption in approving government projects and companies owned by the family members of that leader completed the construction of a 17-km road only in seven days.

Saikia, who is the leader of the Congress Legislature Party, claimed that the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), which is presided over by Tuliram Ronghang, a trusted associate of Sarma, indulged in nepotism to siphon off public funds.

He told reporters here on Saturday, citing publicly accessible official records, that only family members and close friends of Ronghang, the Chief Executive Member of KAAC, had received funding for government projects under various programmes.

"On March 28, 2019, the Hill Area Development Department received a special grant of Rs 100 crore from the CM's Road Improvement Package. Splitting the task between two companies, one run by Ronghang's brother and the other by his wife, was not done with due diligence," Saikia said.

According to him, the two companies received contracts totalling 60 crore and 40 crore, respectively.

"The subpar execution of the assigned work demonstrates that the purpose was to embezzle with total disregard for the welfare of the people. As the majority of these projects had already been sponsored by one award or another, there was overlap in the work," the Congress leader alleged.

He used the seven-day completion of a 17-km section of the Diphu-Dillai-Sarihajan Road as an illustration.

Saikia said, "If a company is able to build a 17-km road in a week, the engineering technology it uses should be implemented across all road construction projects of the subcontinent."

He also added that Himanta Biswa Sarma was the Finance Minister of Assam at the time the project was approved.
Bengaluru, Sep 24 : The Karnataka unit president of Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S), Syed Shafiulla Saheb, on Saturday resigned from the party, saying he was not happy over his party's alliance with the BJP.

He had also held meetings with other Muslim leaders of the party regarding the "future course of action".

According to sources, the JD-S holds a "considerable influence" over the Muslim community in the state.

In fact, on many occasions, Muslims also opted for JD-S over the Congress.

However, the alliance has come as a shocker to the Muslim community, with some political observers saying the JD-S is likely to lose its support base.

Shafiulla, in his resignation letter, said: "I would like to state that I have worked hard and served the party in order to serve the society and the community only because our party believed and was standing on the secular credentials, except when our leader (H.D.) Kumaraswamy had earlier joined hands with BJP to form the government in the state.

"I would also like to mention that I had opted to stay outside the party for the period during which our state unit of the party had joined with the BJP to form the state government. Since the party's senior leaders are now deciding to join hands with the BJP, I am left with no option but to tender my resignation from the party's Senior Vice President's Office of the state and also my Primary Membership of the party."

The letter has been sent to C.M. Ibrahim, the President of the JD-S Karnataka Unit and the former PM H.D. Deve Gowda, the National President of JD-S.

Many state office bearers are also expected to tender their resignation soon.

Sources said that a good number of the JD-S MLAs in Karnataka may take a call to join Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
New Delhi, Sep 24 : Congress has launched a scathing attack against the BJP government at the Centre, saying it has expressed doubts over whether the Women's Reservation may not become a law until 2029.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi on Saturday, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said, "The Women's Reservation Bill is a long-awaited judgement on the empowerment of women, a long-awaited legislation that has been passed. We welcome its passage."

She added, "We obviously have serious issues with how delayed it's going to be, because this looks like yet another tall promise that may not see the fruition of the day. You never know when it happens. According to the government's own admission, it will not happen before 2029."

She said: "According to what some MPs and ministers of the BJP government have said in the Parliament, its link to delimitation and censusa and delimitation of 2026, according to Article 82 and 81 (3) of the Constitution, cannot happen before the census of 2031."

"So, realistically speaking, are we going to wait up until 2039? Because it looks like there was a carrot that was dangled for the women of this country and then were told to wait, and wait for much longer," Shrinate added.

She also said: "Not a word on women coming from the Backward classes, something that we have been talking abouta the Backward castes completely missing."

"But what is missing the most? And I want to say here - when a woman gets elected to Parliamenta and Parliament is our highest decision-making bodya when a woman gets elected to Parliament, each one of us expects her to speak against injustice meted out to other women, to speak against gruesome crime that happens to other women, to speak for fairness for other women, to speak for equality, to speak for justice, and most of alla to speak for women to be empowered."

Referring to women leaders of BJP welcoming the Prime Minister Narendra Modi at its party headquarters in New Delhi, Shrinate added, "I saw a picture, its a beautiful picture actuallya it's a picture of BJP's women MPs, and they all thronged around Modi congratulating him after the Women's Reservation Bill was passed. Its a picture that makes all of us happy, I was very happy to see this picture."

"But the moment I thought about it, how each one of these womena not one, not two, but each of the smiling faces have kept conspicuously quiet each time a gruesome crime has happened against some women or the other across the country, it hangs my head in shame," she said citing examples of atrocities against women in the country.

The Congress leader said that she hopes that the new legislators and the MPs who come to Parliament are not going to keep quiet when two women are paraded naked in Manipur.

"I hope they will not keep quiet for 78 days and they will raise the questions to the Prime Minister, to the Home Minister, to the Women and Health Minister, to the Women departments in this country. I do hope they will ask what is our double-engine government doing in Manipur. I do hope they will ask the Women Commission why did they not lodge a complainta because when you elect women, you expect them to speak for other women, to speak for one-half of humanity, you expect them to voice their opinion and ask for justice," Shrinate added.

She asserted that when women are denied justice across the country, "you don't expect them to be mute spectators with smiling faces for cameras and not speaking a word for another woman in this country."

"Women in the BJP who have been elected to Parliamenta with all due respect to the electiona have really let down half the country's population. They did not speak on gruesome crimes, they did not speak on political patronage, they did not speak when women across the country were made to suffer and were humiliated. And I do hope the Women's Reservation Bill, and whoever gets elected, is going to change that," she said.

The Rajya Sabha on Thursday also unanimously passed the Women's Reservation Bill after an 11-hour debate, a day after Lok Sabha passed the bill on Wednesday.

Now, 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and in the state assemblies will become a law and will be implemented after a census and delimitation.

The motion was adopted in the House with 215 MPs voting in favour and none against and without any abstention.

Earlier, all Rajya Sabha MPs across party lines verbally supported the bill despite some Opposition members described it an "election gimmick".

This bill became the first to be passed in the New Parliament building during the five-day Special session.
Athens, Sep 24 : A small airplane crashed in Greece on Saturday, killing the pilot, who was the sole person on board, the media reported.

The incident happened near an air club of Thebes city to the north of Athens, Xinhua news agency reported citing Greek national broadcaster ERT.

The identity of the victim has not been disclosed yet.

It is being said that the plane experienced some problems during take-off.

Authorities are investigating the reasons for the crash.
ADEN (YEMEN), June 20, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik speaks during a joint press conference in Aden, Yemen, on June 20, 2019. A team of senior diplomatic officials headed by the United States ambassador to Yemen arrived in . Image Source: IANS News

Aden : , Sep 24 (IANS) The Yemeni government has launched a national vaccination campaign to immunise more than one million children against measles and rubella, media reported.

Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik officially inaugurated the six-day emergency campaign, which targets children aged between six months and 59 months in 121 districts across the 13 provinces controlled by the government, Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.

The Prime Minister personally administered the vaccine doses to several children at the launching event held in the southern port city of Aden.

In a statement to the media, Abdulmalik called on all citizens to support the campaign to eradicate the potentially deadly measles disease, which has made a comeback in recent years after a significant decline following previous immunisation efforts.

The campaign is being implemented by Yemen's Ministry of Public Health and Population, with support from the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Children's Fund, and the GAVI vaccine alliance.

It came amid Yemen's ongoing conflict, which broke out in late 2014 when the Houthi group seized control over much of the country's north and forced the internationally recognised government out of the capital Sanaa. The conflict has devastated the country's health system and left millions of people living on humanitarian aid.
Tehran, Sep 24 : The Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said he had discussed with his Russian and Turkish counterparts, as well as the UN envoy, the latest situation in Syria in New York, media reported.

Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks to reporters in New York on Friday, while elaborating on his meeting earlier on Saturday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, said the report.

The meeting was held within the framework of the Astana process, which was launched in 2017 at the initiative of Iran, Russia and Turkey, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Minister said the meeting highlighted economic problems, Western sanctions and terrorism as fundamental challenges in Syria.

He added that it also voiced concern over the humanitarian situation in Syria and reiterated that the unilateral sanctions against the country, which violate international and humanitarian law and the UN Charter, should be fully lifted.

Amir-Abdollahian said the meeting highlighted the international community's responsibility to reduce the Syrian people's suffering, urging the UN to mull a plan and provide financial support for creating the necessary infrastructure for the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.

The Iranian top diplomat noted that solutions were also proposed at the meeting to reduce misunderstandings and settle border problems between Syria and Turkey.

During the meeting, the Turkish and Russian Foreign Ministers and the UN envoy also stated their views on helping resolve Syria's problems, according to Iran's official news agency IRNA.
Tehran, Sep 24 : Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has said that an agreement on the revival of a 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), will be "within reach" if the US stops its "contradictory behaviours," the media reported.

Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks to reporters on Friday in New York while elaborating on his meetings on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), said the report on Saturday.

"We believe that, in view of the prisoner swap conducted between Iran and the US earlier this week, if the American side quits its contradictory behaviors and shows its real intention, achieving an agreement for all parties' return to the JCPOA and the removal of sanctions on Tehran will not be out of reach," the report quoted the Minister as saying.

Amir-Abdollahian noted that he met with members of an American think-tank and a number of former US officials in New York to explicitly discuss bilateral issues, one of which was the "wrong" approach of the US toward Iran and the JCPOA, Xinhua news agency reported.

Iran and the US conducted a prisoner swap on Monday, with each side releasing five detainees under a Qatar-brokered agreement.

On Monday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said Iran is open to indirect nuclear talks with the US on the sidelines of the UNGA, which had seen the attendance of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, leading a high-ranking delegation.

Iran signed the JCPOA with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear programme in return for the removal of sanctions on the country. The US, however, pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments under the deal.

The talks on the revival of the JCPOA began in April 2021 in Vienna, Austria. Despite several rounds of talks, no significant breakthrough has been achieved since the end of the last round in August 2022.
Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:KW) stock is about to trade ex-dividend in four days. The ex-dividend date is one business day before a company's record date, which is the date on which the company determines which shareholders are entitled to receive a dividend. The ex-dividend date is an important date to be aware of as any purchase of the stock made on or after this date might mean a late settlement that doesn't show on the record date. Accordingly, Kennedy-Wilson Holdings investors that purchase the stock on or after the 28th of September will not receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 5th of October.

The company's next dividend payment will be US$0.24 per share, on the back of last year when the company paid a total of US$0.96 to shareholders. Calculating the last year's worth of payments shows that Kennedy-Wilson Holdings has a trailing yield of 6.3% on the current share price of $15.13. Dividends are an important source of income to many shareholders, but the health of the business is crucial to maintaining those dividends. That's why we should always check whether the dividend payments appear sustainable, and if the company is growing.

See our latest analysis for Kennedy-Wilson Holdings

If a company pays out more in dividends than it earned, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. Kennedy-Wilson Holdings paid out a disturbingly high 356% of its profit as dividends last year, which makes us concerned there's something we don't fully understand in the business. A useful secondary check can be to evaluate whether Kennedy-Wilson Holdings generated enough free cash flow to afford its dividend. It paid out an unsustainably high 322% of its free cash flow as dividends over the past 12 months, which is worrying. Unless there were something in the business we're not grasping, this could signal a risk that the dividend may have to be cut in the future.

Story continues

As Kennedy-Wilson Holdings's dividend was not well covered by either earnings or cash flow, we would be concerned that this dividend could be at risk over the long term.

Click here to see how much of its profit Kennedy-Wilson Holdings paid out over the last 12 months.

Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing?

Companies with falling earnings are riskier for dividend shareholders. If earnings fall far enough, the company could be forced to cut its dividend. With that in mind, we're discomforted by Kennedy-Wilson Holdings's 20% per annum decline in earnings in the past five years. When earnings per share fall, the maximum amount of dividends that can be paid also falls.

Another key way to measure a company's dividend prospects is by measuring its historical rate of dividend growth. Kennedy-Wilson Holdings has delivered an average of 17% per year annual increase in its dividend, based on the past 10 years of dividend payments. That's intriguing, but the combination of growing dividends despite declining earnings can typically only be achieved by paying out a larger percentage of profits. Kennedy-Wilson Holdings is already paying out 356% of its profits, and with shrinking earnings we think it's unlikely that this dividend will grow quickly in the future.

To Sum It Up

Is Kennedy-Wilson Holdings an attractive dividend stock, or better left on the shelf? It's looking like an unattractive opportunity, with its earnings per share declining, while, paying out an uncomfortably high percentage of both its profits (356%) and cash flow as dividends. This is a clearly suboptimal combination that usually suggests the dividend is at risk of being cut. If not now, then perhaps in the future. It's not that we think Kennedy-Wilson Holdings is a bad company, but these characteristics don't generally lead to outstanding dividend performance.

Having said that, if you're looking at this stock without much concern for the dividend, you should still be familiar of the risks involved with Kennedy-Wilson Holdings. For example, Kennedy-Wilson Holdings has 5 warning signs (and 3 which are potentially serious) we think you should know about.

If you're in the market for strong dividend payers, we recommend checking our selection of top dividend stocks.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Home prices will jump by 4.9% by August of next year, Zillow economists warned. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Home prices could climb even higher over the next year, Zillow economists said.

The real estate listing company predicted a 5% home price increase, lower that 6.5% is previously predicted.



Home prices could jump as much as 5% over the next year, thanks to higher mortgage rates prolonging the deep freeze of the US housing market, according to Zillow economists.

The real estate listings site revised its 12-month outlook for home prices, predicting a 4.9% increase by August 2024. That's slightly down from its 12-month home price outlook in July, when the firm predicted a 6.5% increase in home prices by July of next year.

Meanwhile, the firm expected total home sales to clock in around 4.1 million this year, slightly down from the previously anticipated 4.2 million.

"Zillow's forecast of the nation's typical home value was revised downward this month due to the anticipation of higher mortgage rates and a slight decrease in market tightness," economists said in a note published Monday.

The Fed didn't help the outlook for rates this week. At the conclusion of its September policy meeting on Wednesday, chairman Jerome Powell said that the central bank wouldn't hike rates again this month but warned that they could remain elevated for longer.

That's tough news for prospective home buyers, who have watched mortgage rates march steadily higher for over a year, partly as a result of the Fed's tightening of monetary policy.

While borrowing has become more expensive, high mortgage rates also discourage homeowners from listing their properties for sale as they cling to low rates secured years ago, exacerbating the shortage of supply and pushing up prices.

According to Bankrate, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate climbed 24 basis points in the last week to 7.75%. Meanwhile, the latest Case-Shiller home price data shows home values climbing back to near all-time-highs during the month of August.

Inventory levels, though, have increased slightly, which was a cited as the reason why Zillow chose to downgrade its home price forecast. New listings jumped 4% last month, which could help ease supply pressures and cap home price increases over the next year.

Story continues

"To be clear, August's new listings total  as well as total for-sale inventory  remains well below typical levels seen prior to the pandemic, and inventory conditions remain very tight.That said, this unusual late-summer uptick helped to ease the market conditions some, causing our outlook for home values to cool," economists added.

Experts have warned housing affordability is unlikely to improve until mortgage rates dial back more significantly. That could unlock more inventory to hit the housing market, but it's unlikely to happen anytime soon, with experts forecasting mortgage rates to end the year around 6%.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Genre fiction by such authors as Colleen Hoover, N.K. Jemisin, and Rebecca Roanhorse remain extremely popular, and publishers have been increasing their output to meet the demand in recent years for romance, horror, mystery, science fiction, and fantasy titles.

BrocheAroe Fabian, who lives in Wisconsin and owns the online bookstore River Dog Book Co., is also a marketing consultant and manager at Sourcebooks, which has moved aggressively into publishing genre fiction in recent years. Emphasizing that she pays close attention to literary trends, Fabian pointed out that genre fiction has always had its readers, particularly since such stories have been inclusive for a long time. She added, If you wanted to read diverse books, you read genre fiction.

Fabian connects the growing interest in genre fiction to the success of literary thrillers like Gone Girl and The Woman in the Window, and said that the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have also inspired readers to reclaim romance taleswith steamy story lines featuring consenting adults rather than the bodice rippers of yore with their lusty heroes and reluctant heroines.

While general fiction at Marias Bookshop in Durango, Colo., grew by 7% in the first half of 2023 over the same period in 2022after what adult book buyer Jeanne Costello described as two awesome years in 2021 and 2022genre fiction continues to post bigger gains, including a 23% sales increase in mysteries, 26% in SFF, 36% in horror, and 64% in romance. Art rises to the times we are living in, Costello noted. The past several years have dealt us some overwhelming problems, from the pandemic to extreme weather and deep political and cultural clashes. Romance and mystery allow us to process emotions and solve problems that elude us in our real lives. Horror helps to process trauma, and science fiction/fantasy can build worlds that can offer hope, featuring heroes and worlds that are saved in the end.

While the largest book club at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, N.C., is devoted to SFF, romance is by far the stores fastest-growing section, assistant manager Christy OConnor said, with romance inventory expanding from four shelves to 16 in 2022. In contrast, sales of mysteries and thrillers declined during the same period. The reason for this, OConnor speculated, is that mysteries and thrillers may hit just a little too close to home for our customers. Readers may be moving toward romance because the world is a rough place right now, and romance novels, with their all-but-guaranteed happy endings, satisfy peoples desire to escape into a world that looks nothing like ours.

Ross Lockhart of Word Horde Emporium of the Weird & Fantastic in Petaluma, Calif., said that after publishing horror fiction since 2013, he was prompted to open a specialty bookstore on Halloween in 2021. He believes that genre fiction is hot because the quality of the writing is stronger today than it ever has been, and the field is more varied and diverse than ever. In contrast to OConnor, Lockhart maintained that horror has been a big draw for his customers because it feeds escapism born from a sense that things could be terribly worse.

At Tubby & Coos Bookstore in New Orleans, owner Candice Huber reported that sales are rising at their store, which specializes in genre fiction, as well as LGBTQ titles. While fantasy is currently the biggest draw for Tubbys customers, romance and horror always have been hotso much so that several years ago Huber added two more shelves to each category. Like Lockhart, Huber said they think the quality of writing is the best its ever been. But, they added, pop culture has greatly contributed to its popularity.

Nerd culture has become more and more mainstream over the years, Huber explained. Also, particularly since the Trump administration and the pandemic, people more and more people want to escape realitywhich is understandable.
Tehran is like a bad marriage one keeps getting trapped in, according to Issa, the protagonist of Salar Abdohs thrilling new novel, A Nearby Country Called Love (Viking, Nov.).

Speaking via Zoom from Marrakesh, Morocco, which Abdoh was visiting for a research project, the 58-year-old journalist, essayist, and translator acknowledged that he, too, has a complicated relationship with his native Iran, where he lives half the year. Nothing is easy in that country, he says. But he keeps going back.

In many ways, A Nearby Country Called LoveAbdohs fifth novel, following The Poet Game (2000), Opium (2004), Tehran at Twilight (2014), and Out of Mesopotamia (2020)is both an ode to Iran and an exploration of the authors ambivalence toward the country where he was born and raised until the Iranian Revolution of 1979.

He then spent two years at an English boarding school before his parents brought him and his older brother, Reza, to the U.S. Abdoh returned to Iran in 1990, after graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in Near Eastern studies. He was young and wanted to see the world, and to continue to study Middle Eastern literature in the Middle East.

I also wanted to have a reckoning with the revolution, he says. This move was arguably the foundational step of my life. I could have stayed away like so many exiles and lived a strictly America life. Very deliberately I chose not to.

Many of the geopolitical issues of the past 40-plus years, Abdoh contends, stem from the Iranian Revolution, which toppled the monarchy, led to the establishment of the Islamic Republic, and changed the balance of power in the Middle East. As someone who wanted to be an adventurer even more so than I wanted to be a writer, he says, I thought, where else but Iran!

Tehran, the sprawling city of 15 million where much of A Nearby Country Called Love is set, is portrayed as a place of infinite contradictions. Pollution, traffic jams, overflowing garbage, and precarious construction sites are parts of everyday life. Modesty squads patrol the streets, fining or arresting women for improprieties such as not wearing hijabs. There is a steady stream of news about women who choose to burn themselves to death rather than continue to be beaten by husbands, fathers, or brothers for perceived acts of defiance.

At the same time, Abdohs Tehran is a cosmopolitan city brimming with cafes, culture, and well-educated locals who frequent concerts, galleries, and literary readings. There is also a vibrant underground network of gay bars and drag clubs.

But no matter the neighborhood or occasion, there are some constants in Tehran. Among them, and reflected in the psyches of Abdohs characters, is dread. While its not quite the quotidian oppression outsiders imagine, there is the sense of always being on edge, he says. That dread has become innate, part of our very character. And yet, he adds, at some point folk figured out that rather than fighting the authorities to keep them out of their lives, they can simply disregard and ignore them, which creates a schizophrenia that you learn to live with, though at a cost to your mental and physical well-being.

A Nearby Country Called Love, which PWs review called a moving and nuanced study of gender and sexuality in contemporary Iran, follows Issa as he reluctantly returns to Tehran from New York City and attempts to come to terms with his brothers death. As the novel opens, Issa and his friend Nasser are on a mission to avenge the suicide-by-burning of a wife whose husband, the pair believe, drove her to that fate. While Nasser, a fireman who moonlights as an appliance salesman, revels in the testosterone-fueled vigilante missiontheir secondIssa, a former soldier, knows there is nothing noble about what they have set out to do. He is also reminded of the persecution his late brother Hashem faced in their neighborhood due to his sexual orientation.

Violence threads throughout the novel, as do Issas questions about the nature of masculinity and what is expected of a man living in contemporary Iran.

My father was a boxer and a soldier, Abdoh says. Machismo was part of the fabric, part of the molecule of everything that I grew up with. But my brother Reza was into theater and the arts. At an early age, he knew he was gay, and my father viewed him with shame. I was always in the middle, being pulled in both directions. I modeled Issas brother on my family experience, and on what Reza endured and accomplished before he died of AIDS in 1995.

Issa lives above the dojo his father ran until his death. His brother Hashem was a revered queer artist in Tehrans undergroundand their father did everything he could to scare Hashem straight. After enduring bullying and beatings by schoolmates and his father, Hashem learned to be defiant no matter the price. His death devastated Issa and prompted him to learn more about the community of friends, lovers, and artists who embraced his brother.

Issa starts by reading authors Hashem cherished: Beckett, Auden, Proust, and Rilke. Soon, hes attending parties and performances with people in his brothers circle. Boundaries melt away. Eventually, Issa becomes romantically involved with a man. For Issa, though, this is a process of self-discoveryand even a way of honoring his brother.

References to various Western literary works are sprinkled throughout the narrative, as are mentions of Perso-Arabic classics. The latter, Abdoh says, cast a huge shadow of influence for me because many of those writers and mystics were always after the ultimate questions. Ontologythe branch of metaphysics dealing with the nature of beingwas their bread and butter. The same can be said for Abdoh, whose work probes the nature of belonging, masculinity, and the self.

And while Abdoh set the novel in Iran and many of its plot points are unique to that country, he also wanted to address the global question of how to be a man in this day and age, he says, when the paradigm of who we are supposed to be has shifted and none of us really knows how to behave, to respond.

Leigh Haber ran Oprahs Book Club for 10 years. She now owns and operates her own editorial and consulting business.
Religion and spirituality publishers are steadily expanding their childrens lists into the general market by adding more books that celebrate values and virtuesthemes that appeal to believers and secular book buyers alikewith no mention of God, Jesus, or the Bible.

Beaming Books senior acquisitions editor Naomi Krueger says, About 60% of our 2023 titles are values based, while 40% are specifically faith based. The broader audience was always part of our intention when we launched in 2018. We have a holistic approach with a mission to help kids thrive socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Several upcoming books feature the value of self-confidence and self-empowerment, such as Be Your Own Bird by Russ Willms (Nov.), about a bird that doesnt always fly with the flock.

Values titles are on the rise at Random House Christian Publishing, a group that includes Convergent, Multnomah, and WaterBrook. Campbell Wharton, v-p and deputy publisher, says Random House sees opportunity in the market both for books that are faith-informed, aligning with biblical values without religious terminology, and those that are clearly faith-forward for the core Christian readership.

Historically, WaterBrook has been faith-forward, Wharton says. Now, it is adding faith-informed titles with more ecumenical themes for spiritually-minded parents and grandparents. For example, he cites their million-selling Wingfeather series, which is full of religious allegories that believers may recognize while others will simply enjoy a gripping story. One of Whartons favorite forthcoming titles is WaterBrooks Be My Valenslime by Kris Tarantino (Dec.), which features a little monster modeling patience and generosity when her Valentines Day party turns into monster mayhem.

Wharton describes Convergent as leaning more into faith-informed titles that appeal to the spiritually curious and the nones,  or people who claim no religious identity. These include titles such as A Message in the Moon (Oct.) by Roma Downey, star of the television series Touched by an Angel, about how love connects parents and children wherever they are.

According to Zonderkidz publisher Megan Dobson, Our list is still primarily overtly Christian, but for the last four years we have been adding more titles that have the right message to inspire young lives that do well in both the Christian and the general market. Dobson points to ABC news anchor Linsey Daviss Girls of the World: Doing More than Ever Before (Mar. 2024), which, Dobson says, is focused on leaders for equality, fairness, and a safe world in which to live. Dobson also highlights Race to Kindness (May 2024), by 12-year-old Orion Jean, who was named Time magazines 2021 Kid of the Year for initiatives around book and food drives when he was in elementary school.

Some faith-based houses build in a values-forward approach. Pen and Swords Jewish juvenile book imprint, Green Bean Books, focuses on books with cultural and historical dimensions such as the forthcoming A Boy from Baghdad by Miriam Halahmy (Dec.). Editor Michael Leventhal describes the book as a tale about the power of perseverance, friendship, and family in the face of hardship, hatred, and change.

At Shambhala, which specializes in Buddhist titles, Bala Kids books emphasize wisdom and loving-kindness, including Share Your Love by Susan B. Katz (Oct.). It introduces simple phrases children can repeata practice drawn from Buddhist meditation. Entries include May you be protected and safe. May you feel happy and pleased. May your body be healthy, and may you live with ease.
It is not a secret that international peace and stability are increasingly at risk. This is primarily a result of tensions between major world powers that are struggling to address global challenges as their interests diverge on multiple fronts.

This precarious global situation has opened the door for the so-called middle powers to step in to mediate complex conflicts and promote unity in the international arena. Middle powers is a concept that sprung during the Cold War to characterize states that have some degree of influence globally, but do not dominate in any one area. Today, the influence of these middle powers is growing rapidly, as they have the resources and the will to facilitate the resolution of current crises.

For instance, Saudi Arabia, a growing middle power, recently hosted talks on the Ukraine war, which included representatives from nearly 40 countries. Last year it was Turkiye, another middle power, that provided a platform for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine at the start of the conflict. While these talks have not yet resolved the conflict, it is evident that middle powers may still play their significant role in the resolution of the most pressing global problems.

There are several reasons why the influence of middle powers has expanded recently.

Firstly, these states purposefully aim to establish good relations with all sides. Turkiye is a NATO member yet engages with Russia. Saudi Arabia has positive relations with both the United States and Russia. India, Indonesia, and other similar states have created a new middle path, preserving relations with both East and West by not taking sides in geopolitical conflicts.

Kazakhstan, as an emerging middle power, also fits into this category. Its multi-vector foreign policy has served the country well for many years. Kazakhstan has good relations with all its neighbours, including China and Russia, as well as with European countries and the United States. This means the country can be a political and economic bridge between East and West, North and South.

In recent years, Kazakhstans pragmatic foreign policy has enabled it to become a neutral ground for dialogue and mediation. In 2017, the country began to host high-level talks on the Syrian conflict, bringing together the Syrian government, opposition forces, and regional stakeholders such as Russia, Iran, and Turkiye in the Astana Process, which has played an important role in promoting ceasefires and facilitating humanitarian aid in Syria. In 2013, Kazakhstan also facilitated negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 countries (U.S., China, Russia, United Kingdom, France and Germany), which resulted in the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2015. Kazakhstan also mediated Turkiye and Russia during tense relations between the two countries in 2016.

More recently, it hosted the inaugural Astana International Forum in June this year, which brought together representatives of middle powers and experts to discuss ways to resolve current global crises. The forum offered insights on the vital role of middle powers in global diplomacy in the context of increasing polarization among major powers.

Ultimately, a pragmatic foreign policy of middle powers enables them to act as objective mediators, a role that global powers are currently unable to fulfil due to the bloc mentality and confrontation. The examples of Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, among others, highlight that for politically medium-sized countries, a reasonable foreign policy could be the key to resolving global crises.

Secondly, middle powers remain committed to the principles of the UN Charter. The ongoing war in Ukraine has only intensified ideological divisions. Yet for Kazakhstan, the UN Charter offered a straightforward guide on the conflict. Kazakhstan made it clear that it respects the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence as outlined by international law. This position contributed to strengthening the UN principles in support of the global order.

Most middle powers adhere to the principles of the UN Charter, championing dialogue, trade, multilateralism and diplomacy. They are adamant that the UN remains the only global organization which can unite all states together. Yet middle powers are not represented on the UN Security Council. Given their growing importance, the Security Council needs to be reformed to allow such states to have a say on global affairs. The United Nations will not succeed in its global mission unless the voices of middle powers are amplified in the Security Council.

International affairs have long been influenced by the role of great powers. Yet the world is changing. Whether it be Saudi Arabia, with its willingness to act as a global balancer and mediator; Switzerland, with its historical neutrality; or Kazakhstan, which has become a prominent facilitator of cooperation between East and West, medium powers are actively taking the reins when it comes to global politics and diplomacy.

This is a welcome development, as middle powers have proven their ability to contribute to rebuilding a culture of multilateralism and diplomatic engagement in an overly polarized world. They can act as stabilizers during escalating tensions, something sorely needed in today's global landscape.

Kairat Umarov, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan
Property details:

.BUY LAND NOWWALK TO LAKE!GO FISHING! START INVESTING NOW!This land is perfect for Land Banking! Buy and hold for future investment. Many companies and investors purchase land at a substantial discount for their investment portfolios. Then later, use this as collateral for their business. Low Low Prices!Great Investment for new investor. Start your own land business now!DescriptionLot near lakes in Brandon , Mississippi. Faye Dr in a nice green wooded area not too many people. This area is low o...

Price: $ 888 Seller State of Residence: California Type: Homesite, Lot Property Address: Faye Dr Brandon MS Zip/Postal Code: 39042 Zoning: Residential City: Brandon State/Province: Mississippi Location: 390**, Brandon, Mississippi

You will be redirected to eBay



Nearby Mississippi
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said America is deeply concerned about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of India's involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist in Surrey and it is crucial that Ottawa's investigation proceeds.

IMAGE: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (second from left), Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong (right) and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa (left) on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting, in New York, September 22, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Tensions flared between India and Canada early this week following Trudeau's explosive allegations of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia on June 18.

India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.

India angrily rejected the allegations as "absurd" and "motivated", and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

Speaking at a press conference in New York on Friday, Blinken said, "We are deeply concerned about the allegations that Prime Minister Trudeau has raised. We've been consulting throughout very closely with our Canadian colleagues, not just consulting, coordinating on this issue. And from our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceeds."

His remarks came after the US said on Thursday that it supports Canada's efforts to investigate allegations of India's involvement in the killing of Nijjar, observing that no country can get any "special exemption" for such kind of activities.

While Canada hasn't yet provided any public evidence to back its claims, a media report said citing Canadian government sources that Ottawa's allegations are based on both human and signals intelligence and inputs from an ally the Five Eye intelligence network.

The Five Eyes network is an intelligence alliance consisting of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

The Canadian government has amassed both human and signals intelligence in a months-long investigation of the Sikh man's death that has inflamed relations with India, CBC News, a division of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, reported on Thursday quoting sources.

That intelligence includes communications involving Indian officials themselves, including Indian diplomats present in Canada, according to Canadian government sources.

Prime Minister Trudeau on Thursday said Canada is not looking to "provoke or cause problems" with India as he urged New Delhi to take the matter "extremely seriously" and work with Ottawa to "uncover the truth".

India asked Canada to come down hard on terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its soil and suspended visa services for Canadians.

India also asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic staff in the country, arguing that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalence in the mutual diplomatic presence.

The size of Canadian diplomatic staff in India is larger than what New Delhi has in Canada.
Eighteen Indian sailors, who were stranded in violence-hit Yemen, have been brought back to India.

IMAGE: 18 Indian sailors who were stranded in Yemen reached Mumbai on September 23, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The regional passport office in Mumbai said on 'X' on Saturday that the seamen landed in New Delhi.

'18 distressed Indian sailors stuck in Yemen brought back through relentless efforts of #MEA and Indian Embassies,' it said.

'The seamen landed in Mumbai. Team MEA on ground to facilitate arrival,' it added.

It is not immediately known how long the sailors were stranded in Yemen.

The Indian embassy in Riyadh said on X that the sailors reached Aden on Friday after week's of relentless efforts by India.

'With the relentless efforts of our Embassies in Riyadh & Dijibouti, for the past few weeks, 18 Indian sailors stuck at Nishtun Port finally reached Aden safely today,' it said on late Friday.

It further added: 'We thank the Yemen Govt & all local friends for their full support.'
Tightening its noose around Canada-based 'designated individual terrorist' Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) confiscated a house and land of the self-styled general counsel of the outlawed Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) outfit in Punjab's Amritsar and the Union Territory of Chandigarh on Saturday, an official said.

IMAGE: NIA confiscated the house and land of Canada-based 'designated individual terrorist' Gurpatwant Singh in Amritsar and Chandigarh. Photograph: ANI on X

The action, which comes as a big boost to the country's crackdown on the terror and secessionist network being operated from various countries, including Canada, followed confiscation orders passed by the Special NIA Court, SAS Nagar, Mohali (Punjab), a spokesperson of the NIA said.

The official said the properties confiscated include a 46-kanal (5.7 acres) agricultural land at Khankot village in Amritsar and a one-fourth share of a house in Chandigarh's sector 15/C area.

These properties were earlier attached following orders passed by the government in two different cases, the spokesperson said, adding that they have now been confiscated on the court's orders under the relevant section of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in a case registered on April 5, 2020.

This is the first time that properties of an absconding accused of the NIA have been confiscated under section 33(5) of the UAPA.

The case was originally registered on October 19, 2018 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code at the Sultanwind police station in Amritsar city and later, transferred to the NIA. A total of 10 accused, including Pannu, have so far been chargesheeted in the case.

Pannu has been on the NIA's radar since 2019, when the anti-terror federal agency registered its first case against the terrorist, who has been playing a major role in promoting and commissioning terror acts and activities, and spreading fear and terror in Punjab and elsewhere in the country through his threats and intimidation tactics.

Non-bailable warrants of arrest were issued against Pannu by the Special NIA Court on February 3, 2021 and he was declared a 'Proclaimed Offender' (PO) on November 29 last year.

"Investigations have revealed that Pannu's organisation, Sikhs for Justice, was misusing cyberspace to radicalise gullible youth and instigate them to undertake terrorist crimes and activities," the NIA spokesperson said.

The official said the investigations have further revealed that Pannu was the main handler and controller of the SFJ, which was declared an 'Unlawful Association' by the Centre on July 10, 2019.

"Pannu, who was declared a 'designated individual terrorist' on July 1, 2020, has been actively exhorting Punjab-based gangsters and youth over the social media to fight for the cause of the independent state of Khalistan, challenging the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country," the spokesperson said.

In recent days, the official said Pannu has been in the news for issuing blatant threats to senior Indian diplomats and government functionaries in public forums.

"He had also threatened Canadian Hindus a few days ago, asking them to leave Canada and claiming that they had adopted a 'jingoistic approach' by siding with India," the spokesperson said.

The NIA action came amid an escalating diplomatic row between India and Canada over the issue of the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar by unidentified assailants in British Columbia in June.
The United States is in communication with India on Canada's allegations that New Delhi was potentially involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader on Canadian soil, the White House has said.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the G-7 Summit, in Schloss Elmau, June 27, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The US also remains in regular contact with the Canadian government, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Friday.

A diplomatic row erupted between India and Canada following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, in British Columbia on June 18.

India has rejected the allegations as "absurd" and "motivated" and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

"We have engaged with the Indian government. But certainly, we're not going to get into our private diplomatic conversations. But, yes, there have been conversations with our partners in the Indian government," Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference.

"Obviously, we are deeply concerned, as he said as well... what the Prime Minister (of Canada) has referenced here. And so, we remain in regular contact with the Canadian... government and the Canadian partners," she said.

Responding to questions, Jean-Pierre said she would not comment on diplomatic conversations.

Earlier this week, the US had said that it supports Canada's efforts to investigate allegations of India's involvement in the killing of Nijjar, observing that no country can get any "special exemption" for such kind of activities.

While Canada hasn't yet provided any public evidence to back its claims, a media report said citing Canadian government sources that Ottawa's allegations are based on both human and signals intelligence and inputs from an ally the Five Eye intelligence network.

The Five Eyes network is an intelligence alliance consisting of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

In a reflection of hardening of its position, India on Wednesday advised all its nationals living in Canada and those contemplating travelling there to exercise "utmost caution" in view of growing anti-India activities and "politically-condoned" hate crimes as well as "criminal violence" in that country.

Prime Minister Trudeau on Thursday said Canada is not looking to "provoke or cause problems" with India as he urged New Delhi to take the matter "extremely seriously" and work with Ottawa to "uncover the truth".

The India-Canada ties have been reeling under some strain for the last few months in view of increasing activities of the pro-Khalistani elements in the North American country. India believes the Trudeau government is not addressing its genuine concerns.
Opposition parties on Saturday stepped up pressure on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for stringent action, including suspension, against Bharatiya Janata Party's Ramesh Bidhuri over his derogatory remarks against Bahujan Samaj Party MP Danish Ali in the House.

IMAGE: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla conducts the proceedings of the house during the Special Session of Parliament, in New Delhi. Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Photo

While the BJP had issued notice to Bidhuri after facing flak over his utterances, the party also hit back at the opposition leaders, alleging they have been making uncouth and objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his parents.

BJP MP Nishikant urged the Speaker to form an inquiry committee to look into statements made by Ali and members from parties like the Trinamool Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Lok Sabha and alleged that the BSP MP made 'highly objectionable' remarks against Modi that provoked the ruling party MP.

Former Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb shared a video clip on X of Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan allegedly making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and asked if any opposition leader had condemned it.

Speaker Birla had on Friday warned Bidhuri of 'strict action' if such behaviour is repeated and his remarks were expunged from parliamentary records but the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) parties had demanded that the matter be referred to the privileges committee of the House.

As Bidhuri's remarks during a discussion on the success of Chandrayaan-3 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday triggered a furore, Ali had said that he could consider quitting the membership of the House if no step is taken.

In a letter written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Congress leader and former Maharashtra minister Naseem Khan demanded that Bidhuri be 'permanently suspended'.

Bidhuri's 'shameful' statement is an insult not only to the MP but also to Parliament, the 'sanctum sanctorum of our democracy', he said.

"It is very unfortunate and disturbing that language which was earlier confined to street debates related to organisations like RSS and VHP has now entered Parliament through BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri," he alleged.

Speaker Birla should send a strong message by effecting immediate 'permanent suspension' of Bidhuri, Khan demanded.

Bharata Rashtra Samiti MLC in Telangana K Kavitha also urged the Lok Sabha Speaker to take stringent action in the matter.

'It's saddening and shocking to hear the disrespectful comments made by MP @rameshbidhuri towards MP Danish Ali Ji in the supreme legislature of our Nation. Such behaviour has no place in our democratic discourse. I request Hon'ble speaker @ombirlakota Ji to take immediate and stringent action,' she said on X.

Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi demanded Bidhuri's suspension.

"Why has action not been taken till now? By just issuing a warning, you are telling the MPs that you can get away with such a conduct...," she said.

DMK's Thamizhachi Thangapandian said, "When Ramesh Bidhuri made that statement, our party MP Kanimozhi stood up and registered her protest. A letter was written to the Speaker. Action needs to be taken.

Prominent Muslim organisation Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind said it was the constitutional as well as moral responsibility of Speaker Birla to take action in the matter.

Members of the TMC and NCP among others have written to the Speaker seeking action against Bidhuri, who represents South Delhi Lok Sabha seat.

However, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey wrote to the Lok Sabha Speaker, accusing Ali of making unsavoury remarks during Bidhuri's speech in the House aimed at instigating him to lose his composure.

Dubey alleged that Ali also made a 'highly objectionable and blasphemous' remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He used the 'neech' barb, the BJP leader claimed, saying it was more than enough for 'any patriotic public representative to lose his calm and fall into his trap by uttering unsavoury words'.

Dubey was, however, categorical in condemning Bidhuri's comments, saying no decent society can justify them and they cannot be condemned enough.

'But the Lok Sabha Speaker should also probe the unsavoury remarks and conduct of Danish Ali. Under Lok Sabha rules, obstructing another MP during the time allotted to him, speaking while sitting and giving a running commentary also call for punishment,' he posted on X.

In his letter, Dubey said TMC and DMK members also made comments about the faith of another community. What he has written is a verifiable fact, he claimed.

If Bidhuri has committed an inappropriate act, then other members, including Ali, have also contributed to spreading enmity amongst communities.

'I, therefore, request you to constitute an 'Inquiry Committee' to investigate the utterances made by various members during the said discussion and also to inquire the extent of culpability of various other members of Parliament in instigating our citizens by way of their comments made in the House,' he wrote to the Speaker.

BJP's Haryana in-charge Biplab Kumar Deb hit out at state Congress chief Udai Bhan for allegedly making derogatory remarks against against Modi and Khattar.

He dubbed Bhan's remarks as a reflection of the pervert mentality of the opposition party.

Is it Rahul Gandhi's shop of love, he said.

Did any opposition leader condemn this? Has the Congress asked him to apologise, asked the BJP Rajya Sabha MP.

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said Bhan has used petty and indecent words for the prime minister which cannot be condemned enough.

It has caused pain and anguish among not only BJP members but also among people of the country, he said.

Congress leaders have in the past also used similarly tasteless and objectionable remarks against not only him but also his parents, he alleged.

Meanwhile, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav compared Bidhuri's behaviour to that of 'street bullies'.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal leader also said that he had no hopes of action against Bidhuri since it appears that those in the BJP had the right to indulge in all types of delinquent behaviour.

"We saw the plight of award-winning female wrestlers who sat on dharnas for months. But no action was taken against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh whom they accused of sexual harassment," Yadav alleged.

"What happened inside the Parliament was, indeed, painful and shameful. The use of such language, targeting a fellow MP for his religious affiliation...," he said.

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal questioned the 'silence' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on the matter.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that Canada shared with India 'many weeks ago' evidence that it may have been behind the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil and wants New Delhi to commit constructively with Ottawa to establish the facts in the 'very serious matter'.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi greets Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the G20 Summit in New Delhi, September 9, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Trudeau, however, did not elaborate on the evidence that he says has been shared with India.

"Canada has shared the credible allegations that I talked about on Monday with India. We did that many weeks ago...We hope that they engage with us so that we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter. That's important," he said on Friday in a press conference with the visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"And what we are asking is for India, to commit constructively with Canada to establish the facts on this situation. We're there to work with them. And we have been for weeks now," Trudeau said in response to a question.

When asked about Canada sharing any information in the case with India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi said: "No specific information has been shared by Canada on this case, either then or before or after. We have, you know, as we have said, or I think we have made very clear, we are willing to look at any specific information."

"We have conveyed this to the Canadian side and made it clear to them that we are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us. But so far we have not received any such specific information," MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in New Delhi.

Tensions flared between India and Canada early this week following Trudeau's explosive allegations of the 'potential' involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Nijjar on his country's soil on June 18 in British Columbia.

India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.

India rejected the allegations as 'absurd' and 'motivated' and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

Trudeau said Canada is working with its partners over the matter.

United States Ambassador to Canada David Cohen also confirmed that 'shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners' had informed Trudeau of the possible involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar.

This is the first admission by any US government official about the sharing of intelligence by Five Eyes partners with Canada even when there were multiple unofficial and non-official reports about the same, CTV News channel reported.

'Five Eyes' network is an intelligence alliance consisting of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. It is both surveillance-based and signals intelligence (SIGINT).

"He (Cohen) made this comment while denying a Washington Post report alleging that weeks before Trudeau's bombshell declaration, Ottawa asked its closest allies, including the US to publicly condemn the murder and that overture was rebuffed," the CTV said.

"Very bluntly, I will say that -- and you know me well enough -- that I'm not in the habit of commenting on private diplomatic conversations," Cohen was quoted as saying.

"Look, I will say this was a matter of shared intelligence information," he said and added: "There was a lot of communication between Canada and the United States about this, and I think that's as far as I'm comfortable going," Cohen said.

Cohen's comments came as Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US is 'deeply concerned' about the allegations raised by Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau against India and Washington was 'closely coordinating' with Ottawa on the issue and wants to see 'accountability' in the case.

Speaking at a press conference in New York on Friday, Blinken said the US has engaged directly with the Indian government on the issue and the most productive thing would be the completion of this investigation.

"We have been consulting throughout very closely with our Canadian colleagues -- and not just consulting, coordinating with them -- on this issue. From our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceed, and it would be important that India work with the Canadians on this investigation. We want to see accountability, and it's important that the investigation run its course and lead to that result," Blinken said.

India also said it has very 'specific evidence' about criminal activities by individuals based on Canadian soil and it has been shared with the Canadian authorities on a regular basis but has not been acted upon.
Rajya Sabha members Mausam Noor and Priyanka Chaturvedi have written to Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, complaining about 'sloganeering' from the visitors' gallery of the House on September 21 and requesting him to take action in the matter.

IMAGE: Rajya Sabha proceedings underway. Photograph: SansadTV/ANI Photo

In their letters to the chairman, Trinamool Congress (TMC) member Noor and Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray member Chaturvedi expressed dismay that there was 'political sloganeering' in the House despite the Rajya Sabha's stringent security measures and diligence of marshals.

The fact that more than 50 visitors were able to raise slogans is a matter of grave concern, they said.

The incident took place in the afternoon of September 21 as the Rajya Sabha debated the women's reservation bill. Opposition MPs had walked out of the House for 10 minutes in protest.

The MPs, in their letters, said it is imperative that the incident is thoroughly investigated to ascertain how such a breach of security and decorum was possible within the confines of the Rajya Sabha.

Those responsible for the disruption must be held accountable for their actions, they added.

According to sources, other opposition parties are also likely to write to the chairman regarding the matter.

An opposition leader said the incident took place when the House was debating the women's reservation bill and the visitors -- all women who had come to watch the proceedings -- raised 'Modi, Modi' slogans, hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Another senior leader from one of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc constituents who did not wish to be named said the presiding officer should 'implement rules and establish parliamentary democracy'.

Opposition MPs had earlier taken a united stand against derogatory remarks made by ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ramesh Bidhuri against Bahujan Samaj Party's (BSP) Danish Ali.

Several opposition MPs wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday, demanding that the matter be sent to the privileges committee of the House.

A special session of Parliament concluded on Thursday.

The parliamentary proceedings shifted to a new building during the session that also saw a bill to reserve one-third of the seats in the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies for women getting passed.

A large number of women had come to witness the proceedings as visitors as the historic bill was passed.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said his party would amend the women's reservation bill if it comes to power at the Centre in 2024.

IMAGE: Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge speaks in the House during the Special Session of the Parliament last week. Photograph: SansadTV/ANI Photo

There are no major legal complications in implementing the bill right now but the Narendra Modi government putting it off for 10 years, he said.

While supporting the bill in Parliament, the Congress demanded that it be implemented with immediate effect and a quota for women from Other Backward Classes (OBC) be included in it.

"When our government comes in 2024, the first thing we will do is make amendments to the bill," Kharge said, addressing a party rally in Jaipur in poll-bound Rajasthan.

The Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill, which seeks to reserve a third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, was passed by Parliament earlier this week. It was the first bill to be taken up and passed in the new Parliament building.

In his address, Kharge alleged that the then president Ram Nath Kovind was not invited for the foundation laying of the new Parliament building because he is 'untouchable'.

"If the foundation laying was done by an untouchable, then naturally it would have to be washed with Gangajal (water from the Ganges)," he said, referring to the former President's caste.

Kharge said President Droupadi Murmu was not invited for the inauguration of the new Parliament building while many others, including actors, were invited.

"This is an insult to the president," he said.

"...Lok Sabha is summoned by the president and not by the prime minister. But there is no place for (the president) and then they say that they respect women a lot," he said.

The Congress leader also questioned the Narendra Modi government's intention behind bringing the women's reservation bill, saying the Bharatiya Janata Party does not want to give reservation to women even though it does not say so.

Kharge said Sarojini Naidu was the first woman president of the Congress and asked, "In 100 years, has any woman become president of BJP or RSS?"

He said the BJP thought of the women's reservation bill just ahead of elections as several opposition parties have formed the Indian Nnational Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

"When Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and I together came up with the idea of INDIA, the women's bill came to their mind," he said.

Kharge said the special session of Parliament was called for five days because Prime Minister Modi had to show off the new Parliament building and it ended in four days.

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are for discussion on people's issues and resolving them, not for the purpose of 'exhibition', he added.

Targeting the BJP over the women's reservation bill, Kharge said when the erstwhile Congress-led government brought a bill for women reservation the BJP had opposed it.

"...it was stopped because of them and today they are roaming around as heroes. These people are smart," he said.

"These people neither have clear intentions nor clear policies. They just make speeches. We supported the bill, but it will be implemented in 2030.... In 10 years, neither Modi nor others will be there," he said.

Kharge said all the women who fought for the country's independence were in the Congress.

"Mahatma Gandhi said: 'I will try to build such an India in which even the poorest of the poor will feel that this country is theirs and where there will be no discrimination and women will have equal rights as men.' Did (RSS leader M S) Golwalkar say this? Have the people of Jana Singh or BJP said so?" he asked.

"If there is any party that respects women, it is Congress. The first woman governor was Sarojini Naidu, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was in the United Nations, Meira Kumar was the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the first woman prime minister was Indira Gandhi, the first woman president was Pratibha Patil," he said.

"What respect the BJP gives to its women leaders, you have seen that in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh," he said, without elaborating.

He also took a swipe at the prime minister over the ethnic violence in Manipur.

Kharge also asked people to protect the Constitution and democracy and warned that if this is not done, then people will become slaves.

"If you don't want to become a slave, then vote for Congress. If you don't want to become a slave, then protect the Constitution and democracy," he said.

He said the prime minister and BJP leaders always ask what the Congress did in 70 years.

"How many times will you ask the same thing, it's been 10 years. I have an account of what we did, it is a long list," he said.

Kharge also alleged Prime Minister Modi pitches four candidates against the Congress - one each of BJP, Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax Department and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
On September 21, 2023, Lawrence Molloy, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Sprouts Farmers Market Inc (NASDAQ:SFM), sold 71,242 shares of the company. This move is part of a trend observed over the past year, where the insider has sold a total of 124,848 shares and purchased none.



Lawrence Molloy has been with Sprouts Farmers Market Inc for several years, serving in the capacity of CFO. His role involves overseeing the financial operations of the company, making his trading activities particularly noteworthy for investors.



Sprouts Farmers Market Inc is a supermarket chain renowned for offering fresh, natural, and organic food at affordable prices. The company operates more than 340 stores across the United States and is committed to making healthy living accessible to shoppers. Sprouts' business model revolves around fresh produce, which accounts for approximately a quarter of its sales.



The insider's recent sell-off raises questions about the company's current valuation and future prospects. Let's delve into the details.



Insider Sell: CFO Lawrence Molloy Sells 71,242 Shares of Sprouts Farmers Market Inc





The insider transaction history for Sprouts Farmers Market Inc shows a clear trend of selling over the past year, with 32 insider sells and no insider buys. This could indicate that insiders believe the stock is overvalued or that they expect its price to decline in the future.



On the day of the insider's recent sell, shares of Sprouts Farmers Market Inc were trading at $40.3, giving the company a market cap of $4.221 billion. The price-earnings ratio stood at 17.26, higher than the industry median of 17 but lower than the company's historical median price-earnings ratio.



Insider Sell: CFO Lawrence Molloy Sells 71,242 Shares of Sprouts Farmers Market Inc





According to the GuruFocus Value, which is an intrinsic value estimate based on historical multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor, and future business performance estimates, Sprouts Farmers Market Inc is modestly overvalued. The stock's price-to-GF-Value ratio stands at 1.26, with a GF Value of $32.09 and a current price of $40.3.



In conclusion, the recent sell-off by CFO Lawrence Molloy, coupled with the company's modest overvaluation, may signal caution for potential investors. However, it's crucial to consider other factors such as the company's financial health, market conditions, and growth prospects before making investment decisions.



This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


On September 21, 2023, President William Jordan of Designer Brands Inc (NYSE:DBI) sold 150,000 shares of the company's stock. This move is part of a trend for the insider, who over the past year has sold a total of 150,000 shares and purchased none.



Designer Brands Inc is a major player in the retail industry, specializing in the design, production, and retail of footwear and accessories. The company operates through three segments: The U.S. Retail segment, the Canada Retail segment, and the Brand Portfolio segment. The U.S. Retail segment includes DSW stores and dsw.com, offering a wide assortment of brand name and designer dress, casual and athletic footwear, and accessories. The Canada Retail segment includes The Shoe Company, Shoe Warehouse, and DSW stores and related e-commerce, offering a wide assortment of brand name and designer dress, casual and athletic footwear, and accessories. The Brand Portfolio segment includes design, production, sourcing, and marketing of footwear for the company's proprietary and licensed brands.



The insider's recent sell has raised some eyebrows in the financial community, as it comes amidst a period of relative stability for the company's stock. Over the past year, there have been no insider buys and 12 insider sells for Designer Brands Inc. This trend is illustrated in the following chart:



Insider Sell: President William Jordan Sells 150,000 Shares of Designer Brands Inc

On the day of the insider's recent sell, shares of Designer Brands Inc were trading for $12.26 apiece, giving the company a market cap of $735.376 million. This is significantly lower than the industry median, as the company's price-earnings ratio of 6.20 is lower than the industry median of 18.13 and lower than the companys historical median price-earnings ratio.



According to the GuruFocus Value, which is an intrinsic value estimate developed by GuruFocus based on historical multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor, and future estimates of business performance, Designer Brands Inc is currently modestly undervalued. With a price of $12.26 and a GuruFocus Value of $15.66, the stock has a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 0.78. This suggests that there may be potential for growth in the company's stock, despite the insider's recent sell.



Story continues

Insider Sell: President William Jordan Sells 150,000 Shares of Designer Brands Inc

In conclusion, while the insider's recent sell of 150,000 shares of Designer Brands Inc may raise some questions, the company's strong fundamentals and potential for growth suggest that this may be a strategic move rather than a cause for concern. As always, investors are advised to do their own research and consider the broader market trends before making any investment decisions.



This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


A pair of wealthy retirees enjoy Champagne on an exotic beach.

Imagine awakening to the gentle sound of waves washing up on a pristine beach, steps away from your luxury villa. You enjoy a gourmet breakfast while planning your day, debating between taking a tranquil boat trip or enjoying a private tour of a renowned local museum. All of these are made possible because youve amassed a hefty nest egg of $20 million for your retirement.

Need help meeting your retirement savings goals? A financial advisor can help.

Of course, not all retirees dream of such a lifestyle. Perhaps you envision dedicating your golden years to philanthropy, focusing on family or investing in a legacy for future generations. Whatever your goals, a $20 million nest egg opens up a multitude of possibilities. Heres a look at the different lifestyles a $20 million retirement savings can afford you.

What Your Retirement Might Look Like With $20 Million

Lets help your imagination take flight with some hypothetical scenarios of retirement lifestyles with $20 million. Picture a penthouse with panoramic views in the pulsating heart of New York City, providing vibrant culture and world-class gastronomy right at your fingertips. Alternatively, visualize a serene private vineyard nestled in Napa Valleys lush landscapes where you invite nature into every relaxation and celebration.

More specifically, a nest egg of this size generates a significant income stream for years to come. Imagine youre retiring at 50 years old with $20 million in the bank. Even if the money generated little interest or even none at all, you could afford to withdraw $500,000 per year for the next 40 decades. That means you could spend nearly $42,000 each month for 40 years if you live to 90.

Keep in mind that this is an ultra-conservative estimate. Youd likely invest at least a portion of the money and grow that nest egg over time. That growth could support an even plusher lifestyle, allow you to donate to the causes you care about and preserve wealth for future generations.

Story continues

And say good-bye (and good riddance) to commercial aviation. You charter a plane when you want to fly. No more difficult parking, crowded terminals, long lines, intrusive security checks or lost luggage.

How Your Lifestyle Impacts Your Retirement Income

A retired couple relaxes in their penthouse apartment.

Although $20 million might appear sufficient to last multiple lifetimes, its essential to remember your spending habits affect your long-term financial health, as well as any estate you hope to leave for future generations. Maintaining a balance between the joy of extravagance and long-term wealth preservation becomes critical. A penchant for upscale dining, luxury trips and exclusive shopping can dent your retirement savings more than you anticipate.

Location, age and health all play important roles in shaping the kind of retirement you lead. For instance, deciding whether to retire to bustling San Francisco or tranquil rural areas will significantly affect your cost of living and therefore, the lifestyle options available to you. Similarly, healthcare costs can be a pivotal factor, varying drastically as per health conditions.



To make sure your retirement nest egg serves you well into your golden years, strategic financial planning becomes paramount. This could include regular sessions with a reputed financial advisor, setting up and adhering to a comprehensive monthly budget, careful investment decisions and forward planning.

Things You Can Do With $20 Million That You Cant With $1 Million

$1 million in savings may meet the needs of many retirees, but a $20 million nest egg opens up a range of new opportunities and possibilities.

Travel More

$20 million opens up a world of possibilities, literally. It permits comfortable annual globetrotting. You could be exploring the ancient ruins of Rome today and basking in the serene Maldives beaches tomorrow while enjoying the best accommodations and gourmet cuisines the locales offer.

Not Stress About Your Monthly Budget

This amount of wealth affords more than just luxury. It provides financial stability and the flexibility to cover unforeseen expenses. Essentially, it offers the freedom to indulge in your hobbies, pamper your loved ones and live life without a constant eye on your monthly budget.

Pass on Wealth

With a $20 million retirement fund at your disposal, you can leave a substantial inheritance to your children or grandchildren and build meaningful legacies. It might even allow establishing a family trust or foundation, supporting causes dear to you for generations to come.

Potential Drawbacks of a $20 Million Retirement Lifestyle

A $20 million retirement fund might seem like the dream packed with financial security, freedom to pursue passions and room for substantial charitable donations. Yet, its important to consider the potential pitfalls of this level of affluence.

Social isolation: Excessive wealth might lead to a disconnect from friends and family, as well as difficulty forming genuine connections with others due to concerns about motives.

Lack of purpose: Without work, retirees might find themselves lacking a sense of purpose and direction, leading to feelings of boredom or even depression.

Risk aversion: The fear of losing wealth could lead to an aversion to new experiences or investments, potentially limiting personal growth and opportunities.

Unwanted attention: Considerable wealth may attract unwanted attention from scammers, opportunists or even distant acquaintances seeking financial favors.

Tips to Grow Your Retirement Wealth

A wealthy family enjoys the view from their yacht.

As you approach your golden years, securing a comfortable retirement becomes paramount. With careful planning and informed decisions, you can significantly grow your retirement wealth. Here are some expert-backed tips to guide you on your journey:

Start Early and Stay Consistent

Time is your greatest asset. The earlier you begin saving for retirement, the more time your money has to grow through compounding interest. Consistency is key  aim to contribute regularly to your retirement accounts, such as a 401(k) or IRA, to maximize long-term gains.

Take Advantage of Employer Contributions

If your employer offers a 401(k) match, make sure youre contributing enough to take full advantage of this benefit. Its essentially free money that can substantially boost your retirement fund.

Max Out Your Retirement Accounts

If you can, contribute the maximum amount to your retirement accounts each year. In 2023, the IRS permits savers to contribute up to $22,500 to 401(k)s and similar accounts and $6,500 to IRAs. People 50 and over can save an extra $7,500 in a 401(k) and $1,000 in an IRA.

Diversify Your Investments

A well-balanced portfolio is essential for minimizing risk and maximizing returns. Diversify your investments across various asset classes like stocks, bonds and real estate. This strategy can help you ride out market fluctuations.

Consider Professional Advice

Navigating the complex world of retirement planning can be daunting. Seeking advice from financial advisors can provide valuable insights tailored to your specific goals and risk tolerance.

Keep an Eye on Fees

High fees can eat into your returns over time. When selecting investment options, opt for low-cost mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to preserve more of your earnings.

Bottom Line

Retiring with $20 million promises a life of luxury, independence and opportunities, tempered with challenges of wealth management and tax implications. No matter the size of your retirement fund, a well-planned, personalized retirement strategy is key. After all, whether retiring with $20 million or considerably less, the goal remains the same: a comfortable, enjoyable retirement defined by your terms.

Retirement Planning Tips

Estimating how much income youll need to generate to support your lifestyle in retirement is a key part of the planning process. The experts at T. Rowe Price suggest you start by aiming to replace 75% of your pre-retirement income. However, depending on your saving habits throughout your career, your income replacement target may be slightly higher or lower.

A financial advisor can be a valuable resource in the retirement planning process. Finding a financial advisor doesnt have to be hard. SmartAssets free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Photo credit: iStock.com/cdwheatley, iStock.com/skynesher, iStock.com/chinaview

The post What a Retirement Lifestyle With $20 Million Looks Like appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
The sentence was carried out despite foreign diplomatic missions calling for a stay of execution.

Death row prisoner Le Van Manh was executed on Friday morning, lawyer Le Van Luan posted on Facebook, in a case with evidence which lawyers said was not clear enough to convict.

"News and official documents said that defendant Le Van Manh was executed on the morning of September 22, 2023," said Luan.

A death notice dated September 22, 2023 from the People's Committee of Thu Phong commune, Cao Phong district, Hoa Binh province, posted widely on social media said that death row prisoner Le Van Manh, born in 1982, died at 8:45 a.m. on September 22, 2023 at a Hoa Binh Provincial Police execution facility.

Upon receiving news of the imminent execution last week, Manhs family said they did not accept the verdict because it was an unjust sentence. They said they would continue to protest his innocence to authorities in Hanoi.

In 2005, when he was 23 years old, Le Van Manh was sentenced to death for allegedly raping and killing a female student in the same village earlier that year.

The case occurred on March 21, 2005, but it was not until April 20 that police arrested Manh on a robbery charge in another case.

After four days of detention Manh was prosecuted for murder and child rape.

Manhs mother Nguyen Thi Viet told Radio Free Asia her son said that he had been tortured to force him to confess.

During the trial lawyers requested an examination of the defendant's body to determine whether he had been tortured, but the court refused.

Despite knowing in detail that Le Van Manhs case was mired in serious irregularities and violations of the right to a fair trial, including allegations of torture to extract a confession, authorities in Viet Nam executed him anyway mere days after informing his family to make arrangements for his remains. Its sickening, Amnesty Internationals death penalty expert Chiara Sangiorgio said in a statement.

A day before the execution  September 21  the European Union delegation along with the embassies of Canada, the United Kingdom and Norway in Vietnam issued a joint statement calling on Hanoi to stay execution of the sentence.

We strongly oppose the use of capital punishment at all times and in all circumstances, which is a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and can never be justified, and advocate for Vietnam to adopt a moratorium on all executions, said the statement posted on the EU delegations Facebook page.

This is the second joint statement by the EU and the UK, Norway and Canada on the death penalty in Vietnam in the last two months. Late last month, they issued a statement calling on Vietnamese authorities to stay the execution of Nguyen Van Chuong, who was convicted of murder in Hai Phong in 2007.

Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan.
The Taliban has been celebrating since the Islamist group that rules Afghanistan signed seven mining contracts promising to attract more than $6.5 billion in investments late last month.

But experts are skeptical about whether the contracts -- signed on August 31 with Afghan-based companies aligned with foreign partners from China, Iran, Turkey, and Britain -- can be implemented.

They question whether large-scale mining investments are even possible as the Taliban's cash-strapped government remains unrecognized because of its extensive human rights abuses and its banning of women from schools, work and public life.

Illegitimacy

The Taliban's lack of legitimacy also hangs over whether its accelerated efforts to boost mining revenue can deliver as a dire humanitarian crisis deepens in Afghanistan. Experts say few Afghans can benefit from opaque deals that circumvent established international standards.

Large-scale development of Afghanistan's mineral resources would take more capital than large firms are willing to commit in the absence of diplomatic recognition, says Jeff Rigsby, a former U.S. military contractor and aid worker who lives in Kabul.



While looking for business opportunities in Afghanistan since 2022, Rigsby has closely followed the Taliban's effort to exploit the countrys mineral resources.

The Taliban has not always done due diligence in the past when [it has] announced investment deals in other sectors, he said. Rigsby added that little is known about the foreign firms signing the recent contracts to extract copper, gold, lead, zinc, and iron from several Afghan provinces.

There is no transparency regarding these contracts, noted Abdul Qadeer Mutfi, a former adviser to the Afghan Mining and Petroleum Ministry. The Taliban wants to end the governments financial problems by selling the minerals as raw materials to various countries.

Mutfi said that Taliban mining contracts do not follow standard practices, which will deprive Kabul of international arbitration since the Taliban government is not recognized.

Afghanistan might follow many African countries in experiencing a resource curse, he said, alluding to the experience of several African nations in which large-scale exploitation of natural resources has not translated into growth and prosperity.

After drugs, minerals are a significant source of funding conflict, he said.



The Taliban, however, claims to be striving for self-sufficiency by developing the countrys natural resources. Its leaders have repeatedly projected mining, irrigation, and trade projects as a way out of the current economic and humanitarian crisis.

According to the UN, more than 30 million Afghans out of a total estimated population of 40 million need humanitarian assistance. With international funding declining, the world body has warned that millions of Afghans will not have enough food and that as many as 3 million face starvation.

Abundant Minerals

But Rigsby sees little Taliban success in developing new mines by pointing out that the extremist group has been exporting coal to Pakistan from existing mines and has revived an oil exploration deal with Chinese firms that the former pro-Western government in Kabul first concluded more than a decade ago.

In January, the Taliban government signed a contract with the Xinjiang Central Asia Petroleum and Gas Company (CAPEIC) to invest $540 million until 2026 to explore oil and gas in Afghanistans northern Amu River basin. This revived a 2012 contract with the state-owned company China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).



Surveys estimating Afghanistans potential mineral resources to be worth more than $1 trillion generated a lot of headlines in 2010. But the accuracy of this estimate has recently been questioned. The countrys poor infrastructure, absence of advanced technology, a trained workforce, and the high cost of extraction remain significant obstacles.



Nevertheless, the country has vast deposits of iron, copper, coal, lithium, marble, chromite, cobalt, and gold. And, in addition to gas and petroleum, the mountainous country has large reservoirs of lapis lazuli and other gemstones.

Since returning to power two years ago, the cash-strapped Taliban has attempted to turn Afghanistans natural resources into a cash cow.

From these investments you can imagine how many minerals we have and how they can boost our revenues, said Shahbuddin Delawar, the Taliban's mining and petroleum minister, after signing the deals on August 31.

He said in an interview that the Taliban government has so far concluded 116 small and 27 large mining contracts. He said during the last fiscal year, which ended in March, the government earned more than $220 million in mining revenue.



The sale of minerals has increased because of transparency and an end to smuggling, he told the BBC.



China



His upbeat assessment, however, is not backed by the evolving extractive industry on the ground. The Chinese state and private firms -- who are one of the major international investors in Afghan mining -- appear reluctant to begin working.

The China Metallurgical Group Corporation has yet to start a $2.83 billion contract for copper mining in the eastern Logar Province. The 30-year lease contract was signed in 2007. Taliban attempts to push the Chinese to begin underground mining to protect the vast Buddhist archaeological sites in the region have been unsuccessful.

The Chinese presence here in the mining sector seems minimal, although some Chinese traders are exporting or smuggling minerals in small quantities, noted Rigsby.

In a recent report, the research group Afghanistan Analyst Network concluded that the larger Chinese projects will take years to materialize.



They will generate little immediate income for the ailing Afghan economy, the report said.



Mutfi argues that in the absence of accountability, supervision, community engagement, and independent political and civil-society oversight, only Taliban leaders will benefit from exploiting Afghanistans natural resources.



We are facing a significant loss, he said.
Armenian demonstrators marched on September 23 in the streets of the capital, Yerevan, urging solidarity with ethnic Armenians in the breakaway Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Days ago, Baku launched a military offensive against the Karabakh Armenian separatists. Anti-government protests followed in Armenia. The demonstrators expect their government to take stronger action against Azerbaijan.
Pakistan on November 1 began rounding up undocumented foreigners, the vast majority of them Afghans, hours ahead of the deadline for them to evacuate the country.

The country's Interior Ministry said in a statement before the midnight deadline that "a process to arrest the foreigners...for deportation" had begun, but that voluntary return would still be encouraged.



The undocumented foreigners were reportedly being transferred to transit centers.



Officials in the southwestern port city of Karachi, Pakistan's largest city and capital of Sindh Province, said that up to 40 people without proper documents had been moved to one of the transit centers.



Pakistan announced in early October that it would expel an estimated 1.7 million undocumented immigrants who remained in the country after November 1. As the deadline approached, tens of thousands of Afghans -- some who have sought refuge in Pakistan for decades -- made their way back to Afghanistan with their families and belongings.



In the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, which borders Afghanistan, officials said on November 1 that more than 100,000 Afghan nationals had returned to their homeland via the Torkham border crossing in the past two weeks.

WATCH: Authorities in Islamabad demolished mud houses belonging to Afghan refugees on October 31, a day ahead of a deadline for them to leave Pakistan. An estimated 1.7 million Afghans living illegally in Pakistan have been told to return to their country or face detention and deportation.

An undetermined number of Afghans have returned to Afghanistan by way of the Chaman border crossing in the southwestern Balochistan Province.



Overall, more than 140,000 people had voluntarily left Pakistan following the government's October 3 order, according to Pakistan's Interior Ministry.



Pakistan's move to remove undocumented foreigners is seen as part of an anti-immigrant crackdown that has been criticized by human rights groups and the United Nations.



On October 31, the chair of the nongovernmental Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Hina Jilani, wrote the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warning that Islamabad's move to expel Afghans could "trigger a humanitarian crisis."



"The decision amounts to forced repatriation, which is not recognized under international customary law, and will invariably affect vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers, which include women, children, the elderly, persons living with disabilities, persons from low-income groups, and Afghans at risk because of their professions -- many of whom fled Afghanistan after the Afghan Taliban took over the government in August 2021," Jilani wrote.

Ahmad Afghan, an Afghan national who lives in Islamabad, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi that he and his family left Afghanistan after the Taliban regained power in Kabul. He said his visa has since expired and he has been unable to extend it as he and his family await documents to move to a third country.



"We are very worried. We cannot go back to Afghanistan," Afghan said. "If we go back to Afghanistan, [the Taliban] will kill us -- 100 percent."



Pakistan has been a popular refuge for Afghans for decades, beginning during the 1979-89 Soviet occupation. Others fled fighting during the ensuing Afghan civil war and the Taliban's first stint in power from 1996 to 2001. Millions of Afghans returned to their homeland following the U.S.-led invasion that toppled the Taliban from power.



Some 3.7 million Afghans fleeing war, poverty, and political upheaval in their homeland currently reside in Pakistan, according to the United Nations, with Islamabad putting the number as high as 4.4 million.



Officials in Islamabad have said that about 1.4 million Afghans possess documents allowing them to legally stay in Pakistan and that the order for undocumented immigrants to leave affects 1.7 million people.



Afghanistan's ruling Taliban has previously criticized the move to remove undocumented Afghans from Pakistan, saying they are being punished for tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.



On November 1, the Taliban called on the Pakistani government to give undocumented Afghans more time to leave as large numbers of evacuees created bottlenecks at the Pakistan-Afghan border.



While thanking Pakistan and other countries that have harbored Afghans over years of conflict in Afghanistan, the Taliban asked Islamabad "to not forcibly deport Afghans with little notice, but give them time to prepare."



Mohammad Zaman, an Afghan national who spoke to Radio Azadi at the Torkham border crossing on November 1, said the large group his family traveled with struggled to prepare for the evacuation.



"More than 30 families came with us. They are people who had left their country due to poverty. They are people who could not find a loaf of bread, so they left the country and came [to Pakistan]," Zaman said. "Instead of supporting us, Pakistan gave us a very short deadline. The deadline was so short that we couldn't even wrap up our businesses."



An Afghan national who spoke to Radio Azadi on condition of anonymity following his arrival in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar Province expressed hope that he and his children would be treated fairly by the Taliban.



"I swear by God, I have neither a place to live in nor a piece of land," the man said, adding that he and his family had moved to Pakistan in search of work. "I ask the Taliban to provide us with shelter, at least a tent to live in.... Here, we may die of hunger."



On November 1, Afghanistan's state news agency, Bakhtar, which is under Taliban control, said the Taliban government had dedicated 2 billion Afghanis (about $27 million) to provide returnees "with basic needs."

With reporting by Reuters
Armita Garavand, the 17-year-old girl fatally injured in an alleged confrontation with Iran's morality police over a head-scarf violation, was buried amid tight security in Tehran on October 29.

Unconfirmed reports say several people, including two of Garavands relatives, were arrested during the ceremony at the Behesht-e Zahra cemetery in southern Tehran.

Civil rights activist Reza Khandan told RFE/RLs Radio Farda that his wife, prominent human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, was beaten and detained at the funeral.

"A number of participants were arrested and beaten up. Nasrin was among them," Khandan said by phone from Tehran.

WATCH: Scores of mourners attended the burial of Iranian teenager Armita Garavand on October 29 in Tehran. Amateur video obtained by RFE/RL shows raw emotions on display at the Behesht-e Zahra cemetery and at a separate funeral ceremony in the Jaberi mosque. A heavy police presence was observed at both places.

He added that a number of those detained had been released, although others, including Sotoudeh, remained in detention. He said he hasn't been able to contact her.

Irans semiofficial Fars news agency later confirmed that Sotoudeh had been detained, charged with violating the conservative Islamic nation's head-scarf law.

Sotoudeh has previously been arrested and jailed after representing opposition activists, including women prosecuted for removing their mandatory headscarves.

Video clips published on social media showed a large crowds of people -- both men and women -- attending the burial ceremony.



Irans state media had reported Garavands death on October 28, nearly a month after she fell and went into a coma in the Tehran subway.

Garavand was reportedly confronted by the morality police in the subway at the start of October for failing to wear a hijab.



The news of Garavand's death came just over a year after the death of Mahsa Amini following her arrest by Irans morality police for an alleged head-scarf violation sparked nationwide protests and international condemnation.



A relative told Radio Farda that security agents had told the family they would be given Garavand's body under the condition that the burial be held in Tehran and not in their native village in the western province of Kermanshah.



"We live in Tehran, but we don't bury our dead [here]. We hope to receive Armita's body, the family member had said.



Shortly after the subway incident, authorities isolated Garavand family members and attempted to prevent journalists from reaching them. Security measures were still being enforced as of October 28, fueling speculation that authorities were worried about renewed protests in the country.



Rights groups and journalists say Garavand and two of her friends were confronted on October 1 by police officers for not wearing the mandatory hijab as they tried to enter a Tehran subway station.



One of the friends has said the officers physically assaulted Garavand, who later fell unconscious after entering a subway carriage. Officials have said Garavand suffered a sudden drop in blood pressure, fainted, and fell to the floor, hitting her head.



A source at Fajr Hospital, who spoke to Radio Farda on condition of anonymity due to security reasons, said shortly after the incident that Garavand suffered internal bleeding in the brain.



"Unfortunately, she went into a coma for some time after suffering from brain damage. She died a few minutes ago," the official government news agency IRNA said on October 28.

Garavand's condition triggered concerns in the West and among international rights groups after a purported video of the incident circulated on social media. The video shows Garavand entering the subway car, but it does not show what exactly transpired in the seconds before her body is shown being carried back out of it.



Amnesty International has issued a statement saying authorities should allow an independent international delegation, including UN experts, to investigate the circumstances leading up to Garavand's hospitalization. Tehran has left the request unanswered.

The United States on October 29 said it was deeply saddened by the death of Garavand after she was beaten by Iran's morality police for not wearing a hijab in public."

Iran's state-sponsored violence against its own people is appalling and underscores the fragility of the regime, White House national-security adviser Jake Sullivan wrote on social media.

Garavands case, and suggestions of a cover-up by the authorities, has drawn parallels with the events leading up to the death of 22-year-old Amini last year.

Aminis death soon after she was arrested for allegedly violating Irans hijab law triggered the greatest threat to the Islamic republic's leadership since the 1979 revolution.



State media has shown Garavand's parents speaking of various potential causes for their daughter's fall and injury.



It is not clear if the statements were made under duress, but the Hengaw human rights group, which first reported the incident, said on October 5 that Garavand's mother, Shahin Ahmadi, had been detained temporarily by Iranian government security forces.



Earlier this month, Amini and the Women, Life, Freedom movement in Iran that was triggered by her death were awarded this year's Sakharov Prize, the European Parliaments top rights award, the second honor bestowed upon Iranian women this month for their sometimes deadly struggle for human rights after activist Narges Mohammadi won the Nobel Peace Prize.

With reporting by dpa
Heard of Lawrencia Ann Bambi Bembenek who, in 1982, was convicted under very dubious circumstances of brutally slaying her husbands ex-wife?

Most of the audience at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater Thursday night knew exactly who Bambi Bembenek was, a former cop, a sometime bunny at the old Playboy resort in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and an escapee from Wisconsins Taycheedah Correctional Institution, whereafter she spent the rest of her very tough life either on the lam or trying to clear her name. On the local news, Bambi was at once a siren, a serial temptress in tight pants, a jealous spouse and a Badger State Thelma without much of a Louise for help.

Advertisement

And, as improbable as this may seem, this weekend she gets her own musical, a raucous blast of a show with a killer score by Gordon Gano of Milwaukees own folk-punk band the Violent Femmes. Its a musical that manages to re-examine her cold case and declare an unconscionable miscarriage of justice while at the same time capturing both the fun and the struggles of growing up as a working-class Polish American girl in the city of Milwaukee in the 1970s, dreaming of being one of Charlies Angels.

Oh, and you could see this audience remembered all of that: the bars, the blame, the boogie and the boys in blue. Not to mention the corruption, the complicit media and the cover-ups from the higher-ups. Bambi, a blond bombshell far from the Hollywood strip, gets her retro-feminist moment, all right. And its a pleasure to experience.

Advertisement

Part of the fun of Run, Bambi, Run, which is staged with irreverently determined joy by director Mark Clements, is being reminded of the power of the local when it comes to regional theater, a sector of the American industry that too often doesnt notice the juicy stories right outside its own doors. But I think this show, which has a book by the Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble member Eric Simonson and a terrific lead performance from Erika Olson, could be a refreshing, populist entry in a coming Broadway season. With some more work.

Erika Olson and Armando Gutierrez in "Run Bambi Run" at Milwaukee Repertory Theater. (Michael Brosilow/HANDOUT)

Heres the good stuff: Clements stages the show with an open theatricality. It feels as if we were in one of Milwaukees legions of blue-collar bars, watching a local band of musicians. Imagine a Wisconsin version of Once, albeit with shades of Willy Russells Blood Brothers and more betrayal than love in the air.

The guitarists and the horn players enact Bambis early life: her struggles at the sexist police academy, her lucky choice in loving parents but her bad choice in partners, both professional (the excellent Jessica Kantorowitz plays Judy, one of the several women who would both befriend and betray her) and personal (Armando Gutierrez plays her scheming husband Fred) and her bouncing around from cop to waitress to security guard.

All of that stuff, told with a paradoxically fun sense of impending doom, takes us almost to intermission. But right before the break, there is the crime: Christine, Freds first wife, is dead in bed. And the Milwaukee cops, facing a separate discrimination suit from Bambi, have good reason to cook the books and fry the deer in the headlights.

Thats the first moment when the otherwise tight show stutters: Its caught between wanting to keep the audience in the dark as the mystery unfolds slowly and wanting to roar with feminist musical indignation about what happened to the surely innocent Bambi (although the historical record does allow she likely knew more than she let on.) It wants the calls of Free Bambi, a la Free Britney, but also the Brechtian remove. The result is that the crime at the center of the story is too muddily staged and its circumstances rushed. That needs a fix.

Erika Olson, Ian Littleworth and cast in "Run Bambi Run" at Milwaukee Repertory Theater. (Michael Brosilow/HANDOUT)

In Act 2, the show gets back on track, fast, and we get a series of the astonishing real-life travails in the life of Bambi, involving Dr. Phil and his bodyguards (really happened), a jailbreak and some yet-more-surprising later revelations.

Lingering mystery or not, the show leaves you outraged on Bambis behalf: this is the best kind of political theater: sly, sexy, slippery and seductive. And, mercifully, Clements has assembled a very non-actorly cast. All of them feel like they could be Milwaukee cops or waitresses; the show is about paying attention to ordinary lives and, although Id pull back a couple of the more outre ensemble performances in the interests of veracity, it is staged without condescension. They can smell condescension a mile away in Milwaukee.

Frankly, I was knocked out by the variety in Ganos score, which has everything from faux-disco satire to Polish polkas to punkish anger songs to soaring ballads that sit quite wonderfully with Olsons voice. Its the kind of song suite that will appeal to multiple generations, a careful collection of songs, rooted in a recognizable Midwest milieu that any longtime Chicagoan will understand.

Advertisement

The show is at least 15 minutes too long and I thought it was over at least twice before it was. Simonson wants to pack in too much (I doubt the real Bambi would have compared her false friend to Benedict Arnold) and hell have to let some of that go. Those cuts are easy to make, surely a lot easier than anything in Bambis fraught life.

Makes for a heck of a true-crime musical, though. Worth the drive for Violent Femmes fans, new-musical followers and those who enjoy being reminded how much the 1970s sucked, that being one of the best songs in the show.

Theater Loop Weekly Get the latest news and reviews from America's hottest theater city, delivered to your mailbox weekly. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

Chris Jones is a Tribune critic.

cjones5@chicagotribune.com

Review: Run Bambi Run

When: Through Oct. 22

Advertisement

Where: Milwaukee Repertory Theaters Quadracci Powerhouse, 108 E. Wells St., Milwaukee

Running time: 2 hours, 40 minutes

Tickets: $20-$90 at 414-224-9490 and milwaukeerep.com
Key Insights

Integrated Research's estimated fair value is AU$0.30 based on Dividend Discount Model

Current share price of AU$0.34 suggests Integrated Research is potentially trading close to its fair value

Integrated Research's peers seem to be trading at a higher premium to fair value based onthe industry average of -265%

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Integrated Research Limited (ASX:IRI) as an investment opportunity by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you.

View our latest analysis for Integrated Research

Step By Step Through The Calculation

We have to calculate the value of Integrated Research slightly differently to other stocks because it is a software company. In this approach dividends per share (DPS) are used, as free cash flow is difficult to estimate and often not reported by analysts. Unless a company pays out the majority of its FCF as a dividend, this method will typically underestimate the value of the stock. The 'Gordon Growth Model' is used, which simply assumes that dividend payments will continue to increase at a sustainable growth rate forever. The dividend is expected to grow at an annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.0%. We then discount this figure to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.1%. Relative to the current share price of AU$0.3, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

Story continues

Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate)

= AU$0.01 / (7.1%  2.0%)

= AU$0.3

dcf

The Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Integrated Research as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.1%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.016. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

Moving On:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Integrated Research, we've compiled three fundamental aspects you should further research:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Integrated Research that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does IRI's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Australian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Nagorno-Karabakhs ethnic Armenian separatist leaders on September 23 said they are implementing the terms of a cease-fire agreement made three days earlier with Azerbaijani officials, including evacuations of injured civilians to Armenia with the help of Russian peacekeepers and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The separatists said that, as part of the September 20 agreement, aid was to be delivered from Armenia to Stepanakert -- the de facto capital of the breakaway region under ethnic Armenian control -- through the Lachin Corridor, for decades the main link between Karabakh and Armenian.

Also as part of the agreement, separatists said, talks would take place on the political future of the region, which has an estimated population 120,000 people, many of whom are now suffering from shortages of food, fuel, and electricity.

The separatists statement also said work was under way to restore power to the region, with a target date of September 24.

Russian peacekeeping forces in Nagorno-Karabakh reported that Karabakh separatists in the ethnic-Armenian populated territory have begun handing over their weapons as part of a deal worked out with Baku following Azerbaijan's lightning offensive this week.

Russian peacekeepers said that more than 800 firearms, grenades, mortars, anti-tank guided missiles, and anti-tank missile systems had been handed over, and the process would continue over the weekend.

The deal was worked out during a meeting between representatives of Karabakh's ethnic Armenian population and Azerbaijan held in the western Azerbaijani city of Yevlax on September 22.

The separatists had earlier said that they are in Russian-mediated talks with Baku to organize the withdrawal of their forces.

A witness told Reuters that an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) aid convoy was seen at the Armenia-Azerbaijan border early on September 23 for the first time since Baku seized the region.

The Red Cross said it was supplying fuel, blankets, and 28,000 diapers in the initial shipments to the territory.

AFP journalists and ICRC officials at the border confirmed on September 23 that Red Cross aid had entered the region along the Lachin Corridor.

The aid groups vehicles "have passed through the Lachin Corridor to bring to the community around 70 metric tons of mainly humanitarian supplies and food supplies," ICRC spokeswoman Zara Amatuni told AFP, speaking in Kornidzor at the final checkpoint on the Armenian side of the border.

Armenian civilians have begun gathering at the Kornidzor checkpoint in hopes of receiving news of relatives in Karabakh, AFP reported.

U.S. Democratic Senator Gary Peters, who is leading a congressional delegation to the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, called for international observers to monitor the situation and said people in Karabakh were "very fearful."

"I am certainly very concerned about whats happening in Nagorno-Karabakh right now. I think there needs to be some visibility," Peters told reporters.

Peters had earlier condemned the Azerbaijani governments military aggression and violence toward the Armenian people.

The Azerbaijani government has made it clear, their goal is to erase the historic presence of Armenians in this region, he said during his visit to the region.

Azerbaijan has claimed that the 24-hour offensive on September 19-20, which it describes as an "anti-terrorist operation," has brought the breakaway region back under its control.

The offensive was halted on September 20 after Karabakh's ethnic Armenian leadership accepted a proposal by the Russian peacekeeping mission, although sporadic fighting has been reported.

Baku has said it envisages an amnesty for Karabakh Armenian fighters who give up their arms and seeks to reintegrate the territory's ethnic Armenian population. Some separatist fighters have vowed to continue to resist Azerbaijani control.

"I wish to reiterate that Azerbaijan is determined to reintegrate ethnic Armenian residents of the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan as equal citizens," Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov said in a speech to the UN General Assembly on September 23.

Yerevan's response to the Azerbaijani offensive has led to protests in the Armenian capital, with opposition leaders seeking the ouster of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and accusing the government of inadequate support for Nagorno-Karabakh's ethnic-Armenian population.

Pashinian has expressed hope that Karabakh Armenians will be allowed to return to their homes, while saying that Yerevan would accept an influx of ethnic Armenians if they chose to leave the territory.

Anti-government demonstrations in Yerevan and at least two other cities over the past two days have led to the detention of scores of people who expressed anger that Pashinians administration had not done more to prevent Azerbaijani forces from accomplishing their swift victory in the Karabakh region.

Authorities said more than 80 people were charged in the capital with disobeying police orders on September 22, and reports said at least a further 20 people were detained on September 23.

Armenian opposition groups, led by a so-called National Committee, claimed that more than 350 supporters had been detained. The group called for Pashinian to resign his office.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Pashinian in a phone call on September 23 that Washington continues to support Armenia's "sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity" and that it has "deep concern for the ethnic Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh."

Spokesman Matthew Miller said Blinken "underscored the United States is calling on Azerbaijan to protect civilians and uphold its obligations to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh and to ensure its forces comply with international humanitarian law."

Pashinian and many Armenians blame Russia -- which traditionally has served as the Caucasus nation's protector in the region -- for failing to use its peacekeeping force to protect ethnic Armenians in Karabakh.

During a special meeting of the UN Security Council this week, council members including the United States and Russia called for peace, while Armenian and Azerbaijani officials traded barbs.

Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as Azerbaijan's but has had de-facto independence since breaking away in a war in the 1990s.

During a short but bloody war in 2020, Azerbaijan recaptured much of the territory as well as seven surrounding districts that had been controlled since the 1990s by ethnic Armenians with Yerevan's support.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service, AP, Reuters, and AFP
The chairman of the Ukrainian parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, has defended the country's "anti-oligarch" law but said that Kyiv has agreed to defer its implementation in keeping with the recommendations of the Council of Europe's Venice Commission.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here.

Stefanchuk told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service in an exclusive interview on September 22 that he did not believe the law, passed in 2021, was perfect. But he said that the effectiveness of the legislation would be shown once implemented, adding that it had already had a positive impact.

The law essentially gives tycoons the choice of refraining from politics or selling their media assets and lists people who meet certain criteria, such as having significant economic or political weight, to be registered as oligarchs.

Stefanchuk pointed to the sale of properties by "a lot" of oligarchs as evidence of the law's effectiveness.

However, the law -- part of a broader "de-oligarchization" campaign by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy -- has been criticized at home and abroad as a "populist" measure that could be abused to target political opponents or their backers.

The law was subjected to a review by the Venice Commission, an advisory body of the Council of Europe, which concluded in June that the legislation took a "personalized approach" that could not be considered a democratic response to the problem of oligarchization.

In order for the Ukrainian authorities to "fight oligarchic influence," the commission offered a number of recommendations, including that the implementation of the anti-oligarch law be deferred, media pluralism be reinforced and ownership made more transparent, and the independence and effectiveness of key regulatory authorities strengthened.

"We agreed with the European Commission that the implementation of the law will be suspended until the end of the war," Stefanchuk said, referring to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine launched 19 months ago. "And the implementation of the law includes the creation of a register of oligarchs."

Stefanchuk added that even without the implementation of the law, the Ukrainian parliament, or Verkhovna Rada, had already created new legislation that would "comprehensively protect Ukraine from oligarchs."

"We already passed a new law on changes to the Antimonopoly Committee, which clearly addressed all the requirements that the Venice Commission recommended," he said. "We passed a corresponding law on changes to the reporting of political parties, which also addressed all these things. We are now at the stage of registering a law on lobbying, in which all things related to [the Venice Commission's recommendations] will also be clearly stipulated."

Ukraine's anti-graft efforts have attracted attention with a series of high-profile arrests over the past year as President Zelenskiy tries to portray himself as an anti-corruption crusader.

Ukrainian leaders have for decades promised to tackle corruption, but the issue has grown in urgency since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the prospect of Kyiv joining the European Union and NATO have gained traction.

Earlier this month, the Ukrainian authorities arrested former Zelenskiy ally Ihor Kolomoyskiy, a tycoon and media mogul who was once Ukraine's third richest man.
Hit Man on Netflix.

Netflix may have just scored one of the best movies of the year  a big win for one of the best streaming services .

Hit Man, a darling of the Venice and Toronto International Film Festivals, just got picked up by the streaming service for a global release. According to Deadline Hollywood , the action comedy film will be available on Netflix in the U.S., U.K., Australia, New Zealand, India, South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, and Iceland. Some form of a theatrical release is also expected.

But youre probably wondering, "Why should I watch this?" Well, aside from a lot of positive buzz from critics, the story sounds like Hollywood gold. Hit Man is based on a true crime story about a hitman Gary Johnson (Glen Powell), who leads a double life  as a staff investigator for the Harris County district attorneys office.

Yes, this killer-for-hire works with the police when hes not out murdering people for money.

Sold on Hit Man already? Heres everything you need about Netflixs next hit movie, from its potential release date, cast, early reviews and more.

Hit Man release date speculation

Hit Man has already debuted for select audiences. The film got its international debut at the Venice International Film Festival on September 5 and then followed it up with screenings at the Toronto International Film Festival, where Netflix bought the distribution rights.

But for most audiences, youre going to have to wait. Netflix says Hit Man is coming soon to Netflix in the US and select countries, which likely includes the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, India, South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, and Iceland based on Deadlines report.

As previously mentioned, its also expected that Hit Man will get a theatrical release as well, though details on that are still unknown at this time.

As for the potential Netflix release date, Hit Man is clearly a title that the streamer hopes to trot out during awards season. That means it will probably drop in November or December.

Story continues

Hit Man cast

Hit Man on Netflix

Aside from Glen Powell, who not only stars as Gary Johnson but also co-wrote Hit Man with director Richard Linklater, the other main character appears to be Maddy Masters, played by Adria Arjona. Maddy is fleeing her abusive husband Ray (Evan Holtzman) and eventually causes Johnson to upend his double life in order to protect her.

Here is the full cast of Hit Man:

Glen Powell as Gary Johnson , hitman and investigator

Adria Arjona as Maddy Masters , a woman fleeing her abusive husband and Garys love interest

Austin Amelio as Jasper , an undercover cop

Retta as an unnamed police officer , she works with Gary in his role as an investigator

Sanjay Rao as an unnamed police office r, he also works with Gary in his role as an investigator

Evan Holtzman as Ray Masters , Maddy's husband

Molly Bernard in an unnamed role

Mike Markoff in an unnamed role

Hit Man reviews

Hit Man on Netflix

Because Hit Man already debuted at both Venice and Toronto, there are a fair amount of reviews out already  and theyre really good. Out of 43 critical reviews, Hit Man currently has a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and seems destined to be Certified Fresh.

In his review, Rafael Motamayor of IGN calls Hit Man a tour de force performance by Glen Powell and a sharp script. He also calls it one of the most entertaining movies of the year, and the real takeaway seems to be that Hit Man should be a star-making performance for Powell, who was already ascendant from his performance as Hangman in Top Gun: Maverick.

Other critics praise Powell and Hit Mans script. Ben Croll of TheWrap says that Hit Man is a deliriously entertaining star vehicle and Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com praises Linklaters writing and direction in equal measure, and calls Powells performance a revelation. Hit Man may not ultimately become the next Citizen Kane, but it seems almost everyone has come away loving it  and loving Powell in particular.

There is one lone poor review preventing Hit Man from achieving a perfect 100%. In their recap of the Toronto International Film Festival for Autostraddle , Drew Gregory says that Hit Man missed the mark in how it chose to retell this true crime story. While this is a valid opinion to have, after reading the review, I found that Gregory sort of lost the plot at times. For starters, reviewing a comedy that is billed as a comedy as the drama you really wanted feels a bit intellectually dishonest. They also frequently attack the film for its toxic liberal politic a criticism that seems noticeably absent from any other critique of Hit Man.

I personally have yet to see the film, as I attended neither festival, but after combing through the early reviews I side with the overall critical consensus. Come to Hit Man for a brilliant comedy and a star-making performance from Glen Powell. Just enjoy it for what it is  I know I will be.
Value-focused investors are always on the hunt for stocks that are priced below their intrinsic value. One such stock that merits attention is NRG Energy Inc (NYSE:NRG). The stock, which is currently priced at 38.63, recorded a gain of 1.95% in a day and a 3-month increase of 11.83%. The stock's fair valuation is $58.44, as indicated by its GF Value.

Understanding the GF Value

The GF Value represents the current intrinsic value of a stock derived from our exclusive method. The GF Value Line on our summary page gives an overview of the fair value that the stock should be traded at. It is calculated based on three factors: historical multiples (PE Ratio, PS Ratio, PB Ratio and Price-to-Free-Cash-Flow) that the stock has traded at, GuruFocus adjustment factor based on the company's past returns and growth, and future estimates of the business performance.

We believe the GF Value Line is the fair value that the stock should be traded at. The stock price will most likely fluctuate around the GF Value Line. If the stock price is significantly above the GF Value Line, it is overvalued and its future return is likely to be poor. On the other hand, if it is significantly below the GF Value Line, its future return will likely be higher.

Is NRG Energy (NRG) Too Good to Be True? A Comprehensive Analysis of a Potential Value Trap

Decoding the Risks

However, investors need to consider a more in-depth analysis before making an investment decision. Despite its seemingly attractive valuation, certain risk factors associated with NRG Energy should not be ignored. These risks are primarily reflected through its low Piotroski F-score of 1, Altman Z-score of 1.04, and a Beneish M-Score of 59.36 that exceeds -1.78, the threshold for potential earnings manipulation. These indicators suggest that NRG Energy, despite its apparent undervaluation, might be a potential value trap. This complexity underlines the importance of thorough due diligence in investment decision-making.

Story continues

Understanding Key Financial Indicators

The Piotroski F-score, created by accounting professor Joseph Piotroski, is a tool used to assess the strength of a company's financial health. The score is based on nine criteria that fall into three categories: profitability, leverage/liquidity/ source of funds, and operating efficiency. The overall score ranges from 0 to 9, with higher scores indicating healthier financials. NRG Energy's current Piotroski F-Score, however, falls in the lower end of this spectrum, indicating potential red flags for investors.

Before delving into the details, let's understand what the Altman Z-score entails. Invented by New York University Professor Edward I. Altman in 1968, the Z-Score is a financial model that predicts the probability of a company entering bankruptcy within a two-year time frame. The Altman Z-Score combines five different financial ratios, each weighted to create a final score. A score below 1.8 suggests a high likelihood of financial distress, while a score above 3 indicates a low risk.

Developed by Professor Messod Beneish, the Beneish M-Score is based on eight financial variables that reflect different aspects of a company's financial performance and position. These are Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), Gross Margin (GM), Total Long-term Assets Less Property, Plant and Equipment over Total Assets (TATA), change in Revenue (?REV), change in Depreciation and Amortization (?DA), change in Selling, General and Admin expenses (?SGA), change in Debt-to-Asset Ratio (?LVG), and Net Income Less Non-Operating Income and Cash Flow from Operations over Total Assets (?NOATA).

Company Snapshot

NRG Energy is one of the largest retail energy providers in the U.S., with 5.5 million customers. Its 2023 acquisition of Vivint Smart Home adds 1.9 million home services customers. NRG also is one of the largest U.S. independent power producers, with 13 gigawatts of coal, gas, and oil power generation capacity primarily in Texas. NRG exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a stand-alone entity in December 2003.

Is NRG Energy (NRG) Too Good to Be True? A Comprehensive Analysis of a Potential Value Trap

Analysis of NRG Energy's Profitability

Firstly, let's address profitability. One significant component of the F-Score is a positive return on assets (ROA). A closer look at NRG Energy's ROA reveals a worrying trend of negative returns. This indicates the company's inability to generate profit from its assets - a fundamental concern for any investor.

Let's delve deeper into NRG Energy's financial health by examining the decline in its return on assets (ROA) over the past three years. The data indicates 2021: 6.67; 2022: 12.59; 2023: -6.65, when expressed in percentages. Such a decrease is concerning, as the Piotroski F-Score penalizes companies with lower current ROA compared to the previous period. This ongoing decline highlights another potential risk associated with investing in NRG Energy.

Observing the financials of NRG Energy, it's important to note that the cash flow from operations over the trailing twelve months (TTM) stands at $-3857 million, whereas the net income in the same period is significantly higher at $-2055 million. The Piotroski F-score considers this discrepancy as a potential red flag. The rationale behind this is that a company's operating cash flow is a more direct and less manipulated measure of its cash-generating ability than net income. Net income, while important, is susceptible to accounting treatments and non-cash items which can distort the true cash profitability of the company. If a company consistently shows lower cash flows from operations relative to its net income, it could indicate that the earnings quality is poor and the company might have difficulties sustaining its operations or financing its obligations, a fact which could negatively impact its financial stability and investor confidence.

Leverage, Liquidity and Source of Funds: A Worrying Trend

Is NRG Energy (NRG) Too Good to Be True? A Comprehensive Analysis of a Potential Value Trap

Examining NRG Energy's financial stability, there's a notable decrease in its current ratio over the past three years, as shown by the data 2021: 1.24; 2022: 1.29; 2023: 1.02, which is expressed as percentages. The current ratio is a key indicator of a company's short-term financial health, as it gauges the ability to cover short-term liabilities with short-term assets. A declining current ratio suggests that NRG Energy's liquidity and capability to manage immediate financial obligations are deteriorating.

Operating Efficiency: A Darker Picture

Lastly, concerning operating efficiency, the Piotroski F-score examines changes in gross margin and asset turnover. Regrettably, NRG Energy follows a discouraging trajectory with a decrease in gross margin percentage over the past three years, as demonstrated by the data provided: 2021: 25.95; 2022: 25.45; 2023: 0.22 (expressed in percentages). This contraction in gross margin suggests that NRG Energy is grappling with either an escalation in the cost of goods sold or dwindling prices - both of which are inauspicious indicators for profitability.

While the Piotroski F-score is not the only lens through which to view a potential investment, it is a robust and comprehensive tool for evaluating a company's financial health. Unfortunately for NRG Energy, its current score suggests potential troubles.

NRG Energy's Low Altman Z-Score: A Breakdown of Key Drivers

A dissection of NRG Energy's Altman Z-score reveals NRG Energy's financial health may be weak, suggesting possible financial distress:

When it comes to operational efficiency, a vital indicator for NRG Energy is its asset turnover. The data: 2021: 1.13; 2022: 1.06; 2023: 0.99 from the past three years suggests a recent decline following an initial increase in this ratio. The asset turnover ratio reflects how effectively a company is using its assets to generate sales. Therefore, a drop in this ratio can signify reduced operational efficiency, potentially due to underutilization of assets or decreased market demand for the company's products or services. This shift in NRG Energy's asset turnover underlines the need for the company to reassess its operational strategies to optimize asset usage and boost sales.

The days sales outstanding (DSO) is an important financial metric that denotes the average time a company takes to collect payment after a sale is completed. Looking at the historical data from the past three years (2021: 1.13; 2022: 1.06; 2023: 0.99), there appears to be a rising trend in NRG Energy's DSO.

An uptick in DSO might indicate aggressive revenue recognition practices, and in some cases, potential earnings manipulation. To explain, when DSO increases, it means the company's receivables are growing. This could be a result of sales being recorded before customers have paid, which inflates the revenue figures. In extreme cases, a company may even recognize revenue from sales that may never be collected, an action that is considered earnings manipulation. A rising DSO figure warrants scrutiny as it can signal financial distress or questionable accounting practices within the company. Therefore, investors should closely monitor such trends for early detection of any potential financial risks.

The Gross Margin index tracks the evolution of a company's gross profit as a proportion of its revenue. A downward trend could indicate issues such as overproduction or more generous credit terms, both of which are potential red flags for earnings manipulation. By examining the past three years of NRG Energy's historical data (2021: 25.95; 2022: 25.45; 2023: 0.22), we find that its Gross Margin has contracted by 28.89%. Such a contraction in the gross margin can negatively impact the company

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Parineeti Chopra-Raghav Chadha Engagement Ceremony

'Always wishing you so much love': Priyanka Chopra to Parineeti Chopra

NEW-DELHI: With Parineeti Chopra's wedding to Raghav Chadha just around the corner, Priyanka Chopra, her superstar sister, recently posted on Instagram, suggesting her possible absence from the Udaipur wedding celebrations. The posts have stirred speculation, although Priyanka might still surprise everyone with her presence.

A Day prior to the much-anticipated wedding, Priyanka Chopra shared a heartfelt message on Instagram all the way from Los Angeles. Sharing a cheerful picture of Parineeti and tagging her and Raghav Chadha, she conveyed her heartfelt wishes for their new journey. In the caption, she wrote, "I hope you are as happy and as content as this on your big day little one...Always wishing you so much love...#Newbeginnings."

Advertisement





Notably, As the day of the wedding arrived, during a time when Priyanka might have been en route to India, she shared a video from an urban farm in Los Angeles, where she was spending time with her daughter Malti Marie and brother-in-law Franklin Jonas. The Instagram post showcased a glimpse of her serene time at the Kfar Saba Urban Farm. Meanwhile, Priyanka Chopra's mother, Madhu Chopra, was spotted checking into Udaipur airport on Friday afternoon.




Nagpur, Maharashtra

Continuous Downpour Causes Ambazari Lake Overflow, 4 Inches of Rainfall in 4 Hours

MAHARASHTRA: Nagpur witnessed unrelenting rain since Thursday, culminating in a deluge on Saturday with an unprecedented 4 inches or 100 mm of rainfall in merely 4 hours. The relentless downpour resulted in the overflowing of Ambazari lake, inundating low-lying areas and leading to a flood-like situation in the city.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed the public via social media about ongoing rescue operations conducted by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Approximately 500 people have been successfully rescued so far, with additional aid provided by two units of the army dispatched for relief and rescue efforts.

Advertisement

The Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rain alert for many regions in Maharashtra, including Nagpur, anticipating further downpours. Furthermore, 18 states, including Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, have been put on high alert due to the potential for heavy rainfall.

The Meteorological Department noted that the monsoon has met its expected quota in Madhya Pradesh and Delhi, with both regions experiencing above-average rainfall. Meanwhile, Bihar faces contrasting circumstances, with a red alert declared in 4 districts due to deficient rainfall. Although intermittent rains have provided respite from the heat in Bihar, the state has received 28% below average rainfall up to this point. Despite the shortfall, the weather is anticipated to change after September 24, presenting a potential shift in the situation.


Janata Dal (Secular) Joins NDA

This Enhances the alliance's prospects in Karnataka & reinforcing their united front

NEW-DELHI: In a Significant Political Development, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President J.P. Nadda declared on Friday that the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD[S]) has formally decided to align itself with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This strategic move comes after a crucial meeting between former Chief Minister of Karnataka, H.D. Kumaraswamy, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, paving the way for a strengthened alliance.

Nadda took to his official platform, stating, "In the presence of our esteemed senior leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, I met with the former Chief Minister of Karnataka, H.D. Kumaraswamy. I am pleased to announce that JD(S) has chosen to align with the NDA. We extend a warm welcome to them, further fortifying the NDA alliance."

Advertisement

Kumaraswamy's visit to Delhi, specifically for discussions regarding his party's alliance with the BJP in Karnataka for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, marked a crucial juncture in this decision. Talks regarding this collaboration had gained momentum, especially since senior BJP leader B.S. Yediyurappa had earlier indicated that the BJP and JD(S) would join forces for the general elections, with JD(S) contesting on four Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka.

Karnataka, a state with a total of 28 Lok Sabha seats, witnessed the BJP triumphing in 25 seats during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, while an independent candidate supported by JD(S) secured the Mandya seat. Congress and Janata Dal (S) each secured one seat in the same elections.

Notably, In the recent 224-member Karnataka assembly elections conducted in May, the Congress emerged victorious with 135 seats, followed by the BJP with 66 seats, and the JD(S) with 19 seats, outlining the political landscape in the state.
PM Modi

Addressing International Lawyers' Conference, PM Advocates Clear & Accessible Legal Language

NEW-DELHI: In a Notable Address at a conference of international lawyers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted his government's dedicated efforts towards simplifying the language used in laws and legal processes in India. The aim is to ensure that laws are presented in a manner that is easily comprehensible to the common citizen in the country, emphasizing the vital role language plays in the pursuit of justice.

Prime Minister Modi shared that the Government of India is actively working on presenting laws in two version, a draft in the language familiar to legal professionals and another in a language accessible to the general populace. The objective is to bridge the gap between the legal jargon and the understanding of the common man, empowering them to grasp the law in their native languages.

Advertisement

Expressing concern over the increasing trend of drafting laws in complex language, PM Modi appreciated the legal community for their longstanding role as custodians of India's judicial system. He acknowledged the judiciary and the Bar's pivotal contributions to India's independence, citing renowned leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who were also lawyers.

The Prime Minister emphasized the historical context of the convention, occurring amidst significant events in India, including the recent passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament. He noted that this legislative milestone would propel women-led development with renewed vigor. Additionally, PM Modi touched upon India's successful Chandrayaan Mission and the importance of the G-20 Summit.

Looking ahead, Prime Minister Modi underscored India's ambitious goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047 and stressed the necessity of a robust and equitable judicial system to achieve this objective. He affirmed that fair and timely justice played a pivotal role in bolstering global trust in India and reiterated the government's commitment to fostering a judicial environment that is accessible, transparent, and conducive to national development.
CM Bhagwant Mann

Focused Efforts to Empower Youth with Opportunities Across Various Departments

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister, Bhagwant Singh Mann, marked a significant milestone as he handed over appointment letters to 427 newly recruited candidates from various departments at the Municipal Bhavan in Chandigarh. Expressing his congratulations to the freshly appointed youth, CM Mann emphasized that providing appointment letters was a duty, not a favor from the government.

In a proactive move, the Chief Minister revealed that the state had issued a total of 7,660 appointment letters within the first three weeks of September alone. The distribution included 5,714 letters for Anganwadi workers, 710 for Patwaris, 560 for sub-inspectors in Jalandhar, and 249 for candidates from various departments across Punjab. The relentless efforts of the government have resulted in a cumulative creation of 36,524 jobs over the span of one and a half years, a feat achieved without necessitating legal battles or recommendations.

Advertisement

Highlighting a transformative shift in governance, CM Mann stated that in the past, job opportunities were often hindered due to delayed signatures from the Chief Minister. Presently, he personally signs 100 to 150 files daily to ensure a seamless flow of the recruitment process, understanding that any delay could affect numerous lives. The Chief Minister reiterated his commitment to fulfill his vision of propelling Punjab to the forefront, describing it as a dream that keeps him driven.

Drawing a metaphor, CM Mann likened governments to runways and youth to airplanes, emphasizing that previous opportunities were monopolized by a select few. He took pride in declaring that the current administration had opened these runways for all Punjabis, moving away from nepotism and favoritism.

Advertisement

Taking a jab at the previous Congress-led government, CM Mann revealed that his administration was actively addressing the financial challenges left behind. They have already repaid the first installment of a substantial debt inherited from past regimes, displaying fiscal responsibility and commitment to financial stability.

In conclusion, the Chief Minister stressed that his tenure would not be defined by failure, citing his team's dedication and contrasting it with the past. He highlighted the need for change and a break from the previous cycle of governance, firmly asserting the direction his administration was committed to.

During the appointment letter distribution event, notable attendees included Cabinet Ministers Harbhajan Singh ETO, Harjot Singh Bains, Lal Chand Kataruchakk, and several senior officials.
Injured Student

Family & Community Rally Against Private School in Ludhiana, Demanding Justice for the Injured Student

LUDHIANA: An Alarming incident unfolded at a private school in Ludhiana's Giaspura area, where an eighth-grade student, Sonia (pseudonym), jumped from the third floor of the school premises six days ago, resulting in serious injuries including a fractured hip and spine. The student's family has accused the school administration of subjecting Sonia to humiliation, triggering the traumatic event. Outraged family members, supported by local residents and social workers, organized a protest to demand justice and accountability.

According to concerned social workers, the family approached them with a distressing complaint, revealing that six days prior to the incident, the school administration had demeaned Sonia by writing 'thief' on her forehead and arms. The humiliation pushed the young student into mental distress, ultimately driving her to take the drastic step of jumping from the third floor. Following the fall, Sonia was rushed to the hospital for immediate medical attention.

Advertisement

During the protest, social workers Gurpreet and Lucky Kapoor stood in solidarity with Sonia's family, amplifying their demands for justice and accountability. The protestors also alleged that the school administration had handed a sum of Rs 1.5 lakhs to the family for Sonia's medical treatment. However, they voiced concern over the lack of updates on the student's condition since then. Furthermore, they claimed that the school administration had intimidated Sonia's father, compelling him to sign a blank document. The protesters emphasized that such mistreatment of children by the school administration is unacceptable, urging the education department to take stringent actions against the school.
The long-empty Ingersoll theater finally has a new roof as work continues to restore the landmark building.

Before Des Moines developer Connor Delaney purchased the deteriorating, historic building at 3711 Ingersoll Ave. from longtime owners Lee Family Properties in 2022, the city warned that it could be demolished if it remained a nuisance. Cody Christensen, the city's permit and development administrator, told the Des Moines Register at the time that the theatre was in "awful shape" and that daylight could be seen through the roof.

All that's changed now though, Delaney confirmed. As he posted on the theater's marquis, the new roof is officially complete; also wrapped up is minor demolition work inside to mitigate water damage from rain and snow.

"The building is nice and stable and not deteriorating any further," said Delaney. "It's dry and safe."

A recent picture inside the Ingersoll theater, 3711 Ingersoll Ave.

He's still working to raise funds for further work. The project has received the federal portion of the historic tax credits Delaney applied for and is now awaiting approval of the state's portion.

He's considering seeking new investors, citing the struggles of getting the loans needed to continue work.

"It will happen. I'm determined to get it all together," said Delaney, who's also restoring the former French Way Cleaners building in the Highland Park neighborhood.

Previously: Developer restoring home of French Way Cleaners in Highland Park finds, returns unexpected heirlooms

Lauren Kollauf, executive director of The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand, a neighborhood planning and advocacy organization, said that the community is happy to see progress at the theater.

"The property is probably one of our most-asked-about topics on The Avenues. There are many community members who are passionate about seeing the theater be restored," she said.

When could the project be completed?

A conceptual image of a historic remodel of the Ingersoll theater, 3711 Ingersoll Ave.

Once the money is raised, Delaney estimates that it could take 18 months to have the theater show-ready. Built as a cinema in 1939, it began a 26-year run as a dinner theater in 1978. It then had a number of other tenants, none of whom remained long, before closing in 2014.

Story continues

Delaney anticipates the Ingersoll being either a performance venue with a food and beverage component, or a restaurant capable of hosting occasional shows  a similar use, but with a different emphasis. He said he's already in talks with a prospective tenant.

"I don't want it to just be a wedding venue or quinceanera party spot. There's a lot of those types of spaces," he said.

Addison Lathers covers growth and development for the Des Moines metro. Reach her at ALathers@registermedia.com and follow her on Twitter at @addisonlathers.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Long-neglected Ingersoll theater in Des Moines has a new roof
Canadian MP Jagmeet Singh

Amid Concerns Over Popularity Dip, NDP's Jagmeet Singh Sends an Inclusive Message to Hindu Community

BRAMPTON: The New Democratic Party (NDP) of Canada, currently part of the government, is actively addressing concerns related to declining popularity and a challenging situation following recent statements made by Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, which were perceived as threats to Hindus. In a bid to mitigate any potential damage, prominent NDP Member of Parliament (MP) Jagmeet Singh conveyed a heartfelt message to the Hindu community, emphasizing that Canada is their home and they deserve to live there. This comes as the country is amidst a popularity survey ahead of the upcoming election.

MP Jagmeet Singh, a notable figure in the NDP, took to his social media platform to extend a reassuring message to Hindus. He emphasized that Canada is a home for all its citizens and underlined the values of compassion and kindness that Canadians hold. Singh strongly stated that no individual or statement could limit the nation's core principles of inclusivity and unity.

Advertisement

As the election approaches, a popularity survey is underway in Canada, revealing interesting insights. According to the survey, 40 percent of Canadians prefer Justin Trudeau's rival, Pierre Poilievre, as the Prime Minister, while Trudeau stands at 31 percent. The New Democratic Party (NDP), a supporter of Trudeau's party, is witnessing a decline in its popularity, with Jagmeet Singh's approval rating dropping by 4 percent to 22 percent.

In recent times, diplomatic tensions have risen between India and Canada. This was instigated by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's expression of concern, suggesting potential Indian involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijhar. As a result, India took strong action, expelling an Indian diplomat and suspending visa services for Canada until further notice.
Fact Check

Spokesman Report Said- Canadian Government Did Not Made This Announcement

RSFC (Team Mohali)- A Video Clip is going viral on social media platforms. In this video, a man can be seen confronting audience about Banning RSS Organization in Canada amid Diplomatic tensions between India and Canada. Now users are claiming that Canadian Government made this announcement.

Facebook page "Tuhadi Awaaz Paris to" shared the clip and wrote, "RSS Banned In Canada"

Advertisement

Rozana Spokesman found this claim to be misleading. Canadian government did not made this announcement.

Spokesman's Investigation....

Advertisement

By starting our investigation, we first started with Keyword search to find authentic reports about Banning RSS in Canada. However, we didn't found any authentic report.

Going ahead, we listened this video carefully. The person in the video makes 4 main demands:

1. The Canadian ambassador from India should be recalled immediately.

Advertisement

2. The process of expelling Indian Ambassador High Commissioner Mr. Sanjay Kumar Verma from Canada should be started as soon as possible.

3. Trade between India and Canada should be stopped.

4. Together with the World Sikh Organization (WSO) demanded that the RSS should be banned with immediate effect and its members expelled from Canada.

Advertisement

Marking this information, we did keyword search and we came across a report from the renowned media outlet Al Jazeera.

Report Says, "Sikh and Muslim leaders in Canada have called on the government to do more to prevent potential threats against their communities, after Ottawa announced a probe of possible links between India and the killing of a prominent Sikh leader in the countrys westernmost province."

We read the whole report and found that person who is demanding in the viral video is the CEO of the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) Stephen Brown. It should be noted that the National Council of Canadian Muslims is an "independent, impartial and non-profit organization" and is not affiliated with the Government of Canada.

Aljazeera News

Hence, it is clear that there is no officer of the Government of Canada in the viral video and no such decision has been taken by the Canadian Government yet.

Result- Rozana Spokesman found this claim to be misleading. No such decision has been taken by the Canadian Government yet.
For Representative Purpose Only

Dhruv Jani Convicted for Posing as Government Official in Elaborate Money Laundering Scheme

WASHINGTON: A Colorado court sentenced an Indian citizen, Dhruv Jani (40), to a 10-year prison term for conspiring to commit money laundering. The sentencing was accompanied by an order for Jani to pay a compensation of 11 lakh dollars. The Conviction stems from Dhruv's involvement in a money laundering conspiracy, where he posed as a government official to carry out illicit activities.

According to prosecutors, Dhruv Jani played a role in a money laundering scheme where he masqueraded as a government official. The modus operandi involved contacting victims in the United States via telephone and convincing them that they were under investigation by federal law enforcement agencies.

Advertisement

The victims were led to believe that they were embroiled in a criminal incident, and "agents" of the federal law enforcement agencies demanded immediate action. They were coerced into paying large sums of money to the supposed government authority to avoid arrest, extradition, or legal action.

Gale S. Ennis, the Inspector General of Social Security Administration, emphasized the significance of this sentencing in holding Dhruv Jani accountable for perpetrating social security and government fraud, especially targeting vulnerable individuals. The conviction stands as a testament to the legal system's commitment to combating fraudulent activities that prey on unsuspecting victims.
Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW) stock is about to trade ex-dividend in four days. The ex-dividend date is one business day before a company's record date, which is the date on which the company determines which shareholders are entitled to receive a dividend. The ex-dividend date is an important date to be aware of as any purchase of the stock made on or after this date might mean a late settlement that doesn't show on the record date. Thus, you can purchase Illinois Tool Works' shares before the 28th of September in order to receive the dividend, which the company will pay on the 12th of October.

The company's next dividend payment will be US$1.40 per share, and in the last 12 months, the company paid a total of US$5.60 per share. Last year's total dividend payments show that Illinois Tool Works has a trailing yield of 2.4% on the current share price of $233.51. Dividends are a major contributor to investment returns for long term holders, but only if the dividend continues to be paid. We need to see whether the dividend is covered by earnings and if it's growing.

View our latest analysis for Illinois Tool Works

Dividends are typically paid out of company income, so if a company pays out more than it earned, its dividend is usually at a higher risk of being cut. Illinois Tool Works paid out 52% of its earnings to investors last year, a normal payout level for most businesses. A useful secondary check can be to evaluate whether Illinois Tool Works generated enough free cash flow to afford its dividend. Over the last year it paid out 61% of its free cash flow as dividends, within the usual range for most companies.

It's positive to see that Illinois Tool Works's dividend is covered by both profits and cash flow, since this is generally a sign that the dividend is sustainable, and a lower payout ratio usually suggests a greater margin of safety before the dividend gets cut.

Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends.

Story continues

Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing?

Businesses with strong growth prospects usually make the best dividend payers, because it's easier to grow dividends when earnings per share are improving. Investors love dividends, so if earnings fall and the dividend is reduced, expect a stock to be sold off heavily at the same time. Fortunately for readers, Illinois Tool Works's earnings per share have been growing at 16% a year for the past five years. Illinois Tool Works is paying out a bit over half its earnings, which suggests the company is striking a balance between reinvesting in growth, and paying dividends. Given the quick rate of earnings per share growth and current level of payout, there may be a chance of further dividend increases in the future.

Many investors will assess a company's dividend performance by evaluating how much the dividend payments have changed over time. Illinois Tool Works has delivered 14% dividend growth per year on average over the past 10 years. It's exciting to see that both earnings and dividends per share have grown rapidly over the past few years.

The Bottom Line

Is Illinois Tool Works an attractive dividend stock, or better left on the shelf? It's good to see earnings are growing, since all of the best dividend stocks grow their earnings meaningfully over the long run. However, we'd also note that Illinois Tool Works is paying out more than half of its earnings and cash flow as profits, which could limit the dividend growth if earnings growth slows. It might be worth researching if the company is reinvesting in growth projects that could grow earnings and dividends in the future, but for now we're not all that optimistic on its dividend prospects.

With that in mind, a critical part of thorough stock research is being aware of any risks that stock currently faces. For example, we've found 1 warning sign for Illinois Tool Works that we recommend you consider before investing in the business.

Generally, we wouldn't recommend just buying the first dividend stock you see. Here's a curated list of interesting stocks that are strong dividend payers.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Things to Do

11 Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend: Oct. 2629

Zombie crawl through the Gaslamp, trick-or-treat in Little Italy, and honor your loved ones at one of several Dia de Muertos celebrations

Read article
By most measures, Oceansides economic outlook has improved in the last three years, making up ground lost in the fallout of the Great Recession.

Unemployment is down, hotel tax revenues are up and more businesses are moving into local industrial parks.

Despite that progress, however, the citys financial worries may not be over, officials said.

Advertisement

With hotel taxes, sales tax and property taxes all up, thats good news, said Assistant City Manager Deanna Lorson. But the citys general fund expenses are (also) up, so we need to continue to make progress increasing revenues to address the citys ongoing revenue needs.

Last week, Lorson gave the City Council a brief presentation on the citys economic outlook, including data on employment and revenue streams.

The rebounding tourism industry has especially been good to Oceanside, Lorson said. Revenues from hotel room taxes  called transit occupancy tax, or TOT  have increased more than $2 million, from $4.2 million in 2013 to $6.5 million this year.

Still, officials are worried those gains could be wiped out by rising costs, especially an increase in the citys payments to the California Public Employees Retirement System, or Calpers, which covers most of the citys employees.

Facing dwindling returns on its investments, the Calpers board voted earlier this month to increase the amount employers such as Oceanside contribute to the system each year.

The city paid about $21.1 million to Calpers this fiscal year, and thats expected to rise to roughly $23.5 million by 2019-20 and $25.9 million by 2020-21, City Manager Michelle Lawrence said.

City Councilwoman Esther Sanchez said the city is lucky to have rising revenues to cover those pension costs.

If we didnt have those extra $2 million from TOT, we would really be in a lot of trouble, Sanchez said.

The citys efforts to revitalize the downtown area over the last two decades by luring new hotels and trendy restaurants are starting to pay off, Sanchez said.

In recent years, the SpringHill Suites opened on Myers Street and the Wyndham Oceanside Pier Resort opened on Pacific Street, near the citys iconic pier.

Several more hotels are expected to be built downtown in the near future. Those projects include a beachfront resort on Pacific Street by S.D. Malkin, the renovated Dolphin Hotel on Coast Highway and the Belvedere project, which will feature a 124-room hotel on Mission Avenue, Lorson said.

Other parts of the economy are also ramping up. Over the last year, roughly 10,000 new jobs were created in Oceanside, leading to an unemployment rate of 4.9 percent in October, compared to 8 percent three years ago, officials said.

The citys jobs-to-housing ratio has gone from .64 in 2013 percent to .75 percent this year. A one-to-one jobs-to-housing ratio is considered optimal.

Another bright spot is the citys industrial parks filling up with businesses, Lorson said. Vacancy rates have decreased from nearly 15 percent in 2013 to just 2.4 percent this year.

Still, there are areas of concern, officials said.

For example, the retail vacancy rate has increased sightly from 6.8 percent in 2013 to 7.1 percent this year  a reflection of national trends, Lorson said.

The retail industry has taken a hit because people are increasingly turning to online shopping, she said.

Its not anything unique to Oceanside but its definitely something that we are experiencing, Lorson said.

A fuller picture of how these trends are effecting Oceanside will be available in early 2017 when the city releases its draft budget for the coming fiscal year.

edward.sifuentes@sduniontribune.com

@EdwardSifuentes
Key Insights

Aurubis' estimated fair value is 106 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Aurubis is estimated to be 34% undervalued based on current share price of 69.46

Our fair value estimate is 16% higher than Aurubis' analyst price target of 91.00

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Aurubis AG (ETR:NDA) as an investment opportunity by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you.

View our latest analysis for Aurubis

Crunching The Numbers

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) -263.3m 149.0m 189.3m 225.3m 255.6m 279.9m 298.8m 313.2m 324.2m 332.4m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Est @ 27.04% Est @ 19.03% Est @ 13.43% Est @ 9.50% Est @ 6.76% Est @ 4.84% Est @ 3.49% Est @ 2.55% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 6.1% -248 132 159 178 190 196 198 195 191 184

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 1.4b

Story continues

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (0.4%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 6.1%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 332m (1 + 0.4%)  (6.1% 0.4%) = 5.8b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 5.8b ( 1 + 6.1%)10= 3.2b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is 4.6b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of 69.5, the company appears quite undervalued at a 34% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

The Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Aurubis as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.1%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.145. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Aurubis

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Metals and Mining market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the German market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Paying a dividend but company has no free cash flows.

Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the German market.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For Aurubis, we've compiled three additional elements you should explore:

Risks: Take risks, for example - Aurubis has 3 warning signs we think you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does NDA's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every German stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Saudi National Day, celebrated annually on September 23rd, marks the unification of the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd in 1932.

Read More: Everything You Need to Know About Saudi National Day

It is one of the major occasions to celebrate in Saudi Arabia, and one of the Kingdom's three non-religious national holidays, along with Saudi Founding Day and Saudi Flag Day.

National Day celebrations usually include military parades, a biker parade, and an arms exhibition across major cities.

Here is how Saudi Arabia's 93rd National Day was celebrated nationwide:

Part of the military parade and marches began in Riyadh on Thursday, September 21st, with the participation of various sectors of the Ministry of Interior.

Also, check out this cool National Day celebration march in Najran!

Meanwhile, the Royal Saudi Air Force aerobatic display team, Saudi Hawks, lit up the skies at Jeddah Corniche yesterday, getting everyone in the National Day spirit.

Some people celebrated Saudi National Day in a very unique way, like this man holding Saudi Arabia's flag while flyboarding.

Cafes and restaurants also celebrate Saudi National Day with green and white decor, special offers for the day, and activities such as face painting and games for both adults and children.

Image source: @saudihawks Instagram account.
State and local agencies that distributed federal aid to renters facing eviction during the pandemic are now scrambling to claw back millions of dollars in overpayments.

Officials in at least five states have been sending tenants and landlords a flurry of letters, typically citing clerical errors or other bureaucratic mix-ups, demanding that portions of the temporary relief money be returned. Some of the notices ask for five-figure sums within weeks.

Details about the clawbacks are hard to come by, but NBC News identified efforts over the past year in Minnesota, Delaware, Texas, North Carolina and Alaska to recover some of the more than $46 billion in emergency rental assistance that Congress allocated in two sweeping relief packages in 2020 and 2021. The excess funds, which cover a small fraction of that aid, are meant to be returned to the U.S. Treasury or reallocated to others in need.

But with little public guidance from Washington, some recipients are scrambling to dash off checks or appeal the requests, even though many remain vulnerable to many of the same housing disruptions the now-discontinued aid was meant to blunt.

Lenette Lopez, a single mother of two in Bear, Delaware, leaned on the states federally backed emergency housing assistance to cover rent after closing her hair salon under lockdown orders in 2020. But in late May, her landlord got a letter asking for over $10,000 back within 30 days, saying Lopez had received payments beyond the 18 months allowed under the program.

No one has that amount of money to send that to that program immediately, said Lopez, adding that lawyers she contacted for guidance didnt know how to handle the situation.

Then in early August, Delaware authorities announced theyd cease statewide attempts to recover the funds  but warned they still have to report nonpayment to the Treasury and that further action at the local level may also be taken.

Lopez isnt sure where that leaves her. She voiced frustration with not knowing whether the very assistance that helped keep her housed could have the opposite effect after the program ended.

Story continues

The whole purpose of the program was to prevent homelessness. It was to prevent evictions, she said.

One Delaware property manager told NBC News it had to evict someone who was already behind in rent after receiving a recoupment notice that put the tenant further in arrears. The state has told the landlord its still on the hook for the repayment, and the company hasnt determined how to proceed.

Minnesota said it has already recovered $500,000 of the $1.3 million identified for recoupment, and North Carolinas HOPE rental aid program has pulled in $374,674 out of the almost $3 million its trying to get back. The state rental assistance program in Texas recaptured about 1.68% of the $2.2 billion it disbursed, but local and county programs in the state are also recouping. Alaska state housing officials didnt comment.

Authorities cite a range of reasons why some recipients were overpaid, but they are much more commonly bureaucratic than fraudulent  such as issues determining eligibility, checks going out for longer than they should have, as in Lopezs case, or clerical errors linked to technological snags and short staffing.

In Delaware, which said it has recovered about $204,000 of its $1.6 million target, authorities said they mistakenly overpaid some landlords on tenants behalf. An independent audit last year faulted various documentation and processing errors.

While notices are going directly to property owners and management companies, tenants rent balances could be negatively impacted, the state housing agencys website warns. Officials said they cant dictate how landlords go about recovering the money but have encouraged them to offer tenants payment plans.

On Capitol Hill, Republicans are pressing the Biden administration for more data on pandemic aid fraud, after the Labor Department found almost 40% of unemployment payments were improperly issued. Housing advocates and local grantees, however, say theyve seen very few signs of fraud in the rental assistance programs. Most of the overpayments, they say, were made in the rush to get aid out and avoid a mass eviction crisis.

They were trying to roll out the funding at the same time as they were developing guidance, said Jill Naamane, a director at the Government Accountability Office, a nonpartisan federal watchdog. It was kind of a lot for the grantees, who were already dealing with pandemic issues and problems in their local areas, to try to keep track of all these updates.

A Treasury spokesperson declined to comment after requesting written questions from NBC News, which addressed the scope of housing-related overpayments, state and federal efforts to claw back such funds or any potential repercussions for recipients who dont comply, among other matters. The Treasurys office of inspector general denied public records requests related to the aid, saying that it is in the process of reviewing the program.

Federal aid mostly succeeded in helping keep half a million people housed early in the pandemic, a GAO report last December found, despite what it characterized as lax oversight. As recently as April, the Treasury was still missing data on the initial allocations. The GAO found in the report that 26% of the data on payments made in 2021 was incomplete.

In some cases, errors occurred because of what the GAO called overlapping jurisdictions. This was the reason the agency cited in one jurisdiction, which it didnt identify, where 20% of the rental aid distributed was found to be duplicate payments.

In Texas, Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston realized at some point in the distribution process that it was giving federal money to renters who were also receiving support from a separate state program, making them ineligible for the former. Once the group got access to the states data, it began recouping duplicates.

There was just a lot of urgency to get this out without being able to do a laid-out plan, said Betsy Ballard, Catholic Charities communications director for the area.

The organization has already recovered about $3.3 million of the $307 million in rental aid it distributed, but another $4 million or so is outstanding. Ballard said Catholic Charities has used some of the recouped funds to assist others who are still at risk of eviction. Clawed-back aid in other areas has been similarly reallocated; other programs say they will send the money back to the Treasury.

In a handful of instances, frantic tenants and landlords apparently got repayment requests waived or reduced after appearing in local news coverage.

When one tenant in Raleigh, North Carolina, reached out to a local television station about the HOPE programs recoupment notice for almost $10,000, officials reviewed the case days later and canceled their request  saying they determined the tenant hadnt been overpaid after all, according to NBC affiliate WRAL.

One reason for the administrative confusion, according to the GAO, was that the Treasury substantially revised its guidelines for the rental aid after President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, then did so five more times through August that year.

The GAO said many of the aid administrators it interviewed were confused by the changing rules. Housing authorities in Delaware and North Carolina both told NBC News they were still awaiting guidance from the Treasury about who will ultimately have to cover the overpayments.

Since the GAO published its review in December, the agency said, Treasury officials have made some efforts to hold office hours to answer grantees questions. The GAO is still evaluating whether this has resolved the widespread data collection issues it identified for the earliest batch of pandemic housing relief.

In Delaware, Lopez said her landlord is working with her to make sure neither of them has to repay the state housing authority. The landlord made one appeal, she said, but it was denied.

Delaware housing officials said landlords have filed more than 171 appeals so far. Asked what repercussions people whove received repayment notices can expect if they dont pay, the agency declined to comment.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
martin-dm / Getty Images

Many financial experts talk about the importance of having a separate emergency savings fund to cover any unexpected or unplanned expenses. This makes sense considering how much something like a surprise medical bill or layoff from work can set you back financially when youre not prepared.

Jaspreet Singh: You Can Use ChatGPT To Become a Millionaire  Heres How

Discover: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases

In a recent GOBankingRates survey, we found that 44% of people prioritize contributing to their emergency fund instead of saving for other things like retirement, a car or house, or other major expenses. This isnt necessarily a bad thing, but there may be some merit in dividing your savings based on your needs and goals.

If youre not sure whether you should put all of your money toward one specific thing  like an emergency fund  or if you should separate your savings across several categories, here are some things to consider.

Its Important To Have an Emergency Fund Goal

Everyones situation is different, so its vital that you set some financial goals for yourself based on what you and your household needs. One way to do this is by setting a goal for your emergency fund. After all, while its good to have an emergency fund, you might want to prioritize other savings goals once youve saved up a certain amount in it.

I do think you should prioritize an emergency fund over other savings and investments, said Sebastian Jania, Owner of Ontario Property Buyers. That being said, however, there needs to be some kind of goal with the emergency fund such as 6 months or 12 months of emergency savings.

To save for an emergency fund indefinitely is priming oneself for emergencies. When one has this 6- or 12-month buffer in place, the next step is to then be focusing on the next most immediate thing, such as a house or retirement.

Related: Money Expert Rachel Cruze Shares 8 Tips To Save Money Every Month

You May Want To Prioritize Paying Off Debt

If you have debt, especially high-interest credit cards, medical bills or loans, you may want to focus on paying that off before saving up for an emergency fund.

Story continues

This is because your current debts can take a toll on your mental and financial health. It can also make it harder to manage other expenses when they come up, since youre putting extra money toward your monthly debt payments.

For most people, your first priority should be to get out of debt, and your second priority should be to build an emergency fund of 3-6 months of expenses, said Jay Zigmont, PhD, MBA, CFP, and Founder of Childfree Wealth.

An emergency fund will help to prevent you from going back into debt. Keep your emergency fund in a high-yield savings account.

You Might Not Need More Than Six Months

Once youve paid off your expensive debts and saved up for your emergency fund, thats when youll be in a better position to shift your focus to other financial goals.

Once you have your emergency fund set, focus on other goals like saving for a house or retirement, suggested Zigmont.

Keep in mind that having an emergency fund of more than six months is not going to make you safer. If you have more than six months of expenses [saved up], it is time to invest your money towards your goals.

Consider your other priorities and set achievable short- and long-term goals to make them happen.

This could mean saving up for a down payment or investing in your retirement fund. Or it could be creating a trust or education fund for your descendants. It could even be putting money toward purchasing a car or going on vacation.

Whatever the case may be, having an emergency fund first can give you the financial buffer you need in case something happens.

Theres More Than One Solution

Although having an emergency fund is important, its not unusual to have other savings goals as well. Many people end up trying to save for multiple things at a time, which can be helpful in certain cases.

Its natural to be juggling several financial priorities at the same time, and it can be a challenge to balance short-term goals like building an emergency fund with long-term ones like saving for retirement, said Terri Fiedler, President of Retirement Services at Corebridge Financial.

Theres no one-size-fits-all approach, so its important to work with a financial professional to set your goals, chart your path and make informed decisions.

You can also choose to figure out your savings goals by yourself, or within your household. Just make sure everyone is clear about the goals you want to achieve, how you plan to accomplish them, and your timeline.

You May Have Other Options To Fall Back On

Although having a fully-funded emergency fund can keep you afloat in the face of a financial setback, its not your only option. If you have an employer-sponsored plan, you might be able to use it to help with unplanned expenses as well.

For emergency savings, employer-sponsored retirement plans will soon become a part of the solution. Congress last year approved SECURE 2.0, new retirement legislation that does a lot to help American workers balance financial needs now and for the future, said Fiedler.

Two provisions in SECURE 2.0 focus on managing unexpected expenses  one that allows tax penalty-free access to retirement funds for emergency needs and another that helps employees create emergency savings accounts linked to retirement accounts.

These changes may take some time to take effect, however. Its also still a good idea to have more than one way of covering emergency expenses. Because of this, you may want to prioritize establishing your emergency fund before splitting your savings up across multiple goals.

Your Emergency Fund Is Just the Start

It is wise to prioritize building an emergency fund because that provides a safety net for unexpected expenses or sudden income loss. Such a fund prevents unplanned debt and offers peace of mind, said Matt Steenson, Head of Consumer Banking at PNC Bank.

Once youve accumulated enough, you can shift the focus to long-term financial goals like retirement or saving for a house. While all these objectives are important, the immediate protection offered by an emergency fund is critical.

Steenson also gave the following suggestions as to what you might want to do with your money once youve got an emergency fund:

Allocate about 10-15% of your income toward retirement, taking advantage of employer matches, where possible. If homeownership is a goal, begin by determining your home purchase timeline and the expected price you can afford, including closing costs and a down payment, so you can calculate the total funds required. Divide this by the number of months until your planned purchase to determine required monthly savings.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Should You Prioritize an Emergency Fund Over Retirement or a House? Experts Weigh In
'Quit trying to buy it with just your money': Grant Cardone says borrowing cash from friends and family to invest in real estate is 'not problematic'  but is he right?

It can be both a blessing and a curse having friends and family who are happy to help you reach your real estate investment goals.

If youre convinced you want to own and manage a physical property  rather than buy shares in real estate investment trusts  then youre likely going to need partners on your deal, according to real estate investing mogul Grant Cardone.

Don't miss

Commercial real estate has outperformed the S&P 500 over 25 years. Here's how to diversify your portfolio without the headache of being a landlord

Rich young Americans have lost confidence in the stock market  and are betting on these 3 assets instead. Get in now for strong long-term tailwinds

A natural way to diversify': Janet Yellen now says Americans should expect a decline in the USD as the world's reserve currency  3 ways you can prepare

Quit trying to buy it with just your money, he said in an interview with Moneywise. Real estate is a partnership game. Youre going to have a lender that will be your major partner  Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac  [who will probably support you on] 65% to 75% of the deal.

Cardone says you should cover the remaining 25% to 35% with your own money  and top up any shortfall with financial support from friends and family. He claims that tapping the bank accounts of those close to you is not problematic the way people often say it is.

Youre going to have problems if you dont get investors, he said.

However, its important to remember that every real estate deal is unique and to consider all of your financial options before landing on a plan of action. While borrowing money from friends and family can have its virtues, its possible the risks outweigh any potential benefits.

The Cardone way

Cardone says he got his first big break with the help of friends and family.

I started with no money, he recalled. My first deal was $3,000, my second deal was no money, my third deal was $350,000 down  and I raised most of the $350,000 from people I knew that did not want to be invested in real estate, but they were willing to give me a short-term loan.

Story continues

He then built a business around that approach to real estate investment. Today, his company Cardone Capital has a portfolio consisting of 12,230 apartment units across 37 multifamily properties and over 500,000 square feet of commercial office space, according to its website. It has $4.3 billion in assets under management and provides over 13,000 investors with access to institutional-grade real estate deals through crowdfunding.

My money  it never comes from the big banks  sovereign funds, pension funds, I don't take any of their money, Cardone said. Out of 13,000 people, I've had problems with three investors. It's allowed me to build a multibillion dollar real estate portfolio that I could not have done without the investors.

Cardone said there are plenty of people out there that don't want their money in the bank anymore, referring to the three major bank failures in the spring that put immense pressure on Americas regional banking industry.

Instead, he claimed: They want to be in real estate  the doctor, the lawyer, your dad, your mom, your brother, your sister  but they don't want to collect the rents, they don't want to handle the tenants, they don't want to do the toilets, they don't want to handle termites. They love real estate. [but] nobody's presented them with an opportunity. Anyone can do this.

While Cardone has reaped the benefits of this partnership strategy, is it really a good idea to bring your friends and family into real estate investment deals? Here are some pros and cons to consider.

Read more: Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now use $100 to cash in on prime real estate  without the headache of being a landlord. Here's how

The pros of this approach

When you combine your purchasing power with that of your friends and family, it can open up opportunities to buy properties that perhaps were unattainable for you as a sole buyer.

One of the best things about investing with friends and family is that you know and trust each other. If you all share the same goals and communication is strong, you can reach a comfort level in a deal that may not be possible with a bank or private lender.

Remember, before reaching any agreements, its important to have an open discussion about your finances and life goals as this will impact how the partnership plays out.

Investing in real estate is typically not a short-term venture. If a friend has $50,000 to invest now, but they plan to use that to buy a new car, get married or move abroad within the next few years, then maybe theyre not the right investment partner for you. You must recognize that upfront if you want to avoid challenging conversations down the road.

Finally, when you borrow money from friends and family, chances are youll reach more favorable terms and conditions than you would with third-party lenders who would charge interest and typically have strict borrowing procedures. You may also gain access to more money if you bring on multiple individuals to help you land a deal.

Even if everything seems straightforward, consider reaching out to a real estate lawyer who can help you produce a legal contract to ensure the deal runs smoothly and everyone involved knows how much risk theyre taking on and what return theyll get from their investment.

The dangers of investing with friends and family

There's a reason conventional wisdom dictates one should not go into business with close friends and family.

First and foremost, if you overreach financially or the investment goes south and you are unable to pay your friends and family back  or they dont get the returns you promised  you can destroy those relationships for good. You could even find yourself in legal battles with people you once loved and trusted.

Cardone knows this only too well. The real estate mogul has been the subject of litigation in recent years over allegations of misleading investors and followers while promoting products that ultimately fell short of promised returns. He has denied the allegations, saying on LinkedIn its a tragedy our system is so litigious and people are encouraged to sue others in order to hold a company doing great things hostage.

One way to lower the risk of potential legal trouble is to make everyone involved sign a contract  but that can also cause issues, especially since it may imply a lack of trust among the people youre borrowing money from, or you could be deemed overzealous and militant with the contractual terms and conditions.

Borrowing money from friends and family could also set a precedent that you may struggle to uphold. For instance, if theyre ever in need of money  if they have an unexpected financial crisis or they want to do their own real estate investment deal  you could be faced with the situation of being unable to help them in return.

As convenient and beneficial as it may seem, taking a loan from a friend or relative comes with risks. Consider exploring other personal loan options before adding this potential complexity to your real estate investments.

What to read next

Worried about the economy? Here are the best shock-proof assets for your portfolio. (Theyre all outside of the stock market.)

Rising prices are throwing off Americans' retirement plans  here's how to get your savings back on track

Jeff Bezos and Oprah Winfrey invest in this asset to keep their wealth safe  you may want to do the same in 2023

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
EDITORS NOTE

This article is part of the Advance/SILive.com Hispanic Heritage Month series, which profiles Staten Islanders who are making an impact in the community. Do you have someone you would like to nominate for a profile? E-mail their name and a brief nomination to tips@siadvance.com.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A mother comforts an infant in her arms. Children play in colorful costumes. Generations gather to prepare a traditional meal. And Irma Bohorquez-Geislers lenses capture the splendor of it all.

In photographs, as in life, the Mexican community bursts with love, unity and celebration. Just ask Bohorquez-Geisler. The Grymes Hill resident has spent more than 20 years photographing the vibrant beauty of the Mexican immigrant community on Staten Island for her ongoing series, Simple Moments of an Emerging Presence.

Through her award-winning photography of lifes simple moments, cultural traditions and family celebrations treasured by the Mexican people, Bohorquez-Geisler holds tight to her native Mexico. Shes also been recognized for decades of work as a cultural leader who promotes Mexican values and cultural heritage for younger generations in New York.

The subjects of her photography  men, women and children  are largely strangers, united by a connection to a homeland each has left behind.

I approach people on the streets, at religious events ... in stores or at home, said Bohorquez-Geisler, noting shes pretty good at recognizing a Mexican person when she sees one. But often, she must first allay their suspicions about being approached and photographed by a stranger. Many are undocumented, she said. And they want to know what I want their picture for.

Bohorquez-Geisler, 70, pored over more than 1,000 negatives (and more recent digital images) from her ongoing photo documentary before choosing 30 for her most recent exhibit, Mexican Heritage, currently on view in the Murray Berman Art Gallery of the Bernikow JCC, Sea View, through Oct. 31.

Irma Bohorquez-Geislers photographs have been displayed along the South Beach Boardwalk. (Courtesy of Irma Bohorquez-Geisler)

Her passion for the ongoing project began in 1999, when she took her first photography class and began snapping and printing photos. She said she aims to spread awareness of the love found in the Mexican community  an especially pertinent goal during a time when many Staten Islanders are shouting opposition to the arrival of migrants into their community.

I hope it gives an opportunity to understand who we are, and also the idea is also to build bridges and connections between people, because we all live together, said Bohorquez-Geisler, fighting back tears.

To reach the community she documents so beautifully, she said she particularly enjoys bringing the photos out in public, where they can be seen by those who dont frequent museums and galleries.

The citys Photoville Festival, held each year under the Brooklyn Bridge, and an exhibit along the South Beach Boardwalk, have allowed her to do just that, she explained. It helps the Mexican community to have a sense of self-esteem and pride, she said.

Surprisingly, photography wasnt her first passion. That was science, which lead Bohorquez-Geisler to earn a doctorate degree in ecological entomology (the study of insects and plants). It also led her to love  as she met her husband, Frank Geisler, while both were pursuing doctorate degrees at Oxford University in England  where she studied on a full scholarship.

Geisler, a Brooklyn native, took a job on Staten Island, where they settled, tasking Bohorquez-Geisler with a significant adjustment to a community with very little to offer in the way of anything Mexican.

You couldnt even buy a tortilla from Mexico, she recalled with a laugh. Yet, that has certainly changed, she said.

Bohorquez-Geisler, 70, pored over more than 1,000 negatives (and more recent digital images) from her ongoing photo documentary before choosing 30 for her most recent exhibit, Mexican Heritage, currently on view in the Murray Berman Art Gallery of the Bernikow JCC, Sea View, through Oct. 31. (Courtesy of Irma Bohorquez-Geisler)

At the time, the Mexican community was emerging, Bohorquez-Geisler said. Its not emerging now. It has grown. We have Mexican stores. We have Mexican restaurants. People have become independent with their own businesses.

Some stores on Staten Island even have Chapulines, or grasshoppers, a boiled-then-fried delicacy commonly eaten in Mexico. Theyre very nutritious, she said, trying to encourage a doubter. They have the essential amino acids that we need for protein. And they can be very expensive.

In this 2019 file photo, Irma Bohorquez-Geisler and Karley Chamblee are shown at the Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival, held at the former Our Lady of Mt. Carmel-Benedicta School, West Brighton. (Staten Island Advance)Staten Island Advance

Through the years, she came to love her community, she said, and she and her husband raised two children on the borough.

DAY OF THE DEAD FESTIVAL

To embrace a Mexican holiday she holds dear, Bohorquez-Geisler founded the annual Day of the Dead Festival (Dia de Muertos) on Staten Island in 1992. Held on one of the first two days of November, Mexican and Hispanic people create elaborate altars on the holiday and await the arrival of their departed ancestors, whom they believe visit on that day every year.

What began as a childrens craft in a classroom and at the Port Richmond Library blossomed through the years, taking place at the Staten Island Museum in Livingston and larger venues, including the former Our Lady of Mt. Carmel-St. Benedicta School, West Brighton. She was the festivals artistic and program director, even acquiring funding for the event, for 27 years, until she gave it up once the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic made it impossible in 2020.

The event had something for everyone, regardless of their heritage, she said.

I saw that the Day of the Dead celebration was a holiday that we can share with the community of Staten Island, she said. Everybody can relate to it, the day we lose someone. We can all celebrate through our own traditions.

Disappointed that the annual event is no longer being held, she said shes proud that it enlightened people. She is hopeful that theyll continue the tradition at home and one day someone will pick up where she left off with the festival, she said.

Children came to the event, and they were able to learn, and their parents were able to feel close to Mexico again and talk to their kids about how they celebrated in Mexico, she said. I tried to encourage them to do it at home and celebrate themselves with their families.

Bohorquez-Geisler has spent more than 20 years photographing the people and vibrant beauty of the Mexican immigrant community on Staten Island for her ongoing series, Simple Moments of an Emerging Presence. She's shown here on Sept. 21, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

Bohorquez-Geislers contributions have earned her accolades through the years. In 2011, she was honored with a proclamation from New York City for her work on Staten Island Women Who Preserve History. She has also been bestowed with the Gabriela Mistral, Julia de Burgos, Frida Kahlo Award, a tribute to her role as both a photographer and cultural leader who preserves and promotes Mexican values and cultural heritage for younger generations in New York.

In addition to her ongoing photography series being exhibited at the Photoville Festival, she was invited to be a part of the events panel during its 10th anniversary. More recently, she was part of the Staten Island Art and Artists Connected juried exhibition YesAnd 2022-2023, at the Staten Island Museum, and her work was published in the online magazine F-Stop Photography Collective Exhibition earlier this year.

CURRENT JCC EXHIBIT

Her goal with the most recent JCC exhibit is to show a glimpse of the everyday life and cultural traditions of the Staten Island Mexican community through her photography.

The majority of the exhibits 30 photos are black and white. Yet, the Mexican story cant be told without a pop of color, Bohorquez-Geisler said, so about eight color photographs are featured.

As Mexico has such a rich diversity of people and color and food, I wanted to show some photos in color because of the colorful dress and costumes we use for dances, she said.

Its significant to her that the exhibit is taking place at a JCC, she said, because the Jewish community and her Mexican community have something in common: In history and still today, they both face discrimination.

We share something with the Jewish community, and the support they are showing the Mexican community is very important, she said.

***

Exhibit hours at the Murray Berman Art Gallery are Monday through Thursday, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Local elected officials want to know what it would look like if Staten Island took a borough-sized bite out of the Big Apple.

Borough President Vito Fossella is leading the latest secession charge, saying his office will fund a new study to put together information on what an independent city of Staten Island would look like, and hes gotten his local government counterparts onboard.

I think its time that the people of Staten Island get a fair assessment of whether it makes sense to pursue secession, he said during a Tuesday interview. We have agreed to fund the study for secession, and give the people of Staten Island an honest assessment of what secession would look like.

Each of the Islands elected officials, Democrat and Republican, has said they support the study looking into an independent Staten Island, but have had varying degrees of enthusiasm about the prospect of actually seceding.

Borough President Vito Fossella voices his opposition to the migrant housing in the former St. John Villa in Arrochar on Monday, August 28, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)

For example, City Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore), who has his own secession bill in the Council, said he supports the idea 100%, but his counterpart, Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks (D-North Shore), said she supports the study for reasons apart from actually seceding.

While I do not support secession, I believe a study to help us further understand the resources given to Staten Island, as well as its economic viability and positive impact in terms of revenue on the city as a whole, would be valuable, she said.

Her Democratic counterparts also werent gung-ho about the larger idea of secession. State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-North Shore/South Brooklyn) said she supports the study, but is hesitant about secession. Assemblyman Charles Fall (D-North Shore/Brooklyn/Manhattan) said he supports the study, but declined to comment further.

While I have reservations regarding secession, I support a study looking at the impact to Staten Islanders jobs, property taxes, and services, Scarcella-Spanton said. I deeply understand that this movement derives from a frustration among fellow Staten Islanders  we are incredibly valuable to New York City as a whole and deserve more than we get.

Assemblymen Michael Reilly (R-South Shore) and Michael Tannousis (R-East Shore/South Brooklyn), said they support Fossellas endeavor to determine what would be best for the Island based on the facts laid out in the study.

Secession transcends partisan politics  thats why I am proud to stand united with my fellow Staten Islanders to support the borough presidents secession study, Reilly said. It is imperative that we know all the facts and have all the data related to a potential Staten Island secession from New York City, so that we can make an informed decision  but what we know for certain already is that Staten Island has been short-changed for far too long and it must stop.

While we battle the City of New York at every turn, it is difficult to ignore the attractiveness of secession. I fully support a study that will explore its feasibility, Tannousis said. I look forward to analyzing the results of the study and exploring whether secession will increase the quality of life of our constituents.

Different levels of enthusiasm aside, Fossella said he sees the new study as the most significant step in the Staten Island secession movement since a 1993 referendum that saw 65% of the Island vote to secede in a local referendum.

The Wednesday, Nov. 3, 1993 front page of the Staten Island Advance shows the results of Staten Island's secession vote. (File)

Ultimately, former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) crushed that push when he decided the issue would need a home-rule message supporting secession from the City Council and refused to move state legislation needed through his chamber.

I think the people most affected are the people who should decide the secession issue. I believe the people most affected are the residents of the City of New York, Silver said in 1994 shortly before becoming acting speaker after his predecessor, former Speaker Saul Weprin (D-Queens), suffered a stroke.

Silvers block of the secession legislation, which passed the State Senate guided by former State Sen. John Marchi (R-Staten Island), even saw a court challenge, but the judge in that case decided he could not interfere in legislative matters.

STUDY NOT NEEDED

During a Wednesday phone interview, State Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-South Shore), Marchis successor, said he supports Fossellas study, but that its not needed to move forward with secession.

Lanza has carried secession legislation in his chamber since shortly after he took office in 2007, and said the State Legislature moving forward with it would allow Staten Island to break away from the city under the New York Constitution.

I support doing it, what the borough president is doing, wholeheartedly, he said. To me, its a study to prove the viability and sustainability of a self-governed Staten Island. I dont need that. I know its possible.

He pointed out that the population of Staten Island, about 500,000, people would make it as large or larger than some major cities around the country, like Miami, Oakland and Atlanta.

If all those places can be cities, Staten Island certainly could be, he said.

While Borough Hall has yet to finalize the scope of the study, Fossella and some of his colleagues, including General Counsel Daniel Master and Advisor Ed Burke, pointed to a 1993 study from consulting firm Towers Perrin that laid out the financial implication of an independent Staten Island.

That study looked at the cost of essential personnel for things like a new fire department, police department and schools. Master said changing demographics and new strategies around things like policing meant that those numbers would need to be updated.

Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R-Mid-Island) said he supports the borough presidents study, and that a study of his own suggested an independent Staten Island could be economically-viable.

The first question I will ask you, is do you believe that Staten Island gets more back in services than we pay in taxes? Almost unanimously the answers is no we dont receive more in services, he said Just on that premise alone I feel it is the duty of electeds to pursue the viability.

MIGRANT CRISIS

On immediate motivations for the break away, Pirozzolo pointed to the citys ongoing migrant crisis that has seen more than 110,000 people come to the five boroughs since April 2022, more than 60,000 of whom remain in the citys care.

Mayor Eric Adams administration has set up more than 200 emergency shelters around the five boroughs, including several on Staten Island that have drawn ongoing protests.

The importance of Staten Islanders being able to chart their own destiny by governing themselves has never been more apparent than now, Councilman David Carr (R-Mid-Island) said. This study is a critical first step on the path to us understanding how having an independent city of our own would work.

Fossella, who has been a fixture at those protests, also said the migrant issue played a part in the Islands latest secession push, but rehashed some of the longstanding reasons some on the Island have sought to leave the nations largest city.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn) highlighted some of those issues, particularly what Staten Islanders put into the citys coffers and what it gets back out.

Our borough pays the highest effective property tax rate in the city, but is forgotten when it comes to transportation, healthcare and other services, she said. With unanimous bipartisan support among the Islands elected officials, this analysis is the appropriate next step to determine the feasibility of secession and self-governing.

Those motivations date back decades, but earlier secession movements that gained traction were tied to larger issues that drew the ire of Staten Islanders, like the migrant crisis.

Secession advocates in the 1990s rallied behind the broader governments refusal to shutdown the Fresh Kills Landfill. Another push in the 1940s was built largely around plans to open the dump on the Island.

That earlier push fell short, and while the latter one did as well, it helped propel former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani into office  an outcome that many claim helped quiet secession cries through a Republican mayor who took a greater interest in Staten Island.

That trend continued under former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, but Fossella, who first took office as a councilman in 1994 shortly after the secession referendum, said the priorities of Island residents had begun to move away from the rest of city about 10 years ago.

Were just different, and now, we have, not on the scale of a landfill, but you have the migrant crisis that becomes an example of [the fact that] we have no recourse to solve the problem on our own, he said. I think the vast majority of people on Staten Island probably share the sentiment of we didnt start this problem. Why should we have to solve the problem?

From a philosophical prospective, secession proponents have their argument. They hope Fossellas study will give them the facts they need to convince others that an independent Staten Island could be sustainable. But whether or not secession will move forward will likely be left up to elected officials off Staten Island.

Democrats have full control of the City Council, City Hall, the governors mansion, and the State Legislature, but Lanza suggested that perhaps more liberal elected officials could be brought to the cause of secession because of their own distaste for Staten Island.

They say strange bedfellows but for very different reasons, there may be enough political support to get it done, he said. We wont know unless we try.

MORE LOCAL NEWS

All NYC businesses will have to follow these new trash rules as part of Mayor Adams anti-rat battle

This legislation would block shelters for those entering the country illegally on U.S. military bases

Heres what NYCs plan for Staten Islands waterfront will look like and include

Staten Islanders present case against St. John Villa shelter, but judge yet to make decision

NYC wants to see migrants get to work
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Its hard to drive down the middle of this one. But Im going to try.

The temperature on the migrant crisis gets hotter by the day, across New York City and here on Staten Island.

The La Colmena group wants borough elected officials who have supported the anti-migrant protests held accountable because they have been responsible for rallying people to build hate against the migrants.

Republican officials here have been at the forefront of the anti-migrant protests.

It was the same messaging that was used to execute the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, said the La Colmena statement, which was issued by Yesenia Mata, executive director of the organization.

People in this country have a First Amendment right to protest, and people in various parts of New York City, not just here on Staten Island, are doing so in the face of the migrant crisis.

You may not like their viewpoint, but they have every right to protest.

Which is not to say that I endorse everything about how the protests have been carried out.

Banging on the side of a bus bringing migrants to the shelter at the old Island Shores senior facility, as we saw during a protest last week, is over the line. Thats an action that could too quickly escalate.

The 24/7 blaring of anti-migrant messaging on a professional 430-watt speaker, which we saw in the area of the migrant shelter at the former St. John Villa Academy, probably annoyed some community residents as much as it did migrants.

Any spewing of invective or expletives or the calling of names, including on social media, cant be tolerated.

Nobody wants to see an NYPD police officer injured while responding to a protest, as we saw at Island Shores. I felt the same way when a sheriffs deputy was injured when he was hit by a car during an anti-COVID lockdown protest at Macs Public House in Dongan Hills in 2020.

But likening these Island protests to Jan. 6? Calling them hate? I cant endorse that either. Insurrection has become a word thats just too often thrown around by those on the left. It all paints with too broad a brush.

Protest, free speech and democracy sometimes get messy. Werent we told that during the nationwide social justice protests that took place following the police-involved killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020?

Things got violent during those protests. A Minneapolis police stationhouse was burned. Protestors in Portland, Oregon, caused $2.3 million in damage to federal buildings. Federal buildings in other cities were damaged.

In New York City, a Molotov cocktail was thrown into an NYPD van occupied by four police officers.

And we all know the dichotomy that has emerged in recent years when it comes to protest: My free speech is violence, your violence is free speech. It depends on what side of the protest youre on.

Theres actually much that we can agree on when it come to the migrant crisis, the main thing being that the way that the Biden administration has allowed this to happen has been a disaster from the start.

You cant just allow as many people as possible flood over the border. It demonstrably doesnt work. Even Gov. Kathy Hochul finally had to admit that New York cant house the world.

And I agree with that, although I disagree that more money from the feds is the solution, as Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams believe. Securing the border is the answer.

And people have a right to ask how the migrants are being tracked here and how many of them are actually seeking asylum and work permits, and how much city funding is going toward supporting them.

Its a mess. And theres no end in sight. The protests will continue, both here and at other neighborhoods in the city.

We will remain divided. But thats sadly nothing new these days.

MORE FROM TOM WROBLESKI

Here are the things that are really causing traffic on Staten Island | Opinion

Roadside memorial to motorcyclist who died in crash a haunting site in this Staten Island neighborhood

Amid nuclear war fears, heres a look inside some old NYC fallout shelters
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Thirteen lucky New Yorkers could soon become millionaires with just $5 and a few quick scratches.

The New York Lottery has various $5 scratch-off games with top-prizes ranging from $250,000 to $1 million.

As of Saturday, there are 13 tickets across eight different $5 scratch-off games with guaranteed top prizes of $1 million.

Here are the $5 scratch-off games with top-prize tickets of $1 million still in circulation as of Saturday, Sept. 23, according to New York Lottery data:

MULTIPLIER MONEY

Top prizes remaining: 1

Odds of winning top prize: 1 in 3,082,100

HIT IT BIG

Top prizes remaining: 2

Odds of winning top prize: 1 in 3,804,233.33

CASH X20

Top prizes remaining: 2

Odds of winning top prize: 1 in 4,513,950

$1M GOLDEN FORTUNE

Top prizes remaining: 2

Odds of winning top prize: 1 in 2,590,025

$1M LUCKY DOG

Top prizes remaining: 1

Odds of winning top prize: 1 in 2,591,250

$1M PREMIERE

Top prizes remaining: 1

Odds of winning top prize: 1 in 3,455,066.67

BIG BUCKS

Top prizes remaining: 1

Odds of winning top prize: 1 in 3,460,800

MAGIC 8 BALL

Top prizes remaining: 3

Odds of winning top prize: 1 in 3,434,533.33

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the New York Lotterys scratch-off games, visit nylottery.ny.gov/scratch-off-games.

The New York Lottery continues to be touted as North Americas largest and most profitable lottery, contributing $3.6 billion during fiscal year 2021-2022 to support education in New York state.

New York Lottery revenue is distributed to local school districts by the same statutory formula used to distribute other state aid to education. It takes into account both a school districts size and its income level; larger, lower-income school districts receive proportionately larger shares of lottery school funding.

MORE NY LOTTERY COVERAGE:

NY Lottery: These scratch-off tickets will net you payouts for life

NY Lottery: 7 chances to win $10M left for these scratch-off games

NY Lottery: 23 chances to turn $2 into $25,000 on these scratch-off games

NY Lottery: Want to win $1M or more? Play these $10, $20, $30 scratch-off games
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The impacts of Tropical Storm Ophelia are already being felt here on Staten Island, with forecasters expecting the heavy rain and gusting winds to continue throughout the weekend and into early next week.

Its going to feel like Seattle out there, pretty wet, windy and cool, said AccuWeather meteorologist Joseph Bauer. Its going to a blustery couple of days and even into next week.

The storm, which made landfall in North Carolina early Saturday morning, is already impacting much of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, including Staten Island, where heavy rain is expected to continue on and off in the coming days.

Were already seeing quite a few showers, a rainy day out there right now, and its not going to be going away over the next few days, Bauer said. Tomorrow could be another time where we get under one of those heavier rain bands and there could be some additional heavy rain tomorrow.

Through this weekend were looking at Ophelias impact being felt across the city, he added.

AccuWeathers Rainfall Amount Probability tracker predicts the most likely scenario to be two to four inches of rain, though theres about a 25% chance that the total could exceed those projections.

I think when alls said and done were looking at about two to four inches throughout the area, Bauer said.

In terms of temperature, highs are expected to remain in the mid-60s, with lows in the high 50s, though heavy winds and a lack of sunshine will make it feel five to 10 degrees cooler than it actually is.

Winds gusts are currently ranging anywhere from 25 to 35 mph and are expected to remain in that range in the coming days, even as the storm moves up the East Coast and closer to New York City.

The storm is going to be losing some wind intensity over the next 36 hours. So while the storm is going to be getting closer to the Staten Island area, its going to be a pretty flatlined wind intensity over the next few days, said Bauer. So the storm is going to be getting closer, but its also going to be weakening.

With the National Weather Service issuing a coastal flood statement for Staten Island, which will remain in effect until at least 5 p.m. on Saturday, Bauer cautioned residents living in flood-prone areas along the East Shore to be on the look out for flooding.

Any areas that are prone, especially out of the East or Northeast that get coastal flooding when the wind is out of that direction, certainly look for it as the storms going to slowly meander toward us over the next few days, he said.

The rain may linger into Monday morning, but is expected to wrap up by the end of the day, with clearer skies and slightly warmer weather expected over the rest of the week.

As you look out into early next week, there could be some additional rain sticking around for the morning commute on Monday, but the storms going to push offshore on Monday, so were looking at a little bit of rain in the morning, could slow the morning commute, but the storm and the associated rainfall ending later in the day on Monday, said Bauer.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  In honor of those who have died, here is a compilation of obituaries posted on SILive.com. Viewing times and guest books can be seen here.

Lifelong Staten Islander Dorothy (Dot) Brittain of Huguenot died Sept. 13, 2023. Born in Midland Beach, she graduated from New Dorp High School. She married Philip Brittain in March 1953 and remained happily married for 70 years. She worked at the Hanover Bank until marriage swept her away for a brief stint at Camp Gordon, Georgia, where Phil served in the U.S. Army. Upon returning to Staten Island, she was a homemaker, raising children while working with Our Lady Star of the Sea R.C. Church. For the full obituary, click here.

Robert L. Gans died Aug. 27, 2023. He was born on June 24, 1930, and attended grade school at Staten Island Academy and high school at LaSalle Military Academy. A graduate of Georgetown University, he avidly read books on history, politics and the Civil War, and greatly admired Abraham Lincoln. He was a founder and the CEO of Swim at Home, a swimming pool company, and Ad Lib records. She loved birdwatching, nature and walks in the woods or on the beach. For the full obituary, click here.

Sister Mary Raphael Maher died Sept. 19, 2023. Born Eleanor Maher on Staten Island, she entered the Presentation Sisters of Staten Island on Aug. 22, 1949. She professed her first vows on April 19, 1952, and her final vows on April 19, 1955. Sister Mary Raphael attended St. Christophers Elementary School, St. John Villa High School and received her bachelors degree in education from Fordham University in 1960. Sister Mary Raphael taught at Our Lady Queen of Peace, St Pauls School, Our Lady Help of Christians, St. Margaret Marys and St. Teresas before retiring in 1992. For the full obituary, click here.

Romana Transazione, 82, of Cape Coral, Florida, died July 16, 2023. A Brooklyn native, she was a beautiful, caring, funny, feisty and loving person who touched the lives of many. She loved to cook and enjoyed entertaining family and friends. She was very dedicated to her family and was also an avid cruiser. For the full obituary, click here.

YESTERDAYS OBITUARIES

Albert Ferrara, 96, died on Sept. 20, 2023. Born in Mariners Harbor, he was a lifelong Staten Islander. He was a Merchant Marine in World War II, stationed primarily in the Philippines and was honorably discharged. Upon arriving home from the war, he met the love of his life, the late Evelyn Ferrara at Faber Pool. He worked as a truck driver, and retired from the city Sanitation Department as a machinist in the 1990s. An avid New York Giants fan, he was a season ticket holder since 1946 and saw the team play in every stadium they called home. For the full obituary, click here.
Casey Flaherty and her boyfriend were waiting in her car on 11th Avenue in Belmar, New Jersey, on Wednesday when they saw two people struggling in the ocean on an unguarded beach.

It was around 3:15 p.m. and a man and woman, who appeared to be in their 70s, had their hands up, clearly stuck in a rip current off the Monmouth County beach, Flaherty said.

Flaherty, who had just picked up her sister from a nearby high school, saw others try to head into the water to try to save the people. But, one of the would-be rescuers also appeared to get stuck in the rip current.

Beachgoers were yelling at the people in the water to swim parallel to the current, but the man and woman who were struggling spoke little English, Flaherty said.

Thats when Flaherty, a competitive surfer and surf instructor, and her boyfriend, Alex Rosenthal, 20, grabbed their surfboards and headed into the water.

We went out there and got to them and the lady was OK, she grabbed onto my board, said Flaherty, 21. And then the older guy grabbed onto my boyfriends board and he was not doing OK. His eyes were like rolling back in his head.

Flaherty, an accomplished local surfer who has competed in pro tournaments, helped grab the man and swam him back to shore. Another bystander helped carry the mans legs, until he regained some of his strength to stand.

The man had his arm around Flaherty, and when we got to the beach, he said, Thank you for saving my life, and kissed me on the cheek, she said.

The paramedics arrived shortly afterward.

Belmar police did not respond to a request to comment. The identify of the man and woman who were rescued and their conditions is unclear.

The third man who got caught in the rip current after he went in to rescue the couple got out of the water on his own and appeared to be fine, Flaherty said.

It was serendipitous that Flaherty, of Monmouth Beach, and Rosenthal, of Santa Cruz, California, were nearby and prepared to make the rescue.

They were parked after picking up Flahertys sister from school and waiting for her to change in a nearby public bathroom so the couple could take the girl to surf team practice in nearby Spring Lake.

Afterward, Flaherty and Rosenthal were headed to work at Summertime Surf in Bradley Beach, a surf school  so they were already wearing their swimsuits and had their surfboards in the car.

We were going to go surfing in Bradley Beach after, but we just happened to pull up there so she could change in the public bathroom right there, Flaherty said of her sister.

Flaherty, who worked as a lifeguard in Bradley Beach and completed ocean rescues as an EMT in North Carolina, has pulled people from the ocean before. But this was Rosenthals first save.

Rosenthal joked that Flaherty always thinks someone in the ocean needs saving, even when the swimmers are fine.

Im always like, Oh, we need to save them, but we really dont. But this time, we did, Flaherty said.
ONEIDA, N.Y.  George Stratton Jr. sifted through what was left of his home in Oneida, going back a few times as he and others tried to salvage anything after a gas explosion destroyed the house.

Just about the only thing Stratton, 67, had left were the pajama pants he was wearing the night he settled into bed, and just hours before a 17-year-old crashed a stolen car into the side of his home, severing the gas line.

Stratton was watching TV in bed when he saw a flash of headlights cross his front yard. Then a loud bang sounded, the house shook and within seconds he could smell a gas odor inside, said Darryl Lerch, Strattons stepson.

Stratton jumped out of bed, ran through the living room and into his kitchen to grab his phone, Lerch said. He rushed outside to find the car smashed into his home. Thats when Stratton called 911.

Around 3 a.m. Sept. 9, the 2012 Toyota Rav4 crashed into his home at 532 West Elm St.

Police said the Rav4 crashed into the home so hard it broke the gas line near the meter. The neighborhood was evacuated.

Firefighters immediately called National Grid, but the utilitys crews were unable to turn off the gas before it exploded three hours later.

National Grid hasnt told Stratton why the gas couldnt be turned off, Lerch said. The utility as of Thursday has refused to answer questions from Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard about what caused the three-hour delay.

The teen was intoxicated and taken to a local hospital just hours before he stole the Rav4 and crashed it, police said. Officials have not said why the drunk teen was released from a local hospital.

The 17-year-old is facing 30 criminal charges, Oneida police said Thursday. The charges are all related to the theft of the vehicle, the crash, the explosion and damage to the home on Sept. 9, they said.

Stratton and his neighbors were told to stand down the street when they were evacuated.

What Stratton remembers is hearing the explosion and seeing debris fall around him and onto the surrounding homes, Lerch said.

After the explosion, the home was just a pile of rubble. The stairs leading to the front door were still there but the door and the rest of the house was gone. An armchair sat upright in the wreckage. An American flag still hung. Pieces of the house were strewn across the road and onto neighbors roofs.

Lerch said his step-father is pretty torn-up about the destruction of his home, but that hes taking it in stride. Stratton was too upset to be interviewed about the explosion, his stepson said.

The only salvageable items from his whole house were a few photos undamaged in the explosion.

The only thing he had left was the pair of pajama pants he was wearing, Lerch said. Thats all he had.

Stratton purchased the home in the 1985, remodeling it and the property over the years, Lerch said.

For Lerch, this was his childhood home. He moved into the house in 1996 with his mom and two sisters. Theyd lived in the neighborhood, just a street over on Fitch Street. Lerchs mother, Paula Stratton, married George Stratton that year and soon they were all living together in the home on West Elm.

Lerch lived there for 10 years and moved out when he was 18 years old.

On that Saturday morning, Lerch woke to the devastating news about the house when his sister called to tell him that their childhood home blew up overnight. Lerch drove from Virginia that same day to be with his stepfather.

Lerch saw photos of the destruction before he started his drive, but he said he didnt really feel it until he saw the damage in person. It made his stomach turn, he said.

[The house] was all just a pile of debris, Lerch said.

The structure itself wont be the only part that is missed, Lerch said. Its the memories the home held thats the hardest for everyone to lose, he said.

Every family gathering and party was held in their home when people were in town to visit or holidays were being celebrated.

Lerchs mom passed away in 2021, and Stratton, who lived in the home with her for 25 years, spent the past two years living there by himself. Stratton is still grieving Paulas death, Lerch said. And photos of her, clothes and a lot of her personal belongings were destroyed.

Losing your wife is not easy, Lerch said. Then two years later you lose your home and have to start over a second time  first on your own and again picking up the pieces of your house.

Lerch said if his mother were still here, shed be crushed to see the home, and everything they worked for, gone.

Along with Stratton, seven homes were evacuated and six families have been displaced from their home, Oneida City Police Chief Steve Lowell said. The blast was so big that it was felt by people from surrounding towns, he said.

Lerch thanked the Oneida police and fire departments for their quick response and continued support.

The family hasnt made any decisions on what the next steps are. Stratton is staying with his sister in Canastota. Its undecided whether to rebuild the home, he said.

While we were picking through pictures and things that were blown across the neighborhood, [Stratton] knew that he had to start all over, Lerch said.

7 1 / 7 House explosion in Oneida

***

If you want to help...

There will be a benefit for George Stratton Jr. at 1 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Oneida American Legion Post 169, 398 N. Main St. People can also donate gift cards to Oneida City Hall or donate money to an account set up through Community Bank, 519 W. Genesee St, Chittenango, 13037.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As Tropical Storm Ophelia nears the New York City area, its impact is already being seen on Staten Island  and its expected to continue throughout the weekend.

Currently, the borough is under a coastal flood advisory, which is in effect until 5 p.m. Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

Right now, Ophelia is moving further inland across eastern North Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The center first deemed the system a tropical storm on Friday as it began moving toward the East Coast.

As Tropical Storm Ophelia nears the New York City area, its impact is already being seen on Staten Island  and its expected to continue throughout the weekend.

National Weather Service senior meteorologist Frank Pereira told the Advance/SILive.com that the storm will travel along the coastal Mid-Atlantic region a bit before closing in on southern New Jersey by later in the weekend or possibly early Monday morning.

Several trackers are available to follow Lee from CNN and USA Today.

According to the latest forecasts, 2 to 3 inches of rain could fall through Monday. Forecasters say about 1 to 2 inches of that total will occur from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.

There is the potential for scattered downed tree branches due to full foliage Saturday. A few power outages also are possible.

Localized minor coastal flooding is possible Sunday.

Tropical storm Ophelia will continue to move up the East Coast this weekend, according to forecast. (NWS)

While a threat of rain will linger throughout the weekend, gusty winds could roll into the area on Sunday.

The National Weather Service predicts gusts of 25-35 mph and rainfall of an inch and a half to two and a half are possible.

Rainfall totals expected for Tropical Storm Ophelia this weekend. (NWS)

Pereira pointed out that theres still some uncertainty as far as how fast the system will move into the area as the storm will likely begin to slow toward the end of the weekend.

At the moment, Sunday is expected to have an 80% chance of precipitation with rain throughout the day.

Monday has the potential to be drier with only a 40% chance of showers. The temperature is expected to reach 64 degrees with cloudy skies.

By Tuesday, the storm system should move out of the area with most cloudy skies and a high around 64 degrees again.
A strip placed at the bottom of solar panels can prevent snow accumulation (iStock/ Getty Images)

Engineers have invented a way to passively remove snow from solar panels to allow them to keep generating electricity during adverse weather conditions.

A team from the University of Toledo in the United States developed a strip coating that causes accumulated snow to slide off solar panels without interfering with their efficiency.

Solar panels can generate electricity on cloudy days, however snow cover can completely block their ability to harvest any of the Suns energy. This can result in up to 12 per cent loss of electricity generation per year in areas with heavy snowfall.

The self-cleaning strips can also be applied to both new and existing solar installations relatively easily.

The strip coatings apply to the lower edge of the panel, resulting in passive snow removal without requiring any energy to operate, said Hossein Sojoudi, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Toledo.

Our strip coating does not interfere with absorption of sunlight or panel efficiency at any time, does not cause any partial shading or hotspots on the panel, and does not invalidate module warranty and in fact improves the lifetime of the module.

Tests in the US and Japan found that solar panels fitted with the strip achieved more than 5 per cent improved power generation annually.

Solar accounted for around 3.4 per cent of electricity generation in the US last year, according to figures from the Energy Information Administration, while more than half of new US electricity-generating capacity in 2023 is forecast to be from solar.

The strip on the lower edge causes built-up snow to slide off the solar panel (University of Toledo)

Working with industry partners, Dr Sojoudi said he expects thousands of strip coatings to be installed across the US by the end of 2023.

We estimate to reach a production rate of 1 million strip coatings by the end of 2024, he said.

Our solution is a game-changing technology that can lead to an additional $150 million in additional annual revenue, across states with heavy snowfall... Through the help of our strategic partners, we are delivering on the promise of solar energy all year long.
Thank you for visiting the Daily Journal.

Please purchase an Enhanced Subscription to continue reading. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.



We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.



A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Whenever I read the words TikTok trend, my inner Millennial registers that whatever is being discussed probably isnt meant for me, and my eyes glaze over.

But this week, a particular TikTok trend made its way onto my ageing radar by making its way onto Instagram, where someone linked out to a news article, where I could read about it like a proper adult.

That guy is jonesin for a 9am amphora of wine and some braised elephant trunk. Credit: Marija Ercegovac

The headline in question read: How Often Do Men Think About The Roman Empire? A Lot, According To New TikTok Trend.

This was one of several pieces I saw over the space of a few days, including Why are men thinking about the Roman Empire? and The TikTok Roman Empire Trend, Explained, as well as my personal favourite, Mark Zuckerberg weighs in on viral Roman Empire obsession.
Beachgoers driving to Bondi Beach face tougher limits on parking while residents will be given more access to free, unlimited on-street parking spots amid growing traffic congestion on Sydney roads.

Waverley Council wants to extend resident parking schemes in parts of Bondi, but impose a two-hour time limit on non-residents parking in these zones.

More street parking in Bondi Beach would have a time limit for visitors under plans unveiled by Waverley Council. Credit: Brook Mitchell

Waverley mayor Paula Masselos said the two-hour time limit for non-residents was a fair way to balance the demand for parking between Bondi Beach residents and visitors.

We know how frustrating it has become for residents in these areas to find a park near their homes, she said.
Property developers are bulldozing residential blocks in inner-city suburbs to create luxury developments with fewer apartments, prompting local councils to investigate ways to prevent a loss of housing stock.

The City of Sydney is the latest council to consider planning rules to stop developers knocking down older residential blocks  traditionally affordable due to their age and size  as it faces a growing number of building proposals for high-end apartments.

An artists impression of a proposal to replace what developer Fortis calls an ageing residential flat building in Elizabeth Bay with high-end apartments. Credit: Fortis

Woollahra Council voted last month to investigate new planning rules to prevent a net reduction of dwellings on development sites. Waverley Council amended planning rules last year to require DAs to increase or preserve residential dwelling density.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the city risked losing its famous egalitarianism because of the housing affordability crisis.
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

In some parts of Sydney, 10pm on a suburban shopping strip would be a ghost town. But on Lakembas Haldon Street, Rasha Almaanawe has to turn away customers so she can go home.

We shut about 10pm, but we get busier as we are about to close. Most of the shops along here stay open until midnight. Its always busy, said Rasha Almaanawe, owner of King of Sweets, where the baklava is the biggest seller, followed by znoud el sit  literally ladies upper arms.

While the bustling south-west Sydney street is best known for its Ramadan Markets, which now bring more than a million people to the suburb each year, Almaanawe increasingly has visitors from out of area all year round.

Rasha Almaanawe, owner of King of Sweets at her shop on Haldon Street, Lakemba. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

I think people like the night shopping. Its safe here. People like walking around, she said.

Past the train station, restaurants serving Lebanese, Bangladeshi, Bengali and Yemeni cuisine are open until the early hours, even on a weeknight.

To be honest you can go out as late as you want around here. The places up the road, they dont close until three in the morning, and thats seven days a week, said Rashas brother, who occasionally helps in his sisters shop.
Drug reform advocates are concerned about NSWs upcoming festival season, fearing drug deaths will reach crisis point before the government implements promised reforms.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has ruled out introducing pill testing ahead of the festival season, which begins next Saturday with Listen Out Festival in Centennial Park, while NSW Police have confirmed drug detection dogs will be used at the festival as part of a high-visibility police operation.

Drug detection dogs will be in force at the Listen Out Festival next Saturday. Credit: Fairfax Media

Pill testing and decriminalisation were among the recommendations of the 2019 Ice Inquiry along with a coroners report that same year into the drug-related deaths of six festival-goers between December 2017 and January 2019, which also recommended scrapping sniffer dogs at festivals.

Most of the drug policies of the former government remain in place as Minns has pushed back any reforms until after the long-promised drug summit which aims to replicate the success of former premier Bob Carrs 1999 summit.
A man blows a Shofar, a traditional Jewish musical horn typically made of a ram's horn, while standing with others along the Mediterranean sea shore as religious Jews gather to perform the Tashlich ritual in Tel Aviv on Sept. 17, 2023, on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, ahead of Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement. (Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images)

Early emerging cicadas singing their last song this September faced stiff competition from a different type of seasonal sound.

Across Chicagoland, Jewish communities took to trails, parks and parking lots to blow the shofar, a ritual wind instrument associated with fall religious holidays. The rousing, echoing call of the shofar is a key aspect of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year that began last weekend, and Yom Kippur, a day of atonement when many Jews choose to fast, which begins Sunday.

Advertisement

Traditionally held in synagogues, these Jewish congregations have take the shofar sessions outside in an effort to make the ritual more public and accessible to those who cant get away from work, might be sick or immunocompromised or curious about the sound.

I think its wonderful for people who are Jewish but arent super traditional, said Rabbi Shoshanah Conover, senior rabbi at Temple Sholom. You can do this outdoor observance in twenty minutes.

Advertisement

Temple Sholom, a Reform congregation in Lakeview, drew about 40 to its Shofar in the Park event Sept. 10. Similar celebrations took place in Bucktown, Wicker Park and North Center.

In Evanston, the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation hosts an annual walk along the lakefront with seven stops to hear shofars blowing. This years walk was Sept. 15, the night before Rosh Hashana.

The shofar, a ritual instrument typically made out of a hollow rams horn and played like a trumpet, has been part of Jewish tradition since biblical times. Some communities blow the shofar every day in Elul, the lunar calendar Hebrew month leading up to Rosh Hashana.

Rohr Chabad House at the University of Illinois at Chicago, which also serves the Rush hospital system and Illinois Medical District, held its version of a Shofar walk on the last night of Rosh Hashana. The event, in Mary Bartelme Park on the Near West Side, included a childrens singalong with props and traditional holiday snacks.

No matter who people were and where they were coming from, at that moment everyone is together and theres just that feeling of the essence of the Jewish experience, said Chani Shemtov, who leads Chabad UIC along with her husband Rabbi Bentzy Shemtov.

Rabbi Bentzy Shemtov with his shofar at Chabad UIC & West Loop in Chicago on Sept. 21, 2023. Chabad House held its version of a Shofar walk on the night before Rosh Hashana this year. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

About 1 in 25 Chicagoans are Jewish, according to a study from Brandeis University. Twenty percent of Chicago Jews surveyed by Brandeis described themselves as highly involved in observing holidays. Another 27% participate only casually.

A typical shofar blowing involves three rhythmic patterns. An extended note called tekiah gedolah is the last note heard on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, with shofar players practicing to hold the sound as long as possible.

At UIC Chabad, Shemtov found the shofar in the park events especially popular among Jewish medical students and hospital staff, as well as the families of patients at the University of Illinois and Rush hospital systems.

Advertisement

The shofar at UIC Chabad is played by Bentzy Shemtov. Throughout September, he also visited Jewish patients at UIC and Rush hospitals to play the shofar at their bed sides.

So many people were really uplifted by hearing the shofar, Chani Shemtov said.

For Temple Sholom, the idea for outdoor shofar celebrations was planted in 2020, when High Holidays celebrations took place via livestream, Conover said. In 2021, the Lakeview East congregation expanded to three parks across the North Side, plus the temples parking lot. That year, Conover said, outdoor Zumba classes in Loyola Park found themselves suddenly coexisting with shofar blowing events.

This year, Northwestern Law student Nia Crosley blew the shofar for congregants and residents in the Temple Sholom parking lot.

People brought their dogs, they brought their kids, Conover said. The diversity in age, it was really from people in their 90s to little cuties.

In early pandemic years, Shofar in the Park also ended with a communal prayer for the sick and injured. Conover said the event held space for community mourning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advertisement

Theres personal loss, and then theres personal loss that happens in a time where theres public grieving, Conover said.

Stanley Cohn, of Skokie, blows the shofar during the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation Erev Rosh Hashanah Shofar Walk on Sept. 25, 2022, at Dawes Park in Evanston. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

Opinions differ on how to make Jewish religious holidays accessible without watering them down, Chani Shemtov said. She finds shofar blowing is one of the easiest traditions to take on the go.

More and more people would love to connect with Judaism, but they dont necessarily feel comfortable with, or theyre not necessarily seeking out, a synagogue experience, Chani Shemtov said. That kind of integration is key.

Outdoor shofar events have also drawn curiosity from non-Jews. A member of the local parks board reached out to Chani Shemtov this year to let her know he was moved by the sound.

I thought that was so interesting, because I know I find it to be very moving, Chani Shemtov said. But for him, even though hes not Jewish himself, he senses something very special about that event in particular.

As the final tekiah gedolah note brings this years High Holidays to a close, the experience of being conspicuously religious outdoors has a deeper meaning for those who have experienced antisemitism, Conover said.

Advertisement

Being able to be publicly, Jewishly proud feels like a really nice response, Conover said. Were not able to completely eradicate antisemitism on our own, but we are able to dig deeper into ourselves and what we love.
Sri Brahmrishi Ashram's Siddhguru embarks on a spiritual awakening journey in Europe, introducing the miracles of Vedic science to seekers in cities like Paris, London, and Glasgow, promoting self-discovery and inner peace.

TIRUPATI, INDIA / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2023 / Sri Brahmrishi Ashram announces a series of spiritual events led by Siddhguru in various European cities from September 17 to October 8, 2023. "The events aim to address the growing need for spiritual alignment in today's society," states Mr. Rakesh Vijay, spokesperson for Sri Brahmrishi Ashram.

Siddhguru, formerly known as Sri Sidheshwar Brahmrishi Gurudev, has been a subject of interest for those exploring spiritual enlightenment. "Spirituality, in its essence, is about aligning oneself with universal principles that go beyond social and religious constructs," notes Mr. Vijay of Sri Brahmrishi Ashram.

"As we advance in technology and material comforts, the inner void grows wider, the need for spiritual awakening is not just a trend but a profound necessity," Mr. Vijay elaborates further. Siddhguru's spiritual journey is marked by the activation of all seven Chakras of Kundalini from birth, a rare phenomenon in spiritual circles. What sets Siddhguru apart is his innate spiritual awakening, symbolized by the activation of all seven Chakras of Kundalini from birth. "This isn't merely a personal attribute but has implications for collective human consciousness," adds Mr. Vijay.

Between September 17 and October 8, Siddhguru will be visiting several cities in Europe, including Paris, London, Manchester, Colchester, and Glasgow. The events aim to offer participants an opportunity for self-discovery, mindful meditation, and spiritual growth. "The events are structured to facilitate a comprehensive spiritual experience," states Mr. Vijay.

Event Schedule:

Paris, France (17.09.2023):

Venue: LE MERIDIEN, ETOILE, 81 Boulevard Gouvion SaINT-Cyr, 75017 Paris, France.

Story continues

London, UK (24.09.2023):

Venue: Slough Hindu Temple, Keel Dr, Slough SL1 2XU, London.

Colchester, UK (30.09.2023):

Venue: Stanway Village Hall Villa Road Stanway, Colchester, Essex, C03 ORH.

Manchester, UK (05.10.2023):

Venue: Jain Community Centre, 667/669 Stockport Road, Manchester M12 4QE.

Glasgow, Scotland, UK (08.10.2023):

Venue: Om Hindu Mandir, 1 La Belle Pl, Glasgow G3 7LH.

For further information and opportunities to engage with Siddhguru's teachings, visit http://www.sribrahmrishiashram.org/ or reach out to Mr. Rakesh Vijay +1 (647) 274-9421.

Social Media Link:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/srisidheshwarbrahmrishi

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/siddhgurusrisidheshwarbrahmrishi

Twitter (X):

https://twitter.com/sri_sidheswar

About Sri Brahmrishi Ashram

Sri Brahmrishi Ashram is a sanctuary of spirituality and harmony located near Tirupati, India. The Ashram is committed to the service of humanity and offers a range of spiritual activities and events. It serves as a spiritual home for seekers from around the world, aiming to elevate human consciousness through Vedic wisdom.

Media Contact

Organization: Sri Brahmrishi Ashram

Contact Person: Rakesh Vijay

Website: http://www.sribrahmrishiashram.org/

Email: info@sribrahmrishiashram.org

Contact Number: +91 93283 53441

City: Tirupati

Country: India

SOURCE: Sri Brahmrishi Ashram





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/786874/sri-brahmrishi-ashrams-siddhguru-to-illuminate-europe-with-vedic-wisdom-on-spiritual-awakening-journey




A social media obesity awareness campaign by the company behind controversial weight-loss drug Ozempic will be reviewed to ensure it complies with Australias strict medicine advertising laws, as public health advocates raise concerns about blurred boundaries

Sponsored posts on Instagram paid for by pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk promote a message that body type is heavily influenced by genetics and include a link to their website with information about its prescription-only weight loss medications.

Ozempic is being heavily prescribed, particularly in the United States.

The Danish company manufactures Ozempic, an appetite suppressant for people with type 2 diabetes which has been widely prescribed off-label as a weight loss drug, despite attempts by the regulator to restrict its use to diabetics. Novo Nordisk also manufactures Saxenda, a prescription-only weight loss injection.

Novo Nordisk has funded multiple obesity awareness campaigns abroad, including the videos being shown on Australian social media. Since 2021, the companys US TV advertisements fronted by celebrity Queen Latifah have promoted the message that obesity is not about willpower.
Brisbane residents complaining about airport noise have been told to take a reality check by the states tourism minister, as he compared the citys runways to those in Sydney, and said 24-hour flights were vital for the economy.

Airport noise has long been a heated debate across Brisbane, particularly for those living directly under flight paths.

Brisbanes new runway was completed in 2020. Since then, there has been an increase in noise complaints. Credit: Brisbane Airport Corporation

Earlier this year, it was revealed people could hear the planes from 226 suburbs, including as far afield as the Moreton Bay region.

Amid community angst over the issue, Ryan MP Elizabeth Watson-Brown recently gave notice that the Greens would introduce the Brisbane Airport Curfew and Demand Management Bill 2023 to parliament. The bill would put a cap on the number of flights, and introduce a curfew on airport operations.
Vape shops selling lollies, sugary drinks and toys are cropping up across Melbourne, alarming health experts who claim such items are a tactic to lure children.

While it is illegal for vapes to be sold to children, Quit Victoria says retailers are attracting young people to their stores by selling confectionery and sugary energy drinks alongside fruit-flavoured e-cigarettes.

Brooke Alexander is concerned about the number of vape shops along Chapel Street, which is frequented by school children. Credit: Paul Jeffers

The organisations acting director, Craig Sinclair, said these stores were often located near schools or along routes to them.

Many of them are based on a model where theyre providing not just vapes, but theyre also outlets for confectionery and other items that would appear to be attractive purchases for young people, he said. They are clearly taking advantage of the vulnerability of young people.
Housing is the third rail of Australian politics. Theyre damned if they do, were damned if they dont. Well, its time for a revolution  for housing innovation to become politically sexy!

In Australia, the greatest wealth is generated through home ownership. Those of us in the market are quietly happy as our houses increase in value. Year-on-year growth gives us security and affluence that most older Boomers could only dream of. We know its unsustainable, but we secretly love it. But for those outside the market  unable to get their foot in the door  its a disaster.

Illustration by Andrew Dyson. Credit:

Feeding into a collective vested interest is the very lack of supply that makes housing broadly more difficult to access. At the same time, it continues to make some of us individually richer. Less housing results in more pressure, resulting in higher housing prices. Its an expanding and never-ending problem. So, how to fix it?

If we want to begin to solve the housing problem, here are a few things we can do to nudge things along:
Perth man Stephen Paul Asher, a self-confessed paedophile, was jailed this week after an investigation that had its origins in the murders of two FBI agents.

The 64-year-old father is also a tech genius and cyber-security expert who formerly worked for Goldman Sachs before co-launching a cyber software company now worth $20 million.

Stephen Asher, 64, was jailed for 18 months on Thursday for his part in an international paedophile ring. Credit: Internet

Asher had the technical ability to fly under the radar as he scanned the dark web for images of naked pubescent and prepubescent girls, some under 13 years old.

But after automatic gunfire killed FBI special agents Daniel Alfin and Laura Schwartzenberger as they stood on the doorstep of a Florida apartment in February 2021, further investigations revealed their killer was part of a child abuse network that stretched as far as Australia.
The WA police officer critically injured while on holiday in Croatia has arrived safely back in Perth after her fellow officers and the wider community raised over $500,000 to get her here.

Ella Cutler, 26, was rushed to hospital on August 26 after slipping and falling 10 metres from a wall between two restaurants, leaving her with multiple fractures to her skull, spine and ribs, and punctured lungs.

The Mirrabooka detective constable was with a 34-year-old Australian man, who also fell. Local media reported the two did not climb the wall, but fell when Cutler leaned on the man. He was taken to hospital and underwent surgery.

While Cutler had travel insurance, its believed they did not honour her policy because she had been consuming alcohol at the time of the fall.
There are only five suburbs across Sydney where a couple earning an average income could afford to buy a house, without mortgage stress.

But all of these postcodes are on the citys fringes either in western Sydney or on the Central Coast. Mount Druitt  43 kilometres west of the CBD  was the most affordable suburb for couples to buy into at a median price of $633,500, down 5.3 per cent in the year to June on Domain data.

Couples would have more options if they chose to compromise and buy a unit instead, but many would be in far-flung suburbs due to higher interest rates and rising property prices.

Based on official data measuring average weekly earnings, a couple who are paid $95,300 a year each could borrow enough to buy a home worth up to $668,400, Canstar analysis showed.
Tokyo: A top US diplomat known for his outspoken commentary on Chinas leadership said all countries wanting to deter Beijing from its aggressive behaviour need to do more to boost their defence forces.

US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel declined to say whether Tokyo should have any role in future AUKUS programs and would not go near questions about whether Japan should also be switching from diesel-electric to nuclear submarines to deter threats from China, North Korea and Russia.

US Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel. Credit: Latika Bourke

But asked by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age if Japan was ready in the event China made a move against Taiwan, Emanuel said all countries needed to do more.

Theres more for all of us to do, Barack Obamas former chief of staff said.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a Public session on September 25, 2023.

The Public meeting is scheduled for Monday at 14.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:

Question hour: Questions from MP M.D. Gumbs directed to the Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor regarding the status of COVID infections on Sint Maarten including new strain infections ( IS/020/2023-2024 dated September 18, 2023)

The intention of a question hour is to create the possibility for Members of Parliament to exercise their supervisory activities by posing questions and interacting with Ministers on current matters. During the question hour, only questions and answers will be given on the topic at hand. The procedure of the question hour is regulated in Article 69 and further of the Rules of Order.

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.



The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.



The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx, and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament
Billions of dollars in student loans have been discharged for borrowers defrauded by their schools.

A lot of times those borrowers went to for-profit colleges. But not all of them.

Some highly regarded universities are licensing their name for use by for-profit schools, one expert said, but the education students receive isnt from the institution.

"There's been a real uptick in recent years of legitimate, even highly prestigious institutions, offering programs in partnership with some for-profit companies where they are essentially outsourcing the entire education," Dan Zibel, chief counsel and vice president of Student Defense, told Yahoo Finance Live (video above). "So you think you're getting an education from XYZ university, a top tier internationally known university, when in reality what you're getting is they're licensing their nameprimarily for revenue for the institution and perhaps the company that they're in partnership with."

Read more: Student loan issues? Here's how to file a complaint with the Department of Education

Student loan debt discharged under Biden administration

Since January, the Biden administration has discharged almost $73 billion in student loan debt for more than 2.5 million borrowers. That includes $14.5 billion in discharged debt related to the "closed school loan discharge" and "borrower loan defense discharge" programs, the latter of which is a legal ground borrowers can take against a school that engaged in misconduct related to the loan or the educational services it provided.

More than 1 million defrauded borrowers attended for-profit or formally for-profit schools such as Westwood College, DeVry University, Corinthian College, Ashford University, CollegeAmerica, and ITT Tech, to name a few.

(Photo: Getty Creative)

"Most of the discharges with specific schools have come about based on findings that institutions, largely for-profit institutions, have actually defrauded students," Zibel said. "They lied to the students, promised them jobs, promised them outcomes, and they didn't deliver."

Story continues

However, there's a lawsuit to prevent the Department of Education from discharging debt for defrauded borrowers using the borrower's defense discharge.

"The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has enjoined the Department from imposing new regulations that were designed to ease the path to loan forgiveness for those borrowers," Zibel said. "The Department in 2021 undid a series of regulations imposed by then-Secretary DeVos to try and ease the path for borrowers. An organization that represents for-profit colleges has sued to enjoin those rules, essentially trying to make it harder for borrowers who have been victimized by some of these schools to get relief."

Ronda is a personal finance senior reporter for Yahoo Finance and attorney with experience in law, insurance, education, and government. Follow her on Twitter @writesronda.

Click here for the latest personal finance news to help you with investing, paying off debt, buying a home, retirement, and more

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
And what a canvas it is, as yet unstretched, tacked onto the wall almost from floor to ceiling. Two female figures, one recognisably a black woman, the other with the almost spectral face of an Akan fertility doll (a common object where he is from, in the mountainous region of Kwahu, and a signature in Marfos work) stand taller than the artist himself. One holds a baby, whose head resembles a tribal mask; the other cradles a cockerel; in front of her stands a dog. The colours are popping, the context ambiguous. These two have a proud, calm presence, looking directly at you as if patiently waiting for you to state your business and go away, so they can get on with whatever they were doing.
Murray said in a short speech: The United States claim the ability to take any citizen of any country from any country around the world for the breaking their laws. That is simply outrageous.
It is also against the law to have a dog that is dangerously out of control, which can be punished by prison sentences and unlimited fines.
Issuing a picture of her beaming in her school uniform, they said in a brief statement through the Metropolitan Police: Selena was an intelligent and cheeky girl adored and loved by everyone.
While Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AIT) might not be the most widely known stock at the moment, it saw a double-digit share price rise of over 10% in the past couple of months on the NYSE. As a US$6.0b market cap stock, it seems odd Applied Industrial Technologies is not more well-covered by analysts. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing given that there are less eyes on the stock to push it closer to fair value. Is there still an opportunity to buy? Lets take a look at Applied Industrial Technologiess outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if the opportunity still exists.

Check out our latest analysis for Applied Industrial Technologies

What Is Applied Industrial Technologies Worth?

Great news for investors  Applied Industrial Technologies is still trading at a fairly cheap price. According to my valuation, the intrinsic value for the stock is $218.42, which is above what the market is valuing the company at the moment. This indicates a potential opportunity to buy low. Whats more interesting is that, Applied Industrial Technologiess share price is quite volatile, which gives us more chances to buy since the share price could sink lower (or rise higher) in the future. This is based on its high beta, which is a good indicator for how much the stock moves relative to the rest of the market.

Can we expect growth from Applied Industrial Technologies?

Future outlook is an important aspect when youre looking at buying a stock, especially if you are an investor looking for growth in your portfolio. Although value investors would argue that its the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. Applied Industrial Technologies' earnings growth are expected to be in the teens in the upcoming years, indicating a solid future ahead. This should lead to robust cash flows, feeding into a higher share value.

Story continues

What This Means For You

Are you a shareholder? Since AIT is currently undervalued, it may be a great time to increase your holdings in the stock. With an optimistic outlook on the horizon, it seems like this growth has not yet been fully factored into the share price. However, there are also other factors such as financial health to consider, which could explain the current undervaluation.

Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping an eye on AIT for a while, now might be the time to enter the stock. Its prosperous future outlook isnt fully reflected in the current share price yet, which means its not too late to buy AIT. But before you make any investment decisions, consider other factors such as the track record of its management team, in order to make a well-informed buy.

If you want to dive deeper into Applied Industrial Technologies, you'd also look into what risks it is currently facing. For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign that you should run your eye over to get a better picture of Applied Industrial Technologies.

If you are no longer interested in Applied Industrial Technologies, you can use our free platform to see our list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
And an FBI instructor has told the Daily Mirror an actor who fell to his death after a row with Pete Doherty was thrown over the balcony.
Ceira Sergeant, 21, from Walton in Liverpool, one of speakers at the rally, said: I was only 14 when the referendum happened, so there was a huge amount of my peers who never got the chance to have their voices heard.
Khan said: Terminating the service at Old Oak Common would be a short-sighted decision which will have long term implications, significantly downgrading the value of HS2 as a high-speed connection and leaving a ridiculous situation where a high speed journey between Birmingham and central London could take as long as the existing route, if not longer.
Mr Zelensky stopped at Shannon Airport on the west coast of Ireland as he returned to Europe from North America, where he addressed the UN Security Council in New York.
Allie Booker, the familys attorney, wrote in the lawsuit he should be permitted to wear his hair in the manner in which he wears it ... because the so-called neutral grooming policy has no close association with learning or safety and when applied, disproportionately impacts black males.
The application was originally made to the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in March last year and rejected after the USPTO said there was a likelihood of confusion with another existing brand.
He was up there to see if he could find the place where he crossed (into Norway in January). He was stopped when he was in a taxi. He was never near the border... It was never his intention to cross the border (into Russia), he said.
She explained: It (the research) provides some validation to patients, especially those who are severely crippled with symptoms, that perhaps there is something that we need to look into and follow up and do more tests to be sure that they dont have organ involvement.
British regulators cleared major roadblocks for the historic sale of video-game maker Activision Blizzard to tech giant Microsoft on Friday.

The Competition and Market Authority said that the restructuring of the deal to include the sale of cloud gaming services to Ubisoft substantially addressed the concerns of the United Kingdom's government for the purchase in a Friday press release.

The CMAs position has been consistent throughout  this merger could only go ahead if competition, innovation, and choice in cloud gaming was preserved," Sarah Cardell, CEO of the CMA, said.

Restructuring keeps competitive market

The regulator was originally concerned that the merger would freeze out Microsoft's competitors from accessing cloud gaming from Activision's titles such as Call of Duty and Overwatch.

"In response to our original prohibition, Microsoft has now substantially restructured the deal, taking the necessary steps to address our original concerns." Cardell shared. "It would have been far better, though, if Microsoft had put forward this restructure during our original investigation."

The restructured deal requires Ubisoft to port Activision games to operating systems other than Microsoft's Windows system and support game emulators.

"The CMAs preliminary approval is great news for our future with Microsoft," Activision Blizzard said in a statement provided to Digital Trends. "Were pleased the CMA has responded positively to the solutions Microsoft has proposed, and we look forward to working with Microsoft toward completing the regulatory review process."

The acceptance of the restructured deal brings the two parties closer to the finish line for the over year and a half and $69 billion merger process.

"We presented solutions that we believe fully address the CMAs remaining concerns related to cloud game streaming, and we will continue to work toward earning approval to close prior to the October 18 deadline," Brad Smith, President of Microsoft said in an X, formerly Twitter, post.

Story continues

We are encouraged by this positive development in the CMAs review process. We presented solutions that we believe fully address the CMAs remaining concerns related to cloud game streaming, and we will continue to work toward earning approval to close prior to the October 18  Brad Smith (@BradSmi) September 22, 2023

The European Union approved the merger in May and the United States Federal Trade Commission lost its appeal for injunctive relief to halt the merger in July, though an appeal is still in progress according to the Associated Press.

Ninth Circuit rejects FTC's request for another stay.



One more business day until the Microsoft Activision deal likely closes. https://t.co/L9lDJvaPqo pic.twitter.com/8DyVVsiauV  AmericanTruckSongs9 (@ethangach) July 14, 2023

The regulator still had lingering concerns about the enforceability of parts of the deal and has opened a separate consultation for Microsoft's proposed remedies.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Microsoft and Activision sale moves forward after UK regulator review
President of Vaslui County Council indicted for bribery, prosecutors request preventive arrest (anti-graft authority)

Prosecutors from the National Anti-corruption Directorate (DNA) - Iasi Territorial Service have informed that the president of the Vaslui County Council, Dumitru Buzatu, has been detained for 24 hours, starting on September 23, as a defendant, for bribe taking, with pre-trial detention being requested in the case.

"Between May 8 and September 7, the defendant Buzatu Dumitru (...) allegedly demanded from a businessman (witness in the case) amounts of money, representing 10 percent of the value of a public procurement contract that the latter had concluded with Vaslui County Council and which had as its object the rehabilitation and modernisation of roads in Vaslui County, so that the contract would be carried out in good conditions (payment of invoices). In this context (...), on September 22, the defendant Buzatu Dumitru allegedly received the sum of 1,250,000 RON, on which occasion the flagrant crime was established. The accused Buzatu Dumitru was informed of his locus standi and the charges, in accordance with the provisions of Article 309 of the Criminal Procedure Code," DNA said in a press release.

According to the source, the president of Vaslui CJ is to be presented to Vaslui Court with a proposal for preventive arrest for 30 days.

Prosecutors are being assisted in the case by the General Anti-Corruption Directorate and the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Gendarmerie.
USR's Drula: I call on Romanian and Bulgarian governments to eliminate the Friendship Bridge toll

Save Romania Union (USR) leader Catalin Drula on Saturday called on the Romanian and Bulgarian governments to eliminate the toll for crossing Friendship Bridge Ruse-Giurgiu, told Agerpres.

"This bridge toll is an obstacle to the free movement of people and goods between our countries. After Schengen accession there will be no more passport control booths, why would we have another one to hinder traffic?," Catalin Drula told a press conference held at the border crossing point between Romania and Bulgaria.

The event was attended by MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk, co-president of the Co-President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) (to which USR belongs), Dan Barna, vice-president of USR and ALDE Europe, and USR MEP Vlad Botos.

"Romania and Bulgaria have met all the conditions for joining the Schengen Area and it is imperative that the governments in Sofia and Bucharest do everything in their power to integrate our countries into the free movement area this year. It is a right earned through hard work by both peoples and they must enjoy it as soon as possible," stressed Catalin Drula, according to a press release.

The press conference was part of the event "Schengen: a bridge. The importance of the Schengen area for Romania and Bulgaria", organized by Vlad Botos and Ilhan Kyuchyuk, with the support of Renew Europe.
No one would accuse Simon Schama of writing a blase book, even when he ventures beyond his bailiwick.

In his eloquent, discursive Foreign Bodies, the art historian and Europhile turns his colossal erudition to pandemics and the women and men who transformed our understanding of them. Its just what the doctor ordered as a robust SARS CoV-2 variant surges around the globe. Schama wisely avoids reportage, which is still evolving, and leans, instead, into the past, crafting a play in three acts: smallpox, cholera and bubonic plague.

Foreign Bodies casts familiar and lesser-known figures in a fresh light. In the 18th century, Voltaire investigated inoculation, a common practice amid female peasants in the Levant and eastern Mediterranean region but derided by snobby Europeans. The procedure would produce mild symptoms as the bodys immune system attacked a virus, but pustules dropped off harmlessly, leaving no scars.

An English aristocrat, Mary Wortley Montagu, also advocated for inoculation, penning a letter under the pseudonym Merchant of Turkey. She wielded her status to foment change: To be personally inoculated or, more dramatically, to have ones small children treated, became a sign that one belonged to the enlightened classes; partisans of scientific knowledge ... the badge of modernity.

Later in the 19th century, Adrien Proust, a French physician and father of Marcel, emerged as a titan of public health, journeying across Asia and charting the vectors of disease: It was through the movement of humans, Proust wrote unambiguously, that pandemics spread their fatal net. Steam and rail were multiplying and accelerating those contacts, whether in the form of mass Islamic pilgrimages or the to-and-fro traffic of the colonial empires, expanding every year. This all now seems self-evident, but in the 1870s and 1880s it was anything but. From Proust to Persian shahs to Jewish revolutionaries in Tsarist Russia, Schama embeds stories within stories: matryoshka dolls as narrative technique.

He anchors the second half of Foreign Bodies in a remarkable polymath, bachelor Waldemar Haffkine, whose early brushes with pogroms in Ukraine emboldened him to do good in the world. Haffkine was an indefatigable researcher and clinician, pioneering mass production of vaccine.

These plague chapters dazzle as they detour to Japan, Africa and India, where the waning Raj stymied Haffkines efforts to alleviate suffering. Schama details the peripatetic career of this prodigious man, who married science with Jewish ritual and an activist Zionism (now the organizing principle of government in Palestine). While Schama admirably rescues Haffkine from the margins, my sole quibble is that his flowery portrait flirts with hagiography. (Goodness, but he is beautiful, Schama gushes over his photograph.)

Haffkines freedom of action was always circumscribed by politics, Schama notes. These social musings bring us inevitably to the recent demonization of Anthony Fauci. Schamas critique is spot on as he pivots from arresting (if tragic) tales of the past to our ominous present and the dangers of an uninformed citizenry. Foreign Bodies is sterling cultural history, but it also reminds us that political concerns mold our choices as future pandemics brew.
In the Oct. 12, 1808, edition of the Missouri Gazette, the publisher, Joseph Charless, printed this description (slightly edited) of a murder trial that ended with a not guilty verdict. George Drouillard, a member of the Lewis and Clark expedition, was on trial for shooting and killing a man on another expedition. Drouillard's last name is spelled in the article as Druillard:

On Friday the 23d ultimo, the trial of Geo. Druillard for the alleged murder of Antoine Bissonnette, came before the Court of Oyer and Terminer, held for the district of St. Louis: John B.C. Lucas was the presiding judge, Auguste Chouteau an associate justice, John Scott the prosecutor, and Edward Hempstead, William C. Carr and Rufus Easton were counsel for the prisoner.

The facts were briefly these: Manuel Lisa and the prisoner had embarked, in the spring of 1807, goods and merchandize, which, with their outfits and equipments, amounted to $16,000, as an adventure on a trading and hunting voyage up to the sources of the Missouri river. They had enlisted the deceased as a hand for the term of three years; he had engaged to do duty, not only as a hunter, but also expressly covenanted, by articles of agreement, to obey the commands of his patroons, to mount guard, to give them timely notice of everything that might prove injurious to their interest and not to leave their service on any pretext whatever.

The party arrived at the mouth of the Osage river, about 120 miles up the Missouri, on May 14, 1807, and when again putting off, it was discovered that the deceased was missing. Lisa, the commander of the party, directed them to call him, but he made no answer: Lisa then said to Druillard 'go and bring him, dead or alive.' Druillard with one of the hands started to the woods, and Lisa with two others to the river Au Marie, two leagues below, in pursuit of him. Druillard returned in about half an hour, and said he had wounded the deceased, and was sorry for it. Four men were sent to bring him the boat: He was then asked why he had deserted? he replied he could give no reason  it was a misfortune for him. He was also asked if any one treated him ill? He answered no, it was an unlucky fate that awaited him. The bullet penetrated his back near one of his shoulders.

Lisa procured him a canoe, gave every possible accommodation, and hastened him to St Charles, to receive surgical aid  but he died in the canoe the next day about 10 o'clock a.m. before his arrival at St Charles.

It was proved that the deceased, previous to deserting, had bundled up blankets and other articles, forming the equipment furnished to him as a hand, and secreted them at the aforesaid river Au Marie; and also another bundle containing a shirt lent to him by one of the party, and hid it in the trunk of an old tree near where he deserted.

The counsel for the prisoner contended that the crime would only amount to manslaughter, in case it had not been proved that the deceased committed a felony  The desertion from a voyage so peculiarly important to the prisoner and hazardous in its nature, and a refusal on the part of the deceased to be taken, was a sufficient provocation to do away the least possible presumption of malicious purpose on the part of the prisoner. Hempstead read a variety of law cases in point, to support this position. He spoke about 45 minutes in a forcible and impressive manner.

Easton, in an argument of about an hour and a half, maintained that the deceased had committed larceny in taking away and secreting the articles of equipment which had been furnished him by the prisoner and his partners, for the use and benefit of the voyage; and that over the said articles the deceased has no right to exercise acts of ownership, except whist he continued in the service of his employers.  That the clandestine manner of deserting with the blanks, &c., was a complete evidence of a felonious intent  and cited various cases or precedents in the argument.

He took an extensive view of the Law and the testimony  of the importance of such expeditions up the Missouri  that the success of those enterprises depended entirely on the fidelity of the hands, and that if treachery be suffered with impunity, all commerce with that rich country would be frustrated forever. He portrayed with the liveliest animation, the persevering and unshaken fidelity of the prisoner in ascending the Missouri with the intrepid and brave captains Lewis and Clark, over the snowy and rocky mountains to the Pacific ocean.

That with them he braved the unparalleled hardships of a deserted and howling wilderness and though brought to gnaw the foot of a dog, yet he scorned to desert.  The force of his arguments carried conviction to the minds of the jury and audience that the defense of his client was founded on a just and legal basis.

Carr endeavored to justify the defendant, because his habits being military, and he being used to implicit obedience, that therefore, he could not be charged with having a bad heart for fulfilling the commands of his superior in this instance; and that if anyone was to blame it was Lisa, who ordered him to bring the deceased "dead or alive." He reminded the jury of the punishment of manslaughter and besought them not to fix such infamous stigma upon so deserving a character.

He spoke about an hour, with his usual elegance of style and beauty of thought and expression.

The attorney general contended that the desertion of the deceased, and carrying off of the articles of equipment was only a breach of trust in him.  That the killing was perpetrated thro express malice, and that it was murder in the fullest and most strict sense of the term. He cited law and concluded by an ingenious argument in support of the prosecution and of the indictment for murder.

The jury retired from the bar, and in about 15 minutes returned a verdict of not guilty.

Drouillard was the son of a Native American woman and a French Canadian; after the trial, he continued his trips west. He was found killed in what is now Montana in the spring of 1809.
Bill McClellan News columnist Follow Bill McClellan Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Missouri Sen. Bill Eigel, who wants to be governor, recently took a flame-thrower to some cardboard boxes that represented the woke and perverted books that so many school librarians are encouraging innocent children to read.

As political imagery goes, the flame-thrower was a step up from Eric Greitens machine gun and Eric Schmitts blow-torch. Whats next in the Republican arsenal? Tactical nuclear weapons?

Eigel was, as always, defiant. He is not afraid to stand up to school librarians. You bring those woke, pornographic books to Missouri schools to try to brainwash our kids, and Ill burn those, too  on the front lawn of the governors mansion.

Cant you just see it? A governor with a flame-thrower burning books on the front lawn of the governors mansion. The Burn-a-Book State. Its got more than alliteration going for it. Its clear. What does Show-Me State even mean? It sounds vaguely pornographic.

Eigels courageous stand probably cost him the votes of librarians, and possibly most people who like to read, but I suspect he has won the support of writers.

In the past, writers could only hope to be banned. Being banned gives a book a certain panache. Sales go up. But to have your book burned on the front lawn of the governors mansion? Ka-ching! Ka-ching!

Unless you are a writer, you do not understand how difficult it is to get publicity for your book. This newspaper reviews a few local authors, but there are so many people publishing books now that most are left out.

Its an accomplishment to write a book. It takes weeks or months or even years of hard work, self-doubt and perseverance. I know whereof I speak.

I once wrote a true-crime book about a real estate executive from New Orleans who came to St. Louis with his wife for a convention and drowned her in the hotel bathtub. He almost got away with it. The incident was initially reported as an accidental death. A young patrolman took the report. The husband told the patrolman that he drew his wifes bath and then went for a jog. When he returned, his wife was dead in the tub. She must have slipped as she tried to get out, fell and hit her head and lost consciousness, the husband said. Im sorry for your loss, the patrolman said.

In the morning, Capt. George Hollocher, commander of the homicide unit, read the report. He called the patrolman. You didnt say how long these two were married, Hollocher said. I think the guy said 20 years, said the patrolman.

Hollocher hung up and shook his head. No man who has been married for 20 years draws his wifes bath, he said. This was a murder.

Penguin agreed to publish my book. I was elated, but my editor at Penguin let me know right away that they did not consider this literature. Do you have a working title? she asked.

Dead in the Water, I said.

She scoffed. You dont know our audience. Theyd think Dead in the Water is a yachting book. You need blood or murder in the title.

I thought for a second. Tub of Blood, I said.

Well think of something, she said.

They called it Evidence of Murder.

Talk about generic and dull. But they gave me a nice advance. I did not complain about the title.

The book did OK. I think it was even an alternate selection-of-the-month for a true-crime book club. I was not sent on a national tour, but I had a few local signings. As far as national recognition goes, I got a very short review in Publishers Weekly. Ultimately unsatisfying the review said.

At first, I was disappointed, but then I cheered up. Ultimately unsatisfying implies that the reviewer liked it up until the end. For most of the time, he or she found it satisfying. I told my wife that it was not a rave review, but a generally positive one. Im very happy with this, I said.

Technically, that book has been out of print for years, but I have several copies. If I were to give a couple of them to Eigel and he were to give them the flame-thrower treatment on the front lawn, Penguin would have to re-issue. And there is plenty of stuff in that book for Eigel to dislike. Drowning your wife in a hotel bathtub might not, by itself, move the needle, but let me tell you about the alibi jog. Thats what prosecutor Dean Hoag called the defendants early-morning run. Before he left the hotel, he stopped and talked to the woman at the front desk. Great dinner recommendation from you guys last night, he said. Then he talked to the doorman for a minute.

He was setting up his alibi, Hoag said.

It did seem suspicious. The husband remembered stores he ran past, streets he ran down. As he jogged through the parking lot behind City Hall, he saw a firefighter and he noticed, and remembered, the name he saw on the name tag. Who remembers something like that? The firefighters name was Gay. It just seemed like an odd name, the husband said.

Of all the words in the English language, Gay.

I dont think we want our children anywhere near this book. Get the governor his flame-thrower.

Oddly enough, there was a companion book to mine. We can have a double-burning. Toni Collins wrote a romance novel about a handsome reporter in St. Louis who was writing a true-crime book about a man who came to town for a convention and drowned his wife in the hotel bathtub. The man claimed he had been jogging.

Ms. Collins dedicated her book, Immoral Support, to the unsung heroes of the St. Louis press.

Here is how she described the reporter who was writing the true-crime book: His features were strong, his eyes a light blue-gray that reminded her of a stormy ocean. His dark brown hair was quite unruly and long enough to cover the collar of his leather bomber jacket.

Except for the jacket, I thought she nailed me.

Then she introduced another character  the newspaper columnist in St. Louis. He was a slob, known for his gaudy ties.

I had shown my wife the cover of Immoral Support. A ruggedly handsome man was hugging a beautiful woman with the Gateway Arch in the background.

My wife is not into romance novels, but she asked me what I thought about Immoral Support.

Ultimately unsatisfying, I said.

I am not sure what the romance novel market is like for stories about St. Louis reporters, but I bet sales could use a boost. So on behalf of myself and, presumably, Toni Collins, and many other writers who could really use some publicity, let me say to Sen. Eigel: We are with you.
ST. LOUIS  A man was shot and killed on Friday in south St. Louis.

The unidentified man, 23, was shot in the chest and pronounced dead at the hospital, police said Saturday.

The shooting was reported shortly after 5 p.m. in the 2200 block of Keokuk Street in the Marine Villa neighborhood.

Police said when they arrived, residents said the victim had been taken to a nearby hospital.

Police found the victim, unconscious and not breathing, a few blocks away at South City Hospital, which had closed in August.

An ambulance took him to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
ST. LOUIS  Police on Wednesday identified a woman who died after five vehicles crashed Friday afternoon in the North Riverfront neighborhood.

The crash was reported shortly before 4 p.m. near the intersection of Humboldt Avenue and North Broadway.

Police said Saturday a 36-year-old man driving north on Broadway in a 2019 Chevrolet Cruze hit a 2010 Honda CRV stopped at a red light at Humboldt, then veered into the southbound lanes of Broadway and hit two other vehicles.

After the Cruze hit the CRV, the CRV and a 2008 Chrysler 300 collided, which had also been going north on Broadway, police said.

Police said the driver of the CRV, 33-year-old Crystal McAlpin, died. A 38-year-old passenger in the CRV, plus the driver of the Cruze, the driver of the Chrysler, 35, and a 51-year-old driver of one of the vehicles going south were all taken the hospital.

Firefighters on scene said several had serious injuries. Police said Saturday they were stable.

The driver of the other car going south was not injured.

Police redirected traffic around the crash site until about 6 p.m., when they began letting some vehicles pass through the intersection, near the eastern border of Bellefontaine Cemetery.

McAlpin lived in the 300 block of Emerson Road in High Ridge, police said.
BELLEVILLE  More than 1,000 American flags dotted the side of the road for 7 miles through Belleville on Saturday as Marine Capt. Eleanor LeBeau Cooke was laid to rest.

Mourners remembered her as a daughter, sister, wife, dancer and pilot. She brought joy, exuberance, and an abundance of love into the world, said her obituary.

LeBeau Cooke, 29, was one of three U.S. Marines killed Aug. 27 in an aircraft crash during a Marine training exercise in northern Australia.

She grew up in Belleville as part of a large Catholic military family, according to attendees at her funeral at Bellevilles Cathedral of St. Peter. She was the fifth of eight children, said the obituary.

A few hundred gathered Saturday outside LeBeau Cookes alma mater, Althoff Catholic High School, on the procession route to stand with hands over their hearts as her casket passed.

Belleville native Kelly Dillon Arnold held an umbrella to keep her 93-year-old father, U.S. Army veteran Lee Dillon, 93, out of the sun on the route outside the high school Saturday

The 93-year-old said he needed to be there to pay my respects. We wont forget what shes done.

She was always so full of joy, said funeral attendee Lee Schaefer, whose children also attended elementary through high school with LeBeau Cooke. Her father was a military pilot and we knew she came from a military family, but we werent always sure if shed join too. She was always a dancer.

After she graduated Althoff in 2012, LeBeau attended Murray State University in Kentucky where she was a member of the dance team. She joined the Marines in August 2018 and became an Osprey pilot serving stints in Florida, Texas, North Carolina and Hawaii, according to the Marines.

It was through the service that she met her husband, Chase Cooke, also a Marine Osprey pilot, according to her obit.

The Osprey crash happened near Darwin, Australia, where Marines were taking part in Exercise Predators Run, a drill that includes the militaries of Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and East Timor.

The others killed were Cpl. Spencer R. Collart, 21, from Arlington, Virginia, and Maj. Tobin J. Lewis, 37, from Jefferson, Colorado. Twenty other Marines on board were injured but survived.

Lebeau Cooke was buried with full military honors Saturday at Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Belleville.

Ellie will be loved and remembered with the same fervor and joy with which she loved us all, her obit reads. As people often commented, There was just something about Ellie.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Commerce Department on Friday is issuing final rules to prevent semiconductor manufacturing subsidies from being used by China and other countries deemed to pose American national security concerns.

The regulation is the final hurdle before the Biden administration can begin awarding $39 billion in subsidies for semiconductor production. The landmark "Chips and Science" law provides $52.7 billion for U.S. semiconductor production, research and workforce development.

The regulation, first proposed in March, sets "guardrails" by limiting recipients of U.S. funding from investing in expanding semiconductor manufacturing in foreign countries of concern like China and Russia, and limits recipients of incentive funds from engaging in joint research or technology licensing efforts with foreign entities of concern.

In October 2022, the department issued new export controls to cut China off from certain semiconductor chips made with U.S. equipment in its bid to slow Beijing's technological and military advances.

"We have to be absolutely vigilant that not a penny of this helps China to get ahead of us," Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told Congress Tuesday.

If funding recipients violate restrictions, Commerce Department can claw back federal awards.

Raimondo told Congress she is working as fast as possible to get awards approved.

"I feel the pressure," Raimondo said. "We are behind but it is more important that we get it right. And if we take another month or a few more weeks to get it right, I will defend that because it's necessary."

The regulation prohibits funding recipients from significantly expanding semiconductor manufacturing capacity in foreign countries of concern for 10 years. It also restricts recipients from some joint research or technology licensing efforts with foreign entities of concern but allows for international standards, patent licensing, and utilizing foundry and packaging services.

Story continues

The final rules prohibit material expansion of semiconductor manufacturing capacity for leading-edge and advanced facilities in foreign countries of concern for 10 years. It also clarifies wafer production is included within semiconductor manufacturing.

The final rule ties expanded semiconductor manufacturing capacity to adding cleanroom or other physical space, defining material expansions as increasing production capacity by more than 5%.

The rule prohibits recipients from adding new cleanroom space or production lines that result in expanding a facilitys production capacity beyond 10%.

The rule also classifies some semiconductors as critical to national security, triggering tighter restrictions, including quantum computing current-generation and mature-node chips, in radiation-intensive environments, and for other specialized military capabilities.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Kim Coghill)
Missouri politicians who claim to care deeply about the welfare of the states children have some odd ways of showing it.

Yes, the cultural conservatives who hold state government in their iron grip claim to be thinking of the kids as they restrict abortion rights, outlaw adolescent transgender care and muzzle school curriculum  all of which throws red meat to the Republican base but is debatable in terms of protecting children (even on abortion, given the valid debate over what constitutes a child).

But they seem far less interested in protecting children when it doesnt push culture-war buttons for them: They allow corporal punishment in schools. They allow child marriages. They are trying to roll back child-labor laws.

Add to that the states chronically underfunded education and health care systems, plus fanatically loose gun laws that cost young lives virtually every week, and its clear that Missouri is a dangerous place to be a kid.

Now a national study has confirmed that sad status.

A recent report by the New York-based nonprofit group Human Rights Watch grades each of the states against the standards of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Though the U.S. hasnt ratified that convention  a common situation, given Congress institutional reluctance to yield to international oversight  few Americans would argue with standards designed to offer children protection from abuse and exploitation.

Yet Missouri scored an F, along with just 15 other states.

Missouri was cited specifically for its policy of allowing public schools to use corporal punishment against public and private school students.

Thats not some unintended oversight from a less-enlightened era. As weve noted in this space before, its a barbaric policy that the Missouri Legislature legitimized just last year with legislation specifying that schools must get written permission from parents before physically hurting their kids.

The report also took Missouri to task for allowing children to marry at age 16 with approval of one parent.

Even that standard was lower prior to 2018, when the state technically had no minimum age requirement for marriage  and had become a national magnet for 15-year-old girls who wanted to marry to prevent the adult fathers of their children from being prosecuted for statutory rape.

Not everyone is apparently on board with the principle that states should not allow child marriages. State Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, made national news this year for suggesting during floor debate that children as young as 12 should be able to marry.

The report also cited Missouri law that lets children as young as 14 work in agricultural jobs. Though thats better than the policies of most other states, its still below the recommended standard of 15 years.

That may not be the last word on child labor, however. Missouris legislative session earlier this year included an effort to extend legal working hours for teens and eliminate the teen work-permit requirement that keeps schools in the loop.

As we noted in May, those efforts are part of a national trend in red states to loosen child-labor laws  a trend backed by business interests  which is clearly designed to use kids to alleviate the tight labor market rather than pay higher wages to attract adult workers.

That legislative effort failed this time, but it would be surprising if it didnt return next year.

After all, protecting kids in Missouri is apparently only a political priority when it serves the ideological purposes of the states right-wing leaders.
TAG, the Google Threat Analysis Group, recently revealed how it had detected and disrupted an ambitious North Korean effort to use social engineering to persuade Internet security specialists to look at an interesting document of mutual interest. The document included malware that was capable of infecting the recipient's PC and any network that PC was connected to. The recipients soon discovered the true malicious nature of what they had received, developed a procedure to fix any damage and then informed the rest of the Internet security about what happened. It was eventually discovered that the perpetrator of this malware distribution effort was North Korea, which would secretly receive useful data from any system that was infected with their malware.

North Korea has long been regarded as an APT (Advanced Persistent Threat) and a major practitioner of Cyber War because of its hacking efforts that attempt to steal money and information. The North Korean efforts often succeed and bring in nearly a billion dollars a year on average and more in some years.

North Korea has maintained and expanded its hacking capabilities for years and took part in the worldwide expansion of professional hacking groups. One side effect is the creation of many tools and techniques hackers created to carry out these Cyber War attacks. What this all means is that nations see Cyber War weapons as major components of their military power because the Cyber War weapons available keep getting more effective. This evolution came into focus since the Internet and the World Wide Web became widely used and truly international after 2000. Within a decade, researchers began to encounter major APTs. Since then, the APTs have become scarier. Consider TajMahal and the White Company. These major malware producers and users came to be called APTs and that said it all. The White Company was discovered in 2017 by computer security companies as this new APT quietly tried to hack its way into Pakistani Air Force networks. White Company was deliberate, effective and discreet. It was called the white company because the group placed a premium on concealing its operations as well as its origins. This sort of thing was first noted in 2010 when Stuxnet was discovered and attributed to an Israeli-American state-level effort that produced a very elaborate, professional and stealthy bit of malware that did major damage to the Iranian nuclear program. In 2018 Iran was hit with a similar attack but this Stuxnet-like malware was even more elaborate, its source is still unknown and the Iranians would rather not talk about it. In 2020 there was another well publicized series of Cyber War battles between Israel and Iran.

North Korea took this further. For example, in 2020 they established yet another specialized college for intelligence operations. The Mangyongdae Revolutionary Academy offered a three-year course for international IW (information warfare) specialists. Students in this course will also study the detection and monitoring of radio traffic, including location of radio signals. These tech elements are already taught at Mangyongdae but not as intensively as will be the case with the new IW major. Another important area of study is how to block certain types of wireless communications at the North Korean border. This will include unwanted cell phone signals.

Prime candidates for the new course are younger (under 30) officers who demonstrate technical skills on the entry exam. Those who get into the course and graduate will have much improved career and promotion prospects. This new specialty is the latest of several new programs at Mangyongdae that are only available to the most loyal and capable upper-class North Koreans.

This new IW course is part of a trend. During the last five years, North Korea has established a program for foreign agents that was only open to members of the elite North Korean families. The children of these families are eligible to attend the Mangyongdae Revolutionary Academy, but many courses of study are only open to applicants with special aptitudes. Graduates of Mangyongdae are likely to get the most senior government and military jobs and there are only about a hundred graduates a year. A growing number of those graduates have gained some very special skills. There is a computer science program for Mangyongdae students seeking to become foreign agents in enemy countries, especially South Korea. These agents are trained to hunt down high-level defectors in foreign countries and either arrange to kill the defector or at least find out how the defector is doing, how many secrets they have divulged and, if possible, persuade the defector to shut up or even return to North Korea.

To accomplish this defector remediation task the Mangyongdae students are taught the latest hacking techniques, what tools and mercenary hackers are available in the hacker underground and how to deal with the tools, and the mercs, to put together specialized efforts to track down defectors and monitor them. This means the Mangyongdae must be able to pass as a South Korean, as in speak with a South Korea accent, as well as use the customs and slang. This is to make it possible to assume a false identity convincingly and play the role of an Internet criminal. There are a lot of those in both Koreas.

As important as all these skills are, the most important item is loyalty to North Korea. The Mangyongdae agents go after the growing number of high-level North Koreans who are illegally leaving the country. The agents are trained to use social media to seek out known or suspected defectors, make contact and obtain more information about them.

Since 2005 North Korea has been increasingly concerned about key people defecting to South Korea or simply getting into China and making asylum deals with the Chinese government. The Chinese have always been receptive to such arrangements and there have been more of this as the hundreds of families at the top of the social pyramid in North Korea get out. This is a risky endeavor although there are more and more people smugglers who, for enough money, can get anyone out of the country. Worse, many senior officials became defectors while already outside North Korea on official business. There they can arrange to disappear and defect. Some of these defectors have been diplomats and some of them were senior enough to be noticed when they disappeared.

These high-caste North Koreans report that there is a sense in the ruling families that the system isnt working and is doomed. The top people in North Korea are easy to identify. When North Korea was founded in the late 1940s, a caste system was established to ensure that the most loyal and capable North Korean communists were recognized and rewarded for their efforts to maintain the new communist government for generations to come. The newly established secret police and communist party reported on everyone, making it possible to create an official list of every family assigned to one of 51 social classes. From the beginning, most (29) of these classes were composed of people considered either hostile to the government or leaning that way. These new lower classes are where most of the new (and often quite wealthy) donju (entrepreneurs) are coming from. Most of the population falls into these 29 social classes, and many of them are now getting increasingly hostile to a government that seems to do nothing but create one disaster after another.

Members of higher-caste families are catching on as well and younger members are increasingly abandoning promising careers to flee the country. All that bribe money making its way to the higher caste North Koreans doesnt just go to buy an easier life in North Korea because that is already assured if you are high caste. The bribe money often goes to buy an escape. To deal with this problem among the most trusted classes, another special program at the Mangyongdae Revolutionary Academy created elite counter-intelligence (spy catcher) agents who often operate in China and South Korea. Apparently, some of the Mangyongdae agents have been identified or even caught and this program is no longer as secret as it once was. Meanwhile, the Mangyongdae Revolutionary Academy and its ultra-loyal students get a lot more publicity inside (and outside) North Korea.

In addition to tracking down high-caste defectors, some Mangyongdae graduates are also assigned to monitor the loyalty of North Korean hackers working outside North Korea. North Korean defectors have revealed much about how North Korea has managed to establish and maintain hacking operations outside North Korea, an operation whose main purpose is to make a lot of money for the cash hungry North Korea government. This became a higher priority operation because of the growing list of economic sanctions imposed, while at the same time there were more opportunities for Internet-based misbehavior. Some of these defectors were associated with the North Korean hackers who are, it turns out, mostly based outside North Korea because Internet access is better and operating outside North Korea makes it easier to deny that North Korean hackers are engaged in illegal activity. South Korea has obtained a lot of details about the North Korean hacker operations and even allowed some defectors familiar with those operations to speak openly about it. Obviously many of these North Korean hackers are not as loyal as they are supposed to be so North Korea became determined to identify and punish the ones that defect and expose how the hacker program works. Each time that happens North Korea has to revise the way its hackers operate. This is time-consuming and expensive.

The Mangyongdae agents are also trained in the usual methods of secretly contacting the center, usually via North Korea operatives based outside of North Korea and able to relay messages to and from North Korea itself. The skills North Korea hackers have developed are world-class and increasingly difficult to counter or even detect. But this edge in skills and techniques depends on having loyal operatives in key positions, thus the importance of the Mangyongdae agents.

Deceased (since 2011) North Korean leader Kim Jong Il had always been a big fan of PCs and electronic gadgets in general. Kim Jong Il founded Mirim College to train hackers and backed this new school consistently. The only instance of displeasure from Kim Jong Il was suspicions about those who graduated from Mirim between 1986 through the early 1990s. These Mirim graduates had been tainted by visits (until 1991) by Russian electronic warfare experts. Some Mirim students also went to Russia to study for a semester or two. All these students were suspected of having become spies for the Russians, and most, if not all, were purged from the Internet hacking program. Thus, it wasn't until the late 1990s that there were a sufficient number of trusted Internet experts that could be used to begin building a Cyber War organization.

South Korea has to be wary because South Korea has become more dependent on the Internet than any other on the planet, with the exception of the United States. As in the past, if the north is to start any new kind of Internet mischief, they try it out in South Korea first. While many of the first serious attacks in 2009 were more annoying than anything else, they revealed a new threat out there, and one that not only got worse but turned out to be from the usual suspects. Now the threat is very real and growing rapidly. North Korea is seeing its Internet-based capabilities damaged by the growing number of high-level defectors with valuable secrets to sell to China, South Korea or whoever will pay the most. Given the worldwide depredations of North Korean hackers, this provides defectors with a lot of potential hiding places. This led to the Mangyongdae Academy programs for specialized agents. Now some of the Mangyongdae grads are suspected of wavering loyalty and reliability. North Korea may lack food, electrical power, freedom and much more but there is no shortage of paranoia.
The circuit works with the top 11,000 financial firms around the world.

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2023 / iSwiss Pay, a subsidiary of the iSwiss conglomerate, founded and managed by Swiss-Italian entrepreneur Aleo Christopher, has recently been given the green light to join the Swift system, the acronym for 'Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication', a cornerstone in the international payments process. Swift is the largest global system for transmitting payment orders and financial collateral, involving a vast network of over 11,000 members worldwide. Its capacity to process an average of 42 million payment orders per day makes it a crucial player in facilitating financial transactions on a global scale.

A major issue involving Swift recently has been its implication as a sanctions tool, with many Russian banks excluded from the circuit. This situation has highlighted Swift's strategic importance in international relations. The reintegration of several Russian banks into the system was Russia's main demand to get back into the Ukrainian grain export agreement.

Canadian-based iSwiss Pay, which specialises in payment services within the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) system, is now planning to expand its range of services, including payments through Swift. This initiative will provide access to a vast network of countries, initially concentrated in North America, before expanding to Africa and Asia, expanding the reach of financial services offered globally.

Aleo Christopher, CEO of iSwiss, emphasised the importance of access to the Swift system, describing it as a significant milestone for iSwiss Pay. He said: "This opportunity will allow us to manage our financial messages independently, expanding our presence and representing tangible recognition of the strength and reliability of our financial group. Being among the 11,000 members directly connected to this global financial circuit is a testament to our continued growth and commitment to the industry."

Aleo Christopher also revealed that access to Swift was an indispensable step for the group's future listing. To support the investments required for the infrastructure development, the group plans to list on a major international financial centre within the next two years. Although negotiations are ongoing, he concluded by saying, "I cannot provide further details at the moment, but you will certainly hear from me soon."

iSwiss Pay is a Canadian supervised company offering payment services in more than 30 major currencies, opening current accounts with IBANs in the SEPA area and issuing cards on major international circuits. It boasts an international clientele and is an integral part of the range of financial services the Swiss company offers its customers.

The new Swift code, operational from October 2023, is ISPACAXXX (iSwiss Pay Canada).

Media Contact

Organization: iSwiss Bank SA

Contact Person: Andrew Anderson

Website: https://iswiss.ch/

Email: [email protected]

City: London

Country: United Kingdom

SOURCE: iSwiss Bank SA

View source version on accesswire.com:
LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2023 / Peernetics is developing a revolutionary crypto payments platform featuring the native $PNS token. This innovative merchant and retail crypto payments solution will enable users worldwide to conduct transactions in their preferred cryptocurrency. Peernetics' platform will be designed for global accessibility, and its highlight will be easy Web3 integration and automatic currency conversions.

Peernetics is all set to provide merchants with a streamlined and secure avenue for growth. The platform envisages safety of all transactions through encryption and decentralized technology, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution.

Peernetics will also eliminate the necessity to convert cryptocurrencies into fiat currency, providing users with a seamless spending experience. Additionally, the platform will feature enhanced overall value proposition.

" Imagine a world where digital payments are effortless, secure, and accessible to all, while also offering exclusive discounts. That's what we're building at Peernetics. With our Utility Token, Merchant Solutions, and Innovative Payment Gateway, we're transforming the future of finance, one blockchain at a time, all while giving you access to unbeatable discounts ," said Naz, Co-Founder and CEO of Peernetics.

Key Aspects of Peernetics:

$PNS Token: With a total supply of 1,000,000,000 tokens, the $PNS token is built on the secure and scalable Polygon Blockchain, supporting an impressive 65,000 transactions per second.

Web3 Merchant Portal: Merchants will be able to showcase their brands and products to Peernetics users, providing business offers and boosting sales, revenue, and traffic while leveraging effective marketing campaigns. The Merchant Partner Network will be free to join, and for a special monthly fee starting at just 149, Peernetics will connect member brands with their ideal target audience.

Payment Gateway: Peernetics' Payment Gateway will have faster transaction processing times, reduced costs, and heightened security and privacy measures for businesses and consumers. Robust security and fraud prevention features will enhance transaction security.

Multi-Coin Support: Peernetics will facilitate easy integration with existing systems, supporting over 100 digital currencies, with transaction fees ranging from just 0.5% to 1%.

Learn more about the $PNS token: https://www.peernetics.io/pns-token

Peernetics tokens are currently available through an ICO. Holders of 2,000 or more $PNS tokens automatically qualify for exclusive perks offered by Peernetics' merchant partners.

For more information about Peernetics and its crypto payments platform, please visit them on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090423096792

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peernetics/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/peernetics

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peerneticss/

Telegram: https://t.me/peernetics_chat

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@peernetics

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/peernetics/

Discord: https://discord.gg/RXma3ErDXs

Medium: https://medium.com/@peernetics

About Peernetics:

Peernetics exists to enable the mass adoption of cryptocurrency payments. Peernetics empowers businesses to accept, exchange, withdraw, send, store, and receive 100+ cryptocurrencies. Founded by a team of passionate professionals, they seek to make it as easy as possible for all businesses to step into the world of cryptocurrency. They break down barriers to entry by taking ground-breaking and confusing technology and transforming it into an uncomplicated and user-friendly cryptocurrency payment gateway. For more information, please visit their website .

Media Contact

Organization: Peernetics Ltd

Contact Person: Media relations

Website: https://www.peernetics.io

Email: [email protected]

Contact Number: 07502579595

Address: International House, 10 Beaufort Court, Admirals Way

Address 2: London, United Kingdom E14 9XL

City: London

Country: United Kingdom

SOURCE: Peernetics Ltd

View source version on accesswire.com:
Sri Brahmrishi Ashram's Siddhguru embarks on a spiritual awakening journey in Europe, introducing the miracles of Vedic science to seekers in cities like Paris, London, and Glasgow, promoting self-discovery and inner peace.

TIRUPATI, INDIA / ACCESSWIRE / September 23, 2023 / Sri Brahmrishi Ashram announces a series of spiritual events led by Siddhguru in various European cities from September 17 to October 8, 2023. "The events aim to address the growing need for spiritual alignment in today's society," states Mr. Rakesh Vijay, spokesperson for Sri Brahmrishi Ashram.

Siddhguru, formerly known as Sri Sidheshwar Brahmrishi Gurudev, has been a subject of interest for those exploring spiritual enlightenment. "Spirituality, in its essence, is about aligning oneself with universal principles that go beyond social and religious constructs," notes Mr. Vijay of Sri Brahmrishi Ashram.

"As we advance in technology and material comforts, the inner void grows wider, the need for spiritual awakening is not just a trend but a profound necessity," Mr. Vijay elaborates further. Siddhguru's spiritual journey is marked by the activation of all seven Chakras of Kundalini from birth, a rare phenomenon in spiritual circles. What sets Siddhguru apart is his innate spiritual awakening, symbolized by the activation of all seven Chakras of Kundalini from birth. "This isn't merely a personal attribute but has implications for collective human consciousness," adds Mr. Vijay.

Between September 17 and October 8, Siddhguru will be visiting several cities in Europe, including Paris, London, Manchester, Colchester, and Glasgow. The events aim to offer participants an opportunity for self-discovery, mindful meditation, and spiritual growth. "The events are structured to facilitate a comprehensive spiritual experience," states Mr. Vijay.

Event Schedule:

Paris, France (17.09.2023):

Venue: LE MERIDIEN, ETOILE, 81 Boulevard Gouvion SaINT-Cyr, 75017 Paris, France.

London, UK (24.09.2023):

Venue: Slough Hindu Temple, Keel Dr, Slough SL1 2XU, London.

Colchester, UK (30.09.2023):

Venue: Stanway Village Hall Villa Road Stanway, Colchester, Essex, C03 ORH.

Manchester, UK (05.10.2023):

Venue: Jain Community Centre, 667/669 Stockport Road, Manchester M12 4QE.

Glasgow, Scotland, UK (08.10.2023):

Venue: Om Hindu Mandir, 1 La Belle Pl, Glasgow G3 7LH.

For further information and opportunities to engage with Siddhguru's teachings, visit http://www.sribrahmrishiashram.org/ or reach out to Mr. Rakesh Vijay +1 (647) 274-9421.

Social Media Link:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/srisidheshwarbrahmrishi

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/siddhgurusrisidheshwarbrahmrishi

Twitter (X):

https://twitter.com/sri_sidheswar

About Sri Brahmrishi Ashram

Sri Brahmrishi Ashram is a sanctuary of spirituality and harmony located near Tirupati, India. The Ashram is committed to the service of humanity and offers a range of spiritual activities and events. It serves as a spiritual home for seekers from around the world, aiming to elevate human consciousness through Vedic wisdom.

Media Contact

Organization: Sri Brahmrishi Ashram

Contact Person: Rakesh Vijay

Website: http://www.sribrahmrishiashram.org/

Email: [email protected]

Contact Number: +91 93283 53441

City: Tirupati

Country: India

SOURCE: Sri Brahmrishi Ashram

View source version on accesswire.com:
Apple today debuted iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, designed with aerospace-grade titanium thats strong yet lightweight to deliver Apples lightest Pro models ever. The new design also features contoured edges and a customizable Action button, allowing users to personalize their iPhone experience. Powerful camera upgrades enable the equivalent of seven pro lenses with incredible image quality, including a more advanced 48MP Main camera system that now supports the new super-high-resolution 24MP default, the next generation of portraits with Focus and Depth Control, improvements to Night mode and Smart HDR, and an all-new 5x Telephoto camera exclusively on iPhone 15 Pro Max. A17 Pro unlocks next-level gaming experiences and pro performance. The new USB-C connector is supercharged with USB 3 speeds  up to 20x faster than USB 2  and together with new video formats, enables powerful pro workflows that were not possible before.1 And with the addition of Roadside Assistance via satellite, the iPhone 15 Pro lineup builds on Apples innovative satellite infrastructure to connect users to help if they have car trouble while off the grid.

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be available in four stunning new finishes, including black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium. Pre-orders begin Friday, September 15, with availability beginning Friday, September 22.

This is the most pro lineup we have ever created, with a state-of-the-art titanium design, the best iPhone camera system yet that enables game-changing new workflows, and the A17 Pro chip, which ushers in a new chapter of performance and games never before seen on iPhone, said Greg Joswiak, Apples senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max represent the best of Apple design and industry-first innovations to help enrich the everyday experiences of our users, while enabling them to unleash their creativity.

A Stunning, Lightweight, and Durable Design

Available in 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch display sizes,2 iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature a strong and lightweight titanium design  a first for iPhone. This premium alloy  the same used in spacecraft  has one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of any metal, making this Apples lightest Pro lineup ever. Both models feature a new refined brush texture, contoured edges, and the thinnest borders on iPhone. The Pro lineup is built to last, combining the strength of titanium with the toughest back glass in a smartphone and the industry-leading Ceramic Shield on the front. Using an industry-first thermo-mechanical process, the titanium bands encase a new substructure made from 100 percent recycled aluminum, bonding these two metals with incredible strength through solid-state diffusion. The aluminum frame helps with thermal dissipation and allows the back glass to be easily replaced. This new design highlights the Super Retina XDR display with Always-On and ProMotion technologies for an exceptional viewing experience.

The all-new Action button replaces the single-function switch used to toggle between ring and silent, offering additional options so users can choose between quickly accessing the camera or flashlight; activating Voice Memos, Focus modes, Translate,3 and accessibility features like Magnifier; or using Shortcuts for more options. A press-and-hold gesture with fine-tuned haptic feedback and visual cues in the Dynamic Island ensure the new button launches the intended action.

A17 Pro: A New Generation of Apple Silicon for iPhone

Bringing pro performance and capabilities, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are powered by A17 Pro, the industrys first 3-nanometer chip. Continuing Apples leadership in smartphone silicon, A17 Pro brings improvements to the entire chip, including the biggest GPU redesign in Apples history. The new CPU is up to 10 percent faster with microarchitectural and design improvements, and the Neural Engine is now up to 2x faster, powering features like autocorrect and Personal Voice in iOS 17. The pro-class GPU is up to 20 percent faster and unlocks entirely new experiences, featuring a new 6-core design that increases peak performance and energy efficiency. Now with hardware-accelerated ray tracing  which is 4x faster than software-based ray tracing  iPhone 15 Pro offers smoother graphics, as well as more immersive AR applications and gaming experiences. iPhone 15 Pro brings true-to-life gaming to the palm of users hands with console titles never before seen on a smartphone, like Resident Evil Village, Resident Evil 4, Death Stranding, and Assassins Creed Mirage.4

A17 Pro includes a dedicated AV1 decoder, enabling more efficient, high-quality video experiences for streaming services. Additionally, a new USB controller enables USB 3 speeds on iPhone for the first time, now supporting much higher transfer speeds and video output up to 4K at 60 fps HDR.

A Powerful Pro Camera System for More Creative Control

Through a deep integration of hardware and software, the advanced camera systems on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max both pack the equivalent of seven pro lenses  all enabled by A17 Pro. With the power of computational photography, the 48MP Main camera, built exclusively for the Pro lineup, gives users even more flexibility with a new 24MP super-high-resolution default, offering incredible image quality at a practical file size ideal for storing and sharing. The Main camera allows users to switch between three popular focal lengths  24 mm, 28 mm, and 35 mm  and even choose one as a new default. In addition to 48MP ProRAW, the Main camera also supports 48MP HEIF images with 4x more resolution. iPhone 15 Pro features an expansive 3x Telephoto camera, and iPhone 15 Pro Max provides the longest optical zoom ever on iPhone: 5x at 120 mm. Great for close-ups, wildlife photos, and catching the action from further distances, the new Telephoto camera on iPhone 15 Pro Max has an innovative tetraprism design with a combined optical image stabilization and autofocus 3D sensor-shift module, Apples most advanced stabilization system yet.

Next-generation portraits on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature sharper detail, more vivid colors, and better low-light performance. For the first time, users can take portraits without having to switch to Portrait mode. When theres a person, dog, or cat in the frame, or when a user taps to focus, iPhone automatically captures depth information, so users can turn photos into stunning portraits later in the Photos app on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. For greater creative control, users can also adjust the focus point after the photo has been taken.

Additional features that benefit all cameras on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max include:

Night mode gets better with sharper details and more vivid colors, now powered by the Photonic Engine, including Night mode portraits, enabled by the LiDAR scanner.

New Smart HDR captures subjects and the background with more true-to-life renderings of skin tones, while ensuring photos have brighter highlights, richer midtones, and deeper shadows when viewed in the Photos app. This advanced HDR rendering is also available to third-party apps, so images can look even better when shared online.

The best quality video in a smartphone is upgraded thanks to A17 Pro, with improvements in low-light video and Action mode.

The preferred smartphone for creative pros and filmmakers gets even better with new pro workflows. Users can now get up to 20x faster transfer speeds with an optional USB 3 cable. iPhone and third-party solutions like Capture One also help photographers create a pro studio, allowing them to shoot and instantly transfer 48MP ProRAW images from iPhone to Mac. ProRes video can be recorded directly to external storage, enabling higher recording options up to 4K at 60 fps, and greater flexibility on set when using iPhone as the main camera. iPhone 15 Pro also introduces a new option for Log encoding and is the first smartphone in the world to support ACES, the Academy Color Encoding System, a global standard for color workflows.

Coming later this year, iPhone 15 Pro will add a new dimension to video capture with the ability to record spatial video for Apple Vision Pro. Users will be able to capture precious moments in three dimensions and relive those memories with incredible depth on Apple Vision Pro when it is available early next year in the U.S.

Next-Level Wireless Performance and Connectivity

The iPhone 15 Pro lineup offers convenient new ways to charge, find friends in busy places, and stay connected while traveling. Both models use the USB-C connector, a universally accepted standard for charging and transferring data, allowing the same cable to charge iPhone, Mac, iPad, and the updated AirPods Pro (2nd generation). Users can also charge AirPods or Apple Watch directly from iPhone with the USB-C connector. iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max support USB 3 for data transfer speeds up to 10 gigabits per second, up to 20x faster than before.

Both models feature the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, enabling two iPhone devices with this chip to connect at three times the range as before. This opens up a new way to use Precision Finding for Find My friends, so iPhone 15 users can share their location and find each other, even in crowds. Precision Finding is built with the same privacy protections that users have come to trust in Find My.5

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max now support Wi-Fi 6E for greater wireless performance, including up to 2x faster speeds, and introduces the first Thread-enabled smartphones, opening up future opportunities for Home app integrations.

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max come equipped with super-fast 5G,6 and include:

Support for MagSafe and future Qi2 wireless charging.

Improved audio quality on phone calls, including those made on FaceTime or third-party apps. Sound quality gets even better when users select Voice Isolation, so conversations come through loud and clear, even if they are somewhere noisy.

eSIM with support from more than 295 carriers. When traveling the world, users can stay connected through affordable international roaming plans from their existing carrier, or purchase prepaid eSIM plans in over 50 countries and regions, including Australia, Italy, Thailand, and more.

Expanded Safety Capabilities for Peace of Mind

The iPhone 15 lineup offers critical safety capabilities to provide assistance when it matters most, including Crash Detection7 and Emergency SOS via satellite.8 Currently available in 14 countries and regions on three continents, Emergency SOS via satellite has made a significant impact in users lives. This groundbreaking service will come to Spain and Switzerland later this month.

Building on this innovative satellite infrastructure, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max introduce Roadside Assistance via satellite. Beginning in the U.S., when a user has car trouble and cellular and Wi-Fi coverage are not available, they can now connect to AAA, the countrys largest roadside assistance provider.9 An intuitive interface, including a short questionnaire to capture important details, will transmit the information via satellite so AAA can message with the user directly and dispatch help to their exact location. Access to Roadside Assistance via satellite will be included for free for two years. Service is covered according to AAA membership, but is also available separately for nonmembers.10

Featuring iOS 17

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature iOS 17,11 making iPhone even more personal and intuitive with new features:

The Phone app gets major updates, with Contact Posters that allow users to customize how they appear to their contacts, and Live Voicemail , which leverages the power of A17 Pro to see real-time on-device transcription as someone leaves a voicemail. Users can even pick up the call while the caller is leaving their message.

gets major updates, with that allow users to customize how they appear to their contacts, and , which leverages the power of A17 Pro to see real-time on-device transcription as someone leaves a voicemail. Users can even pick up the call while the caller is leaving their message. Messages gets a new stickers experience, more powerful search, transcription of audio messages, and Check In , which allows users to automatically notify friends and family when they have made it to their destination safely.

gets a new stickers experience, more powerful search, transcription of audio messages, and , which allows users to automatically notify friends and family when they have made it to their destination safely. NameDrop  gives users a new way to use AirDrop to more easily share contact information by simply bringing two iPhone devices together. The same gesture can be used to AirDrop content and more, and now users can step away from each other and finish sending large files over the internet.12

 gives users a new way to use AirDrop to more easily share contact information by simply bringing two iPhone devices together. The same gesture can be used to AirDrop content and more, and now users can step away from each other and finish sending large files over the internet.12 StandBy gives users a customizable full-screen experience with glanceable information designed to be viewed from a distance when iPhone is on its side and charging. With the Always-On display of iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, StandBy stays on to show useful information  perfect on a desk, nightstand, or kitchen counter.

gives users a customizable full-screen experience with glanceable information designed to be viewed from a distance when iPhone is on its side and charging. With the Always-On display of iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, StandBy stays on to show useful information  perfect on a desk, nightstand, or kitchen counter. Interactive widgets on the Home Screen, Lock Screen, and in StandBy allow users to take action with just a tap, making it easy to complete a to-do, or play or pause a song right from the widget.

on the Home Screen, Lock Screen, and in StandBy allow users to take action with just a tap, making it easy to complete a to-do, or play or pause a song right from the widget. Safari adds greater protection for Private Browsing and introduces profiles, helping users separate their browsing for topics like work and personal.

iOS 17 delivers many more updates, including Journal,13 a new app that helps iPhone users reflect and practice gratitude through journaling, improvements to autocorrect and Dictation that make entering text faster and easier than ever before, password and passkey sharing with iCloud Keychain, and much more.

Better for the Environment

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are designed with the environment in mind. As Apple continues to work toward its 2030 goal of making every product carbon neutral  from design to manufacturing to customer use  the company is prioritizing clean electricity across the entire supply chain and designing products with recycled and other low-carbon materials. iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max now use more recycled content, with a 100 percent recycled aluminum substructure and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery  both firsts for Apple. iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max also include 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets and 100 percent recycled gold in the USB-C connector as well as the gold plating and tin soldering in multiple printed circuit boards. Both models meet Apples high standards for energy efficiency and are free of mercury, PVC, and beryllium. Over 99 percent of the packaging is fiber-based, bringing Apple closer to its goal of completely removing plastic from its packaging by 2025.

To further reduce impact on the planet, Apple will no longer use leather in any new Apple products, including iPhone accessories. Apple is introducing a new FineWoven Case with MagSafe and FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe, made from a durable and elegant microtwill with a soft, suedelike feel. The material is made from 68 percent post-consumer recycled content and has significantly lower carbon emissions compared to leather.

Pricing and Availability

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be available in black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium finishes. iPhone 15 Pro remains at the same starting price of $999 (U.S.) or $41.62 (U.S.) per month, available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities. iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at $1,199 (U.S.) or $49.95 (U.S.) per month , available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities.

Apple offers great ways to save and upgrade to the latest iPhone. Customers in the U.S. can get $200-$650 (U.S.) in credit when they trade in an iPhone 11 or later and upgrade to iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max by visiting the Apple Store Online , or at an Apple Store location. To see what their device is worth and for terms and conditions, customers can visit apple.com/shop/trade-in .

Customers can get iPhone 15 Pro for as low as $0 (U.S.) after a qualifying trade-in with select U.S. carriers. For eligibility requirements and more details, see apple.com/shop/buy-iphone/carrier-offers .

Customers in more than 40 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, the UAE, the U.K., and the U.S., will be able to pre-order iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max beginning at 5 a.m. PDT this Friday, September 15, with availability beginning Friday, September 22.

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be available in Macao, Malaysia, Turkiye, Vietnam, and 17 other countries and regions beginning Friday, September 29.

FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe and FineWoven Case with MagSafe will both be available for $59 (U.S.) in five new colors for the iPhone 15 lineup: black, taupe, mulberry, pacific blue, and evergreen. In addition to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max Clear Case, available for $49 (U.S.), a Silicone Case with MagSafe will be available for $49 (U.S.) in black, storm blue, clay, light pink, guava, orange sorbet, cypress, and winter blue.

iOS 17 will be available as a free software update on Monday, September 18.

Beginning September 18, iCloud+ will offer two new plans: 6TB for $29.99 (U.S.) per month and 12TB for $59.99 (U.S.) per month, providing additional storage to keep files, photos, videos, and more safe, accessible, and easy to share. The new plans are great for users with large photo and video libraries or those using Family Sharing, and will provide access to premium features, including Private Relay, Hide My Email, Custom Email Domains, and HomeKit Secure Video support.

Customers who purchase iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will receive three free months of Apple Arcade and Apple Fitness+ with a new subscription.

Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. Apples five software platforms  iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS  provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, and iCloud. Apples more than 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY, Sept. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GlobaleCrypto, a global leader in digital asset mining services operating in over 100 countries, is proud to announce its expansion into the thriving Turkish cryptocurrency market. As Turkey garners increasing attention in the crypto space, GlobaleCrypto is introducing cutting-edge cloud mining solutions, offering investors innovative opportunities in this dynamic industry.

GlobaleCrypto, a global leader in digital asset mining services operating in over 100 countries, is proud to announce its expansion into the thriving Turkish cryptocurrency market. As Turkey garners increasing attention in the crypto space, GlobaleCrypto is introducing cutting-edge cloud mining solutions, offering investors innovative opportunities in this dynamic industry.

Commenting on this development, Zack Rios, Advertising Manager at GlobaleCrypto, stated, "At GlobaleCrypto, we take pride in our status as pioneers in the crypto mining sector, leveraging cloud technologies to provide services in over 100 countries. We are delighted to include Turkey in our global network. With more than 10EH/s of hashrate under our management, we utilize cloud technology to oversee mining software and hardware on behalf of our users. Our commitment to using cutting-edge mining equipment, including products featuring advanced cooling technologies from Bitmain, Canaan, and Nvidia, ensures that mining earnings are automatically credited to users' accounts every 24 hours. We are a secure source of passive income for investors, operating under international licenses."

Cloud mining has gained significant popularity in recent years, primarily due to its energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness compared to physical mining equipment. This approach allows individuals and institutions to access cryptocurrency mining services without the need for physical hardware, resulting in reduced energy consumption and lower hardware maintenance costs.

Zack Rios further elaborated on the benefits of cloud mining, saying, "GlobaleCrypto is expanding rapidly in the digital asset and cloud mining sectors. Our platform streamlines the crypto mining process, enabling users to focus more on building their crypto portfolios while we handle the repetitive aspects. We have a robust business model encompassing cloud mining, miner hosting, and self-mining, which positions GlobaleCrypto strongly even amidst market volatility."

For Turkish users, GlobaleCrypto offers an enticing opportunity to earn $7.21 per day using free mining machines. Once their earnings reach $50, they can easily withdraw their profits. Additionally, GlobaleCrypto provides flexible investment options, allowing users to earn up to $998 per day.

In the realm of cryptocurrency mining, the United States holds the top position, followed by Kazakhstan as the second-largest contributor to the global hash rate, according to statistics from Verified Market Research. Moreover, SimilarWeb, a web traffic analysis firm, reports that Turkey leads the world in internet traffic directed to Binance, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges globally.

GlobaleCrypto is committed to facilitating stable profits for investors and crypto enthusiasts in Turkey, contributing to the nation's growing prominence in the cryptocurrency landscape.

For Media Inquiries, Please Contact:Zack RiosEmail: [email protected]Website: https://globalecrypto.com/

About GlobaleCryptoGlobaleCrypto is a rapidly expanding platform offering digital asset mining and cloud mining services. The company empowers users to focus on building their crypto portfolios by streamlining the crypto mining process. For more information, please visit https://globalecrypto.com/about.

Zack Rios Advertising Manager Crypto Mining Services Limited support at globalecrypto.com

Source: GlobaleCrypto
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2023) - 1844 RESOURCES Inc. (TSXV: EFF) (the "Company" or "1844") announces a non-brokered private placement of 11,111,111 flow-through units (the "FT Units") at $0.045 per FT Unit for gross proceeds of $500,000 (the "FT Unit Offering"). Each FT Unit will consist of one common share of the Company to be issued as a "flow-through share" (an "FT Share") within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act") and one half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, an "FT Unit Warrant"). Each FT Unit Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one non-flow-through common share of the Company (each, an "FT Unit Warrant Share") at a price of $0.055 for a period of 36 months following the date of issuance.

The Company intends to use the proceeds of the FT Unit Offering for exploration activities and for general corporate purposes. The gross proceeds from the issuance of the FT Shares will be used to incur resource exploration expenses that will constitute "Canadian exploration expenses" and "flow through mining expenditures" as defined in the Tax Act (the "Qualifying Expenditures").

The closing of the FT Unit Offering is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). Any finder's fees to be paid by the Company will be payable in accordance with the policies of the Exchange. The FT Shares, FT Unit Warrant Shares and any common shares of the Company that are issuable upon the exercise of any finder's warrants will be subject to a hold period ending on the date that is four months plus one day following the issue date in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The securities offered in the FT Unit Offering 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 U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States.

Extension of Concurrent Unit Offering

Further to the Company's news releases dated April 12, June 9, July 20, and August 22, 2023, 1844 also announces a 30-day extension of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering"). The other terms of the Unit Offering remain unchanged and the Company will raise up to 57,142,858 units (each, a "Unit") at $0.035 per Unit for gross proceeds is up to $2,000,000. Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (a "Unit Warrant"). Each Unit Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company (each, an "Unit Warrant Share") at a price of $0.055 for a period of 36 months following the date of issuance.

In connection with the Unit Offering, the Company will pay a cash finders fee equal to 8% of the gross proceeds raised from the sale of Units to certain subscribers of the Unit Offering and issue a number of non-transferable common share purchase warrants equal to 8% of the aggregate number of Units purchased by certain subscribers of the Unit Offering (each, a "Finder's Warrant") to certain finders. Each Finder's Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.05 per share for a period of 12 months following the date of issuance. 1844 will use the net proceeds from the Unit Offering in connection with its option to acquire the Hawk Ridge Project, for exploration on the Hawk Ridge Project and for general corporate purposes.

Option Agreement

The Company also announces it has entered into an amending agreement (the "Amending Agreement") with Nickel North Exploration Corp. ("NNX") with respect to the option agreement between the parties dated March 6, 2023 (the "Option Agreement), relating to the Company's option to acquire the Hawk Ridge Project. Pursuant to the Amending Agreement, the parties have agreed to amend the payment terms and conditions of the Option Agreement as follows:

The Company is now entitled to acquire a 10% undivided interest in the Hawk Ridge Project on the date that is two business days following the approval of the Option Agreement (the "Effective Date") by the Exchange by paying $325,000 and issuing 5,000,000 Units (valued at $175,000) and 1,000,000 common shares of the Company to NNX (the "First Option").

If the Company exercises the First Option, it can now acquire an additional 10% undivided interest in the Hawk Ridge Project by paying $1,500,000 and issuing 1,000,000 common shares of the Company to NNX on the first anniversary date of the Effective Date, and incurring $500,000 of exploration expenditures before the first anniversary of the Effective Date (the "Second Option").

If the Company does not satisfy the revised payment terms and conditions of the Second Option, the Company's option to acquire the Hawk Ridge Project will terminate and the Company will return to NNX the 10% undivided interest in the Hawk Ridge Project that the Company acquired upon the exercise of the First Option for nil consideration, resulting in the Optionee holder no interest in the Hawk Ridge Project.

The remaining terms and conditions of the Option Agreement remain unchanged and the Option Agreement, as amended, remains subject to Exchange approval.

Mr. Sylvain Laberge, President and CEO of the Company commented: "The option to acquire a 100% interest in the Hawk Ridge Project is transformational for 1844. Hawk Ridge is expected to become one of the flagship properties of the Company and is expected to add to our existing portfolio of copper and other critical mineral projects in coastal Quebec."

For more details regarding the Option Agreement and Hawk Ridge Property, see the Company's news releases dated March 6 and 7, 2023. Copies of the Company's news releases are available under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

About 1844 Resources Inc.: 1844 is an exploration company with a focus in strategic and energetic metals and underexplored regions "Gasp, Nunavik Quebec". With a dedicated management team, the Company's goal is to create shareholder value through the discovery of new deposits.

1844 RESOURCES INC.

(signed) "Sylvain Laberge"

Sylvain Laberge

President and CEO

514.702.9841

Slaberge@1844 resources.com

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release includes "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements with respect to the FT Unit Offering, the Company's option on the Hawk Ridge Project, the First Option, the Second Option, the Unit Offering and Exchange approval. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "potential", "target", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof.

Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management based on the business and markets in which the Company operates, are inherently subject to significant operational, economic, and competitive uncertainties, risks and contingencies. These include assumptions regarding, among other things: general business and economic conditions; the availability of additional exploration and mineral project financing; and Exchange approval.

There can be no assurance that 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 exploration or other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators, including those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's most recently filed MD&A. The Company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable law.

Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181657
What is the NCUA, and how does it work?

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is a federal agency that oversees credit unions and insures the money people deposit in credit union accounts. In that way, it plays a very similar role to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the agency that insures bank deposits.

Like the FDIC, the NCUA insures up to $250,000 per person, per bank, and per ownership category. The term ownership category is a way of describing who owns the account.

What is the National Credit Union Administration?

The NCUA regulates and insures 98% of credit unions in the United States. That includes all of the federally-chartered credit unions and the vast majority of state-chartered credit unions as well.

Congress created the NCUA in 1970 to regulate federal credit unions. A three-member board oversees the agency. Board members are appointed by the president, approved by the Senate, and serve staggered six-year terms. The NCUA, however, isnt funded by the government but entirely by premiums paid by the credit unions it insures and regulates.

To see if the NCUA insures your credit union, look for the NCUA logo on credit union materials or use the NCUAs search tool.

What does the NCUA do?

The NCUA provides multiple services for federally chartered credit unions, including:

Insuring deposits made at the credit union

Providing licenses, called charters, for credit unions to operate

Monitoring credit unions to ensure they follow applicable laws and good practices

The NCUA is also responsible for managing the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, funded by participating credit unions. Money in this fund repays credit union members deposits if a credit union fails.

What does NCUA insurance cover?

The NCUA insures each credit union account up to $250,000 per person. The NCUA insures the following types of accounts:

Savings accounts

Share draft (checking) accounts

CDs

Money market accounts

Individual retirement accounts

Find the best HYSA rates

Along with the types of accounts that the NCUA insures, there are also different ownership categories:

Single accounts

Joint accounts

Some retirement accounts

Revocable trust accounts

Irrevocable trust accounts

Employee benefit accounts

Generally, all accounts in the same ownership category at the same credit union count toward the $250,000 insurance limit. Lets say you have an individual savings account with a $10,000 balance and an individual money market account with a $10,000 balance. In that case, all your money would be insured because the total between the two is less than $250,000. Any money above the $250,000 amount would not be insured and likely would be lost if the credit union failed.

You can insure more than $250,000 worth of deposits by spreading your money across credit unions and ownership categories. For example, money in a joint account is not combined with money from an individual account. Each joint account holder is also eligible for $250,000 in insurance. You can use the NCUAs Share Insurance Estimator tool to determine if your money is insured.

Some accounts are not covered by the NCUA, including mutual funds, stocks, bonds, municipal securities, life insurance policies, and safety deposit boxes.

What happens when a credit union fails?

When a credit union fails and is closed, it enters liquidation, and the NCUA takes over its management. During liquidation, another credit union can buy the failed credit union, taking over its members, assets, and loans. In that case, your insured deposits would move to the new credit union. If a failed credit union isnt bought, you would typically receive your deposit money within five days of the credit union closing.

If your money is held in an NCUA-insured credit union, its safe as long as you dont have more than $250,000 in accounts that fall under the same ownership category. If you have more than $250,000 on deposit at a credit union, be sure to read up on NCUA insurance specifics and consider seeking guidance from an employee of the credit union.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 22, 2023) - Eureka Lithium Corp. (CSE: ERKA) (OTCQB: SCMCF) (FSE: S580) ("Eureka Lithium" or "Eureka" or the "Company"), announces that its common shares are eligible for electronic clearing and settlement in the United States through the Depository Trust Company ("DTC"). DTC eligibility is expected to simplify the process of trading and enhance liquidity of Eureka Lithium Corp's shares in the United States. The Company's shares recently began trading on the OTCQB under the symbol "SCMCF".

The DTC is a subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, a U.S. company that manages the electronic clearing and settlement of publicly traded companies. Securities that are eligible to be electronically cleared and settled through DTC are considered to be "DTC eligible". This electronic method of clearing securities speeds up the receipt of stock and cash, and thus accelerates the settlement process for investors and brokers, enabling the stock to be traded over a much wider selection of brokerage firms by coming into compliance with their requirements.

"I am pleased to announce that Eureka's common shares are DTC eligible, which will make the trading of Eureka's shares easier, faster and cheaper for a wider array of investors," commented Jeff Wilson, CEO of Eureka Lithium Corp. "DTC eligibility enables US based investors to electronically buy, sell, withdraw and deposit at any legacy or online discount brokerages in North America.

The Company also announces a renewal agreement with MIC Market Information & Content Publishing GmbH ("MIC") (Address: Gerhart-Hauptmann-St. 49b 51379 Leverkusen; email: [email protected]; phone: +49 2171-7766628) for marketing services which will continue to October 30th, 2023 or until budget exhaustion. MIC will utilize their online programs with the aim of increasing investor awareness and interest in the company through various online platforms and methods of engagement in consideration of EUR 150,000. The marketing activity will occur by email, Facebook, and Google. MIC does not have any prior relationship with the Company other than previous marketing engagements and will not receive any shares of the Company as compensation.

About Eureka Lithium Corp.

Eureka Lithium is the largest lithium-focused landowner in the northern third of Quebec, known as the Nunavik region, with 100% ownership of three projects comprising 1,408 sq. km in the emerging Raglan West, Raglan South and New Leaf Lithium Camps. These claims were acquired from legendary prospector Shawn Ryan and are located in a region that hosts two operating nickel mines with deep-sea port access.

Contact Information:

Jeffrey Wilson

Chief Executive Officer

[email protected]

Cautionary Statement

Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements which may contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, and statements related to matters which are not historical facts, such as statements regarding the contemplated completion of the Acquisition and the Concurrent Financing, are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's expectations and are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct, nor that the Acquisition will be completed as contemplated, or at all, or that the Concurrent Financing will be completed as contemplated, or at all. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any future revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181639
Feihe is proud to launch Feihe Pediatric Brain Development Research Initiative at Boston Children's Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital, for providing a global platform for brain science research

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - September 22, 2023) - Recently, the Feihe Pediatric Brain Development Research Initiative at Boston Children's Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital, held its launch ceremony at the Harvard Club of Boston, with representatives from Feihe and Boston Children's Hospital in attendance.

The Initiative is funded by Feihe and renowned neuroscientists from Boston Children's Hospital will take the lead in initiating research programmes to advance the understanding of genetic, nutritional, and environmental impacts on children's brain development and cognition, and to promote basic and clinical research related to the prevention and treatment of children's neurodevelopmental disorders. In addition, the Initiative will bring together outstanding research teams and, accordingly, create a world-leading brain science research platform.

Lynn Susman, president of Boston Children's Hospital Trust, said the Initiative will rely on the cooperation platform to conduct basic research on children's brain development. It is believed that the Initiative will accelerate the output and application of cutting-edge academic achievements in neuroscience for the betterment of all humankind.

Youbin Leng, the Chairman and CEO of Feihe, commented that Feihe has researched infant and young children's nutrition for more than ten years. Boston Children's Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital, leads in research and clinical practice in the brain sciences. The collaboration will advance Feihe's research on the frontiers of brain science and is expected to provide a solid theoretical basis for early-life nutrition intervention, thereby helping improve human health and quality of life more effectively and contributing to the construction of a community of health for all. Feihe hopes to incorporate the published research findings into future milk formulas to help children grow up healthily and support cognitive development.

Contact:

Yu Wang

[email protected]

https://www.feihe.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181515
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

Chiro's By Jigyasa, an online retailer of traditional and contemporary Indian clothing, launched a new collection of 1-minute sarees.



Chiro's By Jigyasas recently launched pre-stitched sarees are designed to be worn in one step, making them ideal for busy women who dont have time to pleat and drape a traditional saree. Available in a variety of fabrics, colors, and sequin finishes, the new one-minute sarees make time-saving solutions for weddings and parties.

More details can be found at https://www.chirosbyjigyasa.com/collections/1minute-saree

With the launch, the store's ready-made sarees come as 2-piece sets comprising the saree worn as a skirt with hooks, and a separate blouse. In addition to choosing a style from Chiro's By Jigyasas pre-made collection, customers can request any other saree from the website to be converted.

In the recently available collection, customers can find embellished georgette sarees with spaghetti straps and backless, and sweetheart neck blouses. Color choices include moss, baby blue, dark green, and iridium. Designed for the busy fashionista, the dazzling sequins glisten with every step, ensuring you steal the spotlight wherever you go, said Chiro's By Jigyasa.

Another style from the stores new 1-minute saree line is an ash-colored option featuring a v-neck blouse with elbow sleeves. This saree comes with a belt to accentuate the waistline.

Customers looking for traditional silk sarees can find various styles in Chiro's By Jigyasas latest collection. One choice is a red saree made from Banarasi silk - a fine silk variant originating from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India, known for its intricate brocade work. The stores garment is decorated with Gota Patti applique embroidery in gold.

An alternative design from the new range is a yellow Banarasi silk saree with gold zari embroidery, contrasting red piping, beadwork, and tassels. Underskirts and petticoats are available for all the stores designs.

With the latest launch, Chiro's By Jigyasa continues to provide a wide variety of Indian clothing for men, women, and children. Items can be shipped worldwide.

Chiro's By Jigyasa's founder and lead designer, Jigyasa Anand, said, Sarees have always been an integral part of Indian culture and tradition. Over the years, sarees have gone through many transformations to cater to changing fashion trends. One-minute sarees are the latest addition to the saree family and are perfect for women who are always on the go.

Interested parties can find more information at https://www.chirosbyjigyasa.com/collections/1minute-saree

Contact Info:

Name: Jigyasa Anand

Email: Send Email

Organization: Chiro's By Jigyasa

Address: 19822 Almond Park Drive, Katy, TX 77450, United States

Website: https://chirosbyjigyasa.com



Release ID: 89107841

If there are any problems, discrepancies, or queries related to the content presented in this press release, we kindly ask that you notify us immediately at [email protected]. Our responsive team will be available round-the-clock to address your concerns within 8 hours and take necessary actions to rectify any identified issues or support you with press release takedowns. Ensuring accurate and trustworthy information is our unwavering commitment.
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.



FXGlobe provides Introducing Brokers and Affiliates with all the tools and support needed to drive their business growth. Their advanced trading platforms, diverse account options, and dedicated account managers make FXGlobe the ideal partner.



FXGlobe, a leading global brokerage firm, offers Introducing Brokers (IBs) and Affiliates the ideal partnership to advance their business. With advanced trading platforms, account options tailored to each partner's clients, and dedicated support teams, FXGlobe provides everything IBs and Affiliates need to succeed.

"At FXGlobe, we understand that our IBs and Affiliates are vital to our business, and we are fully committed to helping them grow," said jesus Guzman, FXGlobe's Director of Search Traffic. "From attractive commission structures to marketing support, our partners have access to all the resources they need to acquire new clients and provide them with a superior trading experience."

FXGlobe provides partners with a choice of robust, intuitive trading platforms including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, FXGlobe Trader, and FXGlobe Pro. Partners can select the ideal platform for their clients based on trading style and experience level.

Partners also benefit from FXGlobe's diverse account options including standard accounts, demo accounts, Islamic accounts, and managed accounts. By offering accounts tailored to each trader's needs, IBs and Affiliates can easily convert leads into funded accounts.

Ongoing support is vital for the success of any partnership. FXGlobe assigns dedicated account managers to each partner to provide assistance with trading, payments, reporting, and any other needs that arise. Partners also gain access to FXGlobe's expert marketing team which assists with branding and campaign execution.

FXGlobe provides partners with an advanced, customized trading infrastructure that enables them to thrive in the competitive forex market. Their cutting-edge platforms deliver the tools, speed, and reliability that active traders demand. Partners can choose the platform that best suits their clients' preferences - whether that's the power and flexibility of MetaTrader 4 and 5 or the intuitive simplicity of FXGlobe Trader.

In addition, FXGlobe's account management team helps partners provide the ideal trading conditions for their clients. With Islamic accounts, managed accounts, and more, partners can easily match appropriate account features to each trader's needs. And by offering free demo accounts for an unlimited period, FXGlobe empowers partners to attract and vet new clients without hurdles.

Ongoing support makes all the difference in creating a successful long-term partnership. FXGlobe shines here by assigning knowledgeable dedicated account managers to each partner. These managers provide proactive guidance on trading accounts, reporting, payments, marketing initiatives, and any other needs that arise. Partners gain a strategic ally focused on helping their business grow and prosper.

If anyone is ready to step into the world of forex introducing with the backing of an established global brokerage, the time is now. Get in touch with FXGlobe today to learn more about how their advanced solutions and dedicated support they will set everything up for sustainable success. Call +44 20 4542 7667 or visit https://fxglobe.com/become-a-partner/ to discuss how FXGlobe can help the business thrive. The ideal partnership awaits at FXGlobe.

To learn more about partnering with FXGlobe visit:

https://fxglobe.com/become-a-partner/partners/





Contact Info:

Name: Jesus Guzman

Email: Send Email

Organization: FXglobe FS International

Website: https://fxglobe.com/



Release ID: 89108235

Should you come across any errors, concerns, or inconsistencies within this press release's content, we urge you to reach out without delay by contacting [email protected]. Our committed team will promptly address your feedback within 8 hours and take appropriate measures to resolve any identified issues or guide you through the removal process. Providing accurate and dependable information remains our utmost priority.
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

Kemp Law, Tampa's personal injury law firm, recently held a discussion on truck crash and car accident settlements led by Stacy Kemp. The firm emphasizes timely personal injury lawsuits, holds responsible parties accountable, and seeks fair compensation for victims, all on a contingency fee basis.



Kemp Law, one of Tampa's leading personal injury law firms, recently hosted an enlightening session to address the intricacies of truck crash and car accident settlements. With an established reputation in representing victims and ensuring they receive due justice, the discussion provided valuable insights into the legal landscape of personal injury cases in Florida.

Stacy Kemp, the driving force behind Kemp Law, led the discussion. With years of experience in personal injury law, Ms. Kemp shed light on the complexities and nuances associated with truck crash and car accident settlements. She emphasized the importance of understanding the unique factors that come into play, especially when determining the value of settlements.

"Truck and car accidents, though both fall under personal injury, have distinct differences. The severity of injuries, potential parties involved, and the regulations surrounding commercial vehicles make truck accidents particularly complex," said Ms. Kemp during the session. She further elaborated on how Kemp Law approaches these cases with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring clients are rightfully compensated for their physical and emotional trauma.

One of the key takeaways from the session was the importance of immediate legal intervention following an accident. Ms. Kemp pointed out that time is of the essence, especially with gathering evidence, talking to witnesses, and ensuring that clients receive appropriate medical attention.

Kemp Law, as one of Tampa Bay's foremost Personal Injury Attorneys, has a track record of confronting powerful trucking companies in the wake of tragic accidents. The firm's seasoned lawyers are adept at handling cases ranging from wrongful death to traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury caused by commercial trucks, often a result of distracted driving or negligence. They recognize the extensive medical care required for such catastrophic injuries and emphasize the importance of victims initiating a personal injury lawsuit promptly. This timely action ensures that insurance claims are filed effectively, responsible parties are held accountable, and victims receive fair compensation for their pain and suffering. Kemp Law's commitment to their clients' wellbeing is further highlighted by their contingency fee basis approach, ensuring that victims can pursue their personal injury claim without the burden of upfront legal fees.

"Settlements are not just about covering medical bills. They're about securing a victim's future - taking into account lost wages, potential future medical treatments, and the emotional distress suffered," Stacy Kemp mentioned, underscoring the thoroughness of Kemp Law's approach.

The discussion also touched upon the challenges faced during negotiations with insurance companies. Given the complexities and potential severity of truck accidents, insurance companies often have specialized teams to minimize settlement amounts. Kemp Law's team emphasized their dedication to leveling the playing field, ensuring that victims are not shortchanged and receive settlements that genuinely reflect their pain, suffering, and future needs.

In the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident, victims often face a maze of challenges, from deciphering the nuances of their insurance policy to grappling with the physical and mental anguish from severe injuries. Kemp Law's dedicated truck accident lawyers provide impeccable legal representation, guiding victims through the intricacies of filing both auto accident and truck accident claims. Their expertise ensures that the negligent party, whether individual truck drivers or larger entities, is held accountable. In cases of extreme negligence leading to wrongful death, the firm is equipped to assist loved ones in filing a wrongful death claim, advocating for not just compensatory damages for financial loss, but also punitive damages. The aim remains singular: to ensure maximum compensation for the immense physical and emotional trauma victims endure.

In addition to the financial aspects, the session also highlighted the emotional journey many victims undergo post-accidents. Kemp Law prides itself on providing not just legal counsel but emotional support during these trying times. Their holistic approach has solidified their reputation as one of Tampa's most compassionate yet fierce advocates for accident victims.

This recent discussion is one of many initiatives by Kemp Law to educate the public about their rights and the legal avenues available to them. As leaders in the realm of personal injury law in Tampa, they believe in the power of information to empower victims to make informed decisions.

For those interested in learning more about personal injury settlements, especially in the context of truck and car accidents, Kemp Law encourages reaching out to their experienced team. Their dedication to their clients' wellbeing and their commitment to securing rightful compensation is unparalleled.

About Kemp Law:

Kemp Law, headquartered in Tampa, FL, is a premier personal injury law firm, renowned for its dedication to clients and ensuring justice is served. Founded by Stacy Kemp, the firm has championed the rights of countless accident victims, ensuring they receive due compensation and support. With a seasoned team of attorneys and an unwavering commitment to justice, Kemp Law remains at the forefront of personal injury litigation in Florida.

Contact Info:

Name: Stacy Kemp

Email: Send Email

Organization: Kemp Law Group

Address: 11567 Trinity Blvd, Trinity, Florida 34655, United States

Website: https://kemplaw.com/



Release ID: 89108209

In case of identifying any problems, concerns, or inaccuracies in the content shared in this press release, or if a press release needs to be taken down, we urge you to notify us immediately by contacting [email protected]. Our dedicated team will be readily accessible to address your concerns and take swift action within 8 hours to rectify any issues identified or assist with the removal process. We are committed to delivering high-quality content and ensuring accuracy for our valued readers.
France's Minister of State for Development and International Partnerships Ms. Chrysoula Zacharopoulou and ECW Executive Director Yasmine Sherif call on donors and the private sector to urgently provide a total of US$1.5 billion .

NEW YORK , Sept. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- At this weekend's Global Citizen Festival in New York , France's Minister of State for Development and International Partnerships, Ms. Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, and Education Cannot Wait Executive Director Yasmine Sherif announced 40 million in new, additional funding from the Government of France .

Education Cannot Wait (ECW) has now mobilized US$870 million toward its 2023-2026 Strategic Plan to reach 20 million crisis-impacted children with the safety, hope and opportunity of a quality education.

"Championing global education and emancipation is an absolute priority for France . The message of the Paris Pact for People and the Planet is that we must all take our part to allow each country to alleviate poverty and tackle climate change," said France's Minister of State for Development and International Partnerships, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou. "This includes states, which must support development policies with sufficient resources. For this reason, I am particularly pleased to announce, on behalf of France and President Macron , the allocation of 40 million to support ECW's actions for the 2023-2026 cycle."

"With this new bold and generous contribution, France shines as an example for others to follow," said ECW Executive Director Yasmine Sherif . "We call on government donors, philanthropic foundations, and the private sector to follow suit and join our collective efforts to mobilize a total of US$1.5 billion by 2026 to provide quality education to 20 million crisis-affected girls and boys so they can learn, grow and rebuild their societies."

Globally, around 224 million children are deprived of a quality education due to armed conflicts, forced displacement, climate-induced disasters and other protracted crises. They need urgent support to fulfil their right to a quality, inclusive education.

Together with strategic partners, ECW has already reached close to 9 million girls and boys in some of the harshest crises around the globe.

While donors are stepping up, the funding gap has actually widened in recent years. Humanitarian appeals for education in emergencies have nearly tripled from US$1.1 billion in 2019 to almost US$3 billion at the end of 2022.

Take action today with Global Citizen and with your personal donation to Education Cannot Wait.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/france-announces-40-million-in-new-funding-to-education-cannot-wait-at-global-citizen-festival-301936892.html

SOURCE Education Cannot Wait
----- YL201 Phase I/II Investigators Meeting was successfully held in Guangzhou, China

GUANGZHOU, China , Sept. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 23, 2023 , oncologists and experts from more than 60 clinical research centers across the country gathered in Guangzhou to participate in the YL201 Phase I/II Investigators Meeting hosted by Suzhou MediLink Therapeutics Co., Ltd. The chair of this meeting was Professor Li Zhang , from the Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University, who gathered the wisdom and experience of experts, to discuss the development strategy of the clinical trial protocol in depth, and lay a solid foundation for the efficient drug development of YL201.

Presentation by the Chairperson of the Meeting, Lead Investigator Professor Li Zhang , said that "ADC is currently a highly anticipated field, and the data generated from the early international multi-center clinical trial of YL201 project by MediLink is exciting. There is hope for a breakthrough therapy in the future, and it has provided a solid foundation for the rapid advancement into Phase I/II. Sincere wishes for further progress and breakthroughs in this project, bringing better data and outcomes to the field of cancer treatment".

At the meeting, Professor Hongyun Zhao shared the exciting clinical trial data of the recent successful dose exploration stage.

Sponsor representative, Dr. Tongtong Xue , Chairman and CEO of MediLink Therapeutics, said in his opening remarks that "it is a great honor to invite experts in the field of oncology from all over China to witness the growth and progress of MediLink. As a dynamic young company, through the joint efforts of the team, researchers and collaborators in the past 1.5 years, the YL201 project has been initially confirmed for safety, and the convening of this Investigator's Meeting marks the initial success of the original TAMLIN antibody conjugation technology of MediLink". Dr. Xue also noted that "MediLink has made great strides to help patients and still has a long way to go", underscoring the belief of MediLink to continue to accelerate the pace of development for YL201, and contribute to new cancer treatment solutions to benefit more patients.

About MediLink Therapeutics:

Founded in 2020, MediLink Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC). The company has developed the Tumor Microenvironment Activable LINker-payload (TMALIN) novel antibody drug conjugates platform technology with independent intellectual property rights, which is believed to not only achieve high DAR value, uniformity stable conjugation, and also further improve the therapeutic window of ADC drugs. The goal of MediLink Therapeutics is to provide more effective treatment options for cancer patients worldwide. The company is headquartered in Suzhou, China , and has set up R&D branches in Shanghai, China , Boston , and the USA .

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/medilink-therapeutics-focuses-on-adc-research-and-development-to-promote-new-prospects-for-cancer-treatment-301936840.html

SOURCE MediLink Therapeutics
WASHINGTON , Sept. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Prepare to experience a laser engraving journey like never before as Monport Laser announces the expansion of its robust after-sales technical support services. With an unwavering dedication to exceeding customer expectations, Monport is now seeking skilled technical professionals from all corners of the United States . Join forces with the industry leader as Monport Laser redefines excellence in the laser engraving realm.

In today's fast-paced world, technical support service is crucial for customers to keep up with their businesses' growth. Monport Laser has built its reputation on its outstanding technical support services for laser engraving machines across the industry. The company believes that every customer deserves exceptional service and the highest level of technical support.

Monport Laser is committed to expanding its technical support services to provide customers with even more comprehensive support. The company is seeking technical support professionals from all over the United States with expertise in troubleshooting and customer service. Monport Laser wants to work with highly skilled technical professionals to build a strong national network of technical support that can offer more localized, region-specific services to customers. Monport will cooperate with these technical support personnel in different depths according to their professionalism, and full-time and part-time intentions. Experts who are proficient in the field of CO2 laser engraving and experts who are proficient in fiber laser are of course mainly responsible for different fields.

As part of this plan, Monport Laser has invested in the recruitment of well-trained and experienced professionals to form a team for after-sales technical support services. This team will work closely with customers on a regional level to solve technical problems and other concerns directly. With a more localized approach, Monport Laser aims to establish a more flexible support system for its customers.

Furthermore, Monport Laser encourages technical support professionals with a passion for laser technology and a mission to contribute to the laser industry to join their team. The company offers competitive packages and benefits for qualified technicians and ensures a career roadmap for growth and development within the company.

"We are excited to grow our after-sales technical support team and collaborate with all talented technical professionals who share our passion for laser technology," said Charlie Smith , Manager for Monport Laser. "Our mission is to provide personalized and on-demand technical support services to our customers, and we believe that with a strong regional team, we can deliver even more exceptional services that exceed expectations."

Monport Laser encourages all interested parties to submit a resume and application through their website. As Monport Laser finds more talents to join their team, they are confident in their ability to provide invaluable support to growing the laser engraving industry and serve customers on a more localized and individual level.

Stay tuned as Monport Laser continues its quest to push the boundaries of innovation, providing cutting-edge technology alongside an unbeatable customer experience. With Monport Laser at the forefront, the possibilities in the laser engraving industry are boundless, promising a future filled with stunning creations, seamless operations, and unmatched satisfaction for customers across the United States and beyond.

Join Monport Laser and Enjoy the Magic of Laser!

Company: Monport Laser

Contact email: [email protected]

Pre-sales Phone: (+1)332-251-1208

Monport Laser Website: https://monportlaser.com/

Monport Address: Monport Tech Inc. 300 LENORA ST 878, SEATTLE, WA , 98121-2411, UNITED STATES

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/monport-laser-expands-after-sales-technical-support-for-laser-engraving-machines-301935918.html

SOURCE Monport Laser
The Flip In Style TECNO Flagship Product Launch 2023 in Singapore witnessed the launch of the new PHANTOM V Flip 5G and the TECNO MEGABOOK T1 2023 14inch.

SINGAPORE , Sept. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovative technology brand, TECNO, today launched two new products  its flagship debut flip smartphone PHANTOM V Flip 5G and the outstanding MEGABOOK T1 2023 14inch laptop  at the Flip In Style TECNO Flagship Product Launch 2023 in Singapore . The event was a stylish celebration of TECNO's iconic aesthetics and powerful innovations, with the brand's two new devices empowering users to Flip In Style like never before.

Flip In Style TECNO Flagship Product Launch 2023: A Bold Statement of Fashion and Technology

Bringing TECNO's commitment to stylish innovation and high-end design to life, the Flip In Style TECNO Flagship Product Launch 2023 was a captivating event that fused the worlds of luxury-level aesthetics and advanced technology.

The event provided thought-provoking insights, with a speech about how TECNO's designs shape a brighter future from Jack Guo , General Manager of TECNO. "Guided by our 'Go Premium' strategy, we are constantly in pursuit of new technologies merged with the most fashionable creations," said Guo in his keynote speech. "From groundbreaking foldables to visionary concept phones, and artistic expressions of technology with global artists, our unparalleled devices reflect our unique approach that shapes a brighter future for mankind."

The event included presentations from TECNO's Chief Launch Officer, Mr. Olivier Mas , that truly brought the PHANTOM V Flip 5G and MEGABOOK T1 2023 14inch to life. As a valued partner of TECNO, Mr. Hari Tharmakumar, ASEAN Channel Sales Lead, Microsoft Asian Region , also reflected on the strategic relationship forged between the two brands and the new products unveiled at the event.

There were also plenty of stylish highlights, such as a catwalk show to show off the new PHANTOM V Flip 5G smartphone. With attendees enjoying the fashionable fun, the catwalk show highlighted TECNO's success in creating a device that is not only a piece of powerful technology, but also a signature fashion statement that seamlessly marries form and function.

Away from the catwalk, the event also featured a PHANTOM V Flip 5G customized case demo zone, which displayed an imaginative array of retro, modern, and artistic cases specially designed for the device, reflecting diverse new ways to flip in style. There was also an immersive product interaction space area where guests could explore a wide spectrum of TECNO's smartphone and AIoT products. From PHANTOM V Flip 5G and PHANTOM V Fold, to a selection of CAMON 20's artistic devices, MEGABOOK laptops, TRUE 1 Earbuds, and more, guests savored the opportunity to get hands-on with TECNO's exceptional offering of unique products.

Besides launching the PHANTOM V Flip 5G and TECNO MEGABOOK T1 2023 14inch, the event gave all in attendance the chance to experience for themselves how TECNO's products empower users and elevate today's modern, stylish lifestyles for a smarter, better-connected tomorrow.

Two New Devices That Flip In Style

PHANTOM V Flip 5G is TECNO's first flip smartphone and its latest flagship foldable device. Following the outstanding success of the PHANTOM V Fold, the new device reflects TECNO's continued exploration of the foldable form factor for the pioneering premium audience. The device's flip construction brings new possibilities to photography with a 64MP RGBW Ultra Sensitive Sensor Main Camera, 32MP Dual-flash Autofocus Front Camera, and the innovative FreeCam flip phone camera system. The phone boasts an iconic circular Personalized Versatile Cover Screen that makes life more fun and convenient, while an ultra big, ultra flat main screen delivers outstanding classic smartphone capabilities. Recognizing its exceptional design quality, PHANTOM V Flip 5G was nominated for the German Design Awards in a meticulous selection process.

TECNO MEGABOOK T1 2023 14inch is a new size of laptop in the MEGABOOK Series that is designed for extreme portability without compromising on performance. Empowering Gen-Z to unleash their potential everywhere they go, it is the world's lightest 14-inch laptop with a 75Wh battery, with an ultra-slim 14.8mm build that weighs just 1.39kg while enabling an incredible runtime of up to 18.5 hours. With the stunning Red Dot Design Award-winning Startrail Phantom design, the new laptop delivers eye-catching aesthetics in Monet Violet color, while seamlessly integrating into TECNO's AIoT lineup with OneLeap for enhanced workflow efficiency.

"Go Premium" Strategy in the Pursuit of Incredible Design

The two new devices launched at the Singapore event represent TECNO's commitment to groundbreaking design, both aesthetic and technological, to elevate the premium smart device experience, guided by its "Go Premium" strategy.

The strategy has seen TECNO make huge investments in R&D across many aspects of product development, including in the foldables market. As a consumer-centric brand that strives to meet the demands of its global audience, TECNO has now launched two foldable devices within the past year, the first being PHANTOM V Fold, and now PHANTOM V Flip 5G.

To date, TECNO's innovative designs have seen the brand awarded numerous awards. In future, the "Go Premium" strategy will continue to inform TECNO's product development, with high levels of engagement with global users in order to further advance the brand's stylish and innovative offering.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tecno-celebrates-iconic-innovation-and-design-at-its-flip-in-style-flagship-product-launch-301936819.html

SOURCE TECNO MOBILE LIMITED
Students of Compton Unified and Lynwood Unified School districts had the opportunity to have Los Angeles Dodgers players and alumni read to them as part of LA Reads, an initiative to promote a lifelong love of reading.

LOS ANGELES , Sept. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marked the culmination of Think Together's month-long work with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation to support LA Reads, their literacy program with engaging and educational resources that make reading fun for everyone. In partnership with Compton Unified and Lynwood Unified School Districts, nearly 150 second- and third-grade students across four schools participated in readings by Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw , former pitcher Dennis Powell and former outfielder Al Ferrara .

"We're incredibly thankful for our longstanding partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, which continues to provide enriching experiences for our students," shared Randy Barth , founder and CEO of Think Together. "When organizations join forces like this for our youth, it truly underscores the presence of caring individuals in their lives and creates memories that will last a lifetime."

Think Together serves more than 5,500 students in Compton Unified nearly 3,000 students in Lynwood Unified with afterschool and expanded learning programs. These students receive enriched programmatic experiences, in addition to core academic afterschool programing, thanks to partnerships like the one with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.

Think Together and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation have partnered since 2015 to provide students with increased access to literacy programs, Coding for All initiatives, college and career readiness and social emotional learning. In 2023, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation awarded Think Together a $20,000 grant to create trainings for Think Together's middle school program leaders around social emotional learning and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs.

"LA Reads is making significant strides in tackling the literacy crisis in Los Angeles , and we are optimistic that through these community events, reading will become more engaging and synonymous with success for underserved youth," said Nichol Whiteman , CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.

To learn more about Think Together, visit www.thinktogether.org.

To learn more about the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, visit: www.Dodgers.com/LADF.

To learn more about Compton Unified School District, visit: https://www.compton.k12.ca.us

To learn more about Lynwood Unified School District, visit: https://www.mylusd.org

About Think Together

Think Together partners with schools and communities to pursue educational equity and excellence for all kids. As a nonprofit organization, Think Together innovates, implements and scales academic solutions that change the odds for hundreds of thousands of California students. Think Together's program areas include early learning, afterschool, school support services and leadership development for teachers and school administrators. For more information, call (888) 485-THINK or visit www.thinktogether.org.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/think-together-and-the-los-angeles-dodgers-foundation-host-la-reads-storytimes-with-los-angeles-dodgers-greats-clayton-kershaw-al-ferrara-and-dennis-powell-301936756.html

SOURCE Think Together
Spotsylvania School Board candidates are raising significantly more money than other area School Board candidates so far this election cycle.

Two candidates for Spotsylvania School Board  Megan Jackson, who is running to unseat Kirk Twigg in the Livingston District, and Lorita Daniels, the Salem District incumbent have raised more than $13,000 for the filing period that ended on Aug. 31, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

The most money raised by a Stafford School Board candidate so far is $3,200, and the most raised by a Fredericksburg candidate is $1,400.

Jackson has raised the most of all nine candidates for Spotsylvania School Board  $13,577, approaching twice as much as the incumbent, Twigg.

VPAP shows Jackson has received a total of $8,100 in cash contributions over $100 since January, from 31 individuals. She has received $3,720 in cash contributions under $100.

Twigg has raised a total of $7,069. His campaign has received 12 cash donations over $100, including a $250 donation from the Republican Party of Spotsylvania.

Alex Carlson, a third candidate for the Livingston District School Board seat, has raised $100, according to VPAP.

Daniels has raised $13,181, according to VPAP. Her donors include individuals and several groups, such as the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, which contributed $1,000; the 7th Congressional District Democratic Party, which contributed $400; and two Democratic political action committees.

Her opponent, Chris Harris, has raised $5,130, including $1,000 from David Ross, who is a sitting member of the county Board of Supervisors and a candidate for Courtland District representative to the School Board.

Another current Supervisor, Timothy McLaughlin, contributed $240 to Harriss campaign.

Rosss campaign for School Board had raised $0, as of Aug. 31. Opponent Carol Medawar has raised $11,003 from individuals and groups such as the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, which contributed $1,000, and the 7th Congressional District Democratic Party, which contributed $400.

The Chancellor District School Board race is the mostly evenly matched in terms of fundraising, according to VPAP. Belen Rodas has raised $9,016 and her opponent, Jordan Lynch, has raised $6,568.

Lynchs donors include McLaughlin, current Spotsylvania Commonwealths Attorney Travis Bird and Ryan Mehaffey, candidate for Spotsylvania Commonwealths Attorney.

Rodass donors include individuals and one political action committee, Energized for Change, which also donated to Medawar and Daniels.

Early voting in the November 2023 General Election began Sept. 22 and runs through Nov. 4.
Pro-independence Khalistan flags are seen at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple, site of the June 2023 killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada September 20, 2023. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's federal anti-terror agency on Saturday said it confiscated the properties of an alleged Khalistani militant whom it accuses of terror activities in India, as tensions with Canada grow over Sikh separatists.

The seizure of a house and land owned by Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in India's northern state of Punjab "comes as a big boost to the countrys crackdown on the terror and secessionist network being operated from various countries, including Canada," a statement issued by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said.

Tensions between India and Canada escalated after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday there were "credible allegations" linking Indian government agents to the murder in Canada in June of a Sikh separatist leader campaigning for the creation of an independent Sikh homeland called "Khalistan".

Following the diplomatic standoff between the two countries, videos of Pannu threatening Indian Hindus to leave Canada surfaced on social media platform 'X' (formerly Twitter).

The anti-terror agency had registered a case against the alleged militant in 2019 for spreading fear and terror in Punjab and other parts of the country.

NIA issued non-bailable warrants of arrest against Pannu in February 2021 and he was declared a Proclaimed Offender (PO)' in November last year.

(Reporting by Sarita Chaganti Singh; editing by Clelia Oziel)
MOGADISHU (Reuters) -A truck bomb exploded at a checkpoint in the central Somali town of Beledweyne on Saturday, killing at least 10 people and obliterating nearby buildings, a police officer said.

It was not immediately clear who was responsible but the Islamist group al Shabaab frequently carries out bombings in the Horn of Africa country.

"So far I have seen 10 dead people including soldiers and civilians and over a dozen others injured, but the death toll is sure to rise," police officer Ahmed Aden told Reuters.

Beledweyne is in central Somalia's Hiran region which has recently witnessed battles between the military and al Shabaab.

Aden said the dead included five police officers who fired on the truck in a failed attempt to stop it ramming the checkpoint. Nearby buildings and shops were reduced to rubble, along with the checkpoint, he added.

A woman, Halima Nur, who was near the site, told Reuters her niece and others had been in a nearby shop and could not be reached. "I do not know what to say, all the kiosks are now just rubble. I can't trace my niece," she said.

Al Shabaab has been battling Somalia's central government for more than a decade, aiming to establish its rule based on strict interpretation of Islamic sharia law.

(Reporting by Abdi Sheikh; Writing by Elias Biryabarema;Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
The logo of Tyson Foods is seen in Davos, Switzerland, May 22, 2022. Picture taken May 22, 2022. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo

(Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Labor has opened investigations into meat companies Tyson Foods and Perdue Farms to determine whether migrant children were used to clean slaughterhouses, the New York Times reported on Saturday.

The Labor Department opened the investigations after a New York Times Magazine article this week showed migrant children working overnight shifts for contractors in the companies' plants on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, the report said.

Reuters was not able to independently verify the details of the Times report. The Labor Department and Tyson Foods did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

A Perdue spokesperson said the company had not been notified of the investigation but planned to cooperate fully with any government inquiry on the matter.

"We are conducting a comprehensive third-party audit of child labor prevention and protection procedures including a compliance audit of contractors," Purdue's spokesperson said.

The Labor Department has also opened investigations into Fayette Industrial and QSI that run cleaning shifts for Perdue and Tyson respectively, the newspaper said.

QSI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Fayette Industrial could not immediately be reached for comment.

In April the Biden administration sent a letter to meat companies including Tyson and Perdue asking the companies to examine their supply chains for evidence of child labor.

The letter was part of an effort by several agencies, led by the Labor Department, to curb the use of illegal child labor across sectors.

(Reporting by Gokul Pisharody in Bengaluru; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian servicemen fire a RAK-SA-12 small multiple launch rocket system towards Russian troops near the front line town of Bakhmut, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine July 10, 2023. REUTERS/Sofiia Gatilova/File Photo

By Anna Voitenko

NEAR BAKHMUT (Reuters) - The use of heavy weapons supplied by the West in the fierce battle raging on the outskirts of Bakhmut, which was captured by Russia in May, is inflicting a significant toll on enemy lines, Ukrainian commanders have told Reuters.

Buoyed after the capture last week of the key village of Klishchiivka, Ukrainian troops have lauded the 155 millimetre howitzers as key equipment being provided by the United States and its NATO allies.

Unit commander Oleksandr said Ukraine's armed forces "very much rely" on heavy artillery, including the Polish-made Krab gun and the U.S.-made M109 self-propelled howitzer.

"Even one gun can completely turn the situation around. An attack can be stopped with one such gun," he said.

"The main thing is to aim where needed. They (the Russians) hate our hardware. That's what we gather from our intercepts. We hear that we keep giving them hell and they keep wondering how much ammunition we have left."

Oleksandr, 30, described Klishchiivka - a village on the heights south of the devastated town of Bakhmut - as "one of the places they (the Russians) were clinging to."

"We will see what's next. We will develop our success," he said.

Ukrainian commanders have described the capture of Klischiivka and nearby Andriivka as stepping stones to taking back Bakhmut, which fell to the Russians after months of some of the war's heaviest fighting.

The gains have been among the most significant in Ukraine's counteroffensive, which began in June and has struggled to break through entrenched Russian lines.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and senior officials have hailed the advances and rejected criticism in the West that the counteroffensive is progressing too slowly.

(Reporting by Anna Voitenko; Writing by Ronald Popeski; Editing by Max Hunder and Mike Harrison)
Haiti police on patrol keep their eyes on traffic during a stop at a police checkpoint in Tabarre, near the U.S. Embassy. (Jose A. Iglesias/TNS)

NEW YORK (Tribune News Service)  The Biden administration says it has received commitments from countries throughout the world  from South America and the Caribbean to Asia and Africa  to join in a multinational force that would deploy to Haiti, pending a resolution from the United Nations Security Council.

The commitments are significant because Kenya, which has volunteered to lead the mission to help Haitis struggling police force combat deadly gangs, conditioned its participation on several factors. They include the blessings of the Security Council and the deployment of least 2,000 law enforcement officers  with Kenya itself sending 1,000  with contributions not only from the Caribbean but other nations.

Weve got countries from every continent willing to contribute here to Haiti, Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria J. Nuland said Friday, moments after Secretary of State Antony Blinken ended a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on the security situation in Haiti.

Blinkens meeting attracted more than 34 ambassadors, foreign ministers and representatives from countries, some of them permanent and non-permanent members of the Security Council. Nuland said while some came forward with concrete offers of support, others in the room said they would find a way to support the mission.

There was very strong support in the room from everybody for the U.N. Security Council resolution, she said at a press conference joined by Brian Nichols, assistant secretary of state for the Western hemisphere.

The U.S., along with Ecuador, have penned a draft resolution being circulated among the 15 members of the Security Council that would approve a deployment into Haiti led by Kenya. Though U.S. officials have expressed cautious optimism about its passage, it is not a done deal.

China, which has raised questions about the force, and why a resolution is even needed for what would be non-U.N. deployment of troops by another nation, had asked for the negotiations to stop this week, the annual session of the U.N. General Assembly. China is one of five countries that, like the U.S., has veto power at the Security Council. Sources familiar with the negotiations told the Miami Herald that some of the concerns have to do with financing, rules of engagement and the exit strategy for the international force, among others.

Demonstrators run past tires set on fire during a protest against insecurity in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. (Odelyn Joseph/AP)

Other nations also want to see more progress made on the political front in Haiti, where efforts between Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry and opposition and non-governmental groups have stalled.

U.S. officials continued to press for a political agreement on Friday as they announced five additional visa restrictions n current and former Haitian officials who are enabling the violence. The new designations bring the total to more than 50 individuals who have been barred from entering the United States since last October, when the designations began in earnest as part of a foreign policy shift.

The U.S announcement came on the heels of designations by Canada, which on Thursday imposed sanctions on three powerful members of Haitis economic elite.

In his opening remarks at the security meeting, Blinken touted both the United States sanctions and its humanitarian support of Haiti, saying the U.S. remains the single-largest donor of aid, more than $205 million in the last two years. The U.S. has also provided more than $120 million to bolster the Haiti National Police and will provide an additional $65 million.

Having said all that, we also know that more, much more from all of us is needed; thats especially true given the recent closures of all border closings between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, he said.

Blinken said the situation in Haiti has become dire and the reason the U.S. supports Kenyas vision for a three-part mission: Providing static security at key infrastructure sites such as the airport and seaport, operational support for the Haiti National Police as they go after gangs, and strengthening the Haiti National Police.

A stable security environment in Haiti, Blinken said, is crucial in order for aid to flow, for conditions to improve and for political dialogue to be possible.

Assistance from international partners can play a crucial bridging role, he said, thanking countries that have stepped up. With your support, this mission can deploy within months.... The safety and the security, the future of the Haitian people and people across the region, depend on the urgency of our action.

Blinken declined to provide the names of nations, other than the Caribbean countries of Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda and the Bahamas, that have offered to participate in the deployment to Haiti. But he listed several entities that have called for outside assistance: the government of Haiti, Haitian civil society, the U.N. Secretary-General, the Organization of American States and the 15-member Caribbean Community.

Not all Haitians support a multinational deployment, On Friday, some Haitian organizations in the U.S. began circulating an open letter to the Biden administration opposing the intervention. The letter was authored by the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network and Miami-based Family Action Network Movement.

Any military intervention supporting Haitis corrupt, repressive, unelected regime will likely exacerbate its current political crisis to a catastrophic one. It will further entrench the regime, deepening Haitis political crisis while generating significant civilian casualties and migration pressure, the letter said. If the U.S. is genuinely interested in stabilizing the political situation to avoid a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Haiti, it will start by ceasing to prop up the corrupt government and allow the emergence of a consensus transitional government with the legitimacy to decide how the international community can contribute.

U.S. officials have not addressed the letter. But Blinken stressed that improved security in Haiti must be accompanied by real progress to solve the political crisis.

The support mission will not be a substitute for political progress, he said. Indeed, it can help create space for Haiti to move forward.

Blinken said the Biden administration is prepared to work with Congress to provide at least $100 million in support to the Kenyan-led mission, while the Pentagon will provide planning and logistical support such as air lifts.

Blinken, who was sitting between Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry and Kenya Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua, reiterated the administrations call for the Security Council to urgently pass the resolution for the mission, which Haiti requested almost a year ago next month.

Since then, the violence and kidnappings have only grown worse, with armed gang members this week taking to the streets to call for the overthrow of Henry. On Thursday gang leaders began circulating a message that after years of not being in communication with one another they are increasingly uniting. That development is raising concerns that the armed gangs could be plotting some kind of coup.

Blinken stressed that the situation in the country is dire and Haiti doesnt have time to lose.

More than 2,000 killings the first six months of this year, more than 1,000 kidnappings in the same period, over five million Haitians who urgently need humanitarian assistance, tens of thousand of Haitians facing catastrophic hunger, nearly 60,000 suspected cholera cases, nearly half of [them] children, he said.

Places like Cite Soleil and Cabaret have been cut off from clean drinking water and electricity for more than a year, while hospitals and health clinics are shuttered and people are going days without a single meal.

It means parents not being able to send kids to school, Blinken said, with gangs targeting young girls and women for rape.

Wandering outside the neighborhood to shop for groceries, to look for work, can be and often is, a death sentence.

2023 Miami Herald.

Visit at miamiherald.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
An Army Tactical Missile System is fired at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., on July 10, 2015. (Katie Grandori/U.S. Army)

Following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys visit to Washington on Thursday, the Biden administration is moving toward providing Ukraine with ATACMS - long-range missiles long sought by Kyiv.

Several people familiar with the ongoing deliberations told The Washington Post that the administration is nearing an announcement on the decision and that the United States would deliver a version of the missile that scatters cluster bomblets. The provision of cluster weapons is already a subject of controversy after the United States began sending them to Ukraine in July.

Washington has been reluctant to provide ATACMS, in part over concerns about their maximum range - which could reach well into Russia. The move would represent the latest in a pattern of U.S. decisions throughout the conflict: agreements to provide Ukraine with increasingly complex or powerful weapons, previously held back over concerns including the possibility of escalation with Russia.

()

Heres what to know about ATACMS, the Army Tactical Missile Systems with which the United States is on the cusp of arming Ukraine..

What are ATACMS missiles?

ATACMS, depending on what version the United States agrees to send, could have a maximum range of 190 miles, more than double that of Ukraines Soviet-era Tochka-U missile.

Lockheed Martin, the ATACMS manufacturer, makes 500 units of the system a year, but their sale is designated for countries other than Ukraine.

Britain and France have provided Ukraine with cruise missiles, launched from planes, with a range of about 140 miles. ATACMS are launched from the ground.

The ATACMS cluster version disperses hundreds of individual bomblets over an area. Cluster munitions, which are banned in much of the world, have come under criticism by human rights groups, who argue that they are potentially indiscriminate and can leave behind unexploded remnants likely to harm civilians.

Why has the U.S. avoided sending ATACMS to Ukraine, and what has changed?

The Pentagon has resisted supplying Ukraine with ATACMS, concerned that the missiles could land in Russia - a worry that Ukrainian officials have described as paternalistic. Washingtons refusal stems from fears that supplying the weapons - which Moscow has already said would cross a red line - would escalate the conflict and lead to a U.S.-Russia confrontation.

The United States has a fixed stockpile of ATACMS. Sending some to Ukraine would reduce the U.S. stockpile without quick replacement. The Pentagon had also said Kyiv had more pressing needs than ATACMS. The cluster variant, as opposed to the single or unitary warhead version, is comparatively abundant in U.S. stockpiles but no longer favored - which could make it a more attractive option to send to Ukraine. Consideration of the cluster warhead ATACMS was first reported by Reuters.

In May 2022, President Biden told reporters that Washington is not going to send to Ukraine rocket systems that can strike into Russia. A year later, in late May 2023, Biden budged, saying for the first time that the provision of ATACMS was still in play.

This weeks shift comes as Ukraines counteroffensive, launched in June, makes inching progress against Russias defenses in the southeast of Ukraine.

What are HIMARS?

ATACMS can be launched from HIMARS - High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems - which the United States has been sending to Ukraine since last year. So far, the United States has provided guided missiles for the system with a 50-mile range.

Ukraine praised HIMARS as a game changer. Light at mobile, it has granted Ukrainian forces mobility on the battlefield.

The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, by far the most advanced system provided by Washington to Kyiv, is light and wheel-mounted, granting its operators more agility on the battlefield.

The system posed such a threat to Moscows operations that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered commanders to prioritize targeting and destroying it.

Karen DeYoung and John Hudson contributed to this report.
As the Latino and Hispanic community grows in Dodge County and Fremont, efforts to offer assistance to Spanish speaking residents through business connections, resource access and overall camaraderie have grown significantly in the past six to 10 years.

The most prominent and successful of those outreach efforts is the Spanish Networking Group, a program under the umbrella of the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce that currently has grown to nearly 100 participants and hosts monthly meetings.

Christine Torres, director of membership and development for the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce, also works as the coordinator of the Spanish Networking Group, which she founded about six years ago as an independent professional.

I started that group, were going on six years. I was in the nonprofit world and I noticed there was not a lot of cohesiveness for professionals that were working in different aspects of the community. I felt like there was no supportwe did not have that, Torres said. There was four of us (in the beginning). I said, can we get together once a month? We began by servicing one family at a time. I think some of the businesses had tried to do that, but it had not happened in the Hispanic and Latino world.

Torres, who describes herself as having Mexican-American heritage, said she worked at a nonprofit organization in Fremont about six years ago when she and three other professionals decided to create an informal Spanish language business group.

The goal then, Torres explained, was to unite Spanish-speaking residents and business professionals, and to also provide support, networking and encouragement to the growing Latino and Hispanic community in Fremont and counties around the immediate region.

After founding the group, Torres then took a job in Norfolk, working for the chamber of commerce there, before returning to Fremont for her current job in July 2023. While in Norfolk, Torres created another Latino-Hispanic networking group there, which she said was a success.

Torres credited former chamber executive director Tara Lea for recruiting her back to Fremont and allowing her to lead the Spanish Networking Group here that she had originally helped found.

When I came back here, Tara and the chamber here were like, Oh my gosh, lets do it! What do you need, how can we help, Torres recalled. (Tara) truly was like, hit the ground running. You tell me what you need from me. The chamber is so amazing to allow me to do this. We dont have to do this. It is just something we want to do.

Group is growing quicklyTorres said the Spanish Networking Group has quickly grown to 97 regular members, who gather monthly for meet and greet sessions that include coffee, Latino and Hispanic pastry treats and speeches, seminars and educational presentations.

When I came back there was about 40 people involved. Now? We are up to 97 people. We meet once a month on the third Wednesday of the month. We usually meet at the chamber (offices), but I also have the meetings virtually, Torres said. When I came back (to Fremont), there was so much interest. People from Omaha have reached out. We have people now from Norfolk, Pender, West Point and from Lincoln.

Torres said some of the groups members have thanked her for making the networking group happen, noting that they had tried in the past with less success.

There was a gentleman, I think he is 82, he drove up (for a meeting) from Grand Island. It was one of the sweetest interactions, she recalled. He said, We tried to do this in the 70s, the 80s and the 90s and we just couldnt. It is nice to hear that from people who attempted to do this

The groups reach has extended around Eastern Nebraska, drawing in attendees to meetings each month, she said. Torres credited connections to several Omaha-area Spanish-language radio stations for spreading the message about the groups positive benefits and meetings.

The beautiful group it has turned into, I couldnt have ever imagined that. The support has been amazing, she added. The Hispanic radio stations have invited me to come on and talk about the group several times. Were seeing a lot of people come from Omaha. We are 97 (members) strong, and we let people come in person or some people do it online.

Presence only growing

at ChamberAccording to a chamber email sent to prospective members, the goals of the Spanish Networking Group include: expanding a persons network; gaining diverse perspectives; professional development; engaging in cultural exchange; working on collaborative projects; and personal enrichment.

We believe that your bilingualism is a unique gift that deserves to be celebrated and shared. By joining our Spanish Networking Group, youll not only harness the power of language but also cultivate relationships that could last a lifetime, chamber officials wrote in the recruiting email. If youre ready to take the next step in your personal and professional journey, we invite you to become a member of our community. Your insights and contributions will undoubtedly enrich the experience for all of us.

Torres has also secured key community partnerships with numerous businesses and organizations, many of which offer generous monetary sponsorships that allow Torres and the chamber to purchase coffee as well as traditional Latino and Hispanic pastries for the once-a-month meetings.

On Wednesday, Sept. 20, the group met at Midland University in a gathering sponsored by Lincoln Premium Poultry. The goal on Wednesday, Torres, said, was to extend the Spanish-language outreach to foreign students from Latino and Hispanic nations who are attending Midland and let them know of the robust and diverse Spanish-speaking community in Fremont and connect them to other professionals.

Several City of Fremont officials have recently become involved in the group, Torres added, including the citys Planning Director, Jennifer Dam, as well as representatives from the Fremont Police Department. In the recently approved contract with the Fraternal Order of Police chapter in Fremont, an additional salary bonus was added for new officers who are bi-lingual and can speak Spanish.

For more information on the group and how to join up for monthly meetings, interested residents can contact the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce at (402) 721-2641. Meetings are conducted in both Spanish and English, and are recorded in event someone may miss a meeting but want to watch it afterward.

The main goal, Torres explained, is to help each other  something she and group members strive for on a daily, weekly and monthly basis both at meetings and elsewhere in the community.

I try to make sure everyone within the group is someone who will get back to you, who will reply to emails. I always say, if I cant help you, I will connect you with someone who will, Torres said of the groups networking efforts. Ive helped people get jobs, Ive helped people negotiate raises. If someone is translating in their community, they may need help getting grants. Little things like that come out of this group.

Due to the rapid growth of the group and the high level of interest, Torres said the next step in the evolution of the group is to make it a formal committee within the Chamber of Commerce.

Weve acquired more Latino and Hispanic business owners in the group. I want to make sure those Hispanic and Latino business owners know all of the benefits of the chamber. There is such a huge Latino and Hispanic population growing here, Torres added. We are going to turn the Spanish Language networking group into a committee. Just like we have with the agriculture council. It has been amazing that (the chamber) has allowed me and the community this opportunity. Sometimes it just takes someones backing to get it started. What I would love to see moving forward for the community in general, inviting other people to learn about our culture.
In the wake of the allegations of human rights violations in the country, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq has firmly asserted that Pakistan is not accountable to any government or congressman.

The premier's remarks came in response to a question posed by a journalist during a press conference  following his speech at the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session  asking him about the engagements of Pakistanis in the United States with congressmen in relation to the human rights abuses and arrests in Pakistan.

We are not accountable to any government; we are not accountable to any congressman  absolutely not! PM Kakar said, further highlighting the robust bond between Pakistan and the US.

He was also questioned about the recent arrests, particularly those of women, which came in the wake of the crackdown against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) after its Chairman Imran Khan's party members and supporters violently reacted to his arrest in May this year.

The prime minister said the country's laws are impartial, not favouring any gender, and apply to all citizens equally.

PM Kakar also spoke about the resurgence of terrorist threats by dangerous entities such as Tehreek-e-Taliban (Pakistan) and Daesh was a matter of grave concern for Pakistan and the entire international community.

"Pakistan is facing terrorism for the last two decades," he said.

The premier stressed that a stable Afghanistan continued to remain an important foreign policy priority for Pakistan and the United States. Kakar said we are holding constructive dialogue with the interim Afghan government.

"We know how to defend and protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said, and also highlighted that Pakistan has always respected the territorial integrity of Afghanistan and we will continue doing so.

Questioning India's handling of minorities and the human rights violations in its wake, the prime minister said: "We must counter all terror without discrimination, including the rising threat posed by far-right extremist and fascist groups such as Hindutva-inspired extremists, threatening genocide against Indian Muslims and Christians alike."

The prime minister also lamented the large number of people killed in Manipur. He added New Delhi needed to oppose state terrorism and address the root causes of terrorism such as poverty, injustice and foreign occupation, and distinguish genuine freedom struggle from terrorism.

Regarding the brutal killing of a Sikh leader in Canada which came as a rude shock to the world, PM Kakar said that the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi-backed ideologues of Hindutva are becoming emboldened in a manner that they are now going beyond the region.

Speaking about his meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on the sidelines of the UNGA, Kakar termed it a multilateral meeting that focused on a large number of bilateral and multilateral interests.

Commenting on the Jaranwala tragedy at home in Pakistan, the premier said the government took speedy action as a responsible state against the perpetrators of the tragic incident.

He also spoke about the general election announcement by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), clarifying the interim government's role of supporting the electoral body and not imposing restrictions on any political group.

ECP has not banned any political party, PM Kakar said, highlighting that the election watchdog's mandate is to conduct polls. He shared that the date of the elections will be announced soon. But also asserted that those behind the May 9 violence would face legal action.

Commenting on the economic situation in the country, the prime minister said foreign investors are interested in investing in Pakistan because of the governments new policies, highlighting that attracting foreign investments in all sectors was the interim set-up's priority.

Kakar said the government believed in a no-holds-barred foreign investment regime and had constituted the Special Investment Facilitation Council to facilitate foreign investors, bolster their confidence and expedite project implementation in priority areas of agriculture, IT, energy and minerals and mining.

He added there is no shortage of essential commodities and we have stopped the hoarding of flour and sugar with an effective crackdown and policy measures.

Earlier during his speech addressing the UNGA, the premier discussed the humanitarian situation in occupied Kashmir, Pakistan's relations with neighbouring nations such as Afghanistan and Iran, and the forthcoming elections in the country.
Alleged threat to publish intimate images online forms part of case

Meagan McGough who said she is vigorously defending the lawsuit being taken by dance instructor Jamie Hodges

A five-time Irish dancing world champion threatened to publish intimate images of his former lover online if she refused to leave her husband or pay him more than 900,000, according to claims made in legal proceedings.

It is also alleged that dancer-turned-instructor Jamie Hodges falsely reported academy owner Meagan McGough to police for sexual harassment so he could gain an advantage in unlawful dismissal proceedings he filed against her earlier this year.

The allegations against Mr Hodges are outlined in a counter-claim filed by Ms McGough.

In a lawsuit initiated in June, Mr Hodges claimed his employment at Ms McGoughs US dance school was wrongfully terminated last January after he rebuffed repeated demands from her for sex.

But in a counter-claim filed this week, lawyers for Ms McGough allege Mr Hodges had in fact seduced her and they had been involved in a consensual affair for almost four years.

In many of the messages, he is alleged to have called her Mummy

In support of those claims, her lawyers referred to a slew of affectionate and sometimes sexually explicit text messages purportedly sent to her by Mr Hodges.

In many of the messages, he is alleged to have called her Mummy.

Ms McGough is a well-known figure on the international Irish dancing scene and runs the McGough Academy School of Irish Dance in New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

She was identified in an unrelated High Court case in Ireland as the original complainant to the Dublin-headquartered Irish Dancing Commission, An Coimisiun Le Rinci Gaelacha (CLRG), about alleged feis fixing, a controversy that has rocked the world of Irish dance for much of the past year.

More than 40 dance teachers and judges ended up being suspended amid allegations of collusion to fix the outcome of competitions.

Mr Hodges is a Bristol-based former world champion and well-known figure on the international Irish dancing circuit and once ran a lucrative instruction business of his own. The dispute between the pair is not connected to the feis fixing controversy.

Meagan McGough who said she is vigorously defending the lawsuit being taken by dance instructor Jamie Hodges

In his lawsuit, filed with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Mr Hodges claimed to have started working as a consultant and teacher at Ms McGoughs academy in July 2018.

He claimed that despite repeated unwanted sexual advances, he continued to work there as he felt his future as a dance instructor depended on his success at the academy.

However, his lawyers said things finally came to a head last January and he was dismissed.

While the court has urged both sides to enter mediation, it is clear Ms McGough intends to robustly defend the action

In his lawsuit, Mr Hodges is seeking damages for alleged sexual harassment, retaliation, assault and battery, infliction of emotional distress and wrongful termination. His lawyers cited a string of sexually explicit WhatsApp messages, allegedly sent to him by Ms McGough, in support of his claims.

While the court has urged both sides to enter mediation, it is clear Ms McGough intends to robustly defend the action.

In a counter-claim, her lawyers state that Mr Hodges complaint should be barred as he was never her employee.

In the legal filing, they said Mr Hodges seduced their client and a sexual affair lasted between April 2019 and last January.

The filing outlines a slew of text messages allegedly sent by Mr Hodges as evidence of an intimate consensual relationship. It is claimed that in one message in June 2019, he suggested having a threesome.

The amount of objective proof that the nature of their relationship was consensual cannot be understated, the filing said.

Not only was Hodges in a consensual relationship with McGough, but Hodges grew so attached to McGough that he wanted her to leave her husband so that Hodges could marry her.

Leave your husband or Ill sue, Mr Hodges is alleged to have said in a text message

In the filing, it is alleged Mr Hodges began pressuring her to do so in February 2020, threatening during a phone call that he would destroy her marriage, reputation and career if she refused.

The filing went on to allege that in November 2020, Mr Hodges threatened Ms McGough that unless she left her husband, he would manufacture a false lawsuit against her.

Leave your husband or Ill sue, he is alleged to have said in a text message.

Ms McGoughs lawyers said she desperately wanted Mr Hodges to accept their relationship as it was, but without leaving her husband.

They claim that last October, Mr Hodges took photos and videos of Ms McGough fully naked and engaged in sexual acts and threatened to publish them online unless she gave in to his demands to leave her husband.

Ms McGoughs lawyers said she refused and the affair continued until January when, it is alleged, Mr Hodges told her that unless she either agreed to leave her husband or pay him $1m (940,000), he would file a sexual harassment lawsuit against her. His lawsuit was filed on June 15.

According to Ms McGoughs lawyers, a week later, Mr Hodges made a sexual assault complaint against her to police in Pennsylvania.

This false police report was done for the sole purpose of serving the collateral and ulterior purpose to further Hodges terror campaign against McGough to attempt to obtain an advantage in this civil action and destroy McGoughs financial and emotional well-being, her lawyers claim.

They claim Ms McGough had lost multiple students, teaching contracts, her lease of a New York studio, suffered financial and reputational harm and was seeing a psychologist to deal with the severe emotional distress as a direct result of Hodges smear campaign.

As part of her counter-claim, Ms McGough is suing for alleged intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, defamation, abuse of process and violation of a New York civil rights law prohibiting the publication or threatened publication of intimate images without consent.

Mr Hodges was contacted for comment about the allegations against him in the counter-claim, but none was forthcoming.

He previously told the Irish Independent he never had any form of a relationship with Ms McGough and would not be commenting on the lawsuit.

It is the latest in a series of civil actions the dance instructor has been embroiled in. He unsuccessfully sued a dancing teachers organisation for defamation in New York in 2020.

That case related to the reading out at a meeting of an email containing allegations, vehemently denied by Mr Hodges, that he sent a sexually explicit video involving a naked woman to two girls. He claimed the allegation was false and had destroyed his career.

Separate proceedings initiated in Dublin in 2021 against the CLRG over the organisations handling of that matter have not been progressed.

Earlier this year, Mr Hodges was successful in a slander suit in the High Court in London against a former business associate who claimed he groomed young students with a view to having sex with them when they reached the age of consent.
Editors note: Content in this article may be offensive to readers.

A member of the Protect Child Health Coalition showed attendees of a local organization how children and teens can access databases on the Keene Memorial Library website that lead to pornographic material.

On Friday, city and library officials said theyre continuing to do everything possible to keep children and youth from viewing materials inappropriate for them.

Omahan Marilyn Asher, who serves on the nonprofit, nationwide coalitions database committee, spoke Thursday night to attendees of the WinItBack Patriots meeting at Milady Coffeehouse Event Center in Fremont.

The problem boils down to the subscriptions that are held by the public libraries and by the schools for their electronic databases, said Asher, also president of nonprofit Nebraskans for Founders Values.

Asher said many databases that come into libraries are controlled by the state-funded Nebraska Library Commission. Asher said she went to the organizations director, seeking safeguards so children using NebraskAccess, which provides access to research databases, are protected from information they shouldnt see.

She said the site has three levels: one for adults; one for high schoolers; and one for elementary and middle school students.

But Asher said shes gone into these databases using elementary and middle school passwords and found pornographic materials.

Asher said she accessed the materials via her home computer and also after visiting the Keene library, where she was given a guest pass. She told the Tribune she didnt know if a different guest pass would be given to a child.

Im not blaming the libraries, Asher said at the meeting when discussing databases. I think the Nebraska Library Commission is the one that we need to hold accountable and also the (non-state-funded) American Library Association and the Nebraska Library Association.

Fremont City Administrator Jody Sanders noted that the library commission would need to design a way to filter their data bases, which offer thousands of listings, so local libraries can be assured that young people dont have access to that kind of material.

We are looking constantly at ways to assess the security of our system, Sanders said. This is something that weve looked at and we are unable to filter that.

Keene Memorial Library Director Laura England-Biggs also talked about how the citys information technology staff works to keep young people from viewing content inappropriate for them.

The IT department is on top of what they can be and theres always something new out there to be aware of, England-Biggs said. If there are issues and people dont bring them to us, we cant address them.

Showing slides at the WinItBack meeting, Asher told how she accessed the Keene library website and went to eLibrary and the biography reference center. She used the elementary/middle school password at her home computer and a guest password at the library.

Asher said she typed in the word, leather, assuming a child might want to research its history or how its made. The second article she found was, Leather Pride, which led to various pages including one that showed a detailed drawing of adults in what she described as an orgy.

She returned to the reference section and looked up the word, condom, and found a question-and-answer article from Advocate magazine, which she said is a very adult magazine.

At the bottom of the article, Asher found a hotlink, which when clicked leads to an article showing Bright and Steamy photos. One photo showed a group of adults, at least one of whom had sex toys in a pocket. Other photos showed adults with little clothing in what could be seen as provocative poses.

That is what a child in elementary and middle school can find. Believe me, it is not the worst they can find, but this is an example of what they can find, Asher said.

She showed what high school students can find through the Fremont library database, but said they also could find it through Omaha Public Library or Omaha Public Schools.

Via NebraskAccess, Asher said she used the high school password and found Consumer Health Complete. She entered the word, orgasm, and found multiple articles along with advertisements for sex toys.

Asher went to another listing for an article called Inside the Orgasm Lab from Mens Health Magazine.

Mens Health is not for high school students, Asher said.

Asher went to a Mens Health link called, Sex and Relationships, and found an article about numerous sex positions for couples, multiple ads for sex toys and sex scenes that could be watched.

She accessed the Journal of Sex Research, which has an article about representations of organisms in mainstream pornography. The articles biography includes a live link to a pornography website.

Asher showed meeting attendees, who were adults, a graphic site photo, which she said was the least offensive she could find.

Its really shocking, she said. I have to pray every time I research and ask for Gods protection over my mind and Im sure thats true of anybody else who does this type of work.

Asher said Nebraska State Sen. Joni Albrecht has tried three times to limit access for children and it has not even got out of committee, let alone voted for on the floor of the Unicameral.

Why would somebody object to protect children from seeing this? asked Doug Wittman of WinItBack, a locally based conservative group.

They feel that its like book banning and they use the argument that its a First Amendment right for people to see this, Asher said.

Asher later told the Tribune that she believes pornography is a stimulant for human trafficking.

It desensitizes children and raises their curiosity level regarding sexual activity so they can be easily manipulated by sexual predators, she said.

Asher was a religious and volunteer coordinator at Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility for 15 years. She told the Tribune she believes pornography that was allowed in the adult housing unit affected inmates behavior toward staff.

I saw the detrimental effect that counteracted rehabilitation and I was really happy when (Nebraska Corrections) Director Scott Frakes had it removed from the Department of Corrections, Asher said.

Frakes resigned in 2022 and Asher said she doesnt know if pornographic materials are allowed now or not.

During the meeting, Asher also said she was notified of a website found in the online OPS libraries that if the child types in boys stories or girls dolls then active, porn-style videos pop up.

I couldnt believe my eyes and its all through the Omaha Public Schools and its entangled in the advertising, Asher said, adding that she sent the information to the OPS school board, whos working on the situation and that she couldnt find this in Fremont Public Schools online libraries.

Asher said the Federal Trade Commission has opened an investigation into stealth advertising for children.

She also talked about movements to require age-verification before people can get into porn sites in other states such as Texas, Utah, Virginia, Arkansas and Mississippi.

Asher said Texas Republican and Democrats passed such a law, but its not been enacted due to a lawsuit. However, other states have been able to stop children from viewing pornography with age verification.

She also referred to the Murfreesboro, Tennesee, city council  which at the publics urging  recently passed a decency ordinance. The ordinance basically prohibits anyone from knowingly engaging in indecent behavior, displaying, distributing or broadcasting indecent material. It prohibits the use of city funds for these things.

Asher said that puts the responsibility on the people purchasing the materials.

She mentioned EBSCO, a leading provider of research databases.

The databases are purchased, she said. EBSCO, which is one of the largest databases has backed down in some of these communities, but EBSCO is a giant and it takes quite a lot of arm-twisting for them to remove objectionable material out of their databases, but it can be done and it has been done. It takes a lot of public outcry.

Meanwhile, local officials, such as Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg, said they try to do what is possible to protect children and teens.

We will do everything that we can to make sure that our system is as compliant and is not allowing any minor to access things they shouldnt be accessing, Spellerberg said.
Neville Van der Westhuizen is accused of the murder of Dubliners Eoin O'Connor (32) and Anthony Keegan (33)

A South African man facing extradition for the alleged gun murder of two Dublin men has had his case adjourned until October.

Neville van der Westhuizen (41) had claimed in a hearing this week that he fears he would be executed if he was extradited and imprisoned in Ireland

The claims were made as he appeared at an extradition hearing in South Africa on Thursday.

Van der Westhuizen is accused of the murder of Dubliners Eoin O'Connor (32) and Anthony Keegan (33) whose bodies were found in Co Meath May 26, 2014.

The remains of the two men were found wrapped in plastic sheeting and buried in a shallow grave on Inchicup Island, Lough Sheelin, Co Meath weeks after they were reported missing.

Both victims are believed to have been shot dead.

In November, Interpol working with local police tracked Van der Westhuizen to a South African prison where he was serving three of a 15-year-sentence for a separate murder.

Yesterday, South Africas News24 reported that the prosecutor  who had argued that the claims of death threats by the respondent were vague said the South African government would address them at a later point.

He said: "The State will reserve its right to lead evidence on safety matters in Irish prisons."

Eoin O'Connor (L) and Anthony Keegan

The hearing also heard details of two affidavits - dated 17 and 18 August 2023 - deposed by An Garda Siochana.

The defence said it had received the document just three days before the inquiry commenced, and claimed they had not enough time to examine them.

Van der Westhuizens lawyer, Ntando Cele, said that the affidavits were deposed in a different jurisdiction and research was required before he could advise his client on the appropriate response

"In the interest of fairness, we must be given a chance to properly look into these affidavits," Cele continued.

He also argued that the extradition proceedings were not just as his client was already serving a prison sentence.

However, prosecutors argued that it was in the interest of justice for Van der Westhuizen to respond to the allegations against him in Ireland.

"We are seeking for this court to declare that the respondent is liable for extradition, and it will be up to the minister of justice, guided by Section 10 of the Extradition Act of 1962, to determine whether the respondent should complete his sentence here or be commuted and attend to the charges in the Republic of Ireland," he said.

The matter is expected to return to court on 13 October

Eoin OConnor and Anthony Keegan went missing after Eoin borrowed his mothers car to travel to Ballyjamesduff in Co Cavan.

Before leaving Dublin, he is believed to have told a relative of his concerns over the visit.

When he failed to return home from the trip, his family raised the alarm.

The bodies were later found after a fisherman on the lake identified a smell coming from the tiny island.

The pair were not regarded as serious criminals by gardai.

.
The court heard that the German suffered eight wounds to his left arm and body, requiring 12 stitches, and he has been discharged from hospital

A man in his 50s was stabbed seven times with a penknife by another man who is not known to the victim during the random attack. Photo: PA

A RANDOM knife attack on a German tourist repeatedly stabbed at Dublin Airport was "a cry for help" from a man "driven to despair" after being made homeless, a court heard.

Kasonga Mbuyi, 51, whose latest address was a hostel on Clare Street in Co. Limerick, was charged with assault causing harm, unlawful possession of a penknife as a weapon, and carrying an article with intent to cause injury outside the departures lounge at Terminal 1 on September 17.

The Irish citizen originally from Angola appeared at Dublin District Court today when Judge John Campbell refused bail and held him in custody.

The court heard that Mr Mbuyi, 51, who lived in Limerick since 2003, sought social welfare assistance after becoming homeless.

Detective Garda Cathal Connolly told the court that Mr Mbuyi made no reply to the assault charge but responded, "I was looking for help" to the weapons offences.

Detective Garda Connolly objected to bail, citing flight risk concerns. He alleged that at 11.20am on September 17, the German national had been standing alone outside the departure entrance.

The tourist was "subjected to a random knife attack", allegedly perpetrated by the accused.

The detective claimed Mr Mbuyi made no attempt to conceal his identity and told the man, "I'm going to kill you", before attacking and stabbing him to the left side of his body.

The contested bail hearing was told he used a penknife with a two-and-a-half-inch blade.

Both fell to the ground, but friends of the injured man ran out and pulled them apart, after which the accused was arrested.

The court heard that the German suffered eight wounds to his left arm and body, requiring 12 stitches, and he has been discharged from hospital.

Judge Campbell heard that the incident was captured on CCTV.

Detective Garda Connolly explained that the accused was charged on Friday night after spending several days getting treatment for a broken ankle and displaced knee, injuries which predated the incident.

Detective Garda Connolly agreed with defence solicitor Tracy Horan that the accused said he was seeking help. He was recently made homeless from an address in Limerick, where he lived for seven years.

His former rented home was sold, and he had to move into a hostel, which he was not used to, the court heard.

His social welfare payments stopped.

Detective Garda Connolly said the accused had been at the airport "tapping" people for money to buy a ticket to London.

The officer feared the accused, who had no ties to this jurisdiction, would be a flight risk if granted bail.

The garda said due to the alleged incident, Mr Mbuyi's former hostel could no longer offer him accommodation because of its duty of care.

In exchanges with Ms Horan, the detective accepted the accused was in great pain from his pre-existing leg injuries.

The solicitor said her client had sought assistance, but none was available, and the incident "was a cry for help" and isolated.

Pleading for bail, she said he had Irish citizenship since 2014 but was "driven to despair" and "just broke", which the garda witness accepted.

Mr Mbuyi, who was on crutches, listened to the proceedings with the help of an interpreter but did not address the court.

Ms Horan said he would abide by strict conditions and submitted that refusing bail could lead to a lengthy period in custody.

A file is to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions with a recommendation that he face trial on indictment at a higher level, which can impose sentences of up to five years for the offences.

Judge Campbell denied bail and remanded Mr Mbuyi in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday. Legal aid was granted.
Judge John Brennan heard that Heron had since repaid the money which the bank had lost, some 2,160, and he struck out the charge, leaving her without a conviction.

A student who was trying to earn cash quickly after a friend spent the money they had collected for the school debutante ball was duped by a man into laundering 6,000 in her bank account, a court has heard.

Kate Heron (19) had also been in an absolute state of panic after this man threatened to attack her family if she gave his name to gardai.

Judge John Brennan heard that Heron had since repaid the money which the bank had lost, some 2,160, and he struck out the charge, leaving her without a conviction.

The accused, of Chanel Manor Close, Coolock village, admitted she concealed or disguised the true nature of money that was the proceeds of crime, namely a bank transfer of cash of 6,090, at Bank of Ireland in Coolock on September 19, 2022.

Detective Garda Michael McCabe told Swords District Court that the bank had been at a loss of 2,160, as the remainder of the money had been recouped by them.

The court heard that Heron had never been in trouble before.

Defence solicitor Fiona DArcy said that this was an unusual case, and was totally out of character for the defendant.

At the time of this incident, Heron had just completed her Leaving Certificate, and she and a friend had been organising the school debs party.

Ms DArcy said the pair had collected 2,000 from students, but the defendants friend had spent the money before the debs.

She said Heron only became aware of the missing money two weeks before the debs, and she was frantically trying to figure out ways to make money quickly.

Ms DArcy said Heron asked around her neighbourhood, and another individual abused her naivete and told her she could make quick money by doing this, and he assisted her in doing it.

Ms DArcy said Heron, who was now completing a science degree, had since repaid the money to the bank.

The solicitor told the court Heron made a stupid mistake and was very sorry for her actions.

The other individual had also threatened her that if she gave gardai his name he would attack her family. The teenager, who was only 18 at the time of this incident, was in an absolute state of panic.

Ms DArcy asked the judge to leave Heron without a conviction, saying she had learned her lesson and she had her whole life in front of her.

Det Gda McCabe also said that Bank of Ireland had been happy for Heron to remain as a customer.
Frances Harrison (31) with an address at College Hill, Terenure, Dublin, was charged with assaulting the officer at Basin Street flats in the south inner city

A WOMAN has been accused of spraying an unknown chemical substance to "temporarily blind" a garda who was attacked and injured while arresting a suspected car thief in Dublin.

Frances Harrison (31) with an address at College Hill, Terenure, Dublin, was charged with assaulting the officer at Basin Street flats in the south inner city during the incident on Thursday night.

She is also accused of a connected offence of being a passenger in a stolen rental GoCar car on the same date.

The visibly upset woman was refused bail when she appeared before Judge John Campbell at Dublin District Court today.

Garda Sergeant Hugh O'Carroll alleged it happened at 9.45pm after GoCar notified gardai that a tracking device had been removed from one of their cars.

Two gardai observed the car at Basin Street flats "driven at speed with no lights," and the tracking device was on the side of the road.

The sergeant objected to bail and alleged the accused was identified at the scene by the officers and from mobile phone footage circulated on social media.

The sergeant said there was also CCTV footage from the area. He alleged she had been a passenger in the car before it car stopped.

The sergeant said the two officers were trying to arrest the driver when the accused allegedly "sprayed an unknown chemical substance".

The court heard the one garda was "temporarily blind" after the chemical was sprayed into his eyes.

He must go to a follow-up appointment with an eye specialist. Both were injured, have already attended hospital and remain off duty.

The contested bail hearing was told, "a number of locals came out to intimidate gardai", and the driver made good his escape. More gardai arrived after an urgent call for assistance.

Defence counsel Kevin McCrave (instructed by solicitor Eddie O'Connor) pointed out that it was a rented car and his client could not have known it was stolen or that the tracking device had been removed.

The sergeant accepted that she had not rented the vehicle and did not drive the car.

Questioned further, he agreed he did not witness the incident and that none of the officers involved were at court to give evidence.

Pleading for bail, the barrister asked the judge to note that Ms Harrison maintains her innocence and "says she had obviously nothing to do with it, that there were other people there, and it was not her involved in this incident".

Gardai are to recommend to the Director of Public Prosecutions that the case should be dealt with on indictment at a higher level with greater sentencing powers.

Mr McCrave asked the judge to note that there had been hearsay evidence, and he submitted that refusing bail could see the accused kept in custody for a lengthy period. Due to current delays, he said, her trial may not be heard until 2025 or 2026.

However, Judge Campbell refused bail and remanded her in custody. Unemployed Ms Harrison, who was granted legal aid, did not address the court.

She will face her next hearing on Wednesday.
I tell you, we were very lucky that someone wasnt walking by at the time

A luxury women's fashion boutique on Arklow's Lower Main Street has been forced to shut its doors on Friday after the collapse of a neighbouring building took part of the business with it.

Earlier this afternoon, the front of a disused former fruit and vegetable shop (known locally as Liam Powers), which has an ongoing development taking place to its rear, fell outwards onto the footpath, bringing down part of the popular neighbouring fashion outlet, Fayebella, and causing significant damage.

Crews at work clearing up the debris at the the collapsed building on Arklow's Lower Main Street, which brought part of the neighbouring fashion outlet with it. Photo: Michael Kelly

After arriving at the scene of the incident and witnessing the scope of the destruction first hand, Cllr Pat Fitzgerald said it was extremely lucky that someone had not been seriously injured by the collapse.

The wall there is that old brick, and it pulled half the wall out of the neighbouring business, which can't operate and had to close. Crews are at work now clearing up the debris.

The collasped building on Arklow's Lower Main Street. Photo: Michael Kelly

I tell you, we were very lucky that someone wasnt walking by at the time because there could have been some serious damage done, because there was some amount of stuff that came off it.
Semple and fellow Kincora staff members William McGrath and Joseph Mains were jailed in 1981 after being convicted of sex offences at Kincora

This is the first published photograph of Kincora paedophile Raymond Semple  more than 40 years after he was convicted of serious child sex offences.

It is featured in the documentary exploring the disappearances of four Belfast schoolboys and the murder of another dating back to 1969.

Semple and fellow Kincora staff members William McGrath and Joseph Mains were jailed in 1981 after being convicted of sex offences at Kincora.

Born in January 1922, Semple had two stints working at the notorious boys home, from 1964 to 1966 and from 1969 until he was suspended in 1980 when the abuse came to light.

At the time of his suspension he was the second most senior staff member at Kincora. He pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial to four offences and was jailed for five years. Mains was sentenced to six years and McGrath was sentenced to four. Semple was released from prison in 1984.

According to papers from the Northern Ireland Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry, which released its report in January 2017, little is known about Semples life, particularly that outside Kincora.

It notes that his friendship with Joseph Mains facilitated his employment at Kincora.

Unlike his fellow convicted Kincora staff members, Raymond Semple openly admitted to police that he was a homosexual. This was confirmed in a medical examination, one HIA document reads.

Unlike his fellow Kincora convicted staff members, prior to the RUC investigation in 1980, there were no complaints or allegations to police or social services, made against Semple by Kincora residents.

Raymond Semples sentence of five years imprisonment was reflective of his position as second-in-charge within the Hostel, as opposed to the number of charges and victims, particularly when compared with William McGraths case.

There is no evidence that Semple committed sexual abuse on any other Kincora resident, other than the two he was convicted of abusing.

Sunday World
The unaccompanied diver was holding a learner permit, it has been claimed.

Gardai seized the vehicle and overloaded trailer from the unaccompanied learner driver at a checkpoint near Ballyhooly.

EXPERIENCED members of An Garda Siochana instinctively know when they see something that is out of the ordinary.

An example of this occurred last Thursday as a vehicle approached a garda checkpoint near the north Cork village of Ballyhooly.

A post on the garda Cork, Kerry and Kerry  southern region Facebook page outlined how eagle eyed Mitchelstown-based members of the roads policing unit recognised all was not quite as it should be as one particular vehicle and somewhat odd-looking trailer approached them.

The trailer was clearly overloaded and the driver failed to ensure that the straw bales were secured properly, read the post.

It went on to say that this was possibly because the unaccompanied diver was holding a learner permit.

This was the last straw, so the vehicle was seized and the fixed charged penalties issues, read the post.

It went to issue a warning to motorists about the potential dangers of pulling overweight loads.

Remember, you have a responsibility to ensure that your vehicle, and the loads you carry, are safe and that other road users can observe lights and signalling, read the post.

Extra weight affects how your vehicle responds and increases your stopping distance, it added.

The post advised motorists to follow the links at www.rsa.ie for information on the legal obligations for motorists when towing a trailer, in particular ensuring that their diving licence allows them to do so.

The message from An Garda Siochana is always the same - #ArriveAlive, concluded the post.
I am grateful for Sudan's consistent support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy held an unscheduled meeting with Sudans military leader at Shannon Airport.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held an unscheduled meeting with Sudans military leader at Shannon Airport.

Mr Zelenskyy shared a photo of his meeting with the President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of Sudan Abdel Fattah al-Burhan at the airport on the social media platform X.

The President of Ukraine said the meeting occurred at Shannon Airport and was unscheduled.

"At Shannon Airport, I held an unscheduled meeting with President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of Sudan Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

I am grateful for Sudan's consistent support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

At Shannon Airport, I held an unscheduled meeting with President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of Sudan Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.



I am grateful for Sudan's consistent support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.



We discussed common security challenges, pic.twitter.com/Ntq5KxAfkG  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) September 23, 2023

We discussed common security challenges, namely the activities of illegal armed groups financed by Russia.

I invited him to support the Grain From Ukraine initiative and take part in this year's summit.

We considered possible platforms for intensifying cooperation between Ukraine and African countries.

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is the head of Sudans army and seized power in 2021.

He addressed the UN General Assembly in New York earlier this week.

There is an ongoing conflict in the country since a clash between military and rebel forces in April, with the UN stating that at least 5,000 people have been killed and some 12,000 people have been wounded since it began.

It is estimated that 4.6 million people have been displaced as a result.
Longford lass Maura flew to the paradise island of Fiji for the finale, which was watched by millions in America

IT was all white on the night for Maura Higgins as the Irish sex bomb shared some gorgeous pictures from the recent Love Island USA final.

Longford lass Maura flew to the paradise island of Fiji for the finale, which was watched by millions in America.

The 32-year-old Irishwoman is social media ambassador for the American show and has been spending a lot of time in California of late for it.

As well as posting a picture of herself in an elegant white gown with her hair tied up, Maura also posed with host Sarah Hyland.

Maura and Sarah Hyland

Viewers recently saw Marco Donatelli and Hannah Wright with the US version

Maura shot to fame after appearing on the UK version of dating show back in 2019.

She recently shut down rumours she is joining an All Stars Love Island special, saying she feels she is too old for the villa.

I just think, Ive done it once, Ive had my time on Love Island. I dont really want to go back in time, I want to look to the future, she added.

Now primarily based in London she looks like she enjoyed her time with Love Island USA and earlier in the Summer posted a promo clip for the shows infamous Casa Amor twist, with Maura impersonating a flight attendant in the video.

The reality star perfectly pretended to be a cabin crew member in the sketch, as she teased some sexy features on board the Casa Amor flight.

Fans have lately been clamouring for her to be the host of the main show.

Modern Family star Sarah began hosting Love Island USA last year.

After dating Curtis Pritchard and Chris Taylor, who both featured with her on Love Island 2019, Maura has lately been linked to Bobby Hatton Holland, a stunt double for Chris Hemsworth.
Brand said the week since the claims were published had been extraordinary and distressing.

Russell Brand has thanked his supporters for questioning the allegations of rape and sexual assault made against him.

The 48-year-old has strongly denied accusations made by four women in an investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4s Dispatches.

In the three-minute clip, posted on YouTube, Rumble and X, Brand said the week since the claims were published had been extraordinary and distressing.

He said: I thank you very much for your support and for questioning the information that youve been presented with.

He did not directly address the claims made against him and lashed out at the Government, big tech companies and media organisations.

He claimed moves to prevent him making advertising revenue from his content on social media platforms came in the context of the Online Safety Bill, which aims to tackle harmful content on the internet.

The Bill, which was years in the drafting, recently cleared Parliament and awaits royal assent to pass into law.

In the video, in which he addressed his followers as awakening wonders, he said: By now youre probably aware that the British Government have asked big tech platforms to censor our online content and that some online platforms have complied with that request.

Russell Brand has posted a new video online (John Stillwell/PA)

What you may not know is that this happens in the context of the Online Safety Bill, which is a piece of UK legislation that grants sweeping surveillance and censorship powers, and its a law that has already been passed.

Brand said he would return to his regular show on Rumble  an online video platform which refused to follow YouTube in blocking the comedian from earning advertising revenue on its site.

Brand described the streaming site as having made a clear commitment to free speech.

Referring to mainstream media organisations, he said: Its clear that these organisations collaborate in constructing narratives, whether its about the war or the pandemic, and of course there are other examples.

It is very clear to me that we have to be very, very cautious indeed.

Russell Brand is facing more allegations (James Manning/PA)

The video was posted just moments before Newsnight aired on BBC Two with fresh accusations about the former Hollywood actors behaviour.

Cole Parker, who worked with Brand between 2000 and 2002, claimed that models were often warned by their agents about the comedian.

He has not responded to the latest claims made in the interview in which Parker told Newsnight he was surprised details were not made public sooner.

He said: A lot of the modelling agents would sit down and tell their models, tell their stable, warn them about him.

Things like people go back to his house and they fool around and then if they didnt want to go all the way, he had a reputation for sometimes getting angry or a bit nasty if people wouldnt sleep with him the first time.

And given the fact that he was a celebrity, very good-looking man, very funny, he didnt really need to sort of operate that way.

There would have been plenty of people who would have been happy to get themselves involved in a dalliance with him, he didnt have to go with people who were reluctant to do so.

Asked if he was surprised by the allegations, he added: Im surprised it didnt come out sooner, Im surprised at the moment that its only four of them.
Lachlan Murdoch appears at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 9, 2020. Rupert Murdoch is stepping down at Fox and News Corp, son Lachlan will take over as chairman of both companies. For Lachlan Murdoch, this has been a long time coming  assuming, that is, his moment has actually arrived. On Thursday, his father Rupert Murdoch announced that hes stepping down as the head of his two media companies  News Corp. and Fox Corp. -- as of November. (Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

For Lachlan Murdoch, this moment has been a long time coming. Assuming, of course, that his moment has actually arrived.

On Thursday, his father Rupert Murdoch announced that in November hell step down as the head of his two media companies: News Corp. and Fox Corp. Lachlan will become the chair of News Corp. while remaining chief executive and chair at Fox Corp., the parent of Fox News Channel.

Advertisement

The changes make Ruperts eldest son the undisputed leader of the media empire his father built over decades. Theres no real sign that his siblings and former rivals James and Elisabeth contested him for the top job; James in particular has distanced himself from the company and his fathers politics for several years. But Rupert, now 92, has long had a penchant for building up his oldest children only to later undermine them  and sometimes to set them against one another  often flipping the table without notice.

Given Rupert Murdochs advanced age, this might be his last power move. But theres a reason the HBO drama " Succession " was often interpreted as a thinly disguised and dark satire of his family business. In Murdoch World, as in the fictional world of the Roy family, seemingly sure things can go sideways in an instant, particularly when unexpected opportunities arise.

Advertisement

Lachlan Murdoch has lived that first hand. Born in London, he grew up in New York City and attended Princeton, where he focused not on business, but philosophy. His bachelors thesis, titled A Study of Freedom and Morality in Kants Practical Philosophy, addressed those weighty topics alongside passages of Hindu scripture. The thesis closed on a line from the Bhagavad Gita referencing the infinite spirit and the pure calm of infinity, according to a 2019 article in The Intercept.

Beatrice Longuenesse, Lachlans thesis advisor at Princeton, confirmed the accuracy of that report via email.

After graduation, though, Lachlan plunged headlong into his fathers business, moving to Australia to work for the Murdoch newspapers that were once the core of News Corp.s business. Many assumed he was being groomed for higher things at News Corp., and they were not wrong. Within just a few years, Lachlan was deputy CEO of the News Corp. holding company for its Australian properties; shortly thereafter, he took an executive position at News Corp. itself and was soon running the companys television stations and print publishing operations.

Lachlans ascent came to an abrupt halt in 2005, when he resigned from News Corp. with no public explanation. According to Paddy Manning, an Australian journalist who last year published a biography of Lachlan Murdoch, the core problem involved two relatively minor issues on which Lachlan disagreed with Roger Ailes, who then ran Fox News.

The real point was that Lachlan felt Rupert had backed his executives over his son, Manning said in an interview. So Lachlan felt, If Im not going to be supported, then whats the point? Manning did not have direct access to Lachlan for his book The Successor, but said he spoke in depth with the people closest to his subject.

Lachlan returned to Australia, where he has often described feeling most at home, and founded an investment group that purchased a string of local radio stations among other properties.

While he was away, News Corp. entered choppy waters. The U.K. phone-hacking scandal, in which tabloid journalists at the News of the World and other Murdoch-owned publications had found a way to listen to voicemails of the British royal family, journalistic competitors and even a missing schoolgirl, had seriously damaged the company. The fracas led to resignations of several News Corp. officials, criminal charges against some, and the closure of News of the World as its finances went south.

Manning said that the damage the scandal inflicted on News Corp.  and on both Lachlan Murdochs father and his brother James, chief executive of News British newspaper group at the time  helped pull Lachlan back to the company.

Advertisement

He was watching the family tear itself apart over the phone-hacking scandal, Manning said. Lachlan was instrumental in trying to circle the wagons and turn the guns outwards, and stop Rupert from sacking James.

While it took more convincing, Lachlan eventually returned to the company in 2014 as co-chairman of News Corp. alongside James.

Not long afterward, Ailes was forced out of his job at Fox News following numerous credible allegations of sexual harassment.

Lachlan Murdoch has drawn criticism from media watchdogs for what many called Fox News increasingly conspiratorial and misinformation-promoting broadcasts. The network hit a nadir following the 2020 election when voting machine company Dominion Voting Systems sued Fox News for $1.6 billion, alleging that Fox knowingly promoted false conspiracy theories about the security of its voting machines.

Fox settled that suit for $787.5 million in March of this year. A similar lawsuit filed by Smartmatic, another voting-machine maker, may go to trial in 2025, Fox has suggested.

In certain respects, though, Lachlan Murdochs behavior suggests some ambivalence about his role at News Corp. In 2021 he moved back to Sydney and has been mixing commuting and remote work from Australia ever since. I think theres a legitimate question about whether you can continue to do that and for how long while running companies based in the U.S., Manning said.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and every Nebraskan has a role in saving lives. In Nebraska, a person dies by suicide once every 32 hours. Thankfully, many survive their attempts, and its important to realize that you are not alone, there is help, support, and treatment available.

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is a time to remember those affected by suicide, to raise awareness, and to focus on sharing resources that can help someone experiencing a crisis, said Tony Green, Interim Director of Behavioral Health for the Department of Health and Human Services. Talking about how you are feeling can help alleviate some of your distress. It is important to recognize the value of seeking help from a mental health professional or a trained crisis counselor at 988.

Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health challenges, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or background. Family and friends are often the first to recognize the warning signs of suicide, and they can take the first step toward helping a loved one find mental health treatment.

Warning Signs of Suicide

Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves

Talking about feeling empty or hopeless or having no reason to live

Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions

Feeling unbearable emotional or physical pain

Talking about being a burden to others

Withdrawing from family and friends

Giving away important possessions

Saying goodbye to friends and family

Putting affairs in order, such as making a will

Taking great risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast

Talking or thinking about death often

Suicidal behaviors are a psychiatric emergency. If you or a loved one needs assistance in a crisis, seek immediate help by calling, texting, or chatting 988.

988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 988 provides a direct connection to trained, compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health-related crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. 988 is available 24/7 and is a free service available to anyone experiencing a mental health-related crisis. Any Nebraskan can call or text 988 and be connected to a trained counselor. If you have a loved one that you are concerned about, 988 counselors can provide assistance. Help is available. You could save a life by making the call.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, remember that you are not alone and support and help are available. You deserve to feel supported. Some people find it helpful to create a safety plan. This tool is developed to help you navigate suicidal thoughts or feelings. Visit mysafetyplan.org/ for more information.

If you have a friend or loved one who is experiencing suicidal thoughts or crisis, it is important to know that there are ways to show that you care by reaching out and supporting them. When someone tells you they are suicidal, you must take them seriously. Try to use clear and direct language, for example, I care a lot about you, what can I do to help you? It is not about coming up with solutions, but about listening to the person and supporting them as they explore options for seeking help and safety. Encourage help-seeking behavior and help them get connected to professional support. It is also critical that you look after your own mental health and well-being and seek support of your own if you need help.

Need to talk or get immediate help in a crisis? Help is available. If you or a loved one need assistance, reach out to:

The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; call, text, or chat 988.

Your faith-based leader, healthcare professional, or student health center on campus.

Nebraska Family Helpline  Any question, any time. (888) 866-8660.

Rural Response Hotline, (800) 464-0258.

Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 (oprime dos para Espanol) or text TalkWithUs to 66746.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522.

National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4AChild (1-800-422-4453) or text 1-800-422-4453.

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
My mother-in-law, she organised the first two christenings and I organised the last one.

Vogue Williams revealed her children are different religions during a discussion on identity on the Late Late Show.

The influencer and podcasterr joined James Nesbitt, Ciara Mageean and Baz Ashmawy as guests alongside host Paddy Kielty on Friday nights episode.

As the discussion turned to identity, Mageean and Nesbitt spoke about being from Northern Ireland and religion.

That prompted 37-year-old Williams, who is married to Made In Chelsea star Spencer Matthews, to jump in with a surprising comment about her children, Theodore (five) Gigi (three) and one-year-old Otto.

Two of my kids are Protestant and one is Catholic, which I actually didnt know, she revealed, drawing bemused laughter from the audience.

My mother-in-law, she organised the first two christenings and I organised the last one.

So, weve got a very mixed household.

I only found out when we were in the church for the last one and the priest held the baby up and said, Welcome to the Catholic church.

Spenny [her husband] looked at me, like, What?"

Nesbitt also discussed his experience after moving to England earlier in his career.

Im just delighted that people are owning their own identity now, not fighting each other or killing each other over it, he said.

Certainly when I first went to drama school a long, long time ago, I went as a Protestant but I think the first day I arrived there in London, I was kind of seen as someone who was naturally pro-republican and pro-the struggle.

Not for anything I said or did but because I think I was being considered Irish for maybe the first time.

Chat: Kielty with Ciara Mageean, James Nesbitt, Vogue Williams and Baz Ashmawy. Photo: Michelle Daly/RTE

I think for Protestants at that time it was quite odd to, I suppose, go there and be considered Irish, particularly by the English who didnt really distinguish really I think between the north and south.

The ex-Cold Feet and Bloodlands star feels society has reached a point where mature discussions can now be had.

Nesbitt (58) added: I would consider myself a Protestant, an Irishman from the north of Ireland who does not refute nor shy away from my Protestant culture, but it doesnt define me, you know? And nor do I deny my Catholic friends their culture.

But honestly, I do think, as great as it is that we can have our identity and a sense of it, I think for way too long where we came from people focused on the differences that kept us apart rather than exploring the common ground and the views and the issues and the problems that we share.

Discussion: Patrick Kielty chats identity with James Nesbitt. Photo: Michelle Daly/RTE

I just think now that there is possibly an appetite to really celebrate the different identities here on the island.

Also appearing on the show was Portaferry athlete Mageean.

The 31-year-old, who smashed Sonia O'Sullivan's longstanding Irish mile record earlier this year, represented Ireland at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, and has also medalled for Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games.

Mageean said: The decision between running for GB and Ireland - being from Northern Ireland, we have that option - it was hands down, it was always going to be Ireland for me.

The dream of running with the Irish vest on my back, seeing the Tricolour rise and Amhran na bhFiann ring around the stadium is everything that I dream of.

But Im also extremely proud to go out and represent Northern Ireland in the Commonwealths.

Its where Im born and we are a special bunch of people up there - a very special identity.

Its a nation thats been through an awful lot but, honestly, (we are) the best people in the world.

If youre looking a good night out, theres no better place than Belfast.
Consumer NZ is making a noise about the hearing aid industry.

Consumer NZ is concerned that some clinics commission-based sales may have led to unsatisfactory care for some New Zealanders. The watchdog is calling for improvements to the hearing aid industry.

With one in six New Zealanders suffering from some form of hearing loss, the hearing aid industry plays a significant role in the health and wellbeing of more than 880,000 of us, says Consumer NZ.

Advertising gives the impression that accessing suitable hearing aids is easy  with offers of free hearing checks, aids from just $1 per day and 10-day no-obligation trials.

Our research has found getting the help you need at an affordable price, is no easy task, says Consumer NZ investigative writer Vanessa Pratley.

Some customers have found themselves unwittingly liable for thousands of dollars in repayments for hearing aids."

Here in New Zealand, the big retailers such as Triton, Audika and Bloom are all owned by the manufacturers, and these companies own more than 80% of clinics in Aotearoa.

We are concerned that clinics might be subjected to top-down commercial pressures, where audiologists are incentivised to prioritise profits over people.

A preliminary hearing

After booking himself in for a hearing test at Triton, Dave* left with a pair of hearing aids that he was told he could trial, for free, over a 10-day period.

Dave has a condition which makes it difficult to do things with his hands  like inserting hearing devices into his ears. During his appointment, he was assured that inserting the hearing aids would take practice to get right.

The aids fell out 15 times over the 10-day trial period, and after a walk on the beach, he discovered one was missing.

At the end of his free trial, he received a call from the clinic asking for his bank account details to deduct what he owed  a staggering $10,000.

If I had known they were that expensive, I never would have done the trial," says Dave.

Dave described his clinic experience as a misleading lack of information.

With Consumers help he fought back against the charge and later visited another clinic where he got the same aids properly fitted for $6500 less than Triton was charging.

One audiologist told us they were depressed but not surprised to learn about Daves experience.

Sadly, Daves story isnt a standalone case, says Vanessa.

We heard from one consumer whose aids were so badly fitted she had to take pain medication to endure using them.

Another person told us they felt the actions of a clinic amounted to bullying.

Coming to our senses

At Consumer, we are concerned that the industry prioritises sales targets and commission incentives over customer care, says Vanessa.

In addition, audiology isnt a government-regulated profession  which means anyone can call themselves an audiologist.

Unlike doctors, nurses or chiropractors, audiologists arent legally considered health practitioners. We think this needs to change.

The New Zealand Audiological Society is the self-regulatory body representing audiologists in New Zealand. However, membership is voluntary, and members are only required to disclose real or perceived conflicts of interest relating to finance. There is scope for NZAS ethics code to be much more comprehensive.

An investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in 2017 found that consumers and clinicians believed that some aids were recommended based on commission  rather than a persons needs.

Sounding off

Consumer is concerned that New Zealanders are not receiving consistent, ethical, and cost-effective care when it comes to their hearing health.

We want clinics in Aotearoa to review their pricing programmes, to be transparent about sales incentives, and for the government to consider introducing robust regulatory options that support and protect consumers, says Vanessa.

We would also like to see the NZAS actively enforce its code of ethics to protect hearing professionals from industry pressures.

About Consumer NZ

Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to championing and empowering consumers in Aotearoa. Consumer NZ has a reputation for being fair, impartial and providing comprehensive consumer information and advice.

Listen to the award winning Consume This podcast, where Consumer NZ unpacks the big issues facing New Zealanders: from fast fashion and the housing market to the world of data privacy and more.

Help fund more research, investigations, and campaign work like this. Join at consumer.org.nz
The New Zealand Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of the rebalance.

Our immigration system is complex, and must continually evolve to underwrite the economic recovery, support businesses to fill gaps, and grow strong communities, says Immigration Minister Andrew Little.

The areas that have been updated include judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits; 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap; additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement; more roles added to Green List; and three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders.

Out of hours compliance visits legislative change recommendation response

Mike Heron KCs independent review into out of hours immigration visits made five recommendations.

Four of the recommendations were for MBIE, have been accepted by the department, and are being implemented.

The final recommendation was for the Government to consider amending the Immigration Act 2009 to specify criteria for out of hours compliance visits by Immigration New Zealand compliance officers and consider whether those involving residential addresses be stopped entirely, or made subject to judicial search warrant, or otherwise limited to specific situations, such as those involving public safety or matters of national security.

The government is committed to continuing to right the wrongs of the past, and honouring the historic Dawn Raids Apology to Pacific people with action, says Little.

Cabinet has agreed to a policy that the Act be amended to require a judicial warrant to be sought for out-of-hours compliance activity.

Requiring a judicial warrant will ensure powers are not used disproportionately and there is a legal, third-party check and balance. It will mean this aspect of immigration compliance activity aligns with the intent of the 2021 Dawn Raids apology.

RSE cap

The Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme cap will increase by 500, to allow up to up to 19,500 workers to be employed for the 2023/24 season.

Our horticulture and viticulture sectors asked for a moderate increase to the RSE cap for the year ahead," says Little.

"The increase strikes the right balance between giving New Zealanders first access to jobs, the availability of suitable accommodation, and the importance of remittances and access for our Pacific Island neighbours."

Work continues on the RSE policy review which has focused on prioritising workers wellbeing and the long-term sustainability of the scheme.

Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement

The Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement enables employers to recruit migrants for roles on the sector agreement at a lower wage threshold - currently $26.69 per hour - than under the Accredited Employer Work Visa, which has a current wage threshold of $29.66.

Cabinet has agreed to add seven roles to the agreement next year to continue the governments delivery of new houses and infrastructure."

More roles added to Green List

Following the latest review, Cabinet has agreed to add 17 roles to the Green List.

From next year the ICT, automotive and engineering sectors will have the option of Green List visas when they need to fill specialist skilled role when a New Zealand worker cannot be found, says Little.

Recovery visa

Existing onshore Recovery Visa holders can now apply for a three-month extension in which to transition to longer term work visas, and the category has now closed to new applications.

The Recovery Visa was an immediate response to the Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle," says Little.

"Our focus is now on building a longer-term workforce to support the recovery ongoing recovery and be ready to respond to future extreme weather events.

Additional construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement roles:

o Drillers Assistant

o Earthmoving Labourer

o Earthmoving Plant Operator general

o Linemarker

o Machine Operators not elsewhere classified

o Mechanics Assistant

o Road Traffic Controller

Additional Green List roles:

o Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

o Aviation Engineer (Avionics, Aeronautical, Aerospace Engineer)

o Corrections Officer

o Fitter and Turner

o Fitter general

o Fitter-Welder

o ICT Database and System Administrator

o Mechanical Engineering Technician

o Metal Fabricator

o Metal Machinist first class

o Naval Architect (Marine Designer)

o Panel Beater

o Paving Plant Operator

o Pressure Welder

o Road Roller Operator

o Vehicle Painter

o Welder
A homicide investigation has been launched after a man died following a serious assault.

At around 4.40pm on Thursday, September 21, Police responded to reports that a man had been seriously assaulted on Ford Street, Opotiki.

He was transported to Opotiki Medical Centre and then Whakatane Hospital, where he died on Friday September 22.

Police executed a search warrant in Opotiki on Friday evening and arrested a 44-year-old man.

He is due to appear in the Whakatane District Court on Saturday, September 23, charged with Wounding with Intent to Cause Grievous Bodily Harm.

Nobody else is being sought in relation to the incident.

Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the assault, on or near Ford Street Opotiki between 4.10pm and 4.40pm on Thursday, September 21, or who has information that could assist the investigation.

Please call Police on 105 or make a report online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 referencing file number 230921/0907

Reports can also be made anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-nz.org
Two lucky Lotto players from Gisborne and Christchurch will be celebrating after each winning $500,000 with Lotto First Division in Saturday nights live Lotto draw.

The winning tickets were sold at Ballance Street Bookshop in Gisborne and Hornby Mall Lotto in Christchurch.

Powerball was not struck on Saturday and has rolled over to Wednesday night, where the jackpot will be $15 million.

Strike Four has also rolled overand will be $400,000 on Wednesday night.

27 Lotto players win Second Division

Twenty-seven lucky Lotto players will be enjoying a boost to their bank account after each winning $11,421 with Lotto Second Division in Saturday night's live Lotto draw. Three lucky players also won Powerball Second Division, taking their total winnings to $18,219. The winning Powerball Second Division tickets were sold at Pak n Save Lower Hutt in Lower Hutt and on MyLotto to players from Dunedin. The winning Second Division tickets were sold at the following stores: Store Location Countdown Kerikeri Kerikeri MyLotto Whangarei Woodys Winners Wellsford Paper Power Thames Thames Pak N Save Thames Thames MyLotto (2x) Waikato Countdown Te Rapa Hamilton Four Square Murupara Murupara New World Wairoa Wairoa Pak N Save Whanganui Whanganui MyLotto Horowhenua MyLotto Carterton Pak n Save Lower Hutt (+PB) Lower Hutt MyLotto Christchurch MyLotto Ashburton MyLotto (11x) (+PB 2x) Dunedin

Anyone who bought their ticket from any of the above stores should check their ticket as soon as possible in-store, on MyLotto, or through the MyLotto App.

With 100 per cent of Lotto NZs profits supporting thousands of great causes each year, every time you play one of Lotto NZs games, youre a Kiwi helping other Kiwis.
A 25-year-old Lincoln man has been sentenced to six years and two months in federal prison for getting caught with over a thousand images of child sexual abuse material.

Senior United States District Court Judge John Gerrard sentenced Will Reifschneider this week to the prison term, plus five years of supervised release, and ordered him to pay a $3,000 special assessment.

There is no parole in the federal system.

Reifschneider pleaded guilty.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr said the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a report about a Kik user sharing dozens of video files containing child sexual abuse images in December 2021.

The IP address was traced back to Reifschneiders home.

Lehr said that when investigators contacted him, he acknowledged having used Kik, confessed to possessing and uploading child sexual material and turned over two cellphones.

She said they found roughly 1,200 files on them depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Investigators located five video files that matched the initial tip. In reviewing the files, the investigators noted files depicting a victim under 12 years of age, and other files depicting infants or toddlers in sexually explicit acts.
Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription.

Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service.
Baldwinsville, N.Y.  A Baldwinsville man was indicted in federal court Wednesday on charges of sexually exploiting a child, federal prosecutors said.

Kenneth Koegel, 39, was arrested in October after an investigation revealed he was exploiting a child born in 2013, according to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern New York District.
Jeffrey Hoffman is a New York City-based attorney who hosts Ask Me Anything about Cannabis Legalization in New York each week on LinkedIn. Hoffman and NY Cannabis Insider have partnered to bring those sessions into print in a Q&A format.

Hoffmans practice focuses on cannabis industry clients, including licensees in the adult-use market, practitioners in the medical cannabis space, and cannabis adjacent product and service providers. He has a particular interest in social and economic equity cannabis license applicants, and he also informs and assists those convicted of cannabis offenses in getting such convictions expunged from their record. He can be reached at info@420jurist.com.

The following AMA from Sept. 6 and Sept. 13 has been combined and edited for length and clarity. Hoffmans next AMA is on Sept. 27 at 4:20 p.m.

When should CAURDs who submitted their files to OCM expect to be presented to the Court?

Maybe never. The first batch of exceptions should have been just the folks that were everything but open. Like they literally have the sticker on the window but havent opened. Then as we get to the case-by-case folks, those that were very close to opening - like maybe their inspection was supposed to have been on or around the day of the first lawsuit hearing - they have a shot at an exception. Everyone else is going to need to wait for the gears of justice to grind.

Do you think any Long Island towns will opt in once the regulations are adopted?

I dont think they will immediately. It probably wont happen until they see how much tax dollars theyre missing out on. You dont get re-elected by raising property taxes. So once cannabis tax revenue becomes a viable alternative to raising property taxes, then you will start seeing the opt-back-ins.

Is there any chance that the CCB/OCM will reconsider letting the ROs into the AU market at the end of 2023?

No. The OCM is tremendously underfunded. Their funding was supposed to come from tax revenue and licensing fees. So in the absence of that, the ROs want in, they got a big pot of money, and OCM needs money. $5M/store will go a long way. So thats the train were on and it aint stopping.

What are your favorite words in the legal profession?

Including but not limited to. When you see them in front of the words approved site plan, it means thats not all the judge wants to see.

Can you explain the term codify in simple terms?

Folks probably saw me holding the CODIFY CAURD sign at the recent CCB meeting. So we use many words for the rules our society creates. Law, legislation, regulation, and.code. Think of the phrase code of conduct. Or its a code violation. So we take the word code - the process of creating the code is codification, and the verb is codify. And so its taking a concept that we want, we want CAURD to be in law just like the AUCC and AUCP - and how did we get it there? We codify it, in this case by the legislature.

What are your picks for the World Series teams this year?

So I think clearly, the Braves are the best team in baseball. But does that matter here? So this is what I kind of liked about football. And thats the silly football with the round ball. The table doesnt lie, as we like to say. At the end of the season, if you got 20 teams in your league, you played 38 games, and whoever got the most points was the best team. And thats who gets the title. The problem in American sports, baseball for example, is that we have a regular season where we play 162 games and we say screw it, were going to do this playoff thing. And whoever goes out there and performs in the playoffs wins. Remember when the Giants beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl when the Patriots were undefeated. Were the Giants the best team that year? Not even close. But the Giants beat them in a Super Bowl, so they got the trophy. I do think the Braves are the best team in baseball. I do think they will represent the National League. For the American League, if I had to guess Id probably say the Orioles.
Pull down that cowboy hat tight, buckaroos, because the Omaha River City Rodeo will be charging out of the chutes this weekend at the CHI Health Center.

Some of the best cowboys and cowgirls in the world will be in Omaha on Friday and Saturday trying to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Preparations for turning the CHI Health Center into a rodeo venue include the arrival Wednesday of 1,870 tons of dirt.

The Omaha River City Rodeo and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association will present seven events each night, including steer wrestling, team roping and bull riding. Omaha is one of the final stops on the PRCA circuit, and contestants will be vying to be among the top 15 in their event in order to reach the finals.

Creek Young, 22, of Rogersville, Missouri, is the top bull rider coming to Omaha. He is in sixth place and finished 11th in the world standings last year.

Cole Reiner, 24, of Buffalo, Wyoming, is in ninth place for bareback riding. Reiner has first-place finishes this year in Springfield, Missouri, and Eugene, Oregon.

Wyatt Casper, 24, of Miami, Texas, is the leading competitor coming into Omaha for the bronc riding event. Casper, who is seventh in the standings, has wins this year in Los Fresnos, Texas; Elizabeth, Colorado; and Innisfail, Alberta.

Wenda Johnson, 42, of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, is the top-rated competitor this weekend in barrel racing. She comes into the weekend ranked 11th and has reached the National Finals Rodeo each of the past three years.

The Omaha River City Rodeo is produced by a nonprofit organization of about 100 volunteers who came together in 2018 to bring the excitement of professional rodeo action back to the city after a two-year absence. The professional rodeo events begin at 7:30 p.m. both Friday and Saturday with ticket prices starting at $60 and ranging up to $275.

Other events include a PRCA Youth Camp explaining rodeo basics Friday at 12:30 p.m. in the main arena. On Saturday, children with special needs can experience simulated rodeo events at 10 a.m. Then at 12:30 p.m., high school rodeo contestants from five states will compete for scholarships.

More information is available at the Omaha River City Rodeo website.

Photos: Dirt floor put into CHI Health Center for River City Rodeo
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.
Social Security is the largest program in the federal budget, managing over $1 trillion in payments to roughly 70 million beneficiaries annually. Its a necessary program and an important part of retirement for millions of Americans. Unfortunately, like many big government programs, Washington is failing to prevent its waste, fraud, and abuse costing taxpayers billions. For example, in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 alone, Social Securitys combined Disability Insurance (DI), Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) programs sent out over $6 billion in overpayments. Overpayments happen when the government accidentally gives beneficiaries more than they were entitled to. Six billion dollars is more than the entire State of Nebraskas general fund budget that year.

These overpayments shouldnt have happened. Congress passed legislation eight years ago to create a Payroll Information Exchange to reduce improper payments, but the Social Security Administration (SSA) has failed to implement it. In 2021, the SSA published a notice of implementation, but no regulations have been published since then. Now, the SSA says they will not act until January 2024.

This is a classic big government failure and its totally unacceptable. When the government mistakenly makes overpayments, beneficiaries are required to pay it back. This can often be a confusing and time-consuming fix. So as the SSA kicked the can down the road and failed to implement a solution, families in need have been forced to suffer costly consequences. The many families who rely on Social Security benefits to help make ends meet deserve better.

Darnel from Cass County is one example. His Social Security benefits were being withheld due to an overpayment based on work. He felt he had paid back the overpayment but couldnt get Social Security to respond to his request for confirmation of the amount hed paid or owed. Darnel reached out to our office for help. Our team submitted a congressional inquiry on his behalf. After a review of his record, Social Security determined Darnel was right. The overpayment amount had been settled and they had been wrongfully withholding the crucial benefits Darnel was owed.

Darnel should never have had this problem. The Social Security Administration failed him not once, but twice. First, they overpaid him. Then, once he paid back the overpayment, they continued wrongfully withholding his benefits. Their mistake cost him valuable time he could have spent in many other productive ways. Had SSA taken the proper steps to combat their mistakes, Darnel and countless other Americans could have avoided the hassle of fighting for benefits they earned.

Our federal bureaucracy should serve taxpayers well. When it fails, its Congress job to provide oversight. I am proud of how we streamlined and simplified state government as Governor and am bringing that same experience to Washington as U.S. Senator for Nebraska. I will never stop fighting the failures of big government bureaucracy and will continue pursuing policy solutions that improve the level of transparency and service for our citizens.

I am proud of the work our team of dedicated casework staff across the state does to help Nebraskans like Darnel fight these bureaucratic failures. We have offices in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, and Scottsbluff. Our team is specially trained in assisting constituents with concerns, complaints, or questions about services, eligibility, or benefits from the Social Security Administration and other federal agencies. While we cannot promise a successful resolution of every case, our team is committed to using every tool available to fight for Nebraskans in need.

If you are having trouble navigating the federal bureaucracy, we can help connect you to resources that may help provide answers. You can find more information and needed privacy release forms on the Services tab at ricketts.senate.gov. You can also check out our Frequently Asked Questions page which has more specific instructions about the federal issues we may be able to help with, like passports, VA benefits, visas, and more.
LegenDARY Newbie

Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: Udaipur Posts: 2 Thanked: 25 Times

Maiden road-trip to Kanatal (UK) in our new Tata Nexon Petrol

Thanks for accepting my first ever article in the forum.

This is about a trip to Uttarakhand in our then 6-month-old Tata Nexon XZ+ (HS) Petrol (in short).

It had been more than a year that we had taken a long road trip & with ever busy schedules we were fast approaching burnout. I have a deep fascination for Hills & so we quickly agreed to head to Uttarakhand for 2 reasons  First, I had never been there and Second, it was the nearest Himalayan touchpoint from Udaipur. And although we had just 5 days in our hand, we knew it was all wed require to recharge ourselves.



Day 1, 26 May 2023, Udaipur  Jaipur, 7 Hours, 400 KM

So, with all the prep work completed we started on the afternoon of 26th May (For some reasons I prefer day drives) and made it to Jaipur around 9 PM via the NH 48. The weather was cloudy & there were few spots of thunderstorms we encountered near Kishangarh. Had a tea break to take in the moment  we were already relishing it. Entry to Jaipur was a bit tiresome as puliya construction was in full swing. Since we had to leave early the next morning, I had booked Hotel Broadway Inn which is on the outer perimeter of the city and close to Dausa. The hotel is decent & staff is courteous, parking is available too. We ordered Roti  butter chicken & went to bed around 11:30 PM.



Onwards to Jaipur





Day 2, 27 May 2023, Jaipur  Kanatal, 11 hours 30 minutes, 620 KM

We had a target of starting at 0600 hours, and we met that target 30 minutes later! Anyways, we decided (after consulting Google baba of course) that we head towards Delhi, bypass it & take the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, go around Meerut & Muzaffarnagar, onwards to Rishikesh, left turn from Chamba & arrive at the destination just in time to view the sunset.

The NE 4 from Dausa is really well built, no stray cattle or humans, mostly empty & the weather was a welcome bonus  no, it wasnt pleasant in any way. It was a torrential downpour that we encountered & wifey suggested that we rest somewhere. And that is another feature of the NE - you may rest only when there is a place to rest, else keep chasing one. But I continued to drive despite the black clouds pouring in & the crosswinds trying to push our car to the next lane, simply because the traffic was so less! Around 0930 we spotted one of the rest areas & immediately pulled up. Because of the rain (or some other reason I dont know) there was only 1 of 3 restaurants open at that time of the day & they had opened just some time ago. This resulted in massive delays  took them 30 minutes to deliver one aloo paratha & 2 cups of chai. But we made the best of this stop & were rather happy to devour such warm food. We decided to stop next only for lunch (unless it is an emergency), which we did at a Highway Plaza near Meerut. There was a IOCL COCO pump before that where I had topped up the fuel tank first. Since the Plaza was a huge place having multiple options, we first went to Haldirams to have Dosa but they said it was not available then, so we went to KFC where the A/C was not working. We decided to sit there anyways, as we could not afford delays anymore. We gulped rice chicken and after a few customary photos, resumed our journey. And thats when we started encountering traffic. And it continued from there to Haridwar where flyover construction is ongoing & as a result there were diversions & they brought the traffic to a standstill. We crossed Har Ki Pauri and once the traffic eased, stopped at a fuel pump for refilling the car before the climb begins. The open roads meant that I could maintain a higher speed to make up for time lost due to jams in Haridwar. However, to spice (read spoil) things up there was the G20 meeting organized here. Hence, many major roads were blocked & traffic diverted/slow moving. So, we encountered slow moving traffic once again. Things eased though once we crossed Chamba.

But it was already 6 PM by the time we were out of Chamba, so we knew that the sunset view from our night stay was not happening. Thus, we took it easy  cherishing the beautiful views our eyes were dying for. We took a couple of breaks including a (mandatory) chai break. By 8 we finally reached our stay  InstaView Kanatal.

Although it was May, but the night temperature went down to 10 C. Thankfully, despite being a cottage they had all amenities (almost) like extra blankets, running hot water (not from a Geyser though) and a bonfire. Nothing beats the view & warmth of a bonfire after a tiring day in such temperature. Although we were mentally prepared for such conditions, but the body takes some time to acclimatize. Dinner was Chicken Rice served piping hot. We kept grinning ear to ear proud of our achievement until we fell asleep.



Black dense clouds in Dausa





Clear Again (Near Meerut)





Patanjali University, Haridwar





Har Ki Pauri





After Chamba, on the Mussorie road





Insta View Kanatal











Day 3, 28 May 2023  Exploring nearby areas.

Wife woke up early to view the splendid sunrise as I kept snoring till 7. She got lucky because till few days ago, there was cloud cover which meant that viewing the Himalayan range with its Golden Crown was impossible. I could also catch a glimpse of the same just in time before another patch of cloud covered the view.









Breakfast was served piping hot as usual. We discussed with the caretaker Mr. Bisht about the days itinerary over some tasty Puri Sabji & chai. He suggested to visit the Surkanda Devi Temple first because being a Sunday there was bound to be traffic. And indeed, there was some traffic (which only swelled by the time!). The climb to the ropeway is manageable. We stood in the queue for about 30 minutes to book our tickets & then for another 15 minutes to get a cable car. Meanwhile, talking to the locals we were told that on that day there was a mela organized near the temple premises & hence a huge gathering was expected. We reached the top, roamed around a bit & descended before the traffic gets the better of us. However, on reaching the car (which I had parked about 200 meters away from the temple parking), we understood that moving onwards would be a pain. It was still a smooth drive out since people were still coming in.

















Our second place of visit was the Dhanaulti Eco Park. This place is simply mesmerizing & a blessing for the parched soul of a city dweller. Beautiful flowers & tall trees abound, we decided to take a hike and explore what was in store for us. And boy were we glad we did it . Ill let the pictures do the talking 

























Post brunch, which included Maggi & Tea, we decided to return to base . Except I decided to try some adventure sports. Contacted the caretaker Mr. Bisht & he suggested one just beside our place of stay. As it turned out, there were some hard ground rules that I had to abide by before venturing out. One, that I alone would be participating in such mindless, childish activities. And two, that I could choose ONLY ONE such activity. Hence, I decided to participate in the Space Walk (methinks).







It turned out to be quite an adventure & set the adrenaline soaring for sure!

We kept exploring the property till dinner was served and realized that despite being a cottage only property, they were running full house. And that, more and more people are now choosing such place to stay instead of the hotels, especially the younger ones. I do get the logic, hotels have all amenities that one could ask for, whereas such remote camping areas offer a natures touch & mesmerizing views.



Thanks for your time.



I shall complete the remaining part of travelogue in my next post.



Cheers! Hi Team,Thanks for accepting my first ever article in the forum.This is about a trip to Uttarakhand in our then 6-month-old Tata Nexon XZ+ (HS) Petrol (in short).It had been more than a year that we had taken a long road trip & with ever busy schedules we were fast approaching burnout. I have a deep fascination for Hills & so we quickly agreed to head to Uttarakhand for 2 reasons  First, I had never been there and Second, it was the nearest Himalayan touchpoint from Udaipur. And although we had just 5 days in our hand, we knew it was all wed require to recharge ourselves.Day 1, 26 May 2023, Udaipur  Jaipur, 7 Hours, 400 KMSo, with all the prep work completed we started on the afternoon of 26th May (For some reasons I prefer day drives) and made it to Jaipur around 9 PM via the NH 48. The weather was cloudy & there were few spots of thunderstorms we encountered near Kishangarh. Had a tea break to take in the moment  we were already relishing it. Entry to Jaipur was a bit tiresome as puliya construction was in full swing. Since we had to leave early the next morning, I had booked Hotel Broadway Inn which is on the outer perimeter of the city and close to Dausa. The hotel is decent & staff is courteous, parking is available too. We ordered Roti  butter chicken & went to bed around 11:30 PM.Onwards to JaipurDay 2, 27 May 2023, Jaipur  Kanatal, 11 hours 30 minutes, 620 KMWe had a target of starting at 0600 hours, and we met that target 30 minutes later! Anyways, we decided (after consulting Google baba of course) that we head towards Delhi, bypass it & take the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, go around Meerut & Muzaffarnagar, onwards to Rishikesh, left turn from Chamba & arrive at the destination just in time to view the sunset.The NE 4 from Dausa is really well built, no stray cattle or humans, mostly empty & the weather was a welcome bonus  no, it wasnt pleasant in any way. It was a torrential downpour that we encountered & wifey suggested that we rest somewhere. And that is another feature of the NE - you may rest only when there is a place to rest, else keep chasing one. But I continued to drive despite the black clouds pouring in & the crosswinds trying to push our car to the next lane, simply because the traffic was so less! Around 0930 we spotted one of the rest areas & immediately pulled up. Because of the rain (or some other reason I dont know) there was only 1 of 3 restaurants open at that time of the day & they had opened just some time ago. This resulted in massive delays  took them 30 minutes to deliver one aloo paratha & 2 cups of chai. But we made the best of this stop & were rather happy to devour such warm food. We decided to stop next only for lunch (unless it is an emergency), which we did at a Highway Plaza near Meerut. There was a IOCL COCO pump before that where I had topped up the fuel tank first. Since the Plaza was a huge place having multiple options, we first went to Haldirams to have Dosa but they said it was not available then, so we went to KFC where the A/C was not working. We decided to sit there anyways, as we could not afford delays anymore. We gulped rice chicken and after a few customary photos, resumed our journey. And thats when we started encountering traffic. And it continued from there to Haridwar where flyover construction is ongoing & as a result there were diversions & they brought the traffic to a standstill. We crossed Har Ki Pauri and once the traffic eased, stopped at a fuel pump for refilling the car before the climb begins. The open roads meant that I could maintain a higher speed to make up for time lost due to jams in Haridwar. However, to spice (read spoil) things up there was the G20 meeting organized here. Hence, many major roads were blocked & traffic diverted/slow moving. So, we encountered slow moving traffic once again. Things eased though once we crossed Chamba.But it was already 6 PM by the time we were out of Chamba, so we knew that the sunset view from our night stay was not happening. Thus, we took it easy  cherishing the beautiful views our eyes were dying for. We took a couple of breaks including a (mandatory) chai break. By 8 we finally reached our stay  InstaView Kanatal.Although it was May, but the night temperature went down to 10 C. Thankfully, despite being a cottage they had all amenities (almost) like extra blankets, running hot water (not from a Geyser though) and a bonfire. Nothing beats the view & warmth of a bonfire after a tiring day in such temperature. Although we were mentally prepared for such conditions, but the body takes some time to acclimatize. Dinner was Chicken Rice served piping hot. We kept grinning ear to ear proud of our achievement until we fell asleep.Black dense clouds in DausaClear Again (Near Meerut)Patanjali University, HaridwarHar Ki PauriAfter Chamba, on the Mussorie roadInsta View KanatalDay 3, 28 May 2023  Exploring nearby areas.Wife woke up early to view the splendid sunrise as I kept snoring till 7. She got lucky because till few days ago, there was cloud cover which meant that viewing the Himalayan range with its Golden Crown was impossible. I could also catch a glimpse of the same just in time before another patch of cloud covered the view.Breakfast was served piping hot as usual. We discussed with the caretaker Mr. Bisht about the days itinerary over some tasty Puri Sabji & chai. He suggested to visit the Surkanda Devi Temple first because being a Sunday there was bound to be traffic. And indeed, there was some traffic (which only swelled by the time!). The climb to the ropeway is manageable. We stood in the queue for about 30 minutes to book our tickets & then for another 15 minutes to get a cable car. Meanwhile, talking to the locals we were told that on that day there was a mela organized near the temple premises & hence a huge gathering was expected. We reached the top, roamed around a bit & descended before the traffic gets the better of us. However, on reaching the car (which I had parked about 200 meters away from the temple parking), we understood that moving onwards would be a pain. It was still a smooth drive out since people were still coming in.Our second place of visit was the Dhanaulti Eco Park. This place is simply mesmerizing & a blessing for the parched soul of a city dweller. Beautiful flowers & tall trees abound, we decided to take a hike and explore what was in store for us. And boy were we glad we did it . Ill let the pictures do the talking Post brunch, which included Maggi & Tea, we decided to return to base . Except I decided to try some adventure sports. Contacted the caretaker Mr. Bisht & he suggested one just beside our place of stay. As it turned out, there were some hard ground rules that I had to abide by before venturing out. One, that I alone would be participating in such mindless, childish activities. And two, that I could choose ONLY ONE such activity. Hence, I decided to participate in the Space Walk (methinks).It turned out to be quite an adventure & set the adrenaline soaring for sure!We kept exploring the property till dinner was served and realized that despite being a cottage only property, they were running full house. And that, more and more people are now choosing such place to stay instead of the hotels, especially the younger ones. I do get the logic, hotels have all amenities that one could ask for, whereas such remote camping areas offer a natures touch & mesmerizing views.Thanks for your time.I shall complete the remaining part of travelogue in my next post.Cheers!
The FCC has now introduced a new way in its efforts to bar robocalls from accessing US phone numbers, as the way they are doing it is now gone as it makes it hard for VoIP providers. While robocallers and VoIP providers are not necessarily in the same league to enact their scheme, this has been the way they have done it to many Americans in the past times.

Its annoying campaign to bombard citizens with a multitude of robocalls is now seeing a stricter rule for one of its access points, hoping to curb this problem.

Robocalls Access Gone: FCC Makes it Hard for VoIP Providers

The US Federal Communications Commission is now introducing a new way to update its rules to curb robocallers' access to American phone numbers. In its release [PDF], the Commission introduced its new requirements for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers to get direct access to telephone numbers and expanded more of its rules against robocalls.

It has been said that robocalls have gained access to phone numbers thanks to available VoIP software. "This VoIP technology can allow bad actors to make spoofed robocalls with minimal technical experience and cost," says the FCC.

The FCC's action centers on:

Make robocall-related certifications to help ensure compliance with the Commission's rules targeting illegal robocalls;

Disclose and keep current information about their ownership, including foreign ownership, to mitigate the risk of providing bad actors abroad with access to U.S. numbering resources;

Read Also: 'Say Yes' Phone Scam: Avoid Responding to an Unknown Number With THESE Security Tips

FCC's Hurdles for VoIP Access to US Phone Number

Under the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act, this will ask VoIP providers with additional steps, including disclosures and certifications, to comply with the rules.

The FCC released a public draft of the said order, with it taking place after 30 days after it was published.

FCC and its Campaign Against Robocalls

The fight against robocalls and their massive plague in the country is something that the FCC has focused on for a long time now, as from being annoying, it has been intrusive to people's privacy and security. There are ways to prevent these robocallers from enacting their schemes, with the FCC sharing tips on combatting and avoiding it.

Billions of robocalls are happening, and this plague has yet to see ways to curb it, as different fixes have centered on one part of the collective robocalling problem in the country. Still, the FCC is finding ways to combat it, with a previous imposition of fines against telemarketers that sold short-term insurance plans seeing a $225 million fee.

As said earlier, there are plenty of ways for robocallers to gain access to US phone numbers to enact their irritable campaign against the general public, with the FCC now introducing a way to bar them from doing so. It starts with giving VoIP providers a hard time in enacting the legitimate robocalls from the bad actors, soon to take effect after 30 days.

Related Article: FCC Fines Largest Illegal Robocall Operation Worth $300 Million

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Bird, an electric scooter and bike rental company, said the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) will suspend trading of its stock. Before the pandemic, electric scooter and bike rentals emerged as a popular substitute for public transportation aside from ride-sharing services.

During this period, venture capitalists invested heavily in all sorts of growth industries, even disregarding their lack of profitability.

(Photo : Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 05: A banner for the electric scooter rental company Bird is displayed outside of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as the company goes public via a SPAC on November 05, 2021 in New York City.

Bird Halting Trade of Stocks

Bird disclosed on Friday that the NYSE will halt trading of its stock. CNBC reported that this decision comes in the wake of Bird's inability to maintain a market capitalization exceeding $15 million for a continuous 30-day period.

Effective Monday, Bird's shares will be traded on the over-the-counter (OTC) exchange, as stated in its official announcement.

The company has successfully secured over $500 million in funding and achieved a valuation of $2.5 billion during a 2019 funding round led by Sequoia Capital.

However, the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly disrupted Bird's operations as cities worldwide implemented lockdown measures.

Declining Value

While growth gradually resumed in 2021, the previous exuberant expansion had subsided. In the same year, Bird made its public debut through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).

However, the company's financial performance showed a persistent decline. Bird's net loss surged from $215 million in the previous year to $359 million in 2022.

Despite this, revenue managed to grow by 28%, reaching a total of $245 million during that period. The company's stock has experienced a substantial decline in value this year, plummeting by 80%.

By the end of the week, it was valued at just 90 cents per share, resulting in a market capitalization of $11.6 million. This decline prompted a reverse stock split of 1-for-25, a strategic move aimed at elevating the stock's trading price back above the $1 mark.

Read Also: Bird: Scooter Rental for Persons with Disabilities to Launch Pilot Program in New York City

Bird's Defense

Bird believes that the current market capitalization does not accurately represent the inherent worth of its business, according to Business Wire. Consequently, it plans to challenge the NYSE's determination through an appeal process.

If successful in this endeavor, the NYSE will reinstate trading of the company's Class A common stock. In the interim, the company will maintain its listing on the NYSE.

Suppose the NYSE's suspension of the company's Class A common stock continues, the company has made arrangements for its Class A common stock to be traded on the OTC exchange, which is operated by OTC Markets Group Inc., commencing next week.

Bird is committed to upholding rigorous adherence to the SEC regulations applicable to public companies and complying with all NYSE listing prerequisites.

In June, Bird CEO and founder Travis VanderZanden departed from the company. He previously held executive positions at both Lyft and Uber before founding Bird in 2017.

VanderZanden had gained recognition as "the electric scooter king" due to his influential role in the industry. His departure marked a significant transition for Bird as the company continued its journey in the electric mobility sector.

Related Article: 'Bird' Sees Overstated Revenue for Two Years by Recognizing Unpaid Customer Rides

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The popular dating app Tinder has introduced "Tinder Select," a new premium subscription tier priced at $500 per month. Its subscribers will gain access to the platform's unique features, like exclusive search and matching.

(Photo : AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)

In this photo illustration taken on October 6, 2020, a user checks the dating app Tinder on a mobile phone in Islamabad.

Tinder Launching a Premium Tier

Tinder has officially unveiled its most exclusive subscription offering, called Tinder Select. This ultra-premium tier, designed for those willing to invest, comes with a hefty price tag of $500 per month.

Subscribers to Tinder Select can access a range of unique features such as "VIP" search, matching, and conversation, which are currently not available in its existing paid plans.

While the cost may seem excessive for many, Tinder has opted to keep this elite offering reserved for the app's most active users. Engadget reported that Tinder Select is currently available to less than one percent of users deemed "extremely active" by the company.

Read Also: Tinder Safety Feature Impacted as Background-Checking Tool Shuts Down

Dating App Tinder

Although Tinder intends to expand access to Tinder Select gradually, the exact timeline for this has not been disclosed. It is worth noting that the concept of an exclusive Tinder membership was initially hinted at as far as 2019.

In 2017, Tinder introduced a discreet and exclusive version of its platform with the same name. This invite-only service was tailored for a select group of elite users, which include CEOs, supermodels, and individuals notably attractive or affluent.

During this time, TechCrunch reported that Tinder Select was primarily designed for celebrities and people who performed exceptionally well on Tinder. Access to this exclusive tier of the app appeared to be by invitation, with some users having the privilege of nominating others for entry.

Tinder's parent company, Match Group, recently disclosed that the dating app's direct revenue amounted to approximately $475 million in the second quarter of 2023. That represents a notable year-over-year growth rate of around six percent.

However, Bloomberg reported an emerging counter-trend as the number of individuals opting for Tinder subscriptions experienced a slight dip, declining by four percent to reach 10.5 million subscribers.

Earlier this month, at a Citi conference, Gary Swidler, the president of Match Group, expressed optimism regarding the potential impact of Tinder Select on the company's overall revenue.

This new and exclusive subscription tier could play a pivotal role in influencing the financial landscape of Match Group, leveraging its unique features to attract a discerning segment of users willing to pay a premium for enhanced dating experiences.

As the company explores avenues to diversify its revenue streams, Tinder Select is poised to be a significant player in this endeavor. Match Group has explored exclusive dating apps such as "The League," which it acquired in 2022.

Thus, the move to introduce Tinder Select aligns with the company's broader strategy. However, alternative Tinder subscription options are still available for users who may not be interested in such an expensive tier or those who do not meet the criteria.

Related Article: Tinder Will No Longer Connect Social Media Accounts to Profiles-Here's Why

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
OPEN Architecture is set to make a striking addition to the coastal landscape of Yantai, China. According to New Atlas, the Chinese architectural firm's "extraterrestrial-looking" creation, the Space Crystal, is poised to become an architectural marvel.

Space Crystal: The Extraterrestrial-Like Object in China

Located on a hill amid a grove of trees, the Space Crystal is likened to an extraterrestrial-like object that landed in a park. The building is hosting a space-themed museum and exhibition areas inside.

The crystalline structure's distinctive black exterior is composed of photovoltaic glass panels that function similarly to solar panels, significantly reducing the building's reliance on the electrical grid.

Upon arrival, guests will encounter a projecting entrance leading to a spacious, multifaceted atrium with natural light from overhead skylights.

From this juncture, a winding ramp ascends, linking various exhibition spaces on the upper floors, each drawing inspiration from the enigmas of space. Ultimately, crowning the Space Crystal, an open-air terrace will unveil sweeping vistas of the adjacent coastline.

OPEN Architecture cited how visitors can catch a glimpse of an "unusual black object perched upslope of a grassy spot" through the gaps in between trees. The company highlighted the building's enigmatic allure, attributed to the photovoltaic glass.

The principal entryway graces the southern facade, where the structure reaches its furthest point. Furthermore, the black-box theater and cafe boast separate access points, ensuring public accessibility even during museum closure.

Sea Square in China

Parallel to the Space Crystal endeavor, OPEN Architecture is also at the helm of the Sea Square project, nestled nearer to the water's edge. Utilizing the foundations of a time-worn fishing boat dock and repair center, this inventive edifice appears to levitate above an expansive open square.

Fashioned from locally procured granite and glass, it is poised to become a focal point for locals, housing an array of cultural and recreational amenities, including a library, restaurant, coffee shop, and playing host to routine events and markets.

The original jetty and boat repair dock will also be reinvigorated, morphing into a paved communal square for traditional fishing village festivities, according to New Atlas' report.

The Space Crystal and the Sea Square projects are progressing swiftly and are slated for completion by 2026.

Read Also: MASK Architects: Air-to-Water Tech from Solar Devices to Apply on African Safari Resort

The Sun Tower

Additionally, OPEN Architecture recently celebrated a significant milestone with the topping out of the Sun Tower on June 21, 2023. This 50-meter-tall structure, nestled by the Yantai sea, is poised to be open to the public in 2024.

The Sun Tower, an architectural ode to sunlight and nature, employs a unique design philosophy.

Its inner and outer white concrete shells are interconnected by horizontal slabs and ramps, forming a robust yet delicate structure.

Round apertures in the outer shell are linked to various light tubes, channeling natural light into the inner spaces during the day. By night, these same windows will emit a warm, star-like glow from within.

The Sun Tower is set to become an emblematic structure hosting a blend of cultural programs. It will house exhibitions, libraries, meditation spaces, and an outdoor theater, all designed to be inclusive and open to the city and its inhabitants.

Related Article: Proposal for a Floating Garbage City to Address Ocean Pollution Will Be Autonomous

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Smalo E-Bikes, a subsidiary of the Taiwanese multinational BESV, is set to debut in the US market with two urban-friendly models. The LX2 and PX2 e-bikes rolled with artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the riding experience.

According to New Atlas, both models are equipped with a 250-watt motor featuring a torque sensor in the bottom bracket, offering assistance up to 20 mph (32 km/h).

The company also incorporated a boost mode for tackling traffic and inclines effortlessly. A streamlined LED display on the handlebars provides key ride information, complemented by a USB port for on-the-go device charging.

Smalo AI-Powered E-Bikes

The distinctive feature of these e-bikes lies in the integration of AI within the top tube. This AI system learns a rider's power output, enabling automatic gear shifting and offering predictive range estimates based on individual riding habits. It seamlessly transitions between seven Shimano gears, ensuring a smooth and efficient ride.

This intelligent system pairs with a dedicated app via Bluetooth LE, providing comprehensive system analysis and optimization capabilities. In case of any detected issues, the app offers step-by-step troubleshooting guidance.

Additionally, it enables location tracking, battery status monitoring, alarm setting, crash alerts, and smart lock activation upon approach. Users also have the option to input a passcode directly on the bike.

The LX2 model boasts an aluminum frame reminiscent of Van Moof designs, accommodating riders between 5.6 and 6.3 ft (1.72 - 1.93 m) in height. It features an integrated 380-lumen LED headlight and a braking tail light.

The e-bike has a 504-Wh battery, offering a range of 37 to 74 miles (59.5 - 119 km) per charge, along with 28-inch wheels fitted with Schwalbe Big Apple tires.

On the other hand, the PX2 model adopts a lower top bar and 20-inch wheels, catering to riders between 5 and 5.6 ft (1.52 - 1.72 m) tall. It boasts a suspension fork and an Exa rear shock.

Its 365-Wh battery is projected to cover up to 50 miles (80.5 km) on a single charge. Similar to the LX2, it features Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, complemented by CST tires.

Starting from September 25, both models will be available for pre-order. The LX2 is priced at $2,980, while the PX2 comes in at $2,880. According to New Atlas, sales will be limited to California until January, with deliveries to other regions planned throughout 2024.

Read Also: Kenya Plans to Deploy Electric Motorbikes Across the Country

The Rise of E-Bikes

In related developments, electric bicycles, particularly battery-powered e-bikes, have witnessed a surge in popularity, outstripping the sales of other electric vehicle categories.

Notably, they serve as many individuals' initial encounters with electric mobility. Analysts at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) highlight the importance of policies supporting wider e-bike adoption.

The Can Do Colorado e-Bike Pilot, a two-year initiative distributing around 200 e-bikes and 50 e-bike-share memberships to low-income essential workers across Colorado, has yielded invaluable insights for shaping national e-bike policies and practices.

This pioneering program is a collaborative effort between the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) and the US Department of Energy's NREL, demonstrating its potential to influence similar initiatives beyond Colorado's borders.

Related Article: Police Warn About Use of Illegal E-Bikes as Crackdown Continues

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Money laundering remains a substantial global challenge, accounting for an estimated 2% to 5% of the annual global GDP, which is equivalent to a staggering 632 billion ($773 billion) to over 1.5 trillion ($1.8 trillion), according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

In response to this pervasive issue, computer scientists have developed a novel tool for swifter and more precise detection of money laundering. This tool boasts the impressive capability to scan 50 million transactions in less than one second.

The innovation is from researchers in the Department of Informatics from the King's College London, who have introduced a unique approach to identifying money laundering.

This new tool is based on advanced algorithms that quickly identify when criminals are dividing a large sum of money into multiple smaller transactions between numerous bank accounts, a technique commonly known as "smurfing."

How the Tool Detects Money Laundering

The algorithms operate on data extracted from multiple bank accounts, represented as nodes in a complex graph. The software zeroes in on the segment of the graph exhibiting the most suspicious activity.

For instance, if there's a deposit of one million pounds, the software traces every instance of this exact sum, even if it's fragmented across various accounts and expenditures.

The tool's effectiveness significantly outpaces current detection methods, being over three times more efficient. According to the research team, it can also process larger volumes of data.

Existing money laundering detection methods are primarily rule-based, or machine-learning based, relying on preset criteria or analyzing extensive transaction histories for suspicious patterns. However, researchers noted that these methods often fall short in uncovering intricate schemes like smurfing.

Moreover, they necessitate prior knowledge of money laundering patterns, which can be lacking when dealing with emerging or evolving techniques. This limitation results in reduced accuracy.

Dr. Huiping Chen, lead researcher and PhD student at the Department of Informatics, underscored the critical importance of enhancing money laundering detection, recognizing it as a pressing global issue.

Read Also: Swedish Criminal Gangs Are Reportedly Using Spotify to Launder Money

The Tool's Automation

Dr. Grigorios Loukides, co-lead researcher, emphasized the optimal efficiency of their method, surpassing current state-of-the-art approaches by 3.2 times. He highlighted the tool's automation and accelerated data analysis, empowering experts to swiftly identify suspicious actors.

"Our tool is also more automated and enables a far more rapid analysis of the data than what's currently available. By allowing money laundering experts to survey vast amounts of data faster than ever before, we can empower them to pick up on actors with bad intent efficiently," Loukides noted.

The researchers said the software for the new tool, being open source, is freely available to access. They noted that the tool can analyze huge amounts of data over long periods of time, filter out and sound an alarm to indicate to the bank when it detects potential illicit activity.

In testing, the team reported that the tool successfully identified all suspicious transaction patterns, using real data from a Czech bank and fictional cases based on projected common patterns and activity present in cases of real money laundering scenarios.

Beyond catching suspicious financial activity, the researchers claimed that the tool also holds promise in optimizing marketing campaigns by allowing retailers to detect the most profitable product bundles, improving the precision of retail data at speed.

The team's findings were published in the Proceedings of the 2023 SIAM International Conference on Data Mining.

Related Article: India Investigating Several Crypto Cases for Money-laundering Schemes

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
What if life beyond Earth is not limited to carbon-based organisms like us?

A groundbreaking study led by researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has stirred up the age-old debate, suggesting that self-sustaining chemical reactions, crucial for life, could thrive on alien worlds with chemistry different from our own.

Non Carbon-Based Life Forms

Life as we know it on Earth hinges on organic compounds, primarily consisting of carbon, but also involving elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur.

However, could life evolve based on entirely different chemistry? Astrobiologist and bacteriologist Betul Kacar, one of the study's senior authors, firmly believes: "It's important to explore these possibilities so that we have an idea of what all forms of life can look like, not just Earth life."

The key to life, whether terrestrial or extraterrestrial, is autocatalysis-a self-sustaining process that can produce molecules that encourage the same reaction to happen again.

This critical aspect of life makes reproduction possible, and in the words of Kacar, "Life catalyzes the formation of more life."

Evidence of Autocatalysis

To find evidence of autocatalysis beyond organic compounds, the researchers delved into a treasure trove of scientific documents spanning two centuries, written in various languages.

Space.com tells us that this extensive search led them to identify a staggering 270 different cycles of autocatalytic reactions. Even more astonishing is that most of these cycles did not involve organic compounds like carbon, the cornerstone of life as we know it.

Some of these cycles revolved around rare elements on Earth, such as mercury and the radioactive metal thorium. Others thrived in extreme conditions-extraordinarily high or low temperatures or pressures.

Perhaps most astonishingly, the researchers unearthed four autocatalytic cycles involving noble gases, typically known for their inert nature and reluctance to engage in chemical reactions.

Interesting Findings

Zhen Peng, the study's lead author and an evolutionary biologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, highlighted the significance of this discovery:

"If even a relatively inert gas such as xenon could take part in autocatalysis, there is good reason to guess that autocatalysis occurs more easily in other elements."

Of the 270 cycles, only eight were relatively complex, comprising four or more reactions. The majority were surprisingly simple, consisting of just two reactions.

This newfound knowledge offers an interesting prospect for the search for life beyond Earth. Combining multiple autocatalytic cycles, even when they are vastly different, could lead to self-sustaining chemical reactions generating a wide array of molecules and complexity.

Space.com tells us that this discovery provides a "recipe book" for life in radically different environments, enriching our understanding of what might exist on distant planets.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Scientists Unveil Mysterious Alien Corpses at Historic UFO Congress Hearing in Mexico

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Before an Aurora paramedic injected Elijah McClain with a dose of the sedative ketamine, he was already at risk for permanent lung damage or death because of vomit he inhaled into his lungs during his struggle with police officers, said an expert who reviewed his medical records.

McClain had an elevated amount of acid in his blood and a low oxygen level, according to testimony from pulmonary and critical care physician David Beuther on Friday in the trial of two Aurora police officers over McClains death.

Randy Roedema and Jason Rosenblatt face charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and assault.

McClain labored increasingly to breathe during the 18-minute struggle with police, and threw up while still wearing a running mask he had on that night. Because his face was covered, he aspirated vomit into his lungs, and his position lying on the ground made it difficult for him to cough and clear his lungs, Beuther said.

When McClain went into an ambulance after receiving the ketamine injection, he had no heartbeat, according to Beuther.

If Mr. McClain had not had aspiration, acidosis and hypoxia, would he have had a better chance of surviving a shot of ketamine? prosecutor Duane Lyons asked.

Yes, Beuther replied.

Beuther spent much of Friday discussing how he saw McClain deteriorate during the encounter with police, pointing out different moments from the officers body-worn camera footage. By the point paramedics arrived but before the ketamine injection, McClains condition would have been alarming to Beuther had he been at the scene, he said.

Hes taken a dramatic turn for the worse, just in his overall appearance. Hes not speaking, hes hardly moving, Beuther said.

He did not treat McClain himself but wrote two opinions about McClains death based on his medical records and review of the footage. Because of ketamines sedative effects, a person has to be in a position when its administered in which they can breathe and cough, according to Beuther.

Beuther prepared his first report in July 2021 and a supplemental report in May this year after he had an opportunity to examine the mask McClain wore.

Harvey Steinberg, an attorney for Rosenblatt, pressed him to explain why his initial report opined that McClain did not appear to have an impending respiratory compromise or severe difficulty breathing when he was lying on his side on the ground.

Beuther insisted his testimony matched his report. He said that terms such as severe and impending have a different meaning to a doctor than they would to a layperson and suggest to him a person is about to immediately stop breathing or die  which were not his diagnosis of McClain.

Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

Beuther also pushed back on Steinbergs characterization of his opinion that the ketamine injection alone caused McClains death.

His death was a complex combination of factors, the most significant of which was ketamine, Beuther testified.

Beuther did not finish his testimony and will return to the trial Tuesday.

The jury also heard Friday from Mark Moss, the physician who treated McClain at the University of Colorado hospital. He declared McClain brain dead on Aug. 27 after a series of tests showed no evidence of basic brain activity.

His mother, Sheneen McClain, said after the days testimony its been difficult for her to relive her sons death during the trial, but she plans to keep coming.

Knowing everything that Elijah went through gets me here every day, she said. He loved life. He did not understand why they were taking his. Thats what gets me here.

Roedema, Rosenblatt and officer Nathan Woodyard stopped McClain shortly before 10:45 p.m. on Aug. 24, 2019, as he walked home from buying iced tea at a convenience store. A teenager had called 911 to report a person acting suspiciously. McClain wore a running mask and a jacket because he was often cold, prosecutors say, and was dancing to the music in his earphones.

Woodyard was the first to contact McClain. Body-worn camera footage captured McClain refusing to stop at first, saying, I have the right. Im just going home.

The footage doesnt show the officers telling McClain the reason they stopped him, besides saying to McClain he is being suspicious. The encounter quickly escalated. They subdued, handcuffed and put him in a neck hold intended to gain control of a person called a carotid hold. When their sergeant got to the scene a few minutes into the encounter, Roedema and Rosenblatt told him McClain was using extreme strength to resist them and that he had tried to grab Rosenblatts gun.

Footage captured McClain repeatedly saying he couldnt breathe, asking for help and apologizing to the officers. Roedema and Rosenblatt are accused of ignoring his pleas.

Defense attorneys for Roedema and Rosenblatt have pointed the finger at paramedics, seeking to direct responsibility for McClains death solely to them by saying they injected McClain with a dose of ketamine too high for his body weight without examining him or speaking to him. They argued the officers followed the Aurora Police Departments policies and training fully, and reacted appropriately to what they believed was McClain resisting officers commands.

Roedema was the senior officer on the scene until their sergeant arrived, and he gave directions to other officers throughout the encounter. Rosenblatt was the most junior officer, his defense attorneys said.

Woodyard and paramedics Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec also face charges in connection with McClains death. Woodyard has a trial set for October, and the paramedics have a trial scheduled for November.
Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Facebook, stands out in the world of IT titans not only for his massive fortune and incredible influence but also for his consistent fashion statement.

If you have ever wondered why this billionaire tech mogul consistently dons a simple gray t-shirt, you are not alone.

Zuckerberg's Gray T-Shirt

Mark Zuckerberg's penchant for his famous gray t-shirt has been a subject of curiosity for many.

It is a seemingly mundane choice for someone who could afford to wear anything, yet it has become his trademark. So, why does Zuckerberg opt for simplicity in his attire?

Unilad tells us that the answer lies in a revelation he made during his first-ever public question-and-answer session in 2014.

Zuckerberg explained that by minimizing decisions about what to wear, he could maximize his focus on his work, particularly serving the vast Facebook community.

"I really want to clear my life to make it so that I have to make as few decisions as possible about anything except how to best serve this community," Zuckerberg stated.

This dedication to streamlining his life choices aligns with his role as CEO of one of the most influential tech companies globally, with over 2.96 billion monthly active users.

Facebook's Towering Success

Facebook's dominance in the social media landscape cannot be overstated. It ranks third globally in website visits, following only Google and YouTube.

Even more, it boasts a staggering 2.96 billion monthly active users, making it the most widely used social media platform on the planet.

In 2022, Facebook's advertising revenue surged to a staggering $113 billion, further solidifying its position as a digital advertising powerhouse.

Read Also: Is Musk v Zuck Now Over? Mark Zuckerberg Wants You to Move On, To Look for Other 'Serious' Opponents

Additional fees and payments contributed an additional $2 billion in revenue. These numbers underscore the immense reach and influence of the platform.

But Facebook's success story is not just about numbers but engagement. American users spend an average of 33 minutes on Facebook every day, surpassing other major platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

This level of engagement speaks to the enduring appeal of Facebook among users.

Trust in Facebook and Its Versatile Usage

However, it is worth noting that Facebook's reputation has seen its ups and downs, especially with recent fines and warnings from regulators.

Trust in the platform has waned significantly in recent years, with only 18% of American social media users expressing confidence in Facebook's ability to protect their data and privacy.

This places Facebook at the bottom of the trust list among social media platforms.

Despite these challenges, Facebook remains a hub for various activities. It is not just about connecting with friends and family but also about sharing photos and videos and staying informed about news and events.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Chan Zuckerberg Initiative's Generative AI Project Aims to Revolutionize Medical Research to 'Cure' All Disease by 2100

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Rogelio Enriquez: "It seems that all famous chefs are men, but in the kitchens of Madrid there are a lot of women who do not appear in the photos and we want to bring them to light"
One person is seriously injured following a shooting in Colorado Springs Friday night, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department.

Police said at 8:20 p.m. Friday, hospital staff made a report to police of a gunshot wound victim who had arrived at the hospital by personal vehicle, officials said.

Through initial investigation efforts, officers learned the victim and witnesses were traveling by car in the 900 block of North Union Blvd.

Words were exchanged between two vehicles and the occupants of the suspect vehicle fired a shot at the victim vehicle, a Lieutenant wrote to the online blotter.

According to police, the suspect vehicle fled the scene. The driver was treated for serious injury and is expected to make a full recovery at this time.

Individuals with knowledge of this investigation are encouraged to contact the police, officials said.
Multiple local teachers are turning to the state for help and confronting officials at a rural El Paso County school district for "gross negligence" after they and other staff members were allegedly "red-flagged" for tax fraud.

Employees with Hanover School District 28, southeast of Colorado Springs, say they have filed dozens of grievances alleging that they have not received tax refunds and have faced fines by the Internal Revenue Service after the district failed to submit employees W-2 forms to the federal agency nearly every year since 2018.

While the grievances were not an agenda item at the D-28 Board of Educations regular meeting Wednesday evening, more than 60 people packed into the administration building in support of the staff members who addressed the board through public comments.

Abby Engel, a former head cook at Prairie Heights Elementary and who left the district this summer, told The Gazette that employees began receiving notifications last spring that the IRS would be holding their tax refunds while it investigated missing wage and tax statements, and that those employees were officially fraudulent in their tax payments from 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

When filing her taxes for the first year of her employment with the district, 2020, Engel said she thought it was a fluke when she found she owed a large sum in taxes because the district had not taken them from her paychecks throughout the year.

While she said she did not personally face fines that year, others who were not able to cover the unexpected costs were penalized by the IRS.

We had enough money to cover the taxes and then the next year  I changed my W-4 (form) to have taxes taken out, Engel said. But, that still wasnt happening the next school year, so we started putting money aside to make sure that our taxes were going to be covered.

Another current district employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the IRS told them that the COVID-19 pandemic had created a backlog of investigations, causing D-28s employees tax filings to be flagged only recently.

In April, interim Superintendent Mark Koopman met with each Prairie Heights Elementary employee who had filed a grievance with the district, but employees discovered that their grievances had been closed with no follow-up, and that Patricia Petrukitas, D-28 director of business, services and human resources, would be allowed to conduct her own audit, affected employees told The Gazette.

(The district) tends to take care of everything in-house, very hush-hush, Engel said. It just didn't sit well with me. Wheres the accountability? Wheres the responsibility?

Engel said she attended a school board meeting in April and read aloud a letter of grievances signed by the affected staff.

She said she learned soon after, during her end-of-year review, that her contract with the district would not be renewed.

I never had any write-ups and I had two years of good reviews, Engel said. I was pretty blindsided by it, because there was not even a plan of improvement or anything like that.

I was assured that it would be fine, and that I wouldn't face any sort of retribution, but it definitely doesn't feel that way, Engels added.

Engel said that an IRS agent in August confirmed with her and others via phone calls that the service did not have income reported through W-2 forms from the district for the years 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022 and that several employees were officially fraudulent in their tax filings.

On Wednesday, Pikes Peak Education Association member Chris Idzik spoke on behalf of the employees and told board members that some D-28 employees' spouses who maintain military-related security clearances could also risk losing their clearance due to red flagging by the IRS.

That's someone's livelihood, it's very hard to get it cleared up, Idzik told the board. We just are here because we want the answers. We don't see ill (or) bad intent, but we're here just to get to the bottom of it  and we're here to support you in this investigation.

Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

According to emails shared with The Gazette, multiple state agencies have received and are reviewing the complaints.

An email from a consumer engagement specialist with the Colorado Attorney Generals Office told Engel on Sept. 15 that the office received and will obtain information in her official complaint against D-28.

On Monday, Colorado Department of Education representative Sheldon Rosencrance said in an email shared with The Gazette that he had forwarded the complaint to CDEs Finance and Operations Division to identify supports that (CDE) can provide such as an assigned field representative and contact with D-28.

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment has also received the complaint, according to an email dated Sept. 15.

State Rep. Marc Snyder, a former Manitou Springs mayor and current House District 18 representative, attended the Wednesday meeting per request, Idzik said. Snyder is planning to run for the state Senate next year.

State Rep. Rod Bockenfeld, R-Watkins, told Engel in an email on Monday that he had forwarded her complaint to state auditor Kerri Hunter. In an emailed response, Hunter said that while the Legislative Audit Committee does not have authority to audit local governments and school districts, she could confirm that D-28 is up to date on audit submissions and received a clean opinion from its 2022 auditor.

As possible steps that we can take, we can reach out to the (fiscal year) 2022 auditor to determine if that individual is also conducting the School District's (fiscal year) 2023 audit and, if so, bring these issues up to them for their consideration in their risk assessment and possible testing, Hunter said in an email to Bockenfeld.

We can also contact the appropriate individual at the Department of Education who works with the various school districts to ensure that they are aware of the allegations, Hunter said.

At the meeting on Wednesday, employees requested that Petrukitas, the D-28 business director, be placed on leave during an external forensic audit process and that a fund be set up to support employees who may face "future tax problems."

Employees also requested that they be paid interest on refunds that have not been received on time or at all.

Current superintendent Paul Calvert told employees that he met with a Colorado Springs-based certified public accountant Wednesday and that she is currently in the "data-gathering phase" of an independent audit.

"The whole intent is to diagnose any issues or things that are going wrong, fix those issues, remedy any practices that are needed and to assist all employees with anything that we can to the best of our ability," Calvert said.

After board treasurer Ed Sweazy stated that he had only first heard of the issue roughly two weeks ago, several attendees walked out of the meeting in protest.

Engel said the district failed to show proof of W-2 submissions by the requested deadline of Sept. 1 and again on Sept. 5. On Sept. 8, the district reportedly sent proof that their W-2 forms for 2020, 2021 and 2022  but not 2018  had been submitted as of Sept. 6. Staff members also have submitted 18 new grievances as of Sept. 15 to address further lapses in financial duties, employees said.

A special board meeting has been scheduled at the D-28 administrative building, located at 17050 S. Peyton Highway, on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. ahead of the next regular board meeting on Oct. 11.

District officials did not indicate whether the complaint would be discussed at the special meeting.
Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Award-winning documentary filmmaker and actor Jennifer Siebel Newsom, who is married to California governor Gavin Newsom, is set to testify against disgraced ex-film producer Harvey Weinstein along with other accusers.

The 48-year-old actor had earlier spoken about the sexual assault at the hands of Weinstein in a 2017 op-ed and will now testify about the incident that took place on the pretext of a business meeting, her attorney said.

Like many other women, my client was sexually assaulted by Harvey Weinstein at a purported business meeting that turned out to be a trap, Elizabeth Fegan, an attorney for Ms Siebel Newsom told Insider.

She intends to testify at his trial in order to seek some measure of justice for survivors, and as part of her lifes work to improve the lives of women.

The 70-year-old movie mogul has gone on a trial in Los Angeles, more than two years after he was convicted of first-degree sexual crimes and third-degree rape charges. He is serving a 23-year jail term at a New York prison.

In Los Angeles, the once-influential movie producer faces 11 further charges of abuse which occurred during a pivotal Oscar week in the citys hotels between 2004 and 2013. The disgraced film producer had pleaded not guilty to all charges last year.

The selection for an eight-week trial began on Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Five women are set to testify in open court in a trial that will bring Weinstein face-to-face with his alleged victims, reported the Los Angeles Times.

The women will take the stand to reveal the producers alleged pattern of abuse.

Some of these victims, people will recognise them. Some of these women, youve seen them in movies, theyve been in ad campaigns, a couple of them have achieved some success as actresses or models, Mark Werksman, one of Weinsteins defence attorneys, told the outlet.

Ms Siebel Newsom, who has been married to the governor since 2008, had accused Weinstein of assault in October 2017, writing an op-ed in Huffington Post just a day after The New York Times published its bombshell report on the accusations against the producer.

He was accused by several women of sexual misconduct after which news reports helped further fuel the #MeToo movement to encourage women to speak out against abuses committed by powerful and influential men.

I was naive, new to the industry, and didnt know how to deal with his aggressive advances  work invitations with a friend late-night at The Toronto Film Festival, and later an invitation to meet with him about a role in The Peninsula Hotel, where staff were present and then all of a sudden disappeared like clockwork, leaving me alone with this extremely powerful and intimidating Hollywood legend, she wrote at the time.

The women who accused him include Hollywood celebrities Angelina Jolie, Lupita Nyongo, Ashley Judd, Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow.

The women who will testify against him will be referred to as Jane Does or with their first names and last initials during the trial, in which their faces will not be obscured.

Ms Newsom will be identified as Jane Doe 4 in charging documents, people familiar told the LA Times. Jane Doe 4 accused Weinstein of rape in an incident that took place in 2004-05.

Weinstein faces an additional 135 years in prison if convicted, according to prosecutors.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

If you listen to the African leaders addressing the U.N. General Assembly this year, the message is emphatic and unanimous: The continent is done being a victim of a post-World War II order. It is a global power in itself and must be partnered with  not sidelined.

Most of Africa has logged a lifetime of independence  roughly 60 years  and the continent of more than 1.3 billion people is more conscious of the challenges stifling its development. Theres also a new boldness that comes with the African Unions G20 seat.

We as Africa have come to the world, not to ask for alms, charity or handouts, but to work with the rest of the global community and give every human being in this world a decent chance of security and prosperity, Kenyan President William Ruto said.

In recent years, Africa has been clear about its capacity to become a global power, from efforts to tackle climate change at home  such as the existential threat of climate change upending lives and livelihoods in the region, despite Africa contributing by far the least to global warming  to helping to foster peace elsewhere, like in Russia and Ukraine.

In his address, Ghanas President Nana Akufo-Addo blamed Africas present-day challenges on historical injustices and called for reparations for the slave trade. President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa said the continent is poised to regain its position as a site of human progress despite dealing with a legacy of exploitation and subjugation. Nigerias leader, Bola Tinubu, urged his peers to see the region not as a problem to be avoided but as true friends and partners.

Africa is nothing less than the key to the worlds future, said Tinubu, who leads a country that, by 2050, is forecast to become the third most populous in the world.

With the largest bloc of countries at the United Nations, it is understandable that African leaders increasingly demand a bigger voice in multilateral institutions, said Murithi Mutiga, program director for Africa at the Crisis Group. Those calls will grow especially at a time when the continent is being courted by big powers amid growing geopolitical competition.

A PARADOX, YET UNSTOPPABLE

On the U.N.'s sidelines, the African Development Bank mobilized some political and business leaders at an event tagged Unstoppable Africa, a phrase seen as reflective of the continent's aspirations just days after the first-ever Africa Climate Summit called richer countries to keep their climate promises  and invest.

But with a young population set to double by 2050, Africa is the only rapidly growing region where its people are getting poorer and where some are celebrating the rampant takeover of their democratically elected governments by militaries.

Africa is a paradox, said Rashid Abdi, Horn of Africa/Gulf chief analyst at the Nairobi-based Sahan Research think tank. It is not just a continent of dwindling hope, there are parts of Africa where we are seeing innovation, progressive thinking and very smart solutions.

Abdi said the world is becoming more interested in Africa and how it contributes to current global challenges.

There is definitely potential for Africa to be more assertive and to drive progressive and fairer change in the global system, he said.

For Ghanas Akufo-Addo, correcting an unfair world order must begin with the payment of reparations from the era during which an approximated 12.5 million people were enslaved, according to the often-referenced Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database.

It is time to acknowledge openly that much of Europe and the United States have been built from the vast wealth harvested from the sweat, tears, blood and horrors of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the centuries of colonial exploitation, Akufo-Addo said.

A SEAT AT THE TABLE

The continent relies heavily on foreign aid for its development needs, receiving the largest share of total global aid, according to the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Still, it continues to suffer from a global financial system that forces its countries to pay eight times more than the wealthiest European nations, resulting in surging debt that eats up what is left of dwindling government revenues.

In 2022, Africa's total public debt reached $1.8 trillion, 40 times more than the 2022 budget of the continent's largest country Nigeria, according to the U.N.s agency for trade and development.

Africa has no need for partnerships based on official development aid that is politically oriented and tantamount to organized charity," President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo said. "Trickling subsidies filtered by the selfish interests of donors will certainly not allow for a real and effective rise of our continent.

Tshisekedi's country has the worlds largest reserves of cobalt and is also one of the largest producers of copper, both critical for clean energy transition.

What Africa needs instead, according to Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, is a more inclusive global financial system. In such a system, Nyusi said, Africans can participate as a partner that has (a) lot to offer to the world and not only a warehouse that supplies cheap commodities to countries or international multinational corporations.

The coronavirus pandemic laid bare how the challenges could be life-threatening: Officials were forced to confront that barely any drugs or vaccines were made on the continent, and that more solutions need to start at home.

CHALLENGES LIE AHEAD

Africas capacity is not only in its population but also its rich natural resources. However, speaking with a collective voice is stymied by national-focused, rather than regional, policies , said Ibrahim Mayaki, the African Union's special envoy for food systems.

"The main obstacle to Africas development is its fragmentation in 50-plus countries, said Mayaki at a New York event organized by the Africa Center think tank.

As African leaders spoke glowingly about the continent as a force on the global stage, some at home said the leaders must begin by delivering the dividends of democracy to their people.

In this richly endowed region, at least half of its 54 countries are among the 30 least developed in the world, according to the latest U.N. Human Development Index.

People will respect you naturally if youre doing well as a leader and they see your people are not suffering, said Grace Agbu, a resident of Nigerias capital city, Abuja. You dont beg people to respect or partner with you.

In Nigeria, chronic corruption and bad governance have robbed millions of the benefits of being Africas largest economy.

And on the day Ghanas Akufo-Addo demanded equal rights and justice for Africa in his address, police officers in his country were arresting dozens protesting the countrys worst economic crisis in decades.

If Africa wants to be taken seriously, its leaders need to address the serious challenges the continent confronts including preventable ones such as acute conflict in several parts of Africa and a wave of coups, some driven by despair among the population about a failure to deliver security and basic governance, said the Crisis Group's Mutiga.

Guineas military leader told the General Assembly the continent's challenges sometimes have to be addressed by soldiers like him when elected presidents fail to do so. He took power after a 2021 coup.

The era of the old Africa is over, Col. Mamadi Doumbouya said. This is the end of an unbalanced and unjust era where we had no say. It is time to take our proper place.
A wedge of salt water that has been moving up the Mississippi River from the Gulf of Mexico, thanks to extremely low flows on the river, has already sullied water supplies in south Plaquemines Parish. There's growing concern the salt water could harm water quality in heavily populated areas including Orleans and Jefferson Parish.
Colorado Springs police started an investigation in July into a former deputy district attorney and local Mormon church leader accused of sexual assault on a child following a referral by the Department of Human Services, according to police documents.

David McConkie, 45, a former president of the Colorado Springs East Stake within the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was arrested in late August on a felony charge of abusing a child between 2004 and 2013.

One victim, now 19, told police about abuse spanning several years and concerns she has that he is abusing another young child based on the child's behavior, the arrest affidavit said.

The affidavit also said McConkie confessed an inappropriate sexual act with a child to a church leader in 2008. The person who spoke with police about the confession said he was shocked but he did not ask many clarifying details about it.

The police document did not say what steps, if any, the person McConkie confessed to taking. The name of the person he confessed to was redacted in the documents.

McConkie was a deputy district attorney for the 4th Judicial District from 2008-2011 and went into private practice after that as a partner in a local law firm.

He was president of the Colorado Springs East Stake between 2016 and 2021, online church announcements about local leadership show. A stake president oversees church activities and ward leaders and typically serves for nine years.

McConkie is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.
Scientists and Indigenous groups are calling for the protection of Victorian dingoes, which they say are being killed due to the mistaken belief that they are feral dog hybrids.

More than 25 scientists have signed a letter to Victorias Environment Minister Ingrid Stitt pushing for changes to dingo control policy, including scrapping an order which allows the threatened species to be shot or baited within three kilometres of private land, when it is due for review on October 1.

Dingoes have been integral to Indigenous societies as hunting companions for thousands of years. Credit: Jason South

Researchers have argued the characterisation of dingoes as wild dogs is not backed by scientific evidence and that continued lethal control of Victorian dingo populations could challenge their survival.

In a letter to the environment minister seen by The Sunday Age, the group says continuing the dingo control program could seriously harm ecosystems. They call on the government to refer to Victorian populations as dingoes rather than feral dogs, to trial the reintroduction of dingoes as apex predators in suitable ecosystems, to revise the threatened species action plan and grant wildlife status to dingo-dog hybrids.
Later, in a joint motion, several branches sought to remove the right of the party room to expel a Liberal MP from the parliamentary team. Deeming was ejected from the party room in May after a protracted fallout from her attendance at the Let Women Speak rally that was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis. She now sits on the crossbench of the upper house. Moira Deeming now is an independent MP after being ejected from the Victorian Liberal party. Credit: Joe Armao The motion  which failed  would have changed the party constitution and blocked Liberal MPs from being able to force their colleagues onto the crossbench in the future. Party member Ian Quick, who sits on the administrative committee, said it would be a bad move.

Loading We all know this motion has been put up to address the Moira Deeming issue, Quick said. Do I agree with every decision the parliamentary team have made? No, I dont. Do I agree it is their decision to make? Yes I do. Dozens of members supported the motion, but hundreds of others opposed it. Cheers rang out when it was comprehensively defeated. Deeming, who attended the state council meeting on Saturday as a member of the broader Liberal Party, left the room with supporters when it failed. She has previously accused Pesutto and senior MPs David Southwick, Georgie Crozier and Matt Bach of defamation. Mediation between them continues.

British anti-trans-rights activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull has also sent a defamation concerns notice to the four Liberal MPs. Loading Inge  the Liberal Partys federal vice president and a former staffer, friend and ally of Tim Smith  had campaigned for state president on an explicit platform of refusing to indemnify the Liberal MPs. Under my leadership, every possible resource will be used to campaign and win elections, not to fund the private legal expenses of our parliamentary representatives, Inge said in a bio statement circulated to members ahead of the vote. Liberal Party headquarters had shown little willingness to indemnify Pesutto or the other MPs accused of defamation.

But the parliamentary party last month voted to advocate for some financial support. Inge remains unhappy about Smiths treatment by some state Liberals following his drunken car crash in 2021, which cut short his career. Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton addressing the state council in Melbourne on Saturday. Credit: Simon Schluter The position of state president was forced to a vote when both Davis and Inge nominated to replace Greg Mirabella, who in August announced he would resign to seek a return to the Senate. Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also addressed Victorian party members at the meeting on Saturday morning, receiving three standing ovations.

Loading He declared his belief the federal party could win the next election, and that Liberals around the country hoped to see Pesutto succeed in 2026. I want to say thank you very much, John. I want to speak on behalf of all Liberals across the country, not just those in Victoria  we are desperate to see you as the premier of Victoria come the next state election. Pesutto will speak on Sunday, and there have been murmurs that Deeming supporters may stage another walkout. He was booed and heckled at the Liberal state council in May. Davis was elected to state parliament in 1992 and served as the member for Gippsland Province and later Eastern Victoria, announcing his resignation in 2013.

In a statement circulated to members ahead of state council, Davis said the Victorian party had a monumental task ahead of it. The apathy of the Victorian electorate to the most dictatorial leader in the states history calls for an urgent response, he wrote. Greg Mirabella at Liberal Party state council on Saturday. Credit: Simon Schluter Earlier Saturday, outgoing president Mirabella also demanded members stop leaking and publicly tearing each other apart through the media, to protect the brand of the Liberal Party. Winning elections is a team sport, he said.
A Northcote family home with backyard access to a park attracted fierce competition at auction on Saturday, and sold for $2,481,000.

The three-bedroom home at 9 Maxwell Street saw four families vie for the keys, and were interested in buying the house for its modern fit-out, landscaped gardens and enviable position, Nelson Alexander listing agent and auctioneer Robert Enes said.

It had a lot of quality to it and solved a lot of problems for buyers who didnt want to deal with renovations, he said. The reserve at the rear was a heart-string puller for people who had kids and wanted to be in that area.

Enes listed the home with a quoted price range of $1.9 million to $2.05 million. He said the reserve price was at the top of the range.
Taipei: The increased frequency of Chinas military activities around Taiwan recently has raised the risk of events getting out of hand and sparking an accidental clash, the islands defence minister said on Saturday.

Taiwan has said that the past two weeks has seen dozens of fighters, drones, bombers and other aircraft, as well as warships and the Chinese carrier the Shandong, operating nearby.

A Taiwanese navy ship Keelung, foreground monitors the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong in the background near Taiwanese waters. Credit: AP

China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has in recent years carried out many such drills around the island, seeking to assert its sovereignty claims and pressure Taipei.

Asked by reporters on the sidelines of parliament whether there was a risk of an accidental incident sparking a broader conflict given the frequency of the Chinese activities, Taiwan Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said: This is something we are very worried about.
After the 2020 murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, Colorado lawmakers passed a bill requiring the states Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) board to publish a public database containing some basic disciplinary information about police officers.

But Colorado still refuses to release a more extensive database of all law enforcement officers whom the state has certified to arrest people and carry a gun, and where they have worked.

The refusal to release this information makes Colorado one of just 15 states that keep this type of police officer data secret, according to a nationwide reporting project, preventing the press and public from adequately monitoring the states oversight of wandering or second-chance officers.

In other states where such databases are disclosed, reporters and researchers have shown significant gaps in state oversight systems that have allowed officers with troubled pasts to be shuffled to school district departments and passed around tiny suburban departments. Departments have failed to notify criminal defendants about officers histories of misconduct, and officers have continued to work in law enforcement even after criminal convictions. In Florida, researchers showed that wandering officers are not only more likely to be fired at their new departments, but also rack up even more citizen complaints.

I dont understand why its something that our state would want to keep from people, said University of Colorado law professor Ann England. Nobody wants officers that are getting fired from one agency to be able to go to another agency with impunity, with nobody knowing.

Second-chance cops

In 2014, Rocky Ford police Officer James Ashby killed Jack Jacquez in one of the few on-duty police shootings in Colorado for which prosecutors have ever brought criminal charges. As the trial  which eventually resulted in a 16-year conviction  played out, Ashbys status as a second-chance cop was revealed.

He had been fired as a Walmart security guard in Pueblo. His personnel file from the Walsenburg Police Department revealed allegations of making vulgar remarks to female coworkers and excessive force complaints, one of which led to his resignation from the force.

Still, he ended up at the Rocky Ford Police Department, which then-Denver Post reporter Chris Osher showed was a destination for second-chance cops, also known as wandering officers  those who leave one police department after committing misconduct and simply find work at another.

Osher reported a series in 2015 showing how POSTs lax regulations allowed officers accused of serious misconduct to wander between departments  usually small, rural ones like Rocky Ford without large hiring budgets. This extended to officers who came from out of state and were granted training waivers by POST based on their previous certification elsewhere.

He did all this without the benefit of the comprehensive data POST maintains about police employment histories. POST refused his requests. Although the Legislature then passed a modest reform law requiring police departments to at least review the histories of officers they hire from other agencies, it did nothing to ensure better public access to data that could show the true extent of the problem in Colorado  or require the state to track wandering officers.

Colorado in the minority

More than 30 states make this type of information public, a coalition of news organizations found, including Colorados neighbors Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska and Kansas.

That group used to include Colorado  the state released its certification data at least once before, in 2004, records show. But now Colorado POST, which certifies and oversees police officers in the state, claims that releasing this basic information could reveal undercover officers to criminals and that it would be technologically impossible to provide electronic data.

Questions have been raised around both claims, but a Denver District Court judge and a panel of Colorado appellate court judges upheld POSTs denial of its database to Osher  now an investigative reporter and editor with The Gazette  and my organization, the Chicago-based Invisible Institute. We have petitioned the Colorado Supreme Court to take up the case, represented by Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press attorney Rachael Johnson.

CORA or CCJRA?

The lower courts upheld a central claim by Colorados attorney general that POST, as a licensing agency for law enforcement officers, is itself a criminal justice agency and thus subject to the far more restrictive Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) rather than the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA).

CORA entitles requesters to copies of public records kept in sortable formats (like databases) minus any fields of information that must not be released under state law. But the criminal justice records law has no such provision, and the standard to overturn a CCJRA denial is whether an agency abused its discretion in withholding the records.

Abuse of discretion?

In deciding that question, Denver District Court Judge J. Eric Elliff found that POSTs records custodian, Deputy Attorney General Natalie Hanlon Leh, had properly weighed the interests on both sides of the argument, even though there was no paper record showing she had considered the public benefit to releasing the data at all.

He also gave weight to her claims that POSTs enterprise database software, made by a company called Benchmark Analytics, could not query the data held within it to produce the information sought by The Gazette and Invisible Institute. My understanding is you cant just export data from these databases, Hanlon Leh testified.

Elliff found there was credible evidence that fulfilling the request would be an undue burden for POST. But records POST released after this decision showed this is not the case. POSTs own RFP that Benchmark responded to stated clearly that the ability to query data was a feature POST was seeking in its software.

Benchmarks bid submission went into more detail on its ability to meet this need: Our reporting tool allows permissioned users to export reports in a variety of formats." The tool can produce a fully editable file that can be saved or manipulated by users in multiple formats.

Hanlon Lehs claims of technical inability were in service of POSTs larger claim that determining who is an undercover officer, in order to remove them from release, would be too difficult. Experts have questioned the premise of the argument. According to former Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank, the deep undercover policing that POSTs denial seems to anticipate just doesnt happen anymore.

When you look at these officers that they claim are undercover, theyve been in uniform assignments the year before, or therell be a uniform assignment a year from now, and their names are already a part of the record, he said in an interview. At the same time, during the time while they are undercover, officers use assumed identities, in his experience: Any undercover officer whos using their true identity is not really undercover.

Upheld again

Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

The Colorado Court of Appeals upheld Eliffs rulings and seemed to go beyond what POST had asked for. A three-judge panel found that essentially any public body that maintains criminal background investigations on employees could be covered under the CCJRA.

This throws decades of CORA practice and case law out the window, according to the Colorado Supreme Court petition filed to challenge this appellate opinion. Because many regulated bodies are required to maintain criminal background checks, under the courts ruling, every one of those governmental entities is no longer subject to CORA, First Amendment attorney and Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition president Steve Zansberg said when the appellate opinion was released. That is absurd and cannot stand.

Its an absurd result, RCFPs Johnson agreed. An agency could essentially say, Oh, well, wait a minute, we review criminal records information, and we keep it. And therefore, were a criminal justice agency, so we no longer need to comply with CORA. Were under the CCJRA.

Fighting for access

Since The Gazette and Invisible Institutes lawsuit was filed in 2021, we have joined a national coalition of news organizations seeking police certification and employment history data in every state. Members of the coalition, convened by Big Local News, a program of Stanford Universitys Journalism and Democracy Initiative, are fighting for data in some states where records were denied.

Besides Colorado, legal appeals have been filed in New York, Michigan and Utah.

Access to police certification and employment history data is definitely critical for not only the public and media, but also wrongful conviction and criminal defense attorneys, said CU Boulder law professor England, a former public defender who directs the law schools Korey Wise Innocence Project and its criminal defense clinic.

Youre looking at the credibility of this particular officer, based on what role they played in the investigation. Those records can be helpful also because you can say, Oh, they got fired after or they failed their training after they worked on the case.

New database, less information

In January 2022, the Attorney Generals Office launched a different database, one its required to maintain for the public by the wave of reform legislation passed after George Floyds murder and the killing of Elijah McClain by Aurora police. It mostly exists to house information about disciplinary actions taken by POST, and down the road, some other kinds of records about misconduct by individual police departments and prosecutors offices.

But it also allows users to check the certification of any current officer  much of the information The Gazette and Invisible Institute are seeking, except for data about past employers and officers who werent decertified but are no longer actively employed. POST also established a way for officers, including those who may be undercover, to remove their names from the lookup tool.

So what prevents the state from releasing the rest of the data being sought in our request  the employment history of officers and data about officers who are no longer currently employed but were not decertified?

The states attorneys have argued in their own brief to the Supreme Court that the creation of the public-facing POST database was tantamount to the General Assembly express(ing) a policy preference for the particular information included in the law creating that database to be public  implying that lawmakers meant that nothing else should be. (State Rep. Leslie Herod, a prime sponsor of the bill, did not respond to requests for comment.)

But that is not how public records laws work in Colorado  not even the CCJRA. In 2005, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that responses to requests for most criminal justice records must consider both the public and private interests at play  not simply go by the preferences of the records custodian, or use some process of elimination based on separate records that theLlegislature expressly made public.

An agency cant hide information from the public because they dont want it to be known, Johnson said in an email. That would completely defy the purpose of CORA, the CCJRA, and its clearly not what the Legislature intended by creating public records laws in the first place.

Refusal complicates

While POSTs refusal to release its more comprehensive database makes it difficult to track wandering officers, some recent examples have come to light.

Jon Geiger, a Georgetown police officer decertified by POST in 2018 after a conviction in an excessive-force case, got his certification back on appeal and was hired as interim chief for the tiny department in Nunn near Fort Collins.

Tim Collins, the Clear Creek County sheriffs deputy seen in bodycam footage standing on the hood of Christian Glass car before Glass was shot by Collins fellow deputies, was hired in April by the nearby Georgetown Police Department.

Despite continuing examples of wandering officers in Colorado, POST has no program to track them. And the agencys new online database will only include future terminations and resignations of officers while under investigation.

Whats more, police officials nationwide have said they fear an officer hiring shortage  also impacting Colorado  could allow for more opportunities for officers with histories of misconduct or poor entrance exams to find work in law enforcement.

Every agency is screaming for more police officer applicants, and so that makes hiring and the acceptance of officers who may have questionable backgrounds a problem for us, said Patrick Solar, a former police chief in Genoa, Ill., and a criminal justice professor at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. To hire people to fill the ranks, we may intentionally or inadvertently lower our standards. It brings in the opportunity for officers who may run into trouble moving from one agency to the next.

Without public access to POSTs data, theres nothing that the community can do to push back if that happens, because we dont know, said CU Boulder law professor England. Its a public safety issue. Who do we want on our streets, who do we want giving our tickets, who do we want running around and doing the work theyre doing?

Its part of the publics right to know and feel safe in their community.
Cindy Clemons, center, receives dental care from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry third-year student Onyeka Oguagha, left, and oral surgery resident Matthew Moore, right, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Clemons was able to receive treatment after an expansion of the state's Medicaid program. (George Walker IV/AP)

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  For months, Carlton Clemons endured crippling pain from a rotting wisdom tooth. He couldnt sleep, barely ate and relied on painkillers to get by.

The 67-year-old from Nashville, Tennessee, could not afford to see a dentist on the $1,300-a-month his family gets in Social Security and disability payments. So he waited for the state to roll out a program this year that offers dental care to the more than 650,000 Medicaid recipients like him who are 21 and older. Tennessee is spending about $75 million annually on the program.

Advertisement

Man, I thought I had made it to heaven because the pain was over, he said after the tooth was pulled in July at the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. When they did pull it out, I was so happy. I was so glad. Everything just changed after that.

His wife, Cindy, who also is on Medicaid, has had her teeth pulled at the clinic.

Advertisement

Medicaid, the federal and state health insurance program for the poor, requires states to provide dental coverage for children but not adults. But with a growing recognition of the economic and health costs of poor dental health and an influx of federal pandemic dollars, six states began or expanded their Medicaid programs this year to provide coverage for adults.

Access remains difficult in many of those states with some dentists refusing to treat Medicaid patients. Even those who want to expand their practice are finding themselves caught up in red tape.

Dr. Victor Wu, the chief medical officer for Tennessees Medicaid program, said he was pleased with the rollout of Medicaid dental benefits that started in January, but he acknowledges the state needs to build out its network and increase the participation rate among dentists.

While dental care often is seen as routine, the poor often go without any care for years or even decades. Doing so has significant costs, both to taxpayers and to those who cannot afford treatment.

One study from Texas A&M University found that treatment for preventable dental conditions represents up to 2.5% of emergency room visits, at a cost of $2 billion a year. An additional $45 billion is lost year in productivity in the United States annually from untreated oral disease, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

You put off care and you get sicker and then it becomes a crisis where youre missing work or you end up going to the emergency department where you get a big bill and you dont get the tooth actually taken care of, said Dr. Rhonda Switzer-Nadasdi, the chief executive officer of Interfaith Dental Clinic which has offices in Nashville and Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

You need good teeth to have good employment, Switzer-Nadasdi said.

All states provide some Medicaid dental benefits for adults, but some limit it to only specific segments of the population, like pregnant women or those who have intellectual disabilities, or cover only emergency care, according to CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, a nonprofit that advocates for expanded dental care.

Advertisement

Hawaii, Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan, Maryland and New Hampshire were the latest to begin or expand their dental coverage; they did so this year.

In New Hampshire, the state is spending $33.4 million over 12 months to provide dental care to its 88,000 Medicaid recipients.

There is an increasing understanding that oral health is inseparable from health care, said New Hampshire Democratic Rep. Joe Schapiro, who was the prime sponsor of the expanded dental benefits bill. The amount of money spent on other health care problems that are related to oral health and the amount of money spent on emergency care when people cant get any kind of preventive or restorative care is not only unfortunate for those peoples health but cost a tremendous amount of money.

In Kentucky, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear pressed ahead with emergency regulations ensuring that about 900,000 Kentuckians would continue having access to dental care after the Republican-led legislature rejected his proposal.

We are focused on removing roadblocks that prevent people from getting back into the workforce, and this program does just that, he said.

Virginia expanded its Medicaid program in 2021, budgeting $282 million for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years to cover dental procedures for more than a million recipients. Last year, Kansas gave dental access to nearly 137,000 Medicaid recipients at a cost of $3.5 million in 2022 and $1.2 million in 2023.

Advertisement

While advocates are welcoming these changes, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Utah and Louisiana still only offer limited benefits.

Even as states add dental coverage, millions of beneficiaries are being culled from the Medicaid program nationwide as part of a review of eligibility, something states were prohibited from doing during the pandemic.

There are also plenty of hiccups in states that have expanded care, including Tennessee. Among the biggest is that too few dentists, especially in rural areas, are taking Medicaid patients, resulting in long waiting times and hours-long drives in search of care. Only about 15% of dentist take Medicaid in New Hampshire, 24% in Tennessee and 27% in Virginia.

Many dentists and groups advocating for expanded care blame Medicaid reimbursement rates. New Jersey only covers 13.3% of what a dentists normally charge, Michigan covers 17% and Rhode Island 22.4%, according to 2022 data analyzed by the American Dental Association. Illinois, New York, Ohio and Oregon each cover a little more than 28%.

Most states, though, cover between 30% and 50% with Alaska and North Dakota covering at least 55% and Delaware, 76.9%.

Dr. Heather Taylor, an assistant professor at the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at Indiana University, said some of Indianas Medicaid reimbursement rates for dental have not increased since 1998.

Advertisement

Its almost like were incentivizing our dentists not to treat the ones that are in need, because we dont pay them even half of what they could get from private insurers, she said.

Tennessee Family Dental, which has four clinics in the state, has experienced overwhelming demand from Medicaid patients. Dr. Ryan ONeill, a dentist who owns the business, said he got some 300 calls on the first day and that some of his patients have traveled from 30 minutes away or more.

He wants to hire more dentists but said it can take upward of four months to get one certified under Medicaid. He also is struggling with a Medicaid billing system that routinely rejects some claims and he said there is a lot of inconsistency over what is approved and what is denied.

Offices are hesitant to go in network because theres a lot of unknowns, ONeill said. Were still learning what the rules are and, you know, trial and error in terms of how were supposed to deal with a particular situation.

Danielle Wilkes, a 26-year-old mother of five from Ashland, Tennessee, drove 90 minutes to see ONeill after calling dozens of dentists in her area and finding none who takes Medicaid. Her cousin, June Renee Pentecost, also came with her for treatment.

For the past five years, Wilkes had been waiting to see a dentist after getting several teeth knocked out in a car wreck. She was told it would cost her thousands of dollars for multiple crowns, which she could not afford.

Advertisement

I was mad at first but I was like there nothing she could do. Im just going to have to wait until my kids are grown up, she said, adding that the pain often brought her to tears.

But here she was in a dental chair, her pink hair standing out against ONeill and dental assistant Jasmine Webb in black scrubs. Afterward, the soft-spoken Wilkes said she was just happy to finally get the work done, even if she had to pay $400 that Medicaid did not cover.

In a different room, Pentecost was getting examined for a root canal. It had been more than a decade since she last saw a dentist because she was deterred by the cost despite years of pain. A mother of five, she figured dental care would take away from spending on her children.

I couldnt play with my kids because my head was hurting, she said.

The 30-year-old was relieved to get the work done but wondered why the state had not offered the benefit sooner.

Im hoping my pain would ease up and quit once I get my teeth fixed and then I wont have so many headaches and feel so bad, she said.

Advertisement

___

Associated Press writer Bruce Schreiner in Frankfort, Kentucky, contributed to this report.

.
IIM observes National Pharmacovigilance Week





Staff Reporter

Raipur,

IIM Raipur observed the National Pharmacovigilance Week here the other day, with the theme Boosting Public Confidence in Pharmacovigilance. It is an initiative taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India. Doctors from All India Institute of Medical Sciences visited IIM Raipur on September 21 at 3:30 PM and delivered an awareness programme on Pharmacovigilance.

The guest speakers were Dr Nitin R Gaikwad, Professor & HOD Pharmacology, Co-ordinator, AMC, AIIMS Raipur along with Dr Yogendra Keche, Asst Professor, Pharmacology, AIIMS Raipur and Dr Pugazhenthan Thangaraju, Asst Professor, Pharmacology, Deputy Coordinator, AIIMS Raipur. Professor Ramkumar, Chairperson, Student Affairs, greeted the guest speakers by expressing his valuable thoughts. Professor Pradyumna Dash, Dean Academics presented the memento to Dr Nitin R Gaikwad whereas Colonel (Dr) Harindra Tripathi, Chief Administrative Officer, IIM Raipur presented the memento to Dr Yogendra Keche and Professor M Ramkumar presented the memento to Dr. Pugazhenthan Thangaraju. They explained Pharmacovigilance, the science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other medicine/vaccine-related problems.

They also emphasized that all medicines and vaccines undergo rigorous testing for safety and efficacy through clinical trials before they are authorised for use. If any side effects appear on the human body, then the pharmacovigilance team of AIIMS Raipur should be kept informed. This awareness programme by the AIIMS team contributed significantly to our faculty and staff members and covered all important aspects of healthcare. In the end, Professor M Ramkumar presented a vote of thanks.
Kumaraswamys JD(S) joins hands with BJP in Ktaka





NEW DELHI :

IN A boost to the BJP in Karnataka ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Janata Dal (Secular) has decided to ally with the party following a meeting of its leader H D Kumaraswamy with Home Minister Amit Shah and party President J P Nadda. After the meeting, Nadda said on X, I am happy that JD(S) has decided to be the part of National Democratic Alliance. We wholeheartedly welcome them in the NDA. This will further strengthen NDA and vision of Hon PM Narendra Modi Ji for New India, Strong India. Shah said the JD(S) has expressed its trust in Modis vision of a developed India. I warmly welcome JD(S) to the NDA family. Their association will lead Karnataka on the path of development and pave the way for a stronger NDA and a stronger India, he said. Kumaraswamy said the alliance with BJP has been sealed and discussions will continue on seat sharing.

Headed by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, the JD(S) has long been a strong third player in the southern State where the Congress and the BJP have been the two main parties. The regional party came third in the recent Assembly polls in the state, where the Congress scored a big win. The BJP, which heads the NDA, believes an alliance with the JD(S) will ensure its domination in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as the regional party enjoys considerable influence in south Karnataka where the saffron party has traditionally been weak.
Lok Sabha Speaker warns BJPs Bidhuri of strict action as remarks spark outrage





NEW DELHI :

LOK Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday took serious note of certain objectionable comments made by BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri in the House and warned him of strict action if such behaviour is repeated in the future, as the remarks sparked outrage with Opposition leaders calling for his suspension. Bidhuri made certain objectionable remarks targeted at BSP member Kunwar Danish Ali on Thursday night during a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. The said remarks were expunged from Parliamentary records and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh immediately expressed regret for Bidhuris behaviour in the House.

Meanwhile, the BJP on Friday issued a show cause notice to Bidhuri for his use of objectionable words against Ali. The I.N.D.I.A. bloc parties rallied behind Ali who said it was nothing less than hate speech and demanded that the matter be referred to the privileges committee of the House. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and K C Venugopal visited the BSP leader and expressed solidarity with him.
Parineeti, Raghav to tie the knot tomorrow





JAIPUR :

AAM Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raghav Chadha and actor Parineeti Chopra reached Udaipur on Friday ahead of their wedding over the weekend. Top politicians and film personalities are expected to attend the pre-wedding functions on Saturday and main ceremony on Sunday at The Leela Palace Udaipur. The 34-year-old actor and politician were accompanied by their families as they reached Dabok Airport in Udaipur from where they left for their hotels. Parineetis sister Priyanka Chopra Jonas is also expected to arrive in Udaipur on Saturday for the wedding. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will also attend the ceremony with his wife and children. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is also expected.

The wedding on Sunday may see guests such as Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. Parineeti and Raghav, 34, got engaged in May in Delhi in a private ceremony attended by family members and political leaders.
Punjab Governor concerned over spike in debt of Rs 50,000 crore







CHANDIGARH :

PUNJAB Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Friday raised concern over States financial situation, saying its debt has increased by approximately Rs 50,000 crore during the one and a half year helm of the AAP Government. Responding to Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns letter to him regarding the release of Rural Development Fund from the Centre, the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to serving the people while highlighting the complexities surrounding the RDF issue that is currently sub-judice.

The Governor expressed his dedication to his duty of serving the people of Punjab and acknowledged the CMs request for his intervention in taking up the RDF case of Rs 5,637 crore with the Prime Minister of India. However, the Governor in a letter to the CM replied, the matter is currently sub-judice and that the CM had already approached the SC before seeking his involvement. The Governor emphasised the importance of respecting the due process of law and awaiting the judicial decision on the matter. He said allowing the judicial decision to unfold would be appropriate before taking any further action on this issue.
State nod to MoU for Nagpur Metro Phase-II





Staff Reporter :

In a huge relief to Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), a major obstacle in Phase-II of Nagpur Metro was cleared after Maharashtra Governments nod to sign a tripartite agreement for the construction of a new corridor. The 43.8 km-long corridor will have 32 stations. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) will be signed, which is mandatory in the process of sourcing funds from external agencies. The second phase is to be completed within a period of five-years from the date of signing of the agreement. Post that Maha Metro will be able to unlock the sanctioned funds from European Union Bank and other international lenders. Although the date for signing of MoU is not yet determined, now that the State Government has granted the clearance, the Board of Directors of MMRCL would co-ordinate with others to secure funding of Rs 6,708 crore for extension project of Nagpur Metro. Meanwhile, to cut down the delay that is inevitable during processing of administrative works, Maha Metro has already completed basic negotiations to ensure deadline is met with.





The tender process requires nearly three months, and hence most of the technical bids for future contracts have been examined and firms also ranked accordingly. The Urban Development Department (UDD) also released the gist of the MoU that is to be signed formally between MMRCL, Government of Maharashtra and Government of India. The draft of MoU was pending for approval since long with UDD as it was under minute scrutiny by legal experts and officials familiar with lending agencies working pattern. The Phase-I of Nagpur Metro spans 40.02 km and has 32 stations dotted on two lines, Aqua and Orange, both of which are going to be extended further with plan to cover the Nagpur Metropolitan periphery. Central Government has given approval to Phase-II of Nagpur Metro at its cabinet meeting held on December 29, 2022. Thereafter, Maharashtra Government gave its nod to financial and technical aspects of the Nagpur Metro's extension. The UDD permission for MoU was vetted by Central Government and communicated to State Government on January 16, 2023. As per the notification of September 22, 2023, in case there is escalation in cost of Phase-II then same should have sanction from Finance Department of State Government and also viability gap funding should be arranged from Dedicated Urban Transport Fund.

The second phase of Nagpur Metro envisages connecting Kanhan, Kapsi, Kamptee, Butibori, Hingna, the satellite townships, with commercial and residential parts of city. The MoU details the allocation to various components, including alignment and formation, station buildings, depots, traction and power supply, signalling and telecom and other allied items. In the project financial, the MoU outlines the contribution from GoI and GoM will be Rs. 1310 crores respectively and same would be done through a mix of equity, interest free sub-ordinate debt and senior term debt/Pass Through Assistance (PTA), this includes borrowing from bilateral agencies. The PTA component would be Rs. 3585.60 crores.
Surrender illegal weapons within 15 days: Manipur Govt tells people





Imphal :

Manipur Government has asked the people of the State to surrender illegal weapons within 15 days or face comprehensive search operations by security forces, a press release by the Chief Ministers office said. The State Government is willing to take a considerate view of the persons submitting such illegal weapons within these 15 days starting today (Friday), the statement said, adding at the end of these 15 days, Central and State security forces will undertake strong and comprehensive search operations all over the state to recover such weapons, and all persons associated with illegal weapons will be dealt with severely, as per the law. There have been reports of extortion, threats and abduction by miscreants using these illegal weapons.

This is a serious matter and State Government will take strong actions against such groups in any part of the State, the statement said. The Government also appealed people to co-operate with the Centre and State Government in restoring peace and normalcy. Fresh clashes after one of five released youth rearrested Fresh clashes broke out between security forces and protesters in certain pockets of Imphal West on Friday night after one of the five defence volunteers released on bail by a special court in Imphal earlier in the day was re-arrested by a Central security agency, officials said. While four arrested youth were handed over to their family members after being granted bail, Moirangthem Anand, a former cadre of the banned Peoples Liberation Army, has been re-arrested, they said. Anands wife, who broke down in front of Imphal police station, said, I have been told by police that my husband has been arrested in connection with a previous case which is more than 10 years old.
The Bharat Metaphor! - II





By Vijay phanshikar :

Aano Bhadra Kratavo Yantu Vishwatah (May all good thoughts come to us from all universe). This is embedded into the collective consciousness of Indian people. This has shaped their thinking totally differently. This is yet another dimension of the Bharat metaphor.

Tamaham Vismayavishtah Punarevedamabruvam/ Durlabham Bharate Janma Tatraapi Cha Manushyata// - Skanda Purana (Verse 1.2.3.36) THE Skanda Purana written several thousand years ago has many such verses that highlight the good fortune of having been born in Bharat. -- Durlabham Bharate Janma (Not easy to be born in Bharat ... or To be born in Bharat is a precious good fortune ...). The Skanda Purana is one of the largest of Mahapuranas with around 80,000 verses. In seven different chapters, it describes holy areas of Bharat (that later came to known by foreigners as [India). Each of those chapters -- or Cantos -- describes the good fortune of having been born in Bharat. The Skanda Purana, thus, is one holy text that offers multiple nuances of the metaphor of Bharat -- in the process explaining various defining statements of what Bharat means in reality and in spirituality. This is important -- the spiritual dimension of Bharat. Bharat, by that standard, is not just a land mass, but a place embedded in the centre of the seas and the mountains offering the gods an abode whose merit is difficult to be captured in words. So Durlabham Bharate Janma ... ! The Bharat metaphor has to be understood, therefore, from multiple angles, from multiple standpoints, from multiple nuances, through multiple cultural colour-screens. ...! To understand the comprehensive metaphor of Bharat, therefore, takes a serious delving into the history and culture of the place -- which is far beyond the timeline known to westerners in particular.

The people of Bharat -- the Bharatiyas -- were the real sons and daughters of the soil. Early morning they rose from their beds and apologised to Mother Earth that they had to place their feet on her body: Samudravasane Devi Parvatastannmandaley/ (Oh Ocean-clad Goddess With Mountains forming your chest) Vishnupatni Namastubhyam Padasparsham Kshamasva Me// (Oh Consort of Lord Vishnu, so sorry we are that we have to place our feet on you). This feeling continues even today -- in whole of India, that is Bharat. Every person here feels personally guilty (of sorts) of having to place his feet on Mother Earth. So, in order to atone for that sin, he (or she) commits self to serving Mother Earth, Mother Nature, in the best manner possible, vowing to ensure that Nature is not exploited for petty gains of human greed. Thus, the mountains -- represented by the king Himalaya -- and the seas and the greens form innate, intrinsic, inextricable parts of prayers of the people from Bharat on a daily basis. To understand this in full measure is to understand the metaphor called Bharat. Of course, prayers are often integral to human civilisations. In our country, however, prayers have different connotations, different nuances that are not generally found elsewhere in the world.

So, the scientists engaged in the launch of the Moon Mission are also found engaging themselves in religious prayers with a sense of immense pride, with a complete connect with science of consciousness, with a full awareness that prayers are designed to serve the specific purpose of elevating the human soul. So, to the critics who laughed at the scientists so-called backwardness, Prof. S. Somanath, the indomitable Director of the Indian Space Organisation (ISRO), said, in effect, that spacecrafts and rocket science were for handling (not conquering) the outer space; while prayers were for tackling the inner space -- in which worst turmoils of cognition and emotion often torment the person. To understand this is to understand the Bharat metaphor. Of course, Bharat (that is India) expresses itself through multiple nuances whose number is beyond counting. It is certainly not without reason that the Skanda Purana talks of how Durlabh being born in Bharat is. For, when one is born in Bharat, one is privy to the history and tradition and ethos and culture with enormous time-line -- so enormous that a person with western grooming cannot even imagine its length and depth.

It is in this light that one can say safely that there must be countless thousands of scientific precepts that were first thought of and designed and defined countless thousands of years ago. So, in the 10th Mandala of RigVed, the Nasadiya Sookta talks in detail of the ever-expanding universe (whose knowledge is so terribly recent in western comprehension). The same RigVed prays with a sense of commitment to acquiring knowledge -- embedded in the very name Bharat: Aano Bhadra Kratavo Yantu Vishwatah (May all good thoughts come to us from all universe). This is embedded into the collective consciousness of Indian people. This has shaped their thinking totally differently. This is yet another dimension of the Bharat metaphor.
Rosenblatt Securities restated their buy rating on shares of Cboe Global Markets (BATS:CBOE  Free Report) in a report published on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $172.00 target price on the stock.

CBOE has been the topic of a number of other reports. Oppenheimer raised their price target on shares of Cboe Global Markets from $161.00 to $162.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, August 7th. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Cboe Global Markets in a report on Friday, September 8th. They issued a buy rating and a $168.00 target price on the stock. Barclays upped their target price on Cboe Global Markets from $146.00 to $155.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, August 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on Cboe Global Markets from $148.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, August 7th. Finally, Argus upped their price objective on Cboe Global Markets from $148.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Cboe Global Markets has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $148.91.

Get Cboe Global Markets alerts:

Read Our Latest Research Report on CBOE

Cboe Global Markets Trading Up 1.1 %

Shares of CBOE opened at $157.10 on Wednesday. Cboe Global Markets has a one year low of $103.82 and a one year high of $139.00. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $147.99 and a 200 day moving average price of $140.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a current ratio of 1.21. The company has a market capitalization of $16.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 80.98 and a beta of 0.61.

Cboe Global Markets (BATS:CBOE  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, August 4th. The company reported $1.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.77 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $467.10 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $469.31 million. Cboe Global Markets had a net margin of 5.77% and a return on equity of 20.05%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.67 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Cboe Global Markets will post 6.41 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Cboe Global Markets Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 31st were given a dividend of $0.55 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 30th. This is a positive change from Cboe Global Marketss previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.40%. Cboe Global Marketss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 98.97%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Jill R. Goodman sold 5,051 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.95, for a total transaction of $732,142.45. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 12,936 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,875,073.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Cboe Global Markets news, CEO Edward T. Tilly sold 8,000 shares of Cboe Global Markets stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.86, for a total value of $1,086,880.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 177,983 shares in the company, valued at $24,180,770.38. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Jill R. Goodman sold 5,051 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.95, for a total transaction of $732,142.45. Following the transaction, the director now owns 12,936 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,875,073.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 24,901 shares of company stock worth $3,580,340. 0.51% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in CBOE. Clear Street Markets LLC raised its holdings in Cboe Global Markets by 93.5% in the 1st quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 207 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust increased its stake in shares of Cboe Global Markets by 64.8% in the first quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 272 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the period. Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Cboe Global Markets by 3,771.4% during the 1st quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 271 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 264 shares during the last quarter. City State Bank bought a new stake in Cboe Global Markets during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $41,000. Finally, Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV grew its holdings in Cboe Global Markets by 68.2% in the 2nd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 296 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 120 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.73% of the companys stock.

About Cboe Global Markets

(Get Free Report)

Cboe Global Markets, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as an options exchange worldwide. It operates through six segments: Options, North American Equities, Europe and Asia Pacific, Futures, Global FX, and Digital. The Options segment trades in listed market indices. The North American Equities segment trades in listed U.S.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Cboe Global Markets Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cboe Global Markets and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
European Opportunities Trust plc (LON:JEO  Get Free Report) shares crossed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 843 ($10.44) and traded as low as GBX 841.44 ($10.42). European Opportunities Trust shares last traded at GBX 843 ($10.44), with a volume of 176,142 shares.

European Opportunities Trust Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.64, a current ratio of 0.42 and a quick ratio of 0.42. The firm has a market capitalization of 886.70 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -12.93. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is GBX 843 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 843.

About European Opportunities Trust

(Get Free Report)

European Opportunities Trust plc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Devon Equity Management Limited. Devon Equity Management Limited is the Investment manager of the European Opportunities Trust (EOT). It invests in the public equity markets of Europe. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for European Opportunities Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for European Opportunities Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of HUTCHISON TELEC/ADR (OTCMKTS:HTHKY  Get Free Report) crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $5.99 and traded as high as $6.00. HUTCHISON TELEC/ADR shares last traded at $5.99, with a volume of 1,600 shares traded.

HUTCHISON TELEC/ADR Stock Up 1.1 %

The companys 50 day simple moving average is $5.99 and its 200 day simple moving average is $5.99.

HUTCHISON TELEC/ADR Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Limited, an investment holding company, provides mobile communication services primarily in Hong Kong and Macau. It offers 4G long term evolution, 3G, and GSM dual-band mobile telecommunications services under the 3 brand. The company's mobile telecommunications services and products include local voice, SMS, MMS, international direct dialing, and international roaming; and broadband-based data services and applications, such as direct carrier billing offerings, mobile device security management, eBooks, music downloads, movies-on-demand, mobile social networking applications, and stock trading, as well as Wi-Fi services.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for HUTCHISON TELEC/ADR Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HUTCHISON TELEC/ADR and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc (LON:IPU  Get Free Report)s share price passed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 415.11 ($5.14) and traded as high as GBX 419.65 ($5.20). INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust shares last traded at GBX 415 ($5.14), with a volume of 7,492 shares.

INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust Stock Down 0.5 %

The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 415.11 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 423.38. The company has a market capitalization of 140.39 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -367.26 and a beta of 1.06.

Get INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust alerts:

INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, August 3rd were paid a GBX 3.85 ($0.05) dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 0.92%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 3rd. INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trusts dividend payout ratio is currently -1,592.92%.

INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust Company Profile

INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Invesco Fund Managers Limited. It is co-managed by Invesco Asset Management Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United Kingdom. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Free Report)  Equities researchers at Zacks Research lowered their Q4 2023 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research report issued on Wednesday, September 20th. Zacks Research analyst R. Anand now expects that the medical research company will post earnings of $6.52 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $6.60. The consensus estimate for Thermo Fisher Scientifics current full-year earnings is $22.37 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Thermo Fisher Scientifics Q4 2024 earnings at $6.26 EPS.

Get Thermo Fisher Scientific alerts:

Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $590.00 to $625.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $660.00 to $670.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 27th. Raymond James increased their price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $595.00 to $630.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, July 28th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 15th. Finally, Robert W. Baird cut their target price on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $664.00 to $625.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $631.71.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Price Performance

TMO opened at $502.51 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $193.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.52, a PEG ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.42 and a quick ratio of 1.02. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $539.06 and its 200 day simple moving average is $540.36. Thermo Fisher Scientific has a 1 year low of $475.77 and a 1 year high of $609.85.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The medical research company reported $5.15 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $5.43 by ($0.28). The business had revenue of $10.69 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.99 billion. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a return on equity of 18.59% and a net margin of 13.14%. Thermo Fisher Scientifics revenue for the quarter was down 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $5.51 EPS.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Thermo Fisher Scientific

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of TMO. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 100,798.8% in the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 406,539,228 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $212,111,842,000 after purchasing an additional 406,136,310 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 104,536.8% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 8,355,245 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $4,601,150,000 after acquiring an additional 8,347,260 shares during the last quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 61,754.7% during the 1st quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,842,175 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $10,136,000 after acquiring an additional 5,832,730 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $3,105,677,000. Finally, Arthur M. Cohen & Associates LLC lifted its stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 30,904.9% during the 2nd quarter. Arthur M. Cohen & Associates LLC now owns 3,124,051 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $5,209,000 after acquiring an additional 3,113,975 shares during the last quarter. 87.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, EVP Gianluca Pettiti sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $557.77, for a total value of $1,673,310.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 17,556 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,792,210.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $549.00, for a total value of $5,490,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 141,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $77,590,170. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Gianluca Pettiti sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $557.77, for a total value of $1,673,310.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 17,556 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,792,210.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 28,700 shares of company stock worth $15,799,270 in the last three months. 0.32% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 15th will be paid a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.28%. Thermo Fisher Scientifics payout ratio is 9.57%.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

(Get Free Report)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the United States and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, clinical next-generation sequencing, bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Schroders Investment Trusts  Schroder Asian Total Return Investment Company plc (LON:ATR  Get Free Report)s share price passed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 405.90 ($5.03) and traded as high as GBX 412 ($5.10). Schroders Investment Trusts  Schroder Asian Total Return Investment shares last traded at GBX 410 ($5.08), with a volume of 177,991 shares.

Schroders Investment Trusts  Schroder Asian Total Return Investment Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.09. The stock has a market capitalization of 417.46 million, a P/E ratio of -621.21 and a beta of 0.53. The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 405.90 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 411.58.

Schroders Investment Trusts  Schroder Asian Total Return Investment Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Schroders Investment Trusts  Schroder Asian Total Return Investment Company plc is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched by Schroder Unit Trusts Limited. The fund is co-managed by Schroder Investment Management Limited and Schroder Investment Management (Singapore) Limited. It invests in the public equity markets of Asia Pacific countries excluding Japan.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Schroders Investment Trusts - Schroder Asian Total Return Investment Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Schroders Investment Trusts - Schroder Asian Total Return Investment and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of Telstra Co. Limited (OTCMKTS:TLSYY  Get Free Report) passed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $12.48 and traded as high as $12.65. Telstra shares last traded at $12.48, with a volume of 63,400 shares changing hands.

Telstra Stock Up 0.7 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.63 and a quick ratio of 0.59. The firms 50-day moving average is $12.48 and its 200 day moving average is $12.48.

Telstra Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Telstra Corporation Limited provides telecommunications and information services to businesses, governments, and individuals in Australia and internationally. It operates in four segments: Telstra Consumer and Small Business, Telstra Enterprise, Networks and IT, and Telstra InfraCo The company offers telecommunication, media and technology products and services in Australia using mobile and fixed network technologies, as well as operates call centers, retail stores, a dealership network, digital channels, distribution systems and Telstra Plus customer loyalty program.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Telstra Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Telstra and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
The Christian Association of Nigeria, Ebonyi State Chapter has organised a one day prayer summit to seek God's intervention over impending electoral Court cases and other teething challenges facing the State and the nation

The prayer summit organised in collaboration with the State government was held Thursday at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.

The summit was the first following the recent inauguation of a new CAN leadership in the State under Reverend Scamb Chinedum Nwokolo.

Addressing newsmen during the event, Nwokolo explained that current happenings in the country demands a general return to God by all citizens, adding that equity and justice is needed for stability in the administration of Ebonyi State in particular, and Nigeria in general.

Nwokolo explained: "The zeal to organize this program is based on happenings within and around us in Nigeria in general and Ebonyi State in particular.

"Our belief in God is that with Him, all things are possible.

"Nigeria is now under the whims and caprices of collapse and all that, and the only thing that can revive this nation is returning back to God so that wherever we have erred, through prayer intercession, we may be able to reverse from the point of our dwelling, ideas and mindsets that have culminated to the present doldrums that Nigeria has found itself.

"Moreso, we are aware that there are impending Court cases over State government and other strong stakeholders of the State both those here and those at national levels.

"We equally believe that the emergence of any leader in whichever way anyone may see it, is entirely orchestrated by God almighty.

"And because of the issue of justice and equity, the only thing we need to do is to ask God to intervene in situations like this to guide the conscience of everybody in Ebonyi State."

The Church leader urged all Ebonyi citizens to make the development of the State top priority in all dealings, stressing that there cannot be any development without peace.

"Again, it is for God to give us the mindset of thinking for the future development of the State.

"The wellbeing of the State should be greater in priority in the affairs of any man in the State so that as we are seeking the peace of Ebonyi State and Nigeria, all of us will have peace" Nwokolo stressed.

Ebonyi Deputy Governor, Princess Patricia Obilla, who represented Governor Francis Nwifuru at the event, described the prayer summit as timely.

She emphasized that Nwifuru"s administration came to change the narratives of the people of the State, build unity and love and guarantee the welfare of the people.

While soliciting for continued prayers from CAN for the success of the administration, she appreciated them for the summit and for employing the association as a unifying platform for the entire Christendom.

Delivering a sermon, Rev. Emmanuel Nshi of the Assemblies of God Church admonished Christians to always persevere in prayer and seek the will of God as they plan to make positive differences in society.

Referencing the story of the Biblical Nehemiah, he stressed that fervent prayers and effective planning remain the most potent weapons to dislodge all roadblocks against the progress of the State and the nation in general.

Setting the tone for the event, the State CAN secretary, Reverend father Joseph Origbo stated that the gathering was a divine mandate and a holy duty that would guarantee peace, unity and progress of the State.

He noted that the heights so far attained by Ebonyi in spite of her limitations as a young and meagre resource State were products of God's grace, and enjoined all and sundries to join hands in building the State to attain her eldorado.

"Finally, we are here to offer our petitions on behalf of our dear State's leader, the Governor, a builder God has given to us at this point in time to build bridges between communities and people through reconciliation.

"His health is our health and his success is our success.

"Therefore we ultimately owe him our prayers for the success and prosperity of our State" Origbo submitted.

The theme for the prayer summit was "Arise and build" taken from the Bible book of Nehemiah chapter 2 verse 20.
A new $700m loan has been approved by the World Bank for Nigeria to enhance adolescent girls learning and empowerment.

A statement published on its website revealed this on Friday.

According to the statement, The World Bank approved additional financing of $700m for Nigeria to scale up the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment programme whose goal is to improve secondary education opportunities among girls in targeted states.

The additional financing will scale up project activities from the current seven states to eleven additional states and increase the targeted beneficiaries to include out-of-school girls, those who are married, and those who have disabilities.

Also, It said that Nigeria had over 12 million to 15 million out of school children in the school- age group, with many of them in Northern Nigeria.

It added, In the seven AGILE programme implementing states  Borno, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, and Plateau  the number of girls in secondary schools has increased from about 900,000 to over 1.6 million.

Under the programme, over 5,000 classrooms have been renovated and over 250,000 eligible girls have received scholarships.

The AGILE programme has supported construction and rehabilitation of WASH facilities in secondary schools and the installation of computers and solar panels which make attending school more convenient and conducive for both girls and boys. Life skills, systems strengthening, and advocacy are other key aspects of the program which address social norms impeding girls education.

The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri, also explained that, Closing the gender gaps in economic empowerment by ensuring girls have access to education and skills is key for Nigerias development and economic prosperity.

Nigerias working population will soon be one of the youngest and largest around the world, which means that investing in adolescent girls is imperative when addressing overall economic prospects and growth.

In the statement, aside from the girls that would benefit from the financing, others included over 15 million students and beneficiaries, such as teachers, administrators, families, communities, and staff in existing and newly constructed schools.

It was earlier reported that the parents and caregivers of about 300,000 poor female students got N10,000 per term in six states through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment Programme.

The six states were Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Plateau.

The World Bank agreed that N10,000 per term was given to the parents of poor female students for school attendance and re-enrollment.

It further disclosed that N5,000 was provided to each girls parent upon registration in the program.
PalmPay, a financial technology platform, has seeked strategic collaborations in the sector to drive financial inclusion.

This was revealed during the 2023 annual conference of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria with the theme Strengthening Digital Infrastructure for an Efficient Innovative Payment System in Nigeria,' which held in Lagos.

Head of Operations at PalmPay, Foluso Aduloju, noted that the regulatory bodies such as Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System and Nigerian Communications Commission have made substantial contributions through policies and regulations, fostering growth in the financial sector.

He said,  Introduction of fintech in the last five to six years has helped bridge the gap, actualising what the banks had been striving to achieve over the years. However, more can be achieved through enhanced collaboration since the banks laid the foundation upon which fintechs are now building.

We firmly believe that collaboration is the cornerstone of sustainable growth and innovation in the financial sector. By joining forces, we can create a positive impact on the industry and, ultimately, the lives of the people we serve."

PalmPay called on industry stakeholders to actively engage in open dialogue, share best practices, and collaborate on initiatives that align with the collective goal of fostering a more inclusive and innovative financial ecosystem.
The Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed that the Service will maintain its position of consulting relevant stakeholders to enable its administration to succeed.

The CGC made this known on Wednesday, when he received members of the Customs Consultative Committee led by the Chairman of the Council, Aare Hakeem Olanrewaju, at the Customs Headquarters, Abuja, along with newly elected excos of the Association of Nigeria License Customs Agents.

He urged the newly elected leaders of the Association to consider their peculiar privilege in sustaining peace amongst them, which, according to him, will encourage the Service to take them as vital partners.

"I want to use this opportunity to rekindle the good understanding and peace between yourselves so that we will be able to synergize in eradicating threats against revenue collection and national security, he added.

He said that the ball is now in the coat of the executive, new management committee and, of course, the board members. I urge you to swing into action and start work because there is much to do to bring sanity and professionalism to the industry.

He said that the Nigeria Customs Service now shares the challenge of consolidating the recent victory with the association - which will clear the way for innovations in the automation of procedures and benefit authorised economic operators.

The Acting Comptroller-General told the new leaders of ANLCA that the Nigeria Customs Service is willing to collaborate with them to ensure the successful facilitation of trade, adding, We are going to hold a meeting to Customs Agents to ensure that we bring the required sanity into our operations.

On his part, Mr. Hakeem Olanrewaju, the Chairman of the Customs Consultative Committee who led the delegation, said they were at the Corporate Headquarter of the Customs to present the newly elected National Executive Council of ANLCA to the Ag. CGC.

Mr Olanrewaju, who congratulated the Ag. CGCvon his appointment by President Bola Ahmad Tinubu, also assured the CGC that the Association had been put back on the rail after having a long time of experiencing hot fracas, adding that with the intervention of the Ag. Comptroller General of Customs, the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents has embraced a collaborative peace.

He also recalled how the Nigeria Customs Service, under the stewardship of Ag. CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi approved the establishment of a Customs Consultative Committee to broker peace in the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents.

Speaking at the venue, the newly elected president of the association, Emenike Kingsley Nwokeoji, appreciated the Ag CGC for taking the bull by the horns to engineer the peace deal between the faction of the association, affirming that his team have already swung into action to move the association forward.

The president, who described the Ag. CGC as the sole competent officer to lead the Service rightly, adding that your appointment is timely and most deserving that our dear country needs the most for economic and development growth.

He, however, extolled the Ag. CGC's style of leadership as one that accommodates and understands issues at stake and promptly proffers solutions to them, adding that "in that regard, we wish to inform you that we count on you; we know your antecedent, and we hope you will count on us too, to achieve your objectives."
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested one Ms. Peace Ekom Robert, who was declared wanted over alleged involvement in serial fraudulent activities.

ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, in a statement issued on Saturday, who dismissed insinuations of life threat to the suspect, said the force acted upon credible intelligence on her whereabouts received from a concerned member of the public, enabling them to locate and apprehend Ms. Robert.

Justifying why she was declared wanted, the Police Image maker said, Despite multiple requests for her cooperation and the presence of substantial evidentiary material, Ms. Robert consistently declined to engage with the Police, and was subsequently declared a person of interest.

He added, At present, Ms. Robert is in custody, and the investigative process will continue with the utmost diligence and impartiality. Ms. Robert will be given the opportunity to present her perspective during the course of this investigation, ensuring a fair and comprehensive assessment of her involvement or lack thereof in the alleged fraudulent activities. Meanwhile, We urge members of the public who have been defrauded or have any pending case with the suspect to show up and relate with the police operatives investigating her alleged serial fraud, impersonation, and cyberstalking cases, at the Police Special Fraud Unit, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja, for diligent disposition of the case accordingly.

Upon conclusion of Police investigations into more available credible evidence, Ms Peace will be charged to court.
Fire damages pool villa in Rawai

PHUKET: A pool villa in the southern part of Phuket was damaged in a fire during the early hours of Friday (Sept 22). Details about the incident are limited to a concise report from the Rawai Municipal Fire Department. Neither the Rawai Municipality nor the Chalong police station, responsible for the area, have issued statements regarding the incident.

Safety

By The Phuket News

Saturday 23 September 2023 01:30 PM

A pool villa behind Rawai Power Oil gas station was damaged in in a fire incident on Sept 22. Photo: Rawai Fire Station Facebook

A pool villa behind Rawai Power Oil gas station was damaged in in a fire incident on Sept 22. Photo: Rawai Fire Station Facebook

A pool villa behind Rawai Power Oil gas station was damaged in in a fire incident on Sept 22. Photo: Rawai Fire Station Facebook

A pool villa behind Rawai Power Oil gas station was damaged in in a fire incident on Sept 22. Photo: Rawai Fire Station Facebook

A pool villa behind Rawai Power Oil gas station was damaged in in a fire incident on Sept 22. Photo: Rawai Fire Station Facebook

A pool villa behind Rawai Power Oil gas station was damaged in in a fire incident on Sept 22. Photo: Rawai Fire Station Facebook

A pool villa behind Rawai Power Oil gas station was damaged in in a fire incident on Sept 22. Photo: Rawai Fire Station Facebook

A pool villa behind Rawai Power Oil gas station was damaged in in a fire incident on Sept 22. Photo: Rawai Fire Station Facebook

Municipal emergency responders were alerted to the residential fire in Rawai at approximately 1.40am yesterday (Sept 22), according to a report from the Rawai Fire Station Facebook page.

The incident occurred on Soi Namjai, a small street off Wiset Rd with several holiday villas and private homes located behind the Mr. DIY store and Rawai Power Oil gas station.

Around 3.15am, the Rawai Fire Station reported that the fire had been extinguished, although the duration of the firefighting operation was not disclosed.

No casualties were reported. Pictures from the scene did not depict any ambulances. Only municipal firefighters and police officers could be confirmed as responders at the scene.

The reports did not include any details regarding the potential causes of the fire or an estimated extent of damage to the property. Visual evidence from the scene, including pictures and videos, showed a damaged poolside patio and another larger structure believed to be part of the villa proper.

Residential fires in tourist-oriented areas can result in significant losses, as illustrated by a devastating fire at a luxury villa in Cherng Talay on Feb 11, which caused estimated damages of B25 million.

The fire occurred at a villa on Soi Pasak 1 which was rented by a 48-year-old French expatriate. Phuket officials did not provide further details about who covered the losses.
Foreigner dies in Phuket airport fatal leap

PHUKET: Police officers in Phuket are investigating the death of a Swiss national who fell from the pedestrian bridge at Phuket International Airport last night (Sept 22).

tourismdeath

By The Phuket News

Saturday 23 September 2023 12:10 PM

A foreign man died in what is believed to be another suicide at Phuket International Airport. Photo: Phuket Tourist Police

Authorities were alerted to a possible suicide attempt at Phuket International Airport around 7.30pm on yesterday (Sept 22).

Police officers, first responders, and airport security personnel rushed to the scene, where they found a seriously injured foreign man lying beneath the pedestrian bridge connecting the international terminal to the parking area.

The victim, later identified as a 53-year-old Swiss national*, was immediately transported to Thalang Hospital. Despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the foreigner succumbed to his injuries.

The authorities are investigating the incident as a suicide though now final conclusion has been made so far. Phuket Tourist Police, led by Lt Col Sakkarin Anusamansakul, have not provided details regarding the potential reasons behind the mans alleged decision to take his own life.

If you or anyone you know is in need of emotional support and counseling, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand at their 24-hour hotline at 02-113-6789 (English & Thai), or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai).



*The mans name is withheld pending notification of relatives.
Karabakh rebels negotiate withdrawing their forces

KORNIDZOR (ARMENIA) - Nagorno-Karabakh separatists were expected to lay down their arms Saturday (Sept 23) under an agreement reached with the Azerbaijan government following its lightning offensive.

violence

By AFP

Saturday 23 September 2023 02:00 PM

An AFP reporter in Stepanakert said food, water, medicine and fuel were scarce. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry

Moscow confirmed that the rebels had surrendered the first weapons on Friday (Sept 22) and the process is expected to continue through the weekend, with the help of Russian peacekeepers.

Germany meanwhile called for the rights of the residents of the mountainous region to be guaranteed, as concern grew in the international community over the plight of civilians there.

Nagorno-Karabakh has been at the centre of more than three decades of conflict between Caucasus rivals Armenia and Azerbaijan since the Soviet Union collapsed.

The fighting has been marked by abuses on both sides and there are fears of a new refugee crisis.

This weeks lightning offensive by Azerbaijani forces left tens of thousands of ethnic Armenians cut off from electricity and other basics in the disputed enclave.

A spokeswoman for the breakaway region said Friday (Sept 22) that fearful civilians in the main city Stepanakert were hiding in their basements, with Azerbaijans forces camped on the outskirts.

The situation there was "horrible", said Armine Hayrapetyan.

An AFP reporter in the separatist stronghold said food, water, medicine and fuel for the panicked population were scarce and displaced people had arrived in the city from surrounding villages.

International pressure has mounted on Azerbaijan to re-open the only road leading to Armenia, dubbed the Lachin Corridor, so supplies and people can move in and out.

The separatists have said they are in Russian-mediated talks with Baku to organise the withdrawal process and the return of civilians displaced by the fighting.

They say they are discussing how citizens access to and from Nagorno-Karabakh, where up to 120,000 ethnic Armenians live, will work.

Groups including the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Action Against Hunger have expressed concern for the plight of the population in Karabakh.

And on Friday (Sept 22), German Chancellor Olaf Scholz intervened following a telephone conversation with Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

"For a sustainable resolution to the conflict, the rights and security of the population in Karabakh must be guaranteed," his spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said in a statement.

Ahead of the latest flare-up, Azerbaijan had imposed a de facto nine-month blockade, piling pressure on the region.

Baku said it had started sending in urgently needed aid on Friday (Sept 22) as it seeks to cement its grip over the region it lost control of in a war in the 1990s.

Pashinyan said the "situation remains tense" in the disputed territory despite a Russian-brokered truce largely sticking.

"There is a hope for some positive dynamics," he told a cabinet meeting Friday (Sept 22).

While the surrender of the separatists, after an offensive they said left 200 dead, has sparked jubilation among Azerbaijanis, it has put Pashinyan under increasing pressure.

He has faced stinging criticism for making concessions to Azerbaijan since losing swathes of territory in a six-week war in 2020.

Police said 98 people were arrested as anti-government demonstrators blocked streets in Yerevan on Friday, a third day of protests over the prime ministers handling of the crisis.

Pashinyan himself has blamed peacekeepers from traditional regional power broker Russia  stationed around Karabakh since 2020  for failing to avert Azerbaijans offensive.

Six Russian peacekeepers were among those killed in the violence, the Azerbaijan prosecutors office said.

Moscow is currently bogged down with its war on Ukraine, but has still played a central role in mediating the ceasefire and peace talks.
Worlds best beach in Trang set to reopen in October

TRANG: After receiving the prestigious title of the worlds best beach from the World Beach Guide earlier this year, Koh Kradan is now preparing to welcome visitors once more as it reopens its shores on October 1. The island will remain accessible until May 31 next year.

tourismenvironment

By National News Bureau of Thailand

Saturday 23 September 2023 03:01 PM

Koh Kradang is located 110 km southeast from Phuket. Photo: NNT

Situated within Hat Chao Mai National Park in Trang province, this two-kilometer-long paradise boasts fine white sand, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life. After a four-month seasonal closure, the island is ready to welcome travelers seeking natural beauty and tranquility, reports NNT.

Koh Kradans recognition is well-deserved, thanks to its pristine environment. Its azure waters are perfect for swimming and water sports, offering captivating views of coral reefs and tropical fish. During the closure, conservation efforts were prioritized to protect the islands fragile ecosystem.

Visitors can look forward to a diverse array of activities such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and pure relaxation. The available accommodation choices cater to a wide range of budgets. With the islands reopening, travelers from across the globe can once more immerse themselves in its natural beauty and timeless allure, solidifying its status as a top destination for nature enthusiasts and beach lovers.

Also to reopen on Oct 1 is Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Ley in Krabi province. The renowned Similan Islands and Surin Islands will be available to foreign and Thai tourists from Oct 15.
When busing to integrate Milwaukee's public schools started back in the late 1970s, Polly Williams wanted some say over where her oldest daughter would go. So she fought to get her daughters assignment switched from a majority-Black high school to a more integrated one, Riverside. But school officials denied the request, claiming the schools racial quota had already been met.

That rejection launched Williams on a quest that eventually set off a revolution in education and earned her the title mother of school choice as well as educations Rosa Parks. Thats right, the original school choice plan had nothing to do with religion or school competition or parental freedom. It was started by a Black Democratic mom who was not satisfied with where her daughters were being bused.

Williams ran to become a state legislator as a result of that rejection, and after many more rejections, setbacks and course corrections, she finally forged an alliance with Wisconsins Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson to push legislation authorizing the countrys first school choice program for low-income students to go to private schools. Williams brought busloads of parents, students and community activists to pack the assembly gallery during debate of the bill. She was the one who "sounded the trumpets" and "rallied the troops." After failing multiple times, the first school choice program finally passed in 1989. And by the way, all of Williams' four children eventually got to go to Riverside.

Without Polly Williams, the countrys first modern school voucher program would not exist. Without it, charter schools would not have taken off across the country as a more politically palatable alternative, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Cara Fitzpatrick writes in a new book, The Death of Public School.

Fitzpatricks provocative thesis in the book is that the proliferation of voucher programs that Williams triggered  and the explosion of charter schools she set off as states sought an alternate kind of school choice  are on their way to killing the traditional public school as we know it.

Public education in America is in jeopardy, writes Fitzpatrick. Since the coronavirus pandemic began, enrollment has declined  dramatically in some places  and some students have moved to private schools, charter schools, and home-schooling. Other students seem to have dropped out altogether, she continues, citing soaring absenteeism in public schools across the country.

But Fitzpatrick isnt necessarily arguing that this reformulation of the traditional public school is a bad thing, only that it is a very big deal, and it has been transformative.

The war over school choice has been the fiercest of this countrys education battles, because it is the most important: It is a struggle over the definition of public education, she writes. These thorny questions  about what type of education the government should pay for, whose values are reflected in schooling, and what these issues mean for society and democracy  have been waged since the countrys birth.

In addition to telling Williams' story fully for the first time, Fitzpatrick is exhaustive in detailing the rise of the movement to expand public funding for privately operated institutions, as well as the erosion of trust in traditional public schools. She notes the acceleration of school choice after the pandemic, with more than a dozen states creating or expanding voucher programs in its wake. After last years U.S. Supreme Court ruling that parents must be allowed to spend vouchers at religious as well as secular schools, more than half of all states now offer publicly funded options to help parents pay for private educations.

Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

Colorado, however, is not one of those states. Colorado voters and courts have repeatedly struck down voucher programs created at both the state and local levels, though that may change after the Supreme Court ruling. However, Colorado was one of the early adopters of charter schools. In the 2022-23 school year, 14.4% of the 883,264 students enrolled in Colorado's public school system attended 264 charter schools, according to the Colorado Department of Education, one of the highest percentages in the country.

Which begs the question: What is public school, ultimately? Is it education paid for with tax dollars even if a student goes to a private school, charter school, magnet school or is home-schooled? Or is it a school that brings Americans of all stripes and income levels together in one place? Is public school a commons, or an endless set of options giving Americans a la carte choices of exactly what they want in an education for their kids?

Its useful to go back to the mother of school choices original intent as you try to answer whether public schools are dying or just redefining themselves. Williams specific ambition was to empower low-income and working-class Black families in Milwaukee to have more control over their lives. She eventually decided education was the most important aspect to focus on.

She supported school vouchers for the poor, not for families who could afford private school, writes Fitzpatrick.

Williams was on a social justice mission. In her 10 years in the state Assembly, she worked to give the Black community more control over Milwaukee Public Schools in hopes of reversing its long record of underserving Black kids.

She eventually drove the Wisconsin school-choice lobby nuts, Fitzpatrick notes, when she publicly opposed legislation in 2011 to expand the voucher program beyond low-income families, saying it would be a thinly veiled gift to the wealthy who already send their kids to private schools.

The big question we face now is whether the revolution she set off has made our system of education for all better for all, or better for a few. Many charter schools are undoubtedly better than traditional public schools, and surely many private schools are better. But that doesnt let us off the hook. We still need to make the rest of our traditional public schools better for the 90% of American students who still attend them, including 89,000 students in Denver and 23,000 in Colorado Springs.

Let's not pretend giving parents a choice of schools solves the problem of our inadequate public schools. Having a choice of schools is good. Having universal opportunity to go to a good school is better.

Toward the end of her years, Williams expressed concern about how much her own states voucher program had expanded beyond its initial focus on equal opportunity for underserved students: It was never supposed to get this big.
Friday brought both unease and respite for Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee at the Calcutta High Court.

A single-judge bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh rejected Banerjees plea for dismissal of the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) filed against him by Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the multi-crore cash-for-school job case in West Bengal.

However, the bench granted him an interim protection against any coercive action by the ED just on the basis of the ECIR. The Justice observed that since the preliminary findings in ECIR are just based on some statements of another accused in the case Sujay Krisha Bhadra, so on the basis of that ECIR no coercive action can be taken against him for the time being.

Advertisement

Now, although the central agency will have no restriction on summoning or interrogating him in the matter, they will not be able to adopt any coercive action, including his arrest on the basis of the ECIR.

While rejecting the plea for dismissal of the ECIR, Justice Ghosh observed that since the investigation in the matter is on, the plea for dismissal is at a premature stage and hence the court will not give any direction at this stage.

The order comes a day after Banerjee told newspersons in New Delhi that he submitted his property and bank account details to ED way back in 2020 when he went to the central agency office for the first time.

I had been summoned by the central agencies five times, out of which four times were by ED and once by CBI. My wife has been summoned four times. I do not give importance to ED a CBI anymore, he said.
The state virtually heaved a sigh of relief after the 33- year-old youth, undergoing treatment at the state-run Infectious Disease (ID) Hospital at Beliaghata showing symptoms of Nipah virus, tested negative on Friday.

The first Nipah virusinfected case in West Bengal was recorded in Nadia district in 2007 and since then no such case was there in the state.

Samples of his nasal and throat swabs and blood were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for Nipah virus infection confirmatory test on Wednesday. All the samples were tested Nipah negative at the NIV.

Advertisement

Sources at the health department said, the NIV conveyed the test report to Swasthya Bhaban today.

The patient of East Burdwan district recently returned home from Kerala where the Nipah virus has claimed two lives and affected many others. The youth, a migrant worker, had gone there several months ago.

He was admitted to the Calcutta National Medical College Hospital (CNMCH) at Park Circus with high fever, vomiting tendency, lung infections, swelling on legs and headache.

Doctors at the CNMCH referred him to the ID Hospital considering his travel history to the Nipahaffected Kerala.

An administrative official at the ID Hospital said that the patient is under medical observation. We are relieved because his samples were tested negative at the NIV in Pune. He might be discharged from the hospital after a couple of days.
In the elections for the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU), ABVP emerged victorious in three seats, with NSUI securing one.

Tushar Dedha, Aprajita, and Sachin Baisla from ABVP were elected as President, Secretary, and Joint-Secretary respectively. NSUIs Abhi Dahiya emerged victorious as Vice-President.

President Dedha expressed his joy, stating, ABVPs recent endeavors for the betterment of students are the reason behind our clear majority in this election. He further emphasized that winning the elections held every four years serves as evidence of ABVPs consistent dedication to resolving students issues.

Advertisement

Tushar secured an impressive victory with 3115 votes. Dahiya clinched his position with a significant lead of 1829 votes. Aprajita and Sachin Baisla achieved resounding wins, garnering 12,937 and 9995 votes respectively.

Aprajita has given her assurance to female students, affirming that ABVP will provide continuous support and prioritize the resolution of challenges they encounter.

The voting took place on September 22nd and a voting turnout of 42% was observed. Results were announced today amidst rain-soaked celebrations by supporters.

ABVP also exhibited strong performance in various college elections, clinching the majority of seats and winning in 34 colleges.
Amid diplomatic row between India and Canada over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the National Investigative Agency (NIA) on Saturday confiscated the property of banned Sikhs For Justice (SJF) outfit head Gurpatwant Singh Pannun under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Pannun is the current head of US-based secessionist group SJF which openly calls for the secession of Punjab from India. His organization is banned in India but he continues to find shelter in the US, UK and Canada. He was designated a terrorists by Indian government in 2020.

The NIA has confiscated his Chandigarh residence and agricultural land in his ancestral village of Khankot in Punjab. He is wanted in India in a terror related case registered against him in 2020, the same year he was designated a terrorist.

Advertisement

1/4th share of house no. #2033 Sector 15-C, Chandigarh, owned by Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a proclaimed offender in NIA case RC- 19/2020/NIA/DLI, stands confiscated to the state under section 33(5) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 by orders of the NIA special court, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, Dated 14/09/2023. This is for information of general public, an NIA notice pasted outside his home and agricultural land read.

The development has come in the backdrop of a massive diplomatic row between India and Canada over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another Canada-based Khalistani terrorist. Nijjar was killed by two masked gunmen in the parking lot of a Gurudwara in Surrey, Canada on June 18.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has alleged the role of an Indian government agent in Nijjars killing, a claim vehemently rejected by India as absurd and politically driven.

Trudeaus allegations triggered a massive backlash of Canadian government from India. New Delhi accused him of turning a blind eye towards Khalistani extremists who openly incite violence against India and threaten Indian diplomats in the country.

Following Trudeaus allegations, Pannun threatened Indian Hindus in Canada to leave the country. The Khalistani terrorist has also announced to hold massive protests outside Indian consulates in Ottawa, Torronto and Vancouver on September 25.
After The ban on internet services in violence-hit Manipur will be lifted from Today as the Northeastern state slowly returns to normalcy, Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced on Saturday.

Both mobile and broadband internet services were snapped in Manipur on May 3 when the state witnessed first spell of ethnic violence between Meitei and KuKi communities. Later, the ban on broadband services was partially lifted under some conditions.

As precautionary measure to prevent the spread of rumours and videos, photos, messages, which might affect the law and order situation of the state, the state government imposed a ban on internet. But from Today onwards, the internet ban will be lifted, the chief minister said.

Advertisement

The announcement has come a day after Biren Singh governments warning to those who have in their possession illegal weapons looted from police stations during the violence. The government asked them to submit such weapons in 15 days.

At the end of the 15 days, security forces, both the central and state will undertake a strong and comprehensive search operation all over the state to recover such weapons, and all persons associated with any illegal weapons will be dealt with severely, as per law, a government press release said.
As India and Canada remain locked in an intense diplomatic row over a Khalistani terrorists murder, Indian Hindus living in Canada have become soft target of extremists. Ever since the row over killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar broke out, Canadian Hindus of Indian descent are being bullied, threatened and asked to leave by Khalistani terrorists, who enjoy a free run under Justin Trudeaus government.

Nijjar, whom New Delhi designated a terrorist in 2020, was shot dead by two masked gunmen in the parking lot of a Gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian governments link in his killing, a charge strongly denied by India as absurd and politically motivated.

Trudeaus credible allegations sans proof vitiated the atmosphere in Canada as sympathisers of terrorist Nijjar, who was Sikh, started threatening Hindus of Indian origin. Banned separatist outfit SFJs current head Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who was also an associate of Nijjar, released a video asking Hindus to leave Canada.

Advertisement

Pannun is wanted in India in connection with terror related case registered against him in 2020. Several politicians and officials of Canada have reacted to Pannuns video after it went viral. While they all denounced the hate video against Hindus, none of them called out Pannun for spreading hatred and openly inciting violence against Hindus. They didnt even singled out the video of the SFJ head by name.

Dominic LeBlanc, Canadas minister of public safety, democratic institutions and intergovernmental affairs, took to social media to and said that the viral hate video is against Canadian values.

There is no place for acts of aggression, hate, intimidation or incitement of fear, the minister wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. He didnt mention Pannun, the man who released the Hindu hate video.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Public Safety Canada also echoed LeBlancs sentiments. However, the SFJ head was not mentioned by them either.

In recent days, we have seen hateful comments targeting Hindus in Canada. Conservatives condemn these comments against our Hindu neighbours and friends. Hindus have made invaluable contributions to every part of our country and will always be welcome here, Poilievre wrote on X.

The government of India has also termed Canada a safe haven for Khalistani terrorists, extremists and anti-India activities. Ottawas fear and inability to call a spade a spade is probably what has hurt the otherwise historically well-connected Indo-Canadian ties.

If were talking about reputational damage, if there is one country that needs to look at this, I think it is Canada and its growing reputation as a safe haven for terrorists, for extremists and for organized crime, said Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson for Indias Ministry of External Affairs.

Nijjar was also a Khalistani terrorists and New Delhi had informed Canada about his evil designs of hatred against India on several occasion. Ottawa, however, chose not to act against him and several more like him, who continue to live freely across Canada.
In the wake of the CPI-Ms allegation that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sleuths tortured P R Aranvindhakshan and forced him to make a statement against CPI-M leader AC Moideen MLA, Suresh M V, the whistleblower in the case, has urged the ED to shift the arrested accused to a jail outside the state after their custody is period over.

Speaking to media persons in Trissur, Suresh said with the case reaching a major milestone with the questioning of various stakeholders, top party leaders would attempt to sabotage it by influencing the accused.

He said the police probe into the allegation that the ED sleuths have tortured Wadakkanchery councillor P R Aranvindhakshan is only the beginning of the CPI-Ms bid to sabotage the probe

Advertisement

The CPI-M on Friday alleged the ED was trying to fabricate evidence against CPM in the Karuvannur Co-operative bank fraud case. He alleged that the ED sleuths manhandled Aravindakshan and forced him to make a statement that he saw AC Moideen carrying a sack full of money.

In this connection, the Kochi city police are yet to take a decision on booking the Enforcement Directorate sleuths who allegedly assaulted a CPM councillor while questioning him in connection with the money laundering in the Karuvannur Service Cooperative Bank scam.

The Ernakulam Central Police, which received a complaint from P R Aravindakshan, a councillor in Wadakkanchery municipality, has sought legal advice on whether to register an FIR on the allegation. The ED has questioned Aravindakshan multiple times on the suspicion that he is a close aide of prime accused Satheeshkumar. Aravindakshan filed a complaint on Wednesday, alleging that three ED officials tortured him mentally and physically during the interrogation.

Earlier, when the crime branch had registered two cases against ED officials for allegedly forcing key accused in the 2020 diplomatic channel gold smuggling case, to give statements against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Kerala High Court had quashed the FIRs. Scrapping the FIRs, the High Court held that police should have approached the Special PMLA Court, which is considering the cases related to the money trail in the gold smuggling, seeking remedy to their grievances that the ED officials were fabricating evidence

It is reported that fraud of more than Rs 500 crore has taken place in Karuvannur cooperative Bank in Thrissur.. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is currently conducting a probe on the scam. Over 12,000 depositors are still in distress. Those who deposited huge amounts are still queuing up before the bank to get back their hard-earned money

It has been reported that the ED in its probe has collected evidence that points to several people who carried out black money transactions, totalling Rs 500 crore, through the accounts of Satheesh Kumar, who is a key accused in the case.
Himachal Pradesh state government will review the Dam Safety Act, afresh and improve it in view of the recent disaster caused due to rain fury. The Chief Minister stated this while responding to the question of MLA Vipin Singh Parmar during the Question Hour in the State Assembly on Saturday.

The Chief Minister said that the current Dam Safety Act currently has a safety plan for the catchment area, but there is no such plan for the area beyond the dam.

He said that this time after the release of water from Pong Dam by BBMB, the state had to face heavy flood like situation in Fatehpur and Indora assembly segments.

Advertisement

The Chief Minister said that there is no provision in the existing dam safety to avoid this and in view of this, the government has decided to review the Dam Safety Act.

He said that the government has given notices to 21 dam managements for non-compliance of the Dam Safety Act.

Earlier, in response to the original question, Vipin Singh Parmar said that at present electricity is being produced in 173 hydro power projects in the state.

Of these projects, only 23 projects come under the purview of the Dam Safety Act.

The Chief Minister said that as per the provisions of the Golden Jubilee Energy Policy 2021 notified by the state government, safety inspection of all hydro power projects is done regularly before starting the operation of the project and in the 10th, 20th, 30th, 35th and 40th year of operation.

He said that the state government is currently getting royalty of Rs 1800 crore every year from hydro power projects located in the state.

The state has a power capacity of 25 thousand MW, out of which 11 thousand MW has been harnessed, he informed.

In response to another question by MLA Sanjay Ratan, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that an amount of Rs 6.93 crore was spent on the Amrit Mahotsav organized during the tenure of the former BJP government.

This Amrit Mahotsav was celebrated on the occasion of completion of 75 years of independence under the scheme of the Central Government.

He said that the former BJP government made it a political programme, instead the freedom fighters who participated in the freedom movement and their families should have been invited.

Sukhu said that whenever his government organizes such a programme, the freedom fighters and their families will be honoured.

Speaking on this issue, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur asked the government whether the state government can refuse to organize any such program of the Central Government.

He said that the Congress government has stopped the honorarium being given to Loktantra Prahari, which the government should immediately restore.
In the ongoing Indus water dispute, India recently participated in a two-day meeting held in Vienna, Austria to discuss Indus Waters Treaty. The meeting, convened by a neutral expert, aimed to address the long-standing disagreement between India and Pakistan regarding the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects situated in the region of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Indian delegation, led by the secretary of the Department of Water Resources, attended this significant gathering at the permanent court of arbitration in Vienna on September 20 and 21. India was represented by the eminent Senior Advocate Harish Salve KC, who played the pivotal role of lead counsel during the proceedings. Pakistan also had its representatives present at the meeting.

Indias take on Indus Waters Treaty:

The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement clarifying Indias stance in the matter. According to the statement, Indias participation in the meeting aligns with its unwavering position, emphasizing the importance of the neutral expert proceedings as the valid and endorsed means of addressing the dispute, as per the graded mechanism outlined in the Indus Waters Treaty.

Advertisement

India reiterated its decision to abstain from engaging in parallel proceedings conducted by an irregularly constituted Court of Arbitration that also deals with the issues pertaining to the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects. India asserts that this parallel process contradicts the prescribed three-step graded mechanism, which is an integral part of the Indus Waters Treaty, designed to resolve such disputes.

With Senior Advocate Harish Salve leading the way, India has maintained its commitment to resolving the Indus water dispute through the neutral expert proceedings, emphasizing the significance of adhering to the treatys established mechanisms.

In summary, Indias participation in the Vienna meeting underscores its steadfast adherence to the principles of the Indus Waters Treaty, emphasizing the need for the neutral expert proceedings to address the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects dispute, while simultaneously refraining from participating in parallel arbitration processes that deviate from the treatys prescribed framework.
Multiple local teachers are turning to the state for help and confronting officials at a rural El Paso County school district for "gross negligence" after they and other staff members were allegedly "red-flagged" for tax fraud.

Employees with Hanover School District 28, southeast of Colorado Springs, say they have filed dozens of grievances alleging that they have not received tax refunds and have faced fines by the Internal Revenue Service after the district failed to submit employees W-2 forms to the federal agency nearly every year since 2018.

While the grievances were not an agenda item at the D-28 Board of Educations regular meeting Wednesday evening, more than 60 people packed into the administration building in support of the staff members who addressed the board through public comments.

Abby Engel, a former head cook at Prairie Heights Elementary and who left the district this summer, told The Gazette that employees began receiving notifications last spring that the IRS would be holding their tax refunds while it investigated missing wage and tax statements, and that those employees were officially fraudulent in their tax payments from 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

When filing her taxes for the first year of her employment with the district, 2020, Engel said she thought it was a fluke when she found she owed a large sum in taxes because the district had not taken them from her paychecks throughout the year.

While she said she did not personally face fines that year, others who were not able to cover the unexpected costs were penalized by the IRS.

We had enough money to cover the taxes and then the next year  I changed my W-4 (form) to have taxes taken out, Engel said. But, that still wasnt happening the next school year, so we started putting money aside to make sure that our taxes were going to be covered.

Another current district employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the IRS told them that the COVID-19 pandemic had created a backlog of investigations, causing D-28s employees tax filings to be flagged only recently.

In April, interim Superintendent Mark Koopman met with each Prairie Heights Elementary employee who had filed a grievance with the district, but employees discovered that their grievances had been closed with no follow-up, and that Patricia Petrukitas, D-28 director of business, services and human resources, would be allowed to conduct her own audit, affected employees told The Gazette.

(The district) tends to take care of everything in-house, very hush-hush, Engel said. It just didn't sit well with me. Wheres the accountability? Wheres the responsibility?

Engel said she attended a school board meeting in April and read aloud a letter of grievances signed by the affected staff.

She said she learned soon after, during her end-of-year review, that her contract with the district would not be renewed.

I never had any write-ups and I had two years of good reviews, Engel said. I was pretty blindsided by it, because there was not even a plan of improvement or anything like that.

I was assured that it would be fine, and that I wouldn't face any sort of retribution, but it definitely doesn't feel that way, Engels added.

Engel said that an IRS agent in August confirmed with her and others via phone calls that the service did not have income reported through W-2 forms from the district for the years 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022 and that several employees were officially fraudulent in their tax filings.

On Wednesday, Pikes Peak Education Association member Chris Idzik spoke on behalf of the employees and told board members that some D-28 employees' spouses who maintain military-related security clearances could also risk losing their clearance due to red flagging by the IRS.

That's someone's livelihood, it's very hard to get it cleared up, Idzik told the board. We just are here because we want the answers. We don't see ill (or) bad intent, but we're here just to get to the bottom of it  and we're here to support you in this investigation.

Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

According to emails shared with The Gazette, multiple state agencies have received and are reviewing the complaints.

An email from a consumer engagement specialist with the Colorado Attorney Generals Office told Engel on Sept. 15 that the office received and will obtain information in her official complaint against D-28.

On Monday, Colorado Department of Education representative Sheldon Rosencrance said in an email shared with The Gazette that he had forwarded the complaint to CDEs Finance and Operations Division to identify supports that (CDE) can provide such as an assigned field representative and contact with D-28.

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment has also received the complaint, according to an email dated Sept. 15.

State Rep. Marc Snyder, a former Manitou Springs mayor and current House District 18 representative, attended the Wednesday meeting per request, Idzik said. Snyder is planning to run for the state Senate next year.

State Rep. Rod Bockenfeld, R-Watkins, told Engel in an email on Monday that he had forwarded her complaint to state auditor Kerri Hunter. In an emailed response, Hunter said that while the Legislative Audit Committee does not have authority to audit local governments and school districts, she could confirm that D-28 is up to date on audit submissions and received a clean opinion from its 2022 auditor.

As possible steps that we can take, we can reach out to the (fiscal year) 2022 auditor to determine if that individual is also conducting the School District's (fiscal year) 2023 audit and, if so, bring these issues up to them for their consideration in their risk assessment and possible testing, Hunter said in an email to Bockenfeld.

We can also contact the appropriate individual at the Department of Education who works with the various school districts to ensure that they are aware of the allegations, Hunter said.

At the meeting on Wednesday, employees requested that Petrukitas, the D-28 business director, be placed on leave during an external forensic audit process and that a fund be set up to support employees who may face "future tax problems."

Employees also requested that they be paid interest on refunds that have not been received on time or at all.

Current superintendent Paul Calvert told employees that he met with a Colorado Springs-based certified public accountant Wednesday and that she is currently in the "data-gathering phase" of an independent audit.

"The whole intent is to diagnose any issues or things that are going wrong, fix those issues, remedy any practices that are needed and to assist all employees with anything that we can to the best of our ability," Calvert said.

After board treasurer Ed Sweazy stated that he had only first heard of the issue roughly two weeks ago, several attendees walked out of the meeting in protest.

Engel said the district failed to show proof of W-2 submissions by the requested deadline of Sept. 1 and again on Sept. 5. On Sept. 8, the district reportedly sent proof that their W-2 forms for 2020, 2021 and 2022  but not 2018  had been submitted as of Sept. 6. Staff members also have submitted 18 new grievances as of Sept. 15 to address further lapses in financial duties, employees said.

A special board meeting has been scheduled at the D-28 administrative building, located at 17050 S. Peyton Highway, on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. ahead of the next regular board meeting on Oct. 11.

District officials did not indicate whether the complaint would be discussed at the special meeting.
In the wake of the strained relations between India and Canada, Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar on Saturday urged the Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to set up a helpline to address the concerns of Indian citizens and students in Canada.

In a letter to Jaishankar, Jakhar also urged the Union minister to issue a detailed statement listing out various steps and measures being taken by the Centre for the welfare of Indian citizens in Canada.

He said since Punjabis form the biggest number of our citizens residing in Canada, it would go a long way in assuaging the sense of deep anxiety, panic and indecision prevailing amongst them.

Advertisement

The BJP leader said as most NRIs settled in Canada visit their relatives in India during this time at the onset of winter abroad, they are genuinely anxious about the unfolding situation.

In view of the above and in the interest of our citizens, I would urge your good office to issue a detailed statement listing out various steps and measures being taken by the Government of India for the welfare of our citizens in Canadaa big part of which is our students with a timeline until the eventual resolution of this issue. This, I am sure, would go a long way in assuaging the sense of deep anxiety, panic and indecision prevailing amongst our people living in Canada. An assurance from your office would certainly lay to rest the doubts and insecurity of our students who are rightfully concerned about their study plans, Jakhar wrote.

Besides, a dedicated Helpline Number on which NRIs and students can contact and seek help from Indian Consulates, the BJP leader said a WhatsApp number can be released for Indian students planning to go abroad to get in touch with authorities in case of need and guidance.

I am sure our Consulates are seized of the situation in its fullest extent and that the GoI is already undertaking all measures to ensure travel permission to all those who wish to visit their homes in India, I would underscore the urgent need to also factor in educational plans of thousands of students waiting in India to leave for their courses to begin in Canada. Punjabis form the biggest number of our citizens residing in Canada. I am sure you are equally concerned and seized of the matter and would ensure the safety and security of our citizens, Jakhar added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hailed the role of the legal fraternity in nation building and said that lawyers and judiciary have been the patron of Indias law and order situation.

Addressing the International Lawyers Conference 2023 at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi, PM Modi, The legal fraternity plays a very important role in the building of any country. For years, the judiciary and Bar have been the patron of Indias law and order.

The prime minister also said that his government is thinking of bringing new laws in two languages  one that legal fraternity is used to and the other which common man can understand.

Advertisement

We in the Indian government are thinking that law should be produced in two ways. One draft will be in the language you are used to The second draft will be in a language which the countrys common man can understand. He should consider the law his own, the prime minister said.

Prime Minister Modi also congratulated the Supreme Court for providing the operative parts of its judgments in several regional languages. I congratulate the Supreme Court of Bharat for providing operative parts of the judgements in the litigants language, PM Modi said.

The prime minister also reiterated his governments ambition of making India a developed country by 2047 and highlighted the importance of independent judiciary in achieving that goal.

We are working towards becoming a developed (nation) by 2047. For this, an unbiased, strong, and independent judiciary is needed I am hoping that through this conference, we can all learn from each other, he added.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan on Saturday came out heavily against the CPI-M leadership for their alleged attempt to justify the fraudsters who looted crores of rupees deposited by common people in Karuvannur Cooperative Bank in Thrissur.

Speaking to media persons here, Muralidharan asked as to why senior CPI-M leader AC Moideen is skipping ED interrogation if he had done nothing wrong in the Karuvannur bank scam.

Stating that ED has not registered any false case against anyone and only thieves should be afraid of ED, Muralidharan warned that those who looted the life savings of the poor would not be spared.

Advertisement

He said the CPI-Ms attempts to portray the Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into Karuvannur Cooperative Bank scam as harassment by the Central Government, would not have any takers in the state.

The Union Minister said that the Chief Minister has dubbed the ED investigation into the multi crore Karuvannur Cooperative Bank scam as an act of harassment by the Central Government.

Keep such accusations to your-self. It is the poor who deposited their hard-earned money in the Cooperative Banks. After looting the poor peoples money, the Chief Minister, Ministers, and the party secretary are justifying it, Muralidharan said.

Responding to CPI-M state secretary MV Govindans allegation that the ED sleuths manhandled Wadakkanchery Municipality councillor PV Aravindakshan and forced him to make a statement that he saw AC Moideen carrying a sack full of Indian currency notes, Muralidharan said: He (MV Govindan) should not test the intelligence of the common people of Kerala like this.

The EDs questioning and other procedures are recorded on camera. Those who have any doubts can approach the courts. Never think that the ED will run away in fear. No one, who is involved in the scam, will be spared, the Union Minister said.

Speaking on the monthly-pay off allegation, he said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has not yet been able to explain what services rendered by his daughter Veenas company had the mining company CMRL made payment to it.

It is reported that the fraud of more than Rs 500 crore has taken place in Karuvannur Cooperative Bank in Thrissur. Over 12,000 depositors are in distress.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has said that it was unfortunate that the BJP has not taken any appropriate action against its South Delhi MP Ramesh Bidhuri for his unparliamentary remarks against her party MP Danish Ali in Lok Sabha.

During a debate on Chandrayaan 3s success in Lok Sabha on Thursday, Bidhuri hurled abuses and religious slurs against BSP MP Danish Ali. While his remarks were expunged from the records, the incident triggered a massive political row with Opposition parties demanding suspension of the BJP leader.

Although the speaker has removed from the record the objectionable remarks made by the BJP MP from Delhi against BSP MP Shri Danish Ali in the House and has also warned him and the senior minister has apologized in the House, but it is sad that the party has not yet taken appropriate action against him, Mayawati wrote on X.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, Danish Ali and at least four other Opposition parties have written to speaker seeking action against Bidhuri under rule 227 of the rules of procedure and conduct of business in Lok Sabha.

Ali even said that he is considering leaving Parliament if action is not taken against the BJP MP. According to reports, the BJP is likely to take some action against Bidhuri. BJP national president JP Nadda has issued a showcause notice to his party MP over the incident.

While Opposition is supporting Ali in hopes of bringing Mayawati onboard their INDIA bloc, the BJP wouldnt want to take the risk of upsetting the BSP chief either. Mayawati has so far denied being part of both INDIA bloc and NDA but both the Opposition and BJP would want her to be on their side.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Saturday that the power of mothers and sisters has played a protective role highlighting their strength as his security shield.

The prime minister conveyed the message during the Nari Shakti Vandan Abhinandan event held at Sampurnanand Maidan in Varanasi.

Confronting the Opposition on the occasion, he pointed out that its because of their delay in passing this Bill, it had been pending for three decades. He remarked that current political parties are unsettled due to the united might of mothers and sisters.

Advertisement

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his appreciation to the prime minister, representing the influence of women within the state, for the successful passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Act in Parliament.

He acknowledged that over the past nine and a half years, the government has prioritized policies keeping mothers and sisters at the forefront. During the event, womens groups who had benefited from various schemes warmly greeted the Prime Minister.

In his address, the PM said Kashi holds a sacred status as the city of Mother Kushmanda, Mother Shringar Gauri, Mother Annapurna and Mother Ganga.

The glory of mother power is attached to every corner of this place. Additionally, Vindhyavasini Devi is near Banaras, adding to the divine aura. Kashi has stood witness to the virtuous endeavours and adept governance of Goddess Ahilyabai Holkar. The enactment of the Nari Shakti Vandan Act has significantly amplified the fervour of Navratri this year. This legislation is a pathway towards the advancement of women across the nation, promising an augmented presence of women in the Lok Sabha and Assemblies, he asserted.

He emphasised that womens leadership can serve as a contemporary model for the entire world. We are the people who worship Mother Parvati and Ganga before Mahadev. Our Kashi is the birthplace of a heroine like Rani Laxmibai. From freedom fighters like Lakshmi Bai to the women scientists who spearheaded Mission Chandrayaan, we have consistently showcased the influential role of womens leadership throughout history, he remarked.

The prime minister highlighted that this legislation had been awaiting approval for three decades. Today, both houses of Parliament witnessed a remarkable shift, as even those political parties that previously opposed it now rallied in support of the law.

He said the Nari Shakti Vandan Act is a programme with a comprehensive vision. We want to establish a system where women can progress independently without relying on anyone. For this, it is necessary to strengthen cultural values and the law. Therefore, this law has been named Nari Shakti Vandan Act. Some people have a problem with the word Vandan in this also. What will we do if we dont salute our mothers and sisters? These people do not understand the meaning of worshipping womens power. We must move forward on the development path by avoiding such negative thinking. The country will continue to move forward, and make such significant decisions, he said.

During the event, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered an inspiring message, saying, Nasti Matrisama Chhaya Nasti Matrisama Gatih, Nasti Matrisama Tranam Nasti Matrisama Praya, emphasising the incomparable value of a mother. He highlighted that no one can compare to a mothers shadow, support, protection, or affection. Adityanath praised the dramatic developments in India over the last nine years under Prime Minister Modis leadership. He noted the Prime Ministers visit to Kashi in the aftermath of the enactment of the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, which aims to empower half of Indias population, with a particular emphasis on the strength of women. Since 2014, significant efforts have been made toward womens empowerment, including projects such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and Mission Indradhanush, which aim to improve womens safety and opportunities.

During the event, women who had benefited from the PM Swanidhi Yojana warmly welcomed the Prime Minister by presenting him with flower garlands. Additionally, beneficiaries of the Urban Livelihood Mission and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana presented flowers and Tulsi plants to the PM. Those aided by the Ayushman Yojana donated womens clothing whereas the beneficiaries of the Fair Price Vendor scheme gifted him a Ganpati idol, symbolising their wish for good health and a long life for the prime minister.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge pointed out that while the Modi Government failed to invite President Dauapadi Murmu for the inauguration of the new Parliament building, it had not invited former president Ram Nath Kovind for its foundation-laying ceremony because he was an untouchable.

Pouring out his anger at the NDA Government at the Centre, the Congress president said, If the foundation stone-laying ceremony was done by an untouchable, they would have to wash the building with Gangajal (Ganga water). This is an insult to the President.

Kharge was addressing 60,000 Congress partys block- and district-level functionaries in Rajasthan ahead of the assembly elections due in December in the state.

Advertisement

Only President Murmu was not invited to attend the ceremony and visit the new Sansad Bhavan while buses-loads of guests, including VVIPs and film personalities, were allowed to visit to feliciate the prime minister with wah-wah Modiji.

He said the Sansad was meant for discussion on national issues, not an exhibition ground to seek personal wishes, flower petals and take selfies.

On targeted raids on the Opposition by Central agencies, Kharge said, BJP not only fields one but two-three candidates against us in the elections. One is the BJP candidate, another is the ED, and yet another is the CBI or other probe agency. We have to contest and win against them all. Whenever the Congress holds a meeting, conclave or the Congress-ruled states invite important meetings, on the very day or the next day, they (the NDA) send teams of the CBI, the ED, or the IT for bullying us. Against all the odds, the Congress will repeat itself in Rajasthan.

Promising implementation of the womens reservation Bill, Kharge said it was the Rajiv Gandhi government that brought the Bill for the first time. He pointed out that at that time, it was opposed by the same people who are now in the government. If the BJP comes to power again, it will revive the Manu era and you will again become slaves. Do you want to be a slave again, he asked.

He called on the party functionaries and public if they want to save the democracy and the Indian constitution, and remove a gap between the poor and the rich, and public sectors disinvestment, they have to get votes for the Congress in the upcoming assembly polls in the states.

Stating that the Congress does what it pledges, Kharge alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a jumla-making person who could not provide jobs to two crore people and failed to deposit Rs 15 lakh in the accounts of the common man going against the promise he made in 2014 and 2019 LS polls.

He hailed the Gehlot Governments multipurpose flagship schemes which included free medical and health care, the right to health, the minimum income guarantee, an Old age pension scheme, relaxation in power bills for domestic and farmers, loan waiver packages to peasants, and numerous job employments.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, PCC President Govind Singh Dotasara, and former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot were among others who addressed the mammoth gathering.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has claimed that Ottawa has shared evidence of his credible allegations linking agents of Indian government with the June 18 killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar with India weeks ago.

Addressing a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trudeau said, Canada has shared the credible allegations  that I talked about on Monday  with India. We did that many weeks ago.

The Canadian PM further said that Ottawa is there to work constructively with India to get to the bottom of the issue.

Advertisement

We are there to work constructively with India and we hope that they engage with us so that we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter, he added.

Trudeaus claim came a day after External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that India is willing to work with the Canadian government but they have not provided any evidence or specific information they claim to posses with India.

Earlier, India vehemently rejected Trudeaus claims and termed his allegations absurd and politically driven. This allegations made in the Canadian Parliament also resulted in a massive diplomatic row with both countries expelling each others diplomats.

India has also suspended visa services for Canadian citizens even if they live in other countries.

Nijjar was a designated terrorist and killed by two masked gunmen in the parking lot of a Gurudwara in Surrey on June 18 early this year.

According to Indian intelligence agencies, the Khalistan leader was involved in anti-Indian activities of violent nature. He was in close contact with Pakistani intelligence agency ISI.
Why Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scared of conducting a caste census? This is the question asked by Rahul Gandhi while addressing Rajasthan PCC functionaries at a huge rally here at Mansarovar grounds.

Underscoring the significance of the caste census in the country, the Congress leader said it is essential to determine the exact number of OBCs, Dalits, and tribals.

Assuring that the Congress would implement the womens reservation Bill if voted to power in the 2024 general elections, he said that the purpose of the Modi Government behind calling a special session of Parliament was to change the name of the country from India to Bharat.

Advertisement

However, when the PM assessed that the public mood was not in favour of the name change, he brought the Womens Reservation Bill, and got it cleared with the support of the INDIA bloc in both Houses of Parliament, he alleged.

In this context, he read out the preamble of the constitution that reads: India that is Bharat.

Gandhi said the entire Opposition supported the Womens Reservation Bill with the hope of seeing its implementation right away, but the BJP wanted to delay the implementation by ten years.

In a recently-held LS session, when I did research, I came to know what is the participation of OBC, Dalit, and tribal classes in our institutions. Todays India is run by 90 people. Todays India is run by the Prime Minister along with 90 officers. There are the secretaries of every ministry. The Prime Minister talks about OBCs, but out of these 90 officers, only 3 are OBCs. These 3 secretaries take 5 percent of the budget decisions, and they too are cornered in the office, he recalled.

Gandhi said, The caste census is necessary to give proper representation to every class in India. The census will reveal how many people belong to which class in India. We talk about giving participation to OBCs, but until the number of OBCs is not known, how will the work be done? Why is the Prime Minister afraid of the caste census? We had conducted this census, you have the figures, put those figures before the people of India and also get the caste census conducted in the next census. Dont insult OBC. Modi is neither able to talk about Adani nor about OBCs.

He said if the Modi Government wants a fresh census, it should be the caste census. He pleaded not to ditch the OBCs and women who, he said, deserve quota benefits in Parliament.

Lauding the Gehlot Government in Rajasthan for introducing 3,600 English medium schools at village level, he said, Recently, BJP leaders were giving speeches against English. I asked them where their children study. Their children study English medium. BJP leaders want their children to study in English while the children of the poor should not study English. They want to create two Indias, one for the poor and while the other for the rich, he pointed out.

On his recent interaction with porters at the Anand Vihar railway station, he said they were happy that the Gehlot Government ensured the best medical healthcare in the state.

Rahul made an appeal to the party functionaries to popularise the Gehlot Governments 10 flagship schemes and ask the Opposition BJP leaders why the Modi Government was afraid of conducting a caste census based on OBC/Dalit/Tribals.
The periodic eruption of the debate over the appropriateness of the China-India comparison prompts the following reminder for those overstating Indias heft, even if with the best of intentions. Communist China is in the position it is in today as the sole challenger to American post-World War hegemony because of its unprecedented three-decade average rate of growth of approximately 10 per cent between 1990-2020. India can neither in its own interest afford ~ nor will the world accept ~ a 21st century redux version of the so-called Chinese model of development which was accompanied by a simultaneous ravishing of natural resources and the widespread suppression of citizens rights. Instead, an effective management of the quadruple transition covering social, economic, environmental, and political spheres to drive well-rounded growth which puts a premium on HDIs must be the Indian priority. This would be the true meaning of the shift from a GDP-centric view of the world to a human-centric one that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong case for at the recently concluded G20 summit in Delhi. Beijing has had significant success in drawing emerging markets and lower middle-income countries which have their own developmental imperatives into its thrall. Competing with China in the development space is a no-gain area for India, and pressurising other developing nations to let go of Chinese funds ~ debt trap or not ~ will only put their backs up. It is, therefore, heartening to note two discernible trends in Indias policy towards the emerging multipolar world order which need to be pushed along. First, doubling down on the G20 as the global forum for the worlds significant and emerging powers ~ to which the African Union has been an excellent addition ~ is the sensible way forward for an intermediate power such as India to negotiate a turbulent geopolitical environment wherein international institutions are unreformed and increasingly unreformable. And this must be pursued beyond Indias presidency of the grouping. It would go some way in mitigating the unfavourable-to-Indian-interests BRICS expansion as well as Chinas domination of blocs such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) by drawing many of the new and putative BRICS members into a tighter G20 embrace. It is by far the better strategy than what would have been a diplomatically churlish and strategically selfdefeating tactic by India had it opposed the invitation to new members into BRICS as the other member-states were all for the move. Secondly, as the G20 summit exhibited, the grouping allows for innovative, custom-made engagement models with developing and developed countries. The US-backed India-West Asia-European Union trade and connectivity corridor ~ which found immediate favour with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Israel, Italy, Greece and France ~ can and should be expanded to include viable sub-Saharan, East, and North African states. Similarly, the initiative to export Indias digital public infrastructure model to G20 member-states and adapt it to suit local conditions has elicited genuine interest. Additionally, the Global Biofuels Alliance launched at the G20 summit has the potential to incentivise green growth and achieve net zero targets without forgoing economic development for many nations. Only when these and other initiatives come to fruition should an India-China comparison even be attempted.

Advertisement
There are more discussions that a so-called new Cold War is on the way. Similar to the Sovietled communist bloc during the Cold War era, which confronted the US-led capitalist bloc, North Korea, China and Russia could form an international bloc against the USled one.

North Korean leader Kim Jonguns recent visit to Russia drew attention because it was an opportunity to promote discussions of the new Cold War further. North Korea and Russia have mocked the UN Security Councils resolution to impose sanctions on North Korea and the international communitys condemnation of Russia. North Korea strongly hinted that it would provide conventional weapons, including 155 millimetre artillery shells, to Russia, which is at war with Ukraine. Russia has half-exposed its plan to provide advanced military technologies such as submarine missile launch tubes, ballistic missile reentry vehicles, multiple warhead missiles and hypersonic missiles, starting with the reconnaissance satellite launch vehicles needed by North Korea.

These moves of the leaders of North Korea and Russia are aimed at the US. It can be interpreted as an obvious rejection of the role of the US as manager of the international order. Therefore, it is unsurprising to see Kim Jong-uns visit to Russia and interpret that a new Cold War structure has become visible. However, the actual possibility of a new Cold War in 2023 remains very slim. Why is that?

Advertisement

The new Cold War runs counter to trends in human historys development. What are the major movements of human history? Two things stand out. One major movement is the steady change of the protagonist of history from nature to gods, heroic humans, some aristocrats and finally to ordinary individuals. Integrating humanitys activity into one area is also critical. It is a factor that gives us implications while predicting the structure of the world order.

The current international order is a US-led unipolar order. The world order before Pax Americana was the Cold War. The US-led capitalist camp and the Soviet-led communist camp were at odds. The order before it was the imperial era, in which more than five European great powers competed to lead a hierarchical order. The preceding period, the medieval feudal order, had more than eight independent civilizations that were difficult for each other to interfere with. There were probably hundreds of separate civilizations in the previous period, the ancient times. The prospect that the trend of historical development that humanity has passed through for thousands of years will suddenly reverse in 2023 is contrary to common sense.

Chinas attitude toward the North Korea-Russia summit is a factor that adds to the belief that a new Cold War will not come. More than cooperation and solidarity between North Korea and Russia is needed to form a new Cold War structure. China would have to join. To ensure peace and prosperity while being at odds with the US, it would need to have the capacity to match it. However, China has never expressed its support for being in an anti-American alliance or bloc. Considering its national interests, it would not be advantageous for China to attend an anti-American gathering. Although there are many problems, China has greater possibilities for economic development within the US-led order.

Suppose the US is confronted head-on and conducts full-fledged hegemonic competition. In that case, the US would be able to defeat China, and the possibility of national defeat, not national development, would increase rapidly. An anti-American bloc, in which China does not participate, is only an expression of discontent among minorities that does not affect the entire world order.

A new Cold War structure would also be inconvenient for North Korea and Russia. Nevertheless, the two nations are trying to construct it, probably because the US-led international economic sanctions are painful. But Russia cannot withdraw its troops from Ukraine. North Korea also has no intention of giving up its nuclear weapons and missiles. Since there is no other alternative to a dead end, they seem to be making efforts to overcome the inconvenient situation by establishing anti-American solidarity. Ultimately, it would be more advantageous for North Korea and Russia to be incorporated into the USled international order. Suppose North Korea and Russias efforts to build a new Cold War structure are temporary. In that case, steps may be made to break down the new Cold War structure after the end of this uncomfortable situation. In particular, the possibility of Russia changing its attitude depending on how the war with Ukraine goes is always open.

Why do many people believe a new Cold War structure is coming when the possibility is slim? The biggest problem is that many peoples worldviews remain locked in the Cold War structure. Some people who led international politics in the Cold War era viewed the Cold War structure as an extension of the multipolar system in Europe in the 18th or 19th centuries. But the world was a bipolar system then, and with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the world changed into a unipolar US-led system. Even though the unipolar order has been in progress since the end of the Cold War, there is a perception that the Cold War system, or bipolar system, persists. It is an illusion from an anachronistic worldview. It is likely that those who talk about the structure of the new Cold War have such an anachronistic worldview.

Therefore, we need to be prepared to see many people discussing the coming of a new Cold War while the possibility of it actually arriving is slim. It might be disturbing because many countries might make futile efforts to handle these erroneous scenarios. However, it is one of serious diplomacys responsibilities to introduce accurate knowledge. In this sense, it is encouraging for the US and China to operate high-level dialogue channels steadily and explore the possibility of a summit, as such talks are evidence that a new Cold War will not come.
A fatal crash on Highway 34 in Linn County left one driver dead and another seriously injured.

Oregon State Police responded to the two-vehicle crash just outside of Corvallis at around 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, according to a news release from the agency that came in late Friday afternoon.

Podcast preview: A Place to Sleep, launching September 26 Do people without housing have a constitutional right to rest? We sent reporters across the state to see what its like to sleep in these sanctioned spaces.

Preliminary investigation indicates Newport resident Jimmie Eugene Beck Jr., 19, was westbound in the fast lane, driving a Ford Fusion when he crossed the center turn lane into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a Nissan Versa driven by 43-year-old Jennifer Davina Gere of Lebanon.

Responding medical personnel declared Gere dead at the scene, according to the news release, and Beck was extricated and taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis with serious injuries.

Highway traffic was affected for around six hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The Benton County Sheriffs Office, Corvallis Police Department, and Corvallis Fire Department assisted with the crash scene.
Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha are soon tying the knot in the picturesque city of Udaipur, making headlines across the nation. As the couple gears up for this significant milestone, one name stands out in the lineup of wedding festivities  DJ Sumit Sethi.

Sumit Sethi, a versatile talent hailing from India, wears multiple hats in the world of music. A music producer, DJ, composer, and performer, he has been making waves since a young age, embarking on his musical journey at just 16.

His musical repertoire boasts an array of tracks, including hits like Veera under T-Series, Gaddi Mashook Jatt Di from Zee Music Company, and Jai Deva by Bohra Bros. One noteworthy collaboration featured him teaming up with Jasmine Sandlas for the Punjabi EDM track Veera.

Advertisement

Sumit Sethis mission extends beyond just creating music; he aims to preserve the rich heritage of Punjabi folk music. His vision is a fusion of electronic beats with the melodious charm of Bollywood tunes.

Yet, his path to success wasnt without hurdles. In a daring move, Sumit pursued his passion for music despite facing opposition from his parents, who believed he was jeopardizing his professional future.

More work of DJ Sumit:

Beyond the music scene, DJ Sumit Sethi has also dabbled in the world of cinema. He has made cameo appearances in two Hindi movies. Jugaad (2009) and Meeruthiya Gangsters (2015). Hes not limited to remixes and background scores either, having contributed his musical talent to popular songs like Pink Lips Remix for Hate Story 2, Hangover for Kick, Singham Returns Remix (MBA Swag) for Singham Returns, and Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan for Roy. Hes even taken on the role of music director and composer for The Accidental Prime Minister.

Sumit Sethis dedication to music and community shines through in his initiative  the Gurukul Academy. Located in Delhi, this academy extends a helping hand to underprivileged children, teaching them the art of music, particularly DJing. His aim is to provide the best possible education in this field, nurturing young talent.

Sumit envisions a future where people start seeing DJing as a respected profession in India. And hes determined to use his music to change this perception nationwide.

DJ Sumit Sethis rhythmic beats promise to turn Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadhas union into a grand celebration. He will make their wedding an unforgettable dance extravaganza. Additionally, he continues to pave the way for aspiring artists and is redefining the DJing profession in India.
Kiwi Alejandro Danao Camara, also known as K.A.D. Camara, has stepped down from his role as CEO of Texas-based software company CS Disco amidst allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct towards an employee. As this incident comes to the forefront, lets delve into the background of Kiwi Camara.

Kiwi Camara, a Filipino American attorney and entrepreneur, is renowned for his role as the founder and former CEO of CS Disco. Beyond his work in the technology sector, he made a mark in the legal arena when he represented Jammie Thomas-Rasset, a defendant, in the first-ever file-sharing copyright infringement lawsuit in the United States. This case was initiated by major record labels and was unique for being decided by a jury.

Born in Manila, Philippines, Kiwi Camara is the child of Enrico Camara and Teresa Danao, both medical practitioners. His lineage connects to academic excellence as he is the grandchild of Augusto Camara, a renowned cardiologist and the first summa cum laude graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, hailing from Iba, Zambales.

Advertisement

Kiwi Camara embarked on his academic journey by enrolling in Harvard Law School in 2001, an impressive feat at the age of 17. During his time at Harvard, he earned a John M. Olin fellowship in law and economics, a recognition of his scholarly achievements. This fellowship remained with him until September 2004.

Kiwi Camara and other controversies:

However, his tenure at Harvard Law School was not without controversy. In his initial year, Camara faced scrutiny for using an abbreviated racial slur in online course materials, leading to a fellow student filing a complaint and sharing it with the Black Law Students Association. As response, Camara issued an apology.

In 2006, during a Yale Law Journal symposium, Camaras presence on a panel led to a protest by Yale Law students and the schools dean. They walked out of the event and attended an alternative forum titled Disempowered Voices in Legal Academia. Camara acknowledged the demonstration, expressing understanding and issuing an apology for any disruptions his participation may have caused.

The incident from his time at Harvard continued to have repercussions in his professional life, with Camara revealing that he faced job rejections due to the controversy surrounding his use of a racial slur.

As Kiwi Camara resigns from his leadership position at CS Disco, his career trajectory, marked by both accomplishments and controversies, remains a subject of interest and scrutiny.
The Bombay High Court has recently granted bail to Mahesh Raut in connection with the Elgaar Parishad case, with the condition that the order will be stayed for a week upon the National Investigation Agencys (NIA) request.

Raut, a dedicated land rights activist working in the Gadchiroli region of Maharashtra, had initially sought regular bail in 2022 after his bail plea was rejected by the special NIA court in November 2021. Lets take a closer look at Mahesh Raut and his background.

Mahesh Raut is an activist deeply involved in working with Adivasi communities in Gadchiroli. Notably, he is the youngest among the accused in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence case.

Advertisement

Raut hails from Lakhapur village in Chandrapur district, which is part of Maharashtras Vidarbha region. His educational journey led him to Navodaya School in Gadchiroli, and he briefly served as a primary school teacher in 2007. In pursuit of his passion for social work, he joined the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai in 2009.

Upon completing his studies at TISS, Raut earned a coveted position as a Prime Minister Rural Development (PMRD) fellow. In 2018, he faced a health challenge, battling acute ulcerative colitis.

More about Mahesh Raut:

As a co-convener of the Visthapan Virodhi Jan Vilas Andolan (VVJVA), Raut has been active in the struggle against the displacement of marginalized communities. Within the framework of VVJVA, he has collaborated with Adivasi communities to promote the direct sale of Tendu leaves in the market, eliminating middlemen.

Additionally, Mahesh Raut is a member of the Bharat Jan Andolan, a human rights non-governmental organization. He has campaigned against various mining projects in Gadchiroli, including the Surajgarh mining project.

His legal troubles began on 6 June 2018 when the Pune Police arrested him at his residence. They booked him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

What is the 2018 Bhima Koregaon case?

For context, the 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence occurred during an annual celebratory gathering on 1 January 2018 at Bhima Koregaon. This event commemorated the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon. The violence at the event entailed a crowd pelting stones, leading to the tragic death of a 28-year-old individual. It also caused injuries to five others.

This annual celebration, also popular as the Elgar Parishad convention, was a brainchild of retired justices B. G. Kolse Patil and P. B. Sawant. Justice Sawant explained that Elgar in this context means a loud invitation or declaration, emphasizing the significance of the event.
In a significant development in Kashmir, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent pro-freedom cleric, led Friday prayers after a hiatus of four years. The Indian authorities released Farooq, a key separatist leader, and granted him the opportunity to conduct prayers at Srinagars historic mosque. Heres a brief look at his background and the circumstances leading to this event.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq became the first chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference in September 1993. This alliance comprises various Kashmiri political and social organizations that advocate for a referendum in the region. Notably, Farooqs election as the first chairman occurred despite Syed Ali Shah Geelani being the initial choice, primarily because the Hurriyat Conference was predominantly composed of secular organizations.

Since August 4, 2019, Mirwaiz was under house arrest, a day before the Indian government reorganized the former state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories. He remained under house arrest for over four years, until his release on September 22, 2023. A week before his release, the high court issued a notice, prompting the Jammu and Kashmir administration to respond to a Habeas Corpus petition challenging the illegal confinement of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

Advertisement

During his extended house arrest, which spanned 212 consecutive Fridays since August 4, 2019, Mirwaiz had no permission to deliver sermons and attend Friday prayers.

More about Mirwaiz Umar Farooq:

Before entering the realm of Kashmiri politics, Farooq received his education at Burn Hall School in Srinagar. Although he initially aspired to become a software engineer with a keen interest in computer science, he later earned a postgraduate degree in Islamic Studies known as Moulvi Fazil and completed a Ph.D. at Kashmir University.

His doctoral thesis focused on the Politico-Islamic role of Shah-e-Hamdan, a 14th-century Islamic scholar credited with introducing Islam to the Valley.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has been in a marital relationship with Sheeba Masoodi, a Kashmiri-American, since 2002. The couple has two daughters, Maryam and Zainab, as well as a son named Ibrahim.
India has strongly criticized Pakistan following the expected mention of the Kashmir issue by Pakistans caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaarul Haq Kakar, during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

In the response, delivered by Petal Gahlot, the First Secretary at the United Nations representing the Second Committee of UNGA, India called on Pakistan to withdraw from territories it occupies within India and to cease cross-border terrorism. Additionally, India urged Pakistan to halt human rights abuses against minority communities within its borders.

Petal Gahlot said, In order for there to be peace in South Asia, the actions that Pakistan needs to take are threefold first stop cross-border terrorism and shut down its infrastructure of terrorism immediately. Second, vacate Indian territories under its illegal and forcible occupation. And third stop the grave and persistent human rights violations against the minorities in Pakistan.

Advertisement

Indian diplomat reiterated that union territories of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh are integral parts of India and Pakistan has no locus standi to make statements regarding Indias domestic matters.

We reiterate that the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of India. Matters pertaining to the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are purely internal to India, Petal Gahlot said.

Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on our domestic matters. As a country with one of the worlds worst human rights records, particularly when it comes to minority and womens rights, pakistan would do well to put its own house in order before venturing to point a finger at the worlds largest democracy, she added.

Indian diplomat slammed Pakistan for making baseless and malicious propaganda against India at the United Nations General Assembly.

In her remarks, Gahlot said, Pakistan has become a habitual offender when it comes to misusing this august forum to peddle baseless and malicious propaganda against India. Member States of the United Nations and other multilateral organizations are well aware that Pakistan does so to deflect the international communitys attention away from its own abysmal record on human rights.

Calling Pakistan home to the largest number of internationally proscribed terrorist entities, Gahlot urged Pakistan to take credible and verifiable action against perpetrators of the 2011 Mumbai terror attack.

Pakistan has been the home and patron to the largest number of internationally proscribed

terrorist entities and individuals in the world. Instead of engaging in technical sophistry, we call

upon Pakistan to take credible and verifiable action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks whose victims await justice even after 15 years, Petal Gahlot said.

Highlighting the systemic violence against minorities in Pakistan, Petal Gahlot spoke about the conditions of Christians and Ahmadiyya communities. She spoke about the Jaranwala incident where Churches and Christian houses were burnt down.

A glaring example of the systemic violence against minorities in Pakistan was the large-scale brutality perpetrated against the minority Christian community in Jaranwala in Pakistans Faisalabad district in August 2023 where a total of 19 churches were gutted and 89 Christian houses were burnt down, the Indian diplomat said.

She further said, Similar treatment has been meted out to the Ahmadiyya whose places of worship have been demolished. The condition of women belonging to minority communities in Pakistan notably Hindus, Sikhs and Christians, remains deplorable.

She made reference to a report published by Pakistans Human Rights Commission which revealed that 1000 women from minority communities were subjected to abduction and forced conversion and marriage.

According to a recent report published by Pakistans own Human Rights Commission, an estimated 1,000 women from minority communities are subjected to abduction and forced conversion and marriage in Pakistan every year, Petal Gahlot said.

Pakistan caretaker PM Kakars remarks came during his address to the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York today. He said, Pakistan desires peaceful and productive relations with all our neighbours including India, and added that Kashmir is the key to peace between Pakistan and India.

India has repeatedly raised its concern over Pakistans support of cross-border terrorism and has asserted that terror and talks cannot go together. India has also provided evidence at various international forums of Pakistans support for Terrorist groups. Pakistans caretaker PM however harped on what he called the illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.
Justin Trudeaus father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, served as Canadas fifteenth prime minister and had a difficult relationship with India much like his son and now the Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has.

As a result of Justin Trudeaus embrace of the Khalistani elements in Canada, relations with India deteriorated. His unsupported assertions that India was behind the murder of Khalistani militant Hardeep Singh Nijjar served as the catalyst for the deteriorating relations.

The strained relations between India and Canada actually started with Pierre Trudeau.

Advertisement

However, it wasnt simply the Khalistani problem; Indias first nuclear explosion for peaceful purposes also contributed to some strained relations. Trudeau Sr was stunned by an explosion.

Unenriched uranium might now be used to produce nuclear energy with the help of the Canada Deuterium Uranium (CANDU) reactor. Developing countries without enrichment facilities, like India, benefited from this. But by lowering the admission threshold, it also made plutonium and nuclear weapons more accessible.

In order to produce Canadian-Indian Reactor, US or CIRUS, a nuclear reactor, the United States and Canada worked together on Indias civil nuclear programme. Under the direction of Homi Jehangir Bhabha and with Canadian assistance, the CIRUS reactor was constructed and put into operation in July 1960.

Then, Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau declared that the programme was for peaceful purposes and that Canada would halt its nuclear cooperation if India conducted a nuclear device test.

According to a Stanford University study, India exploded a nuclear weapon in 1974 at its Pokhran test site using plutonium from the CIRUS reactor, three years after Pierre Trudeaus visit.

According to India, it was a peaceful nuclear explosion and didnt go against the provisions of the deal with Canada. However, a Columbia University study claims that Pierre Trudeaus Canada ended all support for Indias nuclear energy development and recalled Canadian employees who were working on another reactor in India.

However, it took years for the nuclear links to unfreeze. During Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs visit to Canada for the G20 Summit in 2010, the two nations signed a Nuclear Cooperation Agreement.

But more than only the nuclear test at Pokhran strained ties. The deadliest terror assault against Canadians occurred as a result of Pierre Trudeaus failure to take action against the Khalistani forces, which dealt a serious blow to Indo-Canadian relations.

Then there were terrorists from Punjab who took refuge in Canada after the crackdown on militancy in the 1980s. One such terrorist was Talwinder Singh Parmar. He fled to Canada after killing two police personnel in Punjab in 1981. Parmar, a member of the Khalistani group Babbar Khalsa, advocated for attacks on Indian diplomatic missions abroad and mass murder.

India asked for Parmar to be extradited, but the Pierre Trudeau administration denied the request. Additionally, even warnings from Indian intelligence agencies remained unheeded.

THe final nail in the coffin was when all 329 people on board Air India Flight 182 (Kanishka), which was traveling from Toronto to London, UK, on June 23, 1985, were killed when a bomb concealed in two luggage detonated. The majority of those killed in the Kanishka bombing were Canadians. Parmar, who Pierre Trudeau protected, was the bombing of Kanishkas mastermind. In Punjab, he was murdered by police in 1992. Posters honoring Parmar were seen all around Canada in June of this year.

Talwinder Singh Parmar was among those arrested in connection with the Kanishka bombing, but he was all released, and only one person was found guilty.

In 1982, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi complained to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau about the meek Canadian response to the Khalistani challenge, according to Terry Milewski, a retired CBC correspondent and author of Blood for Blood  Fifty Years of the Global Khalistan Project.

On Khalistanis, Justin Trudeaus views are similar to those of his father. Also subject to political pressures is Trudeau Jr. The pro-Khalistani Jagmeet Singh-led New Democratic Party (NDP) supports his government.
Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the morning. High 38F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 60%..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 29F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
The Reeves Co. of Attleboro was named Manufacturer of the Year for the area at the 8th Annual Mash Up Manufacturing Awards held Tuesday at in Worcester. From left are Mass. Legislative Manufacturing Caucus House co-Chair Jeff Roy; caucus Senate co-Chair Paul Feeney; Omar Benavides, spouse of Reeves owner Rachel Benavides; Lydia Reeves, Rachels mother; Tommy Reeves, Rachels father; state Rep. Jim Hawkins; and United Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO Jack Lank.
Hong Kong: Child protection campaign launches

Police today launched a campaign, in collaboration with partners including the Commission on Children, to raise public awareness of child protection.

Addressing the opening ceremony for Let's T.A.L.K. - Child Protection Campaign 2023, Acting Commissioner of Police Chow Yat-ming highlighted that 716 cases of child abuse were reported in the first eight months of this year, an increase of nearly 30% compared with the same period last year.

He explained that the use of corporal punishment by parents when disciplining their children is a significant contributing factor, adding that such cases have seen a rise following the full resumption of classes after the pandemic.

The collective efforts of Police, government departments and non-governmental organisations to raise awareness about child protection in the community have also contributed to increased reporting of cases, he added.

The acting police chief also stressed that some child abuse cases are associated with online activities. In these cases, abusers have been found to establish contact with children through online platforms such as social media, dating apps and online games.

Noting that child protection work requires continuous and concerted effort by all sectors of the community, Mr Chow said online dangers are a major focus of this years campaign.

Activities include an interactive metaverse exhibition that enables participants to reflect on and visualise various aspects of child protection. A seminar will also be conducted on the theme of protecting children against cyber abuse.

Click here for more information.

This story has been published on: 2023-09-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Video released by COPA shows the incident from which two Chicago police officers have been charged with felonies after a shooting in Pilsen on July 22, 2022. (Civilian Office of Police Accountability)

In surveillance camera video, a black sedan traveled down 18th Street in Pilsen before stopping and slowly reversing toward a group that stood on the sidewalk.

Two people stopped on the sidewalk and appeared to converse with each other before walking toward the sedan, the video showed  one a man and the other apparently a teenager. The older one, in a white hooded sweatshirt, at first put one hand up.

Advertisement

Then gunshots sounded, and the man in the sweatshirt fell to the ground, moaning and then putting both hands up.

Two police officers got out of the Ford Focus  an unmarked police car  and exchanged shots with the juvenile who had been on the sidewalk. The man in the white sweatshirt remained on the ground, clutching his back.

Advertisement

The two police officers are now on trial on felony charges related to the daylight shooting in Pilsen in July 2022, the latest case to go to trial involving police officers potentially facing criminal penalties in connection with on-duty events.

Christopher Liakopoulos, 44, and Ruben Reynoso, 43, are charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm and two counts of official misconduct, all felonies. Liakopoulos has been with the department since 2001 and Reynoso since 2003.

They appeared in court Friday morning for the start of a bench trial before Cook County Judge Lawrence Flood, in a courtroom was packed with police officers and other observers.

The overarching chain of events in the 1000 block of West 18th Street around 7 a.m. on July 22, 2022, as shown in the surveillance video, is mostly undisputed by attorneys on both sides. But they offered drastically different interpretations of the events in question and argued over whether the officers actions that morning amounted to a reasonable use of force.

A Civilian Office of Police Accountability video shows two Chicago police officers in plainclothes and in an unmarked vehicle shoot a 23-year-old man in the Pilsen neighborhood. (COPA)

The shooting seriously injured Miguel Medina, 24, who testified Friday, wiping his eyes with tissue as gunfire from the video echoed in the courtroom at the Leighton Criminal Court Building. A juvenile who exchanged fire with the police officers was not called as a witness.

Medina testified that he was unarmed as he approached the officers vehicle and put his arm up to show that he was no threat. He said he had a bottle of wine in his other hand.

The victim in todays case was unarmed, and when the defendants fired at that unarmed victim with his hands in the air as he turned away, that shooting was unjustified, said Assistant States Attorney Alyssa Janicki, who also said the police officers fired first.

Defense attorneys for the officers, though, argued that Liakopoulos and Reynoso stopped their car in front of the group to investigate because the people stood outside of a closed business, when some in the group walked up and said, Whatcha gonna do about it?

Advertisement

The officers attorneys argued that the juvenile with the gun pointed it at the officers, though prosecutors disputed that, saying the juvenile had started to run away when the officers fired at Medina.

They were faced with a deadly threat, and their actions were a reasonable use of deadly force, said Tim Grace, who represents Liakopoulos.

The police officers, who are investigators with the major accidents squad, had begun their morning driving to the police academy to teach officers about crash investigations, their attorneys said.

Their attorneys argued that they stopped to investigate because they saw a group loitering near a closed business, unsure if the people were tagging it. The officers were doing exactly what we pay them to do, Grace said.

But prosecutors said the people were simply standing outside an apartment building where they had partied throughout the previous night. Thats the extent of what drew defendants attention that day, Janicki said.

Medina testified that he approached the officers car because he thought, when it reversed down the street, that it carried gang members. When he spoke to the juvenile, as seen on the video, they were talking about whether to walk to the car, he testified. He then approached the car.

Advertisement

We made eye contact (and they) didnt say much to me, he testified about the officers in the car. I just wanted to remove myself from that situation. I put hand up, the other hand had the wine bottle, to let the other persons in the car know I was no danger to them.

Both sides acknowledged that the juvenile fired a gun into the air about an hour before the officers passed by the scene. Defense attorneys said it was a gang gun passed around in the group, which was obsessed with weapons, calling the Smith & Wesson gun Lil Smitty.

The defense argued that Medina had the gun on him before the shooting, but passed it to the juvenile, who later engaged in the shootout with police.

Prosecutors noted that the officers are not charged with the subsequent shootout involving the juvenile.

Medina, on the stand, countered that although hed posted images of the gun on social media, it wasnt his nor was it is in possession.

In more than two hours of cross-examination, attorneys for the officers sought to paint Medina as a liar, showing clips of interviews with detectives when he was in a hospital bed, in which he gave a different account of the night.

Advertisement

Afternoon Briefing Weekdays Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

I dont remember. I was intoxicated, Medina said in response to questions.

The case is among a handful charged by the Cook County states attorneys office in recent years in which prosecutors allege officers have used unjustified force while on duty, though the office has faced challenges securing convictions.

It is our position based on the facts, the evidence and the law, that the officers involved in this incident did not have provocation or justification to shoot the unarmed victim during this incident, Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx said at a 2022 news conference announcing the charges against Liakopoulos and Reynoso. The evidence does not support the use of deadly force related to the shooting of the unarmed victim and was not lawful.

Last month, prosecutors dropped charges against an officer who was accused of battering a woman at North Avenue Beach in an on-duty incident.

In January, a judge found a Chicago police lieutenant not guilty after he stood trial on accusations that he shoved a flashlight between a clothed teens buttocks during an arrest.

Months earlier, in November, Chicago police Officer Melvina Bogard was acquitted by a judge after prosecutors charged her with aggravated battery and official misconduct in connection with a shooting at the Grand Red Line stop in 2020.

Advertisement

mabuckley@chicagotribune.com
Even as the diplomatic row between India and Canada continues to escalate, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday confiscated the properties of Canada-based Khalistani terrorist and Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in Amritsar and Chandigarh. The action followed a confiscation order passed by an NIA special court in Mohali.

The properties confiscated include a 46-kanal (5.7 acres) agricultural land at Khankot village in Amritsar and a one-fourth share of a house in Chandigarh's sector 15/C area. This is the first time that properties of an absconding accused of the NIA have been confiscated under section 33(5) of the UAPA.

The NIA move against Pannu comes as a big boost to the countrys crackdown on the terror and secessionist network being operated from various countries, including Canada. The agency claims that the Khalistan leader has been playing a major role in promoting and commissioning terror acts and activities, and spreading fear and terror in Punjab and elsewhere in the country through his threats and intimidation tactics.

The anti-terrorism agency registered its first case against Pannu in 2019 and since then, he has been on its radar. On February 3, 2021, the NIA court issued non-bailable warrants against him and, on November 29, 2022, he was declared a proclaimed offender.

The NIA says their investigations have revealed that Pannus organisation, the Sikhs for Justice, was misusing the cyberspace to radicalise gullible youth and to instigate them to undertake terrorist crimes and activities. Pannu was the main handler and controller of the SFJ which was declared an unlawful association by the Indian government on July 10, 2019.

India also declared Pannu a designated individual terrorist on July 1, 2020. According to NIA, he has been actively exhorting Punjab-based gangsters and youth over the social media to fight for the cause of independent state of Khalistan, challenging the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country.

Interestingly, Pannu runs a law firm abroad. His law firm is known as 'Pannun Law Firm' and has offices in New York (Astoria Boulevard, Queens) and California (Liberty Street, Fremont), reports said.

Of late, Pannu hit headlines after he issued threats in public forums to senior Indian diplomats and government functionaries in Canada. He had also threatened Canadian Hindus, asking them to leave Canada and claiming that they had adopted a jingoistic approach by siding with India.

Videos of Pannus threat emerged in the middle of a raging diplomatic row between New Delhi and Ottawa over Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegation of a potential Indian link to the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

India reacted sharply to Trudeaus claims, calling them absurd and politically driven. New Delhi also expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

India had designated Nijjar a terrorist in 2020.
A former Pentagon official said that if the US has to choose between India and Canada, it will go with the South Asian power as the relationship is "too important" compared to Washington's northern neighbour.

Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon official and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute Specialisation in Iran, Turkey and South Asia, while speaking to ANI, said Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's allegations have led to "greater danger" for Ottawa than New Delhi.

He pointed out that Canada picking up a fight with India is like "an ant locking horns with an elephant. Referring to the Canadian PM's poor approval ratings, Rubin said, "Trudeau probably isn't long for the Canadian premiership, and then we can rebuild the relationship after he's gone.

"I suspect that the United States doesn't want to be painted a corner to choose between two friends. But if we have to choose..., we're going to choose India on this matter, simply because Nijjar was a terrorist, and India is too important. Our relationship is too important," Michael Rubin told ANI.

Responding to the possibility of whether the US will publicly intervene in the matter, Rubin told the agency, "Frankly, there's a much greater danger for Canada than India. If Canada wants to pick a fight, frankly, at this point, it's like an ant picking a fight against an elephant and the fact that matter is, India is the world's largest democracy. It's far more important strategically, arguably than Canada is, especially as concern grows with regard to China and other matters in the Indian Ocean basin, and in the Pacific."
Manipur's internet ban will be lifted on Saturday but the government will crack down on the influx of "illegal immigrants" in the state, announced Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. This comes a day after the government asked people in the state to give up illegal weapons within 15 days.

Speaking to media at a press meet in Imphal, Singh said, As a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of rumours and videos, photos, and messages, which might affect the law and order situation of the state, the state government imposed a ban on the internet. But from today onwards the internet ban will be lifted.

Mobile internet and broadband in Manipur was banned after violence erupted in the northeastern state on May 3. Though broadband services were restored on July 25, mobile internet, social media websites and VPN services remained under ban.

The chief minister's office, in a statement on Friday, said the government "is willing to take a considerate view of the persons submitting such illegal weapons within 15 days."

The Friday press release, asking individuals and groups to surrender arms, read, At the end of the 15 days, security forces, both the central and state will undertake a strong and comprehensive search operation all over the state to recover such weapons, and all persons associated with any illegal weapons will be dealt with severely, as per law.

There have been reports of extortion, threats and abduction by miscreants/groups using illegal weapons. This is a serious matter and the state government will take strong action against such miscreants/groups in any part of the state, it added.
The NIA has arrested a suspected terrorist for his alleged links with Myanmar-based rebel groups and conspiring to wage war against India by exploiting the current ethnic unrest in Manipur, an official said.

Moirangthem Anand Singh was arrested from Manipur and brought to New Delhi for questioning, a spokesperson of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said.

Singh was one of the five persons arrested by Manipur Police for possessing weapons looted from police armoury. The arrest had led to agitation by the majority community, who were claiming them to be village defence activists.

A local court had granted bail to all the five on Friday.

However, Singh was immediately placed under arrest and whisked away to an undisclosed location before being brought to the national capital.

The official said Singh was arrested in a case related to a "transnational conspiracy" by Myanmar-based leadership of terror groups to wage war against the government of India by exploiting the current ethnic unrest in Manipur.

The case was registered suo moto by the NIA on July 19 in New Delhi and investigations revealed that in furtherance of the conspiracy, the proscribed terror groups are recruiting over ground workers, cadres and sympathisers to augment their strength to carry out attacks on security forces and opposing ethnic groups by exploiting current unrest in the state.

They are collecting arms, ammunition and explosives by unlawful means, including plunder and pillage of government facilities and resources, the spokesperson said.

After Singh was brought to Delhi on Saturday, he was produced before a jurisdictional court which remanded him in police custody for a period of five days, the spokesperson said.
The high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind to examine the issue of simultaneous elections on Saturday held its first meeting, in which it was decided that the panel will hold consultations with the political parties at both the central and the state levels.

The committee discussed the modalities of the working of the panel, and it was decided that it will invite recognised national political parties, parties having government in states, parties which have members in Parliament and recognised state parties for seeking their suggestions and points of view on the issue of simultaneous elections in the country, according to an official statement.

The panel will also invite the Law Commission of India to provide its suggestions on the issue.

The meeting held under the chairmanship of Kovind was attended by other members of the panelUnion Home Minister Amit Shah, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal, former Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission N.K. Singh, former Secretary General of the Lok Sabha Subhash C. Kashyap and former Chief Vigilance Commissioner Sanjay Kothari. Senior Advocate Harish Salve joined the meeting virtually.

As per the official statement, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, leader of the single largest party in Opposition, Lok Sabha was not present at the meeting. Chowdhury, however, has already stated that he has declined the invite to join the committee.

The decision of the committee to invite political parties for consultations at the very outset is significant, given the politically sensitive nature of the issue.

Many of the parties, especially regional players, have been opposed to the idea of simultaneous polls, because they feel that it would result in national issues overshadowing regional concerns in the elections. It is also feared by state parties that the format of holding national and state elections together would put them at a disadvantage as compared to the national parties.

The parties also view it as a pet project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi because he has been a strong supporter of the idea of 'one nation, one election'.
Several low-lying areas of Nagpur have been inundated after heavy rains battered the city on Friday night.

According to reports, people of Nagpur, especially those living close to the Nag and Pili rivers, woke up to flooded homes on Friday night. Many people have shifted to safer places as rains continue to pour down on Saturday morning. According to the weather department, Nagpur airport reported 106 mm of rainfall till 5.30 am.

Speaking to the Times of India, the fire services officials said they have been receiving multiple calls about floodwaters entering homes. Residents of certain areas rushed to the terraces of their buildings to save their lives after they woke up with water gushing into homes with great force, they said.

Several roads and residential areas have been flooded and the administration has declared a holiday for schools as a precautionary measure. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation has advised people not to step out of their homes unless for important work. Owing to the incessant rainfall, the Ambazari dam is overflowing, Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said. 15 people have been rescued till now, there is an alert till evening, he told ANI

#WATCH | Maharashtra: Following incessant rainfall, heavy water logging witnessed at the Canal Road Ramdaspeth, in Nagpur. pic.twitter.com/Cu8NOsNcpT  ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2023

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force have also been deployed.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is from Nagpur, took to X to share that he is continuously monitoring the rain situation in the city. The deputy CM has instructed the Nagpur collector, municipal commissioner and police commissioner to immediately activate multiple teams for rescuing people who are stuck at few places, Fadnavis's office said.

According to IMD alert, severe/moderate thunderstorm with lightning will likely continue at isolated places in Nagpur, Bhandara and Gondia districts. There is also a possibility of intense rain at isolated places.
Students from Mason City High School's iJAG, or Iowa's Jobs for America's Graduates program, down to business on Tuesday, planting trees in partnership with the city.

Sophomore Marqeuz Holton said he doesn't mind the manual labor; and being outdoors beats out classroom work any day.

"It's pretty cool," Holton said, "I can drive by and see the tree growing that I planted last year."

Mary Litterer is a volunteer coordinator for the city in the tree planting project, and she said the students planted around 38 Kentucky coffee, ginkgo, swamp oak and Japanese lilac trees at residences along 12th Street SE and Virginia Ave.

"We try to do this twice a year," Litterer said.

The iJAG program has been in existence at Mason City Schools since 2013, and provides "graduation, workplace skills, post-secondary placement and community service hours," according to Melissa Clough, who is the ninth-10th grade iJAG specialist at the school.

Every iJAG student needs 15 hours of volunteering per school year; that's realized by sending the students to plant trees on city and school grounds, volunteer at the food bank and at local churches.

"It's an exciting thing for students to be a part of the community and give back, and to see their work come to fruition," said Clough.

Rachel Van Hauen administers grants for the City, and said that a $5000 community forestry grant from the Iowa DNR made the purchase of the saplings possible.

Van Hauen said that property owners receiving a new tree were informed ahead of time, and students left the nursery information attached on each tree to inform the property owner of the type of tree and how to care for it. Those who received a tree and have concerns can contact the city's Operations and Maintenance Department at 641-421-3600.
Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu moved the Supreme Court on Saturday after the high court dismissed his petition for quashing the FIR against him in connection with the alleged skill development scam. The high court dismissed his petition on Friday, saying the court was not inclined to interfere at this stage when the investigation was ongoing.

Naidu, president of the Telugu Desam Party, was arrested on September 9, for allegedly misappropriating funds from the Skill Development Corporation, leading to a purported loss of over Rs 300 crore to the state exchequer.

He was questioned by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Andhra Pradesh Police on Saturday, a day after a local court in Vijayawada granted custody of the 73-year-old leader to the CID for two days. According to reports, the questioning will continue on Sunday.

"Chandrababu Naidu was interrogated in Rajahmundry Central Jail. The interrogation went on for seven hours. CID recorded Chandrababu's statement in the presence of lawyers," an officer told news agency ANI.

"The investigation was conducted in groups of three with one CID DSP and two CIs. After the lunch break, the hearing lasted for three hours. About 60 questions have been asked by the CID to Chandrababu Naidu," the officer said.

In its order, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) court had allowed three deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) from the Economic Offences Wing of the CID, accompanied by six more junior police officers, one professional videographer and two official mediators to participate in the interrogation.

The CID will preserve videos of the interrogation and submit them in the court.

On Friday, while rejecting Naidus petition, the high court had noted that quashing an FIR should be an exception rather than the rule. It had also stressed that the power of quashing an FIR should be exercised sparingly with circumspection.

The power of quashing an FIR should be exercised sparingly with circumspection, the court had said.
As pressure mounts on Canada over its allegations of India's possible involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that evidence for the same was shared with New Delhi weeks ago.

According to a Reuters report, Trudeau said: "Canada has shared the credible allegations that I talked about on Monday with India. We did that many weeks ago. Addressing a news conference in Ottawa on Friday, Trudeau added that Canada hopes India will engage with them to get to the bottom of this very serious matter."

Trudeau's fresh statement comes after media reports indicated that the Canadian government was in possession of intelligence linking Indian agents to the murder of Nijjar in British Columbia in June. According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the evidence includes communications between Indian officials and diplomats working in Canada.

The Canadian government has gathered "both human and signals intelligence in a months-long investigation", said a report by CBC News. The evidence was not solely gathered by Canadacrucial intelligence was provided by an unnamed ally in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. So far, Canada has not released any public evidence to back its claims that India angrily rejected as absurd.

US extends support to probe

With the diplomatic row between India and Canada reaching a historic high, the United States, too, said it is deeply concerned about Trudeau's allegations. We've been consulting throughout very closely with our Canadian colleagues, not just consulting, coordinating on this issue. And from our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceeds, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday.

Blinken said the US was in touch with both countries and called on India to cooperate with Canada. "We want to see accountability. And it's important that the investigation run its course and lead to that result."

The US had earlier expressed support for Canada's investigation efforts and reiterated that no country can get any "special exemption" for such kind of activities.

Nijjar's family responds

Nijjar, 45, who became a Candain citizen in 2007, was designated as a terrorist by India in 2020. Speaking to the Toronto-based CBC News, Nijjar's son Balraj Singh Nijjar said that he felt sense of a relief after Trudeau accused the Indian government of being involved in the killing. Balraj added that the Nijjar family always suspected India's involvement in his father's killing.






The Lebanese army said troops fired tear gas at Israeli soldiers in a disputed area along the tense border Saturday. No one was hurt in the incident.



The area where the incident occurred is in Chebaa Farms and the Kfar Chouba hills that were captured by Israel from Syria during the 1967 Mideast war and are part of Syria's Golan Heights that Israel annexed in 1981. The Lebanese government says the area belongs to Lebanon.

The Lebanese army said a bulldozer was working on the Lebanese side of the border to remove a sand barrier placed earlier by the Israelis when Israeli troops fired tear gas to force it to stop. The army said Lebanese troops responded by firing tear gas at the Israeli soldiers.

The Israeli military said soldiers spotted an engineering vehicle's shovel crossing the border line from Lebanon into Israeli territory in the area of Mount Dov, as Chebaa Farms are known in Israel. It added that in response, Israeli soldiers used riot dispersal means and the vehicle returned to Lebanese territory.

The Lebanon-Israel border has been relatively calm since Israel and Hezbollah fought a 34-day war in 2006. Despite that, there have been tensions.

In April, Israel launched rare airstrikes in southern Lebanon after militants fired nearly three dozen rockets from Lebanon at Israel, wounding two people and causing property damage.

In July, Israeli forces shelled a southern Lebanese border village after several explosions were heard in a disputed area where the borders of Syria, Lebanon and Israel meet.
Brazil's Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the controversial Marco Temporal doctrine in a historic victory for indigenous rights. The rejection stops a controversial bill that relied on a time-of-occupation-based legal theory to severely limited indigenous land rights.

Marco Temporal is a legal thesis pushed by agribusiness interests to enable exploitation of protected lands. By a 9-2 decision, the court, however, affirmed these territories belong to native peoples regardless of arbitrary dates of occupation.

Marco Temporal would have limited tribes to lands occupied in 1988, when Brazil's current constitution was adopted. Brazil's foremost expert on uncontacted tribes, Sydney Possuelo, had qualified in remarks to THE WEEK at the time of the bills passing the lower house as a historic "blow against all indigenous people," because he said it invalidated decades of hard-won progress, reverting possession of many existing indigenous territories.

The courts rebuke of Marco Temporal echoes with democratic ideals in the vast, mottled nation. Brazils Constitution recognises the original rights of indigenous communities to their ancestral lands.

Indigenous advocates say justice has prevailed over opportunists who sought loopholes to seize and despoil these communities homes.

Yet the victory over Marco Temporal may be short-lived. Its proponents in Brazils legislature are undeterred, pushing a bill to codify the policy rejected by the Court. Here lurks a sinister threat to Brazil's indigenous peoples and irreplaceable ecosystems.

Agribusiness elites decry the court ruling, claiming it obstructs economic progress. But the true cost is not measured in profits lost. It is the slow erosion of Brazil's democratic soulan insidious chipping away of rights until the marginalised are silenced and the entrenched interests rule.

The threat to the indigenous peoples still looms, but for now, hope flickers brighter.

This is a momentous, historic victory for Brazils Indigenous peoples, and a massive defeat for the agribusiness lobby, said Fiona Watson, director of research and advocacy at London-based Survival International on the platform X.

The first indigenous president of Brazil's National Indian Foundation FUNAI, Joenia Wapichana, issued a statement saying, "We believe in justice, in the justice of the Supreme Court to provide this legal security for the constitutional rights of Indigenous peoples.

In Brazil, FUNAI is the government body charged with establishing and carrying out policies relating to Indigenous peoples.

The bill was "an extermination of the indigenous peoples," according to Possuelo, who also served president of FUNAI and is one of the countrys most powerful advocates of indigenous rights.

Because the time frame trick relied on a legal theoryMarco Temporalthat would have limited the rights to land by indigenous people to those who could prove they had a presence in their ancestral lands at the time of the approval of Brazil's current Constitution in 1988, an almost impossible task three-and-a-half decades later.

A good part of the demarcation of lands was done after 1988, explained Possuelo, who has dedicated his life to the study, understanding and protection of the sertao the Brazilian outback documenting indigenous tribes. "More than 50% to 60% of the indigenous lands were demarcated after '88. Thus, [the bill defeated by Brazil's Supreme Court would have] canceled practically almost all that the state has done in demarcating indigenous lands."

We took them down! We have defeated the Marco Temporal, posted Kleber Karipuna, executive of Coordination of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil, APIB by its Portuguese acronym, a Brasilia-based NGO dedicated to protecting indigenous peoples around the world and telling their stories to the rest of the planet.

Regardless of the dangers ahead, this week's decision "is important to begin correcting public policies and the rights of original peoples in Brazil," said Brazilian Indigenous Rights Advocate Adriana Alves, "but it is also essential to invest in training so that they can explore economically in an autonomous and sustainable way, without depending exclusively on NGOs."

That is indeed the next step, but in the Brazilian legislature the fight to undo or retain the effects of the judicial finding continues.
New Delhi (India), September 23: In the ever-evolving landscape of modern medicine, certain individuals shine as beacons of hope and innovation. Dr. Ravul Jindal, one of the best vascular surgeons around the globe, is undoubtedly one such luminary figure, a global leader renowned not only for his exceptional skills as a vascular surgeon but also for his unwavering commitment to making healthcare accessible to all.





With a career spanning over 26 years, Dr. Jindal currently serves as the Director of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at Fortis Hospital, Mohali. His primary areas of expertise encompass peripheral arterial and venous interventions, a realm where his proficiency is unmatched.



Dr. Jindal's academic journey laid the foundation for his illustrious career. He earned his MBBS from the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sewagram, and completed his MS in General Surgery at PGIMER, Chandigarh. His dedication to excellence propelled him to acquire a Diplomate in National Board in General Surgery in New Delhi. Following his senior residency at PGIMER, he embarked on a transformative journey by pursuing a Fellowship in Vascular Surgery at St Marys Hospital in London, UK. To further enhance his credentials, he also earned the prestigious FRCS from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.



Beyond his extensive educational achievements, Dr. Jindal's influence extends far beyond the operating room. He holds the position of the Co-founder of the SAARC Society of Vascular Surgery, a testament to his commitment to advancing vascular healthcare across the South Asian region. He is also a Life member of the Vascular Society of India, Past President of Venous Association of India, Member of the International Compression Club (ICC), Vice President of L'Union Internationale de Phlebologie (UIP), International Ambassador of American Venous Forum, Member of International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA), Treasurer of Asian Venous Forum (AVF), Asia Continental Chair for American Vein & Lymphatic Society, Member of National College of Phlebology- NCPh (Russia) Council in International Committee (IC NCPh), and a steering committee member on the Vein Inception Programme (VIP).



To add to this, he organises Endovascular & Ultrasound-guided Venous Intervention Course (EUVIC), every year, to spread awareness on varicose veins and advanced treatment options associated with the management of varicose veins by inviting experts in the field from around the globe. He also conducts OPDs in various states in North India under his initiative to make quality healthcare accessible everywhere.



One of his most significant contributions to healthcare is the initiative Amputation Free India." This initiative stands as a testament to his commitment to social welfare, as he tirelessly works to ensure that no individual loses a limb due to lack of awareness and access to proper medical care. Dr. Jindal's vision is to eliminate preventable amputations, a noble pursuit that embodies his dedication to humanity.



Dr. Jindal's influence doesn't stop at the borders of his home country. He is a global citizen, regularly attending international conferences in countries like Italy, Egypt, the USA, the UAE, Sri Lanka and many more. These gatherings serve as platforms for him to engage with experts worldwide and discuss critical matters related to vascular health and global healthcare. His voice resonates in these forums, driving conversations that impact the world.



In addition to his involvement in conferences, Dr. Jindal's dedication to research and knowledge dissemination is commendable. He has presented numerous papers at both national and international events, a testament to his pursuit of cutting-edge medical breakthroughs. His impressive list of publications includes over 50 articles in various international journals and contributions to more than 15 book chapters in the field of vascular surgery. In 2018, he co-authored a book on Venous Disorders published by Springer, further solidifying his status as a thought leader in his field.



Dr. Ravul Jindal is not merely a vascular surgeon; he is a symbol of compassion, dedication, and innovation in the realm of healthcare. His commitment to making healthcare accessible, both as a surgeon and a social worker, is nothing short of exemplary. Through his achievements and initiatives, he exemplifies what it means to be a global leader with a heart dedicated to serving humanity.



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

PWR
Culinary Culture, India's premier culinary platform, celebrated the culinary trailblazers during the second annual Chef Rankings event in Goa on September 21, 2023, in partnership with Campo Viejo as the Celebration Partner.



Vagator, Goa, India  Business Wire India



In a spectacular celebration of culinary excellence, Culinary Culture, the pioneering platform that acknowledges the prowess of India's foremost chefs, unveiled the highly-anticipated second edition of FoodSuperstars  Indias TOP 30 Chefs. In association with Campo Viejo as the Celebration Partner, this momentous event honoured the nation's Top 30 chefs in a glittering award ceremony attended by the whos who of the F&B industry. This ground-breaking initiative stands as the first and only awards ranking for chefs of India, uniting the country's culinary luminaries on a singular and prestigious platform.



In the scenic setting of W, Goa, on September 21, 2023, FoodSuperstars 2023 not only recognized but also generously rewarded India's most outstanding chefs. This edition elevated 30 distinguished chefs who flew in from across the country to the esteemed status of true heroes within the Indian Food & Beverage industry. Each chef was presented with a commemorative trophy, a symbol of honour and proudly adorned special scarves meticulously crafted by the dynamic Indian designer, Anita Dongre, made only for the occasion.



In addition to the list of Top 30 Chefs, FoodSuperstars also bestowed Campo Viejo special awards upon chefs for their outstanding contributions throughout the year. These accolades encompassed categories such as Young Chef award and the Food Legend award.



Campo Viejo, the no.1 Spanish Rioja wine in the world, added to the two-day celebration with curated activities and guest experiences. Blending traditional and progressive winemaking methods, Campo Viejo wines express the vibrancy and colour of modern-day Spain. They are a reflection of heritage, history and curiosity that beautifully celebrate the culinary brilliance that defines Indias diverse gastronomic landscape.



Culinary Culture, founded by the definitive voice in the food industry - Vir Sanghvi and Sameer Sain, the CEO of the Everstone Group, has emerged as the foremost culinary authority in India, dedicated to reshaping the perception of the country's culinary culture on the global stage.



The Top 30 chefs, honoured with the prestigious title of FoodSuperstars are:



1. Regi Mathew



2. Himanshu Saini



3. Hussain Shahzad



4. Johnson Ebenezer



5. Niyati Rao



6. Jai Prakash Singh



7. Varun Totlani



8. Alex Sanchez



9. Nooresha Kably



10. Zhang Hongsheng



11. Pooja Dhingra



12. Rahul Gomes Pereira



13. Rohit Sangwan



14. Avinash Martins



15. Julia Carmen Desa



16. Suresh DC



17. Vanshika Bhatia



18. Manuel Olveira



19. Amninder Sandhu



20. Sandeep Pande



21. Vinesh Johny



22. Anahita Dhondy



23. Kavan Kuttappa



24. Manik Magotra



25. Shri Bala



26. Aketoli Zhimomi



27. Auroni Mookerjee



28. Shubham Thakur



29. Sachiko Seth



30. Lakhan Jethani



Legend Chef: Urbano Do Rego



Sustainable Chef: Deepanker Khosla



Pastry Chef: Sahil Mehta



Young Chef: Mythrayie Iyer



Activist Chef: Ritu Dalmia



During the occasion, Raaj Sanghvi, CEO, Culinary Culture, shared his thoughts, We created this platform to honor and celebrate Indias Chefs fraternity that continues to bring so much joy to our lives. FoodSuperstars will always be about the Chefs. While we release a list each year, the community we are building is equally important. Thank you to everyone who flew in specially to be here and thank you to our partners at Campo Viejo for supporting our vision and making this edition very successful! FoodSuperstars will return next year in a new Indian city.



Chandni Dhundia, Category Head, Wines, Pernod Ricard India, said, It was an absolute delight to honour and celebrate Indias Top 30 Chefs at the second edition of FoodSuperstars with Campo Viejo as Celebration Partner.



Anita Dongre, the iconic Indian designer, expressed her pride in supporting FoodSuperstars. She stated, Food and fashion are intertwined culture and designing scarves to honour and distinguish the award recipients is a moment of great pride for us. My team and I have invested considerable thought into creating scarves as distinctive as the chefs who wear them.



FoodSuperstars followed a meticulous selection process, with nominations solicited from Culinary Culture's seasoned community of FoodHunters, comprising over 40 food connoisseurs from around the country. The final list of nominated chefs was then presented to Culinary Culture's Secret Jury, composed of India's preeminent culinary experts and passionate food enthusiasts. This esteemed panel distilled the list to arrive at the Top 30, with Vir Sanghvi overseeing the entire process.



Notably, FoodSuperstars is the sole food ranking initiative in India unaffected by external influence or commercial considerations. No advertisements from restaurants or hotels were accepted. Following two challenging years due to the pandemic, India's F&B industry rallied together to celebrate its resilience through this unique platform.



The second edition of FoodSuperstars was proudly presented by Campo Viejo, a testament to their commitment to celebrating culinary excellence. This event marks the beginning of a treasured annual tradition, and we look forward to hosting it once again next year, where we'll continue to shine a spotlight on India's exceptional culinary talent and the artistry that enriches our palates and our lives.



About Culinary Culture



Culinary Culture stands tall as Indias definitive voice in food. Co-founded by Vir Sanghvi and Sameer Sain, it represents a comprehensive movement that encompasses every facet of the culinary landscape in India. Distinguished as the countrys only authoritative and independent rating organization, Culinary Culture bestows stars upon restaurants, honors India's most exceptional chefs and pays tribute to the country's vibrant street food vendors. Culinary Culture is renowned for its global Culinary Exchanges, where it invites the world's most celebrated chefs to showcase their talents in India while sending talented Indian chefs to cook at the world's finest restaurants. In 2020, it organized events in India with Chef Mauro Colagreco of Mirazur in France, the three Michelin starred restaurant, rated as World No.1 that year and in 2021 and 2022 it brought the worlds most famous Massimo Bottura, from Osteria Francescana in Italy, also a former two-time World No.1 for events in Mumbai and New Delhi respectively. An integral part of Culinary Culture is its esteemed academy of FoodHunters, comprising over 40 of India's most prominent food experts, strategically located throughout the country. Culinary Culture also offers a plethora of popular intellectual properties including FoodSuperstars, Culinary Conversations, StreetFoodSuperstars, Culinary X Change and its upcoming Restaurant Ratings platform.



Instagram: @CulinaryCultureCo



Website: www.CulinaryCulture.co



To View the Image, Click on the Link Below:



FoodSuperstars 2023 Winners



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

PWR
New Delhi, Sep 23 (PTI) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar, who had raised eyebrows when he met embattled billionaire Gautam Adani amidst demands by Opposition parties for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into allegations levelled by US short seller Hindenburg, on Saturday visited the industrialist's office and residence in Ahmedabad.

Pawar and Adani first inaugurated a factory at a village in Sanand in Ahmedabad.

The NCP chief thereafter visited Adani's residence and office in Ahmedabad, sources with direct knowledge of the matter said.

It wasn't immediately known what transpired at the meeting.

Pawar posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, pictures of him and Adani cutting a ribbon of the factory.

"It was a privilege to inaugurate India's first Lactoferrin Plant Exympower in Vasna, Chacharwadi, Gujarat along with Mr. Gautam Adani," Pawar posted on X.

In April this year, Adani had visited Pawar's residence Silver Oak in south Mumbai. That meeting, which lasted for almost two hours, came within days of Pawar coming out in support of Adani and criticising the narrative being built around the Hindenburg report.

His position was seen as variance with his allies such as Congress who had been gunning for a JPC to probe allegations of fraud and stock market manipulations. Adani has denied all allegations.

Pawar had at that time stated that he favoured a Supreme Court committee probing allegations against the Adani group.

Adani had again visited Pawar's residence in June.

The relationship between Pawar and Adani goes back nearly two decades. In his Marathi autobiography 'Lok Maze Saangatia', published in 2015, Pawar heaped praises on Adani who at the time was venturing into the coal sector.

He described Adani as "hard-working, simple, down to earth" and with an ambition to make big in the infrastructure sector.

The veteran leader also wrote that it was at his insistence that Adani ventured into the thermal power sector. Pawar recounts in the book how Adani built his corporate empire from scratch, starting as a salesman, in Mumbai locals, dabbling in small ventures before trying his luck in the diamond industry.
Mumbai, Sep 23 (PTI) National award-winning filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj says he didn't watch movies like "The Kashmir Files" and "The Kerala Story" as he wanted to stay out of such sensitive subjects.

Both "The Kashmir Files" (2022) and "The Kerala Story" (2023) were huge commercial hits but kicked up a political storm with many in the Opposition calling them propaganda films.

"I didnt see The Kashmir Files, The Kerala Story and I didn't see them consciously. The kind of things I was hearing about these films, I didnt want to get impacted by it. I was hearing that they are propaganda films from my friends and people I know...

"So, I just wanted to stay out of it because, for me, it is a very sensitive subject. If theres so much negativity I want to remain out of this negativity, I love my peace. So, I didnt want to see them, the filmmaker, who won critical acclaim for depicting the Kashmir conflict in his Shahid Kapoor and Tabu-starrer Haider, told PTI in an interview.

"The Kashmir Files", starring Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar, Mithun Chakraborty, and Pallavi Joshi in major roles, revolved around the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley in the 1990s. It was directed by Vivek Agnihotri.

The Kerala Story, helmed by Sudipto Sen, depicts how women from Kerala were forced to convert and recruited by the terror group Islamic State (IS).

Bhardwaj urged his fellow filmmakers to deal "sensitively" with stories that are inspired from real-life tragic incidents.

"I want my community of filmmakers to treat such stories sensitively and not use it as propaganda, he added.

Asked whether the objective of filmmaking has changed over the years in Hindi cinema, the 58-year-old writer-director said it is bound to as society is also changing.

"Cinema is such a thing that you can use it the way you want. If people are accepting it and seeing it, then we should accept that people are changing. We are changing as a society," he added.

Citing numerous tragic lynching incidents that have occurred in the country, Bhardwaj said people now don't seem as affected by them as they would earlier.

"Did we ever think that we will get used to the news of lynching? Earlier, when it happened, we were like, How can this mobocracy happen? How can some people gather and kill someone? Where is law enforcement? Where is the law?

"Now, we are used to this. Now, it is like, Lynching has happened here or there. It doesnt affect us because we are accepting it. We are not reacting to it anymore, he said.
Lahore, Sep 23 (PTI) A 14-year-old Pakistani girl on Saturday shot dead her father for allegedly raping her for the last three months here in the country's Punjab province, police said.

The incident happened in the Gujjarpura area of Lahore city when the girl in her statement to police said that her father had been raping her for the last three months.

"She said she was going through hell and decided to kill her rapist father and hence shot him dead using his gun," Sohail Kazmi, who is investigating the case, said.

Kazmi said that the girl's father died on the spot.

"A case would be registered against the suspect after investigating all aspects," the officer said.

The case came into the limelight a day after a Pakistani court on Friday handed down a death sentence to a man for raping his minor daughter.

Additional Sessions Judge Mian Shahid Javed of the Gender-Based Violence Court Lahore sentenced accused M. Rafique to death for raping his minor daughter.
United Nations, Sep 23 (AP) Pakistan's interim prime minister said he expects parliamentary elections to take place in the new year, dismissing the possibility that the country's powerful military would manipulate the results to ensure that jailed former premier Imran Khan's party doesn't win.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Friday, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said it's the Election Commission that is going to conduct the vote, not the military, and Khan appointed the commission's chief at the time, so why would he turn in any sense of the word against him?

Pakistan has been in deepening political turmoil since April 2022 when Khan was removed from office following a no-confidence vote in Parliament. He was arrested in early August on corruption charges and sentenced to three years in prison, later suspended though he still remains in jail.

The country is also facing one of the worst economic crises in its history and recovering from last summer's devastating floods that killed at least 1,700 people and destroyed millions of homes and farmland.

The commission announced on Thursday the elections would take place during the last week in January, delaying the vote which was to be held in November under the constitution.

Kakar resigned as a senator last month after outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and opposition leader Raza Riaz chose him as caretaker prime minister to oversee the elections and run the day-to-day affairs until a new government is elected.

Kakar said that when the commission sets an exact election date his government will provide all the assistance, financial, security or other related requirements.

Asked whether he would recommend judges overturn Khan's conviction so he could run in the elections, the prime minister said he wouldn't interfere with decisions by the judiciary.

He stressed that the judiciary should not be used as a tool for any political ends.

We are not pursuing anyone on a personal vendetta, Kakar said. But yes, we will ensure that the law is appropriate. Anyone, be it Imran Khan or any other politician who violates, in terms of their political behaviour, the laws of the country, then the restoration of the law has to be ensured. We cannot equate that with  political discrimination.

He said fair elections can take place without Khan or hundreds of members of his party who are jailed because they engaged in unlawful activities including vandalism and arson, in reference to the violence that rocked the country following Khan's initial arrest in May.

He added that the thousands of people in Khan's party who didn't engage in unlawful activities, will be running the political process, they will be participating in the elections".

The Pakistani military has been behind the rise and fall of governments, with some of Khan's supporters suggesting there is de facto military rule in Pakistan and that democracy is under threat.

Kakar, who reportedly has close ties to the military, said those allegations are part and parcel of our political culture", to which he pays no attention. He called his government's working relationship with the military very smooth, as well as very open and candid.

"We do have challenges of civil-military relationships, I'm not denying that, he said, but there are very different reasons for the imbalance. He said he believes, after one month leading the government, that civil institutions in Pakistan have deteriorated in terms of performance for the last many decades while the military is disciplined, has organisational capabilities and has improved over the past four decades.

The solution, Kakar said, is to gradually improve the performance of the civilian institutions rather than weakening the current military organisation, because that's not going to solve any of our problems. (AP) PY

PY
Islamabad, Sep 23 (PTI) Pakistans top election body has said that it is not possible to give an exact date for general elections due to technical reasons, a day after the country's political parties demanded an exact polling date from the election commission.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has come under fire for its failure to announce a specific date for the upcoming elections after it announced on Thursday that polls would be held in the "last week of January 2024."

A senior ECP official said that it was not technically possible to make an official announcement for the date of the general elections.

He said that doing so will demand a kick-start to a formal process that must follow specific timelines in the lead-up to the election, the Dawn newspaper reported on Saturday.

Elaborating on this justification, the official said that under Section 57 of the Elections Act, the announcement of a polling date should be followed by issuing an election schedule, which sets the entire electoral cycle in motion.

This cycle involves the filing of nomination papers, their scrutiny, and decisions and appeals on their acceptance or rejection. Each step has to be completed under a set timeline.

The ECP is facing criticism for its failure to hold elections within 90 days of the dissolution of Parliament on August 9.

Commenting on the uncertainty surrounding the election date, Pakistan Peoples Party leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said that a level playing field and a clear and transparent election process were essential.

Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party also questioned the ECPs authority to announce the election date. A media report quoted PTI leader Ali Zafar as saying, The election commissions election date is beyond the constitutional date."

The constitution mandates that elections should be held within 90 days of the assemblies dissolution.

However, the ECP said it has valid reasons for the delay as it has been determining new electoral districts on the basis of a new census. The delimitation will be completed on November 30.

Then a 54-day period would be given for filing of nominations which would be followed by elections, according to the ECP. But the logic given by the ECP has failed to stop criticism.

The Dawn newspaper reported that PATTAN and Coalition38  a body of more than 150 civil society organisations and labour unions  issued a joint statement regretting that the ECP had further deepened the prevailing uncertainty by giving an extremely vague statement about the next general elections.

They said the ECPs statement was violative of Article 48(5a) of the Constitution, which binds the president to announce a date for general elections within 90 days of the dissolution of an assembly.

They also regretted with deep anguish that the ECP had eroded its credibility and the publics trust by taking u-turns and violating the orders of the superior courts.

We also note with deep concern that the ECP, instead of holding elections within 90 days of the dissolution of National Assembly, began delimitation of constituencies which was not only based on a flawed and highly politicised population census but [was] also not mandatory under the Constitution, the statement issued by the civil society coalition said.
Ranchi, Sep 23 (PTI) Preparations are in full swing for the inaugural run of Jharkhand's second Vande Bharat Express, which will be flagged off by PM Narendra Modi virtually on Sunday, an official said.

The regular run of the Ranchi-Howrah Vande Bharat Express will commence on September 27, he said.

For the inaugural function at the Ranchi station, the railways has invited Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, MPs and MLAs, he added.

The function will begin at 10.45 am, while the train will be flagged off at 12.30 pm, said senior divisional commercial manager of Ranchi Nishant Kumar.

The state's first Vande Bharat Express, which operates between Ranchi and Patna, was flagged off on June 27.

The trial run of the Ranchi-Howrah Vande Bharat Express was conducted on Thursday.

The train will run six days a week, and will complete the 463 km distance in seven hours.

The fare between Ranchi and Howrah will be Rs 2,045 for Executive AC Chair Car, and Rs 1,030 for AC Chair Car without meal.

Teachers and students of different schools would get free rides on the train during its inaugural run.

The train will depart from Ranchi at 5.15 am and reach Howrah at 12.20 pm. While returning, it will leave Howrah at 3.45 pm and reach Ranchi at 10.50 pm.

The train will have stops at Muri, Kotshila, Purulia, Chandil, Tatanagar and Kharagpur, a statement said.

"The indigenously designed train is equipped with state-of-the-art passenger amenities. It will provide more comfort to rail users. The train will be immensely beneficial for students, businessmen, tourists and entrepreneurs. Enhanced connectivity will also provide a boost to socio-economic development in the region," it said.
Shimla, Sep 23 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday said the BJP government spent Rs 6.93 crore on Amrit Mahotsav programmes but did not invite families of freedom fighters to official functions.

Replying to a question from part member Sanjay Rattan in Vidhan Sabha, Sukhu said Amrit Mahotsav was a programme of the central government but the money was spent from the state budget

The programmes should have been dedicated to freedom fighters and martyrs who fought for freedom, he said, adding that the importance of these programmes would have increased if families of freedom fighters were also invited and honoured

Such functions should not have been politicised. Rattan who is from the family of freedom fighters was also not invited to function in his constituency, Sukhu said.

The government should not stop such programmes but ensure that families of our freedom fighters are invited.

Leader of the opposition, Jai Ram Thakur said Amrit Mahotsav programmes were organised across the country and Himachal also conducted programmes and spent money but the government is making it an issue.

He said not inviting Rattans family could have been an error which should be corrected and asked whether the government would implement any scheme or programme brought by the Centre.

Thakur also urged the state government to restore the rescinded Loktantra Prahari Samman Yojana- providing for a monthly pension of Rs 11,000 per month to persons, who were jailed during the emergency.

The scheme was started during the tenure of the previous BJP government.

Rattan said the BJP celebrated Amrit Mahotsav keeping in view the elections and misused the government money and also claimed that he was not invited to the programmes held in his constituency.

It would have been more appropriate if the money was spent on raising memorials in the honour of freedom fighters, he added.
Srinagar, Sep 23 (PTI) A municipal corporator in Srinagar was arrested on Saturday on allegations of sexual harassment, outraging the modesty and online stalking of a woman, police said.

Aqib Ahmed Renzu, a Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) corporator, was arrested after "strong technical evidence" was produced by the victim, they said.

Renzu is a resident of the city's Nishat area.

"One SMC corporator Aqib Ahmed Renzu of Nishat Srinagar arrested for sexual harassment, outraging modesty and online stalking. Strong technical evidences in this matter were produced by the brave victim," Srinagar Police said in a post on X.

A case against Renzu under various provisions of the law has been registered at RM Bagh police station.
Westerly, RI (02891)

Today

Rain showers this morning with overcast skies during the afternoon hours. High 48F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

A clear sky. Low near 30F. Winds light and variable.
Thacker Pass in Nevada is home to the largest lithium deposit in America and one of the biggest in the world. Following several years gaining regulatory approval, construction of a mine has begun, with the first sales expected by 2026.

Once up and running, the mine should deliver about 80,000 tons of lithium a year, generating almost $2.5billion (2billion) of annual revenue at todays prices.

Thacker is the source of considerable excitement in certain US circles. Lithium is a crucial component in electric car batteries, China dominates the market and President Biden is keen to shift production closer to home.

Taking charge: Lithium is a crucial component in electric car batteries

Thacker has a central role to play and car giant General Motors signalled its support with a $650million investment earlier this year.

Two years ago, Trident Royalties signed a royalty agreement with the owners of Thacker Pass, entitling the AIM-listed firm to 1.05 per cent of annual revenue, equating to $25million at current prices.

Trident has come a long way since floating in May 2020. Back then, chief executive Adam Davidson had one royalty agreement to his name, an iron ore project in Australia.

Today, 20 royalty deals are in place, covering a range of base and precious metals, including gold, silver and copper, as well as lithium. Projects span the mining world, from the US and Canada to Mexico and Brazil to pockets of Africa.

More than half the sites are already in production. The rest are in construction or at a relatively early stage, but the combination is designed to deliver a steady stream of revenues over many years.

Last week, Davidson showed the strategy was delivering results. Royalty receipts soared 45 per cent in the first half of 2023, with further growth expected this year and beyond. Davidson also sold a group of gold royalties for $15.5million, having paid $6.25million for them two years ago.

And in the past few weeks, two new royalty deals were completed  a lithium deal in Utah and one for gold in Mali, which may sound risky but is reassuringly close to a large, established American mine.

Midas verdict: Midas recommended Trident Royalties in 2021 at 34p. The shares have risen 29 per cent to 43.5p since then, but should continue to gain ground. Davidson and finance chief Richard Hughes have spent more than 200,000 of their own money acquiring stock in recent months. Investors should take note.

Traded on: AIM Ticker: TRR Contact: tridentroyalties.com or 001 757 208 5171
The events group behind the Cannes Lions advertising festival hailed strong trading as it reduced losses in the first half of the year.

Ascential  which used to be called Emap and is on the FTSE 250 index  said revenue in the six months to the end of June was up 18 per cent to 307.4m.

Business was boosted by its events division, which includes Money20/20 and Cannes Lions and saw its revenue rise 25 per cent.

Star quality: Cannes Lions is seen as the largest gathering of advertising executives and attracts celebrities such as actress Eva Longoria

Cannes Lions is seen as the largest gathering of advertising executives and attracts celebrities such as actress Eva Longoria.

Ascential losses came in at 11.8m in the first half, down from 41.6m in the same period last year.

Chief executive Duncan Painter praised the 'extremely successful editions in June'.

Shares rose 6 per cent, or 11.5p, to 202p.
Rio Tinto has damaged another Aboriginal site three years after the destruction of sacred rock shelters at Juukan Gorge.

The FTSE 100 firm has paused its mining activities at an iron ore mine in Western Australia after an Indigenous rock shelter was damaged.

A rock and small tree were displaced from the registered cultural heritage site after a blast that occurred at the Nammuldi site last month.

Concern: Rio Tinto has paused its mining activities at an iron ore mine in Western Australia after an Indigenous rock shelter was damaged

It comes three years after the Anglo-Australian company was condemned for destroying rock shelters at Juukan Gorge.

Rio Tinto said it was working out what had happened with the Muntulgura Guruma people.

Operations boss Simon Trott said drone footage suggested there was no structural damage to the shelter.

Aaron Rayner, of the Wintawari Guruma Aboriginal Corporation, said: 'WGAC is disappointed by the report but is yet to establish the extent of the impact.
Airbus has delivered a huge vote of confidence in UK plc by announcing plans to increase its British workforce by almost 10 per cent.

The world's biggest aeroplane maker plans to create another 1,100 jobs in coming years across a range of divisions. Many of the roles will be in high-tech fields including cyber security, software engineering, cryogenics and robotics.

Airbus already employs 11,500 people in the UK  out of a global staff of 134,000  and makes the wings for all its aeroplanes here.

It has major bases in Filton, near Bristol, and Broughton, in north Wales, and a big centre that focuses on space work in Portsmouth.

The jobs announcement comes as figures show Airbus contributed 7billion to the UK economy last year. It also supported 79,000 British jobs in the wider aerospace and defence sectors, according to a report from the consultancy Oxford Economics, and spent 3.9billion with homegrown suppliers.

Airbus made 5.6billion in UK sales last year. As well as building passenger jets, such as the A350, and commercial helicopters, it works in the defence and space sectors.

'These findings clearly show Airbus is good for jobs, good for growth, and good for the UK,' said Airbus's UK chairman John Harrison. 'Our deep roots in the UK supply chain and investment across the four nations create long-term regional and local growth, ensuring our impact is felt at every level.'

Airbus invested 277million in research and development in the UK last year, and the creation of 1,100 jobs would be a boon for the sector. More than 400,000 people work in the aerospace and defence industries in the UK, according to industry body ADS, though Airbus's total UK workforce will still be below pre-Covid levels after the jobs are created.

It had about 14,000 staff in Britain before the pandemic, when the grounding of flights for several months forced the company to cut jobs across the globe.

Airbus, which is worth 86billion, is a publicly listed company but is also part-owned by France, Spain and Germany.

It is bidding for lucrative Ministry of Defence contracts in the UK, including one to build the next generation of military satellite communications through the Skynet Enduring Capability programme and another to build a new helicopter.
Brunswick Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets recreation products worldwide. It operates through three segments: Propulsion, Parts & Accessories, and Boat. The Propulsion segment provides outboard, sterndrive, and inboard engines for independent boat builders and governments through marine dealers and distributors, specialty marine retailers, and marine service centers; and propulsion-related controls, rigging, and propellers to original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket retailers, distributors, and distribution businesses. This segment offers its products under the Mercury, Mercury MerCruiser, Mariner, Mercury Racing, and Mercury Diesel brands. The Parts & Accessories segment provides engine parts and consumables, electrical products, boat parts and systems, engine oils and lubricants, marine electronics and control systems, instruments, trolling motors, fuel systems, and electrical systems, as well as specialty vehicle, mobile, and transportation aftermarket products for aftermarket retailers, distributors, and distribution businesses, as well for as for the original equipment manufacturers in marine and non-marine markets; and supplies parts and accessories. This segment offers its products under the under the Mercury, Mercury Precision Parts, Quicksilver, and Seachoice brands. The Boat segment provides Sea Ray sport boats and cruisers; Bayliner sport cruisers, runabouts and Heyday wake; Boston Whaler fiberglass offshore boats; Lund fiberglass fishing boats; Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris, Lowe, Lund, Princecraft aluminum fishing, Veer recreational and fishing, utility, pontoon, and deck boats; and Thunder Jet heavy-gauge aluminum boats, as well as the freedom boat club, dealer services, and technology to the marine industry through dealers and distributors. Brunswick Corporation was founded in 1845 and is headquartered in Mettawa, Illinois.
B&G Foods, Inc. manufactures, sells, and distributes a portfolio of shelf-stable and frozen foods, and household products in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The company's products include frozen and canned vegetables, vegetables, canola and other cooking oils, vegetable shortening, cooking sprays, oatmeal and other hot cereals, fruit spreads, canned meats and beans, bagel chips, spices, seasonings, hot sauces, wine vinegar, maple syrups, molasses, salad dressings, pizza crusts, Mexican-style sauces, dry soups, taco shells and kits, salsas, pickles, peppers, tomato-based products, baking powder and soda, cookies and crackers, corn starch, nut clusters, and other specialty products. It markets its products under various brands, including Ac'cent, B&G, B&M, Baker's Joy, Bear Creek Country Kitchens, Brer Rabbit, Canoleo, Cary's, Clabber Girl, Cream of Rice, Cream of Wheat, Crisco, Dash, Davis, Devonsheer, Don Pepino, Durkee, Emeril's, Grandma's Molasses, Green Giant, Joan of Arc, Las Palmas, Le Sueur, MacDonald's, Mama Mary's, Maple Grove Farms of Vermont, McCann's, Molly McButter, New York Flatbreads, New York Style, Old London, Ortega, Polaner, Red Devil, Regina, Rumford, Sa-son, Sclafani, Spice Islands, Spring Tree, Sugar Twin, Tone's, Trappey's, TrueNorth, Underwood, Vermont Maid, Victoria, and Weber and Wright's. The company also sells, markets, and distributes household products under the Static Guard brand. It sells and distributes its products directly, as well as through a network of independent brokers and distributors to supermarket chains, foodservice outlets, mass merchants, warehouse clubs, non-food outlets, and specialty distributors. The company was formerly known as B&G Foods Holdings Corp. and changed its name to B&G Foods, Inc. in October 2004. B&G Foods, Inc. was founded in 1822 and is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey.
Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. operates as a multi-channel retailer of plush animals and related products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Direct-to-Consumer, Commercial, and International Franchising. Its merchandise comprises various styles of plush products to be stuffed, pre-stuffed plush products, and sounds and scents that can be added to the stuffed animals, as well as range of clothing, shoes and accessories, and other toy and novelty items, including family sleepwear. The company operates its stores under the Build-A-Bear Workshop brand name; and sells its products through its e-commerce sites and third-party marketplace sites. The company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.
StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:NBY  Free Report) in a research report report published on Sunday. The firm issued a sell rating on the stock.

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Trading Down 7.7 %

NYSE:NBY opened at $0.33 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.38 million, a P/E ratio of -0.03 and a beta of 2.84. NovaBay Pharmaceuticals has a 12 month low of $0.32 and a 12 month high of $4.08.

Get NovaBay Pharmaceuticals alerts:

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:NBY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 10th. The company reported ($1.27) EPS for the quarter. NovaBay Pharmaceuticals had a negative net margin of 79.70% and a negative return on equity of 146.20%. The firm had revenue of $4.61 million for the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that NovaBay Pharmaceuticals will post -2.54 EPS for the current year.

About NovaBay Pharmaceuticals

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a biopharmaceutical company, develops and sells eyecare, skincare, and wound care products in the United States and internationally. It offers Avenova Spray, a solution for removing foreign materials, including microorganisms and debris from skin around the eye, such as the eyelid; and wound care products, which are used for cleansing and irrigation as part of surgical procedures, as well as treating certain wounds, burns, ulcers, and other injuries under the NeutroPhase and PhaseOne brands.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NovaBay Pharmaceuticals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
All the trading advice youve ever received boils down to one goal and one goal only: finding a reliable edge in the markets. If you can do that, grab hold of it and never let go. Because once you have that edge, and you can count on it, you never need to do anything else.
PulteGroup, Inc., through its subsidiaries, primarily engages in the homebuilding business in the United States. It acquires and develops land primarily for residential purposes; and constructs housing on such land. The company also offers various home designs, including single-family detached, townhomes, condominiums, and duplexes under the Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb, DiVosta Homes, American West, and John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods brand names. As of December 31, 2022, it controlled 211,112 lots, of which 108,848 were owned and 102,264 were under land option agreements. In addition, the company arranges financing through the origination of mortgage loans primarily for homebuyers; sells the servicing rights for the originated loans; and provides title insurance policies, and examination and closing services to homebuyers. The company was founded in 1950 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Polaris Inc. designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets powersports vehicles worldwide. It operates through three segments: Off-Road, On-Road, and Marine. The company offers off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles and side-by-side vehicles; military and commercial ORVs; snowmobiles; motorcycles; moto-roadsters, quadricycles, and boats; and aftermarket parts and apparel. It also provides ORV accessories comprising winches, bumper/brushguards, plows, racks, wheels and tires, pull-behinds, cab systems, lighting and audio systems, cargo box accessories, tracks, and oil; snowmobile accessories, which include covers, traction products, reverse kits, electric starters, tracks, bags, windshields, oil, and lubricants; and motorcycle accessories, such as saddle bags, handlebars, backrests, exhausts, windshields, seats, oil, and various chrome accessories. In addition, the company offers light duty hauling and passenger vehicles; gear and apparel, such as helmets, goggles, jackets, gloves, boots, bibs, hats, pants, and leathers; and pontoon and deck boats. It provides its products through dealers and distributors, and online; and retail and e-commerce sites. The company was formerly known as Polaris Industries Inc. Polaris Inc. was founded in 1945 and is headquartered in Medina, Minnesota.
The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides various property and casualty insurance products and services in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Core Commercial, Specialty, Personal Lines, and Other. The Commercial Lines segment offers commercial multiple peril, commercial automobile, workers' compensation, and other commercial lines coverage. The Specialty segment provides professional and executive Lines, marine, and surety and other, as well as specialty P&C, such as program business, specialty industrial and commercial property, excess and surplus lines, and specialty general liability coverage. The Personal Lines segment offers personal automobile and homeowner's coverages, as well as other personal coverages, such as personal umbrella, inland marine, fire, personal watercraft, personal cyber, and other miscellaneous coverages. The Other segment markets investment management services to institutions, pension funds, and other organizations. The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. markets its products and services through independent agents and brokers. The company was formerly known as Allmerica Financial Corp. and changed its name to The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. in December 2005. The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. was founded in 1852 and is headquartered in Worcester, Massachusetts.
DES MOINES  Iowa's top corporate income tax rates will fall for the second year in a row to 7.1%.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a tax law in 2022 that included a trigger to decrease corporate tax rates if revenue exceeded $700 million. Taxes in fiscal year 2023 were $838 million, according to the Iowa Department of Revenue.

Based on the 2022 law's formula, corporate tax rates will fall to 7.1% in the highest two brackets. The tax rate for those brackets was 8.4% last year.

For businesses that bring in between $0 and $100,000, the tax rate will remain at 5.5%, which is intended to be the flat tax rate for all businesses by 2028.

Iowa businesses are growing because government is getting out of their way, Reynolds said in a statement. From cutting taxes and red tape to expanding economic freedom and opportunity, Iowa is growing and providing businesses and our people the freedom to flourish.

The same 2022 law included individual income tax cuts, gradually phasing Iowa's tax rate at a flat 3.9% by tax year 2026. Iowa's revenue is expected to drop by $1.89 billion once the tax cuts take full effect.

AG says officer acted with legal justification in shooting

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird's office released a report on Friday determining that an August fatal shooting by a police officer was legally justified.

On Aug. 12, Polk County officials received multiple 911 calls because of gunshots being fired in a Pleasant Hill neighborhood.

The shooter, identified as Bradley Van Heeswyk, was shooting at a house at 404 Pleasant Circle.

Police officers from multiple agencies arrived on the scene and reported hearing gunshots from the address, according to the attorney general's report.

Two officers began approaching the house and saw Van Heeswyk in the backyard. Pleasant Hill Officer Steven Burroughs yelled at Van Heeswyk to drop his gun, the report says, and he did not comply.

Shortly after giving the command, Burroughs fired one shot at Van Heeswyk. He reported seeing Van Heeswyk, who was nude, waving a rifle in the air and attempting to climb a fence shortly after taking the shot, the report says.

Officers then handcuffed Van Heeswyk and began performing first aid, according to the report. He was then transported to Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy confirmed his cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the abdomen and lower torso.

Van Heeswyk had no known connection to the homeowners at 404 Pleasant Circle, the report said, but had a prior relationship with someone who resided there two years before the shooting.

The report found Burroughs acted with legal justification because Van Heeswyk posed an immediate threat to the officers and other residents in the neighborhood.

"Van Heeswyk had already demonstrated a propensity to fire the rifle since multiple shots had already been fired just before and at the time of officers arrival to the area," The report says. "Van Heeswyk failed to comply with the officers and instead continued the threat by refusing to disarm himself and end the confrontation created by him peacefully."

Boards and Commissions Review Committee to hold final meeting

A state panel tasked with reviewing Iowa's boards and commissions and recommending some for elimination or consolidation will hold its final meeting on Monday, Sept. 25. The meeting will be held in the Old Supreme Court Chamber at the Iowa State Capitol.

The committee will discuss the draft report of its final recommendations to the governor and the state Legislature. The committee is required to give submit its final report by Sept. 30.

In the committee's preliminary recommendations, it recommended cutting or consolidating more than 100 state boards and commissions. Dozens of affected members and stakeholders showed up at a public hearing this month and argued against eliminating some boards.
Zealand Pharma A/S, a biotechnology company, engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of peptide-based medicines in Denmark. It has a portfolio of medicines focusing on gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases, and other specialty disease areas with unmet medical needs. The company Dasiglucagon, a single use syringe or autoinjector for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia; and Dasiglucagon bi-hormone artificial pancreas systems containing both insulin and dasiglucagon. The company's pipeline includes Dasiglucagon that is in Phase III clinical trials for congenital hyperinsulinism. The company is also developing glepaglutide, a long acting GLP-2 analog, which is in Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of short bowel syndrome. Zealand Pharma A/S has collaboration agreements with Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH; Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH; Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; and Beta Bionics, Inc. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark.
ORIX Corporation provides diversified financial services in Japan, the United States, Asia, Europe, Australasia, and the Middle East. The company's Corporate Financial Services and Maintenance Leasing segment is involved in the finance and fee; leasing and rental of automobiles, electronic measuring instruments, and ICT-related equipment businesses; and provision of life insurance and environment and energy-related products and services. Its Real Estate segment develops, rents, and manages real estate properties; operates facilities; real estate asset management; manages residential condominiums and office building; and provides construction contracting, real estate brokerage, and real estate investment advisory services, as well as operates hotels and Japanese inns. The company's PE Investment and Concession segment engages in the private equity (PE) investment and concession businesses. Its Environment and Energy segment provides renewable energy; ESCO; retails electric power; sells solar panels and battery electricity storage systems; and recycling and waste management services, as well as generates solar power. The company's Insurance segment sells life insurance products through agents, banks, and other financial institutions, as well as face-to-face and online. Its Banking and Credit segment provides banking and consumer finance services. The company's Aircraft and Ships segment engages in the aircraft leasing and management, and ship-related finance and investment businesses. Its ORIX USA segment offers finance, investment, and asset management services. The company's ORIX Europe segment provides equity and fixed income asset management services. Its Asia and Australia segment offers finance and investment businesses. The company was formerly known as Orient Leasing Co., Ltd. and changed its name to ORIX Corporation in 1989. ORIX Corporation was incorporated in 1950 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
Dominion Energy, Inc. produces and distributes energy in the United States. It operates through four segments: Dominion Energy Virginia, Gas Distribution, Dominion Energy South Carolina, and Contracted Assets. The Dominion Energy Virginia segment generates, transmits, and distributes regulated electricity to approximately 2.7 million residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers in Virginia and North Carolina. The Gas Distribution segment is involved in the regulated natural gas sales, transportation, gathering, storage, and distribution operations in Ohio, North Carolina, Utah, southwestern Wyoming, and southeastern Idaho that serve approximately 3.0 million residential, commercial and industrial customers. It also has nonregulated renewable natural gas facilities in operation. The Dominion Energy South Carolina segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 782,000 customers in the central, southern, and southwestern portions of South Carolina; and distributes natural gas to approximately 435,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in South Carolina. The Contracted Assets segment is involved in the nonregulated long-term contracted renewable electric generation and solar generation facility development operations; and gas transportation, LNG import, and storage operations, as well as in the liquefaction facility. As of December 31, 2022, the company's portfolio of assets included approximately 31.0 gigawatt of electric generating capacity; 10,600 miles of electric transmission lines; 78,500 miles of electric distribution lines; and 93,500 miles of gas distribution mains and related service facilities. The company was formerly known as Dominion Resources, Inc. Dominion Energy, Inc. was incorporated in 1983 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.
Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. is a closed ended fixed income fund launched and managed by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. The fund invests in fixed income markets of emerging market countries across the globe. It primarily invests in debt securities of government and government-related issuers, of entities organized to restructure outstanding debt of such issuers and debt securities of corporate issuers in or organized under the laws of emerging countries. The fund benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the JP Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Global Index. Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. was formed on May 6, 1993 and is domiciled in the United States.
5 Wall Street equities research analysts have issued "buy," "hold," and "sell" ratings for CEMEX in the last year. There are currently 3 hold ratings and 2 buy ratings for the stock. The consensus among Wall Street equities research analysts is that investors should "hold" CX shares. A hold rating indicates that analysts believe investors should maintain any existing positions they have in CX, but not buy additional shares or sell existing shares.

View CX analyst ratings or view top-rated stocks.
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Company is a leading global biopharmaceutical company with a long and impressive history of innovating and developing medicines that improve the lives of patients around the world. Founded in 1887 when William McLaren Bristol and John Ripley Myers purchased the Clinton Pharmaceutical Company, the company was initially named Bristol, Myers and Company. Its first nationally recognized product, Sal Hepatica, was released in the 1890s.

Bristol Myers-Squibb offers chemically synthesized drugs and biologics administered through injections or infusions to patients. The company's pharmaceutical portfolio includes a large number of well-known products. BMS's primary research and development sites are in New Jersey, California, Spain, Massachusetts, New York, Belgium, Japan, India and Massachusetts. The company's products sell to wholesalers and distributors around the world.

Bristol Myers-Squibb has a robust pipeline of investigational medicines in its pipeline. In addition, the company has established strategic collaborations and partnerships with various companies, successfully launching new products. These partnerships and investments generate portions of the company's revenue.

Bristol Myers-Squibb has acquired several companies over the years, including Medarex in 2009, ZymoGenetics in 2010, Inhibitex Inc. in 2012, Amylin Pharmaceuticals in 2012, iPierian in 2014, Flexus Biosciences in 2015, Cardioxyl in 2015, Padlock Therapeutics in 2016, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals in 2017, IFM Therapeutics in 2017, Celgene in 2019, Otezla in 2019, Forbius in 2020, MyoKardia in 2020 and Turning Point Therapeutics in 2022.

In 2005, the company divested individual consumer products and its subsequent consumer products businesses. In December 2014, the company received FDA approval for its cancer drug, Opdivo, used to treat skin cancers that do not respond to drug therapies. In 2019, the company divested its consumer health business, UPSA, to Taisho.

The company has also faced several scandals, lawsuits and investigations over the years, the biggest of which is the ongoing $1 billion lawsuit from Guatemala for the company's role in a 1940s experiment that infected hundreds with syphilis. In 2001 BMS faced an accounting scandal that resulted in a restatement of revenues from 1999 to 2001. In 2002, BMS faced a lawsuit based on illegally maintaining a monopoly on Taxol, a chemotherapy medication. The former head of the pharma group and the ex-CFO were indicted for federal securities violations in 2005. In July of 2006, an FBI raid on the company's corporate offices revealed that the company took steps to delay the release of a generic version of one of its drugs.

BMS began a significant restructuring in 2009, focusing on the pharmaceutical business and biologic products, productivity initiatives and cost-cutting. The U.S. attorney forced the company into oversight and appointed a monitor as part of a deferred prosecution agreement. Lou Schmukler joined Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2010 as global product development and design president.

In 2013, Forbes magazine ranked the company as the drug company of the year. Dr. Giovanni Caforio took the reigns as CEO in 2015. In 2017, reports began to surface that activist investor Carl Icahn took a stake in the company, widely seen as a signal for a potential future takeover.

As Bristol-Myers Squibb continues to experience success and growth, the company is committed to delivering innovative treatments to patients and staying ahead of the curve in the biopharmaceutical industry. With its focus on research and development and a long and rich history of delivering innovative medicines, BMS offers an excellent long-term investment opportunity.
Brookfield Corporation is an alternative asset manager and REIT/Real Estate Investment Manager firm focuses on real estate, renewable power, infrastructure and venture capital and private equity assets. It manages a range of public and private investment products and services for institutional and retail clients. It typically makes investments in sizeable, premier assets across geographies and asset classes. It invests both its own capital as well as capital from other investors. Within private equity and venture capital, it focuses on acquisition, early ventures, control buyouts and financially distressed, buyouts and corporate carve-outs, recapitalizations, convertible, senior and mezzanine financings, operational and capital structure restructuring, strategic re-direction, turnaround, and under-performing midmarket companies. It invests in both public debt and equity markets. It invests in private equity sectors with focus on Business Services include infrastructure, healthcare, road fuel distribution and marketing, construction and real estate; Industrials include manufacturers of automotive batteries, graphite electrodes, returnable plastic packaging, and sanitation management and development; and Residential/ infrastructure services. It targets companies which likely possess underlying real assets, primarily in sectors such as industrial products, building materials, metals, mining, homebuilding, oil and gas, paper and packaging, manufacturing and forest product sectors. It invests globally with focus on North America including Brazil, the United States, Canada; Europe; and Australia; and Asia-Pacific. The firm considers equity investments in the range of $2 million to $500 million. It has a four-year investment period and a 10-year term with two one-year extensions. The firm prefers to take minority stake and majority stake. Brookfield Corporation was founded in 1997 and based in Toronto, Canada with additional offices across Northern America; South America; Europe; Middle East and Asia.
The following companies are subsidiares of TJX Companies: AJW South Bend Realty Corp., Arizona Merchants Inc., Bob's Stores, Concord Buying Group, Derailed, Fashion Factory Outlets (Trade Secret) Pty Limited, H. G. Conn. Merchants, H.G. AZ Merchants, H.G. Brownsburg Realty Corp., H.G. Conn. Merchants, H.G. Conn. Realty Corp., H.G. Georgia Merchants, H.G. Indiana Distributors, HomeGoods, HomeGoods Georgia, HomeGoods Imports Corp, HomeGoods Imports Corp., Jusy Meazza Buying Company S.r.L., Marmaxx Operating Corp., Marshalls, Marshalls Atlanta Merchants, Marshalls Bridgewater Merchant, Marshalls Bridgewater Merchants, Marshalls Woburn Merchants, Marshalls of Beacon, Marshalls of Beacon VA, Marshalls of CA, Marshalls of Elizabeth, Marshalls of Elizabeth NJ, Marshalls of Glen Burnie, Marshalls of Glen Burnie MD, Marshalls of IL, Marshalls of MA, Marshalls of Matteson, Marshalls of Matteson IL, Marshalls of Nevada, Marshalls of Richfield, Marshalls of Richfield MN, NBC Apparel, NBC Apparel LLC, NBC Atlantic Holding Limited, NBC Atlantic Limited, NBC Attire, NBC Attire Inc., NBC Charlotte Merchants, NBC Distributors Inc., NBC Europe Limited, NBC Fashion India Private Limited, NBC Fifth Realty Corp., NBC First Realty Corp., NBC Fourth Realty Corp., NBC GP, NBC Holding, NBC Hong Kong Merchants Limited, NBC Manager, NBC Manteca Merchants, NBC Merchants, NBC Nevada Merchants, NBC Operating, NBC Philadelphia Merchants, NBC Pittston Merchants, NBC Second Realty Corp., NBC Seventh Realty Corp., NBC Sixth Realty Corp., NBC Trading, NBC Trust, New York Department Stores, New York Department Stores de Puerto Rico Inc., Newton Buying Company of CA, Newton Buying Corp, Newton Buying Corp., Newton Buying Imports, STP Retail, STP Technology Systems, Sierra Trading Post, Strathmex Corp., T.J. Maxx of CA, T.J. Maxx of IL, T.K. Maxx Holding GmbH, T.K. Maxx Management GmbH, TJX Australia Holding Company Pty Limited, TJX Australia Holding Company Pty Ltd., TJX Australia Merchants Pty Limited, TJX Australia Pty Limited, TJX Australia Pty Ltd., TJX Austria Holding GmbH, TJX Deutschland Ltd & Co. KG, TJX Deutschland Ltd & Co. KG, TJX Digital, TJX Digital Memphis Merchants, TJX Distribution Ltd. & Co. KG, TJX Europe Buying (Deutschland) Ltd, TJX Europe Buying (Polska) Ltd, TJX Europe Buying Group Limited, TJX Europe Buying Ltd, TJX Europe Limited, TJX European Distribution, TJX European Distribution Sp. Z o.o, TJX Germany Ltd., TJX Incentive Sales, TJX Ireland Unlimited Company, TJX Nederland B.V., TJX Oesterreich Ltd. & Co. KG, TJX Poland, TJX Poland Sp. Z o.o, TJX UK, TJX UK Property Limited, TJX Vietnam Company Limited, TK Maxx, Trade Secret, WMI-1 Holding Company, WMI-1 Holding Company, WMI-99 Holding Company, WMI-99 Holding Company, Wagon Wheel Realty, Winners Merchants International, and Winners Merchants International L.P..

Read More
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Funds investment objective is to seek investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, MSCI EAFE Index (the Index). The Index has been developed by MSCI Inc. as an equity benchmark for its international stock performance. The Index includes stocks from Europe, Australasia and the Far East. The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index. The Fund's investment advisor is BlackRock Fund Advisors.
Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM) pays an annual dividend of $5.20 per share and currently has a dividend yield of 5.82%. PM has a dividend yield higher than 75% of all dividend-paying stocks, making it a leading dividend payer. The company has been increasing its dividend for 16 consecutive years, indicating the company has a strong committment to maintain and grow its dividend. The dividend payout ratio is 100.97%. Payout ratios above 75% are not desirable because they may not be sustainable. Based on EPS estimates, PM will have a dividend payout ratio of 79.27% in the coming year. This indicates that the company may not be able to sustain their current dividend.

Read our dividend analysis for PM.
Email special events to news@registerbee.com. The deadline is noon Wednesday.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 24

REVIVAL SERVICES: Ringgold Baptist Church, 4620 Ringgold Church Road, will hold its fall revival Sunday-Wednesday. Sunday services will be held at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.; Monday-Wednesday services are at 7 p.m. There will be different speakers for each service including the Rev. John Cline, the Rev. Jonathan Hilliard, the Rev. Tim Lee, the Rev. David Turbyfill and the Rev. Joel Fletcher. Special music each night.

HOMECOMING SERVICE: Swansonville Pentecostal Holiness Church,16300 Mount Cross Road, Dry Fork, will hold its homecoming service on Sunday with guest speaker, Rev. Darrell Greene. Worship service starts at 10:30 a.m. with lunch following.

HOMECOMING SERVICE: Calvary Baptist Church, 416 Edgewood Drive, will celebrate its 105 year homecoming service at 11 a.m. Sept. 24. Guest speaker will be pastor Joel Fletcher from Pittsylvania Baptist Association. Service is available inside and also channel 88.1 FM in parking lot. A luncheon will be served after worship service.

NEW EPHESUS MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH ANNIVERSARY: New Ephesus Missionary Baptist Church, 375 Ephesus Church Road, Semora, North Carolina, will celebrate its 151st church anniversary at 2 p.m.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 25

HOMECOMING SERVICE: Fairview Baptist Church will celebrate its homecoming at 11 a.m.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 30

BEAN SUPPER: Rock Springs United Methodist Church Women of Faith, 2445 Rocksprings Road, Ringgold, will hold a bean supper from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at cost of $7 per person. A variety of beans, bread, desserts and drinks will be served. President Casey Sparks said "funds are going toward mission projects."

SATURDAY, OCT. 7

FOOD PANTRY: The Union Hall Baptist Church Food and Clothing Ministry, 6861 Strawberry Road, across from the church, will be open from 9 a.m. to noon with food and clothing of all types. For information, call 434-724-4354 or 434-250-8964.

STEW AND YARD SALE: Stew and yard sale at Oakland Community Church, 180 Snakepath Road, Blairs (formerly Oakland United Methodist Church). Yard sale starts at 7:30 a.m.; stew is pre-order only, call 434-432-9257, cost $7 per quart, with pick up at 10:30 a.m.

ONGOING

DIVORCE CARE SEMINAR-SUPPORT GROUP: Group meets at Hillcrest Baptist Church from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays for 13 weeks. For more information, call 434-685-4594.

GRIEFSHARE: GriefShare presented at Bibleway Cathedral, 215 Grant St., will be held every Thursdays through Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. All sessions are free, workbook $20. Facilitators are elder Katherine Harvell and assistant pastor Larry Campbell. For information (434) 793-3340.

Shockoe Missionary Baptist Church, 857 Java Road, Java, hosts a monthly Wellness Walking Ministry from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., meeting every fourth Saturday. All ages are welcome to participate. The Health and Wellness Ministry will meet at 9 a.m. before each walking session. For information, contact Kathy B. Ramsey at 434-251-0379 or atbjrk@gmail.com.

Ascension Lutheran Church, 314 West Main St., worships Sundays at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary and live on Facebook at www.facebook/ascensionlutherandanville.

Mount Vernon United Methodist Church offers in-person services at 10 a.m. each Sunday as well as online worship services every Sunday at mtvernonumc.org or www.facebook.com/MountVernonUMC.

Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1172 Franklin Turnpike, will have in-house worship services on Sundays at 11 a.m. Free books available anytime from a Little Free Library located on a post next to the driveway.

Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, 406 Gay St., has in-person services at 10 a.m. for hour of power on the first and third Sundays.

North New Hope Baptist Church, 123 Old Piney Forest Road, has resumed in church worship services at 11 a.m. and Sunday school at 9:30 p.m.

Mount Sinai Glorious Church of God, 716 Jefferson St., will hold services in the sanctuary with Sunday school at 10 a.m. and morning worship at 10:30 a.m. Participants are asked to wear a mask and to practice social distancing. The service also will be streamed on Facebook.

Mount Freeman Baptist Church, 2100 Laniers Mill Road, hosts in-person service at 11 a.m. Sunday. There will be no Sunday school.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church will livestream worship service at 9 a.m. Sundays in English and noon in Spanish at www.facebook.com/sheartchurch.

Staunton River Baptist Church, Long Island, will hold drive-in services at 10 a.m. each Sunday.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church celebrates Mass every weekend with a vigil Mass at 5 p.m. Saturday and at 9 p.m. Sunday in English and noon in Spanish.

Watson Level Missionary Baptist Church holds Sunday worship services each week at 11 a.m. Because of COVID-19, a face mask is required for all attendees and social distancing is mandatory.

Calvary Church of the Nazarene, 2450 Franklin Turnpike, from 6 to 7 p.m. every Sunday, will hold Ladies Need Encouragement, an hour of worship and prayer. Participants are asked to bring a Bible and practice social distancing. The event is for ages 10 and up with adult supervision. For more information, call 540-907-8836.

Mount Zion Temple, now located at 503 Hughes St., presents The Word Homelitic Institute at 10 a.m. every Sunday. Transportation is provided by calling Bishop David K. Fuller at 434-429-8960.
Eli Lilly and Company is a US-based multinational pharmaceutical company. It is the 12th largest pharmaceutical company by revenue and has offices in 16 countries. Its medicines are sold in at least 125 countries including its 8 blockbuster drugs. The company is a member of the S&P 500 and S&P 100 indices, it brought in roughly $5.5 billion in revenue for 2021 and employs more than 35,000 people across its network of research and production facilities.

Eli Lilly and Company was founded in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly. The colonel, a veteran of the Civil War, had recently dissolved an unsatisfactory partnership and set on his own to produce and develop medicinal chemicals. Colonel Lilly remained as president until his death in 1898. His charge to his family, company and coworkers was to take what you find here and make it better and better. The company is well-known for many drugs, including the first mass-marketing of quinine to treat malaria.

The company brought in $4,470 in its first year and saw that figure grow 10X over the next 3. Among the many innovations during this time period is the addition of gelation coatings for pills which helped set the company up for rapid expansion. The company was incorporated in 1881 as Eli Lilly and Company issuing stock to family and friends. The 1900s brought about more change for the company, change in the form of expansion which included international markets.

Advancements during the war years included increases in efficiency due to increased automation and the development of precision technologies. Among the technologies was pill manufacturing which included injecting medicines directly into a gelation capsule. This method allowed for more exact dosing, setting the standard for modern production. The company produced capsules for itself and sold excess capacity to competitors. Other major advancements include fruit flavorings in medicine, straight-line manufacturing and a method of blueprinting manufacturing tickets to prevent errors.

The modern period saw the company grow and discover new, world-class pharmaceuticals. Today, the company is engaged in the discovery, development and marketing of human pharmaceuticals. It offers a wide range of treatments, including Prozac but is perhaps most noteworthy for its work with insulin. The company is the first to mass produce insulin and has made numerous advances in treating diabetes in the time since. While other drugs are more widely known, its diabetic drugs Basaglar, Jardience, Trulicity, Humalog and Humulin are its top-sellers and contribute the bulk of revenue and cash flow.

Along with Diabetic research, the company also focuses on Alzheimer's, Oncology, Immunology, Obesity and Pain care. At the end of 2022, the company pipeline had 23 compounds in Phase 3 clinical trials and 1 in review. There were another 18 in Phase 2 trials and more than 2 dozen in Phase 1 trials. The average cost to discover a new drug was running at $2.6 billion with a 10-year discovery-to-patient timeline.
The following companies are subsidiares of Colgate-Palmolive: 887357 Ontario Inc., COLGALIVE S.A., CP GABA GmbH, CP International Holding C.V., CP West East Investment Limited, Cleaning Dimensions Inc., Colgate (BVI) Limited, Colgate (Guangzhou) Company Limited, Colgate (U.K.) Limited, Colgate Business Services of the Americas S.C., Colgate Flavors and Fragrances Inc., Colgate Global Business Services Private Limited, Colgate Holdings, Colgate Inc., Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals Inc., Colgate Palmolive Ghana Limited, Colgate Palmolive Holding S.Com.P.A., Colgate Palmolive Nouvelle Caledonie Sarl, Colgate Palmolive Tanzania Limited, Colgate Sanxiao Company Limited, Colgate Venture Company Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (America) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (Asia) Pte Ltd, Colgate-Palmolive (Blantyre) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Brunei) Sdn Bhn, Colgate-Palmolive (Central America) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (Central America) Inc. y Compania Limitada, Colgate-Palmolive (Centro America) S.A., Colgate-Palmolive (China) Co. Ltd, Colgate-Palmolive (Costa Rica) S.A., Colgate-Palmolive (Dominica) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (Dominican Republic) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (East Africa) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Eastern) Pte. Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive (Egypt) S.A.E., Colgate-Palmolive (Far East) Sdn Bhd, Colgate-Palmolive (Fiji) Pte Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Gabon) S.A., Colgate-Palmolive (Guyana) Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive (H.K.) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Hellas) S.A. I.C., Colgate-Palmolive (Hong Kong) Holding Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Kazakhstan) L.L.P., Colgate-Palmolive (Latvia) Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Colgate-Palmolive (Middle East Exports) Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive (Myanmar) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (New York) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (Poland) Sp. z o.o., Colgate-Palmolive (Proprietary) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Research & Development) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (Romania) SRL, Colgate-Palmolive (Thailand) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (UK) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Uganda) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Vietnam) Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive (Zambia) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (Zimbabwe) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive A.B., Colgate-Palmolive A/S, Colgate-Palmolive Adria Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive Argentina S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Asia Pacific Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Asia Pacific Treasury Services Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Belgium S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Bolivia Ltda., Colgate-Palmolive Canada Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Caricom Service Co. Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Central European Management Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Chile S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Cia., Colgate-Palmolive Comercial Ltda., Colgate-Palmolive Commercial (Hellas) SP LLC, Colgate-Palmolive Commerciale S.A.S., Colgate-Palmolive Commericale S.r.l., Colgate-Palmolive Compania Anonima, Colgate-Palmolive Company Distr. LLC, Colgate-Palmolive Company GmbH, Colgate-Palmolive Cote dIvoire S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Cyprus Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Development Corp., Colgate-Palmolive East West Africa Region (Pty) Ltd, Colgate-Palmolive Enterprises Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Espana S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Europe (Holdings) Sarl, Colgate-Palmolive Europe Sarl, Colgate-Palmolive Finance (UK) plc, Colgate-Palmolive Global Trading Company, Colgate-Palmolive Holding Argentina S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Holding Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Hungary Kft Limited Liability Company, Colgate-Palmolive IHQ Services (Thailand) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Inc. S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Industrial Ltda., Colgate-Palmolive Industriel S.A.S., Colgate-Palmolive International Holding LLC, Colgate-Palmolive International LLC, Colgate-Palmolive Investment Co. Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Investments (BVI) Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive Investments (PNG) Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive Investments (UK) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Investments Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Israel Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive Italia S.r.l., Colgate-Palmolive JSC, Colgate-Palmolive Lanka (Private) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Latin America Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Manufacturing (Poland) Sp. z o.o., Colgate-Palmolive Marketing Sdn Bhd, Colgate-Palmolive Maroc S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Mocambique Limitada, Colgate-Palmolive NJ Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Nederland B.V., Colgate-Palmolive Norge A/S, Colgate-Palmolive Participacoes e Investimentos Imobiliarios Lda., Colgate-Palmolive Peru S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Philippines Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Pty Ltd, Colgate-Palmolive Retirement Trustee Limited, Colgate-Palmolive S.A. de C.V., Colgate-Palmolive S.p.A., Colgate-Palmolive Senegal S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Services (Hellas) LLC, Colgate-Palmolive Services (Poland) Sp. z o.o., Colgate-Palmolive Services CEW GmbH, Colgate-Palmolive Services S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Slovensko s.r.o., Colgate-Palmolive Support Services, Colgate-Palmolive Temizlik Urunleri Sanayi ve Ticart S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Transnational Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Ukraine LLC, Colgate-Palmolive Unipessoal Lda, Colgate-Palmolive de Paraguay Sociedad Anonima, Colgate-Palmolive de Puerto Rico Inc., Colgate-Palmolive del Ecuador S.A.I.C., Colgate-Palmolive del Peru (Delaware) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Eeska republika spol. s r.o., Colpal CBS S de R. L. de C. V., Consumer Viewpoint Center Inc., Cotelle S.A., Dimac Development Corp., Dominica Coconut Products Limited, EKIB Inc., ELM Company Limited, Elta MD Holdings Inc., Elta MD Inc., EltaMD, Filorga Americas Inc., Filorga Asia Limited, Filorga Benelux SA, Filorga Cosmetiques Polska, Filorga Middle East DMCC, Filorga Portugal Unipessoal Lda., Filorga RU Limited Liability Company, GABA Europe Holding GmbH, GABA International, GABA International Holding LLC, GABA Schweiz AG, GABA Therwil GmbH, Gamma Development Co. Ltd., Global Trading and Supply LLC, Hamol Ltd., Hello Products, Hello Products LLC, Hills Funding Company, Hills Pet Nutrition (NZ) Limited, Hills Pet Nutrition (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Hills Pet Nutrition Asia Limited, Hills Pet Nutrition B.V., Hills Pet Nutrition Canada Inc., Hills Pet Nutrition Denmark ApS, Hills Pet Nutrition Espana S.L., Hills Pet Nutrition GmbH, Hills Pet Nutrition Holding B.V., Hills Pet Nutrition Inc., Hills Pet Nutrition Indiana Inc., Hills Pet Nutrition Italia S.r.l., Hills Pet Nutrition Korea Ltd., Hills Pet Nutrition Ltd., Hills Pet Nutrition Manufacturing B.V., Hills Pet Nutrition Manufacturing s.r.o, Hills Pet Nutrition Norway AS, Hills Pet Nutrition OOO, Hills Pet Nutrition Pty. Limited, Hills Pet Nutrition S.p.A., Hills Pet Nutrition SNC, Hills Pet Nutrition Sales Inc., Hills Pet Nutrition South Africa Proprietary Limited, Hills Pet Nutrition Sweden AB, Hills Pet Nutrition Switzerland GmbH, Hills Pet Nutrition Taiwan Ltd, Hills Pet Nutrition Trading (GZ) Co. Ltd, Hills Pet Nutrition de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Hills Pet Nutrition de Puerto Rico Inc., Hills Pet Nutrition s.r.o., Hills Pet Products (Benelux) S.A., Hills Pet Products Inc., Hills Veterinary Companies of America Inc., Hills-Colgate (Japan) Ltd., Hopro Liquidating Corp., Hygiene Systemes et Services SA, IES Enterprises Inc., Inmobiliaria Colpal S. de R.L. de C.V., Inmobiliaria Hills S.A. de C.V., Innovacion Creativa S.A. de C.V., Kolynos Corporation, Laboratoires Filorga Cosmetiques Espana S.L.U., Laboratoires Filorga Cosmetiques Italia S.R.L., Laboratoires Filorga Cosmetiques S.A., Laser Brand Toothpaste, Lournay Sales Inc., Mennen Company, Mennen Interamerica Ltd., Mennen Limited, Mennen South Africa Ltd., Mennen de Chile Ltd., Mennen de Nicargua S.A., Mission Hills Property Corporation, Mission Hills S.A. de C.V., Norwood International Incorporated, Olive Music Publishing Corporation, PCA SKIN, Paramount Research Inc., Penny LLC, Pet Chemicals Inc., Physicians Care Alliance LLC, Productos Halogenados Copalven C.A., Purity Holding Company, Purity Music Publishing Corporation, Refresh Company Limited, Samuel Taylor Holdings B.V., Sanex, Sanxiao Company Limited, Services Development Co. Ltd., Societe Generale de Negoce et de Services (GENESE) S.A., The GDN - The Global Distributive Network SAS, The Lournay Company Inc., The MPDP - The Medical and Pharmaceutic Distributive Platform SAS, The Murphy-Phoenix Company, Tom's of Maine, Toms of Maine Holdings Inc., Toms of Maine Inc., Veterinary Companies of America Inc., Vipont Pharmaceutical Inc., and XEB Inc..

Read More
Phillips 66 operates as an energy manufacturing and logistics company in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, and Marketing and Specialties (M&S). The Midstream segment transports crude oil and other feedstocks; delivers refined petroleum products to market; provides terminaling and storage services for crude oil and refined petroleum products; transports, stores, fractionates, exports, and markets natural gas liquids; provides other fee-based processing services; and gathers, processes, transports, and markets natural gas. The Chemicals segment produces and markets ethylene and other olefin products; aromatics and styrenics products, such as benzene, cyclohexane, styrene, and polystyrene; and various specialty chemical products, including organosulfur chemicals, solvents, catalysts, and chemicals used in drilling and mining. The Refining segment refines crude oil and other feedstocks into petroleum products, such as gasolines, distillates, aviation, and renewable. The M&S segment purchases for resale and markets refined petroleum products, including gasolines, distillates, and aviation fuels. This segment also manufactures and markets specialty products, such as base oils and lubricants. The company was founded in 1875 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
Bank of America has a rich history dating back to 1800 and even earlier. It was begun by immigrants as a group of separate and unrelated banks that, over the years, merged and grew together. One such is the Bank of Italy which was founded in 1904 by Amadeo Giannini to serve Italian immigrants that were facing discrimination. He later buys out the Banca de America e de Italia (Bank of America and Italy) which was also located in San Francisco. Over the years additional mergers and changes in Federal banking legislation, as well as the boom brought on by WWI and then WWII, helped boost the bank to national prominence.

Things turned sour, however, in 1998 with a major bond default that led to yet another merger, this time with Charlotte, NC-based Nations Bank to officially become the Bank of America that exists today. At the time, the merger was the largest bank merger in history and the company has only grown in the time since.

Other additions to the new Bank of America include MBNA (a major credit card operator), Fleet Boston (then the US 7th largest and one of its oldest banks), and Merril Lynch, now Merril, which was added to the group in 2008 to provide an investment banking branch. Together the company dominates as one of the Big Four Banks in America. Bank of America lays claim to nearly 11% of all US deposits which ranks in line with its peer group and Bank of America Securities is listed as the worlds 3rd largest investment bank.

Today, Bank of America Corporation provides banking and financial services for individuals, small businesses, institutions, corporations, and governments worldwide. The bank operates in three segments Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management, and Global Banking bringing in a combined revenue greater than $90 billion in 2022.

As of 2022, Bank of America serves approximately 67 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,200 retail financial centers. The bank also operates more than 16,000 ATMs and digital banking platforms with approximately 41 million active users.

Its Consumer Banking segment offers traditional banking and investment products for retail clients. These range from deposit accounts to savings, credit cards, consumer loans, and IRAs. The Global Wealth & Investment Management segment offers investment and wealth management solutions including, brokerage, banking, and trust and retirement products. The Global Banking segment provides lending products and services, including commercial loans and leases for businesses of all varieties. The Global Markets segment offers market-making, clearing, settlement, and custody services, as well as risk management, derivatives, and FX exchange services.
Walmart Inc. is the worlds biggest company by revenue and its largest employer with over 2.2 million globally. It is a general merchandise discount retailer founded in 1962 by Sam Walton and remains a very tightly-held family-owned company to this day. At last look, the Walton family and its heirs owned more than 50% of the company through the family-holding company Walton Enterprises and individual holdings. As of October 2022, the company operated nearly 10,600 stores in 24 countries under 46 different banners. For example, Walmart de Mexico is the Mexican branch while Flipkart Wholesale is the companys operations in India.

Sam Walton began his crusade to undercut retail competitors began in the early 1950s. He opened the first Wal-Mart Discount City store in 1962 and was able to leverage the brand to great success. It became a publicly traded company in 1972 and was the US's most profitable retailer by 1988. The chain went nationwide in the early 1990s and expanded to international markets soon after that. While the company has seen some success outside the US, those remain limited, and the US is the primary market and produces well over 60% of the revenue and earnings.

Today, the company operates through three segments that include Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. The stores offer groceries, health, beauty, apparel, footwear, household, furniture, automotive, electronics and recreational products among others. In addition, the company offers a wide variety of ancillary services that include automotive repair, tire change, vision/eyeglass services and financial services that include gift cards, prepaid wireless, check cashing and money transfers. Sams Club, launched in 1989, is the companys membership club brand. It is the second-largest membership club in North America and about 12% of Walmarts total revenue.

Walmart is a Dividend Aristocrat with nearly 50 years of consecutive annual dividend increases to its credit. Based on the 2022 financial metrics, the company is capable of sustaining another several decades of increases at a low single-digit pace. Once a laggard in ESG, Walmart is now a leader in environmental, social, and governance issues. The companys efforts include increasing the efficiency of its truck and vehicle fleets to include the upgrade to electrification or hydrogen fuel cells. In terms of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles alone, the company had upgraded more than 9,500 of its warehouse and facility service machines to fuel cells as of mid-2022 and was also working to electrify its vehicle fleets.
Target Corporation has a long history dating back to 1902. The company began as Goodfellows Dry Goods, operated by George Dalton, and later changed its name via a progression of mergers and acquisitions. The first Target store was opened in Roseville, Minnesota in 1962 as the discount division of the parent company. The idea was discount or low-priced items could still be fashionable and desirable. After meeting great success in the home territory, the concept went public in the late 1960s was later expanded on a national level during the 1980s. Target Corporation is now the 7th largest retailer in the US and is projected to bring in more than $113 billion in revenue for fiscal 2023.

The department stores were shed in 2004 so today Target operates as a general merchandise retailer that serves on-trend items at discounted prices. It is known as a big box retailer and is a member of the S&P 500. The company listed about 2,000 stores in mid-2022 and had plans for growth. The company offers an assortment of everyday, household, and food goods in a bright and cheery atmosphere. It has set itself apart from other low-priced retailers as the chic choice for savvy shoppers. The companys stated purpose is to help families discover the joy of everyday life and it does so by offering quality products that families can afford.

The company sells its products through a chain of stores as well as eCommerce. eCommerce is about 20% of Targets total revenue and was boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Services like delivery, same-day pickup, and access to thousands of necessary and discretionary items are also driving adoption. Target also offers amenities like cafes and opticians, and it hosts Starbucks inside the stores.

Target Corporation has paid and increased its dividend for more than 5 decades. The company issued its 53rd consecutive distribution increase in calendar 2022 bringing the total annual payout to $4.32. In late October 2022, the payout was worth 2.7% in yield and came with a 40% payout ratio and a 9% distribution compound annual growth rate.

Target is a leader in ESG and giving back to the community. Among its many endeavors is to return 5% of its profits to community charities as well as to inspire its employees to volunteer. Volunteers donate more than 1 million man-hours per year.
The following companies are subsidiares of Zoetis: Abaxis, Abaxis Asia Limited, Abaxis Europe GmbH, Abaxis Inc., Abaxis South East Europe d. o.o., Abaxis UK Limited, Alpharma Animal Health Company, Alpharma Animal Health Hong Kong Co. Limited, Alpharma Bermuda LLC, Alpharma Euro Holdings LLC, Alpharma Holdings Barbados SRL, Alpharma LLC, Alpharma Luxembourg S.A.R.L. y Compania Limitada, Alpharma do Brasil Ltda., Bovigen, Catapult Genetics Pty Ltd, Continental Farmaceutica SPRL, Cross Vetpharm Group Limited, Embrex LLC, Ethos Diagnostic Science, Fish Vet Group, Fish Vet Group Limited, Jilin Zoetis Guoyuan Animal Health Co. Ltd., Jorox Pty, King Animal Health, Microtek International Inc, Mikjan Corporation, Nexvet, Nexvet Australia Pty Ltd, PAH 7V6 Holding Limited, PAH CHHK Holding B.V., PAH India Holdco LLC, PAH India Holding 1 B.V., PAH Netherlands 2 B.V., PAH Oceania B.V., PAH Spain S.L., PHARMAQ, PT Zoetis Animalhealth Indonesia, Performance Livestock Analytics, Performance Livestock Analytics Inc., Pharmaq AS Chile Limitada, Pharmaq AS Service SpA, Pharmaq AS., Pharmaq Analytiq AS, Pharmaq Analytiq Limited, Pharmaq Analytiq SpA, Pharmaq Fishteq AS, Pharmaq Fishteq SpA, Pharmaq Ltd, Pharmaq Spain Aqua SL, Pharmaq Veterinar Ecza Deposu ve su Urunleri Ticaret Ltd Ski, Pharmaq Vietnam Company Limited, Phoenix Central Laboratory for Veterinarians Inc., Phoenix Lab, Platinum Performance, Platinum Performance Inc., Pumpkin Holdings Inc., Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc., Scandinavian Micro Biodevices, Smartbow GmbH, Smartbow RUS OOO, Synbiotics Corporation, Synbiotics LLC, Vetnex Animal Health Ltd, Virtual Recall, Virtual Recall Limited, Virtual Recall Pty Ltd, ZNLabs, ZNLabs LLC, ZOETISECUADOR Cia. Ltda., Zoetis Animal Health ApS, Zoetis Argentina S.R.L., Zoetis Australia Pty Ltd, Zoetis Australia Research & Manufacturing Pty Ltd, Zoetis B.V., Zoetis Belgium S.A., Zoetis Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Zoetis Broomhill IP Limited, Zoetis Broomhill Property Limited, Zoetis C.A., Zoetis Canada Inc., Zoetis Colombia S.A.S., Zoetis Costa Rica S.R.L., Zoetis Denmark ApS, Zoetis Deutschland GmbH, Zoetis Egypt LLC, Zoetis Egypt Pharmaceuticals LLC, Zoetis Egypt Trading LLC, Zoetis Enterprise Management Shanghai Co. Ltd., Zoetis Finland Oy, Zoetis France, Zoetis Hayvan Sagligi Ltd. Sti., Zoetis Hellas S.A., Zoetis Holdings LLC, Zoetis Hungary Kft., Zoetis Import Egypt LLC, Zoetis India Limited, Zoetis Industria de Produtos Veterinarios Ltda., Zoetis International Holdings B.V., Zoetis Israel Holding B.V., Zoetis Italia S.r.l., Zoetis Japan K.K., Zoetis Korea Ltd., Zoetis LLC, Zoetis Luxembourg Holding S.a r.l., Zoetis Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Zoetis Manufacturing & Research Spain S.L., Zoetis Manufacturing Italia S.R.L., Zoetis Medolla Manufacturing S.R.L., Zoetis Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Zoetis Netherlands 1 B.V., Zoetis Netherlands 3 B.V., Zoetis Netherlands 4 B.V., Zoetis Netherlands 5 B.V., Zoetis New Zealand Limited, Zoetis OOO, Zoetis Overseas Holding B.V., Zoetis Overseas Services Inc., Zoetis Panama S. de R.L., Zoetis Pharmaceutical Research Private Limited, Zoetis Philippines Inc., Zoetis Polska sp. z o.o, Zoetis Portugal Lda., Zoetis Products Inc., Zoetis Reference Laboratories China Co. Ltd., Zoetis Reference Labs LLC, Zoetis Romania SRL, Zoetis S.R.L., Zoetis Salud Animal de Bolivia S.A., Zoetis Schweiz GmbH, Zoetis Services LLC, Zoetis Singapore Pte. Ltd., Zoetis South Africa Pty Ltd., Zoetis Spain S.L., Zoetis Subsidiary Holdings Inc., Zoetis Suzhou Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Zoetis Sweden AB, Zoetis Taiwan Limited, Zoetis Thailand Limited, Zoetis Treasury Center BV, Zoetis UK Limited, Zoetis US LLC, Zoetis Ukraine LLC, Zoetis Vietnam Limited Liability Company, Zoetis WLC LLC, Zoetis Weesp B.V., Zoetis Yantai Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Zoetis de Chile S.A., Zoetis de Uruguay S.R.L., Zoetis Osterreich GmbH, and Zoetis Ceska republika s.r.o..

Read More
On a recent Saturday, the Ruby B. Archie Public Library was filled with the sights  and sounds  of Scotland.

Dubbed as a Celebration of Scotland, the Sept. 16 event had tables filled with historical items from the Virginia-Carolina Scottish Society, a group that marked its 35th anniversary Sept. 10.

Next to the tables was a large map of Scotland of Old showing the coats of arms and ancient territories.

Dressed in his Scottish attire, Bill Smith, the president of the society, helped people trace their roots and family connections to Scotland and the Highland Clans during Saturdays event.

It was the second such endeavor the society hosted at the library.

Smith formed the society in 1988 when Alan Libby, then the president of the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce, contacted him.

Smith had been attending the Highland Games  an event that celebrates different aspects of the culture  for about 20 years.

Libby invited Smith to come to a meeting to plan an organization locally.

And so it began.

There were 11 people at that first gathering. They decided on the name Virginia-Carolina Scottish Society because of the proximity to the state line.

The first activity was a tent in the Pride of Tobacco Days at Ballou Park. The goal was to recruit members.

I spent a rainy day one Saturday in the park in my kilt, playing bagpipe music from an old tape player which later in the day became damp and emitted a mournful sound, he said.

The group has grown to 50 members today.

Smith often writes regiments and in return they will send uniform and patches. Those were part of the collection he had displayed recently.

While Smith was showing off things hes acquired, the sounds of Scotland were resonating outside.

Bagpiper Tim Carpenter  a steady fixture at Danville events  spent time tuning up his instrument.

He plays for the U.S. Coast Guard band and plays for public and private affairs in the region and beyond.

Well play a little bit, rest a little bit, he explained before the start of the event.

Carpenter was joined by Cathleen McGarvey on the drum.

When McGarvey isnt on her drums, shes a teacher in Pittsylvania County Schools with the STEM program.

I started out as a band mom in 2007-2008, she said when asked how she developed her love for drumming.

Her daughter was a drummer and her son was a bagpiper. One day he daughter asked if McGarvey wanted to learn how to play.

It has been almost an addiction every since, she said outside the library on the sunny Saturday morning with a small crowd gathered. Its so therapeutic.

It also makes her feel like shes a kid once again.

Its one those things that I remember doing in school, but then when you become a grown up, unless you are really good at it you dont keep doing it, McGarvey said.

She plays with a band in Jamestown, North Carolina, and they drive all over the East Coast to compete in Highland events.

Her children are now in the 20s and the band days are long gone.

I do miss that, she said. That was a wonderful family experience over a decade.
Averett University captured top honors in the recent U.S. News & World Report rankings.

The Danville-based university landed in the No. 15 spot for the 2024 Best Regional Colleges in the South list. Thats the highest ranking the school has achieved in four years, according to a news release from Averett.

It also remained in its position as the No. 12 southern regional college for best value. It was the only Virginia school in the list.

Averett University is consistently recognized among our peers by this ranking and several other distinguished ones, further validating what we know to be true: Averett provides transformational learning and outcomes for graduates through a well-rounded educational foundation, experiential learning opportunities and workforce preparedness, Averett President Tiffany Franks said in a statement. We remain grateful for these accolades that highlight the great work of our students, faculty and staff.

Franks is in her 16th year as president of Averett University, putting her in a class by herself. According to the American Council on Educations most recent survey, the average tenure of a college president is about 5.9 years.

Out of a possible 100, Averett received a score of 71 in the U.S. News & World Report.

The private school, founded in 1856, had a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,122 in fall 2022. Tuition and fees total $38,550.

Averett also moved up in the social mobility category to tie for the No. 31 spot.

Economically disadvantaged students are less likely than others to finish college, even when controlling for their achievement in high school, U.S. News & World Report explained. But some colleges are more successful than others at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students awarded with Pell Grants.

In addition to Pell Grant factors, the social mobility category also factors borrower debt and college graduates earning more than high school graduates.

According to U.S. News, it made refinements to this years rankings formula by dropping five long-standing factors, modifying the weights of several other factors, and introducing a few new ones. It also increased the emphasis on how often schools students from all socioeconomic backgrounds earned degrees and took advantage of information on graduate outcomes that was not available until recently.
[September 22, 2023] Think Together and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Host LA Reads Storytimes with Los Angeles Dodgers greats Clayton Kershaw, Al Ferrara and Dennis Powell Tweet

Students of Compton Unified and Lynwood Unified School districts had the opportunity to have Los Angeles Dodgers players and alumni read to them as part of LA Reads, an initiative to promote a lifelong love of reading. LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marked the culmination of Think Together's month-long work with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation to support LA Reads, their literacy program with engaging and educational resources that make reading fun for everyone. In partnership with Compton Unified and Lynwood Unified School Districts, nearly 150 second- and third-grade students across four schools participated in readings by Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, former pitcher Dennis Powell and former outfielder Al Ferrara. "We're incredibly thankful for our longstanding partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers oundation, which continues to provide enriching experiences for our students," shared Randy Barth, founder and CEO of Think Together. "When organizations join forces like this for our youth, it truly underscores the presence of caring individuals in their lives and creates memories that will last a lifetime."



Think Together serves more than 5,500 students in Compton Unified nearly 3,000 students in Lynwood Unified with afterschool and expanded learning programs. These students receive enriched programmatic experiences, in addition to core academic afterschool programing, thanks to partnerships like the one with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. Think Together and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation have partnered since 2015 to provide students with increased access to literacy programs, Coding for All initiatives, college and career readiness and social emotional learning. In 2023, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation awarded Think Together a $20,000 grant to create trainings for Think Together's middle school program leaders around social emotional learning and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs.

"LA Reads is making significant strides in tackling the literacy crisis in Los Angeles, and we are optimistic that through these community events, reading will become more engaging and synonymous with success for underserved youth," said Nichol Whiteman, CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. To learn more about Think Together, visit www.thinktogether.org.

To learn more about the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, visit: www.Dodgers.com/LADF.

To learn more about Compton Unified School District, visit: https://www.compton.k12.ca.us

To learn more about Lynwood Unified School District, visit: https://www.mylusd.org About Think Together

Think Together partners with schools and communities to pursue educational equity and excellence for all kids. As a nonprofit organization, Think Together innovates, implements and scales academic solutions that change the odds for hundreds of thousands of California students. Think Together's program areas include early learning, afterschool, school support services and leadership development for teachers and school administrators. For more information, call (888) 485-THINK or visit www.thinktogether.org. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/think-together-and-the-los-angeles-dodgers-foundation-host-la-reads-storytimes-with-los-angeles-dodgers-greats-clayton-kershaw-al-ferrara-and-dennis-powell-301936756.html SOURCE Think Together

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
There's a lot to catch up on today as we share this collection of crime reporting, court cases and all manner of ALLEGED misdeeds as Kansas City families hope for justice.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Fingerprint Expert Makes Strong Impression at Crime Lab That's perfection for Jill Snyder, fingerprint expert. Since 2007, Snyder has worked at KCPD's crime lab in the Latent Print Section. By way of Pennsylvania, Snyder landed in Kansas City with a forensic investigative science degree. Her work with prints and impressions is nothing short of intricate.

Clay County wants help to form Opioid Task Force, distribute $1.5M The county said the task force's mission is to recommend the most effective, efficient and equitable use of opioid settlement funds.

Evergy reports another in-person scam attempt This is at least the third in-person scam incident concerning Evergy customers since Aug. 30 in the Kansas City area.

Man who stole from multiple Kansas Sonics found guilty A man who stole from Sonic restaurants in three Kansas City area counties was found guilty in Leavenworth County after pleading no contest

Arrest Made in Cold Case Murders of 2 Women in Kansas - and Police Think Suspect 'Likely' Killed More Gary Dion Davis, 52, is accused in the 1996 death of Pearl Davis and the 1998 death of Christina King in Kansas City, Kan.

KMBC Investigates speaks to the man behind the investigation into Overland Park Police Foundation Tom Gottschalk says investigators from the Johnson County District Attorney's Office interviewed him more than a year ago.

Small Cass County town saddened to see historic church bell stolen In a town of 85 people, a church bell that rang for 141 years, bringing joy, has been reduced to scrap metal.

Independence police investigating the shooting death of 39-year-old Jennifer Scott Authorities are actively searching for suspect information in the Independence woman's homicide

'We have a right to know': Family of Alesha Reade still searching for answers in her murder A family in Clay County is still searching for answers more than two years after the passing of their loved one.

Charges in KCK cold cases still have families looking for closure For some families of unsolved KCK homicide victims, the dogged question of "why?" still has no good answer, even after police named a suspect.

Developing . . .
New tech irony . . .

KANSAS EV BATTERY PRODUCTION REQUIRES COAL BURNING SUPPORT!!!



Take this update with a grain of salt but the basics of it seem to hold up despite promises to transition to sustainable energy . . . Check-it:



The factory will require between 200 and 250 megawatts of electricity to operate. Thats roughly the amount of power needed for a small city.



In testimony to the Kansas City Corporation Commission, which is the states equivalent of the Wyoming Public Service Commission, a representative of Evergy, the utility serving the factory, said that the 4 million-square-foot Panasonic facility creates near term challenges from a resource adequacy perspective, according to the newspaper.



As a result, the utility will continue to burn coal at a power plant near Lawrence, Kansas, and it will delay plants to transition units at the plant to natural gas.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
(Photo: Amy Reed on Unsplash)

Mountain gorillas are undoubtedly Uganda's iconic attractions, and trekking through the tropical forest to see them leaves nature lovers thrilled. Today, Uganda is the most sought-after destination, attracting thousands of tourists worldwide who come to enjoy mountain gorilla trekking adventures.

Mountain gorillas are impressive wildlife species and thrive only in their natural habitat. These great apes that are few as about 1000 individuals live in only three countries; Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. Booking a gorilla safari in Uganda or Rwanda is one way that you can support conservation efforts and contribute to their population growth.

Where do mountain gorillas live in Uganda (the Pearl of Africa)?

There are only two places to visit to see mountain gorillas in Uganda: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Both national parks are situated in the far southwestern region of Uganda and are home to over half of the world's remaining 1,063 endangered mountain gorillas.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) in Kabale is one of Africa's dense rainforests, one of the few natural forests on the continent, and it protects the largest population of mountain gorillas. Over 480 of these rare apes survive within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, sharing the same habitat with several other mammal and bird species.

Bwindi spans southwestern Uganda along the Albertine Rift Valley and is a renowned biodiversity hotspot. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP) in Kisoro is set high in the clouds, with a maximum altitude range of 2,227 to 4,127 meters. It features a dense forest where a section of mountain gorillas resides, along with the endangered golden monkeys.

Both Bwindi and Mgahinga were once inhabited by the Batwa pygmies until 1991 when they were displaced. The two protected areas were officially recognized as National Parks in Uganda. The Batwa are most well-known as a hunter-gatherer group, the first people to live in the jungles of Bwindi.

Mgahinga and Bwindi National Park in Uganda feature five sectors where gorilla treks begin early in the morning with a briefing from park officials. They include four sectors in Bwindi - Ruhija, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Buhoma - while Mgahinga N. Park has the Ntebeko sector.

Gorilla families to visit

While on gorilla safari, visitors can visit 21 gorilla families that have been habituated for tourism. Twenty of the habituated gorilla families exist in Bwindi National Park and only one exist in the Mgahinga National Park. The number of gorilla families in Uganda has tremendously increased compared to the 1990s when gorilla tourism was still in its infant stage.

Within Bwindi, the gorilla families are dispersed over sectors; Buhoma and Ruhija in the north of the park as well as Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south of the park. It is therefore important when placing your booking to know the location of the available sector since it determines where to stay, the day before the gorilla hike is to be done.

Some of the popular gorilla groups that are visited include Christmas, Oruzongo, Mucunguzi gorilla group, Bikingi, Rwigi, Kutu, Busingye, Mukiza group, Bushaho, Nshongi group, Bitukura group, Mishaya, Bweza, Habinyanja, Mubare, and others.

Gorilla permits

According to gorilla trekking standards, visitors intending to travel to Uganda to see the iconic mountain gorillas are required to have valid permits that are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). One permit for gorilla trekking in Uganda costs US$700 per person for foreign nonresidents, US$ 600 for foreign resident tourists living in East Africa, and 250,000 Ugandan shillings for East Africa citizens.

Considering the high demand, tourists are encouraged to book permits well in advance, at least 2-6 months before the actual date of their gorilla visit. Uganda gorilla permits are easier to secure through a reliable tour operator since a large slot has been allocated to them.

How does Uganda gorilla trekking work?

If you plan to go on a Uganda safari that features mountain gorillas, you should consider traveling to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. By road, be prepared for an 8-10 hour journey from Kampala or a 2-hour domestic flight from the Entebbe International Airport.

Visiting mountain gorillas involves trekking through tough and simple terrains, dense vegetation, with an experienced guide. The entire adventure is tiresome as it involves navigating through the forest on foot, without predefined paths like during game drives. Therefore, a considerable degree of fitness is needed and expected amongst trekkers. For tourists with special needs, accessibility has been devised and you only need to get in touch with a travel planner to make your dream come true.

How long can a gorilla trek take?

Visiting gorillas in the wild can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, and the search is conducted with an experienced park guide.

After long hours of trekking through the jungles, there is an opportunity to stay face to face with the mountain gorillas for one hour. This is a special moment for photography and observing the daily behaviors of the gorillas.

For those who are looking to longer time with the great apes, the gorilla habituation experience that gives you up to four hours stay with the gorillas is the best option for you. However, there are very few slots for this activity that comes at a hefty US$1500 per trek.

When to travel to visit Uganda's unique mountain gorillas?

Uganda is a dream destination for every primate lover. Both parks in Uganda are open to tourists all year round. However, the most ideal time of the year to enjoy gorilla trekking is during the two phases of the dry season: June, July, August, and September. Alternatively, consider planning your gorilla tour around December, January, and February.

These apes can also be visited during the wet or rainy season: March to May and October to November, but these months experience heavy rains. Due to the heavy rains, most travelers tend to avoid them and prefer to travel during the dry seasons/peak months of the year. However, for those that brave the rains, the experience is also more personal since there are fewer tourists and gorilla families are often visited by less than 6 tourists per family.

What to carry

Whether you plan to visit Uganda's mountain gorillas during the dry or wet season, there are certain must-pack items. These include a waterproof daypack, long-sleeved shirts, cameras, toiletries, insect repellents, long trousers, a sweater, and other essentials.

You are encouraged to carry energy giving snacks during the gorilla trek. A first aid kit is also recommended since the hikes are done in the forest.

If you think the luggage is heavy, you can take use of porters from the briefing point to give you a hand. Hiring a porter is also a great contribution towards increasing local community support in conserving the endangered mountain gorillas as well as other natural resources protected within the parks.

Accommodation

There is plenty of accommodation to choose for your stay within Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park. From budget lodging to ultra luxury, there are several lodges that have been developed close to the gorilla parks. A local operator can help you make a great choice of which option to include in your travel plan.

Where else to find iconic mountain gorillas?

Besides Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks in Uganda, a section of mountain gorillas also resides in the jungles of Virunga National Park in the D.R. Congo and Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda. With Eastern part of DR Congo being unstable due to on and off political conflicts, Volcanoes National Park Rwanda remains another great option to Bwindi for those looking to meetups with the mountain gorillas. This historical park that Dian Fossey called home is located in northern Rwanda.

In addition to mountain gorillas, Africa is also home to a significant concentration of western lowland gorillas and Grauer's gorillas. The Grauer's/Eastern lowland gorillas in Africa can be found in Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
(Photo: Maheshkumar Painam from Unsplash)

Are you looking for the perfect destination for a European holiday? Are you feeling a little overwhelmed with the options and aren't exactly sure where to set your sights? If this sounds familiar, you may want to begin with Germany. Germany is a country that truly offers something for everyone, allowing you to check out top tourist attractions or explore off-the-beaten-path gems. Here's a look at five reasons why you should add Germany to your must-travel list.

Starting Your Planning - Don't Forget Your Travel Visa

Before you get too deep into the planning process, you'll want to look into what travel documents are required. Depending on where you're travelling from, you may need the Germany Schengen Visa. A Germany eVisa is easy enough to obtain, and it's usually a seamless online application process.

Explore a Massive Selection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites

If you've made it a goal to visit as many UNESCO World Heritage Sites as you can, then Germany will prove to be a fabulous destination. It is home to over 50 sites scattered across the country. This means Germany is home to one of the largest collections of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There are both natural and cultural sites. The country's first designated World Heritage Site was Aachen Cathedral back in 1978.

Other World Heritage Sites worth visiting include:

Archaeological Border Complex of Hedeby and the Danevirke

Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura

Cologne Cathedral

Collegiate Church, Castle and Old Town of Quedlinburg

Maulbronn Monastery Complex

Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps

The Great Spa Towns of Europe

Wartburg Castle

The River Cruises are Spectacular

Perhaps the idea of cruising on a massive cruise liner and thousands of other passengers doesn't appeal to you, but you still want to holiday on the water. If that's the case, the river cruises in Germany could be the perfect solution. Cruise along the Maine and Rhine in ships specially built for the popular rivers of Europe. This means they are smaller, more intimate and offer luxurious amenities. Cruising on the river will give you a whole other perspective of the country.

There's Always a Festival to Check Out

If you're the type who loves attending festivals and special events, you'll love the fact that there always seems to be one of them going on in Germany. You may even want to plan your holiday based on a festival that interests you. Just be sure you book well in advance, as accommodation books up quickly when festivals are happening. The most popular festival is Oktoberfest so you can expect large crowds of locals and tourists during this time of year.

Immerse Yourself in Traditional German Cuisine

You simply cannot travel to Germany and not sample the traditional cuisine, as you'd be missing out. There is no shortage of authentic German restaurants - both casual dining and fine dining.

Some traditional German foods worth sampling include:

Bratwurst - grilled sausage

Sauerbraten - roast beef stew

Kartoffelpuffer = potato pancake

Sauerkraut - fermented cabbage

Kartoffelkloesse - potato dumplings

So, if you're ready to start planning your next holiday, Germany should sit high on the list of must-visit destinations.
(Photo: Andreas Brucker on Unsplash)

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is well-known for being one of the most mesmerizing destinations in Europe. This beautiful city is popular for its vibrant architecture, delicious foods, cheerful nightlife scenes, friendly locals, and aesthetic monuments. There are a lot of things to do and see in Lisbon. If you are seeking a unique perspective to explore this breathtaking city, you must see it from the Tagus on a river cruise.

How Does the Tagus River Cruise Work?

This river cruise generally departs a few times daily and more frequently during the weekends. You can enjoy a trip to Lisbon both during the day and in the evening. Also, you can go for a sunset cruise option to get a mesmerizing experience. The tickets are available online for booking directly through the FRS Portugal website.

The cruise will let you enjoy the best glimpses of Lisbon's shoreline and some notable monuments. This 1-hour, 30-minute journey will surprise you in every way. Moreover, there is a cafeteria onboard where you can click some impressive photographs, have some private time, and choose your favorite drink.

Key Monuments to See from the Tagus River Cruise

You can see some amazing monuments from the Tagus River. Some of them are breathtaking if visited from up close. However, seeing them from the river cruise gives you an exceptional and magical experience. Let's discuss the monuments that are visible from the Tagus River!

1. Praca do Comercio

The splendid Praca do Comercio, surrounded by shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars, is a National Monument of Portugal and the prime square of Lisbon. Located between the port of Lisbon and the popular Rua Augusta Arch, this majestic square serves as a gateway to Lisbon. This must-visit monument is noteworthy for both its historical significance and grandeur.

2. Ponte 25 de Abril

The iconic Ponte 25 de Abril is the longest steel suspension bridge in Europe, nestled across the Tagus River in Lisbon. This bridge bridges the gap between Lisbon and the municipality of Almada. It is similar in color and design to San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge.

3. Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology

The Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology (MAAT) is an iconic example of architecture that contains the most splendid collection of contemporary Portuguese art. The main objective of MAAT is to present national and global exhibitions by contemporary architects, artists, and thinkers. You can embark on a remarkable evening cruise along the Tagus River and enjoy the magnificent views of MAAT.

4. Padrao dos Descobrimentos

The Padrao dos Descobrimentos is one of the most remarkable statues to visit in Lisbon. Shaped like the bow of a vessel beneath billowing sails, this statue is nestled along the riverbanks of the Tagus River. This monument showcases some historical figures who were Portuguese explorers during the Age of Exploration. In short, it honors the past achievements of Portuguese explorers.

5. Belem Lighthouse

Belem Lighthouse was built on the northern bank of the Tagus River. It's a brick and stone-striped lighthouse that is nestled in between the Padrao dos Descobrimentos and the Belem Tower. This closed lighthouse is preserved as a reminder of an ancient navigation system.

6. Belem Tower

UNESCO honored the Belem Tower as a World Heritage Site in 1983. Earlier, this tower was utilized to defend Lisbon. After some years, it was converted into a lighthouse and customs house. This masterpiece, a symbol of Portugal's age of discovery, still strongly reminds us of the glorious past of the seafaring nation.

7. The Sanctuary of Christ the King

This monument takes inspiration from the well-known Brazilian statue, Christ the Redeemer, in Rio de Janeiro. This iconic statue represents the image of Jesus spreading his arms towards the city. With its amazing panoramic location, this statue is the ideal place to capture the city. Enjoy its unique and majestic view from the river cruise.

FRS organizes some amazing river cruise trips on the Tagus River. So, book your ticket online and get to know the aforesaid monuments in a different way.
(Photo: Element5 Digital from Pexels)

Are you someone who has an insatiable wanderlust and a burning desire to explore the world? Do you dream of embarking on exciting adventures while still earning a living? If so, you're in luck! In today's interconnected world, there are numerous career opportunities that allow you to combine your passion for travel with your professional ambitions. Whether you're a travel enthusiast looking to make a career change or a recent graduate seeking an adventurous path, this blog will highlight some incredible careers that enable you to wander while you work.

Travel Nursing

Travel nursing offers you the opportunity to see new places several times a year, while also doing work that you love. As a travel nurse, you can provide healthcare services on short-term assignments in different cities, states, or even countries. This career path not only allows you to satisfy your wanderlust but also provides job stability and competitive compensation.

Imagine waking up in a new city, ready to embrace its unique beauty and explore its hidden treasures during your off hours. Travel nurses are in high demand worldwide, making it easier to secure exciting assignments in sought-after locations. Whether you're assisting during a crisis or supporting local healthcare systems, travel nursing offers an unparalleled chance to immerse yourself in various medical settings while expanding your skills and knowledge. Plus, many travel nurse companies help take care of many details, like finding housing, getting benefits, and more.

Working in IT

If you're tech-savvy and love solving problems, a career in information technology (IT) can be your gateway to global exploration. The IT industry thrives on remote work, giving you the freedom to work from anywhere while supporting businesses and organizations worldwide. From software development and network administration to cybersecurity and data analysis, the opportunities within IT are vast and varied.

Imagine waking up in a cozy cafe overlooking a stunning beach, sipping your favorite brew while troubleshooting code or building innovative software. With the right skills and qualifications, you can secure remote IT positions that allow you to be location-independent. Embracing this digital nomad lifestyle, you can travel to your heart's content, experiencing different cultures, and expanding your professional horizons.

Digital Marketing

In today's digitally-driven era, businesses are constantly seeking skilled professionals who can help them navigate the online landscape. If you have a knack for creativity, communication, and strategic thinking, a career in digital marketing can offer you the perfect blend of adventure and professional growth.

Digital marketers are responsible for developing and implementing online marketing strategies, ranging from social media campaigns to search engine optimization (SEO) initiatives. The best part? You can do it from anywhere with a stable internet connection. Whether you're brainstorming ideas in a bustling cafe in Paris or optimizing website content from a serene beach in Bali, digital marketing provides the flexibility to work on the go while experiencing new destinations and cultures.

Teach Abroad

For those with a passion for education and a desire to immerse themselves in new cultures, teaching abroad can be an incredibly rewarding career choice. Teaching positions are available worldwide, ranging from teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) to subject-specific roles in international schools.

Imagine teaching students in a vibrant classroom, surrounded by the awe-inspiring landscapes of a foreign country. Teaching abroad not only allows you to experience the local culture but also enables you to make a positive impact on the lives of young learners. By broadening their horizons and instilling a love for knowledge, you become a catalyst for change while exploring the world and embracing new perspectives.

Freelance Writing

If you have a way with words and a passion for storytelling, a career in freelance writing can be your ticket to travel the world while pursuing your creative endeavors. With the rise of remote work and the need for engaging content across various platforms, freelance writing offers an exciting opportunity to combine your love for travel with your writing skills.

Imagine sitting on a rooftop terrace overlooking a bustling city, sipping a cup of coffee, and immersing yourself in crafting captivating articles, travel guides, or even blogging about your own adventures. As a freelance writer, you have the flexibility to work from anywhere, allowing you to explore new destinations, experience different cultures, and find inspiration in the richness of the world around you.

Whether you specialize in travel writing, lifestyle pieces, or industry-specific content, there is a demand for talented writers in the online sphere. By building a strong portfolio and establishing connections with clients or content platforms, you can secure writing gigs that not only sustain your travels but also enable you to share your experiences and insights with a global audience.
(Photo: Jakob Owens on Unsplash)

Social media has completely changed the way we interact, communicate, and exchange information in our lives. The tourism sector is one that has seen the massive consequences of this change. Social media has a big influence on how people travel, from triggering wanderlust to influencing choices. Let's explore how social media has changed the landscape of the tourism sector.

Inspiration Beyond Boundaries

Social media sites like Instagram and TikTok have transformed into online travel magazines that provide a wonderful selection of photos and videos highlighting breathtaking scenery and diverse cultures. The ability to travel the world from the comfort of one's home has made it more appealing for wanderers to seek out new adventures. Travelers may be inspired by the visual attractiveness of these platforms to imagine places they may never have imagined before and to dream outside their local surroundings.

Reviews and Recommendations

The days of relying entirely on travel companies and guidebooks for information are long gone. Travelers may now make better-informed judgments thanks to real-time evaluations and recommendations on social media. Travelers may share their experiences, give advice, and alert other travelers to potential problems on websites like TripAdvisor and Facebook groups dedicated to travel. People are now able to make travel plans based on real, peer-generated insights. Additionally, free Wi-Fi provided by businesses like Walmart enables travelers to stay connected and easily share their experiences.

Direct Engagement with Travel Brands

Travelers and travel service providers now have a direct channel of communication because of social media. Businesses in the travel industry are using social media sites like Facebook and WhatsApp to engage with clients. They respond to clients' problems and offer customized assistance. This direct interaction improves the customer experience and promotes trust between customers and businesses.

User-Generated Content and Influencer Marketing

In the tourism sector, user-generated content has become a potent instrument. Travelers serve as brand ambassadors by sharing their experiences through images, videos, and stories. This genuine information has a lot of influence since prospective tourists frequently value peer recommendations more than conventional advertising. With their huge social media followings, travel influencers have also emerged as important actors in determining travel trends and destination preferences. Moreover, by enabling people to share their eating experiences in real-time and expanding the authenticity and reach of the brand's online presence, KFC availability of free Wi-Fi in a number of locations unintentionally contributed to this trend.

Booking and Planning Convenience

Platforms on social media have become one-stop shops for vacationers. Users can easily move from inspiration to action without leaving their preferred platforms, from researching places to booking flights, lodging, and activities. Users may now more easily turn their vacation dreams into concrete plans because of the addition of booking facilities by travel brands.
(Photo: 3 Unexpected Travel Issues and How to Deal with Them)

As any veteran traveller will tell you, even the most well-planned itineraries can go off course. Sometimes, spontaneity leads you to a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that boasts the best noodles in the world. But other times, unscripted issues can deliver a big bill.

When travel costs are at an all-time high, these unexpected hiccups can throw a challenging wrench in your plans. To protect your budget, check out this list of common travel issues and their solutions.

1. Roaming Charges

Talking, texting, and powering up Google Maps in another country can come with a steep price tag. That's because your carrier may not offer service in these areas, so you're forced to join another company's network at a premium. Roaming charges add up quickly, so you might be surprised by a phone bill four times your usual cost when you get home.

The Fix:

 Research Local SIM Cards: Buying a local SIM card may offer affordable data and calling rates, allowing you to stay connected without incurring excessive charges.

 Find Free & Secure Wi-Fi: Take advantage of free Wi-Fi hotspots available at hotels, cafes, and public areas. You can make Internet-based calls and send instant messages without relying on expensive mobile data.

 Negotiate with Your Carrier: Call your carrier to see if you can talk down your bill if you accidentally roam while abroad.

 Consider a Line of Credit: If your carrier doesn't budge on price, you can dip into a line of credit to cover your extra, unexpected roaming charges.

2. Lost Luggage

Airlines misplace thousands of bags every day; you never know when yours will join the lost. Here's how you can still enjoy your trip if it happens to you.

 Report Immediately: Inform the airline staff about your lost luggage as soon as possible. They will provide you with a reference number and assist in tracking it down. Some airlines have procedures in place to assist travelers with lost luggage. They may provide a stipend for immediate essentials or assist in locating and delivering your belongings.

 Insurance Coverage: If you have travel insurance, check the coverage for lost or delayed luggage. File a claim promptly and provide any necessary documentation to expedite the reimbursement process.

 Borrow an Online Loan: Sometimes, insurance and airline programs take too long to kick in. If you need essential items like medication, toiletries, or clothing, you may consider fast cash loans online to bridge the gap until you're reimbursed or able to replace the items.

3. Medical Emergency

Dealing with a medical emergency while traveling can be overwhelming, but being prepared can make all the difference:

 Always Get Travel Insurance: Even a simple doctor's checkup in a foreign country can cost thousands of dollars - whereas medical emergencies can wrack up millions in bills. Most travel policies can cover these large bills, making them a better option than online loans or lines of credit.

 Carry Essential Medications: If you take medication regularly, never check it - keep it with your carry-on luggage.

 Follow Insurance Procedures: In case of a medical emergency, contact your travel insurance provider immediately and follow their guidance regarding medical treatment and reimbursement procedures.

Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

They say that it's not the destination but the journey that's important. Well, sometimes that journey is fraught with issues - from roaming charges to medical emergencies and everything in between. At least now, you know how to handle these unexpected hiccups should they ever occur while you're abroad.
(Photo: How long do you have to stay in Israel after making Aliyah?)

Suppose you're an immigrant to Israel under the Law of Return (known as an "Oleh" or "Olim" for plural) or an Israeli living abroad. In that case, you're eligible to possess an Israeli passport. However, Israeli authorities discourage obtaining citizenship solely for the ease of relocating to other countries. A specific issue arises when individuals exercise their right of Return just to acquire an Israeli passport without making Israel their primary place of residence. Such people can face problems when using or renewing their Israeli passports. So, how long do you have to stay in Israel after making Aliyah to avoid these complications? We'll delve into that question in this article.

Our legal team specializes in matters related to Aliyah and residency in Israel. This article aims to discuss and elucidate the intricacies of quickly securing a passport for new immigrants and the renewal process for Israelis who have moved abroad.

What Does the Law Say About Passports for Those Eligible for the Right of Return but Living Abroad?

Various individuals can immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return. This law encompasses Jews who are eligible under Section 1 of the Law of Return, 1950, as well as family members of Jews who can immigrate under Section 4A(A) of the same law. For many reasons-family obligations, business opportunities, or educational pursuits-many people who could potentially make Aliyah are not interested in settling in Israel permanently. Instead, their primary interest is obtaining Israeli citizenship and the accompanying passport.

Attorney Joshua Pex, an expert in Israeli immigration law, sheds light on the Passports Law (Amendment No. 9), 2017. This amendment stipulates that a newly obtained Israeli passport will initially be restricted for one year. This is meant to ensure the individual intends to establish a permanent residence in Israel. Again, the question arises: How long do you have to stay in Israel after making Aliyah to satisfy these requirements?

Is Israel Making it Easier for Immigrants with Jewish Roots to Gain Citizenship, Even if They Don't Intend to Settle There?

Before the 9th Amendment to the Israeli Passports Law, the Interior Minister had the authority to withhold an Israeli passport valid for ten years from a new immigrant who had not committed to residing in Israel. Moreover, the Minister could only issue a passport if the immigrant had established a residence in Israel. This raised the question: How long do you have to stay in Israel after making Aliyah before you can obtain or renew your passport?

The amendment to the Passports Law aimed to simplify the process for new immigrants. Prior to this change, those who didn't move to Israel permanently often had to make do with a temporary travel document known as a "teudat ma'avar." This discouraged many prospective immigrants worldwide from making the move to Israel.

While the 9th Amendment did not explicitly say that Israel encourages eligible immigrants to become citizens even if they have no intention of living in the country, the operational outcome suggests just that. Now, people eligible for Return could gain Israeli citizenship and receive a standard first passport valid for a decade without the obligation of relocating to Israel.

What Modifications Were Made to the Law After Media Reports on Immigrants Leaving Israel?

In response to widespread media coverage, including an investigative report by Raviv Drucker focusing particularly on immigrants from Russia and Ukraine, a compromise was arrived at. Now, a new immigrant will receive an Israeli passport valid for only one year upon arrival. If the individual stays in Israel for most of this period, the passport can be renewed for an additional five years. After residing in Israel for these five years, the person will then be eligible for a ten-year passport. This adjustment raises a common question: How long do you have to stay in Israel after making Aliyah to secure these various passport renewals?

What Occurs if an Immigrant Doesn't Reside in Israel After the First Year?

If, after the first year, the Ministry of Interior ascertains that the new immigrant has not established residency in Israel, the provisions of the 9th Amendment won't apply. In such cases, the Minister of Interior can limit the duration of the renewed passport or issue a "laissez-passer" document instead.

Section 6A(A) of the Passports Law allows the Minister to decide the conditions under which a passport may not be extended or provided to Israelis living abroad, except for returning to Israel. The length and terms of any passport extension remain discretionary to the Minister of Interior unless there are compelling reasons otherwise. Therefore, a new immigrant who has yet to settle in Israel might face challenges when trying to renew the passport after the first year.

What Are Your Options if Your Passport Renewal Is Denied?

According to Sections 9(A) and 9(B) of the Passports Law, the Minister of Interior can delegate his or her authority to subordinates. Anyone who believes a subordinate's decision has unjustly impacted them can appeal directly to the Minister for a final ruling. Every denial regarding passport issuance or extension can be challenged before the Minister of Interior. Until the Minister provides a "final ruling," one can argue that administrative procedures have not been exhausted, thereby opening the door for judicial appeal.

Should the Minister's final decision prove unsatisfactory, legal recourse remains available through the appropriate court system.

How Can Legal Experts Assist in Passport Issues?

Our law firm in Israel, specializing in Aliyah and passport issues, represents numerous Olim who don't permanently reside in Israel. We guide them through the process of obtaining their initial Israeli passports. In addition, we file appeals against the Minister of Interior on this subject, including court petitions when a regular passport isn't provided to an Israeli citizen living abroad. If you're facing difficulties related to Israeli passports or pondering, "How long do you have to stay in Israel after making Aliyah?" our seasoned immigration lawyers in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv can offer valuable assistance.

By understanding the nuances and shifts in Israeli passport laws, potential Olim and current Israeli citizens can better navigate the complexities of holding dual citizenship and fulfill their legal obligations to the State of Israel.
(Photo: Viola from Pixabay)

As the vibrant colours of summer fade into the cosy embrace of autumn, nature enthusiasts and travellers are presented with a unique opportunity: exploring the Swiss National Parks during this enchanting season.

Switzerland, known for its breathtaking landscapes, pristine lakes, and charming villages, comes alive in the fall with a tapestry of warm hues, making it the perfect destination for those seeking a nature-infused escape.

The Allure of Swiss National Parks

Switzerland boasts an array of national parks, but the Swiss National Park and the Parc Ela stand out as must-visit destinations for fall travellers who want to plan a trip.

Swiss National Park: Europe's Wilderness

Established in 1914, the Swiss National Park was the first national park in the Alps and remains one of the oldest in Europe. It's a place where nature reigns supreme, and human intervention is limited to preservation efforts. Let's explore why the Swiss National Park is so incredible in fall.

Autumn Splendor: When fall arrives in the Swiss National Park, it transforms into a masterpiece of warm and vibrant colours. The forests of Engadin Valley come alive with the fiery hues of deciduous trees like larches and beeches. The spectacle of the changing leaves against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks is nothing short of breathtaking.

Wildlife Watching: Fall is a prime time for wildlife enthusiasts. The park is home to a variety of alpine animals, including ibex, chamois, marmots, and red deer. As temperatures drop, these creatures become more active, making it easier to spot them.

Tranquil Trails: Autumn brings cooler temperatures and fewer tourists, creating ideal conditions for hiking. The well-marked trails of the Swiss National Park offer a range of options, from easy walks to challenging hikes. Don't miss the Val Trupchun hike, which takes you through a stunning glacial valley.

Rustic Lodges: Accommodation options within the park are limited to a few rustic lodges, adding to the feeling of being in a wilderness untouched by time. Staying overnight allows you to experience the park's serenity during sunrise and sunset.

Parc Ela: Engadin's Hidden Gem

Parc Ela, located in the Engadin Valley, is Switzerland's largest regional nature park. Here, nature and culture harmoniously coexist, offering visitors a unique blend of outdoor adventures and cultural experiences.

Cultural Richness: Parc Ela is not only a sanctuary for wildlife and plants but also a repository of Swiss mountain culture. During the fall, you can immerse yourself in the local way of life by visiting charming mountain villages and participating in traditional festivals.

Scenic Drives: Fall is the perfect season for scenic drives through the Engadin Valley. The winding roads take you past picturesque lakes, historic villages, and dramatic mountain landscapes. Make sure to stop at Lake Silvaplana for reflections of the surrounding mountains on the calm waters.

Hut-to-Hut Hiking: Parc Ela offers a network of well-marked hiking trails that lead you through diverse landscapes. Consider embarking on a hut-to-hut hike, where you'll spend the night in rustic mountain huts and wake up to breathtaking alpine views.

Why Fall is the Ideal Time to Visit

While Swiss national parks are stunning year-round, autumn holds a special allure:

Spectacular Foliage: The fall foliage in Swiss national parks is a sight to behold. Deciduous trees turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold, creating a mesmerising contrast with the evergreen conifers. The Engadin Valley's larch forests, in particular, are famous for their stunning autumnal display.

Mild Weather: Fall in Switzerland brings comfortable temperatures for outdoor activities. It's neither too hot nor too cold, making it an ideal season for hiking, biking, and wildlife spotting.

Fewer Crowds: Summer is a peak tourist season in Switzerland, but fall sees a decrease in visitor numbers. This means you can explore the parks in peace, enjoying the solitude and the serenity of nature. It also makes it one of the best places for a solo adventure if you are brave enough. While it might be a little daunting, traveling by yourself can often be an incredibly rewarding experience.

Wildlife Activity: As temperatures drop, wildlife becomes more active. You're more likely to spot animals like deer, ibex, and marmots during this season.

Practical Tips for a Memorable Fall Trip

Dress in Layers: Swiss weather in the fall can be unpredictable. Dressing in layers ensures you stay comfortable throughout the day, adjusting to temperature changes.

Book Accommodation in Advance: While fall sees fewer tourists, it's still a popular time to visit. Booking your accommodation in advance ensures you have a cosy place to return to after a day of exploring.

Plan for Early Sunsets: Days become shorter in the fall, so plan your activities accordingly. Make the most of the daylight hours and wrap up any outdoor adventures before sunset. While it is okay to go out after sunset in some national parks, it's often not recommended due to the roaming wildlife. There are also multiple ways you could injure yourself just walking the trails.





Enjoy Seasonal Delights: Fall in Switzerland means indulging in hearty Alpine cuisine. Try traditional dishes like fondue, raclette, and rosti at local restaurants.

Respect Nature: When visiting national parks, it's essential to follow Leave No Trace principles. Respect wildlife, stay on marked trails, and carry out all trash. This is something that most people intend to do but often don't without realising it. Even the smallest bits of trash should be properly dealt with before leaving the premises.

Swiss national parks are a haven for nature lovers, and the fall season adds a layer of magic to these already enchanting destinations. Whether you're captivated by the vibrant foliage, the chance to spot alpine wildlife, or the allure of cultural experiences in charming villages, Switzerland's national parks in the fall promise a memorable and rejuvenating getaway.

So, pack your bags, don your hiking boots, and get ready to immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Swiss nature this autumn. We hope you have an incredible holiday full of mystery, intrigue, and excitement! See you next time.
I was moved by author Stephen J. Lyons telling of his mother-in-laws prolonged, agonizing death (The painful realities of getting old, Sept. 16) and the powerful case he made for why Illinois lawmakers should introduce and pass a medical aid-in-dying law so no other terminally ill Illinoisans have to suffer needlessly.

However, Lyons may have inadvertently caused confusion among Tribune readers when he said that his mother-in-law contributed to Compassion & Choices and then cited a 2018 Gallup Values and Beliefs poll showing that 72% of Americans favor physician-assisted euthanasia.

Advertisement

Medical aid-in-dying laws do not permit euthanasia. Theyre not comparable to euthanasia laws in Canada and other nations that are not limited to mentally capable, terminally ill adults and allow someone other than the dying person, a health care professional, to administer the medication. Compassion & Choices, and our sister organization, Compassion & Choices Action Network, do not support euthanasia, which is illegal in the United States.

In contrast, every U.S. jurisdiction that has authorized medical aid in dying, starting with Oregon in 1997, has limited this peaceful dying option to mentally capable, terminally ill adults with six months or less to live who can ingest the medication themselves. This process ensures the terminally ill person is in charge of the process from start to finish and can change their mind at any time about whether to take the medication.

Advertisement

More than 6 out of 10 Illinois physicians (62%) said they personally would want the option of medical aid in dying if they were to become terminally ill, while only 1 out of 5 (20%) would not want it, according to a 2021 WedMD/Medscape poll. In addition, 7 out of 10 Illinois likely voters (71%) want the Illinois legislature to pass a medical-aid-in-dying law, while fewer than 1 in 5 likely voters (17%) oppose it, according to a February poll by public opinion research firm Impact Research.

Clearly, this issue is not politically risky. In fact, the vast majority of Illinois voters are likely to be grateful to lawmakers who pass this compassionate legislation as soon as possible so they wont have to worry about them or their loved ones dying with needless suffering as Lyons mother-in-law did. This is why Compassion & Choices is active in a statewide coalition, the Illinois End-of-Life Options Coalition, to encourage Illinois legislators to introduce and pass medical aid-in-dying legislation.

 Amy Sherman, Midwest advocacy director, Compassion & Choices Action Network, Northbrook

Witnessing painful deaths

Stephen J. Lyons op-ed concerning medical aid in dying struck a painful chord for me. My father and my mother-in-law died after extended and excruciating declines. Several times, my father begged me to bring him something with which he could end his life and the pain. To this day, I still feel guilt that I was unable to help him. My mother-in-law writhed in pain for weeks in spite of the maximum dose of morphine she was being given.

We talk a lot about freedom in our nation, but I find it inexplicable that if faced with the inevitability of a prolonged and painful death, we do not have the freedom to choose to end our lives on our own terms in peace and tranquility. Many who are not facing this choice seem quite eager to enumerate a host of reasons as to why medical aid in dying should not be allowed for anyone. Many who are facing this choice undoubtedly find those reasons hollow and irrelevant. Why should someone I do not even know have any say whatsoever over my wishes if I am faced with this choice?

Compassion & Choices advocates for this most personal of all freedoms: the right to choose to die peacefully and comfortably if a painful decline and death is inevitable.

Its time to give us that right in Illinois.

 Colin C. Campbell, Geneva

Advertisement

103-year-olds candid remark

Author Stephen J. Lyons wrote a very moving account of his mother-in-laws final days. There is no doubt old age and pain go together, and Lyons wonders if a person without hope should be able to choose when and how to die.

As I read this sad and serious op-ed, I thought of a 103-year-old resident who lives on my floor in a senior retirement facility. Julia is self-sufficient and clear of mind, ambulates well with a walker, dresses appropriately, never locks herself out of her apartment, comes to meals on time, socializes with others, keeps herself and her room neat and clean, and is pleasant to all.

Chicago Tribune Opinion Weekdays Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

Julia celebrated her 103rd birthday last December. To honor her, Julias table in the dining room was covered by a bright red and silver tablecloth, her chair was draped with a soft blanket and a dozen candles burned brightly on a festive cake. Everyone in the dining room sang and clapped with joy as Julia took her place for dinner.

Well, I thought, this is how a person reaches 100 plus and is happy to do so. Not everyone is miserable just because he or she is up in years. Here is a woman who has lived well past her life expectancy and is raring to go for another dozen years or so. Old age doesnt always have to mean misery and illness.

As Julia bowed and graciously exited the dining room after the meal, she passed close by my table, and I distinctly heard her say under her breath, This 103 business is for the birds.

 Kathleen Melia, Niles

Advertisement

Join the conversation in our Letters to the Editor Facebook group.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Canada clearly demonstrates political will and readiness to support Ukraine at all levels.

Thats according to Ukraines Minister for Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, who spoke with an Ukrinform correspondent during his visit to Canada.

"In Canada, there is a political will to adopt specific decisions in support of Ukraine," said the head of the Foreign Ministry.

He emphasized that in Canada "we clearly see the disposition to support us with weapons."

"Also, a very important story is about Canada's willingness to work on the transfer of Russian assets to Ukraine. The agreement on free trade, which was signed today, is also concrete help," the minister noted.

Dmytro Kuleba is in Canada as part of a delegation led by President Volodymyr Zelensky. As a result of the visit, a new multi-year military aid package, the expansion of Russia sanctions, and the conclusion of an updated free trade agreement between Ukraine and Canada were announced.
The foreign ministers of South Korea, the United States, and Japan are deeply concerned about military cooperation between Russia and North Korea and have declared their readiness to take tough measures against a potantial arms deal.

This is reported by Yonhap with reference to the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ukrinform saw.

According to the agency, Minister Park Jin and his American and Japanese counterparts Antony Blinken and Yoko Kamikawa discussed Russian-North Korean arms deals in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.

Top diplomats expressed deep concern about military cooperation between the two countries and warned that a potential arms deal between Pyongyang and Moscow would be a violation of UN Security Council resolutions Russia had also supported.

The report states that the ministers pledged to cooperate with the international community to deal sternly with any threats to regional security that violate UN Security Council resolutions.

During last week's trip to the Russian Far East, Kim Jong Un met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed deepening military cooperation with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

Earlier, The New York Times, citing sources, reported that Putin seeks to receive artillery rounds and anti-tank missiles from the DPRK for the war against Ukraine, while Kim want to get from Russia some advanced technologies for satellites and nuclear submarines. In addition, Kim is seeking food aid for his country. The White House said Shoigu's visit to Pyongyang in July included discussions of the arms deal.

Both Moscow and Pyongyang deny any arms sales agreements have been reached.

As Ukrinform reported, after returning from a trip to the Russian Far East, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held a meeting of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Labor Party, the highest governing body of the DPRK, and ordered to "deepen relations with Russia."
Governor of the Bank of Finland, Olli Rehn, who officially became a candidate for presidency in Finland from the Center party, spoke in favor of transferring frozen Russian assets for the restoration of Ukraine.

This is reported by Yle, Ukrinform saw.

According to Rehn, he will be able to utilize his experience, values, and working methods as president of Finland. Rehn noted that among his rivals in the presidential race will be experienced candidates, which is good for voters.

In his speech, he recalled that foreign policy is within the presidents competence, and also touched on the war in Ukraine.

"Russias frozen assets in foreign currency should be used for the restoration of Ukraine," Rehn is confident.

The first round of presidential elections in Finland will take place in January 2024.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, members of the populist nationalist Eurosceptic party, True Finns, which is part of the ruling coalition, at their party congress in Tampere unanimously elected the Speaker of the Parliament of Finland Jussi Halla-aho as their nominee for the presidential campaign.

Photo: uutissuomalainen.fi
President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with the Chairman of the Sovereign Council of Sudan, Abdel Fattah al-Burgan to discuss common security challenges and consider possible platforms for strengthening cooperation between Ukraine and African countries.

Zelensky reported the news via Telegram, Ukrinform saw.

"At the Shannon Airport, I held an unscheduled meeting with the Chairman of the Sovereign Council of Sudan, Abdel Fattah al-Burgan. I thanked him for Sudan's consistent support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We discussed common security challenges, namely the activities of illegal armed groups financed by Russia," Zelensky wrote.

Read also: UK imposes sanctions against Russians linked to Wagner PMC in Africa

The Ukrainian president invited his counterpart to support the Grain from Ukraine initiative and participate in this year's peace formula summit.

In addition, the parties considered possible platforms for strengthening cooperation between Ukraine and African countries.

As reported, President Zelensky was on a visit to Canada, where he held a number of meetings with state officials and entrepreneurs, and also addressed the parliament.
German Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Jager honored the memory of the Holocaust victims at the Babyn Yar Memorial Center.

The diplomat announced this on the social network X, Ukrinform reported.

In Babi Yar on September 29-30, 1941, Germany committed a crime against humanity. After visiting the Holocaust Memorial Center, we honored the memory of the victims. At the same time, I learned more about the complex, depressing history of this place. Let it be a place of memory and reminder, he said.

Read also: Germany sends new military assistance package to Ukraine

As reported, German Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Jager discussed the needs of the front and rear with the commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrsky, and the head of the Dnipro Regional Military Administration Serhiy Lysak.
(@FahadShabbir)

NEW YORK, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 23rd Sep, 2023) This week the COP28 Presidency team attended the UN General Assembly in New York, seizing on the opportunity of the global gathering to mobilise leaders across government, business and civil society around its Action Agenda to keep 1.5 degrees in reach.

Spearheaded by COP28 President-Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the team also included Shamma Al Mazrui, UN Youth Climate Champion, Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion, Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi, Director-General of COP28 and Adnan Amin, CEO of COP28.

The COP28 Presdiencys landmark moment of the week came when Dr. Al Jaber set out the Presidencys Action Agenda at the UN Climate Ambition Summit; the leading climate engagement at the event convened by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and attended by world leaders.

The speech was supported by a range of activity led by the COP28 Presidency team during the week, involving multiple speaking engagements, meetings with world leaders and touch points with individuals leading COP28 workstreams to drive consensus ahead of the event in November  December.

In explaining the Action Agenda, Dr. Al Jaber was unequivocal before the leading global dignitaries gathered in the room and online  the Global Stocktake shows the world is falling short on climate change and we are running out of time.

However, Dr. Al Jaber was equally emphatic in affirming COP28 as an opportunity for hope, unity and action.

He stated We must remember that we are not powerless. When we act with solidarity, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges. In keeping with this focus on solidarity and action he said, Climate change is our common enemy and we must unite to fight it.

The COP28 Action Agenda sets out a series of calls to action for the public and private sectors in four key areas: fast tracking a just, orderly, and well-managed energy transition, fixing climate finance, focusing on people, lives and livelihoods and underscoring everything with full inclusivity.

As emphasised in his speech, and in a series of engagements throughout the week, fast tracking a just, orderly, and well-managed energy transition is fundamental to the plan.

Here, Dr. Al Jaber put a number to this for this first time  calling on the world to go after the 22 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions the world needs to cut in the next seven years to keep 1.5 within reach.

In keeping with previous engagements, a major focus for the COP28 Presidency during the UN General Assembly was fixing climate finance as a major enabler of delivering progress in multiple areas.

As such, Dr. Al Jaber kicked off the week by ringing in a new era of climate finance at New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday.

He went on to speak at a high-level roundtable on private capital mobilisation in emerging and developing markets (EMDEs), organised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ).

Attended by a range of climate finance leaders including Mark Carney, Co-Chair GFANZ and UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance, Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank and Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, Dr. Al Jaber stressed that innovative new mechanisms to lower risk and expand private investment must happen to unlock private investments for climate and drive macroeconomic stability in emerging and developing markets.

Later in the week, Dr. Jaber also co-hosted a Loss and Damage Ministerial with Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt and COP27 President, where they urged all ministers present to align and make the Loss and Damage Fund  agreed to at Sharm ElSheikh  a reality in Dubai at COP28.

Commenting on the event, Simon Steill, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) said Addressing loss and damage has never been more urgent.

The fund and funding arrangements that were agreed to at Sharm el-Sheikh provide a beacon of hope, a lifeline for the particularly vulnerable. Todays discussion represents a stepping stone in that direction.

Throughout the UN General Assembly, Dr. Al Jaber also called on contributing countries to deliver the $100 billion pledge this year. Countries were also urged to double adaptation finance by 2025 and replenish the Green Climate Fund.

Another major focus of the week was inclusion, most strongly seen when Dr. Al Jaber joined Mayor Mike Bloomberg to announce that Bloomberg Philanthropies will fund 1,000 mayors to attend COP28. Dr. Sultan spoke at the event before a prestigious group including Xie Zhenhua, Special Representative for Climate Change Affairs of China, John Kerry, former U.S. Secretary of State and Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation.

Hosted by the COP28 Presidency and Bloomberg Philanthropies, the COP28 Local Climate Action Summit will convene subnational climate leaders, such as mayors, governors, business executives, non-government organisation heads, and more, into the heart of the COP process.

In addressing the lives and livelihoods pillar of the Action Agenda, Dr. Al Jaber was equally clear: people and their health, safety and prosperity must be at the centre of climate discussions.

To drive this forward, he spoke at a key event alongside Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of Malawi, and invited the world to attend the first Health Day at a COP at COP28. Here, he called on the international community to address the crucial connection between climate change and health.

He also advanced the COP28 food systems and agriculture agenda, reissuing the COP28 Presidencys call for increased global action to address the interlinked challenges across climate change and the food system, including production, consumption, trade and resilience.

To this end, he invited Parties to sign the COP28 Declaration on Resilient Food Systems, Sustainable Agriculture, and Climate Action and align this commitment in their climate action plans.

During the week bilateral meetings were held with a significant array of leading figures from across the world including Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, IMF, Alok Sharma, former President of COP26, Costas Simitis, the former Prime Minister of Greece, Maros Sefcovic, Executive Vice President of the European Union, Stephen Guilbert, Canada's Minister of Environment & Climate Change, Dr. Han Hwa-jin, South Koreas Minister of Environment and Amos J. Hochstein, US Special Presidential Coordinator for Global Infrastructure & Energy Security.

The whole team also took part in a large array of events, with Ambassador Al Suwaidi speaking on finance, technological innovation, decarbonisation of heavy emitting industries and the climate-nature nexus, amongst other activity.

Shamma Al Mazrui attended and spoke at series of engagements, including a youth philanthropy roundtable with prominent philanthropic organisations to unveil the Youth Climate Champion, and a future of COP panel to discuss youth empowerment and inclusion.

Meanwhile, Razan Al Mubarak delivered opening remarks at a roundtable hosted by the Bezos Earth fund and SalesForce on restoring and protecting 15 million hectares of mangroves by 2030.

She also spoke at an event hosted by the Womens Environment and Development Organisation to share insights into the gender outcomes she is prioritising as the UN Climate Change High level Champion for COP28.

Overall, the UN General Assembly marked an essential and milestone step in the road to COP28.

The COP28 Presidency will continue its efforts to rally the international community into action and drive forward its agenda for a COP of Action.


Hangzhou, China, Sept 22 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Sep, 2023 ) :Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad on Friday, and said the two leaders would unveil a new "strategic partnership".

Assad is on his first official trip to China in almost two decades as he seeks financial support to rebuild his devastated country, as well as rehabilitation for his regime from years of isolation over Syria's civil war.

He will attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou on Saturday.

Xi and Assad met in the eastern Chinese city on Friday afternoon, state media said.

"Today, we will jointly announce the establishment of the China-Syria strategic partnership, which will become an important milestone in the history of bilateral relations," Xi told Assad, according to a readout from state broadcaster CCTV.

"Faced with an international situation full of instability and uncertainty, China is willing to continue to work together with Syria, firmly support each other, promote friendly cooperation, and jointly defend international fairness and justice," he added.

Relations between the two countries "have withstood the test of international changes", Xi said.

"And the friendship between the two countries has been strengthened over time," he added.

The leaders were each flanked by nine aides at a large rectangular wooden table, a CCTV video clip showed, as two flags from each country were set in front of a Chinese painting in the meeting room.

China is one of only a handful of countries outside the middle East that Assad has visited since the 2011 start of a civil war that has killed more than half a million people, displaced millions more, and battered Syria's infrastructure and industry.

China's foreign ministry has said his visit will take ties to a "new level".

"China and Syria have a traditional and deep friendship," foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular briefing.

"We believe that President Bashar Al-Assad's visit will further deepen mutual political trust and cooperation in various fields between the two countries," she added.

Assad's visit is his first to China since 2004.

Analysts expect Assad's visit to China will focus, in part, on funds for reconstruction.

It also comes as China's influence in the Middle East grows.

This year Beijing brokered a deal that saw longtime regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Damascus-backer Iran agree to restore ties and reopen their respective embassies.

The detente was followed by Syria's return to the Arab fold at a summit in Saudi Arabia in May, ending more than a decade of regional isolation.
Stockman Bank celebrating 70 years

To celebrate with its neighbors, Stockman is holding a 70th anniversary open House at all bank locations on Thursday, which is National Good Neighbor Day.

The public is invited to stop by their local Stockman Bank on Thursday, during normal business hours for fun, refreshments, and giveaways.

In 1953, Miles City rancher Bill Nefsy founded Stockman Bank, with the vision to create a banking organization to serve the needs of the entire community, including local businesspeople, farmers, and ranchers. Today, Stockman is the largest, family-owned, privately held bank in the state, focused on Montana.

Stockman CEO Bill Coffee says Stockman has a higher level of responsibility to its customers, employees, and communities.

We have always done the right thing for the long term. Stockman is committed to traditional western values, local management and decision-making, and homegrown community service, he said. This commitment has allowed us to remain independent and family owned for 70 years.

As part of its celebration, Helena Stockman Banks will be collecting nonperishable food items for Helena Food Share.

Stockman Bank has 37 full-service locations across the state. To learn more visit www.stockmanbank.com.

State jobless rate holds at 2.5%

Gov. Greg Gianforte announced Sept. 19 Montanas unemployment rate in August was below 3% for the 22nd consecutive month, bucking national trends as the countrys unemployment rate rose to 3.8% in August.

Montanas unemployment rate remained at 2.5% in August.

Montanans have created more than 8,600 jobs in the first eight months of 2023 and nearly 40,000 jobs since Gianforte took office in January 2021.

Total employment in Montana has grown every month of 2023, reaching a record high in August of 563,078 workers.

In August, Montanas labor force also grew by more than 500 workers, adding nearly 7,500 workers since the start of the year.

New nurses at St. Peter's

St. Peters Health Medical Group welcomes new cardiology nurse practitioner Christopher Ottemoeller and family medicine nurse practitioner Meagan Watne.

Ottemoeller earned his doctorate of nursing practice at Montana State University after receiving his bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Mary.

He worked as a registered nurse in a variety of settings, most recently as a patient care services nurse at St. Peters Health. He is accepting new patients at the St. Peters Health Medical Group Broadway Clinic.

Watne earned her master of science in nursing as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner at Walden University.

She received her bachelor of science in nursing from Capella University.

Watne worked as a registered nurse and clinic coordinator at St. Peters Health for nearly 10 years. She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Meagan is accepting new patients at the St. Peters Health Medical Group Broadway Clinic.
Former FBI official Charles McGonigal pleaded guilty on Friday to accepting $225,000 from Albanian-American Agron Nezaj, a former Albanian intelligence officer who McGonigal admitted was helping him foster relationships in Albania to help lay the groundwork for future business opportunities in the country.

According to court documents, Nezaj became an informant for the FBI's investigation into McGonigals contacts in Albania.

In Washington, McGonigal faced a nine-count indictment charging him with failing to report cash payments, contacts with foreign officials and trips to Europe he took with Nezaj in 2017 and 2018 that neither he nor the FBI paid for.

The guilty plea was entered in U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia in Washington, based on a deal between prosecutors and McGonigal's lawyers. He pleaded guilty to one count of the indictment  concealing material evidence  and prosecutors dropped the other eight counts.

The settlement means the case will not go to trial.

McGonigal apologized to the court for his actions.

Before I left the FBI in September 2018, I was planning to launch a security consulting business with a friend. I knew that my government contacts and international relationships might be useful to me when I later launched the business, he told U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly.

I did not disclose an approximately $225,000 loan I received from my friend and prospective business partner in the U.S. for several meetings I attended with foreign nationals. These meetings were an effort to develop potential business relationships for my future consulting business. And the loan was intended to help start the business, McGonigal said.

Those contacts included several meetings in 2017 and 2018 with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in the presence of Nezaj and an adviser to the prime minister, who had business interests in arranging the meetings.

In one instance, McGonigal opened a criminal investigation in New York into a U.S. lobbyist who was working for an Albanian opposition party. According to the indictment, he received this information from the Albanian prime ministers office. The indictment does not identify the American lobbyist nor the Albanian party.

But on November 14, 2017, lobbyist Nick Muzin  an ex-Trump aide  filed on the lobbying activity on behalf of the Albanian Democratic Party, the main opposition party, with the Department of Justice. While lobbying for a foreign political force is not illegal for a registered lobbyist, Muzin had filed that activity months after an initial filing that was not complete.

The payment he received eventually became the subject of an investigation in Albania over the suspect origin of the money.

McGonigal told the court he had an ongoing relationship with the prime minister.

Rama has denied any wrongdoing.

McGonigals lawyer Seth DuCharme said after the hearing that his client takes full responsibility for his actions and looks forward to putting the case behind him.

While he may have had or did have, I think, some pretty legitimate interests that aligned with the United States in keeping up those relationships, he also clearly had a personal interest, DuCharme said.

McGonigal led the FBI's counterintelligence division in New York before retiring in 2018.

In a separate case in New York, McGonigal pleaded guilty in August to a conspiracy charge, admitting that after leaving the FBI he agreed to work for Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. McGonigal went to work for Deripaska, whom McGonigal had once investigated, to dig up dirt on the oligarch's wealthy rival in violation of U.S. sanctions on Russia. He faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced in mid-December.

The District of Columbia court charge carries a maximum of five years in prison, but prosecutors will likely seek a more lenient sentence as part of the plea agreement.

The judge said McGonigal will be sentenced in February and said he will not be able to appeal it.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters and The Associated Press.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on the Polish government Saturday to clarify allegations about a cash-for-visas deal for migrants that has roiled Polish politics, as a debate about immigration heats up in Germany.

The demand from Scholz marks stepped-up rhetoric from Poland's powerful western neighbor, coming just days after sources said Germany summoned the Polish ambassador and Interior Minister Nancy Faeser spoke to her Polish counterpart on the topic.

Since earlier this month, the Polish government has been facing accusations by opposition parties that it was complicit in a system in which migrants received Polish visas at an accelerated pace without proper checks after paying intermediaries.

Arrivals to Poland could easily cross into other European Union countries given that borders are open.

Poland's government has written to the European Union's security commissioner to say that the scandal was an exaggerated "media fact" timed to discredit the ruling nationalists in a tough battle for re-election next month.

"The visa scandal that is taking place in Poland needs to be clarified," Scholz said on Saturday at an event. "I don't want people from Poland to simply be waved through."

Scholz hinted that Germany could take steps to control the border with Poland.

In recent years, Germany has already coped with floods of migrants and asylum seekers from Syria and Ukraine.

In a letter to Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson demanded full clarification of the scandal of up to 350,000 purchased work visas for the EU-Schengen area, BILD reported this week.
Allegations by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that India is behind the June killing of a Sikh community leader in Vancouver have placed the nations large Indian Canadian community at the center of an escalating diplomatic row.

According to the most recent government statistics, 1.8 million people in Canada, or 5.1% of the population, consider themselves to be of South Asian origin. Just over 770,000 identify themselves as followers of the Sikh religious faith, accounting for more than 2% of the national population. South Asian is generally defined as referring to the Indian sub-continent, including present day Pakistan.

Immigration to Canada from the then British-controlled Indian sub-continent started in the late 1800s and has included large numbers of Sikhs. There are estimated to be more than 220,000 followers of the Sikh faith in Greater Vancouver, making up about 8.5% of the metropolitan areas population.

Reeta Tremblay, who was born in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, is a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Victoria. She says the South Asian community, including Sikh followers, play a huge part in Canada.

"You have lot of entrepreneurial community, even if you look in our Vancouver, you know, in our Vancouver Island, we have very prominent, prominent Sikh community," she said. "We have lots of prominent non-Sikh Hindus who are in business, in academic sector, professional sectors. So, there's a huge, you know, there is an influential community."

This includes Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canadas New Democratic Party, who is a turban-wearing Sikh.

Attention has been placed on the diaspora since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of being behind the June killing in suburban Vancouver of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh community leader. The Indian government has reacted with warnings about travel to Canada and by halting the issuing of travel visas to Canadians.

Nijjar was a prominent supporter of Khalistan, a proposed separatist sovereign enclave for Sikhs in the current state of Punjab, India.

Dave Hayer, who has lived in suburban Vancouver since immigrating in 1972, has experienced much of the local Sikh communitys recent history.

His father, Tara Singh Hayer, was publisher of the Indo-Canadian Times and was often critical of violence within the local effort to create Khalistan. He was paralyzed by an assassination attempt in 1988 and killed 10 years later.

A former elected member of the provincial legislature, he feels that Trudeau should have provided more evidence before accusing India, but he also says New Delhi is going too far.

"I think the prime minister overdid by what he said, because he should have shown what proof he has, but the senior officials from the RCMP or other law enforcement agencies show what proof they had to say what he was saying," he said. "I think India is also probably overreacting to the case."

University of Victorias Tremblay recalled that when Trudeau was first elected, he talked about having more Sikh followers in his Cabinet than Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in his. The comment that did not go over well with the Indian leader.
In his address to the UNGA, President Biden urged Congress to approve more aid to Ukraine. New details emerge regarding three of the five Iranians who were granted clemency by Washington. A look at the importance of the auto industry to the US as the UAW continues its strike.
The ethnic Armenian leadership of breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh said on Saturday that the terms of their cease-fire with Azerbaijan were being implemented, with work proceeding on the delivery of humanitarian aid and evacuation of the wounded.

Earlier, the Karabakh Armenians held another round of talks with Azerbaijani officials in the town of Shusha, three days after the cease-fire that followed a 24-hour offensive in which Baku retook control of the mountainous region.

Work is underway to restore electricity supplies by September 24, the Karabakh Armenians said in a statement that also referred to "political consultations" on the future of the region, which they call Artsakh, and its 120,000 Armenian residents.

Russia's defense ministry said that, under the terms of the cease-fire, the Armenian separatists had begun handing over their weapons to Azerbaijan, including more than 800 guns and six armored vehicles. Moscow has 2,000 peacekeepers in the area.

With Armenians suffering serious shortages of food and fuel after a months-long de facto Azerbaijani blockade, an aid convoy of the International Committee of the Red Cross headed into Karabakh on Saturday, the first since Baku's offensive.

The ICRC said in a later statement that the convoy had transported nearly 70 metric tons of humanitarian supplies, including wheat flour, salt and sunflower oil, along the Lachin corridor, the only road link from Armenia to Karabakh.

An ICRC team also evacuated 17 people wounded during the fighting, it said.

Separately, Russia said it had delivered more than 50 metric tons of food and other aid to Karabakh.

More than 20 other aid trucks bearing Armenian license plates, have been lined up along a nearby roadside since July. Azerbaijan said at the time this convoy amounted to a "provocation" and an attack on its territorial integrity.

Azerbaijan wants to integrate the long-contested region of Karabakh and has promised to protect the Armenians' rights but says they are free to leave if they prefer. Armenians say they fear they will be persecuted if they stay.

Azerbaijan's interior ministry said on Saturday its main task was ensuring the safety of the Armenian civilian population and that it was providing them with tents, hot food and medical assistance.

"We are also working on issuing documents to the Armenian population, passports and so on," ministry spokesman Elshad Hajiyev told Reuters. "There are already people who have applied to us."

U.S. Senator Gary Peters, who visited the Armenia-Azerbaijan border on Saturday, said the situation in Karabakh required international observers and transparency from Azerbaijan.

"We've heard from the Azerbaijani government that there's ... nothing to worry about, but if that's the case, then we should allow international observers in to see," Peters, a Democrat from Michigan, told reporters.

Armenia, which lost a 2020 war to Azerbaijan over the region, has prepared space for tens of thousands of Armenians from Karabakh, including at hotels near the border, though Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says he does not want them to leave their homes unless it is absolutely necessary.

Azerbaijan launched what it called its anti-terrorist operation on Tuesday against Nagorno-Karabakh after some of its troops were killed in what Baku said were separatist attacks.

Karabakh was more militarized than Baku realized, Hikmet Hajiyev, foreign policy adviser to Azerbaijan's president, said on social media on Saturday, publishing a list of weapons and ammunition that had been seized in the past three days, including four tanks, 300 explosives and 441 mortar shells.

Accounts of the fighting were chilling.

Armenui Karapetyan, an Armenian in Karabakh, said he was now homeless, holding just a few possessions and a photograph of his 24-year-old son who died in 2020 after leaving his home in the village of Kusapat.

"Today we were thrown out into the street  they made us vagabonds," Karapetyan told Armenia A1+, a partner of Reuters.

"What can I say? We live in an unfair, abandoned world. I have nothing to say. I feel sorry for the blood of our boys. I feel sorry for our lands for which our boys sacrificed their lives, and today ... I miss the grave of my son."

Thousands of Karabakh Armenians massed at the airport seeking the protection of Russian peacekeepers there.

Svetlana Alaverdyan, from the village of Arajadzor, said she fled with only the clothes on her back after gun fights gripped the village.

"They were shooting on the right, they were shooting on the left  we went out one after another, without taking clothes," she told Armenia A1+.
Chili dinner to benefit cats

Join Wild About Cats for its annual Wild About Chili dinner at 4-8 p.m. Sept. 30 in the Helena Moose Lodge, 4750 N. Montana Ave.

The event features chili, cornbread, salad and dessert, with beverages and a cash bar. A silent auction and 50/50 tickets will round out the evening. Cost is $12/person, $5 for children.

Call 406-439-3106 to buy tickets. Debit and credit cards are accepted.

This is a fundraiser to help with spay and neuter costs for the cats and kittens that the group works with.

NAMI fundraiser set for Sunday in Helena

The NAMI walk will be held from 12-2:30 p.m. Sunday in Memorial Park, 1203 N. Last Chance Gulch, Helena.

NAMI Montana (National Alliance on Mental Illness) NAMI Montana supports, educates and advocates for Montanans with mental conditions and their families.

NAMI Montana has more than 400 members and is a tax-exempt charity.

Other than Helena, affiliates are in Billings, Bozeman, Bitterroot, Great Falls, Havre, Kalispell, Lewistown and Missoula.

So far, about $92,000 (71%) of the $130,000 goal has been raised. There were 271 participants and 40 teams signed up as of Thursday afternoon.

Registration starts at 11 a.m. The program starts at 12:30 p.m. and the walk will start at 1 p.m.

People can make donations at the registration table.

For more information, contact Colleen Rahn, education director, at 406-443-7871 or colleen@namimt.org.

'Rough Sleepers' event finale

The series of community conversations regarding the unsheltered continues at noon Wednesday at Plymouth Congregational Church, 400 S. Oakes St. Lunch will be provided. The topic is What About Drugs, Addictions, Mental Health and Other Life Threatening Concerns on the Streets. Speakers are: Teresa KelleyBrewer, who represents PureView Health Center and works out of the Healthcare for the Homeless clinic next to Gods Love; Shandy Day, a nurse care manager from St. Petes Health and Ryan Lehman, a community health worker also from St. Petes Health.

This is the final discussion in the five-part series. Plymouth Church - UCC, in partnership with the Lewis and Clark Library, United Way, the Montana Jewish Project, Good Samaritan and the Helena United Methodist churches, invited the public to participate in the reading and five-week discussion of the 2023 book Rough Sleepers by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tracy Kidder.

Carroll awarded grant to study algae

The National Science Foundation has awarded Carroll College a $527,969 grant to study snow algae communities and their response to environmental conditions.

The grant was submitted and is under the direction of Assistant Professor of Biology Ashley Beck, Ph.D.

The goal of the project, titled "Dissecting Snow Algal Community Interactions to Understand Environmental Change Impacts" is to develop an experimentally grounded model system of snow algal communities predicting their responses to key environmental variables, such as light and nutrient availability.

Algae blooming on snow, ice and glaciers (commonly called pink snow) accelerate melting due to the absorbance of light by their dark pigments. With rising temperatures, additional contributions to glacier and snow melt are becoming of greater concern.

This project investigates snow algal communities in Montana.

I still remember the first time I saw pink snow while out hiking in Montana and being incredibly intrigued by this phenomenon, Beck said. This fascination has now turned into an opportunity to share the joy of the research process with students and also give back to global society through understanding more about how snow algae communities may influence our environment.

This project will include national forest and park partnerships, involve undergraduate researchers in the research process both inside and outside of the classroom, and engage rural Montana middle schools with the data collection process and underlying scientific concepts. The results of this project are expected to advance current understanding of snow algal community composition, function, and response to changing environments.

This project presents a unique opportunity for students to participate in real-world research.

Constitution contest unveiled

Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen has announced the 2023 U.S. Constitution Contest.

Constitution Day is celebrated Sept. 17 in honor of the signing 236 years ago of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787.

This year's Constitution Contest - What Promises of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution Mean the Most to Me and Why? - is now open and submissions will be due by Oct. 9.

The entry form and more information is at https://bit.ly/48ms5Jk

DesRosier makes grade at The Citadel

Carson DesRosier of Helena is one of the more than 450 cadets and students recognized for their academic achievements during the spring 2023 semester at The Citadel.

Gold stars are awarded to cadets and students at The Citadel who achieved a 3.7 grade point average or higher. Cadets and students who achieve gold star recognition are also placed on The Citadel's dean's list.

Those cadets may wear gold stars on their uniforms throughout the semester following their academic achievement.

The Citadel, with its iconic campus located in Charleston, South Carolina, offers a classic military college education for young men and women focused on leadership excellence and academic distinction. The approximately 2,300 members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets are not required to serve in the military, but about one-third of each class earn commissions to become officers in every branch of U.S. military service.

Event to help folks navigate Medicare

Rocky Mountain Development Council's Agency on Aging is having an event Tuesday to help people preparing to enroll in Medicare.

The "Welcome to Medicare Presentation" will be in the large meeting room of the Lewis and Clark Library, 120 S. Last Chance Gulch.

State Health Insurance Program counselors will be available.

Continental Divide group to visit area

The Continental Divide Trail Coalition will visit Montana communities along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail in late September.

The tour will consist of events to support communities in the northern portion of the Continental Divide landscape. The events will encourage businesses to learn more about the potential benefit of their proximity to the world-renowned National Scenic Trail.

There will host Small Business Roundtable event 4:30  6 p.m. Tuesday at Tenmile Creek Brewery. The Butte Roundtable will be 6-7 p.m. Thursday at Butte Brewery.

For more information, visit continentaldividetrail.org/small-business-survey or contact Liz Schmit: lschmit@continentaldividetrail.org, 708-738-3469.
Pakistans caretaker prime minister said he expects parliamentary elections to take place in the new year, dismissing the possibility that the countrys powerful military would manipulate the results to ensure that jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khans party doesnt win.

In an interview Friday with The Associated Press, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said that its the Election Commission that is going to conduct the vote, not the military, and that Khan appointed the commissions chief at the time, so why would he turn in any sense of the word against him?

Pakistan has been in deepening political turmoil since April 2022 when Khan was removed from office following a no-confidence vote in Parliament. He was arrested in early August on corruption charges and sentenced to three years in prison, later suspended although he remains in jail. The country is also facing one of the worst economic crises in its history and recovering from last summers devastating floods that killed at least 1,700 people and destroyed millions of homes and farmland.

The commission announced Thursday that the elections would take place during the last week in January, delaying the vote that was to be held in November under the constitution.

Kakar resigned as a senator last month after outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and opposition leader Raza Riaz chose him as caretaker prime minister to oversee the elections and run the day-to-day affairs until a new government is elected.

He said that when the commission sets an exact election date, his government will provide all the assistance, financial, security or other related requirements.

Asked whether he would recommend judges overturn Khans conviction so he could run in the elections, the prime minister said he wouldn't interfere with decisions by the judiciary. He stressed that the judiciary should not be used as a tool for any political ends.

We are not pursuing anyone on a personal vendetta, Kakar said. But yes, we will ensure that the law is appropriate. Anyone, be it Imran Khan or any other politician who violates, in terms of their political behavior, the laws of the country, then the restoration of the law has to be ensured. We cannot equate that with  political discrimination.

He said fair elections can take place without Khan or hundreds of members of his party who are jailed because they engaged in unlawful activities, including vandalism and arson, in reference to the violence that rocked the country following Khan's initial arrest in May. He added that the thousands of people in Khan's party who didn't engage in unlawful activities will be running the political process; they will be participating in the elections.

The Pakistani military has been behind the rise and fall of governments, with some of Khans supporters suggesting that there is de facto military rule in Pakistan and that democracy is under threat.

Kakar, who reportedly has close ties to the military, said those allegations are part and parcel of our political culture," to which he pays no attention. He called his governments working relationship with the military very smooth, as well as very open and candid.

"We do have challenges of civil-military relationships, Im not denying that, he said, but there are very different reasons for the imbalance. He said he believes, after one month leading the government, that civil institutions in Pakistan have deteriorated in terms of performance for the last many decades, while the military is disciplined, has organizational capabilities and has improved over the past four decades.

The solution, Kakar said, is to gradually improve the performance of the civilian institutions rather than weakening the current military organization, because thats not going to solve any of our problems.

Conflict in Kashmir

One major problem is Kashmir, which has been a flashpoint for India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in 1947. They have fought two wars over its control.

In 2019, Indias Hindu nationalist government decided to end the Muslim-majority regions semi-autonomy, stripping it of statehood, its separate constitution and inherited protections on land and jobs.

Kakar said India has sent 900,000 troops to Kashmir and its people are living in a large imprisonment with no political rights, in violation of the United Nations Charters right to self-determination and the resolution calling for a U.N. referendum.

While the world focuses on Ukraine, he said, Kashmir is a crisis which primarily has a wrong geography.

If Kashmir were in Europe or North America, would there still be what he called a callous attitude toward resolving it, he asked.

The most important player in this dispute is the Kashmir people," Kakar said. It is neither India or Pakistan but the Kashmiri people who "have to decide about their identity" and their future.

India boasts of being the largest democracy, he said, but it "is denying the basic, democratic principle to have a plebiscite. ... So what sort of a democracy are they boasting about?
People who are at risk of drowning when abandoned on the waves must be rescued, Pope Francis said Friday in Marseille, France, at a memorial dedicated to sailors and migrants. Francis described efforts to stop the migrants from being rescued as gestures of hate.

Migrants from Africa and the Middle East often board rickety watercraft to Europe in hopes of a better life there or elsewhere.

The first stop for many of them is often the Italian island of Lampedusa. Recently, the island has been overwhelmed with thousands of migrants.

Often the migrant boats are abandoned at sea by their smugglers.

Rescue groups are sometimes prohibited by some European countries from rescuing the migrants or are delayed in their rescue missions.

And so this beautiful sea has become a huge cemetery, where many brothers and sisters are deprived even of the right to a grave, Francis said Friday of the Mediterranean Sea, where tens of thousands of migrants have died.

The leader of the Roman Catholic Church thanked the humanitarian groups that rescue migrants.

On Saturday, Francis will preside over the closing session in Marseille of a meeting of bishops and young people from around the Mediterranean region.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asserted Saturday that the Black Sea Grain Initiative allowing safe passage for Ukrainian exports will not be revived and castigated Ukraine's proposed 10-point peace plan, calling both "not realistic."

Lavrov addressed the United Nations General Assembly at the annual gathering of world leaders at U.N. headquarters in New York. In a week of global diplomacy, Ukraine and its Western allies sought to rally support for Kyiv on its defensive war against Russian aggression.

"It is completely not feasible," Lavrov said of the peace plan initiated by Kyiv. "It is not possible to implement this. It's not realistic and everybody understands this, but at the same time, they say this is the only basis for negotiations."

Lavrov said the conflict would be resolved on the battlefield if Kyiv and the West persisted in that position.

Lavrov also said Moscow left the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which had allowed the safe passage of Ukrainian agricultural exports, because promises made to Russia had not been fulfilled.

He said the latest U.N. proposals to revive that export corridor also were "simply not realistic."

Lavrov also lashed out at "the U.S. and its subordinate Western collective," for stoking conflicts "which artificially divide humanity into hostile blocks and hamper the achievement of overall aims. They're doing everything they can to prevent the formation of a genuine multipolar world order," he said.

Lavrov addressed the U.N. General Assembly four days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Joe Biden.

During his speech, Zelenskyy accused Russia of weaponizing food, energy and even children against Ukraine and "the international rules-based order" at large.

Biden struck a similar note, while urging world leaders to keep up support for Ukraine: "If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?" he mused.

Pope Francis suggested Saturday that some countries were "playing games" with Ukraine by first supplying weapons and then mulling on whether they should back out of their promises.

The pope's comments to a reporter's question, aboard a plane returning from the French port city of Marseilles, reflected frustration that his efforts to bring about peace in Ukraine had not succeeded.

Francis has condemned the international arms trade in general but said last year that it is morally legitimate for nations to supply weapons to Ukraine's defensive war against Russian aggression.

Several countries, including the United States, face domestic political pressure to stop or reduce spending on military aid to Ukraine.

During a stopover in Poland Saturday, Zelenskyy presented state awards to two Polish volunteers in Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression. He honored Bianka Zalewska, a journalist who helped transport wounded children to Polish hospitals, and Damian Duda, who gathered a medical team to help wounded soldiers near the front line.

During his visit he did not meet with Polish officials as the relations between Ukraine and Poland are strained over Poland's ban on Ukraine's grain imports.

Zelenskyy offended his neighbors when he told the United Nations General Assembly in New York that Kyiv was working to preserve land routes for grain exports, but that the "political theater" around imports was only helping Moscow.

Ukraine targets Sevastopol

Meanwhile, Ukraine targeted the Crimean-occupied city of Sevastopol on Saturday morning, leaving the city of 500,000 under an air alert for about an hour after debris from intercepted missiles fell near a pier, the Russian-installed regional governor Mikhail Razvozhayev wrote on the messaging app Telegram.

It was the second missile assault in as many days after Friday's Ukrainian strike on the headquarters of Russia's navy in Crimea that reportedly left dozens dead and wounded, including senior fleet commanders.

In an interview Friday with VOA's Ukrainian Service, Ukraine's intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, said at least nine people were killed and 16 were injured, among them, Russian generals.

"Among the wounded is the commander of the group, Colonel-General [Alexander] Romanchuk, in a very serious condition. The chief of staff, Lieutenant General [Oleg] Tsekov, is comatose," he said.

Alexander Romanchuk is the commander of a group of Russian forces in the Zaporizhzhia region and was promoted to the rank of colonel-general in 2023. Tsekov is the commander of the 200 OMSBR Coastal Forces of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Navy.

Budanov did not confirm reports about the alleged death of the commander of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation, Admiral Viktor Sokolov.

Budanov's claims could not be independently verified.

Ukraine has increasingly targeted naval facilities in Crimea in recent weeks, while its counteroffensive makes slow gains in the east and south of Ukraine, the Institute for the Study of War said Thursday.

Military experts say it is essential for Ukraine to maintain its attacks on targets in Crimea to degrade Russian morale and weaken its military.
Somalia is facing a dilemma over plans to continue a drawdown of peacekeepers from the country by a deadline of the end of 2024 because it's not known whether the countrys poorly equipped security forces can put down al-Shabab militants security threat to the government by that time.

Hussein Sheikh Ali, national security adviser for Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, wrote to the United Nations requesting a 90-day delay in the second phase of the departure of African Union Transition troops in Somalia.

Somalia "formally requests a technical pause in the drawdown of the 3,000 African Union Transition in Somalia uniformed personnel by three months," the letter read.

According to the letter, if continued under the current plan, the pullout would mean the departure of 3,000 troops by the end of September.

A diplomatic source in the government who requested anonymity because of a lack of authority to comment on the issue confirmed to VOA the authenticity of the letter. The source said the government wants to buy time for its effort to have an arms embargo lifted  a campaign supported by Ethiopia and Uganda, two regional powers.

Somalia believes its campaign for lifting the U.N. arms embargo depends on proving that it can take the responsibility for its security without the dependence of AU peacekeepers, so it can better fight al-Shabab terrorists. At the same time, it does not want ATMIS [the African Transition Mission in Somalia] with its stronger military hardware to leave the country in the middle of unpredictable war with al-Shabab, the diplomat said. It is buying a time.



Appeal to General Assembly

In an exclusive interview with VOA, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said he would appeal to the U.N. General Assembly this weekend about removing an international arms embargo, so Somalia could be capable of eliminating al-Shabab, a U.N.- and U.S.-designated terrorist organization that has fought the Somali government for 16 years.

A U.N. resolution calls for the ATMIS force to be reduced to zero by the end of next year, surrendering security responsibility fully to the Somalias national army and police forces.

The Somali government had repeatedly said it would be ready to take over security responsibilities from ATMIS when those troops withdrew from the country, in line with U.N. Security Council Resolution 2687.

Mohamud, who is in central Somalia to command the government fight against al-Shabab, said on August 18 that he believed the government would "eliminate" the jihadists by the end of the year.

According to the government letter to the United Nations, during the ongoing military offensive against the al-Qaida-affiliated al-Shabab militant group in central Somalia, the government had "managed to re-liberate towns, villages and critical supply routes.

The government military gains, however, did not prevent the militant group from waging deadly counterattacks on government bases.

The government letter said the military operation had suffered.

"Several significant setbacks" have occurred since late August, the letter said, following a deadly dawn attack by the militants on a newly captured base in the village of Cowsweyne, Galguduud region, in central Somalia.

As a result of the attack, the Somali military suffered heavy losses, forcing other military units to retreat from towns and villages captured in recent months in the same region.

"This unforeseen turn of events has stretched our military forces thin, exposed vulnerabilities in our front lines, and necessitated a thorough reorganization to ensure we maintain our momentum in countering the al-Shabab threat," the letter said.

"We hold firm in our belief that this technical pause will, in the long run, contribute to the enduring peace, stability and prosperity of Somalia," it said, adding that the government remained fully committed to the complete ATMIS drawdown by the end-of-2024 deadline.

Security experts in Somalia said al-Shabab militants have been withdrawing from towns and villages and retreating into the bush with the intention of prosecuting a prolonged guerrilla war.

The government request to the United Nations came days after ATMIS announced it had kicked off the second phase of the drawdown, with the projected departure of 3,000 troops by the end of September.

Since the beginning of the ATMIS drawdown, 2,000 AU troops had left by the end of June, and six bases have been handed over to Somali forces.

Before the troop reductions began, ATMIS was made up of about 20,000 uniformed personnel drawn from Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.

Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse.
About 76% of farmers are worried about the future impact of climate change, while 71% say it already has had an impact on their farms and incomes, a recent survey by life science company Bayer Group found.

Researchers interviewed 800 farmers in eight countries  Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Kenya, Ukraine and the United States  and said that 568 of those farmers have witnessed the impact of climate change directly on their farms.

About 80% of them have experienced heat effects and anticipate reduced yields in the coming years.

Rodrigo Santos, president of the Crop Science Division at Bayer, said that despite the impact of climate change on farming communities, there will be more demand for food harvested from less land in the coming years.

We need to produce 50% more food  with 20% less land per capita than we do today, Santos said.

Climate change for us, when we live in the cities, is one thing, but for the farmers it is impacting their yields, it's impacting their production, it's impacting their ability to produce food and feed, he said.

The report said that 73% of farmers interviewed in Kenya, for instance, have faced drought. Persistent droughts in the East African nation have resulted in crop losses and livestock deaths.

The report highlights that 1 in every 6 farmers worldwide suffered a nearly 16% loss of income due to adverse weather conditions over the past two years.

Unpredictable weather patterns and insufficient seed varieties exacerbated food insecurity in Africa, according to experts.

The head of Africa Agribusiness International Finance Corp. at the World Bank, Yosuke Kotsuji, said the continent needs to adopt new farm technologies faster.

The headache is how to scale technology dissemination, he said. The way you and I can farm  next door we can get quite different results.

According to experts, older African farmers encounter difficulties when it comes to embracing technologies, unlike their younger counterparts on the continent.

Most farmers surveyed mentioned that they either currently implement or plan to adopt methods that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, over 50% of them are striving to enhance biodiversity.

Doaa Abdel-Motaal, a senior counselor at the World Trade Organization, said there is a need to facilitate the easy movement of food in different countries to fight food insecurity.

We also need to take into account the fact that the climate crisis is progressing and there will be more climate calamities, unfortunately, in different parts of the globe, Abdel-Motaal said. So allowing food to move from country A to country B to counter those calamities so that countries don't starve is absolutely essential.

Where countries find themselves on the map is no more than an accident of geography. There are some countries that are completely dependent on imported food for their food security, he said.

Farmers worry about escalating fertilizer costs, energy prices and fluctuations in prices and income, the report said.
Sudan's army chief said Friday he had not sought military support on a recent regional tour and that his preference was for a peaceful solution to the conflict that has killed thousands and displaced millions of civilians.

General Abdel Fattah Burhan also said in an interview with Reuters that he had asked neighboring states to stop sending mercenaries in support of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

War between the army and the RSF broke out in mid-April over plans for a political transition and the integration of the RSF into the army, four years after long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir was overthrown in a popular uprising.

"Every war ends in peace, whether through negotiations or force. We are proceeding on those two paths, and our preferred path is the path of negotiations," Burhan said on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Burhan added that he believed that stalled talks by Saudi Arabia and the United States in Jeddah could still succeed.

Burhan has made a series of foreign visits in recent weeks after remaining in Sudan for the first months of the war. The purpose was to seek solutions, not military support, though he had asked other states to block external help that he asserts the RSF is receiving, he said.

"We asked our neighbors to help us monitor the borders to stop the flow of mercenaries," Burhan said.

RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, said in a video speech released Thursday to coincide with an address by Burhan to the U.N. General Assembly that he was ready for a cease-fire and political talks.

Previous claims by both sides that they want peace and are ready for cease-fires have failed to stop bloodshed.

Witnesses say the army's bombardments have caused civilian casualties and that the RSF is responsible for widespread looting, sexual violence and other abuses, as well as participating in ethnically targeted attacks in Darfur.

Burhan on Friday dismissed accusations against the army as propaganda by its rivals. The RSF has denied it is behind the violence in Darfur and will hold its men accountable for abuses.

Burhan said that army deployment in El Geneina, which suffered the worst mass killings in Darfur, has been limited, hindering their ability to respond.

The violence peaked after the governor of West Darfur was killed June 14. Burhan said he told the governor to seek protection at a military camp, but the governor rejected that.

"The armed forces present in El Geneina are not sufficient in number to spread out in every area," he said.
Three Palestinians were wounded in clashes along the Israel-Gaza border Saturday, Palestinian officials said, as the Israeli military said it was striking Hamas targets in Gaza in response to riots.

In what appears to be a renewed wave of violence on the border, Palestinians in Gaza have been holding protests along the separation fence for eight consecutive days, breaking from a period of relative calm. Youths have thrown stones and improvised explosive devices at Israeli troops, who have responded with live fire.

The Israeli military said in a statement it had struck Hamas targets "adjacent to the security border in the Gaza Strip," in response to riots and shots being fired at soldiers.

Gazans say the demonstrations are to protest issues including the treatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and Jewish visits to the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, a site holy to both Muslims and Jews, who know it as the Temple Mount.

The chief of the Hamas group, which rules Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, who currently resides between Qatar and Turkey, praised actions by demonstrators and extended "a greeting of pride and gratitude to all the revolutionary youth" along the border in a televised statement Saturday.

According to the Israeli military, protesters have also launched incendiary balloons into Israeli territory, starting fires in areas near the separation fence.
The European Union and its Western partners are grappling with how to maintain diplomatic relations in the Sahel region following recent putsches in Africa.

At a round-table discussion Thursday hosted by the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, a Washington think tank, analysts focused on European engagement in the Sahel in the aftermath of a military takeover in Niger in July.

The analysts, including top EU diplomats, expressed grave concern about Africas resolve to partner with Russia, despite Moscows limited material wealth or infrastructure to offer the continent. The panelists said Africa is becoming the center of global geopolitics.

Damien Cristofari, senior adviser on European Affairs at the French Embassy in Washington, told VOA that the fluid situation in Niger leaves uncertainty for the EUs next line of action.

We are still at the very [beginning] of the crisis, and so we have to let the dust settle and see what we can or cannot do, he said.

Partnership

Cristofari said in light of rising anti-French sentiment in the Sahel and parts of West Africa, like Mali and Burkina Faso, Paris is leaning toward developing more of a partnership with Africa. However, he said, such a partnership has to be locally driven.

Were promoting a partnership approach and have already started to rethink our global relationship with Africa, Cristofari said. This was the purpose of the EU-African Union Summit in 2022, where all of us, Europeans and Africans, agreed to promote this partnership approach.

At the February 2022 summit in Brussels, 40 African heads of state met their European partners for what observers called a reset amid Russia's and Chinas growing influence on the continent.

The 27-nation bloc pledged $168 billion (150 billion Euros) in investments in the energy, transport, digital infrastructure, health and educational sectors over seven years.

Cristofari said despite the instability in the Sahel, the EU continues to provide aid and money to countries in the region, like Mali, but did not give any figures.

But given this development, we have to reflect on what these engagements will be and whether we can maintain this level of engagement in the future, he said.

Petr Tuma, visiting fellow at the Atlantic Council, a U.S. think tank, told VOA that discussions about what happens in the Sahel are still in the early stages, and that it would be tough to find a common line, as some EU member states are rooting for an alternative approach to resolving the Niger coup.

Right now, were still considering the next line of action, because [the power grab] was quite a shock for Europeans. It will be difficult, but still possible, he said.

Theres one buzzword we hear in Brussels: We need more of team spirit in Europe.

Tuma said the EU is looking to work with other countries in the Sahel to build their defenses, but insisted it has no plan to abandon those facing political instability. He told VOA he had no further details on what that plan would look like.

There are certain countries like those in the Gulf of Guinea who are still ready to cooperate with us, and so I think we have to focus on working together with them on the economy and regional stability," he said.

In 2014, Burkina Faso, Mali, Chad, Mauritania and Niger established the G5 Sahel group to counter the main challenges they face: insecurity and political instability. However, Michael Shurkin, director of global programs at the consulting firm 14 North Strategies, which focuses on Africa, told VOA that efforts by the EU and France in the Sahel have not yielded stability.

"There are fundamental questions to be asked about whether or not it is even worth the while or does one simply walk away," he said. Or if one stays engaged, does it mean having to work with these [military] juntas and figuring out how best to work with the juntas?

Democracy preferred

He said the latter is not something the EU or the United States would rather be doing, adding that they would really rather be working with democratic states.

Last month, military leaders in Gabon took power from longtime leader Ali Bongo Ondimba, who was elected in a vote that the opposition said was unfair.

Bongos plea to the world to make noise fell on deaf ears, with some analysts telling VOA that its unlikely regional countries and the international community will call for his reinstatement. The Bongo family has ruled the Central African nation for nearly 56 years.

In July, members of Nigerien leader Mohamed Bazoums presidential guard toppled him and placed his family under house arrest. On Thursday, his lawyer, Seydou Diagne, said Bazoum has filed a lawsuit at the court of the regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja, to free him.

Theres an interest on the part of a lot of people in Washington to distance themselves from the French in the hope of trying to maintain lines of communication with these juntas and the population of these countries with the notion that therell be an opportunity to engage constructively for something, Shurkin told VOA.

Although nobody actually knows what that something would be  what do we actually do and how do we improve things? Shurkin said.

Anthony LaBruto contributed to this report, which originated in VOAs English to Africa Service.
The United States on Friday unveiled $65 million more in help for Haiti's police and urged the U.N. Security Council to formally back the deployment of a multinational security mission to help the Caribbean country fight crippling gang violence.

Speaking at a meeting in New York to address the security situation in Haiti, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the mission, led by Kenya, could deploy "within months."

"We really have no time to lose," Blinken said.

Haiti last year asked for help to combat violent gangs that have largely overrun the capital Port-au-Prince. The council could vote as soon as next week, diplomats said, on a U.S.-drafted resolution supporting a multinational police deployment.

While not providing any troops, Blinken said the Biden administration will work with the U.S. Congress to provide $100 million to back the multinational mission with logistical and financial assistance. This could include intelligence support, airlift, communications and medical support, he said.

The $65 million announced Friday will aim to bolster the Haitian police capacity to dismantle the gangs, Blinken said. The U.S. was also imposing new visa bans on former and current Haitian officials whom Blinken said were enabling the violence.

Washington supports Kenya's vision for a three-part security mission that includes helping Haitian police, ensuring security for static installations and thoroughfares and strengthening law enforcement in the long term, Blinken said.

Kenyan President William Ruto told the General Assembly on Thursday: "We must not leave Haiti behind."

Countries have been wary of supporting the unelected administration of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who has said fair elections cannot be held with the current insecurity. Haiti has been without any elected representatives since January.

"My interim government is determined to hold elections as soon as practically possible," Henry told the General Assembly on Friday, adding that security in Haiti had deteriorated to a "critical point" as "criminals feel that they are all powerful."

"I am asking for help to allow Haitians to stay in their homes," he said, again requesting "help to bolster the national police of Haiti so that it can truly respond to the challenges it faces" and for Security Council authorization for that help.

Haiti's most powerful gang leader this week called for the armed overthrow of Henry, urging Haitians to take to the streets against the unelected government.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a report to the council last month that a "robust use of force" by a multinational police deployment and the use of military assets were needed to restore law and order in Haiti and disarm gangs.

A multinational police deployment would not be a U.N. mission.
Hungary Quietly Hosts Xinjiang Official Sanctioned by the US for Alleged Human Rights Abuses

Hungary's discreet hosting of Erkin Tuniyaz, a U.S. sanctioned Xinjiang official accused of human rights abuses, aligns with China's soft power strategy to whitewash the Uyghur genocide and boost business ties, according to experts. Experts stress the need for unified action against abuses, emphasizing accountability over providing a platform for officials like Tuniyaz. Speculation hints at a connection to plans for a chemical materials warehouse, considering the surge of Chinese battery producers in Hungary.

US Lawmakers Urge Strict Enforcement of Uyghur Human Rights and Forced Labor Laws

U.S. lawmakers are pushing for strict enforcement of the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act (UHRPA) and the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) in response to concerns of an ongoing genocide in Xinjiang, China. They seek sanctions against those involved in human rights abuses and forced labor targeting Uyghur and other Muslim minorities.

Uyghur Community in the U.S. Takes a Step Toward Their First Islamic Center

Members of the Uyghur community in the United States are actively working to acquire their first place of worship. A fundraising event marked the beginning of this effort, where they secured about $250,000 to purchase a 2,400- square-meter space in Fairfax County, Virginia, for the first Uyghur Islamic Center. The Uyghur Islamic Center aims to offer solace, support, and education, emphasizing the importance of religious freedom and advocating for Uyghur rights, according to the organizers.

Persistent Uyghur Persecution Contradicts China's Claims of Camp Closures

Ongoing Uyghur persecution contradicts China's claims of ending the internment campaign. Radio Free Asia reports ongoing detentions, backed by satellite imagery of active camps. Arbitrary arrests continue, and some detainees are shifted to prisons for minor offenses. Limited communication makes it hard to gauge the Uyghurs' true situation, with little expected change as China uses these policies for supposed regional stability while enforcing forced assimilation, fostering fear, and perpetuating persecution among Uyghurs.

Prominent Uyghur Entrepreneur Educated in the U.S. Receives 15-Year Prison Sentence in China

Abdulhabir Muhammad, previously celebrated as a Uyghur role model, has been given a 15-year prison sentence. Muhammad, a young Uyghur entrepreneur who had completed his MBA in the United States, was apprehended in mid-2022 on charges of religious extremism and national separatism. However, the precise grounds for his arrest remain shrouded, as revealed by a Radio Free Asia investigation.

Xinjiang Village Enclosed by Authorities to Control Uyghur Movement

Authorities in China's Xinjiang region have enclosed Chuluqai village, home to 13,500 people, with a wall to control residents' movement, subjecting them to 24-hour surveillance and permitting access through a single gate. This "one village, one gate" campaign is part of a broader effort to monitor Uyghur communities, severely restricting their freedom of movement.

UN Uyghur Event Exposes China's Repression and Camp Closure Claims

Despite Chinese diplomats' efforts to discourage attendance, a Uyghur event at the U.N. General Assembly in New York proceeded, condemning Beijing's repression of Uyghurs. Experts noted China's shift from internment camps to the regular penal system while still claiming camp closures. Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnes Callamard stressed that the essence of violations remains unchanged, with Uyghurs lacking freedom and facing arbitrary detention. Uyghurs living abroad also endure China's attempts to control them through their families, causing immense emotional distress.

EV Makers Maintain Xinjiang Ties Amid Forced Labor Allegations

Leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers like Tesla and Ford are still tied to Xinjiang suppliers, despite the U.S. ban on products from the region because of forced labor allegations.

News in brief

Rahile Dawut, a celebrated Uyghur folklorist, has been sentenced to life in a Chinese prison after her six-year disappearance. The Dui Hua Foundation, a human rights group, confirmed the news, highlighting the ongoing oppression in Xinjiang. Dawut's life sentence is part of a broader crackdown involving the detention of Uyghur intellectuals and the erasure of Uyghur culture, with many intellectuals detained. Dawut's daughter, who resides in the U.S. state of Washington passionately, calls for her mother's release, while human rights groups urge Beijing to free her and safeguard academic freedom.

Quote of note

"I just want to tell my mom to please stay strong and that people around the world are really caring about you right now. You didnt do anything wrong, and you deserve to be free."

 Akida Pulat, daughter of renowned Uyghur scholar Rahila Dawut, who is imprisoned for life in China
An agreement has been reached between Intermountain and families of children with behavioral health issues who are in a residential program with a commitment by Intermountain to continue the program through Nov. 30, attorneys involved in the negotiations said Friday.

Attorneys with Graybill Law Firm, Upper Seven Law and Crowley Fleck PLLP said in an email the decision was reached following negotiations between the families and Intermountain.

Todays agreement is an essential first step for the safety and well-being of Intermountains most vulnerable clients, but hard work will be required to avoid closure after November 30, the parties who released the email said. For the families involved, the agreement is a continued commitment from Intermountain and its residential staff that their kids will be safe and cared for appropriately.

They noted that many of these children have improved greatly during their treatment, and families expressed concern about the closures effect on their childrens progress and the unavailability of suitable alternatives.

Intermountain announced Sept. 1 it was closing its residential program, saying that as of Sept. 22 it would not have enough staff to cover shifts at its two residential cottages. The decision impacted 16 children ranging from ages 4-14 with behavioral health issues who live in the cottages and 55 staff members.

Intermountain officials said the closure, which they said would be temporary, was due to staffing shortages, and they would help with the childrens relocation. That relocation was expected to be completed by Oct. 5 and Intermountain had said it will not close until the last child is discharged.

The decision sparked a Sept. 11 community rally in support of staff and the children.

Raph Graybill, an attorney for the families and caregivers, said Friday he was encouraged by the steps Intermountain has taken to maintain residential operations.

Although there is a long road ahead, it needs to start here  with a continued commitment that the kids in Intermountain Residentials care are a top priority," he said in the news release.

Chris Oliveira, an attorney representing Intermountain, said the safety of the children was always a top priority for the agency.

Intermountain continues in its commitment to the children and families served through its residential program as well as its other services in the community, Oliveira said.

The Sept. 1 announcement to close the program sparked public criticism.

On Sept. 11, the board of directors said it was committed to reopening the program. The board directed staff to prepare a strategic plan and an approximate date to reopen the residential program. That plan is due to the board in 30 days.

Later that day there was a rally on the front lawn of the state Capitol in support of the staff and children.

On Sept. 17, Graybill and attorneys Constance Van Kley, Christopher Patalano and Rylee Sommers-Flanagan sent an email to the Intermountain board saying their clients would take legal action unless Intermountain committed to reasonably extend continuity of care for these children, whom it is contractually required to treat.

They said that based on conversations with staff, Intermountain Residential could maintain current operations through the end of November. That is barring more resignations.

There had been some dispute on the campus prior to Sept. 1.

On Aug. 14, Intermountain employees submitted a letter to their board of directors expressing a vote of no confidence in the board and its interim chief executive officer, saying that recent incidents at the facility have created a toxic atmosphere.

Intermountain, founded in 1909, provides outpatient services to children, adults and families with behavioral and mental health needs in Billings, Bozeman and Helena. Intermountains website states it is a nationally recognized nonprofit providing Hope & Healing to children, youth and families in need of improved mental and behavioral health.

The decision to close the program left some families scrambling to find new facilities to treat their children. Intermountain was one of few such programs in the country, family members said.
Columbus Mavhunga

HARARE, ZIMBABWE  The European Union says it is withdrawing $5 million in financial support to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission because of what it calls a lack of independence and transparency in the country's disputed August polls.

In a statement late Tuesday, the EU embassy in Harare said Brussels is pulling out its $5 million financial support to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission because of the way the commission ran the country's August general election.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa defeated Nelson Chamisa of the Citizens Coalition for Change in the hotly contested August 23 election.

We did not set institutions that underpin our democracy in chapter 12 of our constitution so that they can be funded by foreigners," said Nick Mangwana, the government spokesman.

"As government, we always provide for ZECs needs through the fiscus. So as far as we are concerned, this is a non-event. We did not apply for this funding. And it's withdrawal, does not mean anything. ZEC will fulfill its mandate through the funding that it gets from the people of Zimbabwe.

Promise Mkwananzi is the spokesman for the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change, which disputes the presidents victory.

ZEC is improperly composed, it is not independent, it is not professional. We saw it in the previous elections, we've seen it even more glaringly in this election," said Mkwananzi.

"So we were quite surprised that the EU entrusted the taxpayer's money of Europeans to such a group. The way forward really, like we've already articulated, is the disbandment of ZEC, totally, and the firing of all the individuals we involved both at commission and secretary level, and re-commissioning and re-composing ZEC based on individuals of integrity, of honor and independence, who then reconstitute ZEC in accordance with the constitution and the laws of our country in preparation for a fresh free and free election.

The EUs observer mission to Zimbabwes elections was among other missions which condemned the way Zimbabwe Electoral Commission ran the August polls.

The Southern Africa Development Community mission said the elections fell far short of the regional bodys electoral guidelines and infringed on the countrys constitution and electoral laws.

Linda Masarira, is the founder of the opposition Labor, Economists and African Democrats party. She says African countries need to run elections without EU help.

They've always wanted to meddle with how we do elections in this country," said Masarira. "And it should be a wake-up call to the government of this country to start funding its own elections, its own processes, its own government programs. We cannot continue running with begging bowls to the West and the East.

Gibson Nyikadzino, Harare-based independent political analyst, agrees with Masarira.

It only shows us that the European Union or the Western order has a way it wants to construct some truths in the knowledge regarding the issues to do with elections, the issues to do with democratic processes in the nations of the South," said Nyikadzino. "And this explains why they are failing to come to terms with the reality that the Zanu-PF was officially declared the winner.

But Brighton Mutebuka, a lawyer and political commentator, says the EU was justified in withdrawing the money.

It is not just the EU who here on the ground versus with their electoral observer mission," said Mutebuka. "But we have the regional bodies SADC and the AU as well. And they concluded that the election that ZEC delivered fell far short of those standards and quite brazenly saw in many respects in what we saw. So the ball is in ZECs court.

On Wednesday, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission refused to comment on the EUs announcement.
Townsends Col. Jennifer Dalrymple (retired) served 30 years in the Air Force  eight years active, 22 years in the Reserves  including three stints in the Middle East.

My career was under/on the ground as a missile launch officer for the Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) and civil engineer building/caretaking of our bases, Dalrymple explained via text from her home in Broadwater County.

The daughter of Garry and Joan Dalrymple, Jennifer graduated from Tucsons Salpointe Catholic High in 1982, where she competed in track and field for the Lady Lancers.

A versatile trackster with heptathlon-like skills, she ran the 100-meter high hurdles, long jumped and threw the discus and shot put, or filled in wherever the team needed me, she related. I held the school record until my senior year, when my younger, freshman sister successfully exceeded my time.

At the University of Arizona, Dalrymple continued the familys military tradition and enlisted in the Air Force, with the AFROTC program.

Three of my four uncles served in the Army  one in WWII in Europe, one as a paratrooper just before Korea, and the youngest served two tours as Infantryman in Vietnam, Dalrymple said. Both parents served in Air Force, my father from 1952 to 1976, and my mother from 1958 to 1961. And from 1979 to 1985, my older brother served in the Navy as a nuclear specialist on the USS Bainbridge.

Her officer basic training took place in July and August of 1984, at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio.

The most fun during that 6 weeks was flying/piloting a T-37 trainer jet over south Texas and doing desert survival training for three days at Camp Bullis during one of the hottest summers in Texas, she texted.

After obtaining a BS in civil engineering and being commissioned second lieutenant, from November 1987 to March 1988 she attended ICBM officer crew training at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

For the next six years, Jennifer served at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, as ICBM launch officer for four years, and then transferred to civil engineers for two years. From December 1992 to June 1993, she was deployed to the Middle East at the drawdown of Desert Storm.

Dalrymple closed out her final year of active duty service at Peterson Air Force Base (Colorado Springs), civil engineers, as an environmental officer. She then joined the Air Force Reserves in 1995 and moved to Tampa, Florida.

She spent the next 23 years  the first two in Florida before returning to the Treasure State  as a fairly active member of the Air Force Reserves, working for whatever unit or headquarters needed help. Most notably, Col. Dalrymple served six months (April-October 2010) in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom as a deputy group commander of operations, for my 1,100 Airmen who were embedded with the Army.

In her departure letter from their base in Balad (north of Baghdad) to friends and family, she described being present at a Dignified transfer whereupon a battalion of soldiers, not more than twenty-somethings, shared tears of grief and cries of anguish when  five caskets were loaded, bound for eternal rest stateside.

These were all Americans, Dalrymple wrote, not just soldiers but two civilians who left the safety and comfort of their homes in the US, embedded as Iraqi interpreters yet accepted as brothers in this unit.

She also had the opportunity to do six months as the Air Force senior engineer for the entire Middle East area of operations. She was stationed at Shaw AFB, South Carolina, with trips to Quatar and back to Iraq, from January to July of 2014.

Col. Dalrymple retired from the armed forces in September 2017, and married her partner that same year, as well. Over the course of her service during four decades, she garnered the following medals/ribbons: Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaves, Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaves, Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf, Combat Readiness medal with bronze star, Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze star, Iraq Campaign Medal with bronze star, and a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

She also earned the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with four oak leaves, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two Mobilization devices and a silver hourglass.

She also furthered her post-University of Arizona education with an MS in aero operations at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical; MAs in military operations and international studies and military strategic planning at Air University; and at Carroll College with a BA in health and physical education.

Pretty much 6-8 months a year I was away from my Florida/Montana home until my retirement after 30 years of service, texted Dalrymple, who currently serves on the governors Montana Board of Veterans Affairs and also volunteers with the L&C Honor Guard for veterans funerals.

What a ride! she said.
One of those open secrets is the prevalence of harassment, abuse and sexual violence in the scene. While there have been recent high-profile examples of male comedians being exposed for alleged bad behaviour  Russell Brand, Louis C.K., Chris DElia  interviews with Australian women comedians suggest there remains a problematic culture at all levels of the local industry. The kinds of stories being published in the UK and US are harder to tell in Australia, due to the small and insular nature of the Australian scene, fear of not being booked for speaking out, and Australias notorious defamation laws that make it hard, expensive and risky to report on this kind of behaviour. Bec Charlwood, a comedian, Triple J presenter and podcast host, says that while we live in a post-#MeToo culture, there remain significant problems. Bec Charlwood says there are still issues in Australian comedy. Men are a lot better behaved, or theyre smarter at getting away with it, she says.

Stories within the industry can range from incidences of sexual assault and rape, to threats and intimidation from other comics and from audiences, to men making misogynist jokes on stage. Rose Callaghan, a stand-up comedian, describes sexual harassment and sexual assault in the industry as pervasive. She recalls getting unwanted attention when she started in comedy, when men would ask her to write jokes with them. I thought, Thats so awesome, he really thinks Im funny and respects me. And then its like, Oh, you just want to hook up with me. Cassie Workman, a TV comedy writer who worked on Shaun Micallefs Mad as Hell, has been subjected to threats and stalking from audience members in the course of her work. She recently decided to take a step back from stand-up comedy, in part because of the level of abuse she was receiving both online and in real life. Cassie Workman has recently taken a step back from stand-up comedy. Credit: Jim Lee Even though the good of being a visible trans person on stage certainly outweighed the bad, and even though I felt the vast majority of people were supportive, I also felt there was this undercurrent of people who were just furious that I existed, she says. I got sick of pushing against it.

Elouise Eftos is frustrated that the burden is on women to keep themselves safe. Eftos is frustrated that it is up to women to protect themselves and others from harm. We have to do all this work because were women in the industry. I wish that male comics would step up, she says. Women comedians who spoke to this masthead also raised the fact that responsibility for womens safety should be placed on bookers, venues, festivals and management companies. Anyone in a position of power should institute a zero-tolerance policy towards assault and harassment, Tovey says. Im not speaking about broad public cancellation campaigns. Im saying that if someone tells you that someone is unsafe, you dont bring them into a space that is meant to be safe. Charlwood suggests two legal factors that make it harder for victims of abuse to speak out: the difficulty in getting a conviction in a sexual assault case, as well as Australias defamation laws, which favour the plaintiff.

Alice Tovey thinks there should be a zero tolerance policy for bad behaviour in comedy. It all just slants in favour of the people with power and money, and they know that they can rest on these laws and get away with this shit, she says. Callaghan notes that it is not always in the interest of major players in the comedy industry to stamp out sexual assault or abuse. The institution and the industry of comedy just doesnt think that thats their problem or their business, but theyre the ones that are creating monsters, she says. They turn a blind eye to it. They are creating this world in which people act badly and dont get pulled up on it because theyre famous ... [Its] a culture that encourages predators to do what they want because they feel confident that no ones going to do anything. There actually needs to be repercussions.

The publics response to these allegations is also a factor in whether women come forward. Many men and women have come out in support of Brand, questioning the women who have made allegations. Rose Callaghan says it is not in the interests of some in the industry to hold abusers to account. Credit: Alan Fang We treat women like shit when they do come out about this, Workman says. And you [people speaking out] put yourself in a position where your whole career becomes about that, where the thing youre most famous for is that [allegation]. There are also professional risks to speaking up, explains Tovey. Women and gender-diverse people who speak up are shut out of this industry. Theyre not given opportunities that others are because theyre labelled difficult, theyre labelled mouthy. Ive unfortunately seen several women who have been chased out of comedy, because of speaking up. And you dont want that to happen because you dont do comedy because its a good career choice but because its your passion and you love it.
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 Like a preordained dot-to-dot, everythings suddenly lining up perfectly for Chappell Roan. Just days ahead of the release of her excellent debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, the 25-year-old  real name Kayleigh Rose Amstutz  chalked up a feature on whats currently the biggest album in the world, Olivia Rodrigos Guts. Signed to Amusement Records, the Island Records imprint of her main collaborator Dan Nigro  the hit producer famed for his Grammy-winning work with Rodrigo  it was all a sort of favour for a friend, but one that points towards a bigger platform to come. Everything just clicked, the very second I let go of trying to be taken seriously, says Chappell Roan of her circuitous journey to pop. Credit: Ryan Clemens It wasnt even, like, a favour; [Olivia] doesnt need anything from me, Roan laughs over Zoom from Los Angeles, her curls tumbling like red slinkies. She is such an angel. I really look up to her, how she handles herself with such grace and tact. Its very much an honour to be part of some of her songs, just way in the back there. Shell now be opening for Rodrigo on her massive world tour, set to commence in February 2024. Its amusing imagining how Roans explicit songs about, well, being knee-deep on the passenger side, and youre eating me out (Casual) might play to Olivias youthful fanbase and their parents. Is she anxious? I mean, its not like Olivias stuff is buttoned up. Especially with Guts now, she does not give a f---. They know what theyre getting into, Roan laughs. Yes, my musics a lot more crass, much more lewd. But I dont think its, like, that far off? The ridiculously catchy hook off Feminomenon  a directive to make it hot like Papa John  and a lovelorn country ballad like Picture You  with its singalong, the things I do when I picture you  might make a parent blush, but shes right. Kids are sophisticated these days. Theyre watching Euphoria, they know about these things.

Advertisement

Like, I grew up on Nicki [Minaj] and Kesha, says Roan. Kesha was my mums worst nightmare, just like, F yeah, party and drugs! And I was like, yes, yes! Just 12-years-old and obsessed with it. I think that kids just, like, fing love pop music. With The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, Roan is ready to be Kesha for the queer kids. Fuelled by her theatre kid exuberance, yet able to juggle both outlandish hilarity and heart-tugging bitterness (often within the space of the same track, as on the majestic Casual), the album  like Rodrigos, entirely produced by Nigro  flows on Roans fearless force of personality. I can hardly remember last week, but it has to be the funnest pop album of the year. Romantic, bitter, funny: Chappell Roans The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. I just embody the pop star I wanted to be when I was little; its a caricature of a pop star, says Roan of her approach to her obnoxious songs and flamboyant aesthetics, which are such a detailed part of Chappells appeal she once half-joked that the only Grammy she wants to win is for album packaging. Drag and burlesque have always been a huge through line for me, but theres also nods to Bratz dolls and Hannah Montana and that pop star cliche. In my head, Chappell Roan is like a drag queen; I think thats where all those larger than life colours and outfits and songs come from. That the album is such an assured debut belies Roans circuitous journey to this moment; hers is not an overnight success. Oh no, its taken a decade to get here, she says with deadpan severity. I tell everyone, it takes a decade. The albums earliest single Pink Pony Club, a bouncy pop fable about a girl from a conservative small town who finds her queer spiritual awakening among the bright lights and dreams of Los Angeles (specifically, West Hollywoods landmark gay club The Abbey), echoes Roans own real-life journey.

Advertisement

At just 17, off the strength of songs shed uploaded to YouTube, she earned a contract with Atlantic Records, resulting in the 2017 EP, School Nights. It was very brooding, teen angst. A bit Lorde-esque. I mean, I was 17. I just had no idea what I wanted, Roan says of her earlier work. All I really had at that time was, like, I could sing  I had a unique sound  and I could write songs that were sad and had some sort of structure to them. There was a hint of, Okay, maybe if I worked really hard at this for a long time, maybe Ill get it. But I was really lost and so alone because I was a minor in the music industry, where kids just shouldnt be. In 2020, five years into her contract, when Roan was 22, Atlantic dropped her. While many young artists might seek to bury the perceived shame of major label failure, Roan calls it the best thing that happened to me in my career. I dont even see it as a failure, she says. I had a ton of experience under my belt and had proved to myself that I could do so much on my own at such a young age. And so, it was good that it happened. I had to go back home and work the drive-thru and its like, fine, thats what happens. It took me a few years to get back on my feet  and, like, here we are. Shes blase about it now, but I wonder if at that point it felt like the end of the journey? For any aspiring artist, the goal is always to attract major label backing. So to get there and have it all taken away Just because you get signed to a label doesnt mean youve made anything, says Roan. Being signed to a label meant less for me than when I was dropped. Once I was dropped, I was free: I could do whatever I wanted, I could move at any pace I wanted. Yes, I didnt have financial help but I just made it work, always.

Advertisement

Shes admitted she was close to giving up. Back home in Missouri, she wondered if maybe I wasnt supposed to be an artist, or maybe I wasnt supposed to be in music at all. I just wasnt happy, says Roan. It did not make me happy to write music or talk about music or anything. Moving back to Los Angeles in October 2020, working shifts at a donut shop to make ends meet, she gave herself one last shot to phoenix her pop star dreams. I told myself, if by the end of next year I dont feel like this is right, then Im gonna move to Nashville to be a writer, or just go to school to be an aesthetician, Chappell recalls. Seven months into that move, she signed a publishing deal with Sony that meant she could dedicate all her time to music again. Earlier this year, she signed to Nigros imprint on Island. Theres only so much you can take. It was two years of horrible grind, just hoping something would fing happen, until it did, she says of the struggle to make Chappell Roan work. But I think I needed so many years to become free in writing this type of music, just because it is pretty bold. It also took a lot of, like, letting go: of trying to be cool, or sophisticated, so people would think I was this serious artist. Once I let that go, all the songs flooded in and the aesthetic and everything just clicked, the very second I let go of trying to be taken seriously. Loading Much like The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, theres a celebratory turn in Roans story, in the self-discovery and identity  and artistic success  she uncovered via pop. Even so, returning home to Missouri now is a challenge, she says. I dont know if people are accepting. I definitely dress differently when I go home. I dont try to draw much attention, just because its not worth it. I dont live there anymore, I dont need to prove anything to anyone.

Advertisement
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size This story is part of the September 23 edition. See all 18 stories . Why arent I dead? Why arent I sick? Why am I still here when so many of my friends have died? These are the questions David Menadue, one of the oldest survivors of HIV in Australia and among the first to be diagnosed here, has asked himself since that life-changing spring afternoon in 1984 when he was told he was carrying the virus that causes AIDS. Returning to his job with the Victorian education department that day, the 30-year-old was reeling from shock. Back then, fear and isolation were constants: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), so named only two years prior, was considered an automatic death sentence. There were no approved drug treatments and the social stigma was so corrosive that HIV carriers were warned not to share their status beyond a few trusted friends. I was told not to plan for old age, says Menadue, recalling a time when every lingering cough or skin outbreak would usher in a fit of high anxiety. What fortified him was Melbourne Positive Friends, a support group he helped set up that met weekly in each others homes. On Thursday nights at least, we could all unload our stresses, he remembers. Wed go away for weekends and if anyone fell sick, wed support them. Soberingly, of the groups 33 original members, only four, including Menadue, are still alive. The first medication to treat AIDS, a re-purposed cancer drug known as zidovudine or AZT, probably saved Menadues life in 1989, when he developed the first of many serious AIDS-related illnesses, but one of its major side effects was muscle atrophy and weakness, known as AZT myopathy. On top of that was a host of symptoms peculiar to HIV immune deficiency. Id get these creepy things happening to me like oesophageal candidiasis, which meant I had trouble eating, or these atrocious skin complaints. Loading Menadue limped along until the arrival of potent new antiretrovirals (ARVs) in 1996, a game-changing combination of drugs that turned a killer disease into a chronic, manageable illness by halting the replication of the virus in the body, thus reducing damage to the immune system. Suddenly, we had a future, he recalls. Like so many others, Id blown most of my money on a big overseas trip, thinking I was going to die. So I had to start my life again. By this time, the AZT and first-generation ARVs had left him with permanent side effects, including sunken cheeks, spindly arms and legs and a protuberant belly. I used to have these big, beefy legs, he says ruefully. By his early 40s, Menadue also had a barrage of symptoms associated with accelerated ageing  arthritis, bone loss, type 2 diabetes and rheumatological disorders. The physical changes were hard to deal with, but my priority was survival. A warm and engaging man, Menadue threw a large birthday party for more than 180 people last year to celebrate turning 70. I was surrounded by close friends and family. Above all, love has kept me going all these years.

Advertisement

This year marks 40 years since the first Australian died from AIDS. That was in Melbourne in July 1983, two years after scientists in the US announced the first cases of a rare pneumonia, now called pneumocystis jirovecii, and a rarely seen cancer, Kaposi sarcoma, appearing among gay men in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. Its 40 years, too, since two AIDS sufferers in New York, Richard Berkowitz and Michael Callen, published a booklet on safer sex, which recommended the use of condoms to prevent the spread of STDs, a guideline that would save countless lives. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the retrovirus that causes AIDS, was so named in 1986, replacing its former name, HTLV-111. Doctors found the first sign of HIV was usually a fever, swollen glands and a sore throat  the telltale symptoms of a seroconversion illness, which usually occurs within a month of infection, a result of the body reacting to the viral intruder by producing antibodies. Since then, the acronyms HIV and AIDS have become so well-known that they no longer require spelling out. AIDS has killed more than 40 million people worldwide and 85 million have been infected, making it one of the deadliest epidemics in post-World War II history. By comparison, the far more easily transmitted COVID-19 has resulted in nearly 7 million deaths globally and 770 million confirmed infections. At first, it was assumed that everyone infected with HIV was doomed to develop full-blown AIDS and die. One of the surprising discoveries in those fearful early years, though, was that a small group of people  estimates varied, but some put it as low as 0.5 to one per cent  would remain healthy for five years or more. This bunch of outliers came to be known as long-term non-progressors. Not surprisingly, they were the subject of intense scrutiny by AIDS researchers scrambling to understand the virus. Loading Attention focused on white blood cells called CD4 lymphocytes, the frontline defenders of the immune system and the main target of HIV destruction. In the vast majority of cases, people who became infected with HIV suffered a cataclysmic drop in their CD4 count, from a normal level of about 500-1500 cells per millilitre of blood to 200 cells or less. Once the CD4 cell count drops below 200, the risk of developing an AIDS-related illness rises dramatically. Were these long-term non-progressors blessed with superhero CD4 cells expert at annihilating the viral invaders? Or were they infected with a weaker strain of the virus? It soon became apparent there was no simple answer: some long-term survivors, for example, lived for years with CD4 counts of less than 200. Was this because their immune systems enlisted other white blood cells to make up for the CD4 downfall? Even today, researchers dont fully understand how the immune systems of some long-term survivors have given them more robust resistance to the virus.

Advertisement

Jennifer Hoy, director of HIV Medicine in the Department of Infectious Diseases at Melbournes The Alfred Hospital, has witnessed the full trajectory of the epidemic in Australia. What began as a trickle of HIV cases in the early 1980s became a tidal wave as the decade wore on. When I returned to Australia in 1989 after a four-year stint in Texas, ward four at Fairfield Hospital in Melbourne was full of people dying in the most distressing circumstances, recalls the 69-year-old. Fifty per cent of patients died within a year of diagnosis. Those days were tough, not only for the patients but also for the staff. We tried to keep people alive and comfortable, but the sense of loss when we had no drug treatments took its toll; there were lots of funerals to attend. I saw my patients more often than I saw my friends. My patients often became my friends. Jennifer Hoy, now the director of HIV Medicine at Melbournes The Alfred Hospital, says there were lots of funerals before drug treatments became available. Credit: Peter Tarasiuk David Menadue, who was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 1995 for his service to community health, particularly helping those with HIV/AIDS, became one of those friends. He says advances in HIV medication have been dramatic over the past decade, enabling him to cut back on the small arsenal of tablets he once took daily  which he nicknamed his nuclear bombs  to just one tablet every 24 hours. (Unfortunately, he has to take a host of other pills for the multiple conditions  high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol  suffered by long-term survivors.) Australia has lost about 8000 people to AIDS, but that figure would have been far higher had our health response been slower. The speed was driven in large part by LGBTIQ grassroots communities, which rapidly set up state and territory AIDS councils and helped educate the broader public about the dangers. Australia became a world leader in our HIV/AIDS response, and I would argue we still are today, says Nicolas Parkhill, CEO of LGBTIQ health organisation ACON, who was inspired to become involved when his brother was diagnosed HIV-positive in the mid-1990s. We were one of the first countries to screen all blood donors for HIV antibodies. There are an estimated 30,000 Australians living with HIV. If someone is newly diagnosed, antiretroviral therapy can keep their HIV levels so low they never get sick and cannot transmit the virus to others. We should celebrate that ARV treatment is now associated with near-normal life expectancy, says Jennifer Hoy. While its early days, promising new research by the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity suggests an existing blood cancer drug, venetoclax, may be able to kill off the remaining, hibernating HIV-infected cells, delaying a resurgence of the virus even if ARVs are stopped. For those at high risk of contracting the virus, there is PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a daily tablet that is 99 per cent effective at stopping infection during sex. The inner-city areas of Sydney, the epicentre of the AIDS epidemic in Australia for more than 30 years, now look likely to become the first in the world to extinguish new HIV infections  a once unthinkable milestone many expect to be reached this decade. Gay men, listening to and acting on the health messages, were excellent early adopters, says Parkhill.

Advertisement

But there are blemishes on this rosy picture. Outer suburban and regional areas in NSW, especially those with higher percentages of multicultural groups in which being gay can still be heavily stigmatised, have seen a slower decline in transmission. The challenge now is, how we get to these more vulnerable populations? asks Parkhill. Its not over yet. AIDS continues to cast a long shadow over the developing world, too, such that there were an estimated 1.3 million new infections worldwide last year. The ageing of Australias HIV population means that about half of those living with HIV today are over 50. There are now two types of people living with HIV, explains Jennifer Hoy. Recently diagnosed young people on a single pill visiting the clinic twice a year, living life to the fullest, and the warriors whove been fighting HIV for the past 30 years or more, battle-scarred from the lasting effects of medication that, on the one hand, kept them alive but, on the other, meant they have multiple other problems. Some of these long-term warrior survivors share their remarkable stories here. Heather Ellis, 59 In 1995, Heather Ellis was told she had five years to live. Credit: Peter Tarasiuk It was the end of a long, glorious summer. Id just spent 15 months riding an off-road bike  my trusty Yamaha TT600  from South to North Africa before winding up in London, where I landed a job as a motorcycle courier. I felt like a road warrior: in a motorcycle accessories shop, the sales assistant took one look at me and joked, Who the f--- are you? Mad Maxs f---ing sister? I was living on a houseboat docked on a canal, had a new boyfriend and, at 30, was planning my next big trip. What I didnt know was that my world was about to come crashing down. The thing thats always stood me in good stead was my upbringing as a bush kid. My parents moved around a variety of rural locations  I went to eight different schools from years 1 to 12  but the best years were spent at my aunt and uncles sheep station in South Australia while my parents went opal mining in Coober Pedy. Wed muster sheep on our motorcycles and, on weekends, my brother and I would head to Coober Pedy to explore the old opal diggings. At 20, I set off backpacking, seeing the UK, Israel, Egypt and Europe, which gave me a thirst for more travel.

Advertisement

In London, after my ride across Africa, I was planning the next big phase of my motorcycle adventure, to ride along the Silk Road through Central Asia beginning with a journey to Moscow, where Id booked to study Russian for three months. I didnt think twice about getting a blood test; it was 1995 and a three-month Russian visa required an HIV test. But when I returned for the results two weeks later, I knew something was wrong the second I was ushered into the doctors room ahead of others in the waiting room. You have HIV, the GP said gently, placing a box of tissues beside me. The rest of his words seemed garbled, as if I was listening to him underwater. All I could hear was youve got five years, which became a loop in my head: five years, five years. I thought my life was over: I would never be a wife, a mother. I sobbed and sobbed until there were no more tears. A few weeks later, we received some good news when my boyfriend tested negative: wed always used condoms as I wasnt on the pill. He could have left me at this point but stayed around to support me. Were still friends today. People always ask, How did you get it? Its a rude question because it usually comes from a position of moral judgment. For the record: a year before diagnosis, Id had a single, unguarded encounter in Bamako, Mali, where Id met an English teacher who saved me from an impending violent attack. I had no intention of having sex in Africa  it was a continent gripped by HIV/AIDS  so, in my naivety, I hadnt taken condoms. This is a

familiar story for young people the world over: they go to a party, have a few drinks and dont have condoms to hand when one thing leads to another. A visit to an HIV womens support group in London gave me hope. Not everyone becomes sick, a young woman reassured me. So I made a plan: Id continue my journey and write a book as a legacy. [Ellis went on to publish Ubuntu: One Womans Motorcycle Odyssey Across Africa and Timeless On The Silk Road.] First, I returned to Australia and lived with my parents, who by then ran a banana plantation in Far North Queensland. After six months, Id written the first draft of Ubuntu so went back to London, preparing for what I thought would be my last motorcycle adventure, across Central Asia and back to Australia. People always ask, How did you get it? Its a rude question. My doctor gave me a prescription for an antibiotic, Bactrim, in case I developed an AIDS-related pneumonia along the way, so when I became breathless and fatigued in the Austrian ski resort town of St Johann, where I had a short-term job as a waitress, I took it. By the time I reached Hanoi, I was skin and bones, and had a Kaposi sarcoma lesion on my left shoulder and a red face from the Bactrim. When I got back to Australia in 1997, my CD4 count was down to 40; I was near death. In Cairns Base Hospital, I was put on the new life-saving antiretrovirals, but doctors held little hope. I was asked if I would like to see a chaplain. The ARVs saved my life, and my health slowly recovered.

Advertisement
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The image of Cathy Freeman draped in the Aboriginal flag after her triumph at the Sydney 2000 Olympics is seared into the collective memory of many Australians. But most of the 1.78 million voters under the age of 25 were yet to be born. Similarly, the 1999 republic referendum is now as far back in history as the 1975 dismissal of Gough Whitlam was at the time. Cathy Freeman celebrates after winning gold at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Credit: AP Freemans achievements are legendary and her endorsement of the Voice to parliament this week is a coup for the Yes campaign, but its a reminder that the dynamics are different for young voters. Freya Leach, 20, from Rozelle, whose videos campaigning for a No vote have gone viral on TikTok, says celebrity endorsements do not have the same cut-through with young people because the nature of influence has changed in the social media age. Were not all watching the same couple of TV channels, were not all reading the same couple of newspapers, Leach says. Who Im influenced by online might be totally different to who my friends are watching.

Advertisement

Polls suggest most young voters are strong Yes supporters, but as with older generations, perspectives vary. As well as the conservative No voters like Leach, who ran as the Liberal candidate for Balmain in the NSW state election, young people are also more receptive to the progressive No argument. This is the position put forward by the likes of independent senator Lidia Thorpe that an advisory body does not go far enough and a treaty between First Nations peoples and non-Indigenous Australians should come first. In the latest Resolve Political Monitor survey, 58 per cent of voters aged 18 to 35 supported a Yes outcome in the referendum to enshrine an Indigenous consultative body in the Constitution. As of the close of polls last Monday, there are 4.59 million voters under the age of 35 out of a record 17.68 million electors overall. Of those, 534,000 are new to the electoral roll, including 313,000 who have turned 18 since enrolments closed for the 2022 federal election. Other voters are drifting away. The Resolve polling shows support for the Voice is only 42 per cent among those aged 35 to 54, and just 31 per cent among those aged 55 and over. Knowing that youth are their greatest asset, the Yes camp this week launched a social media campaign asking young supporters to call an older relative to talk about the Voice. The Uluru Youth Dialogue co-chairs Bridget Cama, a 28-year-old Wiradjuri woman, and Allira Davis, a 26-year-old Cobble Cobble woman, launched the #RingYourRellos campaign and video at an event in Sydney on Wednesday. Young people led the climate change action movement and young people led the marriage equality campaign, Davis says. Theres a lot of appetite for young people wanting to make change within their communities.

Advertisement

Connor Shaw, 25, a Yes supporter who travelled from Melbourne for the event, told the attendees about calling his father to discuss the Voice. To be honest, I wasnt really sure how it was going to go, Shaw says. Me and Dad, were kind of known in the family for pretty intense political debates. What was really meaningful about this conversation was, we both realised that the Voice is beyond politics. I was pleasantly surprised that the conversation went really well. From left: Yes campaigners Connor Shaw, Bridget Cama and Allira Davis at the launch of #RingYourRellos on Wednesday. Credit: Rhett Wyman Social researcher Rebecca Huntley, director of data and strategy agency 89 Degrees East, says the #RingYourRellos idea was adapted from the 2017 campaign for marriage equality, but it will be harder to apply it to the Voice. Huntley ran several focus groups on the Voice over the past year. Everybody knows what marriage is and everybody knows somebody whos gay, but the abyss  between non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australians is enormous, Huntley says. In [focus] groups, people would say, I dont know any Aboriginal people, and even if I did, I dont know how I could talk to them about this, so Im just going to get all my information from social media. Huntley says young voters are receptive to the Voice, having grown up with acknowledgement of Country as normal, and the 2008 Rudd apology occurring while they were in primary school. Yet, she says they are also being bombarded with anti-Voice content online, including misinformation and disinformation, especially on Instagram and TikTok.

Advertisement

Laura Gracie, 18, who attended the Sydney Walk for Yes last Sunday with her father Peter, both wearing Berowra for Yes T-shirts, says she learned about the Closing the Gap framework at school. Gracie, who completed year 12 last year at a private girls school on Sydneys north shore, believes most of her friends are voting Yes, but adds it can be hard to gauge because our generation is so worried about being cancelled and things like that. Jewoseydi Barry, also 18, is a Unicef Australia Youth Ambassador and Yes supporter who lives in Werribee in Melbourne. She says growing up Muslim from a Senegalese background and encountering prejudice made her sensitive to the hardships of others, including First Nations communities. Jewoseydi Barry, 18, said the Voice to parliament is a big topic of conversation at her high school. Credit: Chris Hopkins Barry is still in high school, and she says the Voice is a big topic of conversation for her classmates, especially for those who are 18 and voting for the first time. They talk about it at lunch and recess, in class when relevant, and online. The arrival of the official referendum pamphlets a couple of weeks ago sparked a fresh round of conversations. Its a bit intimidating because the Voice is an issue that is on the behalf of Indigenous people, Barry says. A lot of people are worried that the decision that they make might have negative ramifications in the future. Social-first news website The Daily Aus has published a lot of content about the Voice, the referendum process and enrolling to vote, starting from the day after the 2022 election when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese committed to the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The outlet posts news stories in bite-size snippets on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and its email newsletter, and three-quarters of its audience is under the age of 35.

Advertisement

The Instagram account attracts mostly negative comments from Voice detractors, but co-founder Zara Seidler says this is not reflective of the readership. Comments on posts are always going to be the loudest people in the room not necessarily the majority, but the questions were getting are people just asking for more information or asking to engage with First Nations voices more, says Seidler. Earlier this month the Daily Aus polled its own readers on the Voice and more than 5000 responded, with 83 per cent saying they would vote Yes. Naarm Law Students on Voice, based at the University of Melbourne, has also been sharing fact-based information online and at in-person seminars in schools, universities, hospitals, libraries and companies. Centre: Palawa woman Maggie Blanden, one of the leaders of the Naarm Law Students on Voice, with facilitators, Nyul Nyul woman Niamh Whitford (left) and Ngemba/Wiradjuri woman Josie Mortimer (right). Credit: Paul Jeffers One of the leaders of the initiative is Maggie Blanden, 23, a Palawa woman from Tasmania living in Melbourne, who observes that 18-year-olds are a bit uncertain about what it all means, while university students are highly engaged.

Advertisement
Then COVID came, and, like so many others, I took the plunge and said goodbye to city life. Stuff waiting, I thought. Im an independent woman. I can do it myself. But I was wrong.

After years of short trips in which I single-handedly sustained the Australian chutney industry, it just wasnt enough anymore. Id been saving hard for my first home, and when I was faced with the choice between a tiny inner-city apartment and a fixer-upper in the outer-outer burbs, the idea of a tree change started bubbling up.

We stream from the cities at every opportunity in search of wild coastlines and quaint farm stays. We live long weekend to long weekend, taking big gulps of fresh air before returning to our busy lives. The Sunday afternoon drives back get a little harder every time.

Daydreaming about an escape to the country is among the finest traditions of my people. By that, I mean apartment-dwelling millennials with extensive collections of hiking gear and a rainbow of ethical fleece.

Im not completely new to living regionally. The best bits of my childhood were spent in a tiny village in the English countryside. But there are things I wish Id known before letting fond memories and enthusiasm spur me to spend my life savings on a country pile.

I was sold before Id reached the end of the winding driveway. The huge manna gum at the back door and the fairy-wren hopping about with his harem were the icing on the cake. With my dog, life and all my hopes chucked in the car, I headed north to start a new life on Djaara country in central Victoria.

The house was a dream  until the rats came. Credit: Shantel Wetherall

There was trouble in paradise before dawn. I woke early, made a celebratory cup of tea and headed out to take in the serenity. It was a crisp day in June, mist hovered a foot off the paddocks, and the first rays of sun sparkled on the wreckage strewn across the grass. Machinery parts, mattress guts, rusty metal and rotten wood. The contents of several sheds spewed out over my dream home in the bush. Clearing up the previous owners liberal interpretation of vacant possession ultimately took many months, thousands of dollars and a good few neighbours with trailers. The seller was a notorious local larrikin and had run rings around me, my building inspector and the lawyer. Expensive lessons were learned.

Then the rodents came. They scratched their way through the cladding, into the attic, into the living room walls, into the pantry, the kitchen cabinets, the air conditioning ducts and the fuse box, chewing and pooping as they went. Mice ran across my pillows at night. Rats made direct eye contact with me and stood their ground in broad daylight. When my neighbour warned me that it could reach plague proportions, I knew I was in way over my head. Thank god for a referral to a pest-elimination specialist. Thankfully, he did his job very well.
If the opinion polls are right, the Yes case for the Voice faces an uphill battle to be approved at the October 14 referendum. The conventional wisdom is that any referendum which does not have bipartisan support  and this one does not  is almost certainly doomed to failure. The need for bipartisan support is usually said to explain why only eight out of 44 Constitutional referendums have succeeded.

The conventional wisdom is right to a point, but it diverts attention from a more fundamental reason why referendums need bipartisan support to succeed. The fundamental reason is that the vast majority of Australians are simply unfamiliar with the Constitution.

Little reliable information is available about Australians understanding of the Constitution. What is available is not encouraging. In 2015, for example, an Ipsos MORI poll surveyed 1002 Australians aged 1665, of whom only 65 per cent had heard of the Australian Constitution. At least that was an improvement from 1987, when a survey by the Constitutional Commission found that only 54 per cent of respondents knew Australia had a written Constitution. No survey seems to have asked Australians whether they have ever actually read the Constitution.

Limited understanding of the Constitution makes it very easy for opponents of a proposal to mount a scare campaign warning of dire and irreversible consequences if the proposal is approved at a referendum. The No case for the Voice enthusiastically adopts this approach. It claims, for example, that the Voice is legally risky and is a leap into the unknown. Voters are warned: If you dont know, vote No. The No case astutely exploits what I have described elsewhere as the inaccessible Constitution.
I am booked to fly with Scoot from Melbourne to Bangkok via Singapore. Since these are two separate flight bookings I will have to go through immigration in Singapore, collect my bags, and then check in again for my flight from Singapore to Bangkok. I have three hours between flights in Singapore, any advice for a smooth progress through immigration and check in? B. Kimber, Hampton, Vic

Immigration at Singapores Changi Airport is normally quite quick. Credit: iStock

Since youre flying with the same airline, ask at the check-in desk at Melbourne if you can be ticketed and have your bag checked through to Bangkok. If not, theres plan B. On your flight to Singapore, get a seat as far forward in the cabin as possible. You can do this if you book a seat in either the Scoot-in-Silence cabin or a ScootPlus seat. This will cost a little extra but its worth it to ensure you dont get held up by other passengers leaving the aircraft. These seats are available only on Scoots Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

To enter Singapore, you need to complete an arrival card (www.ica.gov.sg) with a health declaration. Do this online, no need to faff about filling it in when you get there. Make sure you check in online for your flight from Singapore to Bangkok, the line is usually shorter. Immigration processing in Singapore is brisk, Ive done what youre doing and no real problem.

We have the best part of two weeks in June/July for a European vacation, finishing in Vienna. We dont want to jump around too much and prefer to travel by train. What itinerary would you recommend? J. Small, Belmont, Vic
Washington: US Democratic Senator Bob Menendez has been called on to resign hours after he was indicted on bribery charges that involved alleged gifts of gold bars and cash from foreign governments.

US Senator Robert Menendez in 2019. Credit: AP

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy called on his states senior senator to step down after the charges were announced.

Menendez, as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, defended the AUKUS agreement from Republican resistance.

Murphy, a fellow Democrat, could appoint a successor should Menendez agree to step down.
If you missed any of the puns (and there are plenty) in the big-screen edition of Elemental, you may want to get the DVD edition to slow it down at home.

Writers, apparently, were so enamored with their ability to play off the characters earth, wind, fire and water cliches they didnt miss an opportunity to toss in two more. The result is an overstuffed metaphor for the world.

It might have landed better had it not been so obvious. Instead of using fire people as substitutes for immigrants, why not the real thing? Much about this left viewers heads in, well, a fog.

The story: A young spark, Ember Lumen (voiced by Leah Lewis), hopes to take over her fathers business, The Fireplace, once he retires. The kiln-like building, however, is falling apart and draws attention from city inspectors, who send slippery Wade Ripple (Mamoudou Athie) to issue citations. Things get steamy when he gets near Ember and, soon, a relationship starts to bubble (see how easy this is?).

She worries, though, that her father wont accept someone from another part of town, particularly someone who could douse the business and throw cold water on his life. She keeps the relationship from her parents, while still dating Wade. Without much effort, the two discover dads leaky pipes could be related to a dam break that threatens everyone.

Considering Element City looks as high-tech as Shanghai, youd think the city would have discovered its dam problem. Instead, the two friends devise a way to patch it (shes a whiz at glass blowing, go figure) and try to see what life is like in the others world. A visit to Wades family is particularly good (Catherine OHara voices his mother), because the Ripples are easy criers. Naturally, one of the relatives is fluent with watercolors. And so it goes.

While much of this could exist as a companion to Zootopia, director Peter Sohn shies away from the stereotypes that made that film work. Here, all of the elements are seen as good  in their own communities. When theyre in anothers, theyre viewed as suspect. Its an interesting take but one that doesnt produce many laughs. The film also doesnt offer alternatives. Isnt there a mate for Ember in the Fire community? Similarly, has Wade failed to enter the Water dating pool?

After a while, it becomes too difficult to question the choices (a child flame, for example, sucks on a bottle of lighter fluid) and make sense of the story. Theres not much here but there is an attempt to show how the world can live in harmony, if everyone budges.

Call it woke, if you will, but it amounts to a watered-down allegory that manufactures a pot of gold before it even finds the rainbow.
Hannah Meisels recent report for Capitol News Illinois included a line that jumped out at me: Per state law  which hasnt been updated since 1949  only counties with 35,000 or more residents are required to set up offices of public defender.

According to information posted on numerous websites (Illinois Demographics, Wikipedia and World Population Review), a majority of 62 out of 102 Illinois counties have fewer than 35,000 residents. Fifty counties have less than 25,000 residents. Another 31 have less than 15,000 inhabitants, 15 have less than 10,000 people and seven dont even have 5,000 residents. For perspective, a single Chicago ward contains about 54,000 people. Only 24 counties have at least that much population.

All counties in the state are required by the Illinois Constitution to have sheriffs, county clerks and treasurers. State statutes heap on many more responsibilities, as do local county ordinances.

Weve long seen advocates calling for school district consolidation and township elimination. But the SAFE-T Acts implementation last week highlights how the state should probably start a conversation about how dozens of small Illinois counties can effectively govern in a modern society.

A recent WBEZ story noted that Cass County has one attorney and one resident judge handling all the criminal cases. Cass is just northwest of Sangamon County and has a bit more than 13,000 residents.

Meisels story profiled a public defender who does part-time work in two counties: Gallatin and Hamilton. The combined population of those two counties is about 13,000, according to her report.

The counties want more money from the state to implement the new law. Public defenders outside of Cook County received $10 million in this fiscal years budget, which doesnt seem like much.

I dont know what the answer is here, but I do know that local mandates are regularly approved at the Statehouse without taking the population of most Illinois counties into consideration.

And the lack of resources in Illinois plethora of tiny counties is only one problem. There will be other problems with the new SAFE-T Act.

A prosecutor will decide not to ask a judge to keep someone in custody who has been busted for a detainable offense, or a judge will overrule a prosecutor who wants someone detained, or a loophole will be exploited and that suspect will then go out and commit another crime and maybe hurt someone, or worse.

This sort of thing is not new, of course. A small minority, but still a significant number of people who bailed out of jail wound up going back after committing more offenses. But that history may easily be lost in the debate as bad things happen under the new law.

Controversy arose on the very first day of the new law when WTTW reported that the Cook County states attorneys office decided not to ask for the detention of the very first person given a hearing. The suspect was accused of pepper spraying four Chicago police officers and sending three of them to the hospital, and is facing four counts of aggravated battery to a police officer.

This highlights the misplaced priorities of Illinois criminal justice system when the prosecutor prioritizes the freedom of a violent offender over the safety of those police officers dedicated to protecting and serving our communities, said Senate Republican Leader John Curran in response.

Elsewhere, though, prosecutors used the new law to keep people behind bars who likely wouldve previously walked away.

McLean County States Attorney Erika Reynolds has been a staunch critic of the new law, but her office persuaded a judge to keep a man locked up who was accused of possessing a gun as a felon, a consortium of Public Radio stations reported. The man was arrested before the SAFE-T Act officially took effect, and his public defender wanted him charged under the old statute so he could potentially bond out of custody. The judge disagreed and the man remained in custody.

Proponents just havent focused on how the SAFE-T Act will make it easier in many cases to keep physically dangerous people locked up without bail.

But no mere law can eliminate human error or prevent all unforeseen circumstances. As those cases emerge, we can probably expect legislative fights over whether to expand the list of detainable offenses.

Those battles could wind up being the new version of the old legislative tradition of annually enhancing criminal penalties, which proceeded unabated for decades until more progressive members finally put a stop to it.
Theres a fresh ongoing debate in the United States ever-changing work environment.

The COVID-19 lockdown that started in March 2020 led to an explosion in remote work. Companies always afraid of losing control over their employees were forced to figure out how they could stay in business when offices were off limits. For many businesses, remote work and Zoom meetings proved invaluable. Companies didnt lose production from remote work. In many cases, employees were more productive.

As offices began to open again, some businesses wanted employees back in the office. Others were more lenient.

That patience and leniency is growing thin. More and more, supervisors want their employees back in the office. Maybe not for 40-plus hours a week, but three or four days for sure.

Some executives and leaders believe productivity increases when workers are in the office together, although any complaints about lack of production during the lockdown were quiet and few and far between.

Other executives hope to increase in-person collaboration. Thats vital in some businesses, others not so much. Business leaders who locked in long-term leases before the pandemic feel uncomfortable paying for space their company does not use, hence demanding a return to the office. And that same setup has brought about the phrase toxic workplace.

Some employers are tracking attendance and threatening to terminate workers who dont return.

Setting attendance requirements for employment would have been a laughable discussion five years ago. But the pandemic changed everything for some employees.

They found they enjoyed working remotely more than in the office. Office conflicts and antagonism were either gone or limited to a brief Zoom call once in a while. Turning the idea of in-person collaboration on its head, some employees can be distracted by too much office chatter.

Working from home, employees can better manage their time and responsibilities. A 12-hour workday is more tolerable when you can go into another room in your house for a snack or a meal. Even in Central Illinois, the elimination of a commute to work can be satisfying and economical. Workers view an end to flexible work as equivalent to a 2 to 3% pay cut,

On the converse, a study by Redfin  a residential real estate brokerage and mortgage origination service  about 10% of home sales are being driven by employees who are forced to end remote work.

The demand for return to offices hasnt worked well for some businesses. A report by strategy, design and construction company Unispace shows a lack of worker satisfaction. In their survey, employers noticed:

Two out of five businesses said they had higher attrition than they expected. Three out of 10 companies demanding in-person work struggled with recruiting.

Greenhouse, a hiring system manager, found 76% of employees saying they would quit if flexible work schedules were not available. Certainly that survey had answers given by some individuals filled with bluster. But that doesnt mean the Greenhouse survey has no value.

That survey also asked what employees want from their company. Increased compensation was No. 1, to no ones surprise. But workers also wanted greater job security, career advancement opportunities, better flexible work policies and a more positive company culture.

That doesnt sound like a miserable group that cant wait to quit their jobs.

This has been a sudden switch in the dynamic between workers and employers, but for the first time in a long time, business is making a move in response to employees power play. The playing field might look entirely different in three years. Thats happened before.
Today

Spotty AM rain or snow shower then mix of clouds and sun. Chilly.

Tonight

Turning out mostly clear and cold with lighter winds. A killing freeze likely with mid to upper 20s for many.

Tomorrow

Mostly sunny and continued chilly; below freezing temps to start the day.
Weather Alert

Bulletin: ...FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 10 AM EDT THURSDAY... * WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 26 expected. * WHERE...Portions of Delaware, the eastern shores of Maryland, New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania. * WHEN...From midnight tonight to 10 AM EDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops and other sensitive vegetation. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. &&

Info:

Type: Freeze Warning

start_time_local: 2023-11-02T00:00:00-04:00

end_time_local: 2023-11-02T10:00:00-04:00

county_name:

state: NJ

headline: Freeze Warning from THU 12:00 AM EDT until THU 10:00 AM EDT

county_fips:

category: Met

url:

urgency: Expected

severity: Moderate

certainty: Likely

geographicname: Warren County

state_name: New Jersey
An open tract of land directly south of the Brookside Marketplace Shopping Center in Tinley Park is still on track for development, a village official said after the Tinley Park agreed to change sale terms of the property, which it bought and then sold to a developer.

At the southwest corner of Harlem Avenue and 191st Street, the 72 acres were sold last year to GSP Development for $1.7 million.

Advertisement

Once eyed as a potential site for a high school, the land has been suggested for several retail uses over the years. Progress has been slowed due to getting state and federal permits needed for development, according to Pat Carr, Tinley Parks village manager.

There is a lot of work to be completed to meet stormwater and wetland requirements, he said Friday. There will be substantial costs to meet the requirements, to the tune of several million dollars.

Advertisement

The Tinley Park Village Board recently approved changes to the sale agreement that does away with a profit-sharing provision. That was done due to increased costs associated with making the property ready for development, Carr said.

In 2022 the village bought the property from Lincoln-Way High School District 210, paying $1.5 million.

In December 1996, Lincoln-Way acquired the parcel for $2.9 million with plans to put the Lincoln-Way North campus there.

After residents objected to having a school on the busy commercial intersection, North was built at 199th and Harlem. The school was closed at the end of the 2015-16 school year.

Proposed developments over the years included a Walmart and Sams Club and, most recently, a Woodmans Food Market.

District 210, in June 2017, approved a sale agreement with the Wisconsin-based retailer to sell the property for about $4.6 million, which planned a 240,000-square-foot store as well as ancillary uses such as a gas station.

The company, however, walked away from the sale in May 2018 after it determined the site was not suitable for the planned development.

Along with doing away with the profit-sharing provision, changes to the latest sale also push back to next November Tinley Parks possible buy back of the land should development plans head south.

Advertisement

Carr said no development plans have been submitted yet with the village, and that the profit-sharing caveat was initially to prevent a flip of the property.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

We control the annexation and zoning so its really not an issue once they deliver a project to us, Carr said.

The buy back provision is a safety net for the village if unforeseen circumstances prevail and the project stalls, he said.

Problems with developing the vacant site were not unknown, according to an assessment of the site done for District 210.

An appraisal of the property in 2020 for District 210, by Chicago-based Appraisal Associates, noted that 23 of the total 72 acres at the site were considered developable.

The firm noted that the future development potential of the site is negatively impacted by a pipeline easement, flood plain and stormwater requirements.

Advertisement

The firm also noted not all 23 acres that are considered developable are contiguous.

mnolan@tribpub.com
Four men have been charged with murder and robbery in connection with the killing of a 26-year-old masonry business owner who was found shot to death in his work van in 2008.

The four defendants  33-year-old Jamar Quarmaine Propst, 33-year-old Pierre Demond Ramseur, 31-year-old Emandalae Diontae Tolbert and 37-year-old Anthony Maurice Tucker  are all charged with murder in the death of Eddie Greene Jr. The four men also face charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon.

Propst and Ramseur were taken into custody by Long View officers and N.C. State Bureau of Investigation personnel on Thursday. The two made brief court appearances on Friday.

Tucker is currently incarcerated in Virginia on an unrelated charge while Tolbert was arrested by federal marshals in Detroit, Michigan, Long View Police Chief T.J. Bates said during a news conference Friday.

Ramseur and Propst are listed as Hickory residents on the jail website. Bates said Tucker was also from the area and that Tolbert lived in the area before moving to Michigan.

Bates said the department spent years investigating the case with the help of the SBI but that at one point the case went cold. He said he decided to reopen the investigation in April 2020.

Criminal charges in this investigation demonstrate that justice has no time limit and today we are one step closer for justice for Eddie, Bates said.

Bates said the motive for the killing was robbery but did not elaborate on what was stolen. He said Greene knew at least one of the four men charged in the murder.

Greenes mother, Wilma Yount. and sister, Stacy Igo, embraced at the podium and shed tears as they spoke during Fridays news conference. At one point, they held up a framed photo of Greene.

He was my baby and he didnt mind telling anyone he was my baby, Yount said. Our lifes torn terribly. Its not been the same since we lost him.

Yount described Eddie as a hard worker and generous person who at one time agreed to lay pipe so that a needy neighbor could connect to county water services.

Regarding the men charged in Greenes murder, Yount said, I hope and pray that these people gets whats coming to them.

A family member of one of the defendants in the case also spoke briefly on Friday.

As she was leaving the courtroom, Slim Propst, wife of Jamar Propst, said he was innocent of the charges and that she was shocked by his arrest. Slim Propst was accompanied by three young children she has with Jamar.

Even with the arrests, Bates said the department is still accepting any tips related to the case. Anyone with information relating to Greenes murder can call the Long View police at 828-327-2343.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  For months, Carlton Clemons endured crippling pain from a rotting wisdom tooth. He couldnt sleep, barely ate and relied on painkillers to get by.

The 67-year-old from Nashville, Tennessee, could not afford to see a dentist on the $1,300-a-month his family gets in Social Security and disability payments. So he waited for the state to roll out a program this year that offers dental care to the more than 650,000 Medicaid recipients like him who are 21 and older. Tennessee is spending about $75 million annually on the program.

Man, I thought I had made it to heaven because the pain was over, he said after the tooth was pulled in July at the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. When they did pull it out, I was so happy. I was so glad. Everything just changed after that.

His wife, Cindy, who also is on Medicaid, has had her teeth pulled at the clinic.

Medicaid, the federal and state health insurance program for the poor, requires states to provide dental coverage for children but not adults. But with a growing recognition of the economic and health costs of poor dental health and an influx of federal pandemic dollars, six states began or expanded their Medicaid programs this year to provide coverage for adults.

Access remains difficult in many of those states with some dentists refusing to treat Medicaid patients. Even those who want to expand their practice are finding themselves caught up in red tape.

Dr. Victor Wu, the chief medical officer for Tennessees Medicaid program, said he was pleased with the rollout of Medicaid dental benefits that started in January, but he acknowledges the state needs to build out its network and increase the participation rate among dentists.

While dental care often is seen as routine, the poor often go without any care for years or even decades. Doing so has significant costs, both to taxpayers and to those who cannot afford treatment.

One study from Texas A&M University found that treatment for preventable dental conditions represents up to 2.5% of emergency room visits, at a cost of $2 billion a year. An additional $45 billion is lost year in productivity in the United States annually from untreated oral disease, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

You put off care and you get sicker and then it becomes a crisis where youre missing work or you end up going to the emergency department where you get a big bill and you dont get the tooth actually taken care of, said Dr. Rhonda Switzer-Nadasdi, the chief executive officer of Interfaith Dental Clinic which has offices in Nashville and Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

You need good teeth to have good employment, Switzer-Nadasdi said.

All states provide some Medicaid dental benefits for adults, but some limit it to only specific segments of the population, like pregnant women or those who have intellectual disabilities, or cover only emergency care, according to CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, a nonprofit that advocates for expanded dental care.

Hawaii, Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan, Maryland and New Hampshire were the latest to begin or expand their dental coverage; they did so this year.

In New Hampshire, the state is spending $33.4 million over 12 months to provide dental care to its 88,000 Medicaid recipients.

There is an increasing understanding that oral health is inseparable from health care, said New Hampshire Democratic Rep. Joe Schapiro, who was the prime sponsor of the expanded dental benefits bill. The amount of money spent on other health care problems that are related to oral health and the amount of money spent on emergency care when people cant get any kind of preventive or restorative care is not only unfortunate for those peoples health but cost a tremendous amount of money.

In Kentucky, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear pressed ahead with emergency regulations ensuring that about 900,000 Kentuckians would continue having access to dental care after the Republican-led legislature rejected his proposal.

We are focused on removing roadblocks that prevent people from getting back into the workforce, and this program does just that, he said.

Virginia expanded its Medicaid program in 2021, budgeting $282 million for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years to cover dental procedures for more than a million recipients. Last year, Kansas gave dental access to nearly 137,000 Medicaid recipients at a cost of $3.5 million in 2022 and $1.2 million in 2023.

While advocates are welcoming these changes, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Utah and Louisiana still only offer limited benefits. The Utah Legislature passed a bill to expand Medicaid dental coverage but is still waiting for federal approval to put it into effect.

Even as states add dental coverage, millions of beneficiaries are being culled from the Medicaid program nationwide as part of a review of eligibility, something states were prohibited from doing during the pandemic.

There are also plenty of hiccups in states that have expanded care, including Tennessee. Among the biggest is that too few dentists, especially in rural areas, are taking Medicaid patients, resulting in long waiting times and hours-long drives in search of care. Only about 15% of dentist take Medicaid in New Hampshire, 24% in Tennessee and 27% in Virginia.

Many dentists and groups advocating for expanded care blame Medicaid reimbursement rates. New Jersey only covers 13.3% of what a dentists normally charge, Michigan covers 17% and Rhode Island 22.4%, according to 2022 data analyzed by the American Dental Association. Illinois, New York, Ohio and Oregon each cover a little more than 28%.

Most states, though, cover between 30% and 50% with Alaska and North Dakota covering at least 55% and Delaware, 76.9%.

Dr. Heather Taylor, an assistant professor at the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at Indiana University, said some of Indianas Medicaid reimbursement rates for dental have not increased since 1998.

Its almost like were incentivizing our dentists not to treat the ones that are in need, because we dont pay them even half of what they could get from private insurers, she said.

Tennessee Family Dental, which has four clinics in the state, has experienced overwhelming demand from Medicaid patients. Dr. Ryan ONeill, a dentist who owns the business, said he got some 300 calls on the first day and that some of his patients have traveled from 30 minutes away or more.

He wants to hire more dentists but said it can take upward of four months to get one certified under Medicaid. He also is struggling with a Medicaid billing system that routinely rejects some claims and he said there is a lot of inconsistency over what is approved and what is denied.

Offices are hesitant to go in network because theres a lot of unknowns, O'Neill said. Were still learning what the rules are and, you know, trial and error in terms of how were supposed to deal with a particular situation.

Danielle Wilkes, a 26-year-old mother of five from Ashland, Tennessee, drove 90 minutes to see ONeill after calling dozens of dentists in her area and finding none who takes Medicaid. Her cousin, June Renee Pentecost, also came with her for treatment.

For the past five years, Wilkes had been waiting to see a dentist after getting several teeth knocked out in a car wreck. She was told it would cost her thousands of dollars for multiple crowns, which she could not afford.

I was mad at first but I was like there nothing she could do. Im just going to have to wait until my kids are grown up, she said, adding that the pain often brought her to tears.

But here she was in a dental chair, her pink hair standing out against ONeill and dental assistant Jasmine Webb in black scrubs. Afterward, the soft-spoken Wilkes said she was just happy to finally get the work done, even if she had to pay $400 that Medicaid did not cover.

In a different room, Pentecost was getting examined for a root canal. It had been more than a decade since she last saw a dentist because she was deterred by the cost despite years of pain. A mother of five, she figured dental care would take away from spending on her children.

I couldnt play with my kids because my head was hurting," she said.

The 30-year-old was relieved to get the work done but wondered why the state had not offered the benefit sooner.

Im hoping my pain would ease up and quit once I get my teeth fixed and then I wont have so many headaches and feel so bad, she said.

Associated Press writer Bruce Schreiner in Frankfort, Kentucky, contributed to this report.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
READING, Pa.  The Council on Chemical Abuse is handing out more than $300,000 dollars of opioid settlement funds to groups that address opioid abuse.

The council oversees the county's share of a national settlement with drug companies over the opioid epidemic.

The council says its funding programs and services in Berks County that focus on prevention, treatment and recovery.

There are 10 different programs getting funds in September:

 Contingency Management: A comprehensive training program to prepare Berks Counseling Center for Contingency Management and Harm Reduction for individuals with opioid use disorder.

 The Bridge Device: The use of an FDA Authorized medical device known as the Masimo Bridge Device, which increases successful completion of withdrawal from opioids and the successful transition from illicit opioid use to a prescribed and medically managed Medication Assisted Treatment program.

 Equine Therapy: The establishment of an Equine Therapy program at Bethany Christian Services of Central Pennsylvania for pregnant and post-partum women.

 Medical Fellow Program: Provide support for the Medical Fellow program at Caron Treatment Center to expand the number of community physicians who are skilled in addiction medicine.

 Youth and Professional Education Program: This education program, provided by the Caron Treatment Center, targets school-aged youth (5-19) impacted by a loved ones substance use disorder, as well as the child-serving professionals who support them.

 Student Athlete Education Program: Targeted education, provided by Caron Treatment Center, on the increased risk student athletes face related to substance use, including concerns regarding injury and opiate use.

 Project Peace Youth Coalition: The Project PEACE Youth Coalition offered by the Community Prevention Partnership of Berks County provides structured mentoring and leadership opportunities for youth in the Reading School District Middle and High Schools. This program has been operating for 10 years under a federal grant which will expire on September 30, 2023.

 Recovery House Recovery Support Services: GoodKnight the Club House will establish Certified Recovery Specialist services for individuals residing at their recovery house.

 Peer2Peer and Family2Family Education and Support: Peer-to-Peer and Family-to-Family education support groups, offered by the Berks County Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), for individuals and families suffering from a co-occurring OUD and mental health conditions.

 Youth Leadership Council Awareness/Recruitment Event: The Youth Leadership Council uses innovative prevention programs, peer support, and advocacy, to empower youth to make informed decisions about substance use.
BETHLEHEM, Pa.  Central Moravian Church will honor the lives and legacies of two prominent musicians during its Estelle Borhek Johnston Memorial Festival Concert on Oct. 8 at 4 p.m.

In honor of the late Donald Spieth (1941-2023), who served for 15 years as conductor-in-residence at Central Moravian Church, and Richard Schantz (1928-2020), who directed the Central Moravian Choir from 1971 to 2002, the choir and musicians will present a concert of instrumental and choral works.

In addition to their roles at Central Moravian, Spieth and Schantz also worked at Moravian University, leading instrumental and choral programs there, respectively, for many years.

"This concert has been designed as a celebratory musical tribute to these two great musicians whose gifts enriched worship services and concerts at Central Moravian for many years and left a treasured legacy for so many musicians," said Rebecca Lepore, organist and minister of music at Central Moravian Church.

The Estelle Borhek Johnston Memorial Concert was established in memory of Estelle Borhek Johnston (1867-1952) by her daughter, the late Mrs. Elizabeth Johnston Jost, and her son, Archibald B. Johnston. Through an endowment provided by the Johnston family, this concert is free to the public.

The concert will take place at Central Moravian Church at 73 W. Church St. in Bethlehem. Founded in 1742, the church is Bethlehem's first congregation and the oldest Moravian Church in North America. Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 8.
ALLENTOWN, Pa.  Health care providers on Friday appealed to local legislators to fix the mental health care situation in Pennsylvania.

Wayne Mugrauer, St. Luke's Penn Foundation president, served as one of four panelists at Friday's roundtable.

"Beyond adequate funding," Mugrauer said, "think holistically about the building on the community infrastructure that exists. It's crumbling, it's in trouble. But there is a community infrastructure out there."

In St. Luke's Sacred Heart Auditorium in Allentown, doctors pleaded their cases for more mental health resources  and namely, the funds so badly needed to see them through.

Dr. Jim James chairs St. Luke's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, as well as the Division of Addiction Recovery at St. Luke's University Health Network.

He says many parents struggling with mental health lack the basic support they need to do their best for themselves as well as their kids.

"They don't have funding for much-needed medications," James said. "They don't have resources for food. They aren't able to keep gainful employment because their mental health barriers."

"They're lonely, they're anxious, they're depressed," said Dr. Alycia Walty, one of the four panelists. "I have nothing that I can offer them other than what I'm able to provide as a pediatrician."

Doctors stressed the lack of funding, thanks to widespread lack of understanding when it comes to mental illness.

"If this were a roomful of pediatricians or cardiologists, that funding probably would have been there," said Amie Allanson-Dundon, who moderated the panel.

Allanson-Dundon is the network director of clinical therapy services for behavioral health at St. Luke's.

To get that funding, doctors need legislative support from both sides of the aisle.

"We need Republicans and Democrats to agree that there is a mental health crisis in the commonwealth, both for children and adults," said state Rep. Joshua Siegel (D-Lehigh County). "And in order to address that, we have to put our money where our mouth is."

According to the County Commissioners of Pennsylvania, the last time counties saw an increase in mental health funds was back in 2008. And not only have those funds not increased since then, they actually went down 7.7% in 2012.

Counties are calling for hundreds of millions of dollars to be allocated to mental health.

This year's budget has already been voted on, which means June 2024 would be the earliest there could be any increase in funds toward mental health.

"This is not something we can fix overnight," Siegel said. "It's decades of underinvestment. It's going to take years to undo that damage."
A corruption scandal continuing to grow in New Jersey.

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) is accused of receiving bribes from three businessmen in the form of gold bars, cash-stuffed envelopes, and a new car.

Menendez has been serving as U.S. Senator from New Jersey since 2006, but this new indictment potentially represents the most serious threat to his career.

"The Senator and his wife accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for Senator Menendez using his power and influence to protect, and to enrich those businessmen, and to benefit the government of Egypt," said Damien Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Williams identified those three businessmen as Wael (Will) Hana, Jose Uribe, and Fred Daibes. He said they each bribed Menendez with lavish gifts.

"Cash, gold, home mortgage payments, a low-show or no-show job for Nadine Menendez, a Mercedes-Benz, and other things of value to the Senator and his wife," said Williams.

Williams even showed pictures of the items FBI agents recovered.

"These three kilograms together are worth approximately $150,000, and of course here you can see just a fraction of the cash that was uncovered as part of the scheme," said Williams.

In response, Sen. Menendez issued a statement, saying in part, "I remain focused on continuing this important work and will not be distracted by baseless allegations... I have been falsely accused before because I refused to back down to the powers that be and the people of New Jersey were able to see through the smoke and mirrors and recognize I was innocent."

But some members of his party have seen enough.

"I'm appalled. Anyone who pays attention, I don't care about your politics, Democrat or Republican, you should be appalled. A member of Congress, who appears to have broken the law, is someone who I believe should resign," said Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.).

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) also issued a statement, saying in part "The alleged facts are so serious that they compromise the ability of Senator Menendez to effectively represent the people of our state. Therefore, I am calling for his immediate resignation."

Williams said the investigation will continue.

"This investigation is very much ongoing. We're not done, and I want to encourage anyone with information to come forward, and to come forward quickly," said Williams.

This is actually the second time Sen. Menendez has been indicted for corruption in the past eight years.

Menendez was previously accused of using his political power to help a Florida eye doctor who gave him campaign money and gifts, but that case ended in a deadlocked jury. Menendez maintains his innocence to this day.
CAMDEN, N.J.  Rep. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.) has announced his support for Senator Bob Menendez's resignation, following Menendez's recent accusations of corruption and bribery.

Menendez and his wife, Nadine Arslanian, were indicted on charges they took bribes of cash, gold bars and a luxury car for "a range of corrupt acts," the Associated Press reported Friday.

Norcross, a Democrat, said, "The allegations unveiled against Senator Menendez are deeply unsettling. We are at a critical time in our country's history, and we face significant challenges and specific threats. Senator Menendez should step aside in order to deal with these allegations."

Menendez issued the following statement on the investigation by the Southern District of New York: For years, forces behind the scenes have repeatedly attempted to silence my voice and dig my political grave."

Norcross's call for Menendez's resignation followed New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy's support of the same.

Menendez has been indicted two times in the past eight years.
PHILLIPSBURG, N.J.  U.S. Senator Bob Menendez is back in hot water.

Prosecutors say between 2018 and 2021, he used his political power to benefit three New Jersey businessmen in exchange for bribes.

The FBI says it found nearly $500,000 of cash stashed in his house, including some, in his pockets. It says it also found a Mercedes-Benz and bars of gold.

"What you see here are three kilograms of gold. Each three kilograms together are worth approximately $150,000," said Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Williams announced the indictment against the senator, his wife, Nadine Menendez, and the three businessmen, Wael Hana, Jose Uribe and Fred Daibes.

The senator is accused of using his leadership position on the Foreign Relations Committee to benefit the government of Egypt. Prosecutors say he provided sensitive, non-public information and took steps to secretly aid Egyptian officials.

Authorities also allege Menendez used his influence to try to disrupt investigations  one involving one of the businessmen and a second involving a relative and an associate of another one of the businessmen.

"The senator agreed to do these things and use his power in this way because Hana was paying bribes, because Uribe was paying bribes and because Daibes was paying bribes," Williams said. "Fortunately, the public officials the senator sought to influence did not bend to the pressure."

69 News reached out to Menendez's office for an interview.

It responded with a statement. The senator said "forces behind the scenes" have repeatedly tried to silence him and "dig his political grave." He also said prosecutors misrepresented the normal work of a Congressional office.

He added, "They wrote these charges as they wanted; the facts are not as presented...I ask that you recall the other times the prosecutors got it wrong and that you reserve judgment."

The prosecutor of this case was recommended by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and appointed by President Joseph Biden, who are both Democrats, like Menendez.

"They've spent many hours and days and weeks and months working on this," James Smith, assistant director in charge of the FBI's New York Field Office, said of the investigation.

Because of caucus rules regarding leaders being charged, Menendez is now required to step down as the Foreign Relations Committee chairman.

The investigation is ongoing. Williams urges anyone with additional information to come forward.

The New Jersey GOP released a statement insisting Menendez must step down.

Some members of his own party have seen enough.

"I'm appalled. Anyone who pays attention  I don't care about your politics, Democrat or Republican  you should be appalled," said Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota. "A member of Congress, who appears to have broken the law, is someone who I believe should resign."

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also issued a statement, saying, in part "The alleged facts are so serious that they compromise the ability of Senator Menendez to effectively represent the people of our state. Therefore, I am calling for his immediate resignation."





Williams said the investigation will continue.

"This investigation is very much ongoing. We're not done, and I want to encourage anyone with information to come forward, and to come forward quickly," said Williams.

Nearly six years ago, Menendez was accused of using political power to help a Florida eye doctor who reportedly showered him with campaign money and gifts. That criminal case ended in a deadlocked jury. The senator maintained his innocence.

According to the Senate Historical Office, Menendez appears to be the first sitting senator to be indicted on two unrelated criminal allegations.

Menendez has been in office since 1986. He was the Union City mayor and then a congressman for 14 years. He's been in the U.S. Senate since 2006. He faces re-election next year.
SCRANTON, Pa.  A man from Carbon County has pleaded guilty on the charge of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of crystal methamphetamine.

Curtis Margle, 33, of Lehighton, pleaded guilty to the charge in federal court on Sept. 18.

Margle admitted to possessing between 200 grams and 350 grams of high-quality crystal methamphetamine for distribution in the Schuylkill County and Carbon County areas in 2022, according to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam.

The charge against Margle resulted from an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, said the U.S Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Investigators made a purchase of crystal methamphetamine from Margle in March 2022 in Schuylkill County and then seized an additional quantity of crystal methamphetamine from Margle.

The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum sentence under federal law is up to forty years in prison, a term of supervised release and a fine.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
EAGLE PASS, Texas (AP)  Waiting three weeks and counting to cross into Texas, Lila sat in a shelter on the Mexico border Friday feeling trapped: The cartels make it too dangerous to turn around and the U.S. government offers no guarantees if she keeps going.

They dont ask for papers. They ask you for money, said Lila, a 39-year-old from Honduras, describing officers who pulled her off buses as she made her journey north. She insisted only her first name be used because she fears retaliation from the cartels.

Her lack of good options reflected feelings of wide frustration  among both migrants and officials in U.S. cities  as the arrival of large groups of migrants this week overwhelmed Border Patrol agents. More than 8,000 migrants turned up this week at the Texas border city of Eagle Pass, across from Piedras Negas, where Lila and her Cuban partner waited for an appointment to seek asylum in the U.S.

Many others are not waiting and crossed through the Rio Grande, including a 3-year-old boy who authorities say drowned. An international bridge remained closed Friday as agents are reassigned to handle the large numbers in Eagle Pass, which for two years has been the epicenter of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's border mission known as Operation Lone Star. That has included a floating barrier in the Rio Grande.

Residents of Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras said that though their communities have been part of the immigration route for years, the size of the groups now is unusual. Migrants who arrived this week said they formed organically along the way.

Reynosa is really tough. Juarez is dangerous right now, too, said Eric Flores, a 39-year-old from Honduras.

Migrants were stopped at the border 142,037 times during the first 17 days of September, up 15% from 123,777 the same period last month, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection figures released Thursday by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Those figures include up to 1,450 people admitted daily with a mobile app for asylum appointments, called CBP One, but the vast majority are illegal entries.

Flores said he arrived on a train from Mexico City in a group of about 3,000 people. The group dispersed to different border cities, Flores said, and he ended up at a Catholic shelter in Piedras Negras where he heard he could find safety. He was among just under 200 migrants who roamed the grounds of the Casa de Migrante Frontera Digna on Friday.

Some migrants who arrive at the border stop only for a quick meal before crossing the Rio Grande. Others, like Flores, wait for an appointment.

Were waiting for God to give us a sign and that we get an appointment approved so we can cross legally," he said. "What we want is the American dream, to work and provide for our families, not to hurt the country.

After rolling out CBP One this year, the Department of Homeland Security touted the app as a key tool in creating a more efficient and orderly system at the border.

Mexicos top diplomat, Alicia Barcena, said at a news conference in New York that migrant shelters in Ciudad Juarez, across from El Paso, Texas, are 95% full. She said the Mexican government is very worried about the border closures and the increase in migrants. She said more should be done to limit migration through the Darien Gap.

The unfolding response in Eagle Pass, where the mayor declared an emergency, illustrates how Border Patrol agents have become overwhelmed in recent days by asylum-seekers on parts of the U.S. border with Mexico. In San Diego and El Paso, officials this week also closed border crossings so agents could help with the influx.

The large crowds of migrants wading through the river and crossing into Eagle Pass were no longer visible by Friday. Yet, residents in Eagle Pass were still dealing with the impact.

It all started Wednesday when Eagle Pass announced one of two international bridges would close at 6 p.m.

Claudia Gutierrez, a manager at a store in downtown Eagle Pass, rushed to Mexico to make a delivery and was on the bridge heading back to the U.S. by 4 p.m. She spent two hours in line before everyone was told the would need to reroute to the other international bridge where there was a four-hour queue. Gutierrez, who has dual citizenship, spent the night in Mexico.

A lot of people were upset because they were going to work  but they ended up losing that day of work, Gutierrez said.

Students who cross from Mexico into the U.S. every day were also affected.

Laura Salazar, 22, typically drives her younger brother, Victor, and cousin, America, to school, as she did on Thursday when it took them an hour and 15 minutes to cross from Piedras Negras. The long wait time convinced them to try the pedestrian bridge. It only took them about 15 minutes to cross into Eagle Pass in the morning, but the 25-minute walk to school was harder to get done in time.

We had to use other modes of transportation to get to school once we were on this side because otherwise, we wouldnt have made it, Victor said.

The closures this week extended to an international railway in Eagle Pass. Union Pacific Railroad Co. said the track would reopen at midnight Saturday as roughly 2,400 rail cars remained unable to move on both sides of the border.

After a dip in illegal crossings that followed new asylum restrictions in May, President Joe Bidens administration is again on its heels. Democratic mayors and governors are seeking more relief for hosting asylum-seekers. Republicans are seizing on the issue ahead of 2024 elections.

In August, the Border Patrol made 181,509 arrests on the Mexican border, up 37% from July but little changed from August 2022 and well below the high of more than 220,000 in December, according to figures released Friday. People in families with children fueled the increase, with 93,999 arrests  the highest on record  up from 60,454 in July and 31,487 in June.

Our operational tempo along the border has increased in response to increased encounters, and we remain squarely focused on our broader security mission and enforcing U.S. immigration laws, said Troy Miller, acting CBP commissioner.

Alicia, a 36-year-old Honduran, and her family were lucky enough to get a hard-fought slot to present themselves at the port of entry in Eagle Pass on Sunday. She withheld her name for fear of retaliation from the Mexican government.

At the start of the week, Alicia took off from Monterrey with her husband, teenage daughter, son, and granddaughter heading to Piedras Negras. Despite proof of the CBP One appointment that is supposed to allow them to travel through Mexico, she said the family immediately encountered corrupt officers.

The first checkpoint had a toll of about 1,000 pesos  about $58  to cross. At the second checkpoint, Alicia said her family and other migrants were corralled by a soldier who said only those who collaborated would be allowed to move forward. A kind of bidding war erupted, she said, with the soldier asking the group who wanted to make a first offer.

When the soldier saw her stash of money, Alicia said, he grabbed the pesos that were supposed to feed her family on the journey.

Associated Press reporter Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report.

The spelling of the last name of Mexicos top diplomat has been corrected to Barcena, instead of Barcenas.
HICKORY  St. Stephens Lutheran Church  Missouri Synod, located at 2304 Springs Road NE, will be celebrating 125 years of worship in Hickory over the weekend of Oct. 7-8.

St. Stephens has a long and rich history in the community, living daily the mission of connecting all to Christ, and the church invites its friends, neighbors and members to visit throughout the weekend to join in the celebration.

A miniature museum including artifacts and historical documents will be open in the administrative building on Thursday, Oct. 5, from 4-8 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. until noon. Anyone with a memory or memento of St. Stephens is invited to share it with the church at communications@sslcms.org.

An anniversary gala dinner is scheduled for Saturday evening, and a family fun day will take place on Sunday following worship. RSVPs are required to attend.

In honor of the anniversary, the message will be offered by the Rev. Dr. William Harmon, president of the SE District of Lutheran Churches Missouri Synod, at all three of the churchs regular services: contemporary worship Saturday at 4 p.m. (which is a special time for anniversary weekend); traditional service Sunday at 8 a.m. or contemporary at 10:30 a.m.

Visitors are invited for the anniversary celebration or anytime if they are looking for a church home.

The church office can be reached at 828-256-9865.
Accenture plc is a global professional services company that operates in various industries worldwide. With a mission to provide exceptional strategy and consulting, interactive technology, and operation services, Accenture has established itself as a leader in the professional services sector. The company's headquarters are located in Dublin, Ireland.

Accenture offers its diverse client base a wide range of products and services. Its application services cover areas such as agile transformation, DevOps, software and quality engineering, data management, and intelligent automation. The company also provides strategy and consulting services, focusing on data and analytics, metaverse, sustainability, and HR transformation. Accenture's technology services encompass cloud infrastructure management, AI, and technology consulting. Additionally, the company offers engineering and R&D digitization, business process outsourcing, and various services related to technology innovation.

Accenture is led by a highly experienced and accomplished management team. Julie T. Spellman Sweet serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Accenture, bringing her expertise in driving growth and delivering strategic value to clients. Kathleen R. McClure is the Chief Financial Officer overseeing the company's financial operations. Gianfranco Casati serves as the Executive Chairman of Growth Markets, and Jean-Marc Ollagnier leads as the Chief Executive Officer of Europe. James O. Etheredge holds the position of Chief Executive Officer of North America. These executives bring a wealth of knowledge and industry experience to their respective roles, contributing to Accenture's success.

Accenture has consistently delivered strong financial performance over the years. The company has reported substantial revenue, impressive earnings, and healthy profit margins. Accenture's financial performance reflects its ability to generate significant income and maintain a strong market position. Furthermore, the company has effectively managed its debt levels, ensuring financial stability and flexibility.

Accenture's valuation metrics, such as price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratio, are generally favorable compared to industry peers. The company's strong financial performance, market leadership, and growth potential contribute to its favorable valuation. Investors recognize the company's value and prospects, which may be reflected in the stock's performance.

Accenture operates in the broader professional services industry, which is characterized by intense competition and evolving trends. The industry's landscape is constantly changing due to technological advancements, regulatory changes, and shifts in client demands. Accenture competes with other major professional services firms, each vying for market share and differentiation. Its strong reputation, global reach, and comprehensive service offerings give it a competitive advantage. Moreover, Accenture's ability to leverage emerging technologies and provide innovative solutions positions it well in the industry.

Accenture has numerous growth opportunities in various areas. The company can leverage its expertise in emerging technologies such as AI, data analytics, and automation to drive innovation and expand its service offerings. Additionally, Accenture can explore new markets, capitalize on digital transformation initiatives and pursue strategic acquisitions to enhance its capabilities. The company's strong relationships with key customers and ability to provide tailored solutions enable it to seize growth opportunities effectively.

While Accenture has demonstrated resilience and adaptability, it faces certain risks and challenges. Changes in consumer preferences, technological disruptions, and evolving regulatory landscapes pose potential dangers to Accenture's business. Consumer preferences can shift rapidly, requiring the company to stay agile and continuously innovate to meet changing demands. Moreover, technological disruptions, such as advancements in artificial intelligence or automation, can impact the traditional service offerings of professional services firms. Accenture must stay at the forefront of emerging technologies and adapt its services to remain relevant and competitive.

Additionally, regulatory changes can introduce uncertainties and compliance challenges. As governments worldwide implement new regulations and policies, Accenture must navigate the evolving landscape to ensure compliance while providing valuable services to clients. Close monitoring of regulatory developments and proactive engagement with relevant stakeholders is essential for the company to mitigate potential risks.

Despite these challenges, Accenture's robust risk management strategies and ability to anticipate and respond to market dynamics position it well to address potential risks. The company's focus on innovation, investment in talent development, and strategic partnerships contribute to its ability to overcome challenges and sustain its growth trajectory.
Just as Frances Kelsey was stepping into her new role at the FDA, a new drug was making the rounds in Europe, Africa and Asia.

Known as thalidomide, the drug was originally developed in the early 1950s as a sedative. "Back then, it was post-wartime and things were a little bit crazy," says Donovan, "so the world was in need of a decent sedative to help people sleep."

Advertisement

Patients taking thalidomide for anxiety quickly realized that it also worked wonders on an upset stomach, and it soon caught on as a cure for morning sickness. A few people reported tingling in their hands and feet  also called neuropathy  after prolonged thalidomide use. However, these negative effects wore off as soon as they stopped taking it, and so the drug was generally considered safe. By 1957, it was approved for over-the-counter sale in Germany, and available by prescription in dozens of other countries.

The FDA application for thalidomide crossed Kelsey's desk in September 1960, just seven months after she began working there. At the time, the FDA's approval process for new drugs lasted just 60 days, during which the reviewer would wade through a hodgepodge of assorted mouse trial data and other material submitted by the applicants. Given thalidomide's popularity, it seemed destined to sail through with ease.

But Kelsey had some concerns. An English study, which included some reports of neuropathy and similar nerve-related symptoms, gave her pause. She was also wary of the lack of data regarding the drug's effect on pregnancy. Without further research, she refused to approve the drug.

It was a bold move. "There was a lot of pressure from around the world to approve it," Donovan says. Still, Kelsey stayed firm. One year later, her caution was vindicated.

" " President John F. Kennedy presented Frances Kelsey with the highest award for civilian federal workers, the Distinguished Federal Civilian Service medal, for preventing the approval of thalidomide in the U.S. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Canadian National Railway Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in rail and related transportation business. The company offers rail services, which include equipment, custom brokage services, transloading and distribution, business development and real estate, and private car storage services; and intermodal services including temperature controlled cargo, port partnership, transloading and distribution, logistic parks, customs brokerage, trucking, and moving grains in containers. It also provides trucking services, such as door-to-door services, import and export dray, interline services, and specialized services comprising flatbed trucks, on-deck mobile transport trays, expedited and temperature controlled cargo, and permit/overweight services; and supply chain services. In addition, it serves automotive, coal, fertilizers, temperature controlled cargo, forest products, dimensional, grain, metal and minerals, petroleum and chemicals, and consumer goods applications. Further, the company operates a network of 20,000 route miles of track and shipping Canada and the United States. Canadian National Railway Company was incorporated in 1919 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
The following companies are subsidiares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.: 2235158 Alberta Limited, A.J. Amer Agency, AHC Digital LLC, AIX Limited, AJG Coal LLC, AJG Financial Services LLC, AJG Meadows LLC, AJG North America ULC, AJG RCF LLC, AJGRMS of Louisiana LLC, ARM RE Ltda., AVIATION INSURANCE SERVICES, AVRECO, Ace IRM Insurance Broking Group, Acumus Holdings Limited, Acumus Interco Limited, Acumus Ltd, Adams & Associates International, Adaptive Marketing LLC, Adco General Corporation, Advanced Benefit Advisors, Aequus Trade Credit, Affinity Marketing Group, Ahrold Fay Rosenberg, Aires Consulting Group, Alesco Risk Management Services Limited, Alize Limited, Allied Claims Administration Inc., Alternative Market Specialists, Altman & Cronin Benefit Consultants, American Freedom Carriers Inc., American Security Services Corp., American Wholesalers Underwriting Ltd, Andrew-Anthony Insurance Agency, Anthony Hodges Consulting Limited, Antrobus Investments Limited, AquaSurance, Argentis, Argentis Financial Group Limited, Argentis Financial Management Limited, Argus Benefits, Armstrong/Robitaille/Riegle, Artex (SAC) Limited, Artex Cedar Hill, Artex Corporate Services (Malta) Limited, Artex Corporate Services Limited, Artex Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Artex Holdings (Malta) Limited, Artex Insurance (Guernsey) PCC Limited, Artex Insurance (Tennessee) PCCIC Inc., Artex Insurance Brokers (Malta) PCC Limited, Artex Insurance ICC Limited, Artex Intermediaries Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Bermuda) Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Cayman) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Gibraltar) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Guernsey) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (International) Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Malta) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (UK) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions Inc., Arthur J Gallagher (Norway) Holdings AS, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AUS) Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Bermuda) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Illinois), Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Insurance Brokers of California Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher (Aus) Pty Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (Bermuda) Holding Partnership, Arthur J. Gallagher (Life Solutions) Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (U.S.) LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher (UK) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Asesoria S.A.C., Arthur J. Gallagher Australasia Holdings Pty Ltd., Arthur J. Gallagher Brokerage & Risk Management Services LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Broking (NZ) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Financial Services Professionals Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Group Quebec ULC, Arthur J. Gallagher Holdings (UK) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Latin America LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Management (Bermuda) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Real Estate Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services (Hawaii) Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services of Utah Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher School Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Service Company LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Services (UK) Ltd, Ashmore & Associates Insurance Agency, Atlantic Risk Management Corp., Atrex Insurance (Cayman) SPC Limited, Avantek Pty Ltd, Axe Insurance PCC Limited, BIS Insurance Services, Baker - Tillys employment benefits solutions, Ballard Benefit Works, Bankers Financial Benefits, Barmore Insurance Agency, Behnke & Co. Inc., Bellisle Pty Ltd, Belmont Associates Consultants, Belmont Insurance Holdings Limited, Belmont International, Belmont International Limited, Benefit Development Group, Benefit Management Group, BenefitLink Resource Group, Benefits Planning & Insurance Agency, Benefits Unlimited, Bennett & Shade Co., Bergvall Marine, Bergvall Marine A.S., Besselman & Little Agency, Big Savings Insurance Agency Inc., Blenheim Park Ltd, Blenheim Park Services Limited, Blue Holdings Pty Ltd, Blue Horizon Insurance Services, Blue Water Benefits, BluePeak Advisors, Blueleaf Consulting Pty Ltd., Bluewater Incorporated Cell Insurance Company, Bollinger Inc., Bollinger Insurance Services Inc., Bowen Miclette Britt & Merry of Arkansas Inc., Brendis & Brendis, Brim AB, Broker Benefit Services, Brokerage Professionals, Brown Hobbs & McMurray Insurance, Bultman/Bell Associates Inc., Burkwald & Associates, Burns-Fazzi Brock & Associates, Bushong Insurance Associates, C&B Consulting Group, CGM Gallagher Insruance Brokers (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited, CJM Solutions Inc., CMA Solutions LLC, Cairnstone Financial, California Insurance Center, Capital Bauer Insurance Agency, Capitol Benefits Group, Capsicum CRLA LLP, Capsicum Re Brasil Participacoes Ltda, Capsicum Re Latin America Corretora De Resseguros Ltda, Capsicum Reinsurance Brokers Bermuda Limited, Capsicum Reinsurance Brokers Miami Inc., Carefree Marketing Inc., Carpenter Cammack & Associates, Cashan & Co., Castle Insurance Associates, Centennial Insurance Agency, Charity First Insurance Services Inc., Charles Allen Agency, Charter Lakes Insurance Agency, Chris Schroeder Insurance, Christie-Phoenix, Cintran Claims Canada Limited, Classic Insurance Services, Cleaveland Insurance Group, Cohen & Lord Insurance Brokers, Cohn Financial Group, Coleman Group Holdings Limited, Coleman Holdings Limited, College and University Scholastic Excess Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Commercial Insurance Brokers, Complete Benefit Alliance, Complete Financial Balance, Complete Financial Balance Pty Ltd, Consolidated Casualty Specialties LLC, Construction Risk Solutions, Contego Underwriting Limited, Contego Underwriting Ltd, Continental Excess & Surplus, Convergence Risk Services Ltd, Copper Mountain Assurance Inc., Cornwall & Stevens Co., Corporate Benefit Advisors, Corporate Life Consultants, Countrywide Accident Assistance Limited, Coverdell & Company Inc., Coverdell Canada Corporation, Cowles and Connell, Craig M. Ferguson & Co., Crist Elliott Machette Insurance Services, Crombie Lockwood (NZ) Limited, Davis-Poston & Associates, Denman Consulting Services, Detlefs Johnson & Partners, DiBrina Group, Dickinson & Associates, Discount Development Services L.L.C., Discovery Benefit Solutions, Dodson-Bateman & Co., Donald P. Pipino Co. Ltd., E. S. Susanin Inc., EHE Holdings LLC, EHS Holdings Limited, Elantis Premium Funding (NZ) Limited, Elantis Premium Funding Limited, Elite Benefits Insurance Marketing Services, Employee Benefits Analysis Corp., Employee Benefits of The Carolinas, Encore Insurance & Bonding, Everett James, Evolution Risk Services Limited, Evolution Technology Services Limited, Evolution Underwriting Group, Evolution Underwriting Group Limited, Evolution Underwriting Limited, Excel Insurance Services, FYI Direct Canada Corporation, FYI Direct LLC, Farallone Pacific Insurance Services, Fenchurch Faris Limited, Fidelity Benefits & Insurance Services, Financial Profiles Inc., Finergy Solutions Pty Ltd, First Agency, First Iowa Insurance Agency, First Premium Inc., First Premium Insurance Group, Fish & Schulkamp, Fishermans Insurance Services, Foley Healthcare Limited, Fortress Financial Solutions Pty Ltd, Fortress Insurance LLC, Foundation Strategies, Fox Lawson & Associates, Franklin-Case Agency LLC, Fraser MacAndrew Ryan Limited, Friary Intermediate Limited, Fuller & O'Brien, G.S. Chapman & Associates Insurance Brokers, G.S. Levine Insurance Services, GBS (Australia) Holdings Pty Ltd, GBS Administrators Inc., GBS Insurance and Financial Services Inc., GBS Retirement Services Inc., GBS Specialty Markets LLC, GGB Finance 1 Limited, GGB Finance 2 Limited, GGB Finance 3 Limited, GGB Finance 4 Limited, GPL Assurance, GPL Assurance Inc., Gabor Insurance Services, Gale Smith & Co. Inc., Gallagher (Bermuda) Insurance Solutions Ltd., Gallagher - Grace/Mayer Insurance Agency, Gallagher Bassett Aires Inc., Gallagher Bassett Canada Inc., Gallagher Bassett Insurance Services Ltd., Gallagher Bassett International Ltd., Gallagher Bassett NZ Pty Ltd., Gallagher Bassett Services Inc. , Gallagher Bassett Services Pty Ltd., Gallagher Bassett Services Workers Compensation Victoria Pty Ltd., Gallagher Benefit Services (Canada) Group Inc., Gallagher Benefit Services (Holdings) Limited, Gallagher Benefit Services Inc., Gallagher Benefit Services Management Company Limited, Gallagher Benefit Services Pty Ltd, Gallagher Benefits Consulting Limited, Gallagher Bomford Couch Wilson, Gallagher Burgess, Gallagher Canada Acquisition Corporation, Gallagher Caribbean Group Limited, Gallagher Clean Energy LLC, Gallagher Communications Limited, Gallagher Community Clinic RPG LLC, Gallagher Consulting Ltda, Gallagher Corporate Services LLC, Gallagher Coyle, Gallagher CyberRisk, Gallagher Energy Risk Services Inc., Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC, Gallagher Holdings (UK) Limited, Gallagher Holdings Bermuda Company Limited, Gallagher Holdings Four (UK) Limited, Gallagher Holdings Three (UK) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (Barbados) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Kitts & Nevis) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Lucia) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Vincent) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers Jamaica Limited, Gallagher International Cash Management s.r.l., Gallagher International Holdings (US) Inc., Gallagher Investment Advisors LLC, Gallagher Inwest Group, Gallagher Koster, Gallagher Lambert Group, Gallagher Madison Risk & Insurance Services, Gallagher Mauritius Holdings, Gallagher Mississippi Brokerage LLC, Gallagher RE Colombia Ltda Corredores de Reaseguros SA, Gallagher Risk & Reward Limited, Gallagher Risk Group LLC, Gallagher Risk Placements Pty Ltd, Gallagher SKS, Gallagher Service Center LLP, Gallagher-Tarantino, Galtney Group, Game Day Insurance Inc., Gardner & White Corp., Gardner Marine Agency, Garza Long Group, Gatehouse Consulting Limited, Gault Armstrong Kemble Pty Ltd, Gault Armstrong SARL, Giles Group, Giles Holdings Limited, Giles Insurance Brokers, Gillis Ellis & Baker Inc., Goodman Insurance Agency, Grandy Pratt Co., Greenseed Alternative Mangaers Platform Ltd, Grossman & Associates, Group Benefits of Arkansas, Group Insurance Associates, Gruppo Marcucci, HLG Holdings Limited, HMG-PCMS Limited, HPF Investments LLC, HR Owen Insurance Services Limited, Hagan Newkirk Financial Services, Hagedorn & Company, Hardman & Howell Benefits, Harlequin Insurance PCC Limited, Hartstein Associates Inc., Healthcare Professionals Purchasing Group LLC, Healthcare Risk Solutions, Heath Lambert Group Ltd., Heath Lambert Limited, Heath Lambert Overseas Limited, Heiser Insurance Agency, Henderson Phillips Fine Arts Insurance, Herbruck Alder & Co., Heritage Insurance Brokers (CI) Limited, Hesse & Partner AG, Hesse Consulting, Hexagon ICC Limited, Hexagon Insurance PCC Limited, Hill Chesson & Woody, Hogan Insurance Services, Home & Travel Limited, Honour Point Limited, Horseshoe Corporate Services Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services (Cayman) Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services USA Inc., Horseshoe ILS Services UK Ltd, Horseshoe Insurance Advisors US LLC, Horseshoe Insurance Advisory Ltd., Horseshoe Insurance Services Holdings Ltd, Horseshoe Insurance Services Holdings US Inc., Horseshoe Management (Gibraltar) Limited, Horseshoe Management (Ireland) Ltd, Horseshoe Management Ltd., Horseshoe PCC Limited, Horseshoe Re Limited, Horseshoe Services (Cayman) Ltd, Horseshoe Services (Pty) Ltd, Horton Insurance Agency, Housing Authorities Services Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Human Resource Management Systems, I-Protect Underwriting Pty Ltd, IBIS Advisors, IBS Reinsurance Singapore Pte Ltd, ILS Fund Services Ltd., ISG International, ITI Solutions, Igloo Insurance PCC Limited, Independent Benefit Services, Independent Fiduciary Services, Ink Underwriting Agencies Limited, InsSync Group Pty Ltd, Inspire Underwriting Limited, Instrat Insurance Brokers, Instrat Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd, Instrat Integration Holdco Pty Ltd, Insurance Acquisitions Holdings Limited, Insurance Associates Inc., Insurance Dialogue Limited, Insurance Dialogue Ltd., Insurance Plans Agency, Insurance Plus Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Insurance Point, Insurance Risk Managers of Missouri Inc., Insure My Villa Limited, Insure Pty Ltd, Integrated Healthcare Strategies, InterNational Insurance Group, InterPacific Underwriting Agencies, Intermountain Financial Benefits, Interstate Insurance Underwriters, JPGAC LLC, James F. Reda & Associates, James R. Weir Insurance Agency, Jenkins and Associates, Joe E. Martin Inc., John P. Woods Co. Inc., Jones Brown, Jones Brown Group Inc., Jones Brown Insurance Solutions Inc., Joseph Distel, Joseph James & Associates Insurance Agency, Just Landlords Insurance Services Ltd, KDC Associates, KRW Insurance Agency, Kahl Insurance Services, Kaler Carney Liffler & Co. Inc., Kane Group - Insurance Management Operations, Kelly Financial, Kent Kent & Tingle and RBS, Keyser Benefits Corp., Kingspark Enterprises Pty Ltd, L&R Benefits, LSG Insurance Partners, Learn About Money Limited, Lewis & Associates Insurance Brokers, Leystone Insurance & Financial, Life Plans Unlimited, Lincoln Financial Management, Longfellow Financial, Lucas Fettes Limited, Lucas Fettes and Partners Limited, Lutgert Insurance, MA Underwriting Pty Ltd, MDM Insurance Associates, MG Advanced Coal Technologies-1 LLC, MGA Insurance Services, MRS Holdings Ltd., Madison Scott & Associates, Managed Healthcare Solutions, Mannequin Insurance PCC Limited, Marchetti Robertson & Brickell Insurance, Marine Insurance Service, Martin Gordon & Jones Inc., McDowall Associates Human Resource Consultants, McIntyre Risk Management, McLean Insurance Agency, McNeary, McPherson Benefits Group, McRory & Co., Mecacem Insurance SPC Ltd, MedInsights Inc., Melton Insurance Associates, Memberworks Canada LLC, Merit Insurance, Metcom Excess, Metzler Bros. Insurance, Meyers-Reynolds & Associates, Mid America Group, Midwest Surety Services, Mike Henry Insurance Brokers, Mike Henry Insurance Brokers Limited, Mike Henry Insurance Funding Limited, Miller Buettner & Parrott, Miller-Harrison Insurance Services, Milne Alexander Pty Ltd, Minvielle & Chastanet Insurance Brokers, Monument Insurance (NZ) Limited, Monument Llc, Monument Premium Funding Limited, Mortgage Insurance Agency, Murphy Consultants, Mutual Insurance Services, NationAir Aviation Insurance, National Administration Co., National Ethics Association, National Transportation Adjusters, Nelson/Monarch Insurance Services, Nicoud Insurance Services, NiiS/Apex Group Holdings, Nonprofit Insurance Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Noraxis Capital Corp, Nordic Forsakring & Riskhantering AB, North Alabama Insurance, Nourse Insurance Brokers, O'Gorman & Young, OAMPS (UK) Limited, OAMPS Gault Armstrong Pty Ltd, OAMPS Limited, OAMPS Special Risks Ltd, Offshore Market Placements Limited, Optimum Talent, Orb Financial Services, Orb Financial Services Limited, Osprey Insurance Brokers Limited, Oval Group, Oval Healthcare Limited, Oval Insurance Broking Limited, Oval Limited, Oval Management Services Limited, Oxygen Insurance Managers, P2 Group, PEN Insurance Management Advisors Ltd, PT IBS Insurance Broking Service, Pacific Insurance Agency, Palmer Atlantic Insurance, Palmer Atlantic Insurance Ltd, Palmer Atlantic Risk Services Ltd., Park Row Associates, Parkstar Enterprises Pty Ltd, Parmia Pty Ltd, PartnerSource, Pastel Holding (NZ) Company, Pastel Holdings Pty Limited, Pastel Purchaser (NZ) Limited, Pastel Purchaser Pty Limited, Pavey Group Holdings (UK) Limited, Pavey Group Holdings Limited, Pavey Group Limited, Pearson Dunn Insurance Inc., Pen Underwriting Canada Limited, Pen Underwriting Group Pty. Ltd., Pen Underwriting Limited, Pen Underwriting Pty Ltd, Persing Dyckman & Toynbee Inc., Personal Advice Services Pty Ltd, Petty Burton Associates, Pointer Insurance Agency, Portmore Insurance Brokers (Wilshire) Limited, Portmore Insurance Brokers Limited, Potter-Holden & Co., Powell Insurance Agency, Premier Insurance Services Inc., Premier Risk Services, Premium Finance Corporation, Preston-Patterson, ProSource Financial, Professional Agents Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Professional Claims Managers, Proinova AB, Proinova Agency AB, Pronto California Agency LLC, Pronto California General Agency LLC, Pronto Florida Claims LLC, Pronto Florida General Agency LLC, Pronto Franchise LLC, Pronto General Agency Ltd, Pronto General Agency Management LLC, Pronto Holdco Inc., Pronto Holding California LLC, Pronto Holding Florida LLC, Pronto Insurance Agency of Laredo Inc., Pronto Premium Finance LLC, Property & Commercial Ltd., Property Insurance Initatives Limited, Property and Commercial Limited, Protected Insurance Company, Protection Plan Association Inc., Protek Group Limited, Providium Consulting Group, Ptarmigan Underwriting Agency Limited, Ptarmigan Underwriting UK Limited, Purple Bridge Claims Management Limited, Purple Bridge Finance Limited, Purple Bridge Group Limited, Purple Bridge Investments Limited, Purple Bridge Online Services Limited, Purple Bridge Publishing Limited, Quantum Underwriting Solutions Limited, Quillco 226 Limited, Quillco 227 Limited, R. L. Youngdahl & Associates, R.G. Speno Inc., R.W. Scobie, RA Rossborough (Guernsey) Ltd., RA Rossborough (Insurance Brokers) Ltd, REGENCY Group inc., RGA Referencing Limited, RGA Underwriting Limited, RIL Administrators (Guernsey) Ltd., RJ Dutton Inc., RSM Insurance Services Limited, Reassurance Holdings Inc., Rebholz Insurance Agency, Reid Manson Ltd., Reimbursement Services, Rentguard Limited, Reward Management Limited, Reynolds & Rodar Insurance Group, Riley & Associates, Rio 587 Limited, Rio 588 Limited, Risk & Reward Group, Risk Management Partners Limited, Risk Placement Services Inc., Risk Planners, Risk Services (NW) Limited, Risk Services (NW) Ltd., Risk Solutions Group Limited, Robert A. Schneider Agency, Robert Keith & Associates, Roberts & Roberts Insurance Service, Robinson-Adams Insurance, Rossborough Healthcare International Ltd, Rossborough Insurance (IOM) Ltd., Rossborough Insurance Services Ltd. (Jersey), S. A. Freerks & Associates, SEG Insurance Ltd, SGB-NIA Insurance Brokers, SHILLING Ltd, SKANCO International, SMERI AB, SRS Underwriting Pty Ltd, Secure Enterprises Pty Ltd, Securitas Re, Sellers Group, Sentinel Indemnity LLC, Septagon Insurance PCC Limited, Shuford Insurance Agency, Sigma II Insurance Agency, Sinclair Billard and Weld Limited, Sobieski & Bradley, Solid Benefit Guidance, Spanjers Insurance Agency, Spataro Insurance Agency, Specialised Broking Associates, Specialty Risk, Stackhouse Poland, Stackhouse Poland Bidco Limited, Stackhouse Poland Group Limited, Stackhouse Poland Holdings Limited, Stackhouse Poland Midco Limited, Stackouse Poland Limited, Stanton Group, Stark Johnson & Stinson Inc., Steel Agency, Strata Solicitors Ltd, Strategic Health Plans Corp., Strathearn Insurance Brokers, Strathearn Insurance Brokers (Qld) Trading Trust, Strathern Insurance Group Pty Ltd, Strathern Integration Holdco Pty Ltd, Strathern Unit Trust, Strong Financial Resources, Summit Insurance Group, Sunday and Associates, Sunderland Insurance Services, Super Advice Corporate Services Pty Ltd, Taylor Benefits, Texas Insurance Agency, Texas Insurance Managers, The BeneTex Group, The Buchholz Planning, The Chapman Group, The Commonwealth Consulting Group, The Daniels Group Inc., The EHE Group LLC, The EHE Insurance Agency LLC, The Eagle Insurance Agency LLC, The Eriksen Group, The Forker Company, The Gleason Agency, The Great Lakes Agency, The HR Group, The Hawk Agency, The Human Capital Group, The Lance Group, The Levitt/Kristan Co., The MW Bagnall Company, The Old Greenwich Consulting Group, The Parks Johnson Agency, The Plus Companies Inc., The Presidio Group, The Producers Choice, The Rains Group, The Splinter Group, The Titan Group, The Treiber Group, The Woodsmall Companies Inc., Title & Covenant Brokers Ltd., Title Investments Limited, Tom Sherwin Insurance Agency, Total Reward Group, Total Rewards Group (Holdings) Limited, Towle Agency, Transwestern, Tri-State General Insurance Agency, Triad Insurance Agency, Triad USA, Tribeca Strategic Advisors, Trinder & Norwood, Trip Mate, Trissel Graham & Toole, Tropp & Co., Tudor Risk Services, Tyloma Holdings Limited, Uni-Care Inc., Unison Inc., Universico Group, Unoccupied Direct Limited, V2V Holdings LLC, VEBA Service Group, Vasek Insurance Services Limited, Velo ACU LLC, Velo Holdings Inc., Verbag AG., Vertrue LLC, Victory Insurance Agency, Vincent L. Braband Insurance, Vital Benefits, Voluntary Benefits Solutions, W. E. Kingsley Co. Inc., WM. W. George & Associates, Walker Taylor Agency, Welling Associates, Wesfarmers Insurance - Insurance Brokerage Operations, Western Benefit Solutions, White & Company Insurance, Whitehaven Insurance Group, William Gallagher Associates Insurance Brokers, William H. Connolly & Co., Williams Insurance Agency Inc., Williams-Manny Insurance Group, Winn & Company Insurance Brokers, Wischmeyer Benefit Partners, Woodbrook Underwriting Agencies, Woods & Grooms, WorkCare Northwest, Worksite Communications, Y. S. Liedman & Associates, YOA Capsicum Reinsurance Broker Limited, Zenor Limited, Zuber Insurance Agency, and e3 Financial.

Read More
Galway Metals Inc. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral resource properties in Canada. The company primarily explores for gold, zinc, copper, silver, and lead deposits. It holds a 100% interest in the Clarence Stream project located in southwest New Brunswick, Canada; and Estrades mine, related Newiska concessions, and adjacent Casa Berardi claims located in western Quebec, Canada. Galway Metals Inc. was incorporated in 2012 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
Global Payments Inc. provides payment technology and software solutions for card, check, and digital-based payments in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates through three segments: Merchant Solutions, Issuer Solutions, and Consumer Solutions. The Merchant Solutions segment offers authorization, settlement and funding, customer support, chargeback resolution, terminal rental, sales and deployment, payment security, and consolidated billing and reporting services. This segment also provides an array of enterprise software solutions that streamline business operations of its customers in various vertical markets; and value-added solutions and services, such as point-of-sale software, analytics and customer engagement, human capital management, and payroll. The Issuer Solutions segment offers solutions that enable financial institutions and retailers to manage their card portfolios through a platform; and commercial payments, and account payables and electronic payment alternatives solutions for businesses and governments. The Consumer Solutions segment provides general purpose reloadable prepaid debit and payroll cards, demand deposit accounts, and other financial service solutions to the underbanked and other consumers, and businesses under the Netspend and other brands. It markets its products and services through direct sales force, trade associations, agent and enterprise software providers, referral arrangements with value-added resellers, and independent sales organizations. The company was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF (PWZ) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks an index of insured investment-grade, tax-exempt debt issued by California or any US territory with at least 15 years remaining to maturity. PWZ was launched on Oct 11, 2007 and is managed by Invesco.
Novo Nordisk A/S is a global healthcare company specializing in the research, development, production, and marketing of pharmaceutical products to treat diabetes, obesity, and other chronic diseases. The company was founded in 1923 in Denmark and is headquartered in Bagsvrd, Denmark.



Novo Nordisk has operations in more than 80 countries, including production facilities in nine countries, and employs approximately 48,500 people worldwide.

Novo Nordisk's mission is to discover and develop innovative medicines to help people with chronic diseases lead longer, healthier lives. The company's key therapeutic areas include diabetes, obesity, hemophilia, growth hormone therapy, and other severe chronic diseases. Novo Nordisk is the world's largest producer of insulin and has been at the forefront of diabetes care for more than 95 years.

Lars Fruergaard Jrgensen is the President and CEO of Novo Nordisk A/S, a position he has held since 2017. Jrgensen joined Novo Nordisk in 1991 and has held various management positions, including Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Development, Strategy and Biopharmaceuticals.

Novo Nordisk has consistently delivered strong financial performance over the past few years. Novo Nordisk's profit margin has remained consistently high, with a net margin of approximately 30%. In terms of debt, Novo Nordisk has maintained a conservative approach. Novo Nordisk's debt has kept pace with its assets for several years. The company's cash reserves have not always been healthy, but in 2022 Novo Nordisk made a profit for the first time since 2018.



Novo Nordisk's valuation metrics compare favorably to industry peers. It has a price-to-earnings ratio in line with its peers but a price-to-book ratio significantly higher than the industry average. Novo Nordisk's high P/B ratio reflects its strong brand, market position, and financial performance.



Novo Nordisk's stock has performed well over the past few years, with a 3-year annualized return of around 23%. The stock price has shown some volatility, with significant price movements in response to regulatory and market news related to diabetes and obesity markets.

Novo Nordisk operates in the highly competitive and rapidly evolving pharmaceutical industry, specifically in diabetes and obesity markets. The global diabetes market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2022 to 2027, driven by the increasing prevalence of diabetes, especially in emerging markets, and the growing demand for innovative diabetes treatments. In the obesity market, the global prevalence of obesity has been steadily increasing, and it is expected to continue to rise, driving demand for effective obesity treatments.

Novo Nordisk faces intense competition from several large and small pharmaceutical companies in the diabetes and obesity markets. The company's main competitors in the diabetes market include Sanofi, Eli Lilly, and AstraZeneca, while its main competitors in the obesity market include Roche, Novartis, and Eisai.



The company's competitive position is based on factors such as the quality and effectiveness of its products, its research and development capabilities, its brand reputation, and ability to adapt to changing market dynamics.

Novo Nordisk is also subject to various regulatory and political issues that can impact its operations and financial performance. The company must comply with strict regulatory requirements in each country it operates, including the US FDA and the European Medicines Agency. Changes in regulatory requirements, such as changes to reimbursement policies, can significantly impact the company's financial performance.

Novo Nordisk has several growth opportunities to pursue in the coming years. The company is investing heavily in research and development to develop new and innovative treatments for diabetes and obesity, as well as other chronic diseases. Novo Nordisk has a strong pipeline of potential products in development, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, which have shown promise in clinical trials for treating obesity.

The company also expands in emerging markets, such as China and India, with significant and growing demand for diabetes and obesity treatments. Novo Nordisk has established partnerships with local companies in these markets to help drive growth and increase product access.

Novo Nordisk has pursued acquisitions and partnerships to expand its product offerings and capabilities. In 2021, the company acquired Prothena's ATTR amyloidosis program, a potential treatment for a rare and debilitating disease. This acquisition will strengthen Novo Nordisk's position in the rare disease market.

Novo Nordisk faces several risks and challenges that could impact its operations and financial performance. The company's success is heavily dependent on the success of its products in the diabetes and obesity markets, and any setbacks in clinical trials or product launches could significantly impact its financial performance.

In addition, Novo Nordisk faces regulatory and political risks, as changes in regulations or policies could impact its ability to operate or sell its products in specific markets. The company is also subject to intellectual property risks, as competitors may seek to challenge its patents and market their products.

Novo Nordisk also faces risks related to supply chain disruptions and production delays, as well as cybersecurity and data privacy risks.
A very important topic, but one that no one really likes to talk about, is assigning a power of attorney.

I would like to share this great article by Kathy Sweedler that addresses why this topic is so important and how to proceed with it.

Kathy says: On a good day, I wonder if my family hears what I say or if all they hear is "blah, blah, blah!" However, when I talk about what I want to happen if I'm in an accident, hospitalized, or die, I'm sure some of my family completely block my words. That's why I think it's so important that I write down how I want my health and my property handled if I can't talk for myself.

Luckily, we have legal documents that we can use to communicate our wishes. Writing down what's important to us helps:

 Communicate exactly what we want, and

 Reminds people of our wishes in stressful times.

It means that difficult decisions do not have to be introduced and made when we're stressed. We can think through these decisions before events occur and likely end up with better decisions. It's challenging to make good decisions during emotional times.

Two commonly used legal documents are power of attorney  of property and of health care. A durable power of attorney for property allows you to designate another person to handle and make decisions about your finances including investments, bank accounts, property, and any other money management tasks like paying bills. With a power of attorney for property, you can set boundaries for how specific or broad it is. Choose this individual or agent very carefully. Think about someone you can trust implicitly with your money and is knowledgeable about finances.

When you establish a power of attorney for yourself, then you get to choose who this person is rather than needing a court-appointed attorney, assuming the need arises. You can change or cancel power of attorney powers if you want to in the future.

You can also choose to have a power of attorney for health care. The person who you designate as your power of attorney can make medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so. We often think only someone elderly needs this kind of document, but accidents can happen to anyone. Young people can be unable to make a decision due to pain medication just as older people can be unable to speak for themselves in this situation.

Another health-related, legal document to be aware of is the Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR)/Practitioner Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Form. This document expands upon the DNR that you may have heard of before. As stated on the Illinois POLST form, you complete this form given your current state of health, and allows you to state your wishes about CPR, other medical interventions, and medically administered food (including feeding tubes) given different situations. You may be asked if you'd like to sign this document if you need surgery or are admitted to a hospital.

To see examples of health care advance directives go to the Illinois Department of Public Health website at dph.illinois.gov/

This discussion is not legal advice. I strongly encourage people to talk to a lawyer. Lawyers ask questions, consider people's complete situation, and can then recommend the most suitable documents to meet needs. Another legal document to ask about is a will. A will states who will receive your property if you die. In addition, you can name who you'd like to be the guardian of your children.

These conversations can be very challenging. Talking about your wishes and writing them down can help reduce the likelihood of loved ones feeling burdened or guilty and reduce family conflict. To help you start your planning, you can download a free Action Plan from University of Illinois Extension.

Kathy Sweedler's Plan Well, Retire Well Blog can be found at extension.illinois.edu/blogs/plan-well-retire-well

For more information on University of Illinois Unit 19 programming and to read more helpful articles, visit our website at extension.illinois.edu/ccdms , call us at 217-345-7034 or contact Cheri Burcham at cburcham@illinois.edu Also visit the Family Files Blog at go.illinois.edu/familyfiles
RingCentral, Inc. provides cloud communications, video meetings, collaboration, and contact center software-as-a-service solutions worldwide. The company's products include RingCentral Message Video Phone (MVP) that provides a unified experience for communication and collaboration across multiple modes, including HD voice, video, SMS, messaging and collaboration, conferencing, online meetings, and fax; RingCentral Contact Center, a collaborative contact center solution that delivers AI powered omni-channel and workforce engagement solution with integrated RingCentral MVP; and RingCentral Engage Digital, a digital customer engagement platform that allows enterprises to interact with their customers. The company's products also comprise RingCentral Engage Voice, a cloud-based outbound/blended customer engagement platform for midsize and enterprise companies; RingCentral Video, a video meeting service which includes the company's RCV video and team messaging capabilities and offers video and audio conferencing, file sharing, contact, task, and calendar management. In addition, it offers RingCentral professional services. The company serves a range of industries, including financial services, education, healthcare, legal services, real estate, retail, technology, insurance, construction, hospitality, and state and local government, as well as others. It sells its products through a network of direct sales representatives, as well as sales agents, resellers, and channel partners. The company was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in Belmont, California.
SPDR Lehman Municipal Bond ETF, formerly SPDR Nuveen Barclays Municipal Bond ETF (the Fund), seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Barclays Capital Municipal Managed Money Index (the Index). The Fund uses a passive management strategy designed to track the Index. The Index tracks the United States long-term, tax-exempt bond market and includes general obligation, revenue, pre-refunded and insured issues. The Funds investment manager is SSgA Funds Management, Inc.
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers (NYSE:SKT) pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and currently has a dividend yield of 4.84%. SKT has a dividend yield higher than 75% of all dividend-paying stocks, making it a leading dividend payer. The company has been increasing its dividend for 2 consecutive year(s), indicating that it does not yet have a strong track record of dividend growth. The dividend payout ratio is 125.30%. Payout ratios above 75% are not desirable because they may not be sustainable. Based on earnings estimates, SKT will have a dividend payout ratio of 53.89% next year. This indicates that the company will be able to sustain or increase its dividend.

Read our dividend analysis for SKT.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 22, 2023. The crown prince is in Hangzhou to attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games scheduled for Saturday. [Xinhua/Liu Bin]

HANGZHOU, Sept. 22 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday vowed to work with Kuwait to take the bilateral ties to new heights when meeting with Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

The crown prince is in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, to attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games scheduled for Saturday.

Noting that Kuwait was the first Gulf Arab country to establish diplomatic relations with China and the first country in the Middle East to sign Belt and Road cooperation documents with China, Xi said the China-Kuwait relationship has made significant progress, yielding great achievements across various fields of cooperation.

China supports Kuwait in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Xi said, commending Kuwait for actively participating in the cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

China is ready to work with Kuwait to strengthen the synergy of development strategies; enhance cooperation in investment, energy, infrastructure, environmental governance, digital economy and other fields; advance cooperation in law enforcement, security and counter-terrorism; and boost cultural and people-to-people exchanges, Xi said.

China hopes that Kuwait continues supporting China's rural revitalization strategy and providing a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory market environment for Chinese enterprises investing in Kuwait, Xi said.

Expressing satisfaction with the achievements of bilateral cooperation, the Kuwaiti crown prince said Kuwait will firmly support and actively participate in the BRI, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

Kuwait will firmly follow the one-China policy, support China on issues concerning China's core interests, deepen bilateral cooperation in various fields, and step up communication and cooperation with China in the Middle East and the Gulf region, he said.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a joint statement on the China-Kuwait cooperation plan from 2024 to 2028, and bilateral cooperation documents in areas including renewable energy, infrastructure and environmental governance.

Senior Chinese leaders including Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi and Shen Yiqin attended the activities.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 22, 2023. The crown prince is in Hangzhou to attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games scheduled for Saturday. [Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan]

(Source: Xinhua)
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 22, 2023. The Syrian president is in Hangzhou to attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games scheduled for Saturday. [Xinhua/Yao Dawei]

HANGZHOU, Sept. 22 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Friday jointly announced the establishment of a China-Syria strategic partnership.

The two presidents met in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, ahead of the opening of the 19th Asian Games scheduled for Saturday.

Syria was one of the first Arab countries that established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, and was one of the countries that co-sponsored the resolution to restore the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations, Xi said.

Over the 67 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the China-Syria relationship has stood the test of changes in the international situation, and their friendship has grown stronger over time, he said.

Xi noted that the establishment of the strategic partnership will be an important milestone in the history of bilateral ties.

China is willing to work with Syria to enrich their relationship and continuously advance the China-Syria strategic partnership, Xi said.

Xi emphasized that China will continue to work with Syria to firmly support each other on issues concerning the two sides' respective core interests and major concerns, safeguard the common interests of both countries and other developing countries, and uphold international fairness and justice.

China supports Syria in opposing foreign interference, rejecting unilateralism and bullying, and safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said.

China supports Syria in conducting reconstruction, enhancing counter-terrorism capacity building, and promoting a political settlement of the Syrian issue following the "Syrian-led, Syrian-owned" principle, Xi said.

China also supports Syria in improving its relations with other Arab countries and playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, he added.

China is willing to strengthen Belt and Road cooperation with Syria, increase the import of high-quality agricultural products from Syria, and jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative to make active contributions to regional and global peace and development.

Assad said that in international affairs, China has always aligned itself with international fairness and justice, and upheld international law and humanitarianism, playing an important and constructive role.

Syria highly appreciates and firmly supports the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and will actively participate in them, Assad added.

The Syrian side thanks the Chinese government for its invaluable support to the Syrian people, firmly opposes any act of interference in China's internal affairs, and is willing to be China's long-term and staunch friend and partner, he said.

Assad said Syria will take the establishment of the Syria-China strategic partnership as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral friendly cooperation and step up their communication and coordination in international and regional affairs.

After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in areas including Belt and Road cooperation, and economic and technological cooperation.

The two sides issued a joint statement on the establishment of the strategic partnership.

Senior Chinese leaders including Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi and Shen Yiqin attended the activities.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 22, 2023. The Syrian president is in Hangzhou to attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games scheduled for Saturday. [Xinhua/Liu Bin]

(Source: Xinhua)
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 22, 2023. [Xinhua/Liu Bin]

HANGZHOU, Sept. 22 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province.

In the face of severe challenges brought by the unprecedented changes unseen in a century and the COVID-19 pandemic, the IOC has stayed true to its original aspirations and played a unique role in safeguarding the world peace and development and promoting unity and progress of the humankind, Xi said.

China has always attached great importance to the development of sports, and actively participated in international Olympic affairs, Xi said.

"China will work with the IOC to uphold the principle of non-politicization of sports, make full use of the legacy of the Beijing Winter Olympics, and make new and greater contributions to advancing the Olympic cause and building a community with a shared future for humanity," Xi said.

All the preparations for the 19th Asian Games are ready. The Chinese government and people are fully confident in presenting a spectacular Asiad, and contributing to the development of the Olympic movement and the unity and friendship of the Asian people, he said.

Noting that the world is currently facing geopolitical conflicts and many other difficulties, Bach said the IOC is committed to safeguarding multilateralism and opposing politicizing sports, and the IOC appreciates China for taking the right stance.

The IOC is satisfied with its cooperation with China, said Bach. He also extended gratitude to China for supporting the cause of international Olympics and expressed the hope that the cooperation between the IOC and China will be further strengthened.

"I believe it will be a successful and wonderful Asian Games that will promote unity and friendship of Asia," said Bach.

Senior Chinese leaders including Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi and Shen Yiqin attended the meeting.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 22, 2023. [Xinhua/Liu Bin]

(Source: Xinhua)
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Timor-Leste in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 23, 2023. [Xinhua/Liu Bin]

HANGZHOU, Sept. 23 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Timor-Leste on Saturday jointly announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

They met in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, ahead of the opening of the 19th Asian Games scheduled for Saturday.

The elevation of bilateral ties is a practical necessity for the two countries to advance their cooperation, and a shared expectation of the two peoples, Xi said.

China is willing to join hands with Timor-Leste on the journey of modernization to bring more benefits to the two peoples, Xi added.

Xi emphasized that being staunch supporters for each other's core interests and major concerns serves as an important political foundation for the continuous upgrading of bilateral relations.

The two sides should continue to promote Belt and Road cooperation and strengthen cooperative efforts in the four key areas, namely industry revitalization, infrastructure development, food self-sufficiency and livelihood improvement, Xi said, adding that China supports Timor-Leste in better integrating into the regional development.

The Timor-Leste prime minister said he is glad that bilateral relations have continuously achieved positive results in recent years, and the people of Timor-Leste will always remember Chinese government's timely and tremendous help during Timor-Leste's fight against COVID-19.

He welcomed Chinese enterprises to invest in Timor-Leste and help the country with its development. He expressed the hope to work with China to usher bilateral ties into the new phase of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The two sides issued a joint statement on the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership.

Senior Chinese leaders including Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi, and Shen Yiqin attended the meeting.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Timor-Leste in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 23, 2023. [Xinhua/Liu Bin]

(Source: Xinhua)
100 years ago,

Sept. 23, 1923

50 years ago, 1973

25 years ago, 1998

CHARLESTON  Police confiscated two homemade bombs on EIU's campus Sunday, the same day a homemade bomb killed a teenager on an Indiana campus. Neither of the apparent bombs found at EIU exploded, and their contents are being tested at the Illinois State Police crime lab, said EIU police Assistant Chief Adam Due. The first suspected bomb at EIU, made of a two-liter soft drink bottle, was found at about 8:45 p.m. Sunday by a resident assistant in a lounge on the sixth floor of Carman Hall. Residents were evacuated. The second plastic container, which Due said wasn't a soft drink bottle, was found later that evening by residents of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house in EIU's Greek Court. The second bottle's contents had the same odor as the first bottle's contents, Due said. Until lab results are received, investigators won't know whether the bottles contained inert substances or toxic acid. The incidents occurred on the same day that a 19-year-old man was killed on the campus of the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. David Rosefielde of Chapel-Hilll, N.C. died when a homemade bomb that he made with some friends exploded as he tried to ignite it, police said...CHARLESTON  The Mattoon couple accused of killing a man during a fight over a camera were scheduled Tuesday for trials beginning the same day. Both Adam Willison, 26, and Trudy Willison, 30, are charged with first-degree murder for the death of Aaron Mietzner and are now scheduled for trial on Feb. 2. Evidence in the case has indicated that Mietzner might have confronted the Willisons about suspicions that they stole his camera, leading to the fight. Adam Willison might have taken the camera because he thought Mietzner owed him money. Trudy Willison allegedly struck Mietzner with a lamp while he and Adam Willison were struggling with one another. An autopsy indicated that Mietzner died because of several blows to the head. Also according to the evidence, the Willisons left Mietzner's car south of Coles County Memorial Airport and hid his body in a creek in a rural area near Lerna. Hunters found his body in the creek on Dec. 9...CHARLESTON  A judge Tuesday allowed the filing of a new charge against the Charleston man accused of stabbing his stepdaughter. Charles Schoonover, 45, now faces at least 10 years in prison if he is convicted of the June 8 stabbing of Kelli Waltrip. His trial is scheduled to begin next week. Schoonover already was charged with four counts of attempted murder before Tuesday's hearing, when Circuit Judge Ashton Waller granted State's Attorney Steve Ferguson's motion to add a count of armed violence. Public Defender Lonnie Lutz, who represents Schoonover, objected to the armed violence charge being added. he called the move "another example" of Ferguson adding "last-minute counts."
As DeSantis falters, the race for second place in the GOP primary is open again
Schumer in talks with McConnell as shutdown fears grow: We may now have to go first
In response to UAW President Shawn Fains announcement Friday that only GM and Stellantis parts distribution centers will be called out on strike, Mack Trucks worker Will Lehman issued the following statement. Lehman was a rank-and-file candidate for president. He is currently suing the Department of Labor over mass disenfranchisement of workers in the 2022 UAW elections.

The United Auto Workers bureaucracy is carrying out another bait-and-switch on workers. UAW President Shawn Fain announced in a Facebook livestream that the parts distribution centers at General Motors and Stellantis will be called out on strike at noon today.

Lets be clear on what this really means: This will have no impact on production. These are parts warehouses that ship components to the dealerships, not suppliers of the Big Three.

Just 5,600 more workers are being called out, less than 4 percent of the UAW Big Three membership. Ninety-seven percent of UAW members at the Big Three voted to go on strike, but only 12 percent total have been called out.

Fain and the UAW are not calling out any assembly or components plants, let alone the entire Big Three UAW membership, because that would deal an immediate and powerful blow to the companies. Nor is the UAW calling out any of the parts supplier workers who are working under expired contracts, such as at Lear Hammond, where workers have voted down three UAW-endorsed sellout contracts in recent months.

The UAWs stand up strike policy is a fraud. The UAW apparatus is ordering the vast majority of its members to keep working and producing profits for the companies. This policy is a betrayal of the will of rank-and-file workers and the desire for all-out strike action across the auto industry.

Fain and the UAW are claiming good progress with Ford. No worker should view this claim as credible.

In Canada, the Unifor bureaucracy announced a deal with Ford on Tuesday night and is trying to conceal it from its members until ratification meetings on Saturday. Unifor is trying to ram through a sellout at Ford, and the UAW bureaucracy will do the same in the US when they feel the time is right.

It is time for the rank and file to take a stand and stop the sabotage of this struggle. Workers at the Big Three must call for emergency meetings at their locals, in order to discuss and adopt resolutions demanding all-out strike action across the auto industry. To coordinate this and overcome the resistance of the union bureaucracies, rank-and-file committees should be formed at each factory and warehouse.
The report of a public inquiry into conditions at Brook House immigration removal centre in Sussex, England, lifts the lid on the savagery deployed by successive Labour and Tory governments in their detention of migrants.

Brook House immigration removal centre (IRC) opened in March 2009 under Gordon Browns Labour government to hold 448 detainees, with the capacity increased to 508 in 2017. It is located in the grounds of Gatwick, one of the main airports serving London.

Brook House [Photo: screenshot from video/Brook House Inquiry/YouTube]

Private security company G4S ran the centre from March 2009, with its contract extended in 2018 to end in May 2020. In that month, another outsourcing company, Serco, took over after winning a tendering contract worth up to 260 million over 10 yearswhich also included nearby Tinsley House.

The inquiry was prompted by a BBC Panorama programme in September 2017, Under-Cover: Britains Immigration Secrets, which broadcast undercover footage of brutal abuse of detainees by detention officers. The outcry at the time forced G4S to suspend a nurse, six detention custody officers and two managers, and to place five other members of staff on restricted duties pending investigation.

A subsequent report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons found that incidents of self-harm had significantly increased at Brook House, with 40 percent of detainees saying they had felt suicidal at some point while in the centre.

A public inquiry, which this weeks report is the conclusion of, was launched in November 2019. It had a very limited remit, being set up to investigate mistreatment of individuals who were detained at Brook House IRC between 1 April 2017 and 31 August 2017, and seeking only to understand what happened at Brook House IRC, to identify learning and to make recommendations that would help to prevent a recurrence of such events. It had no powers of prosecution.

Under the terms of the Brook House Inquiry, mistreatment  is interpreted to mean treatment contrary to Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, namely torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Inquiry chair Kate Eves writes in the executive summary of 19 incidents in which there was credible evidence of acts or omissions that were capable of amounting to mistreatment contrary to Article 3. She added it was of significant concern that, within a limited time frame [five months], I identified 19 such incidents.

One of the worst, was the moment Detention Custody Officer (DCO) Ioannis (Yan) Paschali placed his hands firmly around the neck of one detained person (referred to by the Inquiry as D1527), leaned forward over him and said in a quiet voice: You fucking piece of shit, because Im going to put you to fucking sleep.

Other incidents included the repeated use of an inherently dangerous restraint technique, which has previously been associated with the death of a detained man, Jimmy Mubenga, in 2010.

Mubenga had been detained at Brook House prior to deportation to Angola. In 2013, an inquest jury found that he was unlawfully killed by three G4S security guards. Pinned down in a plane seat by G4S guards, Mubenga shouted, I cant breathe and Youre killing me.

According to the inquiry report, detainees were choked, abused, forced naked from their cells and forced to share dirty, poorly ventilated cells and with unscreened toilets. Staff used abusive, racist and derogatory language and confronted detainees with riot shields and balaclavas. The inquiry saw footage of occasions where staff, talking about a detained person, used the phrase if he dies, he dies.

G4S made millions overseeing this abuse, avoiding even any financial sanction.

A 2019 report by the National Audit Office (NAO) found that The Home Office pays G4S around 13 million a year through a fixed monthly fee with deductions for performance failures.

It went on, The abuses documented in BBCs September 2017 Panorama were not a contractual breach and did not lead to substantial penalties under the contract. Under the contract, the Home Office can only award deductions for specific incidents of underperformance. Inappropriate use of force or verbal abuse of detainees are not counted as a performance failure under the contract..

Furthermore, the Home Office concluded that the behaviour depicted in Panorama did not constitute evidence of systemic failures or a material breach of the contract and that it was not necessary to try to terminate G4Ss contract.

While the inquiry compiled masses of evidence and produced an 800-page reportproviding just a snapshot of the inhumane practices rife throughout a system for the imprisonment and deportation of the vulnerableit does nothing to challenge this set-up. The Times noted, A lawyer representing people who were held at Brook House had told the inquiry the centre should be shut down, but Eves stopped short of calling for it to close.

The Brook House Inquiry report [Photo: screenshot: brookhouseinquiry.org.uk]

Her conclusion is extremely tame: Under the Home Office and its contractor G4S, Brook House was not sufficiently decent, secure or caring for detained people or its staff at the time these events took place. An environment flourished in which unacceptable treatment became more likely.

Eves half acknowledges the futility of the whole affair. My report comes as the latest in a long line of reports and investigations into immigration detentionmany, with depressing regularity, making broadly similar findings and recommendations. It has long since been time to act on recommendations, rather than simply keep repeating them.

More and more people are at risk of this abuse. Brook House is one of 10 immigration removal centres across Britain, including Harmondsworth, near Heathrow, the largest detention centre in Europe that can hold up to 630 people. Eves notes, When I was commissioned to conduct this Inquiry, the use of immigration detention was falling and a number of immigration removal centres had been closed. The government has made clear its intention to expand the use of immigration detention.

The bankruptcy of the inquiry is summed up by the main recommendation that immigration removal detainees be held for no more than 28 days.

Even this will be ignored by the Conservative government, which is only interested in intensifying the oppression of migrants. Under its newly passed Illegal Migration Act, migrants can be detained indefinitely, with the timeframe at the discretion of what the home secretary of the day deems reasonably necessary.

The Tories agenda is shared by all the main parliamentary parties. Labour

Party shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock said some of the evidence put before the inquiry was utterly harrowing, showing that the Tories had delivered neither control nor compassion. But only in August Kinnock committed Labour to keeping the entirety of the migrant detention system in place, including using barges and former military bases, newly opened by the government.

In the weeks since, party leader Sir Keir Starmer has sought to position Labour even further to right on immigration policy. In response to government claims that Labour in office would oversee 100,000 extra migrant arrivals to the UKunder a European Union-wide migrant quota schemeStarmer dismissed this as complete garbage.

He told the Sun newspaper strong borders are non-negotiable because they exist to protect us and those we love from harm. He told Sky News presenter Trevor Phillips that he favoured a policy of smashing smuggling gangs and would respond to the arrival of small boats over the Channel with anti-terror legislation. Those who know of a crossing but do not report itfor example, family members already in the UKwould be guilty under such legislation, bracketed as terrorists in Starmers words.
MATTOON  In recent weeks, two new faces have joined the ranks of business professionals utilizing the highspeed wireless internet and other support services at the Elevate entrepreneurship center.

While many of those professionals are entrepreneurs building businesses, newcomers Jessi Davis and Angela Garofano are veteran remote workers who have relocated to build new lives for themselves and their respective families in Mattoon.

They are the first two remote workers to enroll in the new Move to Mattoon program, which offers one-year free membership at Elevate and other relocation incentives from the local business community valued at nearly $12,000.

Jessi Davis

A Houston area native who had most recently resided in Austin, Davis works remotely for the University of Texas in a grant-funded program that provides support services for mental health and healthcare workers in multiple states.

Davis said she had always wanted to try living outside of her native Texas, so she was looking out for relocation programs online when she learned about Move to Mattoon.

"There was a cash incentive, which definitely helped with moving costs," Davis said of the $5,000 for moving expenses. "A lot of the other places don't actually have cash incentives."

Davis said the move also has been facilitated by having $2,555 in gift cards for businesses and $500 in vouchers for restaurants. She added, "That has been really helpful in exploring the area and getting to try different restaurants."

Beyond Move to Mattoon's incentives Davis said she appreciates that the city participates in the U.S. Department's housing loan program. She said this helped her and her husband purchase a home in town.

Davis said she also has been pleasantly surprised by her son's Mattoon school offering free breakfasts and lunches for all students, by the short drive times everywhere, and by the friendliness of the people.

"I really want to keep exploring and meeting people and getting involved with things," Davis said. "Everybody has been really nice. It has been a really great experience."

Angela Garofano

A Dallas area native who had been living in College Station, Texas, Garofano works remotely as a middle school science teacher.

Garofano, who also has lived in Minnesota, said she was interested in moving north away from sweltering heat but knew this would be a financial burden for her as a single mom with two teenage children. Garofano said she thought Move to Mattoon was a clever idea when she heard an ad for it.

This programs has eased the burden of relocation expenses, Garofano. She added that the restaurant vouchers were particularly helpful while her family's kitchen supplies were still in moving boxes.

Before making the decision to relocate to Mattoon and purchase a home here, Garafano said she visited the community in the spring and met with local economic development officials.

"I really like the small-town feel. Everything is local and close by," Garafano said, noting that she has been able to walk from her home to attend Broadway Christian Church.

Garofano also said Mattoon is "not so small" that "everybody knows everything" or that it lacks opportunities. She said her daughter has internet access needed to take online high school classes and her son has enrolled as a freshman in the information technology program at Lake Land College.

"Everybody is so friendly no matter where we go," Garofano said. She added that, "I really want to be a part of the community and find ways I can use my talents to help others."

More families on the way

City Community Development and Planning Director Alex Benishek said the Mattoon in Motion community planning group partnered with the city and local businesses last year to create a relocation incentive program.

Benishek said the program's aim is to attract remote workers and their families to Mattoon as a way to promote economic development. He said their initial goal was the enroll five families, noting that three more families are set to relocate to Mattoon soon.

"We have filled our occupancy for what we aimed to accomplish in our pilot program," Benishek said, adding that they will now assess where to take the program from here.
Chinas Defence Minister General Li Shangfu has not been seen in public for the past three weeks, sparking speculation in the Western press that he is under investigation over corruption. He was last seen publicly when he gave a speech to the China-Africa Peace and Security Forum on August 29. Earlier in August, he travelled to Moscow and Minsk to meet with top Russian and Belarusian officials.

China's Defense Minister Gen. Li Shangfu during a visit to Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in Moscow, Russia, Monday, April 17, 2023. [AP Photo/Russian Defense Ministry Press Service]

Li had been expected to travel to Vietnam on September 78 to attend a meeting but the trip was cancelled at the last minute, ostensibly for health reasons. US ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel drew attention to Lis absence last week when he claimed that the defence minister had not met with Singapores Navy commander.

Questioned a week ago about Lis apparent disappearance, a foreign ministry spokeswoman told reporters she was not aware of the situation. Requests for comment by Reuters to Chinas State Council and Defence Ministry elicited no response. No official statement or comment has appeared subsequently this week.

According to unnamed sources cited by Reuters, Li is under investigation for corruption over equipment procurement, along with other senior officials of the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission, which he headed from 2017 to 2022. The US imposed sanctions on Li in 2018 for his involvement in the purchase of Russian military equipment.

Although the defence minister is not the top-ranking defence post, Li serves on the Central Military Commission chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping, which is in overall command of the military. Moreover, he is one of Chinas five state councillorsa position that outranks that of ordinary ministers.

The absence of Li from public view comes in the wake of the disappearance of Foreign Minister Qin Gangalso in unexplained circumstances. Qin vanished from public view for a month before he was removed from office in late July and replaced by state councillor Wang Yi, the former foreign minister. His non-appearances over that month were also for health reasons.

Speculation in the Western media about Qins fate ranged from investigation over corruption, resentment in the foreign ministry over his young age, to an alleged affair with a TV anchor while serving as Chinese ambassador to the US.

The Wall Street Journal gave more credence to the last explanation in an article this week. It claimed, citing unnamed sources, that a meeting of senior Chinese officials was briefed last month on the partys investigation into Qin and told he was dismissed over lifestyle issues. It found that had he had a child as a result of an extramarital affair and that concerns were raised about whether Chinas national security had been compromised.

Chinas State Council, however, still lists Qin has one of the five state councillors. According to the Wall Street Journal, Chinas foreign ministry and the State Council information office did not respond to questions about Qin.

In the absence of any official statement, and limited information, there are more questions than answers about what has happened to Li and Qin and why. Sex scandals and charges of corruption are exploited by the ruling classes worldwide as the means for destroying political opponents in internal factional warfare.

The most significant aspect of the clouds hanging over two top Chinese ministers is that they were both handpicked appointees of Xi. They were installed in March as the National Peoples Congress voted a third term for Xi as Chinese president. Qin, who is just 57, in particular, was regarded as one of Xis proteges who had been catapulted into top positions within foreign affairs.

The regime headed by Xi confronts mounting economic difficulties at home even as the US intensifies its confrontation and preparations for war against China. The government has set a modest target for economic growth of just 5 percent for 2023well below the 8 percent regarded by the regime as necessary to maintain employment and social stability. The property market has been hit by the failure of prominent developers. High debt levels, particularly at the provincial government level, are raising questions about the stability of the finance system.

Urban youth unemployment, which is contributing to social tensions and signs of political radicalisation among young people, soared to more than 20 percent this year before publication of the figures was discontinued. Moreover, the ending of the zero-COVID policy, which has to led mass infection and millions of deaths, is fuelling hostility and opposition to the regime.

Xi is coming under intense pressure from Washington on all frontsdiplomatically, economically and militarily. US President Biden has maintained the huge tariffs imposed on China under Trump and intensified bans on the export of the most advanced chips and chip-making equipment to China in a bid to cripple its hi-tech industries. Even as the US wages war against Russia in Ukraine, it is ramping up a web of military alliances directed against China, expanding joint war games in the region and continuing its military provocations in waters close to the Chinese mainland.

In this context, there is certainly the potential for rifts to emerge within the Chinese regime and Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Western media routinely portrays Xi as an unchallenged strongman or, in the words of Biden, as a dictator. In reality, he is in a precarious positiona Bonapartist, balancing between CCP factions, between social classes and on the international stage.

An article in the Japanese newspaper, Nikkei Asia, on September 5, highlighted the internal tensions that apparently emerged last month at the annual beachside retreat of party leaders at Beidaihe. Written by senior staff writer Katsuji Nakazawa, who had served as correspondent in China, the report said party elders had been unusually critical of Xi for his handling of the countrys multiple crises.

According to the Nikkei, the party elders convened their own meeting ahead of the retreat before dispatching representatives to Beidaihe to confront Xi and other leaders face-to-face. The gist of the message was that if the political, economic and social turmoil continues without any effective countermeasures being taken, the party could lose public support, posing a threat to its rule, article stated.

The article claimed that Xi responded by venting his frustration and pointing the finger at his three immediate predecessorsDeng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao. All the issues that were left by the previous three leaders are on my shoulders, he reportedly told his top aides. Ive spent the last decade tackling them but they remain unresolved. Am I to blame?

In the aftermath of the Beidaihe gathering, Xi did not attend the G20 summit in New Delhi earlier this month. He deputised Premier Li Qiang to go instead. Xi has not attended the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly taking place in New York, sending Vice President Han Zheng in his place.

There may be many explanations for Xis absences, as well as the removal of Qin as foreign minister and the apparent disappearance of defence minister Li. However, taken together and in the context of the mounting problems and crises confronting Beijing, they do point to rising tensions and conflicts within the CCP bureaucracy and more broadly of political instability in China.
Members and supporters of the Socialist Equality Party have launched a campaign in working-class areas and on university campuses for the SEPs call for an active boycott of the October 14 referendum to insert a new institution, to be called the indigenous Voice, into the reactionary 1901 Australian Constitution.

Thousands of copies of the SEP statement, For an active boycott of Australian Labors Voice referendum! are being distributed on campaigns and doorknocks, and in letterboxes.

As the statement explains, the Voice will be an elite body at the heart of the capitalist state, which includes parliament and governments, that is presiding over the deteriorating conditions of most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and of the working-class as a whole.

This week, campaign teams were in locations that included Mt Druitt, Bankstown and Blacktown in Sydney, the Entrance, Budgewoi and the Molycop factory in the Newcastle-Central Coast region, Goodna in Brisbane and the universities of Melbourne, Newcastle and Western Sydney, as well the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).

A Health Workers Rank-and-File Committee meeting unanimously passed a resolution backing the SEPs active boycott campaign and urged all workers to support and circulate its resolution. That gives a lead to other rank-and-file committees.

At Brisbanes QUT, a campaign team found widespread distrust or indifference toward the Albanese Labor governments referendum. There was also opposition to it, seeing it as a diversion from, and a cover for, for the underlying program of war and austerity being implemented by the government and the entire ruling class.

James, at Queensland University of Technology

James, an engineering and aerospace student, was attracted to the idea of an active boycott of the referendum. What you say is right. It is a class issue. I was going to say its a straight-out Yes vote but the issues of indigenous conditions are not going away. The boycott could make a difference, so Im here to support you.

Governments can say they are concerned about indigenous people, and then nothing will happen. Im not a big supporter of governments. They are just politicians saying things will change but its nothing but talk.

After a discussion about Australias 1967 referendum, James agreed that the existing political order, dominated by the capitalist profit system, had not and would not redress the shocking conditions of most indigenous people. That referendum saw a vote of more than 90 percent in favour of laws to improve the conditions of Aboriginal peopleshowing the widespread support for such actionbut these conditions have only worsened.

James commented: Im scared for the future. All I can hope for is a way to fight back from the people. The only thing the government really changes is how much money the upper class is gettingdo they get it at a faster rate or a slower rate?

Capitalismthe sooner its gone the better. Its done nothing but force the whole class division. I cant think of a time in history when its been as bad as it is now, or as bad as its getting.

Later in the discussion about the Voice proposal, James said: You have to be delusional if you think that you can change things by voting for one of the two parties. All you are getting is tax cuts for the rich or tax cuts for the rich!

Wheres our voice anyway? We dont have a choice. The only choice we have is to have things like this campaign where we step out and ignore the options that are given to us and create a new path for ourselves.

James was concerned about the danger of war. The Australian governments plans are for war, with the submarines and all the base fortifications up in the Northern Territory And in Western Australia they are expanding the base near Perth for US nuclear submarines If World War III were to happen, Australia is being prepared as a place to put troops and mobilise from there.

He said aerospace students found they had little choice but to seek careers with military companies like Boeing, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, because that was where the money was.

James concluded: I dont mean to be extreme but I do think that at this point a revolution is very much needed. In the sense that we need a backlash against this system. Because theres power in people. When people allow themselves to just work underneath the system, theres no escaping. Nothings going to change if you keep working with the system.

Kirsty, a Brisbane retail worker, agreed that the Voice referendum was a political sham that would do nothing to help indigenous people or any other members of the working class.

Kirsty

She commented: Thats absolutely true. Everyone has a voice and everyone deserves to use their voice. But I also think the government is trying to pull the wool over our eyes in many ways. They are spending money on things that we dont actually need, like the AUKUS submarines, and when do they actually deliver on any of these things they promise?

Kirsty continued: The conditions of life are getting way, way worse. They are not putting wages upif anything, they are going downbut the cost of living, for rentals, for owning a property, is going up. Homelessness is everywhere. How can they say that they are helping in any way when the price of petrol, food, clothing, all this stuff just to live, is making it hard for people to get from A to B?

What are we supposed to do as a society, especially people who are working class or underprivileged? They might have had a tough upbringing. We all need a voice, but is the government going to deliver on it?

Everything is all for the corporate people who can throw money around. We arent all like that, with billions of dollars to throw around. We didnt get a vote on all the money they spend on war, the ammunition and submarines and all that sort of stuff. $368 billion for submarineswheres the money for us, the people?

I am completely for a boycott, 100 percent. I work in retail. Its good but Im not making as much money as I was 15 years back. Too many people are doing it tough. Not just financiallythey dont have a roof over their head.

Kirsty registered on the spot, via her phone, to join the livestream of the Socialist Equality Partys active boycott public meeting in Sydney at 2 p.m. (AEDT) on Sunday, October 1. All readers can likewise register now to attend in person or online.

Note: Under conditions of compulsory voting, which makes it a crime to urge a boycott of the vote itself, the SEP calls on workers and youth to register their opposition by casting informal ballots and join our active boycott campaign in the lead-up to October 14, that goes well beyond the individual act of voting.

Authorised by Cheryl Crisp for the Socialist Equality Party, Suite 906, 185 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000.
On Thursday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy failed to pass a procedural measure to allow debate on a bill to fund the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2024, which begins on October 1. It was the second time this week that McCarthy had come up short in attempting to pass in the Republican-led House a defense spending bill that had been drawn up by fellow House Republicans.

President Joe Biden meets with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California in Washington, May 2023. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon]

The motion was defeated by a vote of 212-216, with five hard-right Republicans joining all voting Democrats to block it. The Republicans have a narrow 221-to-212 majority in the House and can only afford to lose four Republicans in a party-line vote to get measures approved by the body.

The defeat of the measure increased the likelihood of a government shutdown on October 1. McCarthy had said he would keep the House in session over the weekend to seek passage of a stop-gap spending bill to avert a shutdown, but following the failure of his defense spending measure, he sent House members home for the weekend.

Far-right Trump acolyte Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia spoke for a broader group of GOP House members when she said she voted against the measure because the defense bill included additional military funding for Ukraine.

The Democrats opposed the measure because the spending bill includes provisions that would attack reproductive rights for members of the military and so-called diversity provisions promoted by the Democrats as part of their identity politics agenda.

McCarthy had hoped to obtain passage of the defense spending bill, normally approved with little debate and on a bipartisan basis, in order to gain leverage in overcoming the opposition of Trump and his closest allies in the fascistic House Freedom Caucus to a so-called continuing resolution (CR) that would temporarily avert a shutdown of the federal government when funding for the current budget expires a week from today (September 30).

McCarthy has put forward a CR that would fund the federal government at a sharply reduced rate through October to keep the government running while he works to hash out a budget deal with the Biden White House and the Democratic-controlled Senate. It does not include funding for the Ukraine war.

But former President Trump, under indictment for attempting to overthrow the 2020 presidential election but holding a massive lead in the contest for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has publicly urged House Republicans to oppose any CR regardless of its provisions. He has a group of far-right Republicans, led by Matt Gaetz of Florida, that is prepared to do just that.

Trump, along with Gaetz and the House Freedom Caucus, are demanding that McCarthy repudiate the deal he reached with Biden in May to suspend the debt ceiling and avert a default on the US national debt, now officially at $33 trillion. That agreement included cuts in domestic non-military spending of $1.5 trillion over the next decade, including $180 billion in 2024. It marked a significant step in imposing the full cost of record spending for the military and the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine onto the working class, in the form of major cuts in social programs.

Trump, Gaetz and company are demanding that McCarthy insist on far deeper cuts in any negotiations with the White House and the Democrats. They are holding over the Speakers head the threat of a motion to vacate, which can be lodged by a single House member and force a vote to remove the Speaker from his position.

McCarthy has already given in to most of their demands, unilaterally launching an impeachment inquiry into President Bidens role in the corrupt business dealings of his son, Hunter, and incorporating into a revised CR proposal a reduction in non-military domestic spending to the pre-pandemic level of $1.47 trillion, far less than the $1.59 trillion agreed to in the debt limit deal last spring. He has also adopted their demand to include Trump-era border restrictions and anti-immigrant measures.

Trump is also calling on Republicans to use a government shutdown to demand the dropping of all criminal charges against him and the hundreds of fascist followers who stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Prior to the House vote that blocked the defense spending bill, Trump wrote on social media:

This is also the last chance to defund these political prosecutions against me and other Patriots. They failed on the debt limit, but they must not fail now. Use the power of the purse to defend the Country!

Even were the Republicans to pass a CR along the lines of McCarthys proposal, it would be a dead letter in the Democratic-led Senate and would not by itself avert a government shutdown. However, McCarthy and the bulk of House Republicans want to use a CR, along with a House defense spending bill, to increase pressure on the Democrats and the White House to agree to further cuts in social spending, along with a process for attacking basic entitlement programs, such as Medicare and Social Security. Hence the inclusion in the CR of a bipartisan committee on domestic spending and debt, which would serve as a mechanism to propose even more sweeping cuts after the 2024 elections.

As the generally Democratic Party-aligned Washington Post wrote in a September 18 editorial on the explosive growth of the national debt (projected to reach $50 trillion by the end of the decade):

Tackling the nations debt burden requires putting everything on the table: tax hikes, budget cuts and reforms to Social Security and Medicare. So far, House Republicans refuse to do thator even launch a bipartisan commission to engage in big, meaningful discussions.

But as the budget impasse deepened and a federal shutdown loomed larger this week, the issue of Washingtons increasingly open war against Russia over Ukraine, and its escalation toward direct US and NATO participation, including the introduction of military personnel, rose to the forefront of the conflict within and between the two capitalist parties.

The spectacle of dysfunction and breakdown in the nations capital coincided with the speeches of Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the United Nations and in Washington making clear that the response to the debacle of Ukraines spring counteroffensive will be a protracted war to dismember Russia and remove the Putin regime.

Bowing to pressure from Trump and the Freedom Caucus, McCarthy refused to allow Zelensky to address a joint session of Congress, as he had done during his visit to Washington last year. And before Zelensky arrived in Washington on Thursday, some 30 Republican lawmakers wrote to the White House to oppose Bidens request for an additional $24 billion in military and humanitarian funding for Ukraine.

After meeting with Zelensky in the White House, Biden pledged to immediately send more arms to Ukraine valued at $325 million, including artillery, ammunition, anti-tank weapons, cluster munitions, a second Hawk air defense battery and launchers and interceptors. Funds for this, however, are to come from money Congress already approved, but only until September 30.

The Democrats seized the opportunity to denounce the Republicans for jeopardizing a Ukrainian victory over Russia and undermining the US military and national security. After a classified briefing with the Biden administrations top military and security officials, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said: Its very clear that if we were to have a government shutdown, or to pass a continuing resolution with no Ukraine aid, that the effect on Ukraine would be very quick and devastating.

After meeting with Zelensky on Thursday, Schumer told reporters: I am quoting him verbatim. Mr. Zelensky said: If we dont get the aid, we will lose the war. Thats a quote from him.

The Republicans are no less militaristic and war-mongering than the Democrats. As far-right Senator and Trump co-conspirator Josh Hawley put it in a tweet on Thursday:

Lets not forget, Russia is a problem for us, but China is our number 1 foreign policy threat. Number 1. And we are just not being honest about that, and thats a huge, huge danger for us

But the core of Democratic opposition to Trump and his fascist allies in Congress, as it has been from the time of the 2016 election, is not defense of democratic rights or past social reforms but differences over imperialist foreign policy, particularly in relation to Russia.

Just as the first impeachment of Trump in late 2019 centered on his temporary withholding of promised military aid to Ukraine, which cut across planning for regime-change in Russia and military conflict via the puppet right-wing nationalist government in Kiev, so today it is the Democrats who are leading the war drive against nuclear-armed Russia.

And along with the escalation of imperialist war goes evermore brutal austerity against the working class at home, as well as the intensification of attacks on democratic rights, the elevation of fascistic forces within the political system and the preparations for authoritarian rule.
The pseudo-left Socialist Alternative organisation has entered into what can only be described as hysterics over the crisis of the Labor governments referendum to enshrine an indigenous Voice to parliament in the Australian Constitution.

Red Flag: Why the left should vote Yes in the referendum [Photo: Red Flag]

The WSWS has already documented how Socialist Alternative and its publication Red Flag shifted their position on the Voice. In 2022 and early 2023, Red Flag posted articles condemning the proposal to create the indigenous advisory body as tokenism. It noted that the institution would be dominated by an indigenous elite, and would do nothing to address the horrendous social conditions confronting ordinary Aboriginal people. Red Flag stated that the Voice could be used to impose even deeper attacks on indigenous people.

The criticisms were limited. They were couched in the racialism of the political establishment. This presents the dire plight of most indigenous people as a racial question, not a class one, to shield the capitalist system of responsibility.

But what Socialist Alternative raised was true as far as it went. And none of its criticisms of the Voice have been refuted by subsequent events. What has become evident is that while the Voice has support from much of the political, business and media establishment, there is declining support for the proposal among ordinary people, who view it with skepticism and distrust.

The clearer that popular hostility has become, however, the more Socialist Alternative has promoted the Voice. That may seem paradoxical, but it is entirely in line with the political and class character of Socialist Alternative.

Despite its left-wing phraseology, Socialist Alternative is an organisation that represents affluent layers of the upper-middle class, tied to the political establishment, above all through Labor and the union bureaucracy. The pseudo-left party is stepping in to defend the federal Labor government, under conditions in which it is in a rapidly deepening crisis.

Of course, Socialist Alternative cannot admit that. Nor can it point to any progressive content in the referendum, or in the policy of the Voice itself.

So, the pseudo-left party is compelled to concoct another basis on which to insist that the Voice must be supported. This was spelled out in a Red Flag article by Jordan Humphreys this week, titled: Why the left should vote Yes in the referendum.

The article is tortured, to the point that it makes the basic circumstances of the referendum entirely incomprehensible.

Humphreys begins: As the referendum approaches, the key dynamic in the debate is clear. The conservative right views a defeat for the Voice as a chance to strike a devastating blow against support for Indigenous rights among the Australian population.

Elsewhere, Humphreys asserts that the dominant characteristics of the referendum are pervasive anti-Indigenous racism in our society, and an all-encompassing racist atmosphere that has received no push back at all.

The uninitiated reader would not even know, from this presentation, how the referendum has come to pass. The clear implication of Humphreys opening paragraph is that the conservative right called and organised the referendum, in order to strike a devastating blow against indigenous people and to successfully incite a pogromist atmosphere.

The entire presentation is false. In fact, the Voice has bipartisan roots. It was the conservative right in the form of then Coalition Prime Minister Tony Abbott who convened a meeting of Indigenous leaders, and of Labor leader Bill Shorten in 2015. The aim was to deflect anger over deepgoing austerity measures, by initiating processes towards Constitutional recognition of indigenous people. The Coalition continues to back such recognition, which is a component of the current referendum, while opposing the Voice on tactical grounds.

The proposal for a referendum has been a key plank of the Labor governments program, ever since it was elected in May, 2022. Red Flag scarcely acknowledges the fact that the referendum has been organised by the current government, which is pushing a Yes vote.

To do so would invite questions that Humphreys simply cannot answer. Why would Labor select, as one of its central policies, an initiative doomed to failure as a result of mass racism?

Labors calculations were the exact opposite. The partys strategists had identified a mass sentiment in favour of redressing the crimes against Aboriginal people and the appalling conditions most continue to endure. Labor hopes to cynically parlay those sentiments into support for the government and to put a progressive gloss on an agenda otherwise centering on escalating preparations for war with China and an austerity offensive against the working class.

In other words, Labors decision to hold the referendum can only be understood as an acknowledgement that there is massive and overwhelming anti-racist sentiment and support for Aboriginal rights.

Part of the Yes vote march in Sydney, September 17, 2023.

These sentiments did lead to majority support for the Voice in most early polling. Throughout the latter stages of 2022 and into this year, polls showed that as many as 65 percent of voting age respondents were intending to vote Yes. A protracted decline has seen that fall to 45 percent or less.



Humphreys says nothing about this shift, because he has no way of explaining it. Is it really the case that up to 20 percent of the adult population has become racist over the past six months?

Humphreys also does not relate the Voice to a single other political issue. This is particularly telling, inasmuch as all recent polling indicates that the crisis of the Voice is part of a crisis of the Labor government. Albaneses approval rating has plummeted over the past six months, the same period in which the Voice has tanked.

The decline in Labors fortunes has nothing to do with race. As all pollsters and serious commentators have acknowledged, it is an outcome of widespread and mounting anger over the refusal of the government to do anything to address the cost-of-living crisis. Labor is insisting that workers must sacrifice, while overseeing real wage cuts, the elimination of working conditions and budget austerity. This social context, which points to the fundamental class dynamic of the referendum, is not mentioned by Humphreys.

Nor is the fact that what is underway is not only a crisis of the Labor government but of the entire political establishment. Humphreys asserts that the right-wing is ascendant. But Liberal-National Coalition leader Peter Dutton, who heads the official No campaign, remains one of the most unpopular figures in recent Australian political history. While unquestionably dogwhistling to racist sentiments, his primary strategy is to remain in the background.

In other words, every indication is that the crisis of the Voice flows from the alienation and hostility of working people to the political establishment. These moods are inchoate and politically confused, but they centre on social, not racial questions.

Socialist Alternative could confirm this fact, if only they ever spoke with workers. The only time the organisation has campaigned in working class areas was when its parochial front group the Victorian Socialists were trying to clamber into the state parliament and required votes.

Socialist Equality Party campaigners have certainly not found mass racist sentiment. Instead, they have encountered skepticism that the Voice will solve anything for indigenous people or any other workers, substantial disengagement, and in some cases limited knowledge that the referendum is even occurring. Put simply, a policy that was supposed to galvanise support for the Labor government has fallen flat.

Humphreys assertions of a right-wing rampage are not primarily directed against the far-right. They are an attempt to hector and intimidate everyone who is not a right-winger into lining up behind the Labor governments Voice policy. That is demonstrated by his vociferous denunciations of independent Senator Lidia Thorpe and the progressive no campaign that she leads.

The WSWS has previously exposed the reactionary character of Thorpes politics. She does not oppose the Voice on a class basis, that is from the standpoint of developing an independent socialist movement of the working class against the political establishment and the capitalist system.



Thorpe is an Aboriginal nationalist, whose primary complaint is that the Voice is not delivering sufficient privileges to an indigenous elite. She calls instead for a Treaty. Her positions, though, have undoubtedly struck a chord with layers of the population, including indigenous workers and youth, who have been through bitter experiences with various indigenous advisory bodies.

Socialist Alternative does not oppose Thorpe because she is a pro-capitalist Aboriginal nationalist. Indeed, to the extent that the organisation criticised the Voice in an earlier period, their positions tended to echo those of Thorpe. Instead, Thorpe is condemned by Socialist Alternative for failing to line up behind the Labor government.



In classic redbaiting fashion, failure to support Labor is presented as an alignment with the far-right. This is connected to Humphreys assertion that any opposition to the Voice will help the racist right score a victory against Indigenous people. The only legitimate position is to fall behind Labor, or one will contribute to a major setback in the struggle for indigenous rights.

The issue is that neither Humphreys, nor the Labor government, nor the advocates of the Yes campaign, are able to say how the Voice will advance the interests of ordinary indigenous people. It is, he acknowledges: shallow symbolism, and the campaign to support it by the Labor government, NGOs, prominent Indigenous figures and corporate Australia is undoubtedly moderate and conservative. It does not seem to occur to Humphreys that this is precisely why the Voice is in a crisis, not pervasive racism among ordinary people.

Humphreys own argument distills, in a peculiar form, the character of Labors campaign itself. There is no real pretence that the Voice will resolve anything, especially the social crisis facing ordinary indigenous people. Instead, there is a moralistic insistence that it must be supported, as a symbolic step forward, lest the No vote prevail and racism score a victory.

That this has nothing to do with left-wing, let alone socialist and working-class politics, should be clear. It is the argument of a layer of the upper-middle class anxious to align with a right-wing, big business Labor government, as it conducts an offensive against the working class and deepens the drive to war with China.

Socialist Alternatives positions also have nothing to do with a genuine fight against racism. The greatest factor facilitating the rise of far-right forces internationally is the absence of an independent movement of the working class. The suppression of the class struggle, and the apparent dominance of right-wing bourgeois parties such as Labor, enable fascistic forces to posture as alternatives to the status quo and to pitch to mounting social anger.

The fight against the far-right is thus, above all, a struggle for the political independence of the working class, something Socialist Alternative bitterly opposes. Its entire position is the opposite: to subordinate the working class to the Labor government and to prevent the development of an independent socialist movement.

The claim that there is no alternative but to fall into line behind Labor is a fraud.

The alternative is the Active Boycott campaign being advanced by the Socialist Equality Party, against the pro-business racialism of the official Yes and No campaigns. The SEP is connecting its fight against the whole anti-democratic referendum to the development of a movement of the working class against war, austerity and capitalism, the system that is responsible for the oppression of indigenous workers and youth and the brutal exploitation of the working class as a whole.

Note: Under conditions of compulsory voting, which makes it a crime to urge a boycott of the vote itself, the SEP calls on workers and youth to register their opposition by casting informal ballots and join our active boycott campaign in the lead-up to October 14, that goes well beyond the individual act of voting.

Authorised by Cheryl Crisp for the Socialist Equality Party, Suite 906, 185 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000.
Wednesdays warmongering anti-Russian diatribe at the United Nations by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has made clear that German imperialism, guilty of the most horrific crimes in human history, is again on the warpath. Hitler and his gang of mass murderers are dead, but their political legacy lives on in the policies of the German government.

Scholz condemned those who call for an immediate ceasefire in the Ukraine war. Rather, the German chancellor cynically declared, Peace without freedom is oppression. Peace without justice is a diktat.

Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a high level Security Council meeting on the situation in Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023 at United Nations headquarters [AP Photo/Mary Altaffer]

Scholz portrayed Russia as waging a war of annihilation against Ukraine, using murder, torture and the mass extermination of civilians as instruments of state policy. Russian troops have murdered, raped and tortured. They are razing towns and villages to the ground, Scholz said.

Such language actually describes the crimes in the Second World War perpetrated by Nazi Germany, which waged a racially motivated vernichtungskrieg (war of extermination), involving the deliberate starvation and mass murder of civilian populations, accompanied by the extermination of Eastern Europes Jewish population.

In a 1963 speech at Georgetown University, US President John F. Kennedy described the impact of the Second World War on the Soviet Union. At least 20 million lost their lives, he said. Countless millions of homes and farms were burned or sacked. A third of the nations territory, including nearly two-thirds of its industrial base, was turned into a wastelanda loss equivalent to the devastation of this country east of Chicago.

Even during the Cold War, the leader of American imperialism felt obligated to acknowledge the horrifying toll of the war on the Soviet Union.

But now a leader of Germany condemns peace with a country whose population German imperialism had sought to exterminate. This exemplifies the extent to which a filthy desire to avenge its World War II defeat by the Soviet Union has taken hold throughout the German political establishment, along with the increasing prominence of openly fascist political parties in German politics.

Scholz is not just speaking as an individual. He is speaking for German imperialism, which tried twice to subjugate Russia in the 20th centuryand failed.

At the UN, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for Germany to be given a seat on the security council. At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded Russias exclusion from the body.

Scholzs provocative remarks are aimed at escalating the war being waged by NATO and German imperialism against Russia.

Many historians have argued that Hitler made a major strategic blunder in December 1941 when he declared war on the United States while engaged in a savage war against the Soviet Union. This time the German ruling classat least for the time beingconsiders it far more advisable to wage war against Russia in alliance with the United States.

German imperialism saw the dissolution of the Soviet Union as an opportunity to expand its influence in Europe. It instigated the break-up of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. And in 1999, it participated in the US-NATO bombing of Serbia in order to hive off Kosovo. Now it is resuming its old war and great power policies in Ukraine and against Russia.

In the First World War, one of Germanys war aims was the creation of a Berlin-dominated Ukrainian vassal state.

In the Second World War, Hitler renewed this policy, and the brutal subjugation of Ukraine was a major component of the war of extermination against the Soviet Union. He invaded the Soviet Union with the support of pro-Nazi and violently anti-Semitic Ukrainian nationalists led by Stepan Bandera, who is now honored as a hero by the present-day regime in Kiev.

Between 1941 and 1944, Hitlers Wehrmacht occupied western and central Ukraine and established the so-called Reichskommissariat Ukraine. It was administered by the Berlin Reich Ministry for the Occupied Eastern Territories, which was led by the Nazi chief ideologist Alfred Rosenberg. For millions of Ukrainians, Nazi rule meant exploitation through forced labor, massacres, and systematic extermination of the Jews.

Germanys involvement in the Ukraine war is rooted in this imperialist tradition. In its renewed drive to the East, the German ruling class, as in the past, is pursuing long-term imperialist interests that far outweigh the immediate economic impact of the Ukraine war on Germany.

The war in Ukraine is also a struggle for raw materials, notes a strategy paper by the federally owned foreign trade agency, Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI). The paper declares that Ukraine has large deposits of iron, titanium and lithium, some of which are now controlled by Russia. Under the guise of reconstruction, German business is working to secure its influence in Ukraine. The same plans exist for a Russia after Putin.

A central role in these machinations is played not only by leading politicians and the media but also by academia. At the beginning of September, Humboldt University hosted the photo exhibition Russian War Crimes, which echoes the atrocity propaganda of the Nazis and avowedly serves the goal of escalating the Ukrainian war. At the same university, the right-wing extremist Professor Jorg Baberowski claims that Hitler was not vicious because he did not want to hear about Auschwitz and the mass extermination of the Jews at his dinner table. Baberowski is courted and financed internationallyamong others by Princeton Universityand defended against criticism by the university administration and all the parliamentary parties.

The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, SGP) has consistently fought against the return of fascism and militarism in Germany. In 2014shortly after the pro-Western coup in Ukrainethe SGP warned of the implications of the resurgence of German militarism:

History is returning with a vengeance. Almost 70 years after the crimes of the Nazis and their defeat in World War II, the German ruling class is once again adopting the imperialist great power politics of the Kaisers Empire and Hitler. The speed of the escalation of the war propaganda against Russia recalls the eve of World War I and World War II. In Ukraine, the German government is cooperating with the fascists of Svoboda and the Right Sector, which stand in the tradition of Nazi collaborators in the Second World War. It is using the country that was occupied by Germany in both world wars as a staging ground against Russia.

Now this policy is being put into practice. Germany and NATO are engaged in a military confrontation with Russia, which can escalate into a nuclear Third World War. The international working class must develop its own political counter-strategy. There is only one way to prevent a catastrophe: building a powerful socialist antiwar movement of workers united internationally against war and its cause, capitalism.
Presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks at a campaign event at UAW Region 1 headquarters in Warren, Michigan on September 9, 2020. [AP Photo/Patrick Semansky]

On Friday, US President Joe Biden announced that he will travel to Michigan on Tuesday to join the picket line of autoworkers amid the angry demands of rank-and-file autoworkers for an all-out strike by the UAW against the Big Three auto corporations.

Reversing an announcement just two days prior that a team would not be sent to Detroit and that the White House would continue to monitor the situation remotely, Biden posted his travel plans on X (formerly Twitter) at 5:00 p.m. on Friday.

In the post, Biden said he would, join the picket line and stand in solidarity with the men and women of UAW as they fight for a fair share of the value they helped create.

As he has claimed previously, Biden added, Its time for a win-win agreement that keeps American auto manufacturing thriving with well-paid UAW jobs. The Democratic Party president, a lifelong representative and defender of capitalist exploitation, has yet to explain exactly what he means by a fair share, a win-win agreement or well-paid UAW jobs.

Biden announced the plan to travel to Michigan within hours of a Facebook livestream broadcast by UAW President Shawn Fain that announced further expanded strikes at 38 GM and Stellantis aftermarket parts distribution centers (PDCs) that will have no impact on automotive production.

The calling out on strike of 5,600 workers at the PDCs is a continuation of Fains fraudulent Stand Up Strike program that had UAW members at just three auto factories go on strike when contracts at Ford, GM and Stellantis expired at midnight on September 14. Meanwhile, the UAW leadership is telling nearly 90 percent of autoworkers to continue working, ceding the power to the auto companies.

Bidens upcoming trip to Michigan has been reported in the corporate media as a response to an invitation during the Facebook livestream where Fain said, We invite and encourage everyone who supports our cause to join us on the picket line, from our friends and families all the way up to the President of the United States, we invite you to join us in our fight.

Fains request and Bidens announcement suggest that the Presidents trip to Michigan is part of carefully orchestrated arrangements between the White House and the union bureaucracy to contain the growing struggle of autoworkers against the UAWs refusal to call all 150,000 members onto the picket lines.

According to Jeremi Suri, a presidential historian and professor at University of Texas at Austin, Bidens plan to join a picket line will likely be the first time in US history that a president has done so. As Suri told Reuters on Friday, Its very rare for a president to visit strikers.

If he follows through on it, Biden is taking the unprecedented measure of joining a picket line not to side with autoworkers against GM, Ford and Stellantis, but on behalf of the entire American corporate and financial elite. His aim is to divert attention away from the growing anger of rank-and-file autoworkers and buy time for Fain and the UAW leadership to conclude a new sellout agreement with the Big Three.

Biden is also visiting Michigan as part of his campaign for reelection in the 2024 presidential campaign. While the UAW has yet to officially endorse Biden for president, it is just a matter of time before the union gives its backing to the incumbent Democratic Party candidate. Bidens stage-managed trip to Michigan provides the UAW bureaucracy with the means to follow through and complete its endorsement.

Meanwhile, Bidens trip will take place one day before former President Donald Trump, the fascist front-runner for the Republican Party presidential nomination, is scheduled to deliver a primetime speech to an audience of current and former union members in Detroit.
In an attack on the democratic rights of the entire working class, late Wednesday night the Biden administration announced that it would deploy an additional 800 active-duty soldiers to join the 2,500 National Guard soldiers currently patrolling the border, mostly in Texas and Arizona. According to the White House, the soldiers will assist 24,000 Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents and 2,600 non-uniformed officers who are already deployed.

Guardsmen stand watch next to a wall of concertina wire along the banks of the Rio Grande, Friday, September 22, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. [AP Photo/Eric Gay]

This is the second time in the last five months that the Biden administration has ordered a mass deployment of soldiers to the southern border. In May, the administration announced the deployment of 1,500 troops to join the federalized National Guard soldiers who have been deploying to the border since early 2018.



The administration has been quick to point out that the troops will not be engaged in directly apprehending migrants. Instead, they will oversee watchtowers and process migrants at holding facilities, freeing up CPB and Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) forces to accost and harass migrants.



Prior to the 1980s, US military personnel rarely deployed to the border. An exception was the Mexican Revolution, which began in 1910 and lasted through 1920. However, beginning with President Ronald Reagan and the war on drugs, US military personnel were increasingly deployed to the border to assist police in immigrant and drug interdiction.



The war on immigrants, including the use of the military to patrol the border, is a bipartisan policy. In 2006, President George W. Bush launched Operation Jump Start, which began a pattern of successive US presidents, including Obama, Trump and Biden, authorizing mass deployments of soldiers to the border. The Brennan Center notes that the current federal mission at the border was first authorized by President Trump in 2018, under the name Operation Guardian Support.



[I]t has been continued for more than two years by the Biden administration, wrote the Brennan Center this past May, which dropped the name Guardian Support but otherwise shows no signs of winding the mission down.



Many migrants crossing the border without authorization do so only because they have been denied any legal path to enter the country. On Friday, CNN reported that in interviews with dozens of migrants crossing the border at Eagle Pass, Texas, many said they had been waiting months for their digital applications filed with the CPB One system to be either approved or denied.



The deployment of soldiers to the border is partly in response to thousands of migrants, mostly families and workers from Venezuela, attempting to cross the US-Mexico border in the last week. On Wednesday, the mayor of Eagle Pass declared a state of emergency due to the influx of immigrants.



Coinciding with the deployment of soldiers, the Biden administration announced it would be extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to the roughly half-million Venezuelans who migrated to the country before July 31, 2023, along with immigrants from El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan. Those eligible for TPS can apply for a work permit and protection from deportation, for a fee.



Anti-immigrant policies, first enacted under Trump and continued under Biden, have had deadly consequences for hundreds, if not thousands, of human beings, including children, in the last year. On Thursday, police near Eagle Pass said they recovered the body of a man, believed to be in his 40s or 50s, floating in the water near an inhumane marine barrier that features razor blades. While the man did not have any identification, police said they were confident he was an immigrant.



The day before, on Wednesday, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced that a three-year-old boy died when his family tried to cross the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass. According to police, as the family was trying to cross the river, the boy was swept away in the current and drowned.

Migrants who crossed into the U.S. from Mexico pass under concertina wire along the Rio Grande river, Thursday, September 21, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. [AP Photo/Eric Gay]

In an interview on Fox News with Laura Ingraham, Lt. Chris Olivarez, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety, confirmed that a 10-year-old child had died crossing the border the week prior.



Under President Biden and unified Democratic control of Congress, the US-Mexico border in 2022 was the deadliest land route for migrants worldwide on record, according to a report released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which is part of the United Nations.



The IOM documented 686 deaths and disappearances of migrants on the US-Mexico border in 2022, which represents nearly half of the 1,457 migrant deaths and disappearances recorded throughout the Americas in 2022. In its statement, IOM notes the figure is likely an undercount, due to missing official data, including information from Texas border county coroners offices and the Mexican search and rescue agency.



The fact that we know so little about migrants who disappear in the Americas is a grim reality, said Marcelo Pisani, IOM regional director for South America. The impacts on the families left behind to search endlessly for a lost loved one are profound.



Not a single Democrat, including New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of the Democratic Socialists of America, has attacked or even publicly questioned Bidens further militarization of the border.



While Democrats remain silent, fascistic Republicans are howling over Biden and the Department of Homeland Security granting TPS protection to Venezuelan migrants who have been here in some cases for years, yet unable to legally work.



Fascist Stephen Miller, the architect of Trumps anti-immigrant policies, and frequent Fox News guest, railed against TPS on the Laura Ingraham show, characterizing it as lifelong forever amnesty.



The purpose of this initiative, Miller hissed, is to accelerate the already record-breaking illegal immigration into this country. Miller then echoed the Great Replacement fascist conspiracy theory, telling Ingraham:

The sheer numbers, I have never seen anything like it. This is a slow-moving, purposeful, encouraged, invasion of the country happening. Thats whats happening. Everyone can say, Thats not whats happening. Thats rude Thats what you call it.



Speaking in front of roughly 1,000 people on Wednesday, Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump once again promised that if elected he would reinstate his travel ban and expand it to deny entry to all communists and Marxists to the United States.



Trump added that he would invoke immediately the Alien Enemies Act to remove all known or suspected gang members  the drug dealers, the cartel members, from the United States, ending the scourge of illegal alien gang violence once and for all.



The Alien Enemies Act was infamously used by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt during World War II to deny entry and detain thousands of mostly Japanese, but also German and Italian individuals.
CHICAGO  A Chicago man convicted of fatally shooting five people during a 2016 home invasion has been sentenced to life in prison.

A Cook County judge on Thursday sentenced Lionel Parks, 35, who was convicted in July in the December 2016 killings at a drug dealer's home on the city's South Side, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

Four of the victims, Elijah Jackson, 36; his pregnant sister, Shacora Jackson, 40; Shacora Jackson's daughter, Nateyah Hines, 19; and Scott Thompson, 46, were found fatally shot at the scene.

A fifth person, 19-year-old Shakeyah Jackson, died more than 10 months later of injuries suffered in the attack at the home. A family member who was 22 years old at the time of the attack was also shot but survived by playing dead, authorities said.

Prosecutors said Parks went to Elijah Jackson's home in Chicago's Fernwood neighborhood to socialize with him twice on Dec. 17, 2016, before returning a third time that day and forcing his way inside with an armed accomplice.

Parks and the second gunman ransacked the house looking for money and drugs before shooting the victims and fleeing, prosecutors said.

Only Parks was charged in connection with the killings.
MATTOON  The Exchange Club of Mattoon recently attended "A Cirque Night Out" at Eastern Illinois University's Doudna Fine Arts Center.

The Exchange Club meets every Wednesday at the American Legion in Mattoon at 7 a.m. Community members are invited to attend.

The Exchange Club's next event will be their Ladies Luncheon held at Warren James at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 5.

Social events, fundraisers for Mattoon High School scholarships and support of the Children's Advocacy Center are just a few activities the club is involved in this year.
Knott's Berry Farm has fired a few incendiary shots at Disneyland.

The California theme park  located just down the road from Disneyland in California  mocked a recent accident at the House of Mouse's OG resort in which the beloved Fantasmic show's giant Maleficent dragon accidentally caught on fire.

Several guest-filmed videos of the Knott's Scary Farm Halloween event earlier this week show a giant dragon ablaze during a show called The Hanging: Uncancelled.

"Oh, f--- me!" one of the characters says as the dragon catches on fire, before explicitly referencing Disneyland by name as well as the city in which the park is located. "Where'd you guys get this thing from? Anaheim?"

Representatives for Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland did not immediately respond to EW's request for comment.

Disneyland's Maleficent dragon made headlines this past April after an apparent malfunction caused the 45-foot-tall structure to burst into flames mid-show, prompting Disney to temporarily suspend similar pyrotechnic effects at all of its parks around the world.

"The dragon's head started to glow, and I see fire and kind of smoke coming out," Disneyland guest Elaine Gilmer told local news, describing the accident at the time. "I was like, 'Oh... they added some new stuff because that didn't happen like that before.'"

The Maleficent dragon at Disneyland's Fantasmic show

Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort The Maleficent dragon at Disneyland's Fantasmic show

Though Knott's Berry Farm was established in 1920  35 years before Walt Disney opened Disneyland  and largely caters to different audiences, the parks have regularly engaged in a playful rivalry due to their close proximity.

Watch Knott's Berry Farm parody Disneyland's burning Maleficent dragon in the video above.

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

Related content:
Fox News host Jesse Watters seemed thrilled this week to call attention to the alleged acceptance of bribes by Democratic New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez . Watters repeatedly tried to connect the senators behavior with that of Hunter Biden while also insinuating illegal activity by President Joe Biden . Menendez, also chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has been charged with accepting bribes for exerting his influence to help businesspeople and the government of Egypt.

Watters took his first sideswipe at Biden and son Hunter by saying, But instead of sending the bribes through a maze of shell companies like the Bidens, Menendez got gold bars delivered to his house.

There has yet to be evidence presented that President Biden accepted bribes or broke any laws, but son Hunter has faced charges for tax crimes. Watters questioned why the Biden administration is choosing to pursue Menendez now.

Mendendez and his wife accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes, according to prosecutors. The charges include bribery, fraud and extortion. The FBI found approximately $500,000 in cash at Menendezs home, as well as a large quantity of gold and a Mercedes-Benz.

So, you can see the Bidens now snickering at Gold Bar Bob  Can you believe this guy?' Watters said.

He continued, noting, The FBI found $500,000, in cash, stuffed in official Sen. Menendez windbreakers, hanging in his closet. Whats that doing there? Was it too lumpy under your mattress?

But this was all found in a raid on Menendezs home that took place last year, so Watters wanted to know why it was only coming to light now.

Menendez has been walking around Washington knowing Bidens agents have a stack of his gold bars, ready to drop at any minute. God, Biden must have been squeezing Bob, Watters said. And then they drop these gold bars on Menendez a week before the Joe Biden impeachment inquiry opens into bribery. Is this so that they can say, Now thats real bribery over there?

A number of Democratic politicians have called for Menendez to resign.

The host continued his speculation, saying, Joe Biden was never caught with gold bars and cash up into his windbreaker. And you know this was a partisan prosecution, because the Southern District of New York indicted Gold Bar Bob, not the U.S. attorney in New Jersey.

Watters went on to question whether Menendez was just a thorn in Bidens side, noting that Menendez was previously indicted for bribery in another case under the Barack Obama administration while Joe Biden served as vice president  but Menendez escaped a conviction thanks to a hung jury.

The Fox News host also noted Menendez has disagreements with Biden on foreign affairs, citing Menendezs more conservative stances on those issues. Watters included a shot at Bidens support for Israel, claiming that Menendez loves Israel while Bidens attitude is Eh, not so much.

So Menendez is cooked, and President Biden has a wider lane in foreign affairs now, Watters claimed. But, were getting to know Joe Biden, arent we? He sees an obstacle, and he doesnt move around it  he removes it.

Watters displayed a graphic of former President Donald Trump, Menendez, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried and Elon Musk.

Trump, indicted, Watters began. Menendez, indicted. Mini-Madoff  took the money, indicted. Elon Musk, investigated four times  the indictments coming.

Watters expanded, adding, Youre unvaxxed, youre fired. Bidens cagier than we give him credit for. He did exactly what Bob Menendez did, but every time investigators got close, they were obstructed. Hunter was tipped off, and the CIA and the FBI covered for him.

At the end of the segment, Watters concludes, So whats the difference between a Menendez and a Biden? Nobody effs with a Biden.

Earlier in the segment, Watters traced the scandal back to the senators wife, Nadine.

Gold Bar Bobby proposed at the Taj Mahal in India  classic Bob move, Watters said.

In a song choice that may seem extra unfortunate at this time, Menendez proposed with a song from The Greatest Showman. Watters played a clip that includes the senator singing, Towers of gold are still too little. These hands could hold the world, but itll never be enough.

Continuing, Watters stated, And it was never enough for Nadine. She wanted more, more, more.

Watters detailed the story of how the senators wife apparently introduced Menendez to a group of Egyptians, including dining out together, before taking a trip to Egypt and meeting with Egyptian intelligence and military officials.

Now, as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Gold Bar Bob held sway over arms packages and foreign aid. Gold Bar was leveraging billions in American aid in exchange for family bribes and no-show jobs, Watters said. Now, where have I heard that before? Just like the Bidens, their text messages, Gold Bar Bob also tried shutting down investigations into the business partners who were bribing him.

Watters showed a text from Menendez to his wife, which read, I am going to sign off this sale to Egypt today.

Menendez was trying to plant the right prosecutor in office to look the other way so that the money would keep flowing. God, it just sounds so familiar, Watters said, again making a not-so-subtle jab at the Bidens without providing specific evidence.

And, the whole time he was compromised by foreign agents, he was accusing other people of being foreign agents, Watters said, followed by a clip of Menendez talking about Donald Trump potentially being a Russian intelligence asset.

Menendez was an agent of Egypt, accusing Trump of being an agent of Russia, Watters summarized.

Watters opened the segment all too happy to bring up the propensity of New Jersey politicians for corruption, with text along the bottom of the screen reading NJ POLITICIANS LOVE TO BE BRIBED. He cited Robert The Torch Torricelli, a New Jersey Democrat who served in the Senate from 1997 until 2003 before dropping out of a re-election campaign after a campaign finance scandal involving lavish gifts.

You can watch the full clip above, if youd like to see Watters dive deeper into what he believes is a full-fledged conspiracy by the Bidens and continuing to equate the Menendez couple and the Bidens.

The post Fox News Jesse Watters Compares Bidens Behavior to Sen. Bob Menendez Accepting Gold Bar Bribes (Video) appeared first on TheWrap.
Police have a manhunt underway for a murder suspect who was accidentally released from jail due to a clerical error.

According to the Indianapolis Star, the Minnesota Police Department has been searching for Kevin Mason since September 13. The 28-year-old was arrested on warrants for homicide, parole violation, and possession of a firearm in connection to a shooting in Minneapolis in 2021.

The U.S. Marshals Service has issued a $10,000 reward for information that'll help with Mason's capture. Officials stated in the reward that Mason may be in either Indianapolis or Minneapolis. NBC News reported that Mason was arrested and detained at the Adult Detention Center in Indianapolis on September 11.

However, one of the record clerks messed up Mason's bookings, which led to his release from prison. The sheriff's office announced two people were fired in relation to the bookings mishap.

"On September 12 one of our inmate records clerks thought she was correcting different bookings for Mr. Mason," Marion County Sheriff's Office Col. James Martin said on Tuesday. "She removed two of the holds, leaving one additional hold for Mr. Mason. The next day, on September 13, Ramsey County, out of Minnesota, lifted the last and final hold that we had booked on for Mr. Mason."

He added, "Our clerk that was reviewing it sees three Minnesota holds, didn't realize what she was doing obviously. It's a critical error, critical mistake."

Law enforcement managed to gain ground in the manhunt as they arrested Desiree Oliver on Wednesday and charged her with helping Mason, according to Fox 59. In a statement, the sheriff's office gave Mason and anyone helping him a stern warning.

"We're going to be very aggressive in pursuing you," Martin said before mentioning those who might be assisting Mason. "We will find you. We will criminally charge you, just as we did Desiree Oliver."

In August 2021, Mason was charged with second-degree intentional murder and illegal weapons possession over the shooting death of Dontevius Ahmad Catchings. According to law enforcement, the two fought over a gun outside a funeral when gunfire erupted and resulted in the fatal shooting of Catchings.

"To find out that they have finally caught this man that we'd been waiting on to get caught for all these years, two years, and for him to freely walk up out of there and have a freedom of joyness, just like, 'I escaped my punishment.' You know, it's like a slap in our face all over again," said Sharita Catchings, the mother of Dontevius.

More on this
Kandi Burruss has an entrepreneurial spirit. The Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member has opened restaurants and produced films and Broadway shows. But at her heart, Kandi will always be a chanteuse, and she has a brand new track that's proving her vocals are as strong as ever.

As mentioned, Kandi doesn't only do business in the studio. She and her husband Todd Tucker own Atlanta's Old Lady Gang and Blaze restaurants and may open more eateries in the future. In a recent interview, Todd even teased that a Mexican hotspot could be their next venture.

And of course, Kandi and Todds new film, The Pass, got plenty of buzz (and you can check it out on Peacock). Co-starring Kandi's castmate Drew Sidora, the Peacock movie was a hot topic of conversation on Season 15 of RHOA (peep the clip above.) But through it all, Kandi never lost a beat of music-making. In her recent social media posts, the singer teased a fresh track.

Kandi Burruss releases "Only for You"

In a September 22 post on X (formerly Twitter), Kandi shared the album art for her new single, "Only for You." It featured Kandi in a fishnet top, jeweled hoop earrings, and thick black eyeliner. "My new single 'Only for You,'" is live now, she shared, linking to a preview of the track. Check out the first couple of minutes from the upbeat bop here.

There's more news on the "Only for You" front. The official video will launch on Sunday, September 24, and you'll be able to watch it on YouTube.

Kandi Burruss smiling in front of a shelf filled with vinyls.

Kandi Burruss attends Ladies Of The A - Breaking Bread & Ceilings Dinner on August 10, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo: Prince Williams/WireImage

Todd reacted to the musical news with a sweet Instagram post for his wife. Showing off a short teaser of what appears to be the official video, the enterpeneur wrote: "Its for me ah yah yah!," riffing off the song lyrics. He added: "Get [Kandi's] new song ['Only for You.']" In the video, Kandi wears a sheer, sparkly black outfit while lying on satiny pink sheets.

Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker pose for a photo together.

Todd Tucker Says Hes Found His Calling While Sharing a Career Update

Recently, it was Kandi's turn to share a congratulatory post for her husband. Showing the latest issue of SUAVV magazine, which has Todd on the cover, Kandi wrote on Instagram: "My man, my man, my man [Todd Tucker] is a cover man now! So proud of everything hes accomplished & what he has coming next! Check out his interview in [SUAV Magazine]."

Kandi Burruss Is Finally Opening the Doors to Her Sex Dungeon  And You're Invited

During the interview, Todd teased plans to bring back The Dungeon burlesque show. It has since been revealed that the show will come back this October for "one night only." The teaser added, "The tickets for Welcome To The Dungeon are officially on sale! Dont miss out. October 21st its going down!"

Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker pose for a photo together.

Todd Tucker and Kandi Burruss attend The 76th Annual Tony Awards at United Palace Theater on June 11, 2023 in New York City. Photo: Getty Images
Welcome back to Long Story Short, your weekly podcast for all things Central Illinois news. This week, Jack, Kelsey and Tim are joined by Candace Summers of the McLean County Museum of History.

The crew discusses:

the Cemetery Walk, hosted by the museum at Evergreen Cemetery;

the Pretrial Fairness Act;

Fields of Gold, a new documentary about Decatur legend A.E. Staley;

harvest season safety.

To read more about any of the stories mentioned this week, find our full reporting at pantagraph.com, herald-review.com and jg-tc.com or download our apps, available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Subscribe to "Long Story Short" for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts.

Music by Diamond Tunes.
Were less than a month away from the theatrical release of Martin Scorsese s Killers of the Flower Moon. The $200 million historical epic, based on David Granns nonfiction book of the same name, tells the story of a series of murders targeting wealthy Osage Nation members in Oklahoma during the 1920s.

In addition to the inevitable excitement that always accompanies a new Scorsese movie, the film has been praised as one of Hollywoods most serious efforts at telling Native American stories accurately. Scorsese invited the Osage people to play a large role in the film, consulting with leaders and hiring many local crew members during the Oklahoma shoot. Killers of the Flower Moon also features Native American actors in prominent roles, most notably the films breakout star Lily Gladstone , who has earned early Oscar buzz for her role as Mollie Burkhart.

More from IndieWire

In a new interview with British Vogue, Gladstone offered a nuanced opinion about the films success. While she admitted that one major film is not a panacea for all of the problems that Native Americans face in Hollywood, she also dismissed concerns that Scorsese lacked the proper heritage to direct it. As she sees it, collaboration with A-listers like the Goodfellas director is necessary until Native filmmakers achieve the stature to make their own projects with studio budgets.

Nobody is going to hand an Osage filmmaker $200 million, Gladstone said. Theres a level of allyship thats absolutely necessary.

In the same interview, Gladstones co-star Leonardo DiCaprio echoed her sentiments about Native American representation in Hollywood. He explained that he sees Killers of the Flower Moon as a first step towards offering more accurate portrayals of tribal stories in Hollywood and hopes that it paves the way for more comparable films.

Hollywood has a long history and checkered past in its depiction of Native American people, DiCaprio said. We need to do more. You know, we are coming towards a great reckoning of our past. The more that these stories can be told in a truthful way, the more it can be a healing process.

Best of IndieWire

Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
For Eliv Nichols, Tallahassee has been home for over two decades. Her artistry is a fine balance that celebrates her Colombian culture with the beauty of belonging she has found in her Tallahassee community. Get a look at her work at the Visions of Gratitude Exhibition at the Artport Gallery through Nov. 2.

Mesmerizing mangos

Anyone who owns a mango tree in Florida knows to clear space in their fridge and freezer throughout the summer months. The warm ground cushions the fruits fall. It gives its owner enough time to peel, puree, spread, whip, bake, saute, or freeze them. Yet, few have thought to paint them.

Lucky for Tallahassee, artist Elvi Nichols has captured the drama of the mango in her paintings and is here to share it at her first solo show, "Visions of Gratitude," displayed at the Tallahassee International Airports Artport Gallery. I felt the need to paint mangos hanging on the tree. I never wondered why. It was just like when you feel that you want a piece of chocolate [and take one], laughs Nichols.

Tallahassee artist Elvi Nichols has her first solo show, "Visions of Gratitude," at the Artport Gallery through Nov. 2, 2023.

Nichols arrived in Tallahassee after 42 years in Colombia, looking for a fresh start. Although she is naturally a creative person, she never imagined this leap would lead to a new artistic chapter. As a child, Nichols danced as a way of disappearing into her own body and mind while becoming wholly absorbed in the music. Today, she finds the same level of satisfaction and absorption in her paintings.

She admits that her roots influence her work in the colors and textures she so amazingly captures. When I was about 5 years old, we lived in a house with a big back yard in Barranquilla, Colombia - filled with trees and fruits, and in the middle, there was this big mango tree, shares Nichols. I remember the sweet smell in the early morning, the mangoes hanging on the tree with their rich colors, ripe yellow, orange-pink.

These memories fill her mind and have These memories fill her mind, then her canvas with ready-to-pick, mesmerizing images.

Tallahassee artist Elvi Nichols has captured the drama of the mango in paintings in her first solo show, "Visions of Gratitude," on display at the Artport Gallery through Nov. 2, 2023.

Finding joy in something new

Nichols came to painting later in life. The beauty in discovering an artistic passion as an adult can be found in the freedom from external pressures to succeed or please. Instead, Nichols paces herself and confidently creates a process that fits her life and artistic style. Nichols credits artist Darlene Arthur McBride for introducing her to oil painting. Nichols worked with McBride to improve her skills and accentuate her paintings by attending lessons and adopting McBrides technique.

I have tried to follow her process. I do a sketch, then a wash with raw umber, and then [I add] the colors, says Nichols. Finally, I use Liquin Original and varnish after I am totally sure that I am finished with the painting and it is dried.

Since her first class with McBride in 2017, Nichols has developed into a fine artist whose work has been featured across Tallahassee. From her earlier exhibits at El Jalisco SouthWood and Art in the Park Downtown to later shows with 621 Gallery and City Hall, where her painting was chosen to remain on display at the Commissioners Room on the 4th floor for one year. Nichols's paintings center around one emotion: joy.

I painted for my own joy and personal growth. Then I noticed that some friends enjoyed them and rekindled sweet memories, so I knew that I was on the right path. Giving joy [through my paintings] is so rewarding, " Nichols exclaims.

The landscape of joy

Nichols continues to spread joy as she develops and explores new styles and techniques to expand her artistic process. She finds inspiration in the treetops, lakes, and shimmering sky that radiates above Tallahassee. The landscapes she paints vibrate with infinite tones and hues that display a love for color.

I didnt know that there were so many greens and so many yellows mixed with so many blues that would give these varieties of colors. I never knew that a hint of red was important to give a more natural color, says Nichols.

Joy surrounds Nichols in many ways. She celebrates 25 years of living in the United States and being married to her husband. Additionally, this year marks her first solo show, "Visions of Gratitude," featuring works that highlight other lush locations around Tallahassee.

She invites audiences to find playfulness in her discovery and an all-around good vibe from her work both in person and online through her Inside the Artists Studio virtual tour held on Oct. 5 via Zoom. She hopes that this show reflects the joy she has discovered for the painting process as well as introduces everyone to her signature mangoes and the purple and pink sky of her beloved Tallahassee.

If you go

What: Visions of Gratitude Exhibition | Inside the Artists Studio virtual tour

When: Exhibit through Nov. 2 | Oct. 5 via Zoom 5-6 p.m.

Where: TLH Airport Art Gallery | Online at tallahasseearts.org

Cost: The first 30 minutes of parking at the Tallahassee International Airport is free

Contact: info@tallahasseearts.org | 850-224-2500 x6. For more information and to register for the Zoom, visit: tallahasseearts.org

Dr. Christy Rodriguez de Conte is the feature writer for the Council on Culture & Arts (COCA). COCA is the capital areas umbrella agency for arts and culture (www.tallahasseearts.org).

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: From mangoes to 'Gratitude,' painter finds 'joy and personal growth'
The amateur poker player, who said he had terminal cancer to raise money to enter the World Series of Poker Main Event, has now been banned.

Poker Player Lies About Having Cancer

MEGA

In June, 37-year-old Rob Mercer from Vallejo, California said he had cancer in an effort to raise money, which he needed to buy into the World Series of Poker main event, which took place in Las Vegas in July.

Trending:

Kroy Biermann Shoots Down Kim Zolciaks Request, Divorce Full Steam Ahead

Lil Tay Alleges Abusive Father Created Instagram Death Hoax

The Heartbreaking Words Angus Cloud Told His Mom The Night He Overdosed

Kim Zolciak Wants Divorce Axed, Still Has Sex With Husband Kroy Biermann

8 Mile Actor Nashawn Breedloves Cause Of Death Remains A Mystery

Mercer created a GoFundMe to raise the money. Many fans donated money to the poker player as they were touched by his. story. In the end, he reportedly earned between $30,000 and $50,000, which allowed him to enter the tournament.

However, Mercer eventually admitted to lying about his cancer diagnosis, telling the Las Vegas Review-Journal, I shouldnt have told people I have colon cancer. I did that just as a spur-of-the-moment thing when someone asked me what kind of cancer I had.

Fans first began questioning the poker players diagnosis due to his behavior in the July event. He reportedly provided vague responses to questions about his cancer diagnosis and failed to provide proof of his alleged terminal colon cancer diagnosis.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal also reported that several people saw Mercer gambling in a casino, where many approached him about his behavior, which, in turn, Mercer to become defensive.

I did lie about having colon cancer, Mercer admitted. I dont have colon cancer. I used that to cover my situation. Because he believes he has breast cancer, the poker player says he has no intentions of returning the money he gained through his GoFundMe.

At the end of the day I lied to a lot of people because I was scared to tell the truth, Mercer said. And I guess Ill have to pay for that.

Poker Player Now Banned

MEGA

Following his apology, fans took to social media to express their disgust.

So @WSOP or @gofundme please tell me youre going to do something about this!!!! There are people who truly need help. This lying piece of  needs to understand the impact he had in pulling this stunt. (1/?), one fan wrote.

As one user asked, Do you think the actions of poker player Rob Mercer, lying about having terminal cancer to raise $30,000 for a tournament, deserve forgiveness or should they face severe consequences for their deception and misuse of funds?

And one fan called him disgusting, writing, As an actual poker player/dealer that has survived colon cancer this guy is absolutely disgusting & a disgrace to the poker community.

As the news went viral, GoFundMe found out about the hoax, and the poker player has now been banned from GoFundMe. Plus, all of the donations have been refunded.

A spokesperson for GoFundMe told TMZ those who donated to Mercer's fundraiser have been fully refunded, and he has been banned from using the fundraisng site in the future.

The company stated they have zero tolerance for those who "exploit the generosity of our community," adding that GoFundMe often works with law enforcement investigations into those "formally accused of wrongdoing."
The Mayor of Flavortown is no stranger to the Ocean State  in fact, Food Network star Guy Fieri has featured multiple local eateries on his show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" and his wife is a Rhode Island native (he married the former Lori Brisson of New Providence in 1995).

(Fun fact: The Food Network itself has its roots in Rhode Island. The Television Food Network, known today as The Food Network, began Nov. 23, 1993, by Colony Communications, which was owned by the Providence Journal Co.)

Here's a list of Ocean State spots to make Triple D.

Crazy Burger Cafe & Juice Bar

Crazy Burger Cafe & Juice Bar in Narragansett will be featured on "Triple D Nation: Flavortown Favorites," a show in which Fieri revisits some of the best restaurants he had featured in the past, according to a post on their Facebook page.

He first visited Crazy Burger in Season 8, Episode 3, "Stacked, Stuffed and Loaded," and, according to the Food Network, he "marveled at the menu featuring more than 30 burgers, including the roasted tempeh Poco Loco Vegan Burger or the Mahi Mahi Taco Burger."

Crazy Burger Cafe and Juice Bar has been a popular destination at 144 Boon St., Narragansett, since 1995.

Crazy Burger, which opened in 1995 and is located at 144 Boon St., is a longtime local favorite, and got some national attention when it made Yelp's Top 100 Burgers in America list back in May. Yelpers loved the Goofy Gorgonzola Burger, the plant-based burgers and the Mahi Mahi Taco Taco Burger.

Evelyn's Drive In

Located on Main Road in Tiverton, perched above Nanaquaket Pond, Evelyn's Drive-In has made a name for itself over the past 34 years as a popular waterfront tourist destination in the summer months. Known for its classic dishes: lobster rolls, New England and Rhode Island-style chowders, clam cakes, crab cakes, Evelyn's lobster chow mein rocked Fieri's world. "As wrong as it is, it's right," he joked on the show.

Dining with a view: Evelyns Drive-In is set on picturesque Nannaquaket Pond in Tiverton.

Aunt Carrie's

On the episode, Fieri said he'd been coming to Aunt Carrie's, a Rhode Island "legend," when he visits his in-laws, and on the show, he learns from owner Elsie Foy how to make clam cakes (in what he described as a "cement mixer"). Aunt Carrie's has been serving clam cakes and more at 1240 Ocean Road for over 100 years. In fact, it's a James Beard Foundation America's Classics winner for offering a taste of its place.

Aunt Carrie's has something most clam shacks do not: a dining room.

Destination Narragansett: Some of the best restaurants that capture the essence of summer

Louis Family Restaurant

According to Fieri, Louis Family Restaurant, located at 286 Brook St. in Providence, gets "16 tickets to Flavortown" for its BBQ Chicken & Cheese Ravioli, which is made from scratch with 16 ingredients. You'll get big portions of really delicious food, from the meatloaf dinner or lasagna to the grilled pumpkin muffins.

Louis Family Restaurant is an iconic breakfast and lunch spot on Brook Street, serving students of Brown University, and the neighborhood.

Edgewood Cafe

Fieri visited Edgewood Cafe, located at 1864 Broad St., Cranston, in his "Pubs & Grubs" episode. Located in the historic Edgewood section of Cranston, the BYOB spot is owned and operated by Chef John Walsh, a Johnson & Wales alum. Fieri particularly enjoyed the littlenecks over pasta.

Anthony's Seafood

Anthony's Seafood, at 963 Aquidneck Ave. in Middletown, was featured on Season 15, Episode 8, "Burgers, Noodles and Quahogs." As the title suggests, he got to try a stuffed quahog, but he also loved the more unique Kung Pao Calamari.

Anthony's Seafood in Middletown serves up nearly a half-pound of hand-picked meat with a little peppered mayonnaise and chopped celery. A leaf of lettuce placed between the bun and the lobster helps prevent sogginess.

Italian Corner

This Italian market and deli, located at 10 Boyd Ave., East Providence, was featured on the "Handcrafted" episode. Owner Massimo Dell'Olio showed Fieri how he makes the Brasato Sandwich, which was likened to an Italian roast beef sandwich. Fieri lamented the fact that his late father-in-law, who liked to travel around Rhode Island with Fieri trying out different Italian delis, could not be there to try it. Fieri also got to see how Dell'Olio makes tortellini. Italian Corner recently posted that it was ending its Saturday night sitdown dinner service to focus on the deli and catering business.

You can pick up all you need to whip up a delicious dinner like this at The Italian Corner in East Providence.

Angelo's Civita Farnese

Angelos Civita Farnese Restaurant, 141 Atwells Ave., Providence, (was featured in the "East Coast Comfort" episode, in which Fieri enjoyed the braciola  thinly sliced beef rolled and wrapped around spices  and the meatballs and fries smothered in marinara sauce. Angelo's features large booths and Italian classics  a "people pleasing menu," according to Projo food editor Gail Ciampa, who counts Angelo's among Rhode Island's best Italian restaurants.

Angelo's Civita Farnese serves up calamari in its family business on Federal Hill in Providence.

Mediterraneo Caffe

Fieri left Angelo's and headed across the street to Mediterraneo Caffe, 134 Atwells Ave., Providence, where he tried spaghetti a la vongole, little neck and baby neck clams sauteed in white wine and served with white sauce, and another Italian classic, chicken piccata. Fun fact: Even Steven Spielberg has visited this Federal Hill restaurant. Former Mayor Vincent A. "Buddy" Cianci Jr. had a regular table at the Atwells Avenue restaurant. Mediterraneo Caffe closed in 2015.

Fieri visited Mediterraneo on Atwells Avenue in 2012, but the restaurant closed in 2015.

Liberty Elm Diner

Fieri visited this now-shuttered diner in Season 8, Episode 8, "Comfort Classics," and enjoyed some RI classics, johnnycakes and coffee milk.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Guy Fieri visited these RI restaurants for Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
Some people will do anything to get a part in a show, especially the lead.

Thats the spirit behind the off-beat and popular off-Broadway hit Ruthless! The Musical, which spoofs Broadway musical traditions while adding touches of horror films.

The musical, which has been described as a cross between Gypsy and The Bad Seed, begins Wednesday at The Players for a run through Oct. 15. Scott Keys directs the production, which opens the companys 94th season.

Allie McLaughlin, left, plays a young girl who would kill for the lead in her school show, and Jennifer Baker plays her worried mother in Ruthless! The Musical at The Players.

Allie McLaughlin plays 8-year-old Tina Denmark who opens the show by singing that she was Born to Entertain. But her mother, Judy (played by Jennifer Baker) just wants her to have a normal childhood and put off her performing ambitions for a while.

However, when an unusual agent named Sylvia St. Croix (Heath Jorgenson) encourages Tina to audition for the lead in her school show, Pippi in Tahiti, The Musical, strange things start happening around them.

The cast also includes Leslie Van Brink, Shawn Marie Spears and Nancy Denton. Carl Haan is the musical director. Performances are Sept. 27-Oct 15 at The Players inside the Crossings at Siesta Key Shopping Center, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Suite 1130; $30, $13 students 24 and younger; 941-365-2494; theplayers.org

The cast of Dingbat Theatre Projects Peter Pan rehearses for performances at the Loveland Performing Arts Theatre.

Peter Pan

On the heels of its hit summer production of Chicago, the Dingbat Theatre Project returns with a new adaptation of J.M. Barries enduring story Peter Pan. Dont expect the musical version you have seen for decades. The company promises it is the same story you know and love with a twist.

The companys theater space at the Loveland Center is being transformed into a fort-like space decorated with cushy pillows. Floor seating (with pillows) is available for children and others. Co-founder Luke Manual McFatrich directs and designs the scenery, and he is also playing Peters fairy friend, Tinker Bell. The company said the production has been inspired by Brechtian and story theater styles and incorporates timeless popular songs.

Liz Pascoe plays Wendy Moira Angela Darling, a girl on the edge of young adulthood, who dreams of playing among the stars. She is swept away to Neverland by Gretchen Beaumier as Peter. Kim Kollar plays both Mrs. Darling and Captain Hook, Kelly Leissler Jr. is Smee. Austin Howeth and Sarah Johnson play Wendy's younger brothers Michael and John, and the lost boys are played by Laura Grieme, Emily Uritz and Debbie White. The cast also serves as narrators, pirates, mermaids and puppeteers during the production.

Arts Newsletter: Sign up to receive the latest news on the Sarasota area arts scene every Monday

Broadway, pop, comedy and more: From Gipsy Kings to Hamilton Van Wezel books favorites and new stars for 2023-24 season

Performances are Sept. 27-Oct. 8 at the Loveland Performing Arts Theatre, 157 S. Havana Rd., Venice. Tickets are $12-$40. For more information: Dingbattheatre.org

Two film musicals that began as stage shows will be screened this week. At 1 p.m. Sept. 29 in the Historic Asolo Theater, The Ringling will show In the Heights, the film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Mirandas Tony Award-winning show. 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota; $20, $18 members, $10 students with ID; 941-359-5700; ringling.org. And at 8 p.m. Sept. 30, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall will present a screening of the 1975 cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, with live performers leading audience members through some of the beloved dances, songs and twists in the story. The screening is hosted by actor Barry Bostwick, who played Brad Majors in the film. 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $42-$72; 941-263-6799; vanwezel.org

And Florida Studio Theatre opens a new season of its original cabaret series with Up on the Roof, a revue that looks back at the myriad of hits that emanated from the Brill Building in Manhattan, where such songwriters as Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Burt Bacharach, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller created the sound of the 1950s and 1960s.

Jannie Jones, who has starred in countless FST shows, returns, sharing the stage with Brandon Wardell, Jacqelyne Paige and Joey Panek. Sept. 27-Feb. 4, Florida Studio Theatre Court Cabaret, 1265 First St., Sarasota. Tickets are $18-$39. 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org

Follow Jay Handelman on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Contact him at jay.handelman@heraldtribune.com. And please support local journalism by subscribing to the Herald-Tribune.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Young actress would kill for a role in satirical musical Ruthless!
A first trailer has been unveiled for Nicole Midori Woodfords feature debut Last Shadow at First Light, which world premieres at the New Directors strand of the San Sebastian Film Festival.

The film is in competition for the New Directors Award. Starring acclaimed Japanese actor Nagase Masatoshi (Sweet Bean) and newcomer Shirata Mihaya, the film follows a teenage girl (Shirata) with a special ability to communicate with the spiritual world as she goes on a road trip from Singapore to Japan. On arrival, she is chaperoned by a cynical uncle (Nagase) to uncover the mystery of her strange dreams and her mothers disappearance years ago. Tsutsui Mariko (Harmonium, A Girl Missing), Peter Yu (A Land Imagined) feature in supporting roles.

More from Variety

The feature is presented by Jeremy Chuas Potocol (Singapore), Shozo Ichiyamas Fourier Films (Japan), Studio Virc (Slovenia) and Happy Infinite Productions (Philippines), executive produced by Jermyn Wong and Sally Ng in co-production with Nocturne Films (Singapore), Purple Tree Content (Singapore), Fire and Ice (Philippines), Hello Group (Singapore), KawanKawan Media (Indonesia) and cogitoworks (Japan) in association with Prism Pictures (Japan) and True Colour Media (Singapore).

The cinematography was provided by Woodfords regular collaborator, Hideho Urata, who shot Golden Leopard winner A Land Imagined and Plan 75.

Chua said: By soulfully exploring the aftermath of an apocalyptic event, the film examines how trauma leaves an indelible mark on its survivors that ripple onto close family relationships. Crafting evocative atmospheres and elemental textures as metaphors for hauntings, hallucinations and dreams, the director delicately weaves the supernatural and the lyrical into a mystical road trip for the senses.

Woodfords shorts include Permanent Resident (Clermont-Ferrand, 2017) and For We Are Strangers (Busan, 2015). She directs commercials at Eric Khoos Zhao Wei Films. Her episode of their HBO Asia horror series Folklore premiered at the series section of Tokyo Film Festival in 2021.

Woodford said: The story was inspired by a conversation I had with my Japanese grandmother after she suffered a stroke. She told me she had missed the train that very morning of the Hiroshima atomic blast and narrowly escaped death. This near miss encounter changed her perspective on life and she decided to leave Japan. Knowing this helped me understand how she moved on despite encountering trauma. I became interested to explore trauma as a cyclic undercurrent that recurs throughout life with repercussions on a person and the others connected to them.

The film is supported by the Singapore Film Commission, TorinoFilmLab, Creative Europe  MEDIA Program for the European Union, Slovenian Film Centre, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, Purin Pictures, National Arts Council Young Artist Award Grant, Talents Tokyo Next Masters Support Program, Kongchak Studios, White Light Post, VS Service and Crew United.

The project was developed at TorinoFilmLabs FeatureLab, SEAFIC Southeast Asian Fiction Lab & Produire au Sud, Talents Tokyo, SGIFF Southeast Asian Film Lab and marketed at Busan Asian Project Market, European Work In Progress Cologne and Udine Far East In Progress.

The 71st San Sebastian Film Festival runs Sept. 22-30.

Watch the trailer here:

Best of Variety

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Published by the Stanley Museum of Art and distributed by University of Iowa Press, "In a Time of Witness" highlights the museum's celebrated collection with original literary interpretations.

Is it simply a Jackson Pollock mural, or does it predict a future without definition or borders where humanity is at its best?

Or is it something completely different?

In a Time of Witness, a book published by the University of Iowa's Stanley Museum of Art, puts a unique spin on how consumers interpret art, highlighting the facility's permanent collection by partnering with more than 30 award-winning authors.

In 2008, during a particularly rainy spring, the University of Iowa Museum of Art was flooded and the damage was severe. A new museum opened last fall, unveiling a new era of art. The release of In a Time of Witness hopes to build off community excitement, gathering alumni and current students to celebrate the future.

The book dives into the meaning of several of the museum's offerings, hoping to guide visitors through an interactive experience they won't soon forget.

A university anchored by art

The newly reopened Stanley Museum of Art strives to highlight the University of Iowa's rich history with art.

An artistic "institutional reckoning" came to a head in 2020, when Derek Nnuro, curator of special projects at Stanley, and Art Director Lauren Lessing, noticed a shift in consumption.

They wanted to re-introduce art to the masses, inspiring the creation of In a Time of Witness.

The museum knew collaborating with the University of Iowa's Writers Workshop was the best way to demonstrate the institution's impact. In a Time of Witness allowed creative writers to share their interpretations of the museum's art. Rather than tapping the knowledge of art historians, the publication leans on literary artists to creatively describe the museum's work.

"Future Forms Future Worlds" is an interpretative poem by Juan Felipe Herrera in response to a Jackson Pollack mural featured in "In a Time of Witness."

Released a year after the Stanley reopened after being closed for 14 years, 'In a Time of Witness" signifies a new era for the museum. The book strives to show its readers why the institution is so important to Iowa City.

The Stanley is not the same museum we were when we closed, Lessing said. Ideally, we would not have had to wait 14 years to reopen a museum, but the timing was very good. Because we could build on the energy of all the changes happening in museums and our culture.

More: Iowa regents to seek smaller funding boost for state's universities in 2025

An interactive museum guide

In a Time of Witness is not simply a book; it allows guests to follow along inside the museum, transporting them to new worlds. Various works are accompanied by author interpretations, collaborating with its literary programs, such as the International Writing Program, the Literary Translation Program, and other University of Iowa programs.

The school's diversity inspired the museum to seek as many voices as possible.

We have been committed to this work long before that, but we found ourselves in a position where not only have you been committed to this work, but we are blessed, Nnuro said. Because we are part of this institution, we have access to all kinds of voices who can help us do this work and do it well.

"Eating Oysters with Andy-- A Fictional Interview Based on Real Events" is an interpretative piece written by University of Iowa graduate and American author A.M. Homes featured in "In a Time of Witness."

The museum aims to highlight diversity through innovative avenues, expanding beyond the museum itself. In a Time of Witness will be referenced in university and K-12 classrooms, ushering in a new wave of young artists. The book's stories and poems illuminate art from many periods while writers respond to today's art and consider what is to come.

The museum hopes to capitalize on art as an evolving entity, building on the excitement of the new facility, which opened in the fall of 2022. They want to share their various galleries and exhibits with everyone.

We are new in the sense that we have a new building, but we are new, which allows us to be new in terms of our vision as well, Nnuro said. Many cultural institutions are thinking about making art a lot more accessible to the masses. How do we tear down these walls that have been built that keep people out.

More: Music Column: Spaces to sing and play, the Long Fellow Front Porch Music Festival is Sunday

"In a Time of Witness," edited by Nnuro, is a working example of how art can sometimes struggle to include all walks of life and how it can be more appealing. The book hones in on the University of Iowa's long history of molding artists and helping them share their work with the world.

The University of Iowa is a great university for the arts and is a great place to start these changes. Were creating models for other museums to follow, Lessing said. We can experiment, we can take risks. This was a risk.

Art Museum release parties

The Stanley Museum of Art is hosting a pair of events to celebrate the release of "In a Time of Witness," encouraging guests to explore the gallery and immerse themselves in a series of programs.

Readings and Reception

When: Saturday, Sept. 23, 1-4 p.m.

Celebrated contributors of In a Time of Witness read their poems, short stories, and essays surrounded by the artworks that inspired their writing. An exclusive author meet and greet and gallery walk with music and light refreshments will follow.

Podcast: Museum Confidential

When: Sunday, Sept. 24, 1-2 p.m.

Jeff Martin, host of Museum Confidential, will lead a panel of guest speakers to explore the ideas that brought In a Time of Witness to life. The podcast will air on NPR in early October.

Generative Poetry Workshop

Sunday, Sept. 24, 2:30-4 p.m.

Part of a series of monthly writing workshops at the Stanley, this session will be hosted by special guest Efe Duyan, contributing author of In a Time of Witness.

Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@presscitizen.com.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Stanley Museum of Art's new book highlights university's local impact
Lindsay Hubbards friendship status with Danielle Olivera has changed following the formers split from Carl Radke.

Olivera, 34, was one of the guests invited to join Hubbard, 37, on her would-be bachelorette party trip to the Bahamas. (Hubbard and Olivera had a close friendship starting during season 2 of Summer House, which aired in 2018. Things shifted during season 7, which aired earlier this year, after Olivera was concerned about Hubbards engagement to Radke.)

Fellow Summer House star Sam Feher uploaded an Instagram Story video on Friday, September 22, of the two former besties dancing to Wilson Phillips Hold On. Both Olivera and Hubbard reposted the clip onto their pages.

We back baby, lets gooooo, Olivera captioned her post.

In the video, the two Bravo stars sang along to the tracks chorus. Don't you know? Don't you know, things can change / Things'll go your way, they belted, pretending to hold microphones in their hands. If you hold on for one more day.

Breaking Down Summer House Costars Lindsay Hubbard and Danielle Oliveras Feud: A Timeline

The two ladies were both beach-ready, with Hubbard opting for a teal one-piece swimsuit with ab cutouts and Olivera donning a green bikini and a matching robe.

Danielle Olivera and Lindsay Hubbard. Courtesy of Sam Feher/Instagram

Us Weekly confirmed earlier this month that Hubbard was still planning to take her bachelorette party trip despite Radke, 38, calling off their November nuptials.

After having a rough couple weeks, her friends convinced her they are not canceling her bachelorette party getaway, a source exclusively told Us. Lindsay is going to her bachelorette in the Bahamas [this weekend]. Her friends want to help get her mind off the horrible situation shes in and have some fun.

The insider added that the Hubb House founders circle  including costars Olivera, Feher, 26, and Gabby Prescod  wanted to take her away to be surrounded by the people who "support her the most.

Celebrity Splits of 2023: Stars Who Have Called It Quits This Year

The Summer House ladies have been documenting their September getaway via social media, which included dressing up for dinner, lounging at the pool and trying out flamingo yoga.

Us previously confirmed in August that Radke broke up with Hubbard while filming season 8 of Summer House, with a source telling Us that she was 100 percent blindsided and devastated by the split.

Radke subsequently sent a letter to the pairs wedding guests, apologizing for the last-minute cancellation. Hubbard broke her silence on the separation several days later and noted via Instagram that she was humiliated and heartbroken by the news.

Summer House Casts Dating History: Inside Lindsay Hubbard, Kyle Cooke, Paige DeSorbo and More Stars Love Lives

Olivera even vowed to have Hubbards back, promising to be the Charlotte York to Hubbards Carrie Bradshaw just like in the 2008 Sex and the City movie. (Charlotte tirelessly supported her friend after Carries fiance Mr. Big couldnt get out of the car on their wedding day.)
WORCESTER - Worcesters Cultural Development Division has put out the call for Worcester's next Youth Poet Laureate.

Current Worcester Youth Poet Laureate Adael (Ace) Mejia's term ends in December.

According to an announcement, the call to literary artists seeks poets ages 13-19 who have a significant connection to the Worcester community to serve a two-year term from Jan. 1, 2024, through December 2025.

Serving as the Worcester Youth Poet Laureate has been a tremendous honor and I am proud to advocate for youth voices across our city, Meja said in the announcement. It has been remarkable to impact people of all ages and engage with other youth through my poetry. Two years ago, I would not have imagined all of the opportunities, engagements and projects the Worcester Poet Laureate Program would lead to.

More: Color the City festival a celebration of Worcester youths' contributions

More: The Poet's Cauldron brewing up an exciting artistic mix

Mejia began his term in January 2022, succeeding Amina Mohammed, who served as the first Youth Poet Laureate for the City of Worcester and in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Worcester Youth Poet Laureate will receive an annual honorarium of $500 and a one-time $2,500 scholarship during their two-year term. During this time, the chosen individual will act as an official youth ambassador of Worcesters literary arts through public appearances, an annual commemorative poem and a variety of community collaborations.

It is imperative that we continue to empower our youth creatives by celebrating their talents and passion. Poetry has been a powerful avenue for youth to advocate for systemic change, express unique feelings, and heal wounds, said Cultural Development Officer Fabian Barracks. We cant ignore the significant role our youth play in preserving and transforming our culture through creative innovation.

Current Worcester Poet Laureate Oliver de la Paz will serve as a mentor, assisting the Youth Poet Laureate through their duties and helping them develop their poetic abilities.

I look forward to working with the next Youth Poet Laureate as we continue to amplify Worcesters dynamic voices and stories through the power of poetry and the spoken word, said de la Paz. Together, we will not only celebrate poetry, but we will also recognize the unique narratives of our community that unite us all.

Those interested in applying or nominating a qualified candidate are encouraged to join a virtual Youth Poet Laureate Application Workshop at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 18. During the workshop, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, learn about the program and review the application process with Mejia and the Cultural Development staff. Register for this Zoom workshop at https://tinyurl.com/mncw45n9.

The deadline to apply or to nominate a candidate is Nov. 12. More on the City of Worcester Poets Laureate program, including guidelines and a link to the current application, can be found at WorcesterMA.gov/Cultural-Development/Poet.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: City of Worcester puts out the call for next Youth Poet Laureate
A railroad worker is dead after being hit by a remote-controlled train on a CSX railyard in Ohio.

This is the third time a railway worker has been killed in an incident involving a remote-controlled train.

Unions are calling for an in-depth review of the use of the trains and update of safety protocols.

A railroad worker died over the weekend after he was struck by a remote-controlled train in a CSX railyard in Ohio, raising concerns among unions about such technology.

The death highlights the need for an in-depth review of the use of remote-controlled locomotives, the Transportation Communications Union and Brotherhood of Railway Carmen said in a news release Sunday. Every major railroad has used such locomotives inside, and increasingly outside of, railyards across the country for years.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the death, which happened shortly before 4 a.m. Sunday in Walbridge, Ohio. Spokesperson Keith Holloway said the worker was struck and fatally injured when he walked into the path of a moving locomotive that was being operated by remote control.

Fred Anderson is the third carman killed in an incident involving a remote-controlled locomotive, the unions said.

"Enough is enough. A full-scale review of the use and practices around remote-control locomotives is long overdue. CSX  and every railroad  must evaluate their use of these supposed technological advancements to ensure they are actually making our members safer, and not merely replacing people to continue lining the pockets of Wall Street," Transportation Communications Union National President Artie Maratea said in the news release.

CSX officials at the railroad's headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida, confirmed the accident but declined to discuss the details of Anderson's death because it is still being investigated.

"CSX mourns the loss of this employee and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. The safety of our railroaders is our highest priority. CSX is working with officials to determine exactly what happened," spokesperson Sheriee Bowman said.

The Federal Railroad Administration has approved the use of remote-controlled locomotives since 2005. They are primarily used inside railyards to help assemble trains. Regulators issued guidelines for railroads back then calling for precautions, including ensuring the trains don't operate at speeds above 15 mph, but there aren't detailed regulations on exactly how they can be used.

Typically, a railroad worker stationed on the ground near a train controls its movements with a remote, although sometimes that worker rides aboard the train while it is moving.

Railroad safety has been a key concern nationwide this year ever since a Norfolk Southern train derailed and caught fire in eastern Ohio in February. That crash prompted evacuations, lingering health concerns, a massive ongoing cleanup and calls for reforms.

CSX is one of the nation's largest railroads, operating trains in 23 Eastern states and two Canadian provinces.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Bella Rangel talks to people at the window of her food truck. (Steve Sadin/Lake County News-Sun)

Bella Rangel of Waukegan learned about cooking from her grandmothers recipes and her mothers ability to prepare them well enough to sell dishes to the public. She learned entrepreneurial skills at the Lake County Technical Hub and Business Incubator.

Combining the family dishes with her newly learned business skills, Rangel, 29, ended a career in the health care industry, and Bellas Kitchen food truck made its debut at Zion Nostalgia Days in June. Her mother, Lorena, is the chef.

Advertisement

It was definitely a challenge, Bella Rangel said. We had to unhitch the truck and get everything going. Then we saw the line of people, looked at each other and said Lets do this.

Talking inside Bellas Kitchen food truck are chef Lorena Rangel, left, and CEO Bella Rangel. (Steve Sadin/Lake County News-Sun)

Galilea Mendoza, 25, opened a smoothie bar in Waukegan in 2019, but the coronavirus pandemic made it hard for her to continue. Now she is teaming with her mother, Maribel, and her sister, Jimena, to offer the public much more.

Advertisement

There will be smoothies sold at the Euforia Cafe on Grand Avenue in Waukegan along with juices, coffee, waffles, crepes, ice cream and more, at what Galilea Mendoza hopes to make a community gathering place.

Were about woman empowerment, she Mendoza said. Its about entrepreneurship. Weve learned how to do this, and it allows us to follow our dream.

Bella Rangel officially cut a ribbon marking her creation of Bellas Kitchen Wednesday at the Hub in downtown Waukegan, where she honed her business skills; and the Euforia Cafe was scheduled to open Saturday at 2202 Grand Ave. sharing a dream of female entrepreneurship.

Arriving in the United States with her mother in 2001, Bella Rangel said one of the most valuable things her mother brought were the family recipes for dishes like pambazos, flautas, taquitos, gorditas and more.

When her mother was injured and needed surgery a few years ago, Bella Rangel said she started looking for a way to supplement the family income. She knew how well her mother cooked, and she started promoting it on social media. It worked.

One day, I put a message on my Facebook page selling her food for $5, Bella Rangel said. I was doing it to help my mother. People said I should start a business.

Bella Rangel, right, and Waukegan Ald. Edith Newsome, 5th Ward, cut the ribbon on the Bellas Kitchen Food Truck in Waukegan. (Steve Sadin/Lake County News-Sun)

Knowing she needed the necessary business skills to create a thriving business featuring the family dishes, she learned about the Hub and started a course in March with classmates primarily interested in the construction trades.

Shaquita Blanks, the program manager at the Hub, said Rangel was the only food vendor among the students in the class. Blanks said she learned about getting licenses and posting the necessary bonds for insurance purposes. Before the end of May, she was ready.

Advertisement

Licensing also included legally preparing the food at Tolucas Restaurant in Waukegan. Bella Rangel said the dishes are mostly cooked there and warmed in the truck, though it is equipped with a stove, sink and refrigeration. She graduated from a gas grill inside a tent.

Eddie Soto, the executive director of the Hub, said when Bella Rangle came to the Hub, she started to learn the necessities of starting a business He helped her develop a business plan and watched her grow.

She was very focused, very astute, Soto said. She really reached out to the community.

Shortly after Bella Rangel finished her class at the Hub, she incorporated and was on her way to being in business for herself. The truck arrives at community events and is also available for private gatherings.

Galilea Mendoza said the Euforia Cafe will operate from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. She said the smoothies will be packed with vitamins, and there will be much more for customers. There will be orange juice and a variety of cold press juices. La Colombe coffee will be sold.

Also the daughter of a Mexican immigrant, Galilea Mendoza said her mother came to the United States 30 years ago and worked in a factory for 25 years. The Mendoza family trio is ready for its customers.

Advertisement

Its been a slow process, but were very excited, Galilea Mendoza said.
Richard Craver Follow Richard Craver Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Novant Health has expanded its presence in southeastern North Carolina through acquiring Pender Medical Center in Burgaw.

The Pender County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Monday to authorize the transfer of the 25-bed acute-care hospital that also operates a 43-bed skilled nursing home facility in the area.

The board said the transfer is part of a larger plan to increase access to health care services across the county.

Novant has pledged to spend $50 million on capital investments over the next 10 years.

When the transaction is finalized by mid-October, the county will retain a majority of representatives on the hospitals Board of Trustees.

A strong team is already in place at Novant Health Pender Medical Center, and we look forward to building on their legacy of care in the years to come, said Jeff Lindsay, Novants chief operating officer.

Jackie Newton, who chairs the commissioners, said the Novant presence is another step toward improving Pender Medical Center, which serves about 21,000 patients annually.

The boards approval of this agreement today delivers on our promise to ensure the best access and care for all who need it, today and in the future, Newton said.

The commissioners began negotiating with Novant in September 2022 in considering whether to end the countys operating contract for the hospital.

The contract was inherited by Novant in January 2021 as part of its $5.3 billion acquisition of New Hanover Regional Medical Center. New Hanover had operated the hospital on a lease basis for 23 years before the sale to Novant.

Novant previously committed to a $210 million, 66-bed community hospital in the Scotts Hill community near the Pender County line that is projected to open in fall 2024.
Potatoes have been growing in South America for thousands of years and are a staple food around the world. In fact, these humble tubers are the highest-selling vegetable in the country due, in part, to the many different kinds of potatoes to make affordable, tasty, and filling dishes. Potatoes are grown in almost every state in the country but are harvested just once a year, usually in September and October. They're kept in cold storage and sold year-round in grocery stores and markets, so it's important to understand how to select fresh potatoes before you purchase them.

We reached out to Kathy Sponheim, a passionate fourth-generation potato grower and co-owner of Michael Family Farms, a family potato business that opened in the 1950s and now grows 30 different types of potatoes in Urbana, Ohio. Whether we're roasting potatoes, mashing potatoes, or trying to make the ultimate French fry, potatoes play a big part in some of our favorite snacks and meals. Take note of these tips to bring home the best quality spuds for your favorite potato recipes.

Read more: 17 Types Of Potatoes And When To Use Them

Choose Firm, Unwrinkled Potatoes

Whole white potatoes - Luoman/Getty Images

The first way to tell if those potatoes you're eyeing are fresh is to check how firm they are. There are a few reasons potatoes may soften that don't have to do with their freshness. If potato plants receive too much sunlight or are watered too much, they may become softer, and overly cold storage can have the same effect. But in general, Sponheim explains a firm consistency and smooth, unwrinkled skins point to freshness. She tells us: "When potatoes soften or have wrinkles that means they have started to lose water and are likely older potatoes -- or they haven't been stored in humidity-controlled areas."

We may not always think of our vegetables as alive, but potatoes are living organisms and have a life cycle just like every other plant. When the tubers are cut, they consume their own water supply to try to stay alive. As they age and sprout, potatoes use up additional moisture to support the new growth. So softness is a warning sign that those potatoes are over the hill. Potatoes that are just a little soft but look good otherwise can eaten, but if they are quite soft, mushy, or accompanied by an unpleasant odor, definitely pass them by.

Make Sure The Surface Is Free Of Cuts

Woman inspecting potatoes in store - Hxyume/Getty Images

Ideally, try to choose potatoes with skin that is intact and free of cuts. Unblemished skin is a good sign on a potato, but we may not always find perfect specimens when shopping. Sponheim compares cuts on the vegetable's surface to cuts on human skin. "Cuts in potato skins often heal themselves very well and are often not noticed if not a deep cut," she explains. However, just like human cuts, they can sometimes indicate more serious issues like bacterial growth or mold.

Visually inspect any cut potatoes for mold, and toss the pieces with anything more than a very small area of mold, which can be safely cut off. Check for a bad odor as well, which is another indicator of mold growth. If you end up with potatoes that have deeper cuts and don't want to waste them, then after checking for mold Sponheim advises to "simply slice around the cut like you would a tomato or strawberry stem top."

Select Potatoes Without Discoloration

sliced white potatoes on table - Margouillatphotos/Getty Images

Potatoes look like one of the sturdier vegetables, but they have their sensitivities too. Believe it or not, they can be quick to bruise. Try to choose potatoes without any dark areas, and handle them carefully both at the store and at home.

Sponheim clarifies that "dark areas or discoloration at the skin level represent bruises. This happens sometimes at harvest during handling." She notes that pressure bruises, another kind of bruising, can occur later on in the storage season. But don't toss those taters just yet. She states that shallow bruises can be cut off and won't affect the safety of the rest of the potato.

Another kind of discoloration can sometimes be found in the interior flesh. "If there is discoloration in the middle of the potato, that is often internal brown spotting, which sometimes occurs during the growing season based off nutrient and water intake," Sponheim says. As long as it's not extensive then the tuber can be salvaged. Sponheim explains, "Most of the time it is able to be cut around for cooking."

Pass Over Sprouts

potatoes with sprouts in bag - Beata Haliw/Getty Images

The life cycles of potatoes in stores aren't over just yet. If left long enough, they will grow shoots. "Sprouts are signs the potato is trying to grow into a potato plant and reproduce," says Sponheim. When shopping for potatoes, you shouldn't come across sprouts too often. Grocery stores have an inspection process and usually don't accept sprouting potatoes, Sponheim explains. They may sometimes accept pieces with very small sprouts that are shorter than a  inch when it's clear that the grower has applied treatment to halt their growth. "But very, very rarely would you see sprouts in the store unless they've been in the store a long time," she emphasizes.

Given that sprouts indicate aged potatoes, avoid them in the store if possible. You're more likely to encounter spuds sending out shoots at home after you've forgotten about them for a while. Either way, always cut off sprouts because they are toxic.

There's no need to toss the whole potato unless large sprouts have really taken over. Sponheim advises: "If the sprout is little, it can be cut out and the rest of the potato is okay to eat." However, if the sprout is longer than  inch she recommends just cutting off a quarter or half of the potato with the sprout on it because the rest of the potato is still safe. "It's just you don't want to eat the sprout or the area directly around the sprout," she adds.

Be Careful With Green Potatoes

potatoes with greenish skin color - Helin Loik-tomson/Getty Images

It's not uncommon to come across a green potato once in a while. Potatoes grow underground in the dark, and they undergo changes when brought out into the light. Greening is caused by a chemical called solanine, which builds up in the potato when it's exposed to light. "It's a shading process from light green to dark green," Sponheim tells us. "And the darker the green, the more of that is present."

Solanine not only changes the color of the potato, but it affects the flavor, too. "The greening causes a bitter taste and if eaten in large quantities can cause illness," Sponheim says. For that reason, be careful with green potatoes, but you don't need to waste them if the color change is mild. Sponheim advises: "If there is slight greening, just cut away the green portions before cooking." She explains that the color change is usually just skin deep, so peeling that skin off or cutting off that area of the potato will solve the problem. "You don't want to eat the green part," she says.

Choose Potatoes In Breathable Bags

potatoes in poly mesh bag - Nebasin/Getty Images

Make sure the potatoes you're considering buying are able to breathe. At the grocery store, look for those sold in perforated paper or plastic bags as opposed to solid bags, because they extend the shelf life of the product.

After harvest, Sponheim and other potato growers store their crops at 42 F until they're ready to ship to sellers. When the potatoes leave cold storage and are ready to go, they gradually return to room temperature and start to sweat. Sponheim points out that the evaporated moisture needs to escape from the bag or it will build up and cause bacterial or mold growth, and that's where the holes in the bag come in.

These bags are also called light blocker bags. Sponheim explains that the underside is perforated and they have a fully opaque, printed top made from a special material that prevents the light from reaching the potatoes. So the bags not only allow any moisture to evaporate out of the bag but prevent them from turning green from light exposure at the same time. "We have data on food waste reduction and several other things by using the light blocker bag," Sponheim tells us. "It costs a little bit more for us to package it that way, but it reduces food waste and it keeps the potatoes fresher longer."

Buy Local

potatoes sold at farmers market - Manny DaCunha/Shutterstock

Try to buy locally to increase the likelihood of finding fresh, good-quality potatoes. "We encourage folks to buy local when they can," says Sponheim, explaining that locally grown foods are both good for the environment and provide people with fresher fruits and vegetables. Consider prioritizing local farmers' markets or local farm stands. If that's not possible, Sponheim suggests trying to find local products at the supermarket: "If your grocery store prioritizes local or supplies information about 'know your grower' that helps consumers know where their potatoes were grown." She explains that if the store can show that they support local farmers, you can know that your food hasn't racked up miles by traveling long distances.

When buying potatoes locally, consider the time of year. Sponheim reveals that potatoes are harvested between August and mid-October in the general area of the country north of Kentucky. Potatoes sold at farmers' markets during this time are probably freshly harvested because small farms likely don't have long-term potato storage facilities like commercial operations do.

You needn't skip potatoes from commercial farms, though. Once harvest ends, growers like Sponheim store their potato crop in coolers with controlled ventilation, humidity, and temperature that cause the potatoes to hibernate. They are stored dirty and not washed until shipping day so they don't deteriorate and are available until the following summer.

Look For The Freshest Variety

many potato varieties on table - Rawpixel/Getty Images

What happens if the potatoes you're looking at look less than inviting? In this case, Sponheim's advice is to consider choosing different types of potatoes other than what you originally planned to buy. Keep an open mind if one choice doesn't check the boxes for signs of freshness. "Don't be afraid to try a different type of potato if say, what you normally buy is out of stock or if it looks older or lower quality," Sponheim says.

She continues that if someone normally buys Russet potatoes but either they're low on stock or not the freshest looking, look to try a yellow, round white, or red potato because, based on seasonality, it could be a lot fresher. The upside of this experimentation is that you may just discover new tastes and dishes you otherwise wouldn't have tried. "Different types of potatoes are used for different recipes," says Sponheim. "The best potato for a baked potato would be a Russet. The best potato for mashed would be a round white potato."

If you're looking to make soups or potato salads, she recommends buying a red potato because it will hold its shape. "If you're looking for a buttery smooth mashed or grilled potato, it could be a yellow," she says. While certain varieties of potatoes have ideal uses, she emphasizes that potatoes can be used interchangeably and trying a new kind can lead you to an exciting new dish or way of eating.

Don't Forget About Sweet Potatoes

sweet potatoes in basket - Piyaset/Shutterstock

You may be wondering if these tips apply to sweet potatoes. Sponheim clarifies that while potatoes are tubers, sweet potatoes are roots, so they don't always react the same way. For example, they don't turn green or sprout.

In terms of checking for freshness, she points out that there are similarities between the two. First, choose firm pieces without wrinkles because that means they're not dehydrated. Sweet potatoes can get bruises and cuts just like white potatoes, so she advises making sure these are not present because cuts can make them susceptible to mold.

Since they are a root, sweet potatoes are also more susceptible to mold in the area where they're cut off, so make sure they don't have any cuts or wetness in that area. As with any potato, pass over them if they show signs of rotting, which include a mushy consistency, bad odor, or dark black or brown spots.

Keep Potatoes Fresh With Proper Storage

basket of potatoes in cupboard - Rike_/Getty Images

After you've gone to the trouble of selecting the freshest potatoes, make sure you store them properly once you bring them home so they'll stay in great shape until you're ready to cook them. Many of us have had the disappointing experience of finding our potatoes looking sad and wrinkly or, even worse, growing curiously long green shoots like in an elementary school science experiment.

"Store potatoes in a cool, well-ventilated, dark place," Sponheim tells us. Storing your potatoes out of the light will keep them from sprouting for as long as possible. Make sure they're in a position to breathe, so don't bury them in a big pile. You can keep them in the perforated bags they came in or spread them out in a shallow layer to encourage airflow.

"Do not store [potatoes] in the refrigerator as colder temperatures cause the potato's starch to convert to sugar," Sponheim says. This transformation will make them taste slightly off. On the other hand, store them in a warm place and they will get shrunken and wrinkly. Make sure the area is dry too. "Don't wash potatoes before storing," Sponheim says. "Dampness promotes early spoilage." The last thing we want is moldy spuds. She finishes by saying that potatoes will keep well for a week or two if properly stored in a cool, dark area.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Britain's Queen Camilla plays table tennis as Britain's King Charles III, French President Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte Macron, and mayor of Saint-Denis Mathieu Hanotin, right, during a visit to a gymnasium, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 in Saint-Denis, outside Paris. (Bertrand Guay, Pool via AP)

PARIS (AP)  Playing ping-pong, strolling through a Bordeaux vineyard, dodging raindrops at a Paris flower market  Britains King Charles III and Queen Camilla paid a special state visit to France that at times looked richly royal, and at times strikingly ordinary.

There was plenty of pomp for Charles first journey to France as monarch, and red carpets every day. Champagne toasts at the Palace of Versailles. A standing ovation in the French Senate. Curtseying children waving British flags.

For a trip whose running theme was Charles concern about climate change, there was plenty of weather, too.

Wind whipped the evening gowns as guests arrived for the state dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte.

Rain doused well-wishers hoping for a glimpse of the royals visiting the working class town of Saint-Denis, riding a tram through the streets of Bordeaux, and admiring the flora at the Queen Elizabeth Flower Market in Paris.

The sunglasses came on for the royal couples final stop of the tour, to an organic vineyard. A moody llama snubbed the royal visitors, before they raised their wine glasses in farewell.
Though its been prominently featured in the pages of Architectural Digest, Zoe Buckman has been trying to sell her live/work digs in New York City for a little over a year now with no takers.

Sited in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Dumbo (short for Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass), the loft-style abode was once offered for as much as $5.75 million and previously listed for rent at $19,500 per month, but has now returned to the open market for a smidge under $5 million.

More from Robb Report

If the British-born artist and photographer does get anywhere near the asking price, she will just about break even. Records show the ex-wife of Friends actor David Schwimmer paid almost $4.6 million for the place a little over six years ago, back in summer 2017.

The primary bedroom is accented with an exposed-brick wall.

Tucked away on the fourth floor of Alloy Developments Brillo-warehouse-turned-residential building 185 Plymouthand described in the listing as a dream come true with an ultra-chic, warm and grand personalitythe unit features four bedrooms and three baths in 3,300 square feet of open-concept living space boasting wide-plank hardwood floors, exposed brick walls and high wood-beam ceilings throughout. Theres also a private 115-square-foot terrace with East River and city skyline views.

Highlights include a key-access elevator that opens into a combined living/dining room sporting a glass curtain wall overlooking a central courtyard laced with birch and red bud trees, along with a galley-style kitchen outfitted with open shelving and top-tier appliances.

A primary bedroom suite is equipped with a walk-in closet, along with a tiled bath flaunting dual vanities, radiant-heated floors, and a wet room hosting a clawfoot soaking tub and shower; and elsewhere are three additional bedrooms that could easily accommodate a studio, library or media room in the mix, plus an office nook and laundry room.

A colorfully tiled primary bath is spotlighted by a large wet room with a clawfoot soaking tub and shower.

The unit also comes with access to services and amenities like a 24-hour virtual doorman, bike storage and a fully equipped gym courtesy of a monthly $2,320 fee.

In an article earlier this year, Buckman told the New York Post she is selling because she needs more separation between where she lives and works. The loft will forever hold a special place in my heart, she said, as its where I made my best work to date.

Per the news outlet, she currently lives in a home in Brooklyns Bed-Stuy neighborhood, and is in the midst of her first solo show since 2019 at New Yorks Lyles & King gallery.

The listing is held by Jessica Campbell of Nest Seekers International.

Click here for more photos of Zoe Buckmans New York City loft.

Zoe Buckman Loft New York City

Best of Robb Report

Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
An aerial view of the hexagonal-shaped pyramid in Kazakhstan. Notice how the inner stone walls form a maze-like path that leads toward the burial site at its center.

Archaeologists in Kazakhstan have discovered a 3,800-year-old hexagon-shaped structure that they describe as a "pyramid." The maze-like structure is not as tall as Egypt's monuments, but currently stands about 10 feet (3 meters) high and likely served as an elite burial site.

The discovery is not like anything "found before in the Eurasian steppe," according to a statement from Eurasian National University in Kazakhstan.

"This pyramid on the territory of Eastern Kazakhstan was found this year," Ulan Umitkaliyev, the head of Eurasian National University's archaeology and ethnology department who is leading excavations at the site, told Live Science in an email. "It is hexagonal in shape, with megaliths weighing up to 1 ton [0.9 metric tons] placed in each corner."

While archaeologists use the term "pyramid" or "step pyramid" to describe it, the Bronze Age monument is unlike the pyramids found in Egypt . Its outer stone walls form a hexagon, the structure's inner walls look like a maze that leads to a grave at its heart. Parts of it were once covered by an earthen mound, Umitkaliyev added. It's not clear if there was ever a roof over part of the structure or whether it was entirely open air.

The people who lived in this region at the time built many graves and stone monuments and engaged in metal working and making jewelry. Their economy may have been partly pastoral  herding large numbers of animals across the Eurasian steppes.

Related: Bronze Age girl buried with more than 150 animal ankle bones, potentially to help her to the next world

A close-up of the burial site at the center of the pyramid.

The exterior walls of the pyramid are decorated with petroglyphs, or rock art of various animals, including camels and a multitude of horses, according to the statement. Horse bones were discovered just outside the pyramid and a horse cult likely flourished in the area at the time.

Radiocarbon dating of the pyramid's organic remains indicate that the structure was built during the 19th century B.C., Umitkaliyev said. "Similar monuments are found on the territory of Kazakhstan, especially in Central Kazakhstan," Umitkaliyev said.

Excavations at the site and analysis of its remains are ongoing, but so far archaeologists have found ceramics, a woman's gold earrings and other pieces of jewelry, the statement said. It is not clear if any human remains are still present.

The stone-lined burial at the center of the pyramid.

RELATED STORIES

Who built the Egyptian pyramids?

What did the ancient Egyptian pyramids look like when they were built?

What's hidden inside the ancient Maya pyramids?

Archaeologists are eager to learn more about the finding, but more information is needed before it can be scientifically evaluated, Karen Rubinson, a research associate with the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World at New York University, told Live Science in an email. Rubinson was not involved in the finding, but is an expert on the archaeology of the region.

For instance, scientific records and photographs of the artifacts and petroglyphs need to be published in order for scholars not involved with the excavation to properly analyze the monument, Rubinson said.

The newly discovered pyramid is located in Kyrykungir, an area that contains a number of ancient graves and monuments. It is located near Toktamys village, an area scientists at Eurasian National University have been excavating since 2014, the statement said.
Forget, for a moment, what you know about chimichurri: the verdant Argentinian sauce composed of fresh parsley and doused in olive oil and red wine vinegar. In Dominican cuisine, chimichurri refers to a burger. It's a beloved national dish that features a seasoned beef patty nestled between slices of pan de agua, a crusty-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside bread that's popular throughout Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. The sandwich also typically features juicy slices of tomato, red onion, and shredded cabbage in place of lettuce. The real star of the dish, though, is the generous helping of pinkish "chimi sauce" that gets slathered on top.

This mayonnaise-based condiment is creamy, tangy, and packs in some unexpected ingredients. Ask any Dominican diner about the most important part of a chimi burger, and they'll likely tell you that the chimi sauce has to be just right. Luckily, it's fairly easy to make  and comes with an interesting anecdote about how it (maybe) got its name.

Read more: 11 Things You Didn't Know You Should Be Doing With Bacon

Mayochup Could Never

Pink sauce in ceramic dish - Elena Veselova/Shutterstock

As unique as chimi sauce is, you probably already have its ingredients in your fridge. A classic version calls for equal parts mayonnaise and ketchup, plus a splash of orange juice and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. (If you find yourself with leftover sauce after making chimi burgers, you're more or less legally required to dip other foods in it.)

The rest of the chimi burger process is just as simple as the sauce. The burgers often call for mixing chopped red onion, garlic, and bell pepper into ground beef, along with salt, pepper, and another dash of Worcestershire sauce. While your patties cook, you can slice up your tomatoes, spoon out some quick-pickled (or plain) red onions, and toss shredded cabbage with some chimi sauce.

If you can't get your hands on a loaf of pan de agua, you can use any relatively crusty yet tender roll bread, or even French baguette in a pinch. Just don't add cheese; it's not traditional, and this sandwich is perfect without it.

Uncertain Origins

Dominican Republic flag on map - hyotographics/Shutterstock

No one seems to know exactly how the chimi burger started in the Dominican Republic or why it shares a name with the Argentinian sauce to which it bears little resemblance. For now, you'll have to rely on the popular theory that an Argentinian cook named Juan Abrales brought the recipe with him when he moved to the D.R. in the 1970s. If that speculation had some truth to it, perhaps Abrales called his sandwich chimichurri in the hopes that it would forge the same prolific path as his home country's favorite condiment. In that case, he would have been pretty successful.

If you're not up to the task of making chimi burgers at home, you might be lucky enough to live near a Dominican restaurant that serves them. Rapper and culinary personality Action Bronson has recommended heading to Washington Heights, where he would order from the food trucks parked along Amsterdam Avenue. One mobile kitchen, Chimi Luisa, has parlayed its popularity into a brick-and-mortar spot nearby. Brooklynites can always head to Puerto Viejo Restaurant in Prospect Heights, a long-running spot known for its singular take on the dish. Meanwhile, for Miamians there's the Chimi El Tigre truck, where the kitchen will load your burger with fried plantains, bacon, and even a fried egg. Still, whether you leave things to the professionals or not, you might as well whip up some chimi sauce to keep in the fridge.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.
Who is Erin Carter? ending explained. Seen here are Erin and Harper in Who Is Erin Carter?.

The Who is Erin Carter? ending was every bit as intense and action-packed as fans couldve hoped for and the final scenes were particularly intriguing.

If you loved the fight sequences in Luther: The Fallen Sun and the emotional mother/child relationships in The Pact season 2, then you might just have found yourself drawn in by Netflixs new drama. Set primarily in Spain, Who is Erin Carter? follows teacher Erin, whose seemingly idyllic life with her husband Jordi and daughter Harper is threatened by her past. Erin certainly knows how to fight and the seven-part show has been consistently in the top 10 in the UK for several weeks. But with so many secrets and revelations to uncover, some fans might have questions about the finale.

Here we explain the Who is Erin Carter? ending and all we know about the possibility of a Who is Erin Carter? season 2

*Warning: Spoilers ahead*

Erin in Who Is Erin Carter?

Who is Erin Carter? ending explained and who dies in the finale?

From the very first episode the Netflix drama didnt hold back on the intense action or emotional moments and so unsurprisingly the Who is Erin Carter? ending upped the ante even more with a finale that unravelled layers of secrets and lies. Thankfully the titular Erin, her daughter Harper and husband Jordi all made it out alive but they were the lucky ones as there were several high profile characters killed off in the Who is Erin Carter? ending, not least Harpers biological mum.

Throughout the series fans have learnt more about Erin (not her actual name, of course) and how she was trained as an undercover officer in the police and embedded in a dangerous gang.

She betrayed them during an attempted gold heist at Harwich International Docks and in the chaos gang member Lena - Harpers birth mother - had been apparently killed. Erin had taken Harper and settled in Spain, but in a manner similar to Laura in Pieces of Her, she took on criminals to save her daughter so skilfully that her cover story was called into question and her past started rapidly catching up with her.

Throughout the seven episodes of Who is Erin Carter? fans saw everything from the murder of Jordis friend and police officer Emilio being carried out, to a shoot-out and Erin jumping off a bridge to escape from criminals. Along the way it emerged that Lena was very much alive but in prison, only to discover that Erin was alive and had Harper.

Erin in Who is Erin Carter?

She broke out to get her daughter back, meanwhile the guy who bankrolled the Harwich job and has other criminal connections, Daniel Lang (played by Shetland star Douglas Henshall) is now out to get them. To Erin he was just a parent of a child at the school she was teaching at in Spain but by the time of the Who is Erin Carter? ending she knew the kind of man she was dealing with. After Lena shot Erin and left her to die on a mountainside, taking the gold she stole in the heist, things had taken an even more dangerous turn.

Ultimately, Lena ended up telling Daniel that Erin was policewoman Kate Jones whod been a mole and he set his sights on vengeance. In the end, he kidnapped Harper and Jordi and Lena confessed to her former-friend-turned-enemy-turned-adopted-mother-of-her-child Erin that shed made a deal with him to hand her over to save Harper.

Erin and Jordi in Who is Erin Carter?

With the Who is Erin Carter? ending suspense building, the two women take on Daniel and his men at his boatyard. Lena sacrificed herself, having previously acknowledged that Erin had been a good mum to Harper and teaming up with her. Then Erin faced Daniel, who had Jordi and Harper with him. Instructing her husband and daughter to leave the room, Erin drew her weapon quicker and shot Daniel, but not before hed scathingly told her, Youre not a teacher or a mother or police. Youre this.

Youd think something like this might break the Carter family apart but the closing scenes of the Who is Erin Carter? ending suggested that Jordi and Erins marriage is back on track and that theyre happily raising Harper.

Who is Erin Carter? ending explained. Seen here are Erin and Harper in Who Is Erin Carter?

The family are seen on a beach enjoying time together but just when it seemed like the high-octane show was ending unpredictably smoothly Erin came face-to-face with another figure from her past.

Fans of Death in Paradises Beyond Paradise spin-off might recognise star Jamie Bamber as Marthas ex-fiance Archie, but in the Netflix drama hes Erins former police boss DCI Jim Armstrong. And it looks as though he doesnt consider her time with the police over

Will there be Who is Erin Carter? season 2?

Sadly for fans theres currently no word on whether there will be a Who is Erin Carter? season 2, but the final few moments of the Who is Erin Carter? ending left the door wide open for one to be announced. Although it seems as though most of the loose ends have been tied up, we only really know about that one mission Erin went on for the police and presumably her training and time with them involved other potential entanglements with dangerous people too.

Erin in Who is Erin Carter?

Also, Jim wants Erin back in the undercover police world which opens up a whole range of potential directions for Erins story to be taken in a potential Who is Erin Carter? season 2.

Youre trouble Erin, Jim told her. But Ive always found a use for trouble.

Erin didnt seem like she wanted back into her old life at all as she said she already had a job as a teacher. But the fact that Jim had tracked her down suggested that hes serious about putting her skills to good use for the police again.

And although Erin told Jordi that there were no more secrets between them she didnt tell him about her brief conversation with Jim, setting up the possibility of more friction between them. Its also not known how Daniel Langs associates in the criminal world might react to his murder and it could be that Erin now has a price on her head.

Erin in Who is Erin Carter

Whatever path the writers might choose for a second season, either taking these plot-threads and running with them or creating an entirely new story for Erin, we cant help hoping there will be a Who Is Erin Carter? season 2. Until the shows future is confirmed, though, viewers will just have to enjoy the fast-paced action sequences and emotional scenes in season 1 all over again.

Who Is Erin Carter? is available to watch now on Netflix.
When Messe Frankfurts home textiles trade show Heimtextil returns this January, it will introduce new exhibition halls and a revamped sustainability section.

Held in Frankfurt, Germany, Heimtextil offers both finished home textile products and raw materials and fabrics for manufacturing home goods. The fair draws a global crowd of exhibitors and buyers; 90 percent of exhibitors are international, and attendees hail from 130 countries. As of early September, the show had booked 2,600 exhibitors, already surpassing the 2,400 exhibitors from the 2023 edition. We are very pleased about the exhibitor increase from almost every nation and across all product segments, said Bettina Bar, director of Heimtextil, during a press event in New York.

More from Sourcing Journal

The 2024 edition of Heimtextil, being held from Jan. 9-12, will introduce two new halls: one for carpets and rugs and another titled Asian Selection. Previously, rugs were showcased across the fair floors, but Heimtextil is bringing these together in one place. The products range from handwoven and knotted rugs to machine-made carpets. To-date, about 75 exhibitors have signed upmany of whom are first-time participantswith particular interest from Greece, China, India, Egypt, Turkey, Italy and Bangladesh.

Asian Selection joins Asian Excellence as a new exhibitor area. These halls, which focus on volume orders from manufacturing hubs in China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Hong Kong, filled up within weeks. Asian Selection will also contain country pavilions. We have an independent panel of experts who has picked high-quality producers to exhibit in these halls, said Bar.

In addition to new product halls, Heimtextil is revamping its sustainability hub. Previously referred to as Green Village, the area has been rebranded to Econogy, a portmanteau of economy and ecology.

Econogy is the new format for sustainability activities and content across Messe Frankfurts textile shows, including talks, educational outreach and networking. Econogy also standardizes the process of vetting companies for sustainability directories at the shows. Together with independent experts, the show organizers will check prospective sustainable exhibitors seals, certifications and their actions around the Sustainable Development Goals. Since 2019, Messe Frankfurts textile shows have been highlighting the SDGs in partnership with the United Nations Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network and United Nations Office for Partnerships.

At Heimtextil, there will be Econogy Tours that take attendees to sustainable exhibitor booths, and Econogy Talks will go deeper into eco-friendly education.

Another content focus will be the science of sleep. A Smart Bedding product hall will feature solutions from exhibitors including Lenzing and Wendre, as well as a Sleep & More conference featuring expert speakers weighing in on myths, technologies, best practices and bedding materials and design to get the best shuteye.

For the last edition in 2023, Heimtextil introduced a Fibres & Yarns segment, with raw material providers who specialize in inputs for decorative and furniture fabrics. This hall will return in 2024 on a bigger scale. Another three halls will be dedicated to Decorative & Furniture Fabrics, with over 300 weavers.

There will also be a focus on functional textiles in the Interior.Architecture.Hospitality section, which is geared toward contract textiles. This hall includes the Library, a display of fabrics selected by a jury. Visitors can take guided tours through this area to discover textiles with features such as flame retardancy, absorbance and light resistance.

Home textile trends

As part of the shows educational and inspirational content, Heimtextil will have a Trend Space and programming such as workshops and lectures. Heimtextils trends for 2024 and 2025 are themed New Sensitivity, speaking to how textiles are being transformed and created with thought to their environmental impact. This sensitivity includes maintaining ecological balance as well as responding to the interconnectivity of people, nature and technology with textiles that support biodiversity, mental health, digitalization and more.

Its about showing consideration andrespect for what we do, said Anja Bisgaard Gaede, founder of Spott trends & business, which is creating the trend content and Trend Space for the January show. And in our context, really showing consideration about the impact we were making when creating a product or making a decision.

As an example of this intersection, Kvadrats Clearview by Alfredo Haberli window treatment is constructed to allow for visibility outside while simultaneously reflecting sunlight, making heating and cooling systems more efficient.

Innovation is creating textiles that are more sustainable, and Heimtextil is highlighting three categories of developments: plant-based textiles, bioengineered textiles and technological textiles. In plant-based materials, some examples are cactus, banana fibers and seaweed. Bioengineering features textiles made from bacteria, protein, mycelium, as well as re-engineered fibers like biodegradable polyester. Technological textiles include upcycled and recycled materials. All of the solutions spotlighted were chosen not only for their sustainability credentials, but also for their potential to scale and have a significant impact.

The natural world also influenced the color trends for 24/25, with hues taken from avocado seeds, algae and bacteria as well as bioengineered pigments like indigo. We wanted both to have and create colors that evoke emotions, but also respecting our values and protecting the environment, said Bisgaard Gaede.

The aim of the trend section is to expand visitors textile expertise. At the upcoming event, Heimtextil Trends will again show ways in which the transformation of the home textiles industry is continuing, Olaf Schmidt, vice president textiles & textile technologies at Messe Frankfurt, said in a statement. They thus form the inspirational heart of our trade fair and translate global megatrends into textile visions.

Click here to read the full article.
Home canners are reminded to check the level of acidity in their bottling vinegar this year. | Adobe.com

This weeks health news includes two possible surprises and something most folks suspected but could not quantify.

Cyberbullying and disordered eating

Cyberbullying seems to increase the risk of having an eating disorder. And the impact is felt on both sides, the risk increased for both the bullies and the bullied, according to a new study in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.

Researchers from the University of California San Francisco examined data from 10,258 youths who were about 12 years old and in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study. Each adolescent filled out a questionnaire on whether they were ever cyberbullied or ever bullied others online.

They also completed the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia, which categorizes child and adolescent mental health concerns, including eating disorder symptoms, according to a release from the American Psychiatric Association.

Just under 10% of the adolescents had been bullied online, while slightly more than 1% had cyberbullied others. Those on the receiving end of the bullying had about twice the rate of concern related to weight, compared to the non-bullied. They worried about weight gain, linked their self-worth to their weight and tried to control their weight with inappropriate compensatory behavior like vomiting or overdoing exercise, binge eating and being distressed by binge eating.

The cyberbullies, however, had even higher rates of those concerns compared to adolescents who had not cyberbullied others. The exception was that cyberbullies and those who were not were about the same when it came to engaging in the inappropriate compensatory behaviors.

In particular, our study supports the use of strategies to teach early adolescents methods to navigate negative appearance-related online comments, the study said. Furthermore, adolescents who have experienced cyberbullying could benefit from eating disorder prevention programs to minimize the risk of eating disorder development.

Home pickling? Be careful

Pickling vegetables or making salsa at home? If youre using vinegar to acidify them, in order to avoid spoilage and unsafe pH levels, read the label and make sure you have vinegar with at least 5% acidity.

Some have less, say Virginia Tech food safety pros Melissa Wright and Lester Schonberger, who note that vinegar with less acidity cannot be used in home food preservation, as a release from the school published on Newswise reports.

Schonberger, associate extension specialist in the Department of Food Science and Technology, said that vinegar with 4% acidity must not be used for home canning.

The number is on the label  and if its not, dont use it for the task. If the concentration is listed in grains, not percentages, 10 grains equals 1% acidity, so a product needs at least 50 grains to be safe, according to Wright, director of the Food Producer Technical Assistance Network in the department.

Home canners and picklers can use vinegar with more than 5%, but its important not to cut the amount to try to make up for the fact its more acidic. When a recipe doesnt specify the acidity, using vinegar with greater than 5% acidity is an acceptable substitute as long as consumers dont use less vinegar than a recipe calls for, mistakenly thinking it evens out. And it should always be assumed that if a recipe doesnt specify acidity, its 5%, they said.

More wildfires, worse health

Wildfires are increasingly posing dire threats to health. According to a report in JAMA  the Journal of the American Medical Association  Canadian officials deemed fires there this summer the worst in the countrys recorded history, the smoke blanketing sections of the continent. Elsewhere, cataclysmic flames have torn through Maui, the Siberian Arctic, Algeria, Chile and Greece.

The Canadian wildfires smothered some American cities with the planets worst air quality, while U.S. fires were already covering some cities with smoke for 30 days a year. The JAMA article said in the last decade, nearly 9 in 10 U.S. residents saw increases in heavy smoke levels. A new report in Nature found that in 41 continental U.S. states, wildfire smoke is even stalling or reversing air quality improvement made since the beginning of the century, the article said.

An assistant professor of atmospheric science at Howard University, Joseph Wilkins, told JAMA that the fire season is beginning to stretch to year-round. The impact can be felt many miles from the fires, though the severity on health varies, hitting especially hard the countries and communities that have limited mitigation resources and strategies.

Per the Environmental Protection Agency, quoted in the article, When exposed to wildfire smoke, even over a few days, people may develop a cough, phlegm or difficulty breathing. Its very bad for folks with health issues, but even those who are healthy may have a temporary decrease in their lung function, as well as inflamed lungs from the particulate matter they breathe.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns of additional health effects of wildfire smoke inhalation, including headaches, chest pain, wheezing, asthma attacks, stinging eyes, a scratchy throat, tiredness, irregular heartbeat, irritated sinuses and more. The impact is likely to be worse for those with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart disease. CDC also says pregnant women, children and first responders working on the fires are especially at risk.

Particulate matter  the small kind labeled PM2.5  inhaled from wildfires may be especially toxic. And per a study published in August in JAMA Internal Medicine, PM2.5 pollution from agriculture and smoke is more strongly associated with dementia risk  than pollution from sources such as dust, traffic and coal combustion.
As many as one in three American Indian and Alaska Native people ages 65 and older are at risk of developing dementia. (Photo/Tribal Health)

The Indian Health Service (IHS) on Thursday, which was World Alzheimer Day, awarded $1,5 million in new cooperative agreements in various parts of Indian Country. In a press release, the IHS said it is reaffirming its commitment to building tribal and urban Indian health system capacity to address Alzheimers disease and related dementias.

The IHS Alzheimers Grant Program 2023 awards represent a continued investment in locally developed models that incorporate comprehensive approaches to care and service for American Indian and Alaska Native people living with dementia, and for their caregivers.

Almost everyone knows someone with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Unfortunately, many American Indian and Alaska Native people, their caregivers, and their families suffer in silence as the disease takes a devastating toll, IHS Director Roselyn Tso (Dine) said. With this additional funding, we bring resources to eight new communities to begin to increase awareness and recognition of the disease and improve the systems of care and services.

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.

After its inuagural allocation of funds last year, the IHS remains steadfast in its mission to support those facing dementia challenges in tribal communities, including both undiagnosed and diagnosed patients and their caregivers. These new awardees join current 2022 recipients efforts to continue designing and executing locally developed, innovative models that prioritize culturally competent screening, diagnosis, and management of persons living with dementia and their caregivers.

The 2023 cooperative agreement awardees include:

Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health System (Oklahoma) -- $199,928 -- aims to refine its patient-focused dementia care system for the rural, non-reservation, American Indian community, establishing a foundation for a culturally tailored treatment and broadening dementia care services, mitigating symptom effects on tribal elders, enhancing caregiver well-being, and decreasing health care expenses.

Cherokee Nation Health Services (Oklahoma) -- $198,250 -- will use grant funds to hire a patient services advocate, enhancing comprehensive dementia care by offering dedicated support to patients and caregivers, coordinating outreach, increasing awareness and early diagnosis, facilitating educational resources, and fostering community partnerships to benefit those affected by dementia.

The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes (Oklahoma) -- $200,000 -- will implement a new program to improve dementia support for Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal members. It will provide assessments, caregiver assistance, training for the Healthy Aging Team, and collect data on cognitive impairment prevalence.

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon (Oregon) -- $198,603 -- are unveiling a comprehensive, culturally tailored dementia program to address the growing needs of their community, focusing on early detection, caregiver support, and holistic wellness.

The Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe (Nevada) -- $146,422 -- will hire a dementia care specialist, assess dementia prevalence in the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone service area, identify care gaps, and introduce a culturally relevant, community-based care model guided by a Dementia Care Steering Committee from various tribal health organizations, while also promoting public education and establishing caregiver support groups.

The Kenaitze Indian Tribe (Alaska) -- $164,179 -- introduces a comprehensive dementia care program for tribal elders, combining interdisciplinary care, thorough oversight, and commitment to sharing insights.

The Norton Sound Health Center (Alaska) -- $200,000 -- will utilize the grant to hire staff for coordinating patient assessments, referrals, and multidisciplinary team efforts, collaborating with regional tribal and community services, sharing best practices with IHS programs via the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, and exploring funding options including a pilot program for respite care.

The Seattle Indian Health Board (Washington) -- $199,881 -- aims to amplify culturally resonant, holistic dementia care for American Indian and Alaska Native individuals in Seattle/King County, integrating traditional Indian medicine, and will share insights with urban Indian organizations to address the unique needs of urban Native elders, caregivers, and health care providers.

As many as one in three American Indian and Alaska Native people ages 65 and older are at risk of developing dementia. Today, one of every six American Indian and Alaska Native adults ages 45 and older reports experiencing subjective cognitive decline, which can be an early sign of progressive memory loss. At the same time, younger Native people experiencing early symptoms of memory loss are disproportionally affected by high rates of co-occurring chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease.

As many as six in 10 older American Indian, Alaska Native, Hispanic, and other historically underserved groups with probable dementia have either not been diagnosed or remain unaware of their condition. The IHS is steadfast in its dedication to collaborating with various federal agencies and non-governmental organizations. This collaboration aims to enhance initiatives related to Alzheimers disease and associated dementias, with a particular focus on workforce training and community outreach.

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
Anonymous insider sources told U.S. media early in September that President Joe Bidens administration would likely soon announce that the U.S. will transfer MGM-140 ATACMS land-attack missiles to Ukraine. Allegedly, a recently rediscovered stockpile of these ground-launched missiles has boosted the appeal of such a transfer, though recently, an Army official denied any ATACMS inventory was actually 'lost' by the U.S. military.

Publicly, though, White House officials have maintained that an ATACMS transfer is on the table, but not yet decided, and said they would not announce a transfer of these weapons during Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to New York and Washington this week as Kyiv had urged.

For over a year, Ukraine and its supporters have lobbied for access to this deep strike weapon, compatible with the M142 HIMARS rocket artillery truck and older, heavier tracked M270 MLRS vehicles already donated to Ukraine. Zelensky says that he has discussed supply of ATACMS with Biden on multiple occasions. And while one faction of congressional Republicans staunchly opposes aid to Ukraine, four Republican senators from an opposing faction wrote a letter to Biden urging him to finally donate ATACMS.

Bidens reluctance to donate the Army Tactical Missile System stems from two concerns. The first is that ATACMSs chief advantageits strike range of 190 milesmight enable Ukraine to mount provocative attacks deeper into Russian soil using an American-supplied weapon. As for many other weapons supplied to Ukraine without consequence, propagandists in Russia have (very dubiously) threatened grandiose consequences should ATACMS be donated, such as attacks on bases in Poland and Germany.

More threats from Olga Skabeyeva today:



"Washington is well aware that if the Pentagon supplies Ukraine with ATACMS missiles with a range of up to 300km, Russia has every right to defend itself. That's to say, to strike Poland or the US's Ramstein base in Germany, for example." pic.twitter.com/8hljf4ig6L  Francis Scarr (@francis_scarr) September 19, 2022

However, concerns that Ukraine might employ ATACMS problematically have likely been significantly allayed by the U.K. and Frances delivery of Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG cruise missiles earlier this year, which exceed ATACMS in range. Ukraine has extensively employed these missile, but not on targets on Russian soil (which have instead been struck by indigenous Ukrainian weapons).



The other concern was the limited number of ATACMS missiles producedjust over 4,000, of which around 500 were used in combat and the majority of initial production retired. That means ATACMS donated to Ukraine could dent the U.S. Armys and Marine Corps current stockpile.

CNN claims that Lockheed Martin is building/modernizing 500 new ATACMS missiles per year, likely mostly devoted to fulfilling foreign export orders (see below) with 900 already sold abroad by mid-2023 to Bahrain, Greece, Qatar, South Korea, Poland, Romania, Turkey and UAE. Budget documents suggest M57 missile cost $1.7 million in 2021 dollars, while M57E1s rebuilt from retired M39 missiles cost $1.3 million.

A rediscovered stockpile (if it exists in some form) may ease quantity concerns, and likely consists of retired M39-series missiles designed to release hundreds of cluster bomblets. These M39s could be transferred directly to Ukraine, or the U.S. could donate some of its newer, non-cluster warhead M57 missiles while converting rediscovered M39s into M57E1s to backfill the U.S. militarys inventory.

A wheeled HIMARS rocket launcher ordinarily carries a single, pre-loaded pod laden with six 227-millimeter artillery rockets effective out to 43 miles. The older, beefier tracked M270 MLRS carries two such pods (12 missiles total). But those pods can be swapped one-for-one with ATACMS pods carrying one big 610-millimeter diameter guided missile that can fly 186 miles.

That allows such artillery units to double as quasi-ballistic missile launchers capable of deep fires against targets far beyond the frontline, including high-level command posts, airbases, and fuel and ammunition stores, as well as enemy artillery, air defenses, and opposing tactical missiles.

Presently, Ukraine has received or been pledged at least 38 M142 HIMARS trucks, as well as at 18 M270A1s or B1s donated by France, Italy and the United Kingdom that can employ ATACMS missiles. There are also five German M270 MARS systems compatible only with the oldest M39 missiles. The fact that Ukraine already owns these launch vehicles and has experience using them would significantly eases challenges in integrating another type of long-range weapon.

None of these vehicles has been visually confirmed lost in combat, despite Russias frequent claims to have destroyed more HIMARS systems than were ever delivered to Ukraine.

How ATACMS works

ATACMS is the U.S. Armys in-house deep strike weapon for when air strikes are deterred by air defenses or bad weather, or are simply not available fast enough.

Exactly when the Army should use these expensive missiles in place of airstrikes remains much studied and debated. In fact, in two wars in Iraq, the Army has most often targeted ATACMS strikes on air defenses to pave a clear path for friendly airpower, a mission known as JSEAD (Joint Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses.) As air defenses grow more potent, ground-launched strikes targeting them will likely grow in importance in the 21st century.

This weapon began development in 1980 to replace the dual nuclear/conventional MGM-52 Lance ballistic missiles assigned to Corps-level artillery brigades. Improved guidance and cluster munitions were believed to make resorting to a nuke unnecessary. The Air Force also originally planned for an air-launched variant, while the Navy mulled a submarine-launched version for Los Angeles-class subs in the 1990s, but both services ultimately passed.

On launch, an ATACMS missile accelerates to over three times the speed of sound and performs a series of maneuversincluding steep climbs and drops, making it difficult to shoot down. It can optionally be launched off axis (at reduction to maximum range) to obfuscate the position of the launchers, protecting them from counterbattery fire.

The original M39 missile was guided to target using a then-advanced inertial guidance system. In its terminal phase, it spins and sprays a large target area with 950 M74 cluster bomblets effective against both personnel and material targets. This huge spread was deemed capable of dealing 57% destruction even when bursting 150 meters away from the intended target, and could inflict lesser damage up to 450 meters away. Unlike improved dual-purpose cluster munitions, however, M74s werent designed to penetrate armored vehicles or hardened structures.

The subsequent M39A1compatible only with improved M270A1 launchers and M142scarried just 300 bomblets but introduced GPS guidance to greatly increase accuracy, meaning a similar number of bomblets still actually hit the intended target.

There were plans for Block II M39A3 missiles each carrying 13 Brilliant Anti-Tank (BAT) bomblets designed to individually home in on moving armored vehicles within 2.5 miles of release using acoustic and infrared sensorsmeaning that one missile could theoretically wipeout an entire Soviet tank company. An improved Block IIA model with radar-guided BAT bomblets was also planned., but post-Cold War, the mass armor assault threat was deemed over. As a result, BAT was canceled in 2002 after 75 M39A3s were built and $2.2 billion was spent developing it.

By then, cluster weapons had grown controversial due to the tendency of dud bomblets to dangerously contaminate large areas. M74 bomblets reportedly fail to detonate 2% of the time, implying an M39 missile leaves behind an average of 19 bomblets in need of disposal.

While Washington refused to sign on to a cluster weapon ban, it no longer wanted to use them routinely. So, in the 2010s, M39 missiles were replaced by M48 and M57 missiles using regular unitary 507-lb. WDU-18/B warheads taken from Harpoon anti-ship missiles. The M57s enhanced GPS guidance improved average accuracy to 9 meters, making area saturation unnecessary. Furthermore, many old M39 and M39A1 rockets were refitted with new warheads, engines and guidance systems under the designation M57E1.

US Army Photo - Wikimedia Commons

In 2023, the Army will begin receiving deliveries of the succeeding Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), extending strike range to over 310 miles (perhaps eventually up to around 500 or 620 miles) now that the INF treatys restrictions on land-based missile weapons are defunct. Two PrSMs will fit each in rocket pod, doubling max capacity compared to ATACMS. Furthermore, later Increment 2 PrSMs will have multi-mode seekers allowing home-in on moving targets, making it an effective anti-ship weapon. Initial low rate of production of 110 PrSM missiles annually is underway, with full-scale production to begin 2025, with deliveries to Australia and likely the UK foreseen.

In an interview with The Drive, an Army official allowed that imminent PrSM deliveries made donations of ATACMS "...might make it less risky from a [operational] readiness standpoint..." for the U.S. military.

But the PrSM isnt in service yet, and ATACMS remains in demandboth with the Army and Marine Corps, and with foreign clients. Future M57 missile buyers include Australia (10), Estonia (18), Lithuania (18), Morrocco (40), andlikelyTaiwan (up to 64.) Poland, which is currently ordering a whopping 486 HIMARS launchers, requested 48 more ATACMS in 2023 too.

Slayer of SAMS: ATACMS in combat

Gpadilla81/CCA-SA4 - Wikimedia Commons

According to a West Point thesis paper, 32 ATACMS were launched in 24 fire missions by the U.S. Armys VII Corps in the missiles combat debut in the 1991 Gulf War. The first mission was conducted on short notice by an MLRS battery in a convoy to quickly destroy an Iraqi SA-2 surface-to-air missile site.

In total, ATACMS strikes outright destroyed six Iraqi air defense systems and silenced several more, clearing corridors through which Coalition warplanes could fly un-assailed. Other strikes targeted Iraqi refueling sites, multiple rocket artillery systems, and Frog-7 tactical missile trucks.

E-8 JSTARS surveillance and battle management aircraft often acquired, or verified, ground targets subsequently struck by ATACMS. Furthermore, an A-10 pilot called in an urgent ATACMS strike that struck a bridge while an Iraqi convoy was crossing, allegedly destroying 200 soft-skin vehicles.

In the U.S.s 2003 invasion of Iraq, another 414 M39, M39A1, and M48 ATACMS were used, by which time average strike deconfliction/planning time decreased from 1-2 hours to seven minutes. 13 M48s joined in the opening bombardment of Baghdad on March 20 of that year with Tomahawk cruise missiles. Strikes by 64 M39 missiles were credited with crippling air defense, artillery, and command units of Iraqs 11th Infantry Division, rendering it combat ineffective in 24 hours.

The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and the 101st Air Mobile division both made extensive use of ATACMS (90 and 114 launched respectively)the latter in advance of Apache helicopter sorties near Karbala, including 29 prior to an ill-fated massed Apache attack on Iraqs Medina division.

Most notably, ATACMSs ability to deliver 50 precision strikes during a blinding sandstorm which mostly grounded air support for two days was praised for enabling a sustained advance on Baghdad.

A further 42 M48 and 35 M57 missiles were reportedly used in combat in Afghanistan.

How would ATACMS impact the war in Ukraine?

When Ukraine began using shorter-range GPS-guided GMLRS rockets in the summer of 2022, they caused massive destruction to Russias forward deployed logistical bases, ammo and fuel depots, and command postsfatally hobbling Russias summer offensive and clearing the way for successful Ukrainian counterstrikes in Kharkiv and Kherson province that fall.

But from this painful learning experience, Russia adjusted its logistical and command post deployments to reduce vulnerability to HIMARSmost obviously by pushing depots and command posts back out of strike range, even if that came at a cost to logistical efficiency. Another effective measure was deploying GPS jamming near key facilities to degrade accuracy of GMLRS rockets. Finally, Russia better fortified such targets and allocated more air defense assets to protecting them.

ATACMS obviously brings many more rear-area Russian depots, HQs, and bases within striking rangeincluding Russian airbases in Crimea and bridges spanning the Kerch Strait (ie. Russia to Crimea), as well as those connecting Crimea to the Ukrainian mainland. However, they may also be susceptible to degraded accuracy from GPS jamming.

Its worth noting that Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles have already been used for long-range strikes this summer. They have achieved good results, but not the massive impact HIMARS did in 2022 due to Russias above-described countermeasures.

Still, ATACMS differ in important respects from Storm Shadow. As a ground-launched weapon, it isnt tethered to Ukraines Su-24M bomber fleet, making it less vulnerable to preemptive attacks. (The home base of Ukraines Su-24 base has been repeatedly hammered by Russian missile strikes, though without much apparent success.)

Because ATACMS is many times faster than Storm Shadow, it can be used against more time sensitive mobile targets, such as artillery and air defense systems, ships at port, or aircraft refueling on the ground.

The missile may also compel Russia to commit additional types of air defense systems to protect rear area targetsespecially S-300V4 batteries uniquely capable of mobile ballistic missile defensefurther thinning out air defense assets to the benefit of Ukrainian frontline aviation.

But most importantly, ATACMS will give Ukraine more long-distance arrows for its quiver. As Ukraines donated Storm Shadows and SCALP inventory inevitably depletes this year, ATACMs could arrive in time to pick up the slack and allow Ukraine to sustain long-distance precision strikes in the post-counteroffensive timeframe.

Allies of Ukraine that could theoretically donate additional ATACMs missiles include Romania and Poland, while Egypt, South Korea, and Turkey might be amenable to selling theirs to Ukraine or to backfilling U.S. donations.

Another munition arriving this fallthe Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GL-SDB), also launchable from M270 and M142 vehiclesmay be even more important for Ukraine. Though it has a lower speed and range (93 miles), it may cost one-tenth the price ($170,000) per shot.



You Might Also Like
A Greensboro man pleaded guilty to sexual battery and another offense after he was accused of sexually assaulting a woman nearly two years ago, court records show.

Marcos Rivera, 30, also pleaded guilty last month in Forsyth Superior Court to a crime against nature.

Judge William Anderson Long Jr. gave Rivera a suspended 60-day term in the Forsyth County Jail, a six months to 17 months suspended prison sentence and put Rivera on supervised probation for two years, court records show.

Rivera is now a registered sex offender, said Robert OHale of Greensboro, Riveras attorney.

Rivera was initially charged with second-degree forcible rape, crime against nature and sexual battery, according to court records. Rivera was accused of sexually assaulting a Winston-Salem woman who was physically helpless on Oct. 7, 2021.

On Oct. 7, 2021, Rivera and the woman together drank 12 beers, according to a court document. The woman also took Klonopin, which is used to treat panic attacks, seizures and anxiety.

The woman told investigators that Rivera had sex with her while she was asleep or passed out, according to a court record. The woman said she drank six beers with Rivera and took Klonopin.

OHale said that it was a difficult decision for Rivera to plead guilty, but it kept Rivera out of jail or prison.

Their relationship was based on their consumption of alcohol, OHale said. People do dumb things when they are inebriated.
Nepal isnt the first destination to which the luxury-loving hotel junkie might turn, but 300 miles to the west of Everest lies the ancient, long-forbidden kingdom of Mustang, where a hotel grail awaits. Though the area opened to travelers just over three decades ago, the red carpet to this isolated region in northern Nepal was finally rolled out in August with the debut of Shinta Mani Mustang.

Masterminded by architect Bill Bensley and hospitality guru Jason M. Friedman, the 29-suite resort was Asias most anticipated opening of 2023 for good reason. Previously, if you wanted to visit this frozen-in-time locale and witness pure Tibetan Buddhist culture, your lodging options were $10-a-night guesthouses or campsites. Shinta Mani Mustang delivers a never-before-seen level of luxury, and much more.

More from Robb Report

Bensley has designed over 200 hotels, including Capella Ubud, Bali and Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra, India. But the select properties in his signature Shinta Mani hotel collection are special, combining his escapist sensibilities with regenerative initiatives that support local communities and preserve the surrounding environments. Mustang is just the third property in the collection and the first outside of Cambodia.

Landscape views from inside a suite at Shinta Mani Mustang

The fortresslike stone-and-wood hotel sits perched on an escarpment high above tiny Jomsom Airport. A Jeep can ferry guests to the massive wooden front doors in five minutes, but adventurous types will opt to arrive on foot, hiking 20 minutes through the Old West-feeling town, then up a rocky, winding trail that passes a gold-domed stupa and shaggy goats.

If it werent for the towering snow-capped peaks looming in the distance, youd forget you were in Nepal. Hidden in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, Mustang borders the Tibetan Plateau and has a distinctive, windswept red-desert landscape. Its language and culture more closely resemble those found in neighboring Tibet.

One could easily remain cocooned within Shinta Manis luxurious, art-covered walls, ogling dramatic Nilgiri peaks from floor-to-ceiling windows. But the resort is more base camp than retreat. Friedman spent years working with local operating partner Sherpa Hospitality Group (the same team behind Mountain Lodges of Nepal) to develop deeply immersive experiences that reveal the best-kept secrets of this final Himalayan frontier. The core five-night program includes mysterious treks to alpine glacier lakes and a visit to a medieval village believed to be the last place in Mustang where the pre-Buddhist religion of Bon is still practiced.

Guests return to unparalleled pampering rooted in Tibetan traditions. Friedman tapped a local 11th-generation Tibetan amchi doctor (the same one who developed the wellness programming for Amankora in Bhutan) to create spa therapies based on indigenous herbs. And he has built a network of foragers and farmers to supply native ingredients for theatrical meals, from a nine-course momo feast to a teahouse-inspired dinner showcasing dishes such as yak-meat-studded Sherpa stew.

The luxurious spa at the hotel

If Mustang casts its spell over youand Friedman cautions it willyou can extend your stay and venture into the more secluded Upper Mustang region. Multiday treks and horseback rides, including a chance to explore sky caves decorated with centuries-old Buddhist sculptures, can be arranged all the way up to the Tibetan border, with chef-prepared meals and pop-up glamping sites along the way.

If You Go: The best way to reach Mustang is via a private charter plane or helicopter to Jomsom from Kathmandu or Pokhara. There are also commercial flights from Pokhara except in the monsoon. Friedman recommends travelers book a six-hour Jeep transfer for at least one way of the Pokhara- Shinta Mani trip. The adventurous journey takes in cascading waterfalls, prayer flagdraped suspension bridges, hot springs, ancient Buddhist chortens (shrine monuments), and monasteries. Guests should allow for one extra night in Kathmandu prior to international departure due to unpredictable weather. Dwarikas Hotel is an architectural marvel and the capitals top stay. Shinta Mani Mustang, doubles from $1,800 per night, all-inclusive

Best of Robb Report

Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
The internet is in love with this pickle conspiracy.

Getty Images

On a normal Saturday afternoon, Jesse Banwell decided to make some sandwiches for his kids. Inspired, his youngest wanted to practice writing the word pickle on a piece of paper. So Banwell reached for the jar and handed it to his son, but to both of their surprise, pickle was nowhere to be found on the label. Instead, the Claussen-brand jar said, Kosher Dill Sandwich Slices. Banwell turned the jar over and looked at the lid. Once again, there was no mention of pickle. So he ran back to his refrigerator and pulled out another jar  what appeared to be Mt. Olive pickles  but the label read, Mt. Olive Kosher Hamburg Dill Chips. A quick Google search revealed that Claussen and Mt. Olive werent alone. Both Vlasic and B&G, two other majorly popular pickle brands, also don't include the word pickle on their labels.



This pickle puzzle may not be universal  its in the name for Grillos Pickles and McClures Pickles, and B&G occasionally uses the word (like for its Pickle in a Pouch)  but in the case of Claussen, Mt. Olive, and Vlasic, Banwell was left wondering if what they are selling are even pickles at all.

Banwell, a Washington-based science teacher, shared this story on Tiktok, and the video quickly blew up, many calling it picklegate. His comments were flooded with theories and opinions. Some were positive that the word pickle refers to how the product is processed, not the food product itself. Others became convinced that the crunchy green spears should be technically referred to as cucumbers instead of pickles.

Everyone who wrote that, I guarantee, calls them pickles, says Banwell. You dont go into a McDonalds and say, I want extra cucumbers on my Big Mac. They wouldnt know what you were talking about.

But the majority, Banwell included, believed that Claussen, Mt. Olive, and Vlasic may be hiding something  that perhaps their lack of specifying the word pickle indicates a secret that could destroy Big Pickle as we know it. Maybe these pickles arent pickles at all.

What exactly are pickles anyway?

Before we can confirm or deny this pickle conspiracy (a pickle-spear-acy, if you will), we first must define what is and isnt a pickle. According to the USDA United States Standards for Grades of Pickles, a pickle must be made entirely or predominantly from cucumbers.

The cucumbers must be preserved, either through fermentation or the direct addition of vinegar. Therefore, pickling is a process  many foods can be pickled, but to be called a pickle," the ingredient mixture must be mostly cucumber. If the ingredients being pickled do not include cucumber, then they should be referred to as pickled, like pickled okra, for example.

Related: It's Time to Start Pickling at Home

The major quantitative standard is that the pickle must have an equilibrated pH of 4.6 or below and that pH must be maintained for the storage life of the product. With these relatively simple standards, it should be pretty easy to get a straight answer from Claussen, Mt. Olive, and Vlasic on whether or not their products are, in fact, pickles, right?



Wrong.

The complicated and confusing issue of space

In an attempt to clear the air, all three pickle brands have released statements as to why their brands avoid using the word pickle, and their answers are  confusing.

When pickle lovers see the clear Vlasic jar, they know theyre getting a great tasting pickle every time, says Vlasic brand manager Carolyn Goldberger. Because of the wide variety of our pickle forms, we use the limited label space to clearly communicate the form and flavor inside each jar. That way, consumers can easily find their favorite Vlasic. But no matter the style, it's definitely a pickle!

According to TODAY.com, Mt. Olive had a similar response, stating that because you can clearly see that there are pickles inside the glass jar, they do not feel it is necessary to say the word pickle. They also noted that they chose to use the front label to focus on the variety  the cut and flavor  of the pickle inside the jar.

A representative from Claussen hit on the same beats. Claussen is known for its signature refrigerated pickles that pack a superior cold crunch, a spokesperson said. While the brand meets all regulations required of pickles, they prefer to showcase their varying styles and varieties on-pack, such as fan-favorite dill spears and bread & butter slices.

At first glance, these all seem like logical answers. The USDA specifications for making pickles dont seem too complicated after all. But the more time me and the Food & Wine team sat with them, the more perplexed we became.

I get the point theyre making about being able to see the product inside the glass jar  most of us know what a pickle looks like. But there are tons of food products that you can clearly see that are still labeled  packs of bacon, cartons of raspberries, and bags of bread, for instance. And as far as label space goes, Claussen, Mt. Olive, and Vlasic all have very clean, organized branding. There is so much space to play with, and yet, they still choose to cut the word, pickle.

Strangely, Vlasic does make one product that uses the word pickle: Purely Pickles. I asked Goldberger what made Purely Pickles different from their normal jars, and she replied, The Vlasic Purely Pickles line is a subline of our broader pickles. This line was designed to be a more clean label than the rest of our products. Theres no special reason we say pickles on them other than Purely Pickles is a fun, catchy naming convention. First off, why make an entirely different label for the same product? And secondly, this statement completely contradicts Vlasics initial point  that there is simply no room on the label to say pickle, because in the case of Purely Pickles, the label is more clean.

To be fair, when I asked Goldberger how Vlasics pickle-making process fits the requirement of a pickle, their answer made complete sense. As soon as we put cucumbers into a brine, the pickling process has begun, she said. Vlasic pickles are considered pickles once they are jarred and labeled. However, when I asked the representative from Claussen the same question, they declined to respond.

Putting the pickles to the test

Still convinced that the pickle jar conspiracy goes way deeper, I did the only thing I could to definitively test whether or not a cucumber meets the legal requirements of being a certified pickle: a pH test. I tested all three pickle brands in question, in addition to B&G, Boars Head, and Saul Blanc, and every jar came in under 4.6. Claussens Kosher dill minis were the least acidic at 4.13, and Saul Blanc had the highest acidity at 3.57.

I also reached out to the FDA to ask about the labeling requirements for pickles. The FDA has not evaluated whether a particular pickle product or products satisfies labeling requirements, said Enrico Dinges, a media representative from the FDA. Federal law requires all food in packaged form to bear a statement of identity of the commodity in terms one of the following: the name specified in or required by any applicable Federal law or regulation, if such name exists; if no such name exists, the common or usual name of the food; if neither of the preceding exist, an appropriately descriptive terms, or when the nature of the food is obvious, a fanciful name commonly used by the public for such food.

This answer leaves room for a lot of interpretation and question marks. There are legal requirements for pickles (as mentioned before), but the FDA does not evaluate whether a pickle meets these requirements. Because of this, pickle companies currently dont need to say the word pickle on a label for it to be legally considered a pickle, since, thanks to the transparent glass jar, the nature of the food is obvious.

A dissatisfying conclusion

We have come to a standstill. As far as we can see, Claussen, Vlasic, and Mt. Olives unlabeled pickle products are, in fact, pickles. They appear to be held in a brine, they have a pH below 4.6, and, from what the FDA says, they have no legal requirement to state the word pickle on their label.

So were just left wondering, why exclude the word pickle at all? Does it really just come down to label space? I dont believe their reason, Banwell says. But at the same time, I dont think that theres anything to it other than that its just a weird coincidence or choice that someone made in the past.

Ultimately, we may never know the secrets that lie deep within the pickle jar. But if you like a certain type of pickle, keep on buying and eating them  its not a big dill.



For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Food & Wine.
I made an appointment to have Katy the cat put to sleep.

My long-haired tabby, who already had been through so much, got sick over Labor Day weekend and went downhill fast.

I scheduled an appointment with Phillips Animal Hospital for 2:15 p.m. a week ago Monday for her to be euthanized. I had given up, but Dr. Jordan asked me to wait until Katy's bloodwork came back that Wednesday.

I'm so glad I did.

Katy the cat spent four days and three nights at Phillips Animal Hospital, struggling to survive.

Why did I ever doubt Katy? Five years ago, she survived being tortured with a firecracker. She had major, life-saving surgery on her colon and lost her tail to amputation.

Katy could have died then but showed her incredible will to survive.

She did it again, even though she didn't eat for over a week.

Dr. Jordan attributed the problem to a flareup of Katy's irritable bowel syndrome, which led to severe dehydration. Because she already is fragile, it made everything worse. Dr. Jordan wants to check her kidneys next month to make sure they are OK.

Backtracking to Labor Day weekend, Katy threw up twice Sunday night and twice more on Monday. She does vomit from time to time, but four times in under 24 hours put me on edge.

Then she stopped eating. Katy didn't touch her food the next two days, so I took her to the vet two weeks ago Thursday. She received three shots and underwent some bloodwork.

Unfortunately, she still wouldn't eat. Dr. Jordan asked me to bring her back two days later for more bloodwork.

Watching Katy slip away over difficult weekend

The weekend of Sept. 9-10 was excruciating. I watched Katy as she seemed to fade away. She still wouldn't eat. I can't remember the last time I cried so much.

Katy spent a lot of time sleeping in her carrier or under the sink. She got up only to use the litterbox or get a drink of water.

I spent part of that Saturday night doing online research. I looked up "signs your cat is dying." Katy had almost all of them  not eating, lack of coordination, lethargy, breathing slowly, excessive sleeping.

She was so weak. When Katy tried to walk, she staggered around like an old drunk.

Since I adopted her, Katy has resisted being held and had never cuddled with me. That Sunday morning, I picked her up and lay with her on the bed, holding her close to me.

For the first time, she didn't protest, probably because she was too weak to do so. I cherished the opportunity to be close to her, then laid her beside me on the bed for about two hours.

I felt we were nearing the end and wondered if Katy would make it through the night.

When I got up a week ago Monday, she appeared to have slipped even further. I tried to cuddle with her again, but she staggered to her feet and flopped beside me on the bed.

It was as if Katy was saying, "No, Daddy, you know I don't like to be held." I smiled at her spirit.

Still, I didn't know what to do. She appeared to be resting comfortably, but I wasn't sure if she was suffering inside.

While agonizing, I asked God to take Katy while also telling her that it was OK to let go.

Making a difficult decision about Katy's situation

I ultimately called Phillips Animal Hospital and made the appointment for her to be put to sleep.

We were running a bit late, and I passed a car on U.S. 42 on the way from Ashland to Mansfield. I chastised myself for doing so.

"Why are you in a hurry to make the appointment on time?!"

As I waited in a side room at the vet's office, I sobbed, hoping people wouldn't hear me. Katy was so far gone.

Dr. Jordan examined her and said he had never seen Katy so sick. Still, he wanted to wait on her latest bloodwork. I agreed.

This was a selfie taken with Katy upon her return home last week.

After work the next day, I went to visit Katy for about 30 minutes. She still wasn't eating, even though the vet had given her an appetite stimulant. I left feeling discouraged because she was receiving fluids intravenously but still looked about the same to me.

Katy did give me a soft meow. I think/hope she knew I was with her.

Dr. Jordan went with a different plan of attack the next day. When another appetite stimulant didn't help, he had his staff force-feed her on the hour. Without food, Katy's liver was in danger of shutting down.

When staff members went back to force-feed Katy again, they noticed that she had finally eaten some of her dry food on her own.

She was coming back!

Never doubt Katy's will to live

Dr. Jordan called me with the good news and said I should be able to take Katy home the next day. As I drove home from work that evening, I found myself shaking my head, marveling at my cat's will to live.

I don't know if Katy's recovery is a miracle, but it's in the ballpark. I thought about how close I came to having her put to sleep and shuddered at the thought of going through with it.

Never again will I doubt Katy.

"She was really close to death. She really was," Dr. Jordan told me, "but she's a fighter.

"Katy's not done yet."

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

X (formerly Twitter): @MarkCau32059251

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: News Journal reporter's cat makes miraculous recovery
My partner and I met on TikTok in 2020, and we lived over 3,000 miles away from each other.

We met in person in December 2021, and our first date lasted a week.

We got engaged half way through the week and it was the best decision we've ever made.

My partner and I met on TikTok in the middle of 2020. I live in the UK, and he lives in New York. At that time, there were over 3,000 miles and two closed borders between us, so for the first full year that we were together, our relationship was lived through Google Meets and WhatsApp messages.

Over a year later, the US and UK borders finally reopened, and we were able to meet in person. On our first date, we got engaged. Here's how it went.

I flew to see him in New York

On December 28th, 2021, I finally flew to the US to meet my partner. In total, the journey took me over 35 hours, and by the time I landed at JFK, I was exhausted, but even that didn't dull my excitement. I managed to grab four hours of sleep before getting up at 5 a.m. and jumping on the A train to Penn Station.

We met for the first time on a frosty morning outside Penn Station, and being together in person was better than I had ever envisioned. We clicked even more than we'd clicked online, and at that moment, I knew beyond any shadow of a doubt that this would be the man I spent my life with.

We spent the first full day in our hotel. We ate takeout, swapped Christmas gifts, and just enjoyed the joy that came from the feeling of being in each other's presence.

We explored the city together and raised to get engaged

On the second day, we went into the city. We went to the few Christmas markets that were still open, visited Grand Central Terminal, and saw a show on Broadway.

The third day, New Years Eve, was the most special. Once again, we got up at 5 am and jumped on the A train only this time we headed for the Rink at Rockefeller Centre. We were headed toward the place where we would get engaged.

It was not a surprise. We'd made the decision to get engaged together and planned it out. We both had rings. The only thing we couldn't agree on was who got to go first.

So, it became a race. A race I ultimately lost. But in losing that specific race, I won a lifetime of happiness and a pretty spectacular engagement ring, so I'm not complaining.

After getting engaged on the ice, we grabbed breakfast and then headed back to the hotel, where we saw the new year in our pajamas after a long nap and a whole heap of takeout. It was perfect. The rest of our trip was spent strolling through the sights of New York hand in hand. We were so consumed by a happiness greater than anything I'd ever felt before and it ended much too soon for either of us.

We are still together

I reluctantly headed back to the UK on 5th January, and when I got back, my new ring was met with a lot of skepticism from those around me. Their perspectives didn't matter because, in that handful of days, I had confirmed what I already knew, he was going to be my husband.

We're still together and stronger than ever two years later. Getting engaged on the first date was the best decision we've ever made.

Read the original article on Insider
Pizzelle are the Italian contribution to the world of thin, delicately flavored, crunchy waffle cookies. Literally small pizzas, "pizze" meaning flat and round, and "elle" meaning small, they're most similar to Dutch stroopwafel or Norway's krumkake. They have different names depending on what region of Italy you're in; some regions might call them nevole, ciarancelle, or catarrette but they all describe the same thing -- a crispy pizzelle. They aren't baked like amaretti or ricotta cookies -- they're made using a specially-designed waffle iron and a simple batter dough.

Nonnas everywhere have their own recipes, but they all result in intricately designed cookies dusted with powdered sugar or dipped in chocolate. They often appear on Italian cookie trays around Christmas and Easter, but also for any large, family-centered celebrations. If you're looking to add a touch of Italian authenticity to your next family celebration, pizzelle are it.

Read more: Mistakes Everyone Makes When Baking Cookies

Pizzelle Are Simple Treats That Use Pantry Staples

Cooking pizzelle on a pizzelle maker - Melissa Olivieri/Mashed

A pizzelle recipe is a thing of simplicity, as is often the case with authentic Italian cuisine. They require just five ingredients, and pantry staples at that. All you need to create pizzelle is some sugar, eggs, flour, oil or butter, and preferred flavorings.

To actually create the cookies you'll need a pizzelle maker. This can be either one with a long handle you hold over a flame or one similar to a waffle maker. The lattice-like designs are imprinted on both plates and come in a range of shapes and images, from a simple grid to an intricate snowflake. Simply drop a tablespoon of dough on the iron, close, and bake until there's no more steam, usually less than a minute. Give a gentle dusting of powdered sugar to the cookies as they cool.

When the pizzelle come off the iron, they're quite flexible. You can mold them into shapes -- rolling them into cannoli shells is an easy hack. You can also turn them into ice cream cones or bowls for mousse or other treats. You have to act quickly though, because the pizzelle will harden after it cools.

Stray From Tradition And Add Your Own Flavorings To Pizzelle Dough

Pizzelle on a Christmas cookie tray - Katelyn Chef/Shutterstock

Traditional pizzelle are anise-flavored, sometimes using the extract, oil, or ground seeds. For those who are anise-averse, you will also commonly find classic vanilla pizzelle. You can also add citrus -- lemon is traditional, and for something different, a light touch of orange extract will also bring some lovely freshness. A pinch of cinnamon in the dough will add some warmth, especially during the holidays. If you want to stick with Italian-themed ingredients for your Italian cookie, seek out Fiori di Sicilia, an aromatic Italian extract that contains notes of bright citrus and hints of vanilla with a floral aroma. Adding cocoa to the batter is also quite delicious, as is a bit of almond paste so common in other Italian desserts and cookies.

You can also play around with flavors -- don't feel beholden to tradition. Stray from the path by browning the butter before adding it to the dough to bring some nuttiness to the pizzelle. Or try experimenting with other extracts or spices to create your own scrumptious version of pizzelle.

Pizzelle Are For Celebrations, And Are Still Used In Religious Celebrations

A stack of pizzelle - Melissa Olivieri/Mashed

Pizzelle are originally from the Abruzzo region of Italy (in the middle of the boot on the east coast), where they're known as ferratelle -- named after the iron molds used to make them. The waffle irons had two plates that were locked together using the long handle and then held over a fire. Families had their own cast iron molds, passed down as wedding gifts, oftentimes embossed with family crests, initials, or names on the inner plates. Pizzelle would be made for any special occasion -- weddings, celebrations, or the feast days of saints.

In regards to the possible 8th-century origins of pizzelle, the story goes that the Abruzzo village of Colcullo was snake-infested, and San Domenico chased them out of town. To celebrate, the people of the town made pizzelle. To this day, they're used in the procession of a statue of San Domenico wrapped in live snakes on his feast day on August 8. The village of Salle also lays claim to pizzelle. They hold a festival celebrating the monk Beato Roberto da Salle in July, when residents hang pizzelle from windows and tree branches as an offering to the monk.

You Can Find Pizzelle Makers On The Internet

Two stacks of pizzelle on a plate - Dancingwoman/Shutterstock

If you're ready to experiment with making pizzelle, you'll need a pizzelle iron or maker. You can easily find them on Amazon where you can get one for $40 -- and Walmart has them available on its website for around the same price. Some restaurant supply stores might even be able to help you in your search. If you want to seek out a vintage pizzelle iron with its patina and funky designs, poking around antique stores or eBay would be a good idea. Even your nonna's attic might be a good place to start.

If cooking or baking isn't your thing or you're short on time but still want some traditional Italian vibes for your next celebration, you can buy the cookies. A simple search for your local Italian bakery or Italian import goods shop should reveal where they're available. And you can find pizzelle at your local Wegmans or Whole Foods in a pinch.

Read the original article on Mashed.
The cost of dining out is getting alarmingly expensive. A bowl of pasta can now cost upwards of $30, you cant get a cocktail without shelling out the big bucks, and even indulging in an appetizer has turned into a major investment. But most overpriced restaurant bills pale in comparison to what one tourist received in Singapore.

Japanese tourist Junko Shinba visited Seafood Paradise in Singapore's Clarke Quay to try a plate of chilli crab, one of the countrys most popular dishes. According to Shinba, the waitstaff highly recommended one type of crab in particularthe Alaskan King Crab.

Shinba heeded their advice and enjoyed the nearly eight-pound crab along with several other dishes. All was seemingly gooduntil she got the bill. The meal totaled 1322.37 Singapore Dollars (around $968 USD), with 938 of them going towards the crab alone. Thats nearly $700 USD just for some spicy shellfish!

Shinba told the outlet AsiaOne that the restaurant failed to disclose its pricing model. The waiters allegedly told Shinba that the Alaskan King Crab cost $30, without explaining that they charge per 100 grams, she said.

The tourist contested the bill, claiming that she was overcharged for the meal. She even went so far as to call the police, who arrived at the scene to mediate the skirmish.

But according to Paradise Group, the parent company of Seafood Paradise, the restaurant staff was transparent about their pricing model from the very beginning.

In a statement posted to Facebook, Paradise Group argues that they communicated the price to the customers twice. They even brought out the uncooked crab to the table to confirm the size. Clips from the restaurants security footage reveal Shinba and her guests posing for selfies next to the live crustacean.

Regardless, the restaurants manager still took extra steps to make it right. They offered a discount of $107.40 SGD, enough to cover almost a pound of crab. The peace offering was an act of goodwill, but the tourist still went out of her way to report the restaurant to Singapores Tourism Board and to the news.

We are deeply upset by the inaccurate claims made by this group of customers, seemingly aimed at tarnishing the reputation of our restaurant and our dedicated staff on various platforms, Paradise Group wrote in their official statement.

You Might Also Like
"Sex Education" is one of the few really charming and consistently watchable Netflix originals but in its final season, it falters and reminds us that no television show is immaculate. Fortunately for the show, one character will always keep the audience hooked. We all know who it is; we have never watched "Sex Education" for Otis (Asa Butterfield), sorry. Our fan-favorite will forever be Eric ( Ncuti Gatwa ). Gatwa's boundless charisma and beaming smile sink you into this psychedelic foray into teenage horniness like quicksand. The actor's charm knows no bounds as he played a version of Ken in this year's summer blockbuster "Barbie" and preps for the release of his historic leap into playing the first Black and gay Doctor in the longstanding British hit "Doctor Who."

While Eric may be the shining light that saves this season's muddled and disjointed final leg, I still need to voice my qualms with the direction this season went in. My biggest gripe is that the show cut most of the cast to make room for new characters at the college our favorite characters alongside Otis and Eric have started at this year. This should be a way to give its series regulars like Maeve (Emma Mackey), Viv (Chinenye Ezeudu), Jackson (Kedar Williams-Stirling) and Aimee (Aimee Lou Wood) more space to breathe and connect with each other but it doesn't. Even though all our Mooredale favorites aren't best friends, it would have been great to really see them all come together in solidarity. The show is at its strongest when all its characters come together in surprising moments. Remember the second season episode where all the Mooredale girls rallied together to ride the bus with Aimee after she was sexually assaulted on the bus?

One major positive in the new characters is that they have amplified a sense of a queer community of color for the isolated Eric who only has mostly straight, cisgender white friends. This opening into Eric's identity also further explores his internal conflict with his faith as a Christian and someone who is gay. It makes for a fascinating insight into a constant battle that he has with dimming himself to be accepted by his religious African community juxtaposed to the comfort he has found in his queerness.

Most importantly though Otis is still insufferable. As the protagonist after four seasons, Otis and his everyday struggles should feel important but I find myself continuously wondering why every other character that revolves around him is actually far more interesting and thought-provoking than him.

But to make up for Otis' annoying storylines, his best friend, Eric alleviates the banality of the boring protagonist. This year at Cavendish College, Eric blossoms into the queer icon he always was meant to be because of a strong sense of community that he finds at a more accepting, progressive college with queer friends and students. In the earlier seasons of the show, Eric struggled at a regressive Mooderale. Eric existed as the comedic foil to Otis' chronic main character syndrome. Their friendship continued to be one of the stronger focal points of the show as they helped the students of Mooredale with episodic sexual issues. But Eric sometimes fell into the Black Gay Best Friend trope. The few storylines he had were focused on his sexuality and how he was bullied by his future boyfriend, Adam (Connor Swindells) who was a closeted bisexual homophobe (yikes, I know).

Last season, Adam and Eric realized they were not a match when Eric traveled to Lagos, Nigeria in a series stand-out episode, examining the nuances of the Black queer experience in Africa. In Nigeria, Eric, who is out and proud, is told to tone down his queerness and gender expression because of the country's laws that criminalize being gay. Eric does what he's told but he meets a gay Nigerian photographer at a family member's wedding and he takes him to an underground LGBTQ+ party. This is the first time in the series that Eric looks at home  simply at peace. He is seen and he revels in it.

We get more of this Eric in the final season. He has always been louder and larger than life in personality and fashion but finding a community of like-minded young, queer people who also see Eric for the gem he is only amplifies everything that's already there inside and outside of him. It's not just Otis who gets to experience the wonder that is Eric. Not only does this season allow Eric to be the person he's always dreamed of but it further pushes his connection with his faith. Eric hears from many characters this season that his queerness doesn't have to be isolated from his Nigerian-Ghanian community  they can happily co-exist and he will be accepted not in spite of his queerness but because of it.

As the show concludes its successful run even though it had a lackluster final season, it can always be proud of the positive image it created in an eternally iridescent character like Eric. Most of it has to do with Gatwa's commitment to shaping Eric into someone who each one of us can laugh and cry with.

All four seasons of "Sex Education" are now streaming on Netflix.
Its a rare occurrence to see Trader Joes in the hot seat. The popular neighborhood grocery chain is usually praised for their unique and interesting products by some of the most dedicated fans in the business. Between the almost weekly seasonal releases and viral fan-created recipes, theres a lot to love about TJs. Sometimes, though, our biggest heroes slip and makes mistakes, leaving fans in the position to speak on their frustrations.

In a recent viral video posted to Instagram, Chef Emme Ribeiro Collins talks about a beloved treasure of a dessert from her Brazilian heritage, brigadeiro, that has been recently co-opted by Trader Joes and marketed as a melt in your mouth" treat from Portugal. Naturally, this caught Collins attention due to her Brazilian background, which happens to be the exact origin of the delicious treat.

Related: Everyone Is Obsessed With the 'Perfect' Spicy Pizza from Trader Joe'sHere's Why

View the original article to see embedded media.

Already frustrated this month over the fact that Hispanic Heritage Month is supposed to celebrate Hispanic and Latin cultures, yet Latin is left out of the title, Collins points out that Brazil does not speak Spanish, we speak Portuguese. Furthermore, the chef and content creator even takes it a step further by showing the Wikipedia definition of brigadeiros in her video, which lists the savory treat as the national truffle of Brazil.

So, what gives? It would seem that Trader Joes would have nothing to gain by improperly representing a food and its origins, leaving everyone to question the validity of what you see written on their packaging. In a Reddit post dedicated to the controversial TJs product, some shoppers were curious as to what the difference was between the traditional brigadeiros from Brazil and the new Trader Joes version.

Related: The Warm and Gooey Trader Joe's Snack That's Back in Time for Fall

View the original article to see embedded media.

Im from Brazil and I can tell [you] that the taste is completely different from Brazilian Brigadeiros, stated one expert in the field. They continued, Trader Joes Brigadeiros are more like a ganache truffle made with semi sweet chocolate. They went on to describe traditional brigadeiro as chewy and tasting more like milk chocolate.

Another curious customer pointed out how the TJs version does list condensed milk as the main ingredient, and even has cream, which they attributed the ganache-like texture to. I wonder if it was adjusted for mass market appeal, they pondered. Another user on the subreddit pointed out how the ingredients list also includes palm oil, stating that palm oil is frowned upon because its high in saturated fats, and it is a huge cause for deforestation.

So, if youre a fan of Brazilian brigadeiros, it may be in your best interest to either avoid the Trader Joes version, or go into it with an open mind that allows you to accept the differences and still enjoy the snack. As for the blatant disrespect of Brazilian culture though, TJs really should have triple checked their work before putting Portugal on the box. Otherwise, your most dedicated fans will be the first ones to point out your shortcomings.

Up next: The Rich and Luxurious Brownie Recipe the Kardashians Have Been Eating Since Childhood
MILAN  Bally will unveil its first collection by design director Simone Bellotti on Saturday and the designer clearly has familiarized himself with the brand over the past few months.

Measuring his words carefully in an exclusive interview ahead of the show, Bellotti is the opposite of a diva designer. Understanding the power of heritage and its potential, he said he was obsessed by the idea of diving deep into Ballys history. I think there is still so much to tell, using todays codes.

More from WWD

Arriving at the company he was impressed by the high quality of the products and the longevity of the designs. For example, he revisited the Glendale shoe, which was created a century ago, marveling at the styles modernity and functionality. Ditto for the Scribe and the Plum shoes, again saying that he was obsessed by classic products.

Everyone has an idea of Switzerland as something extremely precise  think watches, banks  but there are so many other layers, more irrational and organic. Thats why I like to add details that are somehow out of control, he said, pointing to a short taffeta dress out of which pleats seemed to sprout, forming floral motifs. This short dress can be classic but has these unexpected touches and becomes new and modern. He paired it with a sleek leather trench  reflecting Ballys expertise.

On a white T-shirt, there was an image of Monte Verita, or the Monescia Mount, near Ascona. He was intrigued by the photos he found of the community founded there in the early 20th century, dancing in the sun, looking for a different way to express themselves, free minds running away from the stress of industrialization, he said.

Bellotti was appointed to the post at the end of May, following the exit of Rhuigi Villasenor, who held the title of creative director and had joined the company in January last year.

Bellotti quietly joined Bally last October after a 16-year tenure at Gucci. Previously he held senior design positions at Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta and Gianfranco Ferre, boasting an experience in both both ready-to-wear tailoring and accessories.

We share the same point of view and we truly are in sync, said chief executive officer Nicolas Girotto, of selecting Bellotti for the job. We took advantage of this moment to redefine Bally and we realized that we should embrace who we are, leveraging our history spanning 172 years  which was never discontinued.

Girotto said that with Bellotti, he was aiming to go beyond the cliches associated with Switzerland. Its really different from what one would think. I am deeply in love with the country and I see paradoxes, contrasts and duality, tradition and innovation, conservatism and strong progressiveness, exemplified by the city of Zurich. One of the most important Pride movements is in Zurich. We are very much interested in this duality.

Girotto praised Bellottis know-how, culture and experience, and the fact that he is not trying to make Bally into another brand, he has a point of view but respects the past, and this is a strength. We need to be true to who we are, but also unexpected, classic with a twist. I was tasked [in 2019] with the transformation and elevation of the brand and this has not changed.

Bally, which is controlled by the JAB holding company, is reactivating its business in Japan, where it already has 20 stores, said Girotto.

A new store will open in Tokyos Ginza district in January. The country is benefiting from a return of tourism, he said.

The Asia-Pacific region accounts for 40 percent of sales. The executive said Bally reported a strong start in China this year with double-digit growth compared to 2022, but admitted the market had slowed during the summer.

He characterized the performance in the U.S. as flat, while the Middle East continues to grow. He also pointed out that India has growth potential. There are four existing stores in India, and a new unit will open in Bangalore next year.

A second store will open in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the TRX Mall on Nov. 29. Girotto noted that Ballys first international store opened in Uruguay in 1870, reflecting a pioneering strategy of the company.

Best of WWD

Click here to read the full article.
As electric vehicles take off, one convert discovers the joys of the Berkshires while never once stopping for gas.

Courtesy of Red Lion Inn The Red Lion Inn in the Berkshires

My six-year-old son, Remy, was in the back seat, deep into his book, oblivious to the fact that I was filled with so much nervous energy I could have recharged our electric BMW i3 myself. Our family had recently bought the car with an eye toward reducing our carbon footprint, and this was our first long-distance mom-and-son drive. In preparation, Id mapped out an EV-friendly route from our home in Connecticut through the Berkshires, the Massachusetts region known for its cute towns filled with museums, antiques shops, and year-round farm stands.

Jeff Goldberg/Courtesy of Clark Art Institute Museum guests at Clark Art Institute

When we rolled up to the Norman Rockwell Museum, in Stockbridge, which has on-site EV charging, my grip slackened and my shoulders dropped a few inches. While Remy and I spent an hour and a half taking in paintings like Boy and Girl Gazing at Moon, our cars battery was topped up for just $2.11.

Despite my enthusiasm for this EV adventure, there were plenty of moments on our three-day getaway when range anxiety got the better of me, as I fretted about running our battery to zero while fruitlessly hunting for power. But in the coming years, western Massachusetts may develop a reputation as one of the most EV-friendly destinations in the Northeast. Its already home to more than 50 public charging ports; more are on the way thanks to the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program, which is expected to send $63.5 million to the state.

Courtesy of Turo Tesla Model S available through Turo

From the Rockwell Museum, it was an easy hours drive to Tourists, a motor lodge in the town of North Adams. A staffer told me the propertys two charging stations are now a hot commodity; in the five years since Tourists opened, the number of guests arriving in EVs has grown significantly. I plugged in, then took Remy to make balsam-and-cucumber-scented candles, part of the hotels Art & Adventure program. The next morning, we explored the hotels 30-acre nature retreat, where we bumped into another family at one of several giant musical installations and performed a symphony together.

We also visited nearby MASS MoCA, one of the largest art museums in the U.S. In its Kidspace, Remy crafted with clay, inspired by the work of artist Bruno Miguel. The visit was such a hit that, as we unplugged our car in the parking lot, he exclaimed, Lets come back with Papa and Evie, his sister.

Douglas Mason/Courtesy of Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art Aerial views of the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art

So, a month later, during the kids winter break, all four of us headed back to the Berkshires. Our first stop was the town of Great Barrington, for lunch at Momma Los Southern Style BBQ, a place Id come across in the Berkshire Black Economic Councils directory. (PlugShare Trip Planner, an online tool, also pinpointed a charger next door.) From there, it was a short ride to Stockbridge, where we checked in to the 250-year-old Red Lion Inn, which has a heated outdoor pool. We fueled up with almond croissants across the street at the Lost Lamb and, despite the winter weather, hiked Lauras Tower, a popular two-mile trail.

In Williamstown, we visited the EV-friendly Clark Art Institute, where we admired "Friends or Foes? (The Scout)" by Frederic Remington and roamed the 140-acre, sculpture-filled grounds. We had one other stop planned, but then disaster struck: our Airbnb host canceled at the last minute. I quickly called the Old Inn on the Green, in New Marlborough, where chef and owner Peter Platt told me he had a room  but no on-site EV charger. With plenty of juice left, we decided to go for it. We pulled up just in time for a prix fixe of saffron risotto, pan-roasted halibut, and sticky toffee pudding before retiring to Room 195, where we lit a fire and switched on a Gene Wilder flick.

There was a momentary snag during the drive home, when it took 10 minutes to figure out a fiddly charging station in Norfolk, Connecticut. But even that turned into a bright spot, when we realized a winter carnival was under way nearby. We soon struck up conversations with festivalgoers, several of whom recommended we come back to hike Campbell Falls State Park Reserve.

By the end of our second drive, my nerves had totally melted away. Cruising in a battery-powered car has given our family the ability to break free from the drudgery of gas stations  and seeking out plug-ins for our i3 has taken us to places we would never have otherwise gone.

A version of this story first appeared in the July 2023 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline "The Era of the EV Road Trip."

For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
LaJoi Wilson-Moore grew up in the era of Dick and Jane books, where the children featured in the book were all white.

I wasnt represented there, Wilson-Moore said about that series of books and others she found in her school library. I couldnt go the library and see little LaJoi.

Now the principal at North Hills Elementary School, Wilson-Moore wants to encourage her students to become readers, and she knows that filling her schools library with books featuring Black and brown characters and introducing them to authors who look like them may light their fire.

One such author, Derrick Barnes, visited North Hills on Friday. He was one of several authors appearing at the Bookmarks Festival of Books & Authors who fanned out across the school district to read to students and share their stories.

A best-selling author from Charlotte whose books feature Black children, Barnes may be best known for his 2017 book, Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, which won a Newberry Honor, Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Award for its joyful tale of a young Black boys visit to the barbershop.

In her review of the top books of 2017, Los Angeles Times cultural critic Rebecca Carroll wrote of the book: Its not just a pleasure to read, it also does something important, and that is to show up and show out for black kids, black culture and black language.

At North Hills, Barnes talked to about 200 kids about how he began reading when he was 4-years-old. Raised by a single parent in Kansas City, Mo., Barnes remembered waking up early on Saturday morning, cleaning the house with his mother and brother and then riding in a wagon that his mother pulled to the nearby library.

Wed fill up the wagon with books, Barnes told the students, who were in grades K-3.

Barnes started writing when he was 10-years-old, mostly rap lyrics, poems and short stories. He got a job after college writing greeting cards for Hallmark, the first Black man to do so.

In 2004, Barnes started writing books. He didnt have to think long about what he wanted his books to be about.

I try to fill in the gaps and tell stories that havent been told, he said. Every child has the right to go to a bookstore or library and see themselves on the cover.

His 19 published books have included Victory. Stand!: Raising My First for Justice, a collaboration with Tommie Smith, the 1968 Olympic gold medalist who famously raised his fist in the Black Power salute while on the medal podium.

Another book, I Am Every Good Thing, has been called a celebration of young Black boys.

In February, Barnes found himself embroiled in controversy when Hoover City Schools, near Birmingham, Ala., canceled several of his visits to local schools after a parent complained to an elementary school principal in the district that some of Barnes prior social media posts contained controversial ideas, according to a story in AL.com, an Alabama digital news site. The incident is part of a national trend of restricting access to books, particularly those with racial or LGBTQ themes.

Barnes said at North Hills on Friday that some people dont want white children to learn about the history of racism.

America thrives on division, and these books break down division, said Barnes, who was wearing a black T-shirt that read: Fight The Power.

The kids at North Hills sitting cross-legged on the floor werent aware of the controversy, of course. They were just happy to hear Barnes read from his newest book, Like Lava In My Veins, about a boy with superpowers who finds inspiration from a teacher.

Afterward, Barnes answered a few questions from the kids, who asked him his age, how he kept from spilling drinks on his laptop and how he stays motivated when a publisher rejects a book.

When it was announced that each student would get a copy of Like Lava In My Veins, the kids couldnt contain their enthusiasm and cheered loudly.

The book giveaway is part of the schools effort to help kids build their own library in their homes.

Many of the students dont have regular access to books, so when theyre given a book, Moore-Wilson said, they eat it up.

Barnes will be at reading Like Lava In My Veins on Saturday at Winston Square Park from 12:45 to 1:15 p.m.
Two weeks after resuming his tour with Blink-182, Travis Barker has shared an unfortunate health update.

On the evening of Friday, Sept. 23, the drummer uploaded a photo of himself holding a positive at-home COVID test to his Instagram story, as seen reuploaded by a fan account. He reacted to the confirmation that he has the virus with a collection of emojis: "."

The 44-year-old didn't share further details about his illness, but, luckily, it appears that Barker will have enough time to recover before the band's next show; the band is currently on a brief break until Monday, Oct. 2, where they're slated to perform in Lisboa, Portugal.

The band will then return home after playing at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds on Oct. 22, without having to return to the road until February 2024.

Barker's wife Kourtney Kardashian has yet to comment on his health status but remains home in Los Angeles.

>>> Sign up for Parade's Trending News newsletter and we'll keep you in the know on the viral pop culture moments and celebrity news everyone is talking about <<<

At the beginning of the month, Blink-182 postponed the first few dates of the European and UK leg of their world tour after Barker experienced an "urgent family matter." It was later revealed that Kardashian required emergent fetal surgery after a pregnancy complication.

In a statement shared on Instagram, the Poosh founder wrote, "I will be forever grateful to my incredible doctors for saving our babys life. I am eternally grateful to my husband who rushed to my side from tour to be with me in the hospital and take care of me afterwards, my rock. And to my mom, thank you for holding my hand through this."

Next: Travis Barker Opens Up About His Unborn Baby's 'Life-Threatening' Situation
Netflix's true crime documentary Murdaugh Murders explored the killings of Maggie Murdaugh and her son Paul Murdaugh, as well as a series of other incidentsincluding at least three other deathslinked to the Murdaugh family of prosecutors in South Carolina. The events covered in the two seasons of the docu-series spanned multiple years, and culminated in the trial of Alex Murdaugh, Maggie's husband and Paul's father.

Alex Murdaugh stood trial for the murders

In June 2021, Alex Murdaugh called 911 to report that his wife and son had been shot dead on their property. He was eventually arrested and charged, and in January 2023 he pled not guilty to the two felony counts of murder.

"I did not shoot my wife or son, any time, ever," he told the court. "I would never intentionally do anything to hurt either one of them, ever." His surviving son, Buster Murdaugh, also spoke in his defense.

In March 2023, Alex Murdaugh was found guilty and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences. He is currently serving out his sentence in a maximum-security prison in South Carolina.

He is also charged with almost 100 other crimes

In addition to the murders of Maggie and Paul, Alex Murdaugh has been charged with a huge number of other crimes. Most notably, he has been charged with conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and filing a false police report after hiring a man named Curtis Edward Smith to shoot him so that his son Buster could collect a life insurance policy.

Murdaugh has also had a total of 99 charges of financial crimes including fraud, tax evasion and money laundering brought against him. The majority of these stem from his time as a partner at the law firm Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth & Detrickhe, where he allegedly misappropriated company funds and funnelled money into a private bank account. He also defrauded money intended for a wrongful death settlement following the death of the Murdaugh family's housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield, on their property.

At present, Murdaugh and his legal representation have not entered a plea to the financial crimes.

You Might Also Like
AFTER FOUR JOHN Wick movies, you'd think we'd know everything about the film's lore. But the legendary assassin's story is only the tip of the iceberg to a potentially bigger universe. That's where The Continental comes in. The new Peacock limited series is a prequel to explore the origins of the famed Continental, the hotel John Wick and other assassins stay in, as long as they follow the hotel's very specific rules (as viewers of John Wick: Chapter 2 know very well... no killing allowed).

There's no Keanu Reeves here, but the show is banking on fans' interest in the movies' various side characters who aid John Wick on his journey to getting revenge. The man who runs the hotel in the films is Winston Scott, played by Ian McShane. In the series, which is set in the '70s, a younger version of Winston is portrayed by The Flight Attendant's Colin Woodell. The New York hotel at that time is run by a man named Cormac, portrayed by Mel Gibson. The show charts the history of the establishment as it lasts through various historical events.

While the film version of the hotel and its television counterpart will likely differ in some ways, the external shots of the Continental are still the same. But was the show really filmed in New York, or was it all done on a set? And is The Continental a real hotel you can actually stay in? We've got all those answers and more. Here's where The Continental was filmed.

Where Is The Continental filmed?

The series was primarily filmed in Budapest, Hungary. According to Yahoo, the series shot at Origo Studio, where Blade Runner 2049, Dune, Moon Knight, and The Witcher also filmed.

But scenes involving The Continental hotel itself were filmed in New York. The exterior of the building, the same as in the movies, is The Beaver Building at 1 Wall Street Court. The building is 15 floors and consists of condos and a ground floor sushi restaurant.

Courtesy of Peacock

The interior is Delmonico's, a fine dining restaurant that's over a century old and located at 56 Beaver Street. The foyer is filmed at Cipriani 25 Broadway, a New York landmark and event venue. Episodes of Boardwalk Empire and Gotham have also filmed there.

Is The Continental a real place?

Sorry, no. You can't stay at the assassin hotel because it consists of various New York locations. But you can visit the filming locations to get a sense of the fictional hotel's makeup.

You Might Also Like
Voters in Allegheny County, Pa., will head to the polls Tuesday in a special election that will determine which party controls the Pennsylvania state House.

Pennsylvanians in the states 21st House District are choosing between Republican Erin Connolly Autenreith and Democrat Lindsay Powell, who are both running to fill the remainder of former state Rep. Sara Innamoratos (D) term after Innamorato stepped down to run for Allegheny County executive.

Innamoratos resignation evenly split control of the state House, 101 to 101. Though the 21st District is Democratically friendly, Tuesdays special election will decide whether Democrats retain their narrow edge in the state House.

Here are five things to know about the Tuesday special election:

Its between a real estate agent and nonprofit director

Autenreith, a real estate agent and the chair of the Shaler Township Republican Committee, is running against Powell, who is the director of workforce strategies at nonprofit InnovatePGH. Powell has previously worked for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).

Autenreith was at former President Trumps rally Jan. 6, 2021, but left before the attack on the Capitol, according to PoliticsPA.

Several prominent Democrats in the state have waded into the race to back Powell, including Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.)  a former state representative herself who became the first Black woman to win a House seat in Pennsylvania last cycle  and Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.). The Pittsburgh Fraternal Order of Police has backed Autenreith, according to Pennsylvania Capital-Star.

Campaign filings show Powell has had a clear fundraising advantage over Autenreith: Autenreiths campaign raised just more than $6,000 between near the end of July and early September while Powells campaign has raised close to $53,000.

Allegheny County went largely for Biden in 2020

Allegheny County voted for Biden by 20 points in 2020  a higher margin than Hillary Clintons 16.5-point win in 2016.

Innamorato won the state House District last cycle with roughly 64 percent of the vote while Republican challenger Frank Perman received 36 percent. The district includes part of Pittsburgh in addition to Shaler, Reserve, Etna and Millvale.

Its the third special election in less than a year thats determining state House control

The Tuesday election marks the third time in less than a year in which Pennsylvanians have voted in a special election that determined partisan control of the state House.

While Democrats won the state House majority last November, several retirements and the death of a member prompted several special elections in February. Democrats prevailed in all three races.

But some Pennsylvanians were forced to head back to the polls in May following the resignation of former state Rep. Michael Zabel (D), who stepped down amid sexual harassment allegations. Democratic state Rep. Heather Boyd (D) won the Delaware County seat, keeping state House control in Democratic hands.

Innamorato announced in July after winning the Democratic nomination for Allegheny County executive that she was stepping down, prompting a third special election. She goes head-to-head with Republican Joe Rockey this fall.

One variable that has added some uncertainty to the race, however, is the timing of the election. Voters may be less tuned in to races in September, compared to attention around November elections.

Election will determine if Gov. Shapiro has at least one chamber he can work with

Despite the expectation that Democrats will keep the 21st House District seat Tuesday, the election is critical for the party given it will offer Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) at least one legislative chamber he can work with.

Republicans control the state Senate by a 28-22 margin while state House Democrats retained a narrow 102-101 margin of control before Innamoratos resignation.

Race underscores the importance of Pennsylvania as one of a handful of swing states

Though the election has immediate local implications, the state House race is also important nationally given state legislatures decisive roles on issues like certifying the 2020 election and the battle over abortion access.

The issue of abortion access loomed over the May special election between Boyd and Republican Katie Ford. That race came close to a year after the GOP-led state Legislature passed a proposed constitutional amendment that taxpayer-funded abortion rights were not granted under the states Constitution.

Republicans would have needed to pass the amendment again in the state Legislatures current session before it could have made its way in front of voters on the ballot, but Democrats win in May halted the effort.

The issue of contesting the 2020 election results was also a salient one in Pennsylvania. Several GOP state legislators were a part of an effort to try to get the 2020 election results overturned in the state following President Bidens win, though the effort did not succeed, according to NBC10 Philadelphia.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk is a proud Christian nationalist who flatly refuses to apply binding Supreme Court precedent when it conflicts with his extremist far-right beliefs. It is therefore no surprise that Kacsmaryk, a Donald Trump appointee, handed down a decision on Thursday refusing to protect Texas college students right to host a drag show. In a break with other (conservative) courts, Kacsmaryk found that drag is likely not protected expression under the First Amendment, but rather vulgar and lewd sexualized conduct that may be outlawed to protect the sexual exploitation and abuse of children. In short, he concluded that drag fails to convey a message, while explaining all the reasons why hes offended by the message it conveys.

From almost any other judge, the ruling in Spectrum WT v. Wendler would be a shocking rejection of basic free speech principles; from Kacsmaryk, its par for the course. This is, after all, the judge who sought to ban medication abortion nationwide, restricted minors access to birth control, seize control over border policy to exclude asylum-seekers, and flouted recent precedent protecting LGBTQ+ equality. He is also poised to bankrupt Planned Parenthood by compelling them to pay a $1.8 billion penalty on truly ludicrous grounds. And he is not the only Trump-appointed judge substituting his reactionary beliefs for legal analysis. We have reached a point where these lawless decisions are not only predictable but inevitable, and they show no sign of stopping: Their authors are still just settling into a decadeslong service in the federal judiciary.

The controversy in Spectrum WT v. Wendler began last spring when Spectrum, an LGBTQ+ student group, planned a drag show on campus at West Texas A&M University. They arranged the event to raise money for the Trevor Project, which combats LGBTQ+ youth suicide. The schools president, Walter Wendler, promptly banned the show, decrying drag as derisive, divisive and demoralizing misogyny. He compared it to blackface and said it constitutes discrimination and harassment against womanhood. In light of Wendlers ban, Spectrum held the show off campus but filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction protecting their right to hold a future drag show at the school. It should have been a slam-dunk case: Judges in Florida, Montana, Tennessee, and Utahwho range from moderate to very conservativehave recently blocked drag bans on First Amendment grounds. The Supreme Court has long prohibited restrictions on expressive conduct, including not only live performances but also actions like flag burning; it applies especially stringent scrutiny to any regulation that targets expression because of its content and viewpoint.

As Judge Thomas Parker, a Trump appointee, noted when enjoining Tennessees drag ban, these laws expressly discriminate against performers who wish to impersonate a gender that is different from the one with which they are born. A drag queen or king conveys the message that gender identity is artificial or fluidan arbitrary bundle of stereotypical traits that calls out for subversion. These performers reject strict adherence to sex assigned at birth, mocking the very existence of a gender binary. Laws that forbid such performances target expression because of its content (subversive mockery of gender expression) and viewpoint (a critique of gender stereotypes). So they cannot possibly survive First Amendment scrutiny.

But the case landed in Kacsmaryks court, and he saw things differently. Before joining the bench, the judge worked as an anti-abortion activist and served at the hard-right First Liberty Institute, which opposes abortion, In vitro fertilization, contraception, LGBTQ+ equality, and other supposed products of the sexual revolution. Kacsmaryk has brought that same energy to the bench, and this decision is no exception. He began by dismissing the legitimacy of the Supreme Courts modern free speech jurisprudence, writing that courts should instead deploy a historical analysis. Specifically, Kacsmaryk invoked the Comstock Act of 1873, a notorious law that enabled mass censorship of publications that questioned Puritanical views of sex and gender relations, including early feminist literature. (The law also banned the mailing of contraception and abortion-related medications, which Kacsmaryk cited as justification to prohibit abortion pills.) He then criticized SCOTUS for departing from the Comstock Acts censorious approach to free speech, citing a book by arch-conservative the Rev. Carl Trueman that blamed todays free speech doctrine for the mass sexualization of culture.

With this prelude, Kacsmaryk effectively announced that he would not apply binding precedent, which explains why the remainder of the opinion bears little resemblance to a judicial ruling. It is, rather, a broadside against drag, which the judge pilloried as inherently vulgar, offensive, and harmful to minors. He endorsed Wendlers claim that a drag show could somehow constitute unlawful discrimination and harassment against female students, in the same way that blackface could constitute discrimination against Black people.

Kacsmaryk also gestured toward precedents allowing censorship of indecent speech at high schools. But he failed to acknowledge that legal adults on a college campus have far greater First Amendment rights than minors. (The right to host objectionable speech on campus actually flows from a victory won by the conservative legal movement.) Nor did he accept the fact that Spectrums planned PG-13 performance falls far short of indecency. Instead, he complained repeatedly about biological men performing while dressed in attire stereotypically associated with women, which he denounced as inherently offensive and arguably obscene.

To support this last proposition, Kacsmaryk favorably cited Gays Against Groomers, quoting its claim that drag shows involve the sexualization and indoctrination of children. A hate group that stokes violence and fury, Gays Against Groomers endorses the malicious falsehood that transgender people and drag queens seek to groom, sexualize, and recruit children. It also supports gag laws that force LGBTQ+ teachers to remain closeted at school. In addition, Kacsmaryk cited an article by right-wing agitator Christopher Rufo alleging that drag promotes perversions that were born in the sex dungeons of San Francisco and now seek to corrupt children.

Finally, Kacsmaryk questioned whether drag even qualifies as expressive conduct deserving of First Amendment protection. Drag shows, he wrote, do not obviously convey or communicate a discernable, protectable message. Even if they did, a ban on drag would not discriminate on the basis of content or viewpoint, because it does not target the specific motivating ideology or the opinion or perspective of the speaker. It only targets offensive and lewd conduct with no expressive value. So Spectrum is not entitled to an injunction and cannot even sue Wendler, because they likely have no First Amendment claim at all.

Here lies the ultimate irony of the opinion: The judge all but admits that he finds the ideas behind drag to be insulting, and endorses efforts to stamp out those ideas through censorship. He is aggrieved by the meaning of the performance and the views that it communicates about gender and sexuality. Put simply, Kacsmaryk is disgusted by drag shows. But the Supreme Court has declared that disgust is not a valid basis for restricting expression.

What now? Spectrum will probably appeal to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the ultra-far-right court where law goes to die, whose conservative ideologues will presumably affirm Kacsmaryk. With a sharp split between courts in different states, SCOTUS will have to step in. And it is hard to see a majority of justices siding with the censors here. Despite the courts swift shift to the right, most justices still profess a belief that arguably offensive speech remains constitutionally protected, even in an education setting. Justice Brett Kavanaugh may not want his daughters attending a drag show, but he is smart enough to understand that Kacsmaryks reasoning would grant the government sweeping power to suppress ideas it doesnt likea power that blue states could wield against conservatives.

This term is shaping up to be one in which SCOTUS must clean up the mess made by extremist judges like Kacsmaryk. What may be dispiriting is the reality that, no matter how many times these judges get reversed, they will hold their jobs for decades to come. We may spend the rest of our lives watching the Constitution get trashed by robed fundamentalists out to settle scores.
In the ballroom of a Washington, D.C., hotel last Friday night, hundreds of people swayed and raised their hands to catchy contemporary Christian music.

Theres nothing that our God cant do

Theres not a mountain that He cant move.

The frontman, a worship leader at a Florida church with flashy eyewear, tan blazer and silver chain, fired up the crowd at the Pray Vote Stand Summit. His team was the opening act for a night of presidential candidatesthe headliner, Donald Trump and one preacher who exhorted believers to get their hands dirty and vote, and challenge woke teachers and school boards.

A symphony of coughing and nose-blowing had also become the gatherings unofficial soundtrack. Even Missouri Sen. Josh Hawleys wife Erin, praised for her role in overturning Roe v. Wade, had a coughing fit on stage. With a recent spike in COVID cases across the country, I said a silent prayer: God, please spare me the latest variant.

No one wore masks, not least the reporters and researchers trying to blend into the scenery. I wore a mask on the subway this a.m., one of them quipped, but wearing it here would be the equivalent of me dancing down the aisle in a rainbow sundress.

And rainbows, the weekends speakers made clear, were decidedly a symbol of the demonic forces pushing the LGBTQ agenda.

Earlier in the day, Messianic Jewish rabbi Jonathan Cahn said a Pagan morality was taking over America, with ancient entities promoting everything from transhumanism from nature worship, to woke-ism, filling the void after God was booted from schools. The sign of one goddess who blurs the lines of man and woman, he said, was the rainbow.

That is why the rainbow is saturating our culture, replacing the cross, a sign of Western civilization. She is transitioning the culture

Hundreds of social conservatives flocked to the summit from as far as Hawaii, and at least one couple flew in from Canada. Some were members of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, a California megachurch thats pushing school boards to pass trans outing policies, and came in the name of parental rights. Many discussed wanting to stop gender-affirming care for minors, calling it the sterilization of children. They held fast to the belief that they were warriors in what speakers frequently called a spiritual battle.

Hosted by the Family Research Council (FRC), this annual rally of the religious right brought speeches from GOP rivals Ron DeSantis , Mike Pence, and Vivek Ramaswamy. And hours of lectures focused on bringing Christ back into public schools, dehumanizing transgender people, and ending abortion nationally. Panelists so often derided Marxists and leftists that anyone watching could start a drinking game.

Pray Vote Stand Summit attendees at a Friday evening worship service. Kate Briquelet/The Daily Beast

Tony Perkins, FRCs president and the events emcee, warned of an unholy trinity within the Biden Administration: abortion, the perversion of the minds of children with the LGBTQ, and climate. That is everything they are focused on to the detriment of the American family, said Perkins, who looks like a long lost cousin of actor Bryan Cranston.

The faith adviser to Trump addressed the audience as SAGE Cons, or spiritually active governance engaged conservatives. Were here to talk about voting to engage for the purpose of transforming the world around us, Perkins said from the podium, and we make no apologies about it. Yes, we want to take our values into the public square.

Everyone elses values is welcome, he continued. Were taking our values, and yes, we want to influence and transform the culture You can malign us, you can mock us, you can even cancel us, and you can even criminalize us, but were not going anywhere.

Throughout the summit, massive video screens played short clips of transgender U.S. assistant secretary for health Rachel Levine wishing people a happy Pride Month, a U.S. Navy training video on misgendering fellow sailors, and President Bidens 2023 state of the union remarks, which promised his veto of any national abortion ban and promoted the Equality Act to ensure trans youth can live with safety and dignity.

This is why we pray, vote, and stand, Perkins said after each one.

Everyone chanted this mantra in unison.

Family Research Councils track record of anti-gay propaganda, lobbying against protections for LGBTQ people, promotion of conversion therapy, and its leaders ties to the insurrection and support of Trumps election fraud lies are well documented.

Critics often point to its directors pasts, too, highlighting that Perkins spoke before the white supremacist Council of Conservative Citizens in 2001 and bought a mailing list from KKK leader David Duke while working for a 1996 Senate campaign. (Perkins, who joined FRC in 2003, denies knowing Duke was connected to the company providing the list.)

In 2010, the Southern Poverty Law Center designated FRC an anti-LGBTQ hate group, though FRC bristles at the label. Last year, it was revealed that the Christian think tankfunded by billionaires like the Prince family and reporting revenues of $24 millionhad successfully petitioned the IRS to be reclassified from a charity to an association of churches, a maneuver that exempts financial disclosures and helps avoid audits.

DeSantis, Furries, and Trump Merch: I Went to the Moms for Liberty Summit

FRCs annual conclave at the Omni Shoreham hotel (formerly known as the Values Voter Summit) has long been a platform for presidential candidates and others espousing extremist rhetoric. This years contenders, as in years past, focused on the idea of Christians being persecuted. We see weaponized government going after parents who are takinggoing to a school-board meeting, or faith leaders who are engaging in pro-life activism, DeSantis said.

The Florida governor vowed, if elected, to immediately fund private religious schools, create divisions of conscience and religious freedom in the Department of Education or other federal agencies, and ensure government documents only list two genders. We cannot fly the white flag of surrender into the face of the hostile forces that are doing everything they can to upend our way of life, he said.

Ramaswamy catered to the audience by decrying the cult of racial wokeism and gender ideology, calling affirmative action a cancer on our national soul, and proclaiming that being a faith-based conservative, married with children in a heterosexual relationship, is actually countercultural. At one point a heckler seemed to target him for his Hindu faith, shouting, Who is your God?

But Trump was the main attraction, with fans leaping to their feet as he emerged to Lee Greenwoods God Bless the USA and stood nodding and smiling upon them.

One year from now, each of you will vote in the most important election of your lifetimes, Trump said.

This election will decide whether America will be ruled by Marxists, fascists, communist tyrants who want to smash the Judeo-Christian heritage, or whether America will be saved by God-fearing, freedom-loving patriots like all of the people in this room.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at the Pray Vote Stand Summit at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. Anna Moneymaker/Getty

Facing four indictments, Trump rehashed his false claims of a rigged 2020 election. Every time the radical-left Democrats, Marxists, communists, and fascists indict me, I consider it a great badge of honor, Trump said, because I am being indicted for you.

While event organizers played relaxing string music toward the end of his remarkscreating the surreal effect of a right-wing meditation tapeTrump called Biden totally corrupt and cognitively impaired before apparently suffering his own mental lapse. We would be in World War II very quickly if were going to be relying on this man, and far more devastating than any war, Trump said.

Trump went on to win Pray Vote Stands straw poll at nearly 64 percent. DeSantis, slipping in national polls, snagged just 27 percent but led in the vice president category.

All weekend, Trump was toasted as the president who paved the way for the end of Roe v. Wade.

Peter Montgomery, Research Director for People For the American Way, told The Daily Beast that evangelicals believe that America is in a spiritual war and that the 2024 election is part of that spiritual battle between good and evil.

Trump is their warrior, said Montgomery, who has studied the religious right for more than 20 years and also attended Pray Vote Stand this year. In 2016, he wrote a piece for Right Wing Watch detailing why pastors were lining up behind such a flawed character; one reason is that they believed Trump was chosen by God to clean house in D.C.

They believe liberals are set on the destruction of Christianity, and the destruction of freedom in America, so they dont want somebody whos gonna be polite, Montgomery said, adding that Christian voters want someone who is willing to bust heads.

The California Megachurch Pushing Public Schools to the Far Right

A lot of people discount the religious right part of the right wing, he added. But I think its really important to understand the worldview, because one of the things the religious right offers to people is a chance to play a part in a really big story: America was anointed by God as a special place, and we were blessed as long as we honor that. And now, these evil forces, the Marxists, the communists, the gays, the feminists, theyve turned us away from God.

Its a really powerful motivator to think your involvement in politics, your running for school board, is part of this titanic battle thats taking place on earth and in the heavens, between the forces of evil and the forces of good.

Attendees prayed for such divine intervention on a prayer bus Thursday night.

To kick off Pray Vote Stand, the summit arranged two open-air trolleys for dozens of intercessors to pray for Americas leaders from about 6 to 9 p.m. They visited the Capitol building, the Washington Monument, and World War II and Lincoln memorials.

Outside Bidens presidential home, a Midwest pastor asked the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of White House staff, from the cleaners to the Secret Service. What the leadership is doing right now completely goes against you and your Word, he said, adding, We pray you remove them from their positions and put righteous people in.

At a candidate training workshop that afternoon, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitts former campaign manager Aamon Ross shared that the mission of his nonpartisan company, Kingdom in Politics, was to put 100,000 believers in office in 10 years.

Attendees, who paid $15, would learn the workshop was only the digest of a full training program that Ross said usually costs $2,000but that he was now offering for $497.

We need leaders with Biblical worldviews excelling, okay, Ross said. How does thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven, if were not the ones bringing it?

At a 7 a.m. breakfast with quiche and coffee, former Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann and Jody Hice, a onetime MAGA congressman and election denier from Georgia, sought donations for FRCs lobbying arm. Their goal: To raise $4 million for congressional candidates.

You and I are being marginalized, politically, spiritually, through cancel culture, through a host of different ways, Hice told the room on Friday. As head of FRC Action, Hice was soliciting funds for a super PAC and cautioned that weaponized government would be coming for not only FRC but us as conservative, Bible-believing Christians.

Bachmann said the ACLU, Planned Parenthood and the LGBTQ organizations seem to have unlimited money. Now chair of FRCs board, Bachmann added in her Midwestern accent, We dont think we need to have unlimited moneybut we gotta have some!

The 2024 election, she said, might be evangelicals last chance to save the nation. She steered guests to a donation slip on their seats that sought anywhere from $50 to $10,000. Write the highest, best amount that you can, but ask the Holy Spirit what you should do, and we trust him. Thats what we do. We asked him, Lord, what is your plan? Bachmann said, before leading a prayer and telling God, We dedicate this entire conference to you.

The meal preceded a long day of plenary sessions, where Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley and wife regurgitated exaggerated claims that an Antifa mob threatened their D.C. home. Hawley was just one speaker who addressed the topic of masculinity.

According to Hawley, liberals have dismissed fathers and the two-parent family, so conservatives must call a generation of men to get married and have kids, and invest your life in something more than you.

Former college swimmer Riley Gaineswhose tie with trans athlete Lia Thomas inspired her to trade dental school for a budding career in anti-transgender punditryalso preached about masculinity, cracked a blonde joke, and repeatedly misgendered Rachel Levine, the openly transgender HHS official.

The University of Kentucky grad detailed her 2022 race against UPenns Thomas, whose photo flashed on screen, and of being traumatized by sharing a locker room inches away from the six-foot-four, 22-year-old male fully intact.

A slide from the Family Policy Alliances presentation on pushing anti-trans legislation across the states. Kate Briquelet/The Daily Beast

As a Christian myself, I know why this is happening. Its entirely spiritual warfare Its moral versus evil, said Gaines, whose nails were symbolically painted pink on one hand and blue on the other. We need men to be willing to fulfill their biblical role which is to protect and provide, the Gen Z-er continued, later adding, Parents, as youre defending your daughters, teach your sons masculinity. Teach them to be strong men.

The war on everything LGBTQ continued that afternoon, with a Strategies for Saving Americas Schools and School Children panel featuring firebrand Oklahoma schools superintendent Ryan Walters. A moderator opened by asking Walters about a pedophile principal in his state. The official wasnt named but appears to be an elementary school administrator with a drag-queen alter ego and dismissed child pornography charges from two decades ago.

Walters, who routinely acts more culture-war conspiracy theorist than public official, answered, This is Joe Bidens war on our kids, on our schools, on our faith, on our country. And what we see here is a clear attack to push radical gender ideology in the classroom, destroy American history and take all rights away from parents.

But we are leading the country in how were fighting back on this, Walters added. We have a drag queen principal of one of our schools, who has now hired another drag queen  Well, Im demanding that that individual be fired. No drag queen should be running a school anywhere in this country, especially in Oklahoma.

Walters was seated with Quisha King, a Florida Moms for Liberty activist, and Sonja Shaw, president of Californias Chino Valley Unified school board, which recently banned pride flags and passed a parental notification policy. The latter measure, now facing a lawsuit from the states attorney general, requires teachers to alert families if their children identify as trans. LGBTQ allies have called the policy a danger and direct attack on trans kids.

During the panel, Walters boasted of enacting school choice in the state and approving the first religious charter school in the country in Oklahoma.

He then proclaimed the separation of church and state a radical myth.

The Supreme Court has been wrong, Walters said. There is no separation of church and state in the Constitution or Declaration of Independence. It doesnt exist. So we will bring God back to schools and prayer back in schools in Oklahoma.

That night, pastor Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel Chino Hillswhere Shaw and two of her fellow board members go to churchlanded a prime speaking slot before Trump. As The Daily Beast reported, Hibbs teachings include the claim that slave owners werent bad guys, comparing public school teachers to child molesters, and calling transgenderism an anti-God, anti-Christ plan of none other than Satan himself.

Christ is coming and I hope its tonight. But if he doesnt come back, then we want to vote for the right people and get involved, said Hibbs, who is a friend of FRC president Perkins and whose Real Life Network media platform was a summit sponsor. In the Pray Vote Stand goodie bag, attendees received his Countdown: All Eyes on Gods Ultimate Endgame pocketbook, which in the first few pages addresses extraterrestrials. I dont believe in visitors from other planets, he wrote. I believe in visitors from hell. Theyre called demons.

How Mark Meadows Testimony May Have Just Helped Prosecutors

Get involved in your school board. Find out whats going on in your PTA. And boy, I tell you in California, we finally figured it out after all these decades. Local, local. School boards, mayoral runs, city council campaigns, the county board of supervisors. Get involved.

If you dont like whos running, you run, Hibbs said.

Amen! a woman shouted.

We need to start challenging our school teachers that are teaching woke craziness, he continued. Do what we have to do back in California, is create a detox program. While Hibbs didnt elaborate on the program, he seemed to allude to his churchs Christian Released Time program, where students can leave class for one-hour Bible lessons.

The kids, Hibbs told the crowd, have the ability to leave public school and after public school, they can come to our church, and they can be detoxed. We have to pull junk out of them, and we have to put truth into them.

The church has got to lead the way. Pastors have got to stand on the wall, blow the trumpet, and warn the people. This is the last dance for this nation.

The fearmongering didnt end with the next days packed schedule.

The documentary trailer had dark, suspenseful music fit for a horror flick and began with a young child discussing special surgery to get girl parts. On camera, a mom said her childs preschool sent out a letter announcing her 4-year-old son was now identifying as a girl named Rosa. They would just look at me and listen and say, Helen, you should really learn to accept this and celebrate it. And Im like, Celebrate what? Celebrate that my child is going to be put on hormones, and his penis will never grow, and hell never have a normal sex life?

The film, Dead Name, delved into the experiences of three families whose children medically transitioned. It was removed from Vimeo for violating terms related to discriminatory or hateful content, but hailed in conservative corners of the Internet.

Viewers in the hotel ballroom, where chairs were crammed in rows, watched the clip as part of the Saturday panel When the Gender Battle Hits Home.

The Ex-South Park Writer Taking On Moms for Liberty

The repeated messaging at the summit was that young people wouldnt be transgender without indoctrination from schools and social media. Even in the exhibitors hall, a group called Screen Strong handed out Go Play Outside stickers and its representative suggested too much time on social media could spawn gender dysphoria. Young Americas Foundation, a conservative youth organization, handed out Woman: An adult human female stickers alongside its anti-socialism pamphlets.

On stage, Amy Atterbery, the mother of a transgender child, shared, My daughter was a happy child who at age 14 she announced that she was a boy and ran away from home two years later.

I had no idea that the gender identity indoctrination that had been going on in school had impacted her, said Atterbery, who added that shes estranged from her child. I had no idea that she was visiting websites that were further indoctrinating her into what I refer to as the trans cult. Atterbery openly discussed opposing her childs transition. Adults in authority validated her false belief that she was a boy, she said.

Atterbery said that her child underwent transition surgery at age 17 but the mom only found out through social media. She cried as she described being in the waiting room when her child later got a phalloplasty and called her care team butchers disguised as doctors.

Still, major medical groups including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, state that gender-affirming care for youth can be medically necessary, if not life saving. But experts say that minors undergoing surgery is rare; instead treatment typically includes social transitioning and puberty blockers.

Donald Trump shakes hands with Family Research Council President Tony Perkins before his remarks at the Pray Vote Stand Summit at the Omni Shoreham Hotel on Sept. 15, 2023 in Washington, DC. Anna Moneymaker/Getty

At least 22 states have passed laws restricting or banning gender-affirming care for youth. In May, the AP reported that the copycat legislation sprang not from grassroots or constituent demand, but from the pens of a handful of conservative interest groups and named the Family Research Council as a promoter of the bills.

The Human Rights Campaign, the nations largest LGBTQ advocacy group, singled out a related organization, the Family Policy Alliance, in its first-ever state of emergency issued in June. The report focused on anti-trans bills proposing bans on transgender bathroom use, participation in team sports, and medical care.

Family Policy Alliancethe lobbying arm of the right-wing Christian behemoth Focus on the Family, of which FRC is a spinoffheld a breakout session on its coordinated effort to push anti-trans legislation across statehouses.

Autumn Leva, FPAs senior vice president of strategy, told the room that the threat to childrens minds and things theyre being exposed to in curriculum or on social media has been growing like it never has before.

Now theres new threats, of course, threats to their very bodies, people who want to literally remove healthy body parts and transition them and tell them they were born in the wrong body and an increasing threat to take away their parents, who are of course their greatest protectors, Leva said. Thats what were here to talk about.

Leva interviewed the heads of two lobbying groups, Jeff Laszloffy of the Montana Family Foundation and Todd Gathje of the Family Foundation of Virginia, about their victories. She also plugged her groups Help Not Harm initiative and 2017 bill prohibiting transgender healthcare for children, which she said didnt get any traction until an Arkansas representative passed it in 2021 with heavy help from FRC.

She asked Laszloffy about a transgender identifying legislator from your state who caused a lot of problems, referring to Democratic Rep. Zooey Zephyr. Laszloffy misgendered Zephyr, claiming, His sole purpose for getting elected was to push this agenda.

In April, seven protesters were arrested in the state House for demonstrating against Republicans who denied Zephyr the right to speak against an anti-trans bill.

Laszloffy claimed Zephyr brought a bunch of people from the LGBT crowd into the chambers but SWAT teams were waiting for them. We knew they were going to be there and so did law enforcement, because they had people placed in those organizations, Laszloffy said.

We swung for the fences, Laszloffy said, adding, You cant do puberty blockers, you cant do cross sex hormones, and you cant do surgeries. Wait till youre 18. But we also made it illegal for any counseling or any surgeries or anything that would help a child go down that path.

We made it illegal in every single government or publicly-owned building, so that would reach down into the schools and told school counselors that you cant talk about them and transition a child on school property or using school resources.

The foundation also pushed a state ban on drag queen story hours, a law that a federal judge has placed on hold. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt there are no little kids out there begging to be told a story by a drag queen, yet for some strange reason suddenly drag queens are begging to tell stories to little kids. Why?

Grooming! a woman in the audience said.

Furry Panic Is the Latest Dumb GOP Attack on Public Schools

Other breakout sessions included Your Role in Identifying Our Next Supreme Court Justices, which underscored AFA Actions dream candidates under a future GOP president, and The 2024 Election Map with representatives for Ballotpedia and the American Principles Project, which was behind anti-transgender campaign ads in the midterms. (AFA Action is an affiliate of the American Family Association, an anti-gay hate group.)

Hibbs political group, Real Impact, gave a tutorial on ballot harvesting during which executive director Gina Gleason suggested that people leave progressive churches for ones with pastors plugging pro-life and traditional family candidates.

Gleason described how her church collects mail-in ballots, creates voter guides, and puts out political action alerts. Im sure you follow California, and it is as ridiculous as it sounds on the news, she continued, before referring to legislation that will literally allow the state to take your child 12 years and older from you without asking your permission or giving you knowledge that this has happened.

While Gleason didnt name the law, her ministry has been fighting Assembly Bill 665, calling it state-sanctioned kidnapping. Opponents have falsely claimed the bill, which amends a law allowing children 12 and older to receive mental health care without parental consent, allows the government to remove kids from their parents custody.

We as the body of Christ try to stand up and make a difference because Im sure that every one of us get up and vote every election, Gleason said. But Im going to tell you something: Voting is no longer enough. If we are going to change our country, we all have to do more.

On Saturday night, FRC celebrated its 40th anniversary with a black-tie gala that included a big band (Bachmann declared, I love that music, I want to dance so bad!), video interview with founder James Dobson, and prayers for Mark Meadows.

A tuxedo-clad Perkins called his friend and former Trump chief of staffcharged with racketeering in Georgias 2020 election interference casea true American patriot who has done so much for this country. In return, Meadows teared up and hailed Perkins as someone who is willing to speak truth to power.

But the congratulatory feast, where supporters dined on a salad with raspberries and Camembert cheese, filet mignon, and toffee cheesecake, also held urgency.

Gary Bauer, a former head of FRC who served under the Reagan administration and Republican presidential candidate in 2000, told the room the country is at the edge of a cliff, with irreconcilable differences.

It just keeps coming at us. How did it come to this? an incredulous Bauer said. A nation founded on the idea that liberty comes from God, that only a virtuous people can remain free, and now were actually having a national debate on whether its a good idea to have men dressed as women read books to our children?

Ex-Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows addresses the Family Research Councils 40th anniversary gala. Kate Briquelet/The Daily Beast

Bauer said his Marine father, nicknamed Spike, was well known for having an anger management problem. The crowd laughed and clapped at his next line: If I came home from the second or third grade and told Spike that a man dressed in a dress read me a book today in the third grade, Spike would be in jail with all those January 6 folks!

He argued the left is trying to build a socialist Neo Marxist secular nation to replace what we have.

They want to disarm us. They want to indoctrinate our children and if we follow them, it will be national suicide. When societies go down this path of demonic Paganism it always ends with the butchering of children.

Bauer also compared their political battle to the passengers who fought back on Flight 93, the plane overtaken by al-Qaeda on Sept. 11 that was headed for D.C. but crashed in a Pennsylvania field. We need to be like the passengers on that plane because our country is being hijacked. We need to vote. We need to take a stand. We need to fight back."

The next morning, a few people lingered in the Omnis lobby before and after the final worship service. One of them was a middle-aged California woman who attends Calvary Chapel and said that she often feels in a sea of a lot of evil and theres not a lot of people who think like me or want to stand with me. The conference galvanized her into forming alliances.

This is about activating ourselves and activating people around us, she said, naming parental rights as her top concern. And the time is now. Its not tomorrow. It was yesterday.

Meanwhile, a man told us he flew in from Michigan with his daughters, a promise to his late wife who worked for FRCs office.

Asked what he took away from the weekend, the 73-year-old said, I couldnt believe the struggle between good and evil. The antithesis that we do not deal with flesh and blood. We deal with the demonic forces that are out there.

We need to get this election right, he added. If we dont get it right this time, were going down the rabbit hole.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
Cassidy Hutchinson said she once ran into Mike Lindell walking around the White House unescorted.

She says Lindell said: "We can still win," referencing an effort to overturn Biden's 2020 victory.

Hutchinson wrote about the interaction in her forthcoming book.

Former GOP aide Cassidy Hutchinson says she once ran into MyPillow chief executive Mike Lindell roaming the White House unattended, making remarks backing former President Donald Trump's 2020 election claims.

In Hutchinson's forthcoming book, "Enough," the onetime aide to ex-Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows wrote of how the White House was steeped in paranoia while also describing how it could also be a place with little oversight  which explained her interaction with Lindell.

Lindell was a fixture in the conservative push to overthrow now-President Joe Biden's electoral win immediately after the election that November.

On January 15, 2021, a week after the Capitol riot and just days before Trump was set to leave the White House, Hutchinson writes  according to excerpts of her book  that she found Lindell walking throughout the building without a staffer or a guide before he said: "We can still win."

That same day, Lindell was captured on the grounds of the White House by Washington Post photographer Jabin Botsford, where the executive held a set of notes detailing his agenda during a meeting with Trump.

One of the visible phrases on the paper read: "Insurrection Act now as a result of the assault on the ... martial law if necessary upon the first hint of any," before trailing off out of view. Another note referenced a continued examination of the 2020 presidential election.

Hutchinson's book is set to be released on September 26.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) was indicted Friday on allegations that he and his wife accepted bribes from a group of New Jersey businessmen on behalf of interests in Egypt, totaling over $600,000.

Prosecutors allege the senator and his wife accepted cash, gold bars and a luxury car in return for assisting the businessmen. The FBI found nearly $500,000 in cash and more than $100,000 in gold at Menendezs home in a raid last year, allegedly payment for the bribes.

The senator stepped down from his seat as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee late Friday.

These are the specific charges that Menendez and his wife, Nadine Arslanian, face:

Conspiracy to Commit Bribery

The bribery charge, brought against Menendez, his wife and the three New Jersey businessmen, alleges that the group conspired to pay Menendez in exchange for political favors.

According to prosecutors, Menendez directly and indirectly, would and did corruptly demand, seek, receive, accept, and agree to receive and accept something of value personally and for another person and entity, in return for being influenced in the performance of an official act and for being induced to do an act and omit to do an act in violation of his official duty.

Specifically, prosecutors allege that the group met multiple times, communicated frequently  often via text through Arslanian  and the businessmen made multiple payments to Menendez and his wife.

According to the indictment, Menendez pressured New Jersey prosecutors in an effort to disrupt the prosecutions of multiple federal and state criminal cases.

He also allegedly took bribes from interests in Egypt, and in exchange advocated for issues important to Egypt in Congress. That includes pressuring the State Department to encourage the construction of a dam considered important to Egyptian interests and advocating on behalf of the Egyptian military in encouraging U.S. arms deals.

According to the indictment, Menendez set up a fraudulent business  Strategic International Business Consultants, LLC  to facilitate the bribes, prosecutors allege, as well as used his influence to protect a business monopoly of a second business related to Egyptian interests and the businessmen.

Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Fraud

This charge involves the same claims as the bribery charge, but is separate as it relates to the abuse of Menendezs position as a politician, and therefore a public servant.

All five defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit honest services fraud.

Conspiracy to Commit Extortion Under Color of Official Right

The extortion charge was only brought against Menendez and his wife, relating to their actions in return for receiving the alleged bribes. Specifically, it relates to the alleged pressure they put on federal and state prosecutors to drop or slow criminal cases that interested them.

New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin denounced Menendezs alleged attempts to influence his office in a statement Friday.

The allegations are deeply disturbing to me and my office, and we are already in the process of reviewing the concerns raised by the indictment, he said. It is a privilege to hold public office in service to the people one represents. Any individual who uses their public office to enrich themselves rather than selflessly serve the public does so at great cost to the public and to all public servants.

Forfeiture

In addition to criminal charges, prosecutors filed a forfeiture claim seeking to keep the money and other gifts allegedly paid to the senator as a bribe.

In total, it includes the couples home, paid for by bribes via a mortgage, according to prosecutors, as well as a luxury Mercedes given to Arslanian.

Prosecutors also seek to keep about $550,000 in cash and over $150,000 in gold seized from FBI raids on Menendezs properties.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A music festival in Kentucky has canceled a concert and fireworks after concerns that out performer Adam Mac, who was hired to perform, would be too gay.



The anticipated Grand Finale Concert at the Logan County KY Tobacco & Heritage Festival took an unexpected turn as Mac withdrew from his headlining spot amid concerns of local protests against his performance due to his sexuality. The festival organizers announced the concert cancellation on their Facebook page Thursday afternoon, citing unforeseen circumstances.

Adam Mac later took to TikTok to share his side of the story in a heartfelt video.

He began by saying, Hi, good morning. This is not the video that I thought that I would be making today, but here we are. The last 24 hours have been a bit of a whirlwind. Mac explained that the Chamber of Commerce for Russellville, where he is from, had announced earlier in the week that he would be headlining the annual Tobacco Festival.

He recounted a call from a board member who had organized his booking for the event but conveyed concerns from some board members and locals about the nature of his performance. Mac shared, They wanted to ensure that I would not be promoting homosexuality or sexuality in a family-friendly environment.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Undeterred initially, Mac expressed confusion over the concerns, stating, I dont really know what they expected I was going to do other than just come and put on a hell of a show like we do.

However, the artist learned that some residents were very upset about having a gay person headline the festival, with plans to protest the event, a realization he found just so disheartening.

Mac said the decision to withdraw didnt come quickly, explaining that he'd struggled with letting down supporters.



It feels like Im letting those people down. It also feels like if I dont do the show, Im caving and letting those people win. Eventually, he decided the best move was to cancel the show to prevent controversy, which saddened him greatly.

The cancellation didnt sit well with some community members. Mallory Keaton, a concerned parent, vented on the festival groups Facebook page, How do we get our money back if we want to withdraw our child from the pageant after the recent cancellation of the performer because of his sexuality. Id rather not spend money or support an event which discriminates against sexuality.

Amidst the disappointment, Mac redirected his fans to his upcoming performance in Nashville, promising a show filled with love and the essence of what he intended for the Russellville show, ending his video with a hopeful message.

So yeah, love you guys. Sending you love. Hope to see you soon, he said.
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) arrives for Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's meeting with U.S. senators in the Capitol on Sept. 21.

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) arrives for Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's meeting with U.S. senators in the Capitol on Sept. 21.

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was indicted by federal prosecutors in New York on charges that he accepted bribes including $100,000 in gold bars and $480,000 in cash in exchange for official acts that aided an Egyptian American businessman.

The indictment in the Southern District of New York alleges that Menendez and his wife, Nadine Menendez, engaged in a corrupt relationship with three New Jersey associates and businessmen  Wael Hana, Jose Uribe and Fred Daibes  where the Menendezes agreed to and did accept hundreds of thousands of dollars of bribes in exchange for taking official acts to enrich the businessmen and aid the Egyptian government.

The indictment alleges the senator and his wife accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars of bribes in exchange for Sen. Menendez using his power and influence to protect and to enrich those businessmen and to benefit the government of Egypt, Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a press conference on Friday.

Williams added that the investigation is very much ongoing.

In a statement, Menendez firmly denied the allegations and claimed that he was being prosecuted by a conspiracy led by people who simply cannot accept that a first generation Latino-American from humble beginnings could rise to be a U.S. Senator and serve with honor and distinction.

For years, forces behind the scenes have repeatedly attempted to silence my voice and dig my political grave, Menendez said in his statement. Since this investigation was leaked nearly a year ago, there has been an active smear campaign of anonymous sources and innuendos to create an air of impropriety where none exists.

Menendez was previously indicted on bribery charges in 2015 for allegedly attempting to help a New Jersey doctor accused of committing extensive Medicare fraud. Prosecutors alleged that Menendez tried to intervene on the doctors behalf after receiving paid vacations, gifts and hundreds of thousands in campaign support through a super PAC. The case ended in a hung jury in 2017 before being dismissed by the judge one year later. The Senate Ethics Committee later admonished Menendez for accepting gifts from the doctor.

According to the new indictment, Hana, working with his associates Uribe and Daibes, allegedly provided Menendez and his wife with cash, gold bars and mortgage payments in exchange for help in securing a lucrative contract in Egypt to monopolize the market for certifying imported halal meat. In addition, Menendez is alleged to have helped secure military aid for the government of Egypt.

A screenshot from the indictment brought by federal prosecutors in New York shows cash they say was found in clothes bearing Sen. Robert Menendez's name.

A screenshot from the indictment brought by federal prosecutors in New York shows cash they say was found in clothes bearing Sen. Robert Menendez's name.

A search of Menendezs home by federal agents revealed the gold bars and cash stashed in clothes bearing Menendezs name and in a safe deposit box belonging to Menendezs wife. Some of the cash was found in an envelope bearing the fingerprints of Daibes or his driver, prosecutors say.

The indictment details how Menendez met Hana through his wife Nadine when the two were dating in 2018. Nadine Menendez and Hana had been friends for years, prosecutors say, and Hana hosted the two at dinners that he paid for with Egyptian military leaders in attendance. The dinners occurred two months after the Department of Justice announced it would not seek to retry Menendez after his first bribery trial ended in a hung jury. At the time, the U.S. government had put $195 million in military aid on hold amid accusations of human rights violations by the Egyptian government of Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who came to power in a military coup in 2013.

The indictment alleges that Menendez agreed to use his position as the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to help free the military aid for Egypt. Without telling his staff, Menendez allegedly sought highly sensitive information about the U.S. Embassy in Egypt and passed it along, through his wife, to Egyptian military officials, according to the indictment. At the alleged request of his wife, prosecutors say Menendez ghostwrote a letter for the Egyptian government lobbying his fellow senators to support releasing the withheld military aid. He sent the letter to his wife from his personal email, which he later deleted, according to the indictment.

At first, Hana failed to deliver the alleged bribes to Nadine Menendez, who was allegedly promised a no-show job in exchange for her help. The indictment says that job materialized after Hanas IS EG Halal company received a monopoly from the Egyptian government on inspecting and certifying U.S. meat imports as halal, which means the animals were killed and processed according to Islamic law. To receive the payments, prosecutors allege, Nadine Menendez formed a corporate entity called Strategic International Business Consultants. In a text to a friend included in the indictment, she explained, every time Im in a middle person for a deal I am asking to get paid and this is my consulting company.

Without competition, the indictment says, Hanas monopoly increased payments from U.S. suppliers, which caught the ire of the Department of Agriculture. The USDA prepared a report detailing the increased costs caused by Hanas monopoly. Menendez then allegedly intervened at the suggestion of his wife and Hana by pressuring a USDA official to stop interfering with Hanas halal certification monopoly. The USDA did not follow Menendezs advice, according to the indictment.

A screenshot from the indictment shows gold bars that prosecutors say were found in a search of Menendez's home.

A screenshot from the indictment shows gold bars that prosecutors say were found in a search of Menendez's home.

Hanas alleged payments to Menendez and his wife also allegedly included the use of profits from the halal company to pay off Nadine Menendezs mortgage. These payments began after Nadine told Hanas associate Uribe that after her next trip to Egypt, [Hana] will be more powerful than the president of Egypt, the indictment says.

Those alleged payments were often delivered by Uribe or Daibes, although sometimes they did not arrive as expected, according to the indictment. I am soooooo upset, Nadine Menendez allegedly texted her husband after Hana did not leave her an expected envelope filled with cash. She complained that she hoped he would honor his word and provide payment after the senator met with Egyptian officials, the indictment says. After fretting that she should text Daibes to demand the payment, the senator responded, No, you should not text or email, according to prosecutors.

Menendez is also alleged to have intervened at the behest of Egyptian officials by sending a letter to the State Department on negotiations between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan about a dam Ethiopia was building on the Nile River. Around this time, Hana allegedly purchased 22 1-ounce gold bars, two of which prosecutors say were found in the search of Menendezs home.

In addition to the alleged bribery related to Egypt, Menendez is also accused of interfering in a criminal investigation into an associate of Uribes in New Jersey by advising and pressuring a senior state prosecutor to resolve the case in favor of the defendant.

Uribe then allegedly purchased a Mercedes-Benz for Nadine Menendez. After receiving the car, the indictment says, Nadine texted her husband: Congratulations mon amour de la vie, we are the proud owners of a 2019 Mercedes. The text concluded with a heart emoji.

Menendez is also alleged to have intervened in a federal criminal proceeding on Daibes behalf by promoting the nomination of a U.S. attorney whom he thought would treat Daibes favorably. But after the confirmation of that nominee (who was not named in the indictment, but who the timeline indicates would be current U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip Sellinger) that prosecutor recused himself from Daibes case. Menendez allegedly continued to pressure officials to drop the investigation. At the same time, Daibes and his driver allegedly delivered envelopes with thousands of dollars in cash to the Menendezes home that prosecutors say were later found in the search of the property. Christmas in January, Nadine allegedly said in a text to Daibes.

Several days later, Bob Menendez allegedly conducted a Google search for kilo of gold price. Nadine Menendez later allegedly brought two kilo gold bars to be appraised by a jeweler. Prosecutors say those two gold bars bore serial numbers showing they were purchased by Daibes.
ALBANY, N.Y.  As more than 100,000 migrants arrived in New York City over the past year after crossing the border from Mexico, Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul have begged President Joe Biden for one thing, above all others, to ease the crisis:

Let them work, both Democrats have said repeatedly in speeches and interviews.

Increasingly impatient leaders of Bidens party in other cities and states have hammered the same message over the last month, saying the administration must make it easier for migrants to get work authorization quickly, which would allow them to pay for food and housing.

The Biden administration took one step toward granting that demand Wednesday, extending a temporary legal status to an estimated 472,000 Venezuelans in the U.S. that will make it easier for them to get work permits.

But expediting work permits isnt so easy, either legally or bureaucratically, experts in the process say. Politically, it may be impossible.

It would take an act of Congress to shorten a mandatory, six-month waiting period before asylum-seekers can apply for work permits. Some Democratic leaders say the Biden administration could take steps that wouldnt require congressional approval. But neither action seems likely. Biden already faces attacks from Republicans who say he is too soft on immigration, and his administration has pointed to Congress' inability to reach agreement on comprehensive changes to the U.S. immigration system as justification for other steps it has taken.

The Homeland Security Department has sent more than 1 million text messages urging those eligible to apply for work permits, but it has shown no inclination to speed the process. A backlog of applications means the wait for a work permit is almost always longer than six months.

Those steps pleased Hochul and Adams, who said late Wednesday that he hoped the administration would also extend Temporary Protected Status to migrants from countries besides Venezuela. That designation is most commonly given to places where there is an armed conflict or natural disaster.

As frustrations have mounted, Hochul has said her office is considering whether the state could offer work permits, though such a move would almost certainly draw legal challenges. The White House has dismissed the idea.

Immigrants are frustrated as well. Gilberto Pozo Ortiz, a 45-year-old from Cuba, has been living, at taxpayer expense, in a hotel in upstate New York for the past three months. He says his work authorization is not yet in sight as social workers navigate him through a complex asylum application system.

I want to depend on no one, Ortiz said. I want to work."

In Chicago, where 13,000 migrants have settled in the past year, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wrote Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to ask for parole for asylum-seekers, which, they say, would allow him to get around the wait for a work permit.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, who declared a state of emergency over the migrant influx, wrote Mayorkas that work permits represent an opportunity to meet employer needs, support our economy, and reduce dependency among new arrivals. And 19 Democratic state attorneys general wrote Mayorkas that work permits would reduce the strain on government to provide social services.

The federal government has done virtually nothing to assist cities, said Chicago Alderman Andre Vasquez, chair of the City Councils Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

In the meantime, migrants unable to get work permits have filled up homeless shelters in several cities.

With more than 60,000 migrants currently depending on New York City for housing, the city has rented space in hotels, put cots in recreational centers and erected tent shelters  all at government expense. The Adams administration has estimated that housing and caring for migrants could cost the city $12 billion over three years.

This issue will destroy New York City, Adams said at a community event this month. Were getting no support on this national crisis, and were receiving no support."

Advocates for migrants have objected to Adams apocalyptic terms, saying he is exaggerating the potential impact of the new arrivals on a city of nearly 8.8 million people.

But protests against the migrants have escalated. Ten people were arrested recently on Staten Island when demonstrators blocked a bus carrying migrants. A police spokesperson said nine people were charged with disorderly conduct and one with assault.

Asked about the Staten Island protest in a television interview, Adams said he would not be bullied by anti-migrant protests but added, I understand the frustration that New Yorkers are going through and I understand the frustration that asylum seekers are experiencing as well.

Republicans have seized on the discord, putting Democrats on the defensive ahead of next years presidential elections.

Muzaffar Chishti, a lawyer and senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute, said the calls for expedited work authorizations are more about political optics than practical solutions.

They dont want to tell the electorate theres nothing we can do. No politician wants to say that. So they have kind of become the new squeaky wheel, saying, `Give us work authorization,' he said. Saying that is much easier than getting it. But its sort of, you know, a good soundbite.

One step that most agree would be helpful is to provide legal assistance to migrants to apply for asylum and work authorization, though that has also proved challenging.

Nationwide, only around 16% of working-age migrants enrolled in a U.S. Custom and Border Protection online app have applied for work permits, according to the White House. Since the introduction of the CBP One app in January through the end of July, nearly 200,000 asylum-seeking migrants have used it to sign up for appointments to enter the U.S. at land crossings with Mexico.

Federal officials recently began sending email and text message notifications to remind noncitizens that they are eligible to apply. New York City officials have also begun to survey asylum seekers to determine if they are eligible.

Another option would be to expand the number of nations whose citizens qualify for Temporary Protected Status in the U.S. That designation is most commonly given to places where there is an armed conflict or natural disaster.

The White House, though, might be reluctant to take steps that could be interpreted as incentivizing migrants to come to the U.S.
Elon Musk is everywhere.

Lets start with his company Neuralink and its pending human cybernetic implantation that has the potential of restoring full body movement to a paralyzed person.

We all have watched Space X launch thousands of Starlink satellites and provide Americas most powerful rockets. His Occupy Mars tee shirt says it all.

And we see Teslas on the road, everywhere.

His takeover of Twitter and its conversion to X is a new and powerful entry into the social media marketplace.

Its no surprise that he owns an AI company, xAI.

A bit more surprising is his ownership of an underground tunnel construction company, The Boring Company. Evolutions from Hyperloop proposals for high-speed underground transportation seem to have occurred.

Two more recent developments regarding Mr. Musk are potentially intriguing. The first is the Justice Department investigation of him and the potential of criminal charges regarding the alleged use of Tesla resources for a house for him, as reported in the Wall Street Journal last Wednesday. As political intrigue goes, in light of his relatively recent revelation that he is a Republican, this story may be worth following over the course of the forthcoming political season of 2024.

The second Musk-related development is even more potentially intriguing to me and has AI, free speech, religious and international political implications. I write of the recent meeting at a Tesla plant in California between Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu and Mr. Musk. On one level the meeting had to do with accusations against Mr. Musk concerning permitting antisemitism on Musks X platform. The underlying tone of the coverage in separate articles last Monday in The Washington Post and The New York Times was that Musk sidestepped Netanyahus call for Musk to denounce antisemitism. Interestingly, in The Washington Post article, Netanyahu was quoted as asking Musk, I hope you can find within the confines of the First Amendment the ability to stop [antisemitism]. That article further noted that, Musk told Netanyahu that, while hes personally against antisemitism, free speech does at times mean that someone you dont like is saying something you dont like. If you dont have that, then its not free speech.

Wow! Both the balance in Netanyahus question, and the forceful defense of the First Amendment in Musks reply, are powerful lessons for those who seem incapable of recognizing that one can be both balanced, and also forceful, in ones convictions.

I point as a prime example the pending fight in Congress over funding for Ukraine in its war with Russia. There seems a forceful, yet balanced, possible way forward.

Larry Little

As Ukraines President Zelensky was quoted in the most recent The Economist as saying, I have to be ready, my team has to be ready for the long war, and emotionally I am ready. That is essentially the question for us as well. Do we have the intestinal fortitude as both individuals and as a country to stay the course?

Yet, do we also recognize that our country has fought several wars for longer than we should have  Vietnam and Afghanistan being prime examples. Do we also have the wisdom to recognize that a zealous freedom fighter with impressive public presence has captivated a country where the vast majority of its citizens are generations away from having to literally fight with guns for their freedom? I applaud Zelensky as an international hero but recognize the need for caution.

On the applaud side, I see Ukraine as a national test for us as both a world power and as a country and a people willing to sacrifice. Previous generations not only claimed to be free, but they also fought for it, especially in World War II.

Even if the war in Ukraine was only about Ukrainian freedom and stopping Putins Russia and his territorial ambitions, and NATOs solidity was not in question, it would be worthwhile. However, its way more than that. Taiwan is nervous. Dictator XI awaits. As the Director of the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies wrote in the Wall Street Journal on September 16th, A long-term commitment that weakens Russia and helps Ukraine stand up to tyranny will strengthen deterrence in Asia and reassure Japan, South Korea and Australia that America is still a dominant world power and a trusted partner.

On the cautious side, I see the need for extensive oversight and accountability. While Ukraine needs to have the military equipment it requires, and have it sooner rather than later, we cannot write a blank check and keep writing them forever.

To me the key is frequent and stringent accountability to our Administration and Congress in secret sessions, while providing Ukraine what it needs to win.

Thats like seeking the Netanyahu/Musk repartee, supporting free speech while avoiding hate. Said another, familiar, way: Trust, but verify!

Contact Larry Little at larrylittle46@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: How Elon Musk's interests are loaded with social implications
adin-ross-andrew-tate-fake-kim-jun-un.jpg adin-ross-andrew-tate-fake-kim-jun-un - Credit: Adin Live/Youtube

Forrest Gump famously said, Stupid is as stupid does. Forrest Gump clearly never spent a Wednesday night tuning into a much-hyped interview between livestreamer Adin Ross and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un , which was crashed by masculinity influencer and accused sex trafficker Andrew Tate .

More than 330,000 people tuned into the livestream on Kick Wednesday night, according to streaming data, which featured not the dictator himself, but a Hong Kong native in a pinstriped suit that looked like it had been pulled from a Sheboygan dinner theater production of Guys and Dolls. During the stream, which reportedly broke Kick records, Ross peppered Howard X, a professional Kim Jong Un impersonator, with such hard-hitting questions as Is North Korea a fun place to visit?, followed by Can I come and visit North Korea?

More from Rolling Stone

At a certain point in the livestream, a deadpan Andrew Tate joined in, puffing a cigar while saying to the impersonator, I see youre working on your missile tech, trying to keep your country sovereign. Good luck.

A 22-year-old Tate acolyte who has platformed white supremacists like Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes on his channel, Ross was banned from Twitch earlier this year after multiple suspensions for violating its rules governing unmoderated hate speech in the comments. He has since become one of the most popular streamers on Kick, a Twitch competitor with more lax moderation policies.

Ross spent days hyping up the interview with Kim Jong Un on his social platforms, with many of his fans speculating that he had actually procured the dictator for an interview on his channel, despite Kim Jong Un rarely speaking to press. (The last public-facing interview he did was with a Russian news channel in 2019, and most recently wrapped up a trip to Russia to visit Putin.) In a livestream two days prior, he confirmed that he would be going forward with the interview, saying, We definitely got government officials hitting up my legal team and They saw and hit up, basically, my team and they just let me know there could be consequences for this.

Adin Ross, Kim Jung Un, & Andrew Tate stream takes a WEIRD turn.  pic.twitter.com/8mPulX9W9m  DramaAlert (@DramaAlert) September 21, 2023

The consequences, apparently, were getting lots and lots of clout. Though many disappointed viewers checked out of the livestream after seeing that Un was an impersonator, enough stuck around to watch Ross parley with Tate, the kickboxer turned masculinity influencer who has been charged in Romania with rape and human trafficking and is awaiting trial (Tate has denied all charges).

During the livestream, a vaguely amused Tate lightly negged Ross, as is their bizarre fashion, chiding him for having more money than you deserve while still not being able to snag a girlfriend. Tate addressed the Kim Jong Un impersonator as my G and chortled as he urged him to fuck [his] sister because she really needs a big dick.

When I had no money at all, and I was growing up in Luton on a council estate with a single mother with no money, I had all these dreams of what Id do if I ever got rich, he said, Turns out I go to Romanian jail and get waken up at three in the morning by Adin Ross to come talk to a Kim Jong Un impersonator. What am I doing with my life?

While we never thought wed type these words: Andrew, we couldnt have put it better ourselves.

Best of Rolling Stone

Click here to read the full article.
When Jurassic Park's John Hammond dreamed up his prehistoric theme park, filled with genetically crafted dinosaur-like creatures, he did so with an eye toward making a buck. Lots of them, actually. He wasnt concerned with creating accurate representations of extinct species, recovering lost biodiversity, or responsibly maintaining the populations he had created. He was, however, very interested in funneling as many paying customers as possible through those oversized wooden doors, and thats why he failed.

Any real world attempt at resurrecting extinct species must engage with the consequences of what that will entail. Where will those animals live? How might they impact ecosystems which have changed in their absence? And what responsibility do we have to maintain and care for populations of animals who only exist through our direct intervention? Perhaps most importantly, why bring back something like the mammoth or the dodo (or a dinosaur) when so many living species are on the verge of collapse? Those are questions we can only assume never crossed the minds of John Hammond or anyone else at InGen.

RELATED: De-Extinction Company Colossal Biosciences Commits to Resurrecting the Dodo

What if, instead, InGen had a corporate conscience and used their undeniably impressive set of genetic tools to drive innovation in wildlife conservation? Thats more or less the operating philosophy of the real-world de-extinction company Colossal Biosciences. The company has been developing de-extinction tools for years, and now it is partnering with BioRescue, a conservation organization determined to prevent the seemingly inevitable extinction of the northern white rhinoceros.

The Northern White Rhino Is Functionally Extinct, But Maybe Not For Long

To date, Colossals efforts have focused on a few alluring but extinct species. They have projects in progress to resurrect the woolly mammoth, the Tasmanian tiger, and the dodo. Announcing your intent to bring back animals that died out hundreds or thousands of years ago is the sort of thing that makes headlines and drives public interest; rest assured, Colossal does intend to bring those animals back, but its not the companys only motive. See, any tool that could be used to gather DNA, analyze genomes, and resurrect a woolly mammoth could feasibly also be used on living or more recently lost species.

Fundamentally, we want all of our technologies to be leveraged for conservation. Its great early on in our journey to de-extinction that we can be working on species preservation along that path, Ben Lamm, CEO of Colossal, told SYFY WIRE.

It's difficult to imagine a species closer to the brink than the northern white rhino. Today, the species is functionally extinct with only two living individuals, a mother/daughter pair named Naijin and Fatu. Both rhinos were born at the Czech ZOO Dvur Kralove but have been at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya since 2009.

Northern white rhinos graze in a field,

Fatu in front and Najin in back are the last two known northern white rhinos alive on the planet. They live at Ol Pejeta conservancy in Kenya. Thomas Hildebrandt, leader of the BioRescue Project and his team have been working to collect oocytes from Fatu, to create 29 viable embryos that will one day be implanted in surrogate southern white rhinos. BioRescue is teaming up with Colossal, a biotech company in the U.S to use genetic engineering techniques to bring more genetic diversity to the embryos that BioRescue is creating. Photo: Ami Vitale

Both living northern white rhinos are female and Naijin is no longer reproductively active. Even if she were, there arent any males. However, BioRescue has been working for years to preserve the northern white rhinos genetic heritage by gathering sperm and egg cells from the last remaining individuals. Using that preserved genetic material and the closely related southern white rhino as surrogates, BioRescue hopes to bring new northern white rhinos to term and restore the species to its natural habitat.

RELATED: Frozen Lab-Grown Embryos, a Hail Mary for the Northern White Rhino

Having preserved cell lines from a number of deceased individuals and from the two remaining northern white rhinos gives the effort a considerable leg up over something like resurrecting a mammoth, but there are still significant challenges.

How to Save a Species When All the Males Are Dead

We have the two living northern white rhinos in addition, we have 10 other cell lines of other animals, mostly that were moved to zoos in Europe and the states about 35 years ago. Those are great, but the problem is when a population declines from several tens of thousands to 12, there is an immense loss of genetic diversity, Matt James, Colossals Chief Animal Officer, told SYFY WIRE.

Building a robust population of northern white rhinos requires that we capture as much genetic diversity in their genome as possible. To that end, Colossal is mounting a massive effort to track down any existing northern white rhino specimens in museums or elsewhere. Hair, bones, and other biological materials could provide vital information to fill out the northern white rhino genome.

Once we know what weve lost, we can design a program around conferring that lost diversity back into the living population, James said.

The end game involves creating northern white rhino embryos in the lab, using preserved biological material. Then those embryos could be modified with gene editing tools to insert lost genetic diversity. Finally, the embryo would be implanted into a southern white rhino surrogate to carry the baby rhino to term. Eventually, Colossal hopes to develop artificial wombs capable of growing a rhino embryo (and a host of other living and extinct animals) from implantation to birth. Though, you might see your first mammoth before you see your first artificial womb.

Baby White Rhinoceros and mother (Ceratotherium simum)

Baby White Rhinoceros and mother (Ceratotherium simum) Photo: Martin Harvey/Getty Images

De-extinction doesnt feel like science fiction to us because were so close to it. What does feel like science fiction is artificial wombs. What were trying to do is build a flexible system that can take a species from an embryo to term, and not just one species but a lot of species, and account for anything from 13.5 day gestation on one end to 22 months on the other end. I dont have a timeline, but it will be a while, Lamm said.

In the meantime, the collaboration between Colossal and BioRescue has already revealed some logistical opportunities for scientific collaboration at large. In particular, James notes there is no centralized database cataloguing the location, type, and condition of museum specimens. In order to gather as much genetic information about the northern white rhino as possible, James and the team have to meticulously chase down specimens all over the world. Its not as glamorous as gene editing, but having a searchable database for what we collectively have would make lots of scientific work easier to accomplish.

RELATED: How Close Are We to Cloned Dinosaurs? The Science Behind Jurassic Park

What were finding is there are process and collaboration improvement opportunities for global consortiums to make these projects. Outside of artificial wombs and genetic engineering and deep genomic sequencing and all of these things, there are fundamental collaboration components that will come from this and thats really exciting, Lamm said.

Its unclear when or if the next northern white rhino will be born, but its more likely today than it was yesterday. And the lessons learned from the rhinoceros, the mammoth, and the dodo will extend to other species who arent in quite as much trouble. Colossal is building a metaphorical ship to ferry extinct species back to the land of the living, and along the way theyre tossing out lifeboats to species struggling to tread water.

John Hammond would never.

Kind of still want to go to Jurassic Park, though. See it for yourself, from Universal Pictures.
Kouri Richins, the grief book author charged with her husband's murder after allegedly fatally poisoning him with a fentanyl-laced cocktail, has now been accused of witness tampering.

The State of Utah alleges in a new court filing that a six-page, handwritten note was found in her jail cell during a search of her cell block by Summit County deputies, according to Salt Lake City-based station FOX 13. The letter was addressed to her mom, Lisa Darden, allegedly telling her to have Richins' brother Ronald Darden falsely testify that her dead husband scored drugs and pills from Mexico, leading to his death.

RELATED: Grief Book Author Accused of Fatally Poisoning Husband With Fentanyl-Laced Cocktail Wont Face Death Penalty

Richins was arrested in May at her home in Kamas, Utah, more than a year after her husband Eric Richins died of a fentanyl overdose on March 3, 2022 at age 39. She's accused of trying to frame his death as an accidental overdose.

The state alleges in its motion filed Friday that Richins wrote in the letter found in her cell that her mother should have her brother testify that, "Eric told [redacted name] that he got pain pills and fentanay from Mexico from workers on the ranch."

A photo of Kouri Richins at KPCW

Kouri Richins Photo: KPCW.org

The note allegedly added, "[Redacted name] can reword [the narrative] however he needs to, but is super short not a lot to it."

Richins is also accused of writing to her mom that she should give her brother these instructions in person because she was concerned that Lisa's "house and phone are bugged," FOX 13 reported.

In addition, the State of Utah believes that during a video conference that Richins had with Lisa on September 13, Richins held up a note for her mom to read to herself. The state suspects the letter was later destroyed.

In the new motion, that state said that "it is imperative" that Richins no longer have contact with Lisa and Ronald due to the alleged note found in the cell, which they say is proof of witness tampering.

RELATED: Housekeeper of Grief Book Author Accused of Fatally Poisoning Husband Says She Sold Her Fentanyl

A lawyer for Richins filed a motion stating that information in the letter will keep the defendant from getting a fair trial and taint a potential jury pool, and also claiming that the State of Utah has violated a gag order by filing the note, according to FOX 13.

Prosecutors stated in court documents filed in August that Richins wont face the death penalty for allegedly killing her husband. They said they came to the decision after careful consultation with Erics family members.

Kouri Richins

Photo: Rick Bowmer/Associated Press

This decision was made in careful consultation with Eric Richins father and his two sisters, who are Eric Richins personal representative and victim representative, respectively, prosecutors for the Summit County Attorneys Office wrote at the time, according to CNN.

Prosectors say that Richins and her husband were arguing about the purchase of a $2 million home leading up to Eric's death, with him unwilling to commit to buying the mansion. They also stated that Richins closed on the house the day after her husband was allegedly killed.

RELATED: Grief Book Author Accused of Murdering Husband Sues His Estate

Eric, who shared three kids with Richins, had also allegedly once told a friend that he suspected that Richins was trying to poison him after he started feeling ill following a Valentines Day dinner about a month before he died, the New York Post previously reported.

Richins wrote a grief book for children, titled Are You With Me?, that came out on March 5 of this year  two days after the one-year anniversary of her husband's death and about two months before her arrest for his alleged murder.
Boldness is something that drag performers live off of, and nothing says bold quite like hosting a performance with nine queens at the Orpheum Theater in a state that only months ago tried to restrict drag performances.

For Halloween, some of RuPaul's Drag Race queens will be hosting "Night of the Living Drag" at the Orpheum Theater in Memphis. The event will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 25, and will feature nine performers from across the show's 15 seasons for a night of "Twilight Zone-themed" performances and costumes.

The show comes on the heels of Tennessee passing a bill restricting drag performances in public places. A federal judge in Memphis tossed out the controversial anti-drag law in June though the ruling only applies to Shelby County. State Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said he still considers the law to be in effect throughout the state's other 94 counties despite it being ruled unconstitutional.

The law bans "adult-oriented performances that are harmful to minors"  as defined by the state's obscenity law  on public property or within sight of someone who is younger than 18. It also identifies "male and female impersonators" as adult cabaret performers, which includes drag performers.

Performers who broke the law could have been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony on second or subsequent offenses.

Drag queens appearing at 'Night of the Living Drag'

RuPaul's Drag Race: Night of the Living Drag will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, at Stephens Auditorium in Ames.

Yvie Oddly: winner of season 11 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Plastique Tiara: eighth place in season 11 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Jaida Essence Hall: winner of season 12 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Rose: third place in season 13 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Denali: eighth place in season 13 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Angeria Paris VanMichaels: third place in season 14 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Jorgeous: sixth place in season 14 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Icesis Couture: winner of season two of Canada's Drag Race.

Tayce: runner-up in season two of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.

Other Orpheum events to look forward to this season:

This 20th anniversary of New Ballet Ensemble's Nut Remix, a twist on holiday classic ballet The Nutcracker's studio alumni return to the stage alongside faces new and old. Roman Neal holds up a castmate as the cast rehearses the show at The Cannon Center in Memphis, TN on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022 ahead of weekend performances.

Oct. 3  The Beach Boys are bringing their California lifestyle sound to fans across the world on their "America's Band" tour.

Oct. 7-8  Watch the movie "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" which started the worldwide wizardry obsession with a live orchestra playing John Williams'score.

Oct. 10-15  Follow Fanny Brice on her journey to becoming one of the biggest Broadway stars in "Funny Girl."

Oct. 27  Kansas will make a stop at the Orpheum on their 50th anniversary tour.

Oct. 31-Nov. 5  It seems as though someone said his name three times because "Beetlejuice" is coming to Memphis. Recommended 13+.

Nov. 11  The Grammy, CMA and ACM winner, Ashley McBryde, is on her "The Devil I Know" tour and is stopping in Memphis.

Nov. 14  Rumors of Fleetwood Mac, a tribute band endorsed by Mick Fleetwood, is back again in 2023 and is celebrating the band again in Memphis.

Nov. 21-26  Join the "SIX" wives of Henry VIII in this Tony-winning musical about 500 years of history wrapped into a girl power musical.

Dec. 9-17  Ballet Memphis is back again with their annual rendition of the winter classic "The Nutcracker."

Jordan Green covers trending news for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached via email Jordan.Green@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @_green_jordan_

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Orpheum Theater in Memphis hosting Drag Race's Halloween event
ORLANDO, Fla.  Florida yanked four private school campuses, including the top-rated Park Maitland School, from its voucher programs because of direct ties to the Chinese Communist Party, Gov. Ron DeSantis  office said late Friday.

The announcement by DeSantis  who has called the Communist Party of China the United States greatest geopolitical threat  did not provide any evidence of the ties it found between China and Park Maitland and two private schools in South Florida.

But Park Maitland, which serves students in preschool through eighth grade, says on its website that it is part of Spring Education Group, a network of more than 230 private schools. Spring Education, the website says, is controlled by Primavera Holdings Limited, an investment firm (together with its affiliates) principally based in Hong Kong with operations in China, Singapore, and the United States, that is itself owned by Chinese persons residing in Hong Kong.

DeSantis this spring signed a bill that prohibits private schools that take part in state voucher programs from being owned or controlled by a person or entity domiciled in, owned by, or in any way controlled by a foreign country of concern or a foreign principal. The new law lists China as one of the countries of concern.

Park Maitland officials could not be reached late Friday. The school, founded in 1968, has its main campus on U.S. Highway 17-92 in Maitland.

A news release from DeSantis office said the schools connections to China constitute an imminent threat to the health, safety, and welfare of these schools students and the public.

For that reason, it suspended Park Maitland and Parke House Academy  a once separate private school in Winter Park now owned by Park Maitland and operating under the Park Maitland name  as well as Sagemont Preparatory Schools upper and lower campuses in Weston from the voucher programs, which provide state scholarships that can be used at private schools.

Sagemont also is part of Spring Education, according to its website, and also includes the same statement on its website about a controlling investment firm based in Hong Kong but owned by Chinese persons. Spring Education operates schools around the country, including ones in Arizona, California and Georgia, its website says.

The Chinese Communist Party is not welcome in the state of Florida, DeSantis said in a statement. We will not put up with any attempt to influence students with a communist ideology or allow Floridians tax dollars to go to schools that are connected to our foreign adversaries.

Park Maitland charges tuition of more than $20,000 a year for its first-to-eighth-grade program, according to its website. It boasts that it offers a challenging and robust curriculum, innovative instruction, and a vibrant school community.

It has an A+ rating and enrolls about 640 students, according to the school search website Niche.

Last school year, fewer than 50 of its students used state vouchers, according to Step Up For Students, which administers most of Floridas scholarships. The school received more than $329,000 in scholarship money, Step Ups data shows.

Its current scholarship numbers were not available, but Park Maitland may have more students using them this year because the scholarships, worth about $8,000 a year, were once targeted to low-income families but this year became available to everyone.

A spokesman for DeSantis did not respond late Friday to a request for more information on what the state discovered during what it called a thorough investigation.

The Chinese Communist Party has been a focus of DeSantis for the past two years, including his time on the presidential campaign trail.

In his economic plan revealed in August, DeSantis said he would end our abusive relationship with the CCP, reverse our ever-increasing trade deficits, ban imports of goods made from stolen intellectual property, strengthen protections to stop child and forced labor, and end Chinas preferential trade status.

_____

(Orlando Sentinel staff writer Jeffrey Schweers contributed to this report.)

_____
Judge Carolyn Carluccio, Republican candidate for Pennsylvania Supreme Court, campaigned in Honesdale Sept. 13 at Hotel Wayne, where Wayne County Republican Committee members and others gathered for a meet and greet.

Carluccio serves as president judge of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, where she has served 14 years. She is her county's first female president judge. Previously, she was a federal prosecutor, chief public defender and county deputy chief clerk. Carluccio is president of the Montgomery County Bar Association.

She said that as judge, she is impartial and applies the law as it is written.

"I taught civic education to sixth graders for the last 15 years... once a month for an hour, it's been a great experience. Those sixth graders understand the three branches of government better than a lot of the people I know," Carluccio said. "There's a reason for the three branches of government and I understand where I fit in that hierarchy."

Montgomery County President Judge Carolyn Carluccio, campaigning for Pennsylvania Supreme Court, was hosted Sept. 13 by the Wayne County Republican Committee at a meet and greet at the Hotel Wayne. She also had a tour of the courthouse. From left, in front, are Nina Lassley, Judy Ahrens, Judge Carluccio and Jane Varcoe. Back row: Amy Adams, Steve Adams, Marge Schwartz and Chris Ahrens.

She said her work ethic and passion for living comes from her 92-year-old father, who despite having cancer, continues to work out every morning and has a personal trainer, and works at his business three days a week.

"Judges need to follow the law. I don't always like the law... but it's not my decision. It's not what I am interested in," she said.

Thomas Shepstone, a Wayne County voter who owns a local planning and research consulting business, asked, assuming Carluccio is elected, "What has been your experience in convincing Democrat judges that you're right?"

Carluccio stated, "If I am fortunate enough to get to the Supreme Court, I will work with Republicans, Democrats, I don't really care... I am very good at dealing with people, talking with people. What I would like to do is to be able to convince them that following the law is the way to go. And again, it depends on the case, but I do truly believe there is a way to get more of a majority opinion on that Supreme Court."

On Nov. 7, she faces Democratic challenger Daniel D. McCaffery, who is presently a Pennsylvania Superior Court justice. The winner will succeed Justice Max Baer (D), who died Sept. 30, 2022. Because of Baer's death, the court went from a 5-2 Democratic majority to a 4-2 Democratic majority.

Carluccio won in the May primary with 53.6% of the vote.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Wayne County Republicans meet Supreme Court candidate Carluccio
Clark Burnett (left), an associate producer with acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns' production company, Florentine Films, talks with Catherine M. Pears (far right), Dr. Haywood Joiner and Connie Cooper at the Rotary Club of Alexandria's Tuesday luncheon. Florentine Films is working on a film project that will feature J.B. Lafargue, founder of Peabody High School and an advocate for the Black community.

Filmmakers Ken Burns and Erika Dilday, along with a production team from Burns' Florentine Films, have been working on a film project that tells the history of Black Americans from the Emancipation to Reconstruction to the Great Migration. One of Alexandria's own historical figures and a local high school will have a part in that story.

The story of Alexandrias own J.B. Lafargue, founder of Peabody High School and an advocate for the Black community, will be part of that 3-4 part documentary series, Emancipation to Exodus set to air on PBS in 2027.

We've been thinking about this project for decades, actually. And that's trying to tell the story of Reconstruction, which is one of the most misunderstood periods in American history, said Burns in a phone interview.

Clark Burnett, associate producer at Florentine Films, spoke to the Rotary Club of Alexandria about the project on Tuesday and people in town like historians Michael Wynne and Charles Charrier who have been helping him.

The crew also plans to film Lafargues gravesite, the Red River and other locations in the area.

Ive been so grateful to be working with people like Charles and Michael Wynne who brought me to J.B. Lafargues grave this morning, said Burnett. Michael was so gracious as to actually find J.B. Lafargues grave. This wasn't something that we actually knew where it was. We knew it was likely somewhere in Pineville or Alexandria. We didnt have an exact location. So with the help of many people here on the ground  Michael namely  we actually found the location.

While they are here, they are looking to do more research about Lafargue.

A production crew will arrive Thursday in Central Louisiana to line up interviews with people who have stories or mementoes of their familys history from this period in U.S. history. Those interested in sharing stories can email exodus@florentinefilms.com. They will also be focusing on Peabody Magnet High School and talking to those connected to the school and filming homecoming events this weekend.

In just about every film that Ken does, along with the history and the research that we do about what happened in the time of the historic events, we really like to have some stories that carry across time and let our viewers, our audiences, know about real people and who they were and what they did, said Dilday in a phone interview. She is working on this film alongside Burns.

She said it also a more interesting way to present facts and it makes history more tangible.

How did it affect someone? Where did they move because of this? So, thats what were doing with this, said Dilday.

Americans are super good at sanitizing their history. They're super good at changing it. They're super good at just taking sort of conventional ideas about it. And this is the most misunderstood period of our history. And so we're really obligated to tell a more complex story about it and an individual story almost paradoxically, can provide you with that entry to be able to do that, said Burns.

Lafargues story caught the production teams attention after Josie Abugov, a Harvard graduate, wrote a thesis concerning mixed-race inheritance. Abugovs thesis advisor Tiya Miles shared the history with them.

Lafargue was the son of an enslaved woman and a Confederate soldier named Arnold D. Lafargue. The state challenged his half-siblings' claims to his estate after his death. The case went up to the Louisiana Supreme Court in 1949 in State vs. DeLavallade. Abugovs thesis advisor Tiya Miles shared the history with them.

Abugov is Lafargues great-great grandniece through her maternal side of the family. She was born and raised in Los Angeles as were her mother and grandmother. Lafargue had no children.

While writing her thesis, she learned about her roots in Alexandria and Marksville and her connection to Lafargue and the DeLavallade family.

It's really exciting and I think it's such an important story to be telling, said Abugov in a phone interview. I think as I was doing the research, it was really astonishing and interesting to find out all of the great work and accomplishments that they had done.

Much of what she learned wasnt centralized in stories that she knew growing up as a member of the family and she didnt learn it in school and telling stories like this one is important.

"We're trying to engineer a story that backs up a little bit to the beginning of Emancipation and goes forward to the beginning of the Great Migration at the end of the 1910s - what is the beginning of a six-decade-long migration of African Americans out of the South for the obvious reasons of Jim Crow and other indignities, said Burns.

They like to tell a bottom-up history and not just a top-down history, said Burns. Being drawn to the story of Abugov and her ancestors and also to other stories gives people a sense of being there and of real lives being engaged.

That gives people, I think, a place to find common ground. And the stories that, we're very early in our process, that we're just unearthing and discovering are really great. And not the least is finding out just the unbelievable story of Josie you know finding the extent to which her family was deeply involved in this extremely complicated story, said Burns.

Abugov came to Alexandria to do research last year. Since her family moved to Los Angeles back in the 1920s, she doesnt know who she might be related to around here. Lafargues half-sister Mary moved to Los Angeles in 1921 as part of the Great Migration, said Burnett.

Abugov is hopeful that on this trip she will be able to speak to more people who might have known of some of her ancestors. The production crew plans to follow her and her as she participates in Peabodys events in sort of a full circle moment connecting the Reconstruction period to the existence of Peabody as a high school today, said Burnett. Others related to Lafargue will be in the film as well.

"On a more personal note, returning in more of a community this time, and being with the group of people and speaking to people more about this history, I think it feels full circle in the sense that it's showing the interconnectedness of this story, said Abugov who now lives in Louisiana.

I think often we think of history as something, Oh, that happened a long time ago. It has nothing to do with that today, said Dilday. Which of course it does.

People are forced to look at those connections in the present day that were foraged a long time ago because history connects us all, said Dilday.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Ken Burns' film project to feature Black Alexandria historical figure
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for strengthening ties with Russia at a meeting of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, state-run media reported Friday. Kim returned from a six-day visit to Russia earlier this week. Photo by KCNA/UPI

SEOUL, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered steps to be taken to raise his country's relationship to a "new high level" with Russia, state media reported Friday, days after returning from a visit that has sparked international concern about a potential arms deal.

Kim made the remark at a meeting of the Politburo of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea on Wednesday, state-run Korean Central News Agency reported.

The session was held to review Kim's Sept. 12-17 trip to Russia, during which he held a summit with President Vladimir Putin and visited several military sites to view advanced fighter jets, bombers and missiles.

Kim ordered unspecified measures for "further activating the bilateral relations in all fields and developing them onto a new high level ... for consolidating the successes made in the [Russia] visit."

The two sides should "expand and develop cooperation in every field in an all-round way," he added.

The Politburo meeting also included a report by Kim Song Nam, department director of the ruling party's central committee, which analyzed Kim's visit and "introduced the long-term plans for developing the DPRK-Russia relations."

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the official name of North Korea.

The trip "put the DPRK-Russia relations on a new strategic level in response to the demand of the new era and brought a radical change in the world geo-political situation," the report said, according to KCNA.

The White House last week expressed concern over a "budding arms deal" between Pyongyang and Moscow, citing intelligence that Kim was planning to supply Russia with artillery for its war against Ukraine.

Kim, meanwhile, is reportedly seeking advanced technology for the North's weapons programs, including its efforts to launch a military spy satellite into orbit.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol warned during an address to the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday that Seoul and its allies will not "stand idly by" if Russia gives North Korea technical assistance with its nuclear and missile programs.

"If the DPRK acquires the information and technology necessary to enhance its WMD capabilities in exchange for supporting Russia with conventional weapons, such a deal between Russia and the DPRK will be a direct provocation," Yoon said.

Yoon also echoed concerns about Russia raised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said Wednesday that Moscow has abused its permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council and called for the removal of its veto power.

"In such a situation, the call to reform the U.N. Security Council would receive a broad support," Yoon said.

Seoul's foreign ministry followed up on Yoon's speech by imposing unilateral sanctions on 10 individuals and two entities involved in the North's illegal weapons trade with other countries, including Russia.
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) was indicted Friday on allegations that he and his wife accepted over $600,000 in bribes from a group of New Jersey businessmen on behalf of interests in Egypt.

He has denied the charges, denouncing them as a smear campaign, calling the allegations baseless and false.

Here is what we know about Menendezs indictment.

What are the allegations?

Prosecutors allege that Menendez and his wife Nadine Arslanian accepted cash, gold bars, a luxury car and a mortgage on their home in return for assisting the businessmen. The FBI found nearly $500,000 in cash and more than $100,000 in gold at Menendezs home in a raid last year, allegedly payment for the bribes.

According to prosecutors, Menendez pressured New Jersey officials to drop or slow criminal prosecutions against the businessmen and their allies.

He has also been accused of using his position in the Senate to advocate on behalf of Egyptian interests, including lobbying for a dam considered important to the Egyptian government and moving to advance U.S. arms deals with the country.

Menendez also set up a business  Strategic International Business Consultants, LLC  to facilitate the bribes, prosecutors allege, as well as used his influence to protect the monopoly of a second business related to Egyptian interests and the businessmen.

The senator, his wife and the three businessmen were charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. Additionally, the senator and his wife were charged with conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right.

Chorus of calls for resignation

A growing list of Democrats have called on Menendez to resign from office, headlined by Gov. Phil Murphy (D-N.J.)

The allegations in the indictment against Senator Menendez and four other defendants are deeply disturbing, Murphy said in a statement Friday. These are serious charges that implicate national security and the integrity of our criminal justice system.

The governor also emphasized that Menendez is innocent until proven guilty, but that the gravity of the charges alone hurts his ability to do his job.

However, the alleged facts are so serious that they compromise the ability of Senator Menendez to effectively represent the people of our state, he continued. Therefore, I am calling for his immediate resignation.

If the New Jersey senator were to resign, Murphy would be in charge of selecting his replacement. Menendezs current term ends in January 2025.

Nearly half of New Jerseys Democratic lawmakers have called for Menendez to step down, including Reps. Andy Kim, Mikie Sherrill, Bill Pascrell and Frank Pallone.

Menendez responded to the calls late Friday, saying that he will not leave office.

Those who believe in justice believe in innocence until proven guilty, Menendez said in a statement late Friday. I intend to continue to fight for the people of New Jersey with the same success Ive had for the past five decades. This is the same record of success these very same leaders have lauded all along.

It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat, he added. I am not going anywhere.

The senator did, however, step down as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

History of corruption scandals

Fridays indictment was not the first time Menendez has faced criminal charges while in office. In 2015, Menendez was indicted on similar bribery claims over his relationship with a Miami doctor.

Prosecutors alleged that Menendez accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign donations from the doctor in exchange for pressuring the State Department to advocate for their interests in the Dominican Republic.

They also alleged that the senator helped attain passports for the doctors multiple girlfriends and other personal favors. In total, prosecutors alleged that Menendez received over $750,000 in money and other benefits including luxury vacations in exchange for his work.

The case went to trial in 2017, but the charges were later dropped after the jury could not reach a verdict.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The First Fall Festival at First Lutheran Church on Sunday, Oct. 1, is a community-wide event celebrating the end of summer and start of autumn with family and friends.

The event will feature outdoor live jazz music, food trucks and free games and activities for people of all ages from noon-3 p.m. A pet blessing will also be offered at 1 p.m. For $1, guests can attempt to dunk someone in the dunking booth with all funds going toward the Capital Humane Society in recognition of Blessing of the Animals Day on Oct. 4.

Parking will be available in the church parking lot, located at 1551 S. 70th St, with additional parking at Morley Elementary School, 6900 A St.

This is the second year First Lutheran has hosted a fall festival for the community. For more information, visit www.flclincoln.org.
In Northeast Asia, North Koreas nuclear saber-rattling and reckless rocket launches, along with communist Chinas daily acts of military aggression, serve as a reminder that the region has only seen a few short stretches of uneasy peace over millennia.

Until the current era, it was usually some Chinese empire or Japanese samurai dynasty making war with its rivals, and the small country of Korea stuck in the middle. One such time was in the very last decades of the 1500s. While English pirates of the Caribbean plundered treasure-laden Spanish galleons on one side of the world, on the other side the Hermit Kingdom of Korea was in a desperate fight against Japanese invaders intent on conquering Korea on their way to attack China.

In 1587, Japans Imperial Regent, and all-around head samurai in charge Toyotomi Hideyoshi , began negotiating with Korean rulers for passage through their country to attack Chinas Ming Dynasty. From humble peasant beginnings, Hideyoshi became a trusted retainer of the prominent lord Oda Nobunaga , who had largely achieved the almost impossible task of uniting Japan after 150 years of constant civil war among Japans prominent samurai clans. Upon Nobunagas death, Hideyoshi consolidated Japan in the 1580s, becoming the most powerful man in Japan. With a country full of idle samurai, Hideyoshi sought to put all that martial energy to use by taking on a declining Ming Dynasty in China; however, the only practical way to invade China was to land troops in nearby Korea first.

During most of its history, Koreas default diplomatic position was to be a reluctant ally of China. When repressive Chinese regimes came along, Koreans would rebel, occasionally enjoy independence for a while, or suffer under Chinese occupation. Content with the status quo with the Ming Dynasty and knowing that an alliance with a J apanese samurai regime was a deal with the devil, Korea chose to resist the inevitable Japanese invasion.

Throughout its history, Korea had to rely on strategy and innovative military technology to prevent being overwhelmed. One innovation of the late 1500s was the Hwach'a, a wheeled, black powder-fueled multi-barrel arrow launcher capable of propelling up to 100 conventional arrows or smaller numbers of larger projectiles out to 2,000 meters. For comparison, conventional bows had a range of 50 meters, and larger, ballista-type torsion-powered single arrow launchers had ranges out to 500 meters.

At the same time, Korean Admiral Yi, Sun-Shin is credited with the development of what is probably the worlds first ironclad warship, called the geobukseon or turtle ship. The ships had a wooden roof covered with iron plates and hides. Dozens of iron spikes protruded from the roof to prevent enemy boarding. Sails were used for transit, but the crews rowed during battle.

Three large chongtong at the Jinju Fortress museum. The closest is a cheonja-chongtong, the second is a jija-chongtong, and the third is a hyeonja-chongtong.

Admiral Yi relied on his knowledge of the rugged and complex coastline of Korea, with some of the greatest tidal variations found anywhere in the world. In fact, during the 1950-1953 Korean War , U.S. Navy planners, with fresh experience from World War II, advised against any amphibious assault along the western Korean coast where the average rise and fall of tides is over twenty feet. Combined with the impervious turtle ships, he defeated the Japanese navy piecemeal during a series of sixteen naval battles between 1592 and 1598.

Having no more than five turtle ships at any time, Admiral Yi was always outnumbered but always victorious. At one point, he refused to act on information provided by a spy, which would have lured him to a stretch of notoriously treacherous, rocky waters, in an attempt to use his own tactics against him. He was relieved of command by a king jealous of his fame, imprisoned, and brutally tortured, however after a devastating loss of ships in battle by his successor, he was wisely reinstated. In his greatest victory, the Battle of Myeongnyang, he destroyed over 30 Japanese ships out of a fleet of 133 warships and two hundred other ships, without any Korean losses. He died of a gunshot wound on December 16th, 1598, during the final battle of the Japanese invasion. Unable to achieve naval superiority and secure their supply lines back to Japan, Hideyoshi withdrew from Korea.

Admiral Yis legacy draws high praise from across the worlds naval authorities and historians. British Admiral and prolific naval author George Alexander Ballard actually compared Admiral Yi to Lord Nelson of England, citing that like Nelson, he was never defeated and died fighting with victory in sight.

Even more impressive praise for Admiral Yi came from 20th-century Japanese Admiral Togo, who stunned the world in 1905 by defeating two Imperial Russian Navy fleets close to Korean waters. After his victories, Togo humbly accepted comparison to Nelson, but flatly said Admiral Yi had no superiors in naval warfare.
Get a taste of the Big Easy in the coastal town of Fairhope, Alabama.

Alabama Travel

The sweet scent of beignets covered in powdered sugar. The bright beads hanging from the trees. The buzzing blare of trumpets. To most, it may sound like New Orleans, but residents of this coastal Alabama town may think otherwise.

Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce

Just 30 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico, Fairhope, Alabama, is a hidden gem in the Yellowhammer State. With an ideal combination of historic charm, pleasant weather, and friendly residents, people from all over flock to Fairhope for a relaxing getaway.

Whether youre staying closer to the city or the bay, downtown Fairhope is a must. Filled with local shops, restaurants, galleries, and more, this area is the best way to spend a leisurely day strolling outside. A block from the very center of downtown lives the charming entrance to an alleyway that will transport you 160 miles west of the city: The French Quarter of Fairhope.

History of the French Quarter

Alabama is no stranger to the French culture that is commonly associated with New Orleans. In fact, Alabamas French arrival predates Louisianas. The history of French influence in Alabama actually begins just 20 miles north of Fairhope in Mobile, Alabama.

According to French-American magazine France-Amerique, Mobile was founded as the capital of colonial French Louisiana from the nickname La Mobile in 1702 and remained a part of New France for over 60 years. The next year after settling in Mobile, the first ever Mardi Gras celebration in America took place in Mobile, introducing the fun and flashy Carnival to the country.

Eventually the Treaty of Paris ended the French and Indian War in 1763, and France gave its territories east of the Mississippi to Great Britain. The French left Alabama and retreated to New Orleans, which became the new capital of French Louisiana in 1722.

Even though the French left Alabama, their influence on the culture stayed and is still very much alive today. Fairhopes French Quarter was built in 1994 and honors the history of the French settlers in Mobile. This charming and historical section of downtown offers a chance for everyone to enjoy the wonderful pieces of culture that the French brought to Alabama.

Things to Do in the French Quarter

After walking through the topiary-draped archway onto a red brick path, youll immediately be welcomed by an array of New Orleans-inspired restaurants and shops in a stunning cobblestone courtyard (and you may get serenaded by a live jazz band!). This unique area of the city is loved by locals and tourists alike, and it offers an ideal break to relax under large shady trees, enjoy a bite to eat, and spend a little time shopping.

Panini Pete's

The most popular lunch spot in the French Quarter is Panini Petes, a New-Orleans style sandwich shop. The menu features items from classic New Orleans cuisine, including the famous Muffuletta panini and a variety of beignets. With quick service and plenty of outdoor seating, Panini Petes is the best stop for grub in the French Quarter.

If youve got a sweet tooth that needs satiating, youll want to take a trip into the Fairhope Sweet Shop. This adorable candy store in the French Quarter is packed with classic, wacky, and nostalgic selections that will bring out your inner child. If candy isnt your thing, the Fairhope Sweet Shop offers a variety of French macarons to fit perfectly into your New Orleans-inspired visit.

After eating, you can check out the specialty shops and boutiques in the French Quarter and sit by the fountain to finish up your trip to this unique area of the city. We recommend checking out the artisan shop In the Company of Angels before you head out of the Quarter. Filled with eclectic and locally-made items, this store is great if you want to bring home a unique gift to commemorate your time in Fairhope.

Next time you're in Fairhope, don't miss the French Quarter. This captivating courtyard represents all of the charm and quirkiness the city has to offer.

For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Southern Living.
Editors Note: A version of this story appears in CNNs Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the regions biggest stories. Sign up here.

London-based Nigerian fashion designer Mowalola Ogunlesi has apologized after stirring a backlash online for showcasing a miniskirt with a print of the Saudi Arabian flag in her Spring 2024 collection at London Fashion Week on Friday.

The Mowalola collection contained various flags as miniskirts, including those of China, the UK and Japan. Saudi Arabias flag features the Shahada, the Islamic oath, which says: there is no god but God; Mohammed is the messenger of God.

Major Arab and Muslim fashion accounts urged the fashion distributor FarFetch to halt sales of Mowalola items, threatening to boycott the company. FarFetch has a large customer base in the Middle East.

The Saudi skirt in question has been removed from the collection. Mowalola also debuted skirts made from other national flags, as shown here. - Courtesy Mowalola

Ogunlesi initially mocked the controversy on X, formerly known as Twitter.

A mini skirt being an act of war in 2023 is so dystopian, according to a screenshot posted by the Couture is Beyond account on X. Cry me a river, says another.

The designer later deleted posts and apologized for hurt or offense her designs caused.

After the show, I found that one of these flags - Saudi Arabia - features sacred words, and its use has caused great offense. Now that Ive been educated on this topic, I sincerely apologise for this, Ogunlesi said on X.

Thank you for holding me accountable, and I appreciate your understanding as I learn from this experience, she added.

The Saudi flag is not typically printed on clothing out of respect for the holy inscription. The Saudi Ministry of Commerce banned businesses from using it for commercial purposes in 2022, according to Saudi media. The Saudi flag is never flown at half-staff at times of national mourning anywhere in the world.

Users on X criticized the design in posts and comments, calling it disrespectful and offensive.

This miniskirt isnt the first time Mowalola has used religious symbols in designs. The brand frequently used the crucifix in its Spring 2023 collection.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
After an F-35 fighter jet disappeared into the South Carolina sky, a 911 operator received a confounding call.

I guess we got a pilot at our house and he says he got ejected from the plane, said the caller, asking for an ambulance.

Im sorry, what happened? the operator asked, according to a recording obtained by CNN.

We got a pilot in the house, and I guess he landed in my backyard and were trying to see if we can get an ambulance to the house, please.

Were getting help on the way, the operator said, before the pilot took the phone.

We had a military jet crash, he said. Im the pilot. We need to get rescue rolling.

And then he added: Im not sure where the airplane is. It would have crash-landed somewhere. I ejected.

Airmen from Joint Base Charleston during the recovery process for the jet - Henry Taylor/The Post and Courier/AP

The $100 million fighter jet had gone missing.

It would be found hours later, and miles away, triggering a Pentagon investigation into the mishap that forced the pilot to eject near Charleston on Sunday.

In the immediate aftermath, the 911 operator processed what the pilot had just said.

OK, I understand, sir, she said.

The 47-year-old pilot said he fell more than 2,000 feet, but a Marine official said Monday the fighter jet was flying at 1,000 feet when the pilot ejected.

What caused the fall?

An aircraft failure.

The 911 operator asked if there was serious bleeding.

I dont know. I cant see myself.

The 911 caller interjected, No, you look fine just a couple scratches.

I feel OK. My back just hurts, the pilot said. Has there been a report of an airplane crash?

I have not seen any, the operator said.

The jets debris field  about two hours northeast of Joint Base Charleston  was discovered Monday after a multi-agency search on the ground and from the air. Authorities had made an unusual plea to the public for help finding the jet. The pilot was taken to a local medical facility in stable condition.

On the phone Sunday, the operator had asked where the pilot was injured:

Maam, Im a pilot in the military aircraft and I ejected. So I just rode a parachute down to the ground. Can you please send an ambulance?

CNNs Nouran Salahieh, Oren Liebermann and Holly Yan contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WOWK)  An Ohio man is being charged with falsely reporting an incident after investigators say his call to authorities to report a bear attack was just a ploy to get out of a wooded area of West Virginia.

According to a criminal complaint from Kanawha County Magistrate Court, first responders were called in the early morning hours of Friday, Sept. 22, to assist a man in the woods. Dispatchers said the man claimed he was injured and stranded along steep terrain.

Dispatchers said the man cried Please help me! and that he was being attacked by a bear, the Kanawha County Sheriffs Office reported. The man also allegedly claimed that he had been walking for days, his phone was dying and that the bears were circling him and he was going to die.

Man dies after being stung by swarm of bees in Kentucky

The man was later identified as Christian Leonhardt, 47, of Brecksville, Ohio, per the complaint.

Deputies said they, and several search and rescue groups, worked to locate Leonhardt, using emergency lights and sirens to both scare away any bears and point the man toward their location. Authorities also attempted to get a helicopter from the West Virginia State Police or another agency to assist in the search.

The criminal complaint said that, while on the phone with dispatchers, Leonhardt continued to say the bears were stalking him and that he began screaming. He also allegedly claimed to have a head injury and was bleeding.

Dispatchers said they advised him to apply pressure with his shirt if he was badly bleeding.

Bumbling bear wreaks havoc, destruction in attempt to enter Virginia home

According to the complaint, after a two-hour search, crews finally found Leonhardt. Once they were at his location, he allegedly denied medical treatment from fire and EMS crews, claiming he just wanted a ride out of the woods.

First responders said Leonhardt was not bleeding and did not have any visible injuries.

Deputies said Leonhardt allegedly told them he was extremely intoxicated and apologized for wasting their time, but that he needed to get out of the woods.

Leonhardt was arrested and is being charged with falsely reporting an emergency incident.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
UAW members walked off the job at noon in Marysville, in solidarity with colleagues across the country on Sept. 22, 2023.

MARYSVILLE - Workers in Marysville joined the expanding UAW strike Friday after UAW President Shawn Fain announced that 38 new sites across the country were joining the movement at noon.

The one-week-old strike expanded to only General Motors and Stellantis sites. Fain said Ford was making progress in their discussions. Ford's Wayne Assembly in Michigan, GM's Wentzville Assembly in Missouri and Stellantis' Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio were the first to go on strike last week.

Fain said the expanded strike includes 5,625 workers at 38 locations across 20 states and nine regions for both automakers, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Workers at the Marysville National Parts Distribution Center lined up outside the doors to exit at noon, holding their fists high and shouting "solidarity" as they walked out. Family members lined up outside to support them in UAW shirts.

One by one workers went through the security gate, got in their cars and drove to the other side of Huron Boulevard to stand outside the distribution center with picket signs. Passers-by honked in support.

Corey Miller, who has worked at the Marysville National Parts Distribution Center for 28 years, hugs his wife as the strike begins on Sept. 22, 2023.

Trevor Hibbs, the UAW health and safety representative for his plant, said he got the word they would be going on strike at 10 a.m. when Fain announced it. He said it was important for the union to stand up for better benefits for workers.

Hibbs said he knew employees who had been "temporary workers" despite working at the plant for years.

"They just want to keep them temporary so they don't have to pay for benefits," Hibbs said.

Friends and family gather just before the strike begins at the Marysville National Parts Distribution Center on Sept. 22, 2023.

Kara Goold and her daughter Lydia waited outside the plant in a UAW shirt to show support for her husband, who has worked at the parts distribution center for 28 years.

"It's scary, but somebody's got to stand up for them," Kara Goold said.

Hibbs said the strike will go on until the union and the auto manufacturers reach a tentative agreement to address their demands.

UAW members formed a picket line on Huron Boulevard in Marysville on Sept. 22, 2023.

Cathryn Corbat, who has worked at the distribution center for 27 years, said she made preparations in anticipation of the strike.

"I've planned for a little bit of time, so I do have some savings," Corbat said. She's also made money at the side working as an assistant to a wedding planner.

Still, as a single mother of two kids, the loss of her income has her worried about her future. Despite the risks, however, she said it was important for her to stand with her colleagues.

"The UAW has meant a lot to me in the time I've been here," Corbat said. "I'm a strong believer in the union and I believe in our union leadership."

Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Marysville site joins UAW strike against Detroit Three
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Detectives with the Metro Nashville Police Departments East Precinct are working to identify three people believed to be responsible for several vehicle thefts and attempted thefts over the last two weeks.

Suspect 1 (Source: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Suspect 2 (Source: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Suspect 3 (Source: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Suspects 1 and 2 (Source: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Suspects 1, 2, and 3 (Source: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Police said the trio is being investigated for incidents on the following dates:

Sept. 11: 900 block of Boscobel Street

Sept. 11: 800 block of Dew Street

Sept. 11: 1300 block of Lenore Street Two cars stolen: Nissan Murano and Volkswagen Jetta

Sept. 11: 600 block of Lenore Street

Sept. 12: 1000 block of Lenore Street

Sept. 15: 900 block of Russell Street

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee

The majority of the vehicles involved had smashed windows and steering columns broking to gain entry and access, according to authorities. Other than the two vehicles in the 1300 block of Lenore Street, all of the vehiclees were Hyundais.

Anyone with any information on the suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463 (615-74-CRIME).

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  On Thursday, Governor Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) announced a series of Medicaid reimbursement reforms in Mississippi. According to the governor, the reforms are estimated to generate approximately $700 million for hospitals across the state.

Over the course of my tenure, we have constantly looked for solutions to Mississippis pressing health concerns. Weve met with hospitals and doctors, insurance experts and community leaders, said Governor Tate Reeves. Todays action will have a major impact, but this is still just the beginning. Our eyes are set on the future, and we aim to continue ushering in reforms that strengthen Mississippis healthcare system no matter where you live in the state.

UMMC nursing program adding traditional BSN to Ole Miss campus

Reeves said the first initiative, known as the Mississippi Hospital Access Program (MHAP), will provide direct payments to hospitals serving patients in the Mississippi Medicaid managed care delivery system.

The governor said the second initiative will supplement Medicaid base payment rates for hospitals by reimbursing inpatient and outpatient hospital services in the fee-for-service system up to the Medicare upper payment limit.

To minimize the recurring impact of state general fund expenditures, Reeves said the non-federal share of the directed and supplemental payments will be financed through assessments hospitals pay annually to the Medicaid program through a formula set out in state law.

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) must approve both proposals, which are being submitted. If approved, both would be effective as of July 1, 2023.

Reeves also called for prior authorization reform and announced that a working group on health issues would continue to meet to discuss further reforms in the state moving forward.

On Thursday, Reeves highlighted the impact on several hospitals around the state including:

An over $66 million or 50% increase for The University of Mississippi Medical Center.

An over $53 million or 337% increase for Forrest General Hospital.

An almost $34 million or 233% increase for Singing River Hospital.

An over $15 million or 259% increase for Delta Regional Medical Center.

An over $10 million or 138% increase for Greenwood Leflore Hospital.

An almost $17 million or 213% increase for Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center.

An over $9 million or 208% increase for Bolivar Medical Center.

An over $21 million or 262% increase for South Central Regional Medical Center.

An over $33 million or 115% increase for North Mississippi Medical Center.

An almost $17 million or 213% increase for Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center.

The governors announcement comes as the state is facing a healthcare crisis. Recent reports showed that Mississippi is experiencing a shortage of OB-GYNs, as well as a high infant mortality rate.

Mississippi has 74 rural hospitals, and some of those hospitals face the risk of closure. Five have closed since 2005, and 24 are at immediate risk of closing because of severe financial problems, according to a national policy group, Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform. Only Texas and Kansas have more hospitals in that risk category.

Mississippi is one of 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid to low-wage workers whose jobs dont provide private health insurance. Expansion is an option under the health care overhaul signed into law in 2010 by then-President Barack Obama.

Mississippi Baptist Medical Center designated as burn center

Reeves has said for years that he opposes Medicaid expansion because he does not want to add more people to a government program that he derides as welfare.

Health officials have said Mississippi could receive about $1 billion a year from the federal government for Medicaid expansion. The federal government would pay 90% of the cost for people added to the program, and the state government would pay 10%.

After Reeves announcement, Brandon Presley, the Democratic nominee for governor, said, If Tate Reeves really cared about ending the hospital closure crisis he created, he would call a special session and expand Medicaid so working families can get the healthcare they need. Tate Reeves has had 12 long years to do something about Mississippis hospital crisis and 47 days before an election is too little, too late for the hospitals that have cut essential services, lost jobs, or are on the brink of closing altogether.

In April, Reeves signed a bill to create a Mississippi Hospital Sustainability Grant Program to alleviate some financial problems created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospitals are eligible for $250,000 to $1 million, depending on the size of the facility and whether it offers emergency services. The bill passed 52-0 in the Senate and 111-2 in the House.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
The mother of a missing Virginia mom tells TODAY.com that she and her family are "deeply concerned," revealing that her daughter is pregnant.

"We are deeply concerned for our daughter Lauren, and our grandchildren Benjamin, Hannah, Elijah and our unborn grandchild," Lisa Tousa tells TODAY.com via email.

"We want them all to know we love them and are here for them and want to help bring them to safety," adds Tousa.

Laurens husband Jordan Cook, who is the father of their children, previously told a local broadcaster that he is not worried about his wife and three children, who police have declared "missing."

Contrary to what has been reported, my wife and children are not missing, Jordan told WSET-TV on September 18. I have no reason to be concerned about their safety or well-being. I have heard from my wife, and Im sure she and my children are doing well. We ask that our familys privacy be respected at this time.

According to a September 19 Facebook post by the Franklin County Sheriffs Office in Rocky Mount, a missing person's investigation began on September 13 after Lauren Cook, 30, failed to show up to the Franklin County Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court for a scheduled appearance. Authorities are also searching for her three children, Benjamin, 7, Hannah, 5, and Elijah, 2.

Law enforcement follow-up was conducted with family members who had lost contact with Lauren and the children several days prior, read the Facebook post. It was at this time that a missing person report was made and Lauren with her three children were all entered by law enforcement as missing persons. There has been no reported contact with Lauren since September 5th or 6th, when she stated that she was in New York visiting family.

"On September 14th, 2023, investigators confirmed that Lauren and her children were in Litchfield, Illinois," read the post.

The children are listed on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Childrens website.

Sgt. Megan Huston of the Franklin County Sheriffs Office told TODAY.com that the mother's cell phone last pinged on September 7 in Lexington, Kentucky.

Huston told TODAY.com that Jordan originally stated he had not been in contact with (his wife and children). Recently he said that he has, but does not know or will not disclose location.

She added that Jordan is not specifically under investigation, but he is obviously within this investigation.

On September 22, Huston shared an update with TODAY.com.

"The family was due back in court on Wednesday, September 20th, 2023," she says. "Lauren and the children did not appear. (The) husband did."

She added, "Both the husband and Laurens mother relayed to investigators that they both received phone calls from Lauren the morning of court. The phone calls were simply to let them know that her and the kids were OK but did not disclose a location."

Huston says Jordan "has been cooperative with our office and has been attending any court dates that were set."

Lauren and her children will remain classified as missing by authorities until they make face-to-face contact with law enforcement, says Huston, "to ensure that they are OK and not under any duress."

TODAY.com has attempted to reach Jordan Cook, without success.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Blood donors elated after donating blood to the American Red Cross. The Red Cross seeks African American blood donors to help those with sickle cell disease get their blood transfusions.

Amid a national shortage, Athens area blood banks are seeking to re-supply an annual shortage caused by the University of Georgia and local summer breaks.

The American Red Cross put out a notice earlier this month that the "national blood supply has fallen to critically low levels." Athens hospitals typically have blood supply shortages during winter and summer breaks, when many people are traveling and students are largely not in Athens.

Athens' blood donation supply is heavily influenced by the semesters' schedules, said Patti Duckworth, executive director of the Northeast Georgia chapter of the American Red Cross.

"Athenians plan their life around the university's school and activity schedule," Duckworth said. "That contributes to the decline in blood donations in Athens."

Duckworth noted that there's an ongoing need for blood donations because donated blood can only be used for up to 21 days, then the calendar starts over.

For perspective, a serious car accident may need up to 100 pints of blood, she said. That means 100 people would need to donate blood to meet that demand.

During the fall and spring semesters, Duckworth partners with the University of Georgia's Red Cross Club, a student-led organization that hosts blood drives either at the Tate Center or Memorial Hall, one to two times a month. She said that the Red Cross also sponsors blood drives with over 15 organizations at UGA such as fraternities and sororities, and many takes place at UGA dorms and the UGA School of Law, for example.

"The Red Cross is working with hospitals around the clock to meet the needs of patients," Duckworth said. "So they can't do it alone."

As part of the ongoing effort to collect blood donations, UGA and the University of Florida will compete for the most donations at the Blood Battle, held Oct. 18-19 at the Tate Center. Athens Academy will hold a blood drive on Sept. 28. Also, the Red Cross accepts blood donations at the Athens Blood Donation Center at 3525 Atlanta Highway on various days and times.

Donations by African Americans needed

Locally, the Red Cross partners with Clarke Central High School, Zeta Beta Beta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Zeta Beta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, New Grove Baptist Church and Cedar Shoals High School to boost blood donations from African Americans to increase the chances for those living with sickle cell disease to receive regular blood transfusions, Duckworth said.

Blood donor elated to donate blood to the American Red Cross. The Red Cross seeks African American blood donors to help those with sickle cell disease get their blood transfusions.

Particularly in September, the Red Cross seeks African American blood donors as part of the sickle cell awareness campaign.

Because most individuals who are Black have unique structures on their red blood cells that are not often found in other donor populations, they are almost three times more likely to be a match for patients with sickle cell disease than donors who are not Black or African American, according to the Red Cross.

Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic blood disorder in the United States, and regular blood transfusions are critical to manage extreme pain and life-threatening complications, Duckworth said. In the United States, it is estimated that over 100,000 people have sickle cell disease and may require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lifetime  as many as 100 units of blood per patient each year.

African American donors are especially helpful as blood donors to the general population as well because they have a higher rate of having type negative O blood compared to the white population, according to the Red Cross.

"Blood donors who are Black play a vital role in helping meet the needs not only those with sickle cell disease but individuals who experience complicated childbirths, people fighting cancer, and accident victims being raced to emergency rooms," according to the Red Cross.

To increase blood donations by African Americans, the Red Cross has partnered with national organizations to spread awareness and sponsor blood drives. For example, the Red Cross partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Black Radio Hall of Fame and 100 Black Men of America, Inc., to name a few.

"One in seven people who go to the hospital need blood," Duckworth said. "When you look around a roomful of people, there's a pretty good percentage that might have to have a blood transfusion in their life."

Blood donor waits out the process of donating blood to the American Red Cross. There's a 25% blood and platelet supply shortage as of August because of natural disasters, climate change, school activities and travel schedules.

National blood and platelet supply shortages

The American Red Cross announced last week that they have a 25% shortage of blood and platelets supply since early August. It cited natural disasters, such as Hurricane Idalia, climate change, summer travel and back-to-back school activities as the root causes of its shortage since many blood donation appointments have been recently cancelled in those affected areas.

Those cancellations in the Southeast "compounded a shortfall of about 30,000 donations in August" alone, according to a press release.

"Right now, blood product distributions to hospitals are outpacing the number of blood donations," according to a news release. "Approximately 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country rely on the Red Cross to collect 12,500 blood donations each day to meet the needs of their patients."

The United States is in an urgent need for blood donations of all blood types, Duckworth said. That means there's a short supply of blood on hand ready to use at hospitals. Platelets and blood type O negative are in an emergency need, meaning that a hospital has run out of supply for its patients. Blood type O negative is compatible with every blood type, so hospitals need enough of that type of blood on hand for emergencies where there's no time to check a patient's blood type.

Blood donor waits out the process of donating blood to the American Red Cross. There's a 25% blood and platelet supply shortage as of August because of natural disasters, climate change, school activities and travel schedules.

To keep blood donors engaged with their donation, the Red Cross has an app that notifies a donor when their blood is transfused; it will tell them know which hospital it went to, Duckworth said.

"That's a real cool thing to be able to see," she said. "You can see where you made a difference. You can feel good about your donation."

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: The American Red Cross partners with Athens, UGA for blood drives
A Lancaster County judge has found two protesters guilty of obstructing a public roadway while trying to block construction equipment from clearing land for a controversial development near Wilderness Park.

Attorney Spike Eickholt argued at trial that Erin Poor and Wyatt Nelson saw their actions in early February, which were caught on video, as a justifiable lesser harm.

"When they knew this area was going to be desecrated and destroyed, they started to do whatever they could do to stop it," he said.

It was the latest court action involving the controversial, 75-acre development south of Pioneers Boulevard between First Street and U.S. 77, where Wilderness Crossing LLC plans to build 162 single-family homes, 134 town homes and 205 apartments.

Sam Manzitto Jr. bought the land from the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln.

Poor and Nelson both testified about efforts to fight the planned Wilderness Crossing development by offering testimony at public hearings, talking to elected officials, starting a petition drive and filing a civil lawsuit.

Despite the efforts, in April 2022, the City Council approved the zoning, annexation and comprehensive plan amendments necessary to allow the development to move forward. And a lawsuit seeking to appeal the decision was dismissed earlier this year.

At the bench trial on the city-filed criminal charges, Nelson, a 29-year-old owner of a landscaping company, and Poor, a 34-year-old mental health counselor in training, both testified about Snell Hill's cultural, historical and spiritual significance and the grounds, which included sacred prayer bundles tucked into the trees.

Nelson said for at least a year the group conducted a wide variety of activities to try to bring awareness and stop the development.

By early February, when the land-moving machines started rolling in, he said, they'd exhausted all of their options to protect the land across a gravel road from the Fish Farm, where sweat lodge ceremonies have been held for decades.

"We had tried legal channels, we had tried political channels, we had tried the court of public opinion. And while we feel as though all of those things were working in our favor, none of them had got to the point they would actually protect our scared ground," Nelson told the judge earlier this month.

When workers began running the earth mover Feb. 6 and taking down trees, several protesters stood under the arm of the machine. Work stopped and four police cars arrived.

One man was arrested for trespassing.

The next morning, Nelson, Poor and others held hands to try to stop the construction equipment from driving up the hill to clear the grounds.

City prosecutors charged both with obstructing a public road and Nelson with refusal to comply with a police order.

Poor said, to her, Wilderness Crossing and all of the actions preceding construction represent "the ongoing American pattern of displacement of indigenous peoples and indigenous ceremonies in the name of progress and development."

"We, as indigenous people, have heard time and time again for centuries now that 'Yes, we see you there and yes we know you have important things there, but we need that. We need that land for our purposes,'" said Poor, a member of the Cherokee Nation.

She said what was Snell Hill is no longer. It's completely demolished along with the trees and ceremonial objects in them.

"We have tried so many things, and still they came with their machines," Poor said.

In closing arguments, Assistant City Attorney Sydney Pfeifer said there were ground rules in place that day to protect the safety of the machine operators and the protestors.

"While I understand that they felt this was their last resort and that they exhausted other options, they did obstruct the public street at the time," she argued.

Eickholt argued the public road had been closed to traffic that day, so Poor and Nelson couldn't be obstructing it. Even if the court found they were, the judge still could find they were justified under the theory it had been a choice of lesser harms.

"It was purely defensive to try to stop this vehicle from going up that hill to damage this area and create that greater harm," he said.

In a written decision Thursday, Lancaster County Court Judge Timothy Phillips found the two guilty as charged and set them for sentencing next week.

They could be fined up to $500 and be jailed up to six months on the misdemeanors.

Two other protesters already have been fined $50 after pleading no contest.

Photos: Niskithe Prayer Camp hosts protest in Lincoln for Native sweat lodge's legal protection
DUDLEY  Nichols College President Glenn Sulmasy is on voluntary leave and the college says it will commission an outside investigation into his time at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Spectrum News 1 reported Monday that a letter was sent from the colleges board of trustees to alumni announcing Sulmasy's status.

Tuesday morning, a college spokesperson confirmed the news and said that Bill Pieczynski, vice president for advancement, would serve as acting president. The school declined to comment further and would not provide a copy of the letter that was reportedly sent to alumni.

In July, CNN published a story about the Coast Guards most sweeping investigation into sexual assaults at its academy, in New London, Connecticut, which examined a disturbing history of rapes, assaults and other misconduct being ignored  and at times  covered up.

The probe, known as Operation Fouled Anchor, was launched following the allegations of an officer who said she had been sexually assaulted while at the academy in the 1990s, but was discouraged by two academic attorneys from pursuing the issue any further  telling her she should instead focus on her graduation prospects, the CNN story said.

One of those two academic attorneys, the CNN story said, was Sulmasy, who left the Coast Guard in 2015. He would later work as an administrator at Bryant University before being named president at Nichols in 2021.

Jeffrey S. Robbins, an attorney for Sulmasy, sent the T&G a statement strongly disputing the CNN report.

"In July, CNN published a story claiming that in 2014, a former Coast Guard cadet had told investigators in connection with a general review of the Coast Guards internal procedures and historical performance that it was her recollection that in 1997, seventeen years earlier, President Sulmasy had been one of two Coast Guard lawyers with whom she had met at the Coast Guard Academy to discuss her assault by a fellow cadet," the statement said. "That story was not only wrong, but egregiously and demonstrably wrong, among other things because President Sulmasy was not even a lawyer until 1998 and because he was not at the Coast Guard Academy at the time.

"Nevertheless, because it is understandable that the Nichols College Board would want to conduct an investigation into the matter, President Sulmasy offered to voluntarily go on leave while the Board conducts its investigation, which the Board has represented it will conclude promptly. He hopes and expects that the investigation will be concluded in short order and, of course, he is cooperating fully with it."

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Nichols College president Glenn Sulmasy on leave after CNN report
If this summer felt hotter than usual, you werent alone.

The summer of 2023 has been the hottest summer ever since scientists began keeping global temperature records in 1880, according to a Sept. 14 NASA news release. As a result of the soaring temperatures, several countries around the world have experienced worsening natural disasters throughout the summer, officials said.

Record-breaking heat hasnt exactly been a unique feat over the past decade. Between 2015 and 2021, the earths global temperature continued to track as the warmest ever each year, according to a 2021 news release from Copernicus, part of the European Unions space program.

Prominent scientific institutions around the globe including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration agree that the warming is caused mainly by human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, NASA said.

But now with summer officially ending Saturday, Sept. 23  although it might not feel like it in certain places  we can take a look at which U.S. cities and states broke their own heat records between June and August. If a city or state had its hottest summer ever, that was based off 129 years of data collected by NOAA.

(September heat data has not yet been made available on NOAAs Climate at a Glance mapping website.)

Which cities, states broke records

Fifteen cities clocked in their warmest summer between June and August, according to NOAA data. Racking up the most new highs were Texas, which saw five cities with record-breaking heat, and Louisiana, which had three cities break records.

Other states that had cities that broke heat records in 2023 included Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Mississippi and New Mexico.







Several other cities across the country reported summers that ranked in their top five hottest summers from the last 129 years. Those cities are listed below:

Tucson, Arizona: No. 2 hottest summer

Jacksonville, Florida: No. 2 hottest summer

Tampa, Florida: No. 2 hottest summer

Monroe, Louisiana: No. 2 hottest summer

Shreveport, Louisiana: No. 2 hottest summer

Roswell, New Mexico: No. 2 hottest summer

Austin, Texas: No. 2 hottest summer

Dallas, Texas: No. 2 hottest summer

Del Rio, Texas: No. 2 hottest summer

Lubbock, Texas: No. 2 hottest summer

Midland, Texas: No. 2 hottest summer

Waco, Texas: No. 2 hottest summer

Fairbanks, Alaska: No. 3 hottest summer

Sitka, Alaska: No. 3 hottest summer

Daytona Beach, Florida: No. 3 hottest summer

Fort Myers, Florida: No. 3 hottest summer

Orlando, Florida: No. 3 hottest summer

Lewiston, Idaho: No. 3 hottest summer

Kalispell, Montana: No. 3 hottest summer

Fargo, North Dakota: No. 3 hottest summer

Abilene, Texas: No. 3 hottest summer

Juneau, Alaska: No. 4 hottest summer

Tallahassee, Florida: No. 4 hottest summer

St. Paul, Minnesota: No. 4 hottest summer

Spokane, Washington: No. 4 hottest summer

Multiple states overall also had one of their top 10 hottest summers on records, but Louisiana was the only state that reported its hottest summer. Texas and Florida followed close behind with summer 2023 being their second hottest summer on record.

Tracking temperature anomalies are a common way for scientific organizations to evaluate how hot the Earth is getting. Anomalies were the main way the NASA calculated the summer of 2023 as the hottest summer on record, the Sept. 14 release says, which compares temperatures to the 1951 to 1980 base average.





States throughout the Southeast and the West recorded temperature anomalies above what the heat base average is. A majority of states in the Northeast also tracked higher temperature anomalies.







What NASA, NOAA says about global summer heat

Globally, temperatures were about a half-degree hotter this summer than any other in NASAs records. Specifically when comparing this summer to the average summer temperatures between 1951 and 1980, summer 2023 was around 2 degrees warmer.

Summer 2023s record-setting temperatures arent just a set of numbers  they result in dire real-world consequences. From sweltering temperatures in Arizona and across the country, to wildfires across Canada, and extreme flooding in Europe and Asia, extreme weather is threatening lives and livelihoods around the world, NASA administrator Bill Nelson said in the release. The impacts of climate change are a threat to our planet and future generations, threats that NASA and the Biden-Harris Administration are tackling head on.

El Nino, a climate pattern that cyclically warms the eastern Pacific waters, may also have contributed to the hotter-than-average temperature felt this summer.

The global impacts of rising heat levels were listed at length in the release  ranging from devastating wildfires in Canada and Hawaii to torrential rainfall in several European countries.

NOAA also released a list of significant climate anomalies and events for August 2023, which spanned across the globe. Some of those climate events on NOAAs list are:

Arctic sea ice extent was the eighth lowest on record.

Antarctic sea ice extent was its lowest ever on record.

Europe had its third-warmest summer.

Prolonged monsoon rains caused severe flooding in Pakistan and India. Similar floods occurred in Bangladesh.

Hurricane Idalias landfall in Floridas Big Bend was strongest hurricane to hit the region in more than 125 years.

Rising sea temperatures have also shot up since the 1990s, with 2022 having the warmest ocean temperature yet, according to NASAs ocean warming data. 2023 is on track to pass that record.

Its so hot in Texas, an armadillo was spotted swimming along the coast, video shows

Iconic swimming hole is drying up in Texas. Maybe our tears will fill the well

Thousands of dead fish wash up along Texas coast, disturbing photos show. Heres why
An Oconee County man shot himself Thursday during a high-speed chase that ended in Greene County, according to the Oconee County Sheriff's Office.

The suspect, identified as Cale Michael Phillips, who is in his 30s, remained hospitalized late Friday in Atlanta where he was airlifted.

Oconee County Sheriff James Hale said Friday the shooting is under investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The incident began when deputies went to Phillips home to serve a warrant for felony aggravated stalking, but he fled the home in a vehicle after arming himself with a handgun, according to the release. The report did not provide the location where the arrest was attempted.

A lookout for the vehicle was posted and within 30 minutes, his car was spotted and he proceeded to lead deputies on a chase into Greene County, the release reported.

Greensboro police and the Greene County Sheriffs deputies joined Oconee deputies in the pursuit, which proceeded into a rural area south of Greensboro, according to the sheriff's office.

One of the pursuing units conducted a PIT maneuver on the vehicle, which brought the chase to an end, officials said. Which agency conducted the PIT was not disclosed.

Knowing that Phillips had a gun, officers shattered multiple windows only to discover that Phillips had a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, the sheriffs office reported.

Crime: Danielsville woman pleads guilty to stealing from Officer's Association

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Oconee man hospitalized after sheriff says he shot himself after chase
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, talks with members of the media at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Feb. 21, 2023. How will Romneys time in the Senate be remembered? | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

The announcement by Sen. Mitt Romney that he will not seek reelection raised eyebrows throughout the state and country. Because he was such a force for mainstream politics, robust discussions are occurring about the impact of his retirement. We, of course, join in the pontificating.

Romney is one of the best-known members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is appreciated for being a great example of what the faith embodies, in addition to his success as governor of Massachusetts, and his performance as the 2012 GOP presidential nominee. Our state was grateful for his leadership of the 2002 Winter Olympics. Romney was essentially drafted to replace Sen. Orrin Hatch in 2018. But the affection of Republicans toward Romney began to wane. He was even booed at state conventions and other GOP gatherings. What caused this fallout with a favorite adopted son?

Pignanelli: Mitt Romney was willing on an individual basis to stand up against Donald Trump, but not lead a Republican revolt against Trump.  Geoffrey Kabaservice, The Niskanen Center

The Utah culture has many wonderful attributes, including unwritten, but clear, rules of behavior, especially for our leaders (i.e. Do not embarrass us!).

For a half a century, the states federal delegation was encouraged to work behind the scenes with national liberals on important matters, but open endorsement of their agenda was forbidden. Hatch enjoyed wonderful relationships with Democrats to accomplish mutual goals, yet never wavered as a champion for conservative causes.

The principled Romney was bothered by unscrupulous conduct of other politicians, regardless of political affiliation. President Trumps famous phone call with the Ukrainian president troubled him, thereby leading to his affirmative vote on the impeachment trial in the Senate. This initiated Romneys problems in Utah. Some conservatives understood angst with Trump but were furious the senator voted with them (Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and various coastal lefties). Other Utah officials articulated concerns with candidate Trump but when he became the official warrior against the left, they publicly aligned with the president.

Romney is a strong conservative but local mores required the perception of a less cozy relationship with political opposites.

Webb: Romney governed very much as a moderate in Massachusetts, then turned more conservative as he sought the GOP presidential nomination. After the 2016 election, Romney flirted with Trump as he was considered for secretary of state. But soon thereafter, outraged by Trumps serious character flaws, Romney became the presidents chief critic in the Republican Party.

Politically, it was an unwise move. It made him very unpopular among the conservative GOP base in Utah. He could have simply kept his mouth shut about Trump, as so many other Republicans did (and still do). But Romney couldnt do that. He even voted with the Democrats twice to ratify Trumps impeachments, which was not smart, in my opinion. He voted to remove Trump from office, even though the Democrats seriously dumbed-down impeachment with rather silly charges against Trump.

To many Republicans, Romney seemed to be fully supporting the Democratic agenda to persecute Trump. Much of the criticism against Trump was justified, but some was not. Romney went all-in with left-wing Democrats on Trump. He could have quietly said, when asked, I liked many of the presidents policies. But I dont like some of his personal character traits. And left it at that. But he didnt.

Romney today is a mainstream Republican conservative. Hes been critical of many of President Joe Bidens policies and the overall liberal direction of the Democratic Party, while also being willing to work across party lines.

Related

Despite grumblings on the home front, Romney was very influential in the U.S. Senate, even as a freshman. What will be his national and local legacy? Romney promises to be engaged at a different level in retirement. Could he have influence after his departure?

Pignanelli: Romney was blessed with the keen mind and ability to construct solutions to problems. This served him well in business, as the Massachusetts governor and as president of the 2002 Olympics. Using these invaluable skills in the Senate, he was instrumental in crafting key legislation in a bipartisan manner. Although a transplant, he demonstrated a robust example of crafting results while utilizing the Utah Way.

Webb: Romney will be remembered as a smart, capable, courteous and wholesome moderate conservative. He liked to solve problems and get things done more than engage in political warfare (except with regard to Trump). Trump-haters will always appreciate Romneys forthrightness in dealing with the former president. Trump-lovers will always view him as a traitor.

In retirement, he can be a strong voice in encouraging action on the nations serious problems, such as debt and immigration. He can be influential in bringing people together to solve the nations serious problems.

Personal note: Ron Rencher, the last Democrat to serve as speaker of the Utah House of Representatives, died last week. He was a true gentleman and inspiration for politicians of every stripe. We extend condolences to the family.

Republican LaVarr Webb is a former journalist and a semiretired small farmer and political consultant. Email: lwebb@exoro.com. Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser who served as a Democrat in the Utah state Legislature. Email: frankp@xmission.com.
Sept. 18 (UPI) -- A pair of long-overdue books arrived at their Ontario home after being returned to a library in Massachusetts -- more than 600 miles away.

The Middlesex County Library said a package arrived in the mail recently at its Dorchester branch and librarians discovered it was sent from the Claire T. Carney Library at the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth, more than 600 miles away.

The package contained two books, No Man's Land by G.M. Ford and Hog Wild by Cathy Pickens, that were checked out at some unknown point in the past from the Dorchester branch.

Library officials said the books are no longer listed in their system, but they were added to the collection in 2005 and 2007. Librarians estimated they may have been checked out about seven years ago.

Aimee Sparzynski, the Dorchester library's coordinator of technical services, said the books weren't even the most well-traveled of the tomes to be returned to the library by mail.

"We had one book that actually came back to us from Paris a few years ago. A patron had borrowed it to read on the plane and left it behind in the hotel," Sparzynski told CBC News.
Two parents and an aunt are facing charges in Evansville, Indiana, after a baby in their care was found bloodied and covered in bites from rats.

According to court documents obtained by NBC affiliate WFIE and viewed by TODAY.com, the 6-month-old boy was found face down in his bassinet the morning of Sept. 13, 2023 with wounds all over his face and body. The probable cause affidavits for the father, David Anthony Schonabaum, and mother, Angel Schonabaum, say the boy had more than 50 bites to his forehead, right cheek and nose. He also had several bites on his right leg and foot.

On the baby's left hand, there was a large wound on the top of his ring finger that exposed the bone. On his right hand, there were bites starting from his elbow down to his hand. All four of the child's fingers and thumb on his right hand were missing flesh from the top, exposing the fingertip bones, according to the documents, with the index and pinky fingers the most severely injured and missing flesh halfway down each finger.

"According to the hospital records, (the child) suffered a near fatal event," the probable cause documents state.

David Schonabaum told police that he'd found the boy that morning covered in blood and called 9-1-1. He told investigators that the home had a rodent problem and that the house had been treated professionally for it several times. He also produced service records showing the home had been treated several times starting in the spring of 2023: March 31, April 24, May 23, June 30, July 26 and Aug. 21.

A white one level home with a porch and cluttered front yard. (WFIE)

David Schonabaum said he lived in the home with his wife, Angel Schonabaum, and their three children. Delaina Thurman, Angel Schonabaum's sister, and her two children also live in the home.

David Schonabaum said Angel Schonabaum had checked herself into a mental health facility on Sept. 10, 2023. She was released on Sept. 13, a day early, due to the incident with her son, police said in court documents.

The affidavits show two of the children had told a teacher earlier this month that their toes had been bitten by mice while they slept and the Department of Child Safety had visited the home a few days later.

Police said Thurman told the DCS worker that the marks on her child's toes were scratches from the bed frame.

The Schonabaums also had two previous interactions with DCS. In December 2022, DCS substantiated a claim of neglect on David and Angel Schonabaum in regard to their middle child being injured due to lack of supervision. Later, in June 2023, DCS substantiated a claim of physical abuse from the same child, a 3-year-old, against David Schonabaum.

DCS declined to comment on the cases to WFIE.

The home was regularly checked on by social workers, who documented that it was "cluttered, had trash sitting out, had animal feces on the floors, had dirt, dishes piled up and had foul odors emitting from the kitchen," according to court documents. However, case workers did indicate the state of the home was "slowly improving."

The last social worker walkthrough of the home prior to the incident with the baby was earlier this month on Sept. 9, 2023.

All three adults living in the home are facing felony charges as a result of the incident. It was not immediately clear if either of the Schonabaums or Thurman had legal representation.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
"Ralph the Twinsburg Turkey" strolling down the middle of the road shortly before his demise. The bird had been a presence in the city for about four months before it was hit by a car.

For months, a stray turkey, affectionately dubbed "Ralph the Twinsburg Turkey" by the community, had paraded around town  sometimes hanging out in the Starbucks parking lot just south of the Town Square, sometimes causing drivers consternation by strolling down the middle of Darrow Road.

He had eluded wildlife officials sent to capture and relocate him to safety, and one of numerous social media posts about his activities describes how a recent passerby warded off a pair of men attempting to capture him for unknown reasons.

The debate around town increased: Was he lost and seeking companionship from humans rather than his own kind? Was he a young tom booted from his flock for insubordination? Was he even male?

Others speculated he had been displaced by construction near Wilcox Primary School, where he had regularly been seen.

"He's gotta be relocated for his own safety. This only ends with either Ralph causing a bad accident, or him getting hit by a car. We all love Ralph, but this isn't safe," said a contributor on a Facebook page dedicated to the bird.

"Why not just leave him alone?" another insisted, and one fan suggested the city post a "Slow  Turkey Crossing" sign.

But debates over Ralph's well-being have come to an end. An obituary was posted on Ralph's Facebook page, to which 1,600 followers had flocked between Aug. 1 and the bird's demise Wednesday morning.

"The story of Ralph is not just that of a bird, but of an enduring spirit, reminding us all of the unexpected beauty that can emerge when we embrace the unconventional," stated the author, who did not return a message to the Beacon Journal.

As some online commentators had suggested would happen, Ralph's habit of walking into traffic irrevocably ruffled his feathers: He was found hit by a car on Route 91 near Wilcox Primary School, where children had gotten used to seeing him.

Fortunately, the buses had not yet arrived for school, said Mark Gutowski, communications administrator for the city.

"He showed up four months ago, actually walking on State Route 82," Gutowski said. "He was in the crosswalk ironically, but recently he's been just holding still, you know, or actually walking down the center of State Route 91.

"I don't think it's really really been an issue other than a lot of honking horns and slowing traffic a little bit," he said. "There's been there's been no accidents or, you know, road rage or anything like that, from what I know."

Faithful Companion Pet Cremation Services of Twinsburg, which like many in the community had been following Ralph's antics, found out about his death and volunteered to handle his body. The clinic does about 1,000 private pet cremations a month, serving 78 pet clinics within 60 miles of Twinsburg, said manager Katey Hrovat.

"We're so sad," she said, adding she had never seen Ralph in person. "I just followed his Facebook page. He was everywhere."

Prior to the cremation, approval was needed from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Wildlife, which she said was handled by the Twinsburg Police Department, who delivered the body.

She said the bird's remains were placed in a cherry wood urn and returned to police, who have not said what will be done with it.

Some have proposed creating a holiday in his honor, or another Turkey Trot race, in keeping with the fall season.

Eric Marotta can be reached at emarotta@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Twinsburg community mourns stray turkey that recklessly walked in road
A strike on Russias Black Sea Fleet headquarters left dozens dead and wounded including senior leadership, the Ukrainian military said Saturday.

Operation Crab trap was carried out on time and accurately during a meeting of the Russian navys senior members at the building in the Crimean city of Sevastopol on Friday, the country's Special Operations Forces said in a statement posted to Telegram.

The result is dozens of dead and wounded occupants, including the senior leadership of the fleet, the post said, adding that more details would be released as soon as possible.

NBC News has been unable to independently verify this report, but shortly after the attack, Russia's defense ministry said that one serviceman was killed. A later statement said that he was missing, adding that five missiles were shot down by Russian air defense systems responding to the attack on the occupied coastal city.

NBC News has approached the defense ministry for comment.

Mikhail Razvozhaev, the Moscow installed governor of Sevastopol said in a Telegram post Saturday that firefighters had managed to get the fire under control, and the fire at the fleet headquarters was successfully localized.

Meanwhile inside Ukraine, the country's armed forces said in a statement that a Russian missile attack on the central industrial city of Kremenchuk injured more than 30 people, including three children overnight on Friday.

Civilians in Yurkivka, in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region were also injured in missile attacks, with private homes and civilian infrastructure damaged, the statement posted to Facebook added.

Russian attacks used Shahed missiles  Iranian-made unarmed, self-detonating drones. Air defenses shot down two out of six of the drones, the statement said.

NBC News could not independently verify these reports.

The attacks came as Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy met with President Joe Biden and congressional leaders in Washington. On Friday, Biden told his Ukrainian counterpart that the U.S. would provide a small number of long-range Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS and colloquially as attack-ems, to boost the fight against Russia.

The missiles were part of a $325 million military aid package announced by President Biden Thursday, including air defense capabilities, cluster munitions and anti-tank weaponry.

Kyiv has been lobbying to receive the missiles for several months. They will give Ukraine the ability to strike targets such as supply lines, railways and command and control locations behind Russian front lines from up to 180 miles away.

While Ukrainian troops have breached Russias heavily fortified first defensive lines in the south and made progress in the east, with winter approaching the Ukrainian military has yet to achieve a decisive breakthrough.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the Biden administration has shifted its stance on which weapons it is ready to provide to Ukraines military.

The White House initially withheld approval for requests for Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, Howitzer artillery pieces, anti-ship missiles and HIMARS systems, but later gave the green light to them being shipped. Two months ago Biden signed a presidential waiver on the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine,

The latest aid came as cracks have begun to emerge in Western support for Ukraine. Earlier this week, Kyiv filed a complaint at the World Trade Organization against E.U. members Hungary, Poland and Slovakia for banning imports of Ukrainian agricultural products, a key export for the countrys war battered economy.

Ahead of next year's elections, frontrunners for the Republican presidential candidacy also appear to be cooling in support for the war, and have hinted at a reduction of military aid.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A late-night shooting near the American embassy in Lebanon is under investigation by the U.S. and local security agencies, officials revealed Thursday.

A State Department spokesperson told The Hill that shots from a small-caliber weapon were reported about 10:37 p.m. local time Wednesday near the entrance to the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, adding there were no injuries and that the facility is safe. The spokesperson noted the department is in close contact with local law enforcement, and it is investigating the incident alongside local authorities.

A Lebanese official told The Associated Press the countrys army took measures and launched the investigation, which will include analyzing security camera footage. At least five bullet holes were recorded near the entrance to the embassy, the AP noted.

Attacks against Americans in Lebanon are not uncommon. The State Department has a Reconsider Travel advisory in place for the country due to crime, terrorism, armed conflict, civil unrest and kidnapping. Furthermore, the department warns the embassy has limited capacity to aid U.S. citizens who travel to Lebanon.

In 1983, a suicide bomber drove into a four-story building that killed 241 U.S. service members at the U.S. Marine barracks at the Beirut airport  marking the deadliest Lebanese attack against Americans.

A separate bombing attack earlier that year targeted the Beirut Embassy, killing 63 people, including 17 Americans. Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group, was responsible for the bombing, U.S. officials concluded.

More recent attacks include a 2008 explosion that targeted a U.S. Embassy vehicle in northern Beirut, which killed at least three Lebanese citizens and wounded an American passerby.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster walks off the stage during a rally with former U.S. President Donald Trump at the Florence Regional Airport on March 12, 2022 in Florence, South Carolina. The visit by Trump is his first rally in South Carolina since his election loss in 2020 (Getty Images)

South Carolina officials say the state has obtained drugs to carry out executions by lethal injections after a pause of 12 years.

The state went more than a decade without being able to buy the necessary drugs from pharmaceutical companies and has not carried out an execution since 2011.

Justice has been delayed for too long in South Carolina, said Governor Henry McMaster. This filing brings our state one step closer to being able to once again carry out the rule of law and bring grieving families and loved ones the closure they are rightfully owed.

Officials at the South Carolina Department of Corrections say they made more than 1,300 contacts in search of lethal injection drugs, according to the governor.

The state did not say where they had procured the drug.

South Carolinas 12-year hiatus on executions came after the lethal injection drug they used expired in 2013.

The states execution default is the electric chair but allows death row inmates to choose a firing squad or lethal injection.

The SCDC says that it has 34 inmates on death row, but did not specify if any would choose lethal injection.

Governor McMasters announcement that executions can resume in South Carolina has little to do with justice. No matter the method, South Carolinas system of capital punishment is broken, said Jace Woodrum, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina.
A 28-year-old Lincoln man is in jail after a middle school-aged girl told police he had repeatedly groped her as she slept in a series of alleged assaults that happened over the course of two years, investigators said in court filings.

Daniel Ostiguin is accused of sneaking into the girl's central Lincoln bedroom and touching her over and underneath her clothes in alleged assaults dating back to March 2021, Lincoln Police Investigator Robert Norton said in the probable cause statement for Ostiguin's arrest.

In one instance, Ostiguin had asked the girl to go with him from the bedroom she shared with a sibling to the bathroom, but the girl refused, Norton said in the statement. The girl's sibling also told investigators Ostiguin had come into their room as they slept on numerous occasions, Norton said.

The girl disclosed the alleged assaults to a school counselor and, later, to police investigators this week.

In an interview with investigators, Ostiguin denied ever having sexual contact with the girl.

Prosecutors charged the 28-year-old Friday with first-degree sexual assault of a child.

Most dangerous cities in Nebraska Dangerous Cities in Nebraska 6. South Sioux City 5. Scottsbluff 4. North Platte 3. Lincoln 2. Grand Island 1. Omaha A note about the numbers
The AH-64 Apache is indisputably one of the most evil-looking helicopters on the planet, with aesthetics that are befitting its role as a tank-busting, mud-moving battlefield killer. At least one operator of the attack helicopter even proudly uses the UGLY callsign . Taiwan, however, has recently gone the extra mile to make a portion of its Apache fleet look even more sinister.

Photos first published by the Taiwanese government outlet Youth Daily News show at least two Republic of China Army (ROCA) AH-64E Apache Guardians painted in this startling tiger-striped scheme with some incredible nose art.

A head-on view of one of at least two specially painted Taiwanese AH-64Es that recently broke cover. Youth Daily News

Not only do the helicopters fuselages sport stripes over their standard olive drab exterior, but the forward fuselages feature monstrous teeth and glaring eyes. On one side, those teeth are chomping on a tank, forlornly waving a white flag of surrender.

Youth Daily News

The attention to detail extends to the eyes, which are overlaid with targeting symbology  a nod to the information projected into the Apache crews iconic monocles.

Youth Daily News

At least one Taiwanese news report describes the teeth as representing a shark, suggesting this is loosely modelled on a tiger shark, but its irrelevant really, as the results speak for themselves.

https://www.twitter.com/tingtingliuTVBS/status/1704906310087786635?s=20

It seems the two AH-64Es in question  serials 811 and 824  and possibly more, were prepared with these special markings for an appearance at an open-doors event due to take place this Sunday, at the army airbase at Hsinshe (also sometimes written as Sinshe) on the west coast of Taiwan.

https://www.twitter.com/Larry41028Wang/status/1704845448312480037?s=20

The event, billed as the National Defense Knowledge Tour, will include dynamic displays by fighters and helicopters, parachutists, disaster relief and search and rescue drills, air combat drills, and more.

One photo showing a pair of AH-64Es flying in close formation suggests that the tiger-striped helicopters are perhaps planned to perform a dynamic display together. If so, its not clear if this will be a new kind of regular display team or if its a one-off for this particular event.

https://www.twitter.com/Larry41028Wang/status/1704845761379545528?s=2

The ROCA acquired 30 of the latest AH-64E versions of the Apache under a 2011 contract, reportedly valued at up to $1.91 billion. Deliveries began a year later and the fleet  reduced to 29 after a 2014 accident  became fully operational in 2018.

Taiwans AH-64Es are based at Longtan in northern Taiwan and provide the cutting edge of the ROCAs aviation fleet. However, they remain far outnumbered by the older AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters, of which 62 are reported to be in service .

A company of Taiwanese AH-64Es on exercise, wearing the standard paint scheme. Office of the President of Taiwan/Flickr

Outside of their airshow appearances, these ROCA AH-64Es have a critical wartime role, of course.

Should China ever invade Taiwan, which it views as a rogue province, there would be no shortage of targets for the AH-64Es on the ground, in the air, and at sea. To help them survive, they would be quickly dispersed to alternative operating locations  including parks and stadiums for operations in urban environments, for example.

Taiwan Military News Agency

Interestingly, while the AH-64Es are optimized for anti-armor missions, using their AN/APG-78 Longbow millimeter-wave radar and AGM-114L/M Hellfire missiles, Taiwan also assigns these helicopters an air-to-air role. This is highlighted in the images here that show the painted-up Apaches sporting AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles in twin-mounted tubes located on the aircrafts stub-wingtip stations. Hellfires can also be used in the counter-air role against slow-moving targets.

Reflecting its air-to-air role, this AH-64E is seen fitted with inert examples of the Air-to-Air Stinger (ATAS) missile, as well as AGM-114 Hellfires and Hydra rockets. Youth Daily News

This has likely been driven not only by the potential threat of Chinese helicopters, hundreds of which are based just across the Taiwan Strait, including at a purpose-built heliport facility , but also by the proliferation of drones used by the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), and which have also proved a problem in peacetime , even leading to shootdowns .

https://www.twitter.com/detresfa_/status/1370013972028526594?s=20

As we have pointed out in the past , against the sheer might of the PLA, Taiwans wartime ambitions are understandably modest. Were an invasion to happen, the Taiwanese military would attempt to hold out unassisted for at least two weeks in the hope that the U.S. or the international community would come to its aid. This is a reflection not only of Taiwans own aims but of Washingtons policy of strategic ambiguity, which means it hasnt said it will necessarily commit its military to the defense of the island.

Taiwan Military News Agency

Youth Daily News

In the meantime, 2027 has been stated, including U.S. officials , by many as around the time China would be in a relatively good position to invade the island. According to CIA Director William Burns, Beijing would prefer peaceful unification of Taiwan, but its leadership has also told the PLA to be prepared no later than 2027 to conduct a successful invasion of Taiwan.

With all that in mind, the importance of the Republic of China Armys AH-64E Apache Guardians cannot be overstated. While the menacingly painted attack helicopters are certainly eye-catching, their role in any potential confrontation with China would be deadly serious.

Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com
Texas has seen a sudden surge in extremist activity within the past three years, with white supremacist and anti-LGBTQ+ groups making the Lone Star state its base of operations.

According to a new report by the Anti-Defamation League, there has been an 89% increase in antisemitic incidents in Texas from January 2021 to May of this year. Along with six identified terrorist plots and 28 occurrences of extremist events like training sessions and rallies, Texas also saw an increase in the frequency of propaganda distribution.

"Texas has a long history of white nationalist activity and for many years has had a very active presence of white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups in the state, but the report's findings really do paint a very troubling picture of the current situation," Stephen Piggott, who studies right-wing extremism as a program analyst with the Western States Center, a civil rights group, told Salon.

"Texas is the homebase for a number of really active white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups, such as the Patriot Front and the Aryan Freedom Network."

This is one of the main factors driving extremism in the state. Patriot Front has contributed to Texas experiencing the highest number of white supremacist propaganda distributions in the United States in 2022, the report found.

The group has a "nationwide footprint," with members all around the country and their messaging contributing to 80% of nationwide propaganda in 2022  a trend replicated every year since 2019, according to the report.

Patriot Front has also held rallies in major cities across the country, including Washington, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia and Indianapolis, where the events are frequently the largest public white supremacist gatherings.

Texas' close proximity to Mexico also makes it a hotbed for anti-immigrant activity, Piggot added, pointing to a growing number of nationalist and neo-Nazi groups focusing on immigration issues.

"They'll have rallies where a lot of the rhetoric is focused on demonizing immigrants and using dehumanizing rhetoric about immigrants," he said. "They're focused on the issue of immigration because Texas is a border state, but also an avenue for getting more recruits."

The political context further amplifies this phenomenon, Peter Simi, a sociology professor at Chapman University and an expert on white supremacists in the U.S., told Salon.

"When you look at the political context of what's happening in Texas as far as [the movement of] anti-CRT, anti-reproductive rights, anti-gay that is extremely conducive and consistent with groups like the Patriot Front, so they kind of thrive," Simi said.

Last year, 31 members of Patriot Front were arrested near Idaho after police stopped a U-Haul truck near a "Pride in the Park" event and found members dressed uniformly and equipped with riot shields. Every present Patriot Front member was charged with criminal conspiracy to riot.

But this hasn't deterred the group from putting on public demonstrations and in many cases, even documenting them. In July, close to 100 masked group members recognized Independence Day by holding a flash demonstration in Austin while carrying riot shields, a banner reading "Reclaim America" and upside-down American flags.

"Whenever they have a gathering or any type of kind of public demonstration, they have folks filming and they put out really kind of flashy videos on social media, especially on places like Telegram and it's all designed to make it look cool and edgy," Piggot said.

Extremist groups often use online platforms to recruit and spread their ideology. Over the past year, ADL found that online hate and harassment rose sharply for adults and teens ages 13-17.

Among adults, 52% reported being harassed online in their lifetime, the highest number we have seen in four years, up from 40% in 2022, ADL spokesperson Jake Kurz said.

"Many online platforms either recommend more extreme and hateful content or make it easier to find once searched," Kurz said pointing to the report's findings. "For some, this could lead to a dark spiral into hate and extremism."

Patriot Front has emerged as one of the most aggressive groups in terms of distributing propaganda, Simi pointed out. They often even post pictures of the propaganda they've distributed online and circulate those images more broadly.

"In a nutshell, they're trying to really be aggressive in establishing a physical presence through [distributing] flyers as well as through actual demonstrations," Simi said. "They've also been known to do these flash mob style demonstrations and sometimes more coordinated demonstrations where they've shown up in places, like our nation's capital."

As a part of their recruitment strategies, white supremacist groups have consistently targeted the LGBTQ+ community, disrupting drag shows, targeting pride events and even going after businesses that support LGBTQ+ events. They have used slurs like "groomers" when talking about the LGBTQ+ community to draw more individuals to their movement.

"The anti-LGBTQ+ animus is probably the single greatest driver of white nationalist and anti-democracy activity that we're seeing across the country right now," Piggot said.

ADL tracked 22 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents in 2022 across Texas. While some actions involved extremists, others engaged more mainstream anti-LGBTQ+ entities, offering extremists opportunities to expose new audiences to different forms of hate.

"Hate and extremism seem to be a growing issue across the United States," Kurz said. "The number of antisemitic incidents across the country are the highest we have ever measured. Instances of white supremacist propaganda are high and we are seeing an alarming amount of violence motivated by hate and misinformation."

Kurz added that people should look at the Texas report and recognize that while some of the types of extremism are different, extremism is a problem in every community in the country.

The communities that are being targeted in Texas mirror those targeted nationwide, said Rachel Carroll Rivas, deputy director for research, reporting and analysis at the SPLC.

"Some of the real intense false conspiracies that circulate around QAnon are resulting in an increase in the sovereign citizen movement  a conspiratorial movement that is not followed and and even recognized a lot in the U.S.," Carroll Rivas said.

Other trends in Texas that are indicative of broader extremism patterns in the country include the targeting of school curriculums, she added.

The reason why these groups feel comfortable operating in Texas is because of the role that elected officials in the state are playing in "echoing white nationalist talking points," Piggot said.

He pointed to Texas Governor Greg Abbott's extreme anti-immigrant actions, putting up barbed wire across the Rio Grande and a chain of buoys with circular saws.

"Governor Abbott is essentially doing the work for white nationalists by echoing and then amplifying their dehumanizing rhetoric," Piggot said. "Just this week, he declared an invasion [at the border]. That's a phrase that white nationalists have used to describe what's happening on the U.S. [and] Mexico border for decades."

In both Texas and Florida, neo-Nazis and white nationalists are "feeling energized" and have increased their activities due to seeing this type of messaging from Abbot and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, he added.

"We need elected officials to be closing the political space for these groups and denouncing them instead of amplifying their messages for them," Piggot said.
A rural, remote area of south-central New Mexico was where the first nuclear weapon was exploded in 1945 at the Trinity Site.

The resulting blast was believed to throw radiation throughout the surrounding desert region, exposing unaware communities to health impacts for the almost 80 years since.

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) was intended to pay reparations to Americans impacted by nuclear activities throughout the U.S., mostly during weapons development amid the Cold War.

More: Trinity Site nuke test exposed New Mexicans to radiation. Senate votes to compensate them

While the law does provide payments to those affected by uranium mining in northern New Mexico, and downwind communities of the Nevada Test Site in several states surrounding that facility, it does not provide funds to New Mexicans living downwind of the Trinity Site.

Those communities include rural villages like Carrizozo and Tularosa, where residents and their descendants contended for years that the resulting radiation exposure led to generations of cancers and crippling associated medical bills.

In a Wednesday press conference outside the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C., U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) called on Congress to amend the law to give New Mexicans what he said they deserved.

More: New Mexico lawmakers discuss nuclear impacts during meeting at Los Alamos National Lab

U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan speaks during a press conference about amendments to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, which would include New Mexicans in reparations, Sept. 20, 2023 at the U.S. Senate.

RECA amendments, sponsored by Lujan, were included in the Senates version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed earlier this summer by the chamber, while the U.S. House of Representatives was considering the language in its version of the bill.

If passed, the bill would extend the RECA program by 19 years beyond its sunset date next year, include New Mexicans and other states believed exposed but not included so far, and increase one-time downwinder payments from $50,000 to $150,000.

During the press conference, which included supportive congressmembers and activists from multiple states, Lujan invoked the recent Christopher Nolan-directed Oppenheimer movie.

More: $11.7M sent to SENMC from Energy Department to train nuclear waste workers in Carlsbad

The film told the story of the Manhattan Project, which developed the first atomic bomb at Los Alamos National Laboratory amid World War II and tested it at the Trinity Site near Socorro.

But it omitted the impacts to New Mexico communities, some less than 50 miles from the test site.

Millions and millions of dollars were made off that film. Im happy that story is being told, because its given opportunities to families throughout New Mexico to shed light on an injustice that has happened, Lujan said. No ones helped them. No justice.

More: New Mexican downwinders could be compensated for radiation exposure via bill in Congress

He said the Senates RECA amendments were a bipartisan effort, cosponsored by Republican Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho).

Democratic and Republican members coming together, working together to get this done. Weve been able to expand outreach and get more and more support, Lujan said. We can correct this injustice in America. In the United States we can, and we will get this done.

'Justice for everybody' in expanding U.S. nuclear reparations

Sponsor of the amendments in the House U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.) said New Mexico held a large role in the U.S. nuclear weapons development, including mining the uranium used to build the bomb, the first test of the bomb and disposing of waste leftover from nuclear activities throughout the U.S.

More: Will a nuclear waste project move forward despite New Mexico's bill aiming to block it?

You saw what looked like an empty desert where that bomb was exploded, she said of the Oppenheimer film. In New Mexico, the bomb was invented, the bomb was exploded and the material for the bomb was mined. And then, the waste the shipped off and continued to do harm. We need to remember that this is the trajectory of what we did in the United States.

She said the amendments would work toward righting the wrong of New Mexicos exclusion from RECA when it was passed in 1992.

They deserve to receive compensation. They deserve to receive healthcare, Leger Fernandez said of New Mexico downwinders. "What was wrong back then was to leave out inadvertently the communities that are represented here. That is what we are asking for. Justice for everybody.

More: Federal government eyeing nuclear repository in Carlsbad for new kinds of waste

Founder of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium Tina Cordova, herself a native of Tularosa near the Trinity Site and a cancer survivor, said shed advocated for the RECA expansion for more than a decade and the Senate passage was the closest the U.S. ever came to making it law.

This is the legacy of the nuclear testing that took place in our country during the cold war and before. It is time for justice, Cordova said. This is the closest weve ever been. We will never go away. There are generations standing behind us whose genes carry this legacy. We will never stop fighting.

New Mexico leaders join in calling for Trinity Test downwinder payments

In support of the RECA amendments, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez on Aug. 29 signed a letter from 14 attorneys general throughout the U.S, calling on Congress to expand the program.

More: Lawmakers demand reparations for New Mexicans imperiled by nuclear bomb testing

When Congress passed the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act residents downwind of the Trinity Test site in Otero County New Mexico were excluded from recognition and compensation, Torrez said in a statement.

Thanks to the bipartisan efforts of Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) and Senator Mike Crapo (RID), we finally have an opportunity to right this historic wrong.

Another letter supporting the amendments was sent to Congress Sept. 5 by the Western Governors Association, of which New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham serves as vice-chair, urging the House to maintain the Senates RECA language in the NDAA.

We encourage you to expeditiously approve this important legislation, which acknowledges that nuclear weapons production and testing has had much broader effects than currently recognized by statute, read the letter.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: New Mexicans demand House pass reparations for nuclear downwinders
Former President Donald Trump s campaign is attempting to take credit for President Bidens announced trip to Michigan to meet with striking United Auto Workers (UAW) union members, claiming Biden is going because Trump previously announced a trip to the state.

Joe Bidens trip to Michigan is nothing more than a cheap photo op as he finds himself between a rock and a political hard place, reads the statement from Trump Campaign Senior Advisor Jason Miller. The only reason Biden is going to Michigan on Tuesday is because President Trump announced he is going on Wednesday.

The statement went on to say that if Trump hadnt announced his trip to Michigan on Tuesday then Biden wouldnt have followed suit.

If President Trump had said nothing, Biden would be giving UAW workers in Michigan the East Palestine treatment,' the statement said, referencing Bidens handling of the train derailment in Ohio early this year.

Trump announced on Tuesday that he would forgo the second GOP primary debate in favor of delivering primetime remarks to current and former union workers in Detroit. Trump also skipped the first primary debate in August and instead sat down for an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

Sign up for the latest from The Hill here

Biden, who was facing pressure to counter Trumps announcement, announced Friday that he will travel to Michigan next week to meet with UAW workers striking for better pay and benefits amid a contract dispute with the Big Three automakers  Ford, General Motors (GM) and Stellantis.

Trumps campaign also took the opportunity to once again criticize the Biden administrations electric vehicle (EV) policies, which union workers have expressed concerns about.

Biden is still hell-bent on destroying all of the auto jobs hes purporting to care about, the statement said. His visit on Tuesday is completely meaningless unless he withdraws his Insane EV Mandate and rebukes his Green New Deal, which Biden will never do because hes beholden to the Radical Left Eco-Loons in California. Joe Biden cares more about his extremist liberal base than he does about auto workers in Michigan or anywhere else in the United States.

At the end of August, the Biden Administration announced the allocation of $12 billion to convert auto manufacturing facilities into plants for hybrid and electric vehicles.

The White Houses announcement of Bidens trip comes after UAW President Shawn Fain announced Friday afternoon an expansion of the unions strike to include Stellantis and GM facilities at 38 locations across 28 states and extended an invitation to the president to join the picket line.

Fain on Tuesday promised more strikes if progress wasnt made by Friday.

Biden has consistently called himself the most pro-union president ever, but Fain has refused to endorse his reelection campaign, saying endorsements are earned and actions, not words, are needed to earn UAWs support.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The vaunted surface-to-air S-400 "Triumf" missile system cannot safeguard Russia's occupation of the peninsula, Ukraine's spy chief said in a recent interview. KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images

Recent attacks on Crimea may end up hurting Russia's defense industry, Ukraine's spy chief said.

Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov said the attacks show "the obvious inability of Russian air defense systems."

Budanov said drone strikes in Moscow are also making potential customers wary of the S-400.

Ukraine's armed forces are blasting holes in Russia's claimed military superiority, exposing its next-generation S-400 air defense system as not worth the billions of dollars that Moscow has been selling it for on the global market, one of Kyiv's top intelligence officials claimed in an interview this week.

Ukraine has recently stepped up its attacks on military targets in Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. On Friday, Ukraine launched a missile strike on the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, in Sevastopol, with video posted to social media showing a cloud of smoke rising from the building, CNN reported. A strike earlier in the month also damaged a number of Russian vessels.

Such attacks illustrate that Kyiv has not given up on reclaiming the Crimean peninsula, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's military intelligence, said in an interview with The Drive.

And they also show that Russia can't defend the territory, a lesson being learned by more than just the Kremlin, Budanov claimed.

"[Y]ou could not have missed that since the middle of August, there's been a certain intensification going on with regard to Crimea, and that might indirectly give you a hint about [Ukrainian ambitions]," Budanov said, speaking from a hotel room in Washington during a visit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The attacks demonstrate that the vaunted surface-to-air S-400 "Triumf" missile system cannot safeguard Russia's occupation of the peninsula, Budanov continued, potentially undermining the Kremlin's sales pitch. That's especially the case since Ukraine started directly targeting  and destroying  the system.

In August, Ukraine's defense ministry claimed that it took out an S-400 system near Olenivka, a village along the Black Sea in Crimea, suggesting that the attack was carried out with longer-range Storm Shadow missiles provided by the UK. It then did so again, the next month, in a strike on the Crimean city of Yevpatoriya.

Ukraine has short-term military objectives being served by preoccupying  and destroying  Russia's air defense capabilities, Budanov said. But, he said, "from the political standpoint, we're also demonstrating the obvious inability of Russian air defense systems, which respectively makes them less lucrative on the world arms markets."

That's not mere boasting from an obvious partisan. Ukraine's recent attacks on Russia's top-tier S-400 air defense system, first deployed in the mid-2000s, have exposed potential "systemic tactical failures," according to the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, indicating that "Russian forces were unprepared to intercept missiles with the system or were unable to do so."

The S-400 is generally considered one of the best air-defense systems available, even attracting a member of NATO as a customer: In 2017, Turkey paid about $2.5 billion to obtain S-400 systems (Washington, which opposed the deal, has asked Ankara to transfer the systems to Ukraine, according to Reuters); India followed suit a year later, agreeing to pay about $5.5 billion for five S-400 systems, each of which consists of a vehicle loaded with missiles, paired with standalone radars, that can target high-altitude threats.

Drone strikes in Moscow, widely believed to be orchestrated by Kyiv, show the S-400 can't even keep the Russian capital safe, Budanov said.

"[W]hen the whole world sees that some drones are attacking Moscow, nobody wants to buy Russia air defense systems any longer," he said. "And that is very painful for them."

Read the original article on Business Insider
In this photo provided by NASA, recovery teams participate in field rehearsals to prepare for the retrieval of the sample return capsule from NASAs OSIRIS-REx mission at the Department of Defenses Utah Test and Training Range on Aug. 29, 2023. On Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will fly by Earth and drop off what is expected to be at least a cupful of rubble it grabbed from the asteroid Bennu, closing out a seven-year quest. | Keegan Barber, NASA via Associated Press

A $1 billion NASA mission thats spanned seven years and amassed some 4 billion miles of space travel is due to send a small capsule screaming through Earths atmosphere at over 27,000 mph Sunday morning before a gentle parachute-assisted landing in Utahs west desert, delivering a sample of precious material that weighs just a bit more than a cup of water.

But the dust and rubble captured by the Osiris-Rex mission from the Bennu asteroid, a top-shaped space rock thats about one-third of a mile wide, isnt just any random cosmic crud. The material that makes up Bennu is rich with carbon and possible organic compounds and are believed to be as old as the solar system itself. Scientists anticipate the sample will provide a wealth of new insight from the time the solar system was birthed, some 4.5 billion years ago.

The Osiris-Rex mission launched from Earth in 2016 on a journey that brought it to an orbit around Bennu in 2018. Bennu is a near-Earth asteroid, meaning it is on a path that orbits the sun. Bennus trek around the Sun takes 435 days but every six years the asteroid passes relatively close  within about 186,000 miles  to Earth. For reference, thats closer to Terra Prime than the moon. Ahead of the opportunity to evaluate material from Bennu, scientists have a wealth of information gathered by Osiris-Rex over the two years it circled and observed the asteroid.

Related

NASA estimates the material sample will come in at just under 9 ounces. About 70% of the material will be saved for future study and the remainder will be shared among more than 200 researchers at 35 institutions around the world, including some at Londons Natural History Museum.

OSIRIS-REx spent over two years studying asteroid Bennu, finding evidence for organics and minerals chemically altered by water, wrote Ashley King, UKRI Future Leaders Fellow, Natural History Museum, in a web posting on Friday. These are crucial ingredients for understanding the formation of planets like Earth, so were delighted to be among the first researchers to study samples returned from Bennu.

One of the huge advantages of the Bennu sample, from a research perspective, is the material is pristine when compared to samples gathered from meteorites that have crashed to Earth and been contaminated by exposure to the planets atmosphere.

Osiris-Rex extended a vacuum tube to grab a material sample from Bennu in 2020, punching into the asteroids soft surface without actually landing on the space body, which is a loose amalgam of rocks, dust and debris held together by gravitational force.

Osiris-Rex left the Bennu asteroid in 2021 and will be wrapping up its two-year, four-month journey back to Earth on Sunday. While the craft will release the capsule containing the material sample from a distance of about 63,000 miles early Sunday morning, Osiris-Rex will continue its asteroid exploration mission, heading next to another near-Earth asteroid called Apophis, which it will reach in 2029.

NASA reports the Osiris-Rex return capsule, which measures about 3 feet wide and 11 2- feet tall, will enter the Earths atmosphere at 8:42 a.m. MDT on Sunday. and is expected to land at 8:55 a.m. inside an elliptical target zone that measures 81 2 miles by 36 miles on the Defense Departments Utah Test and Training Range, about 80 miles west of Salt Lake City. The capsule will be retrieved by helicopter and transported to a facility on the range where the sample container will be removed and transferred to a clean room. On Monday, the material is expected to be transported to NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston.

NASA will provide live streaming coverage of the Osiris-Rex sample return beginning at 8 a.m. MDT on Sunday.

Beside its value to scientists as an accessible asteroid that contains material from the earliest days of the solar system, Bennu is also notable as one of the biggest known potential threats for a future collision with Earth.

Research from the Osiris-Rex scientific team estimates there is a 1-in-2,700 chance that Bennu could be on a course to impact earth exactly 159 years from this weekends expected landing of Osiris-Rexs sample return capsule landing, on Sept. 24, 2182.
Ready to get that new COVID-19 booster shot? Well, youll probably have to wait a bit.

In Utah and across the country, the latest update to the vaccine, recommended for everyone 6 months and older, is hard to find. There are also issues with insurance coverage now that the federal government is no longer picking up the cost.

The delays come as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to climb nationwide. On Thursday, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services said seven new deaths from the virus had been reported in the state over the past week.

Related

Intermountain Health, the regions largest health care system, doesnt even have the new shots yet, spokesman Lance Madigan said.

Please check back, is what Intermountain Health patients are being told when they ask about getting the shot approved last week by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Patients are advised that Intermountain is waiting on vaccine supply, but to the best of our knowledge the entire system is delayed. Latest we are hearing is we should have all varieties of vaccine for different age groups by the first of October, Madigan said.

Meanwhile, pharmacies nationwide are dealing with supply issues, offering only limited appointments that sometimes have had to be canceled when the vaccine hasnt arrived as scheduled.

Related

Both Walgreens and CVS, pharmacy chains that have provided COVID-19 vaccinations throughout the pandemic, confirmed to NBC News that appointments to get the new vaccine have had to be canceled due to delivery delays to some stores.

We are aware of isolated incidences at a small number of locations where appointments had to be rescheduled due to delays in supply, a Walgreens spokesperson said, adding most stores have supply to support existing patient appointments.

Moderna and Pfizer representatives told The Associated Press there are enough shots.

Pfizer spokespeople said the manufacturer is not experiencing any shortages and has shipped and delivered several million doses of its 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine, the AP reported.

Moderna had 6 million doses of the new vaccine available as of Thursday, the manufacturers vice president of communications Chris Ridley told the AP.

But even if pharmacies have the new shots, some customers have had to be turned away because their insurance cant be billed. Apparently, many insurance companies have yet to update their billing codes to include the new shots.

Related

Some people are being charged as much as $200 for the shot despite having health insurance, The Washington Post reported, citing myriad complications, including the vaccine not yet being a list of approved medical expenses.

Now that the federal government is no longer buying and distributing all the shots, Americans must endure the usual headaches of dealing with insurance companies and a for-profit health care system, The Washington Post story said.

Select Health, the Murray-based insurance company that has more than 1 million members in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and soon Colorado, said in a statement the new vaccine is set up that, yes, its covered and its covered effective today.

Members can contact their health insurance provider or insurance company if there are questions about coverage, Select Health said, noting that with a new vaccine, the set up process involved, that could be part of the issue people are facing nationally.

The new shots are targeted at a recently circulating version of the virus, XBB.1.5, also known as Kraken. Its since been replaced as the dominant variant by a close relative, EG.5, dubbed Eris. A new, highly mutated variant, BA.2.86 or Pirola, was identified this week in Utah.

The previous COVID-19 booster shot, available for more than a year, targeted an earlier variant along with the original strain of the virus responsible for the pandemic that began in early 2020.

Only about 17% of Americans  and just under 16% of Utahns  got that first booster shot.

The difficulties with the rollout of the latest COVID-19 shot isnt doing anything to help boost those numbers, said Han Kim, a professor of public health at Westminster University in Salt Lake City.

Kim said the situation is discouraging not only to those who really wanted to do the right thing and get the vaccine but also everyone still on the fence about whether they want the shot.

It is frustrating, especially given there is already a lot of reluctance. This is just kind of fuel to the fire, unfortunately, he said, suggesting that what seem like preventable glitches are just going to give them an excuse not to get vaccinated.

But COVID-19 is still a serious disease, Kim said, urging Utahns to get the shots.

Theres a very easy way to protect yourself, so I think you should take advantage of that, he said. Wait a week or so until all this stuff gets smoothed out. I think the more people that get the vaccine, the less of a surge were going to see this fall and winter.
Keep on fighting, Mr. President! Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told former U.S. President Donald Trump in a tweet in April. Come back, Mr. President! he said a month later, while urging Trump to make America great again and bring us peace. The Trump campaign was reportedly urged by David Cornstein, Trumps former ambassador to Hungary, to take on Arpad Habony, an Orban adviser. Meanwhile, Republicans like Arizonas Representative Paul Gosar and former gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake traveled to Budapest in the spring for a conference.

The story of Hungarian and Republican cooperation stretches back more than a decade, though it has deepened in recent years as the GOP holds up the Central European nation as a model of right-wing, anti-woke governance. But it does raise the question: Why is the leader of a Central European country so involved in U.S. Republican Party politics?

I think, ultimately, its the product of good political instincts, said Gergely Romsics, senior research fellow at the Research Center for the Humanities, Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

Orban wanted to expand his international profile and connection to the international rightand the American right in particular. It took a whileseveral years, in factbut he finally found a way to do it.

The early attempts were not successful.

Before Orban assumed the prime ministership for the second time in 2010, he and his party, Fidesz, used what they could to attack the party in powera left-of-center governing coalition. Ironically, given how friendly Fidesz would go on to be to Moscow, one line of attack was that the government was too friendly with the Kremlin. And so these early efforts to connect to U.S. Republicans, Romsics said, emphasized the importance of Atlantic alliances, presumably at least in part to distinguish Fidesz from the party in power at the time and to raise Orbans international reputation.

But these early Atlanticist efforts did not take hold, and Orban and Fidesz quickly changed tack; by 2014, Orban was talking about building an illiberal democracy and, joining with American strategists George Birnbaum and Arthur Finkelstein, made attacking the Budapest-born billionaire philanthropist George Sorosalready a prominent target for the American righta focal point of that effort. That same year, Hungary hired former Florida Representative Connie Mack IV as a lobbyist.

Then came the European migrant crisis of 2015, which was really a turning point both for Orbans politics in Europe as well as for right-of-center American politicians, said former Republican Hill staffer Scott Cullinane. Orban seized the moment, pushing out conspiracies alleging that Soros was funding the influx of migrants in an effort to change Europes demographics. Presidential candidate Trump made attacking migrants a focal point of his first campaign, too. And when Trump truly emerged as a force in American politics, Orbans political instincts say, this is a fighting chance to gain influence, Romsics said. Beginning in 2016, Fidesz notables seemed to more frequently be in the United States.

The Trump era was at least as fruitful as Fidesz had hoped. The two leaders saw eye to eye on immigration. Both were happy to attack Soros and overstate the impact of his donations to liberal causes and his sinisterin their viewinfluence on global politics. Orban even got a White House visit in 2019. He found fellow travelers in other like-minded U.S. politicians; legislation recently passed in Florida on LGBTQ rights and education on LGBTQ issues bears a striking resemblance to a law passed in Budapest in 2021. In 2022, Trump endorsed Orban for reelection; earlier this year, Orban repaid the favor, saying he hoped Trump would once again be elected to the White House.

Trumps 2020 electoral loss has made things in Washington considerably worse for Orban and his allies. They really burned all the bridges with the [Biden] administration, Democratic lawmakers, more centrist or center-right Republicans, said Dalibor Rohac, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. All they are left with are these sort of MAGA, culture wardriven folks. Take Matt Schlapp, chair of the American Conservative Union, who in 2022 tweeted in defense of Orban: Yes, we support leaders who reject globalism, socialism, illegal migration and care about defending families, national sovereignty, and traditional values. Or consider Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, who has lauded Orbans border policies.

Rather than reverse course, though, the Hungarian government and its allies are doubling down. For example, Mathias Corvinus Collegium, or MCC, a private college overseen by Orbans political director, Balazs Orban (no relation), has seen an influx of investment and is perceived as a place where American and Hungarian conservatives can convene. (Fidesz critics allege that this is being done via theft of public funds.)

Meanwhile, the American right increasingly sees Hungary as a model for their own efforts and hold it aloft as the ultimate achievement of their political project.

In 2022, Tucker Carlsonthen still Fox News golden boyput out a documentary praising Orbans Hungary. The film featured Rod Dreher, a writer and editor who lives in and regularly extols the virtues of Hungary. The Conservative Political Action Conference has twice gone to Budapest (and has also hosted Orban stateside). The self-described main organizer of Hungarys CPAC conferences is the Budapest-based Center for Fundamental Rights, which considers preserving national identity, sovereignty, and Judeo-Christian social traditions as its primary mission.

Fidesz did, at one point, appear to be cultivating relationships with more people than Trump. Hungarian President Katalin Novak met with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in Marchbut, per Romsics, the Hungarian powers that be have since decided Trump will have the [Republican] nomination. Its either Trump or no one.

They really hope that Trump or a Trumpist president comes back, said Zsuzsanna Szelenyi, director of the Democracy Institute Leadership Academy for Central and Eastern Europe. Then Fidesz would gain more importance at the international level.

Its important for them, Szelenyi added. They are preparing for the global radical rights victory.

For all the ways in which the American and Hungarian right insist they are like-minded, the truth is that there are significant differences on policy that boosters of the relationship consistently paper over.

While it is true that Fidesz speaks often of the importance of the Christian family, the Hungarian government encourages reproduction by effectively boosting welfare. In April, the government insisted that supermarkets should put promotions in place, offering sales on a different kind of product each week. In 2019, Orban promised that women with more than four children would not have to pay income tax; his government said it would help families with more than three children purchase cars and offered parental leave for grandparents, more places in nursery schools, and repayments of up to 10 million forints (about $30,000) for loans taken out by families with two or more children. Though some on the American right have gestured at borrowing from Fideszs natalism, these efforts have practically no chance of being adopted by the GOP: The modern Republican Party is seeking to cut, not expand, support from the state.

And though Orban has taken some steps to make it more difficult to get an abortionlast year announcing, for example, that pregnant people must prove they have listened to the fetuss heartbeat before having onepeeling back abortion rights has not been a part of Fideszs program. Orban could not say abortion is not possible, said Szelenyi, herself a former Fidesz member. It isnt even that Hungarians are especially pro-choice, but that access to abortion is understood as a given right.

Orban is very good at gauging audiences and crafting messages that resonate, said Rohac. I am pretty sure that when these people come here [from Hungary], theyll tell a different story to American social conservatives that these people want to hear, he said. And, indeed, in 2019, the Hungarian government hosted two separate eventsone in the Library of Congress and one on the Hillon family policy and the role of the family. The former was titled Making Families Great Again.

For Fidesz and its allies on the American right, symbolism, tone, and gestures all matter more than policy overlap, particularly on the domestic front.

Even if details are a little vague or dont quite map onto domestic U.S. politics, you still have a right-of-center politician vanquishing the left, Cullinane said of Orban and Fidesz.

On foreign policy, too, what might have once been assumed to be enough to rupture a partnership has been shrugged off. Orban has repeatedly stalled Swedens NATO membership bid (to say nothing of Hungarys opposition to EU plans to grant additional money to Ukraine). These are matters not only of domestic politics, but of international security.

If thats not the turning point, what would be the turning point? Cullinane asked. Its really hard to imagine what more Orban could do that would cause this relationship to break or to turn back in some way. Its really hard to imagine.

And, in truth, there are many in the Republican Partyincluding Trump and DeSantiswho have called U.S. support for NATO and Ukraine into question. What might once have been a point of deep divergence is now an area of overlap.

Granted, that this is the way things are now does not mean that it is the way they will always be. Hungarian and American right-wingers are not necessarily destined to be in an alliance with each other forever. In August, the United States limited Hungarys participation in its visa waiver program. Though this decision was obviously made by a Democratic administration, it could ultimately have knock-on effects for Hungary-U.S. relations more generally and impact the next Republican administration, whenever it takes office.

There is also the fact that, at least in theory, the European Union should serve as something of a check on Hungary if it decides to descend completely into authoritarianism. R. Daniel Kelemen, a professor of public policy at Georgetown, likened it to individual U.S. states from the late-nineteenth until the mid-twentieth century that received funding from the federal government even while functioning as one-party states, not competitive democracies. Orban is also a subsidized strongman. But the EU puts some outer limits on what he can do and how far he can go, Kelemen said.

And while certain Republican politicians may not care that Orban and company are making things more difficult for NATO and Ukraine, Fidesz is also taking a softer, more cooperative approach toward another country, one that its Republican allies see as a clear foe: China. While Trump consistently bashed China and DeSantis recently unveiled an economic plan apparently intended to take on Beijing, Hungary has talked up opportunities rather than risks. In May, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described relations between the two countries as having entered their best period in history.

Despite their differences on policy, there is little reason to expect a crack-up between the Hungarian and American right in the near future.

For the American political right, Hungary offers a place to point to, an idea, an inspiration. In reality, however, its a relatively small country with a declining population and minimal global influence. But why should such details matter? True ideologues of the new right want to be able to point to examples of how they want to structure society, Rohac said.

And for the Hungarians?

Romsics pointed to those good political instincts. Logic dictates theres a polarized society that is a great power, a superpower. With one side, your relationships are so bad that theres nothing much you can do. With the other, you have a fighting chance.

There just isnt that much to lose, he said. If Trump wins again, Hungarian fortunes with respect to U.S. foreign policy will improve.

And if Democrats win? Will it really get that much worse?
Setting up for the Central Washington State Fair  a look behind the scenes
(For the next two months, columnist Jim McKee will be contributing new columns on the first week of the month. On other weeks, the Journal Star will publish some of McKee's past columns. This one ran on April 7, 2013.)

Jacob Dawson wore many hats and contributed several firsts to the city of Lincoln. Although he died just as the city was 2 years old, he was among the first residents of the village of Lancaster and involved in the development of the Nebraska Territory.

As with many early settlers, Dawsons origins are unclear. Some histories show him born in Ohio in 1814 or 1818, yet one clearly states he arrived in the United States in 1828. It is fairly certain that Dawson married his wife Edith(a) Ross in 1848 then moved from Ohio to Pennsylvania, arriving in Iowa in 1849 or 1850. It is likewise clear that he was admitted to the Iowa bar in 1850, and at about the same year attempted to establish the village of Dawsonburgh, sometimes referred to as Dawsonville, in Fremont County, Iowa.

In 1851 or 1852, Dawson bought the Mormon newspaper the Frontier Guardian from its owner, who was moving from Council Bluffs (Kanesville) to Utah. With the papers relocation to Dawsonville, he renamed it the Frontier Guardian & Iowa Sentinel, but noted it would no longer be Mormon-oriented. When Dawsonville failed to grow beyond a couple of houses, the Dawsons moved across the Missouri to the new territory of Nebraska in 1854 or 1855.

Dawson took advantage of others wanting to cross the Missouri River by establishing a ferry and platting the new village of Wyoming in Otoe County about seven miles north of Nebraska City. On Jan. 25, 1856, Dawson, William Neligh and M.H. Hathaway incorporated the Wyoming Mill Co., a flouring mill, and a short time later Dawson began publishing the Wyoming Telescope on the presses moved from Iowa. When a disastrous fire on May 12, 1860, wiped out a number of Nebraska City businesses, including the Nebraska City News, the Mortons of Nebraska City bought all of the Telescopes presses, paper and supplies. After printing one issue of the newspaper in Wyoming, it was moved to Nebraska City.

In the early 1860s, John M. Young established a Methodist Protestant church in a Nebraska City storefront. Young then was joined by Dawson, Peter Schamp, Dr. J. McKesson, E.W. Warnes and Luke Lavender in deciding to establish a Methodist seminary. During July of 1863, the men investigated Lancaster County as a possible site. On July 10 Dawson obtained a portion of Section 23 in Lancaster County and on Aug. 6, 1864, platted the southeast quarter and half of the southwest quarter of the section as what he called the village of Lancaster, with a site for the seminary noted. It was estimated that the population was about 20 at that period. Dawson then built a double-walled log cabin on the south side of Locust Street, south boundary of Lancaster at Third Street.

On Sept. 15, 1864, a post office was opened in this cabin with Dawson as postmaster. That fall Dawson also was made a director of the first school district in the county at the colony, though the first school classes actually were taught at Yankee Hill in John Cadmans home.

In November of 1864, the first term of Territorial Court also was held in Dawsons cabin, and it was noted by the court as being the only completed, suitable dwelling in the city. If the courts notes are to be believed, this means that Dawsons cabin was, in fact, the first dwelling completed in Lancaster.

Although there is no evidence that Dawson was admitted to the Nebraska bar, after he scurried all over the entire community for sufficient coffee to provide refreshments for the court, Dawson was appointed Clerk of the Court. It then took an additional three days to find enough local men to empanel a jury.

In 1866 or 1867, Stephen Pound moved into Dawsons cabin, began preparing to enter the Nebraska bar and opened the first grocery in the village in one room of the cabin.

In late summer of 1867, just as Nebraska became the 37th state and Lancaster had been renamed Lincoln as the first state capital, Dawson and John Giles gave most of their farmland to the state to form the city of Lincoln, and that November, Dawson, Pound and Young proposed offering a prize of $100,000 in local funds to the first railroad to reach the city. Although the idea first was vetoed, a year later the plan was approved by the voters. Dawson also announced in the Nebraska City News that he was going to start a newspaper to be named the Nebraska State Journal in Lincoln, but that plan died.

With Pound occupying the cabin at what was now listed as between Seventh and Eighth streets on the south side of O Street in the new plat, the Dawsons moved into their new home on the south side of D Street between 19th and 20th streets. The Lincoln newspaper reported on Oct. 17, 1868, that Dawson was hurrying up his store business house on the south side of Market Square and that Lincolns population was approaching 500. Not even a year later, July 22, 1869, Jacob Dawson died and was buried at Wyuka.

Although his attempts at town building at Dawsonville and Wyoming produced little in the way of permanent settlement, his village of Lancaster, in becoming Lincoln, was, even before he died, well on its way of exceeding even his wildest dreams.
Today

Sun and clouds mixed. High around 85F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 54F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.

Tomorrow

A mainly sunny sky. High 87F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
Stiri pe aceeasi tema

- Prefectul judetului Vaslui, Daniel Onofrei, a semnat, marti, ordinul de suspendare din functia de presedinte al Consiliului Judetean Vaslui a lui Dumitru Buzatu, arestat preventiv in dosarul in care a fost prins in flagrant primind 1,25 milioane de lei mita, potrivit newsweek.ro. Prefectul judetului

- Second person detained in Dumitru Buzatu case: expert who received 714,000 RON in bribesAn expert who allegedly received 714,000 RON from the businessman who also bribed the president of Vaslui County Council (CJ), Dumitru Buzatu, was detained during the weekend by the National Anti-corruption Directorate

- Prefectul judetului Vaslui, Daniel Onofrei, va emite la inceputul saptamanii viitoare ordinul de suspendare a lui Dumitru Buzatu din functia de presedinte al Consiliului Judetean Vaslui, daca vor fi indeplinite conditiile. "In conformitate cu prevederile legale si procedurile stipulate in Codul administrativ,

- PSD leader Ciolacu: Vaslui County Council president Dumitru Buzatu expelled from PSDThe president of Vaslui County Council, Dumitru Buzatu, has been expelled from the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the leader of the Social Democrats, Marcel Ciolacu, announced on Saturday. The decision was

- President of Vaslui County Council indicted for bribery, prosecutors request preventive arrest (anti-graft authority)Prosecutors from the National Anti-corruption Directorate (DNA) - Iasi Territorial Service have informed that the president of the Vaslui County Council, Dumitru Buzatu, has been detained

- PM Ciolacu voices hope PM Nehammer's attitude won't affects OMV Petrom Romania's imagePrime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on Monday stated, during the meeting with OMV Petrom representatives, that Romania will continue to support the Neptun Deep project, just as it will continue to support its own arguments

- PM Ciolacu, Canadian Senate President Gagne discuss development of civil nuclear energyPrime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on Wednesday had a meeting at the Victoria Palace with a parliamentary delegation from Canada, led by the President of the Senate, Raymonde Gagne, told Agerpres. The discussions

- Romania strongly supports Chisinau's request to join this cooperation format, which aims, among other things, to identify concrete ways to engage the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine in projects aimed at increasing the degree of interconnectivity in the fields of energy, transport and digital in the
New Delhi: On Friday morning, an official announcement was made that actors Tiger Shroff and Sanjay Dutt will be seen collaborating for an upcoming comedy film titled Master Blaster.

However, a few hours later, Tiger Shroff took to Instagram and denied working on the particular film. He shared a picture of the films announcement and wrote, It will be my honour to work with such senior stalwarts in our industry someday soon but as of now this news is not true.

Surprisingly, he deleted the post within a few minutes. Later, Tiger took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and wrote, Been hearing rumours and seeing some tweets and posts of me being roped in for a film.. It will be my honour to work with such senior stalwarts in our industry someday soon but as of now this news is not true.

As per the press note issued earlier this morning, the film was touted to be an action comedy that will extensively be shot in Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh also announced the project on his X account. Meanwhile, Tiger is gearing up for the release of 'Ganapath'. The film will hit the theatres on October 20. Actor Kriti Sanon is also a part of it.

Apart from this, Tiger also has 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' alongside Akshay Kumar which is all set to release in April on Eid 2024 in five languages. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the film has been shot across unseen and exotic locales across Scotland, London, India, and UAE.

On the other hand, Sanjay Dutt will be next seen in a sci-fi horror comedy film 'The Virgin Tree,' which also features Sunny Singh, Mouni Roy, and Palak Tiwari in the lead roles.

He also has Welcome To The Jungle alongside Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal and Disha Patani in his kitty.

Welcome To The Jungle  is all set to hit the theatres on December 20, 2024.
New York: India has hit out at Pakistan after the country's caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar predictably raised the Kashmir bogey in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

In its right to reply, the First Secretary at United Nations for the Second Committee of UNGA, Petal Gahlot said that Pakistan should vacate occupied areas of India and stop cross-border terrorism. She asked Pakistan to stop human rights violations against minorities in Pakistan.

Petal Gahlot said, "In order for there to be peace in South Asia, the actions that Pakistan needs to take are threefold first stop cross-border terrorism and shut down its infrastructure of terrorism immediately. Second, vacate Indian territories under its illegal and forcible occupation. And third stop the grave and persistent human rights violations against the minorities in Pakistan."

Indian diplomat reiterated that union territories of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh are integral parts of India and Pakistan has no "locus standi" to make statements regarding India's domestic matters.

"We reiterate that the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of India. Matters pertaining to the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are purely internal to India," Petal Gahlot said.

"Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on our domestic matters. As a country with one of the world's worst human rights records, particularly when it comes to minority and women's rights, pakistan would do well to put its own house in order before venturing to point a finger at the world's largest democracy," she added.

Indian diplomat slammed Pakistan for making "baseless and malicious propaganda" against India at the United Nations General Assembly.

In her remarks, Gahlot said, "Pakistan has become a habitual offender when it comes to misusing this august forum to peddle baseless and malicious propaganda against India. Member States of the United Nations and other multilateral organizations are well aware that Pakistan does so to deflect the international community's attention away from its own abysmal record on human rights."

Calling Pakistan home to the largest number of internationally proscribed terrorist entities, Gahlot urged Pakistan to take "credible and verifiable action" against perpetrators of the 2011 Mumbai terror attack.

"Pakistan has been the home and patron to the largest number of internationally proscribed terrorist entities and individuals in the world. Instead of engaging in technical sophistry, we call

upon Pakistan to take credible and verifiable action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks whose victims await justice even after 15 years," Petal Gahlot said.

Highlighting the systemic violence against minorities in Pakistan, Petal Gahlot spoke about the conditions of Christians and Ahmadiyya communities. She spoke about the Jaranwala incident where Churches and Christian houses were burnt down.



"A glaring example of the systemic violence against minorities in Pakistan was the large-scale brutality perpetrated against the minority Christian community in Jaranwala in Pakistan's Faisalabad district in August 2023 where a total of 19 churches were gutted and 89 Christian houses were burnt down," the Indian diplomat said.



She further said, "Similar treatment has been meted out to the Ahmadiyya whose places of worship have been demolished. The condition of women belonging to minority communities in Pakistan notably Hindus, Sikhs and Christians, remains deplorable."

She made reference to a report published by Pakistan's Human Rights Commission which revealed that 1000 women from minority communities were subjected to abduction and forced conversion and marriage.



"According to a recent report published by Pakistan's own Human Rights Commission, an estimated 1,000 women from minority communities are subjected to abduction and forced conversion and marriage in Pakistan every year," Petal Gahlot said.

Pakistan caretaker PM Kakar's remarks came during his address to the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York today. He said, "Pakistan desires peaceful and productive relations with all our neighbours including India," and added that "Kashmir is the key to peace between Pakistan and India."

India has repeatedly raised its concern over Pakistan's support of cross-border terrorism and has asserted that terror and talks cannot go together. India has also provided evidence at various international forums of Pakistan's support for Terrorist groups. Pakistans caretaker PM however harped on what he called the illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.
A 63-year-old man will be charged with misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide and careless driving in connection with a crash earlier this month that killed an Omaha doctor.

The Douglas County Sheriffs Office said Dale E. TenEyck, 63, of Valley will be given a criminal citation for the offenses.

On Sept. 10, Dr. Matthew Latacha, 47, was riding his bicycle around 10:15 a.m. on 252nd Street just north of Rainwood Road when he was struck by a vehicle driven by TenEyck, the Sheriffs Office said.

Investigators determined that Latacha and the motor vehicle were both southbound on 252nd Street. The vehicle struck the bicycle from behind and then entered the ditch on the west side of the road.

Deputies and members of the Valley Fire Department attempted lifesaving measures on Latacha, but he died at the scene of the collision. TenEyck was not injured in the crash.

If convicted of motor vehicle homicide, TenEyck faces up to one year in jail and $1,000 fine. Motor vehicle homicide is prosecuted as a misdemeanor unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as driving under the influence or reckless driving.
Baramulla: Police on Saturday claimed to have arrested two terrorists belonging to TRF (The Resistance Front) outfit an offshoot of LeT (Lashkar-e-Toiba) in North Kashmir's Baramulla district. In a handout, police said that On September 21, Police in Baramulla through reliable sources came to know that one individual namely Yaseen Ahmad Shah son of Tariq Ahmad resident of Janbazpora Baramulla was missing from his home and had joined the proscribed terror outfit LeT/TRF. Accordingly, a case under relevant sections of law was registered in Police Station Baramulla and an investigation was taken up.

The police spokesman further stated that on receipt of this information, based on human/technical intelligence, a joint team of Baramulla Police, Army & CAPF during MVCP checking at Tapper Pattan apprehended the said terrorist. Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including 1 Pistol, 1 Pistol Magazine and 8 live rounds were recovered from his possession.

During questioning, he disclosed the name of his other associate as Parvaiz Ahmad Shah son of Ali Mohd resident of Takiya Wagoora. Accordingly, joint parties of Baramulla Police, Army and CAPF raided his residence and subsequently arrested him. Upon his disclosure, 2 Hand Grenades were also recovered from his possession, he said. Today, during the further course of interrogation of militant Mohd Yaseen Shah and on his disclosure, 1 Pistol, 1 Pistol Magazine & 8 live rounds were also recovered from his house at Janbazpora, he said.
New Delhi: As the global stage increasingly embraces Asian cinema, the magnetic charm and exceptional talent of actors like Manoj Bajpayee, Rahul Bhat, Bhumi Pednekar, and Karisma Kapoor have become the driving force behind an international cinematic renaissance. Their recent films 'Joram,' 'Kennedy,' 'Thank You for Coming,' and 'Brown' have not only garnered laurels globally but have also ignited anticipation among Indian audiences, who eagerly await their theatrical releases.

Manoj Bajpayee's 'Joram'

One film that has left audiences across the globe in awe is 'Joram,' featuring the immensely talented Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role. Directed by Devashish Makhija, 'Joram' boasts a gut-wrenching storyline that has resonated with viewers worldwide. Bajpayee's portrayal of a complex character has earned him accolades, further cementing his status as one of India's finest actors. 'Joram' is a testament to the power of storytelling in Asian cinema, and its international recognition has left fans eagerly awaiting its release in India.

Rahul Bhat's 'Kennedy'

'Kennedy,' the film that has set the international film festival circuit abuzz, features Rahul Bhat in a riveting portrayal of a diabolical cop, being touted as his "resurgence in the global cinema." His performance in the movie, directed by Anurag Kashyap, has been universally acclaimed as a phenomenal panache. Rahul's commitment to his craft is evident in not only his physical transformation but in the subtle nuances, soul-penetrating expressions, that have stunned the critics as well as cinema-enthusiasts worldwide, leaving the audiences, especially in India, eagerly gasping to experience the enigma that he has brought to life through 'Kennedy.'

Bhumi Pednekar's 'Thank You for Coming'

'Thank You for Coming' is a film that tackles themes of female friendships and self-discovery, all set against the backdrop of the exploration of female orgasm. This unique narrative, combined with Bhumi Pednekar's heartfelt performance, has won the hearts of audiences worldwide. The film's recent screening at the Toronto International Film Festival has only added to its global acclaim. 'Thank You for Coming' represents a refreshing take on relationships and sexuality, and Indian audiences are eagerly awaiting its release to experience this groundbreaking cinematic journey.

Karisma Kapoor's 'Brown'

Karisma Kapoor takes center stage in the neo-noirish thriller "Brown," directed by Abhinay Deo. In this gripping crime drama, Kapoor portrays a damaged yet relentlessly driven cop, delivering a performance that has resonated with audiences worldwide. "Brown" had the distinct honor of being screened at the prestigious Berlinale Film Festival, where it left a lasting impression. As Indian audiences eagerly await the release of this cinematic masterpiece, it's clear that these actors' upcoming films have ignited a fervor that knows no bounds.

In an interconnected world where borders blur, these actors remind us of the magic of cinema, and their contributions continue to shape the future of filmmaking, promising even more captivating stories to come.
New York: The US is deeply concerned about the allegations raised by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against India on the killing of a Khalistani separatist in Canada, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said and Washington was "closely coordinating" with Ottawa on the issue and wants to see "accountability" in the case. Speaking at a press conference here on Friday, Blinken said the US has engaged directly with the Indian government on the issue and the most productive thing would be the completion of this investigation.

Let me say a few things about this. First, we are deeply concerned about the allegations that Prime Minister Trudeau has raised, the top US diplomat said in response to a question on Trudeaus allegations against India. Trudeau said in the Canadian Parliament earlier this week that Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia.

We have been consulting throughout very closely with our Canadian colleagues  and not just consulting, coordinating with them  on this issue. And from our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceed, and it would be important that India work with the Canadians on this investigation. We want to see accountability, and its important that the investigation run its course and lead to that result, Blinken said.

The top US diplomat was also asked about reports that President Joe Biden brought the issue up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally. Im not going to characterise or otherwise speak to diplomatic conversations that we have, Blinken said.

Weve been engaged directly with the Indian government as well. And again, I think the most productive thing that can happen now is to see this investigation move forward and be completed. And we would hope that our Indian friends would cooperate with that investigation as well.

More broadly  and youve heard me speak to this  we are extremely vigilant about any instances of alleged transnational repression, something we take very, very seriously. And I think its important more broadly for the international system that any country that might consider engaging in such acts not do so. So its something that were also focused on in a much broader way. Nijjar, 45, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was one of Indias most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head and was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia on June 18.

Tensions flared between India and Canada early this week following Trudeau's explosive allegations. India angrily rejected the allegations as "absurd" and "motivated", and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

While Canada hasn't yet provided any public evidence to back its claims, a media report citing Canadian government sources said that Ottawa's allegations are based on both human and signals intelligence and inputs from an ally the Five Eye intelligence network.

The Five Eyes network is an intelligence alliance consisting of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

The Canadian government has amassed both human and signals intelligence in a months-long investigation of the Sikh man's death that has inflamed relations with India, CBC News, a division of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, reported on Thursday quoting sources.

That intelligence includes communications involving Indian officials themselves, including Indian diplomats present in Canada, according to Canadian government sources.

Prime Minister Trudeau on Thursday said Canada is not looking to "provoke or cause problems" with India as he urged New Delhi to take the matter "extremely seriously" and work with Ottawa to "uncover the truth".

India asked Canada to come down hard on terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its soil and suspended visa services for Canadians.

India also asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic staff in the country, arguing that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalence in the mutual diplomatic presence. The size of Canadian diplomatic staff in India is larger than what New Delhi has in Canada.

The India-Canada ties had been reeling under some strain for the last few months in view of increasing activities of the pro-Khalistani elements in the North American country. India believes the Trudeau government is not addressing its genuine concerns
New Delhi: Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh on Saturday hit out at the Centre over the construction of the new Parliament building and said that the new complex should be called the "Modi Multiplex or Modi Marriot". In a long post on X, the Congress leader said that he witnessed the "death of confabulations and conversations both inside the two Houses and in the lobbies."

Further coming down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ramesh said the PM has already killed democracy without even rewriting the Constitution. "The new Parliament building launched with so much hype actually realises the PM's objectives very well. It should be called the Modi Multiplex or Modi Marriot. After four days, what I saw was the death of confabulations and conversationsboth inside the two Houses and in the lobbies," he said.

"If architecture can kill democracy, the PM has already succeeded even without rewriting the Constitution," he added. Congress general secretary compared the old Parliament building with the new building and said that coordination between the two Houses in the new building is exceedingly cumbersome and termed it as "claustrophobic".

"Binoculars are needed to see each other since the halls are simply not cosy or compact. The old Parliament building not only had a certain aura but it facilitated conversations. It was easy to walk between the Houses, the Central Hall, and the corridors. This new one weakens the bonding needed to make the running of Parliament a success. Quick coordination between the two Houses is now exceedingly cumbersome", he said.

Criticising the design of the new Parliament building, the Congress leader said, "In the old building, if you were lost, you would find your way back again since it was circular. In the new building, if you lose your way, you are lost in a maze. The old building gave you a sense of space and openness while the new one is almost claustrophobic," the Congress leader added.

Claiming that the "sheer joy" of "hanging out" was found missing in the new Parliament building, the Congress general secretary said that a better use for the new building would be found after regime change in 2024.

"The sheer joy of simply hanging out in Parliament has disappeared. I used to look forward to going to the old building. The new complex is painful and agonising. I am sure many of my colleagues across party lines feel the same. I have also heard from the staff in the Secretariat that the design of the new building has not considered the various functionalities required to help them do their work," he said.

"This is what happens when no consultations are done with the people who will use the building. Perhaps a better use for the new Parliament building will be found after regime change in 2024," Jairam Ramesh added.
New Delhi: Delhi Police took legal action against the customers who were involved in a scuffle with the mobile shop employees in the Kamla Nagar area of Delhi. In a purported video, a clash between customers and mobile shop employees can be seen occurring when the former group was informed about a delay in the availability of the iPhone 15 by a few days.

In a recent incident that highlights the immense popularity of Apple's iPhone 15 series, a scuffle broke out in a mobile store in Delhi's Kamla Nagar area. Customers and mobile store employees clashed over an alleged delay in supplying the latest model, iPhone 15, to eager customers. This incident sheds light on the intense demand for the latest Apple devices and the unique features of the iPhone 15 series.

A Frenzy for iPhone 15

Since the launch of the iPhone 15 series, people in India have gone into a frenzy to get their hands on the latest models. Apple enthusiasts eagerly awaited the opportunity to purchase iPhones directly from Apple Stores in Delhi and Mumbai, a first for the Indian market. Long queues formed outside mobile shops as customers lined up to acquire the highly anticipated devices.

However, the excitement took an unexpected turn when a scuffle erupted in a mobile store in Kamla Nagar, Delhi. A video of the incident began circulating on social media platforms, revealing a confrontation between two groups. In the video, individuals were seen engaged in physical altercations with mobile shop employees.

The Cause of the Scuffle

The root cause of the scuffle was an alleged delay in the delivery of the iPhone 15 to customers. Frustration grew among customers who were eagerly awaiting the latest model. This delay led to tensions escalating between the customers and mobile shop employees, resulting in the unfortunate incident.

Delhi Police, upon verifying the video, took legal action against the customers involved in the scuffle. The incident serves as a reminder of the high demand and fervor surrounding the iPhone 15 series.

Apple's Remarkable iPhone 15 Series

Apple's iPhone 15 series marks a significant milestone in the company's presence in India. For the first time, Apple introduced 'made-in-India' iPhones, including two variants: the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. These models were made available on the same day as their global release, showcasing Apple's commitment to the Indian market.

One notable feature of the iPhone 15 series is its support for the ISRO-developed NavIC GPS system. This feature enhances location accuracy and is a notable addition for Indian users. Additionally, quick commerce firm Blinkit announced a partnership with Apple Premium Reseller Unicorn to offer rapid delivery of iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, with orders arriving within just 10 minutes in select cities like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru.
An Omaha man was found guilty of felony motor vehicle homicide after he was accused of intentionally hitting and killing a woman with his car earlier this year.

On Thursday, 25-year-old Miguelangel Bringshimback entered a plea of no contest to two felonies: motor vehicle homicide and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. He previously faced a manslaughter charge in the February killing of 23-year-old Milagros Milly Lopez.

According to an arrest affidavit for Bringshimback, police responded to a call for a woman with severe injuries and CPR in progress at 3:15 a.m. on Feb. 16. Lopez was found in an alley near 23rd and Castelar Streets with extreme traumatic injuries. She had multiple broken bones, and her skull was exposed due to road rash-like injuries on her head.

Medics transported Lopez to Nebraska Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

A camera affixed to a nearby home captured audio of loud arguing shortly before a Chrysler 300 was seen and heard accelerating down the alley and leaving the area. Police came to believe that Lopez had been struck by the Chrysler 300 after an argument with an unknown person.

Two days after Lopezs death, two witnesses  including the owner of the involved vehicle  voluntarily showed up at Omaha Police Headquarters and requested to speak with police.

The witnesses told police that they, along with three others, arrived at Lopezs home that night and got into an argument. During the argument, Bringshimback entered the drivers seat of the Chrysler 300, struck Lopez with the car and then fled the area.

In the coming weeks, a total of four witnesses provided statements to OPD identifying Bringshimback as the driver, according to the affidavit.

One of those witnesses reportedly called 911 to report Lopezs injuries. Before police and medics arrived, the group returned to the scene and observed Lopez gravely injured in the alley. They then drove away.

Bringshimback was charged with leaving the scene of the crash in early March. In June, prosecutors tacked on a manslaughter charge, alleging that Bringshimback had unintentionally killed Lopez while committing a felony assault.
This website stores data such as cookies to enable essential site functionality, as well as marketing, personalization, and analytics. By remaining on this website, you indicate your consent.
The Omaha Police Department has identified the three officers involved in an incident that led to a 27-year-old man being fatally shot this month.

Officers Brian Diminico, Benjamin Hoffman and Tyler Boyer responded to the incident near 101st and Pacific Streets that led to Matthew X. Johnsons death shortly after 1 a.m. on Sept. 10. Before being fatally shot by the officers, Johnson was alleged to have pointed a gun at bystanders and then the officers.

The officers had responded to a report of an armed man who was possibly suicidal, according to a police spokesman. Officers saw Johnson holding a handgun. Police said the officers negotiated with Johnson for more than five minutes before Johnson allegedly began pointing his gun.

Paramedics took Johnson to Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy, where he was pronounced dead.

On Friday, police said witness statements and footage captured on officers body cameras, dashboard cameras and the camera on the police helicopter corroborated the events that police had previously reported.

Diminico is the most experienced of the three officers, with 15 years of service. Hoffman has four years of service, and Boyer has three years of service. The three officers are members of the departments Uniform Patrol Bureau.
UNDERSTANDING DEMENTIA

UNION GROVE  The public is invited to learn about dementia at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, or 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at Yorkville United Methodist Church, 17645 Old Yorkville Road. Kimberly Meitner, dementia care specialist with the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Racine County, is the speaker. For more information, call 262-878-2388

AURORA OFFERS CLASSES

BURLINGTON  Aurora Health Care is offering these classes:

Free Blood Pressure Clinic  8 a.m. to noon and 1-4:30 p.m. every Wednesday. To make an appointment, call 262-767-8000.

Exercise class  3:30-4:30 p.m. Sept. 26; Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28. Wisconsin Parkinson Association Movement and Music Exercise Classes are free and held in Classroom C at Aurora Wellness Center, 300 McCanna Parkway, Burlington. The classes incorporate stretches, strength training, posture, balance and walking drills, as well as vocal exercises. Modifications will be provided to ensure a safe and effective setting for all participants. Caregivers also are welcome. To register, email maryw@wiparkinson.org or call 414-430-3561.

Infant CPR & Safety  6-7:15 p.m. Sept. 27, Oct. 25 and Nov. 29 via Zoom. This non-certification class is recommended for families with infants and small children to learn rescue breathing, CPR, safe sleep guidelines, SIDS reduction strategies and infant/child safety. To register visit aurora.org/events.

Breastfeeding Basics  6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 and 7:30-9 p.m. Nov. 2 via Zoom. This course will help expectant mothers have a better breastfeeding experience by learning how to establish a healthy supply of milk; how to help baby latch; how to know if baby is getting enough milk; different breastfeeding positions and who to call if help is needed. To register visit aurora.org/events.

Preparing for Labor and Birth  6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 11 and 18, and Nov. 8 and 15 via Zoom. This two-session class will teach expectant parents what they need to prepare for the childbirth experience, including anatomy, the process of labor and delivery, and medical and non-medical care options. Relaxation techniques for coping with contractions will be briefly practiced. To register, visit aurora.org/events.

Stroke Support Group  1-2:30 p.m. Oct. 16 in Classroom C, lower level, at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center. This free group provides emotional support through opportunities to interact with other who have experienced stroke. Informational programs also will be provided about topics related to stroke/brain attack. The group welcomes individuals newly diagnosed, as well as those with a history of stroke. To register, visit aurora.org/events, call 800-499-5736 or email communityeducation@aah.org.

Memory Cafe  9:30-10:30 a.m., Oct. 20 and Nov. 17 at Aurora Wellness Center, Classroom C. The free Memory Cafe is a comfortable social gathering that allows people experiencing memory loss and a loved one to connect, socialize and build new support networks. For information, or first-time attendees, contact Chad at 262-212-3596 or csutkay@touchinghearts.com.

Walk with a Doc  8:30-9:30 a.m., Oct. 21 and Nov. 18. The topic for September is vaccine updates (Kristin Cassidy M.D.). Octobers topic is Whats in with Skin? (Sarah Kaldem N.P.) and the topic for November is foot health and longevity (Kevin Liberty DPM). Walk with a Doc is free and no registration is required. Participants should meet in the front entrance vestibule by the flagpole at Burlington High School.

Stepping On Workshop  1-3 p.m. Mondays, through Oct. 30 at Aurora Wellness Center, Classroom C, 300 McCanna Parkway, Burlington. This free workshop is for those age 60-plus who live independently and can help participants avoid dangerous and costly falls. Attendees will learn to identify and remove or avoid fall hazards both inside and outside their homes; how vision, hearing, medication and footwear affect their risk of falling; strength and balance exercises they can adapt to their individual level; and how to get back on their feet the right way if they do fall. To register, visit aurora.org/events or call 800-499-5736 for more information.

Bringing Baby Home  Nov. 2 via Zoom. This class helps families prepare for their baby by covering the essentials of caring for baby during the first few months, including feeding, diapering, comforting, sleep schedules, signs of illness and when to call the pediatrician. To register visit aurora.org/events.
Lakeview Pharmacy celebrated its grand reopening Saturday with a pancake breakfast and a raffle to win four box seat tickets to see the Milwaukee Brewers play the Chicago Cubs. The store at 516 Monument Square in Racine has completed an interior and exterior remodel, and now offers a variety of products from Wisconsin-based small businesses.
A divisive bill that would block out-of-state competition on long-distance power line projects in Wisconsin was revived Friday by legislative Republicans.

A previous version of the bill, which died in committee last session, was opposed by consumer advocates and the free-market conservative group Americans for Prosperity, who argued the measure merely protects in-state transmission companies interests by limiting competition and would drive up energy costs for ratepayers. Proponents, including some of the states largest utility companies, have said the so-called right of first refusal law would maintain Wisconsins regulatory oversight of the states transmission infrastructure and ensure reliable energy and reduced construction costs.

The proposal would not change the state Public Service Commissions role in permitting individual projects, such as the controversial Cardinal-Hickory Creek line under construction between Dubuque, Iowa, and Middleton, though it would prohibit the Midwest grid operator, known as MISO, from awarding contracts to outside developers. Essentially, the measure would give in-state companies the exclusive right to build any transmission project approved by MISO.

Decisions about our power grid in Wisconsin should be made by our own state government, not an out-of-state regional authority, the latest bills cosponsors Sen. Julian Bradley, R-Franklin, and Rep. Kevin Petersen, R-Waupaca, wrote in a memo promoting the legislation. The companies building our power grid should be the same companies weve entrusted to keep our lights on at night, not out-of-state or international corporations.

The bill would require Wisconsin transmission developers to competitively bid their infrastructure construction projects, which would be reviewed and approved by the PSC. Even so, critics of right of first refusal laws have argued it would simply protect utility profits by preventing competitive bidding from outside the state and lead to higher energy prices.

Faced with the burden of double-digit utility rate increases taking effect this year and additional hikes proposed for the next, this bill couldnt come at a worse time for Wisconsin families who are already struggling to make ends meet, Megan Novak, director of Americans for Prosperity-Wisconsin, said in a statement.

With the elimination of true competitive bids, ratepayers across Wisconsin will end up paying more, Novak continued. Wisconsin lawmakers should reject this fake competition language and instead find ways to lower electric bills, not raise them.

Neighbors did it

Lawmakers in at least eight states  including Minnesota and Michigan  have passed similar legislation in the decade since the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission abolished federal anti-competition protections. The federal government does not directly control the grid but sets ground rules for entities such as MISO, an independent nonprofit organization established in 2001 to operate electricity markets and oversee regional planning in 15 states and one Canadian province.

However, right of first refusal laws have faced backlash in some of those states, including Iowa, where the the Iowa Supreme Court earlier this year halted the law. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals last year ruled that a similar measure in Texas violated the dormant commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits states from passing protectionist policies that discriminate against nonresidents doing business in those states. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker vetoed a right of first refusal bill in August.

Tom Content, executive director of the state watchdog Citizens Utility Board, said consumer advocacy groups like CUB continue to oppose rollbacks to competitive bidding on largescale power line projects, which he said can result in increased energy rates.

Thats one of the reasons that competitive bidding is being deployed  to help keep a lid on costs at a time when customers across the state and across the country are seeing extreme rate pressure and higher and higher bills every year, Content said. This would eliminate the tool that is already being used around the country and the Midwest to contain costs.

Tried before

Two similar bipartisan right of first refusal measures were introduced last legislative session but ultimately died in committee.

In a March 15, 2022, email sent to a handful of state lawmakers, including Bradley, and obtained by the Wisconsin State Journal through a public records request, then-Public Service Commission member Ellen Nowak asserted that officials with LS Power, an independent transmission company headquartered in New York, worked with conservative group Americans for Prosperity to lead efforts against the proposals.

Nowak, who now works for Wisconsin-based American Transmission Co., which supported the legislation, claimed in the email that LS Power, an organization that has opposed similar measures in other states, chose to use a customer group to be the face of the opposition because it sounds better and that when LS Power has been visible in other states when similar legislation was being considered the company looked like a bunch of carpetbaggers.

Officials with LS Power, which manages more than 680 miles of transmission infrastructure across the country, and Americans for Prosperity denied Nowaks allegations.

Lines still drawn

Wisconsin has rejected ROFR laws for being anti-consumer, anti-market and anti-competitive, and they should do so again, said Paul Cicio, chair of the Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition, a group of more than 85 companies across the country  including LS Power, Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group and Wisconsin Cast Metals Association  that advocates for competition in the energy transmission industry.

A monopoly has no reason to reduce costs, Cicio continued in a statement. When competition is blocked, prices go up, and consumers pay the bill.

With regard to the latest proposal, Bill Marsan, American Transmission Co.s executive vice president and chief general counsel, said the bill keeps the state of Wisconsin in the drivers seat when it comes to who builds, maintains and operates the reliable electric grid every Wisconsinite relies on, 24/7.

We would like to extend our gratitude to Senator Bradley and Representative Petersen for their dedication and commitment to keep Wisconsin out of a federally controlled procurement process that adds yearlong delays to grid development projects, Marsan continued. This bill also maintains the existing competitive bidding construction process for grid projects, ensuring Wisconsinites are getting the best deal for their energy.

American Transmission Co. originally fought a similar bill when it came up a decade earlier in Minnesota. Company lobbyist John Garvin wrote to Minnesota lawmakers in 2012 that the proposal under consideration at the time would stifle competition in the development and construction of electric transmission facilities leading to higher costs for electricity users in Minnesota.
1. Yes. If KHA cant continue to run it, the city should step in. Its a necessary asset to the area.

2. Yes. The city already uses it as a warming and cooling center. It would be a smart move.

3. No. It may be in the citys interest to help subsidize insurance for the center, but nothing more.

4. No. The city doesnt need the added burden of staffing and insuring the center. Its a bad idea.

5. Unsure. It may be seem like a good idea, but other options should be explored as well.

Vote

View Results
A sign marks the start of the Calumet Trail just north of U.S. 12 on Mineral Springs Road near Dune Acres. (Amy Lavalley / Post-Tribune)

The oldest bike trail in Northwest Indiana is about to get a makeover.

Funding has been acquired and plans laid to remake the Calumet Trail, a 9.2-mile path between Dune Acres, in Porter County, and Michigan Citys western border.

Advertisement

Created in 1972 in a NIPSCO right of way under high-power lines, the trail has become nearly unusable as water from nearby wetlands has caused the unpaved surface to deteriorate.

Its practically impassible, said Mitch Barloga, active transportation manager for the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission. We kind of joke that its more of a water trail now.

Advertisement

Now, Porter County and the National Park Service have come up with a plan to create a new, 6.3-mile middle segment of the Calumet Trail away from the NIPSCO lines, with more attractive surroundings in Indiana Dunes National Park.

With NIRPC planning to improve the rest of the route, the entire Calumet Trail could be rebuilt within a couple of years.

The trail segment will be the subject of a public meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26, at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, 1215 N. Indiana 49 in Porter.

The meeting will include a brief presentation, informational displays, a question-and-answer session, and the opportunity to comment on the project.

A copy of the draft environmental assessment is available for public review until Oct. 18 at https://parkplanning.nps.gov./indumgtcalumet.

The new trail segment will be within the national park, out of the wetlands and shaded by trees.

Rafi Wilkinson, the national parks outdoor recreation planner, said the trail from the South Shore Lines Dune Park station will cross the railroad tracks and U.S. 12 on the Indiana 49 bridge that also carries the Dunes Kankakee Trail.

East from there, most of the new trail will use existing trails and former roads, and part of it will run parallel to but separate from U.S. 12.

Advertisement

It will cross U.S. 12 at Kemil Road, with signs and flashing lights to warn drivers, Wilkinson said. Farther east, the trail will have its own crossing gate where it crosses the South Shore Line tracks.

The trails designers worked hard to minimize impacts to wetlands, rare plants and endangered animals, Wilkinson said.

He will be one of the speakers at Tuesdays public meeting.

Barloga also credited Bob Thompson, Porter Countys development and stormwater management director, who recently announced he would resign at the end of this month, for his work on the trail.

Hes been kind of the architect to get this where it is now, Barloga said. Hes been there through all the ups and downs, and hes been a very strong proponent of the trail for all these years.

Porter County obtained funding for the trails 6.3-mile segment from Indianas Next Level Trails program.

Advertisement

NIRPC has federal funding for the trail segments east and west of the Porter County-funded section.

The east and west segments of the Calumet Trail will remain in the NIPSCO right of way because there was no other trail location option there, Wilkinson said.

Those segments will be built to reduce waters impact, and they also will be paved.

When completed  expected to be in late 2024 or early 2025  the Calumet Trail will be a major part of the Marquette Greenway, a series of trails being built across the entire width of Northwest Indiana.

Once its done, its going to be off the hook as far as users are concerned, Barloga said.

Tim Zorn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
By Robert Neff

In the late 19th century, Korea was a land filled with danger. Banditry was common, disease was prevalent, demons and ghosts haunted peoples imaginations and beliefs (Korean and foreigners alike), and fierce wild beasts roamed the desolate mountains and forests. Tigers (and their smaller cousins, the leopards) were probably the most feared but they were not the only dangers to the Korean population and, by the first part of the 20th century, they became more legend than reality.

So what was the most deadly wild animal to humans in Korea in the 19th century? Despite the title of this article, it wasnt bears.

In 1928, the Japanese authorities in Korea reported 81 Koreans were killed or wounded by wild animals  only one person suffered at the claws of a tiger and three fell victim to leopards. Another deadly animal, the boar, mauled four people. Judging from the report, the most dangerous animal was the wolf  claiming 48 humans (I assume most victims of wolf attacks were children). Not only did these predators prey upon humans but also upon cattle. Wolves took 3,396 cows, leopards took 272, tigers 103 and boars 33.

So where do bears fit into this list of dangerous animals? In 1917, James Scarth Gale, a missionary, described Korean bears as being very timid and noted they rarely attacked people unless they were suddenly surprised or wounded. Reports by the Japanese authorities seem to support his claim. In 1928, bears were responsible for the loss of only 26 cows and no attacks upon humans were reported. The following year, however, a Korean hunter wounded a bear and fell victim to his intended prey.

But bears werent always so timid nor were they passive prey. In the Veritable Records of Joseon, there are several accounts of attacks by bears and bear-like creatures. While these violent encounters occurred throughout the peninsula, Pyongan Province (in present-day North Korea) seems to have been the domain of an extremely dangerous bear-like creature.

In early 1671, a large creature half gray and half black, sometimes red, and sometimes white, resembling a bear but not a bear attacked and killed a man near the Amnok (Yalu) River. Sadly, there is no additional information about it so we are left to wonder if it was a native Korean beast or whether it crossed the river from China in search of food.

Another strange incident took place in 1747, when a strange four-legged monster attacked several people and terrorized the province. It was described as having tiger claws for its front legs, the rear legs had the soles of a bear, it was covered with fur like that of a mountain goat and had a head like that of a horse with a wild boars nose. It is a fantastic account but what makes it even stranger is that a soldier reportedly killed and skinned it and then sent the pelt to the palace. When King Yeongjo showed it to his court, some speculated that it was a zebra or a tapir. Sadly, what became of the pelt is unknown but most likely it has been lost forever through carelessness or during one of the frequent periods of political unrest.

In 1572, a very large bear terrorized the countryside around Chongjin in Hamgyong Province (also in North Korea). Apparently this bear was one of the largest that had been seen up to that time. Perhaps it was a Russian bear that was driven south by a shortage of food; according to George Mihailovich Yankovsky (who operated a hunting lodge on his extensive tract of land in northern Korea), in the summer of 1921 there was a shortage of nuts and acorns in Manchuria and the Russian maritime provinces that caused animals to migrate into northern Korea in search of food  bears followed their prey.

In 1669 in Pyongan Province, a boy armed with a club rushed to the aid of his father who was being savaged by a bear. The boy managed to drive off the beast and save his fathers life but lost his own life due to the injuries he received during his heroic act. His devotion to his father was later honored by the Joseon court.

He was not the only son who fought to protect his fathers life. In Gangwon Province in 1722, another boy rescued his father from a bear attack using only his bare hands. Incredibly, not only did he live to tell the tale but he also killed the bear with one of his punches.

In 1783, there were so many bears in the mountainous regions of Gangwon and Chungcheong provinces that the palace ordered bounties to be placed upon their heads with suitable rewards given to the hunters.

And in 1821, a very large bear roamed the outskirts of Gaeseong City (North Korea) and attacked 11 people in a single day. It is not clear if his victims were killed and eaten but it seems very unusual for a healthy bear to wreak so much damage in a single day. A special hunting expedition was organized to kill the beast  whether or not their hunt was successful is unknown.

One early Western writer provided an amusing and unbelievable account of how bears were hunted in Korea in the late 19th century:

Those [Koreans] who hunt bears wait for the occasion when the mother bear leads her cubs to the seashore to feast them on crabs. Then the hunters bide their time till they see the mother lifting up the heavy rocks on edge, while the little cubs eat the crabs. The hunters usually rush forward and assault the bear, which, frightened, lets fall the rock, which crushes the cub.

In the early 1900s, Horace H. Underwood provided a tongue-in-cheek tale of how bears sometimes killed themselves by watermills:

It seems that the bear was attracted by the idea of using the grain in the mill for his breakfast. As he stooped to get it however the beam came down and struck him a heavy blow. He was annoyed and tried to return the blow only to find that the beam was up in the air beyond his reach. He stooped again, and again it came down and hit him. This time he was really angry and grabbing it, beat it soundly. But as the stream continued to flow it failed to learn a lesson and hit him again. This time he got hold of it and held it down. But not only did it take all his strength to hold it down, but when it was down, of course, the grain was under it and out of his reach. In the end the faithful mill administered a lucky blow on the head and when he arrived on the scene the miller found not only his grain intact but a dead bear into the bargain.

These are cute, fanciful tales, but hunting bears in Joseon Korea was a dangerous occupation and often ended not only with the bears death but also the hunters. Such a tale supposedly took place in 1791 in a small community in Jeolla Province that was terrorized by a man-eating bear.

Several men had fallen victim to its claws and had been badly mauled and were partially devoured by the great brute. The local magistrate, realizing the people were helpless to stop its predation, offered a very large bounty for the bears hide. Within a short period of time, famous hunters from all around the Korean Peninsula gathered in the village. In all, there were about 30 hunters and with little hesitation they started stalking the great beast in its habitat  the forested mountains.

For just under a fortnight the men hunted for and were hunted by the bear. The situation looked quite dire as several of the hunters  including one of the most famous  fell victim to the bear.

One day, a couple of the hunters stopped to rest and hunt something else  wild mushrooms. One man, who was roasting the mushrooms, suddenly heard something heavy crashing through the underbrush. Turning, he was horrified to see the great bear racing towards him but fortunately for him, one of his companions was able to grab his weapon and fire but the bullet was unable to pierce the bears thick hide and only succeeded in attracting its attention. The bear stood up on its hind feet and began to maul the hunter.

Another hunter, who had taken refuge in a tree, found his courage and leapt from the tree slashing the bears head with the sharp blade he had been using to dig mushrooms. The bear turned to face off with this new attacker which allowed the other man to pick up and reload his gun and, despite the severe pain from his mauling, was able to accurately aim and shoot the bear directly in the head. The bear died and the two hunters who had actually fought it were rewarded for their daring deed  which leaves me to wonder what became of the accounts narrator, the mushroom griller.

It is a shame that this encounter did not happen during the reign of King Taejo, for the Korean monarch was an expert archer. If we are to believe the accounts, in 1372  while he was a Goryeo general  Taejo, on horseback, shot several large bears, killing them all with just one arrow.

Considering how numerous bears were in Korea, it seems odd that none of the Western writers in the late 19th or early 20th century devoted much ink to describe them. Usually they are mentioned only in passing, such as William R. Carles account of traveling in the Korean countryside in 1884:

The country looked so very favourable for deer that, regardless of cockroaches, I was anxious to spend a day in this village for the purpose of shooting. But I found it impossible to get any hunter to come with me. There was only one in the village, and he was crippled with wounds. In the summer he had been out with a friend after a bear, which they wounded and followed up. The bear had then turned upon them and killed one, while the other, in an attempt to save his friend's life, had nearly lost his own.

In 1891, an English military officer briefly described hearing about a large black bear that bothered a group of farmers with its presence as it hungrily eyed their crops. They eventually were able to drive it off with torches and fire. Very few, if any, of these Western writers seemed afraid of the Korean bears, but there was one bear that many of them were very afraid of and that was the Russian bear  the military power in the north.

In tomorrows article we will gaze at bears behind bars.

Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books, including Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters.
The city of Viroqua celebrated its new City Hall building with a ribbon-cutting and open house, Friday, Sept. 8.

Thank you for joining us for this historic moment; this is something that has not been done in more than 100 years, said Nate Torres, city administrator.

Torres said a new City Hall building has been on the docket to be built for many years. He said when he came on board in 2019, he saw a report from 2004 outlining the need for a new building. It took 20 years to get to this point.

In 1917, Torres said, the building was a bank and in 1943 the city purchased it; the building served the city for 88 years. It no longer served the purposes of the city.

After much planning, a ground-breaking was held in June 2021. Its exciting to welcome everybody to the new City Hall, Torres said. It was a monumental task  to get to where we are.

Torres noted there is a community safe room in the building. The city received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Wisconsin Emergency Management to construct the room.

Katie Sommers with Wisconsin Emergency Management, said there is a hazard mitigation program to provide funds for a tornado safe room, like the one in the Viroqua City Hall. Its to help protect residents ... Its one of the first safe rooms in a multiuse structure.

Torres said the city was able to secure a U.S. Department of Agriculture 40-year loan for the project.

Its nice to see this investment in Viroqua by the state and federal governments and the community, said Julie Lassa, state director, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development. Thanks to all who worked to make the building a reality today.

Tim Hundt, president of the building committee, acknowledged the time committee members put into the project. He said over 3.5 years of planning, there were a number of designs and options discussed and considered. He said they couldnt have weighed all the options, pluses and minuses without the help of Torres.

Theres a lot of bang for the buck with the new City Hall, Hundt said.

Mike Maas, an architect with Architectural Design Consultants, Inc. (ADCI), said they came on board early in 2020. He said he learned a lot about Viroqua and couldnt believe how vibrant the community was and how it had a growing vision going on.

We didnt want a bland facade, Maas said. We wanted a lot of colors and materials. The butterfly roof equals taking flight, encompassing what is happening  the community is taking flight and moving forward.

Maas said the space is efficient and everything has a purpose. That came from staff input  how things work and how things needed to work. I thank the city staff (for their) involvement and (I) thank the city council. It was a big step forward. The facility will be here for years to come.

Details matter, he said. The building committee put in a lot of effort. Congratulations to the city and the citizens of Viroqua. I hope you enjoy it for years to come.

Torres acknowledged the roles of past city administrators John Severson and Jeff Gohlke. Severson, who died in August 2021, was city clerk/treasurer before serving as city administrator. Gohlke, who died in May 2022, was an alderperson after his role as city administrator.

This is dedicated in part to John and Jeffs memory and what they did for the city, Torres said.

Torres expressed thanks and appreciation for the City Hall staff. Its a hard-working group of people who do it in the service for the citizens of Viroqua. You are wonderful and I appreciate you. He said the building also serves other city departments.

We have a really good crew and Im glad to have a building to serve them better, Torres said.

Council President John Thompson acknowledge past and current alderpersons who served the city since 2020.

Former Mayor Karen Mischel said one of the first projects she gave to Torres in 2019 was to coordinate an inspection to see the state of the City Hall building. She said it highlighted the need for a new building.

Mischel said it was important for the hard-working and phenomenal servants to the community to have a safe space. We needed to provide a safe space designed for the staff.

I hope we were able to create what you need, and (to create) an opportunity for community engagement  space was tight in the old building, she said.

City Hall staff moved into the new building in May 2022. The total City Hall project budget is about $3,303,000. The city received a grant from FEMA and Wisconsin Emergency Management for the community safe room for about $630,000. The local share on the project is $2.673 million.
Its fans say that a new local business is indeed the bees knees  a slang term that means excellent.

Luke and Ashley Schlafer of La Crescent have been operating their Bees Knees Coffee Co. trailer since July, with a main focus on La Crosse and Houston counties. They serve a variety of coffee beverages as well as teas, smoothies, specialty lemonades, Italian sodas and baked goods such as cookies and muffins. The Schlafers use coffee beans roasted by Heart Rock Coffee in Spring Grove, Minn.

The Schlafers settled on their business name partly because they use so much local honey to make beverages, Ashley said.

The Bees Knees Coffee Co. trailers schedule is posted weekly on its Facebook page. The trailer is usually at 10th and Market streets near the Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare hospital in La Crosse from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and near the Mayo Clinic in Onalaska from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday. The business usually is closed on Sundays.

Were also available for private events like weddings, birthday parties and wedding anniversary parties, Ashley said. The Schlafers also plan to take their coffee trailer to fairs and festivals.

During the fall and winter months, the Schlafers also sell The Common Elder & Goods Co. organic elderberry syrup that Ashley makes at this time of year.

Bees Knees Coffee Co. will operate year-round, including on winter days when the temperature is at least 20 degrees Fahrenheit, Luke said. Were insulated and have a heating unit and a cooling unit on the trailer, he said.

Luke had worked as a carpenter for seven years before he and his wife bought their trailer. I stripped it and insulated it and redid everything, all the appliances and plumbing, Luke said. The La Crosse native also had jobs in the food service industry for 15 years and was a private chef for 10 years.

I always thought a food truck would be a pretty cool thing to do, Luke said.

Its always been kind of in the back of my mind as a dream, said Ashley, who was raised in Viroqua, of operating a business like Bees Knees Coffee Co.

For more information, call 507-500-4580.

The owners of the Eau Juicy-La Crosse restaurant in downtown La Crosse plan to open the Sweet Haus cafe in the former Greengrass Cafe at 1904 Campbell Road, across from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse campus.

Yer Thao and Xavier Yang hope to open the Sweet Haus by mid-October. Its fare will include such things as mochi doughnuts, Korean corn dogs, boba teas and smoothies.

Thao and Yang have applied to the city for permission to apply for a beer and liquor license. Their request will be considered by the La Crosse Common Councils Judiciary & Administration Committee on Oct. 3 and by the full council on Oct. 12.

Thao and Yang opened Eau Juicy-La Crosse in July at 412 Main St. as an Asian-inspired Cajun seafood boil restaurant.

For updates on the planned Sweet Haus, visit its Facebook page.

The Greengrass Cafe closed in August 2022.

Trempealeau may get a Dollar General store soon.

In late July, the villages plan commission gave its approval for the site plan and architectural review for the proposed store at state Hwy. 35 and Emmons Street, at the east entrance to Trempealeau.

A spokesperson for the Goodlettsville, Tenn.-based chain told me in an email Monday that the company is in the due diligence phase for the Trempealeau store, which means it is reviewing the opportunity to add a new store in Trempealeau County but we have not committed to doing so just yet. Based on our current timeline, we anticipate having a final decision by late fall 2023.

Village Administrator Isaac Pooler told me later that an official with an engineering firm that works for the company told him last week that it appears ground will be broken for the store in October. Pooler said it appears that the store could open early next year.

Skogens Festival Foods said last week that it will open its 41st grocery store on Oct. 6 at 1109 Chippewa Crossing Blvd. In Chippewa Falls. The store will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and will have about 160 employees.

Skogens Festival Foods was founded in 1946 as Skogens IGA and began operating as Festival Foods in 1990. For more information, visit www.festfoods.com.

La Crosse region business openings, developments Steve Cahalan reports on local business developments every Saturday.
MADISON  A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin returned the following indictments Wednesday.

Shane L. Tucker, 30, La Crosse, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on July 20, Tucker possessed a .22 caliber handgun, according to a U.S. Justice Department press release.

If convicted, Tucker faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the La Crosse Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan is handling the prosecution.

Pepin County man charged with illegally having weapon

Jesse Turnmire, 34, Durand, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The indictment alleges that on July 7, Turnmire possessed a .22 caliber revolver and ammunition.

If convicted, Turnmire faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Eau Claire County Sheriffs Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Anderson is handling the prosecution.
Communities affected by University of Wisconsin System branch campus closures could see millions in state assistance to reshape how the county-owned facilities are used under a GOP-authored bill circulated this week.

The bill, authored by Rep. Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewoc, and Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, who both have constituents in Richland County, would order the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. to set aside $6 million to help communities where System officials decide to cease classes or close campuses.

If signed into law, Richland County would get the first grant. Grants would be worth a maximum of $2 million. UW-Platteville at Richland County became the first campus to effectively close, in June, after enrollment dropped by 90% over the span of a decade, with just 60 students enrolled last fall.

Counties that receive the grants could use them to determine how to repurpose the physical campuses, which are owned by the counties and used by the System through decades-long lease agreements.

Nearly one year ago, the System notified the Richland Center community that they were going to close the UW-Platteville Richland campus to in-person instruction due to declining enrollment, Marklein said in a statement posted on social media.

This shocking announcement was devastating to our community. But, in the midst of the shock and sadness, the community also rallied and they have been working hard to move forward with new ideas and initiatives to use the property in innovative ways.

While no further campus closures have been announced, System officials have repeatedly warned that closures could happen if financial conditions do not improve. In June, System President Jay Rothman suggested campus closures, tuition hikes and the end of some educational programs were all on the table if the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee cut the Systems budget.

Ten of the Systems 13 universities are expected to face a combined $58 million shortfall by summer 2024 based on current projections. Some of those with the largest budget gaps, such as UW-Oshkosh and UW-Milwaukee, oversee branch campuses.

The Joint Finance Committee, of which Marklein is co-chair, passed a $32 million cut over the next two years after Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and fellow Republicans decided they wanted the System to cut diversity, equity and inclusion staff and programming. The System could get that money back, but Vos has signaled it would only happen if school officials gut DEI.

The majority of the Systems branch campuses have experienced declining enrollment for years. A handful of campuses, such as UW-Platteville at Baraboo/Sauk County, UW-Whitewater at Rock County and UW-Green Bay at Manitowoc, are expected to buck that trend this fall.

Other branch campuses are projected to have double-digit enrollment drops. UW-Milwaukees branch campuses in Washington and Waukesha counties both will have about 16% fewer students on campus this fall, the continuation of a trend that raised concern from Washington County officials and led them to propose an alternative community college concept.

The System is working with each of the universities that oversee branch campuses to determine the their fiscal viability after the effective closure of the Richland campus.

The System did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The State of Wisconsin has revoked the wholesale dealer license for Alpine Financial LLC, 209 OConnor Drive in Elkhorn, for failing to properly follow administrative requirements, according to a press release from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation

The order, issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportations Division of Motor Vehicles, determined that Alpine Financial violated state law when they allegedly sold motor vehicles directly to consumers, rolled back odometers on vehicles and falsified title documents when selling vehicles to customers.

Due to the nature of the alleged violations, the department revoked the dealership's license July 19.

The decision to revoke the license was upheld by a WisDOT hearing on Aug. 10.

Dealers are given 30 days to appeal a revocation to the state Division of Hearing and Appeals. Alpine Financial did not appeal, and the decision is final.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation revoked the license of Good Fellas Auto Sales, Inc., 735 N. Wisconsin St. in Elkhorn, June 23 for alleged similar violations, according to a press release.

The decision to revoked Good Fellas Auto Sales' license was upheld during a WisDot hearing, Aug. 4.
A Democratic party caucus held on Saturday chose the successor of Garys former Common Council president who resigned last month, but the council wont be gaining any new faces as a result.

Council member Lori Latham, who held an at-large council seat, was selected to fill the 1st District seat vacated by William Godwin after he left the office to pursue a White House fellowship. Latham was the only candidate who filed to run for the seat, which would have been hers in any case in a matter of months.

Advertisement

In the citys Democratic primary elections held in May, Godwin ran for an at-large seat, citing a desire to focus on citywide issues, while Latham ran to represent the 1st District. The two would have swapped seats had both prevailed, but Godwins primary bid proved unsuccessful. Latham, a community activist who was originally selected via caucus in December to fill the at-large seat left vacant by former Gary councilman Clorius Lay when he left to join the Lake County Council, triumphed over five other candidates to win the 1st District seat.

Latham, who was sworn in immediately after the caucus, told the Post-Tribune that she doesnt anticipate her role on the council will change significantly.

Advertisement

I represent a smaller group of people and usually a smaller set of interests, she said. The good thing about the city as a whole is that most of us do have the same interests, right? Basic city services, public safety, public health.

Lathams newly vacant at-large seat seat will trigger another caucus to replace her. Per Indiana law, it must take place within 30 days.

One potential contender is Mark Spencer, a teacher and the director of the West Side Theatre Guild who defeated Godwin in the at-large primary. He is already on track to join the council in January when new members are sworn in. Democratic primary elections typically pick officeholders in Gary, where the party has dominated for the better part of a century. Spencer and the two at-large incumbent councilmen are expected to handily defeat Republican challenger Ivan Ursery II.

Latham said that selecting Spencer to fill her seat would make sense.

I think as a resident and as a voter, I definitely believe in continuity of leadership. I feel like the people have already spoken. They said who they want to be on the council for the next four years, she told the Post-Tribune. However, thats a decision that Mark Spencer has to make.

Spencer did not immediately respond to a request for comment about his caucus plans.
Seymour Hersh Explains That Ukraine Forces Are Giving Up

Sept. 22, 2023, (EIRNS)Seymour Hersh, in an article posted on Substack yesterday, reports that significant elements in the American intelligence community believe that the Ukrainian army is so demoralized by its failure to make real progress against Russias layered defenses that large elements of it have given up. The reality is that Volodymyr Zelenskyys battered army no longer has any chance of a victory, Hersh writes. The war continues, I have been told by an official with access to current intelligence, because Zelenskyy insists that it must. There is no discussion in his headquarters or in the Biden White House of a ceasefire and no interest in talks that could lead to an end to the slaughter. Its all lies, the official said, speaking of the Ukrainian claims of incremental progress in the offensive that has suffered staggering losses, while gaining ground in a few scattered areas that the Ukrainian military measures in meters per week.

The official, still not otherwise able to break with the U.S./NATO narrative about Putins stupid decision to start the war, nonetheless says that the Biden administrations decision to wage a proxy war in response was also stupid. And so now we have to paint him [Putin] black, with the help of the media, in order to justify our mistake, he said. Take note that the unnamed official here cited a joint black propaganda campaign vs. Putin run by the CIA and British intelligence.

The official remarks that the early successes of the Ukrainian army in the offensive were actually traps set up by the Russians, by which they were able to destroy the Ukrainian forces. After weeks of high casualties and little progress, along with horrific losses to tanks and armored vehicles, he said, major elements of the Ukrainian army, without declaring so, virtually canceled the offensive, Hersh writes.

Hersh does not mention it, but this account is coherent with Russian Defense Ministry reports of interviews with Ukrainian POWs who decided to surrender to the Russians because they saw their own commanders treating them like cannon fodder.

Hersh reports that one byproduct of the Biden administrations neocon hostility to Russia and China has been a significant split in the intelligence community. One casualty are the secret National Intelligence Estimates [NIE] that have delineated the parameters of American foreign policy for decades. Some key offices in the CIA have refused, in many cases, to participate in the NIE process because of profound political disagreement with the administrations aggressive foreign policy. The disagreement in particular is with the Defense Intelligence Agency, whose optimistic assessments the White House apparently prefers.

The war is over. Russia has won. There is no Ukrainian offensive anymore, but the White House and the American media have to keep the lie going, the intelligence official told Hersh. The truth is if the Ukrainian army is ordered to continue the offensive, the army would mutiny. The soldiers arent willing to die any more, but this doesnt fit the B.S. that is being authored by the Biden White House.
The planes, called flying taxis will be produced under an agreement between the state of Ohio and Joby Aviation at Dayton International Airport.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine told The Associated Press, When youre talking about air taxis, thats the future.

Around the world, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, or flying taxis, are becoming more common. Still, questions remain about noise levels and charging demands.

Developers say the planes are nearing the day when they will provide a way to move individual people or small groups from the top of buildings and parking spaces to their destinations.

The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, lived and worked in Dayton, Ohio. In 1910, they opened the first U.S. airplane factory there. To connect with this history, Jobys official announcement Monday took place at Orville Wrights home, Hawthorn Hill, and ended with a special flight of a copy of the Wright Model B Flyer.

Engineers designed Jobys production aircraft to transport a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 321.87 kilometers per hour. The aircraft can cover a distance of up to 160.93 kilometers. It is a quiet machine that can barely be heard in most cities, the company said. The plan is to place them in aerial ridesharing networks beginning in 2025.

Joby Aviation is a 14-year-old company that went public in 2021 and became the first eVTOL firm to receive a special kind of permission, or certification, from the U.S. Air Force. Its production efforts are supported by partnerships with Toyota, Delta Air Lines, Intel and Uber.

The $500 million project is supported by up to $325 million in payments from the state of Ohio. With the money, Joby plans to build an Ohio facility capable of delivering up to 500 aircraft a year and creating 2,000 jobs. The U.S. Department of Energy has invited Joby to apply for a loan to support development of the facility as a clean energy project.

Joby CEO JoeBen Bevirt told the AP that the company chose Ohio after a large and competitive search. Ohio's financial deal was not the largest, but the chance to bring the operation to the birthplace of aviation  with a workforce experienced in the field  led to the deal, he said.

The announcement comes as a group of Ohios congressional representatives has recently increased efforts to draw the U.S. Air Forces new U.S. Space Command headquarters or Space Force units to Ohio. There, too, state leaders point to the history of the Wrights, as well as Ohio-born astronauts John Glenn and Neil Armstrong.

Im John Russell.

Julie Carr Smyth reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English.

__________________________________________________

Words in This Story

vertically  adv. going straight up

destination -- n. a place to which a person is going or something is being sent

flight -- n. the act of moving through the air

ridesharing  n. the act of sharing trips in a vehicle (generally an automobile)
Columnist and author Phil Potempa and his mother Peggy, who originated many of their family recipes, signed copies of all four published From the Farm cookbooks during a June 2, 2022 book event at the North Judson Carnegie Library. - Original Credit: Erin Chaja (Handout/HANDOUT)

Last June, I returned to our small town North Judson library as a guest author and speaker to help mark the Centennial Celebration of our prized Carnegie Library building.

This sturdy structure of bricks, bookshelves and cover to cover and page by page escape for minds, both young and old, is the library of my youth, primarily once I reached middle school and adolescence.

Advertisement

However, there is also an even smaller one-room library in our San Pierre hometown just down the road which ranks as the first library of my memories, and it is still in operation today.

It is not a grand old historic Carnegie Library building. But it is part of the large library system for our Starke County Library System, which also includes branch buildings in Hamlet, Koontz Lake and of course, the main library at 152 W. Culver Road in Knox called the Schricker Library.

Advertisement

It is named for Henry F. Schricker, who during the wartime 1940s was our 36th and 38th governor of Indiana. It is a large and impressive new brick building with modern technology. Schricker, who died at age 83 in 1966, was born in North Judson to Bavarian immigrant parents.

He died in Knox, and his final resting place is the Crown Hill Cemetery in Knox.

Schricker also has a Hollywood claim to fame, when he played himself opposite William Bendix and Indiana-born musician Hoagy Carmichael in the 1949 forgotten Christmas classic Johnny Holiday shot at the Indiana Boys School Reformatory with the real staff and institute boys included in scenes in the film.

While in elementary school, our mom would take my siblings and I to our San Pierre Library, including enrolling us in the summer book reading club. This was one of the best and most inspiring acts our mother had the forethought to do for us, to instill an early love of reading in all five of us which continues today. And of course, our parents also love to ready, including reading a daily newspaper.

One of the popular book series my siblings and I loved to read were all of the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. While we also loved the television series on NBC inspired by the books, the written accounts and details were always richer and more descriptive.

Next weekend, Ive been invited back home again to join other authors, many with local and Chicago-based ties, for an inaugural book festival at our Starke County Schricker Main Library in Knox.

The Starke County Public Library, in association with the Horror Writers Association Chicagoland Chapter, is hosting the Beyond the Book Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. The free event features myself with more than 30 fiction, nonfiction, local, and childrens authors attending, selling and signing their books. There will also be discussion panels, one of which Ill be hosting, as well as New York Times bestselling author Daniel Kraus attending and discussing his new novel Whalefall about a man swallowed by a giant whale and fighting for survival and escape. For details, call 574-772-7323 or visit www.scpls.org.

Nichol Chaja of the Starke County Library System organized the event and said the idea first occurred to her during the pandemic.

Advertisement

At the beginning of COVID, when everyone was ordered to stay home, one of the Facebook groups I was a member of wanted to start an online book club, Chaja told me.

The night it started, six people joined and we all hit it off. Three years later, and the book club is still going strong. Two of the ladies in the book club and I have connected and decided to meet up and start traveling to events. One of the events was the Merrimack Halloween Book Festival in Haverhill, Massachusetts. This festival was originally started by Christopher Golden, a horror writer. Not only did he want to help his local library but also help promote up and coming authors. He arranged for this free event to be an entire day where several authors would be together in one place to visit with fans, also to be able to sell and share their work.

Chaja said after attending the event, she thought she could do the same at her own Stake County library.

I attended another book festival in Indianapolis and was able to make some contacts and they directed me to the Horror Writers Association in Chicago, Chaja said.

I met with Christopher Hawkins and Shawnna Deresch, we all came up with a date, and this new Beyond the Book Festival started to come to life. The Starke County Public Library wants to make this an annual event, and we are completely excited about bringing a new idea to this small community.

The festival day events include from 9:30-10:15 a.m. a Childrens Authors Discussion Panel with authors Rob Witzel, Peggy Archer, Rosanne Tolin and Rachel Lulich. From 10:30-11:15 a.m., Ill be leading the local author discussion panel with author participants John Vander Velden, Dean Wickert and John Poindexter. From 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. a HWA Discussion Panel before the afternoon finale at 2:15 p.m. with Daniel Kraus signing and talking about his new novel Whalefall.

Advertisement

While growing up, my older sister Pam and I would marvel at the scrumptious pioneer kitchen recipes Laura Ingalls Wilder described in her books and how her Ma was able to take simple ingredients and create something so inviting and delicious.

Maple syrup drizzled in freshly fallen snow, cornbread muffins and oatmeal cookies are just a few of the favorites from my memory. One of the family recipes for Mas Molasses Cookies was captured in print in Lauras writings and is now enjoyed by new generations, including myself, a century later. The coconut, of course, is a newer ingredient addition to the original pioneer recipe.

Columnist Philip Potempa has published four cookbooks and is the director of marketing at Theatre at the Center. He can be reached at pmpotempa @comhs.org or mail your questions: From the Farm, PO Box 68, San Pierre, Ind. 46374.

Laura Ingalls Wilders Mas Molasses Cookies

Makes 2 dozen

1 cup unsweetened grated or flaked coconut (fresh or dried)

1/3 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

Advertisement

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg, room temperature

1/2 cup molasses

1 1/2 cups rolled oats

1 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon allspice

Advertisement

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon orange extract or grated orange zest (or sub 1 tsp vanilla)

Advertisement

Directions:
A good example is the U.S. Capitol Building with its domed ceiling, paintings and statues. And the Washington Monument to honor the nations first president was completed in 1888.

Jennifer Gibson is the director of the Center for Fine Arts at the General Services Administration (GSA), the agency that supervises federal buildings. She says art in federal buildings is a record of the past and creates a dynamic presence in towns and cities and border stations across the country.

In the 1960s, a presidential committee stated that "...fine art should be incorporated into the designs of federal buildings with emphasis on the work of living American artists."

Today, the government still spends about 0.5 percent of the federal budget to commission, or order, new artwork for federal spaces.

The commissions are decided by a group that includes the lead designer of the building, those who will occupy the space, community members, arts professionals, and the GSA. Artists are given details about the building project and asked to propose artwork they think is best for the space.

New York artist James Carpenter created two artworks for federal buildings. They included a ceiling for a courtroom in Phoenix, Arizona, and a sculpture for another courthouse in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Carpenter said, My work is really about how to enhance or influence, in a very positive way, people's experience of spaces...

For some artists, requests to provide art for federal buildings may not be related to making money. Artists can make commissions as much as $1 million from non-government artworks. The average commission for art in federal buildings is around $100,000. And the process can take several years, limiting an artist's ability to work on other art projects. Carpenter said the Salt Lake City project took a total of 12 years.

They're looking at it as a way to participate in what's going on in the nation and to be part of its history, Gibson says. This is for the nation. This is permanent. We will take care of it. And it's your way to participate.

The commissioned artworks can be found in 428 federal buildings across the country. Overall, the GSAs fine art collection contains 26,712 works, including some that date back to the 1850s.

Most of the artworks are paintings, sculptures and photographs created in the 1930s. That was the time the government employed artists during the Great Depression.

The collection belongs to the American people as a record of the history of American culture.

Im Caty Weaver. Dora Mekouar reported this story for Voice of America. Gena Bennett adapted it for VOA Learning English.

____________________________________________________

Words in This Story

dome n. a shape; the top of a building that has a round shape and a circular base

ceiling n. the top of a room

incorporate v. include

dynamicadj. having a lot of ideas, energy and interest

sculpture n. a form of art in which hard materials are worked into object that has width, height, and depth enhance v. to increase or improve in value, quality, desirability, or attractiveness
LEXINGTON  Constitution Week is celebrated all over the United States each year from Sept. 17 to Sept. 23.

The annual celebration of the Constitution was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on Aug. 2, 1956.

The weeks celebration began with the annual Bells Across America, when Daughters of the American Revolution members and others ring bells to commemorate the Sept. 17, 1787, signing of the U.S. Constitution.

On Friday, Sept. 15, local DAR Regent and Lexington native Marge Bader visited Lexington Mayor John Fagots offices as he signed the annual proclamation of Constitution Week.

Lexingtons DAR chapter was named after Capt. Benjamin Louis Eulalia Bonneville.

Bonneville was born in France in 1796, but his mother brought him to America when he was a small boy.

After graduating from West Point in 1819, Bonneville served in the American Army for a short period before securing a leave of absence to become a fur trader.

With a party of 100 people and 24 horse-drawn wagons, Bonneville set off across America on the Oregon Trail in the spring of 1832.

Bonneville died at his farm near Fort Smith, Arkansas, in 1878.

The Bonneville Chapter of the DAR was organized on Feb. 26, 1913, and Mrs. B.B. Baker was appointed the chapter regent.

In 1931, the chapter was interested in marking the site of the Turkey Leg Massacre, an Indian raid on the Union Pacific train west of Plum Creek, now Lexington.

Due to the lack of funds, this idea was pushed back until 1938 when regent Mrs. C.C. Rosenberg contacted the president of the Union Pacific Railroad, William Jeffers, who agreed to bring a Wyoming boulder to the site of the raid, where a plaque was placed telling the story.

During the Second World War, DAR chapter members did Red Cross work by knitting, buying bonds, working at the North Platte Canteen and contributing plasma.

Today, the Bonneville chapter remains a viable and active chapter. The members present genealogical workshops, copy records, honor our flag, participate in American history projects and support our military.

Other Bonneville chapter members are Debra Hatfield, vice regent; Sandra Mittelstaedt, treasurer; Cheryl Clark, registrar; Melanie Sloger, chaplain; Judith Linden, librarian; and Jacqueline Ohlmann, recording secretary.

The Declaration (of Independence) was the beginning of a grand idea. The Constitution has seen us through the test of time. With our focus on both, we will be celebrating the stars and stripes forever, said DAR national chair member Adele Lancaster.
Lexington property owners are in line  despite sizable taxable-value increases this summer  to see lower 2023 property tax rates for all three of their major local governments.

The Lexington City Council will decide Tuesday whether to complete that trifecta. Itll take a final vote on a $65.2 million 2023-24 budget during its 5:30 p.m. meeting in the City Hall council chamber, 406 E. Seventh St.

Dawson County commissioners gave final approval to a $61.62 million county budget Sept. 15, while the Lexington school board followed suit Monday by approving a $72.12 million school budget.

Following are roundups of basic spending and property tax figures in the three major local budgets. All spending figures in this story include all funds and necessary cash reserves.

City of Lexington

The budget that council members will vote on Tuesday would cut authorized city spending by 6% from its 2022-23 total of $69.4 million.

Lexingtons city tax request would be $1.71 million, 5.3% higher than the fiscal year ending Sept. 30. But its property tax rate would fall to 32.56 cents per $100 of taxable value  9.9% lower than in 2022-23  because the citys total valuation leapt by 16.9% this year to $525.1 million.

Dawson County

Commissioners Monday ratified a budget that raised total authorized spending 14.5% over the countys $53.8 million budget for the fiscal year that ended June 30.

But the County Boards tax request to support county government rose just 2% to $11.85 million. The county tax rate will fall 6.6%, from 33.18 cents to just over 31 cents per $100, on the strength of a 9.1% total valuation increase to $3.82 billion.

Lexington Public Schools

The districts budget for the fiscal year that started Sept. 1 fell by 1.7% from the $73.37 million for all funds authorized in 2022-23.

Lexingtons school tax request rose 3.6% to $12.61 million, but the districts 2023-24 tax rate fell 6.3% to 98.38 cents per $100. That was made possible by a 10.6% boost in the districts total taxable value to $1.28 billion.

The districts 2022-23 tax rate last fiscal year was at the maximum of $1.05 per $100 allowed under state lids.

K-12 schools typically claim the majority of their patrons property tax bills, followed either by counties or by cities or villages.

Other local governments that collect property taxes within Lexingtons city limits are the Dawson County Agricultural Society, Educational Service Unit 10, the Central Community College Area and the Central Platte Natural Resources District.

Nebraskans property taxes are partly offset by a direct discount on local tax bills, covered by the states Property Tax Credit Fund. They also can claim state income tax credits based on the amounts of property taxes they pay to school districts and community colleges.

Some property owners are eligible for full or partial homestead exemptions, which must be sought by June 30 each year. The discounts they receive vary depending on household income and their propertys taxable value.

Homestead exemptions are available to Nebraskans older than 65, qualified disabled individuals and qualified disabled military veterans or their surviving spouses if theyve died.
A Council Bluffs, Iowa, man went to prison Thursday for his role in a drug robbery that led to a Lincoln man being shot dead in his home in 2021.

Marques Moten, 33, first read a lengthy letter, which largely mirrored his trial testimony, about what he says happened the night of James Shekie's killing.

Moten pleaded no contest to conspiracy to robbery but claimed Deontae Rush, the Omaha man found guilty of shooting Shekie, had just told him he needed a ride early Feb. 23, 2021, and they ended up headed to Lincoln to rob a man of his marijuana and cash.

"Nobody was supposed to get hurt," he said.

Moten, who is paralyzed, said he and his sister, Anna Feilen, waited in a van outside, as Rush kicked in the door to Shekies mobile home at Mark IV Estates near North 20th and Superior streets to rob him.

Feilen, who had lived with Shekie, told Rush where he kept the drugs and money.

Soon after Rush went in, they heard gunshots and a scream and drove away, only to pick up Rush soon after, emptyhanded, at a nearby FedEx.

Moten said when Rush got in, they learned he didn't get any drugs or money.

"You went in there and shot a man for nothing?" Moten said he told him.

In the days after, he said he couldn't eat or sleep. He started smoking wet sticks, cigarettes dipped inside embalming fluid.

"I was going through something I'd never been through. I never been a part of taking somebody's life," Moten said.

On March 1, 2021, the Lincoln Police Department was called to check on Shekie because his door had been left open for three days in frigid weather.

They found Shekie, who by then had been dead for nearly a week.

Investigators quickly arrested Feilen and Moten for conspiracy to commit robbery after phone records tied her to Shekie and to a Facebook Messenger conversation between her and Moten about a plan to rob him.

About a week later, Rush was arrested in Chicago, where he'd fled.

In court Thursday, Moten said he wanted to apologize. He said he's remorseful for what happened to Shekie.

"I didn't want nothing to do with it at all," he said.

Moten said he's in a wheelchair because he was shot four times by his friends because he didn't want to be part of a gang anymore.

"That's not who I am," he said.

Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Jason Cooper said if it weren't for Moten's involvement, Shekie's killing wouldn't have happened and Moten's sister wouldn't be facing prison time for her part in the crime.

In the end, District Judge Kevin McManaman went through Moten's criminal record, which included assaults and a prison sentence for an arson.

"The facts show you planned and organized a robbery. It involved a minor and a man with a gun, in which case a man was murdered in his home," he said.

McManaman said Moten was involved in a violent crime and got the benefit of a plea agreement that avoided a potential life sentence.

"A man was in his home, his door was kicked in. You knew Mr. Rush had a gun, and that man died," the judge said.

And he sentenced Moten to 35 to 45 years in prison.

Rush already is serving a life sentence, plus 25 to 35 years in prison, for first-degree murder.

Feilen is set for sentencing next month.

Remembering Lincoln's homicide victims of 2023 4. Christopher Karmazin 6. Mark Kruger
The Nebraska Judicial Branch is commemorating the Legislatures passage of Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-2401  Interpreters; public policy. This milestone not only acknowledges our commitment to a fair and impartial legal system, but also highlights the need for continued progress and improvement to ensure deaf, hard of hearing and limited English proficient (LEP) court users have access to our courts and probation services.

Before the implementation of language access services in the Nebraska Judicial Branch, individuals who did not speak English faced significant barriers when seeking justice. They often struggled to understand court proceedings, couldnt effectively communicate with their attorneys, and were at a disadvantage when trying to defend their rights; likewise, judges, jurors and lawyers could not understand non-English speaking litigants and witnesses.

However, half a century ago Nebraska took a significant step forward with the introduction of language access services, changing the landscape of our legal system. The establishment of language access services demonstrated the states dedication to upholding the principles of the U.S. Constitution, including the right to due process and a fair trial. This commitment reaffirmed that justice should not be limited by ones proficiency in the English language.

Over the past five decades, the Nebraska Judicial Branch has taken important steps to guarantee that individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have limited English language skills have the same access to justice as English-speaking citizens. These efforts have included:

Interpreters and translators: The provision of professional interpreters and translators to assist individuals who require language assistance in court proceedings. These skilled professionals ensure that non-English speakers can effectively understand and participate in the legal process.

Education: Nebraska has invested in educating judges, attorneys, and court staff to better understand the unique challenges faced by individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or LEP. This has fostered a more inclusive and understanding legal environment.

Access to legal information: Making legal information available in multiple languages has been crucial. Documents are now accessible in languages other than English, helping individuals navigate the legal system more confidently.

Technology: Embracing technology has further expanded language access. Remote interpretation services have become invaluable tools in ensuring language access, especially in rural areas.

The 50th anniversary of language access in the Nebraska Judicial Branch is not only a moment to celebrate our achievements, but also to look forward. Last year, interpreters of 42 different languages were used in Nebraskas courts. We will continue to invest in language access services and ensure that those services evolve to meet the changing needs of our diverse communities. Here are some important steps for the future:

Effective communication: Ongoing education and resources for court staff so they are more confident in communicating and engaging with court users in their communities who are deaf, hard of hearing, or limited in their English-speaking skills.

Community outreach: Building trust within linguistic minority communities is an ongoing effort. Courts have engaged in outreach initiatives to educate court users in these communities about their rights and the services available to them.

Data collection: Additional data on the use of language access services will help the court make informed decisions about the allocation and improvement of existing services.

As we celebrate this milestone, let us reaffirm our commitment to the principles of justice, equality and inclusivity that have guided us for the past 50 years. Language access in the Nebraska Judicial Branch is not just a policy  its a testament to our dedication to providing justice for all.
WASHINGTON  Staring down a fast-approaching government shutdown that threatens to disrupt life for millions of Americans, Speaker Kevin McCarthy has turned to a strategy that so far has preserved his tenuous hold on House leadership but also marked it by chaos: giving hard-right lawmakers what they want.

In his eight months running the House, McCarthy has lived by the upbeat personal mantra of never give up as he dodges threats to his speakership and tries to portray Republicans as capable stewards of the U.S. government. He has long chided Washington for underestimating him.

But with the House GOP majority in turmoil, all but certain to hurl the country into a shutdown, McCarthy has set aside the more traditional tools of the gavel to keep rebels in line. Instead, he has acceded to a small band led by those instigating his ouster, even if that means closing federal offices.

It's an untested strategy that has left McCarthy deeply frustrated, his allies rushing to his side and his grip on power ever more uncertain with the Sept. 30 deadline to fund the government a week away.

We still have a number of days," McCarthy said Saturday as he arrived at the Capitol.

I think when it gets crunch time people will finally, that have been holding off all this time blaming everybody else, will finally hopefully move off, the California Republican said. "Because shutting down  and having border agents not be paid, your Coast Guard not get paid  I dont see how thats good.

Governing with a narrow House majority, the speaker is facing a more virulent strain of the hard-right tactics that chased the two most recent Republican speakers before him, Reps. John Boehner of Ohio and Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, into early retirement. Like them, McCarthy has tried various tactics to restore order. But more than ever, McCarthy finds himself swept along as far-right lawmakers, determined to bend Washington to their will, take control in the House.

McCarthy tried to win conservatives' support by agreeing to their demand for impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and then by meeting their calls for spending cuts, only to be turned back whenever a few of them hold out for more concessions.

All the while, McCarthy has retreated from his budget deal with Biden months ago that established the spending threshold for the year. Instead, he is trying to reduce spending more in line with the level he promised the right flank during his tumultuous fight to become the House speaker.

Yet all the concessions seem to never be enough.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who is leading the fight, crowed to reporters Thursday that, "if you look at the events of the last two weeks, things seem to be kind of coming my way."

Gaetz said he was delivering a eulogy for short-term funding legislation known as a continuing resolution  a mechanism traditionally used to keep the government functioning during spending debates.

Democrats have been eager to lay blame for the impending shutdown on McCarthy and the dysfunction in the House. Biden has called on McCarthy to stick to the annual spending numbers they negotiated to raise the nations borrowing limit.

He handed over the gavel to the most extreme in his party," said Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern, a senior Democrat.

With the House at a standstill and lawmakers at home for the weekend, McCarthy has turned to the plan advanced by Gaetz to start processing some of the nearly dozen annual spending bills needed to fund the various government departments and shelving for now the idea of stopgap approach while the work continues.

It's a nearly impossible task as Congress runs out of time to find a short-term spending plan.

"We can in no way pass 11 bills in eight days," said Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat appropriator, referring to the number of bills Congress would have to approve before Sept. 30.

DeLauro, a veteran lawmaker, estimated it would take at least six weeks to pass the bills in both chambers of Congress, then negotiate them between the House and Senate. She urged Republicans to embrace a continuing resolution to allow government agencies to stay open.

Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, one of McCarthy's closest allies, has pointed out that the Senate has advanced legislation at spending levels above those in the deal reached with Biden. He argues that House Republicans need to pass their own bills at the lower numbers to to strengthen their hand in negotiations.

For Congress to solve the current impasse, many expect that it will take a bipartisan coalition that leaves McCarthy's right flank behind. That would be certain to spark a challenge to his leadership.

In the Senate, Democratic and Republican leaders are working on a package that would fund the government at levels far higher than the House Republicans are demanding and include emergency disaster aid and money for Ukraine, which some of GOP House members oppose.

Eventually, were going to get something back from the U.S. Senate and its not going to be to our liking, said Arkansas Rep. Steve Womack, a leading Republican on the House Appropriations Committee. Then the speaker will have a very difficult decision.
Its understandable that many parents are upset about what is being taught in their schools. They should be even more upset about whats not being taught (at least not effectively): English grammar, reading, writing, mathematics, logic, truth, goodness, aesthetics.

Last years National Assessment of Educational Progress exams, which tested tens of thousands of students nationwide, found that only about a third of fourth and eighth graders qualified as proficient in reading, math, civics and American history. In urban districts, 47% of fourth-graders couldnt even read at a basic level.

Much of the controversy over whats being taught revolves around the treatment of race and gender issues in classrooms, textbooks and school libraries. These are legitimate concerns. But focusing solely on book content is a distraction when so many children cant read the books to begin with.

At the elementary school level  grades kindergarten through five or six  the best model for student success is direct instruction and the classical trivium. Albert Chung, the director of the Classical Education Research Lab at the University of Arkansas, has noted that this goes back to between the 5th century B.C. and the 5th century A.D. during the Greek and Roman classical periods.

But classical thought is not limited to these two civilizations, he points out. Many other cultures  throughout Africa, East Asia and the Islamic Empire also had classical periods.

The trivium  Latin for three ways  identifies a sequence of three phases necessary for learning any subject. Its the way students were taught throughout the Western world from the time of the ancient classical scholars until the early 20th century when John Dewey and other progressive reformers rejected it.

The first phase, during the early grades, involves the basic facts and vocabulary of a subject. This is known as the grammar phase. A major goal during this phase is for students to learn as many words and concepts as possible. These are the building blocks for all future learning:

The names of objects, people and places.

The rules of math, phonics, spelling and sentence structure.

The stories of history, literature and myth.

Descriptions of plants and animals.

The roots of our language, especially Latin.

Second is the logic phase, where students learn to apply and enhance the information, rules and vocabulary theyve learned. During this time, students become less focused on rote facts, start thinking more analytically and logically, and begin to question the why behind the order of things.

Finally, the rhetoric phase helps students learn the art and discipline of persuasion. It helps them develop the skills to communicate effectively to become lifelong independent learners.

Any topic can be taught in this sequenced way. While it may be out of fashion, this step-by-step phased succession of learning is no less effective today than it was 2,500 years ago.

Families dont need the dysfunctional federal government telling them what and how their children should learn. K-12 education hasn't noticeably improved since 1980, when the Department of Education was established.

Families know what their children need to learn  and we and others know how to teach them, just as the ancients knew: First you help them accumulate knowledge (grammar). Then you help them understand the why and how of the facts theyve learned (logic). Then you give them the skills to explain it to others (rhetoric).

At the end of the process, youll have well-rounded young adults ready for lifes challenges, for being parents and, as Aristotle said, for making civilization flourish.
Are democratic societies ready for a future in which AI algorithmically assigns limited supplies of respirators or hospital beds during pandemics? Or one in which AI fuels an arms race between disinformation creation and detection? Or sways court decisions with amicus briefs written to mimic the rhetorical and argumentative styles of Supreme Court justices?

Decades of research show that most democratic societies struggle to hold nuanced debates about technologies. These discussions need to be informed not only by the best available science but also the many ethical, regulatory and social considerations of their use. Difficult dilemmas posed by artificial intelligence are already emerging at a rate that overwhelms modern democracies ability to collectively work through those problems.

Broad public engagement, or the lack of it, has been a long-running challenge in assimilating emerging technologies, and is key to tackling the challenges they bring.

Striking a balance between the awe-inspiring possibilities of emerging technologies such as AI and the need for societies to think through both intended and unintended outcomes is not a new challenge. Almost 50 years ago, scientists and policymakers met in California for the Asilomar Conference to decide the future of recombinant DNA research, or transplanting genes from one organism into another. Public participation and input into was minimal.

Societies are severely limited in their ability to anticipate and mitigate unintended consequences of rapidly emerging technologies such as AI without good-faith engagement from broad cross-sections of public and expert stakeholders. And limited participation has real downsides.

If Asilomar had sought such wide-ranging input 50 years ago, it is likely that cost and access would have shared the agenda with science and ethics. If that had happened, the lack of affordability of recent CRISPR-based sickle cell treatments, for example, mightve been avoided.

AI runs a very real risk of creating similar blind spots that will often not be obvious to tech leaders and policymakers.

Even AI experts are uneasy about how unprepared societies. We study the public and political aspects of emerging science. In 2022, our research group at UW-Madison interviewed almost 2,200 researchers who had published on AI. Nine in 10 predicted unintended consequences from AI applications, and three in four did not think society is prepared.

Meanwhile, the public is eager to help shape our collective future. Only about a quarter of U.S. adults in our 2020 AI survey agreed that scientists should be able to conduct their research without consulting the public. Two-thirds felt the public should have a say in how we apply scientific research and technology in society.

The publics desire for participation goes hand in hand with a widespread lack of trust in government and industry when it comes to shaping the development of AI. In a 2020 national survey by our team, fewer than one in 10 Americans indicated they mostly or very much trusted Congress or Facebook to keep societys best interest in mind in the development of AI.

The publics deep mistrust is not entirely unwarranted. Industry leaders have had a hard time disentangling their commercial interests from efforts to develop an effective regulatory system for AI. This has led to a fundamentally messy policy environment.

Tech firms helping regulators think through the potential and complexities of technologies such as AI is not always troublesome, especially if they are transparent about potential conflicts of interest. But tech leaders input on technical questions about what AI can or might be used for is only a small piece of the regulatory puzzle.

Much more urgently, societies need to figure out what types of applications AI should be used for, and how. Answers to those questions can only emerge from public debates about values, ethics and fairness.

AI might not wipe out humanity anytime soon, but it is likely to increasingly disrupt life as we know it. Societies have a finite window of opportunity to find ways to engage in good-faith debates and collaboratively work toward meaningful AI regulation to make sure that these challenges do not overwhelm them.
OMAHA, Neb.  In the chaos after a Norfolk Southern train careened off the tracks and caught fire in eastern Ohio in February, it took roughly 45 minutes for firefighters to learn exactly which chemicals were involved.

Now the railroad industry is trying to ensure that never happens again.

Ever since that Feb. 3 derailment prompted concerns about rail safety nationwide, the major railroads have redoubled their efforts to make sure that more and more first responders can immediately look up the contents of any freight train.

This week, the two counties that handled the initial response to the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border were set up with the AskRail program that will allow dispatchers to look up everything a train is carrying as soon as they get one car number.

That is part of an effort the Association of American Railroads trade group launched this spring to sign up emergency dispatch centers in the program.

Its going to allow us to make better, more informed decisions quicker  not only for the responders but for the community, said Eric Brewer, director of emergency services in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.

Previously, first responders would have to either track down the train crew to get a copy of the train's contents or reach out to the railroad directly  both of which can take precious time.

Knowing which hazardous materials are on a train is key to helping firefighters decide how to respond and whether evacuations are needed. For some chemicals, specialized firefighting foam may be needed instead of water and in some cases, as in East Palestine, the chemicals can make it too dangerous for firefighters to attack a blaze directly. That night, firefighters had to pull back and contain the blaze while the chemicals continued to burn.

The railroads worked with emergency responders to develop the AskRail app in 2014 that firefighters could download to their phones or the computers mounted within their fire trucks. By the end of last year, only about 40,000 users had signed up, though some of those were individual firefighters and some were department computers available to multiple responders.

Then this year, the industry began working to get the program set up in dispatch centers. So far, 42 of them nationwide have joined and another 37 are in the process of joining. Railroads expect that number to grow quickly as word spreads.

But the railroads also had the idea to make their train consist information, which provides details about all the cargo on a train, available through the chemical industry's hotlines that firefighters can call to get advice on how to deal with specific chemicals. So now any time a firefighter with hazardous materials training calls either the Chemtrec hotline in the United States or the similar Canutec hotline in Canada they can find out what is on a train as long as they have a car number.

That move made the AskRail information available to about 2.3 million firefighters with hazardous materials training.

Railroads are trying to ensure the information is available in multiple places to reduce the chances that firefighters will struggle to find out what is on a train after a derailment. Even though the app itself has been available for years, not every firefighter knew about it, and volunteer fire departments account for nearly 82% of all firefighters nationwide.

Were trying to create redundancies in the system to make sure the information is available, said Jessica Kahanek, a spokeswoman for the main rail trade group.

Norfolk Southern announced Wednesday that in addition to the industrywide efforts to expand AskRail access, it is working with the makers of the RapidSOS software that more than 15,000 emergency response agencies already use to make its train consist information available within that program.

If that effort succeeds across the Atlanta-based railroad's 22-state network in the East, the other major railroads could follow. The railroad said it expects to have its train data available within the RapidSOS program early next year.

Our partnership with Norfolk Southern will provide first responder agencies with advanced situational awareness to best respond in the event of a train emergency, said Jose Mejia, chief operating officer at RapidSOS. We are thrilled to collaborate with Norfolk Southern to provide this data to support public safety to aid in keeping communities prepared and safe.

Federal regulators have also proposed requiring railroads to quickly notify every emergency responder within 10 miles of a derailment as soon as a railroad becomes aware of an accident.

The Association of American Railroads emphasizes that railroads remain the safest way to ship dangerous chemicals by land, with more than 99 percent of those shipments arriving safety.

But even one derailment involving hazardous materials can prove disastrous, and last year there were more than 1,000 derailments  roughly three a day. More than three quarters happened at slow speeds in railyards, without causing major damage.
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., walks to his office after a resolution to debate the defense bill failed 212-214, as five Republicans bucked the party to sink it, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. House Republican leaders have still been unable to pass next year's appropriations bills on the floor due to GOP infighting. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Complaining about the nations budget after your party spent like drunk sailors on leave is bad theater, more farce than substance.

After Republicans added an obscene $8 trillion to the nations tab under the Trump administration, the Freedom Caucus forced a debt ceiling showdown only four months ago. Now the same thirsty clowns are back, blaming Democrats for decades of deficit both parties built equally.

Advertisement

The Freedom Caucus has twice blocked the GOPs Pentagon spending bill, one of 12 annual spending bills, from even coming up for debate, in a major rebuke to Speaker McCarthy. They also rejected a 30-day stop gap measure to allow more time to work it out.

Were not interested in a continuing resolution that continues the policies and spendings of the Biden, Schumer, Pelosi era, the Freedom Caucus chair recently said of McCarthys request for a 30-day stop gap measure. Were here to put our foot down

Advertisement

Its hard to decide whats worse, the drama or the hypocrisy. They are not mutually exclusive.

Well shut down the government if we dont get what we want

The Freedom Caucus says it will fight with everything that we have. Calling their budget demands the No Security, No Funding plan, the caucus isnt worried about a government shutdown. Its all about MAGA messaging on a nation they fervently wish were in decline. According to Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Louisiana, a government shut down would be small compared to the principle battle that were in. We are not going to casually fund the decline of our country.

To address so-called decline, their plan demands an overall reduction in spending levels, including cuts in aid to Ukraine; a bill to construct more wall at the southern border and restrict asylum seekers; an end to woke policies in the military like abortion accommodations; and the elimination of the unprecedented weaponization of the Justice Department and FBI by cutting DOJ funding. Caucus enthusiasm is unhindered by the lack of evidence tying Biden to Trumps many criminal indictments, the fact that Trump tried to turn the DOJ into his personal weapon, or by Trumps explicit promise, if he is re-elected, to appoint a real special prosecutor to target the Biden crime family.

McCarthy, who made the mistake of bargaining with hijackers to get his speakership in the first place, parrots their interest in reducing the nations spending, which, he says, is like a family earning $24,000 a year, but spending $35,000. The greatest threat to our nations future, McCarthy now says, is our national debt.

Post-Tribune Twice-weekly News updates from Northwest Indiana delivered every Monday and Wednesday By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

Too bad McCarthy and the Freedom Caucus couldnt find such fiscal restraint during the four years Trump was in office.

Selective restraint is obvious

The Freedom Caucus fiscal restraint was only triggered when a Democrat entered the White House. Since 2001, both parties have caused the federal deficit to grow through evenly divided Democrat and Republican presidencies. However, as former GOP congressman David Jolly noted, Roughly 25% of our total national debt incurred over the last 230 years actually occurred during the 4 years of the Trump administration. As Trump intelligently explained, This is the United States government you never have to default because you print the money.

McCarthy and the Freedom Caucus ignore that the national debt is driven by tax policy as much as spending. Following the Trump administrations staggering $2.3 trillion tax giveaway to corporations and the nations wealthy, Trump told his rich donor friends, You all just got a lot richer. Its a gift we are all continuing to pay for, with the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office calculating that Republicans tax cuts will continue to increase the national debt by another $1.9 trillion over the next 11 years.

The national debt now sits at $33 trillion, and for all their bluster about cutting entitlements, Republicans cant seem to stop gushing money for their donors.

Advertisement

They reduced the top corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, gifting corporations with a 40% reduction in their tax burden in 2017. Tax cuts drive national debt, but the No Security, No Funding plan makes no mention of clawing back their gifts to the rich.

With limited time remaining until October 1, the start of the new fiscal year, Congress will have to pass a continuing resolution, or a short-term extension on government funding, to buy more time for lawmakers to work out a spending package. Heres hoping McCarthy takes a cue from the Senate, works out a bipartisan budget thrilling to no one, and brings a vote on a continuing resolution to keep the government running to call his tormentors bluff. If the clown car shuts down the government, at least the nation will know their names.

Sabrina Haake is a Chicago attorney and Gary resident. She writes the Substack newsletter The Haake Take.
CONGRESS

NEW YORK  Sen. Bob Menendez was charged with secretly aiding the authoritarian government of Egypt and trying to thwart the criminal prosecution of a friend in exchange for gold bars and cash, as prosecutors unsealed a corruption indictment Friday that accuses him of using his foreign affairs influence for personal gain.

He relinquished his chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee but said he would not resign from Congress, though New Jersey's governor said he should.

The indictment, the second in eight years against the powerful 69-year-old New Jersey Democrat, alleges an illegal commingling of Menendez's professional obligations as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to advance U.S. priorities and his private interest in cultivating relationships with wealthy businessmen.

It also includes charges against his wife and three New Jersey businessmen who authorities say showered the couple with money, gold and a luxury car in exchange for official favors.

A previous indictment of Menendez stemming from different allegations ended in 2017 with a deadlocked jury.

Hours after the latest case was unsealed, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy demanded Menendez's immediate resignation, saying the allegations were "so serious that they compromise" the senator's ability to serve. Additional calls for him to resign came from New Jersey Reps. Bill Pascrell, Andy Kim and Mikie Sherrill, among others.

Menendez sounded defiant in response to calls for him to leave office, saying in a statement late Friday, "I am not going anywhere."

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Menendez would step down as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee "until the matter has been resolved," as per the rules of the Senate Democratic caucus, but stopped short of calling for him to resign.

Authorities found more than $100,00 worth of gold bars in Menendez's home, and more than $480,000 in cash  much of it hidden in closets, clothing and a safe, prosecutors say.

Photos included in the indictment show cash that was stuffed in envelopes found in jackets bearing Menendez's name. Investigators discovered a Google search by Menendez for the value of a "kilo of gold," and DNA of one man prosecutors say bribed him on an envelope filled with thousands of dollars in Menendez's home, they said.
MILWAUKEE  Some people seeking the newest COVID-19 vaccine are running into high demand, insurance headaches and supply delays coast-to-coast.

Millions of the newly formulated vaccines have shipped out since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on them last week for ages 6 months and up. Cases started rising again in late summer, and experts hope that the new shots will help protect people during the upcoming fall respiratory virus season.

But some people have had to cancel appointments because their insurance hasn't updated the billing codes to cover the vaccines. Others signed up for an appointment, only to have it canceled due to supply issues. And in some places, there are no available nearby vaccines: A search in Juneau, Alaska, through the federal government's website shows no available appointments within 100 miles.

Some pharmacies have a limited supply of the shots, Alaska Department of Health spokesperson Alex Huseman said, but order backlogs and slow shipments have prevented the vaccines from being widely available. Private health care providers hopefully can get them as early as next week, she said.

"This rollout has been a little bumpier than anticipated, but we do not believe there will be any significant delay in vaccine availability," Huseman said.

This is the first time that the vaccines are reaching most Americans through the commercial market, bringing public and private health insurers back in the mix. Previously, the federal government bought and distributed COVID-19 vaccines for free since they became available.

CVS Pharmacy spokesperson Matt Blanchette said some insurers are still in the process of updating their billing systems to cover the vaccines. For others, the shots were covered by insurance without issue, but appointments were canceled by their pharmacy due to supply delays.

Walgreens and CVS confirmed that delivery delays to some stores across the country had led to canceled appointments.

"We are aware of isolated incidences at a small number of locations where appointments had to be rescheduled due to delays in supply," a Walgreens spokes person said, noting most stores "have supply to support existing patient appointments."

Moderna and Pfizer representatives said they have enough supply. Pfizer spokespeople said it is not experiencing any shortages and has "shipped and delivered several million doses of its 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine." Moderna had six million available as of Thursday, vice president of communications Chris Ridley said.

Phones ringing

Marwa Bakr, the owner of a small, private pharmacy on Milwaukee's southwest side, said she put in a preorder for Pfizer and Moderna's new vaccines a month ago. She got a call from Moderna this week telling her she should get the vaccines in the next two weeks, and Pfizer has said the shots could come by the end of next week.

She used to order the vaccines through the federal government, and said the return to the commercial process is "taking longer."

"I receive a lot of phone calls every day from people asking when the vaccine will be available," Bakr said.

Still, the supply issues aren't deterring people from looking for the vaccine.

'It was frustrating'

Karen Ramos of Temecula, California, made an appointment at her local CVS as soon as she heard that the vaccines were approved. The 57-year-old insurance underwriter has never had COVID-19  at least, as far as she is aware. She wanted to keep it that way ahead of a scheduled Caribbean cruise on Oct. 1.

She had scheduled an appointment last Saturday, but the day before, she got a text from the pharmacy saying the new vaccine was not available and her appointment had been canceled. She set a new appointment for Tuesday, which also was canceled "due to unforeseen circumstances."

Ramos started searching for appointments at any CVS between her home and office in San Diego. By expanding her search to Walgreens, she was able to snag an appointment in Temecula on Tuesday.

"It was frustrating, because I was excited to get it two weeks in advance (of the cruise), and then having to scramble to reschedule," she said.

Walgreens and CVS confirmed that delivery delays to some stores across the country had led to canceled appointments.
WASHINGTON  The White House prepared Friday to direct federal agencies to get ready for a shutdown after House Republicans left town for the weekend with no viable plan to keep the government funded and avert politically and economically costly disruption of federal services.

A federal shutdown after Sept. 30 seems all but certain unless Speaker Kevin McCarthy can persuade his rebellious hard-right flank of Republicans to allow Congress to approve a temporary funding measure to prevent closures as talks continue.

Instead, he launched a much more ambitious plan to try to start passing funding bills once the House returns Tuesday, with just five days to resolve the standoff .

"We got members working, and hopefully we'll be able to move forward on Tuesday to pass these bills," McCarthy, R-Calif., told reporters at the Capitol.

McCarthy signaled his preference for avoiding a closure, but a hard-right flank of his House majority has effectively seized control. "I still believe if you shut down you're in a weaker position," he said.

The standoff with House Republicans over government funding puts at risk a range of activities  including pay for the military and law enforcement personnel, food safety and food aid programs, air travel and passport processing  and could wreak havoc with the U.S. economy.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Friday that if federal workers go unpaid it would be Republicans' fault.

"Our message is: This doesn't have to happen," she said. "They can do their job and keep these vital programs continuing, keeping the government open."

With the Oct. 1 start of a new fiscal year and no funding in place, the Biden administration's Office of Management and Budget prepared to advise federal agencies to review and update their shutdown plans, according to an OMB official. The start of this process suggests that federal employees could be informed next week if they're to be furloughed.

President Joe Biden has been quick to blame the likely shutdown on House Republicans, who are intent on spending cuts beyond those laid out in a June deal that also suspended the legal cap on the government borrowing's authority until early 2025.

"They're back at it again, breaking their commitment, threatening more cuts and threatening to shut down government again," Biden during a recent speech in suburban Maryland.

McCarthy faces immense pressure for severe spending cuts from a handful of hardright conservatives in his caucus, essentially halting his ability to lead the chamber.

Many on the right flank are aligned with Donald Trump  the Republican front-runner to challenge Biden in the 2024 election. They opposed the budget deal the speaker reached with Biden this year and are trying to dismantle it.

Trump urged the House Republicans on, pushing them to hold the line against federal spending.

Led by Trump ally Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., the right flank has all but commandeered control of the House debate in a public rebuke to the speaker.

Late Thursday, the hardright faction pushed McCarthy to consider their idea to shelve plans for a stopgap funding measure, called a continuing resolution, or CR, and instead start bringing up the 12 individual bills needed to fund the government.

The House GOP leadership then announced just that  it would begin processing a package of four bills to fund Defense, Homeland Security, State and Foreign Operations and Agricultural departments, setting up voting for Tuesday when lawmakers return. Work on some bills was held up by the same conservatives demanding passage now.

"Any progress we are making is in spite of, not due to McCarthy," Gaetz posted on social media, deriding the speaker for having sent lawmakers home for the weekend. "Pathetic."
If they dont step up, who will?

Members of southern Idaho quick response units dont perform their jobs to get recognized, or for the pay, said Mandy Jo Archer, but do it for the benefit of their small communities.

If somebody doesnt step up to do this job, there isnt anybody to do this job, said Archer, who raises money for QRUs.

And this job that quick response units do is important. While QRUs might have different makeup and structure, their aim is consistent: To provide timely and essential emergency medical services to rural populations to improve health outcomes and save lives.

And its mostly a volunteer effort, with members usually getting a modest stipend for their service.

Much like volunteer firefighters, this is a special kind of volunteering.

It is an extreme sacrifice because its not like a 9 to 5 job, Archer said. They carry a pager and can be called out anytime, anywhere.

But these days, unsung heroes can be hard to find. Numbers of volunteers are waning, to the point where Buhl Fire Chief Andrew Stevens said hes not sure if the volunteer system in his department can sustain itself the way it did decades ago, when call numbers were about a third of what they are now.

Recruitment, Archer said, is the No. 1 problem of any of our organizations.

Quick response units are looking for willing people, and it doesnt necessarily have to be young, muscular people. Buhl EMT Barbie Jarvis said retired folks willing to serve could fit right in.

Although not a member of a quick response unit, Archer she understands the sacrifices quick responders make.

Her father was a member of a QRU, as well as a volunteer firefighter and chief of police. Her mother worked on an ambulance crew. Her brother is a reserve police officer and firefighter.

I grew up in a first-responder family, she said. When I was younger, my parents would drop everything to go to a call and me and my brother would be in the back of the car for hours at the scene.

It isnt just a sacrifice for the individual but a sacrifice for the entire family.

QRU members even have to rush from family gatherings like family reunions or Christmas dinner when the call for help comes.

But why do they do it?

Jarvis, a member of the Buhl QRU, recites a quote: Its hard to explain to a non-EMS person why we get up in the middle of the night to go to an address weve never been to before to help a person that weve never met.

Jarvis involvement in quick response units about five years ago came essentially by accident.

She was a divorced mother of children and was working for midwives, assisting them with home births. A co-worker planned to take an EMT course to increase her medical skills, and asked if she wanted to enroll with her.

She said yes.

Jarvis took a course at the College of Southern Idaho, and then she found out that she needed to be affiliated with a fire station in order to keep her certification, so she joined the QRU unit.

If I knew I would have liked this so much I would have done it years ago, she said.

The adrenaline rush keeps her going, along with the chance to help other people.

Because we are so rural, we are the first ones to walk into the door and help, she said. And she appreciates the look of relief on peoples faces when QRU members do just that.

Jarvis also works full-time at the plasma donation center in Twin Falls, so she stays busy as she juggles the two responsibilities. Its a relief, she admits, when she actually gets to sleep through the night instead of having to respond to a call.

Some nights shell get back from a call, crawl into the bed and start getting comfortable, when the tones from her pager alert her to another call.

Shes made her share of sacrifices. One might make a case that she sacrificed her home as part of the job.

It was a Sunday morning when in a rush she left her home to help an elderly lady who QRU had responded to several times before.

She was having some stroke-like symptoms, she said. I hurried and got straight to town and we helped get her loaded into an ambulance.

But when Jarvis returned to her home, she received an unpleasant surprise upon opening her front door and seeing large flames. She had left her toaster oven on before leaving to help the woman.

People ask her if she regrets responding to that particular call? Should she have just let someone else take it?

She said there are no regrets, although she had to gut her entire home and find another place to live for a year and a half while repairs were made.

While there are sacrifices, there are rewards of working as a team, although not every life can be saved.

Her very first call five years ago involved a man who was feeling fine initially, but things took a turn for the worse. She and another EMT began CPR, and firefighters, hearing the gravity of the situation, also came to the scene, along with paramedics. An air ambulance was called and landed.

Everyone was working as a team, but nothing was helping to revive the man. The ambulance nurse asked everyone whether there was anything else they could do, or whether anyone else had any other ideas. Sadly, nothing could be done to save the man.

The family was there, Jarvis said. It was a hard thing, but I was impressed with us as a team.

Besides the uncertain hours, when someone is already working a full-time job, monetary compensation could be a reason for low volunteer numbers. QRU members sometimes have to pay for their own training.

Its not as if units dont try. They do what they can to assist financially, paying for tuition for classes after their successful completion, and Archers fundraising helps pay for some member expenses.

Archer, as president of south-central Idahos QRU NonProfit Organization, applies for grants and holds an annual fundraiser for nine quick response units. Usually held in June or July, it attracts 300 to 600 people with its games and food, and usually raises about $50,000 to $65,000 per year.

With other fundraising, the organization has about a $100,000 annual budget. It sounds like a lot until it is divided between the nine organizations, she said.

Members of quick response units are considered volunteers, because they are not on the clock, but do get paid something, depending on resources, whether it be a stipend or based on mileage.

It is a big ask to do what QRU members do, Stevens said.

He worries about declining volunteer numbers. As is common, volunteer firefighters and quick response unit members often cross-train, so they can help out in either fires or medical situations.

Right now he has 30 volunteers, and of those, 11 are EMT-only.

The biggest sacrifice is the increase in call volume over the years, Stevens said. In 1993 when I was a kid falling out of trees and EMTs were responded to me, they probably received about 300 calls a year, and now they are responding to 1,100 to 1,200 calls.

He said training standards are getting more stringent as well, usually requiring attending a semester of college rather than getting in-house training.

Even if his department came into extra revenue so he could add to the full-time staff, Stevens there would still be a need for a quick response unit as a safety net, for times when the department has multiple calls near the same time.

Jarvis said she is trying to get more people interested in becoming EMTs and joining quick response units.

When Jarvis first joined the Buhl QRU, there were three women, all retired schoolteachers that had been volunteering for 30 years. It worked well because they had summers and weekends free.

They knew people in their community  almost very house they would walk into they knew a cousin or a relative or that patient personally, Jarvis said. They were wonderful trainers.

The women are now no longer with the QRU, and a void is there.

Who will step up?
Your news on your smartphone

Your story lives in the Magic Valley, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Times-News app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
In the effort to contain the quagga mussel, hot wash centers have been set up in Twin Falls for owners of watercraft who have taken their boats in the Centennial Park area the past month.

The free treatments are available at the Twin Falls Visitor Center and County West parking lots. Both centers will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day.

Residents are urged to have their watercraft  boats, paddleboards or kayaks  treated, if they were on the mid-Snake River in the past 30 days.

As we learn more about the potential spread of the mussels, it becomes apparent that any item that retains water needs to be treated the same as watercraft, said a news release from the Twin Falls Sheriffs Office. They need to be cleaned, drained and dried. This would include hunting decoys and waders, life jackets and other floating devices.

In an effort to contain the spread of the quagga mussel and protect the waterways in the county, the list of closed waterways has grown, including all watercraft access, boat docks and ramps at Twin Falls Falls, Shoshone Falls, Murtaugh Lake, Salmon Falls Dam and Cedar Creek Reservoir (Roseworth Reservoir).

The Idaho Department of Fish & Game is also closing public access to waterways it manages upstream to the State Highway 46 bridge north of Buhl.

Fishing from the banks and docks at these locations is permitted.

Centennial Park will remain closed until 9 a.m. Sept. 30, but there will be water access there for at least the next 30 days.

The presence of quagga mussel larvae was confirmed Monday in the Snake River at Centennial Park.

Because this invasive species can quickly spread and clog pipes that deliver water for drinking, energy, agriculture, recreation, and a variety of other uses. They also could negatively affect fish populations and wildlife habitat.

If the mussels establish themselves in Idahos waterways, it could cost the state $100 million per year in direct and indirect costs, officials say.
Socialism and socialist are words thrown around the political schoolyard like other imprecise words such as ignorant, power-hungry, lazy, and radical. These can be called shut-down words. They indicate that someone is unworthy of consideration.

Robert Owen is not mentioned in most K-12 or even undergraduate history classes. However, he was a Welsh industrialist who founded utopian socialism and the cooperative movement. He and Henri de Saint-Simon, from France, are often credited with the first use of the term socialism. In 1848, the Christian Socialist movement began in England, and its adherents continue to this day.

The United States was founded by educated Christian men with traditional beliefs and enlightenment philosophy. They were radicals because they changed government at its roots. Their opposition was other immigrants who hoped to establish at least a landed gentry class who governed the people under them. Some supported the King, but others only supported separation from Great Britain. Few of them envisioned anything like a government for the people. Everyone narrowly defined the people who could vote as male property holders initially.

Even the most influential leader of the Jesus movement, the Apostle Paul, concentrates his messages on how we should treat each other because that was Jesus radical message for the Jews. The institution of the Christian church and secular governance have been wrestling with how to govern within the precepts of Jesus teaching for centuries.

Quote The institution of the Christian church and secular governance have been wrestling with how to govern within the precepts of Jesus' teaching for centuries.

In the U.S. after World War II, many people became obsessed with Communism, especially the USSRs aim to take over the world and its elimination of religious worship. Groups like the John Birch Society formed to counter the influence of a radical movement forcing society to accept government ownership and political control.

Communism as a philosophy of government is hypocritical. With its roots in the thinking of Christian Socialists and even earlier by philosophers of the Enlightenment, a hasty examination of its ideology suggests a natural progression. What could be fairer than sharing everything and benefiting everyone? No one is left out.

The problem is in the twin Cs of ineffective governance  corruption and coercion. The USSR did not do away with a privileged ruling class. They mostly succeeded in providing the basic survival needs of the citizens: food, shelter, and security. However, the ruling class skimmed wealth and status while severely punishing political dissent  no one who has something wants to lose it. People in democracies who had already done away with the idea of inherited political power saw no advantage in the system.

Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and all authoritarian leaders use the same corruption of socialist thought to gain their leadership positions. They always talk about the collective good but reserve the best for themselves and their allies. When the people who are ruled accept a ruler without examining their actions, they might as well reasonably believe in the divine right of kings.

I allege that the fundamental truth is a stable government must be for the people and, in practical terms, a majority of the people must decide what that means. The other applicable mandate is that the majority cannot override the human or civil rights of the minority.

Two problems interfere with how the promise of our enlightened form of government, intending to be perfected into a closer union, was designed.

The first problem concerns our freedom of speech and religious belief. These are essentially freedom of mind. We are given freedom with only practical restrictions to think and say what we want. Only the individual can change moral and intellectual beliefs. The government can curtail the effect but not coerce belief.

The second comes from our biological nature to survive, which means I must gain all the resources and social advantage I can. Most of the traditional seven deadly sins derive from that interpretation.

I argue that those who see socialism as the ultimate evil fear losing what they have or plan to gain during their lives. They do not focus on the blessings of today or the promise of our system of governance to protect them.

After all, we, the people, must govern ourselves into abundance. No one person or group of people will do it for us.
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture found quagga mussel larvae in the Snake River Twin Falls region this week. While all invasive species present challenges, this one is uniquely aggressive and poses an incredible threat to Idahos waterways and infrastructure.

The quagga mussels are threatening to native species and because they reproduce so quickly, they are able to jam up pipes that farmers use for irrigation as well as public utility lines. Left unchecked, this can become a very expensive problem and one that the Idaho taxpayer will foot the bill for. Some have estimated to be over $100 million each year.

Quagga mussel discovery leads to temporary closing of local lakes "An invasion of the quagga mussel is potentially disastrous," Twin Falls Canal Co. Manager Jay Barlogi told the Times-News on Wednesday.

Gov. Brad Little has made it a priority to act swiftly to mitigate expansion. At times like this, it is helpful to have someone who understands natural resources running our state. We owe a great appreciation to the Idaho Department of Agriculture for being proactive in their early detection monitoring program. Not only did they catch it early but they have a rapid response plan in place.

All boat ramps and public access to water in the Centennial Waterfront Park area are closed until further notice.

If your watercraft has been in the Snake River Centennial Park area in the last 30 days, please call 208-332-8620 to hot-wash your watercraft for decontamination.

Rapid response programs like this are only made possible because the Idaho Legislature votes to fund these agencies. What some are quick to call wasteful spending is the wise investment in preventing a much greater cost later on. Our job is to thoroughly vet spending bills to catch and prevent tax dollars being wasted.

There are groups who lobby us to gut every agency and vote no on every spending bill. Thankfully, most Idaho legislators are wise enough to know it is cheaper on the taxpayer to have these programs funded.
Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), in collaboration with Iconic Dealership Inc. (IDI), opens its second Isuzu dealership in Dasmarinas, Cavite after the company permanently closed the Isuzu Imus outlet, focusing only in two cities in Cavite, including the dealership in Bacoor.

The Isuzu brand has always been a jewel within IDI, it amounts to a one-third of our business, and with this relocation we expect better returns in future as it is located at the crossroads of two major thoroughfare, meaning there will be better visibility and accessibility to our customers in the area. The opening is also very timely, since the industry is expecting to reach pre-pandemic level by the end of the year, hopefully fully recovered by next year, said IDI president Toti Zara.

Situated along the Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, the new dealership has a total land area of 5,000 sqm with a spacious showroom that can display up to 3 vehicles including trucks and offers an expansive facade with ample parking space for customers.

Fully compliant with the Isuzu Outlet Standard, the dealership is aligned with Isuzus Global Dealership Standard, giving importance not just in sales but the over-all customer journey  from inquiry, sales, after sales service and continuous return to the showroom. The new branch standards will enable Isuzu to provide customer support in every step of the way.

Considered as of one of the most competitive cities not just in CALABARZON but nationwide, Dasmarinas growth over the past years as shown to be strategic for Isuzu to set foot in this area. We are happy that through IDI, the brand will have bigger presence not just in this city but in the entire province in the next years to come,, said IPC president Tetsuya Fujita.

The newly opened Isuzu Dasmarinas outlet joins 48 other Isuzu dealerships located across the country, offering their latest line-up of pick-up, SUV and best-selling trucks with world renowned durability and reliability.
Mayor Carmelo Pogi Lazatin, Jr. shows his support to the joint program of the Department of Tourism Region 3, led by Director Richard G. Daenos, Luzon International Premier Airport Development (LIPAD), headed by CEO Noel F. Manankil, and Clark Development Corporation represented by OIC Manager Elenita Lorenzo in promoting the best of the Philippines in Japan, where the city government sent products of the OTOP (One Town, One Product) store and its coffeethe Kape Angeleno.

Dubbed Japan Tourism Roadshow, the initiative is a vital platform for showcasing the countrys tourism potential in forging connections between global travelers and enhancing destinations yet to be discovered.

Tokyo Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano is among those who received the OTOP souvenirs and the Kape Angeleno.

Part of the flagship programs of the Lazatin administration is to promote locally-made products, providing a venue to market them to a larger audience.

The city-run store OTOP and Cafe Kapebaluan are both priority projects of Mayor Lazatin, assisting local merchants and farmers in their livelihoods.
A truck leaves from transport center at a trial operation ceremony of the fourth Asian Highway in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Friday. [Photo by Lu Rui/For chinadaily.com.cn]



Nine trucks set out on the fourth Asian Highway on Friday, the first commercial vehicles to travel on the new route, which is expected to expand trade between China and its northern neighbors.

The trucks, dispatched by China, Russia and Mongolia, departed Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, and are scheduled to reach Novosibirsk in Siberia, Russia, next Thursday. The historic journey is a trial operation ahead of the official opening of the new highway.

Truck drivers take a photo with their vehicles at a trial operation ceremony of the fourth Asian Highway in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Friday. [Photo by Lu Rui/For chinadaily.com.cn]



Extending from Urumqi to Novosibirsk and running through western Mongolia, the 2,253-kilometer route has opened up a new path for goods from the Asian market to enter Russia and paved the way for the development of Eurasian road transport, said Vladimir Molchanov, director of the Russian Motor Transport Agency, at the launch ceremony.

Geographically close to each other, the three countries are important players in Northeast Asia and the route is the second such highway connecting them.

Trucks carrying goods are ready for departure at a trial operation ceremony of the fourth Asian Highway in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Friday. [Photo by Lu Rui/For chinadaily.com.cn]



"Under the guidance of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, Russia's Eurasian Economic Union and Mongolia's Prairie Road vision, this route can be considered as a concrete measure to build the China-Mongolian-Russia Economic Corridor," said Xuan Dengdian, a Ministry of Transport senior official.

Xinjiang has pioneered developing cross-border transport with China's neighboring countries for a more convenient and smooth international trading environment, and the region has opened 118 routes with five of its eight neighbors.
The profound success of Every Drop Counts: A High-Level Dialogue for a Water-Secure Country has heralded a new era in shaping a water-secure future for the Philippines.

This critical dialogue responded to the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to water security, bringing together visionaries, policymakers, and key stakeholders from across the nation. Through three enlightening and distinct panel discussions, the event dissected the complex issue of water security: Finance and Water Security, delving into financial strategies to ensure water availability for all; Water Governance, exploring the policies and mechanisms needed for effective water management; and Digitalization, Technology, and Infrastructure in Water Security, highlighting the role of technology and innovation in securing our water resources.

The event honored the esteemed presence of the Guest of Honor, Senator Grace Poe, emphasizing the critical need for a collaborative action plan to safeguard the nations water resources.

Notably, distinguished keynote speakers profoundly resonated with attendees, including Prof. Mely Caballero-Anthony, who highlighted Water Security as Critical Core to Human Security, stressing the inseparable link between water and human well-being.

Congresswoman Bernadette Herrera passionately championed the vital role of women in shaping a water-secure Philippines, urging greater inclusivity and gender equity in water management. Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss shared invaluable insights into technologically fortified water security, sparking conversations on innovative solutions to revolutionize water management.

Undersecretary Carlos Primo David (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) explored the critical aspect of Water Governance, deepening the understanding of its central role in ensuring the sustainability of water resources.

On the other hand, Department of Finance Assistant Secretary Glenda R. Rumohr-Figueroa shed light on the crucial nexus between Finance and Water Security, encouraging collaborative financial efforts to drive meaningful change.

LWUA Chairman Ronnie Ong on Water Security

On the sidelines of the event, Manila Standard had the privilege of engaging in an insightful conversation with Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) Chairman Ronnie Ong. Every Drop Counts  A High-Level Dialogue for a Water-Secure Country was organized by Qarah Comms Inc. for LWUA.

Chairman Ong emphasized LWUAs essential role in the countryside and his offices policy-making responsibility. He emphasized the need for swift action to dispel the perception of slow progress in the agency and enhance responsiveness to citizens needs.

Discussing LWUAs prospective role within a potential Department of Water, Chairman Ong expressed hope that LWUA would oversee bulk water or water sourcing, awaiting clarity on the exact role if the department is established. He advocated for greater collaboration to avoid redundancy and achieve a cohesive approach to managing the countrys water resources.

Assessing the water situation in the Philippines, Ong stressed the need to address non-revenue water or water loss issues caused by various factors, resulting in a significant loss of the countrys water supply.

He emphasized the criticality of water, pointing out the substantial portion of the Filipino population with inadequate access to clean water and the importance of collective efforts to rectify this situation.

Water is life. Basic form of life yan eh, kailangan natin ng tubig. Isa yan sa mga issues na nirereaise ni UN, right and World Health Organization, water. As of now, meron pa po tayong 11 million na Filipinos na wala pong maayos na patubig, he said.

According to a SWS ng survey, only 67 percent of the households in the Philippines ang may maayos na tubig. So malayong malayo pa po, Ong stressed.

The Every Drop Counts dialogue saw approximately 400 enthusiastic attendees actively participating, engaging wholeheartedly in discussions to address just that.

Award-winning broadcaster Mitzi Borromeo, skillfully moderating the event, ensured conversations remained insightful and thought-provoking throughout the dialogue.

The event was presented by Aboitiz, Standard Systems Water and Wastewater Technologies, and Tubig Pilipinas. Event Partners included Manila Water, Maynilad, and Prime Water, with generous sponsorship from Aluminates, Chemical Research, and GSMH Law.

Every Drop Counts served as a rallying point, igniting urgency and mobilizing action to confront the pressing concern of water security in the Philippines, encouraging collaboration among experts and stakeholders as organizers hope to drive tangible efforts to ensure a water-abundant future for the Philippines.
The Philippines, the United States, and Japan will craft a work plan that would advance their trilateral cooperation, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Saturday as the three states explore ways to further promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, US State Secretary Antony Blinken, and Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko convened the 2nd trilateral ministerial meeting among the three states on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 23.

DFA Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said the ministers will come up with a work plan after discussing possible activities under the trilateral cooperation.

The US State Department said the officials also agreed to continue to call out behavior that is inconsistent with international law, including Chinas recent actions near Ayungin Shoal that interfered with the Philippines lawful exercise of high seas freedom of navigation.

On the security cooperation, the ministers sought ways to enhance their countries partnership on maritime domain awareness, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief efforts.

They committed to upholding our shared values of freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights, and reaffirmed our shared vision, as equal and sovereign partners, for a free and open Indo-Pacific region that upholds international law, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

The three officials also discussed ways to support economic resiliency and enhance engagements on energy, infrastructure, and digital economy issues.

In his remarks, Blinken said the US looks forward to strengthening the partnership to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, and also to foster, to strengthen economic resilience, and to promote the common prosperity of our people.

I think all three countries believe strongly that our collaboration, not only on a bilateral basis but on a trilateral basis, can produce very positive benefits not only for our countries but also for other countries and partners in the region and beyond, he said.

Kamikawa, meanwhile, underscored the importance of multilayered collaboration with allies and like-minded countries for upholding a rules-based order, especially with what Japan labeled as a recent severe strategic environment in the region, including the situation in the South China Sea.

The meeting builds on the September trilateral talks among President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., US Vice President Kamala Harris, and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.

Manalo, Blinken, and former Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa convened the first Philippine-US-Japan ministerial meeting in Jakarta in July.

The US State Department said the three states would continue to meet trilaterally to enhance this growing relationship and a free and open Indo-Pacific.


Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. chided China on Saturday over its propaganda lines accusing the Philippines and the BRP Sierra Madre, Manilas outpost in the Ayungin Shoal, of marine damage.

The statement of China that the grounded Sierra Madre is causing irrevocable harm is to put it as politely as possible, hypocritical, Teodoro Jr. said in a statement.

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! China continues to damage the West Philippine Sea by its illegal reclamation activities in the South China Sea, the Department of National Defense (DND) chief added.

This developed as the Philippines, the United States, and Japan will craft a work plan that would advance their trilateral cooperation, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Saturday, as the three states explore ways to further promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, US State Secretary Antony Blinken, and Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko convened the second trilateral ministerial meeting among the three states on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 23.

DFA Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said the ministers will come up with a work plan after discussing possible activities under the trilateral cooperation.

The US State Department said the officials also agreed to continue to call out behavior that is inconsistent with international law, including Chinas recent actions near Ayungin Shoal that interfered with the Philippines lawful exercise of high seas freedom of navigation.

The Philippines economic cooperation with the United States must keep pace with steadily growing defense relations, the countrys top diplomat said.

At an event hosted by the Asia Society in New York, USA on Sept. 22, DFA chief Manalo reiterated President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jrs call to ensure that the US-Philippine partnership is relevant and responsive to the current and emerging realities in the region.

We aim to increase two-way trade and investments, especially in critical infrastructure, as strategic and sensitive sectors, he said in his speech.

Teodoro pointed out that the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in its 2016 ruling found China to be a violator of international law when its reclamation operation in the area damaged the marine environment.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning on Thursday denied that Beijing is responsible for the extensive coral damage recorded in the Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

She labeled the reports from the Philippine side as Manila creating a political drama from fiction and demanded that the country remove the BRP Sierra Madre in the Ayungin Shoal instead.

Teodoro warned Beijing that disingenuous propaganda lines would imply its insincerity and will only heighten the mistrust by the Filipino people and the rest of the world of the Chinese government.

The DFA is still waiting for the complete assessment of relevant government agencies on the environmental damage in Rozul Reef.

The Department of Justice and the Office of the Solicitor General will also study legal options on the coral reef destruction, including the possible filing of a complaint for damages before the PCA.

Meanwhile, a Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) naval vessel rescued two Filipino fishermen in the Spratly Islands, Chinas state news agency Xinhua reported Friday night.

One of the fishermen was reportedly bleeding from wounds inflicted by propeller blades.

Citing the PLA Southern Theater Command Navy and the South China Sea Division of the Chinese Coast Guard, Xinhua said the Filipino fishermen approached the Chinese vessel Aba to ask for help.

The report said PLA naval medics brought the fisherman on board for treatment.
MCPS fully accredited

Martinsville City Public Schools announced that all of its eligible schools will continue to be accredited for the 2023-24 school year.

All MCPS schools, excluding Clearview Early Learning Center which does not qualify for accreditation by the Virginia Department of Education, have been accredited since 2018.

Accreditation is determined by several school quality indicators based on state and federal benchmarks including: a measure of proficiency and growth in math, English and science; achievement gaps in English and math, chronic absenteeism, and, at the high school level, graduation and completion rates, dropout rates, and college, career and civic readiness, a release states.

To achieve Accredited status, a school must attain Level One or Level Two on each of its school quality indicators or must be in a triennial accreditation period. Schools with one or more school quality indicators at Level Three are accredited with conditions.

Martinsville students have continued to make steady progress in all areas since we returned from remote learning and our students get closer each year to reaching pre-pandemic levels of achievement, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Angilee Downing said in the release. For example, Martinsville High School has surpassed its pre-pandemic pass rates in reading and is approaching its pre-pandemic pass rate in math as well.

Downing also said she was pleased with the districts science data, particularly since the 2022-2023 school year was the first year fully implementing the states new science curriculum. Usually, when you see a new test, you see drops in scores, Downing explained. Overall, Martinsville students have either maintained or improved on their science scores.

Martinsville is also seeing continued improvement in the area of chronic absenteeism, the release states.

We saw significant drops in our rates of chronic absenteeism for 2022-2023, which speaks to the great work our schools are doing, Downing said. Our district is taking a root cause approach to student absence, taking a look at causes and barriers and helping connect families with the resources and supports they need to ensure our students are attending school.

Last year, Martinsville Middle School Principal Ama Waller was recognized by the state for her leadership in the field of chronic absenteeism.

I am proud of the success that our students and staff achieved last year, Downing said. Closing the learning gaps from pandemic-related school closures requires continuous work, and our families and staff have put in the effort. Martinsville City Public Schools will continue our work to ensure our students receive the quality education they need for their success and the growth of our community.

I am very pleased with the hard work demonstrated by our students, parents, teachers and staff, MCPS Superintendent Dr. Zeb Talley said. This is our seventh year of consecutive school accreditation and three out of four of our eligible schools have achieved triennial success. This is great news for our families and community.

Inaugural Arts Festival

In efforts to create more opportunities for local artists to showcase their work and talents, Piedmont Arts is hosting its inaugural Arts Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 14.

The event will feature work by painters, craftspeople and a variety of performing artists; food trucks; and facepainting by the Teen Arts Council.

Events like this are so exciting because they really bring everyone together, says Lauren Ellis, Piedmont Arts program coordinator. Its a celebration of the creators of our area. Creating an opportunity for them to showcase their work in a beautiful environment has been so much fun and is already so rewarding.

Ellis said in a press release that she hopes to make this event a part of the regular rotation of Piedmont Arts events.

The first step is to just make it happen, she said. Then you can build from there. Now what we need is for folks to come out and experience it.
New College Institute will reconsider its name and also possibly adjust its mission to better reflect the new direction the college is taking.

I think its time that we seriously consider rebranding our name, NCI Board Chair Senator Bill Stanley said.

The idea to rebrand started because of another educational institute in Florida by the same name and grew into a mission to have a new name that better represent what NCI has become. Stanley appointed a special sub-committee led by NCI Board Member Eric Jones at the September board meeting to tackle the process.

I think we need to have a real positive, great name, Stanley added. I talked to the people that wrote the legislation  they never contemplated that this would be called New College forever.

Stanley said the name was intended as a placeholder and simply denoted that the organization was new and a college. He urged the subcommittee to use whatever resources they had available to find a new and fitting name for the college.

We are still carrying what shouldve been a temporary name, he said. He added that he would like results from this subcommittee not too far out in the future.

But the rebranding may not only take place in the name of the college  it might come with a redefining of the colleges mission.

I think your committee should also look, if you want to be broad, at the mission itself, NCI Board member and state Sen. Emmett Hanger Jr. said. Redefining the mission, perhaps, to bring more clarity to what were really supposed to be doing.

Hanger said the original mission to prop up Martinsville and give opportunities for students in this region may no longer completely fit the mission of the college.

That was the purpose and Senator [Hanger] I think youre exactly right, Stanley said. What they need, he added, is a statutory change to make us [NCI] more nimble.

I dont think we fall under the auspices, no should we ultimately, of the secretary of education because I dont think what were talking about doing is what New College was, Stanley said.

I think its really important, Stanley said. Were going in a new direction, but were no longer new in that sense of what it was supposed to be and theres got to be a way that we can honor where we stand here in this historic block [Baldwin Block].

The board plans to convene its next meeting in Richmond, where the board can meet new legislators.

Theres going to be a lot of new people out there and theyre going to say NCI, what? or new name here, what?, Stanley said.

NCI Board Vice Chairman Richard Hall assured Stanley that the college will have a good plan for the rebranding by then with the addition of new staff member Olivia Garrett, the director of institutional advancement, and the rest of the subcommittee.

NCI also hired a new public relations contractor, Holly Kozelsky, and will use those supportive roles in the process of rebranding. At the meeting NCI Executive Director Joe Sumner said that with those new employees the whole marketing strategy at NCI will change and improve.

Well be very well prepared for what we have to do in Richmond in the spring, Hall added, referring to the discussion on a future NCI budget and funding.
NEW YORK  The end of Labor Day weekend would typically mark the start of a furious sprint to the Iowa caucuses as candidates battle for their party's presidential nomination. But as the 2024 campaign comes into greater focus, the usual frenzy is yielding to a sense of inevitability.

Among Republicans, Donald Trump is dominating the primary field, outpacing rivals with resumes as governors, diplomats and entrepreneurs that would normally prove compelling. The former president's strength comes despite  or perhaps because of  multiple criminal indictments that threaten to overshadow any serious debate about the future of the country. And for now, the tens of millions of dollars that Republican rivals are pouring into the race are doing little to diminish Trump's stature, fueling concerns among his GOP critics who fear the primary is essentially over before it begins.

As one troubled front-runner tightens his grip on the Republican nomination, President Joe Biden is on a glide path to victory on the Democratic side. The 80-year-old incumbent is facing only token opposition for the Democratic nomination despite concerns about his age and performance from many within his own party.

Whether voters like it or not, a Trump-Biden rematch may be on the horizon, raising the prospect of a deeply uncertain election season that only intensifies the nation's political divide. Already, Trump is skipping his party's presidential debates and his court appearances are sometimes drawing more attention than his campaign stops. And Biden has barely begun to campaign as he grapples with questions about his age and his son's legal challenges.

"I just can't imagine things markedly changing. So, it appears that past is prologue," California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said in an interview, praising Biden's record of achievement while warning his party against underestimating Trump's political strength.

Newsom said concerns about Biden's age "are fair game and the White House knows it."

"But if age equals results," he went on, "I'm looking forward to his 85th birthday."

On the Republican side, dread is building among some donors and party leaders who hoped conservative voters would move past Trump given the the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol he inspired and his serious legal challenges.

"A Trump-Biden rematch would be a disaster for the country. I'm very depressed about it," said Bobbie Kilberg, a prominent Republican donor who is supporting former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. She said it's "scary" that so many voters in her party continue to support the former president. "I refuse to believe that Trump is our inevitable nominee."

There is time for the 2024 landscape to shift.

Four months remain before the first votes are cast in the Iowa caucuses and the general election is more than a year away. And recent history has plenty of examples of overlooked and seemingly overmatched candidates who proved the conventional wisdom wrong. Both Trump and Biden are among them.

There are also significant variables.

Abortion continues to scramble elections  even in GOP strongholds like Kansas, Kentucky and Ohio  as voters reject Republican efforts to restrict access to the procedure. A greater backlash is possible as the courts review access to a commonly used abortion pill.

And Trump is facing 91 felony charges in criminal proceedings unfolding in Washington, New York, Miami and Atlanta. They involve everything from his handling of classified information to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election to orchestrating hush money payments to a porn actor.

The former president could be a convicted felon before the general election is decided next November. Still, party leaders  including most of his Republican primary opponents  have vowed to support him even if he's convicted. And nothing in the Constitution bars felons from assuming the presidency.

At the same time, Democratic officials are deeply concerned about the prospect of a third-party bid under the banner of No Labels, a centrist group backed by a $70 million budget actively working to secure a place on the presidential ballot in at least 20 states this year.

Group leaders insist they would nominate a candidate next spring only as "an insurance policy" should Trump and Biden win their respective primaries, which appears increasingly likely. And then, No Labels would move forward only if it's certain that its presidential nominee wouldn't unintentionally help Trump win reelection.

Democratic leaders aren't convinced.

Several current and former elected officials have been in close contact with the organization, including Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman and former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan.

Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Republican who says he supports No Labels' mission, did not rule out running as a No Labels presidential contender himself when asked during a recent interview.

"I don't want No Labels to run a candidate. I want the two parties to respond responsibly to the challenges before us," Cassidy said, indicating he wouldn't support Trump or Biden. He described a presidential bid of his own under the No Labels banner as a hypothetical he didn't want to comment on.

In ruling out Trump, the Louisiana Republican cited the criminal charges against the Republican former president, questions about his viability in the general election, and the former president's refusal to "be honest with the American people" about looming budget shortfalls in Social Security and Medicare.

Cassidy, a medical doctor, also raised concerns about Biden's physical and mental health. "He's just so obviously declining," he said.

Indeed, both Trump and Biden have glaring liabilities, according to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Biden is "old" and "confused," and Trump is "corrupt" and "dishonest." Those were among the top terms Americans use when asked to describe each party's leading presidential candidates.

But leaders in both parties are willing to overlook such problems.

Young Democrats of America President Quentin Wathum-Ocama concedes that young voters aren't necessarily enthusiastic about a Trump-Biden rematch, but he hopes that Trump's polarizing candidacy will give Wathum-Ocama's party the energy Biden cannot.

"Yes, people want a younger generation of politicians. We've always talked about Joe Biden as  even he's said  as a transitional figure in our political life," he said. "As much as we're seeing folks, for whatever reason, may not be excited or whatever, to me, it comes back to democracy is on the line."

With virtually no exceptions, Democratic officials in Congress and in key states are publicly rallying behind Biden's reelection.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Biden's strongest challenger in the 2020 Democratic primary, endorsed Biden's reelection bid hours after it was announced this spring. Biden enlisted other would-be rivals for his national advisory board. The group includes Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Newsom.

MORE 2024 COVERAGE

Republicans have delighted in suggesting that Newsom plans to launch a primary challenge against Biden, something the California governor has repeatedly ruled out. That's even as Newsom teases the possibility of a high-profile debate against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is among Trump's top Republican challengers.

Newsom said there would be a debate with the Florida governor, perhaps in November, although the camps are still working out the details.

"I get to do the one thing I look forward to doing more than anything else, and that's make the case for Joe Biden and what he's accomplished  and to do that one on one," he said of a DeSantis debate. "That's an opportunity, a platform I don't want to walk away from."

Meanwhile, in a show of confidence, the Trump campaign has already begun to pivot toward a general election matchup against Biden.

His team says he currently plans to skip all Republican presidential debates, sensing few consequences for skipping the first one last month. DeSantis, once thought to be a potent threat, has struggled to live up to expectations.

Trump's relationships across the party and his expansive political machine have made it extremely difficult for others to break through.

"The president benefits from having led the party for the last eight years," said Brian Jack, Trump's political director.

Trump is leading the fight for endorsements, winning the public backing of more members of Congress and statewide elected officials than the rest of the field combined.

The other candidates are also struggling to keep up with Trump's quiet campaign to control the delegate selection rules for individual state primaries. For example, Trump officials successfully pushed California Republicans to award all of the state's 169 delegates to the winner of their March 5 primary, instead of dolling out delegates to multiple candidates based on the proportion of their vote.

The payoff for that work became clear late last week when a pro-DeSantis super PAC scaled back its operations in Nevada and other states that host Republican primary contests in March, including California, North Carolina and Texas.

Given Trump's overwhelming advantages, some of Trump's powerful allies have begun to call for other Republican presidential candidates to give up. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez ended his short-lived White House bid last week after failing to qualify for the opening debate. But at least eight high-profile opponents remain.

"It has been clear for months that President Trump will be the Republican nominee," said Rep. Elise Stefanik, the No. 3 House Republican. "This election is the most important election in our lifetime, and I will continue to call on Republicans to coalesce our entire party apparatus behind President Trump's campaign."

While Trump remains the clear front-runner, he holds a wider margin nationally than he does in some of the early voting states. And influential Republicans there aren't ready to concede the nomination to Trump yet.

Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, which hosts the second Republican primary contest after Iowa, is working to boost Trump's GOP rivals, warning that Trump is too flawed to win the general election.

Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who served as Trump's ambassador to China, also has doubts about the former president's chances in the general election given the legal challenges that will play out for much of next year.

"The focus of the election ought to be on Biden and his record," Branstad said. "That's the thing that bothers me. It plays into the hands of the Democrats."

He added, "I think this thing is going to tighten up."

Even Trump isn't quite willing to say that he's already locked up the Republican presidential nomination.

"I don't want to say anything's over cause I don't say that," Trump said Friday on WABC. "I'm not a believer until it's over, right? As Yogi would say, 'Ain't over 'til it's over."

The 2024 presidential field, in the order they've announced Donald Trump, Republican Nikki Haley, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican Marianne Williamson, Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Independent Larry Elder, Republican President Joe Biden, Democrat Asa Hutchinson, Republican Tim Scott, Republican Ron DeSantis, Republican Mike Pence, Republican Chris Christie, Republican Doug Burgum, Republican Francis Suarez, Republican (dropped out) Will Hurd, Republican (dropped out)
On Monday, Sept. 18, the McDowell County Department of Social Services asked county commissioners for guidance on what should be done with the cremated remains of deceased people which end up in DSS custody.

The subject was discussed during the regular third Monday meeting of the McDowell County Board of Commissioners. On Monday, Sept. 18, they met in the boardroom of McDowell County Department of Social Services on East Court Street rather than the usual location at 69 N. Main St. DSS staff were there to participate in the meeting.

During the meeting, Social Services Director Bobbie Sigmon reported to the board that her department now has the cremated remains of 13 deceased people, all of whom are identified. These remains were not claimed by the families of the deceased.

North Carolina General Statute 130A-415 lays out a legal process for unclaimed remains. Funeral homes will search for next of kin whenever there is an unclaimed body. But if no next of kin is found, the funeral directors will transfer custody of the remains to the Department of Social Services, according to county officials.

That leaves the DSS director responsible for the proper disposition of the remains.

Sigmon said her department has obtained by donation a burial plot where the cremated remains will be placed. A minister can be asked to preside over a brief committal service and say a few words over the remains, she added.

On Monday, Sigmon asked for the commissioners to create a policy guiding the future disposition of unclaimed remains. The commissioners unanimously approved having such a policy created.

Also on Monday, the McDowell County Commissioners agreed to partner with the developers of a new housing subdivision in Nebo.

Last week on Monday, Sept. 11, County Manager Ashley Wooten gave the commissioners another update about the numerous water-related projects happening mostly in the Nebo community of McDowell.

As part of this discussion, county officials talked about new housing that will be built by developer Wayne McLaughlin, who has expressed interest in extending county water into his ongoing Mountain Springs subdivision in Nebo. He asked the commissioners to allow him to install water lines in his subdivision to the countys specifications and then turn those lines over to the county for upkeep.

He requested the county to bore underneath U.S. 70 East and place a 6-inch line and hydrant at the entrance to the new subdivision. McLaughlin will construct and pay for all of the lines inside the subdivision.

At the Sept. 11 meeting, Commissioner Lynn Greene said he wanted something in writing before agreeing to connect the countys water system with McLaughlins new subdivision. The commissioners voted last week to approve this partnership but a formal written contract was presented at their next regular meeting, which happened Monday, Sept. 18.

At this meeting, Abernathy and McLaughlin again appeared before the board but this time with a proposed contract with the county.

Under this contract, McLaughlin will secure, at no expense to the county, an engineer to design a water line as well as taps, valves, hydrants and other components that will meet the countys specifications. His engineer will prepare the plans and specifications and will submit the permit application documents to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. McLaughlin will obtain the needed permits and construct the water line. The county will construct a tap of suitable size to connect with the existing water line on U.S. 70 East.

People who purchase home sites in the Mountain Springs development (where there is a meter box in place) will pay the meter drop fee in effect at the time their service starts. The county will accept ownership and maintenance of the line built by McLaughlin, after it is approved by the state DEQ, according to the proposed contract.

After a discussion, the commissioners voted to approve the contract. McLaughlin told The McDowell News that six homes have so far been built at Mountain Springs subdivision and the first phase will have eight homes. There will eventually be 30 homes there.

We have other projects that were doing, other developments, he told The McDowell News.

In other business on Monday, Sept. 18, the commissioners talked about a concern by the staff of McDowell DSS with a bill in the N.C. General Assembly that could result in social workers dealing with childrens mental health needs.

The N.C. Association of County Departments of Social Services has expressed its the concerns with Senate Bill 625. The new language in this bill could significantly increase the number of children that local DSS agencies will have to take custody of without the resources to deal with their mental health issues.

Overall, we are very concerned that the current language will increase the number of children and youth with significant mental health problems and violent behaviors who are staying in DSS offices, reads a letter from the N.C. Association of County Departments of Social Services. The lack of mental health care is a burden laid inappropriately on local DSS agencies. Having these juveniles in DSS offices places other children housed in the DSS offices and DSS employees at higher risk of being physically harmed, and increases the liability of employees and the agency if children are injured or if death occurs.

Placing a child at a local DSS agency with staff who are not trained in the physical and mental health arena is a disservice to the child, the family, and the agency, reads another part of the NCACDSS letter. Supports and services must be provided to the child and the family so that when the child returns home, the necessary services and supports will follow the child.

We are not trained to deal with mental health concerns, Sigmon told the commissioners.

After a discussion, the commissioners agreed to send a letter about this issue to state representatives, state senators and Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson.

In addition, the commissioners voted to allow for the creation of an opioid settlement administrator. This person would be on the countys staff and would help to administer the settlement funds McDowell is scheduled to receive over the next several years. The position would be paid for with settlement funds, according to county officials.

McDowell County will receive $3.87 million over an 18-year period from the massive $26 billion settlement with drug companies over opioid misuse. This money coming here can only be used to address the problem of opioid addiction and substance misuse in McDowell.
Washington and Pretoria have announced that the US-Africa trade summit, which will address the African Growth and Opportunity Acts (AGOA) future, will be held in Johannesburg, indicating a mending of relations following months of diplomatic tensions over South Africas alleged deepening military ties with Russia.

South Africa will host he US-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum in Johannesburg despite earlier calls from Washington to exclude the country from the forum due to its alleged deepening military ties with Russia and the docking of a sanctioned Russian vessel near Cape Town in 2022. Some US lawmakers earlier urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to move the meeting elsewhere following allegations that South Africa supplied arms to Russia for its war in Ukraine, and consequently questioned South Africas eligibility to receive trade benefits from AGOA.

On the agenda are crucial discussions surrounding the AGOA, a US legislation that allows sub-Saharan African countries tariff-free access to the US market provided they meet certain conditions, including that they must eliminate barriers to U.S. trade and investment, enact policies to reduce poverty, combat corruption, and protect human rights. With the AGOA set to expire on 30 September 2025, the summit will also delve into the future of this primary trade initiative for the African continent. As South Africa is one of the biggest beneficiaries of AGOA, with exports to the US through the act estimated at $3 billion in 2022, its trade minister has recently called for an extension of AGOA, in an attempt to move past these contentious issues.
Genealogy at Missoula Public Library: Genealogy for the Absolute Beginner

Curious about your family history but not sure where to begin? This hands-on class will help you get started. This class is held on Sept. 25 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the Blackfoot Boardroom on the Level Three of the library. Basic computer and internet skills are required. Registration required: eventbrite.com/e/683839501357.

NEA Big Read: A History of Organized Labor in Montana with State Archivist Rich Aarstad

Join Rich Aarstad, State Archivist at the Montana Historical Society, for this presentation and discussion of the long and robust organized labor union history in Montana. The presentation is on Sept. 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Cooper Room A/B on Level Four of the library. Richs BA and MA in history from the University of Montana, long-time union membership, and knowledge of local lore make him an expert on the topic. This NEA Big Read event is presented in partnership with the Montana Historical Society, with support from the NEA.

Wednesdays with the Mayor

All are welcome to join Mayor Jordan Hess for in-person discussions of current affairs and answers to your questions on all topics to do with City governance on Sept. 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Cooper Room B on Level Four of the library. Missoula broadcast journalist Dennis Bragg will moderate. During the meeting, you may call us with questions at 406-552-6002. Visit the Citys website for the topic of the month at ci.missoula.mt.us/2875/Wednesdays-with-the-Mayor. Watch the livestream or view meetings later on MCATs Facebook page or YouTube channel.

Author Nick Mask of the 'Waffles the Adventure Cat' book series visits the Lolo School Library

Children's author and illustrator, Nick Mask of the "Waffles the Adventure Cat" book series will visit the Lolo School Library on Sept. 27 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Lolo Community Library located at 5305 Farm Lane in Lolo. Join the Lolo Community Library for an evening of fun as Nick reads a story or two, does a draw along of Waffles, and answers questions.

MakerSpace: Intro to Arduino Workshop

Come to the Makerspace on Sept. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. to learn about the exciting world of Arduino in this free workshop. Arduino is an open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software, and its a great starting point if youd like to make your own interactive electronics. In this workshop you will learn some Arduino basics and you will be guided through a beginner-level project. Age 10+ recommended; registration is required and available here at eventbrite.com/e/intro-to-arduino-workshop-tickets-635561079297.

Tech Time @ MPL

On Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Ellingson Room on Level Three of the library meet with a library staff member during our drop-in tech help hour and get one-on-one assistance with basic technology issues and library services. Bring your own device, or use a library laptop. No appointment required, first come, first served.

YMCA Yoga at the Library

Missoula Public Library is thrilled to partner with Missoula Family YMCA to offer free yoga at the library! On Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Cooper Room A on Level Four of the library we will focus on basic yoga postures, alignment principles, and breathing techniques that help balance, strengthen, and stretch the body. This class is recommended for those wishing to strengthen the foundation of their practice, or who simply want an ongoing practice in harmony with their level of strength, balance, and flexibility  beginners are welcome! Participants must sign a liability waiver prior to class by downloading and printing it or by signing a provided copy before class begins. Download the waiver (PDF) at https://tinyurl.com/2994wjww. Participants are welcome to bring their own yoga mat or use one of ours.

Talk Time

On Sept. 28 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Imaginarium on Level Two of the library come in and practice speaking with other English language learners. Learn about U.S. culture and meet people from around the world. Childcare enrichment activities are provided onsite in collaboration with Families First Learning Lab.

Missoula Public Library Watercolor Painting Class Returns!

Missoula Public Librarys popular Watercolor Painting Class will return on Sept. 29 from 12 to 2 p.m. in Cooper Room A/B on Level Four of the library. During this class, local artist Robert Peltzer will help you understand and develop the skills and techniques necessary to enjoy and succeed at watercolor painting. This class is open to adults ages 18 and older. There is no fee or registration, but you must bring your own watercolor paper, paints, brushes, and a palette. For questions call Robert at 406-541-8868.

4HistoryBuffs: Doolittle Raider - David Jonathan Thatcher with Larry Mylnechuk

Calling all history enthusiasts! Join guest speakers for lively and entertaining presentations of historical interest. This presentation will tell the story of David Jonathan Thatcher, Doolittle raider, Missoula hero, and Son of the American Revolution and is held on Sept. 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. in Cooper Room A/B on Level Four of the library.

Family History Month Series: Family History Writing Contest

MPL's first annual Family History Writing Contest launches Oct. 1! Entries will be accepted until March 1, 2024 via Submittable: https://missoulapubliclibrary.submittable.com/submit. Full contest rules are available on our website: https://tinyurl.com/FamilyHistoryWritingContest.
HARDIN  Yolanda Fraser is back near a ragged chain-link fence, blinking through tears as she tidies up flowers and ribbons and a pinwheel twirls in the breeze at a makeshift roadside memorial in a small Montana town.

This is where the badly decomposed body of her granddaughter, Kaysera Stops Pretty Places, was found a few days after the 18-year-old went missing from a Native American reservation border town.

Four years later, there are still no answers about how the Native American teenager died. No named suspects. No arrests.

Fraser's grief is a common tale among Native Americans whose loved ones went missing, and she's turned her fight for justice into a leading role with other families working to highlight missing and slain Indigenous peoples' cases across the U.S. Despite some early success from a new U.S. government program aimed at the problem, most cases remain unsolved and federal officials have closed more than 300 potential cases due to jurisdictional conflicts and other issues.

As she told her granddaughter's story, Fraser pushed past tears and began listing other names among the thousands of disappearances and violent deaths of Native Americans and Alaska Natives.

"My nephew Victor, my nephew Dane Fisher, my close relative Christy Rose Woodenthigh  and it just goes on and on," Fraser said. "It just became obvious that there's a pattern to all of it. There's a line between these Native lives and other lives. ... But our voice is getting louder. People are listening."

U.S. officials share frustration over the unsolved cases, which critics say reflects racial injustice, particularly when compared with the media frenzy that erupts when a white woman goes missing.

"The patchwork of jurisdictions makes it so hard to get started on these investigations. And when you lose time, your chances of solving these cases goes down," said Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland. "It's frustrating for everybody."

Federal law enforcement has jurisdiction over most Native American reservations, which often don't have their own police force yet experience people going missing at several times the rate of the rest of the nation. That's set against a backdrop of historical injustices that include massacres of Native Americans by U.S. troops, forced assimilation of Native children in abusive boarding schools and the removal of many tribes from their traditional lands.

Members of several victims' families joined Fraser recently to dedicate a billboard honoring victims along Interstate 90 just outside the town of Hardin where Stops Pretty Places died. The billboard lists four dozen missing and slain people and other victims on the Northern Cheyenne and Crow reservations in southeastern Montana.

As the names were recited over a loudspeaker some relatives of victims cried as they leaned into one another.

"When we're divided we're not strong at all, but when we're together we're powerful," said Blossom Old Bull, whose son was killed in a car crash at 17 while being pursued by police, whom the family blames for his death.

With backing from nonprofit groups and her family, Fraser hopes to erect similar billboards near reservations across the U.S. She wants to highlight the names behind crime statistics and for local officials to be confronted with the victims within their community.

Stops Pretty Places died in Big Horn County, just outside the Crow Indian Reservation and about 55 miles from Muddy Creek, the Northern Cheyenne Reservation community where Fraser largely raised her. She'd been missing for several days when her body was found at the edge of a fenced-in yard next to a busy road, one door down from where she'd last been seen with some friends.

For years, the family's pleas for an outside investigation went unanswered. This spring they learned county authorities had finally agreed to federal assistance. Agents from the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Missing and Murdered Unit are now reexamining the case.

The unit was formed in 2021 by U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland amid rising criticism over the mishandling of crimes involving Native Americans. Its agents have received 845 case referrals, primarily from victims' families, including 117 that were solved and 372 still under review or being investigated.

More than 350 were closed with no resolution, often because of jurisdictional issues that prevent federal agents from working off-reservation without an invitation from local authorities.

The Missing and Murdered Unit has only 15 agents, with plans to more than double that figure, officials said. Its caseload covers a small fraction of an estimated 4,200 unsolved cases nationwide among American Indians and Alaska Natives, with the victims ranging in age from toddlers to the elderly. Indigenous people account for 3.5% of missing persons in the U.S.  more than three times the percentage in the overall population, according to federal data.

Violent crimes reported against Native Americans more than tripled between 2010 and 2020, the Congressional Research Service reported in July, adding that improved reporting could have contributed to the increase.

"All these cases, they're really different but it all has to do with the same thing  the lack of law enforcement on reservations. the jurisdictional problems," said Melissa Lonebear, a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council.

Adding to the challenges is the lack of reliable data on crime in Native communities. That's beginning to change. In New Mexico, the FBI has compiled a database of about 200 missing Native Americans. And a first-of-its-kind report released in Alaska last month listed 280 missing Alaska Natives and American Indians.

Requests for federal intervention have poured into the Missing and Murdered Unit in recent months as President Joe Biden's administration held a series of field hearings to solicit testimony about the crisis from tribal members, families of victims and survivors.

People traveled hundreds of miles including from Washington state and South Dakota to attend the hearing in Billings, where they erected oversized photos of victims at the back of a convention center ballroom. They told the commission of loved ones who had been shot in the back, killed in their own home or gone missing and never seen again.

Grace Bulltail, a member of the commission and one of Stops Pretty Places' aunts, said it's hard for many Native families to step forward.

"When we're speaking, we know that they don't care. We know they're just waiting for us to stop talking. They've heard it before," Bulltail said, adding this is why some families remain silent. "But when there is such an injustice and disregard for our lives, we have to speak out."

The hearing also acted as a networking event, providing families the opportunity to trade tips on pushing investigations forward and bringing more attention to this crisis. Fraser traces the rise of her own advocacy to the brutal 2015 killing of Hannah Harris, whose partially clothed body was found on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation rodeo grounds near the town of Lame Deer days after she disappeared.

Tribal members said the search for Harris was botched by authorities, allowing her body to become so decomposed it prevented prosecutors from pursuing murder charges against one of the suspects in the case. Harris' birthday, May 5, was later designated by Congress as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls, which has since been expanded to include all missing and murdered Indigenous peoples.

When Stops Pretty Places died, Fraser reached out to Harris' mother  Fraser's cousin -- for guidance. As the case dragged on their extended family began organizing rallies, letter-writing campaigns and other actions to spur further investigations.

"We're not going to stop. They get tired of us sometimes, but that's OK," Fraser said. "We want to make noise."
Hong Kong: Event participants data loss probed

The Sai Kung District Office (SKDO) today reported that a contractor involved in delivering a youth training event has forfeited data relating to 50 event participants and that the incident has been reported to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data and to Police.

The event, organised by the SKDO, is the 2023-24 Sai Kung Youth Ambassador Training Programme - Sai Kung Navigators, while the contractor is the Sai Kung District Community Centre.

The centre reported to the SKDO yesterday afternoon that one of its members of staff had lost a portable USB device at a library at City University on September 10. The device contains personal details relating to 50 event participants, specifically their names, ages, genders, contact numbers, email addresses and residential addresses, as well as the schools/institutions they attend and the names and contact numbers of their guardians.

The SKDO was informed that the centre reported the incident to Police on September 12 and to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data on September 18. The SKDO said it was also in the process of contacting participants affected, and their families, to explain the situation and offer apologies.

The training programme itself has been suspended, while a hotline number, 6278 0536, is in operation for enquiries.

The SKDO has issued a severe reprimand to the event contractor and requested it to submit a detailed report and take all necessary measures to prevent further leakage of data.

The contractor is prohibited from bidding for or organising any other SKDO activities until it has taken satisfactory measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring.

This story has been published on: 2023-09-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Its no secret that a large number of plumbers, electricians, carpenters and other construction trades people are aging and retiring from the workforce.

Western Piedmont Community College is hoping to attract people to those trades and fill the void through its new Regional Skilled Trades Solution Center. The college held a grand opening Tuesday afternoon of the center that is located at the entrance to the college off Burkemont Avenue in Morganton.

College officials were joined by state community college officials, state officials, county commissioners, Morganton City Council members, students and the public for the opening of the Skilled Trades Solution Center opening.

The Skilled Trades Solution Center will offer carpentry, masonry, electrical technologies, HVAC, plumbing and green construction principles, according to information from the college.

Scott Mulwee, a trustee of WPCC and county commissioner chairman, said he is excited about the new trades center on the campus. He said when companies are looking at somewhere to locate they consider the schools and education, workforce development and health care.

Dr. Jeff Cox, president of the North Carolina Community College System, told the crowd they may be like him and have struggled to get someone to their house to fix their plumbing.

The trades are noble professions and you can make a really, really good living if youre willing to do the work, Cox said.

Cox said similar trades centers should be built in other parts of the state as well.

And while the trade careers are noble professions and offer a comfortable living, there appears to be a lack of trades people and the deficit is set to grow over the next decade.

Nora El-Khouri Spencer, CEO and founder of Hope Renovations in Chapel Hill, was the keynote speaker for the event and she said 41% of the current construction workforce is going to retire over the next eight years.

She said they will need to be coming into the industry if we want to keep building.

What I think the important question is who doesnt know right now that this industry is an opportunity for them and that they have a place here and why dont they know it, and how can we invite them to have a place at the table?, Spencer said.

Spencer went on to tell the story about being in high school and wanting to take shop class like her brother. But she was told by her homeroom teacher that she should stick to home economics.

We (women) typically are not invited to this industry, Spencer said. We dont know that we have an opportunity here. Sometimes were specifically told we dont have an opportunity here. And the worst part is, I believed it.

Jobs in the construction field have traditionally attracted far more men than women. Women currently make up about 10.9% but that includes professional and administrative jobs in the construction field, Spencer said. But when it comes to women who actually swing a hammer or other hands-on construction, that number drops to around 4%, she said.

And Spencer wants to get the word out to women and minorities that the construction trades are for them and offer a good living. She said her organization has recruited single mothers, people who are experiencing layoffs, women who are stuck in low-wage jobs and even women who are coming out of prison. Many of the women who come to her organization to learn trades are in their 30s and 40s, Spencer said.

Spencer told the crowd gathered at the new trades center at WPCC, There is a whole workforce out there right now that doesnt know that this is available, that doesnt know about his incredible career opportunities. That doesnt know that they have an open invitation to come and learn how to do this stuff and make a career for themselves.

She asked those in the audience to spread the word about the career opportunities in the construction trades.
An Oakville man wanted in Arkansas for felony probation violation was arrested in Louisa County Tuesday evening and is being held in the county jail on a detainer.

According to a press release from the Louisa County Sheriffs Office, Edward Thomas, 41, was taken into custody and charged with aggravated misdemeanor domestic assault and interference with official acts. Deputies then found he had a nationwide felony warrant. Extradition to Arkansas is being arranged.

At about 8 p.m. Tuesday, deputies were called to the 500 block of Russell Street in Oakville to a report of an assault victim who had lost consciousness. During the response time, Thomas fled the residence and ran into a corn field near Third Street.

The arrest report said the victim was not cooperative with deputies and stated she did not want them involved. After speaking with subjects at the scene, deputies began searching for Thomas based on a description they had received. Several support teams, including Louisa County Emergency Management with its drone, Oakville Fire, Wapello Ambulance and the Burlington Police Department K9 unit.

A perimeter was set while the drone searched the field. As the drone located a possible hiding spot, Thomas walked out of the corn field and turned himself in to deputies. He reportedly told deputies when he saw the drone I knew it was over at that point so I lit up a cigarette and came out.

The sheriffs office reported this was an apprehension made possible by the teamwork and willingness of multiple agencies working together to assist.
Napas Fuller Park will debut a new playable art structure in the spring of 2025, according to officials with the city's Parks & Recreation Services.

At Wednesday nights Parks and Recreation committee meeting, Ali Koenig, a parks planner and manager for the city, presented an update on the project, which is entering the implementation phase this fall.

The structure will be built in partnership with the city's public arts steering committee, which is providing some of the funding for the structure. The idea arose from discussions to expand where public art appears in the city aside from typical sculptures and murals.

According to Katrina Gregory, Napa's city recreation manager, the idea for combining public art with parks in the city was first presented back in March 2021.

The goal was "to move public art out of just downtown Napa and put art throughout our community, so it's accessible and we're using all the public spaces that we have throughout the community, Gregory said.

Staff decided on Fuller Park because it's one of the city's larger public spaces, with more amenities and room. Its playground was also slated for refurbishing, which made it an ideal location.

The idea to create a playground that doubles as public art is meant to advance the goal of making art more accessible, especially to children.

However, Gregory said that even though the playground itself will be an art piece, it won't lack the elements that children love about more conventional playgrounds  like slides and monkey bars.

It's kind of a misconception that people might have about playable art is that it won't have all those traditional features, Gregory said. Often they still have slides, or they still have climbing features where you're taking risks and challenges and gaining confidence.

For example, Gregory said she took her kids to a playable art structure that was entirely designed to look like a woolly mammoth. You've seen a traditional slide, but have you seen a slide that is the tusk of a woolly mammoth? she asked.

Fuller Park's playable art wont necessarily be in the shape of an ice age species, but it will likely be a thematic piece that creates a one-of-a-kind, inclusive play structure.

What exactly the structure will look like will be decided by a committee assembled in the coming months. Koenig of the parks department said the committee will likely have about 16 members, including two from the public arts steering committee and two from the parks and recreation committee, along with local stakeholders in children's education and community arts.

The committee will work together with the projects design professional, Dan Wodarcyk, as well as landscape architect Gretchen S. McCann. The staff has also selected a design firm, Specified Play Equipment Co. of Belmont, to bring the theme to life.

SPEC was selected through a jury process, much like artist selection for public artworks. The company has created other playable art projects, including Presidio Knolls Park in San Francisco.

Gregory said much of the thematic work will likely happen this fall and winter, and production could begin as soon as this coming spring.

Rather than just, say, putting a sculpture in a park, this is a great opportunity to create something really amazing and wonderful for the community, she said.
You may not have seen the headlines (there werent any). You may have missed the raucous debate (there wasnt much of one). But with the end of the legislative session last week, California is now on the verge of laying down a welcome mat for most major affordable housing projects across the state.

Thats not because of a single bill, but a patchwork of current and former legislation that, taken together, basically covers any flavor of affordable housing you could possibly want to build, said Linda Mandolini, president of Eden Housing, an affordable housing development nonprofit.

Homes designated for low-income occupants, like all housing projects, face a gauntlet of potential challenges and hold-ups that add to the already exorbitant cost of affordable housing in California. Those hurdles include lawsuits filed under the wide-ranging California Environmental Quality Act, extensive public hearings and other forms of opposition from local government.

Now, affordable housing projects  in most places and most of the time  may soon be exempt from all that, fitted out in a suit of procedural armor made up of some half a dozen bills and laws.

A bill now sitting on the governors desk would cover up one of the last chinks in that armor. Assembly Bill 1449, authored by two Democratic Assemblymembers, David Alvarez of San Diego and Buffy Wicks of Oakland, would exempt certain affordable apartment developments from review under CEQA. To qualify, projects would have to be located in dense urban areas, set aside each unit for someone earning less than 80% the area median income and abide by stricter labor standards, among other requirements.

Though modest and technical-sounding, thats unusually broad for new construction in California.

I do think its gonna be very consequential but its kind of flown under the radar, Alvarez said. His explanation why: The politics of where Californians are and certainly where the Legislature is  we want to see results. We want to see housing being produced.

Taken together with a handful of other bills and current laws, said Mark Stivers, a lobbyist with the California Housing Partnership, which co-sponsored AB 1449, the new legislation effectively make it possible for affordable housing providers to develop nearly all viable sites in California by-right and exempt from CEQA review.

Speeding up approval for these projects comes with a trade-off. Environmental justice organizations, labor unions and various opponents of new development see CEQA as a vital tool to weigh in on what gets built, where and under what terms.

Our communities rely heavily on CEQA to be able to get more information about proposed developments that might be contributing to further pollution, said Grecia Orozco, a staff attorney with the nonprofit Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment.

Local activists also often flood the public meetings of city councils and planning boards to pressure elected officials to block unpopular projects or extract concessions from developers.

Whether AB 1449 and a handful of similar bills become law is now up to Gov. Gavin Newsom. Supporters have reason to be optimistic. The Newsom administration is pushing local governments to approve an unprecedented 2.5 million additional homes by 2030, he called the CEQA process broken and in the spring he rolled out a package of bills aimed at speeding up environmental challenges to projects  though housing was not included.

He has until Oct. 14 to sign or veto the bills now sitting on his desk.

A patchwork of carve-outs

The Alvarez-Wicks bill isnt the first legislative effort to grease the skids for new affordable housing.

Two others, both authored by San Francisco Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener, would force local governments to automatically approve apartment buildings in housing-strapped parts of the state and most affordable housing projects on the properties of houses of worship and nonprofit colleges, so long as they comply with a list of zoning, affordability and labor requirements.

A third piece of legislation by San Jose Democratic Sen. Dave Cortese exempts the decision by local governments to fund affordable housing projects from environmental challenges, too. Newsom already signed it.

Still awaiting the governors pen are a handful of bills that make it more difficult to stall housing projects through environmental lawsuits in general. That includes a bill by Sen. Nancy Skinner, a Berkeley Democrat, that would make it easier for courts to toss out environmental challenges they deem frivolous or solely intended to cause unnecessary delay. Another by Assemblymember Phil Ting, a San Francisco Democrat, would give local officials a deadline by which to approve or deny a projects environmental review.

The Ting proposal was fiercely opposed by many environmental activists and the State Building and Construction Trades Council, an umbrella group that represents many unionized construction workers. The bill would also make it more difficult for courts to award legal fees to groups that sue to block projects through CEQA.

J.P. Rose, a staff attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, which regularly brings such suits, called that provision the largest weakening of CEQA in recent history.

The fact that this long list of bills passed the Legislature  some by healthy margins  amounts to a notable political shift, said Christopher Elmendorf, a law professor at UC Davis who advised Ting on the bill.

I think it illustrates that a sea change is underfoot in how people are starting to think about these environmental review laws, he said, though he noted that the shift in California is still modest compared to those underway in other states.

Earlier this year, the Washington legislature nearly unanimously passed a law to exempt virtually all new urban housing from that states environmental protection law.

The grand bargain continued

Many of the California bills build on a law passed last year that streamlines affordable housing construction along commercial corridors.

In cobbling together the law, its author, Wicks, struck a compromise: In exempting certain housing projects from environmental challenge and other local hurdles, developers would pay workers a higher minimum wage, provide them with health care benefits and abide by other stricter labor standards. That trade was the key to winning the support of the state carpenters union and breaking up a legislative logjam that had stymied housing production bills for years.

It also provided a template for Wieners two streamlining bills this year, along with the Alvarez-Wicks CEQA exemption proposal.

That really laid the foundation for those of us who did work in the housing space this year, said Alvarez.

Not every pro-housing advocate or CEQA critic is so content with the bargain.

A lot of these bills help a little, said Jennifer Hernandez, a land use attorney at the law firm Holland & Knight, who has catalogued CEQA challenges to housing projects for years. But she notes that swapping out the threat of environmental litigation with higher payroll expenses just replaces one cost with another.

In practice, she said, these exemptions are only likely to clear the way for substantial new housing construction in higher cost areas where developers can make up the difference by charging higher rents to non-subsidized residents. You really need premium rentals to pay for those higher labor standards, she said.

But for many affordable housing developers, its still a trade worth making.

Youve got really strong laws, clear exemptions, and an attorney general whos willing to step up and say you got to build it, said Mandolini with Eden Housing, who has been working on housing in the state for more than two decades. This is the best it has been in CaliforniaIf this had all existed 20 years ago, we might have built a lot more housing a lot faster.
Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem cancels controversial deal related to Cows' Garden estate

Germany FM to visit Armenia, Azerbaijan

Vahan Kerobyan, Alkis Vryenios Drakinos discuss projects being implemented by EBRD in Armenia (PHOTOS)

Head of EU civilian mission in Armenia briefs President on details about their monitoring

Dollar, euro fall in Armenia

Armenia Anti-Corruption Committee chief: We have solved March 1, 2008 case

Armenia deputy PM, Japan envoy discuss opportunities for development of bilateral trade, economic relations

Karabakh parliament speaker imprisoned by Azerbaijan contacts relatives twice from Baku

Samkharadze: Georgia wants to become regional leader by contributing to Armenia-Azerbaijan relations normalization

Yerevan received, responded to Russia proposals on process of Armenia ratification of Rome Statute, MFA says

Border with Azerbaijan is calm, there is no tension, head of EU monitoring mission in Armenia says in Yeghegnadzor

Karabakh president negotiated with Azerbaijan special services?

EU monitoring mission in Armenia opens headquarters in Yeghegnadzor

Holding Snoop Dogg concert in Armenia is vital, PMs office says

Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention issues Red Flag Alert for Azerbaijan in Armenia

Armenia, Romania MFAs hold political consultations in Bucharest

World Bank: Economic activity growth increases, insignificant inflation recorded, exports drop in Armenia

Armenia, Iran sign memorandum of understanding on strengthening cooperation, workforce exchange

Alexander Spendiaryan 152nd birth anniversary events kicking off in Yerevan

Blinken mentions Armenia during US Senate hearing

Newspaper: Armenia PM announces cancellation of point 9 of November 2020 trilateral statement

Karabakh president receives French, Italian members of European Parliament

Russian peacekeepers continue to remain in Nagorno-Karabakh, Russia MoD says

Red Cross helps elderly people left in Karabakh to relocate to Armenia (VIDEO)

Central Bank chief: Armenia residents deposits increased by about 25%

EBRD regional director to Armenia finance minister: We are ready to assist those displaced from Karabakh

Armenia labor, social affairs minister attends Armenian-Iranian forum in Tehran

European Union increases humanitarian funding to Armenia by about 1.7M

Dollar, euro go up in Armenia

Armenia PM, Poland envoy address humanitarian situation of forcibly displaced people from Karabakh

Ardshinbank has been recognized as the "Best Corporate" and "Best ESG Bank" in Armenia by Euromoney magazine

Turkey border bridge renovation, furnishing underway, Armenia official says

Armenia official: Enclaves issue will be clarified when peace treaty with Azerbaijan is signed

Armenia official: Positive thing about North-South project is that we entered construction phase in some sections

Ethnic cleansing in Karabakh received pin-drop silence by American media, US presidential nominee says

Armenia economy minister: Trade relations with Russia are very important to us

Armenia official: We have certain idea about construction of railway in Meghri sector, we are waiting

74 films to be screened in Armenia during 19th Rolan International Film Festival for Children and Youth

Yeraskh steel plant project being implemented, it is being moved, it will be nearby, Armenia economy minister says

Azerbaijan pledges guarantees to Karabakh Armenians after its blockade, genocide

Karabakh ombudsman: Who needs forums, lengthy speeches if international community fails to prevent genocides?

Maestro Sergey Smbatyan: Process that could have had only one outcome is resolved

Legislature vice-speaker complains about reduction of programs in Armenia IT sector

UNICEF Armenia: Next batch of humanitarian aid sent to Syunik Province

Central Bank of Armenia reduces refinancing rate by 0.25 points, sets it at 9.5%

Martin Schuepp: Red Cross is helping people left in Karabakh

Finance minister: Armenia economic growth potential currently estimated at 5.5%

Armenia official: The money we were allocating to Karabakh should be enough to fund all programs

Parliament deputy speaker: Armenia has no contender in high tech

Newspaper: Karabakh army handed over ammunition not to Azerbaijan, but to Russian side

Canada ambassador about sanctions on Azerbaijan: There is also dispute within Armenia regarding them

Audi Q6 e-tron launch delayed until at least Spring 2024

Armenia Investigative Committee official: 8 of 16 persons captured by Azerbaijan are Karabakh leadership members

4.8 magnitude earthquake strikes Turkey

14 individuals were tortured, and 64 died on the move from Nagorno Karabakh. Foreign Ministry spokesperson

Council of Europe to prepare package of measures in response to refugee influx in Armenia

Mher Grigoryan and EU Ambassador exchanged ideas on regional developments

Minister of Defence had a meeting with the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of PRC

Yeremyan Projects has launched the regional first livestock complex in Tashir community

Rights of Karabakhs imprisoned former leadership are protected, Azerbaijan ombudsperson claims

Finance ministry: Armenia economic growth target will be maintained at 7% level in 2024

Elnur Mammadov: Most points in peace treaty have been agreed upon by Azerbaijan, Armenia

Statement: Alma-Ata Declaration has no mention of former union republics of ex-USSR

Dollar drops, euro rises in Armenia

Armenia defense sector capital spending planned in amount of around $1.4 billion in 2024

Lawyer: Maestro Sergey Smbatyan is acquitted

Premier: Armenia defense spending planned to be increased by 125% in 2024 compared to 2018

Armenia, Ukraine officials underscore Pashinyan-Zelenskyy first meeting

ReA15: 300 animation films, 30 guests from 40 countries, around 500 audience; Armenia international festival summed up

Russias Makhachkala airport resumes operations

Armenia's Pashinyan: There is serious progress in North-South motorway construction

Around 12kg narcotics attempted to be smuggled into Armenia from Iran

Armenia finance minister: Considerable part of 2.6 billion to be provided by EU is loan

Armenia official: We will not increase pensions, minimum wages in 2024

Armenia finance minister: National debt of more than $10 billion is safe

Pashinyan: Armenia government expects 7% economic growth in 2023

COAF secures 10M grant to transform education in Armenia's Syunik Province

RFE/RL: US supports EU monitoring mission in Armenia, embassy says

Hurricane Otis kills at least 48 people in Mexico

$135M to be allocated for needs of those forcibly displaced from Karabakh, Armenia PM says

Armenia nationals can now open bank accounts in Russia in simplified manner

Armenia MFA former spox shares video of Russian peacekeepers withdrawal from Karabakh

202-million-year-old dragonfly fossil discovered in UK

Armenia premier: I hope arrangements for opening border with Turkey will be implemented in near future

Pashinyan: Current world orders collapse is serious threat to Armenia

Armenia labor, social affairs minister is in Iran, memorandum to be signed on highly qualified workforce exchange

Armenia PM: 3 main principles of signing peace treaty with Azerbaijan have been agreed upon

Armenia defense minister attends Beijing Xiangshan Forum opening ceremony in China (PHOTOS)

Biden, Netanyahu discuss ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza

Arab, Muslim users of social media unhappy with ongoing supply of oil from Azerbaijan to Israel

Attempts are being made to destabilize situation in Russias Dagestan from outside, leader Melikov says

20 people injured, 2 in critical condition after mass riots at Russias Makhachkala airport

Kamala Harris: US has no plans of sending combat troops to Israel, Gaza

Russia researchers develop water evaluation system using smartphones

Russias Makhachkala airport closed until November 6

France releases city electric cars that can be driven without driver's license

Thugs attack bus carrying women, children in Russias Makhachkala

Anti-Israel protest in Russias Dagestan, crowd storms into Makhachkala airport

Slovenia donates 120,000, through Red Cross, to forcibly displaced people from Karabakh

Overall 3342 children died in Gaza since start of war
Li Ronghua (right), a doctor from Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Second Affiliated Hospital, conducts free medical consultations for community residents in Kashgar, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Sept 16. Medical aid workers from Shandong province have been working to promote grassroots healthcare needs in Kashgar. [Photo/XINHUA]

More high-quality pairing assistance programs need to be introduced in the future to help the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region maintain stability and become more prosperous, said China's top political adviser.

The practice involves China's provinces and municipalities being "paired up" with cities and counties in Xinjiang to send investment and personnel directly to those areas.

China has been implementing the pairing assistance programs in Xinjiang since 1997, channeling financial, technical and human resource support in various fields to Xinjiang, from 19 provinces and municipalities nationwide, as well as central departments and State-owned enterprises.

Unprecedented efforts have been put into such programs in the new era and have achieved self-evident outcomes, Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, told delegates at the ninth national meeting on pairing assistance to Xinjiang, held in Kashgar, from Tuesday to Thursday.

Wang said that the amount of funds invested, the number of people involved and the achievements made are all unprecedented. It has fully demonstrated the advantages of the leadership of the CPC and the socialist system with Chinese characteristics.

According to the regional government, more efforts have been put into pairing assistance programs since a national meeting on pairing assistance to Xinjiang was held in 2014. Since that time, historical progress has been made in helping the region achieve rapid economic development, receive a record amount of infrastructure construction funding and help improve people's livelihoods.

Over 170 billion yuan ($23.26 billion) of funding has been allocated to pairing assistance programs over the past decade, and more than 80 percent of the funds have been used to improve people's livelihoods, especially in rural areas, the regional government said. Also, thanks to such programs, living conditions for about 11 million people have been improved in the past 10 years while more than 2,100 schools have been built or renovated.

Furthermore, over 90,000 talented personnel in the education, technology and healthcare sectors have been sent to the region in the past 10 years to help raise standards in these sectors as they have been less developed than in other parts of the country.

Wang said that comprehensive, targeted and long-term support for Xinjiang through pairing assistance programs must be provided as it is a national strategy. Also, it is important to firmly grasp the strategic positioning of Xinjiang in overall national development and build a beautiful Xinjiang in the process of pursuing Chinese modernization. And relevant work should focus on social stability and long-term security in Xinjiang.

He also said pairing assistance programs need to focus on accelerating the construction of a modern industrial system that reflects Xinjiang's characteristics and advantages, so that Xinjiang will be able to advance on the track of high-quality development.

What is more, he said, efforts should be made to promote cultural exchanges between different ethnic groups in Xinjiang and forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.

Xie Haisheng, head of a team sent from Shenzhen, Guangdong province, to Kashgar, said education and healthcare are areas that need to be further improved in Kashgar.

"Long-term partnerships between schools and hospitals in the two cities have been forged so continuous assistance can be extended to boost the development of those sectors in Kashgar, bringing more benefits to locals," Xie said.
A fresh disaster may be looming in Nagorny Karabakh, the majority-Armenian highland enclave within the borders of Azerbaijan. Thomas de Waal, senior fellow with Carnegie Europe, specializing in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region, writes about this in his article A Tragic Endgame in Karabakh.

The Karabakhis fate was probably sealed in April, when Azerbaijan established a checkpoint on the Lachin Corridor. This de facto blockade deepened in the summer, and the situation became desperate for tens of thousands of people remaining in Karabakh (estimates range from 50,000 to 120,000) who began to run out of food and medicine.

There is a geopolitical game here. A small Russian peacekeeping force was established in Karabakh in 2020. Moscow, which has always wavered between and manipulated both sides, had presented itself as the protector of the Karabakhis. President Vladimir Putin publicly told them his peacekeepers would guarantee their safe return from Armenia and continued residence in their homeland. But the Russian soldiers stood by as the checkpoint was set up on the Lachin road earlier this year, fracturing trust held in the peacekeeping force, he wrote.

In his opinion, the context is that after Russia invaded Ukraine, the Armenian government began to pivot toward the West, and Azerbaijanwith which Russia shares a land border and an authoritarian model of governmentlooked like a more valuable partner.

Over the summer, the EU and United States were hopeful that a deal had been reached to reopen the Lachin road, as well as a road via the Azerbaijani city of Aghdam, to resupply Karabakh. Senior figures, notably U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and European Council President Charles Michel, sent messages to Aliyev that the use of force was unacceptable. On September 18, in a hopeful sign, two small humanitarian convoys reached Karabakh down the two roads, after a long pause.

The military offensive on September 19 caught Western officials by surprise, which became more understandable when news broke that Russian peacekeepers simply stood down and let the assault happen. The impression that there had been a side deal between Moscow and Baku deepened when Russian officials blamed Pashinyan and his pro-Western tendencies, not Azerbaijan, for the fighting, the analyst wrote.

He added that in the darker European order of the past decade, where normative values and a multilateral framework have been devalued, Azerbaijan cares less about statements of condemnation from Western governments.

The key thing is almost certainly the support of two regional powers and neighbors: the full backing of Turkiye and deliberate equivocation from Russia, which looks more concerned about keeping its military base on the ground in Azerbaijan and humiliating the government in Yerevan than in ensuring the rights of local Karabakh Armenians.

The only international organization on the ground in Karabakh is the International Committee of the Red Cross. Western officials have called for an international humanitarian and monitoring presence on the ground analogous to the missions deployed in the Balkan wars of the 1990s, but Azerbaijan and Russiawhich seeks to justify its peacekeeping forcewill try to block this.

Barring an unexpected international initiative, the main question may now be whether a mass exodus of Karabakhis to Armenia will happen in an orderly fashion or with bloodshed and detentions of male residents. There are modest signs that the Azerbaijanis will allow the former, but the situation on the ground is messy and volatileas could only be expected when combatants in a three-decade-long conflict confront one another again, face to face. The repercussions of the third Karabakh war will be long and hard, de Waal wrote.
Christian Solidarity International has received a report from partner in Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh). This is stated in the message of the organization on the social network X.

In various places, the roads are controlled by Azerbaijani soldiers. We can only send emergency vehicles to villages served by these roads if they are accompanied by the ICRC and the Russian peacekeepers. Right now, there is a baby who has just been born, who needs artificial support to breathe. We cant send anyone to bring her to Stepanakert, because there are no Russian or ICRC vehicles available.

This morning we still dont have electricity. There is smoke everywhere because people are cooking outside with wood.

Many people are still at the airport, waiting. Thousands of displaced people from the villages are living in basements. There is still no humanitarian aid. There is no bread and no food in the shops. We are just waiting. There are no official announcements. People are very scared.

Azerbaijan starved these people for nine months, waited until their medical supplies ran out, then bombed the whole country, and is now preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid or the evacuation of the wounded.

And thats just what we know about. In most of the country, communications are still down.

This is genocide, the message says.
A peacekeeper from the Rostov region was killed in [Artsakh] Nagorno-Karabakh during shelling by Azerbaijanis. His relatives told about the death of 39-year-old Anton Shvoren on social networks, Moskovskii Komsomolets reports.

The man lived with his wife and two daughters in the city of Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, Rostov region. In September, the peacekeeper was in Nagorno-Karabakh.

On the afternoon of September 20, Anton, driving a UAZ Patriot, was returning from an observation post. Fire was opened in the direction of the car as it passed through the village of Chankatagh. As a result of the shelling, six people were killed, including the driver.

The date of the funeral for the 39-year-old soldier will be known later.

Earlier, the Russian Embassy in Armenia announced that during the peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh, as a result of the aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh, 6 servicemen were killed, and several more people received injuries of varying degrees of severity.

On September 20, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that while returning from an observation post, a car with Russian peacekeepers was fired at from small arms. Later, the editor-in-chief of RT, Margarita Simonyan, reported the death of 5 Russian peacekeepers.
The Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, expressed her deep concern regarding the recent military escalation by Azerbaijan, noted the reported ceasefire announced on 20 September and emphasized the significance of preventing further violence and of ensuring a durable peace in the region that safeguards the rights of all people, UN press service reports.

Military action can only contribute to escalate what is already a tense situation and to put the civilian population in the area at risk of violence, including risk of genocide and related atrocity crimes. All efforts need to be made to prevent violence and sustain peace, the Special Adviser emphasized.

Nderitu reiterated her call for dialogue and peace, as well as the call to avoid any escalation of tensions, and highlighted the impact of violence on innocent and vulnerable civilians, says the report.

Previous instances of military escalation in the region have had significant negative impact on civilian populations; and there have also been reports of civilian casualties from the recent escalation. The region has further seen frequent reports of hate and divisive narratives being used, fuelling tension. Violence and hatred reinforce each other. We must stop this vicious cycle and work to build a future in which hatred and division are no longer present. I urge all parties to promote constructive dialogue and negotiations in full respect of international humanitarian and human rights law, she said.

The Special Adviser also expressed concern that these developments are happening despite the recent progress in ensuring humanitarian assistance to the area, including through the Lachin corridor. The Special Adviser recalled the 22 February 2023 Order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which was reaffirmed by the Court on 6 July 2023, indicating provisional measures in the case concerning the Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (Armenia v. Azerbaijan). She also echoed calls made by the United Nations Secretary-General on 24 February and 3 August 2023, noting that decisions of the ICJ are binding on the Parties. The Special Adviser expressed the importance that they be fully implemented, including the Order to take all measures to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles, and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions
The bonds were issued at a coupon rate of 7.49 per cent, further establishing SBI's strong position in the market, the SBI said in a release.

The offering attracted a substantial response from investors, with total bids amounting to Rs 21,045.10 crores, significantly oversubscribing the base issue size of Rs. 4,000 crores.

The response showcased the diversity of investors, including provident funds, pension funds, insurance companies, mutual funds, and corporates, among others.

The funds raised through this issuance will be directed towards bolstering long-term resources for funding infrastructure projects and supporting the affordable housing segment, contributing to the nation's development.

Following the response, SBI has accepted Rs 10,000 crores at a competitive coupon rate of 7.49 per cent, payable annually.

This rate represents a spread of 12 basis points (bps) over the corresponding Financial Benchmarks India Pvt Ltd. (FBIL) Government Security(G-Sec) par curve.

Notably, the bank had previously raised long-term bonds of Rs 10,000 crores on August 1, 2023, at a spread of 13 bits per second (bps) over the corresponding FBIL G-Sec par curve.

The bank holds a AAA credit rating with a stable outlook from all domestic credit rating agencies for these instruments.

With this latest issuance, the total outstanding long-term bonds issued by SBI now stand at Rs 39,718 crores.

This achievement highlights the bank's ability to consistently raise long-duration bonds at competitive spreads, potentially contributing to the development of a robust long-term bond curve in the market.

It is expected that the success of this issuance may encourage other banks to explore similar offerings with longer tenors, further diversifying investment options for market participants. (ANI)
BusinessWire India New Delhi [India], September 23: TECNOs premium sub-brand, PHANTOM, today launched the groundbreaking PHANTOM V Flip 5G its first-ever flip phone and latest flagship foldable device. The breakthrough smartphone sets a new standard for the integration of advanced technologies and high-end fashion-forward aesthetics, with a powerful 64MP+13MP+32MP camera system, unique circular cover screen, and stunning cosmos-inspired design.The perfect in pocket PHANTOM V Flip 5G, which was nominated for the German Design Awards, showcasing its exceptional design quality in a meticulous selection process, was officially unveiled during theFlip In Style TECNO Flagship Product Launch 2023in Singapore. As the brands latest foldable, it marks another milestone in the brands continued exploration of new form factors and design languages to enhance the premium foldable user experience. Capturing The Light and Shade of Life with More DefinitionPHANTOM V Flip 5G illuminates gloomy shots with enhanced low-light capabilities for dazzling results. The devices powerful 64MP RGBW Ultra Sensitive Sensor Main Camera benefits from 60% greater light intake, as well as reduced noise and improved color accuracy, thanks to its innovative RGBW pixel format. At an impressive 64MP, the camera has the highest resolution of any flip phone on the market with an f/1.7 aperture and 1.6m (4in1) pixels. With PDAF, ISOCELL Pixel Isolation and a Pixel Fusion Algorithm, it delivers unparalleled flip phone night performance to light up even the darkest environments.Using TECNOs Dual-camera Fusion technology, the 64MP main camera also works in tandem with the devices 13MP Ultra-Wide Angle Camera so users can enlarge and crop ultra wide-angle shots while retaining plenty of detail.For selfie lovers, PHANTOM V Flip 5Gs 32MP Dual-flash Autofocus Front Camera provides the ultimate solution for low-light selfies. The cameras integrated Micro-slit Dual-flash is the industrys first front-facing flashlight in a flip phone, which is complemented by TECNOs Super Flashlight algorithm to create the ideal lighting with perfect exposure. The camera also utilizes Automatic Eye-focus to achieve more precise subject tracking for greater clarity and detail in selfies and vlogs.Exciting Imaging Empowered by PHANTOM V Flip 5G FreeCam SystemThanks to its flip construction, PHANTOM V Flip 5Gopens up a world of shooting possibilities through its advanced FreeCam System. The device lets users elevate their imaginations and capture magic moments in inventive and beautiful images with both front and rear lenses. Stable at any angle from 30-150, users can hover the device to shoot better group shots, detailed rear camera selfies, low-angle shots, FreeCam Time-lapses, and more. The strong hovering performance with gesture- and voice-controlled capture lets users enjoy hands-free creativity.Elegant, Premium, Pocket-sized PerfectionPHANTOM V Flip 5G transports users to a new dimension of high-end luxury with a sophisticated and elegant cosmic-inspired aesthetic. When folded, the devices The Planet round cover screen catches the eye with its deep black display that reflects the darkness of outer space. Breaking from traditional foldable design language, the Asteroid Belt-Shaped camera module is perfectly integrated into the screen, giving the phone a uniquely sleek, sophisticated appearance.The devices refined look is elevated by its sophisticated colors and materials. For style-minded individuals, PHANTOM V Flip 5Gs premium lychee-pattern classic leather adds to its high-end look and feel, being the same material as that used in luxury fashion and top-of-the-range vehicles. PHANTOM V Flip 5G is available in a choice of two stylish colors:Mystic DawnandIconic Black.PHANTOM V Flip 5G also promises to add a new sensory dimension to smartphone technology, with the device soon to be available with a fragranced protective case. The case incorporates fragrant microcapsules into the leather production process, with scent being slowly released by pressure, friction heating, or natural diffusion. The scent can last for over a year under normal usage conditions. Available in a choice of Rose, Sea Shore, or Cologne, it brings greater personalization to technology to reflect outfits, occasions, the weather, and your mood.Meticulously designed to achieve the perfect pocket-sized form, PHANTOM V Flip 5G measures 88.77 x 74.05 x 14.95mm when folded, allowing for easy thumb swiping, and 171.72 x 74.05 x 6.95mm when unfolded. The slightly narrower main screen was developed following extensive research to offer natural and comfortable one-handed use. Reimagining Cover Screen Style and ConveniencePHANTOM V Flip 5G reimagines comfortable use and delightful design with its unique The Planet Personalized Versatile Cover Screen. The circular, centrally positioned 1.32-inch AMOLED screen has been meticulously designed for easy one-thumb control, with convenient swiping from every angle.The 352ppi screen lets users create fun displays that work for their own needs, with customizable wallpapers, Tmojis, 3D interactive virtual pets, and more. With just the swipe of a thumb, users can access their camera for easy Swipe Shots, play music, and quickly reply to messages. Making things even easier, the screen features customizable Smart Widgets, including the weather forecast, vitality rings, timer, sound recording, agenda, stopwatch, and alarms, so users dont even need to open their phones to stay up to date.Besides the cover screen, PHANTOM V Flip 5G flips open to reveal an ultra-big 6.9-inch FHD+ 2640x1080 main screen. The supremely flat, crease-less display delivers a captivating experience thanks to TECNOs self-design drop-shaped hinge and a thinner, lighter screen. Meanwhile, a 10-120Hz LTPO refresh rate and 360Hz touch sampling (single and double finger) allow awesome fluidity with lower power consumption. Charge in a Flash, Go All DayTheres nothing fashionable about running out of charge. Thats why PHANTOM V Flip 5G is equipped with a 4000mAh Super Battery, so users can show their style all day long without worrying about a dead battery. When the device does need a boost, 45W Flash Charging means it wont need long to be back to full power. In fact, 15 minutes of charging is enough to reach 50%, and just 45 minutes is all thats needed for a full recharge.Powerful Flip Phone PerformanceEnsuring PHANTOM V Flip 5G delivers substance as well as style is a powerful triathlon of features. First is the powerful MediaTek Dimensity 8050 5G chip which delivers cutting-edge performance with excellent energy efficiency. The 6nm TSMC chip lets users enjoy superbly smooth operation that glides seamlessly between windows.Second, the device boasts 8GB RAM and 256GB ROM memory to easily meet the needs of users long-term daily use while reducing lagging issues. Extended Memory (which supports memory expansion of up to 8GB), Memory Anti-Aging, and Memory Slimming allow users to further optimize the devices performance in line with their memory needs.The First Device Equipped with HiOS 13.5PHANTOM V Flip 5G is TECNOs first device to feature the new HiOS 13.5 operating system, an optimized OS based on Googles Android 13. HiOS 13.5 lets users make the most of all of the benefits of a flip smartphone, from image-making and editing to hovering video calls and useful Smart Widgets. The system also boasts intelligent features such as the ELLAGPT personal assistant, as well as beefed-up security to give users greater peace of mind. Overall, PHANTOM V Flip 5G is a continuation of TECNOs belief in the power of design to shape the future. As TECNOs latest foldable device, it fuses imaginative, elegant aesthetics and advanced technological innovation into a compact flip form factor, delivering a smartphone that is truly perfect in your pocket.For any related media queries, please contactpr.tecno@tecno-mobile.com. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
SRV Media New Delhi [India], September 23: CBSE has released an Additional set of Practice Questions | Sample Papers 2023-24 for classes 10 & 12 in some specific subjects. The primary purpose of these Additional Practice Questions is to enhance students' competencies and reinforce their grasp of concepts. The CBSE board exam paper for 2024 will strictly adhere to the new & updated Sample Paper released on 31st March &August 2023respectively. The practice questions serve as valuable tools for students to refine their skills, adapt to diverse question formats, and achieve success in the upcoming board exams. To get more clarity let's explore the distinctive features of these practice papers and their role in enhancing students' competencies. A VIBRANT MIX OF DIFFERENT TYPOLOGIES OF QUESTIONS Objective Type Questions: Multiple Choice Questions: In CBSE Additional Practice Questions | Sample Papers 2023-24 for Class 10 & 12, these questions offer multiple options, including the correct answer and distracters. They are strategically crafted to assess understanding and identify specific misconceptions or errors. Assertion-Reason: This format requires students to evaluate statements and provide reasoning, fostering critical thinking. Statement-based Questions: These questions prompt students to respond to statements by drawing upon their knowledge. Picture/Cartoon/Source-based Questions: These questions challenge students to interpret visuals and external sources to answer, promoting analytical skills. Subjective Types: Short & Long Answer Types: These questions demand comprehensive responses and may be combined with source, information, data, or case-based elements. 50 % COMPETENCY BASED QUESTIONS One noteworthy aspect of the CBSE Additional Practice Questions | Sample Papers 2023-24 for Class 10 & 12 is the increased emphasis on competency-based questions. These questions gauge a student's ability to apply concepts in practical situations. For instance, in multiple-choice questions (MCQs), answer choices are meticulously designed to evaluate comprehension and pinpoint specific misconceptions. The question formats include various types such as Short Answer (SA), Long Answer (LA), Source-based, Case-based, Passage-based, and Integrated assessment questions. These formats aim to test a student's capacity to comprehend and apply knowledge effectively. To further support students and provide them with 100% updated study material, Oswaal Books is proud to offer its curated Sample Papers for both CBS 10th and 12th grades with the Latest set of Additional Practice Questions, available on website: To Buy CBSE Sample Papers Class 10 | For 2024 Board Exams Click Here To Buy CBSE Sample Papers Class 12 | For 2024 Board Exams Click Here Oswaal CBSE Sample Question Papers 2023-24 for Classes 10 & 12 helps you in preparing 100%, includes Competency-Based Question, which accounts up to 50% of paper weightage. These books contain 10 Highly Probable Sample Question Papers with Actual Board Answer sheets. It also contains cognitive exam-ready tools such as Insider Tips & Techniques with On-Tips Notes, Mind Maps & Mnemonics and Score Boosting Insights with 500+Questions & 1000+ Concepts. These resources are available on all e-commerce sites, making them easily accessible to students nationwide. Explore Free CBSE Study Material for Class 10 Boards 2024 ANALYSING A FEW CHANGES OBSERVED Comparing the earlier released Sample Question Paper with CBSE Additional Practice Questions | Sample Papers 2023-24 for Class 10 & 12, one significant change becomes evident in the original taxonomy, action verbs were used to describe competencies, such as "demonstrate knowledge and understanding," "application of knowledge/concepts," and "formulate, analyze, evaluate, and create." These action verbs guided the assessment process. Conversely, the additional practice questions replace action verbs with nouns. This alteration aims to offer more clarity and a deeper understanding of concepts through practice. It encourages students to focus on specific cognitive tasks and objectives associated with each question. This can be evident from the following example- Sample Question Paper Additional Practice Question Paper In conclusion, it's essential to understand that the primary purpose of these additional practice questions is to enhance students' competencies and reinforce their understanding of concepts. While the practice papers are valuable tools for students to refine their skills and adapt to diverse question formats, it's crucial to rely on the Sample Paper released on 31st March & August 2023 as the definitive guide for the upcoming board exams, as it aligns with the official syllabus. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SRV Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 23: Funds advised by Convergent Finance LLP (Convergent) have participated in Hindustan Foods Limiteds (HFL) preferential allotment with an investment of INR 1,600 million (USD 19 million). The investment, after the preferential allotment is approved by the shareholders of HFL, will be made via a subscription to warrants (to be paid over 18 months) and will form part of a larger fundraise of up to INR 4,000 million (USD 48 million). With this, Convergent has reiterated its commitment to HFL, Indias leading contract manufacturer for the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. This investment comes after certain funds advised by Convergent had led an investment of an amount aggregating to INR 1,540 million (USD 22 million) into HFL in 2019. The companys revenues have since grown from INR 4,919 million (USD 71 million) for the year ended March 31st2019 to INR 25,981 million (USD 316 million) for the year ended March 31st2023, illustrating the companys extraordinary performance and reflecting the strength of its management and business model. HFL, founded in 1984, went public in 1988. Under the leadership of Managing Director Sameer Kothari, who took over in 2013, the company has transformed the contract manufacturing landscape in India through a relentless focus on customer relationships and strategic expansions into high-growth categories. The company manufactures food and non-food products, including food and beverages, personal care, home care, leather shoes, accessories, and over-the-counter health products. Following this preferential allotment, Convergents leadership will continue to advise and assist Sameer with matters relating to organic growth and expansion, acquisitions, operations, and customer introductions. Harsha Raghavan, Managing Partner at Convergent Finance, said, Hindustan Foods, under Sameers leadership, has become a leader in Indias contract manufacturing space through its long-term approach to business expansion and deep relationships with its customers. The proposed investment is a reflection of Convergents stated strategy of helping build businesses over the long term, and is in line with our philosophy of helping great companies such as Hindustan Foods transform into global leaders. Sameer Kothari, Managing Director of Hindustan Foods Limited, welcomed this investment by saying, We are delighted to further our partnership with Convergent. Over the last four years, the firms deep networks and capital allocation expertise have complemented our own capabilities and helped us leverage Indias consumption story. We are excited about future growth prospects and look forward to working with Convergents team more closely. Hindustan Foods Limited was established in 1984 as a joint venture between the Dempo Group and Glaxo India Limited. Since the current management took over in 2013, the company has diversified its offerings across various FMCG categories including personal care, home care, food and beverages, leather shoes, and accessories. Convergent Finance LLP is an investment management and advisory partnership at the forefront of bringing together Ideas, Capital, and passionate Entrepreneurs. The Convergent investment process involves identifying proprietary platform and bolt-on opportunities, speed of execution, and a relentless focus on performance improvement. The Convergent value investing approach believes in paying fair and reasonable valuations through bilaterally negotiated transactions. (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)
Ahead of actor Parineeti Chopra and Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadhas wedding reported to be held in Udaipur city over the weekend, family and friends of the couple were seen arriving in the city on Saturday. Several guests including Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh arrived for the wedding today and were spotted at the Maharana Pratap Airport. Speaking to ANI, Sanjay Singh said, I congratulate Raghav and Parineeti on the new chapter of their lives. May God fulfil all their wishes. Today and tomorrow is the wedding ceremony and all the people will join it." Raghavs aunt said, We are very happy and waited for this day for so long. We are really thankful to god. What more can we expect from children if they are happy and love their families. Raghav is our child. We are very happy that we will see Raghav in Sehra bandhi today. Raghav's family congratulates everyone. Raghav and Parineeti are the best Earlier, Parineeti and Raghav were papped at Udaipur airport and received a grand welcome with music, dhol beats and dance. According to reports, Parineetis choora ceremony will be held today. The wedding will reportedly take place in the Leela Palace while the baraat will travel from the iconic Lake Palace by boat. A few days ago, in Delhi, the duo hosted a Sufi night for their close friends and family members. While Priyanka Chopra gave it a miss, the actor's mother Madhu Chopra and brother Siddharth marked their presence at the special function organised at Raghav's residence. Prior to the musical night, Parineeti and Raghav sought blessings at a Gurudwara in Delhi, where they participated in Ardas and Kirtan. The duo exchanged rings on May 13 at Kapurthala house in the national capital in the presence of their loved ones. The star-studded ceremony was attended by several politicians including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, former finance minister P Chidambaram, and Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray. Before their engagement, both Raghav and Parineeti had kept their relationship under wraps. Parineeti and Raghav reportedly knew each other for several years before they began dating. The couple was recently spotted scouting for locations for weddings in Udaipur, hinting that they will follow in her cousin Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' footsteps and tie the knot in a lavish wedding in Rajasthan. (ANI)
According to a new study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology, there is rising evidence that the relative abundance of certain gut microorganisms may be associated with bone health. If the findings are validated by subsequent research, scientists may be able to adjust gut microbiomes to improve bone health as they learn more about "osteomicrobiology," a new term coined recently to describe this relationship. Due to the lack of large-scale human studies of the gut microbiome and skeletal health, researchers led by Paul C Okoro, Data Scientist II at Hebrew SeniorLife and Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, and principal investigator Douglas P. Kiel, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Scientist at the Marcus Institute, conducted an observational study based on the Framingham Third Generation Study of men and women, and the Osteoporotic fractures in Men (MrOS) study of older men to determine whether they could find a potentially modifiable factor contributing to skeletal health. The study used high-resolution imaging of the arm and leg. This is significant because low bone density increases the risk of developing osteoporosis, affecting more than 10 million Americans over the age of 50, and can increase the risk of fractures. Entitled A Two-Cohort Study on the Association between the Gut Microbiota and Bone Density, Microarchitecture, and Strength, the study found that bacteria calledAkkermansia, which has been associated with obesity, andClostridialesbacteriumDTU089, had negative associations with bone health for older adults.DTU089, a bacterium from the class,Clostridia, has been described to be more abundant in people with lower physical activity, and lower protein intake, and could be significant because prior studies have found protein intake and physical activity have a definite connection to skeletal health. We found patterns in which greater abundance of microbiota were associated with worse measures of bone density and microarchitecture. In fact, some bacteria were associated with differences in the bone cross-sectional area, suggesting the possibility that certain microbes could influence how the bone changes size with aging, said Dr Kiel. It is premature to know if the bacterial organisms themselves may have effects on skeletal health. With additional studies we might be able to gain insights regarding associations between specific bacterial species in the intestine and skeletal integrity. We also hope to identify specific functional pathways influenced by the bacteria that could influence the skeleton. For example, some bacteria can lead to low levels of inflammation that may affect bone health. Ultimately, if findings like this are confirmed, we may be able to target the gut microbiome to influence skeletal health, Dr Kiel said. Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Oregon Health and Sciences University, BIDMC, Minneapolis and Palo Alto VA Health Care System, University of Minnesota, University of Pittsburgh, Stanford University, and Emory University collaborated in this retrospective cohort study. (ANI)
The BJP Mahila Morcha chief greeted the Prime Minister during a felicitation function at the party's central extension office in the national capital, a day after the historic passage of the Women's Reservation Bill, aptly titled Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, in Parliament.

PM Modi was seen asking fellow woman party members to not touch his feet before he turned to other party workers.

The felicitation function was also attended by Union Ministers Smriti Irani and Nirmala Sitharaman.

The Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the bill, which provides 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha as well as the state legislative assemblies, unanimously, with 214 members voting in support and none against.

Following the passage of the bill in Parliament, chants of 'Modi Modi' were raised by women MPs as they took turns to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the passage of the draft legislation.

Women members from both Houses of Parliament thanked Prime Minister Modi for the historic passage of the Bill in Parliament.

Later, both Houses of Parliament were adjourned sine die.

Earlier, on Wednesday, the bill aced the legislative test in the Lok Sabha as it was passed by a brute majority of 454 votes in favour and just 2 against. (ANI)
Reacting to the objectionable remarks of Bharatiya Janata Party MP Ramesh Bidhuri targeted at Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) lawmaker Danish Ali in Lok Sabha, Maharashtra Congress Chief Nana Patole on Friday said that the party strictly oppose the incident and that the remarks are dangerous for democracy. "We strictly oppose the way the BJP MP abused the opposition MP in Parliament. BJP should change its mentality...India's democracy has always been strong...It is very dangerous for the democracy of the country if someone has such a mentality in the Parliament," Patole said. Bidhuri's remarks against BSP MP Danish Ali during the discussion on 'Mission Chandrayan-3 in Lok Sabha on Thursday has triggered outrage among the Opposition with Congress, NCP, TMC and DMK urging Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to act against the BJP leader and demanded that the matter should be sent to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from Congress, Kanimozhi from DMK, Supriya Sule from NCP and Aparupa Poddar from TMC said that action should be taken against Bidhuri for his unparliamentary remarks against BSP MP Kunwar Danish Ali in the Lok Sabha a day earlier. In his letter, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asked the Speaker to have the matter examined in detail by the Privileges Committee and take punitive action against him. "Considering the circumstances and the brazen violation of all norms and rules relating to the functioning of the House, it would only be appropriate to have the matter examined in detail by the Privileges Committee and punitive action taken against the errant Member, Ramesh Bidhuri," Adhir Ranjan said. The senior Congress leader said that though he was warned by the Speaker and got his words expunged, the utterances of the Member have been all over the media which reflects poorly on the Parliament and its sanctity. "Although you have warned the Member,Ramesh Bidhuriand expunged the uncouth words...that were used by him againstDanish Ali, the utterances of the Member are all over the Media. This, you will surely agree, reflects poorly on the Parliament and its sanctity. The incident also reflects the mindset against the Opposition and the minority community," Adhir Ranjan wrote. Adhir Ranjan said that such words have never been used against a Member of a minority community, that too, in the presence of the Speaker. "Never in the history of Parliament have such words been used against a Member of a minority community, and that too in the presence of the Hon'ble Speaker," he wrote. The Congress MP further added that such an "unsavoury incident" took place during the Special Session of the Parliament and during the discussion on 'Mission Chandrayan III'. "What is even more regrettable is the fact that this unprecedented, unfortunate and unsavoury incident has happened during the Special Session of the Parliament, which has been convened to commemorate 75 years of its history and that too, during the course of the discussion to mark the success of 'Mission Chandrayan III'," he said. In her letter to Birla, Sule, who is the MP from Maharashtras Baramati, said, "On September 21, Lok Sabha MP Ramesh Bidhuri, made certain statements during the session, that were in contempt of the Lok Sabha and constitute a Breach of Privilege of the House." She said that under Rule 222 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha, "a member may, with the consent of the Speaker, raise a question involving a breach of privilege either of a member or of the House or of a Committee thereof". "Under the said rule, I would like to raise a question of breach of privilege of the House," the NCP-Sharad Pawar MP said. She also highlighted the unparliamentary and derogatory words against Ali, saying: "Needless to say the said statements were shameful. The precedents and practice show that the Committee of Privileges has the jurisdiction to examine questions of breach of privilege on statements made inside the House." Taking serious objection to BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuris remarks BSP MP Danish Ali, and demanding reference of the matter to the Privilege Committee, DMK MP Kanimozhi said, This is to request you to ensure privilege motion against the Lok Sabha Member of Parliament Ramesh Bidhuri for speaking in hateful and abusive language against the fellow member of Parliament Kunwar Danish Ali during the discussion on Chandrayaan success on August 21. I therefore intend to give this notice under rules 222, 226 and 227 of the rules of procedure and conduct of business in Lok Sabha against MP Ramesh. Rule 227 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha states that notwithstanding anything contained in this rule, the Speaker may refer any question of privilege to the committee of privileges for examination, investigation or report. Opposition leaders came down heavily over Bidhuris remarks againstBSPleader Danish Ali in Lok Sabha on Thursday and sought strict action against him. However, the BJP has issued a show cause notice to party MP Ramesh Bidhuri on the instruction of party president JP Nadda for his use of unparliamentary language againstBSPMP Danish Ali, sources said. Bidhuri's communally insensitive remarks, made during the discussion on the Chandrayan-3 Mission in Lok Sabha, have been expunged from the proceedings. Danish Ali has also written to Birla regarding the same calling it heartbreaking". "This is most unfortunate and the fact that it has happened in a new parliament building under your leadership as Speaker is truly heartbreaking for me as a minority member of this great nation and an elected member of Parliament as well, Ali said. "I, therefore, intend to give this Notice under rules 222, 226, and 227 of the rules of procedures and conduct of business in Lok Sabha and direction of the Speaker against Ramesh Bidhuri, MP," he added in his letter. (ANI)
Several political parties set aside their differences to unequivocally call the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill, aptly titled 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', as historic. As the bill, women's reservation bill cleared its final legislative hurdle at the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Congress MP Joshimani, expressed her delight, saying, "We are happy that this important piece of legislation is finally close to seeing the light of day." However, she flagged concerns over the implementation of the Bill, saying, "It is sad, however, that the law may not be implemented anytime soon." Another Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan termed the passage of the Bill as historic. "The Bill has now been passed by both the Houses. This is a moment to savour for women in our country," she said. She added, however, "We demanded the Bill be implemented immediately with a sub-quota for OBC women. The demand wasn't considered." The Rajya Sabha, on Thursday, passed the bill, which provides 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha as well as the state legislative assemblies, unanimously with 214 members voting in support and none against. Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Chirag Paswan has said that the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam reflects the strong will of the Prime Minister to empower and strengthen the women. Taking to social media platform, X, Chirag said, "Calling a special session of the Parliament and passing the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', which was pending for decades, shows the strong will of the Prime Minister towards women that the resolution to empower and strengthen the women under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Respected Shri @narendramodi ji." "The central government is continuously moving forward. Many thanks to all the honorable MPs who voted in support of this bill. The first session of the new Parliament will be written in golden letters of history," Paswan said in the social media post on Friday. Earlier in the day, BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj, said, "I'm very happy and I express my gratitude to PM Modi...Thanks to every Member of Parliament who voted in its favour and helped in passing this bill...You know that our population has increased so once the census is done delimitation will happen and boundaries of each constituency will be redrawn and then the 33 per cent reservation will be implemented." Apart from it, BJP MP Diya Kumari thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, "Women are celebrating today. We are very happy with the passage of this Bill. PM Modi has finally made this dream come true. This piece of legislation was the need of the hour and he (PM Modi) realised it. He spearheaded efforts to have the Bill tabled and passed in all of two days." Also reacting to the passage of the Bill, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP Mahua Maji said, "This is a historic moment for women. The government received bipartisan support for the Bill in both Houses of Parliament. The significant takeaway for me was that the members set aside their political differences to vote for the Bill." "We would have preferred an expeditious implementation of the Bill with the provision of a sub-quota for OBC women," she added. Following the passage of the bill in Parliament, chants of 'Modi Modi' were raised by women MPs as they took turns to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the passage of the draft legislation. Earlier, on Wednesday, the bill aced the legislative test in the Lok Sabha as it was passed by a brute majority of 454 votes in favour and just 2 against. (ANI)
 Flash

This aerial photo shows the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) naval vessel Aba sailing on the sea. (Photo by Zhang Bin/Xinhua)





A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) naval vessel recently rescued two Philippine fishermen, said Chinese authorities.

According to the PLA Southern Theater Command Navy and the South China Sea division of the China Coast Guard, the PLA naval vessel Aba was approached by two Philippine fishermen seeking help during its cruise in the eastern maritime zone of the Nansha Islands.

One of the fishermen suffered wounds inflicted by propeller blades and was losing blood. PLA naval medics examined the wounds and brought the fisherman aboard for further treatment.

On board the vessel, PLA naval medics cleansed the fisherman's wounds, stopped the bleeding, and bandaged the wounds. The vessel also provided the fishermen with food and medical supplies, including drinking water, antibiotics and painkillers.

The crew later transferred the fishermen to the Philippine side. Meanwhile, the China Coast Guard informed the Philippine side of the situation via the coast guard communication hotline between the two countries.
The Special Task Force of Odisha crime branch on Friday claimed to have arrested one more accused in the one-time password-sharing scam with alleged links to Pakistan Intelligence operatives, it said in a statement. Earlier, six accused persons were arrested in the same case. The accused identified as Mohammad Ekbal Hussain was taken under custody from Assam's Nagaon district on September 19, the agency said in a statment issued on Friday. The accused was produced before a local court in Nagaon on Friday and was brought to Bhubaneswar after getting 5 days transit remand. He will be produced before the Bhubaneswar court today, as per the STF statement. Ajaya Narayan Pankaj, Inspector General STF Odisha, said that six accused persons were earlier arrested in this case. "During the investigation, police discovered that Hussain was in touch with an earlier arrested accused Abhijit Deshmukh. He was also in touch with Khurram alias Abdul Hamid suspected to be a Pakistan Intelligence Officer," the statement added. "He has sold many WhatsApp Account OTP, Telegram Account OTP and Mule / Ghost accounts directly to Hamid," as per the statement. "After the arrest of the principal accused Pathani Samanta Lenka and his associates, accused Hussain switched off his phone and went underground," the statement added. During the investigation, it was found that he used at least 37 IMEI Nos (handset) and over 500 SIMs. "The accused confessed to his crime and stated that he has been selling OTPs of WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram-activated fake SIMs, Mule / Ghost Accounts etc. for two years and was earning between Rs 50,000- 60,000 per month," it said. The accused further disclosed the involvement of other people from his hometown, as per his statement. Police said they are verifying his claims. The modus Ooerandi was to use mobile phones for a month and then destroy them by throwing them into the river to prevent police from tracking them, it added. (ANI)
After Janata Dal (Secular) formally joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Friday, Karnataka Minister for Housing and Minority Welfare, B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, has said that the BJP-JDS alliance has proved that the Congress Party is the only secular party in the country. Talking to reporters in Vidhana Soudha here on Friday, he said, "The BJP-JDS alliance has proved that the Congress Party was the only secular party in the country. The people of the state have clarity about the alliance, which has no ideology. The alliance between the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) will be beneficial for the Congress Party in the coming 2024 Lok Sabha polls in a great way." "The BJP-JDS alliance has proved that the JDS is a B-team of the BJP," he said. He further said that the word secular from the JD (S) should be removed as the party has now joined hands with the BJP which the Congress leader accused of being the most communal party in the history of independent India. "It is better to remove the word secular from the Janata Dal. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the JDS had an alliance with the Congress Party. Had the Congress Party contested independently, they would have won a minimum of 10 seats. By aligning with the JDS, the Congress won the solitary seat. This would be the BJP's position in the coming parliamentary polls," he said. The Janata Dal (Secular) of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda on Friday announced an alliance with the BJP in Karnataka and formally joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. JD(S) leader and former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy made the announcement after meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda in the national capital. The JD(S) had aligned with the Congress in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, however, the parties faced a drubbing as the BJP swept 25 out of the 28 seats in Karnataka and even an independent candidate supported by the BJP won from the Mandya constituency. (ANI)
The Congress leaders will also lay the foundation of a new party office building in the Mansarovar area.

The Congress leader arrived at the Jaipur airport on a routine flight and was received by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and other senior party leaders.

The Congress leaders will also lay the foundation of a new party office building in the Mansarovar area.

Chief Minister Gehlot visited the building site and the meeting venue on Thursday and took stock of the preparations.

"On September 23, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former president Rahul Gandhi will visit Jaipur to lay the foundation stone of the new office of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee and for a public meeting," Gehlot posted on 'X'.

He also appealed to the party workers to participate in the meeting in large numbers.

The assembly elections in Rajasthan are due later this year.

Gandhi on Friday evening met Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Danish Ali at his residence in Delhi after derogatory remarks were made against the latter in the Lok Sabha by BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri.

Speaking with the reporters after meeting the BSP MP, Rahul said, Shop of love in the market of hate (Nafrat ke Bazaar mein Mohabbat ki Dukan).' (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit the official residences of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadanavis on Saturday to worship Lord Ganesha during his day-long visit to Mumbai. Shah will start his visit to the city by worshipping the idol of Lord Ganesha established by 'Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal' in the Bandra West area and offering prayers at another famous Ganesha idol, the Lalbaug Raja at Lalbaug, Parel in Mumbai in the afternoon. After worshipping Lord Ganesha idols established in two separate localities in the city, the Union Home Minister will take Darshan of the idol of Lord Ganesha established at Varsha Bungalow of CM Shinde and Sagar Bungalow of Deputy CM Fadanavis. The Home Minister will also participate in the 'Laxmanrao Inamdar Memorial Lecture' organized by Mumbai University and Sahakar Bharati on Saturday evening. It is learnt that the Laxmanrao Inamdar Memorial lecture will be held at Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Convocation Hall in Mumbai Universitys Fort campus on Saturday. Inamdar, who was one of the founding fathers of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Gujarat, is known to be Prime Minister Narendra Modis mentor. The Memorial lecture is being organised by the varsity in association with Sahakar Bharati a pan-India organisation of Co-Operators and Co-Operatives founded by Inamdar, popularly known as the 'Vakil Saheb' of RSS. Inamdar was deputed in Gujarat as an RSS pracharak to inspire youngsters to join the organisation, during which PM Modi first met him in the 1960s. Inamdar is credited with shaping PM Modis career within the RSS. The PM has also written a biography on Inamdar, titled 'Setubandh'. The Laxmanrao Inamdar Memorial lecture was last held at Mumbai University in 2017. The then Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu was the Chief Guest for the lecture. (ANI) Ganesh Chaturthi, a 10-day festival that starts on the fourth day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month 'Bhadrapada', started on September 19 this year. This auspicious 10-day festival starts with 'Chaturthi' and will end on 'Anantha Chaturdashi'. It is celebrated with much fanfare in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra with lakhs of devotees converging into mandals to seek blessing from Lord Ganesh. For the festivities, people bring Lord Ganesh idols to their homes, observe fasts, prepare mouth-watering delicacies, and visit pandals during the festival. (ANI)
Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh on Saturday hit out at the Centre over the construction of the new Parliament building and said that the new complex should be called the "Modi Multiplex or Modi Marriot". In a long post on X, the Congress leader said that he witnessed the "death of confabulations and conversations both inside the two Houses and in the lobbies." Further coming down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ramesh said the PM has already killed democracy without even rewriting the Constitution. "The new Parliament building launched with so much hype actually realises the PM's objectives very well. It should be called the Modi Multiplex or Modi Marriot. After four days, what I saw was the death of confabulations and conversationsboth inside the two Houses and in the lobbies," he said. "If architecture can kill democracy, the PM has already succeeded even without rewriting the Constitution," he added. Congress general secretary compared the old Parliament building with the new building and said that coordination between the two Houses in the new building is exceedingly cumbersome and termed it as "claustrophobic". "Binoculars are needed to see each other since the halls are simply not cosy or compact. The old Parliament building not only had a certain aura but it facilitated conversations. It was easy to walk between the Houses, the Central Hall, and the corridors. This new one weakens the bonding needed to make the running of Parliament a success. Quick coordination between the two Houses is now exceedingly cumbersome", he said. Criticising the design of the new Parliament building, the Congress leader said, "In the old building, if you were lost, you would find your way back again since it was circular. In the new building, if you lose your way, you are lost in a maze. The old building gave you a sense of space and openness while the new one is almost claustrophobic," the Congress leader added. Claiming that the "sheer joy" of "hanging out" was found missing in the new Parliament building, the Congress general secretary said that a better use for the new building would be found after regime change in 2024. "The sheer joy of simply hanging out in Parliament has disappeared. I used to look forward to going to the old building. The new complex is painful and agonising. I am sure many of my colleagues across party lines feel the same. I have also heard from the staff in the Secretariat that the design of the new building has not considered the various functionalities required to help them do their work," he said. "This is what happens when no consultations are done with the people who will use the building. Perhaps a better use for the new Parliament building will be found after regime change in 2024," Jairam Ramesh added. (ANI)
During his address, Professor Srivastava encouraged students to bring forth innovative solutions. He placed significant emphasis on reducing carbon emissions and exploring novel applications of plastics, stated the Ministry of Science and Technology press release.

Professor Haribhai Kataria, Dean of the Faculty of Science, extended a warm welcome to the attendees and highlighted the Faculty of Science's contributions to the university's overall performance.

Professor C Ratna Prabha, Coordinator and Head of the Department of Biochemistry, provided insights into the department's various pursuits and elaborated on the symposium's theme and objectives.

She expressed gratitude to Professor Ranjana Aggarwal, Director of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), New Delhi, for the opportunity to create a special issue for the Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IJBB), read the press release.

The symposium featured distinguished scientists and professors from across India. Prof. Jayant B. Udgaonkar, a renowned structural biologist and former Director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, delivered a lecture on "How does a prion protein misfold?"

The session was chaired by Professor Harish Padh, former Vice-Chancellor of Sardar Patel University, Gujarat, and Dr NK Prasanna from CSIR-NIScPR, New Delhi, read the press release.

Professor Nanda Kishore from IIT Bombay, an eminent biophysicist and structural biologist, discussed "Molecular functionalities in preventing protein fibrillation-quantitative biophysical approach."

Dr Rajesh Patkar from IIT Bombay, a specialist in host-pathogen interactions, gave an intriguing talk on "Small secretory proteins with big tailoring functions during fungal pathogenesis."

Professor Krutika K Sawat, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, explored "Lymphatic Delivery: A New Paradigm for systemic and site-specific drug delivery."

The symposium concluded with a valedictory session where Professor C Ratna Prabha, the event coordinator, provided closing remarks summarizing the key takeaways and the overall significance of the event, said the press release.

Professor Prabha, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, MS University of Baroda, Vadodara, extended a heartfelt vote of thanks.

This National Symposium on Biochemistry facilitated insightful discussions and knowledge sharing among experts in the field, contributing to the advancement of biochemistry and related sciences. (ANI)
Noting that the judiciary and the bar have been the guardians of India's judicial system and lawyers played a key role during the freedom struggle, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday laid thrust on the simplicity of language in the legal profession for benefit of people. The Prime Minister, who inaugurated the International Lawyers Conference 2023 here, said that citizens should feel that the law belongs to them. He laid thrust on the need for strong, independent and unbiased foundations for the legal system in India to achieve the goal of a developed nation. PM Modi said that the Government is making an effort to draft new laws in simple language and gave the example of the Data Protection Law. He talked about the discussion regarding presenting any law in two languages - one to which the legal system is accustomed and another for common citizens. The Prime Minister congratulated the Supreme Court for making arrangements to get its judgments translated into four languages - Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati and Odiya - and hailed the monumental change in the judicial system of India. He said new technological advancements should be leveraged by the legal profession. Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal were among those present at the event. In his remarks, CJI Chandrachud said people in the judiciary can learn from different jurisdictions, perspectives, and most importantly from each other. Over the next two days, we will witness some of the best minds including judges from across the globe, my own colleagues from the Supreme Court and several High Courts, global practitioners, and legal scholars," the CJI said. "It is utopian to think that there will be a day when we will find perfect solutions and no challenge to justice delivery. However, it is not utopian to aspire to a world where nations, institutions, and most importantly individuals are open to engaging with one another," he added. The two-day International Lawyers Conference 2023 is being organised by the Bar Council of India on the theme 'Emerging Challenges in Justice Delivery System'. The conference aims to serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue and discussion on various legal topics of national and international importance, foster the exchange of ideas and experiences, and strengthen international cooperation and understanding of legal issues. The conference, which is being organized for the first time in the country, will discuss topics such as emerging legal trends, challenges in cross-border litigation, legal technology and environmental law. The programme witnessed the participation of distinguished judges, legal professionals, and leaders of the global legal fraternity. (ANI)
 Flash

Earlier this week, Italy's LUISS University hosted the launch of the world's first triple-degree program that groups together students from China, Europe and the United States to equip them with multicultural knowledge in the areas of business, academic work, and cultural heritage.

The so-called ACE program is operated by the Renmin University in Beijing, the George Washington University in the United States, and the Rome-based LUISS University.

"The goal of the three-year program is to create a kind of 'cultural competency,'" Andrea Prencipe, an economist and LUISS University's rector, told Xinhua.

"We believe the students involved will surpass the (usual) norms because of the experiences they will have," he said.

Under the program co-hosted by the participating universities, a group of students from Asia, Europe, and the United States will work together on the selected topics. They will complete the program with triple bachelor's degrees, one from each university, with an emphasis on what the LUISS University calls "competence and adaptability."

The program officially began a year ago with studies at each student's home university, and this year's launch represented the start of the three-year international phase of the curriculum, involving all three capital cities.

The program, which covers topics like business administration, international business and global political economy and management, also relies on partnership agreements with over 300 other universities in 65 countries.

"Arriving in Rome surprised me in a good way," Sihan Yang, an 18-year-old student from Beijing, told Xinhua. "It is one thing to read about cultural and academic differences in a textbook, and another to experience it first-hand. I think the value of a program like this goes beyond what we study. It's a whole new world."

Wanli Yang, 19, from Chengdu, agreed: "I can already see this will help us prepare for working in business in Europe and around the world ... It is proving to be a great introduction to the global business stage."

The program at the LUISS University will cover business fundamentals and doing business in Europe, while the other two universities will focus on the Chinese and American aspects of these topics.
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Saturday said it was "utopian" to think that there could ever be a day when the "delivery of justice" will not be challenged. Addressing the inauguration of the International Lawyers' Conference 2023 in the national capital on Saturday, the CJI also underlined the "pivotal role" played by India in raising Supreme Court buildings in Mauritius and Bhutan. The CJI, however, said it is realistic to aspire to a world where nations, institutions and, most importantly, individuals are open to engaging with each other. "Each one of us has volumes to learn from different jurisdictions, perspectives, and most importantly each other..," CJI Justice Chandrachud said at the inauguration of theInternational Lawyer's Conference on Saturday. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Vigyan Bhawan on Saturday, the inauguration was also attended by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. He said the programme will witness the participation of distinguished judges, legal professionals, and leaders of the global legal fraternity over the next two days. "It is utopian to think that there will be a day when we will find perfect solutions and no challenge to justice delivery. However, it is not utopian to aspire to a world where nations, institutions, and most importantly individuals are open to engaging with one another," the CJI said, adding, "India has a relatively infant law for IBC and we have drawn extensively from jurisdictions such as the UK, US, Australia, and Singapore." Recalling a recent meeting with his Singapore counterpart and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the CJI said the work of the Supreme Court is often cited by the offices of justice overseas. "Knowledge sharing is a two-way street," Justice Chandrachud said, adding that India "played a pivotal role in constructing" the Supreme Court buildings in Mauritius and Bhutan. The conference aims to serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue and discussion on various legal topics of national and international importance, foster the exchange of ideas and experiences, and strengthen international cooperation and understanding of legal issues. The conference, being organised for the first time in the country, will discuss topics such as emerging legal trends, challenges in cross-border litigation, legal technology, and environmental law, among others. Organised by the Bar Council of India, the two-day International Lawyer's Conference 2023 is themed on Emerging Challenges in Justice Delivery System. (ANI)
Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Giriraj Singh is set to address the second national seminar on "Social Audit of Rural Development Programmes" on September 26. The event, hosted at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre, will revolve around the theme "Re-imagining Social Audit with a view to bring transparency and accountability", read the Ministry of Rural Development press release. Joining Giriraj Singh at this seminar are dignitaries including Union Minister of States for Rural Development and Steel, Faggan Singh Kulaste, Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, and Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, Kapil Moreshwar Patil. Several key officials, including Secretary Department of Rural Development, Shailesh Kumar Singh, and Joint Secretary (Mahatma Gandhi NREGA), Amit Kataria, will also grace the occasion. Senior officers representing all State/UT Governments will be in attendance. This seminar aims to foster discussions and knowledge-sharing on Social Audit of Rural Development Programmes, drawing insights and experiences from experts and officials across various states, read the press release. It's a unique platform where directors of Social Audit Units from States/UTs, State Resource Persons (SRP), District Resource Persons (DRP), and Block Resource Persons (BRP) of the State's Social Audit Team will come together to enrich the discussions with their on-ground experiences, read the press release. Best practices shared during the event can serve as models for others to emulate. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (Mahatma Gandhi NREGA) empowers Gram Sabhas with the right to conduct regular social audits of all works and expenditures. This mandate includes facilitating the social audit through independent Social Audit Units, providing complete access to all records, both online and offline, and ensuring pro-active disclosure through wall writings. Notably, Mahatma Gandhi NREGA was the first act to mandate Social Audits conducted by the Gram Sabhas for all projects undertaken in the Gram Panchayat. Over time, this practice has been extended to numerous other schemes, read the press release. The Central Government, in collaboration with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (C&AG), established the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Audit of Schemes Rules, 2011. These rules laid down the methodology and principles for conducting social audits in the States/ Union Territories (UT). Presently, 28 States/UTs have established Social Audit Units, and constant efforts are made to recruit and train essential core staff at the State, District, and Block levels, read the press release. Following the success of the first National Seminar in November 2019, where Social Audit was extended to other major schemes administered by the Department of Rural Development, it is now essential to evaluate the status of Social Audit implementation in the States/UTs and formulate a roadmap to re-imagine Social Audit, with the ultimate goal of enhancing transparency and accountability. In this regard, the Department of Rural Development is hosting the 2nd National Seminar on September 26. (ANI)
JDS leader and former Chief Minister of Karnataka HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday joined the protest in Mandya district called by Pro-Kannada outfits and farmer organisations over the release of the Cauvery water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu. Kumaraswamy also visited the KRS reservoir, one of the reservoirs in the state from which water is released to Tamil Nadu, to inspect the water level. He was joined by local JDS leaders. Responding to the Congress leaders' comments that the Cauvery water was also released when JDS chief HD Deve Gowda was the Chief Minister of the state, Kumaraswamy, asked the government not to play politics over the Cauvery water issue. He said that when Deve Gowda had released the water from the reservoir there was sufficient rainfall in the Cauvery basin. "In 1994 when H D Deve Gowda was Chief Minister of Karnataka, he released water to Tamil Nadu from KRS reservoir after the Center made a request to do so. Also that time there was sufficient rainfall in the region. I want to tell the government that don't do politics over Cauvery water issue," Kumaraswamy said. The strike in Mandya was called by activists and farmers after the Supreme Court on Thursday refused to interfere with the direction of the Cauvery Water Management Authority to Karnataka that it releases 5000 cusecs of water daily to neighbouring Tamil Nadu for 15 days. Due to the Bandh, most of the private and public vehicles were off the road and business establishments remained shut in the Mandya district on Saturday. HD Kumaraswamy accused the Congress government of having failed the people of the state on the issue. "Cauvery water is our lifeline water. This year we didn't got proper rain. We are fighting for many years of cavery water. Everyday we are watching on TV, these protests for Cauvery water. There has been a Rs 30,000cr loss for our farmers as per government report. Government has failed on Cauvery water issue" he said. Earlier on Friday, amid the Cauvery water-sharing row withTamil Nadu,KarnatakaDeputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that the government will safeguard the interests of the farmers of the state. Shivakumar also said that during the meeting held in the national capital on Friday, the Cabinet meeting decided to follow the court order regarding the Cauvery water distribution. A bench of Justices BR Gavai, PS Narasimha and Prashant Kumar Mishra while refusing to interfere in the Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu said both CWMA and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) are regularly meeting and monitoring the water requirements every 15 days. The court declined to entertain an application filed by the Tamil Nadu government to increase its current share of Cauvery water from 5,000 to 7,200 cusecs per day. Tamil Nadu has sought fresh directions for the release of Cauvery River water from Karnataka, claiming that the neighbouring State had changed its stand, and had released a reduced quantum of water as against what was agreed upon earlier. (ANI)
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav questioned the BJP-led central government on Saturday over the Women's Reservation Bill, saying no one knows when the bill will be implemented. "When will this law get implemented? No one knows when the bill will be implemented. What's the meaning of a law if it doesn't get implemented? he told ANI. Yadav raised concerns about the lack of reservations for OBCs, backward, and minority groups. Why didn't they give reservations to OBCs, backwards, and minorities in it?" he questioned. The Women's Reservation Bill, which is called 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', was passed in the Rajya Sabha Thursday. While the Lok Sabha had already given its nod to the Bill on Wednesday. The Upper House, on Thursday, passed the bill, which provides 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha as well as the state legislative assemblies, unanimously, with 214 members voting in support and none against. Following the passage of the bill in Parliament, chants of 'Modi Modi' were raised by women MPs as they took turns to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the passage of the draft legislation. Women members from both Houses of Parliament, including PT Usha, and Union Ministers Meenakashi Lekhi and Smriti Irani, were all smiles as they presented a bouquet to Prime Minister Modi on the historic passage of the Bill in Parliament. Later, both Houses of Parliament were adjourned sine die. Earlier, on Wednesday, the Bill aced the legislative test in the Lok Sabha as it was passed by a brute majority of 454 votes in favour and just 2 against. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal gave a brief reply to the day-long debate on the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, in the upper House of Parliament and said it will be implemented after following due process. Ahead of the voting, PM Modi urged the Rajya Sabha members to pass the Bill unanimously. (ANI)
Taking a swipe at the BJP over the women's reservation Bill, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday labelled them as 'liars', adding that the passage of the draft legislation in the Parliament was merely a case of the ruling party "showboating" and playing to the gallery ahead of next year's Lok Sabha elections. Addressing a public rally in Jaipur on Saturday, the Congress national chief said, "They keep saying that they support women. They are liars. They tabled the Women's Reservation Bill at a time when elections are around the corner. They brought it to woo voters. If we come to power in 2024, implementation of the Bill is the first promise that we will deliver on." "When we had brought the Bill, the BJP opposed it. However, there's enough room for suspicion about their intent behind this draft legislation. We supported this Bill in both Houses of Parliament. But where's the clarity on when it will be implemented? Census and delimitation are done once every ten years. The passage of this Bill in Parliament was merely a case of the BJP showing off,"he added. The Women's Reservation Bill, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha as well as the state legislative assemblies, cleared its final legislative hurdle at the Rajya Sabha on Thursday with 214 members voting in support and none against. Earlier on Wednesday, the Bill got the nod of the Lok Sabha as it was passedwith a brute majority of 454 votes in favour and just 2 against. Even as some Opposition members flagged concerns over the delay in implementation of the Bill, the Centre maintained that it would implemented after due process. The Rajya Sabha had earlier passed the Womens Reservation Bill in 2010 during the Congress-led UPA government but it was not taken up in the Lok Sabha and subsequently lapsed in the lower House. Meanwhile, attacking the ruling BJP, the Congress President said, "The Bill couldn't be passed 30 years back because of them (BJP). Now, they are trying to be the heroes by projecting themselves to be the champions of the cause.Whatever was done, was done by us. They keep asking us what we did. We gave equal rights to all. They don't even let backward-class people come near them. They did not invite President Droupadi Murmu to the inauguration of the new parliament building. Why? Would they have had to clean the place with water from the holy Ganges?" "They called celebrities to the Parliament. Why didn't they invite Murmu? Was this decency? (Mahatma) Gandhi-ji once said that we have to build a country where every poor understands that it is their country, where equal rights are given to men and women. Tell me, if any BJP leader has ever said this. Tell me if any Jana Sangh leader has ever said this," he said, railing against the BJP. The BJP was earlier known as 'Jana Sangh'. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Kharge were in Jaipur to address a public gathering and lay the foundation stone for a new party office building in the Mansarovar area. The assembly elections in Rajasthan are due later this year, with the BJP setting sights on wresting power from the ruling Congress. In the 2008 Assembly polls, the Congress secured 100 seats, one short of securing an absolute majority. It formed the government in alliance with Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). (ANI)
He filed the petition in the apex court on Saturday challenging the Andhra Pradesh High Courts Friday judgement which dismissed his plea to quash the FIR.

Following the dismissal of the petition, a Court in Vijayawada granted the Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department(CID) two days of police custody of Naidu for interrogation.

The case in which Naidu was arrested on September 9 pertains to the establishment of clusters of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in the state of Andhra Pradesh, with a total estimated project value of Rs 3,300 crore, as per the officials.

The agency officials also claimed that the alleged fraud has caused a huge loss to the state government in excess of Rs 300 crore.

As per the CID, Naidu was the principal conspirator and "accused no 1" in the Rs 371 crore skill development scam.

In its remand report, the CID has said that according to the investigation so far, the total amount spent by private entities on six skill development clusters is sourced exclusively from funds advanced by the Government of AP and AP Skill Development Center, totalling Rs 371 crores." (ANI)
According to police, a First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged against the four teachers by the boy's mother in the incident.

"The victim's mother Kavita revealed that on September 15, her son had gone to the Delhi Government school in Yamuna Vihar like every other day, when he was brutally beaten for looking out of the window by a school teacher," police said

The woman said that despite her apologising to his teacher he was thrown out of the classroom, said police.

"In the fourth period, however, the 16-year-old was summoned by the same teacher again and brutally kicked, punched and elbowed by three other teachers of the school," the woman's complaint read.

The four teachers also threatened the boy with consequences if he complained about the incident.

The boy narrated the incident to his mother and refused to go to school. According to his mother the boy suffered severe pain and swelling in the chest, after which he was admitted to hospital.

Subsequently, an FIR was registered in the case.

Further details into the matter are awaited, said police.

Further investigation into the matter is underway. (ANI)
 Flash

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Timor-Leste in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Timor-Leste on Saturday jointly announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.



They met in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, ahead of the opening of the 19th Asian Games scheduled for Saturday.

The elevation of bilateral ties is a practical necessity for the two countries to advance their cooperation, and a shared expectation of the two peoples, Xi said.

China is willing to join hands with Timor-Leste on the journey of modernization to bring more benefits to the two peoples, Xi added.

Xi emphasized that being staunch supporters for each other's core interests and major concerns serves as an important political foundation for the continuous upgrading of bilateral relations.

The two sides should continue to promote Belt and Road cooperation and strengthen cooperative efforts in the four key areas, namely industry revitalization, infrastructure development, food self-sufficiency and livelihood improvement, Xi said, adding that China supports Timor-Leste in better integrating into the regional development.

The Timor-Leste prime minister said he is glad that bilateral relations have continuously achieved positive results in recent years, and the people of Timor-Leste will always remember Chinese government's timely and tremendous help during Timor-Leste's fight against COVID-19.

He welcomed Chinese enterprises to invest in Timor-Leste and help the country with its development. He expressed the hope to work with China to usher bilateral ties into the new phase of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The two sides issued a joint statement on the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership.

Senior Chinese leaders including Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi, and Shen Yiqin attended the meeting.
Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday said that he has not received any notice from the Supreme Court asking for his explanation for his Sanatan Dharma remarks which triggered a political storm in the country. "I saw about the Supreme Court order in the media. There is still no notice received from the Supreme Court asking for an explanation," Stalin told reporters here. The Supreme Court on Friday had issued notice to him for his remarks calling for the eradication of Sanatan Dharma. A bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi had also issued notice to MP A Raja, MP Thol Thirumavalavan, MP Thiru Su Venkatesan, Tamil Nadu DGP, Greater Chennai Police Commissioner, Union Home Ministry, Minister for Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Department PK Sekar Babu, Chairman of Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission Peter Alphonse and others. The apex court which was initially reluctant to entertain the plea and asked the petitioner to approach the High Court, agreed to hear the case. The bench asked about the context of the remarks, the advocate appearing for Chennai-based lawyer B Jagannath who filed the plea, said, "They have called for eradication of a faith, in an institution." The Counsel argued that if such a comment was made by an individual it would be understood, but the State is unleashing its machinery. He told the bench that circulars have been given asking students to speak against it. A constitutional functionary speaking like this is impermissible. Second, students should not be forced to speak out against so and so Dharma, the counsel said. The plea filed through advocate Balaji Gopalan sought intervention to not allow Udhayanidhi Stalin and others to make further remarks on Sanatana Dharma. It also sought to declare the participation of Tamil Nadu Ministers in the meeting -- Sanatana Dharma Eradication conference -- held on September 2, as unconstitutional. The petition further sought direction from the respondents -- Stalin, Peter Alphonse, A Raja Thol Thirumavalavan and their followers -- not to make any further remarks against Sanatana Dharma or Hinduism.The petitioner urged the DGP to submit a report as to how the conference was given police permission and why no action was taken against the perpetrators and the organisation responsible for the event. The plea sought directions from the Home Secretary and the CBI Director to immediately direct an investigation and enquiry into the background of holding such events, including the sources pertaining to who is responsible for the contribution of the amount to such organisations. It also sought directions from the Tamil Nadu government's Higher Education Department, asking them not to hold any events on Sanatana Dharma in secondary schools. The remarks of DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin triggered a massive political controversy across the country.On September 5, 262 eminent citizens including former High Court judges and bureaucrats wrote to the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud urging him to take note of Stalins hate speech calling for the eradication of Sanatana Dharma.They wrote a letter to the CJI stating that the Supreme Court had directed the governments and police authorities to take suo motu action in hate speech cases without waiting for the lodging of formal complaints. (ANI)
A day after leaders of Opposition parties wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla demanding action against BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri for his derogatory remarks about BSP MP Danish Ali, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has raised several instances of unsavoury remarks made by Opposition leaders and sought to constitute an inquiry committee to investigate the utterances during the discussion on Chandrayaan-3s success. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, in his letter to Om Birla on Saturday, said that the inquiry committee should look into the extent of culpability of MPs who instigate other citizens with their comments in the House. Dubey has also accused Ali of offering a running commentary during Bidhuri's speech in Lok Sabha on Thursday and making unsavoury remarks aimed at instigating him to lose his composure. When Shri Danish Ali was busy in instigating Bidhuri with his intemperate comments, he made a highly objectionable and derogatory remark against our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Jee. In his desperation to denigrate the ruling dispensation and Prime Minister's achievement of landing Chandrayaan3 on the moon, he screamed across the aisle, without the microphone but could be clearly heard saying that "neech ko neech nahi kahenge to kya kahenge, Dubey said. He added that it was more than enough for any patriotic public representative to lose his calm and fall into his trap by uttering unsavoury words. If Bidhuri has committed an inappropriate act, then, in my view, other Honourable Members, including Danish Ali, have also contributed to spreading enmity amongst communities, Dubey said. He said that the aspect of 'Breach of Privilege', which Danish Ali and some other members of Parliament have been quoting vociferously, cannot be a one-way street and if applied in isolation will be a serious and irrevocable 'miscarriage of justice'. I, therefore, request you to constitute an 'inquiry committee' to investigate the utterances made by various members during the said discussion and also to inquire into the extent of culpability of various other Members of Parliament in instigating our citizens by way of their comments made in the House by taking shelter of Article 105 of our Constitution, he said. Dubey, however, has condemned the remarks of his party members made in the Lok Sabha. It is also a commendable display of profound respect for our Temple of Democracy' and maintaining the dignity of Parliament by your good self that the unsavoury words uttered by Shri Bidhuri were immediately expunged from the proceedings of the House. I along with other like-minded Members of Parliament congratulate your good self for your prompt action, he said. Ramesh Bidhuri's objectionable remarks against Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Danish Ali have triggered anger among the Opposition parties, with their demand for strict action against Bidhuri. Ali has given an ultimatum of leaving the Parliament if the Speaker will not conduct an enquiry into the matter. Meanwhile, the BJP has issued a show cause notice to party MP Ramesh Bidhuri on the instruction of party president JP Nadda for his use of unparliamentary language against BSP MP Danish Ali, sources said. Earlier on Friday, leaders of Congress, NCP, TMC and DMK wrote to Om Birla to act against the BJP leader and demanded that the matter should be sent to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee. On Saturday, Congress leader Salman Khurshid said that the BJP suspends others in no time but in this matter, they are taking time. BJP in order to dismiss this matter will show that they are taking action on it but this isn't the question. The question is, what makes BJP leaders talk in this manner again and again? This issue came to light as it was said in the Parliament... They speak similar things in front of the media...They suspend others in no time and in this matter, they are taking time, Salman Khurshid said. Member of Parliament and DMK leader, Dr Thamizhachi Thangapandian said that the remarks of the BJP MP need to be condemned vehemently. "It is to be condemned vehemently. Madam Kanimozhi registered her protest when the incident took place. Spreading hatred in the name of a community needs to be condemned. Rajnath Singh had apologised on his behalf when had protested on this. Some of us have written to the Speaker, and hope he takes action," Thamizhachi Thangapandian said. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said that the BJP has crossed all the limits. They have crossed all the limits. The words they are using in Parliament are similar to the language of street goons, and even then, there is no action to be taken against them. This is a dictatorship because if you are in the BJP, then you are good. BJP people work to promote such people. Reacting to the same, Congress leader Nana Patole hit out at the BJP, saying that the ruling party is drunk with power. The BJP has gone drunk in power. The proof of this is that a BJP leader has verbally abused a member of the Opposition and this is a first in this country. This should change. Indias democracy has always been strong. Such persons and their dictatorial spirit would be cast off at the drop of a hat. Such kind of behaviour is harmful to democracy, the Congress leader said. (ANI)
After prolonged controversy, CCTV cameras are finally being installed at Kolkata's Jadavpur University. The decision to install CCTV cameras at the University was taken after the death of a first-year student in August. The student allegedly died after being subjected to ragging at the hostel. The CCTV cameras will be installed at the gates including the five gates of Jadavpur University's main campus, the student hostel and the Salt Lake campus, a project official said. "We have started the process of installing CCTV cameras today. We will try to finish the installation work in 15 days. 29 cameras will be installed at the main gate here, at Salt Lake campus and hostel," the project head from Webel Technology Limited, Subhankar Pal said on Saturday. Three types of cameras are being installed- ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras, high-end bullet cameras and dome cameras, the project head said adding that the dome camera will be placed indoors and the ANPR camera will be installed at the gates to capture vehicle number plates. Among the 29 cameras, six are ANPRs, 20 are bullet cameras for recording footage of visitors and three are dome cameras which will be installed in the server room and will be used for protection for overlooking any manipulating activity, the project officials said. Speaking about the project, one of the members of the project, Mithun Mukherjee said, "The CCTV cameras will be installed at the five gates of Jadavpur University main campus, the student hostel and the Salt Lake campus. All of them will be at the gates." On the server room, Mukherjee said, "The server room will be at three places. It will be centrally located at the main campus." Kolkata's Jadavpur University hit the headlines last month after a first-year student, Swarnodip Kundu, died on Thursday after allegedly falling from the balcony of the university's hostel. Kundu was a first-year student of the Bengali Department, and belonged to the state's Nadia district. Following the incident, student leaders from Jadavpur University had claimed that installing CCTV cameras on campus is not a one-stop solution to prevent incidents of ragging. "CCTVs can only help in detecting who is the culprit. But CCTVs cannot help in stopping ragging," Subhodeep Bandyopadhyay, General Secretary of Kolkata SFI said. (ANI)
 Flash

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, holds talks with President of the Central American Parliament, Amado Cerrud, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)





China's top legislator Zhao Leji on Friday held talks with President of the Central American Parliament, Amado Cerrud, and they signed an agreement granting the National People's Congress (NPC) permanent observer status at the Central American Parliament.

Cerrud's visit came after the Central American Parliament voted overwhelmingly to revoke the "permanent observer status" of the so-called "Legislative Yuan" of the Taiwan region and accept the NPC of China as a permanent observer last month.

"This historic decision has drawn a lot of attention from the international community, which once again shows that the one-China principle is a universally recognized norm, and supporting and abiding by this principle is an irresistible trend of the times," Zhao said, thanking the Central American Parliament for firmly supporting China's position on issues relating to core interests.

Zhao, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, said China's relations with Central American countries are developing with a sound momentum, and all the countries with which China has diplomatic relations in the region have joined in efforts to build the Belt and Road.

China is ready to work with relevant Central American countries to strengthen cooperation in such areas as agricultural infrastructure, investment and people's livelihoods, expand strategic consensus, solidarity and coordination, and oppose hegemonism, power politics, unilateralism and trade barriers, while jointly promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, according to Zhao.

Zhao said the NPC is willing to enhance cooperation with the Central American Parliament and increase coordination with it in the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Latin-American Parliament to jointly safeguard the rights and interests of developing countries.

The Taiwan question is the core of China's core interests, and the one-China principle is the fundamental political premise for the development of relations between the NPC and the Central American Parliament, Zhao said.

He called on the Central American Parliament to follow the right direction, constantly consolidate the consensus on the one-China principle, and remain highly vigilant against attempts by some forces to use the Taiwan question to disrupt bilateral cooperation.

Cerrud said the Central American Parliament has taken a historic, correct decision and it hopes to strengthen exchanges with the NPC and contribute to promoting cooperation between Central American countries and China on politics, economy, trade, culture and other fields.

The Central American Parliament is a six-nation parliament that groups Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and Panama, serving as the political institution and parliamentary body of the Central American Integration System.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday (local time) said that Washington is "deeply concerned" about the allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the Indian government's involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He said that the US wants to see accountability and called it "important" that the investigation runs its course and leads to the result. While addressing a press conference in New York, Blinken said that the US has engaged directly with the Indian government. He said that the US is consulting "very closely" with Canada and coordinating on the issue. He called it important that India works with Canadians on the investigaton. Asked about US' engagement with India and Canada amid the diplomatic row, Blinken said, "We are deeply concerned about the allegations that Prime Minister Trudeau has raised. We have been consulting throughout very closely with our Canadian colleagues, and not just consulting, coordinating with them on this issue." "And from our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceed. And it would be important that India work with the Canadians on this investigation. We want to see accountability, and it's important that the investigation run its course and lead to that result," he added. He refused to give details regarding the diplomatic conversations that US had with both nations. He said that investigation must move forward and be completed. He expressed hope that India will cooperate with the probe that the Canadian government is making regarding the issue. Blinken said, "I'm not going to characterize or otherwise speak to diplomatic conversations that we've have. We've been engaged directly with the Indian government as well. And again, I think the most productive thing that can happen now is to see this investigation move forward, be completed. And we would hope that our Indian friends would cooperate with that investigation as well." "More broadly, you've heard me speak to this. We are extremely vigilant about any instances of alleged transnational repression, something we take very, very seriously. And I think it's important more broadly for the international system that any country that might consider engaging in such acts not do so. So, it's something that we're also focused on in a much broader way," he added. His statement comes after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged India's role behind the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has out-rightly denied such allegations calling them absurd and motivated. In his news conference in New York on Thursday, the Canadian Prime Minister, however, failed to present any evidence to back Canadian claims. Trudeau was repeatedly quizzed on the nature of the allegations but stuck to reiterating that there were "credible reasons" to believe that India was linked to the death of Nijjar. "There are credible reasons to believe that agents of the Government of India were involved in the killing of a Canadian on Canadian soil. That is ...there is something of utmost foundational importance in a country's rule of law in a world where international rules-based order matters" said Trudeau. "We call upon the Government of India to take seriously this matter and to work with us to shed full transparency and ensure accountability and justice in this matter" he added. In response to a query, Trudeau said, "We are standing for the rule of law or highlighting how unacceptable it would be for any country to be involved in the killing of a citizen on its own soil." "I think it is important that as a country with a strong, independent justice system ... we allow those justice processes to unfold themselves with the utmost integrity. but I assure this decision to share these allegations on the floor in the House of Commons on Monday morning was not made lightly and was done with utmost seriousness," Canadian PM said. (ANI)
The I2U2 group of India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and the United States on Friday (local time) announced a new joint space venture that aims to create a "unique space-based tool" for policymakers, institutions, and entrepreneurs. The I2U2 group of nations made the announcement on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The US Department of State spokesperson in a press release said, "Under the I2U2 groups focus area of space, the governments of India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States, all signatories of the Artemis Accords, announced a new joint space venture on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York." The press release further reads, "Primarily using the space-based observation data and capabilities of the four I2U2 partner countries, this project aims to create a unique space-based tool for policymakers, institutions, and entrepreneurs, enabling their work on environmental and climate change challenges and furthering our cooperation in the applications of space data for the greater good of humanity." Following the triumphant soft landing of Chandrayaan 3 on the lunar South Pole, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) also launched the Aditya-L1 Mission. This historic mission heralds India's first venture into space-based solar observatories, aiming to study the Sun in unprecedented detail. As India now stands alongside the United States, Russia, and China as one of the selected few nations to achieve a successful lunar soft landing, it is evident that India is charting a bold trajectory in space exploration. The I2U2 grouping consists of India, Israel, UAE and the US. The I2U2 Grouping was conceptualized during the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the four countries held on 18 October 2021, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. I2U2 is aimed to encourage joint investments in six mutually identified areas such as water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security. On Thursday, the I2U2 group launched a website to strengthen the public-private partnership in several sectors and invited private companies from the four member countries to submit their projects to tackle some of the challenges confronting the world. The announcement was made at a press conference on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session. The officials of I2U2 member nations --India Israel, UAE and US-- termed the announcement of the digital platform a tangible step that will help in "shaping the sustainable and prosperous future". I2U2 is also referred to as the West Asian Quad aimed to encourage joint investments between the member states in six mutually identified areas water, energy, transportation, space, health and Food security. At the launch of the website, Indian official Dammu Ravi MEA Secretary of Economic Relations (ER) said, "This is part of leaders' commitment that we are taking forward...We hope this website will give an opportunity for businesses to interact and collaborate on projects and partnerships in different parts of the world." The I2U2 aims to mobilize private sector capital and expertise to achieve a variety of goals, including modernizing infrastructure, advancing low-carbon development pathways, and improving public health, according to the US Department of State. United States official Jose W Fernandez said, "We are thrilled to launch (the website). This is a new public-private enterprise partnership between the I2U2 member states. Together we will work to increase the awareness of I2U2 initiatives for business communities." Israeli official Ronen Levi called on private companies from relevant sectors to "get on board and take part in new rising business opportunities"." The I2U2 website will be an important platform for private sectors which will enable private countries to submit their project details and increase their ability to share new technologies and trade collaboration between four nations," said the Director-General of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Meanwhile, UAE's Minister of State Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh asserted that the creation of a website will help modernise infrastructure in the member countries, decarbonise industries, enhance public health and promote the development of green technologies. (ANI)
An Islamabad district and sessions court on Friday remanded journalist Muhammad Khalid Jamil in the custody of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for two days, Pakistan-based Dawn reported. The development comes after Jamil's arrest on Thursday night. According to FIA, Khalid Jamil was detained on charges of spreading a provocative narrative against state institutions through his posts on social media. ABN News, the TV Channel with which Jamil is affiliated confirmed his arrest in a post shared on X. The first information report lodged by the agency said the accused was found sharing and propagating highly intimidating content/tweets on social media/Twitter (now X), Dawn reported. The FIR invoked Section 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), which states: Whoever intentionally and publicly exhibits or displays or transmits any information through any information system, which he knows to be false, and intimidates or harms the reputation or privacy of a natural person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine which may extend to one million rupees or with both," Dawn reported. In addition, the FIR included Section 505 (statement conducing to public mischief) of the Pakistan Penal Code. The FIR said, "The accused had knowingly misinterpreted and disseminated anti-state narrative by sharing false misleading and baseless information which are also likely to cause fear in the public and may incite anyone to commit an offence against the state or the state institution or public tranquillity." The agency further said that the "accused persons including Muhammad Khalid Jamil propagated, promoted and glorified anti-state, provocative and hatred narrative against the state institutions. The FIA did not reveal details regarding other individuals involved in the alleged crime, according to Dawn report. The agency called such intimidating content of blaming and naming through social media accounts a mischievous act of subversion to create a rift between the general public and state institutions to harm the state of Pakistan. It further said that the accused through such intimidating content including videos "attempted to provoke the general public against the state institutions including judiciary, by trying to create a feeling of ill-will among pillars of the state." The journalist community has condemned the arrest of Khalid Jamil. They have called for an explanation for the action taken by the agency. Journalist Maria Memon expressed concern over the Federal Investigation Agencys (FIA) swift action in Jamils case. Menon spoke about the agency's inconsistency in their response to other online harassment cases. Meanwhile, journalist Nusrat Javeed in a post shared on X stated, "Just got the news that @khalidjamil had been arrested by FIA. He had been a colleague of mine at @AajTv. Always found him extraordinarily soft and polite. Wonder how could he provoke trouble 4 him. The government surely needs a flawlessly credible story to defend his arrest." (ANI)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday (local time) said that Ottawa had shared allegations regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar with India weeks ago. While addressing a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trudeau said, "In regards to India, Canada has shared the credible allegations that I talked about on Monday. With India, we did that many weeks ago. We are there to work constructively with India and we hope that they engage with us so that we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter." On Monday, Justin Trudeau alleged India's role behind the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar resulting in flaring up of tensions between the two nations. India on Tuesday rejected such allegations calling them absurd and motivated. Ministry of External Affairs in a press release said that Canadian PM Justin Trudeau had made similar allegations to PM Narendra Modi and they were "completely rejected." MEA in a press release said, "We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of the Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated." It further said, "Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister, and were completely rejected." India on Tuesday expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a reciprocal move to Canada expelling a senior Indian diplomat in light of the claim of New Delhi's involvement in the killing of the wanted separatist leader. On Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that the allegations made by Canada regarding the "potential links" of India behind the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are politically driven. "Yes, I do think there is a degree of prejudice here. They have made allegations and taken action against them. To us, it seems that these allegations by the government of Canada are primarily politically driven," Bagchi said while addressing a weekly presser. The MEA spokesperson further said no information has been shared by Canada regarding the killing of Nijjar. "We are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us, but so far we have received no specific information from Canada," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday answering queries. In his news conference in New York on Thursday, the Canadian Prime Minister, however, failed to present any evidence to back Canadian claims. Trudeau was repeatedly quizzed on the nature of the allegations but stuck to reiterating that there were "credible reasons" to believe that India was linked to the death of Nijjar. "There are credible reasons to believe that agents of the Government of India were involved in the killing of a Canadian on Canadian soil. That is ...there is something of utmost foundational importance in a country's rule of law in a world where international rules-based order matters" said Trudeau. "We call upon the Government of India to take seriously this matter and to work with us to shed full transparency and ensure accountability and justice in this matter" he added. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) a Sikh extremist organisation banned by India and a designated terrorist was gunned down in Canada's Surrey in June. (ANI)
Canada's Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has condemned the "hateful comments" targeting Hindus in Canada. He stated that Hindus have made "invaluable contributions" to every part of Canada and added that the Hindu community "will always be welcome here." Conservative leader Poilievre said that each Canadian deserves to live without fear in the country. His remarks come after Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a pro-Khalistan organisation banned in India in 2019, in a viral video, threatened Hindus of Indian origin and asked them to leave Canada. In a post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, Poilievere said, "Every Canadian deserves to live without fear and feel welcomed in their community. In recent days, we have seen hateful comments targeting Hindus in Canada. Conservatives condemn these comments against our Hindu neighbours and friends. Hindus have made invaluable contributions to every part of our country and will always be welcome here." Poilievre tweet comes amid strain in India-Canada relations after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, who was a designated terrorist in India, was gunned down in Canada's Surrey on June 18. India has rejected Trudeau's allegations and called them "absurd and motivated." On Wednesday, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on travelling to the country were advised to exercise caution, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. India on Tuesday expelled a senior Canadian diplomat to India in a reciprocal move to Canada expelling a senior Indian diplomat. Meanwhile, Canada's opposition leader Pierre Poilievre on Tuesday said that Trudeau should come out clean with all the facts in order to make judgements. In a media address on Tuesday, Poilievre said, "I think the prime minister needs to come clean with all the facts. We need to know all the evidence possible so that Canadians can make judgments on that. Poilievre's remarks came in response to a media query that asked what more should be done as an Indian diplomat was expelled by Canada. "The prime minister hasn't provided any facts. He provided a statement. And I will just emphasize that he didn't tell me any more in private than he told Canadians in public. So we want to see more information," Poilievre said. He stated that the allegations could be found untrue or uncredible if more information is not provided. "We need to have the evidence that drew that allowed the prime minister to come to the conclusions he made yesterday," he said. "I would have to have more evidence to make a judgment on that. I do find it interesting that he knew about vast foreign interference by Beijing for many years, at the same time as Beijing had kept two Canadian citizens hostage. And he said nothing. And he did nothing. Just very interesting that that was the approach he took in that case," he added. Notably, Pierre Poilievre, the Opposition Conservative Party leader is the preferred choice as Prime Minister by 40 per cent of Canadian citizens, as incumbent Justin Trudeau lags behind, according to a new Ipsos poll done for Canada-based news platform Global News. The gap between Poilievre leaders gives an indication that Conservatives have high chance of getting a majority to form the government in the next elections in 2025 reports Global News. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievres polling momentum continues to chug along with 40 per cent of Canadians saying hes the best choice to be PM. His favourables on this question are up five points from a year ago. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday (local time) held a meeting with counterparts from Brazil, Bahrain and South Africa on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Jaishankar and Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani held talks on connectivity, economic linkages and regional dynamics. In his post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, Jaishankar stated, "So glad to meet Foreign Minister of Bahrain, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani this evening. Good conversation on connectivity, economic linkages and regional dynamics." Earlier this month, India, the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi. EAM Jaishankar also held a meeting with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and South African counterpart Naledi Pandor. He noted that the joint communique showcases the strength of "South-South" solidarity. Taking to X, Jaishankar stated, "A very productive IBSA meeting with Foreign Ministers Mauro Vieira and Naledi Pandor on #UNGA78 sidelines. The Joint Communique demonstrates the strength of our South-South solidarity." Jaishankar held a meeting with the UK Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, and United Nations Lord Tariq Ahmad. The two leaders spoke about India-UK ties and discussed developments related to Ukraine. "Pleased to meet UK MoS @tariqahmadbt in New York today. A useful stock taking of our relationship. Also discussed recent developments pertaining to Ukraine," Jaishankar posted on X. Earlier, EAM S Jaishankar held a meeting with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In a post shared on X, Jaishankar stated, "Great to catch up with FM @SenatorWong of Australia on #UNGA78 sidelines. Noted the positive trajectory of our ties and discussed specific steps to take them further. Our exchange of regional and global assessments are always valuable." Penny Wong noted that Australia and India share an interest in a "stable, secure region" and a world in which agreed rules are "upheld and sovereignty is respected." Taking to X, Penny Wong stated, "Constructive meeting with @drsjaishankar discussing regional security, and a range of bilateral issues including economic engagement. Australia and India share an interest in a stable, secure region, and a world in which agreed rules are upheld and sovereignty is respected." Earlier in the day, S Jaishankar discussed regional, multilateral and global cooperation with his Japanese counterpart Yoko Kamikawa. Both delegates further exchanged views on the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Taking to his social media 'X', Jaishankar stated, "Delighted to meet Foreign Minister of Japan Yoko Kamikawa at #UNGA78. Exchanged perspectives on our Special Strategic and Global Partnership Discussed our regional, multilateral and global cooperation and taking them forward." Notably, Jaishankar is leading the Indian delegation for a week-long visit to New York, where he is scheduled to address a High-Level session of the 78th UNGA on September 26, according to an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs. EAM Jaishankar will be meeting with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and President of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis. During his visit to the US from September 22-30, Jaishankar will in keeping with Indias support for the Global South host a special event India-UN for Global South: Delivering for Development. Upon completion of the 78th UNGA-related engagements, EAM Jaishankar will visit Washington, DC from September 27-30 for bilateral meetings with US interlocutors. His program includes discussions with his US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, senior members of the US administration, US business leaders and think tanks. He will also be addressing the 4th World Culture Festival being organised by the Art of Living. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and his Japanese counterpart Yko Kamikawa on Friday agreed to strengthen cooperation on the economic front, including achieving steady progress on the high-speed railway project, a flagship project between India, Japan. The two ministers met in New York during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). In a 30-minute-long meeting, both ministers affirmed that maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law is critical and that Japan and India would strengthen their responses to issues in the international community, according to a release issued by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two ministers also shared views on regional situations including the Indo-Pacific and the situation in Ukraine, and on the Security Council reform. EAM Jaishankar congratulated Foreign Minister Kamikawa on her appointment. In response, Minister Kamikawa expressed her intention to further develop the "Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership" and her respect for India's efforts as the Chair of the G20 New Delhi Summit. Minister Kamikawa also stated that the two nations, as the G7 and G20 presidencies respectively, were able to cooperate closely and link G7 outcomes to G20 outcomes. Taking to his social media 'X', formerly known as Twitter,Jaishankarstated, "Delighted to meet Foreign Minister of JapanYoko Kamikawaat #UNGA78. Exchanged perspectives on our Special Strategic and Global Partnership Discussed our regional, multilateral andglobal cooperationand taking them forward." Jaishankar is leading the Indian delegation for a week-long visit to New York, where he is scheduled to address a High-Level session of the 78th UNGA on September 26 according to an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs. During his visit from September 22-30, Jaishankar will in keeping with Indias support for the Global South, host a special event India-UN for Global South: Delivering for Development. Upon completion of the 78thUNGA-related engagements, the external affairs minister will visit Washington DC from September 27-30 for bilateral meetings with US interlocutors. His program includes discussions with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, senior members of the US administration, US business leaders and think tanks. (ANI)
Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin has said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made a huge mistake by alleging that India had links with the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and said that the premier has not been able to back his allegations. Prime Minister Trudeau I think has made a huge mistake. He has made allegations in a manner which he hasn't been able to back. Either he was shooting from the hip and he doesn't have the evidence to support the accusations he made against the government. There is something there, in which case he needs to explain why this government was sheltering a terrorist, the former Pentagon official said when asked about his views on the Canadian PMs allegations against the Indian government. Trudeau had on Monday inside Canada's Parliament accused the Indian government of being behind the fatal shooting of Nijjar. Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18. On Friday the Canadian PM said that Ottawa had shared allegations regarding the killing of Nijjar with India weeks ago. While addressing a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trudeau said, "In regards toIndia, Canada has shared the credible allegations that I talked about on Monday. WithIndia, we did that many weeks ago. We are there to work constructively withIndiaand we hope that they engage with us so that we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter." Rubin who is also a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he specializes in Iran, Turkey, and South Asia, said: As a former consumer of intelligence, I can say that oftentimes the intelligence we see whether it's a telephone intercept or something else, isn't as black and white, isn't as cut and dry. I mean, certainly, that was the case with regard to the Iraq War. He further added: So when you have a situation like this, perhaps Prime Minister Trudeau raised the issue, but there wasn't necessarily consensus on what he meant. And regardless, let's not fool ourselves, Nijjar was not simply a plumber, any more than Osama bin Laden was a construction engineer. He had blood on his hands from multiple attacks. On US State Secretary Antony Blinkens remarks that the US always stands against transnational repression, the former Pentagon official said: We're actually being hypocritical if Secretary Blinken makes that statement, because after all, what we're talking about isn't transnational repression. We're talking about transnational terrorism, and what the United States did to Qasem Soleimani...is really no different than what India is alleged to have done in this case. Blinken on Friday (local time) said that Washington is "deeply concerned" about the allegations made by Trudeau about the Indian government's involvement in the killing of Nijjar. He said that theUSwants to see accountability and called it "important" that the investigation runs its course and leads to the result. "More broadly, you've heard me speak to this. We are extremely vigilant about any instances of alleged transnational repression, something we take very, very seriously. And I think it's important more broadly for the international system that any country that might consider engaging in such acts not do so. So, it's something that we're also focused on in a much broader way," he added. Meanwhile, Rubin said he is not sure that allies are convinced with Trudeaus theory, or that they interpret the importance of the matter to the same degree that Justin Trudeau does. First of all, let's give one analogy. When Jamal Khashoggi was killed in Istanbul, the Turks were able to provide intelligence support right away, which is why the world rallied around Saudi Arabia. In this case, but Justin Trudeau again, the Canadians havent been able to release any definitive intelligence and as time goes on, it raises the question about whether there's any truth, he said. He further said: When Justin Trudeau says trust me, I wouldn't trust him in the best of times, all the more so against the backdrop of an election campaign. He's personally losing ads. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Thursday said that the allegations made by Canada regarding the "potential links" of India behind the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are Politically driven. "Yes, I do think there is a degree of prejudice here. They have made allegations and taken action against them. To us, it seems that these allegations by the government of Canada are primarily politically driven," Bagchi said while addressing a weekly presser. The MEA further said no information has been shared by Canada regarding the killing of Nijjar. "We are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us, but so far we have received no specific information from Canada," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday answering queries. With the diplomatic row between India and Canada reaching the level of expelling envoys, Bagchi said that the Indian government has conveyed to the Canadian government that there should be parity in the strength of diplomatic presence. He said, "We've informed the Government of Canada that there should be parity in strength in our mutual diplomatic presence. Their number is very much higher than ours in Canada... I assume there will be a reduction from the Canadian side. (ANI)
Reiterating its support for UNRWA, India has enhanced its annual contribution to the agency from USD 1.25 million in 2018 to USD 5 million, and has contributed close to USD 30 million over the last five years, for the welfare of Palestine people. Dammu Ravi, the Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (ER) represented India at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Ministerial Meeting. Addressing the meeting, he said, At the outset, let me reiterate India's support to UNRWA. The Agency has been playing a critical role as a provider of development, humanitarian, and social services to the Palestinian refugee community living in Palestine, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. The Agency's services also contribute to the overall stability in the region. He appreciated the steps taken by the agency in enhancing transparency in its operations and adherence to the UN standards in humanitarian services. He further urged utmost diligence on the part of UNRWA to ensure that aid is not misused or misappropriated for wrongful purposes, including in the education sector. As a mark of its solidarity with the Palestinian refugees, India enhanced its annual contribution to the agency from USD 1.25 million to USD 5 million in 2018 and has contributed close to USD 30 million over the last five years. I am happy to announce that we will continue our contribution at the level of USD 5 million for the next two years. The first tranche of this year's contribution will be transmitted to UNRWA in the coming days, Ravi said. He added, India, over the years, has also continued to remain a committed development partner of Palestine, supporting its nation-building efforts. We are actively engaged in extending technical and developmental assistance to improve the lives of the Palestinian people. Our developmental support to the people of Palestine will continue. The MEA Secretary (ER) further said that apart from UNRWA funding, India has extended various forms of developmental assistance to Palestine over the years. This includes the India-Palestine Techno Park, Palestine's National Printing Press, Women an Empowerment Center - Turathi, the Palestinian Institute of Diplomacy, India-Palestine Super Speciality Hospital, and several schools in Palestine. Some of these projects are already operational while others are in different stages of completion, Ravi said. India has always emphasized that only a negotiated two-state solution, based on relevant UN resolutions, the Arab Peace Plan and the Quartet Roadmap, leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine, can deliver lasting peace, he added. He further said that India, as a trusted development partner of Palestine, remains committed to developmental and humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine both bilaterally through the Palestinian Authority and by contributions to the UN. (ANI)
Members of an extremist group attacked and desecrated the places of worship belonging to the Ahmadiyya community at multiple localities in Pakistans Punjab, community members shared, The Friday Times reported. The Friday Times is a Pakistani English-language newsweekly based in Lahore. Pictures and videos shared by community members show that worship places in Bahawalpur, Sheikhupura and Bahwalnagar were attacked. The first attack came in Bahawalpur where some Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) members attacked a worship place in Chak 183 Murad on September 13. The assailants scaled the building and demolished the minarets atop. Similarly, the following day, on September 14, an Ahmadi worship place in Narang Mandi in Sheikhupura was attacked, as per The Friday Times. On September 15, the assailants scaled the worship place located in Chak 168 Murad in Bahawalnagar and desecrated the minarets. The police, the community complained, did nothing to prevent the incident. The community claimed that the extremists planned to target a worship place in the Kirto area of Sheikhupura. All of these places, except the site attacked in Bahawalpur, are relatively close to the Indian border, with Narang Mandi being the closest to the border, with the closest point between Narang Mandi and the border measuring just eight kilometres. The three localities targeted have Multan and Faisalabad as the closest major cities, with a diameter of 388 kilometres. According to community members, such incidents create a hostile environment for Ahmadis living in Pakistan, who are denied their basic rights of liberty to life, property and religion as equal citizens. "The agony is that the police have been at the forefront of committing these acts, or they are the ones forcing the Ahmadis to do this," a community member stated, adding that the state is nowhere to be seen while the police, instead of providing protection, has been acting as an aide to the extremist elements, as per The Friday Times. The community pointed out how, in a recent verdict, the Lahore High Court had ruled that those worship places where the minarets constructed atop Ahmadiyya Places of Worship before 1984, when the blasphemy laws were introduced, need no alteration as they are part of the architecture. "The minarets of these worship places have been there way before Ordinance XX of 1984," the community member said, lamenting that the court's order is not being followed. The community member added that after the Jaranwala incident and in subsequent television interviews, Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar had assured that the state would protect the worship places of all citizens. But thus far, that promise has yet to materialise. (ANI)
 Flash

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Dennis Francis, president of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 21, 2023. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng attended the General Debate of the 78th session of the UNGA and delivered a speech on Thursday. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)





China will continue to support the United Nations in playing a central role and continue to advance the reform of the global governance system, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said on Thursday.

Han made the remarks when meeting with Dennis Francis, president of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York.

China has always been a firm supporter and active contributor to the cause of the United Nations, and firmly supports genuine multilateralism, Han said.

The UN General Assembly is the most universal and representative charter body of the United Nations, Han said, adding that China will continue to support the work of the UN General Assembly and its president.

The vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping, has gained the support of more and more countries and become the consensus of the international community, Han said, noting that China is committed to safeguarding world peace and stability, and promoting global economic recovery and sustainable development.

For his part, Francis said China is an important partner of the United Nations, and an advocate and leader of multilateralism. He thanked China for its long-term valuable support to the work of the UN General Assembly.

The UN General Assembly is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in areas such as sustainable development to jointly address global challenges, Francis said.




Glion said that the legacy of soldiers is cherished in the hearts of both Indians and Israelis and is another powerful emotional connection between the two countries.

Today, we mark #HaifaDay.105 years to the liberation by Indian soldiers of what 30 years later became #Israel. The legacy of those heroes lives on, cherished in both our hearts and is another powerful emotional connection between our nations, the Israeli envoy posted on X (formerly Twitter).

https://x.com/NaorGilon/status/1705366483868799440?s=20

The Battle of Haifa was fought on September 23, 1918, during World War I, by the British Army, which mainly consisted of Indian soldiers against the forces of the Ottoman Empire and its allies.

The Indian Army commemorates September 23 as Haifa Day every year to pay its respects to the three Indian Cavalry Regiments Mysore, Hyderabad and Jodhpur Lancers that fought to liberate the city of Haifa. (ANI)
Chinas approach regarding water with lower riparian countries in South and South-East Asia, includes territory grabbing water resource hegemony, resulting in a threat to all the countries in the region, a report by The Daily Asian Age stated. The report in Bangladesh-based daily further highlighted that Chinese investments in water-based resources is leading to adverse impact on the environment, displacement of local people and huge debt to countries. The combination of territory grabbing and water resource hegemony by China is a threat that all countries in South and South East Asia face and their respective security environments Although, the planet is covered with 70 per cent water, but only 2.5 per cent of this is fresh water, which has led to many experts predicting the next theatre of war as the conflict over water. This is precisely why nations have begun to preserve fresh water and, in some cases, have gone beyond to become global water hegemons, as they grow and develop. One example in the list is China. Being a water-stressed country, Beijing made huge investments in water-based resources globally. However, apart from the geo-political implications, Chinas water hegemony has had an adverse impact on the environment, and well-being of local populations and pushed nations into debt traps due to resource-intensive investments in dam/hydroelectric projects. According to the Daily Asian Age report, China is said to have constructed a whopping 308 dams in 70 countries on various rivers (Tibet Policy Institute, September 23, 2016). The recent estimates of Chinas dam construction worldwide show that these dams generate a total of 81 GW of power. Such indiscriminate dam construction has adversely affected river courses, caused environmental degradation and resulted in floods and displacement of thousands of people living in the host nations and further downstream, the report added. Chinas disregard for environmental conservation and consistent denials of the ecological fallouts of its mega projects on the Tibetan plateau has further aggravated global concerns. Chinas disregard was most telling in the construction of the Three Gorges Dam. The estimates show that between 1992 and 2008, over 1.5 million residents living in the floodplains of the Three Gorges Dam were displaced, Daily Asian Age reported. Notably, Chinas territory is the starting point for major rivers that flow into more than a dozen other countries, making it Asias upstream controller and giving it unmatched power to weaponise water against downstream countries. As per the report, the development of overseas hydropower by China needs to be contextualised in these terms. Six of Asias largest rivers, Brahmaputra, Indus, Salween, Irrawaddy, Mekong, and the Yangtse, have their origins in China. These rivers flow into as many as 18 countries, making China the upstream water hegemon. As an upper riparian state, Chinas domestic demand has pushed it to dam its rivers with disastrous results for downstream nations, Daily Asian Age reported. The report highlighted that Chinas eleven dams on the Mekong have disrupted aquatic life and flow sediment and have directly contributed to the collapse of river banks. The Mekong dams have also triggered recurring droughts and caused floods in countries like Thailand and Laos. It further cited a 2019 study by the Stimson Centre in the US, that shows that even though upstream Mekong received excess rainfall, China blocked the water in its dams, resulting in downstream countries facing unprecedented droughts. Satellite imagery showed that the lack of water in the lower Mekong was mainly due to blockage by dams in China (The International Prism, 22 January 2022). The lack of real coordination among countries in the region for operating dams has allowed Chinas eleven Mekong dams to disrupt aquatic life and flow sediment and has directly contributed to the collapse of river banks and the destruction of communities, Daily Asian Age reported. Beijing has also consistently refused to engage in mutually beneficial and cooperative water-sharing arrangements across borders. Despite sharing over forty transboundary water sources, China has very few water governance treaties with its fourteen neighbours. The report added that China avoids from entering into multilateral, basin-wide transboundary water agreements, lending credence to the assertion that China sees water resources as a sovereign rather than as a shared source. Chinas approach to waters is governed by outright unilateralism and a maximalist approach to water sovereignty enabled by its rapid hydro-engineering prowess. This is one of the reasons for China not showing any willingness to share hydro data and sedimentary load data, with either the Mekong basin states or India, the two regions where China has asserted its upper riparian status with full gusto, Daily Asian Age reported. China has also attempted to exploit the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR), which contains a major portion of the worlds fresh water. The official figures reveal that by the end of 2017, installed hydropower capacity in China had reached 341 million kilowatts, while the installed hydropower capacity in the TAR was only 1.77 million kilowatts, accounting for only 1 per cent of the technically exploitable potential. (Hongzhou Zhang and Genevieve Donnellon-May, The Diplomat, 1 September 2021). The downstream impact of such development is only too obvious. The inclusion of the Medog Dam (near the border with Arunachal Pradesh) in the 14th FYP was driven in part, by Chinas push towards Carbon Emission reduction (Jagannath Panda, China Brief, Jamestown Foundation, June 7, 2021). China aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. As China shifts away from coal, which supplies nearly 70 per cent of its energy use, to clean energy sources like hydroelectricity, more dams can be expected to be built. (The Diplomat, 1 September 2021), according to Daily Asian Age. The report added that a growing source of tension in the Himalayas is Chinas plans to dam key rivers before they reach India. China has also taken recourse to blocking the flow of rivers. In June 2020, satellite imagery showed that China had used bulldozers to block the flow of the River Galwan, a tributary of the Indus River in Aksai Chin, thus preventing it from flowing into India. Chinas proposed Medog Dam, close to the border with Arunachal Pradesh, will eventually have an impact on lower riparian states, particularly India and Bangladesh. The report further stated that the ongoing diversion of substantial volumes of water from the Tibetan plateau watershed by China for northern China could strain Indias agricultural needs in the Northeastern states; conversely, Chinese mismanagement could lead to overflows and floods in India. The threat of a water bomb being unleashed on India from the proposed Medog dam cannot be overlooked In 2000, a Tibetan dam burst resulting in massive flooding in India. (Jagannath Panda, Jamestown Foundation, 7 June 2021). In March 2021, a change in flow rate, turbidity and quality of the Yarlung Tsangpo River water was observed. This was attributed to the massive landslide and glacial surge near the Great Bend Region. Landslides in the Great Bend Area of the River in Jialacun Village, Tibet have the potential to cause flooding towards India (Arunachal Pradesh), Daily Asian Age reported. Meanwhile, Chinas motives in investing in hydropower overseas is clearly a neo-colonial drive to capture resources and materials, both as a part of the Belt and Road Initiative and otherwise to fund Chinas GDP growth at the cost of other nations. Chinese investment in power projects globally in the past two decades is estimated to be USD 114 billion, 44 per cent of which went to hydropower. Further, Chinese companies reportedly hold an estimated 70 per cent of the global hydropower market. (International Institute for Environment and Development News, 17 March 2022). This gives us a sense of Chinas ambitions and its desire to control resources wherever possible. The report cited Brahma Chellaney, one of Indias foremost experts on water, who aptly stated, Chinas territorial aggrandizement in the South China Sea and the Himalayas. has been accompanied by stealthier efforts to appropriate water resources in transnational river basins. There is merit in reviewing Indias position on water security from this perspective and planning for the future. The combination of territory grabbing and water resource hegemony by China is a threat that all countries in South and South East Asia face and their respective security environments, Daily Asian Age reported. (ANI)
India-Nepal #DevelopmentPartnership gathers further momentum! Translating commitment made during PM @cmprachanda visit to India (June 2023) to strive for increasing quantum of electricity import to India to 10,000 MW in the next 10 years, the Indian Embassy in Nepal wrote on X formerly Twitter on Saturday.

Additional 180 MW of electricity export to India approved. Nepal can now export 631 MW power to India, medium term and real-time markets for export of power available, besides day ahead market, addition of 132 kV Tanakpur-Mahendrangar transmission line for power export, the embassy wrote.

The Embassy said that further impetus has been provided to the India-Nepal development partnership since Nepal PM Prachandas visit to India in 2023.

The embassy gave examples of the Kurtha-Bijalpura rail link operationalization to enhance people-to-people connectivity and the inauguration and handing over of community development projects built by Indian grant.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently had a telephone conversation with Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and reviewed several aspects of India-Nepal bilateral cooperation.

The two leaders discussed various aspects of India-Nepal bilateral cooperation during the talks.

Moreover, the two leaders also followed up on discussions held during Prachand's India visit in order to advance the bilateral partnership and strengthen the two countries' deep bonds of friendship, the Prime Minister's Office said in an official release.

Nepal is a close and friendly neighbour and is a key partner in Indias Neighbourhood First policy.

This telephone conversation continues the tradition of high-level exchanges between the two countries. (ANI)
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that he had come to London to discuss the legal and political steps ahead of the arrival of his brother and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, Geo News reported on Friday. He further stated that there is no change in plan for Nawaz Sharifs arrival in Pakistan on October 21. In London, he held an important talk at the meeting, which was attended by Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, Ishaq Dar, Talal Chaudhary and others at the Stanhope House in the British capital. Both Maryam and Shehbaz had reached London late on Thursday night. Notably, Shehbaz rushed to London on Thursday, with an important message for brother Nawaz, Geo News had earlier reported citing sources. However, Shehbaz downplayed speculations, stating that there was zero substance in the speculations that were going rounds that he had rushed to London, days after reaching Lahore, with a special message for his elder brother, Geo News reported. The reports had suggested that he had a special meeting in Gujranwala earlier this week where he had received that message. The former prime minister said he was in London on Nawazs instructions to discuss important matters including the next legal, administrative and political steps of the Sharif family and the PML-N and we have made decisions. He added that the reports were false and speculative. "Nawaz Sharif will return to a resounding welcome in Lahore and then address the nation at a rally at Minar-e-Pakistan where he will present the party's plan to tackle poverty, and unemployment and improve the economic situation. He will present the agenda of progress and success. Nawaz Sharif is the leader who took Pakistan to the path of progress and hope before, and delivered for the masses and will do so again," Shehbaz told the reporters in London. The PML-N president also said the country should look at the party's performance from 2013 to 2017, adding that Nawaz is a ray of hope for the nation. When Nawaz Sharif ended 20 hours load-shedding, mainstreamed CPEC, and invited billions in investment, end load-shedding in Pakistan, he brought energy and hope. He brought over USD 30 billion investment to Pakistan, Geo News quoted Shehbaz as saying. Shehbaz Sharif had first confirmed on September 12 that his elder brother and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif would return to Pakistan on October 21. Later, the legal team of PML-N in London provided clearance for Nawaz Sharifs return to Pakistan, The News International had reported. (ANI)
Taiwan's Defence Minister has called China's military movements "abnormal", noting the recent amphibious exercises in addition to drills in Chinas Fujian Province, reported Taipei Times. Taiwan's National Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said, "Our initial analysis is that they are doing joint drills in September, including land, sea, air and amphibious." "The recent enemy situation is quite abnormal," he added. Recently, Taiwan has reported a rise in Chinese military activity over the past week as dozens of fighters, drones, bombers and other aircraft, as well as warships have been seen operating around the country, reported Taipei Times. The comment came after the ministry released a statement on Thursday stating that it was keeping a watch on Chinese activities near Dacheng Bay in Fujian Province. Moreover, according to the Taiwan security sources, China performs landing drills in the Bay Area. However, China has not commented on this issue yet and neither did its defence ministry respond to the two requests from Taiwan's ministry, Taipei Times reported. Chiu further said that releasing the information about Dacheng Bay was in line with his ministry's principle of telling people what was happening. A military researcher at the National Policy Foundation think tank, Chieh Chung, noted that China carried out landing drills in Dacheng Bay in September last year and the year before that. Those drills featured civilian ships with equipment practising "dockless unloading" to simulate a situation in which they might need to land after port facilities are knocked out of action or destroyed, Chieh said. Underscoring the geographical difficulties, a senior US defence official told the US Congress that China would be hard-pressed to carry out a frontal, amphibious invasion of Taiwan, reported Taipei Times. Moreover, last week, China dispatched over 100 naval ships on regional exercises in areas such as waters in the South China Sea and off Taiwan's northeast coast, according to a regional security official. The National Defence Ministry further noted that China traditionally performs large-scale exercises from July to September, according to Taipei Times. Adding to this, the ministry said that it had detected 24 Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force planes yesterday entering Taiwan's air defence zone over the previous 24 hours, with at least 17 crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait, as shown on a map they published. According to another security source, China was likely seeking to wear out Taiwan's military with constant missions so close to Taiwan, especially with longer flights along the median line than before, reported Taipei Times. China is seeking to normalize these activities and push Taiwan into a corner, the source said, adding that it risked a miscalculation if Chinese ships or aircraft got too close and Taiwan opened fire. However, Taiwan has always said that it would stay calm and would not escalate the situation but also that it would not allow "repeated provocations from China, the source added. Earlier this month, Taiwan's National Defence Ministry issued a strong plea to Beijing to cease its continuous military provocations after the detection of more than 100 Chinese warplanes in close proximity to the island within a 24-hour period. In a statement, the ministry expressed grave concern over the substantial number of warplanes, which it said posed "severe challenges to the Taiwan Strait and regional safety." The ministry added, "The Communist military's persistent military harassment can easily result in a sharp increase in tensions and worsen regional security. We call on the Beijing authorities to take up its responsibility and immediately stop this kind of destructive, unilateral action." The highest recorded number of Chinese warplanes entering Taiwan's ADIZ within a 24-hour period was reported in October 2021, when 56 planes conducted such incursions in a single day, CNN reported. (ANI)
In a recent development, the Philippines has accused Chinese vessels of engaging in what they describe as "dangerous manoeuvres" within the disputed South China Sea region. This incident is the latest in a series of maritime tensions between the two neighbouring nations, CNN reported. The Philippine Coast Guard on Friday reported that while conducting a routine rotation and resupply mission near Ayungin Shoal, also known as Renai Reef in China, they encountered eight Chinese boats. According to the Philippine Coast Guard, these Chinese vessels posed a threat to the safety of their crew members, although specific details of the incident were not disclosed. The encounter involved four Chinese coast guard vessels and four Chinese "maritime militia" boats. This incident follows closely on the heels of a prior dispute in which the Philippines accused Chinese coast guard ships of using water cannons against their vessels during an attempt to resupply troops stationed at the same shoal in the Spratly Islands, referred to as the Nansha Islands in China. Western experts specialising in maritime security believe that Beijing maintains a maritime militia consisting of hundreds of vessels, which serves as an unofficial and officially deniable force to advance its territorial claims in the South China Sea and other areas. The Philippines asserts that this militia played a role in both recent incidents at Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), a location with historical territorial disputes, as reported by CNN. It's worth noting that China has not officially acknowledged the existence of such a militia force. In response to the most recent incident, the Philippine coastguard has reached out to its Chinese counterpart, urging them to cease any illegal activities within Philippine maritime zones. China asserts "indisputable sovereignty" over a vast portion of the South China Sea, encompassing the Spratly Islands, an archipelago with territorial claims or partial claims by the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. The Philippines refers to part of this area as the West Philippine Sea. In 1999, the Philippines intentionally grounded a navy transport ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, on Second Thomas Shoal, which was manned by Filipino marines, as a demonstration of their claim to the area. In contrast, China maintains its sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including Renai Reef, and its adjacent waters, while opposing what they view as unauthorized actions by the Philippines. It's important to mention that the Philippines' territorial claims are supported by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, which ruled in 2016 that China lacked a legal basis for asserting historic rights over the majority of the South China Sea. However, Beijing has disregarded this ruling, contending that the Philippines had promised to remove the vessel in question. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has stated that his government never made such a commitment, CNN reported. (ANI)
Dozens of Russian navy members were killed on Friday, including "senior leadership" as Ukraine launched a missile barrage at Russia's Black Sea Fleet headquarters in the Crimean city of Sevastopol, reported CNN. Ukraine's Special Operations Forces shared on their social media that a special op dubbed "Crab Trap" was timed to strike while senior members of Russia's Navy were meeting. They noted that the attack left dozens dead and wounded including the senior leadership of the fleet. However, according to CNN, names have not been disclosed yet. The data was transmitted to the Air Force for strike. The details of the attack will be revealed once it is possible. The result is dozens of dead and wounded occupiers, including the senior leadership of the fleet, the statement read. The attack marked the most dramatic example yet of the confidence with which Ukraine is going after Russian facilities in occupied Crimea and also showed the vulnerability of critically important infrastructure on the peninsula. Notably, Sevastopol is the largest city in Crimea and was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014. However, Ukraine has never given up its hope to reclaim it, reported CNN. The daring and painstaking work of the Special Operations Forces enabled them to hit the Black Sea Fleet headquarters on time and with precision while the Russian Navys senior staff was meeting in the temporarily occupied city of Sevastopol, it said in the statement. Reportedly on Friday, at least one Ukrainian missile struck the headquarters of Russias Black Sea navy in the Crimean port of Sevastopol, setting it ablaze. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday (local time) said that Russia's aggression must end with Ukraine's victory. In his address at the Canadian Parliament, Zelenskyy said, "This Russian aggression must end with our victory so that Russia will never bring back genocide to Ukraine and will never ever try to do so. Moscow must lose once and for all and it will lose." Ukrainian President said, "Moscow now as always is bent on controlling Ukraine and makes use of all available means to do that, including genocide. It is genocide what Russian occupiers are doing to Ukraine and when we want to win, when we call on the world to support us, it is not just about an ordinary conflict. It is about saving the lives of millions of people." (ANI)
Hong Kong: FS visits biomedical firm in UK

Financial Secretary Paul Chan yesterday visited a biopharmaceutical company and the Royal College of Art, and attended a lunch hosted by the China-Britain Business Council, as part of his ongoing trip to London.

Mr Chan visited AstraZeneca and met the companys senior management to learn about its drug research and development activities, as well as its latest expansion plans.

AstraZeneca indicated that following in-depth talks with Hong Kongs Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, it plans to develop a research and development centre in Hong Kong and will engage in further discussion with relevant government departments on the matter.

The Financial Secretary then attended a roundtable luncheon held by the China-Britain Business Council, and met representatives of British enterprises that do business, or plan to do business, either in the Mainland or Hong Kong.

Mr Chan later visited the Royal College of Art, which collaborated with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to establish the Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design in 2021. He toured a number of applied research projects being developed at the laboratory to learn about how artificial intelligence can enable different types of design.

Additionally, Mr Chan met a group of Hong Kong students studying in the UK under the Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme to learn about their studies and future plans.

This story has been published on: 2023-09-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The Philippines has accused China's shadowy maritime militia of causing extensive coral reef destruction in the South China Sea, which has ignited a public dispute between the two nations over the contentious maritime region, CNN reported. Videos released by the Philippine Coast Guard have revealed substantial damage to coral reefs along the Rozul (Iroquois) Reef and Sabina (Escoda) Shoal in the South China Sea. These underwater features fall within the Philippines' internationally recognized exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and are located near Palawan, a southwestern island chain facing the South China Sea. However, China asserts sovereignty over a significant portion of the South China Sea, challenging competing claims by neighbouring countries and international rulings. Commodore Jay Tarriela, the spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard, disclosed that underwater surveys conducted by divers indicated "visible discolouration" and alterations in the seabed's natural topography, suggesting intentional activities to modify the terrain. Tarriela asserted that the actions of China's Maritime Militia, particularly their indiscriminate illegal and destructive fishing activities in the area, may have directly led to the degradation and destruction of marine environments within the Philippines' jurisdiction, as reported by CNN. Between August 9 and September 11, the Philippine coast guard reported monitoring 33 Chinese vessels near Rozul Reef and approximately 15 Chinese ships in the vicinity of Escoda Shoal. The presence of crushed corals strongly suggests potential dumping, possibly involving dead corals that were previously processed and then returned to the seabed. The Philippine military had previously accused China's maritime militia of causing extensive destruction in the area. However, China initially remained silent on the allegations until its foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, refuted the claims as "false and groundless." Mao advised Philippine authorities not to utilize fabricated information for political purposes, according to CNN. China has asserted "indisputable sovereignty" over a vast portion of the South China Sea, including the Spratly chain, which consists of 100 small islands and reefs. These territorial claims are contested, in full or part, by the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. China's actions in the South China Sea, including the construction of military installations on reefs and atolls, have challenged not only the Philippines' sovereignty but also the marine biodiversity of the highly disputed region. The recent footage of damaged and bleached coral reefs is a stark contrast to the vibrant marine ecosystem observed just two years ago. While the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute had previously documented the health of the Rozul (Iroquois) Reef in 2021, the current status of the reef remains uncertain. The institute emphasized the importance of continuous monitoring and marine scientific research activities to assess the impacts of recent activities in the area. The degradation of marine resources in the South China Sea highlights the threats posed by coral harvesting and raises suspicions of China's plans to militarize atolls through land reclamation. Western marine security experts and officials from various countries have accused China of using civilian fishing vessels as a maritime militia, a force that advances China's territorial claims in the region while maintaining deniability, CNN reported. The destruction of marine resources has prompted concern among foreign ambassadors in Manila. United States Ambassador MaryKay Carlson and Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa expressed alarm and emphasized the need to protect vital ecosystems. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has consistently raised concerns over ecologically harmful activities conducted by foreign vessels in its maritime zones. The Philippines' efforts to garner international support to affirm its territorial sovereignty have yielded results, especially as transparency about activities in the South China Sea becomes increasingly vital. Under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the National Security Team of the Philippines has enhanced transparency regarding developments in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea. This approach has gained domestic and international support for the Philippines' position in the ongoing maritime disputes, CNN reported. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a productive and busy day of engagements with his counterparts from multiple countries on the margins of the 78th United National General Assembly in New York. The significant day for the EAM began with the Quad Foreign Ministers meeting which included the foreign ministers of the four-nation bloc -- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Yko Kamikawa. https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1705382104815865949 Quad Ministers in a Joint Statement addressed and reaffirmed action on some really prominent issues including counter terrorism, cross-border movement of terrorists, indo-Pacific, denuclearization of North Korea, reiterating UNSC expansion and Russia-Ukraine War. External Affairs Minister held a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa and discussed regional, multilateral and global cooperation. Taking to his social media 'X', formerly known as Twitter, Jaishankar stated, "Delighted to meet Foreign Minister of Japan Yoko Kamikawa at #UNGA78. Exchanged perspectives on our Special Strategic and Global Partnership Discussed our regional, multilateral and global cooperation and taking them forward." EAM also met with his Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and noted the positive trajectory of ties with Australia and discussed specific measures that need to be made to take the relations further. In a post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, Jaishankar stated, "Great to catch up with FM @SenatorWong of Australia on #UNGA78 sidelines. Noted the positive trajectory of our ties and discussed specific steps to take them further. Our exchange of regional and global assessments are always valuable." Later on, Jaishankar held a meeting with counterparts from Brazil, Bahrain and South Africa. Jaishankar and Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani held talks on connectivity, economic linkages and regional dynamics. Jaishankar stated on X, "So glad to meet the Foreign Minister of Bahrain, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani this evening. Good conversation on connectivity, economic linkages and regional dynamics." Later in the day, Jaishankar met the UKs Minister of State Foreign Commonwealth & Development Affairs, Tariq Ahmed. Pleased to meet UK MoS @tariqahmadbt in New York today. A useful stock taking of our relationship. Also discussed recent developments pertaining to Ukraine, Jaishankar said. Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation for a week-long visit to New York, where he will address the United Nations General Assembly. Jaishankar, who will embark on his US visit today, is scheduled to address a High-Level session of the 78th UNGA on September 26 according to an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs. (ANI)
Earlier on Saturday, Jaishankar met his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Sahoukry and discussed bilateral ties.

On Friday, the EAM had a productive and busy day of engagements with his counterparts from multiple countries on the margins of the 78th United National General Assembly in New York.

The significant day for the EAM began with the meeting with Quad Foreign Ministers including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Yko Kamikawa.

He also held a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa and discussed regional, multilateral and global cooperation.

EAM also met with his Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and noted the positive trajectory of ties with Australia and discussed specific measures that need to be made to take the relations further.

In a post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, Jaishankar stated, "Great to catch up with FM @SenatorWong of Australia on #UNGA78 sidelines. Noted the positive trajectory of our ties and discussed specific steps to take them further. Our exchange of regional and global assessments is always valuable.

"Later on, Jaishankar held a meeting with counterparts from Brazil, Bahrain and South Africa. Jaishankar and Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani held talks on connectivity, economic linkages and regional dynamics. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry here on Saturday and discussed bilateral ties on the margins of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York. After shaking hands, Jaishankar and the Egyptian Foreign Minister had a brief bilateral meeting in the presence of officials from the both sides. Earlier on Friday, External Affairs Minister had a productive and busy day of engagements with his counterparts from multiple countries on the margins of the 78th UNGA. Jaishankar is scheduled to address the 78th UNGA on September 26 according to an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs. Earlier this month, Egypt President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi arrived in New Delhi for the G20 summit. The summit, which was attended by a sizeable complement of world leaders and delegates representing international organisations, hosted at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam over two days September 9 and 10. Earlier in June, PM Modi visited Egypt at the invitation of the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.On his arrival in Cairo, the Prime Minister was received by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and was accorded a ceremonial welcome. PM Modi's Egypt visit came as a reciprocal gesture following President El-Sisi's presence as the Chief Guest at India's Republic Day celebrations earlier this year. El-Sisi's visit proved to be highly successful, culminating in both nations mutually agreeing to elevate their relations to the status of a strategic partnership. The PM Modi's visit, the first by any Indian PM since 1997, was significant as Egypt has traditionally been one of India's most important trading partners in the African continent. India-Egypt Bilateral Trade Agreement has been in operation since March 1978 and is based on the Most Favored Nation clause, according to the Egyptian Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS). India was Egypt's fifth largest trading partner in the period April -December 2022. It was the 11th-largest importer of Egyptian goods and the 5th-largest exporter to Egypt during the same time. The two countries share a close political understanding based on a long history of contact and cooperation in bilateral, regional and global issues.(ANI)
The two foreign ministers met in New York on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1705616271075873035

Prior to meeting with Pereira, Jaishankar held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Egypt, Uganda and Cyprus.

With his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, Jaishankar took stock of great progress in India-Egypt ties. Shoukry also lauded India's G20 presidency.

"Great to see my friend FM of Egypt Sameh Shoukry in New York on #UNGA78 sidelines. Appreciate his warm words for the Indian Presidency of G20. Took stock of the great progress in our bilateral cooperation. 2023 has been a landmark year in India-Egypt ties. Committed to take them forward," posted Jaishankar on X.

Day-1 of Jaishankar's visit was a busy one, full of engagements with his counterparts from multiple countries on the sidelines of the 78th United National General Assembly.

The significant day for the EAM began with the Quad Foreign Ministers meeting which included the foreign ministers of the four-nation bloc -- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Yko Kamikawa.

Jaishankar is leading the Indian delegation for a week-long visit to New York, where he will address the United Nations General Assembly. Jaishankar is scheduled to address a High-Level session of the 78th UNGA on September 26, according to an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs. (ANI)
A Chinese court has sentenced acclaimed Uyghur folklorist Rahile Dawut to life in prison, VOA News reported citing a human rights group. The development comes six years after she first disappeared. Citing a Chinese government source, the Dui Hua Foundation in California on Thursday said that the acclaimed Uyghur scholar Dawut had been sentenced to life in prison for allegedly endangering state security, VOA News reported. The announcement has been devastating for Dawut's daughter, Akida Pulat, who for years expressed hope that her mother would be released soon. Speaking to VOA News, Akida Pulat said, "I have been worrying about my moms health and safety for the past several years." She further said, "Thinking about my innocent mom staying in prison for the rest of her life makes me really furious, and I want her to get released immediately." Dawut's life sentence showcases the severity of China's abusive campaign in Xinjiang. Over 300 Uyghur intellectuals have been detained in the region, according to the Uyghur Human Rights Project. As many as 3 million people, particularly Uyghurs, are estimated to have been arbitrarily detained in the region, the report said. Speaking to VOA News, John Kamm, executive director of the Dui Hua Foundation, said, "Among the Uyghurs, intellectuals and scholars and professors are very highly regarded. So when you strike at them, you strike at the very heart of Uyghur culture." Several nations, including the US, have accused the Chinese government of committing genocide and crimes against Uyghurs and other majority-Muslim ethnic groups in Xinjiang. Chinese Embassy in Washington's spokesperson said he was "not aware of the specific case," referring to Dawut, VOA News reported citing his statement sent through email. After Dawut first disappeared in 2017, she was tried in 2018 for the crime of "splittism," VOA News reported citing the Dui Hua Foundation. Splittism or separatism is among the charges often used by the Chinese government to target Uyghurs. Rahile Dawut had appealed against the subsequent conviction. However, his appeal was apparently rejected and it remains unclear on when she was sentenced to life in prison. Dawut's daughter Akida Pulat, who is based in Seattle, urged the Chinese government to release her mother. At the time of her disappearance, Dawut was a professor at Xinjiang University in Urumqi. During her career, Rahile Dawut published numerous books and papers on Uyghur folklore and lectured at top universities around the world. The Dui Hua Foundation is among many human rights groups that have urged China to immediately release Dawut. In a statement, John Kamm said, "The sentencing of Professor Rahile Dawut to life in prison is a cruel tragedy, a great loss for the Uyghur people, and for all who treasure academic freedom." Speaking to VOA News, Zubayra Shamseden, who works at the Uyghur Human Rights Project in Washington, said that since Dawut's research focused on Uyghur culture and heritage, her life sentence showcases Chinas "clear intention of wiping out Uyghur culture from Earth." Human rights lawyerRayhan Asat said that Dawuts life sentence is part of China's clear strategy to eliminate Uyghur culture by targeting intellectuals. (ANI)
Afghanistan is one of the 10 nations where nearly two million people face acute food insecurity, Afghanistan-based Khaama Press reported citing the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). In a statement released on Saturday, UN World Food Programme warned that Afghanistan is one of the 10 nations where 19.9 million people are food insecure. According to the report released by the organization, nearly 70 per cent of those in urgent need of food are in nations, including Congo, Nigeria, Sudan, Pakistan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Yemen, Bangladesh and Somalia, according to Khaama Press report. The organization said that 41 million people in Afghanistan face severe food insecurity at an alarming level. Prior to WFP's report, several international relief agencies had expressed concerns regarding budget shortages for aiding those in need in Afghanistan. Furthermore, David Beasley, the head of the World Food Programme, had warned of suspending his organizations operations in Afghanistan. Beasley said that they lack the budget to continue their programs beyond October, Khaama Press reported. Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced the allocation of USD400 million to protect the livelihoods and well-being of Afghans who are at risk, with a particular focus on women and girls, Khaama Press reported citing the ADB's statement. The United Nations will oversee the administration of this assistance. It will primarily address current food shortages, increase regional food production for long-term food security, and make sure that the Afghan people have access to basic healthcare services. Notably, it is due to the effects of climate change, such as droughts, floods, and earthquakes, Afghanistan is currently experiencing an unparalleled humanitarian catastrophe. Women and children are particularly affected by poverty, which affects around 85 per cent of the population. According to the report, families headed by women are especially at risk for food shortages and limited access to essential services because of mobility issues, reported Khaama Press. Three UN organisations will receive off-budget direct money as part of the Expanding Essential Food Security and Health Services Project, also known as Support for Afghan People, to meet their urgent financial requirements for immediate assistance in Afghanistan. The World Food Programme (WFP) will receive a grant of USD100 million to address food security. Additionally, WFP will undertake Food Assistance for Training programmes to equip mostly women with marketable skills and business possibilities in agricultural areas including fruit and vegetable processing, supporting sustainable income and livelihoods for women. (ANI)
The number of injured in the Russian Sept. 22 attack on Kremenchuk has grown to 32, Oleh Liednik, the head of the Kremenchuk District Military Administration, told Suspline media outlet on Sept. 23.

Among the injured are children, and three people are in critical condition, he said.

According to Kremenchuk Mayor Vitalii Maletskyi, three children were injured in the missile strike.

One person was killed, as announced by Poltava Oblast Governor Dmytro Lunin the day before.

Russian forces attacked Kremenchuk around 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 22, damaging residential buildings. Lunin reported the same day that a Russian missile struck some civilian infrastructure without providing any details.

The governor also said the air defenses downed one missile but hasnt specified the total number of missiles launched against the city.

Kremenchuk is a city with a pre-war population of 219,000 people, some 330 kilometers southeast of Kyiv down the Dnipro River.

Read also: Russian forces strike Kremenchuk on anniversary of Amstor shopping mall attack

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred in Brockton on Friday afternoon.

According to the Plymouth County DA, officers responded to a shooting around 3:23 p.m. at 131 Lynn Road in Brockton.

A 15-year-old male was shot and killed, the DA says.

Authorities are not identifying the shooting victim at this time, but his mother identified him as Jason Green.

Jason was an amazing, funny, smart, uplifting, pure and genuine young man, a GoFundMe page for the family wrote.

He was a great big brother to his baby brother. A wonderful son. He loved playing sports, dancing, rapping, singing, and playing on his PlayStation with his friends and family. He was a sophomore in high school where he was a big class clown but always did his school work. He was loved by anyone he encountered, the page added.

The DA says a 17-year-old male has been arrested and charged with possessing a firearm.

The investigation is active and ongoing.

No additional information is available.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help his family.

@MassStatePolice @brocktonpolice are investigating the fatal shooting of a 15 year-old male that occurred yesterday at 3:23 pm at 131 Lynn Road in Brockton. A 17 year-old male has been arrested and charged with possession of a firearm. The investigation is active and ongoing.  DA Tim Cruz (@PlymouthCtyDAO) September 23, 2023

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
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Henderson police arrested a 17-year-old boy on terroristic threat charges after he made social media about a possible school shooting, police said.

On Friday around 4 p.m., Henderson police received information from a neighboring law enforcement agency about a social media post referencing a possible shooting that may occur at a local area school.

Detectives interviewed a 17-year-old boy and determined a credible threat existed and no one else was involved, police said.

North Las Vegas student reportedly made threats to school, brought ammunition to class

The teenager was taken in custody and booked into the Clark County Juvenile Hall on one count of terroristic threats.

The Henderson Police Department would like to remind our public that if they see

something, say something.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
A city along the Central Coast and one of Californias nine National Parks were named among the best destinations for people looking to go somewhere off the beaten path.

Tripstodiscover.com, a website that provides trip planning suggestions and resources, named San Luis Obispo and Pinnacles National Park among its best destinations for vacationers looking for a place thats beautiful and inviting, without the hustle and bustle of busier areas.

Aerial view of Bishop Peak trail surrounded by chaparral on the hill with San Luis Obispo in the background. (Getty Images)

Saying of San Luis Obispo, Its often overlooked for places like Morro Bay and Pismo Beach, but it makes the perfect base for exploring world-class wine country. The website said the home to Cal Poly is emerging as a tourist destination and offers easy beach access and a charming downtown.

Visit the 18th-century Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa and the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, shop the unique boutiques, and dont miss the Thursday night farmers market. There are craft breweries and many outstanding eateries with outdoor tables for taking advantage of the year-round sunshine, the article reads.

Located about 90 minutes north, Pinnacles National Park was also named an off-the-beaten-path getaway destination.

Pinnacles is located east of the Salinas Valley, about two hours away from the San Francisco Bay Area. Its one of nine National Parks in the Golden State, but is among the least visited, meaning crowds are likely to be smaller and true immersion can be easier obtained.

It offers a little of what many of the more famous parks are known for, including the soaring granite domes of Yosemite, the massive trees of Redwood National and State Parks, the ancient volcanoes of Lassen, and the Dr. Seuss-like vegetation of Joshua Tree National Park, the website writes.

It also highlights the many trails for exploring, but says its best to avoid strenuous hikes during the hot summer months, instead encouraging a visit in spring and summer when wildflowers dot the landscape.

Trips to Discover named 15 places on the list, including:

White Sands National Park, New Mexico

Baker City, Oregon

Baxter State Park, Maine

Port Townsend, Washington

Hampton Beach, New Hampshire

Pinnacles National Park, California

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Ely, Nevada

Buffalo, Wyoming

Vernal, Utah

North Park, Colorado

McCall, Idaho

San Luis Obispo, California

Houghton, Michigan

Tarpon Springs, Florida

The same website has also weighed in on some other California gems, including the best beach town and the best town to visit for Christmas.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Two boys are suspected of vandalizing Bullhead City Middle School on Sept. 15, according to Bullhead City police.

Officers responded to an alarm call at Bullhead City Middle School on Sept. 15. About 7:50 p.m., two boys unlawfully entered the school, vandalized property, and discharged a fire extinguisher in the cafeteria, triggering the fire alarm, according to a news release from the Bullhead City police.

Police said the boys captured on school surveillance footage were the same individuals who smashed a car window, gained access, and took the car for a "joy ride" on Baseline Road the same night.

Arizona crime: Woman shoots husband in Prescott over divorce argument, police say

The crime was recorded for a social media trend involving car theft. Officers recovered the stolen vehicle at Rotary Park the following day, police said.

After further investigation and tips, detectives identified the two boys' ages as 14 and 15 and found out that neither of the boys attended Bullhead City Middle School, the police news release said.

On Thursday, detectives and school resource officers executed a search warrant at one of the boys' residences at Baseline Road and Yale Drive. They confiscated evidence related to the crime from the house, police said.

Both boys were later contacted and interviewed by police, and charges of burglary, criminal damage and vehicle theft were sent to the Mohave County Attorney's Office, according to the police news release.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2 teens suspected of vandalizing Bullhead City Middle School
Student-loan borrowers who were part of a 2022 settlement are still waiting for their relief to be processed.

A legal advocacy group said a student-loan company is not carrying out the settlement terms correctly.

It said some borrowers within the settlement were told they have to resume payments in October.

It's been nearly a year since thousands of defrauded student-loan borrowers were granted debt relief in court. They're still waiting for it to process  and might have to enter repayment because of it.

In November 2022, a federal judge granted final approval of a lawsuit  Sweet v. Cardona  which was originally filed in 2019 by student-loan borrowers who accused the Education Department of failing to process their claims that they were defrauded by their school. Those claims are known as the borrower defense to repayment  a borrower can submit a claim alleging they were defrauded, and if approved, their debt would be discharged.

Since the lawsuit was not finalized under former President Donald Trump's Education Department, President Joe Biden's took it on and agreed to a settlement that would give 260,000 borrowers $6 billion relief. However, it is taking time to process that relief  and the Project on Predatory Student Lending, which filed the lawsuit on the borrowers' behalf, said it's concerned that student-loan company MOHELA is not implementing the settlement terms correctly.

The group wrote in a letter to MOHELA's CEO Scott Giles that some borrowers who qualify for relief have been told they have to reenter repayment in October, even though the Education Department instructed servicers to place those borrowers on forbearance until their relief is processed.

"Borrower 3, a resident of New York, received a notice from the Department on February 28, 2023, stating that his Relevant Loan Debt would be cancelled under the settlement in Sweet v. Cardona," the group wrote in its letter. "He received another email from the Department in August 2023 confirming that no payment would be due while he waited for relief. Yet MOHELA recently placed Borrower 3's loans into repayment status, and his account shows that he owes over $600."

The group said that forcing borrowers with pending borrower defense claims back into repayment "violates the court-approved Settlement Agreement and applicable regulations." It requested that MOHELA work with the Education Department to ensure it has a clear list of borrowers who qualified for relief under the settlement, that all of those borrowers are placed on forbearance, and that MOHELA informs those borrowers that they have no obligation to make any payments next month.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau told Insider that while it cannot comment on any non-public enforcement work, it has previously identified incidents where servicers may have been violating consumer protection law. For example, the agency has found servicers attempting to collect on debt previously discharged, and it has also monitored complaints regarding predatory behavior at for-profit schools.

The federal pause on student-loan payment ended on September 1 when interest began accruing again on borrowers' balances. Their first bills will be due starting in October, and given the unprecedented nature of the transition of millions of borrowers back into repayment, advocacy groups and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed concerns with servicers' preparation.

GOP Rep. Virginia Foxx and Sen. Bill Cassidy  top Republicans on the House and Senate education committees, respectively  requested that the Government Accountability Office investigate guidance the Education Department has given servicers to prepare for repayment. "Student loan servicers will be responsible for helping millions of borrowers return to repayment, yet it is unclear whether the Department has provided servicers with the necessary guidance and instruction they need to assist borrowers," they said.

A group of six Democratic senators, led by New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, have taken on the issue, as well. On Thursday, they sent a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona expressing concerns with MOHELA's delays in processing paperwork for borrowers who qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

"Borrowers who are eligible to have their debt cancelled under the PSLF program should not be forced back into repayment due solely to MOHELA's processing delays, which cause difficult financial situations for so many borrowers," they said.

The Education Department previously told Insider it remains in close contact with servicers as they prepare to facilitate repayment, but it's clear the process is not as smooth as intended due to the roadblocks many borrowers are already finding themselves in.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The bodies of two people, including a 3-year-old child, were recovered from the Rio Grande along the Texas-Mexico border this week, as the state comes under fire for dangerous barriers erected in the international waterway to deter migrant crossings.

Deaths along the state's border with Mexico have become a recurrent tragedy, including several young children as they attempt to cross the border or during transport by U.S. officials.

On Wednesday, Texas officials found the body of 3-year-old boy in the Rio Grande near the border town of Eagle Pass after receiving reports of a child being "swept away" by currents, the Texas Department of Public Safety told CBS News. The boy, who officials say was traveling with family, was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Another body was found the following day in the same river. Both were discovered north of the buoys installed in July as part of Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts controversial border control program Operation Lone Star.

Another senseless tragedy due to the Federal Governments absence in discouraging unlawful border crossings between the ports of entry & lack of implementing preventive measures, Texas Department of Public Safety spokesperson Chris Olivarez said regarding the toddlers drowning on X, formerly Twitter. #Texas will continue to enhance border security & deterrent measures with boots on the ground, infrastructure, & enforcing state law.

The Texas agency did not immediately provide comment Friday evening.

Dangerous barriers installed  unlawful crossings on the rise

The buoy barrier is designed as a total blockade, as it is fastened to the river bottom with nets below the water to prevent people from swimming underneath them, and the orange balls rotate so people cant climb over. Critics have said the buoys make dangerous crossings even more unsafe.

In August, two bodies were recovered from the Rio Grande, one of which was found stuck on the buoys, according to Mexico's foreign affairs secretary. That was the first time a body had been found along the floating barrier.

Abbott is facing a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Justice Department that claims the buoy installations are an attempt to usurp federal control of national borders.

Earlier this year, USA TODAY documented how migrants, many of them children, were snared by razor wire and left with gashes and slice wounds. An internal email from a Texas state trooper, revealed in July, raised the alarm that the state's efforts had become "inhumane."

Despite the controversial installations, the border continues to see large swaths of people every day, and in rising numbers, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection figures released Thursday by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Migrants were stopped at the border 142,037 times during the first 17 days of September, up 15% from the same period last month. The figures include up to 1,450 people admitted daily for asylum appointments. However, the vast majority are illegal entries.

More deaths at Texas-Mexico border

Last month, a 3-year-old girl from Venezuela died after Texas authorities put her and her family on a bus to Chicago. Officials previously said none of the passengers exhibited a fever or medical concerns. An autopsy report later revealed the girl had a low-grade fever and other symptoms before boarding the bus, raising questions about medical screenings for state-sponsored bus transports.

In May, an 8-year-old girl died after a "medical emergency" while she and her family were in U.S. Border Patrol custody in Texas, according to officials. The girls mother said authorities ignored the familys repeated pleas to hospitalize the girl, who had existing health problems and was experiencing pain and difficulty breathing.

The week before the girls death, a 17-year-old unaccompanied Honduran migrant died in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' custody after being found unconscious at a shelter in Safety Harbor, Florida, according to Honduran officials.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas officials recover 2 bodies, including 3-year-old from Rio Grande
While trying to stay patient with your child's 17th request for a different Halloween costume, remember that certain outfits are more trouble than they're worth.

Watch out for costumes that represent cultures that your child doesn't identify with, as well as controversial figures like Confederate soldiers or serial killers. Costumes that stereotype prisoners, unhoused people or any other marginalized people aren't cool either.

There's a lot of costumes out there that are scary ... for the wrong reasons.

For instance, the "World War II Evacuee Girl" costume, while not marketed as a Halloween get-up on one website, is identical to one that was pulled from an online retailer in 2017 for its resemblance to Holocaust victim Anne Frank.

In 2016, Disney pulled a brown costume with tattoos that resembled Maui from the film "Moana" after accusations of "Polyface," aka the Polynesian version of blackface. And in 2020, Party City removed a children's Confederate solider costume from its franchise locations after the mother of two Black children called it out.

If your child asks for a Halloween costume that makes you nervous, experts say you should try to gently educate them.

"We shouldnt shame kids about their enthusiasm for costumes  you can validate the idea that some people would find the costume to be interesting or funny, while others might be offended or judge the person wearing it," Emily Kline, a psychologist at Boston Medical Center tells TODAY.com.

And no big deal if you previously allowed a costume you would never approve of today, says Denver family therapist Sheryl Ziegler.

"You can say, 'It was OK then but now I know better,'" Ziegler tells TODAY.com. "We can keep learning and growing."

The following six Halloween costumes are examples of frightful Halloween choices. (There's a reason we blurred the faces of the innocent child models.)

TODAY.com did not hear back from most of the retailers when asked for comment.

Psych ward patient

A "psych ward patient" costume can magnify stereotypes that people with mental health issues are "crazy" and dangerous.

"Let your kids embrace their wild and crazy nature while still keeping them safe with this straight jacket for boys," reads the product description on Amazon. "This jacket is all the rage with the folks down at the asylum."

According to Kline, the author of The School of Hard Talks: How to Have Real Conversations with Your (Almost Grown) Kids, this costume could mock mental health.

"Costumes that portray psych patients as dangerous or scary can perpetuate stigma and fear of hospitals and the people in them," she says. "Hospitals can be life-saving for people experiencing psychiatric emergencies ... a 'psych ward' costume may discourage people from seeking help when they need it."

Pimp

Do we really have to say it? A costume related to prostitution isn't for kids.

The "Child Cheetah Pimp Suit Costume" includes a leopard print coat and matching hat.

"The pimp costume is one of our oldest costumes that was made popular back in the early 2000s when shows like 'Pimp My Ride' and the song 'P.I.M.P.' By 50 Cent were popular," Johnathon Weeks, the founder of Costumeish, tells TODAY.com. "Pimp was a word that had major mainstream attention and costumes followed. We still sell a few children's pimp costumes each year; however it's not as popular as it was before."

Ziegler, author of the forthcoming book Good and Ready: What Every Parent Urgently Needs to Know About Todays Puberty, Middle Childhood and Mental Health" says some kids may not understand the meaning of a costume like this.

"The complexity with this type of costume is that the pimp image aligns with a lot of the music that appeals to teens, glamorizing a lifestyle with sex, money, drugs and private jets," she says.

She adds, "To many kids, being a pimp doesn't necessarily translate to sex work."

Ziegler suggests that parents tell kids who are interested in the costume: "This image is (upheld) in pop culture but we don't promote this personally."

Sexy nurse

The words sexy and teen don't belong together. Regardless, some pre-teen and teen costumes are advertised as "sexy."

If the "Teen Sexy Nurse" costume isn't questionable enough, the loaded term is also used to describe a Dorothy costume (from "The Wizard of Oz") and a ladybug "for any teenage girl looking to turn heads" on Halloween.

Isn't the goal of most parents NOT to sexualize their teenagers?

According to Francyne Zeltser, the clinical director of psychology, training and special projects at Manhattan Psychology Group, the word "sexy" is an inappropriate label for children's costumes.

"It sexualizes teenagers and removes the opportunity for young people to interpret the costume as they see it," Zeltser tells TODAY.com. "Marketing a kids' costume as 'sexy' can also dissuade many parents from purchasing it."

Prisoner

The "Deluxe Button Down Jailbird Costume for Kids" will have your child "sentenced for life," according to HalloweenCostumes.com's website.

"Show off that youre a parent with iron resilience when you give your kiddo the grounding of a lifetime... or at least let them look like they feel that way!" reads the website.

With the United States holding more than 20% of the worlds prison population, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, cosplaying an incarcerated person can read as insensitive.

"When children dress up like someone in jail, it makes light of an experience that shouldnt be trivialized," Rachael D. Robnett, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, tells TODAY.com. "It can also dehumanize people who are in jail, which is already a dehumanizing experience."

Native American princess

Hello, cultural appropriation! A "Native American Girl Halloween Costume" isn't a good idea if it's worn by a child who is not part of the cultural or racial group represented.

"Native American is not a costume," states The National Museum of the American Indian on its website. "Often, the outfits people wear to look 'Indian' have nothing to do with Native people and cultures. Native American cultures are vastly diverse and have a wide range of traditions that determine the clothing and adornment Native people wear."

Ziegler suggests that parents of children who choose these costumes, say, "This dress is so beautiful and I can see why you want to wear it. If you're interested in Native American culture, let's check out some books from the library to learn more."

Pot leaf

Baby

"This Halloween, dress up your baby in our most outrageous costume yet!" states Costumeish's website about its "Baby 'Pot for Tots' Marijuana Costume."

"The baby marijuana plant costume is just the right combo of cute and edgy that is sure to get stares and laughs from everyone," the site reads.

Johnathon Weeks, the founder of Costumeish, tells TODAY.com:

"The Baby Marijuana Costume has always been a top-selling item, especially in states like California, Colorado and Washington."

Despite the popularity, Robnett, notes that children should not be wearing costumes they can't understand.

"Keep in mind that babies and toddlers cant veto a costume choice, nor do they have a say in whether their photos are posted online," she says. "A respectful approach to parenting is to think through how the children might feel about these pictures when theyre older."

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
A group of young cats are looking for a new home after they were dropped off at the Hollywood Forever cemetery.

Shelters across Los Angeles are becoming more crowded with cats, dogs and other animals, and sometimes community members will drop cats off at the cemetery as an alternative, officials said. Hollywood Forever staff members host an array of abandoned animals that are well-cared for.

Officials propose solution to combat overcrowded L.A. animal shelters

Currently, there are eight kittens that need a new home, with ages ranging from six months to a few years old. There are three orange-colored males, two tortoiseshell-colored males, and three black and white kittens whose genders have not been identified.

A group of young cats are looking for a new home after they were dropped off at the Hollywood Forever funeral home. (Hollywood Forever)

Anyone who is interested in giving one or more of the kittens a loving home can contact Hollywood Forever at hfcatadoptions@gmail.com

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
At least 9 people were killed and 16 were injured as a result of Ukraine's attack against the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol on Sept. 22, Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov told news outlet Voice of America. Russian generals are among the casualties.

"Among the wounded is the commander of the group, Colonel-General (Olexandr) Romanchuk, in a very serious condition," Budanov stated. "The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General (Oleg) Tsekov, is unconscious. The number of injured regular servicemen who are not employees of the headquarters is still being determined. These are military personnel who are on duty, security, and so on  they are not included in the list that I announced."

Oleksandr Romanchuk is the commander of a group of Russian forces in the Zaporizhzhia region, and was promoted to the rank of colonel-general in 2023. Lieutenant-General Oleg Tsekov is the commander of the 200th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, part of the Coastal Forces of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Navy.

Budanov did not confirm the alleged death of the commander of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation, Admiral Viktor Sokolov. Updated information about his condition is not yet known.

Despite previous reports that Ukraine used Storm Shadow long-range missiles in the attack, Budanov refused to confirm that Western-made missiles were used in the strike against the Black Sea Fleet headquarters.

Earlier today, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that a Ukrainian missile strike on Sevastopol in Russian-occupied Crimea damaged the building of Russia's Black Sea Fleet headquarters.

According to the ministry, one Russian serviceman went missing following the strike. Russian air defenses shot down five missiles over Sevastopol, it added.

Several hours later, the Ukrainian military's Strategic Communications Directorate confirmed the missile strike without providing further details.

Ukraine's Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk published a video showing the aftermath of the missile strike, thanking Ukrainian pilots.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine strikes Russias Black Sea Fleet headquarters; Abrams to arrive next week









.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Dillan Ramsey has relapsed three times since being diagnosed with leukaemia. (GoFundMe)

Amy Ramsey has described how the walls closed in on her when she found out her precious four-year-old son Dillan had relapsed with cancer for the third time.

Dillan was diagnosed with leukaemia aged one and was initially given a 93% cure rate but after three years of intense treatment, his family were told it had reappeared once again in August.

Doctors added there were zero options for treatment in the UK and the only hope was an experimental trial in the United States.

Amy, from Salford, told Yahoo News UK: Its taken a huge toll on us and has been a real shock, after the third relapse the walls close in on you, especially as the hospital treatment options get smaller each time.

We have also asked the hospital not to apologise to us anymore, as sympathy seems so final.

We dont want to know the prognosis percentage anymore as we know the chances are small, so what difference will it make? It would only make us more sad.

Every treatment was a trial at one stage so we remain hopeful this is the missing piece of the puzzle.

The family are funding the treatment themselves and have so far raised more than 500,000 from a target of 1 million. Click here to donate.

Amy, her mum, Dillan and his two siblings will fly to Washington for his treatment as part of a trial after doctors gave the family the go-ahead on Friday following a series of tests.

Mum Amy Ramsey with Dillan and the rest of the family. (GoFundMe)

Dillan was initially given a promising outlook for treatment, but after two years, he relapsed in August 2022 and then again in March and August this year.

He had received a bone marrow transplant last Christmas and Car T cell therapy in May in the hopes it would make him better, but the family were given the devastating news last month his latest treatment hadn't worked and there was little chance of a cure.

Read more:

Amy, who has documented the familys journey online, added: We have had to organise the entire family moving to America in three weeks, as its a rare situation its been really difficult logistically and communication-wise.

We have been dealing with this for 3 and a half years and dont know any different, which is sad but we have been cancer parents longer than we have been non-cancer parents.

I hope our journey can help other families on a similar path as navigating through it is very hard.

Dillan Ramsey is heading to the United States for treatment. (GoFundMe)

The treatment

Dillan will have a central line inserted into his groin and the cell harvest sorter will then separate his T cells from the blood it extracts before putting the rest back into him.

Mum-of-three Amy added: The T cells then get trained in a lab to kill a leukaemia receptor called CD22, after they have trained them, they put them back into Dillan and the cells start to hunt the leukaemia and kill it.

He will then have a second transplant back at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

We arrive tomorrow at midnight and are being picked up to go to the hospital at 7am Monday to start everything. The family will be split up again for 6 weeks.

Amy said Dillan would love to start school and be able to have a normal childhood for the first time since he was diagnosed.

Dillan should not have to go through this, he is the most precious, kind, amazing little boy with the funniest character, she wrote on the GoFundMe appeal.

I cant bear the thought of losing him, we need as much help financially as we can get.

Mum Amy Ramsey wants Dillan to be able to go back to school. (GoFundMe)

The fundraiser

The fundraiser raised almost 300,000 in the opening days it was launched, with 20,000 donated by Man City defender John Stoness girlfriend Olivia Naylor.

Stones had previously supported an event to test people at Citys Etihad Stadium to find a bone marrow match for Dillan.

Celebrity supporters also include actresses Michelle Keegan, Brooke Vincent and Cath Tyldesley.

The total of the fundraiser now sits at more than 500,000 with a target of 1 million.
In this photo released by the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry press service on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, an Azerbaijani police officer gives food to an ethnic Armenian woman in a camp in Khojaly, settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan. (Azerbaijani Interior Ministry press service via AP)

LONDON (AP)  More badly needed humanitarian aid was on its way to the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh via both Azerbaijan and Armenia on Saturday. The development comes days after Baku reclaimed control of the province and began talks with representatives of its ethnic Armenian population on reintegrating the area, prompting some residents to flee their homes for fear of reprisals.

The aid shipments and evacuations followed Azerbaijan's months-long road blockade of the region led to food and fuel shortages. Baku followed with a lightning military offensive this week.

Nagorno-Karabakh came under the control of ethnic Armenian forces, backed by the Armenian military, in separatist fighting that ended in 1994. Armenian forces also took control of substantial territory around the Azerbaijani region.

Azerbaijan regained control of the surrounding territory in a six-week war with Armenia in 2020. A Russia-brokered armistice ended the war, and a contingent of 2,000 Russian peacekeepers was sent to the region to monitor it.

On Tuesday, Azerbaijan launched heavy artillery fire against ethnic Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh. A cease-fire was announced a day later, toning down fears of a third full-scale war over the region.

Under the agreement mediated by Russian peacekeeping forces, Nagorno-Karabakhs separatist authorities made sizable concessions: disbanding the regions defense forces and withdrawing Armenias military contingent. But the question of Nagorno-Karabakhs final status remains open, and at the center of talks between the sides that began Thursday in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh.

Russias RIA Novosti on Saturday published photos of tanks, air defense systems, and other weapons reportedly surrendered by the provinces separatist forces to the Azerbaijani army.

Hundreds of ethnic Armenians evacuated by Russian peacekeepers from Nagorno-Karabakh in the wake of the Azerbaijani offensive  which Baku termed an anti-terrorist operation  were filmed Saturday camping outside an airport near the Russian peacekeepers' base.

Elena Yeremyan, from the village of Askeran, told Nagorno-Karabakh-based broadcaster Artsakh TV that she and her family had no intention of leaving the area, as they didnt feel safe anywhere after Azerbaijani troops moved into the region.

Valeri Hayrapetyan from Haterk said that he and his neighbors scrambled to leave after Azerbaijani forces entered the village earlier that day.

People left as they could. Someone even left without any clothes. They couldnt take anything. There are people who havent eaten anything. Someone lost consciousness yesterday because of starvation, he said.

A third evacuee, also from Haterk, claimed that Azerbaijani troops were not allowing young men to leave. Romela Avanesyan also referenced rumors that they might be imprisoned, but did not provide specifics.

The evacuees' claims could not be independently verified.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan called Saturday for the United Nations to send representatives of various agencies to Nagorno-Karabakh immediately to monitor and assess the human rights, humanitarian and security situation there. A message seeking comment on his request, made at the U.N. General Assemblys annual meeting of world leaders, was sent to a U.N. spokesperson.

Mirzoyan complained that the international community had left the regions residents in peril and deprivation since the road blockade began in December. It was no coincidence, he said, that Azerbaijan went on to make its military move in the midst of the U.N.s biggest gathering of the year.

The message is clear: You can talk about peace, and we can go to war, and you will not be able to change anything, he said hours after Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov stood at the same rostrum.

Azerbaijan also feels that the international community has fallen short  by not making real steps and targeted public messages to persuade Armenia to honor its commitments, Bayramov said.

He said Baku that was working to address the immediate needs of people in Nagorno-Karabakh and intends to reintegrate them as equal citizens. Azerbaijan has said it will guarantee Nagorno-Karabakh residents all rights and freedoms in line with the countrys constitution and international human rights obligations, including safeguards for ethnic minorities.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement Saturday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and expressed deep concern for the ethnic Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Blinken underscored that the U.S. "is calling on Azerbaijan to protect civilians and uphold its obligations to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh and to ensure its forces comply with international humanitarian law, Miller said.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's office said Saturday that Baku had set up a working group to provide Nagorno-Karabakhs residents with medical care, food and other staples.

Azerbaijani authorities reported Saturday that they shipped over 60 tons of fuel that same day through the South Caucasus countrys territory, through a road leading from the city of Aghdam with Nagorno-Karabakhs regional capital, Stepanakert.

The International Committee of the Red Cross also said Saturday that it had dispatched 70 tons of humanitarian aid, mostly flour, to Nagorno-Karabakh via the road connection known as the Lachin corridor. Russian peacekeepers were supposed to ensure free movement along the route, but Baku imposed a blockade in December, alleging that Yerevan was using the road for mineral extraction and illicit weapons shipments to the provinces separatist forces.

Armenia charged that the closure denied basic food and fuel supplies to Nagorno-Karabakhs approximately 120,000 people. Azerbaijan rejected the accusation, arguing that the region could receive supplies through Aghdam  a solution long resisted by Nagorno-Karabakh authorities, who called it a strategy for Baku to take control of the region.

Russia's Defense Ministry said earlier this week that it has enabled aid deliveries along the Lachin corridor.

Moscow has also sent over 50 tons of food aid and other basic necessities to Nagorno-Karabakh, the state-run RIA Novosti agency reported on Saturday. The Russian Defense Ministry that same day published a video showing Russian peacekeepers unloading the cargo.

Aliyev said through his press office that better opportunities had emerged to seek a peace agreement with Armenia after 30 years of conflict, largely centered on Nagorno-Karabakhs status.

His foreign minister told the General Assembly that the path forward is for Yerevan to take tangible steps to recognize Azerbaijani sovereignty in the province.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the gathering that it was time for mutual trust-building between the adversaries, and that Russian troops will certainly help."

Meanwhile, protesters rallied again Saturday in Armenias major cities, demanding that authorities defend ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh and calling for Pashinyan to resign. Armenias Investigative Committee said it had opened 49 criminal cases against demonstrators accused of calling for mass disorder, vandalism and carrying unlicensed weapons.

The Armenian police also told Russias Interfax agency on Friday that it had arrested 98 protesters at a rally in Yerevan.

___

Associated Press writers Aida Sultanova in London, Jennifer Peltz at the United Nations and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.
This article was originally published in Alabama Reflector.

OZARK The Ozark Dale County Library Board of Trustees Wednesday approved new policies that will require more parental supervision of children in libraries but did not explicitly remove or ban any books.

The approval came in a meeting that was far less tense  and far less crowded  than a special called meeting in August that followed challenges to books with LGBTQ+ content by local officials. The new policies will require more children to be accompanied by adults and limit childrens access to certain parts of the library.

Members of the board said Wednesday the changes would reaffirm the role of the parent and protect staff from potential legal liability.

Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter

The only defense our librarians would have when a child checks out that book a minor checks out a book that may or may not have that kind of material in it is because their parents allowed them to do so, said Christina Faulkner, the boards secretary.

The board Wednesday voted on changes that were discussed at the August meeting about the potential accessibility of some books to minors. The initial informal complaint to the library focused on rainbow stickers on books with LGBTQ+ content, but the library Board of Trustees had mainly focused on potentially age-inappropriate sexual content.

The changes include:

Raising the age of children needing to be accompanied by an adult from 10 to 13.

Adjusting age ranges for sections of the library and adding age range stickers to books in the young adult section, based on publishers recommendations.

Signage saying all books may not be in line with parents wishes and offering assistance from staff for questions and concerns. The sign will also ask parents to monitor their children.

A three-member committee will consider where a book challenged ahead of the August meeting should go.

Public speakers in attendance thanked the Board for the work the library has done over the last several weeks.

The young adult section of the Ozark  Dale County Library Wednesday, Aug. 30 in Ozark, Alabama. (Alabama Reflector/Stew Milne)

I think the parental control, if thats the right word, is it, youve done a fabulous job, said Jim Hill, who said at the August meeting that he wanted books monitored.And I want to say thanks. Im not trying to isolate any group or, its not about me or another person, its about our children or grandchildren.

Other speakers also expressed gratitude for the librarys efforts but said they were concerned that these compromises would lead to more and more concessions.

Youre going down a rabbit hole, said Gene Lynn. Youve done nothing wrong.

Libraries across the country and state are facing challenges to books. The Prattville City Council earlier this month narrowly rejected a contract that would have limited the local librarys autonomy amid attacks on books with LGBTQ+ themes and books with sexual themes.

At the previous meeting, Board Liason Monica Carroll read a sexually explicit passage from The Mirror Season by Anna-Marie McLemore. The Macmillan Publishers website says the book tells the story of a girl following a sexual assault at a party. The book was one of two formally being asked for reconsideration by County Commissioner Adam Enfinger.

Adam Kamerer, who started a Facebook group that opposed the moving of books, said that he did not think it was appropriate that two board members had shared negative views of the book at the last meeting.

I dont believe any member of the audience was aroused or sexually excited when that passage was read, he said. We were certainly moved to an emotional feeling. We were disturbed, horrified and uncomfortable.

Michael Cairns, vice-chairman of the board, later said that the board does not have authority to overrule the appointed committees decision about whether the book should be moved up to the adult section.

Later in the meeting, Carroll said that she valued different opinions and said they rely on the process.

Without the process, we dont know how you feel, she said. We dont know about the books because we do not have the staff to read them all.

The board was not given the names of the people who will review the book but received information on their backgrounds. They are a professor, a teacher and a lawyer.

At the end of the meeting, Cairns criticized those he described as prominent community members for claiming that the board members do not care about children.

Nothing could be further from the truth, he said.

Also at the meeting, the board discussed the farewell reception for member Imogene Mixson, who served 30 years in two stints.

When I have been asked the question about why I would serve so long, it was an easy question to answer because I always say the same thing, and its a repeated response, she said. It is such a wonderful place that provides resources and services to all the people of Ozark and all the people of Dale County of all ages from children through all the adult ages, including senior adults, with a strong commitment to work with partners and agencies and all of the funding agencies, all the volunteers, the Friends of the Library. Much of my life has been spent in libraries and Ive loved them those days from childhood until this day.

The library will be closed Thursday to work on the new system.

Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com. Follow Alabama Reflector on Facebook and Twitter.
A 13-foot alligator was shot dead after it being seen with human remains in its mouth in a Florida waterway.

The Pinella County Sheriffs Office responded to the area of 134th Avenue North and 121st Street North in Largos after receiving reports of a body in a waterway on Friday afternoon.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, along with the sheriffs office, humanely killed a 13-foot, 8.5-inch male alligator that was then removed from water.

Deputies with the sheriffs dive team recovered the remains of an adult individual. The medical examiners office is expected to perform an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death in the following days. Officials said those results will help determine if the victim died due to the alligator attack.

Disturbing video of the reptile with the victim inside its mouth was recorded by bystanders. JaMarcus Bullard, who first alerted authorities, said that he was on his way to a job interview when he looked towards the lake and saw the horrifying scene.

I could tell there was a body in his mouth, so I started recording, Mr Bullard told Spectrum News 19.

I came down to the fire department and reported it to them ... they came back and told us there was one bigger in the water. The helicopters caught the heat signals in the lake but they couldnt do anything about that.

The sheriffs office said in a statement that the victims identity will be released to the public once the family is notified.

Jennifer Dean, who lives near to where the body was recovered, also told Spectrum News that she had previously seen alligators in the waterway  but none as large as this one.

A lot of my neighbours were out here and theyre the ones that told me about the gator, Ms Dean told the network. While we were standing here we heard a shot, I assume they killed the gator.

The waterway where the body was recovered is close to Taylor Lake, where a 47-year-old man was killed by a alligator last year. The mans body was missing three limbs when it was pulled from the water.
About 3,500 Russian men of conscription age have requested asylum in Germany since the beginning of the Russian full-scale war in Ukraine, but only about 90 of them have received refugee status.

Source: German Ministry of Internal Affairs in response to the request of Clara Bunger, MP from the Left Party, obtained by RND

Details: As of now, the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has decided on over 1,500 applications, with around 90 people granted refugee status.

Following the response, another EU member state is responsible for the asylum application in the case of approximately 1,100 applications due to the Dublin Regulation.

The RND noted the BAMF constantly monitors and analyses the situation in the countries where migrants came from. The practice of decision-making regarding the situation in Russia was last reviewed this month.

Following the revision results, "people who have fled may continue to receive international protection on a regular basis. Persons who are due to be drafted and refuse to serve will receive international protection if the conditions are met".

Bunger criticised the German authorities for such a low number of approved applications. She said the ruling coalition is good at writing about human rights on its banners and making promises, "but when it comes to implementation, its not as successful".

"For example, the insufficient protection for conscious Russian servicemen who refuse military service is especially galling, but Scholz nevertheless announced it in full," Bunger said.

Background: Oleksii Makieiev, the Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, criticised German politicians who proposed an initiative to give refuge to Russians citizens who fled from their country due to the mobilisation announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Jupiter takes a lot of hits for the rest of the solar system, and new footage shows one of the biggest astronomers have ever seen.

About 14 seconds into the video below, you can see a bright flash appear in Jupiter's southern hemisphere. The flash is from an impact  likely an asteroid or comet slamming into the planet. The video was captured by amateur astronomer Tadao Ohsugi, in Japan, in August. It's a rare sight.

Fireballs can happen on Earth, too. When meteoroids  small chunks of space rock  fall toward us, they sometimes rip through the atmosphere at such high speeds that they burn up mid-air.

This fireball on Jupiter, however, was much, much bigger than anything that could safely strike Earth.

One of the brightest, biggest Jupiter fireballs ever recorded

Ko Arimatsu, an astronomer at Kyoto University, confirmed to The New York Times that there were six reports of this flash on August 28. He said it's one of the brightest fireballs ever recorded on Jupiter, and only the second big one to be captured in a decade.

The last impact of this size, which Arimatsu assessed in 2021, had a force equivalent to about two megatons of TNT.

Prior to that, a giant impact in 2009 left behind a visible dark spot of debris on Jupiter's surface, spanning twice the length of the US.

A dark purple spot on Jupiter shows where an object impacted the planet in 2009. NASA, ESA, and H. Hammel (Space Science Institute, Boulder, Colo.), and the Jupiter Impact Team

Before that, in 1994, fragments of a comet crashed into Jupiter in violent succession, creating a stunning series of bright flashes.

A fragment of the Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet impacts Jupiters night side in 1994. NASA/JPL

Arimatsu compared the fireball in the new video to the Tunguska event of 1908, when an asteroid exploded in the skies above Siberia. The resulting shock wave and blast of heat destroyed 830 square miles of forest, according to NASA.

Even though whatever hit Jupiter was big, it was basically eaten up and dissolved by the gas giant. When debris hits Jupiter, "it just melts and explodes," Peter Veres, an astronomer at the Center for Astrophysics-Harvard & Smithsonian, told Mashable.

If this object had hit Earth, it would be disastrous. But Jupiter has probably saved our planet from countless impacts, both Tunguska-sized and dinosaur-extinction-sized.

Jupiter is the 'vacuum cleaner of the solar system'

As the largest planet in our solar system, by far, Jupiter has a powerful gravity that pulls in comets and asteroids.

An asteroid called Bennu, as captured by NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/University of Arizona

That's why many scientists believe Jupiter is a critical ingredient in the recipe that makes Earth suitable for life. Especially in the earlier days of the solar system, when more space rocks were zipping around, Jupiter's gravity may have drawn in many of the biggest threats.

The new video is "a glimpse of the violent processes that were happening in the early days of our solar system," Leigh Fletcher, a planetary scientist at the University of Leicester, told the Times.

Even in the eons since those early days, Jupiter may have spared our little ocean world from many a space rock like the one that doomed the dinosaurs.

In fact, Jupiter's appetite for asteroids and comets has earned it the nickname "vacuum cleaner of the solar system," according to NASA.

Arimatsu said that these types of impacts are happening more often than we can observe, and that the scientific community depends on hobby astronomers for reports like this.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Biden administration is nearing a decision to send long-range munitions to Ukraine known as Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) that could give Ukraine an edge in the fight against Russias invasion, according to U.S. officials.

President Joe Biden has told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Washington will be sending a small number of long-range missiles to Ukraine, NBC News reported Friday. Senior national security officials have also been discussing whether to send the ATACMS missiles armed with cluster bomblets instead of a single warhead in recent days, according to The Washington Post.

ATACMS, which can fire about 190 miles, could provide Ukraine the firepower it needs to reach important logistics, stockpiles, command and control centers, and other Russian targets far inside Russian territory.

The news comes at a pivotal moment for Kyiv, as Ukraines military has opened up a new line of attack against Crimea, the peninsula which Russia illegally annexed in 2014 and has occupied ever since. Crimea has been serving as a key logistics hub for Russia during the war.

Zelensky has said that taking back Crimeaand kicking the Russians outis a non-negotiable for Ukrainian victory in the war.

Some U.S. officials, however, have viewed efforts to take back Crimea as a potential nuclear red line for Putin and have feared reprisal if Ukraine does indeed work to kick Russians out of the territory, as The Daily Beast reported. A top official in Kyiv told The Daily Beast she was personally receiving warnings from western officials in Europe to pump the brakes on any efforts to reclaim Crimea earlier this year.

But Ukraine has not let go of the goal.

Biden has skirted around the issue of sending ATACMS to help Ukraine achieve decisive victories against Russia for months now, refusing multiple requests from Ukraine in recent months. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill began waging a pressure campaign last year to get the Biden administration to send the ATACMS as well.

Some remained concerned about provoking Russia by providing the longer-range capability, while some lawmakers raised concerns that the United States didnt have enough information about Ukraines military operations.

Since American stocks of ATACMS are limited, lawmakers have also raised concerns that sending the missiles to Ukraine means pulling on U.S. supplies, raising questions about replacing them and U.S. military readiness.

The Biden administration's official stance on ATACMS has softened over the past year. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan noted as recently as July that sending ATACMS could lead to World War III. This year, he admitted it was a possibility.

Ukraine has said it will not hit targets inside Russia proper, but rather will focus on targets inside occupied territory in Ukraine.

In Crimea, ATACMS might provide a more reliable option for striking the Kerch bridge, since ATACMS are ground-launched, while Storm Shadows are air-launched, according to an analysis from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Despite some concerns in Washington about targeting Crimea, which Russian President Vladimir Putin views as a prized possession, the Pentagon has admitted in recent months that going after Russian targetsincluding those on sovereign Ukrainian territory like the Kerch bridge to Crimeaare fair game.

Russian forces' capabilities and logistics nodes within Ukraine are absolutely fair targets, a senior defense official told reporters in July. There aren't any preclusions that I'm aware of about the Ukrainians fighting on their sovereign territory against Russia.

Its not yet clear that the Biden administration has made a final decision on ATACMS. The United States announced an additional $325 million arms package for Ukraine while Zelensky visited Washington this week, which did not include the long-range missiles.

But it wouldn't be the first time the White House changed its tune on sending certain weapons to Ukraine. In previous instances, the U.S. has been reluctant to send Ukraine other military aid such as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles or High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), only to give in later.

And Zelensky knows that wiggle room is there.

The ATACMS I think he can change this page and this war. Once he did it with the HIMARS, Zelensky said in an interview on CNN this month, adding he hopes to receive the missiles this fall. About the ATACMS, I will speak with President Biden again we are moving.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) is implementing a new security measure at the Times Square subway station. It's deploying a security robot to patrol the premises, which authorities say is meant to "keep you safe." We're not talking about a RoboCop-like machine or any human-like biped robot  the K5, which was made by California-based company Knightscope, looks like a massive version of R2-D2. Albert Fox Cahn, the executive director of privacy rights group Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, has a less flattering description for it, though: He told The New York Times that it's like a "trash can on wheels."

K5 weighs 420 pounds and is equipped with four cameras that can record video but not audio. As you can guess from the image above, the machine also doesn't come with arms  it didn't quite ignore Mayor Eric Adams ' attempt at making a heart. The robot will patrol the station from midnight until 6AM throughout its trial run that's scheduled to run over the next two months. But K5 won't be doing full patrols for a while, since it's spending its first two weeks mapping out the station and roaming only the main areas and not the platforms.

It's not quite clear if NYPD's machine will be livestreaming its camera footage, and if law enforcement will be keeping an eye on what it captures. Adams said during the event introducing the robot that it will "record video that can be reviewed in case of an emergency or a crime." It apparently won't be using facial recognition, though Cahn is concerned that the technology could eventually be incorporated into the machine.

Obviously, K5 doesn't have the capability to respond to actual emergencies in the station and can't physically or verbally apprehend suspects. The only real-time help it can provide people is to connect them to a live person to report an incident or to ask questions, provided they're able to press a button on the robot.

New York City is leasing K5 for around $9 an hour for the next two months. The mayor sounds convinced that's worth what the robot can do even though, as The Times notes, he recently ordered several agencies to reduce spending by 15 percent. "This is below minimum wage," he said. "No bathroom breaks, no meal breaks." Adams has a history of supporting the use of machines as police tools. Earlier this year, the mayor also announced that the NYPD will acquire two Digidog robots for $750,000 each for use in hostage and other critical situations. That's quite a reversal from the NYPD's decision in 2021 to cancel its lease on what was then known as Boston Dynamics' Spot after facing strong public backlash.
The former star of Pose and  American Horror Story  offered her account of discord with television writer and director Ryan Murphy and her former co-star, Emma Roberts.

Angelica Ross has been spilling major tea all week long, and now the actress and activist has announced a career switch.

Best known for her breakout role as Candy Ferocity in Ryan Murphys groundbreaking drama Pose, Ross went on to star in the ninth and tenth seasons of Murphys hit FX anthology series, American Horror Story.

Last year, she made history starring as Roxy Hart in Chicago on Broadway. But despite her success on two Murphy productions, the actress has revealed that her career and her relationship with him hasnt been as warm and fuzzy as fans might think.

Angelica Ross attends the FXs Pose Season 3 New York Premiere at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 29, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

In a series of social medial posts and IG lives during the past week, Ross made specific allegations about racist and transphobic incidents during her time on the AHS set and specifically accused the shows star, Emma Roberts, of mean girl behavior including making homophobic comments. She also claimed Murphy, her former friend and collaborator whos often applauded for being a champion of Black, trans women, ghosted her.

On Friday, Ross made the allegations about her troubles on American Horror Story and described her version of how Murphy  one of Hollywoods most celebrated allies  let her down in an explosive interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

These are the four most shocking claims Ross made this week:

Big on-screen success does not always equal big money

Even after becoming a major star with her critically-acclaimed performance in Pose, Ross was not raking in the big bucks by a long shot. While many would assume the success of the series and the industry-wide praise of her performance would command a hefty paycheck for her next gig, she said she was offered an insulting amount to come on board American Horror Story: 1984.

 When they came to me with a salary of $28,000 an episode, I was a little offended, she told The Hollywood Reporter. I was just like, No, I need more money. I asked them for $50,000 an episode, and they told me they couldnt do that.

Ross told the publication that she eventually accepted what she described as a significant bump, but it was not $50,000 an episode.

AHS allowed racist clothing on set

Despite promises of a racial reckoning in Hollywood, folks are still allowed to wear their racism on their sleeves almost literally. During the Reporter interview, Ross said she felt silenced when a show producer asked her to remove a tweet about racial insensitivity she endured on the Horror set. It happened after Ross refused to leave her trailer until a crew member with whom she had to have direct contact removed racially offensive clothing.

There was a crewmember who was operating my vehicle that I had to drive on camera, so hes right outside my windshield and every day he was wearing a racist T-shirt, she said. One day it was, BUILD THAT WALL. The next day it was white praying hands in front of an American flag, and it said, I DONT KNEEL. This guy had a collection.

She continued: The director, comes into the trailer and hes just like, Its a freedom of speech issue and we cant do anything about it.

According to Ross, a producer later told her that Murphy didnt want her to share things outside the family. So, she said, OK, fine, Ill take down the tweet. But just so you know, Im being told that this man wearing these T-shirts has freedom of speech, but Im the one being told to take down a tweet.

For the folks who havent put it together yet, Im leaving Hollywood. There are multiple articles that will be coming out detailing this. So I suggest you and your faves play nice, cuz Im a Black trans woman with nothing to lose. Candy was born from my body. IYKYK. IYDYD.  A N G E L I C A (@angelicaross) September 21, 2023

Allyship can be an illusion

Ryan Murphy is considered a champion of LGBTQ+ representation, and his work on Pose absolutely catapulted the plight of transgender Black women into the mainstream like no other project ever had. Still, Ross suggests that even allies have blind spots and ulterior motives.

And so to co-opt that energy only so that he can wield my essence whenever he wants to take me out of his actor toolbox, its just another form of tokenization, she said. Because he doesnt really mean what he says that he means.

Shes done with Hollywood.

After a busy week of describing her experiences in Hollywood, Angelica Ross took to social media to announce that she is leaving Tinseltown to pursue a career in politics. In her Reporter interview, Ross detailed her plans to start a new chapter in Georgia. Im fully walking away from Hollywood. But Im always going to be who I am, she told the outlet. You dont have to be on TV to be a creative person, to live a creative life.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Angelica Ross blasts Ryan Murphy, declares shes leaving Hollywood appeared first on TheGrio.
A man in Arkansas is suing over a $50 deposit he says never got back from Duke Energy.

He questioned in the federal suit whether the utility company violated his Fourteenth Amendment right.

He's requesting the amount he would have made if he had invested the security deposit.

A man from Arkansas is seeking arbitration in federal court over a $50 deposit he says his utility company never gave back.

Harvey William Hugunin claimed in his complaint signed September 19 that Duke Energy owes him not just his check  but the amount he would have gotten if it was invested in the stock market, according to the document, first reported on by Seamus Hughes' CourtWatch newsletter.

Hugunin said his $50 deposit has been held onto since December 26, 2016. He did not specify what the deposit was for, only saying in the suit that he hadn't gotten it back after eight years.

The complaint asks for a federal judge to weigh in on the matter. In his statement of claim, he requests the judge to negotiate a settlement with Duke Energy.

"If the security deposit of fifty dollars ($50.00) being held by defendant, Duke Energy, Inc. was invested in December of 2016 and traded through the US stock market daily in the best performing stocks, what would the present value of the fifth dollar ($50.00 investment be worth today?" Hugunin wrote.

In December 2016, if Hugunin had invested the check in SPY, an exchange-traded fund that tracks the S&P 500, the $50 investment could have grown to roughly $95 today, before taxes, based on historical data.

The lawsuit cites the 14th Amendment, which guarantees all people born in the US equal protection under the legal system.

Hugunin did not list an attorney on the complaint, but this isn't his first time filing a lawsuit.

He's filed at least a dozen complaints against banks, city officials, and even a duplicate complaint against Duke Energy on the same grounds. All but four of the lawsuits have been dismissed.

Despite Hugunin's penchant for lawsuits, customers have been having issues with energy companies in cases of extreme weather, and during pandemic-era shutoffs.

Customer frustrations with utility companies likely increased during the pandemic, a period where several major companies secured bailouts, and splashed the cash for CEO bonuses, but shut off service for customers across the US.

According to Gizmodo, Duke Energy was one of six companies responsible for 94% of shutoffs between 2020 and 2021.

Duke Energy did not respond to Insider's request for comment via a media hotline.

Read the original article on Insider
Astronauts and satellites tracked Hurricane Nigel from space as the storm made its way across the Atlantic Ocean.

The hurricane rose to Category 2 status on Tuesday (Sept. 19) while traveling north-northwest at 14 miles per hour (22 kilometers per hour) across the Atlantic Ocean. Nigels top sustained winds reached speeds of 100 mph (160 kph). Meanwhile, astronauts on the International Space Station, along with multiple Earth-observing satellites , watched Nigels path closely as it swirled above ocean waters.

NOAA's GOES-East satellite watched Hurricane Nigel  the sixth storm of this hurricane season  churning over the Atlantic Ocean between Sept. 19 and Sept. 20. Satellite images captured an aerial view of the hurricanes massive eye and intricately rotating clouds as these two features fueled the storm system.

Related: Satellites watch powerful Hurricanes Idalia and Franklin churn (video)

The European Space Agencys Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite also observed Hurricane Nigel and its large, stormy eye on Sept. 19, when the storm was located approximately 621 miles (1,000 km) southeast of Bermuda. At the time, the hurricane was still classified as a Category 1 hurricane.

NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli shared views of Hurricane Nigel from the space station. Moghbeli is the commander of the SpaceX Crew-7 mission, which launched to space on Aug. 26.

"I went to the Cupola to take photos of the @csa_asc Canadarm, which was temporarily parked nearby, when I saw a massive storm," Moghbeli said in her Tweet . "The @Space_Station offers a valuable vantage point for observing various weather phenomena, whether through crew Earth observation or the many externally-mounted experiments. We passed right over the eye of Nigel! It kind of looked like a heart to me"

Related Stories:

 Satellites watch rare, destructive Mediterranean hurricane Daniel swirl above the Sahara (photos)

 Hurricane Lee looks absolutely terrifying in this footage from inside its eye (video)

 Rocket Lab launches 2 NASA satellites to study tropical storms and hurricanes like never before

From the vantage point of the space stations Cupola, Hurricane Nigel appeared to blanket the Atlantic Ocean in a thick layer of white storm clouds. The crew passed directly over Nigel's eye, offering a unique vantage point to observe the growing storm.

Although the hurricane is not expected to make landfall, it will send big waves across the Atlantic and bring lots of rain to the United States' east coast later this week and through the weekend.
Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A is making the trip across the pond, as it will open five stores in the United Kingdom, according to a news release.

The restaurant, famous for its chicken sandwich and hospitality will launch in the UK in early 2025.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The company said it plans to invest over $100 million into the launch over the next 10 years.

This will be Chick-fil-As first permanent store outside of North America.

TRENDING STORIES:

The company intends to open restaurants in Europe and Asia by 2026 along with five other international locations by 2030.

We are excited our restaurants will bring new jobs and opportunities throughout the UK. Serving communities is at the heart of everything we do at Chick-fil-A, and our unique local owner-operator model provides one of a kind access to entrepreneurial opportunities, said Anita Costello Chief International Officer at Chick-fil-A Inc. We look forward to sharing our authentic Chick-fil-A experience: providing fresh food prepared with high-quality ingredients, served with our signature hospitality.

Chick-fil-A currently has more than 2,800 restaurants across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada, with the company having plans to open five, locally owned and operated restaurants in the UK in the first two years and expand across the UK.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
The small town of Pomfret, Vermont, has resorted to drastic measures to stop the flow of social media-hungry tourists clogging up rural backroads during the iconic fall foliage.

The town board agreed to block anyone but locals from using Cloudland Road, a dirt track with stunning rural views, during peak leaf-peeping season from 23 September to 15 October.

Windsor County sheriffs deputies will monitor both ends of the road to stop the crowds which locals have branded Tick Tockers.

It was too much, local farmer Mike Doten told the Boston Globe. Something had to be done.

There is no way a fire truck or an ambulance can get up this road in the middle of foliage season, he added. Its just too crowded.

An Instagram search for Sleepy Hollow Farm, a famous vista in Pomfret, yields countless identical photos of lone individuals standing on leafy lanes.

However, locals say the reality on the ground is far different: Tourists getting their cars stuck in the dirt. People hopping fences into private property. Thoughtless visitors using the bathroom and leaving their trash along the side of the road.

Prior to the shut-down, Pomfret tried making the popular road one-way, to seemingly little effect, so theyve opted for new tactics including reaching out directly to influencers.

Upon being informed of the situation by the residents of Pomfret, I recognized the importance of respecting the wishes of the local community, Kiel James Patrick, one influencer, told The Daily Mail.

In response, Ive removed posts featuring Sleepy Hollow Farm from my platforms and communicated with friends and fellow influencers about the farms private nature and the need for privacy and respect.

The message from town residents is at odds with the state which is trying to encourage the return of tourists after devastating floods in Vermont this summer.

We know that folks all over the country saw images of the flooding, so we take it very seriously to make sure people know that Vermont is very much open, Commissioner Heather Pelham of the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing recently told NBC5.

The state has spent around $200,000 on extra billboards and other ads in markets like Boston and New York City to woo visitors.

Vermonts iconic fall foliage is a major driver of state tourism (AFP via Getty Images)

A million or more people visit Vermont each fall to see the foliage, according to officials, plowing hundreds of millions of dollars of revenues into the state.

Extreme weather, including heavy rains and wildfire smoke, may mean a shorter foliage season this year.

This year trees have been stressed physiologically by two types of extreme weather weve seen in the Northeast: a summer of historic rainfall versus two previous years of drought, University of Vermont professor Bill Keeton said earlier this year.

Like drought, heavy moisture can cause leaves to drop off sooner than usual and have more muted fall colors overall, while the warming fall temperatures are delaying the onset of fall colors, resulting in a shorter foliage season.
The number of people wounded and injured in missile attacks on Kremenchuk has increased to 32.

Source: Oleh Liednik, head of the Kremenchuk District Military Administration, in a comment to Suspilne

Details: Liednik reported that 31 people were hospitalised; one more sought medical help later at night after the missile attack on the centre of Kremenchuk on the evening of 22 September.

Three people in serious condition have already been operated on. Their condition remains unchanged.

Quote from Liednik: "Unfortunately, there is one killed; condolences to the deceased's family. It's a man. As for children, they all [are being treated  ed.] on an outpatient basis.

One had a traumatic brain injury caused by the fall of the stretch ceiling. It's okay. The children are safe."

Background: Russia launched a missile attack on Kremenchuk, Poltava Oblast, on the evening of 22 September. Dmytro Lunin says air defence forces shot down one missile. There were strikes on civilian infrastructure.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Alan Hess and Harriet Brooks at their home in unincorporated Palm Beach County on September 19, 2023. The couple have booked a cruise to Australia but have been unable to get a visa into the country.

Alan Hess, 80, and his significant other, Harriet Brooks, 78, are looking forward to a dream cruise that will end in Sydney, Australia.

But because of some rare new restrictions required to travel to the country down under, whether they can go may depend on their health.

The Australian government wants tourists older than 75 to get a visa that requires a chest X-ray and a medical exam from one of their certified doctors before entering the country. Good luck finding an Australian-certified medical provider. There are only two in the entire state of Florida, one at Miami International Airport and the other in Brooksville, about 45 miles north of Tampa. Some states do not have any certified doctors; most only have one.

This has been a real nightmare, Hess said.

Hess and Brooks, who live in a retirement community west of Boynton Beach, learned of the requirement just weeks before they paid $16,000 for the cruise that will end in Sydney on Oct. 19. They plan on spending five days in Australia  that is, if they are allowed to leave the ship.

Australias Department of Home Affairs, in a statement emailed to The Palm Beach Post, says the rule is designed to protect the country from public health and safety risks and safeguard the access of Australian citizens to health care and community services in short supply. It reflects the fact that the health of those over 75 years of age is more likely to deteriorate quickly, with significant cost to the Australian community if they are unable to depart.

The tests are required regardless of the length of your stay. The new rule took effect in July.

More: AG James sues travel company for failing to refund over 100 New York customers

An expensive, time-consuming process to get the paperwork

Because the cruise was on Royal Caribbean, Hess said he contacted their corporate office to seek help.

"They told us it is our problem. I explained that as long as they are bringing passengers to Sydney, it is their problem," Hess said.

Hess and Brooks each had to spend about $400 for the tests and medical exams. Hess said they wasted an entire day by the time they completed their exams and returned home.

This is money we never expected to spend. And as of Sept. 18, we still dont know if we passed the exams.

Michelle Thomas, their travel agent, said she was shocked at how complicated and difficult Australia has made it for 75-year-olds trying to visit the country.

It is ridiculous," she said. "The process used to take a few minutes. I even contacted a visa company that I work with to obtain visas for them. The company said there was nothing it could do.

Hess says he was told by government officials that the tests have been submitted to the department's migration medical services provider for further assessment. Brooks has been told that the processing of her visa application is moving forward but a case officer must investigate the case before the visa can be issued.

Do not contact the department about health examinations in the meantime, a government official told Brooks in a letter that was provided to The Post.

Their trip to Australia is coming fast, and they are still in limbo

Meanwhile, Hess and Brooks are running out of time. Their cruise aboard the Celebrity Solstice leaves from Hawaii on Oct. 1 and arrives in Sydney on Oct. 19. Whether they spend their five planned days in Australia all depends on whether they get their visas.

Asked what happens if they don't, Hess said: "We have no idea but we are so looking forward to the five days in Australia."

Hess said he has asked both the U.S. Embassy in Australia and the Australian Embassy in Washington for help. He has yet to receive a response from either of them. Hess says he expects to have plenty of company, noting that there are a lot of people on cruises who are 75 years or older. They are throwing us to the wolves."

He said Royal Caribbean has said that if he and Brooks do not have their visas when the ship leaves from Hawaii, they won't be able to board on Oct. 1 even though they have visas from the other countries on the itinerary. None of those places  New Zealand, French Polynesia and Tahiti  required the special medical tests insisted on by Australia.

Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government and transportation. You can reach him atmdiamond@pbpost.com. Help support local journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Australia now requires medical exams for travelers over 75
Australia supports Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy 's demand that Russia be stripped of its veto power in the UN Security Council and has called for further reforms of the body.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong set out her countrys position during a speech to the UN General Assembly in New York on Sept. 22, Bloomberg reports.

Read also: Germany at odds with Zelenskyy, not backing proposal to remove Russias UN Security Council veto power

"We must demand more of the permanent members, including constraints on the use of their veto," Wong said.

Russia mocks the UN every day it continues its illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.

Read also: Zelenskyy questions UN on why Russia still has seat on Security Council

Wong also called for more seats for Africa, Latin America, and Asia, as well as permanent seats for India and Japan. Australia itself is seeking a seat on the Security Council for 2029-2030, she added.

During a meeting of the UN Security Council on Sept. 20, Zelenskyy called for the reform of the organization, including depriving Russia of its veto power and increasing the number of permanent members.

The Ukrainian leader noted that it was the veto in the hands of Russia that had driven the UN into a deadlock, and that Moscow had used its veto to the detriment of all other UN members.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A UAW Local 2402 member waves a picket sign outside the General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales facility in Brandon, Miss., Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. The unionized workers joined others Friday in new nationwide walkouts as the labor standoff continues. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Even after escalating its strike against Detroit automakers on Friday, the United Auto Workers union still has plenty of leverage in its effort to force the companies to agree to significant increases in pay and benefits.

Only about 12% of the unions membership is so far taking part in the walkout. The UAW could, if it chose to, vastly expand the number of workers who could strike assembly plants and parts facilities of General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, the owner of the Jeep and Ram brands.

Yet the UAW's emerging strategy also carries potentially significant risks for the union. By expanding its strike from three large auto assembly plants to all 38 parts distribution centers of GM and Ford, the UAW risks angering people who might be unable to have their vehicles repaired at service centers that lack parts.

The union's thinking appears to be that by striking both vehicle production and parts facilities, it will force the automakers to negotiate a relatively quick end to the strike, now in its second week. To do so, though, some analysts say the union might have to act even more aggressively.

We believe the next step for UAW is the more nuclear option  going for a much more widespread strike on the core plants in and around Detroit, said Daniel Ives, an analyst with Wedbush Securities. That would be a torpedo.

Sam Abuelsamid, an analyst at the consulting firm Guidehouse Insights, suggested that with so many workers and factories still running, the union has a number of options with which to squeeze the companies harder.

They could add more assembly plants to the list," Abuelsamid said. "They could target more of the plants that are building the most profitable vehicles."

As examples, he mentioned a plant in Flint, Michigan, where GM builds heavy-duty pickups, and a Stellantis factory in Sterling Heights, Michigan, that produces Ram trucks.

All three companies said that talks with the union continued on Saturday, though officials said they expected no major announcements.

In Canada on Saturday, Ford workers began voting on a tentative agreement that their union said would increase base pay by 15% over three years and provide cost-of-living increases and $10,000 ratification bonuses. The tentative deal was forged earlier this week, hours before a strike deadline.

The union, Unifor, said the deal, which covers 5,600 workers, also includes better retirement benefits. If the deal is ratified in voting that will end Sunday morning, the union will use it as a pattern for new contracts at GM and Stellantis plants in Canada.

In the United States, the UAW began its walkout more than a week ago by striking three assembly plants  one each at GM, Ford and Stellantis. In expanding the strike on Friday, the UAW struck only the parts-distribution centers of GM and Stellantis. Ford was spared from the latest walkouts because of progress that company has made in negotiations with the union, said UAW President Shawn Fain.

Striking the parts centers is designed to turn up pressure on the companies by hurting dealers who service vehicles made by GM and Stellantis, the successor to Fiat Chrysler. Service shops are a profit center for dealers, so the strategy could prove effective. Millions of motorists depend on those shops to maintain and repair their cars and trucks.

It severely hits the dealerships, and it hurts the customers who purchased those very expensive vehicles in good faith, said Art Wheaton, a labor expert at Cornell University. You just told all your customers, Hey we cant fix those $50,000 to $70,000 cars we just sold you because we cant get you the parts. 

The more combative union has declined to discuss its strike strategy publicly. Fain has said repeatedly that a critical part of its plan is to keep the companies guessing about the UAW's next move. Indeed, the union has shown unusual discipline in sticking to its talking points.

On a picket line Friday, Fain was asked whether striking against the spare-parts centers would hurt  and potentially alienate  consumers.

What has hurt the consumers in the long run is the fact the companies have raised prices on vehicles 35% in the last four years, he shot back. It's not because of our wages. Our wages went up 6%, the CEO pay went up 40%. "

Selling parts and performing service is highly profitable for car dealers. AutoNation reported a gross profit margin of 46% from service shops at its dealerships last year. The problem for the companies is that dealerships and other repair shops typically have lean inventories and depend on receiving parts quickly from the manufacturers' warehouses.

Mike Stanton, president of the National Automobile Dealers Association, said his members want to avoid anything that would impair customer service, so we certainly hope automakers and the UAW can reach an agreement quickly and amicably.

To make up for the loss of striking workers, the automakers are weighing their options, including staffing the parts warehouses with salaried workers.

We have contingency plans for various scenarios and are prepared to do what is best for our business and customers, said David Barnas, a GM spokesman. We are evaluating if and when to enact those plans.

Similarly, Jodi Tinson, a Stellantis spokeswoman, said, We have a contingency plan in place to ensure we are fulfilling our commitments to our dealers and our customers. She declined to provide additional details.

In negotiating with the companies, the union is pointing to the carmakers huge recent profits and high CEO pay as it seeks wage increases of about 36% over four years. The companies have offered a little over half that amount.

The companies have said they cannot afford to meet the unions demands because they need to invest profits in a costly transition from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles. They have dismissed out of hand some of the demands, including 40 hours pay for a 32-hour work week.

___

Associated Press writer Alexandra Olson in New York contributed to this report.
The same day that Azerbaijan celebrated the surrender of separatist Armenian fighters in Nagorno-Karabakh, many in the breakaway regions capital spent the evening throwing stacks of paper onto a fire.

One of the main things that people were doing in Stepanakert was burning all the possible documentation that could become evidence for the Azerbaijani authorities that they personally were part of the de facto government, Olesya Vartanyan, Crisis Groups senior analyst for the South Caucasus, told CNN.

They believe that this could lead to their persecution, she said.

The ceasefire may have ended the latest brief but bloody conflict fought for control of the region, but there are fears a fresh humanitarian disaster is just beginning. Azerbaijan has said it plans to reintegrate Nagorno-Karabakh, but how this happens without a mass exodus of the regions more than 120,000 ethnic Armenians, or without violence being committed against those who stay and attempt to resist Azerbaijani rule, is unclear.

Azerbaijan said it had regained full control of Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic-Armenian enclave within its borders, after launching a lightning 24-hour assault on Tuesday that killed at least 200 people and injured many hundreds more. Karabakh officials said their forces were outnumbered and had no choice but to surrender.

Whether this leads to a lasting peace is not yet clear. Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally considered part of Azerbaijan but for decades has been under the control of Armenian separatists. Armenia and Azerbaijan have already fought two wars over Nagorno-Karabakh since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and ceasefire agreements between them have proven brittle.

While this ceasefire may have saved Karabakh from the sort of bloodbath seen in previous wars, it has utterly upended the lives of ethnic Armenians in the region, who now face an uncertain future. Whereas the 2020 ceasefire called on both sides to lay down their weapons, Wednesdays agreement was far more comprehensive. Nagorno-Karabakhs presidential office said it had agreed to the complete disarmament of its armed forces.

But officials from Baku have demanded more, calling for the dissolution of the puppet regime in Nagorno-Karabakh, which has for decades been ruled by a de facto government not recognized by Azerbaijan or any other country, including Armenia.

Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev has long been explicit about the choice that confronts Karabakh officials. In a speech delivered in May, he told Karabakh Armenians they needed to bend their necks and accept full integration into Azerbaijan. Baku sent representatives to meet with Karabakh officials in the city of Yevlakh on Thursday, to discuss reintegration issues.

Few details were released about the meeting, ahead of which Aliyev said of the Karabakh Armenians that all their rights will be guaranteed. The Azeri delegation said the talks had been held in a constructive and positive environment, and had focused on the humanitarian situation, especially the need for fuel and food.

Their requests were well received. The heating systems of kindergartens and schools, emergency medical aid and firefighting equipment, fuel and humanitarian aid will be supplied, the delegation said, according to the national news agency AZA.

There are fears over what reintegration entails, however. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and international experts have repeatedly warned of the risk of ethnic cleansing of Armenians in the enclave.

The United Nations secretary-general remains deeply concerned about the impact of the escalation on the humanitarian situation, UN senior political official Miroslav Jenca said in a speech at the UN Security Council on Thursday.

A damaged residential building after Azerbaijani shelling of Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, September 19, 2023. - Siranush Sargsyan/AP

Unable to leave

Nagorno-Karabakh has been under blockade for nine months. In December 2022, Azerbaijan-backed activists established a military checkpoint along the Lachin corridor, the only route connecting Armenia to the region, preventing the import of food and prompting fears that residents were being left to starve.

The blockade has also prevented humanitarian organizations and foreign media from accessing the region, meaning that it is difficult to independently verify reports of further Azerbaijani attacks and the movement of the Armenian population.

Siranush Sargsyan, a journalist in Nagorno-Karabakh, told CNN she could hear intensive shelling from a suburb in Stepanakert Thursday, while the negotiations between Karabakh and Baku officials were ongoing. Most of the population were in panic, running and frightened, she said.

Following the truce, thousands of Karabakh residents reportedly fled to the airport, where Russian peacekeepers have a base.

Sargsyan also said there are more than 20 villages under siege in the more rural areas of Nagorno-Karabakh. There is no electricity and phone connection doesnt operate, so we dont know if our relatives are safe.

Those trying to evacuate face a host of problems, from a lack of fuel to the blockade Lachin corridor. - Russian Defence Ministry/Reuters

Olesya Vartanyan said the movement of Azerbaijani troops into these areas displaced thousands. These people, they dont have a place to live. Many of them are in the streets, she said.

While many Armenians, fearing further escalation, have already made up their minds to leave, Vartanyan said it is unclear who will organize routes out of the country, if the Lachin blockade is finally lifted. Will it be Russian peacekeepers, the ICRC, or will it be Azerbaijani authorities? she said.

Then, does it mean people will have to go through filtration camps? And then will people get detained  for example, the local men who took part in the fighting in the past, or those who were part of the local de facto authorities? she asked. Its a mess.

It is also unclear where Karabakh Armenians will travel to, if evacuations are able to begin.

The Government of Armenia doesnt seek the displacement of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh and believes that the rights of Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to live safely and in dignity in their homes must be guaranteed, Pashinyans office told state media Armenpress Thursday. But, if this is impossible, the necessary decisions will be taken, the statement added, without adding further details.

This is my home

Farid Shafiyev, chair of the Center of Analysis of International Relations in Baku, told CNN that the choice confronting Armenians who chose to stay was clear.

Those who dont want to accept Azerbaijani jurisdiction, they have to leave. Those who would like to stay and get the passports, they are welcome to stay, said Shafiyev, whose center was involved in Bakus plans for reintegration.

Asked whether she would also attempt to evacuate, Sargsyan said she wanted to stay in Stepanakert as long as possible. But if they attack again I dont know what we will do, she said. What I know is I cant trust them, their fake promises.

Beyond the immediate attempt to provide shelter and other aid to the thousands of Armenians attempting to flee Nagorno-Karabakh, there is the question of how Baku intends to dissolve existing institutions in the region and erect its own.

Azerbaijani officials met with ethnic Armenian representatives from Nagorno-Karabakh in Yevlakh, Azerbaijan, September 21, 2023. - Reuters

This is an entity that has been self-governing as a de facto state. Prior to that it was part of Soviet Azerbaijan. It has a very long experience and practice of autonomy, Anna Ohanyan, a senior scholar in the Russia and Eurasia program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told CNN.

Ohanyan warned that attempting to tear down existing institutions, which Baku has claimed it intends to, would be an attack on the capacities for genuine peace-building down the road. If Azerbaijan was genuine about integrating, there would be some integration of these institutions.

More gravely, Ohanyan warned there is no question that Azerbaijan would use force, if Armenians in the enclave refused to accept Azerbaijani citizenship.

If the Armenian community will not leave, but also will not take up Azerbaijani passports, I think that basically would be suicidal, Ohanyan told CNN.

The best case scenario, according to Ohanyan, would be a Potemkin village to continue to gaslight the West, referring to fake settlements once used to impress the Russian empress Catherine the Great.

But in the long term, I think there will be a systematic push, continued demographic engineering to push Armenian communities outside the region.

Previous reporting from CNNs Tim Lister, Gianluca Mezzofiore, Anna Chernova, Nick Paton Walsh, Katherina Krebs, Mariya Knight, Chris Liakos, Maya Szaniecki, Radina Gigova and Alex Hardie.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
PORTSMOUTH  City police are seeking the public's help to identify the suspect in a robbery at Bank of America on Saturday morning.

The suspect fled from the 848 Islington St. bank and the crime was reported at 10:17 a.m. with a 911 call, police said.

The suspect stated he had a weapon but did not display one, police said, citing the initial investigation. Patrol officers, detectives and police dog Crash searched the area but did not locate the suspect. Police said the suspect got away with cash, but did not specify the amount, adding officers involved in the search collected evidence, but did not say what was collected.

Portsmouth police released surveillance images of the person they say is the suspect in a robbery of Bank of America at 848 Islington St. on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

The suspect was described by police as a white male wearing a black winter hat and sunglasses with a black face covering, adding he fled across the street toward the railroad tracks.

City police said they spoke with witnesses, stating they are being assisted by New Hampshire State Police and the FBI.

Portsmouth police released surveillance images of the person they say is the suspect in a robbery of Bank of America at 848 Islington St. on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

Police ask anyone who recognizes the suspect in surveillance photos to contact Portsmouth police Capt. Dave Keaveny at 603-610-7511.

Tips can be reported anonymously through Seacoast Crime Stoppers by calling (603) 431-1199, via seacoastcrimestoppers.com and through the P3 mobile app available as a free download. Rewards of up to $1,000 may be paid for information leading to an arrest or indictment.

More local news: Pease airport's $9M upgrade. Here's how it will look.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth NH Bank of America robbery: Police look to ID suspect
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 30: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre (L) and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona talk to reporters during the daily news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on June 30, 2023 in Washington, DC. Cardona fielded questions about recent U.S. Supreme Court decision blocking President Joe Bidens program to forgive billions of dollars in student loan debt.



WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 30: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre (L) and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona talk to reporters during the daily news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on June 30, 2023 in Washington, DC. Cardona fielded questions about recent U.S. Supreme Court decision blocking President Joe Bidens program to forgive billions of dollars in student loan debt.

As the dust begins to settle after the Supreme Courts earth-shattering decision to gut race-conscious affirmative action  attention has shifted towards a much less defensible form of admissions preferences. Legacy admissions programs, which many argue are just affirmative action for rich white people, are squarely in the hot seat these days.

While some schools have decided to do away with legacy admissions of their own volition, most highly selective schools are holding onto alumni preferences with an iron fist. Now, the Biden administration is signaling that theyre going to do something about it.

Read more

The complaint noted that almost 70 percent of legacy and donor-related applicants to Harvard are white and that those applicants are nearly seven times more likely to be admitted to the university than their peers.

Other studies focused on income have noted a clear advantage that legacy admissions give to wealthy applicants. A recent study found that controlling for test scores ( which also correlates highly to income), students from the top 1 percent were significantly more likely to be admitted into highly selective colleges (i.e., the Ivy-plus schools).

Unless we address the underlying factors making it harder for students of color and students who dont come from wealthy backgrounds, Cardona and other experts on this issue argue that were doomed to move backward.

More from The Root

Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden s allies are bracing for a possible impeachment by House Republicans and looking to turn it into a liability for GOP candidates in the 2024 elections.

Most Read from Bloomberg

They are tapping a deep bench of Democratic veterans of Donald Trumps two impeachments and a team of two dozen White House aides to paint the impeachment effort as an evidence-free political stunt that exposes the disarray in the Republican Party.

The preparation, which has been going on behind the scenes for months, picked up urgency just before the House returned from summer recess with pressure mounting on House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to launch a formal inquiry.

McCarthy did just that, and Republicans have set the first impeachment inquiry hearing for Thursday before the House Oversight Committee.

Representative Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on that panel and the manager of Trumps second impeachment, recently gathered Democratic members and staff on a Sunday evening Zoom call to hone their message.

The Maryland Democrat, who became a liberal hero during the 2021 Trump impeachment trial, laid out Bidens defense in a 14-page memo rebutting Republican allegations against the president and his son, Hunter Biden .

Other lawmakers working on the effort include New York Representative Dan Goldman, who as a congressional staffer was Democrats lead counsel in Trumps first impeachment trial, as well as Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett, California Representative Robert Garcia and Florida Representative Jared Moskowitz.

Their efforts have been coordinated with White House officials, who spent much of August preparing for a hostile messaging war over impeachment. The day after McCarthys announcement, the White House released its own memo rebutting GOP impeachment allegations, saying they are based on lies.

White House counsel Ed Siskel, who started the job last week just as McCarthy announced the probe, has now been thrust into what could be the fifth presidential impeachment in US history  and the third in four years. But hes no stranger to Republican investigations, having worked on the White House response to them under President Barack Obama.

The White House team includes attorney Richard Sauber and Russ Anello, the former staff director of the Oversight committee. White House spokesman Ian Sams has been the public face of the White Houses pushback, attacking Republican claims in television appearances and on social media.

Extreme House Republicans want to distract people from their chaotic inability to govern and its impacts on the country, Sams said this week.

A spokesman for House Oversight Chair James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, said the Democrats efforts show that they see evidence gathered by Republicans as credible and damaging to the president, and Republicans will continue to dig for evidence of the presidents involvement in his sons overseas work.

Read more: How Hunter Bidens Scandal Fueled Impeachment Inquiry: QuickTake

A fundraising email sent by Vice President Kamala Harris the day after McCarthy announced the impeachment inquiry was her best-performing message since the launch of the reelection bid, a Biden campaign official said.

Biden himself has said little about the impeachment probe, but last week asserted GOP lawmakers want to impeach me because they want to shut down the government.

Republicans say Hunter Biden was cashing in on his connection with a powerful father and that the president is lying when he says he wasnt engaged in his sons overseas work. Theyre also portraying the Biden family as corrupt, saying millions of dollars Hunter and the presidents brother James received from their business dealings amounted to bribes intended to affect US policy while Biden was vice president  and say without evidence that Biden was involved.

A House Oversight Committee spokesperson said the Sept. 28 hearing will focus on the constitutional and legal questions surrounding the presidents involvement in corruption and abuse of public office. Within days, the committee also could subpoena Hunter and James Bidens personal and business bank records.

Earlier: Trumps Clout on Display With House Impeachment, Spending Moves

Democrats counter that the Republican case falls short of the constitutional standard for impeachment, which says an official must have committed bribery, treason or other high crimes or misdemeanors. And they say the lack of ironclad proof shows the House is doing the political bidding of Trump, the front-runner for the Republican nomination who has told influential Republicans he wants Biden impeached.

The White House, Biden campaign aides and Democratic lawmakers have repeated those arguments in press statements and in appearances on cable news shows. Democrats have also seized on comments from some congressional Republicans who have dismissed the impeachment push as a misguided distraction.

The House Democrats campaign arm is specifically targeting 18 House Republicans representing areas Biden won in 2020. Some have signaled wariness about the effort and do not want to take a tough impeachment vote.

The Congressional Integrity Project, an outside group run by Democratic operatives, just launched a digital ad campaign in those 18 districts, calling on the Republicans to address real priorities, not bogus impeachment stunts.

The group also commissioned a poll of voters in those districts, cited by Goldman and other Democrats, that found 56% of voters in those districts, and 61% of independent voters, think an impeachment inquiry would be more about damaging Biden politically than about finding the truth.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
President Biden received a flu shot and updated COVID vaccine on Friday, and encouraged other Americans to do the same, the White House announced.

As we enter the cold and flu season, the President encourages all Americans to follow his example and to check with their healthcare provider or pharmacist to assure that they are fully vaccinated, White House physician Kevin OConnor wrote in a statement Saturday.

The new COVID vaccine was approved by the FDA last week. The booster is crafted to combat newer strains of the virus as case rates rise nationally.

Cases of COVID rose rapidly in August nationwide, though that trend appears to have slowed this month, according to CDC data. The COVID positivity rate fell by about 2 percent last week, the first decrease in more than two months.

Meanwhile, hospitalization and death rates attributed to COVID-19 have continued to rise, according to the most recent data from the beginning of September.

More Americans are now concerned about COVID than in recent months, a Gallup poll released this week found. About a third of Americans worry about COVID worsening, while about a quarter worry about being infected, the survey found.

The rollout of the new vaccine has also not gone completely without a hitch. Many Americans have reported being charged for the new vaccine despite having insurance, which the Biden administration said would cover the shot.

The new vaccines have been available at retail pharmacies nationwide beginning this past week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden received an updated Covid-19 shot, as well as his annual influenza vaccine, on Friday.

Most Read from Bloomberg

As we enter the cold and flu season, the President encourages all Americans to follow his example and to check with their healthcare provider or pharmacist to assure that they are fully vaccinated, physician to the president Kevin OConnor wrote in a letter.

First Lady Jill Biden tested positive for Covid-19 in early September, prompting concerns over whether the president could travel just days before he was scheduled to attend the Group of 20 summit in India. The president tested negative, the White House said, and the first lady experienced mild symptoms.

Earlier: First Ladys Positive Covid Test Complicates Biden Plan For G-20

This week, the Biden administration said it would award $600 million to 12 US companies that produce Covid-19 tests. Americans will once again be eligible to order free at-home Covid-19 tests online as cold and flu season approaches. Each household will be allotted up to four rapid tests by mail starting Sept. 25.

Covid-19 hospitalizations among Americans rose 7.7% during the week of Sept. 9 from a week earlier, according to federal data released this week.

Biden last tested positive for Covid-19 in 2022, experiencing mild symptoms.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
The Biden administration is looking to ramp up support among young Black voters as polls show his approval rating with the demographic slipping ahead of 2024.

Earlier this month, a poll by The Highland Project found that 69 percent of millennial and Gen Z Black women are dissatisfied with the direction the country is going. Another poll by AEIs Survey Center on American Life found that only 21 percent of Black voters between 18 and 49 years old want Biden to be the Democratic nominee.

Now, in a sign the Biden campaign recognizes this worrying trend, Vice President Harris is spending the month touring historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) as part of a nationwide Fight For Our Freedoms College Tour.

This generation is critical to the urgent issues that are at stake right now for our future, Harris said in a statement earlier this month. It is young leaders throughout America who know what the solutions look like and are organizing in their communities to make them a reality. My message to students is clear: We are counting on you, we need you, you are everything.

Adrianne Shropshire, executive director of the left-leaning BlackPAC, said young Black voters have become a critical electorate for Democrats, who cannot win an election without their support.

Their energy drives the electorate, Shropshire said. Young Black voters tie their activism and their participation to culture. Theres a cultural element to political engagement and political activation in the Black community and that energy that young people bring really sends a message about when is the moment for the Black community to come together and act in unison around protecting the Black community and the Black communitys interest and the Black communitys future.

But some argue the administration hasnt been successful at messaging when it comes to what its accomplished for Black Americans.

Since taking office, Biden has invested $5.8 billion in HBCUs, addressed the Black maternal health crisis with Black Maternal Health Week and its Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis, as well as forgiven some student loan debt, though not for as many borrowers as originally promised.

For those who know of these successes, the efforts are working.

Kyshan Nichols-Smith, a junior at Morehouse College, a historically Black college, said one of his top issues going into 2024 is the protection of voting rights.

Nichols-Smith told The Hill he has always been politically active, something he thinks is becoming more common among young Black voters, but he adds that more voter education is needed to encourage the continuation of this engagement.

I think what were seeing more and more is a lot of young Black voters becoming more politically engaged and furthermore deepening their understanding of the political process, Nichols-Smith said. Obviously, theres two very sharp narratives about the left and the right and that means that voter education is really beneficial.

Shropshire said many of those surveyed by BlackPAC were not well-informed of what the Biden administration has done for Black voters  and it has impacted their support for the president.

We hear criticism about issues that the administration actually has addressed and that people are just unaware of, she said. When weve done focus groups and said to people actually, here are the things that the administration has done, the level of support for the Biden-Harris administration significantly increases and peoples response was essentially I didnt know that and now that I do, Im actually going to give him a B instead of the D that I gave him when you first asked me that question.

Still, Nichols-Smith said he is pleased to see Harris heading to HBCUs, where the work of the administration can be spread to young voters.

The Biden-Harris administration are reaching out to young Black voters, in particular HBCU voters, he said. Hearing about their concerns, things like student loan debt, race and racism, things of that nature, has been beneficial as far as just creating a more open dialogue between our politicians.

Shropshire added that the White House should really lean into Harriss work now as they work to build a young Black coalition.

She is very much kind of the secret weapon, Shropshire said. Young Black voters, they identify with her  so I think getting her out there speaking to these issues more and more is going to be really important.

But Biden has something else working in his favor: Young voters trend more progressive.

A poll from Pew Research Center found that 70 percent of American adults younger than 30 would rather have the popular vote determine presidential winners, and 58 percent want to expand the Supreme Court.

Black voters in particular have repeatedly identified their top issues as addressing white supremacy and racism, student loan forgiveness and education and police reform and accountability.

These issues mean that, despite what appears to be waning support, Black voters are more likely to vote for Democrats than Republicans.

Ariana Levin, a junior at Spelman College, identifies as a Democrat because she knows these arent issues the Republican Party is likely to address.

I feel like the liberal agenda is something that I gravitate more towards because they tend to focus on the issues that I care about myself, Levin told The Hill.

Levins parents instilled in her the importance of voting at a young age, and she spends time now sharing that message with her peers.

Older generations kind of left us a mess and so we as young people need to start paying it off, Levin said. We need to make sure that the legislation thats getting passed is going to put us in the right direction. We need to just come together. I find that its really important to have those conversations with my friends.

Some of Levins top priorities driving her toward supporting Democrats include access to reproductive health, ending the Black maternal health crisis and addressing police brutality.

When it came to the Black Lives Matter movement, every Republican you heard talking about it was talking negatively about it, whereas the Democrats who were talking about it, were trying to uplift the Black community at that time, Levin said. Things like that, it just kind of made me lean towards the Democratic Party versus the Republican Party.

Despite Republican attempts to draw in a more diverse electorate over the past few years, the partys rhetoric on race seems to be pushing nonwhite voters away.

In March, more than two dozen Republicans on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee refused to join Democrats in signing a letter denouncing white supremacy.

Then, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) sparked outrage when he said that white supremacists are not inherently racist, though those comments did draw pushback from GOP leaders.

Meanwhile, Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy has faced an onslaught of criticism for comments that some have called racially charged. And former President Trump, the front-runner for the Republican nomination, has been accused of racist rhetoric.

But while these incidents may be pushing Black voters away from Republicans, Democrats have also struggled to encourage Black voters to back them.

The 2022 midterms saw a significant drop in Black voter turnout. According to an analysis by The Washington Post, Black voter turnout fell nearly 10 percentage points, from 51.7 percent in 2018 to 42 percent in 2022.

A part of what is contributing to the dropout amongst Black voters weve seen in the 2022 cycle was the cynicism and frustration that the system isnt working for them, Terrence Woodbury, Democratic strategist and founder of HIT Strategies, told The Hill.

Woodbury said theres been too many politicians making promises they cant keep, and Democrats including Biden need to avoid this in 2024.

I would strongly, strongly advise against leading with promises about the future, specifically with Black voters, Woodbury said. The voters we are losing, the reason were losing them is cynicism. Were not losing them because they dont like Joe Biden, were losing them because the system doesnt work.

As for the voters themselves, Levin plans to do what she can to encourage her friends to hit the polls next year.

Its our future, Levin said. Its our now, its what were currently going through and I kind of have a motto: if other people arent going to do it, then you have to do it for yourself.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Joe Biden received the updated Covid-19 vaccine, according to a memo from White House physician Kevin OConnor released Saturday.

As we enter the cold and flu season, the President encourages all Americans to follow his example and to check with their healthcare provider or pharmacist to assure that they are fully vaccinated, OConnor wrote in the memo.

The president received the Covid vaccine alongside the annual flu vaccine Friday, O'Connor wrote. First lady Jill Biden experienced "mild symptoms" when she contracted Covid earlier this month. The president tested negative.

The updated shot was approved by the FDA earlier this month and the CDC recommended it for all individuals six months and older  however, the rollout has been rocky.

With the federal government no longer purchasing and distributing the shot, logistical hiccups and confusion over insurance coverage have presented obstacles to people seeking the vaccine.



Covid hospitalization data published by the CDC show that virus levels have surged recently. However, the CDC stopped recording individual cases when the public health emergency ended in May, so the exact number of cases is uncertain.

The White House has also struggled to combat growing anti-vaccine sentiment in a polarized political environment.

Vaccine skepticism is increasingly pronounced in the GOP, polls show. A new POLITICO | Morning Consult poll showed that Republican voters were less likely than Democrats or independents to say vaccines are safe for children and only 27 percent of Republicans said the Covid vaccine is very safe for adults  while nearly as many, 23 percent, said its very unsafe."

GOP presidential candidates, in contrast to Biden, have disavowed the vaccine. Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has said he regrets taking the vaccine (although his wife, a surgeon, has disagreed) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has leaned into Covid skepticism.

Biden's primary challenger, Robert Kennedy, Jr., is also a prominent vaccine skeptic.
President Joe Biden has informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the U.S. will provide Ukraine with long-range missiles topped with cluster munitions, U.S. officials confirmed to CBS News on Friday. Known as ATACMS  Army Tactical Missile System  have a range of up to 190 miles and can be launched from the HIMARS mobile rocket launchers the Ukrainian military has already received.

The decision comes after a months-long appeal by Zelenskyy, who met with Biden at the White House on Thursday following a visit to the U.N. General Assembly earlier in the week, to discuss the ongoing counteroffensive and the nature of U.S. support to Kyiv, as the grinding war stretches into its 20th month.

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 21: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) walks with U.S. President Joe Biden down the colonnade to the Oval Office during a visit to the White House September 21, 2023 in Washington, DC. / Credit: Evan Vucci / Getty Images

American officials had balked at sending the missiles to Ukraine, out of concern that drawing from stockpiles could undermine U.S. military readiness and the possibility Russia would view the move as escalatory. The missiles will allow the Ukrainian military to strike at Russian supply lines and command posts well beyond the front lines.

The U.S. officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a matter the administration had not yet formally announced and did not specify when the ATACMS would be transferred. A senior U.S. official familiar with the administration's deliberations said the U.S. is hoping to maintain an element of surprise with the timing of their deployment.

It is not clear which model of the ATACMS the Ukrainians will be receiving. There are various models of ATACMS, some with a range shorter than 190 miles.

File: U.S. Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) firing a missile into the East Sea during a South Korea-U.S. joint missile drill aimed to counter North Korea's ICBM test on July 29, 2017 in East Coast, South Korea. / Credit: Handout photo released by the South Korean Defense Ministry

NBC News first reported Biden's assurance to Zelenskyy.

Britain was the first country to send Ukraine a package of long-range cruise missiles, beginning in May and was followed by France in July. The Storm Shadows and SCALP missiles they supplied have a range of roughly 140 miles.

On Friday, footage emerged on social media apparently showing Ukrainian missile strikes on a Russian navy base in Crimea. Russian state media later said its Black Sea fleet headquarters in Sevastopol had been struck by a British or French missile, and that at least six people were injured.

Coinciding with the two presidents' meeting on Thursday, the Biden administration announced an additional $325 million aid package to Ukraine. "The arms and equipment include additional air defense munitions to help strengthen Ukraine's air defense against aerial assaults from Russia," read a statement by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Speaking from New York City at the conclusion of the U.N. General Assembly on Friday, Blinken said the administration was "constantly in discussions" with Kyiv about its needs.

"This whole process will continue going forward in terms of looking to address the needs the Ukrainians have to make sure that they can be as successful as possible in continuing to recover the territory that Russia has taken from them," Blinken said.

Eleanor Watson contributed to this report.

Cassidy Hutchinson on being forced into hiding

Author Ken Follett discusses final book in "Kingsbridge" series

More details emerge about crashed F-35 plane
On a trip to Iceland, I came across a group of tourists whose car was stuck at a black-sand beach.

There are three types of roads in Iceland: paved roads, gravel roads, and F-1 or mountain roads.

I learned the biggest mistake to avoid in Iceland is driving roads your car isn't equipped for.

While walking back from Vikurfjara beach in Vik, Iceland, during a trip there this summer, I encountered an unfortunate group of tourists whose car was slowly sinking into the black sand.

A one-lane gravel road led to the beach, but it appeared that this group tried to park too close to the shore and ended up in the sand by mistake.

I tried to help them push the vehicle out of the hole, but the more they revved the engine, the further the wheels dug into the soft ground.

It reminded me of the warning I'd received while picking up my rental car upon landing in Iceland: Don't drive on roads that your car isn't equipped for.

Iceland's unpaved and mountain roads require capable vehicles

A gravel road in Iceland. Talia Lakritz/Insider

The car-rental employee told me that there are three types of roads in Iceland: paved roads, gravel roads, and F-1 or mountain roads, which are only open for parts of the summer and require four-wheel drive to navigate safely.

She advised me to watch out for road signs indicating rough terrain and to save the rental company's phone number for roadside assistance in my contacts, just in case.

According to Frommer's, only about one third of all roads in Iceland are paved. During my trip, I found that all of the main streets and highways were paved, but roads leading to many tourist sites such as waterfalls, rural hotels, and beaches were made of gravel.

Because gravel roads can kick up rocks and damage the body or windshield of a car, my rental company also recommended gravel protection insurance as part of its platinum insurance package, which cost 31 (about $34) per day.

Luckily, the SUV I rented didn't have any issues driving the roads. But seeing a group of tourists get their car stuck in the sand served as an important reminder to drive carefully and follow local instructions while navigating unfamiliar terrain.

Read the original article on Insider
A sign marks a roadside rest stop that has been made to look like the historic security gate that all Manhattan Project workers passed through in Los Alamos, N.M., on June 26, 2023. The community is facing growing pains again, 80 years after the birth of the Manhattan Project, as it works to modernize the country's nuclear arsenal. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)

LOS ALAMOS, N.M. (AP)  Los Alamos was the perfect spot for the U.S. governments top-secret Manhattan Project.

Almost overnight, the ranching enclave on a remote plateau in northern New Mexico was transformed into a makeshift home for scientists, engineers and young soldiers racing to develop the worlds first atomic bomb. Dirt roads were hastily built and temporary housing came in the form of huts and tents as the outpost's population ballooned.

The community is facing growing pains again, 80 years later, as Los Alamos National Laboratory takes part in the nation's most ambitious nuclear weapons effort since World War II. The mission calls for modernizing the arsenal with droves of new workers producing plutonium cores  key components for nuclear weapons.

Some 3,300 workers have been hired in the last two years, with the workforce now topping more than 17,270. Close to half of them commute to work from elsewhere in northern New Mexico and from as far away as Albuquerque, helping to nearly double Los Alamos' population during the work week.

While advancements in technology have changed the way work is done at Los Alamos, some things remain the same for this company town. The secrecy and unwavering sense of duty that were woven into the community's fabric during the 1940s remain.

James Owen, the associate lab director for weapons engineering, has spent more than 25 years working in the nuclear weapons program.

What we do is meaningful. This isnt a job, its a vocation and theres a sense of contribution that comes with that," Owen said in an interview with The Associated Press following a rare tour of the facility where workers are preparing to piece together plutonium cores by hand. "The downside is we cant tell people about all the cool things we do here.

While the priority at Los Alamos is maintaining the nuclear stockpile, the lab also conducts a range of national security work and research in diverse fields of space exploration, supercomputing, renewable energy and efforts to limit global threats from disease and cyberattacks.

The welcome sign on the way into town reads: Where discoveries are made.

The headline grabber, though, is the production of plutonium cores.

Lab managers and employees defend the massive undertaking as necessary in the face of global political instability. With most people in Los Alamos connected to the lab, opposition is rare.

But watchdog groups and non-proliferation advocates question the need for new weapons and the growing price tag.

For some time Los Alamosans have seemed numbed out, very involved in superficial activities but there is a very big hole in the middle where thoughtful discourse might live, Greg Mello, director of the Los Alamos Study Group, a nonprofit that has been challenging the lab over safety, security and budget concerns, said in an email.

Town officials are grappling with the effects of expansion at the lab, much like the military generals who scrambled to erect the secret city on the hill in 1943.

The labor market is stressed, housing is in short supply and traffic is growing. There are few options for expansion in a town bordered by the national forest, a national park and Native American land, leaving county officials to reconsider zoning rules to allow developers to be more creative with infill projects.

Still, officials acknowledge it will take time for those changes to catch up with demand and for prices to normalize in what is already one of the most affluent counties in the U.S. With the lab being the largest employer, Los Alamos also boasts the highest per-capita levels of educational attainment with many residents holding master's degrees and Ph.Ds.

Owen is originally from Penasco, a Hispanic village in neighboring Taos County. His fascination with science was sparked by a high school field trip where he learned about explosions and implosions. It wasn't long before he landed a summer job at the lab and went on to earn engineering degrees that helped him move up through the ranks.

Los Alamos taps into regional schools as a generational pipeline. Grandfathers work as machinists. Mothers solder key components. And daughters become experts at tracking radiation.

Alexandra Martinez, 40, grew up in nearby Chimayo and is the latest in her family to work at Los Alamos. She chuckles when asked if she was born into it.

That's what I wanted  the ability to do something great, said Martinez, a radiation control technician who is stationed at PF-4, the highly classified complex that is being transformed into a more modern plutonium pit factory.

She must pass through fencing topped with concertina wire and checkpoints manned by armed guards. The layers of security are more sophisticated than those from the Manhattan Project era, when all incoming and outgoing mail was censored and telephone calls were monitored.

Los Alamos became an open city when the security gates came down in 1957. Still, many parts  including historic sites related to the Manhattan Project  remain off limits. Tourists have to settle for selfies near the town square with the bronze statue of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer.

Across the street, rangers at the Manhattan Project National Historical Park visitor center answer questions about where scientists lived and where parties and town halls were held. A chalkboard hangs in the corner, covered in yellow sticky notes left by visitors. Some of the hand-written notes touch on the complicated legacy left by the creation of nuclear weapons.

It's a conversation that was reignited with the release of Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer. The film put the spotlight on Los Alamos and its history, prompting more people to visit over the summer.

The attention also boosted an ongoing effort to expand the federal government's radiation compensation program to cover people in several western states, including residents in southern New Mexico where the Trinity Test of the first atomic bomb was conducted in 1945.

Aside from pressing questions about the morality of nuclear weapons, watchdogs argue the federal government's modernization effort already has outpaced spending predictions and is years behind schedule. Independent government analysts issued a report earlier this month that outlined the growing budget and schedule delays.

For lab managers, the task has not been easy. Modern health and safety requirements mean new constraints Manhattan Project bosses never had to contemplate. And yet, just like their predecessors, Owen said officials feel a sense of urgency amid intensifying global threats.

What's being asked is that we all need to do better in a faster amount of time," he said.
When Tiffanie Simmons joined her father for Bring Your Daughter to Work Day, she left knowing that one day shed return to the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant as an employee.

She was 12.

Sure, the self-proclaimed Daddys girl wanted to follow in her fathers footsteps, but more crucially, she understood that her family lived a comfortable middle-class life as a Black family in Detroit.

My father supported an entire household with one paycheck, she said.

In 2012, after toiling part time for five years, Simmons, now 38, joined the same Ford Michigan Assembly Plant as her dad, fulfilling a long-standing dream.

But things are not as she had hoped. Her plant, in Wayne, was one of the first three United Auto Workers sites to go on strike last week, along with the General Motors plant in Wentzille, Missouri, and the Stellantis Toledo assembly plant in Ohio. On Friday morning, UAW President Shawn Fain called for walkouts at 38 additional General Motors and Stellanis plants across 20 states.

And as prospects loom that the walkout could last a while, concern grows for Simmons and other Black UAW members that the middle-class life they came to appreciate as children and expected as adults is threatened.

The Simmons family resided in a home they owned. Both of her parents had cars. She recalls she and her three brothers did not want for much.

Ive been a Ford girl my entire life. I basically grew up in a plant, she said. Ford has paid for college, paid for braces for me and much more.

United Auto Workers members hold a rally in Detroit, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. The UAW is conducting a strike against Ford, Stellantis and General Motors. (Paul Sancya / AP)

Simmons, who is a production team leader at the plant and member of UAW Local 900 now has her own child.

Its very sad that now that its my daughters turn to be a Ford baby, her mama has to stand up and fight because they are not giving Mama the same thing they did her poppa.

After World War II ended in the 1940s, Black Americans found stable work and fairer wages making cars. Auto industry jobs were unionized and paid well, allowing Black autoworkers to form a Black labor aristocracy, according to a 2010 paper by Thomas J. Sugrue, a professor of history and sociology at the University of Pennsylvania. Work in auto plants provided an advancement for Black people who had been disproportionately restricted to such jobs as domestics, chauffeurs, custodians and farm laborers, according to Sugrue's report.

Simmons three younger brothers were all recently hired at Ford. All four seek a pathway to financial stability in the same workplace where their father, on the cusp of retirement, flourished.

But she and one of her brothers are on the picket lines. Her dad and two other brothers are working  for now.

Everybody is in the fight and have their shoes on, ready to walk whenever the time comes, Simmons said. Thats the important part. Its not that were the only ones thats doing the fighting. We just had to be the first on the front line.

The battle is for better wages, wages that the strikers say have not kept up with the times. The union wants a 36% salary increase. It is also asking for a restoration of cost-of-living pay raises, an end to fluctuating tiers of wages for factory jobs, a 32-hour workweek with 40 hours of pay, the return of defined-benefit pensions for new hires, who now receive only retirement plans similar to 401(ks), pension increases for retirees and other concerns.

On the crucial issue of wages, the automakers have countered with a wage offer that is about 50% of the UAWs demands.

Detroit is a predominantly African American city, Simmons said, where if you didnt know what you wanted to do in life, you knew you could go get you a job. You could build some cars and you could make a damn good living and a very comfortable life for yourself and your family. Thats all we want.

United Auto Worker Lynda Jackson participates in UAW picket. (Courtesy Lynda Jackson)

Lynda Jackson, who works for Stellantis and is the recording secretary for UAW Local 7 in Detroit, shared similar beliefs. Her father moved from Birmingham, Alabama, in 1968 to work at Chrysler (now under parent company Stellantis) after his two brothers secured jobs there. Her mother worked there too.

Everybody on our block worked for the big three auto companies, Jackson said. Growing up, I didnt know the difference between classes. I just knew I didnt want for anything. We went on a family vacation every couple of months. Our house was paid for. My parents had cars and my stepmother leased a car every couple of years. I just thought we were living the dream.

For Black people, who have been held back in society, building cars was a way to have a great life.

She expected the same for herself when she began at Chrysler in 2010. But, Jackson, 36, said, My wage difference is only $3 from my mothers when she retired 19 years ago. But the vehicle price has gone up almost $30,000 in the 13 years Ive been employed with Chrysler.

Jacksons plant has not yet been called on to strike. Despite the unions $825 million fund to aid workers during the strike, she said leaving the factory would be devastating, because her husband also works at the plant.

This strike is really saying that the workforce is kind of fed up, she said. We support this effort. But its important because my whole household will take a devastating hit if my location is called to stand up a strike. But then its like: How long could we afford to be off work?

She cited South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, a Black Republican candidate running for president, who, on the campaign trail, said he agreed with former president Ronald Reagan, who said, If you strike, you get fired, upon terminating more than 11,000 air traffic control workers in 1981.

I feel like this fight is for the middle class and people dont realize it, Jackson said. The American consumer thinks that if we make more money, were going to make the price of the vehicle go up. And thats the narrative the company likes to throw out there so that American citizens will turn their backs on us.

While Detroit is Motor City, Jonathan Ellis of UAW 862 in Louisville, Kentucky, said the impact of carmaking in his town is just as significant.

The auto industry has provided wealth and opportunities here, too, he said. Its been our history and we want to keep it going. A lot of Black people, Black middle-class people, rely on this work for a good living. Thats why were striking and why were in solidarity.

The union had agreed to pause some benefits amid the 2008 car manufacturer bailout, in which Chrysler, Ford and GM were issued billions of dollars from the federal government to staunch potential shutdowns and bankruptcy. Jackson said she hopes that undergoing these past sacrifices will be a positive factor in the sides coming to an agreement.

The workforce has really carried this company on our backs, Jackson said. And now our company is super profitable. So, this is the time to ask for what we deserve because I want the same type of lifestyle my parents had. They were able to retire after 30 years. Will I be able to do that?

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the growing tension between Canada and India on Friday, saying the U.S. is "deeply concerned" about the allegations made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that India was involved in the murder of a Canadian citizen earlier this year.

Blinken, who spoke publicly at a news conference in New York City, is the highest-ranking U.S. official to discuss the matter, which has been escalating since Monday, when Trudeau accused the Indian government of being involved in the June 18 killing of Sikh activist and leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Secretary Of State Antony Blinken speaks during a press conference at the Lotte Palace Hotel on September 22, 2023 in New York City. / Credit: Michael M Santiago / Getty Images

Nijjar was gunned down in the parking lot of a gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship, in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver in British Columbia. He was a vocal Sikh activist and proponent of the Khalistan movement, which aims to create an independent Sikh homeland in the Punjab state of India. The separatist movement began after the Indo-Pakistan partition of 1947, and is considered a controversial issue in India.

In addition to publicly accusing India this week, Canada expelled a senior diplomat from India and issued a travel advisory for the country, citing a threat of terror attacks.

India strongly denied involvement in Nijjar's murder, and in response, expelled a senior diplomat from Canada.

India on Thursday suspended visas for Canadian citizens and issued a travel advisory for Canada, citing security threats against its diplomats there.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hand with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ahead of the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi on Sept. 9, 2023. / Credit: EVAN VUCCI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. is actively coordinating with Canada as they continue to investigate Nijjar's death, Blinken said, and he encouraged India to work with Canada.

"From our perspective, it is critical that the Canadian investigation proceed, and it would be important that India work with the Canadians on this investigation," Blinken said in response to a question from a journalist about the issue. "We want to see accountability, and it's important that the investigation run its course and lead to that result."

He added that while the U.S. is focused on this specific case, it also sees Nijjar's shooting death as an opportunity to discourage other countries from engaging in acts that violate international rules-based order.

"We are extremely vigilant about any instances of alleged transnational repression, something we take very, very seriously," Blinken said. "And I think it's important more broadly for the international system that any country that might consider engaging in such acts not do so."

President Joe Biden greets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks on at the 2022 G7 summit in Germany. / Credit: SeanGallup / Getty Images

Blinken was asked about how this growing tension might impact relations between the U.S. and India, which has become an important strategic and economic partner in Asia for the U.S. In June, both countries signed the U.S.-India Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership, and released a statement saying the agreement "affirmed a vision of the United States and India as among the closest partners in the world."

Blinken said he does not want to characterize or speak to the larger diplomatic conversations yet, and said the U.S. is still focused on seeing Canada's investigation move forward. However, he said the U.S. has "been engaged directly with the Indian government as well."

An image of Hardeep Singh Nijjar is displayed at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, on Sept. 19, 2023. / Credit: DON MACKINNON/AFP via Getty Images

Cassidy Hutchinson on being forced into hiding

Author Ken Follett discusses final book in "Kingsbridge" series

More details emerge about crashed F-35 plane
Here are some of The Providence Journal's most-read stories for the week of Sept. 17, supported by your subscriptions.

Here are the week's top reads on providencejournal.com:

Real estate agent Beatrice Whitman shows a condo at Woodland Estates in Johnston. One of the more affordable places to buy a condo, Johnston ranks sixth, this condo is priced at $200k.

"Affordable" condos are hard to come by as real estate prices have rocketed since the pandemic, as have single-family and multi-family homes.

The Providence Journal analyzed data provided by the Rhode Island Association of Realtors to peek behind the statewide median price of all three types of residences.

The communities with the most-affordable condos or multi-family homes in some cases mirror, but in other cases deviate from, those with the most affordable single family homes. The Journal's Wheeler Cowperthwaite crunches the numbers.

Real estate: Where are affordable condos, multi-family homes in RI? These communities have the lowest prices.

A truck passes under a toll gantry on Interstate 95 in South County.

You've seen the hulking structures straddling Interstate 95 and other highways in Rhode Island: the toll gantries that have caused the state so much grief.

Since the moment they were turned on, the tolls have been at the center of a long-running lawsuit. It prompted one What and Why RI reader to write in to ask about the history and cost of the tolls, and where things stand in the courts.

What and Why RI: RI's truck tolls prompted a long-running lawsuit. Here's the history, cost and where it stands.

Erin Achenbach, head florist and farmer at What Cheer Flower Farm in Providence, stands amid dahlias at the farm.

PROVIDENCE  If you had to pick one word to describe the What Cheer Flower Farm, its possible you would pick nice.

There are other words you could pick, for sure. Generous would describe their mission of giving away flowers to community organizations. Conscientious would capture their commitment to sustainability and creating positive changes for the Olneyville neighborhood. Ambitious would describe their current project of rehabilitating the Colonial Knife brownfield into farmland and community space.

But nice kind of sums it all up. At least, that's what Readers Digest thinks, naming What Cheer Flower Farm one of the nicest places in America.

Good News: Reader's Digest named this RI spot one of the 'Nicest in America' in annual kindness search

Democratic candidate Sen. Sandra Cano poses for a photo with voter Oliver Dow who was heading into Temple Beth-el in Providence RI to cast his vote in the special election for RI Congressional district 1 seat on Sept 5, 2023.

For months, they put their personal and professional lives on hold to run the rubber-chicken, meet-and-greet, high-stakes debate circuit on the off-chance they'd make it to Congress.

One quit his job at the Naval War College. Another packed a bag and (temporarily) left her husband and children behind to register to vote in the congressional district in which she was running from a perch in her sister's Gridley Street house. A third left the race  and then his job at Yale Law School  after a TV report about an allegedly "inappropriate" 2019 text exchange that was never made public.

When former White House staffer Gabe Amo won the Democratic nomination on Sept. 5, the other 11 Democrats vying for a chance at Rhode Island's open congressional seat were all free to return to their previous lives.

But that is easier for some than for others.

Political Scene: They put their lives on hold to run for Congress. Now what?

The Pacific Legal Foundation, which is fighting Rhode Island's new shoreline access law, hired a plane to fly a banner saying "RI TAKES PRIVATE PROPERTY" in July.

A federal judge has struck down a lawsuit challenging the states new shoreline access law, ruling that the case wasnt properly before the court.

U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith on Tuesday dismissed the lawsuit brought this summer by the Rhode Island Association of Coastal Taxpayers (RIACT) because the named defendants neither enacted the new law nor were responsible for perpetrating the alleged harm against the property owners.

State lawmakers passed the law in an effort to improve shoreline access by clearing up long-standing confusion about the public's rights. The new law allows the public to use the shoreline up to 10 feet inland of the seaweed line. RIACT promptly sued to block its enforcement.

The organization, which describes itself as a coalition of about 50 members, half of whom own beachfront property, argued that the law stripped them of their right to lawfully exclude strangers from their property without just compensation.

Courts: Lawsuit challenging new beach access law tossed by judge. What that means.

To read the full stories, go to providencejournal.com. Find out how to subscribe here.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Journal top stories: Block Island fire; RI spot makes 'nicest' list
Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee speaks during Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, March 22, 2023, in Washington. Menendez and his wife have been indicted on charges of bribery. Federal prosecutors on Friday announced the charges against the 69-year-old Democrat nearly six years after an earlier criminal case against him ended with a deadlocked jury.

WASHINGTON - For the second time in 10 years, Sen. Bob Menendez , D-N.J., was indicted on corruption charges, but former federal prosecutors say there are some notable differences in the cases.

At issue is whether a mix of gold bars, cash stuffed in coats, mortgage payments and more were part of some criminal activity or "the normal work of a congressional office," as Menendez claimed in a statement Friday.

Menendez has faced corruption charges before, but the previous case ended in a mistrial when a jury couldn't determine if gifts received were the result of friendship or bribery.

Prosecutors say some details stand out about this latest indictment unsealed Friday.

What is Bob Menendez accused of?

From at least 2018 to about 2022, Menendez and his wife accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes, ranging from gold bars to a Mercedez-Benz, from three businessmen to protect and enrich them and to benefit the government of Egypt, according to an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in New York.

Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said Menendez was also charged with trying to influence a New Jersey attorney general's investigation of a relative of one co-defendant and the federal prosecution of another co-defendant through the appointment of a U.S. attorney in New Jersey.

The last time Menendez was indicted in 2015, he was charged with receiving gifts and $660,000 in campaign contributions from a Florida eye doctor, Salomon Melgen, that helped him get reelected to the Senate in 2012. Menendez was accused of using his office to promote Melgen's business and personal interests with officials of President Barack Obama's administration.

Menendez argued the money and gifts such as luxury travel stemmed from their friendship rather than a criminal relationship. In 2017, Menendez corruption case ended in a mistrial after the jury could not reach a verdict and the government decided not to retry him.

How does the 2015 indictment compare to the new case?

Jurors will have to decide whether Menendez can separate the gifts and payments from any actions he took, according to legal experts.

The previous case involved a relationship between the senator and a friend who was a physician, who was alleged to have been making improper gifts and payments in terms of hotels, flights and campaign contributions, said Brian Whisler, a former 15-year federal prosecutor who now practices at Baker & McKenzie. The defense was that those gifts were a product of the friendship and not a product of corrupt intent.

Whisler contrasted Menendezs previous case with the details of the current charges, which use texts and other communications to document payments of cash and gold bars.

The timing of the gifts seems a little more conspicuous, if you will, Whisler said Menendezs current case. I dont get the sense that that is the conventional gesture of friendship. I think thats partly what the prosecution is banking on.

Marc Scholl, a former prosecutor in New York who is now counsel to the firm Lewis Baach Kaufmann & Middlemiss, said that whether the government will fare better this time depends entirely on what the government can prove.

Unlike in the last case, here, the government is alleging substantial payments made to Menendez and his wife in the form of cash, gold bars, and other direct gifts, such as a luxury car, by three businessmen," Scholl said. "Further, the government is alleging that it has better proof of direct things that Menendez and his wife did for those who paid them."

Scholl pointed to one example in the latest indictment which alleged that Will Hana - one of the three businessmen - promised to put Menendez's partner on his company's payroll if Menendez helped the businessman facilitate lucrative financial transactions for him with Egypt, which he followed through with.

The earlier case proved Menendez got limited stuff and that political contributions were made. But there was scant proof, it seems, that whatever Menendez did over the years for the eye doctor friend was because of the (political) contributions and gifts, Scholl said. Here, if the indictment can be proved, the evidence of getting stuff for doing stuff is far more brazen, direct, and clear.

Menendez issued a statement denying wrongdoing and said prosecutors have misrepresented the normal work of a congressional office and made false claims against him and his wife. He added that prosecutors wrote these charges as they wanted; the facts are not as presented.

"The timing of it, the timing of the actions, the nature and quality of the gifts  those are going to be things that are going toward the coordination of corrupt intent or if this was pure, benign public service, Whisler said. Thats what people are going to have to decide.

Scholl also noted that if the businessmen were indeed paying Menendez and his wife for doing them 'favors' then that is not constituent services, but criminal activity.

"Constituent services generally includes helping constituents cut through government bureaucratic red tape and be aware of government programs that could help them," Scholl said. "And it might include helping them make the government be aware of the constituents' achievements. But these are things the elected official is supposed to do for the constituent without asking for or receiving personal payment of gifts or contributions."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bob Menendez indicted twice in 10 years. How new case compares to 2015
WASHINGTON - Andy Kim, a Democratic congressman from New Jersey, said Saturday he will run against newly indicted U.S. Sen Bob Menendez because he refuses to resign over the criminal charges against him.

"After calls to resign, Senator Menendez said 'I am not going anywhere,'" Kim said on the social media site X. "As a result, I feel compelled to run against him. Not something I expected to do, but NJ deserves better."

Menendez is up for re-election next year.

Kim's declaration came a day after a federal grand jury indicted Menendez and his wife on charges of taking bribes that included gold bars, wads of cash, mortgage assistance, and a Mercedes Benz.

Calls for Menendez to resign came from several New Jersey Democrats, a group that included Gov. Phil Murphy as well as Kim.

Menedez, who did agree to vacate his chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, proclaimed his innocence and attacked those seeking his ouster.

It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat," Menendez said. "I am not going anywhere.

Menendez, appointed to a vacant Senate seat in 2006, was a solid favorite for re-election in 2024.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bob Menendez indictment: Congressman Andy Kim plans to run against him
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) denounced attacks on her character after she was kicked out of a theater last week as a distraction from government funding efforts.

This whole week has been a total distraction, Boebert said in a Fox News interview Friday. We are on the verge of a government shutdown.

We have muscle memory in Washington, D.C.  bipartisan muscle memory  of those who want to do business as normal, she added. Thats why we are $33 trillion in debt.

Boebert was removed from a production of Beetlejuice in Denver last week after she was caught vaping in the theater, disturbing other guests and appearing to suggestively touch her date.

Video from the incident showed the congresswoman later arguing with theater security and flipping them off before leaving.

Boebert called the incident heartbreaking, and difficult for her family.

Its something that is taxing on my whole family, she said on Friday. To have this broadcast to the whole world  something that was in the dark  is certainly heartbreaking to watch, to see and I have apologized to my constituents and will continue to do so.

The controversy comes as Boebert is one of the faces of conservative efforts to tank government funding bills. The government is set to run out of money at the end of the month, and Boebert is part of a group of conservative Republicans who have voted against efforts to pass funding measures put up by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)

Boebert said the group, which includes Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and others, are doing the real work to avoid a government shutdown.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Golden shovels and hard hats are lined up on a table at the future site of High Plains Processing, LLC's multi-seed processing facility south of Mitchell on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. High Plains Processing, a subsidiary of South Dakota Soybean Processors, held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the first day of construction for the plant.

MITCHELL  A subsidiary of South Dakota Soybean Processors is ready to take its first steps toward construction of a multi-million dollar seed processing facility.

High Plains Processing, LLC., was joined by investors, project partners and state agriculture leaders for a private groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the $500 million facility south of Mitchell.

The multi-seed crush plant, which SDSP first announced it would build in February 2022, will have the capacity to process 35 million bushels of soybeans annually or the equivalent of one million tons of high-oil content crops.

More: Queen City Bakery on limited menu as kitchen staff take sabbatical in Paris

Craig Weber, board president of SDSP, said he expects the plant to be in operation in time for the state's harvest by fall 2025.

While the golden shovel ceremony provided the reason for the occasion, the highlight of the event came from the major announcement that High Plains Processing and BP, one of the world's largest companies by revenue, would be starting a joint venture to share ownership of the facility. Dual ownership of the plant will be shared between High Plains Partners, LLC and BP Products North America Inc, a subsidiary of BP.

"The investment by BP further strengthens our business plan by providing direct access and vision into the rapidly growing renewable fuels market," SDSP CEO Tom Kersting said.

South Dakota Soybean Processors CEO Tom Kersting, Gov. Kristi Noem and other project partners throw dirt during the groundbreaking ceremony for High Plains Processing, LLC's $500 million crush plant south of Mitchell on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023.

The private event also saw attendance from state leadership, including Gov. Kristi Noem and Hunter Roberts, the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources secretary.

"The new strategic partnership between High Plains Partners and BP will have a monumental impact on not only the Mitchell community, but the entire state of South Dakota," Noem said.

Planned crush plant expected to bring value-added ag to surrounding communities

One benefit of building the facility in Mitchell comes from the value it is expected to bring to the labor force, Weber said. About 85 full-time jobs will be created once the plant is constructed, with a total payroll of about $5.5 million.

"Many of those [85] people will either come from the local communities themselves or people moving to the community from outside of the area with some expertise, so that's always exciting," said David Lambert, director of regional development with Mitchell Area Development Corporation.

But looking outside the Corn Palace city, Lambert said the construction of the crush plant is expected to drive economic traffic to other towns. He said the "real long-term impact" from the facility would come from the "continual" sales tax dollars earned.

More: Runners preparing to once again cross South Dakota for The 437 Project

In Mitchell, these sales tax dollars would mostly stem from farmers purchasing fuel and tires while stopping into town to drop off their latest soybean harvest, Lambert said. Producers would then take their money earned from their crop back to their hometowns, like Corsica and Tripp, where they could spend it locally.

Caleb Finck, board president of the Tripp Development Corporation and farmer, said the addition of the new crush plant in Mitchell will be vital in keeping South Dakota's soybean harvest in the state.

Selling one's harvest to a local elevator, Finck explained, will enter that crop into a larger ag market, but some of what's sold to the elevator is sometimes shipped to out-of-state crush plants. The processed products are then sold outside of South Dakota.

"Some of those elevators are then turning around and putting those beans back on a truck and taking them down to Sioux City to a crush plant that is down there," Finck said. "Anytime you can use that product right where you're delivering it, they're going to be able to have a better basis at the end of the day.

Finck said farmers within a 60 mile radius will find it more economical to ship their harvest straight to the crush plant rather than local elevators.

The multi-seed plant's location could also allow SDSP through High Plains Processing to tap into the sunflower market, as some farmers grow the crop in fields west of Mitchell, Weber said.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: $500M Mitchell crush plant takes first step toward construction
Two people have been arrested for defrauding customers through their cabinet business, Bradenton police officials said.

Ryan Nobles, 44, and Nicole Anderson, 38, were arrested and charged with scheming to defraud clients in excess of $50,000. Nearly two dozen customers made payments of several to tens of thousands of dollars to M&L Cabinets, but detectives said kitchen renovations were never completed.

More: FEMA to provide Sarasota County with 3 mobile disaster recovery centers

In February, detectives began to investigate complaints made by customers who reported making down payments but never had their projects completed.

In case you missed it: Longstanding Sarasota addiction recovery center displaced by real estate investment group

Financial subpoenas from August 2022 to January 2023 show Nobles used $200,000 on his company credit card at casinos in Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, and on cruise ships, police officials said. Anderson used her company credit card to make purchases and ATM withdrawals of $90,000 during the same period of time. All the while, Nobles and Anderson continued to take money from clients, police officials said.

Both Nobles and Anderson are detained at the Manatee County Jail. Anderson will be arraigned on Sept. 29, and Nobles will be arraigned on Oct. 6.

Customers who have similar complaints against M&L cabinets can contact Detective Michael Carpenter at his email, michael.carpenter@bradentonpd.com.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Bradenton cabinet business owner arrested for scamming customers
Milwaukee Brewers players Thyago Vieira, left, and Abner Uribe, center, and Joel Payamps, right, celebrate in the clubhouse after the Brewers beat the Miami Marlins 16-1 in a baseball game and clinching a postseason berth, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

MIAMI (AP)  Postseason appearances have become a regular accomplishment for the Milwaukee Brewers lately.

Christian Yelich and Josh Donaldson homered during a 12-run second inning and the Brewers clinched their latest playoff berth Friday night with a 16-1 rout of the Miami Marlins.

Milwaukee, assured at least a National League wild card, trimmed its magic number to one for wrapping up the NL Central title. The Brewers, who have won four straight, can secure the crown with another victory Saturday over Miami or a loss by the Chicago Cubs to Colorado.

It's the fifth postseason trip in six years for the Brewers  by far the best stretch in franchise history.

The way weve played and the confidence these guys have in each other, its a playoff team, manager Craig Counsell said. We deserve to be there the way this team has played the last six weeks.

The defeat dropped the Marlins one game behind the Cubs for the third and final NL wild card.

Yelich also launched a three-shot in the sixth as he returned to the lineup after missing 11 of the previous 12 games because of lower back tightness.

You havent seen game action for a few weeks and you kind of dont know where your timing is going to be, Yelich said. Took a bunch of swings the last few days and checked the health boxes.

Corbin Burnes (10-8) benefited from the early run support and scattered two hits over five scoreless innings. He struck out six. The 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner had not won since July 20.

Twelve runs  I didnt know that was possible, Burnes said. Obviously, it makes the next innings go a little easier.

Milwaukee sent 15 batters to the plate against relievers Steven Okert (3-2) and Bryan Hoeing during the second-largest inning in team history. The Brewers scored 13 runs in the fifth to beat the California Angels 20-7 on July 8, 1990.

Two-run homers by Donaldson and Yelich started and capped the scoring. Mark Canha also hit a two-run double, Carlos Santana and Blake Perkins added RBI doubles, and William Contreras, Sal Frelick and Brice Turang had run-scoring singles. In his second at-bat of the inning, Donaldson had another RBI with a groundout.

We had great at-bats, took what was available, walks, going first to third, running the bases well and obviously a couple of big swings there, Yelich said. Just proud of the guys tonight and hope to keep it going.

The only teams to clinch playoff berths with more lopsided wins were the 2001 Atlanta Braves and 1996 New York Yankees. Atlanta beat the Marlins by 17 runs, and the Yankees routed Milwaukee by 17.

Miamis Luis Arraez was hitless in one at-bat as his major league-leading batting average stayed at .354. Arraez missed the previous two games because of a left ankle sprain and was replaced after the Brewers built the early double-digit lead.

Jon Berti homered for Miami in the eighth.

I think everybody just wants to eat, get the hell out of here and come back (Saturday), Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. Do the best they can to flush it and try to win a game.

Marlins opener JT Chargois was lifted after getting two outs and walking two in a bullpen game for Miami.

BLOWOUTS

The Brewers also had a lopsided win over Miami in the first game of their series in Milwaukee on Sept. 11. They scored five runs in the sixth inning of a 12-0 rout.

ODD MOUND MATCHUP

Position players Jacob Stallings of Miami and Rowdy Tellez of Milwaukee were the last pitchers used  and neither allowed a run. Stallings featured a combination of changeups and slow curves clocked under 50 mph to throw two scoreless innings. Tellez got the final three outs in the ninth to secure the postseason spot.

TRAINERS ROOM

Marlins RHP Sandy Alcantara (right forearm flexor strain) experienced forearm tightness after his four-inning rehab outing Thursday with Triple-A Jacksonville. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner is returning to Miami for evaluation.

UP NEXT

Brewers RHP Brandon Woodruff (5-1, 1.89 ERA) will start the middle game of the series Saturday. LHP Jesus Luzardo (10-9, 3.68) goes for the Marlins.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
History knows well the story of John Hancock , the patriot from the American Revolution whose name is featured prominently on the Declaration of Independence. But there is another John Hancock who had his own adventures in war and politics. This John Hancock would travel to Texas, serve as a judge and attorney, and later become a member of Congress.

John Hancock was not related to his famous namesake. This one was born in Oct. 1824 in Jackson County, Alabama, a lightly populated area in the northeast corner of Alabama. He was the seventh of ten children born to John and Sarah Hancock.

Hancocks oldest brother, George, was 17 years his senior. In 1835, he had left Alabama for Texas where he served in the Texas Revolution, fighting at the famed Battle of San Jacinto in 1836. He later became a respected and prosperous merchant in the Austin area. Tales of his adventures in far-off Texas inspired the younger Hancock, who began planning for his own successful career.

After spending his childhood on the family farm, he went to nearby Knoxville, where he studied at the University of East Tennessee. After graduation, he began an apprenticeship with an attorney in Winchester, Tennessee, not far from his childhood home. He studied the law and procedures carefully before going to an Alabama judge to show his competency in the law. As a result, in 1846, not yet 22, he was admitted to the bar in Alabama.

The next year, Hancock moved to Austin and started his own law firm. It proved very successful, and his reputation grew. In 1851, at the age of 27, he was elected as a district judge. On the bench, he was well-regarded by court observers and attorneys. His proceedings were respected as efficient and fair and his rulings were sound. Though elected to a six-year term, he apparently grew bored with serving as a judge and became enticed by other opportunities. He resigned in 1855, began ranching and resumed his law practice.

As tensions between North and South flared, he was drawn back into politics. He was elected to the state legislature in fall 1859 as a Unionist Democrat determined to keep Texas in the Union. The Texas Hill Country and the Red River Valley were known for their strong Unionist stands. After the election of Abraham Lincoln as president in fall 1860, secessionists began driving southern states from the Union.

Gov. Sam Houston was also a devout Unionist, at one point declaring that Texas had shed its blood to get into the Union. Hancock stood with Houston against the forces of secession, but it soon became clear that Texas Unionists were far outnumbered among voters and legislators. Houston reluctantly called for a secession convention and a later vote. Texans voted overwhelmingly for secession, and the secession convention demanded that all officeholders swear an oath of loyalty to the Confederacy or their elected offices would be declared vacant.

For Hancock, political expediency did not matter. Principle was what as stake. He refused to take the oath supporting the Confederacy. Like Houston, Hancock was expelled from his office by March 1861.

He remained a conscientious objector throughout the Civil War, often moving from one place to another. He still worked as an attorney, practicing only in Texas courts and refusing to try cases in Confederate courts. After the Confederate draft was enacted, officials began looking for him to press him into the army. Hancock fled to Mexico in 1864 rather than serve, still determined to support the Union. By the spring of 1865, he was in New Orleans when he learned of the Confederate surrender and returned home.

Hancock returned to politics, serving in the 1866 State Constitutional Convention, working to make Texas part of the United States again. In 1870, he was elected to Congress, representing most of Central Texas. Much of his work in Congress dealt with policies relating to the treatment of Native Americans. Settlers on the frontier had long been enraged with the fights between settlers seeking new lands and the tribes determined to defend their own lands. Hancocks stances toward the tribes were harsh, echoing the policies of President Ulysses S. Grant and many other westerners at the time. He supported the policy forcing tribes on the reservations, pushed legislation cutting rations provided by the federal government, and pushed laws allowing hunting parties to leave reservations only when accompanied by the army.

He was defeated for re-nomination in 1876. He returned to Congress in 1882, served one term, and declined to run again in 1884. He retired from politics altogether, but he enjoyed a lively law practice. He remained an active and popular presence in Austin courtrooms, sometimes defending the most notorious clients. He died in Austin in July 1893 at the age of 68.

Ken Bridges is a writer, historian and native Texan. He holds a doctorate from the University of North Texas. Bridges can be reached by email at drkenbridges@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Bridges: How Texas' John Hancock left his mark
Plymouth-Shiloh Local School District announces treasurer hire

PLYMOUTH  The Plymouth-Shiloh Local School District Board of Education voted at their meeting on Wednesday to approve a contract with Tracy Konik to hire her as district treasurer, effective Nov. 1, through July 31, 2026.

Konik will replace Gavyn Bazley, who was recently hired by Pioneer Career and Technology Center to become its new treasurer. She will work with Bazley through a period of transition prior to officially taking over in November.

Tracy Konik is congratulated by Board President Doug Hamman on her new position as treasurer of the Plymouth-Shiloh Local School District.

Konik has been serving Perkins Local Schools as its budgetary assistant since May 2022 and prior to that was part of the administrative team for seven years at the Huron County Engineers Office.

I would like to thank the Plymouth-Shiloh Board of Education and Mr. (Brad) Turson for giving me this great opportunity," Konik said. "I am excited to jump in and get started come October.

The Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center assisted the Plymouth-Shiloh Local Schools with the treasurer search.

Galion-Crestline Chamber to host breakfast

GALION  The Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce invites manufacturers to a breakfast to honor and thank them for their work in the community. This event will be held at 7 a.m. on Oct. 10 at Grace Point Church, 683 Portland Way N., Galion.

A hot, catered breakfast will be served. Covert Manufacturing and Lisa Marcum of the Crawford Partnership will provide updates on manufacturing.

Each manufacturer is welcome to four complimentary tickets but must RSVP by Oct. 2. Additional tickets are available for $15 per person.

Manufacturers attending this event are encouraged to submit the name of an outstanding employee for public recognition for their exceptional work. Nominations are due Tuesday.

To RSVP for the Manufacturing Breakfast, email bjarvis@galion-crestlinechamber.org or call the chamber office at 419-468-7737.

Shelby library hosting author Monday

SHELBY  Marvin Memorial Library in Shelby will be hosting "Terry Pluto - Local Author Visit" at 6 p.m. Monday. Pluto, a sportswriter and newspaper columnist, is the author of books about the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Cavaliers. He also writes articles on Facebook for the Cleveland Browns. All are welcome to attend.

Upcoming meetings:

 Madison Local Board of Education (work session), 4:30 p.m., Monday, Board of Education office, 1379 Grace St., Mansfield

 Shelby Shade Tree Commission, 1 p.m., Tuesday, James E. Henkel Conference Room, City Hall, 43 W. Main St., Shelby

 Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center Board of Governors, noon, Wednesday, Mid-Ohio ESC board room, 890 W. Fourth St., Mansfield

 North Central State College Board of Trustees, 5:30 p.m., Gorman Room (165), Fallerius Technical Education Center, NCSC, 2441 Kenwood Circle, Mansfield and via Zoom. Anyone interested in attending via Zoom is asked to contact the Stephen Williams at swilliam@ncstatecollege.edu or call 419-755-4811.

 Foundation Academy Board, 5 p.m., Thursday, 1050 Wyandotte Ave., Mansfield

Mansfield News Journal

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Plymouth-Shiloh Schools hire treasurer, manufacturers breakfast
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  Britain pitched itself to the world Friday as a ready leader in shaping an international response to the rise of artificial intelligence, with Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden telling the U.N. General Assembly his country was determined to be in the vanguard.

Touting the United Kingdom's tech companies, its universities and even Industrial Revolution-era innovations, he said the nation has the grounding to make AI a success and make it safe. He went on to suggest that a British AI task force, which is working on methods for assessing AI systems' vulnerability, could develop expertise to offer internationally.

His remarks at the assembly's annual meeting of world leaders previewed an AI safety summit that British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is convening in November. Dowden's speech also came as other countries and multinational groups  including the European Union, the bloc that Britain left in 2020  are making moves on artificial intelligence.

The EU this year passed pioneering regulations that set requirements and controls based on the level of risk that any given AI system poses, from low (such as spam filters) to unacceptable (for example, an interactive, children's toy that talks up dangerous activities).

The U.N., meanwhile, is pulling together an advisory board to make recommendations on structuring international rules for artificial intelligence. Members will be appointed this month, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the General Assembly on Tuesday; the group's first take on a report is due by the end of the year.

Major U.S. tech companies have acknowledged a need for AI regulations, though their ideas on the particulars vary. And in Europe, a roster of big companies ranging from French jetmaker Airbus to to Dutch beer giant Heineken signed an open letter to urging the EU to reconsider its rules, saying it would put European companies at a disadvantage.

The starting gun has been fired on a globally competitive race in which individual companies as well as countries will strive to push the boundaries as far and fast as possible," Dowden said. He argued that the most important actions we will take will be international.

Listing hoped-for benefits  such improving disease detection and productivity  alongside artificial intelligence's potential to wreak havoc with deepfakes, cyberattacks and more, Dowden urged leaders not to get trapped in debates about whether AI is a tool for good or a tool for ill.

"It will be a tool for both, he said.

It's exciting. Daunting. Inexorable, Dowden said, and the technology will test the international community to show that it can work together on a question that will help to define the fate of humanity.
Ukraine's attack on the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol has killed at least 9 people and wounded 16. Russian generals are among them.

Source: Kyrylo Budanov , chief of Ukraines Defence Intelligence; Voice of America

Quote from Budanov: "The group's commander, Colonel-General (Aleksandr) Romanchuk, is among the wounded and in a serious condition. The chief of staff, Lieutenant General (Oleg) Tsekov, is unconscious.

The number of injured regular servicemen who are not staff members is still being established. These are soldiers on duty, security guards, and so on  they are not included in the list that I've told you."

Details: Aleksandr Romanchuk is the commander of the Russian forces on the Zaporizhzhia front and was promoted to the rank of colonel general in 2023. Lieutenant General Oleg Tsekov is the commander of the 200th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade of the Coastal Forces of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Navy.

At the same time, Budanov did not confirm reports of the alleged death of Admiral Viktor Sokolov, the commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. DIU has no information on his condition.

In addition, the DIU chief did not answer the question of whether Western-made missiles were used in the attack on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters.

Meanwhile, by Friday evening, federal TV channels had stopped mentioning that the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in annexed Sevastopol had been damaged by a missile strike, the Agents.Media publication writes.

While in the first hours after the attack, they talked about the aftermath of the attack and even showed a picture of the city; by the evening, even the mention of the headquarters began to disappear from the news.

For example, on the First Channel, in the 18:00 and 21:00 newscasts, the host read out the following text: "The Ministry of Defence reported that the Kyiv regime attempted to attack the territory of Crimea. Five missiles were shot down by our air defence forces. We also intercepted 10 HIMARS missiles".

The BBC's correspondent in Moscow, Steve Rosenberg, also noted this.

"Just watched the main evening news bulletin Vremya on Russias Channel One (a 50-minute programme.) I didnt hear anything about the missile strike on Russias Black Sea Fleet HQ in Sevastopol," he tweeted.

Background:

On the afternoon of 22 September, the Russians claimed there was a missile attack on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters.

The Russian Ministry of Defence reported one serviceman missing after the strike, although it had previously reported one killed.

On Friday evening, the media outlets shared photos showing a missile flying towards the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol, occupied Crimea, on 22 September.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Police and the Plum Borough School District are working on an investigation after a bullet was found on a school bus.

In a note sent to families, the school district said the bullet was found on one of the buses at the end of the day on Friday.

We understand that this alarming discovery may raise concerns among parents, students, and the wider community, and we are taking this matter very seriously, the letter said.

School officials said there was no immediate threat to students or staff.

Law enforcement will be involved in the investigation until the school gathers all the necessary information.

We are committed to transparency throughout this investigation. We understand that this incident may have a significant impact on all of us, but we remain steadfast in our dedication to providing a safe and nurturing environment for our students to learn and grow, Plum Borough School District said.

Anyone with concerns can report them on the Safe2Say Something website.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

Sen. Bob Menendez, wife charged with bribery Police chase ends in Allegheny County; started with shots fired at police Communities gather to remember student killed in school van accident in Dravosburg VIDEO: Laurel School District board passes vote allowing only biological females to compete in girls sports DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
Discover Richland economic development tour set for Nov. 3

Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development is inviting participants to join its "Discover Richland - Economic Development Tour 2023" from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 3.

Designed for leaders in every industry, this tour will immerse participants in the details of ongoing projects, providing insights into their history, current status and future plans. Participants will also be able to visit recently expanded businesses in the community.

Tour highlights include: Main Street Corridor Improvement Project; Westinghouse Redevelopment; West End Neighborhood Improvement Plan; Lloyd Rebar; Shelby Economic Development Plan; Black Fork Brewing (lunch and beer tasting); North Central State College - Intel and Industry Partnerships; Ontario Commerce Park; Valley View Farms - Bellville housing project; and the YMCA of North Central Ohio indoor/outdoor sports complex.

The tour will commence and conclude at the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development, 55 N. Mulberry St., Mansfield. Registration is $125, which includes lunch and transportation.

For registration and inquiries, contact Angie Cirone at 419-522-3211 or acirone@richlandareachamber.com. More information can also be found on the Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development website.

Avita earns accreditation for bariatric weight-loss program

GALION  Dr. Thomas Smith, metabolic and bariatric surgery director at Avita Health System, has announced that the Avita Center for Bariatric Surgery at Galion Hospital has been accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), a joint Quality Program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

MBSAQIP-accredited centers offer preoperative and postoperative care designed specifically for patients with obesity.

Thomas Smith, DO, with the certification of accreditation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).

Dr. Smith has performed more than 1,000 weight loss surgeries during his career and is fellowship-trained on robotic-assisted surgical techniques that may reduce pain, scarring, and often result in shorter recovery times. As of Sept. 1, he is joined by bariatric surgeon Dr. Justin Eagleston.

To earn MBSAQIP Accreditation, the Avita Center for Bariatric Surgery met essential criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure and patient care pathways, ensuring its ability to support patients with obesity. The center also participates in a national data registry that yields semiannual reports on the quality of its surgical outcomes and identifying opportunities for quality improvement.

After applying for MBSAQIP Accreditation, the Avita Center for Bariatric Surgery had to undergo an extensive site visit by an experienced bariatric surgeon who reviews the center's structure, processes and clinical outcomes data.

Mansfield company wins federal contract

WASHINGTON, D. C.  Rotunda Scientific Technologies of Mansfield recently won a federal contract award for $48,148 from the Department of Defense Defense Logistics Agency, Portsmouth, Virginia. The contract is for a TLD card storage system. TLD cards are used to measure ionizing radiation.

Co-op members and state legislators tour Ohio coal-fired power plant

NEW LONDON  Firelands Electric Cooperative recently had the opportunity to show its members and several prominent political figures how and where their electric power is generated.

On Wednesday, Sept. 13, 27 cooperative members and guests traveled to the Cardinal Power Plant, along the Ohio River in Brilliant, Ohio. Following an introductory presentation and Q&A session, attendees participated in a guided tour of the plant. State Rep. Marilyn John and State Rep. Melanie Miller, along with Ashland Mayor Matt Miller, joined co-op members as they toured the innovative power plant facility, including technology to reduce carbon emissions.

John represents District 76, which includes Richland County. Miller, who serves District 67, represents Ashland County and portions of Medina County.

Firelands General Manager Dan McNaull, left, stands with Cardinal plant manager Bethany Schunn and Ohio elected leaders Matt Miller, Melanie Miller, and Marilyn John while touring the Cardinal power plant with members of the Ohios Electric Cooperatives.

Owned by Buckeye Power, which is the generation and transmission cooperative for Ohios 24 distribution cooperatives, the Cardinal Power Plant has three coal-fired generating units with the capacity to produce 1,800 megawatts of electricity. It's considered one of the cleanest of its kind in the world. This coal-fired plant provides power to 1 million people across the Buckeye State, employs more than 300 people, and is a major economic force in the region.

Firelands Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility serving more than 9,200 homes and businesses in rural areas of Ashland, Huron, Lorain and Richland counties.

Ohio clean energy jobs grew 4.6% in 2022

COLUMBUS  Clean energy businesses in Ohio added more than 5,000 workers in 2022, now employing 114,395 Ohioans. Thats according to a new analysis of employment data released by the national, nonpartisan business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs) and Evergreen Climate Innovations.

The energy efficiency sector continued to lead clean energy in total jobs in 2022 in Ohio with more than 76,400 workers. The fastest growing sector in 2022 in Ohio was clean transportation with 13% growth, adding more than 2,573 new jobs for a total of 22,431 workers.

TechCred results announced for July

COLUMBUS  Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, who serves as director of the Governors Office of Workforce Transformation, has announced the results of the July round of TechCred, in which 430 employers were approved for funding, providing the opportunity for Ohioans to earn 4,961 tech-focused credentials.

The program helps businesses address their workforce needs by upskilling current and prospective employees. Businesses of all sizes, from any industry, are eligible for up to $30,000 per round and up to $180,000 per year. Some of the top industries awarded during this round include manufacturing, construction and transportation and warehousing services.

The current, and 22nd application period, for Ohio employers opened Sept. 1 and will close at 3 p.m. on Sept. 29.

Mansfield News Journal

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Discover Richland, Avita accreditation, federal contract, Firelands
Editors note: The following story contains sexual assault and suicidal ideation.

Carrie Young loved her job at Cal Fire.

The 37-year-old joined Fire Station 15 in Los Osos in 2018 as a battalion chiefs assistant, she said, working to communicate between between Cal Fire and the Los Osos Community Service District.

It was her first 9-to-5 job after working in the service industry for about a decade. She liked the stability.

Young described her coworkers as like brothers, and felt the station was a healthy work environment.

That changed on Dec. 2, 2020.

That was the day James Peter Thomas, a fire captain at the time, sexually assaulted her. Young said her life hasnt been the same since.

Thomas, 59, was charged with misdemeanor sexual battery in January 2021. He pleaded no contest to the charge in May. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 27.

Young then sued Cal Fire in November 2021, alleging her assault could have been prevented if previous sexual harassment by Thomas had been taken seriously. That lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount on Aug. 31 after she filed a $1.75 million negligence claim against the agency.

James Peter Thomas, a Cal Fire captain in San Luis Obispo County, was arrested Dec. 14, 2020, on suspicion of misdemeanor sexual battery. He pleaded no contest in May 2023 and faces a maximum six-month sentence, $2,000 fine and sex offender registry.

How Cal Fire captain sexually assaulted coworker

Young had only met Thomas a few times before he assaulted her, she said, adding that he was one of the overtime guys, meaning he usually worked shifts outside of typical office hours.

On that day almost three years ago, Thomas walked into Youngs office, she said, and she said hi and gave him a hug. Thats when he reached up her shirt, groped her breasts and pulled on her nipples.

According to court documents, Thomas immediately told Young that he had never felt nipples like that before, and he continued to return to Youngs office and ask if he could do it again throughout the workday.

Before the day ended, Thomas shared personal and explicit information about his sexual activity with Young, court documents say, and also told her he didnt know why I did that, in reference to his assault on her. He also gave Young his personal cell phone number before leaving that day.

The next day, Young told The Tribune, she told one of the firefighters about the assault, and he reported it up the chain. Thats when her supervisor pulled her aside to ask for more details about the incident.

At first she was upset at her friend, she said. She didnt want to start a problem and was still processing what had happened.

But her coworkers and battalion Fire Chief Paul Provence ensured her she had their support and that what Thomas did to her wasnt right. Three days later, Thomas was arrested.

Woman fell into homelessness during sexual assault case, she says

The trauma of what had happened was something Young couldnt shake, she said.

I would just start crying every day at work, she said.

In the aftermath, Provence allowed her to work from home  she said he wanted her to prioritize her mental health  but eventually work became too much.

Young stopped being able to go to work in May 2021  she was experiencing suicidal ideation  and filed a workers compensation claim with Cal Fire. Her goal was to return to her job once she had healed.

But the workers compensation checks were sporadic, Young said, and after she had used up all of her vacation and sick leave, she stopped receiving a paycheck.

Instead, she lived off of disability, but she couldnt apply for additional state funding because it was impossible to accurately quantify a monthly income amount thanks to the unreliability of workers compensation.

Cal Fire would not cover the therapy they said she needed, Young said, and she ended up paying for it herself.

To cope, Young said she struggled with substances and eventually the financial challenges pushed her into homelessness.

In October 2022, almost two years after the assault, she put in her notice for her apartment before she would be evicted and purchased a van. When the van died, she purchased a white-and-blue truck. That was her home until just this month.

Former Cal Fire employee Carrie Young, here with her dog Mary J. and truck, which used to be her home, in Cayucos on Sept. 21, 2023, settled a lawsuit with Cal Fire after she was sexually assaulted by James Thomas, a coworker, in 2020. Thomas was convicted of sexual battery in relation to the incident in May 2023.

It wasnt until last week that Young realized she could never return to work at Cal Fire. She always wanted to  it was the best job shes had  but its not the right environment for her healing, she said.

She formally resigned from her job in July, Young said.

I fought for my job for so long, and there was no way of getting it back, she said.

In an emailed statement to The Tribune, Cal Fire spokesperson Nick Schuler said the agency cannot comment on specific allegations.

But generally speaking, he said, the State Compensation Insurance Fund has 90 days to make a liability determination in which the employee is eligible for up to $10,000 of medical treatment. If the agency is found liable, then the fund covers 22 days of full net pay, then two-thirds of average weekly wages for 52 weeks. If the employee cannot return to work after the initial 52 weeks because of the injury, they are entitled to two-thirds pay for up to another 52 weeks.

Shuler said the State Fund relies on medical notes to verify approved lost work time, and deficiencies in medical reporting can impact timely issuance of benefits.

Young said shes received workers compensation sporadically since she had to take leave in October 2022. Now that she has resigned from her position, she said, her lawyer is still working with Cal Fire to figure out a workers compensation settlement.

Former Cal Fire employee settles sexual assault case

The legal process, particularly in civil and workers compensation cases, retraumatized Young at every step of the way, she said.

My life was picked apart. Nobody wants to do that. Thats the absolute worst possible thing, Young said. But once its started, you dont have a choice.

Young said records from her entire life  including her gynecology history  were subpoenaed. Every decision she made was questioned, she said, and Cal Fire tried to attribute the stress the assault caused her to everything in her past.

This included pulling up a bikini picture she posted on social media and asking if her father would be proud of her, she said.

It was literal torture, she said.

Young was surprised with the agencys legal response, she said, because her colleagues from Fire Station 15 stood with her. They would attend hearings, testify when needed and acted as Youngs emotional rocks throughout the process.

Toward the end of the legal proceedings, Young said she had to clutch a stuffed animal to get through them. She just wanted the near three-year legal process to be over.

So she told her lawyer to settle the case, and he did.

Former Cal Fire employee Carrie Young, seen here with her dog Mary J. in Cayucos on Sept. 21, 2023, settled a lawsuit with Cal Fire after she was sexually assaulted by James Thomas, a coworker, in 2020. Thomas was convicted of sexual battery in relation to the incident in May 2023.

Cal Fire captain convicted of sexual battery has history of sexual harassment, lawsuit says

Young feels Cal Fire never took accountability for the agencys role in her assault.

According to the lawsuit, Thomas previously violated Cal Fires policy when he allegedly made unprofessional, harassing and sex-based comments to another employee in 2017. It is unclear whether Thomas was disciplined in that case, but he remained employed with the agency.

This allowed Thomass behavior in 2017 to escalate to sexual assault, the lawsuit claims.

Schuler did not comment on previous or current complaints against Thomas as of Friday afternoon, but said Cal Fires internal Equal Employment Opportunity Program plays a pivotal role in combating workplace discrimination, which includes sexual harassment.

When there is a sexual harassment complaint, Schuler said, the program launches an internal inquiry to determine if any workplace policies or regulations were violated.

The department works with law enforcement if their investigation reveals potential criminal offenses, Schuler said.

When law enforcement initiates a criminal case, the agencys standard practice is to pause the internal investigation. Schuler said this is to allow the criminal investigation to proceed independently without interference to ensure a thorough and unbiased criminal investigation.

Schuler said the agency then evaluates the findings from both the criminal and internal workplace investigations to determine the appropriate action to take in accordance with workplace policies and applicable laws.

This approach is designed to safeguard the rights of both the complainant and the accused, while ensuring that criminal activity is diligently addressed by law enforcement authorities, he said.

According to Transparent California, Thomas was still on Cal Fires payroll as a fire captain as of 2022, earning $421.29 in other pay that year. He earned $18,017.52 in other pay in 2021 and $352,475.34 in regular, overtime and other pay in 2020.

It is unclear if Thomas is still employed by Cal Fire. With his no-contest plea, he faces a maximum six-month sentence, $2,000 fine and sex offender registry.

Former Cal Fire employee continues to heal

Young received her settlement  an undisclosed amount that is enough to get her on her feet  in mid-September. She plans to continue therapy and receive mental and medical treatment for the trauma shes endured.

But for now, she wants to take break and just enjoy the moment.

I think the freedom to live your own life is a big deal, Young said. I have not had agency over my own life in almost three years.

She doesnt know when shell be ready to work again, she said, but when she is, it will be for herself. Maybe as an artist, she said. Maybe something else.

She spends her days with her short yet stocky pitbull chihuahua mix Mary J.  the dog Young adopted from Woods Humane Society after her therapist told her she needed an emotional support animal.

The dog somehow intuitively knows exactly what to do when Young experiences and anxiety or panic attack.

The two are currently staying in Cayucos until her new apartment is ready in Los Osos.

Its the first time shes had a roof over her head in a year.

How to get help

If you or someone you know are a survivor of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673. The hotline offers a range of free services including confidential support from a trained staff member, help finding a local health facility, legal and medical advice and referrals for long-term support.

Survivor support and resources are also available through Lumina Alliance at luminaalliance.org or their Crisis and Information Line at 805-545-8888.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a certified listener, call 988. You can also call the Central Coast Hotline at 800-783-0607 for 24-7 assistance. To learn the warning signs of suicide, visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
California is home to the largest population of Armenian-Americans in the Diaspora and Fresno, for more than a century, has been a traditional landing ground where many of the thousands of survivors ended up as a result of the genocide committed by Ottoman Turks over a century ago.

Over the past 10 months, the Aliyev totalitarian regime of Azerbaijan has blocked the only road connecting Artsakh to the free world through Armenia, called the Lachin Corridor. Azerbaijan started this 21st century genocide of Armenians by cutting off food, medicine and any humanitarian supplies to the historic Armenian enclave of Artsakh, which totals over 120,000.

While the world has been fixated on fighting between Ukraine and Russia, Artsakh was left to be protected by Russian peacekeepers. Few people noticed that the day before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Azerbajian, Turkey and Russia signed a pact which in essence set the stage for the terrible news on Sept. 19 that Azerbaijan had begun shelling the independent republic of Artsakh, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijan and Armenia. A day after Azerbaijan launched a military offensive against ethnic Armenians in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, they halted their offensive on Wednesday following a ceasefire brokered by the Russians in what has become one of the worlds longest-running conflicts.

Using heavy artillery, buildings were hit, and women, children and the elderly were slaughtered. Reports suggest that among the hundreds of casualties, there were deaths of schoolchildren walking home. Beheadings of children have been caught on tape and the Azeri atrocities are too numerous to list.

Mark Geragos

Only 24 hours before this shelling began, a cynic might say what provoked this genocide was the opening of the corridor to humanitarian aid, which the Azeri warlord  Aliyev  couldnt tolerate. The day after the atrocities, the slaughter was celebrated on the streets of Azerbaijan. The 120,000 Armenians in Artsakh, who the world and the United States ignored while funding Ukraines resistance against Russia, have not only been abandoned, but we are witnessing another Armenian genocide with our very eyes.

What is particularly galling to many in the Diaspora is that while we send billions in aid overseas to Ukraine, and their totalitarian ally Azerbaijan receives hundreds of millions in U.S. aid, the Democratic, oldest Christian nation in the world  Armenia  is left on its own against the oil rich authoritarian Azerbaijan regime, which has never had a democratically elected government.

Fresno writer and Armenian American Sevag Tateosian

Azerbaijan has actually announced election results before polls closed, which tells us how its leaders operate. The vice president of the country is Aliyevs wife.

Meanwhile, its reported that at least five Russian so-called peacekeepers were killed during the Azeri raid, leading many in and out of Russia to compare the Artsakh debacle to the U.S. exit from Afghanistan.

We in the Diaspora watch in horror, but are determined that Never Again.

Mark Geragos is an Armenian American practicing law in Los Angeles. His mother was born and raised in Fresno, attended Fresno High and earned her college degree at Fresno State. Sevag Tateosian is a grandchild of survivors of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and is host and producer of San Joaquin Spotlight.
FILE PHOTO: A Peterbilt 579 truck equipped with Aurora's self-driving system is seen at the company's terminal in Palmer

FILE PHOTO: A Peterbilt 579 truck equipped with Aurora's self-driving system is seen at the company's terminal in Palmer

By Abhirup Roy

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -California Governor Gavin Newsom late on Friday vetoed a bill to prevent heavy-duty driverless trucks from operating in the state, in a relief for companies developing autonomous technology to haul goods across the U.S.

The labor-backed Assembly Bill 316, which requires a trained human driver to be present in autonomous vehicles weighing over 10,001 pounds, was passed by a heavy majority in both houses of the state legislature.

"Considering... the existing regulatory framework that presently and sufficiently governs this particular technology, this bill is not needed at this time," Newsom said in a veto message on Friday.

A veto by the governor can still be overturned if the legislature chooses to vote in favor of the bill with a two-thirds majority in each house. This, however, is rare and has not happened in California since 1979.

While many states, including Texas and Arkansas, have allowed the testing and operation of self-driving trucks, California - home to Alphabet, Apple and some of the most cutting-edge tech startups - bars autonomous trucks weighing more than 10,001 pounds.

But the department of motor vehicles has been working towards developing a regulatory framework to lift that restriction, prompting the suggested bill, industry sources told Reuters.

Developing autonomous technology has proved harder and more expensive than expected, leading to job cuts and even companies shutting shop. Some that are still testing and deploying driverless trucking operations include Aurora, Daimler Truck, Kodiak Robotics and Gatik.

Supporters of the technology say the bill would hamper chances of achieving autonomous hauling of goods, for example, from the bustling seaports in Southern California to locations across the state, and cause future investments in autonomous infrastructure to flow to other states.

But labor unions led by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters have been calling for Governor Newsom to sign the bill, saying autonomous trucks - some of which weigh over 80,000 pounds - were unsafe and would lead to job losses.

Governor Newsom in his veto message said any regulations framed by the department of motor vehicles would be transparent, with inputs from stakeholders and experts to ensure safety.

He directed the labor and workforce development agency to develop recommendations to mitigate any potential impact on jobs from the deployment of such vehicles.

(Reporting by Abhirup Roy in San Francisco; Editing by Jan Harvey)
Firefighters want every leg up they can get to knock out a blaze before it becomes an inferno. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says it has a new tool to battle wildfires before they explode  artificial intelligence.

I think it is a game changer  It has enhanced our abilities to validate situational awareness and then respond in a quick fashion, Phillip SeLegue, Cal Fires staff chief for fire intelligence, told CNN.

Deep in the California wilderness of the Cleveland National Forest in San Diego County, a fire started in the middle of a July night. No fire officials were in the area, but AI was watching and alerted the authorities.

The dispatch center there was not aware of the fire, said Scott Slumpff, battalion chief of the intel program at Cal Fire, who was testing the new technology at the time and received the initial alert.

Cal Fire, in partnership with the University of California at San Diegos Alert California program and its network of more than 1,000 cameras across the state, is using the technology to spot fires early.

The camera had done its 360 [degree turn], identified an anomaly, stopped and was zoomed in, Slumpff explained. He then confirmed it was a fire and immediately dispatched resources. They were able to hold it to a 10 by 10 [foot] spot out in the middle of the forest.

The next morning, that fire would have been a fire of significance without the AI detection, SeLegue said.

The cameras, usually placed in the mountains so they have a higher vantage point, are constantly scanning their surroundings in 2-minute rotations; AI looks for any changes which it highlights in a red rectangular box on the screen.

Once the camera system detects an anomaly, which is a different version of the last image, it red flags it, said Dean Veik, a fire department liaison for Alert California and a former firefighter. Its predominantly looking for smoke.

The cameras themselves are not new  Cal Fire has used them for years to watch for fires. They are also publicly accessible: anyone can watch the network of view sheds to see weather conditions in real time or catch a glimpse of a curious creature like a bald eagle using the tower as a perch.

After detecting smoke, Cal Fire continues to monitor the video streams for situational awareness of a fire  where its heading and whether it is encroaching on critical infrastructure, said SeLegue. Law enforcement can even use it to identify suspected arsonists.

A closeup look at two of UC San Diego Alert California's cameras on a communications tower at Boucher Hill lookout. - Stephanie Elam/CNN

Cal Fire staff chief for fire intelligence Phillip SeLegue stands on a lookout tower in San Diego County. He says AI won't replace the towers but enhance fire suppression efforts. - Stephanie Elam/CNN

The pilot program was so successful, Cal Fire expanded the technology at the beginning of September to all 21 of its dispatch centers across the state.

Our goal as an agency is to keep 95% of our fires at 10 acres or less, so this tool increases our ability to ensure that were keeping those fires small in the incipient phase, said SeLegue, adding the cameras can see about 70 miles out during the day and approximately 110 miles out at night. We have multiple successes of fires at night that had gone undetected that we were able to suppress before a 911 call had even come into the command centers.

Cal Fire says 40% of fires since July 10 have been detected by AI before a 911 call was received  and the technology is continuing to learn and improve.

The system is looking for changes on the horizon, said Alert Californias Brian Norton, who spent 35 years in the fire service. Sometimes its going to be smoke from a wildfire. Other times its going to be something harmless, like mist or dust.

The trick is teaching the AI to know the difference.

The learning part of it comes in with the human intervention to say that looked like smoke, but that wasnt smoke; it was dust, Norton told CNN. Then the next time the camera picks something up, its less likely to say that that is smoke.

Bill Angel, a volunteer with the Forest Fire Lookout Association, watches for nascent wildfires. - Stephanie Elam/CNN

Traditionally, people in the dispatch centers would have to endlessly watch those video feeds looking for a needle in a haystack, Slumpff said. Eye fatigue was always a concern as officials were constantly scanning possibly hundreds of feeds at a time.

Now, with the help of AI, they spend time focusing on the anomalies the technology has detected.

There are also lookout towers throughout the state, some staffed by fire personnel, others with volunteers. At Boucher Hill lookout tower in San Diego County, volunteer Bill Angel of the Forest Fire Lookout Association is in his second season of keeping an eye out for wildfires. His tower is just a few yards away from where the cameras are positioned on a communications tower.

The AI technology has enhanced looking for fires but it still requires humans, he said while keeping watch over the vast valley below, often raising his binoculars to his eyes. If lightning strikes the tower, theyre blind but we are here.

The firefighters agree, convinced this new technology is making a difference  and wont threaten human jobs.

Nothing can take the place of the boots on the ground, said Slumpff. We absolutely are able to, in my opinion, save lives and property.

The fires you dont hear about in the news is the greatest success, SeLegue said.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Justin Trudeau in the Parliament of Canada, September 22, 2023

Canada will extend a three-year-long $482 million aid program to Ukraine, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Sept. 22.

In a joint address to the Canadian parliament with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy , Trudeau reaffirmed Canadas commitment to supporting Kyiv for as long as necessary.

Read also: Biden promises Zelenskyy a number of ATACMS missiles  report

He said the government would provide long-term assistance: CAD 650 million ($482 million), which will be used for 50 armored vehicles manufactured in Ontario. Trudeau also stated that Canada would send instructors to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.

Read also: Zelenskyy in Canada to address parliament, drum up investment in meeting with business leaders in Toronto

Previously, Canadian broadcaster CTV reported that as part of the aid program, Canada would supply Ukraine with additional Leopard-2 tanks.

The Ukrainian president and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in Canada on Sept. 22 after their visit to the United States. Ukraines head of state met with Trudeau, discussing Kyivs military needs, future financial and humanitarian support, as well as economic and investment cooperation.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The Canadian government has expanded its list of the Special Economic Measures Regulations against Russia, imposing restrictions on universities, civil organizations, and individuals.

The move was announced by the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sept. 20.

Read also: Canada announces $480 million aid program for Ukraine

The sanctions were imposed in response to the involvement of certain individuals and entities in supporting Russia's forcible mass deportation of Ukrainian children, Russian disinformation campaigns, and its nuclear sector.

The following entities have been added to the list of sanctions:

The Global Policy Research Foundation;

Newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda;

The Russian Geographical Society (also known as RGS);

Moscow State Institute of International Relations (also known as MGIMO);

The National Committee for BRICS Research;

Russian Institute for Strategic Studies;

The Council for Foreign and Defense Policy;

Center for Support and Development of Public Initiative Creative Diplomacy;

Higher School of Economics University;

The Russian International Affairs Council;

Valdai Discussion Club (Foundation);

Vladimir Tochmash Joint Stock Company;

Kovrov Mechanical Plant PJSC;

Russian Children and Youth Military Patriotic Public Movement Youth Army.

Read also: UK drops sanctions evasion probe into Russian billionaire Fridman

Canada also imposed sanctions on Tuiaara Vasilieva, Yakutias ombudsman for children's rights, Andrei Stepanov, Tyumens ombudsman for children's rights, and Liudmila Nizamova, the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrugs ombudsman for children's rights.

Furthermore, Canada has imposed sanctions on the following individuals:

Anton Kotyakov, the Russian Labor Minister;

Artem Zdunov, Head of the Republic of Mordovia;

Nikita Nagorny, the Youth Army Chief;

Anton Demidov, Chairman of the Coordinating Council of the Young Guard of United Russia;

Eleonora Fedorenko, an advisor to the so-called "DNR" leader on children's rights;

Vasily Kashin, a Russian scientist and political analyst;

Evgeny Primakov, Head of Rossotrudnichestvo.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The U.S. is caught in the middle of a diplomatic war between India and Canada, after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau s allegations that Indian agents were behind the killing of a Sikh Separatist leader in the country.

The explosive allegation comes amid the Biden administrations charm offensive toward India as a key bulwark against China, with many questioning the U.S. relationship with Indias controversial prime minister, Narendra Modi .

The U.S. reportedly worked closely with Canada in investigating the apparent murder on its soil. President Biden has not publicly commented on the allegations, highlighting the tricky balancing act of standing by Canada without alienating India.

All eyes are now on whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will present evidence to support his claims and just how bad relations between Ottawa and New Delhi will get before the U.S. is forced to step in.

Since Trudeaus public allegations against India on Tuesday, relations between the two countries have hit rock bottom, while Canada has received no public support from its allies backing up the claim.

Vivek Dehejia, professor of economics and an India-Canada policy expert at Carleton University in Ottawa, told The Hill that Canadian officials and Trudeau assumed they would get unconditional support from their allies and from the U.S. in particular.

They have been disappointed by the level of support that they have received. If you look carefully at [national security adviser] Jake Sullivans recent comments, hes walking a tightrope because Canadas very dramatic allegations have put the U.S. and other NATO allies in a bind, he added.

On Thursday, Sullivan offered a vague statement in support of Canadas undertaking in this investigation and said the U.S. has also been in touch with Indias government.

It is a matter of concern for us. It is something we take seriously. It is something we will keep working on, and we will do that regardless of the country, he told reporters at the White House on Thursday.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. was coordinating with Canada on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly on Friday, and called for India to cooperate in the ongoing probe.

We want to see accountability. And its important that the investigation run its course and lead to that result, Blinken told reporters in New York.

The Washington Post reported earlier this week that several senior officials of Canadas Five Eyes allies, of which the U.S. is a member, were informed of the allegations ahead of the G20 summit in New Delhi. Nevertheless, no public comment was made by any senior leaders among the groups members, which also include the U.K., Australia and New Zealand.

According to Sadanand Dhume, a senior fellow at the Washington, D.C.-based American Enterprise Institute, the Biden administration has no intention of sacrificing its relationship with India over an ill-judged accusation by Trudeau.

Biden has made closer ties with India a foreign policy priority in its efforts to counter Chinas influence in Asia, inviting Modi for an official state visit in June, when he also addressed Congress.

That was the same month that masked gunmen killed Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Sikh temple in Vancouver. The 45-year-old separatist leader had previously been designated as a terrorist by India.

India has long maintained that Canada has turned a blind eye toward extremist elements against India, especially Khalistani secessionists who demand a separate homeland for Sikh in the Punjab region.

The fact is that the Canadians have allowed some pretty dodgy people to use Canadian soil and to spread violent messages, Dhume said.

Its not as though theres deep sympathy for Canada given that Trudeau has not handled this really well. Hes really been forced into a corner here.

Trudeau has also come under scathing criticism from some former officials back home.

Omer Aziz, a former foreign policy advisor for Trudeaus administration in Canada, wrote in The Globe and Mail that Ottawas foreign policy initiatives have never understood South Asia or India, but were instead aimed at winning over the sizable ethnic Sikh vote at home.

Under Trudeau, the foreign policy choices have been subordinated to domestic diaspora politics, given the importance of the Sikh diaspora in Canada, which have been important liberal voters. Trudeau, who has a minority in [Canadian] parliament, is only in power because of the [New Democratic Party] led by Jagmeet Singh, Dehejia told The Hill.

Singh is the first Sikh to lead a major federal party in Canada, and helped Trudeau form a minority government last year after the Liberals failed to win a majority in parliament.

In New Delhi, the Canadian allegations have united a fractious political landscape.

The Indian response has been ferocious, and its been uniform, said Dhume, adding that it has dredged up memories of the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984 and Air India bombing the next year, both of which were linked to Sikh separatists.

Even Modis main opposition, the Indian National Congress has backed his governments stance on Trudeau and Canada in a rare show of unity.

The Congress reiterates that the countrys fight against terrorism has to be uncompromising, especially when it threatens Indias sovereignty, unity and integrity, it said in a statement.

Pressure is now on Trudeau to reveal how Canada obtained the intelligence that led it to so publicly suggest the Indian government was behind the killing.

The prime minister doubled down on his claims Thursday, again saying Canada had credible reasons to believe that agents of the government of India were involved in the killing of a Canadian on Canadian soil.

Reuters reported that an unnamed senior Canadian government source said Ottawa worked very closely with the United States on the intelligence assessment.

The White House did not respond to The Hills request for comment.

Canada may not be in a position to reveal where it got the information, Dhume said, but the Indian view is that if youre not in a position to corroborate  then dont make the allegation in public.

Yet ultimately it may depend on the U.S. to settle the growing feud, which has resulted in India halting new visas for Canadians and expelling a Canadian diplomat.

Only the U.S. has the ability to solve this as only they have both trust and influence in both Ottawa and New Delhi, Dhume added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced 63 sanctions against Russian individuals and legal entities during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Canada, news outlet European Pravda reported on Sept. 22.

During a press conference earlier today, Prime Minister Trudeau stated that the more than 42 sanctioned inviduals are "involved in the illegal movement and detention of Ukrainian children, the generation and dissemination of disinformation and propaganda, as well as the nuclear programs of the Russian Federation."

Among individuals listed under new Canadian sanctions, the Minister of Labor of the Russian Federation Anton Kotyakov and the advisor to the Commissioner for Childrens Rights, Alexey Petrov.

Some of the Russian entities involved in the sanctions include Moscow State Institute of International Relations ("MGIMO") and its director Anatoly Torkunov, the Higher School of Economics of the Russian Federation, as well as the publications "Vzglyad" and "Komsomolska Pravda." Russian youth organizations are also included on the sanctioned entities list.

Earlier today, President Zelensky addressed the Canadian Parliament following Prime Minister Trudeau's announcement of further aid for Ukraine, including 650 million Canadian dollars ($480 million) for 50 armored vehicles and training on F-16 fighter jets.

The Ukrainian President's visit to Canada followed a visit to New York where Zelensky addressed the U.N. General Assembly and the Security Council. The president then headed to Washington, D.C., where he held talks with members of the U.S. Congress, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and President Joe Biden.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine strikes Russias Black Sea Fleet headquarters; Abrams to arrive next week









Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Canadian government has denounced a viral video threatening Hindus in Canada amid escalating tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi.

Canadas public safety minister, Dominic LeBlanc, reassured members of the Hindu community that they should not feel threatened by the video posted online by the organisation Sikhs for Justice, which urged them to go back to India.

The video was widely shared amid a fierce diplomatic row that began after Canadas prime minister, Justin Trudeau, said there were credible allegations that the Indian government had been involved in the murder of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India denied the suggestion, describing it as absurd, and has since suspended visa services for Canadians, citing security threats to its embassy and consulates in Canada.

Though he did not name Sikhs for Justice directly, Mr LeBlanc strongly criticised the organisations video, which after several days has now been taken down. All Canadians deserve to feel safe in their communities, Mr LeBlanc wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The circulation of an online hate video targeting Hindu Canadians contradicts the values we hold dear as Canadians, he continued. There is no place for acts of aggression, hate, intimidation, or incitement of fear.

Public Safety Canada called the video offensive and hateful.

Acts of aggression, hate, intimidation or incitement of fear have no place in this country and only serve to divide us, the department said in a separate post on X.

We urge all Canadians to respect one another and follow the rule of law. Canadians deserve to feel safe in their communities.

Pierre Poilievre, the leader of Canadas main opposition Conservative Party, said that hateful comments targeting Hindus in Canada have been on the rise in recent days.

Every Canadian deserves to live without fear and feel welcomed in their community. In recent days, we have seen hateful comments targeting Hindus in Canada, he wrote on X.

Conservatives condemn these comments against our Hindu neighbours and friends. Hindus have made invaluable contributions to every part of our country and will always be welcome here.

And Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the New Democratic Party, also tweeted a message in support of the community.

To Hindus across Canada. This is your home and you deserve to be here, Mr Singh wrote. Anyone that suggests otherwise does not reflect the values of inclusion, compassion and kindness we hold close as Canadians.

To Hindu Canadians & and Indians from all backgrounds: Anyone who says you do not deserve to be safe & welcomed in your home does not embody the values of freedom & kindness we hold dear as Canadians, wrote Harjit Sajjan, an MP representing Vancouver South.

Do not let others delegitimise or question your place and love for Canada.

None of the politicians condemning the video called out Sikhs for Justice directly. The group is among the most prominent among those who support the idea that an independent Sikh state called Khalistan should be carved out of Indias state of Punjab.

The video calling on Hindus to go back to India was presented by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a lawyer based in New York. He accused Hindus in Canada of working against the country while simultaneously benefiting from it economically.

Nijjar, the Sikh leader killed in Canada in June, was also an outspoken supporter of the Khalistan movement. India had designated him a wanted terrorist and accused him of leading and recruiting for a militant organisation  charges he and his supporters strongly denied.

His death has led to a diplomatic row between India and Canada after the Trudeau government said it had received intelligence  reportedly from another member of the Five Eyes alliance  that Indian government agents were responsible for the killing.

Mr Trudeau confronted Indias prime minister Narendra Modi over the case on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Delhi earlier this month, but Indias foreign ministry said the allegation was rejected.

The Canadian prime minister then made the allegation public in an extraordinary statement to parliament, and expelled an Indian diplomat, who was reportedly the head of the intelligence wing of the Indian High Commission in Ottawa.

India has since expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in turn, and formally requested that the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi be downsized, citing a lack of parity between the two countries missions as well as concerns over what it called anti-India activities.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A Memphis couple is now filled with fear after being shot at while chasing suspects who broke into their car.

Memphis Police say a Target run for one couple quickly turned into a shootout Thursday night. MPD says the couple was leaving Target on Poplar Avenue in East Memphis at around 9:30 p.m. when they noticed the sunroof of their vehicle was broken.

Driver dead after hitting Orange Mound church

A man went to approach the people sitting next to the car in a gray two-door Infiniti with Mississippi license plate 1M55R. They told police the suspects sped off. The man and his girlfriend then followed them out of the parking lot.

Detectives say thats when the passenger leaned out of the Infiniti and fired six shots at the couple. The man fired four shots in return before going back to Target to flag down an officer.

Bullets dont care, they could hit anybody at any time, said shopper Cindy Mannie. We come to Target every day, you know, we have a baby so its like reallyIm just shocked.

WREG spoke with the man off-camera. He says the suspects were inside the same two-door Infiniti as the driver and passenger who were captured firing rounds into oncoming traffic in Parkway Village earlier this week. Police have not said if the cases are connected.

Parkway Village drive-by shooting caught on camera

They just out and about targeting people and thats crazy, said shopper Cassye Greer. Thats deemed as unsafe and it makes you not want to be out.

Investigators say 19 shell casings and a handgun were recovered at the Ridgeway Loop scene. No one was struck but a woman did report her vehicle was hit by gunfire.

WREG reached out to Target but havent heard back. At this time no arrests have been made.

If you have any information about this incident, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Hutchinson in her new book and during a New York Times interview described a White House steeped in paranoia.

The ex-Meadows aide said that staffers feared "deep state" interception when it came to document disposal.

Hutchinson alleged that Meadows burned files in his fireplace, which ran up his dry-cleaning costs.

Former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson in her new memoir said that onetime chief of staff Mark Meadows burned so many documents in the waning days of the administration that his wife complained to her about the dry-cleaning bills to remove the burning smell from his clothes, according to The New York Times.

Hutchinson, who last year vaulted into the national spotlight after testifying before the House January 6 committee and remarking on the inner workings of the White House during Capitol riot, described to The Times an administration that was steeped in paranoia.

The former GOP aide told The Times that Meadows and other staffers feared that individuals from the "deep state" could potentially swoop in and find the documents they were disposing of.

Hutchinson in her memoir wrote that Meadows chose to dispose of documents in his fireplace in the waning days of the administration in January 2021, with Meadows' wife grumbling about the mounting expenses of removing the "bonfire" scent from his suits.

Earlier this week, Hutchinson  whose memoir, "Enough," will be released on Sept. 26  accused former New York City mayor and ex-Trump personal attorney Rudy Giuliani of groping her on January 6, 2021. She also accused John Eastman, another pro-Trump attorney, of watching Giuliani as the ex-mayor put his hand "under my blazer, then my skirt" before offering a "leering grin."

Giuliani and Eastman were two of the most vocal backers of former President Donald Trump 's debunked claims regarding the 2020 election. In August, Giuliani and Eastman were indicted by a Fulton County grand jury alongside Trump and 16 others over their efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential results in Georgia.

Both men through representatives vehemently denied Hutchinson's allegations.

In the memoir, Hutchinson wrote of how she felt "a creeping sense of dread that something really horrible [was] going to happen" on January 6.

While testifying before the House committee last year, she spoke of her exasperation at what she described as Meadows' lack of urgency as the Capitol riot unfolded, which disrupted the certification of now-President Joe Biden's 2020 electoral victory.

"I start to get frustrated because I sort of felt like I was looking at a bad car accident about to happen where you can't stop it but you want to be able to do something," she told the panel at the time. "I remember thinking in that moment, 'Mark needs to snap out of this and I don't know how to snap him out of this but he needs to care.'"

Insider reached out to Meadows for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Clark County School District police have seized more than a dozen guns since the current school year started on Aug. 7.

According to district data, the Clark County School District Police Department confiscated 14 guns so far in the 2023-2024 academic year. Out of those, 13 were handguns and one was a long gun.

The most recent seizure happened off-campus on Sept. 14 near Needles Highway and El Mirage in Laughlin.

Sept. 12 was the last time CCSDPD found a firearm on campus when a student brought a handgun to Eldorado High School, according to records.

8 News Now obtained data through a records request that shows CCSDPD confiscated 60 guns during the 2021-2022 school year, at least five of those were loaded.

In the 2022-2023 school year, CCSDPD seized 49 guns and 10 were loaded.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Pregnant people should get an RSV vaccine at 32 to 36 weeks gestation in order to protect their newborns from RSV, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

An advisory committee to the agency voted 11-1 to recommend the injection. Soon after, CDC Director Mandy Cohen formally endorsed that recommendation, the final step that allows the vaccine to be distributed to the public.

The single-dose shot, made by Pfizer, is called Abrysvo and already approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It spurs the production of antibodies in the mother that transfer through the placenta. The vaccine is the first approved that can protect babies from RSV.

That protection lasts through their first six months, clinical trial data showed. When given at 32 to 36 weeks gestation, Abrysvo was found to lower the risk of severe disease from RSV among infants by 91% within roughly three months after birth. By around six months, the efficacy was just under 77%.

RSV is typically mild in young, healthy adults, but it poses a bigger threat to children younger than 5. The virus causes up to 80,000 hospitalizations and up to 300 deaths annually among that age group in the United States. Almost 80% of children hospitalized with RSV under age 2 have no underlying medical conditions.

Last year, a dramatic spike in severe RSV infections overwhelmed childrens hospitals.

RSV is also common  most children are infected in the first year of life, and almost all by age 2.

Pregnant people should get the new vaccine from September through January, when RSV rates are highest nationally, the CDC said.

Cases of RSV are already rising, with the number of positive tests higher now than in mid-August, according to CDC data.

Another new form of RSV protection for babies was also approved this summer: an injectable drug that delivers a dose of antibodies directly to an infants bloodstream.

The CDC recommended that shot, called Beyfortus, for all babies up to 8 months old who are born during or entering their first RSV season, as well as for infants 8 to 19 months old who are at increased risk of severe disease and entering their second season.

The CDC advisory committee said Friday that either shot can be used to protect infants, and most babies wont need both.

The benefits of the vaccine are that it protects babies immediately after birth and doesnt require them to get a shot. However, the antibody injection doesnt pose a risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, and some evidence suggests its protection wanes more slowly.

The CDC advisers also noted that the availability of Beyfortus may be limited during the current RSV season.

Dr. Helen Keipp Talbot, the lone CDC advisory group member who voted against Abrysvo, expressed concern that the recommendation was too complicated.

I think its going to make providing care more difficult, said Talbot, an associate professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. If we just say the child should get the monoclonal [antibody drug], we have a very simple recommendation. Its a cost effective and very effective mechanism of protecting the child.

But other members said it was important to have more than one protective tool.

I could not have imagined better options for our infants and children. This is what weve been striving for. As a neonatologist with high-risk babies, this is just fantastic, said Dr. Pablo Sanchez, a pediatrics professor at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

The most common side effects reported among pregnant women in Pfizers trial were fatigue, headache, injection site pain, muscle pain, nausea, joint pain and diarrhea.

There was also a slightly higher rate of preterm births (defined as before 37 weeks gestation) among women who got the vaccine than those who got a placebo. The difference wasnt statistically significant, but the prescribing label for Abrysvo comes with a warning not to administer it before 32 weeks gestation nonetheless.

Last year, the pharmaceutical company GSK halted its trial of an RSV vaccine after it showed a higher preterm birth rate among some recipients. The CDC advisers said Friday that those results were relevant to the evaluation of Pfizers shot.

Pfizers trial also found a slightly higher number of hypertensive disorders like pre-eclampsia among the vaccine group. Pfizer has said it will monitor the risk of preterm birth and hypertensive disorders among vaccine recipients.

Due to a lack of data, the CDC committee said its too soon to know whether additional RSV vaccine doses should be given in subsequent pregnancies.

Abrysvo is expected to be listed at $295, but the price for individual consumers will depend on their insurance plans. The shot will be covered under the CDCs Vaccines for Children Program, which makes some vaccines and immunizations free to children who are uninsured, underinsured, Medicare-eligible, or Native American or Alaska Natives.

Meanwhile, two new RSV vaccines are already available at pharmacies for adults ages 60 and older  a group also vulnerable to severe illness. One of those shots, from Pfizer, is the same formulation as the new shot for use during pregnancy.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Kansas City police have found the family of a child dropped off at a fire station Saturday morning.

According to a statement from the Kansas City Police Department, the child was dropped off at 2039 Hardesty Avenue just before 10:40 a.m.

Police asked the public for help finding the childs family at 11:45 a.m. before updating the public at 2:20 p.m. that family had been contacted.

A spokeswoman for the KCPD thanked the public for their assistance.
On Saturday, a 12-year-old boy was injured in a munitions' explosion in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast; two private houses and a car were damaged.

Source: Serhiy Lysak, head of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "The accident occurred today in the Pershotravneve hromada of the Nikopol district. An explosion happened in one of the courtyards. Previously, Russian ammunition detonated, which the children recently found and brought home (a hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories  ed.).

A 12-year-old boy was injured. He is in the hospital in a moderate condition. Two private houses and a car were wrecked."

Details: Lysak also said that a 37-year-old man was injured in Russian attacks in Nikopol.

Several shops, a pharmacy and a cafe, three five-story buildings and a car were damaged in the city.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
BEIJING/SEOUL (Reuters) - China's President Xi Jinping on Saturday said he will seriously consider visiting South Korea, Yonhap news agency reported, as part of efforts to support peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.

Separately China Central Television (CCTV) reported that Xi had told South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Saturday that China is willing to work to promote a strategic partnership between the two countries.

Xi, who has not visited South Korea since 2014, held talks with Han in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou before the opening ceremony of the Asian Games on Saturday.

The commitment to cooperation came ahead of scheduled trilateral talks in Seoul on Sept. 26 involving senior officials from China, Japan and South Korea, intended to pave the way for the first summit between the three countries in four years.

Xi told Han he would welcome such a summit at an opportune time and would seriously consider visiting South Korea, Yonhap reported.

A Chinese statement did not mention Xi's comment on the summit or a visit to Seoul.

China attaches great importance to the positive willingness of South Korea to commit to cooperation, Xi said, according to CCTV, and asked South Korea to meet it half way to maintain the direction of friendly cooperation. The two countries can deepen mutually beneficial cooperations, he said.

Citing what it said was a high-ranking South Korean government official, Yonhap reported that Xi had said China supports dialogue between the two Koreas and will continue efforts for peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, while Han had asked China to play a constructive role in relations with North Korea.

Tensions between the two countries rose after North Korea's Kim Jong Un made a week-long visit to Russia earlier this month, which angered the United States, Japan and South Korea.

South Korea imposed sanctions on 10 individuals and two entities in relation to North Korea's nuclear program and weapons trade with three countries, including Russia, the foreign ministry said on Thursday.

(Reporting by Albee Zhang and Ryan Woo in Beijing and Joyce Lee in Seoul; Editing by Mike Harrison and David Holmes)
Justice Clarence Thomas once championed the Supreme Court line of precedent giving deference to federal agency expertisethe so-called Chevron deference doctrinewriting in 2005 that the Federal Telecommunications Commission was in a far better position to address these questions than we are in a case involving regulation of broadband internet service given that the subject matter [that] is technical, complex, and dynamic.

Thomas decision in that caseone known as Brand Xwas no outlier given that the Chevron case from which the precedent arose has been cited more than 15,000 times since being decided by the high court in 1984. But 15 years later, Thomas announced that his own decision in that case was wrong because it added to the constitutional deficiencies of Chevron and exacerbates them. Unusually, Thomas announced his change of heart in a dissent where he advocated that SCOTUS should have accepted a case for the purpose of overruling his own opinion.

What changed?

One possible influence on the justices heart and mind is his previously secret history of involvement with the conservative political organizationknown as the Koch networkfounded by the libertarian billionaires Charles and David Koch . The Koch network has been a prime mover in the effort to whittle back and overturn the Chevron case as part of a conservative agenda to cut back on what they perceive as government overreach.

Congress Needs to Show Samuel Alito and the Supreme Court Whos Boss

Recent reporting by ProPublica, reveals that Thomas has attended at least two donor events for the Koch network, such as the one in 2018 in which he was flown in on a private Gulfstream G2000 jet to Palm Springs, California and was a featured speaker, attending a private dinner with network donors.

To be invited to events like the annual summit, donors typically have to give at least $100,000 a year. Those who give in the millions receive special treatment, including dinners with Charles Koch and high-profile guests. Doling out access to powerful public officials was seen as a potent fundraising strategy, former staffers told the publication.

Thomas never reported the 2018 trip on his annual financial disclosure form. Thats the same annual financial disclosure form that for the year 2022 Thomas received an extension to file months later than other justicesas did Justice Alitoand used to justify his failure to disclose luxury trips and real estate purchases paid for by conservative billionaire Harlan Crow.

The real estate purchase dated back to 2014 but Thomas did not explain it until now and only after a string of exposes about his being the beneficiary of luxury trips, financing a luxury RV as well as the real estate purchase of a home in which Thomas mother lives.

Thomas attendance at the Koch network meeting is significant because of the Koch networks extraordinary presence in advocacy work, including cases before the Supreme Court. The Koch network is among the largest and most influential political organizations of the last half century, and its underwritten a far-reaching campaign to influence the course of American law, ProPublica reports.

For example, the Koch networkrecently rebranded as Stand Togetherthrough its lawyers are now poised to have the Supreme Court achieve the goal of reversing the Chevron case because the high court has now accepted a case to hear next term with the specific purpose of considering whether to overrule the Chevron doctrine.

Thomas attendance at these donor events puts Thomas in the extraordinary position of having served as a fundraising draw for a network that has brought cases before the Supreme Court, including one of the most closely watched of the upcoming term.

Any federal judge who concealed such a trip would likely be considered to be in violation of their reporting requirements as well as the judicial code of conduct. I cant imagineit takes my breath away, franklythat he would go to a Koch network event for donors, said John E. Jones III, a retired federal judge appointed by President George W. Bush. Jones said that if he had gone to a Koch summit as a district court judge. Id have gotten a letter that wouldve commenced a disciplinary proceeding.

That is, any federal judge except one that sits on the U.S. Supreme Court. Unlike all other judgesfederal and stateSupreme Court judges are not subject to any ethics code and steadfastly refuse to adopt one despite growing public criticism and the American Bar Associations call for SCOTUS to adopt an ethics code.

The decades-long litigation agenda pursued by the Koch network and other conservative groups is enormously well-funded and plays a very successful long game. The overturning of Roe v. Wade is but one example of its successes. If the Chevron doctrine is thrown out, then much of the true authority over federal regulations will default to the judiciary and therefore to SCOTUS. Decisions about climate change, for example, would be greatly complicated if the Environmental Protection Agency efforts to curtail carbon emissions are derailed through judicial decisions.

In a less high-profile light is the case that puts Chevron on the chopping blockLoper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondowhich involves the authority of the National Marine Fisheries Service to make commercial fishing companies pay for the costs of monitoring compliance with fishery management plans.

While opinions can reasonably differ on the wisdom of agency decisions as well as judicial decisions, opinion should not differ on the view that there is something wrong with allowing justices who benefit financially from groups arguing the cases before them deciding those cases.

Why All 9 Supreme Court Justices United to Avoid Accountability

Its not that Thomasor any other justicecant associate with whomever they wish but when the justices are gifted hundreds of thousands of dollars it has to be disclosed as do appearances at fundraising events which other federal judges would be disciplined for attending.

The code of conduct for the federal judiciary lays out rules designed to preserve judges impartiality and independence, which it calls indispensable to justice in our society. The code specifically prohibits both political activity and participation in fundraising. Judges are advised, for instance, not to associate themselves with any group publicly identified with controversial legal, social, or political positions.

Nor is the problem with any groupconservative or liberalengaging in decades-long strategies for changing the law through litigation. That kind of advocacyfor better or worseis part of our system of civil justice. No, the problem is when these changes in law are not achieved through advocacy but rather through seeking to influence judges who sit on the nations highest court through financial benefits involving gifts and trips.

Thomas should be forced to recuse himself from hearing cases brought by groups that he helps fundraise for and who fly him on private jets. He may even need to be investigated by Congress or the Justice Department for his failure to make timely and full disclosures. But none of that can happen so long as there is no transparency about who Thomas helps and who helps him. It all starts with transparency.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
A man filed a class-action lawsuit against United Airlines after the company lost his luggage.

Jack Lipeles alleged in the suit that United falsely told him his luggage was stolen.

He accused the company of trying to evade reimbursing customers for their $35 checked bag fee.

A traveler says United Airlines lost his luggage, and he's taking them to court over it.

According to his attorneys, Jack Lipeles flew from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Los Angeles, California, in November 2022 on a United flight, and he paid the $35 fee to have one bag checked.

When Lipeles arrived in Los Angeles, "he went to pick up his luggage, but was unable to find his bag. United informed Plaintiff that his luggage was stolen and that he should speak to the police to report the stolen luggage," the federal lawsuit, filed in California in late August, said.

But when Lipeles went to the airport's police, he received troubling news, according to the complaint.

Airport police told Lipeles he should file a claim with United "because it is United's usual policy upon losing luggage to falsely state the luggage has been stolen in order to avoid reimbursing for the loss thereof," the lawsuit said, adding that Lipeles never received any reimbursement from United for his lost luggage or the $35 fee.

Lipeles and his attorneys, who did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on Saturday, are bringing the case as a class-action suit targeting United's "unfair and unlawful business practices."

Reached for comment, a spokesperson for United declined to comment on the suit, calling it an "ongoing legal matter."

According to data from the Department of Transportation, United Airlines and its partners handled some 5,793,084 bags in November 2022, and 31,374 of them were mishandled, which the DOT defines as bags that are "lost, damaged, delayed, and pilfered, as reported by or on behalf of the passenger."

"Airlines are required to compensate passengers for lost, damaged, or delayed bags. For domestic flights, DOT allows airlines to limit their liability for lost, damaged, or delayed bags to $3,800," the DOT said in a comment to Insider. "Airlines may pay more than these amounts but are not required to do so."

Read the original article on Business Insider
WASHINGTON - Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan says she hopes colleagues will adopt an ethics "code of conduct," while a new report details a relationship between Justice Clarence Thomas and conservative political activists.

New ethics rules would "go far in persuading other people that we were adhering to the highest standards of conduct," Kagan said during a Friday speech at Notre Dame Law School. "I hope we can make progress.

Kagan did not mention Thomas or any other justice by name.

Her suggestion came the same day that ProPublica published another installment in a string of stories about Thomas and wealthy donors who have the potential of business before the court. The latest story concerns the Koch Brothers, philanthropists who have spent millions on behalf of various conservative causes.

ProPublica reported that "Thomas has attended Koch donor events at least twice over the years," and "that puts Thomas in the extraordinary position of having served as a fundraising draw for a network that has brought cases before the Supreme Court, including one of the most closely watched of the upcoming term."

The report noted that the Koch political network has an interest in a pending Supreme Court case seeking to limit "federal agencies power to issue regulations in areas ranging from the environment to labor rights to consumer protection."

Members of Congress have discussed legislation setting ethics standards for the Supreme Court, though it is uncertain whether they have the legal authority to regulate what is a separate branch of government.

Kagan's remarks strike a similar tone to those made a few weeks ago by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who signaled that the Supreme Court may take steps "soon" to address ethics scandals that have eroded confidence and sparked a partisan fight in Congress over whether lawmakers can force a code of ethics on the nation's highest court. Chief Justice John Roberts told an audience in May that the ethics scandals swirling around the court were an "issue of concern" and that the justices were "continuing to look at things" to address the problem.

Related: Brett Kavanaugh says he's hopeful the Supreme Court will take 'concrete steps' to address ethics scandals

Stand Together, the formal name of the Koch political network, said in a statement that Thomas did not participate in fundraising discussions and their events have a public service purpose.

"Our summits provide a forum for people to learn about how they can partner with one another to solve big problems in our country," the statement said.

It added: "The idea that attending a couple events to promote a book or give dinner remarks, as all the justices do, could somehow be undue influence just doesnt hold water."

Dig deeper Case closed? Supreme Court silent after Thomas luxury travel raised ethics scandal

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Elena Kagan calls for new Supreme Court code amid Clarence Thomas flap
As the government hurtles toward a shutdown, House Republicans are still desperately in search of any plan that can win a majority. Even if they can pass something, it's doomed in the Democratic Senate.

Which puts Susan Collins, the Senate's influential Republican centrist, in a very challenging position.

The moderate from Maine is the top member of her party on the Senate Appropriations Committee, setting her up to play a pivotal role in negotiations over spending levels. She has played dealmaker in a previous shutdown, helping broker an agreement to reopen the government in 2013 when conservatives shuttered it in a failed attempt to defund the Affordable Care Act.

In an interview this week, Collins warned her party that allowing the government to close would be a mistake for both substantive and political reasons. Her comments are an important signal to the House that the Senate's patience with conservative dysfunction is wearing thin.

Ive lived through shutdowns. They are never good policy, Collins said.

Historically, Republicans have been blamed, she cautioned. So whether you look at it through a policy or a political lens, a shutdown is never beneficial.

Navigating her own party is Collins biggest obstacle. It may be strange for a centrist Republican to be leading the spending strategy for an increasingly conservative party, but thats the place the fifth-term senator finds herself in.

Both she and House conservatives are well aware they do not see eye to eye.

Her record and my record are probably as divergent as you can get, said Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), a stalwart in the conservative House Freedom Caucus. If shes helping draft and design how were going to spend our money, that would make me nervous, uncomfortable.

Collins told Republicans this week she is beginning to talk to House members about an eventual solution to the spending fight, according to attendees at party meetings who spoke on condition of anonymity. But no senator can control the other side of the Capitol, where House Republicans whims are out of both her and Minority Leader Mitch McConnells hands.

Moderate in both ideology and temperament, Collins is seen by President Joe Biden's party as a bulwark against the House GOP. After Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer tried to oust her in 2020, their relationship turned frosty for more than a year but recently has thawed  the two meet privately and regularly work together.

These days Schumer often praises her by name. Other Democrats do, too.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) said Collins job is very tough. Im delighted shes there doing it.

Shes in hand-to-hand combat every day, as far as Im concerned, said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the majority whip. I have great confidence in her."

Like Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray, her Democratic counterpart from Washington, Collins can cut a serious and sometimes intimidating figure in the Capitol, a reputation that precedes her in both party meetings and on the Senate floor. Allies cite her steeliness as an asset.

Respect often comes with fear, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said of some colleagues' perception of Collins.

Collins cuts a far different leadership profile than former Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), her predecessor as the GOP spending chief and a gregarious proponent of backroom deals. Murray and Collins earned plaudits for their work rebuilding the bread-and-butter appropriations process in the Senate, even from conservative senators who break with her on big votes.

Of course, that praise only goes so far. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) threw a procedural grenade at Murray and Collins plans to pass a three-bill spending package this month, complaining about how grotesquely dysfunctional this place is. The Senate left Thursday after stalling out on the bill and is now moving onto trying to avoid a shutdown in a week's time with a stopgap bill.

Collins has done a much better job than her predecessors. But she's in a system that has not generated much real difference, said Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.).

Despite a voting record that skews more leftward than basically every Senate Republican but Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Collins has maintained her sway in an increasingly right-leaning party by working within the party apparatus. Shes closely aligned with McConnell on much of the partys spending strategy, and shes conspicuously avoided undermining Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

When conservatives assess Collins, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) said, there's some undercurrent of: Oh, shell give away the store. But you know, shes also a pragmatist.

If Republicans win the majority next November, Collins would become the appropriations chair, a huge capstone to her career. Even though shes not technically in charge of the committee this fall, the GOPs internal battles over spending might make her job this fall even tougher than Murrays.

Im not going to make it personal about Sen. Collins, said Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), who was chief of staff to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) during the 2013 shutdown. Im just going to say, I dont trust the Senate Republican conference as a whole.

Olivia Beavers contributed to this report.
State Reps. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, James Talarico and James Frank discuss school vouchers and the upcoming special legislative session on education at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 23, 2023. Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune

Three Texas state representatives said Saturday that a looming special legislative session on education could bring increased school funding and teacher pay  two popular and urgent ideas for many public schools facing a teacher shortage.

But thats about all the three agreed on during a Texas Tribune Festival panel about school choice, a proposal to let parents take their kids out of public schools and enroll them into private ones using taxpayers' money  also often referred to as school vouchers.

The matter is a legislative priority of Gov. Greg Abbott, who has promised political consequences for lawmakers who stand in the way of a bills passage. The special legislative session is expected to begin next month.

Nodding the governors persistence, Democratic Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, of San Antonio, said lawmakers should be open to negotiate and focus on securing what they want out of the deal if a school choice bill is inevitable. She said teachers need to be paid better and the basic amount of money schools receive per student should increase.

Our majority party wants vouchers. Thats a fact. Our state leadership wants vouchers. Thats a fact, Gervin-Hawkins said. We can continue to fight and waste a lot of time fighting and see who comes out winning but guess whos losing? Our teachers who are trying to pay their rent. Whos losing? Our children who are not getting what they need.

Gervin-Hawkins willingness to compromise on one of the most polarizing issues in the state juxtaposed the stance of her Democratic colleague Rep. James Talarico of Austin, who said vouchers of any size would be a threat to public education. Rep. James Frank, R-Wichita Falls, on the other hand, said such a school voucher program would give parents more power to make decisions about their childrens education.

Fellas, I hear ya, Gervin-Hawkins told her two colleagues. But the reality is I see every day  every day  our teachers who need that increase and we need to make that happen.

Talarico said the issue represented such a threat to public education that it requires lawmakers to pick sides.

We are facing a historic crisis in our schools, he said. Compromise is not a virtue when our kids are on the line and when our teachers are on the line.

When asked about concerns of parents of children with disabilities, Frank said parents should have the choice to place their child in another school.

If your needs are being met in a public school, why would you ever move them? he said. Youre only going to move them if you think theyre going to be better served. Thats the only reason youre going to move them. I dont know how giving them an option of doing that is going to hurt them.

As The Texas Tribune's signature event of the year, The Texas Tribune Festival brings Texans closer to politics, policy and the days news from Texas and beyond. Browse on-demand recordings and catch up on the biggest headlines from Festival events at the Tribunes Festival news page.
People cross the street, one day after Costa Ricans elected Alvarado as the new president, in San Jose

SAN JOSE (Reuters) - More than 656 people have been killed so far in Costa Rica's deadliest year on record, official homicide data showed on Friday, though the government expects this figure to soar past 900 by the end of this year.

Costa Rica's homicides hit a record 654 last year according to the historically peaceful Central American country's Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ).

"The number continues to grow and this puts us at a turning point," OIJ head Randall Zuniga told a local radio station, calling for more investments on public security.

Costa Rica, which has for decades been recognized as the safest Central American country, saw more homicides in six of its seven provinces, with the capital San Jose seeing the highest increase - double those in the same period last year.

The national rate for violent deaths is set to rise to 16 per 100,000 people this year, from 12.6 in 2022. The Caribbean province Limon could see the rate surpass 33.

Authorities have reported crimes such as torture, gang murders and assassinations carried out by highly-trained hitmen, similar to crimes committed by Mexican cartels.

They attribute two-thirds of such killings to turf war gangs for control over drug trafficking operations in the country, a strategic location between producers in Colombia and consumers in the United States and Europe.

Costa Rica's security minister Mario Zamora told Reuters in a statement that there are no "magic" and short-term responses to tackle crime in the country, and that it would need a series of security and prevention initiative.

Zamora, appointed in May, held the post during Laura Chinchilla's 2010-2014 presidency, reputed for being tough on crime.

President Rodrigo Chaves in April announced a set of security measures to tackle surging crime after the Central American country's main business chamber warned of a "national emergency" threatening foreign investment and tourism.

"There is a constant struggle for power and resources," Chaves told a press conference earlier this month, warning that battling international crime organizations would take time.

(Reporting by Alvaro Murillo; Writing by Carolina Pulice; Editing by Sarah Morland and Shri Navaratnam)
The fighter jet that crashed miles after its pilot ejected over South Carolina has been touted as redefining modern American warfare, but it also comes with a price tag easily over $100 million and questions about it even being mission capable.

Last Sunday, a Marine Corps pilot was flying an F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet at about 1,000 feet near Charleston International Airport when he ejected and parachuted into a backyard in North Charleston. The plane kept flying for 60 miles, crashing in a field in Indiantown, South Carolina.

Jet crash: Debris found from F-35 fighter jet that crashed in South Carolina; Marines pause operations

An Israeli Air Force F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft flies over during an air show in Tel Aviv on April 26, 2023, as Israel marks Independence Day (Yom HaAtzmaut), 75 years since the establishment of the Jewish state.

What is an F-35 and why is it so expensive?

The F-35, made by Lockheed Martin, uses new technology that can fly stealthily past enemy radar and defense while integrating nearby allied F-35 jet systems to piece real-time maps together that all planes can use. The aircraft can then direct their own missiles  or those from other planes, ships, submarines or ground stations  to targets theyve identified while airborne.

The Pentagon purchased jets in three styles: F-35A for the Air Force, F-35B for the Marines, and F-35C for the Navy. The F-35B can take off and land vertically, similar to how a helicopter takes off and lands.

Pilot ejected: Missing F-35 jet flew for 60 miles without a pilot, who ejected into backyard after 'mishap'

The F-35 is used by seven partner nations, including Canada, the U.K. and Italy. On Sept. 14, four F-35s landed at a Danish airbase, part of an effort to provide more of the American planes to NATO members. Denmark then sent some of its aging fighter jets, F-16s, to Ukraine as forces there continue their fight against Russia. Other foreign nations, including Israel, Japan and South Korea, have also bought the jets.

In this image obtained from the US Department of Defense, US Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft prepare to land at the 86th Air Base, Romania, on February 24, 2022. - Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared on television to announce the attack on Ukraine shortly before 6 am (0300 GMT) on February 24. He says the military operation is to defend separatists in the east from "genocide". (Photo by Ali Stewart / US Department of Defense / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / US Air Force / Senior Airman Ali Stewart" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (Photo by ALI STEWART/US Department of Defense/AFP via Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 0 ORIG FILE ID: AFP_323U7HH.jpg

During its rollout, the F-35 program experienced delays and high costs, with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) putting it seven years behind schedule and 70% over budget, the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported in 2014. The F-35A, for example, had a purchase order of about $131.9 million apiece, and other F-35s had higher price points.

F-35 becomes US military's most expensive weapons system of all time

The U.S. Department of Defense is projected to spend $1.7 trillion on nearly 2,500 F-35s, according to a GAO report released Thursday. The program has faced severe maintenance problems, military service depot delays and inadequate equipment costs for the fighter jets. The report made several recommendations, among them it called for clarity about whether the government or contractors should be responsible for maintenance costs.

Beyond those hefty pocketbook issues, the helmet alone for an F-35 cost $400,000 in 2015, more than four times the amount the Air Force previously paid for the F-16 helmet. The cost for helmets in 2015 was expected to be at least $1 billion.

Concerns about the cost of this plane have been aired publicly. Before becoming president, Donald Trump tweeted in 2016 that the F-35 programs cost is out of control, promising he would rein costs in once he took office.

And theyre noisy and rattle nerves

Residents near any airbase with F-35s overhead have long complained about their noise. In 2019, the Vermont Air National Guard base in South Burlington became the first Guard unit to get F-35s. Locals there soon complained about the jets environmental impact, especially with their noise. A resident of University City, California, told PBS the Marine flights out of Miramar, California, were causing anxiety in a community that is home to schools and houses of worship.

F-35 reliability questioned

As early as a decade ago, the Pentagon suspended test flights for the F-35 fleet because of engine problems. The F-35 has been plagued by subpar mission capable rates since then.

A separate GAO report released Thursday found the jets were mission capable  when an aircraft in a squadron can fly and perform at least one of its tasked missions  just over half the time. The goal should be 85% to 90% mission capable, the report author, Diana Maurer, told NBC.

In response to the report, Lockheed Martin said in a statement, "We stand ready to partner with the government as plans are created for the future of F-35 sustainment ensuring mission readiness and enabling deterrence."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is an F-35? Ultra-expensive jet crashed in South Carolina.
Couple who bought house from Utah mom charged with killing husband feel like 'bystanders in her path of destruction'

A Utah family blames the childrens grief author Kouri Richins, who has been accused of fatally spiking her husbands cocktail with fentanyl, for their near financial ruin since buying from her a remodeled house that they say they've had to evacuate because of hazardous levels of mold and an onslaught of mysterious medical problems.

"There was no trying to right any of the wrongs that she had thrown at us, Taryn Wright, 38, told Dateline in her first interview about her lawsuit against Richins. Were just innocent bystanders in her path of destruction.

"Hazardous levels of mold in the home Alec and Taryn Wright bought three years ago from Richins realty company has left them teetering on the edge, struggling to pay the mortgage on a house they no longer live in, and barely able to cover rent on the home they live in now, they told Dateline.

Taryn and Alec Wright. (Courtesy Taryn Wright)

The couple sued Richins and her realty company in November, roughly six months before she was charged with murder in the March 4, 2022, death of Eric Richins.

Richins lawyers have denied the murder allegation, saying in a court filing after her arrest that there was no substantial evidence to support the charges. After her husbands death, Richins wrote the children's book Are You With Me? about grief.

The Wrights civil lawsuit, filed in Utahs Fourth Judicial District Court, alleges breach of contract and fraud. The complaint alleges Richins misrepresented important facts about the propertys habitability and value recklessly and without regard for the truth.

The bank manager and the stay-at-home mom want Richins to cover repairs on property damage that they say amounts to a complete loss, as well as damages for a range of illnesses that allegedly began after their family moved into the nearly 2,000-square-foot home in January 2020.

Kouri and Eric Richins. (via Facebook )

In a court filing earlier this year, lawyers for Richins denied the Wrights allegations. Her company, Richins Realty, made a fulsome disclosure, the filing says, adding that the homes alleged defects could have been discovered through a reasonable inspection by an ordinary prudent buyer.

Richins' lawyer handling the civil case declined to comment and referred a reporter to public filings in which they rejected the homeowners allegations.

Drowning in debt

The home, in Heber City, southeast of Salt Lake City, was part of a house-flipping business that Richins launched in 2019, prosecutors said in a June court filing.

Within a couple of years, the business was drowning in debt  Richins owed lenders $1.8 million by February 2022  and prosecutors alleged that she engaged in fraud, theft, forgery and deception as her financial woes mounted, according to the filing.

Prosecutors alleged she was secretly using a fraudulent power of attorney to execute a $250,000 line of credit against the home of her husband, who ran a successful stone masonry business and whose house was premarital property, the filing says.

But the Heber City home was the first in her new business venture, according to prosecutors, and the man from whom she bought the house, Val Maynard, said he was thrilled when she offered $215,000 for it.

Maynard had lived in the house for years, he told Dateline, but was ready to sell after his wife died. Maynard knew it needed significant repairs, since there had been lots of water damage, he said. But Maynard said he was upfront with Richins about the work it needed, according to the lawsuit.

When Richins first visited the house, Maynard recalled, she seemed friendly and pleasant. She and a man whom Maynard believed to be a work crew foreman appeared unfazed by the homes deteriorating condition.

'They were not troubled at all about it," he said.

After the sale, subcontractors began gutting the property  even though it didnt appear that proper permits had been obtained for a complete remodel, according to a general contractor who lives across the street and provided a declaration included in the Wrights lawsuit.

A dream house?

The house went on the market in October 2019, and Taryn Wright said it was presented as though it was in pristine condition. Maynard said that it looked like it could have been featured on a home makeover show.

"It looked like a magical transformation, he said.

An inspection found no problems, Taryn Wright said, who said they were told nothing about prior water damage or plumbing and roof issues. The couple bought the house the following January for $409,000.

"We envisioned having barbecues and hosting and just spending time with family and being able to look out at that beautiful view, Taryn Wright said.

Mold is seen in the home of Alec and Taryn Wright. (Courtesy Taryn Wright)

After the first rain that spring, they noticed a musty smell in the basement, Taryn Wright said.

In their sons room, Taryn said they found mold on the wall behind a new dresser and a pool of water on the floor.

Even before the discovery, the Wrights said they had been struggling with a series of illnesses and health issues  asthma and protracted fungal infections, joint pain and brain fog. The lawsuit alleges the family had to get medical treatment after their contact with the mold.

"We were constantly going to the doctor," Taryn Wright said. "There was never like, Oh, this is whats wrong with you. Its just kind of like, Oh well, youll just get over it.

"It was super, super hard, she added.

Moving out

The couple repaired the moldy drywall and replaced windows that had not been properly installed, according to the lawsuit. But the mold reappeared, and a local siding company told them that the roof was their problem: There were holes in it, the sides were rotten and the soffit and fascia boards were falling apart, according to the lawsuit.

In August 2022, as the family was getting sicker and their home seemed to be deteriorating, Taryn Wright said they had the house inspected for mold. Hazardous levels of the fungus were discovered in the basement in the inspection, according to the lawsuit, and mold spores had spread throughout the home.

Testing conducted at the home last month found a variety of toxic mold levels that were bad but not the worst, said Gianni Rossini, an owner of Envirobiomics, the company that analyzed the samples.

Some samples in the companys analysis, which the Wrights provided to Dateline, showed levels that were a hundredfold higher than normal.

Rossini said the samples dont measure toxicity, although the more mold there is the more likely it is to potentially affect someone who comes into contact with it.

Christopher Bloom, a spokesman for the National Center for Healthy Housing, a nonprofit that provides assistance for people dealing with mold, said that researchers are still trying to understand how different types of the fungus affect humans.

As with many allergens, certain molds can affect people in a variety of different ways, depending on the type of mold, the length of exposure, and a persons body chemistry, he said in an email. To date, the federal government has set no specific standards or made specific recommendations regarding airborne concentrations of mold or spores.

Mold is seen in the home of Alec and Taryn Wright. (Courtesy Taryn Wright)

Last year, after learning of the amount of mold there was in their home, the Wrights immediately evacuated with their three children, moving to a relatives rental home and leaving their belongings, which they feared had been contaminated, the couple said.

They also said they repeatedly  and unsuccessfully  tried to get a hold of Kouri Richins to determine how best to fix the home.

We didnt hear anything from her, Alec Wright said.

Text messages between Richins and a realtor who was working with her at the time, Jessica Klingenberg, show that Richins may have known about the mold before selling the house.

In one message, which Klingenberg sent on Aug. 5, 2019, and provided to "Dateline," the realtor told her that the bedroom in the basement  the room where the Wrights son would later live  was super moldy.

A contractor suggested mudding the drywall to kill the fungus and then painting it, Klingenberg said.

"Cheaper and safer for new owners," she wrote.

"I saw!!" Richins replied. It looks soooo good!! Yes, we will plan to do that! Thank you soooooooo much!!

Lawyers for Richins did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Alec Wright described their lawsuit as a last resort. That legal fight, along with the hundreds of thousands of dollars they sunk into their home  and estimates that it would cost more to repair the house than what they paid for it  has left them in a financially precarious position, the couple said.

"If were not able to find the means to get back into our home, Alec Wright said, financially, well be ruined.

Before Richins was charged with murder, the couple was hopeful their lawsuit would prove successful and theyd recoup some, if not all, of their losses, Taryn Wright said.

Now, their situation seems far different. Their new reality, she said, might be "that weve lost everything."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A federal appeals court on Friday rejected environmental groups request for an injunction against exploratory mine drilling by two companies seeking minerals in the Coronado National Forest near Patagonia.

A coalition of groups, including the local Patagonia Area Resource Council and the Center for Biological Diversity, sued in June to block copper, silver, lead and zinc exploration that the U.S. Forest Service had approved in two canyons about 4 miles south of Patagonia, in southern Arizona. They argued that the approvals violated federal law by not considering the cumulative effects of mining in a mountain range that supports rare species such as Mexican spotted owls and, sometimes, jaguars and ocelots.

The exploration zones are near a zinc and manganese mine currently under development with plans to provide minerals for electric vehicle batteries. If successful, that project alone, called the Hermosa Mine, could rekindle a historic mining district with more than 800 jobs in an area where birdwatching and other outdoor pursuits have long dominated.

The court challenge continues, though on Friday, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a federal judges ruling that exploration can proceed while the case works its way through court. The groups had sought an injunction against that.

New Arizona mines unearth new conflicts: Resist climate change or protect fragile landscapes?

The case involves two companies seeking to drill from 37 pads between them. Arizona Standard will explore Humboldt Canyon, while South32 will drill in Flux Canyon.

South32 will keep sustainability and our commitment to protecting wildlife and biodiversity at the core, Pat Risner, the companys Arizona project lead, said in a statement. We will continue with biological monitoring as we conduct planned work at Flux Canyon, which will take place on 1.8 acres of land  similar to the size of a residential lot  and require fewer than 12 months to complete, including reclamation of all areas.

A lawyer for the plaintiffs said the fight would go on.

We're disappointed that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals failed to recognize the emergency that is drilling in the Patagonia Mountains," Earthjustice associate attorney Scott Stern said in a statement. "But this is far from the end of the road. We're confident that the Ninth Circuit will understand these threats when the court considers our appeal on its merits, which it will in the coming months.

Brandon Loomis covers environmental and climate issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Reach him at brandon.loomis@arizonarepublic.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @brandonloomis.

Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Sign up for AZ Climate, our weekly environment newsletter, and follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Judges reject injunction against drilling in Arizona's Patagonia Range
My cousin is 15 years younger and lives in a different country, but we're regular travel companions.

When it comes to the travel partners, I've learned that an open mind is crucial.

Together, we've been to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and South and North America together.

I live in Australia, while my cousin Yonatan, who is 15 years younger than me, grew up in Israel then moved to the US after college. Despite the age and cultural differences, he was always the family member I was closest to. We got along well and he always felt like a younger brother.

I love traveling and I've been fortunate to have visited 107 countries. As a child, Yonatan would visit me in Australia and my travel stories always enthralled him. I promised him we would take a trip together when he graduated from college  never really expecting it to actually happen.

But when Yonatan graduated in 2012, he remembered and asked me to keep my promise. We agreed to meet in Oslo, Norway . At the time, he was 22, while I was 37 with two young twin sons. I didn't know what to expect and was worried that we'd want different things from our trip  maybe he'd want to sleep all day and party all night, and I would prefer to get up early and explore. I was concerned this trip could be a disaster.

My fears were confirmed on the first day after he wasn't at the hotel when I arrived and didn't respond to any of my messages. When he finally stumbled into our room 11 hours later at 4 a.m. and regaled me with a story of partying with locals before getting lost in a forest, I began to regret my decision.

I thought he'd want to party every night, but he ended up surprising me

It seemed like that first night had tired him out, and for the next few nights, we were in our rooms by 10 p.m. But I promised Yonatan that on the last night of our trip, we would stay out late and visit some bars. The night before we left, we returned to our room at 2 a.m. and were due to fly home the next day at 9 a.m. I was disappointed that we hadn't had time to visit Frogner Park, the world's largest sculpture park made by a single artist and one of the most recommended sites on TripAdvisor . It was also highly recommended by a friend who'd visited the park.

Yonatan suggested setting our alarms for 5 a.m., giving us two hours to explore the park before leaving for the airport. With only three hours of sleep, I worried I'd be too tired the next day to enjoy it, but Yonatan said something that has stuck in my mind ever since: "In a few years, you won't remember how tired you were, but you will remember the fun you had visiting Frogner Park."

At 5 a.m., we headed to Frogner, where we were the only people there. We enjoyed the sunrise and admired the sculptures, creating great memories I'll never forget. Despite the hiccup on the first night of our trip, I now knew Yonatan was a good travel partner.

Since that first trip, we have visited many countries together and become regular travel companions .

The writer and his cousin have traveled all over together. Courtesy of Ash Jurberg

Yonatan plans to carry on the tradition

My twin sons are 16 years younger than Yonatan, and he made the same promise to them that I once made to him. Once they graduate college, they'll all take a trip together. My sons have seen the kinds of memories and experiences I 've created with Yonatan and are excited to do the same.

The writer with his cousin and family members in Austin, Texas. Courtesy of Ash Jurberg

I know that the tradition will continue even beyond this. Last year, Yonatan had his first child, and, coincidentally, she's 16 years younger than my sons  it looks like they'll also have a promise to make!

Read the original article on Insider
Some consumers trying to get updated versions of the COVID-19 vaccine this week have encountered red tape, canceled appointments and delays getting private insurance to cover the shots.

The major snarl comes amid a systemic shift, as the federal government no longer pays for or distributes all COVID-19 vaccinations. Public and private-sector health insurance providers must pay the full cost of the shot plus an administrative fee. Uninsured patients can still get free shots through a federal government program. In response to an uptick in cases, the Biden administration announced plans Monday to restart another federal program that allows consumers to order four free tests per household.

Millions of doses of the updated vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have been shipped to pharmacies and clinics since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved new versions. The agency has recommended that everyone older than 6 months get updated shots, which target more recent variants of the virus that causes COVID-19.

While chain pharmacies busily give customers their shots, it's been stressful for many people looking to get vaccinated. Dozens have turned to social media to share stories about insurer roadblocks, delays in appointments or out-of-network denials.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that everyone age 6 months and up get the updated COVID vaccine.

Experts say the marketplace is bound to experience hiccups with such a large vaccine rollout shifting from government to private-sector insurers.

"It's pretty much par for the course with the U.S. health care system and the patchwork nature of it," said Sabrina Corlette, founder, and co-director of the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy.

'Very difficult to be responsible'

Patrick Dye, a resident of Vienna, Virginia, began making calls as soon as the new vaccine shots became available but he hit roadblock after roadblock.

When he learned his doctor's office didn't carry the vaccine, he contacted his insurer, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, to ask about options. The insurer told him he'd only be covered if he got a shot from his "health provider" or the doctor, who had already told him his office didn't have the updated shot.

Sandra Lindsay, RN, the first American to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in 2020 repeated the feat again Sept. 13, 2023 as part of a public health awareness event held by Northwell Health in New Hyde Park, NY. Lindsay became a global phenomenon on Dec. 14, 2020, when the Northwell Health critical care nurse director received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. HANDOUT PHOTO

In all, Dye made more than a half dozen calls to his doctor, insurer, a hospital clinic affiliated with his doctor, Walgreens and an independent pharmacy. He finally was able to get a shot Friday at a CVS pharmacy. He said his situation was complicated by the fact that he has a low-deductible, pre-Affordable Care Act health insurance plan, known as a grandfathered plan, which operates under different rules than ACA plans.

Still, he said consumers shouldn't have to work so hard to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

"It's very difficult to be responsible," Dye said.

Health expert struggles to get vaccinated

As vice president and director of the ACA at the health policy foundation KFF, Cynthia Cox is well versed in the nuances of the health insurance industry and U.S. health care system.

There have been some hiccups with the latest COVID-19 vaccine rollout, officials said.

Yet even she struggled to get a timely shot.

She tried to get vaccinated on Tuesday ahead of a work trip next week, but her health insurer's in-network pharmacies didn't have any vaccines in stock.

She was willing to pay the $200 out of pocket at a Washington D.C.-area Walgreens pharmacy that wasn't part of her insurer's network. When she attempted to do so, the Walgreens employee contacted her insurer, and a representative for the insurance provider informed Cox that she would need prior authorization to get vaccinated out of network. The insurer even requested that Cox track down her doctor's fax number as part of the process.

The end result  Cox didn't get the shot, even though she was willing to pay out of pocket. She couldn't land an appointment at local CVS stores, and staff at a non-chain pharmacy told her they wouldn't get doses until next week.

A health worker administers a dose of COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination clinic in Reading, Pa. On Friday, Feb. 3, 2023.

She searched her insurer's directory of in-network pharmacies that carry the shot, and she found one in Baltimore, a trip "that's not really a solution for the vast majority of people who live in or around Washington D.C.," she said.

"It was ultimately the insurance bureaucracy that kept me from being able to get the shot, despite the fact that I've been working on insurance policy for over a decade," Cox said.

Biden administration, insurers vow improvements

Biden administration officials, health insurers and pharmacies have acknowledged early bumps in the rollout.

A U.S. Health and Human Services Department spokesperson said the agency is aware some vaccine seekers had "unexpected insurance coverage denials at the point of service." The federal agency has reached out to insurers to make sure computer systems are up to date and remind them they must cover COVID-19 vaccines without cost sharing to insured consumers. For the uninsured, the CDC's "bridge access" program will pay for vaccines.

In July, Chiquita Brooks-LaSure , administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, sent a letter to insurers, urging them to update systems by mid- to late-September to be ready for the vaccine's release.

Chiquita Brooks-LaSure is the administrator for the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Health insurers will cover the full cost of the shot "when obtained through a network provider," said James Swann, a spokesman for America's Health Insurance Plans, a trade group that represents major private health insurers. He added that insurers are working with pharmacies and others to "quickly ensure patient access to COVID-19 vaccines with zero cost sharing and address any issues relating to newly added billing codes quickly."

CVS spokesman Matt Blanchette said some insurers' systems aren't yet set up to cover the updated vaccine. In such cases, consumers can pay cash or pharmacy techs can reschedule appointments.

CVS stores have been administering the updated COVID shots since last week and continue to get shipments of doses. Consumers can check CVS.com to confirm whether a store has vaccine doses and make an appointment, Blanchette said.

A Walgreens spokesman said the pharmacy is "committed to ensuring no patient pays and everyone who is eligible and wants a vaccine receives one."

Consumers scramble for shots

Joe Anderson Jr., 36, a health clinic director in Austin, planned to attend the coveted Beyonce tour in New Orleans next week. To be safe, he wanted to get a COVID-19 booster, even if it wouldnt provide full protection until a week later.

He found that city, county and federal government websites had little information about boosters, and his private insurance portal and major retailers such as CVS and Walgreens didn't have much either. On Wednesday night, a Walgreens representative called him to say his appointment the next day was canceled, forcing him to scramble for another vaccine in the Austin area.

On Thursday afternoon, he found an appointment at a Walgreens and was unsure whether his insurance would cover it. But when he showed up for the shot, the pharmacy didn't ask him to pay anything out-of-pocket. He then scheduled an appointment Friday for his mother in Dallas.

Though it took a little work and a little luck to find an appointment, his persistence paid off.

Its kinda like we have to ask them, he said. And its really reactionary instead of being proactive.

COVID cases, testing on the upswing

The new vaccines arrived as COVID-19 infections continued to rise, since early July, but the infection rate remains far below previous peaks. Hospitalizations were up 7.7% during the week ending Sept. 7 and COVID deaths were up 12.5% in the week ending Sept. 16, but totals remain lower than during previous upticks.

In another indicator of concern for public health officials: the share of positive COVID tests climbed from about 4% in early June to over 14% as of Sept. 9. The CDC testing data typically doesn't include home COVID tests unless someone visits a doctor who orders a test through a lab.

Consumers can request their four free COVID home tests per household beginning Monday through the government-run website CovidTests.gov. The federal government plans to award $600 million to a dozen domestic COVID-19 test manufacturers to shore up the government's supply of these tests. The availability comes as chain retailers have reported periodic shortages of home tests.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Consumers seeking COVID vaccine face insurance denials, cancellations
A successful operation by the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine resulted in a missile strike on the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in the temporarily occupied city of Sevastopol on 22 September.

Source: the press service of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces on social media

Details: Soldiers of the Special Operations Forces said that their daring and painstaking work allowed them to hit the Black Sea Fleet headquarters "on time and spot on" during a meeting of the Russian Fleets leadership in occupied Sevastopol.

The Special Operations Forces soldiers passed the data to the Air Force for the strike.

Quote: "The details of the operation will be disclosed as soon as possible, and the result is dozens of dead and wounded occupiers, including the senior leadership of the fleet.

Let's carry on!"

Background:

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
FILE - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 21, 2022. Once rock-solid, the support that Ukraine has gotten from its biggest backers for its fight against Russia is showing cracks. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Once rock-solid, the support that Ukraine has gotten from its biggest backers for its fight against Russia is showing cracks.

Political posturing in places like Poland and Slovakia, where a trade dispute with Ukraine has stirred tensions, and Republican reticence in the United States about Washingtons big spending to prop up Ukraines military have raised new uncertainties about the Wests commitment to its efforts to expel Russian invaders more than 18 months into the war.

And Russian President Vladimir Putin , who hopes to outlast allied backing for Kyiv, will be ready to capitalize if he sees Ukraine is running low on air defense or other weapons.

The West has long been shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine against Russia. But between Ukraine's impassioned, unending pleas for help, and huge handouts from its backers, signs of discord have emerged.

In July, Britain's defense minister at the time said Ukraine should show gratitude to the West, after Kyiv renewed its vocal  but unsuccessful  push to join NATO.

This week, a new bout surfaced after Ukraine filed a complaint at the World Trade Organization against three neighbors and European Union members  Hungary, Poland and Slovakia  for banning imports of Ukrainian farm products, a key export for the war-weary country's battered economy.

The three bristled at the move, with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki shooting back that his country is no longer transferring any weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming ourselves with the most modern weapons.

Some EU officials have warned that Putin is reveling at the new show of Western discord at a time when Ukrainian troops are making slow gains in their counteroffensive against Russian forces, who still control a vast swath of eastern and southern Ukraine.

Still, from Washington to Warsaw, where the military cost and capabilities of helping Ukraine are at issue, officials are playing down any talk of a rift.

I dont believe that one political dispute will lead to a breakdown, Polish President Andrzej Duda said, adding that his prime minister was only referring to newly ordered weapons that wouldn't ever go to Ukraine anyway.

Jake Sullivan, the Biden administrations national security adviser, said Thursday he believed that Poland will continue to be a supporter of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a brief visit to Washington this week, sought to shore up U.S. support for his country, which has factored into the political campaign ahead of next year's presidential election. Former President Donald Trump and leading GOP rival Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida say they want the U.S. to stop sending weapons to Ukraine.

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, after meeting with Zelenskyy on Thursday, acknowledged that people are talking about how much money is being spent. But, he added, We're investing in democracy.

Other GOP presidential hopefuls like former Vice President Mike Pence, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie support Ukraine.

Politics over the issue is also playing out in Eastern Europe. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, a big backer of Ukraine's fight against Russia, appealed on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, for his counterparts in Ukraine and Poland to resolve current differences, and said his country was ready to facilitate dialogue between them.

Piotr Buras, a Warsaw-based senior fellow at the European Council of Foreign Relations, said, Polish-Ukrainian relations have become hostage to the Polish electoral campaign, referring to the country's parliamentary elections next month.

Nonetheless, the harm from Morawiecki's comments lingers, he warned.

It does a great deal of damage to the Ukrainian cause, as this narrative resembles and legitimizes those voices in Europe (mainly on the far-right) that question the need to supply weapons to Ukraine, Buras said in an email.

Robert Fico, a two-time prime minister in Slovakia, has returned as a front-runner in that country's parliamentary elections. His populist, left-wing party has staked out a pro-Russia stance and vowed to reverse Slovakias military and political support for Ukraine if elected in the Sept. 30 vote.

Niklas Masuhr, a military analyst at the Center for Security Studies at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, said it's conceivable that some political parties might put their eggs in a nationalist basket to ... curry favor with the electorate and avoid the impression of giving undue solidarity to Ukraine" at the expense of domestic interests.

It would be naive to assume that there are no trade-offs between individual NATO countries' interests and Ukrainian interests," said Masuhr, who called Poland a strident supporter of Ukraine when it came to delivery of military equipment.

There is broad strategic overlap, but that doesnt mean that in every case these interests are aligned, he said. Issues like energy or food supplies are "critical, or if you will, neuralgic, points in the relationship between these countries.

Daniel Fried, a former U.S. ambassador to Poland and now a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank, said the recent standoff in Eastern Europe was not the end of the Polish-Ukrainian alliance and pointed to Duda's effort to walk back the comments by his prime minister.

This mini-crisis may have peaked, Fried said by phone from Berlin. "This is going to happen ... in a war kind of situation where peoples nerves are fried, and there are real issues at stake.

Im reasonably confident this will be patched up and is in the process of being patched up  at least I hope so, he said.

___

Keaten reported from Geneva. Lee reported from Washington.
There are thousands of places in New Hampshire where the natural flow of water meets a structure that humans have made: roads, hiking trails, railroads. And as New Hampshire gets wetter with climate change, the culverts and bridges that help channel those flows are facing a big challenge: Theyre just too small.

In Rye, one culvert on Route 1A is getting a big upgrade  growing to four times its current size  to help accommodate rising sea levels and prevent flooding on the road. In the long-term, the growth of that culvert could also help salt marshes move upstream instead of disappearing underwater, as saltwater encroaches on the land.

That culvert could be a model of the kinds of engineering Seacoast communities will need to take on to protect roads and property from a wetter future.

Richard Spinrad, the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, met with state and local officials at the Seacoast Science Center in Rye. From left to right: Rep. Peggy Balboni, Craig Musselman, Steve Couture, Rep. Jaci Grote, Cory Riley, Richard Spinrad, Matt Thorne, David Rodrigue, Tom Ballestro.

The head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Richard Spinrad, visited New Hampshire this week to tour the site of that project, which is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. After his tour, state and local officials gathered in a small room at the Seacoast Science Center to share the challenges and opportunities theyre seeing as they respond to sea level rise and other climate change issues.

Spinrad encouraged those gathered to look towards the benefits that can come from climate resiliency.

All too often when we talk about resilience, we have this sort of gird your loins, dig your heels in, let's protect ourselves and make sure we're not hurt, that our economy doesn't suffer, that our lifestyle is not adversely impacted,  he said. I actually believe if we do this right, we can see economic growth, we can see people more prosperous, we can see communities that are safer.

Officials are planning to expand two culverts in Stratham, in addition to the one in Rye, through the NOAA funding. The culverts being replaced are at tidal crossings, where tide waters move under a road or other transportation infrastructure, like a railroad.

When the crossings restrict tidal movements, they can prevent salt marshes from moving upstream as sea levels rise. Salt marshes have a variety of benefits, including helping with mitigating climate change by creating a buffer between the ocean and coastal communities and by absorbing the carbon dioxide that fuels global warming.

David Rodrigue, the assistant commissioner of New Hampshires Department of Transportation, told the group that culvert replacement projects are important. But, he cautioned, infrastructure updates to mitigate climate impacts will require continuing investments.

That is whats required to be resilient and to build a climate-ready nation. And it comes at a cost that we all need to support in the long run, he said.

After Spinrad noted that climate resilience projects are a kind of insurance, preserving property and lives in the face of increasing threats, Rodrigue said he agreed.

We believe in preservation and maintenance as a great way of extending the life of our assets, he said. But if were choosing between plowing snow and keeping the roads safe and maintenance and preservation, plowing snow wins every time.

Matt Thorne, the climate adaptation program manager at The Nature Conservancy, said one challenge with planning for climate change is scaling up resiliency projects.

Three is better than one, he said, But three culverts is not 30.

Thorne said the culvert project has helped expose other challenges, like the constraints on local and state funding for climate initiatives and the limited ability within municipalities to manage resilience projects.

Steve Couture, the coastal program administrator at the states Department of Environmental Services, said beyond the three culverts being upgraded with the federal money, New Hampshire has 20 culverts that are priorities for replacement, which could cost $25 million.

But, Couture said, the coordination between organizations and agencies on the culvert replacements is a start for tackling larger climate resilience challenges.

Were talking about one culvert, one road. Were not talking about Hampton, our highest risk community, and an economic driver for the coast, he said. Thats a really tough conversation to have, and were investing a lot in that now.

These articles are being shared by partners in The Granite State News Collaborative. For more information visit collaborativenh.org.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Culverts, climate change and the future of NHs Seacoast
Hong Kong: Education chief visits Changsha

Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin today led a delegation to Changsha to learn about educational developments there and to experience cultural study tours in the city.

Dr Choi, accompanied by 140 representatives from Hong Kongs education sector, toured the Yuelu Academy, an ancient learning institution.

She also later visited the National Supercomputing Center in Changsha  the third of its kind in the country and the first in Central and Western China to be approved by the Ministry of Science & Technology  to learn about high-performance computing, big data and artificial intelligence, and how these developments in the sector are being taught.

The education chief then met Standing Committee member and Head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee Yang Haodong, and officials from the Department of Education of Hunan, to exchange views on multiple issues.

Upon arrival in Changsha yesterday, Dr Choi visited Hunan Normal University and met its leaders to discuss exchange activities for teachers, while delegation members toured various schools.

Dr Choi highlighted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Governments Education Bureau arranged study tours to Guangdong for more than 40,000 senior secondary school students and 5,000 teachers in the last school year, as part of the Citizenship and Social Development curriculum, and that it had received positive feedback on the tours.

She explained that the study tours this school year have included routes beyond Guangdong, stressing that visits to Hunan have expanded opportunities for students to learn about the Mainlands economy and livelihoods, and about its ecological conservation efforts.



Earlier in the week, Dr Choi visited Wuhan, where she met officials from the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Hubei Provincial Government and from the provinces Department of Education.

This story has been published on: 2023-09-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The Czech Republic is in discussions with Sweden about the possibility of training Ukrainian pilots on Saab Gripen fighter jets on Czech territory, Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova announced on Sept. 22, as reported by Radio Prague International.

Read also: Royal Marines trained 900 Ukrainian troops

She noted that around 2,000 Ukrainian servicemen were trained at the Czech Libava training grounds in the spring and summer of 2023. Additionally, the Czech government plans to train nearly 4,000 more Ukrainian servicemen by the end of 2023.

The official added that the military assistance Prague has provided Kyiv with did not degrade Czech military capabilities in any meaningful way.

The equipment we transferred to Ukraine was not even from [our] mobilization reserves, said Cernochova.

This equipment, that we will never use again, did not even have a significant number of servicemen prepared for its operations. This equipment lacks spare parts and ammunition.

A Ukrainian technical team had already arrived in Sweden to prepare for a possible training mission, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in late August.

Read also: Czech Republic may transfer its old Mi-24V helicopters to Ukraine

On June 16, the Swedish government announced that, as part of the 12th aid package to Ukraine, it would undertake the training of pilots to operate Saab JAS 39 Gripens.

Read also: Ukraine targets Saky military airfield in Crimea, Neptune missiles leave Russian equipment seriously damaged

The Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet was developed in the 1980s for use in a possible conflict with the Soviet Union. It is easy to maintain, can use roads as runways, and is cheap to operate  all without compromising its combat effectiveness.

Read also: Ukrainian pilots test Swedish Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighters

In total, there are three generations of Gripen: A/B, C/D and E/F. All of them are equipped with modern navigation systems and radars. The JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet has 10 weapon hard points and can carry a variety of missiles. The combat range of the aircraft is up to 1,300 kilometers, while the total flight range is 3,250 kilometers.

The JAS 39 Gripen is cheaper than the U.S.-made F-16 jet, but there are not many of them in service, so Sweden is not yet ready to transfer them to Ukraine.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson announced this week that he is switching political parties to become a Republican, making it the largest US city with a GOP leader.

Mr Johnson, who served in the Texas legislature for nine years as a Democrat before being elected as mayor in 2019, shared the news in a Wall Street Journal op-ed.

During the decade I spent serving my hometown in the Texas House of Representatives, I was a Democrat in a Republican-controlled Legislature. I prided myself on finding common-sense solutions and worked closely with my conservative colleagues to improve policing, public education and water infrastructure, he wrote.

I was never a favorite of the Democratic caucus, and the feeling was mutual. By the time I was elected mayora nonpartisan officein 2019, I was relieved to be free from hyperpartisanship and ready to focus on solving problems.

He added: Too many local Democrats insist on virtue signalingproposing half-baked government programs that aim to solve every single societal illand on finding new ways to thumb their noses at Republicans at the state or federal level.

Enough. This makes for good headlines, but not for safer, stronger, more vibrant cities.

There were mixed reactions from political observers.

"This is one of the worst kept secrets in the world of politics," Vinny Minchillo, a Dallas-area Republican consultant, told the Texas Tribune. "This has been coming down for a long time."

Others celebrated the switch. "Texas is getting more Red every day," Governor Greg Abbott wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Hes pro law enforcement & wont tolerate leftist agendas."

The Dallas mayor joins a small group of prominent Black Republicans in high office which includes South Carolina Senator Tim Scott and Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron.

Mr Johnson, who has named government spending cuts and public safety as key priorities, was often at odds with his colleagues on the liberal, 15-member Dallas city council.

Last week, he was one of five votes against a new budget, arguing proprety owners shouldve gotten a bigger reduction in their tax bills.

The newly-minted Republican mayor has also prioritized becoming a ally of law enforcement. In 2020, he refuted calls to defund the police following the murder of George Floyd and instead called to defund the bureacracy in Dallas city hall.

Dallas has invested millions in data-driven policing to deploy officers on high-crime blocks, as well as putting money into community development projects.

Dallas still struggles with violent crime, however. Its homicide rate ranks 18th of the countrys 50 largest cities - higher than Los Angeles, New York City, Fort Worth, and Miami, according to Bloomberg.
Johnson said he was never a favorite of Democrats in the Capitol and called on mayors to champion law and order and fiscal conservatism.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson announced Friday that he is switching to the Republican Party, making the city the largest in the U.S. to be led by a GOP mayor.

Although mayoral offices in Texas are nonpartisan, the switch is a boost for Texas Republicans who have been losing ground around the states major cities for more than a decade. Johnson was elected mayor in 2019 after serving more than a decade as a Democrat in the Texas House of Representatives.

Image of Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson (screenshot via YouTube/CBS Texas)

Making the announcement in an editorial in the Wall Street Journal, Johnson said he was never a favorite of Democrats in the Capitol and called on mayors to champion law and order and fiscal conservatism.

This is hardly a red wave. But it is clear that the nation and its cities have reached a time for choosing, Johnson wrote. And the overwhelming majority of Americans who call our cities home deserve to have real choicesnot progressive echo chambersat city hall.

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott quickly welcomed Johnson into the party. The mayor of neighboring Fort Worth, Mattie Parker, is also a Republican, giving Texas two of the nations largest cities with GOP leaders.

Texas is getting more Red every day, Abbott posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Johnson is in his second and final term as mayor, which runs through 2027. As a state lawmaker, Johnson made headlines over his successful efforts to remove a plaque in the Texas Capitol that rejected slavery as an underlying cause of the Civil War. His push at the time occasionally put Johnson and Abbott in conflict over discussions to remove the marker.

Texas Democratic Party expressed a lack of surprise in the switch.

But the voters of Dallas deserved to know where he stood before he ran for reelection as Mayor, the party said in a statement. He wasnt honest with his constituents, and knew he would lose to a Democrat if he flipped before the election.

During his mayoral run, Johnson has embraced policies denounced by Democrats elsewhere in Texas, including using state troopers to police cities.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Dallas mayor switches parties, making the city the nations largest with a GOP mayor appeared first on TheGrio.
Wrens Councilperson David Hannah, talks with supporters outside of the Jefferson County Elections office shortly after having his qualification to run for Wrens Mayor upheld.

After a short review of evidence and testimony, the Jefferson County Elections Board ruled that Wrens Councilman David Hannah met the contested residency requirements to run in the Nov. 7 election for the position of mayor.

The board conducted a hearing Wednesday, Sept. 13, to review a challenge to Hannahs residency by fellow Wrens Councilmember Michelle Weatherford Usry. The city charter requires that any candidate running for mayor must have been a citizen of Wrens for the 12 months preceding the date of qualifying.

In cases like this, the burden of proof lies on the challenger, however both Usry and Hannah presented evidence in the hearing.

Attorney Edward B. Stalnaker represented Usry and attorney Wendell Johnston represented Hannah.

In his opening statements Johnston told the board that there are both Georgia election code and case law that determine residency.

It says that a person doesnt lose their residence when they leave their home and go to another state or county for temporary purposes with the intention of returning, unless such person desires to make that change, unless such a person changes his registration to vote, Johnston said. Mr. Hannah has always voted in Jefferson County. All of his automobiles are registered in Wrens, GA. His federal tax returns list Wrens as his residence.

During the hearing Stalnaker, on behalf of Usry, presented several pieces of evidence, including photographs of Hannah and his vehicles, both in Wrens and parked overnight at an address in Orchard Hill Apartments in Waynesboro.

Stalnaker also presented several Police reports obtained from the Waynesboro Police Department, incidents where Hannah called law enforcement, that all include the Orchard Hill Waynesboro address for Hannah.

Other evidence presented by Stalnaker included a social media post from the Waynesboro Police Department and Hannahs fathers obituary, both of which referred to Hannah as a resident of Waynesboro.

Wrens councilperson Michelle Weatherford Usry gives testimony in a Jefferson County Election Board hearing in which she challenged the residency of David Hannah, another councilperson who recently qualified to run for Mayor of Wrens in the Nov. 7 election.

I just want us to follow our laws that are in our charter, Usry told the elections board. I just want a fair election. I just want it to be fair and follow our laws and I dont believe thats being done, and thats why Im here today.

Johnston told the board that Hannah is employed in Orchard Hill Apartments in a capacity providing security. Hannah himself testified that he has been employed there for six or seven years and works nights there.

He spends a large majority of his time there. As part of his employment, he is allowed use of an apartment, Johnston said. He doesnt have a lease there.

Johnston went on to present his own evidence that Hannahs residence is actually

on Oak Street in Wrens, in a mobile home owned by Hannah that sits on property owned by Hannah's brother.

Johnston presented Hannahs drivers license, voting record from 1995 through 2022, his vehicle registration forms and his federal tax returns, all of which show the Wrens address as his residence. Hannah testified that he never intended to live in Waynesboro full time or change his residency from the City of Wrens.

In his closing arguments, Johnston told the board that all of this comes down to the rule of law and the legal definition of residency.

He goes to Waynesboro. Hes there a lot. He works hard. And you know what, a lot of times he sleeps in an apartment that they give him as part of his employment. That doesnt have anything to do with his legal residency. Absolutely nothing, Johnston said.

He then presented case law that supports his argument.

Theres no code section, theres no law that says if Mr. Hannah laid down, because hes working all night, slept in or kept some stuff in this apartment that is part of his employment, all of a sudden he magically becomes a resident of Waynesboro. Thats just not the law, Johnston said, later adding, If the voters have an issue, let the voters decide. But as a matter of law he is a resident of Wrens, GA and theres just no doubt about that.

With the election boards ruling that Hannah is a resident of Wrens, his qualification as a candidate for mayor stands and his name will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot as the only challenger to incumbent Johnny Rabun.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: David Hannahs Wrens residency upheld by elections board
On September 23, 1950, the U.S. Congress adopted the Internal Security Act, which provided for the registration of communists. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1806, U.S. explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark returned to St. Louis on their historic journey from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Coast and back.

In 1846, German astronomer Johann Gottfried Galle discovered the planet Neptune at the Berlin Observatory. Neptune generally is the eighth planet from the sun.

In 1909, Gaston Leroux's Phantom of the Opera was published.

Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber takes part in curtain call ceremonies on January 9, 2006, at New York's Majestic Theatre to mark that "Phantom of the Opera" has become the longest running musical show in Broadway history with it's 7,486th performance. File Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI

Hurricane Rita evacuees move away from the Texas Gulf on Interstate 10 outside of Houston early on September 23, 2005. Later that day, a fire killed 23 people on a bus carrying Texas nursing home evacuees inland. File Photo by Chris Carson/UPI

In 1950, the U.S. Congress adopted the Internal Security Act, which provided for the registration of communists. Leaders of the Communist Party vowed never to register, and it was later ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

In 1959, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev visited the corn fields of Iowa to find out what made the American farmer tick and urged that the earth "be furrowed by plows, not rockets and tanks."

Worker Vlad Zhiromirsky of MW Weber Architects, lines up the Lewis and Clark statue as it is lowered into place on Lenore K. Sullivan Street near the Gateway Arch in St. Louis on April 1, 2016. On September 23, 1806, U.S. explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark returned to St. Louis on their historic journey from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Coast and back. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

In 1966, a Rolling Stones' concert at England's Royal Albert concert hall was halted temporarily when screaming girls attacked Mick Jagger onstage. The riotous enthusiasm of the fans resulted in a ban of pop concerts at the hall.

File Photo by David Yee/UPI

This false color photograph of Neptune was made from Voyager 2 images taken in January 1996. On September 23, 1846, German astronomer Johann Gottfried Galle discovered the planet Neptune at the Berlin Observatory. Neptune generally is the eighth planet from the sun. File Photo courtesy of NASA

In 1973, Juan Peron was again elected president of Argentina after 18 years in exile. His second wife, Isabel, who became vice president, succeeded him after he died 10 months later.

In 1991, 44 U.N. inspectors were detained in Baghdad after attempting to remove secret Iraqi plans for building nuclear weapons. They were freed five days later.

Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev shouts "This is my America" at a New York cabbie from his window at the Russian U.N. delegation's headquarters during the 1960 United Nations General Assembly. On September 23, 1959, Khrushchev visited the corn fields of Iowa to find out what made the American farmer tick and urged that the earth "be furrowed by plows, not rockets and tanks." File Photo by Gary Haynes/UPI

In 2005, a fire killed 23 people on a bus carrying Texas nursing home evacuees from Hurricane Rita.

In 2008, a 22-year-old student killed 11 adult students and himself at a vocational college in Finland 205 miles north of Helsinki.

In 2020, a grand jury indicted one of three police officers involved in the shooting of Breonna Taylor in her Louisville, Ky., apartment -- none on charges related to her actual killing. The decision led to protests.

File Photo by Kyle Grillot/EPA-EFE
PARKLAND  The Broward County high school building where 17 people were killed and 17 others were wounded in a February 2018 mass shooting is now slated for demolition next summer, officials announced this week.

Safety concerns will delay work on Marjory Stoneman Douglas High Schools 1200 building until after the 2023-24 school year, according to a statement that Broward County Public Schools issued Thursday.

The building, on the north side of its campus along the Sawgrass Expressway, has remained shuttered since the day of the shooting and has been preserved an active crime scene.

"We understand the urgency of this matter, but it is essential to prioritize safety above all else," the school district's statement said. Crews need time to clean and clear the building as well as demolish it, following state and federal landfill disposal regulations.

Nine members of Congress wait to enter Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, in Parkland, Fla. The group will tour the blood-stained and bullet-pocked halls, shortly before ballistics technicians reenact the massacre that left 14 students and three staff members dead in 2018. The reenactment is part of a lawsuit filed by the victims' families against former Deputy Scot Peterson and the Broward Sheriff's Office. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

The gunman, a 19-year-old former Stoneman Douglas student, went to the campus with an AR-15-style rifle on Feb. 14, 2018, and fatally shot 14 students and three school faculty members.

He pleaded guilty to murder in 2021 and last year was sentenced to life without parole after a jury voted against giving him the death penalty, a decision that drew criticism from relatives of the victims and some state politicians.

A judge in July approved a reenactment of the shooting as part of a civil lawsuit against former Broward County school resource officer Scot Peterson, who did not enter the building or engage the gunman at any point during the shooting.

A jury in June acquitted Peterson of all criminal charges stemming from his failure to rush into the building.

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: Broward schools to demolish site of Parkland mass shooting in summer 2024
Dedham Police are looking to the public for help in finding a missing 24-year-old woman.

Esther Pierre Isaac did not return home to her Dedham home after finishing her shift and leaving work on Thursday, police said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. She works at the Coast Guard Exchange in Boston and takes the MBTA Commuter Rail from Boston to Readville.

Esther Pierre Isaac did not return home to her Dedham home after finishing her shift and leaving work on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, police said.

Pierre Isaacs phone was last pinging in an area in Manchester, Connecticut, police said.

Police described her as a Black female, standing 4 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing approximately 110 pounds. She has black hair with braids and wears glasses. She was last known to be wearing a purple sweater and gray/black pants, police said.

Anyone with information about her location is asked to call Dedham Police at 781-326-1212.

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
Bob Menendez is facing a damning federal indictment, urgent calls to resign  and now, a challenge for the Democratic nomination from a rising star in his party.

On Saturday, Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) announced he would run against Menendez, instantly presenting the most serious electoral threat to the senator in a long and powerful career in Washington.

It is a vivid sign that the foundation of Menendezs political power is disintegrating. The aura of fear around him that has deterred challengers and silenced critics in the past has already faded and may soon be gone.

The 41-year-old Kim is a third-term member of Congress with a background in national security. He has a relatively limited profile in New Jersey but has been a prolific fundraiser and has won several tough races in a battleground district.

He may not be the last member of the states House delegation to take on Menendez directly. New Jersey has a handful of potential successors in the wings, and state party leaders are still trying to figure out how to deal with explosive allegations while Menendez remains defiant.



But Kim's announcement acts as a sort of starting gun to replace New Jersey's senior senator.

I feel compelled to run against him, Kim said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Not something I expected to do, but NJ deserves better. We cannot jeopardize the Senate or compromise our integrity.

Kim was the first Democrat from the New Jersey congressional delegation to say Menendez should step down Friday as other members of the delegation waited it out. Since then, five other New Jersey Democrats have called for his resignation as well as Gov. Phil Murphy .

Menendez was charged Friday for taking bribes to use his position as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to help the Egyptian government and other businesspeople. Menendez has since stepped down from his position on the committee but has rejected calls from his own state and party to step down.

I am not going anywhere, Menendez said in a statement following calls to resign Friday.

Kim has represented New Jersey's Third Congressional District since 2018 after flipping it from Republican control. He previously served as national security advisor under the Obama administration.

Kim has become a widely respected figure in Democratic circles in New Jersey, known as an effective fundraiser with a record of beating back Republican challenges in a historic swing district. Recent congressional redistricting shored up Democratic prospects in that district, the 3rd.

Kim's announcement quickly set off jockeying for his House seat. Democratic state Sen. Troy Singleton and his running mate Assemblymember Carol Murphy, both Democrats from Burlington County, said they are considering running for the 3rd District nomination.

"I love being a senator and representing my bosses in the 7th district and I am humbled to be considered for this tremendous opportunity," Singleton said in text message to POLITICO.

Murphy said she would wait until after November's legislative elections in New Jersey to make decision, but she pointed to the lack of female representation in Congress, particularly the fact that no woman from South Jersey has ever served in the House.

"I know how important a moment this is for women as we have seen so many of the rights and freedoms we enjoy deeply at risk and eradicated by activist jurists and state legislatures," Murphy said in a statement.

Daniel Han contributed reporting.
Florida yanked four private school campuses, including the top-rated Park Maitland School, from its voucher programs because of direct ties to the Chinese Communist Party, Gov. Ron DeSantis  office said late Friday.

The announcement by DeSantis  who has called the Communist Party of China the United States greatest geopolitical threat  did not provide any evidence of the ties it found between China and Park Maitland and two private schools in South Florida.

But Park Maitland, which serves students in preschool through eighth grade, says on its website that it is part of Spring Education Group, a network of more than 230 private schools. Spring Education, the website says, is controlled by Primavera Holdings Limited, an investment firm (together with its affiliates) principally based in Hong Kong with operations in China, Singapore, and the United States, that is itself owned by Chinese persons residing in Hong Kong.

DeSantis this spring signed a bill that prohibits private schools that take part in state voucher programs from being owned or controlled by a person or entity domiciled in, owned by, or in any way controlled by a foreign country of concern or a foreign principal. The new law lists China as one of the countries of concern.

Park Maitland officials could not be reached late Friday. The school, founded in 1968, has its main campus on U.S. Highway 17-92 in Maitland.

A news release from DeSantis office said the schools connections to China constitute an imminent threat to the health, safety, and welfare of these schools students and the public.

For that reason, it suspended Park Maitland and Parke House Academy  a once separate private school in Winter Park now owned by Park Maitland and operating under the Park Maitland name  as well as Sagemont Preparatory Schools upper and lower campuses in Weston from the voucher programs, which provide state scholarships that can be used at private schools.

Sagemont also is part of Spring Education, according to its website, and also includes the same statement on its website about a controlling investment firm based in Hong Kong but owned by Chinese persons. Spring Education operates schools around the country, including ones in Arizona, California and Georgia, its website says.

The Chinese Communist Party is not welcome in the state of Florida, DeSantis said in a statement. We will not put up with any attempt to influence students with a communist ideology or allow Floridians tax dollars to go to schools that are connected to our foreign adversaries.

Park Maitland charges tuition of more than $20,000 a year for its first-to-eighth-grade program, according to its website. It boasts that it offers a challenging and robust curriculum, innovative instruction, and a vibrant school community.

It has an A+ rating and enrolls about 640 students, according to the school search website Niche.

Last school year, fewer than 50 of its students used state vouchers, according to Step Up For Students, which administers most of Floridas scholarships. The school received more than $329,000 in scholarship money, Step Ups data shows.

Its current scholarship numbers were not available, but Park Maitland may have more students using them this year because the scholarships, worth about $8,000 a year, were once targeted to low-income families but this year became available to everyone.

A spokesman for DeSantis did not respond late Friday to a request for more information on what the state discovered during what it called a thorough investigation.

The Chinese Communist Party has been a focus of DeSantis for the past two years, including his time on the presidential campaign trail.

In his economic plan revealed in August, DeSantis said he would end our abusive relationship with the CCP, reverse our ever-increasing trade deficits, ban imports of goods made from stolen intellectual property, strengthen protections to stop child and forced labor, and end Chinas preferential trade status.

Sentinel staff writer Jeffrey Schweers contributed to this report.
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder just weeks before heading to college.

At school, I stopped taking my medication and became manic.

I was forced to leave school and move back home, but now I have a master's.

Throughout my senior year of high school in Arizona, I struggled with severe mood-disorder symptoms. I was anxious and erratic. My mood changed so rapidly that I couldn't explain or even understand what was happening to me.

About the time I started applying to colleges, my guidance counselor and the school nurse called a meeting to discuss where I was going to apply.

I worked hard in high school, graduating at the top of my class. I didn't want to stay in state for college, so at this meeting, I sat around a conference table with Ivy League viewbooks in my lap. I believed that if I could just go to a big-ticket college, all my mental-health problems would subside.

In March of my senior year, I was accepted into the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. A few weeks later, I sat in a psychiatrist's office, gnawing on my fingernails while a doctor told me and my mother that I had bipolar disorder: an illness of extremes that would need to be considered when making plans for my future.

Once I got to college, I quickly stopped taking my mood stabilizers and spiraled upward into mania

I didn't like the lithium the doctor had prescribed to even out my moods. It made my hands tremble  even when I wasn't nervous. It also made me gain a significant amount of weight. Despite the psychiatrist's diagnosis and instructions that I stay on my medication, I quit taking the pills when I got to my dorm room in fall 2002. I just wanted to be like everyone else.

I hid all the pill bottles in a desk drawer and quickly forgot about them.

It didn't take very long for me to become manic. Instead of going to my classes, I spent my days going on shopping sprees  a classic sign of bipolar mania. I then couldn't keep track of my racing thoughts, and I talked nonstop to anyone who would listen to me.

With this frenzied feeling, I stalked around my college's campus, restless and going out of my mind. After spending hours in the college bookstore, I emerged with my hands full of shopping bags. I probably spent several thousand dollars on college merchandise alone, just because I felt compelled to.

I soon felt so frenzied that I was scared enough to seek help at the counseling center

After not being able to sleep  or even stop moving  I realized that I needed to get some help. My mania was starting to turn into hardcore agitation with suicidal thoughts. I felt like I was going out of my mind. I just wanted to get some sleep and go to my classes  the things that "normal" college students do every day.

The clinical psychologist at the student health center was immediately concerned and summoned a campus safety worker to deliver me to the psychiatric emergency room. After being registered there, I paced around the lobby, tearing magazines to bits and pieces.

After speaking with me very briefly, the social worker told me that I would likely need to be admitted to the hospital's psychiatric unit to help me come down from my manic state.

After a week in the psych ward, I crashed into despair. Sitting in my dorm room, shortly after my discharge from the hospital, I wanted to die all over again. I was trying to come to terms with the fact that I had a very serious mood disorder that would affect my education and my life.

I wasn't like my roommate or any of the other students in my dorm.

That's when I called the psych ER's crisis line to get help for my suicidal thoughts.

I was readmitted to the inpatient psych unit. This time, the doctors didn't think I could stay in school. They called my mother and told her they wouldn't let me leave the hospital until I agreed to take a medical withdrawal from the university.

My mom traveled to my college in the middle of the night to help me pack up all my belongings from the dorm room. I had to meet with my academic advisor and the dean of students. I was so depressed  from my illness and the fact that I had to leave college just a few weeks into my first semester.

I had to accept my illness and how it would influence everything in my life

Putting my books, clothes, and all the random stuff I had accumulated on my manic shopping sprees into cardboard boxes was one of the hardest things I had ever done.

When I got back home, I went to the same psychiatrist who diagnosed me with bipolar disorder. Leaving college was mortifying, but I was starting to accept my illness.

I enrolled at a college in state  like I probably should have from the start. I still suffered from mood swings, but it helped immeasurably to be near my family. I kept taking my medicine and learning the coping skills I needed to live with bipolar disorder for the rest of my life.

I eventually graduated from college and then earned my master's degree.

Read the original article on Insider
If you see your teen using the term lala bop on social media or in a message, be warned that this online slang isnt as innocent as it may sound.

Parents are likely unfamiliar with the seemingly innocuous term, leaving many caretakers to ask: What does "lala bop" mean?

"It's used to bully and slut-shame," Titania Jordan, chief parenting officer for Bark Technologies, a company that creates internet safety products, tells TODAY.com. "It's used to 'call out,' whether true or not, 'body count'  meaning how many people somebody has 'hooked up' with or slept with."

Jordan says the term originated from a 2021 song titled "Lala Bop" by rapper Almighty Rexxo, which features explicit, sexual language.

"Lala Bop" has appeared primarily in online posts on TikTok and X, formerly known as Twitter. It is also being discussed by concerned parents on Facebook and Instagram, some of whom have shared notices from their children's schools warning caregivers that the term is being used to bully students.

Now, when users attempt to search for posts that include "lala bop" on TikTok, they are offered "no results" and are instead served with a content warning.

"This phrase may be associated with behavior or content that violates our guidelines," the content warning reads. "Promoting a safe and positive experience is TikToks top priority. For more information, we invite you to review our Community Guidelines."

TODAY.com reached out to TikTok, but they declined to provide a comment. The video-sharing platform has policies against harassment and bullying and removes content that promotes bullying; TikTok also offers a slate of support resources and tools for parents.

TODAY.com also reached out to X for comment. Press requests receive an automatic message: "Busy now, please check back later." No additional response or comment was provided to TODAY.com by a spokesperson for the company.

What is slut-shaming?

"Slut-shaming (is) a form of bullying that criticizes ones actual or assumed sexual behavior," Dawn Bounds, a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner and assistant professor at the University of California, Irvine, tells TODAY.com.

According to Jordan, social media apps and emojis have made it possible for teens to slut-shame their peers in a variety of ways that may not be obvious to parents.

"Those of us who grew up before smartphones experienced rumors flying around middle school and high school," Jordan says. "It's now compounded, and the negative effects are exponential and forever-lasting."

One 2021 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that slut-shaming is "gender-base violence" used primarily against young girls and women, and can cause psychological and physical health problems.

The same study of over 600 girls between the ages of 10 and 18 found that 14% of participants had experienced sex-shaming at least once.

Jordan says parents may not even be familiar with the slang kids use to slut-shame, "like 'smash' (casual sex) or 'thirsty' (desperate for sexual attention)."

"It's not just words and letters  it's emojis, too," Jordan adds, referring to various food items used to represent sexual acts or body parts.

"The first thing to do is to accept the fact that if you're a parent, you're now old and you're not cool," Jordan says. "You might think you know all the terms, but you don't. Every day there are new things coming up that are not what they sound like. 'Lala Bop' sounds like a cute kid's cartoon."

How has the meaning of lala bop evolved?

While "lala bop" was first used to slut-shame others, Jordan says the term has now evolved "beyond sexual encounters, real and perceived" to include "overeating and really any other activity that might embarrass someone."

Jordan says she has seen instances in which "lala bop" was used to shame someone who was diagnosed autistic and someone with what others assume to be an eating disorder.

"It's pretty heartbreaking," Jordan adds.

Bark Technologies, Jordan says, sends alerts to families using their products about online bullying situations, adding that the "lala bop" term escalated quickly once it started appearing online at the end of 2022 and beginning of 2023.

"Every day, we're sending between 85 and 100 severe self-harm and suicidal ideation alerts," Jordan says. "Those alerts are taking place for a variety of reasons, whether that's text-based or social media-based or children writing suicide notes in Google Docs.

"Some of those instances were a result of 'lala bop' and ensuing conversations that happened because of that," she adds.

What to do if your child is bullied online by someone using the term "lala bop"

Despite a parent's best efforts, teens aren't always eager to speak to their caregivers about topics or instances that can elicit shame and feelings of guilt.

One 2012 survey found that between 25-65% of children ages 9-15 years old who had been bullied online told an adult or family member about the incident. Another 2014 study found that anywhere from 9% to 25% of children say they would not tell anyone they had been a victim of cyberbullying.

"You need to empower them," Jordan continues. "Say: 'Hey, if this is ever happening to you, I want you to know that you can report it to the platform.'"

Jordan says it's also essential for parents to discuss steps their teens can take when they see cyberbullying happening to someone else.

"Just because it's not happen to you doesn't mean it's not important (to) stand up for what's right," she says, adding that this discussion provides parents with an opportunity to educate their child or children on "what's right."

"Is gossip interesting and intriguing and funny, sometimes, in the moment? Sure, but it's actually not OK," Jordan says. "(Tell your child) we don't support it, and as human beings we need to be kind to each other."

If a child does confide in a caregiver about a cyberbullying incident, Jordan says it's imperative that the parent remain calm.

"Do not yell. Do not freak out. Do not break things, throw things or punish them in any way, shape or form," she says. "If your child is a victim or a target ... they need to know that they are loved unconditionally and that this (feeling) will pass."

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
A version of this story appears in CNNs What Matters newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here.

Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez was indicted Friday for the second time in 10 years on bribery and corruption charges.

In this new case, federal authorities allege he and his wife accepted a luxury Mercedes, envelopes full of cash and multiple bars of gold in exchange for influence and favors. Its wild. Read CNNs report.

Menendez denies the allegations, and he has a track record of beating bribery charges. The last time the government took him to court, a jury deadlocked, a judge acquitted him of some charges and the government finally dropped that separate set of bribery charges. Menendez was able to win reelection.

Hes up for reelection again next year, and Democrats badly need to keep his New Jersey seat if they have any hope of maintaining control of the Senate.

Evidence against the idea of political bias

The case, if nothing else, is a serious complication to former President Donald Trumps often-repeated claim that he is the subject of a partisan witch hunt.

An unusually feisty Attorney General Merrick Garland rejected any such claim during testimony on Capitol Hill this week.

Our job is not to do what is politically convenient, he said. Our job is not to take orders from the president, from Congress or from anyone else about who or what to criminally investigate.

The prosecution, again, of Menendez, which is a major headache for Democrats, could help prove this point. So should the prosecution of Hunter Biden, the presidents son, in a gun case that is rarely brought as a standalone charge.

But it is worth looking at the recent history of Department of Justice prosecutions of lawmakers. Is one party targeted more than another?

Heres a look at active and recent federal cases against federal lawmakers and governors. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, but it is what I could find going back to 2000 in CNNs coverage and from other news outlets.

Ongoing federal cases against sitting federal lawmakers

There is one against a Republican, Rep. George Santos of New York, and one against a Democrat, Menendez.

There is also a non-prosecution to mention. Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Florida Republican, was informed this year by the DOJ that he would not be charged in a long-running sex trafficking probe.

Federal cases against recent members of Congress

These are federal cases against current or former federal lawmakers. I was able to find nine targeting Republicans and eight targeting Democrats.

Former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, a Republican from Nebraska  Found guilty in 2022 of three felonies in a case that centered on campaign contributions.

Former Rep. TJ Cox, a Democrat from California  Still awaiting trial after his 2022 indictment, including for fraudulent campaign contributions.

Former Rep. Duncan Hunter, a Republican from California  Sentenced to 11 months in prison for misusing campaign funds, but later pardoned by Trump.

Former Rep. Chris Collins, a Republican from New York  Sentenced to 26 months in prison for insider trading, but later pardoned by Trump.

Former Rep. Corrine Brown, a Democrat from Florida  Served more than two years for setting up a false charity.

Former Rep. Steve Stockman, a Republican from Texas  Sentenced to 10 years in prison for multiple felonies including fraud and money laundering, but pardoned by Trump after serving part of his sentence.

Former Rep. Anthony Weiner, a Democrat from New York  Sentenced to 21 months in prison for sexting with a minor.

Former Rep. Chaka Fattah, a Democrat from Pennsylvania  Sentenced to 10 years in prison for racketeering, fraud and money laundering.

Former Rep. Michael Grimm, a Republican from New York  Pleaded guilty and sentenced to eight months in prison for tax evasion. Attempted to run again for Congress.

Former Rep. Rick Renzi, a Republican from Arizona  Sentenced to three years for corruption. Pardoned by Trump after he served time.

Sen. Bob Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey  Acquitted by a judge and other charges dismissed after a jury deadlocked in a bribery case.



Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., a Democrat from Illinois  Sentenced to 30 months in prison for misusing campaign funds.

Former Sen. Ted Stevens, a Republican from Alaska  Conviction by jury for lying on ethics forms was later set aside over allegations of prosecutorial misconduct.

Former Rep. William Jefferson, a Democrat from Louisiana  Sentenced to 13 years for corruption and soliciting bribes. There was video of him taking $100,000 from an African official. Served multiple years in prison, but many of the charges were later vacated by a judge based on a US Supreme Court decision.

Former Rep. Bob Ney, a Republican from Ohio  Sentenced to 30 months after a guilty plea for corruption tied to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Former Rep. Randy Duke Cunningham, a Republican from California  Sentenced to eight years in prison after a guilty plea for bribery. Later pardoned by Trump.

Former Rep. James Traficant, a Democrat from Ohio  Sentenced to eight years in prison for corruption after defending himself during trial. Was later expelled from the House.

Other prosecutions to consider

Two Republican governors and two Democratic governors have been convicted in federal courts in recent decades:

Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, a Republican, was convicted for bribery and corruption. But the US Supreme Court changed the rules in corruption and bribery cases when it threw out the case against McDonnell.

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, was convicted for trying to sell his power to appoint a replacement to Barack Obamas Senate seat. His sentence was later commuted by Trump.

Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, a Democrat, was convicted by a jury of bribery and corruption and was sentenced to more than six years in prison.

Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan, a Republican, was convicted on corruption charges after an FBI sting.

Did we miss a federal lawmaker convicted or charged? Let me know at zachary.wolf@cnn.com.

Whats not included here

Local prosecutions  like the state or local cases against former Rep. Trey Radel, the Republican from Florida, for cocaine possession in Washington, DC, or former Sen. Larry Craig, the Republican from Idaho, for lewd behavior in the Minneapolis airport  dont really fit here since they were not conducted by the Department of Justice.

Some notable recent DOJ prosecutions have focused on Democrats at the state level, like Andrew Gillum, the Democrat and former Tallahassee, Florida, mayor who ran for governor and lost to Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2018. Gillum was recently acquitted of lying to the FBI.

Former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, also a Democrat, was sentenced to three years in prison after she pleaded guilty to charges related to a scheme in which local nonprofit organizations bought her self-published childrens book.

Trump charges

Trump likes to argue hes the subject of a conspiratorial witch hunt engineered by a deep state.

Why, he will often say, was Hillary Clinton not prosecuted for her email server while he is being prosecuted for mishandling classified material?

This forgets the history of the 2016 election, which Clinton has said she lost because of then-FBI Director James Comeys handling of the investigation of her emails. Comey did not charge her before the election but did criticize her, and then, 11 days before Election Day, he said the investigation had been reopened.

These whataboutisms can go on and on without changing anyones mind.

This story has been updated to include additional details.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A Justice Department request to impose a narrow gag order on former President Trump is raising a number of sticky issues for the court as it weighs how to address what prosecutors called disparaging and inflammatory remarks about nearly everyone involved in the Jan. 6 case.

The Justice Department argues that Trumps comments could taint the jury pool and intimidate witnesses who might be called to testify against him  threatening to damage the case with a series of remarks on social media and along the campaign trail.

But the request, if granted, raises First Amendment issues for the candidate and feeds into Trumps long-running narrative that the Justice Departments actions are designed to hamper his electoral prospects.

And the stakes are high for Trump, who has a predilection for making such remarks and ignoring the cautioning of staff, and who could face fines or even jail time for violating such an order.

The devil will be in the detail. How do you frame an order that, on one hand, preserves the former presidents right to proclaim his innocence, including by making whatever outlandish  risible even  statements he wants, but drawing the line at intimidating statements? said Jeff Robbins, a former state prosecutor now in private practice.

The judge has to look down the road, not very far down the road, and have it in her mind, OK, if he does this, I will have to do that.

In making its case, the Justice Department cited a number of comments from Trump, from late 2020 remarks attacking those who challenged his case that the election was stolen, to a series of comments targeting witnesses, prosecutors, and the judge overseeing the Jan. 6 case.

Since the indictment in this case, the defendant has spread disparaging and inflammatory public posts on Truth Social on a near-daily basis regarding the citizens of the District of Columbia, the Court, prosecutors, and prospective witnesses, special counsel Jack Smiths team wrote in the brief.

The defendant knows that when he publicly attacks individuals and institutions, he inspires others to perpetrate threats and harassment against his targets, they wrote.

Still, Trump would be free to otherwise comment on the case, including proclaiming his innocence.

Laurie Levenson, a criminal law professor at Loyola Law School, said its a complex matter  requiring balancing between treating Trump like any other criminal defendant and making due First Amendment considerations.

The court cannot give the message that Donald Trump is not subject to the same legal standards. I think thats very dangerous, she said.

Obviously, Donald Trump doesnt see remarks the same way others do. And so Im wondering if this sort of gives enough notice to him as to when he would be crossing the line.  He tends to just speak ad hoc in inflammatory phrases.

Trump immediately made clear he sees the request as an attack on his free speech rights and his campaign.

Deranged Jack Smith, hes the prosecutor, hes a deranged person, wants to take away my rights under the First Amendment, Trump said during a speech hours after Justice Department filed its motion. He wants to take away my right of speaking freely and openly.

Never forget our enemies want to stop us because we are the only ones that can stop them, the former president continued. They want to take away my freedom because I will never let them take away your freedom.

Still, both Levenson and Robbins said Judge Tanya Chutkan will want to establish a record of setting clear guidelines for Trump and warnings of what statements could jeopardize the case.

I am concerned [about] whats going to cross the line into disparaging, inflammatory or intimidating. Now, DOJ might say for example, like the things that we filed in our motion. But you know, hell just find a new phrase, so its kind of going to be like whack-a-mole, Levenson said of Trump, adding he may need to be warned before a formal order is issued.

Hell make an inflammatory statement, the judge will say, Warning, not OK. Youll whack that mole; hell make another inflammatory statement.  Trying to get him to behave outside the courtroom in a way that we ask people to behave in a courtroom  its a long shot. 

Robbins noted the issue is also more challenging for Chutkan as Trump has also filed an order asking her to recuse herself from the case.

One of the things which is lurking in the background  and Im sure his lawyers are mindful of it, he probably is as well  is this motion that she recuse herself. So he knows, and his lawyers know, the judge has to be careful that in entering any order or responding to this, she doesnt do something which gives a motion to recuse legs, he said.

He and his legal team know that shes got to be  its a particular headache for her. Its an additional headache for her deciding how to deal with this protective order issue.

Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor, said Chutkan has already previewed a way to address his speech and dodge the issue of a gag order, noting she has already warned she may have to bump up Trumps March trial date if outside factors such as his comments jeopardize the ability to carry out a fair trial in the courtroom.

I actually think shes more likely to do that because its not reviewable, really, on appeal, and she has wide discretion to do so. And I could see her moving up the trial date as a way of sending a message to Donald Trump rather than getting herself in this challenging situation where shes trying to police his speech, which is always a tricky situation for a judge to be in, Mariotti said last week during an appearance on MSNBC.

In some ways, the situation could be a win-win for Trump, who has already sought to politically capitalize on the gag order request, sending a fundraiser telling supporters: If Joe Biden gets his way, this would be the LAST email I ever send you.

Trumps description of the order is not accurate, as he would still be able to discuss the case publicly.

Ford OConnell, a Florida-based Republican strategist, noted that Trumps campaign has made a point of pushing the idea that there is a two-tiered system of justice in the country, and a gag order would likely only reinforce the belief among some that he is being unfairly targeted.

Theyll absolutely rally around him even more than they already have, and hes essentially the nominee at this point as is, he said.

While Trump might launch a First Amendment challenge in court and on the campaign trail if an order is issued, Robbins noted the free speech protections are not absolute.

Although the fact that hes running for president is extraordinary, it doesnt change the fundamentals of the precedent that courts have the inherent authority to protect the fair administration of justice by preventing statements which are reasonably likely to interfere with jury selection, jury seating, or witnesses who are prepared to take the oath and tell the truth, Robbins said.

Brett Samuels contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WEST MICHIGAN  The leaders of the United Way of Ottawa and Allegan Counties say years of diminished fundraising led them to hit pause on funding other nonprofits earlier this summer.

In July, the nonprofit placed a temporary hold on funding dollars, according to Becki Postma, interim president and CEO.

The leaders of the United Way of Ottawa and Allegan Counties say years of diminished fundraising led them to hit pause on funding other nonprofits earlier this summer.

The United Way of Ottawa and Allegan Counties typically helps fund dozens of organizations across West Michigan. Some of those include the Tri-Cities YMCA, Zeeland and Grand Haven Area Public Schools and Community Action of Allegan County.

Our focus is to really help the most vulnerable," Postma said. "So, I dont want anyone to lose sight of that."

Still, the group had to hit pause after a decrease in available funding dollars.

Over the last five years, our fundraising is down about 30 percent and, in the last year alone, about $500,000 down, Postma said. As a result of that, in July, we pulled all of our partner nonprofit agencies together and had a conversation with them, that we were going to take a purposeful temporary pause on our allocations.

According to Postma, its a problem United Ways everywhere are seeing, not just in West Michigan.

Even nonprofits across the country, as well," she said. "I think people still want to give, and there are some people that are still giving, but not as many people are able to give as have been able to in the past.

WOOD TV-8 spoke with one nonprofit that wished to remain anonymous. The nonprofit said, if the funding pause continues, they'll need to depend more on fundraisers, grant writing and other sources of income, to keep programming from becoming impacted.

Subscribe: Receive unlimited digital access to your local news coverage

According to Postma, the organization hopes to provide an update by the end of October.

Thats really what were focusing on right now, she said. We will meet that commitment and, at the same time, well meet that commitment to getting back at the same time with our donors and with our community partners.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Donations in decline: United Way pauses funding to local nonprofits
Gov. Doug Burgum (R-N.D.), a 2024 presidential candidate, appears to have qualified for the upcoming second GOP primary debate, an NBC News analysis found.

The Republican National Committee (RNC) has the final say in who makes the debate stage, so nothing is final until the committee makes an announcement determining qualified participants next week.

Polling in recent days suggests Burgum will secure a spot on the stage, just days before the RNCs Monday deadline, NBC reported. The party requires candidates to reach 50,000 unique donors, sign pledges to support the party candidate and meet the partys polling thresholds. Burgum previously said he hit the required number of voters and has signed the pledges to participate in the first debate.

To qualify for the debate, candidates must reach 3 percent in two national polls  or 3 percent in one national poll and in two additional polls from early nominating states like Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.

Burgum has earned 3.2 percent in a national poll conducted by Trafalgar Group, released overnight on Saturday. He earned 3.2 percent in an Iowa poll by Trafalgar, released in mid-August. Burgum has reached 4 percent in a New Hampshire poll released Thursday.

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.), businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), former Vice President Mike Pence and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie already qualified.

Former President Trump has met the polling and donation requirements to participate but has not signed the party pledge. He didnt attend the first debate and said he would skip the second one.

The debate takes place on Wednesday, Sept. 27 in Simi Valley, Calif., at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and airs on FOX Business.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
In the aftermath of the capitulation of ethnic Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh, a number of protesters were detained in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, on Sept. 22, RF/ERLs Armenian service reported.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has come under fire for the lack of support Armenian authorities provided for the ethnic Armenian forces of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Azerbaijani military conducted a lightning day-long offensive that ended with a ceasefire on Sept. 20. Under the terms of the new ceasefire, the Nagorno-Karabakh military formations are to be disarmed and disbanded.

Read also: Russias peacekeeper act crumbles as Azerbaijan overwhelms Nagorno-Karabakh

The armed forces of Nagorno-Karabakh have begun to hand over weapons, ammunition, and armored vehicles, Russian state-controlled media reported on Sept. 22, citing the Russian Ministry of Defense.

During the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020, the regular Armenian military had come to the aid of the Nagorno-Karabakh defense forces, but Pashinyan claimed that they were not present in the territory during this latest episode of fighting.

Armenias defeat in the 2020 war sparked anti-government protests against Pashinyan, a sentiment that is currently being repeated by protesters in Yerevan and other Armenian cities.

One of the protest organizers, former opposition leader Adranik Tevanyan, pledged to continue the demonstrations until Pashinyan is removed from office.

Protesters primarily directed their ire towards Pashinyan, but videos circulating on social media and in reporting by Newsweek also showed anti-Russian slogans and statements being shouted.

Russian so-called peacekeepers have been stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh since the end of the second war in November 2020, but they failed to prevent this most recent outbreak of violence.

Around 120,000 ethnic Armenians live in Nagorno-Karabakh, and although Baku has discussed plans for their reintegration into Azerbaijan, many are concerned about what their future may look like outside of Armenian control.

Pashinyan emphasized that Yerevan is ready to accept displaced Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh but also asserted he was hopeful they could remain there.

Read also: Nagorno-Karabakh authorities surrender in apparent Russia-brokered deal

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Drug cartels employ 175,000 people across Mexico making it the fifth largest employer in the country, according to a new study.

A vast network of 150 cartels are recruiting upwards of 350 new members a week. This puts the Mexican drug trade on par with industries like general practice medicine, which employed 189,000 people in 2023; coffee and tobacco cultivation, according to the Mexican government.

The cartels employ a similar number of people as Oxxo, Mexicos largest corner shop chain.

The study counted everyone from rural peasants cultivating opium to armed men guarding drug labs to cartel leadership organising international smuggling.

The Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels, Mexicos largest, employ an estimated 46,600 on their own, according to the paper.

Its very important to understand the size of the problem, Rafael Prieto-Curiel, who led the research at the Complexity Science Hub in Vienna, told The Los Angeles Times. It helps put the issue into perspective.

The research comes as a black eye for Mexican leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador who had made cracking down on cartel activity as one of the pillars of his presidency.

The study estimated cartel employment levels from statistics on incarcerations and deaths of known members in Mexico.

The research team found that extensive recruitment efforts were necessary to replace the 37 per cent of known cartel members killed or put in prison in the last decade.

In addition to studying the size of the cartels, the researchers also projected how various public safety intiatives would impact their growth.

The paper found that under law-and-order approaches focused on incarceration of cartel members, the groups would still grow 26 per cent by 2027, while peaceful negotiations would have no meaningful effect. Instead, researchers argued, only decreasing recruitment would make a dent.

However some observers questioned the methodology of the study.

It can be very difficult to say who is a member of a criminal organisation, and who isnt, Victoria Dittmar, a researcher for the think-tank, Insight Crime, told The Guardian.

What about a politician that receives money? Or someone who cooperates with the group just once?

The US Drug Enforcement Administration estimated in July that the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels employ nearly 45,000 people.

Homicides in Mexico have tripled since 2007, reaching 34,000 murders in 2021, and making the country one of the deadliest in Latin America.

Earlier this month, the United States had a major break against the powerful Sinaloa cartel, when Mexico agreed to extradite Ovidio Guzman Lopez, the son of legendary traffickerJoaquin El Chapo Guzman, on drug charges. He has pleaded not guilty.

This action is the most recent step in the Justice Departments effort to attack every aspect of the cartels operations, Attorney General Merrick Garland said.

Mr Guzman Lopez was captured in January in Culiacan in Sinaloa state, following a massive military operation.

In April, the younger Guzman was charged with overseeing efforts to steer the cartel towards producing fentanyl, a drug which has flooded the United States in recent years.

El Chapo was tried in New York in 2019 and is serving a life sentence at a super-max prison in Colorado.
The disagreement over grain exports should not upend Polish-Ukrainian relations, Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Sept. 22, according to Polish news agency TVP World.

The spat about grain exports has escalated tensions between Poland and Ukraine in recent days, but Duda said that the grain dispute is just "an absolute fragment of the Polish-Ukrainian relations" and that it should not threaten the close ties between the two countries.

In comments at the Common Future Congress for the Reconstruction of Ukraine held in Poznan, Duda said that "we need to resolve this matter between us."

Earlier in the day, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki forcefully responded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's speech at the U.N. General Assembly, stating that he "should never insult Poles again."

During his speech at the U.N. headquarters in New York, Zelensky called out the "alarming" behavior of Ukraine's partners regarding the grain import bans. The president said these nations are inadvertently aiding Russia by their actions.

While not naming specific countries, the statement came shortly after Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia said they would prolong the import restrictions.

On Sept. 20, Morawiecki announced that Poland would stop transferring weapons to Ukraine, a statement that the Polish Foreign Ministry said had likely been made without their consultation and was probably misconstrued in media reports.

The BBC connected the grain dispute to the weapons announcement, and other media outlets have linked the increasingly strong language used by the Polish government towards Ukraine as an electoral tactic ahead of the upcoming Polish parliamentary elections set for Oct. 15.

The ruling conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party is leading the polls.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
After nearly a year of anticipation, the most shocking thing about the federal indictment of Sen. Robert Menendez that dropped Friday is how clumsy it makes the senator and his co-conspirators look.

According to the indictment, the Democrat, his wife, and their alleged accomplices left fingerprintsliteral, digital, and figurativeall over the purported plot to take bribes in exchange for local, national, and international favors. So far, Menendez and two of the other defendants have denied wrongdoing.

None has yet disputed U.S. Attorney Damian Williams evidence. And that evidence, if accurate, would appear to indicate that not only is Menendez a crook, but an incredibly bad one.

Heres a rundown of the most ridiculous tidbits from the criminal complaint.

The envelopes

Envelopes are all over Williams indictment, just like they were allegedly all over Menendezs home when the FBI paid a visit last summer. Among other locales, the feds reported finding them inside the pockets of two jackets with the senators name stitched on themone appearing to be a Congressional Hispanic Caucus windbreaker.

On the envelopes themselves, the feds say they found the fingerprints and DNA of alleged co-conspirator Fred Daibes and his chauffeurand, on one, Daibes return address.

The total value of the cash on the premises came to almost $500,000. And thats without getting into the allegedly gifted Mercedes convertible in the garage, or

The gold bars

The FBI also reported recovering more than $100,000 in gold bars of different sizes from the Menendez residence. The thing about gold bars is that they come with unique serial numbers, and the indictment asserts these numbers let them trace 11 of the bars at the home to Daibes, and two more to Wael Hana, the Egyptian-American businessman behind the mysterious exporter IS EG Halal.

Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announcing that U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) was indicted on corruption charges charges. Alexi Rosenfeld

The Google searches

Its unclear whether the feds got the info from Menendezs internet service provider, or whether he just didnt clear his browser history, but shortly after receiving one of the alleged deliveries of gold bars, the indictment claims the senator Googled kilo of gold price.

Its not the only time he allegedly left a trail online. Elsewhere, the complaint claims Menendez did a Google search for the state agency whose investigation of an employee and relative of co-defendant Jose Uribe he allegedly attempted to interfere in.

The photos

Maybe its too much in this era to suggest somebody not pictorially document every waking moment of their life. But you might want to at least crop some of your shots.

The Menendez couple, Uribe, and an associate let somebody photograph the four of them at a celebratory dinner shortly after the senator interceded to resolve some of Uribes legal issues.

The married pair also had their photo taken during a private dinner at the home of an Egyptian intelligence official allegedly in on one of the bribery schemes, while the feds said they found a picture of two gold bars on the senatorial spouses phonewith the serial numbers linking them to Daibes plainly visible.

Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and his wife Nadine Arslanian. Chip Somodevilla

The text messages

The only thing more irritating than a partner who texts absolutely constantly is one who cant stop texting about a criminal conspiracy youre implicated increating a mass of evidence for investigators to grab.

But thats allegedly exactly what the senators wife did. And despite her alleged efforts to delete the texts, the Justice Department recovered some doozies. For instance, on one occasion, she allegedly texted Daibes to complain Hana hadnt paid her, prompting the businessman to respond Nadine I personally gave Bob a check for September.

While awaiting that payment from Hana, she messaged her husband I am soooooo upset, and added I thought Fred [DAIBES] would make sure its there and the second day in a row there is nothing. She did eventually get $30,000 from IS EG Halal, the indictment notes.

Nadine Menendez did not keep her texting to her fellow Americans either. She allegedly wrote the Egyptian intelligence official anytime you need anything you have my number and we will make everything happen.

She also left a text message record of Uribes alleged underwriting of her Mercedes, sending Hana Im so excited to get a car next week. !! and writing to her husband Congratulations mon amour de la vie, we are the proud owners of a 2019 Mercedes. Uribe wrote her are you happy, to which she responded I will never forget this.

And on multiple occasions, she responded to Daibes alleged bribes with Christmas in January and THANK YOU Fred with a string of emojis. She also texted to tell the businessman, facing bank fraud charges, that her husband was sleeping better due to Daibes trial date getting temporarily adjournedafter the senator purportedly intervened repeatedly with the Justice Department on his behalf.

He was amazing in all he did. Hes an amazing friend and as loyal as they come, Daibes responded. Let me know if I can get him a recliner. It helped me sleep.

Of course, the senator himself appears to have implicated himself by texting government information to his partneronce about an impending ammunition salethat she then forwarded to Hana, who passed it along to his Egyptian government contacts. According to the indictment, in response to the ammo news, a Cairo military official replied with a thumbs-up emoji.

Then theres the occasion detailed in the indictment when the senator sent his bride a news article about his colleagues intention to raise the Middle Eastern autocracys abysmal human rights, which she promptly passed to yet another Egyptian official. That anonymous operative responded, Thanks you so much, chairman [Menendez] also raised it today, we appreciate it.

I just thought it would be better to know ahead of time what is being talked about and this way you can prepare your rebuttals, she allegedly wrote back.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
Eds Tavern hopes to open in Lake Norman next month.

The longtime neighborhood bar and grill is renovating the former Galway Hooker space at 17044 Kenton Drive in Cornelius, according to permits. The Irish pub closed earlier this year after a 20-year run.

ALSO READ: Fin & Fino to replace Dresslers at Birkdale

We have people that come to Eds from all parts of Charlotte as well as the lake area, so weve been actively looking for our third location, says Mike Morelli, director of operations. We love that the area is continuously growing. We look forward to being a great option for people.

Keep reading here.

(WATCH BELOW: New brewery brings Caribbean vibes to Mint Hill)




An extensive federal indictment alleging serious charges of corruption and bribery involving the Egyptian government and New Jersey businessmen targetted a sitting US senator who chairs a powerful committee that steers American foreign policy and global financial aid.

That senator, Robert Menendez, has stepped down as chair, until the matter has resolved, according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, as the long-time Democratic official from New Jersey faces calls for his resignation amid yet another federal investigation.

A grand jury indictment unsealed on 22 September charges Mr Menendez and his wife along with three New Jersey businessmen and associates who allegedly participated in a bribery scheme trading political favours for cash, gold bars, a Mercedes-Benz convertible and other gifts.

Authorities seized $100,000 worth of gold bars and more than $480,000 in cash, mostly stuffed into envelopes and hidden in clothing, closets, and a safe at their home, according to the indictment. Photographs in the indictment include jackets bearing Mr Menendezs name and government seals stuffed with strapped bills.

Mr Menendez and his wife Nadine Menendez are charged with three counts, including conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right.

Fred Daibes, Wael Hana and Jose Uribe are charged with the first two of those counts.

The indictment outlines the senators role in several alleged criminal schemes, including sharing sensitive US government information among other steps to covertly benefit the Egyptian government, pushing US officials to secure an exclusive business deal with one of the co-defendants, and pressuring state and federal prosecutors to drop investigations  all in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, gold and gifts.

Egypt, military aid, highly sensitive government information and a halal monopoly

The high-ranking Democratic official allegedly wielded his influence and access to give an Egyptian American businessman sensitive government information, then covertly wrote a letter on behalf of the Egyptian government calling on the US to unfreeze aid to Egypt.

He allegedly met with Mr Hana the same day in 2018 he asked the US Department of State for highly sensitive details about the US Embassy in Cairo, which he then allegedly shared with his wife, who forwarded the information to Mr Hana  who then gave it to an Egyptian government official, according to prosecutors.

Within that same month, the senator gave Mr Hana nonpublic information about US military aid to Egypt, after which Mr Hana allegedly told an Egyptian official that a ban on small arms and ammunition to Egypt has been lifted. That means sales can begin. That will include sniper rifles among other articles.

Mr Menendez later ghostwrote a letter on behalf of the government of Egypt asking his own senate colleagues to release a hold on $300m in US aid to Egypt, then deleted an email in which his wife asked him to do that, according to prosecutors.

The indictment also alleges that he called on an official with the US Department of Agriculture asking the agency to halt its opposition to the Egyptian governments allowance of a company operated by Mr Hana to have a monopoly with Egypt.

Egypt had granted IS EG Hala exclusive rights to certify halal food exports to Egypt.

It is unclear how he obtained the contract, but prosecutors filing suggests that his ties to the Menendez family were crucial to the arrangement.

The senators manoeuvers allegedly followed Mr Hana sharing information from Egyptian officials with Ms Menendez about the USDAs objections. She then shared that information with her husband, who later deleted the texts.

Seems like halal went through. It might be a fantastic 2019 all the way around, Ms Menendez texted Mr Hana, according to the indictment.

Mr Hana then began paying Ms Menendez, including a $23,000 mortgage payment through his company.

Interfering with a criminal case, $15k in a parking lot and a Mercedes-Benz

In 2019, Mr Menendez allegedly sought to interfere with a criminal investigation connected to Mr Uribes trucking business facing scrutiny from New Jersey prosecutors.

US Attorney Damian Williams announces corruption charges against Senator Robert Menendez and his wife in an alleged scheme with three New Jersey businessmen on 22 September. (Getty Images)

The now-convicted New Jersey businessman then arranged the sale of a Mercedes-Benz convertible to Ms Menendez after handing her $15,000 in cash in a parking lot, according to the indictment.

She then allegedly used $15,000 for a down payment and lied on an application to secure loan financing. Mr Uribe later arranged monthly financing payments routed through his associates or a company he controlled, the indictment alleges.

A federal prosecutor and internet searches for kilo of gold price

In the case of Mr Daibes, the senator allegedly agreed to interfere with a pending federal case involving his co-defendant in exchange for cash, furniture and gold bars  as well as recommending the presidential nomination of a candidate for US Attorney in New Jersey that the senator believed he could influence to soften the prosecution of his longtime fundraiser.

The New Jersey real estate developer was indicted in October 2018.

Mr Menendez allegedly sought the senate confirmation of a nominee for US Attorney in New Jersey who would go easy on Mr Daibes. That nominee, Philip Sellinger, ultimately recused himself from the case.

In January 2022, Mr Daibess driver allegedly called Ms Menendez and texted Mr Daibes: Christmas in January. The senator then called an official with the US Department of Justice overseeing Mr Daibess prosecution.

Federal authorities allegedly seized $100,000 in gold bars from the home of US Senator Robert Menendez, according to an indictment on bribery and corruption charges. (US Department of Justice)

At one point, the senator allegedly performed an internet search for how much is one kilo of gold worth and, later, kilo of gold price.

In March 2022, Ms Mendendez brought two one-kilogram gold bars to a jeweller, according to the indictment. Prosecutors allege the serial numbers indicate they previously belonged to Mr Daibes.

New Jersey officials and members of Congress call for resignation

Mr Menendez, who was first appointed and then elected to the US Senate in 2006, has chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 2013 to 2015 and again since 2021, with Democratic control of the upper chamber of Congress.

The indictment follows a lengthy investigation roughly six years after a trial on separate corruption claims resulted in a hung jury.

New Jerseys Governor Phil Murphy has called for the senators immediate resignation.

If he were to step down, the governor would appoint a successor to fill in the remainder of his term.

Primary elections are scheduled for 4 June 2024.

This undated image included in an indictment against Senator Robert Menendez shows money found in jackets belonging to the powerful head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. (US Department of Justice)

Democratic US Rep Andy Kim of New Jersey, a three-term congressman and among the first members of Congress calling for the senator to resign, said that allegations outlined in the indictment are serious and alarming.

I dont have confidence that the Senator has the ability to properly focus on our state and its people while addressing such a significant legal matter, he added. He should step down.

Former US Attorney General Eric Holder, who served during President Barack Obamas administration, said that the nation will be better served if he steps aside and allows a transition to occur that will best serve the people of New Jersey.

Its time for Senator Menendez to resign, former prosecutor and president of government watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington Noah Bookbinder said in a statement. The conduct outlined in todays indictment and the evidence presented are even more damning. The people of New Jersey should not have to be constantly questioning whether one of their senators is taking action for them or to line his pockets.

The senators response  and refusal to step aside

In a statement shared by his office, the senator accused forces behind the scenes of attempting to dig his political grave with a smear campaign creating an air of impropriety where none exists.

The excesses of these prosecutors is apparent. They have misrepresented the normal work of a Congressional office. On top of that, not content with making false claims against me, they have attacked my wife for the longstanding friendships she had before she and I even met, he added.

The senator will remain focused on continuing this important work and will not be distracted by baseless allegations.

They wrote these charges as they wanted; the facts are not as presented. Prosecutors did that the last time and look what a trial demonstrates, he added.People should remember that before accepting the prosecutors version.
Prosecutors allege Sen. Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, and his wife accepted gold bars as part of a bribery scheme. U.S. Attorney's Office via AP; Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images

Sen. Bob Menendez was hit with bribery charges by federal prosecutors in a newly-unsealed indictment.

Prosecutors claim that he used his influence to cut deals for the Egyptian government and businessmen.

He accepted over $480,000 in payments that included gold bars, prosecutors alleged.

Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey and his wife took bribes from Egyptian officials, discussing arms deals in private conversations, according to a federal indictment unsealed on Friday.

In the unsealed indictment, federal prosecutors alleged that Menendez accepted at least $480,000 in bribes from New Jersey businessmen, and Egyptian government officials were given exclusive access to Menendez.

Prosecutors claimed that Menendez provided sensitive US government data to Egypt, to which in one instance, Egyptian officials responded to a weapons deal with a thumbs-up emoji, per the indictment.

In 2018, Menendez met with Egyptian officials, where the senator expressed his support for foreign military aid for Egypt. Prosecutors claim that Menendez worked with New Jersey businessman and friend Will Hana and Menendez's wife, in his corrupt dealings.

"Tell Will Hana I am going to sign off this sale to Egypt today. Egypt: 46,000 120MM Target Practice Rounds and 10,000 Rounds Tank Ammunition: $99 million," Sen. Bob Menendez texted his wife, Nadine, per the indictment.

The text was forwarded to Hana, and then to the officials, prosecutors allege.

"Egyptian Official-1 replied with a 'thumbs up' emoji," prosecutors said in the indictment.

In June 2022, prosecutors said that federal agents executed search warrants and found the cash hidden in Menendez's home, along with gold bars, that they claimed he received in exchange for the information and access he gave to Egypt.

It's the second bribery case Menendez has faced in six years, although the first set of charges were dropped.

Prosecutors also claimed that Menendez plotted to give IS EG Halal Certified, a New Jersey-based food export company, a monopoly on US food products exported to Egypt. His wife, Nadine, was offered a"low-or-no-show job" at the company by Hana.

Egyptian outlet Mada Masr first raised red flags about the company's monopolization of halal certification in a 2019 investigation.

On Friday, Menendez responded defiantly, calling the indictment a "smear campaign," that misrepresented his official work. Both Hana and Nadine Menendez are also charged in the indictment.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer later said that Menendez was stepping down as chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Welcome to Week in Review (WiR), TechCrunch's regular newsletter covering the past few days in tech. The TC crew -- including this reporter -- is coming off the high of Disrupt, which hopefully some of you, dear readers, were able to attend in person. Fret not if you didn't -- there's always next year, and other TC events besides. And over the coming days, TC's YouTube channel will have all the highlights for your on-demand viewing pleasure.

But the world didn't stop turning for Disrupt. This week was as newsy as any other, what with Elon Musk threatening to charge all X (formerly Twitter) users a fee, OpenAI launching DALL-E 3 and Cisco acquiring Splunk in a deal worth $28 billion. Elsewhere, outgoing TC editor-in-chief Matthew Panzarino published his iPhone 15 review, Apple released iOS 17, Y Combinator got defensive and Microsoft researchers accidentally exposed terabytes of data. And that's just scratching the surface.

If you havent already, sign up here to get WiR in your inbox every Saturday. Now, on to the news!

Most read

A fee for X: Early this week, X owner Elon Musk floated the idea that the social network formerly known as Twitter may no longer be a free site. In a livestreamed conversation with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Musk said that the company was "moving to a small monthly payment" for the use of the X system, suggesting that such a change would be necessary to deal with the problem of increasing bots on the platform.

OpenAI unveils DALL-E 3: OpenAI unveiled DALL-E 3, an upgraded version of its text-to-image tool, which uses ChatGPT -- OpenAIs viral AI chatbot -- to take some of the pain out of prompting. Via ChatGPT, subscribers to OpenAIs premium ChatGPT plans, ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Enterprise, can type in a request for an image and hone it through conversations with the chatbot, receiving the results directly within the chat app.

Cisco buys Splunk: Cisco has a reputation of building the company through acquisitions, but it's tended to stay away from the really huge ones. That changed this week when the company announced it was acquiring Splunk for $28 billion. With Splunk, Ron writes, Cisco gets an observability platform that could fit nicely into its security business to help customers better understand security threats.

The iPhone 15 goes to Disneyland: For what's likely his last iPhone review at TechCrunch, Matthew took the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro Max to Disneyland. Literally. He had two days and some change to drag the phones through the parks capturing video, making purchases, using them as virtual tickets and vacation planners for reservations, coordinating a friends and family group, and more. The verdict? The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max prove that there's much more room for Apple to grow, Matt writes -- albeit inward instead of outward.

iOS grows up: Romain reviewed iOS 17, whose arrival coincided with the launch of the iPhone 15. He found it to be a "nice and polished" update, spotlighting the overhauled keyboard with AI-assisted autocorrect, a Messages app with vastly improved search, and support for offline maps in Apple Maps. But the highlight is StandBy mode, he says, which displays glanceable information when the iPhone's charging on a MagSafe dock.

Y Combinator goes on the defensive: Storied accelerator Y Combinator has been on the defensive as of late. Mary Ann reports on the recent and unexpectedly aggressive reactions from YC leaders, including CEO Garry Tan, to criticism on social media -- including to a piece written by TechCrunch's own Rebecca Szkutak.

Microsoft exposes data: Microsoft AI researchers accidentally exposed tens of terabytes of sensitive data, including private keys and passwords, while publishing a storage bucket of open source training data on GitHub. In research shared with TechCrunch, cloud security startup Wiz said it discovered a GitHub repository belonging to Microsofts AI research division as part of its ongoing work into the accidental exposure of cloud-hosted data.

Unity backtracks: Unity, the popular cross-platform game and media development engine, is on the defensive after receiving intense backlash over a controversial new fee structure. Devin reports that Unity has done a 180, nixing plans to introduce a widely decried "runtime fee" for current versions of Unity and raising the revenue ceiling above which users must upgrade to the paid version of Unity.

Audio

In need of a quality podcast? You're in luck -- TC's got plenty.

This week on Equity, the crew hosted two -- count em, two -- podcasts on the ground at Disrupt. The first covered breaking IPO news around Instacart, as well as how Joby is all in on the Buckeye state, growth in the elder tech space and Writer bringing back nine-figure joy. The second was a retrospective, spanning topics from VC panel highlights to the latest from GM-backed self-driving car company Cruise.

Found hosted Bianca Cefalo, CEO and co-founder of Space DOTS, a space tech startup that makes testing materials in space cheaper and easier. Cefalo talked about how difficult it is to bootstrap a deep tech company, the challenges of testing materials in space and how she leads their growing team.

And over on Chain Reaction, Chris Lehane, chief strategy officer at Haun Ventures, came on during Disrupt to talk about the world of crypto at Haun, which has two investment vehicles: a $500 million early-stage fund and a $1 billion acceleration fund.

TechCrunch+

TC+ subscribers get access to in-depth commentary, analysis and surveys  which you know if youre already a subscriber. If youre not, consider signing up. Here are a few highlights from this week:

Thoughts on the SEC's crypto regulation: As the regulatory landscape continues to be shaky for crypto players, some regulators may be overreaching when it comes to creating frameworks for the industry, said Lehane at Disrupt.

Instacart's IPO: Instacart shot up high this week after the American grocery delivery giant priced its IPO at the top of its recently raised range. As Alex writes, for startups dying of thirst in this desert devoid of capital, the company couldn't have offered up a more satisfying glass of cool water.

Elder tech expands: Rebecca takes a deep dive into the "elder tech" industry, including startups like Los Angelesbased Bold, which created a digital at-home fitness platform for aging adults with personalized exercise routines to help with common ailments like arthritis and balance issues.
Elon Musk 's grandfather, Joshua Haldeman, was a "radical conspiracy theorist," the Atlantic reports.

Haldeman was convicted in Canada for his involvement in a technocratic political movement.

The movement believed an authoritarian group of tech-savvy overlords could solve the world's problems.

Elon Musk's grandfather, the late Joshua Haldeman, spent his time ranting about minority groups he didn't like, speculating about a global conspiracy led by shadowy figures (read: Jewish people), and joining the cause of technocracy.

According to a deep dive from the Atlantic on the life of Haldeman, the Canadian chiropractor was a "radical conspiracy theorist" who spent the beginning of his career as part of a group known as "Technocracy Incorporated."

Howard Scott, the founder of Technocracy, in Los Angeles, California. Bettmann via Getty Images

The movement had a bizarre set of principles: They believed that the world should be run by a totalitarian regime of engineers and scientists based in North America; that these tech overlords would solve all of society's problems; and that people only had to work 20 years before retiring.

The party, founded in the 1920s, gained popularity during the Great Depression and at one point had more than half a million members in California.

The organization also referred to people as numbers (apparently, Musk's grandfather was 10450-1) and sometimes added Xs to their names. Followers donned identical gray clothing and cars and greeted each other with special salutes, the Atlantic found. A newspaper cited by the magazine said the group gave off "the tone of an incipient Fascist movement ."

A sign erected in Josephine County, Oregon seven years after Howard Scott, who founded the Technocracy movement, talked of a survey of North America. Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty

Canada eventually banned the party after it opposed the country's involvement in World War II and considered it and its members a threat to national security. Haldeman was arrested and convicted for his participation, the Atlantic reported.

This kickstarted his involvement in other movements, including Canada's Social Credit Party, which espoused baseless conspiracy theories about Jewish people. The party came to be widely criticized for its blatant antisemitism. Haldeman, who became the SCP national chair, took it upon himself to defend the party's beliefs.

Haldeman, the Atlantic wrote, "maintained that the Social Credit Party was not antisemitic  while saying some rather antisemitic things, including the outrageous claim that Hitler had been installed as German fuhrer by 'money  supplied by international financiers, many, but not all of them, Jewish.' He claimed that Jews created antisemitism to generate sympathy."

The party also used its platform to publish "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" a centuries-old fraudulent text detailing a meeting between Jewish leaders to establish world domination. Haldeman defended the publication in a letter because he felt he was witnessing the protocols "rapidly unfolding," the Atlantic reported.

Like grandfather, like grandson

Historians note Musk's ideas that technology can solve most of society's ills reflect some of the same technocratic beliefs his grandfather promoted. Musk previously said on Twitter, now called X, that Mars should have an established technocracy.

He has also named his three children with Grimes  X  A-Xii Musk , or X, Exa Dark Siderl Musk, and Techno Mechanicus  although it isn't clear whether the names of his children had anything to do with the strange, number-filled nicknames Technocrats identified themselves with.

The Tesla CEO and billionaire has also recently been called out by the Anti-Defamation League for spreading antisemitic rhetoric, like blaming George Soros for the "destruction of Western civilization." Musk threatened to sue the ADL and, in his own defense, has called himself "pro-semite."

From antisemitism to apartheid

Following his political stint, Haldeman began passionately supporting the cause of apartheid and moved to South Africa. According to the Atlantic, he once wrote, "South Africa will become the leader of white civilization in the world."

Haldeman also railed against "anti-White forces" that would seek to displace his position. He continued writing in pro-apartheid South African newspapers, as well as in his self-published book, about international conspiracies of world domination from a group of elites, per the magazine.

Haldeman, Musk's maternal grandfather, was born in 1902 in the US before his family moved to Canada at a young age. He was also a chiropractor before his move to South Africa.

Haldeman married Wyn Haldeman, nee Fletcher, who was a dance instructor. They had three children. Maye Musk, one of his daughters, is Musk's mother. He died in 1974 when Musk was still a toddler.

Representatives for Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The author, aka the former Mrs. Georgetown DC, seen in April.

While its not exactly accurate to say it was a voice from the grave that commanded me to drop out of the Mrs. America pageant, its not exactly a lie, either. The truth lies somewhere in between and involves a questionable photographer, a threat from a friend to disown me, and a dingy bra once worn by Ivana Trump. But for five days, I was Cathy Alter, your Mrs. Georgetown DC.

It started from a place of insecurity  never a good thing in competition. My 11-year-old son, Leo, and I were sharing a late lunch at a British-style pub in Washingtons Dupont Circle. As we sat demolishing our mozzarella sticks, I took a moment to check my phone for emails. Maybe it was my text neck, or maybe Leo had never seen me in severe profile, but whatever the case, he reached over and grabbed the hunk of loose flesh residing below my chin (a wattle, a friend would helpfully explain).

Whats that? he asked, tugging on it like an udder.

I dont remember how I answered him. But I do remember trying not to cry or ask my son if he was some kind of sociopath.

I feel bad about my neck, Nora Ephron confessed, in the opening essay and 2006 book of the same name.

Our faces are lies and our necks tell the truth, she wrote. You have to cut open a redwood tree to see how old it is, but you wouldnt have to if it had a neck.

These days, at 57, its hard not to look in the mirror without thinking about how my reflection has changed. Its me but not me. The face is certainly mine, just more gutted, the area underneath my eyes carved out by a wood gauge. Its less feminine, somehow, and more Founding Fathers, especially when my hair is pulled back in a Jefferson braid. We wont discuss my burgeoning FUPA.

To accept this image would be the healthiest way to proceed. The most empowering thing I could do for myself would be to love the marionette mouth, the nasolabial folds, the elevens between my brows, the time stamps that make this face uniquely mine. To say, to sing, to emblazon on a T-shirt: Here I am, world! A middle-aged woman with declining looks and a soft body!

Instead, I went home and sobbed to my husband, Karl.

All boys should think their mothers are the most beautiful women in the world, I said through my tears. And its clear that Leo does not.

Well, Karl said, what can you do about it?

I couldnt tell if he was answering me rhetorically or expecting me to come up with an action plan.

And I did have a plan. Or, more accurately, a wild impulse that stomped on any attempt at levelheadedness.

Ill tell you what Im going to do, I told him. Im going to enter a beauty pageant  and win.

The author, who is freaked out by birds, and her son, Leo, when he was a toddler.

The author, who is freaked out by birds, and her son, Leo, when he was a toddler.

When I was growing up in Connecticut, my parents threw an annual Miss America party where guests bet on the contestants as if the young women were racehorses. It was the hottest ticket in town. Friends arrived in evening gowns and tuxedos, tossed $20 into the pot, and rooted for their girl while tearing down the 49 others.

My mother, a 6-foot-tall beauty with a penchant for red lips and backless suede dresses, could be especially vicious, taking note of a competitors thunder thigh or unfortunate underbite or describing a pair of straight-on nostrils as looking like the Holland Tunnel.

As the owner of the hippest clothing boutique the Bermuda-bag-carrying women of our sleepy town had ever seen, my mother was a true arbiter of style and presentation. By midnight, everyone was tanked and the guest who got closest to choosing the evenings winner paraded around in a homemade sash and dime-store crown, both courtesy of my mother.

Now, decades later, I found a slew of pageants on Pageant Planet, a website that consolidates local and regional contests including Miss Earth USA, Mr. Crimson and Cream, and the pageant I wound up entering, Mrs. DC America. There were pageants for veterans, for senior citizens (Im still a few years away from that one), for full-figured women, and one that sounds like a meta version of itself, The Empowered Woman pageant. If I were to create a montage of the contestants I saw across the site, the result would look like the b-rolls from all the Real Housewives franchises in existence.

The rules to enter the Mrs. DC America pageant were straightforward. If you were married, you could enter  which meant I could potentially be competing with child brides. Contestants are judged in three categories: the interview, the evening gown and the swimsuit. As if striding across the stage in a bathing suit and high heels wasnt terrifying enough, there would be an opening dance number. With choreography. The winner of Mrs. DC would go on to represent the District of Columbia at the national Mrs. America Pageant in Las Vegas.

The next morning, I called one of the pageant directors. After a bit of chitchat, I learned that I had a little less than five weeks to prepare for the event, which would be held at a community center over an hour away, in Frederick, Maryland. Somehow, Id imagined that Id have at least a year to get ready, both physically and mentally. Now things were becoming both very real and very surreal.

What do you want your sash to say? she asked.

When I hesitated, baffled by her question, she clarified. Where do you live in Washington?

Which is how I appointed myself Mrs. Georgetown DC, after forking over a deposit of $250 (the entire cost of entry was $750) and promising to schedule a headshot with the official pageant photographer within the week.

The author and her parents, Susan and Elliott Alter, in a photo taken on the author's Sweet 16 and Susans 40th birthday.

The author and her parents, Susan and Elliott Alter, in a photo taken on the author's Sweet 16 and Susans 40th birthday. "The theme of the party, held in my moms old high school gym, was a 1950s prom," the author writes.

I immediately launched into overdrive, making a to-do list like I was planning my wedding. Each action item begot new actions. I made an appointment for highlights, but did I also want to talk about hair extensions? How much were hair halos? (What were hair halos?!) There was no time to sit and reflect on who I was fast becoming.

I called the photographer and asked him what Id need to bring to the photo shoot. Everything on his list included the word glitzy. Also, he advised, Wear something that either shows your cleavage or your shoulders but not both. Thats just overkill.

He suggested I buy a bag of rhinestones and glue them onto my bathing suit, which, for some reason, he kept calling a one-piece bikini.

Are you going to photograph me in a bathing suit? I asked him.

No, he said. I just wanted to tell you about rhinestones. His parting advice, worthy of its own bedazzled T-shirt was, Go glam or go home.

My friends were divided on my new title. Some had a field day at my expense. Can your bathing suit be Victorian or come with a turtleneck? asked one. Does AARP have a beauty pageant? asked another, choking back laughter. One emailed me an Amazon link for Preparation H, which has famously been used to tighten bags under the eyes. Maybe you can use this on your butt, too, was the subject line.

Others were more perplexed.

Its ironic that youre looking for acceptance and confidence in the very place designed not to give it, said one of my closest friends, expressing concern.

A few were outraged. When I met a friend and former editor, she pounded on the table. You cant do this! she said, holding her fist up for another strike. What does this say about the progress weve been making as women?

She brought up how precarious it is to be female in the wake of Roe v. Wade and the gutting of abortion rights and the horrible message about appearance that I would be sending to Leo. She told me she wasnt sure if she could be my friend if I went through with the pageant.

Still another saw me as a champion just for entering: Youve been given a bigger stage, to stand up for all people who feel less than. Youre saying, Im here, I made it, and so can you.

I had been Mrs. Georgetown for two days before the idea of competing began to seem like a genuinely half-baked idea. What the heck was I doing? And what sort of message was I sending to myself? To my husband? To Leo? (Do you think I could win? I had asked the poor kid, who immediately looked to Karl for a clue before answering, It depends on the competition.)

The authors mother on the day of her Sweet 16 party.

The authors mother on the day of her Sweet 16 party. "That dress still hangs in the closet of the family home in Connecticut," the author writes.

Ive always had a complicated relationship with beauty. As their ruthless Miss America parties suggest, my parents placed great value on physical appearance. When we were little, my father used to chase my younger brother and me around our swimming pool with a spray bottle of Sun In hair lightener. After growing up poor, eating mayonnaise sandwiches and fending for himself, having golden-haired, sun-kissed children who looked like they belonged in the Kennedy compound was, for him, an emblem of success.

My mothers guiding principle was that it was more important to look good than to feel good. When I was in high school, she sat me down and gently explained that because I was no natural beauty  no Christie Brinkley were her words  Id always have to wear makeup.

I was on the tender cusp of womanhood, and my mothers grim appraisal took root in my soul. Before dementia completely robbed her of the ability to speak, the last clear words my mother said to me were, How about some blush?

On my third day as Mrs. Georgetown, I decided it was time to try on evening gowns at my favorite consignment shop in D.C. Even though the saleswomen arent permitted to mention the origin stories of their merchandise, Ive gotten in pretty good with some of the staff and have been able to wheedle out some details.

Along these lines, I wound up in the dressing room with what I knew was an evening gown once worn by Ivana Trump by a designer whose name I didnt recognize. It was $125 and the color of tomato sauce from a can, with a mermaid silhouette, red jewels scattered down the front, and about 40 miles of tulle. When I unzipped it, I saw there was a grimy Calvin Klein strapless bra sewn inside, size 36C, and I had a sudden pang, knowing such a private detail about Ivana. My mother, too, wore a 36C. Placing my own breasts inside the bra  and being this close to its original owner  was surprisingly intimate.

I looked at myself in the dressing room mirror, trying and failing to imagine myself striding across a stage in a conference center in Frederick, Maryland, giving a royal wave, chest out, smile aided by Vaseline on my teeth, hammertoes screaming at the straps of my stilettos.

I heard a voice.

Take it off, it said. Its not you, it said.

Whether it was my mother speaking or Ivana, it didnt matter. The dress wasnt me. And neither, I realized, was the pageant.

My mother often warned me about falling for a pretty face. Looks fade, she had said after a man with movie star looks obliterated my heart. She could have been talking about her own vulnerabilities around appearance and aging. It was the way I knew that, despite her critical eye, even she recognized deep down that there were things more valuable than looks. My mother would have been unsparing in her assessment of my chances in the pageant (none) and in my decision to enter it (dumb).

The author and her mother, taken on the authors wedding day in 2006.

The author and her mother, taken on the authors wedding day in 2006.

What good is beauty, anyway? It was surely a burden for my mother, who tried mightily to keep up appearances until that weight shifted to my father. He became her de facto makeup artist as she sat strapped in a wheelchair, unable to perform her own ministries, her hands clenched in rage.

After watching him spoon-feed her lunch (Now, now, hed say whenever she tried to bite his fingers), the sight of him dabbing her lips with her trademark Love That Red made me reevaluate my own definition of devotion  of obligation. In the face of the inevitable, my fathers tacit efforts broke my heart.

On my final day as Mrs. Georgetown, I phoned the pageant director and dropped out of the race.

Did something happen? She sounded aghast, like maybe I had microderm-ed my face off.

I dont have the full support of my family and friends, was my excuse, which approached the truth, at least partially.

The woman who went on to wear my Mrs. Georgetown sash, I learned later, was from Rockville, Maryland. In her official pageant headshot, she looks a little like a Facetuned Jennifer Coolidge.

The pageant fell on the same weekend as my fathers 90th birthday. Home in Connecticut, I showed my father a photo of my replacement.



Good thing you dropped out, he said. You didnt stand a chance.

Grandpa! Leo looked at my face, concerned.

Thanks for your vote of confidence, I said, lightly punching his arm and reassuring myself that limitations are not heritable.



Later that night, Leo slipped me a note before bedtime. It read, in part, I love you for yourself. I love your sweet, sweet, heart. Though you are beautiful, its what is inside that counts.

It is a note I wish my mother would have written and dropped in the mail, addressed to herself.

Cathy Alters articles and essays have appeared in O, the Oprah Magazine, The Cut, Wired, and The Washington Post, among others. She is the author of Virgin Territory: Stories From the Road to Womanhood, the memoir Up for Renewal: What Magazines Taught Me About Love, Sex, and Starting Over, and CRUSH: Writers Reflect on Love, Longing, and the Lasting Power of Their First Celebrity Crush. She lives in Washington, D.C.

Related...
If we delve deeper into the issue, it becomes clear that this is not really a conflict between Poland and Ukraine, but rather a conflict between Poland and the EU.

In Ukraine, as always, emotions dominate instead of a real focus on specific problems. In particular, we have the so-called "conflict" between Ukraine and Poland. If you delve deeper into the issue, it becomes clear that this is not really a conflict between Poland and Ukraine, but rather a conflict between Poland and the EU, where Ukraine is the main instrument of "combat operations."

Let me remind you what we are talking about.

Previously, the European Commission banned imports of Ukrainian agricultural products. It was introduced in May of this year under the active influence of Poland, which had already imposed individual bans in the past.

The ban was in effect but expired, and the European Commission did not extend it. All EU states recognized this except for three: Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary.

Thus, there was no insidious Ukraine that suddenly decided to flood Poland with grain. It was a decision of the European Commission, which was recognized by all but three states. By the way, this unilateral non-recognition was condemned, for example, by France.

This is a fundamental question about Ukraine's place in the EU

We are not dealing with a simple "trade war" involving four countries; we are dealing with an issue essential to the EU.

This issue is crucial for Ukraine, which also seems to be joining the EU. So, can each EU country independently rewrite trade rules based on its own vision? What else can be rewritten? And how?

This is a very serious issue, because Ukraine will not go anywhere from producing agricultural products. Neither will Poland and Slovakia, obviously. That is, if we are going to be part of the same market, we will have to think about how our agricultural producers can coexist. Based on what rules? Will they be shared? Or will they come up with some "special" rules for Ukrainians? If there are "special" rules, will it really be EU membership?

Everything is always reduced to some melodramatic story, hysterics, and screams. However, this is a fundamental question about the fate of the EU, compliance with the rules, and the place of Ukraine in this EU.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Last Monday, the day after U.S. Constitution Day, N.C. State University College of Education students taught us about time.

How its time we listen.

How its not time to give up.

How its time we learn  and believe in  the newest generation of adults.

N.C. States Talley Student Union  the cool kids call it Talley  was bustling during the burgers-and-tacos portion of this evening.

Drum players were doing their thing outside the doors.

Students lounged in comfy booths, wearing AirPods and staring at their laptops.

Howling Cows line moved steadily, with Banana Pudding the ice cream of choice.

Talleys third floor drew a curious collection of students in T-shirts and shorts, others in suits, and an energized pack wearing Wolfpack Red shirts that read Student Ambassador.

How clever of N.C. States College of Education to create a Student Ambassadors program  selected from its best students  to serve as professional liaisons for the college with recruitment, campus events and service.

The Student Ambassadors were everywhere, greeting guests and their friends with the same level of enthusiasm. Do you have a program? Are you registered? We have cookies over there!

Gen Z on the Teaching Profession

Inside a spacious room with 200-plus chairs, Dean Paola Sztajn smiled perpetually while greeting familiar faces and new ones. Cherry Crayton, the colleges executive director of marketing and communications, kept a close eye on her wristwatch as she seamlessly checked off one to-do and then another. Mics working? Check. Name tags distributed? Check. Student speakers assembled? Check.

At 6:30 p.m., Cherry approached Terry Hennings, the evenings master of ceremonies, and mentioned that the program needed to be delayed three minutes because of traffic issues. If Cherry ever wants to leave education to keep train stations or airports on schedule, shell be hired. Three minutes later, she was back, giving Terry the cue. It was time.

The program titled Gen Z on the Teaching Profession: A Candid Conversation with Future Teachers from NC State was a partnership of N.C. States College of Education and The News & Observer. Many of the conversations were in sync with a recent story by The N&Os T. Keung Hui on how NC schools have more than 3,500 teaching vacancies.

Mondays conversation profiled plenty of speakers who understand the challenges and generational importance of teaching.

Terry the emcee is a Garner social studies teacher and the 2023 Wake County Public School Systems Teacher of the Year. Closing remarks came from Valerie Bridges, aka Dr. B, the recently retired superintendent of Edgecombe County Public Schools and the 2022 North Carolina Superintendent of the Year.

NC State University first-year education majors, from left, Kayla Connor, Joshua Webb, Olivia Ferlito, Dariana De Leon and Coley Welch at the Gen Z and the Teaching Profession forum.

First-year NC State education students

Dr. B was magic in her brief time on stage  offering encouragement and hope while focusing on the stars of the night  five first-year students, barely three weeks on campus but committed to becoming career educators.

Kayla Connor from Holly Springs wants to teach elementary school students. A former champion gymnast, she didnt stumble even when her mom asked a question from the audience.

Olivia Ferlito from Raleigh is an elementary education major who plans to minor in voice performance. Shes an extrovert who has seven teachers in her family tree.

Coley Welch from Morganton wants to teach science, and his motivation came from his mom. Hes part of the Goodnight Scholars Program named after alums Jim and Ann Goodnight of Raleigh.

Dariana De Leon from Tarboro plans to teach middle school math and return to Edgecombe County. She didnt speak often during the conversation, but when she did it came with conviction and courage.

Then there was Joshua Webb of Rocky Mount, an English language arts and social studies major, who spoke with eloquence about diversity, pay and how to combat all the obstacles: Teachers need to teach.

Bill Church, Executive Editor of The News & Observer

Article 9 of the North Carolina Constitution offers a passive acknowledgment of educations importance statewide. And the new state budget calls for teacher raises that amount to 7 percent over the next two years. The new governor will see a 20 percent pay increase.

After two years, a 7 percent increase equates to $14.22 per work day (before taxes) for the lowest paid Wake County teacher regardless of the level of unruly students, misbehaving parents or potential lockdowns.

On this Monday, though, all was good.

Unlike Carolina Panthers fans, the Talley audience stayed until the end Monday night. The teaching game can be rough and filled with unexpected hits, but maybe this generation of future teachers know what we dont.

That its time we listen, dont give up  and let teachers teach.

Bill Church is executive editor of The News & Observer.
Democratic elected officials are distancing themselves from progressives critical of law enforcement as tens of thousands of Americans continue to die each year from drug overdoses.

Rep. Henry Cuellar, who represents a Texas border district, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and Texas state Sen. Royce West of Dallas joined POLITICO on Saturday at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin to talk about the next steps needed to confront Americas current opioid crisis.

They agreed that stopping drugs at the border, and prosecuting dealers, is part of the answer, along with treatment and prevention.

The backdrop for their alarm is an increase in fatal drug overdoses during the Covid pandemic that has refused to abate.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that illegal drugs killed 110,000 people last year, most of it driven by illicit fentanyl.

Emergent BioSolutions, the maker of the opioid overdose reversal drug Narcan, sponsored the forum.

Here are three takeaways from the event, moderated by POLITICOs Megan Messerly:

Some Democrats still want to throw the book at dealers

Progressives see a direct line between the war on drugs and mass incarceration and have pushed Democrats to legalize drugs, defund police and exercise prosecutorial discretion to alleviate the wars costs, particularly for people of color.

But the three Democrats at POLITICOs forum said they still see a place for law enforcement.

West defended a new Texas law that permits prosecutors to charge fentanyl dealers with murder and increases criminal penalties for the manufacturing or delivery of the drug.

We've got to make certain that persons that deal with this issue understand that there are consequences, West said.

Oregons Rosenblum acknowledged the fentanyl problem in Portland thats grown worse since state voters legalized possession of small amounts of hard drugs in 2020.

Its everywhere. No one can deny it. If you do, youve just got blinders on, she said, explaining that her office was very strong on the interdiction of drugs, and very strong on prosecution of dealers.

Asked about the drug wars legacy, Cuellar said, You can argue if its been successful or not successful.

Mexico could do more

Cuellar rejected the call from some Republican hardliners to bomb the Mexican cartels.

But the border district lawmaker said that he, too, is frustrated with a lack of cooperation from the Mexican government, and with the Biden administrations diplomacy.

They can certainly do a lot more. We just need the administration to be a little firmer with Mexico, Cuellar said.

Chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl from China enter Mexico through two ports on its Pacific coast, said Cuellar. Then criminal organizations make it into fentanyl.

Catching the drug at the U.S.Mexico border, where tens of thousands of trucks, cars and trains pass every day, is difficult because the technology used to find drugs is designed to catch larger illegal drug shipments, he said.

Fentanyl comes in small quantities. Its so potent that tiny amounts are enough to manufacture many counterfeit pills.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has at times extended a hand and at others denied that fentanyl is produced in his country, accused U.S. lawmakers of scapegoating and said the U.S. might not have an overdose crisis if Americans hugged their children more.

They do work with us, Cuellar said of the Mexican government, but the action doesnt match the words.

Naloxone and fentanyl test strips can save lives but resistance to the latter lingers

The panelists agreed theres a need to make naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug that now comes as an over-the-counter nasal spray, available around the country, from schools to businesses.

When you go now to places, fire stations in Laredo, and they have a dispensing place there where you can get Narcan, you know things have changed, Cuellar said, using the brand name for naloxone.

Test strips, which people can use to check if the pills or drugs they plan to use are tainted with fentanyl, can also save lives, the speakers agreed.

But while most states have decriminalized them, some, including Texas, continue to treat them as drug paraphernalia.

A bill making strips legal, supported by Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, died in the Texas Senate recently because some lawmakers believe legalization will give people more confidence to abuse drugs, the Dallas Morning News reported.

West, who also introduced a bill to decriminalize strips, said theres not yet a consensus in the Texas Senate to do so.

And, unfortunately, what will probably happen, the more and more deaths that are occasioned by the use of fentanyl, then the more there will be a willingness in order to decriminalize it, he said.

It is moving, and I think, ultimately, it will get done, West added.
The former head of counterintelligence for the FBIs New York field office pleaded guilty Friday in Washington, DC, in connection to a scheme to conceal hundreds of thousands of dollars he received from a former Albanian intelligence employee as well as foreign contacts he made with the individual.

The guilty plea comes one month after the former counterintelligence head, Charles McGonigal , pleaded guilty in New York to one count of conspiring to violate US sanctions on Russia on separate charges connected to work he did for a sanctioned Russian oligarch in 2021.

In the DC case, prosecutors alleged that McGonigal worked to further interests that the former foreign intelligence employee  now a naturalized US citizen from New Jersey  had abroad. According to an agreed upon statement of facts, the individual gave McGonigal at least $225,000 in 2017.

McGonigal, who pleaded guilty to one count of concealment of material facts in DC, told the federal judge during his plea hearing that the individual was his friend and that they planned to start a consulting firm together when McGonigal retired from the FBI.

The money, McGonigal said, was part of a loan for that business  though in the statement of facts connected to the plea deal, McGonigal agreed that there were no terms to the loan and that he never paid it back.

During McGonigals time at the FBI, the two traveled to Albania several times and met with the countrys prime minister. McGonigal advocated on behalf of the former intelligence employee to the prime minister over oil field drilling contacts that his friend had a financial interest in.

The overseas meetings, which he did not disclose to the FBI, were to develop potential business relationships, McGonigal said. He also told the court he knew that engaging in personal business was not permitted while working for the FBI, and he apologized to the bureau and to his wife.

According to the statement of facts, the FBI also opened up an investigation into a US citizen who was lobbying for a political party in Albania based in part on information provided by defendant McGonigal and his direction.

In the investigation, McGonigals potential future business partner acted as a confidential human source in the investigation, and a foreign Albanian contact McGonigal had met helped facilitate meetings between witnesses in Europe and the FBI, including paying for the witnesses travel expenses.

McGonigal is set to be sentenced in the DC case in February. He faces a maximum of five years in prison, though he could be sentenced to far less.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A former Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Greater Cincinnati, indicted late last year on charges he coerced sex from at least two women under his supervision, is now being sued by one of his alleged victims, court records show.

Using a pseudonym, the 25-year-old woman filed a personal injury lawsuit last month against Andrew Golobic and the federal government, including the Department of Homeland Security and ICE.

The suit accuses the U.S. in part of failing to control Golobics isolation of young, vulnerable, female detainees in his home, office and other locations and lacking adequate oversight to detect and prevent sexual abuse.

The woman is a native of Mexico who was detained by the feds in April 2018 and released soon after, being assigned to Golobics supervision, the suit states.

On two occasions, Golobic coerced the woman into coming over to his home where he sexually assaulted her, according to the lawsuit.

In the first incident, Golobic told the woman she would need to come to his place to retrieve her passport, which she needed to open a bank account, the document says. He then repeatedly told her to come over again, making comments that made the woman feel he would arrest her family and neighbors if she didnt obey.

The woman has suffered temporary and permanent physical and psychological harm as a direct and proximate result of Defendants actions, and will continue to suffer harm into the future, her attorneys wrote.

She is requesting a jury trial, compensatory damages greater than $75,000, punitive damages and attorneys fees.

Court records did not have attorneys for Golobic or the federal government listed Saturday afternoon.

Golobic, who worked for more than a decade as a deportation officer in Blue Ash, worked in the Alternative to Detention Program, which allows certain low-risk asylum seekers and immigrants to remain in the community while their cases are processed.

Prosecutors said Golobic had control over how much freedom the immigrants could have by changing how often they needed to report to immigration and changing their level of supervision.

The indictment states Golobric sexually assaulted two women and pushed one of them into a "commercial sex act.

Investigators said Golobic also attempted to influence a witness who had reported his behavior to ICE and deleted things from his phone when he learned his conduct had been reported.

He was indicted in December on numerous counts including sex trafficking, deprivation of civil rights, witness tampering and destruction of records in a federal investigation. A trial in his criminal case is expected to begin in November, court records show.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ex-ICE agent sued over alleged sexual assault of woman he supervised
By Gwladys Fouche and Nerijus Adomaitis

OSLO (Reuters) - Norwegian police have arrested a former commander of the Wagner mercenary group on suspicion that he tried to illegally cross the border back into Russia after seeking asylum in Norway earlier this year, the man's lawyer said on Saturday.

Andrei Medvedev, who escaped Russia in January via its Arctic border with Norway, has described running as Russian guards fired shots at him. He has spoken about his time fighting in Ukraine as part of the Wagner group.

Police said in a statement late on Friday that a man in his 20s had been taken into custody for attempting to illegally cross the Russian border, but did not name him. An officer with the Finnmark local police declined to give the arrested man's identity.

Crossing the border to Russia is only allowed at designated points.

But Medvedev's arrest was due to a misunderstanding, his Norwegian lawyer Brynjulf Risnes told Reuters.

"He was up there to see if he could find the place where he crossed (into Norway in January). He was stopped when he was in a taxi. He was never near the border ... It was never his intention to cross the border (into Russia)," Risnes said.

At the time of his arrival in Norway, Medvedev said he was seeking asylum because he feared for his life after witnessing the killing and mistreatment of Russian prisoners brought to the frontline in Ukraine.

His escape in January made headlines around the world as a rare example at the time of someone defecting to a Western country while claiming to have fought for Russia as a mercenary in the Ukraine war.

But in May, he said in a video posted on YouTube he wanted to return to Russia even though he believed this could pose a risk to his life, describing himself as "some kind of a boy in a big game" that he no longer wanted to be part of.

Risnes said Medvedev had the right to return to Russia if he wanted to, but that "a lot of changes need to happen" in order to make a safe return.

In April, Medvedev was convicted in Norway of involvement in a bar fight and of carrying an air gun but was acquitted of committing violence against police. He said then he was looking to the future and hoped for asylum.

Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin was killed on Aug. 23 when a private jet he used crashed in unexplained circumstances, just two months after he briefly sent his mercenaries advancing on Moscow in a direct challenge to the Russian establishment.

(Reporting by Gwladys Fouche and Nerijus Adomaitis, editing by Terje Solsvik and Clelia Oziel)
Ex-commander of one of Wagner's PMC units is charged in Norway

Norwegian police detained the former commander of one of Russias Wagner mercenary company units, Andrei Medvedev, while he was trying to cross the border into Russia, newspaper the Barents Observer reported on Sept. 22.

He had previously fled Russia and sought asylum in Norway.

The former mercenary was detained in the village of Grense Jakobselv at the northern end of Norways border with Russia when he tried to cross the border in the dark to get to Russia's Kola Peninsula.

Norwegian Police in the Finnmark region confirmed they had detained a man, and said that he would be charged with violating border rules. At the same time, law enforcement officers did not name the name or nationality of the detainee.

The publication notes that crossing the land border in this area is illegal.

The detention took place a few hours after Medvedev met with a Barents Observer journalist in the center of Kirkenes. He announced he was planning to cross the border into Russia and was looking for someone to give him a ride.

The newspaper reported that the former Wagner commander had seemed agitated. He explained his decision by saying that he was afraid of extradition to Ukraine and considered returning to Russia to be a safer alternative.

Shortly after the meeting, he appears he managed to get to Grense Jacobselv. At this point, Norway and Russia are separated by a small, shallow river.

Read also: Former Wagner mercenary who fled to Norway to tell about war crimes of Wagner Group

Medvedev was detained in Norway on Jan. 23. He illegally crossed the border into the country and applied for political asylum. He was released two days later.

According to the Gulagu.net human rights project, which helped Medvedev escape from Russia, he was the commander of Yevgeny Nuzhin, who was beaten on camera with a sledgehammer to the head, and the entire 1st Division of the 4th Platoon of the 7th Assault Detachment of the Wagner mercenary company. Medvedev's lawyer stated that he was ready to talk about the war crimes of Wagner units.

In April, he was accused of fighting outside a bar in Oslo on Feb. 22. When police arrived, he resisted arrest and kicked at least one officer.

Another incident occurred on March 14. The former Wagner commander is accused of bringing an air gun into a bar. According to his lawyer, Brynjulf Risnes, Medvedev recognizes this accusation against him. However, he denies his guilt "in some other charges". The defense did not specify which charges he was referring to.

In his interviews, Medvedev claimed that he was not going to return to Russia.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Andrey Medvedev, the former Wagner Group commander who made headlines in January 2023 for escaping to Norway in a bid to seek asylum, was arrested by Norwegian authorities near Kirkenes after trying to cross back into Russia.

The latest news about Medvedev was reported by the local Norwegian news site The Barents Observer on Sept. 22.

Since Medvedevs first arrival in Norway, he spoke out about various war crimes committed by the Wagner Group and stated he was willing to testify against the late former Wagner Group commander, Yevgeny Prigozhin. Medvedev was also arrested by Norwegian police in February 2023 after a bar fight.

Read also: Prigozhins death latest in a series of unsolved murders in Putins Russia. Whats next?

After stating that he feared for his life if he were to return to Russia, Medvedev sought asylum in Norway but also expressed concern that he might be extradited to Ukraine for his role in war crimes committed by Wagner Group forces.

According to The Barents Observer, fear of being extradited to Ukraine was the reason Medvedev attempted to return to Russia.

In previous interviews with The Barents Observer, Medvedev said he had no plans to return to Russia.

Read also: Russian hawks criticize regimes war effort as Putin raises stakes

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Along with envelopes of cash, gold bars and other illicit payoffs, the federal corruption indictment of Sen. Bob Menendez , unsealed Friday, exposes how he used his office to allegedly aid the government of Egypt and an Edgewater businessman with a troubled financial past who emigrated from the Arab nation.

Chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Menendez allegedly took bribes that also included furniture and a Mercedes-Benz convertible  and a low or no-show job for his wife who was also indicted  to use his influence to secretly assist Egypt in its quest to purchase U.S military weapons and remove holds on U.S. financing.

The senior New Jersey senator passed on highly sensitive information about the number and nationality of people serving at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo that could pose significant operational security concerns if disclosed to a foreign government or if made public, the indictment said. He ghost-wrote a letter to convince other U.S. senators to release a hold on $300 million in aid to Egypt.

And he met with Egyptian officials at a restaurant and in his Senate office in Washington without the involvement of staff from his office or the foreign relations committee, the indictment says.

Story continues after photo gallery

He also pressured an official with the USDA to aid one of three businessmen at the center of the conspiracy, Wael Hana. The Egyptian nationals Edgewater-based business has the exclusive contract to certify halal food exports to Egypt  a move that raised U.S. government concerns and prices for Egyptian consumers.

Hana, a Christian, had no previous experience in halal certification when he secured the controversial contract in 2019  little more than three months after his Bayonne home was sold in a sheriffs sale. His past financial difficulties have included hundreds of thousands of dollars in other debts for allegedly passing bad checks and falling short on a deal to procure millions of dollars of luxury cars for a New York business to ship overseas, court records reviewed by NorthJersey.com show.

Menendez improperly advised and pressured an official at the United States Department of Agriculture for the purpose of protecting the monopoly granted to Hana by Egypt, the indictment says. The business was allegedly used in part to fund bribes paid to Menendez through his wife, Nadine Arslanian Menendez, including to compensate her for a low or no-show job.

More: Sen. Menendez and his wife indicted on corruption charges

More: Could Menendez resign amid corruption indictment? How would his Senate seat get filled?

Hana operated the company  IS EG Halal Certified  with the financial support and backing of Edgewater developer Fred Daibes, prosecutors said. Hana, Daibes and Jose Uribe were indicted along with Menendez and his wife in the bribery scheme and charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and conspiracy to commit honest services fraud.

All stood to benefit from Menendezs influence and position and worked together in the scheme, documented by investigators in part through thousands of text messages. The residence of Menendez and his wife was searched in June 2022; Hanas Edgewater business offices and apartment at the Daibes-owned building named The Alexander was searched and items confiscated in 2019.

Nadine Menendez and Hana were friends for years

Nadine Menendez was friends with Hana for many years before she met and married Menendez in October 2020. Daibes, a longtime donor to Menendez  whose alleged bribes included gold bars  is awaiting sentencing on banking crimes. The multi-faceted indictment also alleges Menendez made efforts to intervene in Daibes case with the U.S. Attorney and disrupt another investigation by the New Jersey Attorney Generals office involving Uribe and his associates.

IS EG Halal is located at 125 River Rd, in Edgewater. Sunday, July, 23, 2023

At one point Hanas company paid $23,000 to bring Nadine Menendezs mortgage current after foreclosure proceedings had been initiated. The payment came after a series of discussions she was involved in with Uribe, and Daibes.

According to the indictment, when Uribe said Hana might balk at the amount, Nadine Menendez replied, When I feel comfortable and plan the trip to Egypt he (Hana) will be more powerful than the president of Egypt.

Stile: Can Bob Menendez survive? The politics and evidence are very different this time

Kelly: Bob Menendez again plays victim as he faces new federal charges. Are we surprised?

Dam on the Nile River

Menendezs wife was not only the conduit for bribes but also for information exchanges with Egyptian officials  she texted one of them in March of 2020 saying anytime you need anything you have my number and we will make everything happen, according to the indictment.

Nadine Arslanian Menendez

Days later she arranged for the senator to meet with the same unnamed official  someone she referred to as the general  about negotiations between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan over a dam on the Nile River being built by Ethiopia.

More: NJ business owner with stark change in fortune is at center of Menendez investigation

Known as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, it is generally regarded as one of the most important foreign policy issues for Egypt, according to the indictment. About a month later, Menendez wrote to the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of State regarding the dam.

I am writing to express my concern about the stalled negotiations between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan over [the Dam], the letter began. It stated: I therefore urge you to significantly increase the State Departments engagement on negotiations surrounding the [Dam].

Sniper rifles and other military aid

When the sensitive information about the Cairo embassy was passed to Egyptian officials, Nadine Menendez  then the senators girlfriend  was the go-between. According to the indictment, after the two met with Hana in May 2018, the senator sought non-public information about those serving at the embassy from the state department later the same day.

Menendez texted his future wife about the numbers and nationality of Americans and Egyptians serving at the embassy, writing in part This is whats at American embassy, the indictment says.

She then forwarded the message to Hana, who in turn forwarded it to an Egyptian government official.

The same month, Hana hosted a dinner at a high-end restaurant where the senator disclosed non-public information about the United States provision of military aid to Egypt." After the dinner, the indictment says, Hana texted an Egyptian official: The ban on small arms and ammunition to Egypt has been lifted. That means sales can begin. That will include sniper rifles among other articles.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Bob Menendez gave sensitive info to Egypt, indictment says
Editors note: This article was first published in The War Horse, an award-winning nonprofit news organization educating the public on military service. Subscribe to their newsletter.

Gaby Cavins entered her military treatment facility on a Friday afternoon in February 2017 for a prenatal checkup. A lieutenant, junior grade, in the Navy, she was 25, healthy, and a week past her due date. She wanted to wait for natural labor to begin, but after an ultrasound, she was told her amniotic fluid was low and she couldnt leave the hospital. Medication used to kick-start contractions didnt have an immediate effect. So she walked lap after lap in hospital hallways to try to induce labor.

Hospital staff took notice, and made for her a checkered flag, she says, as if she were a stock car.

On her loops, she occupied herself by counting women who had delivered their babies ahead of her: one, two, three... .

By Saturday night, her count was close to 10.

Finally, early Sunday morning, she delivered her son, Kenneth, and she held her soft, squeaking newborn on her chest. But she soon asked her husband to lift him off as she wasnt sure it was safe to hold him. Cavins was bleeding severely. A nurse or attending physician had tugged on her umbilical cord to speed up her placentas delivery, she says, tearing the placenta and damaging her cervix.

Am I going to die? she asked a medical student who was in the room observing her delivery, and who was now holding her hand.

The days-long ordeal was not how she envisioned her first birth. She wanted the least amount of medical intervention possible. A retired Navy family doctor with decades of experience tells The War Horse that admitting a patient with low amniotic fluid and inducing labor is standard care. Without enough fluid, the fetus can struggle to breathe.

Still, Cavins wonders how her first delivery might have unfolded if she had been given options, like birthing at home, at a hospital of her choice, or with a doula, a nonmedical provider who offers prenatal and perinatal support. But because she was on active duty, she had to deliver at her military treatment facility  which she doesnt want to name publicly  for Tricare, the health care program for uniformed service members, to cover the costs.

Army Staff Sgt. Christina Fontaine, a doula with the Vermont National Guard, soothes a days-old newborn in February during a medical readiness exercise in Senegal. (Cpl. Alisha Grezlik/Army) MEDREX is a program designed and overseen by the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) that allows medical personnel from the U.S. military and partner nations to exchange medical procedures and strengthen treatment capabilities. The exercise exposes participants to unique medical delivery methods, and ultimately improves their capacity to assess and deliver medical care. MEDREX Senegal 2023 is organized and executed by the Vermont National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP) and administered by the National Guard Bureau. The Vermont National Guard and Senegal have been partnered through SPP since 2008. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Alisha Grezlik)

Tricare does not cover birth doulas for active duty women, though expectant service members often live far away from family or may have a deployed partner, leaving them with no one to advocate for or support them as they give birth.

While news about access to abortion care has dominated this years defense bill, a handful of congressional leaders and advocates have also focused on expanding the childbirth side of reproductive rights. Senate and House versions of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act include language that will require Tricare to cover doulas for expectant service members, and advocates hope this is the first step toward Tricare covering delivery options, including home births, outside military treatment facilities.

Just getting a doula in the room is huge, says Natalie Winkels, a civilian birth doula, mother of three, and 17-year Air Force veteran who works as a Department of Air Force gender adviser.

That extra support, advocates say, is especially critical for younger service members who may not feel comfortable questioning their medical team.

Ive had a lot of junior sailors tell me that they felt like they couldnt speak up, because their nurse or their [obstetrician] or midwife was higher ranking than them, Cavins says.

And that deference can play a part in every other reproductive decision a woman makes in the military  because women may fear asking advice on basic issues like child care or postpartum depression. But it can also affect how womens health issues are seen by the military: If women dont feel comfortable talking about their concerns, those concerns dont make it up the chain of command. Thats a problem because, as the services face a recruiting crisis, they need to retain women service members.

Over the course of several weeks, The War Horse heard stories of service members being unable to access or afford child care, as well as women being asked to return to work the day after a pregnancy loss with little thought given to their mental and emotional health. While the Air Force and Army have convalescent leave policies after pregnancy loss, the Navy leaves it up to a medical provider to determine whether time off is needed, and the Marines let commanders and medical providers decide.

Shanti Sethi, a recently retired Navy captain who was the only Indian American woman to command a major U.S. combat warship, had to terminate her first pregnancy in 2012 at eight weeks because it was ectopic. Though only two months in, the heartbreak took her two years to fully recover from, especially because, after a bout with infertility, her hope of finally becoming a mother hung on this pleasant surprise, she says.

Capt. Shanti Sethi, commodore, commander, Task Force 64, right, observes with Angus Young as the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill gets underway Sept. 23, 2017. (MSCA Raymond Maddocks/Navy)

I really feel like if we were able to talk about it more, and if maybe your convalescent leave came with some sort of information on mental health, she says, there would be a better understanding.

Its only within the last few years that pregnant service members have had greater access to short-term maternity uniforms, rather than having to buy their own, and parental leave policies were expanded to 12 weeks  the amount of time ensured by the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. And a recent survey of 30 pregnant active duty Air Force members found they often felt colleagues perceived them as lazy and weak, while several studies have shown active duty women who want to become mothers often leave the service because of the demands of their careers and trouble finding child care.

If the military values retaining women, all branches need to better accommodate those who want children, Cavins says.

In mothers, in particular, we see a huge drop-off, she says.

Giving birth is expensive

The Military Health System is a descendant of medical systems created to treat war-related wounds as far back as the Revolutionary War, but now serves 9.5 million service members and their dependents. Today, childbirth ranks as the systems most common procedure. In 2021, nearly 98,000 live births occurred in the Military Health System, and active duty service members accounted for a little more than 15,000.

But in 2021, women made up just 17% of the active duty force  or about 232,000 people. When fewer than one out of five service members are women, and only about 6% of them have babies each year, maternal needs may not be the first thing on a commanders mind.

The women themselves dont often have a choice, even beyond being able to use a doula, of what kind of care they receive.

In 2021, about 6,000 active duty service members delivered at a private care hospital  either because the military clinic or hospital didnt have the resources to deliver the baby or the individual could pay for the delivery without insurance, a cost that can exceed $20,000.

Sethi wanted to give birth to her now-seven-year-old daughter so badly in a birthing center staffed by midwives, rather than a military treatment facility that she says felt too clinical, too severe. But she had already spent tens of thousands of dollars on fertility treatments and an embryonic transfer, and she needed insurance to cover the delivery.

Giving birth is expensive, she says. It was just impossible to find a way to do it.

Military care itself is generally pretty good: While military spouses have the choice to deliver in a community hospital or military treatment facility, thousands of them choose military care. That may be because maternal and infant outcomes at military hospitals often exceed those of private hospitals.

Over a period of almost 10 years, the pregnancy-related mortality rate for military facilities was about 3 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to a 2019 Congressional report  far fewer than the about 11 deaths per 100,000 live births in hospitals that report to the National Perinatal Information Center, a voluntary database that tracks obstetric quality. Infant mortality rates are also lower in military facilities than NPIC hospitals.

Still, postpartum hemorrhage rates have historically been higher at military hospitals than certain civilian hospitals, though improvements have been made in recent years. And while the Military Health System cesarean birth rate of about 24% is lower than the national rate of nearly 32%, its still higher than the 15% to 19% rate identified as an optimal rate for developed countries.

For service members, long recoveries from cesarean deliveries can impact their ability to return to active duty.

The military is unique in the United States in that it offers all pregnant service members the same universal health care. Still, recent studies indicate that Black and Asian American active duty women are at higher risk for death or complications during birth at military treatment facilities  inequities that have long plagued pregnant women of color across the United States.

There would be a better understanding

The retired Navy family doctor, who spoke to The War Horse on the condition of anonymity, says the Military Health System plays a critical role in military readiness. Without a full patient load, doctors across the spectrum of specialties cant keep their skill sets fresh. Though births rarely occur during a wartime deployment, public health missions take military doctors all over the world. He once delivered a baby in the jungle while administering vaccines, he says.

But if active duty women want to deliver their babies off installation, and if advocates push for that right in upcoming defense bills, its critical for Military Health System officials to listen to them and to try to figure out why theyre choosing to go elsewhere, he says.

Military women themselves say the reasons vary  but that an advocate, like a doula, who could talk a 20-year-old soldier or a 30-year-old Marine through workplace stereotypes about not pulling ones own weight, or what theyre eligible for after a pregnancy loss, or how to find child care could be enough to keep them in the services.

Amanda Dodson, a military spouse and doula who founded the Military Birth Resource Network and Postpartum Coalition, has witnessed many lower-ranking service members refer to their provider as sir or maam or use their official rank, she says, which is what theyre taught to do in the military. That means they may not question their care or ask questions  they simply do as theyre ordered.

Dominique Hunter, the Military Breastfeeding Network active duty director, explains doula and breastfeeding options to new moms at a Womack Army Medical Center maternity fair at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, in 2018. (Twana Atkinson/Army)

As in the civilian world, higher pay affords more choice to expectant moms. Winkels paid for the home births of her three children out of pocket, forgoing Tricares fully covered option at a military treatment facility. Based on her experiences, she says doulas will help younger service members advocate for themselves as they near delivery.

After Kenneths difficult birth, Cavins was left traumatized, she says, suffering from intense anxiety and struggling to access consistent mental health therapy, a common refrain in the Armed Forces. According to a recent RAND Womens Reproductive Health survey, about half of active duty service women who had recently given birth reported depression during or after their pregnancy, with fewer than half of those seeking care.

A few years later, and pregnant with her second child, Cavins felt torn. Though she enjoyed her years as a surface warfare officer, senior leadership told her the decision to have children had effectively stalled her career, she says. On Nov. 18, 2020, she requested to resign from active duty.

Let me get the help I need

The proposed solutions arent simple, advocates say.

In 2021, after several years of advocacy by military-connected mothers and their allies in Congress, the Defense Department implemented a congressionally mandated pilot project that would evaluate the benefits of maternal and fetal outcomes if Tricare covered certified labor doulas. The Extramedical Maternal Health Providers Demonstration Project also enhanced breastfeeding support.

The Defense Health Agency found that doula services might have a positive impact on shortened duration of labor, decreased epidural anesthesia, decreased anxiety during labor, decreased rate of stillbirths and low Apgar scores in infants, according to the official notice that established the project in the Federal Register. Some studies have also connected the presence of doulas with a decreased likelihood of cesarean deliveries. Medicaid reimburses doulas for their services in nine states, including Oregon, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Indiana, as well as Washington, D.C., with other states considering legislation.

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Democrat from Pennsylvania and an Air Force veteran, was among the congressional leaders who pushed for Tricare to cover doulas. But unknown to Houlahan and others in Congress, language included in the Federal Register excluded active duty service members who give birth at military treatment facilities from the project. In other words, Tricare would not cover doulas for them. Aubrey Stuber, a spokesperson for Rep. Houlahan, says this years defense bill aims to fix that oversight.

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., visits with female Pennsylvania National Guard members to discuss inclusion and leadership for women in the military in Washington, D.C., March 2, 2021. (Senior Airman Zoe M. Wockenfuss/Air National Guard)

Cavins, who is executive director of the Military Birth Resource Network and Postpartum Coalition, a nonprofit that supports and advocates for expectant military families, says more changes are needed, largely due to all the bureaucratic red tape that makes it difficult for doula providers to work with Tricare. While, as of 2018, 100 agencies certify and train doulas, Tricare accepts doulas certified through only five programs.

And Dodson, the military spouse and doula, says Tricares reimbursement rate is about half what she is paid through other insurances and private pay, and, as of July this year, she was still waiting for about $800 in reimbursement for services she performed in 2022.

If you are a doula in your community that has already had your footprint there and youre already networking, you dont always need to worry about your clientele, she says. You know, you already have a steady flow of people who pay out of pocket, why would you want to go that insurance route and help military families?

Some doulas also struggle with Tricares difficult coding system, and Cavins says she knows doulas who have dropped Tricare because of the many challenges.

A February report evaluating the Extramedical Maternal Health Providers Demonstration Project confirmed Dodsons fears, showing low participation on both the provider and beneficiary side. It blamed a substantial learning curve for providers who must tackle billing Tricare, as well as a shortage of qualified doulas for the dismal first year.

Over the next several months, the defense bill will churn through the committee process before the final version lands on President Joe Bidens desk.

Advocates say they are confident that the bill to expand doula coverage to active duty women will make it to the finish line unscathed  unlike the more contentious battle over access to abortion.

On the day The War Horse spoke to Cavins, her 16-month-old, Lyana, blond and rosy-cheeked, fell asleep in her arms as her four-year-old son played behind her. Kenneth, now known as Kenny, had been dropped off at first grade. Her two youngest kids were delivered naturally, Cavins says: She gave birth to her middle child two weeks after her due date in a private hospital after resigning from the Navy, while her youngest was born at home.

She says Kenneths birth defined who she is, and she vows to keep pushing for pregnant active duty women to have the support and options afforded to many of their civilian counterparts.

We should be able to say, I want to give birth at home, she says. I want to give birth at a birth center. Let me have a doula that is covered that I can afford.

Let me get the help I need.

This War Horse feature was reported by Anne Marshall-Chalmers, edited by Kelly Kennedy, fact-checked by Jess Rohan, and copy-edited by Mitchell Hansen-Dewar. Headlines are by Abbie Bennett.

Anne Marshall-Chalmers is an investigative journalist at The War Horse where she covers the health of veterans, active duty service members, and military families. Her work has appeared in Mother Jones, Inside Climate News, Civil Eats, USA Today, NPR, and the Los Angeles Times.
The Russians have reported explosions in Sevastopol, claiming these are caused by a response by air defence.

Source: Mikhail Razvozhaev, the so-called "governor" of Sevastopol, on Telegram

Quote: "Preliminary reports indicate that air defence systems have responded in Sevastopol.

Missile debris fell at the pier near Sukharna Balka."

Details: Razvozhaev did not provide any details but asked people to "stay calm."

The Russian media, meanwhile, claim that a Neptune or Harpoon missile launched from Odesa Oblast was shot down over Sevastopol.

They also claim that, in addition to missiles, there was an attack by UAVs.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
The stepfather of a recruit training with the Mississippi National Guard is asking why military personnel forced his stepson to exercise in blistering temperatures last month, leading to heatstroke and a coma.

Colby Maury-Rice, 18, was training at Camp Shelby near Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on Aug. 12, during a heat wave, when he got sick from heatstroke and his heart stopped, Eddie Dockery said Friday in a phone interview.

Dockery, 70, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam, said Mississippi National Guard personnel should have never allowed recruits to exercise in scorching August temperatures, and should have been prepared if recruits got sick.

Colby Maury-Rice. (Courtesy Maury-Rice Family)

After Maury-Rice fell ill, there were no emergency medical professionals available and no ambulances, Dockery said. His stepson was rushed to the hospital in a passenger van, he said, after his heart stopped for several minutes.

Colby was physically dead for at least 7 minutes, Dockery said. What made me incredibly angry is they had no facilities if anything went wrong. No ambulance. No defibrillator. They had no medical professionals there just in case one of the recruits got sick. And they had no transportation at all to the hospital.

A spokesperson with the Mississippi National Guard on Friday declined to answer questions about whether recruits should have been training on a hot August day, or about Dockerys accusations regarding the lack of medical professionals and equipment available if recruits got sick from the weather.

First and foremost, the Mississippi National Guard extends our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Private Colby Maury-Rice and his family for health and healing during this time, the spokesperson said in a statement. At the present time, further comments cannot be made regarding this incident due to an ongoing investigation.

The spokesperson did confirm the Mississippi National Guard provided a statement to ABC affiliate WDAM in Laurel, Mississippi.

In that statement, the Mississippi National Guard said a recruit who was training "experienced symptoms of a heat injury" and was helped to a shaded area and "ensured he was drinking enough water."

The statement continued: Post Security was immediately contacted requesting Ambulatory Assistance. After two minutes waiting on the ambulance, the Soldiers condition seemed to worsen. Recruiting and Retention Battalion onsite cadre took immediate action loading the Soldier in a government van and escorted him to Forrest General Hospital for advanced medical assistance. The Soldier is currently receiving care at Forrest General Hospital.

The National Guard spokesperson told NBC News that, following the Aug. 12 incident, the Mississippi National Guard issued a stand-down order to cease all outdoor organizational and individual physical fitness training between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Dockery said he believed recruits were running and carrying an extra 40 pounds of weight around 11 a.m. the day his stepson fell ill.

It was about 84 degrees at that time in Hattiesburg, according to the National Weather Service. That day also marked the fourth consecutive day the high in Hattiesburg reached at least 100, the weather service said.

After his time at Camp Shelby, Maury-Rice planned to go to basic training later that month and then was going to attend combat medic school at Fort Sam Houston, Dockery said.

I am very proud of him, Dockery said.

According to the familys GoFundMe, Maury-Rice began breathing on his own earlier this week. However, his brain has been damaged, and he has a long recovery ahead if he wakes up from the coma, Dockery said.

I dont believe the National Guard intended to do this. I dont think it was anything malicious. I think it was just stupidity, he said. They could have just said, Lets not do this. Its too hot.

Dockery added: My son is still fighting for his life. He just started breathing on his own.  He cant go to the bathroom. He cant eat. Because of them making a stupid mistake, my son is lying flat on his back. I dont want any family going through what my family has gone through.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Jane Halterman is trying to break a habit. For the past year, the first thing she does after waking up is check the YouTube channel of her favorite family vloggers to see if they have uploaded new content. But she is starting to rethink this morning routine since one of her favorite influencers, Ruby Franke, was arrested and charged with child abuse. Halterman worries her viewership is part of a bigger problem, but even with those concerns, she can't quit cold turkey.

"Honestly, it's like an addiction," Halterman, 30, says. "Habits take time to break."

Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post.

Franke was, until a few weeks ago, best known as the Utah mom of six behind the YouTube channel 8 Passengers, which boasted more than 2 million followers. Franke rose to online fame by sharing videos detailing her family life and parenting strategies. Some of those videos raised viewers' eyebrows, like when Franke's 5-year-old daughter forgot to bring her lunch to school and Franke refused to bring the child food. "Hopefully no one steps in and gives her a lunch," Franke says. "Then she's not going to learn from the natural outcome."

On Sept. 1, Franke and her business partner were charged with multiple accounts of aggravated child abuse after her 12-year-old son escaped to a neighbor's house appearing to be malnourished and have open wounds. Police found Franke's 10-year-old daughter appearing similarly malnourished. Franke's arrest (and the subsequent deep dives done by online sleuths into her past content) has reignited recent debates around the ethics and monetary complexities of family vlogging and child influencers - and it has some viewers questioning their own allegiances.

Franke is part of a sprawling family social media apparatus in which her parents and all four of her siblings have their own dedicated YouTube channels, with combined followers around 5.5 million and views in the billions. Halterman found their content fascinating. It even made her feel closer to her faith, as both she and the Frankes are Mormon. "They looked perfect," she says. But since Franke's arrest, Halterman wonders if her interest in family vloggers is part of the problem. "I now see it for what it is - exploitation of these minor [children] and voyeurism on my part." She's wrestling with what to do next and why she became so interested in the first place. Is it possible to ethically continue to watch family channels? Or does she need to cut it off completely? She hasn't decided yet, but she's watching less than she was before news of Franke's arrest.

Annie, 20, started watching family channels during coronavirus lockdowns. It was a lonely time, she says, and she liked seeing how other people were living. She especially liked the LaBrant family, whose channel has 13 million YouTube subscribers, but that was before the LaBrants baited viewers into thinking their toddler daughter had cancer in 2021. A video titled "She got diagnosed with cancer. (documentary)" opened with the LaBrant parents talking about their toddler daughter going to the emergency room before eventually segueing into a story about an unrelated child's fight with cancer. "That really rubbed me the wrong way," says Annie, who spoke on the condition that only her first name be used to protect her privacy. "Then the [Ruby] Franke stuff happened. I don't think I will ever watch a family channel again. I've unfollowed all of them."

For fans of family channels, Franke's arrest is the latest puncture in the veneer of perfection that influencers make their living portraying. Jo Piazza, host of the podcast "Under the Influence" which examines the culture of mom-fluencers, says the industry is being questioned and regulated in ways it wasn't before. "At first mom-fluencers were a joke and then they started to be taken seriously because it's a multibillion-dollar business," she says. "Now we're finally looking at them with a critical eye and they deserve that critical eye when they have so much influence and power over the people that are consuming their content." Piazza points to the recently passed Illinois law protecting the earnings of influencer kids as an outcome of the new evaluations viewers - and legislators - are making when it comes to family vlogging.

Chloe Comstock, 22, has watched some of her favorite influencers topple - the Shaytards (a family with 4.76 million YouTube subscribers whose dad was embroiled in a cheating scandal), Colleen Ballinger (the YouTuber who responded to allegations of child grooming by singing her denials while strumming a ukulele), and now, of course, Franke.

Before their downfalls, Comstock liked watching their videos out of pure fascination. "I saw it as a documentary I could watch every night," she says. Most of the big family channels document the lives of religious families with many children, which was interesting to Comstock because it was so far from her own reality in a small, liberal family in California.

But now, Comstock can't stomach the same channels she used to love. She worries about the privacy of the children and the reality of their family life and the long-term effects of being featured in what amounts to a self-produced reality show.

She hopes Franke's arrest could mark a turning point in the family vlogging industry. But realistically, she's not sure if it's possible at this point.

"I think there's too much of a market for it," she says, as family channels are a pillar of the multibillion-dollar parent influencing industry.

Comstock has decided to stop following her old favorite family channels the way she used to. She's found a new way: through Reddit snark communities that chronicle the vloggers' downfalls. In fact, Comstock is one of more than 24,000 new subscribers who have joined the r/8passengersnark subreddit. The community has raked in 15.7 million views since Franke's arrest.

Related Content

The inequality of heat

How climate change worsened the catastrophic flood in Libya

The Senate chucks its unwritten dress code. Bring on the gym shorts!
Nearly 60 years ago, in October 1962, Pope John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council. For the 21st time in the Catholic Churchs history, the pope gathered bishops from around the world  several thousand of them  to address matters of church doctrine and practice.

Today, Vatican II is remembered as a landmark council that has shaped Catholic life in modern times. Leaders agreed to reforms, such as greater use of local languages in the Mass, to reinvigorate the churchs mission in a changing world.

In the councils official documents, however, the bishops frequently cite spiritual guides who died more than 1,000 years before: the fathers of the church.

The spiritual and theological authority of the fathers is recognized not only by Catholics, but also by other Christians, including Eastern Orthodox and Protestant communities. Not all agree on the same list of church fathers, yet Christian leaders have been deeply influenced by the fathers teachings, from medieval theologians and Protestant reformers to Pope Francis today.

And while there are no women among the fathers, the desert mothers  influential religious women from the same era  have also left their mark.

Spiritual fathers

As a scholar of early Christianity, I am often asked about the origins of the concept of a church father.

In Christianity, the honorary title father comes from Greco-Roman and biblical ideas about the father as the head of the family. The Roman pater familias was responsible for the welfare, education and leadership of the family. He was also considered a priest or religious representative of the household.

In the Bible, the first-century Apostle Paul speaks of himself as a spiritual father to other Christians. The apostles and bishops of the church were treated as believers fathers insofar as they were responsible for preaching, teaching and leading worship.

Evolving idea

Early Christians started using the title father for bishops, but by the fifth century, it was also applied to some priests and deacons.

Over time, theologians began to refer to a specific group of church fathers to support their positions amid debate  starting in the fourth century, with the Greek bishops Eusebius, who wrote a history of the Christian churchs first three centuries, and Basil of Caesarea, who lived in what is now Turkey. St. Augustine  the Catholic bishop in Roman North Africa who became famous for his Confessions  frequently cited the fathers teachings to support his arguments during controversies with theological opponents.

The fathers position in the church was refined in the fifth century by a Gallic monk named Vincent of Lerins. Not all ancient Christian writers had equal authority, he wrote, but the views of the true fathers could be trusted because their teachings were consistent, as if they formed a council of masters all receiving, holding and handing on the same doctrine.

By the modern era, four traits were used as criteria to distinguish fathers of the church: 1) orthodox or right theological teachings on essential points, in accord with the churchs public doctrine; 2) the holiness of their life; 3) the churchs recognition of them and their teaching; and 4) antiquity, meaning they lived during the early Christian era that ended around the seventh or eighth century.

The title is distinct from the later honorific doctor of the church, for spiritual teachers who have made significant contributions to Christian doctrine in any period of history, although some theologians hold both titles.

Unlike the fathers of the church, who are all male, four women are included among the doctors: Teresa of Avila, a mystic famous for ecstatic visions; Catherine of Siena, who persuaded Pope Gregory XI to return the papacy to Rome from Avignon; Therese of Lisieux, known for her little way of holiness by small acts of love; and Hildegard of Bingen, a medieval German nun, scientist and composer.

Desert mothers

Modern scholarship has also drawn attention to the important influence of women on the church during the age of the fathers.

For example, the fourth-century fathers Basil and Gregory of Nyssa, who were brothers, considered their older sister, Macrina the Younger, to be the greatest theologian among them. Gregory composed a treatise in her honor, The Life of Macrina, which depicts her as a true philosopher. A consecrated virgin who pledged her life to the church instead of marriage and family, Macrina led a womens religious community and was renowned for her holiness, teaching and miraculous healings.

Her paternal grandmother, Macrina the Elder, was also a great teacher and leader who suffered persecution for being a Christian in the late third century. She was responsible for passing on the teachings of important theologians, such as Origen of Alexandria and Gregory the Miracle-Worker.

In addition, women exercised leadership in the growing movement known as monasticism. During the first five centuries of Christianity, many women fled from urban cities to the desert to commit themselves to lives of prayer, fasting and virtue. Known as the desert mothers, they were sought after for their wisdom.

Their words or sayings were collected and preserved for centuries. For example, Amma Theodora, a spiritual mother of a community of women near Alexandria in Egypt, was famous for saying that only humility, not ascetical practices such as fasting, could overcome the temptations of the devil. Likewise, The Life of Mary of Egypt was written about a humble, penitent woman who lived in the desert for 47 years. She was considered a model of humility, and her story was often told during Lent, a period when many Christians perform penitential practices.

The fathers future

Today, church leaders continue to rely upon the fathers teachings as authoritative sources of wisdom. Pope Francis, for instance, often refers to Vincent of Lerins to explain how Christian doctrine develops over time, like a seed taking root and growing into a tree.

History has shown that Christians frequently disagree on matters of doctrine, and they always will. In those moments, future leaders may look to the fathers as sure-footed spiritual guides.

Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University is a member of the Association of Theological Schools.

The ATS is a funding partner of The Conversation U.S.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation is trustworthy news from experts. Try our free newsletters.

It was written by: James Kang Hoon Lee, Southern Methodist University.

Read more:



James Kang Hoon Lee does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Prayer candles show U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez as "St. Benitez," wearing a robe and a halo while holding an AR-15. Benitez on Friday overturned California's ban on large-capacity ammunition magazines that can hold more than 10 bullets. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

A federal judge for the second time overturned California's ban on large-capacity ammunition magazines that can hold more than 10 bullets, ruling Friday that it lacked a historical basis and is therefore unconstitutional.

"This case is about a California state law that makes it a crime to keep and bear common firearm magazines typically possessed for lawful purposes," wrote U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez of San Diego in a 71-page decision published Friday. "Based on the text, history and tradition of the 2nd Amendment, this law is clearly unconstitutional. "

Benitez's ruling, which is stayed for 10 days while California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta's office refers it to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, would enjoin Bonta and all law enforcement officers in California from enforcing the section of the state's penal code that bans large-capacity magazines.

The ruling from Benitez, who had overturned the same ban in 2019 and is a darling of the political right for his record of rolling back gun control legislation, was widely expected. Bonta's deputies have already filed a notice of appeal.

"We believe that the district court got this wrong," Bonta said in a statement Friday afternoon. "We will move quickly to correct this incredibly dangerous mistake."

California has banned the sale or purchase of large-capacity magazines for more than two decades. In 2016, voters approved Proposition 63, which banned the possession of such magazines as well. The proposition sparked the lawsuit, which has been on a legal roller coaster since.

Whether the ban will fare any better before higher courts remains to be seen, but experts say the law and others like it across the country face a tough road.

California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta is appealing a decision that struck down California's large-capacity magazine ban as unconstitutional. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Benitez's ruling is just the latest blow to California's beleaguered effort to restrict access to firearms  and particularly the high-powered kind favored by mass shooters  since the Supreme Court's monumental pro-gun rights decision 15 months ago in New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn. Inc. vs. Bruen.

In that case, the nation's highest court rejected a long-standing pillar of 2nd Amendment law, that governments may enforce certain firearms restrictions if they have a compelling government interest in doing so. Instead, the high court said restrictions on firearms can be legitimate only if they are deeply rooted in American history or analogous to some historical rule.

Even before the Bruen decision, Benitez had rejected the validity of California's magazine ban, writing in his 2019 decision that the law effectively made criminals out of otherwise law-abiding citizens.

"Crime waves cannot be broken with warrantless searches and unreasonable seizures. Neither can the government response to a few madmen with guns and ammunition be a law that turns millions of responsible, law-abiding people trying to protect themselves into criminals," Benitez wrote at the time. "Yet, this is the effect of Californias large-capacity magazine law."

The state appealed Benitez's decision to the 9th Circuit. In 2020, a three-judge panel of circuit judges upheld Benitez's decision. However, the case was taken back up by an 11-judge "en banc" panel of circuit judges, which ruled 7 to 4 to uphold the law.

That decision was then appealed to the Supreme Court, which overturned the en banc panel and sent the case back to the 9th Circuit for reconsideration in light of its Bruen decision. The circuit court sent the case back down to be re-litigated before Benitez.

Benitez's decision on Friday  emboldened by Bruen  was even more forceful in its rejection of the magazine ban than his 2019 decision. The judge said California's 10-round limit was without precedent, "arbitrary," "capricious" and "extreme."

Under the ban, "the previously law-abiding California citizen who buys and keeps at her bedside a nationally popular Glock 17 (with its standard 17-round magazine) becomes the criminal," Benitez wrote in his decision, "because the State dictates that a gun with a 17-round magazine is not well-suited for home defense."

Several residents of San Diego County joined the California Rifle & Pistol Assn. to sue the state over the magazine ban in 2017, arguing it was their right under the 2nd Amendment to possess large-capacity magazines  which they said were common in the U.S. and are necessary for self-defense.

"Indeed, many of the nations best-selling handguns and rifles come standard with magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds, and firearms equipped with such magazines are safely possessed by law-abiding citizens in the vast majority of states," the plaintiffs argued. "The reason for the popularity of these magazines is straightforward: In a confrontation with a violent attacker, having enough ammunition can be the difference between life and death."

If the state's ban were lifted, the lead plaintiff, Virginia Duncan, "would immediately acquire and continuously possess a magazine over 10 rounds within California for lawful purposes, including in-home self-defense," the complaint read.

Duncan's attorney, Chuck Michel, who is president and general counsel of the California Rifle and Pistol Association, called Benitez's ruling "thoughtful and in-depth."

"Today's rulings represent continued affirmation that the Bruen decision, and Heller before that, represent a sea change in the way courts must look at these absurdly restrictive laws," Michel said in a statement. "Sure, the state has appealed, but the clock is ticking on laws that violate the Constitution like this one."

But Gov. Gavin Newsom said that with his latest ruling, Benitez was no longer "even pretending" to be an impartial jurist. "This is politics, pure and simple," he said in a statement.

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.
The Justice Department has opened a civil rights investigation into claims that the police department for Baton Rouge, Louisiana, abused and tortured suspects, the FBI announced Friday.

Numerous lawsuits allege that the Street Crimes Unit of the Baton Rouge Police Department abused drug suspects at a recently shuttered narcotics processing center  an unmarked warehouse nicknamed the "Brave Cave."

The FBI said experienced prosecutors and agents are "reviewing allegations that members of the department may have abused their authority."

Baton Rouge police said in a statement that its chief, Murphy Paul "met with FBI officials and requested their assistance to ensure an independent review of these complaints."

In late August, Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced that the "Brave Cave" was being permanently closed, and that the Street Crimes Unit was also being disbanded.

This comes as a federal lawsuit filed earlier this week by Ternell Brown, a grandmother, alleges that police officers conducted an unlawful strip-search on her.

Lawsuits allege that the Street Crimes Unit of the Baton Rouge Police Department in Louisiana abused drug suspects in the Narcotics Processing Facility, an unmarked warehouse nicknamed the

The lawsuit alleges that officers pulled over Brown while she was driving with her husband near her Baton Rouge neighborhood in a black Dodge Charger in June. Police officers ordered the couple out of the car and searched the vehicle, finding pills in a container, court documents said. Brown said the pills were prescription and she was in "lawful possession" of the medication. Police officers became suspicious when they found she was carrying two different types of prescription pills in one container, the complaint said.

Officers then, without Brown's consent or a warrant, the complaint states, took her to the unit's "Brave Cave." The Street Crimes Unit used the warehouse as its "home base," the lawsuit alleged, to conduct unlawful strip searches.

Police held Brown for two hours, the lawsuit reads, during which she was told to strip, and after an invasive search, "she was released from the facility without being charged with a crime."

"What occurred to Mrs. Brown is unconscionable and should never happen in America," her attorney, Ryan Keith Thompson, said in a statement to CBS News.

Baton Rouge police said in its statement Friday that it was "committed to addressing these troubling accusations," adding that it has "initiated administrative and criminal investigations."

The Justice Department said its investigation is being conducted by the FBI, the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Louisiana.

Cassidy Hutchinson on being forced into hiding

Ophelia is now officially a tropical storm. Here's its East Coast track.

Thousands of mattresses sold at Costco recalled over mold
The US Department of Labor is investigating the exploitation of children in the poultry industry.

The news follows a New York Times report about migrant kids being hired by contractors.

Perdue Farms told Insider it plans to "cooperate fully" with any federal investigation.

The US Department of Labor is investigating two of the largest companies in the domestic poultry industry following a report that some of their contractors are employing migrant children.

On Monday, The New York Times Magazine published an investigation that showed kids as young as 14 were knowingly employed as overnight cleaning staff at plants run by companies like Perdue Farms and Tyson Foods. Some were gravely injured on jobs they never should have had under federal law.

There has been a dramatic increase in reports of child labor  and workplace accidents involving kids. Over the summer, a 16-year-old in Wisconsin was killed after he became trapped in a sawmill conveyor; another 16-year-old got trapped in a conveyor at a poultry farm in Mississippi and died of injuries.

Overall, the Department of Labor said it had seen a 69% increase in illegal child labor over the previous five years.

Work in animal agriculture is particularly hazardous. The Times reported that children have been both maimed by equipment and severely burned by industrial cleaning agents. And while those children are working in plants owned by some of the biggest brands, the Times noted that companies have been able to claim some plausible deniability by outsourcing work to contractors that can take the blame for any legal violations.

On Saturday, Seema Nanda, the US solicitor of labor, said she is examining whether companies can be held liable for contractors' labor practices.

"We are long past the day when brands can say that they don't know that they have child labor in their supply chain," Nanda told the Times. "The intention is to make sure that those higher up in the supply chain are holding their subcontractors and staffing agencies accountable."

A Department of Labor spokesperson confirmed that investigators are looking into the poultry industry and its use of underage labor.

"There are currently US Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigations open at Perdue and Tyson Foods," the spokesperson said in a statement to Insider. "No additional details can be provided as the investigations are ongoing."

Tyson Foods did not respond to a request for comment from Insider. But a spokesperson for Perdue Farms said the company stands ready to show that it has "strict, longstanding policies in place" to prevent minors from working in hazardous conditions and that it holds its contractors to the same standards. It has also begun a third-party audit of its child labor policies, the spokesperson said.

"We will take appropriate actions based on the findings of that investigation," the spokesperson said. And while the company has "not been notified" of a federal investigation, we "plan to cooperate fully with any government inquiry on this matter."

September 27, 2023: This story was updated to include comment from the Department of Labor.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A plaque in the lobby features a photo of the current council members during a council meeting, Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at the Emma J. Harvat Hall inside City Hall in Iowa City, Iowa. They are, from left, back row, councilors John Thomas, Laura Bergus, Bruce Teague, mayor of Iowa City, councilor Shawn Harmsen, front row, Megan Alter, mayor pro tem, councilors Janice Weiner and Pauline Taylor

Zoning amendments to encourage more affordable housing are moving forward despite concerns the plan was rushed without proper community input.

The Iowa City City Council approved its first consideration to alter the city's zoning code by a vote of 5-1 Tuesday, Sept. 19, with Pauline Taylor voicing a hesitant yes vote while John Thomas cast the lone no vote.

Mayor Pro Tem Megan Alter was absent.

The proposed changes would alter the citys longstanding code to advance housing goals as part of its strategic plan. The citys Planning and Zoning Commission approved almost all of the proposed changes by a vote of 5-0 in August.

The council will vote on its second consideration to finalize the language of the amended code at its next meeting on Oct. 3.

What are the changes to the zoning code?

The proposal will amend five key points, including:

Increased flexibility for constructing various housing types within zones, including duplexes and townhomes.

Modified design standards to increase flexibility and simplicity of the construction process

Provide additional flexibility to enhance the supply of housing, including increased bedroom limits

Create regulatory incentives for affordable housing, including a 20% density bonus

Address fair housing, including creating a system for residents to request access to affordable living spaces that include accommodations for those with disabilities

These changes are based on several national best practices, associate city planner Kirk Lehmann told the council in his presentation Aug. 15. A few of the points were pulled from the American Planning Associations Equity in Zoning guide.

The new zoning code will align with the citys comprehensive plan, which ensures a mix of housing types, development on smaller lots and a balance of housing types. The community vision statement imagines a place with attractive and affordable housing available to everyone.

The National Association of Counties suggested that code changes will allow developers to build smaller, moderately priced housing. The process should also be shorter and simpler, the association said.

Council highlights long road to finalize changes

Iowa City City Council members spoke favorably of the city's work hammering out the small but ultimately complex changes needed to reach their housing goals.

Mayor Bruce Teague said the zoning amendments present an opportunity to move forward while leaving the code open for further tweaks if needed.

I talk to people all the time that live in our neighboring communities that would love to be here in Iowa City, but they cant afford it, Teague said. ...We still have a huge deficit [in our supply] of affordable housing.

Teague said the amendments will increase local diversity, giving those with lower incomes, disabilities, elderly people and students more affordable places to live.

When I think of this proposal before us, it is not perfect, he said. It is something that will give us more opportunities to live out our strategic plan.

Councilor Andrew Dunn highlighted how an enhanced zoning code could affect the city economically, noting that it will take time to notice a real impact.

It is hard for me to believe that this change alone is going to make a significant dent in our deficit of housing units, which is a major contributing factor to our communitys affordable housing crisis, Dunn said. That being said, not making a huge dent is not an excuse for not trying and [were] trying to move in the right direction.

More: Iowa City City Council considering code amendments to incentivize affordable housing construction

Community members voice concern; some believe change is rushed

Some community members expressed pause during Tuesday's meeting, saying the amendments were presented without much public input. Several residents said the changes were first introduced in July and have been difficult to understand.

The city distributed a 33-page document during the initial reveal.

I wanted to ask council to slow this process down as much as you can, resident Linda McGuire said. ...The public found out about the particulars of this in July. Its so complicated, its so big, its so fast, its so confusing that its very hard for us, even if we dont have our input, to know what to expect out of this.

Johnson County Supervisor Rod Sullivan told the council that while he appreciates the changes and the active role the council has taken in defense of affordable housing, he noticed a few issues.

I think if you lower the cost for developers, youve done one thing  lowered the cost for developers, Sullivan said. The idea that they will somehow, out of the kindness of their heart, turn around and turn that into more affordable housing is a bit of a stretch.

More: What you need to know about the Student Built Affordable Housing project in the IC's Northside

Sullivan added how affordable housing can be done by either incentivizing it or requiring it, and without strict requirements, actually providing additional affordable housing would be unlikely.

If its not required, I think we have to assume that we will not in fact get it, Sullivan said. Because the market has failed to provide affordable housing here in Iowa City for at least the 40 years I know of, and I believe its going to continue to fail to do that unless we have some sort of government intervention requiring it.

Former Iowa City mayor Jim Throgmorton also supported the city's efforts but with reservations about the wide scope.

The amendments constitute the largest changes to the zoning code in 20 years, Throgmorton said. If adopted, they are likely to affect every residential neighborhood in the city. I wish the city staff had involved the general public early in the process of developing the proposed amendments.

Councilor Laura Bergus addressed some concerns that community members, including one speaker who said he works 70 or 80 hours a week and did not have time to fully digest the changes that could impact the community.

Weve been talking about implementing this last piece of that 2016 [Affordable Housing] Plan for years now, before I was even on council, Bergus said. Our obligation as representatives of the entire community is to take those plans and to take those recommendations and to implement them in the way that we believe is best for the entirety of the community.

Bergus said she believes these changes have a strong, tested background and helping increase the supply of homes in the community, however small the true impact of these changes may be, is an opportunity that the council could not pass up.

Iowa City continues to address housing shortage

The 2016 Affordable Housing Action Plan kickstarted the citys efforts to create affordable housing by indicating that changes to housing affordability could be done by altering zoning regulations.

The city then commissioned a Fair Housing Choice Study in 2019 that identified significant issues with fair housing, including a lack of affordable rental properties. Staff recommended focusing on changes that improve housing choice to help alleviate these issues.

Three years later, the city put in place its Affordable Housing Action Plan and inserted it into its five-year strategic plan. These changes specifically have been months in the making and have been a consistent topic at Planning and Zoning Commission meetings since February.

The zoning changes could be passed by council members as soon as their Oct. 3 meeting and would take immediate effect.

Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City's zoning changes progress amid confusion, concerns
CAIRO, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Arab-Chinese relations bear "strategic importance" as China has distinguished ties with all Arab countries, Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Al Asoomi has said.

Al Asoomi, speaker of the Cairo-based Arab Parliament affiliated with the Arab League (AL), made the remarks after a delegation of Arab lawmakers headed by him visited China in late August, when they discussed inter-parliamentary cooperation with the Chinese side.

"The visit we made to China a few days ago was important, and we received all support and positivity from our friends in China," Al Asoomi said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

"This encouraged us to work on further boosting the Arab-Chinese relations, especially parliamentary ones," he said.

"We support China's presence in Arab countries because of China's positive approach in dealing with other countries," said the speaker.

China is committed to international conventions, laws, and norms, including, most importantly, non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, he said.

On Thursday, the sixth China-Arab States Expo kicked off in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, as a platform for China and Arab states to promote pragmatic cooperation.

The biennial event drew representatives from 14 governments, 13 international and regional organizations as well as foreign institutions in China, and over 60 foreign business associations and enterprises.

"China offers many positive ways to support the Arab peoples, especially with regard to supporting development, investment, and major Arab projects," Al Asoomi said, citing China's cooperation with Egypt in building the country's new administrative capital city as an example.

The Arabs and China have historical relations dating back thousands of years, he said, noting that both sides have long histories and ancient civilizations.

"We respect China and wish China every success. The successes achieved in China please us because we view China as a friendly country that is supportive of Arab states," he said.

China has long-standing cooperation with the Cairo-based AL, which represents all 22 Arab states.

In 2004, China and the AL jointly launched the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, which has become an important platform for collective dialogue and cooperation between the two sides.

"The Arab Parliament is supportive of and optimistic about this Arab-Chinese partnership," Al Asoomi said, voicing confidence that their cooperation will achieve further positive results. 
Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman is calling on New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez to resign.

Fetterman said his colleague, facing corruption charges, shouldn't "wield influence" in the Senate.

Menendez has resisted calls to step down, saying he is "not going anywhere."

Worried about their slim majority, Democratic leaders in the Senate have thus far resisted joining the chorus  including members of their own party  demanding that New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez step aside over allegations that he corruptly served the interests of a foreign power.

But on Saturday, John Fetterman, the US senator from Pennsylvania, broke with other Democrats in the upper chamber just as one of his colleagues in the House, New Jersey Rep. Andy Kim, announced he was directly challenging Menendez for his seat.

"Senator Menendez should resign," Fetterman wrote in a post on social media. "He's entitled to the presumption of innocence, but he cannot continue to wield influence over national policy, especially given the serious and specific nature of the allegations."

"I hope he chooses an honorable exit and focuses on his trial," Fetterman added.

Menendez was indicted on Friday. Federal prosecutors accused him of taking bribes  including bars of gold  to, among other things, ensure that the US continued to provide military aid to Egypt, despite concerns over human rights and political repression. It is the second time the senator has been charged with corruption. A 2015 indictment accused him of taking bribes to promote a donor's business (the case was ultimately dismissed in 2018 following a hung jury).

While Fetterman may represent a neighboring state, the Philadelphia media market covers much of New Jersey, and even before the senator's election win over Dr. Mehmet Oz in the Pennsylvania Senate race last fall, he had already cultivated a national profile among Democrats across the country.

Other leading Democrats have called for Menendez to leave Congress, including New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California, a Republican, has also called for the senator to resign.

High-profile Democrats in New Jersey's congressional delegation, including Reps. Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer, have also pressed Menendez to step down from office. (Both Sherrill and Gottheimer are also seen by many Democrats as potential Senate candidates should Menendez resign.)

So far, at least, Menendez is resisting that call. Although he has stepped down as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as required by chamber bylaws, he has pledged to remain in his seat as he fights the charges against him.

"It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat," Menendez said on Friday. "I am not going anywhere."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) released a statement Saturday calling on Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) to resign following an indictment.

Hes entitled to the presumption of innocence under our system, but he is not entitled to continue to wield influence over national policy, especially given the serious and specific nature of the allegations, Fettermans statement said.

Menendez was indicted Friday on allegations that he and his wife had accepted more than $600,000 in bribes from three New Jersey businessmen on behalf of interests in Egypt. Menendez has denied the charges, calling them a smear campaign, and false.

Fetterman joins a growing list of Democrat Representatives and Speaker Kevin McCarthy asking for Menendez to resign. He is the first Senator to request his resignation.

I hope he chooses an honorable exit and focuses on his trial, Fettermans statement said.

Prosecutors allege Menendez and his wife accepted cash, gold bars, home furnishings and a luxury car in return for their help. The FBI found nearly $500,000 in cash and more than $100,000 in gold bars at Menendezs New Jersey home.

Menendez, his wife and the group of businessmen were charged with conspiracy to commit bribery. Prosecutors in the case allege the three businessmen paid Menendez for political favors. They also allege that Menendez pressured New Jersey prosecutors to disrupt the trials of multiple federal and state criminal cases.

Menendez stepped down from his seat as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee late Friday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services has reported the first case of rabies this year in Thurston County, and the 13th case in Washington State.

A bat found on a porch of a residence in Thurston County was sent to the Washington State Public Health Lab to be tested for rabies. On Aug. 29, the public health department received positive test results for rabies. The person who found the bat was advised to seek medical attention and was given human rabies immune globulin and rabies vaccine.

It is not possible to tell if a bat has rabies just from its appearance, the public health department warned in a news release. Whether a bat is alive or dead, handling an infected bat can potentially transfer rabies.

To prevent exposure to rabies, dont handle bats, alive or dead, or allow anyone in your family to handle one. Dont allow your pet to touch or play with a bat and keep your pets vaccinated against rabies, as required by Washington law.

If you find a bat in a bedroom or with an unattended child, try to safely capture the bat and have it tested. If you believe you or a family member may have touched a bat, or have been bitten or scratched by one, wash the area with soap and water. Contact your medical provider and call Public Health and Social Services during business hours at 360-867-2667, or Washington Poison Control at 800-222-1222 after hours and on weekends, or 9-1-1 if it is a medical emergency.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife offers a free printable information sheet on how to bat-proof your home.
The woman selected to lead the regulation of cannabis in Minnesota announced Friday that she will step down after allegations arose that she sold illegal products at her cannabis store.

The decision comes just one after Gov. Tim Walz (D) appointed Erin DuPree as Minnesotas first director of the Office of Cannabis Management.

Reports allege that DuPrees cannabis store, Loonacy, sold products with higher concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) than legally allowed, as well as products with ingredients restricted by state law.

I have never knowingly sold any noncompliant product, and when I became aware of them I removed the products from inventory, DuPree said in a statement to CBS Minnesota.

Conducting lawful business has been an objective of my business career, she continued. However, it has become clear that I have become a distraction that would stand in the way of the important work that needs to be done.

Walz lauded DuPrees history as a small business owner and entrepreneur in his announcement of her appointment on Thursday.

With direct experience in Minnesotas hemp and cannabis industry and over 20 years of success in launching, managing, and growing businesses and organizations, Erin DuPree is an outstanding choice to lead the Office of Cannabis Management, Walz said. DuPree is a proven and effective leader, who will be successful in standing up Minnesotas new adult-use cannabis market and helping Minnesotans succeed in the industry.

Senior state government aide Charlene Briner, who led the hiring process, remarked on DuPrees experience, credibility, and passion in the same announcement.

Walz moved past DuPrees resignation and focused on fostering an industry with community trust in his response to the news late Friday.

We have a responsibility to assure Minnesotans that this emerging market will be safe, lawful, and well-regulated, Walz said in a statement to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Were making progress toward implementing this work.

The new agency now still lacks a permanent director. The states first non-reservation cannabis shops are scheduled to open in 2025.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Johnathan Quiles, 38, left, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his niece Iyana Sawyer, 16, right. (Jacksonville County Sheriffs Office)

Iyana Sawyer was 16 and pregnant when she left Terry Parker High School during her lunch period, convinced that she and the father of her unborn child were about to run away together.

She drove out to Ace Pick-a-Part, a large junkyard in Jacksonville, Florida, where the father  her uncle, by marriage  was planning to meet her.

Iyana was never seen again.

Nearly five years later, Iyana's uncle and the father of her unborn baby, 38-year-old Johnathan Quiles, was found guilty of murdering her and the child.

Prosecutors presented Mr Quiles as a man who sexually preyed on his family members  not just Iyana  and it was ultimately his family who helped convince jurors to hand down a guilty verdict.

Quiles demanded teenager get an abortion

In 2018, Quiles was working at the Ace Pick-a-Part junkyard in Jacksonville, Florida.

At some point in 2017, he began a sexual relationship with his niece through marriage  the daughter of his wife's sister.

Iyana became pregnant, and, based on court testimony, wanted to keep the child, despite Quiles's insistence that she receive an abortion. The girls sister told the court that the teenager was in love with Quiles.

At the time, Quiles had been sending text messages to the teen professing his love. Comments like "I'm just so in love with you...I'll kill you and cry," and "You're stuck with me until you die ... I love you way too much to let you go" were read to the court during his trial. Those messages were what would eventually tip the police off to the fact that Quiles and Iyana had been involved in a sexual relationship.

In closing arguments, prosecutor Cameron French broke down to the jury all the evidence that proves #JohnathanQuiles murdered his pregnant niece #IyanaSawyer. French claimed that Quiles lied about having sex with her sister on the wire because she was still alive. He allegedly pic.twitter.com/cG2tvdGtRV  Law&Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) September 21, 2023

Despite his messages, the revelation that Iyana was pregnant sent Quiles into a tailspin, the court was told.

Later testimony would reveal that Quiles was afraid that if the girl had the baby, it would destroy his family. At the time, Quiless wife, Naomi Mobley, was pregnant, according to Jacksonville.com.

Iyanas sister knew what had happened; she slept with Quiles and became pregnant. She used a pseudonym when referring to Quiles, calling him "Jose," to keep his identity secret.

The sister told the court that despite knowing what had happened, she was afraid to come forward with the information, fearing retribution from her uncle.

Quiles reportedly hatched his murder plot months before he killed the girl, likely in the weeks after learning she was pregnant, according to court testimony.

He convinced Iyana that the two would run away together, and told her to meet him at his work on 19 December, 2018. He shot and killed the teen in the junkyard, later moving her body  wrapped in a blanket  to a nearby landfill, where he hid her in a dumpster.

Police have still not recovered Iyana's body.

Johnathan Quiles, 38, was found guilty of murdering his 16-year-old niece in 2018 after he impregnated her (screengrab/ Jacksonville Police Department)

Quiles preyed on girls during unsupervised visits

After Iyana disappeared, her mother became increasingly convinced that Quiles was somehow involved. She knew her daughter was pregnant by early December, and suspected that Quiles was the father.

Quiles's predation did not come out of the blue; according to Ms Mobley, she asked her nieces in early 2018 if he had done anything inappropriate to them. They told her no, and she dropped the issue.

In 2017, Quiles had broken his femur and required assistance during his recovery. Because Ms Mobley had a young daughter at home and Quiles had difficulty moving, her nieces  Iyana and her sister  would visit the house and help with the child, according to court testimony.

Prosecutors argued it was during these unsupervised visits that Quiles began preying on Iyana and her younger sister.

By March 2018, Ms Mobley became aware of rumours circulating amongst her family members that Quiles had been carrying on an inappropriate relationship with Iyana. She confronted the girls away from Quiles, but they insisted nothing had happened. She told the court if they had said yes, she would have taken her daughter and left Quiles that day.

After Iyana disappeared, her sister confided to her mother that Quiles had sexually abused her when she was 13 years old, and revealed she had seen Quiles sexually abusing Iyana as well. The girl told the court that she kept the secret to maintain her relationship with her sister and avoid upsetting Quiles.

Quiless ultimate undoing came about when he confessed his crime to his brother, Joseph.

Johnathan Quiles, 38, smiles as he enters court, where he was charged with the first-degree murder of his niece, Iyana Sawyer, 16, who was pregnant with his child (screengrab/FCN2Go News)

Suspect turned in to police by brother after saying he planned killing for months

A day after the murder, Quiles called his brother four times.

During their conversations, Quiles admitted to luring the girl to the junkyard to kill her, telling his brother that he would lose his family if she had the baby. She was five months pregnant at the time.

He said he took the young lady and had her sitting in a vehicle, waiting, he tried to strangle her, it didnt work out, he couldnt stomach it, so he shot her in the chest. And he put the body, transporting it in a dumpster, and destroying the vehicle, Joseph Quiles told the court, according to News4JAX.

He asked his brother how long he had been planning the murder, and Quiles reportedly revealed he had been preparing for months to carry out the killing.

Joseph Quiles said he wasn't sure if his brother was telling the truth when he first received the calls but changed his mind in January when he learned that Iyana had gone missing.

That's when he turned his brother into the police, and a message he sent him was read in court.

I cant talk to you right now. I have to stay firm on my decision. What you told me isnt a joke or something. So yeah I told the police because they need to know. If you was lyin, then you will be cleared and free, but if you wasnt, then you wont," Joseph Quiles said. "Im sorry I have to do the right thing for that girl and her family. Not the right thing for you and your selfishness. I hate to lose you, but Id rather that girls family have some peace. If youre innocent, then you dont have anything to worry about. They wont find her body. But if you are not, they are going to find her. And in that case, Ive already lost my brother. Im sorry.

Quiles was indicted by a grand jury and arrested on 8 January.

Quiles admits on a prison wire that he carried out junkyard murder

While he was jailed and awaiting trial, investigators convinced two inmates to talk to Quiles about the murder. One of the men was equipped with a wire to capture the conversation.

During their nearly two-hour conversation, Quiles again admitted to killing the girl and dumping her body at a landfill.

He told the inmate that he had used a 9mm handgun to kill the girl, and explained that a lot of trash would have been dumped at the landfill in the time since the murder. Quiles said he doubted that police would be able to locate her body.

The wire also captured Quiles explaining that his mother had worked in a morgue, so he understood a bit about human decomposition and was confident there would be little left of the girl for police to find.

Ms Mobley also called Quiles while he was imprisoned, and asked him directly what happened. He told her that he wanted to tell her the truth, but that "people listening will take it the wrong way."

She said at that point she stopped believing him and began praying about her marriage vows. She eventually left him.

Verdict returned quickly by jury with state seeking death penalty

After a six-day trial, the jury hearing Quiless case broke to deliberate for about an hour before returning with their ruling.

Guilty.

Quiles was also found guilty of sexual battery and of the first-degree murder of Iyana's unborn child.

A Florida jury returned a verdict in the murder trial of #JohnathanQuiles on Thursday. Quiles was convicted of murdering his pregnant niece, 15-year-old Iyana Sawyer, along with sexually battering her. pic.twitter.com/F3xnNNLlxX  Law&Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) September 21, 2023

The state is seeking the death penalty for Quiles. Florida previously required a jury to vote unanimously for a death sentence, but a recent change in state laws now allows a jury to hand down an execution with 8 out of 12 votes in favour.

Today, a nearly 5-year nightmare ends with another measure of justice. We thank the jury, law enforcement and judge, as well as all of our friends and family who reached out when we needed it most. Johnathan Quiles has now been found guilty of murder and will go back before a jury to determine his fate on earth, but he chose to end Iyanas young life, John Phillips, the Sawyer familys attorney, said after the ruling, according to News4Jax.

He was a predator and the jury saw that with ease. We are grateful. Please keep our family in your prayers. Thank you from the family of Iyana Sawyer,"

The jury will reconvene on Monday to begin the sentencing phase.
In a letter sent on Friday, Mayor Dan Gelber of Miami Beach laid into presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis, saying the governors advice to Florida residents under 65 to avoid the newly available COVID vaccine is entirely based on the politics of the Republican primary and not on whats best for [his] Florida constituents.

I have seen politicians do many things I thought were expedient, political, or simply gutless, Gelber wrote to DeSantis, These days, people expect as much. But urging your residents not to avail themselves of the one thing that can protect them from severe illness and death in order to revive your struggling campaign, is all of those things and worse. It is simply craven.

On Sept. 13, DeSantis and Floridas Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo told Floridians the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration were trying to use them as guinea pigs to test the new COVID vaccine that has not been proven to be safe or effective. Breaking with the advice of the White House and federal agencies, DeSantis advised residents of the state under the age of 65 to avoid getting the new shot.

His controversial advice comes during an uptick in COVID infections nationwide. Florida currently has the highest rates for COVID-related hospitalization in the nation, according to CDC data.

In response, CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen called DeSantis and Ladapos comments dangerous.

Vaccination against COVID-19 remains the safest protection for avoiding hospitalizations, long-term health challenges, and death, Cohen said in a statement, They are proven safe; they are effective, and they have been thoroughly and independently reviewed by the FDA and CDC.

Gelber said he wrote his latest letter to DeSantis because he believes the governor could give crap about Floridians, and he wants the public to get their medical advice from doctors and the CDC, not from DeSantis.

The Ultimate Sign of DeSantis Irrelevance: Trumpworld Is Moving On

I would say its a joke, except its tragic. Theres no question people will die, Gelber said of DeSantiss actions. Hes not doing it for a health reason, hes doing it for a political reason. I feel like Im screaming into a storm because his megaphone is so much bigger than everyone elses.

Gelber, a Democrat and longtime Florida lawmaker, said DeSantis breed of politics is unlike any hes encountered.

Its craven as an elected official to not care about your residents health and give them terrible advice because you have another agenda that has nothing to do with them, Gelber said.

When peoples health and lives are at stake, its really important for public officials to set aside the partisanship, Gelber continued, No one in Florida is on the same page any more.

A spokesperson for Gov. DeSantis did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Beast.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
ORLANDO, Fla.  Park Maitland School said Saturday that it does not have any connection to the Communist Party of China and does not know why Florida yanked it from participating in its school voucher programs claiming it had direct ties to the Chinese leadership.

We were not contacted in advance and are seeking more information regarding the basis for this decision, the school said in an emailed statement to the Orlando Sentinel on Saturday. Our schools are locally run, abide by local, state, and federal laws, and do not have ties to any government or political party, either foreign or domestic.

Winter Springs parents Joslyn and David Bear have two children at Park Maitland, both using state scholarships this year to help cover some of their tuition costs. They were surprised and upset by the states action against a school that they both attended as children and that has a reputation for providing an outstanding education.

Their education has nothing to do with communism or Chinese ideology, Joslyn Bear said. Both of our children receive Florida Empowerment Scholarships, one of them because she has special needs. To pull their school from the scholarship program will disrupt my childrens and their classmates educational experience and emotional stability for no legitimate reason whatsoever.

David Bear said his family can afford to keep their children at Park Maitland even without the scholarships, which on average cover about $10,000 for a child with disabilities and about $8,000 for others. The family has a daughter in kindergarten and a son in second grade.

But some families, he said, may not be so fortunate and may have enrolled children at Park Maitland, where tuition tops $20,000 a year, because this year they qualified for state scholarships that could help cover some of the bills. Florida recently expanded eligibility in its voucher programs so that scholarships once targeted to low-income youngsters or those with disabilities are now open to all students.

Bear said the states action in late September could leave parents with few other options for their children, if they cannot remain at Park Maitland. Its not fair, he said.

In a message to parents on Saturday, Michael Anna, the head of school, also denied the school had any inappropriate connections.

Despite the recent claims, Park Maitland school does not have ties to the Communist Party of China or any other government, that message read.

Park Maitland  long viewed as one of Central Floridas top-rated private schools  was working with families affected by the states decision, Anna said in his statement.

We dont want any of our students or families to have their education interrupted by these changes, and will be working directly with our families to ensure they can remain enrolled in our school, said the message, shared with the Sentinel by a parent.

The 55-year-old Orange County school was one of four private school campuses that Gov. Ron DeSantis said late Friday had been removed from the state voucher programs because of ties to Communist China banned by a new law he signed this spring.

DeSantis office said the state took action because the connections to Communist China constitute an imminent threat to the health, safety, and welfare of these schools students and the public.

But Park Maitland disputed that in its message to parents. As you all know, our school fosters a learning environment where students thrive. We place the well-being, safety, and learning of our students above all else, it said.

Sagemont Preparatory School in Weston, which runs an upper and lower school, on Saturday released a similar statement to Park Maitlands denying ties to China, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Its campuses were also suspended from the voucher programs on Friday.

The governors office did not offer any evidence or details about its investigation into the schools in its announcement released at about 5:30 p.m. Friday.

But all the suspended schools are part of Spring Education Group, which their websites say, is part of Primavera Holdings Limited, an investment firm based in Hong Kong and owned by Chinese persons.

The Wall Street Journal reported in May that Primavera had in 2022 quietly purchased the Princeton Review and Tutor.com, raising some concerns at a time of increased scrutiny of Chinese investment in the U.S., and noted it is also invested in TikToks parent company.

DeSantis has called the Communist Party of China the United States greatest geopolitical threat and signed laws in recent years that seek to limit its influence, including one this year that bans TikTok from government-owned phones and devices.

Park Maitland, with an A+ rating, enrolls about 640 students, according to the school search website Niche.

Last school year fewer than 50 of its students used state vouchers, according to Step Up For Students, which administers most of Floridas scholarships. The school received more than $329,000 in scholarship money, Step Ups data shows.

Its current scholarship numbers were not available, but Park Maitland may have more students using them this year because Florida changed the eligibility rules.

Park Maitland has a campus on U.S. Highway 17-92 in Maitland and also one on Minnesota Avenue in Winter Park, the former Parke House Academy.

We are regularly acknowledged as one of the best private schools in our area and have a track record of delivering outstanding educational outcomes, which is why parents choose us, the schools statement to the Sentinel said.
The Florida Department of Education issued a statement that they have found four schools to have ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

Governor Ron DeSantis directed the FDOE to suspend school choice scholarships to the following schools: the Lower and Upper Sagemont Preparatory Schools in Weston, Parke House Academy in Winter Park and Park Maitland School.

According to the statement, the schools connections constitute an imminent threat to the health, safety, and welfare of these schools students and the public.

Read: Concerns over Casselberry crosswalk near elementary school prompts action

However, the Department of Education did not provide additional information about the nature of those connections.

The FDOE is now working to help students participating in the school voucher program find and enroll in eligible schools near them.

According to its websites, Sagemont Preparatory Schools and the Park Maitland School are owned by the Spring Education Group and are controlled by Primavera Holdings Limited. The schools said Chinese people living in Hong Kong own the investment firm and its affiliates.

Channel 9 received the following statement from the spokesperson for Park Maitland Schools and the Sagemont Preparatory School:

We have received notice from the State that our eligibility for Florida Choice school funds has been suspended. We were not contacted in advance and are seeking more information regarding the basis for this decision. In the meantime, we will be working directly with our families to ensure they can remain enrolled in our school. We are regularly acknowledged as one of the best private schools in our area and have a track record of delivering outstanding educational outcomes, which is why parents choose us. Our schools are locally run, abide by local, state and federal laws, and do not have ties to any government or political party, either foreign or domestic. Our curriculum is accredited, standards-based and academically rigorous.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
TEHRAN, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian foreign minister said he had discussed with his Russian and Turkish counterparts, as well as the United Nations (UN) envoy, the latest situation in Syria in New York, Iran's official news agency IRNA reported Saturday.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks to reporters in New York on Friday, while elaborating on his meeting earlier in the day with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, said the report.

The meeting was held within the framework of the Astana process, which was launched in 2017 at the initiative of Iran, Russia and Turkiye.

The minister said the meeting highlighted economic problems, Western sanctions and terrorism as fundamental challenges in Syria.

He added that it also voiced concern over the humanitarian situation in Syria and reiterated that the unilateral sanctions against the country, which violate international and humanitarian law and the UN Charter, should be fully lifted.

Amir-Abdollahian said the meeting highlighted the international community's responsibility to reduce the Syrian people's suffering, urging the UN to mull a plan and provide financial support for creating the necessary infrastructure for the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.

The Iranian top diplomat noted that solutions were also proposed at the meeting to reduce misunderstandings and settle border problems between Syria and Turkiye.

During the meeting, the Turkish and Russian foreign ministers and the UN envoy also stated their views on helping resolve Syria's problems, according to IRNA. 
Raymond Joseph and Regina Carter embrace at an encampment off Martin Luther King Jr. Way and 23rd Street in Oakland in October 2020. (Yalonda M. James / San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

Following in the footsteps of the city and county of Los Angeles, Alameda County this week declared a state of emergency regarding homelessness amid rising numbers of unhoused people in the region.

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the declaration during its meeting Tuesday night.

"We've invested a lot of resources and a lot of attempts and attention to this and the numbers have only increased  especially since the pandemic has hit us," Supervisor Keith Carson said during the meeting. "Those of us who've been on the board a little while, we know that we have a long-term encampment right outside the front doors of the administration building ... and so the seriousness of it is something that we all understand."

The county saw its total homeless population swell from a bit more than 5,600 in 2017 to more than 9,700 in 2022, according to the latest point-in-time count data.

The driver, that report said, was the region's high cost of housing. The median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the Bay Area is more than $3,000 per month, while median rent for a studio is more than $1,500 a month.

Additionally, 40% of unhoused individuals surveyed during the count said they had a least one "disabling condition," such as a psychiatric condition, physical disability, HIV or AIDS or a traumatic brain injury.

Read more: California lawmakers vote to ban mandatory evictions for arrested tenants

This week's move aims to cut through some bureaucratic red tape by allowing "accelerated hiring" of staff members, "expedited procurement of critical items" and a streamlined process to create and approve housing, according to the emergency declaration.

The declaration also allows the county to request additional resources from the state and federal government.

Several other local governments have issued similar emergency declarations in hopes of broadening their abilities to respond to the homeless crisis.

Shortly after assuming office in December, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency and issued a directive aimed at clearing bottlenecks slowing development of affordable housing and shelters.

In January, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors approved its own emergency declaration.

Read more: Tracking home and rent prices in Southern California

Carson name-checked the efforts of Los Angeles-area lawmakers in his remarks Tuesday evening.

Last year, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors approved the "Home Together 2026" community plan, which calls for spending $2.5 billion over five years to eradicate homelessness in the county, the Mercury News reported. It remains to be seen where the funding for that plan will come from.

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.
The Russians have appointed Dmitry Rogozin , former Director of the Russian State Space Corporation Roscosmos and head of the Tsarskiye Volki (Tsars Wolves) military technical centre, as Russias "senator" for the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Source: Kremlin-aligned newspaper Kommersant; Rogozin on Telegram; Russian news agency Interfax

Details: A source in the Russian occupying "administration" of Zaporizhzhia Oblast told Kommersant that the decree appointing Rogozin as a "senator" (a representative in Russias Federation Council, the upper chamber of the Russian parliament) was signed by Yevhen Balytskyi, who was approved as the sham "governor" of Zaporizhzhia Oblast on 23 September.

Rogozin himself confirmed this on his Telegram channel, writing: "It is an honour for me to defend the interests of Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Novorossiya (as Russian propaganda calls Ukraine's south  ed.) as a whole."

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Volodymyr Saldo, previously the Russian proxy "governor" of Russian-occupied Kherson Oblast, was elected as "governor" of the seized part of the oblast by the "deputies" of the sham "Kherson Oblast Council of the first convocation".

"Volodymyr Saldo received the majority of votes from the established number of deputies of the Kherson Oblast Council," Interfax quoted a representative of the sham "parliament" of Kherson Oblast as saying.

For reference: Under the procedure for electing a "governor", the Russian president puts candidates forward to the regional "parliament" for consideration, and the so-called "head of the region" is elected for a five-year term.

Russias Federation Council contains two representatives from each constituent entity of the Russian Federation: one from the legislative and one from the executive branch of government. The representative from the legislative body of a region must be a deputy of that body. The representative of the region's executive branch is appointed by the "governor" of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation.

Previously: On 8-10 September, Russia held sham local council "elections" in the occupied territories of Ukraine, along with local elections across Russia.

The EU declared that it did not recognise Russia's sham "elections" in the occupied territories of Ukraine and stressed that Russias leadership would face the consequences of these illegal actions.

The Council of Europe had previously stated that the sham "elections" recently held by Russia in the occupied territories of Ukraine are null and void under international law.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington would never recognise the results of these "sham elections".

Background:

Dmitry Rogozin was wounded in the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk on 21 December 2022 during an attack on the Shesh-Besh Hotel, where he was reportedly celebrating his birthday.

Rogozin was hospitalised with a penetrating wound: media reports suggested that a metal shrapnel piece measuring 8x6 mm entered above his right shoulder blade near the spine. Rogozin was later transferred to a Moscow hospital and underwent surgery.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
A retired FBI agent pleaded guilty on Friday to charges that he concealed foreign payments of over $225,000 from an Albanian official when he was leading the bureaus counterintelligence operations in Europe, the Justice Department (DOJ) announced.

Prosecutors allege Charles McGonigal, who was in charge of the FBI counterintelligence division in New York, accepted the money from a former Albanian intelligence official and businessman. The man later served as a witness in one of his foreign lobbying cases.

He accepted the funds from late 2017 until his retirement in late 2018, according to the DOJ statement. McGonigal also allegedly traveled with the individual abroad and met with foreign nationals.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years and sentencing is scheduled for February.

The case is being handled by the FBI offices in Los Angeles and Washington.

McGonigal also pleaded guilty last month to violating Russian sanctions by accepting bribes from a Russian oligarch.

The former FBI official accepted over $17,000 in bribes from oligarch Oleg Deripaska in exchange for the former official investigating one of Deripaskas business rivals, according to the DOJ.

That separate charge also carries a maximum five year term. McGonigal will face sentencing for the first case in December.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WDCW)  A former United States Postal Service (USPS) worker has been charged with stealing checks from the mail  a scheme that netted him nearly $1.7 million over the course of 18 months.

In a news release issued Friday, the D.C. U.S. Attorneys Office said Hachikosela Muchimba, 43, of Washington, D.C., was charged with mail theft and bank fraud.

Muchimba was accused of depositing checks from the mail into his own bank account between October 2021 and March 2023.

Michimba had been working at a D.C. branch of the United States Postal Service since 2020. He was placed on off-duty status in March, following the launch of a federal investigation.

What the USPS does with lost mail  and how you might get it back

Muchimbas scheme involved the removal of the payees name from the checks, after which he would instead write his own name. Many of the checks were U.S. Treasury checks, and the complaint said that Muchimba was spotted on bank surveillance cameras taking the money out of ATM machines.

The checks Muchimba deposited between Oct. 2021 and March 2023 totaled $1,697,909.52.

Muchimba faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison for bank fraud, and 5 years for mail fraud, according to the D.C. District Attorneys Office.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
The Norwegian police have detained Andrei Medvedev, Former Commander of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC), who had previously fled from Russia to Norway and asked for asylum, while attempting to illegally cross the border with Russia.

Source: The Barents Observer; European Pravda

Details: Medvedev was stopped on Friday evening, 22 September, in the village of Grense Jakobselv, Norway, on the border with the Russian Federation, while he was trying to cross the border in the dark and get to the Kola Peninsula, Russia.

Finnmark district police confirmed to the Barents Observer that a man in his 20s was detained and will be charged with violating border regulations. Neither the name nor the nationality of the detainee was specified, but police confirmed that he was trying to leave Norway for Russia.

Crossing the land border in this area is illegal.

Medvedev tried to cross the border just a few hours after briefly meeting with a Barents Observer journalist in the city centre of Kirkenes. The 27-year-old former Wagner Group fighter said he intended to cross the border and was looking for someone to give him a ride.

Medvedev was agitated, but at the same time calm and determined. The former Wagner Group commander explained that he believed he would soon be extradited to Ukraine and that returning to Russia was a safer alternative.

Right after this conversation, he apparently managed to get to Grense Jakobselv, located 50 km from Kirkenes. Norway and Russia are separated only by a small shallow river there.

It is unclear how Medvedev got to this area. Public transport does not go to the border river.

Background:

Medvedev's escape from Russia to Norway in the middle of winter was reported by a big number of world media.

Medvedev managed to penetrate the border zone on the Kola Peninsula, which is carefully guarded, and then cross to Norway.

Medvedev feared for his life and requested asylum in Norway. He witnessed the torture and murders committed by the Wagner Group in Ukraine and quickly confirmed that he was ready to testify in court against his former boss Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Medvedev was in Kirkenes in June and emphasised in an interview with the Barents Observer that he does not plan to return to Russia, admitting he was afraid of being sent to Ukraine.

In July, Medvedev again arrived in Kirkenes. In the second conversation with the Barents Observer, he repeated that he does not plan to return to Russia.

At the same time, in May, Medvedev said he wants to return to Russia, even if it could put his life at risk.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
PARIS (Reuters) -A demonstration against police violence in Paris on Saturday saw some clashes between protesters and police in what French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin called "unacceptable violence".

Video footage posted by Paris police chief Laurent Nunez on X, formerly known as Twitter, showed a moving police car being struck with iron bars. Nunez also said a bank had been targeted.

"We see where anti-police hatred leads," Darmanin wrote on X.

One of the police officers stepped outside the car holding his gun but did not use it, Nunez told BFM TV, adding that the demonstration resumed normally after the police car was able to leave.

Three people were arrested, he also said.

The demonstrations had been called by several associations and political parties in several parts of France to protest against alleged violence and racism by police.

(Reporting by Sybille de La Hamaide; Editing by Mike Harrison)
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

HANGZHOU, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday met with Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province.

China and Nepal have set an example of equal treatment and win-win cooperation between big and small countries. The two countries are partners and opportunities for each other on their way to national development and prosperity, Xi said.

The two sides should always understand and support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, and constantly consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations, Xi said.

Noting that the two countries have made progress in Belt and Road cooperation and the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network has taken shape, Xi urged efforts from both sides to promote infrastructure connectivity and expand transit transportation cooperation to help Nepal transform itself from a landlocked country to a land-linked country at an early date.

China is willing to strengthen multilateral coordination with Nepal, safeguard the common interests of the two countries and other developing countries, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi said.

Prachanda said Xi is a visionary global leader and a good friend of all Nepalese people.

Hailing Nepal and China as friends and partners who can understand, rely on and support each other, Prachanda reiterated Nepal's firm adherence to the one-China policy.

Both Taiwan and Tibet are inalienable parts of China's territory, and Nepal will not allow any force to use its territory to undermine China's sovereignty and security, Prachanda said, adding that this position is firm and unshakable.

Prachanda noted that Nepal highly appreciates the Belt and Road Initiative and will actively participate in Belt and Road cooperation, and that it will also promote the construction of the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network.

The Nepalese prime minister said he believes that the Hangzhou Asian Games will be a great success and will contribute to mutual understanding and friendship among the Asian people.

Senior Chinese leaders including Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi and Shen Yiqin attended the meeting. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)
U.S. President Joe Biden has decided to provide Ukraine with long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) before President Volodymyr Zelensky 's recent visit to the U.S., the Financial Times reported on Sept. 23, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The Biden administration chose not to announce the decision publicly to avoid tipping off the Russians, prompting them to move their supply lines further back from the front line, a source told the FT.

According to the report, Ukraine will receive a version of ATACMS armed with cluster munitions rather than a single warhead.

Earlier on Sept. 21, NBC News reported that Biden had told Zelensky that Washington would give Ukraine a small number of ATACMS.

The report came shortly after Zelenskys four-day visit to the United States, during which he met with Biden and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Ukraine has long been campaigning to get ATACMS that can hit targets deep behind the front line at a range of up to 300 kilometers (190 miles).

The missiles can be launched from the M270 multiple rocket launcher or the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

Read also: US will reportedly give ATACMS to Ukraine. Will it change the war?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A huge alligator was seen in Florida with a human corpse in its mouth.

The nearly 14-foot-long reptile was killed "humanely" by authorities, and the body was recovered.

Authorities are investigating whether the animal killed the person, who is yet to be identified.

A huge alligator was killed after witnesses spotted it in a canal with a lifeless human body in its mouth in a Florida neighborhood, police said.

The nearly 14-foot-long reptile was seen by witness JaMarcus Bullard, who was on his way to a job interview when he saw it by a canal.

"I saw the gator. It appeared to be a body in his mouth, so I started recording," JaMarcus Bullard told Spectrum Bay News 9.

"I picked up a rock to hit it, it was a lower torso in his mouth. It just like swam backward down into the lower canal."

Bullard said he went down to report the animal to the fire department and showed them the video, and then they called 911.

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said that the animal was "humanely killed" with the assistance of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Bullard told Spectrum Bay News 9 that he saw emergency services removing the animal from the water and shooting it "a few times."

After the animal was removed, the sheriff's office's dive team recovered the remains of the human body.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death. The deceased person is yet to be identified, police said.

Another witness, Jennifer Dean, said that while alligators were often seen in the area, the one she saw at the scene was the biggest she'd ever seen.

The animal was near Ridgecrest Park, outside Tampa, which has a five-acre lake that is known to have alligators in it.

A photo shared by Spectrum Bay News 9 reporter Holly Gregory shows the animal pictured from above next to a pool of blood.

It is unclear if the animal played any role in the person's death.

Unprovoked alligator attacks are sporadic, and fatal ones very rare.

There have been at least two known reports of fatal alligator attacks in Florida this year, and the US generally reports an average of six annually, per AZ Animals.

This month, a Florida hunter said he made the catch of a lifetime when he snared 13 feet 3  inches alligator weighing 920 pounds.

Correction: September 24, 2023  An earlier version of this story misstated that the alligator was walking beside the canal.

Read the original article on Insider
Ilya Ch., a man from Kaliningrad who was detained after a structure in the shape of the letter Z (a pro-war symbol in Russia) was set on fire in Belgorod, has described being tortured.

Source: Novaya Gazeta. Europe, citing the detainees lawyer, Yevgenia Suslova, who spoke to New Tab

Details: According to the man, 28, on 19 September, he was stopped by five unidentified men in civilian clothes, grabbed by the arms and bundled into a black Mercedes. Without giving any reason for his detention, they put a bag over his head and handcuffed him. All Ilyas personal belongings and the keys to the room where he lived were also taken away, the lawyer said.

Ilya was then taken to an unknown destination. On the way, he was punched in the face and various other parts of his body and asked whether he had a "handler".

Quote from the detainee: "They kept dragging me in and out of the car, using physical force and a taser, which was used to shock me more than 200 times... The handcuffs were so tight that I had bruises. They put a wooden object under my feet, and one of the men, who was holding an axe, threatened to chop off my legs, but they didnt do it.

I realised that it was their way of intimidating me. The men also used a blowtorch, which they held up to my naked back. In total, I was punched and kicked over 50 times in different parts of my body. At one point, they poured some kind of flammable mixture on my legs and said they were going to set fire to my legs."

More details: Ilya said the unidentified men also told him what he had to say in his testimony to the police and recorded a video of him on a mobile phone. The accused was supposed to say on camera and at the police station that he "didnt want to live in Russia and had a negative attitude to the politics and ideology of our state". The video of him was not published, New Tab said.

That evening, Ilya was taken to Police Department No. 1 of the Belgorod Department of Russias Ministry of Internal Affairs and held there until his interrogation, which took place on 20 September. Suslova recalls that he could hardly move and had sustained multiple injuries on his face, body, arms and legs. She recorded all of Ilya's injuries on her phone.

A criminal case was opened against the Kaliningrad resident under Article 222.1 of the Criminal Code (illegal acquisition, transfer and storage of explosive devices and explosives). On 23 September, he was due to attend a court hearing for the selection of a pre-trial restriction, but the hearing was postponed at the request of his defence counsel and his detention was extended.

On 20 September, the Russian Interior Ministry announced that a 28-year-old resident of Kaliningrad Oblast had been detained on suspicion of setting fire to a Z-shaped installation in Belgorod. The ministry stated that during a search, objects similar to a grenade and a TNT block had been found in his possession. The man denies that the items belong to him and says he is not guilty of setting fire to the installation.

Background: Belgorod Mayor Valentin Demidov said that a structure in the shape of a letter Z was set on fire in the city of Belgorod on the night of 17-18 September.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
NEW YORK  Imprisoned Gilgo Beach serial killing suspect Rex Heuermann wants his weapons back.

The hulking defendants lawyer asked for the return of the more than 280 firearms recovered during a search of the accused predators Massapequa Park, Long Island, home to help his cash-strapped family survive their currently dire financial straits

Attorney Sabato Caponi argued in the Thursday court filing that Heuermanns wife and two children could sell off the weapons to raise some funds, asserting that the assortment of arms has significant financial value.

The release of the seized property ... will provide a temporary but urgently needed respite from the financial hardships affecting the Heuermann family, he wrote.

The Heuermann family is accused of no wrongdoing or criminal conduct ... The financial hardships currently being suffered (are) due in no small part to the wantonly destructive and reckless manner in which the Suffolk County Police Department executed the search warrants.

The weapons were seized during a 12-day law enforcement scouring of his suburban home for evidence. Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Lawrence Opisso asked in Sept. 7 court papers for authorization to turn over any firearms, magazines, cases, attachments, ammunition, bullet fragments and shell casings found inside the Heuermann family residence to the Nassau County police.

Caponi, in his court filing, wrote he prays that this Court deny the relief sought by the prosecution ... and order the immediate release of the seized property to the designee of Rex Heuermann.

The defendant could possibly face gun charges in Nassau County, where Heuermann was a longtime resident. Prosecutors had previously said the weapons cache included some possibly kept illegally in violation of gun laws, with Nassau officials left to decide on any prosecution since the defendant lived in the county.

A list of weapons found inside the suburban home mentioned at least 20 assault rifles along with a number of vintage weapons, some dating to the 1800s, including guns dating back to the Civil War and World War I that were passed down to the defendant by family members.

The 60-year-old suspect, accused of murdering three prostitutes whose remains were found 13 years ago on Long Island, remains behind bars after authorities arrested him in Manhattan on July 13 for the unsolved killings.

Authorities also identified Heuermann as the prime suspect in a similar fourth murder on Long Island. He was linked to the slayings by cellphone data, a car once owned by the suspect and DNA evidence lifted from a pizza crust, officials said.

Tania Lopez, spokesperson for the Suffolk County District attorney, had no comment on the court filing and Nassau County DA spokesman Brendan Brosh also declined to comment.

Heuermann faces three counts of first-degree murder and three more of second-degree murder in the slayings of sex workers Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello in the long-cold investigations.

The defendants wife Asa Ellerup has filed for divorce from Heuermann. Her attorney suggests the guns were community property. In addition to the weapons, authorities found boxes of ammunition, survivalist gear and gunpowder inside the home.

Caponi cited the likely long wait for his client to face a trial in the killings in making his appeal for the release of the weapons cache to his family.

Although these items would most assuredly be returned to Rex Heuermann once he has been acquitted of the charges pending against the court, that eventuality may not come to fruition for many months, he wrote.

_____
FORT WORTH, Texas  Wichita County District Attorney John Gillespie and his team spent countless hours on prosecutions related to the murder of 2-year-old Jason Wilder McDaniel at the hands of his mother's ex-boyfriend in 2018.

Gillespie spoke about getting justice for Wilder after a jury handed down verdicts Tuesday for Amber Nichole McDaniel, Wilder's mother, for child endangerment and tampering with evidence.

"Hopefully, Wilder can rest in peace," the DA said Tuesday afternoon in the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center Tuesday.

I think the justice that the justice system permits has been served," he said. "Ultimately, I believe justice is in the hands of God, and you can't bring back that little boy."

Amber Nichole McDaniel leaves the courtroom Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center in Fort Worth where her trial is taking place.

Amber had "a severe role in his death," Gillespie said. "I think that the jury saw that, and that's why they gave her the maximum for endangering a child."

Jurors took about two hours and 25 minutes Tuesday to find Amber, 33, guilty of endangering a child for allowing her son to be around the man who murdered him, James Irven Staley III. Wilder's death ended their tumultuous 75-day relationship during which they exchanged over 9,000 electronic messages.

More: Awaiting sentencing, Amber McDaniel transferred to Wichita County Detention Center

Child endangerment is punishable by up to two years in a state jail facility. There is no parole for a state jail felony, but there is a path to early release.

Gillespie noted the jury guaranteed Amber will be on probation for tampering with evidence so her behavior can be monitored.

The jury also found Amber guilty Tuesday of tampering with physical evidence and recommended the judge suspend a five-year prison sentence and put her on probation for the offense.

Wichita Falls police Detective Marisa Cervantes, left, and Wichita County District Attorney John Gillespie leave a courtroom in the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, during a break in the Amber Nichole McDaniel trial.

Amber deleted text messages she and Staley exchanged from late September 2018 through Oct. 10, 2018. Investigators testified they were important to their capital murder investigation of him.

Thirtieth District Judge Jeff McKnight is set to formally sentence Amber at 9 a.m. Monday at the Wichita County Courthouse. She was being held Friday in the Wichita County Detention Center.

More: The jury in Amber McDaniel's trial has spoken: What next?

Gillespie and his team prosecuted Staley for Wilder's Oct. 11, 2018, murder earlier this year. A Fort Worth jury found Staley guilty of capital murder of a child under 10 on March 13. A judge sentenced him to life in prison without parole.

The DA and the rest of the prosecution team faced off with two formidable defense attorneys likely paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to defend Staley.

The once wealthy Wichita Falls oilman with a morbid sense of humor and penchant for abuse smothered Wilder in his crib and moved the body to the floor to make it appear the child died as a result of a fall, according to testimony.

Amber McDaniel, left, kneels down to look at her son, nearly 18-month-old Phoenix, as his maternal grandmother, Dina Taylor, right, looks on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, in the hallway outside of a courtroom at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center. (Credit: Trish Choate/Times Record News)

Amber testified for the prosecution in Staley's trial with no deal for immunity, admitting her guilt in the process. She testified that she deleted the text messages so she wouldn't be reminded of Staley or respond to his messages.

Staley's trial was moved to Fort Worth because of safety concerns and pretrial publicity. The investigation of Wilder's homicide, slowed by the pandemic and other factors, went on for about two years before Staley was arrested and charged.

The Justice for Wilder campaign kept the case to the forefront. Spearheaded by Robert "Bubba" McDaniel Jr., Wilder's dad and Amber's husband, supporters called for Staley's arrest. Police and the DA came under fire on social media.

During Staley's trial, disturbing videos and text messages came to light. The prosecution presented some of the same evidence again during Amber's trial.

James Irven Staley III returns to court Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Fort Worth after a the judge called a recess so he could determine if Tom Bevel is qualified to testify as an expert in bloodstain spatter and crime scene reconstruction. Staley was convicted Monday, March 13, 2023, of murdering 2-year-old Jason Wilder McDaniel.

Some of her family members testified in Amber's defense. They put themselves in the position of recalling the trauma surrounding Wilder's killing and experiencing difficult emotions, as well as weathering tough cross-examination questions from the DA.

Gillespie portrayed Amber as a manipulative, lying woman who hid Staley's abuse and threats to her toddler from her family and then deleted the text messages to protect herself.

She tampered with evidence and did not fully cooperate with police while fraudulently participating in the Justice for Wilder campaign, according to the DA.

Wichita Falls defense attorney Mark Barber presented Amber as the victim of a singularly manipulative psychopath and one of a line of hapless women he abused.

As for the messages, Barber reminded the jury that Amber, her attorney Jeff Eaves and an investigator looked at her cell phone together early on. But the police did not seek a search warrant for her phone. Amber voluntarily surrendered her cell phone and passcode several days after Wilder's death.

On April 28 in Wichita Falls, Amber pleaded guilty to child endangerment and tampering with physical evidence. She left her punishment up to a jury. McKnight ordered her trial moved to Fort Worth because of pretrial publicity.

Bubba was shot in Wichita Falls on Sept. 10, the day before jury selection in his wife's trial. He suffered a nonfatal wound to his arm. Police arrested the man they believe is responsible for the shooting on Sept. 11.

Bubba and Amber reunited after Wilder's murder, married and had another son, Phoenix, who is nearly 18 months old.

Trish Choate, enterprise watchdog reporter for the Times Record News, covers education, courts, breaking news and more. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@gannett.com. Read her recent work here. Her X handle is @Trishapedia

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: District attorney reacts to verdicts for Amber McDaniel
A hospital "falsely imprisoned and battered" a girl and wrongly accused her parents of child abuse, leading the mother's suicide, jurors were told in opening statements Thursday in a case that gained notoriety from a Netflix documentary.

Loved ones of the late Beata Kowalski filed a $200 million lawsuit against Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, claiming the medical center's negligence ended in the mother's untimely death.

Jack and Beata Kowalski's daughter, Maya, now 17, suffered from severe pains that the family was told were due to a rare neurological condition, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Those with the condition can experience intense pain with the the most moderate contact.

When Maya was taken to the hospital, the lawsuit said, doctors suspected the parents of child abuse and that the mother, Beata, was suffering from Munchausen syndrome by proxy.

It's a condition when someone, often an adult, falsifies another's symptoms, often in a child, sometimes to seek attention.

Maya Kowalski, Beata Kowalski, Jack Kowalski, and Dr. Anthony Kirkpatrick. (Courtesy of Netflix)

Maya was separated from her family for months due to doctors wrongly accusing the parents of abuse and refusing to believe the girl suffered from CRPS, the lawsuit said.

I was medically kidnapped, Maya told People Magazine in an exclusive interview in June.

The separation ultimately culminated in Beata Kowalskis suicide in early 2017, according to plaintiff's attorney Greg Anderson. The family's saga was profiled in the Netflix documentary "Take Care of Maya." Maya was released back to the care of her family a week after Beata Kowalskis suicide, the lawsuit said.

"Maya Kowalski was falsely imprisoned and battered. She was denied communication with her family," Anderson told jurors.

"She was denied communication with the outside. She was told that her mother was crazy. She was told by social workers, one in particular, that she would be her mother."

The family says Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital doctors should have known that Maya suffered from CRPS, but they still touched and hugged the girl, causing pain in an effort to disprove the diagnosis.

"Maya was repeatedly battered by nurses and social workers trying to prove that she did not have CRPS," Anderson added.

Maya Kowalski in

Maya Kowalski dabbed away tears during portions of Thursday's opening statements.

"They [defendants] continued to accuse the Kowalskis, Jack and Beata, of being child abusers even after the evidence ... was overwhelming that she [Maya] had CRPS," Anderson said.

The hospital's attorney, Howard Hunter, said doctors did their best to treat a difficult case in which a child appeared to be in extreme pain and her leg muscles atrophied after a months in a wheelchair.

"She was demanding pain medication, pain medication in large quantities," Hunter told the court. "Mrs. Kowalski arrived a while later and you're going to hear when she arrived she forbade the doctors and the nurses to touch Maya. The doctors and nurses wanted to assess her, to examine her."

Maya Kowalski and Beata Kowalski. (Courtesy of Netflix)

Doctors in the ER wanted to check off any number of possible reasons for Maya's extreme mid-section pain but the mother allegedly told them not to touch her daughter before giving her high doses of painkillers, the defense said.

"Mrs. Kowalsku insisted that before there be any work up of the child she wanted ketamine, and not just any amount of ketamine," Hunter said. "It is not approved for use in children, nor is it approved for use in high doses for treatment in CRPS."

The mother allegedly demanded 1,500 mg of Ketamine for Maya.

"That is a big dose," Hunter said. "That dose you're going to hear is several times, many times the maximum dose [for children]."

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
By Doyinsola Oladipo and Abhirup Roy

(Reuters) - U.S. auto workers expanded their strike on Friday with a clear target for distress: dealers who sell and service GM and Stellantis vehicles.

Selling and installing parts is one of the most profitable parts of the auto business, but it is also one of the most vulnerable, because the industry relies on just-in-time shipments. The strategy of choking parts delivery increases problems for some dealers who say it already had been difficult to source some components.

"It's going to become near impossible to get a lot of these parts," said Richard Fasulo, a diagnostic technician from Wappinger, New York, who works for a Cadillac franchise dealer and used car dealers. The broader strike, which targets 38 parts distribution centers owned by GM and Stellantis, "is going to have these shops telling their customers 'We don't know when we can fix your vehicle. It might be indefinitely.'"

Selling repair parts and service returns is the key to many dealers' profits, and returns 40% or better gross profit margins for big auto retail chains such as AutoNation and Lithia.

"If your car doesn't work, you're just stuck. It's just mean, don't you think?" said Howard Drake, a GM dealership owner based in California, describing the difficult situation for customers needing repairs. "I thought the punishment would be in the form of adverse selection for customers with limited choice. I didn't think it would be my lot stacked up with cars that I can't fix because they won't man a parts distribution center," he said.

National Association of Auto Dealers President and CEO Mike Stanton said: "Dealers don't want to see anything to limit our potential to serve customers, so we certainly hope automakers and the UAW can reach an agreement quickly and amicably."

The UAW had been expected to expand their strike by shutting down plants that made the highest-profit vehicles, such as pickup trucks. But automakers have built up vehicle inventory and for many dealers problems with repairs will start soon.

"It's definitely going to impact customers," said Thomas Morris, 60, who went on strike on Friday at a General Motors parts distribution center in the suburbs of Philadelphia.

The center serves GM dealerships from Pennsylvania to Maine, moving some 30,000 parts for auto repairs each day, workers said.

GM said in a statement the company has "contingency plans for various scenarios" while Stellantis said it was awaiting a response from UAW to their "competitive offer" on Thursday and looking forward to a "productive engagement".

Arthur Wheaton, director of labor studies at Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, said the UAW had made a smart move.

"I think it is a great strategy going after the distribution centers," he added. Services are big business, he said. "That's how they make a lot of their money."

Brad Sowers, the CEO of Jim Butler Auto Group which owns the largest Chevrolet dealership in St.Louis, Missouri, said if a deal is not inked in 60 days he'll be upset, even though he had the foresight to load up on parts in anticipation of the strike.

"I just want them to get together and get it done," he said.

(Reporting by Abhirup Roy in San Francisco and Doyinsola Oladipo in New York and Jarrett Renshaw in Pennyslvania; editing by Peter Henderson and Shri Navaratnam)
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) on Friday said Sen. Bob Menendez s (D-N.J.) indictment on federal bribery charges somewhat weakens Republicans claims that there are two systems of justice.

When asked if he thought the two-tiered justice argument was undercut by the indictment, Bacon said, I think it does to a degree.

I have always believed in our rule of law, it doesnt make it perfect for people, and people have flaws, but we have checks and balances You have a jury system, you have appeals, so I trust our legal system to get it right in the end, he said in an interview with NBCs Meet the Press NOW.

His remarks come as numerous Democrats, from congressional colleagues to New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, have called for Menendez to resign. While the New Jersey senator did step down from his role as Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, he said he is not going anywhere.

Bacon said if Menendez is guilty of what he was charged with, then he deserves to be held accountable.

I feel the same way when it comes to President Trump, the moderate conservative lawmaker said. People have their day in court, and the prosecutors present their case, theirs appeals processes; We have a good legal system, the best we can have, with human beings running the whole thing.

Sign up for the latest from The Hill here

Numerous Republicans have argued that a plea deal offered to President Bidens son, Hunter Biden, by the Justice Department (DOJ) in June was proof of an unbalanced system of justice. The deal in which Hunter Biden was expected to plead guilty to tax crimes and enter a diversion agreement relating to unlawful possession of a weapon ultimately fell apart.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and others have made the case that the younger Biden received a sweetheart plea deal because he is the presidents son, and at the same time, claimed the DOJ tried to put Trump in jail because he is Bidens leading political opponent.

If you are the presidents leading political opponent, the DOJ tries to literally put you in jail and give you prison time. But if you are the presidents son, you get a sweetheart deal, McCarthy said after the plea deal was announced.

Other Republicans, including Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), have been skeptical of the argument that a two-tiered system of justice exists.

At the same time McCarthy and others, including House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), echoed this characterization of the legal system, Thune was hesitant to explicitly lean into the argument or criticize the DOJ.

I dont know what else they got on him, but I do think the American people have to be convinced that the justice system treats everybody equally under the law, Thune said.

Trump is currently facing four federal indictments related to falsification of business records, the handling of classified documents after leaving the White House and his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.

Hunter Biden was also indicted earlier this month on three federal gun charges. He is expected to appear for an in person arraignment on Oct. 3.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Thursday night on Hannity, Sean Hannity spoke to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott about President Joe Biden s actions involving the southern border.

Abbott said the ongoing complaints from Democratic leaders like New York City Mayor Eric Adams about migrants without legal status being bused to New York are just a fraction of the issues Texas is facing.

Abbott said that if New York state is going to get $12 billion in federal funding for immigrants, Texas should get $120 billion.

Were the ones that have to deal with this every single day, he said. We have a president who is an obstructionist to Texas.

Abbott added that after all of his efforts to manage the border crisis, we have Joe Biden interfering with my efforts to secure the actual border. Ive never seen a president flout the laws of the United States as much as Joe Biden, and Ive never seen someone like that obstruct a governor who actually is trying to limit illegal immigration into our country.

Related

Abbott then accused Bidens Border Patrol agents of cutting down the razor wire that the Texas National Guard had built for months to keep people from entering the United States illegally.
(CNN)  Ukraine launched a missile attack on the headquarters of Russias Black Sea Fleet on Friday, the latest and perhaps one of the most ambitious of Kyivs recent strikes on Russian military targets in Crimea.

The enemy launched a missile attack on the headquarters of the fleet, Sevastopols Russian-appointed governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said on Telegram.

Over the past month, Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian military bases and other installations, including air defenses, in Crimea.

Sevastopol, home to Russias Black Sea Fleet headquarters, is one of the largest cities on the Crimean peninsula and was illegally annexed by Moscows forces in 2014.

Russians Ministry of Defense (MOD) said a Russian soldier was missing after the missile attack. The ministry had previously put out a statement that the soldier was killed as a result of the attack. They clarified in an updated statement that the soldier is missing, not killed.

This afternoon the Kyiv regime launched a missile strike on the city of Sevastopol, the MOD posted on Telegram.

While repelling a missile attack, five missiles were shot down by air defense systems. As a result of the attack, the historical headquarters building of the Black Sea Fleet was damaged. According to available information, one soldier was killed, the MOD stated.

Russian state media TASS reported that debris was scattered for hundreds of meters following the missile strike. TASS added that a large number of ambulances were on their way to the scene of the attack.

Razvozhayev also said a piece of shrapnel fell near the Lunacharsky Theater.

The Russian-appointed governor said operational services went to the scene of the attack and that information about any casualties is being clarified.

In an update later Friday, Razvozhayev said there was no more missile and aviation danger following the incident and said nobody was injured.

The attack shattered windows in 10 residential buildings in the city, according to Razvozhayev. He added that gas and electricity supplies have been switched off, with water supplies also reduced, due to fires in the area.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces Strategic Communications Department confirmed on Friday that the country inflicted a successful hit on the headquarters of Russias Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol around noon local time.

A Ukrainian military spokesperson commented on the situation in the Black Sea, saying it remains tense and that Ukraine still has a long way to go to destroy all the enemys capabilities in Crimea.

Russia is realizing that it is no longer safe for them in the Black Sea and in their bases, said Natalia Humeniuk, a spokesperson for the Security and Defense Forces of the South of Ukraine. In a video address, Humeniuk also said that explosion season will continue.

Meanwhile, Ukraines Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksii Danilov warned that the Russian Black Sea Fleet could be sliced up like a salami in potential future strikes on Russias military infrastructure.

Over the past month, Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian military bases and other installations, including air defenses, in Crimea. The latest attack came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continued his North American tour; later Friday he was due to address Canadas parliament.

On Wednesday, Ukraine Defense Intelligence spokesman, Andrii Yusov, told Ukrainian television that Crimea is still being used as a logistics hub for, among other things, the transfer of enemy forces and means to other parts of the front, and stated that in order to destroy this logistics hub, certain operations are being used and implemented: at sea, on land, and in the air.

Fridays attack shows the vulnerability of critically important infrastructure on the peninsula. In short order, the Ukrainians have hit a Russian military airfield at Saki, degraded Russian air defenses on the north-west coast (including taking out an S-400 complex), and carried out a missile attack on the main dry-dock and ship-repair facility in Sevastopol, crippling an attack submarine and a landing ship.

The attack on Saki Thursday caused unspecified but serious damage at the airfield, according to SBU sources.

There are plenty of reasons for Ukraine to target Crimea. Its politically a sign that despite the slow progress on the front lines Ukraine can still inflict serious damage on the Russian military. Targets such as the Crimea bridge have considerable symbolic value as well as strategic purpose.

Its also part of a broader effort  in Crimea, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk  to hit Russian logistics, fuel, maintenance and command centers  to disrupt their ability to supply the front lines.
Grace Kelly stayed at this $12.5 million home in France that's up for sale, and it comes with a gift from her

Situated 50 minutes from Monaco sits Les Moulins du Villars, where Grace Kelly used to stay.

The history of the French property dates back to the 14th century when it was an olive oil mill.

Kelly gifted statues to the previous owner, and two are still at the estate.

Recently listed for $12.5 million, and situated 50 minutes from Monaco, Les Moulins du Villars on the French Riviera is an estate with important historical significance and a special connection to Grace Kelly.

The property, listed by Sotheby's International Realty, is perched 470 meters above ground in a secluded location. It's placed within a nature reserve, with olive groves and its own extra virgin olive oil mill, according to a blog by Sotheby's International Realty.

The main villa has seven bedrooms and four floors, an elevator, a wine cellar, and a Bollywood-style television room, which isn't the only Indian inspiration in the home.

There are other properties in addition to the main building. The Sanctuary was an ancient flour mill that has now been converted into a general space for parties; the Cabanon is a guest house; and the India Guest Suite is another guest house with a royal Rajasthani ambiance.

Les Moulins du Villars also has a completely self-sufficient water supply, thanks to the onsite Villars Spring. This water source is thousands of years old and has never dried up; folklore says the water has curing properties, according to Sotheby's International Realty.

View of the pool at Les Moulins du Villars. Cote d'Azur Sotheby's International Realty

The property's history dates back to the 14th century as an olive oil mill. Over the years, it has passed hands through various owners, but it wasn't until the 1970s that Count Jean Fernand Joseph Gouin de Roumilly transformed it into the luxurious, peaceful haven it is today, Sotheby's International Realty said in its blog post.

De Roumilly was drawn to the property after hearing of its reputation as a place of good energy, according to the post.

The property, then known as Les Moulins du Capricorne, became notorious in the Cote d'Azur among French-speaking aristocracy for its social events, and at the time was also frequented by one of its more notable guests, Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco, the blog post added.

Kelly befriended the owners and visited the property several times, the blog post went on to say. One of her first ones in June 1980 was with her daughter, Princess Caroline, and Prince Louis de Polignac, the godfather of Kelly's son, for a formal visit that included a presentation of the local cheeses and olive oil to the royals.

The blog states that the princess returned again on several occasions and even gave the owner gifts for the home, including some statues. Two of these statues are still at the estate.

One of the two living rooms at Les Moulins du Villars. Cote d'Azur Sotheby's International Realty

Sotheby's International Realty added that the current owners purchased the property in 2006 and started a reconstruction project on the villa in 2010. This was by request of local authorities who said the property needed to be secured against earthquakes.

The building has new foundations as a result, it added, and while doing this, they also decided to make the 40 window openings bigger to allow more light into the house.

Sotheby's International Realty added: "It is said that the Princess of Monaco considered the place very special and a rare haven of peace." It's easy to see why.

Read the original article on Insider
CHICAGO (NewsNation)  Throughout the nation, one can spot aging, abandoned churches falling into despair, with some even bearing graffiti inside.

However, on any given day, you could pass by an unassuming building like Soul City Church in Chicago without realizing that hundreds of Gen Zers gather there to worship.

What becomes evident is American spirituality isnt fading away; rather, its undergoing a transformation.

A third of US adults identify as spiritual not religious, poll

YouTubers are also providing virtual tours of these dilapidated, graffiti-covered old churches, offering viewers a glimpse inside.

These churches, once community cornerstone, now have empty pews. However, what might not be immediately evident is the vibrant gathering of young people, often in modest surroundings, uniting to worship.

Pastor Jarrett Stevens of Soul City Church in Chicago is very aware of the dechurching trends, but appears to have found a solution.

The average age of our church right now is 27. I definitely feel like Ive aged out of our church, Stevens said. What they dont see is when you create a space for people to have an authentic experience when you give them a voice a seat at the table, theyll want to not just be involved, theyll want to shape the church.

However, the new generations church experience is different from that of their parents.

When asked if they prayed daily, only two of the three members of the congregation that NewsNation spoke to raised their hands.

When asked if theyd describe themselves as religious, two raised their hands., however, Hannah Gronowski Barnet said she doesnt relate to the term.

That probably would differ depending on how you talk about religion, said For me, religion is actually not something I relate to at all, the term religion. So, for me, its more of Im actively following God.

When I was growing up in a highly religious family, it felt inauthentic because it felt like I was having to compartmentalize myself, said Kayla Eastman. Certain parts of me werent welcome at church, but other parts were, and the parts of me that struggled with mental health.

Many people dont know this, but many theologians who have studied the lives of these disciples, Barnet said. Many people believe they were actually in their late teens or early 20s.

Preventing veteran suicides: Navigating the system and self after service

This particular age group is now at the forefront of a modern movement, and this phenomenon isnt limited to urban centers like Chicago.

For example, a revival at the University of Kentucky went on for 11 consecutive days, eventually needing to be shut down. A 1,400-person auditorium was packed to capacity after word spread on social media.

Similarly, at Oklahoma University, the Fill The Stadium event drew thousands of young participants.

However, for some, their faith exists beyond the confines of a traditional house of worship.

People often ask what my beliefs are now that Ive deconstructed, Donnell McLchlan wrote in a TikTok post. I currently dont practice organized religion but I am a religious pluralist.

McLachlan, the TikTok theologian, has amassed a following of 266,000 followers keen on following his journey of deconstruction as he reevaluates the beliefs he was raised on.

Im not coming across as anti-Christian because Im not anti-Christian. Im pro-religion and pro-people hanging onto ideas that ultimately help them grow into better people, he said.

McLachlan is one example of an influencer who has transformed his relationship with the church.

Recent statistics indicate many Americans are undergoing a process known as de-churching, wherein those who used to attend church at least once a month now go less than once a year.

New polling data from Gallup shows nearly half of Americans now identify as religious, while a third say they are spiritual but not religious.

NASA astronaut Frank Rubio marks one year in space

Among the 82% of Americans who do hold some sort of belief system, 47% said they were religious, 33% said they were spiritual but not religious and just 2% identified as both spiritual and religious.

Over the last 25 to 30 years, this shift has led to 40 million people ceasing their regular church attendance.

Its the largest shift in religiosity in America over the last 200 years, said Ryan Burge, an Eastern Illinois State University associate professor of political science. Theres actually more people (who) left religion than joined religion during the first Great Awakening, the Second Great Awakening, and all of a Billy Graham crusades combined.

Yet, not every part of America has experienced a decline in religious faith.

Burge, co-author of the book The Great Dechurching, notes nearly 80% of Americans still express some level of belief in God.

I think spirituality is just shifting, I dont think spirituality will ever die, McLachlan said.

When asked if hes hopeful about the future for Gen Z and religion, Burge said: Look were talking about a faith that has prevailed for over 2000 years, Im not worried about that, Im worried and concerned about the hands that try to hold on too tightly to it rather than entrusting them to people who are coming up behind them.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
Ukrainian hackers have hacked into the Russian database of the Sirena-Travel booking system, obtaining information on 664 million flights over the last 16 years. They also obtained the names, phone numbers and document numbers of the passengers.

Source: Vazhnye Istorii

Details: News of this was posted on the Telegram channel of the hacker community KibOrg.

An unknown group called Muppets, which is associated with KibOrg, is allegedly behind the hack.

The two databases obtained, according to the hackers, contain almost 3.5 billion records of passenger phone numbers and 664.6 million records containing the personal data of passengers, flight numbers, routes, tariffs, ticket prices, and so on. The data covers the period from 2007 to 2023.

Screenshot KibOrg

Hackers also posted two "sample" databases on social media. In them, journalists managed to find, for example, data on flights taken by the former Austrian Foreign Minister and former Rosneft board member Karin Kneissl, who moved to Russia in the summer of 2023. The data on her movements coincide with Kneissls public reports of a flight to the economic forum from St Petersburg to Vladivostok on 10 September this year.

Georgy Alburov, a member of Alexei Navalnys team, also drew attention to the data leak. He writes that he was able to verify the authenticity of the database by checking the data on a recent flight made by Alina Kabaeva, who is close to Vladimir Putin, from Minsk to Moscow.

A source in the hacker group told reporters that KibOrg is not planning to put the entire database in the public domain. They are considering two options for further work with the data: the creation of a bot that will aggregate data from databases for money, or the transfer of the said database to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The hackers might also share the information with investigative journalists.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying a batch of 56 Starlink internet satellites launches from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Credit - Paul Hennessy-SOPA Images/LightRocket

It's September 2023, and markets have become battlefields, as economics and geopolitics become ever more closely intertwined. Many think that we are returning to the Cold War, but we're not. Back then, the military had the materiel and commanded the view of war. Now, after thirty years of globalization, it's very often business that commands the resources, fundamentally changing the balance of power. Whether the U.S. fulfills its national security ambitions doesnt just depend on its armed forces, but its relationship with firms. The recent revelation that Elon Musk used his control of the Starlink satellite system to unilaterally decide the limits on a Ukrainian offensive is just one example of how business can, quite literally, call the shots.

How did this happen? At the height of globalization, the U.S. government and its allies handed over control of key communications networks to business, never thinking that these networks would become crucial strategic assets in shooting wars. The Internetwhich came into being as a side-product of Pentagon spendingwas turned over to a non-profit corporation dominated by private interests. Allies national telecommunications champions were privatized and U.S. giants, like Lucent, sold to foreign firms for spare parts. The submarine fibre cables that tied the world together were mostly laid by consortiums of for-profit companies. As new communications technologies such as cloud computing emerged, they were dominated by a few firms like Amazon and Microsoft.

This all meant that innovation happened faster than would have been conceivable during the Cold War. Government fell far behind the leading edge of many key technologies, leaving critical communications infrastructures under the control of the private sector.

That didnt present national security concerns so long as the world was at peace. But now that geopolitics is back, the U.S. government faces a basic dilemma. How does it ensure national security in a world where the private sector holds many of the levers of power? Of course, it can turn to business for support. And where it can demand that support, the U.S. can sometimes do far more than it ever could during the Cold War (using telecommunications companies international reach, for example, to help it surveil the world). But sometimes, business may prefer to stay politically neutral, prioritizing profits for its shareholders, or, even worse, cosy up to geopolitical adversaries such as China or Russia.

The U.S. governments first instinct in recent decades has been to create public-private partnerships to expand its powerand some private sector actors have certainly been willing to cooperate. The Starlink story is not the only story about business in the Ukraine conflict. In our new book we explain how the U.S. and the Ukrainian government have benefited from Microsofts willingness to abdicate neutrality. After years of trying to build a "digital Switzerland," in which platform companies would be held inviolate from spying and conflict, Microsoft volunteered for the digital frontlines of the Ukraine war. From the beginning, it willingly surveilled the online battlefield, detecting and countering Russian cyber-weapons, and sharing key information with the U.S. and its European allies. It airlifted Ukrainian government ministries into the cloud, providing them with a degree of security that the government itself was incapable of doing.

Read More: Inside Elon Musk's Struggle for the Future of AI

It wasnt only Microsoft that helped out. As a new report by Ulrike Franke and Jenny Soderstrom explains, Amazon has been ferrying Ukrainian data to safety using customized suitcase-sized Snowball systems, providing safe storage for critical state information. Google has proudly announced that it is fighting disinformation, and blocking Russian state-funded news channels.



But not all business gives this kind of unequivocal support. As we recently found out, while Microsoft was countering cyber-attacks, the Ukrainian army found itself increasingly dependent on the whims of Elon Musk. Ukrainian commanders rely on Musks Starlink satellites to communicate on the battlefield and to guide automated drones to their target. Musk partly owes his near monopoly of low orbit satellite communications to government inaction in the U.S. and elsewhere. The result is an unprecedented level of privatized geopolitical power, concentrated in the hands of a single, politically erratic tycoon with a reported penchant for ketamine. Ukrainian soldiers reportedly found themselves cut off and blind when they ventured into territory that Starlink had 'geofenced'. In another incident, Musk refused to provide access to Starlink when the Ukrainian military attempted a drone attack on Russias naval fleet, leaving the drones to wash up on shore, inoperable. The company had its own commercial worries. As Musk told his biographer, he did not build the system for war but so that people can watch Netflix and chill. Muskwho reportedly has had friendly conversations with Putin after the invasionis at best a highly unreliable ally. But the U.S. has little option but to placate him and try to keep him onside, if Ukrainian commanders are to be able to talk to each other and their troops.

There are other problems when governments depend on the goodwill of tech founders. Some of the companies that are signing up for service in the Ukraine war have dubious records on citizen privacy. Palantir, which specializes in surveillance and data analysis, was co-founded by the billionaire Peter Thiel. Its CEO, Alex Karp, claims that it is responsible for most of Ukraines targeting. The embattled Clearviewwhose privacy-intrusive facial recognition engine is powered by billions of images scraped without permission from the Websays it is helping Ukraine identify Russian assailants. Both companies are likely embracing their wartime role to repair their battered domestic public images, and rehabilitate controversial technologies.

President Eisenhower famously warned of the dangers of a military-industrial complex in his closing address to the nation. While he feared that business might gain unwarranted influence thanks to the conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry, his greatest concern was that the military would overwhelm industry, subordinating innovation and entrepreneurialism to a government controlled by a technological elite. During the Cold War, the U.S. and other governments were far better organized and resourced than private industry, and had the legal power under the original 1950 Defense Production Act to command private resources for compelling national interests.

What we risk today is more or less the opposite, as government comes to rely more on business leaders than business leaders on government. Firms have pushed innovation further and faster than Eisenhower or his defense department leaders could have imagined. So now, senior officials are often obliged to kiss the rings of billionaires with questionable goals, and rely on the kindness of multinational corporations. When business cooperates, they can get access to capacities that the government doesnt have. But things can go badly wrong when business wont play ball. As the confrontation between the U.S. and China heats up, adding new pressures on top of the Ukraine-Russia war, the government is going to have to consider how best to manage this new set of relations.

Returning to Cold War controls would be a terrible idea. But allowing volatile individuals like Musk to dictate the course of war and peace is even worse. We need to reimagine how the U.S. government manages this new military industrial complex, avoiding past mistakes of selling critical infrastructure to the highest bidder. When business leaders hold monopolies on key resources, they should face a higher level of regulatory obligations vis-a-vis national security interests. But in contrast to current arrangements, under which government quietly negotiates clandestine access with telecommunications companies, these obligations ought be discussed and policed openly. That means antitrust and proper regulation of global information platforms that could otherwise hold government to ransom.

The technological dominance of U.S. companies has provided the U.S. with extraordinary power. But putting them in charge of national security is a very risky bet indeed.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Harry and Meghan were all smiles as they reunited with Oprah Winfrey at a fundraiser hosted by Kevin Costner, days after their Invictus Games trip.

The Duke and Duchesss most recent appearance comes shortly after they attended the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany, where their love and affection for each other left fans delighted.

The paralympics-style sporting tournament for wounded service personnel began on 9 September, with Prince Harry closing the event with a heartfelt speech in German on 16 September.

On Friday 22 September, they attended Costners One805 charity event to raise money for first responders, as the Yellowstone star hosted celebrities including Winfrey and fellow talk show host Ellen DeGeneres at his Summerland estate in Santa Barbara.

Harry and Meghan were seen chatting with the 68-year-old actor before they were introduced onstage as special guests for the evening, according to a report by Mail Online.

Costner reportedly addressed the gathering, saying his multi-million dollar estate was worth every penny as the venue for the fundraiser benefitting Santa Barbaras first responders.

He said: Good afternoon everyone, I get asked a lot by my friends who have no manners... Kev, whats this place cost, whats it worth?

I can just simply tell you on a day like today, its worth every penny, Costner continued.

The duke and duchess then presented the actor with an honorary award amid loud cheers, as seen in a video posted on One805s official Instagram account.

After the ceremony, Harry and Meghan were spotted posing for a selfie with the parents of pop star Katy Perry, and interacting with senior members of local police and firefighting services.

Harry chose an all-black suit for the event, while Meghan chose a black-and-white Carolina Herrera tweed cape.

Meghan and Harry with Kevin Costner 



pic.twitter.com/lAdVvSr6TU  Lucia Princess (@LuciaPrincess8) September 23, 2023

Winfrey, who interviewed the Sussexes after they resigned as senior members of the royal family, praised the charity for supporting the mental health of first responders, during a conversation with quite an extraordinary man, Santa Barbara County firefighter Sam Dudley.

[One805] has a counselling service, where they have counselled over 700 responders, and this year alone prevented 24 suicides, she said. And Sam knows all too well how beneficial the counselling services are.

Ahead of the event, One805 teased some surprise appearances you dont want to miss in a message posted on its Instagram Stories.

Harry & Meghan taking selfies and pictures in Santa Barbara for Kevin Costners 'One805 Live!' Fundraising event !!



They were here honoured guests at the event and presented award 



Ps. Meghans Carolina Coat is sold out  pic.twitter.com/MDh5HqaeQI  Iris  (@IrisTheeScholar) September 23, 2023

The event was headlined by Girls Like You hitmakers Maroon5, and general admission tickets to the event held at the polo field on Costners oceanside property started at $350 (285).

Days before, it was reported Costner and his wife of 19 years, Christine Baumgartner, had reached an amicable and mutually agreed upon settlement in their divorce.

The resolution came after the former couple were locked in a bitter legal battle over child support payments.

Earlier this month, a judge ordered Costner to pay Baumgartner around $63,000 for their three children  roughly half the amount she was seeking.

Model and handbag designer Baumgartner married Costner in 2004 after six years of dating. She filed for divorce from the actor in May this year.
Atthisstage in our reckoning with Americas ongoing history of systemic racism, it comes as no shock that historically Black colleges and universities have been underfunded across the board. But recent letters sent by the Biden administration to governors across the South and Midwest detail this lack of support  and the data is cringe as hell.

According to the letters from Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack, land-grant HBCUsin 16 states were shortchanged more than $13 billion over the last 30-plus years. These HBCUs include Alabama A&M University, North Carolina A&T State University, Virginia State University and Tennessee State University, among others.

The letters address how much funding land-grant HBCUs in each of the states would have received in the last three decades if states funding per student matched the mandate of the Morrill Acts, a pair of late-1800s laws that established land-grant universities. Tennessee and North Carolina topped the list, with the gap in funding swelling to over $2 billion apiece.

This is a situation that clearly predates all of us, reads one of the sentiments in all 16 letters. However, it is a problem that we can work together to solve. In fact, it is our hope that we can collaborate to avoid burdensome and costly litigation that has occurred in several states.

The letters, recently made public by The Washington Post, analyze data from the National Center for Education Statistics to pinpoint how inequitable funding distribution is setting back progress at land-grant HBCUs compared to states other land-grant institutions.

Cardona and Vilsack say these missing funds could have supported infrastructure and student services and would have better positioned [HBCUs] to compete for research grants against their better-resourced, predominantly white counterparts.

Adding to the inequity, these letters come on the heels of the Supreme Courts decision to strike down race-conscious college admissions, an action many of us know will have a dire impact on higher education.

A little context on the Morrill Acts and how they led to land-grant HBCUs: as the National Archives explains, the first Morrill Act went into effect in 1862, during the Civil War, granting 30,000 acres of stolen tribal land for every senator and representative in a given state to be allocated as public lands. States could sell a portion of this public land to fund the creation of a public post-secondary institution or use it to expand an existing one. These institutions were meant to prioritize education and research on agriculture, science, military science and engineering, and they received (and continue to receive) federal and state funding through additional measures.

Because of Jim Crow and discriminatory enrollment practices, white men disproportionately benefited from this first wave of land-grant institutions. So, to counter this, a second Morrill Act was passed in 1890, as CNN explains. This act required states to prove that the existing enrollment practices at their land-grant institutions were not discriminatory or else to establish separate institutions specifically for Black people. States that didnt adhere would have their land-grant funding withheld.

The second Morrill Act was the foundation of 19 land-grant HBCUs, which did not receive support in the form of physical land but received financial funding instead, according to the National Archives.

While the Biden administrations letters make no mention of systemic racism or any such words, opting for lighter terms such as unbalanced funding, the message is clear. After considering the history of land-grant institutions and the gap in funding between predominantly white land-grant institutions and Black ones, its impossible to ignore a pattern of deliberate systemic racism at the center of all of this.
The Public Square is a Viewpoints feature that seeks engagement from readers to questions on various issues of the day. Follow The Oklahoman on Facebook and on Twitter @TheOklahoman_ for weekly prompts for The Public Square.

Congress needs to pass legislation to fund the U.S. government. If it doesn't, the result would be a government shutdown, causing an interruption of federal government services. We asked readers how a federal government shutdown would affect them.

Here are some of the responses we received:

It's ridiculous, and the people wanting a government shutdown are the GOP, Like Mullin from Oklahoma. It shows that those wanting a government shutdown are not concerned with seniors, or those retired and on Social Security. It also shows that to help the poor isnt of Interest, so when Mullin and his Trumpster GOP pals, advocate government shutdown, they are anti seniors and anti poor and anti families in need.

It's time the Trumpsters in Washington, like Mullin are voted out next round.

 Sam Bass, Yukon

Although there would be a definite impact on my way of life, I think a government shutdown would, in the long- term, be a good thing. The initial impact would cause hardship on many people and the services that many rely upon. However this country is too far in debt and the leaders that keep spending taxpayer money with little regard to the ever-mounting debt do not listen to the public that says the reckless spending must stop. So if a shutdown of the government will wake the big spenders up, then so be it.

 Frank Freidhoff, Oklahoma City

I am a senior and my Social Security check wouldnt be delivered. My son is a disabled veteran and he receives a check for disability and a SS check. We live in the same house and we would not be able to pay our bills on time. We could not buy food or put gas in our car. I have a small savings, as does my son, but that would be gone very quickly. A government shutdown would mean a shutdown for us.

 Mary Blackburn, Oklahoma City

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Government shutdown would affect Oklahomans. Here's what you told us
Five people were taken to hospitals after an explosion at a New Jersey home prompted a flurry of 911 calls on Friday night, police said.

Around 9 p.m., reports came in to authorities about an explosion in West Milford, about 44 miles northwest of Newark. West Milford Police said in a release it responded and found a house "heavily damaged from an explosion."

Users on social media also posted hearing and feeling an explosion.

Police said five victims were flown by medevac to area hospitals, while one person refused medical attention. The victims were taken to Morristown Medical Center, St. Josephs University Medical Center, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center and Hackensack University Medical Center.

West Milford Deputy Fire Chief Rich Poplaski stated the structure collapsed "from an unknown cause."

Authorities on the scene of the aftermath of a house explosion that took place on Banker Road in West Milford, N.J. on September 22, 2023.

He asked residents "to please avoid the area to avoid interruption of the incident operations."

The investigation is being conducted by the West Milford Detective Bureau, township fire marshal, and New Jersey's fire marshal's office.

Authorities on the scene of the aftermath of a house explosion that took place on Banker Road in West Milford, N.J. on September 22, 2023.

Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Home explosion in West Milford, New Jersey: 5 hospitalized, police say
HONOLULU (KHON)  City officials in Honolulu are sharing a safety message with the public: Stay out of the citys storm drain system.

This comes after a homeowner claims two strangers suddenly popped up out of a manhole on his property this week.

It is not a typical complaint to the city: A homeowner in Kaimuki said he was in his garage around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday when he started to hear noises coming from his backyard.

The residents of the home wished to remain anonymous, but they told Nexstars KHON a man and a woman emerged from the storm manhole located on their private property.

19-year-old dangling from tallest bridge in California rescued

Ian Scheuring, the deputy communications director for the Honolulu Mayors Office, said this is the first incident of its kind the department has received. They are taking the matter seriously, he said.

Storm drains are not places where people should be hanging out or traversing from one location to the next, Scheuring said. We do have an easement to access that storm drain manhole cover, and what the department of facility maintenance did was simply weld that manhole cover shut while we can explore a more permanent solution  a locked sort of access point.

The homeowner said he called the Honolulu Police Department and filed a first-degree trespassing report after the incident. He also contacted his neighborhood board.

Brian Kang, the chair of the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board, said he had not heard of similar past incidents, but he is now expecting to discuss it at next months meeting.

Obviously its a public safety issue all around, said Kang. Its a concern for the property owners but its also a concern  [of the] safety for individuals accessing these.

American researcher rescued from deep Turkish cave more than a week after he fell ill

Council Chair Tommy Waters, in a statement, called on the city and Honolulu Police Department (HPD) to conduct inspections of drainage canals in the neighborhood and take necessary enforcement.

An HPD spokesperson said police had not been able to locate the two people who emerged from the manhole this week.

Scheuring, too, wanted to make clear the dangers to individuals entering the citys storm drains.

We talk about flash flooding in places like hiking trails, thats one thing, but storm drains are designed to take that water so they can be very dangerous places, Scheuring said. I want to make sure that we dissuade anybody from ever wanting to go into a storm drain for any reason.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
HONOLULU (KHON)  Officials in Honolulu are sharing a safety message with the public: Stay out of the citys storm drain system.

This comes after a homeowner claims two strangers suddenly popped up out of a manhole on his property this week.

It is not a typical complaint to the city: A homeowner in Kaimuki said he was in his garage around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday when he started to hear noises coming from his backyard.

The residents of the home wished to remain anonymous, but they told News 2s sister station, KHON, a man and a woman emerged from the storm manhole located on their private property.

19-year-old dangling from tallest bridge in California rescued

Ian Scheuring, the deputy communications director for the Honolulu Mayors Office, said this is the first incident of its kind the department has received. They are taking the matter seriously, he said.

Storm drains are not places where people should be hanging out or traversing from one location to the next, Scheuring said. We do have an easement to access that storm drain manhole cover, and what the department of facility maintenance did was simply weld that manhole cover shut while we can explore a more permanent solution  a locked sort of access point.

The homeowner said he called the Honolulu Police Department and filed a first-degree trespassing report after the incident. He also contacted his neighborhood board.

Phenomenal: Visiting Ukrainian man dives into New York canal to save driver who crashed

Brian Kang, the chair of the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board, said he had not heard of similar past incidents, but he is now expecting to discuss it at next months meeting.

Obviously its a public safety issue all around, said Kang. Its a concern for the property owners but its also a concern  [of the] safety for individuals accessing these.

Council Chair Tommy Waters, in a statement, called on the city and Honolulu Police Department (HPD) to conduct inspections of drainage canals in the neighborhood and take necessary enforcement.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

An HPD spokesperson said police had not been able to locate the two people who emerged from the manhole this week.

Scheuring, too, wanted to make clear the dangers to individuals entering the citys storm drains.

We talk about flash flooding in places like hiking trails, thats one thing, but storm drains are designed to take that water so they can be very dangerous places, Scheuring said. I want to make sure that we dissuade anybody from ever wanting to go into a storm drain for any reason.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
(CNN)  The general leading Ukraines counteroffensive along the southern front line says his forces have broken through in Verbove  and predicts an even bigger breakthrough to come.

On the left flank [near Verbove] we have a breakthrough and we continue to advance further, Oleksandr Tarnavsky told CNN Senior International Correspondent Frederik Pleitgen during an interview on Friday, though he conceded his troops were moving slower than anticipated.

Not as fast as it was expected, not like in the movies about the Second World War, he said. The main thing is not to lose this initiative (that we have). And, well, not to lose it in practice, with actions.

The generals claim is the latest indication by Ukrainian officials that inroads are being made on the southern front in the war with Russia.

Ukrainian forces claimed in recent weeks to have penetrated the first line of Russian strongholds in the Zaporizhzia region, in a sign that Kyiv was edging closer to Moscows sprawling network of fortified trenches along the southern front.

Russian-appointed officials in occupied Zaporizhzhia have given a different picture of the fighting. CNN is unable to verify the battlefield reports of either side. However, open-source analysis of available video suggests that some Ukrainian units have crossed through an important line of Russian defenses near the village of Verbove.

Ukraines long-term goal is to break Russias land bridge, which links territory it holds in the east with annexed Crimea.

At the beginning of September Ukrainian forces said they had taken the village of Robotyne and were pushing east toward the village of Novoprokopivka. Soldiers said they expected battles for control of high ground to the south and east of the village as they approached the next layer of Russian defenses. Verbove is a few miles east from Robotyne.

However, Tarnavsky told CNN he believed the big breakthrough of the counteroffensive would be if Ukraine could take Tokmak, a strategic hub for Russia, which is its first major target in its fight in the south.

CNN reported earlier this week that the Ukrainian forces were still some 20 kilometers from Tokmak, struggling to break through the multiple layers of Russian defenses.

I believe yes [there will be a big breakthrough], Tarnavsky said. I think it will happen after Tokmak. At the moment (the Russians) are relying on the depth of their defensive line there.

Rather than the Surovikin line  a defensive line built on the orders of former General Sergey Surovikin, while he was in charge of Russian forces in Ukraine  Tarnavsky says the bigger issues are the crossroads, tree lines and minefields between the tree lines.

[Theres] a combination of small harmful enemy defense groups that currently are planted very precisely and competently, he said. But the actions of our fighters force them to slowly pull back when they face our assault squads.

The general conceded that for the counteroffensive to be a success, Ukrainian forces need to at least reach the city of Tokmak.

Tokmak is the minimum goal, he said. The overall objective is to get to our state borders.

Not as fast as expected

Despite conceding the advance wasnt going as fast as expected, Tarnavsky said winter would not slow down the counteroffensive.

Intense rains in the fall can make the ground in Ukraine soggy and make movement with heavy machinery, like tanks, more difficult, but Tarnavsky says Ukraines forces move in small groups, mostly on foot.

The weather can be a serious obstacle during advance, but considering how we move forward, mostly without vehicles, I dont think [the weather] will heavily influence the counteroffensive, Tarnavsky told Pleitgen in the interview.

Right now, neither the enemy nor us uses large formations, companies, battalions or brigades. We use assault squads, groups of 10 to 15 men, he explained. They conduct titanic work of concentrating enemy fire on them and using all the means they have to use to survive.

One of the reasons for the slow advance, the general said, was the fact that Russia had been able to learn some lessons from other Ukrainian offensives.

The Russians are learning quite fast, as they dont have any other choice. If they dont learn, they will be defeated sooner, he explained. I wouldnt say they are adapting to our actions, as we also change our tactics.

He said Ukraine had also been adapting to using Western equipment, as well as Western tactics.

When asked about rising resistance in the West to continuing weapons supplies to Ukraine, especially in the US, where some have voiced doubt about Kyivs chances of success, Tarnavsky said he respected their view.

Let it be the opinion of the skeptics. Its not a competition and we dont have a choice, he said. I understand somebody may have imagined large scale counteroffensive operations. But times are changing, enemy tactics are changing, weapons change.

We have one goal  liberation of our territories. However hard it is we will keep on working. And I want to thank even the skeptics, their criticism also influences our tasks success, he said.

He thanked Ukraines Western allies for their continuous support and pledged to treat the tanks and armored vehicles they have supplied with great care.

Wagner, here and there

During the interview, the general also commented on the current state of the mercenary group Wagner.

He said Wagner fighters still pop up here and there on the front line following the death of the groups former boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, who died in a plane crash last month after leading a failed insurrection that posed the biggest threat to the rule of Russian President Vladimir Putin in decades.

A deal struck to de-escalate the crisis was supposed to have sent Prigozhin and his fighters to neighboring Belarus, but there have been reports of Wagner fighters redeploying to Kherson.

Asked about those reports, Tarnavsky said, In some directions, I cant say whether its the Kherson region, or our direction, or somewhere else, they do pop up. The fact is that their badges appear here and there  thats been constant.

Tarnavsky went on to say his men usually speculated about the presence of Wagner whenever their enemy started behaving more competently.

We suspect the presence of Wagner if we see the deterrence of our offensive forces with the involvement of a category of military personnel who perform these tasks in a more interesting (more non-standard) way, he explained. This makes one think: Maybe its Wagner has showed up?

But there is no such unit in my area of the front today, he added. Regarding Kherson direction  I cant say.

Ukraine recently launched a missile attack on the headquarters of Russias Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, in the Crimean peninsula, which was illegally annexed by Moscows forces in 2014.

Tarnavsky told CNN that strikes on Crimea are important for the success of Kyivs counteroffensive.

The success of offensive operations is not only about destroying the enemy in front of you, its also about destroying places of concentration of equipment, personnel and especially destroying the command centers, he said, adding that it can create a a mess on the battlefield.

The general added striking Crimea was especially important as a rallying cry for Ukrainian forces and to boost morale.

It helps us but it also gives us hope for the future, he said.
The number of people living alone is on the rise across America, a new study found. Cavan Images/Getty Images

US cities saw an increase in the number of people living alone between 2016 and 2023, a new study found.

Within the 342 largest US cities, the rate of single people living alone jumped to 28%.

Meanwhile, only Odessa, Texas, saw an uptick in the number of married families with children.

Amid declining birth and marriage rates nationwide, it's no surprise that America's cities are seeing an uptick in in the number of people living alone.

A new study by SmartAsset analyzed the household makeups in hundreds of US cities and determined that the rate of single people living alone has jumped to 28% between 2016 and 2021. And of 342 of the largest US cities for which data was available, SmartAsset identified just one city that saw an increase in married families with children in that five-year period: Odessa, Texas.

The study found that "traditional families," made up of married couples with children, were most common in Frisco, Texas; Fishers, Indiana; Fremont, California; and Elk Grove, California. In each of those cities, traditional families made up one-third of all households, according to the study.

Meanwhile, the rate of single people living alone swung from 24% in 2016 to 28% in 2021. The study found that the increase was sharpest in Arlington, Virginia, where the proportion of single-person households shot from 11% to 41% in that five-year period. Cities like Alexandria, Virginia; College Station, Texas; Madison, Wisconsin; and Ann Arbor, Michigan all saw similar increases.

The study also identified cities with the largest share of single-woman households and single-man households: In the DC area, over 25% of households are made up of single women. Meanwhile in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, nearly one-quarter of all households are made up of single men.

SmartAsset looked at household data from the US Census, and reviewed all American cities with populations greater than 100,000.

Read the original article on Insider
Hundreds of volunteers are expected at a coastal cleanup event this weekend at Venice Beach.

The event is being hosted by Ocean Conservancy and is part of an international cleanup event which has been taking place for decades.

The International Coastal Cleanup is the worlds largest beach and waterway cleanup effort, organizers said. Since it began in 1986, more than 17 million volunteers have removed over 350 million pounds of trash across the globe.

Last year, 40,000 people participated in events across California, removing more than a half-million individual pieces of trash from the states waterways.

This latest cleanup event comes on the heels of the passage of California Assembly Bill 1628, which aims to prevent microfiber pollution, including microplastics, by requiring all new washing machines sold in California by 2029 have a filter to catch the unwanted pollutant.

Studies have shown that millions of pounds of microfibers enter California waters from washing machines every year.

The filters have been shown to be a cost-effective and simple solution that can reduce the emission of microfibers by up to 90%, the bills author says.

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D  Inglewood) is the author of the legislation, and the upcoming Venice Beach cleanup will take place within her district.

Anja Brandon, a plastics pollution expert with Ocean Conservancy, was a key expert in the bills drafting process and will be on-hand for the cleanup.

Assembly Bill 1628 is headed to Gov. Gavin Newsoms desk, and advocates expect he will sign the bill into law.

The Coastal Cleanup event is taking place at Venice Beach on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

For additional information about the event, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A Houston woman was detained in Dubai for more than three months after her arrest for shouting.

Tierra Allen had gone to Dubai in the hopes of starting her own trucking business.

Instead, she became the victim of a possible scam and a convoluted legal system.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tierra Allen, a 29-year-old truck driver from Houston, Texas, who was detained in Dubai for shouting and then banned from leaving the country for several months. It's been edited for length and clarity.

When I went to the United Arab Emirates with some friends in September of 2022, I liked the environment. I went back again in April because I wanted to start my own trucking business there. I wanted to get a feel for the place because everybody in the UAE has their own business, and I thought it was very lucrative. I was doing normal things like going out to the club and out to dinner, so I got to experience what it was really like to be one of the locals. It's a lot different from the tourists.

And then, everything just happened.

I was in a minor fender bender while my friend was driving, and when the police asked my friend for their physical driver's license, they didn't have it. We both got arrested. They let me go when they realized that I was only a passenger. I asked for my belongings, like my wallet and passport. The police said my stuff could be in the car that was returned to the rental agency.

"Go to the rental car agency," the police said. "We called them. We told them you're coming over, so head on over there right now."

I was told this was a common scam in Dubai

When I got to the rental agency, they told me I had to wait because the impound was closed. Then, the employee said, "Unfortunately, you have to pay $5,000 US dollars to get your things." They said it was their protocol. When I pushed back, he told me to figure it out and that my friend shouldn't have crashed the car.

I apologized, told them I was in the country by myself and asked what I could do. They were becoming very aggressive with me, and with me being a lady going out by myself, they didn't like that. Thinking that you can stand up to them and talk back to them, they don't allow those things.

He got loud with me, and I raised my voice back at him. I walked out of the office, and he chased me outside. I guess he called the police.

I didn't know I had a warrant out for my arrest until I went to check on my friend, who was still in jail. I ended up getting arrested myself. When I asked what I did, the police said it was for shouting at the rental car employee.

I thought it was a joke at first. I felt like I was in a movie. It was embarrassing. Meanwhile, my mom didn't know what happened to me and didn't have a way to contact me. When the police let me leave the jail, they placed a travel ban on me so I couldn't leave the UAE. I thought I was never going to see my mom again for 5 or 10 years, and that just put me in a deep depression.

I wasn't able to work. I also do YouTube, so I wasn't able to do that. I didn't have funds. I didn't have anything. The rental agency had my passport, my wallet, and my phone for three months, and later, they started raising the amount they wanted from $5,000 to $10,000 to retrieve them.

Here's how I finally got out of Dubai

I had access to a computer at my residence, and my mom sent me some money. Both of us emailed the US Embassy, but it was really hard to get help. We got in contact with Radha Stirling, a legal advocate that runs a company called Detained in Dubai, which helps foreigners who are in legal trouble there. She said this is a common scam in the UAE.

She stepped in and contacted the US Embassy and US lawmakers. She went to the news, and that's how I got the recognition and was able to be free from this. Once the case got media attention, everybody was working a little bit faster. Or else, I would still be there now.

In the end, I didn't have to pay anything to retrieve my stuff, so there really was no point. I had to pay $1,300 to get the travel ban lifted. When I was able to finally leave the country, it was a breeze, but I wouldn't believe I was actually home until I was on US soil. When I arrived in Houston, all the news cameras were there. Everyone was excited, especially my mom.

I don't think I'm going to any other Middle Eastern countries. I learned my lesson. But it's going to help me during my other travel plans if I ever get in a situation like that again. I can teach other people, "You got to know your Ps and Qs, or you could be just like me." I got lucky because some people don't make it out of this.

Now, I've been coping with the traumatizing experience. When I would sleep in Dubai, I always thought the police were coming to get me. So now, when I hear knocks on the door, I still think they're coming to get me. But I tell myself, "That's just things that happened in the past, and I'm free now."

Read the original article on Insider
India tries waking up Chandrayaan-3 moon lander, without success (so far)

Engineers at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) have begun attempts to wake the Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander and rover from hibernation after the two-week frosty lunar night.

On Friday (Sept. 22), ISRO said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that it has made attempts "to establish communication with the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover to ascertain their wake-up condition."

So far, the engineers haven't heard back from the iconic duo, the first two human-made objects to land in the moon's south polar region.

"Efforts to establish contact will continue," ISRO said in the post.

Related: India's Chandrayaan-3 robotic moon explorers don't have heaters. Can they survive the frigid lunar night?

Chandrayaan-3 landed near the lunar south pole on Aug. 23, making India only the fourth nation in history to stick a lunar landing, after the U.S., Russia and China.

In the two weeks that followed, Pragyan explored the landing site, beaming images back to Earth , while Vikram performed a set of scientific experiments including measuring the temperature of the top layer of the lunar regolith. The probe also analyzed the chemical composition of the lunar dust and found traces of sulfur , which might hold clues to past volcanic activity.

RELATED STORIES:

 Why Chandrayaan-3 landed near the moon's south pole  and why everyone else wants to get there too

 India's Chandrayaan-3 landed on the south pole of the moon  a space policy expert explains what this means for India and the global race to the moon

 India on the moon! Chandrayaan-3 becomes 1st probe to land near lunar south pole

The Pragyan rover was put to sleep on Sept. 2, when all of its instruments were turned off. The Vikram lander followed suit two days later. The mission completed its primary mission goals, but ISRO hopes that the two spacecraft may have been able to survive the frosty lunar night.

Chandrayaan-3 was India's second attempt to land on the moon. The mission's predecessor, Chandrayaan-2 , crashed in 2019 due to a software glitch. The Chandrayaan-2 orbiter, however, is still studying the moon from lunar orbit.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is welcomed at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters, where he was honored a day after the womens reservation bill was passed by the Indian Parliament in New Delhi on Friday, Sep. 22, 2023. | Associated Press

The Indian Parliament almost unanimously passed a historic bill that would reserve one-third of the seats in the parliaments lower chamber and state legislatures for women.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauded the work done by lawmakers to pass the Womens Reservation Bill, which would amend the Indian Constitution.

There were many hurdles. There were old problems. But when ones intent is good, results do come. The absolute support the bill got in parliament is a record, Modi said of the act which 454 lawmakers supported and only two opposed.

Today the country is removing all hurdles coming in the way of mothers and sisters. We made one scheme after another for the same.

Delighted at the passage of The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha with such phenomenal support. I thank MPs across Party lines who voted in support of this Bill.



The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is a historic legislation which  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 20, 2023

The idea to reserve seats for women was deliberated in the late 1990s but a lack of consensus among parties made it tough to pursue. Since 1996, there have been six unsuccessful attempts to pass the Womens Reservation Bill.

The Hindustan Times, a daily newspaper in India, noted that the G20 Declaration that came out of the summit in New Delhi earlier in September included a paragraph that calls for gender equality and highlights the need for female empowerment. India is working towards that goal while calling for full and effective participation of women in political and public spheres.

Reuters reported that other South Asian countries like Nepal and Bangladesh are also instituting a requirement that would increase the participation of women in parliament.

In India, the worlds largest democracy, women make up half of the 950 million registered voters but represent roughly 15% of the lawmakers in parliament, according to CNN. The U.S. isnt too far ahead on this front either, with roughly 28% of lawmakers in Congress being women.

Still, the latest bill in India still has a ways to go. It will be implemented only after the new census and the adjustment of voting districts post after next years polls  which would mean a long wait until 2029.

Sonia Gandhi, a leader of Modis opposition party Indian National Congress, called for the immediate implementation of the bill.

I want to ask, in the past 13 years, women have waited patiently for this bill, she said during the debate on the parliament floor. But now, our women have been asked to wait for some more years. How many years? 2, 3, 6, 8? How many years?

Any further delay to implement this bill will be an injustice to women. It must be implemented at the earliest, Gandhi said.
Sara Buckley and her husband, Sterling, have been together since high school  and they cant keep their hands off of each other.

Well be married 19 years in November, and sex still comes easy to us, Buckley, creator of the popular Instagram account Not the Worst Mom, tells TODAY.com. Its a topic the couple, who shares three children, discusses regularly on their relationship podcast, Not the Worst Marriage. Both Buckley, 36, and Sterling, 39, believe the more sex you have, the more you'll want.

I cant think of another group of people that deserve great orgasms more than moms, Buckley says. But maintaining an active, healthy sex life when you have a job and kids climbing all over you, it takes a lot of intention.

So in January 2021, the Las Vegas-based influencer set up a sex challenge for her quarter of a million Instagram followers.

Wives, I challenge you for the next seven days  to actively pursue your husband sexually. Try to have sex four to five times in the next seven days, Buckley began. She also encouraged listeners to send dirty text messages to their partners throughout the day, and to touch them more frequently.

Buckley then asked participants to report back on what they experienced. One by one, the messages started rolling in.

They were so much fun to read. It was like, Ive been wanting him to hang curtains for the last four months and he finally got up early Saturday and did it, Buckley says. I also had husbands reaching out to thank me!

A few people joked that Buckleys challenge was going to result in unintended pregnancies.

I remember laughing, but I didnt think much of it, Buckley says.

Two months later, she started receiving photos of positive pregnancy tests.

Dozens and dozens of them, Buckley recalls. And they kept coming.

Buckley has collected some of the messages she's received in an Instagram highlight she's titled

She guesses that the challenge birthed somewhere around 150 babies, including a crazy amount of twins, based on adding up DMs and comments from followers on her social accounts. The babies are now known as Saras Tots," and Buckley has an entire highlight reel dedicated to them on her Instagram.

"My Sara's tot is turning 2 in a month. He's lovely and the perfect addition to my crew! But it's safe to say daily sex has slowed down a bit until hubby's vasectomy in November," one person wrote.

A mom in Australia shared a photo of positive pregnancy test and wrote that Buckley is "responsible for increasing sex and pregnancies all around the world!"

Ginelle Powell-Fulton (Courtesy Ginelle Powell-Fulton)

Ginelle Powell-Fultons 2-year-old son, Michael, is another one of Saras Tots. Powell-Fulton, 33, took the challenge after experiencing a miscarriage.

Wed recently lost a pregnancy and it was hard for me to want to be intimate after going through that, Powell-Fulton tells TODAY.com. So when Sara put the challenge out there, I decided to give it a try. I respond well to challenges."

Powell-Fulton and her husband, Kent Fulton, welcomed their second child, a healthy baby boy, in June 2021.

Doctors were saying, Listen, you guys probably arent going to be able to conceive naturally, youll likely need some sort of intervention, Powell-Fulton says. And then we got pregnant naturally.

Buckleys challenge made sex fun again, Powell-Fulton says.

We were thinking about getting pregnant, it was just about us connecting, she explains, and I think that really helped.

Buckley agrees.

Im not a doctor but it does seem that when people stop putting pressure on themselves  thats when it happens, she says. Ive gotten so many DMs from women saying, When we decided to have sex again just for us, we finally got pregnant.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
An Iowa man who failed to show up at his first-degree murder trial on Friday has been found.

Gregory Showalter Sr. of Ottumwa was accused of killing his wife. Police said he missed the reading of the verdict, in which the jury found him guilty.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety said Saturday morning that Showalter had been taken into custody. A news release from the agency did not say when or how Showalter was apprehended, but said more details would be released later.

Defendant Gregory Showalter Sr. returns to his seat after testifying during his first-degree murder trial at the Wapello County Courthouse in Ottumwa, Iowa, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. Police were searching for the southeast Iowa man who failed to show up at his first-degree murder trial on Friday, Sept. 22, the day a jury found him guilty of killing his wife. A judge issued an arrest warrant for Showalter after he missed the reading of the jury verdict, according to the Ottumwa Courier.

Showalter, 63, had been out on bail since August 2021, when a judge allowed him to post 10% of his $250,000 bond as long as he attended court hearings and wore a GPS monitor. He had been charged with first-degree murder and other offenses in the strangulation death of his wife, 60-year-old Helen Showalter.

Prosecutors argued that Showalter killed his wife on July 31, 2021, and then dumped her body along the Des Moines River near Ottumwa. Her body was found floating in the river the next morning.

Jurors reached a verdict just after 1 p.m. Friday and Showalter's lawyer said he called his client and told him to come to the Wapello County Courthouse. When Showalter didn't arrive, his attorney contacted the judge as well as officers, who checked his home.

While police searched for Showalter, the judge ordered that the verdict be read, citing Iowa court rules in cases where a person on trial is voluntarily absent. The jury found Showalter guilty of first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, willful injury causing serious injury, and domestic abuse assault by strangulation or impeding blood circulation.

Ottumwa Police later determined that Showalter had cut off his GPS monitor and turned off his cellphone.

Showalter will be sentenced on Oct. 16. In Iowa, first-degree murder carries a mandatory term of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Gregory Showalter caught after skipping verdict in Ottumwa murder case
Cambodian PM urges continued support to achieve kingdom's mine-free goal by 2025

Xinhua) 17:02, September 23, 2023

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has called for continued support from the international community to achieve the country's mine-free goal by 2025.

Hun Manet made the appeal at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the United States on Friday (New York time), according to a statement of his speech released to the media on Saturday.

"In addition to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the global framework, Cambodia has added its own specific goal related to mine action - namely, a 'Mine-Free Cambodia by 2025,'" he said.

"In this effort, we call for continued financial and technical support. We also urge greater participation by the international community to raise awareness of the dangers of landmines and unexploded ordnance, the 'hidden killers' that threaten human security even after armed conflicts end," he added.

Cambodia is one of the countries worst affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERWs). An estimated 4-6 million landmines and other munitions had been left over from three decades of war and internal conflicts that ended in 1998.

According to Yale University, between 1965 and 1973, the United States dropped some 230,516 bombs on 113,716 sites in Cambodia.

Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), said from 1979 to June 2023, landmine and ERW explosions had killed 19,821 people and either injured or amputated 45,205 others in the Southeast Asian country.

"This makes Cambodia one of the countries with the highest casualties," he told Xinhua.

He said since 1992, an area of 2,761 square kilometers has been cleared, further lowering the number of casualties from 4,320 in 1996 to less than 100 per year on average over the last 10 years.

However, Cambodia still needs to clear the remaining contaminated areas of 1,817 square kilometers, he said, adding that some 538 square kilometers are contaminated with landmines, and the rest are contaminated with ERWs.

(Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Liang Jun)
A Palestinian protester uses sling shots to hurls stones while waves Palestinian flag as others burn tires during clashes with Israeli security forces along the frontier with Israel, east of Gaza City, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. The Israeli military said it struck three posts belonging to Hamas, the Islamic militant group that has controlled Gaza since 2007, following a number of incendiary balloons launched from Gaza into Israel. This is the latest violence to roil the territory as Palestinians stage routine protests by the border fence. (AP Photo/Adel Hana) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

JERUSALEM (AP)  Israeli airstrikes hit a militant site in Gaza on Saturday for the second time in as many days, the Israeli army said, after Palestinian militants sent incendiary balloons into Israeli farmland and Palestinian protesters threw stones and explosives at soldiers at the separation fence.

There were no reported casualties from the strikes in Gaza. Earlier Saturday, the Israeli military shot and wounded three Palestinians who were rallying at the separation fence along the Israeli frontier with the crowded enclave. It's a familiar tactic for Palestinians in Gaza protesting a 16-year blockade imposed by Israel with Egypt's help. Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent the ruling Hamas militant group from arming itself.

It was the latest in a series of violent protests over the past week that has raised the specter of an escalation for the first time since a brief round of conflict last May between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group. It comes at a fraught time, just before the Sukkot festival in Israel next week.

During Sukkot, large numbers of Jews are expected to visit Jerusalems most sensitive holy site, revered by Jews as the Temple Mount and Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary. The compound, home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, is often a focal point for violence.

Our rebellious youth are expressing their anger at the attempts at religious war being waged against our people in Jerusalem, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem told local media from the protests, where tires set alight smoldered behind him.

The Israeli army said Saturday it had targeted a post belonging to the territory's militant Hamas rulers near the separation fence in eastern Gaza where dozens of Palestinians had protested. Hamas-linked media outlets posted photos of militants sending a barrage of balloons attached to incendiary devices over the border from eastern Khan Younis, one of the biggest cities in the strip.

Militants similarly attempted to set fires in Israeli farmland surrounding the strip on Friday after another protest at the perimeter fence left nearly three dozen Palestinians wounded by Israeli fire. Israel also responded with a series of airstrikes late Friday.

Hamas, which seized control of Gaza in 2007, has described the protests as spontaneously organized by rebellious youths in response to Israeli provocations. Israel has opted for a punitive response, barring about 18,000 Palestinian laborers from Gaza from working in Israel, where they can earn up to 10 times as much money as in Gaza.

The exchanges on Friday and Saturday stopped short of a full-scale escalation. But they underscored the fragile nature of the calm that had pervaded Israel's border with Gaza for the past several months, even as Israeli-Palestinian violence has surged in the occupied West Bank.

Israel and Hamas have fought four wars and engaged in numerous smaller battles since Hamas took over the territory.
As a South American travel specialist, I've traveled to the Galapagos Islands several times.

Travelers can expect to see species like the giant tortoise and the blue-footed booby.

Adventurous visitors can even hike to the rim of one of the world's largest volcanic craters.

I've worked as a South American travel specialist for eight years and have traveled to all 13 of the main Galapagos Islands.

Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the beautiful islands are mainly known for the many rare wildlife species that reside there.

Here are the top things I think every first-timer should do when visiting the Galapagos Islands.

See the islands' most famous residents up close

A giant tortoise

The giant tortoise can weigh over 500 pounds.Marci Vaughn Kolt

Many of the birds, reptiles, and mammals found on the Galapagos Islands are endemic, meaning they can't be found anywhere else in the world. Perhaps the most well-known species in the Galapagos is the giant tortoise, which can weigh over 500 pounds.

In my experience, the best place to see them in the wild is in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, where you can visit a private reserve like El Chato. You can also see the giant tortoise at the Charles Darwin Research Station's breeding facilities on Santa Cruz Island.

However, keep in mind that Galapagos National Park rules mandate that visitors must remain at least 6 feet (or 2 meters) away from all wildlife. If you get too close, the giant tortoises may hiss like enormous cats to warn you to step back.

Hike to the rim of one of the world's largest volcanic craters

Visitors to Isabela Island can hike to the rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano, which measures 6 miles in diameter, making it one of the largest craters in the world.

The trailhead is a 45-minute drive from the town of Puerto Villamil, and the approximately 12-mile hike typically takes about five to six hours to complete.

Since the volcano is within the national park, all visitors must be accompanied by a licensed naturalist guide.

See the blue-footed booby's mating dance

Two side-by-side photos of the blue-footed booby performing its mating dance.

The blue-footed booby is known for its unique mating dance.Marci Vaughn Kolt

In my opinion, nothing is more entertaining and fascinating than experiencing the blue-footed booby's intricate and goofy multi-part mating dance.

These iconic birds can be found on the majority of the islands and their mating dances typically take place during the spring and summer months.

Experience the underwater world while snorkeling or diving

A Galapagos penguin

The only penguins in the Northern Hemisphere can be found on the Galapagos Islands.Marci Vaughn Kolt

The ocean surrounding the Galapagos has just as much action as the islands themselves, and snorkeling and diving are the most popular ways to experience it. The protected marine reserve surrounding the islands is home to endemic species like the Galapagos penguin, the only species of penguin found in the northern hemisphere.

You may also be lucky enough to see the marine iguana, the only known swimming iguana in the world.

The Galapagos Islands are home to the only swimming iguanas. Marci Vaughn Kolt

Visit a coffee farm in the highlands of Santa Cruz

The rich volcanic soil of the Galapagos Islands is ideal for growing coffee beans. Because 97% of the islands are within the national park and only a small part can be used for agricultural purposes, coffee production is limited.

However, several coffee farms on Santa Cruz Island offer tours and tastings.

Experience local life in the town of Puerto Ayora

A pelican and a sea lion wait for fish scraps as a woman cuts up raw fish at the market.

Local wildlife often wait for scraps at the fish market.Marci Vaughn Kolt

Only four of the 13 major islands in the Galapagos are inhabited by people. Puerto Ayora, located on the island of Santa Cruz, is home to the largest human population.

I recommend stopping by the Santa Cruz Fish Market in the morning to watch the sea lions and pelicans patiently line up around the fish counter for scraps. In my opinion, this is one of the best ways to have a glimpse of local life and witness how the islands' human inhabitants coexist with the wildlife.

At night, enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants along Charles Darwin Avenue that use fresh, local seafood from the market.

Also check out the Galapagos Islands' first microbrewery, The Santa Cruz Brewery, which opened in 2015. One of its unique brews includes an English porter made with locally-grown coffee.

While in Puerto Ayora, you can also hike or take a water taxi to Tortuga Bay. This wide, white-sand beach is popular for spotting iguanas and a variety of birdlife. You can also have some fun in the water with activities like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and snorkeling.

Learn about the human history of the islands

No stamps are necessary at Post Office Bay. Marci Vaughn Kolt

Although the wildlife tends to be the star of the show, the Galapagos Islands have an interesting human history as well.

Long before Charles Darwin visited in 1835, the Galapagos Islands were frequented by pirates and whalers. Post Office Bay on Floreana Island is named after the islands' first post office. The office is a barrel placed by whalers on a small beach in the 1700s, where they would leave messages for other sailors to pick up and deliver.

If Post Office Bay is included in your itinerary, bring a postcard with you  visitors can still leave their own postcards in the barrel for other travelers to take and hand-deliver. Take a look through the pile to see if there's a postcard you can deliver when you return home.

Sail past Kicker Rock at sunset

Kicker Rock at sunset

Kicker Rock is gorgeous at sunset.Marci Vaughn Kolt

Visitors who explore the Galapagos Islands on a cruise may see Kicker Rock on the itinerary. The ships often circumnavigate this massive rock monolith rising about 500 feet above the ocean.

It's also considered one of the top snorkeling spots on the islands.

Explore the islands' naturally-formed lava tunnels

The highlands of Santa Cruz Island have ancient lava flows under the surface, which created tunnels that visitors can walk through. Galapagos Magic Camp, a tented safari-style lodge, has private lava tunnels where visitors can enjoy a candlelit dinner.

Learn about conservation efforts to protect the islands

A large tortoise resting its head on a smaller tortoise

Many organizations focus on conserving the islands.Marci Vaughn Kolt

In my opinion, the most important thing visitors to the Galapagos Islands can do is learn about the initiatives in place to help protect their fragile, unique ecosystems.

For example, the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island, and similar facilities on San Cristobal and Isabela Islands, raise endangered giant tortoises in breeding centers to eventually be released into the wild.

IGTOA, the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association, is a non-profit organization made up of travel companies, tour operators, and conservation organizations that contribute to a variety of conservation projects. It's a fantastic resource for those looking for a conservation-minded professional to help plan an unforgettable (and sustainable) Galapagos adventure.

Correction: September 26, 2023  An earlier version of this story misstated that the blue-footed booby is an endemic species to the Galapagos Islands. Although the islands are home to many, the blue-footed booby can be found along the Pacific coastline.

Read the original article on Insider
UPDATE: The Jackson Township Police Department reported on its Facebook page that Sahara King, a 16-year-old girl reported missing, has been "returned home safe."

No other details were provided. The original report appears below.

JACKSON TWP.  Police are searching for a missing teen who they say may be in danger.

The Jackson Township Police Department has issued an endangered missing child advisory for Sahara King, a 16-year-old township resident last seen leaving her residence in the 7800 block of Oakdale Street around 10 p.m. Friday.

She was wearing a black halter top, black shorts and high-top Converse sneakers and carrying a plaid purse. King has strawberry blond hair and blue eyes and is about 5 feet, 2 inches tall.

The teen was in an unknown vehicle and was possibly traveling to Pennsylvania.

Anyone with information should call 330-832-1553 or 911.

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Jackson police report missing teen has been 'returned home safe'
A Maryland man who attacked police and a photographer from The Associated Press during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on the Capitol was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday, according to the Justice Department (DOJ).

Rodney Milstreed pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer with a deadly weapon and illegal firearm possession in April. He was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.

According to prosecutors, Milstreed was front and center in the effort to fight against police lines in front of the Capitol Building. This includes throwing a smoke grenade at police and fighting over bike racks used as makeshift barriers.

He hit at least one Capitol Police officer in the head with the flag pole he was carrying, giving the officer a concussion, according to the DOJ. He was also one of the first people to attack an AP photographer, throwing them down a flight of stairs and leading a group to attack them, the documents said.

Milstreed also used Facebook to update his friends on the riot in real time.

Man Ive never seen anything like this. I feel so alive. he wrote, sharing photos of blood on a floor outside the Capitol.

After the riots, he celebrated his participation online.

We f them federal cops up. They all ran when we got physical. LMFAO, he wrote on Facebook, later adding, Time for war.

He expressed remorse during his sentencing.

I know what I did that day was very wrong, he said, the AP reported.

The weapons charge stemmed from a search of his home after his arrest, where police found an unregistered AR-15 rifle.

Milstreed was moved to violence by his dissatisfaction with the results of the 2020 election. Investigators said that he once attempted to contact and join the Proud Boys militia group.

More than 1,100 people have been charged with Jan. 6-related federal crimes, the Justice Department said. Over 650 of them have been sentenced, with roughly two-thirds of them getting a term of imprisonment ranging from three days to 22 years.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A New York man accused of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on the Capitol and attacking a police officer was sentenced to two years and nine months of prison on Friday, the Justice Department announced.

Jonathan Munafo pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting police in April. He was also given 3 additional years of probation and forced to pay $2,000 in restitution.

According to prosecutors, Munafo joined rioters in attempting to enter the Capitol building during the insurrection, and fighting with Capitol Police in one of the buildings tunnel entrances.

He later attempted to scale one of the buildings walls and smashed outside office windows with a flag pole. Prosecutors also accused him of getting into a fight with a Capitol Police officer, punching him twice and ripping away his riot shield.

Munafo was identified by members of the public and arrested in Orlando just a few months after the riots.

More than 1,100 people have been charged with Jan. 6-related federal crimes, the Justice Department said, with nearly 400 charged with assaulting police officers.

Over 650 of them have been sentenced, with roughly two-thirds of them getting a term of imprisonment ranging from three days to 22 years.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy called on his states senior senator, Bob Menendez , to resign hours after Menendez was indicted on bribery charges.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Murphy, a fellow Democrat, could appoint a successor should Menendez agree to step down. In a statement released late Friday afternoon, the governor said the allegations were deeply disturbing.

These are serious charges that implicate national security and the integrity of our criminal justice system, Murphy added.

He said that while Menendez, who has been the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, and his co-defendants were entitled to defend themselves, the alleged facts are so serious that they compromise the ability of Senator Menendez to effectively represent the people of our state. Therefore, I am calling for his immediate resignation.

The sweeping federal charges accuse Menendez and his wife, Nadine Menendez, of doing favors for three businessmen who showered them with gifts of gold bars, hundreds of thousands in cash, mortgage payments and a Mercedes convertible.

Read More: Senator Menendez Charged With Taking Bribes of Gold Bars, Cash

The indictment in New York federal court said that Menendez abused his power to secretly benefit Egypt as well as the businessmen, including one who sought help with his own federal indictment. Another businessman sought the senators assistance to protect his company, the only authorized importer of halal meat to Egypt, according to court papers.

Menendez, who is up for re-election next year, has denied the allegations and pledged to fight them.

By Friday evening, several other prominent New Jersey Democrats, including Representatives Andy Kim, Bill Pascrell and Mikie Sherrill  a former federal prosecutor  also said he ought to resign.

Their colleague Frank Pallone said in a statement that it was difficult to see how he can continue his service in the midst of these charges. He should resign in the best interest of our state.

After Murphy issued his statement, Menendez released a defiant one of his own: It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat. I am not going anywhere, he said.

Relinquishes Chairmanship

Earlier Friday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement that Menendez had rightly decided to give up his chairmanship of the Foreign Relations panel until the matter has been resolved.

Earlier: Senator Menendez Bribery Case Dropped by Justice Department

Schumer also praised Menendez, saying he has been a dedicated public servant.

When he faced charges in an earlier unrelated corruption case, Menendez gave up his post as the top Democrat on the committee. His 2017 trial ended in a hung jury and prosecutors later dropped the case.

Under the US Constitution, a senator cannot be removed from office unless two thirds of the chamber votes for expulsion.

The Senate Ethics Committee, while not mentioning Menendez by name, said in a statement on Friday night that in response to repeated requests from the press, we want to reaffirm that the Senate Select Committee on Ethics does not comment on matters pending before the committee or matters that may come before the committee.

According to the Senates website, 15 members have been expelled since 1789. All but one were removed because of their allegiance to the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Several other senators resigned after charges were brought against them. That includes Senator Harrison Williams, a New Jersey Democrat who had been convicted in the Abscam bribery scandal. He resigned in 1982.

--With assistance from Laura Litvan.

(Updates with Ethics Committee, in 15th paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, talks about a display of photos of evidence in an indictment against Sen. Bob Menendez , D-N.J., during a news conference, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in New York. | Robert Bumsted, Associated Press

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy , a Democrat, has added his voice calling for Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., to resign after being indicted for bribery.

The allegations in the indictment against Sen. Menendez and four other defendants are deeply disturbing. These are serious charges that implicate national security and the integrity of our criminal justice system, Murphy said in a statement reported by Politico.

Rep. Andy Hill, D-N.J., called on Menendez to resign Friday afternoon, saying, These allegations are serious and alarming. It doesnt matter what your job title is or your politics  no one in America is above the law.

In the meantime, I dont have confidence that the senator has the ability to properly focus on our state and its people while addressing such a significant legal matter, he continued in a statement to The Hill. He should step down.

What other political leaders are calling Sen. Menendez to resign?

The Washington Post reports that Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-N.J., one of the most senior members of the states congressional delegation, is also calling for Menendez to resign. I do not believe that Sen. Menendez can continue to carry out the important duties of his office for our state, Pascrell said.

At least two other New Jersey representatives, Reps. Frank Pallone Jr. and Mikie Sherrill, have also called on him to resign, as well as the New Jersey state Democratic Party Chairman LeRoy Jones Jr., who said urging the senator to step aside was a tough decision.

But to read the indictment is to see that these allegations are serious, Jones said in an interview. It just leaves people like myself and other elected leaders no choice but to call for his resignation.

Earlier on Friday, Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., became the first Democrat to call on Menendez to resign.

Related

What does the indictment accuse Sen. Menendez of doing?

The indictment accuses Menendez, who is up for reelection in 2024, and his wife, Nadine Arslanian, of a bribery scheme that includes using the senators position to covertly benefit the Egyptian government.

The 39-page indictment details the charges:

$480,000 in cash stuffed into jacket pockets, envelopes and a safe.

Another $70,000 in Arslanians safe deposit box.

A no-show or low-show job for Arslanian.

Mortgage payments.

A luxury vehicle.

Over $100,000 worth of gold bars found in their home.

How did Sen. Menendez respond to the indictment?

Menendez released a statement on the indictment, published in full in the New Jersey Globe. It reads in part:

For years, forces behind the scenes have repeatedly attempted to silence my voice and dig my political grave. Since this investigation was leaked nearly a year ago, there has been an active smear campaign of anonymous sources and innuendos to create an air of impropriety where none exists.

Menendez also claims that prosecutors misrepresented the normal work of a Congressional office and that the charges are politically and racially motivated.

Those behind this campaign simply cannot accept that a first-generation Latino American from humble beginnings could rise to be a U.S. Senator and serve with honor and distinction. Even worse, they see me as an obstacle in the way of their broader political goals.

He has stepped down as chair of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Under Democratic Conference rules, a member in a leadership position or with a chair must resign if charged with a felony, but can be reinstated if the charges are cleared or dropped to a lesser charge.

Holly Richardson is the editor of Utah Policy.
Several Democrats including his own state governor are calling on their fellow party member Robert Menendez to resign after federal authorities charged the New Jersey US senator and his wife with accepting bribes. However, the defiant senator has rejected those claims and is refusing to step down.

Authorities on Friday revealed charges alleging that Robert and Nadine Menendez illegally accepted gold bars, cash, a luxurious Mercedes-Benz car and other gifts in exchange for favors benefiting three businessmen as well as influencing the Egyptian government.

Related: US senator Robert Menendez and wife charged with bribery offenses

In response, the Democratic congressman Dean Phillips of Minnesota told CNN he was deeply disappointed in Menendez and that the senator needed to resign. Phillips said that was his position despite his belief that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Yes, I am a Democrat and so is Senator Menendez, but based on what I have seen, I am disappointed and yes, I think he should resign, Phillips said.

He continued: Im appalled. Anybody who pays attention  I dont care [about] your politics, Democrat or Republican, you should be appalled.

A member of Congress who appears to have broken the law is someone who I should believe should resign.

Phillips went on to invoke the case of George Santos, the Republican congressman who has pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of fraud, money laundering and theft of public funds.

I think George Santos should have resigned already, he said. Sadly, our House ethics process, and I would argue the Senate as well, is not as proficient as it needs to be so we have to rely on the judicial system, but Im really disappointed.

Menendez rejected calls to resign and plans to refute the claims of bribery and corruption, according to NBC News. Those who believe in justice believe in innocence until proven guilty. I intend to continue to fight for the people of New Jersey with the same success Ive had for the past five decades, Menendez said in the statement.

This is the same record of success these very same leaders have lauded all along. It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat. I am not going anywhere, he added.

In response to a question on whether Democratic leaders in Congress should lean on Menendez to resign and push him out, Phillips replied: Look, I am trying to restore faith in government.

Thats one of my missions. Its a lot of my colleagues missions, and sometimes we have to walk that talk, even if its uncomfortable. And I would argue that this time, yes, the answer is absolutely.

The New Jersey representative Andy Kim, a Democrat, also called on Menendez to resign. Others included New Jersey Democratic congressmen Frank Pallone and Bill Pascrell.

The New Jersey Globe quoted Kim as saying: These allegations are serious and alarming. It doesnt matter what your job title is or your politics  no one in America is above the law.

The people of New Jersey absolutely need to know the truth of what happened, and I hope the judicial system works thoroughly and quickly to bring this truth to light.

He added: In the meantime, I dont have confidence that the senator has the ability to properly focus on our state and its people while addressing such a significant legal matter. He should step down.

Pallones statement said it was difficult to see how Menendez can continue his service in the midst of these charges, despite his deserving his day in court. And Pascrells statement added: Given the gravity of these charges, I do not believe that senator Menendez can continue to carry out the important duties of his office for our state.

Unsurprisingly, New Jerseys Republican state committee joined Phillips and Kim in calling for Menendez to step down. The statement said Menendezs legal woes [were] an embarrassing distraction.

For the good of the people of this state, who deserve full and devoted representation, we call on  Robert Menendez to resign, the statement added.

In New Jersey, if there is a vacancy in the US Senate, that seat gets filled by a gubernatorial appointment before a special election is held to replace the appointee. Should Menendez leave office, his vacancy would be filled by the states Democratic governor, Phil Murphy, a reality that perhaps makes it less uncomfortable for Phillips and Kim to insist on their fellow party members resignation.

Murphy himself also called for Menendez to resign in a statement issued on Friday.

The allegations in the indictment  are deeply disturbing, the statement said. These are serious charges that implicate national security and the integrity of our criminal justice system.

In recent months, Democrats have not only called on Santos to be removed from Congress  they have also demanded that Donald Trump not run for a second term as president as he grapples with more than 90 criminal charges across four separate indictments.

House Democrats introduced a resolution to expel the indicted Santos from Congress in May, but Republicans successfully sidestepped the maneuver.

Meanwhile, Virginias Democratic US senator Tim Kaine said earlier this month that he believed there was a powerful argument to be made that Trump could be disqualified from running in the 2024 presidential election under the 14th amendment of the constitution. That amendment bars anyone who has taken an oath to support the constitution and has engaged in insurrection against the US from holding any civil, military or elected office without approval from two-thirds of both the House and Senate.

Trumps charges include ones in connection with the 6 January 2021 attack on Congress staged by his supporters after he lost the previous years presidential election to Joe Biden.

Other liberals as well as prominent legal scholars across the country have echoed that argument.
(Bloomberg) -- US Senator Robert Menendez will be challenged for his seat by Representative Andy Kim, a fellow New Jersey Democrat, after federal prosecutors handed down corruption charges against the longtime lawmaker.

Most Read from Bloomberg

As a result, I feel compelled to run against him, Kim said Saturday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Not something I expected to do, but NJ deserves better.

Kim is among several prominent New Jersey Democrats, including Representatives Bill Pascrell and Mikie Sherrill  a former federal prosecutor  who joined Governor Phil Murphy in calling for the resignation of the states senior senator, who faces reelection next year.

Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, added his voice on Saturday, saying in a statement that Menendez is not entitled to continue to wield influence over national policy and should choose an honorable exit.

Read more: NJ Banker Accused of Bribing Menendez to Sway Loan Scheme Case

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Friday that Menendez, 69, will step aside as chairman of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Kim, 41, linked his post to a site asking for campaign donations.

The indictment in New York federal court alleges that Menendez, who is chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, abused his power to secretly benefit Egypt as well as the businessmen, including one seeking help with his own federal indictment. Another businessman sought the senators help to protect his company, the only authorized importer of halal meat to Egypt.

Menendez accused prosecutors of overreach, said forces behind the scenes are trying to dig his political grave and pledged to fight the allegations.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) announced Saturday that he will primary Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) after the senator was indicted on corruption charges Friday.

After calls to resign, Senator Menendez said I am not going anywhere. As a result, I feel compelled to run against him, Kim said on X, formerly Twitter. Not something I expected to do, but NJ deserves better.

Kim was the second member of Congress and first from New Jersey to call on Menendez to resign Friday. A growing list of Democrats, headlined by Gov. Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), have asked Menendez to step down.

I believe more than ever that New Jersey needs hard working, trustworthy leaders focused on the common good and injecting some integrity and civility back into our politics, Kim wrote in his announcement, sharing a link to his donations page. We cannot jeopardize the Senate or compromise our integrity any longer.

Help me build a movement to restore faith in our democracy, he added.

Prosecutors allege that Menendez and his wife accepted over $600,000 in bribes from a group of New Jersey businessmen to help them and interests in Egypt.

These allegations are serious and alarming. It doesnt matter what your job title is or your politics  no one in America is above the law, Kim said in a statement to The Hill on Friday. The people of New Jersey absolutely need to know the truth of what happened, and I hope the judicial system works thoroughly and quickly to bring this truth to light.

The Hill has reached out to Kims office and campaign for comment.

Menendez has denied the charges, calling them a smear campaign. He was previously investigated and charged in a separate bribery probe in 2015, but that case was later dropped after a mistrial.

The senator stepped down from his chairmanship in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee but said he will not resign, despite demands.

Those who believe in justice believe in innocence until proven guilty, Menendez said in a statement late Friday. I intend to continue to fight for the people of New Jersey with the same success Ive had for the past five decades. This is the same record of success these very same leaders have lauded all along.

It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat. I am not going anywhere, he added.

Menendez does not currently face a significant primary opponent for his 2024 reelection.

Small-town mayor Joe Signorello had raised over $100,000 for his primary challenge against Menendez by the end of June, according to federal campaign finance reports, but announced in July that he would pursue a congressional seat instead.

Leading GOP candidate Shirley Maia-Cusick called the allegations against Menendez unconscionable, and called on him to resign. A second Republican challenger dubbed the senator Gold Bar Bob.

Updated at 4:37 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Sen. Bob Menendez , D-N.J., on Friday rejected calls for him to resign from Congress, saying he plans to fight charges that include allegations of bribery and corruption.

"Those who believe in justice believe in innocence until proven guilty. I intend to continue to fight for the people of New Jersey with the same success Ive had for the past five decades," Menendez said in a statement.

"This is the same record of success these very same leaders have lauded all along. It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat. I am not going anywhere," he added.

The senator's statement comes in response to a growing number of Democrats in New Jersey and on Capitol Hill calling for him to step down after a federal indictment against him and his wife was unsealed Friday morning.

New Jersey Democrats including Gov. Phil Murphy and members of the state's congressional delegation have said Menendez needs to go.

Under our legal system, Senator Menendez and the other defendants have not been found guilty and will have the ability to present evidence disputing these charges, and we must respect the process," Murphy said in a statement.

However, the alleged facts are so serious that they compromise the ability of Senator Menendez to effectively represent the people of our state. Therefore, I am calling for his immediate resignation, he added.

Phil Murphy, governor of New Jersey, speaks during the 2023 State of the State Address at the New Jersey State House in Trenton, New Jersey, US, on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Murphy proposed expanding the number of liquor licenses in the state and providing shore towns with funding to help upgrade their boardwalks. (Aristide Economopoulos / Bloomberg via Getty Images file)

Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., also called on Menendez to step down, saying he lacked "confidence that the Senator has the ability to properly focus on our state and its people while addressing such a significant legal matter.

Kims statement was first reported by the New Jersey Globe.

Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., said in a tweet that it would be "in the best interest of our state that Senator Menendez resign."

Kim was the second Democrat on Capitol Hill to call for Menendez to step down amid the allegations.

In a CNN interview, Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., said that regardless of political party, a member of Congress who appears to have broken the law should resign, when asked whether Menendez should resign from the Senate.

There is evidence here. And yes, Im a Democrat, so is Senator Menendez, but based on what Ive seen, Im disappointed. Yes, I think he should resign, Phillips said.

New Jersey Democratic state committee chairman LeRoy J. Jones Jr. also called on Menendez to resign.

"Senator Menendez should be afforded the same presumption of innocence that the U.S. Constitution guarantees to all Americans. But in the interest of ensuring that New Jerseyans continue to be granted the federal representation that they deserve, and to make sure that our party is able to keep its focus on the critical upcoming state legislative elections in November, I believe that the best course of action is for Senator Menendez to resign so that he can focus his full attention on his legal defense," Jones wrote in a statement.

Menendez and his wife, Nadine Menendez, were charged in Manhattan federal court with conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right, according to an indictment that was made public Friday.

Menendez allegedly wielded the power of his official position to enrich three New Jersey businessmen and benefit the Egyptian government.

In exchange, the couple received lavish bribes, including cash, gold bars, payments toward a home mortgage, compensation for a low-or-no-show job, a luxury vehicle and other items of value, prosecutors said.

Menendez dismissed the allegations against him in a statement Friday, arguing that he is facing "an active smear campaign of anonymous sources and innuendos to create an air of impropriety where none exists" and suggesting that prosecutors have misrepresented the normal work of a Congressional office.

Menendez is not the first lawmaker this year to face resignation calls stemming from a federal investigation.

Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., has faced calls to step down amid a series allegations that he lied and fabricated some of his credentials and biography as he ran for Congress. In May, he pleaded not guilty to a 13-count federal indictment related to wire fraud, money laundering and other charges.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Washington  New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy called on Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez to resign following his indictment on federal bribery charges Friday, joining a growing chorus of fellow Democrats calling for the senator to step aside.

Murphy called the allegations contained in the indictment "deeply disturbing" and said they "implicate national security and the integrity of our criminal justice system."

"Under our legal system, Senator Menendez and the other defendants have not been found guilty and will have the ability to present evidence disputing these charges, and we must respect the process," Murphy said in a statement. "However, the alleged facts are so serious that they compromise the ability of Senator Menendez to effectively represent the people of our state. Therefore, I am calling for his immediate resignation."

Menendez responded to the calls for him to step down with a statement Friday evening, saying: "I am not going anywhere."

"Those who believe in justice believe in innocence until proven guilty," Menendez said. "I intend to continue to fight for the people of New Jersey with the same success I've had for the past five decades. This is the same record of success these very same leaders have lauded all along. It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat."

What is Menendez charged with?

The longtime Democratic senator is accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of bribes in exchange for using his power and influence to enrich and protect three New Jersey businessmen and benefit Egypt's government through the approval of arms sales.

Menendez is charged along with his wife Nadine Menendez and the businessmen, identified in court papers as Wael Hana, Jose Uribe and Fred Daibes. The senator and his wife face one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right. The three New Jersey associates face two counts. All of the defendants are expected to appear in federal court in Manhattan next week for the first time.

Prosecutors said federal agents found more than $480,000 in cash during a search of the Menendezes' home in June 2022, "much of it stuffed into envelopes and hidden in clothing, closets, and a safe," as well as over $70,000 in a safe deposit box belonging to Nadine Menendez. They also found gold bars worth more than $100,000, according to the indictment.

Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, speaks during a press conference after announcing that Sen. Robert Menendez has been indicted on corruption charges charges on Sept. 22, 2023, in New York City. / Credit: ALEXI ROSENFELD / Getty Images

The bribes also allegedly included mortgage payments, compensation for a "low-or-no-show-job," a luxury vehicle and "other things of value," according to the charging document.

Menendez vehemently denied the charges in an earlier statement Friday, calling them "baseless" and saying they are part of an "active smear campaign of anonymous sources and innuendos to create an air of impropriety where none exists."

More New Jersey Democrats call on Menendez to resign

Several Democratic members of New Jersey's congressional delegation joined Murphy in calling for Menendez to step aside in the wake of the indictment.

Rep. Andy Kim, who represents the state's 3rd Congressional District, was the first member to do so, calling the allegations "serious and alarming."

"It doesn't matter what your job title is or your politics  no one in America is above the law. The people of New Jersey absolutely need to know the truth of what happened, and I hope the judicial system works thoroughly and quickly to bring this truth to light," Kim said in a statement. "In the meantime, I don't have confidence that the Senator has the ability to properly focus on our state and its people while addressing such a significant legal matter. He should step down."

Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a former federal prosecutor, likewise said Menendez should resign as the legal process plays out.

"These are serious allegations against Senator Menendez and if proven true, there is no room for this kind of conduct in public service," Sherrill said. "Today is a sad day for New Jersey and I believe it's in the best interest of our state that Senator Menendez resign."

Over the weekend, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat who represents New Jersey's 5th Congressional District, praised Menendez in a statement as a "tough fighter for New Jersey" on a number of issues and said that Menendez deserves his day in court, "but given the gravity of the allegations, I believe it will be difficult for the Senator to carry out his responsibilities."

"For the good of the state, he should step aside as he focuses on his defense," Gottheimer said.

Other Democratic lawmakers weigh in

On Sunday, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also called on Menendez to step down.

"I do believe that it is in the best interest for Sen. Menendez to resign in this moment," Ocasio-Cortez told "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan Sunday. "Consistency matters. It shouldn't matter if it's a Republican or a Democrat. The details in this indictment are extremely serious. They involve the nature of not just his but all of our seats in Congress."

She also rejected Menendez's accusation that he was being pushed to resign his seat because he is Latino.

"As a Latina, there are absolutely ways in which there is systemic bias, but I think what is here in this indictment is quite clear. And I believe it is in the best interest to maintain the integrity of the seat. I want to emphasize that all people, they must be extended the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. That is the legal reality in our country," she told Brennan. "But when it comes to the political and the standard of dignity that we want to maintain for the public in the United States Congress, I do believe it is in the best interest."

Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman has also called on Menendez to resign.

"Senator Menendez should resign," Fetterman posted on X. "He's entitled to the presumption of innocence, but he cannot continue to wield influence over national policy, especially given the serious and specific nature of the allegations. I hope he chooses an honorable exit and focuses on his trial."

Until Monday, Fetterman was the only Democratic senator who had called for Menendez to step down. Six other Democrats in the upper chamber had joined him by Tuesday: Sens. Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Jon Tester of Montana, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Peter Welch of Vermont and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin. Rosen, Casey, Tester, Brown and Baldwin are up for reelection in 2024.

Menendez relinquished his post as the powerful chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee earlier Friday, as required under the rules of the Senate Democratic Caucus. But he gave no indication that he planned to resign his Senate seat in his earlier statement, instead vowing to "remain focused on continuing this important work" and saying he "will not be distracted by baseless allegations."

Other prominent Democrats declined to call for Menendez to resign, most notably Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. The New York Democrat called Menendez "a dedicated public servant" and said he "has a right to due process and a fair trial." Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin likewise said the legal process should be allowed to "move forward without prejudice."

"Senator Menendez has a right to respond aggressively in court to the current charges, and I am confident that he will do so," Cardin said.

Reps. Adam Schiff and Seth Moulton have also called on Menendez to step down.

Menendez was indicted once before in 2015 on roughly a dozen charges, including bribery and conspiracy, following accusations he accepted gifts from a wealthy Democratic donor in exchange for political favors. That case ended in a mistrial after jurors were unable to reach a verdict after deliberating for more than a week.

Newest car theft threat: carhackers

U.S. aid to Ukraine buying more than weapons, also financing pieces of everyday Ukrainian life

Phone etiquette do's and do not's from an etiquette expert
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden toured Seattles Fred Hutch cancer clinic on Friday as part of the Biden administrations cancer moonshot initiative.

President Bidens cancer moonshot operation hopes to vastly reduce cancer fatalities. The moonshot name was inspired by Americas goal of landing a person on the moon in 1969.

Of all the things cancer steals from us, time is the cruelest. We cant afford to wait another minute for better solutions, better treatments, better cures, Jill Biden said on Friday.

During her visit, the research team showed Biden their progress toward treating metastatic breast cancer with the goal of improving survival rates.

There are 18 million cancer survivors across our country, and thanks to the amazing work being done here, we are adding to that number each day., said Biden. As Ive traveled the country and the world  Ive seen innovative programs and partnerships that are making progress. Ive seen what is possible when we invest in cutting-edge research. And Ive seen that there is so much hope to be found.

The research program is supported by a grant from the Department of Defense.

Jill Biden also spoke at one of two private high-ticket fundraisers for the Biden reelection campaign in Shoreline. That event was $1,000 to attend, with additional suggested donations of up to $50,000.
















Former president Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter made a surprise appearance at a peanut festival on Saturday in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.

The pair were driven in the annual festivals parade in a black SUV.

It is thought to be the first time that the former president has appeared in public since February, when he announced he was entering home hospice care, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Can yall see who is in this car? one festival-goer posted on social media. God Bless Former President Jimmy Carter and Former First Lady Carter for making the #plainspeanutfestival parade this year!!! Happy early birthday to him!

Mr Carter turns 99 on 1 October.

The Carters made the day for the thousands of attendees at the Plains Peanut Festival, Jill Stuckey of the National Park Services Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Plains told the AJC.

What a wonderful surprise for everyone.

Prior to entering office, Mr Carter was a peanut farmer, as his father had been, in Plains.

Mr Carters family said that the former president has been doing well since entering hospice care seven months ago.

Can yall see who is in this car? God Bless Former President Jimmy Carter and Former First Lady Carter for making the #plainspeanutfestival parade this year!!! Happy early birthday to him! #JimmyCarter99 pic.twitter.com/fu3vpQcgsb  Yes. It has two ks. (@erikka2ks08) September 23, 2023

We thought at the beginning of this process that it was going to be in five or so days, his grandson, Jason Carter, told The New York Times this week.

I was down there with him in the hospital and then said goodbye. And then we thought it was going to be in that week that it was coming to the end. And its just now been seven months.

Hes got so much joy in seeing his presidency and post-presidency revisited, Paige Alexander, the chief executive of the Carter Center, also told The Times. In many ways, that keeps him going  along with peanut butter ice cream.

Mr Carter exited hospital care for hospice to spend more time with his 95-year-old wife. In May, the Carter family announced that Mrs Carter has dementia.

The couple still live in the same two-bedroom home theyve lived in since 1961.
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter visit Georgia festival ahead of former presidents 99th birthday, Carter Center says

Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn , took a ride through the Plains Peanut Festival in Plains, Georgia, on Saturday, the Carter Center said in a social media post.

Beautiful day for President & Mrs. Carter to enjoy a ride through the Plains Peanut Festival! And just a week before he turns 99. Were betting peanut butter ice cream is on the menu for lunch! #JimmyCarter99, the Carter Center said in a tweet sharing a video of the Carters riding in an SUV down a street lined with festival-goers.

Erikka Bettis Williams, who took the video, said she had no idea that the Carters would be there.

Total surprise! The crowd was sort of slow to react at first because they didnt realize they were there. It was such a great surprise and yes, we sang Happy Birthday! she told CNN.

In this still taken from a video, former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, appear at the Plains Peanut Festival parade in Plains, Georgia, on September 23, 2023. - Erikka Bettis Williams

Jimmy Carter, who turns 99 on October 1, entered hospice care in February. The former president beat brain cancer in 2015 but faced a series of health scares in 2019, and consequentially underwent surgery to remove pressure on his brain.

In an interview with People published last month, the Carters grandson said, Its clear were in the final chapter.

Family and caregivers had been the only recent visitors to the Carters Plains home, Josh Carter told People.

Josh Carter said his grandmother Rosalynn Carter, who has dementia, is cognizant of her diagnosis. She still knows who we are, for the most part  that we are family, he said.

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter have been married for 77 years and are the longest-married presidential couple.

Jimmy Carter was born in Plains, Georgia, and grew up in the nearby community of Archery. A peanut farmer and Navy lieutenant before going into politics, the Democrat served one term as governor of Georgia and was president from 1977 to 1981.

CNNs Shania Shelton contributed to this story.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Venezuelan migrant Yineth Palencia, mother of a 3-year-old girl, awoke Saturday morning to an uncertain future.

The 24-year-old landed in the Roosevelt Hotel after arriving in New York two months ago, and now fears the citys new policy capping stays in shelters for single migrants at 30 days instead of 60 days will somehow leave her on the outside looking in. Palencia noted she was now past the 60-day mark, and said she had heard nothing specific about the reduction announced Friday.

They havent really told us anything, but (there are) rumors, she said. We are just waiting.

While migrants with children currently face no deadlines for staying in shelters, city government sources familiar with the issue told the Daily News the administration was pondering limits on families as well.

We are here for a better future for our children, said fellow Venezuelan Nazareth Rowena, 30, the mother of two boys and a girl who spent three months traveling before arriving in the city this past March. Three days ago, we were told we are going to be leaving soon. I cant work. I dont know where Im going  Im afraid theyre going to send me back.

The city was currently home to more than 60,000 migrants, with Mayor Adams announcing a 30 consecutive-day limit Friday for single adults to retain their beds before they must leave the shelters. Those affected by the cap will receive intensified casework services to assist them in finding their own housing, either in New York or elsewhere, the mayors office said.

Eduardo Sanches, 30, arrived in New York on Friday night and registered shortly after midnight Saturday.

Theyre giving me one month to get out of this refuge, and then theyre going to to re-register us to see where were going to be sent, he said. Thirty days, and then we will be re-registered. Im going to try and find a job  It takes time for us to get permission to work.

The Adams administrations plan to cut the length of stay in half drew a sharp rebuke Saturday from the Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless.

Pushing new arrivals who have nowhere else to turn out of the shelters risks dramatically increasing the number of people bedding down on the streets, something nobody wants to see happen, read the joint statement from the two groups. New York has long been a city that has welcomed immigrants with open arms and woven them into our societal fabric. With each day, this Administration, through policies such as these, erodes this long standing virtue that has defined and strengthened our city since its founding.

The number of arriving migrants continues to swell every week, with Adams saying the new 30-day policy was needed to free up shelter space to handle the growing influx.
Kate Middletons royal milliner has launched her 2024 Haute Dogs calendar, featuring polished pups in couture caps  all in the name of raising money for rescue dogs.

Awon Goldings specialty calendar has been released annually since 2019. Each month of the year highlights a different rescue dog wearing a unique and sometimes silly hat.

All the dogs featured have been saved from certain death, Golding told People Magazine. This calendar is showing the world that these needy dogs make gorgeous best friends and family pets  so many are still trying to find their forever homes.

Golding, whose top-notch clientele includes not only Kate Middleton but Meghan Markle, Lady Gaga and Helena Bonham-Carter, has her own eponymous label and additionally heads the Lock & Co. womenswear line.

She says she was inspired in 2018 to start the Haute Dogs charity project after putting hats on her own rescue dog, Stevie.

So far, the calendars have raised over $85,000 for animal rescue services and Golding hopes to bring in another $12,000 with the latest edition.

This years proceeds will go to Harbin SHS Animal Rescue, a U.S.-based nonprofit which rescues pups from the illegal dog meat trade in China, and saves pets from a trip to the slaughterhouse.

Funds from the calendar sales are planned to go directly toward paying for veterinary treatments for dogs at Harbin SHS.

Those looking to get involved can purchase calendars on the campaigns website for as little as $17. Calendars are set to be shipped in October, and can be delivered worldwide.
Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), a top ally of Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), on Friday said he is willing to shut down the federal government if the Biden administration does not accept some border policy changes that Republicans have attached to a framework to keep the government open past Sept. 30.

[In] 2021, a load of 50 million fentanyl pills, laced pills, have come across the southern border. The cartels are making $13 billion a year doing human smuggling. This is outrageous what is going on right now. And it is affecting every single state, Graves said.

This is something I would shut down the government over if this administration is unwilling to put more reasonable policies in place, he added.

He would only take that stand, however, assuming the House could pass that stopgap with the border provisions and send it to the Senate.

The comments from Graves, who has the GOP conference position of Chair of the Elected Leadership Committee and has been in numerous negotiations on behalf of McCarthy, are notable given House GOP leaderships struggles to get the conference on board with a partisan short-term plan to fund the government past Sept. 30  and the open warnings from GOP leadership, including Graves, against a government shutdown.

I think a shutdowns a failure. I do, Graves said earlier during a sit-down with reporters on Friday.

I think that we should work at all costs to avoid spending. Let me say it again: If we ever shut down, number one, whos going to stand up and say, Yeah, I think our military men and women shouldnt be paid. Were not going to be able to fund our, you know, border agents. All kinds of other havoc is going to be rigged across our nation. And thats a failure, Graves said.

House Republican leaders are aiming to pass a GOP-only stopgap measure that includes the bulk of Republicans H.R. 2 border crackdown bill that passed earlier this year, which includes numerous Trump-era policies like requiring authorities to detain all migrants or return them to Mexico or their home country and re-starting construction of the border wall.

The strategy is to pass that bill to set the House up for negotiations with the Democratic-controlled Senate and White House, as the chamber during debt limit negotiations earlier this year.

But disputes over other portions of the framework, with topline figures across all 12 regular appropriations bills to fund the government, and with the prospect of a continuing resolution to fund the government at all have combined to foil plans to pass a stopgap earlier this week, sending the House GOP into chaos.

One thing Republicans can agree on, though, is the desire to play hardball on the border. Other Republicans like Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) and the House Freedom Caucus have been calling to include border policy changes as part of a continuing resolution for weeks.

Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), chair of the House Financial Services Committee and another key McCarthy ally, said that the idea to pair border policy measures with a continuing resolution to fund the government were first floated by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, earlier this year during a GOP leadership retreat.

All this thing about the weeds right of the number  nobody out there gives a damn on the precision of that number amidst all this spending. But the policy? The policy, they see as a clarifying thing, McHenry said.

Graves and McHenry were both instrumental negotiators for McCarthy both during the Speakers race in January and during the debt limit negotiations earlier this year.

As they continue to try to build support for a GOP-only stopgap, Republicans are moving forward on passing appropriations bills at overall lower levels in the hopes of building goodwill and building support for a GOP-only continuing resolution. But they have gotten no commitments from the holdouts on that yet.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month, commemorating the independence of Latin American countries, many of which celebrate their national independence from European colonizers in September.

We look to centuries of Hispanic and Latinx history, and celebrate our hard-won successes in both Latin America and North America. Here in the United States, this month calls us to shine a light on the contributions weve made and our determined persistence in working for full inclusion and equality.

We hope to promote the obvious truth that in order to fully understand what we each bring to our communities, all people should have the same energetic curiosity about each other. One way to address that curiosity is to read Our Migrant Souls: Meditation on Race and the Meanings and Myths of Latino by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Hector Tobar. The historical journey our people have experienced determines what we look like, how we view ourselves and others, what pushes our buttons, and what we believe is possible.

Hispanic as used in Hispanic Heritage month is just the most common term for a very diverse population. Our comfort in labeling our identity has evolved over decades. Timing and geography play a role.

In the 1960s in Colorado I referred to myself as Chicana. My bumper sticker said Chicana Power! It would not have had the same punch had it read Hispanic Power! To have used the term Hispanic would have been seen as elitist and denying our Mexican roots. Now some have begun deleting the gender labeling inherent in the Spanish language by using the gender neutral Latinx or Latine. In Hector Tobars book, he describes this evolution of labeling. He says a Chicano is a Mexican American with a non-anglo image of himself. That was true in my world!

When you read the histories of people from so many Latin American countries, Tobar notes they are filled with stories of ethno-genocides, and of mixing of diverse peoples. Grounding yourself in this breadth of geography and cultures makes it easy to understand how, though there are some common threads, Latinx is not one culture or race. We are dozens.

We are also politically diverse. I am often asked Given the immigrant policies of some politicians, how could so many Latinos vote for blatantly anti-immigration candidates? Sometimes it is just who you are around. In Tobars book, he tells of a blue-collar worker who would hear guys complaining about taxes. How he got to his vote, he says, was that small bits of Republican confetti fell around him. We each carry our own context and reaction to public policies, even about immigration.

One of our commonalities is how we feel about education for our children. This years Hispanic Heritage Month is launched around three themes nationally: Prosperity, Power and Progress. They are all interconnected and even if, especially if, our parents or grandparents had little or none of those things, it is our common desire that our children have it all.

Thats why, for over 20 years, The Hispanic Roundtable has sponsored an annual Latinx Youth Summit for 500 Latinx high school youth. Each years theme speaks to encouraging them to reach for it all, and to recognize the potential within them, to use the passion given by their ancestors to believe that they can achieve prosperity, power and progress. The theme for the 2023 LYS is The culture in me  a blazing ember! La cultura en mi  la brasa ardiente! It will be on Nov. 17 at Centralia College.

Events such as Hispanic Heritage Month can help us see the depths of a persons yearning, strengths, and heart. And being seen is the key to community. What is meaningful can be as simple as learning to pronounce the persons Latinx name correctly.

Kathy Baros Friedt is a retired state agency director, VP of the Hispanic Roundtable, VP of the Strengthening Sanctuary Alliance, a member of the Interfaith Works Program Council, and a member of the St. Benedict Episcopal Church Social Justice and Outreach Ministry.
A Labour-run council has issued a grovelling apology for wrongly accusing two motorists and their legal representative of forging faulty penalty charge notices (PCNs) in an orchestrated fraud.

Newham Council had issued traffic fines that were technically unlawful because the reverse of the PCN documents were left completely blank.

However when Ivan Murray-Smith, an expert on motoring PCNs, challenged the incomplete fines for the motorists, the London councils parking bosses accused them of fabricating the blank pages with bogus photocopies.

London Tribunals, which rules on PCN disputes, published a scathing ruling last month that concluded Newham Council behaved in a wholly unreasonable way in its handling of the case.

Edward Houghton, the adjudicator, found that the councils printers produced unarguably defective legal documents and its staff failed to check them before posting them. The fines were quashed and Mr Murray-Smith and his two clients were awarded more than 455 costs, far in excess of the fines which came to a total of 390.

Photocopying highly unlikely

After Mr Murray-Smith threatened legal action last week, Newham Council formally apologised and began an investigation to address failings in handling the case.

Mr Houghtons ruling explains how a finding of fraud by a legal tribunal would have extremely serious consequences for Mr Murray-Smiths professional and political life and put an end to his credibility as a representative before this tribunal.

It adds how it was felt highly unlikely Mr Murray-Smith, a Conservative councillor at Great Yarmouth Borough Council, who repeatedly pulls up councils on highly technical issues, would suddenly resort to photocopying bogus PCNs.

Three fines with blank pages were issued to Tahir Hamid and Nazma Yaqoob for alleged moving motoring offences on Dec 6 last year.

Newham Council argued that the PCN evidence presented was probably fake photocopies because its printing is infallible and there is no possibility of a PCN being produced with one side blank.

But the adjudicator said the councils evidence amounted to this is what it has been told by its printing department.

No manual check made

The ruling adds: The council informs me no manual check is made by any person before a PCN is posted. Its evidence shows large numbers of PCNs being generated in batches of 50.

It seems to me inherently unlikely that any electronic or physical system is so reliable that errors cannot occur from time to time; and the evidence from the council is well short of what would be required to prove the contrary. It is equally well short of that compelling standard that would be required to prove the fraudulent conduct alleged as an alternative.

Mr Murray-Smith even invited the council to examine the PCNs to see that they were not forgeries, the ruling says.

The ruling notes how the councils lawyers were not so blunt in accusing any of the trio of fraud at the actual hearing, but suggested it was a theory.

In a letter to the council, Mr Murray-Smith, who is among a number of people to give free advice on traffic fines through the website ftla.uk, described Newhams allegation that he had orchestrated such a fraudulent scheme with the objective of deceiving the tribunal and unlawfully depriving the council of funds as very serious.

In reply, a letter signed on behalf of Abi Gbago, the councils chief executive, said: I would like to apologise on behalf of the council on what has happened in Mr Murray-Smiths case and can confirm our legal services under One Source will be responding to this complaint accordingly.

I can assure you that this will be investigated by senior management who will address all matters that have been raised.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
Lachlan Murdoch, son of Rupert Murdoch , is taking over as chairman of Fox and News Corp. (Evan Agostini / Invision / AP)

A day after Lachlan Murdoch stepped up to take over as sole chairman of Fox Corp., the company is nominating two new members of its board of directors, according to a regulatory filing.

Exiting the board is Anne Dias, who expressed concerns over how the company's right-leaning news channel Fox News covered former President Trump in the days after the insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Dias, who runs an investment fund, and Jacques Nasser, a business executive and philanthropist, will finish their terms in November.

Peggy Johnson, chief executive of the technology company Magic Leap, and Tony Abbott, a former prime minister of Australia, are the nominees to replace Dias and Nasser. Shareholders will vote on the nominees at the company's annual meeting to be held Nov. 17 on the Fox studio lot in Century City.

"I want to thank Anne Dias and Jacques Nasser for their years of service to the company and for their invaluable contributions to the Board and to Fox as a whole," said Lachlan Murdoch in a statement. "I welcome Peggy Johnson and Tony Abbott's nominations to the Board. They bring skills, experience and perspectives that will contribute to the Board and benefit Fox."

Rupert Murdoch on Thursday announced his retirement as chairman of Fox and publishing company News Corp., which owns the Wall Street Journal and New York Post, after a 70-year career. Lachlan Murdoch, Rupert's oldest son, will become sole chair of News Corp. and continue as executive chair and chief executive of Fox Corp.

Read more: Real-life 'Succession' as Lachlan Murdoch solidifies perch atop Fox and News Corp.

Typically, board shuffles draw little public scrutiny, particularly with boards in family-controlled companies like Fox and News Corp. Rupert Murdoch and his family hold nearly 40% of the voting shares of Fox, giving them wide latitude to run the company as they see fit.

Dias, founder and chief executive of Aragon Global Management, urged Lachlan Murdoch to "take a stance" after the riot at the Capitol by Trump supporters who were upset about the results of the 2020 election. The violence led to the deaths of five people.

Considering how important Fox News has been as a megaphone for Donald Trump, directly or indirectly, I believe the time has come for Fox News or for you, Lachlan, to take a stance, Dias wrote in an email that was included in evidence for Dominion Voting Systems' defamation case against Fox News. It is an existential moment for the nation and for Fox News as a brand.

Lachlan Murdoch shared the email with his father.

Just tell her we have been talking internally and intensely along these lines, and Fox News, which called the election correctly, is pivoting as fast as possible, Rupert Murdoch replied. We have to lead our viewers, which is not as easy as it might seem.

Read more: Rupert Murdoch, the powerful and polarizing media mogul, steps down as chairman of Fox

Fox Corp. agreed to pay a $787.5-million settlement to Dominion in April. The voting software company claimed it was damaged by Fox News repeatedly presenting President Trumps false charges of fraud in the 2020 election as a way to appease its audience.

The company faces a similar suit from Smartmatic, another voting equipment firm that said it was defamed in Fox News' coverage. That suit is scheduled to go to trial in 2025.

Dias, who did not reply to a request for comment, was not the only board member to raise issues with the Murdochs regarding Fox News.

Rupert Murdoch and son Lachlan Murdoch pictured in 2017 at Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images)

Fox Corp. board member Paul Ryan, former Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, repeatedly pleaded with the Murdochs to "stop spouting election lies" on Fox News after the 2020 election. Ryan was deposed in the Dominion case.

Ryan is nominated for another term on the board.

New York Citys pension fund is suing Fox Corp. and its board on grounds that the company neglected its duty to shareholders by allowing Fox News to broadcast falsehoods, making it vulnerable to defamation lawsuits.

Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Curious Jane, a Lakeland company, has been recognized as one of the nations top franchise marketing agencies for the fifth consecutive year by Entrepreneur magazine.

The company works with national franchise clients such as Kumon North America, Neighborly Brands, Winmark, WellBiz Brands and Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services.

The Top Franchise Suppliers ranking came from a survey of more than 1,000 franchisors. Curious Jane ranked sixth.

We are proud to see Curious Jane once again ranked among the best franchise marketing agencies in the country by Entrepreneur, said Lora Kellogg, CFE, president and CEO of Curious Jane.

The rankings appear in the September-October issue of Entrepreneur.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Lakeland marketing company honored by Entrepreneur magazine
The Anawakalmekak International University Preparatory of North America and Tzicatl Community Development Corporation celebrated a historic moment on Friday, September 22, 2023, as 12 acres of land were officially returned to the Gabrielino Shoshone Nation of Southern California, the original custodians of this land.

The event represents the largest land restoration to an Indigenous tribe in the history of Los Angeles.

Todays return is an important victory for returning land stolen from Indigenous peoples, Marcos Aguilar, executive director of Anahuacalmecac International University Preparatory of North America (AIUP). Twelve acres is but a small piece of a city that spreads across 321,000 acres, and yet, today is an important step in the Land Back movement.

The recovered land will serve as the location for the Chief Yaanna Learning Village, a hub for both students and the wider community to engage in Native ecosystem restoration, climate mitigation, and the essential process of decolonization.

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.

A ceremony marking the land's return took place today at the future site of the Learning Village, now under the guardianship of the Gabrielino Shoshone Nation of Southern California, who generously made it accessible for the Learning Village's purpose.

This acquisition was made possible through the generous support of the California Endowment, NDN Collective LANDBACK Fund, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, Metabolic Studio, TomKat Ranch Educational Foundation, Anawakalmekak, and Tzicatl Community Development Corporation.

Nick Tilsen, President and CEO of NDN Collective, expressed, "Through the acquisition of land and the revival of language and culture, AIUP is fostering autonomous communities for intertribal Indigenous people, youth, and families, both locally and internationally. We hope that this moment serves as a call to action to restore land to Indigenous hands, inspiring other Indigenous communities to follow suit."

During the event, California State Assemblymember Wendy Carillo bestowed Certificates of Appreciation upon those instrumental in facilitating the Land Back return.

Other notable speakers included Nicholas Rocha, chair of the Gabrielino-Shoshone Tribal Council of Southern California; Dr. Bob Ross, CEO of the California Endowment; Josue Rivas on behalf of the NDN Collective; Milli Macene-Moore of Metabolic Studio; representatives from the Office of the Mayor of Los Angeles Dept. of Public Works; and Marcos Aguilar and Minnie Ferguson of Anawakalmekak.

The day concluded with a community dialogue led and moderated by tribal council and youth leaders from the Anawakalmekak Academy.

CORRECTION: A pboto previously used for this incorrectly depicted the property. Native News Online apologizes for the error.

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
The thief pulled up to an antiquities gallery on La Cienega Boulevard with a clear plan.

He backed a rental van into the gallery driveway, broke through a gate and entered a storage yard carrying a moving dolly. Bypassing African wood carvings, Japanese terracotta roof tiles and assorted stone sculptures, he seized a massive 250-pound bronze Buddha statue worth $1.5 million. The entire operation took less than 25 minutes.

The identity and motive of the thief who hit the Barakat Gallery around 3 a.m. on Monday remained a mystery Saturday. Was he a connoisseur of temple art from feudal Japan? Was he hired by someone who was? Or was he just one of the many scrap metal scroungers who prowl Los Angeles by night and entirely oblivious to the objects historical value?

With Los Angeles police investigating, gallery staff were re-watching surveillance video that captured part of the crime and batting around various theories.

Weve been trying to put the pieces together, said Paul Henderson, the gallery director.

The missing item is a seated Buddha with a halo, roughly 4 feet tall, created during Japans Edo Period (1603-1867) probably as the centerpiece of a temple, according to the gallery.

Gallery owner Fayez Barakat acquired the Buddha 55 years ago and kept it in his backyard in L.A. for many years, he told KTLA.

I prize it so much, said Barakat, who now lives in London. He said he was concerned that whoever took it might not recognize how rare and important it is.

I hope that the person who stole it is not stealing it for the weight of the bronze because its a historical item, Barakat said.

There appeared no doubt that the thief  or someone associated with him  had visited the gallery premises before the robbery. The statue was never shown in the gallery itself but kept in a corner of a rear yard that was not visible from the street. It was not on the store's website and no one had inquired about it recently, according to the gallery.

It had to have been scoped out beforehand, Henderson said.

A grainy surveillance video captured the thief, his face obscured by a Wu-Tang Clan hoodie, exiting a Budget Rent a Car van. The license plate was not visible. After breaking through the lower part of the gate, the thief took a dolly out of the van and strode up the driveway toward the storage area.

He moves with intent, theres no waffling around or looking around. He knew where to go, Henderson said.

Police are looking for video surveillance from neighboring businesses and plan to collect additional evidence from the scene next week, according to the gallery. Anyone with information is asked to call the Los Angeles Police Department at 1-877-275-5273.

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.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A 24-year-old woman died of complications from a septic abortion, and her family has sued Dignity Health  St. Rose Dominican Hospital on Blue Diamond Road, according to a wrongful death lawsuit.

Alyona Dixon of Pahrump died Sept. 28, 2022, six days after she sought help at a Planned Parenthood clinic for a medically induced abortion. Four days later, she went to St. Rose Dominicans Blue Diamond campus with sharp lower abdominal pain that started the previous day, according to details provided in the lawsuit.

After a few tests  notably without a pelvic exam or a consultation with a gynecologist  Dixon was discharged on the afternoon of Sept. 26, the lawsuit says. She was told to follow up with a gynecologist, and go to the emergency room right away if her symptoms worsened or changed.

Dixon went to the emergency room at Desert View Hospital in Pahrump after 11 p.m. on Sept. 27, and also reported vaginal bleeding. A doctor there described her condition: abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, severe dehydration, acute renal failure, leukocytosis, sepsis, lactic acidosis, hypokalemia, sinus tachycardia, metabolic acidoses, pulseless electrical activity, respiratory failure. After treating Dixon and seeing her symptoms improve, the doctor got approval to transfer her to a Clark County hospital.

But her condition quickly deteriorated an hour later and she remained at Desert View, according to an attorney.

(Photo provided by Bighorn Law)

As her heart rate elevated to 150 and she had trouble breathing, doctors worked to intubate and sedate her. She vomited during the process and her heart stopped. Attempts to resuscitate her failed, and she was declared dead at 5:32 a.m. on Sept. 28. The Clark County Coroners Office gave her cause of death as complications from septic abortion.

The lawsuit alleges that doctors at Dignity Healths Blue Diamond campus should have seen the severity of Dixons problems on Sept. 26 and properly treated her.

The lawsuit names Dignity Health Emerus  Blue Diamond, Dr. Hayden Maag and an unspecified number of unnamed nurses and companies. The lawsuit was filed by attorneys Kimball Jones and Mark Rouse of Bighorn Law in Las Vegas.

It seeks payment of Dixons medical, funeral and burial expenses, special damages, compensatory damages and punitive damages  in excess of $15,000 for each of the categories. The lawsuit also seeks general damages for Dixons husband, Michael, and son, Wesley.

The death of Alyona Dixon was tragic and devastating for her young family, Rouse said Friday. Alyona loved kids and hoped to one day operate a kids play center. Unfortunately, she will never have that opportunity. We believe the evidence will show that Alyonas death was preventable and that the defendants should be held accountable for their conduct.

The lawsuit includes a four-page letter from Dr. Hany Atallah, chief medical officer at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. The letter describes the details of the care given to Dixon, as well as Attalahs opinions on missteps.

Atallahs letter claims Dr. Maag failed to properly evaluate Dixon before she was discharged, he failed to adequately rule out sepsis as the cause of Dixons symptoms and he minimized the significance of the ascites present on a CT scan.

When she went to Planned Parenthood, Dixon was determined to be an appropriate candidate for elective termination of pregnancy with mifepristone followed 24-48 hours later by misoprostol intravaginally, according to Atallahs letter. But it does not say she was given the treatment. She was appropriately counseled about the risks of the medical abortion and was discharged home, the letter says.

Dixon had given birth in December of 2021  just nine months earlier, according to the letter. The new pregnancy was discovered during a physical exam in August 2022, estimated to be at just over eight weeks.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained reveal how Las Vegas police tracked down two teenagers accused of intentionally hitting and killing a bicyclist and recording it on video.

Both Jesus Ayala, 18; and Jzamir Keys, 16, are accused of killing Andreas Andy Probst, 64, a retired California police chief. Probst was riding a bicycle in a marked lane on Aug. 14 near Tenaya Way and Centennial Parkway in the northwest Las Vegas valley when Ayala intentionally crashed into him, documents said.

The now-viral video of the incident circulated within several Las Vegas high schools in the weeks after the murder, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained. It was not until a student approached a school resource officer in late August that Metro police learned the act appeared intentional, documents said.

The stolen car that Ayala and Keys allegedly used to murder Probst was found ditched near Craig Road and Jones Boulevard  less than 10 minutes from the crash site, sources told the 8 News Now Investigators.

The stolen vehicle was located with blood on its windshield.

Las Vegas teen expected slap on the wrist for hitting, killing cyclist: Ill be out in 30 days, Ill bet you

About a half-hour before Probsts murder, the teenagers allegedly attempted to hit another bicyclist in the area of Fort Apache and Washburn roads, police said. In the hours after Probsts death, the teenagers allegedly stole two more cars in the area of Lake Mead Boulevard and Torrey Pines Drive, sources said.

About an hour after allegedly hitting and killing Probst, the teenagers took the two stolen cars and crashed them into each other near a shopping plaza at Lake Mead and Rainbow boulevards, sources said. The teenagers then allegedly broke into a garage where they took several items, and returned to the area where Probst was hit and killed in one of the two-crashed stolen cars.

Jesus Ayala, 17 at the time of the incident, appeared to show no remorse while being taken into custody. (KLAS)

Officers managed to take Ayala into custody, but Keys ran off, sources said.

Last week, detectives interviewed a student who told them Jzamir killed that guy on the bike, that Keys had shared the video and had more videos on his phone, documents said.

Detectives later located more videos from Aug. 14 and a request from Keys to a student to delete the video, documents said. The videos include the one shared online of the car hitting Probst and from the earlier attempted murder, police said.

Keys was allegedly the driver in the first bicyclist hit-and-run, which police are classifying as an attempted murder. Ayala is accused of driving the stolen car in Probsts death, police said.

Andreas Andy Probst, with his wife, Crystal. Probst died after two teenagers intentionally hit him while he was riding his bike on Aug. 14, 2023. (Credit: Probst family)

Both Ayala and Keys faces appear in the videos, documents said.

Cell phone data from both Ayala and Keys placed them in and around the site of Probsts murder, as well as several other alleged crimes, from the morning of Aug. 14, documents said.

Detectives later obtained cell phone video of a fight involving Keys from mid-September, which showed him wearing the same shoes as seen in the videos on Aug. 14, documents said.

Police arrested Keys on Tuesday. As the 8 News Now Investigators reported in August, police did not have enough evidence in the weeks after the crash to charge Ayala with murder since the video did not surface for two weeks.

Jzamir Keys, 16, faced murder, attempted murder and battery charges, records showed. (KLAS)

Ayala, who was 17 at the time of the alleged crime spree, faced 18 charges, including murder, attempted murder, battery with the use of a deadly weapon, leaving the scene of an accident, and numerous larceny and burglary charges, records showed. He had an active warrant out for his arrest on a domestic battery by strangulation charge, documents said.

Keys, faced murder, attempted murder and battery charges, records showed.

Both teenagers appeared in adult court Thursday for their initial appearances. They were expected to return to court Tuesday to be formally arraigned. Both declined the 8 News Now Investigators requests for interviews.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
(Bloomberg) -- Corporacion Andina de Fomento, a Latin American development bank that will lend over $14 billion this year, is seeking to add new members from Europe, the Middle East and Asian countries to finance new projects in the region.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Caracas-based bank known as CAF, one of Latin Americas largest lenders, is in conversations with several countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, India and Korea to join its existing 21 members, President Sergio Diaz-Granados said. The new shareholders could get a stake of as much as 15% of the bank and two seats on its board but CAF will continue to be controlled by Latin American nations, he said.

Read More: CAF Plans Infrastructure Funds in Six Latin American Countries

We are in this process of seeking partners that contribute to the bank without the bank losing its essence, Diaz-Granados told reporters in Mexico City on Friday. The idea is to double the size of the bank by 2030, and you can do that basically with capitalization by the countries.

The process of expanding the bank to new members will take time, with CAF more immediately focused on adding some Caribbean nations to reach between 27 and 28 members. Spain and Portugal are currently the only two members that arent from the region.

Conversations with other countries are in an exploratory stage and can involve other forms of agreements and alliances that dont result in memberships, including funding investment projects or guarantees, a CAF spokesperson said in a statement. In 2021-2022, the bank approved a $7 billion capitalization, the largest in its history, to reach the goal of doubling in size by the end of the decade, according to the statement.

While CAF has expanded quickly in recent years and now rivals other lenders such as the US-backed InterAmerican Development Bank, its seeking new backers that will provide the fresh capital needed to increase loans and improve links with other regions. The US doesnt have a say in the bank, having historically opted to direct funding to Latin America through the World Bank or the IDB, both based in Washington.

Diaz-Granados sees these institutions as complementary but said CAF can finance a broader set of projects than the IDB in the region because its decisions arent under threat of a US veto. The bank isnt seeking to add the US to its ranks nor is the American government is willing to join CAF, he said.

We have a fluid communication with them but they arent interested in CAF and in our case we arent interested in the US either, he said. This is a piggy bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. This belong to us.

Argentina Loan

CAF recently played a key role in helping cash-strapped Argentina repay a tranche of its $44 billion program with the International Monetary Fund, giving a $1 billion bridge loan to the country for about three weeks until the IMF approved a disbursement to the country, charging a 4% interest.

The bank was then repaid by the IMF in Special Drawing Rights, the organizations international reserve asset known as SDRs, which CAF is now allowed to hold.

Rich countries should use their excess SDRs to finance development projects, particularly in areas affected by climate catastrophes, Diaz-Granados said.

SDRs can be used to face a liability through a development bank, he said. They should be used for the crisis we are seeing now, which is a climate-generated crisis.

Read More: Argentina Seeks $1 Billion Bridge Loan From Caracas-Based Bank

(Adds CAF additional comments in fifth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Does someone have to speak Spanish in order to be considered Hispanic? Most Latinos say no  but at the same time, they think it is important that future generations of Hispanics do speak the language.

Those are among the findings of a Pew Research Center report released this week about U.S. Latinos and their views of, and experiences with, the Spanish language. The report also found that more than half of Latinos who dont speak Spanish well  especially young Latinos  have been shamed by other Latinos for it.

The center found that while three-quarters of Latinos say they can speak Spanish at least pretty well, nearly four in five (78%) didnt consider speaking Spanish a necessary component of being Hispanic.

Theres a desire to maintain the language but a recognition that not all of us speak the language, so what are you going to do? said Laura Munoz, an assistant professor of history and ethnic studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Disqualify those people from participation?

What do Latinos say about who can be considered Hispanic?

Spanish-dominant Latinos were more likely (34%) than bilingual (22%) and English-dominant Latinos (6%) to say the ability to speak the language is essential to Latino identity, according to the survey. The survey of 3,029 nationally representative Latinos was conducted in August 2022.

Marcel Ruiz, left, Rita Moreno, Justina Machado, Todd Grinnell and Isabella Gomez starred in Netflix's reboot of "One Day at a Time," which reimagined the show with a Hispanic family facing 21st century issues such as gender identity, racism and mental illness. The show premiered in January 2017 and ran for three seasons on the network.

Theres a lot more pride in Latino identity and in Spanish speaking, but that pride doesnt necessarily translate to language fluency and literacy, Munoz said. Its very difficult given the Americanization we experience in contemporary U.S. society.

Native language ability tends to dissipate in the U.S. as first-generation immigrants give way to subsequent generations. The second generation tends to be bilingual; the third is mostly English-speaking, and so on.

The pattern isn't without pain: A 2021 study by professors at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and Iowa State University in Ames described the first phase as shared language erosion, a process in which the children of immigrants improve their English skills while simultaneously losing or failing to develop their heritage language.

Meanwhile, as their parents are slower to learn English, the bond of common language erodes, which can produce conflict, diminish parental effectiveness and leave kids more susceptible to negative influences.

Hispanics were punished for speaking Spanish at school

Experts note that the loss of Spanish reflects the lingering pressures of a stubbornly monolinguistic nation with a long history of efforts to penalize non-English speakers in schools and society.

In Arizona, for instance, English literacy tests were required in order to vote for much of the 20th century, and public school teachers in the American Southwest employed corporal punishment to keep Spanish-speaking children from speaking their native tongue.

Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., speaks at the state capitol in Phoenix in April 2023. Gallego, an Iraq war veteran and Spanish speaker who represents much of downtown Phoenix, has said that when he campaigned alongside Democratic Party candidates in New Hampshire, "there would be the the few Latino families in New Hampshire who would be extremely excited to see me at the door and speaking Spanish  because as they would tell me that they rarely get talked to, because not many people speak Spanish to them." About 75% of U.S. Latinos say they speak Spanish at least pretty well, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center report.

As a result, many Hispanics who lived through those experiences chose not to teach their children Spanish, to save them the humiliation they endured.

Its important to understand the history of linguistic discrimination, the way that Spanish was eradicated from Latino families, said Lillian Gorman, an assistant professor and director of the Spanish as a Heritage Language program at the University of Arizona in Tucson. You have these intergenerational stories where it wasnt a choice to have this language loss occur.

Many Latinos criticized for speaking Spanish in public

Acts of anti-Spanish bias continue today, even as the language pervades American pop culture in advertising, music and film. In Texas, the League of United Latin American Citizens called for banning a female substitute high school teacher after a video showing her telling a student to speak English  were in America went viral in 2019. That same year, in West Virginia, another video captured a woman berating a Mexican restaurant manager for the same reason.

A 2022 Pew report found that about one in four (23%) of U.S. Latinos said they had been criticized for speaking Spanish in public.

We live in a country that doesnt value multilingualism, Gorman said. People value being monolingual  thats the norm, that everybody speaks English.

While the U.S. doesn't have an official language, maintaining one's native language is predictably difficult for immigrants, giving way to English by the third generation, scholars say.

Lourdes Torres, a professor of Latin American and Latino studies at DePaul University in Chicago, said whenever she encounters second- and third-generation Latinos who can still speak Spanish, I consider them heroes because theyve gone against all these forces. Unfortunately, in our country, it takes a heroic effort to maintain your native language. Its a real act of resistance.

Hispanics want to talk to their grandparents in Spanish

About 75% of U.S. Hispanics say they can carry on a conversation in Spanish at least pretty well, the latest Pew survey found.

Munoz, author of the forthcoming Desert Dreams: Mexican Arizona and the Politics of Educational Equality, said that while some of her Latino students have said publicly that speaking Spanish isnt a necessary part of being Latino, theyve privately communicated the opposite.

Those students, she said, arent necessarily considering the historical context of losing their language but rather the immediate effects of that loss.

Its the inability to communicate with their grandparents, or the local restaurant owner, Munoz said. Thats the immediate loss you feel, and its hard to overcome.

Latino Republicans and Democrats embrace Spanish

While most Latinos may not equate Spanish proficiency with identity, it doesnt mean they dont value the language.

About two thirds (64%) of U.S. Latinos consider it very or extremely important that future generations speak the language, the Pew survey found. However, that desire fades with assimilation.

For kids taking Spanish in school, a trip to Mexico can be a revelation, letting them immerse themselves in the language and tour an archaeological site.

Nearly four in five foreign-born Latinos (78%) said it was very or extremely important that future generations speak Spanish, compared to just 51% of U.S.-born Latinos.

Among the latter group, 62% of second-generation Latinos said it was very or extremely important; that portion fell by nearly half among Latinos of third generation or higher (32%).

Latino Democrats were more likely (88%) than Latino Republicans (80%) to say it was at least somewhat important that future generations of Latinos speak the language, the survey found, with 36% of Latino Democrats saying it was extremely important compared to 26% of Latino Republicans.

Differences were evident among those of varying heritage, too: 79% of Latinos of Central American background said it was very or extremely important that future generations speak Spanish, significantly higher than South Americans (65%), Mexicans (64%), Cubans (63%) and Puerto Ricans (59%).

Experts say Spanish should be taught in schools

Torres, of DePaul University, said preserving the language will require a change in U.S. attitudes about bilingualism.

We have to mount a full-court press to make that happen, Torres said. Its not going to happen naturally because mama and papa speak Spanish; it means you have to come up with a plan.

Linda Ortiz and her daughter, Sophie, prepare to play Loteria, a popular Spanish game. Sophie is part of a bilingual education class at UCLA Lab School, where she is learning 90% Spanish and 10% English.

One means, she said, is through dual-language programs, which are increasing in American schools as research indicates learning in two languages can boost student performance. The American Councils Research Center tallied more than 3,600 such programs nationwide in 2021, 80% of them serving students from Spanish-speaking families.

Meanwhile, heritage learning programs like the one that Gorman oversees at the University of Arizona offer Spanish instruction for those who, for instance, grew up in bilingual households but lack a full grasp of the language.

Theyre designed for those who grew up around Spanish but dont have all the skills, Gorman said. The idea is to make sure students feel pride in their language and where they came from.

Previously, Gorman, who is from New Mexico, helped direct a heritage program for Spanish speakers at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she found that the experiences shared by some students echoed key elements of her own background.

Students born in Chicago whose parents had immigrated from Mexico were having the same experiences with bilingualism that my grandparents had, she said. Id say, Think of me as what your grandkids will be like. And they can still draw power from that.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Hispanic? Why speaking Spanish in the US is not a requirement
Speaking at the U.N. on Sept. 23, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that Moscow was open to negotiations with Ukraine but not a ceasefire.

According to Russian state media TASS, Lavrov also criticized Ukraine's peace plan, claiming it was impossible to implement.

President Volodymyr Zelensky presented the 10-point peace formula, supported by many Western allies, in November 2022. It includes the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, and the release of all prisoners of war and deportees.

During his U.N. speech, Lavrov also spoke about the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which Russia pulled out of in mid-July.

Brokered by Turkey and the U.N. in July 2022, the grain deal was originally meant to guarantee the safe passage of ships transporting Ukraine's agricultural exports from the Black Sea during the invasion.

Russia withdrew from the grain deal in mid-July after repeated threats to do so and has since been targeting Ukraine's agricultural infrastructure, ports, and grain stockpiles.

Lavrov questioned the integrity of the grain deal during his U.N. speech, claiming that only 3% of grain reached the poorest countries in Africa. He also said the deal can resume once Russia's demands regarding its agricultural exports are fulfilled.

Russia has repeatedly abused its position at the United Nations while attempting to justify its war in Ukraine.

Lavrov told the U.N. General Assembly that Russia had "no choice" but to invade Ukraine, U.N. News reported in September 2022.

"I am convinced that any sovereign, self-respecting state would do the same in our stead, which understands its responsibility to its own people," Lavrov said, denying Ukrainian sovereignty.

Russia was also chosen to head the U.N. Security Council in April, the presidency of which rotates on a monthly basis between 15 member states.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in late March called the move a "bad joke" and said that the world "can't be a safe place" with Russia as head of the U.N. Security Council.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine strikes Russias Black Sea Fleet headquarters; Abrams to arrive next week

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The internet might have labeled Abigail Elphick Victorias Secret Karen in 2021, but according to a new report from The New York Times, the real story is more complicated.

Two years ago, Ijeoma Ukenta, who is Black, posted a video to her YouTube channel with the title Karen Goes Crazy Part 1. At the start of the video, Elphick, who is white, seems to be reaching for Ukentas phone as she films. She then sinks to the floor in tears, covering her face and denying Ukentas claims that shed tried to hit her. Passersby in the store remain silent while Elphick begs, Dont record my mental breakdownplease, please, please. The video has netted 2.6 million views on YouTube.

Ukenta had been shopping at Victorias Secret when Elphick began standing too close, the Times reports; when Ukenta asked Elphick to stand six feet away, she reportedly complained to a cashier, at which point Ukenta began filming.

Her videos do not capture the initial exchange that sparked the scene. Insider reported at the time that Elphick later appeared to chase Ukenta around the store, claiming shed threatened her, and later called the police. In August, New Jersey 101.5 reported that no charges had been filed.

According to the Times, legal filings have since revealed that Elphick is disabled, with a long history of medical and psychological conditions. She reportedly lives in a complex reserved for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Per the Times, her lawyers have said in a legal filing that her self-described meltdown resulted from fear that Ukentas video could threaten her job and housing. Ukentas video, they argue, violated her right to privacy.

Tom Toronto, president of Bergen Countys United Waywhich administers the complex where Elphick livestold the Times that he was horrified to learn of the harassment and threats that Elphick had endured following the videos release. She has a disorder, he said. She has anxiety. She had a meltdown. Then the world we live in took over and it became something entirely different than what it actually was.

Ukentas lawyers, meanwhile, argue that she filmed Elphick because she was keenly aware that if the police were called, she, a Black woman, may not be believed. As for why she chose to post the video, Ukentas lawyer, Tracey C. Hinson, told the Times, Its her right. She has a right to let the public know what happened to her.

Back in 2021, Victorias Secret posted a statement about the incident on Xformerly Twitterclaiming that it had launched a full investigation following the unsettling video. The Mall at Short Hills addressed the matter via Facebook comment on a promotional post.

We certainly take this matter very seriously, the statement read. We never want a single customer to feel uncomfortable or unwelcome at The Mall at Short Hills. We sincerely apologize to Ms. Ukenta for her experience.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
The Peoria City/County Health Department conducts food inspections for a wide range of establishments in the area  from restaurants to long-term care facilities and schools. Inspections look for issues that could contribute to the spread of foodborne illness, as well as general cleanliness and maintenance of the establishment.

In August, the Journal Star examined routine inspections for restaurants, mobile establishments and bars/taverns in Peoria County. From these categories, over 100 routine inspections were completed.

The establishments listed below received either no violations or enough violations to warrant a warning from the health department.

Note: According to the Peoria City/County Health Department, "inspections only provide a snapshot of a food establishment's practices, as they are based on what is seen at the time of the inspection."

More: 19 violations and live flies: The best and worst Peoria food inspections for June

Terminology used by the health department

Core violation: These violations relate to "general sanitation, operational controls, sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs), facilities or structures, equipment design, or general maintenance," according to the health department.

Priority foundation violation: These violations could lead to priority violations if they are not corrected.

Priority violation: These violations are considered the most high-risk by the health department, as they have the potential to directly contribute to foodborne illness.

Establishments with no violations during routine August inspections

Caterpillar Edwards Demonstration 5801 N. Smith Road, Edwards Crumbl Cookies Peoria 4509 N. Sterling Ave., Peoria Domino's Pizza #2810 425 N. Western Ave., West Peoria Famous City Bistro Commissary 4918 N. Sheridan Road, Peoria Getaway 321 N. Western Ave., West Peoria Swanees Soft Baked Pretzels Mobile The Chef and the Baker 106 E. McClure Ave., Peoria The Coffee Coop 401 SW Water St. Suite 108 B, Peoria Tony's on Wheels Mobile Union Church of Brimfield 105 W Clay St., Brimfield

More: This new coffee shop with doughnuts and iced drinks is opening in downtown Peoria

Establishments that received warning comments during routine August inspections

KFC #D148018 at 5601 S. Washington St., Bartonville, received one priortity foundation and 12 core violations. These included:

Hand washing sinks blocked at drive through and chicken prep area.

The health department discovered the "roof is leaking in the chicken prep area of the establishment."

Plumbing at a handsink was found to be in need of repair.

The health department found the "Area around the outdoor waste (grease dumpster) receptacles is soiled, creating a nuisance and pest attractant."

Panaderia Ortiz Bakery at 1404 NE Monroe St., Peoria, received three priority, five priority foundation and seven core violations. These included:

The blade of a can opener was found to be "soiled with dust, dirt, food residue and other debris."

The health department observed "Food on display on racks in the front not protected. Food on display shall be protected from contamination."

A display cooler was embargoed after being measured at a temperature over 41 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the health department, "inadequately held food was discarded."

The health department found sanitizer which "measured at 0ppm." The chlorine concentration should be between 50 ppm and 200 ppm.

More: Looking for the scoop on Peoria restaurants? Sign up for PJStar Dining

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria health department food inspections for August 2023
The Pew Research Center has some bleak news for everyone concerned about the future. "Ordinary Americans," it reports, "are more polarized than in the past. Partisan divisions on issues are wider than they were a few decades ago, and many Americans hold deeply negative views of those on the 'other side' of politics." Similarly, a 2022 poll by The New York Times and Siena College found that "in interviews, people across the ideological spectrum told similar stories of estrangement: conversations broken off with siblings and children, decades-long friendships that have gone quiet."



This has not always been true. In 1939, Americans temporarily put aside their usual political hates and loves to cheer on a cinematic valentine to the Bill of Rights: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington . Directed by Frank Capra , now better known for It's a Wonderful Life, the movie was in development and production during two highly publicized controversies. Both arose because of attacks on free speech instigated separately by two close Democratic Party allies of President Franklin D. Roosevelt : Sen. Sherman Minton of Indiana and Mayor Frank Hague of Jersey City, New Jersey.

Minton, a down-the-line administration loyalist, was angering conservatives because of a partisan investigation of antiNew Deal critics and his proposed bill to criminalize any newspaper article "known to be false." Meanwhile, Hague, a key pro-FDR operative in a major swing state, was suppressing leftist demonstrators and union organizers, even expelling some from the city. The combined impact of the seemingly unrelated Minton/Hague episodes prompted the formation of a left-right coalition for free speech. Most notably, socialist Norman Thomas and Republicans Alfred Landon and Herbert Hoover jointly condemned FDR's culpability as an ally of both Minton and Hague.

The makers of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington represented a similar ideological mix. Widely considered a "dogged Roosevelt hater," Capra had consistently voted Republican in presidential elections and in 1937 had opposed FDR's bill to pack the Supreme Court. His two main screenwriters were the openly leftist Sidney Buchman, who was also a secret Communist Party member, and Myles Connolly , a committed Catholic conservative.

The film begins with the appointment by a corrupt fictional governor, a lackey of the "Taylor machine," of the idealistic Jefferson Smith (played by James Stewart) to fill a vacant U.S. Senate seat. The governor hopes to exploit the honest but naive Smith as an unwitting tool to improve the image of the machine. Soon, however, Smith discovers that buried within a popular bill is a scheme by the Taylor machine to siphon off "graft" from a dam project. Defying the entire Senate, Smith conducts a one-man filibuster against the bill. The Taylor machine strikes back through methods that could have been taken from Hague's and to some extent Minton's playbook, including police brutality toward demonstrators and suppression of newspapers because of their alleged "lies." Bucking tremendous odds, Smith eventually triumphs, getting almost universal acclaim.

It is significant that such ideological opposites as Capra, Buchman, and Connolly had cooperated so seamlessly to create this compelling salute to free speech. Praise for the film spanned the ideological gamut, including positive reviews in the communist Daily Worker and the redoubtably conservative Chicago Daily Tribune. The narrative Capra, Buchman, and Connolly constructed under Capra's supervision struck a popular chord, making the film's grosses second only to Gone With the Wind in Hollywood's golden year of 1939.

The larger meaning of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington goes well beyond its no-holds-barred endorsement of civil liberties. It stands as evidence that under the right conditions, Americans can put aside other differences to find common ground. Could something similar happen today? Maybe, but if it does, an essential condition is a willingness by cultural creators and ordinary audiences to rise above, even if briefly, their usual blue-and-red-team squabbles to achieve something greater. They did it once before.



The post When the Left and Right Came Together To Applaud <em>Mr. Smith Goes to Washington</em> appeared first on Reason.com.
Maria Del Pilar Barradas-Medel and Alejandro Medel, with their 4-year-old son in their Azusa neighborhood, are among most immigrants who express optimism about this country. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

To the editor: My father arrived in Detroit in 1905. He was born in 1900 and came to the U.S. during the pogroms in Russia. ("In an increasingly pessimistic era, immigrants espouse a hallmark American trait  optimism," Sept. 17)

When he was in school, a teacher asked him what he wanted to be. My dad said he wanted to work as an engineer. The teacher said, "You are a Jew, no one will hire you." This was the era of Henry Ford.

Dad asked his teacher what he should do. He was told to become a professional  a doctor, a lawyer or a dentist. My dad told his teacher, "I will become a doctor."

And he did. That was the start of his legacy. He opened his medical practice on Van Dyke Avenue in Detroit and married my mother, who worked in his office. I was born in 1940, the same year my father and his physician cousin bought a three-story clinic.

In Detroit, immigrant doctors were not allowed to have hospital privileges. So, my dad's nonprofit hospital gave privileges to all licensed doctors. The hospital grew and was a success. Dad died in 1975.

That is just one story that shows the value of immigration.

Barry Allen, Seal Beach

..

To the editor: Bravo to The Times for its series on the optimism expressed by immigrants.

My parents came as immigrants to this country, and for much of my career, I served in an immigrant community as the director of a social services agency that assisted mostly working but low-income residents.

Sadly, many recent immigrants with limited education are often invisible among us. They wash our dishes at restaurants, work in our factories, landscape our yards and do much more. They do not take away jobs from others; rather, they form a vital economic engine that contributes to the current low unemployment rate.

Their children thrive in our schools, and most pursue economically important career pathways through our various higher education opportunities. Our communities flourish because of the diversity and cultural traditions that immigrants provide.

Marianne Haver Hill, Altadena

..

To the editor: My Swedish grandparents passed through Ellis Island in 1892 where they underwent brief physical exams and an interview. These procedures took a few hours, and upon completion they left and found their way to Minnesota.

In 1897, under the terms of the 1862 Homestead Act, they started their 160-acre farm in North Dakota.

Why isn't it possible in 2023 to update the procedures of 1892 with several "Ellis Island" entry stations, each showing a banner echoing the same welcoming words that are etched on the Statue of Liberty?

Unworkable? I would like to hear any nonracist argument against my proposal. It's not as if the overwhelming majority of immigrants have ceased to be hardworking people looking for a better life.

Daniel Connell, Moorpark

..

To the editor: Paul was in my first-grade class. His family immigrated to the U.S. from South Korea. One day after school I asked his father why children from families like his often excel in school.

He was happy to explain: "When a child is trapped beneath a car, the mother will demonstrate superhuman strength and lift the car to free the child. We come to the United States and we lift the car."

I have never been able to tell that story without tears coming to my eyes. Most immigrants who come to America lift our nation by figuratively "lifting the car."

Kathryn Anderson, Costa Mesa

..

To the editor: Columnist Gustavo Arellano wrote the following: "Whiners: If you dont like the U.S., leave. Leave it to immigrants."

Thats essentially what right-wingers used to say back in the 1960s: "America, love it or leave it."

This sentiment, which basically states, "If you have opinions that dont match mine, then get out, is offensive and undemocratic  whether it comes from the political right or left.

Daniel Landau, Mar Vista

..

To the editor: Unless you are Native American, you and your predecessors are immigrants. Whether you can trace your ancestry to the Mayflower, Ellis Island or a recent crossing, we are all immigrants.

Let's rejoice about that fact  a fact that gives our nation the resilience and ability to thrive that can only be found in diverse ecosystems. We denigrate and dismiss our status as a nation of immigrants at our peril.

Sara R. Nichols, Los Angeles

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Maksym Kozhushko is a police major in Bucha. He is a community police officer. With the outbreak of full-scale war, he was in the heart of fighting and lived through occupation.

The Police of Kyiv Oblast told about his experience.

After graduation, Maksym worked as an operative for four years. He served in the patrol police of the city of Kyiv for about as long. Today, thanks to a reform, he works as a community officer.

"Its similar to the patrol police, something akin to a sheriff in America. First of all, working with people, gaining the trust of the population, providing quality services, responding to statements. Work is also being done in the field of road safety  this is a big emphasis," explains the major.

Photo: Police of Kyiv Oblast

War found Maskym in the 1st police station of Bucha on 24 February. He recalls that the siren went off in the evening. Everyone was gathered up by 21:00. But still, no one suspected anything until 4:00.

Maksym remembers that when the information about the Russian invasion reached them, he personally did not believe it much. At the same time, he adds that the anticipation was not very pleasant.

"And at 4:00 in the morning, when we heard all these explosions, which were confused with fireworks, we realised that everything had begun," the policeman emphasised.

He says that in the first days he served with his colleagues in the regional department, where he also slept on tables or on the floor. Sometimes they went to shoot down helicopters and guarded administrative buildings.

Maksym could not return home. By 25 February no one could get to Hostomel [a city neighbouring Bucha  ed.].

"My house was occupied. Bucha was already on the verge, so I spent the night in the district department. Fortunately, I did not return home then. Everyone who tried to was shot on the border of Bucha and Hostomel," he says.

Maksym had to live in a hospital even before the complete occupation of Bucha. They realised that the Russians occupied the city when they noticed that the flag of Ukraine was removed. They stationed themselves in the hospital basement. They also transferred a lot of food to the building. While they could, they brought wounded there  then the Russians began to shoot the ambulances.

Maksym says that the place was not the safest, but it was a permanent shelter. The Russians bombarded the hospital with their artillery. In addition, living under occupation was dangerous, so the police uniform was temporarily hidden.

"You had to act and think rationally, to help everyone without superfluous heroism  both the civilians and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We hid the weapons and documents in a room. After a while, the Russians came, but they did not understand who we were. We distributed humanitarian aid," says the major.

The policeman thinks that the Russians may have come to see their own, who were also treated there. Then they came again searching for them, but found nothing. After the second time, they decided to use the evacuation corridor.

Local Ukrainian police continued to help: processed documents, took in the wounded. When it was necessary, carried the dead. They also transmitted information to the Armed Forces and helped Ukraine. After all, there was no other way out.

"Occupation is like an operating table. You don't know if you'll wake up or not. Your life is worthless, there are no rights, you can be killed or tortured in a split second. Just because you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Many people were shot. Somewhere a car was simply driving, somewhere a Russian sniper or just a Russian went bonkers and shot at everyone," says Kozhushko.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Pennsylvania Democrats celebrated this week as candidate Lindsay Powell won a special election for House representative for the states 21st District. Powells victory officially places Democrats back in control of the Pennsylvania State House after losing control earlier this year.

Lindsay Powells campaign declared victory Tuesday night as results came in for the special election in Pennsylvanias 21st District, which represents Allegheny County. Winning roughly two-thirds of the vote, Powell will fill the seat left vacant by Sara Innamorato, who resigned earlier this year to run for the office of Allegheny County executive. While declaring victory, Powell pledged to represent her districts hardworking families that deserve someone who will fight in Harrisburg to deliver good jobs, dignified pay, safe housing, strong schools and beautiful community assets. Powell has declared that she will fight for the rights, health and freedom of all of our neighbors in the district.

Powell, 32, has long been involved in public service and politics. She is a graduate of Wheaton College, where she studied sociology, and Carnegie Mellon University, where she earned a Masters degree in public policy. Powell also served as a Fulbright scholar in Malaysia, where she taught English and worked on environmental justice issues with local girls. She then involved herself in Democratic politics in the United States, including a stint in the White House Office of Legislative Affairs during the Obama administration. Powell is currently listed as the director of workforce strategies of InnovatePGH, a nonprofit organization that describes itself as a next generation public-private partnership powered by a coalition of civic institutions representing the regions university, business, philanthropic, and government leadership.

Powells victory regains Democrats a one-seat majority in the Pennsylvania state House. Pennsylvania House Democrats first gained control of the House in 2022, the first time they have held a majority there since 2010, but have struggled to maintain that lead as several seats became open and held special elections. Powells victory gives Democrats control of the House again; Republicans maintain a majority in the state Senate. And this split reflects the national political scene, in which Congress is also closely divided; Democrats currently control the Senate, while Republicans hold a narrow majority in the House of Representatives.

With crucial elections in 2024 and a wide variety of issues on which Democrats and Republicans remain divided, the fights for political control will continue in Pennsylvania and across the country. Powells win has given Democrats a key victory in that fight while elevating the role of a rising political advocate and public servant.
The annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14 is one of the most anticipated astronomical events of the year, with good reason.

Crossing eight U.S. states from Oregon to Texas before moving across the Gulf of Mexico and over Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Brazil, the 'ring of fire' annular solar eclipse will be visible to millions of people.

For those situated on the path of annularity (the areas from which the 'ring of fire' can be seen), from beginning to end, the solar eclipse will last  on average  about two and a half hours in total. This is broken down into about 1.5 hours of partial solar eclipse, four to five minutes of annular 'ring of fire' solar eclipse and then about another 1.5 hours of partial solar eclipse, according to the eclipse guide site The Great American Eclipse .

How long the 'ring of fire' portion of the solar eclipse will last during the solar eclipse will vary depending on your viewing location. The closer you are to the centerline of the path of annularity, the longer you will be able to see the 'ring of fire.' Durations in the U.S. range from 1 minute 24 seconds in Corvallis, Oregon to 4 minutes 52 seconds in Corpus Christi, Texas, according to The Great American Eclipse .

Related: Where to stand in Texas to see 2 solar eclipses in under 6 months

Where will the annular solar eclipse last the longest?

Eclipse viewers off the coast of Nicaragua in the Gulf of Mexico will experience the maximum duration of the 'ring of fire' of about 5 minutes and 17 seconds. To see the exact path of annularity, check out this interactive map created by French eclipse expert Xavier Jubier.

a map showing that only within the path of annularity, which is 118 to 137 miles (190 to 220 kilometers) wide, will the ring of fire be visible. That path will stretch from Oregon through northern California, northeast Nevada, central Utah, northeast Arizona, southwest Colorado, central New Mexico and southern Texas. It will then move across the Gulf of Mexico and over Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Brazil.

A map of the path of annularity for the annular solar eclipse on October 14, 2023. (Image credit: Michael Zeiler, GreatAmericanEclipse.com)

If you're hoping to catch the eclipse in person, we have several guides to help you plan your eclipse-viewing experience ranging from top tips for planning your trip to which U.S. states the 'ring of fire' will be visible from .

Or if you're unable to catch the eclipse first-hand, there's no need to worry as there are plenty of solar eclipse livestreams with expert commentary. Our how to watch the annular solar eclipse in person and online guide has rounded up some of the best free livestreams available all in one place.

REMEMBER to NEVER look at the sun directly. To safely view this solar eclipse you must use solar filters at all times. Whether your location will experience a partial solar eclipse or an annular solar eclipse, the dangers are the same. Observers will need to wear solar eclipse glasses, and cameras, telescopes and binoculars must have solar filters placed in front of their lenses at all times.

Our how to observe the sun safely guide tells you everything you need to know about safe solar observations.

A girl in a blue top holds a pair of eclipse glasses on her face while watching an eclipse.

When used correctly, solar eclipse glasses are a great way to view the sun safely. (Image credit: Daniel MacDonald / www.dmacphoto.com via Getty Images)
Ukrainian judges armed with aged machine guns are helping to defend Kyiv by shooting down drones.

Thirty-five judges are part of Mriya, a volunteer paramilitary squad, The Wall Street Journal reported.

"If I do not do this now, my children and grandson will not have a peaceful future," said one judge.

Ukrainian judges are helping to defend Kyiv by shooting Russian drones out of the sky, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Approximately 35 judges are part of a paramilitary squad called the Mriya, which comprises about 380 volunteers. Some of the judges are retired, while others still work within the judicial system of Ukraine.

The judges joined air defense efforts last fall when Russia started firing Iranian-made Shahed drones at Ukraine. The volunteers defend their capital with machine guns, strategically positioning themselves on Kyiv's rooftops.

Their contributions complement the sophisticated Western air defense systems that have succeeded in thwarting many of the multiple attacks on Kyiv, per The Associated Press.

Among the group of judges is Ukraine's highest tribunal on unconstitutional issues, Judge Yuriy Chumak of the country's Supreme Court. He told the Wall Street Journal that the Mriya squad had taken down five Iranian-made Shahed drones.

The Iranian-made weapon can fly 1,250 miles and linger or loiter over a target area. The small systems are packed with explosives and can be directed at targets in an area once on-site and then detonate upon impact like a missile. When launched in swarms, they can cause a lot of damage.

But the drones travel relatively slowly, up to 115 miles an hour, which makes them feasible targets for machine gun fire.

The Mriya volunteers defend the skies about Ukraine's capital with vintage weapons, including a 1944 Soviet Maxim recoil-operated machine gun and a smaller 1964 Czechoslovakian general-purpose machine gun. The guns are "an easy and cheap way" to take out the drones, Chumak said.

Ukrainian forces have found the Maxim M1910  first introduced in 1910  useful in the fight against the Russians. Ukraine's troops have modified the guns with modern add-ons such as optics and suppressors, according to reporting from Task and Purpose.

"Like a hunter shooting an antelope"

A drone approaches for an attack in Kyiv on October 17, 2022. Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images

Viktor Fomon, 61, a retired judge from southern Ukraine. The grandfather was initially turned away from the territorial defense in Kyiv because of his age. He eventually enlisted but was terminated half a year later because of his age.

Within a week of his termination, he began volunteering with the Mriya. "If I do not do this now," he told The Wall Street Journal, "my children and grandson will not have a peaceful future."

The volunteers work in teams of three or four, using tablets, night-vision goggles, and lasers to track incoming drones. Judge Chumak, 48, told The Wall Street Journal that when the drones get close, "they're noisy. You can hear it." The judges survey the sky from a makeshift shed in the winter and use a camouflage-covered patio in the summer.

A Shahed drone is "easier to shoot if it comes toward you," he added. But if it's buzzing across the sky, you aim slightly ahead before firing, like a hunter shooting an antelope."

Meanwhile, the work of the lawyers-turned-Shahed hunters could be about to intensify. Fears are growing of a new air campaign against Ukraine's national power grid, similar to the blitz last winter that forced the people of Kyiv and other cities to endure power cuts in the coldest months.

The inexpensive drones have become a core weapon in President Vladimir Putin's arsenal, and recent reports said Russia was planning to build thousands of drones  called Geran-2s  based on the Shahed but packing a more powerful punch.

These drones would be able to coordinate and conduct attacks, including swarm attacks, with autonomy, presumably relying on artificial intelligence, Insider's Chris Panella wrote.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Fashion retailer Macys was ordered to pay $1.6 million for environmental violations across its California stores.

An investigation into Macys Retail Holdings, LLC revealed the illegal disposal of hazardous waste over the last several years across the companys 98 California retail locations, according to the Riverside County District Attorneys Office.

The judgment, which was filed in the Riverside County Superior Court on Friday, involved multiple district attorneys offices including Alameda, Fresno, Monterey, Orange, San Diego, San Francisco, Shasta and Yolo counties, as well as the L.A. City Attorneys Office.

The lawsuit alleged that instead of disposing hazardous items at authorized waste facilities, Macys illegally dumped the waste in regular trash bins and at local landfills, which are not permitted to receive those waste products.

Some of the hazardous items discarded include batteries, electronic devices, ignitable liquids, aerosol products, cleaning agents, items listed as containing drug facts, and other flammable, reactive, toxic, and corrosive materials, officials said.

Under the settlement, Macys was fined $1,175,000 in civil penalties and $425,000 in cost reimbursement.

$1.5 million rare Buddha statue stolen from Los Angeles art gallery

Riverside County will receive $157,500 in civil penalties and $36,800 in cost reimbursement. The Riverside County Department of Environmental Health will receive $25,750 in civil penalties and $10,000 in cost reimbursement.

The retailer was cooperative with the judgment and has since implemented policies to properly manage waste disposal in the future.

The companys hazardous waste will be collected by state registered haulers to properly transport it to authorized disposal facilities, which is being properly documented.

Macys, like all retail stores, is required to properly dispose of hazardous waste that is generated in the normal course of its retail business, and to manage such hazardous waste in labeled and segregated containers to ensure that incompatible wastes do not mix and cause dangerous chemical reactions, said the Riverside County DAs Office.

In 2017, Macys was involved in a similar incident that resulted in a settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency over violations of hazardous waste regulations. The retailer paid a $375,000 civil penalty in that case.

Macys operates 507 stores across the U.S. and is headquartered in New York City.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Retail giant Macy's has been ordered to pay $1.6 million for environmental violations across its 98 California stores, including three in Riverside County, according to the Riverside County District Attorney's office.

The settlement was announced this week in a lawsuit filed by district attorneys from 25 California counties and two city attorneys. The lawsuit alleged that instead of properly storing and disposing of hazardous waste at authorized hazardous waste facilities, Macy's "illegally disposed of hazardous waste in regular trash bins and illegally transported it to local landfills, which are not permitted to receive such waste products," according to the Riverside County District Attorney's office.

The hazardous waste included batteries, electronic devices, ignitable liquids, and "other flammable, reactive, toxic, and corrosive materials."

The complaint stems from an investigation of this unlawful disposal of hazardous waste "over the last several years" at the 98 Macy's stores in California, including three stores in Riverside County.

The three Macy's in Riverside County are the Palm Desert location in the Westfield mall, as well as locations in Moreno Valley and the city of Riverside.

Riverside County will receive $157,000 in civil penalties and $36,800 in cost reimbursement as part of the settlement, and the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health will also receive $25,750 in civil penalties and $10,000 in cost reimbursement.

Macy's has since implemented "improved policies and procedures" and improved training programs on how to properly manage and dispose of hazardous waste, which is now collected by authorized haulers to transport it to the proper hazardous waste disposal facilities.

The news of the Macy's settlement comes two weeks after Kaiser Permanente agreed to a $49 million settlement for illegally disposing of hazardous medical waste in unsecured dumpsters.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Macy's ordered to pay $1.6 million for unlawful hazardous waste disposal
A local Nebraska school district has condemned a racially offensive homecoming proposal that has caused backlash on social media.

The sign was posted in a Facebook group over the weekend and showed two white teens holding the invite. The message was written with a green marker and said: If I was Black, I would be picking cotton. But Im White so Im picking you for Hoco, according to WOWT.

North Bend Central Superintendent Patrick Ningen told KETV that the proposal makes me sick. One of the children featured in the photo, which was taken off school grounds, attends a school in the district. Because only one of them is a student, it would be challenging to pursue disciplinary action.

The racially insensitive proposal was posted in a Facebook group over the weekend. (KETV/Youtube screenshot)

I think a lot of upset people, students, parents, staff members, you know, this is something that shouldnt happen, Ningen said to the news station later, adding, I cant discuss that at all, but just that weve made contact and that we have you know, were following our student handbook and the Student Discipline Act to the extent that we can.

Related: The Constitution Stood Strong: Mississippi Supreme Court Partially Strikes Down Bill That Would Allow Special Circuit Court Judges In Jackson to be Appointed Rather Than Elected

The students parents were contacted by the district, which has about 586 students, the outlet reported, citing state education data. Only three of them are Black. Ningen said that the incident could be the foundation for a more significant discussion about what students post online.

I think we could maybe even take that a step further and go into more specifics like race and that sort of thing and how this, you know, your statements, your actions can affect others in a very negative and personal way, Ningen told KETV.

Read the full story at Atlanta Black Star.

Racist homecoming proposals have sparked outrage in different school districts across the country. For instance, according to MassLive, a New Hampshire student-athlete made the same proposal to a girl that angered the community last year. And just a few years before that, a Sarasota, Florida student created a similar proposal to ask another to prom in 2018.

The local NAACP chapter issued a statement about a solution for the Riverview High School students actions.

A strong statement needs to be made to their student body that this type of behavior will not be tolerated on any of our campuses throughout the school district, and, if so, there are going to be severe consequences, a spokesperson said in a statement to WFLA at the time. When we see so many heightened race relations throughout our country, our district has to take a proactive standpoint to make sure that that stuff doesnt spill off into our schools.
A man was arrested Sept. 16 in connection with a fatal shooting at a west Phoenix apartment complex, the Phoenix Police Department said.

Police responded to reports of a shooting at the Roosevelt Plaza Apartments near North 10th Avenue and West Mabel Street about 11 p.m. Sept. 15, according to Sgt. Rob Scherer.

When officers arrived, they found a man, identified as Stefon Harris , 30, with multiple gunshot wounds. Harris was later pronounced dead at the area of the shooting, police said.

Detectives later found during their investigation that a man, identified as Isaiah King, 32, was the shooter in the homicide, police said.

King was found and arrested by authorities and later admitted to the crime during an interview, police said.

King was charged with multiple felonies, including murder, police said.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man arrested, admits to fatal shooting in west Phoenix, police say
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A South Carolina man has been charged with multiple offenses after he reportedly stabbed an employee during a fight at a Nashville bar.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, the incident took place at Music City Bar & Grill in the 2400 block of Music Valley Drive.

Witnesses told authorities 33-year-old Cassey Cordell was arguing with his girlfriend and patrons outside the bar, but when an employee went outside and told Cordell to leave the premises, Cordell attacked him.

Man arrested for shooting at Gallatin apartment complex

With the help of other patrons, the employee was able to free himself, officials said. Then, Cordell was told to leave and never return.

Shortly afterward, police said Cordell walked into the bar and started dragging his girlfriend out of the establishment. When the employee intervened again, Cordell pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the back, according to a witness.

The patrons reportedly subdued Cordell and got control of the knife.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Meanwhile, authorities said victim was brought to TriStar Skyline Medical Center. However, there is no word on his condition at this time.

According to officials, Cordell has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, and domestic assault. He is being held on an $80,000 bond.

Note: Metro police originally reported that Cordell was charged with attempted homicide, but they later issued a correction saying that was not the case.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
GALLATIN, Tenn. (WKRN)  A man was arrested for a shooting that happened at an apartment complex in Gallatin.

The Gallatin Police Department said 19-year-old DayMarrion Hall was arrested and charged with attempted criminal homicide and child endangerment for a shooting that happened Tuesday, Sept. 19 at Chapel Ridge Apartments. A minor was also arrested in connection with the shooting.

Ex-boyfriend threatens to kill woman after refusing to clean Whites Creek Pike apartment, affidavit says

Hall reportedly also drove his infant child to the apartment complex were the shooting happened, according to investigators.

Police said several other children were playing in the area at the time of the shooting.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee

Anyone with more information is asked to call the Gallatin Police Department at 615-452-1313.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Police say the man believed to be responsible for a womans death is now in custody.

Officers say they found a woman dead in a parking deck on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive early in the morning on Aug. 30.

Now, nearly a month later police have arrested JaKeivious Arnold, 24.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Arnold is being charged with murder, kidnapping and robbery, according to Atlanta police.

Police have not commented on what led up to the womans death. Her identity has not been released.

TRENDING STORIES:

Chamblee police found and arrested Arnold in Chamblee on Friday before turning him over to Atlanta police.

He is currently being held in the Fulton County Jail.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
Deputies shot and injured a man who allegedly led them on a chase and rammed a patrol vehicle in Montclair earlier this week, officials said Friday.

The incident unfolded around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, when San Bernardino County sheriffs deputies responded to a domestic violence assault in the 7800 block of Haven Avenue in Rancho Cucamonga.

As deputies arrived, the suspect, identified as Dennis Flowers, drove off in a Chevrolet Equinox.

Deputies began chasing Flowers, who at one point ditched the Equinox and got into BMW sedan.

He kept evading deputies toward Montclair, where deputies discontinued the chase.

Flowers was later spotted at a gas station on Central Avenue and San Bernardino Street, and when deputies arrived, he allegedly rammed into a responding patrol vehicle, officials said.

At least one deputy fired a gun and Flowers was struck by gunfire.

He was taken to a hospital for treatment and was released to the custody of the Montclair Police Department.

A probation officer who was with the deputies during the incident was injured due to Flowers ramming the vehicle, authorities said. The officer was treated and released from a hospital.

No further details about the incident have been released.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Sean Manaea applauds after getting Los Angeles Dodgers' Amed Rosario to fly out to left field during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Sean Manaea exorcised his Dodger Stadium demons with every pitch he threw.

He scattered three hits over seven shutout innings to beat the Dodgers for the first time in his career, and Mike Yastrzemski, Thairo Estrada and Tyler Fitzgerald homered as the San Francisco Giants defeated Los Angeles 5-1 on Friday night.

I have nightmares about coming to this place and facing these guys, Manaea said. Obviously, theyre very good and its been like that for a long time. I havent had much success, if any, here. So to do that, dreams do come true.

Manaea (7-6) has earned the only two wins on the Giants road trip. The left-hander struck out two, walked none and improved to 1-5 in 10 career appearances against the Dodgers. He came in with a career 9.00 ERA against LA.

You come here five times in a row and have a combined 13 innings with 30 runs or whatever it is, it can wear down a guy, Manaea said. Just keep going up there, go through the embarrassment and go through all that stuff.

The Giants had lost three in a row and six of seven while falling back in the crowded NL wild-card race. They returned to .500 after dropping below that mark for the first time since June 5 with a loss in the series opener Thursday.

After Miguel Rojas singled in the third, Manaea retired 11 batters in a row in his best outing of the season.

Hes just done a really nice job of staying under control through a really rocky and up-and-down season, Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. Staying strong mentally and staying very prepared for a night like this.

The NL West champion Dodgers managed just three baserunners through seven innings and none advanced past first.

I just believed in my stuff, Manaea said. The more I throw it, I have confidence in all three of my pitches. Theres no need to shy away from things, and just attack guys.

After Manaea exited, the Dodgers had the potential tying runs aboard in the eighth with two outs. James Outman singled off reliever Tyler Rogers , and pinch-hitter Jason Heyward struck out but went to first base on a passed ball by catcher Patrick Bailey. Mookie Betts walked to load the bases.

Freddie Freeman singled to make it 3-1 and leave the bases loaded for Camilo Doval, who retired Will Smith on a grounder to first to end the threat. Doval earned his 38th save.

Yastrzemski homered down the right-field line with two outs in the fourth, giving the Giants a 2-0 lead. Joc Pederson doubled leading off against Gavin Stone (1-1), who followed Dodgers opener Caleb Ferguson .

Estrada made it 3-0 in the sixth with a solo shot to left.

Fitzgerald hit a two-run shot  his first in the majors in his second big league game  in the ninth, extending the lead to 5-1.

I kind of blacked out a little bit," said Fitzgerald, who doubled in his debut Thursday. I think I ran the bases a little too fast. I should have enjoyed it a little bit more. It was awesome."

Stone (1-1) gave up three runs and three hits in 4 1/3 innings. The right-hander struck out five and walked two.

Freeman singled off Manaea in the first to reach 200 hits for the first time in his career. Earlier this week, Freeman became the first Dodgers first baseman to join the 20-20 club and just the second first baseman with 20-plus steals. He has 26 homers and 21 stolen bases.

The last Dodgers player with 200 hits in a season was Adrian Beltre in 2004, and their last first baseman to do it was Steve Garvey in 1980.

Freeman made a sparkling defensive play in foul territory in the eighth. A ball hit by Wilmer Flores bounced out of his glove and Freeman caught it barehanded for the first out.

Smith singled leading off the seventh but was quickly erased when J.D. Martinez grounded into a double play.

COMING FULL CIRCLE

Despite being in just his second big league game, playing behind Manaea was not unfamiliar to Fitzgerald.

His brother, Mike, was Manaea's catcher at Indiana State.

I grew up going to Sean's games, Tyler Fitzgerald said.

Mike Fitzgerald was on hand to see his younger brother's first major league homer. Tyler got the ball back after the game and posed for a photo with it in the Giants clubhouse.

Their father, also named Mike, was chosen in the first round of the 1984 MLB draft by the St. Louis Cardinals and played 13 games in the majors.

UP NEXT

The Giants had yet to announce a starter for Saturday. LHP Clayton Kershaw (12-4, 2.52) goes for the Dodgers.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
WEST MILFORD, N.J. (WPIX)  An investigation continues into the cause of a massive house explosion in New Jersey that sent several people to the hospital on Friday.

The house, in West Milford, exploded Friday night around 9 p.m., officials said. It was so intense that it rocked homes throughout the rural neighborhood.

It was a vibration. It was a shock. It felt like it was going to push my house over. Im like three-fourths of a mile down, Im not even that close, and it felt like my house was going to fall over, said local resident Keith Koster.

Cause of house explosion that killed NFL player Caleb Farleys father revealed

Images shared by the Hackensack Fire Department appear to show the home had been completely leveled. Officials wrote on Facebook that some of the houses occupants were initially trapped under the rubble.

The West Milford Fire Department freed the first five victims, while Hackensack fire officials aided to free the sixth, the department said.

Five of the victims were rushed to nearby hospitals and a sixth refused medical attention, officials said. One victim suffered serious burn injuries.

The five people I saw come out were OK. Just cuts and bruises. which is crazy. But everyone was moving and responsive, Koster said.

Neighbors say they had heard the home was recently purchased by new owners who may have been doing construction or cleaning it out.

The explosion remains under investigation by the West Milford Fire Marshall, West Milford Detective Bureau, and the State Fire Marshall Office.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
At the Kern County Fair this weekend, monster trucks roar in a grandstand, all-Alaskan racing pigs squeal in a tent, and at the county Republican party table, voters smile and pose next to a life-sized cardboard picture of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy .

In Bakersfield, California, the legislative chaos in the House of Representatives pushing the country to the brink of a government shutdown  starring the towns favorite son, Speaker McCarthy  hardly registers in this agricultural and oil producing region.

In this Republican district in a solidly Democratic state, belief in McCarthys ability to steer his caucus to a resolution remains steadfast, because the born-and-bred Bakersfield native carries the ideals of his city, said longtime ally Cathy Abernathy.

We deal in real lifes realities here, said Abernathy from her Bakersfield office to CNN. You have to water that crop and pick it on time, no matter whats going on. You have to make it work. There isnt a choice. People in the Central Valley understand deadlines and the forces that fight it while we make it work. And Kevin is one of us.

This photo of the Bakersfield High School shows Rep. Kevin McCarthy from his high school days. - From Bakersfield High School

That confidence contrasts to the alarm blaring miles away in the nations capital.

McCarthys speakership now hangs in the balance with the clock ticking towards a potential government shutdown and calls from the most conservative members of the House Republican caucus threatening to oust him from the role he struggled mightily to obtain earlier this year. McCarthy has clashed with far-right members who oppose increased domestic spending and additional aid for Ukraine and have blocked multiple efforts by McCarthy to avoid a shutdown. Some of those far-right members are willing to push for McCarthy to be removed as speaker to prevent him from working across the aisle to pass a short-term government funding bill.

If Speaker McCarthy relies on Democrats to pass a continuing resolution, I would call the Capitol moving truck to his office pretty soon because my expectation would be hed be out of the Speakers office quite promptly, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz , one of those hardline Republican members, told CNN on Wednesday.

We will have a government shutdown, and it is absolutely Speaker McCarthys fault, he added.

Taft, California, Mayor Dave Noerr brushed off Gaetzs fiery quotes, calling it ridiculous. On the very public pressure facing McCarthy, Noerr told CNN he sees it as part of the bare knuckle fight of Washington, but nothing new for the speaker or the region that raised a young McCarthy.

Dave Noerr is the mayor of Taft, a city in McCarthy's congressional district. - Kyung Lah/CNN

Kevin will get this done

In Bakersfield, hes not just speaker of the House. Hes known as the son of a firefighter, born and raised in the Central Valley. He is the areas most famous homegrown national office holder  community college, college and masters degree all from this area  whose less-than-stellar grades would suggest a far less powerful career path. But like the working town that raised him, the lack of polish would impart lessons that guide McCarthy today.

Were made up of thick skin, Noerr said. Were hard working. We are oil and gas, ranching and farming. We are not a ruckus crowd. But we are strong and get it done.

Noerr referred to the intra-party war McCarthy faced to becoming speaker, one that he would ultimately win.

With House Republicans holding a slim majority in the 118th Congress, the now-familiar group of GOP hard-liners prompted a messy and historic floor fight for control of the speakers gavel. After voting had spilled into a fifth day, McCarthy broke through by conceding to a series of demands that weakened the power of the speakership.

Paul Stine is a conservative from Bakersfield. He's known McCarthy since 1995. - Kyung Lah/CNN

Its the sort of compromise that McCarthy understands must happen in governance, said Abernathy.

People talking about trying to bring in moving vans are just fundraising, said Abernathy, adding Gaetz is trying to keep the pot boiling for national attention. Kevin will get this done, one way or another. Anyone who really knows Kevin McCarthy knows hes up to the task.

Bakersfield conservative Paul Stine has known McCarthy since 1995, battling with him since they were young Republicans. When they first met, Stine considered McCarthy as too centrist, more like Arnold Schwarzenegger than Donald Trump.

Kevin can adapt, Stine said. But Matt Gaetz is making it hard for him to adapt this time. Gaetz and the rest are making it hard to get the budget out of the House unless he decides to work with the Democrats.

That sort of political blow to the right wing would be tough for Stine to swallow. But it would follow a characteristic that Stine said has followed McCarthy throughout his professional life  political survival.

Stine said, I dont know what his exit plan today is, but he is the most adaptable politician I have ever seen in my life.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) says Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ.) should resign after he was indicted on alleged federal bribery charges.

Yeah, very much so, McCarthy said Saturday at the Capitol.

McCarthy joins calls from many Democrats, including Congressional colleagues and state officials, for Menendez to resign. Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) was the first congressional Democrat to call for his resignation.

Prior to saying that Menendez should resign, the California Republican called the indictment very damaging, saying what prosecutors presented seems pretty black and white.

Menendez was indicted Friday after he and his wife, Nadine Arslanian, allegedly accepted over $600,000 in bribes from a group of New Jersey businessmen on behalf of interests in Egypt.

Who is Nadine Arslanian? Wife of Sen. Menendez indicted on bribery charges

In return for helping the businessmen, prosecutors allege that Menendez and his wife accepted cash, gold bars and a luxury car in return. The FBI found nearly $500,000 in cash and more than $100,000 in gold bars at Menendezs home during a raid last year.

Menendez, his wife and the three New Jersey businessmen were charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, with prosecutors alleging the businessmen conspired to pay Menendez for political favors and that Menendez pressured New Jersey prosecutors to disrupt the prosecutions of multiple federal and state criminal cases.

The indictment also says the group communicated frequently over text, often through Arslanian, met multiple times and that the businessmen made multiple payments to Menendez and his wife.

In addition to allegedly disrupting the prosecutions of criminal cases, the indictment also alleges that Menendez accepted bribes from interests in Egypt and in return, advocated for issues important to the country in Congress.

All five defendants were also charged with conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, but in Menendezs case, this charge relates to alleged abuse of his position as a public official.

Menendez and his wife were also exclusively charged with conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right, which relates to the pressure they put on federal and state prosecutors.

New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin issued a statement on this charge, denouncing the alleged conduct while pointing out that what is contained in the indictment occurred prior to his time in office.

In addition to the criminal charges, prosecutors, seeking to keep the money and other gifts allegedly paid to the senator as a bribe, filed a forfeiture claim.

Here are the charges Sen. Bob Menendez is facing

In response to the indictment and calls for him to resign, Menendez said he is not going anywhere, going as far as to say that he is the victim of an active smear campaign.

Menendez did step down from his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, a move that was announced by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY.)

Fridays indictment is not the first time that Menendez has faced corruption charges. He was indicted in 2015 for bribery charges relating to his connection with a doctor in Miami. The case went to trial in 2017, but the charges were dropped because the jury couldnt reach a verdict.

Mychael Schnell contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
U.K. officials have been holding diplomatic talks with key Russian representatives concerning global security during Russias war against Ukraine, a British newspaper iNews reported on Sept. 23, citing its diplomatic sources.

The discreet meetings have been held over the past 18 months in Vienna and New York as part of back-channel diplomacy to discuss international security, grain shortages, and nuclear safety, according to the report.

A senior British diplomat involved in some discussions told the newspaper that the U.K. is not divvying up parts of the country (Ukraine) or making peace agreements on anyones behalf.

We have been keeping in contact, and we feel its crucial to maintain an open dialogue during the war in Ukraine, sources said.

The U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson confirmed that meetings with Russian officials only occurred when deemed absolutely necessary. The spokesperson dismissed claims that the talks aimed to negotiate the end of Russias war as neither credible nor accurate.

It is for Ukraine, and the Ukrainian government, to determine its position in any negotiations, just as it is for Ukraine to determine its free and democratic future, the spokesperson told the newspaper.

Read also: Borys Kowalsky: How Western doublethink may result in Ukraines defeat

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Police arrested a California fugitive, who escaped from his hospital bed wearing a leg restraint, at a wedding chapel in a stolen car with his medical bracelet in his pocket, police allege in documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained.

Deshawn Ricks, of Fresno, California, faced charges in both California and Las Vegas as of Friday, records showed.

On July 29, Metro police tracked a stolen vehicle from California in the area of Las Vegas Boulevard, documents said. Earlier in the day, an officer attempted to pull over its driver, but he or she sped away.

An officer later found the car parked in a hotel parking lot on Las Vegas Boulevard near Charleston Boulevard, police said. After locating the car, an officer spotted a man, later identified as Ricks, getting into it and driving off, police said.

Ricks began conducting multiple U-turns on Las Vegas Boulevard before stopping at a wedding chapel, police said. Officers then took Ricks into custody.

Ricks provided police with a different persons name and birthday when asked, police said. The person was actually his cousin, documents said. At the time of his escape in July, Ricks was 33, documents said.

Shortly after his arrest, an officer located a medical bracelet in a front pocket. The bracelet had Ricks name and birthday. Police later found warrants for Ricks arrest in California and Virginia, they said.

The stolen car was taken from Los Angeles and reported missing on July 27, police said.

A wanted poster for Deshawn Ricks from the U.S. Marshals Service. (X/KLAS)

Though police arrested Ricks on July 29, it was not until Sept. 19 that Ricks was federally charged with escape and appeared in federal court In Las Vegas. Ricks was charged in Las Vegas Justice court on Sept. 5 on a fugitive from justice charge, though the case was closed on Sept. 7.

On June 14, police in Orange County, California, arrested Ricks on a federal carjacking charge, documents said. Ricks was detained at the Santa Ana City Jail pending the outcome of his criminal case.

Ricks was accused of assaulting staff at the jail on July 5, police said. Ricks was later transferred to a Los Angeles jail where he purposefully injured himself, documents said. Due to his injuries, prison officials brought Ricks to a Los Angeles-area hospital.

On July 25, police said Ricks asked to be unrestrained from his hospital bed so he could use the bathroom, documents said. Once a guard removed one restrained, Ricks ran out of his hospital room and left the hospital, police said.

At the time of his hospital escape, Ricks was wearing a hospital gown with one leg restraint attached around one of his ankles, documents said.

A judge ordered Ricks to be detained pending extradition to California, records showed.

Ricks was charged in late July with two counts of battery by prisoner and one count of battery, records showed. He pleaded no contest and was given credit for time served.

It was unclear Friday when officials in Las Vegas alerted federal authorities about Ricks fugitive status. His court case on charges regarding the stolen car remained open as of Friday and he had a November court date scheduled.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
FILE - Lachlan Murdoch appears at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 9, 2020. Rupert Murdoch is stepping down at Fox and News Corp, son Lachlan will take over as chairman of both companies. For Lachlan Murdoch, this has been a long time coming  assuming, that is, his moment has actually arrived. On Thursday, his father Rupert Murdoch announced that hes stepping down as the head of his two media companies  News Corp. and Fox Corp. -- as of November. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File) (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

For Lachlan Murdoch, this moment has been a long time coming. Assuming, of course, that his moment has actually arrived.

On Thursday, his father Rupert Murdoch announced that in November he'll step down as the head of his two media companies: News Corp. and Fox Corp. Lachlan will become the chair of News Corp. while remaining chief executive and chair at Fox Corp., the parent of Fox News Channel.

The changes make Rupert's eldest son the undisputed leader of the media empire his father built over decades. There's no real sign that his siblings and former rivals James and Elisabeth contested him for the top job; James in particular has distanced himself from the company and his father's politics for several years. But Rupert, now 92, has long had a penchant for building up his oldest children only to later undermine them  and sometimes to set them against one another  often flipping the table without notice.

Given Rupert Murdoch's advanced age, this might be his last power move. But there's a reason the HBO drama  Succession  was often interpreted as a thinly disguised and dark satire of his family business. In Murdoch World, as in the fictional world of the Roy family, seemingly sure things can go sideways in an instant, particularly when unexpected opportunities arise.

Lachlan Murdoch has lived that first hand. Born in London, he grew up in New York City and attended Princeton, where he focused not on business, but philosophy. His bachelor's thesis, titled A Study of Freedom and Morality in Kant's Practical Philosophy, addressed those weighty topics alongside passages of Hindu scripture. The thesis closed on a line from the Bhagavad Gita referencing the infinite spirit and the pure calm of infinity, according to a 2019 article in The Intercept.

Beatrice Longuenesse, Lachlan's thesis advisor at Princeton, confirmed the accuracy of that report via email.

After graduation, though, Lachlan plunged headlong into his father's business, moving to Australia to work for the Murdoch newspapers that were once the core of News Corp.'s business. Many assumed he was being groomed for higher things at News Corp., and they were not wrong. Within just a few years, Lachlan was deputy CEO of the News Corp. holding company for its Australian properties; shortly thereafter, he took an executive position at News Corp. itself and was soon running the company's television stations and print publishing operations.

Lachlan's ascent came to an abrupt halt in 2005, when he resigned from News Corp. with no public explanation. According to Paddy Manning, an Australian journalist who last year published a biography of Lachlan Murdoch, the core problem involved two relatively minor issues on which Lachlan disagreed with Roger Ailes, who then ran Fox News.

The real point was that Lachlan felt Rupert had backed his executives over his son, Manning said in an interview. So Lachlan felt, 'If I'm not going to be supported, then what's the point?' Manning did not have direct access to Lachlan for his book The Successor, but said he spoke in depth with the people closest to his subject.

Lachlan returned to Australia, where he has often described feeling most at home, and founded an investment group that purchased a string of local radio stations among other properties.

While he was away, News Corp. entered choppy waters. The U.K. phone-hacking scandal, in which tabloid journalists at the News of the World and other Murdoch-owned publications had found a way to listen to voicemails of the British royal family, journalistic competitors and even a missing schoolgirl, had seriously damaged the company. The fracas led to resignations of several News Corp. officials, criminal charges against some, and the closure of News of the World as its finances went south.

Manning said that the damage the scandal inflicted on News Corp.  and on both Lachlan Murdoch's father and his brother James, chief executive of News' British newspaper group at the time  helped pull Lachlan back to the company.

He was watching the family tear itself apart over the phone-hacking scandal, Manning said. Lachlan was instrumental in trying to circle the wagons and turn the guns outwards, and stop Rupert from sacking James.

While it took more convincing, Lachlan eventually returned to the company in 2014 as co-chairman of News Corp. alongside James.

Not long afterward, Ailes was forced out of his job at Fox News following numerous credible allegations of sexual harassment.

Lachlan Murdoch has drawn criticism from media watchdogs for what many called Fox News' increasingly conspiratorial and misinformation-promoting broadcasts. The network hit a nadir following the 2020 election when voting machine company Dominion Voting Systems sued Fox News for $1.6 billion, alleging that Fox knowingly promoted false conspiracy theories about the security of its voting machines.

Fox settled that suit for $787.5 million in March of this year. A similar lawsuit filed by Smartmatic, another voting-machine maker, may go to trial in 2025, Fox has suggested.

In certain respects, though, Lachlan Murdoch's behavior suggests some ambivalence about his role at News Corp. In 2021 he moved back to Sydney and has been mixing commuting and remote work from Australia ever since. I think theres a legitimate question about whether you can continue to do that and for how long while running companies based in the U.S., Manning said.

___

Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives funding from the Quadrivium foundation, founded by James and Kathryn Murdoch. More information about AP climate initiative can be found here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) defiantly rejected calls from a growing list of Democrats wanting him to resign after he and his wife were indicted on federal bribery charges on Friday.

Those who believe in justice believe in innocence until proven guilty, Menendez said in a statement late Friday. I intend to continue to fight for the people of New Jersey with the same success Ive had for the past five decades. This is the same record of success these very same leaders have lauded all along.

It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat. I am not going anywhere, he added.

Prosecutors allege that Menendez and his wife accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to assist a group of New Jersey businessmen and interests in Egypt. The FBI found nearly $500,000 in cash and more than $100,000 in gold at Menendezs home in a raid last year, allegedly payment for the bribes.

He previously denied the allegations, calling them a smear campaign. The senator stepped down from his seat as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee later Friday.

Over a half dozen notable New Jersey Democrats, including Gov. Phil Murphy , have called on the senator to resign.

The allegations in the indictment against Senator Menendez and four other defendants are deeply disturbing. These are serious charges that implicate national security and the integrity of our criminal justice system, Murphy said in a statement.

The governor emphasized that Menendez is innocent until proven guilty, but that the gravity of the charges alone hurts his ability to do his job.

However, the alleged facts are so serious that they compromise the ability of Senator Menendez to effectively represent the people of our state. Therefore, I am calling for his immediate resignation, he continued.

Murphy would select Menendezs replacement if he were to resign. Menendezs current term ends in January 2025.

Others calling for Menendezs resignation include Reps. Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) and Jeff Jackson (D-N.C.).

These allegations are serious and alarming. It doesnt matter what your job title is or your politics  no one in America is above the law, Kim said in a statement to The Hill. The people of New Jersey absolutely need to know the truth of what happened, and I hope the judicial system works thoroughly and quickly to bring this truth to light.

In the meantime, I dont have confidence that the Senator has the ability to properly focus on our state and its people while addressing such a significant legal matter, he continued. He should step down.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FILE - Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee speaks during Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the budget request for the State Department for fiscal year 2024, on Capitol Hill, March 22, 2023, in Washington. Rep. Andy Kim of New Jersey announced on Saturday that he will run against Sen. Robert Menendez in the states Democratic primary for Senate next year, saying he feels compelled to run against the three-term senator after he and his wife were indicted on sweeping corruption charges. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Rep. Andy Kim of New Jersey announced on Saturday that he will run against Sen. Robert Menendez in the states Democratic primary for Senate next year, saying he feels compelled to run against the three-term senator after he and his wife were indicted on sweeping corruption charges.

Kims surprise announcement came as a growing number of Democrats are calling for Menendez to step down. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman became the first Democratic senator to do so, and several members of New Jerseys congressional delegation, along with the state's Democratic governor, have said he should resign.

This is not something I expected to do, but I believe New Jersey deserves better, Kim said in a statement. We cannot jeopardize the Senate or compromise our countrys integrity. I believe its time we restore faith in our democracy, and thats why I am stepping up and running for Senate.

The calls for Menendez, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, come after he and his wife Nadine were indicted on Friday for using his powerful position to aid the authoritarian government of Egypt and also to pressure federal prosecutors to drop a case against a friend. The three-count indictment lists a series of bribes they were paid by three New Jersey businessmen in exchange for the corrupt acts  gold bars, a luxury car and cash.

It is the second indictment on bribery charges for Menendez  and the second time he has had to relinquish his post as the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations panel. He regained the leadership spot in 2018 after the case ended with a deadlocked jury.

The immediate calls for his resignation are a contrast from when he was first charged eight years ago, signaling that he could be in deep trouble with his party, and with his voters, as his 2024 reelection approaches.

Menendez was defiant after Fridays indictment, saying in a statement Friday evening that I am not going anywhere. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., announced that Menendez would have to step down as chairman per Senate Democratic caucus rules, since he has been charged with a felony. But he did not call for Menendez to step down.

In a statement on Saturday, Fetterman became the first Senate Democrat to do so, saying that his Senate colleague is entitled to the presumption of innocence under our system, but he is not entitled to continue to wield influence over national policy, especially given the serious and specific nature of the allegations. I hope he chooses an honorable exit and focuses on his trial.

Several Democrats in New Jerseys House delegation also called on Menendez to go, including Reps. Donald Norcross, Josh Gottheimer, Frank Pallone, Bill Pascrell, Mikie Sherrill and Bonnie Watson Coleman.

This is a sad day for our great state, said Pascrell, a senior member of the House who has served in the New Jersey delegation with Menendez for almost three decades. The hallmark of our justice system is the presumption of innocence and the senator deserves his day in court. But given the gravity of these charges, I do not believe that Senator Menendez can continue to carry out the important duties of his office for our state.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also demanded Menendezs immediate resignation, saying the allegations were so serious" that they compromise the senators ability to serve.

Two notable New Jersey Democrats who have not called on Menendez to step down: Democratic Sen. Cory Booker, his New Jersey colleague in the Senate, and his son, Rep. Rob Menendez , who said in a statement that he has unwavering confidence in his father.

Authorities who searched Menendezs home last year found more than $100,000 worth of gold bars, as well as over $480,000 in cash  much of it hidden in closets, clothing and a safe, prosecutors say. The indictment includes photos of cash stuffed in envelopes in jackets bearing Menendezs name and of a luxury car that prosecutors say was given to the couple as a bribe from the businessmen.

Prosecutors say Menendez directly interfered in criminal investigations, including by pushing to install a federal prosecutor in New Jersey he believed could be influenced in a criminal case against a businessman and associate of the senator. He also tried to use his position of power to try to meddle in a separate criminal investigation by the New Jersey Attorney Generals office, the indictment says.

Other accusations include repeated actions by Menendez to benefit Egypt despite U.S. government misgivings over the countrys human rights record that in recent years have prompted Congress to attach restrictions on aid. His efforts include ghostwriting a letter to fellow senators encouraging them to lift a hold on $300 million in aid to Egypt, one of the top recipients of U.S. government support, as well as transmitting nonpublic information to Egyptian officials through communications with the businessmen.

Menendez responded that there was an active smear campaign against him.

For years, forces behind the scenes have repeatedly attempted to silence my voice and dig my political grave, he said in a statement.

David Schertler, a lawyer for Menendezs wife, Nadine, said she denies any criminal conduct and will vigorously contest these charges in court.
One of the biggest disappointments of the 2023 New Mexico legislative session to the health of our citizens was the failure of proposed legislation that would have eliminated the sale of menthol and flavored nicotine products. Bills that were presented included HB94 to prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco products and SB440 to limit menthol cigarette sales, but neither made it through the legislature. The tobacco industry continues to evade meaningful regulation in order to addict and poison our citizens. Banning menthol and all other flavored products would save the lives of thousands of New Mexicans - mostly people of color who smoke - and our children would be much less likely to pick up the deadly addiction.

Fifty-three percent of nicotine users in New Mexico use a flavored product, including menthol. That percentage is even higher among e-cigarette users (74%) and smokeless tobacco users (62%) (NMDOH NUPAC, 2023). The disparities of flavored nicotine use grow farther still when you view flavored nicotine use within any particular community, such as young adults and youth, Black or African American, LGBTQ+, and Asian American and Pacific Islanders, all of which use flavored tobacco at rates higher than the overall New Mexico average (American Lung Association, 2023).

Laurel McCloskey.

Big Tobacco has spent decades aggressively marketing flavored tobacco products, especially menthol, to communities of color. So its no accident that most of the smokers who use menthol cigarettes are Black, despite the oppositions claim that such a ban would be discriminatory because menthols are the preferred tobacco products of the Black community. Big Tobacco fears losing those lifelong customers, and its disappointing some lawmakers have chosen to side with Big Tobacco instead of addressing this public health crisis that kills thousands of Black and Latinx people. After spending decades getting our communities addicted to these products, theyve now stooped low enough to spread misinformation meant to provoke fear.

Beyond New Mexico, on a national level, menthol cigarettes are preferred by more than 80% of Black Americans, 48% of Hispanic Americans, 41% of Asian Americans, 49% of LGBTQ+ Americans, and about half of youth smokers (ALA, 2023). These numbers increase greater still when you include all flavored nicotine.

So what can be done? In April 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced proposed product standards to prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes and to prohibit characterizing flavors in cigars. FDA aims to complete the associated rulemaking process related to flavored cigarettes and cigars by the end of this year.

Still, federal flavor bans take a significant amount of time, and in this case, does not include popular nicotine products such as e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. To best protect our community, prevent new addiction and save lives, New Mexico needs to act now.

On September 20, 2023, the New Mexico Allied Council on Tobacco and the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids will hold a screening event for the film Black Lives, Black Lungs: Journey of a Stolen Leaf from 4-7pm at the UNM Continuing Education Center. This film looks at how the tobacco industry has disproportionately targeted black communities for profit and have maintained prevalence with the promotion of e-cigarettes, addicting a new generation to nicotine. The event is free and there will be a panel of speakers to cover questions on racism in tobacco marketing and public health. State and national lawmakers will be present to discuss the upcoming FDA ruling.

Attend this event to use your voice regarding the urgency of the menthol ban and express the need to support the FDAs ruling to your state and federal lawmakers. In addition, if NM wants to protect New Mexicans, we should establish real regulation around tobacco products and focus on closing loopholes that the industry continues to exploit. We should regulate tobacco with the mindset of protecting the health of the public, not protecting businesses that have abdicated their responsibilities of safely selling a dangerous product.

Laurel McCloskey, MPH, is executive director of the Chronic Disease Prevention Council of New Mexico. Lesley Meyer, MBA is program manager of Keres Community Health.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Menthol and flavored nicotine continue to burden our state
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A police officer was exposed to fentanyl during an arrest and had to be administered Narcan, Mesquite police said.

On the evening of Sept. 21, a Mesquite police officer stopped a vehicle near the intersection of West Mesquite Boulevard and Thistle Street, a release from the department said. The officer stopped the vehicle for several traffic violations.

While the officer was talking to the driver, the officer observed what the release called several signs of illegal drug activity.

Officers asked the driver, identified as 48-year-old Adam Smith, to exit his vehicle. Smith suddenly ran across the road, but after a brief chase, officers were able to take him into custody.

Adam Smith, 48, faces several charges including felony possession of fentanyl. (Mesquite Police Department.

Once Smith was in custody, he told police that he had ingested fentanyl while he was running from them. One of the officers then located a small bag on the ground that contained what they suspected to be fentanyl powder.

Officers later recovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia from the suspect.

Before collecting the fentanyl as evidence, an officer took steps to protect himself and limit the risk of exposure to the substance. However, shortly after collecting it, the officer began to feel symptoms of exposure.

Other officers on the scene administered Narcan to help stabilize the officer until medical could arrive. Once Mesquite EMTs arrived, they administered a second dose and took him to a local hospital.

Narcan is a brand of Naloxone, a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose.

Police officers work every shift knowing they will be faced with dangerous situations, but they still go to work because of their dedication to keeping Mesquite safe, Chief MaQuade Chesley said. Fentanyl exposure is unfortunately one of those dangers our officers now potentially face every time they stop a vehicle or search a person.

The officer was monitored and released several hours later, the release said.

I am extremely proud of the way the officers handled this situation, and would like to thank the paramedics and hospital staff that took such good care of our officer, Chief MaQuade Chesley added.

Smith, who is originally from Washington, Utah, was taken to the hospital to be monitored before being taken to jail.

Smith was arrested and charged with felony possession of fentanyl, felony possession of methamphetamine, gross misdemeanor attempted destruction of evidence, misdemeanor obstructing an officer, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Police took a teenager into custody Friday afternoon in connection with a shooting that left a man dead outside Overlook Apartments in the Bordeaux neighborhood on the Fourth of July, but there are still several suspects who have yet to be arrested.

The Metro Nashville Police Department said 27-year-old Christopher L. Harris was found with multiple gunshot wounds in the 2400 block of Buena Vista Pike on July 4.

According to witnesses, a group of males approached Harris before seven of them allegedly opened fire on him while he was standing next to his vehicle.

PREVIOUS: Police searching for 4th suspect from deadly July 4 shooting in Bordeaux; 3 others still sought

Kentrell Baugh (Source: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Since the shooting, authorities said they have arrested and charged 16-year-old Jaden Wright, 17-year-old Erion Nesbitt, and 23-year-old Deandre Jordan.

On July 26, officials announced a Juvenile Court arrest order had been issued for then-15-year-old Kentrell Baugh in connection with Harris death.

Nearly two months later, MNPD said detectives from the Specialized Investigations Division took Baugh  now 16 years old  into custody along Glenview Drive on Friday, Sept. 22. He has reportedly been booked into juvenile detention on a criminal homicide charge.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Police said they are still trying to track down the remaining three suspects from the Fourth of July shooting, including 21-year-old Kejuan Jordan-Cole, who is facing charges for criminal homicide and aggravated assault.

No additional details have been shared about this ongoing investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  An investigation is underway after a man was shot and killed inside a vehicle in Antioch early Saturday morning.

The Metro Nashville Police Department said the shooting was reported at approximately 5:20 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23 in the 3900 block of Keeley Drive.

Man arrested for attempted homicide, other charges following bar stabbing, Metro police say

At this point, the investigation indicates 26-year-old Kelvin Stowers Jr. was in a vehicle when he was shot, but the vehicle drove off, leaving Stowers in the roadway, according to authorities.

If you have any information about Stowers death, you are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Callers can stay anonymous and qualify for a $5,000 reward in homicide cases.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee

No additional details have been released about this incident.

 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.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Asylum seekers heading to the U.S. travel on a train, in El Carmen

By Jose Cortes

HUEHUETOCA, Mexico (Reuters) - Several dozen migrants retreated in frustration from train tracks outside Mexico City on Friday, blocked by Mexican officials from hitching rides on cargo wagons in a major new enforcement effort to curb the flow of people headed north.

Thousands of people have reached the northern border in recent days and crossed into the United States, many after taking dangerous journeys on freight trains known as "The Beast."

Mexican railroad operator Ferromex this week suspended 60 trains due to the influx of people, and Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) has deployed agents to dissuade people from climbing aboard.

At a railway alongside a trash dump in Huehuetoca, a town north of Mexico City, some 40 INM agents in more than a dozen vans drove alongside the tracks to cut off access to migrants, and sent up a drone to locate others who had scrambled into the surrounding hills.

"They forced us away from the rail," said Jason, a Venezuelan migrant who asked to be identified only by his first name. "We have no other options anymore."

Migrants carrying backpacks and jugs of water made their way through tall grass under the hot sun to retreat on foot to the nearest town.

INM on Friday said it would work with Ferromex, owned by conglomerate Grupo Mexico, to identify strategic points to dissuade migrants from riding the trains, which it said puts lives at risk.

Despite the dangers of clambering aboard car roofs or huddling inside open-air wagons, many migrants say they cannot afford other options, and fear extortion on the highways or being sent by migration agents back to southern Mexico.

Milagros Narvaez, also from Venezuela, said the INM officers told the migrants they had to turn back, and that she was desperate after already struggling for nearly a month to find a way to the northern border.

"It's been an odyssey to be here in Mexico," she said. "We want to take the train to get to the border and cross into the United States... Wherever the train takes us, wherever they will give us asylum."

(Reporting by Jose Cortes in Huehuetoca; Writing by Daina Beth Solomon in Mexico City; Editing by William Mallard)
The deadline to make the ballot in the city of Miamis November election came and went Saturday, kicking off a campaign season that comes on the heels of the arrest of Alex Diaz de la Portilla, who is seeking reelection while facing corruption charges.

More than a dozen candidates met the Saturday evening deadline to qualify to run for the Miami City Commission in districts 1, 2, and 4. Mail ballots will be sent to voters in early October. Election Day is Nov. 7.

Each race features an incumbent commissioner, including Diaz de la Portilla, who was suspended this month by Gov. Ron DeSantis after the commissioner was arrested and accused of selling his vote in exchange for around $250,000 in political contributions and gifts. He told the Miami Herald he is confident voters in Allapattah, Spring Garden and Flagami will give him four more years in office as he runs the same kind of campaign that earned me 60% of the vote when he was first elected to the City Commission in 2019.

Diaz de la Portillas arrest doesnt come in a vacuum: The FBI is interested in Mayor Francis Suarezs work for a developer and a federal jury in June awarded $63.5 million in damages to businessmen who said in a civil suit that Commissioner Joe Carollo used police and code officers to harass their businesses.

All three are adamant that theyve done nothing wrong, and neither the mayor nor Carollo are on the ballot. But with about six weeks to go until Election Day, the strife at City Hall has candidates talking about cleaning up Miamis government.

There needs to be a stop to the corruption in the city of Miami so the true work of District 1 can start, said Miguel Gabela, an auto parts retailer who is challenging Diaz de la Portilla.

With three of the citys five commission seats on the ballot, the upcoming election has the potential to shift power at Dinner Key, home to historic Miami City Hall in Coconut Grove.

Read more: Its election season in Miami. Heres how to register and vote by mail

A view of the Miami River, with Little Havana on the left and Allapattah on the right. Allapattah is in the city of Miamis District 1.

In District 1, voters will decide between five candidates: Diaz de la Portilla, Gabela, an auto parts retailer, retired police officer Francisco Pichel, Miami-Dade County employee Mercedes Rodriguez, and local business investor Marvin Tapia, who filed his qualifying paperwork on the day Diaz de la Portilla was arrested.

The District 1 seat has been vacant since Diaz de la Portillas suspension. On Saturday, commissioners decided to leave the seat unfilled for more than a month and allow the Nov. 7 election to decide who will represent the district.

Asked about his message to voters, Diaz de la Portilla simply pointed to the amount of support he received in the 2019 election. Some of his opponents, however, clearly intend to emphasize the corruption allegations at City Hall.

We have an incredible opportunity here to break a decades long cycle of corruption and misrepresentation by voting for someone whose main focus is putting the residents first and giving them a voice in City Hall, said Tapia in a statement.

Read more: Commissioner spent 57 days in Miamis ultimate business playground. Then he was arrested

Pichel, a licensed private investigator, enters the race two years after his unsuccessful campaign for mayor was interrupted by his arrest in the Florida Keys, where he was accused of impersonating a police officer while staking out a Key Largo home where Suarez and his family were vacationing.

Monroe County court records show prosecutors declined to file charges due to lack of evidence. The case was dropped in February 2022.

The downtown Miami skyline, including Bayside Market Place, on January 26, 2022.

In District 2, which represents Miamis coastal neighborhoods from Coconut Grove to Morningside, eight

candidates are on the ballot, including incumbent Commissioner Sabina Covo, who remains a newcomer to City Hall.

Covo, who won a short nine-month stint as commissioner in a special election in February said that the recent controversies are embarrassing and that she understands that maintaining and building trust is more difficult now than ever.

I know its not easy right now with everything thats going on within the city. Its unfortunate, its embarrassing. But now we do need new faces who could come in and show that we can be transparent in government and inspire people to actually get out and vote, said Covo.

Covo hasnt been stung by the corruption allegations at City Hall. But her opponents are talking about the controversies.

I think when we talk about the the state of Miami, we have to address the level of corruption, the undue influence of money, and the impact it is having on our residents and their faith in local government, said challenger Damian Pardo.

James Torres said he wants to introduce whistleblower protections and campaign-finance reform, saying Miami finds itself entangled in scandal after scandal. Christi Tasker, who has been outspoken about the misconduct with city officials, encouraged voters to look at campaign finance records and question candidates at public forums. Gabriela Chirinos hopes to establish the fact that she is a new candidate with zero ties or attachment to the current city government will help establish trust. Eddy Leal said hes entered into the race to help residents take back City Hall.

The reason Im running is because none of the candidates have persuaded me that theyre going to do anything about this corruption or that theyre going to do anything about tackling these other issues, said candidate Michael Castro. So if you want something done, you gotta do it yourself.

Voters will also vote in the citys District 4 commission race, where Commissioner Manolo Reyes is seeking reelection. Reyes, who was accused in 2021 by former Police Chief Art Acevedo of interfering with police business, said he welcomes scrutiny and criticized Acevedo for being a divisive chief.

Reyes has denied the allegations. On Saturday, he said he had nothing to hide and he pushed back on general criticisms of City Hall, arguing that while there are problems at the city, there are many public servants trying to do the right thing, including himself.

He urged people who feel strongly about improving city government to vote or run for office.

We need more people to participate, he said.

Reyes faces a challenge from Andres Vallina, a telecommunications consultant.

District 1

Alex Diaz de la Portilla (incumbent)

Miguel Gabela

Francisco Pichel

Mercedes Librada Rodriguez

Marvin Tapia

District 2

Michael Castro

Gabriela Chirinos

Sabina Covo (incumbent)

Alicia Susan Kossick

Eddy Leal

Damian Pardo

Christi Tasker

James Torres

District 4

Manolo Reyes (incumbent)

Andres Vallina
EL PASO, Texas (Border Report)  The number of migrant encounters along the southwest border rose significantly for the second consecutive month after falling to some of the Biden administrations lowest levels.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection released monthly data that shows a 27% increase in migrant encounters along the Southwest border from July to August.

July also saw an increase from the previous month, a 26% jump from June.

But monthly migrant encounters had begun falling after the May 11 expiration of Title 42, a public health rule that allowed border agents to immediately expel migrants as a way to stop the cross-border spread of COVID-19.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection graphic

At the end of June, migrant encounters had fallen to 144,566, a 30 percent drop from the previous month.

A surge of Venezuelan migrants lifted total migrant encounters in April (211,999) and May (206,701). However, the number of people who surrendered to Border Patrol agents from May 12-31 was only two-fifths of the total for the month, according to Border Report archives.

The Department of Homeland Security resumed Title 8 enforcement, a lengthier process that places migrants in removal proceedings and comes with legal consequences, including a five-year entry ban for those who enter the United States illegally, and up to a 20-year ban for repeat offenders. Under the new rules, asylum-seekers are expected to apply for an appointment via the CBP One app.

Federal officials said they believed the threats of removal and bans would deter unauthorized migration, and it did briefly.

However, migrant encounters shot up 26% from June to July, and the latest data shows another 27% increase from 183,494 in July to 232,972 in August.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border

The Border Patrols Tucson Sector reported the highest number of migrant apprehensions with 48,753. Not far behind was the Rio Grande Valley Sector, where U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended 46,536 migrants in August.

Up until this week, the Tucson Sector had been the epicenter of migration. However, thousands of migrants, mostly from Venezuela, have crossed illegally into Eagle Pass, Texas, in recent days. Eagle Pass is in the Del Rio Sector, which reported just under 30,000 migrant apprehensions in August.

Even though single adults make up the majority of migrant apprehensions, the number of families crossing the border illegally has gone steadily up in the past three years. So far this fiscal year, border agents and officers at ports of entry have encountered 697,722 family units, which is a 24% increase from the last year (560,646), and a 45% percent increase from FY 2021 (479,728).

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
The former Camp X-Ray lies in the morning mist. The first prisoners arrived here on January 11, 2002. Magdalena Miriam Trondle/picture alliance via Getty Images

Ramzi bin al-Shibh is one of five defendants accused of being key accomplices to the 9/11 attacks.

A military tribunal in Guantanamo Bay found bin al-Shibh mentally unfit for trial.

His lawyer argued that torture administered by the CIA caused bin al-Shibh's psychosis.

A Yemeni prisoner accused of being one of the key accomplices in the September 11, 2001, attacks was deemed mentally unfit to stand for trial, a military judge ruled on Thursday.

For years, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, 51, was detained in Guantanamo Bay under suspicion that he helped organize the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.

He and four other defendants, including the accused mastermind of the plot, faced charges of conspiracy to carry out acts of terrorism and were set to go to trial in a military tribunal at the detention camp.

But in August, a military medical panel found that al-Shibh had suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder due to torture and solitary confinement he underwent during his four years in CIA custody, The Associated Press reported.

Col. Matthew McCall, the military judge, agreed on Thursday that al-Shibh should be severed from the trial due to his mental state.

Pretrial proceedings for the other four defendants continued on Friday.

Bin al-Shibh, a Yemeni national, was first captured precisely a year after 9/11. He is accused of aiding one group of hijackers in Hamburg, Germany, to carry out the attacks.

Between 2002 and 2006, he was held in one of the CIA's "black site" prisons, or secret interrogation facilities, where he was subjected to torture that made him insane, his defense lawyer, David I. Bruck, has argued.

Some of the torture methods included holding bin al-Shibh in solitary confinement, depriving him of sleep, and forcing him to stand up while chained and wearing a diaper for days at a time, Bruck told the judge, according to The New York Times.

The prisoner also said that he was tortured by invisible figures that stung his genitals and caused his entire cell to shake, according to the report.

Bruck did not respond to a request for comment sent outside of working hours.

Prosecutors have pointed to bin al-Shibh's ability to comprehend some of the legal proceedings before him to argue that the defendant is fit for trial.

"However, the fact that Mr. bin al Shibh understands the serious nature of the charges and the capital nature of his case, and yet he still cannot focus his attention on those issues demonstrates the significant effect of his mental defect on him," the ruling stated.

Bruck said in a statement reported by the Times that Thursday's ruling is vindication of the severe impacts on defendants of the CIA's torture program.

"It is no longer possible" to deny "that the CIA torture program did profound harm to the people subjected to it," he said.

Spokespersons for the CIA and Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment sent outside of working hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Military police fired at and ultimately detained a driver who had gained unauthorized access to a Marine base in California on Friday night, according to the Marine Corps.

The vehicle that made it onto Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, evaded military police at first as one officer fired at it at approximately 8:19 p.m., according to Marine spokesman Capt. Johnathon Huizar.

After getting caught, the driver was taken to the nearby naval hospital with no reported injuries, according to Huizar. The driver did not fire any shots, the spokesman said.

The incident is not being considered an act of terrorism, Huizar said in a statement. There is no active shooter threat.

Military police fire shots at driver breaking onto California Marine base

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is leading the investigation into the incident, according to Huizar.

The base at Twentynine Palms, California, is a hub for Marine combat training located in the desert near Joshua Tree National Park.

In January, a car that tried to gain access to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, caught on fire after coming into contact with the denial barriers located at the gate.
For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser
Ukraine's forces on the southern Zaporizhzhia front have breached Russian lines in Verbove, General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi , the commander of Ukraine's military fighting in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, announced in an interview with CNN on Sept. 23.

Verbove, located a little less than 20 kilometers southeast of Robotyne, which was liberated on Aug. 28, is on the path toward the strategic hub of Tokmak.

Tarnavskyi lauded the success at Verbove but also noted that the true breakthrough on the southern front would be the liberation of Tokmak, which he stated was "the minimum goal" of the counteroffensive.

While acknowledging that the pace of the counteroffensive was slower than expected, Tarnavskyi was also careful to reiterate that it was unlikely to be "like in the movies about the Second World War," and that it was crucial for Ukraine not to "lose this initiative" built up by previous successes.

The ultimate goal of the counteroffensive remains the breaking of Russia's 'land-bridge' to occupied Crimea and in the long-term, the liberation of all territories currently occupied by Russian forces.

Fighting has been varied and intense, Tarnavskyi said, and Ukrainian forces have been hampered both by the so-called "Surovikin line," built under the command of Russian General Sergey Surovokin, of layered defense that includes significant minefields, but also by small groups of well-placed Russian soldiers.

Read also: Russias southern mistake  Surovikin lines, Gerasimov tactics

Although many expected the counteroffensive to primarily take place during the summer before the weather became cold, Tarnavskyi said that he did not expect the coming rainy season and ensuing winter to "heavily influence the counteroffensive."

Skepticism from the West about the ultimate success of the counteroffensive was understandable, said Tarnavskyi, but he stressed that Ukrainian offensive tactics have had to adapt to conditions on the ground, especially that Russian forces have learned from some of their previous mistakes.

Nevertheless, Tarnavskyi still expressed optimism about the counteroffensive's success. "I believe, yes (there will be a big breakthrough)," he said, and "I think it will happen after (the liberation of) Tokmak."

Read also: Ukrainian military strikes Russias Black Sea Fleet headquarters

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The new free trade agreement between Ukraine and Canada should expand the involvement of domestic businesses in international supply chains.

Source: the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine

The authority says that the new agreement significantly changes the trade regime between Ukraine and Canada. As part of the signed document, Ukraine and Canada concluded an agreement on digital trade, which became the second for Ukraine after the corresponding Agreement with the United Kingdom.

Quote: "This agreement takes the trade relations of the two countries to a new dimension because we applied a new liberal method in terms of services when preparing the document  everything that is not prohibited is allowed. That is, the Agreement does not regulate what is allowed, but on the contrary  it carefully stipulates exceptions to the complete freedom of provision of services", Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister of Economy explains.

Svyrydenko says the section dealing with trade in goods contains new rules of origin that allow the use of parts or ingredients from the EU, UK, and Israel for goods exported to Canada duty-free. This will expand the involvement of Ukrainian manufacturers in global supply chains.

Apart from that, the agreement contains a modern section on digital trade between Ukraine and Canada, based on the principles of free and open development of the digital ecosystem of the economy. In particular, the digital component of the agreement guarantees freedom of cross-border transfer of information, freedom to choose the location of equipment, freedom of source code, and open access to the Internet.

The ministry adds that the concluded agreement should be a step towards active preparation for the future economic development of liberated Crimea and the role of the Crimean Tatars in this. After all, it is about strengthening the role of indigenous peoples in the economy and international trade.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Academics, universities and government agencies are overhauling or ending research programs designed to counter the spread of online misinformation amid a legal campaign from conservative politicians and activists who accuse them of colluding with tech companies to censor right-wing views.

The escalating campaign - led by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and other Republicans in Congress and state government - has cast a pall over programs that study not just political falsehoods but also the quality of medical information online.

Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post.

Facing litigation, Stanford University officials are discussing how they can continue tracking election-related misinformation through the Election Integrity Partnership (EIP), a prominent consortium that flagged social media conspiracies about voting in 2020 and 2022, several participants told The Washington Post. The coalition of disinformation researchers may shrink and also may stop communicating with X and Facebook about their findings.

The National Institutes of Health froze a $150 million program intended to advance the communication of medical information, citing regulatory and legal threats. Physicians told The Post that they had planned to use the grants to fund projects on noncontroversial topics such as nutritional guidelines and not just politically charged issues such as vaccinations that have been the focus of the conservative allegations.

NIH officials sent a memo in July to some employees, warning them not to flag misleading social media posts to tech companies and to limit their communication with the public to answering medical questions.

"If the question relates in any way to misinformation or disinformation, please do not respond," read the guidance email, sent in July after a Louisiana judge blocked many federal agencies from communicating with social media companies. NIH declined to comment on whether the guidance was lifted in light of a September appeals court ruling, which significantly narrowed the initial court order.

"In the name of protecting free speech, the scientific community is not allowed to speak," said Dean Schillinger, a health communication scientist who planned to apply to the NIH program to collaborate with a Tagalog-language newspaper to share accurate health information with Filipinos. "Science is being halted in its tracks."

Academics and government scientists say the campaign also is successfully throttling the years-long effort to study online falsehoods, which grew after Russian attempts to interfere in the 2016 election caught both social media sites and politicians unaware.

Interviews with more than two dozen professors, government officials, physicians, nonprofits and research funders, many of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss their internal deliberations freely, describe an escalating campaign emerging as online propaganda is rising.

Social media platforms have pulled back on moderating content even as evidence mounts that Russia and China have intensified covert influence campaigns; next week, the disinformation watchdog NewsGuard will release a study that found 12 major media accounts from Russia, China and Iran saw the number of likes and reposts on X nearly double after Musk removed labels calling them government-affiliated. Advances in generative artificial intelligence have opened the door to potential widespread voter manipulation. Meanwhile, public health officials are grappling with medical misinformation, as the United States heads into the fall and winter virus season.

Conservatives have long complained that social media platforms stifle their views, but the efforts to limit moderation have intensified in the past year.

The most high-profile effort, a lawsuit known as Missouri v. Biden, is now before the Supreme Court, where the Biden administration seeks to have the high court block a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit that found the White House, FBI and top federal health officials likely violated the First Amendment by improperly influencing tech companies' decisions to remove or suppress posts on the coronavirus and elections. That ruling was narrower than a district court's finding that also barred government officials from working with academic groups, including the Stanford Internet Observatory. But the Biden Justice Department argues the injunction still contradicts certain First Amendment principles, including that the president is entitled to use his bully pulpit to persuade American companies "to act in ways that the President believes would advance the public interest."

"The university is deeply concerned about ongoing efforts to chill freedom of inquiry and undermine legitimate and much needed academic research in the areas of misinformation - both at Stanford and across academia," Stanford Assistant Vice President Dee Mostofi told The Post. "Stanford believes strongly in academic freedom and the right of the faculty to choose the research they wish to pursue. The Stanford Internet Observatory is continuing its critical research on the important problem of misinformation."

Jordan has issued subpoenas and demands for researchers' communications with the government and social media platforms as part of a larger congressional probe into the Biden administration's alleged collusion with Big Tech.

"This effort is clearly intended to deter researchers from pursuing these studies and penalize them for their findings," Jen Jones, the program director for the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists, an environmental group that promotes scientific research, said in a statement.

Disinformation scholars, many of whom tracked both covid-19 and 2020 election-rigging conspiracies, also have faced an onslaught of public records requests and lawsuits from conservative sympathizers echoing Jordan's probe. Billionaire Elon Musk's X has sued a nonprofit advocacy group, the Center for Countering Digital Hate, accusing it of improperly accessing large amounts of data through someone else's license - a practice that researchers say is common. Trump adviser Stephen Miller's America First Legal Foundation is representing the founder of the conspiracy-spreading website, the Gateway Pundit, in a May lawsuit alleging researchers at Stanford, the University of Washington and other organizations conspired with the government to restrict speech. The case is ongoing.

Nadgey Louis-Charles, a spokeswoman for the House Judiciary Committee that Jordan chairs, said the Jordan-led investigation is focused on "the federal government's involvement in speech censorship, and the investigation's purpose is to inform legislative solutions for how to protect free speech."

"The Committee sends letters only to entities with a connection to the federal government in the context of moderating speech online," she said. "No entity receives a letter from the Committee without a written explanation of the entity's connection to the federal government."

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey (R) in a statement said the federal government "silenced" information because "it didn't fit their narrative."

"Missouri v. Biden is the most important First Amendment case in a generation, which is why we're taking it to the nation's highest court," he said.

"As a pro-democracy organization, American First Legal is committed to defeating the censorship-industrial complex that is crushing freedom and promoting dangerous conspiracy theories about Americans who dare to question government dogma," Miller said in a statement.

- - -

'A serious threat to the integrity of science'

In September 2022, an NIH council greenlit a $150 million program to fund research on how to best communicate health issues to the public. Administrators had planned the initiative for months, convening a strategy workshop with top tech and advertising executives, academics, faith leaders and physicians.

"We know there's a lot of inaccurate health information out there," said Bill Klein, the associate director of the National Cancer Institute's Behavioral Research Program at a meeting approving the program. He showed a slide of headlines about how online misinformation hampered the response to the covid-19 pandemic, as well as other public health issues, including gun violence and HIV treatment.

The program was intended to address topics vulnerable to online rumors, including nutrition, tobacco, mental health and cancer screenings such as mammograms, according to three people who attended a planning workshop.

Yet in early summer 2023, NIH officials contacted some researchers with the news that the grant program had been canceled. NIH appended a cryptic notice to its website in June, saying the program was on "pause" so that the agency could "reconsider its scope and aims" amid a heated regulatory environment.

Schillinger and Rich Barron, the CEO of the American Board of Internal Medicine, warned that the decision posed "a serious threat to the integrity of science and to its successful translation" in a July article in the JAMA. In an interview with The Post, Barron noted that there are limited sources of funding for health misinformation research.

NIH declined requests for an interview about the decision to halt the program, but spokesperson Renate Myles confirmed in an email that the Missouri v. Biden lawsuit played into the decision. Myles said a number of other lawsuits played a role but declined to name them.

Myles said the litigation was just one factor and that budgetary projections and consideration of ongoing work also contributed to the decision. She said that an initial approval of a concept does not guarantee it will be funded and that NIH currently funds health communication research. The agency does not officially release numbers about funding in the area, but she said a working group estimated that NIH spent $760 million over five years.

"NIH recognizes the critical importance of health communications science in building trust in public health information and continues to fund this important area of research," she said.

NIH and other public health agencies have also sought to limit their employees' communications with social media platforms amid the litigation, according to internal agency emails viewed by The Post that were sent in July after a Louisiana judge blocked many federal agencies from communicating with social media companies.

In one instance, an NIH communications official told some employees not to flag misleading social media posts to tech companies - even if they impersonated government health officials or encouraged self-harm, according to a July email viewed by The Post. The employees were told they could not respond to questions about a disease area or clinical trial if it did "relate in any way to misinformation or disinformation."

The Election Integrity Partnership may also curtail its scope following lawsuits questioning the validity of its work, including the Missouri v. Biden case.

Led by the Stanford Internet Observatory and the University of Washington's Center for an Informed Public, the coalition of researchers was formed in the middle of the 2020 presidential campaign to alert tech companies in real time about viral election-related conspiracies on their platforms. The posts, for example, falsely claimed Dominion Voting Systems' software switched votes in favor of President Biden, an allegation that also was at the center of a defamation case that Fox News settled for $787 million.

In March 2021, the group released a nearly 300-page report documenting how false election fraud claims rippled across the internet, coalescing into the #StopTheSteal movement that fomented the Jan. 6 attack at the U.S. Capitol. In its final report, the coalition noted that Meta, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok and YouTube labeled, removed or suppressed just over a third of the posts the researchers flagged.

But by 2022, the partnership was engulfed in controversy. Right-wing media outlets, advocacy groups and influencers such as the Foundation for Freedom Online, Just the News and far-right provocateur Jack Posobiec argued that the Election Integrity Partnership was part of a coalition with government and industry working to censor Americans' speech online. (Posobiec didn't respond to a request for comment, but after this story was published online he posted the request on X with the comment: "Every one of these programs will be penniless and powerless by the time I am done.")

Louis-Charles, the Judiciary Committee spokeswoman, said in a statement that the universities involved with EIP "played a unique role in the censorship industrial complex given their extensive, direct contacts with federal government agencies."

The probe prompted members of the Election Integrity Partnership to reevaluate their participation in the coalition altogether. Stanford Internet Observatory founder Alex Stamos, whose group helps lead the coalition, told Jordan's staff earlier this year that he would have to talk with Stanford's leadership about the university's continued involvement, according to a partial transcript filed in court.

"Since this investigation has cost the university now approaching seven [figure] legal fees, it's been pretty successful I think in discouraging us from making it worthwhile for us to do a study in 2024," Stamos said.

Kate Starbird, co-founder of the University of Washington Center for an Informed Public, declined to elaborate on specific plans to monitor the upcoming presidential race but said her group aims to put together a "similar coalition . . . to rapidly address harmful false rumors about the 2024 election."

She added, "It's clear to me that researchers and their institutions won't be deterred by conspiracy theorists and those seeking to smear and silence this line of research for entirely political reasons."

Another participant in the Election Integrity Partnership, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the group was "looking at ways to do our work completely in the open" to avoid allegations that direct communications with the platforms are a part of a censorship apparatus.

The researchers have been encouraged by the recent ruling in the Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in the Missouri v. Biden litigation, which struck down a July 4 injunction that barred government officials from collaborating or coordinating with the Election Integrity Partnership, the Stanford Internet Observatory and other similar groups.

- - -

'Naughty & Nice List'

In recent weeks, Jordan has sent a new round of record requests to at least two recipients of grants from the National Science Foundation's Convergence Accelerator program, according to three people familiar with the matter.

The program, one of many run by the independent agency to promote research, awards funding to groups creating tools or techniques to mitigate misinformation, such as software for journalists to identify misinformation trending online.

George Washington University professor Jonathan Turley and the conservative advocacy group The Foundation for Freedom Online wrote separate reports portraying the program as an effort by the Biden administration to censor or blacklist American citizens online. Afterward, Jordan requested grant recipients' communications with the White House, technology companies and government agencies, according to two of the people.

Turley said in a statement that "free speech is a core value of higher education" and that he is concerned that universities are using partnerships with the government to silence some users.

"If universities are supporting efforts to regulate or censor speech, there should be both clarity and transparency on this relationship. In past years, academics have demanded such transparency in other areas of partnership with the government, including military research," Turley said. "Free speech values should be of equal concern to every institution of higher learning."

Some NSF grant recipients who have not received requests from Jordan's committee say they are facing a barrage of online threats over their work, which has prompted some to buy services that make it harder to find their addresses, such as DeleteMe.

Hacks/Hackers, a nonprofit coalition of journalists and technologists, received an NSF grant to develop tools to help people share accurate information about controversial topics, such as vaccine efficacy. The group has faced political scrutiny from Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who tweeted they had received $5 million from President Biden to create "a naughty & nice list to police the content posted by family & friends" with her usual slogan "MakeEmSqueal."

Connie Moon Sehat, a researcher-at-large for the group, said she and other researchers have faced online attacks including threats to reveal personal information and veiled death threats. She says members of her team are at times under high levels of stress and having ongoing conversations about how to elevate accurate information on social media, as some platforms become increasingly toxic.

"We are double- and triple-checking what we write, above what we used to, to try to communicate our good intentions - in the face of efforts that willfully misconstrue our work and desire to serve the public," Sehat said. "And I worry more broadly that we researchers may self-censor our inquiry, or that some will drop out altogether, to stay safe."

As Jordan's probe expands, some university lawyers have urged academics to hold on to their records and be prepared to receive subpoenas from the committee, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The probe has sparked a wave of fear among university academics, prompting several to take a lower profile to avoid the scrutiny. Laura Edelson, an assistant professor of computer science at Northeastern University, recently left her role as chief technologist at the Justice Department's antitrust division. She said she tailored her job search to only private universities that are not subject to public records laws.

"I knew that because of the way our field is being attacked that the cost of the work I do is a lot higher at a public institution," she said. "I just didn't want to pay that cost, and that's why I only applied to private universities."

The left-leaning nonprofit Center for Democracy and Technology argued in a Thursday report that the disinformation field is facing a dual threat: Social media platforms have become less responsive to concerns from researchers about misinformation while the political and regulatory backlash against the scholarship has eroded the relationships between academics, nonprofits and industry.

"The more efforts to recast counter-election-disinformation as censorship succeed, the more difficult it will become for governments and others to work with researchers in the field," wrote the nonprofit, which receives some of its funding from tech corporations, including Google and Meta.

The scrutiny has caught the academic community by surprise, as non-faculty staff and researchers debate how to protect themselves from new legal threats. When Dannagal Young, a professor of communication and political science at the University of Delaware, alerted university lawyers that she'd been asked to talk with Democratic congressional staffers about potentially testifying before Jordan's subcommittee, she felt her preparation was lacking.

While the lawyers were eager to help, according to Young, in their initial response they spent more time prepping her on how to discuss President Biden's relationship to the school than they did on what kinds of questions she might be asked on Capitol Hill.

"I don't think university lawyers are prepared to navigate that kind of politically motivated space," she said. The University of Delaware didn't respond to a request for comment.

Many academics, independent scholars and philanthropic funders are discussing how to collectively defend the disinformation research field. One proposal would create a group to gather donations into a central fund to pay for crisis communications and - most critically - legal support if one of them gets sued or subpoenaed in a private case or by Congress. The money could also fund cybersecurity counseling to ward off hackers and stalkers and perhaps physical security as well.

"There is this growing sense that there need to be resources to allow for freedom of thought and academic independence," said one longtime philanthropy grant maker who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters.

University academics are also mulling ways to rebrand their work to attract less controversy. One leader in a university disinformation research center said scholars have discussed using more generic terms to describe their work such as "information integrity" or "civic participation online." Those terms "have less of a bite to them," said a person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak on the private discussions. Similar conversations are occurring within public health agencies, another person said.

"This whole area of research has become radioactive," the person said.

Related Content

Inside the gold rush to sell cheaper imitations of Ozempic

How climate change worsened the catastrophic flood in Libya

The Senate chucks its unwritten dress code. Bring on the gym shorts!
Ukrainian pilots and personnel are currently training on American-made F-16 fighters.

The Pentagon plans to send highly capable air-to-air missiles that the jets can carry.

Aviation experts and former US military pilots say the F-16s can be used in a variety of roles.

Ukraine is getting air-to-air missiles that its future F-16s would need to battle Russian fighter jets, but there are other missions and missiles that could serve Kyiv's forces better.

AIM-9 and AIM-120 air-to-air missiles could be used for air-to-air combat, but aviation experts and former US military pilots argue F-16s would be more useful fighting off incoming missiles and striking ground vehicles and fortified positions.

The American-made F-16 Fighting Falcon is a very maneuverable, quick, and nimble aircraft, capable of withstanding up to nine "G's," or nine times the force of gravity. It has a good fuel carriage capacity, is capable of staying in flight for extended periods of time, and can be equipped with advanced targeting pods and air-to-air and air-to-surface weaponry. The aircraft also has better electronic warfare capabilities and a more efficient internal layout than Ukraine's current fleet of Soviet-era MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters.

A US Air Force aircraft fuels craftsman marshals a US F-16 at Rovaniemi Air Base in Finland during Astral Knight 23 Part 6 on August 23, 2023. US Air Force/Airman 1st Class Albert Morel

Additionally, it has a solid thrust-to-weight ratio, allowing it to perform ballistic maneuvers in the sky. These capabilities, coupled with its physical design, make the F-16 a formidable opponent for Russian fighter jets like the MiG-31 and Su-35, experts and former pilots say.

Fighting enemy airpower

"The F-16 is one of the most capable dogfighting platforms out there," John Baum, a retired US Air Force lieutenant colonel who has logged over 2,300 hours in the F-16, told Insider.

Dogfighting happens when the beyond-visual-range fight either doesn't happen or breaks down, Baum said. In other words, it's a last resort in modern air warfare when aircraft suddenly get within visual range of each other and turn in relation to an adversary that the pilots can see. In this scenario, the F-16 would be more than competent against Russian fighters.

"You can hold your own in a dogfight for sure," Guy Snodgrass, a career naval aviator and former US defense official, told Insider. He added that there are a lot of variables to consider in this scenario, though, such as what type of aircraft the F-16 is going up against. For example, a stealthy Russian jet with good jamming capabilities might have an edge over a baseline F-16.

The F-16 was designed in the 1970s, although it has been updated and modernized several times over the years. Russia's Su-35, meanwhile, is a newer-generation aircraft with certain advanced combat capabilities like a powerful radar and excellent maneuverability.

An F-16C Fighting Falcon from the 85th Test Evaluation Squadron flies a test mission March 19, 2019 near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Hoskins

The F-16's ability to dogfight also depends on the skill and training of the pilot and the type of weapons that they take with them into the fight. Snodgrass said AIM-9s and AIM-120s could give the F-16s an "incredible capability" for close and standoff engagements.

The Biden administration announced for the first time that it would send AIM-9M Sidewinder short-range missiles as part of a $250 million security assistance package for Ukraine in late August. This weapon uses infrared heat-seeking guidance to deliver a high-explosive warhead to its target.

Several days after the AIM-9M announcement, the Pentagon published details of a new contract indicating Ukraine could receive the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM).Ukrainian officials later told Air & Space Forces Magazine in early September that the US would send the AMRAAM to Kyiv.

The AIM-120 is a missile that works in all weather and has beyond-visual-range capability for targets beyond the Sidewinder's reach. It's a longer-range improvement over the mid-range AIM-7 Sparrow series, which Washington has already sent to Ukraine.

An F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the 85th Test Evaluation Squadron shoots an AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM over testing ranges near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., March 19, 2019. US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Hoskins

"The AIM-120 and the AIM-9 are excellent weapons and would hold up very well given the pilot is able to employ them properly," Baum said.

Snodgrass said these missiles are "fairly comparable" to Russian air-to-air missiles like the R-27 and R-77. Missiles aren't everything though. In a true dogfight, the best pilot is likely to win.

High risk

But while the F-16 could potentially hold its own in a dogfight against Russian fighters, if Ukraine tries to take on Russia's air force, it will put its limited supply of F-16s and trained fighter pilots at great risk.

Far more than anything in the air, advanced ground-based air-defense capabilities on both sides have prevented either military from successfully gaining air superiority, and Kyiv's pilots have to factor in the proximity of Moscow's systems  like very capable S-300s and formidable S-400s  when conducting offensive or defensive operations.

High-end surface-to-air missile systems are "everywhere, and neither side seems to have any intention of sending their fighters anywhere near the front lines again anytime soon," Brynn Tannehill, a former US Navy pilot, told Insider. "Neither side is going to push in with their [Su-35s] or F-16s, just because it would be so incredibly dangerous."

An S-400 Triumf, also known as a SA-21 Growler, during exercises outside Moscow on December 2, 2010. ANDREY SMIRNOV/AFP via Getty Images

The F-16 is a multi-role fighter, and military aviation experts say there are several alternative missions for the aircraft beyond air-to-air engagements with Russian fighters, missions that would probably better serve Kyiv's war efforts.

The two main mission categories when it comes to the F-16 are defensive counter-air and offensive actions, Doug Birkey, the executive director of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, told Insider. In a defensive role, the F-16s are "going to be working to suppress enemy threats posed by manned aircraft, as well as cruise missiles and other unmanned assets, and it's capable of doing all that."

F-16s could use AIM-9s and AIM-120s to protect Ukrainian cities from threats like Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones, Kh-22 anti-ship missiles, or Kh-55 cruise missiles  all of which have been used to terrorize civilians throughout the war. In this role, the aircraft would be able to complement Kyiv's strained air-defense network of Soviet-era systems and Western-provided platforms like NASAMS and Patriot batteries.

On the offensive, the F-16 is "very capable" in an air-to-ground role or in the suppression of enemy air defenses, Snodgrass said, which could prove useful for Ukraine and help degrade the strength of Russia's defenses.

Ukrainian air defense intercepts a Shahed drone mid-air in Kyiv on May 30, 2023. AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, File

"What I suspect you would see it primarily being used for, based on what we've seen play out in Ukraine so far, is close air support," Snodgrass suggested. "Being able to conduct attacks on the ground as Ukraine wants to try and drive Russian forces out of a fortified position."

"If Russia decided to send more helicopters or fighters into the zone, then you might see some air-to-air" fighting, Snodgrass added, "but predominantly probably combat air patrol, meaning it's flying overheads, conducting surveillance missions, and then also doing some combat air support."

Needing airpower

In any role, F-16s are not going to be a silver bullet for Ukraine, and its effectiveness will ultimately come down to the type of fighter, if the aircraft is armed with the right missiles, and pilot ability.

"It's less important that Ukraine gets F-16s  it's much more important to think about what weapon systems they get to operate off of these F-16, and how they use them," Tannehill said, adding that while the aircraft will work well in an interceptor role over Ukrainian territory, they're "really going to make life interesting and unpleasant" for the Russians if Kyiv receives advanced cruise missiles from the US like the anti-ship Harpoon that could hunts ships in the Black Sea, or its derivative, the Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER).

Avionics Technicians from 11 Squadron load an AGM-84 Harpoon Missile onto an AP-3C Orion aircraft at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2016. Australian Defense Force photo by ABIS Kayla Hayes

If this happens, Tannehill said Russian warships may start "going the way of the Moskva," a reference to when Kyiv's forces sank one of Moscow's guided-missile cruiser with anti-ship missiles in April 2022.

Indeed, just last week, Ukraine used long-range Western cruise missiles to attack a Russian shipyard in the occupied Crimean peninsula, damaging a landing ship and a submarine. But Kyiv has a very limited supply of long-range strike weapons like the Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG, which observers speculated were used in the attack, prompting government officials to repeatedly call on the US and its NATO allies to outfit the military with more long-range weapons, like the ground-based US-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), so it can continue conducting deep strikes.

Beyond the SLAM-ER, the US could also send the AGM-158 Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), Tannehill told Insider in a previous interview. JASSMs are similar to the Storm Shadow in that they are long-range, somewhat low-observable, can travel at subsonic speeds and low altitudes, and carry a warhead of a comparable size.

Ukrainian pilots and personnel started training on F-16s last month after the US finally approved the delivery of the American-made aircraft from several European countries to Kyiv.

According to a copy of the F-16 training concept that Insider obtained from the Danish defense ministry, the program intends to cover language and flight training, as well as conversion to the F-16 platform and how to maintain and support the fighter jet. It's unclear when the F-16s will actually arrive in Ukraine, although some US officials have suggested that it won't be until at least 2024.

But even when F-16s do eventually arrive in country, Baum said it will still be a huge lift to uphold the supply lines and logistics that are needed to support such an advanced aircraft and make sure the fighters are sustainable in the long run.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the Alabama National Guards 187th Fighter Wing takes off from Joint Base Andrews, Md., April 3, 2012 Photo by Senior Airman Perry Aston

Such issues have led some, including Ukrainian officials, to voice their support for Sweden sending its JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine. These aircraft are cheaper to fly, require less maintenance, and are more flexible with their operational requirements than the F-16s. Although the Gripen has previously been off the table, Stockholm is reportedly looking into the possibility of sending some to Kyiv.

At the end of the day though, Baum said it doesn't really matter what Western fighter jet the Ukrainians get  so as long as they get something.

"Anything of substantial airpower capability would be beneficial for the Ukrainians. I think it's less about getting bogged down in the actual platform and the capabilities," Baum said. "We need to get beyond the details of the capabilities of a fighter and just realize the fact that they need airpower at their hands in order to protect themselves."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Thanks to a national trend led by millennials and Gen Z, the popularity of mocktails has skyrocketed over the past five years, according to research from NielsenIQ. Global Market Insights expects the sector composed of mocktails and other alcohol alternatives to grow to $30 billion in 2025.

Mike Tedesco, the owner and operator of Happy Valley Nomadic Spirits, is bringing that national trend to Centre County with the regions first mobile mocktail bar.

Nellie opened in July and Tedesco describes the menu as mocktails by day, cocktails by night. The mobile bar was originally an old horse trailer, and Tedesco said its name came from the famous expression: Whoa, Nellie.

There are non-alcoholic options out there that are tasty and are made the same way as an alcoholic drink, Tedesco said. Theres a plethora of non-alcoholic spirits out there that are coming up because people want healthier alternatives while still being at the party.

Mike Tedesco makes a non-alcoholic Paloma in Nellie the Mobile Mocktail Bar on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023.

Nellie features non-alcoholic spirits along with Tedescos own personal creations. Its primarily used for private functions but can also be found at events that highlight local vendors.

Tedesco, who used Nellie at his own wedding, highlighted the inclusivity it brings to private functions.

Its kid-friendly, he said. People who are pregnant can have it and still be a part of the club. He added that people who are nursing and people who are on medications can also enjoy Nellie just like everyone else.

You cover a lot more of the market than just people who drink alcohol, which is great, Tedesco said. Because everyone should have a seat at the table.

A non-alcoholic apple cinnamon old fashion among the drinks available from Happy Valley Nomadic Spirits Nellie the Mobile Mocktail Bar.

Tedesco said the idea for Nellie came to him when the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, when you couldnt sit at a bar in the state of Pennsylvania. He was a bartender at the time, and the conditions led him to explore outside options. Thanks to the help of some YouTube videos, Tedesco was able to construct the bar largely on his own.

I have done probably 90% of the work on this mobile bar, Tedesco said. I didnt know what I was doing, I was a bartender.

Happy Valley Nomadic Spirits has convereted an old horse trailer into Nellie the Mobile Mocktail Bar.

When it comes to cocktails, customers can ask him to have certain ingredients on hand, to make them something special or even to make custom menus. For mocktails, theres a featured menu each week.

Tedesco decides what to feature by going to local farmers markets and seeing whats fresh and in stock.

We want to showcase all of Pennsylvanias agriculture that we use, he said. We get to bring the farm almost to the table.

Happy Valley Nomadic Spirits also hosts cocktail classes, providing customers the opportunity to learn how to bartend as well as the history of drinks.

If you want to learn how to make specific drinks, I will come to your house, Tedesco said. We can host the class and well show you how.

Along with the classes, Tedesco said Happy Valley Nomadic Spirits also sells non-alcoholic Scratch Kits.

We are the HelloFresh for at-home beverage making, he said.

The kit comes in a box that features recipes and all the ingredients  minus the alcoholic or non-alcoholic base  necessary for that months drink, which can be either alcoholic or non-alcoholic, depending on the customers preference.

Some of the non-alcocholic spirits used for the mocktails from Nellie the Mobile Bar on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023.

Staci Egan, the owner of Smith + Front in Bellefonte, said Nellie provides a very different vibe than anything else in the area.

Nellie is an experience, Egan said.

One time when she purchased a mocktail from the mobile bar, she said her husband didnt want his own because he didnt really see the point of a mocktail. That ended after one sip.

He even got drawn into the whole experience, Egan said. He just kept saying, I cant believe how good this drink is.

Tedesco said hes motivated by a love for designing and crafting drinks for individuals.

We want people to enjoy themselves in any way they want to, Tedesco said.

For more information on Nellie the mobile bar, check out its Instagram page @the_nellie_bar.

Mike and Amy Tedesco run Nellie the Mobile Mocktail Bar.
More than 1 million residents of Los Angeles County are struggling to stay fed, according to a new study from the University of Southern California.

The study from USC Dornsife found that 30% of Los Angeles County residents are faced with food insecurity  up six percentage points from the previous year.

That staggering number accounts for more than 1 million households, the study shows.

According to Feeding America, food insecurity is defined by the USDA as a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life.

Among the most affected by the lack of food access are low-income residents. In 2022, 37% of low-income L.A. County residents were facing food insecurity; that number is now as high as 44% as of July 2023.

Food insecurity is also affecting people of color significantly harder than their white counterparts. The USC study showed that Black and Latino residents were more than twice as likely (38%) to experience food insecurity than white residents (16%).

Homeless men and women wait in line to receive food at The Midnight Mission on September 23, 2015, in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images)

The increase in food scarcity comes alongside the ending of a federal boost to CalFresh, which provides food to millions of California households.

That program, also known as food stamps, was the benefactor of increased federal support during the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic; but those emergency benefits came to an end in March 2020.

Families receiving benefits from CalFresh, or SNAP as its known at the federal level, were automatically given the maximum entitlement for the program for several years due to the federal emergency funding.

The expiration of additional money for food led to many advocates and elected officials warning of a potential food shortage crisis for millions of Californians.

In Los Angeles County, the average CalFresh benefit for a single household dropped from $470 per month to $299 per month, USC researchers said. During that same time period, the amount of CalFresh recipients rose significantly.

At a time when food prices are high, the current CalFresh benefits are not enough to meet the food needs of many L.A. County residents, and this program is no longer combatting food insecurity as effectively as it once did, said lead researcher Kayla de la Haye, director of the Institute for Food System Equity at the USC Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research.

De la Haye said the dramatic increase in food insecurity can be directly linked to the reduction in food stamp dollars.

With more people struggling to find adequate food, researchers also found an increased demand for services provided by food pantries and food banks.

While there was no definitive fix for solving the growing problem of food scarcity, de la Haye and her fellow researchers said the study highlights the need for expanded participation and benefit levels in food assistance programs, as well as more efforts to lower food prices and increased support for food banks and other programs that address the gaps left unattended by other initiatives.

To read more about the study, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Explosions once again rocked Ukraines Russian-occupied city of Sevastopol in Crimea on Sept. 23, with residents reporting the sound of a missile flying overhead and a column of smoke seen rising over the city, the Telegram channel Crimean Wind has reported.

 /Telegram (Crimean Wind)

 /Telegram (Crimean Wind)

The column of smoke was seen rising in the Inkerman area, presumably, after the missile struck there. There is an oil depot of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in the area.

A missile was also reported to have been seen flying at an altitude of 30 meters.

Following the explosion, the city's occupation administration closed Sevastopol Bay to marine traffic.

Read also: Video footage of Storm Shadow strike on Black Sea Fleet HQ in Crimea

Sevastopols Russian puppet governor Mikhail Razvozhayev later said that "air defense was working in Sevastopol" and that missile debris fell near the pier in Sukharna Balka, to the west of Inkerman.

Powerful explosions were also heard in Sevastopol on Sept. 22. Razvozhayev reported then that there had been a missile attack on the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces later confirmed the attack.

After the strike, Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk thanked Ukrainian pilots. Storm Shadow and SCALP-E cruise missiles, thought to have been used in the attack, are launched from Ukrainian Air Force planes.

Read also: Local partisans helped target Russias Black Sea Fleet HQ in Crimea

The moment of the strike was captured on camera by UK citizen Johnny Miller, who shoots propaganda reports in Russina-occupied Ukrainian territories for Irans Press TV. Other videos show smoke billowing from the headquarters, and a second direct hit on the building by a cruise missile.

The head of Ukraines Defense Intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, said that at least nine people had been killed in the attack on the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol. In addition, 16 people were wounded, including Russian generals.

Soldiers of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that they had fired missiles at the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet during a meeting of senior Russian commanders in the building.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Morton Louis Topfer

Morton Louis Topfer, the former vice chairman of Dell Technologies who helped turn the company into a multibillion-dollar enterprise, died Wednesday. He was 87.

From 1994 to 2002, Topfer helped run Dell Technologies alongside Michael Dell , and oversaw the organization's companies, manufacturing, finance, service and sales. During his time at Dell, its net worth grew from $800 million to $110 billion. Topfer retired from Dell in 2002 and from his position on the board of directors in 2003.

"I am deeply saddened about Morts passing," Dell posted on X, the social media platform formerly called Twitter. "His legacy of operational excellence and disciplined execution are hallmarks of Dell Technologies today. I will forever be grateful for the impact he had on the company, but even more so for the impact he had on me as a mentor and friend. My heartfelt condolences to the Topfer family."

Born on Sept. 18, 1936, Topfer was one of two children of Sadie and Abraham Topfer. He grew up in the Williamsburg housing project in Brooklyn, but his career took him all over the world.

I am deeply saddened about Morts passing. He served as our vice chairman from 1994  2002, an exciting time of unprecedented growth and global expansion at Dell. Mort was at the center of it all. His legacy of operational excellence and disciplined execution are hallmarks of  Michael Dell (@MichaelDell) September 22, 2023

In 1971, Topfer went to work for Motorola in Florida, where he spent the next 23 years in various senior executive positions in the company's global communication business. Topfer's last position at the company was as corporate executive vice president and president of the land mobile products sector.

Topfer retired from Motorola on May 31, 1994. The very next day, he came out of retirement and spent the next eight years working at Dell.

"He was a management legend who could make you quake in your boots working for him," John Legere, the former CEO of T-Mobile, wrote in a celebratory post on X remembering his time working with Topfer at Dell.

"He was also kind and giving and was there for me in hard times...RIP Mort," Legere wrote.

In 2000, Topfer and his late wife, Angela, created the Topfer Family Foundation, which helps people with limited resources to become self-sufficient and make an impact in their communities. Through the foundation, Topfer has been responsible for more than $120 million in donations to various nonprofits in Central Texas, Chicago, South Florida, Denver and Brooklyn.

Zach Theatre's Topfer Theater building was named for Mort and Bobbi Topfer, who donated $500,000 toward the 420-seat venue.

Mort and Bobbi Topfer attend the opening of the Topfer Theatre on Sept. 29, 2012.

Mort Topfer graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1955 and then from Brooklyn College with a bachelor's degree in physics in 1959. He was the first person in his family to go to college. Topfer also holds an honorary doctorate from Brooklyn College and the NYU Polytechnic Institute in engineering, according to his family obituary.

He is survived by his wife, Bobbi; his four children, Alan, Richard, Jackie and Bonnie; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The family will celebrate Topfer's life in a private service.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Obituary: Mort Topfer, former Dell Technologies executive, dies at 87
The top five most common places for shark attacks are the US, Australia, and South Africa.

The most common culprits are great white sharks, tiger sharks, and bull sharks.

If you see a shark, get out of the water. If you can't, fight back with whatever you have and aim for the gill or eyes.

You're probably not going to get attacked by a shark.

In 2022, there were 81 unprovoked shark attacks around the world and five people were killed. This was down from nine deaths in 2021 and 10 deaths in 2020, according to the University of Florida's International Shark Attack File.

Overall, the odds of getting attacked by a shark are low, and there are things you can do to lower those odds even more.

Chances are you're not likely to get attacked by a shark.

A great white shark swims close to the Cape Cod shore in Chatham, Massachusetts, near a boat. Wayne Davis/Atlantic White Shark Conservancy/AP

Between 1950 and 2020, unprovoked shark attacks increased from an average of 50 shark attacks per year to 80 shark attacks per year.

A lifeguard drives on a California beach where a surfer was killed earlier in a shark attack. Karl Mondon/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images

Unprovoked means any shark attack that occurs with no human provocation.

To get a clearer picture, population growth needs to be factored in. The global population has increased from 2.5 billion to 8 billion over the same period, meaning the rate of shark attacks has actually fallen from .012 shark attackers per million people in 2050 to .010 shark attackers per million people in 2020.

The top five most common places for shark attacks are the US, in particular Florida, North and South Carolina, Hawaii, and California. South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Reunion Island, and the Bahamas are also known for the highest attack rates.

"When you're in the water, if you're in a healthy marine ecosystem  you're often never more than 100 yards from a shark," Jeff Corwin, an American biologist and wildlife conservationist, told CBS News.

If you're going to get attacked, the most likely culprits will be great white sharks, tiger sharks, and bull sharks.

Roy Scheider as Amity police chief Brody battles a great white shark in a scene from the 1975 Steven Spielberg movie, "Jaws." Screen Archives/Getty Images

Great white sharks are big and powerful, and unlike other sharks, they have good vision and like to hunt in clear water.

They tend to come from below and kill their prey with one brutal bite.

Great white sharks are probably the most famous shark thanks to the classic film "Jaws."

Tiger sharks are large, curious, and aggressive.

A tiger shark swimming in the water near the Bahamas. Reinhard Dirscherl/Ullstein Bild/Getty Images

But of the three, bull sharks are considered the most dangerous.

A bull shark swimming on the sandy bottom of the Caribbean Sea. Alexis Rosenfeld/Getty Images

They are aggressive, can weigh up to 285 pounds, and hunt near the coast in shallow waters, often at less than a hundred feet deep.

They also tend to hunt in fresh water, like rivers and estuaries.

There are a number of other sharks that are less likely to attack but still could, including hammerheads, makos, whitetips, and reef sharks.

A hammerhead shark swimming near Ecuador. Reinhard Dirscherl/Ullstein Bild/Getty Images

There are three main types of unprovoked shark attacks. The first is known as the "hit and run."

Mick Fanning, an Australian surfer, swimming near a shark whose fin surfaced in the waters near South Africa. WSL/World Surf League/Getty Images

This covers most shark attacks that occur in waves near the shore, usually involving surfers or people swimming. Often, the shark will take a single bite of a surfer or a swimmer, and then disappear without being seen.

Experts believe this is because sharks confuse people for prey due to bad water visibility, strong currents, and crashing surf.

"A shark has got no paws or hands, so if it wants to explore something, the only capability it's got to do that is to put it in its mouth," Richard Peirce, former Shark Conservation Society Chair, told CNN.

"That's why we often get exploratory bites which don't result in death and sometimes don't even result in serious injury," he added.

The next type of attack is called the "bump and bite." This is usually when a shark attacks divers or people swimming in deep water.

A great white shark in the Pacific Ocean. Reinhard Dirscherl/Ullstein Bild/Getty Images

The shark circles and then swims straight into the victim before trying to bite them.

Finally, there's the "sneak" attack, which is similar to the "bump and bite," except that there's no circling.

A great white shark in the Pacific Ocean near Mexico. Reinhard Dirscherl/Ullstein Bild/Getty Images

The shark offers no warning before attacking.

To limit your chances of being attacked by a shark, avoid swimming in estuaries and deep channels between sandbars and the shore.

An aerial view of three estuaries on South Carolinas coast. Marli Miller/UCG/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

"Visibility is a huge factor in shark attacks," George Burgess, former director of the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida, told National Geographic.

"That's one of the reasons we suggest that people avoid murky water situations when they go into the water," he continued.

You should avoid any water where there are fishing boats, where seabirds are diving, or where dolphins are swimming.

A sky full of gannets diving for mackerel near the Shetland Islands. Education Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Basically, you should avoid anywhere that indicates there could be schools of fish.

You should also avoid areas where sharks have recently been spotted, or swimming out too far on your own.

A sign on a beach after a shark attack in Cape Cod. Wendy Maeda/The Boston Globe/Getty Images

Timing your swim can make a difference, too. Dusk and dawn are the most common times for a shark attack because it's when they usually hunt.

Friends and family of Adam Strange, the victim of a fatal shark attack walk toward Muriwai Beach for a sunset farewell in Auckland, New Zealand. Sandra Mu/Getty Images

"A lot of shark attacks are cases of mistaken identity due to reduced visibility and identification ability on the behalf of the shark," Peirce told CNN.

What you wear can also have an impact.

A great white shark eating fish in the Pacific Ocean near California. Reinhard Dirscherl/Ullstein Bild/Getty Images

Jewelry could get a shark's attention because it resembles fish scales, and bright swimming wear can also easily be spotted by a shark.

Sharks can also detect body fluids like urine or blood. Some experts advise avoiding swimming if you are menstruating, though the gender ratio of shark bites is 8 men for every 2 women.

If you do end up face-to-face with a shark, don't panic. The best thing to do is try to get out of the water without splashing too much.

Competitors race towards the finish line at the end of the annual Shark Island Swim off South Cronulla beach in Australia. Craig Golding/Sydney Morning Herald/Fairfax Media/Getty Images

Burgess told Insider in 2017 that because surfers often see sharks, they get used to the sight and don't always get out of the water, but they should.

If you're surfing, kayaking, or paddle boarding and you can't get out of the water, put the board or kayak between you and the shark.

Simon Letch, who was attacked by a shark while surfing, poses for a photo with his board with bite marks from a shark. Fairfax Media via Getty Images

If you're near a surface, like a reef, get your back against it so that the shark has fewer places to attack you from.

If you can, look directly at the shark. Because sharks like to ambush their prey, this can stop them from feeling comfortable before they attack.

"If you're turning around and facing it the whole time while it circles you, it's not going to be half as comfortable as if it's able to sneak up from behind," Peirce told CNN.

If you can't get out of the water, then you may need to defend yourself. Experts advise aiming for a shark's gills, eyes, or nose.

A great white shark in Mexico. Reinhard Dirscherl/Ullstein Bild/Getty Images

Burgess told Insider the nose was one of the shark's most sensitive spots, and a good hit could give you enough time to get out of the water.

However, Sara Waries, the CEO at Shark Spotters in Cape Town, also told The New York Times to be careful when striking the nose as it's "dangerously close to the teeth."

If you have anything on you like a camera, a snorkel, or perhaps a speargun, use it to attack the shark. If the shark does bite you, then try to attack its eyes and gills again.

Burgess told Insider there had been instances where a shark has let a person go after the person has hit it in the eyes or gills.

Chris Lowe, director of the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach, told Time the worst thing you can do is play dead.

A great white shark with a chunk of horse meat in its mouth hung near an underwater cage. Bettmann/Getty Images

He said sharks were scavengers and they won't throw away an easy dinner.

If you are bitten by a shark and manage to get away, your last step is to get out of the water as soon as you can and stop any bleeding.

Warning signs by entrance to Nauset Town Beach at Cape Cod. David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Read the original article on Business Insider
The asteroid Bennu is a scientific gem, but a potentially dangerous one: No other space rock has a higher known probability of hitting Earth in the next 200 years. NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid-sampling mission will help scientists better understand how to protect humankind if Bennu's trajectory were ever to intersect with that of our planet.

Bennu , discovered in 1999, is a rare B-type asteroid that is rich in carbon material believed to contain chemical compounds from the early epochs of the solar system . On top of that, its orbit makes the 1,614-foot-wide (492 meters) Bennu the most dangerous known asteroid in the solar system.

Bennu is large enough to cause significant destruction on Earth. If it hit us, the space rock would punch a crater several miles wide into the planet's surface. The impact would also spawn an earthquake and a shockwave through Earth's atmosphere, which together would likely damage buildings hundreds of miles away from the impact site.

Live updates: OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return landing

Related: How NASA's OSIRIS-REx will bring asteroid samples to Earth in 5 not-so-easy steps

The good news is that the chances of the rock actually hitting our planet anytime soon are very slim. Models of Bennu's and Earth 's orbital trajectories show that the paths of the two bodies might intersect in the year 2182, though they probably won't: The impact probability in that year is just 1 in 2,700. And even if those low odds hit  or revised models peg the risk as increasing  engineers and scientists still have plenty of time to figure out how to deal with Bennu. Data collected by OSIRIS-REx will play a key role in shaping a potential Bennu deflection mission if it were ever needed.

When OSIRIS-REx touched down on Bennu to snatch its sample in October 2020, the rock's surface responded in an unexpected way . Retreating almost like water, the mass of gravel inside the crater in which OSIRIS-REx landed, called Nightingale, nearly swallowed the spacecraft. That showed scientists that the surface layer of the asteroid has a surprisingly low density. The spacecraft sank 20 inches (50 centimeters) deep into Bennu's surface before its backaway thrusters fired. The escape maneuver triggered another unexpected response: images from OSIRIS-REx's onboard cameras revealed that a massive cloud of gravel and sand rose into space, threatening the retreating spacecraft.

Scientists are now comparing measurements from Bennu with data collected during NASA's asteroid deflection experiment, DART , which successfully altered the orbit of the asteroid moon Dimorphos around its parent space rock Didymos in September 2022.

"When I saw the images of Dimorphos, it looked really familiar; it looked like a bouldery pile of rubble with that same kind of characteristic texture," Dante Lauretta, the OSIRIS-REx principal investigator at the University of Arizona, told Space.com in an earlier interview . "The [DART] mission was phenomenally successful. It imparted a lot of momentum to the asteroid, substantially slowed its orbital velocity, and a large part of that is because there was so much material that was ejected from the surface, and that transfer of energy resulted in a significant change of the orbital period."

OSIRIS-REx's in-depth investigation of Bennu from orbit also revealed that the rocks towering on the asteroid's surface are made of a very porous, sponge-like material. This porosity, scientists think, may be protecting Bennu from disruption by impacts of other, smaller, bodies.

"It's like a crumple zone in a car," Edward Beau Bierhaus, an OSIRIS-REx research scientist at Lockheed Martin, which built the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft for NASA, told Space.com. "The energy of that impact, rather than being distributed broadly into the surface and into the subsurface, can be absorbed by that single porous boulder."

As a result, there are fewer craters on Bennu's surface than scientists expected based on their knowledge of how common asteroid collisions have been throughout the history of the solar system.

RELATED STORIES:

 Queen's Brian May talks to Space.com about his role in NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission and new book on asteroid Bennu (video)

 Queen legend Brian May helped NASA ace its asteroid-sampling mission, new book reveals

 NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return needs an awesome soundtrack. Here's how you can submit your favorite songs

These strange qualities of the material that makes up Bennu could also affect how the rock would respond to a potential attempt to nudge it away from a collision course with Earth.

OSIRIS-REx studied Bennu up close for two years, and scientists are still studying the information it gathered there  and they'll be poring over the mission's asteroid sample, which is set to land on Earth this Sunday (Sept. 24), for decades to come.

"I think that people of the future will be well-equipped to deal with Bennu, especially because of the enormous amount of information that we have collected [at Bennu]," Lauretta said. "I like to think of it as one of our gifts to the future generations."
It's the final countdown.

NASA's $1 billion OSIRIS-REx sample return mission is less than 48 hours away from its dramatic landing in the Utah desert. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft (which stands for "Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer") is currently heading toward Earth while carrying precious cargo: A capsule containing somewhere around 8.8 ounces (250 grams) of material gathered from asteroid Bennu in 2020.

After being released by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft at an altitude of about 63,000 miles (101,000 km) above Earth, the capsule should land in the Department of Defense's remote Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR) on Sunday (Sept. 24) at 8:55 a.m. MDT (10:55 a.m. EDT, 1455 GMT). You can watch the landing here at Space.com courtesy of NASA.

OSIRIS-REx mission managers held a briefing Friday (Sept. 22) to talk through final preparations for the capsule's return and discuss the present health of the spacecraft. "Everybody really feels a buzz of being less than two days away from having the Bennu samples on the ground," Sandra Freund, OSIRIS-REx program manager at Lockheed Martin, said during the briefing. "We are are very much confident that all will go exactly as planned on Sunday morning. Our navigation and spacecraft performance has been exceptional and we are headed right for landing in the Utah Test and Training Range."

Related: How NASA's OSIRIS-REx will bring asteroid samples to Earth in 5 not-so-easy steps

Read more: OSIRIS-REx's asteroid sample will come down to Earth on Sept. 24. Here's how to watch it live.

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft made its final maneuver on Sept. 17 that put it on a precise course toward our planet and, as Freund said, the mission looks to be right on track so far. "No additional maneuver opportunities were needed. The spacecraft trajectory and performance has just been spot on."

However, the spacecraft will still need to adjust its orientation so it's pointed where it needs to be to release the asteroid sample capsule to hit its target. Mission planners will hold an additional meeting early Sunday morning (Sept. 24) to poll whether capsule release is a "go" or "no-go."

But OSIRIS-REx team leaders are confident that things will go as planned, based on how the mission has gone so far. "OSIRIS-REx has been so successful because we continue to pay attention to the details, thinking through all possible contingencies," said Dante Lauretta, principal investigator of the OSIRIS-REx mission. "For example, if the sample capsule were to open even briefly, we would want to make sure any sample material that made it onto the Utah desert floor was quickly identified and recovered, so that we could still extract meaningful science from it."

During the briefing, mission leaders pointed to another example, an issue that popped up in October 2020 when the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft's sample collector got jammed open and lost some material to space. This prevented the crew from measuring the mass of the collected asteroid material in full. But teams at Lockheed Martin, the aerospace contractor who built the spacecraft, were able to find a workaround and OSIRIS-REx scientists ultimately estimated the mass to be around 250 grams (8.8 ounces), plus or minus 101 grams (3.6 ounces).

"And that's good news because the mission requirements that I promised Lori [Lori Glaze, director of the Planetary Sciences Division at NASA] and the headquarters team was that we would bring back 60 grams [2.1 ounces]. So even at the low end of that estimate, we're well above our mission requirement," Lauretta said.

If the capsule makes it safely to the desert floor, it will be met first by U.S. Air Force personnel who will secure the landing site and make sure it's safe for the next step, which involves recovery teams. From there, the capsule will be picked up by a Department of Defense helicopter and immediately transported to a temporary clean room set up at Dugway Proving Ground, a U.S. Army installation tasked with testing chemical and biological defense equipment.

several people stand in the desert looking down at a cone-shaped capsule on the ground

Once securely inside the cleanroom at Dugway, the capsule will be opened and the canister containing the samples of asteroid Bennu will be readied for transport once again. They will then be flown to NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas where they will have their own newly-built facility waiting for them, the agency's Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) division.

The capsule hardware itself will be curated at JSC, and may be made available for "space-exposed hardware studies, or other similar kinds of scientific or public uses," Glaze said during the briefing.

If all goes according to plan, the OSIRIS-REx team will then spend two years analyzing the material returned from Bennu. That analysis could give scientists a better understanding of the role carbon-rich asteroids like Bennu possibly played in seeding Earth with the building blocks of life, or help get a better idea of what the earliest eras of our solar system were like. To help with the study of the asteroid material, over 200 researchers at 35 different facilities will be given access to 25% of the material recovered from Bennu.

70% of the material, meanwhile, will remain at Johnson Space Center where it will be studied for years to come by "scientists not yet born, using technologies not yet invented, to answer fundamental questions about the solar system," NASA's official OSIRIS-REx press kit states.

The remaining 5% will be divided between the Canadian Space Agency, who will get 4% of the sample in return for developing the laser altimeter flown aboard OSIRIS-REx probe, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), who will get 0.5%.

Side-by-side images from NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft of the robotic arm as it descended towards the surface of asteroid Bennu (left) and as it tapped it to stir up dust and rock for sample collection (right) on Oct. 20, 2020.

RELATED STORIES:

 How asteroid Bennu caught NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft by surprise and nearly killed it along the way

 Who will get OSIRIS-REx's asteroid samples after they land this weekend?

 NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft changed how we think about asteroids. Here's how.

The mission is NASA's first to collect an asteroid sample, but the third worldwide. Japan previously flew two missions to accomplish such a task: Hayabusa 1 collected dust and sand from asteroid Itokawa and returned the samples in 2010; and Hayabusa 2, which landed on asteroid Ryugu in 2019 returned its samples in 2020.

And though it remains unknown whether OSIRIS-REx will stick its landing, Lauretta is confident that no matter what happens on Sunday, his team will be rewarded with valuable scientific data from this mission.

"This is a hallmark of OSIRIS-REx from the very beginning of concept development through design, build test launch operations, and now sample curation and sample analysis," Lauretta said. "We've always taken a deliberate, careful, cautious approach. And I think that's why this mission has been so successful up to this date. We don't let our enthusiasm get ahead of us."
A nationwide auto worker strike has now hit Central Florida.

The President of United Automobile Workers (UAW) announced their ongoing strike against the Big 3 U.S. automakers would be expanded.

At noon on Friday, workers from 38 Parts Distribution Centers across 20 states joined the strike.

The union has been on strike against Ford, GM, and Stellantis since Sept. 15 when around 13,000 members in Missouri, Michigan, and Ohio walked off the job.

Read: Auto workers expand their strike to 38 locations in 20 states. Biden plans visit to show support

Thousands of additional auto workers joined picket lines Friday, including in Orlando.

About 70 United Auto Workers with Local 1649 walked out of the Stellantis Orlando Parts Distribution Center.

The center provides car parts for companies in the Stellantis brand, including Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep.

Read: Jeep maker Stellantis makes a new contract offer as auto workers prepare to expand their strike

Workers say the location is strategically important, as it provides car parts needed for car repairs at dealerships across Florida, in parts of Georgia, and the Caribbean.

We also service Central and Latin America, were basically the national PDC [Parts Distribution Center] for those regions. And service is now stopped. This should get the companys attention, said Dwight Brubaker, who works at the Orlando Center and is a Local 1649 union member.

UAW President Shawn Fain said Parts Distribution Center workers who walked out across the country Friday desperately need wage increases.

Read: Carmakers and the United Auto Workers are talking. No signs of a breakthrough to end the strike

According to Fain, a tier system at Stellantis and GM means some workers at Parts Distribution Centers are permanently stuck on lower wage scales.

For workers hired after 2015 top pay maxes out at 25 dollars an hour and it takes eight years to get there, Fain said.

The union is now demanding double-digit pay raises. They say its only fair given the 40 percent pay spikes the Big 3 auto CEOs reportedly made over the last four years.

Both companies are still offering a deficient cost of living allowance projected to provide zero increases over the next four years, said Fain.

Read: Deadline from auto workers grows closer with no sign of a deal as Stellantis announces layoffs

On Friday, Fain said progress has been made negotiating with Ford, but negotiations with General Motors and Stellantis stalled, which is why he called for a strike expansion for workers with those companies.

We will shut down parts distribution until those two companies come to their senses and come to the table with a serious offer, said Fain.

Workers in Orlando say only managers are left inside the center, so no car parts can be produced.

Meanwhile, the 70 people on strike in Orlando say theyve prepared for this moment. Many of them say theyve saved up so they could manage on the $500 a week union strike pay.

Brubaker said hes ready to strike until a negotiation is reached.

Read: The auto workers strike will drive up car prices, but not right away  unless consumers panic

We all show up to work every day. We bust our tails, and we do everything we can to make this company successful So, were doing our job for the company. Now its time for them to step up and do right by us, Brubaker said.

A Stellantis spokesperson didnt answer our questions about the strike expanding but told us the company made the union an offer on Thursday. That offer includes all current full-time hourly employees earning at least $80,000 by the end of the contract.

We question whether the unions leadership has ever had an interest in reaching an agreement in a timely manner. They seem more concerned about pursuing their own political agendas than negotiating in the best interests of our employees and the sustainability of our U.S. operations given the markets fierce competition, said a spokesperson.

According to that representative, they have not heard back about their latest offer. But they believe it is competitive while also allowing them to compete internationally.

The spokesperson added in a prepared statement that they look forward to good faith bargaining to reach an agreement.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Members of the 25th Navajo Nation Council and COLT meet at the U.S. Treasury with Treasurer Malerba. (Photo/Navajo Nation Council)

Members of the 25th Navajo Nation Council met with United States Treasurer Marilynn Lynn Malerba (Mohegan Tribe) on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. Representing the Navajo Nation Council were Delegates Vince James, Germaine Simonson, Eugenia Charles-Newton, and Nathan Notah.

Malerba was appointed in June 2022 by President Joe Biden. She is the first Native American to ever serve as treasurer of the United States.

The meeting with Malerba included representatives from the Coalition of Large Tribes (COLT), who joined the meeting to discuss concerns and offer insights pertaining to various crucial issues impacting Indian Council. These issues included economic development, taxation, and the utilization of funds allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). COLT comprises individuals from prominent Indian tribes across Indian Country, who form an advocacy group focused on addressing issues encountered by American Indian tribes with land holdings exceeding 100,000 acres.

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.

Before assuming her role as Treasurer, Ms. Malerba achieved another significant milestone by becoming the 18th Chief of the Mohegan Tribe in 2010. She holds the distinction of being the first female Chief in the tribe's modern history. Her prior roles include serving as Chairwoman of the Tribal Council and holding the position of Executive Director of Health and Human Services for her tribe.

As Treasurer, Ms. Malerba's responsibilities encompass overseeing the Office of Tribal and Native Affairs within the U.S. Treasury. This office is dedicated to fostering communication with tribal nations and serves as the central hub for tribal policy. In addition to her role in the Office of Tribal and Native Affairs, Treasurer Malerba has direct oversight of the U.S. Mint, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Fort Knox, and plays a pivotal role as a key liaison with the Federal Reserve. Furthermore, she serves as a senior advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury in the domains of community development and public engagement.

During the course of their discussions, the Navajo Nation Council Delegates and COLT tribal leaders addressed the progress made in deploying ARPA funds. They also emphasized the urgent need for federal regulatory adjustments to facilitate a more expeditious utilization of federal funds by tribal nations. The current federal regulations and duplicative requirements pose significant obstacles for many tribes across the nation, often imposing more stringent conditions compared to other governmental entities.

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
(Photo : ALEXEY DRUZHININ/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - Russian President Vladimir Putin looks at military aircrafts flying over the Kremlin and Red Square to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, Moscow, May 9, 2020.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently confirmed meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing next month, marking another significant high-level engagement between the neighboring nations.

This meeting comes amid rising tensions between Russia and the West and underscores the increasingly close economic and strategic relationship between Russia and China, as per Reuters via MSN.

Putin and Xi Jinping's Will Meet in October

During his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in St Petersburg, Putin announced his participation in Beijing's Belt and Road Forum. The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by President Xi Jinping a decade ago, aims to enhance China's economic cooperation and connectivity with countries in Eurasia and beyond.

According to the Kremlin, Putin strongly supported the Belt and Road Initiative, which "fully meets and coincides" with Russia's interests. He highlighted the successful synchronization of efforts between Russia's vision for a Greater Eurasian space and China's Belt and Road Initiative.

This alignment reflects the shared interests of both nations in expanding their economic and strategic cooperation. In recent years, Russia and China have been working to strengthen their economic ties, partly as a response to trade pressures from the United States.

They have pledged to deepen their cooperation under the Beijing-led Belt and Road Initiative and the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union, including several post-Soviet states in Eurasia. During his meeting with Wang Yi, Putin emphasized the need for stronger ties between Russia and China in the face of global challenges.

He noted that President Xi's visit to Moscow in March positively impacted bilateral relations. Putin also touched on international affairs, where he and President Xi share similar views. Both leaders advocate for a multipolar world order rather than the rules-based order promoted by Western nations.

Putin criticized the lack of transparency and consistency in the so-called "rules-based order," which he argued keeps changing based on momentary considerations. He stated, "No one has seen these rules, and they keep changing daily." This critique aligns with China's and Russia's shared vision of a world order that respects the sovereignty of nations and opposes unilateralism.

In response to Putin's remarks, Wang Yi conveyed China's commitment to strengthening planning and deepening practical cooperation with Russia. He emphasized the importance of multilateral strategic collaboration between the two countries and their joint efforts to promote a just and reasonable international order.

Wang, a member of the Politburo and the director of the Communist Party's Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, has been in Russia for bilateral strategic security consultations. His visit reflects the close coordination between China and Russia on security and diplomatic matters, according to Big News Network.

Read also: Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Says Normalization With Israel is Getting Closer 'Every Day'

Wang Yi's Diplomatic Meetings in Moscow

During his time in Moscow, Wang held separate meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Nikolai Patrushev, the head of the Security Council of Russia. He also met with Jadamba Enkhbayar, secretary of the Mongolian National Security Council, underscoring China's regional engagement.

In a trilateral security meeting with Russia and Mongolia, the three countries agreed to deepen strategic coordination to ensure regional stability. Wang emphasized the importance of leveraging their geographical advantages and deep-rooted traditions to strengthen trilateral cooperation.

Patrushev warned of the possibility of color revolution attempts in the region, signaling concerns about potential instability. Meanwhile, Enkhbayar expressed Mongolia's willingness to enhance political trust with its two neighboring countries, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation.

The upcoming meeting between Putin and Xi Jinping in Beijing demonstrates the resilience and deepening of Sino-Russian relations, particularly in the face of challenges and uncertainties in the international arena.

Both leaders recognize the strategic importance of their partnership and continue to work together to strengthen economic cooperation, address global issues, and promote a multipolar world order that aligns with their shared vision.

As the world watches their engagement next month, it will be apparent that the Russia-China partnership remains a significant force in shaping global geopolitics, Reported South China Morning Post.

Related Article: Russia Repeatedly Targeted Ukrainian Hospitals, Claims CIR

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A Nebraska mother who was accused of helping her 17-year-old daughter have an illegal abortion and disposing of the fetus was sentenced to two years in prison on Friday, the Norfolk Daily News reported.

The sentence comes after Jessica Burgess, 42, pleaded guilty in July to two felonies  removing, concealing or abandoning a dead human body, and performing an abortion beyond 20 weeks  and a misdemeanor charge of false reporting.

CNN has reached out to Burgesss attorney, the Madison County attorney and the Madison County District Court for comment.

Burgesss daughter, Celeste Burgess, now 19, was sentenced in July to 90 days in jail after pleading guilty to a felony charge of removing, concealing or abandoning a dead human body.

Norfolk police began investigating the women in April 2022 following concerns Celeste Burgess had delivered a stillborn fetus, according to court documents.

Authorities alleged Celeste Burgess had a medication abortion, and that it violated the states prohibition of abortion after 20 weeks. Celeste Burgess was around 28 weeks pregnant when her pregnancy ended, court documents alleged.

Earlier this year, Nebraskas governor signed a bill into law that bans most abortions after 12 weeks, with exceptions for sexual assault, incest and medical emergencies.

Investigators used Facebook messages between the Burgesses to establish that they discussed obtaining abortion pills and burning the evidence, court documents showed.

The pills purchased by Jessica Burgess are not prescribed by doctors after a pregnancy has reached 10 weeks, Madison County Attorney Joe Smith said, according to the Norfolk Daily News.

This defendant actually gave these drugs to her own daughter, Smith said, according to the newspaper. The defense lawyer did a good job avoiding a child abuse case. All of this was unnecessary. All of it was foolish.

Jessica Burgess disputed some of the assertions in the police reports but accepted responsibility for her actions, her attorney Brad Ewalt said in the report.

I understand that theres law violations. I understand that there are serious law violations, Ewalt said, the paper reported. She understands that she is looking at some serious penalties here, but shes accepting of that. And shes ready to take what the court is going to give her.

Jessica Burgess will be eligible for release after serving a year in prison, the newspaper reported.

Madison County District Judge Mark Johnson admonished her in court.

I shudder to think, Ms. Burgess, that you have such disrespect for a  call it a human fetus, call it a stillborn child  that you would treat it like yesterdays trash and not give it some respect in its treatment and disposal. Our society expects more; it demands more, Johnson said.

You were the adult throughout this entire time, and you failed miserably in being the adult adviser to your child, he added.

CNNs Andy Rose contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
SAN DIEGO  The U.S. Marine who died during a live-fire training at Camp Pendleton last month was killed due to accidental gunfire, according to a military safety report.

Lance Cpl. Joseph D Whaley was fatally shot on Aug. 17 while participating in the training. According to a recent report on deadly or costly incidents from the Naval Safety Command, he was fatally injured due to negligent discharge during the small arms exercise.

Further details about the incident remain under investigation at this time, according to Marine officials.

Miramar Air Show returns this weekend: What to know

Whaley was a student from Tennessee in the School of Infantry-West at the time of his death. He was roughly four weeks into a 13-week Basic Reconnaissance Course, which is an entry-level offering under the school, officials said after the incident.

His previous training included rifleman training at the U.S. Marine Corps School of Infantry East, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and Recruit Training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. He also received the National Defense Medal.

The family and loved ones have our deepest condolences as we continue to work with them during this difficult time, Marine Corps spokesperson Maj. Joshua Pena said in a statement.

It was the only fatality during live-fire arms training at U.S. Naval facilities reported by the Naval Safety Command between October 2022 and August 2023. The leading cause of death among members of the Marine Corps was car accidents, the report said.

It remains unclear if there have been any previous casualties during live-fire training at Camp Pendleton. However, Marines have died following incidents in recent years at the Riverside County Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms.

Bruno, MCRDs bulldog mascot, promoted

Whaleys passing came days before another U.S. Marine was killed in a San Diego-area training incident.

Maj. Andrew Simple Jack Mettler was killed in a jet crash near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on Aug. 24 while officials say his squadron was participating in Service Level Training Exercise 5-23 at the time of the incident. No new details were available in the report regarding the crash.

FOX 5 reached out to Camp Pendleton for comment and are awaiting response.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
A beloved 81-year-old Staten Island man butchered as he tried to break up a fight among his neighbors was remembered Saturday as the grandfather of his street by residents struggling to wrap their minds around the bloody carnage that took his life.

Its heartbreaking. The guy never harmed a fly, a resident of Sunnyside Terrace said of Frank Pompilii, who was stabbed to death allegedly by a longtime neighbor during a bloody clash Friday night. Frank was friends with everybody.

Pompilii was repeatedly stabbed in the neck and body down the block from his home on Sunnyside Terrace, a bucolic, tree-lined street that includes single-family homes with lawns near Grand Ave. in Sunnyside.

The deadly confrontation erupted around 4:40 p.m. Friday, said cops.

Pompilii tried to break up a fight between three of his neighbors  identified by residents as Redzep (Richie) Cobaj, 78, his son Skender Cobaj, 51, and Ramazan Ramusevic, 57  when Ramusevic began stabbing Pompilii and Cobaj, residents of the block said.

Cops found the Redzep Cobaj outside, suffering from multiple stab wounds. Entering the home, they found Ramusevic, a bloody knife still in his hand, a police source with knowledge of the case said.

The officers Tased and disarmed Ramusevic before taking him into custody, police said. During his arrest, he admitted to stabbing another man and Pompilii was found a short distance away, the police source said.

Pompilii was declared dead at the scene.

Redzep Cobaj remained hospitalized Saturday in critical condition, cops said. He was with a cane. He was almost 80 years old, said a resident who wished not to be named.

If he got stabbed its going to be hard for him to survive, the resident said of Cobaj.

Skender Cobaj was cut in his hand while defending his father, cops and neighbors said.

On Saturday, mourners went in and out of the home where Pompilii and his wife of 56 years raised two children and six grandchildren. A bird feeder swayed in the rain outside.

Its our grandpa, one visitor told reporters in a hushed voice.

Pompilii was an old school Italian guy everyone on Sunnyside Terrace loved, resident Ron Romano said. He called Pompilii the nicest neighbor on the block.

He would clean up the street. He was a wonderful person, Romano said

Ramusevic has a history of mental health problems, public records show.

He was hospitalized at Richmond University Medical Center in March for a psychiatric issue and sued the hospital in June for medical records after he injured himself during an unsuccessful escape from the hospital, according to court documents.

Ramusevic  who once owned a pizzeria nearby  was always standoffish, neighbors said.

In fact, the only people he seemed to get along with were Pompilii and Redzep Cobaj, said the neighbors.

They were always talking to each other, these three, the neighbor said. They were always hanging out and talking. They knew each other very well.

Police on Saturday were still trying to determine what sparked the carnage.

Even the detectives were like We have no idea. We literally dont know why he did it, said one neighbor, who identified herself as Christina. I heard (Pompilii) was going to visit his neighbor, and they were attacked by the other neighbor.

Possible charges against Ramusevic were pending Saturday, said police sources.
I wasnt sure a celebrity could have a worse week than Drew Barrymore did after three separate announcementstwo of them, apologiesregarding the now-delayed return of her talk show during the WGA strike. Then walks in our Nepo Baby of The Week, Emma Roberts , who was called out for being transphobic and an overall mean girl by one of her former co-stars this week. This PR catastrophe occurred the same day as the premiere of her latest acting gig, which has also caught heat for strike-related reasons. Can these spoiled, Hollywood-bred girls do anything right?? (The answer is obviously no.)

On Wednesday, television mogul Ryan Murphy unleashed his latest cursed project onto the world, American Horror Story: Delicate, in which Roberts plays an actress trying to conceive through IVF. Its arrival, however, has been anything but delicate. Thats not to mention that some of the next-morning reviews were pretty harsh.

First, theres the alleged scabbiness of it all, as Murphy and FX kept the show in production after the Writers Guild of America announced a walkout amid their ongoing fight for better wages and working conditions. (While the scripts that were shooting were apparently already completed, as several WGA members noted, writers are utilized throughout TV shoots, and therefore picketed outside the studio.) Its safe to say that no one was really checking for Roberts in this regard, as her billionaire co-star, Kim Kardashian, was catching most of the heat on social media. Yet the former Nickelodeon star managed to find herself in the center of even a more explosive controversy after Pose actress Angelica Ross aired out some of her experiences on Murphys sets.

Ross, who also starred in American Horror Story: 1984 with Roberts, claimed on Twitter that Murphy ghosted the transgender actress after approaching her about an AHS season starring Black women. The biggest bombshell, though, was that Roberts misgendered her on the AHS set and apparently played mind games with the rest of the cast and crew. In an Instagram Live, Ross recalled her and Roberts joking around between a take when a crew member supposedly told them, Get back to work, ladies. According to Ross, Roberts mischievously responded, Dont you mean lady?

Youll Never Believe Kim Kardashians Vulgar First Line on American Horror Story

Once the clip made the rounds on Twitter and in the press, Roberts called up Ross to apologize, but not before Twitter spent a full day digging up receipts on the actress supposed terribleness.

It turns out Roberts was one of those celebrities that people had a gut feeling is a bad person but didnt really care enough about to constantly bring up their past offenses, like a Kardashian or a Chris Brown. The Unfabulous star has spurred a few good memes in recent years. Before then, she earned praises for roles as snotty, mean girls (maybe not a coincidence) in AHS: Coven and Foxs Scream Queens. Still, I dont think anyones ever been that curious about whether Julia Roberts niece and Eric Roberts daughter, has a decent moral character. Well, not until this week.

For instance, just a few weeks ago, a video went viral of Roberts exiting a Hamptons bookstore where former President Bill Clinton was also shopping, in which she tells a Black Secret Service Agent to get out of the way. Initially, it seemed like the internet found the randomness of the video amusing. But now, its been used as evidence that Roberts is, at best, rude, and, at worst, racist.

the same emma roberts who walked directly into the path of a Black secret service agent and told HIM to move outta HER WAYshocking. https://t.co/KADBcFcgRs  fur wallet barbie (@ACadouglas) September 20, 2023

Oh nothingjust remembering that time when Emma Roberts had plenty of room to move but told the Black secret service agent to get out of her way https://t.co/nxcqHst0ly  Erin Overbey (@erinoverbey) September 20, 2023

 Emma Roberts is racist and transphobic. In that other video she told that black secret service agent to get out her way. https://t.co/VadaST9djJ   (@mfcityguh) September 20, 2023

Twitter users also resurfaced a past domestic dispute between Roberts and her ex-boyfriend and AHS: Coven co-star, Evan Peterswho may also be trashafter Ross claimed she joked about the incident on-set. In 2013, Roberts was arrested after the couple got into a fight that left Peters with a bite mark and a bloody nose. Roberts was apparently arrested because she didnt have any visible injuries. However, she was captured by paparazzi with bruises on her legs a few days later. (Peters didnt press charges, and the couple released a joint statement.)

If this incident happened in 2023, I personally think (some of) the internet would withhold from automatically deeming Roberts the main assailant. But this news item was obviously convenient for people trying to paint a larger portrait of Roberts being problematic over the week.

A more comical trip down memory lane is her time on Scream Queens, which was good for maybe three episodes before it completely flew off the rails in typical Ryan-Murphy fashion. It also featured a staggering number of talented actors, such as Keke Palmer, Jamie Lee Curtis, and a baby Glen Powell, who were seemingly in some sort of career crisis (but who have all bounced back, thank God!) Anyway, since Roberts recent call-out, fans have hilariously speculated that the two-season shoot was a literal nightmare, as notable on-set tyrant Lea Michele and alleged diva Ariana Grande also starred in the series. An awkward promo clip with Roberts and a shockingly tan Grande, who looks like shed rather be anywhere else, has gone viral. (Well stand by for Abigail Breslins comments.)

Ive also enjoyed the way Julia Robertswhos more often than not minding her businesshas been invoked in this scandal. A number of people seemingly didnt know that Emma was related to the Erin Brockovich actress before this incident, which I cant tell is a good or bad thing. (Id personally want everyone to immediately think of the star of Pretty Woman when they think of me.) Now, everyone is bringing up the fact that Julia is also reportedly a piece of work. But at least, shes given us classics!

How Ryan Murphy Screwed Over Pose Star Angelica Ross

But back to Emma Roberts. As someone who owns her Aquamarine and Nancy Drew on DVD, I cant say this weeks bombshell exactly has totally rocked my world. Although, I genuinely feel bad that Ross had such terrible experiences on productions that only seemed to boost Ryan Murphys profile. In regards to Roberts, a B-list actress with a very illustrious last name, shell probably bounce back from her first real online cancellation pretty easilyas if anyone is checking her IMDB to see what projects she has coming up. (Sorry, but its true!) Whether or not, itll be a good look for Murphy to keep hiring her after all of this, after Ross claimed shes basically been discarded by him, is another story.

Keep obsessing! Sign up for the Daily Beasts Obsessed newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
That's now five space station prototypes blown up for science's sake.

The Colorado company Sierra Space, which is creating an inflatable module for an International Space Station (ISS) successor, deliberately exploded a new design on Aug. 17 that included a metal plate. (In this case, the plate was a cheaper stand-in for a window, but metal can also be used to simulate robotic attachments or other items.)

These "burst tests," conducted with "softgoods" built by Delaware-based company ILC Dover, are essential to test the limits of each one-third-scale module before the design flies in space , Sierra Space officials emphasized in a press release issued on Wednesday (Sept. 20). The softgoods are sewn and woven fabrics, mostly Vectran, that become rigid when inflated.

Sierra aims to have the module ready in 2030 for the Orbital Reef space station led by Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin , which has received early-stage NASA funding. Sierra also plans to provide a ship capable of carrying cargo and crew, called Dream Chaser , which has undergone a few flight tests over the years.

Related: NASA looks to private outposts to build on International Space Station's legacy

Artist's illustration of Orbital Reef, a private space station project involving Blue Origin, Sierra Space and a number of other partners.

"This is a phenomenal achievement," Shawn Buckley, senior director of engineering and product evolution director for Sierra Space Destinations, said in the statement. Last month's test, he said, "provides the necessary engineering foundation" to do full-scale tests of the module, called LIFE (Large Integrated Flexible Environment).

The "ultimate burst pressure" (UBP) test results showed a 33% margin over the certification standard for a full-scale module, which Sierra Space officials said is a nearly 20% improvement over previous designs.

Sierra previously passed a quartet of tests on LIFE prototypes. Two other UBP tests were performed in July and November 2022; both kept boosting the pressure in test modules until they exploded. Then two creep tests , in which modules had to spend long periods of time at higher-than-usual pressures, were completed in December 2022 and February 2023.

All of these tests were performed at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama; Sierra also recently signed a reimbursable Space Act Agreement with that center for more LIFE work.

The ISS has been working in space since 1998, and remains in excellent health. That said, the station's international partners and NASA have mainly agreed to operate the orbiting complex until 2030. (Russia, for now, is committing only to 2028; while space station relations are normal with that partner, its internationally condemned war in Ukraine has severed most of its other partnerships.)

Related Stories:

 NASA working to get private space stations up and running before ISS retires in 2030

 Boom! Sierra Space blows up final inflatable space station module in initial test series (video)

 Kapow! Inflatable space station module blows to pieces in video explosion

NASA is also laying the groundwork for future space stations to replace the longstanding research facility. These would be commercial facilities, with NASA participation and funding. In 2021, the agency granted funding to three consortiums (including Blue Origin's) to receive development assistance for that effort.

Additionally, Houston-based company Axiom Space has a separate agreement to create its own space station modules to attach to the ISS starting as soon as 2026. The set would eventually detach into a free-flying space station.

In recent months, NASA officials have said they are doing their best to minimize any gap in research availability between the ISS and the new space stations. Given that the agency wants to have a two-year transition, this would mean that at least one of the new stations would have to be open around 2028, at least under the current timeline. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy issued a strategy in March of this year with a proposed plan for the transition.
WASHINGTON  Sen. Bob Menendez wore a bullet-proof vest when, as a young lawyer, he testified against a pair of mob figures and city officials in a corruption case in New Jersey.

Now, Menendez himself once again stands accused of political corruption.

The influential New Jersey Democrat was indicted Friday by a federal grand jury in New York and charged with corruption for the second time in eight years. Menendez and his wife, Nadine Arslanian Menendez, are accused of accepting bribes, including cash, gold, mortgage payments and a Mercedes-Benz in a case that alleges the senator used his foreign affairs influence for personal gain.

Three New Jersey businessmen also were charged with showering the couple with expensive bribes in exchange for the senators dealings on their behalf.

Menendez called the allegations baseless and a smear campaign.

Read the full indictment: Menendez faces second round of corruption charges

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J.

Who is Bob Menendez?

Menendez has been a high-profile figure for much of his three-decade career in Washington. He made history in 2006 when he became only the second Cuban-American senator. He quickly rose to become one of the Senates most influential members and served as the Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, a position he relinquished after Fridays indictment.

Menendez, 69, was born in New York City to parents who emigrated from Cuba to escape from the repressive regime of Fulgencio Batista. The family moved to New Jersey, where he grew up in a tenement building in Union City. Menendez earned a degree from Rutgers Law School and was elected to the Union City Board of Education in 1974.

It was during his tenure on the school board that Menendez testified against mob figures and one of his mentors, Union City Mayor William Musto, who was convicted of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks for school construction projects. Fearing for his life, Menendez wore a bullet-proof vest during the trial. Four years later, Menendez was elected mayor, defeating Musto, thwarting his mentors attempt at a political comeback.

Menendez later served in the state legislature before winning a U.S. House seat in 1992. After Sen. Jon Corzine was elected governor, he appointed Menendez as his replacement in 2006. Menendez was elected to a full six-year term the following November and has twice been re-elected.

Menendezs son, Rob Menendez , was elected last year to a New Jersey congressional seat. The senators daughter, Alicia Menendez, is a television commentator and hosts a weekend show on MSNBC.

Menendez is up for re-election in 2024.

How much is 1 kilo of gold worth? What to know amid Senator Bob Menendez's indictment.

A critic of Cuba, a defender of Ukraine

In the Senate, Menendez developed a reputation for being hawkish on foreign policy and, in 2013, became the first Latino to lead the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

He championed human rights for Cubans and has been an outspoken critic of Cubas communist regime. He was also a fierce critic of Iran and argued Tehran should not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. Even so, he opposed a deal negotiated by the Obama administration that called for Iran to curb its nuclear program in exchange for billions of dollars in sanctions relief. Menendez argued the agreement would fail to keep Iran from becoming a nuclear weapons state.

Menendez also has been a strong supporter of immigration reform and has been a key player in Democrats efforts to pass comprehensive immigration legislation. He was one of the original Gang of Eight, a bipartisan group of senators that pushed immigration reform through the Senate only to see it die in the Republican-controlled House.

In addition, Menendez has been a fierce advocate for Ukraine in its war with Russia and has pushed Congress to give Ukraine the resources it needs to fight back.

Lavish gifts and charges of corruption

Fridays indictment is not the first time Menendez has been accused of corruption.

In 2015, he was indicted in New Jersey on charges that he used his political influence to help a Florida eye doctor who lavished him with gifts and campaign contributions. Menendez was accused of pressuring government officials to resolve a Medicare billing dispute in favor of a friend, Dr. Salomon Melgen, securing visas for the doctors girlfriends and helping protect a contract the doctor had to provide port-screening equipment to the Dominican Republic.

Menendez said he was innocent, and prosecutors dropped the case after a jury deadlocked in November 2017 on some charges and a judge dismissed some others.

Menendez stepped down as top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after his first indictment, but resumed the position after the charges were dropped.

Menendezs ties to a pair of Ecuadorean bankers also raised eyebrows in 2014. Menendez denied he had improperly helped the bankers, two brothers living in Florida and convicted in absentia for embezzling millions from an Ecuadorian bank. The bankers families donated thousands of dollars to a dozen members of Congress, including Menendez, whose office sent letters to the Department of Homeland Security to help the brothers and other family members with immigration problems.

A New York television station reported the FBI was investigating Menendezs actions on behalf of the family. Menendez said he had done nothing wrong and was never charged in the case.

Dig deeper: How common are indictments in the Senate? Here's a look at senators who faced charges

Contributing: The Associated Press

Michael Collins covers the White House. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @mcollinsNEWS.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez once again accused of corruption
A Louisiana fugitive who has been on the run for 32 years was finally captured in Mexico this week  and video released by the FBI shows him laughing as he's being handcuffed.

Greg Lawson, now 63, skipped town before a jury found him guilty of attempted second degree murder in 1991, the FBI said. He was finally caught thanks to a tip received by FBI New Orleans, federal officials said.

On Thursday night, the FBI posted video from the Bienville Parish Sheriff's Office that shows Lawson being escorted by authorities at an airport. Lawson can be seen laughing just before an officer cuffs the fugitive more than three decades after he left the country.

The three-decades-long search for a man convicted of attempted murder is over, thanks to a tip received by #FBINewOrleans. This morning, 63-year-old Greg Lawson is back in a Louisiana jail awaiting action by Bienville Parish authorities. https://t.co/HGdL4xJvHg pic.twitter.com/kVLfx8O7dS  FBI New Orleans (@FBINewOrleans) September 22, 2023

"The three-decades-long search for a man convicted of attempted murder is over, thanks to a tip received by FBI New Orleans," the agency wrote on social media. "This morning, 63-year-old Greg Lawson is back in a Louisiana jail awaiting action by Bienville Parish authorities."

Authorities found and arrested Lawson in Huatulco, Mexico on Tuesday. Agents in Shreveport and Mexico worked with FBI Headquarters and immigration authorities to find and deport Lawson for immigration violations.

Lawson had been accused of trying to shoot Seth Garlington after a dispute at a gas station in 1991, according to KTBS. Garlington survived, but Lawson skipped town before a jury found him guilty of attempted second degree murder.

The FBI launched a search for Lawson in May 1991 and throughout the years responded to various tips and alleged sightings. From the beginning, the FBI suspected Lawson had fled to Mexico.

"We want to thank our partners and the public in this case, who never gave up hope that justice could be served for Mr. Lawson's victim," said Douglas A. Williams Jr., special agent in charge of FBI New Orleans. "There is no doubt that Mr. Lawson might still be in the wind if our partners in Mexico had not been willing to deal with this so swiftly."

Earlier this year, a man who was on the FBI's Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitives was also arrested in Mexico.

Ophelia is now officially a tropical storm. Here's its East Coast track.

Bankrolling The War | Sunday on 60 Minutes

UAW expands strike against G.M. and Stellantis, says Ford is "serious" about reaching deal
A local journalists adult child has been arrested for spitting on a Utah mayor after he went on a disparaging rant about their mothers reporting on him.

Linnea Pugmire, who uses they/them pronouns, was caught on video allegedly assaulting Orem Mayor David Young during an argument about a council meeting.

Pugmires mother Genelle Pugmire is a journalist for The Utah Daily Herald who often writes articles about Mr Young.

In a council meeting on Tuesday, Mr Young went on a 20-minute rant about the journalists articles, claiming that they were deceptive and made a lot of false claims about the council and himself.

Following the meeting, Pugmire confronted Mr Young outside the city council chambers, according to Fox 13.

How dare you ... do you know what you just did tonight? the journalists adult child is seen asking.

The video shows Mr Young realises that Pugmires mother is the journalist he had been talking about in the meeting.

The pair begin arguing before Pugmire launching towards the mayor and appears to spit on him.

Mr Young then appears to push them back.

Later on in the footage, Pugmire appears to also hit the mayor on the side of the head and also hit another person accompanying the mayor.

Mr Young spoke to Fox 13 about the incident, saying: She charges towards me, she spits at me, she spits and hits the girl next to me.

So when that happened I wasnt real happy about that so I grabbed her by the chest and started to push her back to get her away from us.

Linnea Pugmire confronted Mayor David Young after he ranted about their mothers reporting in the Daily Herald (KLS)

The mayor went on to say that it is important for public elected officials to be able to have honest discussions and have it be a civil debate.

Following the incident, Pugmire was arrested and booked into the Utah County Jail on charges of assault, disorderly conduct, propelling a bodily substance and threatening elected officials.

Pugmire admitted to being upset at the mayor over personal concerns with family, the affidavit reads.

While speaking with the victims and witnesses of this incident, officers also learned there was a second victim who had been hit and spit on.

The arrest report however does not identify the second victim involved.

Pugmire was released on bond on Wednesday morning with the next court date set for 4 October.

During the council meeting, Mr Young told attendees that te was told by public relations not to mention the journalists articles but said that the situation had gotten overly ridiculous.

He claimed that the articles from the Daily Herald, such as ones on alleged library censorship and the Utah Attorney General investigating both the council and the mayor, were written on a foundation of fantasy.

He then launched into a definition of what a lie is and said the articles were written in the intent to deceive and be misleading.

Mayor David Young said he will not allow this unfortunate incident to divert our focus from our crucial council agenda (Fox 13)

Mr Young then turned to more personal matters, stating that a lawsuit filed in Alabama in November 2021 had ordered him, his real estate company Torch13 LLC and his son to pay $1m over fraudulent business loans.

He namedropped Genelle Pugmire, who has written most of the articles about him, and accused her of working with the attorney on the other side of the case, Danny Evans, to get information.

He also claimed he was approached by Ms Pugmire by email over an article on the lawsuit, but complained that she did not publish his whole statement in response.

I want answers from her as to why these inaccuracies were printed and spread throughout Utah, he said.

Ive got questions as to why my personal financial information was distributed and why my wifes information was compromised as I said she has nothing to do with this.

He went on to say that he did not know why the journalist would write articles on the lawsuit as he sees it as old news  though he added that an election is coming up.

We work so hard to increase connection and to divide our community for political gain is pathetic, he fumed.

In a statement to KSL after Wednesdays incident, Orem city officials said: We are deeply troubled by this incident because City Hall should be a place for civil civic dialogue where everyone feels safe and protected. The security and safety of our public officials is a top priority. The city of Orem will continue to promote civility at all times and ask for the public to join us in this effort.

The mayor also released a prepared statement on Wednesday.

My intention in bringing to light the long-standing issues with the Daily Heralds reporting was to encourage people to rise above the divisiveness and misinformation that is overshadowing the amazing work of the City Council, he said.

As a community, we are better than this and I hope this incident will further serve as a wake-up call for the need for more responsible journalism and for each of us to work together with greater civility and unity."

The Daily Herald told KSL that Genelle Pugmire will no longer be reporting on the mayor and a new journalist has been assigned to cover that topic.
Simi Sapir immigrated to New York City from Israel when she was 10 years old and grew up watching her parents hustle, taking on multiple jobs to provide for their four children. Her mother worked in a day care and a supermarket, and her father, who had a masters degree in engineering, took to driving a taxi at one point in order to bring in income.

By the time she was a teen, Sapir was spending her summers working as a camp counselor. Over the years, she worked at the same supermarket as her mother, a store and a pizza shop.

I think immigrant mentality, especially growing up in Queens, New York, it was like, you work  and not only do you work, but its in your blood to work. And I think that was, from a very early age, instilled in me, Sapir told HuffPost.

She carried this commitment to paid work and financial independence through college, at one point taking a semester off to work in order to be able to pay for school. After graduation, she headed at full speed into a career in business, and by the time she turned 30, shed already overseen the acquisitions of two companies. Hers was the perfect VP of sales resume, she said, and she didnt slow her pace when she became pregnant  even hopping on an airplane when she was eight months along in order to close a deal.

Simi Sapir left a successful, demanding career in business to care for her daughter full-time.

Simi Sapir left a successful, demanding career in business to care for her daughter full-time.

As planned, Sapir returned to her position 12 weeks after her daughters birth. The pandemic had hit, so she was working from home while a nanny cared for the baby. But working her usual long hours no longer felt manageable.

Every day, she said, felt like a crazy grind.

I just felt like, Why is my kid with somebody from 9 to 5, and I cant go to my kitchen because if she sees me, she starts screaming [and] then I feel bad.

Early morning calls from her CEO, she found, now felt like a sacrifice and intruding into my personal time.

The tipping point came when her boss offered her a new job title that would come with more responsibilities and a salary increase  the sort of offer that Sapir wouldve jumped at earlier in her career. This time, however, she looked at the offer and said, This is just not worth it.

After 16 months of what she describes as the push and pull of this situation, Sapir quit. Yes, she was exhausted  but she didnt leave because she felt incapable of continuing. Rather, she left because she felt confident that full-time mothering was the right move.

The company offered more flexibility, part-time work and increased compensation to try to convince Sapir to change her mind. But she was resolute.

What they didnt understand, she said, was that its not the money.

The idea that I want to jump into this new chapter in my life, which, by the way, is not  as I tried to explain to them  is not less important or more important; its equally a different chapter. Just like you focus on your career, you can focus on your family.

About one month back into work, I knew it was not going to work out.Lisa Ziemba

Lisa Ziemba, a Colorado mom who is expecting her second child next month, had a similar experience after her daughter was born two years ago. When her maternity leave ended, she returned to her position as the manager of HR for a group of construction companies.

Ziemba was working from 8 in the morning until 5 or 6 at night, with a 40-minute commute each way. She was putting in additional hours after getting her daughter to bed as well. I was getting like maybe an hour a day with her  which just did not feel right.

Of her decision to leave her job, Ziemba told HuffPost, I didnt see it coming, going into my maternity leave. But about one month back into work, I knew it was not going to work out.

As with Sapir, Ziembas superiors tried to dissuade her with offers of flex time and increased compensation.

We kind of went back and forth where they were like, What can we give you? And I was like, I need time. They were like, Thats the one thing we cant give you.

Who are todays stay-at-home mothers?

The decision to spend time with their young children at home is one that mothers like Ziemba and Sapir have made consciously. Having experienced life in both worlds, they decided to extend their time in the role of what we typically refer to as a stay-at-home mother.

Its a bit of a misnomer, Sapir notes, Because Im literally never home.

Its also a far cry from the old June Cleaver image of a mom who never pursues a career or acquires any of her own income and dedicates any time shes not with her children to cooking and housekeeping.

I dont even own an apron, Sapir noted.

A recent report from Mother Untitled, a digital community for mothers choosing to pause or shift [their] career to make room for family life, reveals that, while theyre up against some of the same stereotypes, the lives of todays full-time mothers and their expectations for the future are markedly different than those of their predecessors.

The report details a survey of 1,200 mothers who had left or were considering leaving their jobs for full or part-time stay-at-home motherhood. The mothers were between the ages of 25-54 and had bachelors degrees, children under age 18 at home and a minimum annual income of $25,000 (ages 35-34) or $35,000 (ages 35 and up).

In some cases, these mothers worked part-time or occasional hours, often remotely. They likely worked up until their transition to parenthood and anticipated returning to the workforce in some capacity in the coming years.

A majority of the mothers surveyed, 7 in 10, said that they chose to pause their careers for parenthood. In comparison, 1 in 10 felt forced out of their jobs, while 2 in 10 felt both that they chose and were forced.

Elizabeth Burdett didn't plan to become a stay-at-home mom. She said the opportunity

Elizabeth Burdett didn't plan to become a stay-at-home mom. She said the opportunity "fell into my lap."

If youre wondering what that last category could possibly look like, Elizabeth Burdetts story illustrates the way that an economy shifting toward gig work can push parents away from full-time employment. And some, like Burdett, find that they prefer the place where theyve landed.

Burdett worked full-time from home writing content for a website and returned to this position (with the support of a nanny) once her maternity leave was up. Then, around the time she found out she was pregnant with her second child, the company was sold, and Burdett was laid off.

As she was both expecting a baby and preparing for a move, Burdett decided not to pursue another full-time position. She did freelance work before her second son was born and again between his birth and the arrival of a third child.

Since having all three of them, I have dabbled a little bit in some freelance writing and copyediting work, but for the most part, I am home with my boys, Burdett told HuffPost. I do a little copyediting work, but 80-85% of the time, Im a stay-at-home mom.

I didnt at first intentionally say, I am quitting my job, I want to stay at home, but it fell into my lap, she said.

Still, she sees the arrangement as a choice her family made to suit its current needs. We are making the decision to have me be at home and experience those early years. I want to, she said.

Im well aware that I have the privilege to make that decision if I want to work or not, she added.

Of course, there are also still mothers who have always wanted to stay at home with young children and simply follow through with that plan. Emily Holewczynski is a mother of five in the Chicago area who left her job as a marketing manager for a law firm when her first child was born.

Emily Holewczynski, a mother of five, always planned to be a full-time mother to her children.

Emily Holewczynski, a mother of five, always planned to be a full-time mother to her children.

It sounds anti-feminist, but its what Ive always wanted to do, Holewczynski told HuffPost. My mom stayed home with me, and Im actually the oldest of five kids as well. Its what I knew, and I was blessed and fortunate enough to have a wonderful childhood. And in my mind, a large part of that was because my mom was there every day with us.

I just knew that if I was lucky enough to be in a financial position where I could do that for my kids, that I wanted to be able to, she added.

Holewczynski appreciates that staying home gives her control over the handling of her childrens needs.

It gives me peace of mind in knowing that some of those more delicate moments are being handled by me  the person who loves [my daughter] the most, she said.

Most mothers in the survey said their reasons for staying home included wanting to spend time with their child (83%) and not missing their childs learning/developmental milestones (77%). In comparison, 62% cited the cost of child care as a reason for staying home.

Seventy-two percent said the loss of household income was worth the advantages of having a parent at home. However, their financial lives were not free from stress. They worried about having to rely on their partners for income (56%), not having enough money for leisure activities (52%) and not having enough money for emergencies (41%). The longer women had been in the workforce before deciding to stay home, the more likely they were to have financial worries.

The full-time mothers of today still face old stereotypes.

While todays stay-at-home mothers are choosing to leave the workforce and see the benefits of their decision, they face a lot of the same challenges as women of generations past. Sixty-eight percent of those surveyed, for example, reported that they felt underappreciated.

The idea that mothers should put their children first and themselves last is also alive and well. When asked to select the different ways they measured their success from a list of options, 54% of the full-time mothers selected their childrens mental health. Thirty-one percent selected their kids physical health. Yet only 19% selected their own mental health  the same percentage that chose If my home is clean and organized  and a scant 4% selected their own physical health.

Full-time mothers understand that the work theyre doing is important and has a huge impact on their families. At the same time, they know that their unpaid labor is dismissed by society at large  and, as the report suggests, they often dismiss it themselves by neglecting their own needs.

When youre a full-time, unpaid child care provider, for example, it can feel strange to pay someone else for a few hours of child care.

Ziemba says she is able to meet her child care needs by turning to local family members. She also belongs to a child care co-op, and this grants her a few hours a week to do work for a foundation she is involved in.

The survey found that grandparents were the child care providers that full-time mothers most often turned to, with 39% using this option. But for those without family nearby, there seemed to be few alternatives.

I have a very hard time wrapping my head around asking for help, considering I am [a] full-time, stay-at-home [mom], Burdett said. At the same time, she has seen how taking a little time away for herself has rejuvenated her and has value.

Just because youre home doesnt mean you dont need support  but its something I struggle with, she said.

What will be the next chapter?

Most of the mothers in the survey and all of the mothers HuffPost spoke to plan to do paid work again at some point. Few, however, have their sights set on a typical 9-to-5 office job.

Mothers in the survey reported that the top things they would look for in their next job were: flexibility (85%), stress level (74%) and salary (71%). Those jobs probably wont look like the full-time-plus corporate positions that Sapir and Ziemba once had  and they arent longing for that kind of work again anytime soon.

Motherhood has shifted their priorities and their perspective, they say, and their needs and desires have changed.

Ziemba doesnt have plans to return to work until her youngest child is in preschool  and she and her husband still havent decided how many children theyd like to have. So work is years away, but she imagines perhaps working more for the foundation shes involved in or setting up her own home organizing business.

No matter which avenue she pursues, shes not currently feeling any rush to get there.

Im no longer driven by the fear of, How long am I going to be out and is it going to ruin my career? she said.

I was really fearful when I left that I was ending my career. And since then, Ive met so many women who have also left to care for their young kids and have gotten back into the workforce and have found roles that are actually more interesting and engaging than the ones that they had before. And its shifted my mindset a lot, Ziemba said.

Several of the mothers interviewed are interested in writing-related work, which can frequently be done on a freelance basis with flexible hours.

The notions of stay-at-home and working mother are no longer black and white, Neha Ruch, CEO of Mother Untitled, told HuffPost. Theres a gray area.

In contrast to what many people assume, full-time mothering no longer looks like it did in the 1970s. Todays mothers, Ruch explained, are more educated, have more equal relationships with their partners, and are more digitally connected than any previous generation.

These mothers, she continued, want to basically take a lot of the consciousness they brought to their career and bring it to the home for a period of time.

In a post she made on LinkedIn to announce her decision to step back from her career, Sapir wrote: Ultimately, if you are doing something you love with people you love in a place you love, youre going to create something of great value to the world.

Related...
Virgin Galactic's next flight will take a Pakistani to space for the 1st time

Namira Salim will make spaceflight history next month.

The adventurer will become the first Pakistani to reach space on Virgin Galactic's next mission, called "Galactic 04," which is scheduled to launch from New Mexico's Spaceport America on Oct. 5.

"Thrilled to take to the #stars with @trevorbmbagency and @ronrosano aboard #Galactic04 with @virgingalactic. Inspiring #girls #women and #youth globally to reach for the stars," Salim posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Sunday (Sept. 17).

Related: Virgin Galactic launches 3 of its original space tourist customers to the final frontier (video)

Galactic 04 will carry three customers to suborbital space and back. Salim shouted out the other two in her post  British advertising executive Trevor Beattie and American astronomy educator Ron Rosano.

Joining these space tourists in the cabin of Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity space plane will be Beth Moses, Virgin Galactic's chief astronaut instructor. Kelly Latimer and C.J. Sturckow will fly the VSS Unity space plane on Galactic 04, and Nicola Pecile and Jameel Janjua will be at the controls of VMS Eve, the carrier plane that hauls Unity off the ground. (Eve drops Unity at an altitude of about 45,000 feet, or 13,700 meters; the space plane then lights up its rocket motor to get to suborbital space.)

RELATED STORIES:

 Virgin Galactic launches 1st mother-daughter team and 1st Olympian to space on 2nd commercial flight (video)

 Meet the crew of Virgin Galactic's 2nd commercial spaceflight

 Space tourism companies might learn a lesson from the Titan sub disaster. But are they ready to listen?

As its name suggests, Galactic 04 will be Virgin's fourth commercial spaceflight. The previous three have all launched recently  in June, August and September, respectively.

Salim, the founder and chairperson of the nonprofit Space Trust, is a longtime adventurer. According to her website, she's the first Pakistani to visit both the North Pole (in April 2007) and the South Pole (in January 2008).

She was one of the first 100 people to buy a ticket with Virgin Galactic, having booked her ride in 2006. Back then, the price was $200,000; it has since risen to $450,000.
Interview: Sino-Arab ties have "strategic importance" for Arab world, says Arab Parliament speaker

Xinhua) 17:11, September 23, 2023

Guests learn about a clean energy project at the sixth China-Arab States Expo in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

"We support China's presence in Arab countries because of China's positive approach in dealing with other countries," Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Al Asoomi said.

CAIRO, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Arab-Chinese relations bear "strategic importance" as China has distinguished ties with all Arab countries, Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Al Asoomi has said.

Al Asoomi, speaker of the Cairo-based Arab Parliament affiliated with the Arab League (AL), made the remarks after a delegation of Arab lawmakers headed by him visited China in late August, when they discussed inter-parliamentary cooperation with the Chinese side.

"The visit we made to China a few days ago was important, and we received all support and positivity from our friends in China," Al Asoomi said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

"This encouraged us to work on further boosting the Arab-Chinese relations, especially parliamentary ones," he said.

"We support China's presence in Arab countries because of China's positive approach in dealing with other countries," said the speaker.

China is committed to international conventions, laws, and norms, including, most importantly, non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, he said.

This photo taken on Sept. 21, 2023 shows the booth of Saudi Arabia at the sixth China-Arab States Expo in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

On Thursday, the sixth China-Arab States Expo kicked off in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, as a platform for China and Arab states to promote pragmatic cooperation.

The biennial event drew representatives from 14 governments, 13 international and regional organizations as well as foreign institutions in China, and over 60 foreign business associations and enterprises.

"China offers many positive ways to support the Arab peoples, especially with regard to supporting development, investment, and major Arab projects," Al Asoomi said, citing China's cooperation with Egypt in building the country's new administrative capital city as an example.

This photo taken on Sept. 11, 2023 shows the construction site of Central Business District (CBD) project in the new administrative capital, east of Cairo, Egypt. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

The Arabs and China have historical relations dating back thousands of years, he said, noting that both sides have long histories and ancient civilizations.

"We respect China and wish China every success. The successes achieved in China please us because we view China as a friendly country that is supportive of Arab states," he said.

China has long-standing cooperation with the Cairo-based AL, which represents all 22 Arab states.

In 2004, China and the AL jointly launched the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, which has become an important platform for collective dialogue and cooperation between the two sides.

"The Arab Parliament is supportive of and optimistic about this Arab-Chinese partnership," Al Asoomi said, voicing confidence that their cooperation will achieve further positive results.

(Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Liang Jun)
Scientists have sent their experiments to the International Space Station in order to be conducted on low earth orbit (LEO) by astronauts staying there for at least six months at a time. However, astronaut labor is not cheap, as crew time costs $130,000 per hour and companies are capped at 25 hours per year.

In this regard, Frontier Space Technologies proposed a constellation of small, autonomous laboratories - called SpaceLab - that could each host multiple experiments in microgravity at once without relying on human labor.

Frontier Space is an offshoot of a project out of Cranfield University in the UK, and is one of the participants of the Startup Battlefield 200 cohort at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023. The firm emerged out of a series of successful student projects, including that of the company's co-founder and CEO Aqeel Shamsul, who is a PhD candidate.

According to TechCrunch, the founder team behind Frontier Space realized that the technology they have developed might have real commercial traction in 2021, when they were selected to fly a prototype of the lab in an atmospheric balloon as part of the REXUS/BEXUS program, which was supported by the German Aerospace Center and the Swedish National Space Agency.

According to Frontier co-founder and CTO Mateusz Zalasiewicz, they have been interested in commercializing their tech upon the success of their proof of concept.

"We got to speaking from there and decided we can give this a go," he added.

Read Also: US Authors Sue OpenAI for Copyright Infringement in ChatGPT's System Training

How Does SpaceLab Work?

SpaceLab is a small, three-unit (3U) CubeSat composed of two experimental payloads and an interfacing bus. Frontier said one of their unique selling points was something they called a "Multi-Chamber Sample Disc," which is essentially a compact disc that could hold multiple samples at once while keeping them isolated from each other, which helps SpaceLab to independently manipulate each sample and essentially conduct multiple experiments simultaneously.

The disc rotates and aligns each sample chamber with a suite of different sensors, depending on what the experiment calls for: fluorescence microscopes, which can be useful for biopharma applications; visible light spectrometry, to understand the chemical makeup of samples; a suite of environmental sensors, like accelerometers; and many others to ensure the laboratory environment has high fidelity for customers.

If operations run on schedule Forbes would be aiming to launch its first on-orbit demonstrations in Q4 2024, with its first payloads being developed in part through two grants by the UK Space Agency's International Bilateral Fund. The company is also hoping to launch multiple SpaceLab variants, with one of those missions focusing on protein crystallization and the other on live cell cultures. This latter mission is especially important as it will demonstrate that SpaceLab can fly live samples (and keep them alive upon their return to Earth).

So far, the company has already raised $270,000 in grants, and have secured a contract with a first commercial customer. The firm continues to raise their funds to fly their hardware to space in its first demo mission.

Related Article: Eutelsat Reacquires Almost $407k Worth of Shares Days Before Merging with OneWeb

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Gov. Gavin Newsom , shown in May, rejected a bill Friday that would have required human safety drivers in heavy-duty robot trucks for at least the next five years. (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)

The California Legislature passed a bill this month to require human safety drivers in heavy-duty robot trucks for at least the next five years.

On Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom killed it.

"Considering... the existing regulatory framework that presently and sufficiently governs this particular technology, this bill is not needed at this time," the governor said in a veto message.

The bill was sponsored by the Teamsters union and backed by highway safety advocates. Opponents included driverless technology companies, Silicon Valley lobbyists, and various chambers of commerce and business leadership groups. Supporters focused on safety and jobs, opponents on business growth and technological progress.

Read more: Driverless trucks on California highways? Legislators don't trust the DMV to ensure safety

Even with strong business backing, the Legislature passed the bill with bipartisan support: 105 legislators voted in favor, six voted no and nine members sat it out.

The bill had been introduced by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), who said Friday she is "deeply disappointed" with the veto. She said characterization of the bill as a "ban" on autonomous trucks, as the driverless vehicle industry has done, was a "disheartening mischaracterization." She said she hopes the Legislature and the governor "will have a truly meaningful process to protect the public and working people going forward."

With the Legislature out of the picture, at least for now, the California Department of Motor Vehicles will decide when self-driving trucks weighing 10,000 to 80,000 pounds when full can hit the road in California with no human aboard.

Legislative dissatisfaction with the DMV played a big role in the debate. "The DMV has not done a great job of regulating this space," Assembly Transportation Committee Chair Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) said at bill hearing in May.

Legislators and city officials in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Santa Monica have complained about lax enforcement of autonomous vehicles by the DMV, which they believe puts business interests ahead of traffic flow and public safety. The issue came to a head this year when San Francisco's fire chief and other emergency responders raised an alarm about robot taxis interfering with emergency responders, and the failure of the companies to move them out of the way in timely fashion.

Read more: San Francisco's fire chief is fed up with robotaxis that mess with her firetrucks. And L.A. is next

The Legislature itself in 2021 put all power over autonomous vehicle safety in the hands of the DMV. Robotaxi fares are regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission. Newsom appointed DMV Director Steve Gordon, a Silicon Valley businessman, to his post. Newsom also appointed all five California Public Utilities Commission members, including John Reynolds, formerly chief counsel for Cruise, one of the robotaxi companies that has drawn emergency responder ire.

DMV regulations require human safety drivers in experimental robot vehicles, and the DMV decides when the experiment is over and the vehicles are ready for deployment. Tesla is using its own customers to experiment on public roads with its Full Self-Driving technology, but the DMV has said that's OK because the Tesla customers are legally required to pay attention.

The DMV also bans a company from falsely marketing autonomous technology to customers. The department began an investigation into whether the name Full Self-Driving violates that rule. The investigation is now in its 28th month, and the DMV has declined to say how many more months or years it is expected to take.

Newsom rarely speaks about the DMV. Asked by a reporter in May whether he was concerned about legislator criticisms of the agency, Newsom said he has "great confidence" in Gordon and his team.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday vetoed a bill that would have asked judges presiding over custody battles to take into consideration a parent's support for their child's gender identity  a culture war flashpoint that has drawn vocal criticism from the right.

Assembly Bill 957 would have adjusted California law to instruct judges to consider, among other factors, a parent's affirmation of a child's gender identity or expression when determining custody or visitation rights.

In a message accompanying his veto, Newsom wrote that he appreciated the motivation behind the bill and shared "a deep commitment to advancing the rights of transgender Californians."

"That said, I urge caution when the executive and legislative branches of state government attempt to dictate  in prescriptive terms that single out one characteristic  legal standards for the judicial branch to apply," he wrote. "Other-minded elected officials, in California and other states, could very well use this strategy to diminish the civil rights of vulnerable communities."

Courts, he added, are already required "to consider a child's health, safety and welfare when determining the best interests of a child in these proceedings."

Read more: 'Kids are having to use their deadname': Students say gender policies make schools feel unsafe

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City), who introduced the bill, said in a statement that she was disappointed with Newsom's decision to veto.

"I've been disheartened over the last few years as I watched the rising hate and heard the vitriol towards the trans community," Wilson said. "My intent with this bill was to give them a voice, particularly in the family court system where a non-affirming parent could have a detrimental impact on the mental health and well-being of a child."

State Sen. Scott Wiener, a principal co-author of the measure, called the veto a "tragedy" and said the decision stood in contrast to Newsom's past advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. He said the bill created a modest and commonsense guideline.

"Our job as legislators is to set clear standards for judges to apply and that's what we did here," said Wiener (D-San Francisco).

Some state lawmakers, however, applauded the veto.

"This is fantastic news and the right call," Assemblymember Bill Essayli (R-Corona) wrote on social media.

Read more: California bill requiring schools to out transgender students to parents dies

The bill has drawn criticism and sparked controversy, including among conservatives who claimed it would force parents who do not support their child's gender identity to give up custody rights.

However, the text of the bill does not specify whether a child needs to be on puberty blockers or have undergone surgery to be affirmed by their parents. Such affirmation, according to the bill, could include a range of actions and be uniquely tailored, as long as it promotes a child's overall health and well-being.

The bill now returns to the California Legislature. A two-thirds vote in both chambers would be necessary to override Newsom's veto. The legislation initially passed the Assembly and Senate by margins exceeding that threshold.

Read more: What makes for a transgender safe haven? California, other blue states are figuring it out

Also on Friday, Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill 1306, which would have prohibited the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from providing information regarding the release of an incarcerated noncitizen to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In a veto message, Newsom wrote that he believes "current law strikes the right balance on limiting interaction to support community trust and cooperation between law enforcement and local communities."

"However, as an administration, we recognize that improvements in this process are important. CDCR will limit how it communicates with ICE as a federal law enforcement agency, so information is only provided to ICE when a non-citizen individual enters prison and is approaching their release date," he wrote. "ICE will determine how it will proceed with its enforcement of federal law."

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a trio of vetoes late Friday evening that are sure to anger his progressive allies  including an unexpected rejection of a bill requiring judges to consider childrens gender identities in custody disputes.

On the losing end of the Democratic governors actions are three mainstays of liberal support: LGBTQ rights groups, labor unions and immigration advocates. Newsom has long touted a progressive record while also acting as a moderating counterweight to an overwhelmingly Democratic Legislature.

Newsom dealt a stinging defeat to LGBTQ activists by vetoing a bill that wouldve asked courts to consider a childs gender identity when it comes to custody decisions. The legislation, Assembly Bill 957, was authored by Lori Wilson, who is herself the parent of a transgender child.

In his veto message, Newsom largely sidestepped underlying political implications by warning against allowing the government to dictate  in prescriptive terms that single out one characteristic  legal standards for judges to apply. He noted courts could already consider parents handling of gender identity.

Trans youth issues this year have sparked protests in school boards across the state, as conservative groups push for mandatory parental notification policies. Members of the LGBTQ caucus had considered introducing a bill to halt those policies, but shelved the idea after the Newsom administration and some members of the caucus expressed concerns about getting the messaging right.

Republicans on Friday praised Newsom for his veto. Assemblymember Bill Essayli, who has pressed the issue in the legislature, said on Twitter this is fantastic news and the right call.

Sen. Scott Wiener, a gay San Francisco Democrat and a champion of LGBTQ priority bills, called Newsom's veto a "tragedy for trans kids who "are living in fear" in a post on X, previously known as Twitter.

Newsom also vetoed a bill requiring human drivers to be onboard in self-driving trucks. The measure was a priority for organized labor groups like the Teamsters, who fear artificial intelligence and automation will lead to widespread economic upheaval, and tumult around self-driving taxis in San Francisco, where city officials fought an expansion of malfunctioning vehicles that have snarled traffic and blocked first responders.

Newsoms rejection was not a surprise after his top business official opposed the bill, arguing it would stifle innovation. The governor wrote in his veto message that regulatory agencies were well-equipped to oversee the emerging technology.

That response is unlikely to mollify lawmakers, who believe regulators are overly friendly to industry, or organized labor. California Labor Federation leader Lorena Gonzalez excoriated Newsoms shocking veto in a statement vowing to fight to make sure that robots do not replace human drivers.

And the governor turned back a bill barring Californias prison system from sharing information about incarcerated immigrants with federal officials, fortifying Californias sanctuary laws. In a veto message, Newsom said he believed current law strikes the right balance on limiting interaction to support community trust and cooperation between law enforcement and local communities.

This is not the first time Newsom has broken with immigrant advocates. In 2019, he rejected a bill barring private security personnel from arresting immigrants in California prisons.

Several hundred more bills are awaiting Newsom's signature or veto before the Oct. 14 deadline, including many that will further test his balance between business interests and labor.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) called for Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) to resign from the senate on Saturday, joining a growing chorus of fellow Democrats who are calling for Menendez to resign as he faces indictment on bribery charges alongside his wife Nadine Menendez. The pair are accused of having engaged in a corrupt relationship with three New Jersey associates and businessmen.

Senator Menendez should resign, Fetterman wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Hes entitled to the presumption of innocence, but he cannot continue to wield influence over national policy, especially given the serious and specific nature of the allegations. I hope he chooses an honorable exit and focuses on his trial.

Fetterman is the first senator to call for Menendezs resignation. On Friday, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and some Democrats in Congress also called for his resignation. In a statement on Friday, Murphy called the allegations in the indictment disturbing.

These are serious charges that implicate national security and the integrity of our criminal justice system, he continued. Under our legal system, Senator Menendez and the other defendants have not been found guilty and will have the ability to present evidence disputing these charges, and we must respect the process.

The governor added that the allegations are serious enough that they compromise the ability of Senator Menendez to effectively represent the people of our state, and called for the senators resignation.

Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) also called for the of end Menendezs 17-year career as a senator following his indictment. It doesnt matter what your job title is or your politics  no one in America is above the law, Kim said in a statement to The Hill. The people of New Jersey absolutely need to know the truth of what happened, and I hope the judicial system works thoroughly and quickly to bring this truth to light.

On Saturday, Kim announced that he will run against the senior senator next year in the wake of the indictment.

After calls to resign, Senator Menendez said I am not going anywhere. As a result, I feel compelled to run against him, Kim posted on X. Not something I expected to do, but NJ deserves better. We cannot jeopardize the Senate or compromise our integrity.

Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) was the first Democrat to call for the senators resignation. In an interview with CNN, Phillips said, Yes, I am a Democrat and so is Sen. Menendez, but based on what I have seen, I am disappointed and yes, I think he should resign.

Menendez responded to the calls for his resignation in a statement in which he insisted, I am not going anywhere.

The counts against Menendez include conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit extortion. The co-defendants in the case have been identified as Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, and Fred Daibes.

Prosecutors in the Southern District of New York allege that Menendez and his wife agreed to and did accept hundreds of thousands of dollars of bribes in exchange for using Menendezs power and influence as a Senator to seek to protect and enrich Hana, Uribe, and Daibes and to benefit the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Prosecutors claim the favors included providing sensitive government information to Egyptian officials.

Menendez is also accused of using his using his power as a U.S senator to influence the presidents choice of a federal prosecutor in New Jersey who could be swayed into helping him disrupt a criminal case against Daibes.

A search by federal agents of the Menendezs home and safe deposit box found gold bars worth over $100,000, a new Mercedes-Benz convertible in the garage, and over $480,000 in cash stuffed in envelopes, closets, and the pockets of a jacket emblazoned with Bob Menendez and the Senate seal.

Menendez slammed the federal prosecutors who indicted him in a separate statement released Friday.

The excesses of these prosecutors is apparent, he wrote. They have misrepresented the normal work of a Congressional office. On top of that, not content with making false claims against me, they have attacked my wife for the longstanding friendships she had before she and I even met. Those behind this campaign simply cannot accept that a first-generation Latino American from humble beginnings could rise to be a U.S. Senator and serve with honor and distinction. Even worse, they see me as an obstacle in the way of their broader political goals.

This article was updated on Sept. 23 at 7:07 p.m. to include Fetterman calling for Menendez to resign and Kim announcing he will run against Menendez.

More from Rolling Stone

Best of Rolling Stone

Click here to read the full article.
By Philip Pullella

MARSEILLES, France (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Saturday condemned "belligerent nationalisms" and called for a pan-European response to migration to stop the Mediterranean, where thousands have drowned, from becoming "the graveyard of dignity".

Immigration issues dominated his 27-hour trip to Marseilles, a French port that for centuries has been a crossroads of cultures and religions.

On Friday, he said migrants who risk drowning at sea "must be rescued" because doing so was "a duty of humanity" and that those who impede rescues commit "a gesture of hate".

Francis doubled down in a long speech on Saturday morning when he concluded a Church conference on Mediterranean issues.

"There is a cry of pain that resonates most of all, and it is turning the Mediterranean, the 'mare nostrum', from the cradle of civilization into the 'mare mortuum', the graveyard of

dignity: it is the stifled cry of migrant brothers and sisters," he said, using Latin terms meaning "our sea" and "sea of death".

On the flight to Marseilles on Friday, Francis was moved as he was shown a picture of a migrant child by Reuters photographer Yara Nardi. The photo was a close-up shot of the eyes of 18-month old Prince, who with his mother Claudine Nsoe, had arrived by sea on the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa from North Africa.

President Emmanuel Macron, other government officials and European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde attended a papal Mass on Saturday afternoon for 50,000 people who packed the city's Velodrome stadium. Authorities said another 100,000 lined his route to the stadium.

Left-wing politicians have criticised Macron over his decision to attend the Mass, saying it violates strict separation of state and faith, known as laicite. He said he was attending out of respect for the pope.

At the conference on Saturday morning, Francis called on people to "hear the cries of pain" rising from migrants seeking a better life.

"How greatly we need this at the present juncture, when antiquated and belligerent nationalisms want to make the dream of the community of nations fade!" he said. He did not name any countries.

Governments in several European countries, including Italy, Hungary, and Poland, are led by outspoken opponents of immigration. The pope also contested those who characterise migration as an "invasion," saying it is a long-term issue that would have to be met with compassion.

He called for an expansion of legal paths to immigration with emphasis on accepting those fleeing war, hunger and poverty, rather than on "preservation of one's own wellbeing".

According to UN Refugee Agency UNHCR, about 178,500 migrants have come to Europe via the Mediterranean this year, while about 2,500 died or went missing.

While Francis has said often that migrants should be shared among the 27 EU countries, his overall openness towards migrants, including once calling their exclusion "scandalous, disgusting and sinful," has riled conservative politicians.

The pope, who was returning to Rome after the Mass, began the day by visiting a centre for the needy in Marseilles' Saint Mauront district, one of France's poorest, run by the order of nuns founded by Saint Mother Teresa.

(Reporting by Philip PullellaEditing by Peter Graff, Alexandra Hudson)
In a push to make Atlanta more accessible, both financially and when it comes to affordable housing, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation awarded three grants for Atlantas Westside giving area, continuing what they describe as years of investment in the area.

Taken together, the three grants will put $22.4 million into the community, aimed at increasing the economic mobility of legacy residents in the English Avenue and Vine City neighborhoods, according to the foundation.

Additionally, the grants will be used to address affordable housing and financial inclusion in the area.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

According to the announcement from the foundation board, $10 million will go to the Westside Future Fund, while $6.2 million each will go to CareerRise and the Georgia Resilience and Opportunity Fund.

We are making a significant investment in two existing long-term partners, Westside Future Fund and CareerRise, who have been critical to our ongoing work in the Westside, as well as an exciting new innovative opportunity to test a guaranteed income program with the Georgia Resilience and Opportunity Fund, Danny Shoy, Jr., managing director, Youth Development and Atlantas Westside, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation said. Were pulling all the levers of our strategy with these three grants; in order to truly address the complicated, intersectional challenges of increasing economic mobility, residents need access to affordable housing, high-quality jobs and more opportunities to support their financial security.

More specifically, the WFF grant will be used to speed up the process of establishing 1,750 new affordable housing units and will support projects of that type in English Avenue and Vine City, the Blank Foundation said in a statement.

For legacy residents, WFF focuses on single-family homeownership, rental housing, and property tax assistance.

TRENDING STORIES:

The CareerRise grant award will help provide collaborative career services to residents in the English Avenue and Vine City communities, and will assist with training residents to gain entry-level skills and grow into specialized careers, the Foundation said.

The other $6.2 million grant, given to GRO, will be more targeted, supporting the Funds In Her Hands program, giving 200 female residents in the English Avenue and Vine City neighborhoods a guaranteed income over three years to increase their incomes and level the playing field for women, according to the nonprofit.

The grant will also be used to support policies and advocacy to ensure the income does not create a benefits cliff for its participants.

In total, the slate of grants announced by the Blank Family Foundation was described by the nonprofit as the largest amount of funds granted to Atlantas Westside at one time, ever, bringing the foundations total awards to $88.5 million since 2007.

The work were doing in Atlantas Westside is about advancing the hopes and dreams of the people who live there, to help them along the path to stable high quality affordable housing for their families, a career that maximizes their potential and financial security to realize their dreams, Shoy said in a statement.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

OTHER NEWS:
MILFORD - A man will be facing criminal charges after police said he was performing illegal dentistry procedures in the back of a convenience store.

Juan Hermida Munoz, 64, was performing dentistry in a backroom at Alternative Convenience Store, 140 Main St., Suite 7, Police Chief Robert Tusino said on Friday.

"He's not licensed to perform dentistry in the state," said Tusino. "We haven't been able to verify his bonafides. He's not licensed to be drilling teeth in the back of a convenience store."

The Alternativa Convenience Store at 150 Main St., Milford, Sept. 22, 2023.

Also facing charges is Maria Magdalean Guaman-Castro, age unavailable, the owner of the store.

The investigation began on Monday, Tusino said. The Board of Health was in the store doing a routine food inspection when they found the area where Hermida Munoz is accused of performing dentistry. It also appeared he was sleeping there on a cot.

Milford Police Department: Milford Select Board votes unanimously to promote Robert Tusino to chief of police

"This practice puts the lives of patients in danger by unsanctioned and unsanitary conditions in receiving medical treatments," police said in a release.

How to check if someone is a licensed dentist in Massachusetts

The investigation revealed that Munoz was allegedly providing several different services, including tooth extractions, cleanings, and routine examinations while using anesthesia. Police said he is not Massachusetts Board Certified and has no certificates to perform medicine in the United States.

The state Board of Registration of Dentistry does have an online listing of every licensed dentist in the state, a check of which confirmed Hermida Munoz is not licensed.

Illegal medical practice: Framingham woman dies a day after plastic surgery

Tusino said it has not been determined if Hermida Munoz is licensed to practice dentistry anywhere. His listed address was the store, but he provided police with an Ecuadorian passport as an identification.

According to a Facebook business page, there is a Juan Hermida Munoz who is a dentist in Ecuador. Photos of the dentist appear to match a photo provided of the man charged in Milford.

What does it take to become a dentist in Ecuador?

In Ecuador, to become a dentist, a person has to complete a five-year dentistry program after completing high school, according to an article written by Ecuadorian dentist Dr. Victor Carreno in Hi Expat magazine in 2022. They then have to complete a one-year residency, according to the article.

What are the criminal charges in this case?

Police have charged Hermida Munoz with the unauthorized practice of medicine and the unauthorized practice of dentistry.

Police have charged Guaman-Castro with conspiracy to commit a crime.

It is now known when they will be arraigned in Milford District Court. A call to the store was not answered.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow Norman Miller on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at faebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Milford Board of Health finds illegal dentist office. Police charge two
A new robot is on the beat in New York City.

The Knightscope 5, or K5, described as a "fully autonomous outdoor security robot," by the tech company in Mountain View, California that builds the robots, is set to begin patrolling the Times Square subway station between midnight and 6 a.m. ET during a two-month trial, accompanied by a police officer, Mayor Eric Adams said Friday during a press conference.

The 5-foot-2-inch robot, which weighs about 400 pounds, is weatherproof and capable of capturing 360-degree video. It sports four HD cameras with wide-angle lenses, as well as an infrared thermal camera. "It will record video that can be used in case of an emergency or a crime," Adams said.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams introduced the Knightscope 5, a robot that will patrol the Times Square subway station during a two-month trial, during a press conference with city officials on Sept. 22, 2023.

K5 won't be pursuing or catching any criminals, as its top speed is 3 mph. Also, the robot needs breaks, because it can patrol for 2 to 3 hours on a fully charged battery, then needs 20-30 minutes to recharge, according to Knightscope.

The robot will not record audio or use facial recognition, Adams said. But it has a button citizens can use to report incidents.

The struggle behind the badge: Miami top cop's suicide attempt and the mental health stigma in policing

Albert Fox Cahn, the executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, a privacy and civil rights group, dismissed the robot, which began its patrol Friday night, as a trash can on wheels, The New York Times reported.

While there's likely been many advances in K5's operations, one of the robots in 2016 knocked down a toddler in a Silicon Valley Mall, The Verge reported at the time. The 16-month-old was not hurt and Knightscope officials called it a "freakish accident."

During the two-month trial, K5 will be accompanied by a police officer to help introduce the public to the robot's function, Adams said. But if the trial is successful, K5 will patrol on its own.

"We will assess the robot's effectiveness and decide whether and how we'll continue to use it moving forward," Adams said.

What types of robots are being used in New York?

It's not the first time New York City Mayor Eric Adams added robots and technology to the city's police and emergency response teams since he took office in January 2022.

In April, the former New York City police captain brought back into service robotic dogs, called Digidogs, for use in life-threatening situations, The New York Times reported earlier this year. Two years ago, the New York Police Department stopped using the robots, while the city's fire department continued to use them.

Robot dogs returns to NYPD.

"Digidog is out of the pound," Adams said at the time, introducing a preview of K5 robot. "Digidog is now part of the toolkit."

Police departments in Miami and Los Angeles have begun using robotic dogs, too.

The NYPD also has a temporary subscription with GPS tech company StarChase to use its GPS tracking launchers to tag and track vehicles, The Times reported. What we want to do is to mitigate as many high-speed chases in the city as possible, Mr. Adams said, according to The Times.

Researchers recently tested remote-controlled robots in New York to collect trash and recyclable materials, too.

How much will the new patrol robot cost New York City?

The city is leasing K5 at a cost of about $9 per hour, Adams said. The mayor has sought budget cuts in many city agencies, the Times has reported.

K5's rate is below minimum wage, Mr. Adams said during the event. "No bathroom breaks. No meal breaks."

We must use every available method to keep New Yorkers safe  including state of the art technologies like the Knightscope K5 security robot.



These devices will serve as an important, innovative deterrent to crime so we can keep NYC the safest big city in America. pic.twitter.com/YEHuNIw8Va  Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) September 22, 2023

Knightscope CEO William Santana Li, a native New Yorker said in a statement, Ive never been as proud of Knightscope and our relentless team as I am today seeing our robot in Federal Blue wearing an NYPD patch on its shoulder.

Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.

What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New York police: A new robot patrols Times Square subway station
Nvidia may have withdrawn from Russia back in Oct. 2022, but its cloud-based game streaming service GeForce Now continued to operate through a partner company  GFN.ru  or it will, until Oct. 1, 2023, according to a recent announcement. The service will stop accepting new registrations on Sept. 1, 2023, and will shutdown entirely by Oct. 1.

According to the announcement, the decision comes amid concerns that the team is unable to meet their preferred standards of quality in current conditions. But some  specifically, Overclockers.ru  believe the political climate and current sanctions against Russia are what's fueling the shutdown.

If youre not familiar, GeForce Now is Nvidia's game streaming service, which offers games for users to play in a cloud-based environment. You can also link existing libraries to the service from other platforms such as Steam, Epic Games, and (later this year) Microsoft Game Pass. GFN.ru made its debut in the Russian market back in Oct. 2019, and also currently operates in Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

Without delving into too much detail, the blog post states that the team is unable to offer the service quality they would like to given current circumstances. As such, the GFN.ru division will no longer allow new users to register starting Sept. 1, 2023. They will also stop selling 30-, 180-, and 365-day subscriptions at this point.

The shutdown will continue until Oct. 1, at which point the GFN.ru servers will shut down. Any member who has a subscription active beyond this date will automatically receive a refund. The team asks that users to allow up to two weeks for the refund before contacting support.

The official blog post doesnt give a clear reason for the move to shut down operations in Russia, but Overclockers.ru has speculated the reason is a combination of both political sanctions and the lack of popularity for cloud gaming services. Nvidia stopped selling products in Russia in March 2022, and closed its Russian offices in Oct. 2022.

If youd like to read more about the GeForce Now closure in Russia, you can check out the official blog post detailing the announcement.
(Photo : Rich Fury/Getty Images)

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 24: A person holds a sign at a candlelight vigil to demand justice for Elijah McClain on the one year anniversary of his death at The Laugh Factory on August 24, 2020 in West Hollywood, California.

On Thursday, prosecutors began their trial of two Denver police officers accused of killing Elijah McClain, a young black man paramedic held in a neck hold and gave a strong sedative.

This case, which garnered widespread attention and sparked calls for police reform, marks the first in a series of trials related to McClain's tragic demise, as per Reuters

Trial Commences for Denver Officers in Elijah McClain's Controversial Death

During their opening statements on Wednesday, lawyers from opposing sides presented divergent narratives of the fatal encounter after McClain was stopped by police in Aurora. Prosecutors argued that officers Randy Roedema and Jason Rosenblatt disregarded McClain's pleas of "I can't breathe" and failed to adhere to their training.

On the other hand, defense attorneys contended that the officers bore no responsibility for McClain's death, blaming the paramedics instead. The officers encountered McClain, a 23-year-old massage therapist, as he walked home from a convenience store on August 24, 2019, carrying only his phone and a plastic bag containing three cans of iced tea.

A 911 caller had reported him as sketchy. Prosecutors aim to convince the jury that the stop was unwarranted, challenging the notion that McClain's injuries resulted from the officers' lawful actions. Roedema and Rosenblatt face charges of criminally negligent homicide, manslaughter, and assault.

They have pleaded not guilty and have yet to address the allegations publicly. The trial is anticipated to span approximately one month. A third officer and two paramedics are also implicated in McClain's death and are slated for separate trials later this year.

An investigation established that ketamine, a potent sedative, played a pivotal role in McClain's demise. This revelation prompted a reevaluation of ketamine's use on individuals perceived as behaving erratically, leading Colorado's health department to impose restrictions on its administration by emergency personnel.

In 2020, the state's legislature banned using neck holds by law enforcement. Prosecutor Jonathan Bunge asserted that the officers violated department policies by employing excessive force against McClain, an unarmed individual, and failing to de-escalate the situation.

He played police body camera footage, emphasizing McClain's repeated pleas for help, saying, "Listen to Elijah's words. When Elijah is on the ground handcuffed, he's saying over and over and over again, 'I can't breathe. Please help me.'"

Bunge also described how McClain vomited repeatedly after being placed in a neck hold, subsequently choking and experiencing cardiac arrest.

He argued that administering the sedative was the last thing McClain needed. Roedema's attorney, Reid Elkus, contended that the officers' actions were consistent with department policies and training, according to Independent.

Read also: Authorities Find Romeoville Family Murder Suspects Shot in Oklahoma Days After Horrific Killings

Defense Cites 'High-Crime Area' for McClain's Stop, Blames Paramedics in Trial

Elkus emphasized that McClain was stopped in a "high-crime area," the officers repeatedly instructed him to halt before he complied. He pointed to the paramedics as the individuals responsible for McClain's death, stating that they administered an excessive dose of ketamine.

Rosenblatt's attorney, Harvey Steinberg, argued that the officers had no choice but to detain McClain after the 911 call. He asserted that McClain displayed continued resistance after being stopped, prompting the officers to respond accordingly.

Steinberg urged jurors to remain impartial and avoid allowing emotions or sympathy to influence their judgment.

McClain's mother was present in the courtroom during the opening statements, and her emotional reaction underscored the gravity of the case.

Family members of the two officers and other Aurora police officers also attended the proceedings.

The jury, comprising 12 jurors and 2 alternates, appeared predominantly white.

Charges were not filed until two years after McClain's death, coinciding with a nationwide reckoning over racial injustice in American policing following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers.

A local district attorney, Dave Young, had initially called McClain's death "tragic" but opted not to prosecute the officers, citing uncertainty regarding the exact cause of death as determined by the coroner's office.

A revised autopsy report issued in 2021 concluded that McClain died from "complications of ketamine administration following forcible restraint."

The report, informed by a grand jury investigation, found that McClain had received an overdose of ketamine due to his smaller size, leading to a fatal outcome. Notably, charges were not brought against the officers until two years after McClain's death. Initially, the local district attorney cited the inability of the coroner's office to determine the exact cause of McClain's death as a reason for not prosecuting the officers.

However, a revised coroner's report issued in 2021, based partly on information from a grand jury investigation, identified ketamine as a critical factor in McClain's death. The pathologist also couldn't rule out whether the stress of being held down by the officers contributed to McClain's demise, News Today reported.

Related Article: North Carolina: Family Sues Google Over Outdated Maps After Man Dies Driving Off Collapsed Bridge

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Heart Hospital at Northwest Texas Healthcare System (NWTHS), celebrated its 20th anniversary on Thursday afternoon. Since its inception two decades ago, The Heart Hospital has been dedicated to fighting Americas No. 1 killer  heart disease. As a leader in cardiovascular care for the Texas Panhandle community, medical staff and professionals have been bringing the latest technology for patients with cardiovascular diseases.

"This is a milestone anniversary for the Heart Hospital. Here at NWTHS, we dedicated toward heart care, not only acute care for problems, but also preventative care, and we are trying to raise awareness in the community for preventive heart care with this here today," Dr. Lane Cox, chief of cardiology at NWTHS, said.

Lane Cox, chief of cardiology at Northwest Texas Healthcare System (NWTHS), left, and Jason Barrett, NWTHS CEO, celebrate the Heart Hospital's 20th anniversary with the community Thursday afternoon in the hospital's lobby.

The Northwest Texas Healthcare System Heart Hospital celebrates its 20th anniversary with the community Thursday afternoon, using the event to also raise awareness of the dangers of heart disease.

The Heart Hospital serves the top 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle, as well as reaching and serving the area from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and further.

Over the past 20 years, the NWTHS Heart Hospital has served the community with prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, as well as advanced heart surgery, emergency heart and stroke care, and rehabilitation needs. For 2023-24, the NWTHS Heart Hospital was announced as a U.S. News & World Report High Performing Hospital for Heart Attack, Heart Failure and Stroke. The hospital has also received many other heart health accreditations since its inception.

"The Heart Hospital was built to meet the need of the community. Over the years, we have come to serve a lot more cardiovascular disease patients; it hasn't decreased," Martha Del Toro, marketing director for NWTHS said.

The Northwest Texas Healthcare System Heart Hospital celebrates its 20th anniversary with the community Thursday and raises awareness of the dangers of heart disease.

Cox said the importance of raising awareness  especially with the Texas Panhandle area having a higher percentage of heart disease due to the area's higher obesity rates, type 2 diabetes, and tobacco use  is to help the community understand the risks and urge the community to remain involved in their healthcare.

"Know your numbers. Know what your blood pressure is; know what your cholesterol is. Know what your body mass index is. Those are something that you can control and do something about. If your cholesterol is high, you can take medications, same for blood pressure. If your BMI is high, you need to get that down and get into an exercise routine. From a cardiovascular standpoint, all we want is 30 minutes of sustained aerobic activity for at least three days a week," Cox said.

Cox urges individuals facing acute cardiac problems to contact emergency services immediately. Cox says that it would be better for EMS to come out and find nothing than have an individual wait and it cause irreparable damage to the heart, which can lead to becoming a cardiac cripple.

Acute cardiac symptoms for men include chest pain and shortness of breath that becomes worse with exertion and relief with rest. For women, there is no one defining factor, but it can often include back pain.

For more information about the NWTHS heart hospital, visit them online at https://www.nwths.com/ .

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Northwest Texas' Heart Hospital celebrates 20th anniversary
A New York Times columnist went viral for complaining about his $78 bill at a Newark airport restaurant.

The restaurant clapped back by saying the cost of David Brooks' meal was "80%" due to his bar tab.

It has since introduced a special of burger, fries, and a double shot of whiskey, poking fun at Brooks.

A New York Times columnist complained about spending $78 for a meal at Newark Airport only for the restaurant to clap back at him pointing out that most of his bill was alcohol.

On Thursday, David Brooks shared a photo of a meal on X, formerly known as Twitter, describing it as a prime example of why "Americans think the economy is terrible."

The image consisted of a burger, fries, and salad, as well as what appeared to be a whiskey on the rocks.

Brooks' post, which has 36 million views, quickly went viral after users discovered the burger and fries only cost $17, indicating that the rest was likely due to the alcohol.

Suspicions about why Brooks' meal was so pricey were confirmed when 1911 Smoke House Barbeque, a restaurant located at Newark Airport, called out the columnist on its Facebook page by saying his bar tab accounted for almost "80%" of the bill.

"Looks like someone was knocking back some serious drinks," the post, shared on Thursday, read. "Bar tab was almost 80% and he's complaining about the cost of his meal. Keep drinking buddy  we get paid off everything," it concluded.

Steve Is Damaged (@SteveIsDamaged) September 21, 2023

1911 Smoke House Barbeque did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider, made outside normal working hours.

The revelation caused a stir on social media, with users quick to share memes about Brooks' order.

One of the top-liked responses was from a user who shared a photo of a beef bologna and a bottle of Bacardi rum, writing, "I can't believe I had to spend $30 at the grocery store just to make bologna sandwiches. Thanks, Obama!"

But it seems 1911 Smoke House Barbeque is truly having the last laugh by capitalizing on all the attention Brooks' post has drawn to it. On Friday, it announced the launch of the "D Brooks Special," named in his honor.

The special comes with a burger, fries, and  as a nod to Brooks original order  a double shot of whiskey. A poster of the special also joked of the price being reduced from $78 to $17.78.

"Just added to the menu," the restaurant wrote. "We're the topic of America right now!

It later shared a review of a customer, who said they haven't visited the restaurant yet but hopes to "take on the David Brooks challenge," which they said was four whiskeys on the rocks, burger, fries, and claiming it on expenses.

Read the original article on Insider
An LAPD officer was struck by a vehicle after exiting their squad car early Saturday morning.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers with the Southwest Division attempted to pull over a stolen vehicle around 3:40 a.m.

The vehicle took off from the traffic stop and stopped in the area of Western Avenue and Jefferson Boulevard approximately two minutes later, police said.

An LAPD officer was struck by a vehicle after exiting their squad car on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (KeyNews)

An LAPD officer was struck by a vehicle after exiting their squad car on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (KeyNews)

An LAPD officer was struck by a vehicle after exiting their squad car on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (KeyNews)

An LAPD officer was struck by a vehicle after exiting their squad car on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (KeyNews)

Police searching for suspects after bar shooting in Downey

As two officers got out of their squad car to approach the stopped vehicle, one was struck by a car passing by the area.

That motorist was discovered to be driving under the influence and was arrested.

The driver of the stolen vehicle was also taken into custody around 3:45 a.m., LAPD said.

The officer was rushed to a nearby hospital, where they are listed to be in stable condition. Their identity has not been released at this time.

Alexis Lewis and Sofia Pop Perez contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  An Ohio elementary school churned up outrage this week with its policy for an ice cream Friday event.

On Thursday, Donovan Elementary School in Lebanon had shared plans for the following days event on social media, but explained that students without enough funds in their meal account, and those with negative balances, would be unable to participate.

A student must have money on their account to purchase an ice cream, the school said. If a student has a negative balance they will not be able to purchase an ice cream even if they bring their $1 for ice cream.

The original post went on to explain that students would not be allowed to purchase ice creams for fellow students who did not have enough money in their accounts.

Yelp names the top 100 ice cream shops for 2023

By Friday, the post racked up over 11,000 reactions, 13,000 comments and 5,400 shares. Of the 13,000 who commented, many were outraged over the policy.

This is gross, one person wrote. I hope you realize how disgusting this is and stop punishing students over something they can not control. Im repulsed. Do better.

By Friday at 9:30 a.m., Donovan Elementary School addressed the initial post, saying it lacked empathy.

We are sorry for the way the message was communicated, the post read. The wording lacked empathy and sensitivity for students who have low or negative meal account balances. We work very hard to provide school lunches to students by removing barriers and eliminating the stigma associated with the lunch assistance program. This post inadvertently sent the message that we would embarrass students or turn them away for an issue outside their control. The message fell short of our values as a district and we sincerely apologize.

Donovan Elementary, however, did not indicate that it would walk back any policy prohibiting certain students from purchasing ice cream. Rather, the school wrote that its initial post was intended to communicate to Donovan parents how several district-wide rules apply to a la carte items purchased in the cafeteria.

A la carte items, like ice cream, cannot be purchased by students with negative or insufficient funds, and nor can they be purchased with cash, the school explained.

We also do not permit students to purchase food for their classmates without prior parent permission, the post continued.

Despite being prohibited from purchasing a la carte items, students at Donovan Elementary with negative or insufficient balances are still provided with meals, school officials confirmed.

We sincerely apologize for the way this information was communicated, the post concluded.

Missouri 14-year-old pays off lunch debt for former school

Judging by the responses on Facebook, the schools explanation still didnt sit well with readers. And shortly after the school posted its update, the owner of the Mz. Jades Soul Food restaurant in neighboring Middletown confirmed she had donated $411.15 towards the lunch debt at Lebanon schools.

I was a parent with kids with balances before and I couldnt do nothing about it, the restaurants owner posted to Facebook on Friday evening. [S]o now that I could I did.

Have a blessed night, she added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
One restaurant was closed and another failed in the latest Arlington inspections, according to city data.

There were 184 inspections from Sept. 3 to Sept. 16.

Arlington inspections are based on a 100 point-system. A score of 100 is perfect, and a score of 70 is considered to be extremely poor.

Blaze Pizza at 841 East Lamar Boulevard was closed but reopened.

Dairy Queen at 508 West Randol Mill Road failed with a score of 60.

Three other restaurants scored 75 or less:

Golden Chinese BBQ at 1818 East Pioneer Parkway, 66

Shell Shack Arlington at 550 Lincoln Square, 72

Hu Tieu My Tho at 1818 East Pioneer Parkway, 74

Reinspections are required for restaurants that score 75 or less.

Seventeen restaurants, including Golden Chinese BBQ, had follow-up inspections:

Thuy Nguyen Cafe at 100 West Pioneer Parkway, 77

Pho 95 Vietnamese Restaurant at 5005 South Cooper Street, 84

Salata - South Arlington at 4100 South Cooper Street, 91

Dennys at 839 North Watson Road, 93

Golden Chick at 1800 South Cooper Street, 93

Starbucks at 2100 North Collins Street, 94

Waffle House at 2221 South Cooper Street, 96

Golden Chopsticks at 1110 North Collins Street

CiCis Pizza at 135 Southwest Plaza

Taco Cabana at 4360 Little Road

Vila Brazil Steakhouse at 2009 East Copeland Road

Crumbl Cookies at 2100 North Collins Street

Subway at 2199 West Green Oaks Boulevard

Texas Golden Age Adult Day Care at 1115 West Pioneer Parkway

Bakery Donut 1 at 3640 Matlock Road

Phi Coffee & Tea at 2430 East Pioneer Parkway

Here are the inspection scores and violations for restaurants within the city limits of Arlington for Sept. 3rd - Sept. 16th, 2023. A score of 100 is a perfect score and 70 is considered to be extremely poor. Reinspections will be conducted for restaurants that score 75 or less. If serious health and sanitation violations are considered an imminent health hazard, the restaurant will be closed until the identified health hazard has been mitigated. To search the restaurant inspections, type in a restaurant name. You can also sort by score.
Russia's military is suffering from "extreme attrition and high turnover," the UK MoD says.

This problem persists even in its most senior ranks, highlighted by frequent changes in an elite regiment.

Russia has lost multiple senior commanders during the conflict in Ukraine.

There is "extreme attrition and high turnover" in the Russian military, even among its senior ranks, the UK Ministry Defence said in an intelligence update on Saturday.

The department pointed to the high turnover of commanders of the Russian 247th Guards Air Assault Regiment, one of Russia's most prestigious airborne regiments.

Colonel Vasily Popov, the regiment's commander, died during battle on September 14, making him the third person to lead the regiment since the war began in February 2022.

He had replaced his predecessor, Colonel Pyotr Popov, just weeks prior, after the colonel resigned, possibly in protest against the Russian military's failure to retrieve the bodies of dead soldiers, the UK department said, citing Russian media sources.

The regiment's first commander, Colonel Konstantin Zizevsky, was killed in battle in the early weeks of the war.

This particular regiment's high turnover highlights a a persistent problem across the Russian military, the UK department noted.

While Russia has never confirmed casualty numbers, US officials estimated in August that military casualties are approaching 300,000, of which as many as 120,000 are deaths.

The estimates suggest that battlefield deaths have risen sharply this year.

These deaths are not only among the lower ranks of the army, as many senior Russian commanders have been reported to have been killed in action throughout the conflict.

Ukraine said on Saturday that top Russian military commanders were among those killed or wounded in a missile strike that targeted the Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Crimea on Friday.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Photo : Rob Stothard/Getty Images)

India passed the Women's Reservation Bill, which would reserve a third of seats in the more powerful lower house and state legislative assemblies for women.

India passed the Women's Reservation Bill, which is seen as a major step in providing gender equality by giving the country's female population control over one-third of seats in the more powerful lower house and state legislative assemblies.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the bill during a special session in parliament. In his remarks, the lawmaker said the bill marks a historic and prideful moment for the country and its people.

India's Women's Reservation Bill

The introduction of the Women's Reservation Bill comes after a similar one was first introduced in the nation in September 1996. However, nearly every successive Indian government tried and failed to pass it into law after facing fierce opposition from conservative heartland parties.

In a statement, a leader of the socialist Samajwadi Party in 2010, Mulayam Singh Yadav, said they were not anti-women but only wanted reservations for women from minority and backward classes first, as per the Time.

After 27 years in the making, the bill finally passed the lower house unanimously on Wednesday. It would continue to go to the upper house for passage in the remaining two days of the special session before it requires approval from at least half of the country's 28 states.

A country representative from the international agency, Kanta Singh, said that United Nations women applauded the new bill's passage. He called it one of the most progressive and transformative pieces of legislation that provides women a greater chance to have a voice in the highest decision-making bodies in the country.

Women in India only make up 82 out of 550, roughly 15%, of seats in the country's lower house, and the number continues to go down in the upper house, where female politicians only make up 31 out of 250 seats, roughly 12%. A 2015 Ministry of Women and Child Development report said that women's representation in parliament and state assemblies was dismal.

Read Also: Thailand's New PM to Rectify Legislation to Permit Cannabis Use for Medicinal Purposes Alon

Decades in the Making

While the new bill would reserve up to a third of the seats in India's lower house and state assemblies for women, it could take up to a decade to take effect. This is because of certain processes required to redraw the country's electoral boundaries, a delimitation exercise that will not start until 2026, according to The Guardian.

There was a fierce battle between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the leading opposition National Congress Party as the bill was debated in parliament for eight hours. The issue was over who should take credit for the bill as the former Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, said the bill was theirs.

The Women's Reservation Bill revival comes only months before the country's general elections, which are due by May 2024. The prime minister is seeking a third term, and the bill could further fill the already commanding position of Modi's Hindu-nationalist BJP ahead of that poll.

Analysts argued that the bill's chances of being passed in parliament are more hopeful as opposition has shrunk in the last few years. The speaker of parliament, Om Birla, was the one who confirmed the passage of the bill, said Aljazeera.

Related Article: GOP Lawmakers Renew Opposition to More US Aid to Ukraine

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
WASHINGTON - Lawmakers were bracing on Saturday for a possible government shutdown in just one week's time.

President Joe Biden's administration is sending directives to agencies to begin preparing, while congressional Republicans argue among themselves about how to proceed before the current spending plan expires at midnight next Saturday.

"Extreme House Republicans are marching us toward a government shutdown," said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

The administration's Office of Management and Budget advised agencies to update their shutdown plans, including which employees are to be furloughed and which services to curtail.

Even if parts of the government shut down next weekend, essential duties will be maintained, including national defense, law enforcement, Social Security, and Medicare.

Some Republicans, meanwhile, criticized a small group of GOP colleagues for blocking plans to avoid a shutdown, and urged House Speaker Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif., to work with Democrats on a spending that could get through Congress.

"Were going through a lot of gymnastics right now to get 218 (votes) and youve got five (Republicans) who refuse to do it," said Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., speaking on MSNBC. "Lets just realize that, cut them out, and work with the Democrats."

House Republicans told reporters they discussed various ways forward on a conference call Saturday.

One influential Republican, former president and 2024 frontrunner Donald Trump, has all but endorsed a shutdown and urged GOP lawmakers to terminate funding for criminal prosecutions against him. That desire cannot be fulfilled; a shutdown would not affect law enforcement.

Dig deeper: House Republicans cancel votes with just nine days until a possible government shutdown

Over in the Senate, meanwhile, Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he is talking with Republican counterpart Mitch McConnell about their own plan to avoid a shutdown.

Given the problems in the House, "we may now have to go first," Schumer told CNN.

The recalcitrant band of conservatives, led by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., insist on debating a series of individual spending bills, as opposed to temporary plans to keep the government open after the Sept. 30 deadline. They are also pushing for more spending cuts that the Democratic Senate would reject.

While few in number, the GOP rebel group is large enough to thwart McCarthy's plans because the Republicans have only a narrow majority in the House. It also large enough to threaten to depose McCarthy as House Speaker.

McCarthy told reporters that members are now working on a series of spending bills to keep the government open.

We got members working, and hopefully well be able to move forward on Tuesday to pass these bills, McCarthy said.

The House, which at one time planned to work on Saturday, took the weekend off, drawing catcalls from Biden and some Democrats.

"Last time there was a government shutdown, 800,000 Americans were furloughed or worked without pay," Biden said on the X social media site. "But enjoy your weekend."

Related: Trump supports government shutdown as McCarthy, House GOP face new challenges in spending fight

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: One week away: Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden prep for government shutdown
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has become a regular sight all over New Hampshire. Hes spent some time in South Carolina, too, since announcing his 2024 bid for president. But there is one notable state that he has completely skipped so far: Iowa.

Iowas caucuses traditionally lead off the fight for the GOP presidential nomination, bringing heavy attention to the state from contenders. This year, Iowa will kick off the delegate race on Jan. 15. As a result, every Republican presidential candidate has visited the Hawkeye State so far this year  except Christie.

When asked (during a recent trip to New Hampshire) why he hasnt gone to Iowa yet, Christie told NBC News, I havent gone because I havent wanted to. And if I want to, Ill go sometime later.

Christies strategy of spending more time in New Hampshire than Iowa is not new. Thats what he did during his first run for president  though not to the same extreme degree.

The former governor was in Iowa for 32 days and did 71 stops between Jan. 1, 2015, and Feb. 1, 2016, according to NBC News tracking of his events. Meanwhile, Christie spent 75 days in New Hampshire and made 175 stops there during the same time period.

Since July 4 of this year, Christie has spent six days in New Hampshire and had 11 events open to the press, according to NBC News tracker.

It only somewhat paid off. Christie finished 10th in Iowa, with 1.8% of the GOP caucus vote, but got sixth place in New Hampshire the next week, with 7.4% of the vote. Still, that wasnt enough to stay in the 2016 race  he dropped out the day after New Hampshires primary.

Two presidential elections later, Christies standing in Iowa is still significantly lower than in New Hampshire, according to public polling. Christies average share in the last 10 Iowa caucus polls in the FiveThirtyEight database is 3%. In the last 10 New Hampshire primary polls, Christie is averaging 9% support.

Historically, moderate Republican candidates tend to spend less time in Iowa and more in New Hampshire, where independents have traditionally played a major role in the open primary. The number of self-described moderates in NBC News 2016 exit polling was twice as high in New Hampshire as it was in Iowa.

And in 2015 and 2016, Jeb Bush and Christie were examples of candidates who spent less time in Iowa than more conservative Republican candidates. Bush made 50 stops in Iowa over 27 days. Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, he made 110 stops over 55 days, according to NBC News tracking of his events.

On the other hand, Ben Carson, one of the candidates campaigning for more conservative support in 2016, made 100 stops in Iowa over 44 days, compared with 37 stops in New Hampshire over 16 days. Sen. Ted Cruz made 138 stops in Iowa over 47 days, versus 67 stops in New Hampshire over 32 days, according to NBC News tracking of their events.

Look, Ive got to decide where to best spend my time, Christie told NBC News. Everyone has a limited time, Ive decided that I want to spend my time in New Hampshire and South Carolina. I think those are the places that give you the best opportunity to do well.

There is one thing that could really tempt Christie to visit Iowa this election cycle: former President Donald Trump.

Christie has said if Trump does not participate in any of the debates, he is going to follow Trump around the country.

When asked by a reporter if he would follow Trump to Iowa, Christie said, Thats interesting. That could be. Its a good question. If I knew I could catch him there  yeah, I probably would.

Even though Christie has not visited the Hawkeye State, he has also said anybody would consider Iowas Governor Kim Reynolds as their running mate.

[Ive] known her for a long time. I like Kim lot, Christie said during a town hall hosted by SiriusXMs Steve Scully at New England College. Shes got practical experience and shes someone who I think has the capabilities, if she wanted to be president, to be president.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Drake University is the only Iowa college to make it on the Wall Street Journal's top 100 list for the best colleges in the United States in 2024.

The ranking is based on student outcomes, learning environment and diversity, as well as the average annual cost of attendance and the value added to graduate salaries by attending the university. Coming in at 97th, Drake ranked above Johns Hopkins University and below George Mason University.

The New York Times also recently listed Drake also a top U.S. college with the greatest economic diversity. It ranked 133rd on that list.

Magnolia trees bloom outside of Old Main on the Drake University campus on Monday, April 4, 2016, in Des Moines.

The inclusion of Drake in these two prominent rankings reinforces the incredible work being done across our campus to create a positive, collaborative, and inclusive environment as we carry out our work to transform lives and strengthen communities, Marty Martin, president of Drake University, said in a news release. As we continue to invest in our campus and pave the way toward a brighter future for the generations to come, this is a reminder of all the incredible progress weve already made toward that vision.

Drake's 2022 graduating class shows why it made the Wall Street Journal's list, which is "designed to assist students and families in their search for the best value in higher education," the news release said.

According to the university, statistics from the 2022 class include:

97% of undergraduate degree recipients are employed, enrolled in graduate or professional school or involved in an activity related to their professional goals.

98% of graduate degree recipients were employed or pursuing additional education within six months of graduation.

93% of undergraduates reported having an internship or other practical experience while at Drake.

The university also said 91% of students earn a bachelor's degree within four years.

Drake's class of 2027 is one of the most diverse classes in the university's history, the news release said. Almost one-fourth of incoming and transfer students are first-generation college students. Students in the class come from 28 states and 17 countries.

Iowa State University ranked 145th on the Wall Street Journal's list and the University of Iowa, 160th.

Biong M. Biong is a reporting intern for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at bbiong@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: See which Iowa school earned a top 100 best colleges spot
Salt Lake City Council member Daniel Dugan speaks at a press conference at the Salt Lake City-County Building on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, where he urged every Salt Lake City voter to not only return their ballot, but to vote in each race. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

As primary season ends and Labor Day ushers us into the home stretch of the 2023 elections, its time to get serious about the candidates. Heres the biggest thing Im looking for when I fill out my ballot: Am I choosing a leader or a follower?

We must guard against the pitfall of groupthink, which isnt conducive to good public policy. Theres a difference between getting along and agreement. The battle of ideas being tested against each other leads to better outcomes. As Thomas Jefferson said, Difference of opinion leads to enquiry, and enquiry to truth.

Related

Tension between a city council and a mayor is healthy. We need each of our elected officials to serve their own roles offering the point/counterpoint of the branches. Critical individual thinking is what transforms a bureaucracy into a dynamic city serving the current needs of residents. Leadership is about going outside of the box  and sometimes the group  to find real solutions. Salt Lake is not thriving as it should.

Lets make our vote for candidates forging their own path not rubber-stamping. Fellow Salt Lakers, take time to walk the city, walk Liberty Park, walk the side streets, and then ask yourself: Is this the Salt Lake City I want, and who will do something to change it?

David R. Ibarra

Salt Lake City
Editors Note: Lanhee J. Chen, PhD, is a regular contributor to CNN Opinion and the David and Diane Steffy Fellow in American Public Policy Studies at the Hoover Institution. He was a candidate for California State Controller in 2022. Chen has played senior roles in both Republican and Democratic presidential administrations and been an adviser to four presidential campaigns, including as policy director of Romney-Ryan 2012. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion on CNN.

While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was visiting Washington this week, nearly 30 Republican lawmakers sent a letter to the Biden administration, opposing the request for an additional $24 billion in spending to support the war effort in Ukraine. The premise of the letter is that the administrations request comes without clear answers to questions about Ukraines progress in the war, our own strategy and endgame in the ongoing conflict and how existing dollars that Congress has appropriated for the war effort have been spent.

Lanhee J. Chen - Lanhee J. Chen/ECG Studios, LLC

These are fair questions that deserve thorough consideration and fulsome debate  which is why House Speaker Kevin McCarthy should consider the administrations request separately from the ongoing discussions over a potential government shutdown. Indeed, the inquiries in the GOP letter are valid and should not be dismissed as an expected reaction of a group of hard-right Republicans to a Biden administration priority as we approach an election year. They reflect the misgivings and doubt amongst many voters across the country  particularly Republicans  about continuing to send resources to Ukraine.

While there are likely many reasons for these misgivings, the principal among them seems to be a lack of understanding around two key issues. The first is why continuing support is important to American national interests and second, what the endpoint of our commitment there will be, particularly given the uncertainty about Ukraines own prospects for success in the fight against Russia, which could drag on for years.

Some of the blame lies with Ukrainian leadership for a failure to clearly communicate their own plans and transparently account for where existing US aid has been deployed. But perhaps more of the fault should be laid at the feet of Republican leaders who have failed to adequately explain to their own voters why continued involvement in Ukraine is an important priority amidst the many other fiscal and substantive challenges our nation faces.

There remain compelling reasons that Republican leaders could cite to help convince voters of the value of support for Ukraine. If left unchecked, Russian President Vladimir Putins aggression against Ukraine threatens peace and stability in the rest of Europe, which remains an important economic and strategic partner of the United States. Further, America has an interest in checking Russian aggression, which has been most visibly on display in Ukraine, but has also manifested itself in interference in our elections, cyberattacks against American institutions and commercial enterprises and support for terror attacks against US allies. There are also broader concerns that abandoning support for Ukraine would send the wrong message to China, with leader Xi Jinping interested in expanding his countrys sphere of influence in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Policymakers who support continuing aid to Ukraine would be well-advised to clearly and succinctly outline the metrics to determine when our help is no longer needed. Voters are rightfully concerned about America being dragged into endless commitments in a war that may not end soon.

While many have noted that there is a split amongst GOP policymakers about continued American support for Ukraine, the predominant position among Republican voters is actually closer to that articulated in the GOP congressional letter that greeted Zelensky this week. The data are stark. Nearly three out of four self-identified Republicans in a July CNN survey opposed more US funding for the war effort in Ukraine with opposition strongest amongst more conservative Republicans (compared to 61% of moderate and liberal Republicans who opposed more funding). Sixty percent of Republicans surveyed argued that the US has done enough for Ukraine and just 30% favored providing additional weapons to Kyiv.

Its no surprise, then, that three of the leading Republican presidential contenders  including former president Donald Trump, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis  have expressed skepticism or outright opposition to additional US funding for or involvement in the Ukraine war effort.

Given these political headwinds, its perhaps more surprising that a number of GOP presidential candidates seeking to be the alternative to Trump, including former UN Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, have been steadfast in their support for American involvement in Ukraine. All three have gone after Trump, the front-runner in the GOP nominating contest, for his skepticism of continued US assistance to Ukraine. Haley this week argued at a campaign stop in New Hampshire that Trump had become weak in the knees on Ukraine, while Pence warned on CNN that the only way Trump could end the war in a day (as the former president has claimed) would be to let Vladimir Putin have what he wants. Christie, who made a surprise visit to Ukraine in early August, has called Trump a puppet of Putin for refusing to say that he wanted Ukraine to prevail in its fight against Russia.

It is ultimately the GOP presidential candidates who favor continued support for Ukraine who are in the best position to make the case to Republican voters. If one of these candidates were to become the nominee of the Republican Party (an admittedly unlikely scenario given the current polling), his or her view would become the de facto position of the party going into next years election and potentially beyond. This view would also be backed by Senate Republican leadership and a healthy number of Republican members in both houses of Congress who have voiced their support for Ukraine.

So far, the skirmishes between the GOP contenders have framed Ukraine as a wedge issue that differentiates Trump from other candidates like Haley, Pence or Christie. Less time has been spent on the campaign trail explaining to voters why support for Ukraine is crucial to our national interests.

Given the sharp divides among GOP policymakers and leaders over the question of US assistance for Ukraine, it seems increasingly unlikely, barring a significant development in the war, that Republican voter opinions will shift so dramatically as to favor robust and sustained American involvement. Nonetheless, its up to Haley, Pence and Christie to make the case. They may be the only hope for Zelensky  and those here in America who wish to see continued support for Ukraine  to change the minds of Republican voters and, by extension, policymakers who have soured on all we are doing to help Kyiv win the war.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Lincoln City's Road's End beach parking lot sits beneath God's Thumb, also known as The Thumb, further in the distance. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department commission will consider limiting driving on some Lincoln City beaches.

A popular park along the North Santiam River would be transferred to Marion County while access points for beach driving in Lincoln City would be limited under proposals that will be considered during Oregon Parks and Recreation Department commission meeting Wednesday.

The commission, which governs rules for Oregons state parks system, will take action on a series of issues including adopting a new plan for Smith Rock State Park and clarifying who can be barred from entering a state park.

The meeting begins at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday. It can be streamed online at youtube.com/@oprddirectorsoffice5783/streams

Public comment is open either in person at the Columbia Gorge Hotel or online. Register to comment remotely at tinyurl.com/3bmfcssj.

Here are some of the main actions and issues being considered by the commission:

Transfer North Santiam State Park to Marion County

Rollie Urness, 3, wades out into a mellow pool of water at North Santiam State Recreation Site, a popular site just off Highway 22.

North Santiam State Recreation Area, located between Mill City and Mehama, would become a county park if the transfer is finalized during the meeting. The park features a few campsites and two popular riverside swimming and fishing spots, along with a boat access point just off Highway 22. Marion County has been managing the park since 2022 and the park operated well under county authority, state parks officials said.

North Santiam would join a cluster of other parks in the area managed by Marion County, including Packsaddle, Mino and Niagara parks.

OPRD staff are requesting to transfer ownership to Marion County at no cost to allow the county to centralize their park operations in the area, OPRD spokesman Chris Havel said.

Little or nothing would change about the park experience  other than the owners. Oregons state parks took similar action when it transferred Cascadia State Park to Linn County.

Beach driving limited in Lincoln City

People enjoy the beach in Lincoln City, Oregon on Tuesday, March 23, 2021.

The commission is being asked to adopt rules managing driving on the beach at two locations in Lincoln City.

Driving would be banned along one stretch near 34th and 35th streets. Driving on another, at 15th Street, would only be allowed from October 1 through April 30, instead of year-round as it is now.

Lincoln City City Council approved the change Sept. 11.

Congestion and safety were chief among the concerns cited by commenters supporting closure, Havel said.

Clarity sought on who can be barred

Amid an uptick in assaults on park rangers, Oregon has undertaken a series of steps to clarify when visitors can be kicked out of and barred from state parks for violating rules.

The proposed rulemaking will update the exclusion and appeal process, a meeting document said. A recent court challenge pointed out the existing rules were vague and too open to interpretation by OPRD staff. The suit was resolved with a commitment to improve the rules fairness and clarity."

The updates will clarify when Oregon State Parks can exclude individuals who endanger visitors, staff or park resources, and establish an appeal process.

Funds to replace reservation system

OPRD is in the midst of replacing the state park reservation system by the time the current vendors contract expires at the end of 2026. Reserve America is the current vendor.

A consultant, Anthro-Tech Inc., is helping OPRD evaluate design and usability standards. Park staff are requesting an increase in the project budget from $1.07 million to $1.39 million.

$12.2 million in grants for local parks

In 1999 and 2010, Oregon voters dedicated lottery funding to support outdoor recreation. A quarter of the lottery money received by OPRD is redistributed to local governments in the form of matching grants.

This year, after applications were reviewed and scored by volunteer committees, staff are requesting the commission award five planning grants totaling about $200,000 and 47 grants totaling $12.2 million to acquire, develop and repair local parks.

Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. To support his work, subscribe to the Statesman Journal. Urness is the author of Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon and Hiking Southern Oregon. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon may limit beach driving in Lincoln City
Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.

As of this writing, the feeds from 1,445 surveillance cameras throughout Orlando are instantly accessible by police  with businesses and residents able to contribute on-demand or real-time footage via a platform called Fusus.

The FususCORE hardware device that citizens can connect to their home or business network enables a users camera system to instantly connect with the cloud to share relevant video with law enforcement, said Chief Digital Officer Matt Garrepy of Orlando-based Solodev, a cloud technology expert who is not involved with the Orlando Police Department or Fusus.

In other words, with your permission, police can view the world through your surveillance cameras.

Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journals website.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




Early emerging cicadas singing their last song this September faced stiff competition from a different type of seasonal sound.

Across Chicagoland, Jewish communities took to trails, parks and parking lots to blow the shofar, a ritual wind instrument associated with fall religious holidays. The rousing, echoing call of the shofar is a key aspect of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year that began last weekend, and Yom Kippur, a day of atonement when many Jews choose to fast, which begins Sunday.

Traditionally held in synagogues, these Jewish congregations have take the shofar sessions outside in an effort to make the ritual more public and accessible to those who cant get away from work, might be sick or immunocompromised or curious about the sound.

I think its wonderful for people who are Jewish but arent super traditional, said Rabbi Shoshanah Conover, senior rabbi at Temple Sholom. You can do this outdoor observance in twenty minutes.

Temple Sholom, a Reform congregation in Lakeview, drew about 40 to its Shofar in the Park event Sept. 10. Similar celebrations took place in Bucktown, Wicker Park and North Center.

In Evanston, the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation hosts an annual walk along the lakefront with seven stops to hear shofars blowing. This years walk was Sept. 15, the night before Rosh Hashana.

The shofar, a ritual instrument typically made out of a hollow rams horn and played like a trumpet, has been part of Jewish tradition since biblical times. Some communities blow the shofar every day in Elul, the lunar calendar Hebrew month leading up to Rosh Hashana.

Rohr Chabad House at the University of Illinois at Chicago, which also serves the Rush hospital system and Illinois Medical District, held its version of a Shofar walk on the last night of Rosh Hashana. The event, in Mary Bartelme Park on the Near West Side, included a childrens singalong with props and traditional holiday snacks.

No matter who people were and where they were coming from, at that moment everyone is together and theres just that feeling of the essence of the Jewish experience, said Chani Shemtov, who leads Chabad UIC along with her husband Rabbi Bentzy Shemtov.

About 1 in 25 Chicagoans are Jewish, according to a study from Brandeis University. Twenty percent of Chicago Jews surveyed by Brandeis described themselves as highly involved in observing holidays. Another 27% participate only casually.

A typical shofar blowing involves three rhythmic patterns. An extended note called tekiah gedolah is the last note heard on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, with shofar players practicing to hold the sound as long as possible.

At UIC Chabad, Shemtov found the shofar in the park events especially popular among Jewish medical students and hospital staff, as well as the families of patients at the University of Illinois and Rush hospital systems.

The shofar at UIC Chabad is played by Bentzy Shemtov. Throughout September, he also visited Jewish patients at UIC and Rush hospitals to play the shofar at their bed sides.

So many people were really uplifted by hearing the shofar, Chani Shemtov said.

For Temple Sholom, the idea for outdoor shofar celebrations was planted in 2020, when High Holidays celebrations took place via livestream, Conover said. In 2021, the Lakeview East congregation expanded to three parks across the North Side, plus the temples parking lot. That year, Conover said, outdoor Zumba classes in Loyola Park found themselves suddenly coexisting with shofar blowing events.

This year, Northwestern Law student Nia Crosley blew the shofar for congregants and residents in the Temple Sholom parking lot.

People brought their dogs, they brought their kids, Conover said. The diversity in age, it was really from people in their 90s to little cuties.

In early pandemic years, Shofar in the Park also ended with a communal prayer for the sick and injured. Conover said the event held space for community mourning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Theres personal loss, and then theres personal loss that happens in a time where theres public grieving, Conover said.

Opinions differ on how to make Jewish religious holidays accessible without watering them down, Chani Shemtov said. She finds shofar blowing is one of the easiest traditions to take on the go.

More and more people would love to connect with Judaism, but they dont necessarily feel comfortable with, or theyre not necessarily seeking out, a synagogue experience, Chani Shemtov said. That kind of integration is key.

Outdoor shofar events have also drawn curiosity from non-Jews. A member of the local parks board reached out to Chani Shemtov this year to let her know he was moved by the sound.

I thought that was so interesting, because I know I find it to be very moving, Chani Shemtov said. But for him, even though hes not Jewish himself, he senses something very special about that event in particular.

As the final tekiah gedolah note brings this years High Holidays to a close, the experience of being conspicuously religious outdoors has a deeper meaning for those who have experienced antisemitism, Conover said.

Being able to be publicly, Jewishly proud feels like a really nice response, Conover said. Were not able to completely eradicate antisemitism on our own, but we are able to dig deeper into ourselves and what we love.
The Russian occupiers have lost another 510 of their soldiers, with more than 275,000 invaders killed in total since 24 February 2022.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 23 September 2023 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses  ed.]:

approximately 275,460 (+510) military personnel;

4,655 (+11) tanks;

8,912 (+21) armoured combat vehicles;

6,210 (+33) artillery systems;

789 (+4) multiple-launch rocket systems;

530 (+2) air defence systems;

315 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft;

316 (+0) helicopters;

4,867 (+8) tactical UAVs;

1,518 (+1) cruise missiles;

20 (+0) ships/boats;

1 (+0) submarines;

8,716 (+26) vehicles and tankers;

912 (+0) special vehicles and other equipment

The information is being confirmed.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
The owner of Quatros Deep Pan Pizza, a pizza place beloved by generations of college students in Carbondale, is being remembered for his commitment to the community.

Blake Morrison died while on a cruise ship while on vacation in the Bahamas, according reports from the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the restaurant. Morrison was 29.

A cause of death was not announced. He was found unresponsive near a pool deck on Wednesday morning, according to police on the island of New Providence.

Quatros has invited the public to visit an interactive memorial mural in the storefront adjacent to the restaurant on West Freeman Street.

Please join us in experiencing and contributing to this heartfelt tribute. It would mean the world, the restaurant said in a Facebook post.

The mural will be open from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Blakes proprietorship of Quatros is supported by a team of family and friends who will carry this business forward, the restaurant said.

We are open, we appreciate your support, and we will carry on the business to honor Blakes legacy and fulfill his dreams.

The Southern Illinoisan reported that Morrison bought the restaurant in February from the previous owner, Steve Payne, after serving in management for nearly five years.

Four years ago I couldnt have imagined running the iconic Quatros, Morrison told The Southern late last year. Steve saw something in me that I hadnt yet seen in myself. It means a lot that he took a chance, and it means even more that hes leaving the Quatros legacy in my hands.

He graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a degree in business management, the newspaper reported.

The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce said in a statement, We are truly sorry to hear of the passing of Blake Morrison, he was an active chamber member, and a fellow business owner, who would always make time to chat and share business experiences.

Over 200 people have expressed their condolences on the Quatros Facebook page.

Blake was part of a new generation of Carbondale residents investing in our community and going above and beyond to make a Carbondale a good place, one post read.
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. hosted President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine at the White House today. President Biden reiterated that the United States will continue to support Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression for as long as it takes and hold Russia accountable for human rights abuses and war crimes.

READ ALSO: Statement of President Joe Biden On the Passing of Eugene Peltola, Jr.



The presidents and their advisors discussed Ukraine's ongoing counteroffensive. President Biden provided an update on forthcoming U.S. security assistance. He shared that the United States will announce a significant new package today, including more air defense capabilities to help Ukraine protect its people and critical infrastructure from Russian attacks both now and in the winter. The United States is also coordinating sustained deliveries of short range air defense systems like the Avenger, longer range air defense systems such as the HAWK, and hybrid systems that pair Western air defense interceptors with existing Ukrainian systems.

He also shared that Abrams tanks will arrive in Ukraine next week. In addition, the United States is committed to bolstering Ukraine's defensive capabilities in the long term, including through partnerships with Ukraine's defense industrial base. To that end, the United States government will host a conference this fall that brings together U.S. defense industry, Ukrainian business leaders, and officials from both governments to explore options for joint ventures and co-production.



President Biden and President Zelenskyy discussed U.S. support to Ukraine's energy and economic recovery. They talked about efforts to increase energy generation and transmission capacity, and welcomed their governments' signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen Ukraine's energy resilience. President Biden introduced Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker, who will focus on engaging the private sector, partner countries, and Ukrainian counterparts to align support for priority investments and reforms designed to improve the business climate.



President Zelenskky shared his plans to address corruption in Ukraine. President Biden underscored the importance of strong, politically independent anti-corruption institutions, including the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor, and the High Anti-Corruption Court.



Finally, President Biden welcomed President Zelenskyy's ongoing diplomatic effort to secure global support for a just and lasting peace.

READ MORE: Statement from President Joe Biden on August Consumer Price Index

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Pakistan's interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar holds an interview during his visit for the United Nations General Assembly, Friday Sept. 22, 2023, in New York. Kakar said he expects parliamentary elections to take place in the new year, dismissing the possibility that the countrys powerful military would manipulate the results to ensure that jailed former premier Imran Khans party doesnt win. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

UNITED NATIONS (AP)  Pakistans interim prime minister said he expects parliamentary elections to take place in the new year, dismissing the possibility that the countrys powerful military would manipulate the results to ensure that jailed former premier Imran Khan s party doesnt win as absolutely absurd.

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said its the Election Commission that is going to conduct the vote, not the military, and Khan appointed the commissions current chief, so why would he turn in any sense of the word against him?

In a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press on Friday, Kakar also lashed out at India for touting itself as the worlds largest democracy while refusing to hold a democratic referendum in disputed Kashmir so its people can decide their future. And he said leaders in the region are discussing holding a forum to consider what changes Afghanistans Taliban rulers would need to make before any country takes a huge step and recognizes their government.

Pakistan has been in deepening political turmoil since April 2022 when Khan was removed from office following a no-confidence vote in Parliament. He was arrested in early August on corruption charges and sentenced to three years in prison, later suspended though he still remains in jail. The country is also facing one of the worst economic crises in its history and recovering from last summers devastating floods that killed at least 1,700 people and destroyed millions of homes and farmland.

The commission announced Thursday that the elections would take place during the last week in January, delaying the vote which was to be held in November under the constitution.

Kakar resigned as a senator last month after outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and opposition leader Raza Riaz chose him as caretaker prime minister to oversee the elections and run the day-to-day affairs until a new government is elected.

He said that when the commission sets an exact election date, his government will provide all the assistance, financial, security or other related requirements.

Asked whether he would recommend that judges overturn Khans conviction so he could run in the elections, the prime minister said he wouldn't interfere with decisions by the judiciary. He stressed that the judiciary should not be used as a tool for any political ends.

We are not pursuing anyone on a personal vendetta, Kakar said. But yes, we will ensure that the law is appropriate. Anyone, be it Imran Khan or any other politician who violates, in terms of their political behavior, the laws of the country, then the restoration of the law has to be ensured. We cannot equate that with  political discrimination.

He said fair elections can take place without Khan or hundreds of members of his party who are jailed because they engaged in unlawful activities including vandalism and arson, a reference to the violence that rocked the country following Khan's initial arrest in May. Kakar added that the thousands of people in Khan's party who didn't engage in unlawful activities, will be running the political process, they will be participating in the elections.

The Pakistani military has been behind the rise and fall of governments, with some of Khans supporters suggesting there is de facto military rule in Pakistan and that democracy is under threat.

Kakar, who reportedly has close ties to the military, said those allegations are part and parcel of our political culture," to which he pays no attention. He called his governments working relationship with the military very smooth, as well as very open and candid.

"We do have challenges of civil-military relationships, Im not denying that, he said, but there are very different reasons for the imbalance. He said he believes, after one month leading the government, that civil institutions in Pakistan have deteriorated in terms of performance for the last many decades while the military is disciplined, has organizational capabilities and has improved over the past four decades.

The solution, Kakar said, is to gradually improve the performance of the civilian institutions rather than weakening the current military organization, because thats not going to solve any of our problems.

One major problem is Kashmir, which has been a flashpoint for India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in 1947. They have fought two wars over its control.

In 2019, Indias Hindu nationalist government decided to end the Muslim-majority regions semi-autonomy, stripping it of statehood, its separate constitution and inherited protections on land and jobs.

Kakar said India has sent 900,000 troops to Kashmir and its people are living in a large imprisonment with no political rights, in violation of the United Nations Charters right to self-determination and the resolution calling for a U.N. referendum.

While the world focuses on Ukraine, he said, Kashmir is a crisis which primarily has a wrong geography.

If Kashmir were in Europe or North America, would there still be what he called a callous attitude toward resolving it, he asked.

The most important player in this dispute is the Kashmir people," Kakar said. It is neither India or Pakistan, but the Kashmiri people who "have to decide about their identity" and their future.

India boasts of being the largest democracy, he said, but it "is denying the basic, democratic principle to have a plebiscite. ... So what sort of a democracy they are boasting about?

As for Pakistans relations with neighboring Afghanistan  which returned to Taliban rule in 2021 as the U.S. and NATO were withdrawing  Kakar said there are some serious security challenges from the Afghan side, pointing to the Pakistani Taliban, or TTP, the Islamic State and other extremist groups, who at times vie for influence with each other.

When asked whether the government had requested the Taliban to extradite the leadership and fighters from the TTP, he said they are in contact with authorities in Kabul, "but there is nothing specific which I can share with you.

The international community has withheld recognition of the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan.

Kakar said a meeting of regional leaders to discuss what incentives and changes of behavior the Taliban would need to make for recognition to be considered hasnt been finalized, but I think were heading toward that milestone.

He said the regional forum should try to find a unified approach, then try to get broader consensus and convey it to the Taliban.

Kakar was a little-known first-time senator from Pakistan's least-populated, least-developed province, Baluchistan, when he was tapped to be the caretaker prime minister.

Its a huge privilege, he said. I'm humbled. I feel I never deserved it. Its just a divine blessing.

By law, he cant contest the elections when hes interim prime minister, but Kakar said in the future he hopes to play a constructive political role in my society.

___

Edith M. Lederer, chief U.N. correspondent for The Associated Press, has been covering international affairs for more than 50 years.
This is the fourth story of a five-part series diving into the rise of the anti-vaccine political movement.

Vaccine skepticism has found a home in the post-pandemic GOP. And its not just related to the Covid shot.

Before 2020, polls showed little overall difference along partisan lines on issues related to vaccination, such as whether students should be inoculated against measles to attend public schools. But since Covid, Republican voters have diverged from everyone else.

A new POLITICO | Morning Consult poll, conducted as part of POLITICOs ongoing series about the rising anti-vax movement, shows Republican voters are less likely than Democrats or independents to say vaccines are safe for children. It also shows that as many Republicans now say they care more about the risks of vaccines than they do about the health benefits.

The survey results underscore that as the number of voters more doubtful of vaccines has risen  despite scientific evidence that theyre safe and effective  it has come almost exclusively from one political party. While opposition to more established vaccines is still far from a majority position among Republicans, significant numbers question their safety and say Americans shouldnt be encouraged to get them. And as GOP voters across the country consider whom to nominate for next years presidential race, the issue is playing out in unexpected ways in the primary.

Here are four key takeaways from the POLITICO | Morning Consult survey:

Concerns about vaccine safety spike among Republicans

A majority of voters overall see advantages to vaccination, though theres a large partisan divide on the question.

Among Democratic voters, 76 percent said they care more about potential health benefits than the potential health risks of vaccines. But among Republicans, its split evenly: 51 percent care more about the potential health risks, while 49 percent care more about the benefits.



Voters overwhelmingly think vaccines are safe for adults, with a combined 86 percent saying vaccines are very or somewhat safe for adults 18 and older.

But beneath the surface, the differences between parties are stark. Overall, 48 percent said vaccines are very safe, including 64 percent of Democratic voters but only 33 percent of Republicans. Nearly half of Republicans, 45 percent, said theyre somewhat safe  demonstrating that GOP skepticism around vaccines doesnt mean all-out opposition.

The parties diverge most on Covid

The chasm between the two parties is widest when it comes to the Covid shot in particular. The overwhelming majority of Democratic voters (91 percent) said Covid vaccines are very or somewhat safe for adults. But barely half of Republicans (52 percent) said the same.

Only 27 percent of Republicans said the Covid vaccine is very safe for adults  while nearly as many, 23 percent, said its very unsafe.



Republicans are also significantly more skeptical of efforts to encourage vaccination for Covid.

Asked whether Americans should be encouraged or discouraged to get the Covid vaccine, or whether Americans should be able to make their own decisions about it without the input of others, 64 percent of Democratic voters said Americans should be encouraged to get the shot, but only 26 percent of Republicans agreed. A majority of Republicans, 58 percent, said Americans should be able to make their own decisions without any input, but just 31 percent of Democrats said that.

Meanwhile, fewer Republicans than Democrats said they plan to get the newly released Covid booster shot, which became available earlier this month.

The partisan divide is smaller among parents

The difference between Democratic and Republican parents is smaller than for other groups  but its significant and appears to be growing.

Roughly four-in-five parents or guardians of children (79 percent) said they tend to follow a government-recommended vaccine schedule for their children, including 86 percent of Democratic parents, 74 percent of Republican parents and 71 percent of independent parents.



The POLITICO | Morning Consult survey is a current snapshot of public opinion on vaccines. Other polls demonstrate the breadth of the movement among self-identified Republicans. In 2016, according to Pew Research Centers polling, 82 percent of Americans  including 83 percent of Democrats and 79 percent of Republicans  said public-school students should be required to be vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella.

But earlier this year, Pews polling showed the overall number who thought the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine should be mandatory had dropped to 70 percent, with a large gap between the parties. Democrats held roughly steady over the seven-year period, at 85 percent. But the share of Republicans who thought the vaccine should be mandatory slid sharply, to 57 percent.

In the POLITICO | Morning Consult poll, respondents were similarly asked whether common childhood vaccines should be required to attend public school  but were offered a third option about whether exemptions should be offered for health and religious reasons. A slight majority of voters, 53 percent, said the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine should always be required, including 65 percent of Democrats, 47 percent of Republicans and 46 percent of independents.

Vaccine skepticism meets the 2024 campaign

The increased doubts about vaccines among Republican voters come as party leaders flirt with unproven or discredited claims about the shots safety. From former President Donald Trumps unfounded suggestions during the 2016 campaign that childhood vaccines could cause autism, to Ron DeSantis administration this month discouraging Floridians under the age of 65 from getting a Covid booster, political leaders in the GOP have tried to tap into the anti-vaccine elements of the party.

DeSantis in particular has sought to make the Covid shot one of his most significant divergences from Trump, whose administration led the vaccines swift development under Operation Warp Speed. But DeSantis attacks arent landing so far.

In fact, the Republican voters who are most uneasy about vaccines are more likely to vote for Trump than other candidates, despite his role in developing the Covid shot. A third of Trump-supporting Republicans (34 percent) said vaccines in general are unsafe for children under 18. Thats double the share of Republicans supporting one of his opponents in the primary, only 17 percent, who said most vaccines arent safe for kids.



And despite their ambivalence toward the shot, Republican voters hold up Operation Warp Speed as a success of Trumps administration. Among potential Republican presidential primary voters, 56 percent said the development of the Covid shot was a positive part of Trumps legacy, while only 10 percent said its a negative part of his legacy.



Meanwhile, as evidence that partisanship colors everything, Democratic voters are less likely to describe Operation Warp Speed as a positive part of Trumps legacy: Just 36 percent said it was, though only 17 percent said it was a negative part of his legacy.

The POLITICO | Morning Consult poll (toplines, crosstabs) was conducted Sept. 9-10. It surveyed 1,967 registered voters online and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. Results for subgroups, like for parents of children under 18 or voters who identify with a particular party, carry greater margins of error.


A 35-year-old Pasco man made his first appearance in court Friday afternoon to face accusations that he brutally abused his children until one of them died.

Edgar Casian-Garcia appeared by video link from the Franklin County jail Friday nearly seven months after he and his girlfriend were caught in Mexico.

Prosecutors have filed numerous charges against the couple, including aggravated first-degree murder which carries a mandatory life sentence in prison.

Hes also charged with two counts of first-degree child rape and three counts of first-degree assault of a child.

Deputy Prosecutor Maureen Astley asked that he be held without bail. She pointed to the seriousness of the charges and Casian-Garcias more than a year on the run from charges.

Defense attorney Michael Nguyen reserved asking for any lower bail until a later time.

Judge Sam Swanberg agreed to the no-bail hold.

Casian-Garcia is expected back in court in a week to enter a plea to the charges.

Edgar Casian, pictured here with his mother Maria Quintero was last seen in September 2020.

He and his girlfriend Araceli Medina are accused of a horrifying pattern abuse of Edgar Casian, 8, and his two sisters. Investigators say their heads were held underwater, they were cut with razor blades and scalding water was poured on one of them.

While they were living together, the couple tied up the children and left them in the bathroom, say investigators.

One time, in about October 2020, they tied up Edgar, laid him in the shower, put a surgical mask over his face, pointed the shower head at the mask, turned on the water and left, according to court documents.

When they returned, the boy was dead. But police wouldnt know he was missing until June 2021.

In November 2020, his sisters, ages 9 and 3 at the time, had showed up alone in Tijuana, Mexico. The older girl was unable to walk, eat or use the restroom without help.

Arrest warrants were issued for the couple in June 2021 after Pasco police finally learned about the girls. The charges were upgraded in February 2022 when Edgars body was discovered in a field near South Finley Road and Highway 397.

The couple, who were on the U.S. Marshals most wanted list, were arrested in Mexico in March 2023.

Median is continuing to be fight extradition from Mexico.

Murder and abuse

Casians mother Maria Quintero told the Herald in June 2021 that she called police and Washington state Child Protective Services several times after her ex-boyfriend took custody of their son and two daughters.

The three children had spent most of their lives with their paternal grandmother, according to court documents. Casian-Garcia and Medina took them in May 2020.

When the kids stopped attending online classes, a Barbara McClintock Elementary School teacher called CPS.

They were last seen in person when a Pasco police officer responded to a complaint about a no-contact order violation and vandalism at their Road 68 apartment. The children can be seen in the body camera footage.

Casian-Garcia told school officials that the children had moved to Vancouver, Wash., in September 2020, and then the next month the couple moved into a Pasco apartment, where the kids were reportedly abused.

Pasco police are asking for help to find Edgar Casian, 8. The last time the boy was seen by police was in September 2020.

A couple days after Edgar died in the shower, Casian-Garcia and Medina took the girls to Mexico and left them by the side of the road before returning to Pasco, say investigators.

After the girls showed up in Mexico, police went to Casian-Garcia and Medinas apartment and the couple told them that the children no longer lived with them and had been taken by Child Protective Services.

But state officials said they had never taken the children from the apartment.

The girls have since been returned to the United States.
A man who robbed a Richland bank last year was sentenced to 10 years and nine months in federal prison after pleading guilty on Wednesday.

Nelson G. Mejia Jr., 27, was scheduled to go to trial next month in Benton County Superior Court in Washington for the robbery of the Chase Bank at 2701 Queensgate Drive in south Richland.

The bank is across Duportail Street from Krispy Kreme in south Richland.

Richland police reported that a man had stood patiently in line behind other customers over the noon hour on Jan. 12, 2022. He was wearing a hoodie, baggy clothes a cloth face mask and muddy Nike Air Force 1 shoes.

When it was his turn to talk to a teller, he handed over a note on an index card. It said If you dont want to get shot give me all the money peacefully and no one will get hurt, according to court records.

The teller handed over just over $4,000.

He left the bank in a light-colored Honda Pilot that was believed to be stolen, according to police reports.

The Chase Bank branch on the corner of Duportail Street and Queensgate Drive in Richland was robbed Jan. 12, 2022.

He did not take the index card note with him, and three fingerprints on it matched Mejia, according to court records.

Police found the Honda Pilot parked in the area of A Street and Road 40 in Pasco.

Inside officers found a pack of index cards and a face mask that matched one worn during the robbery, according to court records.

Investigators said a muddy shoe print inside of the bank matched one outside of the car.

In the week after the holdup, police received several tips, including ones that linked Mejia to the robbery, according to court records. At the time, he had been arrested on a state Department of Corrections allegation in Franklin County for probation issues on some previous convictions.

When he was being booked into jail, police found a key for the Red Lion Inn. In the room they discovered $500 in cash. Investigators also learned Mejia had paid $1,800 in cash to buy a car for a family member on Jan. 13.

Mejia has previous convictions in Benton or Franklin counties for robbery, motor vehicle theft and second degree theft.

After serving his prison sentence for bank robbery, Mejia will be on parole for 18 months.

A charge of possession of a stolen vehicle was dismissed.
People wore red, white and blue clothing, waved American flags, held hands over their hearts and stood at attention as the hearse drove down West Main Street in Belleville on Saturday.

They were honoring Capt. Eleanor Ellie Cooke, formerly LeBeau, 29, a U.S. Marine pilot from Belleville who was killed in the crash of a hybrid aircraft in Australia last month.

Were here to pay our respects, said Jackie Caponi, 59, of Millstadt, formerly of Belleville. We dont know the family. We dont know anybody related to her. But its the patriotic thing to do.

Jackie Caponi and her daughter, Brandi Caponi, were standing next to a commercial building that Peggy and Jim Schifferdecker use for storage. Three Corvettes owned by the Schifferdecker family  one red, one white and one blue  were lined up in the parking lot.

The couples son, Erik Schifferdecker, had hung 10 large American flags around the buildings awning. He borrowed them from an Eagle Scout project that his brother, Mark Schifferdecker, had completed at Green Mount Cemetery.

You have to pay respect to those who make the ultimate sacrifice, and these days, I dont think theres enough of that (patriotism), said Erik Schifferdecker, 31.

The funeral procession traveled 7 miles, starting at Cathedral of St. Peter Catholic Church downtown and ending at Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery in west Belleville, where Cooke was buried with full military honors.

The route was lined with more than 1,000 American flags, which had been placed Thursday by volunteers with an OFallon-based nonprofit organization called The Flagmans Mission Continues. In some areas, lights flashed from firetrucks and other emergency vehicles.

Capt. Eleanor Ellie Cooke, formerly LeBeau, is shown with the dance team at Murray State University, left to right, as a U.S. Marine Corps pilot and at her wedding to fellow Marine Chase Cooke.

Cooke and two other Marines died on Aug. 27, when a MV-22B Osprey crashed on Melville Island, north of Darwin, Australia, while transporting troops during a routine training exercise.

Cooke attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic Grade School and Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville before going on to study at Murray State University and joining the Marines in 2018.

She brought joy, exuberance, and an abundance of love into the world, according to her obituary with George Renner & Sons Funeral Home.

Several hundred people attended Cookes visitation Friday afternoon and evening at Renner. That was followed by a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter, officiated by Monsignor Jack McEvilly.

The service was live-streamed on the St. Peter YouTube channel. Media wasnt allowed in the church at the familys request.

McEvilly alluded to heroic actions taken by Cooke during the Aug. 27 training exercise. This hasnt been discussed by the U.S. Marine Corps but was mentioned by Australian reporters last month. The U.S. government stated only that the crash was under investigation.

Normally, no one walks away from this kind of a plane crash, but instead, 20 people on board were saved, and it was because of what Ellie did, McEvilly said, adding that her selflessness was rooted in her strong family upbringing.

A soloist sang the hymn No Greater Love, which includes the lyrics, There is no greater love, says the Lord, than to lay down your life for a friend.

One of Ellie Cookes brothers and a Marine friend gave eulogies, speaking of her energy, enthusiasm, confidence, faith, hard work, bright smile, love of Christmas and devotion to her husband, Chase Cooke, and other family.

A stand holding Ellie Cookes American flag-draped casket stood in front of the sanctuary during the funeral service. At the end, it was rolled out as The Marines Hymn played over the sound system.

Firefighters salute as the funeral procession for U.S. Marine Capt. Eleanor Ellie Cooke, formerly LeBeau, goes under a giant American flag at Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Belleville on Saturday.

Earlier in the week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker directed Illinois agencies and organizations to fly U.S. and Illinois flags at half-staff from sunrise Thursday to sunset Saturday in honor of Cooke.

Tamara Vowell was standing across the street from Mt. Carmel on Saturday when the hearse turned into the cemetery, driving under a giant American flag hanging from firetruck ladders. She wanted to show support for her physician, Dr. David LeBeau, Cookes father.

(David LeBeau) helps the poor, and hes just a lovely, lovely person, said Vowell, 59, of Belleville. Im heartbroken for him and his family.

David and Victoria LeBeau had eight children.

Dozens of people lined the funeral procession route on Saturday, but Vowell and others commented that hundreds more would have shown up if not for rumors perpetuated on Facebook that Cookes family didnt want a crowd due to privacy concerns.

At 6 p.m. Friday and again on Saturday morning, the city of Belleville posted Facebook messages calling Cooke a true American hero and encouraging residents to come out and show their respect.

The City of Belleville expresses their sincere condolences to the LeBeau family and Ellies husband, Chase, during this difficult time, one of the messages stated.

Volunteers are needed to take down flags on Sunday. Those willing to help are asked to arrive at 1 p.m. in the parking lot east of St. Peter. The Flagmans Mission Continues also accepts donations.

Belleville Police Chief Matt Eiskant, third from left, and other officers stand at attention on West Main Street, near the entrance of Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery, where fallen U.S. Marine Capt. Eleanor Ellie Cooke, formerly LeBeau, was buried on Saturday.
The Pentagon said this week that its war aid to Ukraine will continue if Congress is unable to pass defense spending in the coming days and avert a shutdown of the federal government at the end of the month.

The aid is an "excepted" activity, meaning it is not dependent on lawmakers providing new funding for the Ukraine mission, called Operation Atlantic Resolve, after the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, according to Chris Sherwood, a Department of Defense spokesperson.

Pentagon training of Ukrainian troops and weapons shipments will continue into October even if the deep political divides among Republicans in the House, which torpedoed a Defense Department spending bill this week, do lead to a shutdown, which seemed increasingly possible on Friday.

Read Next: The Last Skirt Mandate in Marine Corps Has Been Nixed After Female Troops Advocated for Change

Ukrainian pilots are expected to arrive at Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona next month to begin their training on F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets, according to The Associated Press. The pilot training could last three months, and the military was set to move Ukraine to the front of the line, ahead of other international pilots.

President Joe Biden said Thursday that the first delivery of U.S. M1 Abrams tanks were expected to arrive in Ukraine next week as the country remains locked in a bitter war with Russia, which invaded in February 2022 hoping to quickly seize the former Soviet state.

More than 575 days later, Moscow's invasion has stalled in the eastern part of Ukraine, which has beaten back Russian forces with support from the U.S. and many other international allies, and recently launched a counteroffensive.

Russian President Vladimir Putin "thought he would break Ukraine," Biden said at a press conference. "He had underestimated the consequence of taking on the Ukrainian people."

The Defense Department announced a new shipment of aid to Ukraine on Thursday -- the 47th tranche sent by the Biden administration -- which included AIM-9M missiles for air defense; High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS; dozens of light tactical vehicles; ammunition; and other weapons.

The U.S. has donated $43.9 billion in aid to Ukraine since the beginning of the war.

But the support has come under increasing scrutiny among Republicans in the House, where political divisions are now also threatening to derail an annual Pentagon spending bill.

Efforts to pass the bill failed twice this week after a group of Republicans rebelled against House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. The breakdown raised the possibility of a shutdown when the fiscal year ends Oct. 1.

Officials at the Defense Department warned earlier this week that the shutdown could have imperiled the aid that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been advocating for throughout the conflict, according to reporting by Politico.

Zelenskyy visited Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon on Friday during a visit to Washington aimed at bolstering U.S. support of his war effort against Russia.

The announcement by the Pentagon that the Ukraine aid is shielded from any government shutdown has removed risk to those programs, but troops could still feel the pinch if Congress can't reach an agreement.

Typically, during a government shutdown, the military stops all activities except for what it deems essential to national security. During the shutdown in 2018, for example, the Pentagon canceled training for more than 100,000 National Guard members.

Defense department guidance on the shutdown said that "military personnel on active duty ... will continue to report for duty and carry out assigned duties." Those troops might not receive paychecks until after a shutdown is resolved unless Congress acts to ensure the pay continues to flow while the lights go out in other parts of the federal government.

On Thursday, Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters that, in the event of a shutdown, training would continue, but it could be affected by furloughs and the DoD's suspension of activities that are not "excepted" during a shutdown.

"Whether or not there were certain personnel that were not able to report for duty, for example ... that could have an impact on it," Ryder said.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: Odds of Shutdown and Missed Paychecks for Troops Grow Amid Chaos in the House
Vibrant reefs filled with colorful fish and seaweed just two years ago have been turned into a wasteland of crushed corals in the South China Sea and the Philippines says it has identified a culprit  Chinas shadowy maritime militia.

China has rejected the accusation, setting up another public disagreement with its neighbor over the flashpoint waterway.

Videos released Monday by the Philippine Coast Guard showed a vast patch of bleached corals along the Rozul (Iroquios) Reef and Sabina (Escoda) Shoal in the South China Sea, which are underwater features within the countrys internationally recognized exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Both reefs are near Palawan, the Philippines southwestern island chain fronting the South China Sea, but Beijing claims most of the large and strategic waterway as its own territory despite competing claims by neighbors and in defiance of an international ruling.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, the coast guard spokesman, said divers had carried out underwater surveys of the seabed and described visible discoloration that indicated deliberate activities meant to modify the natural topography of the terrain.

The continued swarming for the indiscriminate illegal and destructive fishing activities of the Chinese Maritime Militia in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal may have directly caused the degradation and destruction of the marine environment in the [West Philippine Sea] features, Tarriela said in a statement, referring to Manilas name for parts of the South China Sea within its jurisdiction.

Bleached coral fragments have piled up around Rozul (Iroquios) Reef, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. - Philippine Coast Guard/Facebook

Tarriela said between August 9 and September 11, the coast guard monitored 33 Chinese vessels within the vicinity of Rozul Reef and around 15 Chinese ships near Escoda Shoal.

The presence of crushed corals strongly suggests a potential act of dumping, possibly involving the same dead corals that were previously processed and cleaned before being returned to the seabed, Tarriela added.

The Philippine military last Saturday also accused Chinas maritime militia of massive destruction in the area.

Chinese authorities did not comment publicly on the accusations until Thursday when the foreign ministry was asked at a regular daily briefing about the destruction of the corals.

The relevant allegations of the Philippine side are false and groundless, spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters. We advise the Philippine authorities not to utilize fabricated information to stage a political farce.

Beijing claims indisputable sovereignty over almost all of the 1.3 million square miles of the South China Sea, as well as most of the islands and sandbars within it, including many features that are hundreds of miles away from Chinas mainland. That includes the Spratlys, an archipelago consisting of 100 small islands and reefs also claimed in full or part by the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

Over the last two decades China has occupied a number of reefs and atolls across the South China Sea, building up military installations, including runways and ports, which have not only challenged the Philippines sovereignty and fishing rights but also endanger the marine biodiversity in the highly contested resource-rich waterway.

Some of the atolls and islands that were built on saw sustained land reclamation take place, often with reefs being destroyed first and then built on.

China reclaimed land on Fiery Cross Reef in the western part of the Spratly Islands group and built a runway that was completed in 2018. - DigitalGlobe/ScapeWare3d/Maxar/Getty Images

In 2016, an international tribunal in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines in a landmark maritime dispute, which concluded that China has no legal basis to claim historic rights to the bulk of the South China Sea.

But Beijing has ignored the decision and continues to expand its presence in the waterway.

A wake-up call

The recent Philippine coastguard footage of broken and bleached coral is in stark contrast to just two years ago.

The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute said in a statement to CNN it had surveyed a portion of the Rozul (Iroquios) Reef in 2021 through an expedition funded by the countrys National Security Council on board M/Y Panata.

Videos and photos taken by the institute in 2021 showed the Rozul (Iroquios) Reef specked with red and purple colored corals with aquatic algae and moss lining the reef.

At that time, we found that the surveyed area had a reef ecosystem, with corals, benthic animals, fishes, seaweeds, and other marine organisms, it said, but stopped short on commenting on the current status of the reef since the latest information from the Philippine army and coast guard were beyond the purview of the institute.

That said, we are open to working with other agencies to validate and analyze the impacts of recent activities in the area. Situations like this emphasize the need for continuous monitoring and support for more Marine Scientific Research activities by Filipino scientists especially in the West Philippine Sea, it added.

The UP Marine Science Institute found vibrant corals in the Rozul (Iroquios) Reef in the South China Sea in May 2021. - UP Marine Science Institute

Signs of the marine degradation underscored the threats of coral harvesting in the territory, prompting several Filipino senators to raise suspicion over whether China has plans to militarize the atolls through reclamation, CNN affiliate CNN Philippines reported.

Its a wake-up call, said Gerry Arances, executive director of the Center for Energy, Ecology and Development (CEED).

The images have exposed the marine impacts of Chinas construction of island facilities in the waters, frequent militia vessel patrols and expansive commercial fishing, Arances said.

It surfaces a lot of weaknesses, in terms of monitoring, regulating, and overall protecting marine biodiversity, he said.

Western marine security experts, along with officials from the Philippines and the United States, have increasingly accused Beijing of using ostensibly civilian fishing vessels as a maritime militia that acts as an unofficial  and officially deniable  force that China uses to push its territorial claims both in the South China Sea and beyond.

Dubbed Beijings little blue men, Chinese fishing vessels have also been involved in clashes with fishing vessels from Indonesia and Vietnam in contested waters.

Last month, the Philippines said a clash between Chinese coastguard and Philippine vessels included at least two blue-hulled vessels that looked like fishing vessels.

There has been a collective failure internationally to respond to Chinas actions in the South China Sea, with regard to its militarizing the reefs and the shoals where China has, over a period of time, taken pristine marine features and turned them into concrete military bases and the collective response of much of the environmental advocacy groups has been silenced, said Ray Powell, director of SeaLight at the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation at Stanford University.

The Philippines growing calls for transparency on Chinas maneuvers in the disputed waters have enabled the country to garner international support from its allies to affirm its territorial sovereignty, Powell added.

At least two foreign ambassadors in Manila have expressed alarm over reports of destruction of marine resources in the South China Sea.

United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson described the reports on coral destruction around the reefs as troubling, according to a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Habitat damage harms ecosystems and negatively affects lives and livelihoods. We are working with our #FriendsPartnersAllies to protect [the Philippines] natural resources, she said on Monday.

Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa also described the development as very alarming news, as he urged everyone to protect these vital ecosystems.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the country has consistently raised the alarm over ecologically harmful activities, conducted by foreign vessels in its maritime zones.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte had attempted to forge closer ties with Beijing and made plans to cooperate on oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea, a move which divided Filipinos over the legitimacy of enabling Chinas ambitions in the disputed territory.

The grounded Philippine navy ship Sierra Madre, which Manila uses to stake its territorial claims at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea, as pictured on April 23, 2023. - Ted Aljibe/AFP/Getty Images

According to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, the Philippines occupies nine features in the Spratly chain while China occupies seven. But Beijing, which calls the island chain the Nansha Islands, has built up and fortified much of its claims in the chain, including building military bases on places like Subi Reef, Johnson Reef, Mischief Reef and Fiery Cross Reef.

By contrast, only one of the Philippine-controlled features even has a runway, namely Thitu Reef.

In 1999, the Philippines intentionally grounded a navy transport ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, on Second Thomas Shoal, manned by Filipino marines, to enforce the countrys claim to the area.

At Thursdays press briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson also referenced the Sierra Madre.

If the Philippine side is really concerned about the ecological environment of the South China Sea, it should tow away the warships illegally sitting on the Renai Reef as soon as possible and stop discharging sewage into the sea, and also to prevent irreversible damage to the sea caused by the warships that continue to rust, she said, using the Chinese name for the reef.

Under current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the countrys National Security Team began to publicize its findings about what was actually happening in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea more regularly, Powell said.

The Philippine governments transparency policy really earned it a lot of domestic support to push back and international support for its position, he said.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Each year, millions of travelers are drawn to Grand Canyon National Park.

Even though its widely photographed, nothing compares to seeing this natural wonder of the world in person.

Its sheer size (277 miles), as well as the marvel of its formation millions of years ago through erosion from the Colorado River, make it a special place.

And whether hiking or riding a mule to the bottom, or soaking in views along the rim, visitors are awed by its striking, steep walls of limestone, shale and sandstone rock.

Heres what travelers should know about the Grand Canyon, one of Americas most popular national parks and the latest in USA TODAYs yearlong series.

Evening colors and fresh snow on the Grand Canyon's North Rim, frame the Colorado River, which looks like a thin thread in this February 2019 file photo

Where is the Grand Canyon located exactly?

Nature's grand spectacle of towering red rocks lies along the Colorado River in northwest Arizona.

But not all of it is managed by the National Park Service. The park notes popular Havasu Falls and Grand Canyon Skywalk sit on tribal lands, and a portion of the canyon also extends into Kaibab National Forest.

The nearest major airport to the parks popular South Rim is Phoenix Sky Harbor International,

Thats upwards of 3.5 hours away by car. However, American Airlines offers service to Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, which is 1.5 hours away by car.

Rafters pause in a stretch of calm water on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon between the Granite Narrows and Deer Creek Falls rapids in this October 2017 file photo.

Which part of the Grand Canyon is closest to Las Vegas?

Grand Canyons West Rim is roughly 125 miles away from Las Vegas.

This part of the canyon lies within the Hualapai Indian Reservation, not the national park.

Admission to Grand Canyon West starts at $49. Access to the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass-bottom walkway that extends out over the canyon, costs extra.

Who are the Indigenous people of the Grand Canyon?

Eleven tribes are historically associated with the canyon, according to the park:

Dianna Sue White Dove Uqualla, Havasupai Tribe council member, during the "Native Voices of the Grand Canyon" program on August 5, 2023, at Shrine of the Ages on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Is North Rim as good as South Rim?

Both are beautiful.

The vast majority of people visit the South Rim, which is about 230 miles from Phoenix and is open year-round. It features stunning overlooks like Mather Point and Hopi Point and the parks most popular trail into the canyon, Bright Angel Trail.

The far-less-traveled North Rim is located about 350 miles from Phoenix. It also offers scenic vistas, as well as hiking and camping opportunities with fewer crowds. But services, lodging, campgrounds and restaurants are only available from mid-May to mid-October. North Rim roads are completely closed from December through mid-May.

Some of the most adventurous travelers brave the 21-mile Rim-to-Rim hike connecting the South and North Rims.

A backpacker looks at Thunder River emerging from a rock wall on Grand Canyon's North Rim in this October 2017 file photo.

Can you drive your car in Grand Canyon National Park?

Visitors who prefer to drive can take a 215-mile journey from North Rim Village to South Rim Village.

Theres also a scenic 23-mile drive, Desert View Drive, between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View in the South Rim.

The morning sun illuminates the Desert View Watchtower on the Grand Canyon's South Rim in this Feburary 2019 file photo. The 70-foot-tall building was erected in 1932 and inspired by the "architecture of the Ancestral Puebloan people of the Colorado Plateau," according to Grand Canyon National Park.

How much does it cost to stay at Grand Canyon National Park?

There is a $35 entry fee for private vehicles at the park. Entry passes are good for seven days.

Standard campsite fees start at $18 nightly. Backcountry camping costs $10 plus extra nightly fees depending on the number of campers and location above or below the canyon rim.

There are also several lodges in Grand Canyon Village and an RV park, managed by third parties whose rates range widely by season and venue. For example, a one-night stay for two adults and two children can cost under $100 at Bright Angel Lodge or Maswik Lodge in February and roughly $580 at El Tovar Hotel in June.

Free admission: When you can visit national parks for free this year

What is the best time to go to the Grand Canyon?

Spring and autumn months offer milder temperatures and fewer crowds than the summer, though fall weekends still see crowds. Winter can be serene, but visitors will need to be prepared for snowy weather and road closures.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Grand Canyon National Park lives up to its name. How to take it all in.
Poland Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to never insult Poles again after he suggested its neighboring country was putting on political theater over grain export disputes.

Zelensky made blanketed statements at the United Nations General Assembly earlier this week, claiming some of our friends in Europe have made a thriller from the grain. At a rally on Friday in Swidnik, Morawiecki hit back.

I want to tell President Zelensky never to insult Poles again, as he did recently during his speech at the U.N. Morawiecki said. The Polish people will never allow this to happen, and defending the good name of Poland is not only my duty and honor, but also the most important task of the Polish government.

Poland has stood as a close ally since Russias invasion of Ukraine, but the dispute has pushed the relationship to its lowest point since the beginning of the war.

Several nations in the European Nation have halted Ukrainian grain imports. In an effort to protect local farmers, the ban means Ukrainian grain would not be allowed to enter the markets of several EU countries, causing tension to escalate between the two leaders.

The EU said it was going to suspend the ban last week but Poland, Hungary and Slovakia said they would stick with it. The move sparked protests from Ukraine ahead of Zelenskys U.N. speech, including lawsuits.

The grain spat caused Polish President Andrzej Duda to compare Ukraines fight for survival against Russia to that of a drowning person, bringing down those who try to help.

Morawiecki followed up, saying the country would no longer be supplying weapons to Ukraine.

Zelensky arrived in the United States this week for his second wartime visit. He joined President Biden at the White House and visited Congress.

The Ukrainian president also made an appeal to Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who is struggling to pass a budget  that includes additional aid for Ukraine  before a looming government shutdown deadline.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Photo : David McNew/Getty Images)

CAMARILLO, CA - MAY 3: A man on a rooftop looks at approaching flames as the Springs fire continues to grow on May 3, 2013 near Camarillo, California. The wildfire has spread to more than 18,000 acres on day two and is 20 percent contained.

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has started procedures allowing property insurers to take climate hazards, notably wildfires, into account when establishing rate prices, which is a significant step toward addressing the mounting danger of climate change on property insurance.

This decision comes as a response to the increasing withdrawal of insurers from high-risk areas and the surge in the government's Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan, designed as a last-resort insurer, which has now garnered a 3% share of California's insurance market, as per The Washington Post.

California Takes on Climate Risks in Property Insurance Rates

Lara emphasized the urgent need for action: "We are at a major crossroads on insurance after multiple years of wildfires and storms intensified by the threat of climate change."

His actions align with an executive order from Governor Gavin Newsom, urging regulatory measures to expand coverage in underserved areas, factor in catastrophe risks when setting rates, and ensure the financial stability of the FAIR Plan.

The consequences of climate change have been felt acutely in California, with the state experiencing an increase in wildfires and hurricanes, leading to soaring property insurance rates.

Larger insurers have been hesitant to provide coverage in high-risk areas, attributing their decision to rising reinsurance costs, catastrophic loss expenses, and escalating costs of materials and labor for property repair and rebuilding.

The FAIR Plan, designed to fill the gap as an insurer of last resort, has witnessed a significant uptick in customers, with its market share reaching 3% since 2018.

To encourage insurers to return to high-risk zones, Lara has introduced a threshold equivalent to 85% of an insurer's statewide market share, requiring them to cover a proportionate number of homes in fire-prone areas.

The FAIR Plan and other higher-cost insurers would manage the remaining 15%. In exchange for this commitment, Lara has offered certain regulatory concessions, a move endorsed by the Personal Insurance Federation of California.

The existing rate approval process requires insurers to submit applications to the Department of Insurance, complete with supporting documentation, for any rate hikes. Consumer advocates also have the opportunity to intervene, adding transparency to the process.

These rules, established in 1988, have prevented insurance companies from passing on reinsurance costs to policyholders and limited rate hike requests to historical loss data. Under Lara's new regulations, insurers can employ catastrophe modeling that considers climate change projections and other dynamic factors when requesting rate increases.

Additionally, they will be able to incorporate reinsurance costs into rate filings, subject to their commitment to expand coverage and reduce the FAIR Plan's customer base. Lara has streamlined the process by accelerating rate approvals and allocating resources for increased staffing.

To enhance transparency, he will make intervenor filings public, facilitating greater participation from consumer advocates. While some consumer advocates have welcomed these changes, others, like Consumer Watchdog, have expressed reservations.

They voiced concerns about granting extraordinary powers to Commissioner Lara without adequate public input and pointed to his perceived close ties to industry lobbyists, according to Yahoo News.

Read Also: Alex Murdaugh Pleads Guilty to 22 Counts of Financial Fraud, Money Laundering for Stealing Millions of Dollars

Debate Arises Over Transparency and Costs in California's Insurance Policies

Harvey Rosenfield, the author of Proposition 103 and founder of Consumer Watchdog, questioned the proposed policies' potential impact on insurance costs, suggesting that insurers could manipulate forward-looking catastrophe models without sufficient transparency.

The debate also extends to reinsurance costs, which operate in an unregulated global market. Allowing companies to pass these costs on to consumers could create a loophole in California's stringent price control system.

Lara's transparency requirements for intervenors were applauded by consumer advocates, who have long called for greater transparency in the process. However, the absence of a written agreement with insurance companies raises questions about their commitment to the contract.

The complex challenge of balancing climate-related risk factors, reinsurance costs, and rate transparency in the insurance industry remains a topic of ongoing debate and scrutiny in California.

As the state grapples with the consequences of climate change, Commissioner Lara's actions represent a significant step towards addressing the evolving landscape of property insurance in a changing climate, Aol reported.

Related Article: SAG-AFTRA Strike: Hollywood Writers, Studios Close To Reaching Agreement, Ending Long Standoff

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Europes support for Ukraine faced an unexpected curveball this week as Poland  hitherto Kyivs staunchest ally on the continent  seemed to declare it would stop sending arms to its neighbor.

The move came after Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Warsaw for continuing to ban Ukrainian grain imports, and is the latest example of more confrontational behavior from Polands government toward Kyiv, just ahead of a tight general election in the country.

The political theater has raised a number of important questions, most important among them, will this be the moment that Europes steadfast resolve against Russias full-scale invasion finally cracks?

So how did a dispute over grain imports escalate into a diplomatic crisis? The European Union placed a temporary ban on grain imports from Ukraine in May, to avoid a bottleneck of cheap grain that risked undercutting farmers in Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. The EU suspended the ban last week, angering those countries, who vowed to keep restrictions in place, and in turn sparking protests from Poland.

Poland is weeks away from a national election on October 15 in which the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) is expected to suffer losses. Anyone who follows European politics will tell you that agriculture is incredibly important. Farmers are motivated political agents and citizens tend to care about food security, sometimes disproportionately and irrationally. And the PiS will need rural votes to remain in power.

It therefore makes sense that the Polish government would want to make a tub-thumping, headline-grabbing, nationalist gesture. However, this relatively marginal spat spiraled out of control on Tuesday when Zelensky told the UN general assembly: It is alarming to see how some in Europe, some of our friends in Europe, play out solidarity in a political theater  making a thriller from the grain.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki responded on social media the next day, saying: We no longer transfer weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming Poland.

Poland has since moved to walk back those comments, promising that it will still send weapons it has already committed to provide. Polish President Andrzej Duda has said his prime ministers words were interpreted in the worst possible way.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, pictured at the UN headquarters in New York City on September 20, 2023, has been caught in a diplomatic spat with Poland over a grain dispute. - Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, pictured on September 8, 2023, seemed to declare Poland would stop sending weapons to Ukraine, sending relations between both countries into a tailspin. - Wojtek Jargilo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The dispute raised important questions about European unity.

The first and most important point, however, is that no European officials seriously believe that there is about to be a dramatic change in policy when it comes to supporting Ukraine  especially from Poland.

This is all elections blabla farmers are a PiS constituency, says a senior European defense source. Poland will continue to provide arms to Ukraine. As long as it takes. I have no doubts about that, says a NATO official. Poles have a vital interest in Ukraine winning this war as otherwise they will be exposed to their arch enemy (Russia) directly, but they have to play muscles now because of the elections, says an EU official.

Despite the expectation that this is all noise aimed at a domestic audience, it is hard to overstate the level of anger at Poland.

A senior EU diplomat told CNN: Ukraine already offered Poland a solution on grain. Which is why theyre so pissed off at Poland. As are 24 member states who have been bullied for 18 months by Poland for not doing enough to support Ukraine.

This sentiment was echoed by sources at NATO, within the EU institutions and from national capitals across Europe.

The contempt is perhaps best characterized by one EU Commission official, who said: It needs to be seen in the context of the upcoming elections, the nationalist agenda of the current government and aggressive stances on the grain issue, migration and anything they see as a threat to national interests of Poland.

They also attack Brussels and the EU when it fits their agenda. Its a desperate effort to mobilize the voter  if you have no substance to offer then you start to create and blame an outside enemy to cover up for domestic policy failures.

The most serious takeaway from all of this is what it might mean for Ukraine in the long-term. The West is currently making a great effort to fold Ukraine into its institutions. The country is currently trying to join both the EU and NATO, for which it has unanimous support.

That support, however, already comes with caveats and conditions. Most EU member states accept that in order to accommodate Ukraine, there will need to be substantial reform to how the EU operates.

If Ukraine were to join as things stand, lots of the funding that currently goes to member states in the form of subsidies  including for agriculture  would instead go to Ukraine. Try selling that to Polish farmers.

The current EU structures would also give its newest member massive influence in the institutions, namely the parliament and council of member states.

When it comes to NATO, there are members of the alliance who dont love the idea of a country literally at war having access to the article 5 mechanism  the all for one and one for all trigger that impels allies to support one another.

For a military alliance, many of the NATO countries dont particularly like spending money on defense for themselves, let alone each other.

Polands arms tantrum allows countries who feel they have been strong-armed  not least by Poland  to support Ukraine can now legitimately push back on the wisdom of the West throwing so much support to a country that is not even in the alliance.

The final reason that officials across Europe are furious about this weeks events is that it hands Russian President Vladimir Putin a propaganda coup.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, when asked about the spat, used it to say there are certain tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv. We predict that these tensions will increase.

Russias misinformation war is often described by diplomats as a zero-sum game: what is bad for the West is good for Russia. Public spats between the West makes it easy to claim that the West is divided, and a divided West is certainly a good thing for the Kremlin.

CNNs Radina Gigova and Anna Chernova contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A police chief in the North Carolina mountains has been indicted on felony charges and suspended without pay, media outlets reported.

A Cherokee County grand jury on Sept. 18 indicted Andrews Police Chief Rocky Burrell on nine felony counts of obtaining property by false pretenses, The Cherokee Scout reported.

Thursday night, the Andrews Board of Aldermen suspended Burrell and appointed an interim chief , WLOS reported.

Burrell is being treated for cancer in an Atlanta hospital, Andrews Mayor James Reid told the station. Reid couldnt be reached for comment by The Charlotte Observer on Saturday.

It was unknown Saturday what the indictments allege. The documents will remain sealed until theyre served on Burrell, according to The Cherokee Scout.

The 44-year-old Burrell was appointed police chief on Aug. 2, 2021, WKRK reported at the time.

About 1,700 people live in Andrews, located in a valley in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The town is about 90 miles southwest of Asheville and 210 miles west of Charlotte.
The Orlando Police Department said they have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection to Fridays deadly shooting at an apartment complex on Mercy Drive.

The shooting happened at the Jernigan Gardens Apartments around 2:30 p.m.

According to a news release, police received reports of a large group of people fighting and shots fired in the courtyard.

Residents at the apartment also told Channel 9 that this started with a fight.

Read: 1 killed, 3 others injured in shooting at Orlando apartment complex, police said

In a social media video, a woman is thrown to the ground before more people engage in the brawl.

Then, nearly 20 rapid gunshots sent dozens of people running and ducking for cover.

After the shooting, police said they were sent on a car chase that ended nearly two miles away on Duncan Place and Old Winter Garden Road.

Photos: 3 people injured in shooting at Orlando apartment complex

Multiple people were shot Friday afternoon at an apartment complex in Orlando, sources told Channel 9.

Multiple people were shot Friday afternoon at an apartment complex in Orlando, sources told Channel 9.

Multiple people were shot Friday afternoon at an apartment complex in Orlando, sources told Channel 9.

Multiple people were shot Friday afternoon at an apartment complex in Orlando, sources told Channel 9.

Multiple people were shot Friday afternoon at an apartment complex in Orlando, sources told Channel 9.

There is a large police presence on Old Winter Garden Road near John Young Parkway.

There is a large police presence at an apartment complex on Mercy Drive in Orlando on Friday afternoon.

There is a large police presence at an apartment complex on Mercy Drive in Orlando on Friday afternoon.

There is a large police presence at an apartment complex on Mercy Drive in Orlando on Friday afternoon.

There is a large police presence at an Orlando apartment complex Friday afternoon.

There is a large police presence at an Orlando apartment complex Friday afternoon.

There is a large police presence on Old Winter Garden Road near John Young Parkway.

Three people were shot at an Orlando apartment complex on Friday afternoon. Police said they stopped a vehicle that fled the scene on Old Winter Garden Road.

Three people were shot at an Orlando apartment complex on Friday afternoon. Police said they stopped a vehicle that fled the scene on Old Winter Garden Road.

They said at least three people were inside the black Impala when they stopped it.

One of them with a gunshot wound was taken to the hospital and the others were detained by Orlando police.

Police said three of the people shot in this incident suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

But the fourth gunshot victim, identified as 22-year-old Macayla Queen Patterson, was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where she died.

Read: Orlando police have more eyes on the city, thanks to the cloud

Investigators said the suspect, Delray Shundale Duncan Junior, was arrested Friday on charges of attempted homicide and first-degree felony murder related to the shooting.

The police department said this is an open investigation, and anyone with information should call the non-emergency line at 321-235-5300 or contact Crimeline at 800-423-8477.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Pope Francis leaves at the end of a press conference on his flight back from Marseille to Rome, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. Francis just ended a two-day visit to Marseille where he joined Catholic bishops from the Mediterranean region on discussions largely focused on migration. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, Pool)

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP)  Pope Francis on Saturday labeled the weapons industry as being a key driver of the martyrdom of Ukraines people in Russias war, saying even the withholding of weapons now is going to continue their misery.

Francis appeared to refer to Polands recent announcement that it is no longer sending arms to Ukraine when he was asked about the war during brief remarks to reporters while returning home from Marseille, France.

Francis acknowledged he was frustrated that the Vatican's diplomatic initiatives hadn't borne much fruit. But he said behind the Russia-Ukraine conflict was also the weapons industry.

He described the paradox that was keeping Ukraine a martyred people  that at first many countries gave Ukraine weapons and now are taking them away. Francis has long denounced the weapons industry as merchants of death, but he has also asserted the right of countries to defend themselves.

Ive seen now that some countries are pulling back, and arent giving weapons, he said.

This will start a process where the martyrdom is the Ukrainian people, certainly. And this is bad. It was an apparent reference to the announcement by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawieck that Poland was no longer sending arms to Ukraine as part of a trade dispute.

We cannot play with the martyrdom of the Ukrainian people, Francis said. We have to help resolve things in ways that are possible.

Not to make illusions that tomorrow the two leaders will go out together to eat, but to do whatever is possible, he said.

In other comments, Francis spoke about his two-day visit to Marseille, where he exhorted Europe to be more welcoming to migrants.

Francis said he was heartened that there is greater consciousness about the plight of migrants 10 years after he made his first trip as pope to the Italian island of Lampedusa, ground zero in Europe's migrant debate. But he said the reign of terror they endure at the hands of smugglers hasnt gotten any better.

Francis recalled that when he became pope, I didnt even know where Lampedusa was. The Sicilian island, which is closer to Africa than the Italian mainland, is the destination of choice for migrant smugglers and has seen frequent shipwrecks off its shores. Last week, the island was overwhelmed when nearly 7,000 migrants arrived in one day, more than the resident population.

Francis, who was elected pope in 2013, said he had heard some stories about the problems on Lampedusa in his first months as pope and in prayer I heard You need to go there.

The visit has come to epitomize the importance of the migrant issue for Francis, who has gone on to make some memorable gestures of solidarity, including in 2016 when he brought back a dozen Syrian Muslim migrants on his plane after visiting a refugee camp in Lesbos, Greece.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Pope Francis will once again use his considerable platform to speak out against environmental damage across the globe.

After releasing an encyclical  a papal letter to all bishops in the Roman Catholic church  in 2015 in which he described how the Earth is beginning to look like an immense pile of filth, the Pope announced during his weekly general audience at the Vatican on August 30 that he will release a follow-up on Oct. 14.

As the Guardian noted, it will coincide with the feast day of the patron saint of the environment, Francis of Assisi.

The human environment and the natural environment deteriorate together; we cannot adequately combat environmental degradation unless we attend to causes related to human and social degradation, the Pope said in that 2015 release.

He used similar language in his August announcement, in which he called for an end to the senseless war on our common home, adding that climate injustice and damage to nature is a terrible world war.

In July, Pope Francis used his Angelus message in St. Peters Square to raise his concerns about the environment, calling on listeners and global policymakers to take urgent action regarding the warming climate.

His speech came amid flooding in South Korea and deadly heat waves all over the world.

Please, I renew my appeal to world leaders to do something more concrete to limit polluting emissions, he said, per Reuters. It is an urgent challenge, it cannot be postponed, it concerns everyone. Let us protect our common home.

Rising temperatures have been linked to extreme weather events worldwide. According to the Guardian, in the eight years since the Popes first encyclical address, there have been more severe hurricanes, more frequent wildfires, and more intense heat waves that have lasted longer across the world.

Environmental damage such as pollution and deforestation are significant contributors to global heating, which is linked to each of these extreme weather events.

Hopefully, the Popes next environmental plea will be as powerful, if not more, than the last one. According to Reuters, the Popes 2015 encyclical made an impression at that years Paris climate conference, with former U.S. secretary of state John Kerry saying it had a profound impact. Goals to limit global heating were later mapped out at the conference.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis holds a news conference aboard the plane as he returns to the Vatican following his apostolic journey to Hungary

By Philip Pullella

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (Reuters) - Pope Francis suggested on Saturday that some countries were "playing games" with Ukraine by first providing weapons and then considering backing out of their commitments.

Francis made his comments aboard the plane returning from a trip to the French port city of Marseilles. He was responding to a reporter's question about whether he was frustrated that his efforts to bring about peace had not succeeded. He has sent an envoy, Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, to Kyiv, Moscow, Washington and Beijing to meet with leaders there.

He said he did feel "some frustration" and then began talking randomly about the arms industry and the war.

"It seems to me that the interests in this war are not just those related to the Ukrainian-Russian problem but to the sale of weapons, the commerce of weapons," he said.

"We should not play games with the martyrdom of this people. We have to help them resolve things ... I see now that some countries are moving backwards, not wanting to give (Ukraine) arms. A process is starting in which the martyr certainly will be the Ukrainian people and that is an ugly thing," he said.

Asked for a clarification, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pope was not taking a stand on whether countries should continue to send weapons to Ukraine or stop sending them.

"It was a reflection on the consequences of the arms industry: the pope, with a paradox, was saying that those who traffic in weapons never pay the consequences of their choices but leave them to be paid by people, like the Ukrainians, who have been martyred," Bruni said.

A number of countries, including the United States, face internal political pressure to stop or curtail spending on weapons sent to Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy appealed to U.S. lawmakers on Thursday for continued support amid doubts by some Republicans over whether Congress should approve more aid.

Francis has condemned the international arms trade in general but said last year that it is morally legitimate for nations to supply weapons to Ukraine to help the country defend itself against Russian aggression.

(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Josie Kao and David Gregorio)
San Diego is closing part of one of its most popular tourist beaches for seven years.

The closure on Point La Jolla and parts of Boomer Beach comes after sea lions faced harassment.

Visitors to the beach threw sand at sea lions, kicked them, and invaded their spaces.

After countless negative interactions between humans and sea lions, San Diego is closing one of its most popular beaches for seven years.

The San Diego City Council on Monday unanimously approved the closure of Point La Jolla and parts of adjacent Boomer Beach year-round until 2030, according to a statement from the city.

The new ordinance is an amendment to a previous permit that closed the beach from May to October for "pupping season," when mothers and newborn sea lions bond, nurse, and learn to swim, per the city's statement.

Earlier this year, the California Coastal Commission supported the amendment.

The city statement explained the closure was to protect both beach visitors and the sea lions.

"Members of the public have been observed trying to touch, take selfies, and get as close to sea lions as possible," the statement said. "These interactions are not only dangerous for both humans and wildlife, it may be a violation of the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act."

La Jolla, a hotspot for wildlife, is a relatively unique place for pupping since sea lions usually give birth on islands or near isolated cliffs, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The area is famous for sea lions because it provides rocky ledges, beaches, and abundant prey in the surrounding underwater canyons, according to the La Jolla Light,

It's also uniquely public for the animals, leading to sometimes disastrous interactions between humans and sea lions.

In 2021, per the San Diego Union-Tribune, a sea lion pup died at La Jolla Cove after being backed toward a cliff by a group of people and injured by waves repeatedly striking the rocks.

One Sierra Club docent who spoke to the Tribune said she had seen "a visitor kicking the sea lions to get them to lift their heads for a photo" and called the beach environment "chaos."

The city council's decision comes after a challenging summer for sea lions. In addition to continued harassment from tourists and beachgoers, southern California sea lions were devastated by the impacts of a toxic algal bloom, which caused unpredictable behavior and death.

The city of San Diego and the California Coastal Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Insider
LONDON  In July 1995, Tony Blair was so popular in Britain that he was considered prime minister-in-waiting a full two years before his crowning election. Yet, he still thought it necessary to fly 25 hours to the other side of the world to make his case to one man: Rupert Murdoch.

Blairs trip to Hayman Island, an Australian resort off the Great Barrier Reef  and return to London the next day  is emblematic of the singular, and critics would say pernicious, sway Murdoch has held over leaders in Britain and in his native Australia for decades.

I wouldnt have been going all the way around the world if it hadnt been a very deliberate and, again, very strategic decision that I was going to go and try and persuade them, Blair told a 2012 public inquiry into media ethics, recalling his Hayman Island trip where he addressed the media moguls News Corp. conference. The minimum objective was to stop them tearing us to pieces, and the maximum objective was, if possible, to open the way to support.

News Corp Chairman and CEO Murdoch and former British Prime Minister Blair depart a news conference in Washington (Kevin Lamarque / Reuters file)

After Murdoch, 92, announced Thursday that he would step down as chairman of Fox Corp. and News Corp., much of the debate in the United States has been over the influence Fox News has had on American politics, one that Media Matters, a liberal watchdog group that monitors conservative media, called a legacy of deceit, destruction, and death.

But long before he turned his attention to U.S. broadcasting, he had grown a modest Australian newspaper business into a print empire that bitterly divided opinion from Canberra to London. Murdochs domain also included a 39% controlling stake in the British broadcaster Sky, before it was bought by NBC News parent company, Comcast, in 2018.

The divisions are bitter and polarized. Supporters herald his love for journalism and credit him with saving the British newspaper industry by smashing powerful print unions in the mid-1980s.

Hes got inky fingers; he loves newspapers, said Guto Harri , who worked for Murdoch as the director of communications and corporate affairs for News U.K., the publisher of The Sun, The Times and Sunday Times, between 2012 and 2015.

He will have been in the office earlier than you in the morning, said Harri, who was also a senior press adviser to Boris Johnson, first when he was mayor of London and later as prime minister. He will have read all the days newspapers, and then he would just start wandering round the building asking people questions, whether that was the editorial staff, finance or people who drove the delivery trucks. He was across the whole thing.

Rupert Murdoch, Publisher of the National Star, 1975 (Naomi Lasdon / Newsday RM via Getty Images file)

Critics believe Murdoch debased rather than rescued the industry: The phone-hacking scandal, which saw the voicemails of hundreds of high-profile people intercepted by journalists, and eventually led to the shuttering of his News of the World tabloid in 2011; the topless Page 3 girls who adorned The Sun until 2015; and a general disregard for press ethics, privacy and accuracy.

I see absolutely no upside to Murdochs years in the U.K., said Steven Barnett, a communications professor at Londons University of Westminster. I think hes undermined journalistic standards, said Barnett, a Murdoch critic who is on the board of Hacked Off, a group set up after the phone-hacking scandal that campaigns for press regulation.

He added that Murdoch had overseen a culture of disinformation, bullying, misogyny, homophobia and racism and having an entirely negative impact on British culture and British democracy.

Asked for comment on the criticism against Murdoch, News Corp. pointed NBC News toward this line in Murdochs Thursday statement: Elites have open contempt for those who are not members of their rarefied class. Most of the media is in cahoots with those elites, peddling political narratives rather than pursuing the truth.

Rupert Murdoch with his son Lachlan Murdoch in New York in 2015. (Evan Agostini / Invision / AP file)

Few who encountered Murdoch deny he was a big, bad b------, as Blairs spin doctor and media enforcer Alistair Campbell wrote in his memoirs, The Blair Years, recalling a conversation between his former boss and then-Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating.

In Australia, Murdoch owned more than half the countrys newspapers.

Back home, many revere what is easily the countrys most successful and influential global business story. He has been in lots of ways a controversial figure, but an influential figure too, Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers told ABC, the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

But there are plenty others, including former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who said Friday that Murdoch had done enormous damage to the democratic world  particularly the U.S.  and accused him of peddling anger-tainment.

In the U.K., the correlation between Murdochs blessing and political power is so striking that The Sun, one of the most read papers in Britain, has had a 100% record of backing winning candidates since 1979. The apotheosis of this came after the ruling Conservative Party won the 1992 general election when many had predicted defeat. The Suns front page declared Its The Sun Wot Won It the next day, following years of ridiculing the opposition Labour Party.

Murdochs supporters say its entirely proper for prospective rulers to make their case to newspaper proprietors and editors, who represent millions of readers and thus the views of the country. Critics believe these tycoons are often advocating for their own interests, not those of their readers.

While Blair has always denied he had an unspoken agreement with Murdoch, one of his special advisers, Lance Price, wrote in his book Where Power Lies: Prime Ministers v the Media that a deal had been done, although with nothing in writing, which ensured that if Murdoch were left to pursue his business interests in peace, he would give Labour a fair wind.

The anxiety over Murdochs controlling influence has waned, alongside the decline of newspaper dominance and the rise of social media. But few believe his handing chairmanship to his older son, Lachlan Murdoch , will mean hes out of the picture entirely.

Hes made it pretty clear that hes going to be keeping a beady eye on junior, so the idea of him stepping away and letting Lachlan run the show entirely as he wants to is Im afraid for the birds, said Barnett at the University of Westminster.

Its basically about money, its about self-enrichment and enrichment for the company, he said. And I suspect that he will be quite happy to keep steamroller over any sense of journalistic ethics that might interfere with that.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
There is a significant lack of decorum and respect in this country, and it emanates from the top  Washington D.C.  down to middle America.

Some think rudeness, divisiveness and lack of class don't matter or at least don't matter enough to be concerned by it. I disagree. It is indicative of a bigger problem and one that should be addressed.

Let's take the recent rule change in the U.S. Senate chamber regarding its dress code for the floor of the Senate.

Alicia Preston Xanthopoulos

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-New York, announced this week that the sergeant-at-arms will no longer enforce rules that require men to wear suits. (There are rules, or were, for women as well.) The unspoken yet well-known reason, is to accommodate Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, and his penchant for wearing shorts and hooded sweatshirts while performing his duties. He famously would stand in doorways of the Senate chamber to vote, rather than go put on a suit and join his colleagues on the floor. Doesn't anyone else find that disrespectful to the people who elected him that he refuses to do something so mundane as wear a suit when representing the people of Pennsylvania and America? Refuse to join the body and do the job you were hired to do, are paid to do, because you want to dress like a slob? I can say that because after this decision, he acknowledged such stating, "Like, aren't there more important things we should be working on right now instead of, you know, that I might be dressing like a slob?

Like," yes senator, there are much more important things a Senator should be concerned with than his preferred wardrobe, so put on a suit and do your job.

Many say, who cares? There are more important things. While that is true, what if the inability of Congress to get anything done is completely intertwined with small things such as this? The overall lack of respect for the institution in which they serve.

Lets not forget, lots of jobs of less stature have dress codes. Restaurants, cell phone stores, car dealerships  many have dress codes, some have actual uniforms. It's a deal you make when you take the job. Fetterman isn't above this, and Schumer shouldn't have lowered the standards of our U.S. Senate to accommodate someone who took a job and broke the rules he agreed to when taking it.

Let's be honest, we've lowered our standards in this country as a whole, in part because the people who should be role models have lowered our expectations for acceptable behavior.

Take Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, and her most recent newsworthy activity of participating in a mutual grope-fest with a date at a theater performance of Beetlejuice in Colorado. She's caught on tape vaping in the theater, taking disrupting flash-photographs, being generally loud and obnoxious even after being asked to stop, and once kicked out she's seen on camera flipping off the ushers who escorted her out. After denying it all, until video came out, she issued a weird apology about her "eccentric" personality and later joked about it. She didnt care about how classless she appeared, she didnt care about her disregard for her fellow theater goers or the Coloradans she represents and what an unserious person she presented herself to be. She's a U.S. congresswoman for goodness sakes. If she has no self respect, she should at least respect the serious role she took to represent the people of her district.

Well, so what, right? People dress how they want, behave how they want, as long as they do their job it's irrelevent. I don't agree, because the entire concept of accepting lack of decorum and respect, as opposed to requiring it, is preventing them from actually doing their jobs.

This lack of reverence for the institutions they represent was on full display during this weeks House Judiciary Committee hearing. Questioning Attorney General Merrick Garland regarding Hunter Biden investigations, Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who is just too darn hip to wear a suit jacket while chairing one of most prestigious bodies in Washington, repeatedly yelled at, mocked, and condescended to Garland. It was rude and classless. You don't have to like Garland and you don't have to respect him as a person, you should, however, respect the office he holds and the office you hold, by not acting like a schoolyard bully.

This is a perfect example of how this lack of decorum prevents them from doing their jobs. They are supposed to be fact-finding on whether the Department of Justice is properly doing its job. If they wanted to actually find any facts, they would've let the attorney general answer questions rather than repeatedly interrupt and berate him! As a Republican and an American, I found the whole show an embarrassment. That's not a functioning government. Governments cant properly function without civility.

Something as simple as a dress code on the Senate floor is about much more than a wardrobe, its about the level of regard and esteem our elected officials have for their chamber, our country and those they are elected to represent.

When Ronald Reagan was president, he would never walk into the Oval Office without a suit and tie on, day or night. That was his nod to the respect he had for that office. Coincidentally, during his tenure, he could work with political adversaries in Congress and they worked with him, to get things done for the people of the nation and we were respected around the world. I guess what I'm saying is, that may not be a coincidence after all.

Alicia Preston Xanthopoulos is a former political consultant and member of the media. Shes a native of Hampton Beach where she lives with her family and two poodles. Write to her at PrestonPerspective@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Preston Xanthopoulos: Lack of decorum is a symptom of DC dysfunction
(Photo : JAM STA ROSA/AFP via Getty Images)

An aerial view taken on March 9, 2023 shows Philippine ship BRP Sierra Madre grounded on Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. - As a Philippine Coast Guard plane carrying journalists flew over the Spratly Islands in the hotly disputed South China Sea, a Chinese voice issued a stern command over the radio: "Leave immediately."

Manila is currently exploring legal avenues to address its concerns regarding China's alleged destruction of coral reefs within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the disputed South China Sea.

The Philippines has accused Beijing of causing environmental damage at Iroquois Reef in the Spratly Islands and is assessing the extent of this damage, as per Reuters.

Philippines-China Tensions Rise Over Environmental Damage Claims

Tensions between Manila and Beijing have escalated throughout the year, with the Philippines accusing the Chinese coastguard of engaging in dangerous maneuvers around Second Thomas Shoal, known as Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines.

China claims the entire South China Sea under its controversial nine-dash line, disputed by several neighboring countries, including the Philippines. In 2012, China took control of Scarborough Shoal from the Philippines after a protracted standoff, prompting Manila to pursue legal action with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague.

The PCA ruled in favor of the Philippines in 2016, declaring that the nine-dash line and China's resulting claim had no legal basis. However, China disregarded the court's decision. Now, the Philippines is considering renewed legal action, including potentially approaching the PCA, over the environmental damage caused.

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra announced these intentions, and the Department of Foreign Affairs has pledged to support any action taken by Guevarra's office. The Philippines highlights the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which obliges states to protect and preserve the marine environment. China is also a signatory to UNCLOS.

Under this law, a country's EEZ extends 200 nautical miles from its coast, and the Iroquois Reef is approximately 128 nautical miles from the Philippines' Palawan province. Teresita Daza, a spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that the obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment applies to all maritime areas, including those within and beyond a country's jurisdiction.

Daza stated, "States entering the Philippines' EEZ and maritime zones, therefore, are obliged to protect and preserve our marine environment," according to Al Jazeera

Read Also: Russia Strikes Power Facilities Across Ukraine With Missiles as Zelensky Urges UN To Strip Moscow's Veto Power

Seabed Damage Raises Concerns at Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal

The Philippine coastguard has reported "extensive" damage to the seabed around Iroquois Reef, an area believed to be rich in oil and gas deposits, and at Sabina Shoal, located about 72 nautical miles northwest of Palawan. Recent surveys have indicated that the marine ecosystem in these areas appears lifeless, with China's alleged illegal and destructive fishing activities suspected as the cause.

In response to the allegations, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Mao Ning, rejected the claims and urged the Philippines to refrain from creating political drama. She suggested that the Philippines should tow away the Sierra Madre, a ship grounded by Manila at Second Thomas Shoal nearly 25 years ago, to assert its claim to the waters.

The Philippines' potential legal action against China would mark its second such action concerning South China Sea disputes, following its 2016 victory at the PCA. However, China did not acknowledge the PCA ruling.

The South China Sea remains contentious, with multiple countries, including Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Brunei, challenging China's territorial claims. Recent developments have seen rising tensions between the Philippines and China.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. strengthened his country's defense alliance with the United States, diverging from the approach taken by his predecessor, who sought closer ties with China. The situation in the South China Sea continues to evolve, with legal avenues being explored to address complex territorial and environmental disputes, WION via MSN reported.

Related Article: Philippines: Netizens Share Photos, Videos of Taal's 'Vog'

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Duke of Sussex is said to have asked to stay at Windsor when visiting the UK in September - Jerry Perez/Avalaon

The Duke of Sussex must give due notice if he wishes to stay on a royal estate, The Telegraph understands, after he was denied a room at Windsor Castle earlier this month.

The Duke flew to London for the WellChild Awards, an annual charity event that this year fell on the eve of the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth IIs death.

Having established that it would be impossible to see his father due to their diary commitments and because the King was at Balmoral, the Duke asked if he could instead stay at Windsor Castle.

The arrangement would have enabled him to easily visit his grandmothers resting place at St Georges Chapel, Windsor, the following day, which he also asked if he could do.

The visit was the Dukes first since the Sussexes were evicted from Frogmore Cottage, their former Windsor home. It means they are now homeless when on UK soil and must ask permission from Buckingham Palace to stay on one of the royal estates.

Royal sources have stressed that such provision will be made where possible but that the palace must be given suitable warning of any such visit.

The Duke is next expecting to be in the UK in January, when his claim against News Group Newspapers, the publisher of The Sun, for alleged unlawful information gathering is due to be heard at the High Court.

The Dukes office first contacted Buckingham Palace after confirming his attendance at the WellChild Awards.

It said the Duke would love to see his father and stay with him if at all possible.

However, he was told he would have to put in a formal request. It is unclear whether the King was aware of such correspondence.

The Dukes team duly sent specific details and timings of his trip. He had only a small window of 24 hours in the UK before he flew to Germany for the Invictus Games.

The palace is understood to have responded, explaining that the King would be at Balmoral on the relevant dates but that the Duke was more than welcome to join him there.

Such a meeting would have allowed father and son an opportunity to catch up, face to face, for the first time in months.

But both sides acknowledged that it was simply not feasible given the timings. The Duke would have had to have flown to Scotland by helicopter or private jet and even then would have had minimal, if any, time with his father.

The Dukes office then asked if it was possible to be given accommodation in Windsor  or indeed anywhere else  but is said to have done so too late and that it was deemed impossible to arrange.

As such, he was forced to stay in a hotel for the night  which, having been stripped of his police protection, added a complicated security element.

The Duke was, though, allowed to visit the late Queens grave  a private excursion that became public knowledge when a member of the public took a photograph of him leaving the chapel.

The late Queen is buried alongside her husband, the late Duke of Edinburgh; her mother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother; her father, King George VI, and her sister, Princess Margaret, at the King George VI Memorial Chapel inside St Georges Chapel.

The Duke was joined at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf by the Duchess of Sussex, where they were warmly applauded by the crowd.

At the event, he made a speech saying people should not be judged by their past pain.

The Duke is not thought to have fully reconciled with his family during his visits to the UK for state events, such as the late Queens funeral and the Kings Coronation, after the incendiary allegations contained in his autobiography Spare, which was published earlier this year.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher James McArthur reacts after striking out Houston Astros' Kyle Tucker in the ninth inning to end a baseball game Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Houston. The Royals won 7-5. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

HOUSTON (AP)  Cole Ragans gave up three hits and two runs over six strong innings and the Kansas City Royals used two big innings to defeat Houston 7-5 on Friday night, knocking the Astros out of first place in the AL West.

Houston, which has lost seven of its last 10 games, dropped a half-game back of the Texas Rangers in the division. Houston, 39-40 at home this season, holds a half-game lead for the final AL wild-card spot over the Mariners with eight games remaining. The Rangers beat the Mariners 8-5 on Friday night.

Its very frustrating, Houston manager Dusty Baker said. The guys are a little frustrated, but we are still in a good position.

The Royals jumped on Framber Valdez for four runs in the first. Bobby Witt Jr. hit an RBI triple, and M.J. Melendez, Edward Olivares and Nick Loftin also drove in runs.

The Royals tacked on three more in the sixth on an RBI groundout by Nick Pratto and a two-run single by Kyle Isbel for a 7-2 lead.

Really big part of that game was Pratto getting the ball in play and Izzy getting the ball in play against Valdez, whose been really tough on lefties, Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said.

Ragans (7-4) struck out five and walked four.

I had a few walks, made some pitches when I needed to make a pitch, Ragans said. Offense was relentless once again and giving me a four-run cushion there early helps me settle down. Good team win.

He allowed five runs in six innings against the Astros last Saturday.

Cole, thats pretty impressive, Quatraro said. Two starts in a row against this team as hes emerging in his big league career and to battle the way he did. They made him work. He had good stuff. He wasnt getting as much swing and miss, but he executed some pitches when he really needed to, and that was really impressive.

James McArthur pitched the final 1 2/3 innings for his second save as Kansas City won for the eighth time in its last nine games.

Yordan Alvarez hit an RBI double in the first, and Jose Abreu hit a solo home run in the second.

Chas McCormick hit a three-run home run in the eighth to cut the lead to 7-5, but after Jose Altuve singled to put runners on the corners with two outs, Jeremy Pena flew out to end the threat.

Houston finished 2 for 13 with runners in scoring position.

It was a frustrating night because we had opportunities, Baker said. I dont know how many, but I know we had quite a few, we just didnt pick up the RBIs, which I talk about all the time."

Valdez (12-11) surrendered seven runs  six earned  on four hits with 10 strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. He also walked three and hit two batters.

Winning, Valdez said through a translator when asked about the mindset of the team. Try to continue winning and try to continue battling. Thats the priority.

TRAINERS ROOM

Royals: C Salvador Perez (concussion) cleared his concussion protocol and worked out on Friday, Quatraro said. Perez can be activated off the 7-day concussion injured list on Sunday.  LHP Daniel Lynch IV (left shoulder strain) threw two scoreless innings in his first rehab start Thursday with Triple A Omaha. Lynch did well and will go to Arizona to do a progression, Quatraro said.  LHP Austin Cox (left knee sprain) had successful surgery Thursday, Quatraro said.

Astros: RHP Ryne Stanek (right ankle sprain) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list. RHP Joel Kuhnel was optioned to Triple A Sugar Land to make room on the active roster.  OF Michael Brantley was out of the lineup for a fourth straight game Friday with right shoulder soreness.

FIRST ROUND PICKS THROW OUT FIRST PITCHES

Houston Rockets first round draft picks Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore threw out the ceremonial first pitches Friday.

UP NEXT

Astros RHP J.P. France (11-5, 3.84 ERA) starts Saturday in the second game of the three-game series opposite Royals RHP Jordan Lyles (4-17, 6.43 ERA).

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Reintegration Minister Iryna Vereshchuk urged Ukrainians to leave Russian-occupied Crimea until it is liberated from Russian occupation.

I once again urge Ukrainians, if possible, to leave Crimea. It is advisable to wait for the peninsula's liberation, (for it to be) in Ukraine-controlled territory, or (in that of) third countries, she said in a Telegram post on Sept. 23.

It is unclear how many Ukrainians live under Russian occupation in Crimea.

The announcement follows several attacks on Crimea. The Ukrainian military has claimed responsibility for some of those attacks.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported on Sept. 22 that a Ukrainian missile strike on Sevastopol in Russian-occupied Crimea damaged the Russian Black Fleet's headquarters.

Read also: Uncertain Triumph: Ukraine picks apart Russias best air defenses in Crimea

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
He will negotiate a better deal. He will commit the UK to aligning itself with EU rules. And he will secure greater access to the European market for British businesses.

As he begins to reveal possible manifesto policies, the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer keeps referencing his disapproval of the current Brexit deal. But he is kidding both himself, and the electorate, if he believes he can improve on it.

Reopening negotiations with Brussels would create even greater uncertainty for business. It would threaten our achievements to date, while wasting huge amounts of time and political capital on a failed project.

What we know thus far of Starmers economic programme appears very flimsy indeed.

The shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has ruled out major tax increases and has tucked plans for a 28bn a year green industrial strategy safely behind the back of the sofa.

The recent promise to hand more powers to the bean counters at the OBR could act as a fiscal straight-jacket that will rule out any space for radicalism.

There is not much confidence in shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves' economic plans - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Europe

But Labour appears determined to reset our relationship with the European Union.

In interviews last Sunday, Sir Keir Starmer argued that the existing deal was too thin, and pledged that he would negotiate a far better deal when the current package comes up for review in 2025.

Perhaps we shouldnt be surprised that the man who as shadow Brexit secretary contrived to frustrate our departure from the EU now wants to move us closer to the bloc. At a conference for progressive leaders in Canada just this week, he promised to scrap any plans for regulatory divergence.

It is undoubtedly true that many companies have voiced complaints about the extra red tape involved in doing business with the rest of the continent since Brexit.

And even though it continues to decline as a percentage of the UKs overall exports, the EU remains a major trade partner for this country. A few more multinational companies might be willing to reconsider investing in the UK were we to secure better access to the EU market.

But associate membership, perhaps by another name, will be the first big mistake made by a Starmer government, worsening further our economic outlook. Heres why.

What associate EU membership could mean for Britain

First, it will bog his administration down in endless negotiations. If there is one lesson to be drawn from the tortured, protracted process of leaving the EU, it is surely that talking about a deal is far harder than agreeing one.

At a time when his government will be facing immense pressure to fix the NHS, to pay public sector workers more, to keep the deficit under control and to meet its unrealistic green promises, Starmers government will be distracted by trying to work its way through protocols and trading standards with officials from Brussels.

Would the now-defunct Department for Exiting the EU be brought back to life? Would yet more civil servants be hired to cope with the challenge of renegotiation?

Next, businesses will again be forced to operate in an unstable environment. Many companies may regret that we left and might have preferred if we had remained in the Single Market and the Customs Union. But most are adapting.

Overall exports to the EU have barely changed since we left, and were up by 500m in the latest month for which we have figures. What they really need right now is certainty. A fresh round of negotiations with the EU will only undermine that.

Third, Brussels is a notoriously tough negotiator. Any plea for minor concessions could mean making big sacrifices of our own. Negotiations work both ways. And as soon as Sir Keir starts asking for a new deal, the EU will present demands of its own. Perhaps significant budget contribution. And some tougher rules to stop the City competing with Paris and Frankfurt.

It will be a long list, and the UK will have to concede on some of it to get anything out of the talks. What would a better deal look like?

Finally, it could mean rowing back on progress already made. In many areas, we have failed to take full advantage of Brexit. The Retained EU Law Bill is insufficiently ambitious. There has been no bonfire of red tape. Immigration is not controlled.

But we have joined the CPTPP trade bloc. A free trade deal with India around the corner, to join the ones secured with New Zealand and Australia. The Edinburgh Reforms are a welcome step towards increasing the competitiveness of our financial sector.

It is hard to feel very optimistic about a Starmer government, but if he wastes two or three years trying to get a better deal with Brussels it will be even worse than we imagine. He will condemn the nation to yet more drift and stagnation  and leave the economy in an even worse state than it is in now.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., questions witnesses during a hearing of a special House committee dedicated to countering China, on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in Washington.

Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., questions witnesses during a hearing of a special House committee dedicated to countering China, on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in Washington.

Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) announced Saturday he would challenge indicted Sen. Bob Menendez , becoming the first major intraparty challenger to emerge since Menendez insisted he would not step down in the face of charges he accepted bribes from three businessmen.

After calls to resign, Senator Menendez said I am not going anywhere, Kim wrote on the social media site formerly known as Twitter. As a result, I feel compelled to run against him. Not something I expected to do, but NJ deserves better. We cannot jeopardize the Senate or compromise our integrity.

Following the unsealing of the Justice Departments indictment of Menendez on Friday, leading New Jersey Democrats, including Gov. Phil Murphy , have called for him to resign from his post. Menendez was previously charged in a different corruption scandal, though the Justice Department dropped the charges after a hung jury led to a mistrial in 2017.

In a statement Friday night, Menendez angrily beat back calls for him to leave office.

It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat, he said. I am not going anywhere.

Kim, now in his third term, may not be the only Democrat interested in challenging Menendez, and a resignation would almost certainly lead to a crowded primary in safely Democratic New Jersey. Reps. Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer could also enter the contest.

Menendez, who has not officially announced he intends to run for reelection, also has two lesser-known challengers from the GOP: consulting firm owner Shirley Maia-Cusick and Christine Serrano Glassner, the mayor of suburban Mendham Borough.
Democratic Rep. Andy Kim of New Jersey announced Saturday he will challenge newly indicted Sen. Bob Menendez for his Senate seat next year.

"After calls to resign, Senator Menendez said 'I am not going anywhere,'" Kim said in a post on social media. "As a result, I feel compelled to run against him. Not something I expected to do, but NJ deserves better. We cannot jeopardize the Senate or compromise our integrity."

Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) speaks during a rally and news conference ahead of a House vote on health care and prescription drug legislation in the Rayburn Room at the U.S. Capitol on May 15, 2019, in Washington, D.C. / Credit: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Menendez and his wife Nadine were indicted Friday, accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from roughly 2018 to 2022 in exchange for using his power and influence as a senator to enrich and protect three businessmen and benefit Egypt's government. The 39-page indictment alleges that the bribes included cash, gold bars, mortgage payments, compensation for a "low-or-no-show-job," a luxury vehicle and "other things of value."

Federal agents found more than $480,000 in cash during a search of the couple's home in June 2022, "much of it stuffed into envelopes and hidden in clothing, closets, and a safe," as well as over $70,000 in a safe deposit box belonging to Nadine Menendez. They also found gold bars worth more than $100,000, according to the indictment. Envelopes of cash were allegedly found in jackets with Menendez's name that were hanging in his closet, and prosecutors included photos of some of the cash and two of the gold bars they say were seized.

As Kim noted, Menendez rejected calls from Kim and others to resign, chalking up those calls to racism.

"It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat," Menendez said in his statement.

Kim, who represents the Third Congressional District, was the first member of New Jersey's congressional delegation to call for Menendez' resignation Friday. He's on the House Armed Services and House Foreign Affairs committees.

Elected in 2018, Kim is serving his second term in the House. His congressional website says that he has previously worked in several departments: USAID, the Pentagon, the State Department and the White House National Security Council. He was also an adviser to former Gens. David Petraeus and John Allen in Afghanistan.

Cassidy Hutchinson on being forced into hiding

Author Ken Follett discusses final book in "Kingsbridge" series

More details emerge about crashed F-35 plane
MADISON - Two Republican lawmakers are proposing to remove Wisconsin's membership from a nonpartisan national organization that has allowed state election officials to catch "scores" of voter fraud cases.

Sen. Duey Stroebel of the Town of Cedarburg and Rep. Ty Bodden of Hilbert released legislation this week that would remove Wisconsin from the Electronic Registration Information Center, known as ERIC.

The organization comprises 25 states and has become a target of Republicans since former President Donald Trump launched a baseless campaign to discredit election systems in key battleground states, including Wisconsin, after he lost reelection in 2020. Earlier this year, Trump called on GOP-led states to withdraw from ERIC.

More: 'Chasing ghosts': Election officials debunk false voting claims made to Wisconsin lawmakers

Eight Republican-controlled states have dropped their membership since 2022. Driving the exodus, in part, is the organization's effort to increase access to voter registration by requiring states as part of their membership to reach out to residents who are eligible to vote but not registered, according to the nonpartisan National Conference of State Legislatures.

Bodden and Stroebel in a memo to colleagues seeking support cited the voter outreach as a reason to withdraw, arguing the focus "has led many to question whether ERICs architects placed more of a priority on registering voters as opposed to ensuring the accuracy of voter registration lists."

In a post on Truth Social, Trump characterized ERIC as a terrible Voter Registration System that pumps the rolls for Democrats and does nothing to clean them up.

But Wisconsin routinely gets information about voters who may have moved from ERIC, which identifies such voters using U.S. Postal Service change-of-address requests and vehicle registration information.

ERIC provides reports to state officials on which residents are eligible voters and not registered but how to use that information is up to state officials. ERIC's processes do not indicate a political leaning, according to the NCSL.

Don Millis, the Republican chairman of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, said the commission has caught a number of cases of voters casting ballots in two states because of Wisconsin's membership in the consortium.

"ERIC has been instrumental in our ability to uncover election fraud. We've been able to refer to district attorneys scores of people who, it appears based on the information from ERIC, voted in more than one state. Without ERIC, we wouldn't have that ability to make those referrals," Millis said.

"It doesn't happen a lot but it does happen. To maintain confidence in elections, we need to be able to prosecute double voting when it occurs. And so it would be a bad idea to remove us from ERIC. To me, it's just totally counterproductive."

Millis added, "There have been some allegations about ERIC's malfeasance but I've never seen any evidence of that."

Meagan Wolfe, the Wisconsin Elections Commission administrator who has become a target of legislative Republicans, has had leadership roles on ERIC's executive committee and is a current board member.

Spokesmen for Bodden and Stroebel did not answer how Wisconsin officials will catch double voting without ERIC's data from other states.

Wisconsin Republican lawmakers voted to join the consortium in 2016 as part of a law that created online voter registration in the state. Voting to join ERIC were Stroebel and GOP legislative leadership, including Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu and Senate President Chris Kapenga.

All Democrats voted against the 2016 bill, including Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard, who was a member of the Assembly then, and former Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is likely to veto the legislation if it lands on his desk but Republican lawmakers are close to having enough members to override Evers' vetoes.

Senate Republicans have a two-thirds majority, giving the caucus the power to override vetoes. In the Assembly, Republican members are short of a veto-proof majority by two members. If enough Democrats are absent when Republican leaders seek to override a veto, it could be successful in the Assembly.

Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.

THANK YOU: Subscribers' support makes this work possible. Help us share the knowledge by buying a gift subscription.

DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Republicans seek to leave ERIC voter data consortium
Q. Im 67 and about to retire. I dont have all of the $2 million I have accumulated in my company stock but 60% is. I need to draw about $50,000 a year to do what I want and supplement my Social Security and pension. I never paid it much attention, but it started doing well so I kept buying more. I think it will continue to do well, so I am hesitant to sell it. What do you think I should do?  Sid in Suntree

A. Sid, first, congratulations on building your savings to that size. Thats great!

For most people, the primary retirement goal is to amass a big enough nest egg that they can maintain an acceptable standard of living for the rest of their life after they stop working. There are hundreds of studies about how much money that is. I do not know of any that would say you do not have enough even after accounting for taxes and inflation given you need just $50,000 from $2 million. So, if lifetime cash flow is your goal as well, you have the proverbial bird in your hand right now.

Financial planner Dan Moisand: "For most people, the primary retirement goal is to amass a big enough nest egg that they can maintain an acceptable standard of living for the rest of their life after they stop working. There are hundreds of studies about how much money that is."

It is important to note, all these studies assume a broadly diversified portfolio. Holding $1.2 million in the stock of one company is not broadly diversified. If the stock tanks, you can be in a very different financial condition. It doesnt matter why the stock price drops or that you had no way of knowing the drop was coming. If it comes, it will hurt.

There are two factors that need consideration when it comes to investment decisions: the probabilities and the possible outcomes. Most people dramatically misestimate one or both when it comes to company stock.

Your statement about the stock doing well of late may be true but that doesnt mean the probability of the stock continuing to do well is high. One of the consistent observations of studies that look at such issues is that employees who own stocks that have gone up place a higher probability on future gains than employees who own the stock of an employer that has not produced strong gains. Behavioral finance professors call that recency bias.

More: Your financial future isn't a game  don't treat investing like one

More: My husband and I are aging. He's not as sharp anymore: What do I do?

Further, there is a strong correlation between the performance of a stock and the percentage of that companys employees that own shares. The better the stock has done, the more employees will own some shares.

It makes sense that if a stock does well, more people will want to own it. Academics would say chasing what has been hot and expecting it to continue is a sign of familiarity bias and overconfidence. However, studies show that most individual stocks do not produce returns in excess of T-bills.

That surprises a lot of people because the market overall has done well over time. The market has done well because a very small number of stocks performed exceptionally well lifting the aggregate result (Bessembinder 2018, Heaton, Polson, & Witte, 2017).

You are suggesting that your company has better odds than most stocks. You may even be thinking it will be one of those few that lift the overall market. Odds are you are wrong about that but neither I nor anyone else could guarantee it. So, lets forget about the odds for a moment and think about the consequences. Heres an extreme example that illustrates that both probability and possible outcomes matter.

Dan Moisand, CFP, is a past national president of the Financial Planning Association.

Russian roulette is a game that gives you an 83.3% (5 out of 6) chance of success but Im confident you would never play it because the penalty for losing  death!  is too extreme. The penalty for betting so much on this one stock isnt death of course but it could be a much lower standard of living for the rest of your life.

I dont know what company we are talking about, so I dont have any history with it, I dont know the companys story or hear buzz about it around the office. I also have no emotional attachment to it, so it is easier for me to tune out the noise and be more objective.

My recommendation is to consider dramatically reducing your holding in the company and all but eliminate the risk of a retirement that is less than you wanted. You have enough. Why risk it?

Dan Moisand, CFP, is a past national president of the Financial Planning Association and has been featured as one of Americas top independent fee-only financial planners by at least 10 national financial planning publications. For more info, visit www.moisandfitzgerald.com or call him at 321-253-5400, ext. 101.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: I'm retiring. Much of my savings is in company stock: Is that wise?
Russian spies are using hackers to target computer systems at law enforcement agencies in Ukraine as means to identify and obtain evidence related to alleged Russian war crimes, Ukraine's cyber defense chief, Yurii Shchyhol, told Reuters on Sept. 22.

Yurii Shchyhol serves as the Head of the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine (SSSCIP) which handles cyber defense in Ukraine. According to Shchyhol, hackers working across Russia's foreign, domestic, and military intelligence agencies have expanded "digital intrusion campaigns targeting the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's office and departments documenting war crimes."

"There's been a change in direction, from a focus on energy facilities towards law enforcement institutions which had previously not been targeted that often," Shchyhol stated. "This shift, towards the courts, prosecutors and law enforcement units, shows that hackers are gathering evidence about Russian war crimes in Ukraine."

Reuters managed to review a copy of the SSSCIP report on the attacks expected to be released on Monday. The report suggests that Russian hackers were also trying to gather intelligence on Russian nationals arrested in Ukraine, with a view to "help these individuals avoid prosecution and move them back to Russia."

The exact units targeted by the hacking campaign were not revealed due to security concerns.

According to Shchyhol, the number of cybersecurity incidents documented by the SSSCIP grew by 123% in the first six months of this year compared with the second half of 2022.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine strikes Russias Black Sea Fleet headquarters; Abrams to arrive next week

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Two people have been killed and five others injured after mortar shells were fired on the historic city of Timbuktu in Mali's northern region Thursday (September 21).

According to Malian military officials, the shelling was done by jihadist "terrorists" besieging the UNESCO world heritage site in recent weeks, which reportedly led to food shortages.

"The city of Timbuktu has come under terrorist shellfire this afternoon," Malian military officials said in a statement Thursday.

It was alleged that the al-Qaeda-linked Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM) was responsible for the attack as they declared "war in the Timbuktu region" last August.

Read Also: UN Votes to End Peacekeeper Mission to Mali

Malian Junta's Struggle with Jihadists

Mali's military seized power in 2020 after accusing the civilian government of failing to deal with the insurgency in the country, the BBC reported.

Despite pledging to end the decade-long militant attacks, the junta has been unable to do so, and in recent months, has even increased.

A few weeks ago, 49 people died when a river boat in Mali's northeast was ambushed.

Another militant attack was attempted Thursday at Lere, 240 km southwest of Timbuktu, which resulted in the deaths of five militants.

Five soldiers were also killed Sunday (September 17) after two military camps were raided and captured by ethnic Tuareg rebels.

The situation only got worse when the Malian junta requested the United Nations to pull out its peacekeeping forces, which have been in the country since 2013.

France also withdrew its forces last year as authorities replaced them with contractors from the Wagner Group.

Related Article: Norway Announces Closure of its Mali Embassy By End of 2023 Amid Security Concerns

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
While in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson shared details of his next endeavor: combating climate change.

The billionaire British businessman announced Monday that his newest investment would be in his coalition, Planetary Guardians  composed of 14 world leaders who say they are taking a whole planet approach to safeguard Earth.

His message to climate change deniers: Its happening.

Its a fact of life, Branson said in an interview with NBC News. The amount of carbon thats going into Earths atmosphere is heating up the world and its going to do a lot of damage to the world if we dont get it under control.

His new coalition includes a range of people, from actors, such as Robert Redford, to activists like Jane Goodall, to politicians, like former Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos , NBC reported. Branson said the way to address climate change begins with measuring it properly.

If you cant measure something properly, you cant fix it, he said in the interview. The idea is that we will measure the nine principal planetary boundaries every year.

We can try to make sure we push the world into trying to address them, he later added.

Branson also acknowledged the impact that his company, which he founded in 1970, has had on climate change. The multinational conglomerate company includes more than 400 companies.

The list includes his Virgin Atlantic airline and Virgin Galactic commercial space program. The latter launched its first space shuttle in July.

In Virgin Atlantic, I started with one plane flying to New York 40 years ago this year, and now weve had many, many planes flying to New York every day, Branson said.

He noted they have managed to get the price of going into space from a carbon point of view to a minimum. Running an airline means trying to get the youngest, most fuel-efficient planes.

So all of us in positions where we can make a big difference have got to make a big difference, the billionaire added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Sir Richard Branson s next mission: combating climate change.

The billionaire British entrepreneur announced his latest initiative, Planetary Guardians, at a news conference Monday while in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

The coalition includes 14 world leaders who will take what theyre calling a whole planet approach to safeguard Earth. The diverse group includes actor Robert Redford, activist Jane Goodall and Juan Manuel Santos , the former president of Colombia.

If you cant measure something properly, you cant fix it, Branson told NBC News in a wide-ranging interview at his new flagship Virgin Hotel on Tuesday. The idea is that we will measure the nine principal planetary boundaries every year  how many are the rainforests? Exactly where are we with climate change? Where are we with species disappearing in the world  and we can try to make sure we can push the world into trying to address them.

Richard Branson announces the launch of Planetary Guardians while at his flagship Virgin Hotel in Manhattan on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. (Christopher Farber / Virgin)

Branson also had a message for the climate change deniers.

Its a fact of life, he said. The amount of carbon thats going into Earths atmosphere is heating up the world and its going to do a lot of damage to the world if we dont get it under control."

While in New York, Branson met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a fundraiser for the war-torn country. Branson was appointed ambassador to United24 last spring to lead fundraising efforts to rebuild the country.

We cant allow countries at this day and age to take over the territory of other peoples countries, he said. I mean, theyre dying for the freedom of all of us. And the least we can do is make sure that we help them and in every way we can.

When asked if he sees an end in sight for the war he said, The war will not end until Ukrainians manage to get their sovereign territory back.

Branson founded Virgin Group in the 1970s. It now consists of more than 400 companies, including his airline, record label and hotels all over the world, which now includes his first-ever location in Manhattan.

Virgin Hotel New York. (Michael Mundy / Virgin)

"In Virgin Atlantic, I started with one plane flying to New York 40 years ago this year, and now we have many, many planes flying to New York every day, and the most common complaint I get from our passengers is you dump us in New York and weve got nowhere to go so we decided to rectify that and build a Virgin hotel just off Broadway," he said.

The mogul has homes all over the world and even owns his own island, but he says there's something about the city that never sleeps. "When I come to New York, its like coming home."

Branson's portfolio also includes his commercial space program, Virgin Galactic, which launched its first shuttle into space last month.

Virgin Galactic's rocket-powered plane Unity is displayed in the tarmac after a short flight to the edge of space at Spaceport America, near Truth or Consequences, N.M., Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023. Virgin Galactic is taking its first space tourists on a long-delayed rocket ship ride. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton) (Andres Leighton / AP file)

While running many businesses hes aware of his own carbon footprint.

"Weve managed to get the price of going into space, from a carbon point of view right down to a minimum.  You know, if youve run an airline, youve got to try to get the youngest, most fuel-efficient planes," Branson said. "If youre running a space line, youve got to reduce the cost of taking people into space dramatically from a carbon point of view. So all of us in positions where we can make a big difference have got to make a big difference.

He added, My trip to space was definitely the best day of my life.

Branson, 73, said he intends to return.

"I booked it for my 80th, 90th and 100th birthday, and I'm an optimist, so my 110th as well," he said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Fourteen-year-old Morrell Rogers knows the struggles every teenager faces.

But, he also knows many kids his age and younger have an uphill battle when one parent, or both, are in jail.

People only having one or no parents is something that just cant be happening in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, or the world in general, Rogers said. You dont have as much support, any role models. I think thats one of the main things.

Amachi Pittsburgh is working to change that.

We provide mentoring, youth leadership development, civic engagement, and family support so the whole family unit can access the resources they need, said Anna Hollis Kander, Executive Director of Amachi Pittsburgh.

Those resources cost time and money, so thats why the organization held the Ride for Social Justice on Saturday morning.

Its the third time this bike ride has been held in Pittsburgh to raise money to support the programs. This year, there are more than 12,000 kids in Allegheny County with a parent in jail.

[Its] actually 35,000 that are impacted during their childhood, at some point during their childhood, so its a huge issue, Hollis Kander said.

That huge issue connects to the main challenge Rogers said many kids his age face  not having a role model.

You wont grow up and know things that maybe a dad or mom could have taught you, Rogers said.

Amachi Pittsburgh said it has helped more than 9 in 10 kids theyve worked with in the last two decades to stop the generational cycle of parental incarceration.

For Hollis Cander, seeing so many people show up for Saturdays Ride for Social Justice, whether to bike four, 25, or 40 miles, tells her a lot.

It tells us to keep going, that were doing the right thing, she said.

Amachi hopes this bike ride continues to grow every year so they can help more kids in the future.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

Man in custody after police find drugs, illegal gun in house in Munhall Woman accused of stabbing niece instead of dog who ate her chicken sandwich It could have been avoided Family of man killed during shootout with man on bond speaks out VIDEO: Kennywood Phantom Fall Fest begins, park dealing with some power outages on opening night DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
The Republican National Committee (RNC) warned the New Hampshire GOP on Friday that it will cut one of the partys presidential debates if the state moves up its primary date ahead of the Iowa caucus.

The warning, first reported by Fox News, has increased tensions between the national GOP and New Hampshire, which has long pushed to be the first primary in the country.

The first presidential primary will be taking place in New Hampshire, regardless of what the political power brokers in Washington, DC think, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu said in a statement to Fox News. We will not be threatened, we will follow our law, and we WILL go first. End of story.

New Hampshire law requires that the state hold its primaries first in the nation, and the Granite State has traditionally gone just after Iowa in the Republican primary. This election, the national GOP placed Iowa first on its calendar  Jan. 15, 2024  and put New Hampshire a week later.

Democrats made a more significant shift, pushing both Iowa and New Hampshire away from the front of the line. Iowa Democrats have tossed out that calendar, voting to hold their caucus the same day as Republicans on Jan. 15.

Iowa going first usually has not caused trouble, as the Hawkeye State uses a caucus system meaning that New Hampshire remains the first primary, but changes in Iowa this year complicate matters. Iowa is adding a mail-in component to the caucus this year, which has raised concerns in New Hampshire that it could break the first primary in the country rule.

Some New Hampshire Republicans are now pushing to leapfrog Iowa and hold their primary even earlier. That wouldnt fly, the RNC said.

The RNC plans to hold a debate in every early primary state  Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada  but if New Hampshire moves their primary date, that debate will be cut, the party warned.

Sununu denounced the threat in a Fox News statement Friday.

New Hampshire gives every candidate an even playing field and can catapult candidates to the presidency, he said. Threatening to take a debate away from New Hampshire is a disservice to every campaign and candidate that has worked tirelessly to earn the votes of New Hampshires Republican electorate.

The second debate of the GOP primary race will be at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California on Wednesday night.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Even the threat of a federal government shutdown at the end of FY2023 is causing the U.S. Department of the Interior to make precautionary postponements of previously planned events. On Friday afternoon, the Interior Department postponement of "The Road to Healing" listenins session scheduled for Sunday, October 1, 2023 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Indian Affairs made the announcement on late Friday afternoon in a press release.

"Due to uncertainty in the congressional schedule, the previously advised event below has been postponed. We will advise when we are able to reschedule" reads the press release.

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.

Last year, Secretary Haaland launched the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative to shed light on the troubled history of Federal Indian boarding school policies and their legacy for Indigenous Peoples. In May 2022, the Department released Volume 1 of an investigative report as part of the Initiative, which calls for connecting communities with trauma-informed support and facilitating the collection of a permanent oral history.

The Interior Department also postponed a trip Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) and Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning planned in California to highlight President Bidens Investing in America agenda and efforts to make Western communities more resilient to drought and wildfire in the wake of the climate crisis. They had planned to meet with local, state, Tribal and federal leaders, and other stakeholders.

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
In a tense back and forth between Roger Stone and Matt Gaetz that played out on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, Stone attempted to bend Gaetz's opinion of Ron DeSantis by airing out his own.

The exchange began when Gaetz wrote the following on the social media platform: "DeSantis will return to Florida as a popular, successful governor with two years of runway to cement a legacy of accomplishment in America's third largest (and best) state."

To which Stone replied, "Wrong, Matt Gaetz. You created this monster who has proven to be a backstabbing weasel and ingrate. He's done and if you keep kissing his a**, so are you."

In coverage by Newsweek, they provide backstory here, which centers on a Politico article that was published on Friday about DeSantis' popularity plunging in Florida. Bruce LeVell, a longtime advisor & appointee to Trump, shared this to his own socials, writing, "Hey Ron DeSantis, do you remember when I was sitting next to you in Orlando when President Trump announced his run for a 2nd term? I told you that you're doing great and have a bright future. Wellllll."


WASHINGTON - Here's a look at how area members of Congress voted over the previous week.

Along with roll call votes this week, the House also passed: the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act (H.R. 3371), to direct the Secretary of the Interior to complete all actions necessary for certain land to be held in restricted fee status by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe; and a bill (H.R. 2872), to amend the Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act to allow states to issue electronic stamps under the Act.

The Senate also, by voice vote, confirmed the nomination of Philip S. Hadji to be a judge on the U.S. Court of Federal Claims for a 15-year term.

House votes

Chuck Edwards

House Vote 1: OVERSIGHT OF EDUCATION FOR VETERANS: The House has passed the Isakson-Roe Education Oversight Expansion Act (H.R. 3981), sponsored by Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Ky., to adopt added requirements for educational institutions with military veterans who are using GI Bill benefits to help pay for their tuition. McGarvey said the bill sought to ensure "that the men and women who put on the uniform of our country aren't defrauded by dishonest institutions that fail to set our veterans up for success." The vote, on Sept. 18, was unanimous with 410 yeas. YEAS: Edwards R-NC (11th).

House Vote 2: INDIAN FAMILY SAFETY PROGRAMS: The House has passed the Native American Child Protection Act (H.R. 663), sponsored by Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., to reauthorize, through fiscal 2028, several programs having to do with American Indian child protection and family violence programs, and make certain revisions to the programs. Gallego said the programs "give tribes the tools to treat, prevent, investigate, and prosecute child abuse and family violence involving Native American children." The vote, on Sept. 18, was 378 yeas to 32 nays. YEAS: Edwards R-NC (11th).

House Vote 3: SPINA BIFIDA: The House has passed a bill (S. 112), sponsored by Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., to provide Veterans Affairs (VA) Department benefits to offspring of Vietnam War veterans who were born with spina bifida or other birth defects. A supporter, Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., said the bill would improve on the VA's current program "by establishing care and coordination teams for these children to ensure they have the care and support and continued connections that they need for their entire lives." The vote, on Sept. 19, was unanimous with 422 yeas. YEAS: Edwards R-NC (11th).

House Vote 4: DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR VETERANS: The House has passed the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 1530), sponsored by Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, to require changes to Veterans Affairs Department procedures for determining whether a given veteran qualifies for medical disability benefits. Luttrell cited the current roadblocks to qualifying for disability benefits, and said the bill "takes important steps to identify and break down these barriers in the disability exam process, ensuring our veterans receive the highest quality care and support." The vote, on Sept. 20, was unanimous with 423 yeas. YEAS: Edwards R-NC (11th).

House Vote 5: MILITARY APPROPRIATIONS: The House has rejected a resolution to consider the Department of Defense Appropriations Act (H.R. 4365), sponsored by Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., as well as two other bills. The appropriations bill would spend $826 billion on military programs in fiscal 2024, including a 5.2 percent pay increase for military members. A resolution supporter, Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., said: "Providing funding for our national defense is both Congress' privilege and its responsibility. In order for our brave men and women in uniform to do their jobs, Congress must do its job." An opponent, Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Mass., said: "This bill has horrible, harmful policy riders that strip people's rights and push MAGA culture wars." The vote, on Sept. 21, was 212 yeas to 216 nays. YEAS: Edwards R-NC (11th).

Senate votes

Sens. Ted Budd, left, and Thom Tillis

Senate Vote 1: CONNECTICUT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Vernon D. Oliver to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for Connecticut. Oliver has been a superior court judge in the state since 2009; previously, he was an attorney in Connecticut's government. A supporter, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said Oliver "is a phenomenal person, not just an extraordinary judge." The vote, on Sept. 19, was 53 yeas to 44 nays. YEAS: Tillis R-NC. NAYS: Budd R-NC.

Senate Vote 2: CALIFORNIA JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Rita Lin to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Lin spent 10 years as a private practice lawyer; since then, she has been a federal prosecutor in the Northern District and, for the past five years, a county superior court judge in San Francisco. A supporter, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said: "Her evenhanded approach to judicial decisionmaking and significant experience litigating both civil and criminal matters in federal court will serve the Northern District of California well." The vote, on Sept. 19, was 52 yeas to 45 nays. NAYS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC.

Senate Vote 3: JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Charles Q. Brown, Jr., to be reappointed as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and to be appointed as a general in the Air Force. Brown, currently a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and chief of staff for the Air Force, has been a pilot and senior officer in the Air Force since 1984. The vote, on Sept. 20, was 83 yeas to 11 nays. YEAS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC.

Senate Vote 4: ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Randy George to be the Army's chief of staff. George had regiment and division commander roles in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars; he had been the Army's vice chief of staff for 13 months. A supporter, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said: "I have full confidence that he will continue to modernize the Army and maintain our highly trained and lethal force to fight and win our nation's wars." The vote, on Sept. 21, was 96 yeas to 1 nay. YEAS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC.

Senate Vote 5: MARINE COMMANDER: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Eric Smith to be Commandant of the Marine Corps. Smith, who has been acting commandant for the past two months, was previously assistant commandant, and has been a commissioned officer in the Marines since 1987, including service in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. A supporter, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, said Smith had command experience at every level of the Marines, and his substantial combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan highlighted a stellar career thus far. The vote, on Sept. 21, was unanimous with 96 yeas. YEAS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Here's how WNC's members of Congress voted Sept. 15-21
He coulda been somebody. He coulda been a contender.

I once had high aspirations for Ron DeSantis. But those of us who were hoping hed be an instrument to stop Donald Trump from winning a third Republican presidential nomination look to be out of luck, as the promise of DeSantis recedes with the summer of 2023.

A recent CNN/University of New Hampshire poll, for example, shows DeSantis plummeting 13 points since their last survey in July, putting him at just 10 percent in the first in the nation primary.

The Ultimate Sign of DeSantis Irrelevance: Trumpworld Is Moving On

Even more troubling, DeSantis ranks behind not just Trump, but also behind Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, and Chris Christie, albeit narrowly.

The campaign for Ron DeSantis is on life support, veteran New Hampshire GOP strategist Mike Dennehy told Politico. It is a far cry from early expectations.

Meanwhile, DeSantis poor performance in the presidential primary has begun to erode his once-powerful sway in Florida. You dont get the assumption they are measuring drapes anymorethey are waiting for him to drop out, a veteran Florida GOP consultant said.

This is to say, DeSantis risks more than just losing this primaryhe risks becoming an embarrassment to the party, which will tarnish his political future.

So how did we get here?

DeSantis electoral boomlet began with his early lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in Florida back in 2020, but voters are moving on from the topic (even if DeSantis is clinging to it).

Times change and politicians can be the victims of their own success. Its hard to fault DeSantis for that, though you cant say the same about his other self-inflicted wounds.

There was a clear and obvious path for DeSantis to follow.

The way to beat Trump, I argued last July, was by assembling a coalition of (a) former Trumpers who believe its time to move on to a younger and less chaotic pugilist who actually wins his fights, and (b) Reagan conservatives who never liked Trump.

DeSantis never tried to assemble this posse. Instead, he focused on exciting highly educated and very online right-wingers who were seeking a strongman.

This strategy was fraught, but it had its own subset of cheerleaders. What the Republican electorate wants, declared Newsmax host Benny Johnson, is a strong executive who utilizes and wields power over his enemies. And then destroys his enemies and makes them grovel, makes molten salty tears flow from their facesas Ron DeSantis did with Disney.

(Spoiler: This was not what the Republican electorate wanted.)

Ron DeSantis Campaigns Nazi Video Is What Being Too Online Looks Like

At first, though, this strategy must have seemed attractive to DeSantis, who clearly harbors some authoritarian tendencies and who, after all, won his reelection by almost 20 points by doing things his way.

Based on his own impressive re-election victory in Florida (formerly a swing state that has proven to be politically unique), DeSantis learned the wrong lessons from the 2022 midterms. Once again, he was the victim of his own success.

What was the real message the nation sent in 2022?

Traditional Republicans like Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu coasted to victory, while MAGA Republicans like Herschel Walker and Don Bolduc went down in defeat.

DeSantis never even tried to be a normal Republican, and he never tried to woo people like me back into his coalition. Instead, he chose to flip-flop on things like support for Ukraine (ostensibly to please Tucker Carlson) and to cover for Trump instead of attacking him over his indictments.

Before he even officially announced his candidacy, it became obvious that DeSantis was doomed. And when he finally announced, he chose to do so alongside Elon Musk.

While the announcement on Twitter Spaces was a logistical disaster, the venue highlighted the fact that DeSantis was very online, which is to say he was too online.

DeSantis threw around terms like the narrative, Bitcoin, ESGs, debanking, and elite cabals.

Murdoch Called Hannity Retarded and DeSantis Kicked Tuckers Dog, Wild New Book Claims

He also made other miscalculations based on the assumption that what worked for him in the past would translate to national success. His heavy-handed approach to Florida media, for example, allowed him to micromanage his image, but it also deprived him from making mistakes on a smaller stage and developing interpersonal skills.

Its impossible to know whether a well-run DeSantis campaign would have resulted in a different outcome for the Florida governor. It could very well be that he simply lacks the charisma necessary to succeed at this level. Or it could be that the moment Donald Trump was indicted, the die was cast, and Republicans were destined to circle the wagons.

We will never know what might have been had DeSantis done the obvious things that might have allowed him to achieve his full potential.

Instead of running as the sane Trump, Ron DeSantis went all-in on a psychotic too online campaign, embraced culture war BS that maybe 10 percent of the country cares about, and never put any effort into retail campaigning until it was too late.

Otherwise, Ron, it has been a flawless campaign.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
Russell Brand thanked his supporters in a new video for helping him through an extraordinary and distressing week as he floated a new media conspiracy about the rape and sexual assault allegations made against him.

The embattled TV personality took to Twitter to talk directly to his fans about the sexual misconduct allegations detailed by four women last weekend. The BBC has launched an investigation into claims he exposed himself to a woman in their Los Angeles office building.

Obviously it has been an extraordinary and distressing week and I thank you very much for your support and for questioning the information that you have been presented with, said Brand in the three-minute video.

He used the video to attack the UK government and social media platforms which have shut down his ability to make money from his accounts.

By now you are probably aware that the British government have asked big tech platforms to censor our online content and that some online platforms have complied with that request, he said.

Brand then told his supporters that it had been done in the context of the Online Safety Bill in the UK, which he said grants sweeping surveillance and censorship powers in the country.

The comedian and former BBC presenter then warned his followers about the Trusted News Initiative, which is a partnership of international news organisations that aims to tackle disinformation.

Trust is the last thing you should be offering, claimed Brand as he said the groups aim was to target, control, choke and shut down independent media organisations, like this one.

Russell Brand sayas he has been through an extraordinary and distressing week (Russell Brand/Twitter)

It is clear that these organisations collaborate in constructing narratives, whether that is around the war or the pandemic, and of course there are other examples. And it is very clear to me that we need to be very, very cautious indeed.

Brand then urged his followers to follow him on Canada-based Rumble, the only social media platform where he is still able to monetise his videos.

I need your support now more than ever and more than I ever imagined I would, he said.

YouTube announced on Tuesday it had blocked Brand from making money from his channel on the site, which has 6.6 million subscribers.

Caroline Dinenage, chair of the UK parliaments culture, media and sport committee, wrote to Rumbles chief executive Chris Pavlovski asking if Brand was able to monetise his content on the site.

If so, we would like to know whether Rumble intends to join YouTube in suspending Mr Brands ability to earn money on the platform? she said.

Mr Pavlovski branded the letter extremely disturbing, and said it was deeply inappropriate and dangerous that the UK parliament would attempt to control who is allowed to speak on our platform or to earn a living from doing so.

A joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times, and Channel 4s Dispatches highlighted the stories of four women  including one who was 16 years old at the time  who say Brand either raped or sexually assaulted them between 2006 and 2013.

Brand has denied the allegations and said that all of the interactions were consensual.

One of the accusers told the publishers that she was 16 at the time of her alleged sexual relationship with Brand, who was 30 years old at the the time. She claims Brand referred to her as the child and selected clothing for her to wear during their dates.

Another woman claims Brand raped her in his Los Angeles home in 2012 after she declined to engage in sex acts with him and a friend. The woman said she had to visit a rape treatment centre after the incident and spend five months in therapy to move past what happened.

Alleged texts between her and Brand were made public over the weekend. The number she says is Brands apologises in the messages for acting crazy and selfish.

The BBC announced on Friday that it was investigating a claim that Brand exposed himself to a woman at the corporations Los Angeles office building before laughing about it on his radio show.

The incident allegedly happened in 2008 when the woman was working in the same building, BBC News reported.
Russell Brand , who currently faces multiple sexual assault allegations, urged his supporters to follow him on a different social media platform after he was censored by others.

By now, youre probably aware that the British government have asked Big Tech platforms to censor our online content, Brand said in a YouTube video Friday. And that some online platforms have complied with that request.

YouTube suspended Brands content earlier this week, meaning he couldnt receive any revenue from advertisements across his three channels.

Three British news organizations reported last week that four women have made allegations of rape, sexual assault and abuse against the comedian, actor and social influencer.

Brand denied the allegations, saying his relationships have been consensual.

He took to YouTube on Friday to urge his supporters to follow him on Rumble, a social media platform that he claimed had made a clear commitment to free speech.

In the video, Brand criticized the British governments new online safety bill cracking down on technology and social media companies. Brand also condemned the Trusted News Initiative, a group of media personnel who flag misinformation, spearheaded by the British Broadcasting Company.

Its clear that these organizations collaborate in constructing narratives, whether thats around the war or the pandemic and of course, there are other examples, Brand said in his video. And its very clear to me that we have to be very, very cautious indeed. Thats why Im asking you to follow me on Rumble.

Brand said he would return to posting on Rumble starting Monday, talking about the deep state, democracy and corporate collusion.

I need your support now, more than ever, and more than I ever imagined, Brand said. So follow me, support our channel if you can, if its within your means, but more important than any of that, is that you please, if you can, stay free.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has lately found itself in a tricky situation because its internal matching service, known as "Meet Cute," is facing criticism from workers.

The platform, which enables TikTok employees to introduce their coworkers to their friends and family members, has resulted in controversy and prompted issues around the appropriate limits of personal relationships while on the job.

According to Outlook, Meet Cute is hosted on the very same workplace solution that thousands of TikTok workers all around the globe use for a variety of work-related activities, such as storing documents and participating in video conferences. However, it also offers an extra function that gives workers the opportunity to look into the possibility of love relationships developing inside their company.

'Meet Cute'

Employees may publish profiles of their family members, friends, or acquaintances on the dating app Meet Cute. These profiles can include information that is commonly available on dating apps, such as the user's height and weight. Colleagues are able to see one other's profiles, comment on them, and even evaluate the individuals who are highlighted on the site.

It is important to note that the service comes with a disclaimer stating that the firm will not function as a mediator in any conflicts that may result from the interactions.

Due to a tech issue, it was revealed that employees located in other countries were also granted access to the Meet Cute platform despite the service being used mostly by employees stationed in China. ByteDance said that the Meet Cute platform was first conceived as an optional service for workers located in mainland China.

There are a number of other digital companies in China besides ByteDance that provide services related to employee matchmaking. Tech powerhouses like Alibaba, Meituan, and Huawei all provide their employees with access to online dating communities or matching services. However, more attention and criticism have been directed upon TikTok because of its widespread popularity and the matchmaking activities of its parent business.

See Also: TikTok Receives $368 Million Fine for GDPR Violations

Backlash From Staff

According to The Guardian's reporting, numerous workers of TikTok who were interviewed by Forbes voiced their unease with the company's matching service. They said they felt it invaded their personal space in some way.

Companies, particularly those in the tech sector, where the borders between personal and professional life are sometimes blurred, might find it difficult to strike a balance between building a sense of community and ensuring the health and happiness of their workforce.

As the Meet Cute concerns grow, it will be interesting to observe how ByteDance and TikTok respond to the issues expressed by its workers and whether any adjustments will be made as a result.

See Also: Singapore Warns of TikTok Trolls Posing as IMH Doctors To Make Fun of Mental Health Issues

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Russell Brand is breaking his silence amid allegations that he sexually assaulted multiple women.

It has been an extraordinary and distressing week and I thank you very much for your support and for questioning the information that you have been presented with, Brand said Sept. 22 in a video posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.

Brand, who denied the allegations against him before they were published, then accused social media platforms, enabled by British legislation, of censoring his content.

Brand's comments come after the actor and comedians management company postponed the three remaining dates of Brands Bipolarisation tour in Britain on Sept. 18., two days after sexual assault allegations against Brand by four women were published and televised following a joint investigation that resulted in a Channel 4 TV documentary and in joint reports in The Times of London and Sunday Times newspapers.

The four women, who have not been named and who NBC News has not spoken to alleged that Brand raped, sexually assaulted or abused them between 2006 and 2013.

One of the women said she was had a three-month relationship with Brand when she was 16. Another woman alleged that Brand raped her in 2012 at his Los Angeles home.

The U.K. Metropolitan Police Service told NBC News that it received a report of a sexual assault allegedly involving Brand that occurred in 2003 in London on Sept. 18, a day after the allegations were reported on television and in newspapers.

Russell Brand (Mel Media / Getty Images)

TODAY and NBC News have not independently confirmed any of the allegations against Brand.

An attorney for Brand declined to comment to NBC News about the allegations.

Prior to the reports going public, Brand denied the allegations in a video he posted to his social media accounts. The comedian and author said at the time that all of his intimate relationships are always consensual.

But amidst this litany of astonishing, rather baroque attacks are some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute, Brand said.

Following the allegations, Brands talent agency, Tavistock Wood Management Agency, announced on Sept. 17 that they dropped Brand as a client, citing an allegation made against him in 2020.

Russell Brand categorically and vehemently denied the allegation made in 2020, but we now believe we were horribly misled by him, the agency said. TW has terminated all professional ties to Brand.

On Sept. 18, The Bookseller, a British magazine that covers the publishing industry, shared a statement from Brands publisher, Bluebird, was pausing on all future publishing of Brands book Recovery: The Workbook, a guide to overcoming addictions, due to be released in December.

Read on to learn about the allegations against Brand.

Multiple women allege that Brand raped, sexually assaulted or abused them

Channel 4, The Times and The Sunday Times jointly investigated the allegations against Brand.

In the published reports and the accompanying Channel 4 documentary, four women alleged that Brand had raped, sexually assaulted or abused them between 2006 and 2013.

One woman alleged that Brand groomed her at 16

One of Brands accusers, who used the pseudonym Alice, told The Times she was 16 years old when she began a three-month relationship with the Forgetting Sarah Marshall star, who was then 31.

Though 16 is the legal age of consent in the United Kingdom, the woman alleged that Brand groomed her, pressured her to perform sexual acts and raped her. Alice described to The Times having to push Brand off of her and punching him in the stomach on one occasion.

Alice told The Times that Brand referred to her as the child and would send a car for her to be picked up at school and taken to his home.

Russell engaged in the behaviors of a groomer, looking back, but I didnt even know what that was then, or what that looked like, Alice told The Times.

Another woman said Brand raped her in the U.S.

Another one of Brands accusers in the Channel 4, The Times and The Sunday Times investigation, who used the name Nadia, said that Brand raped her in 2012 at his Los Angeles residence.

Nadia told reporters that Brand invited her to his home after the two had consensual sex, but on this occasion wanted a friend to join them, according to The Times.

When Nadia refused, Brand pushed her against a wall and raped her, she alleged.

One woman alleged that Brand sexually assaulted her when they worked together

One woman in the Channel 4, The Times and The Sunday Times investigation said Brand sexually assaulted her when they worked together in L.A.

Brand was also accused of exposing himself

Brand worked with Channel 4 from 2004 and 2007, when some of the alleged behavior is said to have occurred.

One Channel 4 employee, who used the pseudonym Rachel, told The Times that Brand exposed his penis to her in his dressing room and made insinuation about her performing oral sex on him.

Some Channel 4 colleagues said Brand made them feel like pimps

Some Channel 4 crew members told the Times that they felt like they were working as a pimp for Brand as he pursued members of the audience for sex, according to NBC News.

We have asked the production company who produced the programs for Channel 4 to investigate these allegations and report their findings properly and satisfactorily to us, the network said. Channel 4 is also conducting its own internal investigation, and we would encourage anyone who is aware of such behavior to contact us directly.

Episodes of Big Brothers Big Mouth and The Great British Bake Off featuring Brand have been removed from Channel 4s streaming service.

Some events allegedly happened while Brand worked for the BBC

Some events the accusers described allegedly happened while Brand worked as a host and presenter for the BBC from 2006 to 2008.

The BBC said in a statement that it is urgently looking into the issues raised by the reports.

Russell Brand worked for a number of different organizations of which the BBC was one, the statement read. As is well known, Russell Brand left the BBC after a serious editorial breach in 2008  as did the then controller of Radio 2. The circumstances of the breach were reviewed in detail at the time. We hope that demonstrates that the BBC takes issues seriously and is prepared to act.

The U.K. Metropolitan Police Service received a report of an alleged 2003 assault

The U.K. Metropolitan Police Service told NBC News that it received a report of an alleged assault against Brand on Sept. 17, a day after the investigations publication and a documentary that also aired Saturday.

The alleged assault occurred in Londons Soho neighborhood in 2003, according to the police department.

We continue to encourage anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a sexual offence, no matter how long ago it was, to contact us, Metropolitan Police Service said.

What has Brand said about the allegations?

In the video denying the allegations posted to his social media account, Brand said the allegations happened during the height of his mainstream fame as an actor when he was very, very promiscuous.

The relationships he had at the time were absolutely always consensual, he added.

The comedian who was married to pop star Katy Perry from 2010 until 2012, suggested that the reports could be part of campaign to discredit him because of his unorthodox views.

Brand has been criticized for interviewing controversial media personalities including Joe Rogan and for expressing doubts about COVID-19 vaccines.

Its been clear to me, or at least it feels to me, like theres a serious and concerted agenda to control these kinds of spaces and these kind of voices, and I mean my voice along with your voice, he said.

In his second video, shared Sept. 22, Brand said the Online Safety Bill, which requires companies to take down illegal content, grants "sweeping surveillance and censorship powers." Britains Parliament signed off on it Sept. 19.

According to NBC News, Brand's video comes after YouTube blocked him from making money from his channel and the BBC pulled some of his content from its online streaming service. Additionally, a leader of British Parliaments Media and Sport Committee contacted Rumble  the site Brand will now use to host his platform  with concerns that he will make a profit off it.

In a statement, according to NBC News, Rumble said it would refuse to join a cancel culture mob."

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
An elderly woman was killed in Yelyzavetivka and a resident of Avdiivka was injured as a result of shelling by the Russian army in Donetsk Oblast on 23 September.

Source: Anastasiia Medvedeva, press secretary for the Donetsk Oblast Prosecutors Office, in a comment for Suspilne Donbas

Details: Yelyzavetivka in the Pokrovske district came under Russian fire. Early reports from the prosecutor's office indicate that the Russian army opened fire with tubed artillery.

Quote: "A 74-year-old woman died from a penetrating wound to the chest as a result of the enemy attack," said Anastasiia Medvedeva, press secretary for the prosecutor's office.

The Russian army attacked Avdiivka at 15:42, probably using Grad multiple-launch rocket systems, Medvedeva said.

"A 44-year-old resident was wounded by shrapnel as a result of projectiles hitting one of the city's streets near a high-rise residential building. He received qualified medical assistance," the spokeswoman said.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Odesa Oblast suffered a missile attack on the night of 22-23 September as Russian forces launched anti-ship Oniks missiles.

Source: Nataliia Humeniuk, head of the press centre for Operational Command Pivden (South), on air during the 24/7 national joint newscast; Suspilne news outlet

Quote: "Two missiles hit a recreational area in Odesa Oblast, but it is an open area. There is no critical damage and no casualties."

Background:

An air-raid warning was issued in the southern regions of Ukraine because of a missile threat. It was in place for about 15 minutes. The missiles were heading for Odesa Oblast.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Russian forces shelled ten communities in Sumy Oblast, firing 17 times over the course of the day, causing 75 explosions, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported on Sept. 22.

The communities of Krasnopillia, Khotin, Bilopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Znob-Novgorodske, Putyvl, Yunakivka, Myropillia, Svesa, and Buryn came under fire.

Numerous weapons were used in the attacks, including mortar, mines, artillery shelling, as well as kamikaze drones.

No damage to civilian infrastructure was recorded.

Sumy Oblast is located on Ukraine's northeastern border with Russia. It has been the target of daily Russian shelling and attacks from across the border since parts of the oblast were liberated from Russian troops in early April 2022.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine strikes Russias Black Sea Fleet headquarters; Abrams to arrive next week

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
For several weeks now, rumors have been circulating about Ramzan Kadyrov 's deteriorating health. Over the weekend, there were even reports that he had died.

There was a video of the Chechen warlord, where he allegedly said everything was fine, but it is unknown when this video was recorded. Russian journalists and bloggers write that many cars with Chechen license plates drive up to the hospital where Kadyrov could potentially be. People ask me what could happen to Russia if Chechnya actually loses Kadyrov, the man who has kept the region in fear for many years. Could this lead to some kind of destabilization in the whole of Russia?

If what our Defense Intelligence Service writes about Kadyrov is true, then this could, and I repeat with emphasis on the word "could," be the beginning of a domino effect.

Chechnya lives by its own laws. Chechnya is an enclave that does not obey what Moscow does. However, it takes a considerable amount of money from Moscow as a payment for loyalty, for being part of the Russian Federation. With the possible departure of Kadyrov, very terrible processes will begin, because clannishness and a specific way of solving problems in Chechnya have remained. This means that Kadyrov's clan will begin to destroy other clans to settle scores and assert authority physically.

The possibility of destabilizing the whole of Russia through Chechnya is real

It is true; it is not a joke. This is something realistic, and I have been told personally by Chechens who are not in Chechnya right now, but know very well what is happening there and are waiting for this moment. So, the possibility of destabilizing the whole of Russia through Chechnya is real and could grow when Kadyrov is gone. Let's hope that with the start of these events, other regions in the Russian Federation will start thinking about whether they should remain vassals of the Kremlin or think about other options for their people and their countries in the future.

To understand the clannishness in Chechnya: While other countries are primarily governed by legislation, Chechnya is governed by traditions that have been developed there for centuries, if not millennia, and which mean much more in the eyes of the Chechen people than any formal paragraphs in a particular law. These traditions imply that if you have been offended, the offender must be punished for it. Well, this usually means being destroyed. I think it's clear to everyone how they are killed now.

If there is destabilization in Chechnya, can we assume that the Russian security forces and the Russian government will turn their attention there and away from Ukraine? I have doubts about this, because there is nothing to switch to. That is, if you look at and analyze what is happening on the frontlines-when they move elite units from one area to another to hold back a small, widespread front  it means that there is no one to do anything else. Of course, cannon fodder exists, but I don't think any FSB, Interior Ministry, or Rosgvardia unit will enter Chechnya because it will stay there. That is, this is not a case where the territory is really controlled by the Russian Federation.

Read also: Zelenskyy to have White House meeting, Kadyrov dying?, Uman pilgrimage

This could provoke internal unrest that could spread from Chechnya further on. It's not just Chechnya; it's the entire North Caucasus. If it catches fire, imagine what it would mean against what happened when Yevgeny Prigozhin marched victoriously across half of Russia, meeting no resistance from these same security forces. Well, people who are privy to the intricacies of all these things say that all these forces are more paper than real. The FSB is number one in spying on those who dare to express any opposition thoughts. To disperse grandparents, if they gather somewhere, or students  that's where the Rosgvardia comes in. When it comes to resistance to something massive, there are simply not enough of them physically. Secondly, they don't even have the appropriate weapons. What is a police station? It is a few dozen people with pistols, but not with heavy weapons, tanks, airplanes, and so on. What is currently accumulated in Chechnya cannot be handled with guns. If you have to suppress it, you have to suppress it powerfully.

During the first and second Chechen wars, to break the Chechens' resistance, Russia used aviation, which is said to have "ironed" the territory by area, killing everyone. The investigation of this crime of genocide is still going ahead, by the way. I think we will wait until Russia's crimes in the Chechen Republic are remembered. So, I repeat once again, we have very interesting events ahead of us, but the main one will be the breaking of the back of the Russian army on the fields of Ukraine.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russias foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has rubbished Ukraines 10-point peace plan and warned the conflict will be resolved on the battlefield if the West stuck to it.

Addressing the UN General Assembly on Saturday, Mr Lavrov dismissed the West as an empire of lies and said the plan promoted by Kyiv was completely not feasible.

In a letter to Mr Lavrov last month, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres outlined four measures the UN could facilitate to improve Russias grain and fertiliser exports in a bid to convince Moscow to return to the Black Sea deal, which allowed Ukraine to export grain through the corridor and helped address a global food shortage.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a press conference after addressing the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York (Reuters)

We explained to the secretary general why his proposals wont work, Mr Lavrov said. We dont reject them. Theyre simply not realistic. They cannot be implemented.

Earlier on Saturday morning, Ukraine launched another missile attack on Sevastopol in occupied Crimea, a Russian-installed official said, a day after an attack on the headquarters of Russias Black Sea Fleet left a serviceman missing and the main building smouldering.

Sevastopol was put on air raid alert for about an hour after debris from intercepted missiles fell near a pier, governor Mikhail Razvozhayev wrote on the messaging app Telegram. Ferry traffic in the area was also halted and later resumed.

Loud blasts were also heard near Vilne in northern Crimea, followed by rising clouds of smoke, according to a pro-Ukrainian Telegram news channel that reports on developments on the peninsula.

Crimea, illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, has been a frequent target for Ukrainian forces since Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of the neighbouring country almost 19 months ago.

A satellite image shows smoke billowing from a Russian Black Sea Navy HQ after a missile strike (Reuters)

Ukraines intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, told Voice of America on Saturday that at least nine people were killed and 16 injured as a result of Kyivs attack on the Black Sea Fleet on Friday.

He claimed that Alexander Romanchuk, a Russian general commanding forces along the key southeastern front line, was in a very serious condition following the attack.

Elsewhere, Ukraine said its heavy artillery was inflicting hell on Russian lines near Bakhmut.

Captured by Russian forces in May, heavy weapons supplied by the West are inflicting significant damage on enemy lines, with the 155mm howitzers supplied by the US and Nato allies said to be proving key in the long-awaited counteroffensive.

They [the Russians] hate our hardware, said 30-year-old unit commander Oleksandr. Thats what we gather from our intercepts. We hear that we keep giving them hell and they keep wondering how much ammunition we have left.

Justin Trudeau meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky in Canada (Press release)

Oleksandr described Klishchiivka  a village close to the devastated town of Bakhmut  as one of the places [the Russians] were clinging to. We will see whats next. We will develop our success.

Meanwhile, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has announced several support packages for Ukraine, including military, economic and humanitarian assistance. He has also pledged an extra show of diplomatic backing in steps intended to punish Russia over its war in Ukraine.

In a news conference held with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, Mr Trudeau confirmed that Canada would continue to impose costs on Russia and ensure that those responsible for this illegal, unjustifiable invasion do not benefit from it.

We stand here absolutely united in our defence of democracy and our condemnation of Vladimir Putins unprovoked, unjustified and unconscionable invasion of Ukraine, Mr Trudeau added.

Canada and Ukraine have agreed to form a working group with G7 partners to analyse the seizure and forfeiture of Russian assets, including from the Russian Central Bank. It has also added 63 Russian individuals to its sanctions list, including those who are complicit in the kidnapping of children and the spreading of disinformation, Mr Trudeau said.
Editor's note: This news article was updated to include the latest information on casualties caused by recent Russian attacks on Kherson Oblast.

Russian forces dropped an explosive from a drone on Mykolaivka village in Kherson Oblast, heavily injuring a 78-year-old man, the regional military administration reported on Sept. 23.

The elderly man suffered heavy wounds, including chest injuries, and lost part of his arm, according to the report. He has been hospitalized.

Mykolaivka sits on the west bank of the Dnipro River, just across the Russian-controlled east bank. The area is subjected to daily Russian attacks, causing civilian casualties.

Meanwhile, Kherson City Military Administration chief Roman Mrochko reported that Russian forces shelled the regional capital. Explosions were heard in the Dniprovskyi district of Kherson, according to Mrochko.

Following the attack, Kherson Oblast Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported that a 65-year-old woman was killed and a 27-year-old man was injured in Kherson. According to the report, the woman was killed in her home when a Russian shell hit the building.

The city of Kherson and other settlements in the region on the Dnipro River's west bank have been continuously subjected to Russian shelling since Ukrainian forces liberated them in November 2022.

Russian troops were pushed to the river's east bank, from where they have since been firing at the liberated territories, resulting in regular civilian deaths and injuries.

Read also: Ukrainian troops regularly cross Dnipro River, probing Russian defenses in Kherson Oblast

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported on Sept. 23 that Russian forces shelled populated areas along the border of Sumy Oblast 21 times throughout the day, killing one person.

According to the military administration, the person was killed by artillery fire in the Yunakivska community.

Sumy Oblast was targeted with mortar and artillery fire the military administration added.

Just over 100 explosions were recorded across the Yunakivska, Shalynhynska, Esmanska, Khotinska, Krasnopilska, Seredyno-Budska, Mykolaivska, Velykopysarivska, and Bilopilska communities on Sept. 23.

Sumy Oblast is located near Ukraines northeastern border with Russia. It has been the target of near-daily Russian attacks across the border since parts of the oblast were liberated from Russian control in early April 2022.

Read also: US will reportedly give ATACMS to Ukraine. Will it change the war?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Japanese media outlet Abema featured a 39-year-old Kyoto man only known as "Jackie" after he went viral last May for identifying himself as a "trans-age" individual claiming to only be aged 28 despite being born in 1984.

Read Also: More HNGN News about Japan

39 Going on 28

Last May, the media group's reality show Abema Prime featured Jackie, who explained his adopted trans-age identity. He revealed that his trans-age identity journey was triggered by an incident at work he described as distressing around seven years ago. Because of this incident, and the weight of societal expectations and judgment on him, he eventually decided to embrace an age that resonated with his personality.

"I felt a strong desire to stay young and relevant, and I found that being 28 was the age where I felt the most comfortable," he was quoted telling Abema. "It's an age where I can balance maturity with youthfulness."

He added that, while Japanese society tended to place a premium on accumulated experience, he viewed actual age as a mere record of years passed since birth, further arguing that such a concept does not define one's abilities or achievements.

However, Jackie stressed he maintained his actual age on official documents and resumes while keeping and navigating some facets of his daily life as a 28-year-old man.

Age Dysphoria

Meanwhile, Abema Prime also interviewed psychologist and Kanagawa University professor Dr. Takashi Sugiyama about what individuals like Jackie have been experiencing.

He said that Jackie and other individuals who may have been experiencing what could be described as age dysphoria perceive a significant emotional and mental age gap from their chronological age, which has been growing in recent years thanks to modern technology enabling information about age and maturity. Age, he additionally suggested, is increasingly challenging to process as society evolves.

Sugiyama also explained that Jackie's experience highlights the often-subconscious gap between one's perceived and chronological age, with trans-age people using this gap to shape their self-image, often reinforcing their self-perception.

A more controversial case of age dysphoria happened in 2015, when a Canadian man named Stefonknee Wolscht left his wife and seven children for an adoptive family after he identified as a six-year-old girl, saying he did not "want to be an adult right now."

Related Article: Potential Radioactive Scrap Metal From Fukushima Nuclear Plant Stolen, Sold by Contractors

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Sergei Lavrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, has stated that Russia is allegedly ready for negotiations regarding Ukraine, but it will not consider any proposals for a cease-fire.

Source: Kremlin-aligned media RIA Novosti and TASS, citing Lavrov at the UN General Assembly

Details: The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia says that Russia is ready for negotiations regarding Ukraine, but will not consider any proposals for a cease-fire because it has allegedly already been deceived once.

Lavrov also claims that nobody in the West wants to show enough understanding of the war in Ukraine seriously, and "since they want to solve the issue on the battlefield, it means that it will be [done] on the battlefield."

Apart from that, the minister stated that the "peace formula" of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is allegedly absolutely impossible to implement, and everyone knows it.

In his speech, Lavrov called the West an "empire of lies" because Western countries allegedly assume obligations and do not fulfil them.

He also claims that "rejection of the principle of equality and total inability to negotiate became a kind of calling card of the collective West long ago."

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Russian spies are using hackers to attack law enforcement computer systems in Ukraine to identify and obtain evidence related to alleged Russian war crimes.

Source: Yurii Shchyhol, head of the State Special Communications Service of Ukraine, in an interview with Reuters

Details: Hackers working with Russia's foreign, domestic and military intelligence agencies have stepped up digital intrusion campaigns at Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office and departments documenting war crimes

Quote: "There's been a change in direction, from a focus on energy facilities towards law enforcement institutions which had previously not been targeted that often.

This shift towards the courts, prosecutors and law enforcement units, shows that hackers are gathering evidence about Russian war crimes in Ukraine

The groups we've identified as being engaged in this activity are part of Russia's GRU and FSB intelligence agencies."

Details: Espionage activities will be outlined in an upcoming State Department report due to be published on Monday.

The report, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters, states that the hackers also tried to collect intelligence on Russian citizens arrested in Ukraine in order to "help these individuals avoid prosecution and move them back to Russia".

Shchyhol declined to name which units were targeted by the hacking campaign, citing security concerns. The number of documented cybersecurity incidents, he said, rose 123% in the first six months of this year compared with the second half of 2022.

He also stated that Russian hackers targeted government agencies and tried to gain access to their email servers.

There is also evidence that Russian hackers gained access to private surveillance cameras in Ukraine to monitor the results of long-range missile and drone strikes.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
An air-raid warning has been issued in Sumy, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, lasting about 20 minutes, and explosions were heard in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

Source: Ukrainian Air Force

Quote: "There is missile danger in the oblasts where the air-raid warning has been issued! Do not ignore air-raid warnings!"

Details: At 03:51, the all-clear was given. Local news outlets reported explosions in Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia.

Background:

At around 01:00, the Russian occupiers attacked Odesa Oblast with missiles.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Mikhail Razvozhayev, Russian-appointed "governor" of occupied Sevastopol, has decided to check the shelters in the city following the latest explosions and hits, saying that Russia is not going to put all the facilities in order.

Source: Razvozhayev on Telegram

Quote from Razvozhayev: "We prepared the shelters when the situation in the city was relatively calm a year ago. But what is happening now is already a reality...

I issued an order to launch visits to temporary shelters and deal with all situations...

Regarding shelters, I would like to convey another critical point: do not expect anyone to come and stock water, install chairs, flooring, and ventilation.

Arranging all the temporary shelters in such a way is impossible; it would take billions [of roubles]."

Background: Earlier, on 23 September, the Russian occupying authorities reported explosions in Sevastopol; air defence systems were supposedly responding, and missile fragments were falling from the sky.

Later, another attack occurred, and Razvozhayev urged people to stay away from windows and seek shelter.

Previously:

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Russian forces shelled Donetsk Oblast on Sept. 23, killing an elderly woman and injuring one man, the Donetsk regional prosecutor's office reported to Suspilne news.

The Russian military targeted the village of Yelyzavetivka in the Pokrovsk district with cannon artillery.

"As a result of the enemy attack, a 74-year-old woman died of a penetrating wound to the chest," said Anastasiia Medvedeva, the spokesperson for the prosecutor's office.

Medvedeva also told Suspilne that shelling on the same day in the city of Avdiivka left a 44-year-old resident injured. The man sustained shrapnel wounds, for which he received medical treatment.

Russian forces shelled Avdiivka in the afternoon of Sept. 23, likely with multiple rocket launchers, according to the prosecutor's report.

The front-line city of Avdiivka suffered intense destruction during Russia's full-scale invasion. On Sept. 9, local officials reported that the Ukrainian flag was raised above the city to commemorate its founding.

Read also: Surviving Avdiivka: Russia intensifies assault on city deemed a second Bakhmut

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The armed forces of Nagorno-Karabakh have begun to hand over weapons, ammunition and armored vehicles, Russian state-controlled media reported on Sept. 22, citing the Russian Ministry of Defense.

In pursuance of the agreements reached, the armed formations of Karabakh have begun the surrender of weapons under the control of Russian peacekeepers, the Defense Ministry said.

The Ministry claims that more than 800 units of small arms and anti-tank weapons, six units of armored vehicles, and about 5,000 rounds of ammunition were retrieved. Additionally, Russian peacekeepers were reported to have delivered 50 tons of humanitarian supplies for the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, including through the Lachin corridor.

Earlier today, Hikmet Hajiyev, a foreign policy advisor to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, suggested in an interview with Reuters that ethnic Armenian fighters in Nagorno-Karabakh would receive amnesty in exchange for laying down their arms.

Hajiyev also stated that some individual groups and units of the Armenian defense forces have pledged to continue fighting, although he did not consider them to be a "big security challenge."

Following the 24-hour offensive launched by the Azerbaijani military on Sept. 19 in Nagorno-Karabakh, a ceasefire was brokered with the condition that the Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Forces be disbanded and disarmed.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine strikes Russias Black Sea Fleet headquarters; Abrams to arrive next week

























Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russia has learned from past mistakes and improved its weapons and tactics.

An analyst identified three key weapons that have been vital in its war against Ukraine.

Ukraine recently breached Russia's defenses with vehicles for the first time, according to reports.

Ukraine appears to have made an important breakthrough in its counteroffensive against Russia with reports suggesting it has breached Russia's defensive line with vehicles for the first time.

But it's far from clear if Ukraine will be able to exploit the breakthrough, and the battle remains in the balance.

It comes after weeks of grueling combat, with Ukrainian forces fighting through miles of minefields, coming under intense artillery fire, and then seeking to clear Russian trenches in close combat.

Gian Gentile, a former US Army colonel and analyst with the Rand think tank, identified some of the key weapons that are proving crucial to Russia in attempting to fight back Ukraine's attacks.

But he said a decisive Ukrainian breakthrough could completely change the dynamic of the conflict.

Russian artillery launches missiles during military exercises on September 27, 2011 in Chebarkul, Chelyabinks region, Russia. Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images

Ultra-precise artillery systems

Russia's use of mass artillery has for centuries been at the heart of its military power, with long-range guns in conflicts such as World War II producing devastating and relentless barrages.

But the Ukraine war has exposed limits in this strategy, with both sides going through ammunition at a rapid rate, and armaments factories struggling to keep up with the demand for shells.

But Russia, said Gentile, has adapted, by improving the accuracy of artillery through the use of GPS technology, surveillance drones, and precision-guided missiles, so is less reliant on the sheer mass of fire.

Russian artillery gunners have played a crucial role in destroying or pinning down Ukrainian units seeking to advance through Russian defenses.

"They've come to the realization that they just can't do that. And they gotta try to be more precise," said Gentile of Russia's former mass bombardment tactics.

DJI Matrice 300 reconnaissance drones are seen during test flights in the Kyiv region on August 2, 2022, prior to being sent to the front line. SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images

Electronic warfare units

To offset the advantage in troop numbers and equipment Russia had, Ukraine has excelled in adapting cheap, readily available equipment for military use. Among such equipment is off-the-shelf drones that Ukraine has used to surveil enemy positions.

But Russia's capacity to take drones out by scrambling their signals has significantly improved during the conflict, said Gentile.

It means that Ukraine's capacity to gather real-time battlefield intelligence on Russian positions has been more limited.

Just behind the front line, teams of electronic warfare operatives are deployed to detect and intercept drones and missiles.

They work in small difficult-to-spot units with a special device that can jam GPS signals that guide drones and even expensive precision-guided US missiles.

When their signals are jammed, the drones go off-target or arbitrarily wander off and crash.

"They lose a lot of them because the Russians are very effective with electronic warfare, counter-drone tactics," said Matt Dimmick, a former US National Security Council member who is working with the Spirit of America NGO to secure crucial battlefield supplies for Ukraine.

"Every unit without drones  they are completely blind. They can't see what's over the next hill, what's over the trees. They can't, you know, find those Russian high-value targets like the machine guns and artillery positions, which means they can't target them," said Dimmick.

A deadly game of cat and mouse has evolved, with Ukraine seeking to identify and destroy the units and create windows that it can exploit, reported the BBC.

Russian Air Force Mil Mi-8 and Kamov Ka-52 "Alligator" attack helicopters. Leonid Faerberg/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Kamov Ka-52 helicopter gunships

Russia's Ka-52 attack helicopters have caused formidable problems for Ukraine.

Dubbed "Putin's vultures" by Ukraine's military, the Ka-52 is highly maneuverable, fitted with tough armor, and can fire tank-busting missiles.

The UK's military said that the helicopters give Russia a key battlefield advantage, and have imposed a "heavy cost" on Ukraine.

They are fitted with tank-busting LMUR missiles, which can be fired from around nine miles away.

"Ka-52 crews have been quick to exploit opportunities to launch these weapons beyond the range of Ukrainian air defenses," Britain's Ministry of Defence said.

The helicopters have helped reduce the threat posed by Ukraine's tanks and armored vehicles.

"The whole idea, especially in this kind of combat, is to create or present multiple dilemmas to your enemy. And having these attack helicopters is a pretty significant dilemma for the Ukrainians," said Gentile.

But Russia remains vulnerable

Gentile said that despite improvements that enabled Russia to fight back Ukraine's attacks for weeks, he is skeptical that it will be able to rapidly evolve against and repel Ukraine if a breakthrough proves decisive.

He said that if Ukraine is able to decisively punch through Russian defenses "we're into another phase of this than what we've seen so far" as Russia appears to lack the resources for a significant counterattack.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Air Force has warned civilians about the approaching Shahed drones; they are flying towards Chernihiv Oblast. The drone threat is also announced in Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts, and missile threat is announced in Sumy and Kherson oblasts.

Source: Air Force of Ukraines Armed Forces

Quote: "Shahed-type UAVs on their way to Chernihiv Oblast".

"A threat of enemy use of attack UAVs in Zaporizhzhia Oblast".

"A threat of use of enemy attack UAVs in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast."

Details: An air-raid warning has also been issued in Sumy and Kherson oblasts due to missile threat.

Update: The all-clear was given in Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts at 23:15. Earlier, it was issued in Kherson Oblast as well.

The all-clear was given in all other regions, except Luhansk Oblast and occupied Crimea, at 23:40.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has stated that the Russians are continuing to try to regain their lost ground near Andriivka in Donetsk Oblast.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, information as of 06:00 on 23 September

Quote: "The Russian occupiers continue to ignore international humanitarian law, attacking not only the positions of Ukrainian troops but also civilian infrastructure in settlements. Thus, yesterday, the Russian Federation attacked Ukraine with six Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs, two of which were destroyed by Ukrainian air defence.

In addition, a missile attack on the city of Kremenchuk injured more than 30 people, including three children. Civilians in Yurkivka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast were also affected by a cynical missile attack. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged."

Details: At night, the Russians once again attacked Ukraine with Shahed-136/131 type missiles and kamikaze drones. Information on the aftermath of this terrorist attack is currently being confirmed.

The Ukrainian Defence Forces continue to conduct defensive operations in the east and south of Ukraine, offensive operations on the Melitopol and Bakhmut fronts, killing Russian troops, liberating the temporarily occupied territories step by step, and consolidating their positions.

Over 30 combat engagements took place yesterday. The Russians launched 5 missile strikes and 49 air strikes, and fired 24 times from multiple-launch rocket systems at both the positions of Ukrainian troops and civilian facilities.

The settlements of Bolohivka in Kharkiv Oblast; Nadiia, Makiivka, Nevske and Bilohorivka in Luhansk Oblast; Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, Pivnichne, Avdiivka, Krasnohorivka, Marinka, Vodiane, Vuhledar and Staromaiorske in Donetsk Oblast; Mala Tokmachka and Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast; and Kozatske, Mykolaivka, Odradokamianka, Tiahyntsi and Antonivka in Kherson Oblast suffered from Russian airstrikes.

More than 120 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts came under Russian artillery fire.

The operational situation in the area of responsibility of the Pivnich (North) Operational Strategic Group on the Volyn and Polissia fronts remains without significant changes.

On the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts, the Russians are maintaining a military presence in the border areas. They are actively conducting sabotage activities in the border areas to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened fronts, and are increasing the density of minefields along the state border in Belgorod Oblast in the Russian Federation.

In the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group on the Bakhmut front, the Ukrainian Defence Forces successfully repelled Russian attacks near Minkivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka and Hryhorivka in Donetsk Oblast. The Russians attempted to regain lost ground near Andriivka in Donetsk Oblast, but were unsuccessful. The Defence Forces are continuing their assault operations south of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast, inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the Russians, and consolidating their positions.

In the area of responsibility of the Tavriia Operational Strategic Group on the Avdiivka front, Ukrainian troops successfully repelled Russian attacks near Avdiivka and Sieverne in Donetsk Oblast.

On the Marinka front, the Russians conducted unsuccessful offensives in the area of Marinka and Krasnohorivka in Donetsk Oblast, where they made 12 unsuccessful attempts to drive Ukrainian units out of their positions over the past day.

On the Zaporizhzhia front, Russian attacks near Robotyne and Verbove in Zaporizhzhia Oblast resulted in significant losses for the occupiers in both manpower and equipment. Ukrainian defenders continue to hold the line and inflict losses on the occupation forces.

On the Melitopol front, the Defence Forces continue their offensive, inflicting significant losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, wearing down the Russians along the entire line of contact and forcing them to withdraw from their positions.

In the area of responsibility of the Odesa Operational Strategic Group on the Kherson front, the Ukrainian Defence Forces continue counter-battery combat, destroying supply storage points and successfully striking at the Russians rear.

Over the past day, the Ukrainian Air Force struck the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Command in the temporarily occupied city of Sevastopol in Crimea. In addition, they carried out 12 strikes on areas where Russian military personnel, weapons and equipment were concentrated, and 4 strikes on Russian anti-aircraft missile systems.

Ukraines Rocket Forces and Artillery struck two anti-aircraft missile systems and four artillery pieces.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Russia's attacks on Ukraine's port and grain infrastructure are part of a campaign aimed at worsening Ukraine's relations with its western neighbours, including Poland.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: ISW analysts believe that the fact that Poland quickly repeated its commitment to Ukraine shows that Moscow's campaign is unsuccessful.

Quote: "Russian efforts to intensify divisions between Ukraine and its Central European partners appear to have suffered a setback as Polish Prime Minister Andrzej Duda reiterated the strength of Polish-Ukrainian relations on September 22.

Duda clarified Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morwieckis September 21 statement that Poland would no longer transfer weapons to Ukraine and explained that Poland would continue to fulfill weapons supplies agreements with Ukraine but would not transfer new weapons that Poland purchases for its own military

Duda also stated that the potential conflict between the two countries regarding the export of Ukrainian grain along European land routes does not significantly affect the two countries relationship."

Background:

At the UN General Assembly, Zelenskyy said that "some in Europe are playing solidarity in political theatre", turning the grain supply into a thriller, in fact helping to "set the stage for the Moscow actor".

These words prompted Poland to summon Ukraine's ambassador.

On Thursday, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda met separately with the presidents of Ukraine and Poland and urged them to resolve their differences as soon as possible for the sake of the security of the entire region. Czech Defence Minister Jana Cernohova also warned Ukraine and Poland against increasing tensions in their relations.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), China is mostly responsible for the increase in reported mpox cases worldwide in September.

In the week ending September 10, there was a worldwide rise of 328% in the number of cases recorded per week. More than 500 new cases have been identified in China in August, contributing heavily to the global increase.

WHO said the virus has undergone "sustained community transmission" in China after first being discovered as an imported case in September of last year.

Rising Mpox Cases in China

According to The Guardian, Chinese health officials confirmed the first domestic outbreak of the illness in July, reporting 106 new cases since June. Since then, the number of reported cases has skyrocketed by more than 400%, and experts believe the real figure is likely far higher.

The virus has mostly been detected in men who have sex with other men. But in August, five women tested positive for the condition, raising worries that it may be spreading more broadly.

As of this past Wednesday, September 20, the Chinese government has begun treating mpox according to the same standards as Covid-19. This allows them to take immediate action, such as limiting public meetings, to prevent the spread of the illness.

See Also: UKHSA Issues Warning as Gonorrhea Cases in UK Hit Record Levels

LGBTQ+ Facing Challenges

In recent years, LGBTQ+ activists in China have been under growing pressure, diminishing their capacity to campaign and heightening the societal stigmatization of LGBTQ+ persons. This, according to the experts, might discourage individuals from being checked.

Mainland China lacks access to vaccinations despite reports in official media of progress on a homegrown vaccine. Medical sociologist Chuncheng Liu has pointed out that frightening people is not the right way to urge them to ask for assistance.

Even though the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been releasing reports about mpox and there is unedited information on social media about how to recognize signs, Liu told The Guardians that LGBTQ+ people might not be following those accounts. The issue is not related to data or a single message, rather about finding the best way to get the word out to the public.

Outright International, a New York City-based LGBTQ+ rights group, released a report in September claiming that the Chinese government was cracking down on activists. One anonymous activist claimed police told them to "just focus on providing services like HIV prevention and care."

Early on, several LGBTQ+ organizations framed their argument with the government as one of public health rather than political rights, emphasizing the need to raise awareness about HIV/Aids.

Mpox was once referred to as Monkeypox. However, in 2022, the term was changed by WHO in an attempt to combat prejudice and stigma.

See Also: Experts Warn That Zika Virus is Getting More Contagious-Here's Why

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Russian efforts to intensify divisions between Ukraine and its Central European partners, Poland in particular, appear to have suffered a setback, the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in its Ukraine report of Sept. 22.

Read also: Polands U-Turn on weapon supplies to Ukraine sparks diplomatic stir

The ISW previously assessed that Russian strikes on Ukrainian port and grain infrastructure are part of a Russian campaign to damage Ukrainian relations with its Western neighbors, and Polands swift reiteration of its commitment to Ukraine indicates that this campaign is not succeeding as much as Moscow likely intends.

Polish President Andrzej Duda reiterated the strength of Polish-Ukrainian relations on Sept. 22. Duda clarified Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morwieckis Sept. 21 statement that Poland would no longer transfer weapons to Ukraine, and explained that Poland would continue to fulfill weapons supplies agreements with Ukraine, but would not transfer new weapons that Poland purchases for its own military.

Duda also stated that the potential conflict between the two countries regarding the export of Ukrainian grain along European land routes does not significantly affect the two countries relationship.

Read also: Zelenskyy downplays rumors of soured ties with Poland, reiterates friendship amid grain spat

Earlier, Russian propagandists spread a fake claim on social media that Duda had been added to Ukraines Myrotvorets database of people hostile to Ukraine.

These statements come amid tension resulting from Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia banning the import of Ukrainian grain. Ukraines Ministry of Economy announced that it has filed complaints against these three countries with the World Trade Organization. The Ukrainian government has proposed a compromise scenario to the EU and neighboring countries.

Deputy Minister of Economy Taras Kachka warned that Ukraine might impose an embargo on tomatoes, onions, cabbage, and apples from Poland if the countries do not reach an agreement. Morawiecki responded that his country would expand the ban on the import of Ukrainian products if Ukraine escalates the conflict.

Read also: Ukrainian diplomat on tensions with Poland  interview

However, after discussions between the Ministers of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine and Poland, the two countries said they had agreed to find a joint solution to the grain dispute.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Sacramento County sheriffs detectives earlier this week arrested a 39-year-old man accused of sexually abusing a child  alleged crimes authorities said went on for years before the child told a school employee about the abuse.

Vincent Anthony Trillo was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of 19 counts of committing lewd or lascivious acts with a child younger than 14 years old by using force or fear, the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office announced Friday in a news release.

Trillo also faces one count of committing lewd or lascivious acts with a child younger than 14.

Trillo appeared Thursday afternoon for his arraignment in Sacramento Superior Court. He is scheduled to return to court Oct. 30 for further proceedings in his criminal case.

On April 11, an employee at a local school who is mandated to report child abuse contacted the Sheriffs Office. The school employee reported that a student revealed years-long sexual abuse at home, and Trillo was identified as the suspect, sheriffs officials said in the news release.

The Sheriffs Offices child abuse bureau launched an investigation, and detectives later obtained an arrest warrant for Trillo. Court records show the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office filed a criminal complaint against Trillo on Sept. 5.

The sheriffs detectives found and arrested Trillo on Tuesday. He was booked at the Sacramento County Main Jail, where he remained in custody as of Friday afternoon. His bail is set at $3.9 million.
New Orleans supply of drinking water has been thrown into crisis due to the threat of saltwater intrusion from the Gulf of Mexico on the rapidly-shrinking Mississippi River.

On Friday, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards announced plans to declare a state of emergency. The US Army Corps of Engineers has also laid out a timeline of when parts of the states southeastern region are expected to be impacted, and is transporting millions of gallons of freshwater to create a mix that is safe for use.

Some parts of Louisiana are already under a boil water advisory. Local governments have set up bottled water distribution centers and patients on dialysis or with kidney failure have been advised to consult with their physician.

The water crisis threatens to reach parts of New Orleans, a city of more than 370,000, by late October.

The Mississippi River is expected to hit record lows for the second, consecutive year and increase the chance of saltwater moving upstream.

Significant rainfall - needed to combat the heavy layer of salt - is not expected for several months, the governor said.

He warned residents against panic-buying of water.

Were being proactive. Were applying best practices and lessons learned from the past, the governor said, according to The Associated Press.

Mr Edwards said he would file an official request with the federal government to get more agencies involved in the response.

New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell has already signed an emergency declaration, while the citys sewage board is analysing lead pipes throughout the city.

Mr Edwards said the emergency is just one of the climate-related challenges that Louisiana has experienced this year  as health authorities continue to grapple with a prolonged drought and above-average heat.

The Mississippi River is expected to hit record lows for the second, consecutive year. Without significant rainfall in the following week, saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico flowing upriver is expected to affect drinking water for several regions in southeastern Louisiana (AP)

Residents in Lower Plaquemines Parish have been warned against using their tap water and bottled water is being distributed to the community.

Belle Chasse, St Bernard, Algiers, Gretna, West Jefferson, Carrollton and East Jefferson are expected to be impacted by October.

The Army Corps of Engineers is finishing a 25-foot underwater levee in the Mississippi in an attempt to prevent saltwater from contaminating drinking supplies.

The purpose of the levee is to increase water flow that will then push the saltwater back to the gulf.

The Army Corps of Engineers is finishing a 25-foot underwater levee in the Mississippi in an attempt to prevent saltwater from contaminating drinking supplies (AP)

We are going to create a wall of mud to bring that depth up and what that will do is allow the fresh water to continue moving downward but it will impede the progress of the saltwater upriver, Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett told CNN.

We are looking to have our initial capacity to transport approximately 15 million gallons of water next week and we will continue to increase capacity as the conditions continue, Col Jones said, according to WWL-TV.
The Mississippi River is facing a crisis of saltwater making its way up the waterway from the Gulf of Mexico.

Drinking water in some parts of Louisiana is facing a risk from the salt water, resulting in the Bayou States Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) saying he is only a number of days away from asking for an emergency declaration from the federal government, according to The Associated Press. The river is also experiencing a drought.

Unfortunately, we just havent had the relief from dry conditions  so that (saltwater) intrusion is worsening, in the sense that its moving further up the river, Edwards said at a news conference Friday, according to AP.

Plaquemines Parish, in the southeastern portion of the state, is, as of now, under a drinking water advisory from high salt levels in the water, and bottled water is being handed out to residents, The AP reported.

On Friday, the Mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell (D) signed an emergency declaration with a focus on the saltwater intrusion. Her office said it would allow the citys agencies to thoroughly prepare for and respond to any impending impacts, in a news release.

It also allows for a more streamlined response and for state and federal agencies to deploy resources, if necessary, the release continued.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SAN DIEGO  The San Diego Humane Society is struggling to find out what happened to hundreds of small animals they delivered to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.

The trust is absolutely broken right now. We are waiting for them to give us answers, and they are very simple questions we need answers to, said Nina Thompson from the San Diego Humane Society.

VIDEO: Mesmerizing dolphin stampede captured near Dana Point

In early August, the Humane Society of Southern Arizona reached out to help San Diego rehouse 318 small animals like bunnies, hamsters, guinea pigs and rats. After reporting to house all of the animals at one mysterious private shelter, the San Diego Humane Society got worried.

Its very scary. The thought of having a single anonymous rescue that nobody has ever heard of, thats not a registered non-profit, the thought of them taking all of the animals and then them saying they were able to have them placed over a very short time, its very scary, said Thompson.

Now, the Humane Society of Southern Arizona has gone quiet and lawyers are making demands for answers about the safety of the small animals that were transferred to Arizona.

These are pets that our staff and volunteers have cared for, for months. Some of them have been in our shelter for a very long time. We transferred them to Arizona for them to have a better chance of being adopted. Now we need to know the final outcome. We need to know what happened to these animals, said Thompson.

Foodieland night market takes over Del Mar Fairgrounds

The big questions that remain: Are these animals still alive? Are they being cared for, or are they being used for some other purpose?

The question remains open until the Humane Society of Southern Arizona returns calls and shows proof the animals are in good health.

FOX 5 has also reached out to several people at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona during working hours, but has not heard from any representatives.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
I wasnt even looking to work at the Center for Antiracist Research. I was a junior faculty member at Boston University with a modest public profile, so didnt expect an invitation to the party. Dr. Ibram X. Kendi was an academic rockstar, after all.

To my surprise, the center reached out to interview me. When I got the job, I felt like Percy Jackson being summoned to Mount Olympus.

Fast forward two years. I had left the center, like so many others, and was recovering from the experience. Then I got word about the mass layoffs. All the old feelings came flooding back.

The GOP Wants You to Be Terrified of a Black Woman President

I was in charge of the centers educational and training programs. The training program was intended to advance antiracist workforce development. We envisioned a ground-breaking, world-class program, meeting the growing demand for training in the wake of the so-called racial reckoning.

My other task was to develop academic programs in antiracism studies. These programs would be offered at the undergraduate and graduate level and be university-wide and interdisciplinary. As many people whove worked at the center have said, it sounded like my dream job.

I was so wrong.

I accepted the challenge of building these programs and got to work. It wasnt long before I ran into obstacles. I noticed that leadership would make decisions that either werent adequately explained or made no sense. I received mixed messages and contradictory directives. I would make recommendations based upon my expertise that went unheeded. I would go to meetings and get the sense I was in a class with students who hadnt done the reading. I would express concerns and it would go nowhere.

This experience was shared by many at the Center for Antiracist Research.

Having worked in a number of organizations, I was used to a bit of dysfunction. I tried to take it in stride. However, I was also hearing rumbles of discontent from colleagues.

A number of people in significant leadership positions left, often abruptly. This was a bad sign. I told myself that the center was new, and growing pains were to be expected. My solution was to support my colleagues and focus on what I could control. However, this coping strategy was not sustainable, because the centers dysfunction was sabotaging my efforts.

In terms of the training program, the dysfunction included reluctance to offer the competitive salary required for the position we needed to fill. Having worked as a trainer myself I knew that wed have to pay people well.

Also, on principle, I believed strongly that paying people what they deserve should be a basic organizational value. The salary issue led to us losing some strong potential candidates.

While the center finally decided to offer a higher salary, it never got around to providing the kind of human and financial resources needed to build the quality of program we envisioned. This is in spite of the fact that the training program was expected to be one of our revenue generators.

Its bizarre to now explain mass layoffs as a strategy to ensure the sustainability of the center after it failed to create a revenue-generating program.

In terms of antiracism studies, I collaborated with a number of university stakeholders in designing an interdisciplinary graduate program that we hoped would be the first of its kind in the United States. Organizing this was complex. We had to bring together people from diverse disciplines with competing agendas.

An obstacle I encountered was that it was difficult to get faculty support because of concerns about the centers operations. I also began to feel that focusing on a graduate program failed to address the need for antiracist learning at the undergraduate level. I shared this concern many times. The center didnt listen.

Ultimately, we ended up with no antiracism studies programs at all. Meanwhile, the rumbles of discontent were turning into an earthquake and people kept leaving. No matter how hard people tried, things didnt improve.

Tim Scotts Vision for America Isnt for Black People

While working on antiracism studies, I assessed the universitys curriculum and believed there were not enough graduate-level electives to sustain the kind of program we wanted. I proposed and created a fellowship that would train faculty in antiracist pedagogy to increase antiracist content in the curriculum. This new initiative was a collaborative effort between the Center for Antiracist Research, the Center for Teaching and Learning, and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. The fellowship was successfully launched and is already having a positive impact on the university.

Given what had happened with my other projects, the fellowship was my pride and joy.

In spite of this one success, the dysfunction at the center became intolerable. It began to negatively impact my well-being. I finally decided to make a gracious exit.

Shortly before my time ended, I was informed that I could no longer be part of the leadership of the fellowship I created. I have yet to be given a good reason for this. Im also still waiting for someone to explain how taking a fellowship away from the Black faculty member who created it is antiracist.

I came to the Center for Antiracist Research with hope and passion. I left with nothing but grief and exhaustion. During my final month, I attended a staff retreat. It felt more like a funeral. Given the mass layoffs that just happened, maybe it was.

The center that so many believed in is now effectively dead.

This tragedy offers a cautionary tale. High profile academics can grow so large they exert an irresistible gravity. They pull in resources, institutions, people, and attention. Celebrity is seductive. But celebrity should not be confused with leadership ability.

Celebrity also relies upon and reinforces the search for saviors. This allows people to avoid the hard work of taking responsibility for creating the world they want. They mistake popularity for practice wisdom. They sit passively at the feet of a chosen one who provides answers in exchange for deference.

Antiracism has become more of a buzzword than a movement. Real antiracism is not a branding exercise, PR campaign, or path to self-promotion. It is a life and death matter. Too many institutions have responded to the racial reckoning with theater, therapy, and marketing masquerading as institutional commitment.

Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly Remain Obsessed With the Obamas

The centers layoffs also come at the worst possible time.

We are living and dying through an escalating racist backlash. The centers dysfunction may end up costing more than the reputation of an individual or a university. Those trying to discredit antiracism are celebrating the centers actions as a culture war victory. They smell blood in the water. And the wound is self-inflicted. However, wounds can be healed.

Boston University stands at a crossroads. One road involves damage controllaunching an inquiry that doesnt lead to real change and history repeating itself. The other involves committing to a process of transformative justice. This requires taking responsibility for the harm thats been done and doing real work to repair it.

Such a process must include all of the staff, faculty and community partners who have been harmed by the Center for Antiracist Research.

Our students are watching. Make your choice, Boston University.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
Anthony Scaramucci, who had a short stint as White House press secretary in the Trump administration, went after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) on Friday after her hypocritical comments asking migrants not to come to New York.

Hochul, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the Biden administration have feuded over the influx of migrants to New York City in recent months. Hochul went back on previous statements this week, telling migrants to go somewhere else.

Two wrongs do not make a right. Were exposing Kathy Hochuls hypocrisy shes totally hypocritical and shes virtue signaling with all of her nonsense, Scaramucci said in a NewsNation interview Friday.

Hochul and Adams have pressured the Biden administration for more federal assistance to help migrants in the state, claiming that their resources are stretched beyond their capacity.

Scaramucci tied the governors comments to the transport of migrants from border states north, championed by Govs. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) and Greg Abbott (R-Texas.). The pair have sent buses and planes full of migrants to Democratic-controlled cities as a form of political retribution over what they consider lax migrant policies.

I think it cost DeSantis any shot at challenging Trump. Because its so inhuman, Scaramucci said. He takes the people and he flies them to Marthas Vineyard There are human beings they are moving around as chess pieces.

DeSantis and Abbotts migrant transports, widely considered political stunts, have included migrants being sent to Vice President Kamala Harris home, the small New England island of Marthas Vineyard and multiple groups of migrants sent to Los Angeles and New York City, among other destinations.

When I look at somebody getting moved to Marthas Vineyard or New York a governor who is a human being should not be using people as pawns in the political process. Its ridiculous, he continued. [Hochul is] a loser for being such a hypocrite, but these guys are terrible human beings.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rosa Angelica Saldana, 81, is helped by her grandchildren, Paola Rojas, 19, left, and her brother Max Rojas, 14, and their mother, Mariella Rojas, in Northridge. Saldana lives with Mariella and her family in a three-bedroom apartment. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

When Mariella Rojas goes into her mothers bedroom each morning, she doesnt know whether 81-year-old Rosa Angelica Saldana will recognize her.

Sometimes shell say, Mariella, and shell caress my hand, the pre-K teacher says. "Or sometimes shes just staring at me and looks spaced out.

Her mother, once vibrant and industrious, lived on her own until her world went out of focus about seven years ago. Mariella panicked when she learned Saldana hadnt returned from an errand; eventually, she found her in a bank, where she looked so lost. Another time, her mother got off a bus at her scheduled stop but couldnt remember how to get home from there.

A decoration, "home is my happy place," rests on a living room table inside the apartment of the Rojas family in Northridge. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Mariella, 48, and her family briefly considered moving Saldana to a nursing facility, but the cost at the time, starting at $5,000 a month, was unaffordable. And Mariella says she couldnt imagine leaving her mother with strangers and worrying about the quality of her care.

Mariella asked her husband, Julio, if it would be OK for her mother to move in with them.

He said yes. His parents were cared for by family in Argentina after he moved to the United States.

For the last seven years, Saldana, whose cognitive impairment has steadily declined, has lived in a three-bedroom Northridge apartment with Mariella, Julio, their daughter Paola, 19, and son Max, 14. The teens, who used to have their own bedrooms, began sharing one to make room for their grandmother.

Mariella Rojas prepares dinner for her family while her mother, Rosa Angelica Saldana, looks through a coloring book in their apartment in Northridge. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Its challenging, Julio, 51, told me after a day of work at a metal casting factory. He was seated at the dining room table across from his mother-in-law, who dug into a spaghetti dinner. But we needed to help, and we did it.

As the age wave gathers force in one of the great demographic shifts of our time, a small percentage of people will be able to afford 24/7 in-home care for loved ones, and some will go broke trying. Others will ship family members off to nursing homes or senior villages, but thats a budget buster too.

Mariella calls her situation an arrangement born of cultural preference  "I'm Latina"  and financial need. But given projected shortages of trained help and the cost of professional care, this model is becoming more common in a nation of unpaid caregivers who are learning on the job, even as they juggle work and other family responsibilities.

A family album, featuring a photo of Saldana when she was 60, rests on a table in the living room of her family's apartment. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

In 2021, says a report from AARP, about 38 million family caregivers in the United States provided an estimated 36 billion hours of care to an adult with limitations in daily activities. The estimated economic value of their unpaid contributions was approximately $600 billion.

To help family caregivers  and they're certainly going to need help  AARP recommended state and federal tax credits and workplace flexibility, among other things.

Professor Donna Benton, director of the USC Family Caregiver Support Center, said cultural norms, economic hardship and the cost of professional care  particularly in Black, Latino and Asian communities  will make arrangements like that of Mariella Rojas family more common.

I think more people, particularly with the housing crunch, are going to be living together, Benton said.

Mariella Rojas, left, opens her arms after her mother Rosa Angelica Saldana, asked for a hug. Mariella Rojas, left, gives her mother, Rosa Angelica Saldana, a hug. Julio Rojas helps his mother-in-law, Rosa Angelica Saldana, stand up so he can help her get ready for bed. Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times

To fully understand Mariellas devotion to her mother, you have to go back to 1982 in their native Peru. When she was 7, Mariella and her mother were involved in a traffic accident that killed Mariellas father and 10-year-old sister. Mariella and her mother, badly injured, were hospitalized for a month.

I dont remember the car accident, but I remember waking up in the hospital with my mom in the bed next to me, said Mariella, who also recalls the moment a doctor told her mother that her husband and daughter were gone. Since that day, Ive always been next to my mom.

Five years after the accident, the family moved to Los Angeles in search of a fresh start, helped out initially by friends who also had relocated from Peru. Mariella missed home, but along with her two older brothers, she began to adapt while their mother worked as a nanny, among other jobs.

Mariella recalls her mothers struggles and insistence  having tragically lost her own provider  that Mariella establish her independence.

Mariella Rojas, center, talks with her husband, Julio, as her mother naps. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

You need to go to school and you need to get a career, her mother told her, and Mariella recalls her mothers pride when she became a teacher.

In the morning, when Mariella and Julio get ready for work while Paola and Max get ready for school, an aide from the state-sponsored In-Home Supportive Services program helps Saldana get bathed, dressed and ready for her day.

Mariellas brother then picks up his mother and takes her to ONEgeneration Adult Daycare in Van Nuys, where she has a full day of games, puzzles, music, group activities, exercise and nursing care. Twice daily, the adults mingle with kids in the adjacent ONEgeneration preschool, reading to them, working on puzzles and sometimes rocking them to sleep.

Most of the adults in the program, including Saldana, qualify for Medi-Cal coverage. And almost all of them, at the end of the day, return to multigenerational homes.

After teaching for the day, Mariella Rojas picks up her mother, Rosa Angelica Saldana, from OneGeneration Adult Day Care in Van Nuys. Saldana, gets assistance from her daughter, Marielle Rojas, getting into the family car. Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times

Mariella calls ONEgeneration a lifesaver. The adult day care director there, Michelle Quiroga-Diaz, told me that when Saldana seems out of sorts, the staff has learned theres a quick remedy. We often feel like she needs to hear Mariellas voice, so well call her, and she makes a difference in those moments, Quiroga-Diaz said.

Mariella arrived at ONEgeneration just after 4 one afternoon to pick up her mother. She greeted her mom in Spanish, and then helped her on a slow walk to the car. Saldana had a knee replacement several years ago and uses a walker, which makes these daily rituals physically and emotionally time-consuming.

After a 15-minute drive home, the Rojas family care system kicks into action. Mariella calls ahead, and Max comes to the gate of the apartment complex while his mother double-parks and hands off Saldana. Max gives his grandmother a hug and walks her back to the apartment while Mariella parks.

Paola, a Pierce College student interested in a film career, used to be on morning wake-up duty with her grandmother but now helps out in other ways. She said that when she had to give up her own bedroom to make room for her grandmother, she was fine with it.

Saldana is helped by her grandchildren, Max and Paola, who gave up her bedroom for her grandmother. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

From the time I was a baby, I was cared for by my grandma while my mother and father were at work, said Paola. She and Max recall strolling the neighborhood with their grandmother, especially the trips to get ice cream.

Mariella said the family had agreed theyd consider a nursing home when her mother's needs became too great. It was Paola, though, who resisted when a daily hygiene issue put new demands on the family.

Read more: Column: Theyre facing an epidemic of loneliness and isolation, but solutions are within reach

I said, Paola, we should look into a place, Mariella told me. And she said, I dont think youre ready, Mom. And you know what? Dont worry. Ill help you. For me, those words were so powerful.

One key to making it work, said Julio, is to leave a part of every Saturday for the four of them to do something together. A helper will come in to watch Saldana, and the rest of the family will go to Little Tokyo, or maybe to the beach, and then out to dinner.

After returning home from adult day care, Saldana is asked by her granddaughter if she can bring her something to eat or drink. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The family has learned, with guidance from ONEgeneration, how to understand and accommodate Saldanas infirmity  how to resist pushing back when she's combative or confused.

You join their world, Mariella said, offering an example. In the middle of a meal, her mother might call out to Julio, thinking hes a waiter. Julio will hurry over and ask how he can be of assistance.

Max, who attends Granada Hills Charter and dreams of going to MIT and becoming an engineer, misses the grandma who used to help him with his homework, but hes found ways to love this evolving version of her. Most of the time she doesnt remember who I am, Max said, seated on the living room sofa while his grandmother watched the news on television. But regardless, he senses that hes a familiar presence in her mind, and he knows a hug or kiss can draw a smile out of her.

Read more: Column: Increased staffing for nursing homes? Sure, but the lack of oversight is deplorable

I dont know what she wants," Max said. "But to me it seems like shes happy, and I want her to be around the people she truly wants to be around."

A year and a half ago, Mariellas oldest brother died after a long battle with cancer. She has struggled with whether to tell her mother, but hasnt, so far. She fears that on some level, despite memory loss, her mother will suffer again, as she did for so many years after losing a husband and a daughter.

Julio Rojas helps his mother-in-law brush her teeth and wash up before going to bed. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

A little after 7 p.m., Julio asked his mother-in-law if she was ready to brush her teeth and take her medication. He helped her off an easy chair and into her walker. Sometimes, Mariella said, her mother will take the toothbrush and use it to scrub the bathroom sink, but you learn to go with the flow.

Those concessions are not easy to process, nor is it easy to witness the relentless march of such an indiscriminately cruel impairment. But this is the woman who was always there for her, and Mariella now offers the same gift:

"I feel the way to honor my mom is to keep her with me as long as I can," said Mariella.

Yes, it's a lot. Yes, it's hard.

But you know who taught me how to be strong?" Mariella said as her mother prepared for bed. "That lady."

Saldana sits on the edge of her bed as her son-in-law prepares to help her as his wife looks on. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Julio tucked his mother-in-law into bed and pulled up the side rails to keep her from falling out. Hanging on the wall is a photo of Mariella, Julio, Paola and Max.

Her mother can be confused when she wakes up, Mariella said, and maybe that photo reminds her shes in her own home with people who love her.

steve.lopez@latimes.com





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 34-year-old Scituate man was arrested after an armed carjacking in Boston resulted in a police pursuit that ended with the man crashing a BMW SUV into a stone wall in Kingston.

Trevor Baylef is accused of leading state troopers on a wild morning chase on local roadways, state police said. The charges Baylef is facing were not immediately released on Saturday.

After the crash, troopers found a knife in plain sight inside the crashed BMW, state police said.

At 8:23 a.m. Saturday, state police received a BOLO alert from Boston Police reporting that a black BMW X5 SUV was wanted in connection with an armed carjacking. Police gave the vehicles last known location as Interstate 93 at Route 3.

Around the same time, a motorist called the state police barracks in Norwell to report a vehicle matching the description of the SUV involved in the carjacking being driven erratically on Route 3 southbound. State troopers and a K9 unit responded to the area.

At approximately 8:28 a.m., state police saw the suspect, later identified as Baylef, on Route 3 south in Duxbury near the North Street overpass.

Troopers tried to stop the BMW, but Baylef refused to stop and drove away at a very high rate of speed, state police said. The troopers pursued the suspect.

Baylef took Exit 18 onto Main Street, or Route 3A, in Kingston, and then crashed into a stone wall near the intersection of Main Street and Landing Road.

Baylef was arrested at the scene, state police said. An ambulance took him to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth for medical evaluation.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Boston Police investigators responded to Kingston to document the suspect vehicle and take possession of evidence recovered.

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
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is signaling he could be taking a more aggressive approach toward rivals ahead of the second GOP debate next week as he trails several contenders in 2024 polls.

Scott this week took a swipe at former President Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley over the issue of abortion, saying on Fox News they have all run away from protecting life. He also jabbed at biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy on Thursday, calling his positions on Israel and Taiwan wrong.

Its a contrast from the optimistic and cordial attitude Scott has so far projected on the campaign trail. But after a lackluster first debate performance, Republicans say Scott might need to change course.

If [Scotts] really running for president and not vice president, he absolutely has to take the bark off President Trump  that would show voters his appetite for a fight and serve as proof that he can take on the Democrat machine, said Arizona-based GOP strategist and Trump campaign alum Brian Seitchik.

At least seven GOP contenders, including Scott, appear to have met the criteria for the second GOP debate, which is scheduled for Wednesday and will be hosted by Fox Business at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.

Scott and DeSantis largely avoided wading into the squabbling during the first debate. Scott wasnt shy earlier this year to criticize DeSantis over an updated, controversial Florida educational curriculum that suggested there were benefits to slavery, but many said the senator faded into the background on the debate stage.

Its not a secret that he clearly tried to play it safe in the first debate and not interrupt and not interject and not be too combative. But it didnt move the needle, explained GOP strategist Alice Stewart, whos worked on debate prep for former GOP presidential candidates, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Instead, former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Haley and Ramaswamy cemented themselves in the foreground of the second Republican presidential debate in a back-and-forth over foreign policy and political experience.

Meanwhile, participants of the second debate will have to contend yet again with Trump as the elephant not in the room.

The leading GOP hopeful is snubbing the debate for a second time, instead speaking to former and current union workers in Detroit on Wednesday. Its a move that puts him at the center of a major auto workers strike.

Trump also skipped the first debate in Milwaukee last month, counter-programming the event by releasing an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson at the same time as the debate.

The second debate offers a critical moment for GOP presidential candidates as the window closes on gaining ground against Trump in the polls.

Sen. Scott by nature is mild-mannered and friendly, and nows the time for him to start showing the contrast and maybe push out an elbow or two, Stewart said. But you can  effectively make the contrast and comparison without coming across as critical or combative, and thats what Sen. Scott needs to do.

A senior Scott official noted the South Carolina Republican took steps to contrast himself with the field right after the first debate and suggested there hasnt been a change in strategy.

In an interview with Fox News a day after the first debate, Scott called out several of his 2024 rivals for how they handled the issue of abortion during the debate without naming names.

This isnt about anything other than simply trying out contrasts and drawing distinctions. I think thats a very big difference, the senior Scott official said.

There are differences among the candidates and different  policy positions or the like, and I think what Sen. Scotts doing is just bringing those out and drawing distinctions and contrasts. I dont think thats anything in terms of a change in strategy, or  anything along those lines, the person added.

But those efforts appeared to ramp up earlier this week. On Monday, speaking at a town hall in Mason City, Iowa, Scott again targeted several of his opponents on abortion.

President Trump said hed negotiate with Democrats and walk back away from what I believe where we need to be, which is a 15-week limit on the federal level, Scott said. Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis all along with President Trump have said they will not name a week where we stop California, New York and Illinois of having abortions on demand.

In an interview with conservative radio show host Hugh Hewitt, Scott criticized Ramaswamy over his views on U.S. involvement with Taiwan and Israel. Haley also generated buzz in the first debate for hitting Ramaswamy on foreign policy, saying: You have no foreign policy experience, and it shows.

Vivek, hes just wrong on this topic. Hes wrong on making sure that we protect Israel until 2028, Scott told Hewitt. You cannot put an expiration date on our allies. Its just dead wrong, and it could lead to the loss of life, and certainly lead to the loss of confidence in the greatest nation on Gods green Earth.

Ramaswamy has said that the U.S. would defend Taiwan until 2028 when the U.S. has semiconductor independence but later clarified in his position that after 2028, the country would resume our position of strategic ambiguity.

On Israel, he said he would negotiate an Abraham Accords 2.0 that would negotiate Israel back in with the Middle East such that further aid to the country would not be necessary after 2028.

Meanwhile, a Wednesday memo from campaign manager Jennifer DeCasper to the executive finance committee, which was first reported by Politico and obtained by The Hill, stressed not to count out the South Carolina Republican ahead of the second GOP debate.

We saw a lot of ink spilled in the wake of the last debate on whos up, whos down, and how the entire campaign seemingly is won or lost in 90 minutes on a stage in Milwaukee. Im here to tell you to ignore the noise and focus on the facts in front of us, DeCasper wrote, noting internal polling they conducted said Scott had the best net favorability amongst the field.

Scott also raised $1 million between events in Charleston and New York City in the 24 hours before the debate, a Scott official said, suggesting theres still enthusiasm for the candidate.

Some Republicans say they like the more aggressive approach theyre seeing from Scott.

I like the aggressive approach. I think he needed it after the first debate where he was really kind of on the sidelines, explained Sarah Chamberlain, president and CEO of the Republican Main Street Partnership.

At the same time, experts acknowledge Scott has to thread the needle on his approach carefully given that hes cast himself as a positive candidate who still needs to win over Republican primary voters.

Its a very difficult tightrope to walk, and I think that there are  competing social demands for candidates like Tim Scott, and [former President] Barack Obama faced similar demands, that almost require him as a candidate to stay positive and optimistic, said Jacob Thompson, a debate expert and associate vice provost for undergraduate education at University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

But even some of Scotts donors say they think the South Carolina Republican will need to get more assertive heading into the next debate.

Metals magnate and Republican donor Andy Sabin, who switched to supporting Scott instead of DeSantis, said that during the first debate, Scott tried to abide by the rules, which, obviously, the people [at] Fox News handling the debate felt that they could get more viewers by just letting it be a free-for-all.

I hate to say, Sabin laughed, I guess hes gonna have to  when he hears something coming out of some of the other people  hes gonna have to interrupt em and tell em theyre full of shit and tell em the way he sees it.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.